Picking a Dream Team

I was scrolling Facebook when I landed on this picture on one of my favourite pages, Arch City Media. Three guesses what it's about and the first two don't count 🤣

Anyway, I simply HAD to stop. I love challenges like this, and with it being baseball-related, I knew I'd be putting on my thinking Cardinals cap for this one. I'll add a running total for dollars spent after each player on my way to $33. Onward!

LF - Rickey Henderson $4

This is a no brainer. The greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball will obviously bat leadoff for my Dream Team.

CF - Ken Griffey Jr. $8

My favourite non-Cardinal ever. The face of a generation and the best swing I've ever seen. Another slam dunk.

RF - Mookie Betts $11

I wanted to pick Ichiro, but Mookie made more sense financially. It also doesn't hurt that I absolutely love the dude…in a way that doesn't threaten Becky at all.

3B - Scott Rolen $12

Some might be surprised not seeing Nolan Arenado here (Becky, I'm looking directly at you) but the other best Cardinals defensive third baseman ever just made sense. Plus, I saved a buck to use elsewhere.

SS - Ozzie Smith $13

Like I'm going to leave my favourite player ever off the list? I'm appalled that he's only valued at a buck.

2B - Craig Biggio $17

The only man who can challenge Junior as my favourite non-Cardinal. An absolute master at his position.

1B - Albert Pujols $22

If I have to explain why I picked Albert, you clearly haven't been paying attention to me. Being at Busch Stadium in 2022 to see him hit homer #698 will forever be my favourite in-person sporting moment, unless I somehow see the Cards clinch a World Series from the stands.

C - Buster Posey $25

This is the position I struggled most with. I thought long and hard about Joe Mauer, but at the end of the day, the backbone of San Francisco’s three World Series wins in five years made the most sense. Also, to whomever made this game…WHERE IN THE BLUE HELL IS YADIER MOLINA?!

DH - Paul Molitor $27

Even though I'm no Jays fan and never have been, I've always had a soft spot for Molitor. His 39 game hitting streak is the stuff of legends.

SP - Clayton Kershaw $28

I could have saved some money on my closer and upgraded my starting pitcher, but I'm happy with Kershaw.

And finally, allow me to cue up a little ditty called Enter Sandman…

CP - Mariano Rivera

Honestly, who else was I picking? The only man to EVER be unanimously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame was an absolute certainty for my team.

So there we have it, my $33 Dream Team. Who's suiting up for you?