A few things before we start with this week’s list: First, to be fair, I decided not to double list any names (i.e. I chose A-Rod’s ’98 season at SS over his 2007 season at 3B, even though theoretically I could’ve used both); second, I clearly have a fetish for Power/Speed guys (though, to be fair, who doesn’t?); I tried to avoid using ridiculous stats from players who played before reliable baseball stats existed (i.e. after the legitimization of the AL in 1901); finally, I was born in 1989 and started watching baseball “seriously” in the late 90s (that is to say, I watched games several times a week and actually understood what was going on) and that has severely influenced my choices for this list.

So here it is, folks, for your enjoyment.

C – Ivan Rodriguez, 1999 Texas Rangers – 116 R, 35 HR, 113 RBI, 25 SB, .332 AVG, .914OPS

Pudge earns this spot easily with a high BA, balanced R/RBI totals, and a sweet 35 HR/25 SB combination that is practically unheard of from a backstop. Piazza may have had some better years in terms of HR and RBI, but when looking at balancing a fantasy team, I’ll take the all-around guy over a power guy like Piazza.

1B – Albert Pujols, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals – 119 R, 49 HR, 137 RBI, 7 SB, .331 AVG, 1.102 OPS

Pujols has posted some incredible seasons, but none top his incredible ’06 campaign (so far). I could have gone for McGwire here for more HR, as well as a few other strong power hitter candidates (e.g. Pete Rose), but Pujols gets the edge due to his higher average and 7 SB. Oh yeah, and he’s not a dirty, stinking cheater like those other two (so far).

2B – Alfonso Soriano, 2003 New York Yankees – 128 R, 39 HR, 102 RBI, 41 SB, .300 AVG, .880 OPS

Soriano seems like an unlikely candidate here, but few remember just how good he was back in his pre-Cubbies days. With a near 40/40 season, no one comes close to matching his balance at 2B. 

3B – Chipper Jones, 1999 Atlanta Braves – 116 R, 45 HR, 110 RBI, 25 SB, 1.074 OPS

Larry’s (I mean, Chipper’s) best year saw him put up an incredible 1.074 OPS to go along with a hardy 45/25 split, giving some extra SB production at a spot where steals can be difficult to come by. **It should be noted that it KILLED me not to put Michael Jack Schmidt (1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies) here, so I’m giving him the honorable mention as a bench player**

SS – Alex Rodriguez, 1998 Seattle Mariners – 123 R, 42 HR, 124 RBI, 46 SB, .919 OPS

A-Rod’s legacy may be tainted, but that doesn’t change the fact that he put up a 40/40 campaign in 1998 that is unparalleled in all of baseball history (the guy was 22, for Pete Rose’s sake). What more do I need to say here?

OF – Larry Walker, 1997 Colorado Rockies – 143 R, 49 HR, 130 RBI, 33 SB, .366 AVG, 1.172 OPS

The only Canadian on the list (props, man), Larry Walker put up numbers better than the more heralded (and more controversial) Barry Bonds, whose 1993 campaign warranted consideration but didn’t quite compare to Larry’s ’97 season, in which he posted his highest HR AND SB totals for his career while throwing up more than healthy numbers across the board. A true 5-cat killer.

OF – Lewis “Hack” Wilson, 1930 Chicago Cubs – 146 R, 56 HR, 191 RBI, 3 SB, .356 AVG, 1.177 OPS

Hack Wilson, apart from having an awesome name, put up an unimaginable 191 RBI way back in 1930 to earn his place on the list. Obviously the 56 HR and .356 batting average didn’t hurt either.

OF – Babe Ruth, 1921 New York Yankees – 177 R, 59 HR, 171 RBI, 17 SB, .378 AVG, 1.359 OPS

Come on, what all-time best list would be complete without Babe Ruth? With a near .400 average, plus a ridiculous split of 177 R/171 RBI and a helpful 17 SB, Big Babe’s 1921 gets him the nod on any list. He also gets bonus points for earning OF, 1B, and P eligibility (talk about roster flexibility) in 1919.

UTIL – Ty Cobb, 1915 Detroit Tigers – 144 R, 3 HR, 99 RBI, 96 SB, .369 AVG, .973 OPS

The ultimate speedster, with 96 SB and a .369 average, merits the UTIL spot over any of the other contenders. Every team needs a speed guy, and Cobb gets the edge over other players like Rickey Henderson or modern counterparts like Jose Reyes and Ichiro because of his stellar average and relatively high 99 RBI (for a leadoff man, at least). 

All of the starting pitchers on this list could arguably have put up the best season ever by a starter, and first of the group is the immortal Bob Gibson with his 1.12 ERA/.853 WHIP across 304.2 IP and his 22 Wins. Sure, the K total may not be as high as the rest of the list, but in terms of getting outs and keeping ERA and WHIP down, it doesn’t get any better than Gibby.

SP – Pedro Martinez, 1999 Boston Red Sox – 23-4, 213.1 IP, 2.07 ERA, 313 K, .923 WHIP

313 K in 213.1 IP – that’s an average of 13.2 K for every 9 IP over a whole season. The best season of the contemporary era (no pun intended), Pedro knocked off other contenders like Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson with his absurdly good WHIP and filthy K count.

SP – Sanford “Sandy” Koufax, 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers – 26-8, 335.2 IP, 2.04 ERA, 382 K, .855 WHIP

382 K, 26 Wins, .855 WHIP… I mean, do I really need to explain this one? Sorry Scott Boras, Oliver Perez does not make the list. 

RP – Eric Gagne, 2003 Los Angeles Dodgers – 2-3, 82.1 IP, 1.20 ERA, 137 K, .692 WHIP, 55 S

I could have gone the easy route and picked Bobby Thigpen and K-Rod for having the most saves in a single season, but, crafty as I am, I decided to go with Eric Gagne’s 2003 campaign in which he struck out 137 batters in 82.1 IP, with a Pedro-shaming 15 K/9 rate and an unhittable .692 (that’s right, .692) WHIP to give me a boost in the other cats, even if that puts me in 2^nd for total saves.

RP – Francisco Rodriguez, 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – 2-3, 68.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 77 K, 1.288 WHIP, 62 S

When it comes to saves, it’s about quantity over quality, and Franky Rodriguez’s single-season record 62 saves earns him spot number 2, even if his WHIP and K total are unspectacular in the pantheon of great players. 

That’s the list, kids. Put it all together and you’ve got a list of the most balanced, unbelievably strong seasons ever played at any given position. If only I could draft these guys…

Well, are you like Eric?  If you are, give him a vote now.
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Great Team
written by Richard Carter, May 28, 2009

Eric, I love your team and I think you have the best statistical 5x5 team. If I calculate correct your beat me 6 to 4. The Hack Wilson RBI total is mind blowing. Two suggestions to make your team MORE dominant. Trade in Ty Cobb for more power. Although the SBs are out of this world, I don't think you needed them and could have used more HRs & RBIs. K-Rods save total is awesome, but I think you could have improved your ERA & WHIP by taking a few less saves. Don't get me wrong, it's not criticism, I just thought you over-played the SB & S categories at the expense of others.

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written by Nathan, May 26, 2009

I like a lot of these choices, since many were the iconically wonderful seasons (Gibson, etc.). Overall, very good job, but my biggest beef is that you left out Hornsby at second. Hornsby in '22 was ridiculous, posting a 141/42/152/17/.401 across the five standard categories while putting up a silly .459/.722/1.181 slash line, which is huge in OBP/OPS leagues.

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