MLB History

Continuing on with my series, I ranked my top ten first basemen in Cubs franchise history.

While the rankings are somewhat subjective, as they always are, I looked closely at the players 162 game average during his tenure with the Cubs, as well as whether he was a part of any Cubs playoff teams.

I hope you enjoy this, and follow the series as it continues. As always I look forward to your input.

Immediately following his appearance on ESPN's First Take, in the midst of a 30-game hitting streak, Ryan Zimmerman proceeded to go 0-for-3 in the Washington Nationals' 6-3 win over the San Francisco Giants, thus ending his run at history.

It occurred between World Championships, which might be the reason it is not mentioned when discussing the last Yankees' dynasty.

But it was a performance that defined what the Yankees used to be.

It ranks with the heroics of Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Bucky Dent and Chris Chambliss—except the Yankees lost.

In this day and age, more and more teams seem to live and die by the home run.

Speedy guys will always bunt and turn singles into doubles—which is exciting don't get me wrong—but the actual art of hitting seems like it has been lost in the ever-changing game of baseball.

Guys like Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, and Babe Ruth all had a gift. They were hitters who were masters of their craft. The question is, are we losing that craft?

I finally am writing about something I have believed since 2004: Pete Rose should not be allowed to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rose was one of the greatest baseball players to play the game. He was a pretty darn good manager, too. He had a 412-373 record for a .525 winning percentage.

He managed from 1984 to 1989, with his team finishing fifth for his first and last year and second for five years in a row.

Second.

Now listen to me—that is key to my argument.

Some say happiness is a state of mind. As a rabid sports fan, I have to disagree. To me, happiness is your team's place in the standings.

Now that the Phillies and Red Sox have won the last two World Series, the title for most tortured fan base is up for grabs!

While fans in Cincinnati, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Washington can all make compelling arguments, the lack of expectations, poorly attended games and the "football first" mentality of these cities disqualifies them from the race for most miserable.

When the Chicago Cubs announced in March that on May 3, this Sunday, they will retire Ferguson Jenkins' No. 31, it made my day. Adding Greg Maddux to share the honor embodies the legendary words of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two."

Ferguson Jenkins, the pride of Chatham, Ontario and the only Canadian member of the Baseball Hall of Fame is finally getting a long overdue honor of being immortalized in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, home of some of his greatest accomplishments.

What do Vanilla Ice, Icky Woods, and Pete Schourek have in common?

They are considered "one-hit wonders" in their respective profession. Vanilla Ice made a living rapping his hit song "Ice Ice Baby" and Icky Woods' Shuffle was the thing to do in 1988 after scoring a touchdown. As for Schourek, he would have a career year in 1995 helping the Reds win the NL Central division.