# MLB: Create your best team based on first name **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 13, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828 "2011-11-13T19:50:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/21 "2011-11-14T13:11:28Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > 1B Bob Watson > 2B Roberto Alomar > SS > 3B Bob Horner > OF Bobby Bonds > OF Roberto Clemente > OF Bobby Abreu > C Bob Boone > > Really blanking on shortstop > > My pitching staff is awesome! > > Bob Gibson > Bob Feller > Bob Forsch (RIP) > Robert (Lefty) Grove > RP Bobby Jenks 2B Bobby Doerr SS Bobby Grich I can’t think of another outfielder at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/22 "2011-11-14T13:12:42Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > SS- Johnny Pesky I humbly submit John Peter “Honus” Wagner. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/23 "2011-11-14T13:24:00Z")
> [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > I humbly submit John Peter “Honus” Wagner. That’s a much better choice than mine, though I was trying to follow the rules, and not look up people’s real names if I didn’t know them off the top of my head. I knew Boog Powell was really John Wesley Powell. And I hoped for a moment that Jackie Robinson might have been a John, before I remembered his birth name was, in fact, Jack Roosevelt Robinson. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/24 "2011-11-14T13:36:35Z")
> [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > 2B Bobby Doerr > SS Bobby Grich > > I can’t think of another outfielder at the moment. Bobby Bonilla isn’t a super-stud or anything, but he was well above average and played more than enough OF to qualify. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/25 "2011-11-14T15:16:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > That’s a much better choice than mine, though I was trying to follow the rules, and not look up people’s real names if I didn’t know them off the top of my head. I actually did remember that without looking it up, mainly because of the German John/Hans thing. By the way, I tried to do Richards but stalled at Rickey Henderson/Dick Allen/Richie Ashburn and a whole bunch of second-tier Ricks. I can think of a few good Alberts/Als but not enough to fill a roster. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/26 "2011-11-14T15:30:21Z")
I also can’t think of any top-tier pitchers named Richard (Rick Aguilera? Rick Reed? Does Ricky Nolasco count?). On the other hand, I can think of a string of pretty great pitching Thomases (Seaver, Glavine, John) but no noteworthy position players. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/27 "2011-11-14T15:46:04Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > There’s this outfielder named Mays. His first name actually is Willie. It’s not a contraction of William. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/28 "2011-11-14T15:46:19Z")
Ufff OF-Ken Griffey Jr. OF-Ken Griffey Sr. OF- C-Ken Huckabey 1B-Ken Harvey 2B- SS-Ken Jackson 3B-Ken Caminiti P-Kenny Rogers Missing a few spots there. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/29 "2011-11-14T15:47:56Z")
> [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > I also can’t think of any top-tier pitchers named Richard (Rick Aguilera? Rick Reed? Does Ricky Nolasco count?). On the other hand, I can think of a string of pretty great pitching Thomases (Seaver, Glavine, John) but no noteworthy position players. Of course, Tom Seaver’s real first name is George (look it up), so you could have him starting on a team with Babe Ruth. I don’t know about"top tier" pitchers, but you could have Rick Reuschel, Rick Sutcliffe and Rick Wise, which isn’t bad, plus Rich “Goose” Gossage in the bullpen. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/30 "2011-11-14T16:21:13Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#): > > I’m a Robert, but my brother is Michael, so let’s see who I can come up with: > > 1B Mike Hargrove (prepare for some long AB’s) > 2B Mike Andrews (even though Charlie Finley tried to fire him during a World Series) > SS Mike Fischlin (not very good, but my sister met him when she was working as a hotel desk clerk) > 3B Mike Schmidt (the “franchise player”, so to speak) > > LF Mike Aldrete (the outfielders were the toughest to think of – I’m sure I’ve missed some better ones) > CF Michael Bourn (gives me some speed in the leadoff slot) > RF Mike Davis (played for A’s and Dodgers – solid journeyman) > > C Mike Ivie (one of those highly-touted prospects who never quite panned out) > P Mike Maddux (not his brother, admittedly, but he could also coach the staff) > P Mike McCormick (reliable starter) > P Mike Morgan (since he pitched for so many teams anyway) > P Mike Paul (sentimental pick – he started for the Indians in the first MLB game I ever attended, at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium) A couple more Mikes for you (might or might not be better than the ones you have): OF Mike Felder (fast guy, 10 year career, mostly for the Brewers and Giants) SP Mike Caldwell (stalwart for the Brewers in the late 70s and early 80s) RP Mike Marshall (won the Cy Young when he pitched in 106 games for the '74 Dodgers) ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/31 "2011-11-14T17:01:11Z")
Maybe not as good as the Joes, but how about the Joses? 1B Jose Offerman 2B Jose Oquendo (The Secret Weapon!) SS Jose Reyes 3B Jose Hernandez LF Jose Bautista CF Jose Cruz RF Jose Canseco C Jose Labaton P Jose Contreras P Jose Lima (Lima Time!) P Jose Mendez (Cuban pitcher from the Negro Leagues; Hall of Famer) RP Jose Mesa OK, so I had to cheat wildly on this one. What do we have? An excellent leadoff man in Reyes, power aplenty in Bautista and Canseco, a solid pitching staff, and…not a whole lot else. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/32 "2011-11-14T17:07:20Z")
> [@Kiros](#): > > Bobby Bonilla isn’t a super-stud or anything, but he was well above average and played more than enough OF to qualify. Also [Indian Bob Johnson](http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsbo01.shtml) was unbelievably good considering how little anybody talks about him. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/33 "2011-11-14T17:18:07Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Maybe not as good as the Joes, but how about the Joses? And here’s where I unleash my “didn’t need to look it up” tidbit - Pujols’ given name is Jose Alberto Pujols. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/34 "2011-11-14T17:25:43Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > And here’s where I unleash my “didn’t need to look it up” tidbit - Pujols’ given name is Jose Alberto Pujols. And I _did_ need to look this up, but I’m surprised that Mickey Mantle’s given name is actually Mickey, not Michael, and he was named after Mickey Cochrane, who is actually named Gordon. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/35 "2011-11-14T17:28:40Z")
For people making Richard/Rick lists, remember that Rickey Henderson’s name isn’t short for “Richard.” It actually says “Rickey” on his birth certificate. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/36 "2011-11-14T17:31:57Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > And here’s where I unleash my “didn’t need to look it up” tidbit - Pujols’ given name is Jose Alberto Pujols. Yeah, I think trading Offerman for Pujols would be a step up. Not sure it was allowed under the rules, though. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/37 "2011-11-14T18:11:00Z")
David / Dave: C Dave Duncan 1B David Ortiz 2B Davey Lopes (had to check, his given name is David) SS Dave Concepcion 3B Dave Magadan OF Kingman, Parker, Winfield… umm not sure if any of those could really play center. SP David Wells, David Cone, Dave Righetti. RP Dave Smith Not bad, although the defense with Ortiz and I guess Winfield in CF wouldn’t be great. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/38 "2011-11-14T18:20:01Z")
OK after cheating, I forgot Dave Stieb, and HOF SS Dave Bancroft (not sure he’s really better than Concepcion). And embarrassingly as a Yankee fan, David Justice, who is clearly better than Kingman. ETA: David Wright. Not sure how I forgot him. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/39 "2011-11-14T18:30:29Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > P > C > 1B > 2B > 3B > SS Khalil Greene > OF > OF > OF I was going to suggest an all unique names team but if Asdrubal can’t play SS, I’m going home. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828/40 "2011-11-14T20:12:25Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Maybe not as good as the Joes, but how about the Joses? > > 1B Jose Offerman > 2B Jose Oquendo (The Secret Weapon!) > SS Jose Reyes > 3B Jose Hernandez > LF Jose Bautista > CF Jose Cruz > RF Jose Canseco > C Jose Labaton > OK, so I had to cheat wildly on this one. What do we have? An excellent leadoff man in Reyes, power aplenty in Bautista and Canseco, a solid pitching staff, and…not a whole lot else. I dunno, that looks like a damned good team. Cruz was a great player, and his kid, same name, could be your fourth outfielder. You’ve got solid defense when the ball isn’t being hit to Canseco and lots of baserunners. I’m going to do Rick/Richard/etc., for obvious reasons, and anyone who doesn’t like me using Rickey can meet me at the ballpark: 1B: Richie Sexson 2B: Rickie Weeks SS: Rick “The Rooster” Burleson 3B: Rich Aurilia, must have played a few games there C: Rick Ferrell CF: Richie Ashburn RF: Dick Allen LF: Rickey Henderson DH: Richie Zisk, of course SP: Rick Reuschel SP: Rick Honeycutt SP: Rick Wise SP: Rick Sutcliffe RP: Rich “Goose” Gossage RP: Ricky Romero [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-create-your-best-team-based-on-first-name/602828.md?page=3)