The Game of Baseball: January 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

Henderson, Rice Joins the Immortals

I think it was a foregone conclusion that Rickey Henderson would make into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but one more former player joined Henderson in the esteemed Hall, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice.

Henderson it was easy to see why he was elected on his first try; he was the all-time steals leader, he banged out 3,055 hits along with a .401 OBP not to mention that his 81 HRs leading off games are a MLB record. Henderson is the 44th player who got in on his first try. Rice, on the other hand, got in on his 15th - and final - try.

Rice spent his entire 16-year career with the Red Sox, hitting .298 for his career with 382 HRs, 1,451 RBIs and 2,452 hits; he had 4 seasons of 200 or more hits, led the American League in HRs three times, RBIs twice, once in hits, twice in slugging percentage, was the AL MVP in 1978 and was an 8-time All-Star.

The players considered who were the closest to being elected were: outfielder Andre Dawson and pitcher Bert Blyleven; Dawson's numbers increased, from 65.9% to 67% of the votes while Blyleven went from 61.9% to 62.7%. In addition, others were elected into the Hall: second baseman Joe Gordon and Tony Kubek (he won the Ford C. Frick Award for his contributions to baseball broadcasting). To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a player must have amassed 75% or more of the total votes sent in. Rice, Henderson, Gordon and Kubek will be enshrined on July 26 in Cooperstown, NY.

Labels: Jim Rice, Joe Gordon, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Rickey Henderson, Tony Kubek

Posted by Stephen G. Rhodes at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Henderson To Join the Hall; Who Will Join Him?

Monday is the day that most of the retired MLB players have been waiting for - the day that the vote is revealed on who is enshrined to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I think that it is a forgone conclusion that Rickey Henderson is a lock to be elected to the Hall; currently, there's a list of 23 former players who will be under consideration; the players are:

• Harold Baines

• Jay Bell

• Bert Blyleven

• David Cone

• Andre Dawson

• Ron Gant

• Mark Grace

• Rickey Henderson

• Tommy John

• Don Mattingly

• Mark McGwire

• Jack Morris

• Dale Murphy

• Jesse Orosco

• Dave Parker

• Dan Plesac

• Tim Raines

• Jim Rice

• Lee Smith

• Alan Trammell

• Greg Vaughn

• Mo Vaughn

• Matt Williams

I think that Henderson, Dawson, Mattingly and Smith; if not for the current taint smeared on McGwire, I'd say that he'd be a lock.

Labels: National Baseball Hall of Fame, Rickey Henderson

Posted by Stephen G. Rhodes at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Rays, Mariners Among 5 Teams Interested In Griffey

Since the Chicago White Sox are no longer an option for outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr., the big question out there right now is not if but which team signs Griffey to a contract. As of right now, according to SI.com, Griffey is getting some interest - especially from the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays; another American League team and two National League teams are showing interest, as well. The Mariners and Rays' interest in Griffey has its pros and cons. First Seattle:

PROS

The chance to go back to where it all began. Whether that equates to being the Griffey of old is an non-issue as those days have passed.

It puts butts in the seats. Seattle's attendance hasn't been that good as of late, and the signing of Griffey would rectify that to some degree.

CONS

Griffey, like most ballplayers, wants to play on a winning ballclub. Seattle, with its current makeup, does not really provide that chance for Griffey.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, could be a better fit for Griffey. The pros and cons:

PROS

Proximity. Should Tampa Bay sign him, he would be 2 hours from his home in Orlando.

Tampa Bay, unlike Seattle, is a team on the rise. Their team in 2009 should be a contender in the AL East, and Griffey being a part of that would make them that much better.

CONS

The Rays, while looking for another hitter to add to their lineup, may or may not have Griffey high on their wish list as the free-agent pool is rather large with players with big bats.

I would provide pros and cons for the NL clubs interested in Griffey, but they haven't been disclosed as of this writing. But based on the pros and cons between Seattle and Tampa Bay, I would have to say that Tampa Bay has the edge. Last year, Griffey batted .249 with 18 HRs and 71 RBIs in 143 games with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox - with only 3 of the HRs with Chicago. He had his knee problems last year, so that may be a consideration to whatever club eventually signs him.

Labels: chicago white sox, Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays

Posted by Stephen G. Rhodes at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Friday, January 02, 2009

Giants Interested In Crede

One thing that you can say about the San Francisco Giants - they haven't been afraid to dip into the free agent market, evidenced by their acquisition of starting pitcher Randy Johnson recently. And apparently they're not finished yet as they have expressed an interest in Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, according to SI.com.

Lately, Crede has been dogged by back problems, but the Giants have been over his medical records and are satisfied by what they have seen. In 9 seasons - all of them with the White Sox - Crede has a career .257 batting average with 125 home runs and 422 RBIs; he played in 97 games last season, hitting .248 with 17 HRs and 55 RBIs.

Labels: chicago white sox, joe crede, San Francisco Giants

Posted by Stephen G. Rhodes at 4:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Angels Sign Fuentes

It looks like the Los Angeles Angels got their closer as the Associated Press reports that free-agent reliever Brian Fuentes reached an agreement on a contract Wednesday; the contract calls for Fuentes to earn $8.5 million next season and $9 million in 2010, with a club option for $9 million in 2011. Angels general manager Tony Reagins plans to use Fuentes as the closer, with Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo directly behind him.

Fuentes was the Colorado Rockies' closer back in 2005, going 2-5 with 31 saves and a 2.91 ERA then went 3-4 with 30 saves and a 3.44 ERA in 2006; he went 3-5 with 20 saves and a 3.08 ERA in 2007. The Rockies did go to the World Series, but was replaced by Manny Corpas; Fuentes got his role back when Corpas got injured. Fuentes becomes the third free-agent signed by the Angels, joining returnees pitcher Darren Oliver and outfielder Juan Rivera.

Labels: Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Manny Corpas

Posted by Stephen G. Rhodes at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments