Countdown to Cooperstown: Class of 2015

What's interesting about the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is the same as the Classes of 2013 and 2014...there are some definite shoe-ins.

Truth is, I don't know if the Hall of Fame has had back-to-back-to-back years with so many quality, legitimate first ballot candidates.  To be honest, I can't wait until the Class of 2012 gets enshrined this weekend so we can start talking about the circus atmosphere that will encompass the years that follow. 

Here are the players that will be appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2015.

IN.

Randy Johnson.

With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Once Martinez finally announced he was officially retired, everyone began debating...in or out?  Pedro has a  career .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and is a Boston legend.  Put him in.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

Rich Aurilia, Aaron Boone, Paul Byrd, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree, Darin Erstad, Kelvim Escobar, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Tom Gordon, Eddie Guardado, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, B.J. Ryan, Jason Schmidt, Julian Tavarez, Jarrod Washburn and David Weathers

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
Delgado attempted a comeback late 2011, but since he never made it back to bigs...here he sits as a first ballot guy in 2015.  Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, with more than 2000 hits and 1500 RBI, Delgado is not that far from becoming the second player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

Missed any of the other re-hashes from this week?  Be sure to check out 2013 and 2014.  On Friday, your first look at 2017 hits the interwebs.

John Smoltz Unloading His Gigantic Crib

Earlier this week, word came that former Cy Young winner John Smoltz was putting his $7.2 million house on the market.  No big deal, right?  Players buy and sell their houses all the time.

But have you seen the listing?  Holy cow!

Read!

The Smoltz estate is, at the very least, a sportsman’s dream. Set on nearly 20-acres of land, the property comes complete with separate tennis and basketball courts, separate baseball and football fields, a stocked fishing pond with an oxygenation system, jogging trail and an 18-hole golf course. The 18,265-square-foot mansion includes a total of 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, and features exposed beams, cathedral-style vaulted ceilings, marble and hardwood flooring and a lavish two-level grand foyer. Inside, the home includes a wealth of amenities highlighted by a movie theater with adjacent concession stand, home gym, outdoor kitchen and lounge area with a wet bar.

Now that you've read about it...just look at the place!

Smoltz made a ton of money during his career, so it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone that he was living like a king.  But do you really need to shell out more than seven million to live like an eight-time All-Star?

For less than a third of the cost, you might want to pick up the house of Smoltz's former teammate Reggie Sanders?

You can check out the former All-Star's crib below.

Countdown to Cooperstown: Class of 2015

What's interesting about the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is the same as the Classes of 2013 and 2014...there are some definite shoe-ins.

Truth is, I don't know if the Hall of Fame has had back-to-back-to-back years with so many quality, legitimate first ballot candidates.  Honestly, I can't wait until the Class of 2012 gets enshrined a year from now so we can start talking about the circus atmosphere that will encompass the years that follow. 

IN.

Randy Johnson.
With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Not that long ago, Martinez finally announced that he was officially retired.  Of course, by not playing in 2010...he is Hall-eligible a year earlier than some of the others that recently hung it up.  In or out?  Pedro has a  career .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and is a Boston legend.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

Rich Aurilia, Aaron Boone, Paul Byrd, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree, Darin Erstad, Kelvim Escobar, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Tom Gordon, Eddie Guardado, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, B.J. Ryan, Jason Schmidt, Julian Tavarez, Jarrod Washburn and David Weathers

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
Delgado attempted a comeback late last year, but since he never made it back to bigs...here he sits as a first ballot guy in 2015.  Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, with more than 2000 hits and 1500 RBI, Delgado is not that far from becoming the first player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

Missed any of the other re-hashes from this week?  Be sure to check out 2012, 2013 and 2014 because, tomorrow, your first look at 2016 hits the interwebs.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 (so far)

Looking ahead to the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is tricky...and the reasons are simple.

There are some guys who are definitely retired like Randy Johnson and Nomar Garciaparra. There are guys like John Smoltz who don't look to be coming back. And, of course, there are those who seem to be up in the air as to whether or not they want to play or not a la Pedro Martinez.

Add to that those pesky few who are out there and just not signed (Carlos Delgado and Gary Sheffield)...and 2015 looks murky at best.

IN.

Randy Johnson.
With the uncertainties out there of who is officially retired and who isn't..."The Big Unit" announced he was done following last year. With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Martinez recently announced that he won't be playing at all this season. Of course, he didn't rule out 2011. Memo to Pedro...pack up your .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and status as a Boston legend and reserve a hotel in Cooperstown for July 2015. There is nothing more for Martinez to prove and at this point...all he can do is ruin his reputation.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

2005 American League Cy Young Bartolo Colon, Brian Giles, Eddie Guardado, Paul Byrd, Tom Gordon, Jason Schmidt, Darin Erstad, David Weathers, Rich Aurilia, Russ Ortiz, Mark Loretta, Tony Clark, Cliff Floyd and Julian Tavarez.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
There are plenty of rumors out there surrounding Carlos Delgado. Ask him and he'll tell you that he is coming back. Check out his Wikipedia page and he's already been signed by the New York Yankees. Ask me and I will tell you that if he hangs it up now, he's on the bubble when it comes to the Hall of Fame. Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, Delgado is not that far from becoming the first player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

There are some more players that haven't played this season that I could have included (Joe Nathan, Jason Isringhausen, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree and Ron Villone) but as of now...their careers don't appear to be over.

So there you have it...your breakdown of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 (so far). Be sure to check out this week's re-hashes.

Monday: 2011

Tuesday: 2012

Wednesday: 2013

Thursday: 2014

John Smoltz is Going Back to Atlanta

I'm getting a little tired of the "is he" or "isn't he" game that a lot of the 90s premier pitchers seem to be playing.

We've all seen Roger Clemens come and go and come and go again and again. Last season, Pedro Martinez held out until he found a suitable suitor.

And just a few weeks ago, Tom Glavine (who was out for all of 2009) finally hung it up.

Now, John Smoltz is pulling the same trick...taking time off to join TBS as a broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves and serving as an analyst for their slate of nationally televised Sunday games.

All the while, you guessed it, not retiring and, reportedly, planning on staying in shape should a opportunity present itself.

Given that Smoltz is now seemingly done (or not), you're going to be hearing more and more about his Hall of Fame candidacy and how he should be a shoo-in on whatever ballot he pops up on.

But is he?

Was he that good or did he just reap the benefits of hanging out alongside Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and the Braves dynasty (and yes, it was a dynasty) of the 90s?

Let’s break it down.

Right off the bat, Smoltz’s career record of 213-155 isn’t the most spectacular. But when you add in the four seasons where he came in from the bullpen (three seasons where you could consider him the most dominant closer in the National League), 213 wins and 154 saves looks marvelous.

You could argue that without that stint as the Braves closer and a season lost to injury, we might be looking at a guy with 255 to 270 wins...a total which would put him in the same conversion (winswise) as Hall of Famers Jim Palmer (268), Bob Feller (266) and Bob Gibson (251).

As it is, Baseball-Reference has his four best comparisons as Curt Schilling, Kevin Brown, Jim Bunning and Luis Tiant.

But let’s not judge Smoltz on his win-loss record and 154 saves (he is, along with Dennis Eckersley, the only pitcher to top both 200 wins and 150 saves), there is more to the man.

In 2008, Smoltz became only the 16th member of the 3000 strikeout club and unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that only one Hall eligible pitcher (Bert Blyleven) north of the 3000 K mark is not in the Hall of Fame.

However, unlike Blyleven, Smoltz has brought home a Cy Young Award (he finished in the top five three times), was an eight time All-Star and was absolutely spectacular in the post-season.

And that is what separates the men from the boys…Smoltz’s post-season achievements.

Say what you want to about the afore mentioned Schilling and his post-season accolades, Smoltz was close to unstoppable for the Braves going a combined 15-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 40 post-season games.

Most impressive is his 7-0 record and a 2.52 ERA after toeing the rubber 15 times during Divisional Series action.

In Atlanta’s 1995 Championship run, Smoltz, ironically, had his worst showing by being unable to win a game and having a 6.60 ERA (15.43 in the World Series) in just three appearances.

The next year though, Smoltz amassed 29 total victories if you add up his regular season, All-Star Game and post season wins. The only modern day hurler to best that total is Denny McLain and his 32 wins in 1968.

So back to the question at hand…is John Smoltz a Hall of Famer, much less a first ballot guy?

Yeah…probably.

There is something to be said for a pitcher that can go out there, miss an entire season (2000) due to Tommy John surgery and come back with a completely different mindset and delivery.

Dude changed up his legacy by establishing a National League record for saves (55 in 2002), and, in the process, becoming only the second pitcher in history (Eckersley, again, is the other) to have had both a 20 win and a 50 save season.

Admittedly, I’m all over the map when it comes to Hall of Fame endorsements. I’ve questioned the candidacy of Bert Blyleven, yet I’ve applauded the efforts of both Orel Hershiser and David Cone, but as far as Smoltz is concerned…I’m sold. I just wish he was on that same 2014 ballot alongside Maddux and Glavine.

It would only seem fitting, wouldn’t it?

Old faces...new places

Tired of hearing, reading, seeing the words "Brett Favre" every time you turn on the TV or computer or when you unfold whatever antiquated paper reading material you choose to unfold?

Yeah…me too.

Sorry.

A year ago, Brett Favre looked out of place suiting up for the Jets after playing 16 years in Green Bay. After re-unretiring for the second time in thirteen months, Favre looks just as out of place with the Vikings.

Friend of The Hall Andrew Katz, from over at No, You’re a Towel had a similar thought this week when it was announced that veterans (and future Hall of Famers?) Ivan Rodriguez and John Smoltz were going to be donning some new unis as well.

Take a gander.

Did you hear the one about John Smoltz and the Hall of Fame?

Anyone that knows me knows that I like a good roast. That being said…here goes.

John Smoltz is so old that Joan Rivers should be roasting HIM!

Alright, alright…that was just a lame attempt to get that coveted Monday morning “Comedy Central Joan Rivers Roast” traffic through Google.

But seriously, roast aside, the weekend didn't really kicked turn out the way I would have hoped.

I went and saw “GI Joe” (which sucked WAY more than I anticipated it would), the Red Sox decided to let the Yankees have their way with them, and then, Smoltz was pretty much left for dead by Boston.

I’ve always been a Smoltz fan and was singing his praises big time when it was announced that he was going to suit up for the Sox and try and help lead them to their third World Series in six years.

It’s true.

It was here at The Hall where, in March, I thought he was going to have a good enough season to raise him from 16th (he entered the season at 3011) on the all-time strikeout list to 13th…leapfrogging Bob Gibson (3117), Pedro Martinez (3117) and Curt Schilling (3116) in the process!

And now it appears as though this might be the end.

Allow me sum up my current feelings for you.

Have you ever had a family dog that for years always ran free and then, out of the blue, you’re reminded of the fact that he’s been around for close to 21 years and you’re having to carry him outside so he can go to the bathroom?

THAT is how I am feeling about Smoltz right now.

Was he reliable?

Serviceable?

Yes and yes.

A Hall of Famer?

Perhaps.

Do any sort of online search and you’ll find PLENTY of people who are lauding Smoltz as a first ballot guy.

But is he?

Was he that good or did he just reap the benefits of hanging out alongside Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and the Braves dynasty (and yes, it was a dynasty) of the 90s?

Let’s break it down.

Right off the bat, Smoltz’s career record of 212-152 isn’t the most spectacular. But when you add in the four seasons where he came in from the bullpen (three seasons where you could consider him the most dominant closer in the National League), 212 wins AND 154 saves looks marvelous.

You could argue that without that stint as the Braves closer and a season lost to injury, we might be looking at a guy with 255 to 270 wins...a total which would put him in the same conversion (winswise) as Hall of Famers Jim Palmer (268), Bob Feller (266) and Bob Gibson (251).

As it is, Baseball-Reference has his four best comparisons as Kevin Brown, Curt Schilling, Bob Welch and Orel Hershiser and come on, Schilling aside, no one is mentioning any of them in the same discussion as the Hall of Fame.

But let’s not judge Smoltz on his win-loss record 154 saves (he is, along with Dennis Eckersley, the only pitcher to top both 200 wins and 150 saves), there is more to the man.

Last season, Smoltz became only the 16th member of the 3000 strikeout club and unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that only one Hall eligible pitcher (Bert Blyleven) north of the 3000 K mark is NOT in the Hall of Fame.

However, unlike Blyleven, Smoltz has brought home a Cy Young Award (he finished in the top five three times), was an eight time All-Star AND was absolutely spectacular in the post-season.

And that is what separates the men from the boys…Smoltz’s post-season achievements.

Say what you want to about the afore mentioned Schilling and his post-season accolades, Smoltz was close to unstoppable for the Braves going a combined 15-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 40 post-season games.

Most impressive is his 7-0 record and a 2.52 ERA after toeing the rubber 15 times during Divisional Series action.

In Atlanta’s 1995 Championship run, Smoltz, ironically, had his worst showing by being unable to win a game and having a 6.60 ERA (15.43 in the World Series) in just three appearances.

The next year though, Smoltz amassed 29 total victories if you add up his regular season, All-Star Game and post season wins. The only modern day hurler to best that total is Denny McLain and his 32 wins in 1968.

So back to the question at hand…is John Smoltz a Hall of Famer, much less a first ballot guy?

Yeah…probably.

There is something to be said for a pitcher that can go out there, put up 157 wins, a 3.35 ERA, miss an entire season (2000) due to Tommy John surgery and come back with a completely different mindset and delivery.

Smoltz changed up his legacy by establishing a National League record for saves (55 in 2002), and, in the process, becoming only the second pitcher in history (Eckersley, again, is the other) to have had both a 20 win and a 50 save season.

Admittedly, I’m all over the map when it comes to Hall of Fame endorsements. I’ve questioned the candidacy of Bert Blyleven, yet I’ve applauded both Orel Hershiser and David Cone.

But as far as Smoltz is concerned…I’m sold. I just wish he was on that same 2014 ballot alongside Maddux and Glavine.

It would only seem fitting, wouldn’t it?

Oh, to the eight of you that made it this far thanks to your Google search…welcome to The Hall of Very Good! And yes…I feel terrible that I contributed to the massive $56 million haul “GI Joe” took in this weekend.