If they fail at baseball...
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by user Alex Holowczak
…they can always play cricket!
Here is a list of baseball players that would fit perfectly into a cricket team in batting order. There are several things you need to be a good cricket player:
- Know when to attack and defend
- Stay in
- Attack when needed
- Field well
- Not cheat (hence no Bonds, Giambi)
- Show and receive respect
- Enjoy lunch and tea
This XI is mainly based on their attributes being transferred to cricket. Some of these come from the West Indies (e.g. Soriano), so they could always play cricket.
- Kevin Youkilis
- Derek Jeter (cap)
- Alex Rodriguez
- Albert Pujols
- Alfonso Soriano
- Ryan Howard
- Joe Mauer (wkt)
- Roger Clemens
- Johan Santana
- Tim Wakefield
- Francisco Liriano
Kevin Youkilis
He faces more pitches per AB than any other MLBer apparently. This would make him an ideal opener, as patience there is the key to success.
General Fielding Position: Slips – a lot of catches go there
Derek Jeter
One of the best players in MLB, his high average, OBP and great leadership make him the ideal opener and captain.
General Fielding Position: Mid Off – good for ground balls, and great to captain from
Alex Rodriguez
Highish average and a lot of power, A-Rod would be an exciting Number 3 as a result.
General Fielding Position: Gully – good to field ground balls
Albert Pujols
Pujols would bring a spark to the game, an ideal player to bring in when you need quick runs.
General Fielding Position: Slips – a lot of catches go there
Alfonso Soriano
High average and speedy, Soriano would be aggressive in the middle order. A baseball lead-off hitter, he would be ideal against a potential second new-ball.
General Fielding Position: Covers – Would need to go back to his 2B days
Ryan Howard
Coming into his own, Howard is like Pujols in terms of what he would bring to the game.
General Fielding Position: Short Leg – a specialist position where the best reacting catcher goes – or the youngest in the team…
Joe Mauer
The best-hitting catcher in MLB, his high OBP as a result would be a great addition at Number 7.
General Fielding Position: Wicketkeeper – basically catcher reworded
Roger Clemens
Every cricket team needs a brilliant fast bowler. Clemens wasn't called "the Rocket" for nothing, so he would be obvious as opening bowler. Perhaps a bit old though.
General Fielding Position: Fine Leg – His strong arm would help
Johan Santana
MLB's leader in strikeouts, Santana would get batsmen to play and miss at a lot, which would help the other bowlers to take advantage.
General Fielding Position: Third Man – Strongish arm would be good there
Tim Wakefield
Every cricket team needs a great spinner. As MLB's chief exponent of the knuckleball, Wakefield would be a perfect spinner for the team.
General Fielding Position: Wherever there's a gap
Francisco Liriano
Every team needs a young fast bowler, and the MLB leader in ERA would be great to have as a containing bowler, focused on stopping runs while other bowlers concentrate on wicket taking. Clemens' opening partner with the new ball.
General Fielding Position: Mid On – Not a lot goes there
Note that everybody has to bat in both innings. They bat in pairs, so 10 wickets ends the innings. The "General Fielding Position" means they are not restricted to there, there are a variety of positions that could be fielded at, not including the one's mentioned. I just wrote down their speciality.
Date
Fri 08/04/06, 8:07 am EST
