I'm on the fence with Mauer but he's arguably the best hitting C of all time so I'm OK with him but first ballot?
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***Official - 2024 Major League Baseball Thread - It's a Holliday In Baltimodia, Where People Dress in Orange*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ChiefD
- Start date
Major
Footballguy
Bummed about Wagner. Couldn't imagine falling 5 votes short with 74% . Thought this would be his year. He has one more chance
snellman
Footballguy
I might be biased because I am a Twins fan and watched his whole career, but I do agree to a certain extent. I think the biggest things that brought him down a bit were 1) a shorter than normal career. He is only 40 years old and already in the HOF in his first year of eligibility. 2) His time at first base. He was a great catcher but an average first baseman. I think that affects some people's view of him. Am I surprised he got in on the first ballot, A little bit. I would not have been surprised if he would have had to wait a couple years.
B Maverick
Footballguy
This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
B Maverick
Footballguy
I'm sorry, what? I guess this is where the "arguably" comes in, but I'd like to hear your case for this. Especially with Mike Piazza having played the game.
ChiefD
Footballguy
Because the baseball writers are a bunch of egotistical self-absorbed hall monitor gate keepers for something so sacred that THEM, and ONLY THEM, can provide the key for the front door.
This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
CGRdrJoe
Footballguy
it's become a joke and it's only going to get worse with the new breed of baseball writersBecause the baseball writers are a bunch of egotistical self-absorbed hall monitor gate keepers for something so sacred that THEM, and ONLY THEM, can provide the key for the front door.
This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
I am not even sure if it is the Hall of Very Good. Harold Baines? Come on man.This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
To your point about "improving your stats when you are done playing"........I have never understood the guys that get in after 5 or 10 tries. What changed? You are either good enough or you are not. Time shouldn't be on your side. It should actually be a detriment. If you aren't an auto member when you are first eligible then how do you get better the further you are away from your playing days? I have never understood that.
B Maverick
Footballguy
Exactly! You are either are or you aren't. If no one is worthy that year, no one gets in. I get that MLB allows you to vote for 10 people. How often do we have that many worth in a year? I do not feel like that is a limiting factor like it might be for the NFL.I am not even sure if it is the Hall of Very Good. Harold Baines? Come on man.This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
To your point about "improving your stats when you are done playing"........I have never understood the guys that get in after 5 or 10 tries. What changed? You are either good enough or you are not. Time shouldn't be on your side. It should actually be a detriment. If you aren't an auto member when you are first eligible then how do you get better the further you are away from your playing days? I have never understood that.
Meant batting average wise. 3 batting titlesI'm sorry, what? I guess this is where the "arguably" comes in, but I'd like to hear your case for this. Especially with Mike Piazza having played the game.
I generally agree with this. If youre not a first ballot HOFer than youre not a HOFer in my opinion. But then you got the voters who specifically dont vote for someone because they dont think they are first ballot HOFers. The whole thing needs to be blown up. How guys like Harold Baines, Scott Rolen, and Todd Helton (very good players) are in the HOF but guys like Bonds, Clemens, ARod, Manny, and Sheffield arent is an absolute joke.I am not even sure if it is the Hall of Very Good. Harold Baines? Come on man.This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
To your point about "improving your stats when you are done playing"........I have never understood the guys that get in after 5 or 10 tries. What changed? You are either good enough or you are not. Time shouldn't be on your side. It should actually be a detriment. If you aren't an auto member when you are first eligible then how do you get better the further you are away from your playing days? I have never understood that.
B Maverick
Footballguy
I think that is a different conversation. I say put all the roid users that belong into the hall and just add them to the Roids wing. Bonds, Clemens, ARod, Manny, McGwire, Palmerio.I generally agree with this. If youre not a first ballot HOFer than youre not a HOFer in my opinion. But then you got the voters who specifically dont vote for someone because they dont think they are first ballot HOFers. The whole thing needs to be blown up. How guys like Harold Baines, Scott Rolen, and Todd Helton (very good players) are in the HOF but guys like Bonds, Clemens, ARod, Manny, and Sheffield arent is an absolute joke.I am not even sure if it is the Hall of Very Good. Harold Baines? Come on man.This is not a comment on Mauer, just on the HoF voting in general. This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of who's best on the ballot this year. If you aren't a "First Ballot HoF player" how do you improve your stats to become one after you are done playing? To me you either are or you aren't. And in recent years they have let Hall of Very Good players in all too often.
Anyway, GET OFF MY LAWN.
To your point about "improving your stats when you are done playing"........I have never understood the guys that get in after 5 or 10 tries. What changed? You are either good enough or you are not. Time shouldn't be on your side. It should actually be a detriment. If you aren't an auto member when you are first eligible then how do you get better the further you are away from your playing days? I have never understood that.
Heck add the betting wing too and put in Rose and Shoeless Joe!
B Maverick
Footballguy
Piazza career .308 (highest season .362)Meant batting average wise. 3 batting titlesI'm sorry, what? I guess this is where the "arguably" comes in, but I'd like to hear your case for this. Especially with Mike Piazza having played the game.
Mauer career .306 (highest season .365)
https://mlbcomparisons.com/mike-piazza-vs-joe-mauer-comparison/
Mauer is higher in doubles and triples (Speed helps). Again you may be able to make a case, but I think most would go Piazza.
Mauer didn't play his whole career as a catcher. He moved to 1b/dh because of his injury concerns. He batted .328 as a catcher.Piazza career .308 (highest season .362)Meant batting average wise. 3 batting titlesI'm sorry, what? I guess this is where the "arguably" comes in, but I'd like to hear your case for this. Especially with Mike Piazza having played the game.
Mauer career .306 (highest season .365)
https://mlbcomparisons.com/mike-piazza-vs-joe-mauer-comparison/
Mauer is higher in doubles and triples (Speed helps). Again you may be able to make a case, but I think most would go Piazza.
snellman
Footballguy
Mauer was also nowhere near the hitter after the concussion that he was before. He has commented that the concussion messed with his vision and he had to adjust his procedure at the plate because of it. He was still a very good hitter, but not your typical 1B type hitter and unfortunately not the hitter he was before the concussion.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
I think is was somewhat understandable for a while when new analytics were being introduced.
Also, I assume there is some annual turnover in the BBWAA, so being on the ballot longer than a year can possibly help remove bias of some reporters?
Eephus
Footballguy
The BBWAA voting is imperfect but it's as good as any selection process. At least there's some transparency unlike selection committees working behind closed doors. There are always a few ridiculous writers' ballots but there are enough voters that the clowns get lost in the wash.
The current system sets the bar high: higher than for other sports or even for baseball itself from an earlier era. They've left a lot of guys out (IMO but I'm a big hall guy) but the ones who do get the call are all deserving.
The current system sets the bar high: higher than for other sports or even for baseball itself from an earlier era. They've left a lot of guys out (IMO but I'm a big hall guy) but the ones who do get the call are all deserving.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
I never knew that Todd Helton sported such a fantastic head of hair. It's Michael McDonald-esque.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
This
Instinctive
Footballguy
It doesnt help that he is among the biggest jerks, or at least was, in all of baseball. Very unlikable.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
What?? I'm biased, but I've never heard this and find it hard to believe.
Me neither. I actually think he's always been considered one of the good guys of baseball.
Instinctive
Footballguy
I'm not gonna overdo it and be doxxed, but I heard of enough encounters from my peers when I worked at MLB that I'm fairly certain.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Andrew McCutchen said that early in his career he had hit a single, and as he was standing on 1st, Votto leaned over and said to him, "You're going to be an MVP in this league, someday."
Eephus
Footballguy
Cutch going back to Pittsburgh this year is a nice way to close out a great career. Too bad it's unlikely to end in a trip to the WS but who knows what will happen at the deadline.
but he's Canadian. Isn't that against the law for a Canadian to be mean?
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
You can't even give one vague example?
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
ChiefD
Footballguy
Eephus
Footballguy
Pouring one out for Joe Smith who announced his retirement today. Smith was a reliable and durable reliever who appeared in 866 games over a fifteen year career mostly with Cleveland and the Anaheims. As a right hander throwing from a sidearm slot, he was very tough on right-handed batters. The three batter rule hurt him but not as much as age and accumulated workload.
Smith appeared in 70 games for five consecutive years with an ERA under 3 for four of them. He won a ring with the 2016 Cubs although he wasn't on their post-season roster. He and his wife NBA sideline reporter Allie LaForce have done a lot of charity work for Huntington's disease which runs in Smith's family.
Smith appeared in 70 games for five consecutive years with an ERA under 3 for four of them. He won a ring with the 2016 Cubs although he wasn't on their post-season roster. He and his wife NBA sideline reporter Allie LaForce have done a lot of charity work for Huntington's disease which runs in Smith's family.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Had no idea he was married to Allie laforce
Eephus
Footballguy
Milwaukee might have been able to get more if they waited until the deadline but you can never count on a pitcher being healthy.
Ortiz and Hall are high floor prospects who should both be able to contribute something at the big league level this year.
snellman
Footballguy
CGRdrJoe
Footballguy
why you doxxing him bro...
FairWarning
Footballguy
That leaves two teams who never had a $100 mil player - Oakland and the White Sox.
Eephus
Footballguy
Bogart
Footballguy
Fun Bobby Witt Sr. story. In the late 80s/early 90s, my family owned a small bakery in near the community where a lot of the Texas Rangers lived, and I think Sr. still lives. Our specialty were decorated sugar cookies that a lot of people would buy for birthdays instead of a cake. Bobby Sr and his wife came in and ordered like 8 dozen cookies shaped and decorated for not a kid birthday party, but for their dog's birthday party. We delivered and the whole house was decorated and players were there, for a birthday party for their four legged kid.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I think his dad is his agent. If he gets ~10% of the deal, his agent fee will be higher than his career earnings as a player.
Eephus
Footballguy
Witt Sr. is a certified agent who works for the same agency that got Julio Rodriguez a similar deal a couple of years ago.
Eephus
Footballguy
Pouring one out for Corey Kluber who announced his retirement after a career that spanned thirteen seasons. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball during a dominant five year stretch in Cleveland (and my dynasty league club) from 2014 to 2018.
His B-R comps include a bunch of familiar names who burned brightly and briefly before age and injury took their toll.
His B-R comps include a bunch of familiar names who burned brightly and briefly before age and injury took their toll.
- Stephen Strasburg (951.0)
- Gary Nolan (933.5)
- Chris Sale (931.4)
- Tim Lincecum (924.4)
- Yu Darvish (922.8)
- Kyle Hendricks (922.8)
- José Rijo (920.6)
- John Tudor (920.1)
- Zack Wheeler (920.0)
- Denny McLain (919.5)
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
On the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting, what kind of mood is Scott Boras in?
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Wow!
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
The story with Washington and Strasburg is ridiculous, and confirms why I am always pro-player in these circumstances.
They signed the guy to a 245 million dollar deal without also taking out an insurance policy. Now, because of that lack of foresight, they want Strasburg to either defer his money into the 2030's or negotiate a settlement (meaning give money back). Strasburg has rightly refused.
They have kept him on the 40 man roster and are demanding that he show up for spring training. This is just a doosh move as Strasburg is physically incapable of ever playing again. Washington simply wants to annoy and frustrate him into giving into their demands.
They signed the guy to a 245 million dollar deal without also taking out an insurance policy. Now, because of that lack of foresight, they want Strasburg to either defer his money into the 2030's or negotiate a settlement (meaning give money back). Strasburg has rightly refused.
They have kept him on the 40 man roster and are demanding that he show up for spring training. This is just a doosh move as Strasburg is physically incapable of ever playing again. Washington simply wants to annoy and frustrate him into giving into their demands.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
I get what you’re saying, but if the Nats want me to report to spring training for those millions of $$ I’m buying a plane ticket
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I don’t see anything wrong with Washington requiring him to report. In most situations, the team and player reach an injury settlement and player retires. If not, player still subject to the terms of contract, just like the team.
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Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
I agree with you, in general.
But, Washington signed Strasburg to this contract given his age/history/position without taking out an insurance policy. That was a poor decision based on a gamble that did not pay off, which they are now trying to recoup at Strasburg's expense. As The Athletic article pointed out, the Mets with David Wright and Texas with Prince Fielder made certain to have insurance so when those two players could no longer play, the financial burden was alleviated.
In the grand scheme of things, Scherzer outperformed his contract with Washington by tens of millions of dollars. I am guessing that at no time did the FO ever consider tearing up his contract and offering him a new one.
Is he retired or not? If he retired why should he get paid. If he's not then he should be at camp or they should settle.
BeTheMatch
Footballguy
Just watching Game 7 of the '91 Series on MLB Network for about the millionth time. I was there in person for every playoff home game in '87 and '91. Never get sick of watching it.
