Ten for Tuesday - Best International MLB Players

Hey guys, Drew back here! Yesterday, news was made in Tokyo when baseball was one of eight sports to be recommended to be added to the 2020 Olympic Games. Baseball hasn't been much of a success when brought into the Summer Games, but baseball's enormous presence in Japan could make for one of the most exciting events to look forward to when the time comes. With that in mind, I wanted to investigate who I would definitively rank as the greatest Foreign Born player in MLB history.

My criteria for this list was simple. Each player I considered had to be born outside of the United States, which excluded Alex Rodriguez since he was born in New York City. Also, the player was only to be considered for their exploits in Major League Baseball alone, and not for their performance in any other league. And as you will see, players who have been caught for performance enhancing drugs were not viewed as highly as their statistics may have garnered them.

Top 10 Foreign Born MLB Players in History

Honorable Mentions - Roberto Alomar (Puerto Rico), Ferguson Jenkins (Canada), Vladimir Guerrero (Dominican Republic), Bert Blyleven (Netherlands), Rafael Palmeiro (Cuba)

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I debated over Alomar and the tenth ranked player for quite some time, and ultimately Robby fell just shy of making this list. Alomar was one of the more underrated players of his era, and he could simply no wrong throughout his illustrious 17 year career. He won 10 Gold Glove awards and is widely considered one of the best defensive second basemen of all time. He also came up within 300 hits of reaching the 3,000 hit plateau and was a 12 time All Star. I've talked about writing a post about the most underrated players in the Hall of Fame for several weeks now, and when that list does indeed come out, Alomar just might come to mind.

Vladimir Guerrero is one of my all time favorite players who never wore pinstripes. Watching him hit was one of the most entertaining sights, and keeping him off this list was especially tough. Rafael Palmeiro is one of five players to compile 3,000 hits and 500 home runs (congratulations to Alex Rodriguez on recently becoming the 5th), but he managed to fall short as well.

10 - Ivan Rodriguez, C, Puerto Rico

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The second coming of the "Pudge" moniker barely cracked this Top 10, which speaks to just how tremendous of an impact foreign players have made on the game. Rodriguez has been labeled as the best defensive catcher of this past generation, but he was no slouch at the plate either. He has more hits than any other catcher ever, and retired with a lifetime batting average of .296. He may not come before Berra and Bench on All Time lists, but he isn't as far behind them as one may think. The Hall of Fame should be calling him sooner rather than later, even despite the PED suspicion surrounding his legacy.

9 - Juan Marichal, SP, Dominican Republic

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It wouldn't make sense keeping the "Dominican Dandy" from making the cut. Juan Marichal was anything but dandy to face throughout his prime, going 154-65 with a 2.34 ERA between 1963 and 1969 alone. He made ten All Star teams and won more games than any other pitcher through the 1960's with help from a high leg kick and fearsome delivery. Marichal may not have stood out much more than Canada's Ferguson Jenkins and the Netherlands' Bert Blyleven statistically (who were listed as Honorable Mentions), but he was one of the first Hispanic pitchers who found success in the big leagues which gives him the edge here. Unfortunately, he was often overlooked because of the pitching-rich era he played during, which also featured legends like Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax.

8 - Miguel Cabrera, 1B/3B/OF, Venezuela

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When Miguel Cabrera calls it a career, we may view him as one of the greatest offensive forces to ever step into the batter's box. He is on pace to join not only the 500 Home Run club but the 3,000 hit club as well, and could achieve much more if health remains to be on his side. This season, Cabrera is mashing .350 with a .456 OBP, 15 Home Runs and 52 RBI, already making up for a "bad" 2014 in which he batted .313 with 25 Home Runs. He is the best hitter I have had the pleasure of growing up with in my personal opinion, and I can't wait to see what more he will do before he calls it a career. It is safe to say "Miggy" will be closer to the top of these ranks by then.

7 - Manny Ramirez, OF, Dominican Republic

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The highest ranked known PED user on this list was as dangerous an offensive weapon as could be in the mid 2000's. Ramirez was a colorful personality for several teams over his 19 year career; always finding some way or another to make headlines. But what would always take the biggest stage was his bat, which helped lead the Red Sox to 2 World Series titles and brought him to 12 All Star Games and 9 Silver Sluggers. Between he and David Ortiz, he fell just short of being listed on the Honorable Mentions on this list, the Red Sox had a 3-4 lineup punch that could not be denied. He retired with 555 Home Runs and over 2,500 hits. Tainted or not, it was quite a career for a man who thrived on simply being himself.

6 - Rod Carew, 1B/2B, Panama

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Ah, yes. Hall of Famer Rod Carew. Carew's sweet swing led him to seven batting titles and over 3,000 career hits. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1967 and won the AL MVP in 1977. He wasn't known for being a powerful bat, but was one of the greatest contact hitters in history. Carew was an All Star in every year but one throughout his 19 years in the big leagues, showing that he was not only a tremendous talent but a fan favorite as well. It isn't much of a surprise that he holds one of the higher places here. His trademark red batting gloves gave him all the extra flair he needed as his batting averages consistently soared to the top of the charts.

5 - Mariano Rivera, CP, Panama

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Rivera is one of my top 3 All Time Favorite Players, and the best closer in history. His cutter was unhittable on most nights throughout his excellent career, and he has become one of the most beloved athletes in New York sports history. His trophy shelf is enormous, and along with his various awards he also was named to 13 All Star teams. He was so good that he alone could change the outcome of a game when he entered, which is pretty rare to expect from a relief pitcher. Rivera will be most likely inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 when he first arrives on the ballot, and it will be about time by then.

4 - Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Japan

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The next active player on this countdown currently is stuck in the freakshow that is the Miami Marlins' organization, led by General Manager and Manager Dan Jennings. But rather than focus on the now, let's all do Mr. Suzuki some respect and reminisce on the good times. He followed in Japanese hurler Hideo Nomo's footsteps when moving on from Nippon Professional Baseball to the Major Leagues in 2001, and from the very first game it appeared as though he never left. His quickness, precision, and dominance could all be felt in a heartbeat, and he went on to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in his rookie season. He has since made ten All Star teams, won ten Gold Glove Awards, and has racked up over 2,800 hits (not including another 1,278 in Japan, giving him over 4,000 professional base knocks!) in one of the most impressive careers to date.

3 - Pedro Martinez, SP, Dominican Republic

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I'm not one of the guys who puts Pedro among the top shelf of pitchers ever. But I do recognize the impact he left behind with this sport, and how dominant his prime seasons were. Pedro will be on his way into the Hall of Fame this summer after a brilliant career spanning 5 teams in 18 years. His years with the Boston Red Sox were of the most significance; where he won 3 Cy Young Awards in a 4 year stretch (he finished 2nd the other year of those 4). He was a vintage-type performer on the mound; never afraid to unleash his fastball on any player willing to put up a fight. At times, he could be dangerous, throwing at batters to make amends, but that was Pedro. And clearly, if the Hall of Fame voters put him in the Hall as quickly and deliberately as they did, his strategy worked.

2 - Roberto Clemente, OF, Puerto Rico

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When originally thinking of making this list, I was almost positive Clemente would reign supreme over all of today's stars. However, this was not the case. Clemente had a fantastic career, garnering exactly 3,000 hits before dying in a tragic plane crash at the age of 38. He made 15 All Star teams, won 12 Gold Glove Awards, the NL MVP in 1966, and was part of two Pirates World Series winners in 1960 and 1971! He was a true 5 Tool Talent, and was capable of hurting teams on both sides at a Hall of Fame caliber. He was clearly the most impactful and influential man to ever come to the big leagues from outside the country, considering he was the best of the initial wave of foreign players. But one man's talent was able to unseat him from his throne, becoming (in my opinion) the greatest all around International player in MLB history.

1 - Albert Pujols, 1B, Dominican Republic

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The Machine. Since Albert Pujols signed his mega deal in Los Angeles, a lot of people, myself included, have turned our attention to Miguel Cabrera instead. Pujols got off to a bad start, battling injuries, and Cabrera was crushing the ball better than ever before. How could we not drop Pujols with talent like that emerging? Besides, Pujols' contract far outweighs the best player on his own team, Mike Trout, and people like me began to doubt what Angels management was doing. This may not keep up, but 2015 has shown that the best supposedly clean power hitter of our generation is back at full health, and he hasn't lost a step.

Pujols' rookie season in 2001 was just as spectacular as Ichiro's, but the National League was filled with slugging superstars such as Bonds and Sosa, which kept him from also winning the MVP that year. Since then, he stole the show for much of the mid to late 2000's, winning 3 NL MVP Awards, 2 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, and making 9 All Star teams. He hit his 500th career Home Run last year, and is cruising up the leaderboard (now 16th All Time with 543, chasing Mike Schmidt). This man had a presence that could be felt from miles away in his prime, and it's exciting to see slices of that tremendous past come back on occasion. When all is said and done for Prince Albert, he could potentially reaching 700 Home Runs and 3,000 hits. The only other player who has done that currently is Hank Aaron, but Alex Rodriguez may reach it as well if he hangs on long enough.

People are going to argue that Clemente was a better player than Pujols. That's okay. We as people tend to look back on the past and see it as better than the current. When you're young, you're prone to believing much of what you see, magnifying iconic athletes, celebrities, and musicians to be larger than life and far superior to others of their respective kinds. I'm not trying to slight Roberto by any sense of the word, but if you really compare their statistics and think about their individual dominance in baseball, they can relatively easily be compared. Nobody can match the impact Clemente left behind as a person, but on the field, I'll take Pujols.

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below if you think otherwise!

*UPDATE: Sorry, this was meant to be posted yesterday. However, it's my blog, so I can do what I want with it. Call it "Ten for Wednesday" if it makes matters easier. Times have been especially tough lately on a personal note, and this was the best I could do, but I hope you all enjoy it!*

See Ya!

Ten for Tuesday - 10 Greatest Yankees

Hey guys, Drew back here. It's safe to say that this week hasn't gotten off to the brightest start, but that's okay. My contest idea of having an All Time Re-Draft didn't seem to catch on to you all, so I decided to let it go and forget about it. Lately I've been putting a great deal of work into this site and improving my writing to help diminish some of my previous posts when I was younger and evolve as a writer, so with this failure I decided to just keep on going, and work harder towards giving you the best quality I can provide.

This week, I decided to take a week off from roasting the Hall of Fame, and instead thought it would be necessary for you all to know my stance on the ten greatest players from the team I have studied religiously and adored for now over a decade: The New York Yankees. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are perhaps the most famous professional sports franchise in the world, and have had some of the greatest players in history come through the organization. Although I was not there to watch a majority of the men I'm about to speak about, I've done my share of research, watched Yankeeographies and documentaries, and can say that I know more than the average fan does about them all. We'll begin with those who just missed my cut.

Top 10 New York Yankees of All Time

Honorable Mentions - Thurman Munson, Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez, Reggie Jackson

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Thurman Munson was the most tragic Yankee in history. A perennial All Star and fan favorite; Thurman never got to reach the Hall of Fame level he could have gotten to thanks in part to his early death at the age of 32 in a plane accident. Munson was a 7 time All Star, 3 time Gold Glove Winner, 2 time World Series Champion, and the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1976. He was the leader, the captain, and was far beyond simply "the straw that stirred the drink".

(Dis)Honorable Mention - Alex Rodriguez

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Rodriguez is officially the most hated Yankee of All Time, topping Bucky F*****g Dent, Roger Clemens, and ruthless owner George Steinbrenner. I personally do not root for him as a person but will root for him as long as he is in the lineup helping the team win. A-Rod is a 14 time All Star and has won 3 MVP's, 2 of which in New York in 2005 and 2007. He's attempted to sue the team, was suspended for all of last season for being involved in the Biogenesis scandal, and simply put; is a douchebag. He is far from the epitome of a Yankee, but I'll give him credit for how he has responded to all of the criticism he has faced this season. Finally, as the man is closing in on 40 years old and 3,000 career hits, he is growing up. Unfortunately, it is too late for him to fully recover for his wrongdoings, and he will never make this list, even if he wins 3 more MVP's in pinstripes before he hangs up his $300 million dollar cleats.

10 - Don Mattingly
1B, 1982-1995

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There may have been a few players listed in my Honorable Mentions who were better than Don Mattingly. But few could resemble a Yankee in the way that our former superstar first baseman could. Mattingly was at the top of the game for about a six year stretch, until a nagging back injury ended his career prematurely. Unfortunately, this situation will likely keep "Donnie Baseball" from reaching the Hall of Fame (although his statistics are very close to HOF'er Kirby Puckett), unless his managerial career in Los Angeles boosts him up higher on the pedestal. Players, coaches, and fans absolutely loved #23 in New York, and he deserves a place on this list solely because of his leadership and work ethic.

9 - Bill Dickey
C, 1928-1943, 1946

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Can it be set in stone that Bill Dickey is the most underrated Yankee in the Hall of Fame? As much as we all love Yogi Berra, it was Dickey that taught him the tools to become a legendary catcher. He made 11 All Star teams and was a part of 14 World Series teams. I don't know much about him to be frank, but I don't think many people do. That, is a problem.

Dickey was mostly known for his presence behind the plate, but he was just as good at the dish. He was always outshined by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio, but he can not be forgotten. Some of his offensive seasons rank among the best ever for a catcher, and being able to pair that with his defensive ability makes him one of the greatest catchers in history.

In no way do I feel that Dickey is better than Berra for teaching him the way, but he does deserve more respect than he gets for it. I feel like sharing a retired number with Yogi does take away from his legacy, because most Yankee fans associate the number with the more modern Berra.

8 - Whitey Ford
SP, 1950, 1953-1967

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"The Chairman of the Board". As you would assume, the highest ranked starting pitcher in my opinion is the man who dominated with control and finesse throughout a period of time the Yankees owned more than any other period. He is not the highest rated pitcher here, but if I were to put any pitcher on the mound over the course of a season who have ever donned the pinstripes, it would be difficult to argue against this guy.

While I'm discussing Ford, if I were to build a rotation off of former Yankees starters, it would most likely be lefty heavy. Literally. Following Ford would be Red Ruffing and "Lefty" Gomez, two more obscure pitchers from the earlier generations. The final two I would choose are Ron Guidry and Andy Pettitte, which would make a rotation consisting of four left handed pitchers. Maybe I'd throw Pat Venditte in there just for kicks.

The all time franchise leader in wins would be higher ranked if it weren't for some of the best position players in baseball history that deserve it even more-so. Be on the lookout for Ford on a future list honoring some of the more underrated players in the Hall of Fame, as well as perhaps Dickey as well (hint, hint).


7 - Mariano Rivera
CP, 1995-2013

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Call it controversial, I don't care. Mariano Rivera is the most dominant relief pitcher ever, and there's really no argument otherwise. He had his moments that proved that he was human after all, but for the most part there was no other reliever who was on top of his game for as long, and as well, as Mo was. I know I've been frequently debating amongst myself how I feel about where relievers stand in comparison to not only starting pitchers, but position players as well. I've called Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley overrated, and Bruce Sutter and Hoyt Wilhelm downright undeserving of being included in Cooperstown. Rivera may be a little overhyped because he was a Yankee, under the bright lights in the media capital in the world. Most Yankees are; let's be honest. But there is nobody I've ever watched in my lifetime as a fan who could end a game before even entering it. Some may say he belongs even higher on this list, but my bias against relievers is probably the reasoning for this placement.

6 - Derek Jeter
SS, 1995-2014

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We now come to my favorite player, the most recent Captain, Derek Jeter. Jeter was the face of baseball during a period in which players that would have been were cheating. Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Roger Clemens were better players. But as far as anyone can tell, Jeter did it the right way. He has forever been my role model, and despite perhaps being a little overrated towards the end of his career; it was for the right reasons. I remember meeting one of my Little League teams while in middle school, and my coach asked everyone who their favorite player was. Almost all of them said Derek Jeter. Not Bonds, not Clemens, not Sosa, not A-Rod. Jeter. Major League Baseball has done a fantastic job marketing a man who did it right for 20 years.

And to any of you who think Jeter doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame at all, and I've seen you out there; I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. If it weren't for Derek Jeter keeping my fandom for the game alive during one of the darkest periods of baseball history, I may not be writing this post right now. Maybe I'd be attempting to be a musician. Maybe I'd be studying engineering. Luckily, Jeter kept my dream for a life in the sports industry alive.

5 - Yogi Berra
C, 1943-1963

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Despite my love for my Captain, I did not have it in me to place him ahead of the man who has been all over the news in recent weeks. If you haven't heard, Yogi Berra's family organized a petition to President Obama to give Berra the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award has been given to former icons in all realms of pop culture, including Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Stan Musial, and several others. On the final night of the petition, fans everywhere were able to gain 100,000 total supporters, enough for it to be considered. There is no living player more deserving of this honor than a man who served in World War II and will forever live on for his baseball skill and hilarious philosophy.

The three time MVP falls just outside of my Yankees "Mount Rushmore", which has been a recent hot subject of debate among different sports and teams. The four you are about to see are the four you most likely expected to see at the top, and most likely in the order you assumed them to be in. But that's not the point of the Yankees list. What most people are curious in are where the top eight players are ranked, particularly 5-8. With Jeter and Rivera being more recent, it's hard to not over-rank them. Also, the final two choices are always interesting to see.

4 - Mickey Mantle
CF, 1951-1968

3 - Joe DiMaggio
CF, 1936-1951

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One debate I did have to have was whether I considered Mantle better than DiMaggio or vise versa. I have always loved Mickey Mantle, despite his being plenty of years before my time. I even placed Joe DiMaggio on my overrated list last week, and of these final four he is easily my least favorite player. But, that doesn't mean Joe D wasn't really, really good. I placed him on the Overrated list because he was voted "The Greatest Living Player" while Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams were all alive. It was only for that reason why he was even considered for the list. Because let's face it, if DiMaggio had played the three years he missed in the thick of his prime rather than serve our country; he may have ended up with more comparable statistics to the aforementioned Mays, Aaron, and Williams. With that argument, you can also say that if Mickey Mantle didn't face the injuries he struggled with his statistics would rank among the very best. 

What places DiMaggio ahead of Mantle slightly on this list is that his dominance over his first seven years in the Majors was one of the most dominant stretches ever. Mantle retired with 201 more hits than DiMaggio in 1,281 more at bats. He scored 286 more runs. Considering how much more Mantle played than "Joltin' Joe", those comparisons are not that impressive. However, Mantle was a better power hitter and reached base at a higher rate than DiMaggio. It cannot be determined which defender was better, even with sabermetrics. It is difficult to coin anything from that era to be true, even with the most advanced statistics. No statistic can value a player's impact on a team, and both players did more than that throughout their spectacular careers. 

It isn't easy, and if I had to choose, I would be biased towards Mantle. But, in terms of being politically correct, DiMaggio may have been a slightly better player. Not many people alive today were able to see both men play, and an even fewer selection of those people know about today's metrics well enough to make a decision on who was better without letting their biases get in the way. Many felt slighted when Mantle came in and stole DiMaggio's spotlight. Many loved Mantle because he had a better reputation with the fans and media. It will always go both ways. That's baseball, for you. There will never be a right or wrong answer to these questions, and that's what is so amazing about this sport; what makes it stand out among other sports.

Who was better?

Joe DiMaggio

Mickey Mantle

Poll Maker

2 - Lou Gehrig
1B, 1923-1939

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1 - Babe Ruth
RF, 1920-1934

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A debate that is much easier to agree upon is Ruth vs. Gehrig. Lou Gehrig can be made a case for being the second best player ever. But only one player put baseball on the map, and that achievement alone gives Ruth an edge. There isn't much to be said about these two men that hasn't already been said. So, I'll leave it at that. Babe Ruth is easily the greatest Yankee, and player, ever. If it weren't for him, baseball could have just been a phase.

I want to apologize for getting this out so late today, it has been a very busy past few days, and I hope this doesn't feel rushed. If you would like to discuss the rankings in the comments below, as well as anyone I may have missed, feel free!

See Ya!

Ten for Tuesday - Worth the Price of Admission

Hey guys, Drew back here! A lot has been said over the past few years how baseball has lost some of its magic among the younger crowd. Kids these days seem to gravitate towards quicker paced games such as football and basketball because this generation has been prone to a lack of attention span. However, the game appears to be at its purest since the Golden Eras of the 1950's and 1960's, thanks in part to the collection of excellent prospects debuting practically every year. Prospects such as Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant have generated more interest before their MLB debuts than the best players in the majors at the time such as Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols. The only piece missing to the game is the peaked interest of young kids, which is vitally important towards keeping our beloved game going strong for years to come.

This week's list will be meant as suggestions of players to perhaps show your kids (or, if you are a kid, to check out) that could make them the fan you are in the future! All of the players on this list are below the age of 27, because I felt like the list needed to be capped at some point, so you won't see Clayton Kershaw, Buster Posey, or Andrew McCutchen on this countdown. Also, this list is not based solely upon statistics and talent, but additionally focuses on the likability and excitement factors.

10 Most Exciting Young Players to Watch in 2015

Honorable Mentions - Nolan Arenado, Masahiro Tanaka, Anthony Rizzo, Manny Machado, Billy Hamilton

If you're looking for premium five tool talents, watch out for Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado. They are big power seasons away from debuting on this list, but in the meantime, check out some of the glovework they've displayed recently. And if you're in a need for speed, Billy Hamilton is the best in the business. If he improves at getting on base, he will easily crack the top 10.

10 - Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants (Video)

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There is nothing about this man that appears to be 25 years old, but sure enough, "Mad-Bum" is only a quarter century of age. His long hair and beard adds to his intimidation, and although he isn't a flamethrower he still knows how to overpower his opponents. The 2014 World Series MVP carved his name into baseball lore with his epic postseason performances; practically winning the World Series for the Giants. His performances also landed him "Mad-Bum" underwear, a Jimmy Fallon Late Night appearance, an endorsement with Carhartt, and 2014's Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. And, if that isn't enough; he can crush the ball at the plate when he's called upon to do so.

9 - Mookie Betts, CF, Boston Red Sox (Video)

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Mookie Betts, as painful as it is to say being a Yankees fan, is extremely good. His talent has surplanted everything he was expected to fulfill thus far for the Red Sox, and he keeps getting better. It may look like an overreaction to have him this high on my list after a huge Spring Training and hot start to 2015, but it's more than just the numbers with Betts. He's a human highlight reel in center field, and last week he stole two bases on a single play; a brilliant baseball play most young players don't seem to pick up on. He's no longer rookie eligible, but you can bet he'll be bringing home hardware in the not so distant future.

8 - Chris Sale, SP, Chicago White Sox (Video)

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Chris Sale has been arguably the best pitcher in the American League the past three years when healthy, but health has been the question mark at times. His lanky, side arm delivery is menacing towards opposing batters; reminiscent of Randy Johnson's legendary mechanics. If he is able to sustain that delivery in the future without suffering a serious shoulder or elbow injury, he may continue to be the most fun pitcher to watch in the league.

7 - Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs (Video)

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Number 7 belongs to a player who has been all the talk lately on social media and throughout baseball. Kris Bryant has been a mega prospect ever since he was drafted 2nd overall in the 2013 Draft by the Cubs. This spring, he was in the middle of a difficult financial position by Theo Epstein and Chicago's front office, but this past Friday he was called up to make his MLB debut! I don't believe he will be as advertised in his rookie season, but I still think he'll either win or come close to winning Rookie of the Year. In the future, this mammoth of a bat has the potential to be a Hall of Fame caliber player, although it would be helpful if he could develop a little better on the defensive end. I have all the respect in the world for Bryant for how he handled the demotion after crushing home runs nearly every at bat in Spring Training. It's difficult for any rookie with his potential to immediately fulfill expectations, but he is a must watch player every time he steps into the batter's box.

6 - Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami Marlins (Video)

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The 2013 NL Rookie of the Year had made an impressive splash down in Miami, but unfortunately Tommy John Surgery brought his career to a halt. When Fernandez returns in June/July of this season, baseball fans hope he can retain the talent he showed off before. His absence from the game for over a year has diminished some of what he did before, but his electric stuff should bring him right back to the top of the game, where his personality and skill belongs. Plus, he works his tail off biking and training, and is still in tip-top shape despite having the surgery.

5 - Yasiel Puig, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Video)

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The next two players on this list are two of the most electric and exciting players in the sport, held back on this list by inconsistency and injury problems. The first is Yasiel Puig, who, in two full seasons had become one of the most fun players to impersonate and watch. Puig plays the game the way it is meant to be played (let us remember, this is a kid's game after all), with passion and exuberance that is hard to replicate. But sometimes he has a bit too much fun, to the point where he's been arrested for reckless driving and frequently arriving late to the ballpark. At 24 years old, I envision Puig growing up more as he gets older and hopefully making smarter choices. But when he's on the field, and all is going right, he has a larger than life persona that even landed him on the cover of this year's MLB The Show video game.

4 - Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals (Video)

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Bryce Harper always seems to go hand in hand with Yasiel Puig, to me. Both players have the potential to dethrone Mike Trout as the best all around player in the game, but haven't quite gotten there yet. Harper was a prodigy, and has faced more pressure than perhaps any other player in baseball history, and I would say that he's done a superb job of handling it all. With new waves of talent being unleashed in the show today (Kris Bryant), Harper has had some of the weight lifted off of his shoulders, which could mean big things for the remainder of 2015. Thus far, he's been off to a hot start, and he absolutely mashed a ball to center field versus the Phillies this past weekend. I love watching Harper play because he gives 110% effort on every single play. It often results in injury, but I love the reckless demeanor he has towards the game and that he gives his heart and soul towards the team. I don't ever see him becoming someone mentioned among the likes of Mays and Mantle, but I think there are many great years to come from the nation capital's biggest star.

3 - Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets (Video)

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He's back, and just as good as ever before. Matt Harvey, Gotham's new "Dark Knight", may not be off to the start he became famous for in 2013 before also needing to undergo Tommy John Surgery, but he's going to perform. I watched the E60 documentary on Harvey's return from surgery, and realized just how big of a star he is, especially coming from New York. Harvey is the highest ranked pitcher on this list because of the spotlight he receives, and because he can deliver in high pressure situations. His ego may be aggravating to the Mets front office, but ultimately he just wishes to do his job and do it well. Jacob deGrom has been phenomenal too in a larger sample size, but Harvey is New York's finest star at the time (sorry, A-Rod).

2 - Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels (Video)

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You bet your butt that Mike Trout is not #1 on my list. I feel like everyone likes Trout, but some, myself included, can tend to get bored of his consistent excellence. He seems to have mastered the art of the big leagues, despite having led the AL in strikeouts last season. The strikeout has been the kryptonite to his Superman status (you can tell by the past two paragraphs how excited I am for Batman vs. Superman), but like everything else, watch him defeat that too. However, if you are looking to get into the game, just go to YouTube and search his name. The guy is on his way to becoming the next face of the game and ambassador similar to that of Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr., and he's perhaps the most dynamic player we've seen since the turn of the century. If you want to learn how to play baseball, watch this guy (but watch Victor Martinez for plate discipline).

1 - Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins (Video)

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Everyone loves the long ball, and Giancarlo Stanton is perhaps the most talented young player in that facet of the game. Stanton has a great personality, and has proven his insane skill time and time again. Watching this guy hit in batting practice and launch balls into the goofy display in center field of Marlins Park will make you a baseball fan; almost a 99.9% guarantee. I really hope the Marlins can turn their rough start around so we can see him play meaningful games down the stretch, and here's to hoping he doesn't get the same treatment he got last September, which involved a trip to the hospital and multiple operations. Any of these upper tier players are capable of making people who previously hated or were indifferent towards baseball a fan, but Stanton is the most exciting player to watch even when he's not crushing the ball. Every pitch he watches at the plate has the potential to leave the stadium, and that is must-see TV.

Alright everyone, that is how I would rank the most exciting young players in baseball. There are so many guys who barely missed the cut, and I can see this list being completely rearranged. I know I don't have all the answers, but I like to spark conversation, and with the recent promotion of Kris Bryant, I thought this would be a fitting theme for the week.

Who did I miss? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

See Ya!

Happy New Year! drewscards Year in Review

Hey guys, Drew back here. 2010 has been a pretty good year, but its time to move on from it and begin 2011! Happy New Year everybody!

My 2010, was fairly good. It went very fast, but I enjoyed it. I started High School, I got through my Confirmation, I was elected into the National Junior Honor Society, and I was on a great baseball team. I got so many new great cards, and met a bunch of great players, and traded with a bunch of great bloggers. Unfortunately, I couldn't host any awards this year; for that matter, I could barely post in December. I also got a new sponsor in TriStar, and I was able to review 2 of their products and give some product away.

So, I figured I would do a quick month by month recap of this blog:

January 2010:
- I attempted to start a trend and create the idea of a Trifecta, which means to own a player's rookie card, game used, and autographed card.
- I met one of my favorite former Yankees, Don Mattingly!
- I created a new TTM design, one that you fans would see a whole lot more of in the future.
- Pop Popps gave me an awesome rookie card!

February 2010:
- The Saints won the Super Bowl
- The shortly lived "Pointless Pieces of Cardboard" segment began
- My First 2010 Upper Deck Blaster.. well.. was missing something important
- I posted my Robinson Cano collection

March 2010:
- I bought one of my favorite cards.
- I posted my Nick Swisher collection.
- I hit the jackpot with an amazing TTM success from Buster Posey!

April 2010:
- I checked out Strawberry Fields and ESPN Zone
- The Worst Autograph Tournament Began
- I bought one of the most iconic cards to exist.
- I got my first custom card signed, by Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr!
- The Topps Round Table was calling my name.

May 2010:
- TriStar let me review TNA The New Era
- I picked up quite a few nice hits at the May Card Show
- I met former All Star Dale Murphy at the May White Plains Show
- My friend, dad, and I hit jackpot on the White Plains Show's Door Prizes!

June 2010:
- School was out for summer, and I picked up a sweet HOF auto!
- Strasburg Mania?!?!?
- I went to my 1st concert, seeing Ringo Starr and his friends
- I got a gift for my Confirmation, and hit big! Big HOF Rookie!

July 2010:
- I remembered Yankees Legends George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard
- I bought the highlight of my card collection for a big Confirmation Gift!
- I announced the winner of the Worst Autograph Tournament
- Dad and I went to the Yankees vs. Rays game on July 18th, 2010, and witnessed Andy Pettitte's season ending injury.
- A birthday tin of 2007 Sweet Spot Classic had a redemption that I'm STILL trying to get from Upper Deck.
- Pop Popps gave me another awesome Hall of Fame Rookie Card!

August 2010:
- I got an amazing box of 2008 UD SP Legendary Cuts, featuring 2 sweet hits!
- A TTM came back from the best quarterback playing right now!
- I paid some $ for it, but Whitey Ford signed and inscribed my picture for me TTM!
- My Uncle, Grandpa, and cousin went to the Yankees game on August 17th, my 1st night game.
- August White Plains Show Recap Part 1: Some Pickups and Meeting Kiner
- August White Plains Show Recap Part 2: More Pickups and Meeting Roy White, Doc Gooden, and Mel Stottlemyre
- August White Plains Show Recap Part 3: A Bunch of Sweet Pickups!
- August White Plains Show Recap Part 4: Stuff from Dad

September 2010:
- My friend and I went to a Hudson Valley Renegades game and we hunted down Derek Dietrich
- The late Bob Feller signed a custom beautifully for me
- TriStar gave me a box of 2010 OBAK and I reviewed it and gave it away
- A card I always dreamed of owning arrived in my mailbox
- I got a TTM back from Lil Wayne while he was in jail! Wow!
- I might have received the ultimate collector's dream piece, if the autographs are real, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig anyone?
- Two huge celebrity TTMs came back, one was much better than the other.

October 2010:
- I gave a tour of my basement card cave
- I created my next big custom set
- A box of 2010 Topps 206 from my grandma landed me a HUGE PULL! Strasburg?
- Two great successes TTM, one of a now beloved man in our hobby, who even wrote me a letter explaining his appreciation for me writing to him!
- I picked up an auto of a deceased Yankees Hall of Famer!
- I questioned whether to keep my big pull or let it go for an autograph of a consistent player.
- Yankees Hall of Famer Goose Gossage signed an 8x10 for me through the mail!
- A Hall of Famer signed a custom for me, and another former player had to write me a letter explaining how much he doesn't like or trust the fans.
- A TTM from the Jets coach? Sweet!
- Two amazing football Hall of Fame successes!

November 2010:
- The Giants won the World Series
- I payed my respect to Hall of Fame Manager Sparky Anderson after his passing.
- I shared my Top 10 Favorite Through the Mail successes
- I went to the Thanksgiving Night Jets Game!
- I picked up a "perfect" Yankees autograph card

December 2010:
- An awesome TTM from a basketball star came in
- I payed my respects to the late Bob Feller, a true hero of the game.
- The Godzilla of cards was pulled, and it looked awfully nice!
- Jack Black signed a card for me! Say what?
- My best blogging friend gave me an unbelievable Christmas gift!

So, I didn't want this post to be all about me, but it kinda turned into a tribute of my blogging year. All I can say is that none of those things could have been possible without you readers, you mean so much to me and I wanna thank you for the amazing year I had in the hobby! Let's hope and pray that 2011 will be just as great for me, and for all of you too!

Thanks so much everyone, have a good day, and for the first time in 2011, See Ya!

Steroids Thoughts

I have been thinking. Since Manny Ramirez was supposedly caught for using women HGH garbage, I think I have an idea. The Red Sox were NEVER caught for using a drug like that, and you know what, I think that John Henry, the owner, is covering something up. I just finished reading the book: Cover Up by John Feinstein, which was a great book, and it has given me some ideas. Here they are:

Manny's HGH he used is a post steroid substance, something only players use after steroids. My guess is that he has used a steroid or two before, maybe even in Cleveland, but most likely in Boston. Now, David Ortiz lifetime as a Twin, hit 58 home runs in 6 seasons, with 238 runs batted with 393 hits total. The next year he was dealt to the Red Sox, with Manny already on the team, and he finished 5th in MVP voting (2003). He went on to finish in the top 5 in MVP voting 5 years in a row starting in 2003, and the next year he started a streak of All Star Games played until this point, which doesn't look good for Papi. Manny finished 6th in the voting in 2003. Now take a look of Ortiz in 2002 and Ortiz in 2003.

The card on the right is from 2004, but shows a picture from 2003.

Big difference. But my theory is that Manny Ramirez may have been a steroid supplier to David Ortiz, and someone else, one you will hear about in just a minute. Ortiz's home run totals went from 20 in 2002, to 31 in 2003, to 41 in 2004, to 47 in 2005, and to 54 in 2006! His weight has stayed the same throughout his career at 230, but may not mean anything in the long run. When Manny left Boston, in 2008, Ortiz struggled. I can't find his 2nd half stats from last year, but lets say that he hit 20 home runs total, and his batting average dropped 68 points! This year, Ortiz has 6 home runs and a current .213 batting average, and only 30 RBI! It's not like he didn't get the run support! Dustin Pedroia ahead of him, and Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay behind him. Youkilis came in 3rd in MVP voting last year, and Dustin Pedroia won the MVP! If he can't live with that than that is emmbarressing! Now I want to throw a curveball at you, Kevin Youkilis. Look at his changes from a 2006 card and a 2009 card:

Again, it looks like a lot but he did stay the same weight. Barry Bonds may have been the only player other than Canseco and Giambi that gained a LOT of weight during steroids. Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro stayed relatively the same size, but did grow for sure. The stats with Youkilis. Before 2008, Youkilis had 38 home runs and 199 runs batted in. In 2008 his average went up 24 points from the year before and set career highs in every category imaginable! The only time he has ever been an all star was 2008 and soon to be 2009. He's not cooling off, but who knows, maybe he is taking women roids too!

Alright, that pretty much sums this up. I know Offy will reply to this and I'm expecting some ugly comments from this, but I think I have a point and I'm sick and tired of Curt Schilling pointing out Yankees doing roids and I think his team has to be looked at. We'll end this post with something happy. And this is your 2008 AL MVP!

Thanks to boxbusters & some ebayer...

Today, a drewscards World Record was set. The most card mail for me in one day. Also, another record has been set! This is the 6th post for me today! 2 subscribers in one day, which is tied for the record, let's break it! So, today, I got a package from Ross from Boxbusters for his birthday contest that I won 1st place in, and a package from eBay for one of my better steals of all time. So, let's get started!

Mail from Boxbusters

1st: Joba Chamberlain, Topps 2008 Trading Card History # TCHC2, Reprint of 1955 Bowman
Very nice card. The design is spectacular, especially in chrome, and it features one of my favorite pitchers, Joba Chamberlain!

Sorry for the dark pics :(


2nd: Alex Rodriguez, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Base Card #1 in the set
Very nice card. Of course I'm a huge fan of Allen & Ginter, and this is normally a card I wouldn't want in this product because the head shots are really nice often, but definitely an exception. A great photo of A-Roid.


3rd: Ross Ohlendorf, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Rookie Card Card #157 in the set
Ohlendorf really didn't get a chance to prove himself on the Yankees, and now on the Pirates, Ohlendorf is pitching very well.


4th: Mickey Mantle, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Base Card Card #7 in the set.
One of my favorites current Mantle cards, and has to be one of my favorite Allen & Ginter cards from the set. Very nice card!


5th: Robinson Cano, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Base Card Card #135
Hands down my favorite Cano card. It is the best picture of him you can find and an amazing job of putting the card together! Topps, you get a pat on the back!


6th: Bobby Abreu, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Base Card Card #145 in set
Looking at this card makes me think about how much I miss Bobby in NY. He's playing well on my fantasy team though. A very good picture in this one too!


7th: Andy Pettitte, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Base Card Card #138 in the set
A nice shot of Pettitte in this card. Man, out of the bucketload of cash we spent on pitching, who would've thought this guy is 7-3!


8th: Mark Teixeira, 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Maryland State Card Card #US20 in the State Card Subset
Maryland's flag is so cool! Mark is the hottest hitter alive in terms of baseball. He has 20 homers right now (in case you haven't heard about the Yankees :) and has gotten his average from below .200 to almost .300 in a little more than a month's span. A fantastic looking card in all, although he's wearing Braves stuff.


9th: Mickey Mantle, 2007 Topps Turkey Red Base Card #34 in set
You'd be very suprised to know that this is my 1st 2007 Turkey Red card! The border is amazing, and you can't beat the painting! This is a fantastic product in terms of design, but does fit better as an insert set in Topps.


10th (last one!)- 2008 Topps Chrome Rookie Signature, Ross Ohlendorf
Card #232 in set
Well, I mentioned before how well Ohlendorf is doing on the Pirates right now and I'm happy I got his autograph. Although many of you box breakers are probably sick of getting him in your boxes, I am happy to have this card. Hey, I like underdogs, how about that Bruney guy?

So, thanks a lot to Ross for the great cards! If you haven't already, go check him out at boxbusters.net!

How about extra innings?

This is from a seller on the bay...

Yeah, that's right! A Johan Santana #ed 48/49 Autograph Jersey Card from 2007 UD Elements! After getting the inspiration from Mike Pelfrey Collectibles, I decided to go out and get one! I got mine for more than his, for about $23 shipped! I think its a steal, and when it is all said and done for Johan, he will be a 1st ballot hall of famer, and while you guys go chasing his autographs after that, I'll be relaxing with my Johan auto in my hand. If you have 20 bucks to spend, spend it on this guy!