C.C. Sabathia and The Red Sox

Much has been made of C.C.'s record against the Red Sox. The numbers, regular and post-season, seem brutal:2-7, 5.75 ERA, 57 innings, 63 hits, 15 walks, 1.36 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts. But those horrible numbers were posted against a line-up sporting the greatest right-handed hitter since Jimmie Foxx.

That Righty,Manny Ramirez, no longer plays for the Red Sox. C.C. is a lefty. Their career numbers against each other: regular season-AB 21 H 12 2B 3 3B 0 HR 4 RBI 7 BB 1 SO 2 BA .571 OBP .609 SLG 1.286 OPS 1.895, and postseason-AB 4 H 4 2B 4 0 B HR 0 RBI 3 BB 2 SO 0 BA 1.000 OBP 1.000 SLG 1.250 OPS 2.250.

The Sox still have guys with great numbers against C.C.; particularly Youkillis. He did bat behind Manny. Ortiz and Pedroia both have great post-season numbers.

These Sox may still pound C.C., but maybe not. Past numbers are skewed. The Yankees and The Red Sox; these are different teams now.

Back At Long Last... Baseball edition

Hi there all (well, all one of you :) ),

After such a long absence, it may take a bit to get back into the swing of things (what with crawling back from the underworld, I'll need to dust myself off and re-animate my flesh), but here's the bullet point version of my final thoughts on the baseball season:

• Loved the outcome of the season - I mean, I probably would have been happier to see the Rays take it, but props to the Phillies. Gillick put together a solid all around team there, and they could be in contention to challenge for the next couple years (provided they pick up an arm and can replace Burrell).


• The Rays are going to be monsters. They'll be in contention for at least the next few years, provided they can pick up a smart DH and don't have any major regressions in their young position players.


• Bad Sunglasses, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Upton as the future star of this team. I would pick Longoria as the guy who will have the best career. Very well rounded power hitter, solid third baseman... Upton will be good, but I just don't get the feel of a dominant player there - a solid 5 tools player, sure, and surely a valuable piece of his team for a number of years. I think, though, that his power burst in the playoffs won't be repeatable, and he'll be good but not great.


• Yankees will be an interesting experiment to watch this offseason - we're seeing that low payroll teams with speed, defense, and effective pitching are picking up more and more wins (Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Florida, etc), and teams with massive payrolls and aging superstars are sinking in teh standings (Seattle, NYY, NYM, Detroit, etc.). With a lot of money to spend and a lot of clout, I'll be interested to see what kind of team Cashman puts together this year.


• Same goes for the Mariners, though we're probably still 2 years out. I agree with some of hte blogosphere that it's possible for us to have a moderately successful 2009 if the right moves are made. Their new GM, Zduriencik, has his work cut out for him, but I have the faith that only the support of an ailing, frustrating but potentially good team can bring.


• Finally, my prediction for Free Agent bust of 2009 - Derek Lowe. I just don't see him pitching well anywhere. He'll get around 10MM, which is ridiculous.

Football thoughts to come soon...

The '08 World Series

The Final Rant on the '08 Yanks

miss you, boy.

The '08 Yanks

Ever put a penny in your mouth? It tastes like blood. The Yanks have 81 wins; they're not exactly bleeding. But it sure as hell tastes like copper.

Puttin My Chips on the Table - The Football Bet

So I don't have huge amounts of time to craft a super original post, but much like a casino, I need to get my chips out on the table before the dealer deals... So I'm gonna make my predictions, and I'll justify them later.

AFC East
1. Pats
2. Jets
3. Bills
4. Dolphins

AFC North
1. Pitt
2. Cleveland
3. Baltimore
4. Cincy

AFC South
1. Jacksonville
2. Indy
3. Tennessee
4. Houston

AFC East
1. Denver
2. San Diego
3. Oakland
4. Kansas City

NFC East
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins

NFC North
1. Green Bay
2. Minnesota
3. Chicago
4. Detroit

NFC South
1. New Orleans
2. Carolina
3. Atlanta
4. Tampa Bay

NFC West
1. Seattle
2. San Francisco
3. Arizona
4. St. Louis

AFC Wild Cards: Indy, Chargers

NFC Wild Cards: Eagles, Vikings

First Round Winners, AFC: Pats, Chargers

First Round Winners, NFC: Vikings, Packers

Second Round Winners, AFC: Jacksonville, Pitt

Second Round Winners, NFC: Vikings, Cowboys

AFC Champ: Pittsburgh

NFC Champ: Cowboys

Superbowl Champ: Steelers

MVP: Tony Romo

Bloated and Belated-2008 NFL Predictions

Somebody light a match, I just spent two months in the crapper.

But now that I've passed that massive turd, I can get back to posting sports rambles that no one will read. Let's predictionate!

Granted the first week of the season has been past, but so is Sarah Palin's amniotic fluid, supposedly leaked from Texas to Alaska like some meta-oil state Hansel and Gretel breadcrumb trail. If she can get her birth on in such a grossly suspect and just plain gross manner so can I!

NFC East:
1. Cowboys- Unless Romo goes down.
2. Giants- The wild card team.
3. Eagles- They'll swoon when McNabb goes down. Which he will and probably take Westbrook with him.
4. The Racist Logos- Who cares about these douches? Lobbyists? Glad they suck.

NFC South:
1. Saints-Now that Deuce is less of a factor maybe they'll take the reins off Reggie.
2. Panthers- Will just miss the playoffs.
3. Bucs- Their tiny window closed against the Giants in the playoffs last year. Blow it up.
4. Falcons- Don't get too excited Atlanta. You were playing Detroit.

NFC West:
1. Cards- Too much talent for the rest of the weakest division in football outside of the Big East.
2. Hawks- A .500 team. Holgrem likes to end things the way he starts them.
3. Rams- Living in the past?
4. 49ers- Wha...Wha...happened?

NFC North:
1. Packers- Rogers is better than Orton so they get the nod over the Bears.
2. Bears- The second Wild Card
3. Vikings: Starting at QB Tavaris Jackson! What a waste.
4. Lions: Back to being the worst team in football. Matt Millen is a Sith.

AFC North:
1. Steelers- A rematch of the '96 bowl with Dallas could be in the cards.
2. Ravens- So boring. Coolest nickname in 'ball though.
3. Browns- Another window missed from last season.
4. Bengals- Blow it up II.

AFC South:
1. Colts- Until they lose it, they're the team to beat.
2. Jags- Will just miss the playoffs.
3. Houston- .500
4. Titans- Vince Young. The Derrick Coleman of the NFL.

AFC West:
1. Broncos- Best of the second worst division in the NFL.
2. Chargers- Second Wild Card
3. Chiefs- Herm Edwards is the Sith apprentince.
4. Raiders- Al Davis is the Lord of the Siths.

AFC East:
1. Jets- Get used to it.
2. Patriots- The third Wild Card team. Unless Bradey goes down. Oh wait...
3. Bills- .500
4. Dolphins- Better than their record.

First Round NFC Winners- Saints, and Bears
First Round AFC Winners- Colts, and Jets

Second Round NFC Winners- Cowboys and Saints
Second Round AFC Winners- Steelers and Broncos

NFC Champs: Cowboys
AFC Champs: Steelers

Super Bowl Champs: Cowboys

MVP: Tony Romo

Don't worry about a repeat in 2009 though. Every single member of the 'boys will hold out of the '09 training camp for more money, hookers, and blow.

The All-Time Chicago White Sox Team

Black Sox included.

Catcher: CARLTON FISK

1. Highlights: Ten straight double digit HR seasons. 4 All Star teams. Double digits in doubles ten out of eleven seasons.

2. Career Best: .293 AVG in '89, .378 OBP in '90, .518 in '83. 37 HRs, and 101 RBIs in '85. 85 RS, 141 Hits, and 26 doubles in '83.

3. Summary: One of the top ten catchers in baseball history. His best season was in Boston, but he was hurt a lot, and missed a ton of games for the Red Sox. Boston gave up on him, famously, too quickly. Carlton came back in a big way after he was traded. The best part of his career was in Chicago.

First Base: FRANK THOMAS

1. Highlights: Back to back MVP seasons: '93, and '94. Eight straight years with over a .300 AVG, .400 OBP, 100 RS, 100 RBIs, and 100 BB. Five straight years with 35 or more HRs and over a .600 SLG. Ten straight seasons with 25 or more doubles. In his eighteen seasons played, Frank Thomas has had a +OPS of over 100 in seventeen of them. His .729 SLG in '94 was the first .700 SLG in the American League since Ted Williams in '57.

2. Career Best: .353 AVG, .487 OBP, and a .729 SLG all in '94. 115 RS, 191 Hits, 143 RBIs, and 43 HRs in '00. 46 doubles in '92. 138 BB in '91.

3. Summary: For most of his career, there was a running debate over who was the better first baseman: Frank or Jeff Bagwell. Most prominent baseball experts came out for Bagwell, including Bill James. I think those experts would like a do over. Along with Griffey Jr., Thomas seems to be the poster child for playing clean in the Steroid Era. Thomas was always so big and so strong, it begs the question: what would the man have done and looked like if he HAD done steroids and HGH? Conan the Barbarian? Solomon Grundy? Incidentally, Frank has one of the lowest Hit by Pitch ratios of all time. Go figure.

Second Base: EDDIE COLLINS
1. Highlights: 12 straight years with an OPS+ of over 100. Came in second in the MVP voting two years in a row: '23, and '24 ( he won a MVP while with Philly). A .400 OBP or better eleven out of twelve seasons with the Chi Sox. A .300 AVG or better ten out of twelve seasons.

2. Career Best: 224 hits, 38 doubles, .372 AVG, and a .493 SLG in '20. A .461 OBP in '25. 118 RS in '18. 17 triples in '16. 53 SB in '17.

3. Summary:Like a lot of the All-Time greats, Eddie did a lot of things well, for a long time. When you see the best numbers spread out over multiple seasons, it's a good indication of a player who always found a way to contribute. Top five second baseman of All-Time. Not implicated in throwing the 1919 World Series.


Third Base: ROBIN VENTURA

1. Highlights: Double digit HRs and doubles for six years. Had an OPS+ of over 100 for eight straight years.

2. Career Best: .295 AVG, and .384 OBP in '95. 38 doubles in '92. 34 HR and 105 RBI in '96. 105 BB in '93.

3. Summary: It always seemed like , with that fluid swing of his, he had more in him. Maybe Robin was one of those guys that things come too easy to for their own good; like Darryl Strawberry, another lefty with a sweet swing. Still a solid fielding third baseman with some power, who gets on base is hard to find. Charged the mound on the 46 year old Nolan Ryan and got his ass handed to him.

Shortstop: LUKE APPLING

1. Highlights: A Hall of Famer, Appling won two batting titles, played in seven All Star games and came in second in the MVP voting twice. Hit .300 or better 15 out of 16 years. Led the league in OBP in '43.

2. Career Best: 111 RS, 204 Hits, 128 RBI, .388 AVG, .474 OBP, .508 SLG all in '36 (the high water year for league offense). 42 doubles in '37. 13 triples in '40. 8 HR in '47. 27 steals in '43.

3. Summary: The man could hit, but his defense was consistently average; which makes him more of a modern shortstop. Didn't have a ton of speed, and didn't steal a lot of bases. Had doubles power. Sort of a unique player in that he wasn't really a big run scorer(reached 100 only once), wasn't a big RBI man ( reached 100 only once), and he would alternate season by season, between taking a lot of walks and putting the ball in play. Baseball people used to look down their collective noses at walks. If Appling played today, he'd probably draw around 100 walks every season, and the yearly variations in his batting approach would disappear.

Outfield: JOE JACKSON

1. Highlights: Led the league in triples twice. Hit over .300 every year with the White Sox. Had double digits in doubles and triples every full year with Chicago. Had over 200 hits, 40 doubles, and 20 triples twice ( '16 and '20 his first and last years with Chicago).

2. Career Best: 105 RS, 218 Hits, 42 doubles, 121 RBI, .382 AVG, .444 OBP, .589 SLG all in '20(had slightly higher numbers during seasons with Cleavland). 21 triples, and 24 SB in '16.

3. Summary: Joe's best years were in Cleavland, and I have no doubt that he wished he'd never been traded to Chicago. You don't hit .375 in a World Series trying to throw games. But there's no denying that Joe sat in on the meetings where the decision by other players to throw games was made. I guess Joe thought he could have it both ways: attend the meetings, talk shit and act tough, then play hard in the games to look good in front of the public. Didn't work out so hot.


Outfield: MINNIE MINOSO

1. Highlights: Made six All-Star teams. Won two gold gloves. Scored 100 runs and had 100 RBI four times. Had double digits in doubles, triples and HRs in the same season three times. Led the league for one season in hits '60, total bases '54, doubles '57, and games played '60. Led the league three times in triples, and stolen bases. Led the league in hit by a pitch eight times; a forerunner of Craig Biggio.

2. Career Best: 119 RS in '54, 184 hits in '60, 36 doubles in '57, 18 triples in '54, 21 HR in '56, 116 RBI in '54, 31 SB in '51, .326 AVG in '51, .425 OBP in '56, .535 SLG in '54.

3. Summary: Minnie was 28 when he made his debut in the majors in '49. He'd played in the Negro leagues since '45. If he hadn't lost those four years to the color barrier would Minoso be in the Hall of Fame? I think so. Regardless, Minoso is one of the most well rounded, and underrated players of the post-war period. Never got to play in the post season, a shame because I believe he was the exact type of player who shines in pressure situation: the type who can make adjustments to how he's being pitched and still be just as productive.

Outfield: MAGGLIO ORDONEZ

1. Highlights: Made four All-Star teams, and won one Silver Slugger award. 100 RS three times, four straight years with over 100 RBI and 30 HRs, five straight years with over 34 doubles, .300 AVG, and a .500 SLG.

2. Career Best: 192 hits in '03. 25 SB in '01. 116 RS, 47 doubles, 38 HRs, 135 RBI in '02. .320 AVG in '02, .382 OBP in '01, .597 SLG in '02.

3. Summary: Great power and average hitter who's defense is bad enough that he should be a DH. Unfortunately for Maggs, Frank Thomas and Gary Sheffeild were both worse defenders than Ordonez was when he played with them.

Designated Hitter: HAROLD BAINES

1. Highlights: Made four All-Star teams. Won the Silver Slugger award in '89. Led the AL in SLG in '84. Ten straight seasons with double digits in both doubles and HRs. Harold was the oldest player in the league in '01.

2. Career Best: 39 doubles in '88. 10 triples, and 29 HR in '84. 198 hits, and .311 AVG, .399 OBP, .541 SLG.

3. Summary: Played in the bad stat era of the eighties; almost a mini-deadball era compared to the seventies players and the nineties players. I mean the guy led the American league in slugging one year with a .541. A .541! Harold was one of the most feared left handed hitters in the American league for years, and this is one career where the numbers don't tell the whole story.

Pitchers:ED WALSH, EDDIE CICOTTE, DOC WHITE, BILLY PIERCE, RED FARBER.--Closer: HOYT WILHELM

1. Highlights: Billy Pierce had an ERA+ of 201 in 1955. Otherwise most of the pitching records are Ed Walsh's. He was sort of a Walter Johnson light for the White Sox. Ed Walsh 1.27 ERA and 0.820 WHIP in 1910. Walsh also had 40 Wins, 42 CG, 11 SHO, 269 SO and 464 innings in 1908. Bobby Thigpen 57 Saves in 1990.

2. Career Best: Ed Walsh's 1908: 464 IP, 269 SO, 40 W 15 L, 1.42 ERA, 0.860 WHIP, 163 ERA+.

Eddie Cicotte's 1917: 346 IP, 150 SO, 28 W 12 L, 1.53 ERA, 0.912 WHIP, 174 ERA+.

Doc White's 1906: 219 IP, 95 SO, 18 W 6 L, 1.52 ERA, 0.903 WHIP, 168 ERA+.

Billy Pierce's 1955: 205 IP, 157 SO, 15 W 10 L, 1.97 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, 201 ERA+.

Red Faber's 1921: 330 IP, 124 SO, 25 W 15 L, 2.48 ERA, 1.149 WHIP, 171 ERA+.

Hoyt Wilhelm's 1965: 66 games, 144 IP, 106 SO, 1.81 ERA, 0.833 WHIP, 176 ERA+.


3. Summary: Is that the best All-Time staff? It damn well could be. Top five definitely.

Bench: NELLIE FOX,A.J. PIERZYNSKI, CARLOS LEE, BIBB FALK, PAUL KONERKO


Bullpen: Bobby Thigpen, TED LYONS, REB RUSSELL, FRANK SMITH, JIM SCOTT

Batting Order:
1.Collins-L
2.Appling-R
3.Jackson-L
4.Thomas-R
5.Baines-L
6.Ordonez-R
7.Ventura-L
8.Fisk-R
9.Minoso-R

Conclusion: An extremely balanced line-up that has everything but great speed on the bases. An unbelievable rotation that could pitch shutouts against the '27 Yankees. Throw in a great bench and a solid bullpen and the Chi Sox are pushing for a spot in the top five teams of All-Time. Although there's always the chance they might end up throwing all their games; you know, for the money.

My Life in Albums

So yeah, this is way way off topic, but I saw this, and I was compelled to do it myself... And just so we're clear - this is a retrospective look. I'm not talking about the albums that I thought were the best in that year. I'm looking back and saying objectively what I now think the best albums released that year are. Also, greatest hits records don't count. Also also, I have to have actually listened to the whole album, if not owned it at one point.


Here's nothing:

1978: Ambient I: Music for Airports, by Brian Eno

1979: (tie) London Calling, by The Clash and The Wall, by Pink Floyd

1980: Back in Black, AC/DC

1981: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, AC/DC (really, i'm not a big AC/DC fan at all, but I'm tellin ya, 1981 is a rough year for music. I'd probably pick October by U2, but honestly, I never really listened to the whole thing...)

1982: Thriller, by Michael Jackson

1983: War, by U2

1984: Reckoning, by R.E.M.

1985: Meat is Murder, by The Smiths

1986: So, by Peter Gabriel

1987: Diesel and Dust, by Midnight Oil and The Joshua Tree, by U2 (with Document by R.E.M., Appetite for Destruction, by G'N'R, and Kick by INXS right behind these two... what a great year for music...)

1988: Rattle and Hum, by U2

1989: The Stone Roses, by The Stone Roses

1990: Ritual de lo Habitual, by Jane's Addiction

1991: Loveless, by My Bloody Valentine and Achtung Baby by U2. I'm sorry. I can't pick. Especially cause it was going to be a no-brainer for Ten by Pearl Jam until i saw that both the U2 and MBV records both came out in THE SAME MONTH?!?!?! Oh, to go back in time and smack my 13-year old self upside the head and tell him to buy these instead of the Use Your Illusions... well, in all fairness, I did buy Achtung Baby...

1992: Angel Dust, by Faith No More

1993: Dubnobasswithmyheadman, by Underworld

1994: Grace, by Jeff Buckley

1995: The Bends, by Radiohead

1996: Being There, by Wilco

1997: OK Computer, by Radiohead - the only year that required no research at all (which is unfortunate, because some great records came out this year - Perfect from Now On, by Built to Spill; Either/Or, by Elliott Smith; Lonesome Crowded West, by Modest Mouse; Urban Hymns, by the Verve; Young Team, by Mogwai; and F♯A♯∞, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

1998: Mezzanine, by Massive Attack

1999: Keep It Like A Secret, by Built To Spill

2000: Kid A, by Radiohead

2001: Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, by Explosions in the Sky

2002: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, by Wilco

2003: Give Up, by The Postal Service

2004: Eveningland, by Hem

2005: Illinois, by Sufjan Stevens

2006: Everything All the Time, by Band of Horses and The Animal Years, by Josh Ritter

2007: Neon Bible, by Arcade Fire

2008: The Seldom Seen Kid, by Elbow

All-Time Teams - Seattle Mariners, or, A History of Abject Failure and/or Disappointment

Oh, the Mariners! My team of teams. I loved them as a young boy, my interest in baseball waned, then came back with a vengence. Through it all, I've kept my allegiance to this sucker of a team. With our tridents held high, let us set sail on the seas of Mariner-dom and pick out the mightiest of sailors.

Catcher: Dan Wilson
1. Highlights: Well, Wilson was always a fan favorite. He was also pretty consistent for a catcher. I'd rather be able to say something more about the "best" catcher in M's history, but there you have it.

2. Career Best: Career season was 1996, where he put up a .285/.330/.444 line, with 18 hrs and 83 RBI, all career highs. Also finished with a .995 fielding percentage behind the plate.

3. Summary: Like I said, kinda bad for the best ever, but Wilson was a solid backstop for 2 waves of great Seattle teams (mid 90s, early 2000s), was an excellent defensive catcher, and managed every year to not suck. In Seattle, that means success!!!

First Base: Alvin Davis

1. Highlights: Beating out Tino Martinez and John Olerud, both of whom had short tenures in Seattle, Davis started out with a bang in 1984 (RoY) and strung together 8 solid years at first.

2. Career Best: .305/.424/.496 line with 156 OPS+ in 1989, 29 HRs and 37 doubles in 1987.

3. Summary: Solid, reliable, but not terribly flashy. OPS+ stayed above 100 until his last season in Seattle. Finished with 160 HRs and a career .280/.380/.450 line, which is remarkable if only for showing a remarkable discipline to finish one's career with such round numbers.

Second Base: Bret Boone

1. Highlights: One of the driving factors in the M's epic 2001 regular season. Had a solid string of 4 seasons from 2001 through 2004, before suffering an epic collapse in 2005.

2. Career Best: That 2001 season, losing the MVP race to Ichiro despite a .331/.372/.578 line with 37 hrs and 141 RBI, all career highs.

3. Summary: Undoubtedly a Roid monster, he exploded from a poor-to-mediocre talent to a MVP candidate with power, speed and versatility, only to deflate quickly and come crashing to Earth. Still, his 2001 has to be one of the best seasons by a 2B in the last 20... definitely among the top 5.

Third Base: Edgar Martinez

1. Highlights: 6 year stretch in the late nineties of hitting at least .320, hitting at least 22 hrs, and posting OPS+ of 150 or higher.

2. Career Best: I think it'd have to be 1995, where he won the AL batting title, leading the AL in OBP, hit .356/.479/.628, and hit 29 HRS.

3. Summary: A little bit of cheating here... Edgar really belongs at DH, as he spent an overwhelming majority of his career there. But the M's really have no good 3Bs in their history, and Edgar was just so good that I decided to look upon his pre-hamstrung hamstring days with favor.

Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez

1. Highlights: While he didn't put up the Herculean numbers he would eventually tally in Texas and New York, Seattle's #1 overall pick in 1993 got goin in a hurry for the Mariners. Despite only playing here for 3500 PAs, in the top 10 in every major offensive category.

2. Career Best: 1996, his first full season, where he finished second in the MVP voting to Juan Gonzalez, despite putting up arguably better numbers. Finished batting .358/.414/.631, with 36 HRs and 123 RBI.

3. Summary: This is the guy any good Mariner fan loves to hate, but his impact on the game in Seattle (perhaps in general) is undeniable. He put up good season after good season, stayed out of trouble, and before jumping ship for the highest paycheck, did all we could ask of him.

Outfield: Ken Griffey, Jr.

1. Highlights: In the top 5 of every meaningful offensive category in Seattle history (and in the top 3 of most of those), The Kid played with a swagger and grace never before seen in Seattle. This picture (and everything behind it) singlehandedly saved baseball in Seattle.

2. Career Best: His monster 1997 year won him the MVP - 56 hrs, 147 RBI. However, I'd argue that his 1994 was the more ridiculous season - 40 hrs, .323/.402/.674 in 110 games. His run from 1993 through 2000 (save an injury filled 1995) is pretty spectacular.

3. Summary: This guy was on the way to being the best ever, and prior to jumping ship from Seattle in a fairly disgraceful manner, he lived up to every bit of potential everyone saw in him. Manning centerfield better than anyone in his generation, putting up power numbers with apparent effortlessness, this guy was among the most well-rounded players in the modern era.

Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki

1. Highlights: The new face of the Mariners, the master of the awesome sports quote ("To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."), a strange athletic phenomenon, and really one of the more underrated players (in my opinion). Career .331 BA, record holder for hits in one season with 262, and a cannon of an arm.

2. Career Best: 2004, 262 hits, .372 BA, 36 stolen bases. Just a monster of a year - especially considering he started in April/May at .255. 3 months batting over 400, 4 months with 50+ hits. Crazy.

3. Summary: 1278 hits in Japan, 1692 hits in the majors. Dude is a hit machine - I really think that he'll pass Pete Rose in hits total (which obviously won't count, but still...). He's just a unique individual, a great player, and almost impossible to defend against.

Outfield: Jay Buhner

1. Highlights: Couldn't hit for average to save his life, his strikeouts sent stiff breezes blowing throughout the Kingdome (creating some form of cyclone phenomenon - may have been responsible for this), but boy did that ball fly off his bat.

2. Career Best: 1996, where he hit 44 HRs, 138 RBI and struck out a mere 159 times. Worth noting was his career high in strikeouts, which is an impressive 175 Ks in 540 AB.

3. Summary: Bone, as he is affectionately known, is a crazy bastard. Read this story to find the portion about Jay Buhner - believe me, the whole article is great, but Jay's portion is awesome. Truly a power hitter, also had a cannon of an arm, and anchored the bottom half of the M's lineup for several years.

Designated Hitter: John Olerud

1. Highlights: A Washington native, he was welcomed home with open arms to finish his career. Well, he had stints with the Yanks and Sox after he left Seattle, but still. Notable for his steady production (often around .300, lots of doubles and 20 hrs) and for wearing a batting helmet on the field (the result of having an aneurysm while on the field at WSU), he may also be the whitest man ever.

2. Career Best: His best season in Seattle came in 2002, with a .300/.403/.490 line. He accounted for 7.2 RC/9, and in his usual quiet way, knocked in 102 runs on 22 HRs.

3. Summary: Make no mistake, Olerud's finest days were prior to his stint in Seattle. I'd guess that he'll easily make the Blue Jays all-time team and, while he was there for a very short time, may make at least the bench in New York for the Mets. That said, Olerud was a key component of the 2000-2004 M's.

Pitchers: Randy Johnson, Jamie Moyer, Mark Langston, Freddy Garcia, Felix Hernandez Closer: Kazuhiro Sasaki

1. Highlights: Well, not much to say here... The Big Unit was a machine in his times in Seattle, and Moyer is the polar opposite type of pitcher, but reinvented his career remarkably well. This is not a great rotation, by any stretch, but when all of these guys were on their game, they'd get some guys out.

2. Career Best: Randy Johnson's 1997 (20 wins, 2.28 ERA, 291 Ks) is up there, as is Moyer's 21 wins in 2003. Freddy probably gets in here because he was good, but he was playing with the offensive Juggernaut that was the 2001 M's. Saves: 45, Kaz Sasaki in 2001.

3. Summary: I guess I've said enough. These guys could all strike some guys out. Bad Sunglasses is gonna give me shit for including Felix Hernandez, but I believe. I've drank (drunk? well, consumed anyway) the Kool-Aid. When he is on, boy, get out of the way. Let's hope we can re-sign him and he can lead us to a victory. Also, how can you not root for a closer who retired from the league because, basically, he was an alcoholic and an inveterate womanizer?

Bench: Harold Reynolds, Mike Cameron, Raul Ibanez, Dave Valle and Phil Bradley

Bullpen: Mike Schooler, J.J. Putz, Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Nelson, Norm Charlton

Batting Order:

1. Ichiro (L)

2. Edgar Martinez (R)

3. Ken Griffey, Jr (L)

4. Alex Rodriguez (R)

5. Bret Boone (R)

6. John Olerud (L)

7. Jay Buhner (R)
8. Alvin Davis (L)

9. Dan Wilson (R)

Conclusion: It's a sad lot in life to root so heartily for such a disappointing team. Even when we set the modern baseball record for wins in a season, we can't beat the Damn Yankees. And we are in the midst of the most epic breakdown this season. But I still love this loser of a team, and we'll be back. Mariners in '09! (or, more realistically, '10).

The 2008 NBA Draft-The Way It Should Be

So after a watershed year for the NBA, we will see if the lessons learned have been absorbed in time for the draft tonight. Usually the draft is a great opportunity for ridicule, but after two blockbuster trades sent two teams going nowhere to the Finals, there's finally a possibility that the GMs have caught on to what's been obvious to everyone else the past 15 years. Namely European big guys are soft, the guards are better, if a player doesn't perform at a high level in college it's not because he was in the wrong system, he doesn't have it. And the number one thing: if you pick a player in the lottery under 6'7", he'd better be able to shoot and handle the ball, and if you pick a player over 6'8", he'd better be able to score in the paint and rebound.

That being said, the teams will still find a way to fuck it up. So, for posterity's sake, here's how I think the draft should go down.

1. Chicago: Michael Beasley

So two things: 1. Taking the hometown hero to save the Pro team has only worked for LeBron. Most have flamed out under the pressure. Rose is from Chicago and will be under tremendous stress if picked here. 2. The Bulls need scoring in a big way and that's what you get from Beasley. They especially need interior scoring as their two returning High point getters are jump shooters, Deng, and Gordon. Rose gives them leadership and an ability to penetrate. He's not a great passer a la Paul, and without tutelage like Deron Williams got from John Stockton in Utah, don't expect him to log 8-10 assists things.

2. Miami: Derrick Rose

He's best off here, and so is Miami. With Rose and Wade on the perimeter, Miami could have the same kind of outside attack as the back-to-back championship Piston teams of the 80's, with Rose playing Dumars to Wade's Isiah. Wade's ability to create will cover for Rose's lack of assists.

3. Minnesota: Roy Hibbert

If Chicago and Miami brain-fart and Beasley is available here, of course, they take him in a dream scenario for the Wolves. But he won't be available, so God help them from OJ Mayo, the foregone bust of this draft. All of their recent picks have been 1, 2,or 3s. They need help on the inside for Al Jefferson. Someone to rebound, defend, block shots, and shoot a high percentage when the ball finds him open. And who does that in this draft? Roy Hibbert. Feel free to kill for this pick now, but in three years when we look back at this draft, he will be a top five pick.

4. LA Clippers (from Seattle): Jerryd Bayless

This team needs backcourt help in the worst way. They are rumored to be getting this pick only if OJ Mayo hasn't been taken, in which case Seattle will. The aforementioned rule of hometown hero rules out Westbrook here. So I'm going with Bayless. He's got the height to defend, unlike Augistin, and he's a pure point, unlike Gordon. Like Hibbert, he probably will be taken after a bunch of other guys at his position, but 3 years from now he'll be neck and neck with Rose for the top Point Guard in this draft.

5. Memphis: Kevin Love

This team looks terrible, and it is, but there is hope. Conely at point and Gay at small forward is a decent foundation. Neither one is a leader or the face of the franchise. Love would fit both niches, as well as score on the block, rebound, play better defense than he'll get credit for and keep the ball moving in what, if you throw Miller in there, is a potent offense.

6. New York: Russell Westbrook

A great fit. Westbrook would make everybody on this team better and wouldn't have to worry about scoring, with Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford hogging the ball. The Knicks are too dumb and unlucky to get this player though.

7. Seattle: Marreese Speights

They need help everywhere except for small forward, Kevin Durant, and he's a perimeter forward, so I'm going inside (of course they are looking for a point). Another surprise as there are two or three centers rated ahead of him. This guy has size and his FG is over 60%. Lopez by comparison is under 50%. Otherwise their numbers are comparable.

8. Milwaukee: Mario Chalmers

Another team with a desperate need for a point guard. Luckily for the Bucks, this draft is loaded with point guards. I took Chalmers over Augistin because of Chalmers' versatility, height, and great defensive ability.

9. Charlotte: Danilo Gallinari

They already have a swing forward in Wallace, but Gallinari is a great fit for their roster and would allow them to play a Phoenix type of game.

10. New Jersey: Darrell Arthur

Strong quick, plays defense, runs the floor, and can hit a 10 footer. Now that the Nets have Yi, they need somebody to play inside, and Arthur is the best inside power forward outside of Kevin Love.

Texas Rangers All-Time Team

The one-time Washington Senators, essentially forced out of our Nation's capital in disgrace, settled in the relative wastelands of Texas and have spent the better part of 35 years trying to live down that disgrace. What lies before you now is a lineup with some real gems, but a whole lot more average players, and possibly one of the 5 worst pitching lineups ever. To be fair, the pitchers in the lineup are mostly fine (3 HoFers and all), but were Rangers late in their career and faded into the sunset with some mediocre seasons.

This is a study of a team who, like modern day Oakland, seems to pull great prospects up, groom them and then send them to bigger markets. Witness the Yankee/RedSoxifying of MLB...

Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez (R)
1. Highlights: 8 year stretch over .300 BA, MVP winner in 1999, putting up career bests in just about every category (see next line).
2. Career Best: 1999 was a great year for him, .332/.356/.558 35 HRs, 113 RBI, 25 stolen bases. Career highs in all counting categories. BA: .347 and Slg: .667 in 2000.
3. Summary: Not even a close call here. 10+ solid seasons at catcher, excellent defensively (10 Gold Gloves in a row, only 2 seasons under .990 fielding percentage), and general team leader.

First Base: Rafael Palmeiro (L)
1. Highlights: His testimony before the House of Representatives... oh wait... He actually hit 321 homers and put up a solid career in the 10 years he played in Arlington.
2. Career Best: .324 BA in 1999, 47 hrs (twice, 1999 and 2001), 148 RBI in 1999. 159 OPS+ in 1999.
3. Summary: Honestly, Palmeiro should be in the Hall. Steroids or not, dude put up some great numbers and was remarkably consistent for 15 years. While contemptable as a person for lying to Congress and throwing Tejada under the bus, he is redeemed by his stats. Also, many points for an excellent moustache (one of many on this Rangers squad).

Second Base: Julio Franco (R)
1. Highlights: This man is not human... seriously, this man was a position player for 23 seasons. Plus, he took like 3 years off entirely. He is 48 years old and played in 50+ games last year. Among his many many many teams, he spent 5 years in Texas in the early 90s.
2. Career Best: .341/.408/.474 line in 1991 was his Texas career high, and 2 years of 27 and 2 years of 31 doubles in 5 seasons (talk about consistency, eh?).
3. Summary: Not necessarily his best stretch of offensive output, but really, there's not much competition in Texas (Soriano was only there for 2 years, Mark McLemore and Ian Kinsler suck).

Third Base: Buddy Bell (R)
1. Highlights: 4 time All Star and 6 straight Gold Gloves holding down 3rd in the late 70s.
2. Career Best: .329/.379/.428 line in 1980 were his best year in Texas, with 18 hrs and 101 RBI also a zenith of his performance there.
3. Summary: Second in a line of Bell baseball boys, he had a largely unremarkable tenure in Texas, but he strung together more solid seasons than Hank Blalock in his injury plagued run and had a more well rounded game than Dean Palmer.

Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez (R)
1. Highlights: He is number 6 on the Rangers all time HR chart, despite only spending 3 years here. Should say something about his performance here. These 3 years, though, are some of his best, and actually got an MVP in his last year there for the 2003 Rangers, even though they finished in last place.
2. Career Best: .318/.399/.622 were his highs for this period, achieved in 2001. Hit 57 hrs and 142 RBI in 2002. Silver Slugger and All Star all three seasons.
3. Summary: While I still have lingering anger over the manner in which A-Rod so summarily left a generous Seattle behind, he got what he deserved in Texas. Meaning, accolades he could pile on his significant mantle to be polished every October.

Outfield: Juan Gonzalez (R)
1. Highlights: Two time MVP, two-time Ranger (89-99, 2002-03), hit 40+ hrs 5 times. Clearly the best hitter in Texas history given the duration of his stay and sheer magnitude of his stats.
2. Career Best: 169 OPS+ in 1993 set a career high, and his 157 RBI was the third highest total in the 1990s (behind Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa).
3. Summary: Injuries plagued Juan Gone's career, but had he stayed healthy, he's a sure-fire Hall of Famer. He would have easily reached 500 HRs (ended up with 434), and his .295/.343/561 line is nothing to shake a stick at.

Outfield: Ruben Sierra (S)
1. Highlights: Another Ranger who came up through their system, flourished young and then went on to play for a ton of other teams, Sierra was quite the phenom in the late 80s and early 90s. Ups and downs through his early career, but stayed above .260 and around 20 hrs consistently, with some great up seasons.
2. Career Best: Definitely 1989, where he narrowly lost the MVP to Robin Yount back when the Brewers were in the AL. His .307/.357/.502 were career bests, and his 25 HR and 116 weren't bad either.
3. Summary: Strong start to a career that led him to 8 other teams, he'll probably be remembered more as a stop-gap than a force to be reckoned with, but he strung together a number of good years.

Outfield: Rusty Greer (L)
1. Highlights: Very under the radar player, but in the late 90s-early 00s, he put together some solid, though not flashy numbers.
2. Career Best: Three times over 100 runs, capped at 112 runs in 1997. His .321/.405/.531 in 1997 remains his most well rounded season.
3. Summary: Really, not much more to say here. Lifelong Ranger, he quietly did his job, and then like all old cowboys, quietly rode off into the sunset. Oh also, he appears to be destined for aristocracy, as his birth name is Thurman Clyde Greer III. Not bad...

Designated Hitter: Mark Teixiera (S)
1. Highlights: Ah, he of the strangely placed, strangely pronounced 'X'. What is it with my teams and the letter X? Foxx, Teix... I suppose I'll have to take the Red Sox and any team with a Felix (Seattle?). Teixiera exploded on the scene in 03, put up 4 good seasons and hit the road running to Atlanta to complete his Yankees audition.
2. Career Best: .301/.379/.575, 43 HR 116 RBI line in 2005 all set personal highs for him while in Texas. Consistently between 7 and 8 RC/G.
3. Summary: New York Yankees, meet your future First Baseman.


Pitchers: Charlie Hough, Nolan Ryan, Kenny Rogers, Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry Closer: John Wetteland
1. Highlights: Not many... Jenkins came in second in the Cy Young race in 1974, Nolan Ryan struck out 301 batters at the age of 42 (Ryan was 42... not 301 42 year olds...)
2. Career Best: Wins - Jenkins with 25 in 1974, Ks - Ryan with 301 in 1989, ERA was Jon Matlack with 2.27 in 1978. Saves - Francisco Cordero with 49 in 2004.
3. Summary: Pretty rough... 3 Hall of Famers, but all at the tail end of their careers. While the offense had some spark, this pitching staff was not one to overpower.

Bench: Will Clark, Michael Young, Alfonso Soriano, Dean Palmer, Jim Sundberg (wow... backup catcher doesn't get much lower than this...)

Bullpen: Francisco Cordero, Tom Henke, Jeff Russell, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown

Batting Order:
1. Franco (R)
2. Greer (L)
3. Rodriguez (R)
4. Gonzalez (R)
5. Palmeiro (L)
6. Teixiera (S)
7. Rodriguez (R)
8. Sierra (S)
9. Bell (R)

Conclusion: What to say about the former employees of our esteemed President? They were forced to leave Washington in disgrace because of the young upstarts up the road. They've lived out the rest of their days in relative obscurity, occasionally coming to the surface with efforts to redeem themselves, only to be bounced back into the cellar by glaring weaknesses. Yeah, the Rangers past history are about what I predict their former boss's future to be...

The All-Time New York Yankees

Catcher: YOGI BERRA

1. Highlights: Three MVP's, fifteen straight All Star appearances, ten straight years with twenty or more HR's, lead the league in most AB's per strikeout in 1950.

2. Career Best: Yogi's two best seasons,1950 and 1956, were before his first MVP and after his last. 1950 stands out: 151 G (as a catcher!), 116 RS, 192 H, 30 2B, 28 HR, 124 RBI, .322 BA, .383 OBP, .533 SLG, 318 TB, and the aforementioned least K's per AB's.

3. Summary: Was Bench better? Conventional wisdom says yes, yet Yogi leads Bench in every single offensive category except HR. Bench was a better catcher but an examination of the numbers says not by much; part of Bench's legendary defense behind the plate seems to stem from his height. Bench was to the catcher position what Ripkin would be to the Shortstop position. Although Berra does lead in every offensive category, and Bench in most defensive categories, the difference is often so close as to be negligible. Except in career strike-outs: Berra: 414, and Bench:1278. I'm taking Berra.

First Base: LOU GEHRIG

1. Highlights: Won the Triple Crown in 1934, two time MVP, played in the first six All-Star Games, led the majors in OBP five times, led the majors in SLG twice, led the majors in RS four times, led the majors in TB four times, led the majors in RBI five times, led the majors in HR three times, led the majors in BB three times, led the league in Extra Base Hits four times, led the majors in 2B twice, led the majors in triples, hits and BA once.

He also played in a record 2,130 consecutive games, later broken by Cal Ripkin. He only had more than eighty strike-outs once in his long career. Thirteen straight years with more than one hundred RS. Had two hundred hits eight times. Had double digits in doubles, triples, and homers seven straight seasons. Thirteen straight seasons with over 110 RBI. Had one season over 180 RBI, three over 170 RBI, and seven over 160 RBI. Thirteen straight seasons with an OBP over .400. Fifteen straight seasons with a SLG over .500, with nine seasons over .600, and three seasons over .700 topping out at a whopping .765 in 1927. Twelve straight seasons hitting .300 or better with a high of .379 in 1930; beating his back to back seasons of 1927 and 1928 when Gehrig hit .373, and .374 .

Lou Gehrig is best remembered for delivering one of the greatest public speeches in American history.

2. Career Best: In 1927 Lou Gehrig had 218 hits, 52 doubles, 18 triples, 175 runs batted in, 47 home runs, a .371 batting average, a .474 on base percentage, and a .765 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: The greatest First Baseman who ever lived.

Second Base: TONY LAZZERI

1. Highlights: Hit .300 five times and had a SLG over .500 three times. Five seasons with double digits in doubles, triples, and home runs. Seven 100 RBI seaons.

2. Career Best: 1929- 101 runs scored, 193 hits, 37 doubles, 11 triples, 18 home runs, a .354 batting average, a .429 on base percentage, and a .561 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: Is in the Hall Of Fame and probably doesn't deserve to be there.

Third Base: ALEX RODRIGUEZ

1. Highlights: Two time MVP, five time All-Star, led the league in slugging three times, led the league in runs scored twice, led the league in home runs twice, and led the league in RBI once. Five straight years with at least 100 runs scored, 20 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and a .500 SLG.

2. Career Best: 2007- 143 runs scored, 31 doubles, 54 home runs, 156 runs batted in, 24 stolen bases, a .314 batting average, a .422 on base percentage, and a .645 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: We should've known when the reports came out last year that he was hanging around Pete Rose. And by the way the man CHOSE to wear the number 13. Alex you always seemed to think you were above the constraints of mortal men. To quote Bob Dylan "Temporary Like Achilles".

Shortstop: DEREK JETER

1. Highlights: Eleven years with 100 runs scored, six years with over 200 hits, 25 doubles or more every year of his career, double digits in home runs and stolen bases every year of his career, hit .300 or better ten times while never hitting below .291 in his career, led the league in runs scored and hits, Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, and World Series MVP.

2. Career Best: 1999- 134 runs scored, 219 hits, 37 doubles, 24 home runs, 102 runs batted in, a .349 batting average, a .438 on base percentage, and a .552 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: With all the scandals around baseball Mr. Cool looks better, and better.

Outfield: BABE RUTH

1. Highlights: 1 MVP, 2 All-Star games, 1 batting title, in ten World Series games hit .326 .467 .744, led the league in OBP 9 times, led the league in SLG eleven straight years, led the league in RS seven straight years, led the league in HR ten years, led the league in RBI five years, and led the league in OPS eleven straight years. In fourteen years hit under .300 twice.

Hit over .350 eight times, and over .370 six times. Hit over 40 home runs eleven times, and over 50 four times. 13 one hundred RBI seasons. 16 seasons with an OBP over .400, and five seasons over .500. 15 seasons with a SLG over .500, 12 seasons over .600, 9 seasons over .700, and 2 seasons over .800. Broke the single season home run record four separate times. When Ruth hit 54 home runs in 1920 the next closest man, George Sisler, hit 19.

2. Career Best: Although popular with fans baseball people of his time had an ambivalent relationship with Ruth. His only MVP season came in 1923 when he hit .393; representing the old-timers idea of a great ball player as opposed to his greater power years.

His best year to me, and his numbers make it a matter of taste, is 1921. Ruth scored 177 runs, had 204 hits, 44 doubles, 16 triples, 59 home runs, 171 runs batted in, a .378 batting average, a .512 on base percentage, and a .846 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: Is Ruth the greatest ever? Tough to say. He never played in an integrated league. By comparison, Williams missed years in the wars, and played in an integrated league part of his career. Bonds used P.E.D.'s. No one else should really be in the conversation.
Could he play in today's game? Of course he could and he'd be a Hall of Famer; as a left handed starter.

Outfield: MICKEY MANTLE

1. Highlights: A Triple Crown, led the league in triples in 1955, 16 time All-Star, 3 time MVP, led the league in runs 6 times, led the league in HR and SLG 4 times a piece, led the league in OBP 3 times. Had an OPS over 1.000 eight separate times. All time leader for switch hitters in OBP, OPS, and Home Runs.

2. Career Best: 1956, Mantle's first MVP season-132 runs scored, 22 doubles, 52 home runs, .353 batting average, .464 on base percentage, .705 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: Admitted to getting drunk with Billy Martin before many ball games. The main reason the Yanks traded Billy away. How do you think that would go over these days? And why isn't it brought up when the Mick's legacy is discussed? When he needed a liver transplant after destroying his own with decades of alcoholism, NYC unethically and disgustingly moved him to the top of the recipient list. Rarely gets mentioned either. Some guys are just born with Halos. My Father's favorite player.

Outfield: JOE DIMAGGIO

1. Highlights: 13 time All-Star, 3 time MVP, led the league in triples, and led the league in AVG, SLG, HR, and RBI two times a piece. Eight seasons with double digits in doubles, triples and home runs. Nine 100 RBI seasons. Seven 30 HR seasons. In 13 seasons batted under .300, and slugged under .500 only twice a piece. Hit safely in 56 straight games.

2. Career Best: This was tough. Joe routinely missed twenty games to injury, give or take, almost every year of his career. I'm going with one of only three years he played close to a full season:1937- 151 runs scored, 215 hits, 35 doubles, 15 triples, 46 home runs, 167 runs batted in, a .346 batting average, a .412 on base percentage, and a .673 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: Another Halo guy. The amount of doubles and triples tells you how well he ran the bases. Strangely he only had 30 steals in his career, which is more of an era thing, as the stolen base almost died in the thirties and forties. Only played five years in an integrated league and lost three prime years to WWII. Married Marilyn Monroe when it meant something. Immortalized in prose and song by Hemingway, and Paul Simon respectively.

Designated Hitter: ROGER MARIS

1. Highlights: 2 straight MVP's, 3 straight All-Star games, 3 straight 30 HR, 100 RBI seasons. Broke the unbreakable Babe Ruth's single season home run record.

2. Career Best: 1961- 132 runs scored, 61 home runs, 142 runs batted in, a .269 batting average, a .372 on base percentage, and a .620 slugging percentage.

3. Summary: All through 1961, Baseball Managers chose to pitch around Mantle, and go after Maris. Roger made them pay all year long. No one wanted Maris to be the one to break the Babe's record; seemingly even himself at times. But he did it, and no amount of Halo induced vitriol or P.E.D. inflated numbers can ever take that away from him. Good for you, Roger.

PITCHERS: Whitey Ford, Jack Chesbro, Lefty Gomez, Ron Guidry, Bob Shawkey, Mariano Rivera, Goose Gossage

1. Highlights: Guidry's 1.74 ERA, 248 strikeouts, 9 shutouts, and .208 ERA+. Chesbro's 451 innings pitched, 48 complete games, 41 wins and 0.937 WHIP. Mo Rivera's 53 saves.

2. Career Best:
Whitey Ford's 1964- 244 IP, 17-6 record, 8 shutouts, 12 complete games, 172 strikeouts, 2.13 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, 170 ERA+.

Jack Chesbro's 1904- 454 IP, 41-12 record, 6 shutouts, 48 complete games, 239 strikeouts, 1.82 ERA, 0.937 WHIP, 148 ERA+.

Lefty Gomez's 1937- 278 IP, 21-11 record, 6 shutouts, 25 complete games, 194 strikeouts, 2.33 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, 191 ERA+.

Ron Guidry's 1978- 273 IP, 25-3 record, 9 shutouts, 16 complete games, 248 strikeouts, 1.74 ERA, 0.946 WHIP, 208 ERA+.

Bob Shawkey's 1920- 267 IP, 20-13 record, 5 shutouts, 20 complete games, 126 strikeouts, 2.45 ERA, 1.237 WHIP, 156 ERA+.

Goose Gossage's 1978- 134 IP, 27 saves, 122 strikeouts, 2.01 ERA, 1.087 WHIP, 180 ERA+.

Mariana Rivera's 2008- 70 IP, 39 saves, 77 strikeouts, 1.40 ERA, 0.665 WHIP, 317 ERA+.

3. Summary: Doesn't match up to the lineup. Best All Time Bullpen though.

BENCH: Bernie Williams, Don Mattingly, Bill Dickey, Joe Gordon, Reggie Jackson

BULLPEN: Waite Hoyt, Red Ruffing, Dave Righetti, Fritz Peterson, Mel Stottlemyre.

Batting Order:
1.Jeter-R
2.DiMaggio-R
3.Ruth-L
4.Mantle-S
5.Gehrig-L
6.Rodriguez-R
7.Berra-L
8.Maris-L
9.Lazzeri-R

Conclusion: The lineup includes possibly the best player ever (Ruth), the best First baseman ever (Gehrig), the future Home Run King at 3rd base (A-Rod), probably the best catcher ever(Berra), the best switch hitter ever (Mantle), and a guy with a 56 game hitting streak (DiMaggio). It also holds two players to hold the single season home run record. Six MVP's and eight Hall of Famers in the lineup. Two MVP's and four Hall of Famer's on the bench. They are the Yankees.

The Washington Senators All-Time Team

The best line I came across about the Washington Senators also pretty much sums up their entire existence, and I'm quoting from baseball-reference.com: "The Senators were officially the Washington Nationals from 1905-1955, but the fans never recognized them as such". I mean how bad does your Baseball team have to be for the fans to give you the most derogatory nickname they can think of: The Senators.

The Senators were declared cursed beyond repair in 1960 and moved to Minnesota in an effort to increase the misery of that glacial alcove overlooking the frozen hells.

To everyones surprise, nostalgia crept into peoples hearts over the lost Senators; with their lone World Series win and their lone All-Timer Walter Johnson. That "nostalgia" was fueled by MLB's attempt "to stave off threats of lifting its antitrust exemption" by enraged members of Congress, who needed something to do instead of going to work. So even though the new team was called the Senators, played in the same division, and didn't miss a season, they were considered a new Washington Senators franchise. But they played just like the old Senators: god awful.

By the time the Senators left for good in 1971, the Country had moved on, and baseball had become a little square. The real Congressmen and Senators, who needed something to do instead of going to work, were spending all their time these days in the illegal casinos and strip-clubs. Nobody cared when the new Senators moved to Texas of all places. Without this move, which in the future would allow George W. Bush to hold a can't miss executive job, their wouldn't have been a Cheney Presidency. Go Senators.

Catcher:MUDDY RUEL

1. Highlights: Three straight .400 OBP seasons.

2. Career Best: .316 AVG, .411 OBP, .389 SLG. 1 HR--You read that right. Hey. it's the Senators.

3. Summary: Started with the Yanks, but they had some guy named Dickey behind the plate. Decent defender behind the dish, and had a great eye at the plate.

First Base: JOE JUDGE

1. Highlights: Hit .300 or better nine of the fourteen full seasons he played for the Senators. Ten straight seasons with over twenty doubles.

2. Career Best: .333 AVG, .416 OBP in '20, and .509 SLG in '30. Hit ten HRs in '22, and '30.

3. Summary: Solid average hitter who played a lot: 15 straight seasons with over 100 games started. Did everything well except hit home runs; sort of a rich man's Sean Casey.

Second Base: BUDDY MYER

1. Highlights: 1935, a top twenty season for a second baseman: 115 RS, 215 Hits, 100 RBI, and career highs in AVG, and SLG.

2. Career Best: .349 AVG in '35, .454 OBP in '38, .468 SLG in '35. 38 doubles, and 16 triples in '32. 6 HRs in '38.

3. Summary: Just missed out on a lot of HOF magic numbers, but the guy's a second baseman who played 17 seasons and retired with over a .300 AVG. He's a borderline Hall of Famer if there ever was one.


Third Base: BUDDY LEWIS

1. Highlights: Hit double digit doubles, triples, and home runs in '39. Scored 100 runs four times.

2. Career Best:.333 AVG, and .423 OBP in '45 ( only 69 ABs), .478 SLG in '39.

3. Summary: Short career and a crappy fielder. He did hit .300 almost half the seasons he played ( 4 out of 11). The second Buddy on this list in what was an occasional Buddy to Buddy start of a double play: insert joke here.

Shortstop: CECIL TRAVIS

1. Highlights: In 1941, Travis poster career highs in every major category except stolen bases. He went to The War the next year. When he came back, Travis was a shell of the player he was before, and ended up retiring two years later. A lot of guys during the forties could say the same.

2. Career Best: .359 AVG, .410 OBP, .520 SLG, 106 RS, 218 H, 39 Doubles, 19 Triples, and 101 RBIs all in 1941.

3. Summary: Played in the era where everybody's AVG was through the roof, but still the guy hit over .300 for his career. He was shipped over to Europe during The War, where he got frostbite on two of his toes. If he hadn't left for WWII he might have made a HOF push who knows. He did have more hits than anybody in '41, including Ted and Joe.


Outfield: GOOSE GOSLIN

1. Highlights: Won the batting title in '28 hitting .379. His RC/G that year was a 10.9, a massive number. Had a OPS+ number over 100 for 16 straight years. Hit over .300 for seven straight years. Had double digits in doubles, triples, and home runs, for five straight years. Also had over 100 RBIs, and over a .500 SLG for five straight years.

2. Career Best: .379 AVG, .442 OBP, and .614 SLG, all in '28. 37 doubles in '27. 20 triples in '25

3. Summary: A Hall of Famer and deserves to be. Another guy who seems to do everything on a baseball diamond well. Did he put up his numbers during one of the high water marks for offense? He did. Could he play today? He'd be an All-Star.

Outfield: HEINIE MANUSH

1. Highlights: Won the batting title in '26, and came in second twice, and third twice, mostly with Detroit. Four straight years with over 30 doubles (41, 41, 32, 42), over 10 triples, and over a .300 AVG with the Senators.

2. Career Best: .349 AVG, .392 OBP, and .523 SLG in '34. Had some years in Detroit that were bigger.

3. Summary: A Hall of Famer, he was traded for Goose Goslin in '36 in the rare HOF swap. Aged a little better than Goslin. Goslin had the better years.

Outfield: ROY SIEVERS

1. Highlights: 6 straight years with 20 or more HRs ( in Griffith Park that's something). Hit 42 Hr in '57.

2. Career Best: .301 AVG, .388 OBP and .579 SLG in '57. '27 doubles in '56.

3. Summary: The year Sievers hit 42 HRs the Senators pulled the left field fence in to 350 feet, turning what had been the ultimate pitchers park (until Petco) into a righty power park. If they'd done it sooner, or left it there for more than a year, Sievers is probably a HOF with 500 HRs. He's the only Senator to ever have 27 or more HRs in a season.

Designated Hitter: MICKEY VERNON

1. Highlights: When he made the bigs he was the youngest player in the majors. When he retired he was the oldest player. He played 20 seasons even though he missed another two to WWII! In '53 he had over 200 hits, 100 runs, and 100 RBIs. Hit over 27 doubles every year, his first ten years with the Senators. Never struck out more than 66 times in any of his twenty seasons.

2. Career Best: .353 AVG in '46, .403 OBP twice ('46 and '53: also .403 with Boston one year. Crazy), .518 SLG '53. 14 Triples and 24 HRs in '54. 51 doubles in '46.

3. Summary: The man loved to play baseball. Debuted in '39 and the son of a gun is still kicking. Good for you Mickey.

Pitchers: WALTER JOHNSON, DUTCH LEONARD, GEORGE MOGRIDGE, TOM ZACHARY, FIRPO MARBERRY

1. Highlights: Walter Johnson: ERA+ season 259, ERA+ career 147, SHO season 11, SHO career 110, complete games season 38, complete games career 531, SO season 313, SO career 3509, innings season 371, innings career 5914, WHIP season 0.780, WHIP career 1.061, Wins season 36, Wins career 417, ERA season 1.14, ERA career 2.17.

2. Career Best: see above

3. Summary: There are some good starters besides Walter, but nothing special. But Walter takes this staff to another level.

Bench: Rick Ferrell, Ossie Bluege, Joe Cronin, Eddie Yost, Joe Kuhel

Bullpen: Camilo Pascual, Bob Porterfield, Early Wynn, Case Patten, Bob Groom


Batting Order:

1. Myer-L
2. Travis-L
3. Goslin-L
4. Sievers-R
5. Manush-L
6. Vernon-L
7. Judge-L
8. Lewis-L
9. Ruel-R

Conclusion: Power challenged line-up but they could hit. Walter would give them a chance every time he pitched. They'd lose every game he didn't probably.

Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals All-Time Team

Ah, our misunderstood French speaking friends to the north, how they lament the loss of their once great, well good, band of up and comers over a nice cool glass. not too cold mind you, of Kina Lillet.

Their loss is the Capital of Americas gain; in so much as the gutting of a competitive team and shipping it south to the swamps to play like woebegone triple AAA'ers in front of our lobbyist pampered Congress-people, can be a gain.

Catcher: GARY CARTER

1. Highlights: Out of the ten years Carter spent as the starting catcher only three had a fielding percentage under.990, and those three were, .985(his first year starting), and .989 twice. Started over 140 games behind the plate six times. 91 runs scored and 97 RBIs in '82.

2. Career Best: .294 AVG in '84, .381 OBP in '82, .525 SLG and 31 HRs in '77, and 37 doubles in '83.

3. Summary: Hall of Famer, played a ton behind the dish ( can't be over-stated),great balance of defense and plate production, a top five All-Time Catcher.

First Base: ANDRES GALARRAGA

1. Highlights: Breakout year of 1988, when he posted highs in runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, rbi, and stolen bases.

2. Career Best: .305 AVG, and .361 OBP both in '87. .540 SLG and 7.0 RC/G both in '88.

3. Summary: His best years were in Colorado, and Atlanta, with Coors Field, and possibly other factors, helping his performance. That '88 year is a great baseball year ( minus the over 100 strike-outs).

Second Base: JOSE VIDRO

1. Highlights: The 2000 season when he put up a top ten post-war offensive season by a second baseman: 101 runs scored, 200 Hits, 51 doubles, 97 RBI's.

2. Career Best: .330 AVG in '00, .397 OBP in '03, .540 SLG and 24 HRs in '00.

3. Summary: While with the Expos, Vidro was an offensive All-Star. Slow and only an average defender at best.

Third Base:TIM WALLACH

1. Highlights: '87 his only season with 100 RBIs(123) and a.500 SLG( .514).

2. Career Best: 89 runs twice ( in '82, and '87), 185 hits in '90, 42 doubles twicw ( in '87 and '89), 28 HRs in '82, .298 AVG, and a .343 OBP, and a.514 SLG in '87.

3. Summary: Really a bad fielder, this is actually a weak position for the Expos, and a above average offensive third base. He did make 5 All-Star teams.

Shortstop: ORLANDO CABRERA

1. Highlights: '01 Cabrera started all 162 games at Shortstop and posted a career best, as an Expo, .986 fielding percentage. Offensively '03 where he posted career highs in every offensive category except triples and RBIs.

2. Career Best: 47 doubles, 17 home runs, .297 AVG, .347 OBP, .460 SLG in '03

3. Summary: A little lacking defensively for a shortstop but above average offensively, Orlando is an above average player who has never made, nor deserved an All-Star spot.


Outfield: VLADIMIR GUERRERO

1. Highlights: There are more than a few, although his legacy needs at least one in October. Had over 10 outfield assists in every year, (7) he played for the Expos. Five straight years with over 100 R, 180 H, 100 RBI, 30 HR, .300 AVG, .550 SLG.

2. Career Best: 131 RBI in '99. 45 doubles in '01. 40 SB in '02. 11 triples, 44 homers, .345 AVG, .664 SLG in '00. .426 OBP in '03.

3. Summary: Just an amazingly talented athlete. Posted in career highs in different years for different categories, a tell-tale sign of a complete player. Hall of Fame numbers. Hall of Fame player.

Outfield: TIM RAINES

1. Highlights: Only had one season where he struck-out more than 70 times (83 Ks in '82) Six straight years with 70 or more steals, and 30 doubles. Seven straight years with a SLG over .400 from the lead-off position.

2. Career Best: .334 AVG in '86, .429 OBP and .526 SLG in '87. 38 doubles in 84. 13 triples in '85. 133 runs scored in '83. 194 hits in '86. 18 HR in '87.

3. Summary: Made six straight all-star teams and in my estimation, suffers in HOF consideration because he's a lead-off guy. Put the man in the Hall!

Outfield: ANDRE DAWSON

1. Highlights: Rookie of the Year in 1977. 12 years(10 with the Expos) with 20 or more doubles. 7 straight years with 20 or more steals. 16 straight years(10 with the Expos) with an OPS+ over 100. Came in second in the MVP voting in '81 even though he only played 103 games.

2. Career Best: .308 AVG in '80, .365 OBP and a .553 SLG in '81. 189 hits, and 32 HR in '83. 107 runs in '82. 113 RBI in '83.

3. Summary: People remember him as a Cubbie and he did win his MVP there, but the guy was an Expo. Don't those numbers seem small for The Hawk? He posted career highs in HR, RBI, and SLG that first year in Chicago, but otherwise his best years and numbers are all Canadian. And they seem small. Wasn't he regarded as one of the best hitters of the eighties? His outfield mate in Montreal, Raines, has better numbers; seems a better player in retrospect. Has baseball evaluation come this far that we can dismiss the consensus of the past? Dawson's numbers haven't aged well: never had 200 hits, only scored 100 runs twice, and then there's the OBP, just way to low for to be considered an elite player. He did play 100 games or more for 16 straight seasons where he sported an OPS+ of 100 or more. That's what he should hang his sabermatic hat on.


Designated Hitter: LARRY WALKER

1. Highlights: 44 doubles, 2 triples, and 19 home runs in 103 at bats his last year in Montreal: '94. That was the strike year. The Expos were in first place headed for at least a spot in the NLCS and Larry Walker could've hit another 6 doubles and 11 homers giving him a 50, 30 season; a Musial season. He'd have some in Colorado instead.

2. Career Best: .322 AVG, .394 OBP, .587 SLG all in '94 again. 23 HR in '92.

3. Summary: Larry is a little like DiMaggio in that he put up great numbers when he was healthy which wasn't much; a season here a season there. Both guys seemed like magnets for nagging injuries. When Larry Walker played he hit the ball as well as anybody, and better than most.

Pitchers: STEVE ROGERS, PEDRO MARTINEZ, DENNIS MARTINEZ, BILL GULLICKSON, BRYN SMITH--Closer: JOHN WETTELAND

1. Highlights: Well, Pedro in 1997: 1.90 ERA, 0.932 WHIP, 11.37 K/9, 305 total Ks, 219 ERA+. And the rest:

2. Career Best: Pedro's numbers above and Rogers 19 Wins in '82, Wetteland 43 SV in '93. Rogers 301.7 IP in 1977.

3. Summary: Pedro elevates this staff as he is a top twenty Starter in MLB history.

Bench: Moises Alou, Rondell White, Brian Schneider, Ryan Zimmerman, Marquis Grissom
Bullpen: Jeff Reardon, Javier Vazquez, Mel Rojas, Chad Cordero, Pascual Perez

Batting Order:
1. Raines-S
2. Vidro-S
3. Guerrero-R
4. Walker-L
5. Carter-R
6. Dawson-R
7. Galarraga-R
8. Cabrera-R
9. Wallach-R

Conclusion: Lots of righties. That's a pretty darn good outfield. Vlad's a HOF, and the other two are just miss guys( although Dawson's looking iffy-er). Rogers was a good starter and Pedro's Pedro. This team's better than you think.

All-Time Teams - Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics

Today, we take a look at the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics... Gotta love a team that really wanted to move all the way to the West Coast, but that just seemed to far to do at once. Who amongst us hasn't taken a breather in Kansas City?

Catcher: Mickey Cochrane
1. Highlights: MVP winner in 1928, where he put up .293/.395/.464 line. Though, to be fair, taking second that year was some dude called Heinie Manush. That name is just rough all over.
2. Career Best: three year stretch of batting better than .330 from 1929-31, hit 21 hrs and 112 RBI in 1932.
3. Summary: Hall of Famer, 5 times in the top 20 MVP voting, had an OPS+ over 100 in every year of his career but one (and that one was only a 98...).

First Base: Jimmie Foxx
1. Highlights: Hall of Famer who put up some ridiculous numbers in Philadelphia. 302 hrs as an Athletic, while sporting a .339/.440/.640 line in his time with the club. Career .640???? that's insane!
2. Career Best: Back-to-back MVP seasons in 1932 and 33, with a .364/.469/.749 line and 58 hrs, 169 RBI in 1932; .356/.449/.703 line and 48 hrs, 163 RBI in 1933.
3. Summary: Not much needs to be said... that 1932 seasons is one of the best seasons in baseball history, ranking up there with The Babe and Big-Head Bonds.

Second Base: Eddie Collins
1. Highlights: Hall of Famer who spent about half his career with the A's before becoming a member of what would be come the notorious 1919 Black Sox.
2. Career Best: MVP season in 1914, with a .344/.452/.452 line... weird to see an identical slugging and OBP number, eh.
3. Summary: Career .337 hitter for the A's, and really has no meaningful competition at this position.

Third Base: Eric Chavez
1. Highlights: He put up 4 straight 29+ HR seasons, with OPS+ over 125 each year in the early 2000s. In all, 7 straight 20HR seasons.
2. Career Best: 2001, where he had a sparkling .288/.338/.540 line with 32 HRs and 118 RBI, all while winning the Gold Glove for his defense at the hot corner.
3. Summary: This was a tough one, neck and neck between Chavez and Home Run Baker. It's just too hard to pick this one on offensive stats, as Chavez played in the steroids era and Baker in the deadball era. So I'll give a tip of the cap to defense here, as Chavez is a 6 time Gold Glove winner.

Shortstop: Miguel Tejada
1. Highlights: AL MVP in 2002, 3 straight 30+ HR seasons. Solid athlete
2. Career Best: 2002, Tejada amassed career highs with an impressive .308/.354/.508 line, 34 hrs and 131 RBI.
3. Summary: Solid player for his duration in Oakland, and like all good Oakland players, left when the A's decided they couldn't/wouldn't pay him anymore.

Outfield: Rickey Henderson
1. Highlights: Wow this guy was fast. Seriously. Played for Oakland in 4 separate stints over his career, finishing with over .400 OBP, almost 1300 runs, almost 1800 hits, and 867 stolen bases.
2. Career Best: 130 stolen bases in 1982 set a modern-day record for most in a season. Otherwise, one of his aberrent power seasons in 1990 was a career high, batting .325/.439/.577, 188 OPS+, 28 HRs and 65 SB. What a season.
3. Summary: Career leader in Runs and Stolen Bases, this man defined the leadoff position for the better part of 2 decades.

Outfield: Reggie Jackson
1. Highlights: Mr. October achieved a lot of his fame and fortune after leaving Oakland, but he cut his teeth in those wonderful Yellow and Green unis.
2. Career Best: As a 23 year old in 1969, he hit 47 hrs, 118 RBI and had an OPS+ of 189, all career highs. This coming one year after striking out 171 times in 553 AB.
3. Summary: 4 times in the top 5 for MVP voting while an A, winning in 1973. Generally, he was a quintessential power hitter - home run or strikeout, the occasional double off the wall. I'll take him for my outfield any day.

Outfield: Jose Canseco
1. Highlights: More well known as a Juicer... no wait, THE Juicer, Canseco put up some monster years early in his career, and like Rickey, couldn't stay away, playing for Oakland on 2 separate occasions.
2. Career Best: Baseball's first 40 hr - 40 SB man, he won the MVP in 1988 for his .307/.391/.569, 42 hr, 124 RBI, 40 SB season.
3. Summary: Rookie of the Year, 1988 MVP, 4 times in the top 20 MVP voting. Before his mouth and his ego got in the way, and before the steroids did their inevitable damage to him, he was a helluva ball player.

Designated Hitter: Mark McGwire
1. Highlights: Canseco's protege in Roids, this guy exploded onto the scene in 1987 with 49 HRs in his rookie season and rarely looked back.
2. Career Best: In 1996, he hit for power (52 hrs, 113 RBI), but actually kept his average above .300 for the first full season in his career, drawing 116 walks in teh process. Finished with an awesome .730 SLG.
3. Summary: Sure he was a roid monster, but he really didn't start looking too freakish til the end of his time in Oakland, and for 8 seasons, he consistently hit for power (30+ hr every season but one) and was generally a force to be reckoned with.

Pitchers: Rube Waddell, Eddie Plank, Lefty Grove, Catfish Hunter, Dave Stewart, Chief Bender, Tim Hudson, Closer: Dennis Eckersley
1. Highlights: Chief Bender put up a 23-5 record with a 1.58 ERA in 1910. Rube Waddell put up 349 K's in 1904, as he put up 39(?!) complete games.
2. Career Best: ERA: 1.30, Jack Coombs in 1910; WHIP: Catfish Hunter, 0.910 in 1972; K's: Waddell, 349 in 1904; Saves: 51, Dennis Eckersley in 1992.
3. Summary: It's a 107 year old franchise, for God's sake... I'll put up a 7 man rotation if i want. I mean, there are 4 hall of famers in there, Hunter dominated in the mid-70s, Stewart was in the top-5 Cy Young voting for 4 years straight, and Tim Hudson won over 70 percent of his decisions as an Athletic. Plus between Catfish and Eck, you got yourself two pretty sweet moustaches there...

Bench: Bob Johnson, Socks Seybold, Nap Lajoie (hit .420 one year... crazy!!), Terry Steinbach, Home Run Baker
Bullpen: Rollie Fingers, Eddie Americus Rommel, Rick Honeycutt, Bob Welch

Batting Order:
1. Henderson (R)
2. Collins (L)
3. Foxx (R)
4. McGwire (R)

5. Jackson (L)
6. Canseco (R)
7. Chavez (L)
8. Tejada (R)
9. Cochrane (L)

Conclusion: The A's are not much for depth at a few positions (C, 2b, SS), but they boast among the fastest and strongest lineups that I can think of. Not a weak link in there. And that pitching staff is pretty ridiculous too...

California/Anaheim/Los Angeles/Greater Southern California Angels All Time Team

So I figured I'd start with my West Coast bias and plow through the AL West to start. First off are the Halo Havers, the Flying Fellow, the Winged Wonders, the Angels of Greater Los Angeles.

Catcher: Bengie Molina, who isn't great, but put up four solid seasons in his 6 w/ the Angels and benefits from no other good catchers in Angels' history.

First Base: Rod Carew, who was better in Minnesota, but had a good run and finished in the top 2 in AVG and OBP.

Second Base: Bobby Grich, who is in the top 10 of many offensive categories and was a 3 time All Star.

Third Base: Troy Glaus. Steroids or not, he had a few monster years there...\

Shortstop: Jim Fregosi - more popular perhaps for his managerial stint, but was a 5 time All Star and only marginal standout of a dull group.

Left Field: Garrett Anderson - Career-long Angel, stands with a .295/.325/.468 line and is near the top of almost every offensive category.

Centerfield: Vladimir Guerrero - man can flat out hit the ball.

Right Field: Tim Salmon - Standout among a few followers, near the top of all major categories, hit nearly 300 hrs.

Designated Hitter - Chili Davis... not just because his name is Chili, but mostly.

Bench: Jim Edmonds, Wally Joyner, Fred Lynn, Bob Boone (somebody's gotta be a backup catcher) and Brian Downing.

Pitching:

Starter - Nolan Ryan. Enough said.

Starter - Chuck Finley - 6 15+ win seasons, another 4 with 10 plus, career ERA under 3.70.

Starter - Dean Chance - only with the club for a few seasons, but that 1964 season is crazy good.

Starter - Frank Tanana - neck and neck with Langston, but had more solid seasons.

Starter - John Lackey - the brightest of a new crop of aces in Southern California.

Closer - Troy Percival - 300+ saves, great WHIP, H/9, BB/9. All-around stud.

Bullpen - Frankie Rodriguez, Scot Shields, Brendan Donnelly, and that's it. If we needed a couple long relievers, I'd throw in Langston and Blyleven (for the one really good year he had there).

Next up, we'll head north to the Oakland Athletics!