Some players provoke more response than others. The Fan laughed when the story appeared that Jack Cust signed today for $2.8 million for a year. The laugh wasn't AT Jack Cust. He just provides that kind of reaction. Has there ever been another player like him?
Last year, Jack Cust came to the plate 592 times and did not put the ball in play 308 of those times. He struck out 197 times and walked 111 times. Put those two together and 52% of his plate appearances resulted in a ball not put in play. If you add in his homers (33), then 341 times out of 592 plate appearances, the fielders were not involved in his at bats (except the catcher). That's an astounding 56.7% of the time.
But that percentage did not beat the year before. In 2007, Cust had 500 official plate appearances, struck out 164 times and walked 105 times. So in 2007, he did not put the ball in play 53.8% of the time. Again, if you add in his 26 homers, then 59% of the time, the fielders just stood around and watched.
Cust is a former first round draft pick (by Arizona) in 1997. He was an 18 year old kid from New Jersey. He didn't make it in the Arizona and bounced from there to Colorado. He then caught on in the Baltimore system, then San Diego's before finally winning a starting job with the A's. Cust actually got a few at bats in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 before he had a big spring training with the A's and made the team in 2007.
But what's to be made about a player like Cust? He only batted .231 last year but with his 111 walks, finished with a .375 On Base Percentage. Even so, his Slugging Percentage slipped from the previous year below .500. With his On Base Percentage, he did finish with a respectable .851 OPS.
Actually, there are some similarities with Cust and Adam Dunn. Both strike out a lot and both walk a lot. But Dunn put the ball in play more times. About 41% of Dunn's plate appearances were walks plus strikeouts. How about Prince Fielder? Nope, not even close: 32%. Ryan Howard? He did strike out 199 times, right? Nope, not close: 41%. Mark Reynolds struck out 204 times (incredible!!), but nope: 44%. No again for Pat Burrell (37%). The closest you can come is Carlos Pena of the Bay Rays at 48% (166 strikeouts and 99 walks).
So it is safe to say that of all players with 500 plate appearances, there is no one like Jack Cust. The Fan will leave it to Billy Beane or some sabermatrician to figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing. To the Fan, it's just amusing.
P.S. - The Fan tried to find out how many times Cust struck out looking, but struck out searching everywhere. Can anyone find that number and leave a link? Thanks!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mark Prior to Try Again for the Padres
Mark Prior had it all. He was drafted second overall right out of USC in 2001 and the following year made his major league debut. His first year with the Cubs showed promise as he started nineteen games and finished with a 6-6 record and a 3.32 ERA. He struck out 145 batters in 116+ innings. But more than just his early record, talent evaluators were amazed at his mechanics and his command of the strike zone. His only problem that first year was the fourteen homers he gave up.
The following year, Prior (and Kerry Wood) led the Cubs to the brink of the World Series. Prior was phenomenal for the Cubs, finishing second in the Cy Young voting as he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 30 starts. He struck out 245 in 211+ innings, while only giving up 15 homers and 50 walks. He had a three run lead in the eighth inning of what would always become known as the Bartman game: 3-2 lead in the series, three run lead in the eighth inning with Mark Prior on the mound. But Cub fans would soon have their hearts ripped out and Mark Prior was a few months away from having his shoulder ripped out.
Today, every big league team seems to protect its young arms. The Joba Rules on the Yankees are a good example. Pitch counts are limited and plans are made to gradually build a pitcher up to a certain physical maturity. There was no such coddling of Mark Prior and maybe that led to his injuries. Here he was just two years removed from college ball, where he may have pitched 100 innings and he started 30 games in the regular season plus those starts in the playoffs. It was probably too much, too soon.
Prior won only 18 games the next three seasons as his injuries and lack of effectiveness mounted. He had shoulder surgery and missed all of 2007. The Cubs let him go. The Padres signed him to a minor league contract last year but his shoulder again blew out and he had to have another surgery and missed all of 2008 as well.
Give the Padres credit though. They signed him again this year to another minor league deal. They believe he has a chance to pitch this year. They believe his last surgery fixed what needed fixing. It's impossible not to hope they are right and that the chance they are taking on Prior rewards both he and them.
It would be great for baseball if Prior could make a comeback. After all, there are not a lot of pitchers who have a lifetime 10.37 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter. There are not many pitchers who have a lifetime strike out to walk ratio of 3.40 (it was an amazing 4.90 in his big year). Let's root for Mark Prior and hope he makes it all the way back this time.
The following year, Prior (and Kerry Wood) led the Cubs to the brink of the World Series. Prior was phenomenal for the Cubs, finishing second in the Cy Young voting as he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA in 30 starts. He struck out 245 in 211+ innings, while only giving up 15 homers and 50 walks. He had a three run lead in the eighth inning of what would always become known as the Bartman game: 3-2 lead in the series, three run lead in the eighth inning with Mark Prior on the mound. But Cub fans would soon have their hearts ripped out and Mark Prior was a few months away from having his shoulder ripped out.
Today, every big league team seems to protect its young arms. The Joba Rules on the Yankees are a good example. Pitch counts are limited and plans are made to gradually build a pitcher up to a certain physical maturity. There was no such coddling of Mark Prior and maybe that led to his injuries. Here he was just two years removed from college ball, where he may have pitched 100 innings and he started 30 games in the regular season plus those starts in the playoffs. It was probably too much, too soon.
Prior won only 18 games the next three seasons as his injuries and lack of effectiveness mounted. He had shoulder surgery and missed all of 2007. The Cubs let him go. The Padres signed him to a minor league contract last year but his shoulder again blew out and he had to have another surgery and missed all of 2008 as well.
Give the Padres credit though. They signed him again this year to another minor league deal. They believe he has a chance to pitch this year. They believe his last surgery fixed what needed fixing. It's impossible not to hope they are right and that the chance they are taking on Prior rewards both he and them.
It would be great for baseball if Prior could make a comeback. After all, there are not a lot of pitchers who have a lifetime 10.37 strikeouts per nine innings as a starter. There are not many pitchers who have a lifetime strike out to walk ratio of 3.40 (it was an amazing 4.90 in his big year). Let's root for Mark Prior and hope he makes it all the way back this time.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Clemens Story is Bad for the Insides
There's been a post building inside for quite some time now but it has been difficult to bring it out because it is painful. Anyone who makes a living writing understands the feeling of having something that needs to come out but makes us cower and cringe until it can't be withheld anymore. Anna Nalick already penned the feeling exactly in her haunting song, "Breathe (2 A.M.)":
"...2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song if I get it all
down on paper, it's no longer inside of me, threatening the life it belongs
to..."
The Roger Clemens fiasco is the post and anyone (or you few) who have followed this blog for a long time has an idea of where the Fan had Clemens placed in his iconography. Then one day a little over a year ago, the trophy shelf collapsed and the icon shattered like fine porcelain hitting the dining room floor.
The feeling was exactly the same as the day when we all turned on our television sets and saw that white Ford Bronco in that absurd ride down the California freeway and a whole childhood of worshipping O. J. Simpson vanished into thick, smoggy air. We all knew immediately that Simpson was guilty. We all knew. We still know. And though we mock him and deride him and were all secretly glad his little fiasco in Las Vegas finally put him where he belonged, despite the jeers and the smug satisfaction, there was still a little boy inside sadly wearing Number 32 and remembering the thrill ride of all those runs to glory.
That same little boy inside remains for most of us, even when we are on the other side of 50. That same little boy wonders why Clemens couldn't just come clean and tell his story. This is a country that loves to knock our heroes to the ground. But we love just as much to forgive them, wrap them back up in our arms and cheer them on again. Clemens didn't follow the example of his one-time, best friend, Andy Pettitte. Though Pettitte threatens that forgiveness with his stubborn refusal of $10 measly million, he was pardoned and we could cheer him on again.
Clemens apparently has decided to go down the same road already tread by Pete Rose and Richard Nixon. We knew they were guilty. We knew they were caught red-handed. If they had just drooped their shoulders and copped to their crimes, they would have been forgiven and life would have gone on. But, whether it is because they felt they had too much to lose or because their pride would not allow them to show flaws, they held on to the lies and held on tightly until there was no place for them to go.
And thus, Richard Nixon lost the White House and Pete Rose only shows up at Cooperstown to hawk signed baseballs when a simple little plea of: "Yup, I admit it," would have left them plenty of room for ultimate public redemption. And now, one of the most celebrated pitchers of the last one hundred years is having his name removed from hospital wings and is being banished even by the charities he used to support.
The sorrow isn't for Clemens or Nixon or Rose. They sowed their own seeds as did Simpson, Bonds, fallen Olympians and the Governor of New York. The sorrow is for the little boy who wanted to cry when Clemens gave his Hall of Fame speech.
And while we're on this subject, let's reflect a moment on the last three Hall of Fame votes in which Mark McGwire continues to sink in votes. The magical year in which McGwire hit his seventy home runs came after labor problems and probably did a lot to bring the fans back to the game. For this writer, it was even more personal as McGwire's heroics came right after a gut-wrenching divorce. That stupendous Labor Day weekend filled this writer with tears of joy that were unbelievably needed in those most painful of days. It gave a fallen and disheartened man a reason to be a little boy again. That same inner little boy that baseball has sustained for a lifetime.
And again, the boy is sad as McGwire's heroics are tarnished and discounted even though, by all accounts, McGwire was and is a decent man. The love he shared those days with his son could not be faked by steroids and it brought around the circle of fathers to sons that baseball has always generated.
At least McGwire didn't lie. But if he had just come clean and told his story straight up, he still may not have gotten into the Hall of Fame because some grumpy old men lost their inner little boys a long time ago. But the rest of us would embrace him and feel better about the emotions we let loose on that magical Labor Day Weekend.
And so we will continue to watch the Shakespearean play work itself out. The snake and tempter, McNamee, gets to shriek with glee as he continues to pull the Rocket down while McNamee gets a slap on the wrist. And we may even watch as Andy Pettitte, that old best friend, becomes the man who sends that former friend to prison. It didn't have to be this way. The little boy wishes with a lifetime of emotions that it could end in any other way.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Poor Michael Young
A story that has piqued the Fan's interest concerns Michael Young, the All Star shortstop of the Texas Rangers. Apparently Young is unhappy that he was told he would need to move to third base to make room for prospect Elvis Andrus and has requested the team to explore trade possibilities. Young's biggest gripe is that he wasn't asked to move, he was told he had to move.
Consider that Mr. Young is going to make $16 million for the next five years. Consider that, despite his elevated status as a ball player on a major league franchise, he is still an employee. Consider that most of the new sophisticated fielding measures list Young as a less than stellar shortstop (despite the fielding percentage and the Gold Glove). Consider that a manager and a general manager of a baseball team are paid to make the decisions that are in the best interest of the team's prospects.
Consider all those things and little sympathy can be engendered for Michael Young. The Fan would clean out the Texas Rangers septic system for $16 million. The Fan would be so giddy at making $16 million that he would do just about anything Mr. Washington or Mr. Daniels told him to do.
Tell any one of the 8% that are unemployed in the Arlington area that someone getting paid that kind of money has hurt feelings because he has to play third base and see what kind of reaction the person collecting unemployment or has his house repossessed will have.
It is stories like this that make the little hairs bristle inside the Fan's nose. Please excuse the coming language, but Mr. Young should swallow something quickly and get his nose down on some kind of reality level and quickly retract his asinine whining. And after he does that, he should get his high paid ars over to third and play his heart out.
Consider that Mr. Young is going to make $16 million for the next five years. Consider that, despite his elevated status as a ball player on a major league franchise, he is still an employee. Consider that most of the new sophisticated fielding measures list Young as a less than stellar shortstop (despite the fielding percentage and the Gold Glove). Consider that a manager and a general manager of a baseball team are paid to make the decisions that are in the best interest of the team's prospects.
Consider all those things and little sympathy can be engendered for Michael Young. The Fan would clean out the Texas Rangers septic system for $16 million. The Fan would be so giddy at making $16 million that he would do just about anything Mr. Washington or Mr. Daniels told him to do.
Tell any one of the 8% that are unemployed in the Arlington area that someone getting paid that kind of money has hurt feelings because he has to play third base and see what kind of reaction the person collecting unemployment or has his house repossessed will have.
It is stories like this that make the little hairs bristle inside the Fan's nose. Please excuse the coming language, but Mr. Young should swallow something quickly and get his nose down on some kind of reality level and quickly retract his asinine whining. And after he does that, he should get his high paid ars over to third and play his heart out.
Post Hall of Fame Thoughts
Rickey Henderson is in as expected, though 28 people did not vote for him. What dotards are they! Jim Rice is in on his last chance on the ballot. Dan Shaughnessy will be throwing a party. Many of the rest of us will continue scratching our heads. And that's it. Just those two were elected, proving once again that the Baseball Hall of Fame is the most exclusive and fickle club of all.
Apparently two writers didn't vote at all in protest of the steroids issue. Get a grip and give up your rights, people, if you think that is appropriate.
Mark McGwire received less votes than last year and only received roughly 22% of the votes. See previous paragraph.
Tim Raines used coke early in his career and apparently is still paying for it (though Paul Molitor cruised through and had the same problem). But Molitor got to 3000 hits (mostly as a DH) and Raines didn't. Raines only mustered 22.6% of the votes. Absurd and...umm...stupid.
Andre Dawson was 44 votes shy of getting elected, which is about right. Poor Burt Blyleven only went up by two votes and is still stuck at roughly 63%. Jack Morris and Lee Smith both came in around 44%. Tommy John finished his 15 year run with 31% and Dave Parker, Alan Trammell and the rest are not even mentioned in most articles on the subject. You can see the full list here.
The Fan has been debating the Raines and Lee Smith votes and Keith Law is probably correct that race might be a factor in both votes. That is a hard position to take considering that both of this year's electees are African American. But one has to wonder why Lee Smith is not worthy and Bruce Sutter is? Or why Molitor got a pass and Raines hasn't.
And it can't be because Raines fell short of 3000 hits. If that was the case, how did Rice get in? It's troubling and...yes...fickle.
Apparently two writers didn't vote at all in protest of the steroids issue. Get a grip and give up your rights, people, if you think that is appropriate.
Mark McGwire received less votes than last year and only received roughly 22% of the votes. See previous paragraph.
Tim Raines used coke early in his career and apparently is still paying for it (though Paul Molitor cruised through and had the same problem). But Molitor got to 3000 hits (mostly as a DH) and Raines didn't. Raines only mustered 22.6% of the votes. Absurd and...umm...stupid.
Andre Dawson was 44 votes shy of getting elected, which is about right. Poor Burt Blyleven only went up by two votes and is still stuck at roughly 63%. Jack Morris and Lee Smith both came in around 44%. Tommy John finished his 15 year run with 31% and Dave Parker, Alan Trammell and the rest are not even mentioned in most articles on the subject. You can see the full list here.
The Fan has been debating the Raines and Lee Smith votes and Keith Law is probably correct that race might be a factor in both votes. That is a hard position to take considering that both of this year's electees are African American. But one has to wonder why Lee Smith is not worthy and Bruce Sutter is? Or why Molitor got a pass and Raines hasn't.
And it can't be because Raines fell short of 3000 hits. If that was the case, how did Rice get in? It's troubling and...yes...fickle.
Why Football Isn't Baseball
The Fan loves football. It's a great game and fun to watch. But it will always come in second to Major League Baseball. It's the difference between U-2 (insert your favorite artist here) and the Beatles. U-2 is the world's favorites, but the Beatles hold the passion longer and that passion is deeper ingrained somehow. It's definitely a personal preference, but if you see the Fan's friends over at sportsblogs.org, and sort blogs by sport, there are twice as many baseball blogs than football blogs and three times as many as NBA blogs. So it appears the Fan is not alone.
It would be fun to include a list of differences between the two games. Actually two lists would be better. One list is how baseball is better than football and another in how football is better than baseball. The Fan will strategically list those things better in baseball in the hopes that you will get tired of reading before you get to the bottom and miss the many ways that football is better than baseball. Here goes...
Reasons that Baseball is Better than Football
- Baseball players don't crawl on the ground or do the Hulk flex when they make a great play. Football players will do so even when their team is down by 35 points.
- Baseball playoffs give your favorite teams five or seven chances to succeed rather than a sudden death format where in one three hour blink, your favorite team could be done.
- The umpires are professional and full time instead of part time referees in football. Of course, there is still plenty of bad calls. But at least they are made by people devoted year round to the sport. Poor Mr. Hoculi will never get a break again, will he?
- Baseball records have more magic in them. A pitcher reaching 300 wins has much more glam factor than a quarterback getting to 60,000 yards passing. The only thing close in football is a rusher getting to 15,000 yards or something.
- Baseball has better single performance juice. A player can hit for the cycle or get four home runs in a game or throw a no-hitter or get an unassisted triple play. A quarterback gets 400 yards passing in a game? meh. The only thing close is 200 yards gained by either a rusher or pass receiver.
- Every baseball game (except for rain outs) gives each team an equal opportunity to win. In a typical nine inning game, each team will bat nine times. If the game goes to extra innings, each team will still have equal opportunities. In football, you have that terrible overtime rule where a team winning the overtime toss can be the only team to touch the ball in overtime when they win.
- There are no ties in baseball. As Eagles fans know real well, a football game can still end in a tie. Well, there was a tie in the All Star Game. But that was a once-in-a-century thing and the game didn't count.
- Speaking of All Star Games, the baseball All Star showcase is way cooler than the Pro Bowl.
- Spring Training games are much more interesting than pre-season football.
- The yearly off season or Hot Stove League is much more interesting than off season football (unless you lived in Green Bay for the last five seasons).
- Fantasy leagues give you 162 chances to win instead of 17.
- Baseball cards are much cooler than football cards.
- A Joe Montana football will never sell as much as a Mickey Mantle baseball.
- In baseball, you don't have to wait seven days for the next game.
- At a baseball game, at least one player will be somewhat near you no matter where you sit. In football, you could be 80 yards from any action.
- Baseball is played in the warmer months so you don't have to get frost bite to see a game and bare chested guys with letters on their stomachs aren't as necessarily crazy at a baseball game.
- There has never been a football mascot even close to the San Diego Chicken.
- The baseball Hall of Fame seems more meaningful than the Canton equivalent.
- Baseball gives you at least five to six articles a week from your favorite sports writer and not two or three like in football.
- The one on one match up between the pitcher and the batter can only be somewhat matched by the match up of the quarterback and middle linebacker. And the latter match up still depends on 20 other guys to determine the outcome.
- Related to a previous reason, at a baseball game, the fans wear much less clothing than at a football game (except in Tampa or Miami or San Diego) which is better for members of either gender.
- There is no football equivalent to the seventh inning stretch.
- Baseball players seem to have less tattoos than their football counterparts. This is purely a personal difference.
- Only Pat Summerall and John Madden even come close to legends like Harry Carey, Phil Rizzuto, Curt Gowdy, Joe Garagiola, Jack Buck and on and on go the examples.
- Except for Japanese players, you can pronounce most baseball player's names. There are few African names in baseball...yet.
- If you are in a real hurry, a digitally recorded baseball game can be zipped through faster than a football game. Try it some time. Nine innings can go by in about 12 minutes.
- Pitchers can throw 100 MPH or 60 MPH and be just as effective. Quarterbacks (just ask this year's Cowboy fans) cannot have weak arms and be consistently effective.
- Baseball players can get their own drinks in the dugout. For some reason, football players' hands don't seem to work and assistants need to squirt liquid into their mouths for them.
- No baseball player in view will be riding an exercise bike.
- There are no cheerleaders in baseball.
Ways that Football is Better than Baseball
- There are cheerleaders in football.
- There are more 'Oooh' moments in football. There are probably six to ten good hits a game in football and there might be one time a week where the runner crashes into home plate. Big and cool plays happen much more often at a football game than at a baseball game.
- A Barry Sanders run is oodles more fun than a Vince Coleman triple.
- There is no baseball equivalent to a perfectly executed long bomb from from a quarterback to a deep running receiver.
- Half time give you the opportunity to go to the bathroom and still make it back in time. Plus you may get a good act that performs (unless it's Janet Jackson 0r something).
- Baseball doesn't have anything like NFL Films and that guy with the great voice doing the narration to that really great music. The best baseball ever had was Mel Allen saying, "How about that" to a syndicated show on Saturdays. Not even close.
- The World Series never gets really cool and funny commercials like the Super Bowl.
- Really bad teams only make their fans suffer for 16 games instead of 162.
- Football reviews more plays via video tape. It took an act of Congress to get baseball to simply review foul pole if-scenarios.
- Football doesn't have glaring rule weak spots like baseball's strike zones. You may have one out of every five umpires that will call a letter-high fastball a strike, which is terrible.
- You always play football no matter the weather (except for hurricanes and the like).
- The head coach in football can run up and down the field and keep coaching. If the manager did that in baseball, he gets thrown out of the game.
- Officials in football get to throw yellow flag bombs at offending players. How cool is that?
- Football games are probably better television.
More will probably come to the Fan once this blog is published. If you would like to add your own reasons one way or another, drop a note.
The Fan would like to give a big welcome to his first follower, Josh Borenstein. Josh publishes a blog called Jews in Baseball, which is a pretty cool idea. The Fan is half Sicilian and has always theorized that Italians were the lost ten tribes of Israel. After all, our mothers give us the same guilt and we both get blamed for all the crime in America. Nice to have you, Josh, and continued success and fun with your blog.
It would be fun to include a list of differences between the two games. Actually two lists would be better. One list is how baseball is better than football and another in how football is better than baseball. The Fan will strategically list those things better in baseball in the hopes that you will get tired of reading before you get to the bottom and miss the many ways that football is better than baseball. Here goes...
Reasons that Baseball is Better than Football
- Baseball players don't crawl on the ground or do the Hulk flex when they make a great play. Football players will do so even when their team is down by 35 points.
- Baseball playoffs give your favorite teams five or seven chances to succeed rather than a sudden death format where in one three hour blink, your favorite team could be done.
- The umpires are professional and full time instead of part time referees in football. Of course, there is still plenty of bad calls. But at least they are made by people devoted year round to the sport. Poor Mr. Hoculi will never get a break again, will he?
- Baseball records have more magic in them. A pitcher reaching 300 wins has much more glam factor than a quarterback getting to 60,000 yards passing. The only thing close in football is a rusher getting to 15,000 yards or something.
- Baseball has better single performance juice. A player can hit for the cycle or get four home runs in a game or throw a no-hitter or get an unassisted triple play. A quarterback gets 400 yards passing in a game? meh. The only thing close is 200 yards gained by either a rusher or pass receiver.
- Every baseball game (except for rain outs) gives each team an equal opportunity to win. In a typical nine inning game, each team will bat nine times. If the game goes to extra innings, each team will still have equal opportunities. In football, you have that terrible overtime rule where a team winning the overtime toss can be the only team to touch the ball in overtime when they win.
- There are no ties in baseball. As Eagles fans know real well, a football game can still end in a tie. Well, there was a tie in the All Star Game. But that was a once-in-a-century thing and the game didn't count.
- Speaking of All Star Games, the baseball All Star showcase is way cooler than the Pro Bowl.
- Spring Training games are much more interesting than pre-season football.
- The yearly off season or Hot Stove League is much more interesting than off season football (unless you lived in Green Bay for the last five seasons).
- Fantasy leagues give you 162 chances to win instead of 17.
- Baseball cards are much cooler than football cards.
- A Joe Montana football will never sell as much as a Mickey Mantle baseball.
- In baseball, you don't have to wait seven days for the next game.
- At a baseball game, at least one player will be somewhat near you no matter where you sit. In football, you could be 80 yards from any action.
- Baseball is played in the warmer months so you don't have to get frost bite to see a game and bare chested guys with letters on their stomachs aren't as necessarily crazy at a baseball game.
- There has never been a football mascot even close to the San Diego Chicken.
- The baseball Hall of Fame seems more meaningful than the Canton equivalent.
- Baseball gives you at least five to six articles a week from your favorite sports writer and not two or three like in football.
- The one on one match up between the pitcher and the batter can only be somewhat matched by the match up of the quarterback and middle linebacker. And the latter match up still depends on 20 other guys to determine the outcome.
- Related to a previous reason, at a baseball game, the fans wear much less clothing than at a football game (except in Tampa or Miami or San Diego) which is better for members of either gender.
- There is no football equivalent to the seventh inning stretch.
- Baseball players seem to have less tattoos than their football counterparts. This is purely a personal difference.
- Only Pat Summerall and John Madden even come close to legends like Harry Carey, Phil Rizzuto, Curt Gowdy, Joe Garagiola, Jack Buck and on and on go the examples.
- Except for Japanese players, you can pronounce most baseball player's names. There are few African names in baseball...yet.
- If you are in a real hurry, a digitally recorded baseball game can be zipped through faster than a football game. Try it some time. Nine innings can go by in about 12 minutes.
- Pitchers can throw 100 MPH or 60 MPH and be just as effective. Quarterbacks (just ask this year's Cowboy fans) cannot have weak arms and be consistently effective.
- Baseball players can get their own drinks in the dugout. For some reason, football players' hands don't seem to work and assistants need to squirt liquid into their mouths for them.
- No baseball player in view will be riding an exercise bike.
- There are no cheerleaders in baseball.
Ways that Football is Better than Baseball
- There are cheerleaders in football.
- There are more 'Oooh' moments in football. There are probably six to ten good hits a game in football and there might be one time a week where the runner crashes into home plate. Big and cool plays happen much more often at a football game than at a baseball game.
- A Barry Sanders run is oodles more fun than a Vince Coleman triple.
- There is no baseball equivalent to a perfectly executed long bomb from from a quarterback to a deep running receiver.
- Half time give you the opportunity to go to the bathroom and still make it back in time. Plus you may get a good act that performs (unless it's Janet Jackson 0r something).
- Baseball doesn't have anything like NFL Films and that guy with the great voice doing the narration to that really great music. The best baseball ever had was Mel Allen saying, "How about that" to a syndicated show on Saturdays. Not even close.
- The World Series never gets really cool and funny commercials like the Super Bowl.
- Really bad teams only make their fans suffer for 16 games instead of 162.
- Football reviews more plays via video tape. It took an act of Congress to get baseball to simply review foul pole if-scenarios.
- Football doesn't have glaring rule weak spots like baseball's strike zones. You may have one out of every five umpires that will call a letter-high fastball a strike, which is terrible.
- You always play football no matter the weather (except for hurricanes and the like).
- The head coach in football can run up and down the field and keep coaching. If the manager did that in baseball, he gets thrown out of the game.
- Officials in football get to throw yellow flag bombs at offending players. How cool is that?
- Football games are probably better television.
More will probably come to the Fan once this blog is published. If you would like to add your own reasons one way or another, drop a note.
The Fan would like to give a big welcome to his first follower, Josh Borenstein. Josh publishes a blog called Jews in Baseball, which is a pretty cool idea. The Fan is half Sicilian and has always theorized that Italians were the lost ten tribes of Israel. After all, our mothers give us the same guilt and we both get blamed for all the crime in America. Nice to have you, Josh, and continued success and fun with your blog.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Red Sox Continue Stockpiling
The Boston Red Sox had another busy week and continue to stockpile players like a survivalist family stocks its doomsday cellar.
This week, they signed Takashi Saito, the 38 year old relief pitcher who had great statistics with the Dodgers but also came up with a bum elbow; Rocco Baldelli, the once great outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays, who has a new diagnosis for his mysterious disease; Brad Penny, the former all star pitcher from the Dodgers who came up with a bum shoulder and had a bad year; and Mark Kotsay, the thirty-three year old outfielder/first baseman, who has stayed healthy and bats pretty well in an otherwise nondescript (apparently the Fan's new favorite word) career.
With the exception of Kotsay, it seems the Boston medical staff should be on red alert this year. Saito is also the fourth Japanese player on their roster.
This week, they signed Takashi Saito, the 38 year old relief pitcher who had great statistics with the Dodgers but also came up with a bum elbow; Rocco Baldelli, the once great outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays, who has a new diagnosis for his mysterious disease; Brad Penny, the former all star pitcher from the Dodgers who came up with a bum shoulder and had a bad year; and Mark Kotsay, the thirty-three year old outfielder/first baseman, who has stayed healthy and bats pretty well in an otherwise nondescript (apparently the Fan's new favorite word) career.
With the exception of Kotsay, it seems the Boston medical staff should be on red alert this year. Saito is also the fourth Japanese player on their roster.
Obscure Signings of the Week
Once again this week, a few well known names found themselves on the transaction wire such as Pavano, Giambi and Milton Bradley. But as always on the weekend, this blog searches the same transaction wires for those obscure signings of marginal players just trying to keep their MLB dreams and careers going.
Claudio Vargas - Pitcher - Dodgers: One year contract
The six foot, four inch, thirty year old, Vargas was never drafted and didn't play any college ball. He comes from Mao and this will be his sixth team in seven career years. Mostly a starter, Vargas has started 114 games in his career and pitched in relief 50 times.
He has a winning record (46-40), which is surprising considering his less than stellar statistics. His lifetime ERA sits at 4.94 with a career WHIP of 1.45. That means that you are not going to see a whole lot of 1-2-3 innings from this pitcher. And that is not good news for this pitcher when looking at his situational stats. He has a lifetime ERA of 2.05 with the bases empty, but his ERA balloons big time as soon as someone gets on base. But the biggest problem for Vargas? The long ball. He has given up 121 homers in just 703+ innings.
That figure should be better with the Dodgers in that pitcher's park.
Royce Ring - Relief Pitcher - Cardinals: One year contract
Royce Ring, now there's a great name for you. And he was drafted with high expectations. A lefthander from San Diego State, the 28 year old Ring was drafted in the first round by the Chicago White Sox in 2002. He made his debut in the majors in 2005 and has 91 appearances in the big leagues in parts of four seasons with three different clubs.
A first round draft pick became one of those situational lefties and Ring has only pitched 65 and two thirds innings in those 91 appearances. The problem for Ring has been his control and he's walked 40 batters in those innings. Ring got away with that control problem in limited appearances in 2006 and 2007 and had decent ERA figures for those two seasons. But last year, he was dreadful for the Braves who ran him out there 42 times for a total of 22 innings in which he gave up 42 base runners good for an 8.46 ERA.
Despite that dreadful year, the Cardinals signed him to a major league contract. The Cardinals love these kinds of projects and who knows, they could turn Ring and his career around. Getting him to throw strikes consistently would be the first step.
The Hairston Brothers, Scott and Jerry Jr. - Padres and Reds respectively: One year contracts
It was a good week for the Hairston family as both brothers received one year contracts this week after nondescript careers. The sons of former big leaguer, Jerry Hairston, Senior, the family goes back to the former Negro Leagues and Sammy Hairston, one of the first African-Americans to play for the Chicago White Sox. Oh, and oddly enough, they are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jerry Hairston, Jr., 32, is in his eleventh year and is listed as a shortstop, though he will play other infield positions. He only started one year of his eleven and has a lifetime BA of .260 to go with a .330 OBP.
Scott Hairston is an outfielder, who was first drafted as a second baseman in the third round in 2001 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. They brought him up in 2004 to play second, but he has played part time and mostly in the outfield since then. He has more power than his brother and has 41 homers in 900+ at bats. But his Batting Average (.246) and lifetime On Base Percentage (.303) don't give much to write home to dad about. But then again, Jerry Hairston Senior had a long and nondescript career himself.
One has to wonder sometimes how marginal players like the Hairston family members have such long careers.
Claudio Vargas - Pitcher - Dodgers: One year contract
The six foot, four inch, thirty year old, Vargas was never drafted and didn't play any college ball. He comes from Mao and this will be his sixth team in seven career years. Mostly a starter, Vargas has started 114 games in his career and pitched in relief 50 times.
He has a winning record (46-40), which is surprising considering his less than stellar statistics. His lifetime ERA sits at 4.94 with a career WHIP of 1.45. That means that you are not going to see a whole lot of 1-2-3 innings from this pitcher. And that is not good news for this pitcher when looking at his situational stats. He has a lifetime ERA of 2.05 with the bases empty, but his ERA balloons big time as soon as someone gets on base. But the biggest problem for Vargas? The long ball. He has given up 121 homers in just 703+ innings.
That figure should be better with the Dodgers in that pitcher's park.
Royce Ring - Relief Pitcher - Cardinals: One year contract
Royce Ring, now there's a great name for you. And he was drafted with high expectations. A lefthander from San Diego State, the 28 year old Ring was drafted in the first round by the Chicago White Sox in 2002. He made his debut in the majors in 2005 and has 91 appearances in the big leagues in parts of four seasons with three different clubs.
A first round draft pick became one of those situational lefties and Ring has only pitched 65 and two thirds innings in those 91 appearances. The problem for Ring has been his control and he's walked 40 batters in those innings. Ring got away with that control problem in limited appearances in 2006 and 2007 and had decent ERA figures for those two seasons. But last year, he was dreadful for the Braves who ran him out there 42 times for a total of 22 innings in which he gave up 42 base runners good for an 8.46 ERA.
Despite that dreadful year, the Cardinals signed him to a major league contract. The Cardinals love these kinds of projects and who knows, they could turn Ring and his career around. Getting him to throw strikes consistently would be the first step.
The Hairston Brothers, Scott and Jerry Jr. - Padres and Reds respectively: One year contracts
It was a good week for the Hairston family as both brothers received one year contracts this week after nondescript careers. The sons of former big leaguer, Jerry Hairston, Senior, the family goes back to the former Negro Leagues and Sammy Hairston, one of the first African-Americans to play for the Chicago White Sox. Oh, and oddly enough, they are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Jerry Hairston, Jr., 32, is in his eleventh year and is listed as a shortstop, though he will play other infield positions. He only started one year of his eleven and has a lifetime BA of .260 to go with a .330 OBP.
Scott Hairston is an outfielder, who was first drafted as a second baseman in the third round in 2001 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. They brought him up in 2004 to play second, but he has played part time and mostly in the outfield since then. He has more power than his brother and has 41 homers in 900+ at bats. But his Batting Average (.246) and lifetime On Base Percentage (.303) don't give much to write home to dad about. But then again, Jerry Hairston Senior had a long and nondescript career himself.
One has to wonder sometimes how marginal players like the Hairston family members have such long careers.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Rickey Henderson's Acceptance Speech
The Fan has to appreciate a ball player who always speaks in the third person. Anyone who has ever interviewed Rickey Henderson got an earful and probably laughed for a few days after. The man was and is hysterical. See here for an example.
Now that's all fine and dandy, but interviews are spur of the moment, at least for the player if not the person conducting the interview. A speech for the Hall of Fame is another thing altogether. That being the case, the Fan would like a crack at writing Rickey's speech for him. Feel free, Mr. Henderson, to use the following:
Rickey would like to thank Major League Baseball for admitting that Rickey was as good as Rickey always knew he was by putting Rickey in the Hall of Fame. It's a great honor for Rickey and Rickey will never forget this moment.
In times like these, it is customary to thank anybody who helped Rickey along the way to being Rickey even though Rickey has been Rickey since Rickey came out of the womb. So Rickey might as well thank Rickey's mother for that because she had to get Rickey out of her womb so he could be Rickey.
Rickey would like to thank Rickey's high school coach because when the high school coach saw what Rickey could do, he said, "Whoah, that Rickey can play." He was right and he just let Rickey play. So Rickey thanks the high school coach.
Rickey would also like to thank Mr. Finley, who owned the Oakland A's. Mr. Finley listened to his scouts who had come to watch Rickey play and they told him, "Whoah, that Rickey can play." Mr. Finley also brought a lot of other good players to play with Rickey and that was nice too. One thing Rickey couldn't figure out though was how those big fellas got to be such big fellas. When Rickey first knew them, they were skinny little guys. Rickey doesn't know how they got to be such big fellas, but Rickey is thankful that they helped Rickey run around the bases so much.
One thing Rickey doesn't want to thank Mr. Finley for was what Mr. Finley wanted to pay Rickey. Rickey was the best, you know? But Mr. Finley didn't want to hear anything about that. "Look at that nice used car, I got you, Rickey. Isn't that nice?" But Rickey didn't want no used car. Rickey is a Cadillac and wanted to be priced like a Cadillac. But Mr. Finley wanted to pay Rickey like some Chevy or something.
Rickey would like to also thank those nice umpires who let Rickey crouch down so Rickey had no strike zone to pitch to. If the umpires had followed the rules, then Rickey wouldn't have walked so much and Rickey liked to walk before he would run and then Rickey would run and run and run.
Rickey would like to take a moment to thank all those guys who batted second behind Rickey. If they hadn't laid off of all of those fat fastballs, then Rickey wouldn't be running free, so Rickey appreciates all those guys who let Rickey run around so much.
And Rickey would certainly like to thank all those pitchers who made it so easy to figure out when they were going to throw to first or to home. Without that, Rickey would be the one confused instead of the pitcher. But those pitchers never learned to change their routines and Rickey would like to thank them for the stolen bases and also for the laughs they provided by sweating and stuff on the mound because Rickey got into their heads cuz they knew what Rickey was going to do but they didn't know how to stop Rickey. Rickey would especially like to thank the knuckleball pitchers and those others who threw junk because then, their catchers had no chance to catch Rickey. Even when those knuckleball guys wanted to stop Rickey, they would throw those fastballs at 65 miles an hour and Rickey would be at second base before the fool behind the plate even caught the ball.
Rickey is also thankful for those pitchers that just let him hit their lazy fastballs out of the park in the first inning. Those guys just wanted to get Rickey out of the way so they could get on with the rest of their day. They knew Rickey was going to score anyway, so they figured they might as well get it over with. So Rickey thanks them too.
Rickey would like to thank Billy Martin because Billy was Rickey's kind of manager. Shoot. When Rickey would get on first base, Billy would start drooling and this icky liquid would start slobbering down his chin because he knew Rickey was going to steal second and then third and Billy would look like some kind of genius when all he was doing was watching Rickey do what Rickey does.
Rickey would like to thank Vince Coleman for being such a lousy player. That fella could run and if he was any kind of player at all, Rickey might have had to steal 150 bases to get his records back. So thanks Vince Coleman. You stunk and that saved Rickey a lot of trouble.
Rickey would like to thank all the cut off men Rickey played with for coming out a few extra steps to catch Rickey's throws. That was mighty nice of those guys.
So in closing, Rickey wants to thank everybody for saying what Rickey knew all along. Rickey was the best and now you nice people have showed everybody what Rickey has always known. And thank you for voting Rickey in the Hall of Fame because now Rickey can finally sign with another team and steal another forty bases. Barry Bonds isn't the only one who hasn't retired. Hey, that's another guy who was awful skinny when Rickey first saw him. How did he get to be such a big fella? Anyway, Rickey thanks you all. Okay. Who's next?
Now that's all fine and dandy, but interviews are spur of the moment, at least for the player if not the person conducting the interview. A speech for the Hall of Fame is another thing altogether. That being the case, the Fan would like a crack at writing Rickey's speech for him. Feel free, Mr. Henderson, to use the following:
Rickey would like to thank Major League Baseball for admitting that Rickey was as good as Rickey always knew he was by putting Rickey in the Hall of Fame. It's a great honor for Rickey and Rickey will never forget this moment.
In times like these, it is customary to thank anybody who helped Rickey along the way to being Rickey even though Rickey has been Rickey since Rickey came out of the womb. So Rickey might as well thank Rickey's mother for that because she had to get Rickey out of her womb so he could be Rickey.
Rickey would like to thank Rickey's high school coach because when the high school coach saw what Rickey could do, he said, "Whoah, that Rickey can play." He was right and he just let Rickey play. So Rickey thanks the high school coach.
Rickey would also like to thank Mr. Finley, who owned the Oakland A's. Mr. Finley listened to his scouts who had come to watch Rickey play and they told him, "Whoah, that Rickey can play." Mr. Finley also brought a lot of other good players to play with Rickey and that was nice too. One thing Rickey couldn't figure out though was how those big fellas got to be such big fellas. When Rickey first knew them, they were skinny little guys. Rickey doesn't know how they got to be such big fellas, but Rickey is thankful that they helped Rickey run around the bases so much.
One thing Rickey doesn't want to thank Mr. Finley for was what Mr. Finley wanted to pay Rickey. Rickey was the best, you know? But Mr. Finley didn't want to hear anything about that. "Look at that nice used car, I got you, Rickey. Isn't that nice?" But Rickey didn't want no used car. Rickey is a Cadillac and wanted to be priced like a Cadillac. But Mr. Finley wanted to pay Rickey like some Chevy or something.
Rickey would like to also thank those nice umpires who let Rickey crouch down so Rickey had no strike zone to pitch to. If the umpires had followed the rules, then Rickey wouldn't have walked so much and Rickey liked to walk before he would run and then Rickey would run and run and run.
Rickey would like to take a moment to thank all those guys who batted second behind Rickey. If they hadn't laid off of all of those fat fastballs, then Rickey wouldn't be running free, so Rickey appreciates all those guys who let Rickey run around so much.
And Rickey would certainly like to thank all those pitchers who made it so easy to figure out when they were going to throw to first or to home. Without that, Rickey would be the one confused instead of the pitcher. But those pitchers never learned to change their routines and Rickey would like to thank them for the stolen bases and also for the laughs they provided by sweating and stuff on the mound because Rickey got into their heads cuz they knew what Rickey was going to do but they didn't know how to stop Rickey. Rickey would especially like to thank the knuckleball pitchers and those others who threw junk because then, their catchers had no chance to catch Rickey. Even when those knuckleball guys wanted to stop Rickey, they would throw those fastballs at 65 miles an hour and Rickey would be at second base before the fool behind the plate even caught the ball.
Rickey is also thankful for those pitchers that just let him hit their lazy fastballs out of the park in the first inning. Those guys just wanted to get Rickey out of the way so they could get on with the rest of their day. They knew Rickey was going to score anyway, so they figured they might as well get it over with. So Rickey thanks them too.
Rickey would like to thank Billy Martin because Billy was Rickey's kind of manager. Shoot. When Rickey would get on first base, Billy would start drooling and this icky liquid would start slobbering down his chin because he knew Rickey was going to steal second and then third and Billy would look like some kind of genius when all he was doing was watching Rickey do what Rickey does.
Rickey would like to thank Vince Coleman for being such a lousy player. That fella could run and if he was any kind of player at all, Rickey might have had to steal 150 bases to get his records back. So thanks Vince Coleman. You stunk and that saved Rickey a lot of trouble.
Rickey would like to thank all the cut off men Rickey played with for coming out a few extra steps to catch Rickey's throws. That was mighty nice of those guys.
So in closing, Rickey wants to thank everybody for saying what Rickey knew all along. Rickey was the best and now you nice people have showed everybody what Rickey has always known. And thank you for voting Rickey in the Hall of Fame because now Rickey can finally sign with another team and steal another forty bases. Barry Bonds isn't the only one who hasn't retired. Hey, that's another guy who was awful skinny when Rickey first saw him. How did he get to be such a big fella? Anyway, Rickey thanks you all. Okay. Who's next?
Friday, January 09, 2009
Ugh! ESPN Writers Publish Their HOF Vote
How disappointing! See here. And the hero...Peter Gammons...picks Jack Morris but not Tim Raines or Burt Blyleven. Ouch! The only writer whose votes matched the Fan's (if he had a vote) was Brendan Roberts. Who the heck is Brendan Roberts?? Never heard of him. But if he is this smart, he will be worth investigating.
Many of the ballots listed are embarrassing. Truly embarrassing.
Many of the ballots listed are embarrassing. Truly embarrassing.
Is John Smoltz a Hall of Famer?
Nearly all the news stories concerning the recent signing of John Smoltz by the Boston Red Sox have featured the tag, "Future Hall of Fame Pitcher." Is the tag accurate and deserving?
Many writers have recently reiterated that there are no "benchmarks" for getting into the Hall of Fame. Despite the reiterations, most still consider 300 wins, 3000 hits and 500 home runs as benchmarks. While there are exceptions (Koufax, Feller and others), many career starting pitchers begin and end their candidacy by how many wins they compiled in their career. As one writer described it, either a player is rewarded for longevity and statistics compiled (such as Don Sutton) or for a brilliant, but sometimes brief flash of excellence (Koufax).
For those who say the benchmarks are meaningless, why else is Burt Blyleven not in the Hall of Fame? Tom Glavine has reached the benchmark and has 305 career wins. He'll get in no problem. But will Smoltz?
The easiest comparisons for Smoltz are with his two teammates that made up such a strong rotation for the Braves for all those years. We can easily eliminate Greg Maddux as he was clearly the superior pitcher. How does Smoltz compare with Glavine?
First, they each had 8 years as starters with an ERA of 3.20 or better. Glavine pitched 56 complete games in 682 starts (8%). Smoltz pitched 53 complete games in 466 career starts (11%). Glavine's career ERA is 3.54. Smoltz comes in at 3.26. Glavine has a lifetime WHIP of 1.31. Smoltz comes in at 1.17. Glavine has given up .79 homers per nine innings, Smoltz, .72.
It appears that in head to head pitching statistics, Smoltz was a superior pitcher to Glavine, though Glavine had more big years win wise.
The one problem with Smoltz is his years as a closer. There is only one pitcher to compare him to with a similar career and that is Dennis Eckersly. Eckersley pitched his first twelve years as a starter and his last eleven as a closer. The Eck compiled 197 wins along with 390 saves. If you elect Eckersley to the Hall of Fame (oh yeah, they already did), you have to do so as a closer. Eckersley was an effective starter for the first six years of his career only. He had an ERA well over 4 in four of his final six years as a starter. Hardly Hall-worthy. And Smoltz followed his four years as a closer back in the rotation where he was again, very effective. One can't imagine Eckersley having done that.
Smoltz has a better career ERA than Eckersley and has started 14 years out of his 18. Of those 14 years as a starter, only two were below par in terms of ERA and WHIP. So Smoltz has superior statistics to Eckersley. But what do we do with those "lost" four years as a closer?
If you assign him 14 wins a year for each of those four years, you can add 56 career wins to his lifetime total of 266. That puts him in the category of Mike Mussina. Okay then, how does Smoltz compare with the Moose?
Smoltz has a better career ERA than Mussina (3.20 to 3.64) but they have nearly identical WHIP stats. Mussina pitched with a DH for his career and in the strong American League East. That would seem to make the two pitchers about the same.
What seems to push Smoltz over the top is his post season performances. Smoltz dominated in the post season and has a 15-4 career record plus 4 saves to go with a 2.57 post season ERA.
The conclusions after all this analysis are that either Smoltz is as much of a Hall of Famer as Glavine or Eckersley or none of them were really good enough to get in. Eckersley is rightfully a HOFer for his unique career. Glavine will be for a long and successful career. If those two statements are true, then John Smoltz is a HOFer too.
Many writers have recently reiterated that there are no "benchmarks" for getting into the Hall of Fame. Despite the reiterations, most still consider 300 wins, 3000 hits and 500 home runs as benchmarks. While there are exceptions (Koufax, Feller and others), many career starting pitchers begin and end their candidacy by how many wins they compiled in their career. As one writer described it, either a player is rewarded for longevity and statistics compiled (such as Don Sutton) or for a brilliant, but sometimes brief flash of excellence (Koufax).
For those who say the benchmarks are meaningless, why else is Burt Blyleven not in the Hall of Fame? Tom Glavine has reached the benchmark and has 305 career wins. He'll get in no problem. But will Smoltz?
The easiest comparisons for Smoltz are with his two teammates that made up such a strong rotation for the Braves for all those years. We can easily eliminate Greg Maddux as he was clearly the superior pitcher. How does Smoltz compare with Glavine?
First, they each had 8 years as starters with an ERA of 3.20 or better. Glavine pitched 56 complete games in 682 starts (8%). Smoltz pitched 53 complete games in 466 career starts (11%). Glavine's career ERA is 3.54. Smoltz comes in at 3.26. Glavine has a lifetime WHIP of 1.31. Smoltz comes in at 1.17. Glavine has given up .79 homers per nine innings, Smoltz, .72.
It appears that in head to head pitching statistics, Smoltz was a superior pitcher to Glavine, though Glavine had more big years win wise.
The one problem with Smoltz is his years as a closer. There is only one pitcher to compare him to with a similar career and that is Dennis Eckersly. Eckersley pitched his first twelve years as a starter and his last eleven as a closer. The Eck compiled 197 wins along with 390 saves. If you elect Eckersley to the Hall of Fame (oh yeah, they already did), you have to do so as a closer. Eckersley was an effective starter for the first six years of his career only. He had an ERA well over 4 in four of his final six years as a starter. Hardly Hall-worthy. And Smoltz followed his four years as a closer back in the rotation where he was again, very effective. One can't imagine Eckersley having done that.
Smoltz has a better career ERA than Eckersley and has started 14 years out of his 18. Of those 14 years as a starter, only two were below par in terms of ERA and WHIP. So Smoltz has superior statistics to Eckersley. But what do we do with those "lost" four years as a closer?
If you assign him 14 wins a year for each of those four years, you can add 56 career wins to his lifetime total of 266. That puts him in the category of Mike Mussina. Okay then, how does Smoltz compare with the Moose?
Smoltz has a better career ERA than Mussina (3.20 to 3.64) but they have nearly identical WHIP stats. Mussina pitched with a DH for his career and in the strong American League East. That would seem to make the two pitchers about the same.
What seems to push Smoltz over the top is his post season performances. Smoltz dominated in the post season and has a 15-4 career record plus 4 saves to go with a 2.57 post season ERA.
The conclusions after all this analysis are that either Smoltz is as much of a Hall of Famer as Glavine or Eckersley or none of them were really good enough to get in. Eckersley is rightfully a HOFer for his unique career. Glavine will be for a long and successful career. If those two statements are true, then John Smoltz is a HOFer too.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
John Smoltz to the Red Sox?
Buster Olney reports here that John Smoltz is close to a deal with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox, who have been busy lately (landing Baldelli yesterday, which is a great move), have recently liked the idea of stockpiling starting pitchers and, according to Olney's sources (which we discussed in the previous post), will continue that trend this year by signing Brad Penny and now Smoltz.
Why would Smoltz do this at the age of 41? He has pitched his entire career with the Braves. He has won a championship and been a part of a dozen playoff teams. Why uproot your entire life for one season hundreds of miles from where you have spent the last twenty years?
One reason could be the money. Perhaps the pitcher wanted to keep his career alive and the Braves figured they were going to be a year or more away from contending anyway and didn't want to throw a lot of money his direction. Then Boston would make sense.
Another reason could be for one last chance at another championship. Boston will always contend in this era of their organization because it is well run and intelligent with their personnel handling. Tampa would have been closer and probably could have swung the $5 million he will reportedly get with Boston. But he may know what many of us suspect in that Tampa will have a hard time repeating what was a Cinderella story. The Red Sox are no Cinderella. More like a Sherman that keeps marching. Oops. That's not a reference the Fan should have made with a story Atlanta fans might read. Apologies in advance.
The one problem with Smoltz choosing Boston (if he has indeed done so): He will be facing much tougher lineups in the American League with the DH and no letup at the bottom of the order. He could be setting himself up to fail at the tail end of his career, which is not a good idea this close to those who will be deciding his HOF status in the next decade.
One thing is true if this story is indeed reality, the Red Sox have clearly given up on Clay Buchholz. It would not be a surprise to see him traded in the near future.
Why would Smoltz do this at the age of 41? He has pitched his entire career with the Braves. He has won a championship and been a part of a dozen playoff teams. Why uproot your entire life for one season hundreds of miles from where you have spent the last twenty years?
One reason could be the money. Perhaps the pitcher wanted to keep his career alive and the Braves figured they were going to be a year or more away from contending anyway and didn't want to throw a lot of money his direction. Then Boston would make sense.
Another reason could be for one last chance at another championship. Boston will always contend in this era of their organization because it is well run and intelligent with their personnel handling. Tampa would have been closer and probably could have swung the $5 million he will reportedly get with Boston. But he may know what many of us suspect in that Tampa will have a hard time repeating what was a Cinderella story. The Red Sox are no Cinderella. More like a Sherman that keeps marching. Oops. That's not a reference the Fan should have made with a story Atlanta fans might read. Apologies in advance.
The one problem with Smoltz choosing Boston (if he has indeed done so): He will be facing much tougher lineups in the American League with the DH and no letup at the bottom of the order. He could be setting himself up to fail at the tail end of his career, which is not a good idea this close to those who will be deciding his HOF status in the next decade.
One thing is true if this story is indeed reality, the Red Sox have clearly given up on Clay Buchholz. It would not be a surprise to see him traded in the near future.
Sources Schmorces
One of the most difficult tasks of this off-season is to figure out rumors that are true or planted by an agent. The Fan apparently fell for one of them yesterday when a "source" indicated that Trevor Hoffman was close to a deal with the Dodgers. Today, another "source" says he is close to a deal with the Brewers.
It has gotten to the point where you have to gauge the "source" by the writer's track record. For example, as shrill as he has sounded lately, Buster Olney has been dead on recently on his reporting of deals that are expected or close. It seems that he correctly reports a story just before it happens.
The "source" reporting that Hoffman was close to signing with the Brewers in today's news happens to be a news wire service. In today's arena of misinformation, current training would seem to put this story at the feet of an agent and not legitimate. Of course, if Hoffman does sign with the Brewers, it will be back to school to again figure out where the misinformation is coming from.
This seems to be a modern phenomenon since the Internet made all news information in terms of minutes and hours instead of days like you had in newspapers. Don't think for a second that general managers and team owners don't pour over the same sports information centers that we average fans do. They would need to read constantly to stay up on what is going on in their business.
The agents have figured this out and use misinformation to get a negotiation moving or motivated. It would appear that Scott Boras, who has single-handedly put Manny Ramirez in a box he might not get out of, is a master of such misinformation, but he is not the only one. The "reports" about the Giants having interest in Manny could very well be a plant by Boras to motivate the Dodgers, the only team that seems to have an interest in Ramirez.
So, fellow fans, don't believe everything you read. Being gullible, the Fan is learning the hard way. Perhaps those of you who are cynical by nature or circumstance are better off in this atmosphere.
It has gotten to the point where you have to gauge the "source" by the writer's track record. For example, as shrill as he has sounded lately, Buster Olney has been dead on recently on his reporting of deals that are expected or close. It seems that he correctly reports a story just before it happens.
The "source" reporting that Hoffman was close to signing with the Brewers in today's news happens to be a news wire service. In today's arena of misinformation, current training would seem to put this story at the feet of an agent and not legitimate. Of course, if Hoffman does sign with the Brewers, it will be back to school to again figure out where the misinformation is coming from.
This seems to be a modern phenomenon since the Internet made all news information in terms of minutes and hours instead of days like you had in newspapers. Don't think for a second that general managers and team owners don't pour over the same sports information centers that we average fans do. They would need to read constantly to stay up on what is going on in their business.
The agents have figured this out and use misinformation to get a negotiation moving or motivated. It would appear that Scott Boras, who has single-handedly put Manny Ramirez in a box he might not get out of, is a master of such misinformation, but he is not the only one. The "reports" about the Giants having interest in Manny could very well be a plant by Boras to motivate the Dodgers, the only team that seems to have an interest in Ramirez.
So, fellow fans, don't believe everything you read. Being gullible, the Fan is learning the hard way. Perhaps those of you who are cynical by nature or circumstance are better off in this atmosphere.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Four Deals to Talk About Today
The Indians Sign Carl Pavano for one year at $1.5 million.
You can actually hear Yankee fans cackling in the background. But this may be a great deal for the Indians. And it has to be because the Fan has listed the Indians as the projected winner of the American League Central division. Seriously, though, the Indians could be getting Pavano at just the right time.
The Yankees history with Pavano is well documented. Everyone knows what happened and how Pavano came to become the lightening rod for derision from the Yankee Stadium faithful. But even if Pavano is a .500 pitcher this year with say a 13-13 record and posts an ERA in the low 4 area, the Indians will have a bargain. If Pavano can somehow get back to the form that made him 18-8 for the Florida Marlins in 2004, then the Indians will have made a major coup.
And there is little or no risk involved for the Indians. If Pavano succeeds, then incentives in his contract will still be below market price. If he fails, then it's only $1.5 million for one year. This seems like a stroke of genius for the Indians and in the tradition of all underdogs, one can't help but root for Pavano to put his Yankee (self-inflicted) nightmare behind him.
The A's are reportedly close to a deal with Giambi.
If the reports are accurate, the A's would get Giambi for about $4 million with an option for 2010 at $6 million. Giambi is going home to where he started as a player, and he is going at the end of his career for a lot less money than he is used to making. But Oakland is where Giambi had the most fun in his career and really enjoyed his years playing there. Stories seem to indicate that he was never comfortable in New York and its business-like atmosphere made it hard for his personality.
All this points to Giambi having a productive year and having fun like he did in the past. Though the saying goes that you can never go home again, it is possible that Giambi will revert back to his "hit to all fields" approach he maintained while with Oakland and forget about pulling everything like he did in New York. If he manages to pull that off, the A's could get a steal of a deal here.
The only problem with the signing is what becomes of Jack Cust and former uber-phenom, Daric Barton, who played 140 games with Oakland last year and showed little of the promise the franchise had for him. Is his playing time done? Will Cust DH or will Giambi? If it's Cust, will Giambi cost the A's too much in the field? It will be interesting. But at least Oakland's offense should be much improved.
The Rockies receive Jason Marquis from the Cubs for Jose Vizcaino.
This straight up deal does not make any sense for the Cubs. Perhaps Lou Piniella could not take another year of Marquis playing around with the corners of the strike zone and walking 70 batters a year, but Marquis is a decent and durable starter who has been fairly consistent over his career. Not only that, but he has improved on his ability to keep the ball in the park. To trade that straight up for Jose Vizcaino, a relief pitcher who wants and always demands an important role though his statistics have never shown his ability to own those roles, seems ludicrous.
The Cubs save about $4 or $5 million on the deal, but at what cost? Where are the 200 solid innings coming from to replace Marquis? It doesn't appear to this point that Jim Hendry is having a very good off season. First, he loses the productive, versatile and dynamic Mark DeRosa and replaces him with Aaron Miles, then he signs Milton Bradley instead of the cheaper and safer Pat Burrell (or Bobby Abreu). No. Not a good off season for Mr. Hendry. But, time will tell. Rob Neyer still thinks they are good enough to maintain most of their 97 wins and still win a weak division. We'll see.
The Dodgers are close to a deal with Trevor Hoffman
Reports are citing that the Dodgers have made an offer to Trevor Hoffman, the all time Save leader. The Dodgers currently do not have a closer and Hoffman should fill that vacancy. But will it be the Hoffman of the first half of last season (where he got killed), or the Hoffman of the second half where he posted a 1.59 ERA after the All Star game?
Hoffman is now 41 and while that age is not out of reach for someone like Hoffman, each year brings him closer to the end of the road and a team can't ever know when the road leads off a cliff. Hoffman is one of the good guys and so is manager, Joe Torre. It's difficult not to hope that this deal works out for both of them.
You can actually hear Yankee fans cackling in the background. But this may be a great deal for the Indians. And it has to be because the Fan has listed the Indians as the projected winner of the American League Central division. Seriously, though, the Indians could be getting Pavano at just the right time.
The Yankees history with Pavano is well documented. Everyone knows what happened and how Pavano came to become the lightening rod for derision from the Yankee Stadium faithful. But even if Pavano is a .500 pitcher this year with say a 13-13 record and posts an ERA in the low 4 area, the Indians will have a bargain. If Pavano can somehow get back to the form that made him 18-8 for the Florida Marlins in 2004, then the Indians will have made a major coup.
And there is little or no risk involved for the Indians. If Pavano succeeds, then incentives in his contract will still be below market price. If he fails, then it's only $1.5 million for one year. This seems like a stroke of genius for the Indians and in the tradition of all underdogs, one can't help but root for Pavano to put his Yankee (self-inflicted) nightmare behind him.
The A's are reportedly close to a deal with Giambi.
If the reports are accurate, the A's would get Giambi for about $4 million with an option for 2010 at $6 million. Giambi is going home to where he started as a player, and he is going at the end of his career for a lot less money than he is used to making. But Oakland is where Giambi had the most fun in his career and really enjoyed his years playing there. Stories seem to indicate that he was never comfortable in New York and its business-like atmosphere made it hard for his personality.
All this points to Giambi having a productive year and having fun like he did in the past. Though the saying goes that you can never go home again, it is possible that Giambi will revert back to his "hit to all fields" approach he maintained while with Oakland and forget about pulling everything like he did in New York. If he manages to pull that off, the A's could get a steal of a deal here.
The only problem with the signing is what becomes of Jack Cust and former uber-phenom, Daric Barton, who played 140 games with Oakland last year and showed little of the promise the franchise had for him. Is his playing time done? Will Cust DH or will Giambi? If it's Cust, will Giambi cost the A's too much in the field? It will be interesting. But at least Oakland's offense should be much improved.
The Rockies receive Jason Marquis from the Cubs for Jose Vizcaino.
This straight up deal does not make any sense for the Cubs. Perhaps Lou Piniella could not take another year of Marquis playing around with the corners of the strike zone and walking 70 batters a year, but Marquis is a decent and durable starter who has been fairly consistent over his career. Not only that, but he has improved on his ability to keep the ball in the park. To trade that straight up for Jose Vizcaino, a relief pitcher who wants and always demands an important role though his statistics have never shown his ability to own those roles, seems ludicrous.
The Cubs save about $4 or $5 million on the deal, but at what cost? Where are the 200 solid innings coming from to replace Marquis? It doesn't appear to this point that Jim Hendry is having a very good off season. First, he loses the productive, versatile and dynamic Mark DeRosa and replaces him with Aaron Miles, then he signs Milton Bradley instead of the cheaper and safer Pat Burrell (or Bobby Abreu). No. Not a good off season for Mr. Hendry. But, time will tell. Rob Neyer still thinks they are good enough to maintain most of their 97 wins and still win a weak division. We'll see.
The Dodgers are close to a deal with Trevor Hoffman
Reports are citing that the Dodgers have made an offer to Trevor Hoffman, the all time Save leader. The Dodgers currently do not have a closer and Hoffman should fill that vacancy. But will it be the Hoffman of the first half of last season (where he got killed), or the Hoffman of the second half where he posted a 1.59 ERA after the All Star game?
Hoffman is now 41 and while that age is not out of reach for someone like Hoffman, each year brings him closer to the end of the road and a team can't ever know when the road leads off a cliff. Hoffman is one of the good guys and so is manager, Joe Torre. It's difficult not to hope that this deal works out for both of them.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
J. C. Romero is Getting Jobbed
Read Peter Gammons' piece concerning the suspension of J. C. Romero here and try to tell the Fan that there is fairness in what is happening to the pitcher. The Fan has a snarky feeling that MLB is so afraid of government interference that they are willing to throw any Arab off the plane just to keep the feds happy.
True, that is a strong statement. But does it seem a coincidence that the suspension announcement was made the same week that this story was published? Of course, there are knee-jerk sportswriters out there blathering that Romero deserves his punishment. Leave it to Gammons to at least paint an accurate and fair picture.
We all want a cleaner game and we all want the emphasis on drugs and supplements to go away and leave our game alone...just like we all want our nation to be safe from terrorists. But we cannot as a nation of enlightenment (or supposedly so) throw innocent Arabs off of planes or make young men cover up unpopular messages on t-shirts and we can't let an innocent Romero get busted for something that wasn't his fault to get what we want.
If it were the Fan's $1.25 million they were taking away in such a manner, the Fan would fight the thing all the way to the Supreme Court.
True, that is a strong statement. But does it seem a coincidence that the suspension announcement was made the same week that this story was published? Of course, there are knee-jerk sportswriters out there blathering that Romero deserves his punishment. Leave it to Gammons to at least paint an accurate and fair picture.
We all want a cleaner game and we all want the emphasis on drugs and supplements to go away and leave our game alone...just like we all want our nation to be safe from terrorists. But we cannot as a nation of enlightenment (or supposedly so) throw innocent Arabs off of planes or make young men cover up unpopular messages on t-shirts and we can't let an innocent Romero get busted for something that wasn't his fault to get what we want.
If it were the Fan's $1.25 million they were taking away in such a manner, the Fan would fight the thing all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Fan's Opinion on a Couple of Debates
Andy Pettitte is being "squeezed" by the Yankees after they "only" offered him a one year contract at $10 million, or $6 million less than they paid him last year. Pettitte has turned down the offer according to recent reports.
Are the Yankees squeezing Pettitte because of their recent free agent acquisitions? The Fan doesn't think so. $10 million is a lot of money--in this economy especially--for a lower to bottom of the rotation starter. The Yankees paid him generously last year for what they received in return. Pettitte was just average in every way...a .500 pitcher with a mid 4 ERA. Pettitte isn't the same pitcher he was six years ago and won't be again as he is in the later stages of his career.
The Yankees owe him some love and loyalty after all he's done for them. Oh really? It seems that Pettitte is the one who broke that loyalty first by going to Houston as a free agent. It was a total shock at the time to the Yankees. Despite that, the team brought him back, paid him well and when the HGH allegation and his admission followed, the team supported him. Seems like a squared deal from this perch.
The Yankees/Pettitte relationship is not dead yet, and perhaps the Yankees will sweeten the deal a little and perhaps Pettitte will reconsider, retire or sign with another team (the Dodgers perhaps?). But based on performance, the Yankees offer is fair and Pettitte should take it.
Lee Smith does not belong in the Hall of Fame because Saves are an overrated statistic? Let's debate the save issue first. Is the Save a valid or stupid statistic? While it remains too easy to get a save (a three run lead or less, etc.), and others maintain that the odds of winning the game regardless of who is pitching when a team leads in the ninth inning, those who argue against the merit of a Save statistic have never been Mets fans. It may be "easy" to get a Save and it may be easy to compile Saves, but not everyone can do it and when it can't be done successfully, it sure hurts a team.
Did you know that Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage blew more saves in their career than Lee Smith? Did you know that Lee Smith averaged over 30 saves for fifteen years? Did you know that there are only four pitchers who have more than 400 career saves and Smith is one of them? Did you know that Lee Smith gave up less career homers than Trevor Hoffman yet pitched three more years than Hoffman currently has? Did you know that Smith's lifetime ERA compares favorably with Gossage (3.03 compared to 3.01)?
Lee Smith should be in the Hall of Fame and though Bruce Sutter made it in the Hall of Fame and shouldn't have, that is no reason to punish Lee Smith, who, by numbers alone, deserves a place next to Gossage. And the argument will be the same for Rivera, Hoffman and John Franco when their times comes.
Andy Pettitte is being "squeezed" by the Yankees after they "only" offered him a one year contract at $10 million, or $6 million less than they paid him last year. Pettitte has turned down the offer according to recent reports.
Are the Yankees squeezing Pettitte because of their recent free agent acquisitions? The Fan doesn't think so. $10 million is a lot of money--in this economy especially--for a lower to bottom of the rotation starter. The Yankees paid him generously last year for what they received in return. Pettitte was just average in every way...a .500 pitcher with a mid 4 ERA. Pettitte isn't the same pitcher he was six years ago and won't be again as he is in the later stages of his career.
The Yankees owe him some love and loyalty after all he's done for them. Oh really? It seems that Pettitte is the one who broke that loyalty first by going to Houston as a free agent. It was a total shock at the time to the Yankees. Despite that, the team brought him back, paid him well and when the HGH allegation and his admission followed, the team supported him. Seems like a squared deal from this perch.
The Yankees/Pettitte relationship is not dead yet, and perhaps the Yankees will sweeten the deal a little and perhaps Pettitte will reconsider, retire or sign with another team (the Dodgers perhaps?). But based on performance, the Yankees offer is fair and Pettitte should take it.
Lee Smith does not belong in the Hall of Fame because Saves are an overrated statistic? Let's debate the save issue first. Is the Save a valid or stupid statistic? While it remains too easy to get a save (a three run lead or less, etc.), and others maintain that the odds of winning the game regardless of who is pitching when a team leads in the ninth inning, those who argue against the merit of a Save statistic have never been Mets fans. It may be "easy" to get a Save and it may be easy to compile Saves, but not everyone can do it and when it can't be done successfully, it sure hurts a team.
Did you know that Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage blew more saves in their career than Lee Smith? Did you know that Lee Smith averaged over 30 saves for fifteen years? Did you know that there are only four pitchers who have more than 400 career saves and Smith is one of them? Did you know that Lee Smith gave up less career homers than Trevor Hoffman yet pitched three more years than Hoffman currently has? Did you know that Smith's lifetime ERA compares favorably with Gossage (3.03 compared to 3.01)?
Lee Smith should be in the Hall of Fame and though Bruce Sutter made it in the Hall of Fame and shouldn't have, that is no reason to punish Lee Smith, who, by numbers alone, deserves a place next to Gossage. And the argument will be the same for Rivera, Hoffman and John Franco when their times comes.
Monday, January 05, 2009
The Logjam is Starting to Ease
New reports were released today that the Rays have signed Pat Burrell and the Cubs have signed Milton Bradley.
The Pat Burrell signing was not only cheap (two years at $8 million per) but it significantly improves the Rays at the plate. Last year, their combined DH statistics were rather ordinary: .246 Batting Average, .322 On Base Percentage, .428 Slugging for an OPS of .751. The Bay Rays Designated Hitters only managed 24 homers and 78 Runs Batted In to go with 56 walks and 131 strikeouts.
Pat Burrell's career averages beat all those numbers: .257/.367/.485/.852 along with career averages of 31 homers, 103 Runs Batted In and 97 walks. Okay, he does strike out 152 times a year. Plus, he appears to be a good teammate and an all around good guy in the community.
Burrell did suffer the drop off of the market and will make significantly less money than last year.
The Cubs got Milton Bradley at $2 million more per year more than what Burrell signed for and the deal is said to be for three years and not two. It seems to the Fan like the Rays got a better deal with a more reliable and proven entity. Yes, Bradley can sure hit and had an .OPS of .999 last year, but he again missed time with injuries and has only played 100 games in a season three times out of nine.
Pat Burrell's lifetime stats are much higher on average than Bradley's with more power and a higher OPS. Plus, the National League does not have the DH (maybe someday!) and that's all Bradley did last year with Texas. So Bradley will have to play the field, making him even closer to those injuries that have dogged his career.
The personalities of the two players are vastly different with Bradley being the more fiery and outspoken. Perhaps that is something the Cubs could harness to push them over the top. But overall, this looks like the Cubs (given that both players are the same age) got the riskier deal.
New reports were released today that the Rays have signed Pat Burrell and the Cubs have signed Milton Bradley.
The Pat Burrell signing was not only cheap (two years at $8 million per) but it significantly improves the Rays at the plate. Last year, their combined DH statistics were rather ordinary: .246 Batting Average, .322 On Base Percentage, .428 Slugging for an OPS of .751. The Bay Rays Designated Hitters only managed 24 homers and 78 Runs Batted In to go with 56 walks and 131 strikeouts.
Pat Burrell's career averages beat all those numbers: .257/.367/.485/.852 along with career averages of 31 homers, 103 Runs Batted In and 97 walks. Okay, he does strike out 152 times a year. Plus, he appears to be a good teammate and an all around good guy in the community.
Burrell did suffer the drop off of the market and will make significantly less money than last year.
The Cubs got Milton Bradley at $2 million more per year more than what Burrell signed for and the deal is said to be for three years and not two. It seems to the Fan like the Rays got a better deal with a more reliable and proven entity. Yes, Bradley can sure hit and had an .OPS of .999 last year, but he again missed time with injuries and has only played 100 games in a season three times out of nine.
Pat Burrell's lifetime stats are much higher on average than Bradley's with more power and a higher OPS. Plus, the National League does not have the DH (maybe someday!) and that's all Bradley did last year with Texas. So Bradley will have to play the field, making him even closer to those injuries that have dogged his career.
The personalities of the two players are vastly different with Bradley being the more fiery and outspoken. Perhaps that is something the Cubs could harness to push them over the top. But overall, this looks like the Cubs (given that both players are the same age) got the riskier deal.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
The Curious Case of Andruw Jones
There are reports that Andruw Jones approached the Dodgers and wanted out. The Dodgers reportedly worked with Jones and his agent, Scott Boras, to rework his contract and grant his wish. No doubt the Dodgers are extremely pleased to end this relationship as well. What happened to Andruw Jones?
Jones burst into America's baseball conscience when he became the youngest player to hit a World Series home run. That series, along with his other post season heroics led to years of Gold Gloves and steadily increasing power stats at the plate. He was considered the elite center fielder in the game.
Then the whispers started about a dramatic decline. Jayson Stark turned those whispers into shouts with his book (excerpt here). Then in 2007, Jones finished the year with a paltry .222 Batting Average to go along with an OPS of .724. The Braves ended their relationship with him and Jones signed what has become the worst free agent contract of all time with the Dodgers.
Battling injuries and (from many sources) his weight, Jones his stunning lows last year. In 209 at bats, Jones batted .158. That is so far below the Mendoza Line that Antarctica is closer to the Equator.
The Fan won't cover the same territory already laid out by Jayson Stark. But it will be instructive to note that Jones wasn't the same center fielder that he had been. Looking closely, the decline really began in 2000 and was in full view by 2002.
From 1997 to 2000, Jones' Batting Average and On Base Average increased each year. In each year, he stole over twenty bases and made well over 400 put outs in center. In 2001, his BA and OBA sunk by over fifty percentage points and his base stealing total dropped to eleven. By 2003, he made fifty less put outs in center and never again topped 400.
According to Stark, even his big homer years were a sham and showed a player playing vastly under his abilities. So what happened?
There are a couple of possibilities. The first is the steroid issue, which has to be discounted as Andruw Jones' name has never appeared on any whisper list and he has never tested positive (that we know of). The second possibility is how Jones has handled his paycheck.
Jones is from Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles. He is only the second player ever to come from that area (Hensley Meulens is the other). To be sure, the prospect of making the Major Leagues had to be the biggest long shot of all for the young Jones. Then he burst on the scene in that World Series and became a featured star in the league.
Consider the salary history of Andrew Jones (see here). Jones started making big money in 2000. He went from making $330,000 to $3.7 million! In 2001, he went over $8 million and started making over $10 million annually every year after 2002. Is it a coincidence that his effectiveness in most categories declined and started that decline after he started making serious money? It certainly looks suspicious that he got fat and happy and took his career for granted.
So now, at the age of 31, he looks washed up. He has recently been playing in the winter leagues hoping to revive his career, but it hasn't looked promising. According to reports, he struck out there six times in his first 16 at bats. He is like a middle aged man who suddenly has a "git-along" in his stride when needing to rapidly cross the street.
Time will tell if Jones can ever again be a semblance of his former self. The lessen here seems to be that, for some players, no big contracts should ever be awarded without incentives built in to continue the motivation.
There are reports that Andruw Jones approached the Dodgers and wanted out. The Dodgers reportedly worked with Jones and his agent, Scott Boras, to rework his contract and grant his wish. No doubt the Dodgers are extremely pleased to end this relationship as well. What happened to Andruw Jones?
Jones burst into America's baseball conscience when he became the youngest player to hit a World Series home run. That series, along with his other post season heroics led to years of Gold Gloves and steadily increasing power stats at the plate. He was considered the elite center fielder in the game.
Then the whispers started about a dramatic decline. Jayson Stark turned those whispers into shouts with his book (excerpt here). Then in 2007, Jones finished the year with a paltry .222 Batting Average to go along with an OPS of .724. The Braves ended their relationship with him and Jones signed what has become the worst free agent contract of all time with the Dodgers.
Battling injuries and (from many sources) his weight, Jones his stunning lows last year. In 209 at bats, Jones batted .158. That is so far below the Mendoza Line that Antarctica is closer to the Equator.
The Fan won't cover the same territory already laid out by Jayson Stark. But it will be instructive to note that Jones wasn't the same center fielder that he had been. Looking closely, the decline really began in 2000 and was in full view by 2002.
From 1997 to 2000, Jones' Batting Average and On Base Average increased each year. In each year, he stole over twenty bases and made well over 400 put outs in center. In 2001, his BA and OBA sunk by over fifty percentage points and his base stealing total dropped to eleven. By 2003, he made fifty less put outs in center and never again topped 400.
According to Stark, even his big homer years were a sham and showed a player playing vastly under his abilities. So what happened?
There are a couple of possibilities. The first is the steroid issue, which has to be discounted as Andruw Jones' name has never appeared on any whisper list and he has never tested positive (that we know of). The second possibility is how Jones has handled his paycheck.
Jones is from Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles. He is only the second player ever to come from that area (Hensley Meulens is the other). To be sure, the prospect of making the Major Leagues had to be the biggest long shot of all for the young Jones. Then he burst on the scene in that World Series and became a featured star in the league.
Consider the salary history of Andrew Jones (see here). Jones started making big money in 2000. He went from making $330,000 to $3.7 million! In 2001, he went over $8 million and started making over $10 million annually every year after 2002. Is it a coincidence that his effectiveness in most categories declined and started that decline after he started making serious money? It certainly looks suspicious that he got fat and happy and took his career for granted.
So now, at the age of 31, he looks washed up. He has recently been playing in the winter leagues hoping to revive his career, but it hasn't looked promising. According to reports, he struck out there six times in his first 16 at bats. He is like a middle aged man who suddenly has a "git-along" in his stride when needing to rapidly cross the street.
Time will tell if Jones can ever again be a semblance of his former self. The lessen here seems to be that, for some players, no big contracts should ever be awarded without incentives built in to continue the motivation.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Obscure Signings of the Week
While some familiar names like Tony Clark, Brian Fuentes and Scott Proctor picked up agreements this week, a couple of catchers make this week's Obscure Signings of the Week.
Raul Chavez - Catcher - Minor League Contract: Toronto Blue Jays
Raul Alexander Chavez is a 35 year old catcher from Venezuela. The catcher has had a long career bouncing from the minors to the majors and has actually made it into a few MLB games in ten seasons. In those ten seasons, he has managed to get into 212 games and has acquired 512 at bats. In those at bats, he has compiled 115 hits, 16 doubles, 5 homers, 50 runs batted in and has even stolen three bases.
The catcher has put together a career with a lifetime batting average of .223, a lifetime On Base Average of .260 and a Slugging Percentage of .292. Yes, fans, that gives him a lifetime OPS of .552. Wow! How has he managed to keep his career going? One possible clue is that he has thrown out 47% of all basestealers in his career. That's a pretty good average.
Chavez has played for the Expos, the Mariners, Astros, Orioles and Pirates.
Josh Bard - Catcher - One Year Contract: Boston Red Sox
Bard is thirty years old and was born in Ithaca, New York. He played college ball at Texas Tech and has many more at bats in his career than Chavez. His career has been pretty obscure except for the brief time he subscribed to the Bob Uecker theory of catching knuckleball pitchers when he spent part of the 2006 season picking up Tim Wakefield's pitches after they stopped rolling to the backstop.
Bard's lifetime Batting Average, OBA, Slugging Percentage and OPS look like this: .265/.333/.395 and .728. Bard had two decent seasons at the plate for the Padres in 2006 and 2007 in fairly significant playing time. The numbers in 2006 for the Padres were probably his best and might have been in relief for escaping from Boston where he was Wakefield's designated catcher. His ten Passed Balls in only eighteen games for Boston are amusing.
Bard is not the kind of catcher Chavez seems to be. 355 baserunners have attempted to steal on him and Bard has only thrown out 67 of them, a terrible 19% success rate. Mike Piazza, the standard for poor ability to throw out basestealers, finished at a 20% success rate.
Now that Boston has signed Bard again, will he catch Wakefield?
Elizardo Ramirez - Pitcher - Minor League Contract: Texas Rangers
Ramirez is from the Domincan Republic and is only 25 years old. He has already pitched in five big league seasons, though his pitching coaches might dispute that. He has a 4-15 lifetime win-loss record with a hefty 6.40 Earned Run Average in stints with the Phillies, Reds and Rangers. And so he finds himself at a young age already signing minor league contracts and fighting to keep his Major League dream alive.
While some familiar names like Tony Clark, Brian Fuentes and Scott Proctor picked up agreements this week, a couple of catchers make this week's Obscure Signings of the Week.
Raul Chavez - Catcher - Minor League Contract: Toronto Blue Jays
Raul Alexander Chavez is a 35 year old catcher from Venezuela. The catcher has had a long career bouncing from the minors to the majors and has actually made it into a few MLB games in ten seasons. In those ten seasons, he has managed to get into 212 games and has acquired 512 at bats. In those at bats, he has compiled 115 hits, 16 doubles, 5 homers, 50 runs batted in and has even stolen three bases.
The catcher has put together a career with a lifetime batting average of .223, a lifetime On Base Average of .260 and a Slugging Percentage of .292. Yes, fans, that gives him a lifetime OPS of .552. Wow! How has he managed to keep his career going? One possible clue is that he has thrown out 47% of all basestealers in his career. That's a pretty good average.
Chavez has played for the Expos, the Mariners, Astros, Orioles and Pirates.
Josh Bard - Catcher - One Year Contract: Boston Red Sox
Bard is thirty years old and was born in Ithaca, New York. He played college ball at Texas Tech and has many more at bats in his career than Chavez. His career has been pretty obscure except for the brief time he subscribed to the Bob Uecker theory of catching knuckleball pitchers when he spent part of the 2006 season picking up Tim Wakefield's pitches after they stopped rolling to the backstop.
Bard's lifetime Batting Average, OBA, Slugging Percentage and OPS look like this: .265/.333/.395 and .728. Bard had two decent seasons at the plate for the Padres in 2006 and 2007 in fairly significant playing time. The numbers in 2006 for the Padres were probably his best and might have been in relief for escaping from Boston where he was Wakefield's designated catcher. His ten Passed Balls in only eighteen games for Boston are amusing.
Bard is not the kind of catcher Chavez seems to be. 355 baserunners have attempted to steal on him and Bard has only thrown out 67 of them, a terrible 19% success rate. Mike Piazza, the standard for poor ability to throw out basestealers, finished at a 20% success rate.
Now that Boston has signed Bard again, will he catch Wakefield?
Elizardo Ramirez - Pitcher - Minor League Contract: Texas Rangers
Ramirez is from the Domincan Republic and is only 25 years old. He has already pitched in five big league seasons, though his pitching coaches might dispute that. He has a 4-15 lifetime win-loss record with a hefty 6.40 Earned Run Average in stints with the Phillies, Reds and Rangers. And so he finds himself at a young age already signing minor league contracts and fighting to keep his Major League dream alive.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Was the Past Really Better?
Or is the Fan just getting old? After doing a Google search, Bobby Murcer's name popped up in one of the results. The name is just one of those iconic names from a childhood filled with such icons. Growing up just seemed different then. Not really wanting to risk being portrayed as one of those fogies who turn off an entire generation with stories of walking four miles to school in the middle of winter, the question still begs to be asked: Was the past really better for baseball fans?
On the face of things, this is the best time ever to be a fan. With bloggers and sites all over the Web, one can easily spend the entire day reading about the game. Sites like mlb.com and http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ give you lifetime statistics for every player who ever played or the box scores of games in 1969 if one is interested. Yahoo sports has up to the minute box scores so there is no need to wait for the next day's papers. Baseball Tonight shows highlights of every game every night of the season. You couldn't ask for more, right?
So why does the past seem more romantic? In most markets, every game was televised, and even though we all had black and white televisions, it was wondrous and magical, even if your team was terrible. When you couldn't be home, you always carried a transistor radio with the nine volt batteries to listen to the same announcers and you could "see" the game and feel it even if you couldn't be there.
There were double headers on Sunday so you had six straight hours of baseball that didn't go past your bed time. Going to a big league game was not beyond most people's means, nor was getting hot dogs and soda once you go there. Playoff and World Series games were played during the day and teachers, at least the good teachers, would bring in this television on a cart (remember those?) and let the class watch.
We played baseball our entire childhood and practiced at least three days a week. And it was fun and something we wanted to do. When we weren't in organized ball, we made our own games up using dice and complicated pages of what each roll meant. Or, you saved your money and bought Strat-O-Matic and played 162 games. Plus there was stick ball, whiffle ball or stoop ball and a game called "Ground Ball to Short" where two people took turns playing first base and grounders or pop ups were thrown. Outs were recorded for successful plays and runs were scored if the Spalding Red Rubber Ball got past the other player. Nine innings would determine the winner.
The players were mostly regular joes before Curt Flood changed baseball (as it should have been changed). The players didn't make much more money than our dads and worked in shoe stores and the like during the off season. Fitness training wasn't big then like it is now and the players didn't look like polished sculptures.
And then there were baseball cards at a nickel a pack. A few packs were purchased each week and the list cards were faithfully recorded when you found that player in your pack. The cards were flipped or the doubles went in bicycle spokes.
Was it so different then? No good answer can come from this old Fan as he is not a part of the current generation. Bud Selig cannot be helping by starting playoff and World Series games so late every night. And the last time this Fan saw a pack of baseball cards, it was more than two dollars. Recently, MLB.com announced the beginning of MLB television. The story said the new cable channel was free. But after using the zip code finder, the finder said it was a subscription service. Does that mean less games to watch for the average fan?
Technology has long been viewed as a wonderful thing. And certainly life is much easier with microwave ovens. Getting up to the minute stats and analysis at the click of a mouse is really cool. But those days of living and dying by the transister radio sure are missed. Are things really better or worse for fans of baseball? If you have an opinion, leave a comment. If it turns out that the Fan has turned into a geezer...well...we'll just have to accept it.
Or is the Fan just getting old? After doing a Google search, Bobby Murcer's name popped up in one of the results. The name is just one of those iconic names from a childhood filled with such icons. Growing up just seemed different then. Not really wanting to risk being portrayed as one of those fogies who turn off an entire generation with stories of walking four miles to school in the middle of winter, the question still begs to be asked: Was the past really better for baseball fans?
On the face of things, this is the best time ever to be a fan. With bloggers and sites all over the Web, one can easily spend the entire day reading about the game. Sites like mlb.com and http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ give you lifetime statistics for every player who ever played or the box scores of games in 1969 if one is interested. Yahoo sports has up to the minute box scores so there is no need to wait for the next day's papers. Baseball Tonight shows highlights of every game every night of the season. You couldn't ask for more, right?
So why does the past seem more romantic? In most markets, every game was televised, and even though we all had black and white televisions, it was wondrous and magical, even if your team was terrible. When you couldn't be home, you always carried a transistor radio with the nine volt batteries to listen to the same announcers and you could "see" the game and feel it even if you couldn't be there.
There were double headers on Sunday so you had six straight hours of baseball that didn't go past your bed time. Going to a big league game was not beyond most people's means, nor was getting hot dogs and soda once you go there. Playoff and World Series games were played during the day and teachers, at least the good teachers, would bring in this television on a cart (remember those?) and let the class watch.
We played baseball our entire childhood and practiced at least three days a week. And it was fun and something we wanted to do. When we weren't in organized ball, we made our own games up using dice and complicated pages of what each roll meant. Or, you saved your money and bought Strat-O-Matic and played 162 games. Plus there was stick ball, whiffle ball or stoop ball and a game called "Ground Ball to Short" where two people took turns playing first base and grounders or pop ups were thrown. Outs were recorded for successful plays and runs were scored if the Spalding Red Rubber Ball got past the other player. Nine innings would determine the winner.
The players were mostly regular joes before Curt Flood changed baseball (as it should have been changed). The players didn't make much more money than our dads and worked in shoe stores and the like during the off season. Fitness training wasn't big then like it is now and the players didn't look like polished sculptures.
And then there were baseball cards at a nickel a pack. A few packs were purchased each week and the list cards were faithfully recorded when you found that player in your pack. The cards were flipped or the doubles went in bicycle spokes.
Was it so different then? No good answer can come from this old Fan as he is not a part of the current generation. Bud Selig cannot be helping by starting playoff and World Series games so late every night. And the last time this Fan saw a pack of baseball cards, it was more than two dollars. Recently, MLB.com announced the beginning of MLB television. The story said the new cable channel was free. But after using the zip code finder, the finder said it was a subscription service. Does that mean less games to watch for the average fan?
Technology has long been viewed as a wonderful thing. And certainly life is much easier with microwave ovens. Getting up to the minute stats and analysis at the click of a mouse is really cool. But those days of living and dying by the transister radio sure are missed. Are things really better or worse for fans of baseball? If you have an opinion, leave a comment. If it turns out that the Fan has turned into a geezer...well...we'll just have to accept it.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Angels Replace K-Rod with Fuentes
The Angels shouldn't skip a beat in the Save department as they have apparently replaced record-breaking closer, Francisco Rodriguez, with Brian Fuentes. Fuentes gets a nice $3 million raise after making $5 million with the Rockies this past year.
Fuentes is what you want in a closer with the strong ability to miss bats. He struck out 82 batters in a little over 62 innings. Over his career, Fuentes has a 10.24 strikeouts per nine innings rate. This ability makes him a better fit than Trevor Hoffman and other closers on the market.
Fuentes drastically lowered his home run per nine innings this past year and walks about a batter every third inning. He has also shown consistency with 2007 his only shaky year in the past five. He briefly lost the closer's job in 2007 after blowing eight saves, but reclaimed it in time for the Rockies improbable post-season run that year.
His numbers should be even better away from Coors Field and this seems like an excellent value for both him (he is a California native) and his new team.
The Angels shouldn't skip a beat in the Save department as they have apparently replaced record-breaking closer, Francisco Rodriguez, with Brian Fuentes. Fuentes gets a nice $3 million raise after making $5 million with the Rockies this past year.
Fuentes is what you want in a closer with the strong ability to miss bats. He struck out 82 batters in a little over 62 innings. Over his career, Fuentes has a 10.24 strikeouts per nine innings rate. This ability makes him a better fit than Trevor Hoffman and other closers on the market.
Fuentes drastically lowered his home run per nine innings this past year and walks about a batter every third inning. He has also shown consistency with 2007 his only shaky year in the past five. He briefly lost the closer's job in 2007 after blowing eight saves, but reclaimed it in time for the Rockies improbable post-season run that year.
His numbers should be even better away from Coors Field and this seems like an excellent value for both him (he is a California native) and his new team.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The Crystal Ball Speaks to the Fan
The Fan was cleaning out his basement and tripped over a round object covered by a felt sheet. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be a long forgotten crystal ball. After dusting it off, the Fan was amazed to see the following images:
- President Obama will throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals' home opener to enthusiastic crowds. Security at the game will make El Al look like amateurs.
- Manny Ramirez will sign with the Dodgers and have the following numbers: .312/33/115/.400/.550/.950, the Dodgers will win the NL West and Ramirez will be back in Buster Olney's good graces.
- Kerry Wood will save 38 games after a slow start.
- Sabathia will end up with a 17-12 record for the Yankees.
- Raul Casanova of the Mets will have a chance meeting with Romeo Crennel and they will discuss their strategy with women.
- Ben Sheets will sign with the Texas Rangers and will later credit Nolan Ryan with conditioning tips that helped him overcome his history of injuries.
- Rickey Henderson will be voted into the Hall of Fame, but some bone-headed writers will leave him off their ballot so he won't be unanimous.
- Dan Shaughnessy will write a 10,000 word diatribe when Jim Rice fall short of the votes needed to gain entrance to the Hall of Fame. The diatribe will include at least one Rob Neyer reference.
- Jayson Stark will actually write another baseball post for ESPN.com and finally remove his headline that the Braves have the best chance of signing A. J. Burnett.
- David Wright will win the National League MVP.
- Alex Rodriguez will win the American League MVP and bloggers from coast to coast will complain about the New York media bias.
- Randy Johnson will win his 300th game by June 15.
- Five more minor league pitchers from the Dominican Republic will be suspended for doping and yet the major story of how draftees from that country are mistreated will stay as dead in the headlines as they are now.
- The American Team will be bounced early from the WBC and American baseball fans will yawn and pop open another coke.
- The standings at the end of the year will be:
- AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Orioles, Blue Jays
- AL Central: Indians, Twins, Tigers, Royals, White Sox
- AL West: Rangers, Mariners, A's, Angels
- NL East: Mets, Marlins, Phillies, Braves, Nationals
- NL Central: Astros, Reds, Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers
- NL West: Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Padres
- The Wild Card teams will be the Red Sox and the Marlins
- At least ten homers or non-homers will be overturned by replay.
- There will be two no-hitters thrown during the year. One will be against the Padres.
- Phil Hughes will win more games than Chien-Ming Wang
- Jon Lester will win more games than Beckett
- Mike Hampton will win fourteen games and win comeback player of the year.
- Adam Dunn will hit 40 homers.
- No one will hit 50 or more homers.
- Barry Bonds will finally be convicted and the story will finally be over.
- Ozzie Guillen will have at least four major meltdowns
- Russell Branyon will play for at least two more teams in 2009 and hit home runs for both of them. He's played for eleven teams in the last six years and had at least one homer in every stop.
- The Fan will be watching with interest and pore over every box score as usual
Happy New Year Everyone!
The Fan was cleaning out his basement and tripped over a round object covered by a felt sheet. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be a long forgotten crystal ball. After dusting it off, the Fan was amazed to see the following images:
- President Obama will throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals' home opener to enthusiastic crowds. Security at the game will make El Al look like amateurs.
- Manny Ramirez will sign with the Dodgers and have the following numbers: .312/33/115/.400/.550/.950, the Dodgers will win the NL West and Ramirez will be back in Buster Olney's good graces.
- Kerry Wood will save 38 games after a slow start.
- Sabathia will end up with a 17-12 record for the Yankees.
- Raul Casanova of the Mets will have a chance meeting with Romeo Crennel and they will discuss their strategy with women.
- Ben Sheets will sign with the Texas Rangers and will later credit Nolan Ryan with conditioning tips that helped him overcome his history of injuries.
- Rickey Henderson will be voted into the Hall of Fame, but some bone-headed writers will leave him off their ballot so he won't be unanimous.
- Dan Shaughnessy will write a 10,000 word diatribe when Jim Rice fall short of the votes needed to gain entrance to the Hall of Fame. The diatribe will include at least one Rob Neyer reference.
- Jayson Stark will actually write another baseball post for ESPN.com and finally remove his headline that the Braves have the best chance of signing A. J. Burnett.
- David Wright will win the National League MVP.
- Alex Rodriguez will win the American League MVP and bloggers from coast to coast will complain about the New York media bias.
- Randy Johnson will win his 300th game by June 15.
- Five more minor league pitchers from the Dominican Republic will be suspended for doping and yet the major story of how draftees from that country are mistreated will stay as dead in the headlines as they are now.
- The American Team will be bounced early from the WBC and American baseball fans will yawn and pop open another coke.
- The standings at the end of the year will be:
- AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Orioles, Blue Jays
- AL Central: Indians, Twins, Tigers, Royals, White Sox
- AL West: Rangers, Mariners, A's, Angels
- NL East: Mets, Marlins, Phillies, Braves, Nationals
- NL Central: Astros, Reds, Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers
- NL West: Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Padres
- The Wild Card teams will be the Red Sox and the Marlins
- At least ten homers or non-homers will be overturned by replay.
- There will be two no-hitters thrown during the year. One will be against the Padres.
- Phil Hughes will win more games than Chien-Ming Wang
- Jon Lester will win more games than Beckett
- Mike Hampton will win fourteen games and win comeback player of the year.
- Adam Dunn will hit 40 homers.
- No one will hit 50 or more homers.
- Barry Bonds will finally be convicted and the story will finally be over.
- Ozzie Guillen will have at least four major meltdowns
- Russell Branyon will play for at least two more teams in 2009 and hit home runs for both of them. He's played for eleven teams in the last six years and had at least one homer in every stop.
- The Fan will be watching with interest and pore over every box score as usual
Happy New Year Everyone!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2009 Hall of Fame Ballot
The 2009 Hall of Fame Ballot was released in early December and the Web is starting to buzz with pro and con arguments. Below is a list of those on the ballots, some pertinent stats and analysis:
- Harold Baines (OF, DH, 1B)
.823 Lifetime OPS. 2866 career hits. Drove in 100+ runs only twice. Never scored 100 runs. 384 career homers. Only played 1061 of his 2830 games in the field.
Bottom Line: Good hitter for a long time, but not enough production as DH.
- Jay Bell (SS)
One great year. One more good one. .265 lifetime BA. .759 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Not even close. Should fall off the ballot after one year.
- Burt Blyleven (RHP)
287 career wins. 3.31 lifetime ERA in the DH era. 2.79/1 strikeout to walk ratio. Won 14 or more games 10 times.
Bottom Line: Hard to fathom why Blyleven has not been voted in. One of the best pitchers of his era.
- David Cone (RHP)
194-126 won, loss record. 8.28 strikeouts per nine innings lifetime. .309 lifetime On Base Against. 1.26 WHIP. Perfect Game. Big wins in postseason.
Bottom Line: A very good pitcher for his era. Just not enough longevity to pile up wins required to enter.
- Andre Dawson (OF, DH)
2774 lifetime hits. .805 OPS. 1591 RBI including four years of 100 or more.
Bottom Line: Despite impressive RBI total, Dawson's OPS is simply too low in comparison with other HOF outfielders.
- Ron Gant (OF, 3B)
.802 OPS. 321 homers. 243 stolen bases. .256 lifetime Batting Average.
Bottom Line: Not a chance.
- Mark Grace (1B, OF)
.302 lifetime Batting Average. .383 On Base Average. 433 more walks in his career than strikeouts. 2445 career hits. .825 OPS. Considered a good fielder.
Bottom Line: Low slugging percentage due to little power hurts statistics. A very good player, he was probably not quite good enough to get in.
- Rickey Henderson (OF)
No need to consider statistics. Henderson is a first ballot Hall of Famer with some records that will never be broken. The interesting thing is that he was the Manny Ramirez superstar of his era where his dedication and off-beat personality were constantly called into question. It is only in retrospect that he is appreciated. Lesson?
- Tommy John (LHP)
288 career wins. 3.32 ERA in the DH era. 1.24 walks per nine innings for career. Considerably better his last fifteen years in that category. Surgical procedure named after him.
Bottom Line: His career numbers should be good enough to get him in. He wasn't flashy enough for the sizzle of the memory.
- Don Mattingly (1B)
Bottom Line: Ah! What could have been. Was for four years the best player in MLB. Great fielder. Back problems shortened his career and limited his effectiveness in the last years of his career. Not enough numbers to get him in.
- Mark McGwire (1B)
The Fan's recent post concerning lifetime OPS for sluggers with more than 400 career homers list McGwire near the top of the list. Dirtied by the steroid issue, he was still one of the best sluggers of his era.
- Jack Morris (RHP)
254-186 won, loss record. 3.90 ERA. 13 years with 14 or more wins. 20 or more wins three times. Lifetime WHIP was 1.30.
Bottom Line: Lifetime ERA and WHIP puts him behind Blyleven and Tommy John.
- Dale Murphy (OF, 1B, C)
398 career homers. .815 lifetime OPS. .265 lifetime BA.
Bottom Line: One of the league's best players for six years, his production dropped too quickly and too precipitously.
- Jesse Orosco (LHP)
Pitched for 24 years. 1251 appearances. 3.15 lifetime ERA. 144 career saves.
Bottom Line: Effective pitcher for a very, very long time. Too much of a specialist to warrant consideration.
- Dave Parker (OF, DH)
2712 lifetime hits. .290 lifetime BA. .810 lifetime OPS. 526 career doubles.
Bottom Line: Fearsome hitter for a few years, but too low OPS over the long haul.
- Dan Plesac (LHP)
1064 appearances. 158 career saves. 1041 strikeouts in 1072 career innings.
Bottom Line: Comparable to Jesse Orosco. Again, too much of a specialist to merit consideration.
- Tim Raines (OF)
2605 lifetime hits. .385 career On Base Average. 430 doubles and 113 career triples. 1571 career runs scored. 808 stolen bases in 954 attempts.
Bottom Line: The second best leadoff hitter of his generation. Still suffers from drug talk early in his career.
- Jim Rice (OF)
.298 career Batting Average. .854 lifetime OPS. 1451 RBI. .502 career Slugging Percentage. Drove in 100 or more runs eight times.
Bottom Line: Perhaps too short a career to get enough "magical" numbers to get in.
- Lee Smith (RHP)
478 career Saves. 1022 lifetime appearances. 3.03 lifetime ERA. 1251 strikeouts in 1289 career innings.
Bottom Line: If Bruce Sutter is a Hall of Famer, so is Lee Smith.
- Alan Trammell (SS, INF)
2365 career hits. .285 lifetime Batting Average. .767 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Hard to quantify his fielding compared to period players to justify his very low OPS.
- Greg Vaughn (OF)
355 career homers. .807 career OPS. .242 lifetime Batting Average.
Bottom Line: Good power, but pretty marginal in every other way.
- Mo Vaughn (1B)
.293 career Batting Average. .906 career OPS. 328 homers in only 12 years.
Bottom Line: Mo Vaughn was the David Ortiz of his time. Injuries shortened his career and will keep him out of the HOF.
- Matt Williams (3B)
378 career home runs. .317 lifetime On Base Average. .806 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Injuries and steroid whispers will keep him out of the HOF. Terrible OBA.
If the Fan had a ballot, votes would be cast for: Tim Raines, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, Burt Blyleven, Tommy John and Lee Smith
The 2009 Hall of Fame Ballot was released in early December and the Web is starting to buzz with pro and con arguments. Below is a list of those on the ballots, some pertinent stats and analysis:
- Harold Baines (OF, DH, 1B)
.823 Lifetime OPS. 2866 career hits. Drove in 100+ runs only twice. Never scored 100 runs. 384 career homers. Only played 1061 of his 2830 games in the field.
Bottom Line: Good hitter for a long time, but not enough production as DH.
- Jay Bell (SS)
One great year. One more good one. .265 lifetime BA. .759 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Not even close. Should fall off the ballot after one year.
- Burt Blyleven (RHP)
287 career wins. 3.31 lifetime ERA in the DH era. 2.79/1 strikeout to walk ratio. Won 14 or more games 10 times.
Bottom Line: Hard to fathom why Blyleven has not been voted in. One of the best pitchers of his era.
- David Cone (RHP)
194-126 won, loss record. 8.28 strikeouts per nine innings lifetime. .309 lifetime On Base Against. 1.26 WHIP. Perfect Game. Big wins in postseason.
Bottom Line: A very good pitcher for his era. Just not enough longevity to pile up wins required to enter.
- Andre Dawson (OF, DH)
2774 lifetime hits. .805 OPS. 1591 RBI including four years of 100 or more.
Bottom Line: Despite impressive RBI total, Dawson's OPS is simply too low in comparison with other HOF outfielders.
- Ron Gant (OF, 3B)
.802 OPS. 321 homers. 243 stolen bases. .256 lifetime Batting Average.
Bottom Line: Not a chance.
- Mark Grace (1B, OF)
.302 lifetime Batting Average. .383 On Base Average. 433 more walks in his career than strikeouts. 2445 career hits. .825 OPS. Considered a good fielder.
Bottom Line: Low slugging percentage due to little power hurts statistics. A very good player, he was probably not quite good enough to get in.
- Rickey Henderson (OF)
No need to consider statistics. Henderson is a first ballot Hall of Famer with some records that will never be broken. The interesting thing is that he was the Manny Ramirez superstar of his era where his dedication and off-beat personality were constantly called into question. It is only in retrospect that he is appreciated. Lesson?
- Tommy John (LHP)
288 career wins. 3.32 ERA in the DH era. 1.24 walks per nine innings for career. Considerably better his last fifteen years in that category. Surgical procedure named after him.
Bottom Line: His career numbers should be good enough to get him in. He wasn't flashy enough for the sizzle of the memory.
- Don Mattingly (1B)
Bottom Line: Ah! What could have been. Was for four years the best player in MLB. Great fielder. Back problems shortened his career and limited his effectiveness in the last years of his career. Not enough numbers to get him in.
- Mark McGwire (1B)
The Fan's recent post concerning lifetime OPS for sluggers with more than 400 career homers list McGwire near the top of the list. Dirtied by the steroid issue, he was still one of the best sluggers of his era.
- Jack Morris (RHP)
254-186 won, loss record. 3.90 ERA. 13 years with 14 or more wins. 20 or more wins three times. Lifetime WHIP was 1.30.
Bottom Line: Lifetime ERA and WHIP puts him behind Blyleven and Tommy John.
- Dale Murphy (OF, 1B, C)
398 career homers. .815 lifetime OPS. .265 lifetime BA.
Bottom Line: One of the league's best players for six years, his production dropped too quickly and too precipitously.
- Jesse Orosco (LHP)
Pitched for 24 years. 1251 appearances. 3.15 lifetime ERA. 144 career saves.
Bottom Line: Effective pitcher for a very, very long time. Too much of a specialist to warrant consideration.
- Dave Parker (OF, DH)
2712 lifetime hits. .290 lifetime BA. .810 lifetime OPS. 526 career doubles.
Bottom Line: Fearsome hitter for a few years, but too low OPS over the long haul.
- Dan Plesac (LHP)
1064 appearances. 158 career saves. 1041 strikeouts in 1072 career innings.
Bottom Line: Comparable to Jesse Orosco. Again, too much of a specialist to merit consideration.
- Tim Raines (OF)
2605 lifetime hits. .385 career On Base Average. 430 doubles and 113 career triples. 1571 career runs scored. 808 stolen bases in 954 attempts.
Bottom Line: The second best leadoff hitter of his generation. Still suffers from drug talk early in his career.
- Jim Rice (OF)
.298 career Batting Average. .854 lifetime OPS. 1451 RBI. .502 career Slugging Percentage. Drove in 100 or more runs eight times.
Bottom Line: Perhaps too short a career to get enough "magical" numbers to get in.
- Lee Smith (RHP)
478 career Saves. 1022 lifetime appearances. 3.03 lifetime ERA. 1251 strikeouts in 1289 career innings.
Bottom Line: If Bruce Sutter is a Hall of Famer, so is Lee Smith.
- Alan Trammell (SS, INF)
2365 career hits. .285 lifetime Batting Average. .767 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Hard to quantify his fielding compared to period players to justify his very low OPS.
- Greg Vaughn (OF)
355 career homers. .807 career OPS. .242 lifetime Batting Average.
Bottom Line: Good power, but pretty marginal in every other way.
- Mo Vaughn (1B)
.293 career Batting Average. .906 career OPS. 328 homers in only 12 years.
Bottom Line: Mo Vaughn was the David Ortiz of his time. Injuries shortened his career and will keep him out of the HOF.
- Matt Williams (3B)
378 career home runs. .317 lifetime On Base Average. .806 lifetime OPS.
Bottom Line: Injuries and steroid whispers will keep him out of the HOF. Terrible OBA.
If the Fan had a ballot, votes would be cast for: Tim Raines, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, Burt Blyleven, Tommy John and Lee Smith
Monday, December 29, 2008
Penny to Pitch for Red Sox?
In an interesting deal, the Red Sox reportedly have signed former All Star and Dodger pitcher, Brad Penny for one year at $5 million with a $3 million more possible if incentives are reached. The deal is interesting because it will remain to be seen if the Red Sox have found this Penny heads up or tails up.
Without doubt, the deal is low risk for the Red Sox. If he does not come back to his 2007 form, Penny only costs the team one year. But Penny did have shoulder problems last year that may have resulted from his electric All Star appearance when he let loose with a string of 100 MPH fastballs.
If Penny can be near what he was in 2006 and 2007, this deal will be a steal. If Penny is as atrocious as last year or not much better, it could be a lot of wasted outings hoping he'll come around. The deal also seems to indicate that the Red Sox were not comfortable with the youngsters they had at the back of the rotation and could likely mean that the thoughts of making Delcarman a starter are over.
The Brian Giles Video Changes Things
In 2006, Brian Giles was charged with hitting his then-pregnant girlfriend. He plead to a reduced charge, took anger management classes and the story died from view. Now, his former girlfriend is suing the Padres player and a video has been released that is shocking.
Giles has responded by stating that the woman in question is just seeking money. Well, that may or may not be true, but in light of the video, it would seem that his stance should be somewhat more contrite.
Some sportswriters are calling for the commissioner of baseball to take action in light of the video and after viewing the images, this Fan might feel the same way. There is no place in society for anyone to strike a loved one (or not for that matter) and MLB should be indignant concerning this issue.
Though the courts settled the matter and Giles supposedly met the court's criteria, it is hoped that Selig at least addresses the situation with a statement that such behavior will not be tolerated by anyone in baseball.
In an interesting deal, the Red Sox reportedly have signed former All Star and Dodger pitcher, Brad Penny for one year at $5 million with a $3 million more possible if incentives are reached. The deal is interesting because it will remain to be seen if the Red Sox have found this Penny heads up or tails up.
Without doubt, the deal is low risk for the Red Sox. If he does not come back to his 2007 form, Penny only costs the team one year. But Penny did have shoulder problems last year that may have resulted from his electric All Star appearance when he let loose with a string of 100 MPH fastballs.
If Penny can be near what he was in 2006 and 2007, this deal will be a steal. If Penny is as atrocious as last year or not much better, it could be a lot of wasted outings hoping he'll come around. The deal also seems to indicate that the Red Sox were not comfortable with the youngsters they had at the back of the rotation and could likely mean that the thoughts of making Delcarman a starter are over.
The Brian Giles Video Changes Things
In 2006, Brian Giles was charged with hitting his then-pregnant girlfriend. He plead to a reduced charge, took anger management classes and the story died from view. Now, his former girlfriend is suing the Padres player and a video has been released that is shocking.
Giles has responded by stating that the woman in question is just seeking money. Well, that may or may not be true, but in light of the video, it would seem that his stance should be somewhat more contrite.
Some sportswriters are calling for the commissioner of baseball to take action in light of the video and after viewing the images, this Fan might feel the same way. There is no place in society for anyone to strike a loved one (or not for that matter) and MLB should be indignant concerning this issue.
Though the courts settled the matter and Giles supposedly met the court's criteria, it is hoped that Selig at least addresses the situation with a statement that such behavior will not be tolerated by anyone in baseball.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Is Manny Ramirez the Antichrist?
Buster Olney's latest post for ESPN follows the Fan's man crush, Peter Gammons, and others in a long line of "This is Manny's Fault" type of thought. Is this fair? Does Manny Ramirez deserve this type of antipathy?
The Red Sox are the new model for personnel management. They are now regarded as the elite organization for managing talent and building champions. With two World Series victories in five years, it's hard to argue with the results. But there is a level of ruthlessness that seems to permeate their business practice. They didn't handle Johnny Damon particularly well. They did not handle Curt Schilling's situation with a whole lot of heart and you can't forget Pedro Martinez and now Manny Ramirez.
It is easy to blame Manny for being Manny. The man has one of the most colorful personalities ever to play the game. His adventures in left field are legendary. His mood swings are well documented. But there is no indication that Manny is malevolent or a troublemaker. He has never been arrested, he doesn't appear to beat on women, he hasn't been involved in any drug scandals and he certainly hasn't shot his leg in a bar in recent months. So what's the beef here?
Okay, he received bad advice from Scott Boras and handled his last days with the Red Sox pretty badly. Supposedly, his whole team wanted him gone. But is this one of those bad relationships that ended badly, with blame being available to both sides? Or is this all Manny's fault?
For some reason, Manny Ramirez did not feel respected or wanted by the Red Sox organization. Perhaps that is too much to ask for any business. Have not most of us felt similar things when we wanted to be treated like a human being instead of a business asset (or cost)? Perhaps Manny wanted more than any business gives in the real world. Who knows.
But the story didn't end there. Apparently, his Dodger teammates loved the guy and respected his approach and his work ethic. Was that a different Manny? Do people change that quickly just from changing jobs?
A long, long, long time ago, the Fan worked for Radio Shack. To tell you how long ago this was, it was when calculators first came out and were priced at $350. The Fan started his career there as an assistant manager and worked for a wonderful manager who praised the Fan's efforts and was encouraging. The Fan busted his tail and arrived hours before the store opened to do what he could to make that store successful.
Soon after, the Fan was transferred to a different store and his new manager was just the opposite. Nothing was good enough, fault was always found and the Fan's effort and enthusiasm whithered and died. The bottom line is how you treat people often colors the results you get from people. Could the Manny situation in Boston and then Los Angeles reflect that bottom line?
Without being inside the situations, it's only speculation. But even the possibility should give second thoughts to making Manny the only fault in the mess he finds himself in right now. Frankly, MLB is better off with Manny playing and tearing the cover off a baseball than it is having him in some kind of Sammy Sosa purgatory.
Buster Olney's latest post for ESPN follows the Fan's man crush, Peter Gammons, and others in a long line of "This is Manny's Fault" type of thought. Is this fair? Does Manny Ramirez deserve this type of antipathy?
The Red Sox are the new model for personnel management. They are now regarded as the elite organization for managing talent and building champions. With two World Series victories in five years, it's hard to argue with the results. But there is a level of ruthlessness that seems to permeate their business practice. They didn't handle Johnny Damon particularly well. They did not handle Curt Schilling's situation with a whole lot of heart and you can't forget Pedro Martinez and now Manny Ramirez.
It is easy to blame Manny for being Manny. The man has one of the most colorful personalities ever to play the game. His adventures in left field are legendary. His mood swings are well documented. But there is no indication that Manny is malevolent or a troublemaker. He has never been arrested, he doesn't appear to beat on women, he hasn't been involved in any drug scandals and he certainly hasn't shot his leg in a bar in recent months. So what's the beef here?
Okay, he received bad advice from Scott Boras and handled his last days with the Red Sox pretty badly. Supposedly, his whole team wanted him gone. But is this one of those bad relationships that ended badly, with blame being available to both sides? Or is this all Manny's fault?
For some reason, Manny Ramirez did not feel respected or wanted by the Red Sox organization. Perhaps that is too much to ask for any business. Have not most of us felt similar things when we wanted to be treated like a human being instead of a business asset (or cost)? Perhaps Manny wanted more than any business gives in the real world. Who knows.
But the story didn't end there. Apparently, his Dodger teammates loved the guy and respected his approach and his work ethic. Was that a different Manny? Do people change that quickly just from changing jobs?
A long, long, long time ago, the Fan worked for Radio Shack. To tell you how long ago this was, it was when calculators first came out and were priced at $350. The Fan started his career there as an assistant manager and worked for a wonderful manager who praised the Fan's efforts and was encouraging. The Fan busted his tail and arrived hours before the store opened to do what he could to make that store successful.
Soon after, the Fan was transferred to a different store and his new manager was just the opposite. Nothing was good enough, fault was always found and the Fan's effort and enthusiasm whithered and died. The bottom line is how you treat people often colors the results you get from people. Could the Manny situation in Boston and then Los Angeles reflect that bottom line?
Without being inside the situations, it's only speculation. But even the possibility should give second thoughts to making Manny the only fault in the mess he finds himself in right now. Frankly, MLB is better off with Manny playing and tearing the cover off a baseball than it is having him in some kind of Sammy Sosa purgatory.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Obscure Signings of the Week
Mixed in with the superstar signings this week (Teixeira, Johnson), are a couple of not-so-superstars who hope to hang on and continue their MLB dream:
- Joe Nelson - Pitcher - Tampa Bay Rays
Nelson is a 34 year old Californian who was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round way back in 1996. He got cups of coffee with the Braves in 2001 and then with the Red Sox in 2004. In those brief appearances, he gave up 13 runs in four and two thirds innings. After pitching in the minors all of 2005, he won a job with Kansas City in 2006 and appeared in 43 games with them, all in relief, and actually saved nine games despite a 4.43 ERA. He did strike out 44 in his 44 and 2/3 innings.
Then last year, he pitched incredibly for the Florida Marlins with 59 appearances good for 54 innings. He saved a game and collected three wins while striking out 60 in 54 innings. His ERA, WHIP and Batting Average Against were all excellent (2.00, 1.19, .205 respectively) in what had to be a surprise for the Marlins. Since the Marlins get little press and even less national TV coverage, his efforts went under the radar, but weren't enough to keep his job with the Marlins who did not offer him a contract.
According to reports, many teams were interested, but he signed a $1.3 million, one year deal. Was last year a fluke for the pitcher, or a true case of a late bloomer?
- Kevin Correia - Pitcher - Minor league contract with San Diego
Correia is another 4th round draft pick, this time for the Giants in 2002 after a college career at Cal-Poly. The right-hander actually made it to the Giants squad in 2003 and had a successful debut, pitching in 10 games, 7 as a starter and posted a 3.66 ERA to go with a 3-1 record. He pitched every year for the Giants after that with a couple of serviceable years to go with some real awful years. Last year, the Giants gave him the ball for the most starts of his career and he was dreadful, going 3-8 with a 6.05 ERA.
Now the Padres are hoping to add a cheap pitcher with big league experience. Good luck with that. Correia is still only 28, but the odds are against him.
Mixed in with the superstar signings this week (Teixeira, Johnson), are a couple of not-so-superstars who hope to hang on and continue their MLB dream:
- Joe Nelson - Pitcher - Tampa Bay Rays
Nelson is a 34 year old Californian who was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round way back in 1996. He got cups of coffee with the Braves in 2001 and then with the Red Sox in 2004. In those brief appearances, he gave up 13 runs in four and two thirds innings. After pitching in the minors all of 2005, he won a job with Kansas City in 2006 and appeared in 43 games with them, all in relief, and actually saved nine games despite a 4.43 ERA. He did strike out 44 in his 44 and 2/3 innings.
Then last year, he pitched incredibly for the Florida Marlins with 59 appearances good for 54 innings. He saved a game and collected three wins while striking out 60 in 54 innings. His ERA, WHIP and Batting Average Against were all excellent (2.00, 1.19, .205 respectively) in what had to be a surprise for the Marlins. Since the Marlins get little press and even less national TV coverage, his efforts went under the radar, but weren't enough to keep his job with the Marlins who did not offer him a contract.
According to reports, many teams were interested, but he signed a $1.3 million, one year deal. Was last year a fluke for the pitcher, or a true case of a late bloomer?
- Kevin Correia - Pitcher - Minor league contract with San Diego
Correia is another 4th round draft pick, this time for the Giants in 2002 after a college career at Cal-Poly. The right-hander actually made it to the Giants squad in 2003 and had a successful debut, pitching in 10 games, 7 as a starter and posted a 3.66 ERA to go with a 3-1 record. He pitched every year for the Giants after that with a couple of serviceable years to go with some real awful years. Last year, the Giants gave him the ball for the most starts of his career and he was dreadful, going 3-8 with a 6.05 ERA.
Now the Padres are hoping to add a cheap pitcher with big league experience. Good luck with that. Correia is still only 28, but the odds are against him.
Giants Sign Randy Johnson
In what seems like a perfect situation for both the Giants and their new pitcher, Randy Johnson signed with the San Francisco Giants. For details, click here.
The move is perfect for Johnson as he grew up near where the Giants play and the Giants' spring training camp is in Arizona, where the tall pitcher lives. Plus, he stays in the National League, which is much easier for pitchers and gives him the best chance to quickly get to the 300 win level he obviously covets.
The signing will give the Giants three former Cy Young award winners. Granted, one of them is Barry Zito, who has been a shell of his former self the past couple of years. The statement listed in the linked article: “He’s looking forward to pitching between Lincecum and Cain and serving as a mentor for the young pitching staff,” attributed to Johnson's manager, seems like a semi-slap at Zito by Zito's absence from mention. Interesting.
In what seems like a perfect situation for both the Giants and their new pitcher, Randy Johnson signed with the San Francisco Giants. For details, click here.
The move is perfect for Johnson as he grew up near where the Giants play and the Giants' spring training camp is in Arizona, where the tall pitcher lives. Plus, he stays in the National League, which is much easier for pitchers and gives him the best chance to quickly get to the 300 win level he obviously covets.
The signing will give the Giants three former Cy Young award winners. Granted, one of them is Barry Zito, who has been a shell of his former self the past couple of years. The statement listed in the linked article: “He’s looking forward to pitching between Lincecum and Cain and serving as a mentor for the young pitching staff,” attributed to Johnson's manager, seems like a semi-slap at Zito by Zito's absence from mention. Interesting.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Post Christmas Wrap
Well, the presents are given and received (thankful for both) and the Christmas lasagna (you gotta problem wit dat?) is digested and the Fan is ready for a big weekend of the NFL after reading Guru Michael Silver's column on Yahoo. Hey! Just because the Fan's passion is MLB, doesn't mean that there aren't other passions in life. Woo! Ms. Fan liked the sound of that!
So...what is the Lowe-down? Where are the rest of the Manny free agents going to land? There is still a Wolf in sheep's clothing hiding under the Sheets somewhere. Perhaps the Yankees won't have any Pettitte four leftover in their Christmas buffet...or maybe they will. We need something to happen after the Teixeira hangover.
Is it just the Fan or does there seem to be more MLB players signing with Japanese teams this off season than usual? The latest is Kevin Mench, which means there will be at least one good person in Japan. Umm...in case you missed the pun, "Good person" is what "mench" means in Yiddish.
It's hard to understand the attraction of playing in Japan if any MLB team will still consider signing you. Perhaps the money is motivation enough, but the stats won't count and they kind of speak funny over there. The fan doesn't have any yen for visiting over there any time soon.
Okay...okay! No more puns. The Fan can hear you groaning over here. I guess it's time to play the new Paper Mario (you gotta problem wit dat?) that Ms. Fan gave for Christmas. Carry on, and enjoy the rest of your Halladay weekend.
Well, the presents are given and received (thankful for both) and the Christmas lasagna (you gotta problem wit dat?) is digested and the Fan is ready for a big weekend of the NFL after reading Guru Michael Silver's column on Yahoo. Hey! Just because the Fan's passion is MLB, doesn't mean that there aren't other passions in life. Woo! Ms. Fan liked the sound of that!
So...what is the Lowe-down? Where are the rest of the Manny free agents going to land? There is still a Wolf in sheep's clothing hiding under the Sheets somewhere. Perhaps the Yankees won't have any Pettitte four leftover in their Christmas buffet...or maybe they will. We need something to happen after the Teixeira hangover.
Is it just the Fan or does there seem to be more MLB players signing with Japanese teams this off season than usual? The latest is Kevin Mench, which means there will be at least one good person in Japan. Umm...in case you missed the pun, "Good person" is what "mench" means in Yiddish.
It's hard to understand the attraction of playing in Japan if any MLB team will still consider signing you. Perhaps the money is motivation enough, but the stats won't count and they kind of speak funny over there. The fan doesn't have any yen for visiting over there any time soon.
Okay...okay! No more puns. The Fan can hear you groaning over here. I guess it's time to play the new Paper Mario (you gotta problem wit dat?) that Ms. Fan gave for Christmas. Carry on, and enjoy the rest of your Halladay weekend.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sports Writers Should Be Careful About Vacations
The Fan understands that even sports writers need a vacation now and then. Of course, many would argue--and not without merit--dream jobs like sports writing are already vacations. But be that as it may, it sure looks funny when a famous writer goes on vacation when the last piece he wrote is a speculation piece long since old news and incorrect. For example, see here. Unfortunately for this writer in question, his last posted article sits like a red herring next to his picture on the site's main page. Oops.
Anyone who follows this blog knows of the Fan's man-crush on Peter Gammons. The man is...well...the MAN when it comes to sports writers. Some of the other Fan favorites:
Baseball:
Gammons, Buster Olney and Rob Neyer (not because the Fan always agrees, but at least they are interesting and write ALL the time), Keith Law, Jayson Stark (though he has gotten a bit lazy lately, but it's hard not to like a big time writer who answers e-mails personally and faithfully), Gordon Edes, Tim Brown and Bill Madden. Least favorite big time writer: Jeff Passan.
Football:
Michael Silver (the best of the best), Gregg Easterbrook (despite his pomposity...or because of it) and Charles Robinson (whose Winners and Losers column is excellent and always on point).
The Fan understands that even sports writers need a vacation now and then. Of course, many would argue--and not without merit--dream jobs like sports writing are already vacations. But be that as it may, it sure looks funny when a famous writer goes on vacation when the last piece he wrote is a speculation piece long since old news and incorrect. For example, see here. Unfortunately for this writer in question, his last posted article sits like a red herring next to his picture on the site's main page. Oops.
Anyone who follows this blog knows of the Fan's man-crush on Peter Gammons. The man is...well...the MAN when it comes to sports writers. Some of the other Fan favorites:
Baseball:
Gammons, Buster Olney and Rob Neyer (not because the Fan always agrees, but at least they are interesting and write ALL the time), Keith Law, Jayson Stark (though he has gotten a bit lazy lately, but it's hard not to like a big time writer who answers e-mails personally and faithfully), Gordon Edes, Tim Brown and Bill Madden. Least favorite big time writer: Jeff Passan.
Football:
Michael Silver (the best of the best), Gregg Easterbrook (despite his pomposity...or because of it) and Charles Robinson (whose Winners and Losers column is excellent and always on point).
Let the Gnashing of Teeth Begin
The Yankees landed their third big fish this off season by grabbing free agent, Mark Teixeira, out from under the Red Sox' noses. Let the gnashing of teeth begin.
The Yankees are one of those polarizing franchises in sports. Flashing the most money, the best history and in the best market, the team is either loved passionately by its fans or hated acrimoniously by all other fans.
To fans of the team, this is the prize they've been hoping for. A big bat from both sides of the plate, a la Mickey Mantle, Teixeira is also seen as a clutch performer and his playoff experience last year seems to Yankee fans like the anti-A-Rod.
To those who hate the Yankees, this will be one more spike in the Yankee voodoo doll hanging in each sports den. The critics will say: "Nine of their players make more than any other TEAM in baseball." Calls for a salary cap will come clamoring across the land and Internet pipe.
But, in reality, the Yankees pay their dues. The same day the deal was announced, the league assessed a $29 million "tax" on the Yankees that will be distributed to other teams around the league. The team's "tax" tab the last five years exceeds $100 million.
The Yankees also have a new stadium to fill and expensive seats to justify. Filling their glaring needs when they have cleared enough payroll to do so is their right and, face it, two of these acquisitions are for the best players on the market.
The deal should also settle A-Rod down a bit as he no longer has to be THE big bat in the lineup. Now he has his tandem in Teixeira. He should have a big year.
And so the two polarized camps will be having different reactions. To those that hate the Yankes with boundless passion, a raised fist and a "Damn Yankees!" will reverberate. To Yankee fans, fists will be pumped and a gigantic, "Yesssssssssssss!" will fill the land.
The Yankees landed their third big fish this off season by grabbing free agent, Mark Teixeira, out from under the Red Sox' noses. Let the gnashing of teeth begin.
The Yankees are one of those polarizing franchises in sports. Flashing the most money, the best history and in the best market, the team is either loved passionately by its fans or hated acrimoniously by all other fans.
To fans of the team, this is the prize they've been hoping for. A big bat from both sides of the plate, a la Mickey Mantle, Teixeira is also seen as a clutch performer and his playoff experience last year seems to Yankee fans like the anti-A-Rod.
To those who hate the Yankees, this will be one more spike in the Yankee voodoo doll hanging in each sports den. The critics will say: "Nine of their players make more than any other TEAM in baseball." Calls for a salary cap will come clamoring across the land and Internet pipe.
But, in reality, the Yankees pay their dues. The same day the deal was announced, the league assessed a $29 million "tax" on the Yankees that will be distributed to other teams around the league. The team's "tax" tab the last five years exceeds $100 million.
The Yankees also have a new stadium to fill and expensive seats to justify. Filling their glaring needs when they have cleared enough payroll to do so is their right and, face it, two of these acquisitions are for the best players on the market.
The deal should also settle A-Rod down a bit as he no longer has to be THE big bat in the lineup. Now he has his tandem in Teixeira. He should have a big year.
And so the two polarized camps will be having different reactions. To those that hate the Yankes with boundless passion, a raised fist and a "Damn Yankees!" will reverberate. To Yankee fans, fists will be pumped and a gigantic, "Yesssssssssssss!" will fill the land.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Giving Up the Game of a Lifetime
To any of the Fan's generation, Pee Wee Leagues led to Little League (or P.A.L.) and then to Babe Ruth to High School ball, and then for the fortunate few, on to college ball or a selection to a minor league team. For the rest of us, we had to graduate to league softball and once our wobbly legs and overfed bellies got in the way, we "retired" from our childhood game.
Imagine how hard it must be for a major leaguer, especially one with a long career, to give up the game of a lifetime. Besides being all the player has done since youth, there is the loss of the crowds, the camaraderie and, of course, the money. It's no wonder so many MLB coaches are former players.
All this comes to mind from the story that Bernabe Figueroa Williams has begun playing winter ball for Puerto Rico in anticipation for playing for that country in the WBC.
Bernie Williams had a distinguished career with the New York Yankess that did not end on Williams' terms. As is the case in baseball as a business, the Yankees were finished with him before he was finished with baseball. It's a reality that is hard on a player and on the fans who root for them.
Williams was not just an ordinary player. He was a fixture on a team of champions, playing centerfield and batting .297 for his career with 2336 hits and a lifetime On Base Percentage of .381. He drove in over a hundred runs five times. He scored over a hundred eight times. He won two gold gloves. Williams hit 22 post season home runs.
But suddenly, he didn't fit in. No longer agile enough for centerfield, he wasn't valued enough for other positions and when he declined to accept a minor league offer from the only team he ever played for, he sat out. But he never officially retired.
And now he is 40 years old and still has the desire to play. And so in his native Puerto Rico, he went 1 for 3 in his first winter league game as a DH. Only Williams knows whether he is simply doing this for the love of Puerto Rico or for the fun of it, or whether he still hopes to catch the glory for one more season.
Either way, Williams at least provides one solitary reason for watching the entire WBC. The Fan would love to see him in uniform one more time. He is missed.
To any of the Fan's generation, Pee Wee Leagues led to Little League (or P.A.L.) and then to Babe Ruth to High School ball, and then for the fortunate few, on to college ball or a selection to a minor league team. For the rest of us, we had to graduate to league softball and once our wobbly legs and overfed bellies got in the way, we "retired" from our childhood game.
Imagine how hard it must be for a major leaguer, especially one with a long career, to give up the game of a lifetime. Besides being all the player has done since youth, there is the loss of the crowds, the camaraderie and, of course, the money. It's no wonder so many MLB coaches are former players.
All this comes to mind from the story that Bernabe Figueroa Williams has begun playing winter ball for Puerto Rico in anticipation for playing for that country in the WBC.
Bernie Williams had a distinguished career with the New York Yankess that did not end on Williams' terms. As is the case in baseball as a business, the Yankees were finished with him before he was finished with baseball. It's a reality that is hard on a player and on the fans who root for them.
Williams was not just an ordinary player. He was a fixture on a team of champions, playing centerfield and batting .297 for his career with 2336 hits and a lifetime On Base Percentage of .381. He drove in over a hundred runs five times. He scored over a hundred eight times. He won two gold gloves. Williams hit 22 post season home runs.
But suddenly, he didn't fit in. No longer agile enough for centerfield, he wasn't valued enough for other positions and when he declined to accept a minor league offer from the only team he ever played for, he sat out. But he never officially retired.
And now he is 40 years old and still has the desire to play. And so in his native Puerto Rico, he went 1 for 3 in his first winter league game as a DH. Only Williams knows whether he is simply doing this for the love of Puerto Rico or for the fun of it, or whether he still hopes to catch the glory for one more season.
Either way, Williams at least provides one solitary reason for watching the entire WBC. The Fan would love to see him in uniform one more time. He is missed.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Interesting List for All Time Sluggers
The things one will do in the middle of a blizzard. With time to kill, the Fan took all the sluggers with 400 or more home runs and made an all time OPS list. For those who don't know. OPS equals On Base Percentage (OBP) plus Slugging Percentage. Slugging Percentage equals Total Bases divided by At Bats. The list is interesting:
The things one will do in the middle of a blizzard. With time to kill, the Fan took all the sluggers with 400 or more home runs and made an all time OPS list. For those who don't know. OPS equals On Base Percentage (OBP) plus Slugging Percentage. Slugging Percentage equals Total Bases divided by At Bats. The list is interesting:
Ruth 1.159
Ted Williams 1.116
Gehrig 1.074
Bonds 1.051
Foxx 1.034
M. Ramirez 1.004
McGwire .982
Mantle .979
Musial .976
F. Thomas .974
A. Rodriguez .967
Thome .966
Chipper Jones .956
Bagwell .948
Ott .943
Mays .943
Aaron .929
Delgado .929
Robinson .926
Piazza .922
Griffey .920
Snider .919
Sheffield .910
Schmidt .907
J. Gonzalez .904
McCovey .889
Stargell .889
Palmeiro .886
McGriff .886
E. Matthews .886
Killebrew .885
Sosa .878
Canseco .868
Billy Williams .853
R. Jackson .846
Yastrzemski .841
Murray .835
Banks .831
Winfield .828
Dawson .805
Darrell Evans .792
C. Ripken .787
Kingman .780
Some comments about the list: First, many of the current players on the list will drop if they continue playing past their peak. For example, Sheffield showed a big drop in productivity this past year and his lifetime OPS dropped and will continue to do so as he plays out his career. The same can be said for players who played longer than they should have such as Willie Mays, Winfield and Reggie Jackson. Secondly, the list proves out what the Fan has always believed: Cal Ripken, Andre Dawson and Carl Yastrzemski were vastly overrated as sluggers shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Hey, if that statement is true for Dave Kingman, it is true for Ripken and Darrell Evans.
The surprises on the list are Mantle at number 8 and Manny Ramirez at number 6. There is no surprise that Musial is at number 9. He is the most overlooked superstar and is the greatest living player of the bygone era. If OPS is more important than home run totals as most stat heads now consider it is, then the case seems to be made that Jeff Bagwell is a hall of famer as is Mike Piazza. It also seems to indicate that Ruth, Gehrig and Ted Williams are the greatest sluggers of all time.
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