EVIL~! alkeiper

For kicks, here are the top ten teams remaining. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Costello & Heffernan) Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez Sr. Jimmy & Johnny Valiant The Executioners (Kowalski & Studd) Buddy Rose & Pat Somers Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch The Heavenly Bodies (Pritchard & Del Ray) Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos Ron Golden & Jimmy Fuller (aka Bunkhouse Buck & Col. Parker)

This is the debate question on ESPN.com today. Schilling has 216 career wins. I drew up a list of pitchers totaling between 206 and 226 career wins, that's ten on either side. The top ten in terms of ERA +: 1. Pedro Martinez - First Ballot HOFer when he retires, even if that occurred today. Greatest prime pitcher ever. 2. Hal Newhouser - Three year run saw him compile an 80-27 record, though the first two were war seasons. Inducted in 1992. 3. Curt Schilling 4. Kevin Brown - Underrated '90s pitcher, for five years as dominant as any pitcher in the game. Unlikely to be inducted. Perhaps hurt by 0-3 World Series record? 5. John Smoltz - Also spent three years as great closer. 6. Stan Coveleski - Five 20 win seasons, went 3-0 in the 1920 World Series. Inducted in 1969. 7. Bob Caruthers - Not in the Hall despite a 218-99 career mark. Spent his career in the American Association in the 1880s, a different world pitching wise. 8. Eddie Cicotte - Consensus seems to indicate Hall of Famer if not for the Black Sox scandal. 9. Don Drysdale - Numbers don't match reputation, but did win three World Series. Inducted in 1984. 10. Carl Mays - Fatally beaned Ray Chapman. A more popular pitcher with his numbers would be in, but Mays was not liked by his peers. To get in the Hall with low win totals, you have to demonstrate that you are otherwise extraordinary. Among pitchers of his win totals, Schilling shines in his other stats, comparable to guys already in the Hall. The interesting comparison is Kevin Brown, with remarkably similar career totals. The postseason marks probably change things a bit on that end. I think Schilling's in.

The amateur spirit of the games has really suffered ever since '84 when Peter Uberroth ran the games and set the template for milking it for all the money possible. It's difficult to expect athletes to live up to amateur standards when the organizers don't buy it.

The Rock/Austin match from Wrestlemania XVII was already chosen. Posters should at least write their choices in text along with the pictures. No telling when image hosting will disappear at times.

Rays' prospect David Price is headed to AA. In six Florida State League starts, Price compiled a 4-0 record, 37 K's, 7 walks in 34.2 innings. Price has yet to surrender a home run in his professional career.

Phillies/A's this week. Given the last week, I'd really prefer to see them get a shot to beat up the Nationals instead. They need to break this five game losing streak.

Fresno St. is up 6-1 in the 6th inning. If they win, it'd be the equivalent of a 13th or lower seed making the finals of the NCAA basketball tournament.

I've actually found myself coming back to this game after two years. Quite a number of players in the game now are either prospects or notable minor league players. Finding accurate rosters is a pain, but if you recognize the worthwhile players it's good fun.

I'd just note that the person in question in the article was not Mugabe's opponent in the election. That was a different opposition party leader.

ESPN Classic has that Fresno St./UNC game right now. Winner faces Georgia in the finals, loser goes home.

Duchscherer is certainly for real, as the peripherals indicate. He had a 3.52 career ERA in the minors, the vast majority of that as a starter. It amazes me that he took so long to stick in the majors, let alone become a starter.

ECW ran the Arena every three weeks, and generally created tv off of that. A new guy like Van Dam wouldn't pop up as often as in today's environment.

A potted plant would do nicely.

Let's go with... Mikey Whipwreck vs. the Sandman - October 29, 1995 Mikey wins the ECW Title Kerry Von Erich vs. Ric Flair - David Von Erich Memorial Show Kerry wins the NWA Title A couple of classic title changes to switch things up a bit.

The Phillies in 1970 had a heck of a run with their catchers. Catchers Tim McCarver and Mike Ryan were both injured in the same inning! Emergency catcher Jim Hutto got to fill in for a couple of days until the Phils could call up their AAA crew, Mike Compton and Del Bates. When Bates was injured the next month, the Phillies were forced to activate bullpen catcher Doc Edwards.

I feel bad for Schilling. That he had to attempt rehab at all rather than surgery was a circumstance of having a one year contract. It was detrimental and ill fated from the start. Hall of Fame? I say yes. 216 wins is at the lower end, but you have a high winning percentage, 127 ERA+ (42nd all time), and he is an amazing 11-2 in the postseason. He spent a few of his prime years with the Phillies when the offense was truly inept, keeping his win totals down. I don't sweat the counting stats if there's a HOF level peak, and Schilling certainly has it. As for Ballparks: Citizens Bank Park Veterans Stadium Yankee Stadium Oriole Park at Camden Yards

I may not be around much in the next two days, so if my turn comes up just skip me and I'll take my two matches when I get back.

Hodge had a TON of pure talent, both an amateur wrestling and boxing champion. The thing that hurts him is that in his prime, the NWA had a legitimate lightweight world championship. Nothing like that exists anymore. One name I'd be tempted to add: Joe Louis.

I'd check this one under "things that personally annoy Czech," along with the White Sox. Your constant Cubs pessimism is tiresome at times, but I'm not going to start moderating it.

Ponson's first AAA start is Saturday, which means I'll see his fat ass pitch next Thursday.

According to ESPN.com, he's 109th out of 116 in terms of run support (60 IP minimum). John Lannan is the worst, 4-8 with a 3.36 ERA thanks to 2.39 runs per game in his favor. He has pitched four consecutive quality starts and lost the last three, with a no-decision before that.

I watched again. That ball sailed in straight, hit the umpire's mask, and dropped straight down. There is absolutely nothing special about that pitch. If it hit the batter at all, he'd be awarded first base.

No need to get on the guy for making an honest mistake about a player on the team. I think the complaint about the way they fired him is how they flew him out to LA just fire him, and waited until the Mets were starting to win again, and did at 3 a.m. to hide it from the press. That's classless. Yes, it's the manner rather than the firing itself. Randolph had to fly across the country and was fired the next day. The heads on XM Radio made a great point as well, saying that it's common for the manager to leave in the afternoon, giving him a chance to gather his things, leave with dignity, and get out of dodge. Randolph would have needed to have someone fetch his belongings, walk through the airport, etc. The Mets aren't really bad, just mediocre. Their weak spots are catching, first base, corner outfield, and the back of the rotation. Losing Ryan Church to post-concussion syndrome really was unexpected. Delgado is awful, but that's the price of having an elite first baseman for that 2006 championship attempt. Honestly, I just don't think the talent is there. That would be ok if the farm system was producing, but that avenue is barren right now.

I guess good player = primadonna. And Snyder = Schneider? Shouldn't one learn the players on his own team before calling for the head of the GM?

Ripper, if the ball hit the batter first it would be a dead ball, and the runner would not be able to advance to third. If the ball hit the batter, he would immediately say something to the umpire, no? And if the catcher was looking for a low pitch, would he put his glove face down on the ground?