All Time Seminole Baseball

[76noles]

Just before recent changes shut down the other baseball message board there was an interesting topic about an all time Seminole baseball team. This is a topic I have pondered often over the past several years. Having followed FSU baseball closely since 1973, my teams are limited to that era (1973-present.) Recently it occurred to me that it would be better to make 2 all-time teams, one for "Legends" and the other for "Contemporaries". There is no exact dividing line for these teams but it likely is around 1989-90. Unfortunately, because my regular attendance started in '73, some great players like Mac Scare, Dick Howser, Woody Woodward, and others are left off. However, this leaves a pretty amazing team. It also is worth noting several players who really didn't come close to making this team had or have had long major league careers. Guys like Scott Proctor and Kevin Cash come to mind. Now for the teams:
LEGENDS
1B- Eduardo Perez
2B- Luis Alicea
SS- Jody Reed
3B- Guillermo "Juan" Bonilla
RF- Paul Sorrento
CF- Mike Fuentes
LF -Jim Weaver
C - Terry Kennedy
DH- Jeff Ledbetter
SP- Mike Loynd
SP- Danny O'Brien
SP- Doug Little
SP- Larry Jones
RP- Richie Lewis
RP- Larry Rothschild
RP- Ricky Kimball
RP- Clyde Keller
SUB-Chris Cawthon (OF)
SUB-Carlos Lezcano (OF)
SUB-Bien Figueroa (2B-SS)
SUB-Jose Marzan (C-UTL)
SUB-Frank Fazzini (OF)
SUB- Mark Ronan (C)
Note: Paul Sorrento had a long productive major league career at 1B however he played RF for FSU which is a good fit for this team. Jim Weaver only played one year after a juco stink then went pro, however, the guy was talented.

CONTEMPORARIES
1B- Doug Mientkiewicz
2B- Devon Travis
SS- Stephen Drew
3B- Marshall McDougal
RF- Matt Diaz
CF- J.D. Drew
LF- Shane Robinson
C- Buster Posey
DH- Jeremy Morris
SP- Paul Wilson
SP- Sean Gilmartin
SP- Jonathan Johnson
SP- Tyler Chambliss
RP- Chris Chavez
RP- Robert Benincasa
RP- Daniel Hodges
RP- Dan Bennett
SUB- James Ramsey (OF)
SUB- Tyler Holt (OF)
SUB- Jayce Boyd (1B)
SUB- Tony Ritchie (C)
SUB- Mike McGee (UTL)
SUB- Sherman Johnson (INF)
McDougal started at 3B and did a great job before being switched to 2B. He fills a need at 3B on this team. It's hard to leave out Tony Thomas Jr but Travis was more spectacular for his entire career rather than a late bloomer. Nick Stocks and Matt Lynch easily could start on the mound. One could be accommodated by moving Chambliss to relief and dropping Bennett but he was key for a team that was pitching challenged and belongs in my opinion.

What this shows is there have been many great players for the Noles through the years. Comments are welcomed.

[kellylexy]

I remember the Alicia brothers very well. Did Edwin come close to making your Legend all star team?

Baseball is similar to FSU football with the former players. There has been some amazing talent here at FSU. It is almost mind boggling how we have not won any national titles here.

Marshal McD...He was an amazing college player.

[nolefan1]

Some players on that 1970 team were good.

[3BNole]

Can't really argue with that list at all.

It's interesting how for me at least, my all time favorite pitchers have all been closers: Beni, Bennett, and Hodges. I distinctly recall everyone yelling "It's Hog time!" or something like that whenever Hodges would come in. There was also some fiery song that was his walkout.

[76noles]

The walkout song for Hodges was "Hog Wild". As for Edwin Alicea, he did come close to making my all-time team as a sub behind his brother Luis. In reality, if these teams each had a 25 man roster, a few more guys like this would make the team. The 1975 team, # 1 until an 0-2 Omaha visit, had two awesome starting pitchers who are on my Legends team: RHP Larry Jones and LHP Danny O'Brien. One was 15-0 that year, the other 15-1. The # 3 pitcher Craig Eaton was very good as well.