What if you could make a lineup of your all-time favorites from a team's history? Could you imagine Andy Van Slyke patrolling centerfield in the 1960 World Series? How would Ralph Kiner match up against today's homerun hitters? There have been other surveys to determine the Team Of The Century, but these are my picks for a classic lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates for all positions except pitching. That is another project all in itself.
KEYSTONE HIGHWAYS present
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Lineup Of A Lifetime
CATCHER
While being a member of The Lumber Company, Sanguillen earned the highest lifetime batting average for a catcher after World War II (.296)
FIRST BASE
Perhaps the most beloved of all Pirates, Willie Stargell hit more home runs than any other player in the majors during the 1970's.
SECOND BASE
Although he may be known for the most famous home run in World Series history, this Hall Of Fame second baseman turned the most double plays in history. (1706)
THIRD BASE
Traynor did not produce the numbers of later day superstar third basemen, but he consistently ranked among one of the best players of his era.
SHORT STOP
He is on the most famous baseball card in history, but Wagner may have been the best shortstop during the "Dead Ball" era.
LEFT FIELD
Ralph Kiner hit a home run 7.1 times per 100 at bats, behind only Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire amongst retired players.
CENTER FIELD
Van Slyke won 5 Gold Gloves as he served as the anchor for the Pirates defense during their championship caliber years of the 1990's.
RIGHT FIELD
Known for his humanitarian efforts off the field as well as his performance on field, Clemente is one of the most influencial players of all time.
Player names are linked to baseball-reference.com, the ultimate source in baseball stats and information. If there is an official website for the player, it can be reached by clicking on their picture.
Born in Utica, New York in 1960, Andy Van Slyke came up through the major league ranks with the St. Louis Cardinals. An emerging star, he was part of a three-for-one trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1, 1987. Known for his wit as well as his prowess in centerfield, Van Slyke became one of the sports's biggest stars of the day. Andy Van Slyke earned five Gold Gloves and three All-Star appearances during his tenure with the Pirates. He finished second in the National League batting average race in 1992. Although he may not have had the same hype as two other Pirate outfielders at the time, Van Slyke became the keystone of Pittsburgh's early 1990's lineup and remains one of the city's favorite players of all time.
