Lee Smith turns 52 years old today.

I am a big fan of Lee Smith’s - he is one of my favorite relief pitchers of all-time.

With 478 career saves, good for 3rd place in major league history, I consider Smith to still be a very underrated and underappreciated player.  And with so many records being broken by today’s group of relievers, I have to wonder how Smith would do if he was playing in today’s game.

During his 18-year career, Smith tallied at least 30 saves 11 times and 40 or more saves 4 times.  A closer like that would be an All-star in today’s game and he’d be earning a minimum of $10 million per year.  In contrast, Smith was an All-star just 7 times and the most he made in any one season was $2.8 million.

Happy Birthday Mr. Smith!!!   You are still valued and appreciated by this baseball fan!!!

Time for another installment of Mad Adam’s Words of Fury. So sit back, relax, then get slightly uncomforable, then get worked into a raging lather. He has that effect…

MAD ADAM’S SHIT LIST

Another week of sports can only mean one thing… another load of shit for me to get mad about.  I have neither the time nor the inclination to fill this space with everything that grated my nerves over this past sports week.  So, I have distilled my anger into a few distinct nuggets of rage.  In no particular order, here are a few things from the past week that have made my blood pressure spike, that vein on my forehead stand out and my faith in humanity crumble just a little bit more.

THE LIES OF THE TIGER

On behalf of all dudes across America let me say the following to Tiger Woods.  Dude….seriously?  Why do I say this?  Let’s look at the (alleged) facts.

It is around 2:30 in the morning, just hours after Thanksgiving came to a close.  You know what they say about the hours after 2:00 in the morning?  The only thing that is open are legs and eggs.

At this auspicious hour, Tiger hops in his ride for a little jaunt around town.  Inexplicably, the man with perhaps the greatest hand eye coordination in golf history, fails to make it much further than his driveway, and instead rams said ride into a fire hydrant, followed by a collision with a neighborhood tree.

Although these collisions take place at a low rate of speed and no air bag deploys, Tiger is rendered unconscious and left with lacerations on and around his lips.  His wife of 5 years, Elin, hearing this commotion “courageously” rushes to his aid, and breaks out the back window with a 7 iron in order to pull him to safety.  Tiger is taken for medical treatment and is released.

He then refuses not one, not two but three different requests for a statement by law enforcement officials, and instead hires a high power attorney to keep the local cops at bay.  He then cancels his appearance at the Chevron World Challenge where he was scheduled to play in support of his own charity, the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Oh, one other thing.  All of this happened the same week that a national tabloid magazine came out with a story about an alleged affair between Tiger and a woman named Rachel Uchitel.  Ms. Uchitel is a NYC VIP Diva who in the past has provided this juicy little tidbit: “Although I’ve been romantically linked to a famous baseball player, a Broadway star, a musician, and various film and television actors, I will never kiss and tell!”

Look, it is just too easy to construct an alternative scenario in which Mrs. Woods was perhaps more of an antagonist than a protagonist in this Turkey Day tale.  Let me just say this.  HOW FUCKING STUPID DO YOU THINK WE ARE TIGER???  No married dude in America has ever left the house after the bars have closed and before the sun has come up for any other reason than sickness in the home or domestic strife.  Knowing that to be true, Tiger’s story omits any reference of a bad batch of turkey dressing leading to a visit to the local ER. So, I am guessing that marital strife was afoot.

Should this be any of our business?  Probably not.  Should the Florida cops be on what looks to be a celebrity seeking witch hunt?  No.  But, if Tiger decides to spin this story should he try to tell a plausible story.  YOU BET.  Again….Dude, seriously?

WHY AMERICANS MAY NEVER TRULY EMBRACE SOCCER

I love soccer.  I love it at the club level, and I really love it at the national level.  In case you don’t know, and you should, the World Cup kicks off in 190 days.  This month long celebration of football, culture and beer is a joy that can only be experienced by 32 teams every 4 years.  Unless the Irish got their wish earlier this week.

You see Ireland played France in a play-off for a spot in the World Cup.  With the score tied late in the game, the heretofore nearly universally liked and respected Thierry Henry, used his hand twice to corral a ball before crossing it in front of the goal where it was deposited in the net past shocked Irish goal-keeper Shay Given. It was a clear foul, and in the pantheon of blown calls it immediately took its place amongst some of the worst officiating gaffes in history.  The subsequent goal resulted in Ireland staying at home for the World Cup swilling Guinness and cursing the soccer gods, while the French traipse their way to South Africa to join the world’s elite.

That should be the end of the story.  But it is not.  First, the Irish lodged an appeal with FIFA, the group that controls the World Cup, asking for a re-match with the French.  When that did not work, the Irish asked that rather than 32 teams in the World Cup, perhaps this year there could be just one more.  FIFA quickly denied this 11^th hour request, but this raises a more serious issue.  Namely…..

THIS IS WHY AMERICANS CAN’T STAND SOCCER.  Are you kidding me?  Because an official blew a call the entire tournament should be changed to accommodate the Irish’s hurt feelings?  I say this as someone who rooted hard for the Irish and felt terrible when they lost to the cheese eating surrender monkeys.  But, the logic here is twisted.

This would be unheard of to even ask for in American sports.  Did the Cardinals ask for a do-over after Umpire Don Denkinger called out Jorge Orta at first base in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1985 World Series when TV replays clearly showed that Todd Worrell beat him to the bag?  No, and that little mistake allowed the Royals to mount a comeback and ultimately go on to win the Series in 7 games.

What about the U.S. men’s basketball team, long before the “Dream Team,” losing to the Soviet Union in the 1972 Olympic Games after the official bizarrely put time back on the clock two different times.  Did the Americans get to tip off with the Russians again?  No.

And let’s not just dwell on American sports.  What about the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal when Diego Maradona and the squad from Argentina put a dagger in England’s World Cup dreams when Maradona used his hand to score a crucial goal.  Maradona later quipped that the goal was, “partly by the hand of God and partly by the head of Maradona.”  Did the English cry foul?  You bet.  Did they get to start all over?  No way.

In a nutshell, QUIT YOUR FUCKING YAPPING IRISH.  What goes around comes around.  One day destiny will shine on your island nation.  In the meantime, your national calls for the alteration of the fundamental rules of the game to assuage your collective grief are embarrassing to the beautiful game, and do little to improve the image of soccer as being filled with whiny cry-babies. Get over it and move on.

HINES WARD THROWS BIG BEN UNDER THE BUS

I love the way Hines Ward plays.  I love his hustle.  I love his fire.  I love the big hits that he delivers while eschewing the notion that wide receivers can’t be tough.  But the interview he granted to Bob Costas that ran before his team’s critical game with the Ravens on NBC’s Sunday Night Football was a low blow, even for the man described by many as the nastiest player in the NFL.

Ward described the Steelers’ locker room as being split 50/50 on Big Ben’s “decision” to not play.  Deciding this opening salvo about the two time Super Bowl champion QB was not enough, Ward opined on techniques for getting around those silly M.D.’s and their stupid medical opinions:

“I’ve lied to a couple of doctors saying ‘I’m straight, I feel good,’ when I knew I’m really not straight. But I don’t think guys really about the future when they’re playing currently in the NFL,” “Trust me, the players, they wanna go out there because these games, you don’t get back. You’re never gonna get this Baltimore-Pittsburgh game back.”

Never gonna get the Ravens game back?  WHAT ABOUT NEVER GETTING YOUR FUCKING BRAINS UNSCRAMBLED YOU MORON?  Need proof from more than a physician trained to handle these issues Hines?  Well, how about asking Merril Hoge who retired from the Steelers in 1994 after suffering two concussions in 5 weeks.  Hoge says that he LITERALLY DIED in the Bears’ locker room, his heart flat-lining before he was resuscitated.  His next stop?  ICU for 2 days and then back home where he started to learn the little things in life, like: where is my house?  and how do I read? According to Hoge, it took him two years to get his cognitive skills back.

Look, I am not suggesting that Hoge’s medical problems will be the same as everyone else when faced with a concussion.  But it could be.  Which makes it a personal decision, and not one that Hines Ward has any business second-guessing doctors about, calling out his QB and teammate over or otherwise opening his yap about AT ALL.  What a dipshit.

OH THE HYPOCRISY OF IT ALL!

Did you happen to catch the USC-UCLA game last weekend?  Not much of a game.  But, it is what happened in the waning moments that caught my attention.  Up 21-7 and having just stopped the Bruins on downs, USC took a knee with just under a minute left to start running out the clock.  What did fair headed Rick Neuheisel do in response?  He took the first of his team’s timeouts.  Why?  Hope apparently springs eternal in sunny LA.

What did mighty USC do in response?  Matt Barkley dropped back and heaved a 48 yard TD pass with 44 seconds left on the clock.  Then USC piled on by acting like a bunch of shit-heads, nearly starting a brawl after taunting UCLA after the TD and ensuing extra point.

Is this the same Pete Carroll that was so aggrieved earlier this year when Jim Harbaugh’s Stanford team decided to go for a 2 point conversion when his Cardinal team was already leading the Trojans 48-21?  You bet.  Looks like the leader of one of the most dominant college football teams of this decade can’t take it when it happens to him, but sure likes to dole it out when he gets a chance.  What a hypocrite.

OK, my head hurts.  Enough already.  See you next week.

Outtake of Babe Ruth, by unknown photographer for the January 1, 1935 Vanity Fair

With the end of baseball season and the Yankees winning the World Series, I dove into Jazz Age Vanity Fair looking for sluggers and pitchers.

In those days, the magazine featured many of the usual stars, such as Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean, and Lou Gehrig, and lots of early baseball history. One of the greatest sports columnists and editors of the 20th century, Paul Gallico, wrote over 60 stories for Vanity Fair from August 1930 to its closing in February 1936. His October 1935 story, “World Series,” is as poignant and timeless as the Fall Classic itself. “It is the privilege and the custom of the citizens of two major cities of this strange land to become completely cracked over a set of baseball games known, in our modest manner, as the World Series,” Gallico writes. 

He goes on to give the reader a little history of the game and the most memorable World Series events of that time, such as “the World Series of 1905 between the [New York] Giants and the [Philadelphia] Athletics [when] Christy Mathewson compiled the amazing and never equaled record of pitching three shutouts,” along with outlining some of the best baseball players, including “[Babe] Ruth, who in the World’s Series of 1923 …came to bat with the bases full and the score tied in the deciding game, with fifty-five thousand maniacs screaming for a hit, and struck out,” when the New York Yankees faced the New York Giants. Some things never change!

Click each image in this post for a larger view.

Christopher Mathewson, photographed by unknown artist in the August 1, 1925 Vanity Fair

Paul "Daffy" and Jerome "Dizzy" Dean, photographed by Lusha Nelson in the July 1, 1935 Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair September 1933 cover, illustrated by Miguel Covarrubias

Tom Yawkey, Marty McManus, and Eddie Collins, photographed by unknown artist in the January 1, 1935 Vanity Fair

Bill Terry and Joe Cronin, photographed by unknown artist in the January 1, 1935 Vanity Fair

Cartoon illustration of Babe Ruth by William Auerbach-Levy, published in the May 1932 Vanity Fair

Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies have showed interest in 42-year-old free agent pitcher John Smoltz as low risk, high reward signing like they did last year with Pedro Martinez.

Smoltz isn’t the same pitcher he was five years ago, but he showed with the Cardinals last year that he can still be effective despite having a miserable couple of outings with Boston.

The former Atlanta Braves great appeared in eight games with the Red Sox last year, going 2-5 with a 8.32 earned run average in 40 innings before being designated for assignment on Aug. 7th.

He signed with St. Louis after being released by the Sox to start seven games for the Red Birds, and he pitched relatively well. Returning to the N.L., Smoltz went 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA.

His control wasn’t an issue last year with either team as he had very impressive strikeout-to-walk numbers, striking out 33 batters while walking just nine with Boston, and 40-to-9 with the Cards.

Smoltz’s trouble with the Bo Sox was that he was giving up way too many hits and home runs. In 40 innings with Boston, Smoltz gave up 59 hits and nine homers.

With Dave Duncan as his pitching coach in St. Louis, he was able to trim down on the hits and long balls. While playing for the Cardinals, Smoltz allowed 36 hits and three homers in 38 innings.

Smoltzy will be turning 43 in May so he’s on the downside of his career, however the age doesn’t show that he still can’t batters out. Jamie Moyer is 46-years-old, and is still getting it done.

When pitchers get past a certain age in their careers, they have to learn how to use their stuff and trust what they still have. It’s all about location, and utilizing your off-speed stuff rather than your heaters.

At this point in his career, he has to throw his sliders and breaking balls more often rather than falling back on his heater because it’s not that devastating fastball from years ago.

Smoltz isn’t found of Citizens Bank Park so that would be a hurdle in negotiations with the future Hall-of-Fame pitcher, but that will not be the biggest roadblock in signing Smoltz.

There are two major things that could get in the way of snagging Smoltz. The first is will he be willing to accept the role as a reliever, and the second is how much will he be asking for.

In his storied career, he has been both a great starter and a great reliever. At one time, he was among some of the game’s best closers. Will he go back to the bullpen as a seventh or eighth-inning guy?

I think he’s better suited for the ‘pen because he doesn’t have the stuff or the health to give you five-plus innings every fifth day. And for the Phillies, he would be insurance to Brad Lidge.

He fits with the Phils as a reliever in my opinion, however he could also help the team’s depth at starting pitcher. Maybe promise him a chance to earn a starting job like they did with Chan Ho Park.

It’s unlikely that Pedro will be back, and Moyer seems to be a huge question mark so who knows who will be the fifth starter come opening day. So, depth is an issue in terms of starters.

Smoltz showed with the Cards that he can still be a serviceable starter, a guy who can give you five quality innings every fifth day. But can he do it over a full season is still up in the air.

With his past history of greatness, Smoltz may think that he’s due a few million bucks even though he hasn’t done anything other than show that he could be an OK fifth starter in the last couple of years.

The Phillies are in the market for bargain bin type pitchers for both the rotation and bullpen. Rather than overpay for quality, they’ll pay for average, which I have no problem with.

Some fans will have a problem with them looking at players like this because they aren’t “willing to throw out the big bucks,” however to those fans, didn’t they acquire a highly paid pitcher at the deadline?

Great teams are ones who aren’t afraid to take risks like signing a 37-year-old pitcher who missed most of the 2008 season with injury like the Phils did with Martinez.

If the Phillies have proved anything in the last year, the best deal doesn’t always come with the highest price tag. Instead of paying the premium to get Roy Halladay, they gave up less for Cliff Lee.

So, instead of targeting John Lackey or Randy Wolf in free agency, the Phils are looking at John Smoltz-type pitchers. Guys who can be bought for low, and give a high return.

Justin Duchscherer anyone?

If you get Sports Illustrated delivered to your home (as I do), this week’s cover will include the SI Sportsperson of the Year – Derek Jeter.  Jeter is near universally admired by his peers and baseball fans everywhere (except statisticians who bemoan his lack of range at shortstop), and it’s hard not to be a fan of someone who has “class” written about him in every article.  I mean, Bob Sheppard is finally retiring at 99, no longer able to make it to Yankee Stadium to work the public address mic, but Jeter insists on having a recording of Sheppard’s introduction played before every at bat.

Jeter talks about winning the award with Dan Patrick.  [DanPatrick.com/SI]

Probably Not the Photo Taken by Topps, Huh…

If you take a couple of suggestive photos for your significant other, beware who else might have access to that computer or phone where the photos are stored…  That’s the lesson Grady Sizemore seems to have learned now that a series of photos that likely won’t be sold on fathead.com have found their way onto the internet.  Sizemore, working through the legal arm of MLB, is trying to have websites that now have copies of these photos removed – but not all sites are conforming to the request.  Apparently, the leak comes from a friend/angry friend of his girlfriend.  [ESPN]

Check out the photos, if you dare, on deadspin.com…  [Deadspin]

Back to Baseball…

Sources in the Roy Halliday clan say that the pitcher wants to be dealt by spring training, else he will veto any trade after that.  Halliday wants to be able to focus on preparing for and playing in 2010.  [ESPN]

Chip Caray and TBS are no longer on the same team; both sides agreeing to go their separate ways.  [MLB]

Alex Cora, who filled in for the injured Jose Reyes until he, too, lost his season to two thumb injuries, resigned with the Mets for a one-year, $2 million deal with some incentives for playing time.  Cora remains a decent backup, but you’ll want to see how he handles the bat or throws upon his return. [MLB]

Another backup got signed – catcher Jason LaRue of the Cardinals.  LaRue’s one year deal is worth $950K.  [FoxSports]

In a grand gesture of kindness, the Angels players agreed to provide a full share of their playoff earnings to the estate of Nick Adenhart, worth about $140K.  The Yankees divided their share amongst 46 players, taking home a record $365K each.  Since the average Yankee earns something like $7.5 million, it’s tip money, but still…  Did you know that the second place clubs that DIDN’T make the playoffs also receive a share of the playoff money?  Basically, the players get a large percentage of the ticket sales first three (of a five game series) or four (of a seven game series) game series.  [MLB]

Hall of Fame Ballots for those who cannot vote…

Rob Neyer

Keith Law

Happy Birthday!

Walter Alston was born on this day in 1911 – and then managed the Dodgers forever…  At least until he got old and handed the reins to Tommy Lasorda, who may be my favorite manager of all time.

Also celebrating with cards, cake, or rememberances:  Ed Reulbach (1882) – the best fourth starter ever?, Cookie Lavagetto (1912), Marty Marion (1917), Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish (1925), George Foster (1948), Dan Schatzeder (1954), Tom Filer (1956), Greg Harris (1963), Larry Walker (1966), Reggie Sanders (1967) – and probably still on the DL somewhere, Kirk Rueter (1970).

Tom Filer has the longest winning streak of all time, probably, if you go by elapsed time between losses.  After losing two decisions, Filer won his first career game on 7 – 3 – 1982 for the Cubs, went to the minors for two years before playing again in 1985 and going 7 – 0 that season for Toronto.  He wasn’t in a major league game again until 1988, where Filer won his first three decisions with the Brewers before finally losing on 6 – 19 – 1988 – two weeks shy of six years, with eleven straight winning decisions.

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The Hot Stove is heating up again as a preliminary to next week’s Winter Meetings, but there are also several college storylines to look at on a Tuesday morning:

• Jordan Bastain of MLB.com weighs the pros and cons of the Blue Jays not trading UK alum Scott Downs (or ace Roy Halladay) and instead waiting for draft pick compensation when he becomes a free agent.
• John Heyman of SI.com reports the Brewers are looking at Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer.
• UK Athletics has a news release about alum Sawyer Carroll being named Padres minor league hitter of the year. (Which we reported he first Sunday)
• Second baseman Adam Duvall was the star of UofL’s Omaha Challenge.
• EKU Sports has a recap of the fall baseball series.
• The Lexington Legends have a news release about ace Jordan Lyles being named Astros minor league pitcher of the year. (Which we also reported Sunday)

Since Jason LaRue cannot be photographed directly without the photographer bursting into flames, this picture is a close to the awesomeness of Jason LaRue as the internet can provide. Still, nowhere close.

Rumors flew in Cardinal Nation today as back-up catcher and full-time bad-ass Jason LaRue, signed a contract for 2010. This means that the Cardinals can cross off their #1 priority (Signing a player that can make women faint with pleasure and men cry tears of joy) this off-season. While they know that a contract is only semi-binding, LaRue will likely grace Busch Stadium with his unadulterated awesomeness in 2010.

“The man’s a free spirit, and that’s something you gotta respect when working with Jason LaRue,” said Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak, “We hope that Jason will choose to catch a few innings in 2010, but it’s really up to him. Jason LaRue plays baseball where he wants, when he wants.”

The Cardinals’ pitching staff was very optimistic about the upcoming season upon hearing the news of LaRue’s return. “Oh Hell Yeah!” exclaimed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, “That was the key to our staff’s success last year. Yadi caught most of the games, but knowing that if he wasn’t doing the job you had pure machismo with a catcher’s glove waiting in the wings? Well that would make anybody pitch a lot better.”

We were actually granted audience with the baseball great for a short interview after declared that he would add playing Major League Baseball to his extensive list of plans for next season. The interview can be found below:

Q: What made you decide to sign with the Cardinals for 2010?

A: It was a long decision. I took some time off, traveled around the world, was adviser to the pope and Dali Lama for a while, re-watched all my old VHS tapes of Happy Days and thought about my career as a whole. In the end, I decided the sport wouldn’t be near as kick-ass without yours truly, so I decided to come back. Man, that was one hell of a day.

Q: Wow, all of that in one day. What did you do with the rest of your off-season so far?

A: Went deer hunting.

Q: Any success?

A: Mild success. Got 26 deer overall. Killed 8 with my bare hands, 3 with my mustache, 6 by rocking out on my electric guitar, one I landed on jumping out of my tree stand, and the other 8 I killed by practicing my throw down to second, and two of those were with one throw.

Q: How would you describe yourself as a baseball player?

A: I’d say that I’m a mixture of a lion, St. Bernard (the actual Saint, not the dog), and a rattlesnake riding a hippopotamus with Pegasus wings. I mean, you mix those things together and add a catcher’s mask? Bam, classic LaRue.

Q: You’ve kept the handlebar mustache look for sometime now. Besides exuding pure awesomeness, is there a reason for the look?

A: Well…haha…I keep it because when I’m with the ladies (The rest of this quote was so graphic and vulgar that I couldn’t write it under penalty of law)

Q: Any final words for Cardinal Nation?

A: Better dust off that copy of Hank Jr’s “A Country Boy Can Survive,” I’ll be rocking and walking out to that puppy all season long, LaRue style. Oh, that and you’re welcome.

Jason LaRue ended the interview by flashing a “Rock On” hand gesture before mounting a black fire-breathing dragon and flying off into the sunset, his mane of golden hair and luxurious handlebar mustache waving in the wind. What was more impressive was that this happened at 1:30 in the afternoon, which led many to suspect that LaRue had caused the sun to set early on that day, just for the effect of flying off into it.

Busch Stadium is celebrating this glorious day by blasting classic rock from the grounds. If you listen closely, I think you can distantly make out Boston’s “More Than A Feeling.”

Mighty Casey has been on a bit of a holiday – for that I politely ask for your forgiveness – but after a vacation in the Florida Keys, I return ready to write about baseball.

Belated Congrats to Albert Pujols…

The National League writers, knowing the right answer when they saw it, unanimously selected Albert Pujols as the best player in the league for 2009, and it’s the right choice.  Pujols has more power than anyone, really.  He’s a selective hitter who rarely strikes out; he can still run the bases, and his fielding skills are as good as they get.  The last few years, I have been assembling the most productive players in baseball – basically adding up the number of runs created by ones offensive numbers (a basic Bill James’ Runs Created formula) and adding (or subtracting) the number of runs saved on defense and NOBODY is close to Pujols.

As a Marlins fan, I root for Hanley Ramirez, but as good as he is – and he’s VERY good – he’s really not in Pujols’ league yet.  [FoxSports, et al]

Hot Stove News…

Baseball writers are actually covering the Marlins…  So far, the team and Josh Johnson have yet to come to terms for a long-term deal (Marlins offering three years and potential vesting for a fourth, while Johnson wants four guaranteed years), but it looks like they’ll head to arbitration for this year and see what happens.  Johnson would become a free agent after 2011, and the Marlins – who likely would not be players in that bidding war – want to maximize whatever they can get out of Johnson (time, prospects, cash) before he heads out of town.

Here’s Buster Olney’s take…

Here’s Ken Rosenthal’s take...

Having witnessed his skills, I generally trust Larry Beinfest in these things and it’s easy to fall for Johnson who is the best pitcher on the staff.  He’s been a bit frail, though – and you want to see if he can keep going after his first really complete season.  Likely, Johnson will be expected to be an ace until, oh, the first sign that the Marlins aren’t going to win the division between now and July, 2011, at which point he will be dealt for the best available offer.  That’s what I think  is going to happen.

Let’s stick with the Marlins theme…  Former fish shortstop, Alex Gonzalez, signed a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays for 2010 ($2.75 million) and an option for 2011 ($2.5 million, or a buyout).  The deal could be worth $5.25 million – but only this coming season is guaranteed.  This is a sign that Marco Scutaro is out of town for next year.  Alex, when healthy, can still field his position – though not as well as he once did.  He can hit a little, but not much…  Some power, no control of the strike zone.  So, he’s really a league-average shortstop at best and not a sign that the Blue Jays think they can compete in 2010.  [ESPN]

And, Toronto signed their utility infielder, John McDonald, to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million.  McDonald is still a very dependable fielder in the middle of the infield and last year hit enough to keep his job (obviously).  [SI]

The Chicago White Sox, having lost Scott Podsednik and Dewayne Wise, signed Andruw Jones to a one year deal as a backup outfielder.  Personally, I’m not sure why they would do that – but what the heck…  Let’s look at what Jones did in 2009.

For a couple of months, Jones looked spry again.  He was 5 for 6 as a base stealer and lost a little weight which helped when he was playing the outfield.  He LOOKED smoother out there, but he’s lost more than a step.  As a hitter, he had a great April (.344 with some power and walks) but after that his best month was May (.245) and he was only over Mendoza one more time for the rest of the year (not counting his ten at bats in October).  So, aside from that one month, there was little sign that Jones can be a major league hitter.

And, while his season stats look nearly tolerable (17 – 43 – .214) because of the power numbers in just 281 at bats, he hit .214 in Texas – where everyone is a better hitter (in league average parks, that translates to (15 – 39 – .207).  So, why would you give $500K plus performance bonuses to a guy who obviously no longer has major league talent?  Because at $500K, he’s cheap – and he has a major league recognized name.  [ESPN]

Other News…

Bud Selig’s tenure as commissioner of MLB will likely end in 2012 when he contract is over.  Selig will be about 78 when that happens and when asked to stay longer, Selig reportedly declined.  [SI]

Hall of Fame Watch

The Hall of Fame ballot was released last week.  Here’s a pretty good list…  Of those on the ballot, here’s my picks:  Andre Dawson, Roberto Alomar, Barry Larkin, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, and Alan Trammell.

I go back and forth on Bert Blyleven.  He was a great pitcher for a lot of years – and on a lot of teams that weren’t necessarily very good (Twins of the 1970s and later in the 1980s, Cleveland and Texas for a while), but he was on other teams that did win (1979 Pirates, 1987 Twins).  He lost the better part of three years to injuries, otherwise he might have easily clipped 300 wins…  He was a workhorse otherwise – a lot of innings, and a lot of other stuff.  He’s not appreciably different than Don Sutton, really, and if Sutton is in, you’d think Bert would get in there.  At the same time, I just never think of him as one of the dominant pitchers of his era – and that’s why I wonder if he’s being left out.  Who was better than Bert in the 1970s and 1980s?  Carlton, Niekro, Jenkins, Ryan to name four, and a lot of guys were better for short stints – Reuschel, Tanana, Richard, Tudor, Saberhagen, Guidry, Catfish Hunter…  Once you start doing that, you think that Blyleven might not be good enough.

Joe Posnanski (SI) lists players he thinks are already on the path to the Hall of Fame.  I buy about seven on that list…

And, Mike Bauman (MLB) thinks that Union Boss Marvin Miller deserves to be there, too…

Happy Birthday! Vincent Edward (Bo) Jackson, one of the most unique athletes of our time, turns 47 today.  Wow.

Others on the list include some of the more interesting names in baseball history…  Alamazoo Jennings (1850), Tacks Latimer (1877) who was one of Rube Waddell’’s early catchers, Win Ballou (1897), Firpo Marberry (1898), Clyde Sukeforth (1901), Steve Hamilton (1935), Craig Swan (1950), Juan Berenguer (1954), Bob Tewksbury (1960), Matt Lawton (1971), Ray Durham (1971), Shane Victorino (1980), and Rich Harden (1981).

‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #20

1975 Topps - Card #623 – AKA – ‘The Keith Hernandez Rookie Card’

Phil Garner – Garner enjoyed a full, 16-year career as he played for 5 different teams.  A 3-time All-star, and member of the 1979 World Champion Orioles, Garner tallied 1,594 career hits including 109 home runs, 738 RBI, and 225 stolen bases.

Keith Hernandez – One of the most underrated players from his era, Keith Hernandez enjoyed a wonderful major league career.  Climaxing with the 1979 MVP Award, Hernandez was a 5-time All-star, 11-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2-time Silver Slugger winner, and a 2-time World Series champion.  Hernandez finished his stellar career with 2,182 hits, 162 home runs, 1,070 RBI, and 1,124 runs scored.  

Bob Sheldon – Sheldon’s career spanned 3 seasons and just 94 games.  Primarily used as a designated hitter, Sheldon failed to impress his managers with his offensive skills and was quickly out of baseball.  In 94 games, Sheldon managed to amass 67 career hits with 17 RBI, 30 runs scored, and a .256 batting average.

Tom Veryzer - Veryzer played shortstop for 4 big league clubs over the span of 12 years.  A fair hitter without a glaring offensive skill, Veryzer became a nice, serviceable player that remained in the big leagues due to his solid play on defense.

For me, Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year. It’s one of the few times of the year when all bets are off when it comes to food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Thanksgiving is also the time of year where we give thanks to what we have in life. It’s no different for all 30 teams of Major League Baseball. Each team has something they can be thankful for.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies should be thankful that they have one of the best GM’s in the game in Ruben Amaro Jr. A GM who doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves should be thankful the Minor League Player of the Year, Jason Heyward is on his way. The kid looks like a star.

Florida Marlins: The Marlins should be thankful they are getting a new stadium in 2012. Maybe then they can keep their young stars like Josh Johnson

New York Mets: The Mets should be thankful that 2009 is finally coming to an end. 2010 can’t be much worse.

Washington Nationals: The Nationals should be thankful that new GM Mike Rizzo has more of a clue than former GM Jim Bowden

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals should be thankful for the fact that they get to watch the best player in the game on a day in and day out basis.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs should be thankful that after so many years of being labeled “lovable losers,” they are finally dedicated to winning. Whether or not they are making the right moves to win is another story.

Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers should be thankful that they have an owner in Mark Attanasio, who runs a small market team, but has a big market mentality.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds should be thankful that Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Joey Votto are young stars, who should provide a solid foundation for the future.

Houston Astros: The Astros should be thankful that Wandy Rodriguez established himself as a solid No. 2 starter in 2009.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates should be thankful for the fact that GM Neal Huntington has the team moving in the right direction. The Pirates are making the right moves to compete in the future.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers should be thankful for Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, who appear to be the foundation of the Dodgers’ offense for years to come.

Colorado Rockies: The Rockies should be thankful that they have one of the best and exciting young teams in baseball. The Rockies have finally figured out how to win in Colorado.

The Giants should be thankful for Lincecum

San Francisco Giants: The Giants should be thankful for being able to watch Tim Lincecum every five days. His unique delivery continues to amaze fans and baffle hitters.

San Diego Padres: The Padres should be thankful that it appears that they will not be trading star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks should be thankful that Brandon Webb is making progress and looks to be healthy in 2010.

AL East

New York Yankees: The Yankees should be thankful that they are the Yankees. No other team in professional sports has the advantage they have.

Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox should be thankful for their minor-league system, which allows them to trade for players like Victor Martinez and potentially Roy Halladay or Miguel Cabrera.

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays should be thankful that they have the most athletic team in baseball and after so many years of losing, they have a winner in Tampa.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays should be thankful for the fact they got to watch Roy Halladay pitch in a Blue Jays’ uniform for the last 12 years. He will go down as the best player in franchise history.

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles should be thankful for that after so many years of not having a clue, they are moving in the right direction. Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, Brian Matusz, and Nick Markakis provide a solid foundation for the future.

AL Central

Minnesota Twins: The Twins should be thankful for Joe Mauer. When it is all said and done, I believe he will go down as the greatest catcher of all time.

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers should be thankful for Mike Ilitch. Despite a ravaged economy in Detroit, Ilitch does his best to put a winner on the field in the Motor City.

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox should be thankful for employing Ozzie Guillen. His press conferences have provided baseball fans with hours of comedy. Oh yeah, the guy is a pretty good manager.

Kansas City Royals: The Royals should be thankful that there is only more year left in the Jose Guillen era in Kansas City.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians should be thankful that Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana, Azdrubal Cabrera, Matt LaPorta, and Shin-Soo Choo provide hope for the future.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angles should be thankful for that they have one of the best run organizations in baseball. The job Arte Moreno and Mike Scioscia have done in Anaheim has been impressive.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners should be thankful for the fact that if they make a couple of solid moves this offseason, they could win the AL West in 2010.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers should be thankful for GM Jon Daniels. His trades and drafting over the last four years have the Rangers poised to make a run at the AL West crown in 2010.

Oakland A’s: The A’s should be thankful for Andrew Bailey. The 2009 AL Rookie of the Year and a great year and should anchor the backend of the A’s bullpen for years to come–or at least until Billy Beane trades him.

I would like to give thanks to all my readers for taking the time out of their days to read my blog. For that, I am truly grateful.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!

In modern baseball, Jim Kaat’s career, from 1959 to ‘83, spanned the most presidential administrations: seven, from Dwight D. Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan.

**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’

Shelley Duncan is finally free.

After nine years of indentured servitude in the New York Yankees’ farm system, Duncan is a free agent for the first time.

Unfortunately, Duncan is no longer the long-ball hitting prospect who was drafted in the second-round of the 2001 draft.

He’s now a 30-year-old with just 68 games and 146 at-bats in the big leagues on his resume.

Duncan, the son of St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan, is best remembered for his thunderous debut in the Bronx back in 2007.

Through his first 16 games, Duncan looked like the second-coming of Babe Ruth (or Shane Spencer).

Duncan hit an astounding .317/.391/.756 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in his first 46 big league at-bats. He looked like a star on the rise, until someone decided to start tossing him breaking balls.

He only received another 37 at-bats after his hot start, and rightfully so, over his next 18 games, Duncan “hit” .182/.250/.303 with one home run and four RBIs, all the while piling up strikeouts.

In the two years that followed his Jekyll and Hyde debut, Duncan has only appeared in 34 games, amassing a total of 72 at-bats.

Duncan hasn’t exactly made the most out of his limited opportunities, having produced a dreadful .181/.250/.264 batting line with just one home run and seven runs batted in over various stints the last two seasons.

Numerous teams could show interest in Duncan who can play either corner of the outfield or first base. He’s not going to win any Gold Gloves, but he isn’t a butcher in the field either.

Duncan has shown that he can hit left-handed pitching pretty well and, if nothing else, could serve as part of a platoon.

He did, however, post a cumulative line of .271/.368/.533 with 68 home runs and 226 RBIs in parts of four seasons at Triple-A.

In those four partial seasons his total at-bats equaled out to roughly two-full seasons of big league at-bats, thus making his production all the more impressive.

Obviously, the big-time power potential is there, so a starting gig isn’t entirely out of the question.

Given his attachment to the city of New York, it is conceivable that Duncan could sign-on with the Yankees’ cross-town rival, the New York Mets.

The Mets currently have question marks at both left field and first base. Additionally, the club is looking to add more power to the lineup.

The Mets are just one of many logical options for Duncan.

The St. Louis Cardinals are another seemingly perfect fit.

Duncan could be reunited with his father and—barring the club’s attempts to bring back Matt Holliday—there may be an opening in left field next season.

These are just two of the potentially limitless options Duncan should have this offseason.

He is finally free and should be able to choose from what should be a hearty stock of suitors this offseason.

His positional flexibility and power potential will make him intriguing to numerous clubs looking for cheaper alternatives to high-priced marquee free agents.

Duncan should use his new found freedom to choose a team that offers him the one thing the Yankees failed to in nearly a decade, a real opportunity.

Por tiempo hemos aprendido que Hanley Ramirez no es un pelotero de mucho hablar.

Al final de temporada cuando ganó el título de bateo de la Liga Nacional pocas palabras se le escucharon decir a los medios de comunicación.

Ahora que arribó segundo en la votación para el premio de Jugador Más Valioso de su circuito tampoco nada de nada del joven torpedero y toletero de los Marlins de Florida.

Sí esta contento, feliz, afortunado, satisfecho o otro adjetivo es una pura adivinanza.

Lo que muchos seguidores suyos especialmente en la Ciudad del Sol les anda preocupando del acertijo es que sí su silencio es por alguna razón en especifico.

Sencillamente los rumores están volando por los aires floridianos que tanto los Medias Rojas de Boston como los Cardenales de San Luis andan interesados en sus servicios.

El joven Todo-Estrella dominicano desde que llegó a la novena Marlin en el 2006 ha sido la luminaria de este conjunto.

El quisqueyano tiene en su resumé el galardón de Novato del Año de la Nacional; dos veces Todo-Estrella; dos veces Bate de Plata; tres veces Marlin del Año y claro esta su reinato de bateo con .342 de promedio.

Ramírez se convirtió en el primer Marlin en la historia en lograr un título de bateo y solo el cuarto campocorto en la historia de la Nacional en ser un titular con el madero. Antes que Ramírez el último paracorto en obtener un titulo de bateo lo fue en 1960 Dick Groat de los Piratas de Pittsburgh.

Entre los suyos de tierra quisqueyana, Ramirez se unió al exclusivo club de reyes de bateo en Las Mayores a los nombres de Mateo Alou, Rico Carty, Julio Franco, Alex Rodríguez, Manny Ramírez y Albert Pujols.

Ademas de su título de bateo, Ramírez terminó entre primeros diez en alrededor de nueve importantes categorias ofensivas.

Sí no hubiese sido por el super año de Pujols seguramente el natural de Samaná hubiese sido el candidato más fuerte para Más Valioso y hubiese sido el primer Marlin en obtener tal reconocimiento.

El Marlin más cercano antes de esta pasada temporada a tal distintivo lo fué el venezolano Miguel Cabrera en el 2005 y el 2006 que arribó en ambas ocasiones en quinto lugar en la boleta.

Vale señalar que Ramirez ha estado en la boleta de Más Valioso por la ultimas tres temporadas.

Lo que le inquieta a muchos aficionados de los Marlins es sí Ramírez terminará igual que Cabrera. En otro uniforme despues de haber irradiado en el uniforme de los Marlins donde tantas estrellas han pasado y tiempo despues han sido desvanecidos a otros equipos.

Y ojo que como están las cosas por la económia en que andamos viviendo cualquier cambio puede suceder.

El mismo Miguel Cabrera esta siendo ofrecido hoy día como pieza de canje por sus Tigres de Detroit. Muy interesante ver quien toma su contrato actual que le faltan seis años y $120 millones.

También muchos rumores andan revoleteando que los Bravos de Atlanta desean canjear a Javier Vazquez; los Padres de San Diego a Adrian González; los Rangers de Texas a Nelson Cruz; los Mets de Nueva York a Carlos Beltrán y los Cachorros de Chicago a Alfonso Soriano.

Dos ex-Marlins quien sabe si regresan a su antigua hueste floridiana. Tanto Luis Castillo de los Mets como Mike Lowell de los Medias Rojas de Boston están siendo ofrecidos por sus equipos como piezas de cambio.

También andan rumorandose al presente como fichas de cambios entre otros Bengie Molina, Placido Polanco, Marco Scutaro, Rafael Soriano y José Valverde.

De Hanley Ramírez no debe haber sorpresa alguna de los rumores tanto con Boston o San Luis. Ambas franquicias publicamente este pasado verano dejaron saber que sí hubiese la oportunidad de obtener sus servicios las puertas estaban abiertas para negociación.

Los Marlins inauguran su nuevo estadio en el 2012. Estará Hanley Ramírez en el uniforme de Florida ?

El tiempo dirá. Veremos.

As a Cubs fan it’s easy to dislike Albert Pujols, but you have to respect the guy, even as a rival Cardinal.

Take a look at Pujols’ 162-game averages for his career and tell me there’s not a better player in the game:

.334/.427/.628 with 42 home runs, 129 RBIs, 94 walks, 124 runs scored, a 1.055 OPS and 374 total bases.

That from a guy who was taken in the 13^th round of the 1999 draft…and just another reason I love the game of baseball.

Ted Keith of Sports Illustrated wrote a terrific article on Albert Pujols’ third MVP Award. He sums up Pujols best with this line…

• Looking for flaws in his individual seasons is like looking for a stray brushstroke on a masterpiece. Even if you find one, does it really subtract from the overall beauty of the work?

It’s the perfect description of the best player in the game, a noted Cubs killer and a man also MVP-worthy off the field too, something a Mr. Bonds will never touch.

Of course I’d love Albert more if he played outside the NL Central, but then again, we’re lucky to watch him perform against the Cubs 18 times a year.

Listen, I’m not telling you to love or hate the guy, but understand this may be the greatest talent we’ll ever see play in our lifetime.

Para nadie debe ser sorpresa que Albert Pujols fue electo de forma unánime con el galardón de Jugador Más Valioso de la Liga Nacional.

El inicialista dominicano de los Cardenales de San Luis obtuvo los 32 votos de primer lugar y 448 puntos en la votación de la Asociación de los Escritores de Béisbol de América. Y con mucha razón por su super temporada ofensiva que tuvo con su madero.

El quisqueyano tuvo gran campaña al conectar para .327 de promedio con 47 jonrones, lider en su circuito, y 135 carreras impulsadas. Ademas de encabezar la liga en cuadrangulares tambien lo hizo en carreras anotadas, porcentaje de slugging y en porcentaje de ocasiones en base.

Vale dejar saber que es el primer ganador de forma unánime desde la elección de Barry Bonds en el 2002 en el uniforme de los Gigantes de San Francisco.

Además de Pujols y Bonds, los otros ganadores de forma unánime en la historia de la Nacional lo fueron el boricua Orlando Cepeda (1967), Mike Schmidt (1980), Jeff Bagwell (1994) y Ken Caminiti (1996).

Enhorabuena Pujols debe estar celebrando en grande y también todos sus seguidores. Y también en toda América Latina como gran orgullo y más cuando este reconocimiento de más valioso es uno para la historia.

Con este reconocimiento obtenido este año Pujols estará sumando a su casillero su tercero en su carrera añadiendo los obtenidos de más valioso en las temporadas del 2005 y 2008.

Solamente otros ocho jugadores en la historia han obtenido tan importante galardón en tres ocasiones en sus carreras. El unico otro latino en ese exclusivo club lo es Alex Rodriguez que lo obtuvo en el circuito americano en el 2003, 2005 y 2007.

Barry Bonds es el hombre con más valiosos ganados en la historia con siete elecciones y todas en la Liga Nacional.

Para orgullo latino su elección fue historica ademas por ser la primera ocasión en la historia en la Liga Nacional que dos latinos terminan uno y dos en las votación para el premio de más valioso.

Su compatriota el campocorto Hanley Ramírez de los Marlins de Florida fue segundo con 233 puntos.

Pujols ya sabemos a estas fechas que hizo historia al ser el primero con numeros de bateo de sobre .300, 30 vuelacercas y 100 carreras remolcadas en nueve campañas consecutivas. Muchos se preguntaran que será lo próximo para Pujols.

Sín duda el talento lo tiene para obtener su cuarto más valioso en el 2010 pero la suy personal es llevar a sus Cardenales hasta una Serie Mundial.

Y claro esta cada día y año que pasa cementando su inmortalidad hacia Cooperstown.

El tiempo dirá. Veremos.

EXTRA DEL AUTOR: Para aquellos curiosos en siete ocasiones en la historia en la Liga Americana han quedado uno y dos latinoamericanos para el premio de Jugador Más Valioso.

Adjunto los ganadores con sus segundos. 1965 Zolio Versalles, Minnesota; Tony Oliva, Minnesota 1996 Juan Gonzalez,Texas; Alex Rodriguez, Seattle 1999 Ivan Rodriguez, Texas; Pedro Martinez, Boston 2002 Miguel Tejada, Oakland; Alex Rodriguez,Texas 2003 Alex Rodriguez,Texas; Carlos Delgado, Toronto 2005 Alex Rodriguez, Yankees de Nueva York ;David Ortiz, Boston 2007 Alex Rodriguez,Yankees de Nueva York; Magglio Ordoñez,Detroit

Albert Pujols won his third National League MVP award today, receiving all 32 first-place votes to become the first unanimous MVP since Barry Bonds back in 2002.

From MLB.com:

Pujols received all 32 first-place votes, good for 448 ballot points. Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez garnered 15 second-place votes and 233 points. First baseman Ryan Howard of the Phillies was a close third with 217 points. He was followed by Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder and Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

“It’s an award you give to one person, but I believe if it wouldn’t have been for the help my teammates have given me for the past year, I wouldn’t be standing up here,” Pujols said. “I always say, if I could split this award and give a piece to every single player that had an impact with this organization, I would do that.”

It’s the second straight year that Pujols has won the award, and the third time overall. He is the 10th player in history to win three MVPs, and the fifth to win it three times in the National League. He is the 12th player to win back-to-back MVP awards. The last was Barry Bonds, who won it four straight years from 2001-04.

Today, Albert Pujols won his second straight NL MVP award.  Pujols is the first the win back to back titles since Barry Bonds won four straight from 2001-2004.  Pujols was a unanimous pick, winning by over 200 votes.  Pujols had a batting average of .327, belted 47 homeruns, and had 135 runs batted in. Those numbers good enough to get your the NL MVP and our halfdog nomination of the day.

Do fans enjoy the overlap in seasons that happen a few times throughout the year?  The MLB season rolls into the beginning of the NFL season, and the NFL season coincides with a big chunk of the NBA season.  Personally,  it’s tough for me to get involved into two sports simultaneously.  The St. Louis Cardinals made it into the playoffs this year, and I spent the entire summer following their season religiously.  So when the Dallas Cowboys began their season it was tough for me to jump right into football season and be as excited about it since baseball was still taking place.  And there is no way in hell I ever think about any other sport when the NFL is going on.  Of course, I love watching college football and basketball but nothing compares to the NFL.  Once the NFL is over, I jump right into basketball with March Madness approaching and the NBA playoffs.  Do most people follow this cycle?  I know it depends on the sports you enjoy and the teams you follow, but in general, do sport’s fans go from one season to the next or are they able to maintain devotion to multiple teams at once?

NEW YORK — Albert Pujols was unanimously voted National League MVP on Tuesday, becoming the first player to repeat since Barry Bonds won four in a row from 2001-04.

Pujols received all 32 first-place votes and 448 points in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

It was the third MVP award for the St. Louis Cardinals star, who also won in 2005. He became the first unanimous MVP since Bonds in 2002.

Pujols was the unanimous choice

He was especially dangerous with the bases loaded, going 10 for 17 with five grand slams, three doubles and 35 RBIs.

Florida’s Hanley Ramirez, the NL batting champion, was second with 233 points, followed by Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard (217) and Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder (203), who tied Howard for the big league lead in RBIs.

Pujols, who turns 30 in January, joined Hall of Famer Al Simmons (11) as the only players with 100 or more RBIs in each of their first nine seasons. He also set a big league record for assists by a first baseman with 185.

Pujols became just the fourth player to win the NL MVP three times. Bonds won seven in the 1990s and 2000s. Stan Musial (1940s), Roy Campanella (1950s) and Mike Schmidt (1980s) each won three.

Five players have won three AL MVPs: Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Alex Rodriguez.

In addition to Pujols and Bonds, the only unanimous NL winners were Orlando Cepeda (1967), Schmidt (1980), Jeff Bagwell (1994) and Ken Caminiti (1996). Unanimous AL winners have been Hank Greenberg (1935), Al Rosen (1953), Mantle (1956), Frank Robinson (1966), Denny McLain (1968), Reggie Jackson (1973), Jose Canseco (1988), Frank Thomas (1993) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1997).

St. Louis players have won 17 MVPs, second in the majors behind 20 for the Yankees. Pujols has been voted among the top 10 in nine consecutive years, finishing second in 2002, 2003 and 2006; third in 2004; fourth in 2001; and ninth in 2007.

Pujols receives a $200,000 bonus for winning the award. He is signed for next season at $16 million, and the Cardinals hold a $16 million option for 2011, so the sides may soon turn their attention to a contract extension.

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins was voted the AL MVP on Monday, receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes.

As you know, Albert Pujols recently won his second consecutive National League Most Valuable Player Award. He didn’t just win it, he won it unanimously. Every single voter had him as their No. 1 pick.

Pujols’ exploits have been well chronicled. I think he is the best baseball player who is currently playing baseball on Planet Earth. Some would disagree, but that is the prerogative of baseball fans everywhere.

While we shower Prince Albert with praise that he is absolutely deserving of, I would like to ask a question. Is he the best player to ever play for the St. Louis Cardinals ?

All you must do is look out front of Busch Stadium to see the statue of the “face of the franchise,  Stan “The Man” Musial, to see his only competitor for that particular honor. You need look no further.

Stan Musial was one of the greatest players to ever play the game of baseball. He played 22 seasons, all with the Cards, from 1941 until 1963. He is a three-time winner of the MVP award—as is Pujols, was on 24 All-Star teams (two games were played from 1959-62) at four different positions.

Musial also won seven batting titles, two RBI Crowns, was the league leader in runs scored five times, in hits six times, had over 200 hits six times, led the league in doubles eight times, triples five times, in OBP six times, in SLG six times, in OPS seven times, and OPS+ six times (once at 200). He also was the league leader in total bases six times. His career OPS+ is 159. In 17 seasons, he batted over .300, 16 consecutively. He also hit 30 or more HR six times, and drove in over 100 runs 10 times, while scoring over 100 runs 11 times.

In 24 All-Star appearances (a record he shares with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron) he hit six HR (a record which still stands), 10 RBI and batted .317.

His career stats are nearly unbelievable.

BA=.331, R=1949, H=3630 (1815 at home, 1815 away), HR=475, RBI=1951.

Pujols, like Musial, hit the ground running. In 2001, he won the Rookie of the Year award while putting up MVP-type numbers: 37 HR, 130 RBI, and a .329 average.

He has played nine seasons thus far and .314 is the lowest season average he has posted. He has hit over 40 HR five times, while belting 30 or more the other four. He has had at least 103 RBI each season he has played.

In 2003, he won the National League batting title with a .359 average. This past season (2009) he won his first HR crown, with 47. He led the league in hits in 2003 with 212. He has been on the All-Star team each year with the exception of 2002 when he placed second in the MVP voting. He led the league in OBP once, in SLG three times, OPS three times and OPS+ three times. He was also the league leader in TB four times.

In seven All-Star appearances Pujols has batted .353 with three RBI.

His career numbers are as unbelievable—albeit incomplete—as Musial’s.

BA=.334, R=1071, H=1717, HR=366, RBI=1112. His career OPS+ is 172.

Two great players from two time periods on the same squad. Obviously if Pujols continues to put up the crazy numbers we have become accustomed to expect for a few more years, he will surpass many of Stan’s numbers and be the best Cardinal ever.

Until that day, I believe Stan Musial is still the best Cardinal in history.

What are your thoughts?

Cliff Eastham is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, where this article was first published.