To fill the void, I considered borrowing from my own blog and posting about my recent trip to Turner Field in Atlanta, the 30th major league park I’ve visited in my lifetime. That total actually includes 10 stadiums that are no longer active, so I still have a ways to go to get to all of the current ones. But, as I was thinking about re-writing it a bit to make it more suitable for this site, I got another idea.

Yesterday, Randy Johnson became the 24th pitcher in major league history to notch his 300th win. A lot has been written and discussed about the near-extinction of the 300-game winner. Many think that Johnson may be the last of a dying breed, that the nature of today’s game is making it virtually impossible for a pitcher to accumulate this many victories. Could this be true? Will there ever be a 300-game winner again? One thing’s for sure…if it does happen, we’re going to have to wait quite some time until we see it again, especially considering we’ve just seen four guys get there in the past six years.

Following Johnson on the career victories list, among “active” pitchers—I use the term loosely because two of them haven’t thrown a pitch in the majors this season—are Jamie Moyer (250 wins/46 years old), Andy Pettitte (220/37), Pedro Martinez (214/37), John Smoltz (210/42), Tim Wakefield (184/42), Bartolo Colon (153/36) and Livan Hernandez (151/34). Barring a miracle, none of these players has even the slightest chance of reaching the milestone.

In my opinion, the three pitchers with the greatest chances of reaching 300 are Roy Halladay (140/32), CC Sabathia (122/28) and Johan Santana (116/30). Actually, Sabathia will turn 29 in July, so he’s really only one year younger than Santana and three younger than Halladay, both of whom had birthdays within the past few months.

Despite the fact that Sabathia is younger and has more wins, I consider Santana to be the leading candidate to be the game’s next 300-game winner. Since his first season as a full-time starter—2004—Santana has earned 86 wins in five seasons, an average of 17.2 per year. Sabathia has won 74 in the same time frame, although he has really begun to peak over the last three years.

Sabathia has been a regular starter since the age of 20. That’s more than eight full seasons, thus accounting for his current advantage. On the other hand, being under 30 and having just signed a long-term deal with a team that almost certainly will give him plenty of opportunity to be a consistent big-time winner is a factor that weighs in his favor.

After some injury troubles in his late 20s, Halladay has remained healthy for the past three full seasons. Still, if he wins 12 more games this year, then averages 18 over the next five years, this would put him at 242 at the age of 38. It would then take 4-5 more solid years after that to get to 300. So, I’m considering him the biggest long shot of the three.

If Santana wins 10 more this year, then averages 17 over the next six years, this leaves him at 228 at 36 years old. Even based on these more conservative estimates than those I used for Halladay, he would then be within striking distance if he puts together a couple more good years followed by a few solid ones. This still makes him a long shot, but not nearly the long shot that Halladay is.

Regardless, it’s going to be at least 10 or more years until someone even gets a whiff of the 300 mark. So, once again I’ll ask the question…will there ever be another 300-game winner? Who do you think has the best chance to do it?

“What day is it?” Well, it’s SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!”

Yes, on this celebrated day I know everyone is waiting with baited breath on Casey’s predictions for the game. I’ll leave that ‘til
later. We have some other topics to consider.

Something to keep in mind: the New York Giants two previous Super Bowl victories have created a ripple effect that exists years later. Super Bowl XXI saw the first occurrence of the post-victory Gatorade bath while Super Bowl XXV included Whitney Houston’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that we have now heard ad nauseam, and too many people have tried to create their own version of Whitney’s passionate piece. Could today mark another Super Bowl victory for the Giants that will be remembered for years to come? Will it be the day perfection died? (Oooh a new Don Mclean song?)

Today’s contest comes down to the impact of Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants have established the little jumping bean as a second half compliment to Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs has been wearing down defenses in the first half, and Bradshaw reaps the benefit late in the game of rushing against a tired defense. If the Giants are to win today, Bradshaw’s presence will need to be felt.

Anyone for a little spy gate? Nah, we’ll leave that alone – far too early to make conclusions.

Who do you think Bill Parcells is cheering for today? Actually, who do you think Parcells received more phone calls from over the last week or so? Coughlin? Or Belichik?

Great article in today’s D&C about Coach C.

Looks cold in Arizona. Keyshawn has some funky scarf action working.

Congratulations to Art Monk. At long last the former Redskin great will get a bust in Canton. As a Giant fan Monk was one of those opponents I always had to respect. Nowadays we have receivers who spend more time preparing their end zone dances. Monk just did his job – to the tune of 820 career receptions – including at least one reception in 164 games.

NBA Chatter: What should we make of the recent victories by the East over the West? Sure it is February (actually games happened in January), but the Celtics passed one of their first tough tests by beating the Dallas Mavericks – and without Kevin Garnett. Also the Detroit Pistons knocked off the Los Angeles. Of course then the Lakers went out and acquired Pau Gasol. Does this make the Lakers into contenders?

Speaking of contenders the Memphis Tigers are the last unbeaten standing in NCAA Men’s hoops. Can the Tigers bring some validity to Conference-USA? Or will their regular season schedule hurt them come tournament time? A February 23rd date with the Tennessee Volunteers should serve as an ample gauge.

EPL Yakety-Yak: Brother Reynell was on the mark with his caveats about the Everton Toffees. Minus Yakubu and Andy Johnson still less than 100% the Mersysiders have back-to-back scoreless ties.

Are the Mets any more of a contender now that they have acquired Santana?

Casey’s Super Bowl Predictions: Double dipping will occur in 77% of the houses watching today’s game. Before the game is over 100 people will ask: Is that Peyton Manning’s brother? Tom Petty will play the following songs: ‘I Won’t Back Down,’ ‘Free Fallin,’ ‘American Girl,’ ‘I Need To Know,’ ‘A Mind With A Heart of Its Own.’

You didn’t think Casey would actually make a prediction on the game did ya?

Make sure you take your B-12…orally.

Other note: Michael Wilbon is recovering from a ‘mild’ heart attack. PTI is just not the same without him. Get well soon.