Baseball Players of the Decade

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

Going back to 1900 and every subsequent decades, a list would be released as to who were the best players of their era. 1900 saw players like Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Cy Young. 1910 saw Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson.1920 included the Babe with 1930 through 2010 adding Lou Gehrig,

Ted Williams, Joe Di Maggio, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Roberto Clemente, Joe Morgan, Rod Carew, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Jr, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. 

 

This past decade produced some of the games best talent who many argue could have played in any those eras. From 2010 thru 2019 we saw the emergence of players who dominated both offensively as well as dominating from the pitchers mound. That said, the New York Beacon has selected the most explosive player and the one person fans would like to see on the mound with the game on the line. 

 

When you look at the numbers that Los Angeles Angles right fielder Mike Trout put up over the last decade (285hr, 752rbi, .305ba, 200sb) you would think that is impressive. Imagine what his numbers would be if he didn’t miss the first two years working his way up to the show. Aside from his offensive prowess, his defense is stellar with a cannon of an arm. Trout won three MVP awards (the 11th player to win three), seven Silver Slugger Awards and was voted to the All Star game every year since coming on the scene. The Vineland, NJ product who attended Millville Senior High School turns 29 years old in August. He has proved to be durable as well playing an average of 149 games a year after only playing in 40 game during the 2011 season. Mike Trout can be a free agent after the 2020 season. You can bet he will be the most sought after player in recent history. He could become the first $400-$500 million dollar athlete. The New York Beacon names Mike Trout the best offensive player of the decade.

 

Your team has one game to win for all of the marbles. Over the last decade, three pitchers can arguably could claim they could be that man. Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer averaged 162 regular season wins over that time. It is what they have done in post season that separates them. Verlander is 0-6 in the World Series. Kershaw is 4-7 with an era close to 5. That leave us with Scherzer. The Washington Nationals were looking to win their first World Series in team history when they sent Mad Max to the mound in game 7 against the defending champion Houston Astros. He woke up the morning of the game and needed his wife’s assistance just to get dressed. Getting much needed pregame assistance from the training staff, Scherzer gave up only 2 runs in 5 innings as the Nats sprayed champagne and hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy. It was the first time the road team won every game. Unlike Trout, Scherzer is in the twilight of his career as he will turn 36 in July. His career stats (170-89) over the decade shows why he is the best pitcher over the last 10 years. That is why the New York Beacon names Max Scherzer the pitcher of the decade.