When I was younger baseball came to me through the TV superstations like the Braves on WTBS and the Cubs on WGN. One of the baseball diamond stars of my younger days was Ryan Sandberg. He passed away on July 28th at the age of 65.
He was a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He was the National League MVP in 1984. He was a 10-time All Star.
Some highlights...
Ryan Zimmerman recently from baseball and the Washington Nationals. Fitting to end the A to Z challenge with him. He was a World Series Champion, a two-time all-star, who enjoyed a 16 year career.
A tribute to him:
Pete Rose was a 17-time all-star, a three-time World Series Champion, MVP and rookie of the year. Known as Charlie Hustle as a kid I thought he played the game the right way. He is the all-time hit leader.
My A to Z Challenge of athletes and teams has fallen into a streak of basketball. L is for Lebron James who some think is a serious challenge for Michael Jordan's supposed GOAT status.
Lebron's Top 35 plays
Allen Iverson left the Georgetown Hoyas after his sophomore season. That season he was named an All American. In the NBA he was named Rookie of the Year, he was an 11 time All Star and the league MVP in 2001. After his career he ended up in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Here is someone's list of his top 10 plays
Hank Aaron's baseball career ended probably before I discovered baseball. He was the Home Run King most of my life. He earned that title, in a different time, and earning it meant something. He endured stuff he shouldn't have had to when he broke the record. His homerun record broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds. Looking back I don't think it meant as much as when Hank set the bar.
Hank Aaron was a 25 time All Star. He is still the all time leader in runs batted in, extra base hits, and total bases. Obviously a Hall of Fame player. A class act.
Home Run 715
When someone mentions knuckle ball pitchers the first name that pops in my mind is Phil Niekro. He was pitching well before I was born. However, as a Braves fan it wasn't long before I knew who he was. Later in his career I was able to see him pitch in person, he was playing for the Cleveland Indians and I saw him pitch in Baltimore.
He won 318 games, threw a no hitter, struck out over 3000 batters and is in baseball's Hall of Fame. He lead the league in wins twice, won 5 Gold Gloves, was a 5 time All Star, simply put he was a good pitcher.
He will be missed by his fans, friends and family.
Highlights...
Baseball great Joe Morgan has passed away. Many considered Joe Morgan one of the best second baseman to ever play baseball. Joe enjoyed a Hall of Fame career and was a big part of the Big Red Machine of the 70s. The argument for Joe to be considered one of the best second baseman could start with being named a 10-time All Star. His five Gold Glove awards help.
He was on two World Series winning teams. He was the National League MVP in both Championship seasons. His number has been retired by the Cincinnati Reds. He was elected the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
A look back at his career and life from the MLB Network...
Higlights from the 1976 World Series...
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson has passed away. He was on two World Series winning teams and was named the MVP in both series! He was a National League MVP and two time Cy Young winner. He was a 9 time All Star who struck out over 3000 batters in his career.
Below is his induction to the Hall of Fame...
Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away today. He played in the major leagues for 19 seasons, he was on two World Champion teams.
