Political Baseball - Democrats

 Politics can be as much of a team sport as what we see on the field. The lines between CNN and ESPN can get pretty blurred with the way some people argue and debate over things. Last year, I made a bunch of cards inspired by the people with presidential aspiration, and for this election season I've decided to create team sets for each of the major parties. Most of the players assembled are from (but not exclusively) presidents, and to make things challenging, the group must be able to field a real team with each position covered. We start with the older of the two major American parties, the blue team of Democrats.

Grover Cleveland:

We begin with the pitching staff, and with the easiest player to associate with a president. Who better to represent Grover Cleveland than by the man named Grover Cleveland Alexander? The kind of Hall of Fame ace to anchor any rotation.

John F. Kennedy: 

Backing up Cleveland in the rotation is another 20 game winner in Ian Kennedy. Blue team already have a strong pitching staff.

James Polk:

Not a lot of Polks to choose from in baseball history, but James was pretty common, so let's go with another strong Starter.

Grover Cleveland (again):

Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, giving him 2 spots in the presidential order, so he gets 2 cards on the team. Here he gets another Starter, though of less star quality.

James Buchanan:

Buchanan was the last president before the Civil War, so perhaps it's best that he comes out of the bullpen instead of getting first crack on the mound.

Franklin Pierce:

Pierce would be Closer briefly in his career, so he's the best bet for the blue team to close out any lead his rotation hands him.

Jimmy Carter:

More Hall of Fame talent with presidential names as Gary Carter holds down the fort behind the plate.

Barack Obama:

"Barry" Obama gets representation as the backup Catcher. Some might prefer Jackie Robinson to represent Obama, but that theme goes against the theme of everyone else on here, so no.

Harry S. Truman:

I'm as shocked as you are that there are no Trumans in MLB, but we have a Harry S of sorts to play 1st Base.

[Former VP] Kamala Harris:

Presidents aren't the only ones allowed, but they're strongly encouraged. But since I have no 2nd Basemen available for the blue team, let's dip to failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her representative from the last election.

[CSA President] Jefferson Davis:

To play 3rd Base, we look to another non-president. Well, Jefferson Davis was a president of sorts, just not in the United States. He was serving in the Senate before the Civil War, where the Democrats mostly walked away from their roles in Washington and formed their own government as the Confederate States of America. Davis was their president.

Woodrow Wilson:

A close 2nd choice was Chris Woodward, but I decided to prioritize last names. Either way, the blue team got a solid defensive Shortstop.

Joe Biden:

Another one from the previous election post. Strictly bench only.

Bill Clinton:

Clinton will give you a bunch of doubles, but otherwise be an uninspiring outfielder.

Lyndon Johnson:

Patrolling Centerfield will be the speedy Lance Johnson to represent L. Johnson.

Martin Van Buren:

One Van man for another. Van Slyke may not have the power you want in an outfielder, but he can make up for it with speed.

Franklin D. Roosevelt:

There were some Roosevelts, but they were garbage. So instead we represent a guy who won 4 elections with a guy with a +4 for his Centerfield defense.

Andrew Jackson:

More likely to be your DH, you can't do any better offensively than Mr October to represent anything Jackson related.