• Splashing Pumpkins takes a look back at some of the more notable home runs hit by the San Francisco Giants in 2010 thanks to information provided by Hit Tracker.  With sluggers like Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, and Pablo Sandoval, you will never guess who owns the year’s biggest bomb…

• These days I feel like most of us have forgotten how good Grady Sizemore was from 2005-2008.  Over those four seasons, Sizemore appeared in three All-Star games while playing in 639 of 748 possible games for the Cleveland Indians.  But after several injuries – the most recent being a microfracture in his knee – Sizemore has only played in 139 games over the last two seasons.  Now in the last year of his contract, Craig Calcaterra speculates whether the Indians will pick up his $8 million option for 2012.

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So much for it “being in the bag,” I guess.  As some of my readers may know (although most of you may not), I am a lifelong Houston Astros fan.  The first piece of sports memorabilia I ever had as a young child was a Colt .45’s jersey.  Having been born and raised in Houston for 10 years also helps.  I grew up watching baseball in the 8^th wonder of the modern world and learned quickly to despise the Cardinals.  More times than I can count I was fortunate enough to watch The Wizard himself perform on the Astroturf stage.

So what is the point of this rambling?  As an avid Astros fan, I feel that Jeff Bagwell should have been elected into the Hall of Fame.  As a matter of fact, I find it downright offensive to see that he only received 242, or 41.7% of the votes needed.  How could the writers not give one of the original Killer B’s his comeuppance?  I understand that some arguments will be made based on him playing in Houston, for a team that never seemed to find a way past the Braves.  But let’s just take a look at the stats and see what they have to say.

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• There’s no better holiday present than the Chicago White Sox new ticket package, “The Ozzie Plan.” Better yet, there’s no better way to promote it than with a commercial featuring the man himself.

• I was happy to hear that the Reds’ decided to extend Jay Bruce’s contract, which of course means that Mevs was beside himself with excitement.  Be sure to read his sincere thoughts on the Bruce’s new contract and the impact it will have on the organization.

• Speaking of extensions, the folks at Splashing Pumpkins analyze the risks of locking up the Rookie of the Year, Buster Posey, with a contract extension.  Although the idea is beyond tempting, it might be potentially detrimental to the development of the entire organization.

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Adam Dunn, who was signed by Chicago White Sox last Thursday, was officially introduced to the media this past weekend. [MLB]

This afternoon, news surfaced that the Chicago White Sox had offered a “runner-up” package, centered around Gordon Beckham, to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for slugger Adrian Gonzalez.  Um, wow.  [HardballTalk]

Chad Ochocinco and National League MVP, Joey Votto pose for photo…at Starbucks. [Diamond Hoggers]

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Tracy Ringolsby posted on his Twitter account that in return for starting pitcher Gavin Floyd, the White Sox were asking for both Ian Stewart and Dexter Fowler.  He declared such a proposition to be “silly.” [Inside the Rockies]

There should be an announcement either today or tomorrow regarding Alexei Ramirez and his 2011 contract.  The White Sox shortstop will either be offered a contract extension or exercise his player option and opt out of his $1.1 million salary for 2011.  If he chooses to opt out, the White Sox can either exercise their $2.75 million club option, or take their chances in arbitration. [Chicago Breaking Sports]

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