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What Would Team USA 1996 Look Like In A WBC?

Team USA 1996, WBC, Barry Bonds

March 15, 2026

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Team USA 1996: Outfield

Team USA 1996, WBC, outfield, barry bonds, kenny lofton, ken griffey jr

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds is arguably the greatest player in the history of the game of baseball. He is a modern-day Babe Ruth, and anyone who holds his scandals over his career really shouldn’t talk baseball. Bonds is the MLB’s all-time home run leader (762) and holds the record for most bombs hit in a season (73). His career 1.0512 OPS is fifth all-time, and is the only player ever to hit 500 career home runs and steal 500 career bases (also the only person with 400 and 400).

By this stage of his career, Bonds had won three of his seven career MVP awards and was a six-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. In 1995, he had an on-base percentage (OBP) of .431(first in the MLB) and an OPS of 1.009 (also the league leader). He also sported his fifth career 30/30 season. There is no way he was being left off this roster.

Kenny Lofton

The Cleveland Indians’ starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter has much-needed speed for this team. He was averaging 75 stolen bases per 162 games at this point in his career, and a career batting average of .312. He wa sa two time all-star through the 1995 season and a two-time Gold Glove winner. Other than patrolling center field, he could be the leadoff hitter this team needs to balance all that power.

Ken Griffey, Jr

Along with Thomas at first base, Ken Griffey, Jr was a face of the 90’s. No team of stars assembled at any point in the decade would be complete without him. By 1995, he was a six-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner. This was at the peak of his powers, before injuries would rob baseball fans of what could have been the greatest career ever.

From 1996 until 2000, Griffey would smash 49, 56, 56, 48, and 40 home runs. The 1996 WBC team would be getting him right at the start of this tear. The big question is, with all this power in the starting lineup, where does “The Kid” hit? Somewhere between second and eighth. No matter where he is, he could be the biggest star of all these stars. Captain America on the Avengers.

Next: Backup Outfield

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