The 500 homer club is an exclusive one and I would like to see some more white representation.Currently there are four white bashers who have a shot at this number.First off,Jim Thome.With 423 homers and at the age of 34 as well as still being in his prime,I think should get there by the end of next season or some time in 2006.Jeff Bagwell has 446 and at 36 appears to still have some pop left.Potentialy Bags could get there by the end of next season.Mike Piazza is at 378.Mike is starting to show some age and at 36 I don't think he has a good shot,the 400's seem more likely.Then there's Larry Walker who has 368.At 38 and his history of injuries,like Piazza the 400's seem more realistic.A potential position change with Pujols could extend Walker's career,since Larry has played some first in the past.With the recently aquired Doug Mentkiewicz a move to first for Mike Piazza isn't likely.So with little fanfare these gentlemen at least have shot.Now if these players had a rap sheet a mile long we would be well aware of their career numbers,but they just go about doing their jobs quietly
500 homer club
- Thread starter speedster
- Start date
The 500 homer club used to be magical. The only career accomplishment that was comparable was 300 wins. Unfortunately it's been cheapened in the steroid era, but hopefully MLB is serious about cleaning up its act; if so the 500 homer club will return to its former status as juiced-up cheaters like Bonds and Sosa leave the game.
Bagwell's been my favorite player for a number of years and I'd love to see him reach 500. Thome has a legitimate shot at 600 if he can maintain his power into his late 30s. And no one will ever accuse Jim of cheating either. He doesn't even work out with weights, his strength is natural.
Bagwell's been my favorite player for a number of years and I'd love to see him reach 500. Thome has a legitimate shot at 600 if he can maintain his power into his late 30s. And no one will ever accuse Jim of cheating either. He doesn't even work out with weights, his strength is natural.
I also think shorter ballparks and upper cut swings
have contributed to more homeruns. Also, there have been many
improvements in the science of power hitting. Little Leaguers are
now being taught mechanics that players learned in the major
leagues. The decline of pick-up games and increased organized
play have given young players more knowledge and better swings
resulting in more homeruns. Organized play does not improve
players' timing, bat speed, etc, anymore than pick-up games so there
have been no advancements in hitting for average.
Frankly, I think the 500 home run club is
overrated. Who cares about some player that could swing for the
fences against a rookie pitcher who is only in the game because it is a
blowout. How players play when the game is on the line when
everybody is going all out is the most important thing. A lot of
players can hit in easy situations. Very few players can hit
tough pitching in a clutch situation where nothing is being held back.
Ty Cobb thought the homerun was overrated. To
prove his point he abandoned his split grip for two games. The
first game, he hit three homeruns. The second game, he hit two
homers.
My point is that a lot of great players do not pad
their stats. Look at Joe DiMaggio. Should Rafael Palmero be
considered to be as good as Joe DiMaggio?
have contributed to more homeruns. Also, there have been many
improvements in the science of power hitting. Little Leaguers are
now being taught mechanics that players learned in the major
leagues. The decline of pick-up games and increased organized
play have given young players more knowledge and better swings
resulting in more homeruns. Organized play does not improve
players' timing, bat speed, etc, anymore than pick-up games so there
have been no advancements in hitting for average.
Frankly, I think the 500 home run club is
overrated. Who cares about some player that could swing for the
fences against a rookie pitcher who is only in the game because it is a
blowout. How players play when the game is on the line when
everybody is going all out is the most important thing. A lot of
players can hit in easy situations. Very few players can hit
tough pitching in a clutch situation where nothing is being held back.
Ty Cobb thought the homerun was overrated. To
prove his point he abandoned his split grip for two games. The
first game, he hit three homeruns. The second game, he hit two
homers.
My point is that a lot of great players do not pad
their stats. Look at Joe DiMaggio. Should Rafael Palmero be
considered to be as good as Joe DiMaggio?
No question that how someone performs in the clutch is more far important than individual statistics.
When did players begin to pad their stats?It's a fairly recent phenomenon. In baseball players would never steal a base if their team was blowing out the other team. Now it's routine.Bunting has virtually disappeared as well becausehell you can'thit a homer if you're trying to sacrifice. I would think the rise of the egomaniacal black "superstar" in baseball, football and basketball ushered inthe era of less team play, greatly weakened fundamentals, and inflated stats.
When did players begin to pad their stats?It's a fairly recent phenomenon. In baseball players would never steal a base if their team was blowing out the other team. Now it's routine.Bunting has virtually disappeared as well becausehell you can'thit a homer if you're trying to sacrifice. I would think the rise of the egomaniacal black "superstar" in baseball, football and basketball ushered inthe era of less team play, greatly weakened fundamentals, and inflated stats.