The 9 Players Who Gave You The Best Lineup In The Original ‘Backyard Baseball’ Game

It’s been close to 30 years since the original version of Backyard Baseball dropped en route to spawning a franchise and developing a cult following among the people who grew up playing it. There were plenty of options to pick from when it came to putting a team together, but there were certain players you needed to scoop up if you wanted to form the ultimate roster.

What was the best lineup you could put together in the original Backyard Baseball game? This is the squad our resident expert fielded

As someone who grew up in a household that didn’t welcome a video game console until I was well into high school, I had to rely on computer games to get my fix, and as a child of the 1990s, there wasn’t a single one I spent more time playing than Backyard Baseball.

That title was released by Humongous Entertainment (the developer behind point-and-click games including Spy Fox and Pajama Sam) in 1997. It spawned a number of sequels that featured childhood versions of actual MLB players, and while I poured countless hours into those follow-ups, the O.G. holds a special place in my heart.

A remastered version of the game is set to drop in the summer of 2026, and I decided to take a trip down memory lane while reconstructing what I would consider the optimal roster.

1. Pete Wheeler: RF

We’re kicking things off with the Forrest Gump of Backyard Baseball: Pete Wheeler, the speed demon who is the only person you should have batting in the lead-off position. He can go deep every now and again, but if you can get him on first base with a bunt or a line drive, it’s only a matter of time before he steals second.

His agility also makes him a prime candidate for a spot in the outfield. Any of those three positions will do, but right field just feels right when you consider he has a lot in common with the kids who tend to be exiled there in Little League.

2. Pablo Sanchez: 2B

Pablo Sanchez is the undisputed G.O.A.T. of Backyard Baseball, and no team is complete without the “Secret Weapon.”

You might be tempted to put him fourth in the lineup, and I can’t necessarily fault anyone who has him as their cleanup guy based on his ability to go deep. However, you’re only as fast as the slowest players on the base path, and you run the risk of wasting his wheels if you go that route and stick him behind someone who impedes his progress.

As was the case with Pete, Pablo’s combination of wheels and fielding ability means he’s tailor-made for the outfield, and I prefer to plop him in center.

3. Kiesha Phillips: LF

We’re rounding out the outfield and the top of the order with Kiesha Phillips, who gets put out in left thanks to her speed and the rocket of an arm she possesses.

Her hitting ability also makes her a prime candidate for the third spot in the lineup, and she can more than hang with Pete and Pablo when it comes to running.

4. Achmed Khan: 2B

Achmed Khan is a natural fit for the cleanup spot due to his ability to hit dingers on a regular basis. He is slightly slower than the three players we’ve mentioned so far, but that also works in our favor as we transition to the part of the lineup that boasts players on the more languid side.

His fielding does make him a bit of a liability anywhere you put him, but I feel like second base is the best spot to mitigate any possible damage.

5. Stephanie Morgan: SS

Stephanie Morgan is the consummate ballplayer, and who am I to argue with the card that says she should play shortstop? I’m not actually sure if that has any impact on her stats, but I’m not trying to tempt fate.

Stephanie also hits well for contact, and while she’s not going to blow you away with her speed when she gets on base, she’s not going to actively frustrate you like…

Mikey Thomas: C

Mikey Thomas is the definition of “Go Big or Go Home,” as you should always be swinging for the fences with a kid who will probably end up running into an out at some point if he doesn’t go deep.

He’s also a solid fielder who keeps runners on their toes thanks to his ability to fire the ball from behind the plate, and you won’t be let down if you trot him out as a catcher.

Jocinda Smith: 1B

Jocinda Smith is one of the more painfully slow runners worth having on your team in Backyard Baseball, but she makes up for that shortcoming with her prowess at the plate and in the field. Her inability to move around means first base is the place to be, as you won’t really have to worry about her dropping throws that go her way.

Kenny Kawaguchi: P

Kenny Kawaguchi is just one of two Backyard Baseball players with maxed-out pitching stats. The other is Angela Delvecchio, who beats him out when it comes to batting but makes herself a bit of a non-starter for me by being at the bottom of the barrel in pitching and fielding.

You’ll always get a solid start out of Kenny, and he can also contribute to his own cause at the plate.

Dante Robinson: 3B

If I’m relying on someone to get on base before Pete steps back up to bat at the top of the lineup, they also need to have some wheels.

Whether or not Dante Robinson will be able to check that box is a bit of a coin flip given his batting stats, but when you consider he can also hold his own in the field, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

I also tried to only evaluate players on their actual attributes for this list, but I can’t ignore his glorious afro or the fact that he is capable of swallowing a hot dog in a single bite when he steps up to the plate.

Do you have different thoughts on the ideal Backyard Baseball roster? Drop yours in the comments.