MLB Hometown Heroes DHL

[nycsports]

Not game used, but I took a look at the ballots, and they definately left out many players. Here are some players I think should be on their teams ballots that were not: What do you think?

Angels: Nolan Ryan (instead of Jim Abbott)
Giants: Christy Mathewson (instead of Juan Marichal)
A's: Eddie Plank and Grover Cleveland Alexander (instead of Eckersley and Hunter)
Mariners: Randy Johnson (instead of Jamie Moyer)
Braves: Eddie Mathews and Greg Maddux (instead of Smoltz and Chipper Jones)
Diamondbacks: Curt Schilling (instead of Todd Stottlmyre)
Mets: Doc Gooden (instead of Tug McGraw)
Pirates: Pie Traynor (instead of Bill Mazeroski. Maz should be no where near the Hall of Fame)
REd Sox: Jimmie Foxx (instead of Jim Rice)

[suave1477]

I think you missed the point of this ballot and you mentioned Maz should be no where near the Hall of Fame.

This has nothing to do with Hall of Fame induction or possibility this is just a nolvelty selection of players.

Here is the criteria of how they picked there players, which they didn't exactly just choose based on skill.
MLB/DHL Criteria:
Nominees selected to appear on the ballot were chosen for their contributions to their franchise's history using the Hometown Heroes selection criteria of on-field performance, leadership quality and character value.

I am not saying your not correct with who you chose, I am just saying with who you did choose was if it was based on skill/talent was not nessecarilly the reason why that players that are picked were chosen.

As I am not familiar with what Nolan Ryan did exceptional outside of playing for the Angels, maybe you can enligthen us?

[nycsports]

He did go into the Hall of Fame as a Ranger....

[mr.miracle]

10/01/2006 9:40 PM ET
Fans select teams' Hometown Heroes
DHL program unveils favorites for each MLB franchise
By Mark Newman / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/news/ticketinfo_98x33.gif (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/tickets/index.jsp)
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2006/09/26/hQPmWfeL.jpg

Hank Aaron was the top vote-getter among all nominees in Hometown Heroes voting. (Louis Requena/ MLB Photos via Getty Images)



var email_date = '10/01/2006 9:40 PM ET';var email_headline = 'Fans select teams\' Hometown Heroes';var email_byline = 'By Mark Newman / MLB.com';var email_team = 'mlb';var email_url = '/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694664&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb';var email_blurb = 'After nearly 17 million votes were cast by fans this summer to help settle the arguments once and for all, it is finally time to announce the Hometown Heroes -- the all-time greatest player for every existing Major League Baseball franchise.';
Nolan Ryan became the only two-team representative, Jackie Robinson edged out Sandy Koufax as the Dodgers' choice, and Junior Griffey beat out Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle as the final 10 names were announced on ESPN Sunday night in the "DHL Presents Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes" program.
Fans cast nearly 17 million votes throughout much of the summer to decide one player from the past or present for each of the active clubs whose combination of on-field contributions, character and leadership make him stand out from the rest. It was the first such widespread attempt of its kind, with five spectacular nominees on each club's ballot, and now the fans have spoken and seen their results.
The selections were unveiled 10 players at a time over the course of three episodes hosted by Karl Ravech this past week on ESPN, with segments from MLB Productions that featured spine-tingling footage and moving interviews. Here were the 10 players who were selected in the final show:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694347&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari)
Ten-time All-Star; four-time NL Cy Young Award winner; No. 2 in K's among lefties.
Boston Red Sox: Ted Williams (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1693792&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos)
The Splendid Splinter. Frequently called the greatest hitter ever.
Colorado Rockies: Larry Walker (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694293&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col)
Five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner.
Houston Astros: Nolan Ryan (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694317&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)
All-time strikeout leader (5,714), seven no-hitters.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Rod Carew (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694176&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana)
An 18-time All-Star (1967-84) who also was on the Twins' ballot.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Jackie Robinson (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694489&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la)
Broke MLB's color barrier in 1947, Hall of Famer and six-time All-Star.
Minnesota Twins: Kirby Puckett (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694477&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min)
Ten-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, two-time World Series champ.
San Diego Padres: Tony Gwynn (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694450&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd)
Eight-time NL batting champ, 15-time All-Star.
San Francisco Giants: Willie Mays (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1694319&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)
The "Say Hey Kid" hit 660 homers and was a 20-time All-Star.
Seattle Mariners: Ken Griffey Jr. (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061001&content_id=1693717&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea)
12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner.
Voting was conducted from July 18 through Sept. 17, with the final stretch of voting in September conducted exclusively at MLB.com. Fans also voted this summer at all MLB ballparks, via mobile texting, at DHL.com and at any of the 1,600 participating DHL Authorized Shipping Centers around the country.
"DHL is a valued and creative partner of MLB and our shared commitment to excellence is reflected in the overwhelming fan response to the Hometown Heroes program," said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball. "Thanks to the support of DHL, fans everywhere were given the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of some of baseball's greatest players and the rich history that belongs to each Major League franchise."
"This program would not have happened without baseball's great fans, and, on behalf of DHL and its employees, I want to thank them for participating," said Karen Jones, Vice President of Advertising, Brand and Promotions for DHL. "The nearly 17 million votes received further demonstrates the passion they have for the game."
That passion was demonstrated far and wide across the land, and even now that all 30 names have been revealed, the debate will go on and on as long as baseball is played. Here were the other 20 Hometown Heroes revealed in the first two episodes:
PART I
Atlanta Braves: Hank Aaron (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683360&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)
Hall of Famer; baseball's all-time home run leader with 755.
Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr. (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683497&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal)
All-time leader for consecutive games played with 2,632.
Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1684814&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws)
Two-time AL Most Valuable Player (1993-94); now leading Oakland.
Florida Marlins: Dontrelle Willis (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683267&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla)
Two-time All-Star (2003, 2005); NL Rookie of the Year (2003).
New York Yankees: Babe Ruth (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683309&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)
Hall of Famer; 714 homers; seven-time World Series champion; the legend.
Oakland Athletics: Reggie Jackson (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683562&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak)
Hall of Famer; 14-time All-Star (1969, 1971-75, 1977-84).
Philadelphia Phillies: Mike Schmidt (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683557&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi)
Hall of Famer; three-time NL Most Valuable Player (1980, '81, '86).
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Wade Boggs (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683323&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb)
Hall of Famer; led AL in batting average (1985-88); 3,000th hit as a Ray.
Toronto Blue Jays: Joe Carter (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683390&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor)
Five-time All-Star (1991-94, '96); walk-off homer won 1993 World Series.
Washington Nationals: Gary Carter (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060926&content_id=1683642&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was)
Hall of Fame catcher; 11-time All-Star; led Montreal before club moved to DC.
PART II:
Chicago Cubs: Ernie Banks (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1685896&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc)
Hall of Famer; 11-time All-Star (1955-62, '65, '67, '69). Mr. Cub.
Cincinnati Reds: Pete Rose (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1685863&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin)
Seventeen-time All-Star (1965, '67-71, '73-82, '85); all-time hit king (4,256).
Cleveland Indians: Bob Feller (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1685906&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle)
Hall of Famer; eight-time All-Star (1938-41, '46-48, '50).
Detroit Tigers: Ty Cobb (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1685988&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det)
Hall of Famer; record holder for highest career batting average (.367).
Kansas City Royals: George Brett (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686268&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc)
Hall of Famer; three-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1980, '85, '88).
Milwaukee Brewers: Robin Yount (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686066&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil)
Hall of Famer; won AL MVP at two different positions -- shortstop (1982) and outfield ('89).
New York Mets: Tom Seaver (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686019&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym)
Hall of Famer; three-time Cy Young Award winner (1969, '73, '75).
Pittsburgh Pirates: Roberto Clemente (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686007&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit)
Hall of Famer; 12-time consecutive Gold Glove Award winner (1961-72).
St. Louis Cardinals: Stan Musial (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686051&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl)
Hall of Famer was 20-time All-Star (1943, '44, 1946-63). Simply "The Man." Texas Rangers: Nolan Ryan (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686153&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex)
Hall of Famer; all-time leader with seven no-hitters and 5,714 strikeouts. "Over the course of baseball's history, certain players have become synonymous with the cities and franchises they have represented," Commissioner Bud Selig said in kicking off the balloting program back in July. "Through this program, and thanks to the support of DHL, we will celebrate the contributions of some of baseball's greatest players and the rich history that belongs to each Major League franchise. ... This kind of spirited debate is so closely associated with the history of the national pastime



Any surprises here? Not saying they did not deserve to make it but I was a little shocked about the following.

Pirates - Clemente over Honus Wagner, probably due to the fact that not too many 125 year old people are around to vote for the Flying Dutchman.

Astros - Ryan wins for Astros and Rangers, two guys named Biggio and Bagwell might have each been better choices but nothing wrong with the games all time strikeout leader.

Dodgers - Robinson over Koufax again not too much of a shocker could have gone either way.

Twins - Puckett over Harmon Killebrew I would have gone with Killebrew but again given the recent events with Puckett's untimely passing might have influenced voting.

Brewers - Tough choice between Yount and Molitor but since Robin played his entire career in Milwaukee probably the right choice as well as being an all star at two positions.

Anybody else have any surprises?

[sylbry]

Killebrew over Puckett? Not even close. Killer was a great player but Kirby is a Minnesota icon. He could possibly the most popular person ever to be associated with the state of MN.

[mr.miracle]

Killebrew over Puckett? Not even close. Killer was a great player but Kirby is a Minnesota icon. He could possibly the most popular person ever to be associated with the state of MN.


I guess I was looking at that one from more of a stat perspective which certainly does not tell the whole story. From a power production standpoint it is certainly not close as Killebrew outhomered Kirby by over 300 homers and had 500 more RBI's not to mention Killebrew had a higher OBP and slugging percentage albeit in 10 total more seasons that Kirby. I guess the 91 World Series will forever cement that arguement in favor of Kirby. That will go down as one of the best world series in history and Kirby's heroics will probably not be forgotten as long as that series continues to make highlight reels so will Kirby's play.

Kirby of course would have been a lock for 3000 career hits had he not had the devastating effects of Glaucoma end his career too early. I obviously did not look at that whole story.

[sylbry]

I agree with you. Statistically Killebrew was the better player but Kirby was by far the fan favorite. I mean 20,000 to 25,000 people attended his service at the metrodome on the eve of a massive snowstorm. If that doesn't speak volumes for how much he was loved by the people of MN nothing will.