Future HOFers

Yesterday I made my all time greatest ever line up. Today I will focus on the greatest current players. Again I will have a list of starters and their reserves. Most of these players do not compare with the folks on yesterday’s list (Although their home run totals are inflated). All of these players should find their way into the Hall of Fame. However, time will tell how their numbers will be judged.

First Base- Albert Pujols. I know, I know it’s too early to call but just look at his numbers. In his first four years he is averaging 40 homers, 125 RBI, .335 avg. Pretty much nobody has ever done that before. He should have no problem hitting 600 homers. This is a very deep position maybe I should have put Rafael Palmeiro as the starter. He will end up with over 600 homers and 3000 hits. Only two or three other people have ever done that I think Pujols has a chance to.
RESERVE: Rafael Palmeiro.

Second Base- Alfonso Soriano. Yet again probably too early to give it to him. He gets about 30 homers a year. He needs to keep his average up and return to his base stealing ways. He and his reserve will be the all time home run leaders at this position but that is not as impressive any more.
RESERVE: Jeff Kent. Hits for average. Will have the most home runs as a second basemen for some time. Until 10-12 years from now when Soriano catches him.

Shortstop- Miguel Tejada. This was a tough one. Things change very fast. Three or four years ago the big three of ARod, Jeter and Garciaparra ruled this position. ARod would still rule but he’s at third now. Garciaparra’s career has been nothing but injuries lately. This leaves Jeter and Tejada. Tejada is a multi MVP type talent. He hits for power and he is starting to get his average up. Before its all said and done he could be the all time home run leader at this position. Jeter is great. He should get 3,000 hits. He doesn’t have enough power. Doesn’t steal enough bases. I think he’s a little over rated just because he’s the leader of the Yankee’s (btw it’s been five years since the Yankee’s won one.)
RESERVE: Derek Jeter.

Third Base- Arod. Hands down. He might become the best player of all time, frosted tips and all. I can’t even put a reserve behind him there is nobody else. Scott Rolen? He won’t do. Jeff Bagwell better hope they move him to third because that’s the only way he makes this list as a reserve. Sorry Jeff, first base is too deep.

Catcher- I rod. The only reason I type “Arod” and “Irod” because I’m not sure how to spell Rodriquez is it with a “q” or a “g” ??? I was gonna put Piazza here but last night I heard Tim Macarver say Ivan was the best defensive catcher of all time. What Macarver says goes. Ipod hits for average and power. He is not a big pussy like Piazza. In fact isn’t there someone else besides Piazza I could put in here? Is Benito Santiago still active?
RESERVE: Mike Piazza

Left Field- Bonds.
RESERVE: Manny Ramirez. He should make the Hall. Not the best defender but will end up as one of the best hitters on this team.

Center Field- Ken Griffey Jr. As long as he can finish out this decade as half the player he was in the nineties that should be enough. Barring injury (ha!) he should hit over 600 homers. He needs to work on getting that avg. back up.
RESERVE: Ichiro. Hey I saw him playing center last night in the all star game so I’m moving him over to. He really could be the starter. Dude got his first 1,000 hits in four years! How old is he? He should get over 3,000 hits easy. He steals 40 bases a year and is the best defensive outfielder in the league.

Right Field- Sammy Sosa. Again anyone that hits over 600 homers should probably make the list. He used to hit for average kinda, sorta, maybe.
RESERVE: Gary Sheffield-He may not make the Hall. He started off kinda slow hitting 30 homers only once in his first 7 seasons. He has only hit 40 twice. That doesn’t cut it for outfielders in today’s game. He needs to play five more years. Larry Walker hit for better average but he played in Montreal and Colorado he has no chance. Also he is already talking about retiring, no chance. Vladimir Guerrero will probably be better than both of these guys but he seems so fragile.

Pitchers- I nominated six pitchers yesterday I’ll do that today although I think most of these guys are right handers.
Randy Johnson
Greg Maddux
Roger Clemens
Mariano Rivera
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Pedro needs a few more years under his belt but I gave him the nod over Schilling and Glavine.

Designated Hitter- Frank Thomas. As much as I didn’t want to put this “position” on here I couldn’t leave the big skirt off the list. No way he is making the first basemen list. Some people don’t agree, but I think he needs to play five more years. A lot of people hate him. He needs to pad those stats.