Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[killeverything]

Tracy McGrady pursuing a pitching career with the Sugarland Skeeters of the Atlantic League. He throws 90+, but he's like 37 so....

[johnk5150]

The Cubs need to sign another shorty Orioles castoff.

Should read "shitty".

[UtahRatt]

Lance Berkman to retire. I'm happy he won a ring he always come across as a likeable player.

Micheal Young to retire.

Before anyone asks both fall well short of HOF inductions, like not even debatable.

Not sure I'd put Lance in but he should get more consideration for what he's done.

What about Todd Helton?

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_24 ... ooperstown

FOR

Helton is among only eight players in major-league history to own a at least a .316 career batting average, .414 on-base percentage and .539 slugging percentage (minimum 1,000 games played). The others: Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. All of them, except for the still-active Pujols, are in the Hall of Fame.

Helton's career batting average of .316 is the eighth-highest for any player since 1946 (minimum 5,000 at-bats).

Helton is one of only two players in baseball history to have at least 2,500 hits, 550 doubles, 350 home runs and a career batting average of .315 or higher. Musial is the only other player to meet that criteria.

By age 30, Helton had five All-Star Game appearances, four Silver Slugger awards and three Gold Gloves on his résumé.

Helton widely is considered among the best fielding first basemen of his generation.

The Hall of Fame Monitor, created by statistical analyst Bill James, rates Helton a Hall of Famer. James' highly subjective rating assigns points for year-to-year achievements in numerous statistical and award categories. A player who scores above 100 usually is in the Hall of Fame conversation. A score of 130 nearly always means the player will get inducted. Helton has 175 points.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

AGAINST

Helton's career can be divided into two distinct eras. From 1997-2005 he was among baseball's best, belting 271 home runs, with 1,535 hits, 915 RBIs, 373 doubles, a .337 batting average and a 1.040 OPS. But from 2006-13 he was an average player, bringing down his overall career averages.

Helton averaged nearly 37 homers a year from 1999 through 2004 but did not hit 20 home runs in a season after 2005.

Helton's Cooperstown candidacy will be hurt by comparisons with former teammate Larry Walker, who was the 1997 National League MVP and won three batting titles, but has peaked at 22.9 percent in three appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot. Playing at Coors Field has hurt Walker's candidacy. It's likely to hurt Helton's too.

Helton's Cooperstown candidacy will be hurt by comparisons with former teammate Larry Walker, who was the 1997 National League MVP and won three batting titles, but has peaked at 22.9 percent in three appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot. Playing at Coors Field has hurt Walker's candidacy. It's likely to hurt Helton's too.

Sports Illustrated sabermetics expert Jay Jeff notes: "While Helton has put up an extremely impressive batting line ... playing half his games in the most favorable offensive en- vironment in modern history has been a huge part of his story."

Despite his home ballpark being Coors Field, Helton topped 100 RBIs in a season only five times.

Though Helton never was linked to steroids, a number of BBWAA members say, oddly enough, that they consider Helton part of baseball's PED era and say that could hurt his candidacy even though he was regarded as a "clean" player.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_24 ... ooperstown

[UtahRatt]

Which is why I hope baseball historians collectively refer to that time period as the "Selig Era" not the "Steroid Era," etc. It should be known by the jackwagon that let, supported and I wouldn't doubt encouraged it's use.

I'd rather see MLB clean up this mess with some dignity.

It's an issue that needs to be openly addressed, openly talked about, worked on and fixed today. Not next year or the coming years, today. It's taking out an entire era of great ball that infected the planet including the voting association which will continue to effect MLB for decades.
There isn't a big enough rug to sweep it under but that's what is going to happen, I'm sure Selig will drag it out then let someone else clean up since he started the Stop and Containment mode so the next step should already be in the works.

The only option I can fathom is.
I'd love to see MLB openly come out with an admission of guilt and say, lets fix this together. The Steroid shock is gone and over with, that shit should have left with Rafael Palmeiro. Without opening the windows the smell will linger like a dead animal.

Steroids started out naively, people turned their back as the stats went out of the park then it turned into cancer. Openly talking about it would be a better cure then finding a rug. Players, coaches, teams, owners and MLB. Everyone played a role, so everyone should help.

Now how it affects stats and players going into the HOF, that's going to take a lot of opinions put together. The stats will take care of themselves, Football stats are blown open by the softening of rules. Like Football, with Baseball, the Selig era is something that don't compare to past. Apples and Oranges. Sadly too because if it wasn't for Steroids the game hasn't really changed.

[killeverything]

Speaking of the Selig Era, Happy 80th Bday to the actual homerun champ Hank Aaron.

[killeverything]

Career long Yankee Killer Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer. Details coming.

[Machado]

Career long Yankee Killer Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer. Details coming.

Terrible news. I actually enjoy his honesty when on ESPN and his view of
the game, pitching, hitting, etc....

[UtahRatt]

Career long Yankee Killer Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer. Details coming.

Terrible news. I actually enjoy his honesty when on ESPN and his view of
the game, pitching, hitting, etc....

Big fan of Schilling in everything he's done. Great player and a good analyst.
Hope he pulls through. I skimmed down a couple story's, did they release what kind or what stage?

[killeverything]

Career long Yankee Killer Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer. Details coming.

Terrible news. I actually enjoy his honesty when on ESPN and his view of
the game, pitching, hitting, etc....

Big fan of Schilling in everything he's done. Great player and a good analyst.
Hope he pulls through. I skimmed down a couple story's, did they release what kind or what stage?

Nothing. Not the kind of cancer, stage, anything. In 2001 his wife Schonda was diagnosed with and beat melanoma. On nnyfans.com the news was announced with "I hated that guy when he played, but I loved him as a player." Followed by ( and I quote ) " It's Curt Schilling not only will he beat it. He'll kick it's ass."

I thought that was pretty cool. He's a hardcore rightwing blowhard that can be really dislikeable, even by his own teammates sometimes but as a player? Is there anyone you would rather give the ball to? Laundry loyalty aside, be honest.

[killeverything]

Marlins sign Marmol 1/1.25

[killeverything]

M's sign Fernando Rodney 2/14

[UtahRatt]

It's Curt Schilling not only will he beat it. He'll kick it's ass."

I thought that was pretty cool. He's a hardcore rightwing blowhard that can be really dislikeable, even by his own teammates sometimes but as a player? Is there anyone you would rather give the ball to? Laundry loyalty aside, be honest.

Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling....Maybe Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Orel Hershiser? I'd have to ponder a bit over post season stuff or come up with different names like Maddux but out of all those guys....If I had Curt Schilling on the mound I'd feel we got a shot vs anyone in a big game.

I like his commentary more then most.

[killeverything]

It's Curt Schilling not only will he beat it. He'll kick it's ass."

I thought that was pretty cool. He's a hardcore rightwing blowhard that can be really dislikeable, even by his own teammates sometimes but as a player? Is there anyone you would rather give the ball to? Laundry loyalty aside, be honest.

Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling....Maybe Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Orel Hershiser? I'd have to ponder a bit over post season stuff or come up with different names like Maddux but out of all those guys....If I had Curt Schilling on the mound I'd feel we got a shot vs anyone in a big game.

I like his commentary more then most.

I'm meaning in like game 7. Schill has done it a lot.

As for Clemens, aside from UT he's a horrible postseason pitcher.
Never beat Doc Gooden, Dave Stewart, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Freddie Garcia, Josh Beckett, AJfuckingBurnett, John Lackey. There's more I'm just drawing a blank.

Bout the only you can guarantee with Rajah on the big game is he'll "limp" off the mound after giving up the go ahead run. In game 6 in 1986 it was a "blister."

[bane]

Lance Berkman to retire. I'm happy he won a ring he always come across as a likeable player.

Berkman is a real class act. I was in a sporting goods store a few years ago with my son and he was in there buying a bicycle. It was just a chance meeting. My son was about 8 at the time and a huge fan, freaked out and ran over to ask for his autograph. Berkman was cool as hell. Took the time to talk to my kid for a few minutes, asked him how his own team was doing, what position he played etc. He was just really gracious about it in a spot where a lot of guys wouldn't want to be bothered. Something my kid will never forget. He doesn't have HOF numbers, but he's HOF in my book.

[killeverything]

Bronson Arroyo and Dbacks agree to 2/23.5m + incentives/options
A's extend incredibly underrated CoCo Crisp 2/22.75

Brian Cashman states he sees 155m pitcher Tanaka as a consistent #3 starter. Congratulations NY you've signed DiceK.
Actually with that pitching staff Tanaka's the ace. Apparently 4th place costs half a billion now.

President Obama likened the farm bill to Mike Trout. "For you baseball fans the farm bill is a lot like Mike Trout." In reference that it has everything. This brought about some funny as hell comparisons using other players.

-The farm bill is a lot like Joba Chamberlain expensive, bloated and only relevant to Nebraskans.

-The farm bill is a lot like Miguel Cabrera it's feared, will break down when you need it most, but has gaudy numbers so everyone loves it.

-The farm bill is a lot like Ryan Braun it's all about artificial enhancements and mid westerners love it.

Boom.

[Machado]

Bronson Arroyo and Dbacks agree to 2/23.5m + incentives/options
A's extend incredibly underrated CoCo Crisp 2/22.75

Brian Cashman states he sees 155m pitcher Tanaka as a consistent #3 starter. Congratulations NY you've signed DiceK.
Actually with that pitching staff Tanaka's the ace. Apparently 4th place costs half a billion now.

Kill-I probably would have liked you better before the RS won a world series. Sox fans had a better sense of humor when they were cursed.

Cashman is saying all the right things about Tanaka for now. Keep the expectations low. Great strategy for the team, Tanaka and Yankee fans.
Every single MLB GM other would try to do the same for a high priced player from Japan.
It's in the GM Book for Dummies

[killeverything]

Bronson Arroyo and Dbacks agree to 2/23.5m + incentives/options
A's extend incredibly underrated CoCo Crisp 2/22.75

Brian Cashman states he sees 155m pitcher Tanaka as a consistent #3 starter. Congratulations NY you've signed DiceK.
Actually with that pitching staff Tanaka's the ace. Apparently 4th place costs half a billion now.

Kill-I probably would have liked you better before the RS won a world series. Sox fans had a better sense of humor when they were cursed.

Cashman is saying all the right things about Tanaka for now. Keep the expectations low. Great strategy for the team, Tanaka and Yankee fans.
Every single MLB GM other would try to do the same for a high priced player from Japan.
It's in the GM Book for Dummies

No argument about the GM Book For Dummies. The problem with your assertion is that no other GM did. Two of which ( we know were players and know they have $$$ ) didn't think he was worth that amount. If there is one team that can go head to head with the Yankees it's the Dodgers.

So no Machado every GM wouldn't sign him for that amount if they could. Only one did, and what the hell does Cashman's job as a GM have to do with the Sox winning the series? Run out of debate points?

Run Forrest!

[Facedown]

It's funny how most baseball fans but especially Yankee fans were killing the Red Sox for signing Dice-K to a 52mil deal but of course the posting fee had to be included which made it 102mil.
Tanaka plus posting fee = 175mil.

[WOLF]

So is someone setting up the Sludge Fantasy League?

Jake still around?

[killeverything]

So is someone setting up the Sludge Fantasy League?

Jake still around?

Someone needs to.














PKOS.....Revenge!

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

So is someone setting up the Sludge Fantasy League?

Jake still around?

Someone needs to.














PKOS.....Revenge!

Someone hit the record player, it's skipping again.

[killeverything]

So is someone setting up the Sludge Fantasy League?

Jake still around?

Someone needs to.














PKOS.....Revenge!

Someone hit the record player, it's skipping again.

Son of a!

[Machado]

It's funny how most baseball fans but especially Yankee fans were killing the Red Sox for signing Dice-K to a 52mil deal but of course the posting fee had to be included which made it 102mil.
Tanaka plus posting fee = 175mil.

Inflation. Price goes up. Cost goes up. Risk goes up.

Yankees needed a SP that can hopefully wear the pinstripes for a number of years. They had zero options in the minors. Their highest ranked SP is coming off TJ Surgery. The need was there. The person was their and they did what they had to do. Can't judge the signing today or before Tanaka completes his 1st game.

[killeverything]

Roy Oswalt announces retirement.

[killeverything]

Irony:

[Machado]

[killeverything]

It's funny Forrest's post followed mine.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

It's funny Forrest's post followed mine.

[Facedown]

Can't judge the signing today or before Tanaka completes his 1st game.

Yet Yankee fans could do it before Dice-K threw his first pitch.
Inflation.

So, in 8 years the Yankees will pay 269mil for the next Japanese unknown pitcher?

[killeverything]

Phillies sign AJ Burnett 1/16m. I didn't see that coming, a division rival after what was accomplished in Pit? Damn, perfect timing which brings up this point:

Cole Hammels to miss start of season.

Pitchers and catchers report today!

Justin Verlander calls surgery "blessing in disguise" and will be ready for opening day. Holy shit that's scary. Seeing the King, Darvish and he battle it out for the tops in the AL is going to be a treat.

Curt Schilling had surgery now in recovery.

Gincarlo Stanton open for an extension with FLA. Good God why?