I think there are several aging players that need a huge year to solidify or at least greatly effect their chances for Cooperstown.
Mike Mussina is reaching the point in his career that if he continues to slow down at all, he will fall too far off the 300 pace for most voters to elect him. Mussina needs a big year now, or it may be it for him.
John Smoltz is another player who I can think of. His small win total will be his undoing (remember, I am going by the how the electors will vote), and this might be his last chance to get enough startig wins to pass the 200 wins mark in 2008.
If Scott Rolen has another injury prone season, I could easily see him as being viewed as somewhat of a Cooperstown bust. It would take several more years of health and greatness (ala. 2004) to get his reputation back to normal. Same thing could be said for Nomar.
Are there others? Thome? Schilling? Does Thomas need a turnaround year to remind voters of his once dominating offense? You get the point.
Mike Mussina is reaching the point in his career that if he continues to slow down at all, he will fall too far off the 300 pace for most voters to elect him. Mussina needs a big year now, or it may be it for him.
John Smoltz is another player who I can think of. His small win total will be his undoing (remember, I am going by the how the electors will vote), and this might be his last chance to get enough startig wins to pass the 200 wins mark in 2008.
If Scott Rolen has another injury prone season, I could easily see him as being viewed as somewhat of a Cooperstown bust. It would take several more years of health and greatness (ala. 2004) to get his reputation back to normal. Same thing could be said for Nomar.
Are there others? Thome? Schilling? Does Thomas need a turnaround year to remind voters of his once dominating offense? You get the point.
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