March 2009
Is Schilling’s Career Worthy of the Hall of Fame?
When Curt Schilling took the mound for Game 2 of the 2007 World Series and pitched the Red Sox to victory, it was hardly apparent that it would be the last game of his career. However, after not pitching at all in 2008, Schilling announced on Monday that he would be retiring.
Schilling wrote in his blog, 38pitches, that his decision to retire came with “zero regrets.” And why should he have any? Schilling has an opportunity that is rare for athletes in any sport, and that is to go out on top. The story plays itself out all too often in professional sports: a former star in his forties will bounce around from team to team in a cycle of being released, then picked up by a team taking a chance on his name, hoping to maybe catch lightning in a bottle, inevitably sitting on the bench behind a kid who was only four years old when he started his career, not knowing when to let go. There couldn’t be a better story line scripted than to walk away after reaching the pinnacle of achievement in baseball.
During Schilling’s 19-year-career, he amassed 216 wins and 3,116 strikeouts with a 3.46 ERA while playing for the Orioles, Astros, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox. The statistics indicate that of a brilliant career; the question is whether or not it is good enough for the Hall of Fame. The accomplishment which is widely believed to make a pitcher a lock for the Hall of Fame is 300 wins. Schilling is 84 wins shy of that achievement, though of course not every Hall of Fame pitcher reached that number either. While 300 wins may be the benchmark for pitchers, the definition of a Hall of Famer at any position is generally defined as a player who was dominant at their position throughout the duration of their career. For most of Schilling’s career, he was regarded as one of the top pitchers in the game. His 3,116 strikeouts are the 15th most of all-time.
Of the 14 other strikeout leaders, 9 of them are enshrined in the Hall of Fame (Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Gaylord Perry, Walter Johnson, Phil Niekro, Ferguson Jenkins, and Bob Gibson), and three of them have yet to retire from Major League Baseball (Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez). The remaining two men on the list of all-time strikeout leaders are: Greg Maddux, an undisputed future first-ballot Hall of Famer; and the other is Bert Blyleven, who with 287 wins and 3,701 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.37, has continuously been snubbed by Hall of Fame voters since gaining eligibility in 1998. During discussion of how worthy Schilling’s career may or may not be of the Hall of Fame on ESPN, Blyleven pointed out that his stats were better in every category, so if Schilling deserves to be in the Hall, so does he.
The X-factor with Schilling over perhaps a player like Blyleven might just be his performance in the postseason. Schilling was one of the best postseason performers the game has ever seen; his record of 11-2 in the playoffs is the best in Major League Baseball. Of course, his “Bloody Sock” heroics in the 2004 World Series will remain forever in Red Sox lore. Before Schilling played for the Red Sox, the team famously had not won a World Series championship in 86 years; with Schilling, they won 2 in 4 seasons. Coincidence?
When teams brought Schilling into the fold, they did not talk of Cy Youngs or record-breaking strikeout seasons (though he did pitch 300-plus strikeouts 3 times in his creer). These teams made it clear they had brought him into their organization for one reason, and one reason only: to win a championship. That is what matters most to executives, players and fans alike; it is considered to be the greatest achievement in baseball. Schilling helped 2 teams reach this all-important goal 3 times. Some writers waver on whether or not to include postseason dominance when making their voting decisions, but Schilling’s playoff success is impossible to ignore.
The topic of Schilling’s worthiness of entrance into the Hall of Fame will likely be debated until 2013, when he is eligible to be voted in. In my opinion, Schilling was a player who truly gave each of his starts everything he had; when injuries prevented him from performing to the best of his ability, he got by on determination, toughness, and knowledge of the game. Opposing teams still feared him, especially in the postseason, knowing how strong those intangibles were where Schilling was concerned. After the “Bloody Sock” procedure of the 2004 World Series, his health was never the same, but it was a sacrifice he made willingly, carrying the weight of Red Sox Nation on his shoulders to bring the franchise an elusive World Series championship.
He even pitched in relief the following season, an established starter embracing a bullpen role. No one would have blamed him if he simply wanted to rehab his ankle to the point where he could start again, but he sought to help the team in any way he could. When he came to Boston, he embraced the culture of the city and of the fan base, appearing in Dunkin Donuts commercials practicing his Boston accent. When he was in, he was all in. Despite what others may think of his well-documented outspokenness and controversial comments in the media, he respected the game and played it the right way. Though his stats may be borderline, his heart is certainly Hall of Fame material.
The World Baseball Classic: Legitimate Do-Or-Die, or Publicity Stunt?
Since the tradition began in 2006, every four years during the Spring Training months, baseball participates in a series of glorified exhibition games elite competition between several countries known as the World Baseball Classic. Athletes who hail from each nation are invited to represent their country on a global stage. In principle, it is a great idea: top athletes competing with the absolute highest level of motivation and pride that comes with wearing the name and colors of their respective countries. But in reality, the competition consists of a handful of superstars competing for a prize that most players would consider to be of lesser worth than a World Series championship or even a league pennant.
First, the issue of “top athletes.” The games begin during the early stages of Spring Training, thus when the players are in possibly the worst game shape that they will be in all season long. They aren’t physically ready for the grind of an 162-game season. Hitters haven’t faced consistent big-league quality pitching, and the pitchers’ arms are not ready to deliver the highest quality of pitches they possess on a regular basis. That’s why Spring Training exists in the first place -so the players can get ready to play their very best when the season starts. And there is a reason it begins in February and ends in late March, or even early April in this year’s case -getting ready to be in top form for the season takes months of preparation. Suffice to say that no player who is a regular in Major League Baseball or any Minor League affiliate is anywhere close to their absolute best form when the World Baseball Classic begins.
With the timing of the event, it is difficult for legit stars and fans alike to take it seriously, knowing that the participants, no matter how elite, are not playing at the standard that has come to be expected of them. Thus many of baseball’s biggest stars have consistently turned down the invitation to play in the World Baseball Classic. In doing so, a lot of them said that their main focus is the Major League team that they play for, and getting ready to play the full season with that team. Essentially, these players haven’t bought into the hype. And why should they?
When thinking of the best American-born pitchers currently pitching in Major League Baseball, names like CC Sabathia, Josh Beckett, Tim Lincecum, Cliff Lee, Jake Peavy, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Brandon Webb, Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren might come to mind. Out of that Cy Young-caliber list, only Peavy and Oswalt are representing Team USA on the 2009 pitching staff.
For a closer, how about Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, Brad Lidge or Bobby Jenks? Instead, Team USA has J.J. Putz closing games for them; the same J.J. Putz who will not be closing games for the New York Mets this upcoming season in favor of K-Rod. Among the 2008 league leaders in every important statistical hitting category, only seven of these players can be found on a World Baseball Classic roster: Justin Morneau, Canada; Miguel Cabera, Venezuela; David Wright, Kevin Youkilis, Adam Dunn, Dustin Pedroia, and Chipper Jones, USA.
Of these position players, both Pedroia and Jones withdrew from the roster because of minor injuries. Both players indicated that if it were the regular season, they would still be playing. But since it was only the World Baseball Classic, they went back to the Spring Training camps of their respective teams. So is top talent truly competing against top talent? That’s debatable at least.
Since USA’s elimination, there has been talk that the game invented in America is no longer “America’s game.” Then why is it that the top talent of every other baseball-playing nation continues to defect to the Major Leagues in growing numbers? Team Japan beat Team USA, with Red Sox star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka throwing to Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima. Both were superstars in their own right in Japan with every conceivable motivation to remain with their Japanese league teams, though they longed to compete against the highest level of talent in America.
The Dominican Republic was no doubt loaded with Major League stars: David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Pedro Martinez. However, their stardom was achieved by playing in the American Major Leagues; being drafted, signed, and developed by American teams. Of course, each of these players possess rare, raw talent. Nonetheless, it was developed and exposed in America. The same can be said for the stars of Team Venezuela (names like Carols Zambrano, Felix Hernandez and Miguel Cabrera might come to mind) and Team Canada (Jason Bay and Justin Morneau are consistently fantasy favorites). If baseball is no longer “America’s game,” then why do the best players of each talent-rich nation dream of playing baseball in the U.
S.?
S.?
Of course great athletes exist everywhere, and with the proper exposure, any of these athletes can become baseball players. However, most international players with such talent come to America to hone these skills within the U.S. baseball system; if already established professionally, these players are coming in increasing numbers to the U.S. to reach the highest level of achievement. So any country can have a great athlete, but the U.S. seems to develop the majority of star baseball players of any nationality.
Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, said he expects the World Baseball Classic to grow substantially in the coming years. He calls out general managers of the Major League teams on putting the interest of their individual teams before that of the game. How can he expect them to act any different? The competition is flawed. And there appears to be no real way to correct the biggest flaws, which is that the timing does not allow for the players to be in their best possible game form, and the players themselves don’t seem to take it as seriously as Selig may hope. It would be nonsensical to interrupt the regular season and the chemistry of the teams in the Major Leagues and abroad alike in favor of the competition; when the regular season is over, the players are far too exhausted. So Selig’s perspective is understandable -that baseball should get on board with it, because this is the best the Classic can do. But it isn’t good enough.
Do the Red Sox Really Believe Kottaras is the Catcher of the Future -And Should We?
Today, the Red Sox announced that they have cut catcher Josh Bard. He had been hitting .429 with one home run and 16 RBIs while learning the art of exclusively catching Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball. Presumably the move was made to make room for George Kottaras to be the backup catcher.
When the Sox signed Bard, captain Jason Varitek was still a free-agent and dialogue between the two sides had not yet resulted in a new contract. They seemed to be far apart enough in regards to number of years and dollar amount that Red Sox Nation and baseball fans in general were wondering if the two sides would ever reach an agreement. There was talk of making a trade for a catcher, namely Jarrod Saltalamacchia of the Texas Rangers, who as a prospect had been compared by scouts to Varitek. However, nothing came to fruition. Thus had the Sox not been able to reach an agreement with Varitek, they would have been prepared to go into the 2009 season with Bard as their starting catcher, and Kottaras as their backup.
So Bard is good enough to be the starting catcher for this team, but not the backup? The Sox are going to entrust the very difficult task of catching Wakefield’s knuckleball to a player with a total of three games of Major League experience, as opposed to a veteran who has been Wakefield’s personal catcher before? The move was certainly made because Kottaras is out of Minor League options. But does the team really view him as the catcher of the future? He is almost 26 years old -most legitimate Major Leaguers prove by 24, 25 at the latest, that they can not only play in the Major Leagues, but stick. He has not proven that, and odds are that if he is legit, he already would have at this current juncture. At the Triple-A level, he has been unable to hit over .250 since being traded to the Red Sox. After Varitek retires, are they really thinking they’re going to give him the starting job? It would make more sense if it was Saltalamacchia, who is two years younger and a proven hitter at the Major League level.
The Sox didn’t make a trade for Saltalamacchia because they would have had to give up a high-end pitching prospect. However, isn’t that what depth is for? Not only to have it on a Major League roster, but to be in the best position to make a trade that will enhance said roster? The team has Lester locked up for the next five years, Beckett likely until the end of 2010 with a club option that should come into play, and Dice-K until 2012. So they have depth at the Major and Minor League levels -enough to part with a prospect that could bring them their true catcher of the future in return.
Perhaps Kottaras will emerge as that catcher. However, it seems foolish to take a gamble, rather than try out someone with extensive Major League experience.
The Oakland A’s: A Clash Atop the AL West Standings?
Most sound baseball minds predict that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a lock to win their fifth AL West title of the decade this season, though if there is one team within the division that can go toe-to-toe with them all year and possibly overtake them, it has to be the Oakland A’s. They have flown under the radar with their offseason moves, but that’s how GM Billy Beane likes to operate. With injuries all but guaranteeing the team out of contention by July since their last playoff appearance in 2006, the 2009 A’s are built for season-long success.
When trade rumors swirled around Matt Holliday, then with the Rockies, at the conclusion of the 2008 season, there was little doubt he would be traded. There was speculation that mentioned the Cardinals or the Rays, but the baseball world was surprised when Oakland was where he ended up. It shouldn’t have been -true baseball fans should know to expect the unexpected from Beane. This was typical brilliance from Beane because even if the A’s are out of contention by the trading deadline, he will be able to get a king’s ransom for Holliday from a playoff team -certainly far more than what he gave up to acquire him.
The A’s have also added Jason Giambi, still a power threat at 38, and Orlando Cabrera, who seems to win everywhere he goes. His infectious personality seems to loosen up the clubhouses that he is a part of, and his teammates always appear to enjoy playing with him as a teammate and a person. Nomar Garciaparra, their most recent addition, adds to the mix a steady veteran presence who still provides a bit of pop. He’ll be able to fill in more than adequately at any infield position.
Travis Buck has shown every sign of improvement over Spring Training, and Ryan Sweeney is already a proven solid young outfielder; the two of them and Holliday should form an outfield that most Major League teams would love to have. Kurt Suzuki seems to improve behind the plate each year, and the pitching staff seems to feel comfortable throwing to him. Mark Ellis continues to be one of the most underrated second basemen in the league, providing consistent production at the plate and defensively year in and year out. Daric Barton is still young with plenty of upside, so it wouldn’t be astonishing to see him put it together this year. And Jack Cust is nothing if not a power threat.
Of course, the real strength of successful A’s teams has been in their pitching. Justin Duchscherer, one of the Majors’ most pleasant surprises last year, will again anchor the rotation. However, during the seasons that the A’s have been one of the league’s most surprisingly elite teams is when their young, inexperienced pitching emerges from under the radar to achieve Major League success.
Four A’s pitching prospects were listed on Baseball America’s 100 Top Prospects list this year, including left-handers Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez at numbers 7 and 97 out of 100 respectively, and right-hander Trevor Cahill at number 11. The publication estimates that all three will be in the Major Leagues in 2009. (Right-hander Michael Inoa, the 17-year-old Dominican sensation who signed a record $4.25 million contract last spring, was listed at number 54, though according to Baseball America, he is not expected to make an impact at the Major League level until 2011.) Could this be a new Big Three? That would be a lot to expect of three prospects with limited to no Major League experience, but certainly stranger things have happened in Oakland.
Surely the team will be satisfied if they can be as successful as Dan Haren, Rich Harden and Joe Blanton. Dana Eveland had a solid rookie season, and should only improve with experience. The firepower of closer Brad Ziegler made former Rookie of the Year Huston Street expendable. Joey Devine was a consistent contributor out of the bullpen last season, being entrusted with the occasional save opportunity. He is also a young player who should only get better with experience. The team also seems to be high on Josh Outman and Sean Gallagher, the latter who was acquired from the Cubs in the Harden trade last season; the team has enough faith in them to be on the team’s 40-man roster. Both will be 23 on Opening Day.
If this team can remain injury-free, which is a tall order for any Major League team, there is no reason why they couldn’t continuously challenge the Angels for the top spot in the AL West this season. And if they do have some injuries, this team has depth. Even more so than in recent years past, there is a lot to be optimistic about in Oakland.
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