Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci lists his top-10 storylines for the 2010 baseball season, and number-1 is Atlanta Braves rookie Jason Heyward:
Forget the Fred McGriff comparisons; Heyward is far more athletic. Forget the Willie McCovey comparisons; McCovey was only a .270 career hitter. Forget the Willie Stargell comparisons; Stargell never walked even 90 times. Just let Heyward be who he will be, and enjoy a very unique player.
Go here to read the rest of the storylines and the rest of what he says about Heyward.
0 recs | 17 comments
I realize the hype and the potential, but I’m absolutely shocked a single player, let alone a rookie, is anyone’s #1 story.
JKowalek - March 31, 2010
I just looked up Pujols’ numbers for his 2001 rookie season (when he was 21). Unbelievable. I’m actually glad that those figures are out there because maybe there will be a chance for the media hype to at least say “okay, he’s no Pujols.”
Games: 161. Plate appearances: 676 with 590 official ABs.
Hits: 194 (47 doubles; 37 HR)
Runs: 112. RBI: 130
Walks: 69. Strikeouts: 93. GIDP 21 (forgivable)
AVG: .329; OBP: .403; SLG: .610. OPS. 1.013
I still hope Strasburg gets called up soon (likely June 1 or so, ugh) just to take the spotlight off of Jason for a while.
carpengui - March 31, 2010
holy shit pujols...that's unbelievable
kreese555 - March 31, 2010
"okay,he's no Pujols"
But won’t it be fun if he is!
bighop - March 31, 2010
Heyward will put Pujols out of work
The Real Me - April 1, 2010
He mentions Griffey
And if I’m not mistaken, he was hurt that year.
REG233710 - March 31, 2010
Is anyone else gonna gulp HARD when they put him on the cover of SI and/or when anyone refers to him as a "natural"?
FrankyWren - March 31, 2010
No. How often do SIs come out? Twice a month for like 50 years? I guarantee there are more folks who’ve been on the cover and done just fine afterwards than there are who have fallen prey to some ridiculous curse. Tiger Woods has probably been on the cover 20 times since he became a pro, do we attribute his recent problems with an SI curse? It’s kind of ridiculous.
cbwilk - March 31, 2010
Exactly
There’s no curse. A “curse” is just a BS thing made up to protect a player when he starts to struggle. LeBron has been on the cover something like 12 times since his NBA debut; I think he’s doing just fine.
Scott Coleman - March 31, 2010 via mobile
fair enough ...
I think that is a given. I wasn’t saying, I was just saying.
FrankyWren - March 31, 2010
It is...
or at least used to be, weekly.
Mr. Sanchez - March 31, 2010
Tiger Woods has probably been on the cover 20 times since he became a pro, do we attribute his recent problems with an SI curse?
What problems?
jpx7 - April 1, 2010
I actually agree with this.
cbwilk - April 1, 2010
Yea, jeff francouer is not even a poor man’s J-Hey…throw him on the cover and instead of the title, “The Natural” it should say “The No-Doubter”
ClemsonBrave - March 31, 2010 via mobile
NO ONE (I think) is arguing with you ...
Clearly J-Hey > Francoeur on greenies/roids/HGH. Not even close. I’m just eager to see him earn that spot in Cooperstown.
FrankyWren - March 31, 2010
Yessirr, HOF campaign begins Monday
ClemsonBrave - March 31, 2010 via mobile
20 HRs?
maybe if he hits in front of chipper
drumzalicious - April 1, 2010
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