SLOP 10th Anniversary Team

[Young Drachma]

So next season is SLOP's 10th season. Time flies! This thread will chronicle the stars who have made the league's first ten seasons interesting. It'll be ongoing through the season where we profile the players who will make up SLOP's all decade team.

C Jason Jones (New York)
C Habib Sajid (Syracuse)
C Steven Chowen (Chicago)
1B Eugene Nelson (Chicago)
1B Jim McLean (New York)
2B Bruce Skinner (Syracuse)
2B Veljko Svabic (Chicago)
3B Winston Bancroft (San Diego)
3B Derek Campbell (Memphis)
3B Kevin Smith (Rio Grande)
SS Alvin Little (San Diego)
SS Jay-man Yun (Los Angeles)
LF Freddie Hurley (Philadelphia)
LF Kelvin Boyd (Brooklyn)
CF Cesar Espinoza (Syracuse)
CF Quincy de Vaal (Syracuse)
RF Justin Gorman (Kyoto)
SP Dave Norman (New York)
SP Juan Martinez (Brooklyn)
SP Roy Bickford (Memphis)
SP Jonathan Redick (Syracuse)
SP Will Allen (Carolina)
CL Logan Becker (Memphis)
CL Bobby Carter (Philadelphia)
CL Patrick Dillard (Carolina)
CL Wilson Zamora (Syracuse)

[Young Drachma]

Will Allen, SP, Carolina Kings

There's not much Will Allen hasn't done in his SLOP career. He's got a Series ring with Memphis, has been the most consistent pitcher in league history over the past decade with 154 wins in his career - the most of anyone. The only knock against him is how decidedly unclutch he is in the post-season - a career 6.10 postseason ERA.

But save for that, he's easily the Dean of SLOP's hurlers. Will he keep up his performance into the 2nd decade? We'll see.

[Ramzavail]

I really thought when Will Allen left San Diego - he was going to be overpaid and not *that* good.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, he's one of the few free agents that's actually made good perpetually.

[Young Drachma]

1B Winston Bancroft, San Diego

Speaking of consistency, you can't really say the word without uttering this guy's name. 346 career home runs, he's had 9 straight seasons of 30+ home runs. In a league where players flame out after a few years, Winston Bancroft has been nothing short of amazing.

After getting dealt early in his career from Toronto, he's been San Diego's lone bright spot in recent years and was a star on their '41 title team to boot. One has to wonder if this two-time MVP will continue at his current pace and be the first SLOP player to reach 500 HRs or possible more?

It'll be fun to watch no matter what I think.

[Young Drachma]

CF Quincy de Vaal, Syracuse

Yes, he only played one year. But what a memorable season it was. 67 home runs - still a single-season record that will likely NEVER be broken. Led the their first Series title and left an indelible mark on the game that generations will wonder what he would've done with a full SLOP career.

You can't overlook this kind of talent and when you think of an all-decade team for SLOP, Quincy de Vaal has to be on your list. So here he is.

[Young Drachma]

RF Justin Gorman, Kyoto

One of the good things about contraction is that the rest of the league will finally get to appreciate (or really hate) the talents of Justin Gorman on a big stage once again. After leaving Phoenix for Japan, his production has dropped consistently and it makes you wonder if he has anything left. Still, with 308 career home runs, a career .321 batting average and a career WAR of 54.8, you can't say anything about him other than the guy was a winner who produced for years in this league.

And one has to believe that he can be a factor for some club when he can still hit 20+ HRs a season. One of the best hitter to ever lace 'em up in SLOP.

[Young Drachma]

Team is updated in full in the first post. Will do features on the others later. Any snubs? Someone you think deserves recognition? Who do you see on the horizon for the next decade?