The following is a guest post direct from Kevin of Macho Row. PhoulBallz.com's own Jay Ballz is posting on the same topic over on Kevin's site, Macho Row. Check that out as well and stick around for all other solid content that his site offers.
The Phillies unveiled their list of nominees for the Wall of Fame recently and are asking the fans for their input once again. The ballot will be available to fans until 5pm on March 23 so take the time to research the three players you will vote for and help determine which face in Phillies history will join the likes of Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Chuck Klein and Harry Kalas, who was posthumously inducted last season.
Today I am pleased to announce to you the three players I will be voting for and why here on PhoulBallz.com. If you are looking for Jay Ballz 's thoughts, then be sure to check out his guest post on Macho Row. When you get through reading what we have to say go ahead and cast your vote for the Wall of Fame on the Phillies web site. A fan vote will narrow the list of 12 names down to five and a special committee within the franchise will cast the final votes to determine the next Wall of Fame member. Fans may vote for three players and the votes are given a point total determined by your rank. First place votes will receive five votes, a second place vote gets three points and a third place vote gets one point.
Here are the three players I am voting for and why I place them where I do. Feel free to comment below with who you will vote for and why.
1. Darren Daulton, catcher
Forget the later days when Daulton was used in out field, because when we think of "Dutch" we think of his play behind home plate. Perhaps the best catcher in franchise history, Daulton set season records at the position for most walks (117 in 1993), most RBI (109 in 1992), doubles (35 in 1993), most putouts (981 in 1993) and double plays (19 in 1993). Daulton was selected to the All-Star team three times and was voted in as a starter in 1993 and was voted by the fans to be the starting catcher of the All-Vet team in 2003.
Put aside the numbers though, and you have the true leader of the 1993 team that unbelievably reached the World Series. Not only did Daulton lead the way at the plate but he was a one of the clubhouse leaders and he handled the pitching staff well. If the purpose of the Wall of Fame is to honor the best players on some of the best teams, then Daulton should be the first member of the wacky bunch of throwbacks to be honored on the Wall.
2. Jim Konstanty, right handed pitcher
Konstanty may be the last member of the Whiz Kids of 1950 that remains worthy enough to be placed on the Wall of Fame. The fact that he is not already on the list is a tad fascinating as he still owns franchise records for most wins by a relief pitcher in a season with 16 in 1950. During the 1950 season Konstanty became the first relief pitcher to win the National League MVP award. His club record of 74 appearances in 1950 was a franchise record until 1987 and he is the fourth in the franchise's win total among relief pitchers and in the top five for games finished and innings pitched by a reliever.
As Jay Ballz points out in his post on Macho Row, Schmidt and Klein are the only other Phillies to have won the NL MVP award (aside from Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard who are each active) and they are on the Wall of Fame. I believe that Rollins is a shoe-in for the Wall of Fame some day and Howard, if he sticks around, is a lock as well, so having Konstanty on the wall would ensure each Phillies player to win NL MVP would be honored.
3. John Kruk, First Base
I debated hard and long on whether or not to give my third and final vote to John Kruk or Lenny Dykstra. As much as we all loved Dykstra's on-field attitude and his MVP-type season in 1993, there is perhaps no player from the 1993 team who is as loved by the fans as Kruk. But Kruk not only left a spot in our hearts when his time as a Phillie came to an end. He also etched his name in Phillies history.
Like Daulton at catcher, Kruk was voted to be the starting first baseman for the All-Vet team in 2003. He was a three time All-Star, and was a part of one of the most famous all-star moments against Randy Johnson. But he also hit over .300 four times as a Phillie and his .323 average in 1992 was the third highest in the National League. Who could forget his .348 average in the 1993 World Series?
You can vote for whoever you want, of course, as there are some good candidates to be reviewed. Von Hayes and Lenny Dykstra are sure to receive some votes but failed to crack my top three. Be sure to see what Jay has to say on Macho Row today and check out the entire ballot before casting your vote!
-----------------------------------
Follow Macho Row on Twitter here.
Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!
The Phillies unveiled their list of nominees for the Wall of Fame recently and are asking the fans for their input once again. The ballot will be available to fans until 5pm on March 23 so take the time to research the three players you will vote for and help determine which face in Phillies history will join the likes of Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Chuck Klein and Harry Kalas, who was posthumously inducted last season.
Today I am pleased to announce to you the three players I will be voting for and why here on PhoulBallz.com. If you are looking for Jay Ballz 's thoughts, then be sure to check out his guest post on Macho Row. When you get through reading what we have to say go ahead and cast your vote for the Wall of Fame on the Phillies web site. A fan vote will narrow the list of 12 names down to five and a special committee within the franchise will cast the final votes to determine the next Wall of Fame member. Fans may vote for three players and the votes are given a point total determined by your rank. First place votes will receive five votes, a second place vote gets three points and a third place vote gets one point.
Here are the three players I am voting for and why I place them where I do. Feel free to comment below with who you will vote for and why.
1. Darren Daulton, catcher
Forget the later days when Daulton was used in out field, because when we think of "Dutch" we think of his play behind home plate. Perhaps the best catcher in franchise history, Daulton set season records at the position for most walks (117 in 1993), most RBI (109 in 1992), doubles (35 in 1993), most putouts (981 in 1993) and double plays (19 in 1993). Daulton was selected to the All-Star team three times and was voted in as a starter in 1993 and was voted by the fans to be the starting catcher of the All-Vet team in 2003.
Put aside the numbers though, and you have the true leader of the 1993 team that unbelievably reached the World Series. Not only did Daulton lead the way at the plate but he was a one of the clubhouse leaders and he handled the pitching staff well. If the purpose of the Wall of Fame is to honor the best players on some of the best teams, then Daulton should be the first member of the wacky bunch of throwbacks to be honored on the Wall.
2. Jim Konstanty, right handed pitcher
Konstanty may be the last member of the Whiz Kids of 1950 that remains worthy enough to be placed on the Wall of Fame. The fact that he is not already on the list is a tad fascinating as he still owns franchise records for most wins by a relief pitcher in a season with 16 in 1950. During the 1950 season Konstanty became the first relief pitcher to win the National League MVP award. His club record of 74 appearances in 1950 was a franchise record until 1987 and he is the fourth in the franchise's win total among relief pitchers and in the top five for games finished and innings pitched by a reliever.
As Jay Ballz points out in his post on Macho Row, Schmidt and Klein are the only other Phillies to have won the NL MVP award (aside from Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard who are each active) and they are on the Wall of Fame. I believe that Rollins is a shoe-in for the Wall of Fame some day and Howard, if he sticks around, is a lock as well, so having Konstanty on the wall would ensure each Phillies player to win NL MVP would be honored.
3. John Kruk, First Base
I debated hard and long on whether or not to give my third and final vote to John Kruk or Lenny Dykstra. As much as we all loved Dykstra's on-field attitude and his MVP-type season in 1993, there is perhaps no player from the 1993 team who is as loved by the fans as Kruk. But Kruk not only left a spot in our hearts when his time as a Phillie came to an end. He also etched his name in Phillies history.
Like Daulton at catcher, Kruk was voted to be the starting first baseman for the All-Vet team in 2003. He was a three time All-Star, and was a part of one of the most famous all-star moments against Randy Johnson. But he also hit over .300 four times as a Phillie and his .323 average in 1992 was the third highest in the National League. Who could forget his .348 average in the 1993 World Series?
You can vote for whoever you want, of course, as there are some good candidates to be reviewed. Von Hayes and Lenny Dykstra are sure to receive some votes but failed to crack my top three. Be sure to see what Jay has to say on Macho Row today and check out the entire ballot before casting your vote!
-----------------------------------
Follow Macho Row on Twitter here.
Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!
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