IL1 Columbus Clippers

All-Cooper Stadium Team

Published on August 15, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release


It is hard to believe that there are just eleven games left at The Coop. Where did the summer go? I was giving a speech at a retirement village this week, when some one asked me to name my all-time Columbus team. This is difficult because there are really three criteria. There would be a team of players who had the greatest season in Columbus, a team with players who had the best careers in Columbus, and a team with Columbus players who went on to have the best major league careers.

I thought it might be fun to pick the All-Time Cooper Stadium team, the players who played here and went on to fame in the big leagues.

My All-Time Coop team would be:

First Base - Don Mattingly

Second Base - Alfonso Soriano with honorable mention to the Red Birds' Burgess Whitehead and Jets' Dave Cash.

Shortstop - Derek Jeter with a tip of the cap to former AL All-Star Freddie Patek.

Third Base - Mike Lowell over the Jets' Richie Hebner and the Red Birds' Lew Riggs.

Outfield - Our two Hall-of Famers Willie Satrgell and Enos Slaughter flanking Bernie Williams.

Catcher - Jorge Posada edging out the Jets' Manny Sanguillen and Red Birds' Walker Cooper. A special mention to Red Birds' Bill DeLancey, who died young and might have been the greatest catcher of all-time if he had lived.

DH - Al Oliver with a nod to Steve Balboni.

Starting Pitchers - Andy Pettitte, Steve Blass, Harry Brecheen, Bob Veale and Big Bill Lee.

Relievers - Murry Dickson, Sad Sam Jones and Wilbur Wood

Closer - Mariano Rivera

Have you ever thought of all the great players we have seen play against Columbus?

Here's my All-Visitors team:

First base - John Mize backed up by Al MVP Boog Powell

Second Base - Chase Utley

Shortstop - Cal Ripken Jr. nosing out Pee Wee Reese and Phil Rizutto.

Third Base - Eddie Mathews over Wade Boggs and Chipper Jones.

Outfield - Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, backed up by Duke Snider and Kiby Puckett.

Catcher - Good luck picking from Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella and Josh Gibson, not to mention Thurman Munson.

DH - Manny Ramirez backed up by Jim Thome

Starting Pitchers - Satchel Paige, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Randy Johnson and Whitey Ford.

Middle Relievers: Tom Glavine, Don Drysdale, Roger Clemens and Jim Bunning.

Closer - Jeff Reardon

Did I forget anyone? Let me know your All-Cooper Stadium team.

I hope to see you at The Coop this homestand! Have a great weekend!

Joe Santry

Historian

Media Director

Director of Communications

The Columbus Clippers

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International League Stories from August 15, 2008


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