Fan News

The second base position just got a whole lot beefier, as today three of the position's top guns have been activated from the disabled list. Proud owners of Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, and Martin Prado have been forced to plug holes with stragglers like Adam Kennedy and Blake DeWitt. Now is your time to rejoice.

The last twelve months of baseball have given proponents of expanding the use of instant replay within Major League Baseball plenty of ammunition. 

By Brandon Moor

August 17, 2010

With the passing of Bobby Thomson Monday night (August 16), it brought to mind some of the players in MLB history who will NEVER get into the Hall of Fame, despite some legendary individual performances.

Thompson certainly is on that list, along with seven of his fraternity brothers.

What follows are the Top 8 Baseball Players Of Great Feats Who Will Never Get Into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Yeah, yeah, I know—Brett Favre has returned to the Vikings.

Big deal!

Can someone, ANYONE, tell me they are surprised?

Did this announcement shock anyone in the world?

The Twins Cities is all a buzz—about the wrong sport!

On Monday, the Halos agreed to terms on a $2.3 million deal with Kaleb Cowart. Cowart was named the 2010 Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year. The high school pitcher and switch-hitting third baseman hit .654 with 11 home runs, 55 runs scored, 59 RBI, and 36 stolen bases (in 36 attempts) at Cook County.

These rankings are based on a 300 point system, 150 for offensive production and 150 for pitching production. 30 points (1 point for each team) is the most points any team can receive in a given category. For instance, if the Rays lead the league in HR’s they will get 30 points for that category.

The 5 offensive categories used:

HR’s, RBI, Runs, Average, and SB’s  

The 5 pitching categories used:

So Bryce Harper signed a major league deal with the Washington Nationals worth $9.9 million last night before the midnight deadline.

Awesome.

But what does it mean?

To start with, it means he had to be placed on the 40-man roster, and that happened today with Luis Atilano being transferred to the 60-day disabled list.  He wasn't going to return this season after surgery on his elbow to remove bone chips.

If you were a general manager and you had on your roster a player in his sixth year in the majors putting up these numbers (336 AB, 54 R, 13 HR, 40 RBI, .235 AVG, .349 OBP, and .408 SLG), what would you project for his next year?

What if you were to make him a starter on your roster and give him somewhere between 500 and 600 at-bats? 

What if that player, given more playing time, would gain more confidence in his skills, develop a better eye at the plate, and improve the consistency with his power stroke?

The ultimate hero of the 1951 NL pennant race has passed away.  Bobby Thomson, the Flying Scotsman, died peacefully Monday night at his home in Savannah, Georgia.  Thomson played 15 seasons for 5 teams but is best remembered for his "Shot Heard Round the World" in the 3rd and deciding game of the 1951 NL playoffs. Thomson's three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth inning capped what is thought by many to be the greatest pennant race in the history of baseball.