Gordon Beckham Better Than Evan Longoria?

Posted: 3rd December 2009 by Michael Emdeyar in Rays News
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 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox Seriously? If you received your copy of The Sporting News today, you found an article about third basemen.  Who's the best ever.  Who's the best now.  That type of stuff. So, for the question "Which young third baseman would you rather have -- the Rays' Evan Longoria or the Mets' David Wright?" Evan Longoria won the panel 12-7 with one dingbat going with "other".  That washed up bum?  Eric Soderholm, formerly of the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.  Huh?  What's his claim to fame?  1977's Comeback Player of the Year.  As it turned out, he ended up being included on a panel that had the likes of such famous third basemen as Bill Almon, Kelly Gruber and Vance Law.  Eric Soderholm went against the grain.  He decided he would stand out against this panel by stating this:
"I'll take Gordon Beckham of the White Sox.  If he stays healthy, he will be better than those two,"
What a homer?  I get that Soderholm once played for the Chisox.  But, is he for real?  Gordon Beckham already had NOT won the Rookie of the Year award.  He lost out to a closer.  Evan Longoria won his.  Of course, we only have one season of Gordon Beckham to go by and two of Evan Longoria.  And, perhaps I'm being a homer myself.  But, is this guy serious?  For what it's worth, Longoria got this comment from the famed third baseman Phil Nevin:
"Evan Longoria has the best righthanded (sic) swing in baseball and may be one of the best defenders ever.  Already."
Perhaps I'm biased that the Rays selected the wrong Beckham in the 2008 draft.  And, maybe Gordon Beckham will end up being better than Evan Longoria.  But, my money is on Longoria.
  1. [...] Evan Longoria or Gordon Beckham? Seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, apparently you do need a brain. [Rise of the Rays] [...]

  2. [...] Evan Longoria or Gordon Beckham? Seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, apparently you do need a brain. [Rise of the Rays] [...]