What Players Can Move up the Top 50 of the MLB Career Homeruns List in 2009?

With another baseball season quickly approaching, let’s take a look at what active players have an opportunity to move into prominent positions on the All-Time Career Home Run List. The top 50 career homerun hitters heading into the 2009 season are listed in the table below.

The following players have legitimate shots to move into the top 50 with “normal” seasons. The top 50 cut-off point is currently the 390 career homeruns hit by Graig Nettles.

• Jim Edmonds is at #55 with 382 career homeruns. He needs 9 more homeruns to crack the top 50. Probability: High
• Andruw Jones is at #66 with 371 career homeruns. He needs 20 more homeruns to crack the top 50. Probability: Who the hell knows
• Luis Gonzalez is at #74 with 354 career homeruns. He needs 37 more homeruns to crack the top 50. Probablity: Next to impossible, unless he gets back on the juice
• Albert Pujols is at #98 with 319 career homeruns. He needs 72 more homeruns to crack the top 50. Probablity: Low, but let’s all hope and pray he goes two over that total and becomes the legitimate single-season homerun king.

Now, how about the current players in the Top 20 of the career homeruns list, and where they could end the 2009 season:

• Ken Griffey Jr. sits at #5 on the career home runs list with 611. He needs 49 to tie Willie Mays for #4. I’d love to see it happen, but probably not this season. Maybe if he plays two more.
• Alex Rodriguez sits at #12 on the career home runs list. With 58 homeruns in 2009, he would tie Ken Griffey Jr. for 5th. More likely is that he hits somewhere between 33 and 55 and ends the 2009 season ahead of Frank Robinson for 7th on the career homeruns list.
• Jim Thome sits at #14 on the career home runs list. If he hits 32 or more homeruns in 2009, he will pass Harmon Killebrew, currently at #9.
• Manny Ramirez sits at #17 on the career homer uns list with 527. Harmon Killebrew’s 573 might not be out of the question in Manny plays an entire season like he ended last season with the Dodgers. More than likely, Manny Ramirez will somewhere near or above 36 homeruns in 2009 and challenge Reggie Jackson, who is currently #11 with 563.
• Frank Thomas is currently tied for 18th with 521 career homeruns. The A’s recently declined arbitration with The Big Hurt, and his 2009 season is up in the air, despite his stated desire to play two more years. Mickey Mantle at #15 with 536 homeruns is within reach is Frank is healthy and gets regular at bats.

To figure out where the rest of the Top 50 career homerun hitters could end up after the 2009 season, just use the chart below to see where they currently rank:

Click here to see the rest of the top 500 career homeruns list.

And now, I don’t feel out iota of guilt for putting ^ marks next to players’ names who have been implicated, explicit proof or not, for using steroids. Major League Baseball lost its chance to provide players the benefit of the doubt, in my opinion. As far as I’m concerned, you are guilty until proven innocent when credible allegations arise.

What a bunch of cheating liars…

Five Major League Baseball Players to Root For in 2009

As Spring Training games begin around the country today, and as the 2009 World Baseball Classic kicks off as well, I am taking a quick break from work to do a little afternoon baseball writing. Most of my recent baseball posts have been entirely White Sox-centric, so I am going to branch out a bit and discuss five non-White Sox players from around the Majors that I will be rooting for in 2009.

After my misadventure trying to accurately characterize the level of disappointment I felt after hearing that IU had to self-report a minor recruiting violation in the basketball program, and then writing about the rift between Shuan Rogers and Eric Mangini, I feel the need to write something that is decidedly upbeat and positive.

So here they are, the five baseball players that I am rooting for in 2009 who are not playing their home games on the South Side of Chicago.

Joe Crede, 3B, Minnesota Twins

This one is easy.

Ever since Joe Crede was a White Sox farmhand and the heir apparent to Robin Ventura at third base, he has been one of my favorite White Sox players. He was always inconsistent at the plate, but did produce in the clutch — especially during the 2005 World Series run. And what he lacked in consistency at the plate he more than made up for by being one of the best, and most underrated, defensive third baseman of the 2000s.

Questions about Joe Crede’s back and the presence of young talents like Josh Fields and Dayan Viciedo compelled the White Sox to let Joe go, and he ended up in Minnesota. While I feel a natural rivalry with the Twins, I do not hate them like I hate the Indians, Tigers, and Cubs. Something about the way they play and Ozzie’s affinity for the “piranhas” has rubbed off on me. Joe Crede will fit in perfectly with the Twins, and I hope that he stays healthy and has a good season.

Of course, I wouldn’t mind it if he struggles when the Twins play the White Sox, but I hope that he can begin a solid second act in his very solid career. I think all White Sox fans appreciate the many good years that Joe Crede gave us, and I would assume that the majority are wishing him well in his new digs.

Ken Griffey Jr., OF/DH, Seattle Mariners

The Kid’s White Sox career was brief and unspectacular, and is in no way part of the reason why I am rooting for him in 2009. I have always admired Ken Griffey for the all-around excellence of his skills during his amazing first decade in the Major Leagues. It is unfortunate that he was unable to stay healthy in Cincinnati and that he has become “just another guy” since leaving Seattle.

Yet, with each new allegation of steroids that comes to light about baseball’s superstars from the late 90s and early- to mid-00s, Ken Griffey Jr’s accomplishments become more and more impressive. There are very few guys for whom steroid allegations would surprise me anymore, but Griffey is definitely one of them.

Although his skills have eroded and he is not even 50% of the graceful and elegant defensive player he once was, he still has that same sweet (albeit slower) swing and is one of the true, pure legends of the last twenty years in baseball. Now he gets to go home where it all started and provide some nostalgic joy to Mariner fans who may not have much else to cheer for this season. I would love to see Griffey put together an unexpectedly productive season at the plate and every now and then flash the brilliance that made him one of the most exciting young players baseball has ever seen.

Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers

The real life Roy Hobbs.

I hear that so much living down here in Dallas that it is almost cliche now — but only because it is so exceedingly true.

Josh Hamilton’s story is truly one of redemption and the triumph of the human spirit. I realize that his problems and addictions were almost exclusively self-inflicted, but every now and again it is good and inspiring to see someone lift themselves up after hitting rock bottom, reminding us of just how powerful human will can be when truly put to the test.

Add the backstory to Hamilton’s ridiculous talent and you have one of most compelling figures in all of sports as far as I’m concerned. It goes without saying (although I’m about to say it) that everyone is hoping beyond hope that the redemption story of Josh Hamilton was written without any illegal performance-enhancers and that he can stay on the straight and narrow. If so, he has the ability to become one of baseball’s brightest stars heading into the new decade.

Dontrelle Wills, SP, Detroit Tigers

While living in Miami in 2004 and 2005 I got to witness Dontrelle Willis’ ascension to stardom during his early years with the Florida Marlins. When he first came up with the Fish, he reminded me of the pitching version of a poor man’s Ken Griffey Jr with his attitude and enthusiasm. Yet, Willis’ numbers have always been somewhat up and down — no doubt a byproduct of his unique delivery — and there was the DUI and then the rumors that he and Miguel Cabrera were not exactly the best clubhouse influences during their last year in Miami.

Still, when I think of Dontrelle Willis I think of a guy who is a ball of entertaining energy, who seemed to be maturing as a pitcher before he got to Detroit, and who is renowned for being involved in the community. He is also someone that young African-American baseball players in America can look up to, during a time when African-American representation in the Major Leagues continues to dwindle.

Most of all, I just love watching Dontrelle Willis pitch. Obviously if he makes the Tigers’ rotation he will be pitching for an AL Central enemy of the White Sox, so I hope his control eludes him when the Tigers and White Sox play; but I would like to see Dontrelle make a triumphant return to the Majors and get his career back on the right track.

Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

Simply put, he is the most consistently great hitter I have seen in my lifetime. Even better than The Big Hurt.

Look at his career stats — they are unreal from Day One. And so far Pujols has avoided any significant rumors of ever being on steroids. You certainly can’t point to any particular season or groups of seasons as showing a Bonds- or McGwire-type pop in production.

If anything, he would have to have been on steroids his entire career, that’s how great the numbers are that he puts up on annual basis.

Albert Pujols also appears to be the ultimate team player. He has led the Cardinals to an improbable World Series and I have never heard him complain despite a steady erosion over the last couple of years of the offensive production around him in the Cardinals lineup. He just goes out every day and proves that he is the best all-around hitter in the game.

I can tell you right now that if I get the #1 pick in any fantasy drafts this year I won’t even consider A-Fraud — I’ll go right for Pujols. I prefer to pack my fantasy teams with players I actually like rooting for, and few non-White Sox players fit that bill like Albert Pujols.

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So now that I’ve given you my list, it’s your town. Who are the players that are not on your favorite team that you will be rooting for in 2009? The comment section awaits.

Chicago White Sox will NOT re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. | Offseason Talk

As a White Sox fan this bit of MLB news is more interesting to me than anything about Bud Selig’s decisions on the currently stalled World Series or the lopsided Presidential race. The Chicago White Sox will not re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2009 season and this might have been a “You’re fired,” reply “No I quit.” circumstance.

Griffey’s short stint didn’t leave a lot of memories at the plate but neither did the team as a whole (besides what it took to even make it to the playoffs in the first place). I will always remember that we had him during the 2008 playoff push, and his incredible home plate gun-down in the Minnesota play-in game that helped preserve our 1-0 victory. That was an awesome game. I love Junior Griffey and I wish the first ballot hall of Famer the best.

Losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 wasn’t a major disappointment considering the White Sox ended their season with tough injuries that sidelined Team MVP and Almost AL MVP Carlos Quentin. as well as the playoff perfectionist Jose Contreras. We assuredly could have used Jose Contreras down the stretch when our 4 man rotation was limited to 3 days rest the final weeks of the season.

Word is Contreras’ ruptured 36 year-old achilles tendon will keep him out until the 2009 All-Star break, in which case he would finish the season coming out of the bullpen. That is only early speculation at this point but it is known that Contreras is already working hard to come back as early and healthy as possible.

There is now the starting position opening in CF for the Southside Good Guys and there are a lot of options (in no particular order):

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Game 162(+1) | White Sox – Twins First Hand Recap

by Craig Gonciarczyk

Game 162 (+1)

Well, it came down to this. Twins vs. White Sox for the AL Central Division championship and a trip to Disneyland.

The air surrounding 35th and Shields was just like that of a World Series game – people milling about bars outside, traffic backups, people trying to make a quick buck with parking, and cops. It was an announced Blackout and anything black that was moving seemed to be gravitating towards the stadium. Frequent shouts of “Go White Sox!” cut through the slightly frigid air. Getting closer and closer to U.S. Cellular Field, the streets became more like sidewalks and movement became stunted.

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White Sox: Happy to be here

After the bell rang this afternoon, I started humming “Go, Go White Sox”. I turned to one of my students (Writing here on the site doesn’t really pay the bills. I am a 5^th grade teacher on the Southside.) and said, “You know where I was last night?”

He said, “The White Sox game?” as he stuffed his books away.

“Yes, I was.”

The place was electric. From the moment I crossed 43^rd St. coming north, you could tell that the fans were out and ready. I arrived ticketless but ready to rock and roll. When I stepped off my bike, gearing up to patrol the strip for scalpers my old levi’s tore straight down the front. I instantly became a hot dog vendor. Not a good start but I was dedicated and decided to head back home for new pants, with only a mile to go it was the right choice. Rd. 2. I park the bike, relieve myself from the saddle gingerly, as to ensure the integrity of my crotch and quickly find a ticket out in 507, eye level with the right field foul pole. Thunderstruck rang clear in my ears and the 40,354 fans put out the lights with the “blackout”.

Danks on the mound. The Sox killer from last series Danard Span at the dish. Strike one, looking. I follow with a hearty Tiger Woods fistpump and settle down in my seat. Pitch two, ball. I signal the beer man to help quell my nerves but that was the only beer I needed because from then on Danks took over. He threw 12 first pitch strikes and was ahead in almost every count. That alone kept the fans in the game, the team’s confidence up and Danks on the mound. It felt like he had the Twins one step behind every move he made. Each time they tried to catch up he would step further and at one point in the 7^th inning a guy behind me said, “He’s thrown 6 pitches to get the last four outs.” It was true, between the 7^th and 8^th Danks got Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer and Delmon Young only throwing 6 pitches. That’s two All-stars, a DH and a hot left fielder on pitches 88 through 94.

He was engulfed in flames and proved his mental toughness more than anything, stepping up on short rest in a huge game against a club that you watched shell your team, and gave up 2 hits in 8 full innings of baseball.

Then there was the play. The play that sent beers, cell phones and hats flying (all three in my direction, but welcome). The play that made every cent of Junior’s contract worth it. I would venture to guess that there are only a handful of players who could throw out a runner at home perfectly from dead center field. Even fewer who could do it with the runner coming from third, and only some greats who can do it in moments like the Kid did then. On that 5^th inning flyout from Brendan Harris, the entire stadium gripped their rally towel and clenched their teeth, willing the ball into AJ’s glove. Griffey made the most beautiful connection with a catcher that I will ever see. That was the moment when it seemed that Twins baseball would get under our skin. They roped a double, advanced a runner on a pop out and wanted the lead at the half. They came up empty handed and every ounce of momentum was in our dugout. We felt almost invincible. All we needed was the bats to ignite.

Then there was something in the air. Something was communicated to Jim Thome that hadn’t been there. A sense of reliability and confidence. The fans told Jimmy, “We need you big guy. Do it.” He did it for 464 feet straight down the pike. It wasn’t much but it was a lead. That’s all we wanted. He had been cold, taking his usual walks and getting on base here and there but not lighting it up in any way. Not posing a major threat to any hurler he was batting .240 coming in. He was slightly better after pitch five from Nick Blackburn.

Then, there was the short and round, the boom, the boy from the south. He went one, two, three and on some Bad Ass heroics from BA ended the 9^th.

Check out the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8sgSSeDKwY

The Twins walked off having been burned, Toby Hall strapped on a ridiculous pair of ski goggles and the champagne rolled. The stands looked like Oktoberfest, cheering singing, swaying. Men were embracing. Old women from Oak Lawn, high fiving Bros making the trek from Champaign and a priest dancing behind me. The concourse to the parking lot were the same. It was like we had won the ALCS. It affirmed so much.

We really wanted to get this far. We wanted to know that our divisional lead that had weathered the year wasn’t going to be robbed from us. We didn’t want to face the meltdown. Everyone saw what it does to Mets’ fans, we don’t need that. Especially with the echo of that ridiculous “Go, cubs, Go” drifting south from Armitage. A win last night let us breathe a major sigh of relief. We didn’t have to face the ribbing of the Northsiders or visions of Twinkies celebrating on our field. It also proved that we can have some stellar performances from some great baseball players. Down the stretch, guys who were labeled question marks and caught the criticism of many fans and media, stepped up somewhere, somehow and did work enough to get us on a plane to St. Pete and like fans at a 163^rd game, we’re just happy to be here.

Chicago White Sox: Lose Opener to Minnesota Twins

by Sean Kane

Defense in the Metro Dome is tough, that is true. The outfield is freaking huge. It’s like trying to cover a football field, on crutches. If Ozzie knows this, and he must, after all these years in the Central, why then do you put old man Griff in center? While I watched Javy “step up” like Ozzie asked him to and get shelled in the 4^th, I cringed watching Griffey dive after Kubel’s triple. Dye basically had to hop him and then go another forty feet, reaching under the plastic tarp that doubles as a wall in center for the Twinkies just to stop the inside the park. I wondered why it is that in the face of shaky pitching and a fast field you would play the slowest center fielder we have?

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Chicago White Sox | Ken Griffey Jr. Debut

by Jerod Morris

Great win for the White Sox tonight. Coming off a tough series against the Twinkies, we needed to get off on the right foot against the Royals. And we did. Javy Vazquez pitched well, which hopefully portends good things from him down the stretch.

But the coolest about tonight’s game was the successful debut of Ken Griffey Jr. I have to admit, it was something of a mind trip to see him in a White Sox uniform. It will take some getting used to…and there is a good chance he just a two-month rental…but I am officially on board and excited. And I think the major media outlets are underestimating how successful this deal will ultimately be.

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Chicago White Sox | News Links: August 1, 2008

by Jerod Morris

News and commentary from around the web on the morning after the Chicago White Sox made a huge and surprising splash just before the trading deadline by dealing for Ken Griffey Jr. This should be interesting…

Follow the “Read More” link for White Sox news links…

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