Ok back to my all-time MLB team; we’ll pick it back up at the hot corner.
Ron Cey. Vance Law. A couple of the first third baseman I remember. I also remember playing 3B; that was one of my first positions in the infield. I moved around to SS and 1B; don’t think I ever played 2B. Have to be ready at third; of course it’s the hot corner because that ball will get on you pretty quick down there. Aramis Ramirez is another Chicago guy that comes to mind when I think about 3B. He was really good, but not all-time MLB team good; maybe all time Cubs team? Well, Ron Santo would like a word… I think I’ll eventually have to do that… pick my all-time Cubs, Bulls, Hawks, and Bears teams. For now, let’s stay on task.
Wade Boggs was a guy I liked a lot. I remember batting like him in our backyard wiffle ball battles. Another guy who was pretty awesome, including many, many times against the Cubs in Wrigley, was Mike Schmidt. Many have him ranked as the best to ever do it at the hot corner. There’s Brooks Robinson, who was magic with the mitt down there. For me though, the guy that I choose, is George Brett.
13x All Star, MVP, World Series champ.. played with one team his entire career; I miss that. Guys would stay with their teams their entire career; don’t see that much nowadays. We just talked about a future legend Juan Soto getting moved in a blockbuster. Back then, guys stood with their teams; maybe the teams took care of their guys better too? If there was a Mr. Royal, it would be George Brett. A career .305 hitter over 21 years… the dude could rake. Of course, the pine tar incident comes to mind; love the passion shown by Brett. And love the rivalry with the Yankees… the hate built up with all those regular season and postseason matchups. Finally getting his ring in 85, hitting .370 in that World Series. I remember his chase for .400; not sure how. I was only 4 years old back in 1980; maybe I’m thinking about somebody else. Or maybe I watched highlights of that season. Yeah, chasing that magical #… Did you know that it happened 35 times? I didn’t realize the # was that high. The last guy to do it was way back in 1941 when Ted Williams accomplished the feat. I wonder if someone will ever do it again. With the shift from traditional stats including batting average, to WAR, OPS, etc… I wonder how many guys are actually hitting 300! Maybe it was Tony Gwynn I remember in 1994, the latest to almost do it with a .394 BA. It was Brett who was the next closest at .390 back in 1980.
I remember the tobacco he chewed, with his cheeks always full. I remember that passion, again… playing the game “the right way”. Need more guys like that, who give it their all, all the time. I didn’t see him play every game, but that’s the impression I got from watching him play when I did, seeing his highlights. This one was an easier choice; the rest of the infield maybe not so much.
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