We’re in the doldrums of baseball right now, folks. The big free agents have signed and there is little likelihood of any big trades being made before Spring Training. Pitchers and Catchers don’t report for another 24 days and for most of you people, you haven’t been able to golf in months due to shitty weather. As such, baseball writing has moved into the realm of speculation, pointless lists and moot discussions about Hall of Fame qualifications.
But hope does spring eternal as every now and again, the best living sports writer Joe Posnanski writes a meaningless post that is nonetheless entertaining as all hell and capable of putting into perspective the trivial things that most baseball fans care about far too much.
Today’s theme? The value of walks (325 walks = 500 singles) and how batting average, OBP and slugging would look like if those walks were traded in.
The findings? John Olerud isn’t just a polite first basemen who wears a construction helmet onto the field anymore. No, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Same for Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez (duh), Jeff Bagwell (now with even more reasons to suspect he used PEDs!), and Mark McGwire (now with even more reasons to…you get the idea).
It’s a fun read and, let’s be realistic, you have nothing better to do right now. Or ever. Loser.
Oh hi, MLJ!
so, did I miss anything?
Let’s see…
It would appear not.
Oh hi guys. I trust everyone’s life came to a screeching halt while we were gone.
Hey Jerks!
Mind if I infiltrate your little portion of the world?
just don’t eat my take out.
Why the hell have sportswriters already forgotten how good Fred McGriff was?
Why the hell have sportswriters already forgotten how good Fred McGriff was?
my guess is because he didn’t do steroids and all the stupid ass baseball writers are still so enamored and “disgusted” by all the guys that did that players like McGriff get over-looked by writers just looking to out the next roid user.
Because he wore his hat like a fucking fag?
Blame Tom Emanski.
NHOH
Because it brings back memories of Berman calling him “McGruff the Crime Dog” and who’d want to remember that?
[quote]Why the hell have sportswriters already forgotten how good Fred McGriff was?[/quote]
No, I think they’ve got it right. He’s slightly good.
HA! McGriff lead the league twice in HRs with 36 and 35(!). Remember the pre-steroids era? Me neither.