Batting Leadoff: Rickey Henderson

Understandably, when most people put together their all-time baseball team, they go position-by-position through the defense, and worry about putting together a line-up later (if at all). Well, I'm building my team as much for the batting order as I am for who's fielding what position. And conveniently enough for this article, I'll start with my choice for lead-off hitter: Rickey Henderson - Left Field.

I've seen other lists, and the left fielders most often considered the best ever are: Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, and Carl Yastrzemski. All great, with great all-around games. And that is the criterion used by the experts: best all-around game, maybe with an edge to power. And so it goes, around the diamond and through the outfield - put together a group of players with the best all-around games. When it comes to Rickey though, he gets the nod for being a great lead-off hitter, but that's about it. Just one of many factors to be considered.

My argument is, having him bat first is crucial to putting together the best possible line-up. I get jazzed at the thought of having a group of all-time all-stars, but I get even more excited about having the best table-setter ever at the top of the batting order. Right off the bat (pun intended), with Rickey we've got someone that will cause the opposing pitcher to sweat. Where to begin? Walk him (easy to do with that exaggerated batting stance of his), and you've virtually given up a double. If he gets on base at all, you're pitching from the stretch. He's got a lifetime on-base percentage of over .400.

With him taking bigger and bigger leads, you can't concentrate on the batter. He'll not only steal second, but he'll also steal third and now he can score on a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch, or a passed ball. He's a rally starter. And not only that, he can hit with power, so if you want home runs from the top of the line-up, he's done plenty of that too. As far as line-ups go, the lead-off hitter gets the engine going. I don't have as strong an opinion about any other spot in the batting order. I think with all the great players to choose from, it would be difficult to decide who won't be batting third or fourth.

While the experts are splitting hairs and arguing about the top five at each position and which ones they'd choose for their all-time teams, I'll be jotting in Rickey Henderson's name at the top of the batting order!