2017 Athlete of the Year

December was here.

One last time, here are all the nominees for 2017 Athlete of the Year:

January - Deshaun Watson
February - Tom Brady
March - Russell Westbrook
April - A'ja Wilson
May - Stephen Curry
June- Kevin Durant
July - Roger Federer
August - Giancarlo Stanton
September - Sloane Stephens
October - Justin Verlander
November - George Springer
December - Aaron Donald

And your winner...the 2017 Athlete of the Year...

Tom Brady.  Brady won in 2007; he joins Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods (both of whom won 3 times), Barry Bonds and LeBron James as two time winners.  Coincidentally, his biggest competition this year was Federer - and he last won in 2006.  

I've been doing this my whole life really, maybe starting as long ago as '79; I have the full hard copy contemporaneous records since 1990 (someplace in the blog I posted each athlete of the month+runners-up for the years prior to publication).  Here is each winner of my Athlete of the Year Award since 1990.

1990: Joe Montana
1991: Michael Jordan
1992: Mario Lemieux
1993: Michael Jordan
1994: George Foreman
1995: Hakeem Olajuwon
1996: Michael Jordan
1997: Tiger Woods
1998: Mark McGwire
1999: Tiger Woods
2000: Tiger Woods
2001: Barry Bonds
2002: Barry Bonds
2003: Lance Armstrong
2004: Peyton Manning
2005: Reggie Bush
2006: Roger Federer
2007: Tom Brady
2008: Usain Bolt
2009: Manny Pacquiao
2010: Maya Moore
2011: Aaron Rodgers
2012: LeBron James
2013: LeBron James
2014: Madison Bumgarner
2015: Serena Williams
2016: Michael Phelps
2017: Tom Brady

December, 2017 Athlete of the Month

November was here.

Aaron Donald.  Runners-up:  Baker Mayfield, Antonio Brown, LeBron James

That ends the year.  12 monthts down.  Coming tomorrow - the 2017 Athlete of the Year.  Hear are the nominees.

January - Deshaun Watson
February - Tom Brady
March - Russell Westbrook
April - A'ja Wilson
May - Stephen Curry
June- Kevin Durant
July - Roger Federer
August - Giancarlo Stanton
September - Sloane Stephens
October - Justin Verlander
November - George Springer
December - Aaron Donald

The 25 Greatest Left Fielders in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are OPS+, plate appearances, WAR/Plate appearance, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got each position carried out to 32 slots for a project that I don't believe fits this space, so I'll just include the top 25 here.  I'll also include last player out.  For some players, it's hard to slot them at a particular position (where does King Kelly go, for example) so I just chose one (if you don't see a first baseman in the top 25 who you know should be there, maybe he's a third baseman instead).

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Barry Bonds (1986-2007, Giants) WAR 167.8 OPS+ 182 PA 12606 (WAR/PA .0133) EEMVPQ: 01 EMVPQ: 02, 04, 93 MVPQ: 92, 03, 98, 96, 90, 91, 95, 97

2. Ted Williams (1939-60, Red Sox) WAR 117.55 OPS+190 PA 9788 (.0120) EMVPQ: 46, 41, 42, MVPQ: 47, 49, 57,

3. Rickey Henderson (1979-03, A's) WAR 120.8 OPS+127 PA 13346 (.0091) EMVPQ: 90 MVPQ: 85,

4. Manny Ramirez (1993-2011, Red Sox) WAR 78.65 OPS+154 PA 9774 (80)

5. Carl Yastrzemski (1961-83, Red Sox) WAR 86.4 OPS+ 130 PA 13992 (62) EMVPQ: 67, MVPQ: 68, 70,

6. Tim Raines (1979-2002, Expos) WAR 75.05 OPS+123 PA 10359 (72) MVPQ: 85

7. Pete Rose (1963-86, Reds) WAR 78.35 OPS+ 118 PA 15890 (49)

8. Ed Delahanty (1888-1903, Phillies) WAR 69.9 OPS+152 PA 8400 (83) MVPQ: 93,

9. Lance Berkman (1999-2013, Astros) WAR 57.45 OPS+144 PA 7814 (74)

10. Willie Stargell (1962-82, Pirates) WAR 55.6 OPS+147 PA 9027 (62)

11. Ducky Medwick (1932-48, Cardinals) WAR 54.8 OPS+ 134 PA 8143 (67)

12. Fred Clarke (1894-1915, Pirates) WAR 64.15 OPS+ 133 PA 9838 (65)

13. Bob Johnson (1933-45, Athletics) WAR 53.65 OPS+ 139 PA 8050 (67)

14. Billy Williams (1959-76, Cubs) WAR 60.4 OPS+133 PA 10519 (57)

15. Ryan Braun (2007-,Brewers) WAR 50.85 OPS+ 139 PA 6244 (81) MVPQ: 11,

16. Albert Belle (1989-00, Indians) 50.05 OPS+ 144 PA 6676 (75) MVPQ: 95, 98

17. Al Simmons (1924-44, Athletics) WAR 58.95 OPS+ 133 PA 9518 (62)

18. Matt Holliday (2004 - Cardinals) WAR 50.95 OPS+ 132 PA 7916 (64)

19. Jose Cruz (1970-88, Astros) WAR 56.7 OPS+120 PA 8931 (63)

20. Jesse Burkett (1890-1905, Spiders) WAR 55.85 OPS+ 140 PA 9620 (58)

21. Luis Gonzalez  (1990-08, Diamondbacks) WAR 58.5 OPS+ 119 PA 10531 (56) MVPQ: 01

22. Jim O'Rourke (1872-1904, Giants) WAR 54.75 OPS+133 PA 9052 (60)

23. Sherry Magee (1904-19, Phillies) WAR 49.9 OPS+ 137 PA 8541 (58)

24. Goose Goslin(1921-38, Senators) WAR 55.5 OPS+ 128 PA 9829 (56)

25. Zack Wheat (1909-27, Dodgers) 54.5 OPS+ 129 PA 10000 (55)

(last out - Charlie Keller)

The 25 Greatest Third Basemen in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are OPS+, plate appearances, WAR/Plate appearance, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got each position carried out to 32 slots for a project that I don't believe fits this space, so I'll just include the top 25 here.  I'll also include last player out.  For some players, it's hard to slot them at a particular position (where does King Kelly go, for example) so I just chose one (if you don't see a first baseman in the top 25 who you know should be there, maybe he's a third baseman instead).

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Mike Schmidt (1972-89, Phillies) WAR 108.4 OPS+ 147 PA 10062 (WAR/PA .0108) MVPQ: 80, 74, 81, 77, 79, 75

2. Eddie Mathews (1952-68, Braves) WAR 91.55 OPS+ 143 PA 10100 (.0091) MVPQ: 53

3. Wade Boggs (1982-99, Red Sox) WAR 92.2 OPS+ 131 PA 10740 (.0086) MVPQ: 85, 88, 83,

4. George Brett (1973-93, Royals) WAR 90.55 OPS+ 135 PA 11625 (78) MVPQ: 80, 79, 85,

5. Miguel Cabrera (2003-, Tigers) WAR 78 OPS+ 151 PA 9530 (82) MVPQ: 13,

6. Edgar Martinez (1987-04, Mariners) WAR 75.85 OPS+147 PA 8674 (87) MVPQ: 95

7. Chipper Jones (1993-12, Braves) WAR 81.9, OPS+141 PA 10614 (77) MVPQ: 08

8. Adrian Beltre (1998-, Rangers) WAR 82.9 OPS+117 PA 11649 (71) MVPQ: 04

9. Paul Molitor (1978-98, Brewers) WAR 79.6 OPS+122 PA 12167 (66)

10. Scott Rolen (1996-2012, Phillies) WAR 71.25 OPS+ 122 PA 8518 (84) MVPQ: 04

11. Ron Santo (1960-74, Cubs) WAR 68.75 OPS+ 125 PA 9397 (73) MVPQ: 67, 64, 66

12. Dick Allen (1963-77, Phillies) WAR 59.55 OPS+ 156 PA 7315 (81) MVPQ: 64

13. Ken Boyer (1955-69, Cardinals) WAR 58.6 OPS+ 116 PA 8272 (71)  MVPQ: 61

14. Graig Nettles (1967-88, Yankees) WAR 63.2 OPS+110 PA 10228 (62) MVPQ: 76

15. Buddy Bell (1972-89, Rangers) WAR 61.45 OPS+ 109 PA 10009 (61)

16. Brooks Robinson (1955-77, Orioles) WAR 66.45 OPS+ 104 PA 11782 (56)

17. David Wright (2004-Mets) WAR 52.8 OPS+ 133 PA 6869 (77)

18. Evan Longoria (2008-, Rays WAR 52.6 OPS+ 125 PA 6151 (86)

19. Home Run Baker (1908-22, Athletics) WAR 51.35 OPS+135 PA 6667 (77)

20. Darrell Evans (1969-89, Giants) WAR 60.75 OPS+119 PA 10737 (57) MVPQ: 73,

21. Robin Ventura (1989-04 White Sox) WAR 57.7 OPS+ 114 PA 8271 (70)

22. Harmon Killebrew (1954-75, Twins) WAR 57.1 OPS+ 143 PA 9833 (58)

23. John McGraw (1891-07, Orioles) WAR 48.35 OPS+ 135 PA 4940 (98) MVPQ: 99, 98

24. Stan Hack (1932-47, Cubs) WAR 53.2 OPS+ 119 PA 8508 (63)

25. Ron Cey (1971-87, Dodgers) WAR 51.6 OPS+ 121 PA 8344 (62)

(last out - Sal Bando)

The 25 Greatest Shortstops in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are OPS+, plate appearances, WAR/Plate appearance, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got each position carried out to 32 slots for a project that I don't believe fits this space, so I'll just include the top 25 here.  I'll also include last player out.  For some players, it's hard to slot them at a particular position (where does King Kelly go, for example) so I just chose one (if you don't see a first baseman in the top 25 who you know should be there, maybe he's a third baseman instead).

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Honus Wagner (1897-17, Pirates) WAR 130.95 OPS+151, PA 11749 (WAR/PA .0111) EMVPQ: 08 MVPQ: 05, 06, 09, 07, 12, 

2. Alex Rodriguez (1994-16. Yankees) WAR 123.7 OPS+140 PA 12207 (.0101) EMVPQ: 00, MVPQ: 07, 96, 05, 02, 98, 03, 01,

3. Cal Ripken (1981-01, Orioles) WAR 105.6 OPS+112 PA 12883 (.0082)  EMVPQ: 84, 91 MVPQ: 83,

4. Arky Vaughan (1932-48, Pirates) WAR 76.2, OPS+ 136 PA 7722 (99) MVPQ: 35,

5. Barry Larkin (1986-04, Reds) WAR 76.1, OPS+116 PA 9057 (84)

6. Ozzie Smith (1978-96, Cardinals) WAR 82.3, OPS+ 87 PA 10778 (76)

7. Robin Yount (1974-93, Brewers) WAR 81.8 OPS+ 115 PA 12249 (67) EMVPQ: 82

8. Alan Trammell (1977-96, Tigers) WAR 78.35, OPS+110 PA 9396 (83)  MVPQ: 97,

9. Derek Jeter (1995-2014, Yankees) WAR 74.5 OPS+115 PA 12602 (59)

10. George Davis (1890-09, Giants) WAR 78.5, OPS+ 121 PA 10178 (77)

11. Bill Dahlen (1891-1911, Colts) WAR 78.1 OPS+110 PA 10405 (75)

12. Lou Boudreau (1938-52, Indians) WAR 63.65 OPS+120 PA 7024 (91) EMVPQ: 48,

13. Joe Cronin (1926-45, Red Sox) WAR 67.7 OPS+119 PA 8840 (77) MVPQ: 30,

14. Luke Appling (1930-50, White Sox) WAR 72.3 OPS+ 113 PA 10254 (71)

15. Pee Wee Reese (1940-58, Dodgers) WAR 64.1 OPS+99 PA 9470 (68)

16. Ernie Banks (1953-71, Cubs) WAR 62.75 OPS+ 122 PA 10394 (60) EMVPQ: 59 MVPQ: 58, 55, 60

17. Jack Glasscock (1879-95, Blues) WAR 63.35, OPS+112 PA 7552 (84)

18. Bobby Wallace (1894-1918, Browns) WAR 64.65 OPS+ 105 PA 9612 (67) MVPQ: 01

19. Troy Tulowitzki (2006-, Rockies) WAR 50.75 OPS+118 PA 5402 (94) MVPQ: 07

20. Nomar Garciaparra (1996-09, Red Sox) WAR 49.95 OPS+ 124 PA 6116 (82) MVPQ: 00,

21. Joe Sewell (1920-33, Indians) WAR 53.6 OPS+ 108 PA 8333 (64) MVPQ: 23

22. Tony Fernandez (1983-01, Jays) WAR 56.2 OPS+ 101 PA 8793 (64)

23. Miguel Tejada (1997-13, A’s) 54.85 OPS+ 108 PA 9205 (60) MVPQ: 04

24. Art Fletcher (1909-22, Giants) WAR 46.75 OPS+ 100 PA 6036 (77)

25. Joe Tinker (1902-16, Cubs) WAR 49.75 OPS+ 96 PA 7153 (70)

(last out - Monte Ward)