With Derek Jeter’s retirement, the 2015 season will begin without an active 3000 Hit man. But, that should change soon, likely with an unusual confluence of such hitters.

More after the jump.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the 82nd round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG).  This round adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1970. Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading →

It was a close race between two players who had just joined the holdover list, Luke Appling and Bill Dickey. In the end it was Dickey who prevailed by a single vote, winning induction as the 81st member of the High Heat Stats Circle of Greats. More on Bill and the voting after the jump Continue reading →

The Giants have operated continuously since their NL debut as the New York Gothams in 1883. The Giant nickname was adopted two seasons later and was preserved after the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958.

The Giants are the sixth of the original NL clubs in our Mount Rushmore series. Your task is to choose the four players who best represent this franchise. Have fun!

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Two of this year’s HOF picks figure in this quiz, as does an active pitcher who, perhaps surprisingly, is still looking for a place to play next season.

What seasonal pitching accomplishment has been recorded by only these live ball era pitchers?

Congratulations to Richard Chester, Joseph and mosc who teamed up to identify that only these pitchers have consecutive 200 IP seasons since 1920 with a .750 winning percentage and a 125 ERA+. Red Ruffing may be the most surprising name on the list given that he also had consecutive seasons with 30 decisions and a winning percentage under .300 (the only pitcher with two such campaigns, consecutive or otherwise). More after the jump.

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Shoutout to Bill James for the title, a man without whom this piece (and site) would never have existed.

Anyway, let’s get into it. Last two elections, I’ve come here to offer predictions, put forth compelling(?) arguments and complain about the BBWAA. To be honest, I’m tired. Tired of refreshing Baseball Think Factory’s Ballot Collecting Gizmo. Tired of getting worked up about writers leaving open space on their ballots. Mostly, I’m tired of the “whispers” about several players on the ballot when it comes to alleged PED usage.

Why, then, do I allow myself every year to focus so much time and energy into the Hall of Fame ballot? As much as I may wish I did, I don’t have the clout to change anyone with a vote’s mind. Individual players will likely never know of my love for their on-field performance and support for their candidacies.

I do it simply because I love the game.

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If as expected Pedro Martinez will have enough votes for induction into the Hall of Fame when the current election’s results are announced Tuesday, he will be, when this summer’s ceremony in Cooperstown rolls around in July, one of the youngest pitchers ever to be included in an induction group. The five youngest pitchers inducted up to now are listed after the jump. Continue reading →

From 1904 through 1960 (AL) and 1961 (NL) the standard major league regular season schedule was 154 games long. Since 1961 (AL) and 1962 (NL) that standard schedule has been 162 games. The difference resulted in a stir (created in part by then-Commissioner Ford Frick) when Roger Maris took more than 154 games to tie and break Babe Ruth’s season home run record in 1961. The so-called Maris “asterisk” story is very old news and I have nothing to add to the tale itself. What I was curious to see, however, purely as a matter of statistical amusement, was what effect a restriction to the first 154 games of each season would have on the career home run numbers of Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. The answer, which I found even more amusing than I expected, is after the jump. Continue reading →

For a quick holiday diversion, consider what distinguishes these players from among all others who played their entire careers since 1901.

Congratulations to John Autin! He correctly solved this New Year’s puzzle by identifying these players as non-pitchers born on New Year’s Day (early) who compiled more strikeouts than walks (eager) over their careers. To limit the list, those careers must have been of at least 100 games since 1901.