mikelink45

That is ridiculous - but the idea of a unanimous vote was not as big a deal then as it is now. When you see Mays and Aaron not getting a unanimous vote it helps us realize the flaws in the Hall of Fame system.

I have to add these numbers from todays Minneapolis Tribune - HANK AARON BY THE NUMBERS 755 The number most associated with Hank Aaron: His career home runs. He memorably broke Babe Ruth’s record with his 715th home run on April 8, 1974, in Atlanta off the Dodgers’ Al Downing. 47 The most homers Aaron ever hit in a single season, 1971; he hit at least 40 homers seven times but never reached 50. 3,771 Career hits; take away his home runs and he still has 3,016 hits. He has the more hits batting righthanded than anyone else in major league history. The only players with more hits are Pete Rose (4,256) and Ty Cobb (4,19). 1,477 Career extra-base hits, tops in major league history. Aaron hit 624 doubles and 98 triples in addition to his home runs. 6,856 Total bases — and no one else in major league history comes close. Stan Musial is No. 2 with 6,134. .305 Career batting average; Aaron won NL batting titles in 1956 (hitting .328) and 1959 (.355). 2,297 Career RBI, still the most of any player in major league history, 83 more than Ruth. The Angels’ Albert Pujols, who turned 41 last week, is third with 2,100. 0 Times Aaron struck out 100 times in a season; in 23 seasons he struck out 1,383 times, an average of 60 per season. 25 All-Star Games, the most of any player in major league history. The only other players chosen at least 20 times are Willie Mays (24), Stan Musial (24) and Mickey Mantle (20). 97.8 Percentage of the vote Hank Aaron got from baseball writers in 1982 to make the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

I keep seeing players signing with clubs and wonder if we have missed key signings. I really do not see much in the SP market that really raises the bar for me. I would prefer number 5 be a group of young pitchers who can compete for that and for the replacement of Happ and Pineda in another year.

I would take Aaron - no doubt about it.

I was looking for a list of the faceoffs and could not find it. How many of the players that have been featured have now been signed?

Schoenfield: I'm not counting J.A. Happ as a big move, so I'm still waiting for the Twins do something interesting to keep up with the White Sox -- re-signing Nelson Cruz, in particular. No, he won't continue mashing forever, but he was the only hitter in the lineup who didn't fall off in 2020 from that record-setting team of 2019. They need Cruz or somebody similar (Marcell Ozuna?). You would think a team that has lost 18 playoff games in a row would want to go all-in, but the Twins seemingly have been content to go about 88% in the past couple of years"

What does Bonds, McGwire, or Sosa's home run records mean in a game that is just another version of video game? Set their record up as per cent of HRs hit. Ruth hit 60 and the teams averaged 58, Bonds hit 73 and teams averaged 185. Time to get some real perspective. Bonds would have needed to hit 191. In an era where we seem to forget how great baseball has been and have instead focused on the "three true outcomes" we have also lost the three great values - excitement, speed, and drama. I do not want to watch 3 hour and 7 minute versions of HR derby where only three HRs are hit. No wonder BB is losing out on fan response. Put it next to Basketball and football on TV and there is no comparison. I have always preferred radio for my baseball fix, but if I went back to my childhood with my transistor under my pillow I could no longer stay awake long enough for the extra 45 minutes, nor would I be captivated by the potential to steal, to hit and run, to bunt. Strike outs are just a prolonged whack-a-mole game. In 2019 the best pitcher in baseball - Gerrit Cole struck out 326 hitters and there were 21,415 strike outs in the AL. In 1946, Bob Feller the best pitcher in baseball struck out 348 batters and the AL had 5225. Cole struck out 0.015% while Feller struck out struck out 0.06% of all the batters who had a K in the AL that year. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/hitting/histrk4.shtml Yes, I like the bunt, the stolen base, and the hit and run. I do not mind the shift because in the past the batters would have adjusted. I do like BA/RBI/OBP/Slugging but I hate to see a percentage like Miguel Sano with 90 Ks in 186 AB - .483 average versus his real BA of .204. Miguel is projected for 2021 to bat 227 with 185 Ks. Baseball Reference. Here is the list of top strikeout percentages (lowest) for 1000 batters in MLB history. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/hitting/histrkop1.shtml or https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/at_bats_per_strikeout_career.shtml MLB has now hired Theo Epstein to help make the game more marketable, more appealing. I know - the true BB fan loves the game and does not need change. If we are going to attract the best athletes, the most fans, the most income for the game then we need to address more than the hardline stathead. In honor of my favorite player of all time - Hank Aaron never had a season with 100 strikeouts! He came close with 97 and 96 in 1966 - 67, but never reached 90 in the other 21 years! In 1958 he hit 44 HRs and struck out 58 times! The Minneapolis Tribune had this note - 0 Times Aaron struck out 100 times in a season; in 23 seasons he struck out 1,383 times, an average of 60 per season. Jason Stark adds, "And as long as we’re talking active hitters, you know how many have already had more multi-strikeout games than Hank Aaron had in 23 seasons? How about 51! That group includes the likes of Miguel Sanó (70 more multi-K games in 2,759 fewer games than Aaron) … and Mike Zunino (246 multi-K games despite 647 fewer homers than Aaron). … And coming right up, it’s Joey Gallo (202 multi-K games in the first 473 games of his career)."

Because I am older than old school?

I am not sure that filling the #4 position in the roster would create much excitement around the league. It does nothing for me.

Come on Ted - this does not move any needles - are you really excited?

He is 38, the Yankees do not want him, did not trust him at the end of last year and we got him. A real move the needle acquisition. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/ja-happ/7410/stats?position=P

I am available for utility - I cannot hit the ball, I am worse than mediocre at every position, and I am old. What more could they ask for?

This is a snore move, but then again, it is a nice tribute to us old guys. They could sign this 75 year old for a lot less.

I believe this is sarcasm and if it is not, why?

You are bringing back bad memories. I had to go way back to the Jack Kralick for Jim Perry trade to feel better. https://www.letsgotribe.com/2016/11/19/13683110/cleveland-indians-analyzing-the-jim-perry-trade-and-its-impact-on-the

Horse shoes! Close again, another point. So let's go after someone no one wants - and I am talking about us fans. Not Marwin - move on, get better.

At last an article that is not a list of who we might, could, should sign! This was interesting even though I really know nothing about these people other than Dinkleman and Gardenhire. I just want the minors to pump players into the majors.

I have been reading so many lists - the best for the Twins, oh wait, they signed elsewhere. Here are two pitchers who cannot stay healthy, which should we sign? Don't worry they can still get someone. There is still value at the bottom of the list. It is a weekly, if not daily, ritual. But what if they don't sign anyone and look inward? Let me speculate from I love the young guys to a lineup without a trade or a signing: Arraez - 2B Lewis - SS Polanco - U Blankenhorn or Gordon - U Donaldson 3B Sano - 1B Rooker - DH Kiriloff LF Buxton - CF Kepler - RF Cave - 4th OF Larnach - 5th OF/1B/DH Jeffers/Garver - C Berrios Maeda Pineda Duran Dobnak/Balazovic Robles Duffey Rogers Acala Colina Smeltzer Thorpe or a couple of our signings - none of which I know about Overall not bad (I think).

It is an interesting winter ritual - check TD, see which pitchers and players off the best fit for the team have been signed or traded to another team. Adjust the lists and wait for the next move.

Paxton is the list, the others are fillers. Get better or use the rookies.

The pitchers who have a chance to actually make us better is getting slimmer and slimmer. I will hold out until I see the Reds final trades, but is Kuhl actually any better than Duran and Balazovic? If it is not Paxton, Bauer, Castillo, Grey then I want to go young and that does not mean Smeltzer.

I am in need of some action. I do not know how many articles I can read about all the FA that are just right for the Twins. This has been going on for four months. And today Aaron Gleeman has a similar article. I lean towards the young player unless the veteran significantly upgrades the team. I do not want to be as good as last year, I want to be better. Our history of going to the playoffs is more than our losing streak. When we get there we see what is lacking or should and then what? Last year we went to Jeffers, Alcala, Kiriloff, and Rooker. I do not want any of them replaced - I want to see what they can do - they have upside. Blankenhorn might be a utility guy, but I am not sold on him. Dobnak might have had his balloon bust so Balazovic and Duran need to move up and we can take one more pitcher, but is the repeat of Odorizzi a move that upgrades? Maybe Paxton? But it will be interesting to read about the relevant players in two weeks if we do not have a signing to analyze and dream about.

Not excited about this list - it is long, but nobody belongs in your A category. I like your approach, but you convinced me that no one who is left is above a C.

I love developing players from within

Here is the Athletic grading of the Twins off season signings. I do not know enough about them, but this does not give me much encouragement. Minnesota Twins Grade: F Trades: None. Free Agents: Hansel Robles, 1 year/$2 million. Waiver Claims: None. Rule 5: None. The Twins have had an ugly offseason so far, saying goodbye to reliever Trevor May who left for the Mets in free agency, non-tendering outfielder Eddie Rosario and not yet being able to persuade designated hitter Nelson Cruz to return. They did make one move, landing reliever Hansel Robles who’s coming off a 10.26 ERA season in 18 appearances with the Angels. The best part of the offseason for the Twins is opening up a spot for one of the game’s hitting prospects in outfielder Alex Kirilloff.