Completely Overhauling the Starting Lineup

Chad Jennings has a good post today over at The LoHud Yankees Blog, comparing the 2013 starters with the potential group for 2014. He writes:

"Here’s what’s kind of amazing about it: That same page for 2014 might list a different Yankees regular at every single position. Think about that. The Yankees are in the middle of an almost total lineup reconstruction, with Brett Gardner being the only player who was a regular last season being projected as a regular next season (at a different position and a different spot in the order)."

Baseball-Reference's yearly positional starter lists are based on who logged the most time at each spot. We might be looking at a different starting nine by position in the Bronx for the first time since 1966-67.

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1966	Elston Howard	Joe Pepitone	Bobby Richardson	Horace Clarke	Clete Boyer	Roy White	Mickey Mantle	Roger Maris
1967	Jake Gibbs	Mickey Mantle	Horace Clarke	Ruben Amaro	Charley Smith	Tom Tresh	Joe Pepitone	Steve Whitaker

That transitional period saw all eight positions (no DH) change, thanks to Pepitone and Mantle swapping between first base and center field and Clarke shifting from shortstop to second base.

This is the only time in Yankees history that this occurred, but with all the new acquisitions and Robinson Cano's departure, it might happen again this season. Let's take a look now at the other 29 teams.




Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns: Never

This is the only one of the 16 pre-expansion franchises that has never done this. 


Boston Red Sox

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1945	Bob Garbark	George Metkovich	Skeeter Newsome	Eddie Lake	Jackie Tobin	Bob Johnson	Leon Culberson	Johnny Lazor
1946	Hal Wagner	Rudy York	Bobby Doerr	Johnny Pesky	Rip Russell	Ted Williams	Dom DiMaggio	George Metkovich
1923	Val Picinich	George Burns	Chick Fewster	Johnny Mitchell	Howie Shanks	Joe Harris	Dick Reichle	Ira Flagstead
1924	Steve O'Neill	Joe Harris	Bill Wambsganss	Dud Lee	Danny Clark	Bobby Veach	Ira Flagstead	Ike Boone

I expect a lot of entries for 1945-46 as many players returned from serving in World War II. The returns of Williams, Doerr and DiMaggio spurred a massive improvement from 71-83 to 104-50 and the American League pennant. Like the two New York pairings, Boston's required a position change by someone that was already there.


Tampa Bay Rays: Never


Toronto Blue Jays: Never


Chicago White Sox

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1948	Aaron Robinson	Tony Lupien	Don Kolloway	Cass Michaels	Luke Appling	Pat Seerey	Dave Philley	Taffy Wright
1949	Don Wheeler	Chuck Kress	Cass Michaels	Luke Appling	Floyd Baker	Gus Zernial	George Metkovich	Dave Philley
1910	Fred Payne	Chick Gandil	Rollie Zeider	Lena Blackburne	Billy Purtell	Patsy Dougherty	Freddy Parent	Paul Meloan
1911	Billy Sullivan	Shano Collins	Amby McConnell	Lee Tannehill	Harry Lord	Jimmy Callahan	Ping Bodie	Matty McIntyre

The 1911 Pale Hose squad is the first team with a whole new group, without any holdovers merely switching positions.


Cleveland Indians

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1962	John Romano	Tito Francona	Jerry Kindall	Woodie Held	Bubba Phillips	Chuck Essegian	Ty Cline	Willie Kirkland
1963	Joe Azcue	Fred Whitfield	Woodie Held	Jerry Kindall	Max Alvis	Tito Francona	Vic Davalillo	Al Luplow

Detroit Tigers

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1945	Bob Swift	Rudy York	Eddie Mayo	Skeeter Webb	Bob Maier	Jimmy Outlaw	Doc Cramer	Roy Cullenbine
1946	Birdie Tebbetts	Hank Greenberg	Jimmy Bloodworth	Eddie Lake	George Kell	Dick Wakefield	Hoot Evers	Pat Mullin

Another 1945-46 team, and our second team listed with all new players.


Kansas City Royals

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF	DH
2010	Jason Kendall	Billy Butler	Mike Aviles	Yuniesky Betancourt	Alberto Callaspo	Scott Podsednik	Mitch Maier	David DeJesus	Jose Guillen
2011	Brayan Pena	Eric Hosmer	Chris Getz	Alcides Escobar	Mike Moustakas	Alex Gordon	Melky Cabrera	Jeff Francoeur	Billy Butler

Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF	DH
1975	Glenn Borgmann	Craig Kusick	Rod Carew	Danny Thompson	Eric Soderholm	Steve Braun	Dan Ford	Lyman Bostock	Tony Oliva
1976	Butch Wynegar	Rod Carew	Bob Randall	Roy Smalley	Mike Cubbage	Larry Hisle	Lyman Bostock	Dan Ford	Craig Kusick
1958	Clint Courtney	Norm Zauchin	Ken Aspromonte	Rocky Bridges	Eddie Yost	Roy Sievers	Albie Pearson	Jim Lemon
1959	Hal Naragon	Roy Sievers	Reno Bertoia	Billy Consolo	Harmon Killebrew	Jim Lemon	Bob Allison	Faye Throneberry

Some position changes led to the Minnesota franchise's two entries, including the 1958-59 team from their days as the Washington Senators.


Houston Astros: Never


Los Angeles Angels: Never


Oakland Athletics

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF	DH
1976	Larry Haney	Gene Tenace	Phil Garner	Bert Campaneris	Sal Bando	Joe Rudi	Bill North	Claudell Washington	Billy Williams
1977	Jeff Newman	Dick Allen	Marty Perez	Rob Picciolo	Wayne Gross	Mitchell Page	Tony Armas	Jim Tyrone	Manny Sanguillen
1943	Hal Wagner	Dick Siebert	Pete Suder	Irv Hall	Eddie Mayo	Bobby Estalella	Jo-Jo White	Elmer Valo
1944	Frankie Hayes	Bill McGhee	Irv Hall	Ed Busch	George Kell	Ford Garrison	Bobby Estalella	Jo-Jo White

Two A's teams here, one from Philadelphia and one from the post-dynasty days in Oakland. Of the nine listed teams since the 1961 expansion, the 1976-77 team is the only one that changed over all nine players without any position switches.


Seattle Mariners: Never


Texas Rangers/Washington Senators: Never


Atlanta Braves

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1924	Mickey O'Neil	Stuffy McInnis	Cotton Tierney	Bob Smith	Ernie Padgett	Bill Cunningham	Gus Felix	Casey Stengel
1925	Frank Gibson	Dick Burrus	Doc Gautreau	Dave Bancroft	William Marriott	Dave Harris	Bernie Neis	Jimmy Welsh

The one Braves team listed is from their time in their original home city of Boston.


Miami Marlins

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
2005	Paul Lo Duca	Carlos Delgado	Luis Castillo	Alex Gonzalez	Mike Lowell	Miguel Cabrera	Juan Pierre	Juan Encarnacion
2006	Miguel Olivo	Mike Jacobs	Dan Uggla	Hanley Ramirez	Miguel Cabrera	Josh Willingham	Reggie Abercrombie	Jeremy Hermida

The Marlins make it one time for their second firesale in the aftermath of their World Series title in 2003.


New York Mets

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1991	Rick Cerone	Dave Magadan	Gregg Jefferies	Kevin Elster	Howard Johnson	Kevin McReynolds	Daryl Boston	Hubie Brooks
1992	Todd Hundley	Eddie Murray	Willie Randolph	Dick Schofield	Dave Magadan	Daryl Boston	Howard Johnson	Bobby Bonilla

Philadelphia Phillies

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1988	Lance Parrish	Von Hayes	Juan Samuel	Steve Jeltz	Mike Schmidt	Phil Bradley	Milt Thompson	Chris James
1989	Darren Daulton	Ricky Jordan	Tom Herr	Dickie Thon	Charlie Hayes	John Kruk	Lenny Dykstra	Von Hayes
1959	Carl Sawatski	Ed Bouchee	Sparky Anderson	Joe Koppe	Gene Freese	Harry Anderson	Richie Ashburn	Wally Post
1960	Jimmie Coker	Pancho Herrera	Tony Taylor	Ruben Amaro	Al Dark	Bobby Smith	Bobby Del Greco	Ken Walters
1944	Bob Finley	Tony Lupien	Moon Mullen	Ray Hamrick	Glen Stewart	Jimmy Wasdell	Buster Adams	Ron Northey
1945	Andy Seminick	Jimmy Wasdell	Tony Daniels	Bitsy Mott	John Antonelli	Coaker Triplett	Vince DiMaggio	Jake Powell

The Phils and Pirates are the only teams that have done this three times.


Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos: Never


Chicago Cubs

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1877	Cal McVey	Al Spalding	Ross Barnes	John Peters	Cap Anson	John Glenn	Dave Eggler	Jimmy Hallinan
1878	Bill Harbridge	Joe Start	Bill McClellan	Bob Ferguson	Frank Hankinson	Cap Anson	Jack Remsen	John Cassidy
1879	Silver Flint	Cap Anson	Joe Quest	John Peters	Ned Williamson	Abner Dalrymple	George Gore	Orator Shafer

We have to go way back to the early days of the National League, but the Cubs give us our first of two three-season blocks thanks to position changes by Cap Anson.


Cincinnati Reds

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1929	Johnny Gooch	High Pockets Kelly	Hughie Critz	Hod Ford	Chuck Dressen	Evar Swanson	Ethan Allen	Curt Walker
1930	Clyde Sukeforth	Joe Stripp	Hod Ford	Leo Durocher	Tony Cuccinello	Bob Meusel	Evar Swanson	Harry Heilmann

There are three future Dodgers managers here: Durocher, Dressen and Clyde Sukeforth. Sukeforth was Brooklyn's interim manager for the first two games in 1947, making him the first skipper of an integrated team when Jackie Robinson debuted on April 15.


Milwaukee Brewers: Never


Pittsburgh Pirates

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1954	Toby Atwell	Bob Skinner	Curt Roberts	Gair Allie	Dick Cole	Jerry Lynch	Frank Thomas	Sid Gordon
1955	Jack Shepard	Dale Long	Johnny O'Brien	Dick Groat	Gene Freese	Frank Thomas	Eddie O'Brien	Roberto Clemente
1952	Joe Garagiola	Tony Bartirome	Jack Merson	Dick Groat	Pete Castiglione	Ralph Kiner	Bobby Del Greco	Gus Bell
1953	Mike Sandlock	Preston Ward	Johnny O'Brien	Eddie O'Brien	Danny O'Connell	Hal Rice	Frank Thomas	Cal Abrams
1889	Doggie Miller	Jake Beckley	Fred Dunlap	Jack Rowe	Bill Kuehne	Jocko Fields	Ned Hanlon	Billy Sunday
1890	Harry Decker	Guy Hecker	Sam LaRocque	Ed Sales	Doggie Miller	John Kelty	Billy Sunday	Tun Berger
1891	Connie Mack	Jake Beckley	Lou Bierbauer	Frank Shugart	Charlie Reilly	Pete Browning	Ned Hanlon	Fred Carroll
1884	Ed Colgan	Jimmy Knowles	George Creamer	Bill White	Joe Battin	Doggie Miller	Live Taylor	Ed Swartwood
1885	Fred Carroll	Jim Field	Pop Smith	Art Whitney	Bill Kuehne	Charlie Eden	Fred Mann	Tom Brown

The Buccos have done this the most times (four), the last coming in 1954-55 when they ushered in a new era of Pirates baseball with the debut of Roberto Clemente. Frank Thomas staying in center field for 1953 and 1954 was the only thing preventing a four-season block (1952-55).


St. Louis Cardinals

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1897	Klondike Douglass	Mike Grady	Bill Hallman	Monte Cross	Fred Hartman	Dan Lally	Dick Harley	Tuck Turner
1898	Jack Clements	George Decker	Jack Crooks	Germany Smith	Lave Cross	Dick Harley	Jake Stenzel	Tommy Dowd
1891	Jack Boyle	Charlie Comiskey	Bill Egan	Shorty Fuller	Denny Lyons	Tip O'Neill	Dummy Hoy	Tommy McCarthy
1892	Dick Buckley	Perry Werden	Jack Crooks	George Pinkney	Jack Glasscock	Cliff Carroll	Steve Brodie	Bob Caruthers

The Cardinals haven't done this since the 19th Century, when they were known as the Browns. The 1897 team gives us what might be the best name in the post in Klondike Douglass. The 1891 team features not only Charlie Comiskey and Tip O'Neill, but also Dummy Hoy, who racked up 2,048 hits as the most accomplished deaf player in big league history.


Arizona Diamondbacks: Never


Colorado Rockies: Never


Los Angeles Dodgers

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1898	Jack Ryan	Candy LaChance	Bill Hallman	George Magoon	Billy Shindle	Jimmy Sheckard	Mike Griffin	Fielder Jones
1899	Duke Farrell	Dan McGann	Tom Daly	Bill Dahlen	Doc Casey	Joe Kelley	Fielder Jones	Willie Keeler

The 1898 Brooklyn club was called the Bridegrooms. The following year they became the Superbas.


San Diego Padres: Never


San Francisco Giants

Year	C	1B	2B	SS	3B	LF	CF	RF
1976	Dave Rader	Darrell Evans	Marty Perez	Chris Speier	Ken Reitz	Gary Matthews	Larry Herndon	Bobby Murcer
1977	Marc Hill	Willie McCovey	Rob Andrews	Tim Foli	Bill Madlock	Darrell Evans	Derrel Thomas	Jack Clark
1901	Jack Warner	John Ganzel	Ray Nelson	George Davis	Sammy Strang	Kip Selbach	George Van Haltren	Algie McBride
1902	Frank Bowerman	Dan McGann	Heinie Smith	Joe Bean	Billy Lauder	George Browne	Steve Brodie	Jack Dunn
1889	Buck Ewing	Roger Connor	Danny Richardson	Monte Ward	Art Whitney	Jim O'Rourke	George Gore	Mike Tiernan
1890	Dick Buckley	Dude Esterbrook	Charley Bassett	Jack Glasscock	Jerry Denny	Joe Hornung	Mike Tiernan	Jesse Burkett

You would think that with the advent of free agency that this would be a recent phenomenon, but of the 30 groups listed, only four have come since 1977. If we disqualified teams that merely had a starting player change positions, we would only have ten teams:

Pittsburgh 1884-85
Pittsburgh 1890-91
St. Louis 1891-92
N.Y. Giants 1901-02
Chicago (A.L.) 1910-11
Boston (N.L.) 1924-25
Detroit 1945-46
Pittsburgh 1952-53
Philadelphia 1959-60
Oakland 1976-77

The Yankees could join this more exclusive list if Gardner is dealt for pitching and not just shifted over to left field.