Congrats to Dusty Baker and the Astros on their World Series win. I watched
maybe 3 minutes of the whole thing, thanks to ditching cable and not paying
for a Fox premium subscription on my Roku. The brief moment I watched included
a home run by Kyle Tucker, so at least it was an exciting fleeting moment.
When the Dodgers and Red Sox met during the 2018 World Series, I comprised a
lineup of players
that suited up for both teams. I've done the same for every
World Champion since then
(with the exception of 2020 - no need to do the Dodgers again, even with
Mookie Betts an obvious upgrade). I even honored
the Nationals'
former moniker, the
Montreal Expos. So now that Houston sits on top of the world, which former players would
make my roster?
Catcher: Tony Pena
Long-time Red Sox backstops Rich Gedman and Christian Vazquez were both strong contenders, but I decided to go with the multiple All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Pena finished his career playing 9 games with the Astros in 1997.
1st Baseman: Bob Watson
After 14 years in Houston, the Astos traded Watson to the Red Sox in June of 1979. He finished the year strong for Boston before becoming a free agent after the season.
2nd Baseman: Enrique Hernandez
Hernandez came along in the Astros farm system and played a handful of games for them before heading to Miami and then eventually becoming a fan favorite with the Dodgers. Here's hoping he can stay healthy for the Red Sox next season!
Shortstop: Jed Lowrie
The Legend Of Jed Lowrie began in Boston, but included 2 separate stints with Houston.
3rd Baseman: Pete Runnels
Runnels was a 2x batting champ for the Red Sox before joining the Houston franchise for their sophomore season.
Left Fielder: Gary Geiger
The next two outfield spots were easier picks, but the candidates for the third outfield spot were pretty weak. I went with Geiger, who had a solid if unspectacular 7 years in Boston. He finished up his career with the Astros.
Center Fielder: Carl Everett
This is the second time "Jurassic Carl" has appeared on one of these lists, also making the Expos roster. Fun fact: Houston traded him to Boston for another player with the same last name, Adam Everett.
Who would have thought that the best hitter to play for both of these teams is current free agent J.D. Martinez? The Astros gave up on him too quickly, and he eventually became a linchpin in Boston's offense, making 4 All-Star teams and becoming the first hitter to win the Silver Slugger award at two positions in the same season!
Starting Pitcher: Roger Clemens
The Astros and Red Sox may not have had any Hall Of Fame worthy hitters in this lineup, but on the pitching side they have some of the best to have ever thrown a ball. Four out of Clemens' seven Cy Young Awards came with one of these two teams, as well as seven of his eleven All-Star nods. He's the only player here who produced big stats for both teams. (We won't talk about those post-Boston stats though...)
Closer: Billy Wagner
Whether or not you think Billy Wagner is a Hall of Famer, you have to agree that Houston card sure is Hall worthy! The momentum for his actual election is growing, with rate stats that are eye-popping impressive!
I was going to give the DH spot to the "Hit Man" Mike Easler, but according to the TCDB, he had one Astros card, and an image wasn't available. Reddick is a worthy back-up, producing solid numbers for both teams.
Not a bad lineup, to be honest. Quite a few All-Stars and pitching that would match up with anyone.
Catcher: Tony Pena
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|
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1998 Collector's Choice #129 Tony Pena (FT) |
1991 Stadium Club #505 Tony Pena |
Long-time Red Sox backstops Rich Gedman and Christian Vazquez were both strong contenders, but I decided to go with the multiple All-Star and Gold Glove winner. Pena finished his career playing 9 games with the Astros in 1997.
1st Baseman: Bob Watson
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| 1973 Topps #110 Bob Watson | 1980 Topps #480 Bob Watson |
After 14 years in Houston, the Astos traded Watson to the Red Sox in June of 1979. He finished the year strong for Boston before becoming a free agent after the season.
2nd Baseman: Enrique Hernandez
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|
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2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - Prospects #BDPP3 Enrique Hernandez |
2022 Topps #90 Enrique Hernandez |
Hernandez came along in the Astros farm system and played a handful of games for them before heading to Miami and then eventually becoming a fan favorite with the Dodgers. Here's hoping he can stay healthy for the Red Sox next season!
Shortstop: Jed Lowrie
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| 2015 Topps #407 Jed Lowrie |
2008 Topps Heritage #562 Jed Lowrie (RC, RS) |
The Legend Of Jed Lowrie began in Boston, but included 2 separate stints with Houston.
3rd Baseman: Pete Runnels
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| 1964 Topps #121 Pete Runnels | 1958 Topps #265 Pete Runnels |
Runnels was a 2x batting champ for the Red Sox before joining the Houston franchise for their sophomore season.
Left Fielder: Gary Geiger
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| 1969 Topps #278 Gary Geiger | 1965 Topps #452 Gary Geiger |
The next two outfield spots were easier picks, but the candidates for the third outfield spot were pretty weak. I went with Geiger, who had a solid if unspectacular 7 years in Boston. He finished up his career with the Astros.
Center Fielder: Carl Everett
|
|
| 1998 Fleer Tradition #531 Carl Everett | 2002 Ultra #48 Carl Everett |
This is the second time "Jurassic Carl" has appeared on one of these lists, also making the Expos roster. Fun fact: Houston traded him to Boston for another player with the same last name, Adam Everett.
Right Fielder: J.D. Martinez
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|
| 2012 Topps #457 J.D. Martinez |
2019 Topps Heritage #306 J.D. Martinez (WS) |
Who would have thought that the best hitter to play for both of these teams is current free agent J.D. Martinez? The Astros gave up on him too quickly, and he eventually became a linchpin in Boston's offense, making 4 All-Star teams and becoming the first hitter to win the Silver Slugger award at two positions in the same season!
Starting Pitcher: Roger Clemens
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|
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2004 Upper Deck #478 Roger Clemens (CL, SH) |
1991 Topps #530 Roger Clemens |
The Astros and Red Sox may not have had any Hall Of Fame worthy hitters in this lineup, but on the pitching side they have some of the best to have ever thrown a ball. Four out of Clemens' seven Cy Young Awards came with one of these two teams, as well as seven of his eleven All-Star nods. He's the only player here who produced big stats for both teams. (We won't talk about those post-Boston stats though...)
Closer: Billy Wagner
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| 1998 Topps #3 Billy Wagner | 2009 Topps Heritage #632 Billy Wagner |
Whether or not you think Billy Wagner is a Hall of Famer, you have to agree that Houston card sure is Hall worthy! The momentum for his actual election is growing, with rate stats that are eye-popping impressive!
Designated Hitter/Pinch Hitter: Josh Reddick
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| 2018 Topps #309 Josh Reddick | 2012 Topps #158 Josh Reddick |
I was going to give the DH spot to the "Hit Man" Mike Easler, but according to the TCDB, he had one Astros card, and an image wasn't available. Reddick is a worthy back-up, producing solid numbers for both teams.
Funny seeing Reddick as a DH. I have a card of him robbing a guy of a homer.
ReplyDeleteTIL Hernandez was originally an Astros prospect. Some all-time great photos here with Clemens and Wagner, along with Kiké's 2022 Topps 'instant classic'
ReplyDeleteSo........ shouldn't this have been an all-time Astros/Phillies roster?
ReplyDeleteNot if the point was to connect my favorite team to the World Champions...
DeleteClemens was the only guy that came to mind, before reading your post. I should have remembered Reddick too. The others I never would have guessed played for both of these teams. Like I remember seeing Pena with the Sox... but not the Astros.
ReplyDelete