Vorstellung » nt create. The positive, Roberto Martin

NEW YORK -- Baseball writers could elect a quartet of players to the Hall of Fame for the first time in more than a half-century. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas appeared to be on track to gain election from the Baseball Writers Association of America on Wednesday, and Craig Biggio could join them. The last time four players received the required 75 per cent was in 1955, when Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance all got in. Surprisingly, it was the third ballot appearance for DiMaggio, who fell 81 votes short in 1953 and 14 shy the following year. When he announced his retirement in December 2008, Maddux wouldnt talk about the Hall. "I think theres a lot of good players in there," he said. "Dont really have any thoughts on it." Maddux could break the mark for highest percentage (98.84), set when in 1992 when Tom Seaver topped the record Ty Cobb set in 1936. "I just have just never come across any human being, whether theyre a voter or just a fan, that doesnt think Greg Maddux is a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest pitchers who ever pitched," The Boston Globes Nick Cafardo said Tuesday. "I cant imagine someone not voting for him. So I would guess that hes going to break Seavers record." Maddux is among three high-profile players on the BBWAA ballot for the first time, joined by his former Atlanta teammate Glavine and Thomas. Holdovers include Biggio, who topped voting at 68 per cent last year, 39 votes short of the 75 per cent needed for election. It was only the second time in four decades the BBWAA failed to elect anyone. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, a former reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, said Tuesday the only player he voted for was Jack Morris, on the writers ballot for the 15th and final time after falling 42 votes shy last year. "To me, I didnt exclude Maddux. I excluded everybody from that era, everybody from the Steroid Era," Gurnick said. "It wasnt about Greg Maddux, it was about the entire era. I just dont know who did and who didnt." Gurnick said Morris also was the only player he voted for in 2013 and added he intends to abstain in future elections. "Some people quibble over when the era starts, but the bulk of his career was in my opinion well before all of the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs," Gurnick said. Given that 569 ballots were submitted in 2013, Maddux likely could be omitted from six this year and still break the record set by Seaver, who received 425 of 430 votes. Seaver was left off by Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Bob Hertzel of The Pittsburgh Press and freelance writer Bob Hunter. They all submitted blank ballots to protest the decision by the Hall of Fame board of directors to bar Pete Rose from the vote because of his lifetime ban from baseball following a gambling probe. Retired writers Deane McGowen and Bud Tucker also did not vote for Seaver. "If it had cost Seaver anything, yeah, I probably would regret it at some level, but it didnt really cost him anything," Hagen, now with MLB.com, said Tuesday. "He still got the highest vote (percentage) total ever, and he wouldnt have been unanimous anyway." The Steroids Era has impacted the vote totals of players with stellar statistics. In initial appearances last year, Mike Piazza was at 57.8 per cent, Roger Clemens at 37.6, Barry Bonds at 36.2 and Sammy Sosa at 12.5. Mark McGwire received 16.9 on his seventh try. The Baseball Think Factory website compiled votes by writers who made their opinions public, and with 194 ballots had Maddux at 99.5 per cent, followed by Glavine (95), Thomas (90) and Biggio (78). The websites count had Piazza (69), Morris (61) and Jeff Bagwell (58) falling short along with Tim Raines (54), Bonds (42), Clemens (41), Curt Schilling (37) and Mike Mussina (26). McGwire (11) and Sosa (8) had little support. Approximately 600 writers who have been members of the BBWAA for 10 consecutive years at any point considered the 36-player ballot. Next years ballot could be even more crowded when Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Carlos Delgado and Gary Sheffield become eligible, five years after their retirements. The BBWAA last month formed a committee to study whether the organization should ask the Hall to change the limit of 10 players per ballot. Sam Acho Jersey . Luke Wileman and I stood in the corridor outside of the Vancouver Whitecaps dressing room at BC Place in Vancouver. Jim McMahon Jersey . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag. http://www.officialchicagobearsfootball....rsey-womens.ca! There is plenty of blame to be shared as a result of the most recent NHL player (Pittsburghs Brooks Orpik) to be evacuated from the ice on a stretcher following an ugly incident Saturday night in Boston. Eddie Goldman Jersey . The team of Lars Nelson, Daniel Richardsson, Johan Olsson, and anchor Marcus Hellner cruised to victory in the 4x10 km event, winning in a time of one hour, 28 minutes, and 42. Kyle Fuller Jersey . Heather, the first Gaiter to win the award, set a Canadian Inter-university Sport record with 3,132 passing yards in eight league games, an average of 391.5 yards per game. That beat the mark of 3,047 set only one week earlier by Westerns Will Finch, a Hec Crighton finalist.At 11 games in, the Barclays Premier League table is as clear as mud. Another unpredictable weekend in the books with only three teams in the top eight earning full points is a testament to the competitiveness of the league, top to bottom. Six points separate the top eight teams, with eighth-place Manchester City remaining the odds makers favourite to win the title. This not only is thanks to the perceived strength of Manuel Pellegrinis squad, but the lack of a true front-runner. The class is among the top eight is palpable; the fatal flaws just as evident. City still being tipped for the title is significant considering no team outside the top three at this point in any Premier League season has gone on to win the league in the last decade. In fact, no team worse than sixth after 11 matches has ever gone on to win the league. The international break gives a chance to reflect on what weve seen thus far. So what do we know? Its fair to say the title race, and even spots in Europe come down to eight teams. The current top eight of Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester City all rightfully have claims for title and European aspirations. With all due respect to Newcastle and other mid-table teams, its far-fetched to believe any has enough quality, depth or the ability to penetrate the elite eight. Eight top teams with very little separating the group. Is this the most wide-open Premier League weve seen? Heres a historical look at the point differential between first and eighth place after 11 matches and corresponding place of the eventual Champion at this juncture. Premier League year-by-year through 11 matches Year League Leader Eighth Place Place of Eventual Champion 92/93 Blackburn - 24pts Ipswich Town - 16pts Man. United - 6th 93/94 Man. United - 28 QPR - 17 Man. United - 1st 94/95 Newcastle - 29 Man. City - 18 Blackburn - 5th 95/96 Newcastle - 28 Leeds - 20 Man. United - 2nd 96/97 Arsenal - 24 Aston Villa - 15 Man. United - 5th 97/98 Arsenal - 23 Leeds United - 17 Arsenal - 1st 98/99 Aston Villa - 25 West Ham - 16 Man. United - 2nd 99/00 Leeds United - 25 Everton - 17 Man. United - 2nd 00/01 MUFC/Arsenal - 24 Aston Villa - 16 Man. United - T1 01/02 LFC/Leeds - 23 Tottenham - 17 Arsenal - 5th 02/03 Liverpool - 30 Blackburn - 18 Man. United - 4th 03/04 Arsenal - 27 Liverpool - 17 Arsenal - 1st 04/05 AFC/CFC - 26 Newcastle - 16 Chelsea - T1 05/06 Chelsea - 31 Charlton - 19 Chelsea - 1st 06/07 Man. United - 28 Liverpool - 17 Man. United - 1st 07/08 Arsenal - 27 Aston Villa - 18 Man. United - 2nd 08/09 CFC/LFC - 26 Middlesbrough - 14 Man. United - 3rd 09/10 Chelsea - 27 Sunderland - 17 Chelsea - 1st 10/11 Chelsea - 25 Sunderland - 15 Man. United - 2nd 11/12 Man. City - 31 Aston Villa - 15 Man. City (goal differential) - 1st 12/13 Man. United - 27 Arsenal - 16 Man. United - 1st 13/14 Arsenal - 25 Man. City - 19 ??? As the table suggests, the start to this season equals the most competitive in Premier League history amongst the top eight. Only two other times six points has separated first from eighth at this stage. Arsenal was top of the table on just 23 points through 11 games in 1997-98 and was eventual Champion. In 2001-02, Liverpool and Leeds were on 23, before Arsenal pulled away after an incredible run to win the league by seven points. Even more striking is only seven times since 1992-93 has the team leading at this juncture gone on to win the title. Incredibly, Manchester United has only lead (or shared the lead) four times through 11 matches despite winning the league on 13 occasions. The rather cliché, popular narrative that this years league is wide-open actually fits the bill. Without a clear front-runner, were left with eight teams with belief, and rightfully so. Heres what else we know when it comes to the top eight contenders. 1) Arsenal (25pts) - The strength of Arsenal is in their starting XI, particularly the midfield. After that, questions set in. Arsene Wenger is desperate for another option at striker. Olivier Giroud simply has no requisite cover when having an off day. The back four is more settled than recent years. Bacary Sagna is back to top form after breaking his leg 18 months ago. Left back Kieran Gibbs has also been great, providing stability at the wing back positions. Despite early success, its fair to question how much has come from a soft schedule. A true test of squad depth comes before Christmas, with four of their next six games against teams in the top eight, including Manchester City and Chelsea. 2) Liverpool (23pts) - Its astonishing Liverpool is runner up despite still in transition and being without Luis Suarez for five games. Liverpool has feasted on lesser competition; something they haveent done in recent seasons.dddddddddddd. Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been the strength of the team, scoring 16 of Liverpools 21 league goals. Brendan Rodgers concerns lay elsewhere. An experimental back three or back five, depending on the match-up has brought mixed results. Its not so much the formation, rather than the personnel. A healthy Glen Johnson and Enrique are much better wingbacks with the ability to get forward than Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho deputizing. After Steven Gerrard in the midfield, the rest is thin and unpredictable. Expecting title contention at this point is premature. A place in Europe is not. 3) Southampton (22pts) - The Saints impressive start is no fluke. Theyve only conceded five times all season. Only Roma and Lille have better goals against records in European league play. And a goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, scored one of the goals conceded. The defending has been top rate. Mauricio Pochettino has also found a fluid system in attack, with England internationals Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana all playing in advanced positions. The move to relieve Nigel Adkins of his managerial duties last season seemed harsh. Its hard to question the move now. Southampton needed to take the next step and play a more consistent brand of football. Pochettino has pulled all the right strings and hasnt faced pressure to play record signing Dani Osvaldo when not needed. A true test is ahead in the coming weeks, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of the next four. 4) Chelsea (21pts) - Jose Mourinho is back being Jose Mourinho: outrageous sideline antics, mixing it up with players in the tunnel, true defiance and in your face gamesmanship. So is his ability to suck the life out of a team. A squad with as much talent as any in the league is stuck playing a bland withheld brand of football. The style is often times effective, and Mourinhos track record cannot be ignored. The Portuguese has yet to discover his top starting XI. I would argue he hasnt found a proper formation either. His insistence to over-rely on John Terry and Frank Lampard through the spine has resulted in a lack of consistency and drive in these all-important positions. David Luiz has been erratic, but is too good not to play. Perhaps a steady run for John Obi Mikel at defensive midfield, while playing alongside Ramires and dropping Oscar into a deeper position would do wonders. The move would allow Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to play behind Samuel Etoo in supporting attacking positions. Mourinho has to do something. No striker has more than two goals. Its all too pedestrian and predictable. Chelsea has a relatively easy go of it until Christmas time. Look for them to climb. 5) Manchester United (20pts) - Recent comments made by Manchester United players tell you all you need to know. Michael Carrick referred to team belief as catalyst for Uniteds current nine-match unbeaten run after "a shocking start" to the season. Phil Jones pointed to Uniteds detractors as inspiration, proving "when people doubt us we are more than capable of standing up for ourselves and proving to people that is why we were champions last season." Theres no question the new manager was a bigger transition than most imagined. The manager has changed but the pedigree and internal expectation at the club have not. The confidence and resiliency trademark at United remain prominent. While questions in the midfield exist, the teams overall quality is undeniable. Judging by the high pressure on the ball and unwavering commitment in the win over Arsenal, the fruits of the Moyes transition are ripening. And we havent even hit the Christmas period yet. 6) Everton (20pts) - The Toffees are the biggest outsider of the top eight but are still full value to be recognized among the elite. A 0-0 draw against bottom dwellers Crystal Palace was a disappointment. Everton had 73 per cent of possession in the game but simply couldnt create. The positive, Roberto Martinez side earned their third straight clean sheet, and sixth overall in 11 games. Martinez is steadfast in his commitment to playing a possession based game; something that kept his former side Wigan in the Premier League well beyond their best before date. The transition under the new manager has been seamless. They possess an element of steel through the middle of the park, with a touch of class down the left side with Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar pulling the strings. Outside a poor second half at the Etihad, theyve been in every game theyve played. 7) Tottenham (20pts) - Nine goals scored has hurt the start to the season. Only Sunderland and Crystal Palace have scored fewer. Spurs lead the league in shots and shots on goal per game, and are second in possession. Roberto Soldado and Gylfi Sigurdsson have scored seven of the nine goals. Many will point to the failures of Soldado in front of goal, which to a certain extent is fair. But secondary scoring is essential for any top team. The chances are there; the finishing is not. The struggles clicking shouldnt be too much a surprise for a team with seven new key players (nine with Danny Rose and Andros Townsend coming back from loans) in the squad. Next up for Spurs are Manchester City and United. Tottenham took seven points from Manchester sides a season ago. 8) Manchester City (19pts) - When rolling, no team looks better than Manchester City. You wont find a better performance than Citys 4-1 demolition of United. The score-line actually flattered United; it could have been worse. Citys abysmal away form is why they are in eighth. Four away losses, with three coming against teams in the bottom half of the table overshadow their perfect home record. Away is when teams rely on their defensive structure. City has been exposed at the back with Vincent Kompany on the sidelines, and reports say he is at least another three weeks away from returning. City doesnt have another true first choice centre back in their squad. The lack of quality at the position, combined with first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart being dropped means no easy solution. Previous manager Roberto Mancini understood City must play a more conservative style based upon weakness. Pellegrini isnt wired to play that way. Spurs, Southampton and Arsenal are ahead in their next five. Fortunate for City, theyve already advanced in the Champions League and three of their next five league games are at home. 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