https://www.sportscardforum.com/blogs/36782-lafabj23 SportsCardForum is your source for everything related to sports cards for collectors and non-collectors alike! en Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:09:44 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.sportscardforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.sportscardforum.com/blogs/36782-lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/968-The-Draught Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:15:02 GMT [FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Congratulations to Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, who this weekend was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]A career well deserving of a plaque in Cooperstown.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Snubbed, again, was pitcher Bert Blyleven, who has spent the past 13 ballots waiting to get his name called. With 287 career wins, 3701 strikeouts and an effective 3.31 career ERA, it’s hard to believe Blyleven is still waiting.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Let me point out that I’m not a Minnesota Twins fan, the franchise Blyleven spent most of his career. In fact, being from Wisconsin, I usually puke a little in my mouth whenever I think of the Minnesota Twins. I’m not bias. I’m just a baseball fan that thinks Blyleven should be in the Hall of Fame.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]The biggest hindrance, in my opinion, is probably Blyleven’s 250 loses, or the fact that he won only 37 more games than he lost in his career. On paper, he enjoyed an [I]average[/I] career, and should [I]average[/I] be celebrated in the hollowed grounds of Cooperstown?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]I don’t know, ask Jesse Haines, or Ted Lyons, or the handful of other Hall of Famers who have no business being in the Hall of Fame, thanks mostly to the Veterans Committee. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Oddly enough, this has also been the 11th consecutive voting year that the BBWAA has failed to vote in a starting pitcher (sans Dennis Eckersley, who began his career as an average starter, but gained his recognition as a dominate closer). [/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Georgia]Blyleven was cursed with the same voodoo that Nolan Ryan was cursed with-being the best pitcher on a poor team. From 1971-77, Blyleven posted seven consecutive seasons with an ERA at or under 3.00, yet lost 104 games during stretch. In 1973 alone, Blyleven lost 7 games when giving up only 3 runs or less. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Consider this: Ryan’s stats are, 324-292 record, 3.19 ERA with 5714 strikeouts. Blyleven’s stats are, 287-250 record, 3.31 ERA with 3701 strikeouts. Besides the strikeouts, they have very similar stats. In fact, Blyleven has a slightly better win percentage than Ryan. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Yet, Ryan was a 1st ballot Hall of Famer and Blyleven will be on his 14th and still waiting in 2011.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Ryan was blessed with his legendary 100 MPH fastball that was unhittable. He made most of the game’s most feared hitters look like chumps. Throw in 300+ career wins and a strikeout record that is untouchable, and it’s easy to understand why Ryan was a first ballot Hall of Famer.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]What’s tough to understand, however, is why Blyleven has been snubbed for so many years. If you look at some of the other BBWAA vote-in’s during the past 11 years, one could make a valid point that Blyleven is equally, if not more, deserving of a plaque in Cooperstown than Tony Perez and Bruce Sutter. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Depending on who you ask of course.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Don’t get me wrong, starting pitchers have had there day in the sun. From 1990 through 1999, eight starting pitchers have been elected by the BBWAA to the Hall of Fame. Of those eight however, only two, Jim Palmer and Ferguson Jenkins, failed to pitch to 300+ wins. Basically, six of the eight were shoo-ins based on achieving the 300+ win gold standard the Hall of Fame has unofficially issued.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Maybe the 13 wins Blyleven was short from reaching 300 is the turn off for the BBWAA. Or maybe it’s the fact that Blyleven was only in two All-Star games, proving he was only considered a premier pitcher for two seasons. Who knows, maybe it’s because he’s Dutch.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Either way, Blyleven has been snubbed. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]If you consider the incoming class for the 2011 ballot, the highlights being Rafael Palmeiro and Jeff Bagwell, who both will safely collapse under the steroid cloud (Palmeiro tested positive, Bagwell is suspect by his size), it’s a pretty safe bet Blyleven will join Roberto Alomar in 2011.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]And at the end of the day, whether it takes two years or fifteen years, being selected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA is an honor. An honor that Blyleven should receive come next summer.[/SIZE][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/968-The-Draught https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/839-The-other-500-HR-Club Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:16:00 GMT [FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]500 home runs-a coveted milestone that every slugger desires. 500 home runs gets you the chicks. 500 home runs gets you into the Viper Room. 500 home runs gets you into the Hall of Fame. In 2007, it was Thome, Thomas and Rodriguez. Manny did it in 2008. Sheffield did it last season. Carlos Delgado is 27 homers short, but he probably won’t make the exclusive club this season, considering both his hip injury and that no team has signed him yet. For the first time in 4 seasons, we may not get a new member of the 500 HR Club.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]There is however, the [I]other[/I] 500 home run club. The one where a pitcher is unlucky enough to have [I]given up[/I] 500 career homers. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]There are 25 sluggers in the hitters 500 HR Club, but only one immortal stands in the Pitchers 500 HR Club-Robin Roberts. In 1966, the 39-year old HOF pitcher hung one to Hank Aaron, who crushed a home run, making Roberts the first, and only, pitcher to give up 500 career home runs. For 43 years, the record has stood. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]But as all baseball fans know, it’s only a matter of time before some record, somewhere, gets broken. When Charlie Manual penciled in 46-year old Jamie Moyer as the Phillies number 5 starter, he allotted the pitcher a chance to join Roberts in the [I]other[/I] 500 HR Club. Moyer needs to give up only 9 home runs and he’ll join Roberts in the club, 15 and he’ll break Robert’s record of 505 homers given up. Give it time, and the record will be broken, as Moyer has averaged 26 home runs given up in each of his 3 seasons in Philadelphia.[/SIZE] [/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/839-The-other-500-HR-Club https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/665-Hawk-in-2010 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:56:37 GMT [FONT=Georgia]The Baseball Hall of Fame. Perhaps the most debated topic in baseball since, well, there was no Hall of Fame and people debated about whether a Hall of Fame was even necessary. Since the inaugural class of 1936 to the most recent induction of Henderson, Rice and Gordon, we have debated not only the worthiness of the enshrined, but the merit of those not enshrined. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Amongst the most heated argument within the past few years has been the un-election of baseball great Andre Dawson. “The Hawk,” as they called him, conceivably has the most Hall of Fame worthy numbers, including 2774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s. You could throw a rock into the Hall of Fame and hit at least a dozen or so players who have sub-superior numbers to Dawson. However, Dawson has patiently waited since 20o2 for his HOF call.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Will he get the call in 2010? [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]He should. Basically, if you sort through the mumble jumble mathematics of the voting results, you will see that every player since 1985 who has ever broken the 65% threshold has eventually made the Hall of Fame. The last one to break 65% and not be elected was Nellie Fox, who narrowly missed the vote in his final year of eligibility at 74.7% in 1985 (he eventually made it in as a Veterans Committee selection).[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]For most players with borderline HOF careers, it’s become a waiting game. Work your way up the totem pole of players until eventually the writers vote you in. Gossage. Sutter. Carter. Rice. They all waited their turn and made their way up the list and into the Hall of Fame. Now that Dawson in sitting in the drivers seat, statistics show he should get elected in 2010. No one since Tony Perez in 1998 has 67% of the vote not garnished a HOF induction the following vote, and the only reason Perez waited 2 years was the 1999 class was stocked with 1st ballot HOF’s Nolan Ryan, Robin Yount and George Brett, along with Carlton Fisk. There simply was not enough votes to get everyone elected in 1999.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The incoming class of 2010 includes Roberto Alomar, Barry Larkin, Fred McGriff, Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga, among a handful of others. Alomar is the only incomer with 1st ballot numbers, so Dawson should find his way atop the vote. Although I’m NOT a Cubs fan, a Hall of Fame induction for The Hawk is much needed. The vote comes out in early January, so we’ll wait and see. Let’s hope for “The Hawk”, it’ll be landing time in Cooperstown in 2010. [/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/665-Hawk-in-2010 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/646-The-Mustache Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:31:14 GMT [FONT=Georgia][SIZE=2]I don’t like Braden Looper. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]It’s not so much his numbers that bother me, it’s that stupid smile he always flashes before each pitch. And it’s not even a smile, more like a teeth-clenching, lips pulled back, toothy snapshot that just annoys me. The guy gives up 6 runs in the first and he’s flashing teeth like Eric Estrada just walked in the room. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]His numbers on the other hand are nothing to smile about. Looper led the league in both earned runs and homers allowed. His 39 home runs allowed was accomplished in just 34 starts, or more than a home run given up in every start plus a few extra’s sprinkled in for flavor. He also finished the year with an unimpressive 5.22 ERA. For the most part, Ken Macha himself could have driven in a run off Looper in 2009.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]However, when the Brewers GM Doug Melvin declined to pick up Looper’s $6.5 million option for 2010 and instead paid Looper a $1 million buyout, I was kind of disappointed. And although my Brewer friends were happy as seagulls in a McDonalds parking lot, I can’t help but disagree with this move.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Don’t get me wrong, I can see why Melvin declined the option. First, his 5.22 ERA is unacceptable, even on a high scoring club like the Brewers. And all those home runs allowed makes for an early exit. In fact, Looper only pitched through 7 innings 4 times, and never went past the 7th inning. For the most part, Looper is a 5-inning pitcher, which is maybe the reason Melvin sent him on his way, especially since the Milwaukee rotation is stacked with 5-inning guys-Suppan, Bush and Parra come to mind.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]However, his 14-7 record was almost worth the $6.5 million option. His 14 wins is the most for a Brewers starter since Chris Capuano’s 18 wins in 2005. Plus, he had 14 starts of 6 innings or more with 3 runs or less given up. Not bad for a number four starter.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]In today’s world, $6.5 million a season is chicken scratch, for most teams. Even for the small-market, cash-strapped Milwaukee Brewers, that kind of money isn’t too much of a burden for a number four starter. Who could they possible sign as a number four starter who can perform at the same level for less money? Doug Davis? Been there, done that! Jarrod Washburn? Unless he’s taking a paycut.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]They sure can’t promote anyone from the minors either. For as solid as the Brewers minor league system has been the past 10 years, they’ve struggled recently with drafting pitching help. For the most part, their best 2 pitching prospects are unavailable. Mark Rogers, the fifth pick in the 2004 draft, has spent more time in an the emergency room than on the baseball diamond and looks to be useless overall and Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers best pitcher in the minors, who according to reports is a 100MPH pitcher, is at least a year or two away from the majors, if he can ever learn control.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Which leads us back to Looper. They have no other options. Gallardo will be the number one starter, no questions asked, but after that the picture remains muddy. Will David Bush be healthy and stay healthy in 2010? Which Manny Parra will show up to spring training? Can we send Jeff Suppan back to St. Louis (we’ll take the batboy so the trade is fair)? Either way, we need two starts for 2010. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So what does Melvin do? We all know John Lackey isn’t coming to Milwaukee, no matter what the Brewers offer. Besides Lackey, the gem of the 2010 pitching free agents, we’re left with a pile of has-beens and injury-riddled pitchers to choose from. Wolf. Garland. Pavano. Yadda yadda yadda. The list goes on and on. So for $6.5 million, Looper seemed like the most reasonable option, financially anyways. Plus, if anything, Looper is a viable option for the bullpen, where he spent the first 6 years of his career.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia]I don’t like Looper but I also don’t like the move Melvin made by declining his option. It’ll be interesting to see what The Mustache does over the winter. If the past is an indication, he’ll let us all down again by signing one of St. Louis’ scrap-heap pitchers that no one wants. Unfortunately, signing former Cardinals players is no indication that the team will play like the Cardinals.[/FONT] [/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/646-The-Mustache https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/519-Investing-101 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:10:35 GMT [FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]As a youngster, I never once considered my sports card collection as an investment. I’d lay down two quarters for a pack of Pro Set football cards and pass the day pouring over the stats. It didn’t matter what is was worth, if I liked the card I’d put it in a binder, if not, it went into a box. It was a boy’s hobby, not an investment.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia]My first “investment” in sports cards came in 1998, the summer Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing Maris’ record of 61 home runs. The homerun chase didn’t just captivate the baseball world, it captivated an entire nation. Every where you looked you saw McGwire and Sosa (and Ken Griffey Jr., who hung strong until September). Hobby and Retail stores had a hard time keeping McGwire and Sosa merchandise on the shelves. With $80 saved up from cutting grass and washing cars all summer, I took the money to the local hobby shop and plunked it down for a 1985 Topps Mark McGwire USA rookie card.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]Even though it took me the entire summer to earn that $80, I looked at the purchase as an investment. The shop owner had casually mentioned that a few years earlier, during McGwire’s 1993-94 injury-riddled seasons, the card was selling for $5. The home run chase had increased his rookie card value 1600%. With the prospect of him breaking the home run record, I drooled at the prospect of how much that card was going to increase in value over the coming years, as his career home run total headed towards 500 and beyond. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]As the old saying goes, “500 and the Hall will come a knocking.” Okay, I made that old saying up, but you get my point. Every time a McGwire homer left the ball park, his RC increased in value. And I wanted in on that investment.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]“This may put me through college,” I thought as I gave the man my $80.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]Well, it’s 12 years later and I’d be lucky to get $20 for that card. The only schooling that card will pay for is a babysitting class down at the YMCA. However, I did learn a valuable lesson in using sports cards as an investment: never buy in when the players popularity is at an all-time high.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]When the economy turned sour in October 2008 and the ensuing financial crisis began, I, like many other Americans, started hoarding my money. The monthly 6% that usually went into the stock market was now put into my savings account. I skimped on the luxuries and managed to make out like a bandit. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]However, the recession cost many people their jobs and as a result, many ‘collectors’ were forced to sell off their stuff at bargain prices, just to make ends meet. Autographed Ted Williams baseballs were selling for $100, high end rookie cards for 10% of their book value and memorabilia was being sold for “best offer.” Ebay and Craigslist was, and still is, flooded with sports memorabilia on the cheap.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]And as a result, the investment aspect of sports memorabilia took hold. As the stock market continues to fluctuate, money spent in the hobby continues to hold strong. A Ted Williams autographed baseball will always holds it’s value, as does a myriad of other items. As long as the player is a Hall of Famer, your money is safe in the market. Just be leery, especially with the steroid scandal that looms with a dark cloud, of players who have yet to make the Hall of Fame.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]In these desperate times, however, always be cautious when purchasing autographed memorabilia. Make sure they come from a reputable seller who has been in the business for several years. Any shyster with a printer can make up a Certificate of Authenticity. I made the mistake of purchasing an autographed Warren Spahn baseball from a shady seller and it didn’t pass authentication. It was a worse investment than the McGwire rookie card.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]There are good deals out there to be found. A friend of mine bought a box of baseball cards from an older lady for $200 on Craigslist, a box filled with baseball cards from the 50’s. He made his money back after selling just one Mickey Mantle card. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a few thousand dollars off the purchase. Perez-Steele postcards are popping up left and right, some as low as $20 authenticated. And never underestimate the autographed baseball, a staple of the memorabilia hobby, many selling for as low as half their book value.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]There are other options to investing than just stocks and bonds. When you buy a share of IBM, you don’t get to see it, but an autographed Perez-Steele of Joe DiMaggio can be hung on the wall. And when it comes to investing, it’s important to diversify: put some money into stocks and bonds, and some into Wes Stock and Barry Bonds…or not. Just don’t forgot my McGwire mistake![/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/519-Investing-101 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/507-Is-Strasburg-worth-this-kind-of-money Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:21:41 GMT [FONT=Georgia]Remember Bryan Bullington? Don’t feel bad, neither do I. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Bullington was the first overall pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2002. The highly touted pitcher was 11-3 with a 2.86 ERA at Ball State before being drafted first overall. He struggled as starter in the minors and is now a reliever in Toronto.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]How about Matt Anderson? He dominated the WAC with a 1.82 ERA at Rice University before being the first overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in 1997. He’s now in the White Sox farm system.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]My favorite is Brien Taylor, drafted first overall by the Yankee in 1991 out of high school. The kid never made the majors and is now a bricklayer who still lives with his parents.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]I can keep going if you want. Kris Benson. Paul Wilson. Mike Moore. The list of pitchers drafted first overall who flopped in the majors is long. There have been 13 pitchers drafted first overall since 1965, and only three, Tim Belcher, Ben McDonald and Andy Benes have posted more wins than losses in the majors. The best of the bunch is Benes who only won 16 more games than he lost (155-139). The career win/loss record of the 13 number picks is 816-837 (.494).[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT][FONT=Georgia]So I cringe when I see people laying down a few hundred dollars for an autographed baseball card of Stephen Strasburg. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]From 1998-2007, there have been 57 pitchers drafted within the first 10 picks (I won’t count the 2008/2009 drafts because it’s too early to tell). Of those picks, Lincecum, Verlander, Kershaw, Grienke and Beckett have been worth the hype. But for every Verlander drafted, there’s been 3 or 4 Mark Priors, if you know what I mean.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]So as the hype surrounding Stephen Strasburg continues to reach new heights, keep in mind the other pitchers before him that have flopped tremendously. Even all the hype surrounding David Price has converted to a 6-6 record. It’s early yet so we’ll see.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]I refuse to speculate any further on the career of Stephen Strasburg. Anyone who can throw over 100 mph, strikeout 23 in a college game and make the U.S. team as a collegiate has my interest. I can’t wait to see what the kid does in the majors. However, I also refuse to spend a few hundred dollars for his autograph. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]There are too many things that could go wrong to justify that kind of money. Just ask anyone who bought into Mark Prior. Or Ben Sheets. Or Barry Zito. Or any of the other highly touted draft picks who struggled with injuries.[/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/507-Is-Strasburg-worth-this-kind-of-money https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/487-I-just-don-t-get-it! Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:32:30 GMT [FONT=Georgia]This is probably going to offend most people, but it needs to be said…[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]What’s all the hype about Nolan Ryan and his ‘legend’ status? Sure, 5000+ strikeouts and 300 career wins, but a legend? I just don’t see it. Please, explain to me how on any list of the 5 best pitchers of all-time, Ryan keeps showing up? I just don’t get it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The stats don’t lie:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] His 324-292 record is nothing more than average, as his .526 winning percentage is 516th all-time and worst among the 24 members of the 300 win club. Even Robin Roberts has a better win percentage than Ryan, which puts it in perspective considering Robert’s biggest obstacle in getting into the Hall of Fame was his ‘average’ record.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Ryan also walked an alarming 2,795 batters in his career, most all-time. Most all-time by a long shot. Steve Carlton is second with [I]only[/I] 1,833 walks, a difference of 962. Ryan also lead the league in walks 8 different times, also a record. Also consider his 277 wild pitches, also a record. Ryan also led the league in walks and hit per 9 innings pitched (WHIP) a record 13 times. That’s a lot of records people don’t like to talk about.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] There were the 8 All-Star selections, but even that’s not all that impressive considering he played 27 seasons. And above everything else, zero Cy Young awards. I’m not saying that a Cy Young Award needs to be won for a pitcher to have a very productive career (see Mike Mussina), but that also means that he was never the best pitcher in the league, not even once. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Ryan also gave up 3923 hits (42nd All-time), 1911 earned runs (4th) and 321 homers (34th), but since I’m a sensible guy, we’ll chalk that up to sticking around for so long. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Which leads us back to the one stat that will always define Ryan, his record 5,714 strikeouts, a record many believe will never be broken. That’s a lot of strikeouts, no doubt. Second on the list is Randy Johnson, with 4869, who is still 845 behind the strikeout king. But consider this: Ryan’s 9.5 strikeouts per 9 innings is 4th all-time behind leader Randy Johnson (10.6 K/9). So with this in mind, and taking into consideration that Johnson has pitched in 204 less games, it’s safe to say that if Johnson [I]could[/I] be challenging Ryan’s record if he had pitched in more games.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So when Ryan was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999 with 98.8% of the vote, I can’t help but ask how that’s possible. That’s a better percentage than Bob Gibson, Warren Spahn and Jim Palmer. His numbers are Hall of Fame worthy, don’t get me wrong, but not first-ballot HOF worthy. And all this talk of him being a legend is ridiculous. Ryan was one heck of a good strikeout pitcher, but other than that he was a very mediocre pitcher. The stats don’t lie.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Please, explain to me what you think. I know there must be a few people out there who agree with me, at least a little bit.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]*Disclaimer: I will agree that the Veterans Committee has turned the HOF into a joke. That’s why members voted in by the BWAA have greater legendary pull. I’m not here to argue those that are voted in the HOF, I’m just here to argue how/why Ryan is considered such a legend. So please, argue about this point only.[/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/487-I-just-don-t-get-it! https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/478-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:19:10 GMT [FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] I see it going down like this:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=1] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database.[/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/478-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/477-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:16 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/477-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/476-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:15 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/476-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/475-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:15 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/475-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/474-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:15 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/474-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/473-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:15 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/473-2010-Baseball-HOF-class https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/472-2010-Baseball-HOF-class Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:15 GMT [FONT=Georgia]As Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are getting settled in as the 2009 Baseball HOF class, let’s look ahead to what’s in store for the 2010 ballot.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The 12-time All-Star Roberto Alomar is considered by some to be one of the greatest second basemen to ever play the game. Alomar was an excellent hitter, who finished his career as a .300 hitter with 2,724 hits to go along with his 1,134 RBI’s. He also belted an impressive 210 homers and stole 474 bases during his career. However remarkable his offensive numbers may seem, it was his defense that made him famous. Alomar captured 10 Gold Gloves at 2B, which are most all time among second basemen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] It would be a shock if Alomar wasn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer, although stranger things have happened. I say Alomar gets in with at least 85% of the vote. His offensive number are way too impressive, especially as a second basemen, to make him wait an extra year or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Barry Larkin on the other hand may need several voting years before he gets in, if he even makes it. Although the sure-handed shortstop also was a 12-time All-Star, his offensive numbers are too similar to non-HOF shortstops Alan Trammell and Dave Concepcion to make me believe he’ll be a first ballot HOFer, let alone a HOFer at all. It just seems like Larkin’s 2,340 hits, 960 RBI’s and 198 homers are just not enough, especially when Trammell (2,365/1003/185) and Concepcion (2,326/950/101) have similar numbers and have yet to even pass the 50% voting barrier. I just don’t see Larkin getting enough votes in 2010, although he will remain on the ballot for a very long time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Edgar Martinez and Andres Galarraga also join the newcomers, however I don’t feel either one will ever make the HOF through the writers ballot. Although Martinez was a .312 hitter with 2,247 hits and 1,261 RBI’s, most was done as a DH so he offered nothing defensively. And even though Galarraga finished his career with 2,333 hits and 399 homers, I doubt his numbers would have been so inflated had he not played all those years in Colorado. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] And finally, Fred “The Hit Dog” McGriff is eligible. With 493 homers and 2,490 hits on his resume, look for McGriff to grab a stadium full of votes. The thing working against McGriff is that he was a quiet guy, a player who did his job and went home. Kinda like Harold Baines, who had similar numbers (2,866 hits, 384 homers and 1,628 RBI’s). And like Harold Baines, I don’t see McGriff making a huge splash right out of the gate. Consider this: Even with his gaudy offensive numbers, Baines only received 6% of the vote in 2009. This does not bide well for McGriff and I just don’t see him making it, at least in 2010.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] With this in mind, I can see Andre Dawson finally making the HOF in 2010, as he narrowly missed in the cut in 2009 with 67% of the vote. The Hawk has 2,774 hits, 438 homers and 1591 RBI’s, and even though his numbers are similar to McGriff and Baines, he has been on the ballot long enough that the writers will finally vote him in. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The same could happen to Bert Blyleven, who received 62% of the vote in 2009. Although his 3,701 strikeouts and 242 complete games are impressive, his 287-250 win-loss record isn’t. It is my opinion that Blyleven was an average pitcher, and average should not be celebrated with an induction into the HOF, but the writers may see things differently. It could go either way, as Robin Roberts eventually made the HOF with a 286-245 record but Jim Kaat’s record of 283-237 and Tommy John’s record of 288-231 has hindered both their chances. You just never know while the writers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] I see it going down like this:[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Roberto Alomar will be voted in with Andre Dawson, but Blyleven and the rest don’t get in. The biggest gainer will be Tim Raines, who received 23% of the vote in 2009 but will skyrocket up towards the 60% mark. The induction of Rickey Henderson in 2009 will help Raines and his 808 stolen bases. Baines will also make a considerable jump up the charts, especially considering the incoming class, besides McGriff, Galarraga, Martinez and Larkin is weak. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] So your 2010 HOF inductees are Alomar and Dawson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Also, Bruce Froemming will make the HOF as an umpire, in case you were wondering![/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]So why is this important? Because all of us who collect autographs should be getting our requests in to these players before they become elected. Because once that happens, the volume of mail for those players almost becomes unbearable. Plus, don’t be surprised if they start charging once they get inducted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] As of now, Alomar signs for free. His address is in the TTM Database, so get your balls and pictures out this summer. I’ve heard that Dawson sometimes signs the first one for free but sends his pricelist, but I’m sure if you send a few bucks with your request he’d sign it. I’ve also heard that Larkin and McGriff are decent signers also, while I know for a fact that Blyleven charges. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Georgia] So get your Alomar, Dawson, Larkin and McGriff requests in soon. And while your at it, why not send one to Baines and Raines. I’d like to think they’ll get in eventually. All of these addresses can be found in the TTM Database. [/FONT][/FONT] ]]> lafabj23 https://www.sportscardforum.com/entries/472-2010-Baseball-HOF-class