2012 Hall of Fame Ballot

    In light of yesterday's steroid topic, I decided to talk about the Hall of Fame. With the Hall of Fame voting to take place in the first weeks of 2013, I wanted to share my ballot with you. Players on the ballot for the first time this year are: Curt Schilling, Mike Piazza, Barry Bonds, Craig Biggio, Sammy Sosa, Jeff Bagwell, and Roger Clemens.

Schilling won 58 games and
a World Series title with  in 4 seasons
with Arizona (2000-03)

    Given these first-time names, here is my ballot for this year and their notable career numbers:
Curt Schilling (Pitcher)- 216 wins, 3116 strikeouts, and an 11-2 postseason record
Mike Piazza (Catcher)- 427 home runs, career .308 batting average, 12-time All-Star
Craig Biggio (Second Base)- 3060 career hits, 1175 runs batted in, .281 batting average

    There are also a few other non-first-timers who I believe should make the cut:
Edgar Martinez (Designated Hitter)- 2247 hits, 309 home runs, 1261 runs batted in, .312 batting average
Tim Raines (Left Field)- 2605 hits,1571 runs, .294 batting average

    Justification time! First: the first-timers. Curt Schilling had more than 3000 strikeouts, which is a notable milestone for any pitcher. The thing that makes Schilling a sure thing though, is his postseason record. An 11-2 record and 3 shutouts when it matters most is why he gets the nod. Mike Piazza had an impressive .308 career batting average and is regarded as one of the greatest catchers of all-time. Most impressively, Piazza has the most home runs all-time by any catcher. The easiest decision for me was putting Craig Biggio on my ballot. If there is such thing as a sure-fire Hall of Fame statistic for me, it's 3000 hits in a career. Therefore, Biggio's 3060 hits leaves no doubt in my mind that he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Piazza is the all-time leader
in home runs by a catcher (427)

    The reason I have Edgar Martinez on my ballot is because of how hard it is to put up his numbers as a purely designated hitter. When Martinez broke into the league in 1987, the designated hitter was fairly new, so I consider Martinez to be the one who brought the DH into the limelight. His 309 homers and .312 average as a DH gives him the nod for me. Tim Raines has what I consider borderline Hall numbers, but I think it's Tim's time. Now, you'll notice that Jeff Bagwell wasn't among the first-timers to make it on the ballot. Much like Raines, Bagwell has classic border-line numbers. Bagwell will definitely get into the Hall, but it'll be an exercise in patience.

    Three who are not on my ballot are Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa. Even though, statistically these three rank among the greatest, it is their links to steroids that keep them off my ballot, now and forever.  Golden Globe corespondent Bob Ryan called Clemens, Sosa, and Bonds the "Toxic Trio"
Even though Clemens has more than 300 career wins, Sosa is towards the top of the all-time home run list, and Bonds is the home run king, all of those numbers can be thrown out because of their steroid use. It pains me to say that because I grew up watching and rooting for these three, but they are leading the charge to ruin the game, and that is why they will NEVER get my vote for the hall of Fame.

    Hall of Fame voting takes place in early January. Who will be next to receive the  highest honor in any sport and be enshrined into the Hall of Fame?

Second Coming Of The Greats?

    Los Angeles Angels rookie center fielder Mike Trout has been taking Major League baseball by storm. In his first full season in the big leagues, Trout is generating a lot of buzz, by fans, analysts, and even other players around the league. However, controversy stems from frequent comparisons to some of the all-time greats like Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays. After hearing many of these comparisons, I've decided to do some of the math and see if the 21 year old Mike Trout really is worthy of being compared to the all-time greats this early in his career.

Mantle in 1951

    For starters, we'll be comparing Trout to the two players that he has already been associated with the most: Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. For the most fair comparison, Mike Trout's 2012 season will be compared with Mantle's 1952 season and Mays' 1951 campaign-the first full season for each.

    In 1952, Mickey Mantle posted a .311 average, 27 home runs, 87 runs batted in and 171 total hits. Mantle also scored 94 runs, drew 75 walks, and struck out 111 times.  (142 games)

    In 1951, Willie Mays ended the season with a .274 average, 20 home runs, 68 runs batted in and 127 total hits. Mays scored 59 runs, walked 57 times and struck out 60 times. (121 games)

    So far, through 89 games this season, Mike Trout has a .345 average with 20 home runs, 60 RBIs and 125 hits. He has scored 87 runs in 89 games (including a 20 game streak), walked 38 times, and struck out 85 times. He also has 36 stolen bases.

"Say Hey" Willie Mays in 1955

Since you can't really gain perspective on a full season without a full season worth or stats, I calculated Trout's projected numbers by season's end. Trout is on pace for a .344 batting average, 32 home runs, 96 RBIs, 199 hits, 139 runs scored, 61 walks, 136 strikeouts AND 57 stolen bases in 142 games. Trout is also on pace to break the American League single-season record for runs scored by a rookie-a record currently held by the great Joe DiMaggio.

   Since neither Mantle nor Mays were  consistent base stealers, let's put Trout's stolen base numbers into perspective using career stolen base king Rickey Henderson. In 1979, Henderson stole 33 bases in 89 games. In as many games so far this season, Trout has stolen 36.

    So using his projected 2012 totals, let's get some perspective on Trout's ranks among the best at the same points in their careers:

Batting Average

Trout- .344
Mantle- .311
Mays- .274

Rookie center fielder Mike Trout made
his 2012 debut for the Angels
on April 28.

Hits
Trout- 199
Mantle- 171
Mays- 127

Home Runs
Trout- 32
Mantle- 27
Mays- 20

Runs Batted In
Trout- 96
Mantle- 87
Mays- 68

Runs Scored
Trout- 139
Mantle- 94
Mays- 59

   Now, I know there's controversy because of the fact that this is the steroid era and, because of that, numbers are elevated but regardless, numbers never lie and these are great numbers. Although you can't tell whether someone will be one of the greats after one season, in comparison, Trout has the potential to do just that. I'm not saying that Trout will definitely end his career as one of the best to ever play the game, but potential is limitless, and potential doesn't always yield results, but 21 year old Mike Trout  truly seems to be a story book career in the making.

Piece of "Sheet" Cake

Sheets pitched for the Milwaukee
Brewers from 2001-2008

    Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ben Sheets is blazing the comeback trail. After missing two full season due to injury, Sheets thought that his career was over following his two year absence from the game. However, the 4-time All-Star and Olympic Gold medalist was not ready to call it quits. On July 1st, the Braves announce that they had signed Sheets to a minor league contract. Two weeks later, Sheets made his major league debut against the New York Mets-his first start in nearly two years. Sheets had successful completed his comeback. However, the Sheets of old was not quite the one who returned. In 8 seasons as the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff, Sheets was a strikeout pitcher, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, but had a less than impressive ERA over those 8 years: a collective 3.77.

    Since his debut with the Braves on July 15th, Sheets has made 5 starts. He is currently 4-1 with a 1.41 ERA and 23 strikeouts, only allowing 5 earn runs to this point. He has transformed in a pitcher who pitches to contact, averaging only 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings and making his living on ground balls and quick outs.

    Sheets has been very consistent for a Braves team that was searching for help in their starting rotation. His only loss was against the Miami Marlins, and even then, Sheets pitched fairly well. He allowed 4 runs in 6 and two-thirds innings with 8 strikeouts, but Atlanta's lack of offense left Sheets with his only loss of the season.

Sheets on the mound for the Braves in 2012

Sheets should have about 9 more starts this season, and the Braves are hoping that he can remain equally consistent over the next 2 months of the regular season. Sheets' performance has been one of the feel good story lines of the second half and he may just be the answer that the Braves have been looking for if they want to make it deep into the playoffs.

   Despite not pitching for almost two years, Sheets still stayed around the game. One year ago, he was coaching his son's team, and now he's back in a big league rotation and probably better than ever. From the big league mound to the little league clubhouse and back again, the continuing story of Ben Sheets proves that success can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places.

Halfway Home

    With the All-Star break passing by a couple of weeks ago, I thought I would share my thoughts on the major awards through the first half of the season. Let's get started, shall we?

Most Valuable Player

Josh Hamilton (TEX) and Andrew McCutchen (PIT)

   From the onset of this season, Josh Hamilton has provided a spark for the Texas Rangers. For the past two years, Hamilton has been instrumental in the Rangers postseason success, reaching the World Series two straight years. So far in 2012, Hamilton is second in the American League in home runs (29), and is tied for first in runs batted in (84). He has slumped a bit in the month of July, but he is healthy again and the Rangers are in first place in the AL West, so he should be back to form in no time. Despite a terrible .173 batting average in July, he is still putting up MVP-caliber numbers. Not to mention that he did hit 4 home runs in one game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8th.

    It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the surprise teams in baseball this year.The Pirates are 58-44 and in second place in the National League West, 3 games behind the red-hot Cincinnati Reds. The driving force behind the Pirates success thus far is center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who is having arguably the best year of his career. He is batting a Major League best .368, is third best in the National League with 22 home runs and is tied for 6th in runs batted in with 66. He is one home run away from tying his career high of 23 and is currently shattering his career best in batting average by 82 points...an almost unheard of improvement from one season to the next. My other candidates for NL MVP are San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera and New York Mets third baseman David Wright, but for now, McCutchen is my front runner.

Cy Young Award-Best Starting Pitcher in Each League

Chris Sale (CHW) and R.A. Dickey (NYM)

    Chris Sale may only be a first year starter, but numbers would suggest that one year was all he needed to be a Cy Young candidate. He is ranked third in the AL in both wins (12) and earned run average or ERA (2.61). Sale is also third in the AL in WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) posting a solid 1.02, and tied for 10th in strikeouts with 114. Sale is the ace on a Chicago White Sox staff that is fighting for a playoff spot and his success could propel Chicago deep into the playoffs.

    Should he win, New York's R.A. Dickey certainly wouldn't be your typical Cy Young recipient. But then again, there is nothing typical about the way Dickey pitches. He is a knuckle ball pitcher, the only one in the major leagues today. However, what makes Dickey different than other knuckle ball pitchers even, is that the average knuckle ball travels between 60 and 70 miles per hour, and Dickey's knuckle ball has been clocked at around 83-85 miles per hour, making it even harder for hitters to pick up this whirlwind of a pitch. Dickey is tied for the major league lead with 14 wins, second the the NL with 147 strikeouts and has the second fewest losses in the major leagues (2). Probably the most baffling thing about Dickey's success this year is the point in his career in which this success came. Dickey is 37 years old in his 10th year in the league, the New York Mets are his 4th team, and he had only had 10 or more wins in a season one other time. This goes to show you that there isn't necessarily a timetable or prime for success. Now, I know that  knuckle ball pitchers can be a controversial issue with some, but as of right now, Dickey is the best choice for the Cy Young Award.

Rookie of the Year

Mike Trout (LAA) and Bryce Harper (WSH)

    There is no surprise that L.A.'s Mike Trout or Washington's Bryce Harper should be named Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues. Neither player started the season on their big league rosters, but were quickly called up to the Major Leagues and even more quickly impacted their clubs and turned them around. 

    The Nationals were fighting for first place in their division early in the season when Harper joined the team on April 27 and provided them the spark they needed to build a 3.5 game lead on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East as well as currently having the best record in baseball at 61-40. Harper also arguably plays the game harder than anyone in the league...the way it should be played.

    The Angels on the other hand, were bottom dwellers from the beginning of the 2012 season, which was surprising due to the major offseason acquisitions of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. There were talks of multiple World Series titles immediately following the arrival of Pujols and Wilson, but when Trout was called up to the Angels on April 28th, the Angels were sitting at the bottom of the division and the league at 6-14. Since Trout joined the team however, the Angels have come to life. The Angels have gone 42-24 with Trout on the team and have once again become competitive for a playoff spot, as expected. Oh, and Trout has been the owner of the 'Reigning Web Gem' on ESPN's Baseball Tonight for over 3 weeks! Just saying.

Manager of the Year

Bob Melvin (OAK) and Clint Hurdle (PIT)

    There is no doubt in my mind that Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin should receive the award for AL Manager of the Year. In his second year as Oakland's Manager, he has helped return the A's to relevance. In his first 201 games as Oakland's manager dating back to the middle of last season, Melvin is 103-98, including a surprising 56-46 record so far in 2012. Before Melvin, the Athletics struggled to stay out     of last place and one calender year later, they are fighting for first place and a playoff spot. Melvin took a group of players previously rejected by other teams and turned them in to this year's Cinderella story in baseball.

   The same can be said for the Pittsburgh Pirates and manager Clint Hurdle. In his second full year as Pirates manager, the Pirates are 58-44, tied for the NL Wildcard lead, and have been in first place in the division multiple times during the year.

    If these two teams can maintain this success through September and possibly lead their teams into October, their managers should be awarded for it.

Comeback Player of the Year

Adam Dunn (CHW) and Jason Heyward (ATL)

    Adam Dunn, to me, is the runaway Comeback Player of the Year in the American League. In 2011, Dunn posted basement numbers for the Chicago White Sox: a .159 batting average, 11 home runs, 42 runs batted in and only 66 hits in 122 games...by far the worst season of his career. But so far in 2012, Dunn is having an incredible bounce back year. So far in 2012, this bonafide power hitter has returned to form, batting .212 with a major league leading 31 home runs to go with 73 RBI's which is the 4th best in the AL. I think Minnesota's Josh Willingham and Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion deserve recognition for this award, but it's Adam Dunn's horrendous numbers last year that make him the favorite for the award.

    When Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward made the Opening Day roster as a rookie in 2010, expectations for Heyward were through the roof. However, after an okay rookie campaign in 2010, Braves nation was disappointed but thought "He's a rookie, he'll get better" and "It's a learning curve...wait 'til next year. He'll dominate!" He didn't.In 2011, Heyward hit a mediocre .227 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI's. He also missed 34 games with multiple injuries. Heyward shared the fans' disappointment after last season saying, "I need to go back to the basics...I haven't been playing well." He returned in 2012 with new life. Playing in almost every game for the Braves to this point, Hayward is hitting .271 with 17 home runs (one away from tying a career high) and 51 RBI's and a career high 15 stolen bases. Heyward is healthy, productive, and, in my opinion, could be on his way to NL Comeback Player of the Year.

    Stay tuned in the coming days for more first half predictions, including Gold Gloves, playoff predictions and more. See ya 'round!