Twitter Tuesday...January 12, 2010

Must. Resist. Urge.

Throughout the vast history of the world, there have been plenty of surprises that shook us to our collective core.

In 1522, Magellan proved the world was round. December 7, 1941 quickly became a day that would "live in infamy". And in 1995, it was revealed that Verbal Kint was really Keyser Soze.

Unfortunately, Mark McGwire's admission that he used steroids does not belong in the above list.

I hate to bring up McGwire (again)...but it is what people are talking about.

Sorry, gang.

BrentMayne (Brent Mayne): Big Mac comes clean. Read my take.

GrillCheese49 (Jason Grilli): Is anyone shocked at the news about McGuire? Is he paving the way for more of the same?

Jerry_Remy (Jerry Remy): McGwire finally admits taking steroids when he broke HR record-to be honest I find steroid issue so played out it bores me to death

str8edgeracer (CJ Wilson): I need to start wearing my dare shirts

Last week, McGwire, again, couldn't get a third of the votes necessary to get into the Hall of Fame. That being said...I'm not sure this mix of Twitterers (Tweeters?) know what it takes to get enshrined.

joshuacmurphy: So Mark McGwire copped to using steroids. Oh well. Hopefully this finally gets him his deserved (yes, deserved) place in the Hall of Fame.

MlbPitching: This is a obvious case of double standards. Mark McGwire came clean with his steriod use only after exhausting his Hall of Fame hopes.

xoxoslamma: Mark Mcgwire "admits" to using steroids&yet Pete Rose cannot be initiated into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.. What is wrong with this picture?

ssegal22: finally mark mcgwire comes clean...u may now enter the hall of fame

segansca: If steroids keep Mark McGwire is kept from the Hall of Fame for cheating, then Gaylord Perry needs to be removed for throwing spitballs.

RonKMiller: I think St. Louis fans would give Mark McGwire a hall pass if he murdered their children.

ZhenZhen09: Putain de merde Mark McGwire! I wish he could be removed from the Hall of Fame.

Wow...really? I would have thought it would rank third behind "good health" and three-for-one specials at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

TommyLasorda: Lenny Harris thanks God every night that he was a Dodger.



For years, I've been a fan of Randy and Jason Sklar. From their scattered television and movie appearances to their own shows and stand up specials...I love 'em! You'd be hard pressed to find a pair of comedians that know more about the game of baseball.

Check them out on Twitter, but only after you catch up with their antics as Leyland and Leif Topps.

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!

Mark McGwire comes clean...sun still set to rise

He admitted to it...kinda.

Move on, gang.

2009: The Year That Was

About a week and a half ago, we said “adios” to 2009 and whatever “hello” is to 2010.

Many sites across the interwebs filled the end of the year with their “best of” lists…this is another one of those sites. You see, I’d have been a little more timely, but I was, um…being timely by breaking down the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot.

So, with a big “congrats” to the Baseball Hall of Fame’s newest member Andre Dawson and his supporters and an huge thanks that gave The Hall of Very Good, first, its biggest year to date and second, its biggest day (January 6) to date…here are the Top Ten* stories to hit this site in 2009.

10. On the Eve of 300 (June 4). The night before Randy Johnson notched his 300th career victory, I was able to compile the thoughts of three former Major Leagues that faced off against “The Big Unit”.

9. Talkin’ Baseball with Jeff Cirillo (August 28). The “Talkin’ Baseball” is one of my favorite things to do and they’re pretty popular on the site. I had no idea Jeff played in Mexico.

8. Hall of Fame ballot...2010 style! (December 3). A month before the Hall of Fame announcement was made…The Hall broke down the class of 26. Related, and also popular, was The Hall of Fame Class of 2011 (July 21). It seems people love themselves some Hall of Fame previews and talk of Bert Blyleven (more on that later).

7. Talkin’ Baseball with CJ Wilson (June 22). Talking with CJ and following him on Twitter is what pretty led to me starting “Twitter Tuesday”.

6. Jon Adkins signs Minor League deal with Reds (December 1). When good friend of The Hall Jon Adkins inked his deal with the Reds, I was curious what the Louisville GM had to say. Within minutes he responded and I committed it to the site. Shortly after that, one of my favorite sites, MLBTradeRumors.com, picked up the story.

5. Hall of Fame 2010: Kevin Appier (December 15). Mix together a Hall of Fame profile, a tongue-in-cheek Bert Blyleven reference and the chimps over at Baseball Think Factory and you know what you’ve got? A boatload of hits, gang!

4. Talkin’ Baseball with Seth Swirsky (October 25). Before the season started, I picked up a book by Seth Swirsky at the library. After buying, then reading, his other two…I started exchanging emails with the author and memorabilia collector. On what was the 23rd anniversary of (sorry Red Sox fans) Bill Buckner missing a slow roller up the firstbase line, Seth shared the story of how he came to owning that ball.

3. Twitter Tuesday (every Tuesday). “Infield Chatter”, “The Buzz”, “Follow Friday (Tuesday Style)” and now…“The Wisdom of Tommy Lasorda”, Twitter Tuesday has become a staple over at The Hall.

2. Mustache May (the ENTIRE month of May). Mustache May was conceived years ago when some friends and I decided to celebrate the ‘stache by growing one out. This year, it manifested itself with an endorsement from The American Mustache Institute, interviews with Fergie Jenkins (May 12) and Rollie Fingers (May 29) and, ultimately…an appearance on WGN 720 Radio (May 17).

1. Ten Milestones to Watch for This Season (April 6). The most popular post of the year was one that was initially a slideshow that was conceived to drive traffic (and it did) over at Bleacher Report. One appearance in Hot Clicks and on CBSsportsline.com later…a traffic generator was born.

Honorable Mention: Jim Thome now a Dodger...Hall of Fame next? (September 1). A couple years back, I posted that I didn't think Jim Thome was a first ballot Hall of Fame guy and the Baseball Think Factory chimps lost their collective mind. Almost two years later, I basically say it again...and Rob Neyer links to it.

What story (stories) did you enjoy most? Click on “comments” below and go bananas.

*-“Top Ten”…as defined at The Hall of Very Good’s Facebook page as “a combination of stories I enjoyed combined with the stories that had the most traffic”.

Texas lands a big bat

In the last month or so, the Texas Rangers have seen Andruw Jones (to the White Sox), Ivan Rodriguez (Nationals) and Marlon Byrd (Cubs) fly the coop (see what I did there?) and are preparing themselves for Hank Blalock to do the same.

So how do you replace a combined 63 home runs and 211 RBI and the Mets already snatched up 2004 National League Rookie of the Year Jason Bay?

Go out and sign 2004 National League Rookie of the Year runner up Khalil Greene…that’s how!

Seriously, with the addition of Greene, the Rangers are hoping to find themselves in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

What? It could happen.

All joking aside (and yes, while I am serious about Greene heading to the Lone Star State…this is more important), the Rangers struck gold with a one-year deal with hitting machine Vladimir Guerrero.

At five million next season, “The Impaler” looks to build on his legend while locking down the designated hitter spot for the Rangers.

As it is, he is one of six players (immortals Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig and Stan Musial are the others) to carry a .320 career batting average and more than 400 career home runs.

Guerrero's new teammate, CJ Wilson is excited to have the futue Hall of Famer in the fold.

"He's the premium DH bat available on the market and we landed him for our price," the reliever told me, "seems like a great job and an awesome addition to the team."

Last season, in just 100 games with the Angels, Guerrero hit career lows with a .295 batting average, 15 home runs and 50 RBI…but something tells me that being a lineup alongside Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz might help iron out those wrinkles.

The obligatory Hall of Fame re-cap

So here’s the deal…you’re a voting member of the BBWAA and instead of checking off one name on your ballot (you can do up to ten), you choose to do none.

None.

Never before has the baseball world been more upset in the five writers not completing their ballot than with this year’s Hall of Fame ballot. I know, I know, by NOT voting for anyone…they voted.

Whatever.

Let’s jump into the re-cap of who got in (Andre Dawson) and who didn’t (25 other dudes).

Andre Dawson (77.9% this year, 67.0% in 2009)
“The Hawk” was destined to make it in given he was the closest last year and at 67% in 2009, his 10% jump was no real surprise. I have no issues with Dawson making it in given Cooperstown opened its doors to Jim Rice last season. For what its worth (and I know the Dan Shaughnessy haters will blast me on this one)…he always struck me as a Hall of Famer.

Which brings me to…

Bert Blyleven (74.2%, 62.7%)
I’ve called Blyleven plenty in the last couple of months. A “compiler”, “not worthy”…the list goes on and on. Battles have been waged, but my opinion never wavered. That being said, the dude got screwed. But why? Did he fall five votes short of 75% because of the cowards who sent in blank ballots? Not sure. Did he fall short because of his own endless campaigning? Who knows. I know this...Bert will be back on the ballot next year and his supporters will be all the more vocal.

Roberto Alomar (73.7%, first year on ballot)
I’ve been huge on Alomar for a while now. Still am. How a player of his stature can be left out in the cold is beyond me. Are there that many Mariottis out there that feel as though they are better than the game by not purposely NOT putting someone in on their first ballot? I know the argument about “a Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer…doesn’t matter when he gets in”, but Alomar was the most deserving cat on the ballot.

Jack Morris (52.3%, 44.0%) and Lee Smith (47.3%, 44.5%)
Like Dawson and Blyleven, both Morris and Smith saw increases in their totals. While I am a fan and supporter of both…I do see the arguments against. That being said, it appears as though the Hall is starting to open its doors for some of my heroes growing up. As a child of the 80s…I ate, drank, breathed 80s baseball and Morris and Smith were a big part of it.

Tim Raines (30.4%, 22.6%)
I’m going to be honest…it sure would’ve been nice for Raines and Dawson to have gone in together. After the time they spent tolling in Montreal, the pair would have been quite a site together on that stage in front of the baseball world. As it is, “Rock” is now three years in to what will surely be a long stay on the ballot.

Alan Trammell (22.4%, 17.4%), Don Mattingly (16.1%, 11.9%), Dave Parker (15.2%, 15.0%) and Dale Murphy (11.7%, 11.5%)
Cases can be, and have been made for these four guys. At times, each one represented the best of the best at the respective positions. All four will stay around for the duration of their maximum 15 years on the ballot, but as I’ve said numerous times in the past…I think only the iconic Yankee Mattingly will sniff Cooperstown. At only 16% now, his vote totals haven’t gotten near the 75% needed, but I am predicting that when it is all said and done, the Veterans Committee will recognize his achievements in New York pinstripes.

Harold Baines (6.1%, 5.9%)
I love the fact that Baines can’t do better than six percent, yet won’t dip below five. I’ve always been a fan of the guy and as long as he is continuing to linger on the ballot…I will continue to pimp his cause. My hope is that the BBWAA won’t disappoint (as they proved they can this year), and keep throwing votes Baines’ way. 30-40 votes a year…that’s all I’m asking for. Less than that means he’s likely off the ballot.

Barry Larkin (51.6%, first year), Edgar Martinez (36.2%, first year) and Fred McGriff (21.5%, first year)
While Alomar surprised me…the totals for these three first timers did not. With more than half of the votes, Larkin is positioned to eventually get in (I’m looking your way, Class of 2015) and when he does…I’ll lead the slow clap. Regarding Martinez and McGriff, honestly, I could go either way. Put them in or don’t…I really have no issues either way.

Eleven guys (Andres Galarraga, Robin Ventura, Ellis Burks, Eric Karros, Kevin Appier, Pat Hentgen, David Segui, Mike Jackson, Ray Lankford, Shane Reynolds and Todd Zeile) got less than the five percent necessary to stick around next year. Suffice it to say…these guys won’t be missed come 2011.

In a year where it appears as though almost everyone increased their vote totals, I am beside myself that Mark McGwire (23.7%, 21.9%) still can’t get a third of the votes necessary to become a Hall of Famer. While I would never put him in the Hall…a lot of mainstream writers appeared to be changing their tune on the big redhead. With the latest revelations regarding performance enhancing drugs that have been unearthed in the last couple of years…“Big Mac” still doesn’t have any tangible evidence being pointed in his direction. My guess is that the writers are waiting to see if or when McGwire gets cleared of using PEDs before they make a realistic push to getting him enshrined…or, they’re hoping his time on the ballot ends quickly so they don’t have to make the decision to tick his box.

***Following the BBWAA's omission of everyone BUT Dawson, I posed the question, "Who else should have gotten the Cooperstown call?" This is how you answered: Alomar (71%), Blyleven (62%), Larkin (38%), Raines (26%), McGwire (25%), Morris (24%), Smith (21%), Martinez (14%) and Other (3%).***

Hawk is it!

I'm kinda shocked.

No...seriously.

Last night, I was predicting that it would be Andre Dawson and Roberto Alomar. I mean, you can sift through the number of posts that have been posted here and see how committed I was to Alomar's cause.

When I broke down the first timers on the 2010 ballot, I figured it would be Alomar and Dawson or Bert Blyleven. There was no way I could have predicted Dawson at 77% and with five blank (yes, BLANK) ballots being sent in Blyleven (74.2%) and Alomar (73.7%) each coming a handful of votes short.

For some glowing praise on the latest member of the Hall of Fame, head on over to Hawk4theHall. But basically, you have a guy, much like Jim Rice last year, where I think the writers shrugged their shoulders and said “why not?”

Dawson was an eight time All-Star, eight Gold Glove recipient, and took home an MVP Award and Rookie of the Year honors. Add to that close to 2800 hits and those pesky 438 home runs and you’ve gotta admit…”The Hawk” was a special, special player.

More on this later.

More Hall of Fame thoughts

First off, a big thanks to those who found the time to join in on the Live Chat last night. I don’t know if much got accomplished…but it was fun talking the Hall of Fame with some of my co-horts.

To re-cap my picks (if I had picks) from early in December, I would go with Roberto Alomar, Harold Baines, Andre Dawson, Barry Larkin, Fred McGriff and Lee Smith. Admittedly, I am still on the fence about Bert Blyleven, Edgar Martinez and Tim Raines and wouldn’t be able to give them my vote this year.

Soon we’ll know who will be making arrangements for that July induction in Cooperstown, New York.

Last July, I had the pleasure of talking about the Hall of Fame (among other things) with former big league pitcher Dick Drago.

Following the Live Chat, I, again, caught up with Drago and he clued me in to who he would vote for if given the chance…Alomar, Baines, Dawson, Larkin, Martinez, McGriff, Jack Morris, Raines and Smith.

Why no Blyleven?

“Blyleven spent a lot of years to get his numbers,” Drago said, “his win-lost record was not great. I'm a friend of his but not sure I would vote for him.”

But when I reminded Drago that he could vote for up to ten players, he changed his mind about Blyleven, laughed and called it a “courtesy pick”.

The Hall of Fame election results will be announced at 1pm CST and can be watched online over at MLB.com.

Randy Johnson calls it quits

"Eventually, you have to say it's time," five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday night.

Last season, "The Big Unit" notched his 300th victory in an injury plagued season with the Giants. Overall, he went 8-6 with a 4.88 ERA.

For his career, the tall lefty compiled a 303-166 record and 4,875 strikeouts, good for second-most in baseball history behind Nolan Ryan's 5,714.

In 2001, Johnson and his slider, "Mr. Snappy", helped lead the Diamondbacks to their only World Series Championship.

Some past links you might enjoy...On the Eve of 300 and 10 Units About Johnson's 300 Victories.