Hall of Fame

With the season ending injury of the greatest closer of all time this week, I got to thinking about hall of fame players. Guys that fathers and grand fathers tell the younger generations about. Reminiscing about having the privilege of seeing the dominant players of all time take the field. So I thought, what players will I be passing on to my son? What players do I get excited about one day saying "I saw him play." So here are a few picks I came up with, starting with Sandman...

Mariano Rivera
I fully admit that I'm a Yankee hater, but you can't find a better closer or person. If a batter knows exactly what pitch is coming and he throws it right by them anyways, that's dominance. And in an age of the 3 out closer, Mo has often been called upon to get 4-6 or more. I hope he is able to come back and go out on his own terms and gets the recognition he deserves.

Ivan Rodriguez
Not only a great offensive catcher, but probably the best defensive backstop since Bench. I remember seeing him throw a guy out at second from his knees. That's a cannon. He recently announced his retirement so we will see him giving a speech in five years.

Chipper Jones
Growing up as a switch-hitting infielder, I idolized Chipper. Accomplishing the rare feat of spending his whole career with one team, Jones is another guy that is struggling against injury in his last years. Hopefully he will get one more shot at the playoffs this year and will be able to retire in peace.

Albert Pujols
He just signed a 10 year deal, but he could retire tomorrow and walk into Cooperstown. Pujols has accomplished in 10 years what most players can only dream of. Entering conversations with the likes of Ruth, Mays, Mantle, etc. Pujols will be heading directly to the Hall when he hangs them up.

Those are my guys. There are a few other sure-fire hall of famers I left out that I'm sure will come up when reminiscing with my boy, guys like Ripken, Griffey, Bonds, and Jeter, and I can't wait to follow in the traditions of multiple generations of men saying "I remember when..."