I got my Hall of Fame ballot in the mail the other day, and the first thing I noticed was that practically all the first-year guys have played for a zillion teams apiece. This isn’t going to help any of them get elected, although I think Rickey Henderson (Athletics, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox and Dodgers) is a special case.
There’s Ron Gant (Braves, Reds, Cardinals, Phillies, Angels, Rockies, Athletics, Padres); Jay Bell (Indians, Pirates, Royals, Diamondbacks, Mets); David Cone (Royals, Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees and Red Sox); Greg Vaughn (Brewers, Padres, Reds, Rays and Rockies); Dan Plesac (Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and Phillies) and Jesse Orosco (Mets, Indians, Brewers, Orioles, Cardinals, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees and Twins). Three other first-timers - Mark Grace, Mo Vaughn and Matt Williams played on only two or three teams. Nobody played on just one.
Most of these guys are clearly not franchise players, or they would have ...
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Unanimous Hall of Fame Vote?
mopupduty.com 12/2/2008 — Not long ago Kman and I had a discussion about Greg Maddux’s career. I argued that Maddux was a candidate to be the first ever player inducted to the Hall of Fame with a unanimous vote. Surprisingly, this has never happened before - not even Cal Ripken received votes from 100% of the ...
The Future of Major League Baseball, Far-East Talent Pool
sportsagentblog.com 12/2/2008 — With the recent report coming out of Boston that the Red Sox have agreed to a three year deal, worth about $3 million with Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa, is it finally time to start paying closer attention to the impact of Asian-born players on America’s pastime?
The Dutch Oven: Your Mostly Incomplete List of Who Got Arbitrated
walkoffwalk.com 12/2/2008 —
Why the dutch oven? Because the term 'hot stove' needs to be retired. This feature will attempt to give you a listicle-driven source for all sorts of off-season baseball rumors. If you have any suggestions, rumors, or recipes that I can cook in ...
Jerry Remy enjoys Christmas carols, officially out of his tree
blog.masslive.com 12/2/2008 — NESN.comWho knew? I have neither context nor background for the following announcement, but it is nevertheless one I can't possibly hold onto one minute longer than necessary, for fear of spontaneous combustion. Jerry Remy loooooves him some Christmas ...
Boston Red Sox - Former Red Sox on the Hall of Fame ballot
boston.com 12/2/2008 — Jim Rice Jim Rice followed Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski into the role of star left fielder for the Red Sox. In 1975, Rice's rookie season, he and teammate Fred Lynn formed one of the great rookie tandems of all time. In 16 seasons, ...
Farewell To a Canadian Icon —
Bleacher Report - MLB 12/2/2008
Today, Canada mourns the loss of a great man in Ted Rogers, the Owner of the Toronto Blue Jays. My thoughts and prayers go out to Loretta, his children, and all the other family and friends who will truly miss this man.
Back in 2000, ...
Diary of the Hot Stove Blues —
Bleacher Report - MLB 12/2/2008
So the regular season is just memory now, and pitchers and catchers don’t report for three months. The confetti has settled in Philly. The last of the champagne-soaked jerseys have dried, and the flipped cars have all been ...