Here’s an All-Star team made up of the best players who never:
The Unrewarded
Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
a) Played for a World Series champion.
b) Won an MVP or Cy Young award.
c) Won election to the Hall of Fame.
Oh, they played on All-Star teams and won Gold Gloves and such. But let’s face it: In baseball’s hierarchy of awards, MVPs are the Oscars, and Gold Gloves are the Grammys.
Adrian Beltre is still active, of course, and may yet fulfill one or all three criteria to get kicked off this team. And Tim Raines will surely be inducted into the Hall someday, right? (RIGHT?!?!) [Edit: Raines won a ring with the ‘96 and ‘98 Yankees.] Otherwise, I think these gents have received all the rewards they’ll ever get, save for being on this list.
| Pos | Player | WAR | Notes |
| C | Ted Simmons | 50.3 | Hit .303/.383/.483 with 138 OPS+ from 1975-80. |
| 1B | Rafael Palmeiro | 71.8 | Grace in '90s: 121 OPS+. Palmeiro: 139. Cubs made the wrong trade. |
| 2B | Bobby Grich | 70.1 | Was a rookie on '70 WS champs, but didn't play in postseason. Not counting it! |
| 3B | Adrian Beltre | 70.7 | Maybe he'll get his ring this year. He's five years younger than you think. |
| SS | Jim Fregosi | 48.6 | Managed these guys. What's Kruk wearing around his ankles? |
| LF | Bob Johnson | 57.2 | Bad luck: He never played for a team that came within 11 games of winning a pennant. |
| CF | Kenny Lofton | 67.9 | Failed to reach 5 percent in his first year of Hall eligibility. Crazy. |
| RF | Dwight Evans | 66.9 | They elected the wrong Red Sox outfielder. |
| SP | Rick Reuschel | 68.2 | Hit 4 triples and stole 3 stolen bases in his career, which a lot for a pitcher. |
| SP | Luis Tiant | 65.9 | Started Game Six. Wasn't brilliant, but was in rest of postseason. |
| SP | Tommy John | 62.2 | 5 years before surgery: 1056 IP, 113 ERA+; 5 years after: 1182 IP, 121 ERA+. |
| SP | Chuck Finley | 58.4 | Best LHP of the '90s, after Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine. |
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