1890
Twenty-three year old Cy Young (then known as "Dent" which was a shortened version of his first name) was pitching in the Tri-State League for a team from Canton, Ohio. The owner was so financially strapped, he traded the hurler to the Cleveland Spiders for $300 and a new suit. Young became baseball's all time wins leader and ended up having a prestigious award named after him.
1920
A young Lefty Grove was still learning the ropes for a Blue Ridge League team known as the Martinsburg Mountaineers. The team's stadium was in need of a new outfield fence since a storm had blown the old one down. Baltimore Orioles owner Jack Dunn offered to cover the cost in exchange for Grove. After dominating the International League, Grove ended up with the Philadelphia Athletics, winning a pair of triple crowns and seven consecutive strikeout titles.
1926
For a period of time, Frankie Frisch served as team captain of the New York Giants. He was among manager John McGraw's favorites. But McGraw was notoriously hard on his players and Frisch grew tired of being berated in front of teammates. He left the team for a little while and McGraw ended up trading him to the Cardinals in December of 1926 for Rogers Hornsby. Frisch spent eleven seasons with St. Louis--several as a player/manager. He guided the club to four World Series berths and wound up in the Hall of Fame. Hornsby hit .361 for the Giants in '27, but didn't stick around New York long enough to make a lasting impression. He signed with the Braves for the 1928 campaign, receiving a $4,500 salary increase.
1935
Braves owner Emil Fuchs offered an aging Babe Ruth a position as "Assistant Manager" and "Vice President" before the '35 slate. Fuchs's $25,000 salary offer was a substantial pay cut for the Babe, but the two worthless titles appealed to his vain and arrogant nature. Ruth played in just 28 games and hit .181. He quit the team in early-June.
1966
During his first ten seasons in Cincinnati, slugger Frank Robinson averaged 32 homers and 100 RBIs per year. Reds GM Bob Howsam made a vast miscalculation when he said that Robinson was "an old thirty" before the 1966 campaign. Traded to the Orioles, Robinson made Howsam regret that statement by capturing a triple crown. He was named MVP. Several more fruitful seasons would follow.
1971
Though he struggled with control issues, Nolan Ryan averaged roughly a strikeout per inning during his time with the New York Mets. When he posted a 10-14 record with a 3.97 ERA in 1971, the Mets gave up on him, trading him to the Angels for Jim Fregosi. Ryan collected more than 300 victories, tossed seven no-hitters and became baseball's all time strikeout leader.
1976
In the prime of his career, Reggie Jackson left Oakland for a significant pay raise. He led the league with a .502 slugging percentage in '76 with Baltimore. Enamored with the slugger's talents, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner personally wined and dined Jackson, ultimately convincing him to come to the Bronx. Just as Reggie had predicted, a candy bar was named after him. He became a World Series legend in New York. The Orioles were in contention throughout the decade and it will never be known what Jackson's prolonged presence might have done for them.
1979
Rod Carew had established himself as the American League's top hitter with seven batting titles to his credit before the '79 campaign. But the Twins were non-contenders and the Angels had money to throw around, quadrupling Carew's salary while additionally parting with four players. Carew made six consecutive All-Star appearances with California and compiled a .314 batting average over a seven-year span. The four players the Twins received have all been forgotten (deservedly so).
1981
By the end of the '81 season, Ozzie Smith was universally recognized as the National League's premier defensive shortstop. The Padres clearly missed the boat, sending him to St. Louis in a multi-player deal. The Padres did get Sixto Lezcano and Garry Templeton, but neither player made an impact significant enough to justify losing a future Hall of Famer who would end up setting the all time record for assists at his position. Smith helped St. Louis to three World Series appearances and won thirteen consecutive Gold Gloves.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The Greatest Latino Players of All Time (Part III--Outfielders)
RIGHT FIELD
Roberto Clemente
Long before he died in a plane crash while delivering humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, Clemente had already become a folk hero to legions of fans. Nicknamed "The Great One," he spent his entire eighteen-year career with the Prates, winning four batting titles, twelve Gold Gloves and an MVP Award. At the peak of his offensive prowess, pitchers worked carefully around him. In 1968, he was intentionally walked 27 times. The World Series was Clemente's finest hour. He played in two of them with the Bucs, compiling a .362 batting average in 14 games. The Hall of Fame waived the standard five-year waiting period and inducted him posthumously in 1973.
Sammy Sosa
Sosa's Hall of Fame candidacy was hurt tremendously when it was discovered that he had failed a PED screening. Even so, he was one of the most exciting players in Cubs history. Known for his enthusiasm, the Dominican-born slugger would sprint onto the field at the beginning of each game. He had prodigious power, gathering most of his lifetime homers between 1993 and 2004. He averaged 44 per season during that period. His epic home run race with Mark McGwire in '98 thrust him into the national spotlight. Though he lost the "race," he captured MVP honors with a league-leading 158 RBIs and 134 runs scored. Sosa currently ranks eighth on the all time home run list.
Tony Oliva
Though he played most of his career in the pitching dominant 1960s (sometimes referred to as baseball's "second deadball era"), the Cuban-bred Oliva compiled an impressive batch of statistics. Between1964 and 1971, he led the American League five times in hits and four times in doubles while capturing three batting crowns. He burst upon the scene with the Twins in '64, capturing Rookie of the Year honors. Seven straight All-Star selections followed. Oliva played in constant pain. He underwent surgery for torn ligaments in his right knee during the '66/'67 campaigns. In '71, he tore cartilage in the surgically repaired knee while diving for a ball in the outfield. He had a handful of good seasons after that. Oliva ended his fifteen-year career with a .304 lifetime batting average.
Vladimir Guerrero
Any argument against Guerrero inevitably focuses on his defense, which left a bit to be desired. He led players at his position in errors nine times. But he also had good range and a strong arm, leading the circuit twice in assists while finishing among the top five in Range Factor on nine occasions. Guerrero carried the terrifying nickname of "Vlad the Impaler" because he was a line drive hitter who could really powder the ball. Aside from an injury-shortened 2003 campaign, he drove-in no fewer than 100 runs every year from 1998-2007. He launched 32 or more homers eight times in that span. The highlight of his career came in 2004, when he was named American League MVP as a member of the Angels. Before then, he had been the heart and soul of the Expos offense for many seasons. The Dominican-born outfielder retired before his skills eroded. He was a lifetime .318 hitter.
Bobby Abreu
A native of Venezuela, Abreu received only moderate acclaim during his playing days. His career resume includes 574 doubles, 1363 RBIs and 400 stolen bases. He drove-in 90 or more runs nine times and was a 30/30 man twice. He also knew how to get on base, averaging one walk per every 7 plate appearances. His on-base percentage exceeded the .400 mark on eight occasions. He currently ranks 10th on the all time list in putouts and 22nd in assists. He accomplished all of this while remaining steroid-free (though he did admit to using creatine, which is legal and available over the counter at health food stores). Even with his impressive numbers, he was only named to a pair of All-Star teams. That doesn't seem fair somehow.
CENTER FIELD
Cristobal Torriente
Considered by many to be the greatest Cuban player in history, Torriente never got a chance to play in the majors due to the existing color barrier. From 1913-1927, he compiled the highest batting average in the history of the Cuban Winter League at .352. In 1920, Torriente's team beat the New York Giants in a nine-game exhibition. Torriente went on to a highly successful Negro League career, spending time with the Chicago American Giants and the Kansas City Monarchs. He hit at a combined .331 pace for those clubs. Enshrined at Cooperstown in 2006, Torriente is described on his plaque as being "a powerful, stocky center fielder who possessed all of the traditional five tools." Statistical guru Bill James ranked Torriente among the top 100 players of any generation.
Bernie Williams
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Williams was sometimes overlooked because he played alongside so many high profile stars in New York. Quiet, consistent and modest, Williams helped steer the Yankees to four World Series titles in a five-year span. He topped the .300 mark at the plate every year from 1995-2002. In the outfield, he had plenty of skill, winning four straight Gold Gloves. Using long, loping strides, he often made difficult plays look routine. His number will be retired by the Yankees this season.
Cesar Cedeno
Cedeno's roots can be traced to the Dominican Republic. He was often compared to Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente early in his career because he displayed a pleasing combination of speed and power. He was also an excellent defensive center fielder, winning a Gold Glove every year from 1972-'76. In that same stretch, he stole no fewer than 50 bases per season. He spent a majority of his career with the (mostly) woeful Astros squads of the 1970s. When the '80s arrived, his skills were in decline. By the time he retired at the age of thirty-five, he had become a somewhat ordinary player. But in his prime, there were few players who were as multi-dimensional.
LEFT FIELD
Minnie Minoso
When Minoso arrived in the majors, there were still some teams that were not integrated yet. His career numbers earned him moderate support from Cooperstown voters as he remained on the primary ballot for a full fifteen years. Originating from Cuba, Minoso came up through the Indians organization, but attained full time playing status with the White Sox. He responded by hitting .324 and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1951. Over the next decade, Minoso would appear on six All-Star teams and win three Gold Gloves. He was a patient hitter, finishing among the top ten in on-base percentage nine times. He also hit for average, retiring with a lifetime mark just slightly below .300. In an era when the stolen base had become somewhat unfashionable, he led the league in steals three times and finished second on three other occasions. Defensively, he was solid, regularly appearing among the league leaders in assists and double plays. In 1980, he came out of retirement to become the third oldest player to bat in a major league game.
Moises Alou
Alou carved a small niche in Chicago Cubs history in 2003. The Cubs were just a few outs away from their first World Series appearance in nearly sixty years when a fan named Steve Bartman interfered with a foul ball Alou was poised to catch. The Cubs ended up blowing the game and the NLCS. Alou later made a snide remark about the incident, which he said had been intended as a joke. The Cubs collapse had little to do with Alou as he hit.310 in that series. The son of accomplished outfielder and manager Felipe Alou, Moises was born in Atlanta but raised in Santo Domingo. During his seventeen years in the majors, he played for seven teams and lost two full seasons to injury. He retired with a lifetime .303 batting average. His best offensive season came in 2000, when he hit at a robust .355 clip with 60 extra-base hits and 114 RBIs for the Astros. He collected even more ribbies and extra-base hits in '98, but hit for a lower average. In all, he earned six All-Star selections. He played both corner outfield positions and posted the highest fielding percentage in the league at each.
Jose Cruz
A product of Puerto Rico, Cruz would likely have gotten more recognition had he played for better teams. He spent time with the Cardinals and Astros during the 1970s--dry periods for both clubs. Cruz's breakthrough season came in 1976, when he topped the .300 mark for the first time in his career as a full-timer. He got even better in later years, finishing among the top ten in MVP voting twice after reaching the age of thirty-five. Between 1983 and '85, he compiled a .310 batting average, leading the league in hits during the former campaign. Cruz most often occupied the fourth to sixth slot in the batting order. He cumulatively hit .319 with the bases loaded during his career. Defensively, he was highly competent, leading NL left fielders in putouts for five straight seasons. Two of Cruz's brothers played in the majors. His son, Jose, had a moderately successful big league career, collecting more than 200 homers in twelve seasons.
Roberto Clemente
Long before he died in a plane crash while delivering humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, Clemente had already become a folk hero to legions of fans. Nicknamed "The Great One," he spent his entire eighteen-year career with the Prates, winning four batting titles, twelve Gold Gloves and an MVP Award. At the peak of his offensive prowess, pitchers worked carefully around him. In 1968, he was intentionally walked 27 times. The World Series was Clemente's finest hour. He played in two of them with the Bucs, compiling a .362 batting average in 14 games. The Hall of Fame waived the standard five-year waiting period and inducted him posthumously in 1973.
Sammy Sosa
Sosa's Hall of Fame candidacy was hurt tremendously when it was discovered that he had failed a PED screening. Even so, he was one of the most exciting players in Cubs history. Known for his enthusiasm, the Dominican-born slugger would sprint onto the field at the beginning of each game. He had prodigious power, gathering most of his lifetime homers between 1993 and 2004. He averaged 44 per season during that period. His epic home run race with Mark McGwire in '98 thrust him into the national spotlight. Though he lost the "race," he captured MVP honors with a league-leading 158 RBIs and 134 runs scored. Sosa currently ranks eighth on the all time home run list.
Tony Oliva
Though he played most of his career in the pitching dominant 1960s (sometimes referred to as baseball's "second deadball era"), the Cuban-bred Oliva compiled an impressive batch of statistics. Between1964 and 1971, he led the American League five times in hits and four times in doubles while capturing three batting crowns. He burst upon the scene with the Twins in '64, capturing Rookie of the Year honors. Seven straight All-Star selections followed. Oliva played in constant pain. He underwent surgery for torn ligaments in his right knee during the '66/'67 campaigns. In '71, he tore cartilage in the surgically repaired knee while diving for a ball in the outfield. He had a handful of good seasons after that. Oliva ended his fifteen-year career with a .304 lifetime batting average.
Vladimir Guerrero
Any argument against Guerrero inevitably focuses on his defense, which left a bit to be desired. He led players at his position in errors nine times. But he also had good range and a strong arm, leading the circuit twice in assists while finishing among the top five in Range Factor on nine occasions. Guerrero carried the terrifying nickname of "Vlad the Impaler" because he was a line drive hitter who could really powder the ball. Aside from an injury-shortened 2003 campaign, he drove-in no fewer than 100 runs every year from 1998-2007. He launched 32 or more homers eight times in that span. The highlight of his career came in 2004, when he was named American League MVP as a member of the Angels. Before then, he had been the heart and soul of the Expos offense for many seasons. The Dominican-born outfielder retired before his skills eroded. He was a lifetime .318 hitter.
Bobby Abreu
A native of Venezuela, Abreu received only moderate acclaim during his playing days. His career resume includes 574 doubles, 1363 RBIs and 400 stolen bases. He drove-in 90 or more runs nine times and was a 30/30 man twice. He also knew how to get on base, averaging one walk per every 7 plate appearances. His on-base percentage exceeded the .400 mark on eight occasions. He currently ranks 10th on the all time list in putouts and 22nd in assists. He accomplished all of this while remaining steroid-free (though he did admit to using creatine, which is legal and available over the counter at health food stores). Even with his impressive numbers, he was only named to a pair of All-Star teams. That doesn't seem fair somehow.
CENTER FIELD
Cristobal Torriente
Considered by many to be the greatest Cuban player in history, Torriente never got a chance to play in the majors due to the existing color barrier. From 1913-1927, he compiled the highest batting average in the history of the Cuban Winter League at .352. In 1920, Torriente's team beat the New York Giants in a nine-game exhibition. Torriente went on to a highly successful Negro League career, spending time with the Chicago American Giants and the Kansas City Monarchs. He hit at a combined .331 pace for those clubs. Enshrined at Cooperstown in 2006, Torriente is described on his plaque as being "a powerful, stocky center fielder who possessed all of the traditional five tools." Statistical guru Bill James ranked Torriente among the top 100 players of any generation.
Bernie Williams
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Williams was sometimes overlooked because he played alongside so many high profile stars in New York. Quiet, consistent and modest, Williams helped steer the Yankees to four World Series titles in a five-year span. He topped the .300 mark at the plate every year from 1995-2002. In the outfield, he had plenty of skill, winning four straight Gold Gloves. Using long, loping strides, he often made difficult plays look routine. His number will be retired by the Yankees this season.
Cesar Cedeno
Cedeno's roots can be traced to the Dominican Republic. He was often compared to Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente early in his career because he displayed a pleasing combination of speed and power. He was also an excellent defensive center fielder, winning a Gold Glove every year from 1972-'76. In that same stretch, he stole no fewer than 50 bases per season. He spent a majority of his career with the (mostly) woeful Astros squads of the 1970s. When the '80s arrived, his skills were in decline. By the time he retired at the age of thirty-five, he had become a somewhat ordinary player. But in his prime, there were few players who were as multi-dimensional.
LEFT FIELD
Minnie Minoso
When Minoso arrived in the majors, there were still some teams that were not integrated yet. His career numbers earned him moderate support from Cooperstown voters as he remained on the primary ballot for a full fifteen years. Originating from Cuba, Minoso came up through the Indians organization, but attained full time playing status with the White Sox. He responded by hitting .324 and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1951. Over the next decade, Minoso would appear on six All-Star teams and win three Gold Gloves. He was a patient hitter, finishing among the top ten in on-base percentage nine times. He also hit for average, retiring with a lifetime mark just slightly below .300. In an era when the stolen base had become somewhat unfashionable, he led the league in steals three times and finished second on three other occasions. Defensively, he was solid, regularly appearing among the league leaders in assists and double plays. In 1980, he came out of retirement to become the third oldest player to bat in a major league game.
Moises Alou
Alou carved a small niche in Chicago Cubs history in 2003. The Cubs were just a few outs away from their first World Series appearance in nearly sixty years when a fan named Steve Bartman interfered with a foul ball Alou was poised to catch. The Cubs ended up blowing the game and the NLCS. Alou later made a snide remark about the incident, which he said had been intended as a joke. The Cubs collapse had little to do with Alou as he hit.310 in that series. The son of accomplished outfielder and manager Felipe Alou, Moises was born in Atlanta but raised in Santo Domingo. During his seventeen years in the majors, he played for seven teams and lost two full seasons to injury. He retired with a lifetime .303 batting average. His best offensive season came in 2000, when he hit at a robust .355 clip with 60 extra-base hits and 114 RBIs for the Astros. He collected even more ribbies and extra-base hits in '98, but hit for a lower average. In all, he earned six All-Star selections. He played both corner outfield positions and posted the highest fielding percentage in the league at each.
Jose Cruz
A product of Puerto Rico, Cruz would likely have gotten more recognition had he played for better teams. He spent time with the Cardinals and Astros during the 1970s--dry periods for both clubs. Cruz's breakthrough season came in 1976, when he topped the .300 mark for the first time in his career as a full-timer. He got even better in later years, finishing among the top ten in MVP voting twice after reaching the age of thirty-five. Between 1983 and '85, he compiled a .310 batting average, leading the league in hits during the former campaign. Cruz most often occupied the fourth to sixth slot in the batting order. He cumulatively hit .319 with the bases loaded during his career. Defensively, he was highly competent, leading NL left fielders in putouts for five straight seasons. Two of Cruz's brothers played in the majors. His son, Jose, had a moderately successful big league career, collecting more than 200 homers in twelve seasons.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
The Greatest Latino Players of All Time (Part II--Pitchers and Catchers)
CATCHERS
Ivan Rodriguez
Some would argue that Rodriguez, a native of Manati, Puerto Rico was the greatest defensive catcher in major league history. He won thirteen Gold Gloves and is currently the all time leader in putouts and games played at his position. He also appeared on fourteen All-Star teams. After spending more than a decade with the Rangers, he traveled extensively. He guided three different clubs to playoff berths and played in two World Series. He captured AL MVP honors in 1999. Eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, he has the credentials and was never fingered as a PED user. But Jose Canseco claims that he personally injected Rodriguez with steroids. Nobody believed Canseco all those years ago--until many of his accusations turned out to be true.
Javy Lopez
During the Braves' era of NL dominance from the mid-1990s through the early-2000s, Lopez was Atlanta's primary receiver. He hit .287 and generated 260 homers over portions of fifteen seasons. Hailing from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Lopez drove-in more than a hundred runs twice. He was MVP of the 1996 NLCS. Defensively, he was solid, leading the league in range factor three times and fielding percentage once. Sabermetric scores compare him favorably to Roy Campanella and Thurman Munson.
Tony Pena
Of Dominican origin, Pena had an eighteen-year career spent with six different teams. He had his longest stretch with the Pirates from 1980-'85. Pena had moderate power, finishing in double digits for homers six times. Four of the squads he played on made playoff appearances and Pena helped those clubs considerably, compiling a lifetime .338 postseason batting average. In all, he made five All-Star appearance and captured four Gold Gloves.
Sandy Alomar Jr.
Hailing from Salina, Puerto Rico, Alomar was born into a family that produced three notable major leaguers. His father was an infielder for the Yankees and his brother was a Hall of Fame second baseman for multiple clubs. Alomar Jr. held his own for twenty big league campaigns. In his rookie season (1990), he was named Rookie of the Year and became the first freshman catcher to start in an All-Star Game. He also won his only Gold Glove that year. Alomar appeared on six All-Star rosters and two World Series squads. In the Fall Classic, he was a .311 hitter.
Manny Sanguillen
Signed by the Pirates in 1964, the Cuban-born Sanguillen spent twelve of his thirteen big league seasons in Pittsburgh. It was a bountiful period for the club as Sanguillen won two World Series rings. He was a torrid hitter in World Series play, fashioning a .375 average in ten games. Sanguillen was a strong defensive presence, finishing among the top five in assists, double plays and runners caught stealing five times apiece between 1970 and 1976. Most often appearing sixth in the batting order, he topped the .300 mark at the plate in four campaigns. As a pinch hitter, he reached base 52 times by hit or walk while compiling a .288 batting average. Sanguillen was involved in an unusual trade before the 1977 campaign, getting shipped to Oakland in exchange for manager Chuck Tanner. He returned the following year and eventually retired a Pirate.
PITCHERS
Juan Marichal
A product of the Dominican Republic, Marichal dominated the National League with the Giants from 1962-1971. In that span, he compiled a 202-98 record. He led the league in wins, complete games and shutouts twice apiece, capturing an ERA title in '69. He likely would have captured at least one Cy Young Award had his career not coincided with Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson. Marichal, who was a nine-time All-Star, has been negatively associated with an ugly brawl that took place in a game against the Dodgers. Marichal clubbed catcher John Roseboro over the head with a bat. The two later became friends.
Pedro Martinez
A recent addition to the Hall of Fame, the Dominican born Martinez was among the premier right-handers in the majors for a span of thirteen seasons. His lifetime won/loss percentage is among the top ten totals of all time. From 1997-2003, he captured three Cy Young Awards. His finest season came in 1999, when he won a triple crown. He was 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts that year. Before he retired, Martinez had earned eight All-Star selections and finished among the top ten in Cy Young voting seven times.
Dolf Luque
Luque played in an era of segregation. Because he was light-skinned, he slipped right through the color barrier in 1914, signing with the Boston Braves. He spent portions of twenty seasons in the majors, accruing a total of 194 lifetime wins--among the top marks for a Cuban-born hurler. Nicknamed "The Pride of Havana," Luque had a volcanic temper. He once charged into the opposing dugout, punched Casey Stengel in the mouth and threatened Giants' players with a bat. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1923, when he posted a 27-8 record and led the AL with 6 shutouts. His ERA was an economical 1.93 that year. He paced the circuit in shutouts three times during his career.
Mike Cuellar
Another Cuban moundsman, southpaw Mike Cuellar was an irreplaceable member of the dominant Orioles squads of the late-'60s/ early-'70s. Cuellar never threw terribly hard, prompting one observer to remark that his swiftest offering could be caught bare-handed. His most productive span occurred between 1969 and 1974. In that stretch, he posted a 125-63 record and led the AL in winning percentage twice. He captured a Cy Young Award in 1969--sharing the honor with Denny McLain. Cuellar had superb control, averaging just one hit batsman per 234 innings.
Mariano Rivera
Few would disagree that Rivera was the greatest closer of all time. Born in Panama, he began his major league career as a swingman for the Yankees. He became their full time closer in 1997, shattering the all time record for saves with 652. He averaged 8.2 strikeouts per 9 innings during his nineteen-year career. In addition to his regular season record, Rivera has more saves than any pitcher in postseason history as well. In twenty-four World series games, he yielded just 4 runs. He saved no fewer than 30 games on fifteen occasions using only two pitches--a standard fastball and a cut fastball. He held opponents to a collective .207 regular season batting average as a reliever.
Luis Tiant
The Cuban-bred Tiant had a colorful, engaging personality and was almost always good for a quote. Tiant won more games than any Cuban-born pitcher in the majors during the twentieth century. More than half of his 229 lifetime victories came with the Red Sox between 1971 and 1978. In that span, he appeared on three All-Star teams and finished among the top ten in Cy Young voting three times. Tiant was known for his elaborate wind-up, which included an elaborate series of glove waggles and a pirouette delivery that had him turning his back to hitters. He used a wide variety of junk pitches, including an occasional knuckleball and spitball.
Johan Santana
Santana was born and raised in Venezuela. He came up through the Astros farm system in the late-'90s, ascending rapidly to the majors. Using a fastball, curve and change-up combination, the left-hander had a breakout season with the Twins in 2003, posting a 12-3 record while often working out of the bullpen. Over the next seven seasons, he was one of the hottest properties in baseball, winning three ERA titles and a pair of Cy Young Awards. Between 2004 and 2010, he averaged 16 wins per year. He led the league in strikeouts for three consecutive seasons. Slowed by arm trouble in 2009, his career became a question of what might have been. He missed the entire 2011 campaign and was ineffective in his return the following year. He retired with 139 lifetime victories.
Ivan Rodriguez
Some would argue that Rodriguez, a native of Manati, Puerto Rico was the greatest defensive catcher in major league history. He won thirteen Gold Gloves and is currently the all time leader in putouts and games played at his position. He also appeared on fourteen All-Star teams. After spending more than a decade with the Rangers, he traveled extensively. He guided three different clubs to playoff berths and played in two World Series. He captured AL MVP honors in 1999. Eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, he has the credentials and was never fingered as a PED user. But Jose Canseco claims that he personally injected Rodriguez with steroids. Nobody believed Canseco all those years ago--until many of his accusations turned out to be true.
Javy Lopez
During the Braves' era of NL dominance from the mid-1990s through the early-2000s, Lopez was Atlanta's primary receiver. He hit .287 and generated 260 homers over portions of fifteen seasons. Hailing from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Lopez drove-in more than a hundred runs twice. He was MVP of the 1996 NLCS. Defensively, he was solid, leading the league in range factor three times and fielding percentage once. Sabermetric scores compare him favorably to Roy Campanella and Thurman Munson.
Tony Pena
Of Dominican origin, Pena had an eighteen-year career spent with six different teams. He had his longest stretch with the Pirates from 1980-'85. Pena had moderate power, finishing in double digits for homers six times. Four of the squads he played on made playoff appearances and Pena helped those clubs considerably, compiling a lifetime .338 postseason batting average. In all, he made five All-Star appearance and captured four Gold Gloves.
Sandy Alomar Jr.
Hailing from Salina, Puerto Rico, Alomar was born into a family that produced three notable major leaguers. His father was an infielder for the Yankees and his brother was a Hall of Fame second baseman for multiple clubs. Alomar Jr. held his own for twenty big league campaigns. In his rookie season (1990), he was named Rookie of the Year and became the first freshman catcher to start in an All-Star Game. He also won his only Gold Glove that year. Alomar appeared on six All-Star rosters and two World Series squads. In the Fall Classic, he was a .311 hitter.
Manny Sanguillen
Signed by the Pirates in 1964, the Cuban-born Sanguillen spent twelve of his thirteen big league seasons in Pittsburgh. It was a bountiful period for the club as Sanguillen won two World Series rings. He was a torrid hitter in World Series play, fashioning a .375 average in ten games. Sanguillen was a strong defensive presence, finishing among the top five in assists, double plays and runners caught stealing five times apiece between 1970 and 1976. Most often appearing sixth in the batting order, he topped the .300 mark at the plate in four campaigns. As a pinch hitter, he reached base 52 times by hit or walk while compiling a .288 batting average. Sanguillen was involved in an unusual trade before the 1977 campaign, getting shipped to Oakland in exchange for manager Chuck Tanner. He returned the following year and eventually retired a Pirate.
PITCHERS
Juan Marichal
A product of the Dominican Republic, Marichal dominated the National League with the Giants from 1962-1971. In that span, he compiled a 202-98 record. He led the league in wins, complete games and shutouts twice apiece, capturing an ERA title in '69. He likely would have captured at least one Cy Young Award had his career not coincided with Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson. Marichal, who was a nine-time All-Star, has been negatively associated with an ugly brawl that took place in a game against the Dodgers. Marichal clubbed catcher John Roseboro over the head with a bat. The two later became friends.
Pedro Martinez
A recent addition to the Hall of Fame, the Dominican born Martinez was among the premier right-handers in the majors for a span of thirteen seasons. His lifetime won/loss percentage is among the top ten totals of all time. From 1997-2003, he captured three Cy Young Awards. His finest season came in 1999, when he won a triple crown. He was 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts that year. Before he retired, Martinez had earned eight All-Star selections and finished among the top ten in Cy Young voting seven times.
Dolf Luque
Luque played in an era of segregation. Because he was light-skinned, he slipped right through the color barrier in 1914, signing with the Boston Braves. He spent portions of twenty seasons in the majors, accruing a total of 194 lifetime wins--among the top marks for a Cuban-born hurler. Nicknamed "The Pride of Havana," Luque had a volcanic temper. He once charged into the opposing dugout, punched Casey Stengel in the mouth and threatened Giants' players with a bat. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1923, when he posted a 27-8 record and led the AL with 6 shutouts. His ERA was an economical 1.93 that year. He paced the circuit in shutouts three times during his career.
Mike Cuellar
Another Cuban moundsman, southpaw Mike Cuellar was an irreplaceable member of the dominant Orioles squads of the late-'60s/ early-'70s. Cuellar never threw terribly hard, prompting one observer to remark that his swiftest offering could be caught bare-handed. His most productive span occurred between 1969 and 1974. In that stretch, he posted a 125-63 record and led the AL in winning percentage twice. He captured a Cy Young Award in 1969--sharing the honor with Denny McLain. Cuellar had superb control, averaging just one hit batsman per 234 innings.
Mariano Rivera
Few would disagree that Rivera was the greatest closer of all time. Born in Panama, he began his major league career as a swingman for the Yankees. He became their full time closer in 1997, shattering the all time record for saves with 652. He averaged 8.2 strikeouts per 9 innings during his nineteen-year career. In addition to his regular season record, Rivera has more saves than any pitcher in postseason history as well. In twenty-four World series games, he yielded just 4 runs. He saved no fewer than 30 games on fifteen occasions using only two pitches--a standard fastball and a cut fastball. He held opponents to a collective .207 regular season batting average as a reliever.
Luis Tiant
The Cuban-bred Tiant had a colorful, engaging personality and was almost always good for a quote. Tiant won more games than any Cuban-born pitcher in the majors during the twentieth century. More than half of his 229 lifetime victories came with the Red Sox between 1971 and 1978. In that span, he appeared on three All-Star teams and finished among the top ten in Cy Young voting three times. Tiant was known for his elaborate wind-up, which included an elaborate series of glove waggles and a pirouette delivery that had him turning his back to hitters. He used a wide variety of junk pitches, including an occasional knuckleball and spitball.
Johan Santana
Santana was born and raised in Venezuela. He came up through the Astros farm system in the late-'90s, ascending rapidly to the majors. Using a fastball, curve and change-up combination, the left-hander had a breakout season with the Twins in 2003, posting a 12-3 record while often working out of the bullpen. Over the next seven seasons, he was one of the hottest properties in baseball, winning three ERA titles and a pair of Cy Young Awards. Between 2004 and 2010, he averaged 16 wins per year. He led the league in strikeouts for three consecutive seasons. Slowed by arm trouble in 2009, his career became a question of what might have been. He missed the entire 2011 campaign and was ineffective in his return the following year. He retired with 139 lifetime victories.
Friday, May 1, 2015
The Greatest Latino Players of All Time (Part I Infielders)
In 2013, Latino players held more than twenty-eight percent of all major league contracts--a number that has steadily increased over time. The spread of baseball to Latin America was directly related to the economic interests of the United States. The game was exported to Cuba in the 1860s and to Mexico during the railroad expansion era of the 1880s. The petroleum boom of the 1920s brought the game to Venezuela. Due to a ban on black players, only light-skinned Latinos were allowed in the majors during the first half of the twentieth century. From 1871 to 1950, less than sixty Latin Americans found spots on major league rosters. The breaking of the color barrier in 1947 dramatically altered the face of the sport not only for African Americans but for Latinos as well. In my next few posts, I'll be ranking the top Latin players of all time (RETIRED PLAYERS ONLY).
Let's begin with infielders!
FIRST BASE
Tony Perez
Born in Camaguey, Cuba, Perez made his major league debut in 1964. Over the next two decades, he established himself as one of the top players at his position. He drove-in 90 or more runs in eleven consecutive seasons from 1967 through 1977. Reds manager Sparky Anderson once commented that there was no other player he would rather have at the plate with the game on the line. Perez was a vital cog in Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." He played on four pennant-winning Reds squads and later appeared in a fifth World Series with the Phillies. In all, he made seven All-Star appearances while finishing among the top ten in MVP voting four times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Orlando Cepeda
Cepeda hailed from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Originally property of the Giants, he captured Rookie of the Year honors in 1958. He enjoyed several successful seasons in San Francisco--most notably the 1961 campaign, when he led the NL with 46 homers and 142 RBIs. He finished second in MVP voting to Frank Robinson that year. He finally captured the award in 1967 while playing for the Cardinals. Cepeda was carefree and easy going. He earned the nickname "Cha Cha" for the Latin music he played in the clubhouse before games. Interestingly, he had decent speed for a slugger, finishing among the top ten in steals on four occasions. Cepeda was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999. At the time, he was just the sixth Hispanic player to be enshrined. He might have arrived in Cooperstown sooner had he not been convicted for importing marijuana in 1975.
Rafael Palmeiro
A product of La Habana, Cuba, Palmeiro was extremely versatile, winning three Gold Gloves while becoming only the fourth player to gather more than 500 homers and 3,000 hits. A reliable RBI man, he reached the century mark in that category ten times. He would probably be in the Hall of Fame had he not falsely testified before Congress regarding steroid use. Palmeiro denied using steroids then tested positive in 2005. As a result, he has yet to capture more than 12.6% of the Cooperstown vote.
SECOND BASE
Rod Carew
Though Carew played in more games as a first baseman, he actually began his career at second base and served more seasons in that capacity. After capturing Rookie of the year honors in 1967, the Panamanian native established himself as one of the most productive hitters in the game. Over the course of his career, he captured seven batting titles and was named to eighteen All-Star teams. He garnered AL MVP honors in 1977. He was enshrined at Cooperstown in 1991.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar was among the most decorated second basemen in history with ten Gold Gloves to his credit. He was adept with a bat as well, capturing four Silver Slugger Awards and finishing among the top ten in MVP voting on five occasions. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, he later took up residence in Tampa, Florida. He helped three different teams to multiple playoff appearances. He won two World Series rings with the Blue Jays. Though he was vilified for an unpleasant run-in with an umpire, he made amends and salvaged his reputation. He ended up in the Hall of Fame class of 2011.
Manny Trillo
Trillo was an exceptional defensive second baseman for several teams, capturing three Gold Gloves and earning four All-Star selections. Born in Venezuela, he spent a majority of his career with the Cubs. He led NL second basemen in assists for four straight years. He had wide range and a throwing style that has been described as "whip-like." A competent offensive presence, he hit .270 or better seven times, peaking at .292 in 1980--the same year he helped the Phillies to their first world championship.
SHORTSTOP
Luis Aparicio
Born in Venezuela, Aparicio demonstrated a pleasing combination of speed and defense. Appearing most often as a leadoff hitter, he topped the American League in steals for nine straight seasons. A ten-time All-Star, there were few players with surer hands and a stronger arm. He currently ranks among the top ten of all time in putouts and assists. He was rewarded for his defensive excellence with nine Gold Gloves. His induction to Cooperstown took place in 1984.
Dave Concepcion
Another Venezuelan, Concepcion was a two-way player for Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." Between 1973 and 1982, he hit .280 or better seven times while collecting five Gold Gloves. Devoutly religious, he is remembered for making the sign of the cross before each at-bat. Though he is not in the Hall of FAme, similarity scores compare him favorably to inductees Pee Wee Reese and Aparicio.
Tony Fernandez
A product of the Dominican Republic, Fernandez spent time with seven different clubs during a highly successful major league career. He received a Gold Glove every year from 1986-'89. A switch-hitter, Fernandez used his ample speed to gather 30 or more doubles on six occasions. He finished in double digits for triples three times, leading the league in 1990 while playing for the Blue Jays. Through 2007, he held the franchise record for hits. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bert Camapneris
Campaneris was among the most versatile players ever. He demonstrated this early in his career by appearing at every position in a game during one of owner Charlie Finley's wild promotional stunts. It has been argued by many that Campaneris was the greatest A's shortstop of all time. Hailing from Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba, he arrived on the scene in 1964. Over the next eight seasons, he would lead the league in steals six times. He helped the A's to three straight World Series victories from '72-'74. He appeared on six All-Star teams in all.
THIRD BASE
(Most of the best Latino third basemen are still active, but there are at least two historical players worth mentioning)
Vinny Castilla
A Mexican import, Castilla spent portions of nine seasons in Colorado and benefited tremendously from hitter-friendly Coors Field. Nearly seventy percent of his lifetime homers and RBIs came as a member of the Rockies. His most productive span occurred between 1995 and 1999, when he hit .302 while averaging 38 homers and 112 RBIs per year. He led the league with 131 ribbies in 2004. Defensively, he fielded his position several points above the league average.
Aurelio Rodriguez
Also from Mexico, Rodriguez wore seven different major league uniforms during his seventeen-year career. He enjoyed his longest stretch with the Tigers from 1971-'79. Though he never hit for high averages, he had moderate power, finishing in double digits for homers five times. He was far stronger on defense, leading AL third basemen in fielding percentage, assists, double plays and range factor twice apiece. Shut out by Brooks Robinson of the Orioles year after year, Rodriguez finally captured a Gold Glove in 1976.
Let's begin with infielders!
FIRST BASE
Tony Perez
Born in Camaguey, Cuba, Perez made his major league debut in 1964. Over the next two decades, he established himself as one of the top players at his position. He drove-in 90 or more runs in eleven consecutive seasons from 1967 through 1977. Reds manager Sparky Anderson once commented that there was no other player he would rather have at the plate with the game on the line. Perez was a vital cog in Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." He played on four pennant-winning Reds squads and later appeared in a fifth World Series with the Phillies. In all, he made seven All-Star appearances while finishing among the top ten in MVP voting four times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Orlando Cepeda
Cepeda hailed from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Originally property of the Giants, he captured Rookie of the Year honors in 1958. He enjoyed several successful seasons in San Francisco--most notably the 1961 campaign, when he led the NL with 46 homers and 142 RBIs. He finished second in MVP voting to Frank Robinson that year. He finally captured the award in 1967 while playing for the Cardinals. Cepeda was carefree and easy going. He earned the nickname "Cha Cha" for the Latin music he played in the clubhouse before games. Interestingly, he had decent speed for a slugger, finishing among the top ten in steals on four occasions. Cepeda was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999. At the time, he was just the sixth Hispanic player to be enshrined. He might have arrived in Cooperstown sooner had he not been convicted for importing marijuana in 1975.
Rafael Palmeiro
A product of La Habana, Cuba, Palmeiro was extremely versatile, winning three Gold Gloves while becoming only the fourth player to gather more than 500 homers and 3,000 hits. A reliable RBI man, he reached the century mark in that category ten times. He would probably be in the Hall of Fame had he not falsely testified before Congress regarding steroid use. Palmeiro denied using steroids then tested positive in 2005. As a result, he has yet to capture more than 12.6% of the Cooperstown vote.
SECOND BASE
Rod Carew
Though Carew played in more games as a first baseman, he actually began his career at second base and served more seasons in that capacity. After capturing Rookie of the year honors in 1967, the Panamanian native established himself as one of the most productive hitters in the game. Over the course of his career, he captured seven batting titles and was named to eighteen All-Star teams. He garnered AL MVP honors in 1977. He was enshrined at Cooperstown in 1991.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar was among the most decorated second basemen in history with ten Gold Gloves to his credit. He was adept with a bat as well, capturing four Silver Slugger Awards and finishing among the top ten in MVP voting on five occasions. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, he later took up residence in Tampa, Florida. He helped three different teams to multiple playoff appearances. He won two World Series rings with the Blue Jays. Though he was vilified for an unpleasant run-in with an umpire, he made amends and salvaged his reputation. He ended up in the Hall of Fame class of 2011.
Manny Trillo
Trillo was an exceptional defensive second baseman for several teams, capturing three Gold Gloves and earning four All-Star selections. Born in Venezuela, he spent a majority of his career with the Cubs. He led NL second basemen in assists for four straight years. He had wide range and a throwing style that has been described as "whip-like." A competent offensive presence, he hit .270 or better seven times, peaking at .292 in 1980--the same year he helped the Phillies to their first world championship.
SHORTSTOP
Luis Aparicio
Born in Venezuela, Aparicio demonstrated a pleasing combination of speed and defense. Appearing most often as a leadoff hitter, he topped the American League in steals for nine straight seasons. A ten-time All-Star, there were few players with surer hands and a stronger arm. He currently ranks among the top ten of all time in putouts and assists. He was rewarded for his defensive excellence with nine Gold Gloves. His induction to Cooperstown took place in 1984.
Dave Concepcion
Another Venezuelan, Concepcion was a two-way player for Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine." Between 1973 and 1982, he hit .280 or better seven times while collecting five Gold Gloves. Devoutly religious, he is remembered for making the sign of the cross before each at-bat. Though he is not in the Hall of FAme, similarity scores compare him favorably to inductees Pee Wee Reese and Aparicio.
Tony Fernandez
A product of the Dominican Republic, Fernandez spent time with seven different clubs during a highly successful major league career. He received a Gold Glove every year from 1986-'89. A switch-hitter, Fernandez used his ample speed to gather 30 or more doubles on six occasions. He finished in double digits for triples three times, leading the league in 1990 while playing for the Blue Jays. Through 2007, he held the franchise record for hits. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bert Camapneris
Campaneris was among the most versatile players ever. He demonstrated this early in his career by appearing at every position in a game during one of owner Charlie Finley's wild promotional stunts. It has been argued by many that Campaneris was the greatest A's shortstop of all time. Hailing from Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba, he arrived on the scene in 1964. Over the next eight seasons, he would lead the league in steals six times. He helped the A's to three straight World Series victories from '72-'74. He appeared on six All-Star teams in all.
THIRD BASE
(Most of the best Latino third basemen are still active, but there are at least two historical players worth mentioning)
Vinny Castilla
A Mexican import, Castilla spent portions of nine seasons in Colorado and benefited tremendously from hitter-friendly Coors Field. Nearly seventy percent of his lifetime homers and RBIs came as a member of the Rockies. His most productive span occurred between 1995 and 1999, when he hit .302 while averaging 38 homers and 112 RBIs per year. He led the league with 131 ribbies in 2004. Defensively, he fielded his position several points above the league average.
Aurelio Rodriguez
Also from Mexico, Rodriguez wore seven different major league uniforms during his seventeen-year career. He enjoyed his longest stretch with the Tigers from 1971-'79. Though he never hit for high averages, he had moderate power, finishing in double digits for homers five times. He was far stronger on defense, leading AL third basemen in fielding percentage, assists, double plays and range factor twice apiece. Shut out by Brooks Robinson of the Orioles year after year, Rodriguez finally captured a Gold Glove in 1976.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The Curse of the Mets (Part II)
...More high profile players who didn't pan out for the Mets:
Rickey Henderson
The Mets thought they were onto something when they signed baseball's all time stolen base king before the 1999 campaign. The forty year-old speedster hit .315 in 121 games and finished among the top ten in steals. But his follow-up season was atrocious. He ended up being released in May of 2000 after hitting .219 in 31 games while looking sloppy in the outfield. The Mets went to the World Series without him that year.
Mo Vaughn
The defensively challenged Vaughn was one of the American League's most feared sluggers when he was with the Red Sox. Between 1993 and 2000, he reached the 100 RBI mark six times. In 1995, he captured MVP honors. Injured in 2001, the Mets offered him a blockbuster deal. He led the league with 18 errors and hit just .259 with 26 homers in '02. He was off to a .190 start the following year when an injury forced him out of action for good.
Jeremy Burnitz
The Mets spent more than $7 million on Burnitz in 2002 and had every reason to believe it was a good investment. Over the previous five seasons, he had established himself as one of Milwaukee's top run producers. But the lefty-swinging outfielder struggled at the plate, hitting .215 with 54 RBIs in 154 games. He bounced back the following year--just in time for the Mets to ship him off to LA. in exchange for three players. His batting average plummeted to .239 by season's end.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar was coming off his twelfth consecutive All-Star selection when the Mets added him to their roster in 2002. Though he wasn't an outright bust, he proved he was on the downside of his career by remaining conspicuously absent from NL leaderboards. He hit 70 points lower than the previous year while generating his leanest extra-base hit totals since an injury-plagued '97 season. He would never play on an All-Star team or add another Gold Glove to his sizable collection ever again.
Tom Glavine
It wasn't entirely Glavine's fault that he compiled a losing record during his first three seasons in New York. The Mets were a mediocre club and he got little run support at times. The left-handed control specialist was thirty-seven years old and on a quest for 300 wins when the Mets offered him the largest annual salary of his career in 2003. It cost the team more than $32 million to watch Glavine compile a 33-41 record with a cumulative 3.85 ERA from '03-'05. They hung onto him anyway, squeezing two more seasons out of him before sending him back to Atlanta for a curtain call. He reached the coveted 300-win mark with New York in 2007 though his earned run average was a decidedly un-Glavine-like 4.45 that year.
Kazuo Matsui
Matsui was a major star in Japan and several teams made bids for his services before he joined the Mets in 2004. His career got off to a roaring start when he homered in his first at-bat. After that, the highlights were sparse. He was injured during most of his tenure in New York, playing in just 271games over a three-year span. The Mets finally got rid of him in June of 2006.
Pedro Martinez
Things were looking up for the Mets when Martinez posted a 15-8 record with a 2.82 ERA in his 2005 New York debut. Then the injuries set in. From 2006-'08, the Hall of Fame right-hander started just 48 games and compiled a 4.73 earned run average. The Mets granted him free agency in October of 2008.
Shawn Green
It has been argued that Green was the most talented Jewish player since Sandy Koufax. At the time of his retirement, he was one of four active players with 300 homers, 1,000 RBIs and 400 doubles. Among Jewish players, only Hank Greenberg ended up with more homers and RBIs. Unfortunately for the Mets, they acquired Green at the tail end of his career. He joined the club in August of 2006 and hit .313 in the playoffs. The following year, he fouled a pitch off his foot and fractured a bone. It was slow to heal and his offense suffered. He retired before the start of the 2008 campaign.
Frankie Rodriguez
Nicknamed "K-Rod," Rodriguez led the AL in saves three times between 2005 and 2008. In '08, he set a single season record with 62 saves, inspiring the Mets to shell out a truckload of cash to sign him. In his New York debut, he was 1-5 in save situations with a bloated 5.40 ERA. He shared closing responsibilities with several other pitchers the following year. In 2011, he was traded after getting off to a slow start.
Johan Santana
From 2004-2007, Santana was among the most dominant pitchers in the American League, capturing two Cy Young Awards while finishing among the top ten in voting every year. In '08, he signed a seven-year contract extension with the Mets that made him the highest paid pitcher in history. He had a great first season in New York, compiling a 16-7 record with a 2.53 ERA. After that, injuries began to take their toll. He was out for long stretches in 2009 and 2010. The following year, he ended up being shelved for the entire season with shoulder issues. The Mets hoped for a return to form in 2012, but Santana finished at 6-9 with an ERA of 4.85. It was his last season in the majors.
Jason Bay
Originally property of the Pirates, Bay captured Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 then proceeded to drive-in more than 100 runs in four of the next five seasons. The Mets picked him up in 2010, hoping he could expand upon the monster offensive season he had with the Red Sox the previous year. Sidelined with injuries, he did nothing of the sort. During his three-year tenure in New York, he missed a total of 198 games while accruing a feeble .234 batting average. He was released in November of 2012.
Curtis Granderson
Granderson led the league in triples for two consecutive seasons while playing for the Tigers. After joining the Yankees in 2010, he began swinging for the fences. Though he clubbed 40 homers in back-to-back campaigns in the Bronx, the strikeouts began piling up at an alarming rate. Injured through most of the 2013 slate, the Mets signed him to a four-year deal worth $60 million. That investment has yet to pay off. In 2014, Granderson hit .227 with 66 RBIs in 155 games. At the beginning of 2015, he managed just 1 hit in his first 7 games.
Rickey Henderson
The Mets thought they were onto something when they signed baseball's all time stolen base king before the 1999 campaign. The forty year-old speedster hit .315 in 121 games and finished among the top ten in steals. But his follow-up season was atrocious. He ended up being released in May of 2000 after hitting .219 in 31 games while looking sloppy in the outfield. The Mets went to the World Series without him that year.
Mo Vaughn
The defensively challenged Vaughn was one of the American League's most feared sluggers when he was with the Red Sox. Between 1993 and 2000, he reached the 100 RBI mark six times. In 1995, he captured MVP honors. Injured in 2001, the Mets offered him a blockbuster deal. He led the league with 18 errors and hit just .259 with 26 homers in '02. He was off to a .190 start the following year when an injury forced him out of action for good.
Jeremy Burnitz
The Mets spent more than $7 million on Burnitz in 2002 and had every reason to believe it was a good investment. Over the previous five seasons, he had established himself as one of Milwaukee's top run producers. But the lefty-swinging outfielder struggled at the plate, hitting .215 with 54 RBIs in 154 games. He bounced back the following year--just in time for the Mets to ship him off to LA. in exchange for three players. His batting average plummeted to .239 by season's end.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar was coming off his twelfth consecutive All-Star selection when the Mets added him to their roster in 2002. Though he wasn't an outright bust, he proved he was on the downside of his career by remaining conspicuously absent from NL leaderboards. He hit 70 points lower than the previous year while generating his leanest extra-base hit totals since an injury-plagued '97 season. He would never play on an All-Star team or add another Gold Glove to his sizable collection ever again.
Tom Glavine
It wasn't entirely Glavine's fault that he compiled a losing record during his first three seasons in New York. The Mets were a mediocre club and he got little run support at times. The left-handed control specialist was thirty-seven years old and on a quest for 300 wins when the Mets offered him the largest annual salary of his career in 2003. It cost the team more than $32 million to watch Glavine compile a 33-41 record with a cumulative 3.85 ERA from '03-'05. They hung onto him anyway, squeezing two more seasons out of him before sending him back to Atlanta for a curtain call. He reached the coveted 300-win mark with New York in 2007 though his earned run average was a decidedly un-Glavine-like 4.45 that year.
Kazuo Matsui
Matsui was a major star in Japan and several teams made bids for his services before he joined the Mets in 2004. His career got off to a roaring start when he homered in his first at-bat. After that, the highlights were sparse. He was injured during most of his tenure in New York, playing in just 271games over a three-year span. The Mets finally got rid of him in June of 2006.
Pedro Martinez
Things were looking up for the Mets when Martinez posted a 15-8 record with a 2.82 ERA in his 2005 New York debut. Then the injuries set in. From 2006-'08, the Hall of Fame right-hander started just 48 games and compiled a 4.73 earned run average. The Mets granted him free agency in October of 2008.
Shawn Green
It has been argued that Green was the most talented Jewish player since Sandy Koufax. At the time of his retirement, he was one of four active players with 300 homers, 1,000 RBIs and 400 doubles. Among Jewish players, only Hank Greenberg ended up with more homers and RBIs. Unfortunately for the Mets, they acquired Green at the tail end of his career. He joined the club in August of 2006 and hit .313 in the playoffs. The following year, he fouled a pitch off his foot and fractured a bone. It was slow to heal and his offense suffered. He retired before the start of the 2008 campaign.
Frankie Rodriguez
Nicknamed "K-Rod," Rodriguez led the AL in saves three times between 2005 and 2008. In '08, he set a single season record with 62 saves, inspiring the Mets to shell out a truckload of cash to sign him. In his New York debut, he was 1-5 in save situations with a bloated 5.40 ERA. He shared closing responsibilities with several other pitchers the following year. In 2011, he was traded after getting off to a slow start.
Johan Santana
From 2004-2007, Santana was among the most dominant pitchers in the American League, capturing two Cy Young Awards while finishing among the top ten in voting every year. In '08, he signed a seven-year contract extension with the Mets that made him the highest paid pitcher in history. He had a great first season in New York, compiling a 16-7 record with a 2.53 ERA. After that, injuries began to take their toll. He was out for long stretches in 2009 and 2010. The following year, he ended up being shelved for the entire season with shoulder issues. The Mets hoped for a return to form in 2012, but Santana finished at 6-9 with an ERA of 4.85. It was his last season in the majors.
Jason Bay
Originally property of the Pirates, Bay captured Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 then proceeded to drive-in more than 100 runs in four of the next five seasons. The Mets picked him up in 2010, hoping he could expand upon the monster offensive season he had with the Red Sox the previous year. Sidelined with injuries, he did nothing of the sort. During his three-year tenure in New York, he missed a total of 198 games while accruing a feeble .234 batting average. He was released in November of 2012.
Curtis Granderson
Granderson led the league in triples for two consecutive seasons while playing for the Tigers. After joining the Yankees in 2010, he began swinging for the fences. Though he clubbed 40 homers in back-to-back campaigns in the Bronx, the strikeouts began piling up at an alarming rate. Injured through most of the 2013 slate, the Mets signed him to a four-year deal worth $60 million. That investment has yet to pay off. In 2014, Granderson hit .227 with 66 RBIs in 155 games. At the beginning of 2015, he managed just 1 hit in his first 7 games.
Monday, April 13, 2015
The Curse of the Mets (Part I)
Since 1969, the Mets have fared better than many of their NL rivals, winning two World Series and making a total of seven playoff appearances. Despite their moderate success, the team has been plagued by an ongoing series of questionable front office moves. The Mets have a knack for shelling out significant sums of money on big name players only to have them fail to meet expectations. The following examples provide a compelling case study.
Gil Hodges
Having played on seven pennant-winning Dodger squads, the Mets knew that Hodges was a sentimental favorite in New York and were hoping to draw some fans when they picked him up in the expansion draft. Hodges--an eight-time All-Star--was thirty-eight years old and nursing a bad knee when he came to the Big Apple. Highlights were few. Over portions of two seasons, he hit .248 with 9 homers and 20 RBIs. In May of '63, he was traded. He would later return as a manager and lead the club to an improbable Series victory in '69.
Clem Labine
Labine was another key member of the celebrated Dodger squads of the 1950s/ early-'60s. In '55, when Brooklyn finally knocked off the powerful Yankees in the World Series, Labine led the NL with 60 appearances and posted a 13-5 record along with 11 saves. Acquired for the Mets inaugural campaign, he was coming off of a successful season with the Pirates in which he had drawn 55 relief assignments. The Mets had little choice but to dump him after he ran up a preposterous 11.25 ERA.
Duke Snider
Among the most productive Dodger hitters of the 1950s, Snider's numbers were in decline when the Mets purchased his contract in '63. He still commanded a sizable salary and was hardly worth the investment. He played in 129 games (his highest total since '57), hitting .243 with just 14 homers. The Mets shipped him off to San Francisco in 1964.
Yogi Berra and Warren Spahn
Before the 1965 slate, the Mets signed two of the game's most recognizable stars. Both were in their forties and the Mets probably knew what they were getting. Still, it cost them over $100,000 (a significant figure in those days) to have Spahn compile a 4-12 record while Berra hit .222 as a player/coach. The two aging veterans had an opportunity to work together one day, prompting Spahn to comment comically: "I don't know if we're the oldest battery, but we sure are the ugliest."
Ken Boyer
Between 1955 and '65, Boyer was among the top third basemen in the majors. He reached the pinnacle of his career with the Cardinals in '64 when he led the league in RBIs and captured MVP honors. Two years later, he signed with the Mets. It was the beginning of the end. Plagued by back trouble, his numbers dropped off sharply. He was hitting just .235 in July of '67 when the Mets dealt him to the White Sox
Joe Torre
Known more for the years he spent managing the Yankees, Torre had a highly successful playing career. A lifetime .297 hitter and nine-time All-Star, he led the NL with 230 hits, 137 RBIs and a .363 batting average in 1971. The Mets were expecting more from him when he joined the club in 1975. Over portions of three seasons in New York, he hit .267 while averaging just 4 homers and 25 RBIs per year. He eventually became manager, leading the Mets to five straight sub-.500 finishes.
George Foster
Foster was an irreplaceable part of Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine," winning three consecutive RBI crowns from '76-'78. He was still cleaning off the bags regularly for the Reds when the Mets offered him a contract that made him the the highest paid player in the majors during the '82 campaign. The Mets were a light-hitting team and, without protection in the middle of the order, Foster's batting averages plummeted. Though he did crack 28 homers and drive-in 90 runs during the '83 slate, he never really lived up to the hype. His batting average stood at .227 when the Mets shipped him to Chicago in 1986.
Vince Coleman
Nicknamed "Vincent Van Go," Coleman led the NL in stolen bases every year from 1985-1990. In an infamously bad decision, the Mets signed him to a blockbuster contract in 1991. Injured constantly, he became a malcontent, sparring verbally with managers and coaches. In 1993, he threw a lit firework into a crowd of fans waiting for autographs, injuring several people. He was suspended and eventually released.
Bret Saberhagen
The Mets were taking a major risk when they acquired Saberhagen before the '92 slate. The right-hander had won a pair of Cy Young Awards with the Royals in '85 and '89, but an arm injury in '90 had limited him to 20 starts. He bounced back in '91, prompting the Mets to meet his substantial salary demands. The fragile moundsman suffered through two injury plagued seasons in New York before posting a 14-4 record and 2.74 ERA in '94. Off to a mediocre start the following year, the Mets finally gave up on him.
Gil Hodges
Having played on seven pennant-winning Dodger squads, the Mets knew that Hodges was a sentimental favorite in New York and were hoping to draw some fans when they picked him up in the expansion draft. Hodges--an eight-time All-Star--was thirty-eight years old and nursing a bad knee when he came to the Big Apple. Highlights were few. Over portions of two seasons, he hit .248 with 9 homers and 20 RBIs. In May of '63, he was traded. He would later return as a manager and lead the club to an improbable Series victory in '69.
Clem Labine
Labine was another key member of the celebrated Dodger squads of the 1950s/ early-'60s. In '55, when Brooklyn finally knocked off the powerful Yankees in the World Series, Labine led the NL with 60 appearances and posted a 13-5 record along with 11 saves. Acquired for the Mets inaugural campaign, he was coming off of a successful season with the Pirates in which he had drawn 55 relief assignments. The Mets had little choice but to dump him after he ran up a preposterous 11.25 ERA.
Duke Snider
Among the most productive Dodger hitters of the 1950s, Snider's numbers were in decline when the Mets purchased his contract in '63. He still commanded a sizable salary and was hardly worth the investment. He played in 129 games (his highest total since '57), hitting .243 with just 14 homers. The Mets shipped him off to San Francisco in 1964.
Yogi Berra and Warren Spahn
Before the 1965 slate, the Mets signed two of the game's most recognizable stars. Both were in their forties and the Mets probably knew what they were getting. Still, it cost them over $100,000 (a significant figure in those days) to have Spahn compile a 4-12 record while Berra hit .222 as a player/coach. The two aging veterans had an opportunity to work together one day, prompting Spahn to comment comically: "I don't know if we're the oldest battery, but we sure are the ugliest."
Ken Boyer
Between 1955 and '65, Boyer was among the top third basemen in the majors. He reached the pinnacle of his career with the Cardinals in '64 when he led the league in RBIs and captured MVP honors. Two years later, he signed with the Mets. It was the beginning of the end. Plagued by back trouble, his numbers dropped off sharply. He was hitting just .235 in July of '67 when the Mets dealt him to the White Sox
Joe Torre
Known more for the years he spent managing the Yankees, Torre had a highly successful playing career. A lifetime .297 hitter and nine-time All-Star, he led the NL with 230 hits, 137 RBIs and a .363 batting average in 1971. The Mets were expecting more from him when he joined the club in 1975. Over portions of three seasons in New York, he hit .267 while averaging just 4 homers and 25 RBIs per year. He eventually became manager, leading the Mets to five straight sub-.500 finishes.
George Foster
Foster was an irreplaceable part of Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine," winning three consecutive RBI crowns from '76-'78. He was still cleaning off the bags regularly for the Reds when the Mets offered him a contract that made him the the highest paid player in the majors during the '82 campaign. The Mets were a light-hitting team and, without protection in the middle of the order, Foster's batting averages plummeted. Though he did crack 28 homers and drive-in 90 runs during the '83 slate, he never really lived up to the hype. His batting average stood at .227 when the Mets shipped him to Chicago in 1986.
Vince Coleman
Nicknamed "Vincent Van Go," Coleman led the NL in stolen bases every year from 1985-1990. In an infamously bad decision, the Mets signed him to a blockbuster contract in 1991. Injured constantly, he became a malcontent, sparring verbally with managers and coaches. In 1993, he threw a lit firework into a crowd of fans waiting for autographs, injuring several people. He was suspended and eventually released.
Bret Saberhagen
The Mets were taking a major risk when they acquired Saberhagen before the '92 slate. The right-hander had won a pair of Cy Young Awards with the Royals in '85 and '89, but an arm injury in '90 had limited him to 20 starts. He bounced back in '91, prompting the Mets to meet his substantial salary demands. The fragile moundsman suffered through two injury plagued seasons in New York before posting a 14-4 record and 2.74 ERA in '94. Off to a mediocre start the following year, the Mets finally gave up on him.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Superstars Traded By The Expos
Established in 1969, the Expos remained in Montreal until 2004, when their dwindling fan base necessitated a move to Washington. In more than three decades of play, the club managed just one postseason appearance. This is difficult to believe considering the number of exceptional players who passed through that region of Quebec over the years. As a small market team, the Expos had a knack for being unable to meet the salary demands of their brightest stars. Consequently, they kept the rest of the majors well-stocked with marquis players. Below is a sampling of the superstars who were let go by the Expos.
RUSTY STAUB
Originally property of the Astros, Staub was acquired before the Expos inaugural campaign. He had three productive seasons in Montreal, averaging 60 extra-base hits and 90 RBIs per year. In '72, the Expos decided to test the market. They ended up getting three players for Staub in a trade with the Mets. Staub had several fruitful seasons elsewhere, retiring with more than 2,700 hits and 1,400 runs batted in.
KEN SINGLETON
A first round draft pick in 1967, Singleton came up through the Mets organization. After two mediocre seasons, he was traded to Montreal. He began to blossom with the Expos, driving in 103 runs in '73 while leading the National League with a .425 on-base percentage. Dealt to Baltimore before the '75 campaign, Singleton became one of Baltimore's most reliable RBI-men. Between '77 and '80, he hit .305 and averaged 99 ribbies per season. He finished second in MVP voting during the '79 slate, guiding the Orioles to a World Series appearance. He gathered 16 hits in 11 postseason games that year.
GARY CARTER
Carter was drafted by the Expos in '72. He spent eleven seasons with the club, earning seven All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger Awards. When the Expos failed to meet his salary demands before the '85 campaign, he defected to the Mets. He ended up with a World Series ring and a plaque in the gallery at Cooperstown.
ANDRE DAWSON
Rookie of the Year in 1977, Dawson followed with nine successful seasons in Montreal. Cut loose before the '87 campaign, he made the Expos regret it, capturing MVP honors with the Cubs. By the time he retired in '96, he had eight Gold Gloves and eight All-Star selections to his credit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame (as an Expo) in 2010.
TIM RAINES
Raines was among the greatest Expo players of all time. During his eleven full seasons in Montreal, he led the league in stolen bases four times and earned seven straight All-Star selections. In 1986, he captured a batting title. The Expos rewarded him by granting him free agency at seasons' end. He had several productive campaigns outside of Quebec, spending the second half of his twenty-two year career with five different clubs. He won a pair of World Series rings with the Yankees.
ANDRES GALARRAGA
Signed by the Expos in '79, Galarraga spent portions of seven seasons in Montreal. He led the league in multiple offensive categories and won a pair of Gold Gloves at first base. After a mediocre year in '91, the Expos dumped him. It was a mistake as Galarraga won a batting crown with Colorado in '93 then followed with two straight RBI titles. He drove in more than 100 runs in five straight seasons before age finally caught up with him.
RANDY JOHNSON
The Expos missed the boat altogether on Randy Johnson. He started just ten games for Montreal before embarking on a Hall of Fame career that included nine strikeout titles and five Cy Young Awards. He currently ranks second to Nolan Ryan on the all time strikeout list.
LARRY WALKER
The Canadian-born Walker is currently the all time leader among fellow countrymen in hits, doubles, homers and RBIs (among other categories). He accomplished a great deal of this outside of Montreal. The Expos let him go before the '95 campaign. His best years were yet to come as he captured MVP honors with Colorado in '97 and won three batting titles in a four-year span. Five of his seven Gold Gloves were earned after he parted ways with the Expos.
PEDRO MARTINEZ
Originally property of the Dodgers, the Expos scooped up Martinez before the '94 campaign. They gave his Hall of Fame career a jump start when they rescued him from the bullpen. In Martinez's best season with Montreal, he won 17 games and captured a Cy Young Award. Unable to afford him anymore, the Expos offered him up to the highest bidder. Martinez enjoyed his peak seasons in Boston, posting a 117-37 record over a seven-year span while winning four ERA titles and a pair of Cy Young Awards. In '99, he captured a triple crown.
RUSTY STAUB
Originally property of the Astros, Staub was acquired before the Expos inaugural campaign. He had three productive seasons in Montreal, averaging 60 extra-base hits and 90 RBIs per year. In '72, the Expos decided to test the market. They ended up getting three players for Staub in a trade with the Mets. Staub had several fruitful seasons elsewhere, retiring with more than 2,700 hits and 1,400 runs batted in.
KEN SINGLETON
A first round draft pick in 1967, Singleton came up through the Mets organization. After two mediocre seasons, he was traded to Montreal. He began to blossom with the Expos, driving in 103 runs in '73 while leading the National League with a .425 on-base percentage. Dealt to Baltimore before the '75 campaign, Singleton became one of Baltimore's most reliable RBI-men. Between '77 and '80, he hit .305 and averaged 99 ribbies per season. He finished second in MVP voting during the '79 slate, guiding the Orioles to a World Series appearance. He gathered 16 hits in 11 postseason games that year.
GARY CARTER
Carter was drafted by the Expos in '72. He spent eleven seasons with the club, earning seven All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger Awards. When the Expos failed to meet his salary demands before the '85 campaign, he defected to the Mets. He ended up with a World Series ring and a plaque in the gallery at Cooperstown.
ANDRE DAWSON
Rookie of the Year in 1977, Dawson followed with nine successful seasons in Montreal. Cut loose before the '87 campaign, he made the Expos regret it, capturing MVP honors with the Cubs. By the time he retired in '96, he had eight Gold Gloves and eight All-Star selections to his credit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame (as an Expo) in 2010.
TIM RAINES
Raines was among the greatest Expo players of all time. During his eleven full seasons in Montreal, he led the league in stolen bases four times and earned seven straight All-Star selections. In 1986, he captured a batting title. The Expos rewarded him by granting him free agency at seasons' end. He had several productive campaigns outside of Quebec, spending the second half of his twenty-two year career with five different clubs. He won a pair of World Series rings with the Yankees.
ANDRES GALARRAGA
Signed by the Expos in '79, Galarraga spent portions of seven seasons in Montreal. He led the league in multiple offensive categories and won a pair of Gold Gloves at first base. After a mediocre year in '91, the Expos dumped him. It was a mistake as Galarraga won a batting crown with Colorado in '93 then followed with two straight RBI titles. He drove in more than 100 runs in five straight seasons before age finally caught up with him.
RANDY JOHNSON
The Expos missed the boat altogether on Randy Johnson. He started just ten games for Montreal before embarking on a Hall of Fame career that included nine strikeout titles and five Cy Young Awards. He currently ranks second to Nolan Ryan on the all time strikeout list.
LARRY WALKER
The Canadian-born Walker is currently the all time leader among fellow countrymen in hits, doubles, homers and RBIs (among other categories). He accomplished a great deal of this outside of Montreal. The Expos let him go before the '95 campaign. His best years were yet to come as he captured MVP honors with Colorado in '97 and won three batting titles in a four-year span. Five of his seven Gold Gloves were earned after he parted ways with the Expos.
PEDRO MARTINEZ
Originally property of the Dodgers, the Expos scooped up Martinez before the '94 campaign. They gave his Hall of Fame career a jump start when they rescued him from the bullpen. In Martinez's best season with Montreal, he won 17 games and captured a Cy Young Award. Unable to afford him anymore, the Expos offered him up to the highest bidder. Martinez enjoyed his peak seasons in Boston, posting a 117-37 record over a seven-year span while winning four ERA titles and a pair of Cy Young Awards. In '99, he captured a triple crown.
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