RBI World Series Trivia Question

[BeefMaster]

Another RBI veteran (and longtime Cub) will hopefully make it next HOF selection: My all-time hero, Ryne Sandberg.  I haven't read James' abstract, but I'd be surprised if Ryno isn't in the top 5 second basemen of all-time, especially when you consider the lack of decent 2Bs during the 80's.  He won an MVP, led the league in homers and triples once each, won about 10 Gold Gloves, stole a ton of bases, set the record for homers by a second baseman (yeah, Wrigley helped, and Kent will overtake him, but he broke it fairly handily, during a time of mediocre homerun output), led the majors in all-star voting a couple times, and led the Cubs to their first two division titles.  I think people are holding his abrupt retirement and not-so-great unretirement against him, forgetting the 10 years that he was one of the NL's best players.

[fknmclane]

Ryne and his family live here in the Valley and at the time of his retirement there were a lot of rumors going around.  I heard his wife was a ho-bag slut and Ryne had to quit to keep her out of the pants of other men.  But that's just what I hear.  I'd of killed her instead of retiring.  OJ got a way with it.

[Gantry]

I too am a huge Sandberg, and I belive James had him ranked 7th.  Too high IMHO but I've debated Sandberg's merits all too much to get into it again....

[fknmclane]

Joe Morgan said it best about the Hall of Fame.  If you even have to ask if a guy belongs, should he really get in?  So if you have to give a ten minute argument as to why Ryno belongs, then he doesn't.  I personally think he's in.

But let me mention another RBI alum who I believe should also be a Hall of Famer:  Donnie Baseball.  Kirby Puckett is in the Hall of Fame.  Their stats are almost identical and yet I doubt the great Donnie Baseball will make it.

[Gantry]

There is no doubt that Ryno belongs, probably the best offensive and defensive 2B of the 80s.  Joe Morgan says a lot of things I don't agree with...

Mattingly and Puckett aren't that close, which is surprising.  At his peak Mattingly was better, but he really had only 6 great seasons the rest is unimpressive.  Had he not hurt himself (I think it was his back?) he would probably have been better...

[BeefMaster]

That theory on the reason for Sandberg's retirement is one of the funniest things I've ever heard.  I'll have to mention that theory to another Sandberg fan I know; he'll get a kick out of it.  Also, I'm always looking for a good excuse to use the term "ho-bag".

As for Donnie Baseball, I'm with Gantry - his peak was too short.  It's kind of a Roger Maris situation - great peak, but not enough quality apart from it.  I do feel bad for the guy, though, playing all those years and missing World Series appearances by one year each direction (he started in '82 and ended in '95).  Puckett had a longer productive career than Mattingly, but he's a borderline case, and he got in more for his image than anything - he wouldn't have made it if the sexual assault allegations would've come out a year earlier.

One last thing - I've read a few things by Joe Morgan on ESPN, and I don't believe I've agreed with a single word he's said.  He has tendency to greatly overrate players he played with and/or knows personally and underrate everyone else, so I take anything he says with about a ton of salt grains.

[rastein]

I think I've been quiet long enough on this. Without a doubt Sandberg should be in the Hall of Fame. There was no one even close to him in defense or offense while he played. I also need to point out that reading about his ho-bag wife was hysterical. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time. She should have definitely dumped her. He's Ryno...he could get any piece of ass he wishes. And to comment on Joe Morgan - he's a retard. All he ever talks about is how great he was and how great the Big Red Machine was. He sucked and they sucked. I can only hope for his death to come really soon.

[fknmclane]

I'm glad you all enjoyed the info about Ryno's wife.  I'm not exactly sure how they're doing now but I'm pretty sure he saved the day.  Does a player's wife get someone into the RBI HOS?  Anyway, as Kramer said, "story like that has gotta be true."

I'm very surprised to hear all the Joe Morgan resentment.  I don't think he's that bad.  He's actually one of the more knowledgeable color guys out there.  But he does tend to toot his own horn.

As for the Donnie Baseball thing, can someone post career stats of Kirby and Donnie head to head?  I'd love to see it.  What's that site again?

[Gantry]

http://www.baseballreference.com is the website and it's a doozy.  Puckett and Mattingly were very similar in stats - in fact Puckett's most similar batter by the baseballreference rankings was Mattingly.  It's just that Mattingly burned very brightly for 6 years and was pedestrian for the rest...

Puckett should definitely be in the HOF, the big beef was the hokey first-ballot writer-testosterone thing that goes on.  10 All-Star appearances in 12 year and has the highest career batting average for a right-hander since Joe Dimmagio.  Though I think Edgar or someone else broke that recently.   And as we remember was quite clutch in World Series play.  

First ballot who knows, but overall definitely.  Plus he's from Chicago and is a second ballot Chicago Pervert Hall of Famer after R. Kelly

[fknmclane]

No one is more of a pervert than the King of Golden Showers, R Kelly.  Parents hide thier 5th graders just at the mention of his name.  Sick fuck.  Here's to hoping he gets his fair share of golden showers, pearl necklaces, and hot beef injections during his stint in a federal pen.

[Gantry]

On that note, I just picked up Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract and it lists Grich as the 12th best second baseman of all time, just ahead of Sweet Lou.  Color me surprised....

Awesome book BTW, barely touched it so far but it'll be a source for decades to come...

Funny, I do not own this book and don't really remember reading it.  Think I got it for Zorba or my dad for a holiday, but it certainly hasn't been a source...

[ultimate7]

I remember also being suprised to see Grich so high, though I do own the book and remember reading it.