TWiB 9/4 - 9/10

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Well, when guys like Bonds, McGwire and Sosa being the ones who have passed 61, I don't mind. We're obviously not living in a completely "clean" era, but Howard would probably be the first clean guy to pass Marris' mark.

 

And I love these White Sox fans. They're down 7-0, but 21 games over .500 and their fans boo the shit out of them regularly. I know it's frustrating, but if the Tigers aren't so amazing this year, the Sox are right there in the division race. As it is, they're still near the top of the WC and like I said, 21 games over. Yet, they're alleged loyal fans are calling them a terrible and heartless team. As I type this, Hawk's bashing them for not being an opportunistic team this year.

 

Winning the World Series has just turned the Red Sox and White Sox fanbase (for the majority) into bitter and uncontent people.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Howard actually got some protection at the 5th spot tonight. If they can win tomorrow night, they have Myers and Hamels going for the last 2...

[Guest Felonies!]

And I love these White Sox fans. They're down 7-0, but 21 games over .500 and their fans boo the shit out of them regularly. I know it's frustrating, but if the Tigers aren't so amazing this year, the Sox are right there in the division race. As it is, they're still near the top of the WC and like I said, 21 games over. Yet, they're alleged loyal fans are calling them a terrible and heartless team. As I type this, Hawk's bashing them for not being an opportunistic team this year.

Heeeeeey, they're not fair-weather fans! They just DEMAND A WINNER!

[Vern Gagne 0]

The Twins and White Sox, are leaving it wide open for the Red Sox and Angels to get back into the wildcard race.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

He's a beast, that's for sure. The whole talk of him being the home run king if he hits 62 drives me absolutely ballistic, though.

I agree. Whether or not it's true, it is this kind of blind hero-worship that created such a problem when McGwire came back to Earth.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Rob Neyer made an excellent point in his EPSN chat today. For all of the talk about Ryan Howard being this great young masher, it is easily forgotten that Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn are still younger.

 

EDIT: On second look, Pujols is a couple weeks older (provided his birth certificate is actually legit).

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Rob Neyer made an excellent point in his EPSN chat today. For all of the talk about Ryan Howard being this great young masher, it is easily forgotten that Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn are still younger.

 

EDIT: On second look, Pujols is a couple weeks older (provided his birth certificate is actually legit).

Howard is older (by two months), according to Baseball-Reference.com. This is a key point. A friend asked me a month ago about Howard's HoF chances. I told him Howard has a snowball's chance in hell. Only one Hall of Fame position player (Sam Rice) became a regular at 25 or older. But few players are EVER as good in their careers as Howard is right now.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Rob Neyer made an excellent point in his EPSN chat today. For all of the talk about Ryan Howard being this great young masher, it is easily forgotten that Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn are still younger.

 

EDIT: On second look, Pujols is a couple weeks older (provided his birth certificate is actually legit).

Howard is older (by two months), according to Baseball-Reference.com. This is a key point. A friend asked me a month ago about Howard's HoF chances. I told him Howard has a snowball's chance in hell. Only one Hall of Fame position player (Sam Rice) became a regular at 25 or older. But few players are EVER as good in their careers as Howard is right now.

 

Al, what's your position on the theory of "old player's skills"? Would Ryan Howard fit into this categoy? What should we expect on his career trajectory? Should we expect a long, successful career or is he the type that could see his skills diminish quickly by his early thirties?

[the max 0]

Rob Neyer made an excellent point in his EPSN chat today. For all of the talk about Ryan Howard being this great young masher, it is easily forgotten that Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn are still younger.

 

EDIT: On second look, Pujols is a couple weeks older (provided his birth certificate is actually legit).

Howard is older (by two months), according to Baseball-Reference.com. This is a key point. A friend asked me a month ago about Howard's HoF chances. I told him Howard has a snowball's chance in hell. Only one Hall of Fame position player (Sam Rice) became a regular at 25 or older. But few players are EVER as good in their careers as Howard is right now.

 

Unless I slept for a decade last night, doesn't Howard have to repeat this season just a few more times before he's considered a Hall of Famer?

[naiwf 0]

Not really, I think ~ 80 HR and ~ 200 RBI is enough to get the discussion started for a guy who is soon to be 27.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al, what's your position on the theory of "old player's skills"? Would Ryan Howard fit into this categoy? What should we expect on his career trajectory? Should we expect a long, successful career or is he the type that could see his skills diminish quickly by his early thirties?

It's a reasonable theory. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the idea is that players who are unathletic, derive much of their value from walks and little else early on, do not age as well as players who contribute across the board (remember I'm paraphrasing here). One of the players it was coined in reference to was Tom Brunansky, who hit 30 home runs a year but was finished at age 33.

 

Howard's type should carry their skills easily into their early 30s. It is what happens beyond that's unclear. Howard doesn't run tremendously well and he strikes out a TON. As far as a long, successful career, I think he'll last until he's 34/35, and hit about 350 career home runs. I think that's a success.

 

Unless I slept for a decade last night, doesn't Howard have to repeat this season just a few more times before he's considered a Hall of Famer?

 

There tends to be a mindset that when a player reaches a Hall of Fame peak, the Hall of Fame label gets thrown around. I've seen it in recent years with David Ortiz and Eric Gagne. If Howard did this every year, he'd be a Hall of Famer. That's why it comes up for discussion. Howard isn't in the discussion, it's just that fans love to speculate on the future.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

On another note, the Red Wings/Red Barons series comes to Scranton, after the Barons dropped the first two in Rochester. It's a best of five, so the Barons need to win the next three to advance. If they win tonight, they get to face Francisco Liriano on rehab tomorrow.

[devo 0]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/espn_gets_a_r...ew_marchand.htm

 

Damn it. Could someone frame Steve Phillips for sexual harassment, please?

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I cannot figure out why there are so many analysts out there who the networks seem to love but the general public finds replusive. Steve Philips insults my intelligence, and is a main reason that I don't watch Baseball Tonight.

[Guest Felonies!]

Why aren't they doing Shootaround in Times Square anymore? Oh and Dan Patrick does not fit in with Stephen A. and Legler.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I cannot figure out why there are so many analysts out there who the networks seem to love but the general public finds replusive. Steve Philips insults my intelligence, and is a main reason that I don't watch Baseball Tonight.

 

 

Does the general public find Philllips, or Kruk repulsive?

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Coming from a former worshipper of Kruk and the '93 Phillies, I can't stand to watch anything he's on. He's awful.

 

HEY GIANTS. Please knock off San Diego a few times.

[Brett Favre 0]

John Kruk > Steve Phillips though. Not that that's saying much, but still.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Os are beating the yankees 7-0.

 

Whee!

[vivalaultra 0]

The Sawx released Javy Lopez and that Kuo guy pitching for the Dodgers is dealin'.

[CanadianChris 0]

Two more HRs for Mr. Ryan Howard. 56 and counting.

 

With the pace he's on right now, becoming the undisputed single-season HR king isn't unrealistic.

[Guest]

Not this year. Next, maybe.

 

Even though I said not this year, in my mind, he will be the HR king once he gets to 62. Provided he's totally clean, that is.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Howard's within 6 HRs of the non-steroid Home Run record.

 

In all seriousness, just give him the MVP title now.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

WAY TO MISS THE TAG AT THE PLATE, WHICH HE DID MAKE, UMPIRE.

 

Doesn't matter, but awful call.

[vivalaultra 0]

I don't care if the Phillies don't make the playoffs or don't win a game the rest of the year, Ryan Howard is the NL MVP. And I think Roy Oswalt just killed Damian Miller. Bases were loaded with 1 out and Oswalt let go of an offspeed pitch that bounced off of Miller's dome. If forced in the tying run, but man...painful RBI. And he just came back from post-concussion syndrome. And there's Huff with a solo shot to give the 'Stros a 1-run lead.

[CanadianChris 0]

Geez, Papi did it again. 2-out, 2-run single to cap a 6-run eighth inning and give Boston the lead.

[jwest27 0]

Izzy might be out for the year due to inflamation in his arthritic hip. I didn't know he had an arthritic hip. The more you know...

 

Hasn't been that good this year at all, but it still hurts.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Win for the Red Barons tonight. Tomorrow I'm heading up to see Francisco Liriano's rehab start.

[Mik 0]

I really don't see how Ryan Howard isn't the NL MVP this year. He single-handedly beat the Marlins tonight. Olsen shut the rest of the Phillies down.

[Fökai 0]

I could see a case made for Pujols regardless of whether the Phillies make the playoffs, but Howard's case is definitely helped by a postseason berth.

 

Projected stats to finish the season (courtesy ESPN):

Howard: .311/.406/.679, 592 AB, 184 H, 65 HR, 159 RBI (currently at 156 K, 80 BB)

Pujols: .322/.423/.676, 536 AB, 172 H, 52 HR, 137 RBI (currently at 40 K, 78 BB)