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All Time Showdown: AL vs NL

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In a showdown of all times greats, who is better, the AL or the NL?

From the archives, I've poured over the career records for each player. I've separated each player's efforts by league and position. The goal here is to determine who would start for each side in the greatest game ever, and then, who would win.

The stats for each player are only those stats accumulated at the position and in the league represented. A minimum of 1000 games started in required for consideration for position players.

It looks like the AL would take the NL behind the toolshed for a beating, but maybe things would be different if Brett Tracy were on the mound?

Diego Santana
GS1117
AVG.309
HR388
RBI1028
 C
GS1520
AVG.315
HR276
RBI1097
Sammy King
The best catcher in Capra history is a MVP winner and borderline Hall of Famer. Even with only 8 of his 12 seasons in the AL, he dominates the field. Edge: AL An underrated and often overlooked player with six all-star appearances, three gold gloves and two silver sluggers.
Pablo Vincente
GS2278
AVG.305
HR666
RBI1915
 1B
GS1822
AVG.303
HR450
RBI1423
Ismael Maduro
A close contest when compared to Darren Owens, but with similar stats he gets the edge for playing a less offensive era. 2 rings and an MVP included. Edge: AL There is a holy triumvirate of early first baseman, Henry, Prieto and Menechino, but Maduro didn't have the advantage of throwing up 60+ homer seasons in the first few homer-happy years of the league.
Roosevelt Davenport
GS1238
AVG.291
HR438
RBI1122
 2B
GS1289
AVG.286
HR247
RBI893
Rudy Hayes
6 All-Star appearances spread across 13 years showed both peak and longevity. Better numbers than Hal Randall despite Randall playing his career in hitter friendly Albuquerque. Edge: AL 1289 of his lifetime 1986 starts have come as an NL second baseman, and in those limited starts he is the statistical equivalent of Kelvim Woodard, Harry Pascual and Brett Simms. Only old-timer Otis Watkins has better numbers, albeit in 700 extra starts.
Michael Dransfeldt
GS1456
AVG.288
HR425
RBI1159
 3B
GS1035
AVG.265
HR207
RBI655
Sparky White
Owned 3B in the AL for a decade with 8 All Star appearances, 9 Silver Sluggers and 5 Gold Gloves in 10 AL Seasons. Edge: AL Sparky White tops a very weak field consisting of Javier Alvarado, J.T. Barber and Wille Soto.
Al Ontiveros
GS1327
AVG.301
HR454
RBI1259
 SS
GS1035
AVG.265
HR207
RBI655
Wesley Smith
100% Ballplayer, 0% Bullshit. (Does anyone read the Bill James Historical Abstracts?) Edge: AL The quietest superstar ever racked up 5 All Star appearances and 8 Silver Sluggers.
Bruce Kent
GS1879
AVG.286
HR537
RBI1440
 LF
GS1947
AVG.295
HR518
RBI1557
Walt Cashman
Bruce Kent put up these numbers in the pitchers' park in Iowa City. In a hitters' park he'd have All-Time great numbers. Edge: NL Walt Cashman is an actual Hall of Famer. We all know how tough that is to get voted into.
Jorel McGlinchy
GS1860
AVG.288
HR290
RBI1129
 CF
GS1409
AVG.318
HR356
RBI1156
Hong-Gu Hyun
McGlinchy gets the nod for his hitting alone: 33 homers and 329 RBIs better than the next competitors. The 10 Gold Gloves are just style points. Edge: NL Hong Kong Phooey won back to back MVPs, 9 Silver Sluggers and went to 9 All Star Games.
Al Maurer
GS1703
AVG.327
HR463
RBI1288
 RF
GS1309
AVG.294
HR272
RBI842
Pep Rapp
Maurer rode the thin air of Monterrey to 10 All Star appearances. Edge: AL Only 1 MVP and 3 Silver Sluggers, but after factoring in park and era, only Santos Flores in 800 extra games started eclipses his numbers.

Comments

Burnsy said…
Very cool post. It should be noted that Kent also played significant time in Madison, which negates the Iowa effect. Very good though, I always appreciate posts like this.
May 8, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Anonymous said…
So why not Santos for right field? In their best 5 years, he's got 8 fewer HRs/season but way more doubles (15ish) and the stolen bases aren't close. Flores is the table-setter who drives 'em in, too.
May 8, 2012 at 6:58 PM
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