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The American League’s All-Time Franchise Players

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

by LeRoy McConnell III

 

 

 

 

 

There are 14 American League Baseball teams across country.  Each team has at least one significant individual that is the consummate ballplayer who represents everything the franchise is about.  As we take a look at each team, which ballplayer shows to be the most influential player to have donned a uniform for that franchise?  Some teams will have an obvious pick chosen to represent their team.  What about the teams that were successful in multiple eras?  We can only choose one player for each team that deserves the title “Mr. Baseball”.

American League East

 

Mr. Baltimore Oriole is  Frank Robinson

This selection is not as easy as it sounds when you have the likes of Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr. and Brooks Robinson.  I know how much of darlings Cal Ripken Jr. and Brooks Robinson are, but Frank Robinson is  Mr. Baltimore Oriole.  The 1966 MVP, Triple Crown winner, and 2-time World Series champion (’66,’70).  He was also the manager for 4 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles.  Robinson’s numbers as an Oriole were .300BA/882H/179HR/545RBI/.543SLG/.944OPS in 6 seasons.

 

Mr. Boston Redsox is Ted Williams

With the prosperous history of the Boston Red Sox, the franchise had a wealth of talent that come to mind such    as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens,  Jimmie Fox, Pedro Martinez, and Carl Yastrzemski.  To me, Mr. Boston Redsox has to be “Teddy Ballgame”.  Though he was a difficult soul to love in his playing days in Boston,  it’s  impossible to leave out the last man to hit .406, twice a triple crown winner, and twice MVP of the league.  Ted Williams’ numbers as a Red Sox were .344BA/2654H/521HR/1839RBI/.639SLG/1.116OPS in 21 seasons.

 

 

Mr. New York Yankee is Derek Jeter 

The most difficult team to choose by far.  I will not include Babe Ruth because he is labeled as the first professional baseball player recognized by all.  There are plenty more Yankees such as Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, , Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and Mariano Rivera.  When it’s all said and done, number 2 is on pace to being the greatest Yankee of all-time.  He learned a lot from the Yankee tradition as he is a winner, he is the modern-day Joe DiMaggio, and he is the only Yankee to eclipse the 3000 hit list (hard to believe).  It’s amazing that he has been able to keep a squeaky clean image in the Big Apple.   A role model for all.  Mr. New York Yankees belongs to Derek Jeter.  Jeter’s numbers as a Yankees so far are .313BA/3265H/.382OBP/.831OPS/347SB

 

Mr. Tampa Bay Ray is Carl Crawford 

  Is it possible that a team that hasn’t been in existence 15 years have a Mr. Tampa Bay Ray?  The Rays have only been relevant the last four years and maybe it’s because of Evan Longoria and David Price.  I don’t think either one has enough skins on the wall to warrant the title as of yet.  There is one man who does represent the standard as he leads the franchise in hits, runs, and stolen bases.  Mr. Tampa Bay Ray is Carl Crawford.  Crawford’s numbers as a Tampa Bay Ray were 296BA/1480H/103 3B/432SB in 9 seasons.

 

Mr. Toronto Blue Jay is Dave Stieb 

Off the top of my head it probably should be Joe Carter because of his heroics in the 1993 World Series when he hit a walk-off, 3 run homer against the Phillies’ Mitch Williams, to end the series.  What about other players such as Roberto Alomar, George Bell, Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay, and Jimmy Key.  I believe Mr. Toronto Blue Jay goes to Dave Stieb, by a small margin over Roy Halladay.  As a Blue Jay, Dave Stieb won 175G/30SHO/103CG/3.44ERA/1658SO in 16 seasons.

 

 

American League Central

 

  Mr. Chicago White Sox is Frank Thomas

  I can do a list of White Sox players but none would be worthier than the “Big Hurt”.  Mr. Chicago White Sox is Frank Thomas.   Frank Thomas burst onto the scene putting up Hall of Fame numbers, standing at 6’5 280lbs, an intimidating force but really the opposite.  Other White Sox in consideration were Luke Appling, Paul Konerko, and Ted Lyons.  Frank Thomas’ numbers as a White Sox were .307BA/2136H/448HR/1465RBI/1466BB/.427OBP/.568SLG/.995OPS

 

 

Mr. Cleveland Indian is Bob Feller 

If we were speaking modern-day only, then Jim Thome would win my vote because he is truly the most popular Indian alive but there is a war hero the city of Cleveland loves a little bit more.  Mr. Cleveland Indian is Bob Feller.  He was a 20 game winner in his teenage years, the hardest throwing pitcher before we ever heard the name Nolan Ryan.  He remains the Indians’ all-time leader in shutouts and strikeouts.  Other considerations were Albert Belle, Tris Speaker and Jim Thome.  As an Indian, Bob Feller won 266G/44SHO/279CG/3.25ERA/2581SO in 18 seasons.  Feller missed 3 prime season due to war.

 

  Mr. Detroit Tiger is Ty Cobb 

  Numbers never lie!  Have you ever heard of a major league hitter knocking in 1805 rbi for a franchise by only hitting 111 home runs?  Who says you have to be a power hitter?  It does help to have 3900 hits and a lifetime batting average of .368 as a Detroit Tiger.  Mr. Detroit Tiger goes to Tyrus Cobb.  I wonder if the Detroit Tigers franchise is the only organization with two members with at least 3000 hits with one team.  The other man is Al Kaline.  Hank Greenberg is not to shabby himself!  Ty also scored over 2088 R/1148BB/869SB/.434OBP/.516SLG/.945OPS in 22 seasons with Detroit.

 

Mr. Kansas City Royal is George Brett

One name and one name only.  George Brett is Mr. Kansas City Royal.  20 years in a Royals uniform, the ultimate professional who did nothing but bring respectability to the Royals organization.  When he retired, the Royals organization simply died.  In 1980, Brett made a run at .400 batting .390.  He is the only major league player to win a batting title in three different decades.  Who is going to tell George Brett he isn’t Mr. Royal?  Have you seen his reaction during the pine tar incident!  Honorable mention belongs to Hal McCrae and Frank White.  George Brett’s numbers as a Royal were .305BA/3154H/317HR/1591RBI/.369OBP/.487SLG/.857OPS in 20 seasons in Kansas City.

 

  Mr. Minnesota Twin is Kirby Puckett 

  A short, chubby man with a very large stick comes to mind.  This individual was the heart and soul of the only two World Series championships in team history.  Did I say he was short?  He made some incredible plays with the bat and the glove.  Standing at 5’8″, this individual definitely played bigger than anyone in his era.  Mr. Minnesota Twin goes to Kirby Puckett.  Had my eye on Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek, Harmon Killebrew, and Tony Oliva.  Kirby Puckett’s numbers as a Twin were .318BA/2304H/.360OBP/.477SLG/.837OPS in 12 seasons in Minnesota.  Kirby’s career was cut short due to glaucoma.  Several surgeries occurred but vision was never restored.

 

American League West

 

Mr. Los Angeles Angel is Nolan Ryan

One of the biggest mistakes in the Angels history was letting this man become a free agent.  All he did in an Angels uniform was strike people out.  Hint, hint!  Mr. Los Angeles Angel goes to Nolan Ryan.  Someone explain to me how a dominant pitcher who strikes out 383 batters and finishes second in the Cy Young race was allowed to leave.  Other considerations were Garrett Anderson, Rod Carew, Chuck Finley, and Tim Salmon.  Nolan Ryan won 138W/156CG/40SHO/3.07ERA/2416SO/1.294WHIP in 8 seasons as an Angels.

 

  Mr. Oakland A’s is Rickey Henderson 

   Oakland A’s has had a substantial amount of superstars from the likes of Vida Blue, Jose Canseco, Dennis Eckersley, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, and Dave Stewart.  There was a guy who named himself “The Greatest”!  Mr. Oakland A’s goes to Rickey Henderson, who without a doubt believes he is “The Greatest”!  I can’t think of another ballplayer that beats to a crazy drum like Henderson.  He will find a way to get on base, swipe second to get in scoring position, and cross home plate to add to his run total.  He was one of the most individual stat-counting ballplayers the game has ever seen.  I guess we must take into account that he may have known what he was talking about.  I guess!  Rickey Henderson’s numbers as an Oakland A’s were.288BA/1768H/1227BB/1270R/867SB/.409OBP/.839OPS in 14 seasons.

 

Mr. Seattle Mariner is Edgar Martinez

The Seattle Mariners hit the jackpot twice raising two teenage ball players into perennial superstars.  Unfortunately they couldn’t keep either one in a Mariners uniform.  The stories of Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. speak for themselves.  Both players were bigwigs in their time in Seattle.  No one will ever match the human highlights Griffey displayed running down fly balls and that sweet swing…priceless.  A-Rod, innocent at the time, putting up numbers at the shortstop position that no one in history before or since has done.  Two beloved players but not the most important Mariners.  First of all, this individual’s bat was just as important as those superstars mentioned, and unlike them, he never chased the mighty dollar of free agency.  Mr. Seattle Mariner is Edgar Martinez.  Other considerations are Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, and Ichiro Suzuki.  Edgar Martinez’ numbers were.318BA/2247H/309HR/1261RBI/.418OBP/.515SLG/.933OPS in 18 seasons.

 

  Mr. Texas Ranger is Nolan Ryan

  If Chuck Norris a.k.a “Walker Texas Ranger”  had any say in the voting he would choose himself as Mr. Texas Ranger.  Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was the heartbeat for the Texas Rangers for 13 years and is still a fan favorite.  Michael Young was handed the torch when “Pudge” left Texas and has blossomed into the captain of the team.  However, once again Mr. Texas Ranger without saying is Nolan Ryan.  Though he only played 5 seasons in a Ranger uniform, he was known for his milestones.  In a Ranger uniform he won his 300th game, he threw his 5000th strikeout, and he pitched his sixth and seventh no-hitters.  Nolan Ryan is Mr. Texas Ranger because he saved a franchise that was in bankruptcy.  Since he took over management and now part-owner, the Texas Rangers have been part of the last two World Series (2010,2011) and currently one of the best teams in the Majors.  Their farm system is among the best in baseball, all because of Mr. Texas Rangers Nolan Ryan.  Other considerations were Juan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Charlie Hough, and Rafeal Palmeiro.

 

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

 

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The National League’s All-Time Franchise Players

Friday, September 14th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 16 National League Baseball teams across the country.  Each team has at least one significant individual that is the consummate ball player, who represent everything the franchise is about.  As we take a look at each team, which ball player shows to be the most influential player to have donned a uniform for that franchise?  Some teams will have an obvious choice to represent their team.  What about the teams that were successful in multiple eras?  We can only choose one player for each team that deserves the title “Mr. Baseball”.

National League East

Mr. Atlanta Brave is Henry “Hank” Aaron 

The Braves franchise could be considered the most underrated organization in the majors as they have produced some legendary ball players from multiple eras.  Similar to the Yankees’ franchise, there are plenty of deserving individuals who could wear the title.  Mr. Atlanta Brave is Henry “Hank” Aaron.  It’s obvious that Hank Aaron is the most deserving; the way he played the game, the threats he faced when he approached Babe Ruth’s home run record, etc.  He is known as a class act, though still a little underappreciated.  Let the debate begin.  It’s a given that Hank is the first choice but you couldn’t go wrong with the likes of Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Eddie Matthews, John Smoltz, and Warren Spahn.  Hank Aaron’s numbers were .305BA/3600H/733HR/2202RBI/2107R/.377OPB/.567SLG/.944OPS in 21 years as an Atlanta Brave.

 

 

  Mr. Philadelphia Philly is Michael Jack Schmidt 

You know how special you must be to be loved in Philly?  Mike Schmidt knows.  He knows       very well as he spent 18 seasons protecting the left side of the diamond.  Schmidt was the greatest all-around third basemen in major league history.  It helps being the MVP of the 1980 World Series.  Mr. Philadelphia Philly is Michael Jack Schmidt.  The 3-time MVP will forever have a place in the Phillies’ hearts.  “The City of Brotherly Love” also loves Steve Carlton, Ryan Howard, Pete Rose, and Robin Roberts.  Mike Schmidt’s numbers were .267BA/548HR/1595RBI/1506R/1507BB/527SLG/380OBS/908OPS in 18 seasons with the Phillies.

 

Mr. Washington National/Montreal Expo is Tim Raines 

No one on the Washington Nationals is worthy of being on the list.  However they do have potential stars in Stephen Strasburg and young phenom Bryce Harper.  To be continued!  Before there was a Washington National, it was all about the Montreal Expos, whose franchise was snakebitten because they couldn’t keep their players.  First of all, this individual needs to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  This man started things off at the top of the order for many years.  He was the National League version of Rickey Henderson.  Mr. Expos/Nationals goes to Tim Raines.  Other strong considerations were Gary Carter,  Andre Dawson, Andres Galarraga, Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez, and Larry Walker.  Tim Raines’ numbers were .301BA/1622H/793BB/947R/635SB/.391OBP/.829OPS in 13 seasons as an Expo.

 

  Mr. Miami Marlin is Luis Castillo 

The name Luis Castillo is not an every day household name.  Don’t blame me, blame the Marlins’ ownership, who are responsible for not keeping any of their superstars that came through their organization.  I won’t fault them for it.  They have won two World Series in their nineteen years of existence.  Mr. Marlin goes to Luis Castillo, who won a World Series in 2003.  Other considerations were Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Johnson, and Cliff Floyd.  Luis Castillo’s numbers were .293BA/1273H/42TR/281SB/.370OBP/533BB in 10 seasons with the Miami Marlins.

 

Mr. New York Met is Tom Seaver 

The Mets will never reach the standard of the mighty Yankees but they had some important moments and teams such as the ’69 Miracle Mets.  Mr. New York Met is Tom Seaver.  Seaver won the Cy Young Award the same year he helped the Mets win their first World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.  Other considerations go out to Gary Carter, Dwight Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry, and David Wright.  As a New York Met, Tom Seaver won 198G/2.57ERA/171CG/44SHO/2541SO/1.076WHIP in 12 seasons.

 

 

National League Central

 

Mr. Chicago Cub is Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks is the only Major League ball player with the nickname after the team name.  He’s an ambassador for the Cubs organization and he is still a fan favorite.  His attitude is genuine which makes Ernie Banks “Mr. Cub”.  He continues to bolster an unworthy franchise.  Other considerations were Andre Dawson, Ferguson Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Sammy Sosa, and Billy Williams.  Ernie Banks’ numbers were .274BA/2583H/512HR/1636RBI/1305R/.500SLG/.830OPS in 19 seasons.

 

Mr. Cincinnati Red is Pete Rose

Who in the world would you have picked?  Does anybody remember watching Johnny Bench’s show, ”The Baseball Bunch”, that came on Saturday mornings before “This Week In Baseball”?  How about Joe Morgan and his back-to-back NL MVP’s in ’75 and ’76?  What about Frank Robinson, who was the first superstar Cincinnati ever had?  All he did was earn the Rookie of the Year award and National League MVP.  I chose “Charlie Hustle”, since he has been blackballed from baseball.  I know Pete Rose wants to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame more than anything,  but he’d do better staying out of it.  His name is more popular than anyone in the hall.  As long as he is not in, they will always be speaking of him.  Despite the controversy, Mr. Cincinnati Red is Pete Rose.  Other considerations were Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, and Tony Perez.  Pete Rose’s numbers were .307BA/3358H/1210BB/1741R/115 3B/601 2B/.379OBP/.804OPS in 19 seasons.

 

Mr. Milwaukee Brewer is Robin Yount 

This ball player was the ultimate team player, being able to excel at both centerfield and shortstop; while gaining two American League MVP awards.  For twenty years he gave his body up to put up Hall Of Fame numbers and that is why Mr. Brewer goes to Robin Yount.  Soon Ryan Braun will rival Yount as he has put up magnificent numbers since he came up in 2007.  I also like Cecil Cooper, Prince Fielder, Paul Molitor, and Ben Oglive.  Robin Yount’s numbers were .285BA/3142H/251HR/1406RBI/.430SLG.772OPS in 20 seasons.

 

Mr. Pittsburgh Pirate is  Honus Wagner 

Not to many ball players can rival the great Tyrus C0bb.  Alex Rodriguez could have been the greatest shortstop of all-time had he continued at that position.  The title will stay with Honus Wagner as he put up sizzling numbers in his time with the Bucs.  He is the greatest pure hitter Pittsburgh has ever had.  Mr. Pirate goes to Honus Wagner.  I chose him over Roberto Clemente because Wagner is the one Pirate that fans forget about.  The plane crash that involved the demise of Roberto Clemente heightens his popularity and for many, put Clemente’s popularity over Wagner.  Other choices were Barry Bonds, Roberto Clemente, Ralph Kiner, Willie Stargell, and Paul Waner.  Honus Wagner’s numbers were .328BA/2967H/639SB/232 3B/1475RBI/1521R/.394OBP/.468SLG/.862OPS in 18 seasons.

 

 Mr. St. Louis Cardinal is Stan Musial 

This star hasn’t played professional baseball since 1963, and til this day he is the most revered Cardinal in their organization.  Mr. Cardinal is Stan Musial.  Just like the Yankees, the Cardinal organization has royalty and a wealth of success both in players and World Series.  With the departure of Albert Pujols, Musial’s individual records will continue to stand.  Other strong considerations were  Ken Boyer, Lou Brock, Dizzy Dean, Bob Gibson, Rogers Hornsby, Albert Pujols, and Ozzie Smith.  Stan Musial’s numbers were .331BA/3630H/475HR/1951RBI/1949R/.417OBP/.559SLG/.976OPS in 22 seasons, all with St. Louis.

 

Mr. Houston Astros is Craig Biggio 

The last twenty years this ballplayer did all the little things that don’t show up in the box score.  He was the ultimate team player by calling games behind the plate and also playing both second base and the outfield.  If the team needed a key hit, a bunt, stolen base, or a defensive stop, he was your guy.  Mr. Houston Astros is Craig Biggio.  It is classic Biggio to get beamed by a pitch and hustle down to first base.  Being struck by a pitch was a badge of honor and to his credit, he never charged the mound.  Other strong considerations were Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Larry Dierker, Joe Morgan, Roy Oswalt, Nolan Ryan, and Mike Scott.  Craig Biggio’s numbers were .281BA/3060H/291HR/1175RBI/1844R/414SB/.363OBP in 20 seasons with Houston.

 

 

National League West

 

 Mr. Colorado Rockies is Todd Helton 

When Colorado put this individual in the lineup, he showed dividends from the get-go.  He was a back up player to Peyton Manning in college for the University of Tennessee Volunteers football program.  This ball player wisened up quickly and took his talents to play Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies.  Is there any other backup player in the history of sports able to pursue another sport and make over 100 million dollars?  Mr. Colorado Rockies is Todd Helton.  Other considerations were Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga, Matt Holliday, and Jeff Francis.  Helton’s numbers as a Rockie so far .320BA/2420H/354HR/1345RBI/570 2B/1360R/.419OBP/.545SLG/.964OPS in 16 seasons with the Rockies.

 

Mr. Arizona Diamondback is Randy Johnson

The Diamondbacks are also an expansion franchise that has been around since 1998.  It didn’t take much time for this organization to win a World Series ring as they upset the heavily favored Yankees in 2001.  Randy Johnson was the first big chip the Diamondbacks added in 1999.  He came in and turned the franchise around, bringing three consecutive Cy Young awards to the organization.  With the help of Curt Schilling, they were co-MVP’s in the 2001 World Series.  Other considerations were Luis Gonzalez, Curt Schilling, and Brandon Webb.  Mr. Diamondback goes to Randy Johnson as he made an expansion team into a winner.  Randy Johnson’s numbers were 118W/2.83ERA/38CG/14SHO/2077SO/1.068WHIP in 8 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

Mr. Los Angeles Dodger is Sandy Koufax

Though his career ended early because of elbow issues, can you name another pitcher to have more strikeouts than innings pitched?  Sandy Koufax is Mr. L.A. Dodger.  It is possible that he could be the best pitcher of all-time.  Since 1966, there has never been a left-handed pitcher to win 27 ball games in a season.  In a five-year span he won 3 Cy Young awards and he is second to Nolan Ryan in no-hitters with four.  One of his no-hitters was a perfect game and that describes Koufax best, a perfectionist.  Other considerations were Roy Campanella, Don Drysdale, Steve Garvey, Orel Hershiser, Tommy Lasorda, Mike Piazza, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Fernando Valenzuela, and Maury Wells.  Sandy Koufax’s numbers were 165W/2.87ERA/137CG/40SHO/2396SO/1.106WHIP in 12 seasons as a Dodger. 

 

Mr. San Francisco Giant is Barry Bonds

Only in San Francisco can the great Barry Bonds walk around without the negative vibes.  Like him or not he was the most watched baseball player of our time.  Was he a train wreck?  No, but each time the bright lights were focused on him and a milestone was on the line, he delivered.  He had flair and cockiness.  Mr. Giant was once Willie Mays, now it’s Barry Bonds.  Other considerations were Will Clark, Carl Hubbell, Tim Lincecum, Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry, and Matt Williams.  Barry Bonds’ numbers were   .312BA/1951H/586HR/1440RBI/1555R/1974BB/263SB/.477OBP/.666SLG/1.143OPS in 15 seasons with the Giants.

 

Mr. San Diego Padre is Tony Gwynn   

This man could have taken his talents to the NBA.  Instead, he found himself as an every day player for the San Diego Padres’ franchise for over 20 years.  Do you believe that this man only struck out 384 times in 9288 at-bats?  He was the best pure hitter since Ted Williams, as he hit .394 in a shortened season due to the strike.  Mr.San Diego Padre goes to Tony Gwynn.  Other considerations were  Adrian Gonzalez, Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavy, Benito Santiago, and Dave Winfield.  Tony Gwynn’s numbers were .338BA/3141H/5432B/1138RBI/1383R/.388OBP/.459SLG/ .847OPS in 20 seasons all with San Diego.

 

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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The Lighter Side of Black

Friday, September 14th, 2012

By Maggie Mangiel

 

 

 

One of the most prevalent but unspoken of issues in the black community, in any part of the world, is colorsim.  Even in a day-to-day conversation, we seem unable to escape color references such as, “I’m sure you know Nikki, the tall light-skinned girl”, or, “look at that boy; he’s so dark, he is midnight blue”.  We have been demanding for years that the white community acknowledge, address, and terminate racism, but if we continue to point out the differences in our shades of blackness, how do we expect them to overlook it?  To make matters worse, some of us commit a truly horrific act.  So called “lightening creams” have created one of the most atrocious epidemics encountered by the black community since slavery; bleaching our skin in an unsuccessful attempt to conform to the “norm”.  Whose norm exactly?  In a recent article written  by a New York Times journalist on the issue; he quoted one of the men interviewed, “you have to change yourself, dilute yourself in order to fit into the Western norm and live in White America”.  So in order to succeed, one has to look the part.  This is the message some black celebrities seem to be projecting.  In 1999, North America was mesmerized and captivated as we all watched the home-run record race between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire play out.  I was on team Sosa and even got the jersey to prove it.  There was immense support for Sosa, not only from Chicago Cubs fans, but also from African Americans who didn’t even follow baseball.  An athletic brother with a Latin spice, can’t go wrong with that.  Then two years ago, pictures of a lighter skinned Sosa surfaced and I was wondering many things, but first was “how?”  Apparently, Sosa has undergone a skin-lighting treatment.  Well I was flabbergasted.  What would compel a successful role model to do such a thing?  He is in the spotlight; hell, he is in the record books.  His name has been immortalized.  I felt so ashamed and let down by someone I once idolized.  However, Sosa is not the first black person to do so.  Many other black celebrities, Michael Jackson not included, have been accused of doing it, from Roberta Flack, the Jacksons (Latoya and Janet), to Rihanna and Beyonce.  Many celebrities do it so they can be more acceptable to White America, therefore having more marketability, resulting in an increase in income. 

During the pre-Olympics campaign, US hurdler Lolo Jones was front and center as the face of the US Track and Field team, even though Dawn Harper, the reigning world champion in that discipline, is also an American.  But why was Harper commercially neglected in favor of a less accomplished athlete?  Was it for Ms. Jones’ closer to European features and olive skin color?  We can blame the media for favoring the lighter over the dark all we want, but the ugly truth is; it is not just White America who like it “light”.  The Black community is more than culpable.  Not long ago, HBO released a documentary about the Ali-Frazier saga.  Some of the people interviewed have admitted that one of the reasons Black America was on Ali’s side was the fact that he was the lighter complexioned fighter.  “He was prettier,” they said, and Ali himself, kept re-enforcing that notion by referring to Frazier as a “gorilla”, a ”big ugly bear”, and saying things such as; ”we can’t let the Asians think that brothers look like that”, even though Frazier’s physical attributes had no merit nor bearing on the sport of boxing.  I do not have to go as far back as the 1970′s to cement this fact.  In the recent history of Hollywood, Pop, and Hip-Hop cultures, the lack of women of darker complexion has been noticeable in those arenas and we would only see them in roles such  as slaves, overweight maids, prison inmates, “crack-whores”, and so on.  None of the women of darker complexion are given a chance at the glamorous roles which portray beauty.  Many rappers for example, including Kanye West, have declared that they prefer women of mixed races, hence lighter complexion as models in their videos.  Since the targeted demographic for Hip-Hop music is predominately African American, it leaves us with one conclusion; we like it “diluted”. 

Last year, a close relative of mine was gazing through my modelling portfolio and said, and I quote verbatim, “why don’t you use some lightening creams like ‘Fair and Lovely’?  Your pictures would look so much better and that would help your career.  You know magazines don’t like dark women.”  So hearing that I was wondering, were the likes of Rihanna right in choosing magazine covers and higher record sales over their own skin color?  Is bleaching the route to follow in one’s journey toward success?  Or am I being too self-righteous for thinking that what they did cannot be justified?  Should the Black youth listen to the lyrics of Vybz Kartel urging them to use the “Cake Soap”?  Is “fair” really “lovely” and should my sisters shed their skin to be considered attractive and marketable?  My answer to all of these question is a resounding N-O!.  It is time we faced this problem head on, shed the self-hatred, and say enough is enough.  I will stand up and may my sisters and brothers help me shout it to the heavens, “I’m black, I’m dark, and I’m beautiful”!

 

Maggie Mangiel, Fitness Model & Personal Trainer, for War Room Sports

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Posted in Boxing, Fitness Modeling, General, MLB, Olympics, Track & Field | 2 Comments »

Barry Bonds’ Top 10 Moments

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

On July 24, Barry Bonds celebrated his 48th birthday. Major League Baseball and the San Francisco Giants should be giving Bonds their deepest gratitude.  Let’s not forget what the man did despite all of the allegations thrown his way. He was must see tv.  You didn’t have to like the guy, but when he came up to the plate, everybody watched. We had no choice, it was almost like breaking news with every at-bat. What was so certain about Barry Bonds was when he approached a milestone and the four letter network broke in to show his live at-bats, he would deliver! Far as allegations of whether or not he took PEDs it  is not up to me render a factual verdict.  In fact, how can we judge all of these successful ball players breaking these sacred records if MLB allowed it to happen?  Ever since the summer of ’98 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa brought the game back to the fans, we have been treated to the best offensive explosion in the history of baseball.  Fans packed the stands and owners fattened their wallets.  Many baseball fans went for entertainment, and no one provided that diversion from life’s realities better than Barry.  Here are some of the great moments of Mr. Barry Lamar Bonds.

10. September 27th 1996, Giants vs Rockies: Barry Bonds celebrates his induction to the 40/40 club.

Only an elite specimen can hit for power and steal bases.  Barry did it 40 times (42 homers and 40 stolen bases each) in 1996, as he became the first player in the National League to do it and the second player in Major League Baseball behind Jose Canseco (1988) to reach the exclusive 40/40 club.  Since Barry reached the club, only Alex Rodriguez (1998) and Alfonso Soriano (2006) have joined.  Barry’s father almost joined the club, as he was known for his successful run at the 30/30 club.  Bobby Bonds was one home run short in 1973, as he finished the season with 39 homers and 43 stolen bases.  Barry and father Bobby Bonds hold the Major League record for attaining the 30/30 club five times each in their illustrious careers.

9. May 28, 1998 Diamondbacks vs Giants:  Buck Showalter’s Int’l Walk on Barry Bonds

 Bonds was given the night off, and the Giants found themselves down by 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.  This was a night set up perfectly for Bonds, as manager Dusty Baker pulled an ace out of his hand and told Mr. Bonds to pinch-hit… Two-outs, bases loaded and down three… There was no place to put Bonds, so you had to pitch to him.  Well, manager Buck Showalter had some cards to play as well.  He saw Brent Mayne on deck, so Showalter pulled a JOKER from his hand and instructed pitcher Gregg Olson to intentionally walk Barry with the bases loaded!  The last time that happened was in 1944, when Bill Nicholson of the Chicago Cubs took four pitches with the bases loaded. It was only the sixth time in the history of the game that anyone made a move like that.  When Bonds walked, cutting the lead to 8-6, Brent Mayne lined out to end the rally, and the Diamondbacks won the game.  It’s always a gutsy move when everything goes as planned, but just imagine if Mayne would have gotten a base hit.  Bonds was the most intimidating hitter since Babe Ruth. It is unfortunate that he rarely had anybody protecting him in the line-up.

8. April 17, 2001 Dodgers vs Giants: Barry hits #500

 Could there be a better team to reach a milestone  than the arch rival Los Angeles Dodgers?  With the Dodgers holding a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning with pitcher Terry Adams relieving,  the Giants had a man on first. Bonds was in a hitters count as Adams fired a 2-0 fastball that was crushed into McCovey Cove for a Giants 3-2 lead and the 500th career home run for Mr. Barry Lamar Bonds.

7. October 4, 2001 Giants vs Astros: “Please pitch to our daddy!

Who could possibly forget Bonds’ youngest child pleading in the stands while holding a sign reading, “PLEASE PITCH TO OUR DADDY!”  Barry was sitting at 69 home runs, one blast away from Mark McGwire’s ’98 record.  McGwire broke the single season home run record that stood by Roger Maris since 1961.  It was a record everyone thought McGwire would hold as long as Maris did.  McGwire may have held that record as Barry was getting NOTHING to hit.  In 2001, Bonds had already broken the MLB record of bases on balls (177), so he was used to taking first base.  Who in their right mind wanted to give up home run number 70?  All night, Barry saw no good pitches, as he walked three times before Astros manager Larry Dierker called the dogs off and finally let someone pitch to Bonds.  Dierker put in Wilfredo Rodriguez to pitch to Bonds in the ninth inning, and of course, the four letter network broke in to show his at-bat.  This time it felt different.  This was the time when we would see history. The game was out of reach with a score of 8-2 in  top of the ninth inning.  Barry took a 1-1 pitch over the right center wall for home run #70!

6. October 5, 2001 LA Dodgers vs Giants: Barry slams numbers 71 and 72!

We already discussed the LA & SF rivalry.  Barry was at home and in front of his beloved fans with meatball pitcher Chan Ho Park at the mound.  Barry didn’t waste anytime as he scorched his record-breaking 71st home run over right center wall and got some more home cooking in the third inning by slamming number 72 over center field wall.  It was a great love affair that evening, but the Dodgers spoiled the day with an 11-10 victory.  Two days later, he hit his 73rd home run of the season off of Dennis Springer, and as of now, Barry still remains the single season home run king.  In that magical year, he also drew 177 walks, had a .515 on-average, and he also set a Major League record with a slugging percentage of .863.

 

 

 

 

5. June 24, 2003 LA Dodgers vs Giants:  Not only does Barry own LA, he steals from them too!

We thought the 40/40 club was elite.  What about the 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases club?  Like Bonds or not, this elite club is ridiculous.  Barry was the only Major League player in history to reach 400/400 in 1998. Who in the world is ever going to reach the 500/500 club?  Of course he stole #500 against the Dodgers in the bottom of the eleventh inning in a 2-2 tie.  Moments later Benito Santiago singled him home for a Giants victory.  It is 2012, and there are only 7 players in the MLB history to obtain 300 homers and 300 stolen bases.  Only Barry Bonds has eclipsed both 400 and 500 homers/ 500 stolen bases.

Home run number 660 is probably more meaningful than hitting 714, 755, or even 762.  Barry tied the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays in home runs on April 12, 2004.  He reached the milestone in San Francisco as Matt Kinney, of the Milwaukee Brewers, watched Barry connect on a 3-1 pitch that sent another souvenir into McCovey Cove.  The next day, Ben Ford became the next victim to Barry, as Bonds delivered #661 into McCovey Cove.  After the game, Barry was interviewed by Barry M. Bloom and John Schlegel of  MLB.com and  stated:

“I just feel like right now I completed our family circle,” Bonds said. “Willie took my dad under his wing when he first came up and taught my dad a lot about baseball and became a real close friend of my father’s.”

“It’s my dad in right field, Willie in center field and I get to be in left field. There’s just no greater feeling than completing the circle of my family.”

3. 2004 The season continued!  Barry’s greatest season.

Not only did Mr. Bonds pass his godfather on the home run list in 2004, but he also led the National League in hitting with a .362 batting average.  This was the second batting title he won in three years (2002 .370).  He once again broke his own Major League record in bases on balls. Bonds walked so much that he passed Rickey Henderson’s record of 2190 career walks.  Barry’s total career walks is an astounding 2,558.  He slugged .812, which was fourth-highest of all time (he holds the MLB record .863), and broke his on-base percentage record with a .609 percentage.  These numbers are cartoonish!  How can anyone play this game and be on base 60% of the time?  The only active player to even come close to what Barry achieved is Jason Giambi at .477 in 2001. With the season Bonds had in 2004, you could have guessed another MVP award was coming his way, in fact it would be his fourth consecutive MVP award and his seventh overall.  No other major league player has more than three.  On September 17, the spotlight was on Barry Bonds again, in San Francisco looking for that celebrated 700th home run.  You know who decided to show it live, as they have with all of his milestones (ESPN).  Would Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres, dare to throw that money ball?  I am sure Peavy had no intentions of backing down.  This is the Major Leagues, and his job is to get batters out.  The end result? You guessed it… Home run #700.  Barry has put his name in high society now, one of three men to ever hit 700 home runs.

2. May 28, 2006 Rockies vs. Giants: Poor Byung-Hyun Kim, does #715 ring a bell?

Babe Ruth’s name was everything in baseball, he could do no wrong, he was the standard, the man, and everybody looked up too him.   He is still one of the most recognizable athletes in American history.  At one point, Babe had every meaningful record.  Ruth’s last ball game was in 1935, and to this day, people talk of him as if they saw him play.  On May 28, 2006, Barry was on another mission, and on that Saturday afternoon, Mr. Bonds faced Colorado Rockies pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim, who owned Bonds.  Going into that at-bat, Barry never got a hit off Kim. He was 0-9 with five walks, and struck out once.  Kim threw the first pitch to Barry and well… Take a look for yourself.
Bonds #715!

1. August 7, 2007 Nationals vs Giants: Move over Mr. Henry Aaron. There is a new Home Run King.  Bonds, Barry Bonds!

With all the reality television shows out there today, not one could measure up to the daily saga of Barry Bonds.  Since he hit his 500th home run,  media from everywhere followed his whereabouts and watched his every move.  No one thrived under the scrutiny better than Barry as he took every punch and performed.  Leading up to breaking Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record, there were multiple reports of Barry using PEDs and how he was linked to BALCO.  His name kept surfacing, and his long-time pal Greg Anderson would sit in jail because he refused to testify against Barry.  That’s a helluva friend!  With all this going on, there was another highlight at Pac-Bell Park.  The four letter network broke in once more to let all of America see history.  It was again must see tv.  Washington Nationals’ Mike Bacsik was the next victim in line to face the future Home Run King.  If anybody knew about the meaning of 755, it would be Bacsik, as his dad pitched to Hank Aaron when he was sitting on number 755.  Luckily, Senior only gave up a meaningless single, and if you look at Aaron’s home run totals, he never hit another homer.  This was Junior’s chance to make history, and he did just that.  Mike Bacsik had a 3-2 count on Barry Bonds.  The next pitch was a foul ball.  Finally on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Bonds takes his usual patented swing, smacks the ball and stands at the plate with his hands raised toward the sky.  He did it… Home run #756!

Baseball is all about stats and its unfortunate that the San Francisco Giants didn’t give their superstar one more year.  Barry had only 65 more hits to reach 3000, 38 more homers for a total of 800, four more RBI to reach 2000 and 69 more runs to pass Rickey Henderson on the all-time runs scored list.

A message to the all the Barry Bonds supporters and haters: I am not naive to what has transpired during Bonds’ career.  I am simply pointing out that we may never see the likes of Mr. Bonds again.  Alex Rodriguez (644) and Albert Pujols (463) may be the ones to pass Barry on the home run list.  As to Barry Bonds making the Hall of Fame, it will be decided by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.  His relationship with the writers has been foul and with the allegations, he probably knows that the writers will be out for revenge.  Bonds decision for the Hall will come this winter.  Baseball is not holier than thou, there are scandals in every era, it’s part of the game.  You will see this winter how facetious the writers and Hall of Fame members will act toward the likes of Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa in efforts to keep them out of the Hall.

I mentioned earlier how important McGwire and Sosa were to bringing fans back to baseball with their epic summer of ’98.  Barry Lamar Bonds extended the excitement in baseball.  All I wanted from baseball was a reason to watch again, and Barry Bonds surely gave me plenty of entertainment.  Thank you, Barry, for what you did. I just hope there is another one of you out there one day.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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The Baseball Hall of Fame is Missing 9 Position Players

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

As the 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame Weekend comes upon us, we should give considerable recognition to some of the Major League Baseball veterans that have been overlooked by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.  Each year, it seems that the criteria to get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame is as difficult as getting you girlfriend’s father’s blessings.  You have to reach benchmarks of 3,000 hits, 500 home runs or 300 wins to even be in the conversation.  Don’t even get the voters started on whether or not each candidate is clean from performance enhancing drugs.  I have selected nine position players worthy of immediate consideration to be the next candidates inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1B Fred “Crime Dog” McGriff 1986-2004 Tor, SDP, ATL, Tampa

Fred McGriff was a blue-collar first basemen who brought his hard-hat and lunch pail to the game. In his 18-year career, the “Crime Dog” produced 2,490 hits, 493 home runs, 1,550 RBI and 1,305 walks. Fred didn’t hit those benchmark numbers that we mentioned earlier, but hey, he produced humanlike numbers in the steroid era and not one time was his name ever linked to the use of PEDs.  McGriff was a five-time All-Star player, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.  He has been on the ballot for only three years now, but it is an embarrassment that he only holds 23.9% of the votes to get in.  He needs at least 75% to reach the Hall.  Hopefully the baseball writers will consider Fred McGriff as a future member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

2B Lou Whitaker 1977-1995  and SS Alan Trammell 1977-1996, both Detroit Tigers

These two characters were more popular than Starsky & Hutch, Batman & Robin and Tom & Jerry!  Lou & Alan have been the dynamic duo since the minor leagues.  Both of them came into the Majors together and took over the starting positions for the Detroit Tigers at the start of the 1978 season.  The duo spent the next 18 years turning more double plays than anyone in Major League history.

Lou Whitaker batted .276 with 244 home runs, 1,084 RBI, 1,386 runs and 2,369 hits.  The second baseman was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a World Series Champion with the Detroit Tigers in 1984.  Whitaker is ranked 74th all-time in wins above replacement! The troubling part about Lou Whitaker’s situation is his stats compare to all second basemen in the Hall of Fame, but he did not receive the required five percent of the votes in his first year of eligibility. Because of that, he is no longer on the ballot.

Alan Trammell’s career batting average was .285, and he batted over .300 seven times.  He hit 185 home runs with 1,003 RBI, 1,231 runs and 2,365 hits.  He was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, three-time Silver Slugger Award, World Series MVP and World Series Champion in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers.  Trammell has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for eleven years now with no success.  He received 36.8% of the votes, so he is still in the hunt.  There is still hope, and the fact that Barry Larkin will be enshrined this year has to bring up serious considerations, as both ball players have similar numbers.  Here are Larkin’s career numbers:  .295 ave., 198 home runs, 960 RBI, 1,329 runs and 2,340 hits.

3B Steve Garvey AKA “Mr. Clean”1969-1987 LAD,SDP

Detroit had Whitaker & Trammell, but what about the LA Dodgers?  The law firm of Cey, Lopes, Russell & Garvey were the together for over eight and a half years!  Garvey was both a first and third baseman, whose career batting average was .294 with 272 home runs, 1,308 RBI, 1,143 runs and 2,599 hits.  He had six seasons with at least 200 hits.  Steve was a 10-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, NL MVP in 1974, two-time MVP of the All-Star game, two-time MVP of NLCS, and World Series Champion in 1981.  His 15-year run on the ballot has expired and the highest voting percentage he received was 41.6%. The only thing I see that is the problem is that his home run numbers for a corner infielder are not very high.  After 1980, Garvey played eight more seasons, only hitting over 20 homers once.  Nonetheless, his numbers and his accolades warrant an induction by the Veteran’s Committee.

C  Ted Simmons 1968-1988 STL, MIL, ATL

 Ted Simmons played in the Golden era of catchers with  Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk and Gary Carter. Each of these players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Simmons was a switch-hitting catcher with a career batting average of .285. He hit over .300 seven times. Simmons had 248 home runs, 1,389 RBI, 1,074 runs and 2,472 hits. He was an eight-time All-Star and won one Silver Slugger Award. Ted didn’t have the home run numbers of Bench, Fisk and Carter, but he made up for it by having more hits and RBI.  Only Ivan Rodriguez has more hits and runs batted in as a catcher.  The puzzling thing about the Ted Simmons case is he never received more than four percent of the Hall of Fame votes and he is no longer on the Veteran’s Committee ballot. It’s all but a dead issue.  Put Ted’s numbers against any catcher that ever played in the league and he will for sure be mentioned amongst the greats.

OF Tim “Rock” Raines 1979-2002 MON, CHW, NYY, OAK, BAL, FLA

Rickey Henderson says he was “The Greatest of All Time!”  He was, but Tim Raines was a five-tool ball player as well. Rock was a tremendous lead-off hitter for the Montreal Expos for years. His career batting average was .294, while batting over .300 six times.  He had 170 home runs, 980 RBI, 1,574 runs, 2,605 hits, .385 on base percentage and 808 steals.  Raines was also known as an excellent fielder. His accolades include being a seven-time All-Star, winning a Silver Slugger Award, a 1986 NL Batting Title, earning the 1987 All-Star MVP and being a three-time World Series Champion.  Rock Raines has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for five years now and has 48.7% of the writers’ votes.  There is no excuse for keeping Rock out of the Hall. Anytime a player can turn a walk or a single into a man in scoring position, he is positively making a big impact on the game.

OF Dave “Cobra” Parker 1973-1991 PIT, CIN, OAK, MIL, CAL, TOR

The “Cobra” had the biggest shoes to replace when the legendary Roberto Clemente’s unfortunate plane crash occurred after the ’72 season.  He did not disappoint as he made a living as the Bucs right fielder for the next 10 seasons.  Everybody that was a baseball fan in the seventies remembers the ’79 “We Are Family” Pirates.  His batting average was .290 with 339 home runs, 1,493 RBI, 1,272 runs and 2,712 hits.  He was a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a two-time NL batting champion, 1978 NL MVP, 1979 All-Star MVP and two-time World Series Champion.  Dave Parker was the game’s best player in the late seventies and early eighties, which led him to be the first Major League ball player to have a million dollar contract.  Parker had been part of a cocaine scandal, where he admitted to use of drugs, which may have cost him an MVP award in a season where he led the league in hits and batting average.  Dave never received more than 24.% of the votes from the baseball writers and his eligibility has now run out.  He still has hopes of getting in by the Veteran’s Committee.

OF Albert Belle 1989-2000 CLE, CHW, BAL

Belle’s production makes him a sure-fire Hall of Famer. His career batting average is .295, while batting over .300 four times.  He had 381 home runs, 1,239 RBI, 974 runs and 1,726 hits in 12 seasons.  His career ended abruptly with a degenerative hip.  He was a five-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner.  In 1995, Belle was the only player in Major League history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in a season.   He lost the MVP to Mo Vaughn, whose numbers did not compare to Albert’s, and that is probably because of his reputation being a jerk with the media.  In a three-year span, he finished in the top three in the MVP race never to win.  Albert lost his eligibility after the first year by only receiving 7% of the votes.  As long as the Baseball Writers’ Association of America have anything to do with Albert getting in the Hall, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!  Albert Belle may very well be the most hated baseball player ever, but in those 12 seasons in the league, he was definitely the most feared.

DH Edgar Martinez 1987-2004 Seattle Mariners

To all the beat writers who have a vote in the HOF:  The designated hitter has been part of the game since the 1973 baseball season.  During his playing career, Edgar Martinez was the greatest designated hitter of his time.  His lifetime batting average sits at .312 with 10 years batting over .300.  He has 309 home runs, 1,261 RBI, 1,219 runs and 2,247 hits.  Only David Ortiz’s numbers are better.  Martinez was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner and two-time AL Batting Champ.  Edgar has received 36.5% of the votes in his third attempt.  He is for sure a candidate and the first designated hitter to be enshrined.  He was a ferocious hitter in that Mariners line-up that consisted of Griffey, Buhner and A-Rod.  Don’t punish Edgar Martinez because he was a DH. Major League Baseball recognizes the position and so should Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Pitcher Jack Morris 1977-1994 DET, TOR, MIN, CLE

Known as the winningest pitcher of the 80′s, the workhorse posted 254 career wins,  2,478 strikeouts, an era of 3.90, 175 complete games and 28 shutouts in eighteen years of service.  Morris is a five-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion. He earned the MVP Award of the 1991 World Series. In Game 7 of that series, Morris posted a 1-0 win in a 10 inning shutout against the Atlanta Braves.  Jack has been on the ballot for 13 years now, finishing with 66.7% of the votes and second to only Barry Larkin who will be inducted in 2012.  With the likes of Clemens, Bonds, Palmeiro, Bagwell, Sosa, Piazza and Biggio, it will be difficult for Morris to get the final 8% votes.  Then again, with some of the most dominating players of all-time having a black cloud over their heads, Jack Morris may be having his own party next July.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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Top 9 Active Players That Have a Legitimate Shot at 500 Home Runs

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

Believe it or not, Major League Baseball has two active players that are members of the 500 Home Run Club.  In fact both Alex Rodriguez (640) and Jim Thome (608) are members of the 600 Home Run Club.  With the new drug testing policy in MLB, you will no longer see power hitters continue to put up inflated numbers.  With a level playing field it will be difficult for upcoming ball players to reach the magical 500 number.  However, there are still big league players with a chance at joining the elite club.  Here are my list of players that have a shot at 500 home runs.

9. Detroit Tigers 1B Prince Fielder

Prince, son of former Detroit Tiger Cecil Fielder, is a whopping 28 years old with 241 home runs in seven big league seasons.  He and dad are the only father-son tandem in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season.  Prince won the 2009 and 2012 Home Run Derbys and is a 2-time Silver Slugger Award winner.  This past off-season he left the Milwaukee Brewers and took his talents to the Detroit Tigers, where he signed a nine-year deal worth 214 million dollars.  Since being in the big leagues, Prince has averaged 37 home runs each season.  I am predicting that he will reach the 500 club at the age 35.  So far he has hit eleven homers this season, so he has some work to do.

8. Detroit Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera

Superstar Miguel Cabrera is on pace to be one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all-time when his career is over.  He is part of the new “Bash Brothers” that exist in Detroit, alongside his new slugging partner Prince Fielder.  The Detroit Tigers will be intimidating the American League Central for years to come because of “Miggy’s” potent bat.  At the age of 29, he has sent 292 balls out of the park.  This young man has already won a home run crown (2008), he is a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won an American League batting title just last year.  Cabrera is averaging 33 dingers a year and at his age you can calculate him also reaching the 500 club at the age 35.  He is also on pace for 3000 hits.

7. Texas Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre

 

Once the youngest player in the big leagues, Adrian Beltre has blossomed over the years to become a 3-time Gold Glove third basemen as well as a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner.  He is now 33 years of age with 322 home runs in fourteen Major League seasons.  In 2004, he led the National League in home runs with 48.  Adrian is in his second season with the two-time defending American League Champions, Texas Rangers, where he flourished with 32 home runs a year ago.  Beltre will continue to see good pitches because of the Texas dynamic offensive squad.  It also doesn’t hurt that he is playing in a hitter’s park.  In his career he has averaged 26 home runs a year so it’s possible that he may join the 500 club at the age of 39.
6. New York Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira

This slugger came into the Majors swinging for the fences as soon as he was called up.  “Tex” has never hit less than 26 home runs in a season and that was his rookie year.  Mark is 32 years old with 326 round trippers.  He will soon join Micky Mantle and Eddie Murray as the only switch-hitters to ever hit 500 home runs.  He is a 4-time Golden Glove winner, a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won a home run title in the American League with 39 dingers in 2009.  Teixeira is currently a member of the New York Yankees, where he gets to benefit from a short porch down the right field line.  He averages 37 homers a years so my prediction for him to reach the 500 club would be at the age 36.  Realistically he may be looking at the 600 Club!

5. Chicago White Sox 1B Adam Dunn

We have former Texas Longhorn, Chris Simms, to thank for Adam “Big Donkey” Dunn becoming a Major League ball player.  When Simms arrived in Austin, Mack Brown asked Dunn to move from quarterback to tight end.  So long Austin, no more gridiron for the “Big Donkey”!  Adam is 32 years old with 388 home runs.  In his career, he hits a home run every 14 at-bats, second on the active list behind Jim Thome and only Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds have a better ratio.  In 2011, Adam had a career low 11 homers.  He may have thought his career was in jeopardy, but so far in 2012, he leads the Majors in home runs and he probably will be the comeback player of the year.  Dunn averages 38 home runs a year so expect the 500 club in his future at the age of 35.  Like Teixeira, barring injuries, he has a legitimate shot at 600.

4. Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz

This man needs no introduction as he is known as the greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history.  David Ortiz, or “Big Papi” holds the all-time MLB record for RBIs and home runs for a designated hitter.  David has a total of 398 career homers, 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner, led the American League in home runs in 2006, and won the Home Run Derby in 2010.  “Big Papi” averages 35 home runs a year and at the age of 36 he has some work to do.  Fenway is the perfect place for the slugger to pile up home runs so expect Red Sox nation to welcome Mr. Ortiz to the 500 club at the age of 39!

3. Chicago White Sox 1B Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko is the blue-collar player out of the group who steadily puts up numbers year in and year out.  He is the surprise of the list with a total of 409 home runs.  Konerko has never led the league in home runs, has never won a Home Run Derby, has never won a Silver Sluggers Award, but at this time he can hang his hat on leading the American League in batting with a .346 average.  At the age of 36, Paul is 91 homers from 500.  He is averaging 32 home runs a season, so I predict in 2 1/2 years he will join his old teammate Frank Thomas in the club.

2. New York Yankees OF Andruw Jones

Did you raise an eyebrow?  Mine raised as well; but I had to put him down.  This once 10-time Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, National League Home Run leader(2005), and no longer a sure-fire Hall of Famer has only hit 56 home runs in the last four years.  What the hell happened?  Remember he was the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the World Series (’96).  I believe he hit a home run in his first two at-bats in that series.  Andruw is 35 years old with 427 home runs and averages 32 homers a season.  Jones had a chance at 600 home runs but now I will be surprised if he threatens the 500 club, simply because he is no longer an every day player and he has a history of giving into the breaking ball.  He only needs 73 home runs, so if he makes it, he will be the one to limp to the finish line.

1. Los Angeles Angels 1B Albert Pujols

No one in the history of Major League Baseball has put up the numbers Albert Pujols has.  Since arriving to the league, his lowest output for home runs has been 32.  Upon last year, he had hit at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs every year until last season when he was 1 RBI short.  Like Prince Fielder, he took his talents to the American League and signed a 10-year, 254 million dollar contract with the LA Angels.  At age 32, he has hit a comfortable 456 home runs.  We can say he will pass the 500 home run club as he averages 42 home runs a season.  In his first year with the Angels he has put up a meager 11 home runs, pressing a little at each at-bat and trying to live up to that ridiculous contract.  Albert is a perfectionist and will soon settle down and figure it out.  He is a 3-time MVP,2-time Gold Glove, 6-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a National League batting champ (2003), and 2-time National League home run champ.  In the next ten years, we can predict he will chase down A-Rod, Mays, Ruth, Aaron, and Bonds for the number one overall spot.  He will be the Home Run King, and with over 2100 career hits, he will be in that select group of 3000 hits and 700 home runs.  The only player ever to do that is the great Henry Aaron.

 

 

Honorable Mentions

Chipper Jones is 40 years old with 459 round trippers and has announced that this will be his last year.  Chipper is going out with class and knows when to hang them up.  Vladimir Guerrero 37 years old with 449 HRs, oh so close, not with a team right now.  If he gets picked up by another MLB team it will be painful to watch!  Jason Giambi is 41 years old with 429 HRs and playing for the Colorado Rockies.  Jason is no longer an every day player and only has 1 HR this season.  Can we say father time?!  Lance Berkman is 36 years old, fighting an MCL tear and has 359 HR.  He has pop in his bat but with injury issues he probably won’t make it.  Todd Helton will be 39 this year with 354 HR.  He has had a wonderful career, and can rival Peyton Manning as the richest quarterback ever to come out of Tennessee, but too far away from the elite club.  Alfonso Soriano 354 HRs & Carlos Lee 353 HRs are both 36 years old and might be too far out of reach.  The two that may fall just short of the 500 home run club may be Aramis Ramirez who is 34 years old with 324 HRs and Carlos Beltran, who is 35 with 322 HRs.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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The 10 Great Negro League Ballplayers That Have Gone Unsung

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

Satchel Paige & Josh Gibson

Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson were players that paved the way for future Hall of Famers who were able to take their talents from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues.  Such Hall of Famers were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, who was the last Negro league player to hold a regular position in Major League Baseball.  With that said, what about other players that were productive in the Negro Leagues?  There are players that had wonderful careers, who could have easily made the jump to the Majors but never had the opportunities.  Here is my list of 10 Negro League ball players that have gone UNSUNG.

10. Larry Doby (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1998)

Mr. Doby had a small stint in the Negro Leagues, playing second base for four seasons with the Newark Eagles.  He helped the Eagles to a Negro League championship in 1946.  Bill Veeck made Larry Doby the first African-American to play in the American League, eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.  In the 1948 World Series, he played center field for the Cleveland Indians, and was the first black to hit a World Series home run, and he also was the first to win a World Series title.  He is one of only four players to play in both a Negro World Series and a major league World Series.  Doby was the first black to lead the league in homers.  Larry Doby came to the Majors and put up productive numbers helping other Negro League players get the opportunity to reach a dream of playing at the Major League level.  Doby was a .283 career hitter with 253 HR and 970 RBI in 1,533 games.

9. Andrew “Rube” Foster (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1981)

Rube Foster was known as the “Father of Black Baseball”!  Rube was a pitcher, manager, owner, and founder of the Negro National League.  Some baseball historians have given Rube credit with the invention of the screwball.  As a player, he spent his first year pitching for the Chicago Union Giants in the dead-ball era where he compiled a record of 51 wins in a single season.  The following year he came back and surpassed that with a 54-win season which put him as one of the best pitchers of the twentieth century.  Between the years 1903-1906, Rube’s presence on both the Cuban X-Giants and the Philadelphia Giants led to multiple championships.  In 1907, he left the Philadelphia Giants to take over the Leland Giants (American Giants) as both player and manager.  Rube managed Leland to 110-10 record, winning 48 in a row and took the Chicago City League pennant.  After establishing the best black team in the league, he paved the way by organizing the first black baseball league called Negro National League in 1920.  Andrew “Rube” Foster was the president and treasurer of the league while remaining owner and manager of the American Giants.  As owner of the most successful black team in the Negro National League, his American Giants absolutely pulverized everyone they faced as they won 11 championships.

8.  Hilton Smith (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 2001)

Hilton Smith may have been the best pitcher on the Kansas City Monarchs if it wasn’t for the flamboyant Satchel Paige.  Though he was known as “Satchel’s Shadow”, Hilton still managed to become a 20-game winner all 12 seasons as a Monarch.  He often came in after Paige had pitched the first 3 innings of a ball game because Satchel would draw fans to the stadium.  Hilton would finish off opponents in the same fashion as Paige started the game.  Hilton Smith was known as the best all-around pitcher throwing from both sidearm and overhand with unbelievable control.  He had a devastating curve ball, high fastball, and slider.  In 1941, he posted a 25-1 record, losing his only game in a non-league contest.  There was a streak where in 89 innings, he gave up 39 hits.  Hilton helped lead the Monarch to 7 Negro American League titles and a championship in 1942.

7. Martin “El Maestro”Dihigo (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977)

Martin “El Maestro” Dihigo was the most versatile ball player, with his speed and throwing arm, ever to go through the Negro Leagues.  He played in the Mexican, Cuban, and Negro Leagues where he earned election into the Hall of Fame of each three .  He could play multiple positions including pitcher.  According to Johnny Mize, “He was the only guy he ever saw play all nine positions skillfully, switch hit and manage”.  In 1938, El Maestro won a batting title with a .387 avg while going 18-2 with a 0.90 ERA.  He was the first player in the Mexican league to throw a no-hitter.  Dihigo won three home run crowns in the Negro Leagues and tied Josh Gibson for another.  He also won over 250 games as a pitcher.

6. Reece “Goose” Tatum (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011)

Before there was a Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, Reece Tatum, better known as the “Goose” was the two-sport athlete back in 1940′s.  He played in the Negro Leagues and on The Harlem Globetrotters.  Goose was considered one of the top first basemen in the Negro League.  Tatum was 6’4″ and said to have an arm span of about 84 inches long and could touch his kneecaps without bending.  His length made him a prime fixture at first base with his long arms and legs helping him stretch on close plays.  Reece Tatum was best known as the “Clown Prince”, as he was a crowd pleaser with Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers.  Goose has been credited for inventing the hook shot (sky hook) that Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul Jabaar made famous in his playing career.  Tatum also became owner of the Detroit Clowns in the late 50′s.

5. Walter Fenner “Buck” Leonard (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1972)

While the New York Yankees had Ruth & Gehrig, the Homestead Grays had Leonard & Gibson, better known as the “Thunder Twins”!  That would be Buck Leonard, who had the hand-eye coordination of Ted Williams and the home run power of Hank Aaron.  He was considered one of the best hitters baseball has ever seen.  Also known as “Mr. Clutch”, Buck was the clean-up hitter, protecting Josh Gibson for over a decade.  The Grays’ first basemen was the captain and fixture for the best Negro team in history for seventeen years.  Pitchers feared pitching to him as much as they did Josh Gibson because of his tremendous power.  The Black Lou Gehrig averaged over 40 home runs with a batting average of .350 in his prime.  His glove was also a huge weapon as he was so sophisticated at first base, being compared to the greatest defensive first baseman of all time, George Sisler.  He always made the right play and had a very strong throwing arm.

4. John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1977)

When Babe Ruth reportedly believed Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever to play the game, and Honus Wagner said “It’s an honor to be compared to him”, we can say that John Lloyd was the greatest shortstop the Negro Leagues had ever witnessed.  For over two decades, Pop was cerebral, an exceptional shortstop with good hands and great range.  Early on, he would study his opponents, positioning himself in the field where he was able to get a good jump on the ball.  Pop on the offensive front had a lifetime batting average of .343 and displayed extreme speed on the base paths.  Playing in the dead-ball era, Pop Lloyd used the bunt as a way of getting on base and with his speed he would often be in scoring position that would lead to a run scored.  He played on numerous teams but had most of his success when he played on Rube Foster’s Chicago American Giants.

3. James “Cool Papa” Bell (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1974)

James “Cool Papa” Bell was a legendary lead-off/switch-hitting center fielder, known as the fastest man to ever play the game of baseball.  It has been told that he could circle the bases in an astounding twelve seconds!  Cool Papa’s quickness allowed him to go from first to third on an infield single.  This man was so fast that 1936 Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, who would race anyone prior to the ball games, refused to race the speedy Bell.  Cool Papa used his blazing speed to make up for his lack of power, stole 175 bases in a 200 game season.  His speed going from home to first is described by a former teammate, “If he bunts and it bounces twice, put it in your pocket,” says “Double Duty” Radcliffe.  In his illustrious 20-year career, Bell played on numerous championship teams such as the St. Louis Stars, Pittsburgh Crawfords, and the Homestead Grays.  He never batted under .300 in his career and against competition such as future Hall-of-Famers Dizzy Dean, Bob Feller, and Bob Lemon, Bell hit .391 in 58 exhibition games.  Cool Papa Bell’s defense was so superb, he would be compared to Hall of Fame greats Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays as the best center fielders ever to play the position.  After retiring from the game he made a strong impact on players making the transition to major league baseball, influencing such greats as Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Lou Brock.

2. Oscar “The Hoosier Comet” Charleston (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1976)

In 1921, the left-handed Oscar “The Hoosier Comet” Charleston led the Negro Leagues in doubles, triples, and home runs while batting a whooping .426 for the season, drawing comparisons to Ty Cobb.  In nine consecutive seasons, he hit over .350, twice over .400.  His career batting average was .348. “The Hoosier Comet” was known for his speed on the bases and one of the finest defensive outfielders of all-time.  His career in the Negro Leagues lasted four decades as a player and manager.  It was rare to see Hall of Fame players such as Frank Robinson and MLB all-time hits leader Pete Rose manage and play the game at the same time.  In 1932, Oscar managed and played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords, who were said to be the greatest Negro baseball team ever.  The Hoosier Comet also excelled against the major leaguers in 53 exhibition games with a career avg .358 and 11 HR.  After his playing career, he continued to coach where he managed the Pittsburgh Crawfords to a National Negro Championship.  He was a tough, demanding manager that had the respect from all players that played under him.

1. Joe “Smokey” Williams (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame 1999)

There has never been a pitcher at the professional level to strike out more than 20 batters in a game.  On Aug. 2, 1930, Smokey Joe Williams of the Homestead Grays struck out 27 Kansas City Monarchs and threw a one-hitter in a 1-0, 12-inning victory.  He was 44 freaking years old!  The strikeout king was a modern-day Nolan Ryan as he pitched 27 years in the Negro Leagues.  Joe Williams was also known as the “Cyclone” because of his untouchable fastball that led to record-breaking strikeout performances and numerous no-hitters.  His lifetime exhibition record against major league competition was 20-7.  He posted barnstorming victories over the 1912 pennant-winning New York Giants and 1915 Philadelphia Phillies, shutting out both teams.  Smokey’s memorable moment occurred in 1917, when he struck out 20 batters while no-hitting the New York Giants, although he lost the game, 1-0 on an error.  The Giants were the representatives in the World Series that year.  The Cyclone defeated five Hall of Fame pitchers (Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson and Rube Marquard) in exhibitions.  He must have been a bad boy if Ty Cobb thinks he could have won 30 games in the Major Leagues.  Smokey Joe Williams has one up on the great Satchel Paige as in their only encounter, old man Williams outgunned the young Paige sensation 1-0.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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The Ryan Express

Monday, May 21st, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

If you could choose any Major League pitcher, retired or active, to pitch in game seven of the World Series during the dead-ball era or the steroid era with success, who would you choose?  Without any hesitation I would choose Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr.  He was the most intimidating power pitcher of his era, for more than a quarter of a century.  He pitched 27 years in the majors to be exact.  In fact, his last major league pitch registered at 98mph on the radar gun.  Mr. Ryan was a bulldog of a pitcher, who never fraternized with any opposing players because he wanted to keep his edge.  He amazingly pitched in the major leagues in four different decades.  Nolan Ryan is the only major league ballplayer outside of Jackie Robinson to have his number retired by three different teams (Anaheim Angels, Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers).  It’s hard to believe that the Ryan Express has been away from the game since 1993.  It seems like he would put up legendary stats each time he appeared in a game.  I would like to share with you my top 5 most memorable moments in Nolan Ryan’s career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(#5) July 15, 1973 – NO HITTER!  California Angels vs Detroit Tigers

Nolan Ryan gets his second “NO-HITTER” of the season at Tiger Stadium.  He struck out 17 Detroit Tigers that day, which at the time was two shy of the Major League record of 19.  That year was golden for The Ryan Express as he won 21 games with a 2.87 ERA, broke the single season strike out record (383) by one, formerly held by Sandy Koufax, and after almost 40 years, that record still stands today.  As puzzling as it sounds, Nolan did not win the Cy Young Award that year (losing to Jim Palmer who had one victory more than Nolan).  In fact, in all of his 27 years playing, he never brought home the trophy.  Nolan ended up with seven no hitters, three more than his closest rival (Sandy Koufax).

 

 

 

 

(#4) August 22, 1989 – #5000! Texas Rangers vs Oakland A’s 

Who better to be at the plate than The Greatest!  Not Ali, but this individual was the greatest lead-off hitter of all time in Ricky Henderson.  The Ryan Express, at the age of 42, threw a 3-2 pitch fastball down the pipe……and a WHIFF by Mr. Henderson!  Ricky graciously quoted, “If you haven’t been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you’re nobody.”  Although Nolan Ryan is in elite company, he is the only pitcher to top 5,000 strikeouts in a career (5,714total).  He has 938 more strikeouts than second place Randy Johnson, a record that probably will never be beaten.

 

 

 

 

(#3) July 31, 1990 – 300th Win!  Texas Rangers vs Milwaukee Brewers

  After failing to win number 300 at home in Arlington, Texas, Nolan traveled to Milwaukee where he went out and pitched 7 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, one earned run, and eight strikeouts, to record his 300th career victory.  That was one month after recording no-hitter number six.  Nolan is the fourth oldest player behind Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro and Early Wynn to have won 300 games.  He finished his career with 324.

 

 

 

 

(#2) August 4, 1993 – Don’t Mess With Texas! (The Lesson) Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox

After five years in Texas, Nolan had recorded his 300th victory, 5000th strikeout, and his sixth and seventh no-hitters as a Texas Ranger.  In the final season of Nolan Ryan’s illustrious career, he showed why you ”Don’t Mess With Texas”!  The 46 year old Ryan hit Robin Ventura’s backside with the ball.  Like most ballplayers, they take exception to getting hit by the ball and he charged the mound.  Nolan is 20 years Robin’s senior.  I am sure when Ventura ran toward the old timer, his plans were to even the score.  This is when keeping it real goes wrong!  Robin learned a valuable lesson that day.  Little did he know, Nolan, who placed the young Ventura in the same head-lock he used on steers, struck Robin in the head six times before Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez pulled Robin away!  After the brawl occured, Robin Ventura was ejected from the game, and somehow Nolan dusted off his cap and remained pitching.  Why was he allowed to remain in the game you might ask?  After the can of whoopin  he gave Robin, who’s going to tell him he can’t pitch?!  By the way, Ryan didn’t give up another hit the rest of the way.

 

 

 

 

(#1) August 5, 2010 – Nolan Ryan delivers the Texas Rangers

Not many people can stack their credentials next to the legend Nolan Ryan.  He can literally be compared to the stories you hear of Babe Ruth.  5714 strikeouts, 324 victories, and 7 no-hitters are marks that may never be reached.  He won a World Series in 1969 with the New York Mets.  He has had a full career pitching in the Major League.  There is no other ballplayer in the history of the game that has made such a significant impact on the field, and now he is calling shots as an owner.  A little bit past midnight on August 5, 2010, Nolan Ryan and his investment group swooped in and saved the Texas Rangers franchise by purchasing a team that had filed Chapter 7 under owner Tom Hicks.  Since Ryan’s arrival as president and owner of the Texas Rangers organization, the atmosphere of the last place team has changed full circle.  No longer are the Texas Rangers the laughing stock of the American League West.  His presence has made pitchers tougher, and their endurance to pitch deeper in the games has increased the team’s chances at victories.  With shrewd business moves in free agency, building up the farm system that is the best in baseball, the Texas Rangers have enjoyed success in the last two years by winning back-to-back pennants for the first time in Texas history and a trip to two World Series.  Although the franchise has yet to win the World Series, the future of Texas Rangers baseball is positive. 

I am pretty sure at age 64, Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr’s passion for baseball still exists.  If by chance the Texas Rangers need an out with the bases loaded, a 3-2 count and a one run lead,  I bet he would deliver a strikeout to win the game.  Who is going to say he can’t take the mound?  He owns the team now!

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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Who is the Villain?

Monday, May 7th, 2012

By Brandon McConnell

Growing up in Kansas City, my father always liked taking our family to the movies during the summer.  He loved to watch a good action movie.  I can remember him arguing with his friends for weeks about different scenes in the original Terminator movie.  In all of these movies, there was a good guy to root for and a villain to go against.

Over the years, there have been several villains in movies.  Superman had Lex Luthor, Batman had the Joker, and Luke Skywalker had Darth Vader.  Anyone who knows me can tell you who is my all-time villain.  That would be Wesley Snipes’ character Nino Brown in the best movie ever, New Jack City. 

I thought about this topic while listening to an ESPN sports radio show discussing something similar this past weekend.  Just like in every action movie, there is a villain that the audience is supposed to go against or strangely root for.

In baseball, you could consider Barry Bonds a villain.  He broke the home run record and is known as one of the best baseball players ever, with an asterisk, since he took performance enhancement drugs “without knowing”.  Side note, if my head size went from a 7 to an 8 after age 24, I would check with a doctor about that.  He was always a complete jerk to the media.

Basketball has their fair share of villains.  Dennis Rodman is the first one that comes to mind.  He was an original Bad Boy for the Detroit Pistons championship teams.  Dennis and his teammates believed it was their duty to beat the crap out of Michael and Scottie any chance they could.   

Football has a couple villains as well.  One of the most recent inductees to the villain fraternity would be Gregg Williams, GODFATHER of the BOUNTY.  He turned a mediocre New Orleans Saints team into a championship defense just by giving the team an incentive (BOUNTY) to do what they were already going to do. 

Villains in the sports world can be players, coaches or even owners.  Let me know who are some people you think are the villains of their sport and what they did to give themselves the VILLAIN title.

Brandon McConnell of “Respect Da Game”, for War Room Sports

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Pardon My Interruption!

Monday, April 30th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

Each day at 5 pm I tend to turn on the “four letter network” to get my sports fix, but it seems that I may as well be watching the local news instead.  Lately, the sports show starts off with some sort of breaking news, or the top story of today, and it has nothing to do with sports.  I just want to see scores, highlights, and previews for tonight’s games.  What do I get instead…….. a bunch of bullshit!

There are so many exciting things going on in the world of sports.  In football, we had the much anticipated NFL draft, but as soon as the weekend is up, all the attention will go back to “As The New Orleans Saints Turn”!  The baseball season has begun and baseball fans all over the country are optimistic about their team’s success.  Baseball was running smoothly until the morning of April 27, 2012 when Delmon Young involves himself in a racial hate crime which leads to an arrest.  The regular season in the NBA has come to an end and now the world can finally watch some good playoff basketball.  Leading up to the playoffs, last Sunday in the Staples Center, Metta World Peace’s altar ego was at it again.  After having much success in recent weeks, he was shown celebrating after a made dunk.  Metta, who was pounding his chest, purposely woke up Big Bad Ron and what do you know……. he maliciously elbowed James Harden of the OKC Thunder in the back of the head/neck area, knocking him silly to a standing eight count. 

Breaking News:

Detroit Tigers' Delmon Young

 

Athletes at every level, have to be accountable for all their actions.  There is no excuse for a player such as Delmon Young to exercise his right to be out in public at 2:40 in the morning.  He was intoxicated, and allegedly shoving a man to the ground and making anti-Semitic remarks.  What is the old saying? “Nothing good happens after midnight”.  We all have heard that saying, and I have to believe it’s a true statement.  I don’t want to hear the apology written by Delmon’s entourage because I know good and well he doesn’t mean it, and the damage is done.  Delmon Young, look in the mirror son!  You are a black man in Major League Baseball, a league who’s African American players make up only 8% of the sport.  Earlier this month the league just celebrated Jackie Robinson Day.  What does that day mean to you, Delmon?  Jackie Robinson was the man!  He was a pioneer who withstood  insults and racism, while still having to compete in a league where no one looked like him, and certainly didn’t want him there in the first place.  He is the reason why you and other minorities have gotten that slim chance of being a professional ballplayer.  You have been on notice since the day you reached the majors and you can ill-afford any negative publicity.  The Detroit Tigers cannot afford the racist remarks you’ve made; heck didn’t you learn anything from the Ozzie Guillen fiasco?  Think son, THINK!

My last rant goes to Mr. World Peace.  Fine time to bring out your evil twin.  As I said earlier, the worse thing you could have done Metta, is beat your chest because Ron Artest couldn’t wait to come out and play!  Ron, you threw a vicious elbow to the back of James Harden’s neck, and you even had the nerve to run down the court and act as if you did nothing wrong.  I guess I have to believe you were the last to realize you actually hurt this man.  As the great Charlie Murphy  would say, “you are a habitual line crosser”!  Ron, you will lose over $350,000 in this latest suspension for swinging your elbow.  You have been suspended over 118 games in your career.  You apologized, but I am sick of them.  I don’t want to hear it, sincere or not.  If it was an accident, you should have gone to him while he was lying on the ground immediately after the incident happened.  You are a buffoon.  The league is kind to you, and I don’t understand why you are not appreciative of being a part of the game.  The LA Lakers have to do damage control as did Indiana back in 2004 with your altercation among players and fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons.  If there is talk of bounties in sports, you are it Ron!  There will be a time when you have played your last game, and don’t be surprised if it’s real soon.  My prediction for you, Ron, is you will be black balled from the league, and you will only have yourself to blame.  Come to think of it, you are better fit throwing your hat in the ring as a professional boxer.  Once again, America is salivating for a new Heavyweight Champ.  You would be perfect for the sport and without a doubt be loved by everybody once you’ve become the champ!  Oh well, just a thought.

Now back to your regularly scheduled sports program.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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