AFL unveils All-Time All-Star Team

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There were some big-name Major League players for fans to choose from when selecting the Arizona Fall League's All-Time All-Star Team, and the voters definitely hit a home run.

"I would put this All-Star lineup up against any All-Star team," said Steve Cobb, the AFL executive director. "It is a contemporary Dream Team."

The All-AFL team, announced on Saturday prior to the league's championship game at Scottsdale Stadium between the Phoenix Desert Dogs and Grand Canyon Rafters, definitely was star-studded.

"There were 99 players on the ballot," Cobb said, "and I don't know how the fans could go wrong."

Every player selected to the elite team has at least one Major League All-Star Game appearance on his resume, and many have played in several Midsummer Classics. Several have World Series titles under their belt, as well.

At least one of the players selected is a sure-fire Hall of Fame selection, probably on the first ballot.

That would be catcher Mike Piazza, who played for Sun Cities in 1992, the first year of the upstart AFL that was created to serve as professional baseball's "graduate school for coveted prospects."

Piazza, who went on to become National League Rookie of the Year in 1993 -- and one of the most productive offensive catchers in MLB history -- was the majority choice among the nearly 2,000 fans who voted for the all-time team.

The remainder of the lineup was equally impressive.

Albert Pujols of the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, and member of the Scottsdale Scorpions in 2000, landed the best-ever honor among first baseman. He edged reigning MLB home run king, Ryan Howard (Phoenix Desert Dogs, 2004) of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Though he played left field for the Washington Nationals this past season, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit at least 40 home runs and 40 doubles while stealing at least 40 bases, Alfonso Soriano was a second baseman when he played for the Grand Canyon Rafters in 1998.

He edged Philles second baseman Chase Utley (Grand Canyon, '02) for inclusion on the team.

Soriano's double-play partner on the elite AFL team was also his keystone sidekick for his first five MLB seasons -- Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who played for the AFL Chandler team in 1994. Jeter was the voters' choice over a group that includes Nomar Garciappara (Scottsdale, 1994) and Michael Young (Grand Canyon, 2000).

The hot corner race was rather one-sided as New York Mets third baseman David Wright (Peoria Saguaros, 2003) outdistanced Hank Blalock (Peoria Javelinas, 2001).

Seventeen outfielders received votes, and Johnny Damon (Sun Cities, 1995) finished at the top of the pack. Torii Hunter (Phoenix, 1998) was second, and Vernon Wells (Peoria, 1999) finished third.

The fans' choice for the best designated hitter in AFL history was Ryan Klesko (Grand Canyon, 1992). The choice for starting pitcher was Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay (Grand Canyon, 1998), and the top reliever among a star-studded group was Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez, who played for Scottsdale in 2001.

Rodriguez's big-league manager also was selected as the All-AFL Team skipper. Mike Scioscia (Peoria, 1997) was the fans' choice, with Terry Francona (Grand Canyon, 1992 and Scottsdale, 1994) finishing second.

Scioscia and Francona are among those on the All-AFL Team that also have been inducted into the league's Hall of Fame. Others are Piazza, Jeter, Pujols, Halladay and Soriano.

The All-AFL Team was an online voting conducted at MLBFallBall.com. The players on the ballot met two criteria: 1) AFL Alum 2) Named to at least one MLB All-Star Team.