Known for his versatility, playing at Second, Short, and in the Outfield, Ben Zobrist played the bulk of his career with Tampa, a team he was twice an All-Star and had three 20-Home Run seasons with.
In terms of advanced metrics, Zobrist led the American League in bWAR on the strength of his .405 OBP and elite defensive year, though it did not get him the Gold Glove he deserved. Zobrist was eighth in MVP voting that year, his highest finish, but had similar overall numbers in the next few seasons.
Zobrist would later play for Oakland, Kansas City, and the Chicago Cubs, and though he will always be best known for his time in Tampa, he is a back-to-back World Series Champion with the Royals in 2015, and Cubs in 2016, the latter where he was the World Series MVP.
Adam Jones began his career in Seattle, but after two years, he was traded to the Orioles, where he had the best part of his career.
An Oriole from 2008 to 2018, Jones was an All-Star in 2009, and then four years straight beginning in 2012. The Centerfielder had good power numbers, belting at least 20 Home Runs seven times, with his best year coming in 2013 with 33 taters and 108 RBIs. Jones not only had power, but he was also excellent defensively, winning four Gold Gloves.
Finishing his career in 2019 with Arizona, Jones retired with 1,939 Hits and 282 Home Runs.
This was a little surprising.
One of the top Catchers of the last decade, Buster Posey, is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow.
A former fifth overall pick, Posey debited in 2009 and was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2010 and helped lead the Giants to a World Series win. Two years later, he won the MVP, and again took San Francisco to a World Series title. A seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, Posey won a third World Series ring in 2014.
After opting out of 2020, he had a comeback year in 2021, leading fans to feel that there was plenty left in Posey’s tank, making this retirement an unexpected one.
Posey will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2027, and with a career bWAR of 44.9, he is lower than the average HOF Catcher, but he does have the MVP and multiple World Series Rings. He is also retiring on his own terms, and probably could have compiled the advanced metrics, as well as traditional stats that would make him a likely Hall of Famer, but as of now, he feels like an on-the-fence candidate. He also retires with a lifetime Batting Average of .302 with 1,500 Hits and 158 Home Runs.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Buster Posey the best in his post-playing career.
Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives. As such, it is news to us that the Nashville Predators have announced that former Goalie, Pekka Rinne, will have his number 35 retired, making him the first former Predator to earn this honor.
The ceremony will take place on February 24, 2022, during their home game against the Dallas Stars.
From Finland, Rinne played his entire NHL career with Nashville, where he is the all-time franchise leader in Wins (369), Goals Against Average (2.43), Shutouts (60). In 2017, Rinne led the Predators to what is to date their only Stanley Cup Finals. He won the Vezina the following year, and he was a four-time All-Star. Rinne, who is also a two-time post-season All-Star won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in his final season.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Pekka Rinne for his impending honor.