The Sixth 25 - A Roster

A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#137 through #161) as if constructing a fantasy league team.

Manager - No card

1B - Eddie Murray
2B - Jerry Remy
SS - Rob Picciolo
3B - John Castino
OF - Willie Wilson
OF - Terry Puhl
OF - Bruce Botche
C - Tim Blackwell
DH - Darrell Evans

You can't go wrong with a lineup that is anchored by a Hall of Famer the caliber of Eddie Murray. The top of the lineup is set with Wilson and Remy, both of whom had great speed and spent their careers as table setters. Evans provides some extra pop in the middle of the order and Bochte needs to be moved from first to the outfield to give the lineup more balance. Since Bochte played there at one point, its not a huge stretch. Puhl is a good hitter that provides excellent defense and Castino was a rising star before injuries did him in. Blackwell and Picciolo are the best options at their positions.

Bench: Dane Iorg, Gary Alexander, Manny Sanguillen, Jason Thompson

Not a very deep bench, but this team has three very solid everyday first basemen. Not alot of depth on the keystone positions or in the outfield, but Iorg played in many spots during his career and Alexander can serve as catcher, outfielder or DH. Sanguillen is an clutch pinch-hitter.

Starting Rotation:
Bob Welch
Lary Sorenson
Larry Christenson
Steve Comer
Ross Baumgarten

Headed by Cy Young-winner Welch, the remainder of the staff had their moments, but their overall careers were effected by injury or ineffectiveness. If a you take just their best seasons, Sorenseon was an All-Star, Christenson a 19-game winner, Comer a 17-game winner. In that regard it would be a solid starting five.

Bullpen: Rich Gossage, John Fulgham, Ken Clay, Tony Brizzolara, Tom Hausman, Tom Hume, Phil Huffman

When you have Gossage at the back of your bullpen, you don't a need a whole lot more, but relief pitching is a team strength. Hume is an excellent setup man for Gossage and there are many arms here to serve as spot starters and long relief. However, quantity does not always equal quality.

OVERALL: A solid group of players, with two future Hall of Famers represented. A good daily lineup with good relief pitching are this teams highlights. Too many lefthanded first basemen are a detraction as is little infield depth and questionable starting pitching. Not the worst 25 presented, but just a slightly above average grouping overall.

We now have enough teams to complete one division (National League of course).

GRADE: B-