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.

What do these guys have in common?

Here's my advice to all of you. If anyone ever walks up to you and asks, "what do Albert Pujols, Carlos Lee and Adam Dunn have in common"...you have my permission to punch them in the face.

I'm serious.

There is absolutely no reason why the three of them should be mentioned in the same sentence.

Until now.

Saturday night, St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols made history (again) by hitting the 100 RBI mark...for the ninth straight year.

"Obviously it's very special," Pujols told reporters following the Cardinals 5-3 victory over the hapless Pirates. "God has allowed me to keep myself healthy and to do that. It's not easy to do it for one year and nine years in a row, it's pretty special."

Only Hall of Famer Al Simmons has more 100 RBI seasons at the start of a career with 11, but something tells me that if a guy like Pujols can get 100 RBI in 110 games so far this season...he can get 200 in his team's next 324 to tie the former Philadelphia (among other teams) slugger.

Now...Carlos Lee.

As The Hall mentioned Thursday, "El Caballo" entered this weekend's series against the Brewers with 299 career home runs. Against Milwaukee's three projected starters (Carlos Villanueva, Manny Parra and Yovani Gallardo), Lee was batting .405 for his career with three home runs.

Enter Claudio Vargas and the three home runs he's given up to Lee.

Exit home run number four...the 300th of Lee's career.

A sidenote to Lee's milestone achievement...his Astros became the first team in Major League history to have three players (Ivan Rodriguez and Lance Berkman were the first two) get their 300th home runs in the same season.

Another sidenote...Lee is the only Panamanian born player to hit 300 home runs. And in case you were wondering (and I know you were), Ben Oglivie is next on the "most home runs hit by a Panamanian born player" with 235.

And lastly...Adam Dunn.

Back in March, The Hall pointed out that if Dunn reaches 40 home runs this season for the Nationals, he’ll have done so for six straight seasons. But first, he needed to get to 30 for the sixth straight season...which he did on Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Assuming Dunn has ten more in him (which is highly likely), he be one 40 home run season away from tying Babe Ruth as the only two guys to hit 40 out in a seven straight seasons.

So, I pose the question..."what do Albert Pujols, Carlos Lee and Adam Dunn have in common?"

I'll just sit here patiently awaiting my punch to the face.

Is this the end for the Giambino?

Alright, I'm chalking this one up to laziness, but given Tony over at TonyBlogs.net already "broke" the story...no need to re-make the wheel.

The Oakland A's today released Jason Giambi, who was on the disabled list but only hitting .193 while he was healthy. It ends the second stint in Oakland for Giambi.

I think it's surprising any time a baseball team outright releases a player, especially one of Giambi's name and reputation, but it's not a shock in terms of production. Giambi played in 83 games for the A's this season and was last in the league in batting average.

The question now is if anyone will sign him for the stretch run.

My guess is that he doesn't end up with anyone. An American League team is the only logical fit but many of the contending teams don't have room for him. Giambi could perhaps catch on as a pinch hitter, but with a .193 average, teams aren't exactly going to be knocking down his door.

As you might remember, The Hall followed Jason Giambi's quest for 400 home runs HERE and HERE.

Another feather in Trevor Hoffman's cap

With his 25th save of the season and 29th game finished, Milwaukee Brewer closer (and all-time save leader) Trevor Hoffman entered the record books.

Again.

Prior to Wednesday night, Lee Smith (can we get him to Cooperstown, please?) and Hoffman were tied atop the all-time leaderboard with 802 games finished. After closing out the Dodgers, Hoffman sits at 803 and, depending on who you ask, shows no real sign of letting up.

Next among active closers is Mariano Rivera with 754 games finished. Further down the list are Billy Wagner (637) and Troy Percival (546).

As a sidenote, Hoffman's Brewers will be traveling to Houston to take on the Astros this weekend. And if you've been following The Hall at all, you know that the 'stros are on the verge of having a THIRD slugger reach the 300 home run mark.

Ivan Rodriguez and Lance Berkman got theirs already so this homestand pretty much means it is time for Carlos Lee to shine.

Going into Friday night's matchup, Lee sits at 299 and before you ask...yes, it is likely he'll go yard before the Brew Crew leaves town Sunday night.

Let's take a gander how "El Caballo" stacks up against his former team by looking at their probable pitchers.

Friday...Carlos Villanueva (.308, 4 for 13, 1 home run).

Saturday...Manny Parra (.583, 7 for 12, 1 home run).

Sunday...Yovani Gallardo (.333, 4 for 12, 1 home run).

Combined, Lee is hitting .405 (15 for 37) with 3 home runs against the Milwaukee hurlers. This season, he's hit just over half (10) of his 18 home runs at Minute Maid Park.

So, Astros fans (and you know who you are, James)...number 300 looks likely.

Twitter Tuesday...August 4, 2009

Every Tuesday, The Hall of Very Good is going to give you some tweets to help get you through the day. At times there will be a theme. Sometimes, I’ll admit it, I’ll probably be too lazy to string one together.

To kick off the chatter this week…I’m thinking food, Las Vegas and the trade deadline.

CJNitkowski: I'm going to pass on the Abalone Porridge Rice for breakfast this morning. Just a cultural thing.

chadhermansen: i have been in airport so long today i've eaten all 3 meals here. Quizinoes, panda express, and pizza hut. what will the outcome be?

Dougiebaseball: Note to self. Do not go grocery shopping when u r starving

chopper63: Vegas is miserable in august, they take all your money and it's 110 outside

ESPY_TEAHEN: What will ESPN cover after trade deadline, and"Roy Halladay isn't getting traded" story passes?Move on to Brett Farve's non-comeback, I hope

I’ve had the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on the mind for about a week now. Apparently many of you out there are still talking about Rickey Henderson.

abigvictory: "Rickey Henderson is not hung like a horse. Horses are hung like Rickey Henderson." Me. 1986. After seeing him naked.

KurtSanger: Going to the HOF has made Rickey Henderson's head even bigger ... now he's talking about himself in the fourth person....

Stoneflip: "Rickey stretches before he goes to sleep, that way when Rickey wakes up, Rickey is already loose" - Rickey Henderson

Need someone to follow? Check out Dan Levy at OntheDLpodcast.

Dan’s mix of up-to-the-minute tweets regarding what is going on in the sports world and his own commentary on sports media makes him a great follow. Also...he's got a rockin' podcast.

Have someone you think everyone should follow? Perhaps you yourself have read some interesting tweets in the past week…drop me a line or leave a comment below.

See you next Tuesday!

Twitter Tuesday starts today

If the Twitter world can have such "imaginative" days as Music Monday and Follow Friday (I’m still not sure when I am suppose to use the “#” and when I’m not)…why can’t The Hall of Very Good have its own Twitter trend?

Welcome to Twitter Tuesday!

What is Twitter Tuesday? Well…I’ll tell ya.

Every Tuesday morning, The Hall is going to deliver to you some tweets to help get you through the daily grind.

They’ll be broken up thusly.

Infield Chatter is your weekly collection of interesting tweets by some current and former Major League Baseball players.

The Buzz is your voice. Here you’ll find the thoughts of what the folks on the interwebs are talking about…HOVG style. In short, if I find something interesting…I’m curious what the Twitter world thinks as well.

Follow Friday (Tuesday Style). Simply put, I’m bringing “Follow Friday” to Tuesdays. Need someone new to follow…you’ll find that person here.

And yeah, I was using “imaginative” facetiously…by no way am I thinking alliteration is clever. Unfortunately, the best name I had in the arsenal was “Twitter Tuesday”.

Enter Sandman...again

Just a month ago, Mariano Rivera was making headlines by becoming only the second player to notch 500 career saves. After saving his league best 30th game on Sunday, Rivera again inched closer to immortality by hitting the mark for the seventh consecutive season

It makes sense that all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman saved 30 or more in eight straight seasons (1995-2002), but how does Rivera's streak compare to the closers in the Hall of Fame?

Of the five relievers in the Hall (Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter and Hoyt Wilhelm), they COMBINED for 16 seasons (Eckersley had 8...Wilhelm zero) with 30 or more saves. Rivera has 12, whereas Hoffman has 13.

To suggest that Hoffman and Rivera would be the next two closers to be end up in Cooperstown would be an understatement.

As a sidenote, the only other reliever to have as many as seven straight seasons with 30 or more saves...Troy Percival.

Yeah, THAT Troy Percival.

"Rickey is so very, very, very humble."

Maybe it's just me...but there sure seemed to be an awful lot of fanfare surrounding the Oakland Athletics retiring Rickey Henderson's number on Saturday.

I get the former teammates and family being present. They helped make Rickey, um...Rickey.

I totally understand the podium so Henderson can speak to the sold out crowd of 35,067 in attendance.

Current Oakland superstar Jason Giambi presenting him with a uniquely crafted crystal trophy, I can accept that, too.

But the fireworks, Henderson walking down the red carpet extending from centerfield to the infield and the subsequent gold base that welcomed him...that might have been a little much. Add to that the fact that Oakland kicked off Rickey Henderson Month (yes, August is officially Rickey Henderson Month in Oakland) and...wow.

And I like the guy...a lot!

To hear Henderson's entire speech from Saturday and to witness the fanfare firsthand, head on over to MLB.com.

In case you were wondering, Henderson became the fifth Oakland player to have his number retired by the team, joining Dennis Eckersley (43), Rollie Fingers (34), Catfish Hunter (27) and Reggie Jackson (9).