What does Cornerstone mean anyway?

[goulik]

The term cornerstone comes from the days when a whole building was based on the laying of the first stone. Laying the cornerstone determined the lines for the rest of the building. It had to be perfect and straight. It had to be level and perfectly vertical.

 

If we are using this term when discussing baseball teams, I get confused why people discuss cornerstones... There was only one cornerstone to a building. Puckett was the cornerstone of both World Series wins. Just him. There were other major pieces in place around him but he was The Cornerstone.

 

Harmon Killebrew was the first cornerstone of the franchise and he was what laid the foundation for the Minnesota portion of the franchise. Everyone looks back yo him as THE standard.

 

When we signed Mauers extension, he was THE cornerstone and the others were major pieces. I no longer believe he is the cornerstone of THIS group. The question is who will be

[Seth Stohs]

The hope is that you have multiple "cornerstone" type of players. Mauer and Morneau were cornerstones from 2006 through (2010 for Morneau, 2013 for Mauer). Johan Santana was a cornerstone from 2004-2008. 

 

Hopefully Dozier is a cornerstone for awhile...

 

But the big hope is that Buxton and Sano will be cornerstones for a 8-12 years.

[Shane Wahl]

Buxton, Sano, and Berrios are the three cornerstones, though a 2016 resurgent Mauer (I am 50/50 on this possiblity) and certainly Perkins going forward are possible contenders.

Literally any SS who could play average defense and post a .700+ OPS would be a cornerstone, and the same goes for catcher.

 

I think this is actually a good topic, goulik.

[ashbury]

Buxton, Sano, and Berrios are the three cornerstones, though a 2016 resurgent Mauer (I am 50/50 on this possiblity) and certainly Perkins going forward are possible contenders.

Literally any SS who could play average defense and post a .700+ OPS would be a cornerstone, and the same goes for catcher.

 

I think this is actually a good topic, goulik.

Beyond the first three you named, sounds like you're describing players you wouldn't be actively seeking to replace, for a potential pennant run some spring. Building blocks. Not cornerstones.

[Craig Arko]

Considering the imprecision of most of the writing found here, or most other web sites, this is a strange word to single out to be concerned about.

[nicksaviking]

A cornerstone is only part of the buildings foundation (though it's basically ornamental) so I'm sure cornerstone and foundation at some point became synonymous. It probably wouldn't be as inaccurate or out of context to list multiple players as a "foundation".

 

I really don't think it's part of the "everyone gets a trophy" philosophy that many don't like, as rankings and lists are all the rage in "journalism" these days.

[Otto von Ballpark]

"The stone rejected by the builders shall become the cornerstone."

 

Torii? AJ? Hawkins?

[HitInAPinch]

"The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure."

 

Translated into baseball terms, I believe that's an everyday play, possibly an infielder [where every play begins in front of him],

not a starting pitcher [directly involved every 5th day],

not a relief pitcher [randomly called into a game],

not a DH [never on the field] and

not an outfielder [where the play has to come to them].

 

It's a play that produces everyday, offense or defense.  In other words, he is capable in all of the "5-tools" of baseball.

 

In other words, a guy other team members look up to; a guy you can build a team around.

[USAFChief]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmi5lfWjdo1qbjc7fo1_500.png

 

What's all this about a "corner store?"  Back in my day, EVERY neighborhood had a corner store.  And we walked there uphill, through the snow, to bring back a pint of milk if we were lucky enough to have a few nickels.  The owner was mean, and made us ...

 

What's that?

 

Well, then.  Never mind.

[goulik]

The hope is that you have multiple "cornerstone" type of players. Mauer and Morneau were cornerstones from 2006 through (2010 for Morneau, 2013 for Mauer). Johan Santana was a cornerstone from 2004-2008. 

 

Hopefully Dozier is a cornerstone for awhile...

 

But the big hope is that Buxton and Sano will be cornerstones for a 8-12 years.

I left a lot of my thoughts on this topic unsaid as I like to leave things open for discussion on TD. I believe winning teams have Everyday players that become the clubhouse leaders/cornerstone of the offense, A starter who is the leader/sage of that group, and the bullpen cornerstone AKA the closer.

 

For examples:

Puckett/Viola/Reardon

Puckett/Morris/Aguilera

Hunter/Santana/Guardado

 

In these terms, who are the cornerstones?

Candidates seem to be Mauer, Dozier, Hunter, Plouffe offensively. (These are names thrown out)

Bullpen is Perk

Starters, Hughes? Santana? Someone will have to emerge! My guess is Santana will but the suspension has hurt us here.

[Seth Stohs]

Clubhouse leaders and cornerstone players don't have to be the same players.

 

For instance, Perkins is the best reliever, and I believe he is also a good leader out there, but I would guess that Duensing is the leader of that bullpen, along with Perkins and Guardado.