Rockies Star Busted for DUI

Just last month, Todd Helton opted to push retirement back for at least another year and return to the Colorado Rockies.

Just last month, Todd Helton opted to push retirement back for at least another year and return to the Colorado Rockies. Completely unrelated, but I couldn't come up with a better way to segue into this...the star first baseman was arrested early Wednesday morning in suburban Denver (Thornton to be specific), and busted for driving under the influence of alcohol.

"Last evening I exercised poor judgment and was charged with drinking and driving after driving to a gas station near my house," Helton said (through his lawyer) upon his release Wednesday afternoon. "I am very sorry and embarrassed by my actions. I hold myself to a high standard and take my responsibility as a public figure very seriously. My entire career I have worked to set a positive example for my family and in our community and I fell far short of this standard."

Alright, all that aside...check out dude's sweet mugshot.

If you showed me that picture, not only would I not recognize Helton, but my guess would be that he was the dude selling gas at 2:39 in the morning...not a five-time All-Star getting ready to hit spring training next month.

Jays and Rockies Talking to Matt Williams

With former manager John Farrell shipping up, er, down to Boston, it appears the Toronto Blue Jays already have their sights set on a new skipper.

According to Fox Sports Arizona's Jack Magruder, the Jays are one of two teams (the Colorado Rockies are the other) that has expressed interest in the Arizona Diamondbacks' third base coach Matt Williams.  It's believed that Williams, who is currently managing in the Arizona Fall League, talked with the Rockies last week.

"You jump at the opportunity," Williams told Magruder. "(Managing) is what I want to do. There may be an opportunity one day. There are not many of them. You want to be prepared if it does happen."

The five-time All-Star put up solid numbers during his 17-year career, collecting 378 home runs and a career .268 batting average. "The Carson Crusher" won a World Series ring in 2001 while with the Diamondbacks.

Jason Giambi's Next Role...Rockies Skipper?

Once dubbed by Sports Illustrated as "The New Face of Baseball", slugger Jason Giambi is looking for a career change.

Well, sort of.

According to The Denver Post, the 18-year big league veteran has his sites set on becoming the Colorado Rockies new manager.  And, yeah, it appears as though the team is kinda hip to the idea.

Also being considered are internal candidates...bench coach Tom Runnels, Triple-A manager Stu Cole and even special assistant to team general manager Dan O'Dowd, Vinny Castilla.  Earlier this week, team officials said they'll be looking outside the organization as well, but "we haven't begun narrowing that list at this point."

So why not Giambi? 

Sure, he's never managed or coached at any level.  And, sure, he's not even officially retired, but the 2000 American League MVP can't do any worse Jim Tracy did this past season, can he?  Heck, the lifetime .280 hitter might even be able to replicate what Robin Ventura pulled off on Chicago's Southside...leading the White Sox to 85 wins.

I'm for it.

Mile High Moyer?

Stop the presses, gang...the mystery of where/when Jamie Moyer might resurface is coming to a close.

According to the Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies are "closing in" on signing the 49-year-old lefty to a Minor League deal.

And, apparently, they are expecting for him to actually compete for a spot in the rotation and help mentor the team's younger pitchers.

Riddle me this...how exactly would the guy who has given up more home runs than anyone else in the history of the game, be able to help pitchers in the homer-friendly Coors Field?

I have no clue.  But, to dude's credit, he's only given up five dingers in Denver.

Moyer last played in the bigs in 2010, going 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA in 19 starts for Philadelphia.  For his career, he has compiled 267 wins...good for ninth all-time among left-handers.

Thirteen months ago, he had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.  And in case you were wondering...the only other instance of a pitcher north of 40 coming back after Tommy John surgery was John Franco.

The closer was 42 when he returned from the procedure and went on to pitch three more seasons, putting together a 2-11 record and a 4.63 ERA in 95 inning.

Oh, here's a Jamie Moyer fun fact for you that I stumbled upon the other day.  At the plate, the pitcher has two career sacrifice flies.  One in 1987...the other in 2009.

In that time, future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio played his entire 20-year career.

2011 Milestone Preview: National League West

For a number of teams, it isn't really as much what goes on on the field...but, rather, what goes on off of it.

Such is the case with the 2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

The Giants transformed from a bunch of misfits to the team everyone was talking about.  They appeared on magazine covers, talk shows and, soon, will have their own series on Showtime (you can check out the preview below).

And with that…here’s the NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST.


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

A glance up and down the Diamondbacks roster looks like a journey through the Land of Misfit Toys.  Seriously, their pick ups this past off season included Melvin Mora, Geoff Blum, J.J. Putz and, ugh...Mike Hampton.

Pretty much the only thing Arizona has going for them is hope that newly acquired pitcher Armando Galarraga can get screwed out of a perfect game and they are front page fodder for a week.  Until then...all they've got is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of their World Series championship in 2001

COLORADO ROCKIES

Former American League MVP Jason Giambi is, again, hoping for one last gasp with the Colorado Rockies.  Provided he can break camp with the team (and it is looking good that he will), dude is going to need to double his 2010 output in order to get to 2000 hits for his career.

You see, "The Giambino" enters 2011 86 hits shy of the milestone...he finished last season with 43.

While Todd Helton isn't knocking on the door of any milestones (this season), it's pretty cool to point out that only Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig and "The Toddfather" have put up career numbers of 525 (or more) doubles, 300 home runs and a .320 batting average.  Now, I've seen all the "black ink" arguments against Helton...but dude is a Hall of Famer, right?  Right?!?

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Prior to last season, all the milestone talk in Los Angeles was about manager Joe Torre and outfielder Manny Ramirez.

This season...not so much.

The big story, of course, is new manager Don Mattingly.  The former New York Yankees star is the team's ninth manager since moving west and unlike some of his predecessors...has zero managerial experience.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Alright, I'm going to be the guy that says it...how in the world did the Padres almost win the West last season?  I mean, have you looked at their roster?  They've got no huge names (outside of Heath Bell), no one approaching any marquee milestones and the best thing to pay attention to on a daily basis...the Twitter feed of the newly acquired Pat Neshek.

Seriously...the guy is a good follow.  Check him out.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Without even mentioning Brian Wilson's beard, "Kung Fu Panda" or the rally thong...it's safe to say that the Giants have become one of the most exciting teams in all of baseball.  Not since the 2004 Boston Red Sox have a cast of characters taken over the world like San Francisco did following their World Series win last fall.

The guys are everywhere.

As far as milestones are concerned...fans haven't had too much to look forward to since Barry Bonds was chasing the home run record and Randy Johnson came on board to nail down his 300th win.  But do you think they care?  That said, outfielder Pat Burrell is 15 long flies away from 300 for his career.

So there you have it, gang…all six divisions and a preview of their upcoming milestones.

Check them out here:
American League East
American League Central
American League West
National League East
National League Central

Ubaldo Jimenez Throws Season's First No-No

To me, milestones are what make the baseball season interesting. No doubt, I like seeing my team win and certain players reach different levels of achievement...but it's the milestones that keep it fun.

Since Ubaldo Jimenez threw his no-hitter Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, you've undoubtedly heard plenty of different fun facts about the what the young righty accomplished.

Most notably...it was the first no-hitter thrown by a Rockies pitcher. Sure...two have been thrown against Colorado...but this was the first by one of their own.

And before you ask, the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays are the only teams to have not no-hit their opponent.

Of the 264 no-nos that have been thrown, Jimenez is the only hurler with a first name starting with the letter "U".

Lame.

And with his no-hitter, Jimenez because just the fourth Dominican pitcher to accomplish the feat.

Interesting.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez threw the first of two no-hitters last season (Mark Buehrle threw the other) and even though he is a product of Ohio Dominican University...he doesn't get to join Juan Marichal (1963), Ramon Martinez (1995), Jose Jimenez (1999) and Ubaldo Jimenez on the list.

But, even with all the fun we have with milestones, I'm reminded of Matthew Futterman's recent column for The Wall Street Journal.

Basically, he wonders if baseball is running out of milestones and I agree to a point. Too much milestone coverage seems to diminish the big ones...but I think milestones themselves are one of the reasons that makes baseball so much fun to follow.

Check it out HERE and decide for yourself.

2010 Milestone Preview: National League West

Every year, there is at least one unconventional story in the Majors that is a fun one to follow.

For me, it’s the saga of Matt Stairs.

You see, I first became aware of Stairs in 1989 when he played A-ball for the Rockford Expos…Montreal’s Midwest League affiliate. He was a long way from grizzled veteran that he is now, but the dude could already hit.

When Stairs hits the field for San Diego this season, it’ll be his twelfth Major League team…a record he would share with former reliever Mike Morgan and current National Ron Villone.

Also interesting to me, will be that first time that Stairs goes yard for his new team.

You see, when he hits that first home run (number 260 for his career), he’ll be doing something no one else has done…hit a home run for 11 Major League franchises.

Add to that, this nugget…the first time he goes deep as a pinch hitter, the 18-year vet will tie Cliff Johnson as the all-time leader with 20 pinch hit home runs.

Oh, and in case you were wondering what time he didn’t hit a home run with…it would be that same team that drafted him.

The Montreal Expos.

And with that…here’s the NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST.


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

If “best mustache” was a milestone, Diamondbacks reliever Clay Zavada would already have surpassed many on the all-time list.

Last year’s Robert Goulet Mustached American Award recipient (it’s a real thing…read all about it HERE), begins his second season with Arizona and first full season with the league’s fanciest lip sweater.

Across the diamond is third baseman Mark Reynolds and his penchant for striking out. He set a record in 2008 when he became the first Major Leaguer to strikeout more than 200 times (2004!) in a season.

Last year, he shattered his own mark by going down swinging 223 times and, in the process, set the record for the most strikeouts by a player in their first three seasons with 556.

Here’s to a wonderful 2010, Mark!


COLORADO ROCKIES

Colorado resigned Jason Giambi in the off season and the 2000 American League MVP will be looking to provide a spark off the Rockies bench and pad his career stats.

Giambi is 129 hits away from 2000 for his career, but, unfortunately, he hasn’t had anything near that total since his second year with the Yankees in 2003.

Out of the bullpen, veteran lefty Alan Embree is a mere 25 appearances away from tying Cy Young on the all-time games pitched list with 907. Over the span of Embree’s 17-year career, he hasn’t pitched in LESS than 25 games since 1996, when he got the call from the pen only 24 times.


LOS ANGELES DODGERS

With 2246 wins, Dodgers skipper Joe Torre ranks fifth all-time among all managers. Right ahead of him on that list is Bobby Cox with 2413 victories. The two managers also are tied all-time with 15 playoff appearances.

But, with Cox already having announced that this will be his last season in the dugout, Torre looks to be poised to have the last laugh.

Also of interest with Torre…keep your eye on the Dodgers-Yankees interleague matchup June 25-27. This will be the first time Torre has faced off against his former team in his nearly 30 years as a big league skipper.

In what he says will already be his last in Los Angeles, slugger Manny Ramirez is either (A) plyaing for a bigger contract elsewhere or (B) looking to pad his stats so he can start preparing his Hall of Fame speech.

Oh…and there’s always that pesky (C) he is just going to go out there, and fulfill all the hackneyed “Manny Being Manny” predictions.

Either way, here’s what he stands to do in 2010.

First out of the gate, Ramirez is just six hits (2494) away from getting to 2500 for his career and four home runs (546) away from 550. When he surpasses 2500 and 550, he’ll be one of just a handful of players to have done so.

There are three players ahead of Ramirez on the all-time list that he stands a chance to catch this season…Mike Schmidt (548), Reggie Jackson (563) and Rafael Palmeiro (569).

If Ramirez plays the entire season (always a big “IF”), he stands a chance of becoming only the eleventh player in Major League history to surpass 1900 RBI for his career. With 1788 now, he is a mere 115 away from tying Willie Mays (1903) on the all-time list.


SAN DIEGO PADRES

Check out the lead, gang…until Hall of Very Good contributor Matt Antonelli lands on the team, there is only one thing I’ll be watching the Padres for.


SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Willie Mays’ former club could make a splash…but we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to find out.

All-world starter Tim Lincecum is looking to become just the ninth pitcher to win three or more Cy Young Awards and if he does do it, he’ll be the youngest ever (by a few years) to take home the hardware thrice.

And from the “do they really keep track of that” department, Edgar Renteria is 15 hits and 13 stolen bases away from being just the fifth active player with 2200 hits and 300 steals.

So there you have it, gang…all six divisions and a preview of their upcoming milestones.

Check them out here:American League East
American League Central
American League West
National League East
National League Central

Bomber Back on Blake Street

When Oakland released slugger Jason Giambi last August, he was knocking on the door of becoming just the sixth Major Leaguer (Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez and Jimmie Foxx were the others) to hit 200 or more home runs with two teams.

About two weeks later…Colorado inked him to a deal.

With his 407 career bombs (198 with the A’s and 209 with the Yankees), the Rockies looked for the 2000 American League MVP to help provide some veteran leadership. And he did just that, by hitting .292 with two home runs in just 31 at bats.

Sunday afternoon, the interwebs were greeted with this from Eric Young, Jr.

EYJr: We're bringing back The Giambino! I'm pumped! Thats my guy!

A quick fact check later and its true…the 39 year-old looks to be back on Blake Street, ready to give Todd Helton a breather at first base, pinch hit when needed and serve as designated hitter during interleague play.

Combined with his Oakland numbers, he hit .201 with 13 home runs and had 51 RBI in 102 games last season.

Blake Street adds a new Bomber

It appears as though Jason Giambi has found a new home according to ESPN.

Looking for a veteran bat to help their playoff push, the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a deal with the 2000 American League MVP.

The slugger, who (earlier this season) belted his 400th career home run, was released by the Athletics earlier this month after hitting just .193 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games.

He reportedly will join Triple-A Colorado Springs to get at-bats and then report to the Rockies on September 1 to back up Todd Helton.

2000...2000?

Almost a decade after a horrific July 4 ankle injury that almost forced him out of baseball, Brewers catch Jason Kendall did something that only seven other full-time catchers have done.

You guessed it...he got his 2000th base knock last night against St. Louis.

And even though I failed to mention him in March's National League Central Milestone Preview, the veteran is now closing in on Hall of Famers Johnny Bench (2048 career hits) and Gary Carter (2092) on the career list.

"When I snapped my ankle 10 years ago, a lot of people said that I would never come back and be the same player," Kendall said. "This is very special."

Down in Atlanta, Todd Helton wasn't as fortunate...or was he?

The future Hall of Famer (yup, I said it) lined one at shortstop Yunel Escobar who, after failing to make the play, was saddled with the error instead of the hit.

"All I can do is hit it," the Rockies hit king said. "I've never seen that ball called an error before. I guess I should have hit it higher or somewhere else."

In hopes of getting the ruling overturned, the Rockies requested a meeting with the game's official scorer. Any review of the decision could take up to 24 hours.

So...I guess we'll all wait and see.

Of course, if Helton and his .429 batting average against tonight's Braves starter Jair Jurrjens have anything to say about it...chances are a legitimate Number 2000 might happen sometime in his first couple of plate appearances.

***UPDATE***

In the third inning of Tuesday night's contest versus the Braves, Helton singled off Jurrjens and left no doubt as to whether or not he had eclipsed 2000 hits.

With the single, Helton became the 255th player to reach 2000, and the fourth active player to reach that milestone with one club. Two of the others were at Turner Field in Braves uniforms...Garret Anderson (who had 2368 hits for the Angels) and Chipper Jones (who entered Tuesday with 2310 for the Braves).

The active leader for one team is Derek Jeter, who entered Tuesday with 2,577 hits for the Yankees.

Milestone Preview: National League West

Remember a couple of years back when, trying to mesh with his teammates, Barry Bonds donned a wig, dressed in drag and took part in an American Idol spoof?

Well, here we are, three years and one Taylor Hicks later and outside of the Manny Ramirez sideshow in Los Angeles, I don’t know that I heard much about baseball west of the Rocky Mountains. That being said…we will be.

Ladies and gentleman…your NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST.


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Arizona made more news this off season when FORMER Diamondback Curt Schilling called it quits then they did with their own players. Outside of Tom Gordon climbing up the all-time games list (he enters 2009 with 887, but could have easily been up over 1000 had he never toed the rubber as a starter), there isn’t much to watch out for on the milestone front.


COLORADO ROCKIES
The Colorado milestone discussion begins and ends at first base. Outside of a colossal collapse, Todd Helton is a shoe-in to be inducted to the Hall once he retires. The Knoxville native is closing in on 2000 hits (he’s currently at 1957) and, more impressive given he’s only played 10 COMPLETE seasons, he’s within 29 doubles of 500 for his career.

By comparison, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Manny Ramirez are sitting at 503 and 507 respectively. Quietly one of the league’s best since 1998, Helton always brings the fans in Denver something to watch for.


LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Last year, Ramirez came into the season needing 10 home runs to get to 500. This season, Manny comes in with 527 and looks to pass up Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson on the all-time list.

Factor in his 2392 hits and, by season’s end, you’ll be looking at just the sixth player to have more than 2500 hits, 500 doubles, 550 home runs and 1800 RBI! The others: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Robinson and Babe Ruth.

Off the field (or more specifically, in the dugout), manager Joe Torre is 44 wins away from leapfrogging Sparky Anderson (2194) and Bucky Harris (2157) and moving into fifth place on the all-time list.


SAN DIEGO PADRES
Brian Giles entering the season with 1854 hits is about the only thing worth mentioning until All-World pitcher Jack Peavy starts getting more years under his belt.

And yes, I realize that when Giles gets hit number 2000, he’ll have more base knocks than a slew of Hall of Famers (including recent inductee Joe Gordon), but he’ll also have fewer than Ray Durham and Edgar Renteria.

‘nuff said.


SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Not since Bonds was knocking on the door of every home run milestone have the Giants had a milestone (or two) to watch for. Randy Johnson brought with him to the Bay a number of things worth noting.

First and foremost, “The Big Unit” is five victories away from 300 wins. Only 24 pitchers have accomplished the feat, and after Johnson…Jamie Moyer (246), Kenny Rogers (219) and Andy Pettite (215) are the closest on the active list.

And while he hasn’t hit 200 or more strikeouts since 2005, it’s worth mentioning that Johnson is 211 Ks away from becoming the second player to strike out 5000 batters. He won’t touch Nolan Ryan’s 5714, but burying his closest active competition Pedro Martinez (3117) and John Smoltz (3011) has to be a little gratifying.

Also within reach for “Unit”…he is 15 hit batsmen away from surpassing all-time leader Walter Johnson. He probably won’t get there (he has only 10 in the last two seasons), but passing up Eddie Plank (196) is a possibility. Something tells me that, deep down, Johnson wishes that hit by pitch magnet and former teammate Craig Biggio (who, ironically, “Unit” NEVER hit in 16 plate appearances) was still out there swinging a bat.

So there you have it…all six divisions and a preview of their upcoming milestones.

Check them out here:
American League East
American League Central
American League West
National League East
National League Central

Oh Canada...no, seriously!

***Ever wonder what happens when I am behind in giving my opinion on last week’s Hall of Fame announcement? In short…David Allan steps in.***

Well I guess I should start this off with congratulations to Rickey Henderson, a first ballot Hall of Famer to be sure. My first quick question is who are the 28 guys that honestly believed that Rickey wasn’t Hall worthy?

The conversations with colleagues, friends, family or anyone else interested for that matter had to go like this.

DA: So, who was on your ballot this year besides Henderson?
I mean, did you vote for Jim Rice, Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith and Jack Morris? How about it, were you one of the few that threw a vote to Dave Parker or David Cone, maybe Big Mac or Alan Trammell?

Bonehead Writer: Actually no, to be honest, I didn’t vote for Rickey.

DA: Oh really, you submitted a blank ballot? Figured none of these guys where Hall of Fame worthy then? It’s hard to believe, but I’d love to hear the argument.

Bonehead Writer: No, I wasn’t one of those two. I picked Rice, Dawson, Jay Bell, and Mo Vaughn.

DA: Jay Bell? Really?You voted for JAY BELL?!?

Bonehead Writer: Well, I feel that nobody should be a unanimous first ballot Hall of Famer.

DA: But somewhere out there guys like you support the notion that Jay Bell, Mo Vaughn and Jesse Orosco could be Hall of Famers. They got votes for crying out loud. Somebody must have checked their boxes? You guys must be half way to the moon if you think any of this makes a lick of sense! Those guys don’t even qualify for The Hall of Very Good!

Or at least that’s how I’d imagine the conversation to go in my head. Those 26 writers that voted should be ashamed of themselves for not choosing an obvious Hall of Fame choice in Rickey.

As for the two writers that submitted blank ballots, get over yourselves.

Honestly, you’ve been given the privilege of choosing who is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and you waste it on some childish notion that there shouldn’t be a unanimous first ball Hall of Famer?

I would also like to say thank you to Jim Rice. Jim, Canada wants to buy you a drink.

Why Canada you ask?

No don’t go running for your atlas; Boston hasn’t somehow been magically transported to Manitoba. Although I am sure there are a few in New York that wish it had been.

I’d like to thank the Red Sox media machine for making Rice the darling pick over the last couple years, to the point where he edged his way over that 75% threshold.

Why you ask?

Great question, because I couldn’t understand how Rice got there. I mean it wasn’t like at some point in the last 15 years he collected a couple hundred more hits, or swatted another 120 home runs.

The argument I keep hearing is that his numbers have become more impressive because of the era he played in and the six or seven seasons of dominance that he had. His steep decline later in his career has some how become less of a problem with writers became over the past couple of rounds of voting.

So I submit to you Jim Ed Rice. A .298 batting average, 382 bombs, 2452 hits, 1451 RBI and 58 stolen bases. He was eight times an All-Star, once an MVP and one Hell of an American.

In his best major league season he batted .325 with 46 home runs and 139 RBI. He collected 213 hits, swiped 10 bases and was caught 5 times.

If all of that is Hall worthy, let’s talk about Larry Robert Kenneth Walker, born December 1, 1966 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. That’s right, Larry Walker, or as I like to call him Canada’s next Hall of Fame inductee.

Nope, Canada isn’t struggling to add anyone else to the National Hockey League Hall of Fame, so let me focus my efforts on Cooperstown.

Okay, now that you have screamed out the word “WHAT?”, in utter disgust and then proceeded to slowly mouth the words “Larry Walker?” over and over again in an extremely slow and confused manner, let me get started.

First things first, Walker only averaged 125 games for his career, because of injuries, so we can conclude that although he did play 17 years in The Show for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, some of his raw numbers are a little light.

That being said, let’s start with the two stats that Hall of Fame writers go straight to when measuring greatness, homeruns and hits.

Walker managed 383 home runs. One more than Rice’s all time total. Plus, he did it in 1300 less at bats. Larry managed to knock a big fly over the wall at a clip of 1 every 18.03 at bats. Rice on the other hand whacked long balls at a pace of 1 per every 21.53 trips to the dish.

Everyone, at this point, is going to point to the ballpark on this stat. But can we not agree that Fenway has inflated a few numbers in its day? For the record, Walker’s home vs. road splits for home runs during his entire career is 56/44 (home vs. away), while Rice is 54/46.

Now in the hits category Walker is 292 hits shy of Rice’s total at 2160, but taking into account the number of at bats missed over his career, especially those in his prime, we can safely say that Walker’s career .313 batting average would more than likely put his career total some where in the 2400-2500 hit range.

If you take his career average and multiply it by the number of additional at bats Rice had, we get an additional 412 career hits for Walker or 2572. Moreover, if you look at his 162 game avg, and multiply that by his 17 year career we are looking at 2992, or a mere eight hits shy of 3000, but I am sure he would’ve come back to get, and probably 100 or so more.

Walker does get hurt by the limited at bats in the RBI total as well, although he falls short of Rice, his 1311 has him in similar company to Paul Molitor, Roberto Clemente, Pete Rose, Mike Piazza and Duke Snider.

I would again go back to a yearly average of 107.

1700 runners driven in is exclusive company as it puts you in the top 25 for an all-time career. That’s ahead of Ernie Banks, Tony Perez, Cal Ripken Jr. It puts you in the club with Manny Ramirez, Frank Thomas, Reggie Jackson, Honus Wagner and Ken Griffey Junior.

Those names all sound like Hall of Famers to me.

His 471 career doubles outpace Rice by 98 for his career. We are talking about Jim Rice, a right-handed batter that played in a park that manufactures doubles out of long fly ball outs. So again I am not impressed by the home vs. road knock on Walker.

I know you’re thinking it.

We can talk offense all day, but it is apparent to people that watched that both were great, but that Walker was a more complete player. He stole 230 career bases, compared to Rice’s 58.

Walker took home, count them with me now 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Gold Gloves over a ten year period. Rice managed NONE.

Rice was a two-time Silver Slugger winner, an award Walker took home three times. Walker’s resume also includes three league batting titles. He hit a whopping .379 in 1999! He finished in the top ten six times. Rice also had six top ten finishes, but was never higher than third.

There are 92 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. For his career, Larry Walker ranks in the Top 100 all-time in batting average, home runs, doubles, at bat to RBI ratio, extra base hits and on base percentage. In 1997, he became a member of the 30/30 club.

I submit to you Larry Walker. One MVP, three batting titles, five All-Star games and seven Gold Gloves. His 162 games average is a batting average of .313, an on base percentage of .400, a slugging percentage of .565, 31 home runs, 107 RBI, 38 doubles, and 19 stolen bases.

I present to you Canada’s next Hall of Famer.

***Note: Based on the "Is Larry Walker a Hall of Famer" poll that was on the page...only 40% of you think he is.***

There's a new idiot in town!

Let’s all agree on one thing…Eric Byrnes is an idiot.

No, not the happy go lucky 2004 Boston Red Sox-type “idiot”…but a pure bred douchebag. Normally, he’s the type of player that I like…scrappy, plays with a TON of heart, mouths off on occasion, BUT, this post season (much like his 2003 shoving incident with Jason Varitek) he is proving that he hasn’t a clue what he is talking about.

We’ve all heard him say that the Colorado Rockies got some “lucky breaks” while they swept Byrnes and his Arizona Diamondbacks RIGHT out of the playoffs, but then he went on to say that "the nation is going to be SHOCKED how good Colorado is" when they play the Red Sox.

Really? Shocked?!?

Well, I could mention the 13-1 drubbing the other night, the eight days off (of which Byrnes said WOULDN’T affect the Rox) or I could say nothing…the last two nights have spoken for themselves.

Byrnes, on the other hand, was STILL singing the praises of the Rockies prior to Game Two. If you listen to him…Josh Beckett was the LONE factor to the BoSox victory the other night. Matter of fact, AFTER the second game, he warned of the Rockies getting momentum back should they win Game Three in Denver.

What’s with this guy?

He’s right, though. Josh Beckett WAS masterful the other night. And you know what…he should be. The Red Sox gave up plenty to acquire him (and Mike Lowell) before last season and he was brought in to do EXACTLY what he’s been doing. Win the big game.

Now, flash forward to Game Two.

Curt Schilling was scheduled to take the bump. Prior to the 2004 season, Schill was brought in to do EXACTLY what Beckett was brought in to do a couple years later. HOWEVER…the media, for some reason, was pretty much writing him off. Apparently his blood soaked star had fallen.

Memo to newswriters...Schilling was Josh Beckett BEFORE Beckett was Beckett.

He was the NLCS MVP in 1993 with the Philadelphia Phillies. Almost ten years later (in 2001), he followed it up by being named the World Series Co-MVP alongside Randy Johnson. I won’t mention the “bloody sock” (again) or his postseason winning percentage.

Curt is good…DAMN good.

That being said, is he Hall of Fame good?

My buddy E talks about the “smell test”. Does a player pass the Hall of Fame smell test? If so, you look deeper and see whether or not he is worthy. EXAMPLE: a guy like Tim Raines smelled like a Hall of Famer at one point…now he smells of Kenny Lofton. Since we’re talking lead off hitters (for some reason) a Rickey Henderson smells like fine wine aged to perfection.

That being said…Schilling smells like a rose.

216 victories, 3116 strikeouts, FOUR top five finishes in the Cy Young voting, six All-Star games…not too shabby for a kid out of Anchorage, Alaska. When it comes to his strikeout to walk ratio…only one pitcher was better and he last toed the rubber in 1884. He died, ironically enough, in Boston.

All that said…if you look closer, like Raines, Schilling doesn’t smell as good as you would initially think.

True, his postseason stats are phenomenal…but you can’t induct him on that alone. Sure, they warrant mention, but induction based SOLELY on that…um, no. If so…open the doors to Bernie Williams, Cooperstown!

216 wins, while impressive, only ranks him eighth among all active pitchers. Four of the seven ahead of him on the list (Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson) are WAY ahead and certain Hall of Famers. The other three (Mike Mussina, David Wells and Jamie Moyer) couldn’t pass the “smell test” if they carried Pedro Martinez around in a headlock.

Add to the 216 wins that Schilling’s win percentage is .597 and you’ve got, over the span of his career, a very good pitcher…not a great one.

Strikeouts. Schilling’s four years of 290-plus Ks are crazy good. Of the 13 pitchers with MORE than Schilling’s 3116, only Bert Blyleven is not in the Hall, while Clemens and Maddux will surely go in when the time comes. Consider that 1228 of his strikeouts came in the afore mentioned four 290-plus years, and that he’s only got ONE 200 K season outside of that…the 3116 seems kinda suspect.

What I’m saying is this…give me 15 years of 200 or more strikeouts and I’d be MORE impressed than Curt’s five years of 200-plus scattered over a twenty year span.

I liken to Schilling to Sandy Koufax…kinda. Both of their legend has been based on a handful of select years. Koufax, however, did his in consecutive years at the end of his career before he fell victim to an arthritic wing.

Schilling spread his out over a couple of decades.

He was a stud in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2004 (an 83-30 record and 1031 Ks)…but that was about it. You COULD make an argument that outside of the win/loss record (8-9), Schilling was on his way to a GREAT 2003 season before he got injured...which happened WAY too often.

Curt was, undoubtedly, MUCH better over the second half of his career compared to the first. Hell, he’d even agree to that and he doesn’t like ANY of the unfavorable press he gets!

Koufax, over his last four seasons, notched a 97-27 record and 1228 strikeouts. So, yeah, not EXACTLY the same, but Sandy had nearly 200 innings pitched than Curt.

Watching Curt Schilling work, he carries himself like a sure-bet Hall of Famer who is winding down a great career…but so did Jack Morris. Putting him into perspective, he starts to come across like many of the pitchers that have made it into the Hall over the last 20 years…he’s a guy with some longevity, a handful of years of greatness and some postseason success. And that's not a TERRIBLE thing...just ask Don Sutton, Phil Niekro or Gaylord Perry.

Arguably, he wasn’t always the best pitcher on his staff and only a few times would he have been considered one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. He never brought home the hardware that Cooperstown LOVES to look at (a la Robin Yount’s TWO MVP awards), but he was solid. He has a respectable ERA (3.46) a couple of World Series rings and is a great character.

First ballot guy…probably not. He’ll be competing (potentially) with the likes Clemens, Maddux and Glavine as far as starting pitchers go. Take into account that there will be a slew of position players also vying for their enshrinement and it might take Schilling a while to get through the doors.

Let me know what you think…how does Schilling smell? Does he pass the test or just get tossed aside like some bloody, old sweatsock?!?

***Note: The "is Curt Schilling a first ballot Hall of Famer?" poll garnered the following results...Yes-10%, No-90.***