Introducing: The MLB Hall Of Fame Class Of 1965.
Jim Galvin: Pitcher, Buffalo Bisons
365-310 record, 2.85 ERA, 6003.1 innings pitched, 1807 strike outs
Jim “Pud” Galvin played professional baseball for 15 seasons, with his final year at the age of 35 in 1892. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 by the Veterans Committee and ended up being the sole inductee for this year. After looking through his career statistics and accomplishments, it would have been a crime if Galvin wasn’t in the Hall of Fame. He has the honor of being the inaugural member of the 300-win club and won 20 or more games in a season 10 times, with two of those seasons ending with more than 40 victories. Another amazing statistic is that he started 688 games in his career and registered 646 complete games. So, he finished what he started 94% of the time he took the mound- no big deal.
Which Players Need To Have A Good Year In 2012?
I read a great article written by Jon Paul Morosi on MSN.com in which he listed the twelve players that he thinks are going to be watched very closely in 2012. There are plenty of players that will be judged in the court of public opinion this year; Morosi did a great job with his list and defending all of his picks, but I don’t agree with some of the players that made his list. The top twelve players that need to watch their P’s and Q’s in 2012 according to Jon Paul Morosi are:
2012 American League East Preview.
2011 Finish: 97-65
Additions: Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, Russell Branyan, Raul Ibanez
Losses: Jesus Montero, Hector Noesi, Jorge Posada, A.J. Burnett
The Yankees took a unique approach to free agents this hot stove season by allowing the market to come to them. Their need was clear; they needed pitchers to fill up the rotation and be half as dependable as CC Sabathia has been since he came on board in 2009. Once they inked their ace to a five-year/$122 million extension, they went out to sure up the rest of their rotation. They parted with a lot of offensive potential in Jesus Montero, but were able to gain a 23-year-old starter with electric stuff in Michael Pineda. GM Brian Cashman also nabbed Hiroki Kuroda off the market for a one-year/$10 million contract. The search for a designated hitter is over with the agreement with Raul Ibanez after they were able to unload A.J. Burnett. The biggest wild card is Alex Rodriguez. After playing under 100 games last season, everyone in the Bronx is looking for him to return to form, especially since they owe him a boatload of money for the better part of this decade. However, The Yanks are going to be part of a three team race for the division with 90-95 wins this year.
MLB Diamond Notes: February 20th, 2012.
Yoenis Cespedes signs with Oakland.
In what was a sudden change of events, Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s swooped in and stole the show by agreeing to a four-year/$36 million deal with Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. This story has been making just about everyone’s head scratch since it happened last week. No one faults Oakland for going after the highly sought free agent, but after having a major salary dump this year by dealing Andrew Bailey, Gio Gonzalez, and Trevor Cahill for lots of prospects, no one is expecting the A’s to be competitive in 2012, or 2013 for that matter. However, I can see if Beane wants to use Cespedes as proof to show MLB that moving to San Jose would be worth it because they are willing to spend money. On the other hand, if the outfielder becomes too expensive, he could be dealt for more prospects. The offer from the Marlins had some possible foreshadowing for them as well. They wouldn’t offer less than six-years/ $36 million…does that mean they want to hold onto him for around the same amount of time as Reyes and Buerhle so they can have their fire sale if things don’t work out? They said it’s because Cespedes would probably need to spend some time in the minors first, but we’ll never know. At the end of the day, Cespedes stated he felt the A’s wanted him most, and that’s where he will be for the foreseeable future.
Introducing: The MLB Hall Of Fame Class of 1964.
Luke Appling: Shortstop, Chicago White Sox
.310 average, 1319 runs scored, 2749 hits, 4 home runs, 1116 RBI, 179 stolen bases
Luke Appling manned the shortstop position and leadoff spot in the lineup for his entire 20-year career. As a hitter, he was best known for being able to intentionally foul off pitches until he received one that he wanted to put in play. He hit over .300 in a season 16 times (including nine straight), won two AL batting titles, was elected to seven All-Star games, and had his #4 retired by the White Sox. Appling also had quite the reputation with his glove; he has the seventh highest total of games played at shortstop in a career (2,218), seventh highest total putouts at short all-time (4,398), and the sixth most assists ever at the position (7,218). He was a coach for some time after his playing career was over, but only got one chance to manage; it was with the Kansas City Athletics in 1967 and he went 10-30 as a late season replacement. What’s Appling’s biggest regret…never reaching the postseason with the Sox in his entire career.
