My first baseball memory will always tie Hank Aaron and Dodgers’ pitcher Al Downing together.  It was April 8th, 1974 and I was 5 years old.  My bed time was 9 o’clock so I was already in my P.J.’s while watching the Braves/Dodgers game with my dad.  My mother tells me it’s time to go to bed but my dad says to let me stay up a few more minutes because Hank Aaron was on deck.  Aaron was sitting on 714 homers at the time as he was tied as the major league all-time leader in homers with Babe Ruth.  Hank Aaron then walked up to the plate at 9:07 P.M. and he cranked #715 off Dodgers’ pitcher Al Downing.  It was like time stopped as I could go to the place I was standing in my mom’s house when he hit that homer even today as it has always stuck in my mind.  Everyone knows about Hank Aaron so I decided to do some research on the pitcher that gave up the dinger, Al Downing.  Downing was a lefty starting pitcher who had a pretty long career.  He pitched in 405 games (317 starts) in his 17 years in the majors and he was 123-107 with 3 saves, a 3.22 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.  Downing was a decent pitcher but he only really had two standout years in the majors.  In 1967, Downing made the American League All-Star team with the Yankees.  He pitched in 31 games (28 starts) for the Yanks that year and he was 14-10 with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.  In 1971, Downing finished third in the Cy Young Voting in the N.L.  He pitched in 37 games (36 starts) for the Dodgers and he was 20-9 with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.  Despite being a solid major league pitcher, Downing will always be remembered as the pitcher who helped Hank Aaron make history.  In my mind, Hank Aaron is still the Home Run King…..not Barry Bonds.

24-year old QB JaMarcus Russell is out of a job and he’s facing possible jail time due to his recent bust for possession of codeine syrup.  His recent arrest makes it nearly impossible for him to get another shot at the NFL this season.  Russell has played in 31 games (25 starts) in his 3 years in the NFL and he has completed 354 of 680 passes (52.1%) for 4,083 yards with 18 TD passes and 23 INTs (52.1 QB Rating).  Russell has also carried the ball 40 times for 175 yards (4.4 ypc) in his career with 1 TD run.  The Raiders were 7-18 (28% wins) in Russell’s starts.  Russell would likely have found another team willing to give him a chance if he kept his nose clean.  That’s because he wasn’t awful in 2008 for the Raiders.  He played in 15 games (all starts) for the Raiders in 2008 and he completed 198 of 368 passes (53.8%) for 2,423 yards with 13 TD passes and 8 INTs (77.1 QB Rating).  He also carried the football 17 times for 127 yards (7.5 ypc) with 1 TD run.  I hope that Russell saved some of the cash he made playing with the Raiders because it’s looking like he will need to get a real job soon.  As bad as Russell was though he couldn’t hold a candle to Akili Smith and Ryan Leaf as far as ineptness goes.

Akili Smith was the #3 pick in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cincinatti Bengals.  He played four years for the Bengals appearing in 22 games (17 starts) in which he completed 215 of 461 passes (46.6%) for 2,212 yards with 5 TD passes and 13 INTs (52.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 70 times for 371 yards (5.3 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career in the NFL.  The Bengals were 3-14 (17.6% wins) in games started by Smith.  He was truly brutal to watch play as he had next to no talent.

Ryan Leaf was the 2nd overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.  The first pick that year you ask?  Peyton Manning.  Leaf played in 25 games (21 starts) in three years in the NFL (2 with the Chargers, 1 with the Cowboys) and he completed 317 of 655 passes (48.4%) for 3,666 yards with 14 TD passes and 36 INTs (50.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 59 times for 127 yards (2.2 ypc) in his career.  Leaf’s teams were 4-17 (19% wins) when he started under center. 

So you see, despite all of the criticism JaMarcus Russell has taken he still was much better than at least Akili Smith and Ryan Leaf!

The fans have elected rookie outfielder Jason Heyward of the Braves to start in the All-Star Game next week.  If he plays in the game he will be the 12th youngest player to appear in the mid-summer classic.  He’s currently on the D.L. with a bruised thumb but he’s going to try to convince the Braves’ front office to let him play in the game.  He has played in 71 games for the Braves this season and he is 64 of 255 (.251 avg, .821 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 11 homers, 45 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.  Here is a look at the 12 players who were younger than Heyward and what their careers turned out like:

Dwight Gooden:  Dwight Gooden burst on the scene in 1984 with the Mets.  He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1984 by starting in 31 games in which he was 17-9 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.  Drugs ruined what could have been a Hall of Fame career as no one had better stuff than Dr. K.  Gooden pitched in 430 games (410 starts) in his 16 years in the majors and he was 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.  Gooden made 4 All-Star Teams and he won 1 Cy Young Award in his career but he should have been much better than he was.

Butch Wynegar:  Catcher Butch Wynegar finished second for the Rookie of the Year Award for the Twins in 1976.  He played in 149 games for the Twins that year and he was 139 of 534 (.260 avg, .719 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 10 homers and 69 RBIs.  Wynegar played in 1,301 games in his 13 years in the majors and he was 1,102 of 4,330 (.255 avg, .695 OPS) with 498 runs scored, 65 homers, 506 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.  Wynegar made two All-Star games in his career as he was a solid player.

Jerry Walker:  Starter/Reliever Jerry Walker had his best year of his career as a rookie in 1959 for the Orioles.  That year he pitched in 30 games (22 starts) for the O’s and he was 11-10 with 4 saves, a 2.92 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  It was the only All-Star game he pitched in.  Walker pitched in 190 games (90 starts) in his 8 years in the majors and he was 37-44 with 13 saves, a 4.36 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

Al Kaline:  Tigers’ outfielder Al Kaline made the All-Star team for the first time in the second year in the majors (1955).  In 1955, Kaline played in 152 games in which he was 200 of 588 (.340 avg, .967 OPS) with 121 runs scored, 27 homers, 102 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.  In Kaline’s 22 years in the majors (all with the Tigers), he played in 2,834 games in which he was 3,007 of 10,116 (.297 avg, .855 OPS) with 1,622 runs scored, 399 homers, 1,583 RBIs and 137 stolen bases.  Kaline was an All-Star 15 times in his career and he also won 10 Gold Gloves.  He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Johnny Bench:  Johnny Bench made his first All-Star team in 1968 and he was also the Rookie of the Year in the N.L. that year.  Bench played in 154 games for the Reds in 1968 and he was 155 of 564 (.275 avg, .743 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 15 homers and 82 RBIs.  He played in 2,158 games in his 17 years with the Reds and he was 2,048 of 7,658 (.267 avg, .817 OPS) with 1,091 runs scored, 389 homers, 1,376 RBIs and 68 stolen bases.  Bench played in 14 All-Star Games, won 2 N.L. MVP Awards and he won 10 Gold Gloves for the Reds.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Ivan Rodriguez:  Ivan Rodriguez made the All-Star Team in his second year with the Rangers.  That year he played in 123 games for the Rangers in which he was 109 of 420 (.260 avg, .659 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 8 homers and 37 RBIs.  Rodriguez has now played in 2,444 games in his major league career (20 years) and he is 2,772 of 9,270 (.299 avg, .805 OPS) with 1,326 runs scored, 306 homers, 1,290 RBIs and 127 stolen bases.  Rodriguez has played in 14 All-Star Games, he has won 13 Gold Gloves and 7 Silver Slugger Awards.  Rodriguez was the MVP of the A.L. in 1999.  He is still hanging on likely trying to get to 3,000 hits in his career.  To me he is a very likely player to make the Hall of Fame despite whispers about steroids.

Ken Griffey Jr.:  Ken Griffey Jr. made his first All-Star Game in his second year in the majors.  He played in 155 games in 1990 in which he was 179 of 597 (.300 avg, .847 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 22 homers, 80 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.  Griffey Jr. has played in 2,671 games in his 22 years in the majors and he was 2,781 of 9,801 (.284 avg, .907 OPS) with 1,662 runs scored, 630 homers, 1,836 RBIs and 184 stolen bases.  Griffey Jr. made 13 All-Star Teams, he won 7 Silver Slugger Awards and he won 1 A.L. MVP Award.  Griffey Jr. will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes elgible.

Bob Feller:  Bob Feller made his first All-Star Game in 1939 in his fourth year with the Cleveland Indians.  He pitched in 39 games (35 starts) for the Indians in 1939 and he was 24-9 with 1 save, a 2.85 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.  He pitched 18 season for the Indians appearing in 570 games (484 starts) in which he was 266-162, with 21 saves, a 3.25 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.  Feller was a 8-time All-Star and he missed time in his career to serve in World War II.  Feller was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962.

Fernando Valenzuela:  “FernandoMania” took it’s hold of Los Angeles when Valenzuela burst onto the scene in 1981 for the Dodgers.  Valenzuela started 25 games for the Dodgers in 1981 and he was 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP as he won the Rookie of the Year Award in the N.L. and the Cy Young Award!  Valenzuela pitched 17 years in the majors working in 453 games (424 starts) in which he was 173-153 with 2 saves, a 3.54 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.  Valenzuela was a All-Star 6 times, he won a Gold Glove and 2 Silver Slugger Awards as he came up to the plate hacking.

Frank Robinson:  Outfielder Frank Robinson burst onto the scene in 1956 for the Cincinnati Reds.  He played in 152 games for the Reds in 1956 and he was 166 of 572 (.290 avg, .936 OPS) with 122 runs scored, 38 homers, 83 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.  Robinson played in 2,808 games in his major league career (21 years) in which he was 2,943 of 10,006 (.294 avg, .926 OPS) with 1,829 runs scored, 586 homers, 1,812 RBIs and 204 stolen bases.  Robinson was an All-Star 12 times, he was a MVP twice and he won 1 Gold Glove.  Robinson was inducted as a player to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1982.

Claudell Washington:  Outfielder Claudell Washington made his only All-Star Game in his second year in the majors with the A’s.  He played in 148 games for the A’s that year and he was 182 of 590 (.308 avg, .769 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 10 homers, 77 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.  He played in 1,912 games in his 17 years in the majors and he was 1,884 of 6,787 (.278 avg, .745 OPS) with 926 runs scored, 164 homers, 824 RBIs and 312 stolen bases.

Lefty swinging 1B/OF Sam Crawford has a record that will likely never be broken and it has stood since 1917.  Crawford is the all-time leader in triples in major league history with a stunning 309!  Crawford played 19 years in the major leagues (1899-1917) in which he played in 2,517 games.  In those games, Crawford was 2,961 of 9,570 (.309 avg, .814 OPS) with 1,391 runs scored, 97 homers, 1,525 RBIs and 367 stolen bases.  Despite those numbers Crawford still had to wait until 1957 to get into Baseball’s Hall of Fame by way of the Veteran’s Committee.  Crawford never won an MVP Award but he finished 2nd in 1914.  In 1914, Crawford played in 157 games in which he was 183 of 582 (.314 avg, .871 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 26 triples, 8 homers, 104 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.  Carl Crawford is the active major league leader in triples and he has 98.  I just don’t see him playing long enough to come anywhere near Sam Crawford whose record of 309 might never be broken.

19-year old point guard John Wall looks like he will be the top overall pick of the NBA Draft tomorrow night.  He played in 37 games at Kentucky last season and he averaged 34.8 minutes, 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.  14 of the last 15 first overall NBA Draft picks played in the NBA last season which is pretty amazing.  Most of them were solid picks and here is a look back and the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

THE GOOD:

In 2008 the Bulls selected Derrick Rose and he has been their best player ever since.  He has played in 159 games (158 starts) in his first two years with the Bulls and he is averaging 36.9 minutes, 18.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.  Rose improved big time from his first to second season so the sky is the limit with him.  In 2005 the Bucks picked Andrew Bogut who has been their starting center ever since.  He has played in 331 games (323 starts) in his five years with the Bucks and he is averaging 32.3 minutes, 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game.  Bogut’s only problems on the court have been injury related as he is one of the better centers in the NBA right now.  In 2004 the Orlando Magic picked Dwight Howard with the first overall pick.  He has been a beast for them ever since and he’s just getting started.  Howard has played in 489 games (488 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 35.7 minutes, 17.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game.  The scary thing about Howard is that he is still improving.  In 2003 the Cleveland Cavaliers selected small forward LeBron James with the first overall pick and the rest is history.  He has played in 548 games (547 starts) in his seven years with the Cavs and he is averaging 40.3 minutes, 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game.  I believe that LeBron James will get a ring soon whether it’s in Cleveland or somewhere else.  In 2002 the Houston Rockets picked 7′6″ center Yao Ming and he has been incredible when healthy.  I once saw him dunk without jumping!  Yao has played in 481 games (471 starts) in his career with the Rockets (8 years) in which he is averaging 32.7 minutes, 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game.  Yao missed all of last season with a foot problem as injuries are the only thing that has stopped the big man.  In 1999 the Chicago Bulls picked power forward Elton Brand #1 overall and he has been a solid player in the NBA.  He has played in 716 games (689 starts) in his 11 years in the league and he is averaging 37.2 minutes, 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game.  In 1997 the San Antonio Spurs picked C/PF Tim Duncan and the rest is history as they have won 4 NBA Championships with him already.  Duncan has played in 977 games (975 starts) in his 13 years with the Spurs in which he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 21.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game.  Finally in 1996 the 76ers picked Allen “Me, Myself and….” Iverson.  Iverson has played 14 years in the NBA and he has played in 914 games (901 starts) in which he has averaged 41.1 minutes, 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.  And Allen Iverson didn’t need much practice to be as good as he is…..just ask him.

THE BAD:  In 2006 the Raptors picked center Andrea Bargnani who isn’t a bad player but he wasn’t worth taking #1 overall.  Bargnani has played in 301 games (194 starts) in his 4 years in the NBA and he is averaging 29.0 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game.  In his defense he is improving as a player.  In 2000 the Nets picked PF Kenyon Martin.  Martin has had a nice career but he isn’t in the league of the players ranked in the good category.  He has played in 606 games (593 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 32.7 minutes, 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  In 1995 the Warriors picked PF Joe Smith who played for the Atlanta Hawks last year.  He has played 15 years in the NBA in which he has appeared in 1,014 games (616 starts) and he is averaging 26.6 minutes, 11.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

THE UGLY:

I’m being a little rough on Blake Griffin here as he could easily be in one of the two above mentioned classes in the near future.  But the fact remains that the Clippers picked him #1 overall and he didn’t get into any games because of a fractured kneecap.  In 2007 the Portland Trailblazers picked center Greg Oden instead of Kevin Durant!  Oden has played in 82 games (60 starts) in his three years with the Blazers and he is averaging 22.1 minutes, 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game.  Oden, like Griffin, could move up in class if he can just stay healthy.  In 2001 the Wizards picked center Kwame Brown and here lies the biggest bust in the last 15 years.  He has played 9 years in the NBA so far appearing in 510 games (217 starts) in which he is averaging 22.0 minutes, 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  In 1998 the Clippers picked center Michael Olowokandi who is the lone player on this list who didn’t play in the NBA last season.  He played 9 years in the NBA appearing in 500 games (393 starts) in which he averaged 26.3 minutes, 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game.