If you assume that Alex Rodriguez will break Barry Bonds’ homerun record, which he has until 2017 to do with his most recent contract, A-Rod will need to hit just 133 homeruns over the next six seasons. JUST 133 homers is a big deal when you think about a 36-year-old who has had hip injuries and some steroid “issues” that have come about. Is he the greatest hitter of this generation? What is it that makes a player great? Production? Below are the greatest players of the current generation (have played in the last five seasons), showing their overall and average yearly production (162-games) and similar players that are members of Cooperstown.
* Albert Pujols – 11 seasons
CAREER:
1,291 R, 2,073 H, 455 2B, 15 3B, 445 HR, 1,329 RBI, 84 SB, 704/975 K/BB, .328/.420/.617
162-game AVG:
123 R, 197 H, 43 2B, 1 3B, 42 HR, 126 RBI, 8 SB, 67/93 K/BB
Hall Comparisons: Johnny Mize, Joe DiMaggio, and Duke Snider;
* Alex Rodriguez – 18 seasons
CAREER:
1,824 R, 2,775 H, 495 2B, 29 3B, 629 HR, 1,893 RBI, 305 SB, 1,911/1,166 K/BB, .302/.386/.567
162-game AVG:
123 R, 187 H, 33 2B, 2 3B, 42 HR, 128 RBI, 21 SB, 129/79 K/BB
Hall Comparisons: Mel Ott, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays, and Jimmie Foxx;
* Manny Ramirez – 19 seasons
CAREER:
1,544 R, 2,574 H, 547 2B, 20 3B, 555 HR, 1,831 RBI, 38 SB, 1,813/1,329 K/BB, .312/.411/.585
162-game AVG:
109 R, 181 H, 38 2B, 1 3B, 39 HR, 129 RBI, 3 SB, 128/94 K/BB
Hall Comparisons: Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson;
* Miguel Cabrera – 9 seasons
CAREER:
852 R, 1,597 H, 346 2B, 13 3B, 277 HR, 984 RBI, 29 SB, 1,009/643 K/BB, .317/.395/.555
162-game AVG:
102 R, 191 H, 41 2B, 2 3B, 33 HR, 118 RBI, 3 SB, 121/77 K/BB
Hall Comparisons: Hack Wilson
The best right handed hitter of this generation lies within the above four players. While legacies of Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez have been tainted due to their involvement in steroids, baseball remains a game of statistics and theirs are better than others. Rodriguez’s numbers have also been tainted by injuries, as he has played in an average of just 124 games since the 2008 season. Pujols (31) and Cabrera (28) have plenty of time remaining to continue adding to their careers, but they also could fall short due to injury or personal issues (Cabrera’s previous battles with alcoholism are well documented). Regardless, put who you think the best hitter of this generation is in a comment. I’d love to see who others feel rank at #1. I would go with Pujols based on the longevity of his production without any negative character flaws (besides playing for the Cardinals, but he didn’t have a choice in that). Beyond that, all four of these guys would be a fine choice. Let me know if I left someone out, as well!
The Baseball Haven 
Grady Sizemore because he has a hot face and a tight ass haha… did I mention I love you?
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Grady Sizemore would have been on this list if he was 2005-2008 Grady instead of the Grady that has played in just 172 of a possible 486 team games since the start of 2009 (35%). His first four seasons were equivolent to Duke Snider and Barry Bonds at the same age, both Hall of Famers (well, one sure HoF and one who may not ever be but should be). He may still have a tight ass but he sure sits on it an awful lot. The Indians need him healthy (if they pick up his option) and he needs to get back on track. At 29, he still has time to become relevant again, but he won’t be in the Hall due to the length of his inability to stay on the field.
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Seriously Meg?? You compromise the validity of this blog by posting such rubbish!!
Pujols has been on HGH for quite some time, they’re all juicers.
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So if they don’t have a test for HGH, is it cheating that he is on it?
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Whether or not the players have used steroids or HGH, have tight asses or hot faces, if ARod or Mannywood make it to the HOF then the Hall will have to take a long look at Bonds, McGwire and Sosa. Sosa is iffy, but Bonds was a fantastic player when he looked like the human stickman and McGwire started out at a hot pace his rookie season (49 dingers) and, for the most part, kept it rollin’. I don’t care if they put an asterisk next to their name, but they’re going to have to be fair to all of them if fair to one of them, capiche? (I kinda confused myself on that last comment, but whatever)
Additionally, if they are going to let the “Cheaters” in to the Hall, they should probably let the “Liars” (Rose and Clemens) in, too. I hate the Rocket with all my heart (I’m from Boston), but the man did some amazing things in his career that took a lot more than steroids to accomplish. And I don’t need to say anything about Charlie Hustle that isn’t already known. He SHOULD be in.
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There was no testing for steroids yet Bonds is considered a cheater!
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