THE SECOND DECADE SEASONS 11-20
The Best Player Ever in Baseball, Cortes or Garcia?
East Rutherford, NJ (McC) - The second decade in the Robert E. McCabe league saw the emergent of some great stars and the dominants of the National League West division during the regular season, and most notable the post-season. When talking about stars in the decade, that conversation starts and ends with the best players ever to lace up a pair of spikes, 8 time MVP Tony Cortes and 6 time Cy Young award winner Vince Garcia. Cortes (396 HR, 1457 RBI, 340 BA) is our decade MVP, Garcia (199 wins, 2.65 ERA, 115 CG) gets the Cy Young for the decade, and our Fireman of the decade is Cedrick Hollins (472 Saves). The only question left is "who is the best player ever?" Is it Cortes or Garcia? I was ready to name Cortes the best of all time until I took a real good look at the career of Garcia. I'm leaning towards the everyday player Cortes, but who could go wrong with either choice.
The best division in baseball during the decade has to be the National League West. That division has won the NL pennant 7 of the 10 years. Our runner up is the American League East with 6 pennants. The NL West had 3 of the 4 teams win 90+ games every year since season 17, and in season 19 the top three teams in the division won an amazing 100 games. Our team of the decade is the San Diego Padres. The Padres has the best record in baseball the last 3 years and 4 out of the last 5, they have played in 5 World Series in the decade, winning 3.
The All Decade Squab for Season Two
The Best Player Ever in Baseball, Cortes or Garcia?
The best division in baseball during the decade has to be the National League West. That division has won the NL pennant 7 of the 10 years. Our runner up is the American League East with 6 pennants. The NL West had 3 of the 4 teams win 90+ games every year since season 17, and in season 19 the top three teams in the division won an amazing 100 games. Our team of the decade is the San Diego Padres. The Padres has the best record in baseball the last 3 years and 4 out of the last 5, they have played in 5 World Series in the decade, winning 3.
The All Decade Squab for Season Two
Catcher
Hersh Mays (251 HR, 624 RBI, 302 BA) is a 4 time All-Star and has won the Silver Slugger (C) award twice.
First-base
Don Bagley has a 334 lifetime batting average which puts him 3rd on the all-time list behind our decade MVP Tony Cortes (340 BA), and Hall of Famer Placido Ortiz (335 BA). He won the Rookie of the Year in season 13, 4 time Silver Slugger (1B) award winner, and 3 time All-Star.
Second-baseHersh Mays (251 HR, 624 RBI, 302 BA) is a 4 time All-Star and has won the Silver Slugger (C) award twice.
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First-base
Don Bagley has a 334 lifetime batting average which puts him 3rd on the all-time list behind our decade MVP Tony Cortes (340 BA), and Hall of Famer Placido Ortiz (335 BA). He won the Rookie of the Year in season 13, 4 time Silver Slugger (1B) award winner, and 3 time All-Star.
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This former 1st round selection (2 overall) won the Rookie of the Year and MVP (2 time MVP) in the same year. He is a 8 time All-Star, 8 time Silver Slugger award winner (5 at 2B), and a World Series Winner. Career stats; 447 HR, 1248 RBI, 300 BA.
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Third-base
George Brantley won the season 20 MVP, has appeared in 6 All-Star games, a home run derby champ, 7 time Silver Slugger award winner (6 at 3B), and won a World Series Ring in season 15 with the Oakland Athletics.
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Shortstop
Mark Crosby has 2 World Series Rings, 5 All-Stars appearances, 2 Gold Gloves, and 2 Silver Slugger awards at shortstop.
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Leftfield
What more can we say about this first ballot Hall of Famer, 9 time MVP, 12 time All-Star, and 2 time World Series winner. He has the best career batting average of all-time at 340, and the signal-season record of 396 (season 15) when he flirted with batting 400 for the season. 11 Silver Slugger awards, 2 Gold Gloves, 1 All-Star MVP. Career stats: He is number one on the all-time career list in Runs Scored (1,682), BA (340), OBP (467), OPS (1.089), Stolen Bases (747), and Walks (1,471). He is 2nd on the all-time list with a 621 Slugging Percentage, 2nd on the list with 211 Intentional Walks, and 3rd on the career Triples list with 91.
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Centerfield
Diego Hernandez is the best center-fielder of the decade with 10 All-Star appearances, 7 time Gold Glove (CF) winner, 7 Silver Slugger (CF) awards, all in his 10 year major league career.
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Right-field
This first ballot Hall of Famer is a 3 time MVP, and 9 time All-Star. 6 time Sliver Slugger award winner, 2 time Home Run Derby winner, and a All-Star MVP. He is first on the all-time career Slugging Percentage list with a 651, and ranked 2nd all-time in OPS (1.034), and 2nd all-time in Triples (95).
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Designated Hitter
Ablullah Beckham is our DH of the decade. He is a 6 time All-Star, 4 time Silver Slugger (DH), and a 2 time Home Run Derby Champ. 37 year-old Beckham is presently assigned to the Milwaukee Brewers AAA affiliate where he is batting 343 and hoping to get one more shot at the bigs. This once King of the DH during his career made $45 Million during his 15 years as a pro is now making the minor league max of 55k, and in our opinion should just ride off into the sunset. Sticking around in the minors, where can win a batting title against inferior pitching will only hurt his chances to be elected into the Hall. Career stats; 405 HR, 1146 RBI, 316 BA.
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Right-hand Starter
Garcia, another first ballot HOF is the most dominating pitcher of all-time. Some of my colleagues say he's the best player ever. The most amazing stat is his all-time career leading 115 (5 in season 21) complete games. That stat leads the 2nd place pitcher, and our left-hand starter of the decade Luther Abercrombie (72 CG) by 23 and counting. He is a World Series winner, 8 time All-Star, and 6 time Cy Young award winner. Career records: He's number 1 on the career list in the following categories; complete games (115), Shutouts (32), Whip (1.01), and Winning Percentage (.734). Second on the career list with a 2.68 ERA, and 3rd with a 219 BA allowed.
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Left-hand Starter
Luther Abercrombie is another career stat stuffer. He has been around for 21 years and a major leaguer for 20. This back to back World Series winner in seasons 2 and 3, is a 8 time All-Star, 2 time Cy Young award winner, and is the all-time career wins leader with 305. He is also the career leader in strikeouts (3,984), Inning pitched (4,531.7), and games started (683). He is 2nd on the list with 21 shutouts, and complete games (72). He also has a No-Hitter in season 19 to his credit.
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Closer
Cedrick Hollins is our pick as the Closer of the decade. He is the all-time ERA (2.50) leader, a 8 time All-Star (7 this decade), back to back Fireman of the Year wards in seasons 17 and 18, and a All-Star MVP. He is 2nd on the career batting average allowed list (216), 3rd on the career Whip list (1.09), and 3rd in Saves with 469. Honorable Mention: Skeeter Brown the all-time career Saves leader (525), 7 time All-Star (only 3 this decade), 1 Fireman of the Year, and a World Series winner in season 13 with the San Diego Padres.
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Next Issue: McCabe Magazine Season 21 Power Rankings
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