Monday, May 28, 2012
Sports World |
| Posted: 28 May 2012 07:23 AM PDT One of the ultimate goals for any MLB player - aside from winning the World Series - is to gain entry to the Hall Of Fame and take their place in Cooperstown. There's a certain prestige that comes along with entering the Hall of Fame, but when you're inducted on the first ballot, it solidifies your status in the league's history even further. But which of the current players around the leagues have what it takes to make the Hall Of Fame on the first ballot and give their status more cache than ever? One of the best ever closers in the history of baseball would be our first pick, and we're sure it's a view shared by many MLB betting tips. Baron Davis' 2012 season was ended by a torn MCL, and although he claims he'll be back at some point he has enough back class to justify Hall Of Fame entry on the first attempt - a 2.21 career ERA and astonishing 0.70 career postseason ERA will certainly help punch his ticket to Cooperstown as soon as he decides to hang up the bat. Moving from pitchers to batters, how about the inclusion of Albert Pujols as a potential first-timer in the Hall Of Fame? Pujols has either won or finished second in the NL MVP voting in seven of the last nine seasons. Even with his recent struggles in LA, his .326 career average with 448 home runs and nearly 1,500 RBI is a testament to his track record for success. And it's hard to believe that anyone would doubt that he'll return to form eventually. For our final pick we'll go with Derek Jeter, who has to have been one of the most consistent players in the game and to this day features prominently in most MLB previews. He has multiple World Series rings and is among the best shortstops that we have ever seen play the game. And, since 1996, he has only once appeared in less than 148 games in a season (119 games played in 2003). Playing in that many games in a season would hurt most players' numbers but that appears not to have happened with Jeter. His .314 career average and 3,147 hits only add to the aura that he brings to the game. He would be a fine first ballot pick.  |
| Should We all Just Give Downing a Break? Posted: 28 May 2012 03:04 AM PDT He finished the season with only one assist in English football, and the laughable form of Stewart Downing (and, to be fair to him, several other of Liverpool's new signings) encouraged Liverpool's ruthless owners to show King Kenny Dalglish the door at Anfield. However, Roy Hodgson still, for reasons perhaps best known to himself, opted to pick him in the England squad for the upcoming Euros. The Three Lions are not expected to win, regardless of Downing's inclusion; the side are fifth-favourites for the title in the Euro 2012 tips. These statements seem a little uncomfortable sitting side by side, and, with derision thrown in the direction of the new England manager ever since he decided not to leave Downing back in England, might it be the case that we are actually missing something? Well, let us look at the plain, hard facts. Downing may not have been a hit at Liverpool, this season, but who did perform well consistently for the Reds this year? Underperforming seemed to be the name of the game for much of the season for the whole starting line-up, and Downing actually created more changes for Liverpool than any other wide player. The fact that the likes of Andy Carroll, the sort of player to feed off Downing's crosses into the box, were unable to convert in front of goal, perhaps should not reflect so badly on the winger. What's more, who could Hodgson have picked in his place? Adam Johnson has been touted by many as being deserving ahead of Downing, but Johnson hardly featured for the title-winning Manchester City. With a few more years of international experience under his belt, Hodgson perhaps was not as big an idiot as some have suggested, leaving the youngster at home in favour of a man who hasn't done at all badly in an England shirt, in recent years. Downing's confidence looks shattered, there is no doubt about that, but in a new environment away from the unique pressures that seem to swirl around Anfield, he could yet prove his doubters wrong, by helping to fire England to the latter stages of the tournament. If you do not fancy betting on one of the favourites, this summer, visit the Poland Euro 2012 odds page for more information on one-half of this year's hosts.  |
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