USA vs. Puerto Rico: Whose all-time lineup reigns supreme?
With the 2017 World Baseball Classic wrapping up this evening, and a first-time champion set to be crowned, what better way to celebrate this year's wildly entertaining tournament than by choosing the all-time best lineups from the two finalists: the presumptive favorite United States and impossible-not-to-love Puerto Rico?
Many of these players never had a chance to make a WBC roster, of course, what with the tournament only dating back to 2006 and more than a few of the dudes having died well before then, but that's what makes this exercise so much fun!
USA
| # | Player | POS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ted Williams | RF |
| 2 | Babe Ruth | LF |
| 3 | Barry Bonds | DH |
| 4 | Alex Rodriguez | 3B |
| 5 | Mike Trout | CF |
| 6 | Lou Gehrig | 1B |
| 7 | Johnny Bench | C |
| 8 | Cal Ripken | SS |
| 9 | Rogers Hornsby | 2B |
| Walter Johnson | P | |
| Manager | Terry Francona |
Anybody could put this list of American players in any order and it would be unbeatable - even Jim Leyland. But, for good measure, we put Ted Williams and his .482 career OBP at the top of the lineup. In four seasons, Williams got on base more often than he made an out. On top of setting the table, Williams would set the tone of selflessness for the team, having given up three years of his prime to serve in World War II.
The two best hitters of all time slot in immediately following Williams in Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds. The only active player on the roster is Mike Trout, who, at just 25 years old, has cemented himself as one of the greats. Slot Rogers Hornsby in the second leadoff spot at the bottom of the lineup, and add the postseason managerial acumen of Terry Francona, and America has its first WBC title locked up. If only it were that simple. - Bradburn
Puerto Rico
| # | Player | POS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roberto Alomar | 2B |
| 2 | Roberto Clemente | RF |
| 3 | Carlos Beltran | LF |
| 4 | Carlos Delgado | 1B |
| 5 | Juan Gonzalez | DH |
| 6 | Bernie Williams | CF |
| 7 | Ivan Rodriguez | C |
| 8 | Carlos Correa | 3B |
| 9 | Francisco Lindor | SS |
| Javier Vazquez | P | |
| Manager | Yadier Molina |
Starting pitching isn't so bountiful on the island - Javier Vazquez is the best hurler the country has ever produced, and it isn't close - but the fact that none of Jorge Posada, Orlando Cepeda, or Javier Baez could crack the all-time starting lineup illustrates how gifted the stars to come out of Puerto Rico are, both offensively and defensively.
The lineup's top three hitters will all have a plaque in Cooperstown within the next decade (assuming, of course, Carlos Beltran ever decides to slow down), while Carlos Delgado and Juan Gonzalez combined for 16 qualified seasons with an OPS above .900. Ivan Rodriguez, meanwhile, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer, having won more Gold Gloves (13) than any other catcher in history, while 2015 AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa and newly minted All-Star Francisco Lindor comprise perhaps the most talented left side of an infield imaginable among active players. Oh yeah, and Yadi is calling the shots. Asombroso. - Birenbaum