MLB 2022: The Long and Winding Thread

That was an epic egg-laying.

 

If you're going to pull a stunt like Showalter pulled tonight, you better be right.

He wasn't.

 

SNY crew best in the business

 

I'm going to use this comparison for my Molina HOF thoughts -- first, I'm on the side that he doesn't belong in but is going to make it, although I think first ballot might end up being a stretch based on the makeup of the ballot.

I also understand why he's going to get in, whenever he does. He played for so long for one of the top 5/7 franchises as his only team, was part of a very successful run and has a defensive reputation, whatever you might think of it, that puts him on par as one of the best to ever play the position.

Your comparison, which takes away a Silver Slugger from Molina, I might add, shows a guy who -- while when most people thing of him with one team, played for six others. He has not just one title but that season is his only playoff appearance. Molina has two titles and another Series appearance.

And unfortunately in regards to his HOF ballot showing, you cannot compare what voting was like literally two decades ago compared to what Molina the voters will look like five years from now. Hell he was on a ballot with another guy at his position who on his fourth try was at 64.9 percent, needed two more tries and just made it by 15 votes.

The top 12 catchers by WAR are in except for Mauer, who isn't eligible yet. The cutoff is exactly 48. Molina is at 19 with, in order, Schang, Tenace, Munson Freehan, Posey and Posada between him.

Is a guy who is top 20 at his position by WAR a Hall of Famer? Some would say yes.

13 of the top 20 first basemen are in. Pujols and Cabrera will. We know why McGwire and Palmerio aren't. That would be 17 of 2o
13 of the top 20 second basemen are in.
10 of the top 20 third basemen are in. Beltre will make it 11 once eligible. Rolen could be 12 in the next couple years
17 of the top 20 shortstops are in. A-Rod is one that isn't and we know why. The other two are Bill Dahlen, who has come close in the committees, and Joe Glasscock, who last played in 1895
14 of the top 20 left fielders are in. It would be 17 but Bonds, Rose and Manny aren't in and we know why.
11 of the top 20 center fielder are in. Trout will make it 12, Beltran can make it 13 in the next couple years.
14 of the top right fielders are in. Shoeless Joe isn't and we know why, you can probably say same for Sheffield. Ichiro will make it 15

 

Actually really encouraged by the Mets season despite all of the LOLMets stuff out there. Team has actually looked well run for the past couple of years, there is a competent manger and an ownership group which isn’t looking for money in the seat cushions and there is very positive buzz around the area for the team,

 

Showalter pulled the sweep the leg directive.

 

Who cares how long he played? Seven of his past 8 seasons have been sub-2 WAR. That’s substitute-level. Barely a major leaguer. Feel free to make him some cookies if you think he’s special.

 

I agree with all that and think you can say the same about San Diego. When they're right the Padres look a little like an NBA superteam.

The roster is going to look quite different next season and the Mets traditionally don't handle change very well.

 

This first weekend had a lot of fun storylines, with the fifth and sixth seeds in the NL advancing and the Mariners advancing for the first time in 21 years.

But to use a March Madness reference, the four teams the survivors are about to play are Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina and Duke. The Yankees, Astros and Dodgers have been the best three teams all season and the Braves are the defending champions.

Sxxx's about to get real.

 

Maybe it’s the PNW resident in me drinking the Kool Aid, but the Mariners really do have the pitching — starters and bullpen — to beat anyone.

That said, they’ve struggled against the Astros for years. A tough matchup for sure.

 

I honestly can’t think of one that should be in that isn’t . If anyth8ng playing in St Louis will do nothing but help him, that same career for the Marlins he quite likely doesn’t get in.