Countdown to Release OOTP 18

[actionjackson]

He was so smooth and graceful at the shortstop position. I marveled at the "buggy whip" throws on the run from deep in the hole. They were incredibly accurate and had a lot of mustard on them considering they were coming from down under (can't seem to find any pictures - the pictures will have to stay in my memory). He played for us four separate times and was on the 1993 World Series team thanks to rjl518's Mets trading him to us for Darrin Jackson in June of that year when Dick Schofield went down with some sort of nasty injury. Of course, he was also part of one of the biggest trades in Winter Meetings history when he and Fred McGriff were sent to San Diego for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter on December 5th, 1990. He's absolutely beloved in this town and always receives a warm welcome when he returns for a visit. Tony Fernandez #1

[Sam_15]

This guy was our shortstop in the early 60's, and while he played for 4 different teams in his career, he never sustained success anywhere else other than Boston. In 4 seasons with us, he slashed .270/.337/.435/.772 with a 109 OPS+ and one All-Star appearance. Not too shabby for a shortstop. Sadly, the Sox were just not a good team at this point in their history. #1 Eddie Bressoud

[actionjackson]

You wanna talk about beloved? This dude was only here for four years (and they were some lean years for the franchise), but he made his mark with this team with his tremendous defense at 2B and his motormouth. He had an infectious smile and was always chatting up opponents on the baseball field. He was greatly missed when he was traded along with Miguel Batista to the D-Backs for Troy Glaus and Sergio Santos (when Santos was still a SS). 30.9 career bWAR? Not bad for a guy who was drafted in a round that doesn't even exist anymore (43rd round of the 1997 Amateur Draft). Orlando "O-Dog" Hudson #1

[actionjackson]

I've already stumped for his double play partner two days ago, and now I'm gonna stump for this guy. Poster "joefromchicago" vehemently disagrees with me, but that's OK. How in the world this guy and his double play partner are not in the HoF yet absolutely eludes me. It defies reason. It is insane. Just put them both in already for cryin' out loud. Lou Whitaker #1

[Caporegime]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

He was so smooth and graceful at the shortstop position. I marveled at the "buggy whip" throws on the run from deep in the hole. They were incredibly accurate and had a lot of mustard on them considering they were coming from down under (can't seem to find any pictures - the pictures will have to stay in my memory). He played for us four separate times and was on the 1993 World Series team thanks to rjl518's Mets trading him to us for Darrin Jackson in June of that year when Dick Schofield went down with some sort of nasty injury. Of course, he was also part of one of the biggest trades in Winter Meetings history when he and Fred McGriff were sent to San Diego for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter on December 5th, 1990. He's absolutely beloved in this town and always receives a warm welcome when he returns for a visit. Tony Fernandez #1

As incredible as it may seem today in light of Derek Jeter's HoF career, Tony Fernandez was actually slated by Joe Torre to be the everyday SS for the '96 Yankees. Torre & Bob Watson both felt Derek Jeter needed a bit more seasoning at AAA, and Fernandez, despite coming off a horrible 1995 season with the Yanks, was still considered to be an all-star caliber player.

If I recall correctly, Fernandez broke his leg towards the end of ST effectively ending his season, and making Jeter the Yankee starting shortstop almost by default. The rest, as they say, is history. Kind of a lucky break (no pun....alright, some pun intended ) for the Yanks.

Remember Fernandez's "slug-bunt"? It was a fairly effective weapon on those rare occasions he actually caught opposing infielders napping. However, he used that shtick so often that teams were always expecting him to do it, making these "slug-bunts", more often than not, little more than easy outs he gifted to the opposing team. At least, that's the way it seemed during his one full season with the Yanks in 1995.

[Germaniac]

Great baseball player, great man and a true Hall-of-Famer, even though he had to wait way too long and rightfully my #1 - Harold Henry "Pee Wee" Reese

[Chico Guilbault]

Oh what could've been Johnny Mac!

[rjl518]

1 Day Left


"Mook"

[wallewalls]

so...what are we gonna do tomorrow? post players with the number zero?

[westendcards]

Terrance Gore and Al Oliver pictures tomorrow!

[Chico Guilbault]

I would probably pay an additional $100 if I could get the game today or tomorrow. During tax season I only have Sundays to play it, so it will really be another week for me. Woe is me!!!

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by wallewalls

so...what are we gonna do tomorrow? post players with the number zero?

that was the plan when I started the thread

[Caporegime]

Originally Posted by westendcards

Terrance Gore and Al Oliver pictures tomorrow!

And don't forget Rey Ordonez, Oddibe McDowell and Junior Ortiz.

[rjl518]

Originally Posted by actionjackson

I've already stumped for his double play partner two days ago, and now I'm gonna stump for this guy. Poster "joefromchicago" vehemently disagrees with me, but that's OK. How in the world this guy and his double play partner are not in the HoF yet absolutely eludes me. It defies reason. It is insane. Just put them both in already for cryin' out loud. Lou Whitaker #1

yep...two more that go into the HOVVG...but should be in the HOF!

[Airdrop01]

This one isn't my favorite because I think Dyson can have a big impact in very limited moments during the year and during a short series, but is in my opinion a selfish player (he loves to take third with two out and for example in 2013 got picked off second by Joe Nathan with the division on the line when him getting a big lead was meaningless.). But, I wish him luck in Seattle.

[Airdrop01]

This one I just flat out love. The Wizard!

[Caporegime]

Originally Posted by Airdrop01

This one I just flat out love. The Wizard!

Ozzie Smith was the only player I've ever seen that I would gladly pay to watch take fielding practice or catch a few fungos. His best plays at short were the best plays at that position I've ever seen. Some of his diving catches bordered on the miraculous. I can't think of any SS today who even comes to close to his range, agility & raw athleticism.



I mean, look at that catch! Who else could perfectly mimic the stilted horizontal flight of Superman on a catch other than the Wizard?

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by wallewalls

so...what are we gonna do tomorrow? post players with the number zero?

#0 tomorrow, #00 late Sunday night before the game is out?

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

And don't forget Rey Ordonez, Oddibe McDowell and Junior Ortiz.

Cliff Johnson and Jose Canseco wore 00 for the Blue Jays, so they could be late Sunday night/early Monday morning guys for me...As Joaquin Andujar said: "Youneverknow".

[actionjackson]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

Ozzie Smith was the only player I've ever seen that I would gladly pay to watch take fielding practice or catch a few fungos. His best plays at short were the best plays at that position I've ever seen. Some of his diving catches bordered on the miraculous. I can't think of any SS today who even comes to close to his range, agility & raw athleticism.



I mean, look at that catch! Who else could perfectly mimic the stilted horizontal flight of Superman on a catch other than the Wizard?

Who else could put up an 87 OPS+/90 wRC+ and still be eminently qualified for HoF status? Oh sure there are other light hitting middle infielders in the HoF, but none of them come close to the Wizard.