Fishing the NL East: Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux Elected into the Hall of Fame

Mar 6, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Team USA manager Joe Torre (center) leans against the dugout railing next to third base coach Willie Randolph (one from left) as pitching coach Greg Maddux (left) looks through the netting during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The previous three Saturday’s, I have attempted to gauge how Marlin Maniac readers feel that the NL East will play out in 2014. You guys have selected the Atlanta Braves to win the division, with the Washington Nationals finishing as the runner ups.

Who you guys selected to finish in third place may surprise for many people though.

Here are the results of the poll for how the division will play out, so far:

Today, let’s see who the Marlin Maniac community feels like will finish in the spot just above the basement in the NL East:

The latest news in the NL East deals with two great Braves being elected into the HOF, a National denying he’s fat, and an NL East opponents dog peeing on the teams logo.

Atlanta Braves

Cox, Glavine, Maddux All Make Hall of Fame | Tomahawk Take

Greg Maddux received 97.2% of the vote which is the 8th highest in history. Glavine also received over 90% – the first time since 2007 two players in the same class had over 90%. Maddux and Glavine are the 3rd pair of teammates to make the same class after playing together for at least 10 years. (stats via @ESPNStatsInfo).

Maddux and Glavine learned from each other | Fansided

MLB Network was able to get Greg Maddux on the phone while they had Tom Glavine live via satellite following the two teammates’ Hall of Fame elections.

Greg Maddux – The Best You’ll Ever See | Tomahawk Take

Whatever you affiliation if you were blessed to watch Greg Maddux (Mad Dog) in his prime you saw the best right hander since World War II and quite probably the best of all time. The only one of significance who might not agree is Maddux himself.

Washington Nationals

Jayson Werth’s Great Dane peed on Nationals logo in clubhouse | Fansided

Ask Me Anything sessions on Reddit tend to bring about some interesting information. Today, Washington Post Nationals beat writers Adam Kilgore and James Wagner did an AMA on Reddit. Kilgore shared one story of an interesting situation from the Nationals’ locker room:

Bryce Harper Denies That He Is Fat | Call to the Pen

Washington Nationals burning off-season question #1: Is Bryce Harper turning into a fatty fatty?

Adam LaRoche: Hunting This Offseason | District on Deck

After a miserable 2013 season for Adam LaRoche, he needs a turn-around season in 2014 if he wants to be brought back in 2015. Well, he has other things on his mind at this point of the offseason as he went hunting. A lot of players like to hunt to get away from the game for a little while right before things start to heat up in February, and LaRoche is no different.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Philles Announcers Gary “Sarge” Matthews and Chris “Wheels” Wheeler OUT | Section 215

It’s not often that I get to be the bearer of good news on the Philadelphia Phillies front anymore. Today actually has turned out to be one of those days.

Masahiro Tanaka Arrives in United States – Will He Meet with the Phillies? | That Balls Outta Here

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Japanese pitcher landed in Los Angeles earlier today and has already begun meeting with representatives of major league teams. Tanaka and his agent Casey Close will be busy over the next few days, as just about every team in baseball has expressed some interest in signing him. It is believed that he has already met with or has meetings planned with the Dodgers, Cubs, White Sox, Yankees and Diamondbacks.

Why Baseball’s Shift in Economics May Be Good News for the Phillies | That Balls Outta Here

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal’s recent column drew attention from Phillies fans because he mentioned that Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels could be available at the 2014 trade deadline. I didn’t take that to be anything besides speculation that the Phillies will be sellers at the deadline. However, there was something else in Rosenthal’s column which I viewed as positive news for the Phillies.

New York Mets

Strength Up The Middle? | Rising Apple

There’s an old baseball adage that to be a contender, a team has to be strong up the middle. This makes intuitive sense, since pitching is the cornerstone of any baseball team, catching impacts pitching, and the double-play combination and center fielder are very important in helping to prevent runs. With spring training a little over a month away, let’s examine how the Mets are looking up the middle.

Which Non-Roster Invitees Have a Chance to Head North? | Rising Apple

The Mets have invited 20 non-roster players to big league camp. Some have a chance to break camp with the Mets, most don’t.

Tom Glavine: Mets fans should ‘get past’ 2007 | Fansided

“I wish that people could get past that a little bit and look at some of the other good things that I did, but I understand that there’s still some anger from some people out there.”