The Eighth 25 - A Roster

A brief look back in team form at the last 25 player cards in the 1980 set (#187 through #220) as if constructing a fantasy league team.

Manager - Bobby Cox
Coach - Jim Fregosi

Two managers included in this grouping, Cox gets the nod based on that he won a World Series with the Braves. Fregosi led two different teams to division championships, including a NL pennant with the Phillies in 1993. He serves as a coach here.

1B - Mike Jorgensen
2B - Ted Martinez
SS - Dave Concepcion
3B - Buddy Bell
OF - Jim Rice
OF - Mike Easler
OF - Sixto Lezcano
C - Lance Parrish
DH - Jose Morales/Terry Crowley

Not a bad lineup, led by the Hall of Famer, Rice. The left side of the infield is air tight with Bell and Concepcion, All Stars in the prime of their careers. You really can't do much better than Parrish behind the plate, and Easler and Lezcano are very serviceable outfielders. Martinez gets the nod at second although Mankowski can play there and there is a platoon at DH. Jorgensen beats out Cage at first.

Bench:
Alan Ashby, Dell Alston, Wayne Cage, Von Joshua, Dave Skaggs, Phil Mankowski

Ashby would be a starter if not for Parrish, but the rest of these guys are truly backup material.

Rotation:
Steve Carlton
Dave Goltz
Mike LaCoss
John Montefusco
Kevin Kobel

Like the batting order, the rotation is anchored by another Hall of Famer, Steve Carlton. He is backed by Goltz and LaCoss, two decent, albeit pedestrian, starting pitchers. Montefusco and Kobel round out the remainder of the rotation, even though Kobel was done by 1980.

Bullpen
Steve Mingori
Ed Halicki
Dave Roberts
Byron McLaughlin

Probably the weakest part of the team, because of a lack of depth. Only four pitchers here, and the best one (Mingori) didn't even play in 1980. McLaughlin could fit the role of closer, but his effectiveness is suspect. Halicki was done at the end of 1980 and Roberts wasn't too far behind.

Other Cards: 1979 League Leader Cards

OVERALL: Thanks to Rice and Carlton, this team is better than the previous outing, Team #7. Some parts of the supporting cast (Bell, Concepcion, Parrish) are outstanding, but there are question marks on the right side and in the bullpen.

GRADE: B-