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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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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