The Hall of Fame Class of 2010

This weekend, baseball’s Hall of Fame welcomes Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice.

Henderson was a shoe-in YEARS ago…whereas it took Rice every single one of the fifteen years he was allowed to be on the ballot.

So, with their inductions on the horizon, the discussion turns to who might join them NEXT year and the year after that, etc. And when I say “might join them” I’m NOT talking Bert Blyleven and Andre Dawson…I’m talking first ballot guys.

Let’s take a stab at 2010.

IN.

Roberto Alomar.
I’m huge on Alomar…can’t help it. The guy retired at 36 and still managed career numbers of 2724 hits and 1508 runs. Add to that his .300 career batting average and you’ve got one of the best second basemen ever to lace up the spikes. 12 straight All-Star Games, 10 Gold Gloves in an 11 years stretch and two World Series rings. Yeah…put him up the wall now and save the writers the vote.

Barry Larkin.
With all the hubbub that surrounded Cal Ripken and how he re-defined the position of shortstop over in the American League…Larkin was his equivalent in the National League. To an extent. With a career .295 batting average, 2340 hits and nine Silver Slugger Awards, the 1995 NL MVP brought some swagger back to what was a dead Big Red Machine…if only for a few years.

Fred McGriff.
Now, this is where I might lose some of ya…I think the “Crime Dog” is a Hall of Famer. It’s true, he wasn’t a sexy player (no MVP Awards, only five All-Star Games), but his numbers stack up well with some of the other first basemen in the Hall. Of the 12 enshrined, only five of them drove in more runs (McGriff has 1550 RBI), only four hit more home runs (McGriff hit 493), and only three scored more runs (McGriff scored 1349 runs). McGriff needs to be enshrined soon, because (like Rice for 14 of the last 15 years), his numbers will pale in comparison to the contemporaries on the ballot.

OUT (in random order).

Ellis Burks.
While I would never, EVER, use the words “Ellis Burks” and “future Hall of Famer” in the same sentence, I was surprised to see that he had a career batting average of .291, belted 352 home runs and was robbed in 1996 of the National League MVP Award.

Mike Jackson.
Jackson is 12th all-time (among pitchers) in games played with 1005…three more than Goose Gossage. Pretty impressive until you realize that numbers 1 through 11 consist of such notables as Dan Plesac and two other “Mikes”…Mike Stanton and Mike Timlin. Something tells me that Cooperstown isn’t ready for the journeyman closer/set up man yet.

Robin Ventura.
Six times a Gold Glove recipient at third and a gang load of grand slams…but that’s about it.

Kevin Appier.
If I told you that Appier had a career ERA of 3.74 and ten years with ten or more wins would you care? No?!? Thought so.

Ray Lankford, 1996 American League Cy Young Award Winner Pat Hentgen, Todd Zeile, 1992 National League Rookie of the Year Eric Karros, Mark McLemore, Fernando Vina, Shane Reynolds, Dave Burba, David Segui and Andy Ashby.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Edgar Martinez.
The argument FOR Martinez is that he is the “best DH ever”. The argument AGAINST Martinez is that he is the “best DH ever”. I’m not sure which side of the fence I fall on, but as long as Harold Baines is paying for his ticket…Martinez can stand in line behind him. Sure, Martinez has a .312 career batting average and ranks 22nd all-time in on base percentage (at .418)…but the guy only has 2247 hits and has a pretty empty trophy case to show for his 18 year career.

Andres Galarraga.
You can go both ways with the “Big Cat”. Take away the “Coors Factor” and Galarraga is the poor man’s Will Clark. Take into account that he DID play in Colorado during the prime of his career and he’s borderline Willie Stargell-like. But let’s face it…you can’t ignore 399 home runs, 1425 RBI and a career .288 batting average. Wait, the writers do routinely…and, again, his name is Harold Baines.

Alright…so those are the names on the ballot for the 2010 induction. Basically, I think Alomar is in and, perhaps, Dawson or Blyleven (or both) will join him.

Keep coming back the rest of the week for 2011, 2012, 2013 and, you guessed it…2014.

Philadelphia Pedro

Is it 2005?

Did the Phillies just win the conveted Pedro Martinez sweepstakes?

Should we care THIS MUCH about where a guy who has 17 wins over the last three seasons decides to pitch?

The answer to the first questions is "no" and unless you've been in a coma...the answer to the last is a resounding "I guess".

Seriously, EVERYONE (myself included HERE, HERE and HERE) has been talking about the guy over the last few months and its been almost nonstop since the weekend.

And while you can't turn on SportsCenter without seeing or hearing the
“I might surprise you, I might not...it’s going to be really fun to go find out" quote I thought I'd inundate you with what the Twitterers (Tweeters?) have been saying.

DanWalshed: How good has Pedro Martinez been? He could go 0-100 and still be 15 games over .500 for his career. One of the all time greats.


CSCoordinator: There's a reason why Adam Eaton was employed at the beginning of the season and Pedro Martinez was not...Just Saying.


Phrontiersman: Pedro Martinez is to 2009 Phillies as Bill Walton is to 1986 Celtics. Take it to the bank, baby.



d_fienberg: The Phillies paid a million bucks to put Pedro Martinez on the DL. I'd like them to know that I'd go on the DL for $50,000.


MikeBiondi: I love the sound of Phillies fans talking themselves into Pedro Martinez. Listen: he couldn't hit 93 on the gun in a Ferrari.


pkisubika: Is it just me or does Pedro Martinez look like a young Redd Foxx?


Nice work, internet...nice work.

Only with the signing of Martinez can Elton John's classic "Philadelphia Freedom" be lodged into my skull. Seriously, hum the thing to yourself, then when the chorus hits...blurt out "Philadelphia Pedro" instead of the song's title.

It's infectious.

And don't forget, you can follow The Hall on Twitter. By doing so...you'll get tweets every time this site is updated.

I like to call it "The Other Home Run Derby"

Typically, the Frontier League All-Star Game (much less its Home Run Derby) makes news here at The Hall, but when I am there...I am obligated to care.

Last night, after a White Sox-Cubs Legends Game (a big thanks to those who took the time to chat with me about The Hall...you know who you are), a group of guys I've never heard of from teams I've never cared about previously put on a show for the fans and, frankly, converted me to be one as well.

One guy in particular, Southern Illinois Miner Brad Miller, was the most impressive...a towering shot off the scoreboard, long flies into the Rockford night and homers at a blistering pace set the tone.

Read a re-cap from over at Our Sports Central HERE and see what Miller's local fishwrap, the Marion Daily, had to say HERE.

Now that THAT'S over...the Main Event

Call me a chick, but I dig the long ball and I was really looking forward to the Home Run Derby.

Seriously…I was.

But even after an incredibly lackluster Derby (I’ll admit it, some Prince Fielder’s bombs were insane, but Brandon Inge…c’mon, man, I hit zero home runs at Busch last night), it is important to remember that as exciting as the sideshow is, the game itself is the main attraction.

This year, a record SEVENTY ONE players were selected to represent their teams in the Mid-Season Classic.

Some say it is “too many”, others say “not enough”. Should each team be represented…should “this one count”?

I can’t answer any of those.

One thing is for certain, being selected to the game is a thrill and recently I had the opportunity to get the thoughts of three former All-Stars…Ed Herrmann, Ron Kittle and Jeff Montgomery.

HOVG: Combined you were selected to handful of All-Star Games, each in very different stadiums and each with very different results. What was your greatest thrill?

JM: I really enjoyed the Home Run Derby at all of the games. My favorite experience was in Baltimore in 1993 because of the new stadium and the other festivities that took place in the Inner Harbor area.

EH: Unfortunately I was unable to make the trip to the 1974 All-Star Game because I was on crutches at that time of the year.

RK: My greatest thrill was, first, being chosen and second, playing in my home park with family and friends there.

HOVG: What is the climate like in the clubhouse…any good stories?

RK: Most of the players were with their families, so it was get dressed, sign about 25 dozen baseballs and enjoy. It was fun, not many stories…lots of rushing to do this or that.

JM: The clubhouse was very loose. I’ll never forget when Kirby Puckett put Al Gore on the spot during his visit around the clubhouse with Tipper and asked why the new administration had implemented a new surtax on the wealthy. Kirby informed him that it cost him an extra half million dollars that year alone. Al Gore was speechless.

HOVG: Ron, you dug in against Pascual Perez and Lee Smith in your lone appearance…was there anyone in particular that you had hoped you could have faced?

RK: No just looking to play and get a chance to hit. Lee Smith struck me out at 103 mph...I swung for the roof and had fun.

HOVG: Jeff, you appeared in three games…is it better to be selected as the lone representative of the team or go there alongside others?

JM: It is better to go with others, whether it be another player or someone from the organization named to the staff.

HOVG: Since the 2002 tie, the Classic is billed as "this one counts"...should it?

JM: I think most players take great pride in representing themselves, their team, and their league regardless of the stakes so I don’t think it makes much difference that it “counts” for something now.
RK: For home field advantage only.

EH: I feel the All-Star Game should be the game it was designed to be….entertainment for the spectators. Winning it should have no bearing on who is considered the home league for the World Series. I feel you should alternate each year…National, American, etc. etc.

Ed Herrmann played eleven seasons in the bigs and was selected to appear in the 1974 All-Star Game. Unfortunately, an injury kept him from making the mid-season trip to Pittsburgh. Since leaving the game, “Hoggy” has worked as a scout, tutor, coach and a manager of youth teams ranging in age from 13 through college.

Ron Kittle made the most out of his rookie season in 1983 by appearing in the All-Star Game (which was played at his home field, Comiskey Park), setting a White Sox record for home runs as a rookie and taking home the Rookie of the Year Award. Now…Kittle can be found riding his Harley, given motivational speeches and hand crafting benches. Check out his work at RonKittle.com.

Jeff Montgomery played thirteen seasons in the Majors…twelve of them with the Kansas City Royals. He is a three time All-Star, a member of the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame and their all-time leader in games pitched, games finished and saves. “Monty” resides in the Kansas City area and lends his expertise to Sports Radio 810 WHB-AM.

Since there isn’t a parade leading up to the game like there was last year (did someone mention the “last season at Yankee Stadium"?), I will not be watching the All-Star Game in real time.

No, seriously, I won’t be watching the game live as I’ll be attending the Frontier League All-Star festivities. And since I can’t avoid the endless tweets, text messages and emails regarding the outcome of game…the phone will be turned off.

And one final note…did you catch good friend of The Hall Gar “Batting Stance Guy” Ryness on The Late Show? If not, it was an instant classic.

You can watch Gar HERE.

Jonathan Somebody throws no-hitter

With what will probably be the quickest forgotten no-hitter since a different Sanchez (Anibal) threw one, San Francisco Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez blanked San Diego for 2009's first no-no.

Having never gotten past summer league baseball in high school, I realize that I am in no position to judge, but c'mon...if someone called you tonight and told you that a member of the Giants staff was on his way to throwing a no-hitter, you'd be more apt to think they were talking about Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson or Matt Cain.

Hell...catch me on an average day and I'd be more likely to come up with Atlee Hammaker or Mike Krukow's names LONG before I'd utter "Jonathan Sanchez".

All kidding aside, when it was all said and done, Sanchez did what only a dozen other Giants have done. And to top it off...he did it at his home park in front of his Dad.

Classy.

But up until a week, or even a few days ago, it wouldn't have even been Sanchez on the bump or Eli Whiteside behind the dish.

You see, Sanchez has been terrible this season. So bad, he hadn't started a game nearly three weeks and he had been banished to the bullpen. If the "Big Unit" doesn't hurt his shoulder...Sanchez is watching from the sidelines and not even imagining being in the starting rotation.

And Whiteside?

The only reason he was calling the shots was because normal catcher Bengie Molina was with his wife at the hospital where she was about to give birth.

So while they're not exactly Don Larsen and Yogi Berra and a mid-season Giants-Padres matchup doesn't have the same ring to it as Game Five of the World Series, the Sanchez and Whiteside pairing brought the Giants their 13th no-hitter in franchise history...the team's first in 33 years.

Not too shabby.

Pedro the Phillie?

You know the old adage "the rich get richer"?

Well, it appears as though the World Champion Phillies might be adding future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez into the mix.

Everyone and their brother is reporting that the Phillies have been scouting him in his native Dominican Republic and apparently his agent is negotiating with them (the Phillies...not everyone and/or their brother) in hopes in getting the righty back into the majors.

"The Phillies saw me this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches," Martinez told reporters.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports a deal was done, but confirmed the team's interest in the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

"He has not been signed," Amaro said before his squad took on Cincinnati on Thursday night. "We've seen him pitch. He's not in town."

It is said that Martinez worked three innings in a simulated game against a Phillies summer league team and that his fastball was clocked at up to 93 mph.

"I feel the best I have for some time," the eight-time All-Star said.

That's good, right? I only hope it is true.

If not...there goes the legacy.

As far back as January, there was talk of Pedro joining Pittsburgh or Florida. It never happened. Then...it was said, that he was going to be picked up following the World Baseball Classic. That too, never materialized.

If he looks as good as reported...welcome back.

If not, do what I suggested back when snow was on the ground, hang it up and maintain the legacy! The Hall of Fame Class of 2014 needs some crazy in its midst.

"Big Papi" joins elite club

As the first half of the season comes to a close, we've seen more than our fair share of milestones.

300 wins for Randy Johnson...check.

500 home runs for Gary Sheffield...check.

A slew of batters hitting the 300 (Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Lance Berkman, Ivan Rodriguez and Adam Dunn) and 400 (Jason Giambi) home run plateau...check, check, check, check, check and check.

FINALLY...thanks to a first inning home run Thursday night against the Royals, David Ortiz can add his name to the list.

Back in March, The Hall predicted "Big Papi" would have sent his 300th home run deep into the Boston night sometime in "early to mid-May". No one could have predicted Ortiz's problems at the plate during the first quarter of the season.

Worse yet, no one could seem to fix it.

“You guys saw my frustration at the beginning of the season, when I was just trying to do things and nothing was coming out,” Ortiz told reporters following Thursday's game. “Now I’m just relaxing and letting things happen.”

Papi started his season with one home run in the first two months and now, 19th on the active home runs list, has 10 in the last five weeks. You've gotta wonder...how many will he end up with?

The bigger question is this...will Ortiz get to 400 or 450? What seemed like a lock to happen a couple seasons ago, appears to be an uncertainty now.

Free MLB All-Star Tickets...who wants 'em?

If you're like me (and you're obviously not), you'll be attending the Frontier League All-Star Game next week instead of the REAL All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Good friend of The Hall, Dr. Aaron Perlut of the American Mustache Institute has come up with an innovative way of how you, yes YOU can be part of Tuesday's festivities!

Poo Holes! Poo Holes! Poo Holes!

If you are going to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star game next Tuesday, as well as planning on catching the HGH Fest, er...Home Run Derby the night before, you'll probably hear those chants quite often.

Indeed, Albert is arguably the best player going.

But the reality is that most of you can't afford $2,000 for a ticket, so you'll be sitting in a bar, drinking a few dozen ice cold Imbevweisers, and screaming at a television set that won't be listening to a word you are saying.

Alas, the fine men and women of the American Mustache Institute (AMI) offer hope...hope that may allow you to actually set foot in Busch Stadium DURING the game.

But first, let's pose this question: What do Pujols, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Braun, Raul Ibanez, Yadier Molina, Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira, Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria, Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki and Josh Hamilton all have in common?

If you said "no mustaches", you not only now have herpes through the magic of online tools, but you were right...barelipped city baby.

And you know what? There's something deeply wrong with that....the mustache part at least.

Baseball is a man's game...men with thick, rich, delicious, nutritious mustaches. Go back to Mike Schmidt, Gossage, Hojo, Fingers, Kirk Gibson, Dave Stewart, Jack Morris, the Hawk, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Guillen, the Penguin and more.

And while Bud Selig sits on his hands and let's the baseball mustache die like the Chinese Panda, AMI is bringing the 'stache back to this year's MLB All-Star classic by staging the All-Star 'Stache Dash.

What is it?

It's a digital clue hunt set for All-Star weekend that will deliver two free tickets for Tuesday's game to some lucky loser cruising the streets of St. Louis. And let's also not forget the significance of where the game is being played, as St. Louis is home to the world's largest mustache...the Gateway Arch.

So how does it all work? Very simple: sign up to follow the 2009 All-Star ‘Stache Dash on Facebook and Twitter, and as you are stumbling drunkenly through town, look for mustached baseball cards from the 1980s.

Then, when you are not cruising the web for porn, be sure to pay attention to daily updates to the Facebook and Twitter pages on your mobile phones.

Come Monday night, you could win two tickets to see the bare-faced mortals slug it out to determine home field advantage for the 2009 World Series (which is the dumbest thing ever...thank you again Mr. Selig).

Carry on.