Stuff

[DOUGHBOYS]

Is the steroid era nearing completion? None of us know for sure, kind of like the recession, but it sure seems like it.



There are only four active hitters with more than 500 home runs left. Ken Griffey Jr, Jim Thome, Alex Rodriquez, and Manny Ramirez; ARod and Manny being tainted by steroids. Five of the top eleven all-time home run hitters have some kind of steroid history. Griffey Jr is the only "modern" player on the list without a history of steroid dependncy.



After these players, only six active players even have over 350 home runs.

Chipper Jones, 427

Jason Giambi, 409

Vlad Guerrero, 408

Andruw Jones, 391

Jim Edmonds, 382

Albert Pujols, 371



Of this list, Chipper and Pujols are virtual locks to reach 500, while Guerrero and Jones have a good chance with good health and circumstances.



Before the steroid era, 500 home runs was a lock to get a player in the Hall of Fame. I believe after the steroid era that that hallmark will come back to be an instant ticket to Cooperstown. For players like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and others, it'll be a decision for the baseball writers. So far, a no-go.



Another benchmark for the Hall of Fame is 300 victories. My opinion, we have seen our last 300 game winner in Randy Johnson. Jamie Moyer has 259 career wins.

No chance.

Andy Pettitte is next with 230 victories. Pettitte on the mound in five years does not seem realistic, which is what it would take for him to reach 300.

After Pettitte, there is no pitcher with even 200 wins. Next in line is Tim Wakefield with 189

wins , hardly a threat.



Major League Baseball Managers, agents, and pitchers are content with starters going six innings and pitching every fifth or sixth day. While 500 home runs took a vacation during the steroid era as being the benchmark for the power hitter, 250 victoies becomes the new benchmark for career victories. This represents over 16 years with at least 15 victories. Tough enough, knowing that nobody won 20 games last year.



Tidbits-



10 Days into the season and not one rainout.



The only rain delay?... San Francisco



Some players miss the steroid era more than others, right Alfonso?



Mike Mussina had 270 career wins. Hall of Fame?



Active career total hits leader?

Griffey Jr. has 2767. However he is only renting the high spot. Derek Jeter has 2759.



Mariano Rivera is the pitcher who has been with one team the longest...

He has been with the Yankees since 1995.

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I know some do not like Stuff without fantasy facts....next time

[DOUGHBOYS]

Another thing that should have been mentioned, but is more 'junk' than stuff....



I respect what Jackie Robinson did. He was the right man at the right time. However, MLB continues to honor him to new heights. Even going overboard in my view.



Branch Rickey gets nary a mention during all the Robinson tributes. Without his open mindedness, Robinson, most likely, would have been just another Negro League player. Rickey ushered in the minor leagues and sometimes liked scouting on his own. The kind of executive we will never see again.



While MLB forcefeeds the saluting of Jackie Robinson to folks today, I'll hope some fans remember Rickey as well.



I would like to get Milton Bradley's take on Jackie Robinson.

[headhunters]

correction: jim thome is not tainted by steroids. might hit 600. just as modern as griffey. mussina- for sure yes.

[headhunters]

chipper a lock? were you talikng days on the dl?

[DOUGHBOYS]

Originally posted by headhunters:

correction: jim thome is not tainted by steroids. might hit 600. just as modern as griffey. mussina- for sure yes. Thome is not in the top 11......yet.



Yes, probably too hasty on Chipper. Name change to Cripper?

[Navel Lint]

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:



Mike Mussina had 270 career wins. Hall of Fame?



Yes.



I love Baseball-Reference.com.



Only 10 pitchers in baseball have won 200+ games and have a .638 winning percentage or higher. Six are in the Hall of Fame and the other four are Mussina, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Pedro Martinez. Only five have more wins than Mussina.



Of course comparison alone doesn’t get you in the Hall, or Blyleven would already be in.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I agree.



Blyleven pitched for the wrong teams or he would have been in the Hall years ago. It is too bad that baseball writers do not follow the sport as closely as they did when they received the right to vote. Small market teams and their players get overlooked.

With Mussina's stint in New York, the Hall awaits.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

I agree.



Blyleven pitched for the wrong teams or he would have been in the Hall years ago. It is too bad that baseball writers do not follow the sport as closely as they did when they received the right to vote. Small market teams and their players get overlooked.

With Mussina's stint in New York, the Hall awaits. If Mussina gets in before Blyleven it will be criminal. Mussina was a gamer, a tough, tough pitcher who was the quiet star in Baltimore and rose to the occasion in the Big Apple. Amazing competitor. But Blyleven could be downright dominating with that curveball. I still can't believe he's not already in the Hall of Fame.

[Glenneration X]

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Another thing that should have been mentioned, but is more 'junk' than stuff....



I respect what Jackie Robinson did. He was the right man at the right time. However, MLB continues to honor him to new heights. Even going overboard in my view.



Branch Rickey gets nary a mention during all the Robinson tributes. Without his open mindedness, Robinson, most likely, would have been just another Negro League player. Rickey ushered in the minor leagues and sometimes liked scouting on his own. The kind of executive we will never see again.



While MLB forcefeeds the saluting of Jackie Robinson to folks today, I'll hope some fans remember Rickey as well.



I would like to get Milton Bradley's take on Jackie Robinson. I agree.



I visited Citifield for the first time this year...initially for the NFBC Main Event, then for Opening Day.



My one issue with what is an amazingly beautiful stadium is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. My issue isn't with the architecture (stunning), but with who it honors. Jackie Robinson was a great ballplayer and represents so much more to baseball than just the skills he brought to the game. He transcended the game and became a symbol for change. However he wasn't a Met. Citifield isn't Dodger Stadium, it isn't a museum for Ebbets Field, its the home of my favorite team, the Mets.



You enter the Mets Hall of Fame from the Rotunda. In size & scope, the Mets Hall of Fame is the flea on the Rotunda's dog.

As a Mets fan, I have a problem with that.



Glenn

[RedRyder]

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Another thing that should have been mentioned, but is more 'junk' than stuff....



I respect what Jackie Robinson did. He was the right man at the right time. However, MLB continues to honor him to new heights. Even going overboard in my view.



Branch Rickey gets nary a mention during all the Robinson tributes. Without his open mindedness, Robinson, most likely, would have been just another Negro League player. Rickey ushered in the minor leagues and sometimes liked scouting on his own. The kind of executive we will never see again.



While MLB forcefeeds the saluting of Jackie Robinson to folks today, I'll hope some fans remember Rickey as well.



I would like to get Milton Bradley's take on Jackie Robinson. Mr. Doughboys, hello!



Did you happen to hear the interview on XM/Sirius MLB Network with Don Newcombe today? If you didn't, it's worth it to try and track down...and the guy is like 84, amazing! Anyway, after listening to Newk and the stories of what Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby and himself had to go through, I say force feed away! In a historical context, I think it's important for Americans not to forget what happened.



It really was a good interview, you could tell Newcombe was a proud American, proud to have served his country and really proud to have been a baseball player. I wanna get a Newcombe throw back jersey now!!!



I get what you are saying about Rickey. He deserves major accolades too! A true innovator! He definitely should be recognized more.