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Rethinking some questions
Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci's Baseball Mailbag appears weekly on CNNSI.com. To send a question, click here. Don't I know how to generate mail. This week's bag filled with responses to my picks for the best player in baseball right now and best left-handed pitcher of all time. I'm prepared to move off one of those choices, thanks to the usual alert replies from the sharpest readership in the business. For more on my mea culpa, read on? I know Barry Bonds had one of the greatest seasons ever, and Tony Gwynn,
Rickey Henderson, and Cal Ripken Jr. were great stories, but why is Sammy Sosa
forgotten? He had his third 60-home run season (never done before) in which he
didn't win the home run title, and compiled 160 RBIs, the third highest total in
NL history. He is on one of the greatest all-time power streaks and very little
mention has been made of him since '98. Let's give Sammy his due; he has become
one of the greatest sluggers in baseball
history!
Amen. Here's what I appreciate most about Sammy: He's the most reliable power hitter going. The guy plays every day and he plays with gusto and he produces. I wouldn't say Sosa has been forgotten. We do tend to give more attention to what's unexpected and never before seen. That's the nature of news. But Sosa is on one of the best offensive runs in history. That's more impressive than one great year or feel-good moment. You said A-Rod is the best player in
baseball. You must have forgotten about someone who almost single-handedly got
his team into the playoffs: Sammy Sosa. How could you argue with Sammy's
stats?
Hopefully, you understand from my response to the previous question how much respect I have for Sammy. But here's what sets the two apart: A-Rod plays a premium position. The value of a 50-homer shortstop who is near-Gold Glove calibre is tremendous. You stated that A-Rod has been the best player in the game for the last
several years. When I put his numbers from the last two seasons next to Barry
Bonds' numbers I just don't get how you could say that. Maybe if Barry pitches
next year and wins 20 games he will get the respect he
deserves!
Again, it's not so much about pure numbers. What A-Rod has done at shortstop is unprecedented. He won a batting title and a home run title by age 26. That's amazing for a player at any position, but especially at shortstop. I don't know if this is a question or a story idea, but here it goes: In an
age of selfish "Bonds-like" athletes in every sport, I'm wondering who
gives back the most to their communities? Are there any good stories about
athletes in pro sports who donate large portions of their earnings to the
community?
Yes. As a matter of fact, just such an item appeared in the Scorecard section of the October 1 issue of Sports Illustrated. It was on former Met Rusty Staub, and it was one of the best things the magazine has done in years. With the dismissal of Gord Ash as GM of the Blue Jays, a busy offseason seems
inevitable for whoever replaces him. With the recent emergence of youngsters
Vernon Wells, Felipe Lopez, Cesar Izturis, Brandon Lyon and even Roy Halladay
and Kelvim Escobar, which starters look as if they're on the way out? There are
some players who would be hard to move (Esteban Loaiza, Darrin Fletcher and Raul
Mondesi), but there are also rumblings that Carlos Delgado may be moved in a
deal.
Shannon Stewart is the most likely to be moved, but don't be shocked to see Delgado's name come up in trade rumors this winter. He is signed under somewhat reasonable terms and obviously has great value. It's premature, though, because we don't know who the GM is yet. Is it a foregone conclusion that the Dodgers will trade Gary Sheffield in the
offseason? Would they try to package him with Marquis Grissom or Tom Goodwin in
an effort to get rid of their contracts? Who would be the top suitors, and do
any have a leadoff hitter/center fielder that L.A. so desperately
needs?
I wouldn't say it's a foregone conclusion, though the Dodgers will listen to offers. Look at all the big hitters on the market: Bonds, Jason Giambi, Moises Alou, Mo Vaughn, possibly Delgado, Tino Martinez, Bret Boone, Carl Everett and Larry Walker ... and maybe Sheffield. The Mets will get one of them. I thought they should have made a move for Sheffield last spring, though you can question whether L.A. ever intended to pull the trigger on a Sheffield deal. I don't see the Dodgers being able to move the center fielders. As a Mets fan, I enjoyed their little mini-run, but still think this team
needs help. The scary thing is that the New York press is already beating the
drums for Gary Sheffield. What is the attraction with this guy? He hits 35 HRs
-- like that's a big deal now when guys hit 60-plus. He's no help on defense,
not a base stealer anymore, and brings the worst crybaby baggage this side of
Jeff George. Please calm my
fears!
I think Sheffield's a big upgrade for New York, though I'm told some players there want no part of him. Sheffield's a proven run producer who doesn't strike out a lot. Don't get carried away with pure home run numbers. I don't think he's at the top of the Mets' list, though. Which route do you think AOL is going to take this offseason with the Braves?
Other than starting pitching, are we going to see another mixture of youngsters
and senior citizens? Can Atlanta pickup some key free agents while keeping
Andruw Jones, John Smoltz and maybe Javy Lopez? Also, will there be any catchers
out there worth looking
at?
Keep an eye on Charles Johnson. He can opt out of his contract with Florida, and would be a great fit in Atlanta. Don't look for any big moves out of the Braves, such as a Bonds or Giambi. More likely they'll go for second-tier free agents or see what value Kevin Millwood has on the trade market to help them find a corner infielder. Can you pass along the message that Ichiro is not the MVP? Let's be honest,
he is a great hitter, but the best measure of getting on base is still on-base
percentage, not average. I'll take Jason Giambi (.477 versus .381 this season)
over Ichiro. When it comes to extra-base power, well, let's not even go there.
Basically, Ichiro is a singles hitter. Rookie of the year? Absolutely. MVP? No
way.
Check out this week's Scorecard section of SI and my postseason awards ballot. You are dead on. No outfielder ever has won the MVP award without placing in the top 10 in either slugging or on-base percentage. Ichiro had a fabulous season, but Giambi contributed more to his team. How much of the Cardinals' great run has been a result of J.D. Drew's return
from the
DL?
He's been an important part of filling the offensive void left by Mark McGwire's troubles. Remember, too, that the Cardinals capitalized on a very favorable schedule through August and early September. That's not meant as a knock, because they should be commended for taking advantage of the opportunity. After one season, what has been the impact of the new, high strike zone; have
pitchers, hitters and umpires adjusted to it? Also, do you think Bret Boone will
re-sign with Seattle, or will the Mariners, "go in a different
direction" for a second baseman? I feel he may want to rejoin his father
and brother in Cincinnati, if the Reds deal Pokey Reese over the
winter.
I think umpires have succeeded in making hitters and pitchers aware that pitches at or above the belt might be strikes. In the past, hitters could completely discount that pitch and train their hitting eye below that zone. I can't say I've seen that pitch called consistently, but I've seen it enough to know it has had some impact, especially with breaking balls, which now actually have a chance of being called. As for Boone, I'd be very surprised to see him go elsewhere. Just wondering if you might want to consider Lefty Grove as the greatest
left-handed pitcher of all time? The pitchers mentioned in
last week's mailbag are all great,
however, it seems to me, Grove was better than all of them. Just wondering where
you would rate
him?
My bad. Big time. I brain-cramped on the question last week about greatest left-handers. No disrespect to Mr. Warren Spahn, but yes, Lefty Grove ought to be at the top of the list. Thanks to all of the alert readers (around the world) who pointed out the omission. To send a question to Tom Verducci's Baseball Mailbag, click
here.
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