Dodgers sign Brad Asumus. I loved Brad Asumus as an Astro, he was a class guy. But he's so far past his prime it's not even funny, plus he struggles to hit .220. Good luck Dodgers.
Ryan Howard of the Phillies is asking for 18 million. The Phillies are offering 14 million. He's arbitration eligible. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the 18 million.
I don't see it, but the talk show folks think so. I guess he has more HR than any other 2b in history, so that says something. One common thread I've heard is that nobody likes him.
AVG RUNS HITS HR RBI SB SLG Sandberg .285 1318 2386 282 1061 344 .452 Mazerosky .260 769 2016 138 853 27 .367 Doerr .288 1094 2042 223 1247 54 .461 Carew .328 1424 3053 92 1015 353 .429 Joe Morgan .271 1650 2517 268 1133 689 .427 Kent .290 1320 2461 377 1518 94 .500 You can think he's a jerk but he does belong.
Was Kent ever a dominant player in his time? The best second baseman? The MVP? How many times an All-Star? Any rings? Compare that to say Joe Morgan.....
Thanks for those stat comparisons, ndfan. It makes a strong case for Kent. I could care less about him, but IMO regardless of the era in which he played, his stats alone compared to the other HOF members listed warrant his admission. I'm a huge Ryne Sandberg fan, and objectively speaking, if Ryno is in the HOF Kent should be. He will be inducted, like it or not. Given the subjective nature of the writers who vote for the HOF, I predict that he will be forced to twist in the wind for at least a couple of years after he is eligible, maybe more.
I agree exactly Sid....I was listening to Hot Stove on MLB channel today and they made some good points. He went from Blue Jays to horrible Mets then had Barry. He also was teams 3-4 hitter, which in certain ways makes it tougher when other 2B's don't hit in that part of the bat order. He prob won't make it first couple times, but he should make it. Now will Utley keep up his production to dominate Kent's HR's? Utley 130 to Kent's 89 at same time 6 yrs.
whoa whoa whoa.... That announcer on MLB is full of it. Kent has always had lineup protection. In fact, few have had a career so full of it. Jeff Kent was in Toronto but he was traded to the Mets because he couldn't crack their lineup. The 1992 Toronto Blue Jays were World Series Champions (their 3rd base coach, Nick Leyva, is the brother of the guy I coached Legion ball with at Ontario, Al Leyva). Jeff Kent couldn't beat out a guy by the named of Robbie Alomar and was traded to the New York Mets.. The Jays aquired David Cone for Ryan Thompson and Jeff Kent. From 1993 to 1995 he was part of the Mets teams known as "The Worst Team Money Could Buy". The lineup on that team though was anything but devoid of big hitters. Guys like Bobby Bonilla, Howard Johnson, Eddie Murray, Todd Hundley, Joe Orsulak and Ryan Thompson. I could make the case that he wasn't one of the top 2 or 3 hitters in that lineup.. He greatly benefited from people trying to pitching around HoJo and Bonilla. In his 2nd year they added guys like David Segui, Vizcaino and Kevin McReynolds to that line up (btw, you will also notice that he seems (Kent) to be involved in lots of teams with alleged steroid users in the lineup). His 3rd year in NY, they added even more hitters to the lineup with Rico Brogna and Brett Butler (the 2 top batting averages on the team that year). They also added Carl Everrett who batted over 300 (Kent didn't) splitting time with Bonilla in RF. Again, he played with some loaded lineups. The Mets actually got better by getting rid of Jeff Kent (as did the Blue Jays) He was then sent to the Cleveland Indians where he was in a lineup of: Sandy Alomar Julio Franco Jim Thome Albert Belle Manny Ramirez Kenny Lofton Albert Belle Eddie Murray Omar Vizquel A case could be made that he wasn't even the 5th best hitter in that lineup...but once again, it is another lineup in which he gets pitched to because no one wants any part of those other guys. Then he went onto the SF Giants where he batted in a lineup that had Barry Bonds, JT Snow, Ellis, Burks, Benito Santiago, Ray Durham, Glenallen Hill, Bill Mueller, and Stan Javier. Again, the case could be made that he was no better than the 2nd or 4th best hitter in that lineup. So then he moves onto the Astros. Now of the short left porch fame. There he is in a lineup of Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman, Everett, Hidalgo and Ausmus. Once again, this alleged HOF candidate isn't the best hitter in the lineup playing in a very hitter friendly park. The 04 Astros has Carlos Beltran in the lineup as well.. Then he moves onto the Dodgers..Finally a team that he has the best numbers for... Part of that is due to half arsed efforts by Milton Bradley and JD Drew. That would change by the next season with the additions of Nomar Garciaparra, Kenny Lofton, Rafeal Furcal, Russell Martin and a genuine 100 RBI showing by JD Drew. The team did better, and Kent slipped back into the middle of the pack. The year after that, Kent has a great year but the case could be made that Loney was the best hitter in that lineup. And then in his final season, yet another microcosm for his career, the team (and he) were going nowhere until Manny Ramirez (a real HOF candidate) is inserted into the lineup... but the problem for Kent is that he isn't the only producer in the lineup.. again Martin, Loney, Kemp and Ethier (as well as Pierre) all put up good numbers that are comparable or better than Kents.. I just don't see it... the guy's entire career he put up solid numbers but he was never the guy who was 'feared' in the lineup. Never did he show that he could carry the lineup... I don't know, maybe one day but nowhere in the near future.. Maybe when context is lost and people just look at numbers..
Ia gree with Corey 100%. He was a very good ball player but nver a dominant one and in my mind that's what matters to get into Cooperstown without a ticket.. Corey, you post very early in the day. Are you just waking up or just getting in, Dog? :wink:
KGJ is cursed of being, perhaps, the best natural player of the steroid generation. I'd vote for him. Unlike Jeff Kent, Junior was the best hitter in the lineup. He was the guy you pitched around. Defensively, he held that 'wow' factor that few have brought to the game. He always reminded me of an Ozzie Smith type in the OF. He was the real deal. A 5 tool player who didn't juice and could have to help him with his rehab process that hurt his numbers while the others were making quick comebacks. I'd vote for KGJ, first ballot. Piazza. No. This guy should have gone to the AL early in his career and become the next Paul Molitor (but with power..a LOT of power)... His insistence that he was a catcher just continually showed that he was a 1-way player. I think Piazza, like Kent, may get in one day. I just don't see either as first ballot, slam dunk kinda guys.