A Natural Player Will Clark Vs. Rafeal Palmeiro A Roid Player (by the stats)

There are very few players who can be compared over their careers, in baseball, in a sense of a "steroid player" vs. a "non-steriod player" and see almost perfectly what steroids can do. Over a career, there are not a lot of players who balance each other out. Some are faster than other players, others have a lot more power numbers, still some have more awards and even others played in different era's. However, there is an almost perfect example of two players, who fit the bill and are scarily identical. Will Clark and Rafeal Palmeiro, are those two players. I do not know why there has never been a full on comparison, but there is one now.

Will Clark and Rafeal Palmeiro both played their college baseball, were All-Americans, and competed feverishly, for the Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team. Will Clark and Palmeiro were both recruited, as first baseman, but thru superior defensive skills Clark beat out "Raffy" sending him to right field (where Palmeiro was not comfortable playing, but they needed him in the lineup everyday). Both Clark and Palmeiro came out of college, in 1986. Will "The Thrill" Clark jumped right into the San Francisco lineup out of college, and Palmeiro took two years of minor league seasoning (which is nothing, in a MLB career and is not a strike on Raffy). In Clark's first year, he finished 5th in the "Rookie of the Year" balloting, and in his second year he was fifth in MVP voting (as well as, in his 3rd year, 4th year he finished 2nd and was named an All-star). Palmeiro did not step out of his shell until the third major league season, with the Cubs, but was traded to the Texas Rangers (in his 4th year). Looking at the records and statistics of Will Clark and Rafeal Palmeiro, there is not any doubt, Will Clark was a major stand out and was crushing Palmeiro in almost all departments, accolades, and overall leading the Giants and Orioles in offensive (and was a Gold Glover, at first, as well) categories, thru 1992. In 1992 thru 1995, something really changed in Palmiero's game and numbers?

He went from a player that never hit over 26 home runs (one time, in 1991), over 89 RBI's, and had over a .322 AVG. (.389 OB% & ..532 Slugging %), to having standout and double production years? While Will Clark had his most success in his the years, between the years of 1988 thru 1994 (in the MVP race and an All-star each year, but one), when he would have been in his late 20's and early 30's. In that same time period, Palmeiro was an above average player, being an All-star one time (with good statistics, for the time frame of baseball). However, after the strike year of 1994 (when most experts think, the heat was on to "bring the fans back to ball parks, with the long ball"), Palmeiro struck out into the stratosphere. Between the years of 1995-2003, "Raffy the Roid Boy" never hit less than 38 home runs, under 104 RBI's, under .546 Slugging % (minus the two years he had injury problems, where he still slugged over .504). Will Clark in the years after the strike, continued with his regular numbers (that were held as A.S. numbers, until the "chicks dig the long ball fever, Steroid Fever" began). They slowly began to decline, in the "POWER DEPARTMENT," yet Clark (who had 20/4 eye sight, like Ted Williams, his idol) did not hit under .302 (except for one year), until his retirement.

A look at these two players statistics, the way they played the game, the crowds reaction to them, and most of all the way they treated the game shows a lot. Before the Congressional hearing, nothing said anything more about the two All-stars, than "The Thrill" and "The Natural". The two nicknames given to Will Clark, who's eye blacked cheeks, divisive glare at the pitcher and the game, and his heart for the game, defined the game for fifteen years. A player (Clark) who punished pitchers, but was liked by all, stood down when he felt his time was thru with the game. Maybe not because "The Thrill" could not play anymore, but because he had more respect for players, the fans, and most of all for the love and pristine nature of the game, he loved so much. Will Clark is off, maybe in a fishing boat, or in a hunting blind, somewhere in the world, with the same love, respect, and overall passion for life. If only the passion, for the game and the sacred treatment of the diamond, could get players like Don Mattingly, Paul O'niel, and Will Clark into the Hall of Fame, justice would be done. Though, no one will hear Will Clark complain, which is for the best (as he did not desecrate the game, or himself, for glory). However, "Raffy" will always be remembered, wagging his finger at Congress, stating, "I never, ever took steroids." All things considered, Will Clark is probably glad, he is remembered for what he did between the lines, rather for the lies he told (with his body and mouth). Always will an asterisk, by his name, and doubt in all of the fans hearts.


WILL CLARK's STATISTICS (as a professional):

===================================================================
Year Age Games Runs Hits HR RBI AVG. OBP SLG% Awards

1986 22 111 66 117 11 41 .287 .343 .444 RoY-5

1987 23 150 89 163 35 91 .308 .371 .580 MVP-5

1988 24 162 102 162 29 109 .282 .386 .508 MVP-5, AS

1989 25 159 104 196 23 111 .333 .407 .546 MVP-2, AS

1990 26 154 91 177 19 95 .295 .357 .448 All-star

1991 27 148 84 170 29 116 .301 .359 .536 SS ,MVP-4, AS

1992 28 144 69 154 16 73 .300 .384 .476 All-star

1993 29 132 82 139 14 73 .283 .367 .432

1994 30 110 73 128 13 80 .329 .431 .501 All-star

1995 31 123 85 137 16 92 .302 .389 .480
1996 32 117 69 124 13 72 .284 .377 .436
1997 33 110 56 128 12 51 .326 .400 .496

1998 34 149 98 169 23 102 .305 .384 .507

1999 35 77 40 76 10 29 .303 .395 .482
2000 36 130 78 139 21 70 .329 .418 .546

===================================================================
Total Years Games Runs Hits HRs RBI AVG. OB% SLG% Awards
15 Seasons 1976 1186 2176 440 1205 .303 .384 .497 Top 5 MVP (4)
All-star (6), SS (1)
===================================================================

Rafeal Palmeiro's Statistics (as a professional):

Year Age Games Runs Hits HR RBI AVG OBP SLG% Awards

1986 22 22 9 18 3 12 .247 .295 .425
1987 22 84 32 61 14 30 .276 .336 .543

1988 23 152 75 178 8 53 .307 .349 .436 All-star

1989 24 156 76 154 8 64 .275 .354 .374

1990 25 154 72 191 14 89 .319 .361 .468

1991 26 159 115 203 26 88 .322 .389 .532 All-star

1992 27 159 84 163 22 85 .268 .352 .434

1993 28 160 124 176 37 105 .295 .371 .554

1994 29 111 82 139 23 76 .319 .392 .550

1995 30 143 89 172 39 104 .310 .380 .583

1996 31 162 110 181 39 142 .289 .381 .546

1997 32 158 95 156 38 110 .254 .329 .485

1998 33 162 98 183 43 121 .296 .379 .565 SS, All-star

1999 34 158 96 183 47 148 .324 .420 .630 SS, MVP(5) All-Star

2000 35 158 102 163 39 120 .288 .397 .558

2001 36 160 98 164 47 123 .273 . 381 .563

2002 37 155 99 149 43 105 .273 .391 .571

2003 38 154 92 146 38 112 .260 .359 .508

2004 39 154 68 142 23 88 .258 .359 .436
2005 40 110 47 98 18 60 .266 .339 .447

===================================================================

Seasons Games Runs Hits HRs RBIs AVG. OB% SLG% Awards
20 2831 1663 3020 569 1835 .288 .371 .515 2 Silver Slugger/4 A.S.
MVP (5th)
===================================================================

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

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RAYS BRANDISH STYLE, OF BASEBALL'S PAST

"Speed kills" and it is also the ultimate weapon, in major league baseball. Some teams are not built for the "chicks dig the long ball," way to win. Yet, they still win with speed, team play, and "small ball." Going into the MLB season, this year (in the AL East), the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees were to do battle until the death. Then possibly the other would be the "wild card" team (with just a small shot at the Blue Jays, in the East, being any kind of problem). However, the Tampa Bay Rays are the best team in the East, and the Red Sox and Yankees are playing catch up.

The last team to look like this and go to the playoffs (and ultimately lose in the World Series) was the St. Louis Cardinals (1985). They were a team of pieces to a puzzle, solid pitching (not a staff full of aces), dominate defense, and HUGE amounts of speed. Through the whole 1985 regular season, here is a map of the Cardinals way of winning. Focusing on steals, batting average and on base percentage (as only Jack Clark (22) hit more than 20 home runs, for the whole year).

1985 St. Louis Cardinals
Pos. Players Stolen Bases Avg. OB%

2B Tom Herr 31 .309 .379

3B Terry Pendleton 17 .240 .289

SS Ozzie Smith 31 .276 .355

LF Vince Coleman 110 .267 .320
CF Willie McGee 56 .353 .384
RF Andy Van Slyke 34 .259 .335
OF Lonnie Smith 12 .260 .377


2008 Tampa Bay Rays (1/2 way thru the season)
Pos.--Players-- Stolen Bases-- Avg.-- OB%

3B Evan Longoria 6 .276 .353
INF Akinori Iwamura 5 .275 .351
SS Jason Bartlett 18 .258 .302
OF Carl Crawford 23 .267 .308
OF B. J. Upton 30 .269 .378
INF Eric Hinske 7 .254 .344
OF Johnny Gomes 8 .195 .308

Playing out the final half of the season, aside from Vince Coleman's 110 (massive amount) of steals, there will be a very close comparison, to the Cardinals of 1985. Scott Kazmir is a solid and sometimes dominate pitcher, but aside from him, there is not a set of three starters, needed for playoffs wins. There is not a huge presence in the middle of the lineup, that is going to bring 3-4-5 hitters, that strikes fear in pitchers, changing a game with three swings, either. Yet, the Rays are the best team, in maybe the best division in baseball. Only certain fans and real hard-core fantasy players may see a big correlation to the '85 Cardinals. However, play out the rest of the season (according to first half stats, for the Rays). There will be three players stealing over 36 bases and another set (4 players) stealing close to 20+ bases.

The 1985 Cardinals (like the Rays) also had defense, just in the outfield, Willie McGee (CF and batting champ), Coleman (LF), Slyke (RF had a hose, and in his prime was a five tool player). Ozzie Smith, a hall of famer and "The Wizard" at shortstop, Tommy Herr (.993 fielding percentage) and Pendleton at third was a very solid player, defensively (having a 15+ year career). Looking at the Rays defense, they are in the exact same position. The team's outfielders can flat out fly and get any ball hit. Bartlett at short, is not an Ozzie Smith (but who is), makes every routine play and sometimes the spectacular. Evan Longoria and Iwamura are rookies, but field their respective positions and play above their rookie status, day in and day out.

It is way to early to see what the Rays will do, having a one game lead, going into this week and playing in the division they do. However, they are in good company, with some of the older teams in baseball's great past, like the '85 Cards, '82 Cards, 75 Reds, 85 Royals (even). Where they go from here, will mainly be decided by picking up some pitching, getting a little luck, but mainly stealing bases, playing fundamentally sound baseball and using their speed, speed, speed!

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

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BASEBALL IS MORE THAN, THE TRADE DEADLINE

Projection is everything in baseball. Whether, a player is being looked at for the real team, or for a manager in a fantasy league, the player is always graded out, all five tools are anylyzed, and then projected over the alotted time period (whether a career for Major League Baseball players, a season and/or several seasons for the fantasy manager). The overall cunundrum is what is a team willing to give up, for a perspective player. Over the years, several teams have made deals for the playoff run, made the all knowing cry of "we are in a rebuilding cycle" and/or the team needs a certain kind of player for the team (a teammate, a category player, or just rookies for veteran talent).

Decisions managers, general managers, and owners have made have been brilliant: whether using the draft, trades, or sifting thru "rule five players" and waiver picks. Then others have done quite the opposite, and have banished a team for years, in squaller. Trades and acquisitions like:

TRADES DURING THE YEAR, WHICH HAVE YET TO 100% PAN OUT, BUT COULD:
1. John Danks (White Sox) for Brad McCarty---advantage Sox
2. Josh Hamilton (Texas) for Edinson Volquez (Reds)-- As of now, Draw
3. Kevin Millwood (Phillies) for Johnny Estrada (Braves)-- advantage Phillies (then)

ACQUISITIONS/WAIVER PICKS/RULE 5 DRAFT PICKS:
1. Robinson Tejada (Royals)--Waivers from Texas-- Great Arm & Pitches, but pitched in Texas
2. Rule 5 Draft Selections-- JoHann Santana (Mets from Astros), Dan Uggla (Marlins), Josh Hamilton (Rangers), Joakim Soria (Royals)

WORST TRADES, AT THE TRADE DEADLINE, IN THE PAST:
1. Jeff Bagwell (to the Astros) for Larry Anderson (Boston)
2. Mark McGwire (to Cardinals) for 3 players: T.J. Mathews, Eric Ludwick, Blake Stein (A's)
3. John Smoltz (to Braves) for Doyle Alexander (to Tigers)
4. Derek Lowe & Jason Varitek (to Red Sox) for Heathcliff Slocumb (to Mariners)

When looking at the overall players above, the teams that won and lost, one thing is 100% for sure, and that is nothing is 100% for sure. When a pitcher, like Kevin Millwood goes to the Phillies (pre-new ball park) it managed out to be a great/good trade, for the Phillies. However, when Millwood was off to Texas, things changed dramatically. It was not because Millwood's talent, arm, or skills were shot, but the fact was, he was playing in the Arlington ball park. In the summer months, in Texas, the air is thin and hot, and balls fly out of the park like they were shot out of a cannon. This alone, could add a full point onto any ERA, so Millwood goes from a 3.46 ERA, to a 4.46 ERA, just by pitching half of his games in Texas.

Rule 5 draft picks, are the players who are not protected by the club, on their 40 man roster. Teams take chances, leaving player who have talent, good tools, and great attitudes unprotected, because another team may not move another out, for a "flier, chance player." Obviously, there are diamonds in the rough, found in players like Johan Santana, Dan Uggla, Hamilton, and others who become all-star players. However, most of the players picked up, in rule 5 drafts, are players like Robinson Tejada (Royals). Tejada is a guy who has a great arm, three solid pitches, but will have to struggle for a year in the big leagues (the other problem with taking "rule 5" players, a team must keep them for the whole season, on the major league roster, or sell the player back at half price to the other ball club). Tejada may struggle this year, along with many other "Rule 5" picks, but after a season, or two in the minors (after taking their lumps for a year), they may come back to flourish. A good "Rule 5" player, could be a saviour to small market teams and for late season fantasy managers, who may need a specific category.

Finally, there are the obvious trades, which may not seem obvious at the time. Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson, was one of the biggest mistakes the Red Sox have ever made, as Bagwell played fifteen seasons with the Astros, put up huge numbers and will be a first ballot hall of famer. However, for every Bagwell trade that is a horrible mistake, there are five other trades, which help out the teams for the end of the season, playoffs, and maybe even getting a team a World Series Ring.

The bottom line, there are always "do's and don'ts" for real teams, trades, waiver, rule 5, and fantasy baseball managers. They are not always on the front burner though. A player with heavy tools and a great attitude (Josh Hamilton), is not always a sure thing. Hamilton was picked number one, overall, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in 1999. He signed a record contract, out of high school, was a five tool player and was a sure pick to be the next big superstar. Drugs, poor decisions, and a string of injuries took Hamilton out of the game altogether. Upon losing the contract, with the D-Rays, he was picked up by the Cubs (who left him unprotected, in the Rule 5 Draft) and the Reds picked him up. He was drug free and on the road to becoming a great person, but was not panning out as a player. The Reds made the trade, Josh Hamilton to the Rangers for Edison Volquez (back to the Reds). Now Hamilton is leading the American League in home runs, and Volquez is 10-3, and in the race to win the Cy Young Award and possibly Rookie of the Year awards. It is a big gamble, being an owner, GM, and manager dealing in the Rule 5 players, rookies, deadline trades and all that comes with them. At least, playing the fantasy league sports, a person will not lose there job, only (possibly) winning, or losing their league. Right?

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

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