A few years ago I thought that Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra were going to become this generation's Willie, Mickey and the Duke. I could hear Terry Cashman crooning:

Oh, Nomar was fantastic
And A-Rod was ecstatic
At getting two-fifty million for his own
Derek's no pariah
And heck, he dated Mariah
How well will they play -- as well as Say Hey? -- when they're full grown?
We're Talkin' Baseball ...

	Baltimore-bound Miguel Tejada joins Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra in the AL East.

Everything was fine and dandy before Miguel Tejada came and ruined everything. Now we have to put him in the mix. Omar Vizquel while we're at it. We'll never see another group like them. Then again, each generation tends to come up with its own special concentration of players at one position -- now is only the shortstops' turn. Every spot on the field has its glory era if you look hard enough.

In that regard, I selected the best five-year stretches for all eight positions since 1947. Why 1947? Because I had a hard time saying the '20s was the golden age of second basemen when Lou Whitaker and Frank White wouldn't have been allowed to step on the field.

Each era had its players in their prime, as well as youngsters breaking in and veterans on their way out. Here's how each position broke down:

Catchers, 1975-79
In Their Prime: Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk and Gary Carter are all Hall of Famers today. Ted Simmons, Thurman Munson, Darrell Porter, Bob Boone, Gene Tenace and Manny Sanguillen all starred as well.

Breaking In: Lance Parrish, Jim Sundberg, Terry Kennedy, Butch Wynegar.

Fading Away: Bill Freehan, Tim McCarver, Jerry Grote.

First basemen, 1993-97
In Their Prime: Mark McGwire finally got healthy during these years and, well, you know the rest. Jeff Bagwell, Frank Thomas and Mo Vaughn won MVPs. Other stars included Will Clark, Cecil Fielder, Andres Galarraga, Mark Grace, Tino Martinez, Fred McGriff, John Olerud and Rafael Palmeiro.

Breaking In: Jason Giambi, Todd Helton, Jim Thome, Carlos Delgado, Tony Clark.

Fading Away: Eddie Murray, Don Mattingly, Kent Hrbek, Wally Joyner.

Second basemen, 1979-83
In Their Prime: Willie Randolph, Frank White, Davey Lopes and Bobby Grich stood out on consistent winners. Phil Garner, Manny Trillo and Lou Whitaker enjoyed some of their peak years here, too.

Breaking In: Ryne Sandberg, Steve Sax, Tommy Herr, Bill Doran.

Fading Away: Joe Morgan and Dave Cash. Though he didn't fade away as a hitter and baserunner for 15 years, Paul Molitor moved to center field in 1981.

Shortstops, 1998-2002
In Their Prime: Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Miguel Tejada and Omar Vizquel form the core. Edgar Renteria ain't bad, either.

Breaking In: Jimmy Rollins, Cristian Guzman, Rafael Furcal and perhaps David Eckstein still have their best days ahead of them.

Fading Away: Cal Ripken Jr., Barry Larkin, Shawon Dunston.

	Mike Schmidt finished his career with 548 home runs.

Third basemen, 1979-83
In Their Prime: Mike Schmidt and George Brett each won MVPs in 1980 and were among the best ever at their positions. Graig Nettles, Buddy Bell, Ron Cey, Doug DeCinces, Carney Lansford, Bill Madlock, Bob Horner and Darrell Evans make the current crop of third basemen -- after Scott Rolen, Eric Chavez and to a lesser extent Troy Glaus -- seem awfully lacking.

Breaking In: Wade Boggs, Tim Wallach, Gary Gaetti, Howard Johnson and Pedro Guerrero.

Fading Away: Sal Bando is the only one who really belongs here. But Johnny Bench ended his career during this stretch as a third baseman, as did a future Boston Celtic named Danny Ainge.

Left fielders, 1966-70
In Their Prime: Four Hall of Famers highlighted this era: Carl Yastrzemski, Willie Stargell, Billy Williams and Lou Brock. Frank Howard and Willie Horton mashed in a tough hitting climate. Cleon Jones hit .340 for the 1969 Mets, while the next year two left fielders, Alex Johnson and Rico Carty, were batting champions.

Breaking In: Dusty Baker, Don Baylor, Hal McRae and Lou Piniella debuted as left fielders and later became managers. Jose Cruz spent his career vastly underrated in Houston. George Foster, Greg Luzinski, Joe Rudi and Roy White had their moments, too.

Fading Away: Bob Allison and Tom Tresh.

Center fielders, 1956-60
In Their Prime: There was plenty here beyond New York's Mays, Mantle and Snider. Gus Bell, Jimmy Piersall, Bill Bruton and Al Kaline all stood out as center fielders during this period.

Breaking In: Vada Pinson and Curt Flood both came up with Cincinnati; Flood was later traded to St. Louis. Willie Davis and Matty Alou also broke in and enjoyed standout seasons in the '60s.

Fading Away: Larry Doby and Richie Ashburn, both Hall of Famers, as well as Andy Pafko.

Right fielders, 1967-71
In Their Prime: You want Hall of Famers? You'll find them here. Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson. Roberto Clemente and Al Kaline. Reggie Jackson. You also have Pete Rose's best years. And don't forget Tony Oliva, Tony Conigliaro, Bobby Bonds and Rusty Staub. Yikes.

Breaking In: Bobby Murcer's first full major league trial -- he had debuted as a shortstop -- came as a right fielder before moving to center in 1969. Ken Singleton broke in here, too.

Fading Away: Rocky Colavito, Roger Maris, Felipe Alou.

Alan Schwarz is the senior writer of Baseball America magazine and a regular contributor to ESPN.com.