In Retrospect: Ken Griffey Jr.

I really can’t believe it’s over now. Although he’s 40 years old, Ken Griffey Jr. just retired and I feel so upset and melancholy, as if he was 25 and called it quits for no reason.

He really had it all. He was the #1 overall draft pick in the 1987. The son of a Cincinnati Reds legend. One of the most infectious smiles a professional athlete could ever have. He really was “The Kid.” Constantly wearing his hat backwards, Junior chased after fly balls with the energy of a 5-year old playing catch with his dad in the backyard. He truly loved the game.

He was arguably the best player of the 1990’s. He hit 56 homers in two consecutive seasons in Seattle’s Kingdome, an EXTREMELY spacious pitcher’s park (almost on CitiField’s level). He was a five-tool player, although he never really stole as many bases as he could have (career high of 24). He won 10 straight Gold Gloves. He scored the iconic winning run in the 1995 playoffs against the Yankees, racing home from first base on a hit from Edgar Martinez that traveled 200 feet at the most and sliding safely into a collective orgasm from the Seattle fans. He had 13 All-Star appearances, continually placing his name among the best in baseball (and among the best in history).

It’s truly a shame that Junior’s body broke down so horrifically. One injury after another… it was almost as if he was jinxed after leaving Seattle to take the hundred-plus million dollar contract to play for the “hometown” Reds. At that point, Seattle WAS his hometown. He had the hearts of every single person in that city and simply wanted to “test the waters.” The fact that he signed with the Reds in 2000 and just retired in the last 24 hours is also a testament to his mental strength, as he literally shook off injuries for more than nine seasons. Not just nicks and scrapes, but tendon tears, torn hamstrings, Achilles problems, and other assorted lower body injuries.

Anyone with a Super Nintendo or Nintendo 64 during the 90’s will tell you that Ken Griffey Jr.’s baseball games were the SHIT. Even though he played in Seattle, basically a sports graveyard, he was really a larger-than-life figure all across the nation. Some of my friends from suburban Long Island to this day still use Ken Griffey replica baseball gloves. I had one of my own as well. He had and will always have the sweetest swing in the history of baseball.

Compared to the juicing assholes like McGwire, Sosa, Palmiero, and Bonds, there was just a distinct aura around Griffey. His passion for the game was/is unparalleled. Unlike many of today’s players, he wasn’t just in it for the money or fame. He practically grew up with the Cincinnati Reds dynasty in the 1970’s, living in their clubhouse while his father played. He knew famous people from a young age; he drove a BMW in high school. He knew what these tangible things were. He just wanted to do what he loved: play baseball. Fortunately, he was absolutely incredible at the sport as well.

I understand Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball right now, by a LOT. But 30, 40, even 50 years from now, find me in a bar, and I will defend on my LIFE that if Ken Griffey Jr. never got injured, he would’ve been the greatest player of all time. There was nothing stopping him. I really don’t know a single baseball fan who has the slightest hint of disdain for Ken Griffey Jr. The man is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Without injuries, he just might have been the home run king. I never got to see him play, and it’s seriously looking like one of the bigger regrets in my life as a sports fan.

In Retrospect: Jose Lima

I was shocked to find out yesterday morning that Jose Lima had died of a heart attack at age 37. Considering I started following baseball in 1998 and he was just reaching his statistical peak right around that time, he was one of the first pitchers I vividly remember through ESPN clips and what-not.

Lima went 27-18 in his first two years of being a starting pitcher (he was predominantly a bullpen guy at first). In 1999, he won 21 games. Unfortunately, he fell out of the form for the rest of his career, with a 21-8 combined record in 2003 and 2004 being somewhat of an aberration.

His MLB Showdown 2000 card was awesome and absurdly good, if you ever played the game as a kid. If there was an award for “Athlete Who Looks Most Like a Colombian Druglord”, he would have won it unanimously. (Currently, the ballot for the award is a tie between Dani Alves of Barcelona and Albert Pujols.) He was an arrogant man, and when he was on, he dropped diddicks on all hitters. I'll never forget him throwing a complete game shutout against the Cardinals in the 2004 playoffs. We thought he would continue his strong form again. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.

Rest in peace, Jose. Heaven just went into Lima Time.

Open Letter: Writing to Javier Vazquez

Open Letters are going to comprise of me "penning" a letter to some sports figure for one reason or another. It may be a petition to do something; it may be pure unadultered rage. You never know how I'm feeling. Today, I write to a particular underachieving Yankees pitcher...

Dear Mr. Vazquez,

I’ve always wanted to complain about a guy who makes 10 million dollars a year. You’re awful. You’re overrated. Why the hell did the Yankees trade for you, giving up my favorite player (Melky Cabrera) in the process?

You had a 2.87 ERA last year in Atlanta. EVERYONE knows the AL shits on the NL. That 2.87 ERA is like a 4.50 ERA in the American League (a bit of an exaggeration, but there’s a BIG difference). It’s funny because your ERA right now is 9.00. My goodness, that’s DOUBLE 4.50! Your best start this year (you know, the one start that got you a win) had you throwing 107 pitches to get 16 guys out. Yep, 5 and 1/3 innings pitched while giving up 3 runs. Thank God you have the best lineup in baseball.

It seems to be a common theme to me; in your only other year here (2004) you had your worst statistical season in your career up to that point, notching an ERA of 4.91, 11 hit batsmen, 12 wild pitches, your second highest WHIP in your career (1.288), and second lowest strikeout ratio in your career (6.8 K/9 IP). How you managed to 14 games that year defies all logic in nature.
Do you remember something else about that year, Javy? Specifically, coming in to Game 7 of the ALCS against the Red Sox who were still cursed at that time? Do you recall giving up a grand slam to Johnny Damon, the FIRST batter you faced? Great times. Just when you couldn’t be any lower in Yankees fans’ hearts, you gave up yet ANOTHER home run to Damon 2 innings later.

And after thriving in an inferior league, you somehow persuaded the Yankees to bring you back. Look how far it’s gotten you! All you’ve received is your paycheck and one undeserved win. Holy shit, you have no idea how angry you make me. Pull your head out of your ass. You’re 34 years old. You know how to pitch well. DO IT, you asshole. You’re such a waste of money. Justify your price tag or something of that nature. You know, other guys come to New York and succeed, if not, elevate their games and do better. Why can’t you?

Sincerely,
Michael Moschetto

Why the Mets Organization Is the Most Futile in MLB

Yes, I’m about to go there. Any Mets fan is reading this and smacking their forehead loudly. It’s almost inevitable. Last year, Sportscenter had a Not Top 10 of purely Mets-related plays and events… in August. The season wasn’t even over yet. But allow me to eloquently explain the Mets’ suckitude. Keep in mind I’m explaining why the organization is merely futile; the Mets aren’t the worst team in the league. They’ve been to the playoffs during our generation. They’ve had good players, and they currently have good players. It’s merely HOW the team is RUN. It transcends their performance (or lack thereof) on the field; the front office is equally as inept.

So we’ll start with the management involved. Simply put, the Mets need a new owner. The Wilpons are doing everything they can to run the team into the ground since 2006, the Mets’ closest chance to significant success since, well, 20 years beforehand in the magical, cocaine-filled season of 1986. (Actually, the entire decade of the 1980’s was cocaine-filled in sports and society, but that be a topic for later.) Handing out big contracts to guys like Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo really doesn’t help. The fact that management has stubborn decided to keep these players every year does no good for the team.

Jerry Manuel is arguably the least efficient manager in the league. My God, he’s not even the best manager in the NL East with the last name of Manuel. Granted, Charlie Manuel is doing an incredible job in Philly, but that’s not the point. I haven’t seen a coach or manager criticized this often by the media since Isiah Thomas got ran out of town from the Knicks; he could have saved a baby out of a burning building and Knicks fans would still have booed him mercilessly.

Anyway, Manuel’s partner/butt buddy Omar Minaya at GM has assembled a team of Hispanics and David Wright that went 70-92 last year, fourth place in the NL East. An NL East with the rebuilding Braves, the Marlins with a payroll of literally, 30 million dollars, and the Nationals. Meanwhile, the Mets have been in the top 5 in team payroll practically every year this decade and have exactly ONE playoff berth (the pseudo-miracle run of 2006) to show for it. *cough* Yadier Molina *cough*

How about that new stadium? I mean, it’s aesthetically pleasing, but for actual Mets fans, have you actually SEEN the stadium? There’s more shit about Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers in there than anything! After talking to several Mets fans, it’s obvious to me that this hasn’t really struck a fine chord with the majority of supporters. Keep in mind the Dodgers haven’t played in Brooklyn since, uh, 1958. That’s 52 years. The Mets don’t even play in Brooklyn. Moving on.

I don’t get the Mets. Their organization really seems to have no desire to build a championship team. How can a team in the sports world’s biggest market have all that payroll and perennially underachieve? I don’t even root for them and it bothers me a LOT. Jason Bay was a nice addition, but the guy already peaked statistically; AND now he’s in the uber-pitcher’s park known as CitiField (or ShittiField, if you’re not a fan). Johan Santana may not even be the best pitcher from Venezuela at this point in his career (Felix Hernandez may have him beat) and gets minimal run support. I’m actually really happy that Ike Davis has been beasting so far and Jose Reyes is healthy again (he’s one of my favorite players to watch, period), but anything above third place this year will be a surprise to me. You can only hope that David Wright will make more Vitamin Water advertisements. Just saying.

Apples to Oranges: Tim Lincecum vs. Roy Halladay

So as you may know, Tim Lincecum has won the last two National League Cy Young Awards. He’s pretty good. In fact, you may call him the best pitcher in the National League. That makes sense. However…

This pitcher named Roy Halladay got traded to the Phillies, who are conveniently located in the National League as well. Halladay is pretty filthy himself with a Cy Young of his own; this poses a threat to Lincecum’s title. So who would YOU take? Let’s break it down.

Name:
Lincecum- Timothy Leroy Lincecum (25 years old)
Halladay- Harry Leroy Halladay III (32 years old)

Nickname:
Lincecum- The Freak or The Franchise
Halladay- Doc

Size:
Lincecum- 5’11’’, 175 pounds
Halladay- 6’6’’, 230 pounds

Draft Status:
Lincecum- 1st round, 10th pick
Halladay- 1st round, 17th pick

Pitches:
Lincecum-fastball clocked at 98 MPH, absurdly disgusting curve, cutter, changeup
Halladay- everything except an eephus (2 and 4 seam FB, curve, cutter, changeup in particular)

Key Career Stats:
Lincecum- 2.84 career ERA, .717 winning %, 1.140 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 ratio, 3.18 K/BB ratio
Halladay- 3.39 career ERA, .667 winning %, 1.193 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 ratio, 3.33 K/BB ratio

Decorations:
Lincecum- 2 All-Star games, 2 Cy Youngs (2008, 2009)
Halladay- 6 All-Star games, 1 Cy Young (2003)

Statistic that best defines his skill:
Lincecum- Strikeouts (led league last 2 years)
Halladay- Complete games/Shutouts (51 CGs and 16 SHOs in career most among all active players)

One sentence description:
Lincecum- An undersized but overwhelming power pitcher that looks like he’s 15 years old.
Halladay- A master of control and going the distance, both of which are dying traits these days.

Bonus points for:
Lincecum- Being so nasty despite being really small and having an extremely unusual windup.
Halladay- Having a moderately attractive wife. And for being really old-school.

So there you have it. Despite the fact that neither of these guys have ever pitched in the playoffs, who would you rather have start for Game 7?

10 Young Pitchers You Need to Know

I consider myself to be an old-school baseball fan. I actually consider myself to be an old-school fan of almost all sports, but really, none moreso than the national pastime. I love great pitchers, cerebral catchers, and great run manufacturing. If a baseball game featuring a great pitcher is on TV, I will always watch the man do work. As guys like Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Roger Clemens have all hung up their cleats, we need a new generation of great pitchers to fill the void. I decided to pick 10 guys who will certainly make an impact in the league (and my TV watching) for years to come. I’m going to leave off Tim Lincecum because he has 2 Cy Youngs already; let's put some guys looking for some hardware on the list.

Stephen Strasburg, Nationals- If you don’t know who this guy is, you may need to emerge from your rock. Strasberg is surely the most hyped pitcher coming out of college since Mark Prior, with a fastball occasionally clocked at 102 miles per hour. To be honest, I don’t know what 102 miles per hour looks like in a batter’s box; I’m a bit scared. The 21-year old complements that absurd heat with a big build (6’4’’, 220 pounds) and a good curveball clocked around 80 mph. Everyone in the baseball world wants this guy playing in the majors as soon as possible; it’s easy to see why.

Felix Hernandez, Mariners- King Felix is quite the specimen. Coming onto the scene as a 19-year old teenage in 2005, Hernandez had an ERA of 2.67. Now 24, Felix had his most impressive season yet in 2009, going 19-5 with an ERA of 2.49 and coming second in Cy Young voting. Trying to take the crown of best Venezuelan pitcher from Johan Santana, the King hit a grand slam off Santana in 2008; he’s on his way to doing so.

Yovani Gallardo, Brewers- Already the best Mexican pitcher in the league (I dig it, even though there’s not a lot of Mexicans pitching nowadays), Gallardo is a beast on the pound and at the plate, with a .227 average and 4 career homers already at the age of 24. Yovani (the name seems unisex) has already established himself as an efficient power pitcher, striking out 204 batters in 185 innings in 2009. He recently signed a $30 million extension over the next 5 years; good for the financially strapped Brew Crew for locking him up.

Jair Jurrjens, Braves- The 24-year old Jurrjens has the coolest name on this list, along with three solid pitches: a fastball in the low 90s, a great changeup, and a slider to boot. Jurrjens led the league with 34 games started and also had an ERA of 2.60. He and Tommy Hanson will make a great 1-2 punch in Atlanta for the next decade, perhaps for longer.

Rick Porcello, Tigers- Fredrick Alfred Porcello III was drafted right out of high school by Detroit, receiving a total contract worth $11.1 million. He went 14-9 with an ERA of 3.96 in 2009, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. The only drawback about Porcello is that he’s from New Jersey. (Just kidding.) But the 21-year old who stands 6’5’’ will be an intimidating force in the American League for a long time.

Neftali Feliz, Rangers- Feliz is filthy. At 21 years old, he has a fastball that hovers near 100 miles an hour along with a delicious curveball. Because of his lack of a third pitch, he may be forced to “stay” as a reliever for his career. But I’m sure the Rangers wouldn’t mind having a closer who posted 39 strikeouts in 31 innings last year with a WHIP of .677 and ERA of 1.74.

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers- The 6’3’’ lefty is the great-nephew of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer credited with discovering Pluto; it’s no surprise Dodgers fans have other-worldly expectations of this guy. The 22-year old Kershaw has a great mid 90s fastball, a looping curve, and a developing circle changeup. He led the major leagues last season with a .200 opposing batting average. Good luck hitting this guy.

Brad Bergesen, Orioles- A guy who hasn’t received as much hype as the other guys on this list, Bergesen is a great finesse pitcher built in a Maddux-type mold. The 24-year old utilizes a good sinker and slider despite his fastball maxing out around 89 to 90 mph. Beresen had a 50.1% ground ball rate last season in 2009 to complement a 3.43 ERA; you can expect him to improve exponentially in Baltimore.

Tommy Hanson, Braves- The Braves continue to churn out lofty pitching prospects, keeping their tradition along. Hanson, 23, had an excellent rookie campaign in 2009, going 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. Standing 6’6’’ tall, Hanson possess a mid 90s fastball, a solid slider, and a curveball evaluated as “narsty.” Yes, narsty. (Actually, that’s my word. But you’ve gotta see it).

David Price, Rays- The 24-year old lefty from Vanderbilt has great potential, to say the least. One of a couple good young arms down in Tampa, Price stands 6’6’’ and has a low 90s fastball and changeup. However, his best pitch is his slider, which is known to break very late and sharp. Straight dirty. The first overall draft pick in 2007, Price went 10-7 last season and will grow considerably as he continues to pitch against the stiff competition in the AL East.