Comments on: Report: Nick Johnson chooses retirement at age 34

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:44:52 +0000

To put Johnson’s offensive prowess into better context, ranking 2001-2012 batters, minimum 3,000 plate appearances, by wRC+, Johnson ranks 40th, just below Carlos Beltran and Ryan Klesko and just above Moises Alou and Jorge Posada. [Hat tip to Fangraphs for allowing me to generate the rankings.]

Even if Johnson was durable, that’s not a good enough bat to meet most fans’ Hall of Fame expectations for a first baseman. To make Johnson’s hypothetical “what if” career into a Hall of Fame caliber career, you’d also have to argue that the injuries limited Johnson’s productivity even when he was in the line-up.

By: 18thstreet

18thstreet — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:18:48 +0000

I don’t know what the stats showed, but he was a pretty good fielder in his first year in DC, too.

I really liked the guy.

By: 18thstreet

18thstreet — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:18:10 +0000

Tony Conigliaro.

By: buffalomafia

buffalomafia — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:28:30 +0000

Good retire! Everytime I had him on my fantasy baseball team he was always hurt!

Over paid & over rated!

Like in the movie A Bronx Tale wasted talent!

By: purnellmeagrejr

purnellmeagrejr — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:22:01 +0000

I hope his wife doesn’t mind taking him to the doctor’s offfice regularly.

By: xjokerz

xjokerz — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:17:43 +0000

What if Barry bonds hit 10000000 home runs ?

By: blacksables

blacksables — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:24:08 +0000

SoJim Rice’s actual numbers aren’t good enough for the Hall of Fame, but Nick Johnson’s “what if” numbers gets him consideration? Yeah, bloggers would do so much better than sports writers. Of courseOps is the only number that counts.

By: badintent

badintent — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 07:46:29 +0000

Relax folks, this is in jest. Old Gator is just out Feeeeeeeeeeeshing for some real action. He’s out night hunting for crocs , using local comission board members for bait.

By: mazblast

mazblast — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 06:55:43 +0000

A first baseman of sorts whose claim to fame is that he drew lots of walks and got hurt an incredible number of times. Yay.

By: pisano

pisano — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:59:52 +0000

Smart move, this guy was a DL stint waiting to happen.

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:36:32 +0000

You can add Kerry Wood to that list even though he was able to have a nice career after his injuries, just not as great as what could have been. I’m happy I didn’t have to watch those 2 kick the Brewers asses for 10+ seasons its just unfortunate it was because of injuries.

By: dcfan4life

dcfan4life — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:12:40 +0000

When thinking what if players, Mark Prior immediately comes to mind.

By: nothanksimdriving123

nothanksimdriving123 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:09:16 +0000

Yes, Mickey Mantle would likely have put up even more incredible numbers had he been injury-free and lived a healthier lifestyle, but sidetracked? When you end up in the Hall of Fame, with 536 home runs, few would call your career sidetracked. The late Mark Fidrych’s career might be called sidetracked, but The Mick, not so much.

By: tfbuckfutter

tfbuckfutter — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:09:21 +0000

Actually it’s kind of an honor.

They are renaming the DL the NL.

By: vallewho

vallewho — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:44:14 +0000

so the choices were retirement or the DL?

By: sleepyirv

sleepyirv — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:35:11 +0000

It’s a shame that he’ll be only remembered for his numerous injuries (it doesn’t help his most useful skill- a good eye – his much of an attention grabber.) He got the job more than done at the plate.

By: paul621

paul621 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:06:17 +0000

I’m feeling a Randy Choate story right around the corner.

By: tfbuckfutter

tfbuckfutter — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:42 +0000

At least he has a second career opportunity as Porky Pig if they ever make a live-action Looney Tunes movie.

By: number42is1

number42is1 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:56:51 +0000

He came out to Miley Cyrus during his second stint as a Yankee. that is how i will always remember him

By: crankyfrankie

crankyfrankie — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:53:44 +0000

Any man who used “Return of the mack” as his walk out music is going to be missed.

By: mybrunoblog

mybrunoblog — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:52:31 +0000

Johnson was a great pure hitter but could never stay healthy. I heard he slipped walking up the podium on his way to his retirement speech. Pulled his calf muscle. He should be able to complete his retirement speech in 4 to 6 weeks.

By: seanatch

seanatch — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:36:09 +0000

Last 3 stories detailing players all involved in same trade!

By: hconnor2001

hconnor2001 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:31:20 +0000

Yup. Career .400 OBPs are ten-a-penny.

By: lyon810

lyon810 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:25:44 +0000

Failed to mention in the opening “Expos”….

That being said, that’s another former Expo gone. Only a small handful remain active.

By: sfm073

sfm073 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:22:11 +0000

So he’s a great what if bc he had a good
Double A season and a couple of average major league seasons?

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:21:38 +0000

Yup, he joins Mickey Mantle on that long list of what-if ballplayers whose careers were sidetracked by injuries.