All-Iron Man Team

Every time a prediction is made about a team’s success an analyst usually precedes by saying, “if they stay healthy.” From a fan’s perspective, health is the most concerning variable, injuries can turn a playoff contender to a bottom feeder in a moment. So I compiled a team of players that is a fan’s dream, twelve guys that are extremely reliable to be on the field day in and day out.  

IRON MAN TEAM

Starting Pitcher: Jamie Moyer

-Excluding the ridiculous pitchers of the dead ball era who would throw complete games on back-to-back days, Jamie Moyer is the clear cut Iron Man for his position. Of his twenty-five years in the bigs, he pitched over 100 innings twenty times, and over 150 innings seventeen times. He is one of the few pitchers to avoid any Tommy John issues throughout his career, and has had the ability to bounce back from tough seasons. He may not win many Cy Young awards but fans can definitely rely on Moyer hurling for the entire 162 game season.

Closer/Reliever: Trevor Hoffman

-Trevor Hoffman narrowly edges out Mariano Rivera because of his ability to adapt according to his abilities. Hoffman began his career as a very hard thrower, as time went by Hoffman’s velocity deteriorated. He was forced to make an adjustment in order to keep his career alive, alas the changeup. This single pitch allowed him to be a primetime closer for fifteen of his eighteen season accumulating over 600 saves in that time.

Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez

-Catcher is the most demanding position on the field and Pudge caught more games than anyone in MLB history. Not only was he durable, he also was a consistent producer, earning 14 all-star appearances.

First Base: Lou Gehrig

-The second greatest Iron man of all time once had a streak of 2,130 games that lasted over fourteen seasons. In that time he hit .340 and hit 492 homeruns.

Second Base: Eddie Collins

-He Played 25 seasons, a record for position players in the 20th century. He hit better than .340 in 11 seasons, but never won a batting title and finished his career in the 3000 hit club.

Third Base: Brooks Robinson

 

-Played the most games ever at third base with 2870 and did it better than anyone in history earning 16 consecutive gold glove awards.

Short Stop: Cal Ripken Jr.

-Cal Ripken is the ultimate Iron Man, and famously owns the record of consecutive games played at 2,632 games. That’s sixteen straight years without missing a single game, hall of fame merit on its own.

Left Field: Pete Rose

-Pete Rose holds the record for most games played of all time at 3,562 and 742 of them came consecutively. It seems impossible to fathom when you take into account how hard he played.

Center Field: Willie Mays

-The “Say Hey Kid” played 2,992 games in his great career hitting 660 homeruns.  After he served in the military he played in over 150 games for 13 straight seasons.

Right Field: Carl Yastrzemski

-Yastrzemski is the record holder for the most games played in the American League at 3,308 all with the Boston Red Sox. His accomplishments over his 23-year career have earned him a place in Cooperstown.  

Designated Hitter: Steve Garvey

 

-Garvey holds the national league record for consecutive games played at 1,207. The Hall of Famer is obviously a fair weathered player, playing his entire career in sunny southern California.

Utility Player: Julio Franco

-You can’t have an Iron Man list without mentioning the resilient Julio Franco. In order to play deep into his forties Franco had to play every position in the infield and managed to change his game in order to prolong his career. Being a major leaguer at the age of 48 is enough grounds to make the All-Iron Man team









-Blake Dale Lepire