MLB Franchise Four – Biggest Snubs for Each Team
![Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; The Cincinnati Reds franchise four (from left to right) Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, and Johnny Bench are honored prior to the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; The Cincinnati Reds franchise four (from left to right) Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, and Johnny Bench are honored prior to the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b81cac08265d08300a4d24031e19d7817fb92c5646e22a667bbd2ee347e8e9ef.jpg)
San Francisco Giants – Christy Mathewson
Franchise Four: Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Buster Posey
You could paint me pleasantly surprised when I saw that Barry Bonds had been honored among the San Francisco/New York Giants Franchise Four winners. Given the stigma surrounding Bonds and any of the other players from that generation, one would have thought he’d have been omitted like the rest of those in question. I wasn’t as shocked to see Willie Mays and Willie McCovey join him.
However, I was really concerned that Buster Posey found his way onto the list over Christy Mathewson.
Yes, Mathewson pitched primarily during the Dead-ball Era, but we’re still talking about a man that tallied 373 wins as a starting pitcher (3rd all-time) and posted a 2.13 ERA and a 2.26 FIP over a 17-year career. His lifetime pitching WAR of 90.0 is still first among Giants starters, while Posey’s 27.3 WAR is tied for 24th among hitters in San Francisco/New York history.
Matheson was the original ace pitcher and deserved to be honored as such, even if his time came well before the advent of the internet.
Next: Indians - Larry Doby