{"id":2426,"date":"2011-01-01T19:22:40","date_gmt":"2011-01-02T01:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/?p=2426"},"modified":"2011-01-01T19:41:24","modified_gmt":"2011-01-02T01:41:24","slug":"around-the-league-harmon-killebrew-hall-of-fame-braves-bullpen-and-cubs-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/archives\/2426","title":{"rendered":"Around The League: Harmon Killebrew, Hall of Fame, Braves&#8217; bullpen, and Cubs&#8217; prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/jeffbagwell.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2425\" title=\"jeffbagwell\" src=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/jeffbagwell-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"370\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/jeffbagwell-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/jeffbagwell.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/killeha01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Harmon Killebrew<\/strong><\/a> has been <a href=\"http:\/\/sports.espn.go.com\/mlb\/news\/story?id=5969976&amp;campaign=rss&amp;source=MLBHeadlines\">diagnosed with esophageal cancer<\/a> and is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.\u00a0 Killebrew, 74, won the Most Valuable Player award in 1969 and his 573 career home runs ranks 11<sup>th<\/sup> all-time.\u00a0 He is also credited as being one of the first sluggers to incorporate a dismount into his swing following a presumed no-doubter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The great Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated has dedicated his week to scrutinizing the careers of the players on the 2011 Hall of Fame ballot; each day has had a corresponding post and he has finally narrowed down his list and acknowledged the players that he voted for.\u00a0 He calls them \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/joeposnanski.si.com\/2010\/12\/30\/hall-of-fame-the-eight-definites\/\">The Eight Definites<\/a>,\u201d and they are as follows- <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alomaro01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Roberto Alomar<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bagweje01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jeff Bagwell<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/blylebe01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Bert Blyleven<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/larkiba01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Barry Larkin<\/strong><\/a>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/player_search.cgi?search=Edgar+Martinez&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Edgar  Martinez<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgwima01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">Mark McGwire<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/raineti02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Tim  Raines<\/a><\/strong>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/trammal01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Allan Trammell<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 For those who wish to read his entire series, which will be concluded today, here are the articles in order- [<a href=\"http:\/\/joeposnanski.si.com\/2010\/12\/28\/hall-of-fame-the-first-round\/\">First Round<\/a>] [<a href=\"http:\/\/joeposnanski.si.com\/2010\/12\/29\/hall-of-fame-the-second-round\/\">The Second Round<\/a>] [<a href=\"http:\/\/joeposnanski.si.com\/2010\/12\/30\/hall-of-fame-the-eight-definites\/\">The Eight Definites<\/a>] [<a href=\"http:\/\/joeposnanski.si.com\/2010\/12\/31\/hall-of-fame-the-borderline-five\/\">The Borderline Five<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"http:\/\/baseballbloggersalliance.com\/\">Baseball Bloggers Alliance<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/baseballbloggersalliance.com\/2010\/12\/bba-recommends-alomar-blyleven-for-hall-of-fame\/\">has recommended<\/a> both Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven for the Hall of Fame after both players received 75.97% of the votes.\u00a0 Other notable players who just missed the cut include: Barry Larkin (70.78%), Jeff Bagwell (62.34%), <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/player_search.cgi?search=Edgar+Martinez&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Edgar  Martinez<\/a><\/strong> (59.09%), and Tim  Raines (54.55%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!--more--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Once a top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=lambo-001and\">Andrew  Lambo<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s window has been gradually closing over the better part of the last two seasons.\u00a0 Although many believe that he still possesses the physical skills, there is still clearly an issue with his level of maturity\u2026or lack-there-of.\u00a0 Now with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Lambo\u2019s progress and overall success is essentially up to him, as <a href=\"http:\/\/rumbunter.com\/2010\/12\/29\/can-pittsburgh-pirates-andrew-lambo-grow-up\/\">Rum Bunter<\/a> so succinctly states.\u00a0 Even if you have no desire to read about Lambo, this article is worth checking out solely for the graphics. Trust me.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Speaking of witty graphics, Miller Park Drunk is on the point with the ones they use in their list of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.millerparkdrunk.com\/baseball\/milwaukee-brewers-baseball\/10-worst-milwaukee-brewers-of-2010\">10-Worst Milwaukee Brewers of 2010<\/a>.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry people, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suppaje01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Jeff  Suppan<\/a><\/strong> is on the list, obviously.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>I don\u2019t think that anybody expected <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wagnebi02.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Billy  Wagner<\/a><\/strong> to have one of the best seasons of his career in 2010.\u00a0 I sure as hell didn\u2019t.\u00a0 But now with Wagner more than likely to retire prior to the 2011 season, the Braves will be counting on a tandem of youngsters in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/ventejo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jonny Venters<\/strong><\/a> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kimbrcr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Craig  Kimbrel<\/a><\/strong> to close ballgames.\u00a0 Both are poised to have a lot of success in years to come \u2013 hopefully I don\u2019t eat my words next season \u2013 considering that they are strikeout pitchers who surrender very few home runs.\u00a0 The folks at <a href=\"http:\/\/tomahawktalk.com\/\">Tomahawk Talk<\/a> detail the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomahawktalk.com\/2010\/12\/braves-outlook-for-bullpen-in-2011.html\/\">state of the Braves\u2019 bullpen<\/a>: the departures, the acquisitions, and the familiar faces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/chicagocubsonline.com\/\">Chicago Cubs Online<\/a> breaks down the Hardball Time\u2019s list of <a href=\"http:\/\/chicagocubsonline.com\/archives\/2010\/12\/cubsprospects11_2.php?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Chicagocubsonlinecom+%28ChicagoCubsOnline.com%29\">the top-10 Cubs\u2019 prospects<\/a>.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to spoil the entire thing but I definitely agree with their top-5: 1) <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/player_search.cgi?search=Brett+Jackson&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker\">Brett  Jackson<\/a><\/strong>, OF\u20262) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?id=archer001chr\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Chris Archer<\/strong><\/a>, RHP\u20263) <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=mcnutt001ken\">Trey  McNutt<\/a><\/strong>, RHP\u20264) <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=lee---001hak\">Hak-Ju  Lee<\/a><\/strong>, SS\u20265) <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/minors\/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;id=jackso001jay\">Jay  Jackson<\/a><\/strong>, RHP.\u00a0 I also find it interesting that none of their top-10 prospects are left handed pitchers, which may be why they ultimately choose to hang on to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gorzeto01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Tom Gorezelanny<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Aaron Gleeman of <a href=\"http:\/\/hardballtalk.nbcsports.com\/\">Hardball Talk<\/a> wrote an article noting how the <a href=\"http:\/\/hardballtalk.nbcsports.com\/2010\/12\/30\/metrodome-collapse-impacts-twinsfest-and-over-300-college-and-high-school-baseball-games\/\">collapse of the Metrodome roof will mess up<\/a> Twinsfest as well as 300+ high school and collegiate games.\u00a0 Myself and most of the other writers here at the Sombrero had the privilege of opening both our 2007 and 2008 seasons with double header\u2019s in the \u2018Dome.\u00a0 Suffice it to say, the experience was great but the actual facility is a total shithole.\u00a0 I\u2019m not surprised that the roof collapsed considering that both years when we were there the water fountain in our dugout overflowed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harmon Killebrew has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.\u00a0 Killebrew, 74, won the Most Valuable Player award in 1969 and his 573 career home runs ranks 11th all-time.\u00a0 He is also credited as being one of the first sluggers to incorporate a dismount into his [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1300,6,16,11,13,10,14],"tags":[1606,1607,1520,1604,852,1309,260,1610,851,576,49,1612,1602,1613,1603,1608,1428,1609,559,597,1615,193,548,1390,1611,1605,1614],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2426"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2426"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2433,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2426\/revisions\/2433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}