Pitchers' Complaints Over Unwritten Rules Growing Old

After giving up a bomb that landed on Waveland Avenue last night in the Chicago Cubs' 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres, John Lackey became the latest MLB pitcher to complain about a batter's post-homer celebration. Christian Bethancourt's solo blast was the only run of the game and he took a minute to watch it go. Lackey took exception and had a few things to say afterwards.

The following is from ESPN's Jesse Rogers:

""How many home runs does he have?" Lackey asked sarcastically after the game.

Wednesday was Bethancourt's third of the season, and it was a monster blast to left that landed on the street outside Wrigley Field. Bethancourt watched it for a moment before rounding the bases.

"I got a long memory," said Lackey (4-2), who took the loss after going eight innings and allowing a run on three hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Bethancourt and Lackey don't have a history; this was the first meeting between hitter and pitcher, which Lackey was well aware of.

"Oh, I know," Lackey said. "He'll learn.""

You can watch the highlights here.

This is a tiresome subject that seems to be a hot topic this season. Bryce Harper made headlines for trying to make baseball fun again, and last season Jose Bautista's bat flip in the ALDS drew the ire of pitchers young and old. Harper called baseball a "tired sport because you can't express yourself" and, quite frankly, he's right. Any emotion from a hitter is seen as disrespect and it has to stop.

Goose Gossage went on a rant during spring training and called Bautista a "disgrace to the game." His comments were a perfect illustration of the old-school players and his thoughts seem to still ring true with some pitchers today.

Baseball currently is a one-way street and it's an annoyance. Pitchers can yell, scream and stare down a hitter after a big strikeout, but batters aren't allowed to take a look at a home run that travels over 400 feet. Give me a break. It seems that there is still some lingering thought that baseball should be a gentleman's game, but that went by the wayside when players started wearing hairstyles more suited for rock stars (i.e. Josh Donaldson) and teams started sporting lumberjack beards. You can forget that notion and understand that baseball has changed. Get with the times.

It's unfair for pitchers to think that hitters should show respect to them, but pitchers don't need to return the favor. A pitcher can get upset with a hitter and throw a 95-mph fastball into their ribs. What can a batter do if they feel disrespected by a pitcher? This has to be a two-way street.

When Harper first made his comments a few months ago, I disagreed with what he was saying. My stance has changed though. I'm tired of guys like John Lackey getting upset for allowing a home run. I'm tired of guys like Goose Gossage calling people a disgrace to the game because they hit the biggest home run of their life. Get over yourself, pitchers.

There certainly is a line for celebrating, and when it's crossed retaliation is warranted, but that line is not what Christian Bethancourt did last night. I side with Harper: let's make baseball fun again. For that to happen pitchers need to get over themselves. 

Like Jeter and Manning, Kobe Leaves Us With Thrilling Finish

The great ones don't need to leave the sports world with an exclamation point in their final game. Their body of work speaks for itself and the one final memory isn't necessary to cement greatness. It is an added bonus. Some of the best have struggled with retirement, unsure of when to call it quits. Brett Favre and Michael Jordan come to mind. Others, like Barry Sanders, seem to leave us too soon. In the past few years, we have been blessed to watch three stars in three different sports retire at the right time, and give us one more memory to hold on to.

Kobe Bryant became the latest superstar to close out his career -- 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers that included five championships, an MVP award and back-to-back scoring titles. His 60-point game in the season finale was a vintage Kobe performance that included deep threes, fadeaway jumpers and enough bricks to build a house. But nevermind the bricks or the inefficiency because the point is this: Kobe gave us one more lasting memory. Sports are meant to be fun and Wednesday night at the Staples Center was fun with a extra side of amazing.

Earlier this year, Peyton Manning closed the book on an illustrious career, riding off into the sunset after a Super Bowl victory over the Carolina Panthers. Manning, who has gone through his fair share of injuries in recent years like Bryant, wasn't the Manning of 2008, but he was still something to marvel at.

In 2014, Derek Jeter finished his 20 year career with an opposite field walk-off single in the final game of the regular season. The hit was textbook Jeter and added to an already rich legacy in Yankee pinstripes. Sure, it wasn't 2001 Derek Jeter diving into the seats and going to the playoffs, but it was a final memory that we will never forget.

For me, I don't know the NBA without Kobe Bryant, I don't know the NFL without Peyton Manning and I did not know the MLB without Derek Jeter. Those three have been in the league since I was a young boy. I have binders at home with their trading cards, I have worn their jerseys and I have watched them play countless times. It never gets old watching the great ones.

But when Jeter hit the ball through the right side on September 26, 2014, I knew I would never see him swing a bat again. As Peyton held up the Lombardi trophy in February, it was clear that this was it. And as Kobe poured in basket after basket Wednesday night, I wanted the game to last forever. I wanted three overtimes and I never wanted to stop watching Kobe play. But the clock hit zero on the game and simultaneously hit zero on Kobe's career.

After 20 years for Jeter and Bryant, and 17 for Manning that's it. There is no more, but there are the memories and the final ones are memories I'll have forever.

Jeter's Departure Worth the Hype

As a kid growing up, the name "Derek Jeter" was commonplace, even renowned, in the game of baseball. The New York Yankees shortstop has been in the league for all but two years of my life and, as hard as it is to believe, his career is coming to a close. The season has been an emotional one for both Yankee and baseball fans alike, yet tonight will be the climax of the year with Jeter taking the field at Yankee Stadium one last time. With every road trip the Yankees have made, Jeter has been presented gifts from each ball club and has received a warm reception from most, if not all, fan bases across the country. While the hype surrounding his retirement has been a season-long deal, many people are beginning to be bothered by it. How? How can you possibly be bothered by the celebration of one of the best ballplayers to ever set foot on a field?


When I was little, Derek Jeter was that player whose batting stance you emulated. Derek Jeter was that player that you tried to  be like when you'd field a ground ball by jumping off one foot and throwing across your body. Derek Jeter was that player that you loved to watch simply because he loved to play the game and he played the game the right way. We've seen the highlights and we've watched him grow from the scrawny Kalamazoo kid into the first-ballot Hall of Famer. He has been consistent for just about his entire career and deserves every bit of the attention he's getting.

Jeter's hard-nosed play happened every single day

It doesn't make sense to be annoyed by Jeter's retirement coverage. It goes to show that in this day in age we as a society feed off the negative news rather than celebrating the positive news. For some people, Sportscenter's not as fun when they're not discussing Johnny Manziel's latest antics or talking about which NFL player was charged with assault this week. People love the gossip, they love the rumors and speculation, they love the negativity.

Maybe it's because the MLB has taken a backseat to the NFL and NBA recently. Interest in baseball has gone down and continues to do so. It's heart-breaking to say the least. For years the game was unclean and cheaters were easier to come by than guys who were playing the game the right way. Records were being broken but not with integrity. For these very reasons, Jeter has earned this kind of exit.

Jeter has given all of us an athlete that we can invest in. He has given us a role model that is consistent both at the plate and in his demeanor. He has given us a little hope that not every professional athlete is worried only about money. Derek Jeter is as classy an athlete as any of us will ever get the chance to watch. He has handled himself with professionalism and poise in a uniform that draws more criticism and hate than any other professional uniform in American sports, and that can even include criticism from the home crowd. I have been to Yankee Stadium and Yankee fans are as ruthless as any fans I have ever seen. They don't care that you're wearing the navy blue pinstripes, they care that you do your job and post a W. If they don't approve of your performance, they'll let you know. They're as faithful as any, but their respect has to be earned. Jeter did just that and then some.

Playing in one of the biggest cities in the world, under a spotlight few have ever known, Jeter never once took a day off from being a professional. You never saw him in the news for drugs, he was never assaulting women, and his name was never even dreamed of being linked to steroids. In a big market, on such a big stage, most would crumble under the pressure. Jeter welcomed it and used it to fuel what has been a magnificent career. He's tallied over 3,000 hits and could put a World Series ring on half of his fingers. He has won games with his bat, and saved games with his glove. But more importantly, he was loyal to the Yankees while doing it.

Perhaps Jeter's most impressive highlight, bloody face and all

Jeter was present for the turn over in the front office after George Steinbrenner passed away and he was there to see his manager Joe Torre retire. In professional sports today, players try to run coaches out or even try to have a hand in hiring a new coach themselves. #2 never made such moves. He was all in for the Yankees, he welcomed Joe Girardi and continued to be a leader. He never questioned his coaches or the front office, he went out and did his job. If more athletes carried themselves like Jeter then the light that's shed on professional sports would be a little more positive.

It's because of Jeter's integrity and hard-working nature that he will be greatly missed by the game of baseball. If you're tired of hearing about him, then you don't appreciate the greatness that is Derek Jeter. Whether he's the greatest shortstop ever will be debated by most, but the impact he had on the game should never be called into question. We have celebrated his career because of the way he carried himself and because of the way he has continually shown everyone how to be a role model and do things the right way. Watching Derek Jeter walk off the field for the final time tonight will leave a hole not only in the Yankees' lineup, but in the game of baseball. Thank you, Derek Jeter, for the all the memories and hard work. Here's to you, #2. 

MLB All-Star Break Swings and Misses

Another Midsummer Classic has come and gone for Major League Baseball and it is always hit or miss when it comes to the All-Star festivities. Minneapolis seemed to be a great host in a great ballpark, but there was plenty that went wrong. It is clear that there needs to be a change if the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are going to continue as must-see television. Here are a few of my thoughts on the happenings this weekend.

1. The Home Run Derby was awful
Normally, the Home Run Derby is the most fun part of the All-Star festivities, but this year it was a complete disaster. The weather, which is beyond anyone's control, caused the Derby to start an hour late. Once the competition finally began the league had tinkered with the format, which was regrettable to say the least. Rather than eight competitors, the event had ten with five players from each league. To combat the extra two players, MLB decided to give hitters only seven outs in the first round instead of the usual ten.

This hardly seemed to work as many players had low home run totals and the event still took hours. That brings me to my next point: the event is too long. The Home Run Derby lasted nearly as long as the entire All-Star Game. The new format may have been the cause of this, but whatever MLB decides to do, they need to limit the Derby to only eight players.

The new bracketed format worked against the MLB as Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Bautista each had to wait nearly two hours before they hit for the second time. Consequently, fans were hardly given the show they came to see and hurt the event. Low home run totals at a Home Run Derby is nothing to brag about and MLB will have to go back to the drawing board before Cincinnati in 2015.

2. Adam Wainwright did nothing wrong
There always has to be a story and sometimes the media has to dig pretty deep and blow something way out of proportion to make a story. This is exactly what has happened with Adam Wainwright's "pipe shot" to Derek Jeter when he led off the first inning. Before Jeter came to bat Wainwright performed one of the classiest gestures by stepping back off the mound and dropping his glove to join in the standing ovation for the soon-to-be retired Jeter. It was a beautiful moment.

To make it even more beautiful, Jeter sent a leadoff double down the line and would finish the game 2-2. Shortly after Wainwright exited the game he made a comment to reporters that he basically threw the ball right down the middle for Jeter to hit. So what? Perhaps he shouldn't have said that, but who cares if he did? It doesn't take away from the fact that it was a great night in honor of Jeter and it doesn't take away from Wainwright's classy move before the inning began.

In fact, here's why what Wainwright said is awesome: it shows that All-Star Game counting for World Series home-field advantage is the stupidest thing. That is a rule that has to go as soon as Bud Selig gets out of office. This is a fun exhibition game that is for the fans and for the players to have fun. It shouldn't count for home-field advantage and it's time to realize how silly that rule is. Props to Wainwright for a great moment and for shedding light on the fact that the game counting is dumb.

3. ESPN and FOX struggled
The coverage of the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game wasn't terrible, but there were silly mistakes and omissions in both telecasts. During ESPN's broadcast of the Derby they messed up graphics three different times. They listed Jose Bautista as a Yankees player, Troy Tulowitzki has an American League player and referred to the Marlins as the Florida Marlins. These are small things, but not mistakes you want happening with all eyes on your network. In addition, when MLB did their Stand Up To Cancer moment, Chris Berman and John Kruk's mics were still on and during what should have been a moving moment, the whole world could hear Berman say, "Should we stand up for this?" and then grunt while getting out of his chair.

The next night FOX did a decent job with the broadcast as Joe Buck always delivers. However, the night had some glaring omissions. Amid all the Jeter talk, FOX never once honored Tony Gwynn, Ralph Kiner or Don Zimmer who all passed away in the past year. The three legends of the game couldn't get a mention, but Jeter was the subject of talk all night. Not taking anything away from Jeter, but it certainly would have been a nice tribute if FOX would have honored the other three or at least mentioned them.

Lastly, CBS sent out a tweet that said it was Michael Jeter's last All-Star Game and Sports Illustrated tweeted that Mike Trout had won the MVP after going 3-2. That truly is an MVP-type game for Trout if that's the case.

All in all, it was a poor All-Star break and MLB has work to do to fix the Midsummer Classic. A change in commissioner could bring about new ideas and new life and that would certainly be welcomed. Improvements are needed across the board.

Cubs Desperately Need Girardi

In terms of historic futility there is not a team in the world better than the Chicago Cubs. Frequently regarded as the "Lovable Losers," the Cubs aren't as cuddly as they once were. Over the last four years there have been three different managers and attendance has declined for the past five seasons. The front office continues their efforts to rebuild the franchise, but the results thus far have been horrid. As another managerial search begins, Chicago must do anything to make Joe Girardi their man.

The Cubs recently put a bow on their 66-96 season which was good for last place in the National League Central division. The team lost 50 games at the Friendly Confines and it all concluded with Dale Sveum being shown the door on Monday. Now, the Cubs look to be going after New York Yankees' manager Joe Girardi. Girardi is an Illinois native who graduated from Northwestern and played for the Cubs.

His contract with the Yankees doesn't end until October 31 and New York is hesitant to allow him to meet with the Cubs. Theo Epstein and the Chicago front office better have their best sales pitch ready if/when they do meet with Girardi because he's about the only respectable candidate out there for Chicago.

There are reports that if the Cubs don't land Girardi then they will go after A.J. Hinch. You might ask, "Who is A.J. Hinch?" Well, let me tell you. He played seven years in the league and has managed 212 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. During that short stint he went 89-123 and currently works in the San Diego Padres front office. That is not the kind of guy the Cubs need at this point.

If we're honest then even the most faithful of Cubs fans can admit that the manager doesn't matter much at this point. The Cubs stink. That's what it really comes down to. This is a young, inexperienced team with a star player that is all sorts of confused with his approach at the plate and forgot how to hit the ball. Whether the next manager is Girardi, Hinch or someone else they will all be given the same tools and let's just say the tool shed is pretty bare.

Yet the Cubs need Girardi because he is proven, he is a man of discipline and he knows winning. The former Cub was the Manager of the Year in 2006 while with the Marlins and then led the Yankees to their 27th World Series title in 2009. He's the only man with any credibility that is available and would be a great manager for the young Cub team.

Chicago will still be rebuilding and will probably still endure some rough seasons with Girardi, but they will make progress. Improvement is the key to rebuilding and the lack of improvement is why Sveum is gone. Girardi is the man for the job and the Cubs must do whatever it takes to lure him away from the Big Apple.

If they can't then don't expect the current situation to improve any time soon.   

A-Rod Drama Should End with Lifetime Ban

How will we remember Alex Rodriguez? Will it be for the towering home runs and flashy glove work on the left side of the infield? Or will it be for the contract, the steroids, the arrogance and the constant drama? With the latest developments out of the Bronx on A-Rod's quad strain and the Biogenesis scandal hovering over his head like a black rain cloud about to burst, something tells me we won't remember Rodriguez for what he did on the field. That's quite a shame because he is one of the best players to step foot on the diamond, but he created his own demise and everything that he will be remembered for was by his own doing.

Rodriguez says he's ready to play after suffering a quad strain, but the Yankees say he's not. Now A-Rod says the Yanks are doing all they can to keep him off the field. That's a storyline you don't hear everyday. However, Rodriguez attracts this type of drama and, again, it's his own doing. Getting a second opinion on an injury is fine, but A-Rod never told the Yankees and never actually saw the doctor in person. After creating a media firestorm two days ago, he then reiterated that he wanted to play and said, "Enough doctors...let's play."

There's a slight problem though. What if you aren't wanted? It sounds ridiculous that a team plagued with injuries to every superstar on the roster wouldn't want Alex Rodriguez, but it seems true. It makes perfect sense. Ryan Braun's lies came crashing down on him earlier this week and it's assumed that A-Rod won't be far behind and that would spell doom for the Yanks.

Despite all the injuries, New York is still very much in the AL East race and bringing Rodriguez back into the clubhouse could be disastrous for them. If he comes back now then the media is going to rush into that clubhouse and talk about the injury and the Biogenesis scandal and, instead of an asset, A-Rod becomes a distraction. Besides the scandal, the Yankees are smart for taking their time with him because he is a big investment. There's a lot of money left to pay A-Rod and the last thing the Yanks want is an injury that keeps him off the field for the entire season or longer.

The injury is just a small part of this drama though. The real focal point is the scandal and whether or not a suspension is coming A-Rod's way. If so, then he should be done. This isn't his first rodeo with PEDs and what's worse is that he once apologized for taking them then went around the country speaking out against PED use. Yet now these reports surface and Rodriguez is, once again, looking like a fraud. If he is found guilty that warrants a lifetime ban no question.

Can you blame the Yankees for not wanting this guy around? I don't want to jump to conclusions and say that he did or did not take PEDs and that a suspension is a sure thing, but Rodriguez did something to get his name brought up in those reports. That's enough for me. He was somewhere he shouldn't have been and dealing with people he shouldn't have been around. Despite all his great plays, clutch home runs and outstanding play, the Yankees are better off without him.

When that black rain cloud that is the Biogenesis scandal bursts and Alex Rodriguez has to face the media he will be a shamed man. There won't be any apologies this time because there won't be anything that can cover up this stain the second time around. All there will be is the remains of a fat contract for an arrogant, drama queen who just so happens to be one of the best players we have ever seen. But will we even remember his play?

ESPN's Reporting Continues to Falter

As an aspiring sports journalist/broadcaster it once was my dream to work at ESPN. While I still watch the various ESPN stations and enjoy some of the programming, it is my view that the business has gone downhill. No longer is ESPN an unbiased sports news station. Instead it centers around it's favorite teams and leagues. Rather than reporting on stories and issues, the various shows that ESPN airs would rather debate about the topic in an almost-uncivilized manner. It's all too much. It's not good reporting or journalism and it has brought ESPN's credibility down. Below are my observations.

There's an ESPN favorites club
If you're in the ESPN favorites club then life is sweet. If you're not then forget about being covered. For example, if LeBron James changes his shoes at halftime of tonight's game then I'm sure even that will be covered by Sportscenter tomorrow morning. However, if Indiana's Paul George records a double-double in the series clincher against the Knicks then it will register as just a blip on the radar. Why is that? Well it's obvious. Carmelo Anthony is a member of the Knicks and a member of the ESPN favorites club. When the Pacers defeat the Knicks that is not a story. The story is that Carmelo didn't get it done for the Knicks. Same story with the Heat. Instead of asking, how did the Bulls win, they ask, how did LeBron let the Heat lose?

Brett Favre might be the president of the ESPN favorites club. Remember his multiple retirement saga? ESPN followed him around like it was some kind of reality show. If Favre was caught throwing passes at a local high school then it was the top story. Meanwhile, the quarterbacks who were actually on teams at the time were getting zero press.

ESPN has there favorite teams too. The Cowboys and the Jets are always going to be top stories when it comes to the NFL. If it's the NBA then it's the Heat or the Lakers. Never mind that LA was ousted by the Spurs almost two weeks ago; ESPN still discusses the future of the Lakers despite all the other playoff series still going on. The Yankees are always going to be covered when talking MLB and the NHL hardly exists to ESPN. They have their favorite teams and players and those are the ones that will receive the coverage.

The sports world revolves around the NFL
ESPN has plenty of different shows that air on a daily basis, but there is an obvious favorite among the major pro sports. The NFL has almost five shows that air during a week and all of them cover the same topics. In contrast, the MLB has Baseball Tonight, the NBA has Fastbreak and the NHL has nothing. It is the middle of May and there is still NFL Live, NFL 32 and NFL Insiders airing on a daily basis. Why do we need that much NFL coverage? I couldn't tell you because Sportscenter also feels the need to use much of their program to cover pro football.

It's not fair at all because the reality is that most fans' only avenue to sports news on television is ESPN. That means that all they hear about is football. But you know what ESPN can't figure out? They will be the ones to comment on how hockey seems to be lacking attention, lacking fans and lacking interest in the United States. They fail to realize that their lack of coverage on the sport is part of the problem.

Right now I should turn on ESPN and see plenty of coverage on the NBA and NHL playoffs to lead off. Following that there should be coverage of last night's MLB games and then lastly there should be news from the NFL. The NFL is irrelevant right now because it's out of season, but someone forgot to inform ESPN about that.

A story isn't worth reporting if ESPN can't argue and debate it
Here's the perfect example on this new-found phenomenon at ESPN of always debating stories. When Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay athlete in American pro sports, it was a huge day for the LGBT community. It was a monumental moment and no one can argue that fact. Whether you support gay rights or not, this was a story worth reporting because it signals a change that is imminent in our professional leagues. Sports Illustrated reported on the story and did a magnificent job of letting Collins tell his story. That's it. Just tell his story.

Smith has become the poster child for the Debate Era

ESPN couldn't merely tell his story. Instead, the found a way to twist what should have been an informative story into a raging debate. LZ Granderson, an openly gay journalist for ESPN, and Chris Broussard, a Christian reporter on the NBA for ESPN, both appeared on ESPN's Outside the Lines just hours after Collins' announcement. What happened on the show was disgraceful and should not have happened. Broussard was asked several questions and basically baited into sharing his personal views on homosexuality. I'm fine with Broussard's opinion and I'm fine with Granderson's, but I have a problem with debating whether homosexuality is okay or not on a show that shouldn't be used as a platform for that.

I used to like watching ESPN First Take, but I no longer watch it because I cannot stand to listen to Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless yell at each other about every topic put in front of them. There is room for debate in sports journalism, there is no doubt about that. Pardon the Interruption has found the happy medium between debating and discussing. First Take would rather yell their way through the show and that is not enjoyable at all. Sometimes a story is just made to to be reported, not to be debated.

These are three of the biggest faults ESPN commits and it has hurt the television shows, their reporting and their entire programming in general. I sometimes wonder what direction ESPN is headed in because, in the day and age of reality television, it really seems like that's the direction that ESPN wants to go. They are not worried about giving equal coverage to all leagues and teams, but they would rather focus on the teams and leagues that they find most exciting. That's not good reporting.

ESPN is highly-regarded as the best option for sports reporting. If we really do consider them the best then it's time they be held accountable.

Under-appreciated and Under-hyped, Ichiro is One of the Best

He's never in the public eye, he has never had a run-in with the law, and he'll never be caught on film yelling at a teammate or manager. So why don't we, both everyday sports fans and media personnel, discuss the phenomenal player that Ichiro Suzuki is? It is easy to see that Ichiro will be one of the best hitters to ever step on an MLB diamond, yet he rarely even makes Sportscenter highlights. He is perhaps the most under-appreciated star with very little recognition to the greatness he has achieved.

Ichiro stormed into the league in 2001

Coming into the league at the age of 27, Ichiro wasted no time in taking over as the best hitter in the MLB. In 157 games, the rookie accumulated 242 hits while batting an unbelievable .350. Not to mention he swiped 56 bases which led the league. He won Rookie of the Year and was named AL MVP in that same 2001 season and certainly lived up to the hype that followed him overseas when he first came from Japan. Yet as we have seen so many times as of late, very few players that come from Asia pan out to be as successful as we believe they should be. Players like Hideki Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka enjoyed a little success, but have never been big-time, must-have players. Ichiro donned the teal and navy blue in Seattle and made a name for himself that was sure to stand out.

And boy has he stood out. The man has been in the league for what is now his 13th year and has 2,607 hits at print time. 13 seasons and almost 3,000 hits? Absolutely unheard of. Bear with me as we dive into a little math lesson. If we average it out, Ichiro has averaged just over 200 hits in his previous 12 seasons. He came into the league at age 27 which is when most players enter their prime. Imagine if Ichiro came in like Bryce Harper at age 19. Hypothetically speaking, if Ichiro even had 150 hits in each of those eight seasons before he reached the age of 27, he would still have 3,807 hits.

With that being said, let's give him more credit. Say he did in fact average 200 hits per season since he came into the league at 19 (again hypothetically). This would then be his 20th season and he would have around 4,000 hits. Pete Rose's record stands at 4,256 in his 24 seasons of ball. Ichiro would only be 256 hits short with 4 years less of experience in the league! If Ichiro came into the league at age 19, averaged 200 hits per season as he is right now, and played 24 seasons like Pete Rose did, he would end his MLB career with about 4,800 hits. Let me say that again, 4,800 hits.

Ichiro's blazing speed has helped him swipe 452 bases

Again, that was all hypothetical and for fun. But look at what Ichiro has done for the game of baseball and we haven't even taken the time to appreciate it. His name won't come up in any steroid scandals, and he has the potential to join the 3,000 hit club despite coming into the league at the age of 27. His career batting average is currently at .322 which accomodates his 10 Gold Gloves and 10 All-Star selections. He is without a doubt a first ballot Hall of Famer and with his second season as a New York Yankee underway, he doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. He is one of the greatest hitters to step up to the plate, and it's about time we recognize the honest greatness of Ichiro Suzuki.

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!

Are There Pro Sports Rivalries?

A few friends and I have recently debated with each other about whether there are professional sports rivalries in today's game. The debates have gotten mixed opinions and I'm sure the general public is split as well on the topic. Obviously there are pro sports rivalries but the question is, are there any that stand the test of time? Rivalries that year in, year out are legitimate battles and that players on each team circle as must-win games. I think there are very few, if any. Now, there are always those rivalries that come and go such as the Colts-Patriots, Steelers-Raiders or Kings-Lakers but they do not last forever.

In college sports there are plenty of rivalries and they are fierce border wars, in-state battles or century old conference matchups that make them must-see games. Players on both teams know it's a must-win game and a loss could mean the season was a failure. It doesn't matter how good Duke or North Carolina is, there games are always going to mean alot to those players, coaches, fans and alumni. It's a hate that has gone on for years and won't stop anytime soon. In pro sports there just isn't that kind of hate that has gone on through several decades, with a few exceptions.

In my mind there are five professional sports rivalries that have stood the test of time and those are the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics. What do four of these have in common? They are divisional games between teams close in proximity. The exception is the Lakers-Celtics. They have a very unique rivalry in the sense that they both have been so good for so long. Dating back to the 50s, they have played each other several times for the NBA title and because of that it is a legitimate rivalry.

The reason professional sports rivalries don't last is because of the players. When the players leave the rivalry dies a little bit. Take the Ravens and Steelers rivalry that has been superb for the last decade-- once Ray Lewis and James Harrison retire or leave their respective organizations those games won't be the same. Those players bring the intensity that the game needs and whoever replaces them just won't understand what that game means. In college it's different because a North Carolina recruit is being told right away that Duke is the villain and that he must lead his team to victory against them. Also, pro sports is a business so players will play where the money is and it doesn't matter if it's with a rival. Johnny Damon is the perfect example. He led the Idiots to a World Series title with the Red Sox but when the money was offered he packed his bags and headed straight for the Bronx. Sure sounds like some good, clean hate right there. Not.

I'm not sure professional sports needs the rivalries like college. College sports is driven by those rivalry games but superstars drive the pro games and that's why they are highly successful. Of course each league needs some games that are must-see but they don't necessarily have to be "rivalry games." As long as multiple stars are on the field/court, people will tune in. So which is better? I have a preference for the college sports rivalries because I find them fun to watch, however, I love when rivalries spring up in the pros that have the makings of being a decade-long battle. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have that feel right now and it's exciting and good for the game. If you disagree with my stance on this or have another pro sports rivalry that has burning for many years feel free to comment 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?

The November Classic??

A snowy World Series may be a more common sight if MLB decides to
keep the regular season at 162 games

The MLB playoff races are coming to a close and it is hard to tear your eyes away with the Wild Card races so tight. The St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays are making a late postseason push while the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox try to hold them off. If the Cardinals win today they will close within one game of the Braves and St. Louis has a much more favorable schedule the rest of the way. However, by the time the regular season is over with it will be September 28th. The playoffs will begin in early October and the World Series may not conclude until October 27th. That's awfully late in the year and it could be an awfully cold Series if, say, the Yankees and Phillies go head-to-head. What's worse is that baseball is now talking about expanding the playoffs to include more teams (we are in the time of expansion you know) and if they do that then the regular season must be shortened.

Since 1961 the MLB has had a 162-game season, as opposed to the 154-game schedule they had prior to that. The Wild Card was introduced 1995 which allowed four teams per league to qualify for the playoffs and I am in full agreement with that move. It would be a shame if the Red Sox and Yankees could never play each other in the playoffs or a team like the Braves, who has had a great year but just happens to be in the same division as the Phillies, got left out of October baseball. The Wild Card teams have always been very successful and it's usually because they HAD to win at the end of the regular season so they come in hot. Now, Bud Selig and the Gang want to expand the playoffs to ten teams which means two Wild Cards in each league.

I will agree with the playoff expansion if, and only if, MLB realizes that it needs a shorter regular season. 162 games is a ton of games and players break down after awhile. Also, the Cubs and Astros don't need to still be playing right now. It's absurd and it just prolongs the agony of a terrible season. I recently read a column by Sports Illustrated's Joe Posnanski and he suggested that the schedule be shortened back to 154 games. I could not agree more with that. Obviously there would be disputes with the record book because, for a long time, players had eight more games to compile statistics. That's something that would have to be figured out but it's a no-brainer that the schedule must be shortened.

The game has changed over time. 15 wins is what 20 wins was back in the day. Saves and holds are more important than ever and 30 home runs is a common sight. What MLB can't be worried about is the statistics and numbers. Yes, with eight fewer games there probably won't be many 20-game winners and less home runs will be hit along with fewer RBIs. It's not about any of that though. Less games means the players will be better at the end of the year and that means more fans in the stands and better games televised nationally. Thus, MLB puts out a better product. Also, if the season stayed at 162 games and the playoff were expanded that would push the Fall Classic into November. That can't happen for two huge reasons. One would be the weather. The other, and most important, is that MLB couldn't compete with the NFL and the start of the NBA. The World Series hasn't been getting good ratings and the longer the baseball season drags on, the longer they must compete with the NFL. That's fighting a losing battle.

There has been no mention of shortening the schedule but the playoffs will be expanded for sure. Bud Selig has been highly criticized during his time in office but if he were to make this move it might go down as the best move during his tenure. It's better for the players. It's better for the fans and, most importantly, it's best for the game of baseball.

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

Assembling the All-Time MLB Team

A few months ago I posted an article on the all-time NBA team which has gotten many views and no one has argued with my roster either so I'll assume I got it right! Now that Opening Day has come and gone for the 2011 MLB season, I thought it would be appropriate to compile the all-time MLB team. Now, much like the basketball team, players must be retired at least five years to be eligible for selection and I will choose a 25 man roster. The only exception to the retirement rule will be relievers because that is relatively new to the game of baseball. The team will consist of five starting pitchers, three relievers and 17 position players. The team listed for each player is the one they went into the Hall of Fame with. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts about who they would select and please leave a comment with your opinions. Here is my all-time team:

Catcher: Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds (1967-1983)

Bench was one of the key pieces to Cincinnati's Big Red Machine that captured a World Series title. He is one of the best hitting catchers of all time and won Rookie of the Year Award in 1968 and two MVPs in '70 and '72. Bench was also a great behind the dish, winning 10 Gold Gloves. Bench played in four World Series, batting .279 and hitting five home runs. He also led the league in runs batted in three times and home runs twice. A 14-time All-Star, Bench was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Batting Average: .267     Home Runs: 389     RBI: 1,376     Hits: 2,048     Steals: 68

First Baseman: Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees (1923-1939)
The "Iron Horse" played along Babe Ruth and is the first of many Yankees to make the team. Gehrig held the record for most games played in a row for a long time before Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it in the mid-90's and he should remain second on that list for a long time. Gehrig played at the same time fellow greats, Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg, were playing but he was the best of the three. Gehrig batted .340 for his career and was just seven home runs shy of 500. An RBI machine, he led the league five times in that category and was tops in home runs three times. He was a two-time MVP and played in seven World Series, winning six of them. Gehrig was inducted into the Hall of Fame by a special election in 1939.

Batting Average: .340     Home Runs: 493     RBI: 1,995     Hits: 2,721     Steals: 102

Second Baseman: Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds (1963-1984)

Also a member of the Cincinnati Reds during their heyday, Morgan is widely considered the best second baseman of all time. A diminuitive 5 foot 7 inches didn't stop Morgan who collected two MVP awards and racked up 10 All-Star game appearances. He also won a Silver Slugger award and five Gold Gloves. Morgan played for five different teams but his best years came with the Reds. He was a thief on the base paths and also drew plenty of walks, leading the league four times. Morgan was a part of two World Series titles and appeared in two more. Although he did not perform up to par in the postseason individually, no one can discount his rings.

Batting Average: .271     Home Runs: 268     RBI: 1,133     Hits: 2,517     Steals: 689

Third Baseman: Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies (1972-1989)

The first member of the 500 home run club to make the team, Schmidt provided the pop for Philly for two decades and shined with the glove in the hot corner. Schmidt racked up many awards and accolades in his career, including three MVPs, 10 Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers. He led the league in home runs eight times and RBIs four times. He appeared in two World Series, winning one of them over the Kansas City Royals in 1980. In that series he was phenomenal, batting .381, hitting two home runs and collecting eight hits. He was named the World Series MVP that year. A 12-time All Star, Schmidt was inducted into Cooperstown in 1995.

Batting Average: .267     Home Runs: 548     RBI: 1,595     Hits: 2,234     Steals: 174

Shortstop: Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates (1897-1917)

An oldtime player, Wagner never hit for power but, boy, could he hit. He is the first member of the 3,000 hit club on the team with 3,420 hits in his 21 seasons. Wagner is probably the first great player in the game of baseball and he also has the most expensive baseball card in history to his name. He was a stocky 5 foot 11, 200 pounds yet he ran well, stealing 723 bases. In 1909 he led the Pirates to a World Series victory, batting .333 with six RBIs and six stolen bases in the seven game series. "The Flying Dutchman," as he was called, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936 as part of the original class.

Batting Average: .328     Home Runs: 101     RBI: 1,733     Hits: 3,420     Steals: 723

Leftfield: Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals (1941-1963)

Stan "The Man" Musial dominated in St. Louis for 22 seasons and edged out Ted Williams in the closest race for a position yet. Musial was an outstanding hitter with over 3,500 hits and came up just short of 500 home runs and 2,000 RBIs and the craziest thing is that he missed 1945 because he entered the US Navy. That could have been another MVP and World Series year for him and he definitely would have reached those two other milestones. The Cardinals won three World Series in his first four seasons and Musial has countless awards to his name including 20 All Star appearances and 3 MVPs.

Batting Average: .331     Home Runs: 475     RBI: 1.951     Hits: 3.630     Steals: 78

Centerfield: Willie Mays, New York/San Francisco Giants (1951-1973)

Mays is the definition of a five-tool player and for that reason, along with his eye-popping stats, give him the slight edge over other centerfield greats such as Cobb, Dimaggio and Mantle. He patrolled centerfield for 22 seasons and 21 of those came with the Giants. He played center in New York at the same time Mickey Mantle played for the Yankees and Duke Snider played for the Dodgers. Neither of them shined as bright as the Say Hey Kid. He is a member of the 3,000 hit club and the 600 home run club. He won Rookie of the Year, two MVPs, 12 Gold Gloves and was a 20-time All Star. He also won a World Series.

Batting Average: .302     Home Runs: 660     RBI: 1,903     Hits: 3,283     Steals: 338

Rightfield: Babe Ruth, New York Yankees (1914-1945)

When it comes down to just numbers, Hank Aaron may have the Babe beat but what Aaron doesn't have is the seven World Series rings that Ruth have or the legend the Babe owns. He is the Sultan of Swat, the Great Bambino. He is Babe Ruth--the most well known player ever in the game of baseball. He ranks third all time on the home run list behind Barry Bonds* and Aaron and was a lifetime .342 hitter. He has an MVP to his name and led the league in home runs 12 times. He also led the league in RBIs six times and was named to two All-Star teams.

Batting Average: .342     Home Runs: 714     RBI: 2,213     Hits: 2,873     Steals: 123

Pitching Ace: Walter Johnson, Washington Senators (1907-1927)

The game of baseball has changed since the eras of Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson and Cy Young and for that reason there may be a few of them left off the roster. It's unlikely they could pitch as successfully against today's hitters. However, the Big Train was said to have a fastball that could compete with today's pitchers when it comes to speed. He piled up 417 wins in his career, something that is unthinkable today. He struck out over 3500 hitters and led Washington to a World Series title in 1924. He was then inducted into the original class of the Hall of Fame in 1936. 

Win-Loss: 417-279     Strikeouts: 3,509     ERA: 2.17     Innings Pitched: 5914.1

Rest of the Pitching Rotation
Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers (1966-1993)
Win-Loss: 324-292     Strikeouts: 5,714     ERA: 3.19     Innings Pitched: 5,386

Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks (1988-2009)
Win-Loss: 303-166     Strikeouts: 4,875     ERA: 3.29     Innings Pitched: 4,135.1

Tom Seaver, New York Mets (1967-1986)
Win-Loss: 311-205     Strikeouts: 3,640     ERA: 2.86     Innings Pitched: 4,783

Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1959-1975)
Win-Loss: 271-174     Strikeouts: 3,117     ERA: 2.91     Innings Pitched: 3,884.1

Rest of Position Players
Catcher: Yogi Berra, New York Yankees (1946-1965)
Batting Average: .285     Home Runs: 358     RBI: 1,430     Hits: 2,150     Steals: 30

First Baseman: Jimmie Foxx, Boston Red Sox (1925-1945)
Batting Average: .325     Home Runs: 534     RBI: 1.922     Hits: 2,646     Steals: 87

Second Baseman: Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis Cardinals (1915-1937)
Batting Average: .358     Home Runs: 301     RBI: 1,584     Hits: 2,930     Steals: 195

Shortstop: Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs (1953-1971)
Batting Average: .274     Home Runs: 512     RBI: 1,636     Hits: 2,583     Steals: 50

Third Baseman: Eddie Mathews, Milwaukee Braves (1952-1968)
Batting Average: .271    Home Runs: 512     RBI: 1,453     Hits: 2,315     Steals: 68

Outfield: Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox (1939-1960)
Batting Average: .344     Home Runs: 521     RBI: 1,839     Hits: 2,654     Steals: 24

Outfield: Hank Aaron, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-1976)
Batting Average: .305     Home Runs: 755     RBI: 2,295     Hits: 3,771     Steals: 240

Outfield: Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers (1905-1928)
Batting Average: .366     Home Runs: 117     RBI: 1,938     Hits: 4,189     Steals: 897

Outfield: Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees (1936-1951)
Batting Average: .325     Home Runs: 361     RBI: 1,537     Hits: 2,214     Steals: 30

Relievers
Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Dennis Eckersley

As you can see, there are some significant snubs from the team. Mickey Mantle sticks out the most in my mind. Yet, that's the way it goes when there are only 25 players on the team. I would love to hear readers' own takes on this because there are so many great players that would make great combinations. There are also plenty of players in the game now that could easily work their way onto a roster like this. Let the debating begin...