The Hall of Fame Ballot came out today. The new names on it are former Jay Ricky Henderson, Jay Bell, Mark Grace, former Jay Dan Plesac, Matt Williams, another former Jay David Cone, Ron Gant, Jesse Orosco, Greg Vaughn and Mo Vaughn.

Appearing on the ballot again are Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson, Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, former Jay Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Jim Rice, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell. 

Unfortunately we don't get a vote, voting is done by members of the BBWAA who have been members for 10 or more years. You know, that same guys that voted for a non-rookie for Rookie of the Year and voted for Mike Mussina as MVP.

Anyway thought I'd ask who would you vote into the Hall of Fame? Put your choices and your reasons in the comments. 

Me? Well Rickey Henderson is an obvious choice. Best leadoff man in baseball history. Bit of a scum but then the Hall is filled with lousy human beings.

I'd also vote for Tim Raines, second best leadoff man of his generation, behind only Rickey. I would vote for Jim Rice and Andre Dawson as well. Rice was a great power hitter before the steroid era. His numbers may not look as good as some of the juiced players but he was all natural strong. Dawson too was in at the end of the non-juiced period, good power hitter, great center fielder before his knees gave up, good stolen base numbers and the quickest bat you will ever see.

Beyond those 4, McGwire......I think I'd leave him off one more time, make him be honest with us before putting him in the Hall. Can't really deny that he belongs there and he and Sosa really saved baseball after the lockout year.

Today is the deadline for offering arbitration to six-year free agents. So for bloggers of most teams it gives them something to write about, argue, second guess. For us, well, there isn't anything to debate. 

We have three eligible players: AJ Burnett, who we will offer arbitration to, so that we will get the two draft picks when he signs somewhere else, Gregg Zaun, who we won't offer, even though he is a Type B free agent, on the fear that he would accept, and Brad Wilkerson, who unless he has pictures of JP with farm animals, there is no way he'd be offered anything. Maybe a ticket out of town. 

Zaun is the only one with a bit of room for debate, as it seems he wouldn't want to come back but then I'm not sure he would get any better offers and he would get a fair amount of money in arbitration. So won't happen.

And there ends the debate. 

Boy it would be nice if there was some Jay's news. 

Are newspaper reporters the only people left on earth that take anything that JP says as the truth? The Globe has not one but two stories about how the Jays ought to trade Halladay because JP isn't going to sign any free agents. Why do they think JP isn't going to sign any free agents? Because JP says he's not, that's why. Course they also think that JP isn't going to trade Halladay because JP says so.

So they figure the only way a team that had a pretty decent second half of the season could be competitive is to trade their best player. For what? They have no idea.

I don't share the world view that the Jay's will not be able to compete next season. The Jays competed pretty well in the second half of last season, with a several players having an off year and with a black hole at DH. Next year at worst Snider will fill the spot and he would have to be better than the mess we had last year.

Yeah the Rays are a good young team, but good young teams regress sometimes. Especially ones that leap from last to first. Yep the Yankees and Red Sox can spend and spend, but with the age of most of the free agents out there there is no guarantee that spending a fortune will make for great teams.

One line in Jeff Blair's column interested me:

The guess here is that hasn't changed. The 2009 Blue Jays won't likely be better than a fourth-place team and god help them if McGowan or Janssen has a setback or other guys regress to the mean.

What Jay player was so far beyond the mean that regressing is a worry? I don't think there was an offensive player that was even 1% better than we could have hoped. Well maybe Inglett. And it looks like he won't be allowed to regress.

Anyway since there is no real baseball news at the moment I can understand, truly understand, the need to write about anything that might almost be news. But reporting things that JP says like they have some sort of grounding in truth....well won't you feel foolish when it turns out that he was lying yet again.

Alfredo Claudino Griffin|SS|1979-1984, 1992-1993

Notable Achievements:
1979 Co-Winner AL Rookie of the Year
1984 All-Star

Off the top, I should explain that All-Star selection; in 1984 Damaso Garcia was chosen as the Jay's representative to the All-Star team. We can laugh later at what a terrible pick for the All-Star team Garcia was, but this is Griffin's profile. MLB apparently paid airfare for the All-Star and one other person, generally the player's wife or girl friend. Garcia decided to bring Griffin along. All-Star shortstop Alan Trammell hurt his arm before the game so manager Joe Altobelli named Griffin to the team, because, well, he was there anyway.

Alfredo Griffin was born October 6, 1957 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 1973 at the age of 16. At the time those born in the Dominican Republic were not subject to the amateur draft. He made the majors with Cleveland in 1976 at the age of 18 but only got in a handful of games and in 77 and 78 he also appeared in a few games. In December 1978 he was traded with Phil Lansford to the Jays for Victor Cruz. Cruz wasn't a bad reliever but we got the best of that trade.

Alfredo was put in as our full time shortstop and was Co-winner of the 1979 AL Rookie of the Year, tied in the voting with John Castino, making him the first Jay to win a major award. He hit leadoff and did a pretty good job, batting .287/.333/.364 and played good defense at short. His one weakness, that season, is he had a really poor stolen base percentage, he stole 21 bases but was caught 16 times. I guess that wasn't his only weakness, he made 36 errors, but had good range at short. He set Blue Jay highs in hits (179), runs (81), triples (10) and stolen bases (21). He also led all AL shortstops in batting average, thanks in part to a 19 game hitting streak.

1980 he started to hit more like, well, he hit more like Alfredo Griffin. He had an OPS+ of 69, but was still batting leadoff, in spite of a .283 on base average. To add to the stupidity of having him leadoff he stole 18 bases but got caught 23 times. And he made 37 errors. He did lead the lead in triples with 15. In 1981, the strike season, he had an awful year hitting .209/.243/.289. You almost have to be impressed that he was caught stealing 12 times when he 99 times. He also led the league in errors with 31. And yet he played a team high 101 games of the 106 the Jays played and 75 as the leadoff hitter. That Bobby Mattick was one heck of a manager.

In 1982 Bobby Cox became the manager of the Jays and thankfully he moved Griffin to the 9th slot in the order, but he played in all 162 games. He didn't bat much better hitting .241/.269/.314. For a guy with no power (1 homer on the season) he didn't take near enough walks (22). He did commit fewer errors though, only 26 and raised his fielding average to .968 from .937 the season before.

1983 was our first season above .500, we finished 89-73 and Alfredo had his best offensive season since his rookie year. Playing in every game once again, Griffin his .250/.289/.348 and set a career high in home runs (4, but still a career high).

1984, his All-Star season, was likely his worst season, in his first turn with the Jays. He hit just .241/.248/.298. He took only 4 walks all season, but he did have his best season as a base stealer, stealing 11 bases and being caught only 3 times. The 4 walks in 140 games must be a record of some sort. He played 140 games, with Tony Fernandez starting to take over at short. He played 21 games at second base.

After the 1984 season Griffin was traded to the Oakland A's with Dave Collins for closer Bill Caudill. Caudill had one good season with the Jays and one lousy season but the trade worked out for the Jays because it cleared the way for Tony Fernandez to play short. Griffin played 3 seasons for the A's, leading off too much for the good of the team. His first season with the A's he won the Gold Glove in one of those ‘what the hell are they thinking' vote. He hit better for the A's then he had for the Jays, still not great but better than he had. After his 3 seasons in Oakland he was traded to the Dodgers.

He was the player that Kirk Gibson pinch hit for when he hit his game winning home run in game 1 of the 1988 World Series. After 4 seasons in LA he signed back with the Jays as a free agent. He was with the Jays for both of the World Series wins as a utility infielder. He was on deck when Joe Carter hit the series winning home run off Mitch Williams in the 1993 World Series and that was the end of his major league career.

For a pretty marginal player he had a long career, playing 18 years in the majors. Any player with 3 World Series rings has to be considered a success. He had a consecutive games played streak of 392 games that ended May 27, 1984. He is also remembered for his kamikaze base running style, scoring from 2nd on a fly ball or going first to third on a ground out or just as often getting thrown out trying to do the same.

He had one of the all time great Chris Berman nicknames: Fettuccini Alfredo Griffin. Bill James listed him as the 108th best shortstop of all time in his ‘New Historical Baseball Abstract'. Since the book is copyright 2001, he's likely to have dropped a number of spots since then.

His line as a Jay: .249/.280/.327. Ranks last on the Jay's list for OPS at .307 of players that had 2000 or more plate appearances. He has been a coach for the Angels the last several years.

Alfredo Griffin's rank among Jay batting leaders:

21st Runs 382
11th Games 982
13th Hits 844
23rd Doubles 127
3rd Triples 50
33rd RBI 231
33rd Walks 146
13th Stolen Bases 79
1st Sacrifice Hits 74
4th Caught Stealing 74
25th Runs Created 303

There is good news in the Blue Jay world, Dustin McGowan is about ready to start throwing a ball again. He should be able to do some light throwing in the next couple of weeks. He is hoping to be ready to start the season, but that might be a bit too hopeful. Would be great if he could be in the rotation by May.

Elsewhere....for reasons that escape me, Richard Griffin did a live chat where people asked him questions and he ranted about how lousy a job JP is doing. I'd make fun of his answers but some drunk guys beat me to it.

But there are a few highlights I have to mention: he still has this crush on Orlando Cabrera, that defies understanding. Shows that he still hasn't looked at any stats. Also there is a person on the planet that thinks Russ Adams should be a major league DH and that Griffin doesn't think it is a bad idea, just thinks JP wouldn't do it because JP is embarrassed because he picked him. Personally I think JP would be thrilled to find Adams has value but is too good a judge of talent to fool himself like that. How you can turn a stupid suggestion

He thinks they should sign Jon Garland to a multi year contract. But not Milton Bradley because he is a cancer. And this guy wants to be a GM.

And, from other places, there are rumors of Andy Pettitte and the Dodgers being interested in each other. Pettitte is one of the few pitchers we haven't talked about for the Jays. He would be an interesting fit, and would likely take a one year contract.

Happy Thanksgiving, for those of you south of the border.

Doc won the Starting Pitcher Poll easily. There were some votes for Dave Stieb and a few for Clemens. I thought Jimmy Key and Pat Hentgen would get some votes. This time it is closers, who was the best closer in team history.

Since this Thursday is Turkey Day in the states there are 3 games this Thursday. So here's the pool for this week. Get your picks in to me before the first game Thursday. We'll go back to total points on the Monday game for the tie-breaker. Good luck.

The important thing is the Stampeders won, no matter what some drunks might think. Canadian football is much better than NFL, real men don't need four plays to go 10 years and our balls are bigger. So there.

The winners this week were Pittsburgh, Houston, Buffulo, Jets, New England, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Minnesota, Atlanta, Oakland (big win over Denver!), Seattle (by half a point), Giants, Indianapolis and New Orleans. And, of course, in case I haven't mentioned it, My Stamps!

Anyway this week's winner, Hugo with 10 of 16. Good job Hugo. I can't even bring myself to feel jealous, even though that's his second win this year, cause....well you know. Losers this week were last week's winner No Bunting and Carm with 7 of 16. Hmmmm almost like you copied off each other.

With it being Thanksgiving over on the other side of the 49th, there are three games on Thursday. I'll likely get next week's pool up later tonight.

Congratulations Hugo.

Todd Vernon Stottlemyre|SP|1988-1994

For me the lasting image of Todd Stottlemyre is him sliding, or really attempting to slide into 3rd base during game 4 of the 1993 World Series in Philadelphia. Being a American League pitchers he didn't have much experience running the bases, hesitated between 2nd and 3rd and made a very awkward slide towards 3rd, scraping his chin on the ground and getting himself tagged out.

During the series Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell said that he would like to bat against Stottlemyre figuring he could get a hit off Todd. One of those idiot things people that have never seen a major league fastball say. Todd suggested he would run a couple of fastballs up and in on the mayor then strike him out on the outside corner. He got the last laugh at the Jay's victory rally saying the mayor could ‘kiss my ass'.

Stottlemyre was born May 20th, 1965 in Yakima, Washington. The Jays drafted Todd in the first round (3rd pick) of the 1985 Amateur Draft, June Secondary phase, out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the son of former Yankee pitcher and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, a 5 time All-Star and brother of Mel, Jr who pitched in 13 games with the Royals in 1990. So he had the bloodline and the raw talent to be a good prospect. His father's book Pride and Pinstripes is a good read.

A big 6'3", 195 lb, good looking (if a little baby-faced) right-handed pitcher, he threw the usual fastball, curve, slider and change. He didn't become much more than a league average starter, but since he could pitch 200 innings a season which makes him an asset to any team. He tended to be a little emotional on the mound. And off the mound too apparently. There is a youtube audio of him having a bad day out there if you really want to listen to him scream and swear for a few minutes.

Todd's rookie season was 1988, he made 16 starts and 12 relief appearances and finished with a 4-8 record and a 5.69 ERA in 98 innings pitched. He walked too many (46) and gave up way too many home runs (15).

1989 he again split time between starting (18 starts) and relieving (9 games). He pitched much better, finishing 7-7 with a 3.88 ERA and brought his home run rate down, 11 in 127.2 innings. 89 was the first season the Jays made the playoffs, losing out to the A's in the ALCS. Todd started game 2 and took the loss going 5 innings and giving up 4 runs.

In 1990 he become a full time starter, making 33 starts with a 13 and 17 record, with a 4.34 ERA in 203 innings. How he ended up with a losing record with the 2nd best run support (5.81 runs/9 innings) in the league, I have no idea. His strikeout rate dropped to 5.1 per 9 innings.

In 1991 we made it to the playoffs again and this time lost out to the Twins in the ALCS 4 games to 1. Todd started game 4 and took the loss giving up 4 runs in 3.2 innings. But he helped us get to the playoffs with a 15 and 8 record in 34 starts with a 3.78 ERA, his best season with the Jays. His strikeout rate was still low at 4.77/9 innings. He did finish 3rd in the league in hit batters, never being afraid to pitch inside.

1992 was our first World Series win, Todd went 12-11 with a 4.50 ERA in 27 starts, but for the playoffs he was put in the bullpen as we had a pretty loaded rotation that season with Jack Morris, Jimmy Key, Juan Guzman and late season pick up David Cone. He had 1 appearance in our 6 game ALCS win over Oakland and 4 shutout appearances in our 6 game World Series win over Atlanta.

Our second World Champion season, 1993, Todd made 28 starts and finished with his highest ERA, 4.84, since his rookie season. Most players have a career year at 28, not our Todd. He made one bad start in the ALCS that season, taking the loss in game 4, giving up 5 runs in 6 innings. His one start in the World Series didn't go any better, giving up 6 runs in 2 innings against the Phillies but the Jays won the game 15-14, by scoring 6 runs in the 8th inning. Half of those runs came off my favourite closer of all time Mitch Williams.

Stottlemyre's last season with the Jays was the season shortened by the lockout/strike that caused the cancelling of the World Series. He started 19 games and had 7 more relief appearances that year, with a 7-7 record and a 4.22 ERA. With the Jays his strikeout to walk rate was never very good, but it improved after he left the team.

After the 1994 season he signed as a free agent with the A's. He pitched there 1 year then was traded to the Cardinals. In his third season in St. Louis he was traded to the Rangers at the trading deadline. After the 1998 season he was signed to a 4 year, $32 million contract with the Arizona Diamondback. They didn't get much for their investment; because of arm troubles he only made 39 starts over those 4 seasons.

His 14 year career ended in 2002 with a 138-121 record and a 4.27 record. Never really a star, he did have a good career. He is married and has 3 children. He works now as a financial advisor.

Todd Stottlemyre's rank among the Jay's career pitching leaders:

17th ERA (>500 innings) 4.39
8th Wins 69
18th Games 206
8th Innings 1139
10th Strikeouts 662
7th Games Started 175
6th Walks 414
6th Hits Allowed
5th Loses 70
3rd Hit Batters 49

Yeah I know it has nothing to do with baseball, but, hey my team won! The 96th Grey Cup was played today and my Calgary Stampeders beat the dirty, rotten, far outclassed, Montreal Alouettes 22-14, in Montreal no less.  Not the blowout it should have been but it was a good game, great fun to watch. The game was played in the Expo's former home, the Big O.

The Stampeders were down 13-3 before their last drive of the first half when they scored their lone touchdown of the day. In that way the game was much like the Western Final game in that the Stamps were down by 10 before a touchdown late in the first half to make the game close enough for them to come back and win in the second half.

In the second half of this game, the Stampeder defense held the Als to 1 point. Not that we scored a lot, but kicker Sandro DeAngelis hit 4 of his 5 field goals in the second half, the last a 50 yarder with just over 4 minutes left in the game to give the Stamps a 8 point lead. DeAngelis was named Canadian Most Valuable Player.

Game MVP was Calgary quarterback, Henry Burris. Burris and Calgary fans have had a love/hate relationship for a few years now. Burris has amazing ability but far too often in the past he has tried to force plays with bad results. As Stampeder fans, my son and I would often go to games saying 'If Henry throws two or less interceptions we'll win.' Today he only threw just one and we won! Henry finished the game 28/37 for 328 yards and ran for another 79 yards. The quarterback draw has always been one of the most effective plays for Burris.

Burris may have been awarded the MVP but the most valuable players in the game were on defense. As well as only allowing just 1 point in the second half, the Stampeder defense made big two interceptions, one in their own end zone. Linebacker Mike Labinjo, in particular, had a great game, tipping four passes, making one sack and three tackles. He missed some practices this week with the flu and apparently lost 5 pounds to it.

It was a great day for the Stampeder players, many of whom were feeling the team was over looked in the post season awards. Burris lost out to Montreal QB Anthony Calvillo for league MVP and kicker DeAngelis lost out on the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player award.  No other Stampeder was nominated for a major award.. Add in that there were 13 players named from the third place BC Lions to the West All Star team while the first place Stampders only had 6 players named to the team.

Anyway congratulations to my Stampeders. You guys earned it. I don't think I've ever seen so many members of a championship in tears after the winning game, you could tell it meant a lot to them. Yay Stamps!