I was inspired by a question posed on one of the baseball pages today, thinking about how most, if not all MLB teams that have Hall of Famers that represented their organizations likely have that one player that is their all time player. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers, Giants and others can say that there were more than one player that can be spoken about as their all time player. There are many ways this can be done. Should I include pitchers or just position players? I think it will create a better debate if we include pitchers on this list as well. I will first mention every existing franchise right now, including the Braves when they were in Boston and Milwaukee, the Athletics when they were in Philadelphia, the Orioles when they were in St Louis, the Twins when they were in Washington, the Rangers when they were in Washington and the Nationals when they were in Montreal. This will lead for a great debate and remember, only one player can represent each franchise.
Baltimore Orioles: While Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson would all be great choices, there is only one player that would deserve this honor. Cal Ripken is the face of the Baltimore Orioles and would be their Hall of Famer if only one was allowed for each team. Satchel Paige would be a good representation for the St Louis Browns, but he did not play for them long enough. Urban Shocker was great for the Browns but is not a Hall of Famer. Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox have had a long and storied history, from players like Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice. But when a player plays for your team that is one of the greatest of all time, its a no brainer. The fact that Ted Williams existed makes it an easy call. Boston Red Sox: Ted Williams
New York Yankees: The Yankees have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of professional sports. But one man changed the game into what it is today. Guys like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig and eventually Derek Jeter can be many team's Hall of Famer. But not when the Babe played for your team. New York Yankees: Babe Ruth
Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays have not been around for a long enough time to have the biggest choice between all time players. For me, it comes down to Dave Winfield and Roberto Alomar. Alomar gets the edge because unlike Winfield, he played a majority of his career in Toronto. Toronto Blue Jays: Roberto Alomar
Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays): Very difficult to declare a Hall of Famer for a team that has only been around since 1998. One Hall of Famer made a stop in Tampa and for that reason, he gets the nod. Wade Boggs got his 3000th hit in a Devil Rays uniform. Perhaps some day, the team will have a Hall of Famer they can call their own. Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays): Wade Boggs
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have had greats like Al Kaline, Mickey Cochrane, Jim Bunning, George Kell, Hank Greenberg and Hal Newhouser. And the list certainly goes on. But similar to Boston and New York, when you have an All Time player in your history, the choice is not difficult. Ty Cobb it is. Detroit Tigers: Ty Cobb
Cleveland Indians: The Indians have had a great series of Hall of Fame players as well. Cy Young played for the Indians, so did Speaker, Napoleon Lajoie, Bob Lemon and Addie Joss. But they were blessed to have had one of the more dominant pitchers to have ever pitched in this game. His numbers would have been more staggering had he not served his country in World War II. Bob Feller was an American hero, but not only that, one of the greats to ever throw off a mound. Cleveland Indians: Bob Feller
Minnesota Twins (Washington Senators): When you think of great Twins, the names Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett and Bert Blyleven are some of the names that come to mind. But tracing the roots to the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson was one of the most dominant and successful pitchers the game has ever seen. It is more impressive since he spent his entire career in Washington. Minnesota Twins (Washington Senators): Walter Johnson
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox may have one of the more serious debates. Frank Thomas getting in this year adds to the debate. Early Wynn, Fisk, Luis Aparicio, Luke Appling and Nellie Fox are some of the other Hall of Famers that have worn the uniform of the White Sox. I give the edge to Eddie Collins, who his over .330 in his career and was the best White Sox player of his generation and for generations after that. Chicago White Sox: Eddie Collins
Kansas City Royals: Similar to Ripken, George Brett is an easy call for the Royals. Kansas City Royals: George Brett
Oakland Athletics (Philadelphia Athletics): Hall of Famers Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Rickey Henderson all played for the Athletics. But one of the most dominant right handed hitters to ever play this game spent most of his career playing for the Philadelphia Athletics. Jimmie Foxx gets the nod for the Athletics. Oakland Athletics: Jimmie Foxx
Houston Astros: Houston Astros: I do feel that there will be company for Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan, who come to the forefront in regards to being the most notable Astros to be in the Hall. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell will have their day, but for now they cannot be in contention. In regards to Ryan and Morgan, Morgan had his greatest success in Cincinnati. Ryan had as much of his career top numbers in Houston, so he gets the call for the Astros. Houston Astros: Nolan Ryan
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners only have one Hall of Fame player to have played for them. Soon they will have the likes of Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr in the Hall to call their own. But for now, their Hall of Famer is Gaylord Perry. Seattle Mariners: Gaylord Perry
Los Angeles Angels: Rod Carew stands out as the elite Hall of Famer that played for the Angels, though Jackson, Blyleven and Ryan also spent time in LA. Los Angeles Angels: Rod Carew
Texas Rangers (Washington Senators): Nolan Ryan is the only AL player to be two team's Hall of Fame player. Texas Rangers (Washington Senators): Nolan Ryan
Baltimore Orioles: While Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson would all be great choices, there is only one player that would deserve this honor. Cal Ripken is the face of the Baltimore Orioles and would be their Hall of Famer if only one was allowed for each team. Satchel Paige would be a good representation for the St Louis Browns, but he did not play for them long enough. Urban Shocker was great for the Browns but is not a Hall of Famer. Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox have had a long and storied history, from players like Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice. But when a player plays for your team that is one of the greatest of all time, its a no brainer. The fact that Ted Williams existed makes it an easy call. Boston Red Sox: Ted Williams
New York Yankees: The Yankees have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of professional sports. But one man changed the game into what it is today. Guys like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig and eventually Derek Jeter can be many team's Hall of Famer. But not when the Babe played for your team. New York Yankees: Babe Ruth
Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays have not been around for a long enough time to have the biggest choice between all time players. For me, it comes down to Dave Winfield and Roberto Alomar. Alomar gets the edge because unlike Winfield, he played a majority of his career in Toronto. Toronto Blue Jays: Roberto Alomar
Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays): Very difficult to declare a Hall of Famer for a team that has only been around since 1998. One Hall of Famer made a stop in Tampa and for that reason, he gets the nod. Wade Boggs got his 3000th hit in a Devil Rays uniform. Perhaps some day, the team will have a Hall of Famer they can call their own. Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays): Wade Boggs
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have had greats like Al Kaline, Mickey Cochrane, Jim Bunning, George Kell, Hank Greenberg and Hal Newhouser. And the list certainly goes on. But similar to Boston and New York, when you have an All Time player in your history, the choice is not difficult. Ty Cobb it is. Detroit Tigers: Ty Cobb
Cleveland Indians: The Indians have had a great series of Hall of Fame players as well. Cy Young played for the Indians, so did Speaker, Napoleon Lajoie, Bob Lemon and Addie Joss. But they were blessed to have had one of the more dominant pitchers to have ever pitched in this game. His numbers would have been more staggering had he not served his country in World War II. Bob Feller was an American hero, but not only that, one of the greats to ever throw off a mound. Cleveland Indians: Bob Feller
Minnesota Twins (Washington Senators): When you think of great Twins, the names Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett and Bert Blyleven are some of the names that come to mind. But tracing the roots to the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson was one of the most dominant and successful pitchers the game has ever seen. It is more impressive since he spent his entire career in Washington. Minnesota Twins (Washington Senators): Walter Johnson
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox may have one of the more serious debates. Frank Thomas getting in this year adds to the debate. Early Wynn, Fisk, Luis Aparicio, Luke Appling and Nellie Fox are some of the other Hall of Famers that have worn the uniform of the White Sox. I give the edge to Eddie Collins, who his over .330 in his career and was the best White Sox player of his generation and for generations after that. Chicago White Sox: Eddie Collins
Kansas City Royals: Similar to Ripken, George Brett is an easy call for the Royals. Kansas City Royals: George Brett
Oakland Athletics (Philadelphia Athletics): Hall of Famers Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Rickey Henderson all played for the Athletics. But one of the most dominant right handed hitters to ever play this game spent most of his career playing for the Philadelphia Athletics. Jimmie Foxx gets the nod for the Athletics. Oakland Athletics: Jimmie Foxx
Houston Astros: Houston Astros: I do feel that there will be company for Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan, who come to the forefront in regards to being the most notable Astros to be in the Hall. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell will have their day, but for now they cannot be in contention. In regards to Ryan and Morgan, Morgan had his greatest success in Cincinnati. Ryan had as much of his career top numbers in Houston, so he gets the call for the Astros. Houston Astros: Nolan Ryan
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners only have one Hall of Fame player to have played for them. Soon they will have the likes of Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr in the Hall to call their own. But for now, their Hall of Famer is Gaylord Perry. Seattle Mariners: Gaylord Perry
Los Angeles Angels: Rod Carew stands out as the elite Hall of Famer that played for the Angels, though Jackson, Blyleven and Ryan also spent time in LA. Los Angeles Angels: Rod Carew
Texas Rangers (Washington Senators): Nolan Ryan is the only AL player to be two team's Hall of Fame player. Texas Rangers (Washington Senators): Nolan Ryan
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