Pro Sports Beat

AL East prime for a run to the end

Todd Kaufmann — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:10:26 +0000

In 2008, it was the Tampa Bay Rays that shocked the baseball world as they won not only the AL Eastern Division, but they also made their first appearance to the World Series before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies. They did all that with a total payroll of just under $44MM, building the team with players from their minor league system (Evan Longoria), signing players from Japan (Akinori Iwamura) and making a mid-season trade that added a pitcher (Matt Garza) who made a huge impact the rest of the way.

Coming into 2009, there’s talk that the Rays are just as talented, if not more so, than their 2008 team and they could be good enough to repeat as AL Eastern Division Champions. However, don’t think the Yankees or Red Sox will just hand them the trophy.

The New York Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008 for the first time since 1993. A trend that owner George Steinbrenner does not want to become a habit. So, the Yankees’ front office has been busy this off season, signing right-hander A.J. Burnett to a 5-year $82.5 MM contract, left-hander C.C. Sabathia to a 7-year $160MM contract but he’s eligible to opt out of the deal after 2 years, meaning C.C. could say C Ya if he just doesn’t fit in New York. They also signed first baseman, and former Texas Ranger, Atlanta Brave and Anaheim (yes I said Anaheim) Angel Mark Teixeira to an 8-year $180MM contract, bringing the total to a whopping 20 years and $322.5MM, on just three players. Can you say “World Series or Bust,” for the Yankees, not to mention that they’ll usher in the 2009 season in the New Yankee Stadium.

The Boston Red Sox, who usually try to keep up with the Yankees as far as off season signings, have done the complete opposite. Instead, re-signing first baseman Kevin Youkilis to a 4-year $41MM contract to keep him in Boston especially since he’s a fan favorite as well as a one year deal for young closer Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25MM). The only big names the Red Sox landed were long time Atlanta Brave John Smoltz (1-year $5.5MM) and former Dodger Brad Penny (1-year $5MM), two pitchers who could really make a difference in a rotation already loaded with young talent like Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester along with veteran right-handers Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield. Adding guys like Smoltz and Penny should make for a very deep rotation and one that could allow them to leave the Rays and Yankees in the dust.

If the Rays are better than their 2008 counterparts, it could spell trouble for the high dollar Yankees and Red Sox. The Rays are a younger, faster squad who boast young pitchers like ALCS MVP Matt Garza, James Shields and Scott Kazmir to go along with the Rays’ #1 draft pick a few years ago, and a guy who could impress his way to the big leagues this year, David Price. The only big name addition to the squad from 2008 is former Phillies’ outfielder Pat Burrell who signed a 2-year $16MM deal. Though Burrell does have his share of strikeouts, he’s one of those guys who can bring a lot of power to the Rays’ lineup as well.

Rounding out the AL East, the cellar dwellers, the Baltimore Orioles. They shouldn’t factor into this race this season and it might be awhile before this team is a contender once again. They are making the right moves to improve their team, bringing guys like left-hander Mark Hendrickson, catchers Greg Zaun and Chad Moeller and shortstop Ceasar Izturis. Are they the moves that will improve them this season? Maybe, but not enough to stay with the Rays, Yankees or Red Sox for more than a month of the season. In the future, as their minor league system and their draft picks begin to pay off, then we’ll see the Orioles become more than just an afterthought.

With the Rays coming into 2009 the defending AL East and ALCS Champions, the Yankees bringing three big free agents and the Red Sox with possibly the best pitching in baseball, it should be a fun ride…right to the end.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Spring training right around the corner

Todd Kaufmann — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:41:58 +0000

With all of the madness of baseball’s offseason seemingly over, us baseball fans can finally start looking forward to Spring Training next month when pitchers and catchers report to camp followed by position players a few weeks later.

It’s already been a crazy offseason with the Yankees shelling out big bucks for left-hander C.C. Sabathia, right-hander A.J. Burnett and 1st baseman Mark Teixeira. Randy Johnson dawned a new uniform as he’ll be joining the starting rotation for the San Francisco Giants, it’s the 2nd team he’s played for in the NL West besides the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team he won the World Series with several years ago. Barry Bonds still hasn’t found a team that wants him, I hope he’s not surprised by that. Jason Giambi, surprisingly enough, is back in Oakland after departing there to join the New York Yankees after the 2001 season, most likely he’ll fill the DH role on an occasional basis, although it’s currently occupied by young Jack Cust at the moment and possibly a little 1st base if the need arises. Oh, and noone wants to play for Team USA in the 2nd Annual World Baseball Classic, except for Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter, God forbid a player put his country first before the money and the TEAM he plays for and gets paid from.

All this leads me to be so excited for the baseball season. In the coming month or two, I’ll start throwing out my predictions for the year, who will finish where, what their record will be, who the players to look out for are and a few other topics that we’ll cover as Spring Training opens up in Arizona and Florida.

Here are just a few story lines to follow, at least I will be. I’m sure people are wanting to see how spending the big bucks is going to work for the Yankees or if it’s going to end up like the past eight years, no hardware, no championship, money wasted, though that is music to my ears personally. How about the Tampa Bay Rays and the amazing run they had last season, though it came up short against the stronger Philadelphia Phillies? Can they re-group and make another run or was this just a one year, one hit, wonder kind of thing? What about the NL West, as bad as it was last season, can they possibly get better or will that division continue to struggle to keep all 5 teams above .500. Who will be the new owner of the Cubs when the sale is complete and what will that mean for them, will they be able to spend the kind of money the Yankees spend and will it finally be the end of “the curse.” Will the Angels still be the best in the AL West, a runaway champion, or have the Oakland A’s made the right moves during this offseason to keep up?

Those are just a few of the interesting stories we’ll be following all year long. But, as for right now, I’m just anxiously awaiting the start of Spring Training, where all of us baseball fans can dream big, even if we know that the dream is as good as it’s ever going to be. One can hope for a World Series trophy, but in my case being a San Diego Padre fan, I know that’s just not realistic. But hey, a man can dream right?

The boys of summer are coming…are you ready?

No related posts.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Utah proves that mid-majors belong

Todd Kaufmann — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:37:47 +0000

Ok, so I’ll eat crow on this one after I predicted Alabama would run over Utah, the Utes went and proved me wrong and in doing so proved that mid-majors can play with the big boys.

It was a few years ago when another mid-major was headed to a BCS game and was given no chance at all against a BCS opponent. The year was 2007, the bowl was the Fiesta Bowl, the teams were Boise State of the Western Athletic Conference and Oklahoma of the Big XII. Boise State was given no chance against the mighty Sooners of Oklahoma, it was supposed to be a blowout of epic proportions, a BCS school would show why mid-majors don’t belong. Boise State’s 43-42 upset of Oklahoma, four quarters later, would start a whole nother argument, one that would be brought up again in 2009 when the Utah Utes of the Moutain West faced off against the former #1 Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC. Again, the same things were said, the mid-majors don’t belong in the BCS and they can’t play with teams from the big conferences. Well, again, the mid-majors proved the critics wrong once more as the Utes outplayed Alabama all night long in a 31-17 win. Trust me when I say that game wasn’t ever as close as the score may show.

So, with Utah’s dominant win over a former #1, another argument has risen…does Utah deserve a piece of the National Championship as they are the lone undeafeated team in Division I football? Don’t think their wins aren’t impressive either, they opened their season with a 25-23 win at Michigan, as well as knocking off 11th ranked TCU 13-10 and dominating 16th ranked BYU 48-24, so this team is not without it’s share of big wins. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham wasn’t shy when asked where he’d vote his team, “I know where I’m voting us. I’m voting us No. 1. End of story.” Whittingham continued, “I don’t know why they wouldn’t deserve that consideration. Somebody has to explain to me why they wouldn’t. There is only one undefeated team in the United States of America right now in Division I football, and it’s these guys right here.”

I’m sure, when we start the 2009 season sometime next fall, the arogant so called “experts” will keep their bias against teams like Utah and Boise State and will contiue to say they don’t belong in BCS games. This is directed towards a certain ESPN analyst for comments they made about Boise State a few weeks ago after the Broncos blew out Fresno State. They were asked if Boise State deserved to be in the BCS, especially since they were undefeated. Their response was as biased and, in my opinion, ignorant as I’ve ever heard, “No, Boise State wouldn’t survive if they played in the Moutain West or Pac-10.” Say what? Did this analyst forget that Boise State was the same team that went to Oregon and knocked off the Ducks at one of the toughest places in the country to play? Has anyone looked at the records of the teams from the Moutain West? So, do they mean to tell us that Boise State couldn’t play with San Diego State (2-10), Wyoming (4-8), New Mexico (4-8), UNLV (5-7) or Colorado State (7-6)? How about if they played in the Pac-10, they already knocked off Oregon (10-3) earlier in they year, but they couldn’t beat teams like winless Washington (0-12), Washington State (2-10), UCLA (4-8) who was beaten by Fresno State this year, or Stanford (5-7)? Come on, I know an “expert” with ESPN couldn’t have shot from the hip on that one, I know they couldn’t have thrown out an ignorant statement like that without doing their homework right?

So, here we are again, the BCS was suppose to be the savior of college football, it was supposed to pit the best two teams in the country in the national championship game. Instead, we now have at least 4 teams that have every right to argue for a share of that championship. USC after their dominant win over Penn State in the Rose Bowl, Utah with their undefeated season and domination of former #1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, possibly Texas if they prove themselves in a big way tonight against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl and the winner of Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday night in the BCS Championship game.

So much for the BCS fixing everything huh?

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

USC exposes Penn State, BCS

Todd Kaufmann — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:34:35 +0000

First and foremost, Happy New Year 2009 to all and I hope you all had a safe and fun New Year’s Eve as I know I had a blast. With that being said, how about we jump back into the sports world shall we?

For all of us who woke up New Year’s Day after ringing in the New Year late into the evening, we all had one thing on our viewing schedule, that being the Rose Bowl that featured USC and Penn State. It was a game that showcased the two best defensive teams in the nation, one of the best college coaches in college football history in Joe Paterno, another coach making quite a name for himself in Pete Carroll, and a game that is the granddaddy of them all in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. It was a recipe for one of the better bowl games so far this post-season, one that was destined to be close all game long, a defensive struggle, a low scoring battle, the Big Ten vs the Pac 10, it couldn’t possibly be one-sided. Well, it turned out to be everything but all the those things.

The two teams made it look interesting after one quarter, tied at 7, but USC decided they were done letting Penn State hang around and ran up twenty-four unanswered points in the second quarter to build a 31-7 halftime lead, meaning all of us that were watching this were bored by the Trojans making it look too easy. Penn State would score 17 points in the second half to USC’s 7, but it was too little too late for the Nittany Lions as USC would win their third straight Rose Bowl 38-24, yes the score looked close but this game was anything but close.

USC outplayed Penn State on both sides of the ball, getting turnovers, interceptions, pressure on the quarterback, offensive production, slicing up the Penn State secondary all game long with precision passing by quarterback Mark Sanchez. The day belonged to USC and while fans were still in the stands, watching the trophy ceremony, USC head coach Pete Carroll decided he was going to send a shot across the bow of both Oklahoma and Florida who I’m sure were watching. Carroll was asked by ABC’s John Saunders how his team would matchup with either Oklahoam or Florida if they were the ones playing in the National Championship game to which Carroll responded, “with all due respect, those are two great programs, but I don’t think anybody can beat the Trojans this year.” USC running back C.J. Gable was asked the same kind of question and he wasn’t shy with his answer, “we know we would crush Florida and Oklahoma, we know that.” Are you listening Oklahoma? Are you listening Florida? USC just said you don’t stand a chance, will either team respond after the game, oh you best believe someone will.

With USC’s domination of Penn State, to go along with the Big Ten’s 1-5 record in post-season bowl games this season, the BCS just became another argument, the same argument that’s been made year in and year out. When are we going to see a playoff system in College Football? It’s the only sport that is decided by a computer and the only sport that doesn’t have a playoff system in place. The fans want it, the players want it, heck even President-elect Barack Obama wants it, so what’s the holdup? Wasn’t the BCS put in place because it would bring fans the best games that would put the best teams in the country against each other? If that was the case, there would have never been an argument about who the best team in the country is after the National Championship game is played, but that hasn’t been the case since this system was installed. Never will the arguments be stronger than this time around, the top 5 teams in the AP and Coaches polls all had 1 loss, all 5 teams had every right to argue their case for playing for the National Championship.

With all that being said, here’s my side of things, whether you want to hear it or not, though I’m sure opinions will differ.

Florida: 1 loss at home to unranked Mississippi 31-30

Oklahoma: 1 loss at a neutral site (Cotton Bowl) to Texas (ranked 5th at the time) 45-35

Texas: 1 loss on the road against Texas Tech (ranked 6th at the time) 39-33

Alabama: 1 loss on the road against Florida (ranked #2 at the time) 31-20

USC: 1 loss on the road at Oregon State (unranked at the time) 27-21

Ok, so let me get this straight…Florida gets to play for a National Championship after losing AT HOME to an unranked team in Mississippi, but USC is told they don’t belong after their loss to an unranked team in Oregon State? How about Texas and Oklahoma? Texas loses to a lower seeded team in Texas Tech (#6 at the time) while Oklahoma’s loss was also to a lower seeded team in Texas yet the Sooners are in? Why is Alabama on the outside looking in, I think they may have the best case next to Texas. Alabama’s lone loss was to #1 Florida, on the road, but they’re told Florida deserves it more after losing AT HOME to an unranked team?

So, if you’re going to read all this and still argue that Florida and Oklahoma are the two best teams in the country, you better have a darn good reason for it. I would much rather see Alabama and Texas than Florida and Oklahoma, I think Alabama is still the best team in the country and I think they’re going to prove it by trouncing all over Utah tonight in the Sugar Bowl, while Texas is gonna make a mockery of the BCS by beating up Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.

Why is March Madness the most exciting tournament in sports? Because anything can happen and anyone can win. Win and you live to play another day, lose and watch the rest of the tournament from home. What if college basketball decided to go to a BCS type system for their National Championship, would we be just as excited? Any system that tells schools outside of the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Pac 10 (for the most part) and Big 12 that they don’t belong in or get a shot at the National Championship isn’t a system that should be in place.

Hey Florida, hey Oklahoma, you’ve been called out…anyone care to answer?

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Merry Christmas to all sports fans

Todd Kaufmann — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:03:39 +0000

As we sit on the eve of Christmas Eve and come ever closer to the close of 2008 and the entrance of 2009, it’s time to look back at the year that was…or is it?

Maybe this is a time where we put sports aside for 2 days and enjoy the family and friends that surround us. A time where the television or sports seems to be the furthest thing on people’s minds. A time where family comes together to cook a big Christmas dinner, where kids wake up on Christmas morning to find the gifts they “always wanted” under the tree and a time where we all realize how important family is to all each and every one of us, sports fan or not.

So as you spend time with your families this Christmas, remember what’s really important and put aside your love for whatever team you plan on watching or rooting for and enjoy being with the people that mean the most to you during this holiday season. I know, for me personally, I can’t wait to spend my Christmas with two amazing families, both of which I’m spending the holidays with for the first time and I couldn’t be more excited.

I know there are bowl games coming up, I know there’s the Super Bowl to look forward to at the end of January, but enjoy the holiday season and all it’s meant for, whatever that is to you. Sports will always be here and we’ll always be here to give you our opinion, but for the next few days, enjoy the people you have around you because who knows when you’ll get to have this much fun again.

Merry Christmas to you and your families and here’s to a very prosperous 2009.

Happy Holidays!

No related posts.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Peavy to Cubs is no more

Todd Kaufmann — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:00:07 +0000

San Diego Padres’ GM Kevin Towers met with the media today and says the deal to send Jake Peavy to the Cubs is off.

According to Towers, Cubs’ GM Jim Hendry pulled the deal off the table and will move on. A few obstacles to this deal was how the Cubs were going to unload Jason Marquis and the numerous calls they received about the availability of 2nd baseman Mark DeRosa. Hendry had said before that they were not willing to trade DeRosa, but due to the number of phone calls from interested teams he’s received this week, he may have to re-think his position.

At this point, the Padres could rekindle talks with the New York Yankees, who were said to be interested, as well as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who really could put together the most attractive package for the Padres. Could they possible include names like Jared Weaver, Nick Adenhardt and Brandon Wood? Towers met again with team CEO Sandy Alderson as well as Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod, to discuss their position and if they are going to keep Peavy on the trading block or pull him off and start the 2009 season with him on their roster.

Other news…..

Speaking of the New York Yankees, they have apparently come to an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers that sent Mike Cameron to the Yankees according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times. But another report from Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that the possibility of a deal is “remote.” The Brewers were reportedly interested in Ian Kennedy and Melkly Cabrera.

Angels have offer out to Teixeira

According to Mike DiGiovanna of MLB.com, the Angels are reported to have offered a 7-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $160MM to 1st baseman Mark Teixeira.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Sabathia makes his decision, signs with Yankees

Todd Kaufmann — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:17:44 +0000

It looks as if one of the biggest free agents out there has made his decision on where he’s going to continue his career, and it’s in a Yankee uniform.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees have come to an agreement on a 7-year deal that is reportedly worth $160MM. Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman had flown to San Francisco to meet with Sabathia and had face-to-face meetings with the big left-hander for the past three days, prompting Sabathia to decide to make New York his next baseball home. With his signing, it takes the Yankees out of the running for 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, who they had been rumored to have interest in.

The question now becomes, does this make the Yankees better? I think a lot of baseball fans, Yankee fans especially, think it absolutely makes them better though I’m not so sure. The one thing that I do think works in the Yankees favor is, they’re not signing an over the hill, past his prime, pitcher like they did when they brought in Randy Johnson and then Roger Clemens mid-season. Sabathia is 28 years old and has his best years ahead of him, but I think 7 years may be a little more than the Yankees should have offered, though I’m sure that was the only way they were going to land him. Keep in mind, though, Sabathia has an opt out clause in this contract that allows him to leave after the 2011 season…that could prove very interesting in a few years.

The good side of this deal for the Yankees is, Sabathia is going to be a work horse. This is a guy that threw a career high 253 innings in 2008 and who came off a previous career high of 241 innings in 2007. They’re going to get a guy who can take you deep into games and take a lot of pressure off the bullpen, which is something the Yankees need. This is the kind of signing the Yankees needed to make or they’d be watching Boston and Tampa run away from them in the AL East.

They still have work to do on their 2009 team, they are in no way done making moves. Though they’ve address one part of their rotation, they are still left with Chein-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and Sabathia as their top 3, then you can look at Ian Kennedy and Philip Hughes, but with Hughes’ injury he’s a big question mark right now. The other name being tied to the Yankees is former Red Sox and Dodgers’ outfielder Manny Ramirez. According to some sources close to Hank Steinbrenner, he apparently is considering a run at signing him, but where do you put him when you already have Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera and Xavier Nady occupying those three spots? I can’t see them dealing Damon or Cabrera, but Nady very well could be expendable.

The Winter Meetings will conclude Thursday night, but there could be a lot more to come before GM’s, agents and players depart Las Vegas. Stay tuned….

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Padres, Cubs close to deal for Jake Peavy

Todd Kaufmann — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:06:48 +0000

According to several sources, the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs could be close to a deal that would send right-hander Jake Peavy to the Windy City.

There have been several versions of this deal written as far as what players would be involved and if there is a third team involved. According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Philadelphia Phillies may be that third team, but the Baltimore Orioles could be involved as well. San Diego Padres’ General Manager Kevin Towers confirms that, though a deal is not done or has not been agreed upon, they have the list of names they want it’s just a matter of the teams agreeing to them. “There’s a package there that would satisfy us. Will they end up doing it? I don’t know.”

There are several names being thrown around and there are different scenarios that could play out with this deal, so it’s premature to say who’s going where just yet. What we do know to this point is Peavy would be sent to the Cubs, the Padres are looking at getting Felix Pie who they’d flip to Baltimore for young left-hander Garrett Olson, the Padres would also get 2nd baseman Mark DeRose who they would then send to Philadelphia for young pitching prospects. The other names that could be headed to San Diego are pitchers Sean Marshall, Michael Wuertz and Angel Guzman as well as Kevin Hart.

At this point, who gets the better end of this deal? Would it be San Diego, who stands to get a lot of pitching help from both Chicago and Baltimore, if in fact the Orioles are involved? Would it be the Cubs, who would be getting one of the better young pitchers in the game in Jake Peavy? Until this deal is complete, it’s going to be up for debate until all the players involved start to make an impact on their respective teams.

There is a underlining story in this deal for the San Diego Padres. If they are able to finalize the deal to send Jake Peavy to Chicago, it frees up money for them to re-start talks with long time closer Trevor Hoffman who they ended talks with a few weeks ago. It’s not that the Padres desperately need Trevor back, they are more than happy to hand the role over to right-hander Heath Bell, Hoffman’s setup man for the past two seasons, who is more than ready to become the team’s closer if the Padres are not able to come to an agreement with Hoffman.

Day 2 of the Winter Meetings should be an interesting one and maybe we’ll see this trade finalized, maybe it’ll have to wait another few days. Even if this deal isn’t agreed upon today, there are still several other interesting story lines to follow to keep us rumor fans salivating.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Winter Meetings get underway in Las Vegas

Todd Kaufmann — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:40:17 +0000

December 8th has been a date a lot of us baseball fans have looked forward to since the conclusion of, not only the baseball season, but the recently concluded GM Meetings a few weeks ago.

As the meetings get underway in Las Vegas, it means the beginning of very long days and nights of GM’s around baseball. It means baseball fans sitting on the edge of their seats as trades are made and free agents are signed, those same fans clicking ‘refresh’ on their computers every five minutes, on every baseball website they can find, to see if there is any breaking news on their team.

With the start of the Winter Meetings, it also means a list of concerns each team has to address. Who needs pitching? What positions do they need to fill? Do they have the money to sign a big free-agent or do they need to think spreading the money out and signing several players? Can they re-sign any of their own free-agents?

These and many more questions may be answered this week in Las Vegas, so put those fingers to your keyboard, type in your favorite baseball rumor site or any of your favorite baseball sites and hang on tight, this might be a fun week.

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!

Greg Maddux to call it a career

Todd Kaufmann — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:53:43 +0000

It looks like Greg Maddux has thrown his last pitch in the big leagues.

According to a message sent from the office of his agent, Scott Boras, Maddux will annouce his retirement at the Winter Meetings next week. A press conference with Maddux, his family and Boras will be held at the same hotel where the meetings are taking place.

Even after 23 seasons, Maddux still doesn’t cease to impress. In his final start, pitching for the Dodgers against the Giants, it was vintage Maddux as he gave up just one run on two hits over six innings pitched. If there was ever a way to finish a career, going out on the kind of game that only Maddux could throw, that was it.

Instead of me sitting here writing a long article on the career of the future Hall-of-Famer, I’ll let his accomplishments speak for themselves:

355 Career Wins (8th all time)

355-227 Career Record (.639 winning percentage)

3.16 Career ERA

8 Time All-Star

4 Cy Young Awards (1992-95)

18 Gold Gloves

Won at least 13 games in 20 straight seasons

This is the Greg Maddux that a lot of us saw growing up, through his many years with the Atlanta Braves with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, then having some great years with the Chicago Cubs, moving on to the San Diego Padres and finally the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is, and will always be, one of the greatest pitchers of all time. What’s more amazing to me, he didn’t kill batters with speed, but it was with finess and location.

Big moves in store during MLB’s winter meetings?

Digg This! | Stumble This! | Add to Del.icio.us! | Google Bookmark It!