Power Pros Forum

Yeah but Clemente would cost money, Honus played for only $10,000 his whole career. He played for the love of the game. You would never see that now though. The Pirates could use a very good player for a very low contract.

Honus was among the 10 best players to ever play the game, with era adjustments (really low offense during his time). I respect Clemente, but it's hard to beat Honus on that account.

Eh, still, no offense to Honus Wagner, but Clemente would be better for the world with all the charity he does. I wouldn't put Honus in the top ten players of all time, but I know your a big fan. My top 10 for hitters would include Ruth, Gherig, Dimaggio, Willie Mayes, Yogi or/and Bench, Ty Cobb, maybe Ted Williams, Maybe Jimmy Fox, maybe A-Rod in a few years, definitely if he beats bonds record. All of these guys I'd personally put over Honus in terms of hitting. Honus was a great shortstop and a great hitter, but shortstops an easy position to hit the best on.
Edit: Also, Honus got payed so little because of the time period, not because he didn't want the money. Guys might love the game, but they wouldn't take less money. Clemente used all his money for charity, which ironically is how he died.

Don't forget, Honus's hitting stats don't look very intimidating - but also, as you said, this is influenced by the time period. AVERAGE major league ERA's in Wagner's time were lower than 3.00. In 1908 the AVERAGE ERA was 2.35!!! Yet Honus hit .350 with 109 RBI's. Today's ERA's are about twice that - about 4.50 or 4.60. So double the numbers: If you had a good defensive shortstop, like Wagner, who drove in over 200 runs, what would he be worth?

i know one thing, his card goes for a lot, what was it last time, like $3 mil...yeh, they'd pay about twice that for the man himself

1.Can the Cubs end the curse at 101?
2.Will the Yankees be able to "buy" a World Series?
3.Can the Phillies repeat?
4.Who will be this years Rays, and will the Rays return to the postseason?
5.Will the Pirates have a winning record in 2009?
6.Who will be the Barry Zito of next year. (big contract, no results

1. Yes they can. The biggest flaw in the MLB is that you can play great ball for 162 games and have a great team, then play 3 lousy games in October and it's all for naught. Don't crucify the Cubs, they are just the victims of chance variation. Is this the year? Who knows but they have the team to all but guarantee postseason. Once they get there, they will have to roll the dice like the other 7 teams.

2. If they sign Tex and avoid Manny they will.

3. Very doubtful. Utley is a question mark, and their rotation behind Hamels isn't all that impressive.

4. Oakland? Thats a tough one. I doubt the Rays make it again. They are talented for sure but with the new, improved Yankees and the Red Sox who are at least maintaining status quo I see them in a distant 3rd.

5. Nope. Maybe by 2019, but not 2009.

6. Painful to admit, but I'd guess AJ Burnett. Obvious choice but it's set up so well! Could also be Sheets, wherever he ends up.

1. They are one move away from being serious contenders.
2. No. They won't be able to sign Tex, they will likely lose giambi or abreu, and they overpaid for burnett.
Edit: sorrry, forgot the others...
3. Maybe. If their rotation stays as good as it was, they have a good chance.
4. Giants, A's, or the Nats, especially if they get Tex.
5. No.
6. CC or AJ

Haha, everyone says CC because he signed a big contract and he's with the Yankees. CC is actually extreamly durable and I don't think he's ever visited the DL. I really doubt it will be CC, but I know all you Yankee haters are wishing he will be. Unfourtanetly, the most likely guy is Burnett or Sheets, and since Burnett is on the Yankees and Sheets hasn't signed yet, everyone will pick Burnett haha.

1.Can the Cubs end the curse at 101?
I root for them, altough if they can't find a lefty bat that can actually hit the ball, their chances are greatly diminished.

2.Will the Yankees be able to "buy" a World Series?
It has happened, but I think this Yankee team needs a little more seasoning. Maybe next year, if Burnett still has a desire to pitch or if they find a suitable replacement. They have the bats, they just need the arms.

3.Can the Phillies repeat?
Yes, but they have to beat an improved Mets team that has to prove that they're not losers anymore, and that even with Yankees big contracts, the Mets are the best team in New York. Beating them will not be easy.

4.Who will be this years Rays, and will the Rays return to the postseason?
I think the AL Wild Card will be fought by 4 teams: the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Rays and the Athletics. If they push enough, and if they pitch like last year, the Rays will be back in the postseason, either as the AL East division leaders or as the wild card. No team has put enough time in developing talent as the Rays. Maybe the biggest improvement could come from the Royals, or the Indians.

5.Will the Pirates have a winning record in 2009?
No. They don't have the pitching staff to get it done.

6.Who will be the Barry Zito of next year? (big contract, no results)
Hands down, A.J. Burnett.

1. Definitely, if they have enough luck. Unfortunately, luck hasn't been their strong suit these days... They have all the parts, they just need to execute.

2. Again, it's all about luck. Can Sabathia and Burnett stay healthy? Can the young guns step up to the next level? The thing is, the 2009 Yankees - and the 2009 Mets, too, for that matter - remind me too much of the 2008 Tigers.

3. I doubt it. There is only one thing harder than having a dream season like '08 - to do it again. They'll have to beat the Mets again: first with Johan Santana, now with Putz and Rodriguez too. They need to have some unexpected stars rise and carry the team on their shoulders.

4. The Rays won't return to the postseason, I'm pretty sure. They'll be like the Rockies of '07. As for this year's replacement... I don't know. My best guess would be the Cincinnati Reds. They need to make a big move sometime, but they do have the right stuff, for the most part.

5. Nah. Only if they make a big deal sometime - say, signing Pat Burrell or something - and if somebody has a big season.

6. I'm positive A.J. Burnett will have huge results - big enough to slap him on the DL.

Statistically, look at the past, alot of people got HUGE contracts but got injured or just didn't play well.


Also, Zito didn't really get injured, he just sucked, and it could happen to C.C