Comments on FIRE JOE MORGAN: Aaaargh

Oops. I meant Sheffield is tied with Edgar Martine...

2005-07-29T16:45:00.000-04:00

Oops. I meant Sheffield is tied with Edgar Martinez and TRAILS Berkman, Giambi, and Thome.

I hate this kind of reasoning:"Gary Sheffield rank...

2005-07-29T16:43:00.000-04:00

I hate this kind of reasoning:

"Gary Sheffield ranks 7th in OPS+ among HOF outfielders elected since 1970"

Could you possibly include a few more qualifiers in that statistic?

The fact is, Gary Sheffield has had a pretty decent career, and there will be a debate about his inclusion into the hall. But instead of looking at his OPS+ Versus Righthanded Virgos In Night Games In Which Kelly LeBrock Is In Attendance (OPS+VRHVINGIWKLBIIA), let's look at the bigger picture, say, all-time career OPS+.

He's tied for 43rd. Pretty good, but tied with Edgar Martinez (not on this list), Lance Berkman (not on this list), Jim Thome (OUT according to Schoenfield), Jason Giambi, and a bunch of old timey dudes I've never heard of.

The fact is, unless he snaps, murders an umpire and throws a grenade into the stands, Sheffield will probably finish his career with 500+ HR, 2600 hits, and a career OPS of around .900. Which means he's probably going to the Hall.

But let's take it easy with the "He's one of the best 30 hitters who has ever lived."

Let's face it. Your Yankee pinstripes are showing, Schoenfield, and even you know that if the Boss hadn't fucked up and signed this guy, you'd be calling him another Albert Belle (4 career OPS+ points behind Sheffield).

I want to qualify my last comment by saying that, ...

2005-07-29T16:16:00.000-04:00

I want to qualify my last comment by saying that, of that group, Varitek should be considered a candidate ONLY IF you are projecting Joe Mauer as one. As it stands right now, Varitek would have to have the longevity of a Greg Myers (possible for a switch-hitting catcher) with only a tapered dropoff in offensive production. As it stands today, Varitek is nowhere near the Hall.

Jason (NY): I thought the Bellhorn joke was VERY f...

2005-07-29T15:42:00.000-04:00

Jason (NY): I thought the Bellhorn joke was VERY funny. And Ortiz didn't need explaining (even though as a Yankee fan he's the one Red Sox player I can't dislike but do definitely fear)

SportsNation David Schoenfield: Thanks, Jason. At least I have one smart reader out there. :-)

DAVID SCHOENFIELD PLEASE READ THIS SITE THAT IS ALL THANK YOU

And why was this irrelevant F-U inserted as a swip...

2005-07-29T14:29:00.000-04:00

And why was this irrelevant F-U inserted as a swipe at Red Sox fans:

OUT: David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon, Bill Mueller, Mark Bellhorn

That's it. No commentary or explanation.

If you are already projecting Joe Mauer (who, as far as I can tell, has underwhelmed in his ever-so-brief, injury-plagued tenure in the big leagues) as a Hall-of-Famer, you have to at least consider Varitek as a legitimate candidate. Instead, he believes it would be humorous to include him in a group including three decent but average fan favorites as a snide attack at overzealous Red Sox fanboys. As for Ortiz, he's good, but I would never presume to do something as foolish as predict a Hall of Fame career from someone who is only 29.

Have you seen the catchers in the Hall of Fame? Their numbers are, to be kind, solid.

Addendum. Another comedic gem from Schoenfield:"[S...

2005-07-29T14:10:00.000-04:00

Addendum.
Another comedic gem from Schoenfield:

"[Schilling] gets the nod when a couple of controversial ballots from Florida push him over the top."

Wow.