MLB HOT STOVE ‘25-‘26

[18thandWells]

Andruw Jones picked up 303 votes since 2018 when he received under 8% in his first year of eligibility.

[Jockey]

Andruw Jones picked up 303 votes since 2018 when he received under 8% in his first year of eligibility.

He'll be placed in the Santo/Baines wing of the Hall.

[Mutaman]

Before their 1978 home opener, the Yankees gave every fan entering the park a Reggie Bar. Jackson hit a shot off of Wood in the first inning, and fans reacted by throwing the candy onto the field from every section and from the farthest reaches. The game was delayed for several minutes to clear the field.

I was at that game. They littered the field with hundreds of bars. Reggie had hit 3 in a row against the Dodgers in the series so this was 4 in a row. He really was something else.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=641582425504004

(Best of buddies, Reggie and Billy)

[MU82]

I was at that game. They littered the field with hundreds of bars. Reggie had hit 3 in a row against the Dodgers in the series so this was 4 in a row. He really was something else.

I confess that I threw my Reggie Bar onto the field - all the way from the upper deck. Did you throw yours?

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2013828391158391173?s=20

[CTWarrior]

Former White Sox knuckleballer Wilbur Wood died over the weekend.

My main memory of him was that I was in Yankee Stadium the day Reggie Jackson homered off of him - the shot that launched tens of thousands of Reggie Bars onto the field.

Jackson, who years earlier had said that if played in New York "they'd name a candy bar after me," indeed had a candy bar named after him following his historic performance in the 1977 World Series.

Before their 1978 home opener, the Yankees gave every fan entering the park a Reggie Bar. Jackson hit a shot off of Wood in the first inning, and fans reacted by throwing the candy onto the field from every section and from the farthest reaches. The game was delayed for several minutes to clear the field.

I happened to be at the doubleheader in 1973 when Wood started both games against the Yankees, since my father would only go to doubleheaders as he wasn't going to pay those ridiculous prices ($1.50) for just one game.  Wood didn't record an out in the first game so they brought him back to start the second game, where he pitched poorly and lost again.  He averaged 45 starts/season for a 5 year stretch for the ChiSox, including back to back seasons with 49 starts.  They don't make them like that anymore.

[CTWarrior]

Per BBWAA's official unwritten rules, noted sign-stealer Carlos Beltran is elected to the Hall of Fame the same year PED-user Manny Ramirez falls off the ballot.

Willie Mays was on the 1951 Giants, who stole signals just as blatantly as the 2017 Astros using non-players with telescopes to relay signs to hitters.  If you're going to not allow players who used illegal methods to steal signs, you pretty much couldn't allow anybody.

I get your point about steroids, which are just basically a more effective method of using greenies, which Willie Mays (and everybody else) also used for a good 50+ years. 

I get letting in the guys who used when MLB tacitly allowed it by knowingly looking the other way, but the guys who got caught after testing started may be another issue. 

But the only guy I think unequivocally should not be allowed in is Joe Jackson, who without denying it took money to lose a World Series on purpose. 

[18thandWells]

If you're going to not allow players who used illegal methods to steal signs, you pretty much couldn't allow anybody.

That's an interesting take I've never read elsewhere.

[WhiteTrash]

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2013828391158391173?s=20

Good to see the CWS free up some cash so they can hit free agency hard.     

It could be a great move by the Mets, as Robert has all the tools but a change of scenery maybe in order. The level of losing he has endured has to be draining, even though he is one of the reasons for the team's poor performance.

I don't think the CWS improved the organization other than saving Jerry some cash.

[Jockey]

Making money for Jerry is the ONLY priority.

[18thandWells]

It could be a great move by the Mets, as Robert has all the tools but a change of scenery maybe in order.

Stearns should approach Eloy Jimenez at the car wash where he's working. Get the band back together.