All-Postseason Team

In the Expansion Era (1969-forward), if I spot you Mariano Rivera as Closer, David Ortiz as DH, and Madison Bumgarner as LHSP, who else do you place on the team? I'm guessing Jeter at SS and Hershiser as RHSP

How about Mr October in RF? Reggie Jackson played in 5 WS, 27 games, and posted a 1.212 OPS. His regular season OPS was .846.

Would have to consider George Brett.

C-
1b-
2b-
SS-Derek Jeter
3b-
OF-
OF-
OF-Reggie Jackson
DH-David Ortiz
RHSP-Orel Hershiser
LHSP-Madison Bumgarner
RP-Mariano Rivera

C - Yogi
Then if you want a platoon mate, Bench.
1b - Gehrig
OF - Ruth, Juan Gone, and Aaron
2b - Gordon?
3b - Chipper

C-Yogi
1b-Pujols
2b-Molitor
SS-Derek Jeter
3b- Brett
OF-Kirk Gibson/Dykstra
OF-Brock/Beltran
OF-Reggie Jackson
DH-David Ortiz
RHSP-Orel Hershiser
LHSP-Madison Bumgarner
RP-Mariano Rivera

That's a pretty well-studied list, Brent. Expansion Era only though, so Yogi has to go. Hope that doesn't make it Pat Borders.

Bench had a pretty good WS career: 4 WS, 23 games, .862 WS OPS (regular career .817), and of course the great D. I'd say that beats out Pat Borders.

An intriguing alternative is Gene Tenace: 4 WS, 24 games, .879 WS OPS (regular career .817). Of course, Tenace's D was no where near Bench. I thought of Tenace because it was in the 1972 WS that he went from being an obscure sub to the Series MVP, posting a 1.313 OPS.

Interestingly, Bench and Tenace have an identical career OPS (which I didn't realize till just now.) So it was partly Bench's rifle arm and defensive skills that set him apart. Also, Bench had a much longer career and spent more time behind the plate.

There may be other C's in the mix, but these seem to be two worth considering. If no other candidates emerge, I would vote for Bench.

Scott Brosius (perhaps surprisingly) deserves some consideration at 3B.

Brosius played in 4 WS, 20 games, .862 OPS (well over his career .744), and he was a fine defensive player. Brett posted a WS OPS of .968, but in only 2 WS. (BTW, if you check out Chipper's WS stats, I think Brosius beats him out.)

A question is--does a player deserve props in making the list for playing over his head in the Series?

Reggie obviously did—and so did Brosius. He was series MVP in '98.

Brock's last WS was in 1968, so he doesn't appear to qualify. Beltran was great in the post-season except in the WS. He had only 1 WS and posted a .694 OPS.

The Panda in 3 World Series has an OPS of 1.162. Great defender and the MVP. Overall in post season play, he is a little behind Brett.