Steven Urena
By Steven Urena
Hall of Fame
Derek Jeter
There seems to be a lot of chitter chatter about Derek Jeter. There is a lot of overrated talk about “The Captain.”
Well, you can look at this two ways. If you ask me to pick a shortstop to begin a franchise, then Jeter is in my top three. The only two guys above him, in my book, would be Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. I’ll take any modern day player over any old timer every day of the week and twice on Sunday. There’s no way I would value Honus Wagner, Ernie Banks or Ozzie Smith over Jeter. You give the old timers their dues but there’s no way yesterday’s players can compete with today’s players.
A-Rod took steroids and had some choke jobs in October but he was still the man. In their prime, Jeter was not better than A-Rod. PERIOD. Jeter and Ripken can go a little more toe to toe. Jeter usually had better averages but Ripken had more power. Both were durable and both played great defense. Tough call. My top three shortstops of all time…Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken Jr, Derek Jeter. After that, I’ll throw in my old timers such as Wagner, Banks, Smith.
What does Jeter have above everyone else? Easy. Five rings. If Jeter was a Detroit Tiger and not a Yankee would we still consider him one of the best ever? Maybe. Maybe not. Aside from winning, he was also clutch in October (and November haha). His postseason heroics gave him the edge over most of the great shortstops. Clutch home runs, clutch base hits and one phenomenal heads up play.
Jeter’s work ethic, leadership and character set him apart. Add what he did on the field (which is also pretty darn impressive) and you get the GOAT. Statistically he was not the best. He did not excel in any one area. He never won a regular MVP. He only hit 260 home runs. That does not matter because the people that know baseball, play baseball, analyze baseball and coach baseball know that Jeter was special. Once in a lifetime type of guy. He played a long time, played his heart out and produced year in and year out.
Curt Schilling (yes, that guy) said it best. “Playing against Derek Jeter is what made the Major Leagues the Major Leagues.”
Larry Walker
Yes, I do believe he belongs in the Hall. Walker’s stats are great. Lifetime batting average of .313, 383 home runs, 2,160 hits. In his prime, Walker was a force. Clearly one of the best players in baseball.
There’s a Coors Field stigma with Rockies but Walker always played like a HOFer. Home and away. Walker was not a slam dunk for the hall but can you name 5 players better than him in his hay day? Didn’t think so.
Giant Surprise. Rays of Sunshine.
Who’s the bigger contender? The Giants or the Rays? Both are built similar. They rely on crafty pitching, clutch hitting and being clutch. It’s surprising to see both teams sit at the top of their respective leagues. Not one expert picked them to win their division.
If I had to bet on one to go all the way, I’m going with the Rays. It’s not my blue blood that’s blurring my vision but the one thing the Giants do not have. Experience. Sure, the Giants have a few guys. Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Brandon Belt. What they are missing are two of the heroes in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Pablo Sandoval and Madison Bumgarner. Almost every player on the Rays roster was in the big dance. I like the Rays a bit more.
MLB Playoffs
NL Who’s In: Giants, Brewers, Braves, Dodgers and Padres.
NL Who’s Out: Reds.
AL Who’s In: Astros, White Sox, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox.
AL Who’s Out: A’s.
With 20 games left in the regular season, it basically is what it is. If teams have not collapsed by now, they won’t. If they have then they are pretty much out. I would not be surprised to see the Dodgers catch the Giants but the Giants are scrappy. If it’s the Dodgers and Padres then expect a dog fight.
The Yankees and Red Sox will grind it out for the AL Wild Card but there’s no way anyone gets past Gerrit Cole. The Rays own New York. Especially without Cole throwing twice.
Final thoughts heading into October…there is no team, aside from the Rays, that is a sure thing to get out of the first round. This year’s playoff teams are good. All ten teams competing have a legitimate shot. The only team I would rule out is the Padres but in a one game elimination, they could play spoiler. A team with nothing to lose is dangerous. I expect to see long series and great baseball. Pull up a chair, it’s going to be an exciting postseason.
MVPs and Cy Youngs
NL MVP
Fernando Tatis Jr. has been the frontrunner for MVP all season. Others making a push are Max Muncy, Bryce Harper, Joey Votto and the youngsters in Cincy (Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker).
At this point, it’s a popularity contest. If Hurtnando stays healthy the rest of the season, he’s a lock for his first of a few MVP awards.
NL Cy Young
Walker Buehler recently became a favorite but a thrashing in San Francisco allowed others to gain ground on him. The first being his teammate, Max Scherzer. Holy moly Max, can the rest of us have a Cy Young?
Zach Wheeler, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff have been solid all season. Wheeler has made the biggest push lately.
AL MVP
With his offense alone, Shohei Ohtani is the AL MVP. Throw in his pitching and he’s a lock. Baseball has not seen a season like this in it’s long and rich history. We’re lucky to be along for the ride. Sho Time!
Vladdy Guerrero Jr. is not going to make it easy on Ohtani. He wants the MVP bad. As long as he keeps hitting dingers he’ll be in the conversation. If he really wants to be in the mix he needs to lead baseball in home runs. Salvador Perez has come out of no-where. He’s over 40 home runs and he’s making a good impression on the powers that be with a hot end of the season.
AL Cy Young
Gerrit Cole had this award on lock in the first part of the season. After he could not use the sticky stuff, he struggled a bit. He’s either hiding it better or adjusted to life without it. Lately he’s been back to his old form. It’s Cole’s to lose at this point.
Lance Lynn, Robbie Ray and Chris Bassit pose a bit of a threat but I don’t see them doing enough to stand out at this point.
Contact Steve Urena at:
Email: theurenaexpress@gmail.com
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