Over the course of 25 years, you can imagine the many arguments (among Metros players and management), about who the best players have been.  Questions like, "What kind of a team could you field, if you could pick anyone that ever played for the team?" "Who would be on it?" and "How many players from each era of the club, would make it?"  The debate raged on...

Well, prior to the 25th Anniversary season, Metros' management decided they would try to answer those questions, by picking a team (actually 2 teams) made up of all of the great players that have worn the Metros uniform, during that 25 year period.  They thought it would be a great way to celebrate our "milestone year", bring back some fond memories, and honour the dedication and excellent play from our past and present players.  So, in July of 2009, three members of the current and former Metros teams, who have been extensively "involved" with the organization (for the better part of the 25 years in question) sat down to tackle the daunting task.

.

.

General Manager, Mark Walters (who has been with the team in one role or another for all 25 seasons), Kerry Hedden (who, except for 4 years in the early '90's...was involved the entire time), and Carey Spiece (who played with the team from 1990-'97 and coached from 2001-'08) had the requisite knowledge of these various eras, and players.  The three objectively, and painstakingly, weighed the "pros and cons" of each player being considered for a spot on the team.  But before they could do that, they had to reduce the list of 155 players to a more manageable number.  So, the group of 3 came up with a "basic criteria" that the players would have to meet, in order to be considered for a spot on the team.  The answers to the following questions were used:

1.  Did the player play a minimum of 3 full seasons, or reach a minimum number of 300 career At Bats, or 100 innings pitched?

2.  What position did the players play their most career games at?  That answer was used to determine their position consideration for this team.

3.  Did a player play many positions over his career, and never really settle at one position?  A "Multi-Positional" category was instituted, for players who fell into this category.

4.  How good were the player's statistics?  3 sets of statistics ("career numbers", "best 3 seasons", and "best individual season"), were used to compare players.

5.  Did (or does) the player hold any individual Team and League records?  If so, they were used to "add weight" to a player's career numbers.

6.  How many Team or League awards, and how much League or Province-wide recognition did the player receive in his career?

7.  How many Divisional, League, Elims., and O.B.A. titles was the player a part of?  How was his performance at these events?

8.  Finally, the selection committee answered the questions, "What was their attitude, level of leadership, and level of dedication? Were they a good teammate?  Will their inclusion on this team be a "good reflection" on the Metros?

The committee also decided the makeup of the team(s), themselves.  What they decided was to create two (2) teams...a 1st and 2nd All Star team.  And also to include the following positions on each team: Catcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, 3rd Base, Shortstop, Leftfield, Centerfield, Rightfield, Multi-Positional, Designated Hitter, Righthanded Pitcher, Lefthanded Pitcher, and Relief Pitcher.  Notice that they separated the outfield positions. This is to ensure that the Anniversary teams are representative of the actual teams the Metros used on the field.  Thus, instead of just using a catch-all category like "Outfield", the committe chose to slot the players into the field that they played most often.

So without further adieu, we are proud to introduce the "Niagara Metros 25th Anniversary All Star Teams".  Click on the links below, to see the players (with a brief biography) that make up our 1st and 2nd All Time teams.  We are proud of everyone on these lists!  And we can honestly say that you all made the Niagara Metros a better team...both on and off the field.  Congratulations!!

.

1st Team                           2nd Team