Five Greatest Switch Hitters in Baseball History

Recently 3 of the 5 greatest switch hitters in the history of baseball squared off against each other in the Cardinals and Braves series.  For the Cardinals, Carlos Beltran former Royal, Astro, and Met great and Lance Berman former Astro teammate of Carlos went against future first ballot Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.  Professional hitting is hard enough just ask any pitcher who were all probably great hitters until this level but to do this from both sides of the plates is quite a remarkable skill.  With this skill you also never give the pitcher on the other team the advantage depending on their arm.  Not to mention it makes life easier for the manager.  To round out this list are all time Yankee great Mickey Mantle and Oriole great Eddie Murray.  Two names that could be on my list but are not are Roberto Alomar and Pete Rose, two All-Time Greats but sluggers that can hit for average are the most important hitters in baseball as they hit home runs and also drive in runs which leads to wins.  Singles hitters (Pete Rose) need help.  So here is my list:

#1 Mickey Mantle is the easiest spot on the list.  Mantle was voted on the All-Century Team.  He is also a 20 time All-Star, 3 time MVP and four time home run king.  Mantle played in 12 World Series and won 7 of them.  Mantle’s power was unmatchable.  He was infamous for tape measure shots including many over 500 feet.  To go along with his incredible power, retired as the #4 home run hitter of all-time, Mantle was blessed with great speed.  His one downfall was his health.  Mantle was often injured, many of them serious.  It would have been interesting to see what his career would have been like if he didn’t play so many games hampered with injuries.  Regardless he finished in the fabled 500 home run club and had the most storied World Series career with the most home runs, runs, total bases and RBIs in World Series history.[1]  Mickey Mantle’s average season based on 162 games looks like a .298 average, 113 Runs, 36 Home Runs and 102 RBIs [2].  Mantle held onto baseball 4 seasons too long with rapidly declining numbers.  Mickey said that his regretted not finishing a .300 hitter.  In my mind he was and I will think of the prime years of Mantle including two 50 home run seasons and the phenomenal Triple Crown.  

#2 Chipper Jones is an Atlanta Braves lifer, one of the few players in this generation that has stayed with the same team his whole career.  With the Braves Jones played in three World Series and won one of them.  Chipper is the only switch hitter in baseball history to have a .300 average and over 400 home runs.  In 1999, his lone MVP season he had one for the ages, batting over .300, hitting 40 home runs and doubles, 100 walks, 100 RBIs, 100 Runs and 20 stolen bases,[3]the only player to ever eclipse these marks in the same season.  To start his career he hit 20 home runs in 14 consecutive seasons, tying a major league record.  This batting champion is also a seven time all-star and two time Silver Slugger.  One nice quality of Chipper was his unselfishness when he agreed to move to left field so the Braves could sign Vinny Castilla.  He also had chances to be sign elsewhere as a free agent but showed his loyalty by sticking with the same team that drafted him #1 overall as a shortstop.  2012 will be his last season and we will see him in the Hall of Fame in 5 years.  Chipper’s average season looks like 106 runs, 28 home runs, 106 RBIs and a .304 batting average.[4]  Mike Schmidt is normally considered the greatest third baseman in the history of the game but I’m taking the Brave.  In fact Chipper has almost a 40 point higher lifetime batting average. [5]

#3 Lance Berkman, in 1997 was named the National Player of The Year and lead Rice University to its first ever College World Series.  When Berkman was finished at Rice he ended up with the third most home runs in college baseball history.  Berkman stayed in Houston when the Astros drafted him and he became a member of The Killers B’s.  Lance would help lead the Astros to four playoff births as well supplant Jeff Bagwell as the premier hitter of The Killer B’s.  In 2005 the Astros made their first ever World Series in franchise history.  The following year Berkman had his best year including the National League switch hitting record for RBIs and tied Chipper Jones for switch hitting home runs in the NL, finishing with 45 homers and 136 RBIs.  Lance’s career achievements include six seasons of more than 30 home runs, six All Star appearances, four seasons finishing in the top 5 for MVP votes and two 40 plus home run seasons.  An average season for the Texan would be a .296 average, 101 runs, 33 home runs and 109 RBIs [6].  In his first season with the Cardinals in 2011 he would win Comeback Player of The Year and win the World Series.  Berkman is on the cusp of the Hall of Fame.  He has 359 lifetime home runs and I believe a shoe in with 400. 

#4 Carlos Beltran is your prototypical five tooled player: he can hit for average, hit for power, has speed, can throw and can field.  The former People’s Most Beautiful People started in Kansas City where in four full seasons hit at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each one and hit 100 RBIs and scored 100 runs as well.  Kansas City would not be able to afford this burgeoning superstar and traded Beltran in the middle of 2004 to the star filled Houston Astros and would fit in perfectly with the Killer B’s.  The Astros made the playoffs and Beltran became a national known superstar when he tied a playoff record of eight home runs(without even playing in the World Series) including five consecutive games.  The Puerto Rican would become the biggest prized free agent after the impressive performance and in the prime of his career sign with the New York Mets.  With the Mets, Beltran would increase his home runs but decrease his stolen bases.  In 2006 he hit a career high 41 home runs and would win back to back Silver Slugger awards.  2009 and 2010 were injury plagues seasons and with the 2011 Mets going nowhere he was traded to San Francisco.  At the end of 2011 Beltran signed with the Cardinals to try to replace Albert Pujols’ production.  In St Louis he found the fountain of youth and is currently leading the National League in home runs.  Beltran is a six time all star with an average season of 109 runs, 28 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 106 RBIs and a .283 batting average.[7] Like Berkman, Carlos will need 400 home runs so about 3 more seasons or 1 MVP which could happen this year to make the Hall of Fame.   

#5 Eddie Murray is in the Hall of Fame not because of greatness in his prime but because of tremendous consistency.  Murray never hit more than 33 home runs but did finish in the 500 Home Runs Club, 504 to be exact.  The former World Series Champion also finished in the top 5 of MVP voting four times.   Murray was an eight time All-Star and three time Silver Slugger.  Murray also batting over .300 seven times.  One of the all time Oriole’s average season would be 87 runs, 27 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .287 batting average.[8]

---

[1] http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111020&content_id=25724740&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy

[2] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mantlmi01.shtml

[3] http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/3006/chipper-jones

[4] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesch06.shtml

[5] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schmimi01.shtml

[6] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berkmla01.shtml

[7] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrca01.shtml

[8] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murraed02.shtml

Pass The Injury And Bust

For a 6 point touchdown pass league, it’s time to just draft a quarterback with your first pick. Top QBs are almost guaranteed to score a ton of points. They rarely get injured except for Brady’s fluke season in 2008. In fact all the top quarterbacks in the game did not miss a game due to injury: Brady, Rodgers, Newton, Eli, Brees and Stafford. You also know guys like Brady, Rodgers and Brees are going to lead the league in passing stats every year. It’s as certain as Rex Ryan saying his Jets are going to the Super Bowl.

 


However if you drafted a Running Back in the first round you dealt with many injuries including a season ender in the beginning with Jamaal Charles. Adrian Foster missed the beginning of the season. McFadden was out more than half the season. “All Day” was out for the fantasy playoffs, Matt Forte missed much of the 2nd half and Chris Johnson(a top 5 pick) was a bust. You know Brees or Brady or Rogers and all the top guys won’t be busts. So the top 3 picks of many drafts this past year: Peterson, Foster, and Charles all missed time. Even McCoy who went #3 or #4 overall missed the last game of the season due to injury.

You can then pick a Running Back and get a good one like Frank Gore or Michael Turner. And if a bunch of people go QB#1 the the pickens will be even better for you. After the first couple rounds guys like Matt Forte who was a leading fantasy RB until he got hurt can be had. You are also more likely to pick up a great RB off of waivers like Willis McGahee or DeMarco Murray(both of whom got injured) over a great QB. So it’s time to buck the long trend of drafting a RB first and time to get guaranteed points with a much lesser chance of injury or bust.

NFL 2011 1st Quarter Awards

MVP – Aaron Rodgers - The best player right now on the best team at the most important position. Just had one of the best games a Quarterback has ever had with 400 yards, 4 tds and 2 running tds. Rodgers also does not have a strong running game to support him so the team must rely on Rodgers’ passing. Rodgers is on pace for 48 tds with 8 ints, 5300 yards which would break Marino’s record and a rating of 124.6 which would pass Manning’s 121.1 rating in 2004, and is about 13 points higher than the great Tom Brady for this season. His 73% completion percentage would also be a record surpassing Brees and Kenny Anderson of 70.6. Rodgers has passed Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers and along with Brady is considered the best Quarterback in the league.

 

Offensive Player of The Year – Tom Brady(Calvin Jonson close 2nd) – On pace for 6200 yards or more than a thousand better than Marino’s record season. If not for a 4 interception game that led to the Patriots only loss he would be in consideration for MVP but it’s Rodgers turn this year. Brady is also on pace for 52 touchdowns which would surpass his record of 50.

Rookie of The Year – Cam Newton – Quite simply the best season a rookie quarterback has ever had. He throws beautiful deep balls, runs better than just about any quarterback not named Vick and has made Carolina respectable. Newton is a game changer and typically rookie quarterbacks do not have that skill set or moxie yet. Newton is on pace for 5544 which would shatter Marino’s 1984 season. Newton has kept Carolina in games that they would have lost last season. He has also turned Wide Receiver Steve Smith who has been dormant for 2 seasons into one of the league’s best again.

Coach of The Year – Mike Munchak (Jim Harbaugh close 2nd) – A washed up veteran Quarterback that nobody wanted, an underachieving Chris Johnson who had been the focal point and the second best running back in the NFL, a great defense and a very respectable 3-1 record, tied for 1st place in the AFC South. Not to mention a new offensive scheme.

Villanova, The Next BCS School?

There are many college football teams that want nothing more than to join a BCS conference. Boise State’s domination of college football is easily the most deserved. Other teams on the outside looking in are the University of Central Florida, Eastern Carolina, University of Houston, Southern Methodist University and Central Michigan. The Big East has decided to expand their conference and just recently looked west to Texas Christian University to join their automatic qualifying status conference. Recent football powerhouse TCU is the ninth football program in the conference and the Big East is now needing one more team to make an even ten. Villanova is already a member of the Big East in basketball and now just needs to accept an invite. Their decision will come on April 12th.

Villanova University is in Radnor Township, a suburb 12 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Philadelphia is a very attractive market to the BCS, the fifth largest city in the US and has a population of 5.8 million including the suburbs. Villanova prides itself on academics first and then athletics. 96% of student athletes graduate and 92% from basketball and football. This Catholic university has 6000 undergrads, small compared to most BCS schools.

Villanova has a highly successful basketball program. They reached the Final Four in 2009 and Elite Eight in 2006. In four of the last six years the Wildcats have gone to the Sweet Sixteen. In what use to be called Division I-AA, their football team won the 2009 FCS National Championship.

The Big East has already offered the invitation and is now waiting for Villanova to accept. Villanova does lack the 15,000 seat requirement for a BCS stadium. Two possible options would be playing at Lincoln Financial Field which will swallow the team or sharing the new soccer stadium with the Philadephia Union. With so few BCS offers that become available, especially already your own basketball conference, I do not see Villanova declining this great opportunity. I don’t see how a school would turn down more revenue, more exposure and a better chance at recruitment in all sports. Certainly Villanova priding itself on academics would not make such an unwise mistake.

Not The Next Big Star

Seven athletes in seven different sports.  Something for everyone unless you live in Canada.  These are seven athletes that started fast and looked like promising careers were in store but ultimately failed to live up to the hype with injury not to blame.  You won’t see guys like Mark Prior or Greg Oden on this list since they were plagued by injuries.  Nor will you see JaMarcus Russell or Darko Milicic whom were busts from the get-go.  Conversely you’ll see these men that enjoyed early success and looked like they were going to live up to expectations but fell way short.      

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Son of The Intimidator. With legendary bloodlines and name, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed like he would be a force to be reckon with in stock car racing. Winning the Super Bowl of NASCAR three years after his father’s death in 2001, Junior looked poised to become one of the top drivers in the sport. However in 11 full years of racing, Junior has finished in the top 10 year end ranking only 3 times. For by far the most popular racer today, you would think he has a career like Jeff Gordon. But the results show otherwise. He can’t be satisfied with his success but his pocketbook is a different story.

Andy Roddick – The right place at the right time. Andy Roddick looked like a bright future for American men’s tennis. He looked to be the next #1 American to follow Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. In 2003 he won the Masters Series on hardcourt and also the US Open. Roddick had the hardest serve in the game and one of the best forehands in the game. Then along came Roger Federer and the rest was history. The following February he lost his #1 ranking and never got it back. He reached 3 finals at Wimbledon since but hasn’t come close at the French, Australian or US Open. His lone slam win was post Sampras, before Roger was Roger and Andre Agassi was on his last legs.

Freddy Adu – An American child prodigy soccer player. At the age of 14, Ghanaian born but American Citizen Freddy signed a professional contract. The year was 2004 and Adu played in his first Major League Soccer game with the DC United. Two weeks later he scored his first goal. Adu went on to play 2 MLS All Star Games and was selected captain of the Under 20 American World Cup team. Today Freddy plays for a Second Division Turkish team. He has bounced around Europe since his MLS days and has never been invited to play for a World Cup team. Not quite what was expected to be the great American footballer.

Sergio Garcia – Tiger Wood's rival. Another child prodigy that made the European Tour at the age of 16, which was the youngest ever. In 1995 Sergio won the European Amateur Championship and in 1998 won the World Amateur Championship. In just six tour starts Sergio won the Irish Open. In what was suppose to be many head to head matchups, Sergio dueled Tiger Woods in the 1999 PGA Championship and finished runner up. He then became the youngest ever Ryder Cup entry. In 2001, in Forth Worth, Texas, Garcia won his first PGA Championship. To this date Sergio has 7 PGA Tour victories and one top 5 ranking. His best results in Major Championships have been runner up in the British Open and the PGA Championship twice. He dominates in the Ryder Cup but golf is an individual sport measured on Major Championships in which he has none.

Rick Mirer – The next Joe Montana. In Notre Dame, Rick Mirer set the school record for touchdowns and was second in career total offense and passing yards. Like Montana, Mirer could also run and also finished his career winning the Cotton Bowl. Mirer was also Co-MVP of the Sugar Bowl the year before. Mirer was selected 2nd overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993. Mirer set NFL rookie records for attempts, completions and yards. He also started all 16 games, which had happened only three times since 1970. In just his rookie year, Rick was 5th in yards in the AFC. After a promising rookie year in which he showed great potential Mirer had 3 more mediocre years in Seattle. Before the 1997 draft, Mirer and a 4th round pick were traded to Chicago for a 1st rounder. He did not throw a single touchdown for Chicago that year and lost his starting job and never regained it for the rest of his career with five other teams.

Harold Miner – Failed to live up to nickname. In 1992 Harold Miner was named by Sports Illustrated as the best college basketball player, over such greats as Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner. In 1993, Baby Jordan, won the slam dunk contest and again in 1995. Miner averaged 10 points a game in his first two years but then fell to 7 points and then 3 points. After year four he was out of basketball. He had the nickname but not the game.


Ben McDonald – Greatest pitching prospect ever. 6’ 7” Ben McDonald led LSU to two College World Series and set the SEC record for strikeouts. McDonald played on LSU’s basketball team and was called the best athlete he ever coached by Dale Brown, head coach of the Tigers. He also led the 1988 US Olympic Team to gold with complete game victories over Puerto Rico and South Korea. In 1989, the All-American won the Golden Spikes Award given to the nation’s best amateur baseball player. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him #1 overall later that year. McDonald debuted against the White Sox July 21, 1990 and threw a complete game shutout. In his first game, he threw his best game. McDonald lasted seven years with the Orioles and two more with the Brewers. He never made an all-star team and had a respectable career for anyone other than what many scouts had as their highest rated pitcher ever.

NFL Head Coaches On The Hot Seat

Coaching Hot Seats with the percent chance of joining America’s unemployed. 

Tony Sparano – 95%  Miami has regressed since Steve’s first season.  A 38-7 final game assures his firing.  He was a Parcells’ guy but he’s no longer there. 

Tom Cable – 80% Al Davis fires coaches like no one else but the Raiders have improved to 8-8 and played perfectly within the division.  Although I don’t agree with firing Cable at this point I think he’s a goner. 

Eric Mangini – 75% The Browns had their typical disappointing season and Mangini was not a Holmgren guy so he’ll be looking for a job again.  After finishing strong last year they played poorly at the end of this year.

Marvin Lewis – 70%  Two playoff berth in his 8 year tenure with the Bungles.  That’s not good enough.  They did play well without the drama queens,  TO and 85, but was not able to manage those personalities well during the season.  He has a career losing record and no playoff wins.  His contract has expired.

Jeff Fisher – 50%  It’s him or Vince Young and the longtime coach from even the Oilers days has Bud Adams backing Vince Young.  A change of scenery could be good for Fisher.  Nice effort in the final game.  He'll find a job soon.

Jack Del Rio – 40% A hands off owner and Jacksonville is usually competitive.  They missed out on a chance to make the playoffs this year by losing their last 3 games.

Tom Coughlin – 20% Only 3 years removed from winning the Super Bowl.  A Super Bowl win should give you a 5 year buffer.  However it’s New York and New York is a results driven city.  The Giants were picked my many to make the playoffs.

Norv Turner – 15%  The Chargers missed the playoffs but are typically a contending team.  He is a great offensive mind and has a great relationship with Phillip Rivers.

Jason Garrett - 10% The Cowboys improved under Garrett and were without Tony Romo.  The best candidates wouldn’t want Jerry Jones to be their main personnel guy.  Jones won’t have to pay Garrett as much as other head coaches. 

Mike Shanahan – 10% The first year was a bust but there are a lot of holes in D.C.  Maybe the team can play better with a better QB since McNabb was a bad move.  Although Shanahan has handled the former Pro Bowl QB poorly.  Shanahan does have 2 Super Bowl wins under his resume.

Pete Carroll 5% – A losing season but a team without much talent.  Also just a win away from winning the division and hosting a playoff game.  Many uninspiring performances by the Seahawks could be why owner Paul Allen pulls the trigger.  He is definitely safe if he beats St Louis tonight.

Gary Kubiak - 1% Owner Bob McNair showed patience with Dom Capers and has been patient with Kubiak.  Adam Schefter from ESPN says he’ll be back but Bill Cowher is available and the Texans were the most disappointing team in the AFC.  

Ranking of the Backup Quarterbacks

1. Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia - 300 yards in first 2 games starting.  Unlike Vick needs an offensive line to succeed.
2. Bruce Gradkowski, Oakland - Wins games he shouldn't. He's better than Jason Campbell. (UPDATE-HAS BEEN NAMED THE STARTER)
3. Sage Rosenfels, NY Giants - Starter worthy on a mediocre team.
4. Kerry Collins, Tennessee - Plays better than Vince Young at times.
5. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh - Former starter with not much talent but good intangibles.
6. Mark Brunnell, NY Jets - Looked much better than Sanchez in the preseason.
7. Jon Kitna, Dallas - Veteran starter in his twilight.

8. Marc Bulger - Played well under Mike Martz but not since.
9. Billy Volek, San Diego - Good for fantasy and adequate as a backup.
10. Luke McCown, Jacksonville - Veteran journeyman.
11. Tavaris Jackson, Minnesota - Don't pay attention to that high rating he had as a starter.
12. David Carr, San Francisco - Could see the field. After all it's Alex Smith in front of him.
13. Tyler Thigpen, Miami - Played well considering how bad the Chiefs were.
14. Shaun Hill, Detroit - Former starter of the 49ers without any talent to work with.
15. Brodie Croyle, Kansas City - Had his chance and blew it.
16. Chris Redman, Atlanta - Brief success as a starter.
17. Matt Moore, Carolina - Lost his job in only 2 games after looking promising last year.
18. Seneca Wallace, Cleveland - The ultimate backup QB.
19. AJ Feely, St Louis - Nice relief in Philly but awful as a starter in Miami.
20. Charlie Whitehurst, Seattle - Pete Carroll is the only one that believes in him.

21. Trent Edwards, Buffalo - Musical chairs with him and Ryan Fitzpatrick
22. Rex Grossman, Washington - Didn't lead the Bears to a Super Bowl but was the QB.
23. Chase Daniel, New Orleans - Crazy stats at Missouri but has not thrown a single pass in the NFL.
24. Tim Tebow, Denver - Young, raw and unpredictable.
25. Max Hall,  Arizona - The future of Arizona.  Should see the field with Derek Anderson's play.
26. Brian Hoyer, New England - Possible diamond in the rough. It's the Patriots.
27. Matt Flynn, Green Bay - Very few opportunities and hasn't looked good in them.
28. Dan Orlovsky, Houston - Didn't do much with the Lions but who can?
29. Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay - Had fumbling issues during his brief stint.
30. Caleb Hanie,  Chicago - Has only thrown 7 passes in his career, 1 was an INT.
31. Jordan Palmer,  Cincinnati - Not close to his brother.
32. Curtis Painter, Indianapolis - Big trouble if Manning goes down.