Ottawa Hockey League

Erin Andrews spotted in UNC dorm room

2009-12-29T18:27:00.018-05:00

With files from the AP

CHAPEL HILL, NC - Fresh off his herculean Pigskin Bowl victory over the previously undefeated Birdmen of St. Louis, the Tar Heels' coach Francisco was photographed with ESPN's Erin Andrews, buying wine among other things, at a liquor store off-campus. The couple then drove off in Andrews' 2010 Chrysler Crossfire, but were later seen pulling up to the men's dorm buildings.

You'd think that the trail would have ended when the couple entered the building. But you'd be wrong. The relentless photographer followed them inside, where he later captured some [ahem] candid shots inside Coach Francisco's dorm room.

(WARNING!! NSFW)

I have no idea what she's holding in this picture, but it looks to me like she has broken a piece off of the Pigskin Bowl, and is either using it to curl her hair or else .... nevermind. Let's stick with curling her hair.

My Enormous Crystal Balls: NHL '10

2009-08-31T02:51:00.008-04:00

By Hockey Guru and TD O'Dell

As is our custom, the Guru and I have each submitted our itemized predictions for the upcoming hockey season. This year, not only did we each try to guess the exact order of the final standings, but in these waning days of the Summer of '09, I will also attempt to predict the outcome of every playoff series in the Spring/Summer of 2010.

You may recall that we had updated our playoff predictions back in April, so look for us to make some more informed picks next Spring. Think of these playoff picks as my long-term forecast, which is always less accurate, but more revealing of my personal biases.

But before we get to who I think will win the Cup, let's take a look at my regular season predictions:

2010 Final Standings

Eastern Conference

1. Montreal
2. Pittsburgh
3. Washington
4. New York Rangers
5. Boston
6. Ottawa
7. Carolina
8. Philadelphia
9. New Jersey
10. Buffalo
11. Toronto
12. Tampa Bay
13. New York Islanders
14. Atlanta
15. Florida

Western Conference

1. San Jose
2. Chicago
3. Calgary
4. Detroit
5. Anaheim
6. Vancouver
7. Minnesota
8. Los Angeles
9. Nashville
10. Dallas
11. Columbus
12. St. Louis
13. Edmonton
14. Phoenix
15. Colorado

And with that, I'll hand the mic over to the Guru.

Thanks, TD. I won't be making my playoff picks yet, but I will see your regular season picks and raise you some maths.

In an attempt to put a twist on the pre-season prognostications, the Guru is assigning percentages as far as likelihood of making the playoffs. Since 8 teams make the playoffs in each conference, the total percentage allocated = 800% (i.e. 8 "locks" = 8 teams at 100% each)

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Flyers: 100%
Pittsburgh Penguins: 99%
Washington Capitals: 98%
Boston Bruins: 80%
Tampa Bay Lightning: 52%
Florida Panthers: 51%
New Jersey Devils: 47%
Buffalo Sabres: 45%

Carolina Hurricanes: 44%
New York Rangers: 39%
Toronto Maple Leafs: 38%
Ottawa Senators: 35%
Atlanta Thrashers: 27%
Montreal Canadiens: 25%
New York Islanders: 20%

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks 100%
Detroit Red Wings 99%
Vancouver Canucks: 95%
Chicago Blackhawks: 90%
Calgary Flames: 85%
Anaheim Ducks: 70%
Columbus Bluejackets: 60%
St. Louis Blues: 56%

Los Angeles Kings: 40%
Phoenix Coyotes: 33%
Minnesota Wild: 26%
Edmonton Oilers: 25%
Nashville Predators: 16%
Dallas Stars: 5%
Colorado Avalanche: 0%

Not sure if this is even interesting to me, after completing it, but I'm going to post it in case anybody finds this remotely interesting and perhaps some discussion can ensue in the Comments section.

Obviously I'm not too high on Dallas this year (to say nothing of Colorado). But the point I think I'm making is that in today's NHL there aren't a lot of surprises. Only a few teams missing the playoffs would really shock me and reasonable arguments can be made for pretty much every team that they will be in the playoffs this year.

Injuries will definitely play a part.

If a couple teams rank way higher or lower than you expect, drop me a line and we'll break it down, Ottawa Hockey League style. Back to you, TD.

Thanks, Guru.

Damn, I wish I had thought of that. I loves me some maths. Oh well. I'll steal that idea for baseball season. Meanwhile, here are my playoff predictions, as promised:

Conference Quarterfinals

(8) Phi def. (1) Mtl
(7) Car def. (2) Pit
(6) Otw def. (3) Wsh
(4) NYR def. (5) Bos

(1) SJ def. (8) LA
(2) Chi def. (7) Min
(6) Vcr def. (3) Cal
(5) Anh def. (4) Det

Conference Semifinals

(8) Phi def. (4) NYR
(6) Otw def. (7) Car

(6) Vcr def. (1) SJ
(2) Chi def. (5) Anh

Conference Finals

(6) Otw def. (8) Phi
(2) Chi def. (6) Vcr

And the Stanley Cup Finals will be over in 5 games, with the Hawks ending the league's longest drought (which will seem far less impressive when the Cubs win the World Series four months later).

The Top Ten List: Rule 5 Draftees

2009-08-30T21:35:00.010-04:00

By Will-He-M

In case some of you don't know exactly what the Rule 5 Draft is, I'll explain it.

"The Rule 5 Draft was officially brought in 1959 so that teams could no longer stockpile their prospects and prevent them from reaching the MLB, when another MLB organization was willing to play them in the bigs."

The Rule 5 Draft procedures are fairly simple:

Any player selected must remain on the claiming team's 25-man roster for the duration of the season
Any player selected cannot be optioned or designated for assignment, without first offering the player back to his original team, without compensation
Any player selected ensures compensation of $50 000 to his original team
Any player selected who is later offered back to his original team, only ensures a refund of $25 000
Any player selected must be left off his original team's 40-man roster
Any player selected must have been signed at age 19 or older AND have been with the organization for 3 years, OR must have been signed at age 18 or younger and have been with the organization for 4 years.

So, without further delay, here is my Top Ten Rule 5 Sleepers

10. Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins 2006-present)
573 GP, 2179 AB, 371 R, 562 H, 131 D, 12 T, 111 HR, 332 RBI, 14 SB, .258 AVG

Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 Draft
Selected by the Florida Marlins in the 2005 Rule 5 Draft

TSN National League Rookie of the Year (2006)
2x All-Star (2006, 2008)

9. Josh Hamilton- 2007-Present

Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers

Originally Drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 MLB Draft

Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft(then traded to Cincinnati Reds for $100
000 dollars)

317 GP, 1184 AB, 185 R, 347 H, 66 D, 9 T, 59 HR, 217 RBI, 19 SB, .293 AVG

2008 Silver Slugger Award
2x All Star(2008, 2009)

8. Joakim Soria- 2007-Present

Kansas City Royals

Originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001

Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft(from the San Diego Padres)

157 GP, 7-6, 2.08 ERA, 78 SVS, 87 SVOPP, 173.0 IP, 48 BB, 187 K

2008 All Star

7. Jeff Nelson- 1992-2006

Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox

Originally Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1984 MLB Draft

Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1991 Rule 5 Draft

798 GP, 48-45, 3.41 ERA, 33 SVS, 82 SVOPP, 784.2 IP, 428 BB, 829 K

4x World Series Champion(1996, 1998-2000)
2001 All Star

6. Leon "Bip" Roberts- 1986-1998

San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers,
Oakland Athletics

Originally Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1982 MLB Draft

Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 1985 MLB Rule 5 Draft

1202 GP, 4147 AB, 663 R, 1220 H, 203 D, 31 T, 30 HR, 352 RBI, 264 SB, .294 AVG

1992 All Star

5. Darrell Evans- 1969-1989

Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers

Originally Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 1967 MLB Draft

Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1968 MLB Rule 5 Draft

2687 GP, 8973 AB, 1344 R, 2223 H, 329 D, 36 T, 414 HR, 1354 RBI, 98 SB, .248 AVG

1984 World Series Champion
2x All Star(1973, 1983)

4. Willie Hernandez- 1977-1989

Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers

Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973

Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1976 MLB Rule 5 Draft

744 GP, 70-63, 3.38 ERA, 147 SVS, 190 SVOPP, 1044.2 IP, 349 BB, 788 K

1984 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year
1984 AL Cy Young Award
1984 AL MVP
1984 World Series Champion
3x All Star(1984-1986)

3. George "Liberty" Bell- 1981-1993

Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox

Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978

Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980 MLB Rule 5 Draft

1587 GP, 6123 AB, 814 R, 1702 H, 308 D, 34 T, 265 HR, 1002 RBI, 67 SB, .278 AVG

1987 AL MVP
3x Silver Slugger Award(1985-1987)
3x All Star(1987, 1990, 1991)

2. Johan Santana- 2000-Present

Minnesota Twins, New York Mets

Originally signed by the Houston Astros in 1995

Drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 1999 MLB Rule 5 Draft(then traded to the Minnesota
Twins for Jared Camp and $500 000 dollars)

309 GP, 122-59, 3.11 ERA, 9 CG, 6 SHO, 1702.2 IP, 473 BB, 1731 K

2006 Pitching Triple Crown
2007 Gold Glove Award
2x Warren Spahn Award(2004, 2006)
2x Player's Choice Outstanding Pitcher(2004, 2006)
2x AL TSN Pitcher of the Year(2004, 2006)
2x AL Cy Young Award(2004, 2006)
4x All Star(2005-2007, 2009)

1. Roberto "Arriba" Clemente- 1955-1972

Pittsburgh Pirates

Originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1952

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1954 MLB Rookie Draft(the original Rule 5 Draft)

2433 GP, 9454 AB, 1416 R, 3000 H, 440 D, 166 T, 240 HR, 1305 RBI, 83 SB, .317 AVG

1971 Babe Ruth Award
1971 World Series MVP
1966 NL MVP
12x Gold Glove Award(1961-1972)
2x World Series Champion(1960, 1971)
12x All Star(1960-1967, 1969-1972)
1973 Hall of Fame Inductee

The Top Ten List: Draft Day Sleepers

2009-08-30T21:13:00.003-04:00

By Will-he-M

After the Commish started doing his mid-season reports by position, I decided to highlight a few diamonds in the rough - guys who were taken late and have turned into gems. I posted this list on the league Message Board back in mid-July, so the numbers listed as "current" are obviously six weeks old. Anyway, I should have published it here sooner, but heading into the regular season's final week, it's still relevant.

10. Kendry Morales
Drafted by: Gloucester Expos, 16th Round, 317th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 297th Overall, 40th among 1B, 40th among RF
Current Rank: 104th Overall, 20th among 1B, 16th among RF
Current Stars: .288 Avg, 24 D, 17 HR, 52 RBI, .888 OPS, 43 XBH

9. Jarrod Washburn
Drafted by: Nepean Hotspurs, 29th Round, 569th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 324th Overall, 82nd among SP
Current Rank: 94th Overall, 16th among SP
Current Stats: 112.1 IP, 6 W, 72 K, 2.96 ERA, 12 QS

8. Russell Branyan
Drafted by: Fowl Play, 17th Round, 330th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 321st Overall, 42nd among 1B, 40th among 3B
Current Rank: 74th Overall, 15th among 1B, 10th among 3B
Current Stats: .275 Avg, 17 D, 22 HR, 49 RBI, .938 OPS, 40 XBH

7. Brandon Inge
Drafted By: Fowl Play, 20th Round, 391st Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 314th Overall, 24th among C, 39th among 3B, 38th among CF
Current Rank: 64th Overall, 3rd among C, 8th among 3B, 10th among CF
Current Stats: .264 Avg, 9 D, 21 HR, 58 RBI, .864 OPS, 31 XBH

6. Edwin Jackson
Drafted by: Appalachia Christian, 17th Round, 331st Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 304th Overall, 80th among SP
Current Rank: 24th Overall, 6th among SP
Current Stats: 121.2 IP, 7 W, 97 K, 2.52 ERA, 14 QS

5. Ryan Franklin
Drafted by: Funky Cold Medina, 19th Round, 372nd Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 301st Overall, 39th among RP
Current Rank: 22nd Overall, 2nd among RP
Current Stats: 34.0 IP, 2 W, 21 Svs, 27 K, 0.79 ERA

4. Luke Scott
Drafted by: Chesapeake Abyss, 20th Round, 388th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 278th Overall, 41st among LF
Current Rank: 107th Overall, 15th among LF
Current Stats: .298 Avg, 11 D, 18 HR, 51 RBI, .957 OPS, 30 XBH

3. Aaron Hill
Drafted by: Toronto Maple Leafs, 15th Round, 294th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 288th Overall, 24th among 2B
Current Rank: 36th Overall, 5th among 2B
Current Stats: .289 Avg, 16 D, 20 HR, 60 RBI, .811 OPS, 36 XBH

2. Jason Bartlett
Drafted By: CT Defenders, 23rd Round, 456th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 306th Overall, 22nd among SS
Current Rank: 59th Overall, 4th among SS
Current Stats: .343 Avg, 17 D, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 19 SB, .921 OPS, 28 XBH

1. Marco Scutaro
Drafted by: Montreal Royals, 19th Round, 380th Overall
Pre-Draft Rank: 310th Overall, 26th among 2B, 37th among 3B, 24th among SS
Current Rank: 89th Overall, 10th among 2B, 11th among 3B, 6th among SS

As an addendum to this list, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the top undrafted player.

Ben Zobrist
Added by: Montreal Royals on March 30th
Pre-Draft Rank: 307th Overall, 25th among 2B, 23rd among SS, 49th among LF, 41st amonf RF
Current Rank: 34th Overall, 4th among 2B, 3rd among SS, 7th among LF, 5th among RF
Current Stats: .300 Avg, 15 D, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 11 SB, 1.013 OPS, 36 XBH

The Guru Report: Monday, August 24

2009-08-24T10:27:00.010-04:00

By Hockey Guru

Tonight!

I paraphrase the famous ten year old question, and put it to a 40-year old veteran: will the real John Smoltz please stand up?

Or Hell, sit down? Or just lay there? Whatever you did before your last game, when the Cards benefitted from your greatness.

Then!

I'll welcome Sierra Menace into the fold. As long as this guy streams his players more than Plano, I'm certain we'll get along.

Finally!

My guest tonight in the studio will be Dany Heatley.

I'll ask him not what he can do for the league, but what the league can do for him. Tonight ... on the Guru Report!

Welcome Nation. I know it's still only Olympic evaluation Camp time, and that hockey season doesn't even kick into first gear for another few couple of weeks, so I'll remember to include some more non-hockey material in tonight's episode. First up, it's Hockey Guru's segment called, "Balls ... for kids (of all ages)!"

Eager to have a top-of-the-rotation arm, particularly one pitching for the Red Sox, I drafted John Smoltz in several leagues this Spring.

His return has been ... shall we say ... less that stellar?

Even when he's getting outs, it feels like it is being done through smoke and mirrors. Why does age have to impact pitchers? Why did Ulf Samuelson's knee have to ruin Cam Neely's career? And why can't I drink and avoid hangovers anymore?

In late July, after Week 16 had ended, the Guru transformed into his alter-ego, Clubber Lang. Witnessing yet another bad week from my man Smoltz seemed to set me off. I responded to the Commish's Week 16 Awards™ with my own recap:

"I pity the fools that performed so poorly in Week 16 that it caused me pain - so much pain that this list is limited to one fool...

John Smoltz

There was more scoring off you this past week, John Smoltz, than there was off Paris Hilton - and don't forget it was Fleet week, fool!

You say you bad? You ain't so bad. You a chump.

All your records and history is made up against creampuff National League opponents, fool.

Now go score yourself some of that HGH - I got plenty of the stuff in Clubber Lang's Laboratory. C'mon fool, you part of the chemistry team, now ..."

Moving on!

We here at the Clubhouse would like to take this opportunity to welcome Sierra Menace to the league. It's always great to see the Yankees rebranded and run outta New York, even if they were a 20th place team this season.

Sierra was joined soon after by another expansion owner, Gloucester Expos, who took over the unfortunately named Gobble Gobble Gobble team.

So to help acclimate them to their new surroundings, the Guru has a few things that you both should know...

TRADER DICK ISN'T YELLING WHEN HE POSTS IN ALL CAPS, SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT
Billy Bradski is probably not the real Jesus - no miracles have been performed by him to date. Perhaps he is employing his avatar in the hope that we bow down before him and let him win?
On your first day, you've already posted more Season-to-date messages than half the league. I apparently missed the memo about the rule that this is supposed to be the OttawaHockeyLeague Library Edition
Never disrespect Aaron Hill - it is critical that his value in this league does not get questioned. That issue has the potential to shut the league down, entirely

Anyway, it's great to see someone who can give the Commish a run for his money in the Total Transactions department. Unfortunately for Nepean, he forgot to include that column as a scoring category, which is why he'll never see the Top Ten.

Moving on!

My guest tonight is none other than Ottawa Senators forward, Dany Heatley. Let's give him a hand, Nation - Dany Heatley!!

...

[silence]

...

[*crickets, crickets*]

...

Ummmm Tito? Our producer, Tito O'Dell in the booth, everyone ... Tito, you there? What's going on? Where's tonight's guest?

He what?!? Just because we took him out of the first segment and replaced him with that John Smoltz piece?

Did you explain to him that he's still an important component of the show? Or that he is guaranteed more than one-third of the air-time AND he is playing the third act, aka the powerplay segment of the show?

And he still won't join us? I don't get it ...

What's that? He was booked to go on The Nightly Show with Plano Flames, then quickly cancelled his appearance in Alberta as well? What a turd. Do we have any video of that? Roll it, Tito:

You know what? Screw him. We'll do this segment without him, and probably have better chemistry to boot.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nation, it’s time for the formation of the DHL – the Dany Heatley League. There’s no room for him in the NHL anymore. In fact, the DHL doesn’t need to be limited to hockey players only – it can be a league for all athletes that are simply entitled to everything.

Society has moved so far away from accountability it’s ridiculous. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time nor probably the last time we see this garbage take place.

The outrage, disappointment and utter contempt this creates among fans is like seeing Santa Claus steal your flat screen TV. It’s something that just shouldn’t happen. It’s just plain wrong. Unfortunately, fans will root for him again. He will be loved again – not because of who he is – but merely because of the sweater he’ll pull over his shoulder pads.

His legacy is tarnished forever. He can’t un-ring that bell. Hopefully he’ll never land in the Hall of Fame (if his numbers even end up supporting his case), because voters and fans simply won’t want to honour somebody that brought dishonour to the sport.

Having the talent and opportunity to play professional sports is something that 99% of society can never fully understand. However, that 99% of society spends absurd amounts of money which gets channeled into the pockets of those gifted few.

Dany Heatley capitalized on his skills and abilities and chose to sign a 6-year $45 million dollar contract with Ottawa and required a no movement clause in that contract.

When you sign a contract like that, both you and the team lose the right to move on.

In his August 21st press conference, he claimed that he requested a trade because he felt his role had been reduced in Ottawa. Awwww, poor baby. It's an embarrassment to him, his agent and his parents that he wasn't raised to understand the importance of accountability and responsibility.

He’s guaranteed the money, but you can’t be guaranteed the ice time. That is earned. If you don’t like your role, then bust your ass and improve your role. Dany reduced his own role ever since separating his shoulder against Detroit in December 2007. Since that time, he plays mostly on the periphery looking for the big wind-up slapshot.

If he wanted out of Ottawa, he should have offered to have Ottawa tear up the contract. (Not that that would have been legal in today's NHL, unlike when Daniel Alfredsson cancelled his last contract). At the very least, let Ottawa trade his rights to whichever team makes the best offer. He’s not a free agent and shouldn’t control the process. On the open market he wouldn’t even sniff the contract he is currently paid under.

Now he wants to be given a role that may not be deserved?

Meet me over on camera 3, Mr. Heatley.

Okay, you listening Dany? If you truly love the fans of Ottawa and the city of Ottawa, then bust your ass and earn the role you want to have. Earn your contract. Become an MVP candidate.

Given his life's experiences so far, he shouldn’t be feeling sorry for himself. Rather he should be thanking his lucky stars that he continues to have the opportunities he has, and he should never have requested the trade in the first place.

At this point, there probably aren’t too many NHL teams that really want to bring in an overpaid star that wants his role given to him rather than earning his ice time. It’s the wrong message for an organization to send its players, its’ the wrong message for the league and it’s the wrong message for sports.

The Guru says trade him to the KHL so he can play with his apparent mentor - Alexei Yashin. Or better yet, create the DHL and simply let him go away and rot.

The Guru Report: Sunday, August 23

2009-08-23T23:28:00.016-04:00

By Hockey Guru

"Tonight!"

Earlier this summer, in a stunning move, the Atlanta Braves released baseball's winningest pitcher, just when he was ready to return to the big leagues.

I'll find out if the recession has hit Ted Turner, or if he's just being as cheap as Jane Fonda says he is.

Then!

I'll break with baseball tradition and speak openly about that of which we dare not speak.

Finally! I'll recap the standings from our playoff hockey pool. Mmmm....there's nothing like fresh hockey scores in August. Tonight....on the Guru Report....

Welcome, welcome Nation. I trust all nine of you have enjoyed your summers. Here at the Clubhouse, we've taken a few months off to try our hand at baseball, and I just want to say one thing off the top.

Baseball is the best because you never spill your beer no matter how crazy the play is. The annual dry cleaning bill for my fishsticks jersey is enough to send Mr. Lam's daughter to university in Ottawa, so it's nice to be able to sit back and watch a relaxing ball game and get less beer on me, than in me.

But then I remembered that you can't be angry while you're relaxed....unless, of course, you're Charles Bronson. I tried several times, but no dice. So I went to the closet, pulled out my vintage Clark Gillies sweater and got my game face on....well, at first I had to wear my wife's exfoliating mask, cuz after a few months I couldn't remember where my game face was. But then I found it, so it was cool.

Just in time, too, cuz it was NOT cool the way the Braves were treating a legend.

The 43-year-old Glavine, who was coming back from shoulder and elbow surgery, threw six scoreless innings for Class A Rome on a Tuesday night in June and proclaimed himself ready to pitch in the majors again. Instead, the Braves cut him immediately. Just another move that figures to draw the ire of Atlanta fans after the team failed to re-sign John Smoltz during the offseason. Glavine was the winningest active pitcher in the majors with a record of 305-203. The move could be based on financial considerations. Glavine's $3.5 million deal, signed after the start of spring training, included a $1 million bonus when he was placed on the active roster and $1.25 million each for 30 and 90 days on the active roster.

Sounds to me like somebody's paying some extra-high alimony to ol' Hanoi Jane.

Moving on.

Something I noticed this summer on more than one occasion - the MLB Network has, more than once, cut in live to games that are progressing as no-hitters. In the studio, however, there is no avoidance of the phrase "no hitter", which has always been the tradition in the past.

In early June, ESPN sent out text messages alerting people that Beckett had a no-hitter going into the seventh. Dennis Eckersley, on the Red Sox own broadcast, must have said "no-hitter" fifty times.

So of course, in the bottom of the seventh Beckett loses the no-hit bid - and to the guy who Eckersley had repeatedly claimed that Beckett just plain owned. Eck assured us that Curtis Granderson would be an easy strikeout.

I don't think those mentions of a no-hitter or the alerts were the reason the no-hitter was broken up - but I do like the tradition of not talking about it. The tap dance around the term is part of the intrigue to me - just like a shutout in hockey.

Anyhow, I just wanted to see what the opinions of others were.

The closest no-hitter that I saw which really stung when it was broken up:

Curt Schilling versus Oakland, which was broken up with 2 outs in the ninth, I believe. Watching on television is a little bit different from being "live" at an event, but it is still cool to be part of a no-hitter as it occurs. As a Sox fan, I've watched several no-hitters. A few that were awesome and a couple that absolutely sucked.

The first, and worst, of my life? The 4th of July, Red Sox at Yanks. I spent the day watching at my parents' friends' house without air conditioning in about a million degree heat. I'm pretty sure that it was Dave Righetti who threw it. Another shit-tastic no hitter was Chris Bosio for Seattle mowing down the Sox in a late night game on the West Coast. There's nothing better than staying up to see absolutely nothing happen. I wish I could be more open to seeing greatness as a fan, but I hated it. A classic (apparent) no-hitter, which was later taken away, was when Matt Young threw a no-no and lost, giving up about three runs on no hits.

I used to tape almost every one of Pedro's starts - waiting to save his no hitter - but it never came. I did, however, watch and tape the end of the Nomo No-No against Baltimore. Unfortunately, I was out of town for my anniversary, listening to the radio during the Derek Lowe no hitter. I was, and still am, a huge Derek Lowe fan - the guy liked to party and the guy really liked chicks. Finally, the Clay Buchholz no-hitter was unreal, watching it unfold in the September atmosphere of Fenway.

The second closest I ever came to witnessing a no-no live and in person was when Greg Harris threw a 3-hitter against the Yanks and still lost (I think the Yanks' pitcher put up a 2-hitter, himself), but the closest I ever came was a much happier occasion, seeing Crazy Carl Everett break up Mike Mussina's bid.

[At this point, the Guru's brain won't stop playing, "No No No" by Def Leppard. Is anyone else reminded of that song when using the term, "no-no"?]

Moving on.

After trying to pick up the ball from Nepean, who dropped it when he stopped updating our Playoff Hockey Pool, the Guru also ended up dropping the ball.

It really didn't matter, though.

Since the previous update (my team had Nepean's team in a strangle-hold), I believe my team advanced to the Finals. Yeah. We'll go with that.

(It really, really didn't matter).

Meanwhile, Appalachia Christian had Toronto beat going into Round 2 by virtue of owning the same (and additional) players. Toronto was without a mathematical chance to catch him.

So the Finals pitted Appalachia versus the Clubhouse, but Appie had the series won before it began, yet again.

Therefore, we can safely crown Appalachia Christian as the Ottawa Hockey League Playoff Hockey Pool Champion. Congrats! Well Done! You may drink from the cup!

Well that's about all we have for tonight's installment of the Guru Report. Be sure to tune in regularly for more frequent updates, especially now with hockey season gearing up. And be sure to watch tomorrow's episode, when my guest in the studio will be Dany Heatley.

Heatley? Really? Wow, that's a good guest. Are we sure that he'll be here, Tito? Yeah? He committed to this show the day before last? Cool. I guess that means he's under contract to us and we can expect him to be here, as per that contract, so look for that.

The Top Ten List: Baseball Positions

2009-08-23T18:41:00.019-04:00

By Will-he-M

Well that just about concludes my examination of the best baseball players in history. The only thing left to do now is to compile them all into a Field of Dreams-style All-Star Series.

Imagine someone had built it ... and they had come ... come to play a five-game series that pitted the best players of all time against each other in a National League versus American League format, with the AL serving as hosts.

I'll use the following Top Ten Lists to collect the best possible teams of 25 players, and then fill out the line-up cards.

1. Starting Pitchers
2. Catchers
3. First Basemen
4. Second Basemen
5. Third Basemen
6. Shortstops
7. Left Fielders
8. Center Fielders
9. Right Fielders
10. Relief Pitchers

Honourable mentions go out to the following lists, that missed the Top Ten due to not having their own assigned number:

Designated Hitters
Pinch Hitters
Utility Men
Managers

Thanks to everyone for following along. I had so much fun assembling these lists that I think I'll produce a few more before baseball season ends.

I have already produced a list of our fantasy league's Top Ten Draft Day Sleepers, as well as a trio of Lists detailing MLB's biggest Draft Busts, and a List of the Top Ten Rule 5 Selections. I'll think of a few more before football season gets underway, but then it'll be a solid month (or less) of football-related Lists before hockey season starts.

So drawing from my previous Lists, I present to you my All-Time All-Stars:

National League

CF Willie Mays
SS Honus Wagner
LF Barry Bonds
RF Hank Aaron
3B Mike Schmidt
DH Duke Snider
C Johnny Bench
1B Cap Anson
2B Rogers Hornsby

Starting Rotation

1. Cy Young
2. Randy Johnson
3. Greg Maddux
4. Steve Carlton
5. Warren Spahn

Bullpen
CL Trevor Hoffman
SU Robb Nen
RP Billy Wagner
RP Rod Beck
RP Lee Smith

Dugout
Util Pete Rose
RF Roberto Clemente
2B Jackie Robinson
LF Lou Brock
C Roy Campanella
PH Lenny Harris

Manager: Joe Torre
Bench Coach: Sparky Anderson
Bullpen Coach: Bobby Cox
1B Coach: Walter Alston
3B Coach: John McGraw

American League

CF Ty Cobb
LF Ted Williams
RF Babe Ruth
1B Lou Gehrig
DH Edgar Martinez
C Yogi Berra
3B Brooks Robinson
2B Nap Lajoie
SS Derek Jeter

Starting Rotation

1. Nolan Ryan
2. Walter Johnson
3. Roger Clemens
4. Bob Feller
5. Pedro Martinez

Bullpen
CL Mariano Rivera
SU Dennis Eckersley
RP Tom Henke
RP Francisco Rodriguez
RP John Wetteland

Dugout
1B Jimmy Foxx
3B George Brett
CF Ken Griffey Jr.
LF Rickey Henderson
C Pudge Rodriguez
2B Roberto Alomar

Manager: Joe McCarthy
Bench Coach: Tony La Russa
Bullpen Coach: Cito Gaston
1B Coach: Casey Stengel
3B Coach: Earl Weaver

The Top Ten List: Managers

2009-08-23T01:34:00.023-04:00

By Will-he-M

Beween 1901 and 1968, teams were either in the American League or the National League. In 1969, the AL East, AL West, NL East and NL West were created. In 1994, the AL Central and the NL Central were added to make six Divisions, which introduced the Wild Card spot.

For the first sixty years of the century, winning a Pennant was a contest between eight teams. In 1961, the American League expanded by two teams, with the National League following suit in 1962. For most of the 60's, winning a Pennant became a ten-team contest.

With another expansion for each league in 1969, winning a Pennant became a 12-team contest in both leagues. Fortunately for managers, Division titles were the new measure of regular season success, and there were four of them. Each Title would initially be contested between only six teams.

In 1977, the American League added two more teams, making each of their Division Titles a seven-team contest. The National League followed suit in 1993, giving themselves only one season of seven-team Divisions. The following season saw six Division Titles contested by either 4 or 5 teams per Division, and the new consolation prizes, the Wild Cards were added to each league.

The National League launched their 4th two-team expansion in 1998, giving them a total of 16 teams in the 38th year of the Expansion Era. Once again, it became a six-team contest to win the NL Central Division (though an AL West Division title could still be had in a four-way race).

So while winning a Pennant has gotten progressively tougher from 1960-1998, winning a Division Title actually got easier between 1993 and 1994.

In addition to chasing Pennants and Division Titles, baseball managers have been awarded individual honours, as well. Between 1936-1985, The Sporting News awarded one Manager of the Year Award for all of baseball. They have since switched to awarding one per league. It wasn't until 1983 that MLB began awarding their own official Manager of the Year trophy, granting one to each league. This award was voted upon by the Base Ball Writers Association of America. By that time, however, there had already been 48 winners of the TSN Award.

10. Leo "The Lip" Durocher 1939-1973
3739 Games, 2008 Wins, 1709 Losses, .540

Brooklyn Dodgers 1939-1946
New York Giants 1948-1955
Chicago Cubs 1966-1972
Houston Astros 1972-1973

Only NL manager to lead two teams during one season (1948, 1972)
3x TSN Manager of the Year (1939, 1951, 1954)
3 NL Pennants (1941, 1951, 1954)
1 World Series Trophy (1954)
Hall of Fame (1994)

9. Earl Weaver 1968-1986
2541 Games, 1480 Wins, 1060 Losses, .583

Baltimore Orioles 1968-1982, 1985-1986

Holds AL record for career Ejections (98)
2x TSN Manager of the Year (1977, 1979)
6 AL East Titles (1969-1971, 1973, 1974, 1979)
4 AL Pennants (1969-1971, 1979)
1 World Series Trophy (1970)
Hall of Fame (1996)

8. Walter "Smokey" Alston 1954-1976
3658 Games, 2040 Wins, 1613 Losses, .558

Brooklyn Dodgers 1954-1957
Los Angeles Dodgers 1958-1976

3x TSN Manager of the Year (1955, 1959, 1963)
1 NL West Title (1974)
7 NL Pennants (1955, 1956, 1969, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1974)
4 World Series Trophies (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965)
Hall of Fame (1983)

7. Casey "The Old Perfessor" Stengel 1934-1965
3766 Games, 1905 Wins, 1842 Losses, .508

Brooklyn Dodgers 1934-1936
Boston Bees 1938-1940
Boston Braves 1941-1943
New York Yankees 1949-1960
New York Mets 1962-1965

Holds MLB record for World Series Trophies (7)
Holds MLB record for Pennants (10)
Holds MLB record for consecutive World Series Trophies (5)
3x TSN Manager of the Year (1949, 1953, 1958)
10 AL Pennants (1949-1953, 1955-1958, 1960)
7 World Series Trophies (1949-1953, 1956, 1958)
Hall of Fame (1966)

6. Anthony "Tony" La Russa 1979-present
4722 Games, 2522 Wins, 2197 Losses, .534

Chicago White Sox 1979-1986
Oakland Athletics 1986-1995
St. Louis Cardinals 1996-present

5th of 5 AL managers to lead two teams during one season (1986)
Won inaugural BBWAA American League Manager of the Year (1983)
3x AL Manager of the Year (1983, 1988, 1992)
TSN Manager of the Year (1983)
2x TSN American League Manager of the Year (1988, 1992)
NL Manager of the Year (2002)
NL Wild Card (2002)
6 NL Central Titles (1996, 2000, 2002, 2004-2006)
5 AL West Titles (1983, 1988-1990, 1992)
3 AL Pennants (1988-1990)
2 NL Pennants (2004, 2006)
2 World Series Trophies (1989, 2006)

5. Robert "Bobby" Cox 1978-present
4295 Games, 2384 Wins, 1908 Losses, .555

Atlanta Braves 1978-1981
Toronto Blue Jays 1982-1985
Atlanta Braves 1990-present

Holds MLB record for career Post-Season Appearances (15)
Holds MLB record for career Ejections (132)
AL Manager of the Year (1985)
3x NL Manager of the Year (1991, 2004, 2005)
Won final TSN Manager of the Year Award for entire MLB (1985)
7x TSN National League Manager of the Year (1991, 1993, 1999, 2002-2005)
In line to win NL's inaugural Wild Card (1994)
11 NL East Titles (1995-2005)
3 NL West Titles (1991-1993)
1 AL East Title (1985)
5 NL Pennants (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999)
1 World Series Trophy (1995)

4. John "Little Napolean" McGraw 1899-1932
4711 Games, 2763 Wins, 1948 Losses, .586

Baltimore Orioles 1899-1902
New York Giants 1902-1932

Holds MLB record for Pennants (10)
Holds MLB record for career Games Above .500 (815)
Holds MLB record for Ejections in a season with 13 (1905)
Holds NL record for Seasons Managed (32)
10 NL Pennants (1904, 1905, 1911-1913, 1917, 1921-1924)
3 World Series Trophies (1905, 1921, 1922)
Hall of Fame (1983)

3. "Marse" Joe McCarthy 1926-1950
3487 Games, 2125 Wins, 1333 Losses, .615

Chicago Cubs 1926-1930
New York Yankees 1931-1946
Boston Red Sox 1948-1950

Holds MLB record for career Winning Percentage (.615)
Holds MLB record for World Series Trophies (7)
Won inaugural TSN Manager of the Year Award (1936)
3x TSN Manager of the Year (1936, 1938, 1943)
8 AL Pennants (1932, 1936-1939, 1941-1943)
1 NL Pennant (1929)
7 World Series Trophies (1932, 1936-1939, 1941, 1943)
Hall of Fame (1957)

2. Sparky "Captain Hook" Anderson 1970-1995
4030 Games, 2194 Wins, 1834 Losses, .545

Cincinnati Reds 1970-1978
Detroit Tigers 1979-1995

2x AL Manager of the Year (1984, 1987)
TSN American League Manager of the Year (1987)
5 NL West Titles (1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976)
2 AL East Titles (1984, 1987)
4 NL Pennants (1970, 1972, 1975, 1976)
1 AL Pennant (1984)
3 World Series Trophies (1975, 1976, 1984)
Hall of Fame (2000)

1. Jospeh "Joe" Torre 1977-present
4116 Games, 2218 Wins, 1892 Losses, .540

New York Mets 1977-1981
Atlanta Braves 1982-1984
St. Louis Cardinals 1990-1995
New York Yankees 1996-2007
Los Angeles Dodgers 2008-present

2x AL Manager of the Year (1996, 1998)
TSN American League Manager of the Year (1998)
2 AL Wild Cards (1997, 2007)
10 AL East Titles (1996, 1998-2006)
2 NL West Titles (1982, 2007)
6 AL Pennants (1996, 1998-2001, 2003)
4 World Series Trophies (1996, 1998-2000)

Here are links to the entire 15-part series, The Top Ten Baseball Players:

The All-Time All-Stars
Managers
Starting Pitchers
Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders
Designated Hitters
Pinch Hitters
Utility Men
Relief Pitchers

The Top Ten List: Starting Pitchers

2009-08-21T20:59:00.035-04:00

By Will-he-M

This turned out to be, by far, my most thorough List. I began by splitting the Starting Pitchers into four eras, to ensure that I didn't leave anyone out. These periods each had some distinct features, though the dates sometimes overlap:

1850-1939: The Dead-Ball Era
1940-1960: The War Years
1961-1983: The Expansion Era
1984-present: The Power Hitting Era

In the event an individual pitcher's career spans two eras, he gets considered only within the era in which he played the majority of his seasons.

The Dead-Ball Era

I feel that so many aspects of the game have changed that it's especially difficult to quickly cobble together this particular Top Ten List. Even assemblimg ten candidates from this era was tough, with so many greats being left off the final List.

Winning the MVP Award in the days before the Cy Young Award existed wasn't enough to secure a spot on the list for Lefty Grove (1931) or Dizzy Dean (1934). The special Eds, as they weren't really known, or Ed Walsh and Eddie Plank both won championships after the turn of the century, but now it's a hundred World Series-ziz-iz...'s later and neither guy stands out anymore. Winning the Triple Crown wasn't enough to get Tim Keefe (1888) or Charley Radbourn (1884) onto the final draft, especially when I couldn't even make room for four-time Triple Crown winner, Grover Cleveland Alexander (1915-1917, 1920).

The War Years

This was, in my opinion, the weakest era for pitching. I actually only had eleven bona fide candidates for the Top Ten and tried in vain to find a few more guys to add to the mix. There simply were no players in the same class as the top ten or eleven. I think a lot of this had to do with the War itself, which led to many good pitchers retiring after only 3-7 years. Among the guys who did excel, there still ended up being many good players left off the final List.

Guys like Bob Lemon and Whitey Ford, who were each was named the AL's Pitcher of the Year on three occasions. Or how about Hal Newhouser and Robin Roberts who each won the award twice. Jim Bunning was no slouch, but he failed to make the List. One of the most appropriately named and earliest winners of the Cy Young Award was none other than Early Wynn, but that didn't propel him past the final cuts. The same goes for Don Drysdale, who won the following year's Cy Young. Winning the 1940 Triple Crown was impressive, but Bob Feller couldn't find room in the top grouping either. Perhaps the hardest cut I had to make was Sandy Koufax, who owns a veritable showcase of trophies and awards. But no Top Ten Award.

The Expansion Era

This era saw many things change from the earlier days, as the development of bullpens and pitch counts began to alter the way a pitcher made his living. It's very noticable how Complete Game totals began to shrink, though not yet to the degree of today's pitchers. Also, this era saw the development of the 5-man rotation. In years past, teams often went with a 4-man rotation and in some cases, a 3-man rotation.

Judging pitchers from this era against their forefathers was not easy and highly subjective. I was once again forced to leave out several great players, such as Dave Stieb and his World Series ring, or Gaylord Perry and his pair of Cy Youngs. Don Sutton and Jim Palmer dominated the 70's, but couldn't make the all-century rotation. Juan Marichal was an early Latino ace who came close to making the List, but fell just short like his contemporary, Bob Gibson. I couldn't believe that I did not find a place for Fergie Jenkins, but in the end he was off the List as well.

The Power Hitting Era

When attempting to reduce this era's sub-List into it's own Top Ten, I found myself stuck on the top fifteen. Unlike the other eras, where there were clear-cut great pitchers, the Modern Era produced not as many greats, but far more very good pitchers. What hurts this era when it comes to comparisons to earlier days, is the fact that bullpens, pitch counts and 5-man rotations have now become as big a part of the game as starting pitchers themselves, who are no longer relied upon to shoulder the burden.

Not since I compiled the Catchers List, have I felt the extraordinary need to include a long "Honourable Mention" roll call, so that I can at least give some credit to the many, many very good pitchers of this era. One funny thing I noticed with this era's candidates was that the majority of the players I considered had played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, New York Yankees or the Baltimore Orioles at some point.

Guys like Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Dennis Martinez, Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, David Wells, Jimmy Key, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, Johan Santana, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Bret Saberhagan, David Cone, Kevin Brown, Kevin Appier, Andy Pettitte, Chuck Finley, Jose Rijo, Fernando Valenzuela, Jamie Moyer, Sid Fernandez and Mark Langston, to name a select few. The list could go on and on. Literally.

Unfortunately, I was restricted to picking only the Top Ten Starting Pitchers of All-Time:

10. Christy "Big Six" Mathewson (New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds 1900-1916)
635 GP, 373-188, 2.13 ERA, 434 CG, 79 SHO, 4780.2 IP, 844 BB, 2502 K

Won 6th and 7th of 20 National League Triple Crowns; 8th and 10th of MLB's 36 (1905, 1908)
4x National League Wins Crown winner (1905, 1907, 1908, 1910)
5x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1903-1905, 1907, 1908)
5x National League ERA Crown winner (1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1913)
Inaugural Hall of Fame class (1936)

9. Tom "Terrific" Seaver (New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox 1967-1987)
656 GP, 311-205, 2.86 ERA, 231 CG, 61 SHO, 4782.2 IP, 1390 BB, 3640 K

Holds MLB record for consecutive Strikeouts with 10 (April 22 1970)
National League Rookie of the Year (1967)
SI Sportsman of the Year (1969)
3x National League Cy Young Award winner (1969, 1973, 1975)
2x TSN National League Pitcher of the Year (1969, 1975)
3x National League Wins Crown winner (1969, 1975, 1981)
5x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976)
3x National League ERA Crown winner (1970, 1971, 1973)
World Series Champion (1969)
12x All-Star (1967-1973, 1975-1978, 1981)
Hall of Fame (1992)

8. Warren Spahn (Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants 1942-1965)
750 GP, 363-245, 3.09 ERA, 382 CG, 63 SHO, 5243.2 IP, 1434 BB, 2583 K

4x TSN National League Pitcher of the Year (1953, 1957, 1958, 1961)
MLB Cy Young Award winner (1957)
8x National League Wins Crown winner (1949, 1950, 1953, 1957-1961)
4x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1949-1952)
3x National League ERA Crown winner (1947, 1953, 1961)
World Series Champion (1957)
14x All-Star (1947, 1949-1954, 1956-1959, 1961-1963)
Hall of Fame (1973)

7. Roger "Rocket" Clemens (Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros 1984-2007)
709 GP, 354-184, 3.12 ERA, 118 CG, 46 SHO, 4916.2 IP, 1580 BB, 4672 K

Holds MLB record for most Cy Young Awards (7)
Holds MLB record for Strikeouts in a game with 20 (April 29 1986, September 18 1986)
Won 12th and 13th of 15 American League Triple Crowns; 31st and 32nd of MLB's 36 (1997, 1998)
American League MVP (1986)
TSN Player of the Year (1986)
6x American League Cy Young Award winner (1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001)
National League Cy Young Award winner (2004)
5x TSN American League Pitcher of the Year (1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001)
4x American League Wins Crown winner (1986, 1987, 1997, 1998)
5x American League Strikout Crown winner (1988, 1991, 1996-1998)
6x American League ERA Crown winner (1986, 1990-1992, 1997, 1998)
National League ERA Crown winner (2005)
All-Star Game MVP (1986)
2x World Series Champion (1999, 2000)
11x All-Star (1986, 1988, 1990-1992, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003-2005)

6. Walter "The Big Train" Johnson (Washington Senators 1907-1927)
802 GP, 417-279, 2.17 ERA, 531 CG, 110 Shutouts*, 5914.2 IP, 1363 BB, 3509 K

Holds MLB record for career Shutouts (110)
Won 3rd, 4th and 5th of 15 American League Triple Crowns; 11th, 14th and 17th of MLB's 36 (1913, 1918, 1924)
2x American League MVP (1913, 1924)
6x American League Wins Crown winner (1913-1916, 1918, 1924)
12x American League Strikout Crown winner (1910, 1912-1919, 1921, 1923, 1924)
5x American League ERA Crown winner (1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1924)
World Series Champion (1924)
Inaugural Hall of Fame class (1936)

5. Steve "Lefty" Carlton (St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins 1965-1988)
741 GP, 329-244, 3.22 ERA, 254 CG, 55 SHO, 5217.1 IP, 1833 BB, 4136 K

Won 17th of 20 National League Triple Crowns; 29th of MLB's 36 (1972)
4x TSN National League Pitcher of the Year (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)
4x National League Cy Young Award winner (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)
4x National League Wins Crown winner (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982)
5x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1972, 1974, 1980, 1982, 1983)
Gold Glove Award winner (1981)
2x World Series Champion (1967, 1980)
10x All-Star (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979-1982)
Hall of Fame (1994)

4. Greg "Mad Dog" Maddux (Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres 1986-2008)
744 GP, 355-227, 3.16 ERA, 109 CG, 35 SHO, 5008.1 IP, 999 BB, 3371 K

4x National League Cy Young Award winner (1992-1995)
4x TSN National League Pitcher of the Year (1992-1995)
3x National League Wins Crown winner (1992, 1994, 1995)
4x National League ERA Crown winner (1993-1995, 1998)
18x Gold Glove Award winner (1990-2002, 2004-2008)
World Series Champion (1995)
8x All-Star (1988, 1992, 1994-1998, 2000)

3. Randy "Big Unit" Johnson (Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants 1988-present)
613 GP, 303-166, 3.29 ERA, 100 CG, 37 CG, 4131.0 IP, 1497 BB, 4869 K

Won 19th of 20 National League Triple Crowns; 34th of MLB's 36 (2002)
TSN American League Pitcher of the Year (1995)
American League Cy Young Award winner (1995)
4x National League Cy Young Award winner (1999-2002)
4x American League Strikeout Crown winner (1992-1995)
5x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1999-2002, 2004)
American League ERA Crown winner (1995)
3x National League ERA Crown winner (1999, 2001, 2002)
World Series MVP (2001)
Babe Ruth Award (2001)
World Series Champion (2001)
10x All-Star (1990, 1993-1995, 1997, 1999-2002, 2004)

2. Nolan "The Ryan Express" Ryan (New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers 1966-1993)
807 GP, 324-292, 3.19 ERA, 272 CG, 61 SHO, 5386.0 IP, 2795 BB, 5714 Strikeouts*

Holds MLB record for career Strikeouts (5714)
Holds MLB record for Strikeouts in a season with 383 (1973)
Holds MLB record for No-Hitters (7)
Holds MLB record for career Hits/9 (6.6)
TSN American League Pitcher of the Year (1977)
9x American League Strikeout Crown winner (1972-1974, 1976-1979, 1989, 1990)
2x National League Strikeout Crown winner (1987, 1988)
2x National League ERA Crown winner (1981, 1987)
World Series Champion (1969)
8x All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989)
Hall of Fame (1999)

1. Denton "Cy" Young (Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, Boston Americans, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, Boston Rustlers 1890-1911)
906 GP, 511-316*, 2.63 ERA, 749 Complete Games*, 76 SHO, 7354.2 Innings Pitched*, 1217 BB, 2803 K

Holds MLB record for career Games Started (815)
Holds MLB record for career Innings Pitched (7354.2)
Holds MLB record for career Batters Faced (30058)
Holds MLB record for career Wins (511)
Holds MLB record for career Losses (316)
Holds MLB record for career Complete Games (749)
Won Triple Crown in American League's inaugural season (1901)
Won first three American League Wins Crowns (1901-1903)
2x National League Wins Crown winner (1892, 1895)
National League Strikeout Crown winner (1896)
National League ERA Crown winner (1892)
World Series Champion (1903)
Hall of Fame (1937)

That was the thirteenth installment in the fourteen-part series. To see the other lists, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders
Designated Hitters
Utility Men
Pinch Hitters
Relief Pitchers

The Top Ten List: Relief Pitchers

2009-08-21T14:08:00.018-04:00

By Will-he-M

My criteria for selecting the best relief pitchers included that he:

- must be dominant; not just consistent; and have the numbers to support that claim
- not necessarily possess the longevity demanded at other positions

Since Closers are a relatively new position, having only been around for 50 years in a game that's been around for 160, it's fairly simple to select the Top Ten of all time. It makes it easy to look deeper than just the Top Ten Saves leaders. ;-)

10. John Wetteland (Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers 1989-2000)
618 GP, 48-45, 2.93 ERA, 330 SVS, 393 SVOPP, 84% SV5, 765.0 IP, 252 BB, 804 K

TSN American League Reliever of the Year (1996)
American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1996)
World Series MVP (1996)
World Series Champion (1996)
3x All-Star (1996, 1998, 1999)

9. Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez (Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets 2002-present)
456 GP, 25-19, 2.35 ERA, 232 SVS, 269 SVOPP, 86% SV5, 500.2 IP, 225 BB, 637 K

Holds MLB record for Saves in a season with 62 (2008)
2x TSN American League Reliever of the Year (2006, 2008)
2x American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (2006, 2008)
World Series Champion (2002)
4x All-Star (2004, 2007-2009)
2x DHL Delivery Man of the Month (August 2006, June 2008)

8. Lee Smith (Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos 1980-1997)
1022 GP, 71-92, 3.03 ERA, 478 SVS, 581 SVOPP, 82% SV%, 1289.1 IP, 486 BB, 1251 K

3x TSN National League Reliever of the Year (1983, 1991, 1992)
TSN American League Reliever of the Year (1994)
2x National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1991, 1992)
American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1994)
7x All-Star (1983, 1987, 1991-1995)

7. Rod "Shooter" Beck (San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres 1991-2004)
704 GP, 38-45, 3.30 ERA, 286 SVS, 341 SVOPP, 84% SV%, 768.0 IP, 191 BB, 644 K

National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1994)
3x All-Star (1993, 1994, 1997)

6. Tom "The Terminator" Henke (Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals 1982-1995)

647 GP, 41-42, 2.67 ERA, 311 SVS, 366 SVOPP, 85% SV%, 789.2 IP, 255 BB, 861 K

National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1995)
World Series Champion (1992)
2x All-Star (1987, 1995)

5. William "Billy The Kid" Wagner (Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets 1995-present)
765 GP, 39-37, 2.40 ERA, 385 SVS, 447 SVOPP, 86% SV%, 818.0 IP, 270 BB, 1066 K

National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1999)
6x All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
DHL Delivery Man of the Month (June 2007)

4. Robert "Robb" Nen (Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants 1993-2002)
643 GP, 45-42, 2.98 ERA, 314 SVS, 368 SVOPP, 85% SV%, 715.0 IP, 260 BB, 793 K

TSN National League Reliever of the Year (2001)
World Series Champion (1997)
3x All-Star (1998, 1999, 2002)

3. Dennis "Eck" Eckersley (Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals 1975-1998)
1071 GP, 197-171, 3.50 ERA, 390 SVS, 461 SVOPP, 85% SV%, 3285.2 IP, 738 BB, 2401 K

American League MVP (1992)
American League Cy Young Award winner (1992)
TSN American League Pitcher of the Year (1992)
3x TSN American League Reliever of the Year (1988, 1991, 1992)
2x American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1988, 1992)
ALCS MVP (1988)
World Series Champion (1989)
6x All-Star (1977, 1982, 1988, 1990-1992)
Hall of Fame (2004)

2. Trevor Hoffman (Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers 1993-present)
963 GP, 57-67, 2.75 ERA, 578 Saves*, 648 SVOPP, 89% SV%, 1020.0 IP, 284 K, 1080 K

Holds MLB record for career Saves (578)
3x TSN National League Reliever of the Year (1996, 1998, 2006)
2x National League Rolaids Relif Man of the Year (1998, 2006)
7x All-Star (1998-2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2009)
4x DHL Delivery Man of the Month (May 2005, September 2006, May 2007, May 2009)

1. Mariano "The Sandman" Rivera (New York Yankees 1995-present)
895 GP, 69-51, 2.27 ERA, 512 SVS, 574 SVOPP, 89% SV%, 1068.1 IP, 250 BB, 984 K

5x TSN American League Reliever of the Year (1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005)
4x American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award winner (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005)
World Series MVP (1999)
Babe Ruth Award (1999)
ALCS MVP (2003)
4x World Series Champion (1996, 1998-2000)
10x All-Star (1997, 1999-2002, 2004-2006, 2008, 2009)
2x DHL Delivery Man of the Month (April 2008, July 2009)

That was the twelfth list in the series. To see the other installments, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders
Designated Hitters
Utility Men
Pinch Hitters

The Top Ten List: Pinch Hitters

2009-08-21T10:31:00.045-04:00

By Will-he-M

I found this list to be quite interesting, when compiling it. For instance, did you know that Drew Hansen, one of the best pinch hitters of all time, was only a career .233 hitter as a PH?

I didn't use too many requirements for this list. I just took whoever was successful, and used regularly as a PH. I used a stat called Pinch Hit Leverage Index (PH-LEV), which purports to judge the importance or context of each pinch hit attempt or plate appearance. A player who scores above 1.0 indicates that he faces, on average, higher pressure situations than the league average. Anything below 1.0 indicates a lower-than-league-average situation, pressure-wise.

Please note the format difference with this list. I'm not using a player's complete career numbers, rather his career pinch hitting line.

10. Stephen "Steve" Braun (Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals 1971-1985)
393 AB, 113 H, 5 HR, 51 RBI, .288 AVG, 1.63 PH-LEV

World Series Champion (1982)
Finished 6th in American League in Walks with 80 (1977)
2x Finished 8th in American League in OBP with .389, .384 (1975, 1976)
Finished 12th in career Pinch Hits (113)

9. John Vander Wal (Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds 1991-2004)
528 AB, 129 H, 17 HR, 64 RBI, .244 AVG, 1.36 PH-LEV

Holds MLB record for Pinch Hits in a season with 28 (1995)
Only added 7 Hits as a starter (1995)
Finished 7th in career Pinch Hits (129)

8. Jose Morales (Oakland Athletics, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers 1973-1984)
352 AB, 123 H, 10 HR, 59 RBI, .349 AVG, 1.96 PH-LEV

Finished 8th in career Pinch Hits (123)
Retired as 9th oldest player in National League (39)
Finished 0-for-2 in post-season

7. Mark Sweeney (St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers 1995-2008)
679 AB, 175 H, 15 HR, 75 RBI, .258 AVG, 1.27 PH-LEV

Finished 2nd in career Pinch Hits (175)

6. Rusty "Le Grand Orange" Staub (Houston Astros, Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers 1963-1985)
356 AB, 100 H, 8 HR, 71 RBI, .281 AVG, 1.93 PH-LEV

Holds MLB record for consecutive Pinch Hits with 8 (1983)
Holds share of MLB record for Pinch Hit RBI in a season with 25 (1983)
6x All-Star (1967-1971, 1976)
Finished 18th in career Pinch Hits (100)
Led National League in Doubles with 44 (1967)

5. Willie "Stretch" McCovey (San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics 1959-1980)
257 AB, 67 H, 16 HR, 52 RBI, .261 AVG, 2.14 PH-LEV

Holds MLB record for career Pinch Hit Grand Slams (3)
2x National League Rookie of the Year Award winner (1959)
TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1969)
National League MVP (1969)
3x National League Home Run Crown winner (1963, 1968, 1969)
2x National League RBI Crown winner (1968, 1969)
All-Star Game MVP (1969)
6x All-Star (1963, 1966, 1968-1971)
Hall of Fame (1986)

4. Gerald "Jerry" Lynch (Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds 1954-1966)
414 AB, 116 H, 18 HR, 64 RBI, .281 AVG, 1.69 PH-LEV

Holds share of MLB record for Pinch Hit RBI in a season with 25 (1961)
Finished 10th in career Pinch Hits (116)
Finished 22nd in National League MVP voting (1961)
Traded straight-up for Bob Skinner (1963)

3. Forrest "Smoky" Burgess (Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Redlegs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox 1949-1967)
418 AB, 145 H, 15 HR, 94 RBI, .347 AVG, 2.25 PH-LEV

World Series Champion (1960)
6x All-Star (1954, 1955, 1959-1961, 1964)
Finished 4th in career Pinch Hits (145)
Finished 6th in National League Batting with .368 (1954)

2. Manuel "Manny" Mota (San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers 1963-1982)
494 AB, 150 H, 4 HR, 96 RBI, .304 AVG, 2.11 PH-LEV

All-Star (1973)
Finished 3rd in career Pinch Hits (150)
Retired as oldest player in MLB (44)

1. Leonard "Lenny" Harris (Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins 1988-2005)
804 AB, 212 H, 5 HR, 75 RBI, .264 AVG, 1.28 PH-LEV

Holds MLB record for career Pinch Hits (150)
Holds MLB record for career Pinch Hit At-Bats (804)
Holds MLB record for Pinch Hit At-Bats in a season with 83 (2001)
Holds MLB record for Pinch Hit Games Played in a season with 95 (2001)

That was the eleventh list in the series. To see the Top Ten installments of the baseball Top Ten Lists, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders
Designated Hitters
Utility Men

The Top Ten List: Utility Men

2009-08-20T17:53:00.021-04:00

By Will-he-M

I'll admit, the "super" utility player is a fairly new concept to me. Unlike the previous lists, where I had a solid idea of who to look at and who to include, this list I had virtually no idea who to really look at. So I had my work cut out for me and I'll tell you, it was very difficult. I tried finding some other possible lists of utility players and found virtually nothing. It's taken me several hours to make this list and if I missed an older player (most of the guys I found are still playing), please mention it or possibly make your own list as I doubt mine could ever be complete.

The criteria I used for this list is that each player must have played multiple positions but without playing too many games at any one position. For instance, I left Mark McLemore off the list because he had played almost 1200 games at second base, which was about 600 games more than he had played at any other position. Anyway, heregoes:

10. Benjamin "Ben" Zobrist (Tampa Bay Rays 2006-present)
256 GP, 831 AB, 116 R, 207 H, 34 D, 10 T, 35 HR, 118 RBI, 21 SB, .249 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 0 games
2B - 77 games
3B - 2 games
SS - 130 games
LF - 21 games
CF - 7 games
RF - 43 games
DH - 0 games

All-Star (2009)

9. William "Bill" Hall (Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners 2002-present)
831 GP, 2676 AB, 370 R, 677 H, 177 D, 17 T, 102 HR, 367 RBI, 49 SB, .253 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 0 games
2B - 101 games
3B - 263 games
SS - 261 games
LF - 1 game
CF - 138 games
RF - 5 games
DH - 0 games

8. Ryan Freel (Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals 2001-present)
594 GP, 1983 AB, 306 R, 532 H, 100 D, 17 T, 22 HR, 122 RBI, 143 SB, .268 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 0 games
2B - 102 games
3B - 113 games
SS - 0 games
LF - 77 games
CF - 221 games
RF - 120 games
DH - 0 games

7. William "Willie" Bloomquist (Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals 2002-present)
636 GP, 1589 AB, 233 R, 416 H, 53 D, 13 T, 10 HR, 123 RBI, 89 SB, .262 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 34 games
2B - 97 games
3B - 110 games
SS - 149 games
LF - 55 games
CF - 116 games
RF - 69 games
DH - 20 games

6. William "Billy" Goodman (Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros 1947-1962)
1623 GP, 5644 AB, 807 R, 1691 H, 299 D, 44 T, 19 HR, 591 RBI, 37 SB, .300 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 406 games
2B - 624 games
3B - 330 games
SS - 7 games
LF - 69 games
CF - 0 games
RF - 42 games
DH - 0 games

American League Batting Crown winner (1950)
2x All-Star (1949, 1953)

5. Cesar "Pepito" Tovar (Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees 1965-1976)
1488 GP, 5569 AB, 834 R, 1546 H, 253 D, 55 T, 46 HR, 435 RBI, 226 SB, .278 AVG

P - 1 game
C - 1 game
1B - 1 game
2B - 215 games
3B - 227 games
SS - 77 games
LF - 394 games
CF - 469 games
RF - 207 games
DH - 90 games

4. Mark DeRosa (Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals 1998-present)
997 GP, 3048 AB, 472 R, 842 H, 167 D, 10 T, 90 HR, 417 RBI, 19 SB, .276 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 23 games
2B - 303 games
3B - 277 games
SS - 139 games
LF - 58 games
CF - 0 games
RF - 159 games
DH - 12 games

3. Desmond "Chone" Figgins (Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Angels 2002-present)
894 GP, 3422 AB, 576 R, 1001 H, 140 D, 53 T, 29 HR, 330 RBI, 275 SB, .293 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 0 games
2B - 113 games
3B - 498 games
SS - 27 games
LF - 36 games
CF - 244 games
RF - 27 games
DH - 20 games

World Series Champion (2002)
All-Star (2009)

2. Keith "Tony" Phillips (Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Anaheim Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets 1982-1999)
2161 GP, 7617 AB, 1300 R, 2023 H, 366 D, 50 T, 160 HR, 819 RBI, 177 SB, .266 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 5 games
2B - 777 games
3B - 428 games
SS - 294 games
LF - 566 games
CF - 97 games
RF - 169 games
DH - 101 games

World Series Champion (1989)

1. Pete "Charlie Hustle" Rose (Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos 1963-1986)
3562 GP, 14053 AB, 2165 R, 4256 H, 746 D, 135 T, 160 HR, 1314 RBI, 198 SB, .303 AVG

P - 0 games
C - 0 games
1B - 939 games
2B - 628 games
3B - 634 games
SS - 0 games
LF - 673 games
CF - 73 games
RF - 590 games
DH - 0 games

2x National League Rookie of the Year Award winner (1963)
TSN Player of the Decade (1970's)
Hickock Belt (1975)
SI Sportsman of the Year Award winner (1975)
TSN Sportsman of the Year Award winner (1985)
National League MVP (1973)
3x National League Batiing Crown winner (1968, 1969, 1973)
World Series MVP (1975)
2x Gold Glove Award Winner (1969, 1970)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1981)
3x World Series Champion (1975, 1976, 1980)
17x All-Star (1965, 1967-1971, 1973-1982, 1985)

That was the tenth list in the series. To see the first nine installments, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders
Designated Hitters

The Top Ten List: Designated Hitters

2009-08-18T07:22:00.011-04:00

By Will-he-M

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love the DH. That's probably because I grew up as an American League fan in general; more specifically a Toronto Blue Jays fan. The DH doesn't get a lot of respect because the casual fan looks at it and thinks, "how hard could it be to just sit there all game long and only get up to hit three to four times per game?".

Well I'm here to say that playing DH is actually tougher then one might think. In fact, many players refuse to play DH simply because it's more difficult to get into the game mentally, when not playing the field.

Since the DH is a relatively new concept, having only been introduced in 1973, the main requirement for my list is not as demanding as it was at other positions. To be considered for this list, a player must have played at least 500 games as a DH. That may seem a bit low for a position that has been around for 36 years, but I found only 15 candidates who met this criteria. You might be surprised at some of the names who didn't make the cut, including Brian Downing, Jason Giambi, Travis Hafner, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Sweeney and Jim Thome.

Of the fifteen players who did meet the minimum requirement, I narrowed things down to the following ten:

10. Andre "Thunder" Thornton (Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians 1973-1987)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1981-1987 (738 Games)

1565 GP, 5291 AB, 792 R, 1342 H, 244 D, 22 T, 253 HR, 895 RBI, 48 SB, .254 AVG

American League Comeback Player (1982)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1984)
2x All-Star (1982, 1984)

9. Jose Canseco (Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox 1985-2001)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1994-2001 (837 Games)

1887 GP, 7057 AB, 1186 R, 1877 H, 340 D, 14 T, 462 HR, 1407 RBI, 200 SB, .266 AVG

2x American League Rookie of the Year Award winner (1986)
American League MVP (1988)
2x American League Home Run Crown winner (1988, 1991)
American League RBI Crown winner (1988)
American League Comeback Player (1994)
4x Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1990, 1991, 1998)
2x World Series Champion (1989, 2000)
6x All-Star (1986, 1988-1990, 1992, 1999)

8. Harold "Hal" McRae (Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals 1968-1987)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1974, 1976-1987 (1427 Games)

2084 GP, 7218 AB, 940 R, 2091 H, 484 D, 66 T, 191 HR, 1097 RBI, 109 SB, .290 AVG

American League RBI Crown winner (1982)
3x Outstanding DH Award winner (1976, 1980, 1982)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1982)
World Series Champion (1985)
3x All-Star (1975, 1976, 1982)

7. David "Big Papi" Ortiz (Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox 1997-present)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1999-Present (1092 Games)

1404 GP, 5005 AB, 854 R, 1411 H, 368 D, 14 T, 304 HR, 1031 RBI, 10 SB, .282 AVG

American League Hank Aaron Award winner (2005)
American League Home Run Crown winner (2006)
2x American League RBI Crown winner (2005, 2006)
ALCS MVP (2004)
5x Outstanding DH Award winner (2003-2007)
4x Silver Slugger Award winner (2004-2007)
2x World Series Champion (2004, 2007)
5x All-Star (2004-2008)

6. Don Baylor (Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Calfornia Angels, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins 1970-1988)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1978, 1981-1988 (1285 Games)

2292 GP, 8198 AB, 1236 R, 2135 H, 366 D, 28 T, 338 HR, 1276 RBI, 285 SB, .260 AVG

American League MVP (1979)
American League RBI Crown winner (1979)
2x Outstanding DH Award winner (1985, 1986)
3x Silver Slugger Award winner (1983, 1985, 1986)
World Series Champion (1987)
All-Star (1979)
National League Manager of the Year Award winner (1995)

5. Charles "Chili" Davis (San Francisco Giants, Calfornia Angels, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees 1981-1999)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1990-1999 (1184 Games)

2435 GP, 8673 AB, 1240 R, 2380 H, 424 D, 30 T, 350 HR, 1372 RBI, 142 SB, .274

Outstanding DH Award winner (1991)
3x World Series Champion (1991, 1998, 1999)
3x All-Star (1984, 1986, 1994)

4. Paul "The Ignitor" Molitor (Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins 1978-1998)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1987, 1991-1998(1174 Games)

2683 GP, 10835 AB, 1782 R, 3319 H, 605 D, 114 T, 234 HR, 1307 RBI, 504 SB, .306 AVG

World Series MVP (1993)
Babe Ruth Award winner (1993)
2x Outstanding DH Award winner (1993, 1996)
4x Silver Slugger Award winner (1987, 1988, 1993, 1996)
World Series Champion (1993)
7x All-Star (1980, 1985, 1988, 1991-1994)
Hall of Fame (2004)

3. Harold Baines (Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians 1980-2001)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1987-2001(1644 Games)

2830 GP, 9908 AB, 1299 R, 2866 H, 488 D, 49 T, 384 HR, 1628 RBI, 34 SB, .289 AVG

2x Outstanding DH Award winner (1987, 1988)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1989)
6x All-Star (1985-1987, 1989, 1991, 1999)

2. Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas (Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays 1990-2008)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1991, 1998-2008(1311 Games)

2322 GP, 8199 AB, 1494 R, 2468 H, 495 D, 12 T, 521 HR, 1704 RBI, 32 SB, .301 AVG

TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1993)
2x American League MVP (1993, 1994)
American League Batting Crown winner (1997)
5x Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000)
5x All-Star (1993-1997)

1. Edgar "Papi" Martinez (Seattle Mariners 1987-2004)

Full seasons played mostly at DH: 1993, 1995-2004

2055 GP, 7213 AB, 1219 R, 2247 H, 514 D, 15 T, 309 HR, 1261 RBI, 49 SB, .312 AVG

2x American League Batting Crown winner (1992, 1995)
American League RBI Crown winner (2000)
5x Outstanding DH Award (aka the Edgar Martinez Award) winner (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001)
5x Silver Slugger Award winner (1992, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003)
7x All-Star (1992, 1995-1997, 2000, 2001, 2003)

That was the ninth list in the series. To see the first eight installments, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders
Right Fielders

The Top Ten List: Right Fielders

2009-08-13T15:00:00.020-04:00

By Will-he-M

This here is the eighth list in the series. To see the first seven installments, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders
Center Fielders

And now, the Right Fielders' list:

10. David "Dave" Winfield (San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians 1973-1995)
2973 GP, 11003 AB, 1669 R, 3110 H, 540 D, 88 T, 465 HR, 1833 RBI, 223 SB, .283 AVG, .982 FPCT

National League RBI Crown winner (1979)
Babe Ruth Award winner (1992)
2x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1979, 1980)
5x American League Gold Glove Award winner (1982-1985, 1987)
6x American League Silver Slugger Award winner (1981-1985, 1992)
World Series Champion (1992)
12x All-Star (1977-1988)
Hall of Fame 2001

9. Albert "Al" Kaline (Detroit Tigers 1953-1974)
2834 GP, 10116 AB, 1622 R, 3007 H, 498 D, 75 T, 399 HR, 1583 RBI, 137 SB, .297 AVG, .987 FPCT

American League Batting Crown winner (1955)
Won first three American League Gold Glove Awards (1957-1959)
10x American League Gold Glove Award winner (1957-1959, 1961-1967)
World Series Champion (1968)
15x All-Star (1955-1967, 1971, 1974)
Hall of Fame 1980

8. Mel "Master Melvin" Ott (New York Giants 1926-1947)
2730 GP, 9456 AB, 1859 R, 2876 H, 488 D, 72 T, 511 HR, 1860 RBI, 89 SB, .304 AVG, .974 FPCT

6x National League Home Run Crown winner (1932, 1934, 1936-1938, 1942)
National League RBI Crown winner (1934)
3x World Series Champion (1933, 1936, 1937)
Hall of Fame 1951

7. Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners 2001-2009)
1389 GP, 5941 AB, 953 R, 1978 H, 220 D, 67 T, 80 HR, 501 RBI, 338 SB, .333 AVG, .993 FPCT

2x American League Rookie of the Year Award winner (2001)
American League MVP (2001)
2x American League Batting Crown winner (2001, 2004)
All-Star Game MVP (2007)
Won American League Gold Glove Award every year of his career (2001-2008)
2x American League Silver Slugger Award winner (2001, 2007)
All-Star every year of his career (2001-2009)

6. Larry Walker (Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals 1989-2005)
1988 GP, 6907 AB, 1355 R, 2160 H, 471 D, 62 T, 383 HR, 1311 RBI, 230 SB, .313 AVG, .987 FPCT

National League MVP (1997)
3x National League Batting Crown winner (1998, 1999, 2001)
National League Home Run Crown winner (1997)
World Series MVP (1994)
Babe Ruth Award winner (1994)
NLCS MVP (1994)
7x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1992, 1993, 1997-1999, 2001, 2002)
3x National League Silver Slugger Award winner (1992, 1997, 1999)
World Series Champion (1994)
5x All-Star (1992, 1997-1999, 2001)

5. Frank Robinson (Cincinnati Redlegs, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians 1956-1976)
2808 GP, 10006 AB, 1829 R, 2943 H, 528 D, 72 T, 586 HR, 1812 RBI, 204 SB, .294 AVG, .984 FPCT

2x National League Rookie of the Year Award winner (1956)
Won American League's 8th of 9 Triple Crowns; MLB's 15th of 16 (1966)
TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1966)
National League MVP (1961)
American League MVP (1966)
World Series MVP (1966)
Babe Ruth Award winner (1966)
All-Star Game MVP (1971)
National League Gold Glove Award winner (1958)
2x World Series Champion (1966, 1970)
12x All-Star (1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1965-1967, 1969-1971, 1974)
Hall of Fame 1982
American League Manager of the Year Award winner (1989)
TSN American League Manager of the Year Award winner (1989)

4. Anthony "Tony" Gwynn (San Diego Padres 1982-2001)
2440 GP, 9288 AB, 1383 R, 3141 H, 543 D, 85 T, 135 HR, 1138 RBI, 319 SB, .338 AVG, .987 FPCT

8x National League Batting Crown winner (1984, 1987-1989, 1994-1997)
5x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1986, 1987, 1989-1991)
7x National League Silver Slugger Award winner (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1997)
15x All-Star (1984-1987, 1989-1999)
Hall of Fame 2007

3. Roberto "Arriba" Clemente (Pittsburgh Pirates 1955-1972)
2433 GP, 9454 AB, 1416 R, 3000 H, 440 D, 166 T, 240 HR, 1305 RBI, 83 SB, .317 AVG, .972 FPCT

National League MVP (1966)
4x National League Batting Crown winner (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
World Series MVP (1971)
Babe Ruth Award winner (1966)
12x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1961-1972)
2x World Series Champion (1960, 1971)
12x All-Star (1960-1967, 1969-1972)
Only player to ever hit a walk-off inside-the-park grand slam
Hall of Fame 1973
Failed to win the Roberto Clemente Award in either of the first two years it was presented, as the Commissioner's Award

2. "Hammerin" Hank Aaron (Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers 1954-1976)
3298 GP, 12364 AB, 2174 R, 3771 H, 624 D, 98 T, 755 HR, 2297 Runs Batted In*, 240 SB, .305 AVG, .982 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career Runs Batted In (2297)
Holds MLB record for career Total Bases (6856)
Holds MLB record for career All-Star Games (21)
National League MVP (1957)
2x National League Batting Crown winner (1956, 1959)
4x National League Home Run Crown winner (1957, 1963, 1966, 1967)
4x National League RBI Crown winner (1957, 1960, 1963, 1966)
3x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1958-1960)
World Series Champion (1957)
21x All-Star (1955-1975)
Hall of Fame 1982

1. "The Bambino" Babe "The Sultan of Swat" Ruth (Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves 1914-1935)
2503 GP, 8398 AB, 2174 R, 2873 H, 506 D, 136 T, 714 HR, 2217 RBI, 123 SB, .342 AVG, .968 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career Slugging Percentage (.690)
Holds MLB record for career OPS (1.164)
Holds MLB record for career OPS+ (207)
American League MVP* (1923)
American League Batting Crown winner (1924)
12x American League Home Run Crown winner (1918-1921, 1923, 1924, 1926-1931)
6x American League RBI Crown winner (1919-1921, 1923, 1926, 1928)
American League ERA Crown winner (1916)
7x World Series Champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
Named to first two All-Star Games (1933, 1934)

3x 18-game winner from 1915-1917 (18, 23, 24)
11th on MLB career Win% list** (.671)
16th on MLB career ERA list*** (2.27)
Led American League in Shutouts in 1916 (9)
Led American League in Complete Games in 1917 (35)
Led American League in Batters Faced in 1917 (1313)
Led American League in H/9 in 1916 (6.40)
Led American League in Games Started in 1916 (41)
Tied Walter Johnson for fewest HR alowed in American League in 1916 (Zero)
Runner up for American League WHIP in 1918 (1.05)
Runner up for American League IP in 1917 (326.1)
2nd runner up for American League Strikeout Crown (1916)

Inaugural Hall of Fame class (1936)

*Was not eligible for a second MVP Award until the rules were changed in 1931
**Could surpass Pedro Martinez (.675) and Johan Santana (.674) for 9th
***Could surpass Mariano Rivera (2.269) for 15th

The Top Ten List: Center Fielders

2009-08-12T23:31:00.036-04:00

By Will-he-M

This here is the seventh list in the series. To see the first six installments, click here:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops
Left Fielders

And now, the Center Fielders:

10. Dale "The Murph" Murphy (Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies 1976-1993)
2180 GP, 7960 AB, 1197 R, 2111 H, 350 D, 39 T, 398 HR, 1266 RBI, 161 SB, .265 AVG, .982 FPCT

2x National League MVP (1982, 1983)
2x National League Home Run Crown winner (1984, 1985)
2x National League RBI Crown winner (1982, 1983)
5x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1982-1986)
4x National League Silver Slugger Award winner (1982-1985)
7x All-Star (1980, 1982-1987)

9. "Sliding" Billy Hamilton (Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Beaneaters 1888-1901)
1591 GP, 6268 AB, 1690 R, 2158 H, 242 D, 94 T, 40 HR, 736 RBI, 912 SB, .344 AVG, .926 FPCT

2x National League Batting Crown winner (1891, 1893)
Hall of Fame 1961

8. Duke "The Silver Fox" Snider (Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants 1947-1964)
2143 GP, 7161 AB, 1259 R, 2116 H, 358 D, 85 T, 407 HR, 1333 RBI, 99 SB, .295 AVG, .985 FPCT

TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1955)
National League Home Run Crown winner (1956)
National League RBI Crown winner (1955)
2x World Series Champion (1955, 1959)
8x All-Star (1950-1956, 1963)
Hall of Fame 1980

7. "Joltin" Joe "The Yankee Clipper" DiMaggio (New York Yankees 1936-1951)
1736 GP, 6821 AB, 1390 R, 2214 H, 389 D, 131 T, 361 HR, 1537 RBI, 30 SB, .325 AVG, .978 FPCT

TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1939)
3x American League MVP (1939, 1941, 1947)
2x American League Batting Crown winner (1939, 1940)
2x American League Home Run Crown winner (1937, 1948)
2x American League RBI Crwon winner (1941, 1948)
9x World Series Champion
13x All-Star (1936-1942, 1946-1951)
Hall of Fame 1955

6. Kirby Puckett (Minnesota Twins 1984-1995)
1783 GP, 7244 AB, 1071 R, 2304 H, 414 D, 57 T, 207 HR, 1085 RBI, 134 SB, .318 AVG, .989 FPCT

American League Batting Crown winner (1990)
American League RBI Crown winner (1994)
ALCS MVP (1991)
All-Star Game MVP (1993)
6x Gold Glove Award winner (1986-1989, 1991, 1992)
6x Silver Slugger Award winner (1986-1989, 1992, 1994)
2x World Series Champion (1987, 1991)
10x All-Star (1986-1995)
Hall of Fame 2001

5. Tris "The Grey Eagle" Speaker (Boston Americans, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Philadelphia Athletics 1907-1928)
2789 GP, 10195 AB, 1882 R, 3514 H, 792 Doubles*, 222 T, 117 HR, 1529 RBI, 432 SB, .345 AVG, .971 FPCT

Holds MLB Record for career Doubles (792)
American League MVP (1912)
American League Batting Crown winner (1916)
American League Home Run Crown winner (1912)
3x World Series Champion (1912, 1915, 1920)
Hall of Fame 1937

4. Mickey "The Mick" Mantle (New York Yankees 1951-1968)
2401 GP, 8102 AB, 1677 R, 2415 H, 344 D, 72 T, 536 HR, 1509 RBI, 153 SB, .298 AVG, .985 FPCT

Won American League's 7th of 9 Triple Crowns; MLB's 14th of 16 (1956)
TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1956)
3x American League MVP (1956, 1957, 1962)
4x American League Home Run Crown winner (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960)
American League Gold Glove Award winner (1962)
7x World Series Champion
16x All-Star (1952-1965, 1967, 1968)
Hall of Fame 1974

3. Ken "Kid" Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox 1989-present)
2608 GP, 9611 AB, 1644 R, 2747 H, 518 D, 38 T, 623 HR, 1811 RBI, 184 SB, .286 AVG, .9985 FPCT

TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1997)
American League MVP (1997)
4x American League Home Run Crown winner (1994, 1997-1999)
American League RBI Crown winner (1997)
All-Star Game MVP (1992)
10x American League Gold Glove Award winner (1990-1999)
7x American League Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996-1999)
13x All-Star (1990-2000, 2004, 2007)

2. Willie "The Say Hey Kid" Mays (New York Giants, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets 1951-1973)
2992 GP, 10881 AB, 2062 R, 3283 H, 523 D, 140 T, 660 HR, 1903 RBI, 338 SB, .302 AVG, .981 FPCT

2x National League Rookie of the Year Award winner (1951)
TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1954)
2x National League MVP (1954, 1965)
National League Batting Crown winner (1954)
4x National League Home Run Crown winner (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965)
2x All-Star Game MVP (1963, 1968)
Won first 12 National League Gold Glove Awards (1957-1968)
World Series Champion (1954)
20x All-Star (1954-1973)
Hall of Fame 1979

1. Ty "The Georgia Peach" Cobb (Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics 1905-1928)
3035 GP, 11434 AB, 2246 R, 4189 H, 724 D, 295 T, 117 HR, 1937 RBI, 892 SB, .366 Batting Average*, .961 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career Batting Average (.366)
Won American League's 2nd of 9 Triple Crowns; MLB's 5th of 16 (1909)
American League's original MVP (1911)
11x American League Batting Crown winner (1907-1912, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1925)
4x American League RBI Crown winner (1907-1909, 1911)
Inaugural Hall of Fame class (1936)

The Top Ten List: Left Fielders

2009-08-11T01:29:00.023-04:00

By Will-he-M

So get this, I spent three hours looking up stats to determine the best outfielders of all time. I just get finished, edit a few mistakes and then hit the "Submit" button, only to get the following message from Yahoo:

"Invalid Message- Error #113"

So, as you may have guessed, I'm pretty pissed off about that. All my work just disappeared. I'm tired, half drunk and really sore from sitting at my computer so long, so now I am going to enjoy the rest of my my cold 2-4 of Kokanee. Without further ado, here are the Left Fielders.

10. "Bucketfoot" Al Simmons (Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Boston Bees, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox 1924-1944)
2215 GP, 8759 AB, 1507 R, 2927 H, 539 D, 149 T, 307 HR, 1827 RBI, 88 SB, .334 AVG, .982 FPCT

2x American League Batting Crown winner (1930, 1931)
American League RBI Crown winner (1929)
Hall of Fame 1953

9. Tim "Rock" Raines (Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins 1979-2002)
2502 GP, 8872 AB, 1571 R, 2605 H, 430 D, 113 T, 170 HR, 980 RBI, 808 SB, .294 AVG, .987 FPCT

National League Batting Crown winner (1986)
All-Star Game MVP (1987)
Silver Slugger Award winner (1986)
7x All-Star (1981-1987)

8. Stan "The Man" Musial (St. Louis Cardinals 1941-1963)
3026 GP, 10972 AB, 1949 R, 3630 H, 725 D, 177 T, 475 HR, 1951 RBI, 78 SB, .331 AVG, .989 FPCT

2x TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1946, 1951)
3x National League MVP (1943, 1946, 1948)
7x National League Batting Crown winner (1943, 1946, 1948, 1950-1952, 1957)
2x National League RBI Crown winner (1948, 1956)
3x World Series Champion (1942, 1944, 1946)
20x All-Star (1943, 1944, 1946-1963)
Hall of Fame 1969

7. Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski (Boston Red Sox 1961-1983)
3308 GP, 11988 AB, 1816 R, 3419 H, 646 D, 59 T, 452 HR, 1844 RBI, 168 SB, .285 AVG, .988 FPCT

Won American League's 9th of 9 Triple Crowns; MLB's 16th of 16 (1967)
TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1967)
All-Star Game MVP (1970)
American League MVP (1967)
3x American League Batting Crown winner (1963, 1967, 1968)
7x Gold Glove Award winner (1963, 1965, 1967-1969, 1971, 1977)
18x All-Star (1963, 1965-1979, 1982, 1983)
Hall of Fame 1989

6. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox 1908-1920)
1332 GP, 4981 AB, 873 R, 1772 H, 307 D, 168 T, 54 HR, 785 RBI, 202 SB, .356 AVG, .964 FPCT

World Series Champion (1913)

5. Louis "Lou" Brock (Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals 1961-1979)
2616 GP, 10332 AB, 1610 R, 3023 H, 486 D, 141 T, 149 HR, 900 RBI, 938 SB, .293 AVG, .959 FPCT

TSN Player of the Year Award (1974)
Babe Ruth Award (1967)
2x World Series Champion (1964, 1967)
6x All-Star (1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979)
Hall of Fame 1985

4. Manny "Man-Ram" Ramirez (Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers 1993-present)
2164 GP, 7820 AB, 1484 R, 2459 H, 525 D, 19 T, 540 HR, 1769 RBI, 37 SB, .314 AVG, .979 FPCT

Won inaugural American League Hank Aaron Award as the top hitter (1999)
American League Hank Aaron Award winner (2004)
American League Batting Crown winner (2002)
American League Home Run Crown winner (2004)
American League RBI Crown winner (1999)
World Series MVP (2004)
2004's Highest Salary ($22,500,000.00)
9x American League Silver Slugger Award winner (1995, 1999-2006)
2x World Series Champion (2004, 2007)
12x All-Star (1995, 1998-2008)

3. Rickey "Man of Steal" Henderson (Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers 1979-2003)
3081 GP, 10961 AB, 2295 Runs*, 3055 H, 510 D, 66 T, 297 HR, 1115 RBI, 1406 Stolen Bases*, .279 AVG, .979 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career Runs (2295)
Holds MLB record for career Stolen Bases (1406)
Holds MLB record for career Caught Stealing (335)
Holds MLB record for single-season Stolen Bases (130), 1982
Holds MLB record for single-season Caught Stealing (42), 1982
American League MVP (1990)
ALCS MVP (1989)
American League Gold Glove Award winner (1981)
3x American League Silver Slugger Award winner (1981, 1985, 1990)
2x World Series Champion (1989, 1993)
10x All-Star (1980, 1982-1988, 1990, 1991)
Hall of Fame 2009

2. Ted "The Kid" Williams (Boston Red Sox 1939-1960)
2292 GP, 7706 AB, 1798 R, 2654 H, 525 D, 71 T, 521 HR, 1839 RBI, 24 SB, .344 AVG, .974 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career On Base Percentage (.482)
Holds MLB record for career Triple Crowns (2)
Won American League's 5th and 6th Triple Crowns (1942, 1947)
5x TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1941, 1942, 1947, 1949, 1957)
2x American League MVP (1946, 1949)
6x American League Batting Crown winner (1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1957, 1958)
4x American League Home Run Crown winner (1941, 1942, 1947, 1949)
4x American League RBI Crown winner (1939, 1942, 1947, 1949)
17x All-Star (1940-1942, 1946-1951, 1953-1960)
Hall of Fame 1966

1. Barry Bonds (Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants 1986-2007)
2986 GP, 9847 AB, 2227 R, 2935 H, 601 D, 77 T, 762 Home Runs*, 1996 RBI, 514 SB, .298 AVG, .984 FPCT

Holds MLB record for career Home Runs (762)
Holds MLB record for single-season Home Runs (73), 2001
Holds MLB record for single-season Slugging Percentage (.863), 2001
Holds MLB record for single-season On-Base Percentage (.601), 2004
Holds MLB record for single-season Walks (232), 2004
Holds MLB record for single-season Intentional Walks (120), 2004
Holds MLB record for career MVP Awards (7)
Holds MLB record for career Player of the Month Awards (13)
3x TSN Player of the Year Award winner (1990, 2001, 2004)
7x National League MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001-2004)
3x National League Hank Aaron Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004)
2x National League Batting Crown winner (2002, 2004)
2x National League Home Run Crown winner (1993, 2001)
National League RBI Crown winner (1993)
8x National League Gold Glove Award winner (1990-1994, 1996-1998)
12x National League Silver Slugger Award winner (1990-1994, 1996, 1997, 2000-2004)
14x All-Star (1990, 1992-1998, 2000-2004, 2007)

Why not check out the rest of my lists, as well:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops

The Top Ten List: Shortstops

2009-08-10T07:34:00.008-04:00

By Will-he-M

Before I get started, I just wanted to mention that I just altered my Top Ten First Basemen List after Hockey Guru pointed out that Stan Musial was actually inducted into the Hall of Fame as a left fielder, despite having played more games at first base. As if left field wasn't crowded enough already, now I have to find room for Musial. But that's for another day (tomorrow?).

Tonight, I close out the infield with perhaps the most important position.

10. Harold "Pee Wee" Reese (Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers 1940-1958)

2166 GP, 8058 AB, 1538 R, 2170 H, 330 D, 80 T, 126 HR, 885 RBI, 232 SB, .269 AVG, .962 FPCT

World Series Champion (1955)
10x All-Star (1942, 1946-1954)
Hall of Fame 1984

9. Luis "Little Louie" Aparicio (Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox 1956-1973)

2601 GP, 10230 AB, 1335 R, 2677 H, 394 D, 92 T, 83 HR, 791 RBI, 506 SB, .262 AVG, .972 FPCT

1956 Rookie of the Year Award Winner
9x Gold Glove Award Winner (1958-1962, 1966, 1968, 1970)
World Series Champion (1966)
10x All-Star (1958-1964, 1970-1972)
Hall of Fame 1984

8. Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto (New York Yankees 1941-1956)

1661 GP, 5816 AB, 877 R, 1588 H, 239 D, 62 T, 38 HR, 563 RBI, 149 SB .273 AVG, .968 FPCT

AL MVP (1950)
7x World Series Champion (1941, 1947, 1949-1953)
5x All-Star (1942, 1949-1953)
Hall of Fame 1994

7. Louis "Lou" Boudreau (Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox 1938-1952)

1646 GP, 6029 AB, 861 R, 1779 H, 385 D, 66 T, 68 HR, 789 RBI, 51 SB, .295 AVG, .973 FPCT

AL MVP (1948)
7x All-Star (1940-1944, 1947, 1948)
Hall of Fame 1970

6. Alan Trammell (Detroit Tigers 1977-1996)

2293 GP, 8288 AB, 1231 R, 2365 H, 412 D, 55 T, 185 HR, 1003 RBI, 236 SB, .285 AVG, .977 FPCT

4x Gold Glove Award Winner (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984)
3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1987, 1988, 1990)
World Series Champion (1984)
6x All-Star (1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)

5. Barry Larkin (Cincinnati Reds 1986-2004)

2180 GP, 7937 AB, 1329 R, 2340 H, 441 D, 76 T, 198 HR, 960 RBI, 379 SB, .295 AVG, .975 FPCT

NL MVP (1995)
3x Gold Glove Award Winner (1994-1996)
9x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1988-1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
World Series Champion (1990)
12x All-Star (1988-1991, 1993-2000, 2004)

4. Luke "Old Aches and Pains" Appling (Chicago White Sox 1930-1950)

2422 GP, 8856 AB, 1319 R, 2749 H, 440 D, 102 T, 45 HR, 1116 RBI, 179 SB. .310 AVG, .948 FPCT

2x AL Batting Champion (1936, 1943)
7x All-Star (1936, 1939-1941, 1943, 1946, 1947)
Hall of Fame 1964

3. Ozzie "Wizard of Oz" Smith (San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals 1978-1996)

2573 GP, 9396 AB, 1257 R, 2460 H, 402 D, 69 T, 28 HR, 793 RBI, 148 SB, .262 AVG, .978 FPCT

13x Gold Glove Award Winner (1980-1992)
Silver Slugger Award Winner (1987)
1982 World Series Champion
15x All-Star (1981-1992, 1994-1996)

2. Derek "Mr. November" Jeter (New York Yankees 1995-present)

2076 GP, 8404 AB, 1529 R, 2656 H, 430 D, 57 T, 217 HR, 1043 RBI, 293 SB, .316 AVG, .975 FPCT

1996 AL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
3x Gold Glove Award Winner (2004-2006)
3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (2006-2008)
4x World Series Champion (1996, 1998-2000)
10x All-Star (1998-2002, 2004, 2006-2009)

1. Honus "The Flying Dutchman" Wagner (Pittsburgh Pirates, Louisville Colonels 1897-1917)

2792 GP, 10430 AB, 1736 R, 3415 H, 640 D, 252 T, 101 HR, 1732 RBI, 722 SB, .327 AVG, .940 FPCT

8x NL Batting Champion (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906-1909, 1911)
World Series Champion (1909)
Inaugural Hall of Fame class (1936)

[Editor's Note: This list was originally published on July 27, 2009]

Compare this list with the rest of the infield:

Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen

The Top Ten List: Third Basemen

2009-07-31T22:47:00.026-04:00

By Will-he-M

Compiling this list taught me something important. Before now, I had no idea that the average third baseman had such a short MLB career. I always knew it was the most demanding position in baseball because I have played third base myself, for the past three years. When looking at the Catchers, and the First Basemen, and the Second Basemen, I noticed that they generally all had very long and careers and were still effective in the latter stages. The exact opposite seems to happen to the elite Third Basemen. They usually start their careers slowly, have tremendous success through their prime years, then just drop completely off during their final three to five seasons. I can honestly say that I have new found respect for these guys and I can finally sympathize with Chipper Jones for never having been able to stay healthy.

Before anyone has the chance to question the obvious, let me head them off at the pass. I have A-Rod ranked 8th for the simple reason that he has played just 752 of his 2024 career games at Third Base. I firmly believe that had A-Rod stayed at shortstop, that he'd be by far the greatest shortstop in MLB history. I just have a hard time trying to justify A-Rod's placement among the greatest when he's played just 37% of his career at a certain position. That said, tell me what you think of the order, in the Comments section.

10. Frank "Home Run" Baker (Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees 1908-1922)
1575 GP, 5984 AB, 887 R, 1838 H, 315 D, 103 T, 96 HR, 987 RBI, 235 SB, .307 AVG, .943 FPCT

4x AL Home Run Crown Winner (1911-1914)
2x AL RBI Crown Winner (1912, 1913)
3x World Series Champion (1910, 1911, 1913)
Hall of Fame 1955

9. John "Mugsy" McGraw (Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals. New York Giants 1891-1906)
1099 GP, 3924 AB, 1024 R, 1309 H, 121 D, 70 T, 13 HR, 462 RBI, 436 SB, .334 AVG, .898 FPCT

3x World Series Champion (1905, 1921, 1922)
Hall of Fame 1937

8. Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez (Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees 1994-present)
2042 GP, 7860 AB, 1605 R, 2404 H, 428 D, 26 T, 553 HR, 1606 RBI, 283 SB, .306 AVG, .962 FPCT

3x AL MVP (2003, 2005, 2007)
2x Gold Glove Award Winner (2002, 2003)
10x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1996, 1998-2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
12x All-Star (1996-1998, 2000-2008)

7. Scott Rolen (Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds 1996-present)
1630 GP, 5945 AB, 1021 R, 1679 H, 412 D, 35 T, 274 HR, 1067 RBI, 109 SB, .282 AVG, .966 FPCT

1997 Rookie of the Year Award Winner
7x Gold Glove Award Winner (1998, 2000-2004, 2006)
Silver Slugger Award Winner (2002)
World Series Champion (2006)
5x All-Star (2002-2006)

6. Larry "Chipper" Jones (Atlanta Braves 1993-present)
2029 GP, 7361 AB, 1382 R, 2285 H, 451 D, 35 T, 409 HR, 1378 RBI, 138 SB, .310 AVG, .954 FPCT

1999 NL MVP
2x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1999, 2000)
World Series Champion (1995)
6x All-Star (1996-1998, 2000, 2001, 2008)

5. Eddie Mathews (Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers 1952-1968)
2391 GP, 8537 AB, 1509 R, 2315 H, 354 D, 72 T, 512 HR, 1453 RBI, 68 SB, .271 AVG, .956 FPCT

2x NL Home Run Crown Winner (1953, 1959)
2x World Series Champion (1957, 1968)
9x All-Star (1953, 1955-1962)
Hall of Fame 1978

4. Wade Boggs (Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1982-1999)
2439 GP, 9180 AB, 1513 R, 3010 H, 578 D, 61 T, 118 HR, 1014 RBI, 24 SB, .328 AVG, .962 FPCT

2x Gold Glove Award Winner (1994, 1995)
8x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1983, 1986-1989, 1993, 1994)
World Series Champion (1996)
12x All-Star (1985-1996)
Hall of Fame 2005

3. Michael "Mike" Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies 1972-1989)
2404 GP, 8352 AB, 1506 R, 2234 H, 408 D, 59 T, 548 HR, 1595 RBI, 174 SB, .267 AVG, .955 FPCT

3x NL MVP (1980, 1981, 1986)
10x Gold Glove Award Winner (1976-1986)
6x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1980-1984, 1986) *won the first five handed out
World Series Champion (1980)
12x All-Star (1974, 1976, 1977, 1979-1984, 1986, 1987, 1989)
Hall of Fame 1995

2. George "Mullet" Brett (Kansas City Royals 1973-1993)
2707 GP, 10349 AB, 1583 R, 3154 H, 665 D, 137 T, 317 HR, 1595 RBI, 201 SB, .305 AVG, .951 FPCT

1980 AL MVP
Gold Glove Award Winner (1985)
3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1980, 1985, 1988) *won the inaugural award
World Series Champion (1985)
13x All-Star (1976-1988)
Hall of Fame 1999

1. Brooks "Vacuum Cleaner" Robinson (Baltimore Orioles 1955-1977)
2896 GP, 10654 AB, 1232 R, 2848 H, 482 D, 68 T, 268 HR, 1357 RBI, 28 SB, .267 AVG, .971 FPCT

1964 AL MVP
16x Gold Glove Award Winner (1960-1975)
15x All-Star (1960-1974)
Hall of Fame 1983

[Editor's Note: This list was originally published on April 30th, 2009].

The Top Ten List: Second Basemen

2009-07-29T03:08:00.031-04:00

Tom Cruise proves to his 11-year old son, Connor, that he is "all man" by getting to second base with his girlfriend at a 2006 baseball game.

By Will-he-M

After doing the list of First Basemen, I figured that no list could prove tougher to make. Holy Hell was I wrong. Doing this one made doing the first basemen seem like doing the Catchers List.

Of the eighteen obvious candidates for history's greatest Second Baseman, only two failed to score 1000 Runs (Tony Lazzeri and Jackie Robinson); only two failed to get 1000 RBI (Nellie Fox and Jackie Robinson); only three failed to steal 100 Bases (Bobby Doerr, Nellie Fox and Jeff Kent); and only five failed to hit 400 Doubles (Bobby Doerr, Nellie Fox, Tony Lazzeri, Bid McPhee and Jackie Robinson).

Additionally, eight candidates scored over 1500 Runs, seven had over 200 Home Runs, six had over 500 Doubles, six had over 400 Stolen Bases, four had over 3000 Hits, and three had over 1500 RBI. It wasn't easy, but here is my Top Ten List for Second Basemen.

10. Craig Biggio (Houston Astros 1988-2007)
2850 GP, 10876 AB, 1844 R, 3060 H, 668 D, 55 T, 291 RBI, 1175 RBI, 414 SB, .281 AVG, .984 FPCT

4x Gold Glove Award Winner (1994-1997)
5x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998)
7x All-Star (1991, 1992, 1994-1998)

9. Jeff Kent (Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers 1992-2008)
2298 GP, 8498 AB, 1320 R, 2401 H, 560 D, 47 T, 377 HR, 1518 RBI, 94 SB, .290 AVG, .980 FPCT

2000 NL MVP
4x Silver Slugger Award Winner (2000-2002, 2005)
5x All-Star (1999-2001, 2004, 2005)

8. Eddie "Cocky" Collins (Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox 1906-1930)
2826 GP, 9949 AB, 1821 R, 3315 H, 438 R, 187 T, 47 HR, 1300 RBI, 744 SB, .333 AVG, .970 FPCT

1914 AL MVP
Hall of Fame 1939

7. Rodney "Rod" Carew (Minnesota Twins, California Angels 1967-1985)
2469 GP, 9315 AB, 1424 R, 3053 H, 445 D, 112 T, 92 T, 1015 RBI, 353 SB, .358 AVG, .973 FPCT

1967 Rookie of the Year Award Winner
1977 AL MVP
18x All-Star (1967-1984)
Hall of Fame 1991

6. Joe Morgan (Houston Colt .45's, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics 1963-1984)
2649 GP, 9277 AB, 1650 R, 2517 H, 449 D, 96 T, 268 HR, 1133 RBI, 689 SB, .271 AVG, .981 FPCT

2x NL MVP (1975, 1976)
2x World Series Champion (1975, 1976)
10x All-Star (1966, 1970, 1972-1979)
Hall of Fame 1990

5. Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg (Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs 1981-1997)
2164 GP, 8385 AB, 1318 R, 2386 H, 403 D, 76 T, 282 HR, 1061 RBI, 344 SB, .285 AVG, .989 FPCT

1984 NL MVP
9x Gold Glove Award Winner (1983-1991)
7x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1984, 1985, 1988-1992)
10x All-Star (1984-1993)
Hall of Fame 2005

4. Jack "Jackie" Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1956)
1382 GP, 4877 AB, 947 R, 1518 R, 273 D, 54 T, 137 HR, 734 RBI, 197 SB, .311 AVG, .983 FPCT

1947 MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winner
1949 NL MVP
World Series Champion (1955)
6x All-Star (1949-1954)
Hall of Fame 1962

3. Roberto Alomar (San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks 1988-2004)
2329 GP, 9073 AB, 1508 R, 2724 H, 504 D, 80 T, 210 HR, 1134 RBI, 474 SB, .300 AVG, .984 FPCT

10x Gold Glove Award Winner (1991-1996, 1998-2001)
4x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000)
2x World Series Champion (1992, 1993)
12x All-Star (1990-2001)

2. Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie (Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Bronchos, Cleveland Naps 1896-1916)
2480 GP, 9589 AB, 1504 R, 3242 H, 657 D, 163 T, 83 HR, 1599 RBI, 380 SB, .338 AVG, .963 FPCT

Triple Crown Winner (1901)
Hall of Fame 1937

1. Rogers "Rajah" Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns 1915-1937)
2259 GP, 8173 AB, 1579 R, 2930 H, 541 D, 169 T, 301 HR, 1584 RBI, 135 SB, .358 AVG, .965 FPCT

2x Triple Crown Winner (1922, 1925)
2x NL MVP (1925, 1929)
World Series Champion (1926)
Hall of Fame 1942

[Editor's Note: This list was originally published on April 28th, 2009]

The Top Ten List: First Basemen

2009-07-28T02:25:00.018-04:00

by Will-he-M

[Editor's Note: This list was updated on August 8, after deciding to switch Stan Musial to left field]

Unlike catchers, where you can easily pick and choose a Top Ten that nobody would have too many problems with, First Base is a tough position to judge because that's where the worst defender on the team is supposed to play. Yet, while looking up my Top Ten candidates, I found some things quite surprising. For instance, I hadn't realized just how good a defender Mark McGwire really was.

Now, a lot of the guys I researched came from the early days of baseball and I fully understand that their defensive numbers might be skewed. They faced many more ground balls then the guys of the last 75 years, which would cause them to have more errors then a guy like McGwire or Todd Helton.

This list was very hard to put together with so many factors involved. I couldn't go by the offensive numbers alone as there have been many great offensive first basemen in history. And since nobody alive today has actually seen someone like Cap Anson play I have to go by the numbers alone in certain cases, but I am factoring the era into my process.

10. Johnny "The Big Cat" Mize (St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, New York Yankees 1930-1953)
1884 GP, 6443 AB, 1118 R, 2011 H, 367 D, 83 T, 359 HR, 1337 RBI, 28 SB, .312 AVG, .992 FPCT

NL Batting Crown Winner (1939)
5x World Series Champion (1949-1953)
10x All-Star (1937, 1939-1942, 1946-1949, 1953)
Hall of Fame 1981

9. Harry Stovey (Worcester Ruby Legs, Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Reds, Boston Beaneaters, Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Grooms 1880-1893)
1486 GP, 6138 AB, 1492 R, 1771 H, 347 D, 174 T, 122 HR, 908 RBI, 509 SB, .289 AVG, .961 FPCT

2x NL Home Run Crown Winner (1880, 1891)
3x AA Home Run Crown Winner (1883, 1885, 1889)
AA RBI Crown Winner (1889)

8. "Hammerin" Hank Greenberg (Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates 1930-1947)
1394 GP, 5193 AB, 1051 R, 1628 H, 379 D, 71 T, 331 HR, 1296 RBI, 58 SB, .313 AVG, .991 FPCT

2x AL MVP (1935, 1940)
2x World Series Champion (1935, 1945)
5x All-Star (1937-1940, 1945)
Hall of Fame 1956

7. "Prince" Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals 2001-present)
1246 GP, 4602 AB, 954 R, 1540 H, 343 D, 13 T, 322 HR, 986 RBI, 45 SB, .335 AVG, .994 FPCT

2001 NL Rookie of the Year
2x NL MVP (2005, 2008)
Gold Glove Award Winner (2006)
4x Silver Slugger Award Winner (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008)
World Series Champion (2008)
8x All-Star (2001, 2003-2009)

6. Jeff "BagPipes" Bagwell (Houston Astros 1991-2005)
2150 GP, 7797 AB, 1517 R, 2314 H, 488 D, 32 T, 449 HR, 1529 RBI, 202 SB, .297 AVG, .993 PFCT

1991 NL Rookie of the Year
1994 NL MVP
Gold Glove Award Winner (1994)
3x Silver Slugger Award winner (1994, 1997, 1999)
4x All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)

5. Mark "Big Mac" McGwire (Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals 1986-2001)
1874 GP, 6187 AB, 1167 R, 1626 H, 252 D, 6 T, 583 HR, 1414 RBI, 12 SB, .263 AVG, .993 FPCT

1987 Rookie of the Year
1998 Broke single season HR record
Gold Glove Award Winner (1990)
3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1992, 1996, 1998)
World Series Champion (1989)
12x All-Star (1987-1992, 1995-2000)

4. "Big" Dan Brouthers (Troy Trojans, Buffalo Bisons, Detroit Wolverines, Boston Beaneaters, Boston Reds, Brooklyn Grooms, Baltimore Orioles, Louisville Colonels, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants 1879-1904)
1673 GP, 6711 AB, 2296 H, 460 D, 205 T, 106 HR, 1296 RBI, 256 SB, .342 AVG, .971 FPCT

5x NL Batting Crown Winner (1882, 1883, 1889, 1891, 1892)
2x NL Home Run Crown Winner (1881, 1886)
2x NL RBI Crown Winner (1883, 1892)
Hall of Fame 1945

3. Jimmie "Beast" Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies 1925-1945)
2317 GP, 8134 AB, 1751 R, 2646 H, 458 D, 125 T, 534 HR, 1922 RBI, 87 SB, .325 AVG, .992 FPCT

3x AL MVP (1932, 1933, 1938)
2x World Series Champion (1929, 1930)
9x All-Star (1933-1941)
Hall of Fame 1951

2. Cap "Pop" Anson (Rockford Forest Citys, Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago Cubs 1871-1897)
2523 GP, 10277 AB, 1996 R, 3418 H, 581 D, 142 T, 97 HR, 2076 RBI, 276 SB, .333 AVG, .972 FPCT

2x NL Batting Crown Winner (1881, 1888)
8x NL RBI Crown Winner (1880-1882, 1884-1886, 1888, 1891)
Hall of Fame 1939

1. Lou "The Iron Horse" Gehrig (New York Yankees 1923-1939)
2164 GP, 8001 AB, 1888 R, 2721 H, 534 D, 163 T, 493 HR, 1995 RBI, 102 SB, .340 AVG, .991 FPCT

2x AL MVP (1927, 1936)
6x World Series Champion (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936-1938)
7x All-Star (1933-1939)
Hall of Fame 1939

[Editor's Note: This list was originally published on April 26th, 2009 with Stan Musial listed as the second-ranked first baseman. It has since come to the author's attention that Musial was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a left fielder, prompting his removal from this list]

The Top Ten List: Catchers

2009-07-27T02:33:00.014-04:00

by Will-he-M

I'm going to begin doing a regular Top Ten List, starting with the All-Time Top 10 baseball players at each position. I'm hoping to do this over the next couple weeks and hopefully I can come up with more lists so I can carry it over throughout the year and into the play-offs. I originally wanted to do this in the fantasy hockey league, but whenever I'd try I'd either get side tracked, or else my post would be too long and Yahoo would erase it on me. So here it goes, starting with the Top 10 Catchers of all time.

10. Thurman "Tugboat" Munson (New York Yankees 1969-1979)
1423 GP, 5344 AB, 696 R, 1558 H, 229 D, 32 T, 113 HR, 701 RBI, 48 SB, .292 AVG, .982 FPCT

1970 AL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
AL MVP (1976)
3x Gold Glove Award Winner (1973-1975)
2x World Series Champion (1977, 1978)
7x All-Star (1971, 1973-1979)

9. William "Bill" Dickey (New York Yankees 1928-1946)
1789 GP, 6300 AB, 930 R, 1969 H, 343 D, 72 T, 202 HR, 1209 RBI, 37 SB, .313 AVG, .988 FPCT

8x World Series Champion (1928, 1932, 1936-1939, 1941, 1943)
11x All-Star (1933, 1934, 1936-1943, 1946)
Hall of Fame 1954

8. Charles "Gabby" Hartnett (Chicago Cubs, New York Giants 1922-1941)
1990 GP, 6432 AB, 867 R, 1912 H, 396 D, 64 T, 236 HR, 1179 RBI, 28 SB, .297 AVG, .984 FPCT

NL MVP (1935)
6x All-Star (1933-1938)
Hall of Fame 1955

7. Mickey "Black Mike" Cochrane (Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers 1925-1937)

1482 GP, 5169 AB, 1041 R, 1652 H, 333 D, 64 T, 119 HR, 832 RBI, 64 SB, .320 AVG, .985 FPCT

2x AL MVP (1928, 1934)
3x World Series Champion (1929, 1930, 1935)
2x All-Star (1934, 1935)
Hall of Fame 1947

6. Michael "Mike" Piazza (Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics 1992-2007)
1912 GP, 6911 AB, 1048 R, 2127 H, 344 D, 8 T, 427 HR, 1335 RBI, 17 SB, .308 AVG, .989 FPCT

1993 NL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
10x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1993-2002)
12x All-Star (1993-2002, 2004, 2005)

5. Carlton "Pudge" Fisk (Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox 1969-1993)
2499 GP, 8756 AB, 1276 R, 2356 H, 421 D, 47 T, 376 HR, 1330 RBI, 128 SB, .269 AVG, .988 FPCT

1972 AL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
Gold Glove Award Winner (1972)
3x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1981, 1985, 1988)
11x All-Star (1972-1974, 1976-1978, 1980-1982, 1985, 1991)
Hall of Fame 2000

4. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros 1991-present)
2272 GP, 8664 AB, 1255 R, 2610 H, 525 D, 48 T, 296 HR, 1219 RBI, 124 SB, .301 AVG, .991 FPCT

AL MVP (1999)
13x Gold Glove Award Winner (1992-2001, 2004, 2006, 2007)
7x Silver Slugger Award Winner (1994-1999, 2004)
World Series Champion (2003)
14x All-Star (1992-2001, 2004-2007)

3. Roy "Campy" Campanella (Brooklyn Dodgers 1948-1957)
1215 GP, 4205 AB, 677 R, 1161 H, 178 D, 18 T, 242 HR, 856 RBI, 25 SB, .276 AVG, .988 FPCT

3x NL MVP (1951, 1953, 1955)
World Series Champion (1955)
8x All-Star (1949-1956)
Hall of Fame 1969

2. Lawrence "Yogi" Berra (New York Yankees, New York Mets 1946-1965)
2120 GP, 7555 AB, 1175 R, 2150 H, 321 D, 49 T, 358 HR, 1430 RBI, 50 SB, .285 AVG, .989 FPCT

3x AL MVP (1951, 1954, 1955)
10x World Series Champion (1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)
15x All-Star (1948-1962)
All around nice guy
Hall of Fame 1972

1. Johnny "Little General" Bench (Cincinnati Reds 1967-1983)
2158 GP, 7658 AB, 1091 R, 2048 H, 381 D, 24 T, 389 HR, 1376 RBI, 68 SB, .267 AVG, .990 FPCT

1968 NL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
2x NL MVP (1970, 1972)
10x Gold Glove Award Winner (1968-1977)
2x World Series Champion (1975, 1976)
14x All-Star (1968-1980, 1983)
Hall of Fame 1989

Other Notable Catchers: Jorge Posada, Joe Torre, Gary Carter, Ernie Lombardi, Ted Simmons, Elston Howard

[Editor's Note: This list was originally published on April 19th, 2009]

The Guru Report: Sunday, June 7

2009-06-07T23:18:00.007-04:00

by Hockey Guru

Sorry about the technical difficulties yesterday. I should have realized that there might have been some of you out there in the Guru Nation, who might make Jacques Demers look like an Honours English major. In stead, I expected you to read the actual script for the previous episode of The Guru Report.

Now that I have located the master tape [thanks, TD], you can now view the episode in its full HiDef glory, the way it was meant to be broadcast. So grab yourself some popcorn and curl up with your loved ones because...

It's time for the Guru Report:

The Guru Report: Saturday, June 6

2009-06-06T13:03:00.019-04:00

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Detroit Red Wings

Game 5

Saturday, June 6th, 8:00 PM ET

by Hockey Guru

How quickly we forget. It's amazing how the last impression we get sticks with us.

Going into the playoffs, Chris Osgood looked like an obvious flaw in Detroit's Perfect Machine. It was like the hot chick at the bar, who turns around to reveal a nose like Gonzo the Muppet - so close to perfection, but just not going to work out. Osgood was a glaring problem to experts like me, in Detroit's attempted Cup run this year. And not subtly, like Seinfeld's issue with "Man Hands".

But as the Wings rolled into the Cup Finals, and through Games 1 & 2, we changed our collective tune to:

"Osgood is the most underappreciated goalie ... Ozzie is the greatest clutch goalie ... "

Going back a few days, however, to immediately after Games 1 & 2 (which could have clearly gone either way ... a couple posts, a covered puck in the crease called for a penalty shot, a different bounce off the end boards, and this series could've been a Pittsburgh sweep), all of the experts, the Guru included (note the capital G - someone's a little full of themselves) were saying:

"Detroit is simply awesome ... this is over ... there's no way Pittsburgh or anyone could win 4 of 5 from Detroit ... too bad for hockey ... this had the makings of a great series ... imagine that Detroit is doing this without Datsyuk ... "

It was OVER.

Then, a tremendous second period effort by Fleury and Pittsburgh found themselves tied up midway through the third period in game 3. Capitalizing on their powerplay, Pittsburgh pulls out Game 3 and maybe, just MAYBE the experts again felt that this could become a series.

After a second consecutive 4-2 victory on Thursday night, Pittsburgh squares the series. Now all the experts jump from one bandwagon to the other:

"Detroit is just getting old ... Pittsburgh has all the momentum now ... Osgood is vulnerable ... "

Well, let the Guru now also re-align his own thoughts.

Pittsburgh was down 2-0 to Washington and roared back to a 3-2 lead and eventually blew Washington out in Game 7.

Pittsburgh seems healthy, particularly up front. I LOVE what Dan Bylsma is doing, playing Crosby and Malkin a ton (something that the Bruins failed to do, as their goal was to simply roll 4 lines, no matter what, in case the series contained 17 overtime periods, I guess). Now is the opportunity for star players to seize the moment. With Malkin and/or Crosby on the ice for two-thirds of the game, there is constant pressure applied to the opponent.

Detroit has focused so much on the matchups and awareness of those two, that they've lost a bit of focus on their own game. They've become reactive while Pittsburgh is being proactive. That's the difference in the series, right now.

Going into this Best-of-Three for the hardest trophy to win in all of sports, here's my current breakdown:

Crosby and Malkin are close and they want it WAY more than anyone on Detroit.
Detroit has drank from the Cup a lot and can't match the drive the leaders of Pittsburgh have right now.
Fleury is more able to steal a game than Osgood, at this point. Although, we've learned never to write Ozzie off, this seems like a pretty clear advantage for Fleury.
The Guru is leaning toward Pittsburgh (of course, his rooting interest in this series has been there all along and he may be getting carried away with the short memory syndrome).
Pavel Datsyuk is a wild card - what kind of impact will he bring tonight?
Will the home ice and line-matching ability make it easier for Detroit to get the matchups they want and focus on their own game more?
Which way will the puck bounce tonight?
Aren't we due for an overtime in this series soon?
The schedule from here on out may favor Detroit a bit with the multiple days off between games the rest of the way

Peace to all those who read this post. Your comments, reactions and criticisms are wanted!

The Guru Report: Thursday, June 4

2009-06-06T12:34:00.011-04:00

by Hockey Guru

We are currently in the midst of the first Stanley Cup Finals in a number of years, that is clearly undecided, through the first four games. It's time for the Hockey Guru to post a few comments / random thoughts:

Is there really justice in the NHL? The suspension issues mentioned in several previous installments of The NHL Needs a Fix, prove the league's consistent inconsistency. That is, suspensions continue to be ~~given~~ not given in a bizarre, haphhazard manner.

While I am in agreement with the overturning of Malkin's suspension, how was Lucic's suspension justifiable? Moreso, how could Scott Walker not only avoid a suspension, but avoid an "automatic" suspension that required the league to overturn it? Lucic was suspended for the same infraction. It's foolish.

The Stanley Cup Finals may be teaching a lesson to the league offices. Let the players sort things out on the ice. The more the off ice officials back away, the more the game takes care of itself.

The on-ice officiating has been great. Not calling every ticky-tack "interference" allows the game to have some flow and not evolve into half-court basketball, with alternating powerplays rather than alternating possessions.

In Thursday night's Game 4, after Staal's shortie, The Igloo was ROCKING and play was fast and frantic. (Until a certain bank - I'm looking at you, Tito O'Dell - adds money to Mario's coffers, it will remain The Igloo).

Have a look for yourself:

I commented to a friend that someone was going to score. It could have easily been Detroit, but play opened up and culminated in Sid's goal.

The action in this final series has been great. Unfortunately, there are only two or three games left.

My Enormous Crystal Balls: Review

2009-06-06T12:17:00.006-04:00

Got a note this morning concerning this dormant site and the current hockey series.

I hadn't expected to post here anymore, but to give the Guru more visibility for his newest thoughts on the playoffs, the least I could do is provide this link to bump his comments to the top of all of the wreckage that my flawed basketball pool became.

Re-reading the old predictions now is plenty fun, but scroll down to the bottom of that link for the Guru's latest mental ruminations. (Not that kind of mental)

Check back shortly, and I'll properly bump his newest column to the top of the page.

Eastern Appalachia vs. Eastfenders

2009-05-04T08:07:00.003-04:00

Team	GP	GS	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
Connecticut Eastfenders
Eastern Appalachia

Team	OREB	DREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	+/-	Pts	PPG	Score
Connecticut Eastfenders													?
Eastern Appalachia													?

Eastern Appalachia Christians (3)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Johnson	7	270	38.6	44	106	41.5%	10	23	43.5%	22	35	62.9%
PG	Miller*	6	258	43.0	48	101	47.5%	3	10	30.0%	28	34	82.4%
G	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
SG	Gordon*	7	305	43.5	52	134	38.8%	17	46	37.0%	49	56	87.5%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Beasley*	7	179	25.5	34	88	38.6%	4	13	30.8%	13	17	76.5%
PF	Horford	6	172	28.7	20	44	45.5%	-	-	-	12	18	66.7%
BIG	Smith	4	81	20.4	13	26	50.0%	2	3	66.7%	15	17	88.2%
C	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%
C	McDyess*	4	135	33.9	23	44	52.3%	-	-	-	6	6	100.0%
	*Totals*	68
	Inactive List
PG	Rondo	7	293	45.3	54	119	45.4%	4	9	44.4%	24	37	64.9%
SG	R. Allen	7	280	40.0	51	113	45.1%	27	58	46.6%	35	38	92.1%
SF	Salmons*	7	313	44.7	43	107	40.2%	12	38	31.6%	29	34	85.3%
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
C	Perkins	7	265	37.9	40	64	62.5%	-	-	-	13	22	59.1%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	Pts	PPG
PG	Johnson	10	21	31	4.4	22	3.1	7	0.3	-	120	17.1
PG	Miller*	9	29	38	6.3	32	5.3	7	0.4	1	127	21.2
G	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1	59	14.8
SG	Gordon*	3	17	20	2.9	21	3.0	3	0.4	1	170	24.3
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11	204	29.1
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3	128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5	162	23.1
PF	Beasley*	10	41	51	7.3	7	1.0	2	0.2	7	85	12.1
PF	Horford	8	29	37	6.2	12	2.0	3	1.7	4	52	8.7
BIG	Smith	8	14	22	5.5	2	0.5	3	2.7	-	43	10.8
C	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14	120	24.0
C	McDyess*	6	28	34	8.5	2	0.5	2	0.4	3	52	13.0
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Rondo	18	47	65	9.3	81	11.6	19	1.3	3	136	19.4
SG	R. Allen	5	17	22	3.1	15	2.1	11	1.1	5	164	23.4
SF	Salmons*	6	25	31	4.4	16	2.3	9	0.8	7	127	18.1
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
C	Perkins	29	52	81	11.6	9	1.3	4	0.2	21	93	13.3

Connecticut Eastfenders (4)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Johnson	7	270	38.6	44	106	41.5%	10	23	43.5%	22	35	62.9%
PG	Rondo	7	293	45.3	54	119	45.4%	4	9	44.4%	24	37	64.9%
G	Rose*	7	314	44.8	59	120	49.2%	0	4	0.0%	20	25	80.0%
SG	R. Allen	7	280	40.0	51	113	45.1%	27	58	46.6%	35	38	92.1%
SG	Iguodala*	6	269	44.8	44	98	44.9%	11	28	39.3%	30	46	65.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Beasley*	7	179	25.5	34	88	38.6%	4	13	30.8%	13	17	76.5%
PF	Lewis	6	238	39.6	40	91	44.0%	10	27	37.0%	25	30	83.3%
BIG	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%
C	Perkins	7	265	37.9	40	64	62.5%	-	-	-	13	22	59.1%
C	Wallace*	4	122	30.5	11	30	36.7%	4	8	50.0%	-	-	-
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	Turkoglu	6	223	37.2	23	63	36.5%	5	15	33.3%	20	23	87.0%
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
C	Ilgauskas	4	111	27.8	20	45	44.4%	1	2	50.0%	4	5	80.0%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	Pts	PPG
PG	Johnson	10	21	31	4.4	22	3.1	7	0.3	-	120	17.1
PG	Rondo	18	47	65	9.3	81	11.6	19	1.3	3	136	19.4
G	Rose*	12	32	44	6.3	45	6.4	4	0.1	5	138	19.7
SG	R. Allen	5	17	22	3.1	15	2.1	11	1.1	5	164	23.4
SG	Iguodala*	6	32	38	6.3	40	6.7	11	0.5	-	129	21.5
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3	128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5	162	23.1
PF	Beasley*	10	41	51	7.3	7	1.0	2	0.2	7	85	12.1
PF	Lewis	11	25	36	6.0	21	3.5	6	0.4	6	115	19.2
BIG	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14	120	24.0
C	Perkins	29	52	81	11.6	9	1.3	4	0.2	21	93	13.3
C	Wallace*	2	23	25	6.3	3	0.8	2	0.6	1	26	6.5
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1	59	14.8
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11	204	29.1
SF	Turkoglu	3	25	28	4.7	20	3.3	6	0.3	1	71	11.8
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
C	Ilgauskas	3	22	25	6.3	8	2.0	1	0.3	5	45	11.3

Les Royales vs. trader EAST

2009-05-04T08:06:00.004-04:00

Team	GP	GS	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
Les Royales
trader EAST

Team	OREB	DREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	+/-	Pts	PPG	Score
Les Royales													?
trader EAST													?

Les Royales de Montréal-Est (2)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Bibby	7	256	36.5	35	74	47.3%	16	30	53.3%	18	19	94.7%
PG	Johnson	7	270	38.6	44	106	41.5%	10	23	43.5%	22	35	62.9%
G	Miller*	6	258	43.0	48	101	47.5%	3	10	30.0%	28	34	82.4%
SG	R. Allen	7	280	40.0	51	113	45.1%	27	58	46.6%	35	38	92.1%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Lewis	6	238	39.6	40	91	44.0%	10	27	37.0%	25	30	83.3%
PF	Thomas*	7	195	27.9	28	64	43.8%	0	1	0.0%	11	14	78.6%
BIG	Williams	3	41	13.7	7	15	46.7%	1	4	25.0%	6	9	66.7%
C	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%
C	Wallace*	4	122	30.5	11	30	36.7%	4	8	50.0%	-	-	-
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
SG	Gordon*	7	305	43.5	52	134	38.8%	17	46	37.0%	49	56	87.5%
SF	Salmons*	7	313	44.7	43	107	40.2%	12	38	31.6%	29	34	85.3%
PF	Horford	6	172	28.7	20	44	45.5%	-	-	-	12	18	66.7%
C	McDyess*	4	135	33.9	23	44	52.3%	-	-	-	6	6	100.0%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	Pts	PPG
PG	Bibby	3	21	24	3.4	31	4.4	7	0.4	2	104	14.9
PG	Johnson	10	21	31	4.4	22	3.1	7	0.3	-	120	17.1
G	Miller*	9	29	38	6.3	32	5.3	7	0.4	1	127	21.2
SG	R. Allen	5	17	22	3.1	15	2.1	11	1.1	5	164	23.4
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11	204	29.1
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3	128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5	162	23.1
PF	Lewis	11	25	36	6.0	21	3.5	6	0.4	6	115	19.2
PF	Thomas*	8	36	44	6.3	6	0.9	7	0.6	20	67	9.6
BIG	Williams	2	1	3	1.0	2	0.7	2	0.7	1	21	7.0
C	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14	120	24.0
C	Wallace*	2	23	25	6.3	3	0.8	2	0.6	1	26	6.5
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1	59	14.8
SG	Gordon*	3	17	20	2.9	21	3.0	3	0.4	1	170	24.3
SF	Salmons*	6	25	31	4.4	16	2.3	9	0.8	7	127	18.1
PF	Horford	8	29	37	6.2	12	2.0	3	1.7	4	52	8.7
C	McDyess*	6	28	34	8.5	2	0.5	2	0.4	3	52	13.0

trader dick's EAST (5)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Johnson	7	270	38.6	44	106	41.5%	10	23	43.5%	22	35	62.9%
PG	Rose*	7	314	44.8	59	120	49.2%	0	4	0.0%	20	25	80.0%
G	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
SG	Iguodala*	6	269	44.8	44	98	44.9%	11	28	39.3%	30	46	65.2%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Horford	6	172	28.7	20	44	45.5%	-	-	-	12	18	66.7%
PF	Lewis	6	238	39.6	40	91	44.0%	10	27	37.0%	25	30	83.3%
BIG	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%
C	Ilgauskas	4	111	27.8	20	45	44.4%	1	2	50.0%	4	5	80.0%
C	Wallace*	4	122	30.5	11	30	36.7%	4	8	50.0%	-	-	-
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Rondo	7	293	45.3	54	119	45.4%	4	9	44.4%	24	37	64.9%
SG	T. Allen	6	48	8.0	1	5	20.0%	-	-	-	-	-	-
SF	Turkoglu	6	223	37.2	23	63	36.5%	5	15	33.3%	20	23	87.0%
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
C	O'Neal*	6	162	27.0	28	51	54.9%	-	-	-	24	32	75.0%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	+/-	Pts	PPG
PG	Johnson	10	21	31	4.4	22	3.1	7	0.3	-		120	17.1
PG	Rose*	12	32	44	6.3	45	6.4	4	0.1	5		138	19.7
G	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1		59	14.8
SG	Iguodala*	6	32	38	6.3	40	6.7	11	0.5	-		129	21.5
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11		204	29.1
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3		128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5		162	23.1
PF	Horford	8	29	37	6.2	12	2.0	3	1.7	4		52	8.7
PF	Lewis	11	25	36	6.0	21	3.5	6	0.4	6		115	19.2
BIG	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14		120	24.0
C	Ilgauskas	3	22	25	6.3	8	2.0	1	0.3	5		45	11.3
C	Wallace*	2	23	25	6.3	3	0.8	2	0.6	1		26	6.5
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Rondo	18	47	65	9.3	81	11.6	19	1.3	3		136	19.4
SG	T. Allen	1	7	8	1.3	2	0.3	-	-	-		2	0.3
SF	Turkoglu	3	25	28	4.7	20	3.3	6	0.3	1		71	11.8
PF	Garnett	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	-
C	O'Neal	7	20	27	4.5	9	1.5	3	0.3		80	13.3

Nepeastern vs Maple East

2009-05-04T08:05:00.004-04:00

Team	GP	GS	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
Nepeastern Hotspurs
Toronto Maple East

Team	OREB	DREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	+/-	Pts	PPG	Score
Nepeastern Hotspurs													?
Toronto Maple East													?

Nepeastern Hotspurs (6)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Miller*	6	258	43.0	48	101	47.5%	3	10	30.0%	28	34	82.4%
PG	Rondo	7	293	45.3	54	119	45.4%	4	9	44.4%	24	37	64.9%
G	R. Allen	7	280	40.0	51	113	45.1%	27	58	46.6%	35	38	92.1%
SG	Gordon*	7	305	43.5	52	134	38.8%	17	46	37.0%	49	56	87.5%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Horford	6	172	28.7	20	44	45.5%	-	-	-	12	18	66.7%
PF	Lewis	6	238	39.6	40	91	44.0%	10	27	37.0%	25	30	83.3%
BIG	Thomas*	7	195	27.9	28	64	43.8%	0	1	0.0%	11	14	78.6%
C	McDyess*	4	135	33.9	23	44	52.3%	-	-	-	6	6	100.0%
C	Wallace*	4	122	30.5	11	30	36.7%	4	8	50.0%	-	-	-
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
SG	West	4	165	41.1	17	37	46.0%	2	7	28.6%	10	11	90.9%
SF	Iguodala*	6	269	44.8	44	98	44.9%	11	28	39.3%	30	46	65.2%
PF	Williams	3	41	13.7	7	15	46.7%	1	4	25.0%	6	9	66.7%
C	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	Pts	PPG
PG	Miller*	9	29	38	6.3	32	5.3	7	0.4	1	127	21.2
PG	Rondo	18	47	65	9.3	81	11.6	19	1.3	3	136	19.4
G	R. Allen	5	17	22	3.1	15	2.1	11	1.1	5	164	23.4
SG	Gordon*	3	17	20	2.9	21	3.0	3	0.4	1	170	24.3
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11	204	29.1
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3	128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5	162	23.1
PF	Horford	8	29	37	6.2	12	2.0	3	1.7	4	52	8.7
PF	Lewis	11	25	36	6.0	21	3.5	6	0.4	6	115	19.2
BIG	Thomas*	8	36	44	6.3	6	0.9	7	0.6	20	67	9.6
C	McDyess*	6	28	34	8.5	2	0.5	2	0.4	3	52	13.0
C	Wallace*	2	23	25	6.3	3	0.8	2	0.6	1	26	6.5
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1	59	14.8
SG	West	1	15	16	4.0	16	4.0	5	0.4	2	46	11.5
SF	Iguodala*	6	32	38	6.3	40	6.7	11	0.5	-	129	21.5
PF	Williams	2	1	3	1.0	2	0.7	2	0.7	1	21	7.0
C	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14	120	24.0

Toronto Maple East (1)

Pos	Player	GP	Mins	MPG	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%
PG	Rondo	7	293	45.3	54	119	45.4%	4	9	44.4%	24	37	64.9%
PG	Williams	4	148	37.0	23	52	44.2%	8	25	32.0%	5	9	55.6%
G	R. Allen	7	280	40.0	51	113	45.1%	27	58	46.6%	35	38	92.1%
SG	Gordon*	7	305	43.5	52	134	38.8%	17	46	37.0%	49	56	87.5%
SG	Wade*	7	285	40.7	68	155	43.9%	18	50	36.6%	50	58	86.2%
SF	James	4	162	40.5	69	135	50.7%	3	17	17.7%	47	59	79.7%
SF	Pierce	7	312	44.5	56	131	42.8%	12	36	33.3%	38	45	84.4%
PF	Lewis	6	238	39.6	40	91	44.0%	10	27	37.0%	25	30	83.3%
PF	Smith	7	266	38.0	41	97	42.3%	2	14	14.3%	30	41	73.2%
BIG	Dalembert*	6	133	22.2	16	26	61.5%	-	-	-	3	4	75.0%
C	Howard	5	194	38.8	41	60	68.3%	0	1	0.0%	38	57	66.7%
C	Wallace*	4	122	30.5	11	30	36.7%	4	8	50.0%	-	-	-
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Alston	6	198	33.0	35	80	43.8%	11	28	39.3%	10	15	66.7%
SG	West	4	165	41.1	17	37	46.0%	2	7	28.6%	10	11	90.9%
SF	Turkoglu	6	223	37.2	23	63	36.5%	5	15	33.3%	20	23	87.0%
PF	Prince*	4	129	32.2	7	27	25.9%	1	5	20.0%	-	-	-
C	Ilgauskas	4	111	27.8	20	45	44.4%	1	2	50.0%	4	5	80.0%

Pos	Player	DREB	OREB	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	STL/TO	BLK	Pts	PPG
PG	Rondo	18	47	65	9.3	81	11.6	19	1.3	3	136	19.4
PG	Williams	3	6	9	2.3	22	5.5	3	0.3	1	59	14.8
G	R. Allen	5	17	22	3.1	15	2.1	11	1.1	5	164	23.4
SG	Gordon*	3	17	20	2.9	21	3.0	3	0.4	1	170	24.3
SG	Wade*	4	31	35	5.0	37	5.3	6	0.3	11	204	29.1
SF	James	4	41	45	11.3	30	7.5	6	1.0	3	128	32.0
SF	Pierce	3	45	48	6.9	14	2.0	8	0.3	5	162	23.1
PF	Lewis	11	25	36	6.0	21	3.5	6	0.4	6	115	19.2
PF	Smith	17	45	62	8.9	16	2.3	11	0.8	13	114	16.3
BIG	Dalembert*	10	37	47	7.8	3	0.5	2	0.3	9	35	5.8
C	Howard	28	51	79	15.8	5	1.0	3	0.2	14	120	24.0
C	Wallace*	2	23	25	6.3	3	0.8	2	0.6	1	26	6.5
	*Totals*
	Inactive List
PG	Alston	-	15	15	2.5	29	4.8	7	1.0	-	91	15.2
SG	West	1	15	16	4.0	16	4.0	5	0.4	2	46	11.5
SF	Turkoglu	3	25	28	4.7	20	3.3	6	0.3	1	71	11.8
PF	Prince*	1	13	14	3.5	5	1.3	1	0.2	-	15	3.8
C	Ilgauskas	3	22	25	6.3	8	2.0	1	0.3	5	45	11.3

Hell Lions 4, Toronto 4 (Day 18 of 30)

2009-05-03T02:54:00.007-04:00

	G	A	P	+/-	PPG	GWG	SOG	Wins		Score
Hell Lions	32	54	86	+13	15	5	320	7		4
Maple Leafs	34	53	87	+19	13	2	344	3		4

**Hell Lions (8)**
Pos	Player	Name	Club	G	A	P	+/-	PPG	GWG	SOG	Wins
F	David	Backes*	StL	1	2	3	+1	0	0	11	-
F	Jeff	Carter*	Pha	1	0	1	-2	0	0	30	-
F	Pavel	Datsyuk	Det	1	2	3	+1	1	0	12	-
F	Scott	Gomez*	NYR	2	3	5	-4	1	0	15	-
F	Marian	Hossa	Det	2	2	4	+1	1	0	19	-
F	Evgeni	Malkin	Pit	4	6	10	-1	2	0	23	-
F	Rick	Nash*	Clb	1	2	3	-4	0	0	13	-
F	Alexander	Ovechkin	Wsh	4	4	8	+4	2	0	58	-
F	Zach	Parise	NJ	3	3	6	+2	1	1	29	-
F	Marc	Savard	Bos	4	3	7	+1	2	1	11	-
F	Alex	Tanguay*	Mtl	0	1	1	+2	0	0	4	-
F	Ray	Whitney	Car	3	4	7	-1	0	1	26	-
D	Brian	Campbell	Chi	1	3	4	+1	1	0	9	-
D	Mike	Green	Wsh	1	4	5	+1	1	0	15	-
D	Nicklas	Lidstrom	Det	3	4	7	+5	2	1	14	-
D	Paul	Martin*	NJ	0	4	4	E	0	0	9	-
D	Scott	Niedermeyer	Anh	1	4	5	+4	1	1	14	-
D	Dion	Phaneuf*	Cal	0	3	3	+2	0	0	8	-
G	Roberto	Luongo	Vcr	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5
G	Evgeni	Nabokov*	SJ	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
	*Hell Lions'*	*Totals*		32	54	86	*+13*	15	5	*320*	7
	*Press*	*Box*
F	Sidney	Crosby	Pit	5	4	9	+3	1	0	29	-
F	Patrik	Elias*	NJ	1	2	3	-1	0	0	25	-
D	Zdeno	Chara	Bos	1	1	2	+3	1	1	14	-
G	Steve	Mason*	Clb	-	1	1	-	-	-	-	0

**Toronto Maple Leafs (1)**
Pos	Player	Name	Club	G	A	P	+/-	PPG	GWG	SOG	Wins
F	Brad	Boyes*	StL	2	1	3	-1	1	0	13	-
F	Jeff	Carter*	Pha	1	0	1	-2	0	0	30	-
F	Sidney	Crosby	Pit	5	4	9	+3	1	0	29	-
F	Pavel	Datsyuk	Det	1	2	3	+1	1	0	12	-
F	Saku	Koivu*	Mtl	0	3	3	-1	0	0	6	-
F	Evgeni	Malkin	Pit	4	6	10	-1	2	0	23	-
F	Rick	Nash*	Clb	1	2	3	-4	0	0	13	-
F	Alexander	Ovechkin	Wsh	4	4	8	+4	2	0	58	-
F	Zach	Parise	NJ	3	3	6	+2	1	1	29	-
F	Daniel	Sedin	Vcr	2	5	7	+3	1	0	21	-
F	Henrik	Sedin	Vcr	3	4	7	+2	1	0	11	-
F	Henrik	Zetterberg	Det	3	2	5	+5	0	0	12	-
D	Dan	Boyle*	SJ	2	2	4	-1	1	0	18	-
D	Brian	Campbell	Chi	1	3	4	+1	1	0	9	-
D	Zdeno	Chara	Bos	1	1	2	+3	1	1	14	-
D	Joe	Corvo	Car	0	3	3	-2	0	0	25	-
D	Dion	Phaneuf*	Cal	0	3	3	+2	0	0	8	-
D	Chris	Pronger	Anh	1	5	6	+5	0	0	13	-
G	Henrik	Lundqvist*	NYR	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3
G	Carey	Price*	Mtl	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
	*Toronto Maple Leafs'*	*Totals*		34	53	87	*+19*	13	2	*344*	3
	*Press*	*Box*
F	Patrick	Marleau*	SJ	2	1	3	E	1	2	12	-
F	Alexei	Kovalev*	Mtl	2	1	3	E	0	0	12	-
D	Andrei	Markov*	Mtl	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
G	Nikolai	Khabibulin	Chi	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5

* denotes player whose season is over