I was going to do one of those year in review things where I wrote about all the good things of 2016. And then I remembered: I already wrote that … * * * ”How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a Forgotten spot in…
Month: December 2016
Ballot 3: Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling Played 20 years for five teams Six-time All-Star struck out 3,000 and finished second in Cy Young voting three times. 80.7 WAR, 54.1 WAA Pro argument: Had greatest strikeout-to-walk ratio in modern baseball history and was amazing in the postseason. Con argument: Relatively low win total; he has offended many people. Deserves to be in Hall?: Yes. Will get…
Closers
As you know, I have been telling the stories of the players on the Hall of Fame ballot and, as part of that, I have been ranking them. I have never explained exactly HOW I am ranking the ballot, because I never thought it mattered and, to be honest, I didn’t put too much thought into that…
Ballot 2: Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens Played 24 years for four teams Seven-time Cy Young winner won 354 games and struck out 4,672. 139.4 WAR, 94.6 WAA Pro argument: By the numbers, the greatest pitcher in baseball history. Con argument: The wide assumption that he used steroids. Deserves to be in Hall?: Of course. Will get elected this year?: 5-10% chance Will ever get…
Listen Without Prejudice Volume 3
When you are in high school, in college, music defines you in every way imaginable. Anyway, that’s how I remember it; maybe your experience was different. When my family moved from Cleveland to Charlotte back in the early 1980s, there were only two questions that anyone ever asked. First: What is your ACC basketball team?…
The Year of Hamilton
Elizabeth is in high school now, which means that I have failed as a father. If I had succeeded, she would have stayed 10 years old like I kept telling her, and she wouldn’t be taking physics classes beyond my comprehension, wouldn’t be driving my car on her permit license and sure as heck would…
Ballot 18: Lee Smith
Lee Smith Played 18 years for eight teams Seven-time all-star led the league in saves four times. 29.4 WAR, 13.8 WAA Pro argument: Great reliever who for 13 years held the all-time saves record. Con argument: Closers are specialists who pitch a fraction of innings that starters do. Deserves to be in Hall?: Depends on your thought on relievers. Will get elected this…
Ballot 1: Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds Played 22 years for two teams Seven-time MVP hit 762 homers and walked 2,558 times, both records. 162.4 WAR, 123.5 WAA Pro argument: One of the five greatest players in baseball history. Con argument: Used PEDs to achieve almost comical heights. Deserves to be in Hall?: Yes. Will get elected this year?: 5-10% chance. Will ever get elected?: 95% chance.
Football in America
First, a few words on the Browns this week. They were dreadful. But of course they were. It’s a funny thing — I like Buffalo Bills fans a lot. We are brothers, Clevelanders and Buffalonians (Buffaloans? Buffalites?). The first time I went to Buffalo, I was 8 or 9, and I lost a Mickey Mouse…
Ballot 19: Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada Played 17 years for one team Five-time all-star caught for four World Series champs. 42.7 WAR, 17.3 WAA Pro argument: Excellent offensive catcher who was a staple for dominant Yankees. Con argument: Does not line up favorably against Hall of Fame catchers. Deserves to be in Hall?: Not quite. Will get elected this year?: No Will ever…