SASL GOAT TEAM
2020 SASL season is finally back this Sunday after months of delay to make sure we get on the field when it is safe to do so. Just a few days left before the season kicks off. In the meantime, wouldn’t it be fun to come up with an all-time 10 man roster of SASLers throughout history? Tasked with digging through all of SASL history and assembling the perfect all-time SASL team, who would be penciled into your lineup card? Here is the OFFICIAL SASL All Time First Team….
First, let’s lay down some ground rules on what exactly went into assembling the all time SASL 1st Team.
—Players needed minimum of 4 years of service in the SASL.
—We picked 4 infielders, 4 outfielders, 1 pitcher. The catcher is the best hitter left. The infielders and outfielders aren’t strictly tied to one position. For ex. most teams put their best players at SS or LCF. This team allows for multiple players even if their primary positions were SS.
—We considered the stats, the defense. the legacy, the accolades, the longevity, the impact, the championships and sustained excellence of every player.
SASL All-Time First Team Lineup:
- Hashim Naveed
- Charley Robinson
- Dan DiIorio
- Ahmed Mohammed
- Pragnesh Patel
- Harpreet Chadha
- Masoom Siddiqui
- Kunal Sra
- Amit Bhasin
- Wahid Omarzai
SASL All-Time First Team By Position:
Pitcher: Wahid Omarzai
Catcher: Masoom Siddiqui
First Base: Ahmed Mohammed
Second Base: Amit Bhasin
Short Stop: Hashim Naveed
Third Base: Dan DiIorio
Left Field: Harpreet Chadha
Left-center Field: Charley Robinson
Right-center Field: Pragnesh Patel
Right Field: Kunal Sra
The Players:
Pitcher: There was fierce debate among the writers on which pitcher was going to be awarded the first team. Others in contention were Ali Ghumman and Yasar Bokhari. But Wahid Omarzai with his longevity, championships, ERA, pitch variations etc. edged out.
Catcher: Masoom Siddiqui was a no brainer First team member due to his lethal bat all these years. He has carried a lot of lineups on his shoulders. He has traveled quite a bit on a few teams, but every team was better when he was on their team.
First Base: Ahmed Mohammed historically played mostly third base. He had been part of Spartans championship teams. He had one of the most lethal bats in SASL history. You did not want to be on the mound when he was up.
Second Base: Mr. Dynasty Amit Bhasin has been in SASL for over a decade and has been a force every year. Smooth fielding SS, has had many huge offensive seasons as well.
Shortstop: Hashim Naveed has many rings and MVPs in his showroom. One of the best to do it in SASL history. Diving plays in the field, and the best lead off hitter in SASL history. Many would choose Hashim as the best player in SASL history when considering everything.
Third Base: The greatest power hitter in SASL history- Dan DiIorio. Teams have walked him in a playoff series 10+ times. Dan won every home run derby in SASL he took a part in and it wasn’t even close. While he hasn’t won a championship yet, he has done enough in a short time to be included in the team with the absolutely ridiculous output every year he has played.
Left Field: Harpreet Chadha was a top 5 player for the better part of the 2010’s. At his peak, he was a great defender as well. He carried many teams on his back. Before injuries caught up to him in the last couple of years, he was tearing up the SASL.
Left-center Field: Charley Robinson has had a huge impact on the SASL ever since he joined the league over 10 years ago. He has multiple MVPs and Championships. His career counting stats in his long career are absolutely great. Another of the players who was a no brainer for this team.
Right-center Field: Pragnesh Patel may be the best pure SA athlete SASL has seen. He was a true 5 tool player. Hit the ball a mile. Arm was top notch. Defense was gold glove worthy every year. As fast as players 50lbs less than him. And hit .700+ almost every year.
Right Field: Kunal Sra gets it done year after year. Multiple time MVP and championship winner, he is still chugging along at an elite pace while some of his peers have tapped out. His versatility is also severely underrated.
That does it for us in our exhaustive research of the SASL All-time First Team. Who did we miss? Who do you think should have made the team and who should have been replaced?
SASL All-time Second Team to be announced shortly……
