Maryland Life magazine has published a story of mine in their most recent March/April issue entitled, "Maryland's Starting 10" which names a Maryland native at each position on the diamond for an all-time starting line-up. It's not a starting 9 because I have included a designated hitter. This story is not available on-line, but I urge everyone to run out and buy this issue, not because of my article (although, that's not a bad reason!), but for illustrator's Bob Novak's fantastic artwork. Mr. Novak's has painted a dugout scene that includes the starting 10, which includes Lefty Grove on the mound, Babe Phelps behind the plate, Jimmie Foxx at first, 1890s star Cupid Childs at second, Cal Ripken at short, Frank "Home Run" Baker at third, and Brady Anderson, Al Kaline, and, of course, Babe Ruth in the outfield. Harold Baines serves as the designated hitter.
Maryland could actually field a very respectable 25 man roster, especially for such a small state. The rest of the pitching staff would include 20 game winners Steve Barber and Dave Boswell, as well as Bobby Mathews, who is credited with developing the spitball. Rounding out the staff might be Gavin Floyd, Tommy Phoebus, Tommy Byrne, and Eddie Rommel, all Baltimore boys, as well as a trio of pitchers from right here in Williamsport: Nick Adenhart, "Boots" Poffenberger, and Dave Cole .
Hal Keller would serve as our backup catcher, while his brother Charlie would serve as one of the extra outfielders. Brian Jordan would be our 5th outfielder and our two extra infielders would be Bill Ripken and Mark Teixeira.
For a full (although not complete) list of Marylanders who made the majors, click here. If you take the time to peruse this list, you'll see that there must be something about Maryland's lattitude that produces good pitchers!
Just wanted to point out that former 2001 Rebel Mike O'Connor who pitched for the Nationals was from Maryland. :)
Posted by: Anna Kipps | March 12, 2010 at 01:25 PM