The Galaxy's Best Baseball Team: Fielding a Lineup of 'Star Wars' Characters

Written by Zeke Perez Jr. 

​Colorado Rockies’ Star Wars Night sparked my imagination. As I glanced up at the massive mountainous jumbotron, emblazoned throughout the night with Rockies and Oakland A’s players photoshopped into Star Wars attire, I became curious about what a team full of Star Wars characters might look like. Just as I did when creating football teams full of superheroes and villains, I will assign a character to the position I think best matches their skills. Unlike the heroes’ team vs. villains’ team situation, this won’t be the Rebellion vs. the Empire. This is one baseball team made up of characters from both sides, and they’ll just have to learn to get along.
 
So, without further ado, here is my lineup for a Star Wars baseball team!

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Manager: Yoda
This is a pretty easy call, in my opinion. At the Rockies’ Star Wars Night game, they had manager Bud Black’s face photoshopped onto Yoda when announcing the starting lineups. That’s because Yoda would make the quintessential manager. He’s as wise as they come, is even-keeled, and has a knack for doling out tough love. He’d be sure to get the most performance out of his roster; even his talented yet stubborn stars.  
 
Starting Pitcher: Mace Windu
When I tossed around the idea for this article and this team in conversation, multiple people I talked to (separately, mind you) thought that Mace Windu would be an excellent pitcher, just based on their gut feeling. Unprovoked and unguided, the same answer came up. I tend to agree with it. Maybe it’s his unique set of abilities and approaches or his overall presence, but he just seems to be a natural fit. Also, I’d like to think that he’d wear a really cool purple glove.
 
Relief Pitcher: Palpatine
This aging veteran still has what it takes to be a menacing presence late in the game. I imagine that his slider would be electric, a pitch that would baffle any opponent. He definitely has the smarts to work out of potential jams. All around what you need in a reliever.
 
Closing Pitcher: Darth Vader
Alright, imagine you’re headed up to bat. It’s the bottom of the ninth, all your team’s hopes rest upon your shoulders. You’re in the on-deck circle, taking a couple of practice hacks and trying to control your nerves. Just when you think you’ve gotten calmed down, you see the opposing team’s closer coming in, seemingly gliding towards you from the bullpen. And that closer is the towering, powerful, black-clad, mask-breathing, evil Darth Vader in all his intimidating glory. Good luck being composed enough to swing at his pitches. And even if you did manage to get a bat on one, he’d probably Force choke you for doing so. (All that being said, I do have some concerns about previous hand/arm injuries…)
 
Catcher: Lando
I think Lando has all the composure and coolness necessary to be a prolific catcher. He’s a smooth talker, which could both be useful in calming down and communicating with his pitcher or for chirping at and getting in the head of whoever is at bat. In the way of Berra, Piazza, Bench, and Campanella, Lando Calrissian makes for an outstanding catcher’s name too.
 
First Baseman: Chewbacca
Chewie has the height, the durability, and the capacity to stretch out for the ball with his foot on the bag, all of which make him a potent first baseman. Always there when you need him, he would absolutely be willing to play other infield or outfield positions when necessary. He has the sheer strength to bring power to the offense too. Probably a regular MVP candidate with a closet full of awards. A true team player, any franchise would be lucky to have him as a cornerstone of their squad.
 
Second Baseman: Luke Skywalker
Not sure if I’m going with young Luke in his prime here or old, mountain-dwelling retired Luke. Either one has pros. If it’s young Luke, I believe he’s got the athleticism and the sheer determination to carve out a role as a quality second baseman. If it’s old man Luke, he’ll have the added bonus of a good, albeit resistant, chemistry with the shortstop (Rey). Based on his lightsaber skills, he’d be a quick bat on the offensive side of the ball, so nice bonus there. 

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Third Baseman: Boba Fett
The accuracy and power of a bounty hunter will come in handy in launching balls from the hot corner over to second for double play opportunities or all the way over to first. Fett could use his jetpack to get vertical and minimize the number of line drives blasted over his head.
 
Shortstop: Rey
Agile and quick, Rey is sure to be seen making acrobatic plays all over the middle infield. Through her staff combat, we see that she has great lateral quickness for defense and a good bat for offense. Top that off with her high IQ and she’ll have no problem reading the play, covering second and third, and defending the field outright. Definite Gold Glove Award candidate.
 
Left Fielder: Poe Dameron
Piloting the outfield, Poe would make for a fearless competitor. He would never give up on a play and would gladly risk himself for the ball at the warning track to try and make any catch. He would become a fan favorite thanks to his charisma and high-motor.
 
Center Fielder: Han Solo
I had originally considered making Han a closing pitcher, but I had some concerns about his temperament there. I think center field is a better spot for him anyway. Speed is necessary in center to cover a lot of ground quickly. Whether completing the Kessel Run or covering Coors Field’s expansive outfield, I bet he could do either in less than 12 parsecs.
 
Right Fielder: Leia
Capping off the outfield, Leia would bring exceptional chemistry with both Poe and Han. She showed flashes of speed on Endor and demonstrated a killer’s instinct with Jabba. She’s a natural team leader and a solid piece of the puzzle that brings the team together.
 
First and Third Base Coaches: R2-D2 and BB-8
I’d like some intelligence along the base paths, so I went to the droids. There could potentially be some communication issues between the players and these coaches, but I think they’d get the job done. Also, I had considered C-3PO as a base coach, but I very purposefully decided against it, as I worried that Threepio would totally be too panicky and would cop out of ever waving the runner around third to home.
 
Umpire: Jar-Jar Binks
Both umps and Jar-Jar are maligned and undervalued in the challenging role they take on. The things they do are often hated, particularly when they go against the wants of fans, and they are jeered and spat upon because of it. But deep down, it’s important to remember that there’s an actual human person behind it all. So, come on. Be a little kinder to Jar-Jar. 

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