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The 2023 baseball season will see pitch clocks, larger bases, a restriction on infield shifts, and let’s not forget, a new schedule format in which every team will play every other team for the first time in history. That’s a lot, but why stop there? Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to expand to 32 teams,  but questions remain on when this will happen, and which cities would be awarded expansion franchises.

The “when” part is simultaneously clear and undefined. Manfred has stated that though he wants to expand in the near future, he will not green-light the idea until the situations are determined in Tampa Bay and Oakland. Both of these teams want new ballparks, and both are in the in the middle of negotiations with their current cities, having threatened to relocate if their demands are not met. It’s understandable that the fates of the As and Rays have to be scored out first, as they may move to potential expansion cities. However, Manfred is growing impatient waiting for decisions, as are Major League Baseball owners.

It is estimated that MLB will net over $2 billion per expansion franchise (from CBS Sports). Rough math would show that $4 billion divided among 30 teams would result in a payday of $133 million per team. That’s more than the 2022 payroll of 12 teams, according to SportTrac. It would be interesting to see if team payrolls went up after expansion, but that’s an entirely different story. There would be inter-league play every day. Expansion would also create 52 more MLB roster positions, something the Major League Baseball Players’ Association would welcome (from the CBS Sports article cited). They finally agree on something!

If MLB were to expand, which cities are being considered? In an article by Chris Branch recently published in The Athletic, the author reviewed a couple of the top candidates for an expansion franchise.

Portland

A group called the Portland Diamond Project is actively campaigning for a team. They have picked out a spot by the Willamette River for a 32,000-seat stadium. The area would be built into a bustling area with restaurants and bars. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, and his wife, singer Ciara, are providing their celebrity statuses to the cause of bringing baseball to Portland. How would the fans respond? From the Athletic article:

If those behind PDP had harbored any initial concerns about fan interest — they swear they didn’t — those abated when the project went public, and vanished once Wilson and Ciara were on board. “It wasn’t mission accomplished,” Barrett (Mike Barrett, former Portland Trailblazers’ broadcaster) said, “but, to a certain degree, getting on the map was. Everybody knew us by then.” Barrett and Cheek got emails from strangers asking if they could put down season ticket deposits.

Portland would be geographic rivals with the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants. A team there would likely have to pull fans from those two franchises, but another team on the west coast would make for a few more games in the Pacific time zone for fans in the area.

Nashville

The Braves would have a geographic rival if MLB were to expand to the country music capital of Nashville, Tenn. A group led by former MLB pitcher Dave Stewart is championing the cause for a new team in Music City. Stewart is trying to encourage investors to get behind what would be the Nashville Stars. From The Athletic article:

The Stars derives its name from the Negro Leagues franchise. The group partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and invited the museum’s president, Bob Kendrick, to join its board. The group aims to market the brand across the city while forging relationships in the community. The Stars already sell merchandise. There is a social media arm and a regular newsletter. Music City Baseball introduced Don Mattingly as a member of the group’s advisory board that already includes Tony La Russa.

For some reason, it feels like MLB will go to Nashville, either as a relocation or expansion. It would be a great tribute to the Negro Leagues, and visiting that city would give fans so much to do outside of attending games.

Montreal

Does it make sense to go back to a city where MLB did not succeed in the fairly recent past (the Expos left after the 2004 season)? The residents of Montreal (and the province of Quebec) seem to think so. In an article in The Athletic by Stephen Nesbitt, the author cites the following:

A study determined The Project was plausible; Montreal could be a baseball city again. 69 percent of Quebecers and 81 percent of business owners surveyed supported MLB’s return. To do so, the study concluded, would require $1.025 billion in government and private funding, a strong ownership group, a 36,000-seat ballpark constructed within two kilometers of downtown, and a spot in the American League East for regional rivalries and a better media rights deal.

Interestingly, Stephen Bronfman is heavily involved in the push to bring baseball back to Montreal. Stephen Bronfman is the son of Charles Bronfman, who owned the Expos. MLB floated the (silly) idea of the Rays splitting their schedule between Tampa and Montreal. While Montreal was in favor, the idea ultimately failed.

“The people really love baseball,” former Expos pitcher Dennis Martínez told The Athletic in 2019. “Montreal knew baseball, and baseball knew Montreal.” This quote is from Nesbitt’s article. Perhaps there’s a bit of romanticizing in retrospect going here. The Expos did not draw very well, with the exceptions of their 1981 and 1994 seasons. Their last game in Montreal drew over 31,000 fans, but the night before drew just over 5,000.

There is a rich history of talented players in Montreal, with players such as Gary Carter, Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Rusty Staub, and Warren Cromartie having donned the red, white, and blue. Jackie Robinson also played there when Montreal was a minor league city. There would be a natural rivalry with the Toronto Blue Jays, and fans from New York and Boston could easily make the trip north to see their clubs on the road. While it may be nice to give it another go in Montreal, it remains to be seen if MLB would want to go back there with other options available.

Las Vegas & Charlotte

Other cities are also in play for teams. One would be Las Vegas, which has been long-rumored to be the next home of the Athletics if the city of Oakland does not agree to help fund a new stadium. Las Vegas has the Aviators, a minor league team, and will host major league spring training games in March. The city has NHL and NFL teams, and will host the 2024 Super Bowl. The sports world has become comfortable with teams being located in the gambling capital of the country.

Charlotte is another city with aspirations for a big league team. Its proximity to Atlanta would set up a natural rivalry, and North Carolina has many minor league teams that have done well over the years. The closeness to Atlanta, and the Braves’ nearby minor league affiliates, may create san allegiance issue, which may impact initial uptake of the franchise.

Baseball will expand. There is too much money available for it not to happen. The new schedule format was probably implemented to prepare for a new world where all teams play each other every season. After expansion, what’s next? Geographic divisions? Imagine the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies in one of four divisions in a league (what would that league be called?).

Baseball, after being fairly stagnant for 50 years, is going to be evolving much more rapidly. Buckle up, the times have changed.

The post MLB Wants To Expand; Candidate Cities Identified appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

It’s that time of the year again so here’s my Official Unofficial Hall of Fame Ballot for the Class of 2017. This year’s ballot wasn’t as cut and dry as you might think. There were a few players I left off simply because of the 10 man limitation, and while I’m not one of those guys who takes issue with PEDs, I do have issues with those who lie repeatedly about not using and act like douches. Still baseball is a numbers game. Anyway, without further ado, here’s my ballot:

1. Vladimir Guerrero: The first player that jumps out at me is Vladimir Guerrero, one of the most lethal sluggers of his era. From 1998 through 2010, Vlad won just one single MVP award, but he was in the conversation in everyone of those years. He walloped 449 homers in his career with a 140 OPS+ and never struck out 100 times in a season. Nine All Star selections and eight Silver Sluggers make him a no-brainer.

2. Jeff Bagwell: He has 1,500+ runs, 1,500+ RBI, 1,400 walks, a career .408 OBP and a 149 OPS+ so what’s the problem? Should have already been voted in, but got screwed by the immoral moral majority contingent in the BBWAA.

3. Ivan Rodriguez: The best defensive catcher I ever saw and it wasn’t just the 13 Gold Gloves that make Pudge so deserving. When you consider the 2,844 hits, 572 doubles, 311 homers, and seven Silver Sluggers, Pudge was the complete package behind the plate.

4. Edgar Martinez: Yes I get the whole DH thing, but I’m sorry, I can’t ignore a career .312/.418/.515 slash line and a 147 OPS+. He should have won an MVP in 1995 when he led the league with a .356 batting average, .479 OBP and 185 OPS+ while collecting 52 doubles, 29 homers and a league leading 121 runs scored.

5.  Barry Bonds: I’m burying the hatchet with this guy. He’s a big time douche bag but he’s also the best all-around talent I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. 232 walks including 120 intentional passes in one season, are you freaking shitting me? Bonds had his HOF resume carved out before he even started doping… You know all the gaudy numbers.

6. Jeff Kent: I know that many will disagree, but here we have a player who has eclipsed over a half dozen all-time marks for second basemen while playing in the vast expanses of Shea Stadium, AT&T Park and Dodger Stadium. You have everybody wanting Larry Walker ushered into the head of the class and yet Kent has over 200 more RBI and 300 more hits while playing a middle infield position. Would love to have seen what numbers Kent could have produced playing 10 years in Coors Field.

7.  Billy Wagner: Sorry, but Lee Smith and Trevor Hoffman were not better closers than Billy Wagner, I don’t care how many more saves they have. You could put those two in eventually, but Wagner has to go in first based on pure dominance and sheer shutdown stuff. With a career 2.31 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, and 187 ERA+ few pitchers not named Mariano can touch Wagner.

8. Roger Clemens: Sorry Mets fans, but just like Barry Bonds, Clemens had his HOF ticket punched long before he started doping. Among his many incredible accomplishments, The Rocket struck out 20 batters in a game twice, led the league in ERA seven times, won 354 games, and of course seven Cy Young Awards.

9. Mike Mussina: This one is my sentimental pick. That .638 winning percentage says more about Mussina than anything else. Forget the high-ish 3.68 ERA, you try pitching 18 years in the AL East.

10. Manny Ramirez: Come on, he batted .300 11 times, amassed a whopping 1,831 RBI in his career including 165 in 1999, and he owns a .996 OPS, 154 OPS+ and oh those 555 home runs. And lets admit it… Manny Being Manny was kind of fun wasn’t it? He was also a force in the postseason.

Honorable Mentions

I wish I had room for Tim Raines, but I couldn’t convince myself that he was more deserving than the players I went with. Larry Walker is a Hall of Famer but he can wait another year. And Curt Schilling was such an appalling ass this year, he can wait until 2018 too.

Let me know what you guys think.

The post Vladimir Guerrero Heads My Official “Unofficial” HOF Ballot appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

I had intended to publicize my Official Hall of Fame ballot before Christmas, but some health issues prevented me from proceeding as planned. So here it is, without further adieu, the nine players I submitted for the Class of 2016.

1. Ken Griffey Jr. – One of the greatest players of all time and a great ambassador for the game. Staggering offensive numbers despite missing four seasons worth of games due to injuries. If healthy, he would have broken Aaron’s HR mark cleanly.

2. Trevor Hoffman – An amazing 601 saves. Put Hoffman on all those great Yankee teams and they still win all those games. When he entered a game to “Hell’s Bells” it was a spectacle.

3. Mike Piazza – It’s sad that he wasn’t a first ballot guy because some colleagues bought into unfounded rumors and accusations. One of the game’s greatest offensive catchers along with Bench and Berra who almost always delivered in the clutch.

4. Jeff Bagwell – Another no-doubt Hall of Famer who like Piazza has been victimized by suspicion. One of the most dominating first basemen in his era and for a time one of the most feared sluggers in the National League.

5. Lee Smith – He was a personal favorite of mine. I still fail to understand the criticism of people who say he’s a compiler of stats. He was a dominant closer and nearly missed winning three Cy Young awards.

6. Mike Mussina – Very underrated pitcher who won 270 games despite only winning 20 games once – in his final season in 2008. Talk about going out on top. A .638 winning percentage and a career 1.191 WHIP to go with seven Gold Gloves.

7. Edgar Martinez – Some penalize him because he was a DH, but 500+ doubles, 300+ homers, 1,200_ walks, 1,200+ RBI and a career .312/.418/.515 slash should make him a no-brainer for inclusion.

8. Fred McGriff – Just shy of 500 home runs and over 1,500 RBI back when it was still a rare feat. Nine seasons of over 140 OPS+ production and a .917 OPS in postseason play.

9. Tim Raines – One of the best leadoff hitters of all time. The Rock retired with a .385 OBP, 808 stolen bases and 1,571 runs scored.

There you go, I look forward to your comments. Read more of my writing at New York Mets Report.

The post Griffey, Piazza, Bagwell Headline My Official Hall of Fame Ballot appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

I just returned from the post office where I dropped off my Hall of Fame ballot. It’s a ritual for me that on Dec. 31 every year I’ll fill out my ballot. I like holding on to it, read all I can about the players on the ballot, talk to those in the game and also to other voters.

Like most kids I grew up with, and I imagine like most of you, I grew up a baseball junkie. I even logged on to check the box score from the first game I went to, July 19, 1965, in Cleveland, where the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles. Chuck Hinton homered for the Indians. Rocky Colavito got a couple of hits.

I think back to watching the Indians with the father, to playing catch with my brother, to Little League, and from there, I get to vote for the Hall of Fame.

It is a privilege, which is why it pisses me off no end when I hear of my colleagues selling their vote to Deadspin, to leaving ballots blank, to not returning them, to not even caring whom they vote for. Shameful in my point of view.

I am sure there will be many who disagree with my ballot. I voted for the ten players I was allowed, and have some regret for those I might have omitted. I have no regrets for those I checked.

Jeff Bagwell: To my knowledge he’s like Mike Piazza. He’s never failed a drug test. He was never linked or accused in the Mitchell Report. Nobody on the record has ever charged him or testified to seeing him use PEDs.

Craig Biggio: Three thousand hits. Enough said. I read where one veteran voter accused Biggio of using PEDs, but offered no proof or time-frame.

Tom Glavine: Some say they’ll keep Glavine off and vote Greg Maddux ahead of him. Absurd. Three hundred wins is an automatic ticket punch for me. Glavine and Maddux should go in together.

Greg Maddux: A no-brainer.

Edgar Martinez: I know I’ll take heat for this, but I don’t mind. I didn’t invent the designated hitter position. And, as long as MLB plays with the DH, I don’t see why a player has to have his position work against him. Sure, Martinez played most of his games as the DH, but that is a legitimate position. How many of the numbers belonging to Paul Molitor, George Brett, Carl Yastrzemski and Eddie Murray were accumulated at a DH?

Jack Morris: He’s been on the ballot for years and don’t understand the reluctance of some voters to shy away from him. Morris was a money pitcher who fell shy of 300 wins. The game has changed and eventually you’ll see the bar lowered to accommodate those who just missed 300 wins.

Mike Mussina: He’s another who fell shy of 300 wins. If he hung on he could have made it. When you consider his body of work, he’s two blown saves a year from 300, which shouldn’t be enough to keep him out. I covered Mussina in Baltimore and with the Yankees, and have no doubts he did it cleanly.

Mike Piazza: If he gets the votes, he’ll likely go in as a Dodger. He’s on my ballot for the same reason as Jeff Bagwell. I don’t see where the accusations of several Holier than Thou writers who based their thinking on seeing several pimples on his back as being substantial.

Tim Raines: Along with Rickey Henderson and Lou Brock – both in the Hall of Fame – he’s one of the game’s premier leadoff hitters. Had he played the bulk of his career in the United States, especially New York or Los Angeles, he’d have been in already.

Frank Thomas: One of the outspoken critics of the PED era. He compiled massive numbers, and he did it cleanly.

Maybe next time:

The regrets on my ballot are Fred McGriff, who fell shy of 500 homers and Jeff Kent, the career leader of homers by a second baseman.

I never thought of Kent as a first ballot Hall of Famer, but several people have planted the seed for him. Maybe next year.

Mets on the ballot:

Mike Piazza: Voted for him.

Jeff Kent,: Maybe next year.

Moises Alou: Funny, when I think of him what I remember most is him pointing at Steve Bartman.

Paul Lo Duca: You must be joking.

Armando Benitez: His signature moment with the Mets was a 10-pitch at-bat in which he walked Paul O’Neill in the 2000 World Series. There’s also numerous blown save opportunities against the Braves.

Kenny Rogers: How about that bases-loaded walk against the Braves in the playoffs?

I wish all of the readers on MMO a very Happy New Year.

The post My Hall Of Fame Ballot: Mike Piazza and the Other Nine appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

While he was not a Met, he was a fierce competitor of the Mets that I’ve been in favor of his enshrinement ever since he was first eligible in 2008.

His name is Tim Raines.

He’s on the ballot this year for the 7th time. Last year he managed to achieve 52% of the vote and he may eventually get there. However, will the crowded field hurt his chances and the momentum he’s gained the last few years?

Raines played 23 seasons in the majors. While he spent the last several years of his career as a role player and after 1993, he was not the same player that in my opinion made him a Hall of Famer, he did have a dominant 10 year stretch where he was one of the most feared players in the game.

He wasn’t a slugger, but he was the player you didn’t want to beat you. He played his best seasons in Montreal, so most of his greatness wasn’t in the spotlight. He also was overshadowed by Rickey Henderson. Raines game was speed. He got on base and he ran. He did it better than almost anybody else. He was Rickey Henderson in the National League.

During his 10 year stretch as a full time player in Montreal from 1981-1990 (1981 being a strike shortened year), he stole 627 bases, had 1,597 hits, scored 926 runs, had 81 triples, and had 769 walks. During this 10 year stretch in Montreal, he hit .302 and had an OBP of .391.

He was a dangerous player. By the time he left Montreal, he was a Hall of Fame player, and had already put in the 10 years needed for the Hall. Maybe he wasn’t in the Big Room, but he was in the hall. For that 10 year stretch, he wasn’t a compiler – he was someone you were scared of. Mets fans know that well.

Before that 10 year stretch, he had cups of coffee in two other seasons with the Expos and played for an additional 9 years with the White Sox, Yankees, A’s, Orioles, Expos, and Marlins. He had a few productive years as a full time player with the White Sox – in his 5 full seasons with the Sox, he scored 100 runs twice, hit .300 once, and had two seasons with over 80 walks. He stole 51 bases in 1991 and 1992 (which were the two seasons he walked over 80 times). His .306 season occured in 1993 at the age of 33, but saw his stolen base production drop to 21 and he was never the same player after that. He aged after that the way players naturally do. His last season as a full time player came in 1995 with the White Sox where he hit .285 and stole just 13 bases.

By the time he started to play in big media markets, Tim Raines was already a player on the decline. He began to diminish in Chicago and he was only a role player by the time he came to the Yankees. He played well in his 3 seasons in New York, batting .299 with a .398 OBP in part time duty, but by then, he was far removed from his Hall of Fame level.

Had Raines retired earlier, he would probably be in the Hall by now. He stuck around long after his prime as a good, but not great, role player which may have watered down memories of how great he was in his prime. The cocaine usage also may not have helped him either.

Tim Raines deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

The post Talkin’ Baseball: Tim Raines Should Be In The Hall of Fame appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

But in the midst of this we have one bright spot… A young and very talented pitcher that we are pinning our hopes on. He will become the ace of our staff. He will become our new Tom Seaver.

My question is this: Am I referring to the 2013 Mets or the Mets of the late seventies? Am I talking about Matt Harvey or Craig Swan?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Craig Steven Swan was born in California (just like Seaver) on November 30, 1950. He was the Mets third round pick in the 1972 draft. After Swannie pitched in the ’72 College World Series and allowed just one earned run in 18.0 innings pitched, fans saw a dynasty coming. A guy like this would be joining Seaver, Koosman and Matlack. Wow!

From 73 through 75, Swan battled inconsistency. He was regularly shuffled back and forth between New York and Tidewater – the Mets AAA affiliate at the time. By 1976, however, Swan became our number five starter behind our Big Three and Mickey Lolich. He was finally here to stay.

However, his inconsistency rattled the nerves of fans. His first four starts were downright awful. Then, over his next three, he allowed just one earned run and 13 hits in 26 innings. The Mets won 86 games that season and Swan went 6-9 with a respectable 3.54 ERA.

In 1977, M. Donald Grant traded away “The Franchise” and ripped out the hearts of Mets fans. Losses went up, attendance went down. The Mets finished in last place, 37 games back. Our 98 losses were the most in a decade. Swan finished with a 9-10 record and posted a disappointing 4.23 ERA. However, his nine victories were more than both Koosman and Matlack that season.

By 1978, the Mets had sunk to new lows and were downright terrible. And although we still had Kooz, it was becoming clear that #36 was disgruntled and wanted to get the hell out of New York. Craig Swan assumed the role of de-facto ace. He was a good pitcher on a bad team. (Matt Harvey anyone?)

Swan’s first start of the year was a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits. On July 4^th, 1978, the Mets’ brightest star fanned 13 but took a 3-2 loss. He dropped to 1-5, yet his ERA was a Seaver-esque 2.66. On September 16^th, in spite of allowing just three hits and one earned run over none innings, the Mets’ bats were quiet as usual. Swan failed to secure the “W.”

When the curtain came down on the 78 season, Craig Swan led the National League with a 2.43 ERA had the league’s second best WHIP. At Shea his ERA was 1.67. His record, however, was 9-6. Good pitcher. Bad team. On a good team, with stats like these, Swan would have probably been a 20 game winner.

By 79, Koosman was now gone and Swan found himself the Mets ace. He made 35 starts, tossed 251 innings, racked up ten complete games – three of them shutouts. His 3.29 ERA was led the team and remarkably his 11 wins were more than any two other Mets combined.

Perhaps he really was our new Seaver as the young righthander was now our lone beacon of hope. Management forked over $3.25 million for five years and made Craig the highest paid pitcher in team history.

He was well worth it and 1980 saw Swan yet again pitch masterfully. Although the Mets were still awful and providing him with no run support, Swan was 5-4 with a superb 2.21 ERA through mid-June.

And then, just like that, he fell apart.

His velocity dropped and suddenly his command became uncharacteristically erratic. He couldn’t get anyone out. One month later it was determined that the Mets ace had torn his rotator cuff. Back then, surgery was not yet an option as it is today, and it appeared that Swan’s career was most likely at an end. But Swan did what most pitchers at that time did; he rested. After a month off he returned to make two more terrible starts before we landed back on the DL and was lost for the season.

In spite of the torn rotator, Swan was back on the mound the following April. In his second start of the season, he walked leadoff man Tim Raines on four pitches. On his fifth pitch, also a ball, Raines broke for second base and Mets catcher Ron Hodges attempted to nail the speedy Raines. However, Swan had his back to the plate and Hodges’ throw slammed right into Swan’s back resulting in a fractured rib. A Metsian moment to be sure.

Swan returned to the DL yet again. He was now dealing with the fractured rib as well as coming back from the torn rotator cuff. He made two ineffective relief appearances later that spring… And then the baseball strike of 1981 happened. Swan came back after the strike, continued struggling and spent the remainder of the season on the DL. The Mets ace, the highest paid pitcher on our staff, tossed 13.2 innings that season.

By 1982, we were beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. The long dark days appeared to be coming to an end as a couple of kids named Mookie Wilson and Hubie Brooks brought some excitement back to Shea. We were also hearing great things about a couple prospects in the minors named Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. Lo and behold the Mets, now under new ownership and a new GM, acquired RBI machine and a legitimate home run threat – former MVP George Foster.

And in the middle of all this, Craig Swan bounced back big time. Although the Mets still struggled, going 65-97, Swan again found himself the ace on a bad team. He was the Mets leader in ERA (3.35) and wins (11). and was the only starter to post a winning record. For his efforts he finished second to Joe Morgan for NL Comeback Player of the Year. Swan was also used out of the bullpen that season and compiled a solid 1.30 ERA working out of the pen.

It was during Spring Training in 1983 when the 32-year old Swan felt “something pop.” His myo-fascial tissue had been ripped from his triceps. He again attempted to pitch through this new injury. The battler and bulldog that he was, realized he was.the ace and that his team needed him. However, it was to no avail as he went 2-8 with a 5.51 ERA, and ultimately he was shut down again.

It was a devastating blow, but fans were distracted because the Mets acquired a new pitcher – Tom Seaver was back in a Mets uniform and Swan’s career-ending injury was just a mere footnote. Swan was overshadowed by the very man he was supposed to become.

By 1984, the Mets seemed poised to compete. There was something different in the air. Hope? Promise? Craig Swan who spent years being a very good pitcher mired on a very bad team would finally get to be on a competitor. However, it was not meant to be.

It was obvious the injuries had finally taken taken a toll and gotten the better of him. In 18.2 IP he allowed 17 ER and five home runs. The Mets ace, the man who was destined to replace Seaver, the man who landed that record $3.25 million contract, was sadly released on May 7, 1984.

He was picked up by the Angels but after getting knocked around twice, they released him as well. The promising kid from California who was going to lead the Mets to glory, was now out of Major League Baseball at the age of 33.

After spending his career dealing with and learning about injuries, Craig Swan became a huge believer and follower of Rolfing. It’s described as a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation that organizes the whole body in gravity. He currently lives in Stamford, CT where he operates a physical therapy facility that specializes in Rolfing.

On September 28, 2008, the Mets brought down the curtain on Shea Stadium after 45 seasons. A handful of former Mets were invited to be on hand and 57 year old Craig Swan was one of them. As he scanned the stadium and glanced at the same pitching mound where he once was the ace of the Mets, who did he see? Tom Seaver, on the rubber, throwing the ceremonial “Final Pitch” to another beloved Met, Mike Piazza. Craig Swan was once again in Seaver’s shadow.

Days later, Swan was at work at his Rolfing practice in Connecticut when he looked up to see none other than his good friend and former teammate walk in. It was Tom Seaver. The Hall of Famer had spent fourteen days in traction in nearby Greenwich and was still in pain. His back was messed up and he seeked out Swan of all people for help. Craig explained to Tom the theory behind Rolfing and how it works. It was now Swan doing the teaching. He educated his former teammate on how to “soften” his toes while walking and how this would help to alleviate his back pain.

Seaver jokingly asked, “Swannie, how am I supposed to see what my toes are doing? They’re inside my shoes.”

Craig Swan smiled, affectionately put his arm around his friend and replied, “You’ve got three Cy Young Awards. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

The post Great Expectations and a Met Prospect’s Swan Song appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Tonight, December 31, is the deadline for all eligible BBWAA voters to submit their Hall of Fame ballots.

My own ballot has already been cast and I voted for Mike Piazza, Craig Biggio, Edgar Martinez, Jeff Bagwell, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, Don Mattingly and Tim Raines.

I know many Met fans will anxiously await the outcome of the vote with the earnest hope that Mike Piazza gets in as first ballot Hall of Famer.

Remember, a candidate must appear on 75 percent of the ballots in order to get elected.

I’m pulling for Piazza too.

We’ll all know the results in less than two weeks when the Class of 2013 for the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be announced on January 9.

Good luck, Mike.

Original Post 12/21

I am at my desk holding the official BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot. It is my reward turned responsibility for covering Major League Baseball for over 20 years.

That’s close to 2,500 games, many spent watching Mike Piazza dominate his position like no other catcher with 396 homers (427 overall). That dwarfs Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey and Mickey Cochrane, all who played before steroids became part baseball’s lexicon.

I vowed not to vote for a player officially linked to steroids, whether by admission, a failed drug test, accused on the record by another player or baseball official, or mentioned in the Mitchell Report.

That meant Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro or Roger Clemens – all on this year’s ballot – won’t get in by me.

Then there is Mike Piazza.

Piazza hasn’t been linked to performance enhancing drugs in any capacity with the exception of innuendo from writers who deemed that an acne-spotted back was as reliable as a blood test. If acne were the sole criteria, then most every teenager in this country would be suspected of being on the juice.

Like the gay rumors, it is unfair, unjust and irresponsible reporting. Yes, Piazza starred in baseball’s checkered steroid era, but I see him as a victim of circumstance, of guilt by association, of being painted with a broad brush.

Supposedly, Piazza confessed to an unnamed reporter. Unnamed reporters, like unnamed sources, raise suspicion and should be questioned with skepticism. It is why I put my name on everything I write.

If a reporter had that story, it would be a goldmine. If so, where is it written? Piazza has denied on the record any usage, and based by his name being absent on any official list, I believe him.

Despite his no-show before Congress, McGwire came clean; Palmeiro failed a test and was suspended; BALCO star Bonds admitted to using the clear and the cream but claimed he didn’t know what it was; Sosa has been blamed on the record and used corked bats twice; and Clemens’ former trainer produced physical evidence with his DNA.

I’m not buying the court decision on Clemens, as the government couldn’t get a conviction with a signed admission. Andy Pettitte’s most significant change-up of his career is what probably allowed Clemens to get off.

Then, there is Piazza who might be denied based on one newspaper account citing back acne. That reasoning is as pockmarked as Piazza’s back at the time.

Voting against Piazza is a writer’s right, but it can’t be based on his .308 career average, .377 on-base percentage, .545 slugging percentage, .922 OPS, 427 homers and 1,113 RBI, numbers that are off the charts in comparison to other catchers.

In case that’s not impressive enough, there are 12 All-Star appearances, 10 Silver Slugger Awards emblematic as the dominant offensive player at his position (and most ever by a catcher), and seven times finished in the top ten on the MVP ballot.

Piazza will get my vote, as will Craig Biggio, Edgar Martinez, Jeff Bagwell, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, Don Mattingly and Tim Raines.

Piazza’s numbers are what the writers should be counting, not back pimples or whispers from those too gutless to put their names on the record.

Voting against Piazza is a writer’s right, but not the responsible choice. A journalist’s obligation is to be objective, fair and honest. Voting against Piazza on the strength of a rumor is none of those things.

It’s irresponsible and disgraceful.

John Delcos is a lifetime member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and has covered Major League Baseball for over 20 years. He has voted for the Hall of Fame for over a decade. You can read more of his insights at NewYorkMetsReport.com or reach him at JDelcos@yahoo.com.

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2B Roberto Alomar – An all-around threat in a 17-season career that included World Series championship years with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and ’93. Alomar won 10 Gold Glove Awards for fielding and was a career .300 hitter with 2,724 hits, combining power (210 home runs) and speed (474 stolen bases). Alomar, part of a major-league family (father Sandy and brother Sandy Jr.), was the MVP of the American League Championship Series in 1992 and the All-Star Game in 1998.

SS Barry Larkin – The National League MVP in 1995, spent his 19-season career with the Cincinnati Reds and won a World Series ring in 1990. A .295 hitter with 2,340 hits, including 198 home runs, Larkin won three Gold Gloves and was named to 12 All-Star teams.

1B Fred McGriff – Led the AL in home runs in 1989 for Toronto and the NL in 1992 for San Diego and finished with a career total of 493, tied with Lou Gehrig for 26th place all-time. McGriff, a .284 career hitter with 2,490 hits and 1,550 RBI, was the All-Star Game MVP in 1994 and batted .303 with 37 RBI in 50 post-season games winning a ring with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.

DH Edgar Martinez – For whom the AL Designated Hitter Award is now named, won batting titles in 1992 and 1995 with the Seattle Mariners, his only club over 18 seasons. Martinez compiled a career .312 average with 2,247 hits, 309 home runs among them. He drove in 1,261 runs and scored 1,219.

Other freshmen include pitchers Pat Hentgen, Kevin Appier, Mike Jackson and Shane Reynolds, and hitters Andres Galarraga, Todd Zeile, David Segui, Robin Ventura, Ellis Burks and Ray Lankford.

Players who carried over from last year’s ballot include pitchers Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris and Lee Smith, plus hitters Andre Dawson, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Alan Trammell and Harold Baines.

Candidates may remain under consideration for up to 15 years provided they are named on at least five percent of the ballots cast.

According to the rules, those eligible to cast a ballot can vote for as many as ten players on one ballot. A player who who receives a vote on 75% of all ballots cast gains election to Cooperstown.

I read an interesting column by Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, who has decided to soften his stance and vote for Mark McGwire. I always felt that eventually McGwire would get in anyway, and I wonder if it could happen in 2010?

If I were one of those lucky enough to vote, my ballot would look like this.

1. Andre Dawson
2. Roberto Alomar
3. Barry Larkin
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Tim Raines

Just Missed – Bert Blyleven, Mark McGwire, Alan Trammell and Fred McGriff

Your thoughts?

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Here you go…

My Ultimate Fathers Day Team

C – Yogi Berra
1B – Tony Perez
2B – Pete Rose
3B – Buddy Bell
SS – Maury Wills
LF – Tim Raines
CF – Gary Mathews
RF – Bobby Bonds
DH – Cecil Fielder

C – Sandy Alomar
IF – Ray Boone
IF – Eddie Collins
IF – Dolph Camili
OF – Ken Griffey
OF – Hal McRae

SP – Ed Walsh
SP – Dizzy Trout
SP – Joe Niekro
SP – Mel Stottlemyre
SP – Jim Bagby

RP – Mike Bacsik
RP – Joe Wood
RP – Bill Kunkel
SU – Dave LaRoche
CL – Pedro Borbon

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there!

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