Curt Schilling: Hall of Fame or not?

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Curt Schilling was a very good major league pitcher. He was even better in the post season, as you can see from his numbers: 11-2, 2.23 ERA and 4 complete games. Tremendous, amazing and big game pitcher are all ways to describe Curt Schilling's playoff career. If there was a Hall of Fame for the playoffs, then Curt Schilling would be a unanimous, first ballot Hall of Famer. There is just one problem. There is no playoff hall of fame. You need to take into account a player's entire career, including regular and post season.


Schilling's career numbers are very good. His 216-146 record, 3.46 ERA, 3,116 strikeouts are all impressive. If you take a closer look at his 162 game average, a 14-9 record, 3.46 ERA and 210 strikeouts don't exactly shout Hall of Famer. Yes, his 3,116 strikeouts put him 20th overall, but how many of those came against an opposing pitcher. I'm a huge National League fan, so I am not trying to bag on the NL, but some concessions need to be made when someone plays 13 1/2 years in the NL.

www.baseball-reference.com is one of my favorite websites. I often go there for stats that aren't burned into my brain. If you look at Curt's page, which the link above will take you directly to, there is a list of comparable pitchers. That list is below.

1. Kevin Brown
2. Bob Welch
3. Orel Hershiser
4. Freddie Fitzsimmons
5. Milt Pappas
   
6. Don Drysdale
   
7. Dazzy Vance
   
8. Jim Perry
9. Catfish Hunter
   

Only three of that list are hall of famers (Don Drysdale, Catfish Hunter, Dazzy Vance). While John Smoltz will be a hall of famer, he's also a far superior pitcher in my estimation. The rest really shouldn't even be in the discussion.

I appreciate all he's done in the game considering the era he's played in. He's had to go up against the likes of Barry Bonds, Mark Maguire, Sammy Sosa, etc. That is not an easy thing to do. Is he one of the best playoff competitors of all time? Yes, but Reggie Jackson also had a great regular season career. Kirk Gibson didn't make the Hall of Fame for his World Series home run, and neither did Joe Carter.

Living in the Boston area, many people may say that I am just writing this to make a splash. While I might not be a Red Sox fan, I am also not a Red Sox Hater or Yankees fan. To be perfectly honest, I like Curt Schilling. I may not agree with some of his personal views, but enjoy listening to him speak on the radio. I just happen to be very conservative when it comes to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I am the person who thinks Cal Ripken shouldn't be in there either, but that is a discussion for another time.

McDaniels, are you a man or a mouse?

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Are you kidding me?
New Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels is now saying that cry baby Jay Cutler is his quarterback.
For now.
But for how long?
McDaniels don't you wish you were back in New England with the protection of guru Bill Belichick?
Joshy boy, it's your chance to put a stamp on this team right away.
We know Cutler isn't your boy and you wanted one-year-wonder Matt Cassel to be your quarterback, but Uncle Bill wanted you to earn your keep so he traded him to the Chiefs and good friend Scott Pioli.
Now it's your move rookie!
Lets see, I think it's a no-brainer, you need to kick Cutler to the curb and develop your own guy.
Why don't you come out and just be honest -- you like Cutler's arm (he can make every tough NFL throw) but you don't like his decision-making and his inability to read a defense. But most importantly, you don't like his attitude. He's shown he's not a leader. Chalk it up to youth, but it appears from a distance that Cutler is about himself and his stats. Maybe he's a great locker room guy, but on the field his leadership qualities don't come though.
Big deal, he threw for over 4,000 yards. Denver always seemed to trail in games and Cutler's stats were inflated because he had to throw just about every down to try to get back into the game. He's a fantasy producer, but in real football he's a mediocre quarterback with a bad attitude.
Do it Josh, cut bait.
Cutler's bashed the organization (isn't he suppose to be the franchise?), and basically called you a liar. People are laughing at you Josh, we're all laughing at you!
You better trade him before or during the draft or you'll forever be labeled as a pushover.
Your credibility as a head coach is being questioned. You're better than that. Everyone in New England realized you had a great football mind, but perhaps you're in over your head as a head coach?
Maybe you've got us all fooled and have a plan to trade him?
I hope so.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but don't take the banana in the tailpipe.
Do the right thing -- the only thing -- ship Cutler to Detroit so he can get his head beat in like he did back in college.
But you better not trade him to the Jets.
Bill taught you better than that!

How are your brackets doing?

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Is your bracket busted yet?
Not me.
I'm going to credit it more to luck than skill, but I can honestly say my team -- National Chump -- in the private Yahoo! league Fan Fanatic BBall Challenge is alive and kicking.
For how long, who knows? Yes, it could be over very soon. Perhaps in the next round.
So enjoy it while it lasts.
But has this tournament gone basically according to plan? It appears like it ... so far.
All four No. 1 seeds are still chasing March Madness glory. Of the four -- North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Louisville and UConn -- only the Huskies have easily cruised in the first two rounds. Pittsburgh hasn't look good at all, however, with close games vs. East Tennessee State and Oklahoma State. Perhaps their so-so guard play will bite them soon. Maybe against UNC in the Final Four (that's my prediction)?
The Tar Heels shook off LSU in the second round, while Louisville just snuck by Siena. Siena, come on, who are these clowns? ... oops, I mean the Saints. So sorry.
While many people like the underdog, I really hate them. I like to see the best teams advance in this tournament so two elite powers can face off in the Elite 8, Final Four and National Championship Game. These low seeds really don't have a shot at a title, so their title is knocking off a national power.
Big deal, it still doesn't do it for me.
I want to watch the best teams play, not Siena, Western Kentucky, Northern Iowa, etc. I'd rather welcome them to the tournament, give them their free goody bag and send them on their way back home with a quick blowout loss.
Power to the elite programs!
What joke of a team will break my bracket now?
Probably no one because all 16 teams left standing are legit in my book (well, Xavier's probably the weakest so they'll beat Pitt).
Isn't this stat great: The top 3 teams in each region make Sweet 16 for the first time in history.
Take that underdogs. Have fun watching the real programs play now!!!
I really love the tourney this year.
Bye-bye underdogs.

Fantasy Baseball (relief pitchers) Papelbon dances into the top spot

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Today we will finish our top 20 fantasy analysis by looking into the relief pitcher position. T0 be more specific, we'll be talking about closers and what they can, or can not, do for your fantasy team. I love closers. I love their mentality, I love their passion, and I love their personalities. That doesn't alwasy translate into fantasy importance. In my own drafts, I try to wait as long as possible, and draft other positions knowing I can pick up saves later in the draft.

As the season goes on you can always pick up saves due to a closer losing his job or through an injury. Is seems like 2 to 3 new closer candidates emerge every year, so don't be to concerned if you leave your draft without too many closers. Take last year for instance. Jonathon Broxton took over for an injured Takashi Saito. Matt Capps and Joel Hanrahan emerged from a slew of candidates on each team to take the closer role. Most people had probably never heard of either Capps or Hanrahan. This year, all three names are in my top 20.

Cream of the Crop
Jonathon Papelbon has developed into the best closer in the game. He may not have lead the majors in saves, but his 41 saves, 77 K's, 2.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 9.63 K/BB ratio and 10.00 K/9 innings make him the composite overall choice. Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera don't offer much, if any drop off from Papelbon. Both closers had sub 1.50 era's (1.33 for Nathan, 1.40 for Rivera) and had 39 saves a piece. Rivera had an amazing WHIP of .67 last season with a K/BB ratio of 12.83. Nathan's WHIP was .90, but his K/BB ratio was only 4.11. The only reason I have Rivera slightly behind Nathan in my rankings is due to age. You never quite know when he'll breakdown. Will it be this year? I am not sure, but I'd rather take the known quantity in Nathan over any inherent risk in Rivera. Either way, you'll be drafting yourself a great fantasy closer.

The Next Level
If you draft any of the next three guys, you'll be still be getting a very good closer to lead your staff. Joakin Soria, Francisco Rodriguez and Brad Lidge all had great years last year. Remember that you can't expect Krod to put that many saves up again. That was a fluke year in my opinion. I would also not expect Brad Lidge to go perfect again.

Solid Late Pickups
Joel Hanrahan, Matt Capps, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Wilson should all be available after the first 13-14 rounds. Each one will give you around 30 saves and allow you to draft more important positions first.

Outside the top 20
Once the top closers are gone, it's time to look at set up men and potential closers. Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon are both vying for the Detroit closers job. Make sure to keep your eyes on Kevin Gregg, Jose Arredondo, Brad Ziegler, Chris Ray, J.P. Howell, Mike Adams, Cory Wade, and former fantasy stud J.J. Putz. All these pitchers will get save opportunities this year and could emerge as the guy.

Top 20 Relief Pitchers

1. Jonathon Papelbon (BOS)
2. Joe Nathan (MIN)
3. Mariano Rivera (NYY)
4. Joakim Soria (KC)
5. Brad Lidge (PHI)
6. Francisco Rodriguez (NYM)
7. Jose Valverde (HOU)
8. BJ Ryan (TOR)
9. Carlos Marmol (CHI)
10. Bobby Jenks (CWS)
11. Jonathon Broxton (LAD)
12. Kerry Wood (CLE)
13. Brian Fuentes (ANA)
14. Francisco Cordero (CIN)
15. Brian Wilson (SF)
16. Trevor Hoffman (MIL)
17. Joel Hanrahan (WAS)
18. Matt Capps (PIT)
19. Heath Bell (SD)
20. Frank Francisco (TEX)

Take that for rooting for Florida State!

What you’re about to read is a true story. Do not adjust your monitors.

There I was. It was Monday night, the Monday before Thursday Madness, and I was filling out my bracket. I came across the East Region portion of the bracket and was staring at the 12-5 matchup between Wisconsin and Florida State

Before I continue, you have to know one thing: I am a Miami Hurricanes freak. Not fan. Not fanatic. Freak. I despise all things related to the Florida Gators, I despise all things related to the Va. Tech Hokies and I definitely despise all things Florida State. Back to the story.

My first instinct, of course, was to pick the Badgers in the typical 12-5 upset that is so commonplace in the field of 65. Instead, for the sake of my bracket – and nothing else, I swear – I picked the Seminoles. Twice. And what do those bums from Tallahassee proceed to do? They blow the game after leading, 31-19, at the half.

I was beside myself.

I drank the Tallahassee Kool-Aid and all it gave me was … well, it starts with an S and ends in hit.

I could never forgive myself. My fellow Hurricanes’ fans shouldn’t forgive me, either.

To this very moment, sitting here writing this, I am still pissed off over this whole thing. Even more pissed off than I am at the fact that Wake Forest got throttled by Cleveland State (I didn’t have Wake advancing past the Sweet 16, so I really don’t care).

The icing on the cake, the lowly Gators – DAMN THAT CHOMP! – slid past Miami in the second round of the NIT.

Wonderful.

Oh, and Virginia defeated the Hurricanes’ baseball team, 9-4.

What a freaking day!

Lesson learned. Never trust those thugs from Tallahassee in any sport.

Hell, they had the best lineup and one of the best No. 1 pitchers in college baseball a couple of years back and still got bounced from the College World Series. I can take solace in the fact that it was the Hurricanes which did so.

But, that’s another sport for another time.

(Special to Fan Fanatic Sports by Jorge Bannister. He can be reached at jbannister11@yahoo.com)

Fantasy Baseball (starting pitchers): No sophomore jinx for Tiny Tim Lincecum

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
A good ace, every Major League Baseball team wants at least one. The same can be said for every team in fantasy baseball. Many owners are blinded by offensive stats and tend to think "decent" pitching can be had in the middle to late rounds. True, but you won't find an ace that late in the draft. Just like a stud bat, an elite arm can make up for so-so other starters -- the guy that gives up 5 runs in 2 innings, but your ace covers his #$& with a complete-game shutout. Do you have confidence that middle-tier arms can produce on a weekly basis? I don't buy that diamond in the rough theory. Yes, it does happen every now and again, but good luck finding one. I'll take my chances with drafting an elite pitcher in the late first round or anywhere in the second round. You can bet I'll get a pitcher in the top three rounds. 

I love pitching, need it and always want more. Sort of like a chocolate junky.

What I really need is a Tim Lincecum to anchor my rotation. He's my clear-cut No. 1 guy; I really believe this kid has what it takes to carry a team. He's only done it for one year (18-5 record, 227 IP, 265 K, 2.62 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), that's the only thing detractors can come up with -- a sophomore jinx. I believe you don't register 265 Ks and then in one season can't get guys out. Opponents have proven they can't hit the 24-year-old and that trend will continue this year. 

CC Sabathia now pitching in New York! YES! Expect better stats than (17-10, 253 IP, 251 Ks, 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) this year. Well, since he's now back in the AL, strikeouts may be slightly donw and ERA and WHIP may be a little up. But his record should be better with the Yanks ... 20-game winner, at least, and a can't-miss guy on draft day.

Johan Santana is still good, but he had only 16 wins and his strikeout totals fell from 235 in 2007 to 206 last year. He's been rehabbing in the preseason, and perhaps we've already seen the best of him in 2006 (19 wins, 245 Ks, 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)?

Injuries are always a concern and I'd steer clear of guys who are currently nursing bum arms: Cole Hamels and Ervin Santana. They may be fine during the year, but for where you're going to have to draft them, I'm not even that big of a gambling guy.

I'm still not sold on them: Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (He's always hurt and he has bouts of wildness and only seems to last 5 innings because he's over 100 pitches), Edinson Volquez (yes, he was 17-6 last year, but his second-half woes definitely frighten me) and Rich Harden (huge talent, injury prone every year).

Young guns: Boston's Jon Lester (even a Yankees fan believes in this lefty), Joba Chamberlain (don't dig in on Joba. He's filthy and tough to hit) and David Price (sky is limit for Tampa lefty, but don't expect an amazing season just yet. He needs to pay his dues).

Can't go wrong: Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Dan Haren, Brandon Webb.

Sleepers: San Francisco's Matt Cain (I think this is the year he finally puts it all together), Zack Greinke, Gavin Floyd, Max Scherzer, Matt Garza, Fausto Carmona.

(Coming tomorrow: Relief pitcher rankings by Jim Ingram)

TOP 20 STARTING PITCHERS

1. Tim Lincecum (SF)
2. CC Sabathia (NYY)
3. Johan Santana (NYM)
4. Roy Halladay (TOR)
5. Brandon Webb (ARZ)
6. Dan Haren (ARZ)
7. Josh Beckett (BOS)
8. Jake Peavy (SD)
9. Roy Oswalt (HOU)
10. Francisco Liriano (MIN)
11. Cliff Lee (CLE)
12. John Lackey (LAA)
13. Jon Lester (BOS)
14. A.J. Burnett (NYY)
15. Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)
16. Chad Billingsley (LAD)
17. James Shields (TB)
18. Joba Chamberlain (NYY)
19. Cole Hamels (PHI) * only because of injury concern, would be a top-5 pitcher
20. Ervin Santana (LAA) * injury concerns

NCAA Final Four

By Josh Bremberg
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Final Four:
Kansas vs. Memphis - It will be a great rematch of last year's championship game, with Memphis pulling it out.

Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina - With injuries affecting the startig 5 at UNC, Pitt should remain the Beast in the East, rolling to an easy "W".

National Championship:
Justin Timberlake was so upset & convincing during the ESPY Awards last summer, that I just have to give the nod to Memphis as the National Champion of 2009!

Bye, bye, bye!