Derek Jeter is skipping the All-Star Game due to "emotional and physical exhaustion." Jeter's chase of 3,000 hits, which culminated Saturday with a home run off David Price, was cited as part of the exhaustion. He returned from the 15-day DL at the end of June with a calf injury as well.
Jeter doesn't want to fly to Phoenix for the All-Star Game. It's that simple. He'd rather rest and stay out of the spotlight. Many, including an anonymous Major League Baseball official, don't like it. They want him there so everyone can celebrate his 3,000th hit. It's not about "honoring Jeter". It's so more people will watch the game, so others can make a big deal out of his accomplishment. Jeter doesn't need anymore honors or celebrations of his career. He'll take brief three days rest. And with the way the system is set up, it's his right to do it.
Bud Selig came out with an statement saying it's fine for Jeter to skip the game. Selig said there isn't anyone he's more proud of than Jeter, and how he might do the same thing Jeter is doing. Okay, Bud. But the point is players can back out if they want to, if they're injured or wanting rest.
At this point, for some of the All-Stars, they don't care about going to another All-Star Game. Whether it's the right thing to do or not, whether it screws the fans or not, maybe Derek Jeter doesn't care about going to his 13th All-Star Game. Maybe, for once, Jeter is looking out for Numero Uno.
I don't begrudge Jeter one bit for not attending. If the league wants every player selected to attend, make it mandatory. But they won't because of the backlash from the players. Sure, fans would like to see Jeter play in the All-Star Game but, I'm sorry, fans don't (and shouldn't) influence stars' decisions.
And of all people, there's going to be backlash against Derek Jeter?! Stop. He's played in 12 All-Star Games. He made the choice that staying put and resting was more beneficial to him than hopping a plane, flying cross country, playing three innings, and flying back. It may not endear him to the selfish fans but that's the way it goes.
The All-Star Game will be fine without Derek Jeter. I'm sure they'll be able to adequately honor him and his accomplishment without him actually being there. I have no doubt FOX will let everyone know about it.
All the All-Stars skipping the game this year, 16 in all, proves yet again that no one cares about the winner of the ASG determining home-field advantage in the World Series. It's time for that to go. And hopefully it will be retired when Selig goes.
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Early Injuries for Cards
The Cardinals may want to change its off-season conditioning and throwing program. Both aces for the Cardinals have been sidelined within first two weeks of spring training, one for the season.
Last week, Cy Young runner-up Adam Wainwright needed Tommy John surgery after a bullpen session. Yesterday, Chris Carpenter left the game with a hamstring injury after 2 2/3 innings. He felt a "twinge." The following inning reliever Mitchell Boggs left the game after straining his back.
Injuries happen. At times they're unavoidable. But these injuries have me a bit confused.
"It was kind-of head scratching," Tony La Russa said.
I'll say. I don't want to question a major leaguers workouts or preparation for the season but I'm just wondering how someone blows out an elbow ligament in a spring training bullpen session. An injury requiring Tommy John surgery typically doesn't happen on one pitch, especially during a bullpen.
Wainwright has been one of the best in the game over the past two years. Perhaps the innings logged over the past few years caught up with him. It just seems like this type of injury shouldn't sneak up on you after one bullpen session.
Carpenter, a Tommy John patient himself, tweaked his hamstring, which happens, but I can't help but wonder about his off-season training.
Nothing is longer than a Major League baseball season. Pitchers report mid-February and can possibly play into November. Spring training is a time to get ready for the season, I get that, I've done that. Why not use the six weeks of training to prepare? Use the three-month off-season to relax from the grind that is baseball.
In my experiences, going from inactivity to practice is the leading cause of soreness and injuries. During one spring training I had to battle through what may have been a strained/pulled groin muscle because I wasn't going to acknowledge I'd "tweaked" a muscle during the first few weeks of practice. To me, that's admitting you haven't properly prepared yourself for spring training. I got through it and was fine. That's why I've raised an eyebrow at some of these injuries. But as I've said before, injuries can happen to the most in-shape, best-trained athletes in the world. Both Cardinals injuries could have been coincidental.
However, the facts remain. If you barely throw for a couple months, then try to hit spots in a bullpen, you're arm is going to get sore. If you've barely ran in two months, then start doing conditioning drills, you're legs and muscles will be sore and more susceptible to injury. If you get injured during spring training, you've cost your team time and money. You have to be in shape enough to allow yourself to get ready.
Other Injuries:
Padres closer Heath Bell appears to be a prime example of the inactivity theory. He strained a calf muscle during the FIRST DRILL on the first day. That's impressive. As a closer, no one expects Bell to be in tip-top shape but that's taking it to a new level.
He was on Jim Rome is Burning a couple weeks ago and even said about the injury, "It gives me an excuse not to do any running and just hop on the exercise bike." That's what got you in this position, Heath. But Bell, like many pitchers, isn't concerned with being ready for spring training, especially when you've reached the level of high-performing closer. If he goes down with a minor injury like the calf strain, or Carpenter's hamstring, it's just less work and travel during spring training. In a sense, he played it perfectly. Do little-to-nothing during spring training. Checkmate.
BP Injury: The Red Sox should be in the market for a new coach to hit fly-ball fungos during batting practice after Josh Beckett got drilled in the back of the head by a Boston assistant coach, causing a mild concussion and at least one missed start. That's bad luck. Shagging balls in the outfield is how a pitcher spends most of his time during spring training. Rule one is pay attention. Nothing is more embarrassing or painful than getting hit, unexpectedly, by a batted ball. It's just you're usually paying attention to the batter, not the coach. Beckett will keep an eye on him from now on, I guarantee it.
(Photo credit: Dave Einsell, USA Today)
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| STL Aces: Early injuries, one lost for season |
Injuries happen. At times they're unavoidable. But these injuries have me a bit confused.
"It was kind-of head scratching," Tony La Russa said.
I'll say. I don't want to question a major leaguers workouts or preparation for the season but I'm just wondering how someone blows out an elbow ligament in a spring training bullpen session. An injury requiring Tommy John surgery typically doesn't happen on one pitch, especially during a bullpen.
Wainwright has been one of the best in the game over the past two years. Perhaps the innings logged over the past few years caught up with him. It just seems like this type of injury shouldn't sneak up on you after one bullpen session.
Carpenter, a Tommy John patient himself, tweaked his hamstring, which happens, but I can't help but wonder about his off-season training.
Nothing is longer than a Major League baseball season. Pitchers report mid-February and can possibly play into November. Spring training is a time to get ready for the season, I get that, I've done that. Why not use the six weeks of training to prepare? Use the three-month off-season to relax from the grind that is baseball.
In my experiences, going from inactivity to practice is the leading cause of soreness and injuries. During one spring training I had to battle through what may have been a strained/pulled groin muscle because I wasn't going to acknowledge I'd "tweaked" a muscle during the first few weeks of practice. To me, that's admitting you haven't properly prepared yourself for spring training. I got through it and was fine. That's why I've raised an eyebrow at some of these injuries. But as I've said before, injuries can happen to the most in-shape, best-trained athletes in the world. Both Cardinals injuries could have been coincidental.
However, the facts remain. If you barely throw for a couple months, then try to hit spots in a bullpen, you're arm is going to get sore. If you've barely ran in two months, then start doing conditioning drills, you're legs and muscles will be sore and more susceptible to injury. If you get injured during spring training, you've cost your team time and money. You have to be in shape enough to allow yourself to get ready.
Other Injuries:
Padres closer Heath Bell appears to be a prime example of the inactivity theory. He strained a calf muscle during the FIRST DRILL on the first day. That's impressive. As a closer, no one expects Bell to be in tip-top shape but that's taking it to a new level.
He was on Jim Rome is Burning a couple weeks ago and even said about the injury, "It gives me an excuse not to do any running and just hop on the exercise bike." That's what got you in this position, Heath. But Bell, like many pitchers, isn't concerned with being ready for spring training, especially when you've reached the level of high-performing closer. If he goes down with a minor injury like the calf strain, or Carpenter's hamstring, it's just less work and travel during spring training. In a sense, he played it perfectly. Do little-to-nothing during spring training. Checkmate.
BP Injury: The Red Sox should be in the market for a new coach to hit fly-ball fungos during batting practice after Josh Beckett got drilled in the back of the head by a Boston assistant coach, causing a mild concussion and at least one missed start. That's bad luck. Shagging balls in the outfield is how a pitcher spends most of his time during spring training. Rule one is pay attention. Nothing is more embarrassing or painful than getting hit, unexpectedly, by a batted ball. It's just you're usually paying attention to the batter, not the coach. Beckett will keep an eye on him from now on, I guarantee it.
(Photo credit: Dave Einsell, USA Today)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Cy Young Got How Many Votes?
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| Seaver: Highest percentage |
Let's look at the top five highest percentages:
- Tom Seaver (1992) - 98.84%
- Nolan Ryan (1999) - 98.79%
- Cal Ripken Jr. (2007) - 98.53%
- Ty Cobb (1936) - 98.23%
- George Brett (1999) - 98.19%
All no-doubt Hall of Famers, for sure. But this list (complete list of votes and percentages here) raises so many questions.
First, why aren't there any receiving 100 percent of the vote? There was really a writer out there with the balls to think Nolan Ryan didn't deserve to be in the Hall? In fact, there were six who didn't include him on their list.
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| Some people didn't vote for Ruth |
Why isn't Babe Ruth at the top with 100 percent of the votes? Ruth received 95.1 percent of votes in 1936, the first year of voting, the same as Honus Wagner but less than Ty Cobb. (Both Cobb and Ruth should have gotten 100 percent.) Eleven of the 226 ballots excluded Ruth that year. He must have pissed a few of the writers off at some point because not voting for him just doesn't make sense. Not only were his 714 career home runs more than some franchises at the time, he also hit .342 for a career, in case you forget. And we shouldn't forget his 94-46 pitching record with a 2.28 ERA in 1,221 innings pitched.
Let's move to the next year, 1937. Only three players were elected that year, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker and Denton True "Cy" Young. You know, the guy who holds unbreakable pitching records like career wins (511), innings pitched (7,355) and games started (815). Well, he barely made it. Young is sixth from the bottom on percentage of votes all-time - 76.12 percent. Ryne Sandberg got a better percentage in 2005. Only 153 of 201 voters thought Cy Young should be in the Hall of Fame. And that was an INCREASE from the first vote the previous year when he got less than 50 percent.
It's amazing to see the voting of players that are, without question, the greatest players in the history of the game. Joe DiMaggio? Only 88 percent. Maybe the almighty Baseball Writers' Association of America had some sort of grudge against these guys like there is today. I don't know, it was 50, 60, 70 years ago. I also don't care. The only thing I know is what they did on the field and the stories that have been told.
I can only imagine people in another 50 years who are looking back on, what can only be assumed, ridiculous voting percentages coming up for greats like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, two of the best players to ever play. If it took Lefty Grove, a 300-game winner, three tries and then only got 76.4 percent, it's not hard to see voters trying to make a point on Clemens.
It's either yes or no when it comes to the Hall of Fame. The philosophy that seems to fit best is "if you even have to think about it, no." (Thank you, Skip Bayless.) It's just a quick yes or no. No thought, no debate. Ted Williams? Yes! Joe DiMaggio? Yes! Cy Young? Yes! Bert Blyleven? Well, I don't know, let me look at his ---- No! Barry Bonds? Yes!
Maybe it's a lost cause to think people will get the voting "right" during the much-debated "Steroid Era." I mean, 20 voters didn't think Ted Williams should be in the Hall of Fame his first year. And that's unacceptable. So is not letting in the greats of the game.
*I also feel Joe Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame. Despite what the courts may have said and testimony there may have been, he still performed at a high level during that Black Sox World Series and was an all-time great.
**And yes, Pete Rose should be in, too.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Who To Vote For?
The 2011 Hall of Fame voting ended when the ball dropped at midnight. With the new players added to this year's ballot, another debate begins about who should be allowed in the halls of Cooperstown. If I have a vote, Rafael Palmeiro is on my ballot.
The "Steroid-Era" now lets voters play judge and jury when it comes to some of the greatest baseball players' legacy. Unfortunately, some of the best players won't get in based on a culture Major League baseball provided, and pretty much encouraged.
Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Jeff Bagwell are all on the ballot and none of them are getting the votes any time soon. Those three, one admitted user, one caught with syringes and one suspected user, don't have the same on-field credentials as Palmeiro, however.
The case against Palmeiro is his failed drug test in 2005 five months after telling Congress, "Let me start by saying this: I have never used steroids. Period." Based on that alone many will feel he doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. He played the majority of his career in Texas and Baltimore, two organizations that produced many "steroid users," according to reports, admissions and tests. The failed test, which he still defends as a "tainted B12 shot," was in 2005. Does that mean he used steroids his entire career? Perhaps, but there's not proof of that.
The case for his induction, based on what he did on the field, is even stronger. The numbers speak for themselves. One of only four players (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray) in history with 500 home runs and 3000 hits. He's tied for sixth all-time in extra base hits (1192). His 1855 RBI is 15th all-time, his 569 home runs is 12th. A .288 career hitter with more walks than strikeouts over 20 seasons and 2831 games. The numbers say first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Are those numbers "inflated" by steroid use? Probably. But the failed test came in his last year not the heart of his career. It didn't come in the 90s because no one was tested at that time. My point on all "steroid users" is this: The league didn't care prior to 2004. Its head was buried in the sand on steroid use. Why are they trying to punish people 10-15 years after the fact? And the only ones getting punished and ostracized are the BEST players. The players who carried the league for 10-20 years during some tough times. Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Palmeiro.
It's MLB grasping at straws and trying to cover its own backside. The writers and voters feel "cheated" and "lied to," like they cared when home runs were flying out of the park and people were actually interested in the league. These voters feel like if they don't vote for them they're doing people a favor. I'm tired of people talking about "integrity" and "character." This isn't the Morality Baseball League. For my vote, if you were a Hall of Fame player on the field with Hall of Fame numbers, you go into the Hall of Fame. Period.
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| 3020 hits, 569 HR, 1855 RBI |
Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Jeff Bagwell are all on the ballot and none of them are getting the votes any time soon. Those three, one admitted user, one caught with syringes and one suspected user, don't have the same on-field credentials as Palmeiro, however.
The case against Palmeiro is his failed drug test in 2005 five months after telling Congress, "Let me start by saying this: I have never used steroids. Period." Based on that alone many will feel he doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. He played the majority of his career in Texas and Baltimore, two organizations that produced many "steroid users," according to reports, admissions and tests. The failed test, which he still defends as a "tainted B12 shot," was in 2005. Does that mean he used steroids his entire career? Perhaps, but there's not proof of that.
The case for his induction, based on what he did on the field, is even stronger. The numbers speak for themselves. One of only four players (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray) in history with 500 home runs and 3000 hits. He's tied for sixth all-time in extra base hits (1192). His 1855 RBI is 15th all-time, his 569 home runs is 12th. A .288 career hitter with more walks than strikeouts over 20 seasons and 2831 games. The numbers say first-ballot Hall of Famer.
 |
| I'd vote for him. Period. |
It's MLB grasping at straws and trying to cover its own backside. The writers and voters feel "cheated" and "lied to," like they cared when home runs were flying out of the park and people were actually interested in the league. These voters feel like if they don't vote for them they're doing people a favor. I'm tired of people talking about "integrity" and "character." This isn't the Morality Baseball League. For my vote, if you were a Hall of Fame player on the field with Hall of Fame numbers, you go into the Hall of Fame. Period.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sweet Lou's Had Enough
Can anyone blame him?
Lou Piniella announced he'll retire after the season. He should have done it sooner, after last year. Now the final 70 games are like a prison sentence. Wait....every season with the Cubs is a prison sentence. Even the good ones because you already know how it's going to end.
Lou's got a solid managerial resume. World Series ring, record for most wins in a season (116), three manager of the year awards. He's had a nice career in the game. But even Lou Piniella can't do the impossible: bring a championship to the Cubs.
Being a proven manager is one of the criteria for winning with the Cubs. Lou even had a pretty damn good team to work with there, for a while.
Lou with the Cubs:
2007 - Won division, 85-77. Good first season. Got the fans believing, got their hopes way up. Then Arizona pulled out the brooms on them in the NLDS. But hope was still high.
2008- "The year," according to Cub fans. Went 97-65. Defended Central title. Made consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since they last won the World Series, 1907-1908. It was all lining up to "reverse the curse." Wrong. The heavily-favored Cubs were again swept out of the NLDS. Piniella made some debated pitching moves and rotation decisions in that series.
That was the one shot Piniella had with the Cubs. Last year, the Cubs finished just above .500 and missed the playoffs. Many could see the writing on the wall for Piniella. But he was brought back for another season.
It was apparent to me starting in 2009, Piniella just didn't seem interested anymore. He knew they didn't have as good of team, with as good of shot, as the previous year. The fallout from the 2008 season had taken it's toll on the now 66-year-old Piniella. Dealing with the fans and media in that city suffocates the life out of someone in his position. Add players like Zambrano to the mix, I'd be surprised if Piniella isn't crazy by now.
So now in 2010 the Cubs are 43-52. No hope for rest of the way. Lou's seen enough. He couldn't get it done for the Cubs and their suffocating fans. I'm not sure anybody can. And it will be a while before the get someone as qualified as Piniella.
Photo credit: Chicago Sun-Times
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
All Eyes on....Nationals?
No. 1 overall pick from last year's draft Stephen Strasburg will make his major league debut tonight in front of a sold-out crowd tonight. People are more excited about this start than any game this season. That's a lot of pressure to deal with. Being able to control his emotions and adrenaline tonight will be a feat in itself.
When you look at the Strasburg's numbers in college and the minors, they are comparable. In college he was 22-7, had a 1.59 ERA with 13.9 Ks per 9 IP and a WHIP of 0.80. His minor league numbers are 7-2, 1.30, 10.6 and 0.80.
Strasburg's stops in Double and Triple A have been impressive. The curveball looks as good as the 97-100 mph fastball. Scouts say his changeup is also a plus pitch.
It will be tough for Strasburg to live up to the hype. The majors are a lot different than the minors (although the Pirates might not be more than a glorified Triple A team.) If healthy, it looks like he has the tools to be a great pitcher, but one thing I know is there will be bumps in the road. Strasburg will have to persevere through adversity, and fans will be expecting him to pitch a no-hitter every game.
"I know I still have a lot to learn," Strasburg said. "I haven't proven anything yet."
That type of attitude will help. There's going to be a lot of fanfare and publicity in his first few starts, but people will lose interest because it's the Nationals. And Strasburg will be left to grind it out and try to live up to the hype playing for one of the worst teams in the league.
I'm always skeptical getting on board with someone this young with this type of hype. For some it's too much too early. It takes someone special, from a mental perspective, to handle it. It will be interesting to see what happens with this kid who the Nationals have already decided to move from catcher to outfield.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Embarrassing Call
It takes something special to single-handedly ruin a perfect game. Especially when you're not on either team. First base ump Jim Joyce took it upon himself to call Jason Donald safe on the potential last out of Armando Galarraga's finest hour and spoiled history for a young pitcher and fans everywhere. Why is anyone's guess.
In real-time it looked close. But in that situation, the 27th out of a perfect game, it's an easy call. You call out unless Galarraga had dropped the ball. Joyce tried to out think himself and the entire ballpark. Just call the guy out. Based on the situation, it was the worst call I've ever seen in a baseball game.
Joyce made a mistake, he admitted as much. But what concerns me is how someone with 22 years of experience can be so removed from the situation that he makes up a safe call. And he double-clutched on it, too. He looked like he was going to punch him out only to come with "Safe!"
Maybe this will get instant replay in baseball, finally. Maybe it will open enough eyes that the powers-that-be will decide, "Okay, let's try this out." The NFL is laughing at MLB.
Don't give me this "human element" is a part of baseball argument. There is no need for a human element when it comes to out/safe, fair/foul or catch/no catch. In those cases there's a clear answer everyone can see two seconds after the play. This isn't 1935 anymore. The human element will always remain with balls and strikes. You don't think Jim Joyce wishes he could have reviewed that call to make sure he got it right?
Suggesting MLB and Bud "I have no idea what the hell is going on" Selig should come out and overrule the call granting a perfect game is ridiculous. Can't happen. If you do that, what else are you going to give back? Selig can't reverse a call and say, "Whoops, we missed that one, but I'll make it better." If he did that he would be conceding the instant replay argument (which he should anyway). You can't change a call from safe to out the next day. The play's over. The system screwed Galarraga and baseball history.
It truly was an embarrassment to baseball. Joyce should be fired. If someone in a public position makes one egregious error, even if it was a one-time incident, they get fired. The call at first base was that bad. It was equal to a talk show host saying something inappropriate and getting canned (like Don Imus and "nappy-headed hos".)
After 22 years, Joyce had a long run, but is clearly no longer capable of making good decisions. When someone can no longer perform their job, they are released, terminated, fired. Hell, offer him a severance package. Just get him off the base paths.
Wake up, Selig. Put in replay so it can start to be fine-tuned. It's not going to be perfect right away, but you have to implement it now. For the players, managers, fans, and umpires sake.
In real-time it looked close. But in that situation, the 27th out of a perfect game, it's an easy call. You call out unless Galarraga had dropped the ball. Joyce tried to out think himself and the entire ballpark. Just call the guy out. Based on the situation, it was the worst call I've ever seen in a baseball game.
Joyce made a mistake, he admitted as much. But what concerns me is how someone with 22 years of experience can be so removed from the situation that he makes up a safe call. And he double-clutched on it, too. He looked like he was going to punch him out only to come with "Safe!"
Maybe this will get instant replay in baseball, finally. Maybe it will open enough eyes that the powers-that-be will decide, "Okay, let's try this out." The NFL is laughing at MLB.
Don't give me this "human element" is a part of baseball argument. There is no need for a human element when it comes to out/safe, fair/foul or catch/no catch. In those cases there's a clear answer everyone can see two seconds after the play. This isn't 1935 anymore. The human element will always remain with balls and strikes. You don't think Jim Joyce wishes he could have reviewed that call to make sure he got it right?
Suggesting MLB and Bud "I have no idea what the hell is going on" Selig should come out and overrule the call granting a perfect game is ridiculous. Can't happen. If you do that, what else are you going to give back? Selig can't reverse a call and say, "Whoops, we missed that one, but I'll make it better." If he did that he would be conceding the instant replay argument (which he should anyway). You can't change a call from safe to out the next day. The play's over. The system screwed Galarraga and baseball history.
It truly was an embarrassment to baseball. Joyce should be fired. If someone in a public position makes one egregious error, even if it was a one-time incident, they get fired. The call at first base was that bad. It was equal to a talk show host saying something inappropriate and getting canned (like Don Imus and "nappy-headed hos".)
After 22 years, Joyce had a long run, but is clearly no longer capable of making good decisions. When someone can no longer perform their job, they are released, terminated, fired. Hell, offer him a severance package. Just get him off the base paths.
Wake up, Selig. Put in replay so it can start to be fine-tuned. It's not going to be perfect right away, but you have to implement it now. For the players, managers, fans, and umpires sake.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Shocker: McGwire Used Steroids
Mark McGwire admitting using steroids when he was breaking records is like Dr. Dre admitting he smoked bud when he made The Chronic.
And crying about it and saying he wishes he "didn't play in the steroid era"? Please. It wouldn't have been the steroid era without McGwire launching 70 home runs. That display, along with Sosa, got everybody else into PEDs, those who weren't already using them.
I'm fine with him doing this for personal reasons; to get the weight off his shoulders. But it does seem strange that it's happening right before he gets back into baseball as a Cardinals hitting coach. Why not last year? Why not in 2005 on Capitol Hill? Why at all?
His act before Congress hurt him worse than any steroid allegation or even the fact that he took steroids could.
He said how painful it was for him to reveal this to his family. If his family didn't know about his use, then they just didn't care. Everybody else knew and was asking questions.
And no one believes he used just because of injury. His PR team came up with that garbage and we're not buying it.
I do believe he's in a better place now, but it's almost like the Pete Rose admission. He finally did it on his own terms, when he needed something. Rose got paid by writing a book. McGwire hopes to get back into baseball on good terms.
Some will forgive because of this admission. I didn't need to hear it, but some did.
This isn't going away. Not until the media and fans get an admission from everybody who used something. Even then it won't stop. Speculation will continue. Some will never admit it. It's nauseating.
I wish Big Mac the best in the future. The focus will now shift to others to admit using steroids. I doubt he will get into the Hall of Fame, but I would vote for him. And this admission has nothing to do with it. That '98 season did bring the fans back.
And crying about it and saying he wishes he "didn't play in the steroid era"? Please. It wouldn't have been the steroid era without McGwire launching 70 home runs. That display, along with Sosa, got everybody else into PEDs, those who weren't already using them.
I'm fine with him doing this for personal reasons; to get the weight off his shoulders. But it does seem strange that it's happening right before he gets back into baseball as a Cardinals hitting coach. Why not last year? Why not in 2005 on Capitol Hill? Why at all?
His act before Congress hurt him worse than any steroid allegation or even the fact that he took steroids could.
He said how painful it was for him to reveal this to his family. If his family didn't know about his use, then they just didn't care. Everybody else knew and was asking questions.
And no one believes he used just because of injury. His PR team came up with that garbage and we're not buying it.
I do believe he's in a better place now, but it's almost like the Pete Rose admission. He finally did it on his own terms, when he needed something. Rose got paid by writing a book. McGwire hopes to get back into baseball on good terms.
Some will forgive because of this admission. I didn't need to hear it, but some did.
This isn't going away. Not until the media and fans get an admission from everybody who used something. Even then it won't stop. Speculation will continue. Some will never admit it. It's nauseating.
I wish Big Mac the best in the future. The focus will now shift to others to admit using steroids. I doubt he will get into the Hall of Fame, but I would vote for him. And this admission has nothing to do with it. That '98 season did bring the fans back.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Big Unit Calls It a Career
Randy Johnson retired today after a 22-year career. The Unit will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2015. His career numbers are mind-boggling.
The competitiveness and fire on the mound were as legendary as his fastball, stature and mullet.
Only Nolan Ryan struck out more than Johnson's 4,875, but Johnson leads everyone with 10.6 K/9 innings. He started 603 games. Over 4,135 innings pitched and a 3.23 ERA. Five Cy Youngs, including four straight from 1999-2002. Opponents hit a mere .221 against him throughout his career.
Became 24th pitcher to join the 300-win club last year with the Giants. It may have been a "joyless pursuit of 300" as Jim Rome observed, but was necessary. You can't retire with 295 wins.
Intimidation and preseverance were Unit's greatest strengths. With control problems early, he led the league in walks his first three years. Ten years later in 2002 he won the pitching triple crown with 24 wins, 2.32 ERA and 334 K.
Led the league nine times in strikeouts, six times in opp. batting avg. and four times in ERA. Two no-hitters, including a perfect game in 2004 at 40. Won more games in his 40s than in his 20s.
Randy Johnson finished with the best career of any left-handed pitcher in history. Numbers, longevity, consistency - Unit did it all.
A nice 6-minute video on his career by MLB Tonight.
The competitiveness and fire on the mound were as legendary as his fastball, stature and mullet.
Only Nolan Ryan struck out more than Johnson's 4,875, but Johnson leads everyone with 10.6 K/9 innings. He started 603 games. Over 4,135 innings pitched and a 3.23 ERA. Five Cy Youngs, including four straight from 1999-2002. Opponents hit a mere .221 against him throughout his career.
Became 24th pitcher to join the 300-win club last year with the Giants. It may have been a "joyless pursuit of 300" as Jim Rome observed, but was necessary. You can't retire with 295 wins.
Intimidation and preseverance were Unit's greatest strengths. With control problems early, he led the league in walks his first three years. Ten years later in 2002 he won the pitching triple crown with 24 wins, 2.32 ERA and 334 K.
Led the league nine times in strikeouts, six times in opp. batting avg. and four times in ERA. Two no-hitters, including a perfect game in 2004 at 40. Won more games in his 40s than in his 20s.
Randy Johnson finished with the best career of any left-handed pitcher in history. Numbers, longevity, consistency - Unit did it all.
A nice 6-minute video on his career by MLB Tonight.
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