2018 Baseball HOF Ballot: The Pitchers

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The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) released their Modern Era committee Hall of Fame ballot yesterday. Over the next few weeks Boston Sports Extra will make our case for who should and who shouldn’t, and who will and won’t, get elected.

The Process

In order to walk into Cooperstown as anything other than a paid visitor, a player must be on at least 75% of the ballots. Last year, there were 442 ballots cast, so a player must have been on 332 ballots to be inducted.

Voting for induction to baseball’s greatest shrine has no more integrity than voting for homecoming queen at your high school. Writers, who weren’t good enough athletes to actually play baseball, check the box next to the names of the players they like. It’s a popularity contest. Some writers are more objective than others. Some are comically biased.

Last year Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, and Edgar Renteria all received votes for the Hall of Fame. That’s not just ridiculous, it demonstrates that we should reassess who is allowed to vote. Every ballot should be made public.  Any writer so obviously out of step with reality should have their voting privileges suspended.

For now, BBWAA Hall voters can keep their ballots private. Those who do simply lack the intellectual integrity to defend their stances on certain players.

2018 Class of Pitchers

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This year’s ballot includes fourteen pitchers. Trevor Hoffman, Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling, and Billy Wagner are all hold-overs from previous years. There are nine pitchers being considered for their first time: Johan Santana, Carlos Zambrano, Jamie Moyer, Chris Carpenter, Livian Hernandez, Kevin Millwood, Kerry Wood, Jason Isringhausen, and Brad Lidge.

Here is how they stack up statistically.

  Pitching Stats
Rk Name YoB % of Ballots Yrs W L ERA ERA+ WHIP G GS SV IP H HR BB SO
1 Trevor Hoffman 3rd 74.00% 18 61 75 2.87 141 1.058 1035 0 601 1089 846 100 307 1133
2 Roger Clemens 6th 54.10% 24 354 184 3.12 143 1.173 709 707 0 4916 4185 363 1580 4672
3 Mike Mussina 5th 51.80% 18 270 153 3.68 123 1.192 537 536 0 3562 3460 376 785 2813
4 Curt Schilling 6th 45.00% 20 216 146 3.46 127 1.137 569 436 22 3261 2998 347 711 3116
5 Billy Wagner 3rd 10.20% 16 47 40 2.31 187 0.998 853 0 422 903 601 82 300 1196
6 Johan Santana 1st 12 139 78 3.2 136 1.132 360 284 1 2025 1726 220 567 1988
7 Carlos Zambrano 1st 12 132 91 3.66 120 1.331 354 302 0 1959 1709 161 898 1637
8 Jamie Moyer 1st 25 269 209 4.25 103 1.322 696 638 0 4074 4231 522 1155 2441
9 Chris Carpenter 1st 15 144 94 3.76 116 1.276 350 332 0 2219 2205 220 627 1697
10 Livan Hernandez 1st 17 178 177 4.44 95 1.44 519 474 1 3189 3525 362 1066 1976
11 Kevin Millwood 1st 16 169 152 4.11 106 1.328 451 443 0 2720 2770 296 843 2083
12 Kerry Wood 1st 14 86 75 3.67 117 1.267 446 178 63 1380 1083 148 666 1582
13 Jason Isringhausen 1st 16 51 55 3.64 115 1.328 724 52 300 1007 901 85 437 830
14 Brad Lidge 1st 11 26 32 3.54 122 1.291 603 1 225 603.1 492 57 287 799
AVERAGE HOF PITCHER 18 253 176 2.98     596 462 39 3801 3500 199 1052 2153

We will get into the details of a number of candidates in the coming weeks, but it is a safe bet that Hoffman will get the additional 1% he needs for induction. He will be the only pitcher elected this year.

Still Have a Shot

Clemens, Mussina, and Schilling will not only stay on the ballot next year, but should all eventually get elected. By the numbers, Rocket is a no brainer. But, as we’ll discuss later, his situation is more complicated than that.

Moose and Schill don’t have Clemens’ numbers, but they also don’t have his PED baggage. Mussina is safer bet than Schilling. His 270 wins are more in line with starting pitchers already in Cooperstown, and he hasn’t been nearly as controversial off the field. Much more on that later.

Good but Not Great

Of the newbies on the ballot, none of the starting pitchers are likely to make it, though some will stay above the 5% cut line for a couple of years. Moyer has more wins than the average Hall pitcher, but he has 209 loses and a career ERA almost a run and a half higher. Johan Santana was brilliant for a short time, but he wasn’t Pedro Martinez. He will eventually fall well short.

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Similarly, none of the other four predominantly relief pitchers on the ballot will make it. This includes Kerry Wood, who due to injuries had his gifted career cut short. Billy Wagner is the most other Hall-worthy candidate, but when judged against Trevor Hoffman’s candidacy you can easily see how far he is below the standard.

Is This the End of the Legion of Boom?

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If you have been an NFL fan for a number of years, you likely have witnessed some great team defenses. Going back a few years, there was the Steel Curtain of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70’s and more recently the Ravens with Ray Lewis and Co. In more recent times, one of the most feared defensive units has been the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom.

This once feared unit has taken quite a hit this season and could be nearing it’s end. With season-ending injuries to Richard Sherman (achilles) and more recently Kam Chancellor (neck, back, spine), they have been greatly depleted. These two perennial All-Pro players might just be a portion of this unit, but they are a vital part. Personally, I feel like these injuries will be the beginning of the end.

 

Once a Blueprint for Any Defense

For the better part of the last five or six seasons, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense has been very formidable. Over this time they have developed the nickname of the Legion of Boom, and for good reason. This unit has been near the top in fewest yards allowed, points allowed, and punishing hits given out for quite some time. With great players like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril, and Michael Bennett, this unit was deep and dangerous. This same unit added Sheldon Richardson from the Jets this season and looked like they might be invincible. As it turns out, this is definitely not the case. As a matter of fact, not even this great unit is immune to the injury bug.

Injuries That Really Hurt

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense had been pretty good this season but not really up to their standards of the past. Things changed drastically recently with the season ending achilles injury to CB Richard Sherman. Taking away any team’s shut down corner can hurt a defense, but an All-Pro is an even bigger hit. This injury suffered by Sherman will keep him out till at least training camp of next season. That is a big blow for the Seahawks’ defense but a bigger blow was to come soon after.

Within the last week it turns out that SS Kam Chancellor will likely miss the rest of the season as well with a severe neck injury. Chancellor, the heart and soul of the Legion of Boom, had been reporting “neck stingers” initially. Stingers are just that a stinging, burning, throbbing sensation felt when there has been pressure applied to the nerves in the injured area. Normally this sensation goes away after anywhere from a few minutes to a few days at the most. This injury turns out that it is much more then just a “stinger” as formerly reported. The closest injury to this in recent times is the injury that was suffered by Peyton Manning. Peyton required neck surgery which kept him out for an entire season with the Colts.

The way that Chancellor plays is probably the biggest reason that he sustained this kind of injury. This Legion member played the position like a linebacker because he was bigger then most safeties. When Chancellor hit you, you were the bug and Chancellor was the windshield. He hit you with the intention of making sure you remember. An opposing player might think twice before coming his way again. This thunderous wear and tear is the thing that likely caused his injury he is suffering with now. In my opinion, he is going to require surgery to repair this issue he is having.  If things go well he should fully recover. An injury like the one that Chancellor has suffered could easily be career threatening, and in this case I think it may just be.

 

Can They Come Back the Same as They Were?

Both of these players are phenomenal athletes, but they have sustained some serious injuries. Can they possibly come back the same as they always were as players? I would never say never, but I don’t think I would bet on it happening in this case. Both of these players are going to be 30 years old next season, and that is not young in the NFL. Playing the positions that they do, and facing the long stretches of rehab ahead of them it will be very tough to come back the same.

Do not be surprised if one or both of these players seriously considers retirement from the NFL. Sherman is a very smart, Stanford educated man and could easily end up in another safer career. Chancellor would have to give retirement a serious thought as well. His injury is quite scary for him to try and resume playing the position that he does. I really do think this is the beginning of the end of the Legion of Boom. I guess only time will tell for certain if this is true.

Bruins Slowly Getting Healthy

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The Bruins are off to an average start this season despite being decimated with injuries. They hold a record of 9-7-4 for a total of 20 points. They’ve been without Bergeron, Krejci, Spooner, Backes, Marchand, McQuaid, Krug, Bjork, and Tuukka Rask at some point this season. Bergeron, Krejci, and Rask have all returned to the lineup full time.

Reinforcements on the Way

With some key players still missing from the lineup it looks like the Bruins are going to get a boost to their lineup very soon. Ryan Spooner, David Backes, Torey Krug, and Brad Marchand all practiced Tuesday. Spooner was a full participant in the practice while Backes, Marchand, and Krug all wore non-contact jerseys. With Spooner being a full participant in practice, the Bruins could see Spooner back in the lineup as early as Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. If Spooner isn’t ready to go Wednesday he will get another chance in Friday’s afternoon tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brad Marchand took some light contact during practice but it still appears he wont be ready to go tomorrow. Krug and Bjork are also both out for Wednesday’s game.

Transactions

The Bruins also recalled defenseman Matt Grzelcyk from Providence on Tuesday. So it looks like he man suit up for the Bruins maybe instead of Postma or O’Gara.

Scary When Healthy

I think when the Bruins get all these key players back they will be a force to be reckoned with. The lineup looks pretty deep down the middle and also pretty solid on the wing.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

Heinen-Krejci-Backes

DeBrusk-Spooner-Bjork

Beleskey-Nash-Accari

As you probably notice these probably wont be the exact forward line we will see when healthy. However I think this third line of DeBrusk, Spooner, and Bjork would be a killer third line and a very fast one as well. You also notice that I have Heinen on the second forward line. Heinen has put up 4 goals and 6 assists for a total of 10 points in 15 games. Heinen is on pace for 55 points this season and has proven that he deserves to be here. I think if he plays alongside some more skilled players like Krejci and Backes, he will score more and become a great player in the NHL.

Chara-McAvoy

Krug-Carlo

Miller-McQuaid

Rask

Khudobin

With the goalie controversy heating up, I think the Bruins need to ride Khudobin until he loses. He hasn’t yet lost a game in regulation. He holds an impressive record of 5-0-2 with a GAA of 2.17 and a SV% of .935. With Rask really struggling so far this season I believe it’s time to let Khudobin play a few more games. By doing this maybe Rask will realize he’s got to be better and will start performing better.

The Road Ahead

The Bruins have a tough schedule ahead facing a red hot New Jersey Devils team, the defending cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, Connor McDavid and the Oilers. The Bruins need to continue playing how they have been through all these injuries for the time being.

 

Writer’s block: Important tips against writing inhibitions

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Who writes stays. A certainly true saying. But also one who cleverly overlooks that writing is not always just a pleasure. To have written, yes, that is enjoyment, relief, edification. But still having to write can be a miserable torture. The blank paper, the blank screen are like sneers that slander every word imagined, every sentence approach and dismiss them from presumptuous bouncers on principle: “You can’t get in here!” Writers call this writer’s block. Nevertheless, everyone knows them: students before the next essay, students before the housework, project managers before the report, speakers before the presentation, journalists in front of the article, bloggers, authors, poets, even the authors of love letters. To put it in a nutshell: writer’s blockades are like herpes – the infection can never be completely cured. But sometimes the symptoms can be alleviated…

What is a writer’s block and how does it come about?

Anyone who has to deal with words in his job has ever stared at blank pages and did not know what to do next. Most describe this phenomenon as an inability or difficulty to put their thoughts into words and write them down. Thoughts float here and there, but goal-oriented and structured thinking is difficult.

What is the inability to write?

Just as each writer writes differently, the writer’s block also manifests itself in different ways. Some struggle with the right entry, others struggle with every word. And still others do not make a single sentence. Also, physical symptoms, such as restlessness, headache and nausea can occur. Most then go to clean up the apartment, clean, laundry or the like. Psychologists speak of avoidance actions.

Why do we get a writer’s block?

Often the writer’s block comes quite suddenly. And one wonders: Why is this happening to me right now? There are two possible reasons for this:
1. The psychological reasons: The fear of failure may be behind the write inhibition. There are so much pressures to deliver a good result that you censor yourself during the writing process. Can I write this like this? Will that please my readers, my boss or a professor? Often it is negative experiences that inhibit one. The last texts were panned. The criticism is so deep that you can’t get rid of it.
2. The substantive reasons: Actually, you have all the information in front of you and would only need to arrange it. But that’s exactly where the problem lies. The mountain of information is so overwhelming that you do not even know where to start. The inability to make connections and organize the information leads to the inability to write. But the opposite, the lack of information, is inhibiting. You just do not know what to write because you hardly know anything about the subject. In this case you need to visit essaytwist.com.

Time pressure releases writer’s block

Robert Boice, a psychologist at the University of New York in Albany, examined the problem. Boice made an experiment with 27 academics who suffered from a writer’s block and looked for ways to solve their writing inhibition. For ten weeks. Anyone who was allowed to write spontaneously, that is, when he was motivated to do so, showed moderate creativity at best. Other than those who were constantly pushed to it: they were the most productive.

Marquis Flowers is Blooming into Patriots’ Injured Linebacker Corps

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The Patriots have a history of nurturing young seeds into full bloom. Bill Belichick handles his crops with such care that once playoff harvesting season comes around they will win him the big blue ribbon at the county fair. Belichick has done just that with linebacker Marquis Flowers in the past week.

All gardening puns aside, the Patriots defense in the past few weeks have substantially improved. This has come as a surprise to fans as defensive starters like Dont’a Hightower, Malcolm Brown, and Eric Rowe have been riddled with injuries. Since their second loss of the season against the Panthers, the Patriots’ defense has improved substantially each week. From Weeks 1 to 4 the defense let up 128 points. Ever since they have allowed only 75, not letting their opponent surpass 20 points in the past six games. Rocket scientist Matt Patricia has found the perfect playbook for his defense, and it all revolves around help defense.

One area of the defense that has struggled for the majority of the season have been the linebacker corps. The depth has been thin to start the season and has continued to diminish after Dont’a Hightower, Harvey Langi, and Shea McClellin were placed on injury reserve. Elandon Roberts has been tasked with filling the hole in the defense that Hightower’s absence has created. He has done a significant job thus far but was inactive against the Raiders due to injury. Kyle Van Noy has been a constant as of late in a system of changing parts.

Flowers are Blooming in November

This weekend fans saw third year linebacker Marquis Flowers play alongside Van Noy. The Patriots acquired Flowers from the Bengals back in August in exchange for a 2018 seventh round draft pick. He started 35 of 50 games at the University of Arizona, logging 272 career tackles, 7½ sacks, five interceptions, and five forced fumbles. In the NFL he has bounced from the Panthers in 2014 to the Bengals until this offseason.

Flowers served a role on special teams at the beginning of the season and became a reserve linebacker up until this weekend. Against the Raiders he shared reps are the starting linebacker along Van Noy, racking up four tackles and a forced fumble that kept the Raiders out of the end zone in the first half. The fumble came deep in the red zone where Raiders receiver Seth Roberts almost cut the Patriot lead in half. Roberts held the ball away from his body as Jonathan Jones kept him in place. Marquis Flowers saw the opportunity and punched the ball out of Roberts’s hand, keeping the Raiders from converting any points in their one scoring position in the first half.

“Huge play,” Marquis Flowers reflected to reporters.

“A lot of times when a guy is trying to break a tackle, their ball security, they’re just trying to make a play and, not intentionally, but the ball is usually loose, especially the skill players,” Flowers explained. “When I went over there to go grab a tackle I thought I saw him re-grab the ball. I thought he almost dropped it the first time. So just basically tried to wrap my arms around where his hands were, and the ball came out.”

A New Chance in New England

With Elandon Roberts nursing an ankle injury, it is possible that Flowers could earn more snaps soon. In the Belichick system, more preparation and practice translates to more playing time Flowers has done just that this season. Last weekend Flowers played 19 snaps against the Broncos. This weekend he was a regular on the defense’s third down unit.

“I’m thankful that I went to an organization that allows you to compete, and when you are doing something well they allow you to play to your abilities,” Flowers said.

It’s no surprise to fans now that the Patriots have utilized yet another player acquired in the offseason. This is one of many instances this season alone where this has happened. Johnson Bademosi, traded from the Lions in August, has earned a significant increase in snaps after shutting down Julio Jones in Stephon Gilmore’s absence earlier this season. Cassius Marsh, a defensive end traded from the Seahawks in the preseason, also has been able to add depth to a once ailing left side of defensive line after Rob Ninkovich retired. Flowers is the newest addition to the role players that have come up big for the Patriots this season alone. The Patriots thrive upon bringing in players that were insignificant on one team and exploiting their strengths.

It just comes to show that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Coach Belichick can convert just about any player to look like a star for the Patriots.

RED SOX HOT STOVE: Whose Job is Safe

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After last season, it’s hard to think that this list is very long. Yes, the Red Sox could be putting up statistics with this team that no opponent can match. But it is quite obvious that something isn’t working to produce those numbers in the current clubhouse. You can see those players that may be packing their bags in the post that this one was inspired by here.

Whether new management will change the Red Sox clubhouse next season or not is up for debate. But no matter how many people could be traded, there is a core group of guys on this team that won’t be going anywhere.

Chris Sale:

 

Is this even close to being a debate? Runner-up to the Cy Young, 308 strikeout season, 2.90 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Those numbers speak for themselves, so you gotta bet the entire house that this gamer is coming back to Boston. Hopefully for many more years to come. But to me, this is the conversational part. Sale threw 214.1 innings this season. That my friends were the most in the 2017 season, period. To me, this might be a John Farrell trend due to the fact he threw David Price for the most in baseball in 2016 with a cool 230.0. When John gets his new toys, he loves to play with them. A bit too much. Cora will have to focus on limiting Sale’s innings, yet hone the results at special points in the season.

Rafael Devers:

A slight improvement from Pablo Sandoval I’d say. Who would have thought a guy nicknamed the “Kung Fu Panda” wouldn’t work out?! All that misery aside, Rafael Devers at this point seems irreplaceable. While there certainly could be quite the return for Devers, I doubt the Red Sox would want to get rid of the face of this clubhouse for years to come. With some of our stars’ abysmal seasons (Mookie Betts), Devers picked up the slack that a lot of 21-year-olds do in a video game with their created players. Looking at his stats, they each look a bit more impressive when remembering this kid’s age. Like Sale, it seems that at the moment Boston baseball is satisfying this guy. Until Devers picks up an agent like Scott Boris, who will tell him what his actual worth is, I think you’re safe to pick up his jersey at Fenway.

Craig Kimbrel:

When thinking of any World Series Red Sox team, you always think about the dominant closer who finished off your favorite moments. Kieth Foulke, Jonathon Pablebon, and Koji Uehara would be some that come to mind. Craig Kimbrel has proven he can be just as dominant, if not more. A WAR of 3.6, 1.43 ERA, 0.681 WHIP in a 35 save season is the cream of the crop in the MLB. Seeing as though Kimbrel is not a free agent until 2019, it seems like the Fenway faithful will see this man through the prime of his career.

Carson Smith:

It’s nice to finally see what Carson Smith can bring to Boston. Although he only made appearances in eight games, Carson Smith seems like the compliment to the flamethrower above we’ve waited for. A slider that comes around the corner similar to that of Sale, and a sinker that will hit you like a two-seam sometimes at 97 MPH. Looks like Dr. Andrews did it again. I doubt after waiting all this time for Smith’s arm to be Frankenstien’d back together that Dombrowski is in any rush to send out a trade with him in it. Smith will hit free agency in 2021 at the age of 33. This is an attractive contract for the Red Sox to keep depending on when and if Smith hits a decline.

Eduardo Núñez:

Absolute heartbreak to see this guy go down in one of the most crucial parts of the postseason this year. It’s sad to think of what difference he would have made offensively in that Houston series. Núñez wasn’t exactly the player all Boston fans wanted at the deadline. Yet, he played like that player anyways. Núñez impressed with a .321 AVG, with 53 hits and 23 runs in just 38 games. To me, Red Sox fans will see Dustin Pedroia leave in a wheelchair before seeing Núñez go. Given the fact Pedroia’s games and innings will have to be limited this season, the Sox need a platoon player like Núñez to fill in roles. Who knows, maybe if/when they finally tell Xander to kick rocks, Núñez may have a starting stop…

Jackie Bradley Jr.:

This one is a bit controversial in my eyes. Not just because this site already put out a piece about JBJ leaving to go to the Giants. Also because it seems like, out of all the core players on this team, Jackie Bradley seems like every fan’s top candidate to go. But will Dave Dombrowski ever be wow’d with a Jackie Bradley Jr. trade? Let me explain.

Who Would YOU Want:

First, you need to compare him to the other outfielders on this team. It seems too perfect that the Sox keep all three of the “Killer B’s” their entire careers. Especially since last year, those B’s weren’t very “killer” at all. If they did fulfill their nickname all at once, there may not be enough contracts to throw around. At some point, we might have to all part ways. Out of all three of them in trade talks, it’s quite obvious Jackie Bradley has the least value in a trade.

Mookie Betts, the runner-up to an MVP in 2016, appeared to be a five-tool player that can make an instant impact for any team in the MLB at his peak. At the age of 25, Mookie still yet to hit the prime years of his career. Whether or not he believes that is up for debate after going on talk radio and saying that he will never come close to his 2016 stats again. It doesn’t seem like Red Sox management loves hearing that. A .264 AVG Betts is a player I’d cast away while there’s still a chance. It’s very obvious he has incredible value at the moment from an outside perspective. But Mookie in Boston forever doesn’t seem like a reality.

Andrew Benintendi has a contract that, to many suitors, seems most appealing. Benintendi, age 24, will not be a free agent until the 2023 season. Which will be perfect, because at this point it will be very clear what his ceiling will be. For whatever team has him. A 20 home run season in his rookie season and runner-up up in AL ROY is what gives GMs whiplash. The question really seems, to be who you could get more for getting rid of in the trade market, Benny Baseball or Mookie.

JBJ Conclusion:

How does this effect JBJ? To me, it does not seem like the Red Sox will get a trade in any situation that will amount to the value Bradley Jr. has on THIS team. The only trade I’d be comfortable with in San Fransisco in return for Jackie Braldey Jr. would be him and Jason Groome for Mad Bum or Posey. Which would happen after you pinch me awake from that dream.

Although he might have the worth of a Cueto straight up, I doubt the Red Sox would open that defensive gap in their outfield to get a coin flip like Cueto. Especially after his abysmal 2016 season. Who else do you want from the San Fransisco Giants (64-98 in 2016)? Unless they can bring back a healthy and untraceable Barry Bonds, I’ll pass. The Red Sox are looking for a power bat. Although every trade they approach a team with may start with Jackie Bradley Jr., I’m sure that goes nowhere fast. Out of the names in this outfield, I don’t think the rebuttal back has JBJ/ headlining it.

Also, I’m not gonna lie. I’ll be very sad going to Fenway and not hearing “They Just Don’t Know” by Gyft when he walks up to the plate. You’ve danced to it, don’t lie, you know you have…

Anton Khudobin Is Carrying the Boston Bruins

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Finally it seems like Bruce Cassidy had the guts to make the move Bruins fans have been begging for. Khudobin may have saved the Bruins season from completely going down the drain. Riding a four game losing streak on the second night of a back-to-back against a team with the second best record in the Western Conference. The Bruins were underdogs to say the least. But like he has done since March of last year Khudobin stepped up and delivered in a way Rask has not. Khudobin made 27 saves on 28 shots, with a brilliant .964 save percentage. He then followed that up with an even better performance against the San Jose Sharks stopping 36 out of 37 shots leading the Bruins to back to back wins, and 4 out of 6 points on their California road swing.

Goaltending Change

After the Bruins improbable win against the Kings, Bruce Cassidy came out after the game and stated the Khudobin would be the starter for the time being. Granted Cassidy made no long term commitments after the San Jose game, but it’s expected that Khudobin will continue to get the call in goal over Tuukka Rask. Tuukka also spoke about the decision giving credit to Khudobin and publicly agreeing with Cassidy’s decision. Cassidy really had no other choice at this point. Tuukka has been retched this season, and Khudobin just cannot seem to lose.

Khudobin’s Numbers

The stat that shows the impact that Khudobin has had on this team the best is the team’s record in games that he has gotten the start in net. In games Khudobin started this season the Bruins have not lost a game in regulation. Khudobin secured points in all of his starts on the way to a 5-0-2 record. Currently Khudobin has a .935 save percentage, and 2.17 goals allowed on average. On top of that he has won games the Bruins had no business winning. His .935 save percentage is third best in the NHL and he is also tied for sixth in the NHL in GAA.

Long Term

Is Khudobin going to continue this production? Most likely not, considering Anton has spent the majority of his career as a back up and never started more than 36 games in a season. But Cassidy and the Bruins need to ride the hot hand of Khudobin if they care about this season. However, the Bruins cannot get too comfortable with him in net. As quickly as he became a top ten goalie in the NHL he could fall off a cliff. That’s what backups do: they can get insanely hot for as much as an entire season. However in the end they usually average out. So for Cassidy the long term solution is still getting Rask back at the top of his game. Maybe benching him for a month will be the kick in the ass he needs.

One thing is for certain Anton Khudobin has been the MVP for the Bruins this season. With the non-stop injuries ravishing the NHL roster Khudobin has been a calming force for the young kids. Especially with players getting closer to a return to the lineup, namely Marchand and Spooner. The Bruins are going to continue to lean heavily on Khudobin to carry this team throughout. Now let’s see if the feel good story of an overachieving backup can last.

BSE Week in Review

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Read through the articles that our talented writers have put together as we go back and review the Boston sports week and elsewhere. Also included are what other sport fans are saying about our articles, join in and be heard!!

@PatriotsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/week-11-key-match-ups-score-predictions

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/super-bowl-xxxix-rematch

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/week-10-winners-losers

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/the-commish-on-the-ropes

@CelticsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/can-take-away-celtics-win-warriors

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/boston-celtics-week-4

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/brad-stevens-finally-win-coach-year

@RedSoxExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/jbjs-san-fran-suitors

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/cy-young-reaction-rotation-red-sox

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/twitter-stanton-sources-trusted

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/11/red-sox-build-offensive-machine

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/11/red-sox-greatest-second-basemen

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/11/red-sox-greatest-first-basemen-ever

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/jeter-send-stanton-red-sox

@BruinsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/bruins-tank-rest-season

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/bruins-journey-califonria

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/boston-bruins-trade-zdeno-chara

 

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Red Sox Greatest Third Basemen of All-Time

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Making the way around the infield, my next installment in the series comes at the hot corner. Making the top five there will be a couple mainstays, a couple players from a century ago, and one I think you all will remember watching play. There were a couple options for the last spot, guys who weren’t with the team a real long time but made a big impact. But that’s what the honorable mention section is for at the end.

Wade Boggs

Wade Boggs is by far the greatest third baseman in franchise history. He leads the team at the position in almost every offensive category. Wade burst onto the scene in 1982 by batting .349. Over the next six seasons he only batted below .357 once, leading the league in hitting five times. Over his first seven seasons Boggs batted .356 while averaging 220 hits and 103 walks per 162 games played. He was the best hitter in baseball during the 80’s, seemingly able to foul off pitch after pitch until he got the one he wanted.

Boggs set a Major League record while with the Red Sox by collecting 200 hits in seven consecutive seasons. Not only that, they were the first seven full seasons of his career. Even with all the base hits, Boggs managed to walk over 100 times each season from 1986-89. Over the course of his Red Sox career, Boggs walked 1004 times, more than twice as often as he struck out. They just don’t make them like they used to.

Year Tm AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
1982 BOS 338 51 118 14 1 5 44 35 21 .349 .406 .441 .847
1983 BOS 582 100 210 44 7 5 74 92 36 .361 .444 .486 .931
1984 BOS 625 109 203 31 4 6 55 89 44 .325 .407 .416 .823
1985 BOS 653 107 240 42 3 8 78 96 61 .368 .450 .478 .928
1986 BOS 580 107 207 47 2 8 71 105 44 .357 .453 .486 .939
1987 BOS 551 108 200 40 6 24 89 105 48 .363 .461 .588 1.049
1988 BOS 584 128 214 45 6 5 58 125 34 .366 .476 .490 .965
1989 BOS 621 113 205 51 7 3 54 107 51 .330 .430 .449 .879
1990 BOS 619 89 187 44 5 6 63 87 68 .302 .386 .418 .804
1991 BOS 546 93 181 42 2 8 51 89 32 .332 .421 .460 .881
1992 BOS 514 62 133 22 4 7 50 74 31 .259 .353 .358 .711
BOS BOS 6213 1067 2098 422 47 85 687 1004 470 .338 .428 .462 .890

Frank Malzone

Malzone spent almost his whole career with the Red Sox, going to California for his final season in 1966. He batted .276 while picking up 1454 base hits. His 131 home runs and 716 runs batted in are tops at the position for the Red Sox. His heyday lasted eight seasons, from 1957-64. During those years he batted .281 with an average of 16 home runs and 84 RBI. He made eight all-star teams during those seasons, thanks to two All-Star Games in 1959 and 1960.

Malzone was also an excellent fielder, winning the first three Gold Gloves ever awarded to third basemen. In 1957, he led the league in errors made, but also in putouts, assists and double plays turned. He would lead the league in double plays for five consecutive seasons.

After his playing days were over Malzone came back to the organization. He would spend over three decades as a Red Sox scout. After scouting for years he would serve as a player development consultant for the team. Frank Malzone meant a lot to the Boston Red Sox organization.

Frank Malzone shown at batting practice before game with Cleveland at Fenway Park in Boston, July 28, 1957. (AP Photo/Frank C. Curtin)

Jimmy Collins

Collins was already well regarded before joining the Boston Americans in 1901. The franchise was known as the Americans during his entire stint with the team, not becoming named the Red Sox until 1908. Collins’ play remained well above average after switching leagues and he was often regarded as the best third baseman in baseball. On top of that, Collins was also the manager until part way through 1906. He led the team to the first ever World Series Championship in 1903. The following season he led them to a second consecutive pennant, but the Giants refused to play the World Series.

Collins batted .296 while picking up 881 base hits during his time with the organization. He was also a great defender, redefining the position. Before Collins, shortstops were the ones to field bunts. Collins became known for his ability to field bunts and the job eventually shifted to the third baseman. He is still second all-time at the position for putouts recorded. Collins was part of the seventh Hall of Fame class ever with his induction in 1945.

Larry Gardner

Gardner is the other one on the list who played a century ago. He first appeared with the team in 1908 and was the main third baseman from 1910-1917. During that time he collected 1106 base hits while batting .282. His 30.5 WAR is second only to Wade Boggs at the position.

During his stay in Boston, Gardner won three World Series championships. Despite only hitting 16 home runs over eight seasons, Gardner hit three home runs in 18 World Series games with the Red Sox. Despite a low batting average in series play, he made his presence felt.

William Larry Gardner of the Boston Red Sox swinging a bat in 1916. (Photo by Sporting News and Rogers Photo Archive)

Mike Lowell

Mike Lowell was acquired from the Marlins in a deal where Josh Beckett was the headliner. Lowell made his impact in Boston though, putting up fine offensive numbers, playing a rock solid third base and winning the 2007 World Series. That 2007 season was possibly the best of Lowell’s career, batting a career high .324 with 21 home runs and 120 runs batted in. Then in the postseason he batted .353 and drove in 15 runners. His .400 batting average in the World Series helped to net him the MVP Award for the series.

Before a hip problem slowed him in 2010, Lowell averaged a season of .295 19 87 over his first four seasons with the team. He made the All-Star Game in 2007 and finished fifth in the MVP vote. His .814 OPS with the team is 2nd among the guys included in the top five. In the field, Lowell only made six errors during his first season with the team. He is 2nd all-time at the position in career fielding percentage. A well liked player, it will be nice to have him back in the organization for this coming season.

Honorable Mentions:

Bill Mueller, Jim Tabor, Tim Naehring, John Valentin, Johnny Pesky, Rico Petrocelli, Butch Hobson

 

Greatest Starting Right Handed Pitchers

Greatest Starting Left Handed Pitchers

Greatest Relief Pitchers

Greatest Catchers

Greatest First Basemen

Greatest Second Basemen

 

WEEK 11: KEY MATCH-UPS AND SCORE PREDICTIONS

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Week 11 features some tantalizing match-ups for football fans. Plenty are “Game of the Week” worthy, thus making my decision for the true highlight event quite difficult. Of all the high-profile match-ups, I have to say Rams at Vikings intrigues me the most. I feel as though many fans circled Philadelphia at Dallas due to the whole divisional-rival thing, but Los Angeles at Minnesota is the real attention grabber of week 11. Other notable match ups this week include Atlanta at Seattle, New England at Oakland in Mexico City, and Washington at New Orleans.

Let’s get to it.

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Image result for vikings vs rams

Stoked for this game. Who would have expected both of these teams to be 7-2? No one. Especially the Rams, who have been one of the worst teams in the league over the past decade-and-a-half or so. The last time they finished over .500 was 2003. Last year, they went 4-12 with a -170 point differential. What a turnaround it has been this year. Los Angeles leads the NFC West at 7-2 and own a league leading point differential at +134.

Then we have the Vikings, who certainly had higher expectations in 2017 than the Rams but I do not think many expected them to be where they are at. Sure, Rodgers going down for the season has given them a pretty clear lane to the division title but with the level they are playing at, they are deserving of it. Their defense is as anticipated but the surprise is the offensive production with Case Keenum under center. Sans Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook, the Vikings have proven that they are at the very least a playoff team. I expect this to be a very close game but I have to give the rollin’ Rams the slight edge here: 24-23.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS

This match up just has a pleasant ring to it. It seems like any NFC East match-up is always one that gets the fans excited. I love this game, but it has to fall second to the LA and Minnesota game solely because it will be lacking a guy named Ezekiel Elliott. You know, that guy who wears #21 for the Cowboys? Yeah him, he’s pretty good. Unfortunately he is serving a six game suspension so the ‘Boys will attempt to get the job done without him. Luckily, they are at home which helps but I do not think they can pull this one off against Philadelphia.

The Cowboys only hope is that Alfred Morris and Rod Smith can run it down the Eagles throat, which I just do not see happening. Philadelphia is ranked first in the league in rush yards allowed per game at 66.4. I expect it to be competitive but ultimately Dak and company will lack the fire power to keep up with Wentzylvania. Eagles 31 Cowboys 20.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Image result for falcons vs seahawks

This will be a rematch of last years NFC Divisional playoff round. The Falcons took that one 36-20 at home vs Seattle. You bet Pete Carroll’s team will be seeking revenge. Both teams are missing an extremely valuable player. Devonta Freeman will (listed as doubtful) be out with a concussion and Richard Sherman is out for the year with a ruptured achilles. Tevin Coleman will play a key role for Atlanta. If Freeman does sit this one out, Coleman will be heavily relied on out of the backfield, with some help from Terron Ward.

Seattle will rely on quality play from corner backs’ Jeremy Lane and Shaquill Griffin to to fill the role of Richard Sherman. This could be a tough task for them as they will be going up against the big and fast Atlanta receivers, Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. The Falcons looked great last week, but one solid performance is not a enough to convince me they are back to last year’s form yet. I am going with Seattle in this one: 26-20.

SCORE PREDICTIONS:

Jacksonville 27, Cleveland 10

Tampa Bay 16, Miami 17

Baltimore 20, Green Bay 17

Detroit 23, Chicago 17

LA Rams 24, Minnesota 23

Arizona 20, Houston 13

Kansas City 27, NY Giants 16

Washington 20, New Orleans 31

Buffalo 17, LA Chargers 23

Cincinnati 16, Denver 20

New England 31, Oakland 23

Philadelphia 31, Dallas 20

Atlanta 20, Seattle 26