Must Reads

Yes, I am happy Andre Dawson has been voted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. After nine years, he received 77.9 percent of the vote (a minimum 75 percent is required) for induction, and it's a fitting—howbeit overdue—honor.

One has to wonder what hat Dawson will wear on his plaque. He achieved most of his notoriety playing with the Chicago Cubs from 1987-1992, but he also played 10 years for the Montreal Expos. If he goes in as an Expo, will it be with an Expo cap or a cap of the team it is now, the Washington Nationals?

It’s not often that we Cleveland fans have something to be proud of.

We’re the Mistake on the Lake; the city so dirty that our river caught fire, and so stupid that we didn’t learn our lesson the first time it happened.

A baby born the day the Indians last won the World Series would now be 61 years old. It’s been 56 seasons since we've had an MVP trophy to put on the mantle.

Edgar Martinez didn’t invent the designated hitter rule. He did better than that—he owned it.

It’s not his fault he was so good at it.

Martinez, eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time this year but nowhere near election (he was named on just 32.6 percent of the ballots; 75 percent is needed for induction), pretty much did one thing and one thing only. He swung the bat, and that was it. Maybe he didn’t even own a glove. Or if he did, perhaps it was covered with cobwebs.

For the 13th straight year, Bert Blyleven failed to gain induction into the Hall of Fame, this time by the slimmest of margins as he received 74.2 percent of the vote (75 percent is necessary for induction). 

Often considered the best pitcher without a plaque in Cooperstown, the right-hander will remain just that for at least another 12 months, and it's not right.

The St. Louis Cardinals and outfield free agent Matt Holliday have come to terms on a new contract making Mr. Holliday the highest paid team member for 2010.

Scott Boras, Holliday's agent, has confirmed it's a seven year, roughly 120 million dollar deal for the free agent outfielder. Holliday revealed those numbers late this afternoon on ESPN Radio. All were in agreement that the brawny baseballer wouldn’t have to “ever set foot into Aldi again.”

With school closed for the holidays and family outings hampered by obstructive mounds of snow, winter break is the perfect time to break out some board games.

From the classic chess and backgammon to newfangled Blokus and Scene It?, board games are great was for families to spend time together without having to resort to meaningful conversation.

Ironically, this time of year isn't a break for the people who play baseball, a professional game.

Some teams are trying to better themselves before the 2010 season, while others are trying to deal with the expensive mistakes they made last season.

Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Phillies are also said to have dealt Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners, who are included as a third team.

The rest of the players in this blockbuster deal are yet to be confirmed.

Halladay, 32, is expected to sign a contract extension with the Phillies to complete the deal.

John Lackey pitched the first game of a double-header between his Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park back in 2007. 

The Angels' ace had looked good, dominant even, all season long. But this just wasn't his day.

After surrendering five runs in the first inning, Lackey walked off the back of the mound and muttered to himself, glaring up at the outfield bleachers and shaking his head as he did: “F*** this place.”

That was then. This is now: John Lackey is the newest addition to the Red Sox' parade of aces. 

Albert Pujols has officially been named the National League’s most valuable player for 2009.

This is Mr. Pujols’ third MVP honor, previously being named NL MVP in 2008 and 2005.  Earlier this award season the St. Louis Cardinal first baseman collected his fifth Silver Slugger award and his second Hank Aaron award.  2009 also brought his eighth All-Star selection via the most votes of any player in either league and depending on your definition of “decade”; he was named the ‘Player Of’ this past one by The Sporting News.

Mike Scioscia added one more piece to his incredible 2009 season: He is your American League Manager of the Year.

A more appropriate choice there never was.

In a rollicking, emotional season filled with tragedy and triumph, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 97 games and another divisional crown, thanks in large part to their sound-minded skipper.

Scioscia's award-winning fate was sealed on Sept. 28, when his Angels clinched their franchise record third consecutive AL West division title.