All-Time Since 1970 Negative Signs

Back in March and April of this year, when I last added a decade to my All-Time Career Fantasy Points Database, I painstakingly covered each new addition through the lens of each sign’s All-Time depth chart. Rather than re-tread that same ground so soon afterwards, this time I’ll give a much broader top-level overview, with one post per polarity, rather than one post per division. I’m starting with the Negative Signs, because Scorpio maintained its lead as the highest-scoring sign when adding new players from the 1970s.

Bold names were added to the database for the 1970s, all others are holdovers from later decades.

When you add flamethrowing Bob Gibson (37,061 career fantasy points) and 25-year veteran Jim Kaat (34,888) to a pitching rotation that already included holdovers Tom Seaver (36,935) and Pedro Martinez (32,937), you’re going to have… an even greater rotation. What’s crazy is that the Scorpions All-Time Since 1970 starting lineup remains completely unchanged from their All-Time Since 1980 lineup. The top-scoring Scorpio position player added to the database was first baseman Norm Cash (24,548), who still finishes far behind Fred McGriff (33,081) on the first base depth chart.

Virgo finished third in terms of all signs since 1970 – All-Time Since 2000 leader Leo jumped up to second place, from fourth in the All-Time Since 1980 rankings. Speaking of third place, the Flowers’ top new 1970s addition Frank Robinson (42,390) immediately enters the database as their number three overall player, but the top position player. While Robinson was the best Designated Hitter in the year in which the position was introduced, he spent most of his career patrolling right field, with significant time in left field and at first base as well. The two players ahead of Robinson were Gaylord Perry (46,552) and Randy Johnson (43,970), so it makes sense that the top new pitcher from the 1970s, Mickey Lolich (30,791) will have to languish as their SP3.

Let’s just pretend they were called the Taurus Giants back in the 1960’s…

I already mentioned legendary Taurus center fielder Willie Mays (48,397) in my intro to the All-Time Since 1970 database, but you can never heap enough accolades on someone who made 20 straight All-Star teams. He pushes Carlos Beltran (36,889) to right field and Reggie Jackson (36,388) to left in a hypothetical All-Time Bulls lineup. Defensive wizard Brooks Robinson (28,249) unfortunately falls behind two even greater third basemen on the Taurus depth chart: Chipper Jones (38,124) and George Brett (37,825). While Clay Carroll (15,308) is only the fourth-highest scoring Taurus dedicated reliever, his 20.9 points-per-game average finishes first on the squad, just a hair above Francisco Cordero (16,513 / 20.6).

The 1970s were not a strong decade for Capricorn, at least as far as adding key players to their All-Time depth chart. No one figures to beat Albert Pujols (46,148) at first bas, but Giants legend and Cove namesake Willie McCovey (31,664) was able to overtake Jason Giambi (29,514) as the number two. In the bullpen Mike (G.) Marshall (16,495) – not to be confused with Mike (A.) Marshall (10,239), the Capricorn right fielder – and Don McMahon (16,434) slot in as the #4 and #5 relievers, but still worlds behind Francisco Rodriguez (23,206) at the top spot.

Putting Harmon Killebrew at his primary position would leave Aramis Ramirez (27,623) as the top Cancer third baseman.

Last time, I highlighted the battle between Jason Kendall (20,780) and Yadier Molina (19,766 as of 2021) for the top Cancer catching spot. But it turns out that was a fight for second place all along, as Joe Torre (24,501) blows past them both, thanks to a career that saw him transition to both corner infield spots. Speaking of the corner infield, Harmon Killebrew (32,067) enters the database as the new top Crab at both first base and third base, finishing behind only Derek Jeter (37,546) and Andre Dawson (34,455) in the sign’s overall point scorers. No new starters entered the Cancer top five in the ‘70s, but Sparky Lyle (19,129) serves as a left-handed compliment to incumbent closer Rich Gossage (25,866).

For Pisces, as was the case in the last decade, we’re seeing a “rich get richer” situation. The top new addition to their all-time starting lineup would be Willie “Pops” Stargell (29,890), but he comes at the expense of Jim “Ed” Rice (29,369). While those two could conceivably form a lefty/righty platoon in left field, the top new right fielder Bobby Bonds (27,583) doesn’t come close to the Bobby ahead of him on the depth chart: Abreu, with 34,148 career fantasy points. Alternatively, one (or both) of those two new additions could take time from Harold Baines (32,528) at designated hitter, whose 11.5 career PPG average is the lowest of the bunch.

That being said, Ron Santo (27,477) does present a notable upgrade at third base over yet another Bobby (Bonilla – 24,784). Fellow new addition Dick Allen (25,697) also qualified at the hot corner, even though he was a primary first baseman in his career. While it’s sad that Dock Ellis (15,838) and Jack Billingham (15,398) knock out the brilliant J.R. Richard (15,109), whose career ended much too soon because of health issues, it’s worth noting that Ellis is the star of my favorite baseball story of all time.