Mariano Rivera To Make History

Its been merely a formality for quite a while now, although its a formality that I as well as many of those that like to nay say the Yankees solely for the fact that they are the Yankees would hold the Yanks closer too. When people would say Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history I would say, "Yeah, well Trevor Hoffman is the all-time saves leader." And truthfully, Hoffman was a fantastic closer in his own right, locking down 601 games over the course of 18 seasons. Everything is about to change though. Hoffman is no longer going to be the all-time saves leader. Barring a major catastrophe sometime in the next few days Mariano Rivera will take that title. In fact, Rivera tied Hoffman this afternoon with his 601st save coming in Toronto as the Yanks beat the Blue Jays 7-6. At this point, its a foregone conclusion, much like it practically is every time Rivera steps out of the bullpen and takes the might out of the opposing teams bats.

Now, I'm not, nor will I ever be a Yankees fan. Its not that I hate them, I just don't care for them, at all. I'd rather see the Rays do well to be honest, they're a team with limited resources fighting the big bad giants that are the Yankees (and Red Sox). With all of that said, I have to tip my cap to Rivera. At 41 years old, Rivera is in his 17th season, he's recorded 41 of his 46 saves opportunities and has a fantastic 2.05 ERA. Most remarkably, he's has a WHIP of 0.93 (in 6 of his last 7 seasons his WHIP has been below 1). Clearly, at 41, Rivera is still on top of his game.

And he's had a fantastic career. Rivera was part of the Yankees 90s teams that won 4 World Series Titles and was still with the team for the 2009 title. As a matter of fact, Rivera does some of his best work in the postseason. He has a 0.71 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in October, and has only blown 3 saves (all in 2004) in 45 opportunities. Also, he's only allowed 2 homers in 139 2/3 postseason innings pitched. That's absolutely remarkable.

The craziest thing of all though, is that Rivera has done all of this with for the most part just one pitch. Rivera throws his cut fastball about 85% of the time, according to fangraphs.com (an awesome baseball source, by the way). Its the only pitch he's thrown all 2011 season in a 2-0 count, usually a count where the batter can expect a straight fastball in a good spot to hit. The pitcher's trying to ensure a strike in that scenario. The thing with Rivera is that sure strike is just as nasty as when he's ahead in the count. He has no fear. And here's the thing, the whole baseball world knows that's what he's going to throw. Even with that, they still can't hit it, to the tune of those numbers I stated earlier. I don't know if anyone at any level anywhere has ever mastered a pitch to that level. Just by switching sides of the plate and adding and subtracting speed, Rivera has been the most dominant closer to this point.

Further, at 6 foot 2 and 185 pounds, there's hardly any cloud of suspicion over whether or not Rivera is a product of the steroid era his career began in; the same steroid era of his once-superstar peer Roger Clemens took advantage of. For all intents and purposes, our knowledge is that Rivera has been clean. Yes, he's sustained himself at 41 years old, but all accounts are that he's a very regimented man. A man that takes superior care of his body, and with the lack of a breaking pitch, doesn't have the wear on his arm that comes with snapping the wrist. For all we can see he is also a man of integrity.

And yes, the history of the closer is a short one in relation to the history of the MLB, but even with that said, Rivera is astonishing. He is the face of the closer's role. Toronto Manager and pitching extraordinaire John Farrell said as much in his interview post-game. He's everything you would want in a closer. He's cold-blooded and calculating. He senses the moment and takes the hope from the opposing team just when he needs to. This is the first time I'm willing to say it, but Rivera's the best. Its the truth. No one's ever done it like him, and he's easily destined for Cooperstown.

What's the baseline?
I commend Mariano Rivera for what he is. The best closer in Major League Baseball history. He is the ultimate closer.

(photo courtesy of nydailynews.com)

No Sympathy for Owners in NBA Lockout

With as much pomp and circumstance as the NFL lockout was given (as it was denoted on this blog) its seems like not nearly as many people are mentioning the work stoppage in the NBA that is more than likely going to at least cause a delay to the NBA season. First, I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that. Football is the most beloved sport of the American masses right now, and the idea of the NFL missing games when the sport is so popular and there isn't a recent history of bad blood between the two sides in a Collective Bargaining Agreement probably led to the mass medias reaction of saturating the news feeds. On the side of the NBA though, we have something a lot more sinister, something that really should have people taking notice and have them seriously upset, but the problem is it isn't being reported because fans already consider it a foregone conclusion. The NBA isn't going to be playing for a long time. We're going to miss the start of the season for sure, probably through the New Year, possibly through the All-Star Games' time frame, and I certainly wouldn't rule out the whole season being called off.

With a season where the Commissioner got his golden wish and got a beloved dream team that was the Miami (Super) Heat; when television revenues were through the roof and people had the NBA on the tip of their tongues for most of the winter and into the spring and summer months, somehow, someway the NBA lost money. Now it is true that it is very easy to manipulate numbers and promise that an organization or a group of them, or even a whole league is losing money and have it not be entirely true, and I certainly wouldn't put it past the likes of a shrewd businessman like David Stern to do something like that. There's something different about this case though. I really do think that the NBA is, if not broke, at least losing money.

Now when the NFL lockout was going on I made a post that provided support of the owners (as well as the players), if only because players pass from community to community on the regular whereas an organization more than likely will be linked to a community for a long time, and the welfare of that organization means something to the welfare of that community. This time is different though. Its different because the NBA and the NBA's owners did this to themselves.

For instance, take the most visible of the issues between the players and the owners, this being the desire by the owners for a hard salary cap. For those that don't know, under the old system organizations could go over on their roster payroll with the caveat of if they were resigning a player that had been on the team (new additions had to fit under the cap) as well as having to pay a luxury tax in this instance. This led to the likes of Joe Johnson (in Atlanta) and Rudy Gay (in Memphis) getting max contracts among others. Now don't get me wrong, Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay are very good, even at times great basketball players, but they are not max contract worthy. You could even argue Rudy Gay isn't the best player on his team (Zach Randolph?), and he's getting a max deal? There's no way that should happen. Why does it happen though? The same reason why ticket prices go up for sporting events continuously, because the consumer lets it happen. The owners shell out the money (just like fans do on tickets and merchandise). The thought was that if Memphis wouldn't give a max deal to Gay, then someone else would, so they were forced to give him the cash. The owners then are their own worst enemy because they are willing to recklessly spend to the point that they can't sustain themselves.

The owners made their own bed this time, and now that they're hurting they want to fix the problem by taking the money away from the players, which is understandable yet unfair to those players that don't deserve the punishment for the owners' mismanagement. No one held a gun to Michael Heisley's (Memphis's owner) head and told him to spend $16 million a year on Rudy Gay. He could have recognized the hole he was creating for himself and moved on. Either way would have created consequences. Not signing Gay makes the team a lot less talented and profitable, they probably don't have their surprising playoff run if they don't have Gay to help them get their in the regular season, but isn't there a reason why Heisley hires a staff? Don't they get paid their money to find solutions on basketball problems like how to learn to win under a budget? Instead Memphis took the easy way out and just paid Gay, and they suffered for it later.

And I don't mean to make the Memphis Grizzlies my whipping boy, they are just the most readily available example to me of the mismanagement that got the NBA in this mess. Its just a shame how the owners mess things up and then count on selling short the players in the new CBA and the fans with a lack of a season in order to rectify the mistakes they brought on themselves. And really, I'm afraid I'm just scratching the surface.

What's the baseline?
The owners did this one to themselves. I hope the NBA Players' Union is in this for the long haul. If we're going to miss out on a season as fans, the chips should at least fall in favor of the right people. Of course though, they probably won't.

NFL Preview: Playoffs & Awards

Yes, today has been the first week of the NFL season and much of the action is over. With that said, this is my NFL preview, the playoff version. I have not factored in any of what I saw today as my statements were decided before today. I will be looking over the playoff situation I created with my first two previews, and then also some end of year award predictions. But first, its on to the playoffs

AFC Wildcard Playoffs
Oakland @ New England
Synopsis: An interesting game that seems to resemble last year's first round between Kansas City and Baltimore. I don't think it is though. Oakland's defense gives their all and Jason Campbell and his young receivers link up against what is still a weak link in New England's pass defense. In a very close one, I actually go with the Raiders.
Oakland

Houston @ Indianapolis
I have Indy winning the tiebreaker between these 2 AFC South teams at 11-5 and getting homefield. That homefield, and playoff experience will go a long way as Peyton Manning (assuming his health, of course) tears apart the Houston defense in a shootout. In a game where I'm sure Houston can match them score for score, I have to go with the calm resolve of a Colts offense that's been there before.
Indianapolis.

NFC Wildcard Playoffs
Atlanta @ New Orleans
Two NFC South teams match up for a third time in what should be a fantastic game. Unfortunately for the Saints, I like the improvements Atlanta continues to make year to year. The Saints will not be able to stop the balanced offensive attack of the Falcons. Further, I expect the likes of John Abraham to be in the face of Drew Brees all day long. Another close game, but I like Atlanta to win, as the Saints struggle in the first round again.
Atlanta.

Philadelphia @ Arizona
Arizona plays at home despite having the worse record of the two teams. The Cardinals are running into a bad matchup, they're set up to operate out of the pass, the Eagles are set up to shut it down. The x factor in this game though is Mike Vick and his penchant to turn the ball over against a defense that creates those turnovers. In the end, Vick's performance will tell the tale assuming that Arizona can stay in the game. With that said, I trust Michael Vick at this point to get it done, and I even more trust Andy Reid to prepare him to succeed.
Philadelphia.

AFC Divisional Playoffs
Oakland @ Jets
Oakland takes on 13-3 New York as they are the best seed in the AFC. The Jets will take full advantage of a spent Oakland team who used up too much in defeating New England to have much of a chance here. The Jets ability to run and wear down Oakland's defense is the biggest undoing. I'd also expect the Jets vaunted defense to give Jason Campbell fits. The Jets get ahead early and the Raiders can't resort to Darren McFadden.
Jets.

Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh
A classic AFC playoff game in the elements in Pittsburgh, and the elements will play a factor. Peyton Manning struggles again in the bad weather late in the year and the Colts have no answer for Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers running game. The Colts meet a team just as experienced as they are and don't have another option to go to.
Steelers.

NFC Divisional Playoffs
Atlanta @ Chicago
I actually went back and forth on this game and I think it could be a classic. Due to their balance I think the Atlanta offense has a chance against the Chicago defense. With that said there's nothing extra special about Atlanta's defense to say Chicago won't be able to move the ball either. I come up with two keys though. One is Jay Cutler protecting the ball, which I think he will with confidence and health. The other is Devin Hester. Hester's the most dynamic player in this matchup, and as long as Cutler doesn't take them out of the game, I think he makes all the difference.
Chicago.

Philadelphia @ Giants
NFC East rivals face off in this matchup. A lot of this game comes down to how much the Giants commit to the run. If they do then they have the opportunity to attack the weak underbelly of the Eagles defense. On the other hand, the Eagles have the potential to score a lot of points as well. If its close though, and I suspect it will be, I don't trust Eli Manning enough to move the ball against the Eagles defensive backs and pass rush. Mike Vick and DeSean Jackson take advantage and take over the game late.
Philadelphia.

AFC Championship Game
Pittsburgh @ Jets
A rematch of last year's game, but this time its in New York. The Steelers appear to me to be an overall better team. A lot of people will point to Mark Sanchez as the key to this game and how he needs to come up big. I think he's done enough though in the past to warrant confidence in his play in this big game. Rather, the Steelers ability to run the ball and control the game will be huge. If the Steelers run the ball well, just like they did last year in this game, then they will win. The Steelers offensive line has improved, meaning they'll be even better fit to run. I think Pittsburgh controls the pace.
Pittsburgh.

NFC Championship Game
Philadelphia @ Chicago
I find this to be an interesting matchup as well. Once again, I think we are seeing a game where the team that doesn't make the critical turnover is going to win. Also, I find the offenses to be philosophically similar. With that said, I'm going with the stronger overall defense and the defense I trust to keep their composure more in big games. Chicago is that better overall defense, they have the know-how and the talent at all 3 levels to stop the Eagles. I think they control the line of scrimmage and really make things hard on Michael Vick.
Chicago.

Super Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. Chicago
The big game comes down to Pittsburgh and Chicago. Its a game of strong defenses and one offense that can turn the tide of the game. That offense is Pittsburgh's. The Steelers are more steady than Chicago and more multi-faceted. The Bears turnover woes finally catch up to them against players like Troy Polamalu. Matt Forte is rendered ineffective by the Steelers front seven. In a playoffs of close games, I actually think this one is a bit of a laugher as the Steelers cruise to victory.
Steelers are Super Bowl Champions.

Awards
Most Valuable Player: Drew Brees
Brees leads an offense with only one major weapon on it, but with a lot of solid contributors. Its his year to cash in with an MVP, spraying the ball around to his receivers, particularly with a questionable running back situation. Brees leads the Saints to 13-3 highlighting the strength of their team, the pass offense.

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees- Saints
Already talked about it.

Defensive Player of the Year: Darrelle Revis- Jets
Revis is already arguably the best corner in the league, and with Asomougha getting the help he now has in Philadelphia I think public favor goes to Revis. He's a ballhawk and I expect him to shut down the likes of Chad Ochocinco, Stevie Johnson, and Brandon Marshall amongst others. Revis makes the biggest impact of any defensive player in the league as Rex Ryan finds ways to get him to be more dynamic even when teams try not to throw near him.

Coach of the Year: Ken Whisenhunt- Cardinals
Whisenhunt gets the honors over Gary Kubiak in Houston and Hue Jackson in Oakland with his 11-5 record and outright victory of the NFC West. Further, the Cardinals go from a dismal 5-11 and looking hopeless to playing in the playoffs. Whisenhunt molds Kevin Kolb into his offense and gets their defense back to what it does best as well. Honors to the Arizona coach.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: AJ Green- Bengals
AJ Green grows up at the WR position with fellow rookie QB Andy Dalton helping him through the way. Green is the first option for Dalton and should get a lot of targets for that reason. He's big, fast, and has great hands. He's already their number 1 receiver and should get a lot of attention in the redzone and the play action passing game as Cedric Benson does his work in the run game. I like Green to have a solid rookie season.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: JJ Watt- Texans
JJ Watt has the opportunity to have a big season and help mold the future Texans defense. He provides a lot of solid tackling ability and even pressure along with Mario Williams on what should be an improving defense. Watt is starting from day one and should be able to attack against a couple weak offenses in his division and have a big season with sacks and tackles.

Comeback Player of the Year: Plaxico Burress- Jets
I'll be honest, I'm trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice by guessing someone with a similar storyline to Michael Vick. Burress has the opportunity to play though and be a big target for the emerging Mark Sanchez. They don't have a blow away number 1 receiver, but Burress can command a lot of footballs and a lot of attention. I expect him to be athletic and make plays for touchdowns and down the field.

What's the baseline?
I name the Steelers as the Super Bowl Champs.

NFL Preview: NFC

The start of the NFL season is tonight as two NFC teams face off in the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. As you probably already know, these two teams are also the last two Super Bowl winners. Do they have what it takes to return to the Super Bowl through the 2011 season? Well the following is my take on where they land through Week 17 as my NFL preview continues.

NFC North
1. Chicago Bears
Projected Record: 14-2
Synopsis: I have the Bears as the regular season darlings of the NFL with the best record in either conference. Continuity is a major factor in this decision as QB Jay Cutler gets increasingly comfortable in an offense that can be tailored to him and star RB Matt Forte. Further, I think people have overblown the lack of talent they have at the WR position, even if Greg Olsen is no longer there to catch passes as well. The defense is just as strong as last year. If the Bears stay healthy they have the talent to pull off the 14-2 record that I state.

2. Green Bay Packers
Projected Record: 10-6
Synopsis: Yes, the Packers are fully healthy now, and you would think that would propel them forward, but what we saw at the end of the last season was a team get hot at the right time. This is a team with potential offensive line issues, and potential durability issues at the RB position. I do like the Packers, but I don't expect them to come out like gangbusters. Also, someone outside of Greg Jennings is going to have to step up and take a major role at WR, especially with Donald Driver aging.

3. Detroit Lions
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: I went back and forth on the Lions a lot, but they land at 7-9. This is indeed a team on the rise, and I fully expect them to compete for a playoff spot in 2012, they might even be in the picture deep into 2011. Health is a huge issue for the Lions. Matthew Stafford and Javhid Best both have to stay healthy, if only so that we can see what the Lions truly have on offense. A lot has been made of the Lions front 4, and it is indeed very formidable, but I have issues with everything that is behind those 4. If the pass rushers don't get there, I expect the Lions to get burned. A quality offensive line will handle them.

4. Minnesota Vikings
Projected Record: 5-11
Synopsis: The Vikings have the opportunity to have a quality offense. Donovan McNabb can bring stability to the QB position, if only for a brief time until the reigns get handed over to Christian Ponder. They have the weapons with Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin as well, and let's hope for a bounce-back year from Bernard Berrian. The issue with the Vikings is the middle of the defense, and that can be a serious problem. Expect teams to be able to run on them, particularly up the middle. The Vikes will rush the passer, particularly with Jared Allen, but with weaknesses at DT and a lack of depth at linebacker, the Vikings defense will struggle.

NFC East
1. New York Giants
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: I don't care what anyone says, the Giants were a playoff team last year (much more worthy than the Seahawks at least). Their offense is strong, but to be as successful as I suspect they have to refind their identity as a run first team. I think they will, and with the passing weapons included Eli Manning is fixing for a big season with less turnovers. The Giants do already have injuries on their defense, but I feel those are offset by their great depth on that side of the ball. Guys like Jason Pierre-Paul and Aaron Ross are more than capable to step in for the meantime and compete at a high level. I also expect a return to form for LB Mathias Kiwanuka.

2. Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Record: 12-4
Synopsis: The Eagles lose an epic battle for the NFC East Title, but still find themselves as significant players in the playoffs. I'll be honest, I expect a step back for the Eagles' pass offense, particularly with Michael Vick, but the current setup with LeSean McCoy is the closest the Eagles have gotten under Andy Reid to having a legitimate running game. At the same time, the Eagles defense is easily one of the best in the league with Asomougha added. That doesn't mean that they should be handed the NFC right now though. Really, the two games between the Giants and Eagles will probably tell the tale of the division.

3. Dallas Cowboys
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: A lot of people are high on Dallas. I just don't see it. This was an uninspired team last season that kicked it on when it didn't matter anymore, except to interim (no longer interim) Head Coach Jason Garrett. They get Tony Romo back, but really Jon Kitna wasn't the problem last year. Lack of discipline was, and it takes more than an offseason to fix that kind of issue. CB Terrence Newman will be key to their pass defense and to providing stability and leadership to a team that desperately could use it. Right now this is just a team of talented individuals, and their record will demonstrate that.

4. Washington Redskins
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: I feel like Mike Shanahan can't get out of his own way. They wanted to start John Beck at QB, but he got outplayed in the preseason by Rex Grossman. They neglected any sort of long-term solution at QB in the draft. I do expect a very good season out of Tim Hightower in a system that tends to provide great performances from RBs that you may not expect it from. The passing game is an issue though. Santana Moss has underperformed in recent years and Jabar Gaffney can't be expected to be the guy on the other side. I do like the Redskins' defense. Brian Orakpo needs to have a big season at LB rushing the passer, and I'm interested in rookie Ryan Kerrigan on the other side. CB DeAngelo Hall is solid and they've added OJ Atogwe at safety.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: The Saints have one of the best team leaders in the NFL in Drew Brees, and I expect him and the New Orleans offense to have another big season. Adding speedster RB Darren Sproles to the offense is an interesting element. Tackling can be an issue for their defense, and especially stopping the run, but with adding Sean Rogers to the middle of their defensive line with Shaun Ellis will go a long way. Malcolm Jenkins is stepping in at safety replacing big shoes in Darren Sharper, but I think he can do it in stride. Tracy Porter is one of the better lesser known corners in the game as well.

2. Atlanta Falcons
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: The Falcons have one of the better all-around offenses in the game, and adding a potential WR on the other side of Roddy White could be a fantastic move. Julio Jones can contribute, but I don't expect the move to pay big dividends right away. The Falcons also can rest assured with depth at the RB position and a solid offensive line. Adding Ray Edwards to pass rush with John Abraham is the kind of move that put the Atlanta defense up a notch. I do think there are still issues at the safety position and if the Packers-Falcons playoff game means anything its that the Falcons pass defense needs improvement. I think the Falcons are well on their way though.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Record: 9-7
Synopsis: Just like the Lions this is another hard team to peg. The offense has a lot of question marks to be honest. Yes, they all performed well last season, starting with QB Josh Freeman, but not many on this squad have more to back themselves up than that one season to their name. The Bucs have a defense that isn't flashy and you may not know a lot of the names, but they get the job done, and I expect them to this season. I wouldn't be surprised if the defense carries them at times this season. I'm especially interested in rookie DE Adrian Clayborn, and really expect big things from him. If the offense can exceed expectations, this may be a playoff team.

4. Carolina Panthers
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: So... Cam Newton. There's just a lot of instability on this team, starting with not knowing what to do with the QB position. I would not be surprised to see the Panthers use all 3 QBs on their roster at some point this season. I do think they can effectively run the ball, but they need to give the idea that they can at least pass the ball a little to make it work. I also think the Panthers have one of the weaker defenses in the league. Outside of CB Chris Gamble they don't really have any playmakers. Jon Beason is a very good LB but has injury issues. I expect offensive lines to have their way with the Panthers' front 4 though.

NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: One offseason can make all the difference for the Cardinals, especially with a big upgrade at the QB position in Kevin Kolb. Kolb is somewhat unproven but from what we saw in Philadelphia he should be able to link up with the best WR in the league in Larry Fitzgerald. My biggest question with their offense is if the system will sustain itself. They're pass heavy and the likes of Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston are gone. I expect Early Doucet to have a big season at the WR position though. Defensively the Cardinals have a lot of playmakers and I expect them to get back to doing what they've done best in recent years. That is create turnovers. This is a defense that is very good at every level if Joey Porter and Clark Haggans have anything left in the tank at LB.

2. St. Louis Rams
Projected Record: 8-8
Synopsis: This could be a big year for the Rams. Offensively they still have Stephen Jackson at RB who will always produce. I just fear they don't have the weapons at WR to get Sam Bradford to the next level. Further, I question their depth on the offensive line. I do think the Rams have the opportunity to have a very good defense. Quintin Mikell is a nice addition at safety and they have a lot of young talent like DE Chris Long and LB James Lauranitis. Unfortunately, I just don't think they have enough offensively to make it happen, particularly if Stephen Jackson were to go down with an injury.

3. Seattle Seahawks
Projected Record: 7-9
Funny, last year this record won the division. Now it puts them in 3rd. Seattle will struggle offensively. I wouldn't be surprised to see QB Tavaris Jackson replaced with Charlie Whitehurst at some point and I don't find RB Marshawn Lynch to be in a position to really lead the offense. He's just not dynamic enough. Zach Miller is a nice addition at TE, but not enough. Outside of CB Marcus Trufant, I fear the Seahawks lack the ability to stop the pass. The personnel in the defensive backfield isn't there and Chris Clemons is their own quality pass rusher. Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane can go a long way in stopping the run though. They just don't have enough to grab the division by the horns.

4. San Fransisco 49ers
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: With the 49ers offense there is potential, but I don't see it this season, not with Alex Smith at the helm for the ump-teenth time. I do like the weapons: Braylon Edwards, Ted Ginn, Josh Morgan, and Michael Crabtree, but Colin Kapernick needs to sit and learn a little before they give him the offense. If Frank Gore is healthy he will definitely get his, but the passing game doesn't have an orchestrator. I do think the 49ers can have a solid defense with the proper coaching, but this is a defense that needs discipline and for Patrick Willis to step up as a leader. He had a very pedestrian season for his standards last year as well, more is needed if the 49ers are to do better than expected.

What's the baseline?
NFC North: Bears
NFC East: Giants
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Cardinals
NFC Wildcard: Eagles & Falcons

NFL Preview: AFC

Can you believe it? Its September already. Fantasy football drafts have been fulfilled, the weather is cooling, the leaves are changing, the kids are back in school and the NFL starts back up this Thursday. And with the NFL starting up, it means its the time of year for an NFL Preview. Today, I start with the AFC. I will do this much like I did my MLB preview, in three parts. Now, I will begin with the AFC North, with team rankings, records, and a few brief sentences about all the teams. And so we shall begin.

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: The Steelers are perennial AFC favorites, and I expect nothing but more of the same this season. Health is the only thing that could keep them from reaching their peak performance, but having Troy Polamalu back, and Ben Roethlisberger on the team for all 16 games should be of great benefit. I'm interested to see if the transition to more of a passing offense continues as well.

2. Baltimore Ravens
Projected Record: 10-6
Synopsis: The biggest issue for this AFC stalwart is that eventually their defense is going to get old. Ray Lewis is 36. Ed Reed is 32. To combat that though, the offense has become significantly better. Adding speedster Lee Evans to the other side of other WR Anquan Boldin should enhance Joe Flacco's effectiveness, as should RB Ray Rice reaching his prime.

3. Cleveland Browns
Projected Record: 6-10
Synopsis: There's lots of young talent on this Browns team, but also a lot of question marks. I'm skeptical on how the defensive line will fare on pressuring the QB as well as the WRs ability to get open and aid young Colt McCoy in moving the ball downfield. Teams will be gunning for Peyton Hillis this year as well, so the offense may face severe challenges.

4. Cincinnati Bengals
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: As depicted before on this blog, the Bengals are a team headed in the wrong direction. Carson Palmer is gone, as is Chad Ochocinco. Cedric Benson is not only inconsistent, but in and out of jail. They have some good young weapons in Jermaine Gresham, AJ Green and Jordan Shipley, and the defense could be solid with Nate Clements joining Leon Hall at CB. I just don't see the Bengals not doing what they always do, shooting themselves in the foot.

AFC East
1. New York Jets
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: This is a big season in the maturity of QB Mark Sanchez. He needs to show the focus and intensity over a 16 game season that he has shown in some of the biggest games he's played. This is still a greatly tenacious defense even without making any major additions. Adding Plaxico Burress is a move I expect to pay off majorly as he's still young enough to contribute and has fresh legs. Either Shonn Greene or LaDanian Tomlinson need to come up big in the running game as well, and I think at least one of them will, or they can play off each other.

2. New England Patriots
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: The Patriots biggest issue last season was their pass defense, but by playing in a division without a very pass happy team, they get away with being solid enough for most of the season anyway. Devin McCourty is a great young CB that can help sure up that pass defense anyway. There's not much new to say about the offense though. It will be interesting to see if RBs BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead will be able to replicate their high production levels of last season.

3. Miami Dolphins
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: The Dolphins take a step backwards in losing RB Ronnie Brown and trying to make Reggie Bush their top back. I do like the set up on the fast Miami track, but I don't see Bush getting the majority of the carries for any team. This is a very strong defense though, particularly in the defensive backfield with Yeremiah Bell at safety, and young corner Sean Smith getting a year older and better to go with his physical skills.

4. Buffalo Bills
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: This is a team that is going to take their lumps this season, but I could see taking another step forward with another good draft. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is vastly overrated, but they need some more weapons and more protection for him. The defense has some solid individual players but needs more to become a better overall squad. Saftey Jairus Byrd is a potential ballhawk of the future. Rookie Marcel Dareus at DE should be a player of interest as well. They could be well on their way after this season. Hang in there, Buffalo.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: This is a team that could face some major challenges without its franchise player in the first few weeks, but once Peyton Manning is back and acclimated, its a team that's going to be very strong as always. He has all his weapons, and those weapons alone may salvage a game early in the season, and getting WR Anthony Gonzalez back could be a huge bonus as well. Stopping the run will be an issue for the Colts, especially with Bob Sanders entirely out of the organization, but its never been enough of an issue to keep them from winning games in the past.

2. Houston Texans
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: Arian Foster burst on the scene last year and brought some serious balance to a once pass-heavy, but effective, offense. I expect him to get a lot of the attention this season, and therefore for the very capable Matt Schaub to have a especially strong season with Andre Johnson and the rest of their receivers. Defense was the weak point last season though, especially against the pass, but that's been improved by adding JJ Watt to the defensive line, and Jonathon Joseph at CB and Danieal Manning at safety. Mario Williams coming from the edge in a 3-4 should be an interest element as well.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected Record: 4-12
Synopsis: It just a matter of time before QB David Garrard is taken out for rookie Blaine Gabbert, and its really not fault of his own. Garrard is capable, but this isn't a team set up for victory, particularly in his weapons and offensive line. They play in a tough division as well and although they added DE Aaron Kampman, LB Clint Session, and S Dawan Landry, I don't see them competing, mostly because, that's not the plan.

4. Tennessee Titans
Projected Record: 2-14
Synopsis: I'm going to ruin the surprise. I have the Titans pegged for the worst record in the NFL. There's a bad storm of problems on this team. Offensively, Matt Hasselbeck is over the hill, Chris Johnson is getting a very late start to his season due to his hold-out (I would be surprised if he actually gets injured on his return as well), Nate Washington has trouble holding onto the ball. Defensively, their defensive backs aren't too bad, but creating pressure is going to be an issue with their front 4. Its yet to be seen if they will be able to stop the run either.

AFC West
1. Oakland Raiders
Projected Record: 9-7
Synopsis: The defense had been the strength of this team, but losing Nnamdi Asomougha is a major issue. With that said, I see the Raiders offense hitting its stride this season. QB Jason Campbell will play all 16 games and finally find a system he can get comfortable in. RB Darren McFadden will have another fantastic season that may finally not go unnoticed. They have 3 WRs ready to take that next step in Lou Murphy, Chas Schilens, and Jacoby Ford. Adding Kevin Boss is a great safety valve. With all that, the defense has added enough pieces to be solid, and they compete in a division that is very up for grabs. I think the Raiders do the grabbing.

2. Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Records: 9-7
Synopsis: The Chiefs were last season's surprise team and I think they very much compete for the division again. Coach Todd Haley has added some weapons for the very steady QB Matt Cassel to throw to. The defense is young and improving. They will compete on all levels. If nothing else they should stop the run with a strong front defensive line, and with Eric Berry patrolling the backfield, they can be strong. Their biggest issue will be consistency, and that's where I think they faulter.

3. San Diego Chargers
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: Last year was a big season for the Chargers, but in the wrong way. They didn't make the playoffs for the first time in many years. I see the decline continuing. They're just too risky with the ball and the offense is volatile. I still don't see RB Ryan Matthews stepping up and that means more defensive focus on Philip Rivers, who will throw interceptions. The defense could be strong, but they haven't had their edge since losing Shawn Merriman's effectiveness. There's also a hole in the DBs once newly added Bob Sanders gets hurt.

4. Denver Broncos
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: There's a lot of confusion and question marks on this Denver team. Kyle Orton will be the starting QB, but for how long? Is Brandon Lloyd going to repeat his season from last year at WR? How is moving to a 4-3 going to effect Elvis Dumervill and Robert Ayers? How many more years do Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins have in them? Ultimately, this team could actually compete in this division, but they have to come up with a plan and stick to it. Also, running the ball with Knowshon Moreno has always been an issue, and I think they may struggle stopping the run as well. That could be a recipe for disaster.

What's the baseline?
AFC North: Steelers
AFC East: Jets
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Raiders
AFC Wildcard: Texans & Patroits

We Salute You, Fred Taylor

He may not be a Hall of Famer, but he's certainly a class act and a superb football player in his own right. This is why we at Baseline Sports want to salute running back Fred Taylor for his 13 seasons of service in the NFL. Taylor will be retiring tomorrow after signing a one day contract with his original NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted him in the first round in 1998 and had the benefit of his play for the best years of his career through the 2008 season.

Taylor was the star running back for a Jaguars team, and a key component to what put that organization on the fast track to competing in the AFC. It wasn't until 1998 that the Jags won their first AFC Central Title (ha, remember the old AFC Central?). 1999 saw them reach the AFC Title Game.

Taylor is the franchise leader in rushing yards at over 11,000. When healthy, he was one of the premiere running backs in the league and the kind that an offense could solely depend on by not only being a feature back, but also through catching the ball and blocking.

Off the field Taylor was known as one of the hardest workers in the NFL, which made the cracks against him continuing to get hurt seem misleading, it wasn't a lack of desire to stay healthy that kept him off the field. His desire was further amplified by the fact he played the 2004 season with a broken bone in his foot, still rushing for over 1200 yards. He was also know as quiet and wanting to keep to himself, hardly wanting to cause trouble in the locker room, and even as he aged becoming a fantastic team leader.

Somehow, despite 7 seasons of 1000+ yards he only made one Pro Bowl, in 2007. Playing in the small market Jacksonville most likely had something to do with it, but it didn't hardly phase Taylor, who would have happily finished his career entirely with the Jags had their not been a change in the organization's direction that caused them to let him go after the 2008 season (that, and a guy named Maurice Jones-Drew waiting in the wings). Taylor didn't feel ready to end his career though so he went to New England and played a role while trying to win the Super Bowl that never came to him. Small market life, only one Pro Bowl, continuous injuries, and no rings will probably keep Taylor out of the Hall, which is a shame because I can think of few guys more deserving.

What's the baseline?
A fantastic man on and off the field, we will miss you, Fred Taylor. I have nothing but respect for you, and if nothing else, its nice to see you retire a Jaguar.

(photo courtesy of bigcatcountry.com)

Michael Vick: Is Sky Really the Limit?

In a lot of ways, and for a lot of good reasons, Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick is riding high. He's merely two years removed from being in prison for dog fighting charges. He went from being the free agent that everyone was afraid to take a risk on, to third string QB, to starter and comeback player of the year. There were people that, when Vick was sentenced to prison, thought that he very well may play in the NFL again, but never as a QB (myself among them). He's exceeded every expectation. The Eagles won the NFC East with Vick at the helm in 2010, after filling in and making himself the starter ahead of young QB Kevin Kolb. He was a Pro Bowler that threw for over 3000 yards last season, ran for 600 more, had 30 total TDs and a QB rating of 100.2. Furthermore, Vick has been nothing but a model citizen off the field since paying his debt to society. There have been no more issues, no more run-ins, and he's even admitted to having matured, to wanting to be a better football player and studying harder for his craft.

With all that said, the Eagles' decision to re-up Vick's contract, and give him a 6 year deal that totals $100 million ($40 million guaranteed) is premature. Yes, Vick has done everything stated above, he was indeed an MVP candidate last season. All of his accolades and feats though, have merely occurred in that one singular season. Vick was 30 last year, probably in his prime with fresh legs from not having a full season of NFL impacts for over 3 years. He also was frequently injured and in and out of games. This very well could have been his career year. He is now 31 and not getting any younger. Also, with no film of his revamped style in the Philadelphia system, it was more than likely harder for teams to peg Vick last season. Those advantagess won't last for much longer. I fear too much that last season was the perfect storm for Michael Vick, and although he may still be a quality player in the NFL, he will never repeat the season that he had, and is certainly not worthy of the sizable contract that he just received.

Age is the biggest issue in all of this. Vick will be 36 in the final season of his contract and one of his biggest assets as a player is his incomparable speed at the QB position. Do you really believe he will still move with the same fleet-footedness at the age of 36 that he did at the age of 30 on fresh legs? I don't. Yes his passing has improved, but I do not see him replicating a season of just 6 interceptions, particularly as the aforementioned game film on him continues to grow. Along with Vick's durability issues and the fact he will take a lot of hits due to his scrambling style really one is left with question marks on whether or not such a long term deal was such a good idea. The one silent issue in all of this though is still a very significant one. This contract is the culmination of a PR move and the stunt that everyone that follows the NFL wants to see. That is, Michael Vick's fall and rise back to the top, manufactured for the American public. People will get on this new contract as a great day and a great story for the NFL, and it can be. Its what everyone wants to see, Michael Vick has redeemed himself as a player and a person. That doesn't make the decision to give the contract a good one though, in fact, it could set him up for failure.

Rather, I think another season was a requirement for such a contract. Another season for the Eagles to watch and make sure that Vick could stay healthy, and at least come close to replicating what he did in 2010. If he did, then a big money contract is much more plausible, and a long term one is even more in the cards if there's is a noticeable transition of Vick to being more and more of a pocket passer that can sustain himself at 35 and beyond. In the meantime, a smaller, shorter (although multiyear) deal would have been in the cards for 2011, and then if Vick were to perform at a high level again, the deal could either be extended or restructured.

Putting the pressure of such a contract on him now is irresponsible. For one, as I have stated the Eagles don't know that its truly going to work out, and secondly with the pressure of the NFL fanbase upon him and of all the money Vick is now earning, it could really undermine him, make him press, and cause his future performance to be that much worse. By creating his peak moment, the Eagles may be setting up Vick with all this pressure, to fall right back down again. That is my biggest fear for this deal, and it could be a very real one.

What's the baseline?
By reaching his highest prominence, is Michael Vick being set up for disappointment in his own mind and in the minds of NFL fans everywhere? I fear that very well may be the case, and at the same time, I hope I am wrong.

(photo courtesy of technorati.com)

Little League World Series: Sports Purest Form

With working so many hours this summer it brings me great disappointment to say that I've had a rough time catching up on one of my favorite summer time traditions, that is religiously following the Little League World Series. The Little League World Series seems to be a bit of an acquired taste for some sports fans though, as some find it exceptionally boring. However, there must be a pretty big viewership seeing as ESPN plays is every year, including at prime time slots on their schedule. Its like the World Cup, not everyone gets the allure, but those that do absolutely love it and go out of their way to follow it, just on a smaller scale.

And of all the years to decide to miss so much, I picked a bad one. This was a year of a great story in the Pennsylvania team that came from just 30 miles away to Williamsport (where the games are located) and drew crowds better than if I were to just drive 15 miles to Cleveland and watch my local Major League team on most nights. I'm talking about 40,000+ in the stands to watch these 11, 12, and 13 year olds play, and they deserve it. The entity of Little League Baseball deserves it, and here's why. The Little League World Series is the purest, most fantastic form of sports on a large scale in the world.

Many always remark on how they prefer college sports to pro sports because the players aren't playing for money in college. They are instead playing "because they love the game". That may be very true in a significant number of instances, but you need not look any further than this past summer at all the college football scandals that have arose from college athletes receiving gifts, money, and benefits for their play. There is reason to believe that this type of pay off occurs on a fairly large scale. Needless to say then, college sports, at least at the highest levels are... well... tainted. Its not about love of the game. Its about receiving benefits: cash benefits, material benefits, and so on. If not, then its about working hard so they can one day make money in the NFL, or professionally in general, and its hardly ever about academics or learning. Really, its all about winning and money. And that goes without mentioning the exploitation of the players and extreme greed of the colleges themselves.

On the other hand, Little League Baseball is a non-profit organization. Further, its just kids. Kids from their local towns, the best kids, that do obviously want to win, but its about more than that. Its about a community uniting around a team of youngsters that are playing baseball, and not playing baseball for a multi-year contract, or because some booster is going to drop off a Maybach in their driveway tomorrow morning if the kid homers. They're playing because baseball is fun, and they enjoy the game, and the camaraderie of their teammates. That's what Little League Baseball is all about, and that's what it should be about. Competition of course, but more so, its about the fun (competition, in my opinion, is fun within itself too), bonding, and learning lessons. And that's just another point, these kids learn lessons along the way too, about stamina (it takes a long lasting effort to get all the way to Williamsport), perseverance, winning and losing gracefully, and practice. This is everything sports, especially at an amateur level should be, and everything that sports were before corporations and the American businessman tainted them. I haven't even mentioned the fact that Little League Baseball is a world-wide effort, bringing together nations and cultures. It shows our children that even if were are different, we can at least have this one thing in common that we all enjoy (much like the previously mentioned World Cup does as well). I'm for anything that teaches younger generations to bond and respect other cultures and nations.

I think I'm only scratching the surface, but I paint a pretty good picture of why the Little League World Series should be one of the more respected sporting events on this planet. The game includes the encouragement of hustle and respect for the game, others, and oneself, along with all the other elements I have mentioned. With all that said, if you're one of those that doesn't fall fondly on the Little League World Series, I encourage you to watch one of the remaining championship games (the International championship is on behind me right now), and even if you don't enjoy the style or quality of play, although these young guys still do play pretty well, you can at least enjoy the underlying message that this pure sport provides.

What's the baseline?
The Little League delivers in the way amateur sports really should. Its about the love of the game, and the messages and lessons that sports can teach. The baseball play is quality, but the other elements are really what make it an excellent event.

College Football: PreSeason Top 25

I'll be the first to admit, college sports are not as much of my forte as the pro versions are. With that said, I still follow college football with some regularity and with the start of the season fast approaching I'm throwing my hat into the ring and naming my preseason top 25. There will be brief descriptions to go with each team I mention, and with that said, lets get into it.

1. Alabama
A lot of roster turnover is occurring for the Crimson Tide, especially at the skill positions on offense, but they are still the best team in the best conference in and college football. At least they can always rely on their defense too.

2. Oklahoma
A matchup with Florida St. may tell the tale on whether or not the Sooners can make it to the BCS title game. A road game at a formidable Oklahoma St. team will be big as well. QB Landry Jones is a Heisman candidate among 18 starters returning.

3. Oregon
Oregon's run with USC's fall from grace in the Pac 10 (now PAC 12). The first game of the season may be a landmine as they play LSU, and they have to find a way to outscore Andrew Luck. This is a track team, but a skilled one. I love their chances.

4. LSU
I'm taking Oregon to beat LSU, as you can see, but they're pretty close adversaries. LSU's biggest issue will be not slipping up when they probably play the toughest competition of any team in the country. I don't think this is a team with the mental toughness to make it out unscathed.

5. Boise St.
Another talented team for what has become a consistent powerhouse of a program over recent years. The question remains though, does an undefeated Boise St. command the respect to make the title game? They do play Georgia this year, which adds legitimacy, and undefeated is in the bounds of imagination, but is it enough?

6. Stanford
This team very well may be peaking as Andrew Luck is a senior, but will they be able to replicate last year's fine play without Head Coach Jim Harbaugh? They ease into their schedule nicely which means they can work out the growing pains if needed. They'll give Oregon problems in the PAC 12.

7. Florida St.
Florida St. hasn't been that strong in recent years, but that is looking to change. This is a defense that is looking to step up to the next level. Replacing Christian Ponder may be an issue, but if the Seminoles can score points, they'll be in really good shape.

8. Texas A&M
This is a highly talented team with a very underrated coach in Mike Sherman. I don't know if they can take down Oklahoma, but they're good enough to compete for sure. They return 18 starters and are most definitely poised.

9. Wisconsin
This team is classic Big Ten football as it should be known in the new millenium. They play great defense and are going to run the ball over, through, and around you. The passing attack may be weak, but ball control and defense are going to be not just the name of the game, but the strength.

10. Oklahoma St.
This is a very strong offense but at the same time a defense that could really struggle in return. I think Oklahoma St. is fast enough and skilled enough to outscore at least most of its opponents. Justin Blackmon is a future first round pick.

11. Nebraska
The question is about to be answered potentially about which competition is tougher, the Big Ten or the Big 12. I could see Nebraska coming into the Big Ten with relative ease, at the same time, they may take some lumps with their newfound competition. They're at least built for the Big Ten though, with a fantastic defense.

12. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has one of the easiest schedules on the list, including a very easy September. There's not much more to say than that this is just a good, well-rounded football team. Frank Beamer might be one of the more underappreciated coaches in the nation.

13. South Carolina
A lot rides on what Stephen Garcia is able to do given his off-the-field distractions. This is a team with a lot of talent, but having their team leader in such a precarious position, plus playing a tough schedule in the SEC stacks the deck against them. This is a very good team though, they can sort themselves out.

14. TCU
This is a team reloading after a fantastic 2010 season. Reloading doesn't mean a complete drop off the face of the Earth though as TCU is a fantastic team, even for being in the Mountain West. I have questions about the defense though, particularly in facing their tougher opponents (like Boise and Texas Tech).

15. Arkansas
The weight of the season falls in the final 3 games. Arkansas will play Tennessee, Mississippi St, and LSU. If they go above and beyond the call of duty, Arkansas will win all 3 and be a major contender, but I don't see them beating LSU. Head Coach Bobby Petrino has a way with making QBs though, and he's got a new project on his hands with Tyler Wilson.

16. Michigan St.
Michigan St. faces a tough schedule and has to deal with even more now in facing Nebraska. I have no doubt Michigan St. will put up points, but I'm not sure about their toughness or defensive ability against the Big Ten elite. They definitely are a wildcard in the conference though in having a different style.

17. Notre Dame
This could be a big year in the Brian Kelly regime at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have a strong defense and an offensive mentor in Kelly to really make some improvements and play some strong games. I fear their schedule gets gradually more difficult though, but they really could peak at the right time to combat that.

18. Mississippi St.
Mississippi St. has a tough battle in the SEC, but its a talented team that could give an Alabama or LSU a handful for 4 quarters. QB Chris Relf could develop into a superb player this season, he is one to watch for and can lead one of the better offenses in the country that you may not notice.

19. Missouri
This team is easily not Oklahoma good, or Texas A&M good either. Their biggest weakness will be stopping the pass with a bunch of new defensive backs in their ranks. Longevity is another issue, last year's team was 7-0 before crashing to Earth. Can Missouri play effectively for a full season?

20. West Virginia
The Mountaineers are the Big East's first appearance in the Top 25, and with a weak conference they don't command much respect. This is easily the best team in the Big East though and I wouldn't be surprised to see them play LSU well in September. DE Bruce Irvin is a fantastic pass rusher that is ready to have a great season.

21. Florida
New Head Coach Will Muschamp is bringing a new style to Florida, and I'm just not sure yet how a more smash-mouth style will work out in the environment that Florida has and will face. This is a young team with better days ahead of it still.

22. USC
USC faces a couple roadblocks in their way. Oregon is a formidable team now on par with the likes of USC due to disciplinary sanctions and a new team in the PAC 12 means even more strong competition. USC's biggest enemy might be themselves though and complacency, seeing as they can't make a bowl, the question of what these guys are really playing for may turn up in the locker room.

23. Texas
Texas will be a much improved team after having an atrocious season by Longhorn standards last year. The offense is still questionable and the QB situation is still unknown, but the Longhorns have an excellent defense that could carry them at times by getting to the QB, and creating turnovers.

24. Arizona St.
This team has the ability to make it big with a fantastic offense led by a big strong-armed QB in Brock Osweiler. Turnovers could be an issue though as it was a major problem for them in 2010, but with new leaders on the field it could be a whole different ballgame.

25. Pittsburgh
Pitt could be a formidable team in the Big East if not for the wear and tear they face with a tough out of conference schedule. They are talented, but not talented enough to overcome the difficulties they will face on a week to week basis. A new coach for the Panthers could work wonders, as Dave Wannstedt couldn't seem to motivate a very talented squad, maybe Todd Graham can.

What's the baseline?
Expect noise from Oregon and LSU. Boise is a wildcard if they can win out and Stanford might have the best player in the nation in Andrew Luck. Florida St. is an up and comer. But ultimately its Oklahoma vs. Alabama in the BCS Title Game with Alabama winning.

MLB Power Rankings: August 22th, 2011

Believe it or not, its been 3 months to the date since I did my last MLB Power Rankings. Clearly, its long overdue for me to come back and resort the field as the home stretch of the season is upon us and the playoff races heat up. So here I am to sort the field of teams again in order of superiority at this moment. Now, this rankings comes in after the games on the 22nd. Along with each team's ranking, record, status, and synopsis will come their ranking three months ago, just for interesting comparison's sake. With that said, let's get into it.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (82-44, 6-4, W1) Rank last time (RLT): 2nd
The Phillies monster of a starting rotation continues to dominate with the best ERA in the Majors. Ryan Madson has been superb in filling the void left by Brad Lidge's injuries. Shane Victorino is quietly having a fantastic season and Hunter Pence's OPS since being traded to Philly is .906.

2. New York Yankees (77-48, 7-3 W1) RLT: 6th
Curtis Granderson is having an MVP-type season any way you want to shape it. Brett Gardner has taken a step forward at the plate this year as well, and the starting rotation hasn't been nearly as atrocious as anticipated.

3. Boston Red Sox (77-50, 4-6 L1) RLT: 9th
Boston has arguably the best offense in the game, at the very least they have the highest OBP as a team, and the only team with an OPS above .800. The league's 17th best ERA though may become an Achilles heal come playoff time though. Boston's only has 2 starters they can really trust, all the other games go to ancient Tim Wakefield or injured/struggling John Lackey.

4.Atlanta Braves (77-52, 7-3, W5) RLT: 8th
Atlanta's saving grace is that they can pitch, but often times, their hitting is suspect. They may not be in such a comfortable lead for the NL Wildcard if not for Dan Uggla's sudden offensive outburst after a terrible first half. Getting Jair Jurrjens healthy again would be huge after the season he was getting off to, and Craig Kimbrel only has 1 blown save in the last 3 months.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (77-53, 8-2, L1) RLT: 11th
The hottest team in the game right now. They had a slow start but hit their stride and now look very formidable. This year Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun have both really put it together and made for a scary tandem in the middle of that order. Having Zack Greinke is really paying off as well now too.

6. Texas Rangers (74-55, 7-3, W1) RLT: 10th
Being healthy for the most part in the second half of the season has really helped the Rangers out as they try to keep the AL West away from the LA Angels. Contributions throughout the lineup have really helped the Rangers get themselves where they are. 4 Rangers have 20 or more homers. Adding Mike Adams made the bullpen all that much more solid as well.

7. Detroit Tigers (69-58, 7-3, W4) RLT: 13th
The Tigers are the leaders of a division that no ones wants to seem to win. They've been playing much better though over the last month or so and have a comfortable lead as of now. The biggest question earlier in the season was their bullpen, but that aspect has really settled down. Joaquin Benoit, Daniel Schlereth, and Al Alburquerque have really come into their own in their roles for the Tigers' pen.

8. Tampa Bay Rays (69-57, 7-3, L1) RLT: 7th
Its a crying shame they play in the AL East. They're 8.5 games out of the division, 7.5 from the Wildcard and are really the 7th best team in the Majors, right now, deserving of a playoff spot in my opinion. The rotation is solid outside of Wade Davis's growing pains, and the Rays find ways to put runs on the board. Another fantastic job by Joe Maddon, too bad this ones's going to go unnoticed in October.

9. Los Angeles Angels (69-59, 5-5 W4) RLT: 18th
Texas better not let their guard down, this Angels team could really make some noise and give some problems. The pitching staff has really solidified itself and they are playing smarter baseball now than when they were squandering games earlier in the season. Hopefully those missed opportunities don't come back to bite them, like Jordan Walden's 9 blown saves.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (69-59, 4-6 L6) RLT: 16
The Diamondbacks hold the lead in the NL West. What?! No one saw this coming this late in the season. 19th in OBP. 19th in ERA. I think they hold the lead more due to the Giants lack of ability to get their act together than by their own merits, but it all counts the same. They're winning ballgames though, and Justin Upton would be one of the biggest stars in the Majors if he played in New York or Chicago.

11. San Fransisco Giants (68-60, 4-6, W1) RLT: 3rd
That NL West lead isn't safe though. The Giants are just 1 game out. The Giants have the 2nd best team ERA, but the 2nd worst team OBP. Carlos Beltran has done little to help since coming over from the Mets (.616 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBI in just 11 games). The rotation is going to have to do the heavy lifting, but that's nothing new. A hot finish from Jonathon Sanchez would work wonders.

12. St. Louis Cardinals (67-61, 4-6, L1) RLT: 5th
The Cardinals have arguably the best offense in the National League. Lance Berkman has never cooled off this year and really added punch to a tough middle of the order with Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. David Freese is a good young ballplayer as well.

13. Toronto Blue Jays (65-62, 6-4, W1) RLT: 15th
Another team that suffers from playing in the AL East. Jose Bautista is still an absolute beast of a hitter and his contact is up this year which is impressive. I'm surprised but happy to see Edwin Encarnacion actually producing a little for the Jays as well.

14. Chicago White Sox (63-63, 6-4, W2) RLT: 20th
Paul Konerko is having a wonderful season and no one is even talking about it, which is good considering Adam Dunn's total lack of production. Phil Humber has made Jake Peavy unnecessary as the Sox have a rotation that has really settled in. This could be a tough team down the stretch as the power arms in the back of the bullpen and the rotation coming into its own could cause problems for opponents.

15. Cleveland Indians (62-62, 4-6, L4) RLT: 1st
The season of dreams way be coming to an end. The pitching has really slacked in the 2nd half as a unit. Ubaldo Jimenez was an all-in move that has yet to show itself to be an aid or a detriment. For them to really compete, Jimenez and supposed ace Fausto Carmona really need to lock things down in the stretch run.

16. Cincinnati Reds (62-65, 6-4, W1) RLT: 12th
Simply put, this is a very streaky team that definitely just hasn't been dependable enough to really compete. Jonny Cueto has been phenomenal beyond belief and Mike Leake has been servicable, but Bronson Arroyo is showing miles and the rest of the rotation has been far from consistent. You just never know what you're going to get with this team.

17. Washington Nationals (62-64, 6-4, W2) RLT: 24th
An improved record, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper waiting in the wings are cause for hope in the future for the Nationals. They need help hitting the ball though, its been a struggle and the big deal they gave to Jayson Werth has been far from beneficial. That's the kind of deal that cripples a payroll, Washington may be a big enough market to get passed that though.

18. Colorado Rockies (61-68, 6-4, W3) RLT: 14th
Colorado never got off the ground this season. They hit well, but just can't pitch with any consistency outside of Jhoulys Chacin. Trading Ubaldo Jimenez was them mailing it in, but they still definitely have a good core. They just need some dependable starting pitching, which may come in Alex White and Drew Pomeranz.

19. Pittsburgh Pirates (60-67, 4-6, W1) RLT: 23rd
In the last 3 months the Pirates went from losers to contenders and then back to losing again. What a ride, if only short lived. The young core players that were expected to take that next step this year really just have not done it. Andrew McCutchen is one thing, but Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker, Jose Tabata, and co. have really disappointed.

20. San Diego Padres (59-70, 6-4, W4) RLT: 28th
Nothing new from the Padres. They pitch well, but don't hit well. They currently don't have a hitter with more than 9 homers or 43 RBI on the roster. Trading Ryan Ludwick hurts that, but he was only hitting .238 before they traded him anyway. At least they have a fantastic young staff of guys you've probably never heard of, Dustin Moseley for example, who is 3-10 but has a 3.30 ERA.

21. New York Mets (60-67, 2-8, L4) RLT: 22nd
The Mets continue to hit well, but can't put any pitching together. Not having Johan Santana certainly has not helped the cause. The whole staff and bullpen has been erratic and unable to hold a lead. What scares me the most though is there 2 best offensive performers this season are Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes. One was traded from them and the other stands to walk away in the offseason.

22. Oakland Athletics (57-70, 4-6, L1) RLT: 25th
The hitting has gotten a little bit better in Oakland as the season progressed but the pitching got a little worse in return. They just don't have the hitters, everything is pitching and defense dependent and they just aren't making it happen. David DeJesus has been a major, unexplainable disappointment.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers (58-69, 5-5, W1) RLT: 27th
This is a team that really should be competing better than they are but they're struggles start at the top with the distractions amongst the organization. A down season from Andre Ethier has left Matt Kemp as the only punch in the lineup and Jamey Carroll is an every day player with his 0 homers and 11 RBI. Rafael Furcal will be missed. Heck, he was missed when technically he was on the team but was always hurt.

24. Chicago Cubs (56-72, 6-4, L2) RLT: 26th
A team that doesn't pitch well. Carlos Zambrano is crazy and Randy Wells has been a disappointment this season. Matt Garza's their own trustworthy starter. The bullpen top to bottom has been suspect as well starting with Carlos Marmol at the back end. Aramis Ramirez got hot for a while to carry the offense, but it really hasn't been enough.

25. Minnesota Twins (55-72, 3-7, L2) RLT: 30th
The Twins showed signs of life briefly this summer but a playoff run seems out of the question now. This is really a bad team. They haven't done much well, but at the same time, its not all their fault. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer have not been their normal selves and that's a problem for any team to recover from. They're taking the time now to develop some young players (eg: Ben Revere), and I think it could work out better for them in the long run.

26. Florida Marlins (57-70, 2-8, L5) RLT: 4th
Can you believe I rated them 4th in May? They've gone 31-51 since May 22nd. I did mention I was skeptical on them at least. Most of their issues stem from Josh Johnson being their entire starting rotation, and then getting hurt. Javier Vazquez has been a lousy 7-11. Something tells me though this is just a team of individuals as long as Hanley Ramirez is the leader.

27. Kansas City Royals (52-76, 3-7, L1) RLT: 17th
The Royals have actually hit the ball pretty well this season, but Bruce Chen of all people has been their best starter (the only one with a record above .500). Joakim Soria has been surprisingly unstable as well. They have a lot of young guys in the pipeline, I just hope they have some that can pitch the ball to make them a legitimate contender in the future.

28. Seattle Mariners (54-72, 4-6, LW1) RLT: 19th
The worst hitting team in the Majors. The only team OBP under .300. Brendan Ryan might be their most consistent hitter! Ichiro is hitting .269! Chone Figgins was hitting .189 and playing most days before getting hurt! They make the Athletics looks like a powerhouse offense.

29. Baltimore Orioles (48-77, 3-7, W1) RLT: 21st
Easily the worst pitching team in the league. Jeremy Gutrhie is 5-16 and they couldn't even pawn him off at the trade deadline like they wanted to. They don't have a starting pitcher with an ERA under 4.50. Jim Johnson has looked great out of the bullpen, but that's about it. They had a number of young arms they were hoping would take a big step this year, but it just hasn't happened.

30. Houston Astros (42-86, 4-6, L2) RLT: 29th
This is just a bad team that's gotten even worse in the short term by trading Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn. How disappointing has JA Happ been? The Astros brass have to hope that its just growing pains for their promising left hander. Their best remaining hitter, Brett Wallace, has been benched for major struggles in the 2nd half of this season. There's just not much positive on this Major League team to talk about.

What's the baseline?
As we approach the last month of the season, the Phillies are the best, the Astros are the worst. The Tampa Bay Rays appear to be a team that's been shafted by the divisional system while the NL West is very much up for the taking.

Chasing DiMaggio: Can It Happen?

Dan Uggla's 33 game hit streak ended this afternoon with an 0 for 3 against the Cubs. Uggla's streak was the longest so far in the 2011 season and the second streak to reach at least 30 games, as the Dodgers' Andre Ethier did exactly 30 earlier this season. Their streaks alone are fairly miraculous, but at the same time mere shadows of the all-time record for the longest hit streak in MLB history.

Its easy to say that when Joe DiMaggio accumulated his 56 game hit streak in 1941 people immediately recognized the incredible feat the DiMaggio had really accomplished. DiMaggio is the only one, before or since his streak to hit in 50 straight games in a row. Willie Keeler had set the record before him in the dead ball era at 45. The closest to DiMaggio before him in the live ball era was George Sisler at 41 in 1922, an entire 15 hits less. Keeler and Pete Rose (44) have come the closest to reaching DiMaggio, but no one has even come within 10 games of his incredible streak.

Which brings us to the present, and the question at hand due to the ending of Dan Uggla's hit streak at 33 games. Is DiMaggio attainable? For reference, the best streak of the 21st century goes to Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins who hit in 38 straight to end the 2005 and start the 2006 season, the best for a hitter in a single season is held by Rollins's teammate Chase Utley who shares it at 35 with Luis Castillo. No one has come within 15 of DiMaggio in the last 33 years, and no one has ever come within 10. How can it possibly be done? Well, I'm not sure it can. There are pieces to the puzzle of today that would make you think its possible. Video for hitters to study is one point, smaller strikezones in the new era of baseball forcing more pitches to the sweet part of the zone more so than in DiMaggio's day is another. A final change would be how pitching has become diluted at the major league level due to 5 man rotations, specialized bullpens, and having 30 teams instead of the 16 in DiMaggio's day.

At the same rate things are immensely harder. Ballparks are smaller, which you think would be conducive to hitting but is really the opposite. Smaller ballparks mean less ground for an outfielder to cover, cutting off more bloop hits and balls in the gap more easily. Further, with the national media of today baring down anybody that even sniffs a 35 game streak, the pressure of someone trying to reach DiMaggio would be so ridiculous that it would possibly drive the player insane. That alone makes reaching 56 a whole different issue today than it was in '41 (not to say DiMaggio didn't deal with pressure, because he most certainly did).

I will say one thing in the defense of reaching the streak, all it takes is getting hot at the right time, but for a very extended period. Uggla is a prime example. He's hitting .232, not even a high volume of hits, which means for one, he's been lucky, but also that he's gotten hot because he was hitting .170 on June 10th. If Dan Uggla, and all of his lack of consistent contact and lack of a high batting average is able to pull off a 33 game hitting streak, than how is it entirely impossible for a high contact, high BABIP (batting average on balls in play), high speed, power hitter to flirt with 56. As I'm trying to describe, such a player would have to cover all of the bases of baseball's offensive prowess. He'd have to be able to hit over a defense and be good at hitting the ball through a defense. He would have to be good at beating out balls hit right at a defense, or at least putting the pressure on that defense.

Looking at the current span of baseball's hitters, there are hardly any players that fit that bill truthfully. Perhaps Ichiro could if he drove the ball better, but his best years are past him, it would have happened already, and if Matt Kemp can replicate this season 2011 over and over, he could create the perfect storm and make it happen (his BABIP needs to be consistently higher though). Of course, this is all entirely the speculation of just one man, its just my theory and its far from proven. I just think a player of these given assets would have the best ability of reaching DiMaggio. But even with that said, it would still take the perfect storm of opportunity. That's a lot to ask for. Finding someone with all the criteria alone is hard to come by.

What's the baseline?
Dan Uggla's done, it was a nice run. I think you are safe for a long time, Mr. DiMaggio.
(photo courtesy of joedimaggiobiography.com)

Where Will They End Up?

One of my favorite times of year is fast approaching. The MLB trade deadline is coming up fast, in about a week to be more precise and its the time of year where we are about find out who are the buyers and who are the sellers in the baseball world. That is, which teams think they just need that one extra player to put themselves in grand position to reach the playoffs, and ultimately the World Series. Or, on the other hand, we find what teams are packing it in, calling it a year, and planning for the future. It takes more than desire though to score that top flight player on the trade market. It takes assets... prospects for sure, and negotiation. I'm now going to take the time to sort through some of the top players on the trade market and try to map my own way, where they will be ending up. For the sake of full disclosure, most of my rumors information comes from mlbtraderumors.com , which is a fantastic baseball resource that I highly recommend. Lets begin.

Carlos Beltran, OF New York Mets
The biggest issue with Beltran is that he has a full no-trade clause. He can veto any deal he's involved in. With that said, its apparent that Beltran's desire is to stay in the National League, which removes otherwise legitimate suitors Boston and Texas from the mix. The serious teams involved seem to be the Giants, Braves and Phillies. I find the Giants to be a great candidate for Beltran. They aren't a division rival like the Braves and Phillies are and with the extra revenue they've felt from their World Series buzz, they should be able to afford to pay Beltran the rest of the way. If anything holds the Giants back its an inability to give the Mets what they want, ultimately though, I feel those problems will be solved.
Beltran to the Giants

Heath Bell, RP San Diego Padres
The trade talk on Bell has been surprisingly slow with only one major suitor continuing to pop up, the Toronto Blue Jays. Mind you, Toronto's 10.5 out in the AL East and 8.5 out in the Wildcard as of now, and I think their interest is really in a 3 team deal where they can get the benefits of flipping Bell for someone else. Other teams interested in Bell include the Rangers, Cardinals, Angels and Reds. Wherever he goes, I think he's better suited at this point to be the setup man, which is why I really could see Texas where he could set up for Neftali Feliz. There is the chance that Bell doesn't leave, but in that case set up man Mike Adams would be the one on the move instead. I don't see that, the Padres brass have spoken very highly as of late about Adams and they seem more determined to keep him rather than Bell (one is sure to be sent packing). At the same token, it will cost a pretty penny to get him, but I think Bell gets sent away as the Padres stock more players to go with their Adrian Gonzalez haul.
Bell to the Rangers (potential 3 team deal with Blue Jays)

Wandy Rodriguez, SP Houston Astros
The often inconsistent, sometimes ace of a starting pitcher that is Wandy Rodriguez could be a very capable piece to aid a team in need of top to middle of the rotation help down the stretch. From what I've been able to learn, American League teams are wary of NL pitchers right now and how statistical numbers and performance will translate from the weaker hitting NL to the AL. This fear is to the point that most AL teams are not showing much interest in Rodriguez. At the same time, its clear the Astros want to deal Rodriguez and it is certain some team will take a left handed pitcher of his stature. The Reds seem interested, but are in the division. Depending on what Arizona wants to do, I think he would be a great fit there, but I don't know if the young team is serious about making a run this season. Arizona needs the pitching though and while only 4 games out of the NL West, Wandy could fall in their lap due to a lack of demand. I would not be surprised at all to see the magic Wandy in the desert in August.
Rodriguez to the D-Backs

Jeremy Guthrie, SP Baltimore Orioles
At one point, Guthrie seemed untouchable, but with the futility some of Baltimore's young arms have shown this season I think the Orioles organization feels they may need to restock again and to keep one solid arm just isn't enough. Interested teams appear to be the Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers. However, Orioles owner Peter Angelos has made it known he will not trade Guthrie within the division, which leaves the Tigers, who fervently need another starter to fill out their rotation. Detroit may very well be Guthrie's landing place.
Guthrie to the Tigers

Brandon League, RP Seattle Mariners
League has been more than solid for the Mariners out of the pen this season and could really aid a bullpen just like Heath Bell. However, he's even better than Bell in that he's under contract through 2012, which means a bigger haul for him in return as well. I look at the losers at getting Bell though as the ones most interested in League, and from that I devise the Cardinals as an opportune candidate that could really use a closer down the stretch. Further I think the Cardinals have the prospects and organization to pull this deal off and fill the void left by a rickety Ryan Franklin. CF Colby Rasmus could very well be a piece sent in return to Seattle to aid a weak hitting outfield. Philadelphia is another, but less likely option. I think League ends up in St. Louis.
League to the Cardinals

Joakim Soria, RP Kansas City Royals
Major league GMs are finding it clear that its going to take a king's ransom to get Joakim Soria. The Royals feel like they are able to compete in 2012 and that Soria is a definite part of that plan. For that reason I don't think he's going anywhere. Further, I don't think there's a major player in that much need of bullpen help with the kind of prospects available that the Royals would require. This is a moot point, although Soria would work wonders for a bullpen, he will stay put.
Soria stays in KC

Hunter Pence, OF Houston Astros
Hunter Pence might be the best kept secret and most overall talented player available at this trade deadline. The question is, how available is he really? The Phillies and Reds have both expressed extreme interest in Pence. Young MLB talent is required for Pence, and that for the Phillies would be Domonic Brown plus at least one other piece. For the Reds, its more of a question mark (Drew Stubbs perhaps?). For that reason, I'd make the Phillies the frontrunner, but I don't think any deal is necessarily a certain thing. Pence has another year on his contract and I could see the 'Stros sitting on it and waiting until the winter to send him away. The price will have to be right for Pence to leave Houston. I find it doubtful Domonic Brown is going anywhere. I think Pence stays put.
Pence stays in Houston.

What's the baseline?
These are my takes... as of now. This is all subject to change as more info passes, and honestly, I'd love to do another post like this before the deadline next Sunday. I just hope I get the chance.

NFL Lockout & ESPN: Venting

We're in day 123 of the NFL Lockout today. The only reason I can tell you the specific number is because of ESPN's continual belaboring of the point that the NFL is indeed at an impasse where as of now there would be no football games played this fall. We know, ESPN, that the NFL owners and the players are having a hard time coming to a deal they can both agree upon so that everyone can get back to business as usual. We know that. You don't have to remind us of that fact every 5 minutes on SportsCenter. It absolutely drives me nuts. If I have to hear the SportsCenter anchors or Adam Schefter say one more time that today is a "key day" in the dealings between the two parties I may entirely lose it. Its day 123 and the last 123 days have been "key days" in getting this lockout resolved. ESPN is just looking to make a news story out of it everyday, and that notion is ridiculous. There are so many other quality sports stories that can be dealt with right now that could fill the void that NFL training camp preparation would be taking up right now (that's such a huge topic to begin with, by the way). This is how ESPN responds to the fact they don't have to tail Brett Favre all summer, they hound us with nonsense lockout talk that gets us nowhere, informs us of nothing more than we knew before, and takes time away from better stories that could be told.

ESPN, take an extra five minutes and talk about the US Women's Soccer team a little more. Have someone educate the people about soccer and how it works more so that people could develop into better soccer fans and in turn, as a broadcast outlet you can open up a truly new asset to your portfolio. You do a great job bringing in Barry Melrose for the NHL playoffs, do something like that for this major soccer tournament where there's been lots of national pride involved that has already peaked America's interest.

If you're focused on football, talk about the arena league instead. Or if you want to stay with other major sports, baseball is in full capacity right now and its been a very good season. I'm tired of having something like 2 highlights per MLB game on SportsCenter. Stop talking NFL lockout garbage and actually let the fans get a feel for the baseball games through the highlights, without having to watch Baseball Tonight.

I understand that the NFL is the most powerful and captivating sport in America right now due to the people's interest, but that doesn't mean we need to hear you talk about it every day when there is nothing new to talk about. We get it. Millionaires and billionaires are fighting over money, but get back to us when its over. Until then, give us some alternatives and if those alternatives happen to keep our attention a little more and take it away from the NFL when it does come back then so be it. The NFL should've thought of that before locking out, it comes with the consequences.

Of course, the problem with all this is that I just took all this time and effort now to bring up this post about the lockout when I could've used it to highlight the USA Women or talk about something baseball related or another alternative. I recognize that, and its a definite fault, but I just felt like it had to be said. ESPN, and really the national sports media in general have failed us in another situation where I feel the media is dictating the people's attention as opposed to how it should be, where the people dictate the media's attention. Its too bad there isn't a competent national alternative to ESPN to watch (looking at you Fox Sports), one that could do this right. Its just another example of the people's wishes suffering at the hands of those that think they know better.
But really, best wishes to the US Women's Soccer team, I wish I had a better knowledge of the sport to provide some analysis and talk more in depth. Now I'm going to go watch some baseball.

What's the baseline?
No one cares about a miniscule change in the NFL lockout from day to day. Just tell us when its over. Until that happens, there's plenty of good sports out there in full force right now, and I'd be more than happy to hear about them.

Ranking Baseball's Best Shortstops Ever

With Derek Jeter eclipsing 3000 hits in his career today, the Yankee captain approaching baseball immortality by reaching such an epic milestone has inspired me to create a list of the best shortstops in baseball history. Whether or not Jeter is the greatest of all-time at his position has been a point of contention in general of late since he has been trying to attain this milestone, and I'm finding it appropriate to throw my opinion in the mix now.
The following is my top 8 shortstops of all-time in Major League Baseball. There is no time limit for when they played, and each player will be accompanied by some key statistics and a brief synopsis. Let's start with number 8.

8. Joe Cronin
Played: Pittsburgh Pirates 1926-1927, Washington Senators 1928-1934, Boston Red Sox 1935-1945
career stats: .301 AVG, 170 HR, 1424 RBI, .390 OBP, .857 OPS, 515 2B, 118 3B, .468 SLG% (best for a SS all-time)
Joe Cronin was a 7 time All-Star in his career, and for a SS he is one of the best extra base hitters to ever play the game. Cronin wasn't a supreme fielder in his day, and in a sense was before his time as an offensive-minded SS. Cronin played in a World Series for the Senators in 1933 where he hit .318 with 2 RBI in 5 games. He was a run producer who's power was wasted for much of his career in old Griffith Stadium in Washington; moving to Boston later in his career paid severe dividends. His best season was 1933 with the Senators where he hit .309 with a league leading 45 doubles, 5 homers and an astonishing 118 RBI. Cronin is a Hall of Famer.

7. Barry Larkin
Played: 1986-2004 Cincinnati Reds
career stats: .295 AVG, 198 HR, 960 RBI, .371 OBP, .815 OPS, .975 Field %
Barry Larkin was a rarity for his era in that he played for the Cincinnati Reds for his entire 18 year career in a time where free agency truly came into its own. Larkin was truly a versatile player, he had some speed, some power, some contact ability, and was a solid defender throughout his career. He was a 12-time All-Star, the 1995 NL MVP, a 3 time Gold Glove winner at SS, and a 9 time Silver Slugger winner. As the MVP in 1995 Larkin hit .319 with 15 Homers, and 66 RBI in a 144 game season. He followed that with a 33 homer season in 1996. He was also on the Reds World Championship team of 1990 as he hit .353 with 1 RBI in 4 games in the Series. Larkin became Hall of Fame eligible in 2010 but has not acquired enough votes to date to become inducted.

6. Cal Ripken Jr.
Played: Baltimore Orioles 1981-2001
career stats: .276 AVG, 431 HR (most by a SS), 1695 RBI, .340 OBP, .788 OPS, 1647 R, 3184 H, 603 2B, .979 Field %
The Iron Man didn't play his whole career at short, but did play most of it there. He is of course most known for his consecutive games played streak that is the longest of all-time and may never be touched. Ripken didn't just play though, he was proficient. Ripken was the best amongst SSs in HR and ushered in a new era of offensively-focused shortstops. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1982 and was in every All-Star Game from 1983-2001, the end of his career. Ripken won the AL MVP in '83 and '91. He was also a 2-time Gold Glove winner and a 8-time Silver Slugger winner. Ripken had one chance at a World Series in '83 where the Orioles won despite a lack of production from Ripken who hit .167 with 1 RBI in 5 games. Ripken was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2007.

5. Honus Wagner
Played: Louisville Colonels 1897-1899, Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
career stats: .328 AVG, 101 HR, 1733 RBI .391 OBP, .858 OPS, 1739 R, 3420 H, 643 2B, 252 3B, 723 SB
Wagner is a dead ball era addition to the list, but just because he played a long time ago when baseball was played in a slightly different manner should not detract from his feats. He was easily considered one of, if not the best, position player of his time both when he was playing and now. A lot of the accolades and awards we now have that mark baseball's achievements did not exist in Wagner's time, so its hard to compare him in some ways to today's players, but the numbers still speak for themselves. Wagner was a 8 time batting champion in the NL, led the league in RBI and stolen bases 5 times, and we also know now that he was a 8-time OPS champion in his career. Wagner was great with the bat, but admittedly poor with the glove, which is what keeps him from being higher on the list. Wagner played in 2 World Series for the Pirates, losing the first and winning the second. He was a .275 career hitter in the World Series with 9 RBI. Wagner's best season was 1908 with the Pirates where he hit .354, which led the NL, he also led the NL in hits (201), doubles (39), triples (19),RBI (109), and stolen bases (53). Wagner was one of the original members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

4. Luis Aparicio
played: Chicago White Sox (1956-1970), Boston Red Sox (1971-1973)
career stats: .262 AVG, 83 HR, 791 RBI, .311 OBP, .653 OPS, 2677 H, 506 SB, .972 Field %
Aparicio is very much the anti-Honus Wagner and considering the traditional focus on defense that the shortstop position holds, Aparicio gets the nod for the 4 spot for his strength over Wagner. Pesky at the plate, and with fantastic hands in the field, Aparicio was the best defensive SS of his time. Aparicio was a 10-time All-Star for the American League, a 9-time Gold Glove Winner, and the AL Rookie of the Year in 1956. He actually hit .313 in 1970, his last year as a White Sock, which was good enough for 4th in the AL. Aparicio also had fantastic speed and baserunning ability, as he led the AL in stolen bases 9 times. Like Wagner, Aparicio played in 2 World Series, both with the White Sox, and lost the first but won the second. He hit .286 with 2 RBI and 1 steal in total in those postseason efforts. Luis Aparicio is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

3. Omar Vizquel
Played: Seattle Mariners (1989-1993), Cleveland Indians (1994-2004), San Fransisco Giants (2005-2008), Texas Rangers (2009), Chicago White Sox (2010-present)
career stats: .273 AVG, 80 HR, 944 RBI, .338 OBP, .691 OPS, 2831 H 253 sac hits, .985 field %
Like his fellow Venezuelan countryman Aparicio, Omar Vizquel was a long-time SS with fantastic glove work. The difference is Vizquel was even more incredible in the field, as well as a noticably better hitter. Vizquel suffered from the era of the offensive-minded SS, and it shows from only having 3 All-Star appearances, which in any other era would have been significantly more. Vizquel has won 11 Gold Gloves, the second most for any SS ever. He played in 2 World Series in 1995 and 1997 with Cleveland, neither voyage led to victory. Vizquel was a career .208 hitter in the World Series. However, he's never been a statistical wonder. Vizquel's quality shows up rather from watching his fantastic play in the field, that simply cannot be measured. As a clear team player as well, Vizquel is the active leader in sacrifice hits, with 253 of them. As a testament to his ability, Vizquel committed a mere 3 errors in 156 games played in 2000. His best offensive season came in 1999 when he hit .333 with 5 homers 66 RBI and 42 SBs. Vizquel is still playing and therefore not a member of the Hall of Fame, but many would claim he will easily get in upon retirement.

2. Ozzie Smith
Played: San Diego Padres (1978-1981), St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996)
career stats: .262 AVG, 28 HR, 793 RBI, .337 OBP, .666 OPS, 580 SB .978 Field %
Ozzie Smith is arguably the best defensive shortstop of all-time, very much in the same nitch as Aparicio and Vizquel. What makes Smith better than Vizquel though was his slightly better speed as they are almost identical otherwise in the field and on the basepaths. Smith was a 15-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner, that's more Gold Gloves than any other SS ever. He also won the Silver Slugger for SSs in 1987 as he gradually taught himself to become a better hitter throughout his career. However, much of Smith's talent and ability was unquantifiable, like Vizquel. But, he only committed 8 errors in 1991 in 150 games. Smith's best offensive season was 1987 where he hit .303 with 75 RBIs, 4 triples and 43 steals. Smith was a World Series Champion in 1982, his first season in St. Louis, however he hit only .173 in his postseason career. Ozzie Smith was a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2002.

1. Derek Jeter
Played: New York Yankees (1995-present)
career stats: .312 AVG, 236 HR, 1157 RBI, .383 OBP, .832 OPS, 1725 R, 3000 H (most for a SS), .977 Field %
Derek Jeter has done in his career what Wagner, Aparicio, Vizquel, and Smith couldn't, and that is play at a proficient rate on both the offensive and defensive side of the game. Jeter is the ultimate jack-of-all trades at the shortstop position. That, plus a knack for coming up big in the clutch has placed Jeter in this spot, as the greatest SS of all-time. Jeter is an 11-time All-Star, a 5-time Gold Glove winner, and was the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year. He is also a 4-time Silver Slugger winner at SS. He's led the AL both in runs and hits in his career. As a defensive player, Jeter has been known for his fantastic range and soft hands. He committed only 6 errors in 151 games in 2010. Jeter's best offensive season came in 1998 when he hit .324 with 19 homers and 84 RBI, he also scored a league best 127 times. Jeter may be best known for his play in the postseason though. He's a 4-time World Series Champion, is a .321 career hitter in the World Series, and a .309 hitter in all postseason play. He has 20 homers and 57 RBI in a total 147 postseason games in his career, with an .850 OPS. Jeter is still active, and therefore not a Hall of Famer, but is a sure-fire first balloter.

What's the baseline?
Jeter's the greatest SS of all-time, and congrats to him for reaching 3000 hits today.