Lost in the shuffle of the Peyton Manning signing in Denver was the retirement of Hines Ward.  The career Pittsburgh Steeler elected to retire in lieu of trying to ply his trade elsewhere.

Statistically, Ward has a solid Canton argument.  At exactly 1,000 career receptions and 12,083 yards caught, he is retiring with the 8th most and 18th most in those categories resepectively.  Granted, there are current Wide Receivers with better career numbers than Ward, but it is likely by the time he becomes eligible that those players will have gained their rightful enshrinement. 

Hines Ward also has other intangibles in his favor.  As a two time Super Bowl Champion (and MVP in one of them) and an advocate of Korean Americans and other mixed race children, it may be difficult to keep him out.

Thoughts?

As you may have heard, Andy Pettitte has returned to the New York Yankees.  The pitcher retired somewhat abrubtly, as his last season (2010) was a very good campaign that saw him go 11 and 3 with an All Star appearance, so there was reason to think he could continue.  Some have speculated that his retirement was brought on by his then impending role in the Roger Clemens trial, and as he has stated recently that he is "mentally ready to play", we have to wonder if there is some validity to that.

Regardless of his reasoning, Pettitte's return raises Hall of Fame questions for us.  We were not sure when he retired whether he was Cooperstown material or not.  Granted, he had a very impressive won/loss record of 240 and 138, but playing for some great teams certainly helped that statistic.  Quietly, he has raied himself to #48 all time, but his WHIP is average and only three times was he in the top ten in WAR (for pitchers).  We suspected, that he would have made our list but likely the bottom half.  

So we ask this....  what would Andy Pettitte have to do to make himself a lock for the Hall of Fame, or at least raise his chances?  He does not have enough juice left to get 300 wins, or 3,000 strikeouts (we don't think anyway), so that might be out.  Is it possible?  We would love to hear what you think.

As you may have heard, Andy Pettitte has returned to the New York Yankees.  The pitcher retired somewhat abrubtly, as his last season (2010) was a very good campaign that saw him go 11 and 3 with an All Star appearance, so there was reason to think he could continue.  Some have speculated that his retirement was brought on by his then impending role in the Roger Clemens trial, and as he has stated recently that he is "mentally ready to play", we have to wonder if there is some validity to that.

Regardless of his reasoning, Pettitte's return raises Hall of Fame questions for us.  We were not sure when he retired whether he was Cooperstown material or not.  Granted, he had a very impressive won/loss record of 240 and 138, but playing for some great teams certainly helped that statistic.  Quietly, he has raied himself to #48 all time, but his WHIP is average and only three times was he in the top ten in WAR (for pitchers).  We suspected, that he would have made our list but likely the bottom half.  

So we ask this....  what would Andy Pettitte have to do to make himself a lock for the Hall of Fame, or at least raise his chances?  He does not have enough juice left to get 300 wins, or 3,000 strikeouts (we don't think anyway), so that might be out.  Is it possible?  We would love to hear what you think.

Last year. four of our top ten candidates were named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Coincidently, we have four first year candidates who have taken there place; including our new number one: Joe Sakic.

We have a lot of reason to think that Sakic will get in on his first year.  In the bost basic terms, he has the career numbers, strong individual seasons and championships both Internationally and profesionally.  The career Nordique/Avalanche forward is joined other first time candidates, Brendan Shanahan (#5), Mats Sundin (#6) and Jeremy Roenick (#7) who may not be first ballot Hall of Famers; but have a strong case for enshrinement.

Curtis Joseph (#25),  Gary Roberts (#54) and Teppo Numminen (#93) are also first year additions to the list.

If you are into hockey, give it a look and cast a vote for these new entries!