Monday, November 30, 2009

Cooperstown Bound Part I

Well folks, its that time of year. Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas time is here. Its a time of giving, of getting, and of humorous names on the MLB Hall of Fame Ballot. Tell me what die-hard baseball fan didn't get a chuckle out of the mere idea of soft tossin' reliever Mike Jackson's handsome face being etched in gold and hung among the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. Once you dredge through the Ashbys, the Appiers and the Karroses (Karrosi?), you'll find a few names of the 2010 ballot that are probably bound for the Church in Upstate New York. Roberto Alomar? In. Barry Larkin? In. Edgar Martinez? One of the greatest hitters of all time, but may be left out due to his DH-ness. Fred McGriff? An interesting case to say the least. All of this got me thinking...what players in today's game should start writing out their mini-bios for their plaque? With the veil of steroids (perhaps unjustly) hanging over the game today, a lot of guys who would have been locks 20 years ago are "up in the air." But for the purposes of this blog, let's go with the "Oh Well" logic and accept the fact that 'roiding was a very real (if unfortunate) part of the game for the last 20 years or so and that the sportswriters will climb down from their ivory towers and vote these guys in. So without further adieu, I give you...The Active Hall of Famers According to Mike Krenek of The Shore Sports Network (I couldn't think of a catchy name, so sue me.) Today, I'll be touching on the guys who could fall out of bed tomorrow morning, die, and be inducted to the Hall of Fame without ever oiling up their glove again...The No Brainers.






The No-Brainers (Hall of Famers if they retired tomorrow):

Derek Jeter: The guy's got so many rings its no wonder he isn't getting married. Adding another piece of bling to his hands would make him look like a Colombian drug lord. Add his winning ways to 2,747 hits, a career .317 average (.313 postseason), seven Top 10 MVP showings, and being the face of the most famous franchise in sports and you've got yourself a first ballot Hall of Famer.


Ken Griffey Jr: Ahh what could have been. The hands down winner for the "Greatest Player Ever IF" award of this era, The Kid's career has been plauged by injury. But a glance at the sheer numbers will show you that while injuries derailed his "Greatest Ever" status, they far from tarnished his Hall of Fame chances. 630 dingers, 1829 RBIs, and 2,763 hits? Sprinkle in some of the best defensive CF ever played and that's a Hall of Fame cocktail.

Chipper Jones: The third member of the Holy Trinity of "Clean", Chipper has posted some awesome numbers down in Hotlanta. 400+ HRs, 1400+ RBIs, a career batting average of .307 and OBP of .406, a MVP award and being the face of a perpetual winner (with one World Series ring to boot) makes Larry a "Shore Fire" Hall of Famer...and that joke clearly makes me a first ballot Witty Hall of Famer.

Mariano Rivera: I don't need to write anything here. When you are unarguably the greatest ever at your position, you go to the Hall of Fame. That's just the way the world works.

Manny Ramirez: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know all about the steroids. I know all about Manny being Manny and Manny being Tranny. But I also know that he is one of the greatest pure hitters I have ever seen with immense power and an incredible eye to boot. A career .300 plus hitter with 600 plus home runs and two World Series rings? Manny's a Hall of Famer in my book and should be in yours too.

Alex Rodriguez: Ahh the centaur himself. You know him. You hate him. You love to hate him. He's the most polarizing and interesting figure in baseball since Pete Rose. And like Charlie Hustle before him, keeping him from the Hall of Fame is a joke. He might be the best hitter we've ever seen, he has played both the SS and 3B position incredibly well (arguably the greatest to play either position.) when its all said and done he might own nearly every hitting record there is to own, he's won multiple MVP awards and finally got the playoff monkey of his back this fall. Cousin Yuri aside, this man is a Hall of Famer. If he ends up organizing book signings across the street from Cooperstown on induction day, a part of me will die inside.

Pedro Martinez: New York's most famous son, Petey is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. The last few years have altered his statistics a little bit, but we must not forget the amazing ERA numbers (6 sub 2.50 years) he posted in the thick of the longball era, many of them in the vaunted AL East! His stretch from '97-'03 is one of the greatest in baseball history (118-36, 2.20 ERA, .94 WHIP, and 1,761 Ks, 3 Cy Youngs and an MVP award...New York sportswriters be damned). He won't touch 300 wins and many people may forever remember him for calling people his daddy and throwing granddaddys down, but his 3,000+ Ks and 2.93 ERA get him in on my first ballot.

Randy Johnson: The Big Unit was born to be a dominant mound intimidator. Could you imagine that mug sneering down at you and asking if you'd like fries with that? Nightmarish. But it wasn't until he got to the National League that we realized he was also born to be chiseled into Cooperstown lore. Taking into account his half season with the 'Stros and his 4 Cy Young (4!) seasons with the Snakes, he was borderline untouchable in the Senior Circuit. If Johnson doesn't pitch another big league game (which is likely), he'll be walking away with 303 wins, 4,875 Ks, 6 Cy Youngs (with 9 Top 5 finishes), and one bird demolished. He's in the "Sky is Blue, Grass is Green" category of obvious.

Albert Pujols: Call him El Hombre, call him Phat Albert, call him boring...I'll call him the best. He has come into the league like a bat out of hell, mashing 30 HRs, driving in 100 RBIs, batting over .300 and finishing in the Top 10 of MVP balloting (winning a trio) EVERY SINGLE YEAR he's been in the league. 366 HRs and 1717 hits certainly don't look like jaw-dropping numbers but when you consider the furious pace Albert is posting them at, you have to believe this guy is going to climb into the transcendent category of hitters. But if a freak injury were to derail him, I believe he's already done enough to get the call.

John Smoltz: A dominant starter, a dominant closer, and an all around bulldog, Smoltzie is a can't miss Hall of Famer. His win-loss numbers aren't eye popping, but considering he moved to the 'pen for three years, dominated there and then came BACK to being a good front line starter, the "limited" win number (215) isn't surprising. If you take his average season and add it to his win-loss total for the 3 years he was a closer, he's in the neighborhood of 250. Add all that to his big-game acumen and Mr. Smoltz should be bound for the Hall of Fame.

Ichiro Suzuki: I'm not even considering his Japanese statistics, as some journalists (oddly) do. He's been in the league for only 9 seasons and has already achieved 2,000 hits. He is one of only two active big leaguers whose career BA (.333) has him in the top 30 of all time. He's got an MVP award on his resume as well as the single season hits record. He also has been an elite level defender in RF (and CF) during his Mariners tenure. A lot of folks put him in the "a few more years" echelon. I say he's Hall-worthy right now.

Vladimir Guerrero: How he is still underrated I will never truly understand. Just take a gander at the numbers. 407 HRs, 1318 RBIs, 2,249 hits and perhaps the best arm since Clemente. The big knock on Vlad the Impaler is his free-swinging. That reputation is not unwarranted of course, but he's mustered an impressive .321 batting average over his career...that's higher than Jeter, Manny, Chipper, and A-Rod AND higher than more than a few current Hall of Famers, including the aforementioned 'Berto. Slice the cake anyway you want, Vladdy is going to Cooperstown.

Ivan Rodriguez: Another one of the many "steroid" cases on the list, I-Rod's contributions behind the plate cannot be ignored. Arguably the greatest catcher of this generation, Pudge was a very good hitter and an all-world defender. 2,711 hits, 305 HRs, and 1,264 RBIs rank him among the top offensive players at his position and his legendary mitt won him 13 Gold Gloves (the most ever by a catcher), including a stretch in which he won 10 in a row. I've always inexplicably hated him, but even I can't deny that he's worthy.

Jim Thome: Ahh Mr. Thome. A man who inspired a spirited (and obscene) debate on 105.7 The Hawk's "Pregame." My co-host Joe and I were laying out his case for the Hall, a case that was ROUNDLY criticized. But you can't argue with consistency. 564 HRs (I don't care what people say about stat inflation...500 taters is still an impressive number) and a career OBP over .400? Count me among the many who tout the well-traveled Thome as a HOFer.

Gary Sheffield: Another member of the magic numbers club (and the magic Cream/Clear club)...500 HRs is still 500 HRs and last I checked, 509 is a bigger number than 500. He's been very good, not great, in the other big categories....batting .292 with 2,689 hits. He's got far less dingers than Reggie Jackson, who would become his wholly unlikeable slugger compatriot if elected, but was a much, much better hitter all total. If his homer total was say, 15 or so less, he'd be in Part II's category, but again...numbers is numbers.



So there you go folks...15 active players who, in my opinion, should start prepping their speeches. I could have written oodles more on each...compared them to the rest of the Plaques, told you the other players who had achieved the incredible things they did and perhaps even debated what hat will be worn on each plaque (GRIFFEY AS THE FIRST M! THE UNIT AS THE FIRST [AND ONLY] DIAMONDBACK!), but c'mon...I'm already long winded and pompous enough.

Before you Trevor Hoffman fan(s) reading this start leaving me angry comments asking how I could forget him...cool your jets. I didn't forget him. In the next few days, I'll be writing Part II to this series..."The Question Marks." Part III will be "Well On Their Way." Keep an eye for those blogs in the coming days.

I suppose it bears repeating that I have no idea what will be done with the whole steroids angle, which would then put A-Rod, Manny, Sheff, and Pudge in limbo, but I made my opinions on that clear at the outset. It happened. Come off it. Cope. It stinks and it has jaded most fans of my generation, but putting a needle in your butt doesn't magically make you an elite level player. Case in point, at no point did the names Larry Bigbie, Randy Verlarde, or Marvin Bernard enter my head for this column.


Agree? Disagree? Think I don't know what I'm talking about? Comment away...that's the beauty of this stuff. Its all up for debate.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day Picks

Happy Thanksgiving one and all! This year I'm thankful for a lot of things...Don Wakamatsu, the Seahawks' two first round picks, Danny Granger, and the fact that the St. Louis Rams are in the NFC West. I'm also thankful for my 8-8 record last week, because my God do I hate 7-9. Its the football equivalent of "I don't want to ruin the friendship." Its a slap in the face. 8-8 is at least "friends with benefits." It isn't a success, but it isn't a total failure either. This week I'm going to try to sneak into the "we'll take it slow" range of 9-7. Wish me luck.


THANKSGIVING DAY PICKS:

Packers (-12) over LIONS
COWBOYS (-13.5) over Raiders
Giants (-6) over BRONCOS


SUNDAY GAMES:
TEXANS (+3.5) over Colts
BENGALS (-14) over Browns
Bears (+11) over VIKINGS
EAGLES (-9) over Redskins
Dolphins (-3) over BILLS
Cardinals (+3) over TITANS
Seahawks (-3) over RAMS
FALCONS (-12) over Buccaneers
Panthers (+3) over JETS
49ERS (-3) over Jaguars
Chiefs (+13.5) over CHARGERS
RAVENS (PK) over Steelers

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Patriots (+1.5) over SAINTS



RECORD SO FAR: 83-74-1

For the record my lovely co-host Joseph has picked Green Bay, Dallas, and New York for today's games.

UPDATE: I received a text from Joe during warm-ups that read "If Stafford is playing change my pick to the Lions getting the points"

Friday, November 20, 2009

Week 11: The Late Bloomer

After a rough and tumble beginning of the season, the K-Train is starting to roll on into the station. A 10-4 showing last week has me feeling loose and has put me only 5 games behind my esteemed cohost. Is it too little too late? Will I be able to save a season of mediocrity and look like I actually know what I'm talking about? Will my backing of the Bucaneers Express blow up in my face like a ACME Rocket? If last night was any indication, I better have my "well over .500" party this week. The Carolina Panthers not only screwed me here but also in fantasy football. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I'm going to kick John Fox in the genitals.


WEEK 11 PICKS:

GIANTS (-6.5) over Falcons
PATRIOTS (-10.5) over Jets
LIONS (-3.5) over Browns
Bills (+9) over JAGUARS
STEELERS (-10) over Chiefs
Colts (-1) over RAVENS
PACKERS (-6.5) over 49ers
VIKINGS (-10.5) over Seahawks
Redskins (+11) over COWBOYS
BUCCANEERS (+11.5) over Saints
Cardinals (-9) over RAMS
BENGALS (-9.5) over Raiders
Chargers (-1) over BRONCOS
Eagles (-3) over BEARS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Titans (-4.5) over TEXANS


RECORD SO FAR: 75-66-1

Friday, November 13, 2009

Week 10 Picks: Onward and Upward

OH BOY! Christmas come early for this Shore Sports Reporter! An 8-5 record has snapped me out of my funk and propelled me to a studly 65-62-1 record! Major networks have already been calling me non-stop to be their "expert" and I can't even walk down the street without being approached by some layabout hobo who wants gambling advice or a woman who just wants to feel my aura. A winning percentage in the .510s! Now I know how Art Shell feels!!! In honor of Art, I'm picking against the Raiders this week! Take that Al Davis!!!



Looking over my picks, I realize that the Chiefs, the Buccaneers, the Lions, and the Seahawks are all on the left side of the column. I may go from being approached by layabouts asking for advice to approaching layabouts asking for a dollar.





WEEK 10 PICKS:

Lions (+17.5) over VIKINGS
Bucaneers (+10) over DOLPHINS
TITANS (-6.5) over Bills
Saints (-13.5) over RAMS
JETS (-7) over Jaguars
Broncos (-3.5) over REDSKINS
Bengals (+7) over STEELERS
PANTHERS (+1.5) over Falcons
Chiefs (-1.5) over RAIDERS
Seahawks (+8.5) over CARDINALS
CHARGERS (-1.5) over Eagles
PACKERS (+3) over Cowboys
Patriots (+3) over COLTS


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Ravens (-10.5) over BROWNS


And for the hell of it (sticking with my underdog theme)
Cotto (+225) over Pacquiao

RECORD SO FAR: 65-62-1

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Mr. .500

I walk into this week with one of the ugliest possible records...57-57-1. That's just unappealing. I walk into every single week with a little voice in the back of my mind saying "You could go undefeated." Then another one says "You could go winless." The fruits of their battle is my .500 (with a tie) record. Shut up guys.



JAGUARS (-7) over Chiefs
Ravens (-3) over BENGALS
Texans (+7.5) over COLTS
FALCONS (-8.5) over Redskins
Packers (-9.5) over BUCCANEERS
Cardinals (+2) over BEARS
PATRIOTS (-11) over Dolphins
Panthers (+12) over SAINTS
SEAHAWKS (-10.5) over Lions
Titans (+4.5) over 49ERS
GIANTS (-5) over Chargers
Cowboys (+3) over EAGLES

Monday Night Football:
Steelers (-3) over BRONCOS



RECORD SO FAR: 57-57-1