STARTING FIVE

Johnny can read; I’m not sure his employer can.

1. The 22th Pick

The Johnny Quest is over: Sonny Weaver got his man. I love this pick, though I empathize with whichever ESPN reporter is dispatched to Lake Erie to provide non-stop Manziel Mania coverage for the next few seasons.

Are we to truly believe that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam paid a consulting firm $100,000 for its services, then acted on the advice of a homeless man who said, “Draft Manziel?” I don’t doubt that a homeless man said that, but I do doubt that that is why he took him.

I mean, what if the homeless man had said, “Draft Garoppolo!”

2. “This is…Displeasing!”

Christopher Evan Welch, 1965-2014

The HBO series “Silicon Valley” won me over for good on Sunday night in the way that it brought the story arcs and characters together. The final sight gag, as Bighead steps outside at Hooli to notice the mural depicting two of his former housemates in flagrante delecto was worth the build-up.

Five episodes in, my two favorite characters are the focused and gentle nerd CFO, Jared (Zach Woods) (“I’m happy with ourself”), and the socially awkward but humane VC angel, Peter Gregory (Christopher Evan Welch). As you probably know, Sunday was also Welch’s final episode, as he died due to cancer complications last December 2 at the age of 48.

The diagnosis and Welch’s swift demise was particularly cruel, as this Business Insider piece outlines. Welch had had bouts with cancer before, but he was cancer-free when he landed the plum role last spring. Then, the very next day, he got the news that the cancer had spread to his brain.

Welch’s final scene, opposite his nemesis Gavin Belson (Matt Ross), is particularly eerie. Belson asks “How are you?” and adds, “You look well.” Welch’s final line in the series, of his television career, of his life, is “This is displeasing.”

3. He’s a Business, Man

Straight Outta Compton/Straight Up to Malibu

Sorry to appropriate your phrase, Shaun Carter, but Dr. Dre “beats” you to the punch. It appears Apple will purchase “Beats by Dre” for a reported $3.2 billion, which will make the erstwhile Andre Young the first buh-buh-billionaire in hip-hop.

If you haven’t seen this video, it’s worth it (NSFP: Not Safe For Phyllis). Yo, Dre, Express Yourself.

And, yes, I’m relieved that Dr. Dre earned his first billion before Dr. Drew.

4. Snakes Alive

Last night convinced me: We’re headed toward a sequel in the NBA Finals– and I’m fine with that.

Do NOT mess with San Antonio…they’ll leave a rattlesnake in your locker. Portland should retaliate by stashing a unemployed vegan in Patty Mills’ locker.

5. Climbing Jacob’s Ladder

Where’s Rihanna when you need her?

After 14 years –and without the help of Russell Crowe –Noah has replaced Jacob as the most popular boy’s name in the U.S.A. As far as Old Testament names go, David, Abraham, Saul, Lot, Goliath, Samson, Daniel and my personal favorite, Uriah the Hittite, are nowhere to be found in the Top 10.

Most popular girl’s name? Sophia.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B 1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS 1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B 1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P 1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P 1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B; Lefty Grove, P

Arky Vaughan

1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF 1968: Goose Goslin, LF; Rabbit Maranville, SS 1969: Stan Musial, 1B/OF 1970: Ferris Fain, 1B; Earle Combs, CF 1971: Warren Spahn, P; Yogi Berra, C 1972 Satchel Paige, P; Sandy Koufax, P 1973: Robin Roberts, P; Whitey Ford, P 1974: Mickey Mantle, CF; Eddie Mathews, 3B 1975: Lefty Gomez, P; Hack Wilson, CF 1976: Jack Pfiester, P; Johnny Mize, 1B 1977: Ernie Banks, SS; Mickey Welch, P 1978: Roberto Clemente, RF; Chuck Klein, RF 1979: Willie Mays, CF; Luis Aparicio,  SS 1980: Al Kaline, RF; Enos Slaughter, RF 1981: Bob Gibson, P; Harmon Killebrew, 1B 1982: Hank Aaron, RF; Frank Robinson, OF 1983: Brooks Robinson, 3B, Juan Marichal, P 1984: Hoyt Wilhelm, P; Arky Vaughan, SS 1985: Lou Brock, LF; Pete Browning, OF 1986: Sidd Finch, P 1987: Willie McCovey, 1B, Roger Maris, RF 1988: Willie Stargell, 1B, Catfish Hunter, P 1989: Earl Averill, CF, Billy Williams, LF 1990: Johnny Bench, C, Carl Yastrzemski, LF 1991: Jim Palmer, P, Joe Morgan, 2B 1992: Rod Carew, 2B; Gaylord Perry, P 1993: Reggie Jackson, RF, Tom Seaver, P 1994: Phil Niekro, P, Rollie Fingers, P 1995: Pete Rose, INF, Mike Schmidt, 3B 1996: Steve Carlton, P, Denny McLain, P 1997: Jim Rice, LF, Don Sutton, P 1998: Dick Allen, 1B, Dave Parker, RF 1999: Nolan Ryan, P, George Brett, 3B 2000: Robin Yount, SS, Carlton Fisk, C 2001: Kirby Puckett, CF, Mark Fidrych, P 2002: Ozzie Smith, SS, Gary Carter, C 2003: Eddie Murray, 1B, Tommy John (Surgery) 2004: Paul Molitor, INF, Dennis Eckersley, P 2005: Wade Boggs, 3B, Ryne Sandberg, 2B 2006: Hughie Jennings, SS, Herman Long, SS 2007: Cal Ripken, Jr, SS, Tony Gwynn, RF 2008: Tanner Boyle, SS, Crash Davis, C 2009: Rickey Henderson, LF, Duke Snider, CF 2010: Lee Smith, P, Garry Maddox, CF 2011: Roberto Alomar, 2B, Dave Winfield, LF 2012: Barry Larkin, SS, Johnny Vander Meer, P

2013

Phil Rizzuto, SS; 1941-1956, Yankees

The Scooter was one of the best sacrifice bunters of all time and the catalyst of those great Pinstripe teams of the Forties and Fifties. A seven-time World Series champ, Rizzuto won the AL MVP in 1950 when he hit .324 and led the league in fielding percentage (.9817).

Ferguson Jenkins, P; 1965-1983, Cubs, others

The collared undershirt. A hallmark of early 70’s fashion disaster.

The first Canadian to be inducted into Cooperstown, Fergie won 20 or more games seven times in an eight-year span between 1967-74. In 1971 he went 24-13 and won the NL Cy Young award. A three-time All-Star who finished with 284 wins.

Remote Patrol

Picnic at Hanging Rock

TCM 8 p.m.

Is that you, Crocodile Dundee?

Director Peter Weir’s 1975 debut chronicles the true mystery of a bunch of Aussie school girls and their teacher who went missing during a Valentine’s Day picnic in 1900.  A cult classic that rarely appears on TV.

STARTING FIVE

For one night, at least, Hibbert carried the Pacers.

1. “Hibbert? Hibbert!”

He’s a simple, laconic giant who is often completely useless until he’s not. That’s Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers, who after collecting zero points and zero rebounds in Game 1 versus the Wiz had 28 and 9 last night in Game 2. In three of his four previous games the seven-foot-two Hibbert had a total of zero points and two rebounds.

So what happened to awake him from his slumber last night? A violent storm? Was Bran Stark channeling a dire wolf?

2. Meet The Mess!

Don Draper still hasn’t been to a Mets game this season.

The New York Mess are not actually playing that poorly this season. They’re 16-17 in a division in which no one is more than three games out of first place. But they have gone 23 innings without scoring a run and their pitchers have set an MLB record for futility by going 0 for 58 hitting to begin the season (they do have six walks).

If I were Terry Collins I’d have David Wright start every road game and be the leadoff hitter, then do a double switch after one pitch with the third baseman, who is that day’s actual starter. Keep doing it until Wright leads the game off with a hit.

3. Close the Window! I Feel a Draft

Jordan Lynch: 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting, but may not be drafted.

Our long national nightmare is over. By this time tomorrow Johnny Football’s world of possibilities will be defined by one sad-sack franchise (Jacksonville? Cleveland?) and all the blathering will be over.

Meanwhile, still waiting on a “Way Too Early 2015 NFL Mock Draft.”

Just for fun, here’s where Peter Schrager’s mock draft (that bravely chose all 256 picks) has last season’s Heisman Trophy finalists:

A.J. McCarron-Webb, QB, Alabama…..2nd round, 52nd, Arizona

Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois….Not on board

Andre Williams, RB, Boston College…3rd round, 90th, Indianapolis

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M…….3rd pick overall, Jacksonville

Tre Mason, RB, Auburn……..3rd round, 83rd, Cleveland

4. The Curious Career of Lara Logan

With that South African accent and those runway model features, Lara Logan seemed destined for stardom as an international news correspondent. And in many ways, she is. Logan was like a real-life version of Michelle Pfeiffer in that awful film with Robert Redford, with the exception that she also had the brains.

But it’s been a bumpy ride the past few years, as a fascinating New York Magazine article attests.

5. Edward Christl

I’m a few days late on this, but since it is V-E Day, I think it fits. The basketball arena at West Point is named Christl Arena in honor of 1st Lieutenant Edward Christl. In 1944 Christl captained the Cadet basketball team that went 15-0 but chose not to play in the NCAA tournament–Army has still never been to the NCAAs.

One year later, on May 4, 1945, just four days before the end of the war –and four days after Adolf Hitler killed himself- Christl was killed in action in Austria. He was one of the last Americans who died in Europe during World War II.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B 1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS 1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B 1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P 1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P 1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B; Lefty Grove, P

Teddy Ballgame

1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF 1968: Goose Goslin, LF; Rabbit Maranville, SS 1969: Stan Musial, 1B/OF 1970: Ferris Fain, 1B; Earle Combs, CF 1971: Warren Spahn, P; Yogi Berra, C 1972 Satchel Paige, P; Sandy Koufax, P 1973: Robin Roberts, P; Whitey Ford, P 1974: Mickey Mantle, CF; Eddie Mathews, 3B 1975: Lefty Gomez, P; Hack Wilson, CF 1976: Jack Pfiester, P; Johnny Mize, 1B 1977: Ernie Banks, SS; Mickey Welch, P 1978: Roberto Clemente, RF; Chuck Klein, RF 1979: Willie Mays, CF; Luis Aparicio,  SS 1980: Al Kaline, RF; Enos Slaughter, RF 1981: Bob Gibson, P; Harmon Killebrew, 1B 1982: Hank Aaron, RF; Frank Robinson, OF 1983: Brooks Robinson, 3B, Juan Marichal, P 1984: Hoyt Wilhelm, P; Arky Vaughan, SS 1985: Lou Brock, LF; Pete Browning, OF 1986: Sidd Finch, P 1987: Willie McCovey, 1B, Roger Maris, RF 1988: Willie Stargell, 1B, Catfish Hunter, P 1989: Earl Averill, CF, Billy Williams, LF 1990: Johnny Bench, C, Carl Yastrzemski, LF 1991: Jim Palmer, P, Joe Morgan, 2B 1992: Rod Carew, 2B; Gaylord Perry, P 1993: Reggie Jackson, RF, Tom Seaver, P 1994: Phil Niekro, P, Rollie Fingers, P 1995: Pete Rose, INF, Mike Schmidt, 3B 1996: Steve Carlton, P, Denny McLain, P 1997: Jim Rice, LF, Don Sutton, P 1998: Dick Allen, 1B, Dave Parker, RF 1999: Nolan Ryan, P, George Brett, 3B 2000: Robin Yount, SS, Carlton Fisk, C 2001: Kirby Puckett, CF, Mark Fidrych, P 2002: Ozzie Smith, SS, Gary Carter, C 2003: Eddie Murray, 1B, Tommy John (Surgery) 2004: Paul Molitor, INF, Dennis Eckersley, P 2005: Wade Boggs, 3B, Ryne Sandberg, 2B 2006: Hughie Jennings, SS, Herman Long, SS 2007: Cal Ripken, Jr, SS, Tony Gwynn, RF 2008: Tanner Boyle, SS, Crash Davis, C 2009: Rickey Henderson, LF, Duke Snider, CF 2010: Lee Smith, P, Garry Maddox, CF 2011: Roberto Alomar, 2B, Dave Winfield, LF

2012

Barry Larkin, SS; 1986-2004, Reds

Here’s my problem. Yes, Larkin is a 12-time All-Star, but as iconic Reds infielders go, am I really putting him in above Dave Concepcion and Tony Perez? The 1995 NL MVP was a .295 career hitter. Beloved in the Queen City, but I never heard anyone say they just had to see Barry Larkin play.\

Johnny Vander Meer, P; 1937-1951, Reds

Vander Meer at Ebbets Field’s first night game

Now this is the kind of player I want in our Hall of Fame. Van Der Meer, not an actual HOFer, is the only man in Major League history to pitch no-hitters in consecutive games. A few interesting notes: 1) both no-hitters were pitched in June of his rookie season and on just three days’ rest 2) the first victim was the Boston Bees ,who had been and would later again be known as the Braves and 3) the second victim was the Brooklyn Dodgers, in what was the first night game at Ebbets Field. Though a career sub-.500 pitcher (119-121), Vander Meer did lead the N.L. in strikeouts three consecutive seasons (1941-1943).

If you’re willing to scroll down some, there’s some excellent tid-bittery about the two no-hitters in this blog.

Remote Patrol

NFL Draft

ESPN 8 p.m.

Possibly your first sighting of Chris Berman since February. Gird yourselves. By the way, Boomer’s dad fought at D-Day (this is true), which brings back the whole V-E Day/Draft Day in New York City connection. p.s. I love Johnny Football, but I wouldn’t take him. He’ll spend half his career injured.

STARTING FIVE

1. We Could Be Heroes

If you think Goodluck Jonathon is a sitcom on the Disney Channel…if you think Boko Haram is the group that performed “Whiter Shade of Pale”…. Well, no.

It took an extra week or so, but American TV news organizations –and the White House —have finally confronted the atrocity taking place in northern Nigeria. Sure, a plane going down somewhere with 240 passengers is a tragedy, but no one knows exactly how or why it happened, or where MH 370 is, and none of those questions may ever be answered.

Ukraine? Potentially far more casualties, but that is geopolitics (funny how tens of millions of victims of human rights violations reside in Russia and its satellite countries and most all of us have distilled the crisis to two words: “Pussy Riot.”)

What is taking place in Nigeria, however, is the Holocaust on training wheels. A group that is anti-women, anti-education is trafficking in human slavery with impunity. So here we are, the greatest civilization ever created, with the two notable exceptions being that whole slavery thing and The Magic Hour (which may or may not be related), with an opportunity to do these 276 Nigerian teen women a solid.

In the USA we go apeshit –understandably–when one little girl goes missing (especially when she’s white) and send out Amber Alerts. In California the freeways have signs posted so that when a girl is abducted they can instantly post that message to all commuters. So imagine what needs to be done in Nigeria, where nearly 300 Amber Alerts need to be sent out.

The U.S. military already has a major –albeit little-publicized– presence in Africa because it has gold and oil and Muslim fanatics. So it was good to hear Secretary of State John Kerry officially announce that the U.S. is sending intelligence officials to help the Nigerian government track down these girls. And I know just whom we should send…

2. Beadle Juice

For some reason, Josh dropped in to an episode of “Extreme Makeover” in the midst of his Kentucky Derby coverage.

The viewers weren’t the only ones channel-surfing last weekend. There was Josh Elliott, recently divorced from Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom, doing features for NBC in its Kentucky Derby pre-race coverage. Over on ESPN and ABC, there was former Peacock-proud Michelle Beadle, returned to the fold in Bristol West, anchoring the network’s “NBA Countdown” show with Rolling Stone profile subject Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose and the Coach, Doug Collins (also, the Olympian and the All-Star).

By the way, ESPN’s diabolical plan to gentrify the “NBA Countdown” set is way ahead of schedule. Last year it was three African-Americans and one white dude, while last weekend it was three white folks and Jalen.

I’ll be curious to see how Josh and Bob Costas’ relationship develops.

As for Beadle, she hadn’t looked that comfortable and happy on-air since she was working with Colin Cowherd. Sage Steele (who apparently had a prior commitment) is professional but it’s a little stiff in class when she’s on the set. The boys appeared more relaxed around Beadle. Keep an eye on this.

3. The Maester

Allow me to go Stefon on the latest issue of Rolling Stone. It has everything: the profile on Simmons, interviews with John Slattery (Roger Sterling) and Kit Harington (Jon Snow). A piece on the Ukraine. And a fantastic, extended interview with George R.R. Martin, the creator of “A Song of Ice and Fire”, which those of us philistines who have not read the books refer to as “Game of Thrones.”

One of the more interesting things I learned: Martin applied for and received conscientious objector status from the Vietnam War. He prefers wars before guns –and napalm–were invented.

4. And What of the 40 Thieves?

Jack Ma: the Jeff Bezos of China

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, in a move that finance people have been anticipating for the last couple of years, finally applied for an initial public offering (IPO) yesterday. Alibaba, founded by Jack Ma, a former English teacher (hooray!), is kind of like a mix of Amazon.com, eBay and Paypal (or, David Eggers’ “The Circle” writ large).

China has twice as many internet users as the U.S., and Alibaba has 24,000 employees, or more than Facebook and Yahoo combined. It earned $3.06 billion in just the final quarter of 2013, AAAAAAND Yahoo! owns 24% of the company.

So watch as Yahoo! stock (YHOO) surges today.

Twitter –down nearly 20% this week once shares were unlocked–is so yesterday…at least as a stock.

5. Nontroversy at SNL

Jones, Jost, jest.

It’s not so much the cast additions that are hurting SNL, it’s the departure of some massive writing talent over the years: Tina Fey left, followed by Seth Meyers and John Mulaney within the last year or so.

It’s not so much that the skits and “Weekend Update” aren’t funny –this is not intended as the 1,000th “SNL Sucks Now!” piece–it’s just that the humor has become so sanitized for our protection.

So it was refreshing late last Saturday night –when Barack Obama was the funniest person on television, on C-SPAN — when an unknown, a large African-American woman, was allowed a cameo on “Weekend Update.” Her name is Leslie Jones. She’s a new writer and, wow, did she make an unforgettable debut.

Jones basically congratulated Lupita N’yongo for being named People’s Most Beautiful people of 2014. Then she veered sharply, noting that if the two of them were still slaves, she’d be getting more action because, as a large-boned, tall African woman, the slave master would be breeding her with the largest bucks.

“Can a bitch get a beef bowl!?!”

And Jebediah Atkinson had to follow that.

Kinda funny that people were upset about the monologue as it related to N’yongo, as opposed to being upset about as it related to No. 1 on our story list today.

 Reserves

Kevin: Love

I haven’t watched all of Kevin Durant’s MVP acceptance speech, but here it is. As Rece Davis tweeted, “What superstar comes across as a better person than (Kevin Durant)? Nobody.”

True.

Not only because he calls his mom “the true MVP” but because he singled out every single teammate, finds something special about them. That’s a cool guy.

But let me be the troll who adds one disturbing note: KD is wonderful. His motives in life are wonderful. His desire to be a “rec league coach” as his highest aspiration “to help kids” is obviously admirable.

And it’s obviously okay to love basketball. But the chances of most little boys and girls who hear this speech ever growing to be 6-5, much less earning a living by playing sports, are miniscule. Miniscule. Hold on to your dreams? Sure. But there’s nothing more attainable and invaluable for kids than an education (even if Ivy League alums aren’t necessarily happier in life).

Kevin Durant is an outstanding person. An inspiring person. But he’s not a true underdog story. He’s a 6-11 freak of nature with silly athletic gifts. Play basketball. Imitate your heroes. Aspire to greatness. And…Do your homework.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B 1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS 1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B 1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P 1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P 1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B; Lefty Grove, P

Nolan Ryan came within one hit of no-hitting the Yankees in the gloaming in Anaheim.

1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF 1968: Goose Goslin, LF; Rabbit Maranville, SS 1969: Stan Musial, 1B/OF 1970: Ferris Fain, 1B; Earle Combs, CF 1971: Warren Spahn, P; Yogi Berra, C 1972 Satchel Paige, P; Sandy Koufax, P 1973: Robin Roberts, P; Whitey Ford, P 1974: Mickey Mantle, CF; Eddie Mathews, 3B 1975: Lefty Gomez, P; Hack Wilson, CF 1976: Jack Pfiester, P; Johnny Mize, 1B 1977: Ernie Banks, SS; Mickey Welch, P 1978: Roberto Clemente, RF; Chuck Klein, RF 1979: Willie Mays, CF; Luis Aparicio,  SS 1980: Al Kaline, RF; Enos Slaughter, RF 1981: Bob Gibson, P; Harmon Killebrew, 1B 1982: Hank Aaron, RF; Frank Robinson, OF 1983: Brooks Robinson, 3B, Juan Marichal, P 1984: Hoyt Wilhelm, P; Arky Vaughan, SS 1985: Lou Brock, LF; Pete Browning, OF 1986: Sidd Finch, P 1987: Willie McCovey, 1B, Roger Maris, RF 1988: Willie Stargell, 1B, Catfish Hunter, P 1989: Earl Averill, CF, Billy Williams, LF 1990: Johnny Bench, C, Carl Yastrzemski, LF 1991: Jim Palmer, P, Joe Morgan, 2B 1992: Rod Carew, 2B; Gaylord Perry, P 1993: Reggie Jackson, RF, Tom Seaver, P 1994: Phil Niekro, P, Rollie Fingers, P 1995: Pete Rose, INF, Mike Schmidt, 3B 1996: Steve Carlton, P, Denny McLain, P 1997: Jim Rice, LF, Don Sutton, P 1998: Dick Allen, 1B, Dave Parker, RF 1999: Nolan Ryan, P, George Brett, 3B 2000: Robin Yount, SS, Carlton Fisk, C 2001: Kirby Puckett, CF, Mark Fidrych, P 2002: Ozzie Smith, SS, Gary Carter, C 2003: Eddie Murray, 1B, Tommy John (Surgery) 2004: Paul Molitor, INF, Dennis Eckersley, P 2005: Wade Boggs, 3B, Ryne Sandberg, 2B 2006: Hughie Jennings, SS, Herman Long, SS 2007: Cal Ripken, Jr, SS, Tony Gwynn, RF 2008: Tanner Boyle, SS, Crash Davis, C 2009: Rickey Henderson, LF, Duke Snider, CF 2010: Lee Smith, P, Garry Maddox, CF

2011

Roberto Alomar, 2B; 1988-2004, Blue Jays, 7 others

Remember the Alomar! A 12-time All-Star (in 12 straight seasons) who also won 10 Gold Gloves, the most of anyone at that position, Alomar retired with a .300 batting average on the nose. Also stole 474 career bases and helped lead Toronto to a world championship in 1993.

Dave Winfield, LF; 1973-199, Padres, Yankees

Perhaps I’ve been too harsh to Mr. May. Winfield is one of the purest natural athletes to ever step to the plate –he could’ve played in the NBA and probably the NFL –but he only ever led the league once in any major offensive category (RBI, in 1979, with 118). Still, he collected 3,110 career hits (20th)while, like Alomar, being voted to 12 consecutive All-Star Games. Also in the top 30 in extra-base hits, intentional walks, runs, RBI and total bases. Alas, he did bat .136 in two World Series appearances, hence George Steinbrenner’s derogatory nickname for him.

Remote Patrol

Clippers at Thunder, Game 2

TNT 9:30 p.m.

After that speech from Kevin Durant, how fired up will the Thunder, down 1-0, be for Game 2? Oh, Thunder Road, oh, Thunder Road, lying out there like a killer in the sun….

STARTING FIVE

apropos of nothing: Will Rogers’ first tweet: “I never meta man I didn’t like.”

Taylor Swift (with model Karlie Kloss). Of course, T-Swizzle’s lipstick was red.

1. Wintour is Coming

The Costume Institute Gala, a.k.a., The Met Gala, took place last night at New York City’s top spot to play hide-and-go-seek, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its other pseudonym? The “Taylor Swift Awkwardly Encounters an Ex-Boyfriend or Two” Gala.

As mentioned here last year, it’s the second leg of the East Coast Celebutante Triple Crown (White House Correspondents’ Dinner, last Sat; Robin Hood Foundation Gala, next Monday). This list of the “Top 100 Events in the United States” is pretty cool –even if DragonCon failed to make the list.

2. “Everywhere in the World They Hurt Little Girls”

Weddings, Funerals, Engagement Parties, Murder Trials. So much on her plate.

Timely words from Cersei, the latest Lannister to belatedly flash an empathetic side, as she corrects Prince Oberyn. Sunday’s Game Of Thrones was, as Andy Greenwald brilliantly writes in his Grantland recap, Cersei’s showcase. She’s the keeper of the hearth, the one we’ll always find in the Red Keep trying to manage both her own yearnings and the family’s elusive grasp of power.

And now she and Margaery have something in common: a dead king husband whom they never wanted to share a bed with.

Boko Haram leader

Speaking of which, how poignant that those words flowed from her mouth in the midst of the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria, where it’ll take more than just one Liam Neeson to settle the score.

3. Samardizija Melancholia

“Would you tell the rest of the guys to stop sucking?”

Cub ace Jeff Samardzija, making his seventh start of the season, goes nine innings, allows three hits and one unearned run, scores the Cubs’ lone run, and gets…a no decision. The cross-town rival White Sox won in 12 innings.

Samardzija now has the second-lowest ERA in baseball (1.62, behind only Johnny Cueto of the Reds), but remains winless. He’s the first pitcher since at least the 19th century to pitch seven starts to begin a season, give up three or fewer runs in each start, and still be winless.

Meanwhile, Jean Machi, a middle reliever for the San Francisco Giants, is 5-0 despite having pitched a total of 17 innings–with no starts.

4. The World’s Most Famous Ariza

Washington Wizard forward Trevor Ariza goes six-for-six from beyond the arc as the Wiz win their first second-round playoff contest since 1982, 102-96, at Indiana. Roy Hibbert, again (!), had zero points and zero rebounds. It’s as if he’s begging to be inducted into Club Trillion.

5. The World’s Most Famous Arenado

Nolan Arenado, third baseman for the scorching hot Colorado Rockies, who has a 25-game hit streak. No, I’d never heard of him, either. And he’s not even the hottest Rocky: shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is batting .846 at Coors Field with runners in scoring position, which is just nutty.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B 1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS 1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B 1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P 1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P 1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B; Lefty Grove, P

Pud Galvin

1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF 1968: Goose Goslin, LF; Rabbit Maranville, SS 1969: Stan Musial, 1B/OF 1970: Ferris Fain, 1B; Earle Combs, CF 1971: Warren Spahn, P; Yogi Berra, C 1972 Satchel Paige, P; Sandy Koufax, P 1973: Robin Roberts, P; Whitey Ford, P 1974: Mickey Mantle, CF; Eddie Mathews, 3B 1975: Lefty Gomez, P; Hack Wilson, CF 1976: Jack Pfiester, P; Johnny Mize, 1B 1977: Ernie Banks, SS; Mickey Welch, P 1978: Roberto Clemente, RF; Chuck Klein, RF 1979: Willie Mays, CF; Luis Aparicio,  SS 1980: Al Kaline, RF; Enos Slaughter, RF 1981: Bob Gibson, P; Harmon Killebrew, 1B 1982: Hank Aaron, RF; Frank Robinson, OF 1983: Brooks Robinson, 3B, Juan Marichal, P 1984: Hoyt Wilhelm, P; Arky Vaughan, SS 1985: Lou Brock, LF; Pete Browning, OF 1986: Sidd Finch, P 1987: Willie McCovey, 1B, Roger Maris, RF 1988: Willie Stargell, 1B, Catfish Hunter, P 1989: Earl Averill, CF, Billy Williams, LF 1990: Johnny Bench, C, Carl Yastrzemski, LF 1991: Jim Palmer, P, Joe Morgan, 2B 1992: Rod Carew, 2B; Gaylord Perry, P 1993: Reggie Jackson, RF, Tom Seaver, P 1994: Phil Niekro, P, Rollie Fingers, P 1995: Pete Rose, INF, Mike Schmidt, 3B 1996: Steve Carlton, P, Denny McLain, P 1997: Jim Rice, LF, Don Sutton, P 1998: Dick Allen, 1B, Dave Parker, RF 1999: Nolan Ryan, P, George Brett, 3B 2000: Robin Yount, SS, Carlton Fisk, C 2001: Kirby Puckett, CF, Mark Fidrych, P 2002: Ozzie Smith, SS, Gary Carter, C 2003: Eddie Murray, 1B, Tommy John (Surgery) 2004: Paul Molitor, INF, Dennis Eckersley, P 2005: Wade Boggs, 3B, Ryne Sandberg, 2B 2006: Hughie Jennings, SS, Herman Long, SS 2007: Cal Ripken, Jr, SS, Tony Gwynn, RF 2008: Tanner Boyle, SS, Crash Davis, C 2009: Rickey Henderson, LF, Duke Snider, CF

2010:

Lee Smith, P; 1980-1997, Cubs, 7 others

Though the 6’6″ Smith was the first reliever to record 400 career saves and held the all-time Saves record from 1993 until 2006, he is not in the Hall of Fame, while Goose Gossage and Bruce Sutter are. That’s weird. Smith, a seven-time All-Star, retired with 478 saves, which is third all-time.

Garry Maddox, CF; 1972-1986, Phillies

“Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water; the other one-third is covered by Garry Maddox. That quote, coined by reporter Ray Didinger, belongs in its own Hall of Fame. Maddox was an eight-time Gold Glove winner in centerfield for the Phils. While not a slugger, he stroked 337 doubles and 62 triples in his career. Served in Vietnam from 1968-70, where chemical exposure left his skin highly sensitive, hence the beard.

STARTING FIVE

We’ve all been there, Don. Some of us, literally in the same building.

1. “Do The Work, Don!”

Random thoughts on yet another outstanding episode of “Mad Men”:

—”Believe me, there’s always a hierarchy.” You tell ’em, Roger.

–Don finds his deceased former partner’s Mets pennant beneath a couch in Lane Pryce’s former office (now Don’s) and trashes it. Then he posts it on the wall. METAPHOR ALERT: The Mets, who’d been moribund since their inception in 1962, will win the World Series later this year.

–The smoldering look Don shoots Peggy is, like the agency itself, Pryce-less. But how tactless did Peggy have to be not to call Don into her office first and explain it all to him?

— “You go by many names. You don’t need a campaign. You got the best campaign since the dawn of time.” Most enigmatic moment of the episode. Is Don calling the Lease Tech guy Lucifer? And if so, is this Matt Weiner’s nod to “Sympathy for the Devil”, which was released a few months earlier? One Twitter follower noted that Don is basically accusing Lloyd of being “the next big thing”, which he sort of is. Wonderful touch by Wiener when Lloyd needs a light and Don points out that he cannot master fire, man’s first paradigm-shifting invention.

–More Peggy and Joan interactions, and zero of Don Draper’s wives. Makes for a better episode.

—“Meet the Mets/Meet the Mets/Step right up and greet the Mets,

Bring your kiddies/Bring your wife/Guaranteed to have the time of your life…”

That was part of the soundtrack of my youth. I wonder what ad agency penned that jingle.

–Love that Matt Wiener got The Hollies into the closing scene (“Carousel”). (Graham Nash on lead vocals here) The best pop band of the Sixties whose first three letters were not “B-e-a” (and yes, that encompasses two bands). Highly recommend this tune and this one, as well. I’ll never understand why Allan Clarke isn’t a household name.

–Dinner tomorrow night at Vito’s, where they’ll give me a side of spaghetti with my order of spaghetti.

—Ginsberg! Last week he’s fist-pumping Richard, this week he’s telling Don he’s the low end of the see-saw as they move a couch that is not fart-infested. Ben Feldman’s got a pretty good life right now.

—Alan Sepinwall’s review for HitFix.

—Bert Cooper, winner of this week’s Lou Avery Memorial Award for Soul-Crushing Upper Management Style. Or as we used to hear in the Time-Life Building, “See Peter Carry.”

–How did that farm not come equipped with a Volkswagen bus?

–Loved the conversations between “Aw, shucks” Lloyd and Don. Wanted Lloyd to tell Don, “And now IBM is going to come out with an iPhone 6 if for no other reason than to please their investors.”

— Harry Crane: “I’m sorry you lost your lunch room. It wasn’t symbolic.” Don: “No, it was quite literal.” As the incomparable Steve Rushin used to say, “With friends like these, who needs friends?”

–Roger: “I’ll get Cletus to drive me to the train station.”

–Everyone needs either Roger Sterling or a Freddie Rumsen in their lives –even if their livers don’t.

–Met someone last week who didn’t “get” Mad Men (“Who cares what happens?”). I smiled. “Mad Men” is the first line of “Born To Run” writ large (“In the day we sweat it out on the street of a runaway American Dream…”). Matt Wiener is a few years older than I, which means that as an up-and-coming writer he was probably strongly influenced by “Thirtysomething”, which also was set in an ad agency, was also superbly written, and also revolved around its characters’ lives outside the office. “Mad Men” is superior, of course, but SCDP is just the template. This is just the latest take on the great American story, no less rich in texture than the final paragraph of “The Great Gatsby.”

“Mad Men” belongs in the Smithsonian. “Breaking Bad” was a fantastic show. “Mad Men” is art.

2. “Ashley’s Getting Big”

Erlich: “However angry he is at you, I am one-tenth as angry.”

Mike Judge’s “Silicon Valley” has its “Who moves from a pony country to a non-pony country?” moment. That was the Seinfeld episode, actually the moment within that episode, in which the series found its voice and never looked back.

This was Judge’s best episode yet, as Jared finally begins to persuade the Incubator dwellers that they’re going to need to start behaving somewhat like a real company if they want to become future billionaires (I think we’re going to institute “SCRUM” at MH). The Chuy sub-plot with the mural is delicious, everything from Erlich’s line to the neighbors as they stroll past the obscene garage mural (the hed of this item) to the reveal when the garage door opens to the kicker, as Bighead strolls past the art work on the Hooli campus. Wonderful writing there.

Love the way Erlich broke the news to Chuy: “Here’s the headline: There’s a lot right with it.”

Every character, with the exception of our Indian friend, is idiosyncratic and has a unique and well-defined personality five episodes in. We’ve come to know what to expect of them and like them for it. Great show.

And Jared (Zach Woods) pulled a Ben Feldman by also appearing as Amy’s boyfriend on “Veep”, where he had his best line of the night after Amy shoots down his year-long anniversary surprise: “I’ll just have (the hired violinist) play me a bunch of Smiths covers in the car.” Yes, there’s no discernible difference in either of Woods’ characters (unlike Feldman’s, which are wildly disparate), but who cares? He’s a terrific nerd-emo-goth.

3. Nerd Prom: McHale Shaky, POTUS Kills

There was definitely an “I’m the substitute teacher” feel to Joel McHale’s address at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner on Saturday night. Maybe it was because he kicked off by telling the assemblage that he’s what they got when the White House Correspondents’ Association couldn’t land Jimmy Fallon as emcee.

My favorite line is that he noted he is host of “The Soup”on E!: “To Republicans, E! is the channel which your deeply closeted gay son likes to watch. To Democrats, it’s the same channel that your happy, openly gay son likes to watch.”

McHale’s humor was B+. The performance was B- because he didn’t learn from Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers: Bring the mean and DO NOT apologize for it.

POTUS was actually better at this, scolding Fox News that “you’re going to miss me, because it’s going to be a lot harder convincing Americans that Hillary is Kenyan.”

Also: “I am a little jet-lagged from my trip to Malaysia. The lengths we have to go to to get CNN coverage these days.” And: “I think they’re still searching for their table.”

But POTUS has always been great at self-skewering, too: “In 2009 my slogan was ‘Yes, we can’ and in 2013 my slogan was ‘Control-Alt-Delete.'”

4. Rocky Mountain Highs

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is leading The Show with a .400 batting average.

The Colorado Rockies lead the Major Leagues in (inhale deeply, dude) Hits, Runs, RBI, Home Runs, Batting Average, OBP, and Slugging Percentage. What should that tell you? That I’ve spent far too much time on this blog this morning and need to return to work.

5. Time’s 100 Most Influential

Even if she is the 2nd-most influential person in her own marriage?

Read and discuss. We’ll talk more tomorrow.

The Hall

Charter Inductees: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner 1937:  Tris Speaker, CF; Cy Young, P ; 1938: Grover Cleveland Alexander, P; Eddie Collins, 2B 1939:Nap Lajoie, 2B; Joe Jackson, LF; 1940: Billy Hamilton, OF; Cap Anson, 1B; 1941: Wee Willie Keeler, RF; George Sisler, 1B; 1942: Rogers Hornsby, 2B; Pie Traynor, 3B; 1943: Mickey Cochrane, C; Frankie Frisch, 2B 1944: Ed Walsh, P; Old Hoss Radbourn, P 1945: Lou Gehrig, 1B; Kid Nichols, P 1946: Ed Delahanty, LF; Lefty O’Doul 1947: Pud Galvin, P; John McGraw, INF 1948: Carl Hubbell, P; Addie Joss, P 1949: Harry Heilman, OF/1B; Monte Ward, P/SS 1950: Cool Papa Bell, CF; Jimmie Foxx, 1B 1951: Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, P; Josh Gibson, C 1952: Paul Waner, RF; Charlie Gehringer, 2B 1953: Mel Ott, RF; Hank Greenberg, 1B 1954: Eddie Plank, P; Dan Brouthers, 1B 1955: “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, OF; John Clarkson, P 1956: Chief Bender, P; Bill Dickey, C 1957: Sam Rice, RF; Joe DiMaggio, CF 1958: Bill Terry, 1B; Heinie Manush, LF 1959: Dizzy Dean, P; Tim Keefe, P 1960: Gabby Hartnett, C; Mickey Welch, P 1961: Bob Feller, P; Ducky Medwick, LF 1962: Luke Appling, SS; Jesse Burkett, LF 1963 Jackie Robinson, 2B; Zack Wheat, LF 1964: Jake Beckley, 1B; Rube Waddell, P 1965: Ralph Kiner, 1B; Lefty Grove, P

Harry Heilmann

1966: Ted Williams, LF; Smoky Joe Wood, P/OF 1967: Roy Campanella, C; Max Carey, OF 1968: Goose Goslin, LF; Rabbit Maranville, SS 1969: Stan Musial, 1B/OF 1970: Ferris Fain, 1B; Earle Combs, CF 1971: Warren Spahn, P; Yogi Berra, C 1972 Satchel Paige, P; Sandy Koufax, P 1973: Robin Roberts, P; Whitey Ford, P 1974: Mickey Mantle, CF; Eddie Mathews, 3B 1975: Lefty Gomez, P; Hack Wilson, CF 1976: Jack Pfiester, P; Johnny Mize, 1B 1977: Ernie Banks, SS; Mickey Welch, P 1978: Roberto Clemente, RF; Chuck Klein, RF 1979: Willie Mays, CF; Luis Aparicio,  SS 1980: Al Kaline, RF; Enos Slaughter, RF 1981: Bob Gibson, P; Harmon Killebrew, 1B 1982: Hank Aaron, RF; Frank Robinson, OF 1983: Brooks Robinson, 3B, Juan Marichal, P 1984: Hoyt Wilhelm, P; Arky Vaughan, SS 1985: Lou Brock, LF; Pete Browning, OF 1986: Sidd Finch, P 1987: Willie McCovey, 1B, Roger Maris, RF 1988: Willie Stargell, 1B, Catfish Hunter, P 1989: Earl Averill, CF, Billy Williams, LF 1990: Johnny Bench, C, Carl Yastrzemski, LF 1991: Jim Palmer, P, Joe Morgan, 2B 1992: Rod Carew, 2B; Gaylord Perry, P 1993: Reggie Jackson, RF, Tom Seaver, P 1994: Phil Niekro, P, Rollie Fingers, P 1995: Pete Rose, INF, Mike Schmidt, 3B 1996: Steve Carlton, P, Denny McLain, P 1997: Jim Rice, LF, Don Sutton, P 1998: Dick Allen, 1B, Dave Parker, RF 1999: Nolan Ryan, P, George Brett, 3B 2000: Robin Yount, SS, Carlton Fisk, C 2001: Kirby Puckett, CF, Mark Fidrych, P 2002: Ozzie Smith, SS, Gary Carter, C 2003: Eddie Murray, 1B, Tommy John (Surgery) 2004: Paul Molitor, INF, Dennis Eckersley, P 2005: Wade Boggs, 3B, Ryne Sandberg, 2B 2006: Hughie Jennings, SS, Herman Long, SS 2007: Cal Ripken, Jr, SS, Tony Gwynn, RF 2008: Tanner Boyle, SS, Crash Davis, C

2009

Rickey Henderson, LF; 1979-2003, Athletics, others

Henderson had the physique of an NFL tailback.

Baseball’s all-time leader in Stolen Bases (1,406) and Runs (2,295), the “Man of Steal” is regarded as the greatest baserunner and perhaps the best lead-off hitter of all time. Though his lifetime average was just .279, he had a .401 OBP and 3,055 career hits. The ten-time All-Star and 1990 AL MVP holds the record for most lead-off home runs (81). You can argue that for a decade or so he was the most potent offensive force in baseball. A Top 50 All-Timer.

Duke Snider, CF; 1947-1964. Dodgers

Despite perennially being the third-best Major League centerfielder in New York City for much of his career, the Silver Fox was an eight-time All-Star who finished with 407 career home runs and a .295 batting average. A two-time World Series champ, Snider is the only player to hit four home runs in two separate Fall Classics.

 Remote Patrol

Clippers at Thunder

TNT 9:30

The real Russdiculous

Four All-Stars in their absolute primes, with one future All-Star (DeAndre Jordan) coming into his prime. LAC has no one who can stick with Mr. Unreliable, and he’s the premier player on the court. Chris Paul is still too injured to handle Russell Westbrook at the moment. Player I think will need to make his presence felt? Steven Adams of OKC, if only to put some vertical pressure on (and give six fouls to) DeAndre Jordan. If Adams doesn’t foul out of every game, and if five of those six fouls are not on Jordan in shooting situations, someone is not doing their job.

Thunder in six.