Showing posts with label Drunks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drunks. Show all posts

Friday, June 14, 2013

2013 Phungo Cards #17 Todd Helton - First Baseman, Drunk Driver

The Phillies miserable midwest road trip conludes this weekend in Colorado where they will once again see First Baseman and Drunk Driver Todd Helton.


2013 Phungo #17 Todd Helton

I am not sure if Todd Helton has surpassed Larry Walker as the most noteworthy of the Rockies, but he has past far by him in service time.  In fact this weekend Helton will pass Walker in Games played for the Rockies by 1000 Games. His career numbers (all with Colorado) stand at 360 Home Runs, 1371 RBIs, 2454 Hits and a Career .319 BA, with an OBP of .417 (#2 Active, #22 All-Time).

The five time all-star has won 3 gold gloves and finished 2nd for 1998 Rookie of the Year (Kerry Wood).  He has been a member of 2 Rockies Playoff Squads including the 2007 NL championship squad that eliminated the Phillies while on thier way to the Series.        

Unfortunately Helton's borderline Hall of Fame career is crawling to an end.  He is merely accumulating numbers onto his peak years now, and looks like he will fall a tad short of milestons like 400 Homers and 3000 Hits.  A combination of the near miss and inflated stats from playing his home games at Coors will probably cost him a shot at the hall.

Helton is having a mediocre 2013 which is about where he has been the last 4 seasons.  He hasn't played more than 130 games since 2009. The one time perenial .300 hitter has slipped to .268 for that period which included only 35 Home Runs.

Off the Field

I always give a guy points for mainting a quality career with a single team, but as stated in the title I really can't forgive anyone much less a multi-millionaire for drunnk driving.  I am no angel, and may have been a bit rotten in my youth, but I just have no room for drinking and driving. Any good spirit Todd Helton earned he my book was burned this winter.   

In my opinion DUI convictiions should be handled at least as harshly as PED violations. I have no idea of the status of the Helton case at this point, but I don't think a 50 game suspension for a DUI or related offense is out of line.  It is a stand worth taking for the MLB as well as the other major sports.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

2011 Topps Diamond Duos - Alcholism

2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-CC Ty Cobb and Miguel Cabrera

Ron Shelton directed the fine 1994 film "Cobb" which starred Tommy Lee Jones as the crazed and troubled Detroit Tigers legend Ty Cobb.

The present day Tigers have another troubled star on their roster in the form of the talented Miguel Cabrera.

Some may think it is a bit heavy comparing the 27 year old Cabrera to Cobb talent wise - consider this:

According to Miguel Cabrera's Baseball-Reference page the three players in the history of baseball whose careers most closely match Miguel Cabrera's at the age of 27 are:

Frank Robinson
Hank Aaron
Ken Griffey Jr

That is some pretty good company.   

Being associated with those great names does not mean that Miguel Cabrera doesn't have a problem or absolve him from getting behind the wheel of a car while consuming a bottle of whiskey.

To me no one has an excuse for driving drunk - especially someone who has made 54 million dollars.

a thousand words

a thousand words
2008 World Champions