More appreciative of certain players now

[Gary Armida]

As a life long baseball fan, I am certainly disappointed with all of the steriod crap. However, after hearing Peter Gammons on ESPN today he got me thinking about Ken Griffey. The last few years notwithstanding, his accomplishments on the field are amazing. His numbers are crazy for someone not on the juice. Here is a guy who, as Gammons said, looks the same as when he first came up. His 500 HRs are truly an accomplishment. Here's hoping to a Grant Hill like comeback for him. Even if not, he is a definite HOFer.

After that, I started thinking about other players. The one guy who lept out at me is Fred McGriff. The Crime Dog is a few homers short of 500 and never had spectacular seasons. I always said no to him for the HOF. But, given the fact that he was clearly not on the juice, I may change my stance on this.

Just something that I thought would make for good conversation.

[SportsTop]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

Here is a list of the top 20 leaders in career HR's. I've never been a huge Griffey fan, but this whole steroid scandal does shed a new light on how solid his career has been.

Rank Player (age) Home Runs Bats 
1. Hank Aaron+  755 R 
2. Babe Ruth+  714 L 
3. **Barry Bonds (39) 703 L 
4. Willie Mays+  660 R 
5. Frank Robinson+  586 R 
6. **Mark McGwire  583 R 
7. **Sammy Sosa (35) 574 R 
8. Harmon Killebrew+  573 R 
9. Reggie Jackson+  563 L 
10. **Rafael Palmeiro (39) 551 L 
11. Mike Schmidt+  548 R 
12. Mickey Mantle+  536 B 
13. Jimmie Foxx+  534 R 
14. Willie McCovey+  521 L 
  Ted Williams+  521 L 
16. Ernie Banks+  512 R 
  Eddie Mathews+  512 L 
18. Mel Ott+  511 L 
19. Eddie Murray+  504 B 
20. Ken Griffey Jr. (34) 501 L

**Potential Steroid Enhanced Careers

[SportsTop]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

Here is a list of the top 20 leaders in career HR's. I've never been a huge Griffey fan, but this whole steroid scandal does shed a new light on how solid his career has been.

Rank Player (age) Home Runs Bats 
1. Hank Aaron+  755 R 
2. Babe Ruth+  714 L 
3. **Barry Bonds (39) 703 L 
4. Willie Mays+  660 R 
5. Frank Robinson+  586 R 
6. **Mark McGwire  583 R 
7. **Sammy Sosa (35) 574 R 
8. Harmon Killebrew+  573 R 
9. Reggie Jackson+  563 L 
10. **Rafael Palmeiro (39) 551 L 
11. Mike Schmidt+  548 R 
12. Mickey Mantle+  536 B 
13. Jimmie Foxx+  534 R 
14. Willie McCovey+  521 L 
  Ted Williams+  521 L 
16. Ernie Banks+  512 R 
  Eddie Mathews+  512 L 
18. Mel Ott+  511 L 
19. Eddie Murray+  504 B 
20. Ken Griffey Jr. (34) 501 L

**Potential Steroid Enhanced Careers

[nyisles16]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

i agree - Griffey was (& is) a great player to watch.. too bad injuries have taken their toll, but he didnt need to use any "performance enhancers".. also, when he first started out, just watching him have "fun" playing the game worth something.. too bad that era of baseball has ended - with the Ripkens, Gwynns, Bretts, Molitors, and the likes long since gone.. now a days, it's "me, show me the money" era of ball. Here's another question to ponder: During the HR Derby of 98, do you think baseball "insiders" (high ranking officals) had any knowledge of steriod use, but didnt want to do anything because of the strike in '94? (to gain back the fan support)?

[nyisles16]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

i agree - Griffey was (& is) a great player to watch.. too bad injuries have taken their toll, but he didnt need to use any "performance enhancers".. also, when he first started out, just watching him have "fun" playing the game worth something.. too bad that era of baseball has ended - with the Ripkens, Gwynns, Bretts, Molitors, and the likes long since gone.. now a days, it's "me, show me the money" era of ball. Here's another question to ponder: During the HR Derby of 98, do you think baseball "insiders" (high ranking officals) had any knowledge of steriod use, but didnt want to do anything because of the strike in '94? (to gain back the fan support)?

[devilsjaw]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

Frank Robinson rules.

[devilsjaw]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

Frank Robinson rules.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

The Crime Dog! Too bad Tampa Bay released him last season. If he doesn't reach the 500 home run plateau he's still a great player. HOF? Not a first-balloter, but should be considered.

As for Ken Griffey Jr. If he had only remained healthy the last few years he'd definitely be giving Aaron a run for the record.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: More appreciative of certain players now

The Crime Dog! Too bad Tampa Bay released him last season. If he doesn't reach the 500 home run plateau he's still a great player. HOF? Not a first-balloter, but should be considered.

As for Ken Griffey Jr. If he had only remained healthy the last few years he'd definitely be giving Aaron a run for the record.