A few years ago a guy named Mo asked, “What about a food team?” Sure, anyone can whip together names as Ice-T, John Candy, Coco Chanel, Eve Plumb, Jerry Rice, Jack Lemmon, Soupy Sales, Halle Berry, Carrot Top, Meatloaf, Kevin Bacon, Cookie Gilchrist, Warren Burger, Fiona Apple, Brutus Beefcake, Anthony Weiner, and a few Playmates named Candy or Cookie; but, what about baseball? After several years on my plate, here is a dish of delicacies for Mo.
The All-Time Foodies are a surprising lot as 11 Hall of Famers make the team. Problem is too many are outfielders. What a problem for rookie manager Peanuts: pick three, insert one as DH, and convert one to a first baseman.
This team is good enough to create havoc for the better teams and distance themselves from the All-Time Randys, who aren’t very good – but not the leagues worst! The lineup is a feast-or-famine lot and the starting pitching is good. However, if a team can get to a starter to put stress on the bullpen, this team could be in trouble. In other words, the All-Time Foodies no worse than a middle of the pack team with enough talent to create some havoc for the contenders. And who knows – even maybe pushing for contention.
To see the All-Time Randys and other all-time teams, see Categories in the right-side sidebar, and then Sports > All-Time Teams or click here.
Ladies and gentlemen, now taking the field, the All-Time Foodies.
1B – Mike Lamb
2B – Cookie Rojas (AS)
SS – Cookie Lavagetto (AS)
3B – Pie Traynor (HOF)
C – Johnny Oates
OF – Pick 3, one DH, and get one to learn first base: Sam Rice (HOF), Jim Rice (HOF), Zach Wheat (HOF), Turkey Stearnes (HOF), Goose Goslin (HOF), Chick Hafey (HOF)
SP – Catfish Hunter (HOF)
SP – Bob Lemon (HOF)
SP – Noodles Hahn
SP – Dizzy Trout (AS)
SP – Candy Cummings (HOF)
RP – Goose Gossage (HOF)
RP – Vinegar Bend Mizell (AS)
RP – Sugar Cain
RP – Frank Pears
RP – Stew Bolen
Mgr – Peanuts Lowry (Long-time coach, but never a manager)
Bench: (The extra outfielders would bump someone and some of these won’t make it, but these players are worth mentioning.) Darryl Strawberry (AS), Pepper Martin (AS), Ruben Sierra (AS), Peaches Graham, Pickles Dilhoeffer, Ken Berry, Candy Maldonado, Salty Parker, Billy Bean, Chicken Wolf, Coco Crisp
Now THAT is a foodie team! Most righteous work, Frank! Well played
Mo,
Many thanks … especially from the one who inspired the post. I tried to get a good mix of names. Surprising a lot of choices! Thanks for commenting.
No Daryl Strawberry? I would think him an obvious choice (having no earthly clue if he was great, or just talked about constantly).
And your description of your team sounds like my Cubbies – never good enough to lead, but always able to screw another champ team over!
John,
Being an outfielder, Darryl Strawberry got caught up in the numbers game. Why you ask? Look at the list of outfielders that are in the Hall of Fame! Nonetheless, Darryl would probably be an extra on most teams – and I listed him as an extra (bench). Nonetheless, thanks for commenting on baseball!
Whoops! Sorry, overlooked the bench roster. That’s what you get from a non-baseball type like me! I’ll try not to drop the ball next time.
John,
Actually some good names on there!
Strawberry, while an obvious choice, would strike me as perhaps a little too easy.
Have I seen Coco Crisp?
Ed,
Brilliant … how could I have missed him. That one is so good, I add him to the extras. Thanks for the addition and visiting.
or you could just go with howard johnson. he has a menu!
Nonnie,
Oh my … a twist I didn’t think of! Three cheers for HoJo! Thanks!!!
Great posting, Frank! Spoken/written like a true baseball fan, blending food and a great game into a single post–excellent!
Al,
Glad you enjoyed this one. It was fun to do! Thanks for visiting!
Well, I don’t want to accuse you of making some of them up… Yeah, I think I do.
FishHawk,
Thanks for commenting!
Ha ha … I can assure you that all of these players played at the big league level.
Hello Frank,
Unrelated to your weekend post…but fabulous news…sharing a great smile!—-> http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_first_photos_of_rep_gabrielle_giffords_show_congresswoman_as_she_recovers_from_g.html
Have a great day!
Good Morning Meesh,
Certainly a worthwhile photo to see. The smile is amazing, but she’s not a natural blonde? Nonetheless, great news … and thanks for the reminder.