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09/29/2002 - 10/06/2002 10/06/2002 - 10/13/2002 10/13/2002 - 10/20/2002 10/27/2002 - 11/03/2002 11/03/2002 - 11/10/2002 11/17/2002 - 11/24/2002 12/15/2002 - 12/22/2002 12/22/2002 - 12/29/2002 12/29/2002 - 01/05/2003 01/05/2003 - 01/12/2003 01/19/2003 - 01/26/2003 01/26/2003 - 02/02/2003 02/02/2003 - 02/09/2003 02/09/2003 - 02/16/2003 02/23/2003 - 03/02/2003 04/06/2003 - 04/13/2003 04/13/2003 - 04/20/2003 06/08/2003 - 06/15/2003 07/20/2003 - 07/27/2003 07/27/2003 - 08/03/2003 08/03/2003 - 08/10/2003 08/10/2003 - 08/17/2003 08/17/2003 - 08/24/2003 08/24/2003 - 08/31/2003 08/31/2003 - 09/07/2003 09/07/2003 - 09/14/2003 09/28/2003 - 10/05/2003 10/12/2003 - 10/19/2003 10/19/2003 - 10/26/2003 11/09/2003 - 11/16/2003 11/16/2003 - 11/23/2003 12/21/2003 - 12/28/2003 12/28/2003 - 01/04/2004 01/04/2004 - 01/11/2004 01/11/2004 - 01/18/2004 01/18/2004 - 01/25/2004 02/29/2004 - 03/07/2004 03/07/2004 - 03/14/2004 03/14/2004 - 03/21/2004 03/21/2004 - 03/28/2004 03/28/2004 - 04/04/2004 04/04/2004 - 04/11/2004 04/18/2004 - 04/25/2004 04/25/2004 - 05/02/2004 05/02/2004 - 05/09/2004 05/09/2004 - 05/16/2004 05/23/2004 - 05/30/2004 05/30/2004 - 06/06/2004 06/06/2004 - 06/13/2004 06/20/2004 - 06/27/2004 06/27/2004 - 07/04/2004 07/04/2004 - 07/11/2004 07/11/2004 - 07/18/2004 07/18/2004 - 07/25/2004 08/01/2004 - 08/08/2004 08/08/2004 - 08/15/2004 08/15/2004 - 08/22/2004 08/29/2004 - 09/05/2004 09/05/2004 - 09/12/2004 09/19/2004 - 09/26/2004 10/03/2004 - 10/10/2004 11/07/2004 - 11/14/2004 12/26/2004 - 01/02/2005 01/02/2005 - 01/09/2005 01/09/2005 - 01/16/2005 01/23/2005 - 01/30/2005 01/30/2005 - 02/06/2005 02/06/2005 - 02/13/2005 02/13/2005 - 02/20/2005 02/20/2005 - 02/27/2005 02/27/2005 - 03/06/2005 03/06/2005 - 03/13/2005 03/13/2005 - 03/20/2005 03/20/2005 - 03/27/2005 03/27/2005 - 04/03/2005 04/10/2005 - 04/17/2005 04/17/2005 - 04/24/2005 04/24/2005 - 05/01/2005 05/15/2005 - 05/22/2005 05/22/2005 - 05/29/2005 05/29/2005 - 06/05/2005 06/05/2005 - 06/12/2005 06/12/2005 - 06/19/2005 06/19/2005 - 06/26/2005 06/26/2005 - 07/03/2005 07/10/2005 - 07/17/2005 07/17/2005 - 07/24/2005 07/24/2005 - 07/31/2005 07/31/2005 - 08/07/2005 08/07/2005 - 08/14/2005 08/14/2005 - 08/21/2005 08/21/2005 - 08/28/2005 09/04/2005 - 09/11/2005 09/11/2005 - 09/18/2005 09/18/2005 - 09/25/2005 10/09/2005 - 10/16/2005 10/16/2005 - 10/23/2005 11/06/2005 - 11/13/2005 03/26/2006 - 04/02/2006 04/30/2006 - 05/07/2006 05/14/2006 - 05/21/2006 05/28/2006 - 06/04/2006 06/04/2006 - 06/11/2006 06/11/2006 - 06/18/2006 07/02/2006 - 07/09/2006 07/09/2006 - 07/16/2006 07/23/2006 - 07/30/2006 03/04/2007 - 03/11/2007 06/17/2007 - 06/24/2007 07/13/2008 - 07/20/2008 08/03/2008 - 08/10/2008 08/10/2008 - 08/17/2008 08/17/2008 - 08/24/2008 01/11/2009 - 01/18/2009

 

Congratulations to Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice, just elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. They join Joe Gordon, selected earlier by the Veteran's Committee.

posted by Shawn at 1:26 PM

 

Number 243: Orlando Cepeda.

He was "The Baby Bull" because his father had been "The Bull" back when he played baseball, before men with such dark skin were allowed in the American major leagues. Cepeda signed with the Giants in 1955, and went to the majors in 1958, becoming a great fan favorite by turning in a Rookie of the Year season in the Giants' first year in San Francisco. Cepeda was a decent first baseman and a dangerous power hitter, but the Giants kept trying to push him to left field because the very next year, Willie McCovey came out of their system, and they couldn't both play first. Turned out neither one could play left, either.

Cepeda hit a lot of homers, complementing McCovey and Willie Mays in the lineup, until he spent most of 1965 injured. McCovey took over at first and that went well, so shortly after 1966 started Cepeda was traded to St. Louis for Ray Sadecki. Cepeda hit well for the Cardinals in 1966, then won the NL MVP in 1967 as the Cardinals won the World Series. He would end up in Atlanta for their 1969 division championship, spent a year as the DH in Boston before finishing up in Kansas City in 1974.

Cepeda earned 200.55 ratings points.

Cepeda's stats: .297 average, 397 HR, 1365 RBI, 2351 hits.

posted by Shawn at 7:11 PM

 

Number 242: Tim Salmon.

The man who became known as "Mr. Angel" played for the southern California franchise his entire career. He was drafted in the third round in 1989, and got to the majors for a cup of coffee in 1992, batting .177. He became a regular for 1993, and was AL Rookie of the Year with a .283 average, 31 HR, and 95 RBI. He held down right field for the next decade, playing good defense and hitting for power. He even got to be a key part of the 2002 World Champions.

He was solid and consistent, providing much of the Angels' power. Injuries ended his career early.

Salmon earned 200.86 ratings points.

Salmon's stats: .282 average, 299 HR, 339 doubles, 128 OPS+.

posted by Shawn at 1:12 PM

 

Number 241: Harmon Killebrew.

"The Killer" debuted with the Washington Senators in 1954 at age 18. He was a "bonus baby," and according to the rules of the time had to spend the next couple years on the big league roster. Killebrew took up a roster spot but didn't play much for several years. He was a 2B at the start, but started gaining muscle and shortly became a 3B.

It was in 1959, at age 23, that Killebrew became a regular in D.C., playing 3B and hitting 42 HR with 105 RBI on a poor team. He bounced back and forth between the hot corner, 1B, and LF over the next few years, continuing to hit for power. His average was around the .260 range, as high as .288, with about 100 walks a year.

The Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961, and Killebrew continued slugging. He was #3 in the 1962 MVP voting, hitting 48 HR and 126 RBI despite a .243 average. The Twins won the pennant and got to Game 7 of the World Series in 1965 although Killebrew was in just 113 games due to an injury. He batted .286 in the Series. The Twins were contenders through the second half of the 1960s, and Killebrew was the dangerous cleanup hitter. He was hurting again in 1968, then won the MVP in 1969 as the Twins won the new AL West and Killebrew hit 49 HR and drove in 140 runs. His decline started in 1972 when he was 36, and started losing the quickness in his bat. He started DHing the last couple years of his career, and spent 1975, his final year, in Kansas City.

He was never a very good defensive player, but was willing to play wherever asked for the good of the team. He didn't hit for a high average, but he drew a lot of walks and was a slugger of the first order. He led (or tied for the lead) in home runs six times. He never led the league in OPS+ but was in the top 10 ten times. By all accounts he is one of the game's great gentlemen.

Killebrew earned 200.89 ratings points.

Killebrew's stats: 573 HR, 1584 RBI, .509 slugging, 2086 hits.

posted by Shawn at 7:50 AM

 

Number 240: Bobby Abreu.

It is always hardest to evaluate current players. So much colors our view of them. Bobby Abreu has drawn MVP votes in six years, but has never finished higher than 14th in the voting. He has only been an All-Star in two seasons. He is a classic underrated player, good at many things and bad at none. Perhaps someday he will be appreciated as he should.

Abreu is a consistent .300 hitter, who also draws about 100 walks per year. He has good power, with as many as 31 homers in a season, and has scored 100 runs in a season seven times and driven in 100 six times. The guy puts runs on the board, and plays good defense besides. I don't know what else you have to do to be considered a terrific player.

Abreu has earned 201.07 ratings points through 2007.

Abreu's stats: .299 average, 221 HR, 296 steals.

posted by Shawn at 7:02 AM

 

Number 239: Rich "Goose" Gossage.

The recent Hall of Famer is on the list of best relief pitchers of all time. The 9th round pick of the White Sox in 1970, he was in the majors by 1972 by proved to be inconsistent. It was in 1975 that he established himself as a true relief force, gaining enough control of his blazing fastball to post 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA. Then, veteran manager Paul Richards took over the White Sox, and decided live young arms like Gossage and Terry Forster should be starters. Gossage went 9-17 in 1976, having to pace himself.

Gossage was traded to Pittsburgh and returned to the bullpen for 1977, and was lights-out again. A free agent, he signed with the Yankees, where in six years he really established his reputation. It is this version of "the Goose" that really sticks in the memory, the mustachioed guy in pinstripes staring down the hitters and then blowing them away. After New York he signed with San Diego for their 1984 pennant year, then started bouncing around. His fastball fading, his effectiveness was less reliable, but still he showed flashes, pitching until age 42.

Gossage earned 201.17 ratings points.

Gossage's stats: 310 saves, 1502 K in 1809 innings, 126 ERA+.

posted by Shawn at 6:21 AM

 

Number 238: Dave Stieb.

The first great player for the Toronto Blue Jays was born in California and went to college at Southern Illinois. He was drafted by Toronto in the 5th round, 1978, and made his major league debut in 1979. That was Toronto's third year of existence, and they were searching for any hint of quality. They got it for a lot of years from Stieb.

Stieb could reasonably be considered the AL's best pitcher of the 1980s, although many would give that title to Jack Morris. Morris, however, pitched for much better teams and gave up many more runs than Stieb. Stieb was almost certainly the best pitcher in the league in 1985, among other years, but never won a Cy Young Award, due to a lack of gaudy win totals. He pitched on two postseason teams, 1985 and 1989, and was providing a lot of the push that got them there.

Stieb left the majors after the 1993 season, but returned in 1998 and posted respectable numbers, though not exceptional. Still, he will be remembered as Toronto's first ace, and should be listed among the great pitchers.

Stieb earned 201.2 ratings points.

Stieb's stats: 176-137 record, 3.44 ERA, 1669 K.

posted by Shawn at 4:21 PM

 

Number 237: Whitey Ford

He is the winningest pitcher in World Series history, and also the one with the most losses at 10-8. Ford was signed by the Yankees in 1947, and debuted in New York in 1950, going 9-1 down the stretch. He got his first World Series win that year, too. He also got two years in the military, and returned to the roster in 1953. From there Ford embarked on a stellar career, racking up a dozen years as the ace of the Yankees' staff. During his many years under Casey Stengel, Ford was used somewhat oddly, as Casey tended to save him for the toughest teams, the ones the Yankees had to beat. That makes his record somewhat better than it looks. On the other hand, pitching for all those exceptional teams makes his record look better than it really was, if he had been pitching for the Cubs or Tigers, for instance.

Still, being the best pitcher on the best team is a pretty good feather for your cap. Whitey never won 20 in a season for Stengel, but Stengel never started him more than 33 times in a year. If you wonder why few pitchers now win 20, consider that. When Ralph Houk took over the Yankees in 1961, he established a four-man rotation, and Whitey got 39 starts and won 25 games. He also won 24 in 1963. His arsenal was not overpowering, but he had good movement on his pitches and excellent control. Ford was a dependable guy, very consistent. The 25 wins won him the 1961 Cy Young Award.

He was called "The Chairman of the Board" for his businesslike approach on the mound, and "Slick" for his demeanor off it, as a native New Yorker, and also to rhyme with "Mick" for his buddy Mickey Mantle. After 1965, he had trouble with his arm, and ended his career after the 1967 season. Ford was one of baseball's class acts.

Ford earned 201.36 ratings points.

Ford's stats: 236-106 record, .690 winning percentage, 2.75 ERA, 1956 K.

posted by Shawn at 4:20 PM

 

Not all players debut at the end of the list, and so Albert Pujols makes his first appearance on the list at #144. You'll have to look in the archives to see him. I will get up to current soon.

posted by Shawn at 1:03 PM

 

It's time I revised again. I've been going through the player ratings, so you may be seeing some movement. I have reevaluated some guys, and of course some active players have moved up. A-Rod, for instance.

posted by Shawn at 10:23 AM

 

Number 236: Roy White.

Ways to be underrated: be good at many things rather than great at one or two; be steady and consistent rather than flashy; play in a park and an era that hurts your stats; be quiet and workmanlike rather than loudly tooting your own horn. It is rare that we label someone who plays in New York as underrated, but Roy White is one of those guys.

White never looked impressive, but he hit for good averages with lots of walks, some power, and good defense although his arm was weak, his only bad point. He did it year after year after year. You could set your watch by him.

White earned 201.39 ratings points.

White's stats: .271 average, 160 HR, 1803 hits, 121 OPS+.

posted by Shawn at 6:52 PM

 

Revision in progress: with a site like this, you always have to keep revising or it quickly gets out of date. After all, they keep playing baseball. Another problem is, the WARP numbers I use as the basis of the ranking system are periodically changed by Clay Davenport, often without notice. So I go through to check something and find the values are different. So more changes. That's all right, because opinions evolve and shift with time and more information. It just keeps me busy.

Jeff Kent moved up about 30 places in the last revision. For my money, the guy is a Hall of Famer.

posted by Shawn at 10:48 AM

 

I have recently made a change to my blog lineup. I publish the Cincinnati Reds blog here at Blogger, and now have moved by Baseball Awards Blog here to Blogger. In it, I list Win Shares and WARP data, and choose who should have won MVP, Cy Young, Rookie and Manager awards. It's a nice walk through baseball history, and I hope you will like it.

posted by Shawn at 9:38 AM

 

Number 235: Chuck Finley.

A first round pick in 1985 by the Angels, Finley was in the majors as a reliever by 1986. He spent two years in the bullpen then went to the rotation in 1988, and started running off 16 win seasons. Finley was a good, consistent starter for the Angels for many years, finishing his career with a stint in Cleveland and a brief appearance in St. Louis.

He was never spectacular, just steady. Eleven wins in his final season put him at 200 for his career.

Finley earned 202.23 ratings points.

Finley's stats: 200-173 record, 2610 K, 3197 innings, 3.85 ERA.

posted by Shawn at 7:47 PM

 

Number 234: Larry Walker.

Walker is a Canadian, an undrafted free agent signed by the Montreal Expos in 1984. He surfaced in the majors in 1989 at age 22 for 20 games, then became a regular the next year. Walker quickly showed a wide variety of skills. He hit for a good average, provided solid power, played strong RF defense with an excellent arm. In 1992 he won a Gold Glove and finished 5th in MVP voting. He was part of the 1994 Expos team that was leading the division at the time of the strike, thus missing an opportunity to bring the World Series to Montreal.

Like a lot of that Expos team, Walker departed Montreal after 1994 and signed as a free agent with Colorado. As a Rockie Walker became well known, reaching the 1995 playoffs and winning the 1997 MVP award leading the league in HR and OPS. He won three batting titles in Denver. In late 2004 Walker was acquired by the Cardinals for the stretch run and postseason, and played in his first World Series. He batted .357 with 2 HR as the Cards were swept by the Red Sox.

Walker's numbers are inflated by his years of play in the thin air of the mountains, and his durability can be questioned, but his talent and performance when on the field are above reproach.

Walker has earned 202.45 ratings points.

Walker's stats: .313 average, 383 HR, 2160 hits, 1311 RBI.

posted by Shawn at 7:47 PM

 

Number 233: Matt Williams.

A terrific defensive third baseman with power, Williams was on pace to break Roger Maris's seasonal home run mark when the strike hit in 1994. We'll never know if he would have done it. That 2nd-place finish in the MVP race was one of four top ten finishes for Williams.

The first round pick of the Giants in 1986, Williams debuted in 1987 and played 10 years in San Francisco, one in Cleveland, and his last six in Arizona. After being on the losing side of the 1989 and 1997 World Series, his Diamondbacks won one in 2001. It was an appropriate climax to a fine career.

Williams earned 202.52 ratings points.

Williams's stats: .268 average, 378 HR, 1218 RBI, four Gold Gloves.

posted by Shawn at 4:09 PM

 

Number 232: Stan Coveleski.

Coveleski was a spitballer, his status surviving the 1920 outlawing of the pitch through the "grandfather" clause that went with it. He first appeared in the majors in 1912 with the Philadelphia A's, but his 2-1 record did not impress with a team in the midst of four pennants and he was sent back out. In 1916 he joined the Indians and began a run of success in Cleveland, starting with a 15-13 season that year at age 26.

Coveleski won 20 games four years in a row 1918-21, led the league in ERA in 1923 and 1925, in strikeouts in 1920. He won three games for the Indians in the 1920 World Series, pushing the Tribe over the top. After a 15-16 season in 1924, he was swapped to Washington, and went to another Series in 1925. He was just an occasional pitcher by 1927, and finished up with twelve games for the Yankees in 1928.

Coveleski earned 202.75 ratings points.

Coveleski's stats: 215-142 record, 2.89 ERA, 224 CG, 127 ERA+.

posted by Shawn at 7:06 PM

 

Number 231: Minnie Minoso.

Minoso, a dark-skinned Cuban, was not eligible to play in major league baseball due to the unofficial color line that was finally broken in 1947. He played in the American Negro Leagues for awhile, and was very impressive, and got a major league chance in 1949 with Cleveland. He was 3-for-16 with a HR, but for some reason didn't play in the majors again until 1951, when he was 28 years old, and then not really until he was traded to the White Sox in a complicated three-team deal with the A's.

The White Sox made room in the lineup for Minoso, and he hit .326 with 10 HR and 112 runs in 1951. Minoso continued producing along those lines through the 1950s, including after he was traded back to the Indians after the 1957 season. He was a regular through 1961, and bounced around a bit as a bench player afterwards, into his forties.

Minoso played roughly the second half of his career in the majors, once the color line was broken, and played very well. He hit for a good average, showed good power and speed, and solid defense. He gets credit for time lost to segregation.

Minoso earned 203.2 ratings points.

Minoso's stats: .298 average, 186 HR, 205 SB, 1963 hits.

posted by Shawn at 8:53 PM

 

Number 230: Red Ruffing

Ruffing began with Boston in 1924, pitching in 8 games. He continued there for several years as one of the Red Sox top starters, but didn't look like anything special. He was 9-18 in 1925, 10-25 in 1928, with ERAs around the league average or slightly worse. Shortly after the start of the 1930 season, he was traded (basically sold) to the Yankees, and from there took off on a Hall of Fame career. Why the change? One theory is that bad teams, like the Red Sox of the 1920s, often run their best pitchers into the ground. Perhaps, or perhaps he simply picked up with a better team. He was a mainstay for the Yankees through the 1930s, winning 20 games four straight seasons 1936-39, teaming with Lefty Gomez to provide the Yankees rotation anchors. Ruffing was part of six World Championship teams, with a 7-2 World Series record and 2.63 ERA, which boosts his value.

Ruffing was also a good hitter, with a .269 lifetime average. He was not a big dominating pitcher, but a consistent one for a long period of time, and an important part of championship teams.

Ruffing earned 203.43 ratings points.

Ruffing's stats: 273-225, 3.80 ERA, 1987 K, 45 shutouts, 335 CG.

posted by Shawn at 6:49 PM

 

Number 229: Nellie Fox.

Fox first reached the majors as a Philadelphia A, but was traded to the White Sox after the 1949 season. He would become the AL's best second baseman for the 1950s, fortifying the White Sox batting mostly out of the second spot. Fox was a top-notch fielder, winning three Gold Gloves after they started handing such things out. He was a good contact hitter without much power, collecting many singles and doubles. He led the league in hits four times and annually did well in the MVP voting. He had a great year in 1957 and finished 4th in MVP balloting, then had another one when the White Sox won the pennant in 1959 and won an MVP. It was well-deserved.

Fox spent the last two years of his career in Houston, tutoring the up-and-coming Joe Morgan. He was always well-regarded by his peers.

Fox earned 203.48 ratings points.

Fox's stats: .288 average, 2663 hits, 355 doubles, 1279 runs.

posted by Shawn at 6:44 AM

 

Number 228: Red Faber.

Faber pitched his whole career with the Chicago White Sox, 20 seasons. He pitched for the team in the 1917 World Series, going 3-1 in the Chisox last WS victory, and missed the 1919 classic with a sore arm. The honest Sox surely missed him there. After the Black Sox scandal broke, Faber was the mainstay of the staff on a depleted team, but kept going. He served as a symbol of honesty and better days gone by, and as a strong pitcher. He won 20 or more games in four seasons and led the league in ERA twice.

Faber earned 203.76 ratings points.

Faber's stats: 254-213 record, 3.15 ERA, 273 CG.

posted by Shawn at 7:53 PM

 

Number 227: Red Schoendienst.

Schoendienst is an Illinois boy signed by the Cardinals in 1942 and in the majors with them by 1945, playing left field with a war on at the age of 22. In 1946 he went to second base, his natural position, for the championship team in St. Louis that year. He was a good defensive player and became a regular member of the All-Star team through the 1950s even as the Cardinals declined. In mid 1956 he was traded to New York, then in mid 1957 to Milwaukee as the Braves charged to their own championship. Schoendienst was 3rd in MVP voting that year.

The Braves won again in 1958, but Schoendienst missed most of 1959 with tuberculosis, and never got back into condition well enough to be a regular. He became a coach, and managed the Cardinals from 1965 through 1976, winning two pennants.

Schoendienst earned 203.82 ratings points.

Schoendienst's stats: .289 average, 2449 hits, 427 doubles, 1223 runs.

posted by Shawn at 6:15 AM

 

Number 226: Goose Goslin.

Leon Allen Goslin was a New Jersey native who began with the Washington Senators in 1921, playing 14 games and batting .260 at age 20. He soon moved into the regular LF job. Goslin became a top-notch hitter, with an excellent average and good power. His home park held down his stats a bit, but he won the 1928 batting title and led the league in RBI in 1924. The Senators were at their height, winning the World Series in 1924 and the pennant in 1925. Goslin was a major cog in those teams.

The Senators faded, and Goslin was traded to the Browns in mid-season 1930 for Heinie Manush and Alvin "General" Crowder. That gave him a shorter fence to aim at, and he hit 37 HR that year, his career high. Goslin spent two more full seasons with St. Louis, then was dealt back to the Senators for 1933, and the Nats won their final pennant that year. Goslin was then dealt to the Tigers, and the Detroit squad won the next two pennants with Goslin in LF, including the 1935 World Series.

Goslin was a regular through 1936, then a part-timer for two more years. He was a hard hitter and good outfielder, and part of a number of winning teams.

Goslin earned 204.1 ratings points.

Goslin's stats: .316 average, 248 HR, 2735 hits, .500 slugging.

posted by Shawn at 6:12 PM

 

Number 225: Shoeless Joe Jackson.

"Say it ain't so, Joe!" is the plaintive cry that hangs over Joe Jackson's career. Jackson was a poor and illiterate man from South Carolina who came to be known as one of the finest hitters in the game of baseball. Jackson's talent was recognized when he was quite young, but Connie Mack could not quite find a lineup spot for him. Instead, he made him the player to be named in the deal where he acquired Bris Lord. Jackson went to Cleveland, and after another year of seasoning became the Indians' right fielder in 1911, and promptly batted .408. It would remain his career high average, but he hit .395 the next year and .356 for his career. He hit for power, too, which at the time meant doubles and triples, and stole some bases. He was a pretty good outfielder, too.

In August, 1916, Jackson was traded, or more accurately sold, to Chicago. One wonders how history might have been different if he hadn't been. Jackson was part of the White Sox 1917 World Champions, then on the 1919 pennant winners, which lost the Series despite being heavily favored. Suspicions ran heavy...then were confirmed when Jackson, among others, confessed. The confessions were later stolen from the clubhouse (some say by Al Capone's men) and the trial of the "Black Sox" ended with a "not guilty" verdict....but new Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis suspended all of them for life, including Jackson. Jackson may not have been in the conspiracy whole-heartedly, but he did accept money and he didn't hit in the clutch.

Had he not been forcibly retired from the game at age 30, Jackson may well have compiled credentials fitting a Hall of Famer. However, no one who conspires to throw a World Series should ever be a member of the Hall of Fame.

posted by Shawn at 6:08 PM

 

Number 224: Kevin Appier.

He never won 20 games in a season, so it doesn't seem he should be this good. However, he pitched for a lot of bad teams in Kansas City, not going elsewhere until he was in his thirties. He also pitched quite well for a number of years. Pitchers are affected by the players around them more than any other players, so sometimes you get the good pitcher masked by the poor team.

Appier reached 200 innings eight times, and 180 three other times. He was durable and effective. The Royals' 1987 1st round draft pick delivered performance year after year.

Appier earned 204.58 ratings points.

Appier's stats: 169-137 record, 3.74 ERA, 121 ERA+.

posted by Shawn at 6:00 PM

 

Number 223: Lance Parrish

Parrish was Detroit's 1st round pick in the 1974 draft, and first got to the majors in 1977 at age 21. He was tall for a catcher at 6'3", and a large man, with a very strong arm. Parrish was not the most mobile of catchers, but blocked pitchers and runners well and was difficult to steal against. His average wasn't very high but he drew some walks, and hit for a lot of power. He won three Gold Gloves 1983-85, and played a big role in the 1984 World Series winners. He missed the next Detroit Series team, signing as a free agent with Philadelphia before the 1987 season. After two years in Philly he was traded to California, and spent three-plus seasons there before wandering to Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto in the endings of his career.

Parrish was a solid hitter with a career 105 OPS+, and widely considered a strong defensive catcher. Some day, he may be recognized as a Hall of Famer.

Parrish earned 204.81 ratings points.

Parrish's stats: .252 average, 324 HR, 1070 RBI, 305 doubles.

posted by Shawn at 9:59 AM

 

Number 222: Jay Bell.

It's hard to put a value on a middle infielder who can hit. Someone who can deliver with the glove as well as hold down a key lineup spot is of amazing value. Such a player was Jay Bell. Bell was a solid shortstop, though he won just one Gold Glove, in 1993. He could have won several more, as he was consistently strong at short, not flashy but with good range and a strong arm.

Even better was that Bell delivered with the bat. He had a career 101 OPS+, putting him at dead average. He's dragged down a bit by his career finish, as well as years batting second in Pittsburgh when he was asked to sacrifice bunt a lot. He was good at that, but even better at hitting for a decent average with good power and quite a few walks. The guy could produce at bat. He even hit 38 HR and drove in 112 runs for Arizona in 1999. That was a fluke, but he was a good hitter.

Bell earned 204.87 ratings points.

Bell's stats: .265 average, 1963 hits, 195 HR, 853 walks.

posted by Shawn at 1:27 PM

 

Number 221: Juan Marichal

"The Dominican Dandy" was signed by the Giants in 1958. He made it to the majors in 1960, posting a 6-2 record and 2.66 ERA in 11 starts at age 22. He struggled a bit the next year in going 13-10, but became a rotation anchor in time for the pennant year of 1962, with an 18-11 mark. Marichal started Game 4 for the Giants in the Series, pitching four shutout innings, but then came out and did not appear again. It was to be his only World Series appearance, although he would be a terrific pitcher for the next several years. His stats were helped by the generally depressed offense of the 1960s, and the difficult hitting conditions in his home field, Candlestick Park, but he was still a great pitcher.

Marichal won 25 in 1963, then 21, 22, and 25 again in 1966. He slumped in 1967, then went 26-9 in the pitchers’ year, 1968. He never did particularly well in award voting, partly because his big-game rep was not that good, and partly because the competition usually included Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson. He got as high as 5th in the 1968 MVP voting, and was 8th in the Cy Young race in 1971, when he was 18-11, his last good year. He never did better than a league average ERA after that, finishing up with Boston in 1974 and two starts in Los Angeles in 1975 at age 37. Those six 20-win seasons, with two years leading the league in wins and once (1969) leading in ERA are strong credentials. As of 2005 he ranked 51st in career wins and 43rd in strikeouts, 16th in WHIP, and 18th in shutouts. He was a 9-time All-Star.

Marichal earned 204.98 ratings points.

Marichal's stats: 243-142 record, 2.89 ERA, 2303 K, 244 CG, 52 shutouts.

posted by Shawn at 1:21 PM

 

Number 220: Dale Murphy.

Murphy was a 1974 1st round pick of the Braves, the 5th overall, as a catcher. He made the big leagues quickly, appearing briefly in 1976 and 1977. But Murphy’s defensive shortcomings made it necessary to shift his position. Throwing became a particular problem. Murphy moved to 1B, and became the Braves' regular there for 1978 at age 22. He batted just .226 but provided 23 HR. They were still trying to get him to catch by playing him there for stretches but it didn't work out. He did better part-time in 1979, and in 1980 was made the regular CF. It was history in the making as he hit .281 with 33 HR.

Murphy would win consecutive MVPs in 1982 and 1983, the beginning of a streak of four Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards. He led the league in RBI in his MVP years, in HR for 1984 and 1985, and posted a solid six-year peak of performance. In 1988 his performance collapsed and he hit just .226 with 24 HR. He continued to play regularly through 1991, moving to Philadelphia in mid-1990, but never did get it back. Even a trial with Colorado in 1993 couldn't wake his bat. Murphy ended with an excellent peak period, and showed a good glove and solid power bat. He was also widely regarded as a fine gentleman.

Murphy earned 205.02 ratings points.

Murphy's stats: .265 average, 398 HR, 2111 hits, 1266 RBI.

posted by Shawn at 1:19 PM

 

Update now done through Number 200, and a little extra. New content will begin appearing soon.

posted by Shawn at 8:08 AM

 

Updating now complete through Number 150. Still reshuffling the deck.

That's the thing with a site like this, it's never done.

posted by Shawn at 2:38 PM

 

I have now completed the 2006 update through 100th place, and will continue to reshuffle based on the 2005 stats update for active players. It's a long process!

posted by Shawn at 9:35 AM

 

Being a blogger has its perquisites. A couple of weeks ago, I received in the mail a copy of “The Last Nine Innings” by Charles Euchner, a new book featuring the seventh game of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees, with the agreement that I would read it and review it for my blog. Therefore, I am.

Euchner’s book owes much to Daniel Okrent’s seminal book “Nine Innings” about a 1982 midseason game, that Okrent used to veer off onto tangents on just about everything related to baseball. Euchner follows the same formula; only rather than a typical game, he uses a game of supreme importance, because no baseball game can ever be more important than the seventh game of the Series. Aside from that, Euchner follows Okrent’s style of making observations about the game in general by referring from this game specifically.

Baseball changed quite a bit in the nearly twenty years between the playing of these two games, and Euchner focuses on many of the changes. Sabermetrics, the new statistical studies of the game, are a large feature of this book. There is also some attention paid to the evolving TV work done by Fox network in broadcasting the games, and the changing marketplace for baseball talent. Euchner also focuses on the kinesiology research being done to break down the movements used in baseball from batting swings to pitchers’ throwing motions.

In many ways, it was time for a new book like this, as so much has changed since Okrent first wrote his tome. Euchner’s prose suffers a bit by comparison, as he is not the writer that Okrent is. However, the language is straightforward and solid, the storytelling sure. Euchner reaches no literary heights, but states his points clearly. Introducing a Luis Gonzalez at-bat, Euchner writes, “With a runner on base and one out in the home half of the third inning, baseball’s most improbable power hitter steps to the plate.” It’s not Red Smith, but it is certainly readable.

The problems with this book are mostly editorial. A firmer hand by the editor would have made for a much better book. There are specific instances that show this as well as general ones. In the 9th inning, Tony Womack tied the game with a bloop double. On page 273, it says, “Womack hit the ball hard to left field.” Then, on page 274, it reads, “The ball bounces two feet inside the right-field line.” The ball was actually hit to right field. There are a few small factual errors like this that better proofreading could have caught. Then again, I have that complaint about a lot of books, as well as my own work.

My other complaint is stylistic. The book is divided into nine sections, by inning, but the sections have between two and four chapters of varying length. A nine-chapter book, or eighteen chapters following each half inning, would have been preferable. Enough of the jumping-off points are flexible enough that they could have been used in multiple places, and the book could have been better balanced by giving nearly equal space to each inning, with more tangents in the early innings and concentrating more on the game in the late innings, much as broadcasters do. A good editing job would have gone a long way here.

For all that, there is much to like here. Euchner delves into many aspects of the game with a fan’s eye. He looks at Steve Finley’s odd conditioning routine, and examines the touchy subject of Derek Jeter’s fielding. He follows the thought patterns of the managers, and looks at how the strategy affects the game. He profiles the biggest stars of the game, from Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson to Jeter and Alfonso Soriano. Euchner interviewed a number of the principles, and I only wish he could have interviewed more. Their comments help give the book depth.

Euchner presents the story but strives not to take sides. It makes for a very interesting work that may by turns interest, involve, and frustrate you. Either way, it will certainly prove of interest.

posted by Shawn at 11:08 AM

 

Number 219: Charlie Keller.

"King Kong" Keller was a hairy, muscular fellow who would have had a long and great career except for two things: World War II, and a bad back. Keller batted 500 times in just five seasons, but when he played he was exceptional.

Keller drove in 100 runs in three seasons, and scored 100 in three as well. He was a capable left fielder with good speed and put up a lifetime OPS+ of 152. Keller was a five-time All-Star in his short career.

Keller earned 205.5 ratings points.

Keller's stats: .286 average , 189 HR, .410 on-base, .518 slugging.

posted by Shawn at 2:48 PM

 

Number 218: Brian Giles.

Giles came up with Cleveland, held back by the depth of the system and the strong club at the major league level, becoming a platoon LF and fourth OF. He was swapped to Pittsburgh in an ill-advised deal for a lefty reliever, then became a star for the Pirates. In nearly five years in Pittsburgh, Giles established himself as one of the best in the game.

A short, muscular fellow, Giles has good speed, excellent power, and hits for a solid average. His move to San Diego has decreased his stats with the big park, but brought him back to the postseason.

Giles has earned 206.25 ratings points through 2007.

Giles' stats (through 2007): .293 average, 273 HR, .403 OBP, 361 doubles.

posted by Shawn at 4:23 PM

 

Number 217: Nomar Garciaparra.

A Californian who went to Georgia Tech, he was the first round pick of the Red Sox in 1994. He made his major league debut in 1996, and quickly became one of the game's biggest stars. He has become better known for an inability to stay in the lineup, after missing most of the 2001 season.

He no longer plays at the level of his younger days, but those two batting titles and the stats that went with them are big factors in a high rating. Current struggles do not erase past performance.

Garciaparra has earned 206.73 ratings points through 2007.

Garciaparra's stats: .315 average, 218 HR, .526 slugging.

posted by Shawn at 10:19 AM

 

Number 216: Harry Heilmann.

Heilmann debuted in MLB with Detroit at age 19, but was not impressive, batting 225 in 69 games in 1914. He returned to Detroit in 1916, and this time hit .282 to stick. Sam Crawford was getting old and the Tigers needed a new RF, and that soon became Heilmann. He would win four batting titles, oddly in four odd-numbered years (1921, 23, 25, and 27) and finished 2nd in the MVP vote for 1927. After the lively-ball era hit, he showed more extra-base power, and was a consistent 100-RBI guy. He was below average in the field, and even spent prime years in 1919 and 1920 at first base. But he could hit.

Heilmann never played in a World Series, coming to Detroit between the Cobb and Greenberg powerhouses. But he provided excellent offense in the middle of the order for years. In 1930 he went to Cincinnati where he ended his career. His nickname, "Slug," pretty much sums it up.

Heilmann earned 207.11 ratings points.

Heilmann's stats: .342 average, 2660 hits, 183 HR, 1539 RBI, 542 doubles, 151 triples.

posted by Shawn at 5:39 PM

 

Number 215: Don Mattingly.

Mattingly was a 19th round pick by the Yankees in 1979, and debuted in the majors in 1982, became a part-time player in 1983, and took up a regular spot in 1984 as he hit .343 with 110 RBI. He won the AL MVP in 1985 with a .324 average, 35 HR and 145 RBI, then led the league in OPS the next year. For six years, 1984-89, he was one of the top players in the league.

And then back problems hit, limiting him to 102 games in 1990, and he hit .300 only once the rest of his career, with little power. It was quite a comedown for a guy who had been one of the top hitters in the game. Still it was a great six-year run, and provides some impressive peak value. He just fell in the wrong era, one of the few long-time Yankees never to play in a World Series. The only postseason play he got was the 1995 ALDS.

Mattingly earned 207.65 ratings points.

Mattingly's stats: .307 average, 222 HR, 2153 hits, 1099 RBI, 9 Gold Gloves.

posted by Shawn at 5:19 PM

 

Number 214: Kenny Lofton.

Lofton was a 17th round pick of Houston in 1988, and debuted in the majors with them in 1991. But the 'stros had just obtained Steve Finley to play CF, and swapped Lofton to the Indians as part of a trade for catcher Eddie Taubensee. Lofton became part of the Indians' powerful young team, playing a superb CF and providing an excellent and speedy leadoff man.

Lofton was swapped to Atlanta for 1997, but came back to the Indians after the season as a free agent, replacing Marquis Grissom for whom he was traded. He stayed through 2001, playing nine of ten years in Cleveland.

Lofton has since bounced around, to the White Sox, Giants, Pirates, Cubs, Yankees, and Phillies. He has played in two World Series but not yet on the winning side. He won four Gold Gloves 1993-96. He led the league in steals five straight years 1992-96. At his peak, he was one of the best players in the AL.

Lofton earned 207.7 ratings points.

Lofton's stats: .299 average, 2428 hits, 622 SB, 1528 runs.

posted by Shawn at 4:42 PM

 

Number 213: Chipper Jones.

Imagine where he'd rank if he was any good at defense. Chipper, born Larry Wayne Jones, was the first overall pick in the 1990 draft, so expectations were attached. The Floridian appeared briefly in 1993, but made his real debut in 1995 taking over at third base for veteran Terry Pendleton. Chipper was second in Rookie of the Year voting, and soon established himself as a star.

Chipper has been a regular .300 hitter, drove in 100 runs in eight straight seasons at one point, and won the 1999 NL MVP. He moved to the outfield in 2002, but that didn't go so well so he moved back two years later. He has become less durable with age but is still one of the best hitters around.

Jones has earned 208.32 ratings points through 2007.

Jones's stats (through 2007): .310 average, 386 HR, 1299 RBI, 2117 hits.

posted by Shawn at 6:10 PM

 

Number 212: Wes Ferrell.

It is unusual for a pitcher with a career ERA of over 4.00 to be highly regarded. That is often used as a threshhold for adequacy. But Wes Ferrell's 4.04 career ERA comes with some caveats. For one, he pitched his career in an extreme hitters' era, the period of 1927-41. His ERA was high, but his ERA+ of 117 says that he was still well above average. Plus, he was a terrific hitter himself, with a lifetime batting average of .280, and a career OPS+ of 100. For his career, he was a league-average hitter!

Ferrell toiled for a lot of below average clubs, and never reached the postseason. Still, he once placed 2nd in the MVP voting, that in 1935 when he led the league in wins. He wasn't even an All-Star that year, something he managed but twice. However, for ten years, 1929-38, in the middle of the Lively Ball years, he was one of the best pitchers in the AL. He won 20 in a season six times.

Ferrell earned 209.1 ratings points.

Ferrell's stats: 193-128 record, 227 CG, 38 HR hit.

posted by Shawn at 4:26 PM

 

Number 211: Wilbur Wood.

Wood faced the difficulties of most knuckleball pitchers in establishing himself. The Red Sox signed him, and he pitched 25 games (mostly in relief) for Boston in 1963. He posted an 0-5 record with a roughly league-average 3.76 ERA. That didn't win him many fans, so in mid-1964 he was sent to Pittsburgh. The Pirates used him in 34 games in 1965, and he went 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA. That didn't impress either, and he got no major league time in 1966 and then was traded to the White Sox in October. Wood was swapped for Juan Pizarro, who had won 19 games as recently as 1964 but had had arm trouble since.

Wood got his chance in Chicago. Put in the bullpen, because after all Hoyt Wilhelm was a relief pitcher, Wood was a terrific relief pitcher for four years, becoming quite the workhorse relief ace. He also pitched excellent ball. But the White Sox had fallen on hard times, losing 106 games in 1970 with a poor pitching rotation. Only Tommy John had pitched well. So someone, perhaps manager Chuck Tanner, got the bright idea to put Wood in the rotation.

It worked like a charm. Wood posted a 22-13 record and 1.91 ERA, finishing third in the Cy Young voting to Vida Blue's 24-win season and Mickey Lolich's 25. Wood won 24 himself the next two years, and started 49 and 48 games in those years, often on two days rest. Perhaps it was the overwork, perhaps his age as he entered his thirties, but he began to slow down, and in 1976 made just seven starts due to injuries. He came back to pitch two more years, but was not very effective. He left the game after 1978, young for a knuckleballer at age 36. Wood had a very high peak pitching for some mediocre White Sox teams.

Wood earned 209.25 ratings points.

Wood's stats: 164-156 record, 57 saves, 3.24 ERA, 114 CG.

posted by Shawn at 10:43 AM

 

Number 210: Bobby Bonilla.

Bonilla was a big fella from the Bronx the Pirates signed in 1981. The White Sox picked him in the Rule V draft, played him for a while in 1986, but traded him back to the Pirates in midseason for Jose DeLeon. The next year, Bonilla emerged as a hitter. He played third base for the Buccos, and did it well, then went to right field. The Mets signed him as a free agent after 1991 and he was never the same.

He played regularly through 1997, on the Marlins' first World Championship team, then became a part-timer. Bonilla was a big power producer and won three Silver Slugger awards.

Bonilla earned 209.27 ratings points.

Bonilla's stats: .279 average, 287 HR, 408 doubles, 2010 hits.

posted by Shawn at 7:10 AM

 

Number 209: Phil Rizzuto.

"The Scooter" was a quick, slick-fielding shortstop and the leadoff man for several great Yankees teams. Rizzuto signed with the Yankees in 1937 and in 1941, at age 23, pushed veteran Frank Crosetti out of a job. Rizzuto batted .307 that year, and .284 the next before going into the service during World War II. The war cost him three prime years, and when he returned his bat had slipped a bit. In 1950, though, he was terrific, batting .324 with 92 walks and fielding everything in the infield. He won the MVP that year.

Rizzuto was into his 30s by then, and soon started losing his speed. In 1954 he batted just .195, and that ended his days as a regular. He was released in midseason 1956 at age 38, and soon after went into the broadcast booth, where he was a fixture for many years. Rizzuto finished with a 93 OPS+, which was good considering he lost those three years, and was a terrific fielder.

Rizzuto earned 209.34 ratings points, adjusted for war service.

Rizzuto's stats: .273 average, 1588 hits, five-time All-Star, seven World Series rings.

posted by Shawn at 5:39 PM

 

Number 208: Bret Saberhagen.

Saberhagen was a 19th round draft pick in 1982, and despite those odds reached the majors in 1984. He went 10-11 that year, then won 20 the next year as the Royals won the World Series against all odds, with a lousy offense but one of the great pitching staffs ever. Saberhagen was the Cy Young winner and World Series MVP that year, with 2 World Series wins.

The rest of his career was up-and-down, with years of spectacular success alternating with years of struggle or arm trouble. Saberhagen was almost always effective when he could pitch, but that was often more difficult than it should have been. He won 23 in 1989, to win another Cy Young, but those were his only two 20-win seasons. He went from KC to the Mets, the Rockies (briefly) and the Red Sox, until his arm would no longer function. But he pitched 16 years in the big leagues, and posted a 126 ERA+, showing his astonishing effectiveness.

Saberhagen earned 209.45 ratings points.

Saberhagen's stats: 167-117, 3.34 ERA, 1715/471 K/W ratio.

posted by Shawn at 6:00 PM

 

Number 207: Chet Lemon.

Now, this is an unexpected choice, right? Well, a center fielder with a good glove and a lifetime 120 OPS+ can expect to make such a list. He wasn't very well known, just very good.

Lemon was a 1972 first-round pick of the A's, but went to the White Sox in a 1975 trade before his major league debut. He spent the first half of his career with Chicago, and the second half with Detroit. He was not a guy you saw a lot of on top of the leader boards, although he led the AL in doubles in 1979 and in HBP four times. He is 18th all-time in getting hit by pitches. Mostly, he hit for a good average with some power, and drew walks, and got hit by pitches.

Lemon earned 209.71 ratings points.

Lemon's stats: .273 average, 215 HR, 1875 hits, 151 HBP.

posted by Shawn at 5:12 PM

 

Number 206: Luis Tiant.

"El Tiante" was a Cuban whose father was a famous pitcher in his home country, when the color line kept him out of American baseball. The younger man left the country after Castro came to power, and was playing in Mexico when signed by Cleveland in 1962. He made the majors in 1964 at age 23, posting a 10-4 record in 19 games. He was a solid starter for the Indians through the 1960s, especially 1968 when he went 21-9 with a 1.60 ERA in "The Year of the Pitcher."

In 1969 he struggled a bit, going 9-20 although his ERA was still about league average. Tiant was traded to the Twins after the season, went 7-3 in 18 games, then was released at the end of Spring Training in 1971. He signed with the Braves but never pitched in a game before being released. The Red Sox picked him up and let him rehab and get back into shape, suffering through his 1-7 in 1971.

Then in 1972, Tiant was back. He went 15-6 as the Sox battled for the division, then won 20 or more in three of the next four seasons. He was the Bosox' ace through most of the 1970s as they battled for the division and won the 1975 pennant. In that World Series, the Sox took the Big Red Machine of Cincinnati to 7 games, but the three they won were all started by Tiant.

Tiant left Boston after 1978, spent two seasons with the Yankees and one each in Pittsburgh and California. He developed a reputation as an ace and a money pitcher.

Tiant earned 210.02 ratings points.

Tiant's stats: 229-172 record, 3.30 ERA, 2416 K, 49 shutouts.

posted by Shawn at 7:09 PM

 

Number 205: Mickey Cochrane

Cochrane was a college man, Boston University, and signed with the A's of Connie Mack after a season in the Pacific Coast League. He went right into the 1922 lineup, at age 22, and batted .331. Mack was building up Philadelphia for another pennant run, right in the midst of the first Yankee dynasty, and the work was taking some time. Cochrane was a big piece of the puzzle, as he provided good defense behind the plate and a strong bat, as well as an intelligent presence on the field. He rarely struck out, drew plenty of walks, and hit for a solid average with some power. His offensive numbers are padded by playing in a hitters' era, but they are outstanding in any time.

Cochrane played on the 1929-31 pennant winners in Philly, with World Series wins in '29 and '30. But the Depression hit hard, and Mack started selling off his prize players. After the 1933 season, Cochrane was sold to Detroit for $100,000. He was a catcher-manager in Detroit, and his team won the pennant in 1934 and the Series in 1935, his third ring. He was a backup in 1936 and 1937, until his beaning by Yankee pitcher Bump Hadley left him hospitalized for several days. Cochrane never played again, and only managed for part of the season in 1938. His legacy lived after him, as fellow Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle was named after him.

Cochrane earned 210.15 ratings points.

Cochrane's stats: .320 average, 333 doubles, 119 HR, .419 OBA, two-time MVP (1928, 1934).

posted by Shawn at 12:00 PM

 

Number 204: Ken Singleton.

Singleton was the Mets' first pick, and the third overall, in the 1967 draft. He made it to New York in 1970, playing 69 games and batting .263 at age 23. After a part-time year, he was dealt to Montreal in the trade that brought Rusty Staub to New York. He put in three solid season for the Expos, including a spectacular 1973, then was sent to Baltimore with Mike Torrez for Dave McNally and Rich Coggins in one of the worst trades in history.

Singleton hit his stride in Baltimore as the Orioles' right fielder in the heart of the Earl Weaver era. He finished second in MVP voting in the pennant season of 1979, and was third in 1977. He was the team's #3 hitter, with a good average, power, and lots of walks. Singleton didn't run well, but he did a good job in RF by getting good jumps on the ball, and he threw well. He had a .333 postseason average in the 1979 and 1983 seasons. After the 1984 season, when he batted just .215, he retired.

Singleton earned 210.43 ratings points.

Singleton's stats: .282 average, 246 HR, 1065 RBI, 2029 hits.

posted by Shawn at 6:43 PM

 

Number 203: Early Wynn.

He won 300 games, though he had to hang on awhile to do it. Wynn was 43 when he hung them up, but had a 2.28 ERA in that last year. He began in the majors with the Washington Senators in 1939, and a 5.75 ERA. He got a chance to try again in 1941, and did much better. He spent 1945 in the service, then returned to the Senators. He was up and down in Washington, then after the 1948 season was traded along with Mickey Vernon to the Indians. It was in Cleveland he enjoyed his greatest success. In 9 seasons with Cleveland he won 20 games in a seasons four times. That was one of the great staffs of all time, featuring Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Mike Garcia.

After the 1957 season, Wynn and Al Smith were traded to Chicago for Minnie Minoso. Wynn struggled in 1958 as he had in 1957, but in 1959 he had a great year, winning the Cy Young Award and helping push the White Sox to a surprise pennant. He started 3 World Series games, going 1-1. He stayed with Chicago through 1962, then returned to Cleveland for that last year. Wynn said at the time he would be the last 300-game winner. That hasn't proven true, but he was an effective and durable pitcher, for several good teams.

Wynn earned 210.8 ratings points.

Wynn's stats: 300-244 record, 3.54 ERA, 2334 K, 290 CG.

posted by Shawn at 4:41 PM

 

Number 202: Jorge Posada.

The native of Puerto Rico was drafted in the 24th round in 1990. He didn't appear in the majors until 1995, and that was just one game, no at bats. In 1997 he started sharing the catching job with Joe Girardi, and his strong hitting soon earned him the biggest part of the job. An average receiver, Posada's biggest value comes from his hitting. He hits for a good average, has good power, and excellent on-base skills.

A frequent All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, he has finished as high as third in MVP voting, that in 2003. When the time comes, the voters will have to decide if he is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Posada has earned 211.37 ratings points through 2007.

Posada's stats (through 2007): .277 average, 218 HR, 861 RBI.

posted by Shawn at 11:30 AM

 

Number 201: Jason Giambi.

Giambi got a late major league start, 54 games for the A's in 1995 at age 24, batting .256. He became a regular the next year, batting .291 with 20 HR, but they didn't know where to play him. Some third base, left field, but in 1998 he settled at first base. He also hit .295 with 27 HR and 110 RBI, and then moved into MVP territory. He won the 2000 MVP, was second in 2001, then went to New York as a free agent. He had a solid 2002, then his average dropped from .314 to .250. In 2004 he reported to spring training noticably smaller and lighter.

The steroid scandal hit. Giambi was visibly at the center of it, as his rapid weight loss could not be explained any other way. He apologized to fans without ever mentioning exactly what he was apologizing for. 2004 was terrible, and 2005 started the same way but then he got it turned around. He is at the age when many sluggers fade quickly. He accomplished a lot, but we may never know how much of it was drug-aided.

Giambi has earned 211.97 points through 2007.

Giambi's stats (through 2007): .287 average, 364 HR, 1250 RBI, .535 slugging percentage.

posted by Shawn at 11:51 AM

 

A milestone, as we reach the 200 level, so to speak. My thanks to those who have read these rankings and profiles. I plan to continue. Onward!

posted by Shawn at 11:30 AM

 

Number 200: Bid McPhee

McPhee is almost forgotten today, a 19th century second baseman who was with Cincinnati his whole major league career, 1882 to 1899. The Red Stockings were not a great team, and McPhee was a workmanlike player, an excellent defensive second baseman who did a good job with the bat, posting a career OPS+ of 106. He did manage to get elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000, so someone remembered.

McPhee batted just .228 in his rookie year, but he was one of the best defensive players in the league from the first. Playing barehanded through most of his career, McPhee made many more plays than his contemporaries up till he turned 38. He was not a feared bat, but he led the league in homers in 1886 (with 8) and triples in 1887. Those were probably his best years with the bat. He was not flashy, just good and consistent.

McPhee earned 211.44 ratings points.

McPhee's stats: .271 average, 303 doubles, 188 triples, 2250 hits, 1678 runs.

posted by Shawn at 11:22 AM