1927 Yankees vs. All-Time MLB All Stars

July 12, 2010   ·   WhatIfSports.com   ·   Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

Witnessing the media spectacle that has played out in front of our social networking, reality show loving, celebrity obsessed lives the past two weeks, makes me ponder what it was like to enjoy and consume sports prior to the 24-hour news cycle.

The constant media blitzkrieg of breaking news, multiple sources and off-the-field, court, and ice hijinx has me yearning for a 20-second timeout to catch my breath.

If only I had a second to call one.

Writing this article may be the most accessible couch in the sports refuge I seek as Whatifsports.com’s presents its classic MLB All-Star Showdown simulation.

Could you imagine the buzz of media surrounding a team referred to as Murderers’ Row if they existed today? Forget Facebook , TMZ and the constant Vuvuzela-esque hum hovering around their lockers like a swarm of bees – this team would have its own network or, at the very least, its own 1-hour special Monday-Friday at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.

When you close your eyes and recall the rich history of Major League Baseball’s elite, the 1927 New York Yankees could be considered the alpha dogs in the room. These patriarchs and ambassadors of America’s pastime could make a strong case to request their likeness carved out of the side of a mountain as they too have chiseled stats into record books.

Ballplayers like Earle Combs , Babe Ruth , Lou Gehrig and Bob Meusel created such destruction on the diamond during the summer of 1927, they forced one opponent to utter the words “I wish the season was over” after a 21-1 drubbing.

That’s power.

The ’27 Yanks proceeded to win 110 games that season, won the pennant by 19 games and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

That’s domination.

With Murderers’ Row in desperate need of a challenge and the 2010 MLB All-Star game on Tuesday’s calendar, Whatifsports.com has constructed a roster of All-Time All-Stars to challenge the ’27 Yankees.

1927 Yankees vs All-Time All-Stars
Matchup	Win%	Avg. RS	Avg. RA
1927 Yankees	17	3.9	9.4
All-Time All-Stars	83	9.4	3.9

Using our MLB simulation engine , we had the two squads “play” each other 101 times . The computer generated each team’s winning percentage as well as average runs per game for both teams. The All-Stars’ substitutions followed All-Star game protocol with most bench players seeing action in the field or at the plate.

Babe Ruth swatted 60 homers, drove in 164 runs and hit .356 for the Yanks in 1927. He also led baseball in drawing walks with 137.

“Long Bob” is not a household name, but led the team in stolen bases and had an OPS of .902.

“Schoolboy” Hoyt hurled 23 complete games during the 1927 season and won a team high 22 games while only losing 7.

BENCH: Benny Bengough , Cedric Durst, Mike Gazella , Johnny Grabowski, Ben Paschal

BULLPEN: Wilcy Moore , Herb Pennock , Urban Shocker, Dutch Ruether , George Pipgras, Myles Thomas , Joe Giard , Bob Shawkey

Note: Whatifsports.com’s All-Time All-Star roster was based on the number of All-Star nominations a player received throughout his career. Hank Aaron , Willie Mays and Stan Musial have recorded the most MLB All-Star honors with 24 apiece.

Teddy Ballgame was named to 19 All-Star teams. In 1941, Williams hit .406 with 37 dingers and 135 runs scored.

Hammerin’ Hank is tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial for most All-Star nominations with 24.

Cal Ripken Jr. played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball. He appeared in 19 All-Star Games.

 

BENCH: Carl Yastrzemski , Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench , George Brett, Joe Dimaggio , Tony Gwynn , Mickey Mantle , Ivan Rodriguez, Pete Rose , Ozzie Smith

BULLPEN: Steve Carlton , Tom Seaver , Roger Clemens, Rich Gossage , Mariano Rivera

’27 Yankees vs All-Time All-Stars
Teams	R	H	E	WIS Interactive
Yankees	2	8	1	Boxscore
All-Stars	9	14	0	Simulate 1927 Yankees

As the game summary table indicates above, and by no big surprise, the All-Time All-Stars ruled this clash of loaded rosters by winning 83-percent of the simulations. When you have Bench, Brett and Joltin’ Joe coming off the bench, life is good in the what-if world. Then again, for the ’27 Yankees to manage 2 wins out of every 10 games is phenomenal.

New York got off to a fast start on the All-Stars in this ballgame. Mark Koenig took Warren Spahn deep in the first to push the Yanks out to a 1-0 lead. They may have struck first, but the All-Stars’ counter punches were fast and furious.

After taking the lead on a Rod Carew infield single in the second, the All-Stars erupted in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Brooks Robinson smoked a single to left scoring Ted Williams who had walked earlier in the inning. Then following an error by Bob Meusal, Robinson scored to push the All-Stars’ lead to three runs. But they weren’t done. With Cal Ripken on 3rd and Nellie Fox on 2nd, Yogi Berra blasted off to the seats in center field.

After three innings of play, the All-Time All-Stars enjoyed a 7-1 lead.

The Yankees had a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the 5th. With the bases loaded and one out Earle Combs stepped to the plate to start the rally.

He popped out.

Mark Koenig already had a homer in the game and a chance to drive in more runs for the Row.

He grounded out. Cue the “Debbie Downer” music.

The All-Stars tacked on two more runs in the 7th and 8th innings to increase their lead to 9-1.

New York muscled in a run in the top of the 9th before Goose Gossage recorded the final out of the game.

Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com

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