A little tidbit to produce conversation.....

[TSiegel]

Randy Johnson, of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is 8 Ks shy of 4,000 for his career.

At his age, (the Perfect Game earlier this year notwithstanding) in your personal and professional opinion, do you think he has a shot at hitting 5,000?

Answer and/or possible continuity with another star reaching a milestone.

Tom

 

[JLevinson]

No chance in Hell he makes it. He's too old now. He'd need another 4 or 5 years, and I don't see that happening. Anything's possible, but I just don't see it happening.

For the future... I don't see anyone else doing it, either. Prior or Beckett could, theoretically, but considering that they've both been hit with injuries in their already young careers, I'd say no chance.

Bottom line is... they don't leave 'em in like they used to 'cause they realized the correlation between pitch counts and injuries. They baby 'em, so we may never again see a 5,000 K pitcher.

 

[TSiegel]

and your next athlete to reach a milestone is??

 

[TH]

I don't think he will. He's too old.

I'd put money on this being the order on the all-time home run list in ten years, though.

1. Bonds
2. Junior Griffey
3. Aaron

 

[QueenOfTheRing]

Randy's one of my favorite players, but I don't see him doing it for the reason that everyone else has stated. He's too old. What's he now, 41?

I don't see him playing for more than another 5 years. He'd have to average 200Ks each of those years.

 

[TSiegel]

Indeed, however do keep in mind, Nolan Ryan has over 5,000 Ks but also (that I remember, correct me if Im wrong), Ryan did record no-hitters and 1-2 hitters in his mid 40s as well.

Next athlete hitting a potential Milestone? (It can also go beyond Baseball folks.)

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[CuseTroy]

Only way I see the Unit making it to 5000 Ks is if he moves to the AL, where he can pitch more innings without worrying about pulling him for a pinch hitter. That could happen, because if he gets dealed, he's going to Anaheim. If he can stay around for a couple more years and avoid injuries, he'll get pretty close. He does that, and he passes Lefty Carlton as the greatest southpaw of all time.

For other athletes passing certain milestones.

Michael Vick: 1000 Rushing yards from a quarterback. Possibly this year.

Bonds will have 700, if not by the end of this year than by April 15 next year, bank on that.

Craig Biggio will get close to 3000 hits if he can stay around, especially if Houston resigns Beltran and he can relax in left field.

But...

My big prediction is that a new single season bar could be raised in baseball.

The plateau: 50/50.

The player: Alfonso Soriano.

With that ballpark and the protection he has in Texas, he'll get a chance to do this next year.

 

[Starbreaker]

I doubt Unit's gonna hit 5000 Ks for his career. I think he IS capable of throwing 200 Ks a year for another five years....if he was to be healthy. But I don't see him lasting another five years, despite how strong he looks right now. He'll go another three years, then call it a career. I think he will go down as the greatest southpaw in history, though.

As for the 50/50, I don't know if Soriano will do it. But if he does, it won't be before Vladimir Guerrero. The guy is totally insane, with stats busting out of every pore. And that's going to continue for years to come, barring injury.

I don't think this is a milestone thing, but I'll throw it out anyway. Do you think Ken Griffey, Jr. will make it to Cooperstown if he doesn't hit 600 HRs for his career? I think he's going to get to that mark, but let's say he has to retire before making it due to injury. Will he get into the Hall of Fame? I think he still would, but it might depend on if he's key in winning a Championship or not.

And going off that note...do you think 500 HRs is still an automatic ticket to the Hall of Fame? I don't think it will be, in the near future, considered an automatic. I think 600 will become the new gold standard for HR hitting Hall of Famers.

 

[TH]

I think 550 will be the new automatic for the HoF. And I think if Griffey were to retire today, he woudl be a shoo-in for the HoF. I mean, aside from those injury plagued seasons in Cincy, he's been one of, if not the, best players in baseball, both at the plate and in teh field, referenced by his Gold Glove collection.

 

[Steve]

Randy

Johnson has no shot at 5000k.

Next milestone?

Maurice Greene sets the World Record in the 100m dash.

As far as Griffey, if he were to retire today he's a first ballot hall of famer. The last three years injuries have cost him 90-100 home runs. He could've been going for 600 this year.