For the next couple weeks I plan to post a little online water cooler fodder on Fridays, just to provide Citizens the opportunity for some fun, low-stress baseball-related commenting before things get serious and spring training is finally here. We certainly wouldn't want anyone Citizen to pull or strain anything diving into a spring training game log without having properly stretched his fingers. Below you'll find the initial installment of Friday Fungoes.
Occasionally I go drink beer at a neighborhood joint with a close friend of mine who is every bit the baseball fan as anyone on this site. Owing partially to an older family member who played minor league ball in the Pittsburgh farm system in the Thirties, he grew up a Pirates fan, rooting with youthful intensity for Roberto Clemente and the rest of the Buccos in the 1960 World Series. Originally from Colorado, these days he's a staunch Rockies fan. What follows is a fun thought experiment, which he proposed to me last week over our second or third pitcher of Alaskan Amber:
Your team is carrying a one-run lead into the ninth inning. As the manager, you need to construct the best defense you can put on the field, manned by players of any era, with the proviso that they must be players you have watched during your time as a baseball fan. Pay no attention to a player's offensive prowess - the goal here is to prevent the tying run from scoring, not to win the game in your next at-bat.
My defense:
C Ivan Rodriguez
1b John Olerud
2b Rey Sanchez
3b Gary Gaetti
SS Ozzie Smith
LF Barry Bonds*
CF Devon White
RF Ichiro
P Greg Maddux
*Unless Sid Bream is due up.
Obviously answers will vary depending upon the age of the individual supplying them, or the age baseball fandom set in, or both. Who would you send out to guard your lead?
EDIT: sean suggested also posting your worst defense, which I heartily second. In that spirit:
C Todd Hundley
1b Frank Thomas
2b Jose Offerman
3b Bobby Bonilla
SS Cap'n Dreamboat
LF Manny B Manny
CF Bernie Williams
RF Gary Sheffield
P Mitch Williams