When it comes to baseball, here’s a simple question: what do you value? Speed? Power? Defense? Years ago – though I can’t remember exactly when – I posted a list of my favorite players, a group I referred to as the All-Mazz team. I figured it was time for an update, so here is version 2.0.
Before we go much further, let’s offer some guidelines. This isn’t necessarily a list of the best players in baseball history so much as it is a collection of the best players who always drew my attention. These are players I watched during my lifetime, which is to say that they all played after 1980. The large majority of them are Hall-of-Famers or borderline Hall-of-Famers, but that was not a prerequisite. I wasn’t just looking for the best players at each position. I was looking for great players that I’d want in most any kind of game, which brings me back to my value system.
Versatility.
This is, after all, the All-Mazz team.
Here’s my point: are Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds arguably the greatest positional player and pitcher of all-time? Yes. But neither is on this team. I don’t think you’ll find any pure sluggers, either. (Many of them were nothing more than softball players to me.) I love watching great defense as much as anyone, but you have to hit some, too. I generally like players whom I believe can excel in most any situation, under any circumstances. Does that mean you have to be a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger? No. But it means you need to be a reliable.
Admittedly, these kinds of endeavors are entirely subjective and invariably have some exceptions. Not everyone is a perfect fit. So if you’re the kind of jackhammer who scours lists just to find inconsistency, have at it. You may (or may not) find some here. My guess is that you will. But at the end of the day, I like the guys who were ballplayers, which is a deliberately open-ended description. (Maybe I should clarify players whom I deemed as ballplayers.) They probably all had flaws. But at the end of the day. I could live with them.
And so, who is on the All-Mazz team version 2.0? Take a look below. In a couple of cases, I included a second (or honorable mention) candidate because I couldn’t ultimately decide. As such, either would work. Make of that what you will, but, like everyone, I had certain favorites that just couldn’t eliminate.
Catcher
BUSTER POSEY
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a two-run home run off Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Oracle Park on October 08, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
If you’re looking for Posey on a list of the most accomplished catchers in the game’s history you’re not necessarily going to find him. Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk and Pudge Rodriguez all had far better numbers. But there aren’t many (any?) others catchers who could really do it all the way Posey did. He hit for average and power, run, throw, play defense. He batted over .300 for his career. He backstopped the San Francisco Giants during an era in which they won three World Series. He was a Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, even a batting champion. Did he have great longevity? No. But he was the kind of catcher you didn’t have to hit for, run for or replace in the late innings. Ever.
First Base
DON MATTINGLY
Unknown Date; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly in action against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Know what Mattingly and Posey have in common? Relatively shorter careers shortened by injury. As such, Mattingly isn’t in the Hall of Fame. (Posey will be eligible soon.) But if you saw Mattingly play at his peak, you know how good he was. From 1984-89, he hit .327 and won an MVP, five Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. He never struck out more than 43 times in any season and finished with 144 more walks than strikeouts. With his glove, he could scoop pennies off a bowling alley. He had the great misfortune of playing during the playing during the dark ages of Yankees history, but trust me: he could pretty much do it all. In his only career postseason, he batted .412 with an OPS of 1.148.
Second base
ROBERTO ALOMAR
Apr 19, 1993; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Roberto Alomar (left) turns a double play over Cleveland Indians catcher Sandy Alomar (15) at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
In the photo above, just to be clear, the Alomar we’re talking about is the one who’s airborne. (The baserunner is Alomar’s brother, Sandy.) As second basemen go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one in history. Alomar was a switch-hitter who, at various points in his career, knocked in 100 or more runs, scored 100 or more runs, stole at least 50 bases and hit 20 homers. He finished with 10 Gold Gloves and batted .313 in the postseason with an .824 OPS. Generally speaking, he was to second basemen what Derek Jeter was to shortstops – albeit with much better defense. If you built the perfect player, he’d look something like Alomar.
Third base
CHIPPER JONES/GEORGE BRETT
CHICAGO – SEPTEMBER 1: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves watches the flight of the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the game at Wrigley Field on September 1, 1996 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Braves 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Jun 25, 1992; Kansas City, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Royals 1st baseman #5 GEORGE BRETT in action against the New York Yankees at Royals Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports
I used to have Brett at this spot and now I’m leaning Jones – but you can pretty much swap them out. Jones never won a Gold Glove and Brett only won one, albeit later in his career. Offensively, both went far beyond the mold of the power-hitting third baseman, Jones finishing with a career average of .303 while Brett finished at .305. Brett stole more bases (201 to 150 for Jones) while Jones hit more home runs (468 to 317). So why Jones now He was a switch-hitter who had equally dominant numbers against left-handed and right-handed pitchers. As for the postseason, the edge goes to Brett: a 1.063 OPS compared to .864 for Jones, though the latter played in far more games (93 to 43).
Shortstop
DEREK JETER/BARRY LARKIN
BOSTON – OCTOBER 11: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning of Game 3 of the 2003 American League Championship Series to tie the game at 2-2 on October 11, 2003 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusettes. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – 1990: Barry Larkin #11 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the San Francisco Giants during a game in the 1990 season at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Let’s make this clear from the very beginning, I’m ultimately going with Jeter, but it’s closer than you think. The biggest difference was that Jeter played in more games and on more winning teams, but the output was astonishingly similar and diverse. For example: according to baseball-reference.com, the average 162-game output for Larkin was: a .295 average, .815 OPS, 15 home runs, 71 RBI, 28 stolen bases and 99 runs scored; for Jeter: a .310 average, .817 OPS, 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 113 runs scored. If Jeter was a little better offensively – and he probably was – Larkin was better defensively. As for the playoffs, Jeter obviously had a far bigger sample, batting .308 with an .838 OPS in 158 games. Larkin played in just 17 career postseason games, but he batted .338 with an .862 OPS – and yes, he won a World Series. (1990)
Left field
RICKEY HENDERSON
Rickey Henderson #22, Left fielder for the Oakland Athletics runs the baseline during the Major League Baseball American League West game against the Cleveland Indians on 15th August 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, California, United States. The Athletics won the game 6 – 4. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Allsport/Getty Images)
Wait … Rickey? Yes, Rickey, whose self-absorption flies in the face of the kind of team we’re trying to build here – at least a little. Was he a pain in the ass who could pull himself from the projected lineup at the last moment because he had ice burn? Yes. But in his peak years, he was a far bigger pain in the ass for opponents. Had he retired at 35, Henderson would have done so with a .290 career average, .406 on-base percentage and .847 OPS. Instead, he hung on the get 3,000 hits and finished at .279. But he terrorized teams in the playoffs (an .831 OPS) and was, simply, the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time. He had power, speed and even won a Gold Glove as a 22-year-old, though he couldn’t throw worth a lick. But he was dynamic with a capital D.
Center Field
KEN GRIFFEY JR.
GRIFFEY JR.
17 Oct 1995: Oufielder Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners watches his shot during a game playoff game against the Cleveland Indians at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. The Indians won the game 4-0.
BRONX, NY – JULY 27: Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners jumps to make a catch during the American League game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 27, 1997 in the Bronx, New York. The Mariners defeated the Yankees 3-2. (Photo by Tomasso Derosa/Getty Images)
First, apologies for two photos here. Griffey’s picturesque swing was something to be hold, but to emphasize his offense and/or power should be a felony. Like many of the games true greats – Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, even Mike Trout – Griffey was a center fielder and the consummate five-tool player – hit for average, hit for power, defense, throwing arm, speed. And before you suggest that his steals total is underwhelming, trust me: he could fly when he wanted to. (Ask the Yankees about him scoring from first on the final play of their 1995 Division Series.) Griffey played in just 18 postseason games and posted .947 OPS, though he never won a World Series. But there may not be a more naturally gifted player in the history of the game. Too bad we didn’t get to see more of him in October.
Right Field
DAVE WINFIELD
Mar 1988; Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Yankees outfielder Dave Winfield hitting during the 1988 spring training season at Ft. Lauderdale Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports
I honestly can’t remember exactly the last time we posted the All-Mazz team – and I couldn’t possibly tell you who the right fielder was. But if it wasn’t Dave Winfield, I want to change it. When you talk about the most imposing, intimidating hitters of all-time, Winfield has to be near the top of the list. (For those of you who don’t remember him, think Gary Sheffield with way better defense and more athleticism.) Like Griffey, Winfield had all the tools – though he batted right-handed. He was drafted in three sports (baseball, basketball, football). His one major drawback? He batted only .208 with a .641 OPS in 26 career postseason games, leading former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to dub him “Mr. May.” But if you ask me, he was a terror every time he stepped in the box.
Designated hitter
PAUL MOLITOR/DAVID ORTIZ
1990: PAUL MOLITOR OF THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS CHOPS A GROUNDER DURING THEIR GAME AGAINST THE CALIFORNIA ANGELS AT ANAHEIM STADIUM IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA. MANDATORY CREDIT: STEPHEN DUNN/ALLSPORT.
BOSTON – OCTOBER 5: Designated hitter David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to drive in the winning runs in game four of the American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park on October 5, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
OK, so they’re two very different hitters. But before you label Molitor as some sort of punch-and-Judy type … stop. Since 1975, Molitor ranks in the top 10 for both doubles (seventh) and triples (also seventh) while also ranking sixth in stolen bases. (Among those in the top six of steals, only he, Henderson and Barry Bonds hit more than 200 homers.) Molitor’s obvious hole came on defense – hence his place here as a designated hitter – but you’ll just have to believe us that he could hurt you with all kinds of offense, especially in the big spots. In 29 career postseason games, he hit .359 and slugged .598 while posting a 1.026 OPS.
As for Ortiz … well, you know the story. Simply put, he’s now regarded as the best designated hitter of all-time and perhaps the greatest clutch hitter in the history of the sport. Both Molitor and Ortiz are former World Series MVPs.
Right-handed Pitcher
PEDRO MARTINEZ/GREG MADDUX
BALTIMORE-APRIL 25 :Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox prepares to pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland on April 25, 2002. The Red Sox won 7-0. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images )
QUEENS, NY- SEPTEMBER 1: Pitcher Greg Maddux #31 of the Atlanta Braves delivers the ball during the game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on September 1, 2003 in Queens, New York. The Mets defeated the Braves 3-2. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Let me put it to you this way: at his peak, there was never anybody more complete and dominating than Pedro, who was the ultimate combination of power, precision and movement. The only thing Martinez really lacked was size and durability, though that helped produce a Napoleonic complex that was vital to dominance. As for Maddux, he might be the greatest, pure pitcher anyone has ever seen. In 1997, Maddux finished with 19 wins and 20 walks, six of which were intentional. He was a microsurgeon who carved up home plate like it was a Thanksgiving pie. Food for thought: in this cookie-cutter age of max velocity, would he even get the chance to be what he was? Yes, Baseball has gotten dumber.
One more thing: Maddux was an impeccable fielder who won 18 Gold Gloves. That’s right, 18. He was a fundamentalist of the nth degree.
Left-handed Pitcher
COLE HAMELS
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 06: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 6, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Randy Johnson would have been the easy pick here – and I suppose I could have gone with both him and Hamels. But truth be told, there was always something about Johnson’s repertoire that I always found kind of boring. He was really just a power guy – and there’s hardly anything wrong with that. But while Johnson hurled the ball as if he were playing jai alai, I always found the 6-foot-4 Hamels to be the classic, smooth lefty who could pound a fastball inside and drop a change on the outside corner. In 2008, he was the MVP of both the National League Championship and World Series. Is he a Hall of Famer? No. But when he was on, he was an absolute joy to watch. Text book.
Closer
MARIANO RIVERA
28 Jun 1997: Pitcher Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees winds up for a pitch during a game against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium in New York City, New York. The Yankees won the game 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
True fact: Mariano Rivera averaged less than a strikeout per inning during his career. And that is a big part of the reason he’s on this list. Yes, he was the most dominant closer of all-time, though not in the way that Johnson was the dominant lefty. Rivera induced weak contact. He walked fewer than two batters per nine innings. In 1,115 appearances he allowed 71 home runs. Yes, he was the most accomplished postseason closer in history, allowing 11 earned runs in 141 innings (a 0.70 ERA) and he remains the only unanimous inductee to the Hall of Fame in baseball history. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t controversial. He wasn’t self-aggrandizing. He was just a machine with a cut fastball that will forever be one of the greatest weapons in the history of the sport.
