By The Sports Kid
07/26/04
The N.L. West may be the weakest division in the MLB but the N.L. West has some of the best players--perhaps of all time. These five players will probably be sure hall-of famers and will be remembered as the best of the game.
Starting off with a man of controversy-Barry Bonds. He's the only member of the 500-500 club, has the record for most HR in a season (73), has the record for most IBB (78 and counting), and has the record for most non-intentional free passes (198 in 2002). Bonds will probably even catch "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron on the all-time HR list. He might or might not be "juicin' it up" but the guy can play. He gets walked three times a game and get only one good pitch (if he's lucky) and he hits it outta the park.
What rhymes with Gagne? Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers is simply put a: aw-man-I-don't-wanna-face-this-guy, explosive, charismatic, closer. His record of 84 straight save will definitley be hard to break. You need a microscope to see this guy's E.R.A. and Whip. More than half the time he strikes out the side in his only inning of work. Seriously what rhymes with Gagne?
Todd Helton may be the most underrated first baseman. He consistently puts up huge numbers. He's currently batting .337-19-60. His current average is the same as his career average. He has only batted below 300 once. That was in his rookie year in 1997, in which he batted .280.
The Big Unit, Randy Johnson might be the best left-handed pitcher ever. He dominates the mound, intimidates batters with his 6'10 stature staring down at them. He throws pinpoint control heat. In his career with Montreal, Seattle, and Arizona he has over 4,000 strikeouts, 240 wins, a World Series ring and a WS Co-MVP. Good enough for the Hall maybe? Duh
Trevor Hoffman may be running out of gas but he still is a top notch closer. He was a big part of that '98 WS season, in which he chipped in his 53 saves. He's 4th all time in save and trails Eckersley by 12.