King Albert

Albert Pujols has signed a 10-year, $254,000,000 deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Pujols won two chamionships in St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.

With the three of the "Core Four" free agents off of the market now, the last remaining is Prince Fielder.

I honestly did not see this happening at any time at all. Ever. Pujols has ruined his reputation as a "one-team player". The move to the American League, however, may benefit both the Cardinals and the Angels in the long run, with a move to DH on the part of Pujols.

Pujols after hitting his third home run in the 2011 World Series Game 3.

Keep on Keeping On

Free agent 41-year-old Craig Counsell, coming off one of the worst seasons in the history of Major League Baseball, still intends to play in 2012.



Counsell, who at one point had an 0-45 skid at the plate, and really brings no value to any team, will face a hard reality if no one wants him in 2012. He hit .178 with 1 homer and 7 RBIs last season.

I remember Counsell best for his tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the 2001 World Series against the Yankees, he also scored the winning run of the 1997 World Series. The 2-time World Series champion and 2001 NLCS MVP will have a tough time finding a team this winter, even in a limited bench role, although he does have the second best career fielding percentage of all second basemen in the league.

That is why he should retire or accept a coaching role in 2012. Even I, with my bias toward old athletes, do not think he should return. Knowing that he will likely not get more than a non-roster invite to spring training may convince him otherwise, but we will have to wait and see...

Counsell celebrates after the Diamondbacks go to the World Series in 2001.

Bern, Baby Bern!

Former Yankees CF Bernie Williams appears on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2012.

Williams at Old Timers' Day in 2011. He refuses to be called an "old timer."

As a longtime fan of the Yankees, and a sportswriter who is openly biased toward the Dynastic Yankees, I would love for no one to make the Hall of Fame in 2012 more than Bernie.

In 1996, Bernie was a young centerfielder on a team of rookies and young folk that defeated the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves in 6 games to capture its first World Championship since 1978. In 1996, the ALCS MVP hit .474 with 2 homers.

In 1998, Williams hit .339, capturing the AL Batting title and an AL Gold Glove in the outfield. He was the first player in history to win a gold glove, batting title, and World Series ring in the same year.

"Bern, Baby Bern!" (John Sterling)

He was an integral part of their World Series championship teams in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. In my opinion, Williams and Andruw Jones were THE best centerfielders in baseball.

At his retirement, he was second all-time in doubles, fourth in walks, fifth in hits and extra base hits, and 6th in both homers and RBIs.

His career stats (2,076 games):

2,336 hits
449 doubles
287 homers
147 stolen bases

5-time All-Star (1997-2001)
4-time World Series Champion (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000)
4-time Gold Glove winner (1997-2000)
Silver Slugger Winner (2002)
1996 ALCS MVP

The Yankees threw their longtime centerfielder out the back door after the 2006 season despite his desire to remain on the team in a reserve role.

I absolutely LOVED Bernie when he played for the Yankees, he was (and still is) one of my favorite Yankees of all-time, and I was overjoyed when he made his long-overdue Old Timers' Day debut in 2011.

His career stats, postseason play, speed, and defense, show me that he is a Hall of Fame worthy player. In 2010, when the Yankees acquired CF Curtis Granderson, they finally had a player who could be the "new" Bernie Williams, (with apologies to Melky, Damon, and Bubba Crosby, all of whom I liked).

The complete ballot includes these other newcomers:
Ruben Sierra
Bill Mueller
Tim Salmon
Vinny Castilla
Terry Mulholland
Brad Radke
Jeromy Burnitz
Brian Jordan
Eric Young
Javy Lopez
Tony Womack
Phil Nevin

Now, after reading that list, is there anyone else first-ballot worthy besides Bernie?
Exactly.

That is why I feel Bernie Williams will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.