The staff at FOX Sports Ohio has been debating a topic recently, and we would like your input.
As the All-Star Game approaches, we've been looking at past seasons and asking ourselves "who were the greatest Reds/Indians players ever to play each position?" Trust us, making the list wasn't easy - we went through several drafts and researched players of the past.
Now we turn it over to you.
Between now and the All Star Game (July 16 on FOX), we will be asking you to vote for your favorite Reds player and favorite Indians player at each position.
Voting is still open for First base - click here to see the candidates
Today's position - second base.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar spent 17 years in the Major Leagues, spread over seven teams. Three years were with the Indians. He went to the All-Star Game 12 years in a row, was voted fifth for the NL Rookie Of The Year in 1988, has 10 Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and finished in the top ten for MVP five times. His lifetime batting average was .300 (.323 with the Indians).
Bobby Avila
Avila was in MLB for 11 seasons, ten of them with the Cleveland Indians. Elected to three All Star Games, and finished third in AL MVP voting in 1954 when the Indians won the American League pennant. His lifetime batting average was .281 (.284 with the Indians).
Carlos Baerga
Baerga played 13 seasons in the Majors, and spent 8 of those as an Indian. He was elected to the All-Star Game three times, won the Silver Slugger twice, and finished 10th in MVP voting in 1993. He once hit two home runs in the same inning, from opposite sides of the plate. Joe Gordon
Gordon was in the league for 11 years, and played in the All Star Game nine times. Eight of his 11 seasons, he picked up votes for MVP, and won the AL award in 1942. His lifetime batting average is .268 (.262 with the Indians).
Nap LaJoie
LaJoie played 21 years in the Majors, 13 of them with Cleveland. He batted .426 in 1901, the same year he had a .643 slugging percentage. LaJoie never played in an All-Star Game, because he retired 17 years before the league created the midsummer classic. His lifetime batting average was .338 (.339 with Cleveland). LaJoie was so popular that Cleveland changed their name from the Spiders to the Naps. They later became the Indians.
Bret Boone
Boone played in the majors for 14 years, five of them in Cincinnati. He played in three All-Star Games, has four Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and finished third in MVP voting in 2001. His lifetime batting average was .266 (.260 with the Reds).
Joe Morgan
Morgan spent 22 years in Major League Baseball, and eight of those were in a Reds uniform. He played in ten All-Star Games, has five Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, finished second in Rookie Of The Year voting, and won back-to-back NL MVP Awards in 1975 and 1976. His lifetime batting average was .271 (.288 with the Reds).
Brandon Phillips
Phillips is in his 12th year in the league, and was just elected to his third All-Star Game. He has three Gold Glove awards and a Silver Slugger. His lifetime batting average is .272 (.279 with the Reds).
Pokey Reese
Reese spent his first five seasons with the Reds, then played three more. He has two Gold Gloves to his name, but was never voted to an All-Star Game. He has a lifetime batting average of .248 (.250 with the Reds).
Johnny Temple
Temple had two stints with the Reds, and spent 9 of his 13 years with the team. He played in four All Star Games, three in Cincinnati. His lifetime batting average was .284 (.291 with Cincinnati).
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Wednesday's vote - Shortstop
