Mount Rushmore for Every MLB Franchise

Picking four all-time greats by team is not easy, but etch these players in stone.

Mount Rushmore for Every MLB Franchise

For decades, Mount Rushmore was a large hill and tourist attraction in South Dakota. Then, fans and media turned it into the Mount Everest of sports, the most visited final four of all-time greatness.

Bob Dylan doesn’t feel so all alone now. Everyone who's anyone in sports wants to get stoned, so prestigious is a spot on the fictitious mountainside. They’ll stone ya when you're trying to be so good. They'll stone ya just a-like they said they would.

Here are the Mount Rushmores for all 30 MLB franchises. With one caveat — players only. Space is at a premium, kids. No executives, managers, coaches, broadcasters, ballgirls, batboys or mascots allowed.

Hammer and chisel, please.

Arizona Diamondbacks

PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 9 seasons (2011-present)
Years with Diamondbacks: 8 seasons (2011-18)
Career stats: .298 batting average, 1,187 hits, 212 home runs
Stats with Diamondbacks: .297 batting, 1,182 hits, 209 home runs
World Series championships: None

RANDY JOHNSON, PITCHER
Career: 22 seasons (1988-2009)
Years with Diamondbacks: 8 seasons (1999-2004, 2007-08)
Career stats: 618 games, 303 wins, 166 losses, 3.29 ERA
Stats with Diamondbacks: 233 games, 111 wins, 62 losses, 2.83 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (2001)

CURT SCHILLING, PITCHER
Career: 20 seasons (1988-2007)
Years with Diamondbacks: 4 seasons (2000-03)
Career stats: 569 games, 216 wins, 146 losses, 3.46 ERA
Stats with Diamondbacks: 108 games, 58 wins, 28 losses, 3.14 ERA
World Series championship (titles won with Diamondbacks in bold): 3 (2001, 2004, 2007)

BRANDON WEBB, PITCHER
Career: 7 seasons (2003-09)
Career stats: 199 games, 87 wins, 62 losses, 3.27 ERA
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Hey, look, three pitchers. The Diamondbacks are the only team with this many moundsmen among their fabulous four.

Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are layups. Paul Goldschmidt, too. That leaves a coin flip between Brandon Webb and outfielder Luis Gonzalez to complete the foursome.

Like Gonzalez, Webb had a somewhat brief career in the desert. Yet he stayed long enough to win 22 games and a Cy Young Award in separate seasons. If not for a bum right shoulder, no doubt his career numbers would be much more impressive.

It might be difficult to pick against Gonzalez, who ranked No. 1 on a bunch of all-time team lists. But a little skepticism is not unreasonable. Fifty-seven home runs and 142 RBI in one season? Hmmmmm. Not to nitpick or anything, but Gonzo failed to distinguish himself in four postseason series.

Besides, pitchers tend to get overlooked on these lists. Let's think outside the batter’s box for a change.

Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves

HANK AARON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 23 seasons (1954-76)
Years with Braves: 21 seasons (1954-1974)
Career stats: .305 batting average, 3,771 hits, 755 home runs
Stats with Braves: .310 batting average, 3,600 hits, 733 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1957)

CHIPPER JONES, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 19 seasons, all with Braves (1993, 1995-2012)
Career stats: .303 batting average, 2,726 hits, 468 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1995)

EDDIE MATHEWS, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons (1952-68)
Years with Braves: 15 seasons (1952-66)
Career stats: .271 batting average, 2,315 hits, 512 home runs
Stats with Braves: .273 batting average, 2,201 hits, 493 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1957)

WARREN SPAHN, PITCHER
Career: 21 seasons (1942, 1946-65)
Years with Braves: 20 seasons (1942, 1946-64)
Career stats: 750 games, 363 wins, 245 losses, 3.09 ERA
Stats with Braves: 714 games, 356 wins, 229 losses, 3.05 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1957)

Bottom line: Pitchers Greg Maddux and Phil Niekro deserve a spot, but at whose expense? Certainly not Hank Aaron, the real all-time home run leader. Or Warren Spahn, who won more games than any left-handed pitcher ever.

Chipper Jones? Eddie Mathews? Pure and simple, the Hall of Famers are too close in position and performance to drop either one.

Mad Dog and Knucksie deserve better, but this is one tough crowd.

Milwaukee Brewers/St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles

EDDIE MURRAY, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 21 seasons (1977-97)
Years with Orioles: 13 seasons (1977-88, 1996)
Career stats: .287 batting average, 3,255 hits, 504 home runs
Stats with Orioles: .294 batting average, 2,080 hits, 343 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1983)

JIM PALMER, PITCHER
Career: 20 seasons, all with Orioles (1965-84)
Career stats: 558 games, 268 wins, 152 losses, 2.86 ERA
World Series championships: 3 (1966, 1970, 1983)

CAL RIPKEN JR., SHORTSTOP
Career: 21 seasons, all with Orioles (1981-2001)
Career stats: .276 batting average, 3,184 hits, 431 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1983)

BROOKS ROBINSON, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 23 seasons, all with Orioles (1955-77)
Career stats: .267 batting average, 2,848 hits, 268 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1966, 1970)

Bottom line: Brooks Robinson and then Cal Ripken were the faces of the franchise for more than four decades.

Jim Palmer is far and away the best pitcher in Orioles history.

Eddie Murray beats out pitcher Mike Mussina, outfielder Frank Robinson and first baseman George Sisler for the final spot. The two-time MVP runner-up was too productive for too long not to be there.

Boston Americans/Red Sox

DAVID ORTIZ, DESIGNATED HITTER
Career: 20 seasons (1997-2016)
Years with Red Sox: 14 seasons (2003-16)
Career stats: .286 batting average, 2,472 hits, 541 home runs
Stats with Red Sox: .290 batting average, 2,079 hits, 483 home runs
World Series championships: 3 (2004, 2007, 2013)

TED WILLIAMS, OUTFIELDER
Career: 19 seasons, all with Red Sox (1939-42, 1946-60)
Career stats: .344 batting average, 2,654 hits, 521 home runs
World Series championships: None

CARL YASTRZEMSKI, OUTFIELDER
Career: 23 seasons, all with Red Sox (1961-83)
Career stats: .285 batting average, 3,419 hits, 452 home runs
World Series championships: None

CY YOUNG, PITCHER
Career: 22 seasons (1890-1911)
Years with Americans: 8 seasons (1901-08)
Career stats: 906 games, 511 wins, 315 losses, 2.63 ERA
Stats with Americans: 327 games, 192 wins, 112 losses, 2.00 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1903)

Bottom line: Teddy Ballgame, Yaz and David Ortiz are locks. Uh, Big Papi passed the drug test, right?

Cy Young and pitcher Roger Clemens square off for the vacant spot. The duo had remarkably similar stays in Boston right down to identical win totals. The tiebreaker: The Rocket fizzled out in four postseason trips, while Cyclone blew through the 1903 World Series with three stellar starts (two victories).

Honorable mention: pitcher Curt Schilling, the anti-Rocket.

California/Los Angeles Angels

JIM FREGOSI, SHORTSTOP
Career: 18 seasons, (1961-78)
Years with Angels: 11 seasons (1961-71)
Career stats: .265 batting average, 1,726 hits, 151 home runs
Stats with Angels: .268 batting average, 1,408 hits, 115 home runs
World Series championships: None

NOLAN RYAN, PITCHER
Career: 27 seasons (1966, 1967-93)
Years with Angels: 8 seasons (1972-79)
Career stats: 807 games, 324 wins, 292losses, 3.19 ERA
Stats with Angels: 291 games, 138 wins, 121 losses, 3.07 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1969)

TIM SALMON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 14 seasons, all with Angels (1992-2004, 2006)
Career stats: .282 games, 1,674 hits, 299 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2002)

MIKE TROUT, OUTFIELDER
Career: 9 seasons, all with Angels (2011-present)
Career stats: .307 batting average, 1,187 hits, 240 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Pitcher Chuck Finley is the toughest out. The left-hander had more wins and higher WAR than Nolan Ryan in his Halos career. But the Ryan Express did his best work in Southern California, where he pitched four of his seven no-hitters and was a five-time All-Star in eight seasons. His mug had to be on a mountain somewhere.

Jim Fregosi was a six-time All-Star and first marque name for the expansion franchise.

Tim Salmon hit more homers than any Angels player. The one-time World Series hero also was among their top three in games played, hits, slugging percentage and WAR.

As for Mike Trout, the only question is whether the super-talent will be part of MLB's all-time Mount Rushmore before long.

Also in the chase: outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, pitchers Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez.

Chicago Orphans/Cubs

ERNIE BANKS, SHORTSTOP/FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 19 seasons, all with Cubs (1953-71)
Career stats: .274 batting average, 2,583 hits, 512 home runs
World Series championships: None

RYNE SANDBERG, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 16 seasons (1981-94, 1996-97)
Years with Cubs: 15 seasons (1982-94, 1996-97)
Career stats: .285 batting average, 2,386 hits, 282 home runs
Stats with Cubs: .285 batting average, 2,385 hits, 282 home runs
World Series championships: None

RON SANTO, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 15 seasons (1960-74)
Years with Cubs: 14 seasons (1960-73)
Career stats: .277 batting average, 2,254 hits, 342 home runs
Stats with Cubs: .279 batting average, 2,171 hits, 337 home runs
World Series championships: None

BILLY WILLIAMS, OUTFIELDER
Career: 18 seasons (1959-76)
Years with Cubs: 16 seasons (1959-74)
Career stats: .290 batting average, 2,711 hits, 426 home runs
Stats with Cubs: .296 batting average, 2,510 hits, 392 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams are no-brainers. But what to do with Sammy Sosa, the franchise leader in home runs?

As long as Scammin’ Sammy's name remains prominently associated with the steroids era, he will have to grab some bench. Ditto for team hits leader Cap Anson, who played in the dead ball era.

Ron Santo is the last man in, despite heavily weighted Wrigley Field numbers. If someone prefers pitcher Fergie Jenkins instead, there will be no beef here.

Chicago White Sox

LUKE APPLING, SHORTSTOP
Career: 19 seasons, all with White Sox (1930-43, 1945-50)
Career stats: .310 batting average, 2,749 hits, 45 home runs
World Series championships: None

RED FABER, PITCHER
Career: 20 seasons, all with White Sox (1914-33)
Career stats: 669 games, 254 wins, 213 losses, 3.15 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1917)

FRANK THOMAS, FIRST BASEMAN/DESIGNATED HITTER
Career: 19 seasons (1990-2008)
Years with White Sox: 16 seasons (1990-2005)
Career stats: .301 batting average, 2,468 hits, 521 home runs
Stats with White Sox: .307 batting average, 2,136 hits, 448 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2005)

ED WALSH, PITCHER
Career: 14 seasons (1904-17)
Years with White Sox: 13 seasons (1904-16)
Career stats: 430 games, 195 wins, 126 losses, 1.82 ERA
Stats with White Sox: 426 games, 195 wins, 125 losses, 1.81 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1906)

Bottom line: Frank Thomas and Ed Walsh are instant picks as the most dominant hitter and pitcher in team history, respectively. Then, the fun starts.

Based on performance, a solid case can be made for Luke Appling, Red Faber, second baseman Eddie Collins and outfielder Joe Jackson. Whereas Appling and Faber were White Sox lifers, Collins spent most of his prime years with the Philadelphia Athletics. As the most divisive figure in club history, Shoeless Joe had too much baggage to warrant a final four spot.

Plus, it makes sense to be partial to a second pitcher (Faber), since the position carried the franchise for much of its first century.

Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds

JOHNNY BENCH, CATCHER
Career: 17 seasons, all with Reds (1967-83)
Career stats: .267 batting average, 2,048 hits, 389 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1975, 1976)

BARRY LARKIN, SHORTSTOP
Career: 19 seasons, all with Reds (1986-2004)
Career stats: .295 games, 2,340 hits, 198 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1990)

FRANK ROBINSON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 21 seasons (1956-76)
Years with Reds: 10 seasons (1956-65)
Career stats: .294 batting average, 2,943 hits, 586 home runs
Stats with Reds: .303 batting average, 1,673 hits, 324 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1966, 1970)

PETE ROSE, OUTFIELDER/THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 24 seasons (1963-86)
Years with Reds: 19 seasons (1963-78, 1984-86)
Career stats: .303 batting average, 4,256 hits, 160 home runs
Stats with Reds: .307 batting average, 3,358 hits, 152 home runs
World Series championships (titles won with Reds in bold): (1975, 1976, 1980)

Bottom line: Johnny Bench is a six-inch putt. So is Pete Rose, the player. Rose, the manager, not so much. BarryLarkin was born in Cincinnati and spent his entire career there.

The final spot comes down to Frank Robinson versus second baseman Joe Morgan in a Hall of Fame matchup. Robby gets the spot on the basis of his team career ranks — first in slugging percentage, second in homers, second in OPS, fifth in RBI — but there is no incorrect answer.

Cleveland Naps/Indians

LARRY DOBY, OUTFIELDER
Career: 13 seasons (1947-59)
Years with Indians: 10 seasons (1947-55, 1958)
Career stats: .283 batting average, 1,515 hits, 253 home runs
Statistics with Indians: .286 batting average, 1,234 hits, 215 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1948)

BOB FELLER, PITCHER
Career: 18 seasons, all with Indians (1936-41, 1945-56)
Career stats: 570 games, 266 wins, 162 losses, 3.25 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1948)

NAP LAJOIE, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 21 seasons (1896-1916)
Years with Indians: 13 seasons (1902-14)
Career stats: .338 batting average, 3,243 hits, 82 home runs
Statistics with Indians: .339 batting average, 2,047 hits, 33 home runs
World Series championships: None

TRIS SPEAKER, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons (1907-28)
Years with Indians: 11 seasons (1916-26)
Career stats: .338 batting average, 3,243 hits, 82 home runs
Stats with Indians: .354/1,965/73
World Series championships (titles won with Indians in bold): 3 (1912, 1915, 1920)

Bottom line: After Bob Feller, Tris Speaker and Nap Lajoie in that order, the final spot simmers down to Larry Doby and shortstop Lou Boudreau, teammates on the last World Series winner for the franchise way back when.

It's tough to bypass Boudreau, the Indians' manager and American League MVP that 1948 season. But as the first AL player to break the color line, Doby has too much historical significance not to be included.

Special mention: first baseman Jim Thome.

Colorado Rockies

NOLAN ARENADO, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 7 seasons, all with Rockies (2013-present)
Career stats: .291 batting average, 975 hits, 186 home runs
World Series championships: None

TODD HELTON, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons, all with Rockies (1997-2013)
Career stats: .316 batting average, 2,519 hits, 369 home runs
World Series championship: None

TROY TULOWITZKI, SHORTSTOP
Career: 13 seasons (2006-17, 2019-present)
Years with Rockies: 10 seasons (2006-15)
Career stats: .290 batting average, 1,389 hits, 224 home runs
Stats with Rockies: .299 batting average, 1,165 hits, 188 home runs
World Series championships: None

LARRY WALKER, OUTFIELDER
Career: 17 seasons (1989-2005)
Years with Rockies: 10 seasons (1995-2004)
Career stats: .313 batting average, 2,160 hits, 383 home runs
Stats with Rockies: .334 batting average, 1,361, 258 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: How about a 60-foot altimeter to represent all those beleaguered Rockies pitchers in Coors Field history?

OK, that would look kinda strange on the side of a mountain. So Nolan Arenado, Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki and Larry Walker will do just fine. The power trippers dominate every offensive category in franchise history.

Outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Holiday also are in the conversation, but Cargo maxed out prematurely, while Big Daddy didn’t stay in the Mile High City long enough to pad his numbers.

Detroit Tigers

TY COBB, OUTFIELDER
Career: 24 seasons (1905-28)
Years with Tigers: 22 seasons (1905-26)
Career stats: .366 batting average, 4,189 hits, 117 home runs
Stats with Tigers: .368 batting average, 3,900 hits, 111 home runs
World Series championships: None

CHARLIE GEHRINGER, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 19 seasons, all with Tigers (1924-42)
Career stats: .320 batting average, 2,839 hits, 184 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1935)

AL KALINE, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons, all with Tigers (1953-74)
Career stats: .297 batting average, 3,007 hits, 399 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1968)

HAL NEWHOUSER, PITCHER
Career: 17 seasons (1939-55)
Years with Tigers: 15 seasons (1939-53)
Career stats: 488 games, 207 wins, 150 losses, 3.06 ERA
Stats with Tigers: 460 games, 200 wins, 148 losses, 3.07 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1945)

Bottom line: Hank Greenberg or Hal Newhouser? That's the classic batter-pitcher matchup to complete the foursome with Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer and Al Kaline, who are instant picks.

The vote for Prince Hal is threefold: 1) higher career WAR total with the team, 2) back-to-back American League MVP selections, the only pitcher to do so in MLB history, and 3) Game 7 road victory in the 1945 World Series. If Hammerin’ Hank hadn’t sat out nearly five seasons because of military service, though, he probably would have made the cut.

(Pssst, designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, go grab a bat.)

Florida/Miami Marlins

MIGUEL CABRERA, THIRD BASEMAN/OUTFIELDER
Career: 17 seasons (2003-present)
Years with Marlins: 5 seasons (2003-07)
Career stats: .316 batting average, 2,676 hits, 465 home runs
Stats with Marlins: .313 batting average, 842 hits, 138 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2003)

LUIS CASTILLO, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 15 seasons (1996-2010)
Years with Marlins: 10 seasons (1996-2005)
Career stats: .290 batting average, 1,889 hits, 28 home runs
Stats with Marlins: .293 batting average, 1,273 hits, 20 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2003)

HANLEY RAMIREZ, SHORTSTOP
Career: 14 seasons (2005-18)
Years with Marlins: 7 seasons (2006-12)
Career stats: .290 batting average, 1,825 hits, 269 home runs
Stats with Marlins: .300 batting average, 1,103 hits, 148 home runs
World Series championships: None

GIANCARLO STANTON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 10 seasons (2010-present)
Years with Marlins: 8 seasons (2010-2017)
Career stats: .268 batting average, 1,124 hits, 305 home runs
Stats with Marlins: .268 batting average, 960 hits, 267 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo Stanton are comfortable picks.

Along with Luis Castillo, the all-time franchise hits and stolen base leader, pitchers Josh Johnson, Robb Nenn and Dontrelle Willis were considered for the final spot.

Hey, anyone who can survive 10 seasons in South Florida deserves it.

Houston Colt .45s/Astros

JEFF BAGWELL, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 15 seasons, all with Astros (1991-2005)
Career stats: .297 batting average, 2,314 hits, 449 home runs
World Series championships: None

CRAIG BIGGIO, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 20 seasons, all with Astros (1988-2007)
Career stats: .281 batting average, 3,060 hits, 291 home runs
World Series championships: None

LARRY DIERKER, PITCHER
Career: 14 seasons (1964-77)
Years with Astros: 13 seasons (1964-76)
Career stats: 356 games, 139 wins, 123 losses, 3.31 ERA
Stats with Astros: 345 games, 137 wins, 117 losses, 3.28 ERA
World Series championships: None

ROY OSWALT, PITCHER
Career: 13 seasons (2001-13)
Years with Astros: 10 seasons (2001-10)
Career stats: 365 games, 163 wins, 102 losses, 3.36 ERA
Stats with Astros: 303 games, 143 wins, 82 losses, 3.24 ERA
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Stats aside, Jeff Bagwell is a reluctant choice after dancing around the steroids issue. Craig Biggio also didn’t pass the eye test later in his career, for that matter. Until one or both are banished from the Hall of Fame, though, they have places here. So does Roy Oswalt, the most accomplished pitcher in club history.

Larry Dierker beats out closer Billy Wagner and outfielders Lance Berkman and Cesar Cedeno, worthy candidates all. The All-Star pitcher gets bonus points as a team broadcaster and manager.

Second baseman Jose Altuve could crash the party eventually.

Kansas City Royals

GEORGE BRETT, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 21 seasons, all with Royals (1973-93)
Career stats: .305 batting average, 3,154 hits, 317 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1985)

AMOS OTIS, OUTFIELDER
Career: 17 seasons (1967, 1969-84)
Years with Royals: 14 seasons (1970-83)
Career stats: .277 batting average, 2,020 hits, 193 home runs
Stats with Royals: .280 batting average, 1,977 hits, 193 home runs
World Series championships: None

SALVADOR PEREZ, CATCHER
Career: 8 seasons, all with Royals (2011-present)
Career stats: .266 batting average, 942 hits, 141 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2015)

BRET SABERHAGEN, PITCHER
Career: 16 seasons (1984-95, 1997-99, 2001)
Years with Royals: 8 seasons (1984-91)
Career stats: 399 games, 167 wins, 117 losses, 3.34 ERA
Stats with Royals: 252 games, 110 wins, 78 losses, 3.21 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1985)

Bottom line: Talk about a Royal rumble. Because George Brett is the only Hall of Fame player in franchise history, that leaves a slew of quality candidates for three positions.

Two-time Cy Young Award-winner Bret Saberhagen beats out Kevin Appier, the franchise WAR leader among pitchers. In another close race, Amos Otis edges out Frank White and Willie Wilson largely because of his team WAR rank (second overall) and solid .295/.360/.487 slash line in 22 postseason games.

Chill, people. we haven’t forgotten the 2014-15 World Series teams.

While outfielder Alex Gordon ranks higher in most team career categories, Salvador Perez is the rock behind home plate. The 2015 World Series MVP produced a .348/.375/.478 slash line over two Fall Classics. And the six-time All-Star still has time to move up career lists.

Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers

CLAYTON KERSHAW, PITCHER
Career: 11 seasons, all with Dodgers (2008-present)
Career stats: 318 games, 153 wins, 69 losses, 2.39 ERA
World Series championships: None

SANDY KOUFAX, PITCHER
Career: 12 seasons, all with Dodgers (1955-66)
Career stats: 397 games, 165 wins, 87 losses, 2.76 ERA
World Series championships: 4 (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965)

JACKIE ROBINSON, SECOND BASEMAN/THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 10 seasons, all with Dodgers (1947-56)
Career stats: .311 batting average, 1,518 hits, 137 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1955)

DUKE SNIDER, OUTFIELDER
Career: 18 seasons (1947-64)
Years with Dodgers: 16 seasons (1947-62)
Career stats: .295 batting average, 2,116 hits, 407 home runs
Stats with Dodgers: .300 batting average, 1,995 hits, 389 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1955, 1959)

Bottom line: For a franchise with this much greatness and tradition, there is precious little drama here. Only a San Francisco Giants fan would leave Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson or Duke Snider off the list.

The sentimental side wants to pair Don Drysdale with Koufax like they were for so many years.

Yeah, we know about Kershaw in the postseason, but how can one ignore his career 2.39 earned run average, .689 win percentage and 62.1 WAR total, the highest among Dodgers pitchers? Since The Claw figures to have a few productive years left, he deserves a slot in the rotation.

Honorable mention: shortstop Pee Wee Reese and outfielder Zach Wheat.

Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers

CECIL COOPER, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons (1971-87)
Years with Brewers: 11 seasons (1977-87)
Career stats: .298 batting average, 2,192 hits, 241 home runs
Stats with Brewers: .302 batting average, 1,815 hits, 201 home runs
World Series championships: None

TEDDY HIGUERA, PITCHER
Career: 9 seasons, all with Brewers (1985-91, 1993-94)
Career stats: 213 games, 94 wins, 64 losses, 3.61 ERA
World Series championships: None

PAUL MOLITOR, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 21 seasons (1978-98)
Years with Brewers: 15 seasons (1978-1992)
Career stats: .306 batting average, 3,319 hits, 234 home runs
Stats with Brewers: .303 batting average, 2,281 hits, 160 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1993)

ROBIN YOUNT, SHORTSTOP/OUTFIELDER
Career: 20 seasons, all with Brewers (1974-93)
Career stats: .285 batting average, 3,142 hits, 251 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: The pick for last man in went back and forth on Prince Fielder and Cecil Cooper. Fielder was the more dominant force — the all-time club leader in slugging and on-base percentages— but his stay with the Brew Crew was a rather short one. Cooooop gets the call for extended all-around excellence.

Paul Molitor and Robin Yount were attached at the hip for 15 seasons. Only Teddy Higuera stands out among an ordinary lot of pitchers.

Ryan Braun belongs here, you say? Good. Blame the FedEx guy then.

Special mention: first baseman Don Mincher, the first player chosen by the Pilots in the expansion draft.

Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins

ROD CAREW, SECOND BASE
Career: 19 seasons (1967-85)
Years with Twins: 12 seasons (1967-78)
Career stats: .328 batting average, 3,053 hits, 92 home runs
Stats with Twins: .334 batting average, 2,085 hits, 74 home runs
World Series championships: None

WALTER JOHNSON, PITCHER
Career: 21 seasons, all with Senators (1907-27)
Career stats: 802 games, 417 wins, 279 losses, 2.17 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1924)

HARMON KILLEBREW, FIRST BASEMAN/THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 22 seasons (1954-75)
Years with Senators/Twins: 21 seasons (1954-74)
Career stats: .256 batting average, 2,086 hits, 573 home runs
Stats with Senators/Twins: .258 batting average, 2,024 hits, 559 home runs
World Series championships: None

KIRBY PUCKETT, OUTFIELDER
Career: 12 seasons (1984-95)
Career stats: .318 batting average, 2,304 hits, 207 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1987, 1991)

Bottom line: Not much debate here.

Rod Carew ranks No. 1 in batting average, on-base percentage and WAR in franchise history. Walter Johnson was its best pitcher from here to Washington, D.C. Harmon Killebrew was its most fear slugger. And Kirby Puckett was among its best all-around players as well as the most popular one.

Also considered: pitcher Bert Blyleven, catcher/designated hitter Joe Mauer, outfielder Sam Rice.

New York Mets

DWIGHT GOODEN, PITCHER
Career: 16 seasons (1984-94, 1996-2000)
Years with Mets: 11 seasons (1984-94)
Career stats: 430 games, 194 wins, 112 losses, 3.51 ERA
Stats with Mets: 305 games, 157 wins, 85 losses, 3.10 ERA
World Series championships (titles won with Mets in bold): 2 (1986, 2000)

TOM SEAVER, PITCHER
Career: 20 seasons (1967-86)
Years with Mets: 12 seasons (1967-77, 1983)
Career stats: 656 games, 311 wins, 205 losses, 2.86 ERA
Stats with Mets: 401 games, 198 wins, 124 losses, 2.57 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1969)

DARRYL STRAWBERRY, OUTFIELDER
Career: 17 seasons (1983-99)
Years with Mets: 8 seasons (1983-90)
Career stats: .259 batting average, 1,401 hits, 335 home runs
Stats with Mets: .263 batting average, 1,025 hits, 252 home runs
World Series championships (titles won with Mets in bold): 3 (1986, 1996, 1999)

DAVID WRIGHT, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 14 seasons, all with Mets (2004-16, 2018)
Career stats: .296 batting average, 1,777 hits, 242 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: A bunch of candidates merit consideration, but it is hard to pick against the old reliables. Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden rank one-two in team career WAR among pitchers, while David Wright and Darryl Strawberry are one-two among positions players.

All except Wright are members of World Series championship teams.

There’s time for pitcher Jacob deGrom to get a cut of the action. Will he be a Met long enough to do it?

Honorable mention: third baseman Edgardo Alfonso, outfielder Carlos Beltran, first baseman Keith Hernandez, catcher Mike Piazza, pitchers John Franco and Jerry Koosman.

New York Yankees

JOE DIMAGGIO, OUTFIELDER
Career: 13 seasons, all with Yankees (1936-42, 1946-51)
Career stats: .325 batting average, 2,214 hits, 361 home runs
World Series championships: 9 (1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951)

LOU GEHRIG, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons, all with Yankees (1923-39)
Career stats: .340 batting average, 2,721 hits, 493 home runs
World Series championships: 6 (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938)

MICKEY MANTLE, OUTFIELDER
Career: 18 seasons, all with Yankees (1951-68)
Career stats: .298 batting average, 2,415 hits, 536 home runs
World Series championships: 7 (1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)

BABE RUTH, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons (1914-35)
Years with Yankees: 15 seasons (1920-34)
Career stats: .342 batting average, 2,873 hits, 714 home runs as outfielder; 163 games, 94 wins, 46 losses, 2.28 ERA as pitcher
Stats with Yankees: .349 batting average, 2,518 hits, 659 home runs as outfielder; 158 games, 89 wins, 46 losses, 2.23 ERA as pitcher
World Series championship (titles won with Yankees in bold): 7 (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)

Bottom line: Welcome to the most iconic Mount Rushmore in pro sports history.

The images of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth were etched in granite long ago.

Derek Jeter merits a close look, but on the strength of superior WAR/162 totals, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle have firm holds on the fourth spot. Oh, and a combined 16 World Series titles doesn't hurt their causes, either.

New York Yankees 2.0

RON GUIDRY, PITCHER
Career: 14 seasons, all with Yankees (1975-88)
Career stats: 368 games, 170 wins, 91 losses, 3.29 ERA
World Series championships: 2 (1977, 1978)

REGGIE JACKSON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 21 seasons (1967-87)
Years with Yankees: five seasons (1977-81)
Career stats: .262 batting average, 2,584 hits, 563 home runs
Stats with Yankees: .281 batting average, 661 hits, 144 home runs
World Series championships (titles won with Yankees in bold): 5 (1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978)

DEREK JETER, SHORTSTOP
Career: 20 seasons, all with Yankees (1995-2014)
Career stats: .310 batting average, 3,465 hits, 260 home runs
World Series championships: 5 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)

MARIANO RIVERA, PITCHER
Career: 20 seasons, all with Yankees (1995-2013)
Career stats: 1,115 games, 82 games, 60 losses, 652 saves, 2.21 ERA
World Series championships: 5 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)

Bottom line: Hey, the Yankees didn’t spend all those billions to have just one Mount Rushmore, you know? No fewer than 56 Hall of Famers spent all or part of their careers with the organization, easily the most of any major league franchise. So, no, one measly hill doesn’t hack it.

After Ron Guidry, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, things got very interesting. A case could be made for Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly and Bernie Williams to fill out the roster. (Sorry, Alex Rodriguez, no cheaters allowed.)

Mattingly and Williams were known for their remarkable consistency and put up similar numbers. At the same time, their careers were largely void of signature moments. As much as we wanted to reward longevity, we can’t forget what Jackson did on the big stage. Specifically, his three home runs in the 1977 World Series clincher and crazy postseason numbers (12 homers and 29 RBI in 34 games).

Remember, we are talking about New York here. Swag and controversy comes with the territory, and Mr. October had more in five seasons than any player in franchise history.

Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics

LEFTY GROVE, PITCHER
Career: 17 seasons (1925-41)
Years with Athletics: 9 seasons (1925-33)
Career stats: 616 games, 300 wins, 141 losses, 3.06 ERA
Stats with Athletics: 402 games, 195 wins, 75 losses 2.88 ERA
World Series championships: 2 (1929 1930)

JIMMIE FOXX, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 20 seasons (1925-42, 1944-45)
Years with Athletics: 11 seasons (1925-35)
Career stats: .325 batting average, 2,646 hits, 534 home runs
Stats with Athletics: .339 batting average, 1,492 hits, 302 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1929, 1930)

RICKEY HENDERSON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 20 seasons (1979-2003)
Years with Athletics: 14 seasons (1979-84, 1989-95, 1998)
Career stats: .279 batting average, 3,055 hits, 297 home runs
Stats with Athletics: .288 batting average, 1,768 hits, 167 home runs
World Series championships (titles won with A's in bold): 2 (1989, 1993)

EDDIE PLANK, PITCHER
Career: 18 seasons (1901-17)
Years with Athletics: 14 seasons (1901-14)
Career stats: 623 games, 326 wins, 194 losses, 2.35 ERA
Stats with Athletics: 524 games, 284 wins, 162 losses, 2.39 ERA
World Series championships: 2 (1911, 1913)

Bottom line: Mark McGwire was the all-time team home run leader, but admitted steroids abusers have no business here. Now how could anyone exclude Eddie Collins, Dennis Eckersley, Jim Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Al Simmons?

Think this was all fun and games, people?

If Cocky, Eck, Catfish, Mr. October and Bucketfoot Al hadn’t achieved so much elsewhere, one or more might have landed a spot. Otherwise, the two pitchers and two position players with the highest WAR totals in club history are logical (and comfortable) selections.

The A's three 1970’s World Series teams have a conspicuous absence. Let that be a hard reminder of those chaotic days.

Philadelphia Phillies

PETE ALEXANDER, PITCHER
Years with Phillies: 20 seasons (1911-30)
Career: eight seasons (1911-17, 1930)
Career stats: 696 games, 373 wins, 208 losses, 2.56 ERA
Stats with Phillies: 338 games, 190 wins, 91 losses, 2.18 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1926)

RICHIE ASHBURN, OUTFIELDER
Career: 15 seasons (1948-62)
Years with Phillies: 12 seasons (1948-59)
Career stats: .308 batting average, 2,574 hits, 29
Stats with Phillies: .311 batting average, 2,217 hits, 22 home runs
World Series championships: None

STEVE CARLTON, PITCHER
Career: 24 seasons (1965-88)
Years with Phillies: 15 seasons (1972-86)
Career stats: 741 games, 329 wins, 244 losses, 3.22 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1980)

MIKE SCHMIDT, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 18 seasons, all with Phillies (1972-89)
Career stats: .267 batting average, 2,234 hits, 548 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1980)

Bottom line: Mike Schmidt was the undisputed king of the mountain, the franchise offensive and defensive WAR leader. If only the rest had been that easy.

Pete Alexander and Steve Carlton combined for 11 seasons of 20-or-more wins, several of them with non-contenders. Leaving off Robin Roberts, another Hall of Famer who outperformed his teams, was hard, but no way could three pitchers make the cut.

The last spot was tougher to figure out than a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. Arguments could be made for Jimmie Rollins or Chase Utley, the double-play combo for two World Series teams, But how could one be chosen without the other?

It's not easy to say Rollins or Utley was a better player or more popular figure than Richie Ashburn, the two-time batting champion, defensive whiz and longtime team broadcaster. For that matter, there isn't much difference between Ashburn and Roberts, who were teammates themselves.

Uh, see what we mean?

Pittsburgh Pirates

ROBERTO CLEMENTE, OUTFIELDER
Career: 18 seasons, all with Pirates (1955-72)
Career stats: .317 batting average, 3,000 hits, 240 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1960, 1971)

RALPH KINER, OUTFIELDER
Career: 10 seasons (1946-55)
Years with Pirates: 8 seasons (1946-53)
Career stats: .279 batting average, 1,451 hits, 369 home runs
Statistics with Pirates: .280 batting average, 1,097 hits, 301 home runs
World Series championships: None

WILLIE STARGELL, FIRST BASEMAN/OUTFIELDER
Career: 21 seasons, all with Pirates (1962-82)
Career stats: .282 batting average, 2,232 hits, 475 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1971, 1979)

HONUS WAGNER, SHORTSTOP, SHORTSTOP
Career: 21 seasons, all with Pirates (1897-1917)
Career stats: .328 batting average, 3,420 hits, 101 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1909)

Bottom line: Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Honus Wagner were mortal locks here. That left Ralph Kiner and Paul Waner in a close race for the final berth.

Waner had three batting titles and one MVP Award on his Hall of Fame resume. But Kiner was on the short list of greatest sluggers of all time, the National League home run leader in a record seven consecutive seasons despite little support around him. As the franchise's only gate attraction, the outfielder practically saved the franchise in its bleakest days. He also beat out Big Poison in WAR/162 (6.61-5.14) by a comfortable margin.

Special mention: pitcher Babe Adams, outfielder Barry Bonds (pre-steroids version), second baseman Bill Mazeroski, shortstop Arky Vaughn.

San Diego Padres

TONY GWYNN, OUTFIELDER
Career: 20 seasons, all with Padres (1982-2001)
Career stats: .338 batting average, 3,141 hits, 135 home runs
World Series championships: None

TREVOR HOFFMAN, PITCHER
Career: 18 seasons (1993-2010)
Years with Padres: 16 seasons (1993-2008)
Career stats: 1,035 games, 61 wins, 75 losses, 601 saves, 2.87 ERA
Stats with Padres: 902 games, 54 wins, 64 losses, 552 saves, 2.76 ERA
World Series championships: None

JAKE PEAVY, PITCHER
Career: 15 seasons (2002-16)
Years with Padres: 8 seasons (2002-09)
Career stats: 388 games, 152 wins, 126 losses, 3.63 ERA
Stats with Padres: 212 games, 92 wins, 68 losses, 3.29 ERA
World Series championships: 2 (2013, 2014)

DAVE WINFIELD, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons (1973-95)
Years with Padres: 8 seasons (1973-80)
Career stats: .283 batting average, 3,110 hits, 465 home runs
Stats with Padres: .284 batting average, 1,134 hits, 154 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1992)

Bottom line: Save for Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman, who rank one-two as the team's GOAT, the franchise has had little to offer in the way of top-end talent.

Dave Winfield got in with modest numbers. Jake Peavy beat out Randy Jones in a duel of one-time Cy Young award winners.

Kinda makes you wonder what the Padres have been doing the last five decades.

Special mention: first baseman Nate Colbert, whose 163 homers were the most in franchise history.

New York/San Francisco Giants

CHRISTY MATHEWSON, PITCHER
Career: 17 seasons (1900-16)
Years with Giants: 17 seasons (1900-16)
Career stats: 636 games, 373 wins, 188 losses, 2.13 ERA
Stats with Giants: 635 games, 372 wins, 188 losses, 2.12 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (1905)

WILLIE MAYS, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons (1951-52, 1954-73)
Years with Giants: 21 seasons (1951-52, 1954-72)
Career stats: .302 batting average, 3,283 hits,660 home runs
Stats with Giants: .304 batting average, 3,187 hits, 646 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1954)

MEL OTT, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons, all with Giants (1926-47)
Career stats: .304 batting average, 2,876 hits, 511 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1924)

MADISON BUMGARNER, PITCHER
Career: 11 seasons, all with Giants (2009-present)
Career stats: 255 games, 110 wins, 83 losses, 3.03 ERA
World Series championships: 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)

Bottom line: Willie Mays, Christy Mathewson and Mel Ott rank one-two-three on this list.

We also reserved a place for the three-time World Series champions of the 2010s. So WAR be damned, Madison Bumgarner is the choice over pitcher Juan Marichal because of his otherworldly 4-0 record and 0.25 ERA in three Fall Classics. And Mad Bum still has time to improve his resume.

First baseman Willie McCovey has the numbers to be part of the foursome. If his line drive on the final out of the 1962 World Series had been just a tad higher, Stretch and his 521 career homers might have nudged Master Melvin off the mountain. They were that close.

Not considered under any circumstances: Barry Bonds, highly suspected PEDs loser.

Seattle Mariners

KEN GRIFFEY JR., OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons (1989-2010)
Years with Mariners: 13 seasons (1989-99, 2009-10)
Career stats: .284 batting average, 2,781 hits, 630 home runs
Stats with Mariners: .292 batting average, 1,843 hits, 417 home runs
World Series championships: None

RANDY JOHNSON, PITCHER
Career: 22 seasons (1988-2009)
Years with Mariners: 10 seasons (1989-98)
Career stats: 618 games, 303 wins, 166 losses, 3.29 ERA
Stats with Mariners: 274 games, 130 wins, 74 losses, 3.42 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (2001)

EDGAR MARTINEZ, DESIGNATED HITTER/THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 18 seasons, all with Mariners (1987-2004)
Career stats: .312 batting average, 2,247 hits, 309 home runs
World Series championships: None

ICHIRO SUZUKI, OUTFIELDER
Career: 19 seasons (2001-present)
Years with Mariners: 13 seasons (2001-12, 2018-present)
Career stats: .311 batting average, 3,089 hits, 117 home runs
Stats with Mariners: .322 batting average, 2,542 hits, 99 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki were shoo-ins. That leaves Randy Johnson and Felix Hernandez in a toss-up for the final spot.

Hernandez weighs in as the franchise leader in innings pitched, victories and ERA, but Johnson is on his tail pipe in all three categories. Fair or not, the case for King Felix is hurt by the fact that he has yet to make a postseason appearance.

Few can argue that Johnson was the more dominant of the two pitchers. See: 2005 American League playoffs. As the staff anchor for the first postseason contender in M’s history, The Big Unit deserves to get the ball.

St. Louis Cardinals

BOB GIBSON, PITCHER
Career: 17 seasons, all with Cardinals (1959-75)
Career stats: 528 games, 251 wins, 174 losses, 2.91 ERA
World Series championships: 2 (1964, 1967)

STAN MUSIAL, OUTFIELDER
Career: 22 seasons, all with Cardinals (1941-44, 1946-63)
Career stats: .331 batting average, 3,630 hits, 475 home runs
World Series championships: 3 (1942, 1944, 1946)

ALBERT PUJOLS, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 19 seasons (2001-present)
Years with Cardinals: 11 seasons (2001-11)
Career stats: .302 batting average, 3,082 hits, 633 home runs
Stats with Cardinals: .328 batting average, 2,073 hits, 445 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (2006, 2011)

OZZIE SMITH, SHORTSTOP
Career: 19 seasons (1978-96)
Years with Cardinals: 15 seasons (1982-96)
Career stats: .262 batting average, 2,460 hits, 28 home runs
Stats with Cardinals: .272 batting average, 1,944 hits, 27 home runs
World Series championship: 1 (1982)

Bottom line: The franchise has one of the richest baseball traditions around, so this wouldn’t be easy.

Albert Pujols, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock and Rogers Hornsby all are worthy picks to join Bob Gibson and Stan Musial on the mountainside. Let's separate the final four candidates into two group — offense in one (Hornsby, Pujols), speed and defense in the the other (Brock, Smith).

Some bitter Redbirds fans never will forgive Phat Albert for his early departure from St. Louis, but he's the choice over Rajah for these reasons: 1) superior power numbers, 2) significantly better postseason performance, and 3) more positive clubhouse presence.

As for Brock versus Smith, how can we leave the all-time defensive WAR leader off the roster? What’s more, the Wizard has a special place in franchise story as the symbol of the the 1980’s teams that won so many games with their feet and gloves.

Special mention: third baseman Ken Boyer, pitcher Dizzy Dean.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays

CARL CRAWFORD, OUTFIELDER
Career: 15 seasons (2002-16)
Years with Rays: 9 seasons (2002-10)
Career stats: .290 batting average, 1,931 hits, 136 home runs
Stats with Rays: .296 batting average, 1,480 hits, 104 home runs
World Series championships: None

EVAN LONGORIA, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 12 seasons (2008-present)
Years with Rays: 10 seasons (2008-17)
Career stats: .268 batting average, 1,588 hits, 277 home runs
Stats with Rays: .270 batting average, 1,471 hits, 261 home runs
World Series championships: None

DAVID PRICE, PITCHER
Career: 12 seasons (2008-present)
Years with Rays: 7 seasons (2008-14)
Career stats: 299 game, 143 wins, 75 losses, 3.25 ERA
Stats with Rays: 175 games, 82 wins, 47 losses, 3.18 ERA
World Series championships: 1 (2018)

BEN ZOBRIST, SECOND BASEMAN/OUTFIELDER
Career: 14 seasons (2006-present)
Years with Rays: 9 seasons (2006-14)
Career stats: .266 batting average, 1,527 hits, 166 home runs
Stats with Rays: .264 batting averge, 1,016 hits, 114 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2016)

Bottom line: Hello-lo-lo-lo! Tampa-pa-pa-a?! Anybody out there-ere-ere-ere?!

Washington Senators/Texas Rangers

BUDDY BELL, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 18 seasons (1972-1989)
Years with Rangers: eight seasons (1979-85, 1989)
Career stats: .279 batting average, 2,514 hits, 201 home runs
Stats with Rangers: .293 batting average, 1,060 hits, 87 home runs
World Series championships: None

ADRIAN BELTRE, THIRD BASEMAN
Career: 21 seasons (1998-2018)
Years with Rangers: 8 seasons (2011-18)
Career stats: .286 batting average, 3,166 hits, 477 home runs
Stats with Rangers: .304 batting average, 1,277 hits, 199 home runs
World Series championships: None

IVAN RODRIGUEZ, CATCHER
Career: 21 seasons (1991-2011)
Years with Rangers: 13 seasons (1991-2002, 2009)
Career stats: .296 batting average, 2,844 hits, 311 home runs
Stats with Rangers: .304 batting average, 1,747 hits, 217 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (2003)

MICHAEL YOUNG, SHORTSTOP/SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 14 seasons (2000-13)
Years with Rangers: 13 seasons (2000-12)
Career stats: .300 batting average, 2,375 hits, 185 home runs
Stats with Rangers: .301 batting average, 2,230 hits, 177 home runs
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: So who wins a home run derby between the Rangers' All-PEDs Mount Rushmore (first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, shortstop Alex Rodriguez and outfielders Nelson Cruz and Juan Gonzalez, among others) and this Mount Rushmore? Depends on which side Adrian Beltre and Ivan Rodriguez play for, probably.

Special mention: outfielder Frank Howard, pitchers Charlie Hough and Kenny Rogers.

Toronto Blue Jays

ROBERTO ALOMAR, SECOND BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons (1988-2004)
Years with Blue Jays: five seasons (1991-95)
Career stats: .300 batting average, 2,724 hits, 210 home runs
Stats with Blue Jays: .307 batting average, 832 hits, 55 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1992, 1993)

CARLOS DELGADO, FIRST BASEMAN
Career: 17 seasons (1993-2009)
Years with Blue Jays: 12 seasons (1993-2004)
Career stats: .280 batting average, 2,038 hits, 473 home runs
Stats with Blue Jays: .282 batting average, 1,413 hits, 336 home runs
World Series championships: None

TONY FERNANDEZ, SHORTSTOP
Career: 17 seasons (1983-95, 1997-99, 2001)
Years with Blue Jays: 12 seasons (1983-90, 1993, 1998-99, 2001)
Career stats: .288 batting average, 2,276 hits, 94 home runs
Stats with Blue Jays: .297 batting average, 1,583 hits, 60 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1993)

ROY HALLADAY, PITCHER
Career: 16 seasons (1998-2013)
Years with Blue Jays: 12 seasons (1998-2009)
Career stats: 416 games, 203 wins, 105 losses, 3.38 ERA
Stats with Blue Jays: 313 games, 188 wins, 76 losses, 3.43 ERA
World Series championships: None

Bottom line: Carlos Delgado and Tony Fernandez are easy picks as the all-time club leaders in offensive WAR and overall WAR, respectively.

Roberto Alomar doesn’t pass the longevity test — he played five seasons north of the border. But what seasons they were. Five All-Star selections. Five Gold Glove Awards. Three top-six finishes in the American League MVP vote. One ALCS MVP Award. As much as we want to include outfielder Joe Carter, whose dramatic homer clinched the 1993 Fall Classic, Alomar was a special player in the glory days.

Few right-handers had more filthy stuff than Roy Halladay and Dave Stieb in their heydays. Their numbers with the team are comparable, so Doc gets the nod on the basis of two 20-win seasons and one Cy Young Award.

Also in the hunt: outfielders Jose Bautista and Vernon Wells.

Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals

GARY CARTER, CATCHER
Career: 19 seasons (1974-92)
Years with Expos: 11 seasons (1974-84, 1992)
Career stats: .262 batting average, 2,092 hits, 324 home runs
Stats with Expos: .269 batting average, 1,427 hits, 220 home runs
World Series championships: 1 (1986)

ANDRE DAWSON, OUTFIELDER
Career: 21 seasons (1976-96)
Years with Expos: 11 seasons (1976-86)
Career stats: .279 batting average, 2,774 hits, 438 home runs
Stats with Expos: .280 batting average, 1,575 hits, 225 home runs
World Series championships: None

VLADIMIR GUERRERO, OUTFIELDER
Career: 16 seasons (1996-2011)
Years with Expos: 8 seasons (1996-2003)
Career stats: .318 batting average, 2,590 hits, 449 home runs
Stats with Expos: .323 batting average 1,215 hits, 234 home runs
World Series championships: None

TIM RAINES, OUTFIELDER
Career: 23 seasons (1979-2002)
Years with Expos: 13 seasons (1979-90, 2001)
Career stats: .294 batting average, 2,605 hits, 170 home runs
Stats with Expos: .301 batting average, 1,622 hits, 96 home runs
World Series championships: 2 (1996, 1998)

Bottom line: Gary Carter, Andre Dawson and Tim Raines were front and center for six seasons with the franchise. So was pitcher Steve Rogers, their franchise wins leader, but he doesn't top perennial All-Stars who ranked one-two-three in WAR in club history.

Vladimir Guerrero is the obvious pick to round out the Hall of Fame field. He is the franchise leader in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS.

Don’t sleep on three-time Cy Young Award-winner Max Scherzer, 34, who’s next in line but may run out of time.

Also in the conversation: outfielder Bryce Harper, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.