All Decade Team

[KB 34]

Since we're nearing the end of 2009 I think it's time to reminisce about the past decade of Braves baseball. Here is my first draft all decade team. Rip it to shreds and present your own team. Yes, players on this team can be on steroids seeing so many players were.

Position Players
C: Brian McCann
1B: Mark Teixiera
2B: Marcus Giles
3B: Chipper Jones
SS: Rafael Furcal
LF: Gary Sheffield
CF: Andruw Jones
RF: J.D. Drew

Theoretical Batting Order
Rafael Furcal
J.D. Drew
Chipper Jones
Mark Teixiera
Gary Sheffield
Andruw Jones
Brian McCann
Marcus Giles

Bench
C: Javy Lopez
1B: Adam LaRoche
IF: Edgar Renteria
IF: Kelly Johnson
OF: Brian Jordan

Starting Rotation
John Smoltz
Greg Maddux
Tim Hudson
Tom Glavine
Kevin Millwood

Bullpen
Closer: John Smoltz
Rafael Soriano
Mike Gonzalez
Mike Remlinger
Chris Hammond
John Rocker
Pete Moylan

[bravestud]

Good idea for a thread, KB.

Position Players

C Brian McCann - Javy Lopez's ridiculous 2003 season puts him close, but McCann was a rock of consistency over the last five years.
1B Mark Teixeira - Really no debate here. LaRoche had some decent years but was never the force that Tex was during his one year in Atlanta.
2B Marcus Giles - Seems hard to believe now, but Gilley was as good as any 2B in the game from '03-'05.
SS Yunel Escobar - I went back and forth between Yunel and Renteria, but settled on Escobar for his superior defense.
3B Chipper Jones - No explanation required.
LF Gary Sheffield - Really no good candidates here since Sheff actually played right for us, but since this all fantasy anyway I see no problem shifting him to left.
CF Andruw Jones - Did nothing but rack up Gold Gloves and home runs for eight years.
RF J.D. Drew - I still don't believe people appreciate how good Drew was for us the one year we had him. Awesome player when healthy.

Bench

C Javy Lopez - Big-time power bat if we're getting the '03 Javy.
IF Adam LaRoche - Left-handed pop off the bench.
IF Rafael Furcal - Excellent pinch-runner or late-inning defensive sub.
IF Edgar Renteria - Fundamentally sound hitter would make a great pinch hitter.
OF Brian Jordan - 4th outfielder with some pop.
OF Matt Diaz - Another great pinch-hitting option.

Rotation

SP Greg Maddux - Was never the same pitcher he was in the '90's but still gave us four high quality seasons.
SP Tom Glavine - Similar to Maddux, although he was only here for three years in the decade.
SP Tim Hudson - Aside from a bad year in '06, he's mostly lived up to the high expectations that came with him from Oakland.
SP Jair Jurrjens - Very solid as a rookie and ended the decade on the verge of attaining "ace" status.
SP Kevin Millwood - Fantastic in 2002 after decent but somewhat disappointing seasons the two previous years.

Bullpen

CP John Smoltz - I was going to have him in the rotation, but if he weren't my closer, who would be? Bob Wickman?
SU Mike Remlinger - Forget his second stint in Atlanta. During his first run here there was no better 8th inning man.
MR Rafael Soriano - Simply dominant when healthy.
MR Mike Gonzalez - Big-time stuff and a gamer.
MR Chris Hammond - Warrants a spot on this list for his crazy 2002 season, when he posted a 0.95 ERA.
MR Peter Moylan - Three straight outstanding years to end the decade.
MR Antonio Alfonseca - Very effective bridge to Smoltz in 2004.

[Andy G.]

2B Marcus Giles - Seems hard to believe now, but Gilley was as good as any 2B in the game from '03-'05.
Thank you. That's a very nice thing to say. I hate that everybody assumes I was taking steroids. Why is it so hard to believe that a 5'8" second baseman drafted in the 53rd round added 85 pounds of muscle and hit 72 extra base hits in one season without the help of performance enhancing drugs?

F***ing cynics. :no:

[KB 34]

For my own amusement, the rejects team.

Lineup
Keith Lockhart 2B
Reggie Sanders LF
Jeff Francoeur CF
Raul Mondesi RF
Rico Brogna 1B
Pete Orr 3B
Jesse Garcia ss
Todd Pratt C

Analysis: Francoeur truly believes he deserves to bat third and play CF. If he fails to get the double play Mondesi is right there to back him up. The lineup has lots of speed, presumably so they can round away from the stadium before the fans get to them. 3B and ss are hard to pick, a good sign for the Braves. Furcal, Escobar, Renteria, and Chipper have kept those positions incredible.

Bench
Paul Bako
Greg Norton
Tony Pena
Bryan Pena
Brian Jordan

Analysis:
Hey, Brian Jordan makes both teams with different stints. His second stint was something else. From 2009 we have the dynamic Greg Norton. Meh on the rest.

Starting Rotation
Mark Redman
Jo Jo Reyes
Kyle Davies
Chuck James
Travis Smith

Analysis: Those names are painful enough to explain themselves. Isn't it nice now that the Braves have starting pitchers again?

Bullpen
Closer: Chris Reitsma
Dan Kolb
Armando Almanza
Stan Belinda
Adam Bernero
Lance Cormier
Tom Martin

Analysis: If the team managed to get a lead to the 8th innings, Kolb (also known as K***) and Reitsma (9ishERA) would remind everyone they are the model for the antithesis of clutch and blow it. The bullpen also has a couple non-discrimatory LOOGYS in Martin and AA who give up HRs to everyone. Those game threads in 2006 were something else. Bad bullpens make for engaged posters.

[KB 34]

Hampton would be on the rejects DL.

[Hillbilly]

So did Craig Wilson get released from the rejects team as well? Dude just can't catch a break. :thumbsdown:

[KB 34]

Wilson was fighting with Julio Franco, Scott Thorman, Rico Brogna, and Greg Norton. He simply didn't have a chance.


I just realized I forgot Chris Woodward on the rejects team. How did I forget him? He's perfect to play 3B.

[KB 34]

Wilson was fighting with Julio Franco, Scott Thorman, Rico Brogna, and Greg Norton. He simply didn't have a chance.


I just realized I forgot Chris Woodward on the rejects team. How did I forget him? He's perfect to play 3B.

[warefreak]

Wow... the all rejects team might actually win like 3 games in a 162 game season. :headscratch:

I think you would have to put Javier Vasquez in the conversation though. His 2009 numbers were flat out awesome. I would replace Glavine with him.

If we would have had a full season of Tommy Hanson I probably would have put him in there too.

[KB 34]

Vazquez had one great season, but Glavine had multiple good seasons in the decade. I could see either way. Hanson should be on the next decade team but to this point has yet to pitch a complete season (no super-2 for you Hanson). Jurrjens and him make a nice duo at the top of any pitching rotation.

[wordslayer©]

Hampton would be on the rejects DL.

I'll go with Melky Cabrera for my rejects team.