Chicago Cubs: Building my personal all-time best starting lineup

Chicago Cubs: A couple of current Cubs make the cut

Ya know, I’d really like to include a Damon Berryhill, Randy Hundley or even a David Ross. Heck, Jody Davis, Geovany Soto and Miguel Montero could even make their case! From a historical standpoint, Gabby Hartnett might even be the right choice. However, I never saw him play and I can’t say for sure if I’d want him out there against the imaginary flamethrower who will be toeing the rubber for the other squad.

Despite some defensive inadequacies compared to some of the other guys on the list, I think Willson Contreras has to be my guy. He’s got a cannon for an arm, is getting better as a receiver and he might just be the best hitting catcher to ever wear Cubbie blue (again, sorry Gabby – never saw you).

At first base, You’ve got three real choices – You could put post-shortstop Ernie Banks there to maximize your infield, you could go with the sweet-swinging greatest hitman of the 90s in Mark Grace or roll with incumbent present-day first-sacker Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and Grace are both multiple Gold-Glove winners, while Banks is the greatest Cub ever.

When it comes down to it though, it’s probably better to slide Rizzo in at first base, as his ability to hit for power, choke and poke with two strikes and field his position make him a great asset in this ultimate lineup.