Only on the 1996 WBC team would a career .338 hitter, seven-time silver slugger, and eight-time batting champion be considered a backup. Tony Gwynn should be a starter on every team he is part of, but he never had the chance to be part of a team like this. He could still find himself in the starting lineup every other game and would be an incredible pinch hitter.

Gwynn never struck out more than 40 times in a season, and struck out fewer than 20 times in a season 11 times in 20 years. He led the major leagues in hits seven times, accumulating more than 200 hits five times. His list of accolades could fill pages, so for now, he is the best hitter on this team.

Gary Sheffield

Along with Griffey, outfielder Gary Sheffield has the most copied swing in MLB history. Anyone who didn’t mimic his quick twitch at the top of his stance as a teenager in the 90’s did not play baseball. It was an absolute must. 1996 would be his first big power year (42 home runs), and he would finish his career with 509 dingers. The team doesn’t need any more power, but they will get it anyway. Sheffield is a walking round-tripper.