Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images /

Designated Hitter

This team’s designated hitter, Babe Ruth, was a notable omission from the outfield. That’s because he should be focusing on one thing: hitting. He’s the best hitter of all-time. Why not simply let him worry about hitting? The outfield is deep enough that Ruth wouldn’t even need to bring an outfielder’s glove to spring training.

Ruth trails only Bonds and Hank Aaron in career home runs. It isn’t a stretch to say that Ruth was the spark to the Yankees’ history, helping them build Yankee Stadium with his drawing power. He was baseball’s first true superstar. Sure, he had character issues. He was a noted glutton and didn’t care about being in shape. That’s fine for a designated hitter.

An added bonus: Ruth could pitch as well. He was an excellent pitcher for the Boston Red Sox before switching to the outfield full-time. Because he was such a great pitcher, you could argue that he is the best all-around player of all-time. As great as Mays was, he never pitched. Ruth did and he was quite dominant on the mound. The best team ever truly would not be the best team ever if it did not include the best player ever.

Next: Starting Pitchers

Home/MLB All-Star Game