Theme Teams
For more than ten years we have been assembling and e-mailing imaginary groupings of players called “Theme Teams”. It's a way of placing baseball whimsy over pedantry. They are not sent daily, but frequently.
Players on these squads must have played, in the majors, the positions at which they are listed (barring a really good excuse for the exception). There are many teams that would be great to send out, but they lack a catcher or some other key player. Designated Hitters, Pinch Hitters, Pinch Runners, Managers, and others are included when available.
Here are some samples.
All-Time Team of Riverside Natives
Pound-for-pound, one of the strongest baseball cities anywhere (although no match for Mobile or San Pedro de Marcoris). Baker was never player/manager so he can only occupy one position here. Except were indicated, the birth city is Riverside, California.
1b - ALVIN DAVIS
2b - Ken Hubbs
3b - WAYNE GROSS
SS - Adam Kennedy
C - Chief Meyers
LF - BARRY BONDS
CF - BOBBY BONDS
RF - DUSTY BAKER
DH - Greg Myers
PH - Reed Johnson
PR - Dave Cochrane
Pitching
RH - Eric Show
RH - Mike Corkins
RH - Nick Neugebauer
RH - Bill Parsons
LH - Jim Shellenback
LH - Gary Lucas
RP - Mike Garcia
RP - Joe Dawley
RP - Vance McIlree (IA)
RP - Tony Ferreria
All-Time Mullet Team
Shown as first posted in 2003:
“All business in front, … ” Mere experimenters don’t qualify. To make this squad, one must have shown a serious commitment to the “do” and so Manny Ramirez, for example, doesn’t make it.
1b - JOHN KRUK
2b - MICKEY MORANDINI
3b - GEORGE BRETT*
SS - DAVE HOLLINS
C - TED SIMMONS
LF - Dan Gladden
CF - LENNY DYKSTRA
RF - JOHNNY DAMON
DH - JOSE CANSECO
PH - Matt Stairs
Pitching
RH - DENNIS ECKERSLY
LH - RANDY JOHNSON
RP - Al Hrobosky
RP - DANNY GRAVES
RP - Turk Wendell
RP - MITCH WILLIAMS
RP - ROD BECK
Closer - RICH GOSSAGE*
Mgr - TONY LARUSSA (Team approximately as manageable as the hair)
Bench and Bullpen
VINNY CASTILLA
DARREN DAULTON
Pete Incaviglia
Kevin Millar
Craig Wilson
*Hall of Fame
ALL CAPS = All-Star
Bold = Inspiration to create this team
We welcome submissions from readers and have had some great ones. To subscribe to our theme team email list, send a message with "Theme Teams" in the subject line to horsehidetrivia@aol.com.
If you enjoy the theme teams, please consider making a donation to help continue researching and publishing theme team rosters.
Thanks!
Please note that donations will be processed via PayPal,
using an account registered to shiningbeautifulsun -at-
hotmail.com.