Quietly Making History
July 28th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
Seven.
That’s the number of The Wonders of the World.
It’s also the number Mickey Mantle wore on his back.
There are seven days in a week.
Seven also happens to be the number of men who have hit 600 homers in their career.
That number will soon turn to eight.
762 – Barry Bonds
755 – Hank Aaron
714 – Babe Ruth
660 – Willie Mays
630 – Ken Griffey Jr.
626 – Alex Rodriguez
609 – Sammy Sosa
Jim Thome continues his march toward history, albeit with little of the fanfare that he deserves. Sitting on 596 home runs, Thome is about to join the elite power hitters who ever played the game. Yet no one seems to care. I find that completely vexing if for no other reason than the club is so exclusive. Add in the fact that Bonds, A-Roid and Sosa have huge clouds hanging over their heads as a results of the PED scandal, and it could legitimately be argued that only four men truly deserve to be in the group. The fifth would be Thome (there have long been whispers about Thome, but he’s never failed a test, nor is there a massive amount of evidence pointing to his guilt like there is with Bonds.
A few Thome facts…
He has hit at least 20 homers 16 times, the 4th highest total in league history.
He has hit at least 30 homers 12 times, the 4th highest total in league history.
He has hit at least 40 homers six times, the 5th highest total in league history.
He has scored 100 runs eight times.
He has drive in 100 runs nine times.
He has scored more than 1,500 runs, and knocked in more than 1,600.
He’s walked more than 1,700 times in his career putting him in the top-10 all-time.
Face it, Thome has been a very good player for a very long period of time. He was never a good fielder, he lost his glove about a decade ago, but the man is one of the best in the history of the game at taking a walk and going deep. For that, he should get a lot more credit than he has received for a career that rightly should place him in the Hall of Fame one day.
And finally, how about Hideki Matsui? He recently joined the 500-HR club. The majority of his bombs were hit in Japan (332), but Matsui still became the first player to reach the total 500 homer total in a career split between Japan and the States. Congrats
By Ray Flowers
Tags: 600 Homers, Alex Rodriguez, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Hideki Matsui, HOF, Jim Thome, Kenny Griffey Jr., Miky Mantle, Sammy Sosa, Willie Mays
By All American Home Run Derby - Starts 8/1 on Jul 29, 2011
Great write up on Thome, my favorite player of all time. I am an Indians fan and grew up watching him. He doesn’t get any kind of the credit or fanfare he deserves, but that’s one reason why I like him. He just goes about his business. Charlie Manuel also deserves a lot of credit for his success. He was Thome’s minor league manager and hitting coach with Cleveland. Those two guys are my favorite in baseball.
By Chad on Jul 29, 2011
Ray- Switching it up for a football question. In a league that starts 2 QB’s each week, what round would you draft your 1st QB?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 29, 2011
HR Derby – Thome is a stud, and totally underappreciated. I wonder about Cooperstown a bit because he spent so much time in the DH slot, but the man was an offensive force who was never in the blotter which is rated.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 29, 2011
Chad – Problem in two start qb leagues, everyone goes crazy — just like the closer runs in baseball. Since QBs usually score the most points in a system, if you can start two there is a lot to recommend going early. Add in the fact that everyone will be crazy QB, and I’d say you might need to hit it in rd 2 or 3. I’d try to get two of the top-15 if you can.
By Jeff on Jul 29, 2011
Good evening Ray
I waswondering do you think Jason Bay would be a good pick up right now and if so who would you drop.
it is a 12 team 5×5 roto league.
C Martinez, 1B Teixeira, 2B Cuddyer, 3B Bautista, SS Andrus, OF Bourgeois, OF Braun, OF Jay, OF Suzuki, DH Hardy
Bench Johnson, Walker, Ibanez, Ethier
Thank you for the help.
By Frankie S. on Jul 31, 2011
Hey Ray,
Two Quick Questions:
I need some advice on Adam Dunn. This guy has been wasting away on my bench all year, but I’m still holding onto him hoping he will soon snap out of it and go on a tear for my playoff run.
Do you think it’s time to let go of Dunn? I was thinking of picking up Jason Bourgeois?
If you think I should hold onto Dunn, would you drop Bobby Parnell for Jason Bourgeois? My league rewards holds but Parnell has been off lately.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Jeff – Bay is a solid player who has struggled for most of this season, and all of last year. Really odd situation with him. Given his track record and age.
Looking at your roster, I have a question – who is Johnson? If it’s Chris Johnson then yes, I would add Bay.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Frankie S – At this point, I’d say get Bourgeiis and drop Dunn. Bourj. is worth starting as long as he is healthy, those wheels bring value, so go that route – just can’t trust Dunn. Parnell tho? I would drop him in a 5×5 instead of Dunn, but since your lg. counts holds, I hate to say it, but Dunn is the one I’d drop unless you are deep in the pen.
By Jeff on Jul 31, 2011
Thank for the help and it is Kelly Johnson.
By Terry on Aug 1, 2011
Colby Rasmus – “he just might get there in Canada where no one even knows they play baseball.” – Ray Flowers
Good one Ray…. we have lots of baseball fans in Canada … we just needed to get rid of JP Richardi and his brutal deals. AA will get the job done. “Build it and he will come” Fans will fill the Rogers Centre with a winner.
Norris, James MacDonald, Cecil, Correia, or Harden going forward?
Terry – Jays Fan from Canada
By Ray Flowers on Aug 2, 2011
Terry – touche my friend. Wish fans filled arenas to watch the game, not just cause the team is winning, but I know that’s being idealistic.
SPs – Norris, Cecil, McDonald, Correia, Harden.