Bored

I went on a trading binge this past week but still two moves I could make: -I'm looking for a closer in the H2H league. (Rebels of Oakland) -I'm over loaded at outfielder in the mixed league after picking up Bonds last week. Brian Giles, Cliff Floyd, and Eric Byrnes are all available for a starting pitcher, first baseman, or catcher. (The Gallegos)

Hey Al is there a site your getting the historic win shares from or a book?

It's amazing Trammell has received such little consideration for the HOF and that Lou Whitaker was off the ballot after his first year. Trammell's lack of support is not good news for Barry Larkin. I have a suggestion of who to look at next...Albert Belle.

A's hang on to beat the Rangers 7-6 and move back into first place.

Does Ken Macha forget sometimes he works for Billy Beane? Situation: Tie game 5-5 in the Top of the 8th and Erubiel Durazo leads off with a double. Bobby Crosby, who has 15 homeruns this year, is up next and what does Macha have him do? Bunt. Crosby pops it up to the catcher. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Now a rain delay right after Crosby's at bat so have to wait and see if Macha's idiotic decision costs them the go ahead run.

Yankees can't compete without a new stadium.

I figured I'd post this here since Dave Concepcion is still on the HOF ballot. Latest words of wisdom from Joe Morgan. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor..._joe&id=1848472 Now I know he's biased because they were teammates but...is Joe smoking crack?

#41: Giants win Super Bowl on Norwood's miss

Clutch hits happen but there is no special skill to clutch hitting, period. Besides the idea of "clutch" hitting is overrated. Say a team wins a game 3-2. On the winning team Player A hits a two-run homer in the 3rd with no one out. Player B hits a game winning bloop single in the 9th. Now many will refer to Player B's hit as "clutch." Now why is his bloop single more "clutch" than Player A's homerun? If Player A doesn't homer early in the game Player B isn't in the situation to win the game. Player A is more responsible for his team winning yet Player B will be considered the hero especially if it's a postseason game.

Yup no great pitcher has ever lost to a bad team ever. Uh huh. Sure. You bet. Curt Schilling lost to the Orioles tonight. Man he fucking sucks.

I'll tell you why Sutter receives more votes than Gossage and that is the baseball writers like bright and shiny things. Sutter has four Rolaids Relief Awards, Gossage just one. Sutter led his league in saves five times, Gossage just three. Sutter won a Cy Young, Gossage didn't.

Considering the crackdown on steroids and specifically the BALCO labs didn't happen till the fall of 2003 I don't see how Giambi's drop in production the previous two season would have anything to do with him using or not using steroids. And this is coming from someone who does believe Giambi along with Bonds and Sheffield were supplied steroids by BALCO. Actually I heard the real cover up is he has 23 dead hookers in his basement.

#42: Serena, at age 17, breaks through at U.S. Open

Jeckll and Hyde. 27-6 at home and 7-20 on the road since mid-May. Brutal 11 game road trip with that Texas series then to New York and Minnesota. I will be thrilled if they manage to have a winning record on that trip.

Ugueth Urbina. Of course, I agree with the overall sentiment. Deadline deals are somewhat overrated. Hey what about Doyle Alexander in 1987 to the Tigers when he went 9-0 after the deal? Of course they traded John Smoltz to get him... Actually the best deadline deal I can think of is the Braves trading for Fred McGriff in 1993 for Melvin Nieves and a couple of nobodies. He was a huge part of the Braves catching the Giants that year.

Even though the offense as a whole is average, second base is the only position where they have a glaring need for a bat as every other position they've had solid production. As always though funds is an issue and the A's already added some payroll with the Dotel trade and I don't know if ownership will be willing to add more. Besides the A's are plenty good enough to win the division with the team they have...if they could finally start winning on the road.

I'd say Bonds is the current #1. Jordan is out of the spotlight right now. McNabb should definenlty be higher.

A's designated Eric Karros for assignment and probably signals the end of his career.

You heard it hear folks...a homerun to win the World Series is only one spot more "memorable" than a woman playing in men's golf event. You know I really haven't had a huge problem with the list overall (beside some odd placements) but it's officially becoming a joke. #43: Joe Carter's home runs wins 1993 World Series

Boggs is a complete lock for next year. The drama will be if Ryne Sandberg makes it or not next year as I see no one else having a real shot. If Sandberg doesn't make in 2005 he'll definently make it 2006 when there is no viable first ballot picks. 2007 of course is the Gwynn, McGwire, Ripken class and everyone else on the ballot can forget about getting in that year.

Another day, another terrible Barry Zito start. But after he put the A's down 5-0 in 4th (which included an RBI double to Willie Bloomquist), the A's offense has scored 13 unanswered runs to go up 13-5 on the Fighting Bavasi's.

Here is a look at next year's likely ballot, with the 15 holdovers who received enough votes to stay on the ballot from last year and the 16 newly eligible players listed above. Player's previously on the ballot are listed in the order they finished in the voting last year and the rest are in alphabetical order. Career rankings are through 2003. Ryne Sandberg - Second Baseman - Philadelphia 1981, Chicago (NL) 1982-97 Black Ink: Batting - 14 (159) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 134 (120) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 42.7 (118) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 157.5 (60) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 9 Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star selections, 3 times led league in runs, 1 time led league in total bases, 1 time led league in triples, 1 time led league in homeruns. Career Rankings: 93rd in runs, 97th in hits, 85th in total bases. OPS+: 114 Most Similar Player: Lou Whitaker Bruce Sutter - Closer - Chicago (NL) 1976-80, St. Louis 1981-84, Atlanta 1985-88 Black Ink: Pitching - 15 (135) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 30 (734) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 17.0 (325) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 91.0 (112) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, 4 Rolaids Relief Awards, 6 All-Star selections, 5 times led league in saves. Career rankings: 88th in games, 16th in saves. Most Similar Player: Doug Jones Jim Rice - Left Fielder - Boston 1974-89 Black Ink: Batting - 33 (49) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 176 (56) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 42.9 (116) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 146.5 (75) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 8 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in hits, 4 time led league in total bases, 1 time led league in triples, 3 times led league in homeruns, 2 time led league in RBI. Career rankings: 84th in slugging, 98th in runs, 90th in hits, 56th in total bases, 45th in homeruns, 46th in RBI. OPS+: 128 Most Similar Player: Orlando Cepeda (HOF) Andre Dawson - Right Fielder/Center Fielder - Montreal 1976-86, Chicago (NL) 1987-92, Boston 1993-94, Florida 1995-96 Black Ink: Batting - 11 (199) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 164 (66) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 43.7 (108) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 118.0 (110) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, ROY, 8 Gold Gloves, 8 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in hits, 2 times led league in total bases, 1 time led league in homeruns, 1 time led league in RBI. Career Rankings: 79th in runs, 43rd in hits, 24th in total bases, 39th in doubles, 29th in homeruns, 28th in RBI. OPS+: 119 Most Similar Player: Billy Williams (HOF) Rich Gossage - Closer - Chicago (AL) 1972-76, Pittsburgh 1977, New York (AL) 1978-83 89, San Diego 1984-87, Chicago (NL) 1988, San Francisco 1989, Texas 1991, Oakland 1992-93, Seattle 1994 Black Ink: Pitching - 9 (243) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 41 (570) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 19.0 (280) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 126.0 (58) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Rolaids Relief Award, 9 All-Star selections, 3 times led league in saves. Career Rankings: 8th in games, 13th in saves. Most Similar Player: Rollie Fingers (HOF) Lee Smith - Closer - Chicago (NL) 1980-87, Boston 1988-90, St. Louis 1990-93, New York (AL) 1993, Baltimore 1994, California 1995-96, Cincinnati 1996, Montreal 1997 Black Ink: Pitching - 12 (174) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 48 (497) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 13.0 (452) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 136.0 (47) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 3 Rolaids Relief Awards, 7 All-Star selections, 4 times led league in saves. Career Rankings: 7th in games, 1st in saves. Most Similar Player: Jeff Reardon Bert Blyleven - Starting Pitcher - Minnesota 1970-76 85-88, Texas 1976-77, Pittsburgh 1978-80, Cleveland 1981-85, California 1989-92 Black Ink: Pitching - 16 (128) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 239 (22) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 50.0 (36) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 120.5 (65) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in strikeout to walk ratio, 1 time led league in strikeouts, 1 time led league in complete games, 3 times led league in shutouts, 1 time led league in ERA+. Career Rankings: 25th in wins, 85th in K/9IP, 5th in strikeouts, 91st in complete games, 9th in shutouts. Most Similar Player: Don Sutton (HOF) Jack Morris - Starting Pitcher - Detroit 1977-90, Minnesota 1991, Toronto 1992-93, Cleveland 1994 Black Ink: Pitching - 20 (86) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 190 (45) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 39.0 (70) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 122.5 (61) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 5 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in wins, 1 time led league in strikeouts, 1 time led league in complete games, 1 time led league in shutouts. Career Rankings: 38th in wins, 27th in strikeouts. Most Similar Player: Dennis Martinez Steve Garvey - First Baseman - Los Angeles 1969-82, San Diego 1983-87 Black Ink: Batting - 12 (182) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 142 (105) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 31.5 (244) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 130.5 (94) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 2 NLCS MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in hits. Career Rankings: 68th in hits, 71st in total bases, 81st in doubles, 82 in RBI. OPS+: 116 Most Similar Player: Al Oliver Tommy John - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland 1963-64, Chicago (AL) 1965-71, Los Angeles 1972-78, New York (AL) 1979-82 86-89, California 1982-85, Oakland 1985 Black Ink: Pitching - 8 (271) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 137 (114) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 44.0 (50) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 111.0 (75) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 4 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in BB/9IP, 3 times led league in shutouts. Career Rankings: 24th in wins, 45th in strikeouts, 26th in shutouts. Most Similar Player: Jim Kaat Alan Trammell - Shortstop - Detroit 1977-96 Gray Ink: Batting - 48 (492) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 40.4 (138) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 118.5 (108) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, 6 All-Star selections. OPS+: 110 Most Similar Player: Barry Larkin Don Mattingly - First Baseman - New York (AL) 1982-95 Black Ink: Batting - 23 (83) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 111 (178) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 34.1 (202) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 133.5 (89) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 9 Gold Gloves, 6 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in batting average, 1 time led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 2 times led league in hits, 2 times led league in total bases, 3 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in RBI, 2 times led league in OPS+. Career Rankings: 78th in doubles. OPS+: 127 Most Similar Player: Cecil Cooper Dave Concepcion - Shortstop - Cincinnati 1970-88 Gray Ink: Batting - 25 (843) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 29.1 (300) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 106.5 (130) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 5 Gold Gloves, 9 All-Star selections. OPS+: 88 Most Similar Player: Bobby Wallace (HOF) Dave Parker - Right Fielder - Pittsburgh 1973-83, Cincinnati 1984-87, Oakland 1988-89, Milwaukee 1990, California 1991, Toronto 1991 Black Ink: Batting - 26 (68) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 145 (95) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 41.1 (130) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 125.5 (100) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 3 Gold Gloves, 7 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in batting average, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in hits, 3 times led league in total bases, 2 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in RBI, 1 time led league in OPS+. Career Rankings: 52nd in hits, 39th in total bases, 29th in doubles, 74th in homeruns, 41st in RBI. OPS+: 121 Most Similar Player: Tony Perez (HOF) Dale Murphy - Center Fielder/Right Fielder - Atlanta 1976-90, Philadelphia 1990-92, Colorado 1993 Black Ink: Batting - 31 (54) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 147 (87) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 34.3 (199) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 115.5 (114) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 MVP, 5 Gold Gloves, 7 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in runs, 1 time led league in total bases, 2 times led league in homeruns, 2 times led league in RBI. Career Rankings: 94th in total bases, 38th in homeruns, 97th in RBI. OPS+: 121 Most Similar Player: Joe Carter Jim Abbott - Starting Pitcher - California 1989-92 95-96, New York (AL) 1993-94, Chicago (AL) 1995 98, Milwaukee 1999 Gray Ink: Pitching - 28 (791) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 3.0 (934) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 6.0 (1068) (Likely HOFer > 100) Most Similar Player: Jim Deshaies Jeff Blauser - Shortstop - Atlanta 1987-97, Chicago (NL) 1998-99 Gray Ink: Batting - 9 (1355) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 23.0 (523) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 34.0 (492) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections. Most Similar Player: Robby Thompson Wade Boggs - Third Baseman - Boston 1982-92, New York (AL) 1993-97, Tampa Bay 1998-99 Black Ink: Batting - 37 (39) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 138 (109) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 57.5 (32) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 268.0 (16) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star selections, 5 times led league in batting average, 6 times led league in OBP, 2 times led league in OPS, 2 times led league in runs, 1 time led league in hits, 2 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in OPS+. Career Rankings: 34th in batting average, 27th in OBP, 54th in runs, 23rd in hits, 60th in total bases, 15th in doubles, 21st in walks. OPS+: 130 Most Similar Player: Rod Carew (HOF) Tom Candiotti - Starting Pitcher - Milwaukee 1983-84, Cleveland 1986-91 99, Toronto 1991, Los Angeles 1992-97, Oakland 1998-99 Black Ink: Pitching - 2 (702) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 62 (375) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 17.0 (325) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 11.5 (806) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 time led league in complete games. Career Rankings: 87th in strikeouts. Most Similar Player: Bob Knepper Chili Davis - Designated Hitter/Outfielder - San Francisco 1981-87, California 1988-90 93-96, Minnesota 1991-92, Kansas City 1997, New York (AL) 1998-99 Gray Ink: Batting - 45 (523) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 38.0 (156) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 29.0 (557) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 3 All-Star selections. Career Rankings: 73rd in total bases, 68th in homeruns, 66th in RBI, 50th in walks. OPS+: 121 Most Similar Player: Don Baylor Jeff King - Third Baseman/First Baseman - Pittsburgh 1989-96, Kansas City 1997-99 Gray Ink: Batting - 11 (1244) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 12.9 (1263) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 11.0 (998) (Likely HOFer > 100) Most Similar Player: Candy Maldonado Mark Langston - Starting Pitcher - Seattle 1984-89, Montreal 1989, California/Anaheim 1990-97, San Diego 1998, Cleveland 1999 Black Ink: Pitching - 12 (174) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 128 (131) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 23.0 (210) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 64.0 (178) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 7 Gold Gloves, 4 All-Star Selections, 4 times led league in strikeout to walk ratio, 3 times led league in strikeouts. Career Rankings: 33rd in strikeout to walk ratio, 28th in strikeouts. Most Similar Player: Fernando Valenzuela Jack McDowell - Starting Pitcher - Chicago (AL) 1987-94, New York (AL) 1995, Cleveland 1996-97, Anaheim 1998-99 Black Ink: Pitching - 13 (158) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 85 (256) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 18.0 (300) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 36.5 (336) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, 3 All-Star Selections, 1 time led league in wins, 3 times led league in complete games, 1 time led league in shutouts. Most Similar Player: Denny McLain Willie McGee - Center Fielder - St. Louis 1982-90 96-99, Oakland 1990, San Francisco 1991-94, Boston 1995 Black Ink: Batting - 12 (182) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 56 (426) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 22.9 (545) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 77.5 (206) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 3 Gold Gloves, 4 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in batting average, 1 time led league in hits, 1 time led league in triples. Career Rankings: 97th in stolen bases. OPS+: 100 Most Similar Player: Hal Chase Brian McRae - Center Fielder - Kansas City 1990-94, Chicago (NL) 1995-97, New York (NL) 1997-99, Colorado 1999, Toronto 1999 Black Ink: Batting - 1 (685) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 25 (843) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 11.3 (1426) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 5.0 (1395) (Likely HOFer > 100) OPS+: 93 Most Similar Player: Terry Moore Jeff Montgomery - Closer - Cincinnati 1987, Kansas City 1988-99 Black Ink: Pitching - 3 (520) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 27 (814) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 74.0 (150) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Rolaids Relief Award, 3 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in saves. Career Rankings: 63rd in games, 14th in saves. Most Similar Player: Roberto Hernandez Otis Nixon - Center Fielder - New York (AL) 1983, Cleveland 1984-87, Montreal 1988-90, Atlanta 1991-93 99, Boston 1994, Texas 1995, Toronto 1996-97, Los Angeles 1997, Minnesota 1998 Gray Ink: Batting - 27 (805) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 15.1 (1015) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 2.5 (1733) (Likely HOFer > 100) Career Rankings: 15th in stolen bases. OPS+: 77 Most Similar Player: Jimmy Slagle Tony Phillips - Second Baseman/Left Fielder/Third Baseman - Oakland 1982-89 99, Detroit 1990-94, California/Anaheim 1995 97, Chicago (AL) 1996-97, Toronto 1998, New York (NL) 1998 Black Ink: Batting - 7 (293) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 42 (561) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 32.7 (226) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 26.5 (595) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 time led league in runs, 2 times led league in walks. Career Rankings: 99th in runs, 30th in walks. OPS+: 109 Most Similar Player: Eddie Yoost Mark Portugal - Starting Pitcher - Minnesota 1985-88, Houston 1989-93, San Francisco 1994-95, Cincinnati 1995-96, Philadelphia 1997-98, Boston 1999 Black Ink: Pitching - 4 (434) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 18 (1070) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 8.0 (682) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 8.0 (949) (Likely HOFer > 100) Most Similar Player: Steve Stone Terry Steinbach - Catcher - Oakland 1986-96, Minnesota 1997-99 HOF Standards: Batting - 25.0 (438) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 47.0 (362) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 3 All-Star selections. OPS+: 102 Most Similar Player: Elston Howard Darryl Strawberry - Right Fielder - New York (NL) 1983-90, Los Angeles 1991-93, San Francisco 1994, New York (AL) 1995-99 Black Ink: Batting - 7 (293) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 100 (214) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 29.6 (290) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 56.5 (296) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: ROY, 8 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in homeruns, 1 time led league in OPS+. Career Rankings: 79th in slugging, 78th in homeruns, 83rd in OPS+. OPS+: 138 Most Similar Player: Jay Buhner

Because they are fat and insecure? Oh wait...

He'll have his first year of eligibility next year and he's a lock to get in on the first ballot. Here's the first time eligible players next year:

Bumping so this doesn't fall off the page so might as well bring content. Here is the games you will all be picking from for Week 1. This should be the complete national television and ABC regional schedule for the first two weekends. This will probably be the most games you'll pick from for any week (23 total) as there are Sunday and Monday games as well because the NFL season won't kick off until the following week. Please don't submit any picks yet, we'll hold that off until about a week before the USC/Va Tech game when I create the official topic for picks. Saturday, August 28th USC vs. Virginia Tech Thursday, September 2nd Texas A&M at Utah Northwestern at TCU Friday, September 3rd Washington State at New Mexico Saturday, September 4th Miami of Ohio at Michigan Bowling Green at Oklahoma California at Air Force Virginia at Temple Michigan State at Rutgers Oklahoma State at UCLA Wake Forest at Clemson Oregon State at LSU Tulane at Mississippi State Colorado State at Colorado Toledo at Minnesota Notre Dame at BYU Sunday, September 5th Syracuse at Purdue Kentucky at Louisville Fresno State at Washington UNLV at Tennessee Monday, September 6th Nevada at Louisiana Tech Pittsburgh at South Florida Florida State at Miami