The Hall

Eli Cash - Contributing Reporter

The System

I took a long look at our current Hall of Fame and recognized a consistent theme; power. 82% of the hitters in the Hall come from the power positions: LF/1B/DH. So I wondered if there was a better way to look at the value of the hitters in our league to determine their Hall worth. Benny 'The Bean Counter' Ballgame had his primer, but his system left much to be desired....more so explained. 

The Cash System on the other hand has been used by many, including ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, and DraftKings to help provide their internet users with a value ranking system. In it, players earn points for their contribution and effect on the game. A batter may be awarded a point for a run, rbi, or a single; while earning additional points for extra base hits and stolen bases. Or even lose points for being caught stealing or striking out. The larger effect on a pitcher's value is in things he can control, both positive and negative such as how long they last into a game or strikes out; but lose points for giving up a home run or walking too many players. While the bean counters might not appreciate this approach, I've elected to look at a per season average. Longevity has it's place, but just because a player was around for 20 seasons doesn't mean they were useful or anything above average ones to their team. *cough* Dizzy *cough*. To give you an idea on range, the non-pitchers averages 510 points a season. While the starting pitchers average 426 and the average relief pitcher 176 - partially because it's only Sammy Felix right now. We did not include Carl Sosa because he started more games than he pitched in relief. 

New Hall of Famers 

While he may not have gotten all 32 votes, Chick Munson was the closest thing you'll get to a no-brainer Hall of Famer and now it is official! As it's been mentioned, he owns a few of Cobbfather's All-time records including Complete Games, he's 28 ahead of second place, Wins, and Innings Pitched. He owns a 2.81 lifetime ERA and kept opponents to a .213 average against him. Just last season he pitched over 200 innings for the 19th consecutive season. Munson ranks as the top overall pitcher in Cobbfather history according to the Cash System, coming in with 544 points a season. In comparison Francisco Aramboles is #2 at 515. Followed shortly by James Haselman at 511.

Chick is joined in the Hall this year by Ahmed Ratliff, the power hitting corner outfielder who enters wearing a Columbus Corgis' hat. He's in because he's 2nd all-time in Home Runs, but has also struck out more than any other Hall of Famer; not to mention the lowest batting average too and 3rd least walks. Chicks dig the longball, am I right?! Apparently so do the Hall voters. Ratliff is our lowest ranked Hall of Famer, scoring lower than Jordan Abernathy's 447.

Are These Our Future Hall Members? 

These guys should find themselves in the Hall in another season or two. Players will be listed Name (Position - HoF votes last season). For comparison there are now 18 non-pitchers and 20 pitchers in the Hall of Fame. 

Armando Merced (SP - 11): Trophy case: 7x All Star, 3x World Series Rings. This is my odds on favorite to become the next Cobbfather Hall of Fame member. He ranks in at 430 points a season, ahead of 12 of the 20 pitcher Hall members (average started was 426). In every category he constantly sits ahead of half the Hall; he is your prototypical Hall of Fame member, though nothing jumps out as being the top player. Nine seasons of 200+ IP and 190+ K. His years in Boston weren't so kind, but that was his 13th-18th season in the league; as he saw an uptick in HR and thus ER; but his IP and Ks mostly remained. But let's cut him some slack, how much can one take of Sweet Caroline anyway? Only twice in his career did he give up more than 100 ERs in a season, didn't give up many free passes and made everyone work to get on base against him. Shall we give him a pass to the Hall next season?

Braeden Abercrombie (SP - 6): Abercrombie trails Merced by 8 points a season over the same amount of seasons played, trailing the average by only by only 4 points. He trails Merced in every category except the ratios, OAV, OBP, SLG, WHIP, and ERA. He also owns a higher K/BB than all but Hall of Famer Don Monahan. His 200+ IP and 190+ K is 10 but taking a closer look he surpassed 225 IP and 200 K, 8 of those 10 times. His trophy case includes: 6 AL All Star, 1 World Series Ring, 1 Cy Young, 2x Gold Glove. He goes hand in hand with Merced and I'll be voting both next season. 

Midre Tavarez (SP - 6) Tavarez was as productive as Dizzy Leonard was without being a bean counter. Let's take a quick look at his trophy case, 6x All Star, 2x World Series Rings, and a No Hitter. He wasn't a huge strike out artist, but he carried his own. During his prime, what he did best was limit hits. His signing in extremely hitter friendly Santa Fe to start Season 38. If he had signed with a team in a pitcher friendly stadium, he'd likely already be in the Hall. But then again, he's the one that inked 5/$73.5M deal. His 273 wins have him tied for 7th All Time. Only twice in his career did he win less than 12 games in a season. On the flip, only twice did he lose more than 11 games in a season. It might take a few seasons. Only 8 of 20 Hall pitchers average more points a season than he did, he's right in line with Red Collins who was voted in Season 18. I think the voters come around; or at least hope they do. 

Edinson Hernandez (LF - 3): Accomplishments for those that like trophy cases: RotY, All Star x6, MVP, and 2 World Series Rings. Let's play a game, which of the players listed is Hernandez and only one not currently in the Hall of Fame? Numbers are career averages for a season. 

He's not your prototypical left fielder, because he didn't swat a bunch of home runs. He also played more games in Right Field. If you guessed Player A then you've done your homework. Edinson Hernandez leads all HoF players average 582 points a season. If you recall the average non-pitcher came in at 509 points a season. Our current top Hall of Famer only averaged 567 points a season and that was power hitting Albert Cruz who was elected in Season 40. Surely Hernandez's number of season (14) is not holding him back as there are quite a few guys who played 12 or 13 currently in the Hall. He is 2nd all time in Doubles, 5th all time in Triples, was on pace to be 4th or 5th all time in Hits before he retired, but he's still top 10. Took more walks than he did strike outs. I'm sure every owner would have loved to have a guy who averaged 30 HR/ 40 SB batting second in their lineup year in and year out. Consistently sat in the 190-200 hits a season range in his prime. The only season he had less than 120 runs was his final season. He is an underrated player and often passed over in Hall voting because he doesn't have the power numbers fans crave these days. 

Yeico Miranda (RP - 2): Relief pitchers get overlooked quite often because they don't compare in Innings Pitched, K, Ws, and often times teams aren't using their best relief pitchers as closers these days. For comparison, the only 2 players in the Hall who currently have more than 100 saves are Carl Sosa and Sammy Felix. However, Sosa spent over half his career as a starter. That leaves Sammy Felix, let's run a quick comp. 

Miranda has the lowest OAV, ERA, HR/9 amongst all Hall of Famers and those eligible. He provided nearly 75% more value a season than Sammy Felix. But he only did it over the course of 13 seasons. Only time will tell if that's a lucky number for Miranda or not. he also owns the all time single season record for Saves, in 55. Hopefully those 2 voters will speak to his name next voting season!

On The Fence

Haywood Swann (LF - 10): I'm surprised Swann received 10 votes last year and Hernandez only received 3. Don't get me wrong, I think Swann deserves his chance at the Hall as well; but is his 12 seasons enough to get him there? He averaged 560 points a season under the Cash System. That's only 7 points behind our top Hall of Fame member, Cruz mentioned above. Swann played less seasons than Hernandez, but took 35% more walks and struck out 60% less times than Hernandez. Swann misses the top 5 of all time in walks, Cruz is the only Hall member who walked more times. He does have more career points than both Hall of Fame members Jordan Abernathy and Dan Carter, but it's mostly cared by his ability to take a walk. His prime years were amazing, averaging 125 R, 45 HR, 120 RBI, and 25 SBs; but that was only 4 seasons. He didn't top 2000 hits, 400 hr, 1500 runs, or even 120 rbis. Will this Swann be walking into the Hall anytime soon? That's for you to decide. 

Al Balentien (RP - 4): Where Yeico Miranda lacks in bean counting stats for lack of seasons played, Balentien makes up for it. 1113 Games with 1108 out of the pen. He closed out 85% of his opportunities and his 3rd all time in Saves. Surprisingly, the man who owns the most saves in Cobbfather history was overlooked for the Hall. Boston's Jace Sale is likely keeping a close eye on Balentien's voting as he closes in on Ontiveros' all-time record; only 16 behind. Given his 47 saves last year, it shouldn't be a problem for Sale. Among relief pitchers eligible or in the Hall, Balentien has the highest HR/9 and the lowest K/BB; that tells me he relied a lot on his defense behind him to get him out of a few jambs. He does rank second at 218 in the Cash System among those same pitchers, but it's a distant second behind Miranda's 281.  He had a lengthy career, but I wonder if the majority of owners will get behind him and elect him into the Hall. Only time will tell!

Wandy Guillen (2B - 3): AL Rookie of the Year, 7x All Star, 7x Silver Slugger at 2B, and one World Series Ring. Not entirely sure why he's listed as a 1B on his Hall of Fame ballet, since he spent 1900 games at 2B and only 22 at the end of his 14 year career at 1B. Compared to the two Hall of Fame 2Bs he ranks in the middle according to the Cash System at 492. Ended his career with a .307 batting average. Only three times in his 14 year career did he hit below .300 for the season. In his prime he was good for 115+ runs scored while adding 15 HRs and 40 SBs. Not only could he hit, but he....got on base. Owner of a 2.5 BB to K ratio over the course of his career. Why is he on the fence? The only Hall of Famer with less games played is Jordan Abernathy. While he may have hit above .300, he also only averaged 150 hits a season. And talk about a singles hitter, 75% of his hits landed him no further than a chat with 1B. He's close but just misses it in my book. 

Long Shots

Don Sparks (1B - 5): Big drop off here, only averaged 450 points a season. Majority of Hall of Fame bats sit above 475. Saw most of his time at RF and 1B, where he won two Gold Gloves. 2x All Star, and surprisingly 3x MVP. He must have had some hell of a second half in Season 31 to not make the All Star game and still end up MVP of the league. he won 2 World Series Ring, though one was as a back up in Oklahoma City during Season 42, the last of his career. He started the first few seasons strong, but fluttered quickly. Thanks to his 16th season he was able to cross the 2500 hits. Was a big time slugger, crossing the 500 HR mark. Didn't walk more and struck out a lot as he swung for the fences. 

Dorssys Tatis (1B - 4): His 422 Cash points a season are nearly 50 points a season off from the minimum. His 4 votes must be chicks digging the long ball, because that's one good thing he did throughout his career. Don't get me wrong that's still impressive given the stadium he played in for 18 years, but he just doesn't muster up enough quality. 85% of his hits were either singles or home runs, though he did walk a lot more than some of the other power hitting eligible players; I'll give him credit for that. He's another bean collector, played a lot of games and got a lot of ABs; maybe Dizzy's PR team could switch their focus to this guy. 

Rubby Javier (RF - 3): Javier ranks in there with Tatis with a few less years, at 432 points a season. Though it is interesting that he averaged 100 hits a season that weren't home runs, 138 total to go with 80 runs and 89 RBIs. The number of seasons played definitely helped his overall numbers. Sure he made 6 All Star games, but it must have been the fan voting in Boston. Fun fact, he was caught stealing 70% of the time. 

Dizzy Leonard (SP - 3): If Fisher doesn't get in, Leonard shouldn't have a chance. This man's opinion is definitely not effected by Dizzy bullying him in elementary!

Alving Palmeiro (RF - 2): Our first defensive focused player, winning 4 Gold Gloves at 3B and 5 All Star games. He averaged 150 hits, 17 hr, 21 sbs, 80 runs, and 69 rbis; good for 335 points a season. Well behind the 510 average of other HoF members. He's definitely no Zach Charles, our other 3B currently in the Hall. Struck out nearly 300 more times than any other HoF member, including newly voted Ahmed Ratliff who leads all with 1600.

Lorenzo Gonzalez (SP - 1): Lorenzo falls nearly 80 points shy of the average starter in the Hall of Fame. 6x All Star, 4x World Series Rings and threw a no-hitter but barely averaged over 5 1/3 innings an outing. His 1.12 WHIP is near tops of HoF pitchers and ended his career below the 3.00 ERA mark. Wasn't able to top 2500 K or 250 wins. He was reliable, that's for sure; he routinely turned in 165 IP, 145 K while only giving up 50 ER. His .222 OAV ranks up there with the top pitchers in the Hall as well. I feel if he gets his, his bullpen should get a nod as well. 

Ryan Fisher (SP - 1): Covered him in the recent The Better Dizzy. Aside from Merced and Abercrombie, he's the best pitcher in the Cash System that is eligible. But is that enough to get him in? His 2.4 K/BB, 3.88 ERA, .249 OAV, .318 OBP says no. This isn't the Hall of I Stayed Healthy and Had a Long Career. 

Did They Belong?

In a future article will take a look at current Hall of Fame members and determine if they truly belong. Closer Sammy Felix and DH Jordan Abernathy both come to mind. 

The Past Snubs

We'll also take a look at a few players that likely were snubbed from the Hall of Fame. Many of whom own Cobbfather records. 

For Statisticians Out There

I've been working with Jill Bames on a new way to monitor and test the validity of a players Hall of Fame chances. Stay tuned for more to come!

Dizzy Leonard Responds to Chick Munson

 

The Chick Munson I Knew

By Landon “Dizzy” Leonard, courtesy of the CSP Front Office

I wish I hadn’t read what I read today.  As you know, both Chick (or as his momma named him, Joey) and I grew up in Oklahoma.  Oklahoma may be a big place on the map, but if you aint from the City or Tulsa it’s a pretty small place.   I first met Joey Munson in the year 13 when I was 11 and he was 9.  I was the best player in my little league team and probably in Pushmatha County, but I was not a star.  Joey, however, was a legend from day 1.  He wasn’t just the best player for his age in Blaine County, he was the best in the whole darn state.  He always “played up.”  He was the best little leaguer on the all-star team when I met him, he made the high school team in 8^th grade and that was only because they wouldn’t let him try out in 7^th grade.  He beat us in the playoffs my junior year when he was a Freshman.  He was THE BEST.  ALWAYS.  When we were playing travel ball he was always good to me.  I wouldn’t say we were friends- after all he was younger and we grew up on the opposite sides of the state-but we were friendly.  Its why I have never shared what I am telling you now before.

 

Before I do though, I want to say up front that I am glad he was deservedly elected to the Hall of Fame.  Even in the majors he was the best.  Better than the best.  Also, I have no issue whatsoever with his personal choices.  In no way do his personal choices harm me.  He has always been honest and forthright in his dealings and his entire career was scandal free. 

Further, I want to acknowledge that while he exaggerated my mental health struggles in his recent interview about me, he isn’t making them up.  Suicide is a bit much, but I struggle.  When I played I could fill my days with baseball.  Its why I trained and played obsessively.  Why I was able to pitch so long. It kept my mind busy.  Further, it’s probably made me a bit attention seeking since I retired.  Something must fill the day.  But that is the problem growing up knowing each other isn’t it?  He knows my skeletons and I know his.  I sure wished he hadn’t shared mine.

 

 

Ever wonder how a young man from the most conservative part of the most conservative state would go by the name “Chick”?  Especially when he has such a cool given name?  I mean my name isn’t Dizzy of course, its Landon Leonard.  Don’t laugh.  But the kids told me I trained so hard it made them dizzy just watching and eventually it’s what everyone called me.  Unlike most of the boys, Joey never had a nickname.  That is until the summer of 18.  Growing up in Clayton, I had never been to Canton.  Canton is a tiny town, less than a 1000 but the fields at the high school are nice enough and Joey was a big enough star (nationally recognized at this point) that they decided to have one of the travel ball tournaments in Canton.  We all played our morning game and then Joey wanted to show a few of us around town.  

After getting some lunch at El Charros and running an errand for his dad at Canton Farm Supply he told us “the only reason anyone EVER comes to Canton is the see the Movie Poster Service.  It literally has the largest supply of vintage movie posters in the world.  You want to see ‘em?  I work part time over there so I got keys.  My great uncle Bob started collecting ‘em back in the depression and sold the business to my mom’s brother Cleophas and his wife Lou Ann a few years back.  I even have a separate room of my own memorabilia.  We have all the controversial ones.  Man Bites Dog, Silent Night, Deadly Night, and even the People vs. Larry Flint”.  

We had nothing better to do so we quickly agreed.  We got in there and it was huge.  It really was impressive.  There were thousands of posters.  He took us upstairs and on one of those stick thingies that they have for newspapers in libraries were the ones he said were his favorite.  He told us to look at them while he slipped into some kind of closet.  A minute later he peeked out and said grab that first one.  We did and it was a Pulp Fiction poster.  He then slipped around the door and gosh darn it if he wasn’t the in the exact dress that Uma Therman was on the poster.  “When you little scamps get together, you’re worse than a sewing circle” he said in his best falsetto.  What a funny surprise!  A little weird, but hilariously unexpected.  

Two minutes later he was in Vivian Leigh’s red dress saying “Tara! Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.”  Next it was Audrey Hepburn’s little  black number saying “No, no, you disapprove of me. And I will not accept drinks from gentlemen who disapprove of me. I'll pay for my own whiskey and don't you forget it!”.  This was getting too weird and suddenly one of the other boys peaked into the closet and there must have been 30 dresses in there.  The boy suddenly yelled “you aint no ball player, you’re a chick!”  We all laughed, but I didn’t think much more of it.  One of the boys must have talked to his team though, because by the last game guys were yelling when he struck someone out (which he did a lot) “What’s the matter, can’t you hit off a chick?”

I didn’t hear much more about it until it was baseball season and suddenly, he was playing for Helena.  Rumor was that the teasing got so intense in Canton that he went to stay with his cousins in Helena to get away from the distraction.  He looked happy when he beat us in the semi-finals, but obviously the name stuck.

I get no joy from bringing this story to light, but as the saying goes “if you don’t say nothing, there aint gonna be nothing.”

Chick Munson Press Release

 PRESS RELEASE from the media team of Adorable Deplorables & Associates:

Newly-retired pitcher for the Tampa Bay Deplorables, Chick Munson, wishes to thank the writers and owners who voted him into the Cobbfather Fake Baseball Hall Of Fame.

“We know we could’a gone on a couple more years as there are still a few tanks of gas left in this ol’ engine of an arm, to carry a metaphor beyond it’s breaking point. But I want to enjoy my fake family and my pretend real life now and I think I’ve faux-earned that privilege.

“We’d also like to congratulate the great Ahmed Ratliff on his election to The Hall. He’s told me many times what this honor would mean to his commercial endorsements if ever came his way. And now that it has Wheaties, Gillette Blades and Big Bopper Condoms will all be reaping the fruits of his prodigious career and, um, expanded skillset.

“We know many of those receiving votes were devastated by this morning’s announcement. Our long-time rival Dizzy Leonard is rumored to be trying to reach an understanding voice at a suicide hotline that won’t hang up on him. And I feel for the guy. I can’t identify in any way with his level of frustration or abandon of all hope. I’ve been fortunate enough to hold only good all-time records in Cobbfather—not the ugly ones. But I do feel for him.

“To that end my people have reached out to Dizzy and I have asked him to introduce me when I am inducted. I figure his speech, if he accepts, may be as close as he ever gets to that hallowed stage in Cooperstown. And I want him to have that moment. I’ve heard that his speech impediment has improved greatly since he’s installed those new VELCRO® dentures. And his limp from The Great Tractor Tragedy of 2017 is now only barely noticeable from Google Earth.

“So, Diz, if you’re out there, I really hope you take me up on my offer. You know I always admired how you picked yourself up after every loss. That’s a lot of stumbles and recoveries. And one day, the Good Lord willing, WIS will take me up on the idea of The HBD Fake Baseball Hall of Perseverance that I brought up recently. It’s high time Dizzy Leonard, stalwart soldier that he was, finally gets his fake baseball due.

“Thanks to all my great fans and we’ll see you in Cooperstown—or wherever they’re holding this hoedown."

The better Dizzy Leonard

 Eli Cash - Contributing Reporter

Ryan Fisher fires PR firm

After years of listening to Dizzy this and Dizzy that ever year Hall of Fame voting season, Ryan Fisher has officially fired his public relations firm. No more "Dizzy has given up the most walks in Cobbfather history!" or "Who hasn't scored a run on Dizzy?". It may be the unpopular opinion in the blogosphere; but if this writer had a vote you better believe I'd be voting in Ryan Fisher over Dizzy. Fans should be clamoring for Fisher to join the Hall of Fame, including the Dizzy Leonard Hall of Dizzy Leonard as the second player to ever be inducted. 

Little known fact, Leonard isn't the sole owner of the League's most Losses, he is in fact tied with Ryan Fisher. An accomplishment Fisher is very proud of. The game ball from his last loss is mounted in a glass case in his double wide trailer in Kennewick, Washington. The signed ball's value has skyrocketed since his retirement following Season 39, increasing in value by 1/1,000,000,000 of a cent every 100 years. It may be worth less than a regular t-ball this year, but one day it will be gold! I'll have you know Fisher even has as many Hit Batters as Dizzy. 

I'll tell you one thing, Dizzy doesn't want the media to get a hold of his comparison to Fisher. Leonard is no better than the crickets and rust-beetles scuttled among the nettles of the sage thicket. Fisher bests Dizzy in all the ratios OAV, OBP, SLG, WHIP, ERA, and even his inseam. Fisher had 12 seasons below a 4.00 ERA compared to Dizzy's 5. He even struck out 311 more batters (he's 4th most all time), gave ups 85 less home runs all in 107 less innings. Fisher was even a better fielder than the Dizzy one, and might I add; he even has a better batting average. Let's count Cy Young awards, Fisher 1 - Leonard 0. Now for No Hitters, Fisher 1 - Leonard 0. To further prove his value, Fisher made a combined $157M to Leonard's $88M; so even Free Agency agrees that Fisher is the better more valuable player. By the way, I know what you're thinking and it's a really nice double wide! 

A true fan can't tell me they'd prefer Dizzy's puny 5'-10" frame over the Fish. He may not have as many Hits & Home Runs allowed, or even number of pitches thrown; but you know what to do; go VOTE Ryan Fisher, Season 46 Cobbfather Hall of Fame! I'll even send you a fancy sticker you can post on your instagram feed. 

Hall of Fame Primer

 

Benny Ballgame - Special to Cobbfather Post Gazette

 
With so many terrific nominees for the Hall of Fame I decided to create a completely objective, highly scientific system to decide who should get your vote for the Hall of Fame.  Both single season and career achievements could earn the potential nominee points.  Here is the outcome of that process.

All Time Greats

 

1. Chick Munson, 38 points.  There is no debate needed and if you left him off your ballot that is a you problem  With 334 wins, 10-time all-star 3 Cy Young, 2 no-hit, and 4 World Series rings he is a true legend of the game.  He probably could have reached 350 wins if he wanted to.

 

Clear Hall of Famers

 

2. Heywood Swann, 25 points.  Surprising bad counting numbers for a guy with this much hardware.  It is what keeps him out of the first tier.  Still, there are not multiple levels to the Hall of Fame and Swann is an EASY choice. He was the best player at his position for nearly a decade and the MVP for 2 seasons.  A 7-time all-star with 5 silver sluggers to boot.
3. Dizzy Leonard, 23 points.  When the book is written about Cobbfather one of the chapters will be on Ole’ Dizzy.  The 3-time all-star is often called the Jack Morris of Cobbfather with 17 consecutive seasons of at least 200 innings.  That is not a misprint.  17 seasons!  That is 5 seasons more then Swann even played.  Throw in having the record for most records, the best publicist in the business, 264 wins, over 3400 strikeouts, and 5 20-win seasons and it is an open and shut case.

    Worthy, but you can’t include them all

4. Al Balentien, 22 points. I’m not always a guy who wants to put RP’ers in the HOF, but Balentien is elite.  Since it’s a non-voting award, it can be hard enough to win one Fire of the Year and he won 5.  Throw 8 all-star games and World Series ring and sign me up!
5. Armondo Merced, 21 points.  I struggled between Merced and Palmerio, but in the end Merced’s 270 wins was the most impressive thing either of them did so I allowed the 270 wins to be worth 1 point in my system to make the difference.  Plus, with 7 all-star games and 3 WS rings he is a truly worthy Hall of Famer
6. Alving Palmerio, 20 points.  Alving is probably the best player you have never heard of as guys who spend their entire career with 1 team can sometimes be famous only in their own city (16 with Colorado Springs).  Palmerio was a elite defender at the 2^nd toughest position (5 gold gloves at 3B).  He could hit too with 2 silver sluggers, 5 all-star games, well over 300 steals, and hit for the cycle.
7. Ahmed Ratliff, 19 points.  I was shocked my system rated him so low especially with the bonus points an MVP and 700 HR’s  gave, but at the end of the day he only had 8 lines of awards and his on-base was basically Palmerios, except he was only a corner OF’er.  
8. Midre Taverez, 18 points.  I expect Midre to get in some day, any one with at least 263 wins really should.  He is almost Merced, but in every area not quite.  Still, I wouldn’t fault any for voting for someone with 6 all-star games, a no-hitter, 273 wins and 2 World Series wins.

    Not Hall of Famers, but let’s put respect on their name

9. Edison Hernandez, 12 points Anyone with 6 all-star and an MVP has to be at least considered, and I wouldn’t be upset if someone voted for Edison, but it will be hard for him to get 17 votes.  Still, he also won Rookie of the Year and a World Series Ring
10. Ernie McEnerney, 5 points. Any second baseman to accumulate 500 home runs.  He was also a 2-time all-star and won a gold glove.  I’ll be honest, he probably gets in if he had made it if he got 3000 hits.
11. Dorssys Tatis, 4 points.  Sure, he only won Silver slugger and a Rookie of the Year.  But has ANY other 44^th pick ever accumulated 565 HR’s  and over 2500 hits.  You read that right, a sandwich pick had a good enough career that he was auto AI nomination.  44^th PICK!  Third guy on the list to spend his entire ML career with the Colorado Springs From My Loins.

Letter to the Editor - Dizzy's Spin Cycle

Dear Editor, 

I was dismayed at Dizzy's most recent interview. Lest we forget - June 19, 2018. I had spent the entire prior season trying to start negations only to be rebuffed at every attempt, hearing "sorry, I'm filling for free agency no matter what."  

Then, June 19, 2018 Dizzy actually left the team. It was heartbreaking for the entire Colorado Springs community. Honestly, its was the biggest news event here since the 1903 Colorado Labor War. Still, I stayed up, and at 12:01am on June 23rd gave Dizzy a contract for every dollar he asked for. No one else made a single offer. 

Sure, there were some hard feelings that someone from Dizzy's representation leaked to World Chat that the offer was a max offer and not just a full priced offer, but we got over it. At the end off the day the record should show that it was not me that spent five days outside of the Colorado Springs From My Loins organization. 

Sincerely, 

Benny Ballgame 
Colorado Springs From My Loins Owner

THE HOF CASE AGAINST DIZZY LEONARD

The Cobbfather Post Gazette was able to place a court reporter in the Cobbfather Trial of the Century.  Here is his transcript of the proceedings.

Bailiff: All rise! Come and ye shall be heard. The right honorable FW_Kekionga presiding.

 

Judge: What is our first case?

 

B: Case #597241-The People vs. Dizzy Leonard, Your Honor.

 

J: A-GAIIIIN???!!! I thought we heard this case last year.

 

B: We did, Your Honor.

 

J: And the year before?

 

B: Yes, your honor.

 

J: Very Well. Prosecution? Call your first witness.

 

Prosecutor: Thank you, Your Honor. The prosecution calls but one witness who is here to refute not the eligibility--but the desirability--for one Dizzy Leonard to be admitted to the Cobbfather Fake Baseball Hall of Fame. We call a Mr. Sermon Author to the stand.

 

(distinguished gentleman, mid-sixties takes the stand with a yellow legal pad in his left hand)

 

P: Do you swear—

 

sa: Yeah, yeah. I do. Just like on my wedding day. All seven of them.

 

P: We understand you have evidence backing up your serious charge that one Mr. Dizzy Leonard should be blocked from enshrinement in the Cobbfather Fake Baseball Hall of Fame? Rather than the usual back and forth exchange that would take up precious space of this prestigious publication’s blog, would you please state your grievance against Mr. Leonard without further interruption from me, the fake Prosecutor?

 

sa: With pleasure. It seems like every year since Moses was born there’s a campaign to put Dizzy Leonard into the CFBHOF. Every year the 17 votes needed for induction fail to materialize by wide margins. But then the next year comes and Mr. Leonard’s former team—the From My Loins of Colorado Springs—renews the campaign. This argument is an attempt to put an end to this nonsense once and for all.

 

This preseason, team ownership wrote two posts on Cobbfather World Chat—a chat board read almost as widely as His Honor’s “Cobbfather Post Gazette.”

 

J: (blushing) Oh, very nice. Thank you.

Defense: Your Honor, this is blatant currying of fav—

 

J: Sit down and shut up, Counselor. You’ll have your turn. Continue, Mr. Author

 

sa: That’s author, sir. Actually sermonauthor. One word. No space. No caps. It the family name, sir. My parents gave it to me just before they left me.

J: They were killed?

sa: No, Your Honor. They left me at the fire station.

 

J: The record will reflect the witness’ proclivity for princely punctuation. And for being orphaned.

sa: Thank you, Your Honor. I try. It was my parents who didn’t. Back to the case, the Loins management recently posted the following evidence as to the worthiness of Dizzy Leonard’s CFBHOF induction:

 

“No one has more records than Dizzy.”

 

That was the useful extent of their argument. Well, sir, I did some research into the Cobbfather record book. It seems there is great merit in the team’s statement. Mr. Leonard, indeed, stands atop the leader board in 10 of the 42 all-time records kept for pitchers. Here are those records:

 

● Batters Faced: 19.334

 

● Pitches Thrown: 71,704

 

● Batters Hit By Pitch: 180

 

● Earned Runs (allowed): 2,163

 

● Hits (allowed): 4,562

 

● Home Runs (allowed): 603

 

● Losses: 226

 

● Walks: 1,625

 

● Wild Pitches Thrown: 64

 

● Grounded Into Double Play: 423

 

That is 10 indisputable Cobbfather records. But not all records are equal, are they? Let’s take a look:

 

The first two records (in bold) are accomplishments of duration. Of showing up year after year. Very nice to be sure. Attendance records are helpful when applying to Yale. But not enough to recommend one to the CFBHOF.

 

The next six records are what we in the sabermetric world like to refer to as Negative or Very Bad Crappy records: Batters HBP, Earned Runs Allowed, Hits Allowed, Home Runs Allowed, Losses, Walks, Wild Pitches Thrown. These are all bad things for a pitcher to do. Very bad. Very, very bad. All those hits! All those homers! All those earned runs! All those batters with massive rib injuries! Oh, the HUMANITY! Sorry, I got carried away.

And Dizzy Leonard was the all time best at doing these bad things.

 

Finally, we come to what I see as Dizzy’s crowning achievement—in terms of holding a record for a Positive event: Grounded Into DPs . This is far from a nothing accomplishment. He was the best at inducing ground balls or line drives at a fielder. But that is the lone Positive stat we see. And he should be rightfully proud of this achievement.

 

With one last burst, let’s talk about overall win/loss record. For Dizzy that stands at 264-226 . In most worlds 264 wins is an automatic admission to the FBHOF. But look at those losses. 226. Only 38 more wins than losses. Most starting pitchers in the CFBHOF have a ratio much closer to 2-1 wins to losses.

 

That is a critical point and here is the nail in Dizzy Leonard’s coffin:

 

While he was clearly very, very good at times, he was just as often—and history-making—at being very, very bad. His records are mostly of the negative kind. The kind that one admires and says “Well done.” Very decent career. And it was a long career. Good for you. You showed up more often than not.

 

Dizzy Leonard never won a Cy Young. He never helped any team to a World Series Championship. In fact there is nothing else on his awards resume except a mere 3 All Star Game appearances. A nice achievement. But HOF worthy?

 

His resume points to records born of endurance—not of greatness. Therefore, we recommend Dizzy Leonard not for the Cobbfather Fake Baseball Hall of Fame . . . but for the new wing I’m proposing today:

 

The Cobbfather Fake Baseball Hall of Perseverance. It was a long, winding 19 ML seasons. He showed up for work and he earned his paycheck—every dollar. They even did some nice feature articles in Sports Illustrated. Of course, it was the Swimsuit Issue. Now Dizzy Leonard will finally have a resting place worthy of his accomplishments.

 

Your honor, I rest my case.

J: Very well. We’ll break for lunch and hear Defense arguments this afternoon.

 

D: But, Your Honor.  .  . we’d like to respond now . . .

J: Bailiff . . . whack his pee-pee!

 

 

Dizzy Leonard, Sad Apple

 Bungo Duggins - Staff Reporter

Notorious Cobbfather multi-recordholder and lone inaugural nominee of the Dizzy Leonard Hall of Dizzy Leonard, the eponymous pitcher has found himself in a new and unforeseen situation of difficulty - he is no longer the apple of Loins GM topoftheworld's eye.  

A source close to Leonard say that he found out through backdoor channels, gossip, and since deleted Tik Tok chats, and has been nigh inconsolable ever since.  "He's been sobbing non-stop in his trophy room, looking longingly at his three All-Star trophies, and his portrait of topoftheworld on the wall. I tell you man, it's sad to see somebody who Dizzy thought had his back for life discard him like yesterdays news and find himself a new huckleberry.

He added, "topoftheworld was going to be the guest of honor at Dizzy's induction into the Hall, he's been there for him from the beginning.  But now.. We'll just have to see how it goes.  Dizzy's pretty busted up over this.  I mean it's been three days since he has recorded a new infomercial to promote his Hall.  That's 100% unlike him.  I'm here for him though, as are a few others.  Juan Saenez called him, and told him that as soon as the travel advisories are lifted he's flying in, and buying three crates of duty free tequila from Skymall on the way."

With the ever important Hall of Fame induction date approaching rapidly, CPG staff expect further developments in this evolving story.