MSU?s all time starting 9 (link)! I think they got at least one wrong

[Saltydog]

thoughts?
https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2019-01-30/we-picked-mississippi-state-baseballs-all-time-starting-nine

[BigEasyDawg]

I feel like Mangum has to be on there in place of Van Cleve, or even Renfroe. But man, that list makes me so proud of MSU because there are so many deserving guys that couldn't make that list. Just shows how great our tradition is.

[shoeless joe]

Too bad utility wasn't on there...thomas Berkery is the most underrated diamond dog of all time. He played 4 positions with two of those being two of the most important...C and SS. And the dude could rake.

Also, I was in school during the Easley years but he played third a decent amount and I never thought he was the defender that Tatum was.

[Saltydog]

Rest his soul! I could also go with Pete Young at 3rd! Should?ve added a closer! I’d go with Pete or Holder!

[Homedawg]

Rest his soul! I could also go with Pete Young at 3rd! Should?ve added a closer! I?d go with Pete or Holder!

Jake over dvc for sure and no Pete wasn't better than Travis. Not numbers wise and can't punish Travis for playing in a loaded bat era. And it was. He was swinging a minus 5 with a sweet spot the size of china.

[basedog]

Well I wouldn’t bitch at all with those guys. Many are deservering but I can tell you guys Phil Still early 70’s is the best 3rd baseman period. Dude played with wooden bat and back then only played around 32 games. If he played in the metal bat era I can’t imagine what his numbers would be. Pete Young is the second choice, no disrespect to Chapman.
I’ve seen and followed MSU baseball a long time.

[Saltydog]

Forgotten! Del Unser, Nat Showalter, Mark Gillaspie were outstanding! Pete White was too and while article mentioned him, I?ve never seen anyone hit a ball further than Bruce! Him taking BP was awesome!

[Spiderman]

thoughts?
https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2019-01-30/we-picked-mississippi-state-baseballs-all-time-starting-nine

3rd base should be Pete Young

[Spiderman]

Rest his soul! I could also go with Pete Young at 3rd! Should?ve added a closer! I’d go with Pete or Holder!

Thigpen is the closer

[Homedawg]

3rd base should be Pete Young

Based on what? He got dirty? I love Pete. Love him. But Travis has way better numbers.

[Homedawg]

Thigpen is the closer


And no. Holder would be by far. Not close.

[maroonmania]

I feel like Mangum has to be on there in place of Van Cleve, or even Renfroe. But man, that list makes me so proud of MSU because there are so many deserving guys that couldn't make that list. Just shows how great our tradition is.

Yep, and our best team ever was probably 1989 and nobody from that team even made it. The likes of Raffo, Young, Hildreth, Echols, Cohen, Reed, Shave, etc. That team was ranked #1 most of the year. Not that any of them should be over the ones chosen but that was a great group of players but none of them were able to make the list. Just goes to show the level of players we have had over the years.

[msstate7]

Based on what? He got dirty? I love Pete. Love him. But Travis has way better numbers.

Chapman is my favorite.

I remember watching him and Andy Phillips of Bama get clutch hit after clutch hit one year at Dudy Noble. Can't remember what year it was, but that series is when I really became a big Chapman guy

[Political Hack]

They should've thrown an entire rotation in.

Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Long relief
Set up man
Closer

Who you got?

[StarkVegasSteve]

They should've thrown an entire rotation in.

Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Long relief
Set up man
Closer

Who you got?

Friday: Paul Maholm
Saturday: Jeff Brantley
Sunday: Chris Stratton

Long Relief: Chad Girodo/Gene Morgan/Jacob Lindgren
Set Up: Mitch Moreland/Bobby Thigpen
Closer: Jonathan Holder

[dawgoneyall]

SS-Jackie Parker
3B Pete Young

Bobby Reed has to be on that list.

[Pit Bull]

thoughts?
https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2019-01-30/we-picked-mississippi-state-baseballs-all-time-starting-nine

Ok with all except for maybe Jeffrey Rea and Travis Chapman. I would have to put in Mangum somewhere and without a doubt....how do you leave out Bobby Thigpen? Thig is tied for the all time MLB single season save record. And he had an incredible batting prowess rivaling Clark & Palmeiro. So....I would have to replace Rea and Chapman with Thigpen and Mangum.

[Pit Bull]

SS-Jackie Parker
3B Pete Young

Bobby Reed has to be on that list.

I like Bobby, but it would be hard to surpass Jeff Brantley. Brantley was probably the hardest throwing Righthander I can ever remember. Now, there is one coming up this season who might throw harder...….JT Ginn.

[Homedawg]

Pitching is tough. But DuBose was one of if not the best we had for 3 years. Not a good year but 3 great years. And he pitched in the loaded bat era. Bobby reed in the hunt too, along w Maholm. Kenny Kurtz has an incredible year but like Showalter it was a year not more

ETA I meant those for the rotation. Brantley has to be the one guy.

[Liverpooldawg]

I feel like Mangum has to be on there in place of Van Cleve, or even Renfroe. But man, that list makes me so proud of MSU because there are so many deserving guys that couldn't make that list. Just shows how great our tradition is.

Van Cleave was way better.

[Pit Bull]

Ok with all except for maybe Jeffrey Rea and Travis Chapman. I would have to put in Mangum somewhere and without a doubt....how do you leave out Bobby Thigpen? Thig is tied for the all time MLB single season save record. And he had an incredible batting prowess rivaling Clark & Palmeiro. So....I would have to replace Rea and Chapman with Thigpen and Mangum.

Oops.....looks like I missed the Brewer's Rodriguez.....he had 62 saves in 2008 surpassing Thig and Diaz who were tied with 57 each.

[Homedawg]

Than Jake???? What. You've lost your mind.

[Homedawg]

Van Cleave wast way better.
Way better is beyond nuts. Jake led the league in hitting. Van cleave never hit above 360. Ever.

[Homedawg]

Ok with all except for maybe Jeffrey Rea and Travis Chapman. I would have to put in Mangum somewhere and without a doubt....how do you leave out Bobby Thigpen? Thig is tied for the all time MLB single season save record. And he had an incredible batting prowess rivaling Clark & Palmeiro. So....I would have to replace Rea and Chapman with Thigpen and Mangum.

You are replacing a third baseman w two outfielders. And Thigpen wasn't a great hitter. Good yeah. But not elite.

[Homedawg]

Ok with all except for maybe Jeffrey Rea and Travis Chapman. I would have to put in Mangum somewhere and without a doubt....how do you leave out Bobby Thigpen? Thig is tied for the all time MLB single season save record. And he had an incredible batting prowess rivaling Clark & Palmeiro. So....I would have to replace Rea and Chapman with Thigpen and Mangum.

And this is based on college. No way holder isn't ahead of Thigpen in college

[Liverpooldawg]

And no. Holder would be by far. Not close.

Nope, Thigpen.

[Liverpooldawg]

Way better is beyond nuts. Jake led the league in hitting. Van cleave never hit above 360. Ever.

Stats aren't everything. Van Cleave.

[Liverpooldawg]

If you are going to include three starters then Gene Morgan has to be there. If he hadn't blown his throwing shoulder in AA he would have had as good a pro career as Brantley did. That '85 team was stacked, best ever team nationwide that didn't win the CWS. Gator Theison at second and Roark McDonald at catcher would be dang close to being on this list too.

[Homedawg]

Nope, Thigpen.

Look man. Thigpen was here one year. One. His stats don't hold a candle to holder. Not even close. Not even close.

[Homedawg]

Stats aren't everything. Van Cleave.

So the fact he was a doctor get him on the team?? Dvc started 2 years Jake is gonna a start for 4!!and be the sec all time leading hitter. If you stop after two years Mangum wins. I get it the older guys get left out but this isn't realistic.

[Homedawg]

If you are going to include three starters then Gene Morgan has to be there. If he hadn't blown his throwing shoulder in AA he would have had as good a pro career as Brantley did. That '85 team was stacked, best ever team nationwide that didn't win the CWS. Gator Theison at second and Roark McDonald at catcher would be dang close to being on this list too.

Just oh my.

[Liverpooldawg]

Look man. Thigpen was here one year. One. His stats don't hold a candle to holder. Not even close. Not even close.

Stats aren't everything, Thigpen. Dang good outfielder and hitter too.

[Homedawg]

If you are going to include three starters then Gene Morgan has to be there. If he hadn't blown his throwing shoulder in AA he would have had as good a pro career as Brantley did. That '85 team was stacked, best ever team nationwide that didn't win the CWS. Gator Theison at second and Roark McDonald at catcher would be dang close to being on this list too.


Roark McDonald? Dear heavens. Your bias is just nuts. Gator was food. But no rea

[Liverpooldawg]

Just oh my.

How old are you?

[Liverpooldawg]

Roark McDonald? Dear heavens. Your bias is just nuts. Gator was food. But no rea

Didn't say Gator and Roark wer on it, just close. I stand by Gene though, as long as we are talking 3 starters.

[Homedawg]

Stats aren't everything, Thigpen. Dang good outfielder and hitter too.


You realize this is just 9 positions. And Thigpen wouldn't be in the top 20 outfielders. He wouldn't be the sedond best closer.

[Homedawg]

Didn't say Gator and Roark wer on it, just close. I stand by Gene though, as long as we are talking 3 starters.

Roark wouldn't sniff it. Not close

[Liverpooldawg]

You realize this is just 9 positions. And Thigpen wouldn't be in the top 20 outfielders. He wouldn't be the sedond best closer.

But we are talking RP. The other is a bonus. How old are you?

[Liverpooldawg]

Roark wouldn't sniff it. Not close

Yes, he would.

[Liverpooldawg]

So the fact he was a doctor get him on the team?? Dvc started 2 years Jake is gonna a start for 4!!and be the sec all time leading hitter. If you stop after two years Mangum wins. I get it the older guys get left out but this isn't realistic.

Did you ever see him play?

[Homedawg]

Did you ever see him play?

Yeah. Saw all of the above play. All of those mentioned. Now no to Jackie Parker or del bender. Which would make more sense than your Thigpen. And I'm sorry but you should stop after the Roark talk

[Liverpooldawg]

I didn't say he should be on the list, but he is one of the best College catchers to ever play here. You recent team bias is showing. How old were you in 85?

[Homedawg]

Old enough to know that he wasn't better than John McDonald, Barry Winford, Jim Robinson, Ed Easley, Barry patton and a dozen other catchers we've had.

[Homedawg]

I didn't say he should be on the list, but he is one of the best College catchers to ever play here. You recent team bias is showing. How old were you in 85?

Recent team bias huh? You did notice I gave kudos to Kenny Kurtz right ?? Mark Gillespie way better than Bobby Thigpen in the of. Mike Kelley. Do I need to go on??? I've got way more bulllets in my gun than you

[Todd4State]

I'll do mine FWIW. I thought the list was pretty good though.

Closer- Holder. Based on college you have to go with Holder over Thigpen. Thigpen was the closer for one season for us. Holder was our closer for three years and holds the save record for MSU. Pro career- probably Thigpen.
Set-up- Thigpen
RHP middle relief- Jay Powell
LHP middle relief- Jacob Lindgren
Middle relief- Chad Girodo
Middle relief- Chris Stratton
Middle relief- Kendall Graveman
Middle relief- Dakota Hudson
Submarine guy- Van Johnson
Weird arm angle guy- Jon Harden

Friday- Jeff Brantley
Saturday- Bobby Reed
Sunday- Eric DuBose (School career leader in K's gave him the edge)
Tuesday- BJ Wallace (Going by stats)
Weds- Paul Maholm (Could you imagine trotting him out to start against Jackson State? LOL.)


Catcher- Easley. Won the Johnny Bench Award.
Catcher- Barry Winford
Emergency Catcher- Craig Tatum


1B- Will Clark
2B- Jeffrey Rea
3B- Adam Piatt
SS- Adam Frazier
UTL INF- Jon Shave

LF- Rafael Palmeiro
CF- Jake Mangum- He's about to become the SEC's all time hits leader and his impact on MSU baseball was huge from the time he was freshman.
RF- Hunter Renfroe
Fourth OF- Jacob Robson- Like we would take any of the other three guys out. Ever.

DH- Brent Rooker- I went SEC Triple Crown over Castoria. Which was a tough decision, but with Rooker you get power, average, and speed from the DH spot in a more difficult era to hit.
DH- Bruce Castoria- Aw hell, let's just platoon Rooker and Castoria. Like it would matter with this lineup.
Pinch hitter- Buck Showalter. .459 BA coming off the bench? Yes, Please.
Pinch runner- Dan Van Cleve. Single season record for stolen bases with 38.
Super utility- Travis Chapman. Could play any position on the infield or outfield.


Head coach- Roooooonnnn Polk I
Pitching coach- Pat McMahon
Bullpen coach- Butch Thompson
Outfield coach/Hitting coach- John Cohen
Infield coach/Hitting coach- Jake Gautreau (Yeah, maybe too soon but I'm optimistic)
Camp coordinator- Rooooooonnnn Polk II**
Director of employee relations- Andy Cannizarro**

[Pit Bull]

You are replacing a third baseman w two outfielders. And Thigpen wasn't a great hitter. Good yeah. But not elite.

I believe one year his batting average was higher than both Clark and Palmeiro,,..but his pitching is what set him apart. I don't care about position....just looking for the 8 best and 1 pitcher. Thig could play many positions.....outfield and infield. And he could play 3rd base if needed. Polk's players were notable for playing numerous positions. Thig threw out players at home from the outfield with ease....just as good or better than Renfroe.

[Pit Bull]

And this is based on college. No way holder isn't ahead of Thigpen in college

I believe the author of this article referenced all the players' MLB accolades and accomplishments. So I did too. BTW, Thig threw in the mid to upper 90's much like they say Ginn will. Holder never got above 93-94. So oh yeah....I would definitely put Thig in to close it over Holder. I saw Holder blow too many games. Thig rarely did......very rarely.

[Saltydog]

in college. Plus, I can't put him there because he gave up the hr to Greg Ellena against Miami that potentially cost us the N/C in '85. Yes, I know it was one game but for those of us that lived it, it was and still is PAINFUL.

[Saltydog]

now. He may have been very low 90's at the most. We've had a ton of guys that threw harder than him.

[Saltydog]

.306 in '85, which was higher than Palmeiro's .300. Palmeiro's ba dropped from .415 in '84 to .300 in '85 but even so, Thigpen wasn't nearly the hitter Palmeiro was.

[Homedawg]

I believe one year his batting average was higher than both Clark and Palmeiro,,..but his pitching is what set him apart. I don't care about position....just looking for the 8 best and 1 pitcher. Thig could play many positions.....outfield and infield. And he could play 3rd base if needed. Polk's players were notable for playing numerous positions. Thig threw out players at home from the outfield with ease....just as good or better than Renfroe.

Palmeiro only hit 300 his jr year. He had draft-itis. So thiggy did hit higher than him in 85, But palemeiro hit 20 hr. Ralph hit 406 and 420 his first two years, with a triple crown in 84. Obviously, palmeiro was better. Thigpen never hit about 350.

[Homedawg]

now. He may have been very low 90's at the most. We've had a ton of guys that threw harder than him.


Correct

[Homedawg]

I'll do mine FWIW. I thought the list was pretty good though.

Closer- Holder. Based on college you have to go with Holder over Thigpen. Thigpen was the closer for one season for us. Holder was our closer for three years and holds the save record for MSU. Pro career- probably Thigpen.
Set-up- Thigpen
RHP middle relief- Jay Powell
LHP middle relief- Jacob Lindgren
Middle relief- Chad Girodo
Middle relief- Chris Stratton
Middle relief- Kendall Graveman
Middle relief- Dakota Hudson
Submarine guy- Van Johnson
Weird arm angle guy- Jon Harden

Friday- Jeff Brantley
Saturday- Bobby Reed
Sunday- Eric DuBose (School career leader in K's gave him the edge)
Tuesday- BJ Wallace (Going by stats)
Weds- Paul Maholm (Could you imagine trotting him out to start against Jackson State? LOL.)


Catcher- Easley. Won the Johnny Bench Award.
Catcher- Barry Winford
Emergency Catcher- Craig Tatum


1B- Will Clark
2B- Jeffrey Rea
3B- Adam Piatt
SS- Adam Frazier
UTL INF- Jon Shave

LF- Rafael Palmeiro
CF- Jake Mangum- He's about to become the SEC's all time hits leader and his impact on MSU baseball was huge from the time he was freshman.
RF- Hunter Renfroe
Fourth OF- Jacob Robson- Like we would take any of the other three guys out. Ever.

DH- Brent Rooker- I went SEC Triple Crown over Castoria. Which was a tough decision, but with Rooker you get power, average, and speed from the DH spot in a more difficult era to hit.
DH- Bruce Castoria- Aw hell, let's just platoon Rooker and Castoria. Like it would matter with this lineup.
Pinch hitter- Buck Showalter. .459 BA coming off the bench? Yes, Please.
Pinch runner- Dan Van Cleve. Single season record for stolen bases with 38.
Super utility- Travis Chapman. Could play any position on the infield or outfield.


Head coach- Roooooonnnn Polk I
Pitching coach- Pat McMahon
Bullpen coach- Butch Thompson
Outfield coach/Hitting coach- John Cohen
Infield coach/Hitting coach- Jake Gautreau (Yeah, maybe too soon but I'm optimistic)
Camp coordinator- Rooooooonnnn Polk II**
Director of employee relations- Andy Cannizarro**

Pretty dang good list there!!!

[biggun]

Burke Masters???? Has to be on the team

[biggun]

F
Yep, and our best team ever was probably 1989 and nobody from that team even made it. The likes of Raffo, Young, Hildreth, Echols, Cohen, Reed, Shave, etc. That team was ranked #1 most of the year. Not that any of them should be over the ones chosen but that was a great group of players but none of them were able to make the list. Just goes to show the level of players we have had over the years.

Best MSU team of all time. Loaded at every position. Damn that UNC junk ball pitcher!!!! LOL

[The Federalist Engineer]

Yall have all forgotten Brett Pirtle in 2014

This kid hit 364 in a dead bat year. This would have been 414 in the 90's and 434 in the 80's

He was a good defender, he went to Omaha, and he had swagger

[Saltydog]

Nope, I considered him.....helluva player but how do you not put your all time hits leader on the list?

[Pit Bull]

now. He may have been very low 90's at the most. We've had a ton of guys that threw harder than him.

Was throwing in the mid 90's for the Cincy Reds. At MSU, I remember him operating mostly around 92-94 and occasionally hitting 95. He could bring it. Anything above 90 is a decent fastball in the pros.

[Homedawg]

Was throwing in the mid 90's for the Cincy Reds. At MSU, I remember him operating mostly around 92-94 and occasionally hitting 95. He could bring it. Anything above 90 is a decent fastball in the pros.

Jeff was 86-90 at state. He got some added velo in the pros but he didn't win by over powering. He wouldn't be in the top velo guys. He would be in the top most successful ones though and that's what matters.

[Commercecomet24]

Jeff was 86-90 at state. He got some added velo in the pros but he didn't win by over powering. He wouldn't be in the top velo guys. He would be in the top most successful ones though and that's what matters.

I remember his last year or so in mlb he was only hitting mid 80s and still getting guys out. Jeff was a real Bulldog on the mound.

[Spiderman]

Based on what? He got dirty? I love Pete. Love him. But Travis has way better numbers.

All time doubles record for years until Rooker broke it

[basedog]

Talk all you want, but I saw Pete and Travis both play many times, neither were in Phis Still's league. He could do it all.

We are a baseball school!