The 2017 World of Wadley MLB Guide

The calendar has turned to that familiar time when the sun shines a little brighter, the grass turns a little greener and the grills come out. It's baseball season, and while the excitement of a new season is nothing new, something feels a bit different in 2017. The Chicago Cubs are defending World Series champions. 99.9 percent of the world's population has never known this kind of world, but the curse ended and so too did a major story line in the game. 2017 is a new chapter for baseball and it's an enticing one.

Here are some things to keep an eye on and what to watch for this season...

Can the Cubs repeat?
This is an obvious starting point for the 2017 discussion. The Cubs open the season Sunday night in St. Louis on ESPN and may have improved from last season. Kyle Schwarber will be available for an entire season and, who knows, maybe Jason Heyward will play like a big leaguer again. It's scary if both of them produce. After all, this team already has MVP Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo plus a stable of pitchers who are downright nasty.

So can they repeat? Sure they can, but they won't. It's simply too hard. Too many things can happen such as injuries or poor play at the wrong time. As ESPN pointed out, no team has repeated since the Yankees in 1998-2000 and only one National League team (the Cincinnati Reds) has ever repeated in the last 95 years. The numbers simply aren't on the Cubs' side.

So who wins then?
The Boston Red Sox. Boston spends big and they should win big this season. Rick Porcello may not turn in another season like last season, but Chris Sale is in Boston now and he and Porcello along with David Price is a nightmare for opposing offenses. Big Papi is gone, but name a more fun trio to watch than Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley, Jr.? The Red Sox will have to overcome an always tough AL East and the Cleveland Indians, but if they stay healthy then they will win it all.

What about those Indians?
The Indians will be in the ALCS. They came oh so close last season and they have a loaded roster. It wouldn't be surprising to see them in the World Series again if they can get past Boston. But like the Cubs, it's hard to do it all over again and that's why we are predicting the Indians to be ousted before the World Series rolls around.

Don't forget about Mike Trout
Last season we wrote about how Mike Trout is stuck in Anaheim. He might be stuck on a bad team, but tune in whenever you can to see him play. He's the best player in the game and it's easy to forget that he's still only 25 years old. Trout will be an MVP front-runner once again, but like past seasons, he's going to be sitting at home watching the playoffs. Still, he's a special talent so don't miss out on his best years.

Speaking of the Angels, Albert Pujols is going to make history
Albert Pujols' star has faded since leaving the St. Louis Cardinals, but this season he should pass 600 career home runs. He enters 2017 with 591 and he's done it all clean. His name has never been linked to steroids and he will become the ninth player to eclipse the 600 mark.

Are the Dodgers ever going to win with all that money and talent?
Who knows, but they won't win this year. Magic Johnson and the Dodgers have spent big and on paper this team looks fantastic. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the game and will surpass 2,000 strikeouts for his career this season. Adrian Gonzalez, Corey Seager and Justin Turner make a great lineup. Yasiel Puig is a wild card year-in-year-out. LA hasn't been able to get over the hump in the playoffs and with the Cubs in the National League it doesn't seem like that will change this year.

Will Bryce Harper return to form?
Harper struggled last season after his MVP campaign two years ago. He hit .243 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs last season, which is a great season for many guys in the MLB. But this is Bryce Harper, the guy who hit .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs in his MVP season. Still only 23 years old, this is Harper's sixth year in the league. The Nationals, much like the Dodgers, haven't been able to get over the hump in the playoffs and without Harper at his best they don't stand a chance.

Which Astros team should we expect?
The Astros have taken us on a rollercoaster ride the past two seasons. The joy of 2015 was gone after an average 2016 season in which Houston missed the playoffs. The core of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer is still there and the pitching staff hasn't changed. Dallas Kuechel's shoulder is an issue, but one thing to watch is whether or not the Astros make a move for Chicago's Jose Quintana before season's end. This is a fun team to watch, but the AL West has strengthened the past few years. Time will tell if the Astros can take the next step.

The White Sox stink now, but....
Okay, we know no one is tuning into White Sox games this year because they just can't get enough of the SouthSiders. Chicago is going to stink. Sure, Todd Frazier will hit some bombs, but that's about it. However, don't sleep on this team in the future. They made some quality moves this offseason (namely getting Yoan Moncada) to go along with youngsters Tim Anderson and Charlie Tilson, which means the future could be bright on the South Side. The young guys are going to get their chances this season and that may just be worth tuning in.

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The 2017 season begins Sunday, April 2nd with a tripleheader on ESPN.

Thomas Confident in Hall of Fame Resume

Former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas recently told the media he was confident about his 2014 Hall of Fame candidacy at the annual SoxFest. Such a positive outlook for The Big Hurt could be perceived as strange after a grand total of zero players were elected to the Hall on this year's ballot. Thomas' name will appear on the ballot for the first time next year and his confidence may be justified for one reason: steroids.

Frank Thomas belted 521 home runs in his 19 seasons and ended his career with a .301 batting average. Those are easily Hall of Fame numbers and they may look even better now that the wave of Steroid Era players has littered the ballots. Thomas never did steroids and when the Mitchell Report was released in 2003 he was the ONLY player who volunteered to be interviewed. He has passed every drug test and has hardly been in question, which is ultra-rare for a player that laced up the cleats in the 2000s.

Despite his numbers and his two MVP awards, Thomas still may not get the call in his first year. Craig Biggio surpassed the 3,000 hit plateau during his career, but he came up short in his first year. Biggio has not been linked to steroids and 3,000 hits is a number that ensures enshrinement, but voters have balked at nearly every player who played during the infamous Steroid Era.

Thomas deserves to be in on his first try and voters need to recognize and celebrate those who did things the right way. Today's fans have a skewed vision of 500 home runs. It's almost as if Thomas' 521 home runs aren't that impressive because we saw the likes of Bonds, McGwire and Sosa belt far more. However, they had the aid of PEDs and Thomas did it through pure talent. That's something we should celebrate.

These guys like Thomas, Biggio, Glavine and Maddux should all be inducted next year. In an era where there are fewer Hall of Fame-caliber players to abstain from PEDs than take them, the amount of players voted in may be slim. To hold out on electing those who were clean would be a true tragedy. Yes, there were those who did things the wrong way, but that's no reason to forget an entire era of players. My advice to the voters: reward the men who were clean and elect them immediately.

It will be a sad summer for baseball with no Hall of Fame election weekend and the game needs some good news. The game needs a celebration. Why not celebrate Thomas and others who are Hall of Fame worthy and are clean? The game and its fans need that sort of celebration.

Frank Thomas has a right to be confident, but I can't say I share his confidence fully. I want him to be elected next year and I think he should be, but after this year I'm unsure of what the voters will do. One thing is for sure: Frank Thomas is a Hall of Famer and he will be in Cooperstown before it's all said and done.

The Struggles of the Windy City

A few years back, Sportscenter did a contest in the summer to see which city in the United States was "Titletown". It was created to see which city had enjoyed the most success and, being from a town fifty miles south of Chicago, I naturally began to wonder if Chicago could contend. They have all the major sports and then some yet when I looked at it, not many titles have come to the Windy City. Here's a run-down of Chicago sports and the struggles they have experienced.

Chicago Cubs: I'll start here since I'm a die-hard Cubs fan. Anybody who even knows the slightest little thing about sports would have to know that it's been 100+ years since the Cubs have won the World Series. They have had chances but they were few and far between. The last chance they had was in 2008 when they were embarrassed by the Dodgers. But before the Cubs were swept by LA, there was the infamous year of 2003. The Cubs looked so promising; they were up 3-2 on the Florida Marlins and in game six it all came crashing down when Moises Alou ran over to that left field wall in foul territory. You know the rest, Steve Bartman became Chicago's Most Wanted and is said to have cost the Cubs not only the game but the series. Many forget that Alex Gonzalez made an error on the next play, though. The Cubs are quite a special case, but it's no secret that they haven't helped Chicago win a title in quite some time.

Chicago White Sox: Yes, I know they won in 2005, but the Sox are not much better off than the Cubs. People continually point out the Cubs' failure to win in over 100 years when they forget to include the fact that it had been 88 years since the South Siders had brought home a trophy. The Sox have won three World Series titles which, between the two Chicago baseball teams, gives the city only five World Series trophies. I'd say that's much less than impressive.

Chicago Bears: The past two years the theme for the Bears appeared to be "Start hot, cave late". Last year's season was plagued with injuries for the Bears with Jay Cutler and Matt Forte having to be sidelined during the season. They finished with an 8-8 record and did not enjoy any playoff ball. This year, the Bears started off 8-1 and finished 10-6. Not exactly the record of a Super Bowl contender. Again, the Bears did not make the playoffs. Throw this in with the Super Bowl loss in 2006 and Chicago's 1985 Bears are the only NFL champions Chicago has had in the Super Bowl era.

Chicago Blackhawks: The Hawks are two years removed from their last Stanley Cup victory and the fourth in franchise history. Four is a decent amount but when you take into consideration that it was nearly 40 years since they last won it makes the Hawks just fit right in with the rest of Chicago's teams. We'll see what the Blackhawks can do with the shortened season this year.

Chicago Bulls: I was born in '94, so I wasn't old enough to enjoy the Jordan days. But six titles in eight years? Wow. I wouldn't hesitate to say that if Jordan hadn't retired then they could have hoisted up eight straight banners. It's a new millenium now, though, and the Bulls have struggled. The Baby Bulls back in '03 were nothing short of a disappointment and, though they put up a tremendous and respectable fight against the Celtics in '08, the Bulls were ousted in the first round. Fast forward to 2011 and the year the Bulls looked like title contenders, yet fell to the Heat in five games. With that in mind, the Bulls fought to earn the best record in the league in 2012, yet fell short in the first round to the 8th-seeded 76ers. Derrick Rose exited game one early with a torn ACL and later in the series Joakim Noah suffered a sprained ankle. Without two very key starters, the Bulls' chances at a title were very slim to none.

I don't mean to come across as negative, it had just simply occurred to me that there haven't been many parades in downtown Chicago. In fact, since the new millenium started, there have only been two (White Sox and Blackhawks). Other cities have had numerous parades such as LA, San Antonio, and New York. Chicago has always seemed to have teams that could contend, but something seems to always go wrong. I would hate to see the city of Chicago continue to struggle to win the big one, in any sport that is.

Active MLB First Ballot Hall of Famers

It is a common understanding that Major League Baseball has the hardest Hall of Fame to be a member of and rarely do more than two or three players get in per year. Sometimes the Hall of Fame status is thrown around much too loosely. There are good players, there are great players, and then there are Hall of Fame players. It's an exclusive group, one that includes just 202 players and 289 members overall. Only once have there been three first-ballot nominees elected in the same year (1999), not including the first year in 1936. So it's rare that players be elected so soon after retirement. I recently read a blog post that listed Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and Miguel Cabrera as first-ballot Hall of Famers. I scoffed at that simply because it's much too early to classify those players like that. Are they on the right track? Yes. But the road ahead is a long one. What a player does in the back half of his career will decide whether or not he is a Hall of Famer or not. Many have started out strong, only to fizzle out as their bodies grow older. The list of current first-ballot players is short in my mind. Here it is...


Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: .313 batting average, 3,222 hits, 1,828 runs, 346 steals, .382 OBP
Awards: '96 Rookie of the Year, 13-time All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers, 5 World Series
Derek Jeter has defined winning throughout his career. Perhaps the most respected man in the game of baseball, Jeter eclipsed the 3,000 hit mark last season with a 5-5 day that was capped off with a home run. In my mind, the 3,000 hit plateau should put a player in automatically considering that only 28 men have ever achieved the feat. However, that's not all there is to Jeter. He holds the record for career postseason hits with 191 in 152 games. Obviously the fact that he has played with the Yankees has helped his cause, but that is a record that may never be broken, especially when you consider that he is still building upon it. His defense has produced five Gold Gloves and has given us some of the most memorable highlights in baseball. His unbelievable flip against the A's and his headfirst dive into the stands behind third base will be shown forever. His class, records and winning ensure that he will be in Cooperstown as soon as possible.

Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Seattle Mariners
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .322 batting average, 2,544 hits, 441 stolen bases, 1,180 runs, .365 OBP, 100 assists
Awards: '01 MVP, '01 Rookie of the Year, 10-time All-Star, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 Silver Sluggers
Ichiro may have the most impressive resume when you consider he is only in his 12th full season and he missed about three or four seasons in his prime. He captured the league by storm in his first season, winning the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. He has led the league in batting average twice, hitting an absurd .372 back in 2004. He has stolen 40+ bases five times and led the league in 2001 with 56. His outstanding arm has generated 100 assists from the outfield and counting. While he has not played on very many winning teams and the Mariners made the playoffs just once in the time he was there. While Jeter has played in 152 postseason games, Ichiro has played in just 10. Now a Yankee, he will most likely finish his career in pinstripes. At 2,544 hits he needs just 456 hits until 3,000. His 162 game average is 222 so if he keeps pace he will need just two seasons after this to reach the milestone.

Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .326 batting average, 2,193 hits, 1,353 runs, 469 home runs, 1,405 RBI
Awards: '01 RoY, 9-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('05,'08,'09), 3 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, 2 WS
It's hard to believe Pujols is only in his 12th season because his numbers tell a much different story. He has a lifetime batting average of .326, is just 31 home runs away from 500, and could reach the 3,000 hit mark in about four years. If so, he would be only the fifth player to achieve both the milestones (Aaron, Mays, Murray, Palmeiro). Pujols is a three-time MVP, but perhaps more impressive is the fact that he has finished in the top ten of MVP voting every single year and finished top five in nine of those years. He hit at least .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first ten seasons and last year came up a point and RBI shy. He is now in the American League and playing on one of the most exciting teams, the Angels. As he heads into the last stretch of his career he will cement himself as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
Current Season: 19th Season
Career Stats: .305 batting average, 2,693 hits, 1,600 runs, 1,609 RBI, 464 home runs, .405 OBP
Awards: '99 MVP, 8-time All-Star, 2 Silver Sluggers, 1995 World Series title
Chipper is probably the only player on this list that doesn't have the eye-popping statistic that ensures he will be enshrined. He will retire at the end of this season, his 19th in the league and with the Braves, and while he won't finish with either 500 home runs or 3,000 hits, he will be in an elite group of third basemen. Chipper has always been a hitter, batting over .300 ten times in his career and on his way to number eleven. He led the league in 2008 with an outstanding .364 average. He won the 1999 MVP award after batting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He has a lifetime .305 batting average and has averaged over 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his career. If Chipper's numbers and lack of awards don't seem worthy of the Hall then consider this: while George Brett has more hits than Chipper, Jones has the same batting average as Brett and has more home runs, RBI, runs, and a better OBP.

Alex Rodriguez, SS/3B, New York Yankees
Current Season: 19th Year
Career Stats:.301 batting average, 2,872 hits, 1,878 runs, 1,937 RBI, 644 home runs, 314 stolen bases
Awards: 14-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('03,'05,'07), 2 Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers, '09 WS title
There are two things that separate A-Rod from the rest of the players on this list: how great his numbers are and steroids. An admitted steroid user during his three seasons in Texas, Rodriguez does have a tainted career. However, I have included him on this list because he has still produced after the steroids. He was excellent before them and has been excellent after them. I think that guys like McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro will find it hard to be elected, but A-Rod admitted it and, as far as we know, has stopped. Because of that, I think he will be elected. He definitely has the numbers. He has led the league in home runs five times and could eclipse 700 by the time it's all said and done (he needs 56). He has led the league in batting average once and RBIs twice. He has over 300 steals on top of all the hitting and he has a chance to finish with a .300+ batting average, 700 home runs, 2,000 RBIs, and 3,000 hits. Those are numbers that few men will ever achieve.

Mariano Rivera, P, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: 76-58 Win-Loss, 2.21 ERA, 608 saves
Awards: 12-time All-Star, All-time saves leader, 5 World Series titles
Domination. Mariano Rivera has dominated competition for 18 years now and has been a part of five Yankees World Series championship teams. He is the all-time leader in saves with 608 and that is a number that will continue to grow once he comes back from an ACL tear. He has been the closer for the best dynasty in awhile and even at the age of 42 he still dominates with his devastating cutter and nearly ensures a Yanks win once he comes out of the bullpen. He is the best relief pitcher of all-time and, as the game changes, he has set the standard for closers. For that reason he will be elected into the Hall as soon as possible.

The Next Three (Questionables)
Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado Rockies
Current Season: 16th Year
Career Stats: .320 batting average, 2,420 hits, 1,360 runs, 1,345 RBI, 354 home runs, .419 OBP
Awards: 5-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers
Helton has decent numbers, but they don't stack up to the players listed above. He is an above average fielder and can flat out hit the ball, but will voters hold the fact that he played in Coors Field against him? I don't think a player should be penalized for that, but it will definitely be a discussion among the voters. Helton lacks the accolades of other players in his era. Perhaps he will get in at some point, but not first ballot.

Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox
Current Season:16th Year
Career Stats: .284 batting average, 2,142 hits, 1,088 runs, 1,314 RBI, 413 home runs
Awards: 6-time All-Star, 2005 World Series title
Konerko may not be a Hall of Famer at all, but he has been a steady player his entire career. He has been the face of the White Sox since Frank Thomas left and he was a key component of the 2005 World Series team. Konerko could play a few more years and potentially build on his numbers, which would make the discussion may be a little easier.

Carlos Beltran, CF, New York Mets
Current Season: 15th Year
Career Stats: .283 batting average, 2,025 hits, 1,247 runs, 1,233 RBI, 327 HRs, 303 stolen bases
Awards: '99 Rookie of the Year, 7-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers
Beltran has quietly put together a nice career and is having one of his best seasons for the Cardinals here in 2012. The 1999 Rookie of the Year for the Royals has three Gold Gloves to his name and surpassed the 2,000 hit mark this season. Were it not for injuries, we may be giving Beltran a closer look.

On the Right Track (Too Early to Tell)
Justin Verlander, P, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 8th Year
Career Stats: 118-64 Win-Loss, 3.44 ERA, 1,367 SO
Awards: '06 Rookie of the Year, '11 Cy Young Award, '11 MVP, 5-time All-Star
It's a long road ahead, but Verlander averages 18 wins per season. At that pace, he will need to pitch nine more seasons like that to reach the 300 win mark. He has a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP trophy in his collection and has appeared in the World Series once as well. The 3,000 strikeout plateau is also one that could be attainable for Verlander. At the pace he is going he will need just eight more seasons to hit 3,000.

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 10th Year
Career Stats: .317 batting average, 1,736 hits, 923 runs, 1,075 RBI, 304 home runs, .394 OBP
Awards: 7-time All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers, 2003 World Series title
Cabrera is well on his way to the 500 home run mark and could reach it in about six seasons. 3,000 hits is a little bit more of a stretch but he is on pace to reach it in about seven seasons. Having Prince Fielder behind him in the lineup will help him greatly. Combine the hitting stats with the All-Star appearances and the Silver Sluggers and you may have a Hall of Famer in the making.

C.C. Sabathia, P, Cleveland Indians
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: 187-99 Win-Loss, 3.51 ERA, 2,150 SO
Awards: 2007 Cy Young Award, 6-time All-Star, 2009 World Series title
Sabathia is in his 12th season but 300 wins may be a reachable goal. He is on pace to reach it in 2018 which will mean he would have to keep his 17-game win average going until his is 37 years old. That's not going to be easy. I think 250 wins is going to become the new 300 and Sabathia should achieve that. 3,000 strikeouts should be easier for the big lefty. He is on pace to reach that by 2016. If he can add another Cy Young to his collection that would help his case tremendously.

There are obviously several more players who could be added to the last list and maybe a few more on the Questionables list. I really don't think there's anybody else who is a lock right now though. The team listed next to the player is the one I think they will go in as for the Hall of Fame as of now. If you have any comments or arguments feel free to post below!

Even in the Postseason, Baseball Takes a Backseat

Baseball is, and will always be known, as America's past time because it is our country's oldest game that was invented here. It is a beautiful game played in cozy ballparks in big cities with players who defy our imagination with their skills. Players bash home runs over 400 feet and take swings that look like art. Pitchers wind up and deliver pitches that fool hitters and some are clocked over 100 miles per hour. Football is widely known as "America's Game." It is exclusive to America and is played in enormous stadiums with wild fans numbering in the 100,000s at times. It's a brutal sport and one where running backs trample over defensive players. Linebackers bolt into the backfield and blindside quarterbacks, knocking them to the turf in a violent collision. They are two sports that contrast greatly yet are related more closely than most think.

In the past fifty years football, especially the NFL has grown so large and grossed so much money that baseball has been second fiddle for years now. Still, some hold to the notion that baseball is America's past time. It is a classic game with few replays, rules that haven't changed in years and divisional rivalries that evoke emotion from fans all around the globe. However, the game is slow and there is so much dead time the games take over four hours sometimes. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are notorious for playing into the wee hours of night and fans should never expect to be out of the ballpark in under three hours unless Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox is pitching.

The NFL's popularity has grown tremendously and revolves around it's star power. Although they have hardly struggled in attendance, it has been obvious that the loss of Peyton Manning has been a small step back for the powerful league. Nonetheless, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady have done a fine job making sure the league stays right where it's been. The NFL got a scare this summer though as the lockout nearly took away the season. It would have been a major blow for the entire season to have been lost but what sport would have benefited the most right now? Baseball. The MLB would have drawn more fans and this postseason would be even more wild. It's incredible to me that one sport can be in it's postseason but if it's Sunday then everybody could care less. I know a baseball game isn't as exciting as guys hitting each other but it's sad that nobody wants to sit down and watch a full game.

Baseball is a classic game while football is more modern. Fans left baseball in 1994 due to the strike and the NFL could have experienced that this year. They saved themselves and, unintentionally, buried baseball once again. The MLB postseason has seen good attendance but it will never be on the level the NFL is again. The NBA lockout has worsened but many say it doesn't matter because nobody pays attention to the basketball season until football is over. I think that's an over-exaggeration but it is a good point to a certain extent. There are football fans who can not focus on any other sport and it seems football fans are the only ones like that.

So the question is: Is baseball still America's past time? It depends who you ask. To me, yes but to most it is not and hasn't been for awhile. Some call for change in the game but the only thing I want to be changed is the time in between pitches and things like that. The game can be sped up which would hold fans' interest longer. Baseball is America's past time but to some it is like an old toy, pushed aside and forgotten for the newer, bigger, badder toy. There is no doubt that the NFL is going to continue to grow and what will the MLB do to keep pace?

Jeter and Thome Approach Milestones Amid Fanfare

Milestones in baseball are something to cheer about most of the time. When a player passes 500 home runs, 300 wins, 3,000 hits or 4,000 strikeouts we all stop and think about the magnitude of that particular achievement. It really is unbelievable. Lately though we haven't been so impressed or happy with MLB players passing milestones due to steroid use. Barry Bonds broke arguably the most glorified record in sports when he passed Hank Aaron's 755 home run mark, but as a nation we could only frown upon his feat because of his alleged steroid use. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were heroes in 1998 and they treated us to one of the most exciting summers ever yet they are villains now after their steroid use and embarrassing showings on Capitol Hill. The same can be said for several other hitters such as Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez and maybe even Alex Rodriguez. Thankfully the steroid era seems to be over and in 2011 two players who have remained clean and have always been fan favorites are chasing major milestones. Derek Jeter, the New York Yankee captain, is approaching 3,000 hits and Jim Thome, a rare home run hitter never linked to steroids, is coming up on 600 home runs.

For all kids who aspire to be a baseball player Derek Jeter is the prime example of how to play the game and how to behave off of it. Name the last time Jeter's name popped up in a police report that ESPN got a hold of....never. Name the last time Jeter ripped his team, teammates or organization publicly....never. He is the ultimate class act and he defines the Yankee way. He is currently 14 hits shy and would be the first Yankee to reach the hit milestone, an incredible accomplishment considering the hitters that have put on the pinstripes. Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio and Mantle were all short and when Jeter's playing days are over he must be considered one of the top three Yankee hitters of all time. That may sound absurd but the man knocks out hits and comes up in the clutch. We can cheer Jeter also because he a great man and he has always been a positive example on and off the field. His name has never come up in steroid talk nor does he have any legal blemishes. Every ball fan can stand and cheer when Jeter does reach 3,000.

The same can be said for Thome. He is a great example and he has been voted by his peers as one of the nicest guys in the game. When he does reach 600 home runs he will join Bonds, Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa in the club. Three of those players have used or allegedly used PEDs (Bonds, Rodriguez and Sosa) but Thome has never been linked to them despite playing the prime of his career in the Steroid Era. He has played for the Indians, Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers and Twins and been a clubhouse favorite at every stop. With the exception of Griffey's 500th and 600th home runs and Frank Thomas' 500th dinger, every home run milestone since 1998 has been tainted by steroids. That's seven players that reached the 500 mark and beyond with steroid use/suspicion. Thome's 500th homer was greeted with applause and his 600th should be an even happier occasion.

It's exciting to watch this unfold because for so long baseball fans have had to watch as a cheater rounded the bases in celebration and then lied when asked if steroids were of any help to reaching that milestone. Now don't get me wrong, I think all of those players were great and they definitely did have outstanding skills but when steroids aid a player's performance it makes that milestone less significant. 500 home runs has become a routine thing in baseball and that's sad. With Jeter and Thome, fans can cheer for both because both are clean and on top of that have always had a good reputation on and off the field. It's the perfect thing for the game of baseball as they exit the Steroid Era.

Jeter could reach 3,000 hits in the next two weeks and Thome could have 600 by the end of the month. It would be amazing if they both could do it on the same day somehow but that might be asking for too much. One thing is for sure and that's that both of these feats will be celebrated across the nation and that hasn't happened to two players since Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs reached 3,000 a day a part from each other.

What is the Best MLB Ballpark?

Fenway Park: Home of the Red Sox

Baseball season is in full swing now and, while some fans haven't devoted their full attention to the diamond yet because of the NBA and NHL Playoffs, there have been many headlines thus far in the MLB. To me, baseball is a great game. I know many others find it boring and slow and sometimes it can drag on a bit but baseball is America's first game and since the Steroid Era has ended, the game has become great again. On Sunday I had the chance to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs game at historic Wrigley Field on the northside of Chicago. The chance to take in a game at Wrigley is amazing with the ivy covered walls, fans sitting in rooftop seats and the iconic scoreboard in centerfield. It got me thinking about different ballparks of MLB teams and the question is: What is the best MLB ballpark ever?

This is a debate that will certainly have many opinions, especially between generations. I have been to 16 Major League ballparks to date so those are the ones I can speak of with first-hand knowledge. Five of the ballparks I have been to have been torn down or are no longer in use and the other eleven are currently used by their respective team. There are two different types of ballparks these days and one of them is a dying breed. There are the newer ballparks that were built after 1990 and then there are the older ones that came before then. The baseball world lost one of it's biggest charms when Old Yankee Stadium was torn down after the 2008 season but new ones are springing up every year.

Wrigley Field: Home of the Cubs

Judging from the people I have talked to, fans either love the old parks or absolutely hate them because of the inconveniences and lack of amenities. Personally I love the old ballparks of Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. I have been to Wrigley several times but every game I see there is a treat. The ivy-covered walls and scoreboard are unique to the park and to look out of the stadium and see hundreds of fans sitting on bleachers on top of buildings is something else. At Fenway I can remember getting chills as I walked on to Yawkey Way and saw the old brick of the stadium. As fans walk into the park the Green Monster rises up over the field and, despite only being 310 feet away from home plate, appears so menacing. The Red Sox fans are brilliant and the singing of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" is not something you want to miss. Along with those two I would include Old Yankee Stadium. It's hard to describe the feeling around the Stadium. There is so much history inside the park and too many great players put on the pinstripes to name them all. While all three of these parks may have/had narrow aisles and some small, uncomfortable seating, I think it is totally worth the price of admission. Those three parks are phenomenal to be at because of the history.

Memorial Park in Old Yankee Stadium

That's not to say that I don't enjoy going to the newer ballparks. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to Baltimore and Washington D.C. and I took in a game at Nationals Park and Camden Yards. Nationals Park is brand new and the huge video boards and interactive games around the stadium are great. Camden Yards is outstanding and I would recommend that any baseball fan makes it a point to visit it. It was built in 1992 but it has an old park feel. The B&O Railroad warehouse provides a great backdrop in right field and the city skyline is visible beyond the centerfield scoreboard. Along with the great ballpark, Baltimore is also home to the house that Babe Ruth was born in and that sits about three blocks away from Camden Yards.

Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia was also a nice park and U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago is very nice after they did some remodeling. Miller Park in Milwaukee is beautiful and the famed Sausage Race is a must-see. The newer parks definitely are nice and there are more on the way such as the Florida Marlins new park, scheduled to open next year. The features around these new parks and the views of the city skylines are the best part and each park has something unique to it.

Camden Yards: Home of the Orioles

Rarely do I visit a baseball park and walk out thinking that it was a bad place to watch a game. I think almost all parks are great with a few exceptions, such as stadiums that are used for football and baseball. Those need to go as soon as possible. I would have loved to visit older parks such as Tiger Stadium and Ebbets Field and if anybody has a comment about those two I would love to hear it. I would love to hear comments and opinions about your favorite ballpark and how many MLB parks you have been to. Below are the parks I have visited so far.

• U.S. Cellular Field (formerly known as Comiskey Park): Home of the Chicago White Sox
• Wrigley Field: Home of the Chicago Cubs
• Fenway Park: Home of the Boston Red Sox
• Old Yankee Stadium: Home of the New York Yankees [torn down in 2008]
• Busch Stadium I: Home of the St. Louis Cardinals [torn down in 2005]
• Busch Stadium II: Home of the St. Louis Cardinals
• RFK Stadium: Home of the Washington Nationals [no longer used for MLB]
• Nationals Park: Home of the Washington Nationals
• Cinergy Field (formerly known as Riverfront Stadium): Home of the Cincinnati Reds [torn down in 2002]
• Citizens Bank Park: Home of the Philadelphia Phillies
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Home of the Baltimore Orioles
• Turner Field: Home of the Atlanta Braves
• Progressive Field (formerly known as Jacobs Field): Home of the Cleveland Indians
• Kaufmann Stadium: Home of the Kansas City Royals
• Old County Stadium: Home of the Milwaukee Brewers [torn down in 2001]
• Miller Park: Home of the Milwaukee Brewers

Sox Score A Lot, Give Up A Lot

After their 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon, the Chicago White Sox pushed their record to 5-3. There are still plenty of questions about this year's White Sox team but one thing is for sure: they can score runs. As of now they are leading the MLB in runs scored and are third in batting average but the troubling thing is that they have given up plenty of runs as well. On Opening Day the Sox looked magnificent at the plate, jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the Cleveland Indians. Mark Buehrle cruised through five innings of shutout ball but then gave up four runs in the 6th inning. When all was said and done, the White Sox came out a winner, 15-10. That's not exactly the ideal way to win. Yet, that's the way Ozzie Guillen and his Sox are going to get the job done this year for the most part and fans are hoping it can carry them all the way to the Fall Classic.

In their eight games Chicago has scored 56 runs which is first in the MLB and they rank in the top five in team batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They are a complete team because they have players who will get on base at the top of the order, such as Juan Pierre and Gordon Beckham, and they have the power hitters to knock them in. Last year Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin hit a combined 103 home runs. This season, after eight games, they have four home runs which puts them on pace to hit 81. Surely that number will rise and the Sox will need it to because the pitching staff and bullpen can be questionable.

If Jake Peavy can ever get healthy and pitch a significant amount of games for the White Sox they will greatly benefit from it but, for the time being, they are without the former Cy Young award winner and that means there is a drop off at the fifth spot in the rotation. With Peavy in the rotation, the Sox can have Buehrle, Peavy, John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Edwin Jackson as their five and that is pretty solid. However, Floyd has been known to struggle early in the year and after one outing his ERA is above five. Buehrle is the complete opposite because he usually starts out excellent but breaks down in the second half. They will need both pitchers to be on top of their game for the entire season if they are to win the Central and make a run in the postseason. I say all that to say this: the starters will get the job done for the White Sox a lot of the time. They will pitch a solid 5-7 innings but after that, what Ozzie needs more than anything, is his bullpen to step up and do the job. Matt Thornton's performance has already been questionable but much of that is due to the defense behind him. Keep an eye on Chris Sale because the young closer could be to the Sox what Adam Wainwright was for the Cardinals in their '06 World Series title.

Chicago has not won a Central Division title since 2008 but things look bright in 2011. They have one of the most powerful lineups in all of baseball, a pitching staff that, if healthy, can be one of the most effective in the league and they have two relievers capable of being all-stars. Will they be able to put it all together? Who knows, but early indications show that the offense is clicking and the starting pitching is there. If the bullpen can become more effective then watch out. We may see another Fall Classic on the Southside of Chicago.

MLB Preseason Predictions: American League Central Preview

As always, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox are going to fight to the death for the division crown while the Detroit Tigers shouldn't be far behind. Those three teams have become a model of consistency, especially the Twins, and all three bring much of their respective players back from last year. The White Sox added Adam Dunn to beef up an already dynamite lineup and they get Jake Peavy back from injury. Peavy could be the X-factor for Chicago. Minnesota will need Justin Morneau to be healthy to succeed. If Miguel Cabrera can have another stellar year and the Tigers' pitching staff can improve then they could be in the hunt. Kansas City lost their lone bright spot in Zach Grienke and Cleveland is, well, Cleveland so don't expect much of either team. Let's get on to the picks and breakdowns now shall we?

1. Chicago White Sox

Jake Peavy

The South Siders look big and bad with their lineup and on the mound with a pitching staff that is tops in the league. Mark Buerhle needs to return to form after an inconsistent season but he will find help from former Cy Young award winner, Jake Peavy. Peavy missed almost all of last season due to injury but has looked strong so far in spring training. Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Edwin Jackson round out the rotation and all are capable of being 15 game winners. At the plate the Sox have some serious pop with Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Carlos Quentin in the middle of the lineup. It's not ridiculous to say that Chicago could get another World Series trophy to go along with that 2005 one.

2. Minnesota Twins

The Twins are the defending champions of the Central Division and bring all their key parts back. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will be the power in a pesky lineup that includes Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome. Thome contributed more than expected last season, his first in Minnestoa, but he is not slated to start this year. Francisco Liriano has gotten his nasty back after a bad injury a few years ago and he and Carl Pavano are a good one-two punch at the start of the rotation but the Twins need good outings from the other three starters, who are not as good as the Sox bottom three. The bullpen is good with Joe Nathan and Matt Capps to finish games.

3. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers added Victor Martinez to their roster to go along with Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera and, like Chicago and Minnesota, should be able to drive in runs. Austin Jackson is a promising young talent in centerfield and Brandon Inge is steady at third base. Carlos Guillen will also be back in the lineup. Justin Verlander is one of the best in the league on the mound and his fastball still has the zip on it.

4. Kansas City Royals

5. Cleveland Indians
Not much to say about either of these teams besides that they aren't very good. Neither one has pitching and they have no star player. Grady Sizemore can be a star if he stays healthy in Cleveland but the bottom line is, these two clubs are looking up at the other three.

Best Lineup: Chicago White Sox
Best Pitching Staff: Chicago White Sox

Best Player: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
Best Pitcher: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers