5 in 50- The Tampa Bay Rays

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Tampa Bay Rays.  This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Rays in their history (the franchise started in 1998). The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972 (or in the Rays case in their history). Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Rays players in their history.

5. Ben Zobrist (2006-2014)- Played over 150 games 5 straight seasons while playing 3 different positions (right field, second base and third base). Finished in top 10 MVP voting in 2009

4. Carlos Pena (2007-2010, 2012)- 3 straight seasons of 30 HR and 100 RBI. 2009 AL Home Run leader.

3.  David Price (2008-2014)- 2012 Cy Young award winner. Finished 2^nd in Cy Young voting in 2010   

2. Carl Crawford (2002-2010)- Stolen base leader 4 years. 7 years of 40 or more stolen bases.

1. Evan Longoria (2008-2017)-Finished 3 times in top 10 MVP voting. 3 time gold glove winner.

Honorable mention to Kevin Keirmaier, James Shields, and Blake Snell.

Notes. There were no surprises putting this list together. These are the best players in their history. Not much to add.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Toronto Blue Jays.

5 in 50- The Boston Red Sox

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Boston Red Sox.  This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Red Sox in the last 50 years (since the 1972 season). The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972 (will not include pre 1972 performance). Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on the list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. The major accomplishments for each player are noted for only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Red Sox players in the last 50 years.

5. Jim Rice- 1978 MVP and 5 times finished in finished in top 5 voting. 3-time home run champion.

4. David Ortiz- 2004 ALCS MVP, 2013 World Series MVP, Finished 5 straight seasons in top 5 MVP voting.  3-time World Series Champion (2004, 2007 and 2013)

3.  Pedro Martinez (1998-2004)- 2-time Cy Young award winner and 3 times finished in top 5 Cy Young voting.   

2. Wade Boggs (1982-1992)- 5-time batting champion. Hit .338 average in his 11 seasons with the Red Sox.

1. Roger Clemens (1984-1996)- 3-time Cy Young award winner. 1986 MVP.

Honorable mention to Nomar Garciaparra, Carlton Fisk, Manny Ramirez, Carl Yasztremski

Notes. #5 was a challenge. Yaz had his best seasons prior to 72. All the honorable mentions could have made it. I selected Hall of Famer Rice due to his consistency and durability. He played in at least 140 games in 10 of his 15 full seasons in over 100 games in 14 of them. He hit over 20 home runs in 11 of his 15 full seasons. Ortiz was terrific in the World Series with a .455 average. He is 1 of only 2 players in Red Sox history to win 3 championships (Babe Ruth being the other). Martinez was remarkable in that he was a dominating pitcher during the height of the steroid era. He ended up with 22 home runs and 78 RBI in 99 games).  Boggs was a hitting machine. His lowest batting average during his 5 seasons winning a batting title was .357. I was reluctant to select Clemens #1 on this list considering his rumored steroid involvement. But he is deserving, as he was the best pitcher in the 19880s winning 3 Cy Young awards and an MVP.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Tampa Bay Rays.

5 in 50- The Baltimore Orioles

This is my 2^nd team in the series of 5 in 50. Today’s team is the Baltimore Orioles.  This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Orioles in the last 50 years (since the 1972 season). The criteria are as follows. Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972 (will not include pre 1972 performance). Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et).  Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at 1 position can make this list. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Oriole players in the last 50 years.

5. Ken Singleton- (1975-1984)- 2 time top 3 finisher in MVP voting. 1983 World Series Champion.

4. Mike Mussina (1991-1999)- 6 time top 5 finisher in Cy Young award voting.

3. Eddie Murray (1977-1988)- 5 time top 5 finisher in MVP voting (twice finishing 2^nd).  1983 World Series Champion.

2. Jim Palmer (1972-1984)- 3 time Cy Young Award winner. Won 20 or more games 5 times. 1983 World Series Champion.

1. Cal Ripken (1981-2001)- 2-time MVP. Played record 2,632 consecutive games.

Honorable mention to Brooks Robinson, Adam Jones, Brady Anderson, Bobby Grich, Mark Belanger

Notes. Brooks Robinson is a hall of famer, but his best years were prior to the 72 season (winning MVP in 64 and WS MVP in 70).  All 5 were deserving to be on the list. Singleton was a key member of the Orioles through the late 70s and early 80s, hitting over .300 and averaging 23 home runs and 93 RBI from 75-80. Mussina, Murray, Palmer and Ripken are hall of famers. Mussina won 15 or more games in 6 of his 9 full seasons as an Oriole. Murray had remarkable consistency reaching 25 or more home runs and 95 or more RBI for 7 of 8 straight seasons (only time he didn’t reach the mark was during the 81-strike year. He ended up with 22 home runs and 78 RBI in 99 games).  Palmer was an all-time great pitcher who won over 20 games in 6 out of 7 years. Ripken consecutive game streak is even more remarkable by the fact that he played in 8,243 consecutive innings (!).

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Boston Red Sox.

5 in 50- The 5 greatest players for each team in the last 50 years- New York Yankees

 As we begin baseball’s long off season, I am starting a new series called 5 in 50. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for each team in the last 50 years (since the 1972 season). The criteria are as follows. Player must have been part of 1 team for at least 5 full seasons since the 1972 (will not include pre 1972 performance). Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et).  Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at 1 position can make this list (see Braves pitchers). I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected. Will be posting 2 teams a week (Monday and Friday).

The first in the 5 in 50 series is my favorite team, the New York Yankees. Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Yankees players in the last 50 years.

5. Don Mattingly (Yankee from 1982-1995)- 1985 MVP. 1984 AL batting champion. 9-time gold glove award winner.

4. Alex Rodriguez (2004-2016 DNP 2014)- 2005 AL MVP, 2007 AL MVP. 2005 and 2007 AL HR champion. 2009 World Series champion.

3. Reggie Jackson (1977-1981)- 1977 World Series MVP. 1980 AL HR champion. 1977 and 1978 World Series champion.

2. Mariano Rivera (1995-2013)- 1999 World Series MVP, 2003 ALCS MVP, 0.99 ERA in 24 World Series games, All-time saves leader, 5 X World Series champion (1996, 98, 99, 2000, and 2009).

1. Derek Jeter (1995-2014)- 2000 World Series MVP, 14x all-star, 5x time gold glove winner, finished 8 times in top 10 MVP voting (including 3 top 3 finishes), 5 X World Series champion (1996, 98, 99, 2000, and 2009).

Honorable mention to Rich (Goose) Gossage, Thurman Munson, Andy Pettite, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, and Dave Winfield.

Notes. Picking # 5 on this list was most challenging. The honorable mentions all great Yankees, but, after reviewing each player, I had to select Mattingly. He was the best player in all of baseball for 5 years. If he doesn’t hurt his back, he is a hall of famer and up there with Jeter on this list. I reluctantly had to add AROD to the list at #4. Like it or not, his numbers put him up with the all-time greats, and, he was a key member of the 1 championship team the Yankees have had in the last 20 years. Reggie Jackson was only on the Yankees for 5 seasons, but his impact was immense. His 1977 World Series performance is legendary, hitting 3 home runs in game 6. The most telling factor on his influence as a Yankee is after he left in 82 for free agency, the Yankees did not return to the post season for 15 years. Rivera and Jeter could have flip flopped positions. Both have had remarkable success and were instrumental in winning 5 World Championships during their time playing for the Yankees.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Baltimore Orioles (will be doing the teams in the AL East first).