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Alfonso Soriano, who failed to latch on with another team after the Yankees released him in June announced his retirement. Soriano produced some memorable moments as a Yankee when he first became a regular in 2001 with his walk-off HR to win Game 4 of the 2001 ALCS and walk-off hit to win Game 5 of the 2001 WS. And had three outs been recorded he'd be remembered for the winning HR in Game 7.
He had a productive career after the Yankees traded him away for Soriano. We can only wonder though if he could have been a Yankee immortal had he stayed (but for an ill-advised Aaron Boone pickup basketball game).
Thanks Sori for the great memories and a great career!
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The thing that makes the 64 story more tragic from the long-haul is how Gene Mauch was destined to go through two worse experiences as manager of the Angels in 1982 and 1986 (and of course the 86 ALCS collapse had even more tragic consequences in the life of Donnie Moore).
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I wouldn't hold out much hope for Hodges and Allen making it at this point on the HOF ballot because I've seen some articles that suggest that Jim Kaat (who I do think should be in) is considered the leading candidate but getting talked up is a name that should NOT get in, which is Ken Boyer the Cardinals third baseman of the 60s. Boyer was certainly a valuable component of the Cards championship teams but a Hall of Famer he wasn't (he never received more than 25% of the vote in his 15 times on the ballot).
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So doest Meester Allen merit inclusion in thy estimation?
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I think the case for Allen is good. I would certainly be glad to see him in from this group.
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Posted: |
Nov 10, 2014 - 11:14 AM
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By: |
ANZALDIMAN
(Member)
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So doest Meester Allen merit inclusion in thy estimation?
I hope Allen gets serious consideration, although with these recent veterans committee groups you never know. I shall check out the Allen book you mentioned neo. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good article by Mike Vaccaro of the Post concerning Gil Hodges latest appearance on the HOF ballot.
http://nypost.com/2014/11/08/gil-hodges-overdue-for-hall-of-fame-induction/
As for Gil Hodges, I've gone on and on about this for years here. When you listen to Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Cleon Jones, Kranepool, and other former players who played for him speak in interviews about what Gil Hodges meant to them personally and his impact on the rest of the underdog World Champion '69 Mets, you understand why they believed in themselves so strongly that year. Seaver is often moved to tears whenever he discusses him. Hodges (and Seaver himself) were not going to accept the "loveable losing" moniker of the early 60's Mets any longer. The mindset of the Mets changed dramatically the minute Gil Hodges was brought in to manage and a young outspoken Tom Seaver stepped on the mound. When Hodges died young in 1972 and was no longer a voice in directing the organization moving forward, the rudder fell away, and the wind was essentially taken out of the sails of the franchise until the mid-1980's. As important as this was in baseball history (and it needs to be said) it is Hodges career as a player for the Brooklyn Dodgers that is the barometer that must be used to determine his Hall of Fame credentials.
Hodges solid numbers as they stood at the time of his retirement as a player should have been enough to put him in the Hall decades ago. He was a key member of those "Boys of Summer" Brooklyn Dodgers teams. Some have argued over the years that he should have gone in well before Pee Wee Reese. I'm not taking anything away from Reese, but given Hodges career stats and his level of importance on those teams (not to mention his towering presence as a leader) his exclusion remains glaring. A sad part of all this is that many of the great players on those Brooklyn teams of the 1950's who actually played with Gil are no longer alive to champion his cause. It's once again up to the members of this latest committee, and like Eric I'm not all that confident these people will do the right thing this year and finally put him in Hall where he belongs.
The hot stove moves have begun in New York.
The Mets today announced the signing of free agent veteran outfielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer to a reported 2 year, 21 million dollar contract. Cuddyer was the National League batting champion in 2013. I sensed a deal coming this offseason for a solid experienced bat (a lot of names were bandied about) and this signing fills several gaps. Cuddyer will play left field and will no doubt be used as part of a righty/lefty platoon at first base that will allow Terry Collins to spell Lucas Duda against certain tough left handed pitching. Duda still has trouble with left handed pitching, and this move will give the Mets a solid right handed power bat to offset that. The Mets will have to give up a first round draft pick in signing Cuddyer, but what I like about this move is that it fills a needed offensive void without having to part with any of the young pitching as of yet. It's a bold move by Sandy Alderson and the organization. The Mets usually cling to those top draft picks like a child clings to it's favorite stuffed animal toy.
The downsides are that Cuddyer is 35 and coming off an injury plagued 2014 season. It's a risk that they took to try to improve for 2015 immediately, and a healthy Michael Cuddyer inserted into the middle of their lineup will be a huge boost to the offense. It's also a sign that the usually penny pinching Mets of recent years are looking towards this team finally turning the corner into contention. They are not done here. Other moves need to be made. Alderson needs to carefully explore other options via the trade route concerning an experienced shortstop with some pop.
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Posted: |
Jan 27, 2015 - 8:53 AM
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By: |
ANZALDIMAN
(Member)
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The big part of the charm of Wrigley Field is that it's a time capsule. Hot dogs, cheap beer, peanuts. No frills. You sit in a cramped seat and simply watch the ballgame. Rain or shine. In other words, baseball the way it used to be. Some of us still admire the old baseball ways. No gourmet bistro's, no twenty dollar cheesesteak sandwiches, no luxury boxes that only the well heeled sipping their port wines can afford. Folks that are not really all that interested in watching a ballgame anyway but are using the ballpark as a social event.
Wrigley Field is getting a structural makeover. It needs it. The place is over 100 years old and needs to be beefed up to modern standards. No question. In some places, it's crumbling. The thing is, I hope they do all this tastefully. There's no need to install that huge intrusive jumbotron board in the outfield that has been proposed that would really be an eyesore in keeping with the historical integrity of the place. It's simplicity, it's beautiful ivy covered red brick outfield wall in late spring, the old scoreboard and clock, and the overall historical charm of Wrigley Field has been what has attracted fans for generations despite the fact that the Cubs have not fielded very good teams.
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Part I of II ...
lethally-'liberalized' 
