Hall of Fame 2013

     Well, it's that time again.  Time for everyone to debate the PED users chances of induction into the HOF.

     My stance hasn't changed much.  I measure the players against the others in their era.  PEDs or not.  I'm getting tired of all this arguing.  Did they cheat?  I guess so.  But so did so many other already in the Hall.  Gaylord Perry, Don Sutton.....

     Sure, they didn't, as far as we know, take any PEDs, cocaine or amphetamines, but they still altered the friggin' baseball to get an advantage on hitters.  Sounds like cheating in my book.  Anyways, that a whole new argument.  I'm just going to list my 10 for the Hall.  As if anyone actually cares what I think.

1.  Mike Piazza:  No evidence proves he did any PEDs.  You can make assumptions, but I haven't seen any proof.  Definitely THE best power hitting catcher of all time.  His downsides would just be his defense and his ability to throw runners out. 

2.  Jeff Bagwell:  Again, he's like Piazza.  No proof.  The man got the job done.  Period.  I think he belongs in the Hall.

3.  Barry Bonds:  Uh-oh.  Well, he was great before we suspect/know he started using and he was even better afterwards.  His career says it all. 

4.  Roger Clemens:  Same as Bonds.  In 30 years, people aren't going to care as much about IF they used, but they'll look back at their careers and ask why are they not in the HOF? 

5.  Alan Trammell: Should already be in the Hall.  Where's Whitaker?

6.  Fred McGriff:  No link to PEDs, and look at his numbers.  Get back the missed games from 94 and 95 and he has 500 homers easily.

7.  Edgar Martinez:  Arguably the best DH of all time.  If a closer can get inducted, so can a DH.  They're both specialists.  One at getting the last 3 outs and the other at hitting the ball.

8.  Craig Biggio: His last years hurt him some, both offensively and defensively.  Especially being moved to the OF.  But I believe he should still get in based on his years at 2B and his 3,000 hits.

9.  Curt Schilling: Very dominant for a few years.  Great postseason career.  He helped his teams win World Series Championships.  Also, one of the best strikeout pitchers.

10.  Tim Raines:  The second best leadoff hitter of all time.  He definitely deserves enshrinement.

     The ones who almost made my list: Dale Murphy, Jack Morris, Mark McGwire and Lee Smith.  This is Murphy's last year on the ballot, and I'll hate to see him fall off.  Morris will most likely get in soon, unless the new waves knock him down some.  This ballot is going to get overcrowded very soon.  Lee Smith should be in and Mark McGwire could go either way.  Tremendous power, but not much else.  And exactly how much did PEDs help him out? 

     Next year, I believe Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas hit the ballot.  All 3 are first round inductions in my book. 

   Also, I guess I should get online more often and type stuff up.  I haven't been on here in two years. 

Hall of Fame 2012

I'm going to go ahead and guess the winners for next years HOF.  I'll go ahead and put up my ten as well that I'd vote for.  That way when I do my ten again closer to the voting period, I can see if I stayed true to now.

I got a feeling that only Barry Larkin will make entry into the HOF next year.  Jack Morris could possibly make it, but it'd have to be a big jump.

I'm also hoping that Jeff Bagwell's vote totals will take a big jump next year.  I think he deserves entry just as much as Fred McGriff and Dale Murphy. 

My Ten:
1.  Barry Larkin
2.  Fred McGriff
3.  Jack Morris
4.  Lee Smith
5.  Tim Raines
6.  Jeff Bagwell
7.  Dale Murphy
8.  Alan Trammell
9.  Don Mattingly
10.  Edgar Martinez

Hall of Fame 2011

Well, the players who got voted in were the only ones expected to gain entry this time round.

Congratulations to Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven.  Alomar, I believe, deserved entry on his first ballot not his second.  Blyleven probably should also have gone in sooner.

The surprising parts to me is the low vote totals for Fred McGriff and Rafael Palmeiro.  I know Palmeiro "juiced" at least once and had that come right after his finger waving.  I was still shocked at his 11% total.  I figured he'd get at least in the 20 to 25% range.  WRONG!

Also McGriff's low totals.  I'm shocked.  He was a difference maker for the Braves and had consistent power.  He reminds me a lot of Eddie Murray.  I know the Crime Dog finished with less than the "magic" 500 HR total, but even that seems to not matter anymore with the steriod players.  Maybe McGriff will end up like Jim Rice and eventually gain entry after years on the ballot.  Yes, I also know that McGriff was as handy on the defensive side as Murray.  Mainly I'm shocked that Larry Walker recieved more votes than McGriff.  Both good players, but McGriff, in my opinion, was just better overall with more impact.

Juan Gone Gonzalez was almost Juan Gone from future ballots as well.  He just survived, and rightfully so.  He deserves a bit more consideration, even if many assume he juiced up with Canseco.

Next year looks to be more about who's on the ballot now, and not who's coming onto the ballot.  Next years influx isn't very impressive and not one really screams to me I'M A FREAKING HALL OF FAMER. 

My Ten for the Hall 2011

Back again with my ten for the HOF.

1.  Roberto Alomar
2.  Barry Larkin
3.  Tim Raines
4.  Jack Morris
5.  Dale Murphy
6.  Fred McGriff
7.  Jeff Bagwell
8.  Mark McGwire
9.  Don Mattingly
10.  Edgar Martinez

I'll be back with detailed reasons as to why they are my picks.

Top Ten List

I'm starting something new for me, a top ten list.  Since Zack Greinke looks to become a Milwauke Brewer, my first top ten list will be the TOP TEN STARTING PITCHERS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.

1.  ROY HALLADAY- PHILLIES

A true ace.  A master of the craft.

2.  ADAM WAINWRIGHT- CARDINALS

I feel that he gets overlooked, but he has become an excellent starting pitcher always in the CY young chase.

3.  TIM LINCECUM- GIANTS

Freak.

4.  CLIFF LEE- PHILLIES

I'm looking for him to dominate again in the NL.

5.  JOSH JOHNSON- MARLINS

Pure win.

6.  TIM HUDSON- BRAVES

Has done very well for the Braves.

7.  ZACK GREINKE- BREWERS

Awesome stuff, should enjoy the Central.  Except for when he faces Pujols and Votto.

8.  ROY OSWALT- PHILLIES

I'm seeing a trend here.  Phillies are everywhere!  Oswalt's getting older, but still has commanding stuff.

9.  MATT CAIN- GIANTS
10.  UBALDO JIMINEZ- ROCKIES

These others just missed my list.

Chris Carpenter
Stephen Strasburg (I need to see more.)
Yovani Gallardo

Wow, I didn't hold up with my last post!

As the title says.  Yeah, I didn't post a darn thing all year!  Ha!  Oh well, life is busy.  But I'll try to post new thoughts as time goes this new upcoming season.

Been a long time....

Just now got back to posting. Been a busy year. Yankees won the World Series over the Phillies! Made me happy. Well, as happy as one can be when he doesn't really care for either team, but hates the Phillies more. Cubs fell apart as usual just like the Mets.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep up this year with my thoughts on the ongoings of the MLB.