knightni

QUOTE (shipps @ May 23, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) Knightni started this thread just so he could get to 15000 and he was to lazy to even finish the deed. QUOTE (Texsox @ May 23, 2008 -> 10:48 AM) His g/f has the same problem with him I wish!...I had a g/f right now.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ May 23, 2008 -> 12:22 AM) See the new 5 dollar bill? Looking at your avatar, I can see one place where I'd put one.

Maybe Thome needs glasses.

Gold Glove D right there...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 22, 2008 -> 09:12 PM) *sigh* Amateurs. Do you realize that you're now 10,000 ahead of the 2nd ranked guy now? Talk about no life...

bump!

QUOTE (G&T @ May 22, 2008 -> 08:50 PM) So if this thread exists, then why have a game thread? Am I right? BEWBS R GRATE MIRITE!11!!?

so you did

Not quite as fun as designed, I'm afraid.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws That steady .167 batting average sure does the trick!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 22, 2008 -> 07:31 PM) AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Hold a small child in front of you, it likes the tender meat!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 22, 2008 -> 07:28 PM) Pear. Bear

QUOTE (dasox24 @ May 22, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) I'm looking at maybe studying abroad in Argentina... Anyone else got any ideas or suggestions? Argentinian broads are pretty hot. http://images.google.com/images?q=argentin...sa=N&tab=wi

Oh joy! I'm thrilled that this has worked out so well, so far!

HELLO FIRE ISLAND! WE. ARE. WICKED SCEPTRE! Gettin' the shaft again... Gettin' the shaft again... http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...annelID=3278306

The truly funny part... Maddux played 8 mediocre years in Chicago, 10 excellent years in Atlanta. How many classless Cub fans, like that loser there, will be shocked when he goes in as a Brave!

QUOTE (mr_genius @ May 22, 2008 -> 03:19 PM) looks like my $10 prediction may have been a little low experts clamoring about inevitable $12 - $15 per gallon If it goes above $7, the government better step in.

I recommend his link for anyone who enjoys a bit of humor. http://www.mdfoodsllc.com/

Is that contract signing out of place up there? It says 1986 but is in the 1983 area. Also, no collusion talk in 1986. He hits a career high 37 hr and 107 rbi and no one but the Sox make an official offer to him.

Not enough Cubs fans made lists.

16. Mike Ditka (9 of 18 lists - 79 points - highest ranking #6 MadLithuanian) Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. (born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania) also known as Iron Mike Ditka or Da Coach, is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for 3 years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach and a head coach. Ditka was the only individual to participate in the last two Chicago Bears' championships, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985. Early life and college Mike's childhood name was Mike Dyczko. His father was one of three brothers of a Ukrainian [1] family in the coal mining and steel manufacturing area in Western Pennsylvania. The name Dyzcko was too much of a tongue-twister in Carnegie, PA., where Mike was born on October 18, 1939, so the family name was changed to Ditka. [2] in the Pittsburgh area town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania and grew up in nearby Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. In elementary school, he was enrolled at St. Titus School, located on Franklin Avenue and Sycamore Street in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. A three sport star at Aliquippa High School, he was recruited by Notre Dame, Penn State, and Pitt. The Aliquippa High team doctor, Dr. John L. Miller had taken him to Pitt games and encouraged him to attend Pitt. Ditka played for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958-1960, where he also became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He started all 3 seasons and is widely considered one of the best tight ends in college football history. In addition to playing tight end, he also served as the team's punter. He led the team in receiving in all three of his seasons with them and was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in his senior year. In 1986, he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Ditka would also become the first of many athletes from Aliquippa or adjacent Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania (which uses an Aliquippa mailing address) to have success in the NFL. Other notable Aliquippa/Hopewell natives that followed Ditka into the NFL include Tony Dorsett, Sean Gilbert, and Ty Law. Current New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, Buffalo Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny, and free agent cornerback Josh Lay also hail from the area. He has 4 children with his first wife Marge: Mike, Mark, Megan, and Matt. He divorced Marge in 1973 and married his second wife Diana in 1977. NFL career Player The Bears drafted Ditka in the 1961 NFL Draft. His presence was immediately felt. In his first season, Ditka had 56 receptions, introducing a new dimension to a tight end position that had previously been dedicated to blocking. His success earned him Rookie of the Year honors. He continued to play for the Bears for the next five years, earning a Pro Bowl trip each season. He played on the 1963 NFL championship team. Many of the players from that team, including Ditka, were drafted by assistant coach George Allen, a future Hall of Famer, who was then in charge of the Bears drafts. Ditka was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967, where he spent two seasons, before being shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys in 1969. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys, highlighted by a touchdown reception in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. In 1988[3], his fearsome blocking and 427 career receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns earned him the honor of being the first tight-end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ditka also scored 2 touchdowns on offensive fumble recoveries, tying 7 other players for the most in NFL history. In 1999, he was ranked number 90 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Coach Retiring after the 1972 season, Ditka was immediately hired as an assistant coach by Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry. Ditka spent nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Cowboys. During his tenure, the Cowboys made the playoffs eight times, won six division titles and three NFC Championships, including the one preceding their Super Bowl victory in 1977. Chicago Bears In 1982, Chicago Bears founder George Halas personally sought out Ditka to take over the head coaching reins, and reverse what had been a mostly dreary performance by the team in the years since Halas retired as head coach. Reversing the Bears' pitiful record of only two winning seasons in the previous nineteen, Ditka led the Bears to six NFC Central titles and three trips to the NFC Championship. Ditka's coaching career hit its pinnacle on January 26, 1986 with a 46-10 trouncing of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Football commentators widely regard the 1985 Bears defense as one of the best ever, which was masterminded by defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan, with little oversight from Ditka. In an unusual gesture, following the Bears Super Bowl victory, Ryan, as well as Ditka, was carried off the field by team members. He said that his greatest regret about that Super Bowl was not calling a running play for Walter Payton to score a touchdown. In addition, the 1985 Chicago Bears are one of the few teams who consistently challenge the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins for the unofficial title of the "Greatest NFL Team of All-Time." [4][5] The NFL Network "America's Game" rated the 1985 Bears as the second best super bowl champion ever. Buddy Ryan left in 1986 to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. When asked if he was happy Ryan was gone, Ditka replied he was not happy but "elated." In 1986, 1987 and 1988, the Bears won the Central Division title and finished each year with either the best or second best record in the NFC. However, all three teams lost in the playoffs at home. Ditka suffered a heart attack during the 1988 season and was expected to miss much of the season, but was on the sidelines as an "advisor" the next week and back in full charge the week after. The Bears started 4-0 in 1989, but a series of last second losses eventually led to a complete meltdown at the end of the season as the Bears finished 6-10. The Bears rallied to win a weak Central Division in 1990 and make the playoffs as a wildcard in 1991, but were eliminated convincingly in the early rounds. After dropping to 5-11 in the 1992 season, the Bears fired Ditka. He was awarded NFL Coach of the Year honors in 1985 and 1988 by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, and Pro Football Weekly. Ditka was noted for making headlines regardless of what happened on the field. In 1983, he broke his wrist after punching a locker in an angry halftime tirade. In 1985, he was arrested and convicted of DWI after returning from a game with San Francisco[6]. In the midst of a very successful 1988 season, Ditka suffered a heart attack, but bounced back quickly. On another occasion in 1987, he threw an enormous piece of chewing gum at a San Francisco 49ers fan who had heckled and thrown a drink at him during a Monday night match-up[7]. In 2007, a popular YouTube video showed 9 minutes worth of "highlights" from Ditka's various press conferences during the late 1980s as he jousted with reporters and (on occasions) passing fans; included were rants in which he shouted to one heckler "See that, that's your IQ buddy - ZERO!" and one instance when a reporter noted that Ditka seemed upset. A visibly furious Ditka responded without making eye contact, "I've never been upset in my life". New Orleans Saints In 1997, he returned to coach the New Orleans Saints, which he refers to as the "three worst years" of his life. Ditka was roundly criticized for the trading of all of the team's 1999 draft picks (plus their first round draft pick in 2000) to the Washington Redskins in order to move up in the draft and select Texas RB Ricky Williams. The trade was further mocked because of a magazine cover in which Ditka posed with Williams, who was wearing a wedding dress. Over a total of 14 seasons as a head coach, Ditka amassed a regular season record of 121-95-0 and a postseason record of 6-6. Broadcaster After his dismissal from the Bears in 1992, Ditka took a broadcasting job with NBC, working as an analyst on NFL Live and as a color commentator for many other NBC broadcasts. From the 2000 to the 2001 season he was a studio analyst on The NFL Today on CBS Sports. He is currently a commentator on ESPN's NFL Live and CBS Radio-Westwood One's Monday Night Football pregame show. On his radio show, Coach Ditka is called "America's Coach" by well known sidekick Jim Gray. Beginning in 2006 Ditka appeared on a Seattle radio program; "Groz with Gas" on 950 KJR-AM Seattle, on Thursday afternoons with Dave Grosby and Mike Gastineau. Ditka regularly appears on Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 (WMVP-AM), often broadcasting on Thursday mornings from one of his eponymous restaurants along with ESPN 1000 mid-morning hosts Mark Silverman and Tom Waddle, a former Bears player under Ditka. Ditka served as color commentator for ESPN's September 10, 2007 broadcast of Monday Night Football, alongside Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.[1] The "three Mikes" make up ESPN's second MNF broadcasting team; the first team consists of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Tony Kornheiser. Notable about Ditka as a color-commentator is that while he is immortalized and beloved in Chicago, he hasn't forgotten his Pittsburgh-area roots, often picking the Steelers to win (even though Ditka has no ties to the organization in any form), even if the Steelers are heavy underdogs in their matchups. Other ventures In 1991, Ditka cooperated with Accolade to produce the computer game Mike Ditka's Ultimate Football. In 1995, Ditka starred as a Football coach in a Full Motion Video Game called "Quarterback Attack", released for the Sega Saturn, PC and 3DO. Ditka has also done guest spots and cameos on shows from L.A. Law to Saturday Night Live, and Third Rock from the Sun. In 2005, Mike Ditka portrayed himself in the comedy Kicking & Screaming. Ditka is also one of the owners of the Chicago Rush, an Arena Football Team. After the Rush's victory at ArenaBowl XX, Ditka could be seen celebrating on the field. In January 2007, Ditka used the Super Bowl return of the Chicago Bears as a platform to promote efforts by many early NFL players trying to raise money to former NFL players in need of money and medical assistance. Angry at the wealthy NFL ignoring the players that helped to create the league, Ditka and other former players have since been attempting to raise money, in the words of Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure, "for guys who made this league and built it on their backs, their knees, their legs and now they're all broken down and they can't even get a decent pension."[8] Ditka was a sponsor of Consort hair spray for men. Ditka is a FOTS (Friend of the Show) on Team 1380's The Morning After in St. Louis. Politics In July 2004, Ditka, a self-described "ultra-ultra-ultra conservative", [2] was reportedly considering running against Democrat Barack Obama for an open seat in the U.S. Senate for Illinois in the 2004 Senate election. The seat was being vacated by Peter Fitzgerald, a Republican, and Republican nominee Jack Ryan withdrew from the race amid controversy at the end of June, leaving the Republicans in a bind. Local and national political leaders, from Illinois Republican Party Chair Judy Baar Topinka to Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. George Allen, whose father by the same name was an assistant coach with the Bears in the 1960s when Ditka played, met with Ditka in an effort to persuade him to fill the spot on the ticket. On July 14, however, Ditka announced he would not seek the nomination, citing personal and business considerations (his wife was against the run and he operates a chain of restaurants)[9]. Barack Obama went on to defeat former ambassador Alan Keyes in the November 2004 election. Career Information Year(s): 1961–1972 NFL Draft: 1961 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 College: Pittsburgh Professional Teams As Player * Chicago Bears (1961-1966) * Philadelphia Eagles (1967-1968) * Dallas Cowboys (1969-1972) As Head Coach * Chicago Bears (1982-1992) * New Orleans Saints (1997-1999) Career Stats Receptions 427 Receiving Yards 5,812 Touchdowns 43 Career Highlights and Awards * Pro Bowl (x5) (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965) * NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team * Won Super Bowl XX in 1985 as Head Coach * Won Super Bowl XII in 1977 as an Assistant Coach * Won Super Bowl VI in 1971 as Player * Won NFL Championship in 1963 as Player * 1988 AP NFL Coach of Year * 1985 AP NFL Coach of Year * 1985 Sporting News NFL Coach of Year * 1988 Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of Year * 1988 UPI NFL Coach of Year * 1985 UPI NFL Coach of Year * 1961 UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of Year * 121-95-0 Record as Head Coach Pro Football Hall of Fame College Football Hall of Fame

17. Greg Maddux (6 of 18 lists - 75 points - highest ranking #5 balta1701, Felix) Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966) is a pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He was the first pitcher in Major League history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years (1992-1995), during which he had a 75-29 record with a 1.98 ERA while allowing less than one runner per inning. Maddux is the only pitcher in MLB history to win 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons.[1] In addition, he has been awarded a record seventeen Gold Gloves. A superb control pitcher, Maddux won more games during the 1990s than any other pitcher. Early life Greg Maddux was born in San Angelo, Texas, but spent much of his childhood in Madrid, Spain, where the United States Air Force had stationed his father.[2] His father exposed him to baseball at a rather young age, and kindled his passion for the sport. Upon his return to Las Vegas, Nevada, Maddux and his brother Mike trained under the supervision of Rusty Medar, a former scout from the majors.[2] Medar preached the value of movement and location above velocity, and advised throwing softer when in a jam instead of harder; Maddux would later say, "I believed it. I don't know why. I just did." Though Medar died before Maddux graduated from Valley High School in Las Vegas, he instilled a firm foundation that would anchor Maddux’s future career.[3] Maddux currently lives in the same community. Mike Maddux was drafted in 1982. When scouts came to observe the older Maddux brother, their father Dave told them, "You will be back later for the little one." Despite having a successful high school career, Maddux did not receive many athletic scholarship offers to play collegiate baseball.[4] This prompted Maddux to declare eligibility for 1984 amateur MLB Draft after graduation. Some teams were underwhelmed by Maddux's skinny build, but Cubs scout Doug Mapson saw past the unimpressive physique. Mapson wrote a glowing review that read in part, "I really believe this boy would be the number one player in the country if only he looked a bit more physical." Professional career Chicago Cubs (1986-1992) Maddux was drafted in the second round of the 1984 amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs, and made his Major League debut in September 1986; at the time, he was the youngest player in the majors. Oddly, his first appearance in a major league game was as a pinch runner in the 17th inning against the Houston Astros. Maddux then pitched in the 18th inning, allowing a home run to Billy Hatcher and taking the loss. His first start, five days later, was a complete game win. In his fifth and final start of 1986, Maddux defeated his older brother, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Mike Maddux, marking the first time rookie brothers had ever pitched against each other. Mike Maddux was well used to his younger brother's competitive spirit, saying of their youth, "If Greg couldn't win, he didn't want to play, plain and simple."[5] In 1987, his first full season in the majors, Greg Maddux struggled to a disappointing 6-14 record and 5.61 ERA. But he flourished in 1988, finishing 18-8 with a 3.18 ERA. This began a streak of 17 straight seasons in which Maddux recorded 15 or more wins, the longest such streak in history. Cy Young ranks second with 15 straight 15-win seasons. A highlight of his 1988 season came on May 11, when he threw a three-hit, 10-inning shutout against the Padres. Maddux established himself as the Cubs' ace in 1989, winning 19 games, including a September game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium that clinched the Cubs' second-ever National League Eastern Division championship. Manager Don Zimmer tabbed him to start Game One of the National League Championship Series against the San Francisco Giants. It was a rough postseason debut for Maddux. He allowed eight runs and was relieved after surrendering Will Clark's grand slam home run with 2 outs in the fourth. Maddux believed that just before the grand slam, Clark was able to read Maddux's lips during a conference at the mound between Maddux and Zimmer.[citation needed] Since that incident, Maddux has always covered his mouth with his glove during conversations on the mound. Maddux took a no-decision in Game Four. After consecutive 15-win seasons in 1990 and 1991, Maddux won 20 games in 1992, tied for the NL lead, and was voted his first National League Cy Young Award. Free agency was pending for Maddux, but contract talks with the Cubs became contentious and eventually ceased. Both Chicago general manager Larry Himes and Maddux's agent, Scott Boras, accused the other of failing to negotiate in good faith. The Cubs eventually decided to pursue other free agents, including Jose Guzman, Dan Plesac and Candy Maldonado. After seven seasons in Chicago, Maddux signed a $28 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta Braves (1993-2003) He made his Braves' debut as their opening day starter against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, beating his former teammates 1-0. It was a good start to another strong Maddux season. He led the NL in ERA for the first time while posting a 20-10 record. Maddux won his second straight Cy Young Award, and the Braves took their rotation of Maddux, 22-game winner Tom Glavine, 18-game winner Steve Avery, and 15-game winner John Smoltz to the postseason. Maddux won against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Two of the NLCS, but with Atlanta trailing 3 games to 2, took the loss in the decisive Game Six. During the strike-shortened 1994 season, Maddux posted an ERA of 1.56, the second lowest since Bob Gibson's historic 1.12 in 1968. (The lowest ERA since the mound was lowered five inches in 1969 is Dwight Gooden's 1.53, for the 1985 New York Mets). It pleased Maddux that his 1994 batting average, .222, was higher than his ERA (at least colloquially, if not mathematically).[citation needed] Maddux also led the National League in wins, with 16, and innings pitched, with 202, in his third Cy Young-winning year. Maddux also finished 5th in National League Most Valuable Player voting in (1994). In the following season, 1995, Maddux was 19-2 and posted the third-lowest ERA since Gibson's: 1.63. Maddux became the first pitcher to post back-to-back ERAs under 1.80 since Walter Johnson in 1918 (1.27) and 1919 (1.49); Johnson is the only other pitcher in history to do so. Maddux's 1.63 ERA came in a year when the overall league ERA was 4.23. Since the introduction of the live-ball era in 1920, there have only been five pitchers to have full-season ERAs under 1.65: Gibson and Luis Tiant in the anomalous 1968 season, Gooden in 1985, and Greg Maddux, twice. Maddux's 19 wins led the National League, for the third time in four seasons. On May 28, 1995, he beat the Astros, losing a no-hitter on an eighth-inning home run to Jeff Bagwell. In June and July, Maddux threw 51 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. Maddux pitched effectively in all three of the Braves' postseason series, winning a game in each. His Game One victory in the 1995 World Series was vintage Maddux: 9 innings, 2 hits, no walks. Maddux took the loss in Game Five, but the Atlanta Braves won their first World Series championship. Following the 1995 season, Maddux won his fourth straight Cy Young Award, and his second consecutive unanimous award. He also finished 3rd in National League Most Valuable Player voting in (1995). The Atlanta Braves also made good on a preseason promise to their pitching rotation, installing a putting green in the locker room at Turner Field following the World Series victory. From 1996-1998, Maddux finished fifth, second, and fourth in the Cy Young voting. In August 1997, Maddux signed a $57.5-million, five-year contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in baseball. In February 2003, he avoided arbitration by signing a one-year $14.75-million deal. Maddux's production remained consistent: a 19-4 record in 1997, 18-9 in 1998, 19-9 in both 1999 and 2000, 17-11 in 2001, 16-6 in 2002, and 16-11 in 2003, his last season as a Brave. From 1993 to 1998, Maddux led the National League in ERA four times, and was second the other two seasons; his career ERA of 3.07 is third among active starters, behind only Pedro Martínez and Roy Oswalt. On July 22, 1997, Maddux threw a complete game with just 76 pitches. Maddux allowed just 20 bases on balls in 1997, including six intentional walks. In 1998, Maddux carried a 1.65 ERA through late August, but a late-season slump caused his ERA to rise to 2.22 (still the lowest ERA in the NL). Only a spectacular year by Pedro Martínez prevented Maddux from winning what would have been his fifth Cy Young Award in six seasons. Maddux threw a complete game 2-1 win against Houston to open the NLDS. The NLCS was an assortment of extremes: Maddux posted a 1.38 ERA and had more strikeouts than baserunners, but suffered an 0-2 record. Five unearned runs cost him his first start, and he lost a bitter 2-1 decision in Game Five. Maddux struck out 200+ batters for the only time in his career in 1998. He outdueled the Cubs' Kerry Wood to clinch the NLDS, but the Braves were eliminated in the next round. The Braves returned to the World Series in 1999. Maddux was the Game One starter, and took a 1-0 lead into the eighth inning before a Yankee rally cost him the game. In June 2000, Maddux made his 387th putout to break Jack Morris' career record. In September 2000, he had a streak of 39 1/3 scoreless innings. He pitched poorly in his one playoff start of 2000. In May 2001, Maddux became the first Braves pitcher since 1916 to throw two 1-0 shutouts in the same month. In July and August of that year, Maddux pitched 72 1/3 consecutive innings without giving up a walk. In 2002, he won his 13th straight Gold Glove Award, an NL record; Maddux tied Jim Kaat's career record of 16 Gold Gloves after the 2006 season. Maddux was the jewel in the much-vaunted Braves triad of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz, who pitched together for over a decade, as the core of one of the best pitching staffs in the history of the game. The three were the lynchpin of a team that won the National League East division every year that Maddux was on the team (1994 had no division champions). The three pitchers were frequently augmented by other strong starters such as Steve Avery, Kevin Millwood, Denny Neagle and Russ Ortiz. However, Atlanta never won another championship. In 29 postseason games with Atlanta, Maddux had a 2.81 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, but just an 11-13 record. Back With The Cubs (2004-2006) Maddux returned to the Cubs as a free agent prior to the 2004 season. On August 7, 2004, Maddux defeated the San Francisco Giants, 8-4, to garner his 300th career victory. In April 2005, he beat Roger Clemens for his 306th win in the first National League matchup between 300-game winners in 113 years. On July 26, 2005, Maddux struck out Omar Vizquel to become the thirteenth member of the 3000 strikeout club and only the ninth pitcher with both 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. Maddux became one of the four pitchers to reach 3,000 strikeouts while having allowed fewer than 1,000 walks. The other three pitchers who have accomplished this feat are Ferguson Jenkins, Curt Schilling, and Pedro Martínez. Maddux's 13-15 record in 2005 was his first losing record since 1987, and snapped a string of seventeen consecutive seasons with 15 or more wins. (Cy Young had surpassed the 15-win total for 15 straight years; both Young and Maddux have reached 13+ wins for 19 consecutive seasons.) Maddux's second stint with the Chicago Cubs lasted until mid-2006, when he was traded for the first time in his career, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Coincidentally, on September 28, 2007, Maddux would help the Cubs one last time, by beating the Brewers and therefore eliminating them from their playoff race against the Cubs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2006) Maddux was acquired by the Dodgers, then in the thick of a playoff race. In his first Dodger start, Maddux threw six no-hit innings, before a rain delay interrupted his L.A. debut. In his next start, it took just 68 pitches for Maddux to throw eight shutout innings. On August 30, 2006, he got his 330th career win, passing Steve Carlton to take sole possession of 10th on the all-time list. On September 30, 2006, Maddux pitched seven innings in San Francisco, allowing two runs and three hits in a 4-2 victory over the Giants, clinching a postseason spot for the Dodgers and notching another 15-win season. It was Maddux's 18th season among his league's Top 10 for wins, breaking a record he'd shared with Cy Young and Warren Spahn, who did it 17 times apiece. San Diego Padres (2007-present) On December 5, 2006 Maddux agreed to a one year, $10 million deal with the San Diego Padres with a player option for the 2008, an option that Maddux has now exercised (at a reported $10 million). [6] Maddux earned his 338th victory in the game that Trevor Hoffman earned his milestone 500th save. He recorded his 340th win on June 27, 2007, becoming the tenth pitcher to do so. On August 24, 2007, he won his 343rd game to take sole possession of ninth place on the all time win list. He achieved another milestone with the same win, becoming the only pitcher in the Major Leagues to have 20 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins and placing him second on the list for most 10-win seasons, tied with Don Sutton and behind Nolan Ryan, who has 21. Also in 2007, Maddux reached 13 wins for the 20th consecutive season, passing Cy Young for that major league record. He finished the season with a career total 347 wins. Further, through the 2007 season's end, Maddux is the winningest major league pitcher during the 2000's decade, with 126 victories between 2000 and 2007. Randy Johnson and Tim Hudson have two fewer, at 124. Maddux won a record 17th Gold Glove award in 2007. On May 10, 2008, Maddux became the ninth pitcher in history to win 350 or more games in his career. Talents and accomplishments The right-handed Maddux is known for his pinpoint accuracy, and his ability to psyche out hitters. The speed of his pitches was never a strong suit, and has decreased with time, but Maddux's location has been peerless. Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs said of Maddux, "It seems like he's inside your mind with you. When he knows you're not going to swing, he throws a straight one. He sees into the future. It's like he has a crystal ball hidden inside his glove." Maddux was also noted for the late movement on his pitches, which, combined with his superb command, made him one of the most effective groundball pitchers in history. While his strikeout totals were average, hitters were often unable to make solid contact with his pitches. Due to his longevity and skill, Maddux ranked eleventh all time in career strikeouts with 3,273 at the end of the 2007 season, and was third among active pitchers. Maddux's primary pitches have always been variations of the standard fastball and circle changeup, though he has gradually added other, more complex pitches to his repertoire, such as the split-fingered fastball and the screwball. His cut fastball has been in his repertoire since about 1995, though he still achieved great success and three Cy Young Awards before he learned it. Maddux has been credited by many of his teammates with a preternatural ability to outhink his opponents, and anticipate results. Braves catcher Eddie Perez tells the story of Maddux intentionally allowing a home run to the Astros' Jeff Bagwell, in anticipation of facing Bagwell in the playoffs months later. Maddux felt Bagwell would instinctively be looking for the same pitch again, which Maddux would then refuse to throw.[7] On another occasion while sitting on the bench, Maddux once told his teammates, "Watch this, we might need to call an ambulance for the first base coach." The batter, Los Angeles' Jose Hernandez drove the next pitch into the chest of the Dodgers' first base coach. Maddux had noticed that Hernandez, who'd been pitched inside by Braves pitching during the series, had shifted his batting stance slightly.[5] Early in the 2000 season, Maddux was asked by sportswriter Bob Nightengale what had been the most memorable at-bat of his pitching career. Maddux said it was striking out Dave Martinez to end a regular season game. Nightengale was surprised Maddux hadn't picked a postseason game, or a more famous player. Maddux explained: "I remember that one because he got a hit off me in the same situation (full count, bases loaded, two out in the 9th inning) seven years earlier. I told myself if I ever got in the same situation again, I'll pitch him differently. It took me seven years, but I got him."[5] Publicly, however, Maddux is dismissive of his reputation, saying, "People think I'm smart? You know what makes you smart? Locate your fastball down and away. That's what makes you smart. You talk to Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, or Tom Seaver. They'll all tell you the same thing. It's not your arm that makes you a great pitcher. It's that thing between both of your ears we call a brain." To this day Maddux maintains Koufax, Gibson, and Seaver are the three best pitchers of the "live ball" era of baseball. [8]. Informed by "The Sporting News" he had been voted best pitcher of the 1990s, in typical Maddux humility he replied, "It [the award] could have gone to Glavine or Smoltz just as easily and each would have deserved it. They're both great pitchers." Maddux has never walked more than 82 batters in any season of his career, averaging fewer than 2 walks per game. In 1997, Maddux allowed 20 walks in 232+ innings, or 0.77 per 9 innings. In 2001, he set a National League record by going 72 1/3 innings without giving up a walk. In addition to his pitching skills, Maddux is an excellent fielding pitcher. He has won 17 Gold Gloves, the all time record for any position. Of his 17 total awards, Maddux won 10 with the Braves, five with the Cubs, one with the Dodgers and one with the Padres. Maddux has also been a reliable hitting pitcher, with a career .172 Batting Average including four seasons batting .200 or better. Maddux pitched in 12 Division Series contests, 15 League Championship games and five World Series games.[1] He has a 3.34 ERA in 194 postseason innings, including an outstanding 2.09 ERA in 38.7 World Series innings.[1] He was chosen for the National League All-Star team eight times.[1] Maddux has won 20 games only twice, in 1992 and 1993.[1] However, he has won 19 games five times (including the 1995 season which was reduced to 144 games from the stike of 1994), 18 games twice, and 16 in the strike shortened 1994 season (which was reduced to 115 games).[1] He won four ERA titles (in 1993-1995 and 1998), and led the NL in shutouts five times.[1] He holds the major league record for seasons leading his league in games started (7).[9] He also holds the record for most seasons finishing in the top 10 in the league in wins (18).[10] In 1999, Maddux ranked 39th on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranking pitcher then active. He was also nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. However, when TSN updated their list in 2005, Maddux had fallen to number 51. Maddux was born on April 14, 1966, the same day as future Braves teammates David Justice and Steve Avery. The date was also the same day fellow 300-game winner Don Sutton made his Major League debut. Greg has 2 children; a daughter, Amanda "Paige", and a son, "Satchel" Chase Maddux. Selected MLB statistics (through May 11, 2008) Win-Loss 350-217 Earned Run Average 3.12 Strikeouts 3,299 Teams * Chicago Cubs (1986-1992, 2004-2006) * Atlanta Braves (1993-2003) * Los Angeles Dodgers (2006) * San Diego Padres (2007-present)

18. Luis Aparicio (9 of 18 lists - 59 points - highest ranking #7 Chwrock2) Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel (born April 29, 1934) is a former shortstop in professional baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His career spanned three decades, from 1956 through 1973. Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox (1956–62, 1968–70), Baltimore Orioles (1963–67) and Boston Red Sox (1971–73). He batted and threw right-handed. Playing career Born in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela, Aparicio came from a baseball family. His father, Luis Sr., was a notable shortstop in Venezuela and owned a Winter League team with Aparicio's uncle, Ernesto. Aparicio was heavily scouted by the Cleveland Indians, but Chicago White Sox GM Frank Lane, on the recommendation of fellow Venezuelan shortstop Chico Carrasquel, signed Aparicio for $5,000 down and $5,000 in first year salary. He played well in the minors and then led the American League in stolen bases in his debut year of 1956, winning both the Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards. Over the next decade, Aparicio set the standard for the spray-hitting, slick-fielding, speedy shortstop. He led the AL in stolen bases in nine consecutive seasons (1956–64) and won the Gold Glove Award nine times (1958–62, 1964, 1966, 1970). He was also a ten-time All-Star (1958–64, 1970–72) and a key player on the 1959 "Go-Go" White Sox that won the American League pennant that year. The White Sox were generally successful during his tenure, but when he showed up overweight and had an off year in 1962, the White Sox dealt him to the Baltimore Orioles the following season. Aparicio regained his form in Baltimore and was ninth in the MVP balloting in 1966 when he helped the Orioles reach the World Series, which they won. He returned to the White Sox for the 1968 season after being traded for Don Buford and had his best overall offensive season in 1970, hitting .312 and scoring 86 runs. He put in three more seasons with the Boston Red Sox before retiring for good. Aparicio batted a more than respectable .262 for his career but he also shares the distinction of tying the longest Major League hitless streak for non-pitchers in the last 50 years by going 0 for 44 with the Boston Red Sox in 1971. He batted a career low .232 that year. But even in his last year as an active player in 1973 he rebounded to hit .271 while still playing regularly at age 39. He had 13 consecutive seasons with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title and an on-base percentage less than .325, a MLB record. (His career OBP was slightly better than the shortstops' one during those years; .311 vs .309) A more impressive streak was his 16 straight seasons with more than 500 plate appearances, tied for fifth best in MLB history. Baseball records At his retirement, Aparicio was the all-time leader for most games played, assists and double plays by a shortstop and the all-time leader for putouts and total chances by an AL baseball shortstop. Through the 2005 season, Aparicio holds the Major League record of 2583 games played in the position. Amazingly, he never played any position other than shortstop. Baseball honors Luis Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, the first native of South America so honored. In 1981, Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In 1999, The Sporting News did not include him on their list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, but Major League Baseball did list him as one of their 100 nominees for their All-Century Team. He was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Game One of the 2005 World Series, the first World Series game to be played in Chicago by the Chicago White Sox since the 1959 World Series, when Aparicio had been the starting shortstop for the Sox. Landmarks bearing his family name There is a stadium in Maracaibo, Venezuela bearing his father's name. The full name of the stadium is Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande (Stadium Luis Aparicio the Great) in honor to Luis Aparicio Ortega. Also, the sports complex where the stadium is located is named Polideportivo Luis Aparicio Montiel There are also several streets and avenues bearing his name throughout Venezuela In 2006 Aparicio had a life-sized bronze statue of himself unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field. Career statistics Batting average .262 Hits 2,677 Stolen bases 506 Teams * Chicago White Sox (1956–1962, 1968–1970) * Baltimore Orioles (1963–1967) * Boston Red Sox (1971–1973) Career highlights and awards * 10x All-Star selection (1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1972) * World Series champion (1966) * American League pennant (1959) * 9x Gold Glove Award winner (1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970) * 1956 AL Rookie of the Year * Chicago White Sox #11 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1984 Vote 84.62%

19. Tom Seaver (6 of 18 lists - 55 points - highest ranking #9 whitesoxfan99) George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the major leagues in 1967 and retired in 1987. He played for four different teams in his career, but is primarily associated with the New York Mets. Nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", Seaver had 311 wins, 3,640 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA during a 20-year career. In 1992 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award and three Cy Young Awards as the league's best pitcher. As the Mets' all-time leader in wins, Seaver is considered one of the greatest players in club history, as well as one of the best starting pitchers in the history of baseball. Early life & development Seaver was born in Modesto, California to Betty Lee Cline and Charles Henry Seaver.[1] As a high school pitcher at Fresno High School in Fresno, California, Seaver compensated for his lack of size and strength by developing great control on the mound. Despite being an All-City basketball player, he hoped to play baseball in college. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in June 28, 1962. He served with AIRFMFPAC 29 Palms, California through July 1963.[2] After six months of active duty in the Reserves, Seaver enrolled at Fresno City College. He was much stronger and threw with greater velocity, but still had the same fine control of his pitches. In anticipation of the following season, he was being recruited to pitch for the University of Southern California by legendary Trojan coach Rod Dedeaux. Unsure as to whether Tom was worthy of a scholarship, he was sent to pitch for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks in 1964. After a stellar season -- in which he pitched and won a game in the national tournament with a grand slam -- he was accepted for a USC scholarship. As a sophomore, Seaver posted a 10-2 record, and "in June 1965, he was drafted by the L.A. Dodgers. When Seaver asked for $70,000, however, the Dodgers passed." [3] In 1966, he signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves, who had drafted him number one. However, the contract was voided by Baseball Commissioner William Eckert because his college team had played two exhibition games (although Seaver hadn't played). Seaver intended, then, to finish the college season, but because he had signed a pro-contract, the NCAA ruled him ineligible. After Seaver's father complained to Eckert about the unfairness of the situation, and threatened with a lawsuit, Eckert ruled that other teams could match the Braves' offer.[4] The Mets were subsequently awarded his signing rights in a lottery drawing among the three teams (Philadelphia and Cleveland being the two others) that were willing to match the Braves' terms. Rookie of the Year Seaver spent one season with the Jacksonville Suns of the International League, then joined New York in 1967. He won 16 games for the last-place Mets, with 18 complete games, 170 strikeouts, and a 2.76 E.R.A., all Mets records to that point, and was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the 1967 All-Star Game, and got the save by pitching a scoreless 15th inning. In 1968 he won 16 games again, and recorded over 200 strikeouts for the first of nine consecutive seasons; but the Mets moved up only one spot in the standings, to ninth. The "Miracle Mets" season In 1969, Seaver and the Mets completed a remarkable season, coming from the depths of the National League to win their first World Series championship. Seaver won a league-high 25 games and his first National League Cy Young Award. On July 9, before a crowd of over 59,000 at New York's Shea Stadium, Seaver threw 8 1/3 perfect innings against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Then, rookie backup outfielder Jimmy Qualls lined a clean single to left field, breaking up Seaver's perfect game. In the first-ever NLCS game, Seaver outlasted Atlanta's Phil Niekro for a sloppy 9-5 victory. Seaver was also the starter for the Mets' first World Series game, but lost a 4-1 decision to the Baltimore Orioles' Mike Cuellar. Seaver then pitched a complete-game, 10-inning win in Game Four to put the Mets on the brink of their first championship. At year's end, Seaver was presented with both the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year, and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award. Continued excellence On April 22, 1970, Seaver set a modern major league record by striking out the final 10 San Diego Padres batters of the game. In addition to his 10 consecutive strikeouts, Seaver finished the game with 19 strikeouts, tying Steve Carlton's major league record for a nine-inning game.[5] (The record was later eclipsed by 20-strikeout games by Kerry Wood, Randy Johnson, and twice by Roger Clemens.) Just four days earlier, Nolan Ryan had tied the former Mets record for K's in one game, which had been 15. In mid-August, his record stood at 17-6 and he seemed well on his way to a second consecutive 20-win season. Then the wheels fell off. Seaver agreed to pitch with three days rest over a span of ten days and lost all three decisions. He won only one more game down the stretch and finished 18-12. Seaver had three more twenty-win seasons (20 in 1971, 21 in 1972, and 22 in 1975) and two more Cy Young Awards (1973 and 1975) with the Mets. He was the runner-up for the award in 1971. 1971 was arguably his best year, when he led the league in ERA (1.76) and strikeouts (289 in 286 innings) while going 20-10. However, the sportswriters voted Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs the Cy Young Award, due to his league-leading 24 wins, 325 innings pitched, and exceptional control numbers. Seaver himself states 1971 was his best season.[citation needed] Between 1970 and 1976, Seaver led the National League in strikeouts five of the seven seasons, finishing second in 1972 and third in 1974. Seaver also won three ERA titles as a Met. A famous quote about Seaver is attributed to Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson: "Blind men come to the park just to hear him pitch." Bye-bye, Big Apple By 1977, the free agency period had begun and contract negotiations between Mets ownership and Seaver were not going well. Seaver wanted to renegotiate his contract to bring his salary in line with what other top pitchers were making, but board chairman M. Donald Grant, who by this time had been given carte blanche by Met management to do what he wished, refused to budge. Longtime New York Daily News columnist Dick Young regularly wrote negative columns about Seaver's "greedy" demands. When Young wrote an unattributed story claiming that Seaver was being goaded by his wife to ask for more money because she was jealous of Nolan Ryan's wife, Seaver had had enough and demanded a trade away from New York. In what New York's sports reporters dubbed "the Midnight Massacre", Mets General Manager M. Donald Grant sent Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds on June 15, 1977 for Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, and Dan Norman. He finished the 1977 season with 21 wins by going 14-3 with Cincinnati, including an emotional 5-1 win over the Mets in his return to Shea Stadium. Seaver struck out 11 in the return, and also hit a double. Seaver, who was immensely popular in New York, also received a lengthy ovation at the 1977 All-Star Game, which was held in New York's Yankee Stadium. His departure from New York sparked a massive fan revolt. Attendance plummeted, and Shea Stadium earned the nickname "Grant's Tomb." After having thrown five one-hitters for New York, including three no-hitters that were broken up in the 9th inning, Seaver finally recorded a 4-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16, 1978 at Riverfront Stadium. It was the only no-hitter of his professional career. Seaver was 75-46 during his time in Cincinnati. He was a close runner-up for the 1981 Cy Young Award, a year in which he was 14-2, and was voted 3rd and 4th in two other seasons. He suffered through a dreadful 1982 campaign, finishing 5-13. Return to New York After the 1982 season on December 16, 1982, Seaver was traded back to the Mets, for Charlie Puleo, Lloyd McClendon, and Jason Felice. On April 5, 1983, he tied Walter Johnson's major league record of 14 Opening Day starts, shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0. (He made two more such starts with the Chicago White Sox in 1985 and 1986 for a record total of 16 opening day assignments.) 300 wins Seaver and the Mets were stunned on January 20, 1984 when he was claimed in a free-agent compensation draft by the Chicago White Sox. The team (especially GM Frank Cashen) had incorrectly assumed that no one would pursue a high-salaried, 39-year-old starting pitcher, and left him off the protected list. Faced with either reporting to the White Sox or retiring, Seaver chose the former. Seaver pitched two and a half seasons in Chicago, crafting his last shutout on July 19, 1985 against the visiting Indians. In an anomaly, Seaver won two games on May 9, 1984. Seaver pitched the 25th and final inning of a game suspended the day before, picking up the win in relief, before starting and winning the day's regular-scheduled game. This unexpected win set up one of Seaver's most memorable moments. On August 4, 1985, Seaver won his 300th victory at New York against the Yankees, throwing a complete game. (Coincidentally, it was Phil Rizzuto Day — Seaver would later become Rizzuto's broadcast partner for Yankee games. It was also the same day that Rod Carew, his 1967 American League Rookie of the Year counterpart, collected his 3000th hit.) Lindsey Nelson, a Mets radio and TV announcer during Seaver's salad days, called the final out for Yankees TV flagship WPIX. After Seaver's 298th win, a reporter had pointed out to White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk that following his upcoming start in Boston, Seaver's next scheduled start would be in New York, and that the possibility existed that he might achieve the mark there. Fisk emphatically stated that Seaver would win in Boston, and then would win his 300th-- which is just what came to pass. Seaver almost returned to the Mets down the stretch, as Frank Cashen was poised to make a trade, but manager Davey Johnson vetoed the idea. He ended his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1986, traded at mid-season for Steve Lyons. Seaver's 311th and last win came on August 18, 1986 against the Minnesota Twins. At the time of his retirement Seaver was third on the all-time strikeout list (3,640), trailing only Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton. His lifetime ERA of 2.86 was third among starting pitchers in the "live-ball" era, behind only Whitey Ford and Sandy Koufax. (Pedro Martínez has since recorded a lower ERA.) A knee injury prevented him from appearing against the Mets in the World Series but Seaver received among the loudest ovations during player introductions prior to Game 1. The Red Sox released him following the 1986 season when the two sides could not come to terms on a new contract. Seaver briefly tried to make a comeback with the Mets in 1987 while their pitching staff was decimated by injuries, but retired after being shelled in an exhibition start against the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, the Tidewater Tides, saying, "I've used up all the competitive pitches in my arm!" The Mets retired his uniform number 41 in 1988. As of 2007, Seaver remains the only Met player to have his uniform number retired. Casey Stengel and Gil Hodges had their numbers retired as Met managers, and Jackie Robinson (never affiliated with the Mets) had his number retired by all teams. Their numbers-- 14 (Hodges), 37 (Stengel), 41 (Seaver), and 42 (Jackie Robinson) -- are posted in large numerals on the outfield fence at Shea Stadium. Hall of Fame Seaver was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7, 1992. He received the highest-ever percentage of votes with 425 of 430 ballots (98.84%), surpassing Ty Cobb's 98.23%, and falling just five votes short of a unanimous selection. Seaver is the only player enshrined in the Hall of Fame with a Mets cap on his plaque. Seaver was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1992, the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1999, Seaver ranked 16th on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the only player to have spent a majority of his career with the Mets to make the list. That year, he was also a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Baseball purists often compare him to Christy Mathewson for his combination of raw power, pinpoint control, intelligence, and, perhaps most of all, an intense scrutiny of his own performance, as well as that of his opponents. An excellent hitting pitcher, Seaver hit 12 home runs during his career. Hank Aaron stated that Seaver was the toughest pitcher he ever faced. Ironically, Seaver approached Aaron before his first All-Star Game in 1967 and asked Aaron for his autograph. Seaver felt the need to introduce himself to Aaron, as he was certain "Hammerin' Hank" would not know who he was. Aaron replied to Seaver, "Kid, I know who you are, and before your career is over, I guarantee you everyone in this stadium will, too." In an ESPN poll among his peers, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Jim Palmer, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, and Don Sutton all agreed Seaver was "the best" of their generation of pitchers. On September 28, 2006, Seaver was chosen as the "Hometown Hero" for the Mets franchise by ESPN. Broadcasting career Since retirement, Seaver has sometimes been a television color commentator, working variously for the Mets, the New York Yankees, and with Vin Scully in 1989 for NBC. He is one of three sportscasters to be regular announcers for both the Mets and Yankees; the others are Fran Healy and Tim McCarver. He has also worked as a part-time scout, and as a spring training pitching coach. Personal life Seaver was married to the former Nancy Lynn McIntyre on June 9, 1966. They are parents of two daughters. Currently, he lives in Calistoga, California, where he tends to his vineyards. The first bottles of wine from the vineyards, a cabernet named Seaver, will be available sometime in 2008. Career statistics Win-Loss record 311-205 Strikeouts 3,640 Earned run average 2.86 Teams * New York Mets (1967-1977, 1983) * Cincinnati Reds (1977-1982) * Chicago White Sox (1984-1986) * Boston Red Sox (1986) Career highlights and awards * 12x All-Star selection (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981) * 3x NL Cy Young Award winner (1969, 1973, 1975) * 1967 NL Rookie of the Year * 2x NL TSN Pitcher of the Year (1969, 1975) * Pitched no-hitter in 1978 * New York Mets #41 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1992 Vote 98.8% (first ballot)