All-MLB Hall of Fame team: Which legends make the cut?

Baseball's next Hall of Fame class will be enshrined for posterity on Sunday in Cooperstown, New York.

The five-man class of 2025 will feature legends of the game including first baseman Dick Allen, outfielders Dave Parker and Ichiro Suzuki, as well as left-handers Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia. Together, they will join the 351 other baseball immortals already inducted. 

But can we make an all-time team out of that prestigious cohort? We'll try our best here.

Catcher: Johnny Bench

A celebrated member of the Cincinnati "Big Red Machine" teams of the 1970s, Bench is widely regarded as the best catcher in MLB history, with more career bWAR (75.2) than any other. 

First baseman: Lou Gehrig 

Never mind the Yankee legend's 113.7 career bWAR, seven World Series titles as part of "Murderer's Row" and and his prodigious blend of power and contact hitting, Gehrig's battle with ALS, his famous farewell speech and enduring legacy beyond baseball transcends the Hall of Fame and into everyday society. That carries immense weight.

Second baseman: Jackie Robinson

The breaking of the color barrier. No. 42 retired ubiquitously. His 63.9 bWAR over 11 MLB seasons. This spot has to go to Jackie Robinson, who like Gehrig, has had a lasting imprint on society and culture. However, there are plenty of deserving (and arguably more prolific) second basemen from a pure baseball standpoint. 

Shortstop: Honus Wagner

With 131 career bWAR, eight batting titles and a member of the exclusive 3,000 hit club, Wagner takes the cake as the shortstop representative on this all-time squad.

Third baseman: Mike Schmidt

Widely regarded greatest third baseman of all time, Schmidt's 106.9 career bWAR isn't just the highest tally at his position: It's one of the highest for a Hall of Famer ever. 

Outfield: Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams

There are too many names to choose from here, but we have to go with three of the most monumental names baseball has ever witnessed. Ruth and Williams are (quite possibly) the two greatest hitters who ever lived, while Willie Mays could be the best all-around talent the game has ever had. 

But you could just as easily make a case for fellow outfielders Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr., Carl Yastrzemski, Frank Robinson and so many more. 

Pitcher: Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez, Sandy Koufax

Like outfield, there are simply too many elite pitchers in the Hall of Fame to choose just one, so we've assembled a five-man rotation here. However, you could easily substitute other Hall of Famers in like Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Greg Maddux, Cy Young and the list goes on and on. 

Closer: Mariano Rivera

With all due respect, "Mo" was the slam-dunk choice here. His devastating cut fastball led to 652 career saves with the New York Yankees, most ever by a relief pitcher. You could often call on Rivera in a big spot and he would deliver. And there may never be another Mariano again.