FanHouse Fred McGriff

From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.

The Hall of Fame talk has begun to die down and baseball fans are starting to look forward to that oh-so-exciting date -- February 15th, when pitchers and catchers report -- but before we get there, let's look ahead at the players who will be eligible for enshrinement in Cooperstown for the first time in 2010.

I heart Batting Stance Guy -- his ability to accurately portray nearly every major league batting stance from the late 80's/early 90's is pretty ridiculous. So when I got an email from a buddy showing that he was displaying the Braves, I was pretty stoked. Fred McGriff (1:05)is spectacular, Ryan Klesko (1:25) is hilarious and the fact that they have a separate "David Justice Awkward Baseball Card Pose" (0:45) is awesome.



Although, let's be honest ... the Earl mutton chops seem a little publicity stunt driven, no? Still, keep them coming.

As we've mentioned previously here, the Devil Rays are the Devil Rays no longer. They have absconded the evil-doing front end of their name and are now quite simply, the Rays. But if you thought they were just going to make the switch with little to no fanfare, think again.

It's going to be a par-tay.

The team is going big time for Thursday's official uniform/logo/colors unveiling (4-8 p.m. at Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg) by bringing in nearly 20 players (including Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton and Delmon Young, but not Carlos Pena, who will be on a cruise) plus former stars Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff for the "fashion show" and appearances. ... Kevin Costner and his Modern West band will play starting at 6:30.

Whoa, wait a second? Wade Boggs and Fred McGriff .... and Kevin Costner? Are we sure we aren't reading off the guest list at Les Deux on a Friday night? Because it sure sounds like it. Either way, I need to get down there. Late Thursday afternoons are my time to shine. Because really, if you go out on weekend nights, you are just totally following the crowd.

HT: With Leather.

There was a time when I didn't think Frank Thomas could do it. My White Sox had left him for dead. He was feuding with GM Ken Williams through the media. But, the A's gave him a chance. He responded last year, to the tune of 39 homers and 114 RBIs. And, although he hasn't been all too great this season with the Blue Jays, he still just became the 21st player in MLB history to hit 500 home runs.

Thomas hit a three-run shot in the first inning, connecting against Minnesota's Carlos Silva and sending a 1-2 pitch an estimated 396 feet into the left-field stands.

The Metrodome crowd responded with a standing ovation for the two-time AL MVP. Thomas, as is his way, kept his head down as he rounded the bases. Toronto players spilled out of the dugout to congratulate him.

Congrats, Big Hurt. Somewhere, Fred McGriff is probably a little jealous.

Sammy Sosa has homered twice today in the Rangers game against the Cleveland Indians. This leaves him only six home runs shy of becoming the fifth man in baseball history to reach 600 career home runs.

Though Sosa will never catch Aaron or Bonds, his first home run today did set a record.

By hitting his first career home run in Jacob's Field, Sosa has now homered in more Major League ballparks than any other player in MLB history, forty-four.

Sosa hit the first pitch from Cleveland Indians starter Paul Byrd into the left-field seats leading off the sixth inning.

Sosa had been tied with Ken Griffey Jr, and Fred McGriff with homers in 43 ballparks. The only stadiums currently in use where the 38-year-old has not hit a homer are RFK Stadium in Washington and the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Though it's not a record that most people generally keep track of, it's kind of cool when you think about it. A lot of baseball players don't hit 44 home runs in their career, let alone seperate ballparks.

Despite Sosa's milestone, the Rangers still trail the Indians 9-4 in the 8th inning. As always you can follow all the exciting action here using AOL's Scorecast.


Previously at the Fanhouse:
Sammy Made Sure Sox Fans Will Boo Him On Wednesday
Sammy Sosa Is A Lot Like Jesus