Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, it was a blessing to be a fan of the Cincinnati Reds during the Big Red Machine era.
Although the Reds were and are my favorite team, being a fan of many players on other teams was very easy.
This four-part series is an attempt to share my favorite players from each team during the 1970s and 1980s with the readers this site.
It’s possible for players to be listed on more than one team and in some cases the position might be different than most expect. Dave Winfield comes to mind because early in his career with the San Diego Padres he played left field, but he became an all-star playing in right.
First up are the teams from the National League East Division:
Chicago Cubs
1B – Ernie Banks (One of the my first baseball cards in 1971)
2B – Ryne Sandberg
3B – Ron Santo (Hit the first home run I ever witnessed in person)
SS – Shawon Dunston
LF – Billy Williams
CF – Rick Monday (I liked him even before the flag incident)
RF – Jose Cardenal
C – Jody Davis
P – Fergie Jenkins (The reason I liked the Cubs, until his trade to Texas)
MGR – Don Zimmer
Montreal Expos
1B – Tony Perez (Favorite all-time player. Crushed when he was traded by Cincinnati)
2B – Dave Cash
3B – Larry Parrish
SS – Chris Speier (Liked him with San Francisco)
LF – Warren Cromartie
CF – Andre Dawson
RF – Ellis Valentine (Can’t help but like the entire outfield)
C – Gary Carter (Hated to see him leave the Expos)
P – Steve Rogers
MGR – Dick Williams
New York Mets
1B – Ed Kranepool (The last of the 1962 Mets)
2B – Felix Millan
3B – Howard Johnson
SS – Doug Flynn (I know he really played second, but he’s awesome and he did play some shortstop after leaving Cincinnati. Enjoy listening to him on Reds radio broadcasts)
LF – Cleon Jones (Ever shine your own shoes??)
CF – Mookie Wilson
RF – Rusty Staub (Loved him where ever he played)
C – Gary Carter (He made the list twice)
P – Tom Seaver (As much as I loved him with Cincinnati, he really belonged to the Mets.
MGR – Gil Hodges (Should be in the Hall of Fame)
Philadelphia Phillies
1B – Pete Rose (It was weird to see him in a different uniform)
2B – Manny Trillo
3B – Mike Schmidt (From near my hometown)
SS – Larry Bowa
LF – Greg Luzinski
CF – Garry Maddox (Seemed like he could catch anything)
RF – Jay Johnstone (Everyone should read his books)
C – Bob Boone
P – Steve Carlton
MGR – Danny Ozark
Pittsburgh Pirates
1B – Willie Stargell (Pops!!)
2B – Bill Mazeroski (Fan because of something that happened before I was born LOL)
3B – Bill Madlock (Happy he was no longer with the Cubs, remembering Jenkins trade)
SS – Mario Mendoza (If you have something in baseball named after you, it has to be good, right?)
LF – Mike Easler
CF – Omar Moreno (Loved the speed)
RF – Roberto Clemente (The 1971 World Series was the first that I can remember)
C – Manny Sanguillen
P – John Candelaria (You no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers, lifetime fan)
MGR – Chuck Tanner
St. Louis Cardinals
1B – Keith Hernandez (Awesome fielder)
2B – Tom Herr
3B – Ken Reitz
SS – Ozzie Smith (His post-season homer in 1985 was huge)
LF – Lou Brock (He could change a game anytime he was on first base)
CF – Willie McGee (This guy was fun to watch)
RF – George Hendrick
C – Ted Simmons (Glad he’s in the Hall of Fame)
P – Bob Gibson (Wish I could have watched him in his prime)
MGR – Whitey Herzog