I got to thinking this week, as my New York Mets were rumored to sign Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, about a conversion I had with a coach some years ago.

When Jefferson High School baseball coach John Lowery talks, you listen.  He has more than 1,000 career wins and will be inducted into the National Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame later this year.

On a road trip one weekend morning, I remember asking Coach Lowery what major league baseball player around which he would build a team.

He thought for a moment.  “The catcher for Texas—Pudge Rodriguez,” he said.

That was about seven years ago.

Now?  Pudge is 37 years old and looking for a suitor.  Suffice to say, that opinion has changed.

But whose name will be thrown out now?  As the 2009 baseball season approaches—with the annual steroid circus, of course—I examined not only Coach Lowery’s fresh opinion, but those of many other respected (or semi-respected) friends and co-workers.

THE QUESTION: If you were starting a team, what one player would you center the team on?

Me?  I would probably start with Jimmy Rollins.  That’s merely because I fear him.  He’s a 5-tool player and a team leader—those usually don’t come packaged. He’s 30 years old.  That’s the only downside—he’ll probably give you another six or seven solid years.

That said, I love the Joe Mauer argument made by Sam Walls, David Pugh and Brooks Miller.

The youngest player mentioned is B.J. Upton (24).  The oldest—not counting death—is Barry Bonds (44).

If you have an opinion, share it!  This debate should buy enough time to get us to Opening Day 2009.

Some of my responses are trickling in, so this list could be lengthened as the days go by...

THE LIST (Name, Age, Team & Position (Votes): Career Batting Average or ERA, 2008 Accomplishment):
Hanley Ramirez, 25, Florida Marlins SS (6): .308, 2008 Silver Slugger
Albert Pujols, 29, St. Louis Cardinals 1B (5): .334 AVG, 2-time NL MVP (2008, 2005)
Cole Hamels, 25, Philadelphia Phillies SP (3): 3.43 ERA, 2008 World Series MVP
Joe Mauer, 25, Minnesota Twins C (3): .317 AVG, 2008 Gold Glove
B.J. Upton, 24, Tampa Bay Rays CF (1): .277 AVG, 2008 AL SB Runner-Up (44)
Tim Linceum, 24, San Francisco SP (1): 3.16 ERA, 2008 NL Cy Young
Joey Votto, 25, Cincinnati Reds 1B (1): .300 AVG, 2008 NL Rookie of the Year Runner-Up
Ryan Braun, 25, Milwaukee Brewers LF (1): .301 AVG, 2008 Silver Slugger
David Wright, 26, New York Mets 3B (1): .309 AVG, 2008 Silver Slugger
Grady Sizemore, 26, Cleveland Indians CF (1):  .279 AVG, 2008 Silver Slugger
Josh Hamilton, 27, Texas Rangers OF (1): .300 AVG, 2008 Silver Slugger
C.C. Sabathia, 28, New York Yankees SP (1): 3.66 ERA, 3-time All-Star
Roy Halladay, 31, Toronto Blue Jays SP (1): 3.52 ERA, 2008 AL Cy Young Runner-Up
Alex Rodriguez, 33, New York Yankees 3B (1): .306 AVG, 3-time AL MVP
Derek Jeter, 34, New York Yankees SS (1): .316 AVG, 2008 Silver Slugger
Manny Ramirez, 36, Unemployed (1): .314 AVG, 12-time All-Star
Barry Bonds, 44, Unemployed (1): .298 AVG, 7-time NL MVP
Babe Ruth, deceased, New York Yankees OF (1): .342 AVG, 2.28 ERA, 714 HRs, 94 Wins


THE OPINIONS:
John Lowery—The 5-Star General of Baseball Coaches:
Albert Pujols, I’d take a position player as opposed to a pitcher—he’d help you everyday. He’s consistent over his career.  I think he approaches the game the right way.  And he’s a good teammate.  That’s important.

Sam Walls—Philadelphia Phillies prospect, Jefferson High School (Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.) alum:
Joe Mauer, There are maybe three catchers that can hit, handle a staff and control a running game, so you have to take the best.

John Michael Penzone—Godfather, cousin, annoying Phillies fan:
Your ace sets the tone. He can always be counted on to pitch a gem even when your team is in a rut or not hitting well. Case in point: Cole Hamels.

Ryan Hanchett—Goldsboro News-Argus Sports Writer:
Roy Halladay, The guy is a workhorse and has carried his team for three straight years. If he played in any other city he would be the biggest arm in the game.

Clark Davis—depressed Reds fan:
Albert Pujols, A big bat you stick in the middle of the order everyday who you know will produce. Makes it easier for everyone in the lineup around him to get pitches and no matter how great the opposing pitcher is he's going to make it tough.

David Pugh—Bonds apologist:
Joe Mauer, The ability to handle a pitching staff and have 80 RBI's and hit over .300 every year is just too good and too much of a rarity. *Disclaimer*: Mauer just had kidney surgery. If that doesn't affect him then he is still my man to start a team with.

Rachel Folden—2008 NPF Rookie of the Year, Dodger Dweller:
Just based on ability, dare I say Barry Bonds? I still think he's the best hitter in baseball, and he's not even in baseball. But that's only going by ability. The distractions that come with him are ridiculous.

Brooks Miller—‘Russell Toughdale,’ The only guy at Camden Yards this summer:
Joe Mauer, To have a catcher that can hit in the middle of the lineup is huge. Give me Mauer this year.  Ask me this question next year...Matt Weiters.

Grant Traylor—Herald-Dispatch Sports Writer:
Hanley Ramirez, There is no more versatile player in the game. He’s a solid infielder that defensively can play either 2nd base, 3rd base or shortstop. Offensively, he’s a five-category scorer. Annually, he bats .300, hits 30 home runs, scores 125 runs a year, finishes season with 100+ RBI and steals 30-40 bases.

Dan Hollis—Marshall Professor, A Mattingly Man:
Albert Pujols, Start with the best player in the game.

Justin Matthews—Mayor of Dodgertown:
David Wright, You know I had to make the Wright decision. I like the guy...solid numbers and from what I have heard about him he seems like a great teammate/team leader.

Jeff Gessler—Brother, Recovering Red Sox Fan:
Cole Hamels, Gotta start with young pitching.

Fred Gessler—Father, Peter Angelos' Biggest Fan:
Albert Pujols, I get a sense that he’s pretty solid.  He’s a run-producer.  He hasn’t hit his prime yet.

Todd Borek—WKYT Meteorologist, Tiger Beat Cover Boy
Hanley Ramirez, Yeah, a popular fantasy pick but the guy hit over 30 HRs and stole 30 bases with over a .300 average. Throw in a pretty solid ability at shortstop and you have an everyday player at an important infield position who can get your offense rolling right away in the first inning. You can always pitch around a team's cleanup hitter.  You don't want to be doing that with Ramirez... he'll make it a two-base walk.

Randy Burnside—Marshall Sports Information Director, Tomahawk chopper:
Hanley Ramirez, due to age, upside and position scarcity.

Marques Hatfield—Cardinal sinner:
Hanley Ramirez, He's extremely young, cheap and it's entirely possible he hasn't even reached his ceiling yet. Not to mention Hanley plays arguably the most premium defensive positon (aside from possibly catcher).

James Barker—Logan County’s finest:
BJ Upton, He's not only be your best defender in the field, but he's the catalysts of the offense as well. And he's cost effective right now.

Scott McKinney—JCS-TV Frederick Key
Hanley Ramirez, easily. He is a true five tool talent, with emerging 30-40 home run power, the ability to steal 50+ stolen bases, above average defense at SS, .900+ OPS. He's also a huge public relations coup, which is why the Marlins rewarded him with the largest contract in team history.

Steve Kozak—‘The Hefty Lefty,’ JHS alum:
David Price, Good pitching beats good hitting, and a left handed thrower gives even the best left handed bats fits. I know they may throw once every fifth day, but with them you only have to worry about piecing the other 4 between their starts.  He's young and his hard stuff has movement.

WSAZ’ers:

John Mulvaney—Yes, they have baseball in Kentucky:
Hanley Ramirez, Great defender, Power, Speed, Youth. Would be a backbone for years to come.

Tim Irr—Still looking for Al Oliver to round 3rd at PNC Park:
Abner Doubleday, 1. His idea  2. Coolest uniform in the history of baseball.
I suppose you’re looking for current players. In that case, I’d pick Tim Lincecum.  Why?  He’s young, throws sidearm lasers, fans love him and he actually seems like a nice guy. Oh yeah…and he’s really talented.

Rob Johnson—Hoosier Homer?:
Babe Ruth,  Let's hear it for the fat, beer drinking baseball players.  Forget the steroids!

Ryan Lake—‘Diehard’ Tribe fan who can’t spell their franchise player’s last name:
Grady Seizemore (sp) He is a great fielder and he has a pretty good bat. He is young, but I think you could really make a great team with him.

Chris Atkins—WSAZ Producer, Man of Roane:
Brandon Webb, Good pitching can beat good batting everyday.  When was the last time Brandon Webb has had a bad game?

Brad Myers—WSAZ.com Reporter, ‘Yankee fan from the south’:
Derek Jeter, A great player and leader... And the way baseball players used to be.

Evan Huddle—Team’s nickname in Fantasy Hoops is “Lakerland”:
C.C. Sabathia, He’s a darn good pitcher and can swing the bat pretty good, too.

Pat Mullen—WSAZ Charleston Director, Cubbies Sulker:
Manny Ramirez, He killed us last October.

Josh Stender—Grown man with ARod Poster on bedroom wall:
Alex Rodriguez, I back him because I’m a fan.  Everybody makes mistakes.  I’m sure he’ll bring in money.

Lee Collier—Coll him a Crazy Cowboy:
Albert Pujols, He’s fairly young, hugely popular.  And he can sell tickets.

Jerry Lewis—The WSAZ Production Tech, not the comedian:
Derek Jeter, He's got a good glove in the field.  He can hit for power.  He could possible get you 15-20 steals per season. His leadership in the locker room.

Keith Morehouse—WSAZ Sports Director:
Josh Hamilton, I think he's a great player.  And he's got a great story.

Chris Peel—WSAZ Director, Michael Wooten’s bowling nemesis:
Ryan Braun

Tyler Gee—Big Red from Morehead by way of Olive Hill:
Joey Votto, I feel he's the next Mark McGwire. He has the ability to hit 40 HRs and drive in 100+ runs.  And he's cheap--right now.

Tony Cavalier—Philadelphia homer:
Cole Hamels