Bay Area Baseball

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

Schilling was generally considered a top ten starting pitcher in the league – but was never the best.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

Schilling was the ace for a number of Philadelphia teams but was overshadowed by Randy Johnson, Josh Beckett and Pedro Martinez on his Arizona and Boston teams.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

Schilling was generally considered a top ten starting pitcher in the league.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

Schilling’s postseason resume stacks up as well as any to play the game. His heroics in the 2001 World Series earned him a World Series MVP and his bloody sock performances in 2004 brought a championship to Boston for the first time in nearly a century.

5. Was he a good enough player that he could continue to play regularly after passing his prime?

Schilling was effective even after losing velocity – throwing a one hitter against Oakland with a fastball far below his norm late in his career.

6. Is he the very best player in baseball history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

No.

7. Are most players who have comparable career statistics in the Hall of Fame?

Debatable.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Yes.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

Schilling has one of the best career strikeout to walk ratios as well as WHIP ratio. He also has a sterling postseason record.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame but not in?

No.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

Schilling could have won numerous Cy Young Awards had he not been teamed with The Unit.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go to the Hall of Fame?

Schilling had at least ten all star caliber seasons.

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

Yes.

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

The suture procedure used to enable Schilling to pitch in the 2004 ALCS and World Series was revolutionary.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

Schilling has come under some fire for his media presence and bold comments but was always looked at as a gamer on the field.

Schilling doesn’t have the longevity of some hall of famers – he has less than 220 wins – but his postseason achievements are among the most memorable in recent memory and he was consistently one of the top pitchers in the game during his career.

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

Pedro’s first three years with Boston are among the greatest three year runs of any pitcher in history. Many would select him as the best pitcher in the game for several years of his career.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

Pedro was the bona fide ace for both the Expos and Red Sox.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

Yes, yes.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

Pedro was the driving force behind the Red Sox early 2000’s playoff runs and also pitched well in the 2004 championship run.

5. Was he a good enough player that he could continue to play regularly after passing his prime?

Martinez lost velocity after joining the Mets but still pitched effectively when healthy.

6. Is he the very best player in baseball history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

Quite possibly.

7. Are most players who have comparable career statistics in the Hall of Fame?

Yes

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Yes.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

Pedro’s control and incredible K/BB and WHIP ratios in his prime indicate that he was at one point one of the all time greats.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame but not in?

Yes.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

Pedro was a Cy Young type pitcher for several years – including an incredible season considered by many metrics to be the greatest of all time.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go to the Hall of Fame?

Martinez was an all star regular.

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

Yes.

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

Martinez was a member of some of the most memorable teams and rivalries in baseball history.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

Pedro was a well documented headhunter on the mound and had no shortage of confidence. He did not have any off field problems other than a chicken fighting. He should be in the hall of fame on the first ballot.

After losing out on the Mark Teixiera signing Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein decided to stick with low risk signings John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Rocco Baldelli and Takashi Saito. The Red Sox will hope that centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury can develop into an every guy and avoid the slumps that forced departed Coco Crisp into the lineup. Ellsbury got away from hitting the opposite way some last season and cannot afford to do that again.

Saito, Smoltz and Penny when healthy are elite arms that should bolster the Sox staff. While they will be major questions, the Red Sox have not gambled heavily on their returns. Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden are two starters who have proved all they need to in the minor leagues and could be serviceable spot starters. Justin Masterson showed the ability in 2008 to be a starter going 7-3 before being moved to the setup role in front of Jonathan Papelbon.

The Red Sox main questions are in their lineup. The loss in the Teixiera sweepstakes means that Boston will rely on fragile third baseman Mike Lowell to anchor both the defensive infield as well as the RBI spot behind first baseman Kevin Youkilis and DH David Ortiz. Mark Kotsay and Baldelli provide some insurance behind Drew and Lowell, Kotsay can play both the outfield and first base.

A major injury to Ortiz, Youkilis or Lowell could expedite the progression of prospect Lars Anderson. Anderson, the first baseman of the future, is expected to be a middle of the order type of run producer who also brings an advanced approach in the mold of an Adrian Gonzalez.