LITTLE ROCK There’s a good reason why major leaguers don’t appear on the Hall of Fame ballot until five years after their retirement: Time allows for context; it (usually) makes voters smarter. But there’s no need to hold off on calling A.J. Burnett (Ce

It’s the end of an enigma. Avoiding an awkward spring training encounter, the New York Yankees have sent starting pitcher A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates for two minor league players. Those players are reliever Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo

After 48 hours of nonstop accusations, arguments, shame, and blame, the Red Sox and Yankees went back to playing baseball last night. As a waning orange squash of a moon rose beyond the bleachers, Tim Wakefield threw baseballs that danced and dazzled and

The Pirates want Burnett, but so far are not offering what the Yankees consider a palatable package of players and money in return, so the Yankees have told them to improve their offer or there will not be a deal. But the prevailing sense in baseball is

Pedro Martinez, left, and general manager Dan Duquette were happy to talk about another Cy Young award. From the Sunshine State to the Great Northwest, the vote yesterday was indisputable. The 2000 American League Cy Young Award went unanimously to New E

Looks like it'll be more of the same this season for Baltimore. I intended to write a rare, positive piece about the Baltimore Orioles; that is until GM Dan Duquette traded his Opening Day starter to the Colorado Rockies for no apparent good reason. My p

Arizona had made short shift of Mussina in the Series opener, scoring five runs, three of which were earned, in only three innings. He was much more effective in Game 5, but after eight innings, Batista and the Diamondbacks led, 2-0. In the fifth inning

Posted by Chris Jaffe It wasn’t particularly surprising to hear, but it’s now official. Last week, veteran infielder Craig Counsell decided it was time to call it a career, announcing his retirement. At the very least, he made the most of his talent. Des

The 2004 Yankees had a severe starting rotation problem, in that three of their five rotation stalwarts from the 103-win 2003 squad — Roger Clemens (4.9 FWAR), Andy Pettitte (5.5 fWAR) and David Wells (4.1 fWAR) — weren’t returning. Prior to the Vazquez

O'Flaherty led the majors with a 0.98 ERA, the first pitcher in history with a sub-1.00 ERA in 70 or more relief appearances. He led major league relievers with an 0.98 ERA, yet drew only the third-most notoriety in a Braves bullpen that was represented

MY VOICE WAS HOARSE FROM YELLING “MOOOOOOOSE.” My legs were tired from standing for four hours. We walked like zombies to the parking lot, all 48,000 of us, and one awful thought dominated my mind more than any other: “How in the world can I watch a whol

Here it comes. Here comes the mess, and it’s heading straight for Cooperstown. This January, the Baseball Writers Association of America held its annual Hall of Fame election, this time voting Barry Larkin into Co

Jorge Posada reigned as the best offensive catcher in baseball for much of the first decade of the 21st century. He was the funny-looking one. The last to join the quartet, he had a big nose, a weak chin, a penchant for rings and worked sitting down. His

You don’t have to wait one month and eight days for pitchers and catchers report to hear about Phil Hughes. It’s pretty obvious what he’ll say: “I’m in the best shape of my life.” After a disappointing 2011 season, in which he got hurt and showed diminis

There are two kinds of players in modern baseball: Those who have been tied to performance-enhancing drugs and those who are considered clean. My friend Frank posed an interesting question to me today: "Is Pedro Martinez the best pitcher of all time? Is

A topic most 56-year-old men would embrace like a pre-schooler embraces Disneyland now seems forced, stale, halting. Jack Morris doesn't want to talk about the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America will release its annual vote results

A year ago, Barry Larkin, the former Cincinnati Reds shortstop, a 12-time All-Star and NL MVP in 1995, came in third in the Baseball Writers' Association of America's balloting for entry into the Hall of Fame. Larkin, the first shortstop to join the 30-3

Over the years -- since 1936 -- the baseball writers have done a superb job in their most public and responsible function: voting on players for the Hall of Fame. That said, it boggles my mind how they've dropped the ball so dramatically when it comes

In addition to the Hot Stove, baseball warms up the winter months with Hall of Fame debate. From the time the ballot is released until the votes are counted in early January, arguments are made for and against various candidates, often with a considerabl