Countdown to Release OOTP 18

[Caporegime]

Originally Posted by Sam_15

This guy was our shortstop for 7 brilliant years. His peak was one of the best I've seen in the last couple decades, at least from an infielder. He batted .323 in a Sox uni, won two batting titles, a Rookie of the Year award, and flashed a nifty glove. And in an age of 150 strikeout seasons being commonplace, he struck out just 554 times in 6116 career plate appearances. His 2000 season was something else: he hit .372 in 599 PA's, 21 homers, and struck out just 50 times. Unfortunately, he kind of disappeared after leaving town, so we won't be seeing him in the hall. #5 Nomar Garciaparra

I remember thinking around the start of the millennium (kinda begrudgingly, I'll admit ) that when all was said and done, Nomar's name would be mentioned with the all-time greats, probably even ahead of Jeter's name. Looking today at his lifetime stats, with the exception of one superb season (2006) he had with the Dodgers, I don't think I've ever seen what looked like a surefire HOF player drop off the table as abruptly and as completely as Nomar did. It's really a shame, too, because in his prime, he was one of the ten best hitters I ever saw.

[Germaniac]

The human vacuum cleaner, Brooks Robinson

[Sam_15]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

I remember thinking around the start of the millennium (kinda begrudgingly, I'll admit ) that when all was said and done, Nomar's name would be mentioned with the all-time greats, probably even ahead of Jeter's name. Looking today at his lifetime stats, with the exception of one superb season (2006) he had with the Dodgers, I don't think I've ever seen what looked like a surefire HOF player drop off the table as abruptly and as completely as Nomar did. It's really a shame, too, because in his prime, he was one of the ten best hitters I ever saw.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[actionjackson]

The greatest catcher to ever play in MLB. Sadly we'll never know how Josh Gibson, Roy Campanella (given that he started playing in the Negro Leagues in his age 15 season), Biz Mackey and Louis Santop would've measured up had they been given a full chance, but this guy was the best that MLB has ever seen. Johnny Bench #5

[actionjackson]

This guy was a great student of hitting and had a sneaky 114 OPS+ in 11 seasons with us. Rance Mulliniks #5

[actionjackson]

This guy was an absolutely solid defender for us and I'm convinced he could've been a star had he applied himself a little more, and you know, not been dumb as rocks. The blowback from "eyeblackgate" ran him out of town on a rail. Yunel Escobar #5

[actionjackson]

The current wearer of the #5 keeps it hidden under his windbreaker all game long. Don't be fooled by the laid back attitude and easy going smile of pic #2. If you play hard for him, he'll fight for you. If you don't, you're gonna have some problems, and don't ever, ever, ever show him up or you'll be dusted. Just ask Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly. Very underrated handler of people and of a bullpen. John Gibbons #5

[Airdrop01]

Who else? George Brett. One of my favorite memories was when he got 3000th hit and promptly got picked off by the Angels' pitcher. He just shrugged his shoulders sheepishly while headed to the dugout. So human.

Then after 30 years, he got to see his team win the Series after coming 90' short in 2014.

[Caporegime]

Originally Posted by Airdrop01

Who else? George Brett. One of my favorite memories was when he got 3000th hit and promptly got picked off by the Angels' pitcher. He just shrugged his shoulders sheepishly while headed to the dugout. So human.

Then after 30 years, he got to see his team win the Series after coming 90' short in 2014.

George Brett: Yankee nemesis extraordinaire. My two most vivid memories of Brett are that anti-satellite missile he launched against Goose Gossage in Game 3 of the 1980 ALCS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBVd0UcTQwo

To this day, I firmly believe it was that blast that inspired Reagan's Star Wars Initiative.

And, of course, this:



Ah, good times.

[Airdrop01]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

George Brett: Yankee nemesis extraordinaire. My most two most vivid memories of Brett are that anti-satellite missile he launched against Goose Gossage in Game 3 of the 1980 ALCS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBVd0UcTQwo

To this day, I firmly believe it was that blast that inspired Reagan's Star Wars Initiative.

And, of course, this:



Ah, good times.

I was so convinced he was going to hit .400 that year. Especially when he hit it late in the season with like a week to go. Ted's achievement was too much though.

I love that pine tar reaction. Hysterical. Also totally human! Those were the fun days!!!!

[cavebutter]

Originally Posted by Sam_15

This guy was our shortstop for 7 brilliant years. His peak was one of the best I've seen in the last couple decades, at least from an infielder. He batted .323 in a Sox uni, won two batting titles, a Rookie of the Year award, and flashed a nifty glove. And in an age of 150 strikeout seasons being commonplace, he struck out just 554 times in 6116 career plate appearances. His 2000 season was something else: he hit .372 in 599 PA's, 21 homers, and struck out just 50 times. Unfortunately, he kind of disappeared after leaving town, so we won't be seeing him in the hall. #5 Nomar Garciaparra

Three things about Nomar:

1. How exciting was it in the early 90's to have 3 young shortstops redefining the position in the mold of Ripkin, but even better?! Rodriguez, Jeter, and Nomar. I loved watching him play back then. It was a joy!

2. After he left Boston, he spent some time in Los Angeles. It was revealed that he was made entirely of glass.

3. September 18, 2006. Nomar was the cherry on top of the most amazing comeback I have ever seen in person. Down here, we call it the 4+1 Game. Bottom of the 9th, Dodgers down 5-9 against the Padres. The Dodgers were half a game up on the Padres with 12 left to play.

Jeff Kent leads off against Jon Adkins. HR
J.D. Drew comes up against Adkins. HR
Bud Black has had enough and brings in Trevor Hoffman.
Russel Martin steps in. First pitch, HR
Marlon Anderson comes up. First pitch, HR.

4 dingers in a row. Dodgers tie the game at 9, and we go to extras.
Pads score once against Aaron Sele in the top of the 10th. 10-9 bad guys.

Rudy Seanez takes the mound for San Diego in the bottom 10. Kenny Lofton walks. Enter Nomar. Count 3-1. Nomar sends it over the fence - HR. Ballgame.

[jparker2112]

Old time Rockie..Neifi "Nerf Bat' Perez

[cavebutter]

The life of a wet-behind-the-ears Dodgers fan in the 1980's. One of my favorite players - for no particular reason other than he hit a home run at a game I was at - was Mike Marshall. I shared this with my older cousins and uncle.

"Oh sure, Mike Marshall. Pitched for the Dodgers for a few years in the 70's, won the Cy Young Award in 74. PhD in sports medicine or something like that. Good choice, kid."

"Um, no. I like the outfielder. I don't know who your guy is."

#5, Mike Marshall

[Ruwisc]

Yesterday was The Man, today it's El Hombre. A couple of bad years in Anaheim can't take away what he did in St. Louis. I look forward to seeing his name and his #5 on the left-field wall. #5 Albert Pujols

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by cavebutter

The life of a wet-behind-the-ears Dodgers fan in the 1980's. One of my favorite players - for no particular reason other than he hit a home run at a game I was at - was Mike Marshall. I shared this with my older cousins and uncle.

"Oh sure, Mike Marshall. Pitched for the Dodgers for a few years in the 70's, won the Cy Young Award in 74. PhD in sports medicine or something like that. Good choice, kid."

"Um, no. I like the outfielder. I don't know who your guy is."

#5, Mike Marshall

True story. I'm in Philadelphia in 1985 on an epic baseball road trip with my best friend, his father and his brother. A 42 year old Jerry Koosman was making what would turn out to be the final start of his very good career for the Phillies against the Dodgers' (still at the time) sensational 24 year old southpaw Fernando Valenzuela.

Unfortunately for Koosman and the Phillies, Jerry just couldn't make it out of the 1st inning against the Dodgers (who had their hitting shoes on that night). Mariano Duncan (and his .293 OBP) led off the game with of all things a walk, and Blue Jay fan favourite Bob Bailor followed him with a single. R.J. Reynolds bunted them over, and Pedro Guerrero followed with a walk to load 'em up. Up steps Mike Marshall. BOOM! grand salami that lands two seats to my friend's father's right. He got in the scramble for the ball and couldn't come up with it unfortunately or we might've returned to Canada with a sweet souvenir. One of those near baseball misses you don't soon forget.

Future Blue Jay Candy Maldonado followed with a HR, and finally Koosman was able to retire someone without them giving themselves up as Steve Yeager popped out to first. Steve Sax and Fernando Valenzuela followed with singles and it was shower time for Koosman and mercifully the curtain came down on a very good career. Later that night Guerrero would launch a three run shot off Larry Andersen into the deck above where we were sitting in LF. Absolutely monstrous HR. What a beast. 15-6 Dodgers final. That's my Mike Marshall story and I'm stickin' to it. Box score here.

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by cavebutter

Three things about Nomar:

1. How exciting was it in the early 90's to have 3 young shortstops redefining the position in the mold of Ripkin, but even better?! Rodriguez, Jeter, and Nomar. I loved watching him play back then. It was a joy!

2. After he left Boston, he spent some time in Los Angeles. It was revealed that he was made entirely of glass.

3. September 18, 2006. Nomar was the cherry on top of the most amazing comeback I have ever seen in person. Down here, we call it the 4+1 Game. Bottom of the 9th, Dodgers down 5-9 against the Padres. The Dodgers were half a game up on the Padres with 12 left to play.

Jeff Kent leads off against Jon Adkins. HR
J.D. Drew comes up against Adkins. HR
Bud Black has had enough and brings in Trevor Hoffman.
Russel Martin steps in. First pitch, HR
Marlon Anderson comes up. First pitch, HR.

4 dingers in a row. Dodgers tie the game at 9, and we go to extras.
Pads score once against Aaron Sele in the top of the 10th. 10-9 bad guys.

Rudy Seanez takes the mound for San Diego in the bottom 10. Kenny Lofton walks. Enter Nomar. Count 3-1. Nomar sends it over the fence - HR. Ballgame.

What a game to have been at in person.

[rjl518]

5 Days Left

It could only be "Captain America"!

[Airdrop01]

Originally Posted by rjl518

5 Days Left

It could only be "Captain America"!

I will forever remember him for this one (I was sure he was going to hold Hosmer a bit longer but who would've expected that so you can't blame him):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_asXruANU

[Chico Guilbault]

I can see light at the end of the tunnel now!

One of my favorites as a kid, Butch Hobson #4

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by Airdrop01

I will forever remember him for this one (I was sure he was going to hold Hosmer a bit longer but who would've expected that so you can't blame him):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_asXruANU

fine...you remember him for that...

i will remember him for this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZuZr0a4dA