By the numbers: A look at the major-league team invading the NBC World Series
The Kansas Stars team in the National Baseball Congress World Series next month will bring together the greatest collection of major-league alums to play in the tournament.
For many years, major- and minor-league alumni dotted the rosters of NBC teams, but rarely did more than a handful of pro players come together on one roster.
Here’s a look at the depth, experience and accomplishments of the 26-member Stars team.
Old men? Not so fast
The average age of the Stars’ 26 players is 38.3 years. Roger Clemens is oldest at 53 (54 by the Aug. 6 opener), son Koby Clemens is youngest at 29. Other players 40 or older: Chipper Jones (44), Jason Isringhausen (43), Brett Tomko (43), Tim Hudson (41) and J.D. Drew (40). Seventeen players are between 35 and 39.
The Stars combined for 292 major-league years, led by Clemens (24) and Jones (19). Seventeen more Stars had careers of 10 big-league seasons or longer.
Seven of the 25 big-league alums have been out of the majors for more than three years.
Stars of the Stars
Clemens was an 11-time All-Star and Jones an eight-timer. Other All-Star Stars: Hudson 4, Ben Sheets 4, Josh Beckett 3, Dan Uggla 3, Roy Oswalt 3, Brad Penny 2, and one each for J.D. Drew, Jack Wilson and Brandon Inge.
Take it to the bank
According to baseball-reference.com, Stars players earned more than $1.2 billion during their careers, though that’s roughly “only” $411,000 per season. Jones led the way with earnings of more than $168 million, followed by Clemens at $150 million, Hudson at $121 million and Beckett at $116 million.
Championships under their belts
Stars players made 19 appearances in the World Series, winning eight times. Clemens pitched in six Series, winning twice, and Beckett was 2 for 2.
Power sources
Led by Jones (468), Adam LaRoche (255), Drew (242) and Uggla (235), the Stars hit 1,681 major-league home runs.
Knowing how to win
The Stars’ pitching staff combined for 1,301 career victories, led by Clemens (354) and Hudson (222). Four more had triple-digit wins: Oswalt (163), Beckett (138), Penny (121) and Tomko (100). They combined for 10 20-win seasons, seven Cy Youngs (all by Clemens) and Clemens’ 1986 AL MVP award. Isringhausen compiled 300 career saves.
A Braves flavor
Of the 292 big-league seasons played by the major leaguers, Atlanta was home to more of those seasons than any other MLB club. The 25 former big-leaguers spent time on all 30 MLB teams. (The total number of seasons below exceeds 292 because players may have been on two-or-more clubs in one season.)
Braves, 50 seasons
Red Sox, 28
Astros, 22
Cardinals, 22
Tigers, 21
Marlins, 19
Pirates, 14
Dodgers, 13
Athletics, 13
Nationals, 12
Brewers, 11
Phillies, 10
Yankees, 9
Mariners, 8
Rangers, 7
Giants, 7
Cubs, 7
Mets, 6
Reds, 6
Blue Jays, 5
Padres, 5
Indians, 4
Diamondbacks, 3
Royals, 3
Angels, 3
White Sox, 3
Rockies, 2
Orioles, 2
Rays, 1
Twins, 1
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 10:09 AM with the headline "By the numbers: A look at the major-league team invading the NBC World Series."