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If theres one thing thats universal about baseball and its fans, its a love of statistics and records.
Thats not to say other sports and their fans arent enamored by the statistics and records that track and allow their games to be analyzed and immortalized, but baseball, with its many structured breaks in between play, simply lends itself to record-keeping far more than any of the other three major team sports in America.
Although keeping the records of player achievements in baseball began well over a century ago, many of those statistics werent readily available to the average fan until Hy Turkin published The Complete Encyclopedia of Baseball in 1951.
Since Turkins book, there have been many improvements in compiling baseball statistics, and in recent years Sabermetrics a system designed to delve further into statistical analysis by drawing from a broader scope of player performance measurements and other variableshas become one of most popular measuring tools in the sport.
Many traditionalists eschew such things,bayern munchen fan shop, preferring to stick with the long-established core statistics such as batting average, RBIs, and home runs for batters, and wins, ERA, and strikeouts for pitchers.
Yet, even a majority of them probably utilize some newer statistics in their own analysis and rankings of players and teams such as on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging (OPS) three statistics invented and popularized in 1984 by John Thorn and Pete Palmer in their book, The Hidden Game of Baseball as well as WHIP, a stat designed by Daniel Okrent in 1979.
Whatever stats are used to determine the ranking of players in comparison to either their contemporaries or the greats of the game, the fact remains that some form of statistical analysis is necessary, since without them a great deal of the game of baseball, and most team sports, would be rendered meaningless.
It is the historical significance of many of the stats and records that makes the game of baseball, and other sports to a lesser degree, so fascinating to both historians and fans. Being able to quantify who was the best player at a certain position as compared to some legend from the distant, or even recent, past makes the accomplishments of the present more meaningful.
For that reason, when milestones in the sport are reached or even approached, when records are tied, set, or broken, the interest in the games being played increases exponentially. This is precisely why the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosaas they both chased the hallowed single-season record held by Roger Maris enthralled so many millions of fans across the nation in the late 90s.
There are a number of just such milestones and records that will be approached, tied, set, or broken during the 2011 MLB season, and following are a list of the top five of these I believe will take place. This list was not compiled with the intention of denigrating or lessening the significance of others that could or will take place this year, and I apologize beforehand to any who believe their favorite player or team was slighted by their absence.
Alex Rodriguez(notes) – Home Runs
Following him since the days he was crushing home runs and thrilling fans in the field for Miamis Westminster Christian High School in Florida, I have always believed “A-Rod” as hes called by his fans would be one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Looking at Rodriguez, it just seems he was born to dominate the game. At 6-3 he has both the stature as well as the natural athletic ability to simply do so many things that baseball demands. If someone were to design the perfect body for a baseball player, Rodriguez could be the model.
His exploits in the major leagues are too numerous to list, but suffice it to say hes done things very few others can claim, and if he has just a decent year during the 2011 MLB season, hitting just 18 home runs, hell pass Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) to move into fifth-place on the all-time home run list.
Considering he hit 30 last year, that milestone is almost certain to be attained. However, if hes able to have a resurgence of his power from even as recent as 2007 when he launched 54 dingers into the stands, and was able to hit 48 or more homers this year, he would then pass the legendary Willie Mays to move into fourth place; behind only Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth.
Furthermore, if he is able to match his home run total of 2010, A-Rod will surpass the record he currently shares with Bonds for the most consecutive 30 home run seasons, and would equal Aarons mark of 15 seasons overall with 30 dingers.
Theres no doubt Rodriguez admitted steroid-use has tainted his accomplishments among many fans, but Im firmly of the opinion he still would have reached these milestones (perhaps not this year but the next for sure) even if hed never taken steroids in his life. To deny his greatness is simply willful ignorance.
Ichiro Suzuki(notes) – Hits
When he first came into the majors, I have to admit I thought Ichiro, or “Ichi,” as hes called by many of his fans in Seattle, wouldnt really live up to the hype that surrounded him. I know Mariners fans, as well as many others, might find that shocking, but there was a time when it wasnt a foregone conclusion he would be.
Boy was a wrong, though!
Ichiro has been nothing short of great over his so-far ten-year career in MLB, and Im now of the opinion the diminutive right-field speedster should be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
The list of his accomplishments in the ten years hes played for the Mariners is simply amazing, and they come on the heels of having an almost equally amazing career in the Japan Baseball League.
Ichiro has been selected to the All-Star Game every year hes played, has won 10-consecutive Gold Glove Awards, is a three-time Silver Slugger Award-winner, a two-time MLB Batting Champion, has led the majors in hits seven times,kids barcelona football kit, was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2001, the same year he was the AL Stolen Base Champion, and has set the single-season MLB record for hits with 262 in 2004.
Hes also had more than 200 hits and has batted above .300 every single year hes been in the majors (the first of which is a MLB record), and also holds the AL record for most consecutive stolen bases without being caught (45).
Simply put, Ichiro is very, very good.
Hell be looking to add to some of those records, including the consecutive-season record of 200 or more hits, and if he is able to once again get over that mark, hell set a new MLB record for most 200 plus hit seasons overall,football shirt team, breaking the record he currently shares with Ty Cobb and Pete Rose.
I imagine therell be plenty of coverage when he gets close, so all you fans interested might want to keep your eyes on the games when he does.
Derek Jeter(notes) – Career Hits
For a short while over this off-season, there were some who believed Derek Jeter actually might not remain a Yankee, as he became a free agent for the first time in his career.
Of course, everyone knows this would have stopped the sun in its tracks. The Bronx Bombers simply wouldnt be who they are without their perennial All-Star shortstop and team captain, and Yankees fans probably would have stormed the franchises headquarters if theyd let him get away.
So, despite all the harsh words over the new contract, New York got it done and signed Jeter to a new three-year deal with an option for a fourth year, and hell remain right where he is, and right where he belongs.
In truth, as someone who absolutely detests the Yankees, I have to say I was a little amused there might be a chance New York would refuse to re-sign Jeter, and Im also a little miffed I have to include three Bronx Bombers on this list.
However, theres no denying greatness, and Jeter defines the term. Hes considered by nearly every baseball fan, no matter their team, a true professional, and one of the most clutch players in the history of the game.
An 11-time All-Star, five-time World Series Champion, five-time Gold Glove Award-winner, four-time Silver Slugger Award-winner, and 1996 AL Rookie of the Year, Jeter has also been awarded an All-Star and World Series MVP Award in 2000.
Furthermore, he was voted Sports Illustrateds Sportsman of the Year in 2009, is the Yankees career hits leader, and MLBs active career hits leader.
Those hits are what have him on this list, as with just 74 more, the amazing superstar shortstop will join a very, very elite club; those players with 3,000 or more hits in their career.
You can be sure New York will make sure its celebrated with all the pomp and pageantry it deserves, and if theres even a chance it might happen at home in Yankee Stadium, itll be as big an event as you can imagine.
He deserves it, though, as again, hes the definition of greatness in this league. It pains me to admit that, but its simply true.
Mariano Rivera(notes) – Saves
If theres another player in the majors who defines greatness as much as Jeter, its his teammate, Mariano Rivera.
Considered by most to be the greatest closer the game has ever seen, Riveras career has been so amazing at times it almost makes you wonder if its actually some movie were all watching that was scripted by a lifelong Yankees fan.
Standing 6-2, but weighing just a wispy 185 pounds, Rivera has astounded baseball fans and batters alike with the power hes been able to generate off the mound over his 16-year career.
Like Jeter, Rivera has garnered numerous awards, being selected to the All-Star Game 11 times, being chosen the AL Rolaids Relief Man five times,real madrid football kit, and winning the World Series MVP Award in 1999 as the Yankees won one of the five titles the diminutive Panamanian flamethrower has been a part of.
Rivera is also the all-time leader in postseason saves with 42, and is second only to Trevor Hoffman(notes) (601) in regular season saves with 559.
If he is able to have as many saves this year as his age, Rivera will join Hoffman, who began his career as a Florida Marlin, as the only relievers with 600 or more saves. That figure is beyond amazing, since the nearest active reliever behind Rivera is Billy Wagner(notes) with 422 saves.
Suffice it to say Rivera is, like his two teammates above, a surefire first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, and his reaching 600 career saves will probably be met with as much celebration as Jeters 3,000th hit in New York.
Again, he deserves it.
Jim Thome(notes) – Home Runs
Soon after the 2011 season begins, Jim Thome will be joining a club almost as exclusive as Hoffman and Riveras, as there have been only seven other sluggers in the history of MLB to hit more than 600 home runs in their career.
Needing only 11 to reach that mark, Thome, whose career compared to many of the others on that list has been rather non-descript and quiet, will become immortal, and theres not a nicer guy it could happen to.
I distinctly remember Thome from the 1997 World Series, where his Cleveland Indians faced off against my beloved Florida Marlins. At that time, he was far closer to the beginning of his career than the end of it, but he was still an amazingly powerful slugger, having knocked in 40 home runs during the regular season that year.
While he may not have garnered all the awards of the rest of those on this list, having never won a World Series (thanks in large part to Edgar Renteria(notes) and the Marlins), and only being selected to the All-Star Game five times, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest sluggers of the game.
When he draws near to that 600 mark this season, I can guarantee you Ill be glued to my television so I can personally witness it.
Other Records and Milestones
Jim Leland is about to reach 1,500 career wins. Chipper Jones(notes) is approaching numerous milestones, including 1,500 RBI and 2,500 hits. Paul Konerko(notes) and Adam Dunn(notes) of the Washington Nationals are both closing in on 400 home runs. Andy Pettitte(notes) is getting close to 250 wins.
More from Associated Content:
St. Louis Fans Should Think Hard About Painting Cardinals First-Baseman Albert Pujols as Greedy
Florida Owner Jeffrey Loria Has High Hopes for 2011: As Should Marlins Fans
A Night to Remember: The 2003 Florida Marlins Shock the World
All stats and information taken from personal notes and verified at Yahoo! Sports and Baseball-Reference.com.
Read more by Daniel Barber aka Hotnuke at TFS Sports.
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