Heading into the home stretch of the Collector's All-Time Teams series, we'll start the AL West with the World Champion Houston Astros.
Nearly all of Houston's greatest seasons have occurred at Minute Maid Park, but I couldn't choose the Astros' current home as their All-Time venue over the iconic Astrodome.
This is where a Yankees fan chimes in to remind us that Mickey Mantle hit the first home run here.
Only Bill Virdon managed this club for more than five seasons, but he didn't win two league titles and a World Series so A.J. Hinch will manage the All-Time Astros.
This is where said Yankees fan will say they were cheated out of the 2017 World Series, though it's not a given they would have beaten the Dodgers.
Enough sniping, let's see A.J.'s lineup:
Craig Biggio has to dust off his catcher's gear to crack this starting lineup. Carlos Correa and George Springer have left Houston since the original series, but their spots are safe. Doug Rader? Not so much.
But first, a backup catcher battle.
Can Brad Ausmus hold off Alan Ashby based purely on defense?
Ausmus is a far better receiver, but his bat is not All-Time caliber. Ashby wins the backup catcher job.
Now, about that hot corner.
Houston has a new starting third baseman. Alex Bregman is already ninth among Astros position players with 31.3 career WAR.
Doug Rader has to compete for a backup spot with Bill Doran and Ken Caminiti.
Denny Walling was a longshot as a super-utility player; I just like seeing that 'Tequilla Sunrise' jersey. Doran beats out the .402 trio - barely.
Jim Wynn is locked into that first reserve spot. The fifth outfielder competition is a close one.
12 of Hidalgo's 19.2 career WAR was earned in two seasons: 2000 and 2003. Puhl had one 6-WAR season and four 3-WAR campaigns. Hinch will stick with him, but Tucker will take over soon enough.
Okay, let's get this over with before an Angels fan chimes in about where he "belongs"...
Nolan Ryan had a higher WAR with the Angels over roughly the same amount of starts, mainly because he pitched 300 more innings. His control was better in Houston, and he won two ERA titles with the Astros. Yes, he led the league in strikeouts seven times as an Angel - but he also led the AL in walks seven times.
As I said before, it's a judgment call. Nolan Ryan would be the staff ace of the Astros or the Angels. If he weren't such a typical Texan I'd probably assign him to the Angels and add Don Wilson to this rotation. I don't have a Wilson card, so here's an ineligible Justin Verlander - the Astros' all-time leader in ERA and winning percentage.
The Astros' bullpen isn't as controversial but it's also unsettled.
Swingman Ken Forsch has the counting stats based largely on his 153 starts for the 'Stros. Will it be enough to keep his roster spot?
Ryan Pressly has only made 232 appearances for Houston (as of 5/9/23) but he's made 'em count. He's in.
Looking ahead, the Astros continue to churn out All-Time Team-caliber talent. In addition to Tucker, Yordan Alvarez is on pace to make the team someday soon. Cristian Javier has a chance as well.
TL; DR: Three changes from the original roster. Rader, Ausmus, and Forsch out. Bregman, Ashby, and Pressly in.
Come back tomorrow for our next All-Time Team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Orange County, California, USA, North America, Earth.
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