MLB

Almost one full year.

That's how long it's been since Rick DiPietro has been on the ice in an NHL game for the Islanders, 364 days since a 5-4 loss in Phoenix. Now, rising from the ashes, DiPietro will try to win the Isles some games, while proving to the many doubters, that his pro career is far from over.

Hard to believe it's been that long, but as a Mets fan, I've become accustomed to seeing my team's top players out of action for longer than anyone expected (hello, Jose Reyes).

Jimmy Hascup already gave his thoughts on Ricky Nolasco (click here to read the full article), so let’s take a quick look at my projections for him in 2010:

205.0 IP, 15 W, 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 195 K (8.56 K/9), 54 BB (2.37 BB/9)

Thoughts:

This past week we heard Andre "The Hawk" Dawson was the only former Major Leaguer inducted into Cooperstown, N.Y., site of Baseball's Hall of Fame.

It was also learned, that it was Dawson's ninth attempt, at earning enough ballots from the Baseball Writer's Association of America (BWAA) to join the likes of ex-Expo greats Gary Carter and Tony Perez at the Hall.

Dawson was the only player chosen for Hall status in 2010, when he received more than the 75 percent threshold needed for induction. "The Hawk" got 420 of 545 ballots sent in by the members of the BWAA.

Howard Jackson was an avid New York Giants fan.

Willie Mays is his favorite player, and Howard is easily upset when it is claimed that Mickey Mantle was better than Willie.

He merely refers to the great year of 1954.

There was a time not so long ago when the baseball world only thought it revolved around numbers. Players made an average of slightly less than $500,000 a year. The superstars made somewhere around $2.5 million. These figures were considered untenably exorbitant.

JOHN SICKLES of MINOR LEAGUE BALL has posted his view of the Mets Top 20 Prospects, which I will gladly share with you and make some comments on his choices. My comments will be in italics.

Top 20 New York Mets Prospects for 2010

Dear Randy,

The first thing I would like to do is to congratulate you on a glorious 22-year career.

If there was ever a player who is certain to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, you, sir, are the one. There should be absolutely no question in anybody’s mind that you rank among the best in history.

When we look at the Baseball Hall of Fame vote totals for past elections, there are certain choices the writers made that only puzzle us.

Sometimes the puzzle is how the voters failed to choose a particular player. 

For example, in 1979, Willie Mays was up for election. He was chosen, but 23 voters decided that Mays was not worthy of their vote. I’ve heard many arguments for a small Hall of Fame, but how small would it be if Willie Mays could not get in?