Stop Being a Prude Baseball. Let Them In.

As ugly as some of the past is for baseball, it is time to embrace it. Hall of Fame voters face the fact that some of your players used performance-enhancing drugs while they played your sacred game. Yes, they used steroids and baseball records fell, new ones were set -- along with TV ratings.

Clemens was brought to tears after being found innocent.

During the steroid era, baseball was watched throughout the nation more than ever before. Now "America's Pastime" is a clear third behind football and basketball, with no change on the horizon.

A few fixes could help quickly: using instant replay, quicken the pace of play and shorten your season.

Your plodding game worked in a slower world, and the nation was forced to watch baseball through box scores on the second page of the newspaper.

Embrace instant replay for close calls on the field but not for balls and strikes. We have the technology to make the right calls, so use it. Questionable calls can be reviewed quickly and efficiently. Ask the NFL or college football with any further questions regarding this matter.

As for the pace of play, enforce a pitch clock. Not only will pitchers be forced to make throws more quickly, batters would have to discontinue stepping out of the batter's box and performing stupid rituals every time before a new offer is made from the pitcher, thus quickening up the game.

Shorten your season. Your regular season is too long. There is too little emphasis placed on the postseason, when the game really matters. You have made improvements by adding another semi-series to the playoffs. However, instead of having your season end in October, finish in September. You would not have to fight against the NFL or college football for TV ratings. You have no chance of beating those behemoths in TV ratings with your current set-up. With football in the beginning of its season and meaningful match-ups not coming until later, more coverage would be placed on your World Series.

Now that I have successfully solved your most pertinent problems baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig, let's get to why I even started writing in the first place: your current stance on the steroid superstars, in particular Roger Clemens.

Clemens after striking out 20 batters in 1986

Do we know that Clemens took performance-enhancing drugs? A jury of his own peers said no, but America's suspicions have not been dampened much about the 1986 American League Most Valuable Player's steroid use.

What we do know is that the seven-time Cy Young winner had  four "down" seasons in Boston of a 4-plus ERA. Then moved to Toronto and went on to strike out a career-high 292 batters in his 13th season. He won four more Cy Young Awards and  posted a 1.87 ERA at the age of 42 for the Houston Astros after a five year stint for the Yankees.

Do it really matter? The numbers are not in Clemens' favor, but in his defense he was trying to fend off batters who hit the ball out of the park at the highest rate ever.


Superstars, such as Clemens, helped the bring the game back to prominence; since its end, the game has suffered. Should children look up to these players and their methods of cheating as a model to success? No, but in all honesty children should not look to many athletes as role models for life off of the field.

Bonds' enlargement of his muscles and head are not
natural, but his skills in the batter's box is undeniable. 

The players followed the rules that were set.

Baseball and Hall of Fame voters (former players and writers) benefited from the damage these players did to their bodies and now it is time to face your negligence.

Even former players, such as Reggie Jackson and Johnny Bench, are calling for Clemens and the -- as hard as it is for me to say this -- home run king Barry Bonds to be let into Cooperstown because they have been proven innocent in the court of law. Jackson told USA Today, "If you can beat Congress and federal judges buddy, you must have had a pretty strong case."

Players like Bonds hit as well as anyone in the game. Clemens was the best pitcher of my lifetime.

Get over yourself baseball. Let them in.

All-Time Atlanta Braves Team: Pitchers

The Atlanta Braves are not known for their potent hitters, but pitching is one thing the Braves have never lacked. I did not include any current Braves, though current set-up man Johnny Venters and closer Craig Kimbrel look to be on their way to earning a spot on this roster.

Starters
Warren Spahn- One of three pitchers that have had their number retired by the Braves franchise. Spahn had eight 20-win seasons (363 total wins), a 3.09 lifetime ERA, and more than 2,583 career strikeouts. He won one Cy Young award, along with being selected to 17 All-Star teams. Spahn was a first ballot hall-of-famer and named to MLB's All-Century Team. He was the starting pitcher in what experts call the greatest game ever pitched, in which he pitched 15 scoreless innings, in one game!

Greg Maddux- The "Mad Dog" was known for his control of the ball, being able to paint corners and put the ball where he wanted it and where batters could not get to it. Maddux also has his number retired by the Braves, had a few less wins (355), but almost 1,000 more strikeout than Spahn (3,371). He was also the anchor to the pitching staff that lead Atlanta to their 14 straight division titles.

Kid Nichols- If you were around and saw this guy pitch, how are you still here? I know I am going old school with this pick, but I have not shown much love to the older Braves and this guy is more than deserving. No one wins like the Kid did. Nichols. He's the youngest pitcher to win 300 games. He had 10 consecutive 20-win season and seven 30-win seasons. His 361 are seventh all-time and he pitched the 11th most innings.

Tom Glavine- Glavine's 164 wins during the 1990s were only second behind Greg Maddux's 165. Glavine is a five-time 20-game winner and has two Cy Young awards. He is also one of six left-handed pitchers to win 300 games. The 10-time All-Star was the 1995 World Series MVP and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, which goes to the best hitter at their position. His No. 47 is retired, but the one thing wrong with Glavine? He was did play for the New York Mets for five years.

Phil Nierko- Every good staff needs a knuckleballer so here is mine, "Knucksie." The winningest knuckleball pitcher of all time is yet another starter who has his number retired for good reason. he went to 5 All-Star games and won 5 Gold Gloves. Nierko stuck with the Braves when it was tough to be a fan, much less a player and he gets extra points for doing so. His signature pitch led to 3,342 strikeout ending at bats and eventually led him to the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Middle Relievers
Mike Remlinger- Every bullpen needs a left handed guy to be able to come in and take care of tough left-handed pitchers. The southpaw was a one-time All-Star and as solid as they come out of the bullpen for the Braves. Though stats are tough to find to back up any middle reliever over another, Remlinger is someone that was consistent out-getter during his time with the Braves

Don McMahon- He was an important part during the Milwaukee Braves 1957 World Series championship team with a 1.57 ERA and 32 saves. He was 27 by the time he made it out of the minor leagues, but stayed in the majors for 18 years once he got to the big leagues. When he retired only three other players had pitched more innings than McMahon.

Chris Hammond- Again, it is hard to find stats that will blow you away when you are talking middle relievers. Heck, its sometimes hard to even remember any middle relievers. I did some research and it is a stretch to include him because of his one season with the Braves, but Hammond posted a 0.95 ERA, only the fourth pitcher in history to have a sub-1.00 ERA. He also pitched nearly 30 consecutive scoreless innings that same season.

Set-up: Mark Wohlers- Wohlers was the first player I saw take the radar gun over 100 MPH. He also was the closer in the Game 6 1-0 victory for the 1995 Braves World Series team. His success in Atlanta was not long lived but because of his importance to winning Atlanta's only championship Wohlers gets a spot on my squad.

Closer: John Smoltz- Known maybe more for his starting role in the Braves 1990s teams, he was a dominating closer. I want him on the team and if he is here I might could go to a 6-man rotation. Smoltzy won a Cy Young, Relief Pitcher of the Year, NLCS MVP, was elected to 8 All-Star games, and threw more than 3,000 strikeouts. Smoltz started as a starting pitcher, but after Tommy John surgery he was moved to the pen to help in rehab. His first year he set the record for most saves in a season (55). The following season he only had 45 saves but held a 1.12 ERA. He and Dennis Eckersley are the only two pitchers with a 20-win and 50-save seasons. Smoltz is the only pitcher ever with 200 wins and 150 saves.

All-Time Atlanta Braves Team: Position Players

The sports editor at The Gainesville Times is doing a "State of the Franchise" piece each week, which looks at the Atlanta Braves current roster and players in the minors and giving each position a grade. This got me thinking, as long as the Braves have been around, who are the greatest to wear the the red and blue? Here is my starting lineup. The pitching staff will be up within the next week.

Catcher- The Braves currently have what will be the best catcher in franchise history. Let us not forget Javy Lopez and Joe Torre were Braves catchers too, but when Brian McCann hangs up his cleats his numbers will match up against some of the best all time. The local Georgia kid just received his first starting spot in the All-Star game but has been 5 times previously, including a walk-off hit for the NL in 2010. Keep watching him. He is the biggest offensive threat on the Braves current roster and at this pace is a shoo-in hall of famer.

1st Base- Not a whole lot of history for the Braves at first base. The sentimental favorite may be Andres Galarraga, who won MLB Comeback Player of the Year after his successful return to baseball after cancer treatments. But before "The Big Cat" there was the "Crime Dog," Fred McGriff. McGriff was a staple on the Braves teams that won division title after division title. He ranks 26th all-time in HRs and has more than 1,500 RBIs.

2nd Base- His numbers may not be the strongest out of all the candidates for this team, but Mark Lemke was there time and time again during the string of division titles. Marcus Giles was the most powerful 2B in Braves history, but "The Lemmer" is a lifetime Brave and played in 4 World Series for the the Braves which means he was bring something in the clubhouse. He now works with the Braves Radio Network, which gives him extra points.

3rd Base- Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones will go down as the second greatest switch hitter, behind Mickey Mantle, when he retires. Another lifetime Brave, was the first overall pick in the 1993 draft and has not disappointed. The 1999 NL MVP and 7 time all-star has an above .300 lifetime batting average, 2,500 hits and 1,500 RBIs. The late Eddie Matthews was hard to pick against with almost 550 HRs and time spent as Braves manager.

Shortstop- Traditionally, SS is not a power hitting position and this lineup will be no different. Rafael Furcal played 6 years in Atlanta before going to the Dodgers. The 2000 rookie of the year was a contact hitter and one of my favorite players to watch when he played with the Braves. He also could change the game with his speed, averaging 31 stolen bases in Atlanta including two seasons of more than 40.

The choices get much harder when we get to the OF...
Outfield- No question here who is number one. Any all-time team for the Braves has to include one player under any circumstances. The Henry "Hank" Aaron. The all-time home run champ, I remember Barry Bonds and am not quite ready to see the title out of Atlanta. The 25-time all-star (yes, 25) has 3,700 hits and holds MLB records for RBIs, total bases, extra base hits, and 17 consecutive seasons with more than 150 hits. His statistics are truly amazing and he is one of the greatest to ever play. He still active in the Atlanta community and involved in the organization.

Outfield- The best player to not be in the hall of fame comes next, Dale Murphy. Murphy has his #3 retired by the Braves for his contributions, 398 HRs and 1,266 RBIs. The 7-time all-star won two NL MVPs, 5 Gold Gloves and 4 Silver Slugger Awards. It is hard to believe a player of his caliber is not in the HOF yet, but he did make it to my All-Time Atlanta Braves Team, as he should for anyone doing a similar list.

Outfield- I watched my last outfielder bat last night for the Yankees and I was sad to see how much he has fallen since he has left the Dirty South, but during his prime he was one of the greatest power hitters in the game, Andruw Jones. He was also the greatest defensive OF over a 11 year career and won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves while in Atlanta. Jones also homered in his first two at bats in the 1996 World Series. Becoming the youngest player ever to homer in the World Series. (I also have his rookie card so I want his legend status to be HUGE.)

I would take my Braves all-time team against any "all-time franchise" team, including the Yankees, in a 7 game series. If you think the lineup is a solid group wait until you see the pitching staff, which has always been the Braves bread and butter. I am working on that list and again, will have it up within the next week.

MLB Season Predictions

The beginning of the marathon that is the Major League Baseball season began today similar to the same way it did last year in that Jason Heyward hit a home run on his first at bat of the season. I was luckily back to my apartment a little early from fieldwork and caught the last eight innings of the Braves first game. No worries, I caught the first six outs on the radio on the way back to the apartment. In honor of the new season here are my picks to win each division.

AL East- The Boston Red Sox have too much speed, power, and pitching for any other team in this division to catch them. Adding OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez were enormous pickups. Gonzalez will thrive in a smaller park than what he has been playing in, Petco Park in San Diego. There is not a weak spot in the lineup, big bat after big bat. The New York Yankees can challenge if they can get the game to the 7th inning because of their strong bullpen. Their biggest problem is with their starting pitching. Boston Red Sox

AL Central- The race is wide open for the Central. An argument can be made for three teams, Twins, White Sox, or the Tigers, to win from what is the deepest division in the American League. I am going with the Detroit Tigers have the most win at the end of the season. They have a great starting pitching rotation and a solid defensive lineup. The Twins will threaten if 1B Justin Morneau is symptom free from his season ending concussion last season. The White Sox have plenty of power, but they have consistently underperformed and have to prove themselves first.  Detroit Tigers

AL West- The sexy "surprise" pick is the Oakland A's from the West, but I am having a hard time going against reining AL MVP Josh Hamilton and his Texas Rangers. They lost their ace with Cliff Lee signing with the Phillies and unless C.J. Wilson can step up their weakness in their starting rotation will be apparent. On the other side of the ball it is completely possible for the Rangers to score 10 runs a game with their strong offense. They know how to win and will continue to, but expect strong performances from Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels. Texas Rangers

NL East- My winner from the East may come as a surprise for some but those who really know me know there is no question where I am going with this pick. The Atlanta Braves will win the NL East. I know the Phillies have one of the best starting pitching rotations of all time but after that, what else is there? The oldest lineup in the majors. A weak bullpen. A potential MVP out until at least the All-Star Break. I said the Braves would win before the Phillies lost 2B Chase Utley to patellar tendonitis. The Braves have deep pitching and no weak link in their lineup, as they have in the past, and have added 2B Dan Uggla. I could keep going, but this is a preview for all if the majors. Atlanta Braves (duh)

NL Central- The St. Louis Cardinals have lost their number one starter. The Milwaukee Brewers have added Zach Grienke to become a better team. The Cincinati  Reds have the same team that won the division last year. All that said, I am taking experience and a city that will support their Cards. St. Louis may not run away with the title as they have in the past but they still have the best player in baseball, a winning manager, and a front office that will acquire necessary players to be winners. St. Louis Cardinals

NL West- A weak division that may be the most evenly matched from top to bottom. The San Francisco Giants won the World Series, but I am not sure they will even win their own division this season. The Dodgers have too much trouble in the front office, with the divorce of the owners, and the problems that will come with a rookie manager to win consistently. I am picking the Colorado Rockies. Look out for OF Carlos Gonzalez. He will become a star this season and they have a proven ace in Ubaldo Iminez who dominated last year in a batter’s park. the Rockies have finished strong the past few seasons and will continue that trend. Colorado Rockies