2015 Baseball thread

[CaptainP]

I think, historically, we have always opened a new year's thread with the Hall Of Fame vote:

Congratulations to Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, and Pedro Martinez!!!

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12128 ... voted-hall

[LIPH]

I realize he's no Jason Varitek, but Mike Piazza should be on that list too.

[Wino you know]

Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Keith Hernandez, and Lee Smith all should've been enshrined by now.

[drunkpirate66]

And Gary Sheffield.

[Wino you know]

And Edgar Martinez.

[CaptainP]

And Gary Sheffield.

Troll.

[CaptainP]

Piazza; People talk about a players production at their position. Piazza was the most offensively productive catcher of all time, and for that, he should get in. But he was a bad defensive catcher. Not just average, but bad. He should've been moved to 1B or the OF very early in his career. And those numbers as a RF or 1B would have made him much less of a sure thing. Probably still did enough to get in, but not as sure of a thing. But for now the only reason he isn't in is the steroid shadow. Nothing proven, but rumor is he's about to come out and admit to using PEDs.

[drunkpirate66]

Piazza; People talk about a players production at their position. Piazza was the most offensively productive catcher of all time, and for that, he should get in. But he was a bad defensive catcher. Not just average, but bad. He should've been moved to 1B or the OF very early in his career. And those numbers as a RF or 1B would have made him much less of a sure thing. Probably still did enough to get in, but not as sure of a thing. But for now the only reason he isn't in is the steroid shadow. Nothing proven, but rumor is he's about to come out and admit to using PEDs.

The only catcher in recent memory that should be considered a lock for the HOF (and he isn't by many) is Ivan Rodriguez. End of conversation. I defend catchers more than anyone I know. I consider them to be the most important player on the field. The catcher is the only player who is involved in every play of every game (assuming the pitcher doesn't throw a complete game and has 5 days rest). Ivan Rodriguez is by far the best catcher since 1980. I would include Piazza (if clean), Posada, and yes Varitek in the conversation as well. I would include all those guys over Frank Thomas (already in for some reason I will never understand), Vlad Guerrero. Jim Thome.

I am curious to see what Chipper Jones (top 3 3rd basemen ever) and Omar Vizquel get as well. Ivan Rodriguez, Chipper, and Omar, in my opinion, should all get 98% + of the vote when their time comes.

[LIPH]

Piazza; People talk about a players production at their position. Piazza was the most offensively productive catcher of all time, and for that, he should get in. But he was a bad defensive catcher. Not just average, but bad. He should've been moved to 1B or the OF very early in his career. And those numbers as a RF or 1B would have made him much less of a sure thing. Probably still did enough to get in, but not as sure of a thing. But for now the only reason he isn't in is the steroid shadow. Nothing proven, but rumor is he's about to come out and admit to using PEDs.

If he's coming out, are you sure it's about using PEDs? When he played for the Mets, he actually had a news conference to announce that he wasn't gay. I $h!t you not.

[Wino you know]

Gay, straight, AC/DC, whatever. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.

[chippewa]

The Sporting News has picked the team they believe will win the 2015 World Series.



for real

[Wino you know]

Mrs. Joseph's son Garry thinks the folks at the Sporting News are sick.
For real.

[CaptainP]

The Sporting News has picked the team they believe will win the 2015 World Series.



for real

And they are wrong.

[CaptainP]

Piazza; People talk about a players production at their position. Piazza was the most offensively productive catcher of all time, and for that, he should get in. But he was a bad defensive catcher. Not just average, but bad. He should've been moved to 1B or the OF very early in his career. And those numbers as a RF or 1B would have made him much less of a sure thing. Probably still did enough to get in, but not as sure of a thing. But for now the only reason he isn't in is the steroid shadow. Nothing proven, but rumor is he's about to come out and admit to using PEDs.

If he's coming out, are you sure it's about using PEDs? When he played for the Mets, he actually had a news conference to announce that he wasn't gay. I $h!t you not.

I remember that. The people spreading those rumors were the same ones who spread rumors about SF QB Jeff Garcia when he was playing well. Turns out he WASN'T gay either. His wife was Playmate of the Year:

[CaptainP]

I would include all those guys over Frank Thomas (already in for some reason I will never understand), Vlad Guerrero. Jim Thome.

Frank Thomas was more than just a power hitter. He was a career .301 hitter with an OPS of .974. He hit over .300 with over 30 HRs in 7 different seasons. He won 2 MVPs, finishing in the top 4 of the voting 4 other times. His defense was not poor, just average. And he never was even accused of PED use, despite the era he played in. He deserved to make it in.

Vlad Guerrero retired at 36, instead of sticking around to run up his counting stats. Despite this, he hit 449 HRs, batted .318 for his career with an OBP of .931. He was a very good defender early in his career before injuries slowed him down. He had one of the best throwing arms I have ever seen. He also won an MVP. Also no PED accusations. I will have no problems with him going in on the first ballot.

Jim Thome, you may have a case, but I still think he deserves to go in. He also (allegedly) stayed clean in the PED era. He hit over 600 home runs, and among the "clean" players, that ranks 5th all time. His RBI total is top 20 all time among "clean" players. But you are right, he was one-dimensional. His batting average is better than you'd think, though, at .276. He's no Adam Dunn or Dave Kingman. His OPS was .956, 15th best of the "clean" players. True, he was a bad fielder, but not as bad as David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez...at least he managed to play over 1000 games in the field. So, of these three, you have the best case for Thome not being worthy, but I still think he belongs.

[LIPH]

The Sporting News has picked the team they believe will win the 2015 World Series.



for real

I'll be able to see some of their Class A level minor leaguers this year. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans changed their affiliation from the Texas Rangers to the Cubs.

[drunkpirate66]

I would include all those guys over Frank Thomas (already in for some reason I will never understand), Vlad Guerrero. Jim Thome.

Frank Thomas was more than just a power hitter. He was a career .301 hitter with an OPS of .974. He hit over .300 with over 30 HRs in 7 different seasons. He won 2 MVPs, finishing in the top 4 of the voting 4 other times. His defense was not poor, just average. And he never was even accused of PED use, despite the era he played in. He deserved to make it in.

Vlad Guerrero retired at 36, instead of sticking around to run up his counting stats. Despite this, he hit 449 HRs, batted .318 for his career with an OBP of .931. He was a very good defender early in his career before injuries slowed him down. He had one of the best throwing arms I have ever seen. He also won an MVP. Also no PED accusations. I will have no problems with him going in on the first ballot.

Jim Thome, you may have a case, but I still think he deserves to go in. He also (allegedly) stayed clean in the PED era. He hit over 600 home runs, and among the "clean" players, that ranks 5th all time. His RBI total is top 20 all time among "clean" players. But you are right, he was one-dimensional. His batting average is better than you'd think, though, at .276. He's no Adam Dunn or Dave Kingman. His OPS was .956, 15th best of the "clean" players. True, he was a bad fielder, but not as bad as David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez...at least he managed to play over 1000 games in the field. So, of these three, you have the best case for Thome not being worthy, but I still think he belongs.

Not so much about them not being worthy but more about other players being ahead of them despite not being power hitters: Ivan Rodriguez and Omar Vizquel to name two.

[CaptainP]

I would include all those guys over Frank Thomas (already in for some reason I will never understand), Vlad Guerrero. Jim Thome.

Frank Thomas was more than just a power hitter. He was a career .301 hitter with an OPS of .974. He hit over .300 with over 30 HRs in 7 different seasons. He won 2 MVPs, finishing in the top 4 of the voting 4 other times. His defense was not poor, just average. And he never was even accused of PED use, despite the era he played in. He deserved to make it in.

Vlad Guerrero retired at 36, instead of sticking around to run up his counting stats. Despite this, he hit 449 HRs, batted .318 for his career with an OBP of .931. He was a very good defender early in his career before injuries slowed him down. He had one of the best throwing arms I have ever seen. He also won an MVP. Also no PED accusations. I will have no problems with him going in on the first ballot.

Jim Thome, you may have a case, but I still think he deserves to go in. He also (allegedly) stayed clean in the PED era. He hit over 600 home runs, and among the "clean" players, that ranks 5th all time. His RBI total is top 20 all time among "clean" players. But you are right, he was one-dimensional. His batting average is better than you'd think, though, at .276. He's no Adam Dunn or Dave Kingman. His OPS was .956, 15th best of the "clean" players. True, he was a bad fielder, but not as bad as David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez...at least he managed to play over 1000 games in the field. So, of these three, you have the best case for Thome not being worthy, but I still think he belongs.

Not so much about them not being worthy but more about other players being ahead of them despite not being power hitters: Ivan Rodriguez and Omar Vizquel to name two.

I agree 100% with Ivan Rodriguez. First ballot. Best offensive AND defensive catcher of his era.

As for Vizquel, I can go either way. He's close to 3000 hits, sure, but he did spend a lot of time at the end of his career compiling...(which I know you hate). Great defender, to be sure, and stole over 400 bases. What gets me, though is his 162-game average for his career. .272/.336/.352, with 4 HR, 52 RBI, 79 Runs scored, 22 steals. Even if you cut out the last 5 nomadic years, it's only .276/.343/.361 with 6 HR, 86 Runs, 56 RBI, and 26 steals. Very Dave Concepcion-ish. Is the great defense enough to get him over the top? Maybe...but he only made 3 All-Star games, which tells me he didn't have the respect among the fans and his peer when he was playing that he will need come voting time. Worthy? I'm on the fence. Will he get in? I doubt it.

[drunkpirate66]

I would include all those guys over Frank Thomas (already in for some reason I will never understand), Vlad Guerrero. Jim Thome.

Frank Thomas was more than just a power hitter. He was a career .301 hitter with an OPS of .974. He hit over .300 with over 30 HRs in 7 different seasons. He won 2 MVPs, finishing in the top 4 of the voting 4 other times. His defense was not poor, just average. And he never was even accused of PED use, despite the era he played in. He deserved to make it in.

Vlad Guerrero retired at 36, instead of sticking around to run up his counting stats. Despite this, he hit 449 HRs, batted .318 for his career with an OBP of .931. He was a very good defender early in his career before injuries slowed him down. He had one of the best throwing arms I have ever seen. He also won an MVP. Also no PED accusations. I will have no problems with him going in on the first ballot.

Jim Thome, you may have a case, but I still think he deserves to go in. He also (allegedly) stayed clean in the PED era. He hit over 600 home runs, and among the "clean" players, that ranks 5th all time. His RBI total is top 20 all time among "clean" players. But you are right, he was one-dimensional. His batting average is better than you'd think, though, at .276. He's no Adam Dunn or Dave Kingman. His OPS was .956, 15th best of the "clean" players. True, he was a bad fielder, but not as bad as David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez...at least he managed to play over 1000 games in the field. So, of these three, you have the best case for Thome not being worthy, but I still think he belongs.

Not so much about them not being worthy but more about other players being ahead of them despite not being power hitters: Ivan Rodriguez and Omar Vizquel to name two.

I agree 100% with Ivan Rodriguez. First ballot. Best offensive AND defensive catcher of his era.

As for Vizquel, I can go either way. He's close to 3000 hits, sure, but he did spend a lot of time at the end of his career compiling...(which I know you hate). Great defender, to be sure, and stole over 400 bases. What gets me, though is his 162-game average for his career. .272/.336/.352, with 4 HR, 52 RBI, 79 Runs scored, 22 steals. Even if you cut out the last 5 nomadic years, it's only .276/.343/.361 with 6 HR, 86 Runs, 56 RBI, and 26 steals. Very Dave Concepcion-ish. Is the great defense enough to get him over the top? Maybe...but he only made 3 All-Star games, which tells me he didn't have the respect among the fans and his peer when he was playing that he will need come voting time. Worthy? I'm on the fence. Will he get in? I doubt it.

Wonder what Vlad's defensive numbers would have over 162 games at Short Stop (works both ways)? Would he have made it out of the first inning of the first game? Vlad wasn't the best defensive right fielder (if that exists) but Omar was the best short stop (perhaps all time) defensively who was also able to play lock down 3rd and 2nd base when needed. Given one vote Omar gets it. Given two I would afford both Omar and Vlad a plaque in Cooperstown.

[CaptainP]

Turns out, bitching about the Yankees payroll isn't a new thing. This article is from 1903, when they were born as the Highlanders: