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MLB All-Star Game: All-time team

By Dave Stevenson

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Plaques all installed in the museum for viewing after the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Plaques all installed in the museum for viewing after the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

With this team’s rotation, do you really need a bullpen? Just to be safe, yes you do.

Hoyt Wilhelm was one of the best early relievers, serving in a multi-inning role as a knuckleballer. On any given night, a knuckleballer can look like the second coming of Sandy Koufax. He was remarkably consistent and durable as a reliever.

Aroldis Chapman has done enough in his career that he deserves to be on this team. He has a ton of character concerns, but his 1.96 FIP (third-lowest all-time among relievers) and 15.28 strikeouts per 9 innings (highest all-time among relievers) gets him a spot in this shutdown bullpen.

John Smoltz would serve in a middle relief role. He could also give a spot start from time to time. Smoltz is a rarity – a pitcher who flourished as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher. He was an often overlooked member of the Atlanta Braves in the 1990’s and 2000’s.

Rollie Fingers was arguably the first true relief ace as fans view that role today. He would often pitch more than one inning and managed to win a Cy Young and a Most Valuable Player award as a relief pitcher. Fingers won three World Series’ and is perhaps most famous for his trademark mustache.

Trevor Hoffman has the second most saves of all-time. Though he was a dominant closer for the San Diego Padres, he would have to take a lesser role because of all of the depth.

Another closer who would have to take a lesser role is the career FIP leader for relievers, Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel’s strikeout rate of 14.47 batters per 9 innings trails only Chapman.

The closer? None other than the greatest closer ever, Mariano Rivera. He is the career saves leader. As terrific as he was in the regular season, he constantly raised his game in the postseason. Game 7 of the 2001 World Series and the 2004 American League Championship Series remain the only blemishes of his otherwise spotless postseason resume.

For more MLB All-Star Game coverage, check out FanSided’s MLB hub page.

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