Hall of Fame Broadcaster Hangs it Up

Legendary broadcaster (and former big leaguer) Joe Garagiola took center stage Wednesday and announced that he's retiring from broadcasting.

"I really appreciate everything that has happened to me," Garagiola said at news conference at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training facility in Scottsdale. "I don't deserve a lot things that happened to me, but I remember Jack Benny said he had arthritis, and he didn't deserve that either."

The 87-year-old made his Major league debut in 1946 with the St. Louis Cardinals.  During his nine seasons in the bigs...the former catcher his .257 with 42 home runs and 255 RBI.  He batted .316 for the Cardinals World Series championship run in 1946.

But is was shortly after his baseball career, that Garagiola's second career, broadcasting, took off.

The season following his retirement, Garagiola began calling Cardinals games.  And in 1961, he begam his nearly three-decade association with NBC.  An association that would include the network's game of the week telecasts, serving as a panelist for the "The Today Show" and, even as a fill-in for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show".

Garagiola would also have a pretty decent career as a game show host.  Some of the shows he went on to host..."He Said, She Said", "Sale of the Century", "To Tell the Truth" and "Strike It Rich".

In 1991, the longtime broadcaster was honored with the Ford Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame.  In 2008, he was inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame.  Yup.  That's a thing.  Sure, not as prestigious...but still pretty cool.

Oh, and he's got a beautiful "head of skin".

Dave Winfield Doesn't Understand Satire

Apparently Dave Winfield is trickable.

The Hall of Famer proved Friday night that, well, you can't always believe what's on the internet.

Now, I'm not really sure how to respond other than to say, yes, yes, Dave Winfield...you CAN make that up.  You know how I know?  Because the story the ESPN baseball analyst linked to was from The Onion.

And no, I don't believe for a second that Winfield was trying to pulled anyone's leg.  I'm as certain that he thought this was a real news story as I am that he vacations with Magic Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson. 

And, yes, I only posted that link above so you all can see Magic's sick yacht.  Damn.

Tim Raines is Hall-bound!

Tim Raines is heading to the Hall of Fame, gang...and it's about time!

The former Montreal Expos legend is one of five inductees into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Wait...what?!?

"The emotions of not getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame is something I've been dealing with for five years," Raines said during a conference call Wednesday. "But getting into the Canadian Hall of Fame, it's the highest honor I've gotten in my career since I've played professional baseball. This is a great moment for me (and) my family, and I was ecstatic hearing about it."

The former outfielder played in Montreal for 13 seasons.  As an Expo, he was named to seven All-Star games and ranks among the franchise's leaders in just about every offensive statistic. For his career, he hit .294 and swiped 808 bases.

Joining "Rock" in the Canadian Hall of Fame...former Toronto Blue Jays outfielders George Bell and Rob Ducey, the late legendary Blue Jays broadcaster Tom Cheek, and Nat Bailey, who was heavily involved in professional and amateur baseball in the Vancouver area.

Giants to Host Metallica Night in May

I thought long and hard about how to work Metallica songs into this, but decided to just open with the obvious.

The San Francisco Giants have, without a doubt, one of the best marketing departments in all of the Majors.  Seriously.  If recent years have taught us anything it's this...they rock.

And on Friday, May 3...AT&T Park will as well.

When Giants take on the Los Angeles Dodgers that night, they'll be doing it with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Metallica taking center stage. Yup, you guessed it, the World Champs will be hosting Metallica Night.

What say you, Gods of metal?

"We're psyched to be teaming up with the World Series champs for the first ever Metallica Night at AT&T Park," the band said via a statement.  "We'll be on hand that night to kick off the game with the national anthem and first pitch, joining the orange and black fanatics with Metallica vibes and shenanigans throughout the evening to cheer on the team."

Pretty sweet.

Perhaps sweeter...as fans enter the stadium, they'll be given a sweet "special edition" Metallica Giants hat. Also, throughout the game, there will be Metallica-themed entertainment.

And sing the National Anthem? 

If the video below is any indication, the legendary metal band's frontman James Hetfield is adept at getting the crowd fired up.

Ride the lightning.

 

The Goose Lets Loose! Again

It's getting to the point where people talking about players not being in the Hall of Fame because of performance enhancing drugs is getting as annoying as speculating who did or didn't juice.

One guy who continues to repeat himself is Goose Gossage.

The 2008 inductee was, again, just as he was on the eve of the Class of 2013 Hall of Fame announcement, out there banging the drum Thursday.

"We’ve got a bunch of cheaters that are up for the Hall of Fame," Gossage told the crowd gathered for, of all places, the University of Calgary Dinos’ baseball and fastball fundraising dinner.  "I wish these guys who are lying would come clean. Roger Clemens was found innocent but so was O.J. and he killed two people. Stop lying and quit dragging baseball through the mud."

Really...O.J. Simpson?  Wow.

If Gossage really wants to make news, he should step forward and talk about some of his former teammates that have been outed as users (or possible users).  Because, while the closer's career didn't extend that far into the fabled "steroid era"...he did share a clubhouse with the likes of Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez. 

And my guess is that he might've seen or heard something at least once.

Curt Schilling's Latest Money-Maker

A few months ago, I was asked to take part in the Out of the Park Laundry League.  The game is incredibly fun and my team made the postseason.  Hooray!

But, it seems, the game also has its claws in those who played baseball for real as well.  And, no, I'm not just talking about the former big leaguers that took part in the inaugural Seamheads Laundry League.

I'm talking about Curt Schilling.

Turns out the one-time hurler-turned-failed businessman can be found posting almost daily updates on his fictitious "Chicago Iron Pigs" over at the Out of the Park Forums. And, yes, that really is him posting as Gehrig38.

Hall contributor E takes a look at another example of where Schilling's on field world and online obsessions collide.

--------------------------------------

I think every Hall of Very Good visitor is familiar with Curt Schilling, as his career and stats perfectly meet the criteria for enshrinement as a "Very Good" player. And, based upon his 38% showing in the voting for that other “Hall" a few weeks ago, the HOVG may be the only Hall that will have him.

While you're all well aware of Schilling’s on-the-field career, some of you might not be as familiar with his off-the-field one. And, based upon recent events, the two appear to be coming together in a most unpleasant way. Let’s travel back in time a couple of years and catch up on how Schilling decided to spend his retirement.

One of the things that Schilling was known for throughout his career was his love of MMORGing. (I don’t actually believe anyone knew that, but sometimes hyperbole or outright lies make for the best segues.) And, much as anyone else would do when he has a lot of money and suddenly nothing to do, he decided the best way to spend his retirement and career savings was to develop and release an MMORG that had nothing to do with baseball, and founded 38 Studios (get it? after his uniform number?) to do so.

Because developing a video game is a massive monetary undertaking, 38 Studios took out a $75 million loan from the State of Rhode Island, with the promise of bringing new jobs to the state. This enabled 38 Studios to produce and release its debut/final game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning last year.

And, this being a non-sports endeavor by a former player, it turned out to be a smashing success, right? Of course it wasn’t.

The game was a critical and financial flop, selling an estimated 400,000-plus copies in the United States. By comparison, COD: Black Ops 2 has sold nearly 10 million copies in the U.S. That’s not a flop. This contributed to 38 Studios defaulting on its loan and led the company to file for bankruptcy, hanging a $75 million IOU around Curt Schilling’s neck.

Late last year, Rhode Island filed suit against Schilling and 38 Studios, seeking to collect on that IOU.  And this is where the Curt’s two worlds collide.

The defining moment of Schilling’s baseball career was leading the Boston Red Sox to victory in the 2004 World Series.  You'll recall, the pitcher played with a bum ankle that wept blood into his socks. The "bloody sock" was talked about more than the broken "Curse of the Bambino". 

The sock was such a memorable representation of the Series that it was promptly enshrined in the Hall of Fame. At least it was until Curt needed money.

He has removed the sock from the HOF and is putting his sock from Game Two of the World Series up for sale in order to pay down some of the incredible debt that his disastrous foray into computer gaming has incurred.

And it’s not just a sale to a private buyer; it’s a public auction that anyone who wants to own a filthy tube sock can bid on (you can check out Heritage Auctions’ listing HERE). Heritage's press releases claim they expect to fetch at least $100,000 for the sock, and, considering they sold the infamous Bill Buckner ball for over $400,000, this particular piece of Red Sox memorabilia may achieve a decent price.

Not that it will matter. Even if some sock fetishist pays $1 million for this particular piece of biohazard, that’s still $74 million Schilling will have to come up with. That’s a lot of socks.

At least Schilling won't have to be bummed out anymore that his blood, sweat and athlete’s foot spent more time in the Hall of Fame than he ever will.

Sammy Sosa Takes the Interwebs by Storm

Sammy Sosa today is not the same guy he was a few years ago.

He's a sharp dresser, the head of a needle-free injection company and, remarkably, he has remembered the English language.

The former slugger took to the interwebs for ten minutes Wednesday afternoon to answer some questions from his fans.  And while he didn’t respond to any questions about steroids (he did comment on Lance Armstrong)…he does believe that both he and Mark McGwire belong in the Hall of Fame.

"I'm not going to come here and say anything that's going to jeopardize my future. But definitely, time will determine everything,” the 1998 National League MVP said. “I’m waiting for my time. I'm the type of person that I don't like the controversy. I'm going to wait here, but definitely time will determine everything.”

Of course.

Other topics Sosa touched upon…his legacy with the Chicago Cubs, his future as a coach and, of course, whether or not he’d be interested in running for president of the Dominican Republic.

"Listen, you never know. If that moment comes in, I will be ready,” Sosa said of his political future. “I don't say that it's going to happen tomorrow or the next day, but I'm going to continue to take care of my family and taking care of the rest of the people, I feel comfortable already and I feel like I'm a president doing that."

You can catch the entire chat below.  Enjoy.

Pete Rose: "Sh*t King"

Confession time.

I really, really enjoy "Pete Rose: Hits and Mrs." over on TLC.  I know.  But I can't help it.

This past week's episode, had "The Hit King" and his family (fiance Kiana Kim and her two kids, Cassie and Ashton) traveling to Cooperstown for last year's Hall of Fame Induction weekend.

The family visited the museum, Rose did not.  Sure, the thing was clearly staged.  What reality show isn't?

But, the pain that Rose shows when talking about his banishment from baseball is, I believe, real.  The love the man still has for baseball is evident and, I'll say it, if this show is a stepping stone to get him back into the game and, ultimately, the Hall of Fame...I'm all for it.

Oh, and in case you're wondering...the "Sh*t King" reference isn't an insult.  Dude referred to himself as such.

Watch.

 

Donald Trump Supports Pete Rose

I don't want to be the guy who tells Donald Trump how to conduct his business...but sometimes (correction: all the time?) dude has the market cornered on random.

Case in point.  Thursday morning, while the rest of the country is talking about Manti Te'o and/or Lance Armstrong...he drops this revelation.

Now, I'm not going to lie...I'm a fan of both men, but c'mon, Trumpster...unless you're out there trying to help promote Pete Rose's new show (you can watch the first episode HERE), the tweet kinda came from out of nowhere.

Oh well.  It's not long until pitchers and catchers report.

Sammy Sosa is Fronting a Needleless Injection Company?

It's not news to anyone, but, last week, Sammy Sosa did not make it into the Hall of Fame.  And, for some reason, the 1998 National League MVP felt it his place to comment.

"Even if we weren’t inducted on our first time," Sosa said via a statement, "we are still winners and there is always a next time."

Now, unless Sosa has a mouse in his pocket...I'm not sure who the "we" is. 

Except, there's this.

The former big leaguer, who hit 609 home runs during his career, is the new face of Injex 21...a company that, well, here's what the Chicago Tribune says about Injex 21.

That company specializes in needleless drug injections, according to the news release and according to its website, injex.com the front of which welcomes visitors with the headline, "A future free from needles." The site then lists insulin as one example of a medicine that can be delivered with the Injex 21 system and shows pictures of people using its products.

A company biography on the Injex 21 site says Sosa was introduced to the firm in "mid 2012," and that the former Cubs icon saw it as a chance to "help millions of people. From people who are afraid of needles to those who have to subject themselves to daily self-injections and to medical workers who are at risk for puncture wounds."

Hold on.  What would Sosa know about daily self-injections? 

I mean, this is the same guy who, while battling Mark McGwire to best Roger Maris' single season home run record back in 1998 famously claimed his increased strength came from ingesting Flintstones vitamins, not from, oh, nevermind.

Seems like a logical choice.

Big Hurt: "My Resume Speaks for Itself"

When you think about it, no one getting inducted into the Hall of Fame this week means only one thing...a jam packed group of players on next year's ballot.

One of those players is Frank Thomas.

The boys over at MLB.com's Hot Stove caught up with "The Big Hurt" Thursday to get his reaction to Wednesday's vote and to find out what he thought about his chances for next year.

"I think my resume speaks for itself," the slugger said.  "I'm so proud of my career.  I sleep very well every night knowing I didn't do anything wrong."

But that's not to say he also didn't get a couple of jabs in on those who, some say, did not.  And about his .301 career batting average and 521 home runs?  Thomas says his numbers are "legit" and clean".

You can check out the full interview below.

Barry Bonds is Doing Alright

As a surprise to, well, virtually no one, home run king Barry Bonds failed to make it into baseball's Hall of Fame Wednesday.

With just 36.2% of the vote, the beleaguered former big leaguer has yet to come out and comment on his lack on inclusion (why would he?)...but there's a good reason for it.

Dude is on vacation.  In Hawaii.

A day after pictures of the seven-time National League MVP and a lady friend popped up over at the Thirty Mile Zone, this handsome devil below made its way to Twitter.  And something tells me that might be the only comment we'll ever get from Barry Lamar Bonds.

***Thanks Big League Stew!***

Fergie Jenkins: "Rumors" of PED User in Hall Already

The Hall of Fame and the use of performance enhancing drugs ruled the day once the Class(less) of 2013 was announced on Wednesday.

As a surprise to few, no one was elected, but as a surprise to many...current Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins suggested that Cooperstown might already have a user in its midst.

"I've heard rumors about four years ago that someone who has been in the Hall of Fame now for a couple years was in that particular situation," the 1991 inductee said during an interview on MLB Network. "There haven’t been any names put to the rumors. I’m not going to be the one who spreads it around but it’s rumors that you hear."

Bob Costas asked Jenkins to clarify his statement.

"There have been some rumors," Jenkins said. “No names involved, just some rumors. He played in the ’80s and ’90s and now is in the Hall of Fame, but that’s just a rumor.”

So, who does that single out?  Your guess is as good as mine...but there aren't too many guys that fit the description.

Jenkins was also asked if he would attend the induction ceremony if someone who knowingly took PEDs was elected.

His answer...it was pretty much the same as it was when he and I spoke about it nearly four years ago.

“I’d have to think long and hard about it,” he said. “There have been a few players who have voiced their opinions, and it’s been publicized. I think they’d be embarrassed to show because they played the game honest and now they have someone in the game who possibly cheated.”

Looking Ahead to the Class of 2014

Since it appears that the BBWAA is sticking to its guns and not voting in players who have been linked to steroids, the Hall of Fame Class of 2014 looks to be one of most heralded classes ever.

And, yeah, that's with or without all those worthy holdovers from this year's ballot.

Either way, the Hall of Fame Class of 2014 looks to be one of most heralded classes ever.  Ever.  Not since 2001, has Cooperstown welcomed three or more first-timers through its doors. 2014 could (and should if you ask me) add four.

Here are the players that will be appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2014.

IN.

Greg Maddux.
What can be said about Maddux that everyone doesn’t already know? 355 wins compared to 227 losses, a career 3.16 ERA and 3371 strikeouts. Add to that four straight Cy Young Awards, 18 straight Gold Gloves, eight All-Star Games, having his number retired by two teams…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
 

Frank Thomas.

"The Big Hurt” hung up his spikes with a career batting average of .301, 521 home runs, 1704 RBI and close to 2500 base hits. Did you know…the two-time MVP is the only player in baseball history to have seven consecutive seasons of a .300 average, 100 runs, 100 RBI, 20 home runs and at least 100 walks?

Tom Glavine.
Only in a year where Greg Maddux is up for induction would Glavine be the second-best pitcher on the ballot. With a 305-203 record...dude is easily one of the best lefties over the last 25 years. Five years with 20-plus wins and two Cy Young Awards (four other seasons in the top five voting) stack up nicely alongside his ten All-Star appearances and one World Series ring.

Jeff Kent.
The "Survivor" contestant and his lip curtain have a long road ahead of them. Is his legendary prickliness toward the media enough to keep him on the bubble…or do his numbers as one of the best second basemen ever win out? The 2000 National League MVP amassed 2461 hits, 377 home runs and a .290 batting average.


OUT (in random order).

Kenny Rogers.
Since it has been close to 20 years since “The Gambler” tossed his perfect game (July 28, 1994), it is only appropriate he gets brought up as a 2014 Hall candidate. Unfortunately, he’s going to be watching from home like the rest of us. The guy was a wizard on the bump…five Gold Gloves, 219 wins and close to 2000 strikeouts, but what is most impressive is that he is the all-time leader in pickoffs with 93.

Moises Alou.
Alou had a much better career than a lot of people realize, but just because he is underrated...he doesn’t deserve a plaque in Cooperstown. Over his 17-year career, Alou boasted a .303 career batting average, just under 2200 career hits and 332 home runs. Considering he finally got his crack at the bigs at age 25…it’s hard to imagine what kind of numbers he would have had if he broke in five years prior.

Armando Benitez, Sean Casey, Jose Cruz Jr., Ray Durham, Damion Easley, Keith Foulke, Eric Gagne, Scott Hatteberg, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Paul Lo Duca, Matt Morris, Trot Nixon, Jay Payton, Richie Sexson, J.T. Snow, Shannon Stewart, Mike Timlin, Steve Trachsel and Jose Vidro.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Mike Mussina.
To me, Mussina is an interesting case. On paper, you see a HUGE winning percentage (.638), a brilliant 270 and 153 record and 2813 Ks. His career ERA is 3.68 and one could argue that had he not toiled for more than half of his career in Baltimore…he would be as much of a Hall candidate as Tom Glavine. However, Glavine had five seasons with more than 20 wins. Mussina, while he’s hit double digits in wins seventeen straight years, only his 20 once. The Cy Young award has eluded Mussina as well. Unfortunately, six top five finishes and no hardware doesn’t make for the best Hall of Fame case.  Although I admit it...I am coming around on "Moose".


Luis Gonzalez.
In 2001, “Gonzo” hit .325 with 57 home runs and 142 RBI and led the Diamondbacks to a World Series title. Dude finished up with 354 home runs, 2591 hits and 1439 RBI.  There are only four players that are Hall-eligible (Rafael Palmeiro, Harold Baines, Fred McGriff and Jeff Bagwell) that have more RBI and have yet to be enshrined in Cooperstown. There are no Hall-eligible players with more doubles than “Gonzo” that have yet to get called to the Hall.


Hideo Nomo.
Ask anyone what they think of Nomo and his Hall chances and they’ll likely laugh in your face. However, he is the guy who is credited with paving the way for Japanese players to make their way to the Majors. After a brief, yet successful, career in Japan, Nomo hit the states and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1995. He’s the only Japanese player to have thrown a no-hitter (he threw two…one in each league) and finished his abbreviated MLB career with four seasons with more than 200 strikeouts and a 123-109 record. But…without Nomo, there would be no Ichiro. Let’s not forget how he took the league by storm in 1995 and made it okay for Major League teams to take a chance on Asian players.

And Your Cooperstown Class of 2013 is...

Not sure about the rest of you, but I've been waiting for this year's Hall of Fame announcement for, well, the past five years.

 

With all the news surrounding PED use and the "did he" or "didn't he" or "when did he start" or whatever...I think it's pretty fair to concede that this year's election is, probably, the biggest one we've seen in our lifetime.

 

With that said, there was still an announcement Wednesday afternoon and, suffice it to say, it was memorable.

 

So, on July 28, for only the eighth time in history, no one will be enshrined as part of the Class of 2013 along with umpire Hank O’Day, former Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert and 19^thCentury star Deacon White...all of whom were elected by the Pre-Integration Era Committee in December.

Craig Biggio and his 3000-plus hits fell just 39 votes short...collecting 68%.

Here's the break down among the top vote getters.

Craig Biggio (68.2%, first time on ballot)
Jack Morris (67.7%, 66.7% in 2012)
Jeff Bagwell (59.6%, 56.0%)
Mike Piazza (57.8%, first time on ballot)
Tim Raines (52.2%, 48.7%)
Lee Smith (47.8%, 50.6%)
Curt Schilling (38.8%, first time on ballot)
Roger Clemens (37.6%, first time on ballot)
Barry Bonds (36.2%, first time on ballot)
Edgar Martinez (35.9%, 36.5%)
Alan Trammell (33.6%, 36.8%)

Before this year's crop of first timers hit the ballot, the highest profile Hall-worthy players branded with the scarlett "S" for steroids were  Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro.  Suffice it to say...they didn't gain much ground in 2013.  McGwire (19.5% in 2012) garnered 16.9% this year, while  Palmeiro (12.6% last year) earned 8.8%.

In his 15th and final year on the ballot, Dale Murphy saw some awesome support via social media and online, but fell short with just 18.6% of the vote.

A complete breakdown of the 2013 Hall of Fame selection is on the way...believe it! And for a look at the 2013 ballot (by the numbers)...click HERE!

To see how actual numbers stacked up against the much hyped 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot Collecting Gizmo...click HERE.

Cooperstown 2013: Craig Biggio

CRAIG BIGGIO
First Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER:
Houston Astros (1988-2007)

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Career batting average of .281 with 3060 hits, 668 doubles, 291 home runs, 1844 runs and 414 stolen bases. Ranks fifth all-time in doubles and 21st all-time in hits. Became just the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. Holds the modern record for most times hit by a pitch in a career with 285. Seven-time National League All-Star (1991-1992 and 1994-1998). Four-time Gold Glove winner (1994-1997). Five-Time Silver Slugger winner (1989, 1994-1995 and 1997-1998). Member of the Houston Astros Hall of Fame. Number 7 retired by team.

CASE FOR/AGAINST:
If you’re looking for a great statistical analysis of why Craig Biggio deserves to be a first ballot Hall of Famer (casually referred to as the Hall within the Hall), you won’t find that here. I’ll give you enough of that to make my case but Craig Biggio is about much more than numbers – he personifies greatness and what it means to be a team player.

He’s everything that is right about baseball.

If you believe in magic numbers, he’s got the 3,000 hits. If it’s hardware you’re after, he’s got multiple Silver Sluggers (at two different positions) and multiple Gold Gloves. If you place a high degree of emphasis on intangibles, Biggio is certainly your guy. As mentioned, he played multiple positions at a high level – unselfishly, for the betterment of the team – and he made the All-Time Astros Team over at For Baseball Junkies at catcher despite playing the majority of his 20-year career in Houston at second base. Why? Because, well, it’s Craig Biggio, and it’s what he would have done to make the team better.

Biggio put his body in harm’s way more than any other player in baseball history and ranks first in modern baseball history for being hit by a pitch. If you look at Baseball Reference similarity scores, he is “most-likened” to Robin Yount, Derek Jeter and Joe Morgan…three first ballot Hall of Famers. Biggio ranks top 25 all-time in hits, doubles, runs scored, games played, plate appearances, at bats and 33rd in total bases.

In terms of player value, he ranks 88th in WAR and 44th in Offensive WAR. But, like I said, Biggio’s greatness is centered not on numbers but on his versatility and his selfishness. If he had played his entire career at second base, he would have likely challenged Joe Morgan for the title of GOAT but Biggio played catcher and outfield in his early days to accommodate the team’s needs.

In the history of baseball, there hasn’t been anyone like Craig Biggio and there will likely never be anyone like him again. In the middle of this high profile, highly controversial class of 2013, there’s one guy that stands out as worthy and exempt from skepticism and criticism – Craig Biggio.

He belongs in Cooperstown – that much we know – but unlike the others, he doesn’t deserve to wait.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chuck Porter can be found writing about baseball over at For Baseball Junkies. Feel free to check out the site’s Facebook page as well. If you’re so inclined…go nuts and follow Chuck on Twitter!

Cooperstown 2013: Barry Bonds

BARRY BONDS
First Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER:
Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1992) and San Francisco Giants (1993-2007)

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Career batting average of .298 with 2935 hits, 762 home runs, 2227 runs, 1996 RBI and 514 stolen bases. Ranks within the top ten all-time in home runs, runs created, walks, runs, RBI, total bases, on base percentage, slugging percentage and games played. Lone member of the 500 home run-500 stolen base club. One of only four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season. Tied with his father, Bobby, for most seasons with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases (5) and are the only father-son members of the 30–30 club. In 2001, set Major League record by hitting 73 home runs in one season. Seven-time National League MVP (1990, 1992–1993 and 2001–2004). Eight-time Gold Glove winner (1990–1994 and 1996–1998). 12-Time Silver Slugger winner (1990–1994, 1996–1997 and 2000–2004). 14-time All-Star (1990, 1992–1998, 2000–2004 and 2007).
　
CASE FOR/AGAINST:
I can give you 762 reasons as to why the Home Run King should be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but I'm not going to start with the All-Time Home Run Record. Let's go back to the beginning. Barry Bonds made his Major League debut on May 30, 1986 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and that's the day that baseball fans were introduced to one of the greatest players of All-Time. Bonds didn't win Rookie of the Year, but did manage to lead all National League rookies with 16 homers.

It wasn't until 1990 when Bonds really started to show us he was on another level than other Major League players. He hit .301 with 33 homers, 52 stolen bases, 104 runs scored and 114 RBI. It was the year for a lot of firsts for Bonds. He was selected to his first of 14 All-Star Games, won his first of eight Gold Glove Awards, was awarded his first of a dozen Silver Slugger Awards and, of course, took home his first of a record seven National League MVP awards.

Bonds continued to dominate year in and year out for the Pirates. He went on to sign as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants on December 8, 1992 (six-year, $43.75 million). Which made him the highest paid player at that time.

It's been speculated that Bonds started using steroids in the early 2000's. Which is why, I just want to point out his numbers in the 90's.

Bonds batted .302 and hit 361 homers in the 90's. He averaged 34 stolen bases, 108 RBI, 109 runs and 36 homers a season. In 1996, Bonds joined Jose Canseco in the 40-40 club (40 homers, 40 stolen bases). But let's also not forget his eight All-Star appearances, eight Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards and three MVP awards. In 2001, Bill James had ranked players through the 1999 season, and ranked Bonds as the 16th greatest player of All-Time. He also said Bonds was the best player in the 90's by a huge margin, and the most unappreciated superstar of James lifetime.

If you look up all the numbers yourself, you will see that Bonds was a lock to be in the Hall of Fame prior to the steroid era. After 22 seasons of giving his life to baseball, Bonds’ enshrinement into the Hall of Fame now rests in the hands of the writers. When it was all said and done, Bonds career numbers included a .298 batting average, with 762 homers, 1996 RBI, 2227 runs scored, 514 stolen bases and 2558 walks.

Barry Bonds contributed more to his team/baseball than any other player did in their career during the same era. That alone, should have him locked in to be a first ballot Hall of Famer!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steven Robles covers all the latest San Francisco Giants news and rumors over at SF Giants Rumors. You can also follow all of his work on both Facebook and Twitter.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2013...by the Numbers

A year ago, Jack Morris missed his ticket to immortality by just 48 votes.  And depending on who you're getting your Hall of Fame predictions and updates from...it looks like it might happen again.

So, while not everyone agrees on whether or not Morris is Hall worthy, I think we can all agree...whether you’re a metrics guy, a black/gray ink guy or something else, it’s the numbers that make you a fan.

4192 hits, 56 games and 61* (or for that matter 70...maybe 73?) home runs all mean something to someone.  And while we wait to see who going to get enshrined in Cooperstown next, here are some more numbers to play with.

4229
Say what you want to about Julio Franco...but the guy could hit. During his 26-year professional career, the journeyman amassed an impressive 4229 hits. Of course, he had to enlist the United Nations to do it. Franco collected his hits in the Majors (2586), Minors (618), Mexico (316), Japan (286), the Dominican (267) and South Korea (156).

1617
While fellow ballot mates Bernie Williams and Curt Schilling made names for themselves in the postseason, Jeff Cirillo had to wait his entire career to get that one at bat. The infielder made the playoffs in his last season, 2007...after 1617 games in the bigs.

1390
With their last pick of the 1988 draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected then-first baseman Mike Piazza in the 62nd round...1390th overall. Suffice it to say, no one drafted after Piazza made the big leagues.

285
If the old addage "a walk is as good as a hit" is true...how good is being hit by a pitch? 285 times during his 20-year big league career, Craig Biggio found himself on the business end of an HBP. It should come as no surprise that the former Houston Astro is the modern day leader in that department.

80
As if four World Series wins with the New York Yankees isn't impressive enough...Bernie Williams is also the career leader in postseason RBI with 80. Tops among active players? Williams' former teammate, "Mr. November" himself...Derek Jeter with 61.

35
Assuming he won't get the 75% of the vote necessary for induction, Dale Murphy stands to become the 35th player to drop out of Hall of Fame consideration after appearing on the ballot for the maximum 15 years.

20
In 1986, Roger Clemens became the first pitcher in history to strikeout 20 batters in a nine inning contest. Ten years later, he'd duplicate the deed. Interestingly enough, only one other player has accomplished the amazing feat...Clemens' fellow Texan Kerry Wood.

19
On May 23, 2002, Shawn Green was an offensive machine. The outfielder hit a record-tying four home runs and, probably more impressive, collected 19 total bases...breaking Joe Adcock's 1954 record.

15
Alledgedly battling a pretty mean hangover, New York Yankees pitcher David Wells shut down the Minnesota Twins in order May 17, 1998 to record baseball's 15th perfect game.

14
Say what you want about Jack Morris (and many people do), you can't question his consistency and durability. Dude was the epitome of a pitching "Iron Horse". Matter of fact, this innings hog (he had eleven seasons of more than 235 innings pitched) holds the record for most consecutive opening day starts with 14.

7
During their storied careers, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens nave each been awarded their league's top honors seven times. Amazingly, only twice (2001 and 2004), did Bonds take home the MVP Award the same season that Clemens won the Cy Young Award. On a lighter note...of the two, only Clemens has won both awards since, well, no one ever let Bonds take the mound.

6
In the brief history of the Florida/Miami Marlins, one man has become synonymous with the Fish...Jeff Conine. And rightfully so. Only Luis Castillo has played more games in the teal and black. That said, no one has more grand slams than Conine...he's the franchise leader with six.

6
Unlike Jeff Cirillo who spent nearly his entire career not playing in the postseason, Kenny Lofton and David Wells played baseball in October a number of times. And for a number of teams. The duo appeared in the playoffs for six different franchises...although they never appeared on a postseason roster together. Maybe more impressive...Lofton played postseason ball for the Cleveland Indians during three different tours of duty.

So there you have it, gang…your Hall of Fame election by the numbers. Now sit back, relax and wait for the Class of 2013 to become official!

Jack Morris Responds to Critics

We're on the eve of the Hall of Fame announcement and, it would seem, we're inching closer and closer to the inclusion of Jack Morris among those enshrined.

And, like almost anything, plenty of people are against it.

I've often wondered what the former pitcher thought about his detractors.  Well...wonder no more.

"If I sense anything from the writers that have always been anti-Jack, they're pointing to the fact that I'd have the highest ERA in the Hall of Fame," Morris told MLB Network Radio. "Let me ask you this: When did we decide that earned-run average was more important than wins?"

What Morris is referring to, of course, is his career 254 victories and, of course, three World Series rings.

"I want to know any general manager, any coach or any player that bought into the fact that earn-run average was more important than wins," the Mustached One continued. "If they would've told me that when I was in the minor leagues, I'm sure I could've been among the league leaders in ERA. That wasn't my objective."

Here's the deal...dude had a pretty long stretch of being victorious.  Let's not dispute that.

From 1979 to 1992, Morris managed to string together 233 of his career 254 victories.  That's more than 40 more than Bob Welch, the next guy in line, and his 192. And for the record, Morris' 254 wins is more than Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal and Whitey Ford among plenty of others.

In the 80s alone…Morris won a decade best 162 games, compiled a .577 winning percentage and exhibited his amazing consistency by finishing in the top ten of the Cy Young Award voting in half of the decade’s contests. He finished in the top five in 1991 and 1992 as well.

Ah, but then there's that pesky 3.90 ERA.

He never led the league (much less came close to it) and make no bones about it, he gave up a ton of runs. However, his teams produced behind him and regardless of his ERA, Morris virtually always managed to stay below the league average.

Morris was, arguably, one of the stronger starters of his era and, really, isn't that how a guy should be judged?