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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Status Report
So those who have been following the blog here will recognize that there hasn't been a post in over a month. For that, I truly apologize. With my internship this summer, that has consisted of many 12-14 hour days of work I simply have not had the time to blog or even keep up entirely on sports like I would really want to. The silver lining to all of this is that even though I am still working for another month and a half, the hardest part of the internship is over. I am working for a local minor league baseball team currently and we just got done with a stretch of 18 home games in 24 days. Each one of those 18 homes games had a aforementioned long day linked to it. The good news is that stretch is finally over and the rest of the season doesn't have nearly as drastic of stretches. The point is I should be back and posting consistently, if not still as frequently as I would like in the very near future.
I have a lot of great new posts in store yet to come. Time permitting I'd like to show my All-Star ballot for this year's MLB All-Star Game, bring my view on the NBA lockout, and even my view on how the sport of soccer could finally make itself relevant in the minds of Americans for more than just a month every 4 years.
There will hopefully be those topics and plenty more to come. So stay assured I will be back and posting very soon, most likely by the end of the week I will have at least one post up.
What's the baseline?
We back, and got an All-Star ballot coming.
I have a lot of great new posts in store yet to come. Time permitting I'd like to show my All-Star ballot for this year's MLB All-Star Game, bring my view on the NBA lockout, and even my view on how the sport of soccer could finally make itself relevant in the minds of Americans for more than just a month every 4 years.
There will hopefully be those topics and plenty more to come. So stay assured I will be back and posting very soon, most likely by the end of the week I will have at least one post up.
What's the baseline?
We back, and got an All-Star ballot coming.
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