Slideshow: theGrio's fantasy MLB all-star lineup

SATCHEL PAIGE (PITCHER)

Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982)

Paige pitched primarily in the Negro Leagues and then later in the Majors for the Cleveland Indians. While being a pit-bull on the mound, Paige was also known for his on the field antics. More than a few times, he would send his teammates off the field to get the final out of the game he was pitching. At the age of 42, Satch became oldest rookie in MLB. His 40 years of experience makes him our starting pitcher.

2× MLB All-Star (AL) (1952, 1953)
5× Negro League All-Star (1934, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1943)
World Series champion (1948)
Negro League World Series champion (1942)
First Negro leagues player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1971)

(AP Photo)

JOSH GIBSON (CATCHER)

Joshua Gibson (December 21, 1911 – January 20, 1947)

theGrio’s catcher is also known as The “Black Babe Ruth.” Josh Gibson is widely considered one of the best sluggers and catchers in the history of the game Gibson played for the Homestead Grays in the Negro Leagues. A hitter whose lifetime slugging percentage was .648, Gibson was known for the long ball. Hitting almost 800 homeruns in his 17 year career, Gibson never got the chance to play in the majors. He died of a cancerous brain tumor in 1947.

10× All-Star (1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946-Griffith, 1946-Comiskey)
2× Negro League World Series champion (1943, 1944)

(AP Photo/File)

BOB GIBSON (PITCHER)

Pack Robert "Bob" Gibson (born November 9, 1935)

Our ideal closer for Team Grio was known for his intimidation. Bob Gibson pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975. The Dominator had over 3,100 strikouts and a career era of 2.91. While his 2 World Series MVPs were nothing to shake at, Gibson was never afraid to throw his pitch anywhere…or at anyone. Fearless.

9× All-Star selection (1962, 1962², 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972)
2× World Series champion (1964, 1967)
9× Gold Glove Award winner (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
1968 NL MVP
2× NL Cy Young Award winner (1968, 1970)
2× World Series MVP (1964, 1967)
Major League Baseball All-Century Team


(AP Photo)

JACKIE ROBINSON (3rd BASE)

Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972)

theGrio’s 3rd baseman would be Jackie Robinson. A second baseman by trade, Robinson wouldn’t mind shifting around for his team’s success. Breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1947, Robinson dealt with prejudice and racism when it was at its all time high. With adversity everywhere, Robinson let his play on the field speak for itself. A World Series Champion, Rookie of The Year, and a MVP title were all underneath his belt when he was a Brooklyn Dodger. In honor of his achievements on and off the field, Robinson has had his number (42) retired by the entire league.

6× All-Star selection (1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954)
Negro League All-Star selection (1945)
World Series champion (1955)
1947 MLB Rookie of the Year
1949 NL MVP
Jersey number 42 retired by all MLB teams
Major League Baseball All-Century Team

(AP Photo)

WILLIE MAYS (CENTERFIELD)

William Howard "Willie" Mays, Jr. (born May 6, 1931)

Our centerfielder is arguably the greatest baseball player to ever play the game. Willie May’s records speak for theirselves. One of only 6 members of the 600 homerun club and 2 time MVP, the Say Hey Kid was known for his speed and legendary defense. “The Catch” in the 1954 world series will forever be known as May’s trademark play as he played for The San Francisco Giants. Admired for his competitiveness and love for the game, Willie Mays is our man in the middle.

24× All-Star selection (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1959², 1960, 1960², 1961, 1961², 1962, 1962², 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
World Series champion (1954)
12× Gold Glove Award winner (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968)
2× NL MVP (1954, 1965)
1951 NL Rookie of the Year

(AP Photo)

HANK AARON (RIGHT FIELD)

Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama)

Our choice for right field (and our captain) would be none other than Hammerin’ Hank. A former Milwaukee/Atlanta Brave, Hank Aaron’s accolades include being a 25 time All-star and being on the Major League All-Century Team. But his greatest accomplishment will always be for setting the career home run record. A record owned by Babe Ruth, a black man closing in on his record was met with racism and prejudice. Death threats and aside, Aaron broke the record with 715 homeruns in 1974 and extended it to 755 by 1976.

25× All-Star selection (1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1959², 1960, 1960², 1961, 1961², 1962, 1962², 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975)
World Series champion (1957)
All Century Team

(AP Photo)

JOE MORGAN (2nd BASE)

Joe Leonard Morgan (born September 19, 1943)

“Little” Joe Morgan is the Grio’s second baseman. A 5 time gold glove winner for his defense, Morgan was also one of the greatest clutch hitters of his time. Morgan was a staple on the back to back World Series teams (1975, 1976) of the Cincinatti Reds with him hitting the game winning RBI in Game 7. Who else would you rather have in tight situations than a proven winner?

10× All-Star selection (1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
2× World Series champion (1975, 1976)
5× Gold Glove Award winner (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1982)
2× NL MVP (1975, 1976)

(AP Photo)

EDDIE MURRAY (1st BASE)

Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956 in Los Angeles, California)

Team Grio’s first baseman will be Eddie Murray. “Steady Eddie” was known for his switch hitting prowess through his entire career. He is one of 4 players to amass 3,000 career hits and 500 homeruns. The former rookie of the year won his only World Series as he and Cal Ripken Jr. led the Baltimore Orioles in 1983.

8× All-Star selection (1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991)
World Series champion (1983)
3× Gold Glove Award winner (1982, 1983, 1984)
3× Silver Slugger Award winner (1983, 1984, 1990)
1977 AL Rookie of the Year

(AP Photo/Roberto Borea)

OZZIE SMITH (SHORTSTOP)

Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith (born December 26, 1954)

Ozzie Smith will play shortstop for Team Grio. Ozzie would anchor our team with his amazing defense. During his 18 year career, the wizard won 13 consecutive gold gloves from 1980 to 1992. After a trade to the St.Louis Cardinals from the San Diego Padres during 1982, Smith proved to be the missing piece to the Cardinals championship team of the same year. Defense true, Ozzie made no errors during the World Series which is all you can ask for from a Hall of Famer.

15× All-Star selection (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996)
13× Gold Glove Award winner (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1987)
World Series champion (1982)

(AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

BARRY BONDS (LEFT FIELD)

Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964)

theGrio’s left field will be patrolled by Barry Bonds. Son of a major leaguer, Bobby Bonds, and the Godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, Barry’s baseball pedigree is like no other. While never winning a world series ring, Bond’s individual records are staggering. His seven MVPs awards are a league record. A perennial power hitter for the most his career, Bonds set the single homerun season record at 73 in 2003. He then went to break Hank Aaron’s career homerun record with 762 in 2007.

14× All-Star selection (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)
8× Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)
12× Silver Slugger Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2004)
7× NL MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
762 career home runs
73 home runs in a season
2,558 career walks
688 career intentional walks

(AP Photo/Darren Hauck)

BARRY LARKIN (UTILITY)

Barry Louis Larkin (born April 28, 1964 in Cincinnati, Ohio)

The Grio’s Utility/ 3rd baseman is Barry Larkin. While primarily a shortstop, the former captain wouldn’t mind giving his position to Ozzie Smith for the good of our team. Larkin’s hitting power and leadership qualities put him above the rest. His nine silver sluggers over 11 years shows that he was consistent at the plate. His 1990 Cincinatti Reds won the World Series in a sweep with his 353. average leading the way.

12× All-Star selection (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004)
World Series champion (1990)
3× Gold Glove Award winner (1994, 1995, 1996)
9× Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
1995 NL MVP
1993 Roberto Clemente Award
1994 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

(AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)

FRANK THOMAS (DESIGNATED HITTER)

Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. (born May 27, 1968)

Big. Hurt. The Grio’s designated hitter is none other than Frank Thomas. The former Chicago White Sox was known for his devastating homerun power. Over his 18 year career, Thomas has collected 521 homeruns, 2,468 hits and 1,704 RBIs. With his batting average of .301 and having 1,500 walks, Thomas has the pleasure of being in the same company of Babe Ruth, Mel Ott, and Ted Williams. With consistency and slugging power at the plate, Thomas is your quintensential DH. Ouch.

5× All-Star selection (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
World Series champion (2005)
4× Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000)
2× AL MVP (1993, 1994)
2000 AL Comeback Player of the Year
1995 Home Run Derby champion