by Jacoby Nolnaho

Tom Seaver

Standing at a powerful 6’1’’ and 206 pounds, Tom Seaver was a devastating sight for any hitter to see. Besides the intimidating mound presence, Seaver’s slider, curveball, dirty rising fastball, and later a changeup proved that he was in control of the at bat. In his 20 year career spanning from 1967 to 1986, Seaver was able to win 311 games, strike out 3,640 batters (sixth most all time), post a 2.86 ERA, and throw an absurd 231 complete games with 61 of them being shutouts. He also threw 4,782.2 innings, good for nineteenth most all time. 23 years after being born in Fresno, California, Seaver received the National League Rookie of the Year with the Mets by winning 16 games, posting a 2.76 ERA, and striking out 170 batters in 251 innings of work.

1969 was a great year for the Mets. They won their first World Series in franchise history and Tom Seaver took home the Cy Young award. For the first of three times, Seaver led the National League in wins to go along with a 2.21 ERA in 273.1 innings. He would the Cy Young award again in 1973 by pitching 290 innings and leading the league in strikeouts with 251, ERA with 2.08, WHIP with 0.98, and tied for the lead with 18 complete games. Two years later, he would win a league leading 22 games and strike out 243 batters, leading him to claim the Cy Young.

Though the Mets pitching staff was centered around him, Seaver was traded midseason to the Cincinnati Reds for a bunch of hopeful stars. Needless to say, the Reds got the better package making this deal one of the most lopsided trades in the history of baseball. Seaver never won the Cy Young again, but he was able to put up five double digit win seasons.

For the last five years, Seaver bounced around with the Mets and White Sox before calling it quits with the Red Sox in 1986. The Fresno native was able to put up record numbers and collect 12 All Star during his Major League tenure. Seaver went into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1992 wearing a Mets cap. The Mets retired Seaver’s jersey number 41 on June 24, 1988. Whether you remember him as a Met or Red, Tom Seaver is among legends with his Hall of Fame statistics.

 

References

Baseball Reference

ESPN

MLB.com

Mets.com

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Hall of Fame Ballot 2018

As you know, I am not in the BBWAA, so I cannot vote for the Hall of Fame or awards such as Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. Instead, I share my thoughts and opinions with you through The Bleacher Creature. This year, Jim Thome, Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, and Trevor Jones got inducted. If I could vote, my ballot would look like this:

  1. Chipper Jones
  2. Jim Thome
  3. Vladimir Guerrero
  4. Trevor Hoffman
  5. Mike Mussina
  6. Edgar Martinez
  7. Billy Wagner
  8. Fred McGriff
  9. Omar Vizquel
  10. Curt Schillling

Chipper Jones, one of the greatest switch hitters of all time, is a no-brainer with his 468 home runs and MVP. Jim Thome also fits in this class because of his 612 home runs and record 13 walk off home runs. The oddballs are Mike Mussina and Billy Wagner. Billy Wagner was one of the most dominant relievers in Major League history by striking out 1,196 batters in 903 innings. He also collected a solid 422 saves and 2.31 ERA. Mike Mussina won 270 games, struck out 2,813 batters, and posted a 3.68 ERA over an 18 year career that saw him pitch 3,562.2 innings.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Review|Amusing or Confusing?

After McDonald’s stopped serving the food item due to popularity, McDonald’s restaurants officially welcomed back their Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders back on December 29. I was only able to get my hands on them now, but nevertheless I had the experience. You would not believe how much flavor were in this type of chicken compared to the Chicken McNuggets. The Buttermilk Crispy Chicken also was bigger and were in available in four piece, six piece, and ten piece servings. McDonald’s also gets full credit for their design of the chicken box. The box came designed with spots for two dipping sauces of your choice. Overall, I totally recommend these new Buttermilk Crispy Chicken and rate them Amusing.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Steal Facts: Aaron Judge

Aaron judge

  • Aaron Judge was born April 26, 1992 in Linden California. He was adopted the day he was born by his foster parents, the Judges. Despite being officially being told at age ten, Judge knew he was adopted due to his already strong and soon to be six foot seven, 282 pound frame. Now, Judge is a MVP candidate for the New York Yankees.
  • Aaron Judge won not only the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby, but he also won the 2012 College Home Run Derby.
  • After hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat, Judge fell off the table in 2016, batting .179 with 42 strikeouts in 84 at bats. Using these statistics as motivation, Judge plugged them into his phone and told him that he could slump any time in his career.
  • In 2017, Aaron Judge was the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year. He set all time rookie records with 52 home runs and 127 walks. He also won the Silver Slugger for American League right fielders and was nominated for a Gold Glove.
  • Judge finished in second place in MVP voting just behind the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve.
  • Judge also drove in 114 RBIs and scored 128 runs in his 155 game season. His overall WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was a solid 8.1.

Stats and Info

espn.com

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Big Weekend Around Baseball

The holidays came early for us baseball fans this weekend. Two way Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels, significantly strengthening their pitching and offense. Ohtani’s new teammate, Mike Trout, is getting married to fiancé Jessica Cox. Also, the New York Yankees have been reported as the winners of the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes, making the Yankees lineup look a lot like the 1927 Murders Row.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Issues.

This month, there has been a problem with The Bleacher Creature for Firefox users. The fonts are off and are not the flagship blocky letters. I strongly encourage all readers to view The Bleacher Creature in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Thank you for your patience.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

How to make MLB the Show Better

MLB the Show is up there with other sports video games. Despite its success, San Diego Studio needs to make a few improvements. This year, there has been a bat lag glitch that really needs to be fixed. Also, some different phrases should be used. I am tired of Dan Plesac saying Chris Sale and Max Scherzer are pitch to contact guys. Their needs to be more big brands like Coca Cola or McDonald’s instead of some bootleg made up brand. The Show should also take an approach similar to Madden 18’s Longshot. Longshot provides more realistic off the field interactions that would fit perfectly in baseball. I agree with the coverboy of Aaron Judge on The Show 18 but a think a cover with Harper and Trout back-to-back would be nice.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Roy Halladay Dies in Plane Crash

Today, November 11, 2017, former Major League pitcher Roy Halladay was killed in a plane crash at age 40. The former Blue Jays and Phillies pitcher went 203-105 in his 16 year career. Pitching a perfect game and a no hitter in the season, Halladay was a solid pitcher. His durability was known throughout baseball as he led the league in innings pitched four different times. Part of a select few with a Cy Young title in both leagues, Halladay was a franchise pitcher for both of his team. He last played in MLB in 2013. Halladay also is known to gamers as the coverboy of the iconic MLB 2K11. He was an avid flyer and would practice flying his plane in his free time. It was only him in the plane when it crashed, similar to Thurman Munson’s tragic death. Roy Halladay will forever be in our thoughts.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Scariest Moments in Baseball

This article contains disturbing true stories that occurred during Major League Baseball games. Reader discretion is advised.

As this year’s Halloween approaches, we look back at the scariest moments in baseball history:

Dave Dravecky

Dave Dravecky was a pitcher for the Giants and Padres. After leaving baseball for a while due to cancer in his elbow, he was able to return. In his first game back, he threw a pitch that severely injured his arm. His left pitching arm needed to be amputated.

John McSherry

In a game between the Montreal Expos and Cincinatti Reds, home plate umpire John McSherry starting walking away for home plate. He collapsed and suffered a major heart attack. His fellow umpiring crew was not able to revive him. The game was postponed, and McSherry was left to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Fan Falls Out of Second Deck

In a 2015 game at Turner Field, a fan fell from the second level. The game was a rare competition with the Yankees facing the Atlanta Braves. The fan got so involved with booing Alex Rodriguez that his momentum took him over the railing. He ended up dying and the game was delayed.

Girl Gets Hit in the Face with a 100+ mph Line Drive

In 2017 at Yankee Stadium, Yankees’ third baseman Todd Frazier hit a line drive into the first level. The ball ended up hitting a two year old girl square in the face. Thankfully she survived, but she had to be taken into the hospital for multiple surgeries. Frazier was very upset and was able to reach the girl’s father to help the family walk through the process.