2010 Milestone Preview: National League Central

A funny thing happens every year in the middle of March…65 college teams tip off their tournament believing that “this is the year” and before even a pitch is thrown, one baseball team is already proclaiming that they’re going to “wait ‘til next year”.

Why is there such blind optimism among the college ranks (I’m specifically looking your way Northern Iowa and Cornell) and pessimism among the pros?

Could it be the pressures to succeed, the folly of youth or the fact that the Cubs have to square off against Albert Pujols fifteen times this season?

As you ponder that…here’s your NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL.


CHICAGO CUBS

Last season, Chicago's Central division rival Houston Astros had three players top 300 home runs for their career. This year, the Cubs are in the same position by having Derrek Lee (293), Alfonso Soriano (290) and Aramis Ramirez (264) all within shouting distance of the milestone.

Ramirez is the longshot given the shoulder injury that plagued him for most of 2009, but at only 31…it is worth mentioning that only the afore mentioned Pujols and Adam Dunn are younger and have hit more.

In the dugout, skipper Lou Pinella is 16 wins away from becoming only the fourteenth manager with more than 1800 victories. And of the ten Hall-eligible managers ahead of him on the list, only one (Gene Mauch) is not enshrined in Cooperstown.

For a lot of teams, it takes a former player getting voted into the Hall of Fame to get their number retired. One look at their foul poles and you’ll realize, that, for the Cubs…they have no such policy.

That being said, would it be too much to ask that the Cubs FINALLY hoist Andre Dawson’s number 8 up alongside the six former Cubs that have their numbers retired.

I realize that the guy isn’t going into the Hall as a member of the “Loveable Losers” (you can read the reasons why he should HERE), but that wasn’t his choice. The Northside loves the Hawk and he loves the Northside…retire his number.


CINCINNATI REDS

20 years ago, the Reds sweep the heavily favored Oakland A’s in the World Series. In the years since, they’ve made one playoff appearance and have finished at .500 or better only three times.

Unfortunately this season isn’t appearing to look at brighter.

Provided he can stay healthy (easier said than done), Scott Rolen is 17 home runs away from 300. Sure the third baseman’s best years are behind him, but 17 home runs is not out of the picture.


HOUSTON ASTROS

If you look close enough when Houston takes the field this season, you’ll notice a patch commemorating the team’s 45 years as the Astros. Their moniker prior to becoming the ‘stros…the Colt .45s?

Coincidence? Probably.

About the only milestone Houston has going for it is Roy Oswalt’s countdown to 300 wins. With 13 more…he’ll be half way there!


MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Quietly, reliever Trevor Hoffman is still out there putting up great numbers. After being left for dead following the 2008 season (really San Diego…releasing Hoffman by fax?), the future first ballot Hall of Famer took to the hill in Milwaukee and put together one of his top four or five seasons.

A couple of years ago, Hoffman became the first closer to reach 500 saves. By the time the rest of us celebrate Memorial Day, he’ll have already become the first to 600.

After taking 2009 off, outfielder Jim Edmonds is competing for a job with the Brewers. Should the eight-time Gold Glove winner make his way north to Milwaukee, he’ll add to his 382 home runs.

Now, I’m not suggesting that 400 home runs is the new 500 (let’s face it, 600 is going to be)…but 400 home runs IS important. With 18 homers, Edmonds will be sitting at 46th all-time, having jumped over such notable as Johnny Bench (389), Dale Murphy (398) and Al Kaline (399) in the process


PITTSBURGH PIRATES

In this, their tenth year at PNC Park, the Pirates will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bill Mazeroski’s game winning home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series by unveiling a statue outside their ballpark.

After that, the only thing Bucs fans have to cheer about is the possibility of their teams breaking their already record streak of 17 consecutive losing seasons.

Unfortunately, that is about as likely as third-year skipper John Russell making it to his fourth year at the helm of the Pirates.


ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

St. Louis has turned into one of those teams where all of their potential milestones could get overlooked because of the achievements of one man.

So before we get lost in the majesty that is Albert Pujols…let’s look at the only other Redbirds worth mentioning.

Skipper Tony LaRussa is first among all active managers with 2552 victories. All-time, he’s third…211 behind John McGraw.

Alright…so, here’s what we can look forward to from Pujols this season.

“Prince Albert” starts 2010 with 366 home runs. Should he get those 34 and reach 400 by the end of this season, he’ll be the youngest National Leaguer to reach the milestone (30 years old) and second youngest overall after Alex Rodriguez who was a couple of months shy of his 30th birthday when he belted his.

Now, assuming Pujols gets 30 or more home runs, 100 RBI and hits better than .300 (something he’s done in each of his nine seasons so far), he’ll not only be the only cat to start his career with ten straight seasons with those numbers, but also…he’ll be the only player to have done it in ten straight seasons in a row.

Should he get 40 or more home runs and 40 or more doubles this season, it’ll be a record fourth time he achieved the feat. Last season, he tied Lou Gehrig as the only player to have done it three times.

And should Pujols do all the above and take home another National League MVP award, he’ll be only one of two players (Barry Bonds has seven) to be named his league’s best more than three times.

It’s safe to call this guy the best in the game, right?

Thought so.

The American League Central is up next. Feel free to go back and check out the American League East HERE.

"Jesus" Strasburg Sent to Double-A

After giving up just two runs this spring training for the Washington Nationals, last year's number one overall pick, Stephen Strasburg packed his bags, his Bible and is heading north.

Unfortunately, he'll be passing up our nation's capital and landing in Pennsylvania's...but don't let anyone tell you that this wasn't about money.

"It's not an easy decision," National General Manager Mike Rizzo told the Washington Post, "but we can't be short-sighted. We have to look what's best for the organization long term. That's dictated by what's best for Stephen Strasburg's development."

Really? The guy has a Major League cannon for an arm, hits 100mph on the Jugs gun...yet this is "what's best" for his development?!?

How about the fact that Harrisburg just recently dumped a ton of money into renovations at Metro Bank Park? What about the fact that that same ballpark is home to this year's Eastern League All-Star Game?

And, oh yeah, if he stays in the Minors for the first two weeks of the season, Strasburg's free agency and eventual departure from Washington gets pushed back a year. If he's there for two months...his arbitration eligibility gets pushed back an extra season as well.

To me, it appears that Strasburg's "development" coincides with a potential windfall organization-wide for the Nationals.

Let's just hope that this slight speedbump doesn't derail Strasburg...because just by being the first pick in the draft guarantees him instant success, right?

Wrong.

Would you be shocked to find out that since the draft started in 1965, there hasn't been a single number one draft pick to make his way to The Hall of Fame?

Matter of fact, only four players that have been selected in the top ten of the respective draft classes have been enshrined...Reggie Jackson (drafted second overall in 1966), Robin Yount and Dave Winfield (selected with the third and fourth picks in the 1973) and Paul Molitor (taken third overall in 1977).

All in all, a pretty good foursome...but you've gotta admit, it is a little surprising.

And before you ask, yes, there appears to be at least three number ones that will be joining Jackson, Yount, Winfield and Molitor in Cooperstown in the upcoming years. Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were all taken first in 1987, 1990 and 1993 respectively.

Lastly, tickets for the Harrisburg Senators home opener go on sale Saturday.

Matt's Mailbag: March 19, 2010

Simply put, good friend of The Hall, contributor Matt Antonelli is having a good spring. In fact, going into the weekend, he's hitting ..375 (9 for 24) through 12 games with the Padres this spring.

In lieu of the normal "Matt's Mailbag" feature...give Matt's interview with HotStove.com a listen.

"Ocho Uno" is En Route to Louisville

Another sign that the baseball season is right around the corner…teams are starting to reduce their roster size.

Today, the Cincinnati Reds pared their roster to 48, sending Hall of Very Good favorite Jon Adkins to their Triple-A affiliate in Louisville.

“I grew up in Wayne, West Virginia where everyone is a Reds fan, including myself,” Adkins told The Hall exclusively after signing a Minor League deal with the Reds back in December. “Louisville is four hours from Wayne (and) is a great place to spend your spring and summer.”

Also en route to Possibility City, Adkins’ spring training number with the parent club…81.

“We have the 81 jersey, we also have an ‘Ocho Uno’ name plate,” Bats Vice President/General Manager Dale Owens said, referring to Adkins’ Chad Johnsonlike desire to be addressed by his number. “I also have an Adkins name plate. I am going to let Jon decide when he gets here. I'm not even sure if it's legal…but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

This spring, the righty appeared in four games, allowing seven runs in 5.2 innings. Last season with the Lotte Giants, Adkins was 3-5 with a 3.70 ERA and a Korean Baseball Organization leading 26 saves.

Over his Major League career, he has compiled a 5-5 record and a 4.54 ERA in 119 appearances. For most of 2008, he served as the closer for the Louisville Bats, Cincinnati’s Triple-A club, saved 30 games and was the Bats co-MVP.

2010 Milestone Preview: American League East

It would be really, really easy to sit here and write on and on about Alex Rodriguez.

The fact that, at 33, he’s just 17 home runs away from becoming the youngest player to hit 600 home runs.

Too easy.

The fact that he’s about to leapfrog plenty of Hall of Famers as he climbs up the all-time RBI list.

Like taking candy from a baby.

The fact that, last year, by finishing with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the 13th time in his career, he broke a tie with Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx for the most in MLB history.

Fish in a barrel.

Like I said, coming up with praise for A-Rod would be easy and that’s why I’m choosing to, again, ignore his efforts and focus on the rest of the AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST.


BALTIMORE ORIOLES

In just their 110th year of existence, the Orioles don’t have a ton to talk about this season.

Among the only milestones worth mentioning…newly re-acquired Miguel Tejada enters 2010 with 285 home runs. And with back-to-back seasons with 13 and 14 home runs…it remains to be seen if the 2002 American League MVP can get his old stroke back.

Also of note for the O’s is Brian Roberts and his ability to amass extra base hits 50 doubles or more at a time. Should “B-Rob” hit that mark again, he’ll be one of only two players (Hall of Famer Tris Speaker is the other) with four seasons with 50 or more doubles.


BOSTON RED SOX

When the Red Sox travel to Baltimore May 2, newly acquired Mike Cameron will celebrate the eighth anniversary of becoming just the thirteenth player to hit four home runs in a game.

With 1798 career strikeouts, the 37 year-old centerfielder sits eleventh all-time…18 behind Dave Kingman. With any luck(?), Cameron, could finish the season fifth overall.

Hooray?

And speaking of Ks (weren’t we?), Fenway’s favorite octogenarian Tim Wakefield is a mere 21 punchouts away from becoming the third knuckleballer with 2000 or more strikeouts.

Also within reach for Wakefield is 200 wins. Nestled behind Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez and the awesomely named Brickyard Kennedy and Urban Shocker, Wakefield is sitting at 189…good for third (fifth if John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez find work) on the active list.

Wakefield’s 175 wins in Boston is just behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens’ 192 on the all-time Red Sox list. But getting 17 Ws out of Wakefield this season (or the next two for that matter), might be a pipedream.


NEW YORK YANKEES

The big news last season (for some reason) was Derek Jeter surpassing Lou Gehrig as the Yankees hit king. Now that that is has come and gone…all we can focus on is the All-World shortstop’s countdown to 3000 hits.

Which, unfortunately, won’t come until 2011.

With 2747 hits to his credit…let’s all agree to re-visit this topic a year from June shall we.

And given only one American League pitcher has notched 21 wins or more in the last four seasons, it isn’t likely that Andy Pettitte is going to get the 21 necessary to raise his career total to 250.

What is likely, however, is that CC Sabathia WILL get the 14 wins he needs to get to 150 for his young career. At only 28 (he turns 29 in June), the big lefty has the best shot among all young hurlers to end up in that 250-300 range.


TAMPA BAY RAYS

Carl Crawford is the Rays career leader is just about every offensive category. With 92 triples to his credit, he is third among active players (Johnny Damon and Jimmy Rollins each have 95), but probably the most likely to reach 100 first.

One category that doesn’t see Crawford atop the leaderboard is home runs. Going into the season, for Ray Aubrey Huff is 12 home runs ahead of current first baseman Carlos Pena.

With an average of 39 home runs in each of his years in Tampa Bay, odds are Pena will be the Rays all-time leader before Memorial Day.


TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Now that the constant Roy Halladay trade rumors that plagued the Blue Jays last season are a thing of the past…Toronto fans can focus on Vernon Wells inching toward 200 home runs for his career.

Sure, Halladay and his amazing track record north of the border was something of Canadian folklore, but this is Vernon Wells, people.

Vernon. Wells.

Nevermind.

The National League Central is next on the docket…feel free to check out the National League East HERE.

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?

Former All-Star Talks Steroids, "Greenies"

Thanks to Jose Canseco’s bestselling book Juiced and its follow up “The Mitchell Report”, Major League Baseball may never get out from under the steroid cloud.

It seems that virtually every lengthy discussion about baseball ends up touching upon performance enhancing drugs.

That being said…I’ve never had the cajones to, in all my dealings with baseball players (past and present), ask anyone flat out if THEY did anything illegal.

I guess that’s where the anonymity of the internet comes in.

Over at Morgan Ensberg’s blog, “Stuart” threw out the following question: “Did you use PED’s and did you see others using them? A simple yes or no will not do.”

Yikes! Pretty ballsy “Stuart”.

More ballsy however…the former All-Star’s reply.

Stuart I am pumped up that you asked me that! I didn’t use steroids or anything else that helped build muscle.

The only thing I saw in the clubhouse was “greenies” which I have done about 10 times. Greenies are basically “uppers” and they didn’t do anything to me. I am not sure if that is a good thing.

I drink a ton of coffee and would drink something like 2 redbulls before a game if I felt sluggish.

I always use this analogy. In Hermosa Beach, where I grew up, there were a bunch of kids who smoked weed. I was asked if I wanted to smoke, but I said no and that was the end of it.

I eventually smoked in college about 30 times and I liked it. But I noticed that it made me eat a lot and I didn’t need any help in that department.

Back to the point, I didn’t smoke so I wasn’t in “that club”. If you are not in the group then you have no idea what guys are doing it. The same thing happened in college with cocaine. I have never done cocaine, but some of my buddies did and I had no idea. I just thought that they were really hyper.

My opinion is this. I can’t fault anyone for doing steroids because they are trying to do everything they can to get to the big leagues. I played in the Dominican and Venezuela and nothing you say will change my opinion on a guy making a decision to feed his family. This isn’t apples and apples.

I don’t even think that those guys who did do steroids pushed me out of the game. I had the ability to play the game at the highest level and that is really cool to me.

Amazing. An honest reply from a Major Leaguer to a fan.

In a time where agents and career politicking sometimes gets in the way…it’s refreshing to see Ensberg’s opinion on things.

Plus, dude’s got the makings of a decent site.

Check it out!

2010 Milestone Preview: National League East

Last year at this time, the big question was…can the Phillies repeat?

And they did.

Kinda.

They won the National League pennant, but as anyone with a pulse knows…they lost the World Series to the New York Yankees.

Along the way, Philadelphia saw their young superstar Ryan Howard add two new achievements to his already growing resume.

First, he reached 200 home runs quicker than anyone else in Major League history when he went deep against the Marlins on July 16. Three months later, in his final at bat of the Fall Classic, the 2006 MVP set a record when he went down swinging for a World Series record 13th time.

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


ATLANTA BRAVES

Long gone are the days of Greg Maddux (now in the Braves front office), Tom Glavine (finally, officially retired) and John Smoltz (whereabouts unknown). Thankfully, Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox are still drawing a paycheck in “The ATL”.

Jones is looking at eclipsing a couple benchmarks this season…2500 hits, 1500 RBI and 450 home runs are all in his sites. The first two being the easiest to accomplish given he is sitting at 2406 hits and 1445 RBI. But with 426 home runs, reaching 450 might be a stretch.

Any way you slice it, the Braves third baseman will be adding to his already Hall-worthy resume as he is the only switch hitter in Major League history with a career batting average better than .300 (.308) and more than 400 home runs.

He’ll enter the season 14th all-time among switch hitters on the career hits list, but should end up ninth. And with a mere 64 RBI, he’ll surpass Mickey Mantle and move into second place on the all-time list of RBI by a switch hitter.

Manager Bobby Cox enters his last season as a big league skipper fourth all-time in wins with 2413. He won’t leap frog Tony LaRussa (2552), but if Atlanta should make the playoffs…it will be a record setting 16th appearance for Cox.

In 2007, the fiery manager became the all-time leader in ejections (he now has 151) and was the last manager to get the boot from a World Series game back in 1996. Incidentally, he is also the only skipper to have been kicked out of two World Series games for arguing.

After a 2009 season that saw him bounced from his closer role in New York to setting up Jonathan Papelbon in BeanTown, Billy Wagner is being looked at as the every day closer for the Braves.

Should “Billy the Kid” do the expected and notch at least 15 saves, he’ll reach 400 for his career…something only four other relievers (Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera, Lee Smith and John Franco) have done.

Not bad for a “rat” who was run out of Philadelphia following the 2005 campaign.


FLORIDA MARLINS

Take a quick glance at the Marlins 40-man roster and you’ll notice one thing…only THREE of their players (Wes Helms, Brian Sanches and Dan Uggla) were born prior to the Reagan Administration.
Simply stated, they’re young, gang, and if you’re expecting some sort of Braves-like write up here…you’re sadly mistaken.

All that aside, third baseman Jorge Cantu is only ten long balls away from 100 home runs for his career.

Shrug.


NEW YORK METS

The Mets, on the other hand, are looking to stay healthy. Last season, the Amazins saw their players spend a league best (worst?) 1480 days on the disable list.

One of the guys who spent the most time on the DL is former All-Star Carlos Beltran who opens the season 27 home runs away from 300 for his career.

And while it isn’t likely he’ll reach the plateau in 2010 (he’s starting the season, where else…on the disabled list), every swing of the bat inches him up another rung on the “Puerto Rican Born Major Leaguers” ladder.

In New York’s bullpen, Francisco Rodriguez is sitting at 243 saves. Now, on the all-time list, that’d put him smack dab between Dan Quisenberry (244) and Sparky Lyle (238), but considering this cat is only 28…we’re going to witness the youngest reliever ever to reach 250 saves and could be looking at someone to challenge Trevor Hoffman’s career numbers.

At the same age, Hoffman had yet to save 100 games…but from age 29 to 41, dude added close to 500 more.

Before last season, former Royals closer Jeff Montgomery told The Hall that he wouldn’t “be surprised if K-Rod blows out his arm next year”…and he didn’t. I’m sure the Mets are hoping Monty’s bold prediction never comes true.

But since we’re supposed to be talking tangible milestones here, let me throw this one at ya. Did you know that Rodriguez is 45 games finished behind fellow Venezuelan (and convicted murderer) Ugueth Urbina on his countries all-time games finished list?

No?!?

Yeah, something tells me that that won’t be the lead on SportsCenter when it happens come late-August.


PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

As if you needed to be reminded of this…but Jamie Moyer is old.

How old? He is the one player out there that can tell you where he was when JFK assassinated. And not only is he the oldest player out there…he bests John Smoltz (should he end up somewhere) by close to four and a half years!

So, given he’s older than a number of managers out there, it makes sense that, with 258 wins, Moyer is the active leader. Unfortunately, with 195 losses…he’s tops among active pitchers there as well. If/when Moyer loses his 200th game, he’ll be the first pitcher to hit that mark since Glavine lost his 200th April 13, 2008.

But back to victories. As far as wins go, the next in line is Andy Pettitte with 229 and before anyone starts to wonder aloud about Moyer’s Hall of Fame chances…it’s not going to happen. However, there are only two lefties (Jim Kaat and Tommy John) who have more wins and won’t see their ticket to Cooperstown punched anytime soon.

All others have been or will be enshrined.

An interesting sidenote on Moyer…dude is just 14 bombs (491) behind Robin Roberts total of 505 when it comes to home runs allowed. Should he get the opportunity, he’ll tick closer and closer to Hall of Famer Roberts and, hopefully, surpass the one-time Phillies hurler on the all-time list.

Also of note…closer Brad Lidge is a handful of saves (five) away from notching 200 for his career.


WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Prior to 2009, Ron Villone was looking to get some time with his record tying twelfth team. On May 7, “Suitcase” found his way to the mound for the Nationals and tied pitcher Mike Morgan as the game’s most traveled player.

This year, Matt Stairs is looking to get some playing time in San Diego (coincidentally, his twelfth team)…so let’s all hope that Villone finds his way to lucky number 13.

With only three home runs in his last 30 games, Adam Dunn topped out at 38 home runs last season, failing to become only the second player with more than 40 home runs (or more) in six straight seasons.

Only Babe Ruth did it more (seven times), but here’s the big question…isn’t six seasons of 38 or more home runs in a season an accomplishment?

Someone should look that up!

Now with his fifth different team in the last three seasons, 14 time All-Star Ivan Rodriguez is looking to secure his spot as the greatest catcher ever.

It’s true.

The 1999 American League MVP has 13 Gold Gloves behind the plate, has appeared in more games than any other backstop (2288) and also leads all catchers in hits.

Lastly, the Nationals are looking to be the first National League team to lose 100 or more games in three straight seasons since their rival 1962-1965 Mets did it for four straight seasons.

Ouch.

The American League East is next on the slate.