Bat Blog Around: My All Autograph Team

It took a while but I think I finally came up with an idea for a bat blog around.

About two years ago my collector friends in Japan did a fun little challenge where they constructed a starting nine/10 lineup with their best MLB/MiLB autographs at each position. Now "best" is subjective. Some people went with best in terms of the best on their favorite team at the moment, or possibly the best at the position in franchise history, or just go with the best in general regardless of team. In my case I went with players who were my favorites in general (so Luis Torrens was at every position).

This variety is what made the challenge so fun and gave people a chance to flex and show off some of their autographs.

I know that not everyone on our corner of the blogosphere is an autograph nut, but if you're in this hobby long enough you'll accumulate a decent number of them for one reason or another (usually because of the kindness of strangers). Anyway I wanted to revive this fun little challenge for my friends here on the blogosphere as my first Bat Blog Around.

So my version is going to basically be the same. EXCEPT that instead of just the starting eight position players and the starting pitcher, I'm going to add two relievers, a DH/PH and a closer (Card Gen style baby!). So 13 names in total. Sidenote, feel free to have platoons if you so choose ;).

Obviously you can use any of the players you want as long as you have an autograph of theirs. Their autograph can be on things that aren't cards if you want (balls, 8x10 pictures, a lamp, etc...).

Also if you really don't have an autograph at a certain position, feel free to use an autograph of a player at another position you do have to fill that slot if necessary.

Without further ado, here's mine to kick things off.

C - LUIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSS Torrens

Honorable Mentions: Francisco Cervelli, Jorge Posada, Gary Sanchez, Pedro Severino, Chance Sisco, Carson Kelly, Austin Hedges, Lucas Hebert, Dioner Navarro, Jesus Montero, John Ryan Murphy, Austin Romine

1B - Daniel Vogelbach

Honorable Mentions: Greg Bird, Brendan McKay, Mike Napoli, Rhys Hoskins, Tyler Austin, Casey Kotchman, John Olerud, Chris Chambliss

2B - Oswaldo Cabrera

Honorable Mentions: Bobby Richardson, Ben Zobrist, Joe Panik, Neil Walker, Jedd Gyorko

SS - Thairo Estrada

Honorable Mentions: A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Didi Gregorius, Royce Lewis, Willy Adames, Amed Rosario, Trevor Story, Troy Tulowitzki, Orlando Arcia, Jorge Mateo, Trea Turner

3B - Joey Gallo

Honorable Mentions: Adrian Beltre, Wade Boggs, Miguel Andujar, Rafael Devers, Ron Cey, Trey Mancini, Michael Franco, Chase Headley, Todd Frazier, Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury

OF - Victor Robles

OF - Jose Bautista

OF - Aaron Judge

Honorable Mentions: Brett Gardner, Michael Conforto, Bucky Dent, Kevin Kiermaier, Clint Frazier, Austin Meadows, Lou Piniella, Harrison Bader, Ian Happ, Alex Verdugo, Lewis Brinson, Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, Joc Pederson, Kevin Pillar

DH/PH - Alex Rodriguez

Honorable Mentions: Hideki Matsui, Adam Dunn, Josh Hamilton, Dave Kingman, ROCK SHOULDERS

SP - Clayton Kershaw

Honorable Mentions: Hiroki Kuroda, Shigeru Sugishita, Don Larsen, Noah Syndergaard, Jose Berrios, Julio Urias, Walker Buehler, David Price, Michael Fulmer, Corey Kluber, Luis Castillo, Doug Fister, Nick Tropeano, Josh Hader, Anibal Sanchez, Aaron Nola, Jordan Zimmermann, Alex Reyes, A.J. Burnett, Jose De Leon, Kyle Freeland, Chien-Ming Wang, Brent Honeywell, Danny Salazar, Gaylord Perry, Dave Righetti, Ron Guidry

RP - Dellin Betances
RP - David Robertson

Honorable Mentions: Masanori Murakami, Junichi Tazawa, Chris Sale, Tyler Clippard, Luke Gregerson, Domingo German, Sean Doolittle, C.J. Edwards, Andrew Miller, David Phelps, Adam Warren, Zach McAllister, Mark Melancon, Pat Venditte, Seth Lugo

CL - Mariano Rivera

Honorable Mentions: Koji Uehara, Andrew Miller, Ken Giles, Addison Reed, Greg Holland, Raisel Iglesias, Brandon League

So there's my starting lineup. I know that some of my picks were questionable (especially over a lot of the honorable mentions), but this is what makes this fun.

I can't wait to see the kind of autograph teams the rest of you all come up with :).

As always thanks for stopping by and take care.