Dodger Stadium became the Dodgers' permanent home in 1962. This is their 62nd season at Chavez Ravine (2020 inclusive). Only Fenway Park has hosted more World Series games among still standing stadia.
Here's his all-time starting lineup.
If you're not familiar with #2 hitter Babe Herman, check out my 100 Greatest Non-Hall of Famers list. He played just six full seasons with the club but his averages were exceptional.
Dixie Walker would be a nice bat off the bench, if the Dodgers can fit him in.
No such luck. Furillo and Matt Kemp are essential Dodgers. Same for Steve Garvey.
Davey Lopes will have a much harder time keeping his spot.
Dolph Camilli's production over a half-dozen Dodger seasons is very impressive, but the first base roadblocks are a bit tougher than Herman had in right field. Current Red Sox DH Justin Turner makes the team over the speedy Lopes.
The Dodgers' calling card - especially in L.A. - has been their tremendous starting pitching.
Alston's rotation is unchanged. After several rosters with subpar starting pitching, it's nice to see a squad with a clear top-five. Nap Rucker, Orel Hershiser, and Fernando Valenzuela would headline the Dodgers' 'B' rotation. Don Newcombe won a Cy Young, an MVP award, and Rookie of the Year honors with the Dodgers and his career WAR total for the team ranks 20th among pitchers.
Meanwhile, L.A.'s relief corps has one spot up for grabs. Can Clem Labine hold it down?
He cannot. Pedro Baez earns the middle reliever role. As I've mentioned, it's tough for pre-expansion relievers to keep up with today's flamethrowers. Initially I graded guys like Labine on a curve(no pun intended) but I've been more strict with the stats in 2.0.
Looking ahead... Brusdar Graterol could certainly compete for a relief role on this roster. John Roseboro may have to watch out for Will Smith in a couple years. And there's always another high-ceiling starting pitcher in the pipeline.
TL; DR: Two changes from the original roster. Lopes and Labine out. Turner and Baez in.
Come back tomorrow for the penultimate All-Time team*, the San Diego Padres.
Did not see the Pedro Baez addition coming. This team just added 20 minutes onto each game. ... Still thrilled that 2 of my favorites as a youngster - Cey and Guerrero -- are in the lineup.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time wrapping my head around Justin Turner being a greater Dodger than Davey Lopes, but the numbers don't lie.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as familiar with the Dodgers' relief staff as I thought. However, if Night Owl approves who am I to question it?
ReplyDeleteAs a true (Dodger) blue fan, I gotta say "nice post" and "Go Dodgers!".
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the Padres team. By the way... would Nomo make the B rotation for the Dodgers?
ReplyDeleteTaking a second look at the stats I'd say probably Bob Welch and either Johnny Podres or Claude Osteen are ahead of him. But Nomo is in the mix for sure.
DeleteOther than Turner no 21st century players in the starting lineup, surprising given they've been very good for most of the past 20 years.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see where Mookie Betts will end up once his career is over...
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