The list of players eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame was released earlier this week. My choices are in bold.
Roberto Alomar
Kevin Appier
Harold Baines
Bert Blyleven
Ellis Burks
Andre Dawson
Andres Galarraga
Pat Hentgen
Mike Jackson
Eric Karros
Ray Lankford
Barry Larkin
Edgar Martinez
Don Mattingly
Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Dave Parker
Tim Raines
Shane Reynolds
David Segui
Lee Smith
Alan Trammell
Robin Ventura
Todd Zeile
I’m on the fence about two players: Lee Smith and Tim Raines.
When I was growing up Lee Smith was always considered one of the great closers. He racked up 478 saves over 18 seasons which is 3rd all time. He’s 14th all time in strikeouts per 9 innings. If he goes into the Hall, he will be only the sixth reliever to be elected. Comparing his stats to Dennis Eckersly (who is in the Hall), he should be in. Last year he received 43% of the votes (you must get 75% to be elected). It’s hard not to put him in.
As for Tim “Rock” Raines, I forgot just how good this guy was (which was easy to do as he spent most of his career in Montreal). He’s 5th all time in stolen bases with 808 and led the league in steals 4 times. He scored 1571 runs for his career. The majority of players that have scored over 1500 runs are in the Hall. He was a seven time All Star. He won two championships, albeit as a part time player with the Yankees in ‘96 and ‘98. If it weren’t for Ricky Henderson, he would probably be considered the best lead off hitter of all time. Having said that, it’s still hard for me to see Tim Raines in the Hall of Fame. He was a great player definitely, but I can’t decide if he’s a Hall of Famer. Sorry Rock, this isn’t your year.
I sit here at night, all night, alone in the dark. My desk is illuminated by the glow of twin monitors and a laptop I use to watch movies to stave off the boredom. I think about all the things I’d like to do. Thoughts and projects and possibilities swirl around in my head. “When I get through with this week I’m going to do X.” It’s almost too much. I’m paralyzed by the sheer amount of things I want to do and the things I need to do. The thoughts and projects and ideas collide into each other and turn into one big ball of…I don’t know. Nothing? It’s not quite nothing. It’s something. I don’t have a word for it.
And so, everything I want to do gets put aside. Everything I need to do does too. So I sit, unproductive. Killing time, falling into routines that are pointless all because I can’t make a decision.
Your 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees!
Derek Jeter
Mariano Rivera
Jorge Posada
Andy Pettitte
Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira
Robinson Cano
Johnny Damon
Melky Cabrera
Nick Swisher
Hideki Matsui
Brett Gardner
Jose Molina
Ramiro Pena
Francisco Cervelli
Eric Hinske
Jerry Hairston
Cody Ransom
Xavier Nady
Kevin Cash
Angel Berroa
Shelley Duncan
Juan Miranda
Freddy Guzman
AJ Burnett
Chien-Ming Wang
CC Sabathia
Joba Chamberlain
Alfredo Aceves
Phil Coke
Brett Tomko
Mark Melancon
Phillip Hughes
Brian Bruney
Jonathan Albaladejo
Chad Gaudin
David Robertson
I have loved this particular group of guys all year. It just seemed like the joy was back in the Bronx. Such a great year! I can’t wait until next year! Thank you Yankees!
With the Yankees down 3-0 in the second inning I had to break out the jersey. The game ended 8-4. Just doing my part to help the team, one superstition at a time.
(photo taken at our Halloween photo booth set up by Alison)