Baseball is back with high school baseball starting around the treasure state this week and MLB opening day set for Wednesday so here is a look at what an all-time MLB team of Montana born players would look like.
Starting with our ace on the mound Dave McNally who is undeniably the greatest pro baseball player to come out of the treasure state. The Billings Central product signed with the Orioles out of High School. McNally went on to pitch 14 seasons in the big leagues where he was a 3-time all-star and won two world Series with Baltimore. He won 20 plus games in four straight seasons from 1968 to 1971 and finished his career with 184 big league wins.
Behind home plate will be Butte Central product Rob Johnson who played seven seasons in the Big Leagues with the Mariners, Mets, Padres, and Cardinals.
Next up at first base is Ed Bouchee who was born in Livingston. Bouchee finished 12th in NL MVP voting in 1957 behind names like Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays.
At 2B we have Jeff Doyle who was born in Havre. He was a 6th round pick by the Cardinals in 1977 and played one year in the big leagues before having a successful pro career in Japan.
At shortstop we have Helena High product Herb Plews who played four seasons in the bigs with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox in the late 50’s.
At the hot corner is the most accomplished hitter born in Montana John Lowenstein out of Wolf Point. He played 16 seasons in the big leagues. Had over 115 career home runs and was a key contributor on the 1983 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles after hitting .385 with a homerun in the series.
Let’s move to the outfield starting with Billings born Grant McCray who is currently on Giants 40 man roster. He’s had a cup of coffee in bigs so far but he’s only 25 and in his best minor league season he had 14 HR 66 RBI 52 steals and an OBP of 360 so the potential is there to catch on with a big league club.
Next up we have Rob Ryan who was born in Havre. He played three big league seasons for the Diamondbacks and Athletics
Last up we have Helena Native Dave Meir who played four big league seasons for the Twins, Rangers and Cubs before deciding to retire at 28 following the 1988 season.
Our manager for this squad was an easy choice and that is Great Falls native John Gibbons who had two stints as manager of the Blue Jays where he racked up 793 career wins and 10 playoff wins. Gibbons won a world series ring as a backup catcher for the 1986 Mets and also won another as a scout for the 2021 Atlanta Braves.
Let’s close this thing out with a relief pitcher how fitting but we’ll go with Taylor Tankersley who was born in Missoula. He was a first round pick in 2004 for the Marlins. His best seasons was his rookie year when he had an ERA of 2.85 across 49 appearances. He was solid again the following season but as the years went on elbow injuries impacted his career.
All-Time Lineup and Birthplace
SP Dave McNally Billings
C Rob Johnson Butte
1B Ed Bouchee Livingston
2B Jeff Doyle Havre
SS Ed Plews Helena
3B John Lowenstein Wolf Point
OF Grant McCray Billings
OF Rob Ryan Havre
OF Dave Meir Helena
RP Taylor Tankersley Missoula
Manager John Gibbons Great Falls