Hal McCoy: Who were the best I saw facing the Reds?

Catcher: Gary Carter, Mets.

Always second best to Johnny Bench, but a great catcher. My wife, Nadine, once mistook him for Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager, a Daytonian, and said to Carter, “I know you. A catcher. Steve Yeager.” She was half right.

First base: Willie Stargell, Pirates

A finer man you’ll never meet, and he personally destroyed the 1979 Cincinnati Reds in the National League playoffs.

Second base: Craig Biggio, Astros

I thought this guy would play forever. He had more pine tar on his batting helmet than one would find on any tree.

Third base: Mike Schmidt, Phillies

Hometown boy makes great. Some of his home runs traveled farther than the length of Mike Schmidt Parkway (Riverside Drive in Dayton). And he loved hitting in old Riverfront Stadium.

Shortstop: Ozzie Smith, Cardinals

Even without the back flips, Smith was the best at his position, although I think both Davey Concepcion and Barry Larkin were as good, and both were better hitters than hall-of-famer Smith. (That’s a hint to voters.)

Outfield: Hank Aaron, Braves

A no-doubter, even though I saw just the tail-end of his career. I did get to see and write about his 714th home run to tie Babe Ruth on Opening Day 1974 against Cactus Jack Billingham.

Outfield: Willie Mays, Giants/Mets

Saw him only in the fading light of his illustrious career, but I’ll never forget what he did to my Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series with his back-to-the-plate catch against Vic Wertz. Killed my Tribe. Just killed ’em.

Outfield: Tony Gwynn, Padres

Seemingly could get a hit any time he wanted. Well, it seemed that way, just like Pete Rose. You couldn’t strike this guy out if he batted blindfolded at midnight in the middle of the desert.

Left-handed pitcher: Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks

Made a believer out of me when he struck out 20 Reds in the first nine innings of a 10-inning game he lost. The deepest thing to reach the outfield was a bat thrown into shallow left field by Barry Larkin on a swing-and-a-miss.

Right-hander pitcher: Nolan Ryan, Astros

I guess strikeout and no-hit pitchers impress me. Ryan was one of the few pitchers I remember major-league hitters fearing, and no one wanted to face him when the Astros were in town.