Franchise Four is now Three - Hank's place?

[Bigdaddy]

So who's your pick, Doug??

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Mariano Rivera?

Really?

Ugh

The guy averaged 78 innings played per year.

He seldom, if ever, entered a game where his team didn't already have a 90% chance of winning.

Great at the job he was asked to do, I get it.

But come on, if he was so f'ing good how come he sat on the bench for more than 1380 innings each year?

Maybe we should add Herb Washington to the poll options.

[cardsfan73]

Non active? Schmidt or Griffey Jr.

Active? Pujols

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

So who's your pick, Doug??

Yaz

[71buc]

Griffey
Rickey
Trout

[Exhibitman]

Bonds. Head to head he is head and shoulders above the rest, considering play only.

[bmattioli]

Considering on field only, Pete Rose..

[MVSNYC]

The word Franchise was used because it was highlighting the 4 best living players who played their entire careers with one team (save for one or two throw a way seasons at the end of their careers).

I'll submit Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr....Mike Trout will be there someday, needs more years with his team.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

The word Franchise was used because it was highlighting the 4 best living players who played their entire careers with one team (save for one or two throw a way seasons at the end of their careers).

I'll submit Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr....Mike Trout will be there someday, needs more years with his team.

I think the term franchise refers to players that you would want to start a franchise with. You have the greatest center fielder, the greatest left handed pitcher, the greatest catcher, adding the greatest third baseman fits the theme best.

[71buc]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

The word Franchise was used because it was highlighting the 4 best living players who played their entire careers with one team (save for one or two throw a way seasons at the end of their careers).

I'll submit Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr....Mike Trout will be there someday, needs more years with his team.

I felt crazy saying Trout in this conversation. I’m old school Roberto and Hank are my favorite all time players. I live in the NW and saw JR from the beginning to end of his career. My Dad is 80 and grew up at Municipal and Forbes. He saw DiMaggio, Williams, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Clemente and their ilk. When I asked him who the best player he ever saw was he answered Mantle, Griffey, and Trout. I would say the best I ever saw were Griffey and Trout. After a decade of amazing feats, production, and accolades Trout most definitely belongs in this conversation.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Bonds. Head to head he is head and shoulders above the rest, considering play only.

And what a head it was!

[sportscardpete]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Bonds. Head to head he is head and shoulders above the rest, considering play only.

I second this. It’s Bonds. He’ll be a HOFer when all is said and done.

[EGreenwood]

Rickey Henderson

[margoaepi]

None other than Rickey Henderson.

[ccre]

I would have to say Rickey Henderson as well.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by sportscardpete

I second this. It’s Bonds. He’ll be a HOFer when all is said and done.

But he aint a Hall of Famer yet.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

The top all time living WAR leaders are Bonds, Mays, Clemens and A-Rod - followed by Henderson, Schmidt, Maddux, Randy Johnson and Pujols. All with a WAR over 100.

So if you just want to include HOF members then you are left with Mays, Henderson, Schmidt and Maddux. That's a pretty good list.

My picks would be Mays, Bonds, Johnson and Henderson.