Revised All-Steroid-Era Team – Full 25-Man Roster

The roster is full of would-be-still-might-be Hall of Famers including Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, Rodriguez and Palmeiro. Tejada and Sheffield could join them, or rather join them in not joining them in the Hall, depending on how the Hall voters reconcile the era and the statistics. This year will be the first year players (McGwire, Canseco, Caminiti) deeply entangled in the steroid era are eligible.

Nevertheless in their prime the players in this lineup would do some major damage, if they could make it through a season without self-destructing. Grimsley and Canseco would probably quite literally be beaten up, repeatedly, at least until the all-star break. Patellar tendonitis, oblique strains, ruptured Achilles tendons, and torn rotator cuffs could leave the lineup full of steroid subs. The AAA team will be important.

The rotation looks a little top heavy, but it could be dominant in a short series. The bullpen definitely seems weak, but if Grimsley, Crawford and Saunders are all juiced up like they so often are, that’s three decent power arms. And one of them is even a lefty.

Jim Leyritz’s versatility is invaluable to the team. He would fit in mostly as backup at first and third base, but can play all the infield positions, the outfield and he can catch. Some might think Randy Velarde is a better pick here, but this team doesn’t need the extra offense, and adding Leyritz’s versatility, specifically his ability to catch, is a smart move for a team of brittle steroid users.

Admittedly, the outfield defense could be a problem, but in their day Bonds and Dykstra were above average in the field. Canseco could add some humor with his defense in the late innings.

First call-ups from the minors when these guys inevitably get hurt:

Jay Gibbons, OF
Wally Joyner, 1B
Felix Heredia, RP
Randy Velarde, IF-OF
David Segui 1B-DH

UPDATE (Apr. 1/07): John Rocker, implicated in the internet steroid and hGH distribution investigation out of Albany, admitted using human growth hormone before it was banned by Major League Baseball. Rocker in his prime would surely have been the closer on this team.

Gary Matthews Jr. would also be an important part of the AAA team. His excellent defense would defnitely put him ahead of Gibbons on the depth chart.

The All-Steroid Team is quickly becoming the All-Steroid Organization.