MY KID LIVED THE (MLB ALL-STAR WEEKEND) DREAM

Growing up, watching baseball with my grandfather, MLB All Star weekend was always my favorite part of the game. It showed the players having fun, and seemed to make them more real to me.

Five years ago, when my oldest started playing softball, she knew it was a pastime. 

Women in sports are not as widely respected or fairly paid.

But she absolutely fell in love with the game.

She quickly started following Jennie Finch because, not only was she a multiple Olympic Medalist, she also played at the MLB Celebrity Softball game every year and made it very clear that women in this game are serious athletes.

She took to researching Hall of Famers such as Dottie Komenshek, and more recent athletes such as Lauren Chamberlain, and Cat Osterman.

For the past few years, her heart has belonged to the game, and the game has belonged to her.

Now, that’s not to say that it has always been smooth sailing. At a whopping 4 ft 11 in, she’s always had to work twice as hard to get half of the deserved recognition. She learned quickly- if she was serious about the game, she had to take the pastime and make it a passion.

From that point on, she took off!

The past two years she has been playing with the City Divas - A Bronx RBI team that goes back more than 20 years. With the Divas she has been afforded many opportunities on the field. From playing in the Babe Ruth Tournaments to being part of the HBCU Juneteenth Tournaments in Washington, DC. She’s also become an incredible in-field utility player, with a passion for catching, like my Yankees favorite, Jorge Posada- although behind the plate, she is much more like Pudge Rodriguez. She currently plays 3rd base for the 18U/16U teams.

The greatest opportunity came in May when she was invited to try out for team DREAM out of Harlem, NY to be a part of the Jennie Finch Classic at MLB All-Star Weekend.

Samara says that she was nervous when she learned her coach had suggested her for the tryouts. She came home saying she “showed out.” Whether she was going to make the team or not, she absolutely was going to give it her all. DREAM’s softball coach saw something in my girl, and the rest is history! Have to say- her hard work and the dedicated coaching staff of the City Divas helped get her there.

Samara spent the last week in Los Angeles, California taking part of the MLB All-Star Weekend festivities. She played 3rd base at 2 of the 4 games played by her team and went 4 for 7 the whole weekend.

The highlight for her was meeting Lauren Chamberlain and Jennie Finch herself. Both who spent a significant amount of time in the dugout with each team. Of being at the tournament itself, Samara posted on Instagram that she was “literally living a dream.” Her second at bat during game 4, Chamberlain herself walked over to her, and said “you got this, kid!” Giving her a supportive pat on the helmet before heading into the dugout to cheer with the team. Samara hit a bloop past second for a single, and scoring an RBI. “She (Chamberlain) gave me good luck. I played my best game yet at 3rd after that.”

Samara was also present at the celebrity softball game and Home Run Derby. Seated along the first baseline, she said the softball game was the funniest game she has ever witnessed. She got to witness Bryan Cranston getting “Finched” first hand, saying him being ejected was first rate comedy.

For me, the best part of the week was conversing with Jennie Finch herself. We discussed the importance of having softball and the girls at MLB All-Star weekend. Growing up, young ladies were never represented on that stage. Watching the girls from the 12 MLB Youth Academies being represented is a huge deal.

I appreciate how much work Finch and the other Softball legends have put in to ensure that the game and our girls are represented, respected and honored for their hard-work and athleticism. It’s been a long road, but the change is happening.

Take it from Samara… my kid literally lived the dream!

 

--Erica Morales

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @e_morales1804

HALL OF FAME NEWS!

(Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Now look, we will have a much more comprehensive piece about the Hall of Fame reaction with Jeana Bellezza soon, but for now, I just wanted to fill the BYB audience in on the results for who was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Several top publications have reported this, but we'll go with USA Today on this one:

"Iconic Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell, base-stealer extraordinaire Tim Raines and 13-time Gold Glove winner Ivan “Pudge’’ Rodriguez earned baseball’s most coveted distinction when they were named on more than 75% of the ballots cast by eligible members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Raines (86%) was on his 10th and final year of eligibility, while Bagwell (86.2%) made it on his seventh attempt and Rodriguez (76%) on his first one, earning 336 of 442 votes - four more than necessary. Closer Trevor Hoffman fell five votes short. Vladimir Guerrero was named on 317 ballots (71.1%), 15 votes shy of induction in his first year."

I'm alittle surprised the Pudge got in so quickly but that clearly has to be writers still turning their backs on accused or possibly dabblers of PEDs in the steroid era. I am also alittle shocked Trevor Hoffman did get his day, although, next year for sure... don't you think?

OK. That's the news on that. More reaction and opinion from Jeana Bellezza. Keep checking back on BYB for that.

MY IBWAA VOTE & WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Every year (since 2010), registered Internet baseball writers are sent their own version of a Hall of Fame ballot to be completed and returned. Once tallied, the IBWAA announces the inductees into its virtual Hall of Fame. No bronze plaques are created, and no official player speeches are given, but it’s still interesting and fun. We often see that the Internet writers induct players into their Hall of Fame that have yet to be inducted into the more well-known counterpart located in Cooperstown. 

Lately, the baseball writers who vote for the Cooperstown Hall are being challenged to be transparent with their ballots. Players who seemingly should be on everyone’s ballot are being left off or ignored, and fans (along with other writers) have called upon the voting participants to be accountable for what they’ve cast.

With that in mind, I’ve just completed my IBWAA ballot and will gladly share it with you. 

The names I highlighted in yellow are the players I am voting for. Don Mattingly is a write-in with the clear understanding that the IBWAA does not accept write-in candidates.

I did it as a matter of principal. 

Anyway, you’ll notice that some stat-worthy names have not been selected. Guys like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Magglio Ordonez, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez did not get my vote, and probably never will. 
 

(Paul Kitagaki Jr/Sacramento Bee/MCT)

They are names commonly associated with the Steroid Era of baseball. Bonds in particular could be considered the poster child of the era – with Clemens not far behind. Other writers may look at it differently; the argument being that “everyone” during that time was using one form of PED or another. I simply don’t buy it. 

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

I cannot believe that Cal Ripken, Mattingly, or even Fred McGriff – all of which played during the height of that dark period – used anything more than their God-given talents to put up their numbers. None of them had dramatic spikes in their numbers, and none of them had dramatic physical changes. I refuse to make them collateral damage of the cheaters.

(Sept. 20, 2011 - Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America)

Anyway, who did I vote for? For starters, wild-swinging Vladimir Guerrero. “Vlad the impaler” had one of the longest reaches in baseball, and used it to crush balls well outside of the strike zone. In 16 seasons he hit 449 home runs and batted .318. Most amazing to me is the fact that, in spite of being such a free-swinger at the plate, he never struck out more than 95 times in any season. Not once did he crack the 100 strikeout mark. If he was going to swing, the man made sure he connected.

(March 4, 2013 - Source: J. Meric/Getty Images North America)

Next, I voted for the “Crime Dog”, Fred McGriff. He is one of those being held accountable for the sins of his brethren by the Baseball Writers Association. How else can you explain someone with 19 years of service, 493 home runs (he missed a season due to the baseball players’ strike), a .280 batting average, and who hit 20 or more home runs in 15 of those 19 seasons being left outside the doors of the Hall of Fame? In the post season, McGriff hit .303 – including .438 in the 1995 NLCS against Cincinnati which eventually led to Atlanta’s World Championship over the Indians. During his prime, Fred McGriff was truly one of the most feared hitters in baseball. The BBWAA might ignore him, but we won’t.

(Sept. 18, 2008 - Source: Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America)

Someone else that I feel has been overlooked is “the Moose”, Mike Mussina. While pitcher Tom Glavine has his plaque hanging on the wall in upstate NY, Mussina has been given the cold shoulder. Let’s take a look at their numbers:

While Glavine played 4 more years than “Moose”, he actually averaged less wins, had fewer strikeouts, had a higher WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched), had less complete games, less seasons of 17 or more wins, and for the stat geeks, had a lower WAR. Mussina managed to either put up comparable or better numbers on worse teams and in a shorter time span than Glavine, yet he remains on the outside of Cooperstown. It is my hope that we can give him some consolation with a virtual plaque in our Hall of Fame.

My last two choices are both career-long Yankees, and some of you will certainly consider them to be “homer” picks by this author, I assure you that both have very good arguments for residing alongside the immortals of baseball.

Jorge Posada was the primary backstop for one of the Yankees most “golden” of eras. He was known as one of the “Core four” that brought multiple championships back to the Bronx. Posada owns 4 rings, and put up numbers well worth consideration for entrance into Cooperstown. I’ll be writing an article later in the week explaining my reasoning. Just be aware that when placed alongside some who have already gained entrance, Posada’s numbers don’t back down. In addition, there are some intangibles like grit and heart that can’t be put into a spreadsheet. His importance to the great teams he played on is primarily why he has my vote.

Don Mattingly is one of the greatest players I have ever seen play. During the peak of his career, he was the best player in the game. I’ve written an article in the past explaining why he belongs in the Hall. If players like Kirby Puckett, Robin Yount and Paul Molitor have been voted in, then it is a crime that Mattingly has not. I’ll write his name on every one of my ballots, always.

So there you have it. I’ve voted for five players I consider worthy of baseball immortality. What do you think? Do you discount the PED users like I do, or do you think their numbers are deserving of induction – regardless of how they were achieved? We’d love to hear from you! 

By the way, if you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out a great piece about the Hall of Fame vote by newbie BYB writer Barry Millman.  Check out PLEASE DON'T BLOW THIS YEAR'S HOF VOTE. It's terrific.

 
    
--Steve Skinner
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

BUD SELIG'S WAR AGAINST PEDS...PAST AND PRESENT

It's all Pud Galvin's fault! Well no, I can't say that but would be so much easier to finally just blame all of this PED's corruption of our favorite sport on one person. Just one person. We could finally just find the cause of all of this insanity and stop the debating of where and when and point fingers somewhere else. It would be nice to just get back to the game. The pure game. Those days are gone though, but how did we get here? Is this whole BioGenesis crackdown for the good of the game....or is there an ulterior motive?

It's a fair question to ask. I want the game cleaned up as much as anyone else, but am I the only one bothered by the investigation itself? Let's go back in time....

Back in 1889 pitcher Pud Galvin was the first player to be linked to these things that we now have identified as evil performance enhancing drugs. So we have a starting point! This has been around for awhile. Galvin experimented in testosterone treatments that derived from animals. Things are a little different now, but this has been around for more than 100 years! It's evolved.

Galvin may not be a popular name these days, but there are many more to choose from. What about Jose Canseco? He wrote his first book in 2005 called "Juiced" that brought more attention to the subject than he wanted. In that book he called out players like our very own Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmiero, Ivan Rodriguez, and Jason Giambi. This book brought so much attention (probably unwanted) so then came his second effort in 2008 named "Vindicated" which only brought out his frustrations. Just after this we get the admissions from both McGwire and Rodriguez regarding their PEDS use in the past. The thing I still can't get over today is the fact that McGwire's usage directly helped him surpass the great accomplishment by Roger Maris....he admits this and somehow that is still ok. It sickens me.

So here we are today. BioGenesis has really put a sour spin on this season, but it isn't the first time! Have we forgotten about BALCO? That didn't just affect baseball, it was widespread! Jason Giambi got off easily (in my opinion) with several apologies and Barry Bonds became the poster child for steroid use, even though he denied it. Despite all of the testimony in front of a grand jury he too got off without a great punishment. So where am I going with this?

The old cliche says that "history is doomed to repeat itself" if we do not learn from our mistakes. Perhaps commissioner Bud Selig is looking to make an example and redeem himself now post BioGenesis. It makes sense....

Following the 2006 steroid outbreak Selig took a lot of scrutiny from Congress that his drug policy was not strict enough. I don't think the one we have now is strict enough so how does a 10 game suspension for a first time offense sound? Sounds like a nice vacation to me. 30 games for the second, 60 games for the third, a year for the fourth and "commissioner's discretion" for the fifth was only putting Selig in the hot seat, and rightfully so. It didn't send the right message. Now we start with a 50 game suspension for first time offenders, 100 for second time and a lifetime ban for the third time. It is revamped but that hasn't stopped players from using peds....

Now here we are and this time we have another scandal with baseball front and center. Bud Selig is in the hot seat again. Now he is under the gun and he has to restore order. I want the game cleaned up, but it shouldn't be a witch hunt because he wants to retire with the image that he came down on these players. He would prefer to retire thinking that sports fans are crediting him with this crack down. He sent a powerful message....it's gonna be different now for years to come. Blah blah blah. I believe that MLB has conducted a thorough investigation, but you have to wonder if Selig is making this just as personal as it is about business.

Make it about the game Selig, not your ego. Sitting on David Letterman and announcing to the country that you knew what fate awaited Alex Rodriguez made you look like this was a personal vendetta or this is your great legacy after this season is over and you retire. This doesn't make you go out on top. This is just my take on it though. I know there are many others. Just keep it about baseball, Bud. We don't care about your ego.....just the game.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

 

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THE RUSSELL MARTIN QUESTION

After the 2011 season, the New York Yankees just had to have Russell Martin. They offered him a three year $20 million contract. Martin didn’t sign. Instead he went with a one year $7.5 million deal and goes into free agency at the end of this season. So now what? We’ve all watched Martin this year, struggling at the plate. So, do the Yankees re-sign him? And if so, for how long?

Let’s start with what we already know about Martin. He is an average hitting catcher. He has never hit over .300 in his career. That is common among catchers, with the exception of a few guys like Ivan Rodriguez and Joe Mauer. Last season, he hit .237. But he is a great defensive catcher. That’s possibly why the Yankees snagged him in the first place. While I am not a huge fan of Sabermetrics, his .994 fielding percentage this season is impressive.

(In Photo: Mike Napoli)
I guess the biggest thing to consider is, what are our other options as far as starting catchers and at what price. AJ Pierzynski and Mike Napoli both become free agents at the end of this season. Both are better hitters then Martin but Martin is a better defensive catcher. So I guess we have to consider whether it is best to have a good defensive catcher or a good hitting catcher. Of course we could always default to having Chris Stewart being our everyday starting catcher. We could also use Austin Romine or Francisco Cervelli.

Look, I like Martin. He is a gritty player. He can stop balls and gets the runners out. To me, that is important to have in a catcher. But his at bats often leave a lot to be desired. I do think it will be a difficult decision when considering Martin’s contract. Will the Yankees get their money’s worth if they re-sign him? Honestly, if they do re-sign him, I don’t see it being more then a two-year deal and possibly with a pay cut.

--Erica Morales, BYB Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804




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ICHIRO TO THE YANKS IS MY PIPE DREAM

I wouldn’t have expected Jay Buhner to speak out of turn about the Seattle Mariners recently, but his passion for the Mariners and his want to turn the franchise around is evident.  Buhner apparently is willing to let Ichiro Suzuki walk and would “vomit” if the Mariners were to sign him to say a 3 year, $35 million deal after this season.  He was on the “Brock and Salk show” talking about that, (Read HERE.)  His main reason?  The Mariners need to stop “spending all the money on one guy.”   He then quickly said “no offense, no offense” which to me is hilarious.  He just threw the Mariners franchise player under the bus and then tried to act like it didn’t happen.

I get what Jay Buhner’s saying and to be honest, Ichiro may be the Mariners franchise player but lord knows if the Mariners want to turn the team around like Buhner suggests, they should think about unloading Ichiro and I have a home for him, especially if the Mariners want to just pick up the rest of that 2012 salary…the Bronx.   You're laughing right? Well laugh away, it's funny to me too because we're in a new Yankee world where cheap is the new rich. That being said, it's my blog, not yours, just continue to smirk...and read.

I told you guys that a few months ago in ICHIRO IN PINSTRIPES? ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. that I would love the idea of Ichiro in pinstripes, and sure, because he’s owed $17 million this season, it probably isn’t realistic unless the Mariner’s were to pick up $16 million of that, and they won’t, but if they did…I’d welcome Ichiro down the stretch in New York...  I really would.  

True, right now we’re all loving Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones, they’re hot right now,  but if you’re going for a 30 + guy anyway, why not go for a 30+ athletic guy…again, IF the Mariners were to pick up the majority of that steep Ichioro 2012 salary, I'm in.

(In Picture: Denard Span)

Ichiro may be old, but he’s also experienced and is probably hungry for a post season, something he’s never been able to do in Seattle. Get him if the price is right and if not, there are other guys who I’d recommend:

Denard Span: I mentioned him in SPEED WILL BE A FACTOR WITH GARDNER OUT and I like him a lot.  Span’s fast and a pretty decent outfielder.  Not only that, the Minnesota Twins are stinking up the joint.  So if the Yankees and Twins can talk money (A lot less than Ichiro’s 2012 contract), it is probably more logical than my pipe dream of Ichiro Suzuki or even a Shane Victorino. 

 Will Venable: Wow, I was impressed with this idea.  It comes from Ken Davidoff of the New Yorlk Post who suggested him in his piece HERE. Davidoff writes: “The Princeton product isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, and he isn't the type of player whose salary is going to escalate dramatically; he could be a long-term fit in the Yankees' payroll-reduction plan, if they like him. His career splits show that he could benefit considerably from leaving Petco Park."

DeWayne Wise: Yes, I know, we already have him and he’s quite athletic, but he’s not a hitter and the Yankees really need a speedster, a fielder AND a hitter. Sure, if we don’t look at old players for rentals, or someone like Denard Span, should the Yanks keep doing what they’re doing? Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and DeWayne Wise?

Look, bottom line, there are options, and it may require Cashman to do alittle digging, but it really depends on what other teams want to eat salary-wise when trading these guys to the Yanks. Remember, the Yankees want to keep that payroll down and they’re sticking to it. Again, my Ichiro idea may sound absolutely ridiculous, but so was the  Ivan Rodriguez idea a few years ago.  My point is, if Cashman can be creative and smart about this outfielder situation, anything is possible, be it Span, Ichiro…or we just stick with the 3 headed monster in Jones, Ibanez and Wise…believe it or not, that be may the WISE choice…get it? GET IT?

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THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND III

In case you missed it, be sure to check out our other insanely popular Newsstand pieces...THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND I AND II.  Now here's III:

JETER'S CLIMBING THE HIT LIST: Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger is the guy who finally had the nugget I was looking for.  Many knew that Dave Winfield was Jeter's idol growing up, but not many talked about it right around the time Jeet hit his 3111th hit to pass Winfield for sole possession of 18th place on the all time Hits list.  

Carig writes: "Derek Jeter used to keep a poster of Dave Winfield on his wall. Growing up, Jeter viewed the former Yankees star as his idol... In the Yankees’ 6-2 victory against the Red Sox, Jeter singled in the second inning, moving him past Winfield for sole possession of 18th place with career-hit No. 3,111. Padres legend Tony Gwynn is next on the list with 3,141 hits." Read Carig HERE. Keep going Jeet, we love ya!

SHOULDER SURGERY FOR MOSELEY: Remember Dustin Moseley? He was with the Yankees for a few minutes.  Well, he ended up playing for the Padres and now it appears that he has shoulder damage and has opted for surgery. He has a right rotator cuff and labrum injury.  MLB.com has the piece HERE.  The surgery will take place on May 2nd according to the article.  Moseley says: "It's not a matter of if I'm going to fix it [through surgery], but who is going to fix it... I'm not in limbo anymore." It appears he's chose New York physician David Altchek, the guy who worked on Johan Santana.

GAMMONS GETS CALLED OUT...FINALLY:  I've never been a fan of Peter Gammons because anyone who clearly has an allegiance for a team and reeks of it as they try to fool the rest of the baseball world that they aren't a fan of say... the Red Sox, needs to step aside, that's not journalism, that's bias and I know where Gammons falls. Finally the Boston Globe has done it! They've outed him. Read HERE. The Globe writes: "During his weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Massarotti’’ show last Wednesday, Gammons asserted that Globe reporter Bob Hohler should reveal the anonymous sources from his bombshell story last October on the factors contributing to the Red Sox’ historic collapse. Those factors, according to Hohler’s sources, included manager Terry Francona’s personal issues and a fractured clubhouse in which a clique of pitchers were drinking beer and eating chicken during games. It was an absurd suggestion. Betraying the trust of a confidential source would be journalistic suicide." True, but it get's better. They then write of Gammons: "It’s the fan (Gammons) who pleads for last September to be forgotten and for the team to start winning again. A journalist wants to know why the collapse happened, and uses every ethical tactic in his or her reportorial arsenal to find the answer. That’s what Hohler did. If Gammons can’t agree with it, he should at least recognize it." Bravo Boston Globe... Bravo, time for more to call out Gammons.

PUDGE CALLS IT A CAREER: Ivan Rodriguez is set to retire.  Pudge is probably one of the best catchers that I've ever seen, although I have a huge love for Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson and Jorge Posada as well.  The Sports Network and Miami Herald write: "Rodriguez is the all-time major league leader with 2,427 games caught and set a record with 13 Gold Glove awards. He had a career average of .296 with 311 home runs and 1,332 runs batted in over 2,543 games." Read HERE.  Don't forget, Rodriguez was part of the Yankees very briefly in 2008. That's why we're mentioning him in Bleeding Yankee Blue's 3rd addition of the Newsstand.

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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/19/2757419/pudge-to-call-it-a-career.html#storylink=cpy

WHY CERVELLI'S THE ODD MAN OUT

The Yankees completed their roster moves today and Twitter is blowing up. There are a ton of Francisco Cervelli fans, me included and it almost seems like the world is crumbling around US all. Everyone assumed that Cervelli would be on the Yankees Opening day roster, after all, he's contributed and always does...somehow. He's one of the most passionate ballplayers out there. I don't care what people like Mike Lupica say about Cervelli needing to curb his passion and "act like he's been there before" (Read WHY A CERVELLI FIST PUMP MEANS PASSION.) It's clear to me someone like Lupica doesn't understand true competition. Cervelli is a guy who doesn't get many opportunities to play and when he does, he's fired up. You need to respect it, and don't poo poo it.
So who's the Yankees backup catcher? No one you thought it would be. Chris Stewart was acquired from the San Francisco Giants for George Kontos...TODAY...read HERE. I didn't see that one coming. That means that the veteran Stewart will be Russell Martin's backup and Francisco Cervelli will be optioned to AAA. It's the shame for a guy who literally just helped the Yankees win in their last Spring Training game against the Mets today. Cervelli tied it with a homer, Read HERE. Mark Feinsand has this quote from Cervelli, who was pretty much stunned about it:

“What can I say, bro? It's not my decision. That's it... I’m disappointed with this, but that’s never going to change anything. All my life I’ve had to do things and I’ve had to do it double, triple. If they want me to prove that I can catch in the big leagues, I’ll go and prove it, that I have to be here."

But don't worry, I will bet Cervelli will be back. Remember though, this is what the Yankees do, what they have always done. There is always that guy, the backup that's been around the block or has a few years on other catchers and they always say they want that extra catcher "with experience." Chris Widger, Ivan Rodriguez, Sal Fasano, Joe Oliver... hell, Joe Girardi and now, Chris Stewart. I believe in my heart though, Cervelli will be back!
David Phelps and Clay Rapada have also made the big team it was revealed today. Read HERE. DJ Mitchell and Adam Warren will both report to Scranton Wilkes-Barre. It was a tough choice for sure, they and Phelps pitched their hearts out.

So, the tables set, the Yankees are ready... and now we wait until Friday...Opening Day for the Yankees who open in Tampa Bay. CC Sabathia vs. James Shields. 3:10pm. Be there... I will not, I will be at work, but sneak to a television...after all it's Opening day!

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WHY POSADA DESERVES TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME

Okay, so over the last two weeks I have been building up a head of steam to write this article! So sit back because you are about to read a good 'ole fashion rant! What am I so steamed about? How the hell could anyone think Jorge Posada does not belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame? For those of you who think he does not belong, let me ask you a few questions....

• Have we watched the same player who played over 1,800 games?

• Have we watched the same Jorge Posada who played his entire 17-year-MLB career with the New York Yankees and was part of 5 World Championships?

• Did you and I watch a Yankee catcher who was also a 5-time All Star as well as earning 5 Silver Slugger Awards?

• Do you know that there are currently just 13 catchers in the Hall of Fame and only ONE catcher ranks ahead of Posada in the "triple play" categories (Yogi Berra)?

• Do you also know that since 1901...let me repeat that, 1901, Posada holds the following ranks among ALL catchers who have ever played the game: 8th in Home Runs (275); 7th in Doubles (379); 3rd in Walks (936); 5th in OPS (.848)

• Do you know Posada is only the fifth MLB catcher with 1,500 Hits, 350 Doubles, 275 Home Runs, and 1,000 RBIs in a career?

• Do you know Posada is the only MLB catcher to ever bat .330 or better with 40 Doubles, 20 Home Runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season?

Oh, I'm just getting started...

Let's take a look a just how dominant Jorge Posada has been for more than a decade at his position...Keep in mind, during Posada's career there are two other catchers whom people assume are a lock for the Hall of Fame: Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Piazza...

• Since 2000, Posada has the MOST RBI in MLB as a catcher with 816, and no one is even close. Ivan Rodriguez is 2nd with 687 RBI

• Since 1998, Posada has the MOST Home Runs in MLB as a catcher with 240. That's more than both Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez.

• During his career, Posada finished in the top 10 for the AL MVP voting twice.

• As a catcher Posada finished in the top 10 for On Base Percentage four times.

So if the above statistics don't convince you that this man belongs in the Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible, then lets take a look at his post season statistics. The following rankings are all time MLB rankings, not just Yankee rankings...

• 2nd all time in games played (125)
• 3rd all time in doubles (23)
• 4th all time in Hits (103)
• T-9th all time in RBI (42)

Look, if you take all those statistics above, Jorge Posada is one of the GREATEST catchers of all time! That's a fact! That cannot be argued based on the numbers alone! And to me, when you look at the life Jorge leads off the field, how could you leave this guy out of the Hall of Fame? His amazing work with The Jorge Posada Foundation is admirable. So why would you leave a man/player out of the HOF who not only put up all time statistics but whose character off the field is second to no one who has ever played the game?
Jorge Posada is not only one of the greatest Yankees of all time but one of the greatest men who ever put on a MLB uniform. Even Diana Munson, widow of the great Thurman Munson, said today that Jorge Posada "brought her back to caring about baseball." Mrs. Munson today also said she has now "loved two catchers in her lifetime". Think about that? What does that tell you about this man? I think Hall of Famer Peter Gammons said it best on MLB Network when he said when you consider the position Posada played, when you stack his numbers against all the catchers throughout the history of MLB and, the success Posada has had throughout the post season, it would seem impossible Jorge doesn't make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I concur Mr. Gammons!

Hip, Hip...JORGE! Forever!

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

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