With Alex Rodriguez name in the news practically on a daily basis, the debate has heated up again as to whether he is the greatest shortstop of all-time. Most historians believe Pittsburgh Pirates legendary Hall of Famer Honus Wagner deserves that title. After all , he won eight batting titles, and lead the National League in stolen bases five times. He was also one of five men named to the very first Hall of Fame Class, tying with Babe Ruth in the number of votes he received and trailing only Ty Cobb. That was a different time though, the "Deadball Era" and few if any people are living today who actually saw Honus Wagner play. Of the "Modern Era" shortstops you would have to consider Cal Ripken Jr. Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount and Derek Jeter. But for arguments sake Im going to look at one of my personal favourites "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks. Most fans, my age or younger would only remember Banks as a first base slugger. However he began his career as a shortstop and was a dominant player in the 1950s. Banks played eight full seasons at shortstop, the same number as A-Rod, before he moved to third base in deference to Jeter when he arrived with the Yankees. Banks hit 512 home runs over his career, 298 while playing short. Five times he knocked in over 100 runs peaking in 1959 when he drove in 143, again while playing short. Four times he led the National League in extra base hits and four times he slugged over 40 home runs in a season. In 1959 and 1960, he led the National League in intentional bases on balls. Banks was a 15 time All-Star, though, in some years of his career, there were two All-Star games in the same season. He won the Most Valuable Player Award back to back in 1959 and 1960, again as a shortstop. He was also sixth in the MVP voting in 1957 and fourth in 1960. The incredible thing about Banks career is, for all his greatness, he never once made it to the post-season. The Cubs routinely finished second in the division and late in his career, they fell apart down the stretch and watched the 1969 Mets pass them and ultimately win their first World Series. Banks was elected the Hall of Fame in 1977, when Alex Rodriguez was barely two years old. So, how does A-Rod stack up against Banks? Well Rodriguez won two Gold Gloves as a shortstop in 2002 and 2003 at Texas, his final two years as a shortstop before moving to the Yankees. Banks had only one, in 1960, his second last season as a shortstop. A-Rod hit 340 homers as a shortstop, 42 more than Banks did while at short. Rodriguez is a three time MVP, in 2003 with the Rangers and 2005 and 2007 with the Yankees. He also won seven Silver Sluggers for his hitting ability while at short. A-Rod has been an All-Star in 14 of his 19 seasons, one fewer than Banks, but again during some of Ernies seasons, there were two All-Star games in the same season. Rodriguez has 2,901 career hits, already surpassing Banks total. A-Rod has also drive in 1,950 runs, the most of any active player. He also has 647 home runs in total and his career batting average is right on .300. In fact in his eight years as a shortstop, he only hit below .300 twice, and he won a batting title in 1996, hitting .358 with Seattle. A-Rod also has stolen 318 bases over his career, while Banks only stole 50, though to be fair, the stolen base wasnt as in vogue in 50s. I mentioned earlier Banks never made it to the post-season. Rodriguez has, playing in 18 series, including one World Series. However, his numbers in the playoffs arent exactly overwhelming. He hit .263 with 13 homers and 41 runs batted in. His playoff teams won eight series and lost 10, though A-Rod did win the World Series in 2009 with the Yankees over Philadelphia. The numbers would seem to weigh in Rodriguez favour, but then you have to consider the whole person and his character. Banks entered the Majors in the early 1950s following the trail blazed by Jackie Robinson, when he broke the "colour" barrier in 1947. Banks ascended the ranks in difficult times and was revered for his class, his personality and his talent. A-Rod is really only known for the latter. Rodriguez may well be the greatest shortstop this side of Honus Wagner, but its men like Ernie Banks who are the true Hall of Famers. Nike Flyknit Clearance Sale . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Nike Flyknit Shoes Clearance . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. http://www.nikeflyknitclearance.com/ . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Nike Flyknit Cheap Online . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Nike Flyknit Wholesale . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. MIAMI -- Nearly 5? months into a six-month regular season, Andre Ethier was finally added to the active roster Saturday by the Los Angeles Dodgers.The veteran outfielder, who broke his right tibia when he fouled a ball off his leg during spring training, was not in the lineup Saturday against the Miami Marlins,?but he is expected to start in left field Sunday.Coming off a 2015 season when he batted .294 with a .366 on-base percentage in 142 games, Ethier was expected to be a steadying influence on the Dodgers. Instead, he was one of 10 players to open the season on the disabled list and one of a record-tying 27 players the Dodgers have put on the disabled list this year.He played in 11 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on a rehab stint in recent days, two of which were playoff games, before joining the Dodgers on Friday in Miami.It was a long summer, and these guys did a good job, Ethier said of his Dodgers teammates, who hold a four-game lead in the National League West heading into play Saturday. Im glad to be back and ready to contribute.The Dodgers sound as if they will take things slow with Ethier at the outset. While he will play the outfield Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said Ethier coould be used as a designated hitter during the upcoming three-game series at Yankee Stadium.ddddddddddddI talked to (Roberts) yesterday and there are no promises this time of the year, Ether said. Its one where you just figure out a way to come back, contribute and not get in the way of the good baseball these guys are playing. Whether its a pinch hit off the bench, a double-switch late in the game, or its a start here or there, I told him I am ready and can do whatever it is to help out.Ethiers return date has been a moving target all season. He was supposed to miss 10-14 weeks at the outset, but wasnt even back to baseball activity at that time. By the All-Star break, there was talk that Ethiers season could be finished, but he made progress in August and made it back with three weeks to go, even if he might not be at full strength.Its good to have (Ethier) back, certainly, and I talked to him about it, Roberts said. Its great to see that he is open to whatever role that we have for him. He will come off the bench tonight and then will be in left field. Its good. 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