I actually like Upton's chances of to break the SO record. His contract with the Angels ends in 2022 (5 more seasons) and, assuming he stays the rest of his contract, he'll be very close to the record. At his current rates, he needs 7 Seasons to do it. If he slides to DH when Pujols retires...
It's hard to say who'll end up the all time Strikeout Jester, but I doubt it'll so straightforward. The game changes too quickly for the way things are today to be the way they'll be in 10 years.
Trout, for instance, has played in 949 games to this point. If his SO Rates remain the same...
Going by SO Rates, these are the guys to watch:
Trout, Age 26: 153 SO per 162
Upton, Age 30: 168 SO per 162
Bryant, Age 26: 168 SO per 162
Stanton, Age 28: 189 SO per 162
Judge, Age 26: 219 SO per 162
Gallo, Age 24: 219 SO per 162
Sano, Age 25: 249 SO per 162
Reggie Jackson: 149 SO per 162...
With the ever-increasing importance of WAR, there's no one in their right mind who would rate Molina as a HOF candidate. By the numbers, player to player, Russell Martin has a better HOF case than Molina. The only thing Molina has going for him in the Cardinal fanbase.
The most interesting aspect of HOF Voting that we will see grow in the coming years and decades will be just how reliant voters are on WAR. I imagine a time coming soon when voters will simply look at that singular "stat" to determine if they will or will not vote for a certain player. I think...
The 1980's and early 1990's in the National League would have looked a lot different had the Padres not traded Ozzie Smith away to the Cardinals in exchange for Gary Templeton.
Teaming Smith and Gwynn for the better part of both their careers would have been historically fun. It also would...
Brock on the sweet spot.
Gilmore will post the pics.
My brother-in-laws granddad was a MLB photographer. Many, many great pics and other balls...but this is the only one with all HOF.
Another ball with Campy on it...most, if not all Dodgers...
Bill Russell, Reggie Smith, Campy, Wes Parker...
1980's Official NL Baseball...
Duke Snider
Bob Gibson
Catfish Hunter
Enos Slaughter
Bob Feller
Hoyt Wilhelm
Warren Spahn
Roy Campanella
Billy Williams
Willie Stargell
Lou Brock
Gilmore has the pics. Hopefully he will post them.