Finally getting around to start watching the World Series sets I bought last year and starting with the bonus disk on the 1977 set which features Game 5 of the ALCS where the Yankees for the second straight year beat the Royals in the 9th inning of the deciding game.
1977 American League Championship Series Game 5 - Yankees 5, Royals 3 (boxscore and play account)
-The series was televised nationally by NBC but on this disk they have the Yankees local broadcast of the game and there no graphics with the original footage. Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, and Bill White are the announcers. The first pitch of the game is missing so it takes me a few minutes to figure out all of this.
-Yankees and Royals had a pretty fierce rivalry going at this time and we get a brawl in the bottom of the 1st. George Brett would hit an RBI triple and as he came up from his slide into 3rd he shoved Graig Nettles off the bag. Nettles takes exception to this and kicks Brett and then the brouhaha starts. Both benches clear but neither player is ejected.
-Amazingly enough Billy Martin actually benched Reggie Jackson for this game in favor of a washed up Paul Blair as Blair had better numbers against Royals starter Paul Splittorff. Rizzuto at one point in the game claims that Jackson took the benching in great stride. Yeah, right.
-The Yankee announcers constantly fawn over Thurman Munson's clutchiness and reminding everyone he is the Yankee Captain. If you closed your eyes you'd think you were hearing current announcers talk about Derek Jeter. For Jeter's sake I hope he doesn't take up flying...
-Ron Guidry pitched on only two days rest and it showed as he was knocked out in the 3rd. Mike Torrez was brilliant in relief as the Royals failed to score another run the rest of the game.
-With out in the top of the 4th the disk jumps to the bottom of the 4th with one out so I'm guessing the footage went bad that point. Nothing important is missed.
-Pete LaCock!!!
-Reggie finally makes his appearance in the game with pinch hit bloop single to knock in a run in the top of the 8th to pull the Yankees within one. Later in the inning Frank White makes a great diving play to prevent Chris Chambliss from tying the game up and forces Reggie at 2nd. Reggie argues that he was safe even though he was out by a good five feet and I can only think he for some reason didn't think the force play was possible. He also injures shortstop Freddie Patek on the play after sliding in although I couldn't tell how he got hurt.
-Few pitches in the bottom of the 8th are missing from the disk after Torrez was replaced by Sparky Lyle but again nothing major is missed.
-Whitey Herzog elected to go with his ace Dennis Leonard in the 9th to finish the game rather than a reliever. Leonard had just pitched a complete game win in Game 3 two days earlier and was not sharp as he allows both hitters he faced to reach base before Herzog hooks him. The damage was done as the Yankees would plate three runs in the 9th to send the Royals to another heartbreaking ALCS loss.
-During Roy White's at bat in the 9th for a few seconds there is audio from some movie looped over on the disk. The voice sounded like Brian Cox but no idea what movie it was. Really bizarre.
Bonus Clips
-Nothing too special here as like the other sets it's mostly just interviews from old players and most of the clips are about Reggie. Best clip is they have the postgame interviews from the clinching Game 6 in the Series as Reggie makes sure to get a plug for Puma in during his interview.
1. Inside the Moments: Reggie Jackson’s 3 HR Game
2. Yankees World Series Locker Room Celebration and Interviews
3. 1977 World Series Trophy Presentation
4. Reggie Jackson on his 3 HR Game
5. Piniella on Reggie’s 3 HR Performance
6. Steinbrenner talks about Reggie’s 3 HR Game
7. Steinbrenner on the day he signed Reggie
8. Dusty Baker on the Yankees/Dodgers Rivalry
9. Burt Hooton on giving up Reggie’s first HR in Game 6
10. Mickey Rivers on Reggie’s World Series performance
11. Guidry on the Yankees being called the “Bronx Zoo”
12. Guidry on the Steinbrenner/Martin/Jackson triangle of controversy
13. Guidry on his first postseason in 1977
14. Chris Chambliss tells of his most memorable World Series moment
15. Roy White on Billy Martin benching Reggie in ’77 ALCS Game 5
16. Piniella on Martin benching Reggie in the ACLS
17. Paul Blair on starting over Reggie in ALCS Game 5
18. The Billy Martin/Reggie Jackson confrontation in Boston (original footage spliced with interviews)
19. Brian Doyle on the Billy/Reggie confrontation
20. Randolph on the confrontation in Fenway Park
21. Piniella talks about the Billy/Reggie confrontation
22. Guidry gives a detailed account of the confrontation
23. Randolph on the term “Bronx Zoo” given to the ’77 Yanks
A few weeks back I finally decided to purchase a subscription to the Baseball-Reference.com Play Index since I figured it'd be helpful in putting together a few random lists to keep this blog afloat. Of course if I had known there would be a free preview over All-Star week (which ends today) I might I have waited a little longer but oh well. Now several times in the past I've mentioned that all my sports memories begin in 1986 so figured my first random list using Play Index I'd have it centered around that year.
So here are by position the worst hitters according to OPS+ who had at least 2500 plate appearances (about five full seasons) in the Majors since 1986. In fairness the majority of these players lasted as long as they did due to stellar defense. I left off DH because there's only 10 players that qualified with Dave Parker at the bottom with an OPS+ of 104.
Catcher
.239/.293/.344, 4287 PA, 353 R, 925 H, 190 2B, 9 3B, 67 HR, 443 RBI, 266 BB, 795 SO, 64 OPS+
First Base
.257/.301/.386, 3106 PA, 316 R, 733 H, 135 2B, 18 3B, 66 HR, 376 RBI, 181 BB, 552 SO, 88 OPS+
Second Base
.248/.307/.352, 3138 PA, 366 R, 704 H, 128 2B, 17 3B, 44 HR, 271 RBI, 226 BB, 531 SO, 68 OPS+
Third Base
.239/.274/.411, 2766 PA, 304 R, 620 H, 128 2B, 10 3B, 99 HR, 377 RBI, 120 BB, 20 SO, 77 OPS+
Shortstop
.246/.289/.310, 3407 PA, 291 R, 767 H, 129 2B, 17 3B, 12 HR, 287 RBI, 191 BB, 339 SO, 59 OPS+
Leftfield
(since 1986 only)
.263/.324/.346, 5278 PA, 742 R, 1255 H, 156 2B, 79 3B, 27 HR, 306 RBI, 427 BB, 845 SO, 83 OPS+
Centerfield
.250/.323/.322, 4652 PA, 607 R, 1021 H, 137 2B, 37 3B, 27 HR, 342 RBI, 403 BB, 514 SO, 72 OPS+
Rightfield
.272/.315/.409, 2718 PA, 317 R, 685 H, 121 2B, 19 3B, 62 HR, 319 RBI, 149 BB, 409 SO, 83 OPS+
Okay this is the last of this to keep my sanity but I decided I might as well finish on a nice round number at 100. I'll be honest there are a few of my picks who I've never heard of the player as some selections have never produced a Pro Bowl player. So I went with guys who started a lot figuring they couldn't have sucked, plus getting a long term starter is very good value at this point in the draft. I had no idea the Dolphins drafted Joe Theismann.
61. Philadelphia – Brian Dawkins, S, Clemson 1996
Honorable Mention: Mickey Shuler (1978), Albert Lewis (1983), Shaun Rogers (2001)
62. Dallas – Tony Hill, WR, Stanford 1977
Honorable Mention: Eric Williams (1984), Robert Brooks (1992), Antwaan Randle El (2002)
63. N.Y. Jets – Mo Lewis, LB, Georgia 1991
Honorable Mention: Terry Metcalf (1973), Jerry Ball (1987), Marv Cook (1989)
64. San Diego – Dan Fouts, QB, Oregon 1973
Honorable Mention: Dave Duerson (1983), Kyle Clifton (1984), Olin Kreutz (1998)
65. Dallas – Dexter Coakley, LB, Appalachian State 1997
Honorable Mention: Carlton Williamson (1981), Jerry Fontenot (1989), Ray Buchanan (1993)
66. Tampa Bay – Ronde Barber, CB, Virginia 1997
Honorable Mention: Charlie Waters (1970), William Henderson (1995), Nick Hardwick (2004)
67. Cincinnati – Ken Anderson, QB, Augustana (IL) 1971
Honorable Mention: Robert Pratt (1974), Mike Cofer (1983), Joel Steed (1992)
68. Chicago – Lance Briggs, LB, Arizona 2003
Honorable Mention: Jim Carter (1970), Jack Del Rio (1985), Tom Tupa (1988)
69. Washington – Russ Grim, G, Pittsburgh 1981
Honorable Mention: Lance Mehl (1980), Glenn Parker (1990), Jason Witten (2003)
70. Dallas – Erik Williams, T, Central State (OH) 1991
Honorable Mention: Lawrence McCutcheon (1972), Jimmie Giles (1977), LeRoy Irvin (1980)
71. New Orleans – Hoby Brenner, TE, USC 1981
Honorable Mention: Bob Newton (1971), Donnie Abraham (1996), Duce Staley (1997)
72. Philadelphia – Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Stephen F Austin 1998
Honorable Mention: Mike McCoy (1976), Lance Smith (1985), Henry Thomas (1987)
73. Miami – Jason Taylor, DE, Akron 1997
Honorable Mention: Steve McMichael (1980), Guy McIntyre (1984), Joey Porter (1999)
74. New England – Curtis Martin, RB, Pittsburgh 1995
Honorable Mention: James Hasty (1988), Will Shields (1993), Steve Smith (2001)
75. Oakland – Mark Van Eeghen, FB, Colgate 1974
Honorable Mention: Pete Metzelaars (1982), Denard Walker (1997), Steve Foley (1998)
76. Seattle – Ahman Green, RB, Nebraska 1998
Honorable Mention: Doug Cosbie (1979), Fredd Young (1984), John Taylor (1986)
77. Philadelphia – Fred Barnett, WR, Arkansas State 1990
Honorable Mention: Linden King (1977), Bubba McDowell (1986), Corey Harris (1992)
78. Miami – Leon Gray, T, Jackson State 1973
Honorable Mention: Nat Moore (1974), David Fulcher (1986), Laveranues Coles (2000)
79. Denver – Lyle Alzado, DE, Yankton 1971
Honorable Mention: Gregg Bingham (1973), Henry Marshall (1976), William Andrews (1979)
80. San Francisco – Bill Romanowski, LB, Boston College 1988
Honorable Mention: Paul Lankford (1982), Derek Smith (1997), Darrell Jackson (2000)
81. Miami – Curtis Johnson, CB, Toledo 1970
Honorable Mention: Bernard Jackson (1972), Earl Dotson (1993), Chris Cooley (2004)
82. San Francisco – Joe Montana, QB, Notre Dame 1979
Honorable Mention: John Stallworth (1974), Rodney Holman (1982), John Lynch (1993)
83. Denver – Ed McCaffrey, WR, Stanford 1991
Honorable Mention: Steve Brown (1983), Jay Schroeder (1984), Greg Spires (1998)
84. Washington – Charles Mann, DE, Nevada 1983
Honorable Mention: Rob Carpenter (1977), Tim Harris (1986), Dwight Smith (2001)
85. Dallas – Tony Tolbert, DE, UTEP 1989
Honorable Mention: Randy Dixon (1987), William White (1988), Greg Wesley (2000)
86. L.A. Rams – Jackie Slater, T, Jackson State 1976
Honorable Mention: Morten Andersen (1982), Andre Reed (1985), Tedy Bruschi (1996)
87. New England – Tim Goad, DT, North Carolina 1988
Honorable Mention: Ron Hall (1987), Moe Gardner (1991), Mike McKenzie (1999)
88. Denver – Tom Jackson, LB, Louisville 1973
Honorable Mention: Ricardo McDonald (1992), Jason Gildon (1994), Morlon Greenwood (2001)
89. San Francisco – Terrell Owens, WR, Tennessee-Chattanooga 1996
Honorable Mention: Roy Green (1979), Chris Warren (1990), Lorenzo Neal (1993)
90. Dallas – Pat Donovan, T, Stanford 1975
Honorable Mention: Tootie Robbins (1982), Yancey Thigpen (1991), Antonio Freeman (1995)
91. Philadelphia – Brian Westbrook, RB, Villanova 2002
Honorable Mention: Jeff Christy (1992), Mike Vrabel (1997), Brian Griese (1998)
92. Pittsburgh - Hines Ward, WR, Georgia 1998
Honorable Mention: Dennis Harrison (1978), Derrick Rodgers (1997), Casey Rabach (2001)
93. Green Bay - Ken Ellis, CB, Saginaw Valley State 1970
Honorable Mention: Joe Phillips (1986), Tyrone Williams (1996), Steve McKinney (1998)
94. Pittsburgh - Thomas Everett, S, Baylor 1987
Honorable Mention: Matt Herkenhoff (1974), Bob Horn (1976), Dave Widell (1988)
95. Denver - Rick Upchurch, WR/KR, Minnesota 1975
Honorable Mention: Todd Bell (1981), Michael Pittman (1998), Jonas Jennings (2001)
96. San Francisco - Charles Haley, DE, James Madison 1986
Honorable Mention: Bruce McNorton (1982), Maurice Hurst (1989), Ron Stone (1993)
97. New Orleans - Joel Hilgenberg, C, Iowa 1984
Honorable Mention: Vince Newsome (1983), Chris Calloway (1990), Todd Perry (1993)
98. Oakland - Cliff Branch, WR, Colorado 1972
Honorable Mention: Rich Gannon (1987), Donnie Edwards (1996), Derrick Mason (1997)
99. Miami - Joe Theismann, QB, Notre Dame 1971
Honorable Mention: Joe Federspiel (1972), Keith Hamilton (1992), Phillip Daniels (1996)
100. N.Y. Giants - Mark Bavaro, TE, Notre Dame 1985
Honorable Mention: Dave Dalby (1972), Michael Bankston (1992), Rudi Johnson (2001)
For the first time in a while I actually felt like writing a real blog entry and doing one of my favorite, but time consuming, series of entries the "Where'd The Go?" series. This time around I picked a Brewers team since they are finally relevant again. While the Brewers do have the Cubs breathing down their necks in their attempt to break the franchise's 25 year postseason drought, they at least do appear to finally be on their way to their first winning season in 15 years so I will look back at that team.
The 1992 Milwaukee Brewers have always stuck in my mind only because that season they were the only team during the regular season to have a winning record against the A's as County Stadium was always house of horrors for Oakland for whatever reason. The Brewers won 92 games that year under first year manager Phil Garner, finishing four games behind the eventual World Champion Blue Jays in the East. That on the surface would make it sound like a close race but in reality the Brewers were never a serious factor and it was 20-7 September when the Blue Jays were comfortably ahead already that propelled them up the standings. Between June 6th and September 18th the Brewers spent just one day in 2nd place in the East before finally overtaking the Orioles for good on September 19th. This team would have almost the last remnants of the 1982 Harvey's Wallbangers as it would be both Paul Molitor and Jim Gatner's last year with the team and Robin Yount would retire after the following season.
C: B.J. Surhoff (.252/.314/.321, 1.9 VORP, 16.2 Win Shares) - This was Surhoff's final season as a regular catcher as he would only play 33 more games behind the plate, the last coming in 1995 which was also his last year with the club. Signed as a free agent with Baltimore where he'd be a remarkably consistent if not great hitter. They traded him in a deadline deal to the Braves in 2000 but he'd return to the Orioles in 2003 playing his final three years there.
1B: Franklin Stubbs (.229/.297/.368, -2.8 VORP, 6.8 Win Shares) - Stubbs was a former big time prospect for the Dodgers who never lived up to the hype and was toast by age 30. He was actually even worse in '91 (.213/.282/.359) but the Brewers were stuck with him after signing him to a two year contract after his one good season in 1990 while in Houston. Played one more year in the Majors with Detroit. His #1 similarity score is Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson so maybe he has a future as a god awful announcer.
2B: Scott Fletcher (.275/.335/.360, 12.5 VORP, 17.4 Win Shares) - A slick fielding second baseman, this was Fletcher's only year in Milwuakee. Signed as a free agent with the Red Sox where he spent two years and then had his final year in 1995 with Detroit. His main claim to fame is he was a part of the Harold Baines/Sammy Sosa trade in 1989.
3B: Kevin Seitzer (.270/.337/.367, 11.7 VORP, 15.6 Win Shares) - Seitzer had an odd career as his best season's where his rookie year (1987) and his next to last year (1996). Could hit for average, draw a walk, and played a decent third base but never really stood out partly because he had almost no power. Signed with the A's following this year, which I now just remembered, where he struggled. They gave up on him quickly by releasing him in July and went right back to Milwaukee where he started hitting again. Traded to the Indians during his shockingly good age 34 year in '96 in a waiver deadline deal for Jeromy Burnitz and would retire after the following season.
SS: Pat Listach (.290/.352/.349, 36.4 VORP, 20.7 Win Shares) - One of the great mystery Rookie of the Year winners who people years from now, and maybe even today, who look back at old award winners and will ask "Who the hell was Pat Listach?" He beat out Kenny Lofton for the award despite Lofton having the better season and well it would be understatement to say Listach didn't do much of anything else after 1992. Brewers traded him to the Yankees in late 1996 as part of a Graeme Lloyd/Bob Wickman swap but he never played for them. Played one season in Houston before being out of the Majors.
LF: Greg Vaughn (.228/.313/.409, 5.7 VORP, 15.6 Win Shares) - Vaughn was the only legit power threat in the '92 Brewers line up as he led the team with 23 homeruns, Paul Molitor being the only player on the team with more than 10. His breakout year would be the followings season but he was wildly inconsistent for most of his career. Traded in a deadline deal to the Padres in 1996 where he'd have his best year in 1998 when he hit 50 homeruns and finished 4th in the MVP voting. He was then traded after that season to the Reds where he spent one year there, played three seasons in Tampa Bay, and one partial season in Colorado in 2003 before retiring.
CF: Robin Yount (.264/.325/.390, 14.4 VORP, 20.1 Win Shares) - As already mentioned this was Yount's next to last season and he was still a decent enough player but had clearly declined quite a bit since his second MVP season of 1989. Probably could have hung on a couple of more years past 1993 as a back up but decided to retire at age 37. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
RF: Darryl Hamilton (.298/.356/.400, 27.0 VORP, 18.0 Win Shares) - Dante Bichette actually played more games in right field than any other Brewer but was more of a platoon player as Hamilton saw more action playing all three outfield positions. Adequate hitter, good glove centerfielder, Hamilton spent seven years in Milwaukee. Signed as a free agent with Texas after 1995 where he spent just one season and then signed with the Giants. They traded him a deadline deal ('92 Brewers: Deadline Deal Kings) in 1998 to the Rockies for Ellis Burks which ended being a really stupid trade for Colorado. He'd be traded in yet another deadline deal in 1999 to Mets where he accoding to his Wiki entry he didn't get along with Bobby Valentine and put a "hex" on the Mets after being released in 2001. Now works in the Commissioner's Office shining Bud Selig's shoes or something.
DH: Paul Molitor (.320/.398/.461, 58.7, 28.4 Win Shares) - Still an excellent hitter at age 35, I placed him 4th in my 1992 A.L. MVP Redo. After 15 years in Milwaukee he departed thru free agency to Toronto in 1993 where he had even a better season and placed 2nd in the MVP voting that year. He would have one of the great postseason performances of all-time leading the Blue Jays two a second straight World Championship and winning the World Series MVP. Signed with his hometown Twins after 1995 to finish out his career, retiring after 1998. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Starting Rotation
Bill Wegman (120 ERA+, 48.2 VORP, 15.5 Win Shares) - Wegman pitched 261 2/3 innings in 1992 which I'm guessing didn't do wonders for his arm as he didn't pitch that many combined the next two seasons. Couldn't find much of anything on him but I assume he had problems previously as he made only 13 starts in 1989 and 1990. Out of the Majors after 1995.
Jaime Navarro (115 ERA+, 45.7 VORP, 15.4 Win Shares) - Very erratic, innings eater this was one of Navarro's best years. After a poor year in 1994 he was picked up by the Cubs where he put together a couple of decent seasons. This led the White Sox to sign him to a four year deal after 1996 which ended up being a disaster as he posted ERA's of 5.79, 6.36, and 6.09 the next three seasons. They got the Brewers to take him them off their hands in 2000 but in five starts he had an ERA of 12.74 before they released him. Picked up by the Rockies and was sent to Triple-A but they released him a month later then the Indians gave him a shot but obviously he hadn't had anything left. Bounced around the minors thru 2003.
Chris Bosio (106 ERA+, 34.4 VORP, 13.1 Win Shares) - This was Bosio's last year in Milwaukee. For some reason I remember not liking him and I have no idea why. Anyways he would sign a big money, four-year deal with the Mariners after this season. While he'd be decent the first couple of seasons he was plauged with injuries most of his stay in Seattle and once the contract was up after 1996 so was his career.
Ricky Bones (84 ERA+, 5.6 VORP, 4.1 Win Shares) - Was acquired shortly before the season from the Padres in the Gary Sheffield trade. Played on seven teams in 11 years, Milwaukee was the only place that Bones had an extended stay. Had one good season as a starter in 1994 but by 1996 he was so bad that he was a PTBNL in the before mentioned trade with the Yankees that had Pat Listach thrown in. Pitched just seven innnings down the stretch for the Yankeess giving up 11 runs. Bounced around from Cincinnati, Kansas City (decent year as a short reliever in '98), Baltimore, and finally Florida.
Closer: Doug Henry (95 ERA+, 2.5 VORP, 5.7 Win Shares) - Brewers had a great bullpen in '92 but for whatever reason stuck with Henry as their closer. A late bloomer, Henry made his MLB debut at age 27 the year before and the following season would be his last as a closer. Spent the rest of his career as your typical journeyman, middle reliever as he'd be good one year and bad the next. Traded to the Mets after 1994, went to the Giants in 1997, then to the Astros, back to the Giants, and finally finishing out his career in 2001 with the Royals.
In case you were wondering, and you weren't, the worst hitting season by a second baseman since 1901 was by Del Young in 1923 with an OPS+ of 23 (.194/.235/.231 in 386 plate appearances). The top of this list once again shows that a shitty player may one day become a great manager. Also, anybody know who in the Mets' organization was Doug Flynn blowing in the late 70's and the early 80's to maintain an everyday job? (edit: It was Jesus!)
Top 25 (or so) Worst Offensive Second Baseman Seasons since 1957 (per OPS+)
1. Sparky Anderson, 1959 - Philadelphia Phillies 43 OPS+ (.218/.282/.249)
2. Tommy Helms, 1970 - Cincinnati Reds 44
3. Billy Ripken, 1988 - Baltimore Orioles 48
4. Hal Lanier, 1965 - San Francisco Giants 51
5t. Mike Lansing, 2000 - Colorado Rockies/Boston Red Sox 54
5t. Doug Flynn, 1981 - New York Mets 54
7. Jose Lind, 1992 - Pittsburgh Pirates 56
8t. Mike Chapman, 1977 - San Diego Padres 57
8t. Julian Javier, 1970 - St. Louis Cardinals 57
10. Horace Clarke, 1968 - New York Yankees 59
11t. Delino DeShields, 1996 - Los Angeles Dodgers 60
11t. Rodney Scott, 1981 - Montreal Expos 60
13t. Doug Flynn, 1979 - New York Mets 61
13t. Sandy Alomar, 1973 - California Angels 61
13t. Glenn Beckert, 1965 - Chicago Cubs 61
13t. Billy Gardner, 1958 - Baltimore Orioles 61
13t. Bobby Morgan, 1957 - Philadelphia Phillies/Chicago Cubs 61
18t. Brent Abernathy, 2002 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays 62
18t. Doug Flynn, 1978 - New York Mets 62
18t. Julian Javier, 1960 - St. Louis Cardinals 62
21. Len Randle, 1976 - Texas Rangers 63
22t. Bret Boone, 1996 - Cincinnati Reds 64
22t. Ted Sizemore, 1975 - St. Louis Cardinals 64
22t. Dave Campbell, 1970 - San Diego Padres 64
25t. Ray Durham, 2007 - San Francisco Giants 64
25t. Duane Kuiper, 1979 - Cleveland Indians 64
25t. Sandy Alomar, 1975 - New York Yankees 64
25t. Sandy Alomar, 1969 - Chicago White Sox/California Angels 64
25t. Tony Taylor, 1958 - Chicago Cubs 64
This list is a travesty as we have the least clutchiest player in the history of mankind on top. I'm ashamed, your ashamed, and Jeter is ashamed. Now if I did this list during 2007, the #1 spot would have been a big shock.
Top 20 Third Baseman Seasons since 1979 (per Win Shares)
1. Alex Rodriguez, 2007 - New York Yankees 38.7 Win Shares
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2007 31 NYY AL 158 583 143 183 31 0 54 156 24 4 95 120 .314 .422 .645 177 376 0 9 11 21 15
2. Howard Johnson, 1989 - New York Mets 38
3. Scott Rolen, 2004 - St. Louis Cardinals 37.9
4. Ken Caminiti, 1996 - San Diego Padres 37.8
5. Mike Schmidt, 1980 - Philadelphia Philies 37.4
6. George Brett, 1985 - Kansas City Royals 37.3
7. Adrian Beltre, 2004 - Los Angeles Dodgers 37.1
8. Wade Boggs, 1986 - Boston Red Sox 36.8
9. Mike Schmidt, 1982 - Philadelphia Phillies 36.6
10. Alex Rodriguez, 2005 - New York Yankees 36.6
11. George Brett, 1980 - Kansas City Royals 36
12. Mike Schmidt, 1983 - Philadelphia Phillies 35.1
13. Terry Pendleton, 1992 - Atlanta Braves 35
14. David Wright, 2007 - New York Mets 34.4
15. Wade Boggs, 1983 - Boston Red Sox 33.7
16. Miguel Cabrera, 2006 - Florida Marlins 33.6
17. Mike Schmidt, 1979 - Philadelphia Phillies 33.3
18. George Brett, 1979 - Kansas City Royals 32.8
19. Wade Boggs, 1987 - Boston Red Sox 32.5
20. Gary Sheffield, 1992 - San Diego Padres 32.4
Jay Buhner - Rightfielder
New York Yankees 1987-1988
Seattle Mariners 1988-2001
Awards
1996 AL Gold Glove - OF
All-Star Selections: 1 (1996)
League Leader
None of note
Career Ranks
AB per HR: 31st
Hall of Fame Stats
Gray Ink: Batting - 31 (733) (Average HOFer ≈ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 25.8 (436) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 34.5 (502) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Batters: Hank Sauer, Jeromy Burnitz, Roger Maris, Cecil Fielder, Darryl Strawberry, Bob Allison, Danny Tartabull, Eric Davis, Dean Palmer, Jesse Barfield
Year-by-Year Win Shars & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1987: 0/0.0
1988: 7/3.4
1989: 8/2.0
1990: 6/1.7
1991: 13/7.0
1992: 16/6.8
1993: 22/7.7
1994: 13/7.7
1995: 16/5.0
1996: 22/6.3
1997: 19/8.0
1998: 8/2.4
1999: 8/1.8
2000: 16/4.3
2001: 0/0.3
Career Win Shares: 174
Career WARP3: 64.6
Would he get my vote?
No. Buhner's trade for Ken Phelps is a part of pop culture thanks to Seinfeld but he certainly won't be part of the HOF. Very consistent peformer when he was a line-up but he had several injuries at various parts of his career and only played more than 100 games once during the final four years of his career. Even if he had been healthy it's unlikely he would have kept up a level of performance high enough to warrant HOF consideration. His Gold Glove in 1996 was a complete joke even by the very low standards of the Gold Glove awards.
I "reviewed" the draft from 20 years ago so might as well do the one from 10 years ago. Like the 1993 draft, this draft featured quarterbacks being selected #1 and #2 overall. Also like that draft the #1 pick (Drew Bledsoe) turned out to be much better than the #2 pick (Rick Mirer) but in 1998 it was by a much larger scale as we would have a future Hall of Famer at #1 and all-time bust at #2.
1. Indianapolis - Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
My WEST COAST BIAS~ convinced myself that the next guy would be the better quarterback.
2. San Diego - Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State
25 Career Games, 48.4% Comp Pct, 50.0 QB Rating, 14 TD, 36 Int, and a handful of public temper tantrums.
3. Arizona - Andre Wadsworth, DE, Florida State
Knee injuries killed his career barely after it got started.
4. Oakland - Charles Woodson, CB, Michigan
Outstanding early in his career but nagging injuries slowed him down quite a bit.
5. Chicago - Curtis Enis, RB, Penn State
Held out, showed up out of shape, and then blew out his knee. Pretty much useless.
6. St. Louis - Grant Wistrom, DE, Nebraska
Eight year starter but a tad overrated.
7. New Orleans - Kyle Turley, T, San Diego State
My guess is he'll end up killing someone during the usual, post-NFL lineman depression stage of his life.
8. Dallas - Greg Ellis, DE, North Carolina
Has had a career resurrection the last couple of years.
9. Jacksonville - Fred Tayor, RB, Florida
Passed the 10,000 yard rushing mark this past season.
10. Baltimore - Duane Starks, CB, Miami
Really good his first few years in the league, although probably helped by a great Ravens defense around him, and then flamed out pretty quickly once he left Baltimore.
11. Philadelphia - Tra Thomas, T, Florida State
Ten year starter and selected to three Pro Bowls.
12. Atlanta - Keith Brooking, LB, Georgia Tech
Overrated but still has had a pretty good career.
13. Cincinnati - Takeo Spikes, LB, Auburn
Was one of the best linebackers in the league for a few years.
14. Carolina - Jason Peter, DE, Nebraska
Check out his Real Sports segment to find out what happened to him.
15. Seattle - Anthony Simmons, LB, Clemson
Decent for a few years.
16. Tennessee - Kevin Dyson, WR, Utah
Place in NFL history is cemented due to the Music City Miracle and the final play of Super Bowl XXXV but really nothing special as a player.
17. Cincinnati - Brian Simmons, LB, North Carolina
Eight year starter.
18. New England - Robert Edwards, RB, Georgia
Infamously blew out his knee in an NFL flag football game on the beach during Pro Bowl week after his rookie year.
19. Green Bay - Vonnie Holliday, DE, North Carolina
Another decent UNC defensive player.
20. Detroit - Terry Fair, CB, Tennessee
Seven interceptions in four years.
21. Minnesota - Randy Moss, WR, Marshall
His off the field problems dropped him this far. Still pissed he broke Jerry Rice's single season, receiving touchdown record this past year which I thought was near unbreakable.
22. New England - Tebucky Jones, S, Syracuse
Nothing special.
23. Oakland - Mo Collins, G, Florida
Five year starter but was pretty terrible.
24. N.Y. Giants - Shaun Williams, S, UCLA
Just a warm body.
25. Jacksonville - Donovin Darius, S, Syracuse
Throws a nice lariat.
26. Pittsburgh - Alan Faneca, G, LSU
Seven time Pro Bowl selection.
27. Kansas City - Victor Riley, T, Auburn
Was a decent run blocker, terrible pass blocker.
28. San Francisco - R.W. McQuarters, CB, Oklahoma State
Great name, pretty good punt returner, awful cornerback.
29. Miami - John Avery, RB, Mississippi
XFL's all-time leading rusher.
30. Denver - Marcus Nash, WR, Tennessee
Four receptions in 11 career games.
Other Notable Picks
33. Arizona - Corey Chavous, CB, Vanderbilt
35. Chicago - Tony Parrish, S, Washington
38. Dallas - Flozell Adams, T, Michigan State
39. Buffalo - Sam Cowart, LB, Florida State
44. Miami - Patrick Surtain, CB, Southern Miss
46. Tennessee - Samari Rolle, CB, Florida State
48. Washington - Stephen Alexander, TE, Oklahoma
58. San Francisco - Jeremy Newberry, C, California
64. Chicago - Olin Kreutz, C, Washington
65. St. Louis - Leonard Little, DE, Tennessee
72. Philadelphia - Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Stephen F Austin
76. Seattle - Ahman Green, RB, Nebraska
78. Cincinnati - Mike Goff, G, Iowa
91. Denver - Brian Griese, QB, Michigan
92. Pittsburgh - Hines Ward, WR, Georgia
93. Indianapolis - Steve McKinney, C, Texas A&M
111. N.Y. Jets - Jason Fabini, T, Cincinnati
119. San Francisco - Lance Schulters, S, Hofstra
139. Tennessee - Benji Olson, G, Washington
173. Minnesota - Matt Birk, C, Harvard
180. San Francisco - Fred Beasley, FB, Auburn
187. Green Bay - Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Boston College
199. Atlanta - Ephraim Salaam, T, San Diego State
226. Arizona - Pat Tillman, S, Arizona State
Devon White - Centerfielder
California Angels 1985-1990
Toronto Blue Jays 1991-1995
Florida Marlins 1996-1997
Arizona Diamondbacks 1998
Los Angeles Dodgers 1999-2000
Milwaukee Brewers 2001
Awards
1988 AL Gold Glove - OF
1989 AL Gold Glove - OF
1991 AL Gold Glove - OF
1992 AL Gold Glove - OF
1993 AL Gold Glove - OF
1994 AL Gold Glove - OF
1995 AL Gold Glove - OF
All-Star Selections: 3 (1989, 1993, 1998)
League Leader
None of note
Career Ranks
None of note
Hall of Fame Stats
Gray Ink: Batting - 41 (581) (Average HOFer ≈ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 21.3 (651) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 34.5 (502) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Batters: Amos Otis, Claudell Washington, Brady Anderson, Chet Lemon, Marquis Grissom, Johnny Callison, Felipe Alou, Cesar Cedeno, Johnny Damon, Gary Matthews
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1985: 0/0.1
1986: 2/0.6
1987: 17/7.1
1988: 11/5.0
1989: 14/6.2
1990: 7/3.5
1991: 24/10.3
1992: 19/7.5
1993: 20/8.8
1994: 11/5.4
1995: 12/4.3
1996: 18/5.7
1997: 9/2.6
1998: 18/5.1
1999: 12/3.4
2000: 2/0.4
2001: 11/3.1
Career Win Shares: 207
Career WARP3: 79.2
Would he get my vote?
No. During his prime he was an outstanding defensive centerfielder, very deserving for most of the Gold Gloves he won, and a good base stealer but outside of 1991 was never that much of hitter. Only had a career OBP of .319, never hit higher than .283, and struck out a lot which is not a good combination. His similar batters make him look better than he was as only Marquis Grissom had a lower career OPS+.
I've finished watching Game 1 from each DVD so as I mentioned before I'm taking little notes while watching each game. Of course as i read some of my notes I'm not even sure what I intended on bringing up. Of course I won't go over every detail of the game as there is no point.
Interesting to note that for all three of these World Series that the winner of Game 1 was the team that ended up losing the series. Backs up Al's entry on playoff odds on how Game 1 is the least important game.
1975 World Series - Game 1 - Red Sox 6, Reds 0 (boxscore and play account)
-Announcers for Game 1 are Curt Gowdy, Dick Stockton, and Tony Kubek. Stockton was not a network announcer at this time as he was the local t.v. announcer for the Red Sox. They will be rotating announcers during the series as there will be a Reds announcer for Game 2. I guess this must have been common in the 70's as I remember watching Game 7 of the '73 Series on ESPN Classic a few years ago and old A's announcer Monty Moore was doing the play-by-play.
-Secretary of Treasury William E Simon threw out the first pitch. The crowd was shockingly unexcited by this.
-When Pete Rose is up in the first it is amusing how they bring up him being a huge fan of the game and always knowing what's going on in other games. If only they knew at the time why he was doing that.
-They say Johnny Bench has 50 foul ball homeruns in 1975. Now that sounds like bullshit to me. Who'd even keep track and how do you truly determine if a foul ball would have been a homerun?
-Why you can never predict the future: Bring up the great future of Reds starter Don Gullett who's career would end just three years later at age 27 due to shoulder problems.
-Joe Morgan sure did whine a lot to umpires when he played, not that I'm surprised.
-Kubek suggests that umpires should all be under one umbrella instead having seperate umps for A.L. and the N.L. which wouldn't change for another 20 years.
-God damn Sparky Anderson was only 41 in 1975? He already looked to be in his 60's.
-Luis Tiant started for the Red Sox and he was a lot fun to watch pitch...with no one on base. When someone was on base he is incredibly slow going to the mound.
-I had heard that was problems with the older stock footage and it shows up in the 6th inning as the audio suddenly is about five seconds ahead of the video and doesn't synch up again until the bottom of the 7th, thankfully when the biggest action of the game happens. The Red Sox scored all six runs in that inning.
-BULLPEN CART~!
-Gowdy does a promo for the first ever Saturday Night Live hosted by George Carlin that was to debut that night.
1979 World Series - Game 1 - Orioles 5, Pirates 4 (boxscore and play account)
-Announcers for the series are Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Don Drysdale.
-As you see in the picture the field is absolutely ripped to shreads and good example of why it's for the best that muti-purpose stadiums are almost now a thing of the past. It didn't help matters that Game 1 was rained the night before and it snowed over night. Game time temperature was 41 degrees and it most likley dipped below freezing by the end of the game. Many of the players just look miserable out there.
-Oh ya the black tops with yellow pants for the Pirates was not a good look. Although the Orioles orange unis would make a decent third jersey today.
-Pirates starter Bruce Kison came into the game 4-0 with a 0.41 ERA in his career in the postsason. He'd get knocked out after just recording one out in this game as the Orioles scored all their runs in the first although it was broken open by a bad throw by Phil Garner at 2nd.
-Not much of surprise that Cosell really brings nothing to the telecast except name dropping athletes who he had dinner with. One story that amused me was he brings up that he ran into Mike Flanagan's wife in Montreal and saying that she was visiting Flanagan's former teammate Ross Grimsley. Maybe it was just the general sleaziness of Cosell but the way he tells the story it almost sounds like he Flanagan's wife was cheating on him with Grimsley.
-They talk about Dave Parker's house and car being vandalized early in the season by fans because he signed a huge contract before the season. Yes how dare the defending MVP get paid! Anyone gone after A-Rod's house yet?
-Speaking of Paker I remember when he was with the A's towards the end of his career having a huge gut but here there is no sign of one. Guess cocaine is indeed slimming.
-Holy crap does ABC go overboard with showing player's wives. I should have kept count but I'd say they showed about 15 different players wives. Did the world really need to see Jim Rooker's wife? I'll give Doug DeCinces the award for having the hottest wife of the night although it was slim pickings. Everyone knows the groupies are hotter.
-I'm doubting Drysdale's analyst skills as in the bottom of the 8th Orioles second baseman Rich Dauer gets on base and Drysdale thinks he should steal. Jackson and Cosell both correct him pointing out that Dauer didn't steal a base all year. Nice research there Donny.
1986 World Series - Game 1 - Red Sox 1, Mets 0 (boxscore and play account)
-Announcers for the series are Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola.
-In the top of the first Garagiola brings up the Red Sox not being known for manufacturing runs. Now if this were Joe Morgan or most other ESPN anlysts this would be said with much disdain and followed by a mini-rant on why that doesn't work. But here Garagiola says it without being condescending and says it's worked for the Red Sox all year.
-Early in the game Scully brings up that he's surprised the Mets haven't tried to drag bunt down to first to take advantage of Buckner. How about a ground ball?
-It really is painful watching Buckner run as he has to hobble with every step.
-I didn't know Dwight Gooden had a gold cap on his front tooth. Don't think he wore it when he pitched.
-They mention that Darryl Strawberry was 0 for 45 in the August that year in Shea Stadium. Hmmm you think he was booed at all that month?
-In the 5th inning Scully mentions that there is a Mets pitcher who hates throwing to first base but he doesn't want to give that name away because he doesn't want to give a scouting report to the Red Sox. Maybe it was naive but it was kind of refreshing. Garagiola does get Scully to say the pitcher's name the following inning, that being Sid Fernandez.
-What everyone forgets about this series is the way the Red Sox won Game 1 on a play eerily similar to the final play of Game 6. In the 7th with Jim Rice on 2nd, Rich Gedman hits a ground ball to 2nd and it goes right through Tim Teufel's legs. Rice comes around and scores the only run of the game. There is a bizarre play at the plate which is what that screencap is of. When Rice comes home, Ron Daring goes to back up the throw at the plate while Dave Henderson tries to get into position to signal Rice to slide. The two don't see each other and completely wipe each other out. Both appear to be injured but both stay in the game.
-NBC producer's have a sense of humor as during Red Sox starter Bruce Hurst at bat in the 7th, they flash a graphic saying that Hurst has struck out in every at bat in his career. It was the first game he'd ever hit in. He struck out a 3rd straight time here.
-Red Sox manager John McNamara does in the 8th inning here what he didn't do in Game 6, replace Bill Bucker at first base with Dave Stapelton. Stapelton would make a play in the 9th inning on a Ray Knight bunt to get the lead runner at 2nd that there would have been no way for Bucker to have made the play and it possibly prevented the Mets from tying the game.
Starting off topic, but are the Red Sox cursed again or something? Seriously stop with this “Boston Massacre” shit ESPN. Oh my god they won’t win the East…just like the last 10 years. They still have a shot at the Wild Card and a shot at ruining the playoffs for me again with another Yankees/Red Sox ALCS.
1975 World Series Game 5 - Reds 6, Red Sox 2 (boxscore and play account)
-As mentioned before the video quality of these games has not held up very well. The first few innings of this game the video is waaaaaaaaay too bright but the quality is fairly decent the rest of the game.
-Graphic flashes that Joe Morgan has led the league in “on base average” three of the last four years. Gowdy brings up a quote from during the year, or supposedly it was, that a writer saying something to Joe in the effect of “you get on base a lot” and Joe replied “that’s what I get paid to do.” Wait it’s not hitting a ground ball to the right with a runner on first and less than two out? Say it ain’t so Joe, say it ain’t so.
-What the hell died on Tom Brenneman’s head?
-In the 6th with Morgan on first, Red Sox starter Reggie Cleveland throws over to first base 15 times. Ya that’s just a bit excessive. Not surprisingly Cleveland gives up a single to Bench and then a homerun to Perez and gets knocked out of the game, no doubt tiring after all those throws to first.
-Hey a Dick Pole sighting. The announcers mention that Pole had his jaw broken earlier in the year by a line drive. Got to watch out for those balls to the face Dick.
-They bring up that Don Gullet once scored 11 touchdowns in a high school football game. I wonder if Don does any Al Bundy type reminiscing about that game or pitching in four World Series?
1979 World Series Game 5 - Pirates 7, Orioles 1 (boxscore and play account)
-Yay, the original network graphics show up on this game’s footage after they were missing from Game’s 2 thru 4.
-Jim Rooker was the surprise starter over Game 1 starter Bruce Kison for the Pirates. Quite the risk going against the eventual A.L. Cy Young winner in Mike Flannagan with the Pirates season on the line. Rooker kept them in the game though and then Bert Blyleven, who apparently has never been good a big game supposedly or whatever lame reason he’s kept out of the HOF, pitched four shutout innings out of the bullpen to pick up the win.
-The special Sunday Night Football game on ABC that night between the Rams and Cowboys is hyped through the whole game. Dallas blew out the eventual NFC champs 30-6.
-ABC producers for no apparent reason go back to their Game 1 strategy of showing every single player’s wife that they can. Cosell I’m pretty sure got fully aroused when showing Rich Dauer’s wife as went into creepy old man mode about how he’d like to sit next to the wives.
-Fidel Castro apparently picked the Pirates to win the Series. And who says communism doesn’t work?
-Chuck Tanner’s mom died the morning of this game. Now in none of these DVD sets is any pregame coverage included but in the actual game they don’t mention this until the 5th inning. Can you imagine if a manger or player’s mom died the morning of a World Series game today how much Fox would play up that angle through the whole game? A little later Cosell accidentally says that Tanner’s wife died and takes a little bit before he (or probably a producer) corrected him.
-Cosell’s gushing over Willie Stargell through out this series really reached Tim McCarver/Derek Jeter type levels. Funny enough though late in the game with Stargell up and Cosell in the middle of again talking about how Stargell is saving the city of Pittsburgh or something, he brings up Stargell being 0 for 6 with RISP so far. So in one minute he goes from being Jeter to A-Rod.
-Here’s a rule change, in the bottom of the 8th with runners on first and second Doug Stanhouse’s pick off throw trying to get Tim Foli hits Foli in the helmet and bounces all the way into the crowd. The runners are only awarded one base while today it would have been two bases.
1986 World Series Game 5 - Red Sox 4, Mets 2 (boxscore and play account)
-I guess in 1986 they still weren’t having the ceremonial first pitch be thrown for the mound as Ted Williams throws it here from the stands. Williams as you see was with his son John Henry. Did they freeze his head too?
-Another lackluster outing for Gooden here. He never gets in any rhythm as he seems bothered by the relatively cold weather as he’s constantly blowing on his hands after almost every pitch. He takes so much time the Red Sox hitters then start to mess with him in the 4th and 5th but constantly stepping out of box right before he gets set.
-Dave Henderson was a having a huge series to this point going 8 for 18 with a two homeruns and then adding a double and a triple (although should have been a double as Strawberry made a weak effort to get to the ball) in this game. He likely wouldn’t have been playing if Tony Armas wasn’t hurt even though he was the better player at this point.
-Overmatch of the Night: Sid Fernandez vs. Rich Gedman. Six pitches, six swings, six strikes.
-After Strawberry pops out to end a mild Mets rally in the 8th the Sox fans greet him with the “Darrrrrrrrrrrryl” chant. He mockingly tips his cap to them. Joe Garagiola says he hates to see this happen to a young player and wonder what it does to him. Trust me Joe he had bigger problems.
-After three straight drama free games, Mets bring the tying run to the plate in the 9th with a two out rally but Dykstra goes down swinging
-Red Sox up 3-2, Clemens going in Game 6. This one is in the bag…
Bert Blyleven - Starting Pitcher
Minnesota Twins 1970-1976, 1985-1988
Texas Rangers 1976-1977
Pittsburgh Pirates 1978-1980
Cleveland Indians 1981-1985
California Angels 1989-1992
10th year on the ballot
Past HOF Voting Results
1998: 17.55%
1999: 14.08%
2000: 17.43%
2001: 23.50%
2002: 26.27%
2003: 29.23%
2004: 35.38%
2005: 40.89%
2006: 53.30%
Awards
None
All-Star Selections: 2 (1973, 1985)
League Leader
1971: K/BB
1973: Shutouts, K/BB, ERA+
1977: WHIP
1985: Innings, Strikeouts, Complete Games, Shutouts
1986: Innings, K/BB
1989: Shutouts
Career Ranks
Wins: 26th
IP: 13th
K: 5th
CG: 91st
SHO: 9th
K/BB: 44th
K/9: 99th
Hall of Fame Stats
Black Ink: Pitching - 16 (129) (Average HOFer ≈ 40)
Gray Ink: Pitching - 239 (24) (Average HOFer ≈ 185)
HOF Standards: Pitching - 50.0 (36) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Pitching - 120.5 (68) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Pitchers in HOF: 8 (Don Sutton, Gaylord Perry, Fergie Jenkins, Robin Roberts, Tom Seaver, Early Wynn, Phil Niekro, Steve Carlton)
Other Similar Pitchers: Tommy John, Jim Kaat
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1970: 10/3.7
1971: 20/8.4
1972: 19/7.4
1973: 29/12.3
1974: 23/10.0
1975: 21/8.7
1976: 20/9.3
1977: 21/8.2
1978: 16/6.2
1979: 13/3.8
1980: 9/2.9
1981: 14/8.2
1982: 1/0.2
1983: 10/4.3
1984: 20/9.2
1985: 23/9.9
1986: 18/7.9
1987: 18/7.5
1988: 4/2.2
1989: 22/7.9
1990: 3/1.3
1992: 5/2.5
Career Win Shares: 339
Career WARP3: 142.0
Would he get my vote?
Yes. Blyleven's plight to get into the HOF has been well documented by now. Many voters in the past have immediately written him off because he never won a Cy Young and because he had only two All-Star selections. Of course a player's total number of All-Star selections can be taken with a grain of salt since they are based mostly on what a player did the first three months of the season and with pitcher selections they are heavily influenced by their win/loss record. Blyleven for his career was 150-140 with a 3.47 ERA in the first half of the season but 137-110 with a 3.12 ERA in the second half, so he did his best pitching after the ASB. Another reason why Blyleven has been ignored in the past as well is as you see didn't lead his league in many categories. But for his career he was in the Top 10 ERA ten times, Wins six times, WHIP 11 times, Strikeouts 15 times, Complete Games 12 times, and Shutouts ten times. Nevermind of course he's in the Top 10 all-time in both strikeouts and shutouts. In addition of the eight HOF comps he has only Tom Seaver had a better career ERA+. Many writers are slowly coming around and long time holdouts are now voting for him. He certainly won't get in this year as no backloggers have a chance but within the next five years it appears he will get in.
Today is monumental day...it's My Two Year Blogoversary!
My first entry talked about the first ever live sporting event I ever went to, an A's/Red Sox game. Now that I finally have received the 1985 Chicago Bears boxset I can now do write up for the oldest sports memory I have, watching Super Bowl XX. This is the only reason I could ever have to re-watch this snuff film of a football game.
Here's the list of the 12 games that are in the set.
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay
Week 3 at Minnesota
Week 4 vs. Washington
Week 5 at Tampa Bay
Week 6 at San Francisco
Week 7 vs. Green Bay
Week 11 at Dallas
Week 13 at Miami
Week 16 at Detroit
Divisional Playoff vs. N.Y. Giants
NFC Championship vs. L.A. Rams
Super Bowl XX vs. New England
January 26, 1986 - Super Bowl XX: Chicago Bears (17-1) vs. New England Patriots (13-5)
-Woo hoo, the player introductions are on the disk! Seriously fuck the 2001 "Oh We're a Team!" New England Patriots for ending this tradition. Back in the day they always introduced the NFC offense which seemed inappropriate in this game as the Bears defense really should have been introduced. Judging by the reaction of crowd during the introductions it seemed like their were more Patriots fans at the game.
-Coin toss features the previous 17 Super Bowl MVP winners and even Joe Montana showed up this time. Majority of them didn’t seem thrilled to be there. Joe Namath got the biggest reaction and I wonder if a 21 year old Suzy Kolber was watching the game.
-Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen are the announcers with Bob Griese making some cameos.
Bears Offense
QB: Jim McMahon
RB: Walter Payton, Matt Suhey
WR: Dennis McKinnon, Willie Gault
TE: Emery Moorehead
C: Jay Hilgenberg
G: John Thayer, Mark Bortz
T: Keith Van Horne, Jim Covert
Patriots Defense
DE: Garin Veris, Julius Adams
NT: Lester Williams
OLB: Andre Tippett, Don Blackmon
ILB: Steve Nelson, Larry McGrew
CB: Ronnie Lippett, Raymond Clayborn
S: Roland James, Fred Marion
Patriots Offense
QB: Tony Eason
RB: Craig James, Tony Collins
WR: Stanley Morgan, Stephen Starring
TE: Lin Dawson
C: Pete Brock
G: John Hannah, Ron Wooten
T: Brian Holloway, Steve Moore
Bears Defense
DE: Richard Dent, Dan Hampton
DT: Steve McMichael, William Perry
OLB: Wilber Marshall, Otis Wilson
MLB: Mike Singletary
CB: Leslie Frazier, Mike Richardson
S: Gary Fencik, Dave Duerson
FIRST QUARTER
-Walter Payton fumbles on second play of the game and the Patriots recover on the Bears 20. This would be the high point of the game for the Pats. The misery begins for the Pats as tight end Lin Dawson blows out his knee on their first play from scrimmage. Three straight incompletions would lead to a Tony Franklin field goal for the first points off the Bears in the playoffs.
-After Don Blackmon drops a possible pick six on the Bears first play of their next possession, McMahon nails Gault for a 43 yard bomb. Their drive stalls near the Patriots 10 after Ronnie Lippett lands a heels over head hit on a McMahon scramble and Kevin Butler ties it up 3-3. What a competitive game we have!
-Both teams exchange punts and then the game tilts the Bears way for, well, the rest of the game. Steve “Former Four Horseman” McMichael sacks and forces Tony Eason to fumble, recovered by Dan Hamtpon on the Pats 13. On the next play McMahon completes a drag screen pass to Emery Moorhead and on the play Merlin Olsen insists there was clip by Dennis McKinnon on Blackmon. They show two replays showing Blackmon being hit in the front of his legs which would make it a legal block but Olsen says “Look, right in the back of the legs! You can’t tell me that’s not a clip!” It wasn’t Merlin. Dick Enberg pauses like he wants to disagree but just ignores him and moves on. Olsen continues to rant on about the play a couple of plays later. Sounded like someone had money on the Pats.
-William Perry makes his first appearance on offense on 2nd and Goal with a halfback option pass but The Fridge can’t get rid of it and is dropped for a loss. Another Butler field goal makes it 6-3 Bears. New England is hanging tough!
-Richard Dent forces a Craig James fumble on the Patriots next play from scrimmage and the Bears again get the ball inside the Pats 15. Two plays later Matt Suhey takes it in to make it 13-3.
-Patriots total yards: -19
SECOND QUARTER
-After another Patriots punt the Bears easily move through a quickly tiring Patriots defense, mainly behind Matt Suhey. McMahon takes it himself from two and a half yards (video quality suddenly went bad during the play) to make it 20-3 and the rout is on.
-Ron Rivera made a tackle on the next kick off and I only mention it because he was at my D.A.R.E. “graduation” in the 5th grade as our “celebrity speaker.”
-After another Patriots three and out, Eason gets the hook for Steve Grogan. Eason finished the day 0 for 6 and was sacked three times. Grogan completes a couple of passes on his first possession and the Pats get their first, first down of the game with less than four minutes left in the first half but it doesn’t lead to anything.
-Bears make a late march that features a 28 yard completion Ken Margerum to set up another Butler field goal to make it 23-3. Maybe doing an entry on this game was a bad idea as I’ve completely lost interest at this point as I’m sure I did at 7 years old.
-Patriots total yards: -19. Grogan allows them to break even for the quarter.
THIRD QUARTER
-As they recap the first half before the second half kick off Olsen is still bitching about the correct non-clip call on what wasn’t even a crucial play, not that there was any crucial play in a game like this.
-Even when things go right for the Patriots it doesn’t pay off. Punter Rich Camarillo gets off an ugly kick that takes a fortunate bounce on the Superdome turf and rolls all the way down to the Bears 4 yard line. But on the Bears first play of the half McMahon hits Gault on another bomb for a 60 yard gain. This would eventually lead to another McMahon touchdown keeper to make it 30-3.
-And the slaughter continues as on the Patriots next drive Grogan throws behind his intended receiver Derrick Ramsey, the ball glances off Ramsey's hands and right to Reggie Phillips who takes it for a 28 yard interception return touchdown and a 37-3 lead.
-22 years later and I’m starting to feel sorry for the Patriots in this game. Next “drive” Grogan completes a pass to Dedrick Jones near midfield but he is immediately hit by Gary Fenick, fumbles and Wilber Marshall recovers it. It didn’t look like a fumble to me as Jones only appeared to have one foot down before being hit but I can’t remember if the rules for possession were different back then. Instant Replay wasn’t implemented until the following season.
-A “Walter” chant starts as everyone wants to see him a score a touchdown in this game but alas that would not happen. After a terrible call on a “completion” to Dennis Gentry where he didn’t even get one foot in bounds, this drive would feature The Fridge’s famous touchdown. I seem to remember reading that later Mike Ditka regretted not having Payton take it in for the score at this point in the game. 44-3.
-God dammit there’s still another hour left on the disk, even without commercials.
FOURTH QUARTER
-Bears did start to call off the dogs a bit towards the end of the 3rd as the Pats finally get a sustained drive but it takes a 4th and Goal touchdown pass to Irving Fryar (who was playing with a laceration on his finger that he got during a fight with his wife a couple of weeks earlier) to get in the endzone, 44-10 Bears. I smell a comeback!
-The scoring ends when Henry Waechter sacks Grogan in the endzone for a safety. Bears 46, Patriots 10.
-It’s mentioned towards the end of the game that Buddy Ryan has been offered the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching position.
-Richard Dent wins the MVP but I have to say he didn’t really standout to me over any other player on the Bears defense during this game but maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
-The postgame trophy presentation and interviews are on the disk but the video quality isn’t particularly good.
-Lord knows why I ever watched another football game again.
Wally Joyner - First Baseman
California/Anaheim Angels 1986-1991, 2001
Kansas City Royals 1992-1995
San Diego Padres 1996-1999
Atlanta Braves 2000
Awards
None
All-Star Selections: 1 (1986)
League Leader
None of note
Career Ranks
None of note
Hall of Fame Stats
Gray Ink: Batting - 16 (1106) (Average HOFer ≈ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 24.9 (482) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 27.5 (603) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Batters: Hal McRae, Jeff Conine, Chris Chambliss, Keith Hernandez, Cecil Cooper, Don Mattingly, Felipe Alou, Ken Singleton, Dusty Baker, George Hendrick
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Leven (WARP3)
1986: 21/7.5
1987: 22/8.4
1988: 22/7.7
1989: 19/6.9
1990: 9/2.6
1991: 25/8.2
1992: 14/4.7
1993: 17/7.3
1994: 11/5.0
1995: 18/6.9
1996: 16/4.1
1997: 21/5.2
1998: 22/3.9
1999: 7/2.4
2000: 7/1.0
2001: 2/0.6
Career Win Shares: 253
Career WARP3: 82.3
Would he get my vote?
No. I'm exercising my one year, steroid user boycott when it comes to Joyner...okay maybe not. Nice little hitter but "nice little hitter" isn't a ringing endorsement for a first baseman let alone one who played in the era Joyner did. Great start to his career and I have faint memories after Mark McGwire's horrific 1991 season of A's fans hoping they would sign Joyner as a free agent and release McGwire. Good thing team's typically don't listen to their fans.
The worst offensive season but a leftfielder since 1901 was...wait...just nine years ago!? Speed can kill but it can also keep a guy in the line up who really shouldn't be anything more than a designated pinch runner.
Top 25 Worst Offenisve Leftfielder Seasons since 1957 (per OPS+)
1. Brian Hunter, 1999 - Detroit Tigers/Seattle Mariners 48 OPS+ (.232/.280/.301)
2. Vince Coleman, 1994 - Kansas City Royals 59
3. Vince Coleman, 1986 - St. Louis Cardinals 62
4. Bill Sample, 1984 - Texas Rangers 68
5t. Billy Hatcher, 1989 - Houston Astros/Pittsburgh Pirates 70
5t. Dan Meyer, 1975 - Detroit Tigers 70
7t. Scott Podsednik, 2006 - Chicago White Sox 75
7t. Luis Polonia, 1993 - California Angels 75
9t. Tommy Harper, 1974 - Boston Red Sox 76
9t. Don Buford, 1972 - Baltimore Orioles 76
11t. Rickey Henderson, 2000 - New York Mets/Seattle Mariners 77
11t. Jeffrey Leonard, 1988 - San Francisco Giants/Milwaukee Brewers 77
11t. Ron LeFlore, 1981 - Chicago White Sox 77
14t. Terrence Long, 2003 - Oakland A's 78
14t. Roger Cedeno, 2002 - New York Mets 78
14t. Ricky Ledee, 2000 - New York Yankees/Cleveland Indians/Texas Rangers 78
14t. Gary Ward, 1987 - New York Yankees 78
18t. Reed Johnson, 2004 - Toronto Blue Jays 79
18t. Lou Piniella, 1973 - Kansas City Royals 79
20t. Dan Gladden, 1991 - Minnesota Twins 80
20t. Tito Francona, 1963 - Cleveland Indians 80
22t. Carl Crawford, 2003 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays 81
22t. Troy O'Leary, 2000 - Boston Red Sox 81
22t. Lou Brock, 1977 - St. Louis Cardinals 81
22t. Jim Gilliam, 1958 - Los Angeles Dodgers 81
Finally I have an excuse to update this dying blog as HardballTimes.com has release the first Win Shares of the year and I know you are all excited. Okay maybe not, but it least allows me to take my first look of the year at the MVP races in both leagues. Being that we're less than two months into the season you have to take most things so far with a grain of salt. Taking a look back at my first MVP Watch from last year only two players from each league were in my final fictional MVP ballot (Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman in the N.L. and Jim Thome, Travis Hafner in the A.L.).
Last season Pujols led the N.L. race wire to wire in my view but he of course lost out to Ryan Howard in the real vote. This year Pujols is off to a very slow start by his standards and is no where in the early MVP picture. Right now it is three players vying for the top spot in Barry Bonds, J.J. Hardy, and Jose Reyes. Hardy's fast start seems a bit fluky but Bonds and Reyes could both certainly be in the race the whole year.
10. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins
.316/.399/.536, 36 RC, 154 OPS+, .328 EQA, 19.4 VORP, 8.4 Win Shares
9. Carlos Beltran, Mets
.301/.385/.523, 34 RC, 147 OPS+, .316 EQA, 19.0 VORP, 8.9 Win Shares
8. Russell Martin, Dodgers
.314/.390/.468, 35 RC, 128 OPS+, .308 EQA, 16.7 VORP, 11.4 Win Shares
7. Todd Helton, Rockies
.361/.480/.538, 35 RC, 166 OPS+, .348 EQA, 23.5 VORP, 9.3 Win Shares
6. Prince Fielder, Brewers
.287/.370/.586, 38 RC, 153 OPS+, .313 EQA, 18.0 VORP, 10.2 Win Shares
5. Jake Peavy, Padres
235 ERA+, 4.05 K/BB, 0.98 WHIP, 25.3 VORP, 8.3 Win Shares
4. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
.344/.420/.557, 36 RC, 166 OPS+, .341 EQA, 28.7 VORP, 9.2 Win Shares
3. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
.311/.353/.595, 39 RC, 150 OPS+, .310 EQA, 21.5 VORP, 12.4 Win Shares
2. Barry Bonds, Giants
.282/.503/.618, 36 RC, 200 OPS+, .381 EQA, 22.5 VORP, 10.4 Win Shares
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
.313/.392/.484, 38 RC, 140 OPS+, .315 EQA, 23.7 VORP, 11.5 Win Shares
In the A.L. last year there was the MVP race was a complete debacle...as I picked Derek Jeter as my clear choice for MVP and the world stood still. Oh and Justin Morneau won the real MVP despite being the 3rd best player on his own team. Jeter is off to great start and is in the Top 5 but the #1 spot at the moment was an easy choice although certainly not someone you would have thought of coming into the season. Might raise some eyebrows with two Yankees above two Red Sox on the ballot at the moment but it really gives you an idea of how bad the Yankees have been beyond A-Rod and Jeter.
10. Grady Sizemore, Indians
.270/.393/.454, 36 RC, 129 OPS+, .308 EQA, 18.0 VORP, 10.0 Win Shares
9. B.J. Upton, Devil Rays
.309/.391/.550, 32 RC, 146 OPS+, .314 EQA, 18.3 VORP, 10.4 Win Shares
8. Orlando Cabrera, Angels
.312/.360/.435, 32 RC, 116 OPS+, .281 EQA, 15.5 VORP, 11.3 Win Shares
7. Curtis Granderson, Tigers
.286/.347/.583, 36 RC, 144 OPS+, .305 EQA, 19.6 VORP, 9.9 Win Shares
6. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
.347/.429/.535, 39 RC, 154 OPS+, .322 EQA, 22.0 VORP, 9.3 Win Shares
5. David Ortiz, Red Sox
.319/.436/.596, 40 RC, 171 OPS+, .335 EQA, 23.6 VORP, 9.0 Win Shares
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees
.367/.444/.494, 45 RC, 157 OPS+, .319 EQA, 23.8 VORP, 10.8 Win Shares
3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
.306/.396/.676, 46 RC, 187 OPS+, .340 EQA, 29.1 VORP, 10.1 Win Shares
2. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
.335/.444/.613, 40 RC, 186 OPS+, .348 EQA, 28.1 VORP, 11.0 Win Shares
1. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
.361/.441/.710, 48 RC, 203 OPS+, .365 EQA, 34.5 VORP, 12.3 Win Shares
Nothing like saying you're out of ideas by reposting an old blog entry but that's what I'm resorting to. Actually I probably would have come up with something over the weekend but I was near death (or at least felt like it) with the flu so putting together semi-coherent thoughts wasn't an option.
The weekend after next will be what I believe to be the best time of the sports year and that is the first two rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. This week however is one of the worst time's of the sports year with Conference Championship Week. Conference tournaments primarily accomplish two things, 1) Render the conference regular seasons meaningless and 2) Weaken the overall field of the national tournament. They are a pox on humanity and should be eliminated.
So I now present to you a Bored "classic" entry from 2/27/06, Conference Tournaments are the Tool of the Devil!
This division/region was completely blown to pieces in the 1st round but this round things almost went to form. The '86 Angels did what the '89 A's were supposed to do and that was sweep the '87 Mariners. The other three series all went at least six games with the one upset by the '83 White Sox as they eliminated the '87 Twins in seven games. Interesting thing about that series is every game was won by the road team, the complete opposite of the '87 World Series. That now leaves no World Series teams left in this division/region.
Again stat lines are for both rounds.
(9) 1986 California Angels def. (16) 1987 Seattle Mariners 4-0
Game 1: Angels 4, Mariners 3
Game 2: Angels 5, Mariners 0
Game 3: Angels 4, Mariners 1
Game 4: Angels 4, Mariners 0
Brian Downing: 11-37, 4 HR, 7 RBI
Don Sutton: 2-0, 1.40 ERA
(12) 1988 Minnesota Twins def. (13) 1982 Kansas City Royals 4-3
Game 1: Twins 3, Royals 0
Game 2: Royals 5, Twins 3
Game 3: Twins 11, Royals 1
Game 4: Twins 11, Royals 9 13 innings
Game 5: Royals 3, Twins 2 10 innings
Game 6: Royals 8, Twins 6
Game 7: Twins 8, Royals 2
Tim Laudner: 20-53, 3 HR, 12 RBI
Jeff Reardon: 1.93 ERA, 5 SV
(6) 1983 Chicago White Sox def. (3) 1987 Minnesota Twins 4-3
Game 1: White Sox 9, Twins 2
Game 2: White Sox 8, Twins 1
Game 3: Twins 9, White Sox 1
Game 4: Twins 12, White Sox 1
Game 5: Twins 5, White Sox 4
Game 6: White Sox 14, Twins 7
Game 7: White Sox 6, Twins 2
Rudy Law: 19-54, 14 R, 11 SB
Floyd Bannister: 3-1, 4 GS, 32 IP, 42 K
(10) 1984 Kansas City Royals def. (15) 1981 Texas Rangers 4-2
Game 1: Rangers 3, Royals 0
Game 2: Rangers 5, Royals 1 11 innings
Game 3: Royals 3, Rangers 0
Game 4: Royals 6, Rangers 1
Game 5: Royals 10, Rangers 4
Game 6: Royals 4, Rangers 3
Willie Wilson: 17-47, 7 R
Bud Black: 2-1, 1.30 ERA, 4 GS, 3 CG
A.L. West Semi-Finals
(12) '88 Twins vs. (9) '86 Angels
(10) '84 Royals vs. (6) '83 White Sox
Up Next: N.L. West Quarterfinals
Hey look another position where the A's had the worst everyday player! How I got through this season without slitting my wrists, I'll never know.
Third Basemen Rankings
1. David Wright, Mets
29.1 Win Shares
66.2 VORP
10.6 WARP3
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2008 25 NYM NL 160 626 115 189 42 2 33 124 15 5 94 118 .302 .390 .534 143 334 0 11 5 4 15
2. Chipper Jones, Braves
3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
4. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
5. Troy Glaus, Cardinals
6. Evan Longoria, Rays
7. Jorge Cantu, Marlins
8. Melvin Mora, Orioles
9. Casey Blake, Indians/Dodgers
10. Ty Wigginton, Astros
11. Adrian Beltre, Mariners
12. Carlos Guillen, Tigers
13. Alex Gordon, Royals
14. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
15. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
16. Mike Lowell, Red Sox
17. Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks
18. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
19. Scott Rolen, Blue Jays
20. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
21. Blake DeWitt, Dodgers
22. Chone Figgins, Angels
23. Joe Crede, White Sox
24. Jose Bautista, Pirates/Blue Jays
25. Willy Aybar, Rays
26. Pedro Feliz, Phillies
27. Geoff Blum, Astros
28. Bill Hall, Brewers
29. Jack Hannahan, A's
5.4 Win Shares
3.8 WARP3
-9.5 VORP
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2008 28 OAK AL 143 436 48 95 27 0 9 47 2 0 55 131 .218 .305 .342 77 149 3 5 4 2 5
30. Jose Castillo, Giants/Astros
In one of his recent entries kkk talked about his favorite looking baseball cards. This got me be remembering one of my favorite baseball card collecting habits from my childhood, buying those store brand baseball sets. Stores like K-Mart and Toys 'R' Us would have their baseball cards, typically produced by Topps, that would feature star players or rookies. The sets were cheap and the cards were all glossy which was still a very unique feature back in the late 80's.
The first such set I remember buying was the 1987 Topps Toys 'R' Us Rookies set. It was a set of 33 cards featuring the rookies from the 1986 season. I took terrible care of the cards and now I don't even remember where they are but I do still remember those black boarded cards. I couldn't find individual pictures of the cards but I did find a site that showed that displays the entire set. Here are the links:
1. Andy Allanson, 2. Paul Assenmacher, 3. Scott Bailes, 4. Barry Bonds, 5. Jose Canseco, 6. John Cerutti, 7. Will Clark, 8. Kal Daniels, 9. Jim Deshaies
OMG Bonds and Canseco's cards were together, it was a sign!!!
10. Mark Eichhorn, 11. Ed Hearn, 12. Pete Incaviglia, 13. Bo Jackson, 14. Wally Joyner, 15. Charlie Kerfeld, 16. Eric King, 17. John Kruk, 18. Barry Larkin
See a relatively thin John Kruk.
19. Mike LaValliere, 20. Greg Mathews, 21. Kevin Mitchell, 22. Dan Plesac, 23. Bruce Ruffin, 24. Ruben Sierra, 25. Cory Snyder, 26. Kurt Stillwell, 27. Dale Sveum
28. Danny Tartabull, 29. Andres Thomas, 30. Robby Thompson, 31. Jim Traber, 32. Mitch Williams, 33. Todd Worrell
As you see 1986 produced a pretty impressive crop of rookies and some several infamous names as well. I had been thinking of trying to do a Reward Redo that wasn't an MVP vote but every other award in baseball only allows three players to be voted on a ballot. So I figured I'd do a Top 10 list of the best rookie season from 1986.
In my first entry about my very first game I mentioned that Wally Joyner was robbed by Jose Canseco in the '86 ROY voting and I'll put that claim to the test. They were the only two to receive first place votes on the A.L. side with Mark Eichhorn and Cory Snyder receiving some secondary support. In the N.L. the award was won by Todd Worrell who had already become nationally known as he had been a late season call up in '85 and made the Cardinals postseason roster. He became a household name due to being involved in the infamous blown call by Don Denkinger in Game 6 of the World Series that would eventually cost the Cardinals the series. Worrell was a near unanimous choice as Kevin Mitchell was the only player to a receive a first place vote.
So who was the best rookie of 1986?
#10
147 ERA+, 2.59 K/BB, 1.21 WHIP, 23.1 VORP, 13 Win Shares
#9
.272/.299/.500, 62 RC, 115 OPS+, .276 EQA, 24.6 VORP, 13 Win Shares
#8
.287/.343/.444, 62 RC, 121 OPS+, .284 EQA, 22.1 VORP, 14 Win Shares
#7
.277/.344/.466, 53 RC, 125 OPS+, .290 EQA, 21.6 VORP, 14 Win Shares
#6
.250/.320/.463, 80 RC, 109 OPS+, .277 EQA, 24.6 VORP, 16 Win Shares
#5
175 ERA+, 1.78 K/BB, 1.23 WHIP, 26.5 VORP, 19 Win Shares
#4
.240/.318/.457, 86 RC, 115 OPS+, .286 EQA, 30.2 VORP, 21 Win Shares
#3
.270/.347/.489, 87 RC, 124 OPS+, .290 EQA, 35.4 VORP, 15 Win Shares
#2
.290/.348/.457, 95 RC, 119 OPS+, .292 EQA, 41.1 VORP, 21 Win Shares
#1
246 ERA+, 3.69 K/BB, 0.96 WHIP, 66.4 VORP, 21 Win Shares
Canadian Greats? He was born in San Jose.
Okay I was right that Jose Canseco robbed someone but it was actually Mark Eichhorn. Yes a middle reliever was the top rookie of 1986. He had actually made his MLB debut back in 1982 but didn't get another shot in the majors until four years later. He didn't make a start but pitched in 157 innings (five innings short of qualifying for the ERA title), striking out 166, and posting a 1.72 ERA in what would be by far his best year.
One more thing here's the career Win Shares rankings for the 33 players in that 1987 Topps Toys 'R' Us Rookies set. Ya big shock who's #1.
1. Barry Bonds 661
2. Barry Larkin 347
3. Will Clark 331
4. Jose Canseco 272
5. Wally Joyner 253
6. Ruben Sierra 222
7. Danny Tartabull 188
8. Kevin Mitchell 178
9. John Kruk 156
10. Robby Thompson 155
11. Kal Daniels 112
12. Pete Incaviglia 107
13. Dan Plesac 106
14. Todd Worrell 105
15. Mike LaValliere 95
16. Paul Assenmacher 86
17. Cory Snyder 85
18. Mark Eichhorn 83
19. Bruce Ruffin 76
20. Mitch Williams 75
21. Kurt Stillwell 73
22. Bo Jackson 72
23. Jim Deshaies 68
24. Dale Sveum 55
25. Eric King 50
26. John Cerutti 45
27. Andy Allanson 27
28. Scott Bailes 26
29. Andres Thomas 23
30. Greg Mathews 22
31. Charlie Kerfeld 15
32. Jim Traber 11
33. Ed Hearn 5
Scott Brosius - Third Baseman
Oakland Athletics 1991-1997
New York Yankees 1998-2001
Awards
1998 World Series MVP
1999 AL Gold Glove - 3B
All-Star Selections: 1 (1998)
League Leader
None
Career Ranks
None of note
Hall of Fame Stats
HOF Standards: Batting - 12.6 (1349) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 19.0 (780) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Batters: Ed Sprague, Bill Melton, Mike Pagliarulo, Scott Spiezio, Tom Tresh, Jim Presley, Steve Buechele, Dave Hollins, Aaron Boone, Jim Tabor
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Leve (WARP3)
1991: 1/0.8
1992: 2/0.3
1993: 5/1.5
1994: 6/4.1
1995: 10/3.2
1996: 19/7.9
1997: 5/2.1
1998: 27/9.3
1999: 13/5.5
2000: 8/4.1
2001: 15/5.6
Career Win Shares: 111
Career WARP3: 44.3
Would he get my vote?
No. Like Witt there is really no point in having Brosius on the ballot. Unlike Witt though you can figure out why he got through the nomination process, likely due to his World Series MVP in 1998. He was an excellent defensive third baseman but even if you had a Hall of Fame based soley on fielding he'd have no shot due to only being an everyday player for six years of his career, playing in more than 150 games just once.
Chuck Finley - Starting Pitcher
California/Anaheim Angels 1986-1999
Cleveland Indians 2000-2002
St. Louis Cardinals 2002
Awards
None
All-Star Selections: 5 (1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2000)
League Leader
1993: Complete Games
1994: Innings
Career Ranks
K: 23rd
K/9: 55th
Best Performance
May 23, 1995 - New York at California
Matches his career high 15 strikeotus while two hitting the Yankees in Mariano Rivera's MLB debut.
Hall of Fame Stats
Black Ink: Pitching - 6 (363) (Average HOFer ≈ 40)
Gray Ink: Pitching - 156 (86) (Average HOFer ≈ 185)
HOF Standards: Pitching - 27.0 (170) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Pitching - 53.5 (230) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Pitchers in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Pitchers: Mark Langston, Mike Torrez, Vida Blue, Doyle Alexander, Mickey Lolich, Fernando Valenzuela, Curt Simmons, Billy Pierce, Orel Hershiser, Joe Bush
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1986: 4/1.8
1987: 3/1.7
1988: 8/4.1
1989: 19/7.0
1990: 23/9.6
1991: 14/5.9
1992: 11/4.1
1993: 19/8.4
1994: 14/7.1
1995: 12/6.5
1996: 16/8.7
1997: 11/4.8
1998: 17/7.2
1999: 14/5.7
2000: 16/7.7
2001: 3/1.9
2002: 9/4.9
Career Win Shares: 213
Career WARP3: 97.0
My Stupid Opinion
Although it might not be saying much, Finley is probably the second best first ballot player this year. Was an extremely durable pitcher as in his 15 years as a starter he pitched more than 180 innings in 13 of them. Probably was a tad underrated as the Angels were rarely contenders during his career. Ranks in the Top 30 all-time in strikeouts but also ranks in the Top 30 all-time in walks. In the end though he'll end probably be remembered best for getting his ass kicked by his then wife Tawny Kitaen.
I know that you are all thinking, "The regular season ended four days ago and I've already forgotten who was good and who sucked this year." Well my friends the annual Bored Player Rankings are here to help you!
Starting with position players, each list includes 30 players who had the most plate appearances at each position. Now these lists always end up including players who weren't true everyday players and end up populating the bottom of the list. So this year I'm going to highlight the worst everyday player at each position so we can all point and laugh at them.
Catcher Rankings
1. Joe Mauer, Twins
31.2 Win Shares
55.5 VORP
11.8 WARP3
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2008 25 MIN AL 146 536 98 176 31 4 9 85 1 1 84 50 .328 .413 .451 134 242 1 11 8 1 21
2. Brian McCann, Braves
3. Geovany Soto, Cubs
4. Russell Martin, Dodgers
5. Ryan Doumit, Pirates
6. Chris Iannetta, Rockies
7. Bengie Molina, Giants
8. Kurt Suzuki, A's
9. Dioner Navarro, Rays
10. Kelly Shoppach, Indians
11. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
12. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks
13. Jason Kendall, Brewers
14. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
15. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers/Yankees
16. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles
17. Brian Schneider, Mets
18. Gerald Laird, Rangers
19. Rod Barajas, Blue Jays
20. Chris Coste, Phillies
21. Jesus Flores, Nationals
22. Miguel Olivo, Royals
23. Jason Varitek, Red Sox
8.7 Win Shares
-1.0 VORP
5.3 WARP3
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2008 36 BOS AL 131 423 37 93 20 0 13 43 0 1 52 122 .220 .313 .359 74 152 0 2 3 6 13
24. Brandon Inge, Tigers
25. John Buck, Royals
26. Kenji Johjima, Mariners
27. Jeff Mathis, Angels
28. Jose Molina, Yankees
29. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
30. Paul Bako, Reds
