BB Fun Facts Archives - Page 28 of 63

The Ryan Express … The Ryan Nemesis (Nemeses?) … A World Versus Nolan Ryan All Star Lineup

January 27, 2019 by David

On this date (April 8) in, 1986, Will Clark, a 22-year-old rookie, stepped into the batter’s box for his first-ever major league at bat. He was the second batter in the top of the first inning, as his Giants took on the Houston Astros. On the mound was the imposing presence of the Astros’ right-handed flamethrower 38-year-old future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan – who already had 241 MLB wins and more than 4,000 strikeouts to his credit. Clark took the first two pitches and then – with a one-and-one count – took his first MLB regular-season swing. The result was a home run – and it set the tone for future Ryan-Clark confrontations.

Over his career, Clark would face Ryan 39 times and collect 12 hits in 36 at bats – for a .333 average. More impressive, eight of those 12 hits would go for extra bases, six leaving the park. Clark’s six home runs are those most any batter hit off Ryan – despite the fact that 163 hitters had more plate appearances versus Ryan than Clark.

That story, and those statistics, led Baseball Roundtable to look into which batters had found the most success against Ryan – and come up with a “World Against Nolan Ryan” All Star lineup. The nine-man, Nolan-centric squad I uncovered went 136-for-390 against Ryan (.349 average), with 22 home runs and 80 RBI. They range from Hall of Famer (and career .328 hitter) Rod Carew at second base to career .158 hitter Ron Reed on the mound. It’s an experienced squad – each of them played more than a dozen seasons in the major leagues (averaging better than 17 MLB seasons); all but one made at least one All Star squad; three were league MVPs; two were Rookies of the Year and two are in the Hall of Fame. (Only one – Rod Carew – checks all four of those boxes.)

A Brief Semi-Commercial Message

This look at batters who “handled” Nolan Ryan’s outstanding stuff was the first step toward Baseball Roundtable’s ongoing “Who’s Your Daddy?” Series of blog post – looking at some of the best pitchers of all time and presenting position-by-position lineups of hitter who fared the best against these elite arms. The links below will take you to other “edition” of the series.

Sandy Koufax, click here

Pedro Martinez, click her

Bob Gibson, click here.

Randy Johnson, click here.

Greg Maddux, click here.

Justin Verlander, click here.

Bob Feller, click here.

Roger Clemens, click here.

Max Scherzer, click here.

Tom Seaver, click here

Mariano Rivera, click here.

Warren Spahn, click here.

Lefty Grove, click here.

DISCLAIMER

Photo by Mike Overall

I must note that the fact that I chose to pursue this topic is actually a compliment to Nolan Ryan. It is Ryan’s excellence that supports this lineup’s exceptionalism against him. Let’s consider just how difficult it was to put up “good numbers” against Ryan. Among qualifying pitchers, Ryan has the lowest career batting average against – a mere .204. He also led his league in fewest hits per nine innings a dozen times – and has the career record for the lowest H/9 at 6.56. Only five times in MLB history has a qualifying pitcher given up less than 5.5 hits per nine frames in a season. Two of those five campaigns belong to Ryan – and they came 19 years apart (at ages 25 and 44).

Ryan also amassed 324 MLB victories, threw a record seven no-hitters and holds the all-time record for strikeouts (5,715). In his 27 MLB seasons, he led his league in strikeouts 11 times, set the post-1900 record for whiffs in a season at 383 and six times fanned 300+ batters in a season. Over his career, Ryan fanned just over one of every four batters he faced. The eight-time All Star also led the league in shutouts three times, earned run average twice and WHIP twice. It is Ryan’s consistent excellence that makes the success of the batter noted here worth noting.

Longevity – Good News/Bad News

When you pitch for 27 seasons, you sometimes end up on the wrong side of a record. Nolan Ryan, for example, not only holds the MLB record for strikeout (5,714), but also for walks (2,795) . In addition, he is the recognized record holder for MLB Grand Slams allowed (10) and the post-1900 record holder for wild pitches at 277 (leading his league in WP six times).

We’ll soon move on to the “World Versus Nolan Ryan” All Star squad, based solely on success against Ryan – but first a look at some of the “record holders” when it comes to matching up against the Hall of Famer.

THE BIG HURT – OUCH!

Frank Thomas faced Nolan Ryan 15 times in his career and put the ball in play just once.

Photo by rchdj10

On August 17, 1990, 22-year-old White Sox Rookie Frank Thomas (in the early days of a Hall of Fame career that would earn him the nickname “The Big Hurt“) stepped into the batters’ box against another (much more experienced) future Hall of Famer – 43-year old Nolan Ryan. Thomas was in his 14th MLB game – and was hitting .357. Ryan was in his 24th MLB season, pitching in his 732nd game. On the 1990 season, he was 11-6, 4.10 with 150 strikeouts in 134 innings. At that point in his career, Ryan was 300-269, 3.17 with 5,226 whiffs in 4,919 1/3 innings.

Thomas faced Ryan four times that day, saw 18 pitches and struck out swinging in all four plate appearances. (Ryan, by the way, went ten shutout innings, giving up just three hits and fanning 15, as his Rangers topped the White Sox 1-0 in 13 frames.) Notably, that four-whiff day was a sign of things to come. Thomas faced Ryan 15 times in his career (Ryan retired after the 1993 season.) In those fifteen plate appearances he went zero-for-twelve. His results included two walks, one hit by pitch, 11 strikeouts (nine swinging) and an infield pop out. In fairness to Thomas, he did go on to hit .301, with 521 home runs and 1,704 RBI over 19 MLB seasons. He was a five-time All Star, a two-time AL MVP and the 1997 AL batting champ. (In the three seasons in which he went 0-12 with 11 whiffs against Ryan, Thomas hit .322-63-255 overall.)

Now that World Versus Nolan Ryan squad.

—–The World Versus Nolan Ryan All Star Team—–

Catcher – Rick Cerone, RHH, 5’11”/192 pounds

In his 18-season MLB career (1975-92), Rick Cerone faced Ryan 33 times (29 at bats). He collected 11 hits, for a .379 average – including one double, one triple and two home runs, producing seven RBI. He also did okay in the walks-to-strikeouts ratio, with four of each.

Cerone’s success against Ryan comes as somewhat of a surprise. Over his 18 seasons, he played in 100 or more games only four times and hit .245, with 59 home runs and 436 RBI. He played in the major leagues from 1975 to 1992 – (Indians… 1975-76; Blue Jays … 1977-79; Yankees…1980-84, 1987 & 1990; Braves … 1985; Brewers …1986; Red Sox 1988-89; Mets 1991; Expos 1992). His best season was 1988, when he hit .277, with 14 home runs and 85 RBI for the Yankees.

Rick Cerone’s two home runs and seven RBI against Nolan Ryan are the second-most he accumulated against any pitcher in his career. (He had three homers and ten RBI against Larry Gura, whom he faced 55 times.)

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First Base – Will Clark, LHH, 6’2”/190 pounds

As noted earlier, six-time All Star Will Clark got his MLB career off to a good start, homering off Nolan Ryan in his first-ever MLB at bat. He went on to prove the first round tripper was no fluke, hitting six home runs off Ryan between 1986 and 1988. Overall, Clark went 12-for-36 versus Ryan (.333), with eight extra-base hits and 11 RBI. In 1988, Clark reached Ryan for a .600 average (six-for-ten), with two doubles, three home runs and five RBI. (That season, the 41-year-old Ryan went 12-11, 3.52, with NL leading 228 strikeouts in 220 innings.)

Over his MLB career (1986-2000), Clark collected 2,176 hits (.303 average), with 284 home runs and 1,205 RBI. He averaged .300 or better in ten of 15 campaigns, topped 20 home runs six times and 100 RBI three times. Clark played for the Giants (1986-93); Rangers 1994-99), Orioles (1999-2000); and Cardinals (2000).

Will Clark’s six home runs versus Nolan Ryan are not only the most home runs any batter hit against Ryan, but also the most home runs Clark hit against any MLB pitcher.

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.300 – .400 – .400 …

Most at bats versus Nolan Ryan while maintaining a .300 or better average

Rod Carew – 93 at bats, .301 average

Most at bats versus Nolan Ryan while maintaining a .400 or better average

Gary Sutherland – 24 at bats, .417 average

Most at bats versus Nolan Ryan while maintaining a .500 or better average

Lonnie Smith – 24 at bats, .500 average

Most at bats versus Nolan Ryan while maintaining a .600 or better average

Carlos Baerga – 10 at bats, .600 average

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Second Base – Rod Carew, LHH, 6’/170 pounds

Okay, no surprise to see Rod Carew here. He is, after all, a seven-time batting champ, who retired with 3,053 hits and a .328 career average. Carew has more at bats versus Ryan (93) than any other player who hit at least .300 against him. He also had the second-most career hits against Ryan with 28 – trailing only George Brett, who had 29 hits in 101 at bats against Ryan (.287 average). Of course, getting touched for a .300 average versus Carew (.328 career average) is nothing to be ashamed of. The Hall of Famers Carew hit at least .300 against (regular season) include Fergie Jenkins (.362 in 58 at bats); Jim Palmer (.358 in 95 AB); Catfish Hunter (.347 in 101 AB); Dennis Eckersley (.321 in 56 AB); Gaylord Perry (.316 in 76 AB); and, of course, Ryan.

Slow Starter?

In his first MLB game, Rod Carew struck out three times and grounded out pitcher-to-first. Not a sign of things to come.

Carew was an 18-time All Star (in 19 MLB seasons … 1967-85). He hit .300 or better in 15 seasons (a high of .388 in 1977) and reached 200 or more hits in four campaigns. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1987, and league MVP in 1977. Carew played for the Twins (1967-78) and Angels (1979-86)

In 1974, when he won his fourth batting crown with a .364 average, Rod Carew hit .538 (seven-for-thirteen) versus Nolan Ryan – with a home run, four walks and four whiffs.

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Whiff – le Ball

Nobody struck out more times against Nolan Ryan than Claudell Washington, who faced Ryan 102 times and fanned 39. In those appearances (90 at bats), Washington hit .144. Nobody faced Ryan more times without striking out than Julian Javier, who stepped in the batter’s box 18 times against Ryan and never fanned, but hit only .124 (two-for-sixteen).

Here’s list of those who stepped in against Ryan at least a dozen times and never fanned.

Name PA AB H Avg.

Julian Javier 18 16 2 .125

Tommy Helms 13 13 2 .154

Carlos Baerga 12 10 6 .600

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Third Base – Dick Allen, RHH, 5’11”/187 pounds

Thank goodness for Dick Allen’s 652 games at the hot corner, which enable me to keep both Allen and Will Clark in this lineup. Allen hit a robust .364 versus Ryan (16 hits in 44 at bats). He also hit three home runs versus The Ryan Express and drove in 16 tallies. Only Darrell Porter and Rusty Staub had more career RBI (17 each) versus Ryan. In 1968, Allen was perfect in eight plate appearances versus Ryan (then a 21-year-old rookie) collecting three hits (two home runs) and five walks. Allen’s competition for this spot in the lineup came primarily from George Brett, who had the most career hits versus Ryan (29), but trailed Allen in HR (Brett had zero) and RBI (Brett had 8). In addition, Brett hit .287 against Ryan, well below his career .305 mark.

Allen was a seven-time All Star in 15 MLB seasons (1963-77). He collected 1,848 hits (.292 average, reaching .300+ in seven seasons), 351 home runs (topping 30 six times, a high of 40 in 1966) and reaching 100+ RBI three times. He led his league in home runs twice, RBI once, runs scored once and triples once. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1964 and AL MVP in 1972. He played for the Phillies (1963-69 & 1975-76); Cardinals (1970); Dodgers (1971); White Sox (1972-74); and A’s (1977).

Despite striking out nearly twice as many times as he walked in his career (1,556 strikeouts to 894 walks), Dick Allen drew 22 walks versus just 11 strikeouts versus Nolan Ryan. Those were the most walks Allen drew from any MLB pitcher – only one of the free passes was intentional.

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Shortstop Rafael Ramirez, RH, 6’/170-pounds

Rafael Ramirez, a .261 hitter in 13 MLB seasons (1980-92), is a bit of a surprise on this list – but put up a .333 average (18-for 54) versus Ryan, with two home runs and seven RBI.

During his career, Ramirez was an All Star just once (1984, Braves). He reached double digits in home runs just once (10 in 1982) and hit over.270 in three campaigns. He played for the Braves (1980-87) and Astros (1988-92). His best season was with the Braves in 1983, when he hit .297, with seven home runs, 58 RBI, 82 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 152 games.

Rafael Ramirez hit two or more home runs against only four pitchers in his career. Don Robinson (3); Nolan Ryan (2); Bob Forsch (2); Dave Dravecky (2).

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Outfield – Carl Yastrzemski, LHH, 5’11’/175-pounds

Carl Yastrzemski is no surprise on this list. In 23 MLB seasons (1961-83, all with the Red Sox), he collected 3,419 hits (.285 average), 452 home runs and 1,844 RBI. He touched Nolan Ryan for a .340 average (17-for-50), four home runs and 14 RBI.

Yaz was the AL MVP in 1967 (when he won the AL Triple Crown) and an All Star in 18 seasons. He won three batting titles (and hit .300 or better six times), twice led the AL in hits and three times topped the league in runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was awarded a basketball scholarship by Notre Dame University.

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Outfield – Lonnie Smith, RHH, 5’9”/170-pounds

Lonnie Smith was a bit of a journeyman over his 18-season MLB career (Phillies …1978-81; Cardinals … 1982-85; Royals … 1985-87; Braves … 1988-92; Pirates … 1993; Orioles … 1993-94). He was a steady performer throughout, putting up a .288 career average (1,488 hits) with 98 home runs, 909 runs, 553 RBI and 370 stolen bases. He hit over .300 in six seasons. As an All Star in 1982, he led the NL in runs (120) and hit .307 with eight home runs and 68 stolen bases.

Smith did a good job against Nolan Ryan facing him 31 times and going 12-for-24 (.500 average), with one home run and five RBI. He also walked five times (versus five strikeouts) versus Ryan.

Lonnie Smith batted against Nolan Ryan in five different seasons (1980-84) and never hit under .333 against him.

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HALL OF FAMERS WHO DID WELL VERSUS NOLAN RYAN (minimum three at bats)

These Hall of Famers hit .333 or better versus Nolan Ryan:

Catfish Hunter – .667 (2-for-3)

Eddie Murray – .389 (7-for 19)

Harold Baines – .364 (8-for-22)

Barry Larkin – .357 (5-for-14)

Tony Perez – .346 (9-for-26)

Paul Molitor – .341 (14-for-41)

Carl Yastrzemski – .340 (17-for-50)

Phil Niekro – .333 (1-for-3)

Fergie Jenkins- .333 (1-for-3)

Joe Torre – .318 (7-for-22)

Hank Aaron – .308 (12-for-39)

Tony Gwynn – .302 (19-for-63)

Rod Carew – .301 (28-for-93)

Luis AparIcio – .300 (3-for-10)

Al Kaline – .300 (3-for-10)

These Hall of Famers hit .150 or lower against Ryan (minimum three at bats):

Frank Thomas – .000 (0-12); Don Sutton – .000 (0-for-5); Jim Thome – .000 (0-for-4); Willie Mays – .000 (0-for-3); Edgar Martinez – .053 (1-for 19); Willie Stargell – .071 (1-for-14); Steve Carlton – .111 (1 for 9); Dave Winfield – .115 (3-for-26); Rickey Henderson – .118 (2-for-17); Roberto Clemente – .125 (2-for-16); Willie McCovey – .133 (2-for 15); Johnny Bench – .138 (4-for-29); Jim Rice – .150 (6-for-40); Kirby Puckett – .150 (3-for-20).

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Outfield – George Hendrick, RHH, 6’3”/195-pounds

George Hendrick play 18 seasons in the major leagues (1971-88) – collecting 1,980 hits (.278 average), 267 home runs and 1,111 RBI. He was an All Star four times, hit .300 or better four times, reached at least 20 home runs six times and drove in 100 or more runs twice. Hendrick played for the A’s (1971-71); Indians (1973-76); Padres (1977-78); Cardinals (1979-84); Pirates (1985); Angels (1985-88).

Against Nolan Ryan, Hendrick collected 19 hits in 53 at bats (.345), with two homers and six RBI. The 19 hits were his sixth-most against any pitcher in his career.

George Hendrick, a .278 lifetime hitter, collected more hits off Hall of Famer Steve Carlton (38) than against any other pitcher. He hit .345 against Carlton. He collected his third-most hits regular-season hits (22) off another HOFer, Bert Blyleven (.367 average) and his sixth-most (19) off Nolan Ryan.

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Pitcher – Ron Reed, RHH, – 6’6”/215-pounds

In his 19 MLB seasons, Reed went 149-140, with a 3.46 earned run average. He stepped up to the plate seven times versus Nolan Ryan and produced two successful sacrifice bunts, one hit by pitch, three hits in seven at bats (a .429 average), one triple and three RBI. In his career, Reed came to the plate 695 times and produced 98 hits (.158 average). In 1968, when he collected two of his three hits off Nolan Ryan (including the lone triple), he hit just .161 (10-for-62). Reed’s main competition for a spot on this squad came from Catfish Hunter, who faced Ryan three times and produced a pair of singles and a foul ball pop out.

Ron Reed’s triple off Nolan Ryan was the only three-bagger of his career – and his three RBI versus Ryan were the most runs he plated off any opposing pitcher.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com

Additional “Who’s Your Daddy?” looks at top lineups versus top pitchers:

Sandy Koufax, click here.
Bob Gibson, click here.
Pedro Martinez, click here.
Randy Johnson, click here.

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Enter Sandman – BBRT Dives into the 2019 HOF Balloting … including BBWAA vs. Fan Tallies

January 23, 2019 by David

The results are in and congratulations go out to the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Class – beginning with Mariano Rivera, the first-ever unanimous selection (Let the debates begin.) Well-deserved congratulations also go to 2019 inductees Edgar Martinez, Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina. In addition, BBRT would like to congratulate Today’s Game Era Committee electees Lee Smith and Harold Baines. The bios of these deserving new Hall of Famers can be found at the end of this post. But first, some BBRT observations on both the election (BBWAA and Era Committee) and the differences between the BBWAA official balloting and BBRT’s unofficial fan vote.

BBRT’s BALLOT (If I had one.)

BBRT would have voted for Rivera, Martinez, Halladay and Mussina – as well as Jeff Kent, Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Fred McGriff, Omar Vizquel and Andy Pettitte. For BBRT’s comments on each of those candidates, see my November 19, 2018 post (click here). At that time, I predicted Rivera and Martinez would get in and had Halladay and Mussina as dark horse candidates with a good chance at election. Looking at the Today’s Game Era Committee candidates, BBRT would have voted for Smith and Lou Piniella. Back on November 7, I predicted their election and had Harold Baines and George Steinbrenner as dark horse candidates. For that post, click here.

OBSERVATIONS ON BBWAA BALLOT

Here are just a few thoughts on the BBWAA balloting.

Mariano Rivera’s unanimous election may pave the way for higher vote totals in the future. In the past, we have seen voters making a distinction between first-ballot electees and those elected on subsequent ballots (demanding more of first-timers on the ballot). That distinction may be blurring.
The induction of Mariano Rivera (unanimous and first-ballot) and Lee Smith indicate a past bias related to relief pitchers may behind us.
The induction of Edgar Martinez (with about 70 percent of his MLB starts at DH) and Harold Baines (with about 60 percent of his MLB starts at DH) may indicate the relaxing of a perceived bias against players who were primarily designated hitters (good news for David Ortiz). However, since Martinez got in on his tenth and final year on the ballot and Baines was elected by the Today’s Game ERA Committee, this one observation demands further proof.

Others with 95 percent or higher: Nolan Ryan (98.79%); Tony Gwynn (97.61); Randy Johnson (97.27); Greg Maddux (97.20); Chipper Jones (97.16); Mike Schmidt (96.52); Steve Carlton (95.82); Babe Ruth (95.13); Honus Wagner (95.13).

POST ELECTION QUESTION

On BBRT’s mind is whether Mike Mussina goes into the Hall of Fame as an Oriole or a Yankee. Moose went 147-81, 3.53 in ten seasons for Baltimore and 123-72, 3.88 in eight seasons in New York. I’m rooting for the O’s – with whom Mussina has more wins and a lower earned run average, as well as more complete games (45 to 12) and more shutouts (15 to eight). Then again, his strikeouts per nine innings were better with the Yankees (7.4 to 6.9) and his walks per nine were also better (1.8 to 2.1). Mussina also had more post-season appearances with the Yankees (17 games to six), but his post-season record with Baltimore was 2-1, 2.53 versus 4-7, 3.80 with the New Yorkers.

BIGGEST SURPRISE OF 2019 BBWAA BALLOTING – LANCE BERKMAN

I admit I was surprised by Mariano Rivera’s unanimous election, I anticipated there would be a holdout or two based on a feeling that if Babe Ruth (or Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Cy Young, etc.) weren’t unanimous, no one should be. Credit to the BBWAA for setting aside that thinking. That aside, BBRT was very surprised to see Lance Berkman as a “one and done” on the ballot – with just 1.2 percent of the vote. I didn’t anticipate his election, but I did expect him to get enough support (five percent) to stay on the ballot.

Berkman – one of Houston’s “Killer B’s” – provided dependable power for the Astros (1999-2010). He also played for the Yankees (2010), Cardinals (2011-12) and Rangers (2013). Berkman was a five-time All Star, whose career line was .293-366-1,234. He also hit 422 doubles (leading his league twice) and scored 1,146 runs. Berkman hit 30 or more home runs five times (a high of 42 in 2002); drove in 100+ runs in six seasons; scored 100+ runs in five campaigns; and hit over .300 five times. Berkman is also one of only 21 major leagues to hit 55 or more doubles in a season and put up a .317-9-41 stat line in 52 post-season contests.

THE BBWAA OFFICIAL BALLOT VERSUS BBRT’S UNOFFICIAL FAN BALLOT

Here are a few comparison between the BBWAA Balloting and BBRT’s fan voting.

While the top four players were the same on both sets of ballots, the fan balloting seemed more demanding. In the fan ballot only Mariano Rivera and Edgar Martinez got the necessary 75 percent. Halladay and Mussina were in the 55-60 percent range.
Fans voting in the BBRT ballot were also a tougher sell on Rivera, who got 86.5 percent of the fan vote.
Players selected per ballot were fairly even,with fans casting votes for 7.7 players per ballot and the writers voting for 8.0 per ballot.
Fans seemed less forgiving than the writers when it came to PED suspicions. For example, in the BBWAA balloting, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds got 59.5 and 59.1 percent of the vote, respectively. In the BBRT fan balloting, Clemens got 44.9 percent and Bonds 43.2.
Fans spread their votes around a bit more. In BBRT’s fan balloting only three players received zero votes, while in the BBWAA official ballot eleven players were shutout.
Sixteen players were “one and done” on the BBWAA ballot (less than five percent support), while fifteen received less than five percent on the BBRT fan ballot. The names on the “one and done” lists were identical except that Miguel Tejada received 7.3 on BBRT’s unofficial fan ballot, but only 1.2 percent on the BBWAA ballot.

A half dozen other notable differences between the BBWAA ballot and BBRT’s unofficial fan balloting:

Curt Schilling finished fifth in the BBWAA ballot at 60.9 percent – and 13th in BBRT ballot at 27.6 percent.
Fred McGriff (in his tenth and final year on the ballot) finished tenth on the BBWAA ballot (39.8 percent, up 16.6 points from the previous year). He finished fifth in the fan balloting at 49.5 percent (up 11.6 points).
Jeff Kent got 18.1 percent of the BBWAA vote and 34.9 percent in the fan vote.
Scott Rolen got 17.2 percent support in both tallies.
Todd Helton received 16.5 percent support from the writers, 36.5 percent in the fan balloting.
Andruw Jones got just 7.5 percent in the writers’ balloting, 21.4 percent in the BBRT fan vote.

Here’s the full comparison.

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BIGGEST HOF SNUBS

The BBRT Fan Ballot asked for comments on which players represent the most significant Hall of Fame Snubs. Here are the leaders (in terms of mentions.

Barry Bonds – 11 mentions

Roger Clemens – 8

Jim Kaat – 7

Fred McGriff – 4

Dale Murphy – 4

From BBRT’s perspective: I’d go with Jim Kaat (283 wins/16 Gold Gloves); Jeff Kent (Most HR’s in MLB history/MVP Award/1,500+ RBI); and Larry Walker (.313 career average/three batting titles/MVP Award/seven Gold Gloves).

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2019 BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Now a look at the 2019 inductees.

Mariano Rivera – 100 Percent … (RHP/Closer, 1995-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Photo by Keith Allison

Rivera is at the top of the 2019 HOF class, no matter how you look at it – and we finally have our first unanimous selection. (Although I did always like the speculation.)

Rivera spent nineteen years with the Yankees and racked up an MLB-best 652 career saves. He was an All-star in 13 seasons, led the AL in games saved three times and finished in the top three in Cy Young voting four times. He saved 30 or more games in a season 15 times (including nine seasons of 40 or more saves, two of fifty or more) and put up an overall won-lost record of 80-52, with a 2.21 earned run average in 1,114 games. In 11 of his 19 seasons, Rivera’s earned run average was under 2.00 – which included a four-season span (2003-06), in which he saved 170 games, won 21 (13 losses) and put up a 1.69 ERA in 302 2/3 innings pitched. In his final season – at age 43 – Rivera went 6-2, with a 2.11 ERA and 44 saves. Rivera was the American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in five seasons and the MLB Delivery Man of the Year in three campaigns.

In 96 post-season appearances, Rivera went 8-1, with 42 saves and a minuscule 0.70 ERA. Rivera was named the World Series MVP in 1999 and the ALCS MVP in 2003. In 58 of his 96 post-season appearances, Rivera pitched more than one inning. In the 2003 post-season, he appeared in eight games, pitching 16 innings (more than one frame in seven of the eight appearances), earning a win and five saves, giving up just one earned run (0.56 ERA).

Mariano Rivera’s Best Season: Lots to choose from here – like 43 saves and a 1.38 ERA in 2005; or 44 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 2011 (at age 41). BBRT will go with 2004, when Rivera saved a career-high 53 games, won four (lost two) and posted a 1.94 ERA

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Edgar Martinez – 85.4 Percent … (Designated Hitter/Third Base, 1987-2004) … Tenth/Final year on the ballot, 70.4 percent on the BBWAA ballot in 2018.

Photo by clare_and_ben

We’ve seen some bias against designated hitters in past voting, but Edgar Martinez’ election indicates this may be subsiding. Martinez clearly, and expertly, defined the DH role. In an 18-season MLB career (all with the Mariners), Martinez was named to seven All Star teams; won a pair of batting titles (hitting a high of .356 in 1995); earned five Silver Slugger Awards; topped 100 RBI in six seasons (leading the league with 145 in 2000); and scored 100 or more runs five times (leading the league with 121 in 1995). He finished his career with a .312 average; 2,247 hits; 1,219 runs; 1,261 RBI; 309 home runs; and 514 doubles.

Martinez hit .571 in the 1995 AL Championship Series (12-for-21), with two home runs, six walks and 10 RBI in five games. In 34 post-season games, he hit .266, with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

Edgar Martinez’ Best Season: One of two … In 1995, Martinez led the league in batting average (.356), runs scored (121) and doubles (52), adding 29 home runs and 113 RBI. In 2005, Martinez put up a .324 average, 37 home runs, a league-leading 145 RBI and 100 runs scored.

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Roy Halladay – 85.4 percent …. (RHP/Starter, 1998-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Photo by Keith Allison

Roy Halladay had one of the best-ever ten-year runs on the mound (2002-2011). In those ten seasons, he went 170-75, with a 2.97 earned run average and 1,699 strikeouts in 2,194 2/3 innings. He was an All Star eight times during that span and won a pair of Cy Young Awards (2003 and 2010). Halladay also recorded three seasons of 20 or more wins during those ten seasons, leading his league twice. Between 2002 and 2011, he also led his league in complete games seven times, shutouts four times and innings pitched four times.

And, there is more to support Halladay’s candidacy. On May 10, 2010, he pitched a perfect game – striking out 11 – as his Phillies topped the Marlins 1-0 in Miami. Then, on October 6, 2010, Halladay tossed a no-hitter against the Reds in Game One of the National League Division Series – walking one and fanning eight as the Phillies won 4-0. It was just the second no-hitter in post-season history. Halladay was also one of just six pitchers to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues.

Halladay finished his career at 203-105, 3.38 with 2,117 strikeouts in 2,749 1/3 innings pitched. He pitched for the Blue Jays (1998-2009) and Phillies (2010-13).

Roy Halladay’s Best Season: In his 2010 Cy Young Award season – after being traded from the Blue Jays to the Phillies in December of 2009 – Halladay led the NL in wins (21-10); complete games (nine), shutouts (four), and innings pitched (250 2/3), while putting up a 2.35 ERA (third in the league), fanning 219 batters (second in the NL) and walking just 30. His 7.3 strikeouts to walks ratio was the NL’s best.

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Mike Mussina – 76.7 Percent … (RHP/Starter, 1991-2008) – Sixth year on the ballot 63.5 percent on the BBWAA 2018 ballot.

Photo by Willie Zhang

Mussina built a 270-153 record, with a career 3.68 ERA and 2,813 strikeouts over 18 seasons. While only once a 20-game winner (in his final season, at age 39), Mussina won 18 or 19 games five times, leading the AL with 19 wins in 1995. In his first three full seasons in the major leagues (1992-94), Mussina put up a .700 or better winning percentage each year (.783, .700, .762). His record over that span – for the Orioles – was 48-16.

Mussina was a five-time All Star and a seven-time Gold Glove winner. He recorded a .650 or better winning percentage in nine seasons, with a career (and league-leading) high of .783 in 1992. Mussina ranks among the top 25 pitchers all-time in strikeouts (20th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (24^th among pitchers with 1,000 or more innings pitched). He’s also in the top fifty all-time in games started, wins and winning percentage. Mussina pitched for the Orioles (1991-2000) and Yankees (2000-2008). Mussina appeared in 23 post-season games, with a 7-8 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Mike Mussina’s Best Season: Mussina may have saved his best for last. In his final season (as a Yankee), at age 39, he recorded his first twenty-win campaign. That year, Mussina went 20-9, 3.37 – and proved his durability by leading the AL in starts with 34, logging his 11th season of 200 or more innings pitched and earning his seventh Gold Glove

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— Today’s Game Era Committee Electees—-

Lee Smith (RHP) … 1980-97

Photo by terren in Virginia

From Baseball Roundtable’s perspective, Lee Smith should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago. However, in his 15 years on the traditional ballot, he never garnered more than 50.6 percent support – and never less than 29.9 percent.

Why does BBRT feel strongly about Lee Smith spot in the Hall? Smith’s 478 career saves put him third on the all-time list (he was number-one when he retired after the 1997 season). He recorded 13 consecutive seasons (in an 18-year career) of 25 or more saves, a 3.03 lifetime ERA and 1,251 strikeouts in 1,289 innings pitched; led his league in saves four times; made seven All Star teams; and was the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in three seasons. Smith also is one of just 16 pitchers to appear in 1,000 or more MLB games. His 1,022 appearances put him at number 13.

Smith pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1980-87); Boston Red Sox (1988-90); St. Louis Cardinals (1990-93); New York Yankees (1993); Baltimore Orioles (1994); California Angels (1995-96); Cincinnati Reds (1996); Montreal Expos (1997).

Lee Smith’s best season: 1991, Cardinals … 6-3, 2.34 ERA, 47 saves, 73 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts.

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Harold Baines (OF/DH) … 1980-2001

Photo by Keith Allison

Harold Baines had a 22-season MLB career. He was a six-time All Star and two-time winner of the Designated Hitter of the Year Award. He is in the top 50 players all-time in hits with 2,866 (46th) and RBI with 1,628 (34th). Baines, with a .289 career average, hit .300 or better in nine seasons. He was a steady source of power with 384 home runs, never reaching 30 in a season, but hitting 20 or more home runs in ten campaigns. He drove in 100+ runs in three seasons and scored 1,299 runs in his career. Baines hit .324, with five home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 31 post-season contests. Harold Baines played for the White Sox (1980-1989, 1996-1997, 2000-2001); Rangers (1989-1990); A’s (1990-1992); Orioles (1993-1995, 1997-2000); and Indians (1999).

Harold Baines’ best season: Baines’ best MLB campaign may have been 1999, when – at age 40 – he made his final All Star team and hit .312, with 25 home runs and 103 RBI, playing for the Orioles and Indians. That season, Baines also hit .357 (5-for-16), with one home run and four RBI in four post-season (ALDS) games.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research.

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BBRT Trivia Teaser … Looking for the Flint Flash

January 19, 2019 by David

Baseball Roundtable Trivia Teaser

Who holds the professional baseball record for the most stolen bases in a single season?

While not a multiple choice question, this query does have multiple acceptable answers – at least in Baseball Roundtable’s view.

If you are going with Major League Baseball post-1900, you would be looking at MLB’s all-time best lead-off hitter – Rickey Henderson – who swiped 130 bases for the Oakland A’s in 1982,

If you would prefer MLB all-time, we are talking about Hugh Nicol, credited with 138 steals for the 1887 American Association (considered a major league) Cincinnati Red Stockings. (At that time, stolen bases were credited on a different standard. A player, for example, was awarded a steal for taking an extra base on a teammate’s hit – say, for going from first to third on a single.)

Side note: Researching this post, I did come across a couple of references to a 140-stolen base season by Tommy McCarthy (St. Louis Browns, American Associating, 1890). However, Baseball-Refeence.com; Baseball-Almanac.com and the ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia all credit McCarthy with a league-leading 83 steals that campaign.

If you want to include the minor leagues, Reds’ CF Billy Hamilton (who recently signed with the Royals as a free agent) is your guy. In 2012, Hamilton played in 132 games at High A (Bakersfield Blaze) and Double A (Pensacola Blue Wahoos), pilfering a combined, minor-league record 155 bags.

The answer BBRT is looking for. However, put all of the above to shame. In 1946, Sophie Kurys of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League’s (AAGPBL) Racine Belles stole an all-time professional record of 201 bases (in 113 games) – and she was thrown out only twice. (By comparison, in his 130-steal season, Rickey Henderson was gunned down 42 times.)

Let’s take a look at the players who make up this quartet of acceptable answers, starting with Kurys.

Sophie Kurys … 1946 Racine Bells … 201 Stolen Bases

At just 5’ 5”, 120-pounds, the biggest thing about the Racine Belle’s second baseman was her daring heart. An all-around great player (four-time AAGPBL All Star), Kurys was at her best when she was on the base paths – stealing 1,114 bases in 914 games. Kurys, who earned the nicknames the Flint Flash (she hailed form Flint, Michigan) and Tina Cobb (after the Tigers’ great base stealer), stole 115 or more bases in seven straight seasons – and she did it in a skirt (no sliding pads) on infields that were often as rougher than sandpaper.

Kurys, who signed with the AAGPBL in 1943, was a superb athlete. As a teenager, she was a leading competitor in track, basketball, softball and volleyball. After a successful tryout, she further proved her athletic skills and competitive heart with the AAGPBL Racine Belles.

Kurys holds the AAGPBL single season records for runs scored (117); walks (93); and, of course, steals (201). She also holds the AAGPBL career records for runs scored (688) and stolen bases (1,114). She was a All Star each season from 1946 through 1949 and the AAGPBL Player of the Year in 1946. Kurys led the league in stolen bases seven times, runs scored six times and home runs once.

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Billy Hamilton … 2012 Bakersfield Blaze and Pensacola Blue Wahoos … 155 Stolen Bases

Photo by Keith Allison

The minor league stolen base record belongs to Billy Hamilton, who swiped 155 bases in 1955, while playing in the Reds’ farm system. Hamilton signed with the Reds in 2009, after being selected in the second round of the June MLB Draft. Like the other players that share portions of the professional stolen base record (at least for the purposes of this post), Hamilton was an all-around athlete – a high school all-stater (Mississippi) in baseball, basketball and football.

In his first two minor league campaigns, the 6’, 180-pound switch hitter stole 62 bases in 112 games (caught just 12 times) for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Reds and Pioneer League Billings Mustangs. In 2001, the then 20-year-old turned on the afterburners with the Class A Dayton Dragons, hitting .278 and swiping 103 bases in 123 attempts. Then came 2012, when he took the field for 132 games (at High A and double A), hitting a combined .311, with 155 steals 192 attempts.

Hamilton spent most of 2013 in the minors, swiping another 75 bases – this time for the Triple A Louisville Bats (.256 average in 123 games). He made his MLB debut on September 3 of that season. In his first MLB starting assignment – September 18, 2013, Hamilton (playing CF and batting ninth against the AL Astros) went three-for-four, with two walks, two runs scored, one RBI and four stolen bases. Over the past five MLB campaigns (all with the Reds), Hamilton has averaged .244 and stolen 264 bases – topping 50 four times.

Pretty Appropriate “Namesake”

Before today’s fleet-footed Billy Hamilton, MLB featured “Sliding Billy” Hamilton – who made his MLB debut in 1888 with the American Association Kansas City Cowboys. Hamilton played 11 MLB seasons, during which he topped 100 steals four times (and led his league in steals five times), with a high of 111 (1889 American Association Kansas City Cowboys and 1891 Philadelphia Phillies). Hamilton collected 2,164 MLB hits (.344 average) and stole 914 bases – MLB’s third-most all time. Pretty good (and fast) footsteps for today’s Billy Hamilton to follow in.

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Hugh Nicol … 1887 American Association Cincinnati Red Stockings … 138 Stolen Bases

Photo: Library of Congress

Cincinnati Red Stockings’ outfielder Hugh Nicol was “slight” even by 1880’s standards – standing just 5’4’ and weighing at 145 pounds. While, he wasn’t exactly a potent offensive force with the bat (.235 average over a ten-season MLB career), he could do some damage on the base paths – being credited with an American Association high 138 stolen bases in 1887. (Keep in mind that, at the time, stolen bases were award when a runner took an extra base on a batter’s hit – like moving from first to third on a single.) It was the only season Nicol led his league in steals, although he did top 100 thefts in 1888 and reached 80 in 1889.

In ten LB seasons (1881-90), Nicol played in 88 games, hitting .235 (813 hits), scoring 631 runs and driving in 272. He is credited with 383 stolen bases, but five of his MLB seasons came before stolen base were recorded.

Hugh Nicol was – again like all the players in this post – an all-around gifted athlete; particularly skilled in gymnastics and wrestling. Nicol, in fact, was known to supplement his baseball income as a gymnastics instructor. Nicol put his acrobatic skills to use in the outfield – earning a reputation for his range and dexterity. He twice led his league in outfield assists (also finishing second twice), twice finished second in outfield fielding percentage and twice finished in the top four in outfield putouts and double plays.

Hugh Nicol, in 1906, was selected as the first Athletic Director at Purdue University.

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Rickey Henderson … 1982 Oakland A’s … 130 Stolen Bases

Photo by Gary Soup

What can you say about Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (off and running in the photo to the left), who swiped an MLB-record 130 bases for the A’s in 1982? What a year that was, as the 5’10/180-pound outfielder hit .267 (149 games), scored 119 runs, hit ten homers, drove in 51 runs and stole a 130 bags in 172 attempts.

It’s getting repetitive, but these all-time base stealers were all all-around athletes. In high school, Henderson starred in baseball, football and basketball. Henderson was, in fact, a high school All-American in football.

Born to be Wild

There can be no double that Henderson ran wild on the base paths. He led his league in stolen bases 12 times – and in caught stealing five times.

Henderson was selected by the A’s right out of high school, in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft. And, he was going full speed right out of the gate. As a 17-year-old with the Low-A (Northwest League) Boise A’s, Henderson hit .336 and stole 29 bases in 46 games. That performance was just the first step in his “fast’ track to the major leagues. Henderson moved up to Class A Modesto in 1977 and hit .345, with 95 steals and 120 runs scored in 134 games; while also popping 11 home runs.

Let’ Get this Party Started

On May 26, 1977, Rickey Henderson stole seven bases in a single game, as his Modesto A’s topped the Fresno Giants 13-12 in a California League contest.

To make a long story short, in 3 ½ minor league seasons, Henderson hit .325 and stole 249 bases in 384 games. On June 24, 1979, the 20-year-old Henderson made his MLB debut and the rest – as they say – is history. In a 25-year MLB career, Henderson (who played for nine teams) was a ten-time All Star and the 1980 American League Most Valuable Player. He led his league in stolen bases 12 times, runs scored five times, walks four times and base hits once. He holds the MLB records for career stolen bases (1,406), run scored (2,295) and lead-off home runs (81). Henderson stole 100 or more bases three times (50 or more 14 times); scored 100 or more runs in a season 13 times; drew 100 or more walks seven times; and hit 20 more more home runs in four seasons.

Talk About Longevity

Rickey Henderson captured his first stolen base crown in 1980 (100 steals) at the age of 21. He won his final stolen base crown in 1998, at the age of 39 (when he swiped 66 bases in 79 attempts).

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; AAGPBL.org; Society for American Baseball Research; The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia.

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BBRT Unofficial 2019 Hall of Fame Fan Ballot – One Tough Crowd

January 14, 2019 by David

Baseball Roundtable’s 2019 unofficial fan Hall of Fame balloting is complete – and, in this post, I’d like to share the results and a few early observations. (I will post a more detailed comparison of the Baseball Writers Association of America – BBWAA – official balloting and the BBRT fan voting once the official results are announced on January 22). Note: This year’s fan ballot results include 192 ballots (218 were cast, but 26 were eliminated, primarily on one of two grounds; they either included more than the allotted ten votes or represented multiple ballots from the same individual.

Here are some early notes. When BBRT ran its first fan ballot last year, I fully expected the fans to be less demanding of candidates than the BBWAA. Oops! A swing and a miss! Last year, the writers voted in Chipper Jones (97.2 percent); Vlad Guerrero (92.9 percent); Jim Thome (81.8 percent); and Trevor Hoffman (79.9 percent). While the BBRT fan vote put the same four players at the top, only two got the required 75 percent – Chipper Jones (90.0 percent and Jim Thome (75.9 percent). Vlad Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman got 71.7 percent and 57.5 percent, respectively.

2019 FAN BALLOT – Mariano Rivera and Edgar Martinez Garner 75 Percent-plus

Only two players got the required 75 percent support in the 2019 BBRT fan ballot: Mariano Rivera (86.5 percent) and Edgar Martinez (75.5 percent). A coincidence of interest to BBRT, both were at positions subject to previous negative bias in HOF voting and both so eloquently (through their performance) defined those positions that Major League Baseball now has awards named after them: The Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award and The Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.

In the publicly announced BBWAA balloting (171 ballots as of January 14/41.5 percent of eligible voters), Rivera and Martinez received even stronger support than in the BBRT fan ballot, with Rivera at 100 percent and Martinez at 90.1 percent. Perhaps even more notable, in the BBWAA ballots made public through January 14, Roy Halladay (94.2 percent) and Mike Mussina (81.3 percent) were also above 75 percent mark. Should those results hold, we would again see four candidate getting the needed 75 percent support from the BBWAA and just two receiving three-fourths of the fan vote. I do anticipate percentages to slip a bit as final BBWAA vote totals are announced – based on an expectation that voters who voted for the fewest candidates at the least likely to have publicly released their ballots. Of considerable interest will be whether Rivera becomes the first unanimous electee.

Note: You can view an update total of BBWAA publicly revealed ballot at bbhoftracker.com

In the Baseball Roundtable 2019 Hall of Fame Fan Ballot, participants voted for an average of 7.7 players per ballot. In the publicly announced BBWAA official balloting (through January 14), voters selected 8.7 players per ballot. Those numbers mirror full 2018 voting, when BBRT ballots showed 7.9 players per voter, while the BBWAA voters selected 8.5 per ballot.

PED FORGIVENESS SLOW IN COMING FROM FANS

Comparing BBWAA balloting (again publicly released ballots through January 14), fans seem less forgiving then the writers when it comes to PED suspicions. For example, in the fan ballot, Roger Clemens came in at 44.8 percent; Barry Bonds at 43.2 percent; and Sammy Sosa at 8.9 percent. Through January 14, the publicly announced BBWAA total for those three were 73.1 percent, 72.5 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively. Also, of note; fan vote percentages were down from 2018 for all three; while BBWAA percentages were up from 2018 finals for all three.

BIGGEST GAINERS AND LOSERS IN BBRT FAN BALLOT

Here’s a look at the biggest gainers and losers in the BBRT 2019 Fan Ballot. BBRT will look at official BBWAA ballot gainers and losers when the final tallies are in.

Largest Gains

Larry Walker … +18.7 (28.7% to 47.4%)

Edgar Martinez … +18 .0 (57.5 to 75.5)

Mike Mussina … +13.0 (44.8 to 57.8)

Fred McGriff … +11.6 (37.9 to 49.5)

Jeff Kent … +10.8 (24.1 to 34.9)

Biggest Losses

Curt Schilling … -8.0 (35.6 to 27.6)

Roger Clemens … -4.2 (49.0 to 44.8)

Sammy Sosa … -4.1 (13.0 to 8.9)

Barry Bonds … -3.5 (46.7 to 43.2)

BIGGEST HOF SNUBS

The BBRT Fan Ballot also asked for comments on which players represent the most significant Hall of Fame Snubs. Here are the leaders (in terms of mentions.

Barry Bonds – 11 mentions

Roger Clemens – 8

Jim Kaat – 7

Fred McGriff – 4

Dale Murphy 4

Three each: Jeff Kent; Edgar Martinez; Mike Mussina; Ted Simmons; Sammy Sosa.

There will be more to come when the official BBWAA results are released. In the meantime, here’s how BBRT would have voted if I had a ballot. (I would select the maximum ten players.)

——IF I HAD A BALLOT – BBRT’S WISHFUL THINKING——

Mariano Rivera – (RHP/Closer, 1995-2013) … First year on the ballot.

The question is not whether Rivera is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, it’s will he be the first-ever unanimous electee. Best guess, there will be at least one BBWAA holdout. He is at the top of the 2019 HOF class, no matter how you look at it.

Nineteen years with the Yankees and an MLB-best 652 career saves. Rivera was an All-star in 13 seasons, led the AL in games saved three times and finished in the top three in Cy Young voting four times. He saved 30 or more games in a season 15 times (including nine seasons of 40 or more saves, two of fifty or more) and put up an overall won-lost record of 80-52, with a 2.21 earned run average in 1,114 games. In 11 of his 19 seasons, Rivera’s earned run average was under 2.00 – which included a four-season span (2003-06), in which he saved 170 games, won 21 (13 losses) and put up a 1.69 ERA in 302 2/3 innings pitched. In his final season – at age 43 – Rivera went 6-2, with a 2.11 ERA and 44 saves. Rivera was the American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in five seasons and the MLB Delivery Man of the Year in three campaigns.

In 2014, MLB established the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award (and the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year recognition) – replacing the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award.

Rivera was also an elite performer in the clutch. In 96 post-season appearances, he went 8-1, with 42 saves and a minuscule 0.70 ERA. Rivera was named the World Series MVP in 1999 and the ALCS MVP in 2003. In 58 of his 96 post-season appearances, Rivera pitched more than one inning. In the 2003 post-season, he appeared in eight games, pitching 16 innings (more than one frame in seven of the eight appearances), earning a win and five saves, giving up just one earned run (0.56 ERA).

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Edgar Martinez – (Designated Hitter/Third Base, 1987-2004) … Tenth/Final year on the ballot, 70.4 percent on the BBWAA ballot in 2018.

Photo by clare_and_ben

We’ve seen some prejudice against designated hitters in past voting, but Edgar Martinez has made progress against that negative bias – getting 70.4 percent pf the vote last season, a healthy increase from 58.6 percent in 2017. Martinez’ vote percentage has increased every year since 2015. The fact that this is his final year on the ballot should provide that final push. In publicly released BBWAA ballots through January 14, he stands at 90.1 percent. This will be the year. (Side note: Martinez came in at 75.5 percent on the BBRT fan ballot.)

Martinez clearly, and expertly, defined the DH role. In an 18-season MLB career (all with the Mariners), Martinez was named to seven All Star teams; won a pair of batting titles (hitting a high of .356 in 1995); earned five Silver Slugger Awards; topped 100 RBI in six seasons (leading the league with 145 in 2000); and scored 100 or more runs five times (leading the league with 121 in 1995). He finished his career with a .312 average; 2,247 hits; 1,219 runs; 1,261 RBI; 309 home runs; and 514 doubles.

Martinez hit .571 in the 1995 AL Championship Series (12-for-21), with two home runs, six walks and 10 RBI in five games. In 34 post-season games, he hit .266, with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

In 2004, MLB renamed the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award “The Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.” That says a lot, right there.

Edgar Martinez’ Best Season: One of two here, In 1995, Martinez led the league in batting average (.356), runs scored (121) and doubles (52), adding 29 home runs and 113 RBI. In 2005, Martinez put up a .324 average, 37 home runs, a league-leading 145 RBI and 100 runs scored.

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Mike Mussina – (RHP/Starter, 1991-2008) – Sixth year on the ballot 63.5 percent on the BBWAA 2018 ballot.

Photo by Willie Zhang

In 2015, BBRT speculated that the presence newcomers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz on the Hall of Fame ballot would dampen the chances of all other pitchers – including Mike Mussina – for election. This year, I speculated that the addition of Roy Halladay to the ballot would help Mussina. Basically, I anticipated that Halladay would generate considerable support and that, as BBWAA voters considered a ballot for Halladay (who has 203 wins), Mussina’s 270 victories will carry additional weight. That seems to be coming to pass, with Halladay standing at 94.2 percent through January 14 and Mussina at 81.3 percent.

Since his first-ballot percentage of 20.3 percent in 2014, Mussina’s totals have climbed each year – 24.6 percent in 2015; 43.0 percent in 2016; 51.5 percent in 2017; and 63.5 percent in 2018. He would have had BBRT’s vote in each of those years – and in 2019.

Mussina was a five-time All Star and a seven-time Gold Glove winner. He recorded a .650 or better winning percentage in nine seasons, with a career (and league-leading) high of .783 in 1992. Mussina ranks among the top 25 pitchers all-time in strikeouts (20th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (24^th among pitchers with 1,000 or more innings pitched). He’s also in the top fifty all-time in games started, wins and winning percentage. While the lack of a Cy Young Award on his resume may hurt him, he finished his career 117 games over .500 – and history says 100 or more wins than losses should be good for a ticket to the Hall. Mussina pitched for the Orioles (1991-2000) and Yankees (2000-2008).

On September 2, 2001, Mike Mussina – pitching for the Yankees – retired the first 26 Red Sox batters he faced and came with one strike of a perfect game. Mussina had a 1-2 count on pinch-hitter Carl Everett before Everett blooped a single to left-center. Mussina ended up with a 1-0, one-hit shutout victory.

Mussina appeared in 23 post-season games, with a 7-8 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Mussina deserves a spot in Cooperstown and I expect it will be a VERY close call – but it looks like he will make it this year.

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Roy Halladay – (RHP/Starter, 1998-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Photo by Keith Allison

Halladay would get BBRT’s vote and (through January 14) is running at just over 90 percent among publicly revealed BBWAA ballots. If there is a negative in his candidacy it’s that, in the six seasons outside his ten-year run of excellence, Halladay was 33-26, 5.03. Halladay finished his career at 203-105, 3.38 with 2,117 strikeouts in 2,749 1/3 innings pitched. That appears to be enough for BBWAA voters. Halladay pitched for the Blue Jays (1998-2009) and Phillies (2010-13).

Roy Halladay is one of just six pitchers to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues.

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Larry Walker – (Outfield, 1989-2005) … Ninth year on the ballot, 34.1 percent from the BBWAA last year.

Larry Walker played for the Expos (1989-1994), Rockies (1995-2004) and Cardinals (2004-2005). Given BBRT’s admiration for “lumber AND leather,” Walker’s combination of three batting titles, three Silver Slugger Awards and seven Gold Gloves earns him my vote.

Walker played 17 MLB seasons and retired with 2,160 hits, a .313 average and three batting titles. Between 1997 and 2001, he hit .350 or better in four of five seasons. The five-time All Star (and 1997 NL MVP) hit 383 home runs (a high of 49 in 1997) and stole 230 bases (a high of 33 in 1997). Walker hit just .230 in 28 post-season games, but did rack up seven home runs, 15 RBI and sixteen walks in those contests. Walker’s ten seasons in hitter-friendly Colorado may be hurting his vote totals – he hit .383 for his career in Coors, .271 elsewhere. Still, BBRT believes if you add his Gold Glove defense to his productive bat, you have a Hall of Famer. I’m also not much for punishing a player for taking full advantage of his home-field conditions.

Walker has shown progress this voting cycle, going from 34.1 percent among BBWAA voters in 2018 to 66.5 percent on publicly revealed BBWAA ballots (through January 14). He also made a 19-point leap on the BBRT fan ballot. He has just one more year on the ballot, so a big move this year is crucial.

In 1997, Larry Walker led the NL with 409 total bases – the 18th highest single-season total all-time. (There have been only 29 seasons of 400 or more total bases in MLB history).

Larry Walker’s Best Season: In his 1997 NL MVP year (Rockies), Walker hit .366, with a league-leading 49 home runs. He drove in 130 runs, scored 143, rapped 46 doubles, led the league in total bases at 409, topped the league in slugging percentage at .720 and even threw in 33 stolen bases and a Gold Glove. That’s using all five tools.

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Todd Helton – (First Base, 1997-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Todd Helton would seem to have a good shot at the Hall, but is not likely to be a first-ballot inductee – in part due to the fact that he spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies (playing half his games in hitter-friendly Coors field). Helton, who put up a .316 career average, hit .345 at home and .287 on the road. Despite that home/road split, Helton’s body of work deserves HOF consideration. He was a five-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover and four-time Silver Slugger. He hit over .300 in 12 seasons – and won the NL batting crown in 2000 with a .372 average. His 59 doubles that season are the sixth-most all-time. Helton drove in 100 or more runs in five seasons and scored in triple figures six times. His 1,335 walks (36^th all-time) indicate the respect he earned at the plate. It looks like he’ll be in the 20-25 percent range on the BBWAA ballot and he finished at 36.5 percent in the BBRT fan balloting. His vote totals should climb over time – and he would continue to get BBRT’s vote.

Todd Helton’s is one of only 18 players to reach 400 or more total bases in a season – and one of only seven players to have multiple 400+ total base campaigns.

Todd Helton’s Best Season: In 2000, Helton won the NL batting crown with a .372 average – and also led the league in base hits (216), doubles (59), RBI (147), on-base percentage (.463), slugging percentage (.698) and total bases (405). He also scored 138 runs and hit 42 home runs.

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Jeff Kent – (Second Base/Third Base/First Base, 1992-2008) … Sixth year on the ballot, 14.5 percent from the BBWAA last year.

BBRT believes Jeff Kent is a deserving candidate, but he has not been getting much support from the writers (14.5 percent a year ago, 12.9 percent in publicly released ballots through January 14). He does better in BBRT’s fan balloting (34.9 percent this year), but still falls far short of 75 percent. Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while in the lineup at second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average; his 1,518 RBI are 54th all time; and his 560 doubles 28th.

Jeff Kent has more career runs batted in than such noted Hall of Famers as Mickey Mantle, Billy Williams, Eddie Mathews, Duke Snider and Orlando Cepeda.

Kent was a five-time All Star and the 2000 NL MVP. As primarily a middle infielder, he hit 20 or more home runs in 12 seasons (a high of 37 in 2007) and topped 100 RBI eight times. He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games. A couple of Gold Gloves, at this traditionally defense-oriented position, would have really helped his case. Kent played for the Blue Jays (1992); Mets (1992-1996); Indians (1996); Giants (1997-2002); Astros (2003-2004); and Dodgers (2005-2008).

Jeff Kent’s Best Season: With the Giants in 2000, Kent put up these stats – 159 games; 196 hits; .334 average; 33 home runs; 125 RBI; 114 runs; 12 steals. His performance earned him the NL MVP Award.

Kent would BBRT’s vote – and I believe the BBWAA’s support is overdue (but not forthcoming).

_________________________________

Omar Vizquel – (Shortstop/Third Base, 1989-2012) – Second year on the ballot, 37.0 percent on 2018 ballot.

Omar Vizquel got off to a good start toward an HOF plaque, grabbing 37 percent support on his first-ballot year. Vizquel, who once again earns BBRT’s vote, is standing relatively stable in both BBRT’s fan vote and the official BBWAA balloting. If Vizquel does make it to the HOF, it will be more with his glove (eleven Gold Gloves) than his bat. However, voters should be mindful of the fact that he finished his 24-season MLB career just 123 hits short of that milestone 3,000 safeties. Vizquel delivered premier defense to the Mariners (1989-1993); Indians (1994-2004); Giants (2005-2008); Rangers (2009); White Sox (2010-2011); and Blue Jays (2012). He was a three-time All Star – and put together a string of nine straight Gold Gloves at shortstop (1993-2001).

Omar Vizquel led his league in sacrifice bunts four times.

In the field, Vizquel has the second-highest career fielding percentage (.9847) among shortstops with at least 500 games at the position. The still-active Jose Eglasias is number one at .9853. Vizquel is also the all-time leader among shortstops in double plays, ranks third at the position for career assists and 11th in putouts. He shares the record (with Cal Ripken, Jr.) for the fewest errors by a shortstop in a season of at least 150 games played (three).

On offense, Vizquel put up a serviceable .272 career average, with 80 home runs, 951 RBI and 1,445 runs scored. The 1,445 runs put him in the top 100 players all-time (82nd); while his 2,877 hits puts him in the top 50 (43rd). He also swiped 404 bases – topping twenty steals eight times (a high of 42 in 1999) – putting him at number 72 on the all-time list. Vizquel played in 57 post-season games, hitting .250-0-20.

Omar Vizquel’s Best Season: In 1999, with the Indians, Vizquel hit a surprising .333, with five home runs, 66 RBI, 112 runs scored and 42 stolen bases – and, of course, won a Gold Glove at shortstop.

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Fred McGriff – (First Base, 1986-2004) … Tenth/final year on the ballot, 23.2 percent last year.

Fred McGriff played for the Blue Jays (1986-1990), Padres (1991-1993), Braves (1993-1997), Devil Rays (1998-2001, 2004), Cubs (2001-2002) and Dodgers (2003). McGriff was five-time All Star, who bashed 493 career home runs (led his league twice, hit 30 or more home runs in a season ten times); topped 100 RBI eight times (career total 1,550); and put up a .284 career average over 19 seasons. He ranks among MLB top 50 all-time in home runs, RBI, extra base hits and walks. McGriff was the 1994 All Star Game MVP. McGriff was also a solid post-season performer, going .303-10-37 in 50 post-season games.

Fred McGriff retired with 493 home runs, exactly matching the total of another well-respected first sacker – Lou Gehrig.

Fred McGriff’s Best Season: In 1999. McGriff hit .318, with 34 home runs and 104 RBI for Tampa Bay.

McGriff is getting a bit boost because this is his final year on the ballot, but is still falling far short of the 75 percent needed for induction. (He’s at 35.1 percent on publicly revealed ballots through January 14.) Despite his 493 round trippers (seven more certainly would have helped his case, as would a couple of 40+ HR seasons), McGriff will have to wait for election through the “Era Committees.”.

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Andy Pettitte – (LHP/Starter, 1995-2010, 2012-13) … First year on the ballot.

I had to think for awhile on this one, largely because a major part of Andy Pettitte’s HOF resume was achieved in the post-season. Pettitte holds the MLB post-season marks for most wins (19 … versus 11 losses), innings pitched (276 2/3), games started (44), and is second in strikeouts (183). His post-season accomplishments include a 3.81 career ERA and the 2001 American League Championship Series MVP Award.

Andy Pettitte started 30 or more games in a season 12 times, leading his league three times (1997, 2006, 2007.)

Pettitte was no slouch in the regular season (Yankees – 1995-2003, 2007-2010, 2012-13) and Astros (2004-06). He finished with 256 wins (153 losses) and a 3.85 ERA. Pettitte won 20 games in two seasons and 14 or more games 12 times – leading the AL with 21 wins in 1996. (As noted earlier, 100 more wins than losses seems to be a good standard for serious HOF consideration.) The three-time All Star struck out 2,448 batters (42nd all-time) in 2,316 innings. BBWAA voters aren’t showing much support, despite the 250 wins. Through January 14, Pettitte was names on just 7 percent of the publicly released BBWAA ballots. He did better on the BBRT fan ballot – 27.6 percent.

Andy Pettitte’s Best Season: In 1997, following a 21-8 campaign in 1996, Pettitte went 18-7, with a 2.88 ERA (fourth-best in the AL), leading the league in starts with 35, finishing third in innings pitched (240 1/3) and eighth in strikeouts (166).

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Coming Soon: A look at Wally Moon – the player who beat out Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks for the 1954 NL Rookie of the Year Award and earned a Master’s Degree in Moon Shots and more.

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A Rifle Arm … and the Longest Baseball Throw Ever

January 9, 2019 by David

Those of you who have been following Baseball Roundtable are likely familiar with the tale of actor Chuck Connors – who gained fame as Lucas McCain the television series “The Rifleman.” Connors, who won a Golden Globe Award (Best Television Performer) for the part he played in The Rifleman also played first base for the Chicago Cubs, forward and center for the Boston Celtics and was drafted by the NFL Chicago Bears.

This post, however, is not about the multi-talented Chuck Connors (for his full story, click here). It is about a different kind of “rifleman” – former MLB outfielder Glen Edward Gorbous, who has (since 1957) held the record for the longest-ever baseball throw (Guinness Book of World Records).

Canadian-born Gorbous – a 6.-2”, 175-pound outfielder, had neither a long nor spectacular baseball career; but his hardball skills did get him into the Guinness Book of World Records. His record-breaking throw, in fact, took place when he was just 26-years-old – but had already played his final major league game and was just one season away from his last professional campaign. Gorbous began his pro-career as a 19-year old (1950), signed out of a Dodgers’ tryout camp. Over his first five (minor league) seasons, Gorbous played in 593 games, hitting .290 with 39 home runs. In 1953, he collected 204 hits (.336 average) for the Single A Pueblo Dodgers and began to show some power, reaching double digits in home runs (11) for the first time. The following season, promoted to Fort Worth of the Double A Texas League, Gorbous hit .283-16-71 (with ten steals) – punching his ticket to the big leagues (but not with Brooklyn).

The Reds plucked Borbous from the Dodgers in the November 1954 Rule Five Draft. He opened 1955 on the Reds’ MLB roster, but was traded to the Phillies (in a multi-player deal) on the last day of April (after appearing in just eight games for Cincinnati). He spent the remainder of 1955, 1956 and opening days of the 1957 season with the Phillies, but seemed over-matched against major league pitching – putting up a .238-4-29 stat line in 117 games.

Traded by the Phillies to the Cardinals in May of 1957, Gorbous was sent down to the Double A Omaha Cardinals – where he was playing when he set the baseball throw record in a pregame exhibition.

At that time, the record for a baseball throw was 445 feet-one inch, held by a player named Don Grate (more on Grate in a bit). Gorbous was always willing to show off his rifle arm and teammates urged him to make a run (throw) at Grate’s mark. On August 1, 1957 – throwing from the right field corner toward the left field corner – Gorbous launched one (reportedly his fourth throw) 445 feet-ten inches, setting a record that still stands.

Just how remarkable was that throw? Here’s some perspective. If Gorbous was throwing from the goal line of a football field, the ball would have gone through the uprights at the far end, across the 45-50 feet of space between the end zone and the grandstand and landed (on the fly) among the spectators in Row 25.

Photo by PugnoM

From a more baseball-related perspective. If Gorbous had thrown from home plate, down the right field line, in the San Francisco Giants’ AT & T Park, the toss would have cleared the right field fence, the 24-foot high Willie Mays Wall and the walkway behind it – splashing down among the kayaks about 75-80 feet (the length of a semi-truck and trailer) out in McCovey Cove. Looked at another way, Borbous throw, if made from home plate, would easily clear the center field wall in any of MLB’s thirty ballparks.

Gorbous, by the way, played 97 games for the Omaha Cardinals, hitting .243, with just three home runs and 20 RBI and found himself back in the Dodger system (Spokane of the Triple A Pacific Coast League), where he hit .291 in 11-59 in 132 games in his last pro season.

For Minnesota-based readers, especially fellow members of the Halsey Hall Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research, the record broken by Glen Gorbous was previously held by former Minneapolis Miller Don Grate. In an August 27, 1953, pregame exhibition at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington (MN), Grate uncorked a throw of 445 feet-one inch (breaking his own record of 443 feet-3.5 inches, set in 1953, while Grate was a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts). Notably, Halsey Hall both officiated the event.

Grate, like “The Rifleman” in the opening of this post, was a multi-sport athlete – playing for both the Phillies of the National League (pitcher, seven appearances, 1945-46) and the Sheboygan Redskins of the National Basketball Association (forward/guard, two games, 1949-50 season). Grate, who lettered in both baseball and basketball at The Ohio State University, is a member of the OSU Varsity O Hall of Fame.

Chuck Connors and Ted Williams

One final story for this post, this one shared on the “Our Chuck Connors” website … ourchuckconnors.com

After a 1946 appearance – reciting Casey at the Bat – representing the Celtics at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, Connors was approached by Ted Williams (fresh off his 1946 MVP Award) who told him: “Kid, I don’t know what kind of basketball player you are, but you ought to give it up and be an actor.”

Teddy Ballgame always did have a good eye.

While digging into the Gorbous “Guinness” entry, I came across of wonderfully detailed look at the full evolution of the longest-throw record. If interested in knowing even more on this topic, you should visit the J.G. Preston Experience here.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Guinness Book of World Records; Society for American Baseball Research.

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Boyhood Heroes – We Should All Grow Up to be Joey Jays

January 6, 2019 by David

One of the great things about writing a baseball blog is the opportunity to reflect on the careers or some of your boyhood heroes. About a year ago, I wrote about the 1957 Braves’ rookie Bob “Hurricane” Hazle, who played a key role in the Milwaukee Braves’ 1957 NL pennant drive – hitting over .500 in his first month (22 games) as a Brave. (See the box near the end of this post for more on Hazle and a link to that full story.)

In this post, I’m going to take a look at another boyhood favorite (who made his debut with my Milwaukee Braves in 1953). That player is Joey Jay, who never quite reached his potential with the Braves, but later earned his way onto the cover of the October 9, 1961 issue of Sports Illustrated and the cover of the February 1962 Baseball Digest, as well as into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Why was Joey Jay a boyhood fave? First, I was born in Milwaukee and was a six-year-old baseball fan when the Braves moved there – and Jay made his MLB debut. Then there was his name. When you love playing ball and have a name like David Karpinski, you long for a true “big league” moniker like Joey Jay (or Billy Bruton, Mickey Mantle, Minnie Minoso, Robin Roberts, Willie Mays, Duke Snider, Wally Moon or even Yogi Berra). “Joey Jay” – it just had a big league ring to it. Then there was the fact that Jay was the first Little League alum to make it to the major leagues (giving all Little Leaguers hope) and took the mound in the majors at the age of 17. He was, in fact, the youngest major league player in each of his first two seasons. (Little did I know his status with the Braves at that age was due to MLB’s “Bonus Baby” rule.) But, I’m getting ahead of the story.

Being a Joey Jay – Seems Like a Pretty Good Idea

Here’s something I came across as I researched this post. If you check the term “Joey Jay” at urbandictionary.com here;s what you will find:

JOEY JAY

A nickname for a male with absolute swag or full of swagger, while still a very genuine person. Also referred to as a “baller” or a “boss.” Only the most handsome, well rounded, down to earth guys are nicknamed “Joey Jay.”

Joey Jay played Little League in Middleton. Connecticut, and went on to play American Legion and High School ball. In high school, the 6’4”, 220-pound righty was a truly dominant force on the mound, with three no-hitters (for Woodrow Wilson High) and a healthy following of big league scouts. After graduating from high school in 1953, Jay signed with the Braves, reportedly for a $40,000 bonus. At the time, MLB’s “Bonus Baby” rule required that any player signed for more than $4,000 could not be optioned to the minors for two years (unless first clearing waivers).

Jay saw his first MLB action on July 21, 1953 – two innings of scoreless relief in a Braves’ 10-0 loss to the Phillies in Philadelphia – becoming the first former Little Leaguer to appear in an MLB game. His next appearance was a start against the Reds (in Milwaukee) on September 20. In that outing, he pitched a seven-inning, complete-game shutout (game shortened due to weather). He appeared once more on the mound that season, a one-inning scoreless relief stint on September 26. Not bad for a teenager forced onto the major league roster: three appearances, one win (no losses), one complete game, one shutout and a 0.00 earned run average in ten innings of work.

Things did no go as well going forward. In 1954 and 1955, Jay appeared in 27 games (one win-no losses) with a 5.59 ERA. In early July of 1955 – with the Bonus Baby restrictions no longer in force for Jay – the Braves sent him down to Triple A Wichita. He spent 1956 and 1957 in the minors and seemed to come into his own in 1957, going 17-10, 3.31 with 199 strikeouts in 223 innings at Triple A – relying more and more on an improving slider. (He got in just 2/3 of an inning with Milwaukee late that season.)

In 1958, Jay was in the bigs to stay. He got off to a slow start, pitching in just seven games (three starts) through June – going 1-2, with a 3.46 earned run average. But he turned it on in July, going 5-2 in seven starts, with five complete games, two shutouts, a 1.39 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. Then, late in the month, he suffered an elbow injury, followed in September by an injury to his glove hand – and pitched just 12 1/3 innings in August/September. In 1959, Jay seemed to regress – going 6-11, 4.09 in 34 games (19 starts). Relegated to relieving and spot starts in 1960, Jay went 9-8, 3.24 in 32 appearances (11 starts). In December, the Braves traded Jay and fellow pitcher Juan Pizzaro (23-years-old and in his fourth MLB season) to the Reds for veteran shortstop Roy McMillan – which proved to be a less than stellar move.

From 1953 through 1960 Joey Jay went 24-24, 3.39 for the Braves, splitting time between starts (45) and relief appearances (70).

In his first season with the Reds (1961), Jay made the All Star team, led the National League with 21 wins (10 losses) and four shutouts (among 14 complete games) and put up a 3.53 ERA. The Reds, who had finished sixth the year before, won the NL pennant. That season Jay was fourth in won-loss percentage (.677), seventh in innings pitched (247 1/3) and eighth in strikeouts (157). He also pitched well against his former team – facing the Braves five times (the Reds won all five), going 4-0, with three complete games, one shutout and a 2.32 earned run average. (In his first season with the Braves, McMillan, a three-time Gold Glover provided the plus defense the Braves sought, but hit just .220, with seven home runs , 48 RBI, 42 runs scored and two stolen bases).

OUCH!

What really hurt was losing the young Braves. I’ve always felt we would have won some more championships if we’d have held onto Pizzaro and Jay.

Hank Aaron

From his 1991 Autobiography “If I Had a Hammer.”

In 1961, Jay also picked up the Reds’ only win in the World Series – throwing a four-hit, two-run, complete game as the Reds took Game Two from the Yankees by a 6-2 score. He followed that up in 1962 with a 21-14, 3.76 stat line, as the Reds finished third – 3 ½ games behind the Giants. (The Braves finished fourth in 1961 at 83-71, 10 games behind the NL-leading Reds and fifth in 1962, 15 ½ games off the pace at 86-76).

Joey Jay was a bit of a slow starter, with a 25-24, 4.13 career record for April/May and a 74-67, 3.64 record for June-September.

Jay pitched for the Reds from 1961 until mid-June 1966, when he was traded back to his original team, by then the Atlanta Braves, where he went 0-4, 7.89 in his final nine MLB appearances.

Oh, for Just One More Game – or One More Whiff

In a 13-season MLB career, Joey Jay won 99 games (91 losses) and struck out 999 batters (in 1546 1/3 innings). He put up a 3.77 career ERA threw 63 complete games (203 starts/107 relief appearances) and 16 shutouts.

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Bob “Hurricane” Hazle and the 1957 National League Pennant

Bob “Hurricane” Hazle … still a treasured autograph.

In July of 1957 (July 11 to be exact), the Milwaukee Braves were in a tight race for the National League pennant. They came into the day’s action (versus the Pirates) in second place with a 44-35 record – trailing the Cardinals by three games and standing ½-game up on the Reds, a game ahead of the Phillies and two games clear of the Dodgers.

In the first inning of that contest against the Pirates, the Braves’ pennant chances were deal a seemingly disastrous blow, as their lead-off hitter and center fielder Billy Bruton suffered season-ending injuries in a collision with shortstop Felix Mantilla. The Braves tried to patch together a lineup and outfield until late July, when they called up a 26-year-old rookie name Bob Hazle (Hazle had a total of 13 MLB at bats, with the Reds, in 1955). That move may have brought the pennant to Milwaukee.

In his first month as a Brave (July 29-August 28), Hazle hit .507 (34-for-67 in 22 games), with five home runs, 22 RBI and 16 runs scored. He finished the season at .403-4-27 in 41 games.

For the full Bob Hazle story, click here.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Society for American Baseball Research; Milwaukee Braves … Heroes and Heartbreak by William Povletich.

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Larry Jansen – The Pitcher Who Might Have Been MLB’s First National Rookie of the Year

December 27, 2018 by David

Larry Jansen – 1951 Bowman

In 1987, the MLB Rookie of the Year Award was renamed the Jackie Robinson Award – forty years after Robinson was credited with breaking the major league color line and was the first winner of the national Rookie of the Year honor. In this post, BBRT will take a look at the player – Giants’ pitcher Larry Jansen – who made sure Robinson’s ROY win was no walk in the park. Jansen went 21-5 that season – received 13 first place votes to Robinson’s 15 and 105 total points to Robinson’s 129.

Let’s take a look at the two players who led the balloting for that first national ROY Award – and also finished fifth (Robinson) and seventh (Jansen) in the NL Most Valuable Player voting.

In his rookie campaign, the 28-year-old Robinson – playing first base – appeared in 151 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers, hitting .297, with 12 home runs, 48 RBI, 125 runs scored (second in the NL), a league-leading 29 stolen bases and a league-topping 28 sacrifice bunts. Robinson collected 175 hits (ninth in the NL) and 31 doubles (sixth). And, he did all this under the pressure of “breaking the MLB color line.” The season before his rookie MLB campaign, Robinson hit .349, with three home runs, 66 RBI, 113 runs scored and 40 stolen bases for the Triple A (International League) Montreal Expos. His .349 average led the IL and he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Jansen came to the major leagues with minor league credentials that were just as spectacular as Robinson’s (if not more so). The year before his MLB debut, Jansen took the mound for the San Francisco Seals of the Triple A Pacific Coast League, where he won a league-high 30 games (against just six losses), with a PCL-lowest 1.57 earned run average, a league-best .833 won-lost percentage, a league-high 31 complete games (38 starts) and a PCL-topping 321 innings pitched.

In 1997, Larry Jansen (along with co-author George Jansen- not related), published “The Craft of Pitching” … a well-thought out, well-researched and well-illustrated look at the mental and physical aspects (from preparation to execution) of effective mound work.

In 1947, the 26-year-old righty made his MLB debut for the New York Giants and proved his stellar Triple A numbers were no fluke. He won 21 games (second only to the 22 of the Reds’ Ewell Blackwell), while losing just five – for an NL-best .808 won-lost percentage. Jansen’s 20 complete games were the NL’s fourth-most and his 248 innings pitched the fifth-highest in the senior circuit. In addition, his 1.202 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) was the league’s fifth-best; his 2.069 walks per nine innings the league’s lowest; and his 104 strikeouts eighth. Jansen clearly gave Robinson a run for his money when it came to that first-ever national Rookie of the Year honor.

We all know Robinson went on to a ten-season Hall of Fame career – making six All Star teams, winning the 1949 NL Most Valuable Player Award and capturing one batting title and two stolen base crowns. He finished with a .311 career batting average, 137 home runs, 734 RBI, and 947 runs scored – and a place in baseball history.

Jansen, while he didn’t make the Hall of Fame, did pretty well himself. He had a nine-year MLB career – during which he won 20+ games twice (leading the NL with 23 wins in 1951), 19 once and 18 once. The two–time All Star also led the NL in shutouts (five in 1950) and in strikeouts-to-walks ratio in 1950 and 1951. His final stat line was 122-89, 3.58.

In the 1950 All Star game, won by the NL 4-3 in 14 innings, Larry Jansen pitched five innings of one-hit shutout ball (no walks, six strikeouts).

Robinson and Jansen shared the stage for one of the most memorable games in MLB history. When the Giants won the 1951 pennant on the strength of Bobby Thomson’s walk-off, play-off home run – immortalized as “The Shot Heard Round the World” – Robinson was in the lineup at second base for the losing Dodgers, while Jansen came on in relief of Sal Maglie and got the win for the World Series-bound Giants.

Notably, Jansen played a major role in getting the Giants to that three-game playoff for the NL title. On August 12, the Giants were 61-51, 12 ½ games behind the Dodgers. From that point on, the Giants went 37-8 (including 2-1 in the three-game playoff) and Jansen went 9-2 (12 games/10 starts) with a 2.00 ERA. That season, Jansen tied for the NL lead in wins (23), was fifth in earned run average (3.04), fourth in strikeouts (145), sixth in both games started (34) and complete games (18), seventh in shutouts (3) third in WHIP (1.112) and first in strikeouts-to-walks ratio (2.589).

At the close of the 1951 season, Jansen looked to be on the way to a Hall of Fame career. He had 96 wins (57 losses) and a 3.33 earned run average in just five big league campaigns. However, chronic back issues (that surfaced late in the 1951 season and contributed to arm problems going forward) were taking their toll and Jansen pitched just four more seasons – going 26-32, 4.38 in that span.

Jansen also enjoyed a successful career as a pitching coach, including five seasons in the Pacific Coast League, eleven seasons with the San Francisco Giants and two with the Chicago Cubs. Jansen passed away on October 10, 2009 (at the age of 89) due to congestive heart failure.

Before the national Rookie of the Year honor, there was …

From 1940 to 1946 the Chicago Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association selected an MLB Rookie of the Year. In 1947. the voting was expanded to all members of the BBWAA and the national Rookie of the Year Award (then called the J. Louis Comiskey Memorial Award) was born.

Winners of the Chicago Chapter ROY Honor

1940, Lou Boudreau, Indians, SS (age 22) … .295-9-101, with 97 runs scored in 155 games.

1941 Pete Reiser, Dodgers, OF (age 22) … a league-leading .343 average, 14 home runs and 76 RBI in 137 games. That season Reiser also led the NL in runs scored (117), doubles (39), triples (17), total bases (299) and hit-by-pitch (11).

1942 … Johnny Beazley, Cardinals, RHP (age 24) …. 21-6, 2.13 in 43 appearances. Beazley completed 13 of 23 starts, pitched 215 1/3 innings and fanned 91 batters.

1943 … Billy Johnson, Yankees, 3B (age 24) … .280-5-94 in 155 games. Johnson also scored 70 runs.

1944 … Bill Voiselle, Giants, RHP (age 25) … 21-16, 3.02. Johnson led the NL in games started (41), innings pitched (312 2/3) and strikeouts 161; while completing 25 games.

1945 … Dave Ferriss, Red Sox RHP (age 23) … 21-10, 2.96 in 35 appearances. Ferriss completed 26 of 31 starts and threw five complete-game shutouts.

1946 … Eddie Waitkus, Cubs, 1B (age 26) … .304-4-55 in 113 games; also known as one of the best fielding first baseman of his time.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research.

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BBRT Looks Deep into 2019 HOF Ballot … Offers “Unofficial” Fan Voting

November 19, 2018 by David

BBRT’s Baseball Hall of Fame 2019 Debate Season is officially open! The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) 2019 Hall of Fame ballots have been mailed and the results will be announced January 22^,2019. This year’s traditional ballot includes 15 holdovers from last year, along with 20 newcomers.

In this post, BBRT will share:

Predictions on the 2019 BBWAA voting;
BBRT’s ballot (if I had one);
A deep look into all the candidates on the ballot;
A link to BBRT’s unofficial fan ballot – please take a few minutes to follow the line and cast your vote.

—PARTICIPATE IN BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE’S FANS’ HALL OF FAME BALLOT—

Baseball Roundtable is once again conducting an unofficial fan ballot to cast your vote(s) – click here. Remember, you can vote for up to ten of the nominees for 2019 induction. If you want to read through the nominees’ bios first, there is another link to the Fab Ballot following the bios (near the end of this post). BBRT will be providing updates on the fan balloting, as well as a post-election comparison of fan votes as compared to the final BBWAA results. Voting on the BBRT Fan Ballot will remain open until January 1, 1919.

Regular Readers of Baseball Roundtable may remember that BBRT conducted an unofficial fan BB HOF ballot last November/December – inviting voters from among BBRT readers (and a number of additional fan groups) to voice their opinions on HOF-worthiness. The 271 respondents to that survey were even tougher than the BBWAA, giving the necessary 75 percent support to just two candidates – Chipper Jones and Jim Thome. The order of finish in the BBRT fan balloting, however, was remarkably similar to the BBWAA. The same five players finished in the top five positions – and, although the exact order of finish differed a bit, nine players were included in the first ten spots on both ballots and fourteen players appeared among the first fifteen vote-getters on both tallies.

Again, you can click here to access the BRRT Fan Ballot.

BBRT would stress that every player on the ballot – even those who remain for only one voting cycle – deserves high recognition – to make the major leagues, last ten years and make it past the Hall of Fame Screening Committee is a significant acccomplishment in itself.

Now on to the official 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame election process itself – and, then, a look at the players on the ballot for 2019.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME ELIGIBILITY/CRITERIA FOR ELECTION

The basic rules for eligibility are that a player must have played at least ten seasons and be retired for at least five years. In addition, the player must be approved for the ballot by the Hall of Fame Screening Committee.

A player can remain on the ballot for up to ten years, but must receive at least five percent of the vote in the preceding year’s ballot to remain on the ballot. Each voter can vote for up to ten candidates. Election requires that a player be named on at least 75 percent of the ballots cast.

The criteria for election: “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”

In this post, we’ll take a look at how BBRT would vote – if I had a ballot – as well at whom BBRT expects the BBWAA to vote in. Notably, BBRT tends to be less stingy then the BBWAA voters. I’ll list a full roster of ten candidates (in order of my preference) who would receive my vote.

—–LIKELY BASEBALL HALL OF FAME ELECTEES FOR 2019—–

BBRT’s Prediction for 2019 …

Last November, Baseball Roundtable released its 2018 BBWAA balloting predictions – accurately projecting the election of Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Vlad Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman. For 2019, BBRT anticipates just two electees from the traditional ballot:

Mariano Rivera;
Edgar Martinez.

In addition, I have a pair of dark-horse candidates, who should generate significant support, maybe even enough for election (I do, however, think they may fall just a bit short);

Mike Mussina;
Roy Halladay

Note: For BBRT’s previoously posted take on the Today’s Game (Era Committee) ballot, click here,

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—-PLAYERS ON THE HOF BALLOT FOR 2019—-

What follows is a look at all the players on the ballot – starting with the two players BBRT expects to be elected, moving on to my pair of dark-horse candidates, then to the additional six players BBRT would vote for (if I had a ballot) and, finally, to a look at all the remaining players on the ballot. I would note that you will not find those caught up in the PED-controversy on my ballot. While I think they will eventually be elected/inducted, if I had a ballot, I’d prefer they made the 75 percent without my vote. Still, given their place in the history of the game, I’d probably break down and vote for the best of the group when they reached their final year of eligibility.

So, here is BBRT’s Hall of Fame Ballot – again, if I had one – with the players listed in BBRT’s order of preference.

GROUP ONE – BBRT WOULD VOTE FOR THESE TWO – AND ANTICIPATE THEY WILL BE IN THE 2019 HOF CLASS.

Mariano Rivera – (RHP/Closer, 1995-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Photo by Keith Allison

Mariano Rivera should be a no-doubter. Nineteen years with the Yankees and an MLB-best 652 career saves. Rivera was an All-star in 13 seasons, led the AL in games saved three times and finished in the top three in Cy Young voting four times. He saved 30 or more games in a season 15 times (including nine seasons of 40 or more saves, two of fifty or more) and put up an overall won-lost record of 80-52, with a 2.21 earned run average in 1,114 games. In 11 of his19 seasons, Rivera’s earned run average was under 2.00 – which included a four-season span (2003-06), in which he saved 170 games, won 21 (13 losses) and put up a 1.69 ERA in 302 2/3 innings pitched. In his final season – at age 43 – Rivera went 6-2, with a 2.11 ERA and 44 saves. Rivera was the American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in five seasons and the MLB Delivery Man of the Year in three campaigns.

In 2014, MLB established the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award (and the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year recognition) – replacing the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award.

Rivera was also an elite performer in the clutch. In 96 post-season appearances, he went 8-1, with 42 saves and a miniscule 0.70 ERA. Rivera was named the World Series MVP in 1999 and the ALCS MVP in 2003. In the 1999 World Series (Yankees over Braves in four games), Rivera pitched in three games, picking up a win and two saves, allowing no runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. In 58 of his 96 post-season appearances, Rivera pitched more than one inning. In the 2003 post-season, he appeared in eight games, pitching 16 innings (more than one frame in seven of the eight appearances), earning a win and five saves, giving up just one earned run (0.56 ERA).

In BBRT’s mind, there is no question that Rivera should, and will, be a first-ballot electee. Speculation is now emerging as to whether he will top Ken Griffey, Jr.’s all-time high 99.32 percent of the vote. BBRT’s take? He’ll come close, but a few voters will leave him off the ballot for a couple of reasons: 1) A misplaced belief that no one should be a unanimous selection; 2) A bias related to relief pitchers’ spot in the Hall.

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Edgar Martinez – (Designated Hitter/Third Base, 1987-2004) … Tenth/Final year on the ballot, 70.4 percent in 2018.

Photo by clare_and_ben

Martinez hit .571 in the 1995 AL Championship Series (12-for-21), with two home runs, six walks and 10 RBI in five games. In 34 post-season games, he hit .266, with eight home runs and 24 RBI.

In 2004, MLB renamed the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award “The Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.” That says a lot, right there.

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DARK HORSE CANDIDATES – WOULD GET BBRT’S VOTE

HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE HALL THIS YEAR

Mike Mussina – (RHP/Starter, 1991-2008) – Sixth year on the ballot 63.5 percent on 2018 ballot.

Photo by Willie Zhang

In 2015, BBRT speculated that the presence newcomers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz on the Hall of Fame ballot would dampen the chances of all other pitchers – including Mike Mussina – for election. This year, I would speculate that the addition of Roy Halladay to the ballot will help Mussina. Basically, I think Halladay will generate considerable support and that, as BBWAA voters consider a ballot for Halladay (who has 203 wins), Mussina’s 270 victories will carry additional weight.

Couple that with the growing support Mussina has generated and it’s possible this could be his year. Since his first-ballot percentage of 20.3 percent in 2014, Mussina’s totals have climbed each year – 24.6 percent in 2015; 43.0 percent in 2016; 51.5 percent in 2017; and 63.5 percent in 2018. He would have had BBRT’s vote in each of those years. Let’s take a look at Mussina’s HOF resume.

Mussina was a five-time All Star and a seven-time Gold Glove winner. He recorded a .650 or better winning percentage in nine seasons, with a career (and league-leading) high of .783 in 1992. Mussina ranks among the top 25 pitchers all-time in strikeouts (20th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (24^th among pitchers with 1,000 or more innings pitched). He’s also in the top fifty all-time in games started, wins and winning percentage. While the lack of a Cy Young Award on his resume may hurt him, he finished his career 117 games over .500 – and history says 100 or more wins than losses should be good for a ticket to the Hall. Mussina pitched for the Orioles (1991-2000) and Yankees (2000-2008).

On September 2, 2001, Mike Mussina – pitching for the Yankees – retired the first 26 Red Sox batters he faced and came with one strike of a perfect game. Mussina had a 1-2 count on pinch-hitter Carl Everett before Everett blooped a single to left-center. Mussina ended up with a 1-0, one-hit shutout victory.

Mussina appeared in 23 post-season games, with a 7-8 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Mussina deserves a spot in Cooperstown and I expect it will be a VERY close call – but he could make it this year.

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Roy Halladay – (RHP/Starter, 1998-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Photo by Keith Allison

The question is: Might that be enough – particularly given the emotion surrounding his untimely death – to be elected to the HOF on the first ballot? BBRT see the possibility, but also sees Halladay as a Dark Horse candidate, probably more likely to fall a bit short. That’s partly because in the six seasons outside his ten-year run of excellence, Halladay was 33-26, 5.03. Halladay finished his career at 203-105, 3.38 with 2,117 strikeouts in 2,749 1/3 innings pitched. Halladay pitched for the Blue Jays (1998-2009) and Phillies (2010-13).

Roy Halladay is one of just six pitchers to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues.

Still, there is more to support Halladay’s candidacy. On May 10, 2010, he pitched a perfect game – striking out 11 – as his Phillies topped the Marlins 1-0 in Miami. Then, on October 6, 2010, Halladay tossed a no-hitter against the Reds in Game One of the National League Division Series – walking one and fanning eight as the Phillies won 4-0. It was just the second no-hitter in post-season history.

Again, BBRT speculates 203 wins mightl not be quite enough for a first-ballot election. Halladay would, however, get BBRT’s vote – and should, eventually, earn a plaque on the wall (and it could even be this year).

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SIX MORE PLAYERS WHO WOULD GET BBRT’S VOTE

BUT ARE NOT LIKELY TO ENTER THE HOF IN 2019

Omar Vizquel – (Shortstop/Third Base, 1989-2012) – Second year on the ballot, 37.0 percent on 2018 ballot.

Omar Vizquel got off to a good start toward an HOF plaque, grabbing 37 percent support on his first-ballot year. Vizquel once again earns BBRT’s vote – and should make his way into the Hall of Fame over time. When he does it will be more with his glove (eleven Gold Gloves) than his bat. However, voters should be mindful of the fact that he finished his 24-season MLB career just 123 hits short of that milestone 3,000 safeties. Vizquel delivered premier defense to the Mariners (1989-1993); Indians (1994-2004); Giants (2005-2008); Rangers (2009); White Sox (2010-2011); and Blue Jays (2012). He was a three-time All Star – and put together a string of nine straight Gold Gloves at shortstop (1993-2001).

Omar Vizquel led his league in sacrifice bunts four times.

Vizquel would get BBRT’s vote, but the BBWAA voters likely will make him wait a bit longer – showing a preference for a bit more offense.

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Jeff Kent – (Second Base/Third Base/First Base, 1992-2008) … Sixth year on the ballot, 14.5 percent last year.

BBRT believes Jeff Kent is a deserving candidate, but he has not been getting much support from the writers. Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while playing second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average; his 1,518 RBI are 54th all time; and his 560 doubles 28th.

Jeff Kent has more career runs batted in than such noted Hall of Famers as Mickey Mantle, Billy Williams, Eddie Mathews, Duke Snider and Orlando Cepeda.

Kent was a five-time All Star and the 2000 NL MVP. As primarily a middle infielder, he hit 20 or more home runs in 12 seasons (a high of 37 in 2007) and topped 100 RBI eight times. He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games. Kent has the credentials, but BBRT has a hunch the writers may keep him on the bench – a couple of Gold Gloves, at this traditionally defense-oriented position, would have really helped his case. Kent played for the Blue Jays (1992); Mets (1992-1996); Indians (1996); Giants (1997-2002); Astros (2003-2004); and Dodgers (2005-2008).

Kent gets BBRT vote – and I believe the BBWAA’s support is overdue (but not forthcoming). This is one HOF “snub” that somewhat confuses BBRT.

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Larry Walker – (Outfield, 1989-2005) … Ninth year on the ballot, 34.1 percent last year.

In 1997, Larry Walker led the NL with 409 total bases – the 18th highest single-season total all-time. (There have been only 29 seasons of 400 or more total bases in MLB history).

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Fred McGriff – (First Base, 1986-2004) … Tenth/final year on the ballot, 23.2 percent last year.

Fred McGriff retired with 493 home runs, exactly matching the total of another well-respected first sacker – Lou Gehrig.

Fred McGriff’s Best Season: In 1999. McGriff hit .318, with 34 home runs and 104 RBI for Tampa Bay.

McGriff will get a boost because this is his final year on the ballot, but moving from under 25 percent to 75 percent is not likely. Despite his 493 round trippers (seven more certainly would have helped his case, as would a couple of 40+ HR seasons), McGriff may have to wait for election through the “Era Committees” – and that does seem likely.

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Todd Helton – (First Base, 1997-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Todd Helton has a good shot at the Hall, but is not likely to be a first-ballot inductee – in part due to the fact that he spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies (playing half his games in hitter-friendly Coors field). Helton, who put up a .316 career average, hit .345 at home and .287 on the road. Despite that home/road split, Helton’s body of work deserves HOF consideration. He was a five-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover and four time Silver Slugger. He hit over .300 in 12 seasons – and won the NL batting crown in 2000 with a .372 average. His 59 doubles that season are the sixth-most all-time. Helton drove in 100 or more runs in five seasons and scored in triple figures six times. His 1,335 walks (36^th all-time) indicate the respect he earned at the plate.

Todd Helton’s is one of only 18 players to reach 400 or more total bases in a season – and one of only seven players to have multiple 400+ total base campaigns.

Helton will stay on the ballot and has a solid chance at entry into the HOF – he’s just not likely to overcome the first-ballot and Coors Field-bias this year.

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Andy Pettitte – (LHP/Starter, 1995-2010, 2012-13) … First year on the ballot.

Andy Pettie started 30 or more games in a season 12 times, leading his league three times (1997, 2006, 2007.)

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THE REST OF THE BALLOT

So, with BBRT’s unofficial ten votes covered, let’s look at the remainder of the ballot – in alphabetical order – since just making it on the ballot deserves recognition.

Rick Ankiel – (Outfield/Pitcher, 1999-2001, 2004, 2007-13) … First year on the ballot.

Rick Ankiel started his MLB career (1999) on the mound – debuting as a teenager with the Montreal Expos In 2000, with the Cardinals, Ankiel went 11-7, with a 3.50 earned run average in 30 starts – striking out 194 batters in 175 innings, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting and earning honors as The Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year.

Then in the 2000 post season, he “lost the plate.” In Game One of the NL Division Series (versus the Braves), Ankiel lasted just 2 2/3 innings – giving up four runs on four hits and six walks, and also unleashing five wild pitches in his final inning. Ankiel drew another post-season start in the National League Championship Series (versus the Mets). This time, he lasted just two-thirds of an inning (two runs on one hit, two walks and two more wild pitches). Ankiel never rediscovered his control, suffered an elbow injury in 2002, had Tommy John surgery in 2003 – and re-emerged in the major leagues as an outfielder in 2007. His final regular-season pitching line: 13-10, 3.90, with 269 strikeouts in 242 innings.

In 2010, Rick Ankiel became the first player since BabeRuth to total at least ten career pitching victories and 50 career home runs.

Ankiel returned to the majors as an outfielder (Cardinals) in 2007 – hitting .285, with 11 home runs and 39 RBI in 47 games. He played through the 2013 season, putting up a final career batting line of .240-76-251, with 260 runs scored and 21 stolen bases (in 11 seasons/651 games).

Rick Ankiel’s Best Season: In 2000, Rick Ankiel (pitcher) went 11-7, 3.50. In 2008, Rick Ankiel (outfielder) hit .264, with 25 home runs and 71 RBI in 120 games.

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Jason Bay – (Outfield, 2003-13) … First year on the ballot.

Jason Bay was the NL Rookie of the Year with the Pirates in 2004, when he played in 120 games and put up a .282-26-82 stat line. He had a solid (but not HOF) 11-season MLB career (Padres, 2003; Pirates, 2003-2008; Red Sox, 2008-09; Mets, 2010-12; and Mariners, 2013. Bay was a three-time All Star and one-time Silver Slugger winner. He finished his career with a .266 average, 222 home runs and 754 RBI. Bay topped 100 RBI in four seasons, scored 100 or more runs in three campaigns and hit 30+ home runs four times.

Jason Bay’s Best Season: In 2005, Bay was an All Star with the Pirates. He played in all 162 games, hitting .a career high .306, with 32 home runs, 101 RBI, 110 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.

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Lance Berkman – (Outfield/First Base, 1999-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Lance Berkman – one of Houston’s “Killer B’s” – provided dependable power for the Astros (1999-2010). He also played for the Yankees (2010), Cardinals (2011-12) and Rangers (2013). Berkman was a five-time All Star, whose career line was .293-366-1,234. He also hit 422 doubles (leading his league twice) and scored 1,146 runs. Berkman hit 30 or more home runs five times (a high of 42 in 2002); drove in 100+ runs in six seasons; scored 100+ runs in five campaigns; and hit over .300 five times.

Lance Berkman is one of only 21 MLB players to hit 55 or more doubles in a season.

Berkman also earns some support due to his .317-9-41 stat line in 52 post-season contests.

BBRT anticipates Berkman will get enough support to stay on the ballot for 2020.

Lance Berkman’s Best Season: In 2001, Berkman hit .331, with 34 home runs, 126 RBI, 110 runs scored and league-leading 55 doubles. I might note there are those who would pick his 2002 season, when he hit .292, with 42 long balls and led the NL with 128 RBI.

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Barry Bonds – (Outfield, 1986-2007) … Seventh year on the ballot, 56.4 percent a year ago.

Barry Bonds played for the Pirates (1986-1992) and the Giants (1993-2007). There is no doubt about Bond’s credentials – .298 average, 2,935 hits, MLB-record 762 home runs, 1,996 RBI, MLB-record 2,558 walks. He was also a 14-time All Star; 12-time Silver Slugger Award winner; his league’s MVP a record seven times; and an eight-time Gold Glove winner. In 2001, Bonds hit .328, with an MLB-record 73 home runs and 177 RBI. He drove in 100 or more runs 12 times and also scored 100 or more runs in a dozen seasons. And, I could go on and on.

Barry Bonds drew an MLB-record 688 intentional walks in his career. Second place? Albert Pujols, with 310. In 2004 alone, Bonds drew a recrod 120 intentional passes. He led his league in IBB 12 times.

Still, there are those PED’s – an elephant in the room that I think will keep Bonds out of the Hall for at least another year (and probably until his final year on the ballot). Eventually, the dam will break and we will see some of the major stars now under a PED cloud take places in the Hall. BBRT is not ready to cast that vote yet – and I don’t think 75 percent of the BBWAA is either. We can expect Bonds back on the ballot next year (he may top 60 percent this year).

Barry Bonds’ Best Season: In 2001, Bonds crushed an all-time record 73 home runs, while hitting .328, driving in 137 runs, scoring 129 – all while drawing 177 walks.

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Roger Clemens – (RHP/Starter, 1984-2007) … Seventh year on the ballot, 57.3 percent last year.

Roger Clemens pitched for the Red Sox (1984-1996), Blue Jays (1997-1998), Yankees (1999-2003, 2007) and Astros (2004-2006). Clemens has Hall-worthy stats: 354 wins (ninth all-time), 4,672 strikeouts (third all-time), an MLB-record seven Cy Young Awards and the 1986 AL MVP Award. He was a five-time 20-game winner (led the league in wins four times), seven-time ERA leader, five-time league leader in strikeouts, and six-time leader in shutouts. He won the AL pitching Triple Crown (Wins/ERA/Strikeouts) three times. Clemens also has 12 post-season wins, with 173 strikeouts in 199 post-season innings.

Roger Clemens shares the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game (20) with Kerry Wood and Max Scherzer. Clemens is the only pitcher to achieve 20 whiffs in a nine-inning game twice.

Roger Clemens Best Season: Lots to choose from here. Like 21-6, 1.93 in 1990 – or 1987, with a 20-9 record, 2.97 ERA, 18 complete games and seven shutouts. I take 1986. Clemens went 24-4. 2.48 and won both the Cy Young (his first) and AL MVP Awards for the Red Sox. He led the AL in wins, winning percentage (.857) and earned run average. He was fifth in innings pitched (254); second in strikeouts (238);

Yes, he’s got the numbers (those listed and more), but the PED controversy seems to stand between him and the Hall. Don’t think the BBWAA is ready yet, but he’ll continue on the ballot – and will likely gain a bit of ground on that 75 percent requirement.

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Freddy Garcia – (RHP, 1999-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Freddy Garcia got off to a blazing start, going 17-8, 4.07 as a rookie (1999) with the Mariners – pitching 201 1/3 innings and fanning 170. He went on to a 15-season MLB career and a final stat line of 156-108, 4.15. Garcia, a two-time All Star topped fifteen wins in five seasons (a high of 18 in 2001). He struck out 1,621 batters in 2,264 innings.

Garcia pitched for the Mariners (1999-2004), White Sox (2004-06, 2009-10), Phillies (2007), Tigers (3008), Yankees (2011-12), Orioles (2013) and Braves (2013). A nice career, not likely enough numbers to stay on the ballot.

Freddy Garcia started games in the post-season for the Mariners, White Sox, Yankees and Braves – going 6-3, 3.26 in 11 starts.

Freddy Garcia’s Best Season: In 2001 Garcia went 18-6, with an AL-lowest (among qualifiers) 3.05 earned run average. He also fanned 163 batters in a league-leading 238 2/3 innings – finishing third in the Cy Young Award balloting.

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Jon Garland – (RHP, 2000-2011, 2013) … First year on the ballot.

Jon Garland pitched in 13 MLB seasons. He toiled for the White Sox (2000-2007), Angels (2008), Diamondbacks (2009), Dodgers (2009, 2011), Padres (2010) and Rockies (2013). He was an All Star once, an 18-game winner twice (2005-06) and topped 200 innings pitched in six seasons. For his career, Garland was 136-125, 4.37, fanning 1,156 batters in 2,151 innings. In the 2005 post-season, Jon Garland started two games for the White Sox – going 1-0, 2.25, giving up just 11 hits, three walks and four earned runs, while striking out 11 in sixteen innings.

Jon Garland’s Best Season: With the White Sox in 2005, Garland went 18-10, 3.50 and led the AL with three shutouts.

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Travis Hafner – (First Base/DH, 2002-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Travis Hafner launched 213 home runs in 12 MLB seasons – including a career-high 42 with the Indians in 2006. He drove in 100 or more runs in four consecutive campaigns (2004-2007), hitting 127 home runs in that span and topping .300 in batting average in three of the four seasons. His career stat line was .273-213-731 in 1,183 games. He played for the Rangers (2002), Indians (2003- 2012) and Yankees (2013). A likely one-ballot player.

Travis Hafner led the AL in hit by pitch in 2004, being plunked 17 times.

Travis Hafner’s Best Season: In 2005, Hafner hit .308, with 42 home runs, 117 RBI and 100 runs scored in 129 games.

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Andruw Jones – (Outfield, 1996-2012) … Second year on the ballot, 7.3% in 2018.

Andruw Jones played for the Braves (1996-2007), Dodgers (2008), Rangers (2009), White Sox (2010) and Yankees (2011-2012). In a 17-season career – primarily patrolling centerfield – he won ten Gold Gloves (consecutively, 1998-2007). At the plate, he hit .254, with 434 home runs, 1,289 RBI and 1,204 runs scored. He topped 25 home runs in ten seasons (six over thirty and a league-leading and career-high of 51 in 2005). He scored 100 or more runs four times, drove in 100+ five times and stole twenty or more bases in a season four times.

Andrew Jones’ Best Season: In 2005, Jones hit only .263, but led the NL in home runs (51) and RBI (128) – finishing second in the MVP voting to Albert Pujols (.330-41-117).

Jones appeared in 76 post-season games, hitting .273, with ten home runs and 34 RBI.

In the 1996 World Series, Andruw Jones – just 19-years-old – hit .400 (8-for-20) with two home runs and six RBI, becoming the youngest player to hit for the distance in the Fall Classic.

Jones’ ten Gold Gloves work in his favor, but – over the long haul – that .254 average (he only hit .300 or better once and over .270 only four times) will dampen his HOF chances. Still, BBRT believe he deserves more support. He should get enough support to stay on the ballot for 2020.

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Ted Lilly (LHP/Starter, 1999-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Ted Lilly was a two-time All Star who went 130-113 in fifteen MLB seasons. He took the mound for the Expos (1999), Yankees (2000-02), A’s (2002-03), Blue Jays (2005-06), Cubs (2007-10) and Dodgers (2011013). Lilly won 15 or more games in a season three times; ten or more nine times (with a high of 17 wins in 2008). Lilly struck out 1,681 batters in 1,982 2/3 innings.

Ted Lilly was the starting pitcher for Team USA for two games in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Ted Lilly’s Best Season: In 2007, Lilly went 15-8, 3.83 in 34 starts, throwing a career-high 207 innings, walking 55 and fanning 174.

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Derek Lowe – (RHP/Starter/Reliever, 1997-2013) First Year on the ballot.

Derek Lowe pitched in 17 MLB seasons moving between a starting and bullpen role (377 starts and 303 relief appearances). He has the distinction of leading the American League in saves (42 in 2000) and the National League in wins (16 in 2006) – as a result, he also was an All Star as both a closer and a starter. Lowe’s final stat line was 176-157, 4.03 – with 86 saves. He fanned 1,722 batters in 2,671 1/3 innings pitched. He also led his league in games finished as a reliever once (64 in 2000) and games started four times (35 in 2005, 34 in 2008, 2009 and 2011).

Lowe won 15 or more games in a season five times and was a 20-game winner (21-8 in 2002). Lowe also pitched a no-hitter (for the Red sox against the Devil Rays on April 27, 2002 – walking one and fanning six as Boston won 10-0). Not enough here for election, but he could get enough to stay on the ballot for another year. BBRT thinks it will be close. Lowe pitched for the Mariners (1997), Red Sox (1997-2004), Dodgers (2005-08), Braves (2009—11), Indians (2012), Yankees (2012) and Rangers (2013).

Derek Lowe was an American League All Star as both a closer (Red Sox 2000) and a starter (Red Sox 2002).

Derek Lowe’s Best Season: A toss up here. In 2000, with the Red Sox, Lowe went 4-4, 2.56 with a league-leading 42 saves. In 2002, still in Boston, he went 21-8, 2.58 in 32 starts,

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Darren Oliver – (LHP/Starter/Reliever 1993-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Darren Oliver spent more of the first 12 of his twenty seasons as a starter (228 starts in 306 appearances) going 87-79, 5.07. He lasted another eight seasons as a reliever (one start in 460 appearance), going 31-19, 2.95. The end result? A 118-98, 4.51 record with seven saves and 1,259 whiffs in 1,915 innings. Not enough to stay on the ballot – those years are a starter diminish his chances for holding over. Oliver pitched for the Rangers (1993-98, 2000-01, 2010-11), Cardinals (1998-99), Red Sox (2002), Rockies (2003), Marlins (2004), Astros (2004), Mets (2006), Angels (2009) and Blue Jays (2012-13).

Darren Oliver was the first pitcher to take the mound in a regular-season interleague game – starting for the Rangers against the Giants on June 12, 1997. He took the loss in that game, going 7 2/3 innings and giving up four runs on eight hits. San Francisco won 4-3.

Darren Oliver’s Best Season: In 1996, Lowe went 14-6, 4.66 in 30 starts for the Rangers. (I must admit, however, BBRT was drawn to his age-41 season in 2012, when he appeared in 62 games for the Blue jays and went 3-4, with a 2.06 earned run average, two saves and 52 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings.

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Roy Oswalt – (RHP/Starter 2001-2013) … First year on the ballot.

In 13 MLB season, Roy Oswalt pitched for the Astros (2001-10), Phillies (2010-11), Rangers (2012) and Rockies (2013). He started strong, going 14-3, 2.73 in his rookie season, leading the NL in winning percentage (.824) and striking out 144 batters in (versus just 24 walks) in 141 2/3 innings. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year balloting to the Cardinals’ slugger Albert Pujols, who went .329-37-130 in his rookie campaign.

Oswalt went on to become a three-time All Star and two-time twenty-game winner. He led his league in wins once, winning percentage once and earned run average once. Oswalt pitched 200+ innings in seven seasons (a high of 241 2/3 in 2005). He won 15 or more games in five campaigns and had an ERA under 3.00 in five seasons. For his career, he was 163-102, 3.36 with 1,852 strikeouts in 2,245 1/3 innings, 20 complete games and eight shutouts.

Oswalt was also a solid post-season pitcher – 5-2, 3.73 in 13 appearances (11 starts). He has a chance to stay on the ballot, but it should be close.

Roy Oswalt was the MVP of the 2005 National League Championship Series, when he started two games (for the Astros) against the Cardinals, winning both and giving up just two runs in 14 innings.

Roy Oswalt’s Best Season: In 2005, with the Astros, Oswalt went 20-12, 2.94, with a career high four complete games.

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Juan Pierre – (Outfielder, 2000-2013) … First year on the ballot.

One thing you can say about Juan Pierre, he always showed up ready to play. In fact, Pierre led the NL in games played for five consecutive seasons (2003-07) – appearing in 162 contests each season. During his career, Pierre showed up on the leader board multiple times: five times leading his league in games played; three times in at bats; twice in base hits; once in triples; three times in stolen bases; four times in sacrifices; and once in hit by pitcher. He stole forty or more bases in a season, ten times (in his 14 seasons), topping sixty steals three times (a high of 68 in 2010). Pierre also collected 200+ hits in a campaign four times, hit .300 or better in six seasons and scored 100 or more runs in three seasons (90 or more in seven). Pierre’s career stat line: .295-18-517, with 614 steals (18^th all-time) and 1,075 runs. Pierre played for the Rockies (2000-02), Marlins (2003-05, 2013), Cubs (2006), Dodgers (2008-09), White Sox (2010-11) and Phillies (2012).

Juan Pierre (among qualifiers) was the hardest National League to strikeout in six seasons and led the AL in at bats per strikeout twice.

In the post-season, Pierre put up a .304 average in 26 games.

Pierre, ultimately, might not have HOF credentials, but he deserves enough support to stay on the ballot for 2020.

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Placido Polanco – (Second Base/Third Base/Shortstop, 1998-2013) … First year on the ballot.

A steady fielder and hitter, Polanco put up a .297 average over 16 seasons – and also picked up three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award. The two-time All Star collected 2,142 base hits and topped .300 in five season and collected 200 hits in one campaign. His final stat line was .297-104-723, with 1,009 runs scored. He provided considerable versatility, starting 947 games at 2B; 666 at 3B; 82 at SS – playing for the Cardinals (1998-2002), Phillies (2002-05, 2010-12), Tigers (2005-09) and Marlins (2013).

Placido Polanco is one of only two players to win Gold gloves at multiple positions. Polanco won in 2007 and 2009 at second base and in 2011 at third base. Darin Erstad is the other, winning as an outfielder in 2000 and 2002 and as a first baseman in 2004.

Polanco played in 38 post-season games, hitting .248, with 13 RBI and 11 runs scored.

Placido Polanco’s Best Season: In 2007, playing for the Tigers, Polanco won a Gold Glove at 2B and hit .341 (third in the AL), with 200 hits, nine home runs, 67 RBI and 105 runs scored.

I’d like to see Polanco stay on the ballot, but I fear it’s not in the cards. But, looking at the stats, he was a pretty good player to have on your team.

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Manny Ramirez – (Outfield, 1993-2011) – Third Year on the ballot, 22.0 percent last year.

Manny Ramirez played 19 MLB seasons, collecting 2,574 hits, a .312 batting average, 555 home runs (15th all-time) and 1,831 RBI (19th all-time). Ramirez was a 12-time All Star and led the AL in average (2002), home runs (2004) and RBI (1999) once each. Ramirez won nine Silver Slugger Awards, including eight consecutive (1999-2006), hit .285 with 29 home runs in 111 post season games and was the 2004 World Series MVP. He hit 30 or more home runs in ten seasons (five of 40+). Ramirez played in 111 post-season games, going .285-29-78 – and was the MVP of the 2007 World Series (for Boston) after hitting .412 with one home run and four RBI in four games.

Manny Ramirez’ 29 post-season home runs are first all-time, while his 78 post-season RBI rank second.

Ramirez clearly put up HOF-caliber numbers, but two PED-related suspensions continue to hurt his chances. (He dropped from 23.8 percent in 2018 to 22.0 percent last year). Not this year, but he’ll be back for another shot. Ramirez played for the Indians (1993-2000), Red Sox (2001-2008), Dodgers 2009-2010) and Rays (2011).

Manny Ramirez’ Best Season: In 1999, with Cleveland, Ramirez hit .333, with 44 home runs and 165 RBI (14^th most in a season all-time) in 140 games.

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Scott Rolen – (Third Base, 1996-2012) … Second year on the ballot, 10.2 percent in 2018.

Scott Rolen played for the Phillies (1996-2002), Cardinals (2002-2007), Blue Jays (2008-2009) and Reds (2009-2012). The seven-time All Star (including in two of his final three seasons) flashed leather and lumber, collecting eight Gold Gloves (one Silver Slugger) and rapping 316 home runs. He finished with a .281 average, 316 home runs, 1,287 RBI, 1,211 runs scored and 188 stolen bases. Rolen hit 25 or more home runs seven times, with a high of 34 in 2005. He also put up five 100+ RBI seasons, scored 100+ runs in two campaigns and reached double digits in steals five times. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1997 (.283-21-92, with 16 steals).

Only Brooks Robinson (16) and Mike Schmidt (10) have more Gold Gloves at third base than Scott Rolen’s eight.

Rolen hit .220, with five home runs and 12 RBI in 39 post-season games. Not a first-ballot inductee, but deserves to stay on the ballot for another round – and BBRT expects he will.

Scott Rolen’s Best Season: In 2004, with the Cardinals, Rolen hit career highs in average, home runs and RBI (.314-34-124) and won a Gold Glove.

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Curt Schilling – (Starting Pitcher , 1988-2007) … Seventh year on the ballot, 51.2 percent last year.

Curt Schilling pitched for the Orioles (1988-1990), Astros (1991), Phillies (1992-2000), Diamondbacks (2000-2003) and Red Sox (2004-2007). Schilling was a six-time All Star, with 216 career wins (three seasons of 20 or more wins) over a 20-season MLB career. He recorded the 15^th most career MLB strikeouts at 3,116 (three seasons of 300 or more whiffs), led his league in wins twice, complete games four times, innings pitched twice and strikeouts twice. He was also the 2001 World Series co-MVP – and has an impressive 11-2, 2.23 ERA post-season record (19 starts).

Curt Schilling is one half of the only tandem of teammates to strike out 300 batters in the same season. In 2002, Schilling fanned 316 batters for the Diamondbacks, while teammate Randy Johnson whiffed 324.

He is on the cusp for the HOF – reaching 250 wins would have helped. However, his outspoken views, Mike Mussina’s 270-win total (likely he will get in before Schilling) and the lack of a Cy Young Award may be working against Schilling’s vote-getting capacity.

Curt Schilling’s Best Season: In 2001, Schilling went 22-6 for the Diamondbacks (with a 2.98 ERA). That year, he lead the league in wins, starts (35), complete games (six), innings pitched (256 2/3).

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Gary Sheffield … (Outfield/Designated Hitter/Third Base/Shortstop, 1988-2009) … Fifth year on the ballot, 11.1 percent last year.

Gary Sheffield played for the Brewers (1988-1991), Padres (1992-1993), Marlins (1993-19998), Dodgers (1998-2001); Braves (2002-2003), Yankees (2004-2006) Tigers (2008) and Mets (2009). Sheffield was a nine-time All Star (in 22 MLB seasons) and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He launched 509 career home runs (topped 30 home runs in a season eight times, with a high of 43 in 2000); maintained a .292 career average (hit .300+ in eight seasons); and collected 1,676 RBI (28th all-time). He also won the 1992 NL batting title (.330); topped 100 RBI eight times; and scored 100 or more runs in a season seven times.

Gary Sheffield is one of only four players to hit MLB home runs as teenagers and in their 40’s. The others are Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Alex Rodriguez.

Gary Sheffield’s Best Season: In 1996 (Marlins), Sheffield hit .314, with 42 home runs, 120 RBI, 188 runs scored and 16 steals.

Sheffield appeared in 44 post-season games, hitting .248, with six home runs and 19 RBI.

Sheffield has the offensive numbers, but defensive questions and the shadow of PEDs are likely to keep him on the outside looking in. He should return to the ballot next year, but it’s not a guarantee – since he dropped from 13.3 percent in 2017 to 11.1 percent in 2018. Not a good sign.

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Sammy Sosa – (Outfield, 1989-2007) … Seventh year on the ballot, 7.8 percent last year.

Sammy Sosa played for the Rangers (1989, 2007), White Sox (1989-1991), Cubs (1992-2004) and Orioles (2005). Sosa hit 609 home runs (9th all-time) in 18 MLB seasons – winning two HR titles, topping sixty three times and also hitting 50 one year. In the four seasons from 1998 to 2001, Sosa averaged 60 home runs and 149 RBI per season. His career numbers include a .273 average, 609 home runs, 1,667 RBI (30th all-time), 1,475 runs scored and 234 stolen bases (a high of 36 steals in 1993). Sosa was the 1998 NL MVP (Cubs), led his league in home runs twice, runs scored three times and RBI twice.

Sammy Sosa has the most 60-home run season in MLB history with three – yet he did not lead the league in home runs in any of them. In 1998, he hit 66 home runs (Mark McGwire hit 70); in 1999, Sosa launched 63 (McGwire had 65), and, in 2001, he hit 64 (Barry Bonds hit 73). Talk about unfortunate timing. .

Sammy Sosa’s Best Season: In 1998 (Cubs), Sosa hit .308, with 66 home runs, a league-leading 158 RBI and a league-leading 134 runs scored – and even tossed in 18 stolen bases.

Sosa played in 15 post-season contests, hitting .245-2-7.

Why is the seven-time All Star not in the Hall? The PED shadow continues as a shadow over his chances. At 7.8 percent last year, he’s getting dangerously close to dropping off the ballot.

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Miguel Tejada – (Shortstop/Third Base, 1997-2011, 2013) … First year on the ballot.

Miguel Tejada played 2,171 games in his 16-season MLB career – A’s (1997-2003), Orioles (2004-07, 2010), Astros (2008-09), Padres (2010), Giants (2011) and Royals (2013). Five times he led his league in games played – seven times playing in at least 160 contests in a season. He collected 2,407 hits, while putting up a .285 career average – with 307 home runs, 1,302 RBI and 1,230 runs scored. Tejada – a six-time All Star and 2002 AL MVP – led his league in doubles twice and RBI once. He hit 30 or more home runs four times, drove in 100 or more runs in six seasons, scored 100 or more runs in four campaigns and collected 200+ base hits three times. From June 2, 2000 to June 21, 2007, Miguel Tejada played in 1,152 consecutive games – MLB’s sixth-longest such streak. He should stay on the ballot for 2020.

Miguel Tejada’s is one of only 25 MLB players to log a season of 150 or more runs batted in. Not bad for a shortstop.

Miguel Tejada’s Best Season: In 2004, Tejada hit .311, with 34 home runs and a league-leading 150 RBI for the Orioles. That season he also collected 203 hits and scored 107 runs.

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Billy Wagner – (LHP 1995-2010) … Fourth year on the ballot, 11.1 percent last year.

Billy Wagner played for the Astros (1995-2003), Phillies (2004-2005), Mets (2006-2009), Red Sox (2009) and Braves (2010).Wagner was a seven-time All Star, who amassed 422 saves (sixth all-time) in a 16-season MLB career. He had nine seasons of 30 or more saves; a career ERA of 2.31; 1,196 career strikeouts in 903 innings; and 47-40 won-lost record.

A natural right-hander, Wagner learned to pitch left-handed after breaking his right arm as a youngster.

Billy Wagner’s Best Season: In 2003, Wagner went 1-4, 1.78 for the Astros, saving 44 games and fanning 105 batters in 86 innings.

BBRT thinks Wagner belongs in the Hall (based on his 400+ saves) – and hopes that momentum starts to build. However, considering that Lee Smith – with his 478 saves – never reached 75 percent, the odds are not in Wagner’s favor. However, Mariano Rivera’s pending election could help all closers down the road. I expect Wagner will manage to hang in for a spot on the 2020 ballot.

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Vernon Wells – (Outfield, 2999-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Vernon Wells probably will not get the five percent necessary to stay on the ballot – but BBRT will be rooting for him. Wells, was a three-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover in CF (one Silver Slugger), who also hit 270 home runs and stole 109 bases. He hit .270 for his career, but .300 or better in four seasons, twenty or more home runs eight times, drove in at least 100 runs three times and scored 100 or more runs in three seasons. He also led his league in hits, doubles and total bases once each. Wells played for the Blue Jays (1999-2010), Angels (2011-12) and Yankees (2013).

In 2005, Vernon wells led AL centerfielders in assists (12); double plays (4).

Vernon Wells’ Best Season: In 2003, with the Blue Jays, Wells hit .317, with 33 home runs, 117 RBI, 118 runs scored – while also topping the junior circuit in base hits with (215), doubled (49) and total bases (373).

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Kevin Youkilis – (First Base/Third Base, 2004-2013) … First year on the ballot.

Kevin Youkilis was a three-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover in ten MLB seasons. His career line was .281-150-618, with 1,053 hits and 653 runs scored. He topped 20 homers in two seasons, 100 RBI once and reached 100 runs scored once. He also was a .300+ hitter in three consecutive seasons (2008-10, when he went .308-75-271 and earned two of his three All Star recognitions). Youkilis played for the Red sox (2004-2012), White Sox (2012) and Yankees (2013).

In the 2007, American League Championship Series, Kevin Youkilis hit .500 (14 for 28) with three home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored – as Boston tipped Cleveland in seven games. Josh Beckett, who started and won two games in the Series (giving up just three runs in 14 innings), was the ALCS MVP.

In 29 post-season games, Youkilis hit a healthy .306, with six home runs and 17 RBI.

Kevin Youkilis’ Best Season: In 2008, with Boston, Youkilis hit .312, with 29 home runs and 115 RBI – all career highs.

Youkilis needed a few more solid seasons to move on to the 2020 ballot.

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Michael Young … (Shortstop/Second Base/Third Base, 2000-2013) … First year on the ballot

Michael Young was a versatile and capable infielder who won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2008. He was a seven-time All Star and .300 career hitter (.300-185-1,030). Young hit .300+ in seven seasons – wining the AL batting crown at .331 in 2005. He topped 200 hits in a season six times, leading the AL with 221 in 2005 and 213 in 2011. Young also topped 20 home runs in four seasons, 100 RBI twice and 100 runs scored four times. Young played for the Rangers (2000-2012), Phillies (2013); and Dodgers (2013).

In his career, Michael Young started 776 games at shortstop, 457 at third base, 433 at second base and 78 at 1B.

Michael Young’s’ Best Season: In .2005, with the Rangers, Young led the AL with a .331 average and 221 hits. He also drove in 91 runs and scored 114.

Young didn’t fare as well in the post-season as in the regular season. In 43 post-season games, he hit.238, with three home runs and 19 RBI.

If BBRT had an 11^th vote, Young would have been a leading candidate. I’m hoping he stays on the ballot, but I’m afraid he may fall short.

Again, to vote in Baseball Roundtable’s unofficial Fan Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot, click here.

Primary Resources: National Baseball Hall of Fame; Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

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MLB’a “Heavy Metal” Winners – Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the Same Season

November 9, 2018 by David

It’s the MLB awards season and there will be a lot of discussion and debate surrounding the major recognitions like Most Valuable Player, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year. (For Baseball Roundtable’s take on the Rookie of the Year Award, click here. For the MVP, Cy Young and Manager of the Year awards, click here.)

Now, regular readers of BBRT know that I have a particular fondness for players that bring “lumber and leather” to their game. With that in mind, this post will focus on players who have captured what BBRT terms “MLB’s Heavy Metal Doubleheader” – winning a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same season. You will also find lists of the 2018 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winners at the end of the post – and some heavy metal trivia along the way.

Note: The Hillerich and Bradsby Silver Slugger Awards were first presented in 1980 (the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were launched in 1957), so the list of double winners is relatively recent (at least as defined by someone who went to their first World Series game the year the Gold Glove Awards were initiated.

In 2018, four players earned both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger:

Royals’ catcher Salvador Perez;
Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado;
Red Sox’ RF Mookie Betts; and
Braves’ RF Nick Markakis.

Let’s take a quick look at how they earned their gold and silver.

Nolan Arenado – Third Base, Rockies

Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography

When it comes to flashing leather and lumber, Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado can be considered the active “king.” This past season was the 27-year-old’s sixth in the major leagues – and he has captured the NL Gold Glove at the hot corner in every campaign. He also earned his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger – giving him four straight “heavy metal” seasons.

On defense, this playmaker, led National League 3B in assists (312), put outs (104) and double plays (44). On offense, Arenado hit .297, with NL-best 38 home runs, 110 RBI and 104 runs scored. In six MLB seasons, Arenado has led the NL in home runs three times, RBI twice, total bases twice and doubles once.

Could it be in the water?

Nolan Arenado (Rockies) and Matt Chapman (A’s) – the NL and AL 2018 Gold Glovers at 3B – played together on the 2009 El Toro (Lake Forest, CA) High School baseball team. Arenado, a senior, was the starting shortstop and also pitched. On the days Arenado took to the mound, sophomore Chapman played short. And, now they are both MLB Gold Glove third baseman.

Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox

Photo by Keith Allison

Boston RF Mookie Betts earned his third consecutive Gold Glove and second Silver Slugger Award – in his fifth season (fourth full season). It was the second time that the 25-year-old outfielder earned both recognitions in the same campaign (2016 & 2018).

In the field, Betts led all right fielders with 20 Defensive Runs Saved (tying Lorenzo Cain for the highest total among all outfielders.). He was fourth in the AL in RF put outs (241) and total chances (246), committing just one error in 1112 innings (1001 in RF). Often referred to as a center fielder playing right – there are likely plenty more Gold Gloves in Betts’ future.

On offense, the three-time All Star won the AL batting title with a .346 average and led the AL in runs scored (129) and slugging percentage .640. He also put together a 30/30 season, hitting 32 home runs and swiping 30 bases, while driving in 80 tallies. In just five MLB seasons (644 games), Betts has hit .303, with 110 home runs, 100 steals, 390 RBI and 478 runs scored.

The Strangest Ever Heavy Metal Honoree

In 1999, the Texas Rangers’ Rafael Palmeiro had a tremendous offensive year, hitting .324, with 47 home runs and 148 RBI. Post-season, he was honored with a Silver Slugger Award as the league’s best offensive first baseman and his third-consecutive Gold Glove as the AL’s top defensive first baseman. Those recognitions came despite the fact that Palmeiro was primarily a designated hitter in 1999 – starting just 28 games of his 158 games played at first base (128 starts at designated hitter, two pinch-hitting appearances).

Nick Markakis, RF, Braves

Photo by Keith Allison

Nick Markakis – a 13-season MLB veteran – earned his third Gold Glove and first-ever Silver Slugger Award in 2018.

Markakis led all MLB RF in games played at the position this past year (158), as well as in putouts (312) and total chances (323). He was second in the NL in RF assists with nine, one behind the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig. Markakis committed just two errors in 1,409 1/3 innings (1387 1/3 in RF).

Offensively, Markakis hit .297, with 14 home runs, and 93 RBI. His .297 average was the highest among qualifying NL right fielders, as were his 93 RBI.

Salvador Perez – Catcher, Royals

Photo by Keith Allison

Royals’ backstop Salvador Perez is a defensive wizard. Despite a season that got off to a late start due to an off-season MCL tear, Perez won his fifth Gold Glove in eight MLB seasons (six campaigns of 100 or more game played) and his second Silver Slugger Award. It was the second time he earned both Awards in the same season (2016 & 2018).

In 2018, Perez was second in the AL in assists (69), tied for the MLB lead in double plays at backstop (11), was third in the AL in runner caught stealing (25) and had the league’s second-best percentage of baserunners caught stealing (48.1 percent) among players with at least 81 games behind the plate. Perez committed no errors, while handling 759 chances.

On offense, while hitting just .235, Perez’ 27 home runs, 50 extra base hit and 80 RBI led all players who played primarily at catcher in 2018 (18 of Perez’ home runs and 61 of his RBI came in games in which he was behind the plate.)

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A FEW BITS OF SAME-SEASON SILVER SLUGGER AND GOLD GLOVER TRIVIA

Mike Hampton is the only pitcher ever to win a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same season (Braves – 2003). Ironically, it was the only National League Gold Glove won by a pitcher other than Greg Maddux between 1990 and 2008.

Ivan Rodriguez (C), Ken Griffey, Jr. (OF) and Barry Bonds (OF) each won the double (Silver Slugger/Gold Glove) crown in a season an MLB-record seven times.

The Chicago White Sox are the only team to never have a player capture a Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove in the same season.

The fewest GG/SS combo winners in a single season (since 1980) is one – Dodgers’ 1B Adrian Gonzalez in 2014.

The most players to achieve the GG/SS combo in a season is nine – back in 1984: Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves.

Ivan Rodriguez (C) won the SS/GG combo for his position a record six consecutive seasons (1995-1999).

Roberto Alomar (2B) is the only player to win the single-season Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo with three different teams (Blue Jays-1992; Orioles-1996; Indians-1999, 2000)

Scott Rolen (3B) is the only player to win the SS/GG combo in a season in which he played for two different teams (2002, Phillies/Cardinals). Rolen was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals on July 29. He played 100 games for the Phillies and 55 for the Cardinals in what would be his only SS/GG combo season.

Adrian Gonzalez (1B) and Matt Williams (3B) are the only players to capture a SS/GG single-season combination in both the AL and NL. Gonzalez – Dodgers-2014; Red Sox-2011. Williams – Indians-1997; Giants-1993-1994.

The only team to have three SS/GG winners in the same season is the 1993 Giants (Robby Thompson (2B), Matt Williams (3B), Barry Bonds (OF).

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Now, we’ve look at 2018’s “Heavy Metal Doubleheader” winners. Here’s a look back at those who have won both awards in the same season in the past. Since 1980, the combination of a Gold Glove/Silver Slugger has been achieved in a season 186 times by 101 different players. You’ll find a complete list of the players who have earned recognition as the offensive and defensive leader in their respective leagues in the same season later in this post. (I’m also including lists of 2018’s individual Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winners). Since the Silver Slugger is awarded to three outfielders annually regardless of their position (LF, CF, RF), GG/SS combo lists in this post do not break outfielders out by position.

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Full List of Same-Year Gold Glove/Silver Slugger Winners by Season

2018

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox; Nick Markakis, OF, Braves’ Salvador Perez, C, Royals

2017

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals; Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins

2016

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Mookie Betts, Of, Red Sox; Salvador Perez, C, Royals; Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs

2015

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies; Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants.

2014

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers

2013

Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks; J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles; Adam Jones, OF, Orioles

2012

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Chase Headley, 3B, Padres; Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates

2011

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox; Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds; Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Jacob Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

2010

Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals; Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies; Carl Crawford, OF, Rays; Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies

2009

Joe Mauer, C, Twins; Mark Tiexiera, 1B, Yankees; Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals’ Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees’ Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners; Torii Hunter, OF, Angels

2008

Joe Mauer, C, Twins’ Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians

2007

Russell Martin, C, Dodgers; Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers; David Wright, 3B, Mets; Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2006

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees; Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets

2005

Jason Veritek, C, Red Sox; Mark Tiexierea, 1B, Rangers; Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs; Andruw Jones, OF, Braves

2004

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Tigers; Jim Edmonds, OF, Cardinals

2003

Brett Boone, 2B, Mariners; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers; Mike Hampton, P, Braves

2002

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals/Phillies; Eric Chavez, 3B, A’s; Edgar Renteria, SS, Cardinals; Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

2001

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies; Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

2000

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Indians; Darin Erstad, OF, Angels

1999

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Robert Alomar, 2B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners; Shawn Green, OF, Blue Jays

1998

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Rafael Palmeiro, 1B, Rangers; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1997

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Chuck Knoblauch, 2B, Twins; Matt Williams, 3B, Indians; Larry Walker, OF, Rockies; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1996

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Roberto Alomar, 2B, Orioles; Ken Caminiti, 3B, Padres; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr. OF, Mariners

1995

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Craig, Biggio, 2B, Astros; Barry Larkin, SS, Reds

1994

Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers; Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Astros; Craig Biggio, 2B, Astros; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Wade Boggs, 3B, Yankees; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1993

Robby Thompson, 2B, Giants; Matt Williams, 3B, Giants; Jay Bell, SS, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Giants; Ken Griffey, Jr, OF, Mariners

1992

Roberto Alomar, 2B, Blue Jays; Larry Walker, OF, Expos; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1991

Will Clark, 1B, Giants; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Cal Ripken, Jr., SS, Orioles; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates’ Ken Griffey, Jr., OF, Mariners

1990

Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Kelly Gruber, 3B, Blue Jays; Barry Bonds, OF, Pirates; Ellis Burks, OF, Red Sox

1989

Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres

1988

Benito Santiago, C, Padres; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Andy Van Slyke, OF, Pirates; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1987

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ozzie Smith, SS, Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Eric Davis, OF, Reds; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins; Andre Dawson, OF, Cubs

1986

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Frank White, 2B, Royals;Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Tony Gwynn, OF, Padres; Kirby Puckett, OF, Twins

1985

Don Mattingly, 1B, Yankees; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Tim Wallach, 3B, Expos; George Brett, 3B, Royals; Willie McGee, OF, Cardinals; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1984

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Keith Hernandez, 1B, Mets; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Ryne Sandberg, 2B, Cubs; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Buddy Bell, 3B, Rangers; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves

1983

Lance Parrish, C, Tigers; Eddie Murray, 1B, Orioles; Lou Whitaker, 2B, Tigers; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos

1982

Gary Carter, C, Expos; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Robin Yount, SS, Brewers; Dale Murphy, OF, Braves; Dave Winfield, OF, Yankees

1981

Gary Carter, C, Expos; Manny Trillo, 2B, Phillies; Mike Schmidt, 3B, Phillies; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Rickey Henderson, OF, A’s; Dwight Evans, OF, Red Sox; Dusty Baker, OF, Dodgers

1980

Keith Hernandez, 1B, Cardinals; Cecil Cooper, 1B, Brewers; Andre Dawson, OF, Expos; Willie Wilson, OF, Royals

____________________________________

Your Same-Season, Gold Glove/Silver Slugger combo winners listed alphabetically:

Alomar, Roberto … 1992; 1996; 1999; 2000

Altuve, Jose … 2015

Arenado, Nolan … 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018

Baker, Dusty … 1981

Bagwell, Jeff … 1994

Bell, Buddy … 1984

Bell, Jay (SS) … 1993

Beltre, Adrian (3B) … 2011

Beltran, Carlos (OF) … 2006; 2007

Biggio, Craig (2B) … 1994; 1995; 1997

Betts, Mookie (OF) … 2016; 2018

Boggs, Wade (3B) … 1994

Bonds, Barry … 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997

Boone, Brett … 2003

Brett, George … 1985

Burks, Ellis … 1990

Caminiti, Ken … 1996

Cano, Robinson … 2010; 2012

Carter, Gary … 1981; 1982

Chavez, Eric … 2002

Clark, Will … 1991

Cooper, Cecil …1980

Crawford, Brandon … 2015

Crawford, Carl … 2010

Dawson, Andre … 1980; 1981; 1983; 1987

Davis, Eric … 1987; 1989

Edmonds, Jim … 2004

Ellsbury, Jacob … 2011

Erstad, Darin … 2000

Evans, Dwight … 1981

Goldschmidt, Paul … 2013; 2015; 2017

Gonzalez, Adrian … 2011; 2014

Gonzalez, Carlos … 2010

Gordon, Dee … 2015

Green, Shawn … 1999

Griffey, Ken Jr. … 1991; 1993; 1994; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999

Gruber, Kelly … 1990

Gwynn, Tony … 1986; 1987; 1989

Hampton, Mike … 2003

Hardy, J.J. … 2013

Headley, Chase … 2012

Helton, Todd … 2002

Henderson, Rickey … 1981

Hernandez, Keith … 1980; 1984

Eric Hosmer … 2017

Hunter, Torii … 2009

Jeter, Derek … 2006; 2009

Jones, Adam … 2013

Jones, Andruw … 2005

Kemp, Matt … 2009; 2011

Knoblauch, Chuck … 1997

Larkin, Barry … 1995; 1996

LaRoche, Adam … 2012

Lee, Derrek … 2005

Markakis, Nick … 2018

Martin, Russell … 2008

Mattingly, Don … 1985; 1986; 1987

Mauer, Joe … 2008; 2009; 2010

McCutchen, Andrew … 2012

McGee, Willie … 1985

Molina, Yadier … 2013

Murphy, Dale … 1982; 1083; 1984; 1985

Murray, Eddie … 1983; 1984

Marcell Ozuna … 2017

Palanco, Placido … 2007

Palmeiro, Rafael … 1998

Parrish, Lance … 1983; 1984

Pedroia, Dustin … 2008

Salvador, Perez … 2016; 2018

Phillips, Brandon … 2011

Puckett, Kirby … 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1992

Pujols, Albert … 2010

Renteria, Edgar … 2002

Ripken, Cal, Jr. … 1991

Anthony Rizzo … 2016

Rodriguez, Alex … 2002; 2003

Rodriguez, Ivan … 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2004

Rolen, Scott … 2002

Rollins, Jimmy … 2007

Sandberg, Ryne … 1984; 1985; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991

Santiago, Benito … 1988; 1990

Schmidt, Mike … 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986

Sizemore, Grady … 2008

Smith, Ozzie … 1987

Suzuki, Ichiro … 2001; 2007; 2009

Thompson, Robby … 1993

Tiexiera, Mark … 2005, 2009

Trillo, Manny … 1981

Tulowitzki, Troy … 2010; 2011

Van Slyke, Andy … 1988; 1992

Varitek, Jason … 2005

Walker, Larry … 1992; 1997; 1999

Wallach, Tim … 1985

White, Frank … 1986

Whitaker, Lou … 1983; 1984; 1985

Williams, Matt … 1993; 1994; 1997

Wilson, Willie … 1980

Winfield, Dave … 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985

Wright, David … 2007; 2008

Yount, Robin … 1982

Ryan Zimmerman … 2009

_____________________________________________

2018 SILVER SLUGGER WINNERS

—American League

C – Salvador Perez, Royals

1B – Jose Abreu, White Sox

2B – Jose Altuve, Astros

3B – Jose Ramirez, Indians

SS – Francisco Lindor, Indians

OF – Mookie Betts, Red Sox

OF – Mike Trout, Angels

OF – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

DH – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

—National League

C – J.T. Realmuto, Marlins

1B – Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

2B – Javier Baez, Cubs

3B – Nolan Arenado, Rockies

SS – Trevor Story, Rockies

OF – Christian Yelich, Brewers

OF – David Peralta, Diamondbacks

OF – Nick Markakis, Braves

P – German Marquez

____________________________________________________________

DEFENSIVE AWARDS

Rawlings Gold Glove … This is the most senior (and most recognized and publicized) defensive award, established in 1957. It is also considered the most subjective, with 75 percent of the results dependent on a vote of MLB managers and coaches and 25 percent on statistical defensive metrics (provided by MLB and the Society for American Baseball Research – SABR). The Gold Glove is awarded to one player at each position in each league.

The Fielding Bible Awards … Established in 2006, the Fielding Bible Awards are considered to be less subjective than the Gold Gloves. These awards are voted on by a panel of “sabermetrically” inclined and experienced journalists, and analysts. The Fielding Bible Award is given to one player at each position.

Wilson Defensive Player(s) of the Year … Established in 2012, this recognition is based on scouting reports, traditional defensive statistics and sabermetric measures like Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR) and other less self-explanatory statistics. The Wilson DPOY Award is given to one player at each position.

Primary resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com; ESPN.com; FanGraphs.com

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BBRT Looks at the 2019 Today’s Game Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

November 7, 2018 by David

Photo by candyschwartz

In addition to the traditional Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) Hall of Fame voting, each year a group of candidates is considered by one of the Hall’s “Era” Committees, which include: Today’s Game (1988-present); Modern Baseball (1970-87); Golden Days (1950-69); and Early Baseball (1871-1949). The Today’s Game Committee recently announced the list of ten candidates to be considered for 2019 induction into the HOF – six players, three managers and one executive for induction into the Hall of Fame.

For BBRT’s take on this year’s upcoming Rookie of the Year Awards and the BBRT 2018 All-Rookie Team, click here. For a look at the Cy Young, Most Valuable Player and Manager of the Year Awards, click here.

In this post, BBRT will look at the 2019 Today’s Game Hall of Fame candidates. Before getting into the Today’s Game nominees, however, here’s a bit of background on the process.

The BBWAA Historical Overview Committee is responsible for identifying the ten candidates on each ballot and election requires that the candidate be named on 75 percent of the ballots cast by the 16 members of the Today’s Game Committee. (Voting will take place December 9.) To be eligible for consideration by the Today’s Game Committee, candidates must have made their greatest contributions to the national pastime since 1988. In addition:

Players must have played in at least ten major league seasons and no longer be eligible for the traditional BBWAA ballot;

Managers and umpires must have served at least ten years in MLB and be retired for at least five years or over the age of 64 and retired for at least six months;

Executives must be retired from MLB for at least five years, although active executive over age 69 are also eligible.

This year’s nominees for consideration by the Today’s Game Committee are:

Players … Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser and Lee Smith.

Managers … Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel and Lou Piniella.

Executives … George Steinbrenner.

Now, let’s look at each candidate and how BBRT sees their chances. Spoiler Alert: If BBRT had a ballot, I’d vote for: Lee Smith and Lou Piniella. I anticipate the same results in the Committee vote, with Harold Baines and George Steinbrenner the leading dark horse candidates.

—Would Get BBRT’s Vote – If I had One – And Most Likely to Get Committee Support—

Lee Smith (RHP) … 1980-97

From Baseball Roundtable’s perspective, Lee Smith should already be in the Hall of Fame. However, in his 15 years on the traditional ballot, he never garnered more than 50.6 percent support – and never less than 29.9 percent.

With the third most saves all-time, Smith gets BBRT’s vote.

Lee Smith’s best season: 1991, Cardinals … 6-3, 2.34 ERA, 47 saves, 73 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts.

Lou Piniella, Manager … 1986-2010; 23 seasons

Lou Piniella managed (Yankees, Reds, Mariners, Devil Rays, Cubs) for 23 seasons. His 1,835 wins (1,713 losses) are the 14th most wins by a manager in MLB history. He led the Reds to the 1990 World Series Championship and his teams made seven post-season appearances. He also managed the Mariners to an AL-record 116 (46 losses) wins in the 2001 season. The 116 victories tied the 1906 Cubs for the most wins in an MLB season (the Cubs had just 36 losses.) Piniella was named AL Manager of the Year in 1995 and 2001 (with the Mariners) and the NL Manager of the Year in 2008 (Cubs). He finished in the top three in Manager of the Year voting six times. Piniella may be hurt by the fact that his teams finished under .500 in nine times. Still, those three Manager of the Year Awards and his 116-victory campaign with the Mariners should enable him to squeak in.

Piniella also had an 18-season MLB career as a player, hitting .291, with 1,705 hits, 102 home runs and 766 RBI. He was the 1969 Rookie of the Year with the Royals and made the post-season five times with the Yankees (two World Series Championships). Piniella hit .305-3-19 in 44 post-season games. Adding Piniella’s on-the-field career to his managerial record may give him a little extra push toward the HOF. I believe the Committee will vote him in, but it will be close.

—Dark Horse Candidates – Close, but May Fall a Bit Short—

Harold Baines (OF/DH) … 1980-2001

Tough call here. However, the fact that Baines played more than half his games at DH works against him. (To be elected as a DH, BBRT contends you to be more than a very good hitter; you have to be an exceptional batsman.) BBRT does not expect Baines to make it this year. I believe future Era Committees – after other primary DHs make the make the Hall – may give Baines stronger consideration (2,866 hits are hard to ignore.)

George Steinbrenner, Executive/Owner … 1973-2010

There is no doubt that George Steinbrenner knew what it took to build a winning franchise. In his nearly 40 years as owner of the New York Yankees, Steinbrenner delivered 11 American League pennants and seven World Series Championships to the Big Apple. Still his candidacy may be hurt by his often-publicized disputes with MLB, his own players and his managers (as well as his two MLB suspensions). BBRT anticipates that Steinbrenner’s on-field success will be overshadowed by his off-field antics.

—Other Today’s Game Nominees (alphabetically)—

Albert Belle (OF) … 1989-2000

Albert Belle was a five-time All Star in a 12-season MLB career. Belle was a power hitter who could also put the ball in play (381 career homers, .295 averages). He led his league in runs scored once, doubles once, home runs once, RBI three times, total bases three times and slugging percentage twice. He is the only player to hit 50 doubles and 50 home runs in the same seasons (1995 – 52 doubles and 50 homers, both league-leading). He hit 30 or more home runs and drove in 100+ runs in eight straight seasons. He retired with 1,239 RBI and 974 runs scored. Belle also hit .405-6-14 in 18 post-season games. Belle played for the Indians (1989-1996); White Sox (1997-1998); and Orioles (1999-2000).

A degenerative hip condition cut Belle’s career and chances on the traditional Hall of Fame ballot short (not to mention corked bat and issues with the media). Those same factors are likely to preclude his getting the 75 percent vote he needs from the Committee. Two or three more solid seasons (getting to the 1,500 RBI or 450-home run mark) would have been helpful.

Albert Belle’s best season: In 1995, Belle hit .317 and led the AL in home runs (50); RBI (126); runs scored (121); doubles (50); total bases (377); and slugging percentage (.690). Note: The following season Belle went .311-48-148, with 124 runs scored – but only led the league in RBI. But what a pair of powerful back-to-back campaigns!

Joe Carter (OF/1B) … 1983-98

Joe Carter played 16 MLB seasons (Cubs, Indians, Blue Jays, Orioles, Giants). He was a five-time All Star, topped 100 RBI ten times and hit 30 or more home runs in a seasons six times. He finished his career with a .259 average (2,184 hits), 396 home runs, 1,445 RBI and 1,170 runs scored. His best season was likely 1991, when he hit .273, with 33 home runs, 108 RBI and 20 stolen bases for the Blue Jays. He led the AL in RBI in 1986, with 121 for the Indians (.302 average and 29 home runs.)

Carter’s .259 average and low base-on-balls total (527 career walks, never reaching 50 in a seasons) led to a .306 career on-base percentage – which does not seem like HOF territory to Baseball Roundtable.

Will Clark (1B) … 1985-2000

Will Clark was a six-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover in 15 MLB seasons. He was a career .303 hitter, with 2,176 hits, 284 home runs and 1,205 RBI. He led his league in runs and RBI once each. Clark hit a career high 35 home runs in 1987 and topped 20 home runs six times and 100 RBI four times. He hit .300 or better ten times, including .301 in his final season (130 games, split between the Orioles and Cardinals). In that final campaign, he hit .344-2-6 in eight post season games for the Cardinals. Overall, Clark played in 31 post season games, hitting .333-5-16.Clark played for the Giants (1986-1993); Rangers (1994-1998); Orioles (1999-2000); and Cardinals (2000).

Clark had a fine career, but his trademark was consistency, despite the .303 career average he collected “only” 2,176 hits and never won a batting title. (Clark did lead his league in RBI and Runs Scored once each.) Three-hundred long balls or 2,500 hits would have helped his cause.

Will Clark’s best season: In 1989, with the Giants, Clark hit .333, with 23 home runs, 111 RBI and a league-leading 104 runs scored – finishing second in the NL MVP balloting. He was also MVP of the NL Championship Series, hitting .650, with two home runs and eight RBI in five games.

Orel Hershiser (RHP) … 1983-2000

Orel Hershiser logged 18 seasons on the MLB mound – winning 204 games (150) losses, with a 3.48 ERA and 2,014 strikeouts in 3,130 1/3 innings. Hershiser captured the 1988 Cy Young Award (23-8, 2.26). He led his league in wins once, winning percentage once, complete games once, shutouts twice and innings pitched three times. Hershiser also won a Gold Glove in 1988 and a Silver Slugger Award in 1993 (when he hit .356 in 34 games for the Dodgers). Hershiser was a 20+ game winner once and won 15 or more games in six seasons. He was a strong 8-3, 2.59 in 22 post-season games (18 starts).

From 1985-1989, Hershiser was one of the top pitchers in the game. Over those five seasons, he was 87-56, with a 2.69 ERA. He pitched more than 230 innings in each of those seasons, leading the league in innings pitched in 1987, 1988 and 1989. In 1988, Hershiser set the MLB record for consecutive scoreless innings (59). All that work may have contributed to his 1990 shoulder surgery. Then, from 1990-2000, Hershiser went 106-86, 4.17 – a stretch that hurt his HOF chances. Note: Hershiser also led his league in losses twice and was above .500 in just nine of his 18 seasons. Hershiser played for the Dodgers (1983-1994, 2000); Indians (1995-1997); Giants (1998); and Mets (1999).

Orel Hershiser’s best season: In 1988, Hershiser led the NL in wins with 23 (eight losses), complete games (15), shutouts (8), innings pitched (267), while recording a 2.26 ER and 178 strikeouts. That season he also set an MLB record, throwing 59 consecutive scoreless innings and earned the NL Championship Series and World Series MVP Awards.

Davey Johnson, Manager … 1984-2013- 17 seasons

After a 13-season playing career, Davey Johnson managed 17 seasons in the majors. He put up a 1,372-1,071 won-lost record and his .588 winning percentage is 12th among managers with at least ten seasons at the helm. Johnson led the Mets to the 1986 World Series Championship – and made the post-season a total of six times. He was named NL Manager of the Year in 1972 and 2012. He finished in the top three in Manager of the Year voting seven times. During his playing career, Johnson was a four-time All Star and a three-time Gold Glover (2B). He finished with a .261 average, 136 home runs and 609 RBI. In 1973, Johnson hit 43 home runs, 42 as a second baseman (the single season record for the position).

BBRT speculates that the presence of Lou Piniella on the ballot (with nearly 500 more managerial victories than Johnson) dampens Johnson’s chances for election.

Charlie Manuel, Manager … 2000-13

Charlie Manuel managed the Indians (2000-2002) and the Phillies (2005-15) – winning 1,000 games (826 losses) over 12 seasons. His teams won two NL pennants (2008-2009) and the 2008 World Series Championship. He also won the NL East title five straight seasons (2007-11). His .548 winning percentage is 16^th all-time among managers with at least ten years’ experience and his teams were under .500 only twice and topped 100 wins in 2011 (102-60). As a player, Manuel appeared in 242 games (outfield) over six seasons – hitting just .198, with four home runs and 43 RBI. Again, if a manager is going to get the nod from the Today’s Game Committee, Lou Piniella has the inside track.

Primary resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com

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