Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Fun Fact





























Vladimir Guerrero has had 91 at bats this season (22 games) and hasn't drawn a single walk. History tells us he should get one pretty soon, though. While Vladdy Daddy is widely considered as a notorious free-swinger, he has managed a good OBP over his career (.382) and about 45 walks per season. However, in 2010 he received the lowest number of free passes in his career with 35 (in seasons where he played at least 100 games).

It's almost certain that Guerrero will draw a walk within the next week or so. Nevertheless, I'll be keeping an eye out to see if he can break Craig Robinson's illustrious record of 146 at bats without a walk.

55 more AB's!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The All Kick-Ass Century Team

Who says you can't make up an All Century Team eleven years into the century? Answer: Everybody. So if you fall into the category of everybody you can just think of it as the all 2000-2010 team. That's catchier anyways. Here we go!

1st Team

C- Jorge Posada
1B- Albert Pujols
2B- Chase Utley
3B- Alex Rodriguez
SS- Derek Jeter
LF- Barry Bonds
CF- Andruw Jones
RF- Ichiro Suzuki

SP- Roy Halladay
SP- Randy Johnson
SP- C.C. Sabathia
SP- Johan Santana
SP- Roy Oswalt
RP- Mariano Rivera
RP- Billy Wagner
RP- Joe Nathan


2nd Team

C- Joe Mauer
1B- Lance Berkman*
2B- Jeff Kent
3B- Chipper Jones
SS- Miguel Tejada
LF- Manny Ramirez
CF- Carlos Beltran
RF- Vladimir Guerrero

SP- Curt Schilling
SP- Andy Pettitte
SP- Javier Vazquez**
SP- Mike Mussina
SP- Tim Hudson
RP- Jonathan Papelbon
RP- Francisco Rodriguez
RP- Francisco Cordero


*Berkman split about half his time between the outfield and first base. Most of his defensive value came from first base, so I chose to put him there.
**Before you crucify me, you should know that if I strictly went by Fangraphs' WAR, Vazquez would actually be on the first team. Yeah, he's THAT good. However, I gave Santana the nod over him because Vazquez's only real advantage over him was innings pitched. Santana has easily been the more dominant pitcher.

So there you have it. The best players of the century. I expect both these teams to hold up all the way until year 2100, as there will most certainly not be a better shortstop than Miguel Tejada or a better reliever than Francisco Cordero over the next 89 years.

Keep this post bookmarked. Your great, great grandchildren will be impressed by my prophecy.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Five Months Awards










AL MVP- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Joe Mauer, Ben Zobrist, Justin Verlander

AL Cy Young- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay














NL MVP- Albert Pujols, STL
Honorable Mention: Chase Utley, Tim Lincecum, Hanley Ramirez

NL Cy Young- Tim Lincecum, SFG
Honorable Mention: Javier Vazquez, Dan Haren

NL Hank Aaron- Albert Pujols, STL
Honorable Mention: Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, Prince Fielder

AL Hank Aaron- Joe Mauer, MIN
Honorable Mention: Miguel Cabrera, Kevin Youkilis, Ben Zobrist

NL Reliever of the Year- Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Honorable Mention: Brian Wilson, Rafael Soriano, Heath Bell

AL Reliever of the Year- Joe Nathan, MIN
Honorable Mention: Andrew Bailey, Mariano Rivera, Matt Thornton

NL Rookie of the Year- Andrew McCutchen, PIT
Honorable Mention: Colby Rasmus, Seth Smitch, J.A. Happ, Randy Wells

AL Rookie of the Year- Elvis Andrus, TEX
Honorable Mention: Jeff Niemann, Brad Bergesen, Andrew Bailey, Brett Gardner

NL Least Valuable Position Player- Jeff Francoeur, ATL/NYM
Dishonorable Mention: Alfonso Soriano, Emilio Bonifacio, Willy Taveras

AL Least Valuable Position Player- Vernon Wells, TOR
Dishonorable Mention: Aubrey Huff, Orlando Cabrera, David Ortiz

NL Cy Yuk- Braden Looper, MIL
Dishonorable Mention: Chris Volstad, Ross Ohlendorf, Jamie Moyer

AL Cy Yuk- Trevor Cahill, OAK
Dishonorable Mention: Joe Saunders, Jeremy Guthrie

-NL Gold Gloves-
P- Aaron Cook, COL
C- Bengie Molina, SFG
1B- Travis Ishikawa, SFG
2B- Chase Utley, PHI
3B- Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
SS- Brendan Ryan, STL
OF- Nyjer Morgan, PIT/WAS
OF- Randy Winn, SFG
OF- Tony Gwynn Jr., SDP

-AL Gold Gloves-
P- Ricky Romero, TOR
C- Jason Varitek, BOS
1B- Kevin Youkilis, BOS
2B- Ben Zobrist, TBR
3B- Evan Longoria, TBR
SS- Jack Wilson, PIT/SEA*
OF- Franklin Gutierrez, SEA
OF- Carl Crawford, TBR
OF- Rajai Davis, OAK

-NL Silver Sluggers-
P- Mike Hampton, HOU
C- Brian McCann, ATL
1B- Albert Pujols, STL
2B- Chase Utley, PHI
3B- Mark Reynolds, ARI
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA
OF- Adam Dunn, CIN
OF- Ryan Braun, MIL
OF- Matt Kemp, LAD

-AL Silver Sluggers-
C- Joe Mauer, MIN
1B- Miguel Cabrera, DET
2B- Ben Zobrist, TBR
3B- Michael Young, TEX
SS- Derek Jeter, NYY
OF- Shin-Soo Choo, CLE
OF- Jason Bay, BOS
OF- Johnny Damon, NYY
DH- Adam Lind, TOR


*I couldn't help it. Jack Wilson's defense has been so unbelievable that it just didn't feel right to not give him a gold glove. Technically he's played the bulk of his games in the National League this year...oh well.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Three Months Awards



AL MVP- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria, Roy Halladay


AL Cy Young- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez



NL MVP- Albert Pujols, STL
Honorable Mention: Tim Lincecum, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez

NL Cy Young- Tim Lincecum, SFG
Honorable Mention: Dan Haren, Javier Vazquez, Josh Johnson

AL Hank Aaron- Kevin Youkilis, BOS
Honorable Mention: Russell Branyan, Ben Zobrist, Justin Morneau

NL Hank Aaron- Albert Pujols, STL
Honorable Mention: Prince Fielder, Chase Utley, Adrian Gonzalez

AL Reliever of the Year- Andrew Bailey, OAK
Honorable Mention: J.P. Howell, Joe Nathan, David Aardsma

NL Reliever of the Year- Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Honorable Mention: Rafael Soriano, Heath Bell, Brian Wilson

AL Rookie of the Year- Brett Gardner, NYY
Honorable Mention: Elvis Andrus, Nolan Reimold

NL Rookie of the Year- Colby Rasmus, STL
Honorable Mention: Seth Smith, Casey McGehee

AL Least Valuable Player- Vernon Wells, TOR
Dishonorable Mention: Orlando Cabrera, Jose Guillen

NL Least Valuable Player- Brian Giles, SDP
Dishonorable Mention: Garret Atkins, Jimmy Rollins

AL Cy Yuk- Kyle Davies, KCR
Dishonorable Mention: Armando Galarraga, Trevor Cahill

NL Cy Yuk- Josh Greer, SDP
Dishonorable Mention: Bronson Arroyo, David Bush

-AL Gold Gloves-
P- Bradley Bergesen, BAL
C- Jason Varitek, BOS
1B- Paul Konerko, CHW
2B- Placido Polanco, DET
3B- Joe Crede, MIN
SS- Marco Scutaro, TOR
OF- David DeJesus, KCR
OF- Nelson Cruz, TEX
OF- Franklin Gutierrez, SEA

-NL Gold Gloves-
P- Aaron Cook, COL
C- Bengie Molina, SFG
1B- Adrian Gonzalez, SDP
2B- Brandon Phillips, CIN
3B- Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
SS- Jack Wilson, PIT
OF- Nyjer Morgan, WAS
OF- Matt Kemp, LAD
OF- Colby Rasmus, STL

-AL Silver Sluggers-
C- Joe Mauer, MIN
1B- Russell Branyan, SEA
2B- Aaron Hill, TOR
3B- Evan Longoria, TBR
SS- Jason Bartlett, TBR
OF- Ben Zobrist, TBR
OF- Torii Hunter, LAA
OF- Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

-NL Silver Sluggers-
P- Dan Haren, ARI
C- Brian McCann, ATL
1B- Albert Pujols, STL
2B- Chase Utley, PHI
3B- David Wright, NYM
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLO
OF- Raul Ibanez, PHI
OF- Ryan Braun, MIL
OF- Carlos Beltran, NYM

Monday, June 1, 2009

The Two Months Awards





AL MVP- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Evan Longoria, Justin Verlander, Jason Bartlett


AL Cy Young- Zack Greinke, KCR
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee






NL MVP- Raul Ibanez, PHI
Honorable Mention: Tim Lincecum, Albert Pujols, Mike Cameron
NL Cy Young- Tim Lincecum, SFG
Honorable Mention: Javier Vazquez, Wandy Rodriguez, Johan Santana

AL Hank Aaron- Justin Morneau, MIN
Honorable Mention: Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, Evan Longoria
NL Hank Aaron- Albert Pujols, STL
Honorable Mention: Raul Ibanez, Adrian Gonzalez

AL Reliever of the Year- Scott Downs, TOR
Honorable Mention: Jose Arredondo, J.P. Howell, Darren Oliver
NL Reliever of the Year- Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Honorable Mention: Heath Bell, Ryan Madson, Francisco Cordero

AL Rookie of the Year- Elvis Andrus, TEX
Honorable Mention: Rick Porcello, Scott Richmonds
NL Rookie of the Year- Seth Smith, COL
Honorable Mention: Ryan Roberts, Ramon Troncoso

AL Least Valuable Player- David Ortiz, BOS
Dishonorable Mention: Yuniesky Betancourt, Josh Fields
NL Least Valuable Player- Garret Atkins, COL
Dishonorable Mention: Brian Giles, Chris Young

AL Cy Yuk- Armando Galarraga, DET
Dishonorable Mention: Scott Baker, Trevor Cahill, Fausto Carmona
NL Cy Yuk- Jeff Suppan, MIL
Dishonorable Mention: Jamie Moyer, Brett Myers, Braden Looper

-AL Gold Gloves-
P- Gil Meche, KCR
C- Jason Varitek, BOS
1B- Lyle Overbay, TOR
2B- Placido Polanco, DET
3B- Adrian Beltre, SEA
SS- Elvis Andrus, TEX
OF- Nelson Cruz, TEX
OF- Franklin Gutierrez, SEA
OF- Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

-NL Gold Gloves-
P- Aaron Cook, COL
C-Geovany Soto, CHI
1B- Travis Ishikawa, SFG
2B- Brandon Phillips, CIN
3B- Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
SS- J.J. Hardy, MIL
OF- Nyjer Morgan, PIT
OF- Colby Rasmus, STL
OF- Mike Cameron, MIL

-AL Silver Sluggers-
C- Joe Mauer, MIN
1B- Justin Morneau, MIN
2B- Ian Kinsler, TEX
3B- Evan Longoria, TBR
SS- Jason Bartlett, TBR
OF- Jason Bay, BOS
OF- Adam Jones, BAL
OF- Torii Hunter, LAA
DH- Luke Scott, BAL

-NL Silver Sluggers-
P- Micah Owings, CIN
C- Brian McCann, ATL
1B- Albert Pujols, STL
2B- Chase Utley, PHI
3B- Ryan Zimmerman, WAS
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA
OF- Raul Ibanez, PHI
OF- Carlos Beltran, NYM
OF- Justin Upton, AZD

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Screw Being PC!

Interim GM of the Nationals, Mike Rizzo, on Daniel Cabrera being designated for assignment (from MLB Trade Rumors):

According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, the Nationals designated pitcher Daniel Cabrera for assignment tonight. Acting GM Mike Rizzo was frank: "I was tired of watching him." We all were, Mike. Cabrera told Harlan he would not accept a minor league assignment.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

One Month Awards

Believe it or not, we've already wrapped up the first month of Major League Baseball. It seemed to have gone by so quickly with the majority of attention and excitement being drawn to the NBA playoffs, NFL draft, Tiger Woods, etc. But since we are officially out of April, I thought I'd go ahead and give out a number of MLB awards. I fell a little behind and didn't get this done right at the conclusion of April, so the following are what my votes would look like were the season to end today, which is the second of May. Bon appetit!

AL MVP- Zack Grienke
Honorable Mention- Evan Longoria, Kevin Youkilis
NL MVP- Albert Pujols
Honorable Mention- Chase Utley, Dan Haren

AL Cy Young- Zack Grienke
Honorable Mention- Gil Meche, Felix Hernandez
NL Cy Young- Dan Haren
Honorable Mention- Javier Vazquez, Tim Lincecum, Johan Santana

AL Reliever of the Year- Scott Downs
Honorable Mention- Frank Francisco, Jose Arredondo
NL Reliever of the Year- Jonathan Broxton
Honorable Mention- Chad Qualls, Juan Gutierrez, Ryan Franklin

AL Hank Aaron- Kevin Youkilis
Honorable Mention- Victor Martinez, Evan Longoria
NL Hank Aaron- Albert Pujols
Honorable Mention- Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez

AL ROY- Ricky Romero
Honorable Mention- Andrew Bailey, Scott Richmond
NL ROY- Brian Barden
Honorable Mention- Mark Difelice, Jordan Schafer

AL LVP- Ty Wigginton
Dishonorable Mention- Alexi Casilla, David Ortiz
NL LVP- Brian Giles
Dishonorable Mention- Cody Ross, Edwin Encarnacion

AL Cy Yuk- Mark Hendrickson
Dishonorable Mention- Brandon McCarthy, Fausto Carmona
NL Cy Yuk- Aaron Cook
Dishonorable Mention- Jeff Suppan, John Lannon, Brett Myers

AL Gold Gloves
P- Gil Meche
C- Jason Varitek
1B- Chris Davis
2B- Placido Polanco
3B- Joe Crede
SS- Marco Scutaro
OF- Nelson Cruz
OF- Franklin Gutierrez
OF- David DeJesus

NL Gold Gloves
P- Paul Maholm
C- Bengie Molina
1B- Casey Kotchman
2B- Kazuo Matsui
3B- Geoff Blum
SS- J.J. Hardy
OF- Jay Bruce
OF- Nyjer Morgan
OF- Eric Byrnes


AL Silver Sluggers
C- Victor Martinez
1B- Kevin Youkilis
2B- Ian Kinsler
3B- Evan Longoria
SS- Marco Scutaro
OF- Adam Jones
OF- Jason Bay
OF- Nick Swisher
DH- Adam Lind

NL Silver Sluggers
P- Yovani Gallardo
C- Yadier Molina
1B- Albert Pujols
2B- Chase Utley
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
SS- Ryan Theriot
OF- Raul Ibanez
OF- Manny Ramirez
OF- Carlos Beltran


Notes: Hanley Ramirez is actually having the second best fielding season of any shortstop in the National League. It's doubtful that he'll be able to keep that up, but he did show vast improvement last year in comparison to the season before. If he can keep up this defense and just get his hitting back to where it normally is, he'll probably become the best player in baseball... Javier Vazquez continues to fly well under the radar. He has the second best FIP in the MLB, behind only Zack Grienke... The Silver Sluggers actually seem pretty close to what they'll probably end up being by season's end, save the shortstop position, which I'm sure will be different next month... Among all qualified players, Brian Giles has actually been the least valuable in baseball with a -0.9 WAR. That's pretty surprising. What's also surprising are some other names that make out the bottom 25 position players: Jimmy Rollins, Derrek Lee, David Ortiz, Garret Atkins, and Jason Giambi... Albert Pujols is awesome.

One month down, five to go.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

It's a Conspiracy, I Tell You

At least according to former Royals pitcher and current Dugout Central writer Doug Bird. I'll just let you enjoy this for yourself. Beware of the tin foil.

For someone who pitched in the majors, I have a hard time believing that one could be so willing to accept a conspiracy so easily. The last paragraph is especially ridiculous:
The 2008 ALCS nearly saw another Boston miracle comeback. But then Tampa Bay managed to turn back Boston’s momentum with a game seven victory, getting the former doormats into the World Series for the first time. Did Major League baseball decide the game needed this new Tampa Bay fan enthusiasm more than it needed the safe and always paying Red Sox nation? Although Fox couldn’t have been enthused with the promise of poor ratings, might there be something more devious behind Tampa’s ascension? Is it just coincidence that Tampa’s new, good fortunes come at a time when the team is trying to get a deal for a new stadium?

Let me take a stab...YES IT'S A COINCIDENCE!!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Live Blog Game 5 World Series Rays-Phillies

For all of tens of fans not in Philly or Tampa Bay watching this game:

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Live Blog Game 4 World Series Rays-Phillies

Once you're finished at the NFL Live Blog, come and chat here:

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Live Blog World Series Game 2 Phillies-Rays

Welcome to Game 2 of the World Series. Brett Myers and James Shields are the pitchers. More "goodness" from Joe and Tim.

Gameday

Live Graph

- Hmm, I think I've seen this before.

- Good to see Mark Grace get the "overuse 'must-win'" memo.

- Nice rendition by Los Lonely Boys on the anthem

- Hey, it's Dallas Green. I remember when he was the manager for the Mets. My grandfather (RIP) used to talk so much crap about him, lol.

- Diving into a pool with Christie Brinkley = WIN!

- And Joe calls out Timmy for his Captain Obviousness. :)

- Jonny "Zangief" Gomes with the microphone. Neat.

- Pretty nice play by Longoria. Fine scoop by Pena. Should be interesting to see if Longoria can limit some of the sketchy throws he's had since he came back from his wrist injury.

- "1 of top 5 curves" in the game. Not that I'm disagreeing with it but says who?

- Rays drive in two with consecutive RBI groundouts. 2-0 Rays. Howard prevents Crawford reaching on a hard hit groundball.

- Why does Bob Melvin sound like Boomhauer from "King of the Hill" in those ads?

- Bad read by Upton on that ball. It would have been tough to get it on a good read given his position and the speed of the ball off the bat.

- The called third strike looks so bad even if it's just a matter of taking a tough pitch.

- Feliz with a bit of misfortune on the line drive.

- Good positioning from Jimmy...bad attempt at a joke by Timmy

- Um, huh? Did Danley change his mind or am I missing something? Also, where is the side view?

- Another opposite field single for Upton. Good throw from Werth to nail Baldelli. 3-0 TB

- More fail by the Phillies with runners on as well as good pitching from Shields.

- Sorry about that delay. I'm trying to following the IndyCar Series online (www.indycar.com). Of course, when you have Gameday and two flash players for timing and scoring and streaming, this can happen.

- SQUEEZE!

- Great play by Baldelli on the throw. Werth drifted just a bit too far on a play right in front of him.

- Good job by Myers and Ruiz to exploit that hole of Longoria's.

- Floyd showing off that blazing speed. Still out by a couple of steps.

- Phillies fans, turn away!

- Even though they've gotten 4 runs off of Myers, the Rays haven't exactly stressed him out in this game.

- As far as the issue of African-Americans in baseball, I would think that expanding and revising the draft, in addition to establishing more academies, would help in that regard.

- I know that I mentioned Howard's struggles against lefties this year. Even so, I would not go as far as to warrant a platoon.

- Endurable is a word, huh? Good to know. :) (this is a sincere note if you thought otherwise)

- Another Friedman mention.

- side rant: I just love how mom just says "that's it" for no reason whatsoever. It's like having another Tim or Joe in your household.

- For some reason, that whole exchange sounded like something from "Major League".

- Price is trying to go bullpen ace on these Phils.

- Ruiz again!

- Hmm, that did look like a brush of the jersey. Costs them a baserunner as Rollins pops out.

- Howard grounds out to end this. 1-all as it goes to Philly.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Live Blog World Series Game 1 Phillies-Rays

I'm BAAAACCKK!

Well, I didn't really go anywhere. I took a break from the live blogs but with the World Series starting, I'll be here to put in my two cents. I, or one of my colleagues, hope to add a more convenient live blog system some time soon if not for the World Series some other day.

I know you are all ready. :D

Live Graph!

Gameday

- I've been waiting to say this: Beautiful weather under the dome!

- Ooo, montage. I'm a sucker for these "through time" pieces. When you add baseball to it and you just sock it to me right there.

- Again, they may not have predicted a playoff spot, let alone a World Series appearance, but a couple of systems did forsee nearly 90 wins from these Rays. Stop saying as though they were going to win 75.

- Mark Grace was not one of those systems. ;)

- Haha, the return of the Taco Bell promo.

- Mini-rant: you know what I can't stand more than anything? Media types who complain about certain teams being in the championship game/series because they aren't sexy enough or they haven't heard of most of the players or the fact that they won't get good enough ratings. Screw them!

- Hmm, I heard that music before. They played that during the '82 World Series recap montage (don't know what I'm talking about? check out Game 7 of the '82 Series on MLB.TV if you have a subscription)

- *stands up*

- The Backstreet Boys are still around? The hell?

- Is this just my TV or does Joe Buck look kind of...pasty?

- Woot, Michael Jack Schmidt! (and he just killed it by mentioning "Ryan Howard" and "MVP" in the sentence without saying "was in 2006")

- Honestly, I did not know the Simpsons were up to TOH 19.

- Keys to the game : WIN! I think most of the ones FOX have could be summed up like that.

- At least the scouting report is decent. Once again, if anyone at the YES Network is watching, that is how you do a scouting report. SCOUT THE PLAYER!! It isn't that hard.

- New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys. Did we get sent to the '90s?

- Um, huh?

- That is why you don't bunt, Chase! (91.9 mph fastball down the middle, 3.8'' break [distance from top of arc and the chord connecting release point and breaking the strike zone], 16.1'' pFX [distance between location of pitch and same pitch thrown with no spin]) 2-0 Phils

- Kashmir? edit: he said it again!

- Camera is that way, Crawford.

- Phillies fans just about had a heart attack right there.

- I know a certain someone who is shocked that Feliz has taken 5 straight pitches (my comrades would know who ;) ).

- Victorino sure wants some of that taco.

- Not a great sequence by Kazmir. Last thing he needed was the bases loaded with Rollins up. If they steal, so what?

- The arm of Bossman Junior strikes!

- MLB Network, FTW!

- Before I was enlightened to the fact that making a huge deal about small sample sizes is a fool's errand, I got googlyeyed with Willy Aybar's cup of coffee for the Dodgers. Though he hasn't come close to matching that, he seems to be a pretty solid player.

- Stop denying us free tacos!!

- The mother of all holes, ladies and gentelmen.

- In the bottom of the third in the 3rd inning, FOX has mentioned Sternberg and Friedman more often than TBS did their entire postseason broadcast schedule.

- Bases loaded for teh Bossman. GIDP again for teh Bossman.

- A low forehand lob from Feliz. Oops, wrong sport. 0_o

- 3-nil Phils on the groundout. *smacks self again*

- I wish those were box seats so I can make an apropos joke there. ;)

- "You reach it with your arms and not your legs." Quoi?

- That was awful even by your standards, Tim. "Ray-naissance man"?

- Famous instance of people getting out of the way on a timeout: '93 World Series Game 6 when time was called and Rickey, Darren Daulton, and the ump all got out of the way as if Mitch Williams were about to throw a grenade.

- So it has nothing to do with Myers but there's a dropoff between Hamels and the rest of the staff? That does kind of imply an indictment on Myers, et al.

- FREE TACOS!!!! probably not going to get any but I just like saying "taco".

- Aki in the gap. 3-2 Phils

- LOOK AT HIM GLIDE!! Sorry. *blush*

- Clank by Howard followed by redemption on the throw to pick off Pena.

- Looks as though Longoria has legitimate beef (according to Pitch F/X). I'll have to re-check to see if Welke has been calling that pitch all night.

- Lefties make Howard cringe. :/ Interesting that his platoon split has gotten more lopsided over time. (edit: since he played a full season in '06: Howard v. Lefties)

- Bowl cut alert!

- Heh, a slider and a curve from Balfour that inning. Sometimes, it seems to slip under the radar whenever he throws one.

- Sick stuff from Madson. Upton had a decent pitch to drive on 0-1 but nearly screwed himself into the ground.

- Time for TEH LOOGY!!

- Lidge vs. TB's 3-4-5 hitters. Should be fun to watch. :D

- Lidge ownership. Phillies lead the series 1-0. Join us for Game 2.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

I Can Make the Joke Because I Can

I don't know how to feel about this article by Mark Kriegel from Foxsports.com. It starts out well:
The Division Series between the Angels and the Red Sox ended, appropriately enough, with Jason Bay, who had toiled in obscurity as a Pirate, scoring on a base hit by Jed Lowrie, a rookie who'd been called up after only 40 games in Triple-A.

These men were strangers to playoff baseball. But then, so what?

The time has come to expose the great ruse of October: postseason experience.

Who needs it?
He's right. To automatically assume that experience is needed for success in the playoffs is plain lazy analysis. This isn't to say that there is nothing to having been there before but relying on the absence of playoff experience as reason for failure is non-analysis. If that were enough to be an analyst, then hire us at ATH. We'll collect paychecks for spouting cliches. We'd hate it but hey times are tough!

To get back to Mr. Kriegel's piece, it then takes a familiar turn:
No one can. Being there before hasn't helped A-Rod. I don't care what the sabermetric geeks do with their calculators; the heroically clutch athlete — the one who elevates his game under pressure — is the foundation of all sportswriting. Therefore, I'm bound to insist that players who distinguish themselves in October are born, not made. That's the difference between an Alfonso Soriano and a B.J. Upton, who homered twice Monday afternoon, between a Francisco Rodriguez — whose record 62 regular-season saves didn't stop him from taking a loss in Game 2 of the ALDS, and a Jonathan Papelbon, whose career postseason ERA remains 0.00.
1) An A-Rod crack. How original!
2) A crack on sabermetricians. Again, very original.
3) While I can agree to some extent that how one handles pressure may have some affect on postseason performance, the examples he uses are a bit odd. Soriano's overall playoff numbers are pretty abysmal (.213/.263/.299, 7 XBH, 53 K, 9 BB) but had two walkoff hits in '01 as well as what looked to be the series-winning home run in Game 7 of the '01 World Series. Francisco Rodriguez had an amazing run in the '02 postseason (28 K, 15 baserunners in 18.2 IP). Did they suddenly become unclutch? Who is to say that Upton won't have a 1-20 series? Who is to say Jonathan Papelbon won't have two games like Calvin Schiraldi had in '86?

My contention with the whole clutch denotation for players is that a reputation can gloss over examples when they do the opposite.

But what do I know? I just play around with my calculator all day.