Scott Cooper
Ten years ago on this date - the Red Sox' Scott Cooper hit for the cycle. Cooper took over third base for the departed Wade Boggs a year before and made the 1993 All-Star team. He would also go on to make the All-Star team in 1994 too.
Cooper making the All-Star team underscores how weak the AL was in third basemen at the time. Take a look at his numbers for those years. You would have to combine the numbers from both years to equal the numbers from the All-Star third baseman from either league today.
Monday, April 12, 2004
Yesterday's Red Sox / Blue Jays Game
Three observations about yesterday's 12 inning 6 to 4 victory for the Red Sox.
1. I know that bunts are looked down upon by the disciples of Bill James but there is a time and a place for everything and yesterday the time and place for a bunt was in the 10th inning. The Red Sox had men on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Jason Varitek was at bat. This was the time for a bunt. Put the runner at third with only one out. Instead - Varitek hit into a double play.
I know that hindsight is 20/20 but my wife is my witness that I was yelling "Bunt! Bunt! Bunt!" at the TV when Varitek was at bat.
2. The Red Sox used Keith Foulke in the ninth (with the team DOWN a run) and the tenth (with the score tied). This certainly isn't the Tony LaRussa way to use your closer but it is the right way. If the Red Sox didn't keep the deficit to one run - then they don't tie the game in the ninth and they lose. Why is it written that a closer can only pitch one inning? Foulke was ready and available to pitch a second inning and why not have your best out there for a second inning?
This is the way Bill James has advocated using a "closer" and yesterday it helped the Red Sox get the win just as much as Ortiz's walk off home run.
3. Bobby Jones has to go.
Three observations about yesterday's 12 inning 6 to 4 victory for the Red Sox.
1. I know that bunts are looked down upon by the disciples of Bill James but there is a time and a place for everything and yesterday the time and place for a bunt was in the 10th inning. The Red Sox had men on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Jason Varitek was at bat. This was the time for a bunt. Put the runner at third with only one out. Instead - Varitek hit into a double play.
I know that hindsight is 20/20 but my wife is my witness that I was yelling "Bunt! Bunt! Bunt!" at the TV when Varitek was at bat.
2. The Red Sox used Keith Foulke in the ninth (with the team DOWN a run) and the tenth (with the score tied). This certainly isn't the Tony LaRussa way to use your closer but it is the right way. If the Red Sox didn't keep the deficit to one run - then they don't tie the game in the ninth and they lose. Why is it written that a closer can only pitch one inning? Foulke was ready and available to pitch a second inning and why not have your best out there for a second inning?
This is the way Bill James has advocated using a "closer" and yesterday it helped the Red Sox get the win just as much as Ortiz's walk off home run.
3. Bobby Jones has to go.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Indeed!
I have decided to adopt the exclamation "Indeed!"
Instead of yelling "yeah!" or "yes!" when a shot is made or a home run is hit - now I will yell "Indeed!"
When I agree with what someone is saying to me - I will nod my head and say, "Indeed, indeed."
At church - instead of saying "Amen" - I will now say "Indeed".
I will try and make it my calling card.
Indeed!
I have decided to adopt the exclamation "Indeed!"
Instead of yelling "yeah!" or "yes!" when a shot is made or a home run is hit - now I will yell "Indeed!"
When I agree with what someone is saying to me - I will nod my head and say, "Indeed, indeed."
At church - instead of saying "Amen" - I will now say "Indeed".
I will try and make it my calling card.
Indeed!
Miscellaneous Thoughts
Just some quick thoughts while I watch the final day of the Masters, wait for the Red Sox game to come on and wait for the ham to be cooked for Easter dinner....
Justin Rose's caddy looks like he's not wearing nothin' under the caddy overalls. I hope they don't recycle those overalls and someone else will have to wear Rose's caddy's overalls next year.... I just don't like Vijay Singh... I saw this sign being carried by a PETA protester outside a Honey Ham outlet in California (via LA Blog)
my immediate thought was "Jesus didn't eat chocolate either - what's the point?"... In 1950, Harry S Truman, who was ambidextrous, threw out two first pitches -- one righty, one lefty...
Just some quick thoughts while I watch the final day of the Masters, wait for the Red Sox game to come on and wait for the ham to be cooked for Easter dinner....
Justin Rose's caddy looks like he's not wearing nothin' under the caddy overalls. I hope they don't recycle those overalls and someone else will have to wear Rose's caddy's overalls next year.... I just don't like Vijay Singh... I saw this sign being carried by a PETA protester outside a Honey Ham outlet in California (via LA Blog)
my immediate thought was "Jesus didn't eat chocolate either - what's the point?"... In 1950, Harry S Truman, who was ambidextrous, threw out two first pitches -- one righty, one lefty...
Just saying
Here is the production the Red Sox have gotten from their left side of the infield combination of Bill Mueller and Poker Reese.
Combined batting average .222 - 10 hits - 6 runs - 4 RBI
These guys will make a combined $3.1 million this year.
Here is the production th Yankees have gotten from their left side of the infield combination of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
Combined batting average .189 - 10 hits - 7 runs - 4 RBI
These guys will make a combined $36 million this year (that's more than 10-times what Mueller and Reese will make).
I know this should be filed under - enjoy it while it lasts (but I have the need to bring it up while I can).
Here is the production the Red Sox have gotten from their left side of the infield combination of Bill Mueller and Poker Reese.
Combined batting average .222 - 10 hits - 6 runs - 4 RBI
These guys will make a combined $3.1 million this year.
Here is the production th Yankees have gotten from their left side of the infield combination of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
Combined batting average .189 - 10 hits - 7 runs - 4 RBI
These guys will make a combined $36 million this year (that's more than 10-times what Mueller and Reese will make).
I know this should be filed under - enjoy it while it lasts (but I have the need to bring it up while I can).
Slice of Life
Last night before doing my Easter Bunny duties - I was watching the Red Sox / Blue Jays game with my wife. A promotional spot for NESN's pregame show came on and Jerry Remy said something like "the show will let you know the score before the game."
I turned to my wife and said, "I know what the score will be before the game." She replied, "So do I." We both laughed.
If you don't have kids and you don't get peppered with knock-knock jokes on long journeys then you might not get the joke about knowing the score before the game but just to fill you in on something every kid in my family knows - the score before every game is always zero/zero.
That one always gets the adults. Just like the joke, "where do the Russians keep their armies?"
The answer of course is "up their sleevies."
Last night before doing my Easter Bunny duties - I was watching the Red Sox / Blue Jays game with my wife. A promotional spot for NESN's pregame show came on and Jerry Remy said something like "the show will let you know the score before the game."
I turned to my wife and said, "I know what the score will be before the game." She replied, "So do I." We both laughed.
If you don't have kids and you don't get peppered with knock-knock jokes on long journeys then you might not get the joke about knowing the score before the game but just to fill you in on something every kid in my family knows - the score before every game is always zero/zero.
That one always gets the adults. Just like the joke, "where do the Russians keep their armies?"
The answer of course is "up their sleevies."
Miscellaneous Thoughts
Some random observations while reading the morning papers and having my coffee on Easter morning....
When I was growing up, Cheez-its (square orange colored cheeze crackers) and Tid-bits (stick shaped orange colored cheeze crackers) were equally popular but over the years Cheez-its have really pulled away in popularity.... There is no bigger idiot in the Boston sports media than Dan Shaughnessy - this is a point that cannot be argued.... Brian Daubach was placed on waivers by the Red Sox because they needed to add another pitcher. Nobody will come out and say it but this is it for Daubach in a Red Sox uniform. Daubach will catch on with another team and Boston will lose a fan favorite.... I think someone should make a movie out of the book Ball Four using Ken dolls, GI Joe's and Barbie dolls instead of actors. I think that would be awesome.... Wow - Roy Halladay hasn't won a March or April start since 2002? Who knew?... Another former Fenway fan favorite - Lou Merloni is hitting .300 for the Indians.... Hey today is Jason Varitek's and Trot Nixon's birthday... Freddie Adu will be playing soccer in Europe before he's 18... Yellow marshmallow Peeps are the best.... The movie Hidalgo did seem to last very long at the movie theaters....
Some random observations while reading the morning papers and having my coffee on Easter morning....
When I was growing up, Cheez-its (square orange colored cheeze crackers) and Tid-bits (stick shaped orange colored cheeze crackers) were equally popular but over the years Cheez-its have really pulled away in popularity.... There is no bigger idiot in the Boston sports media than Dan Shaughnessy - this is a point that cannot be argued.... Brian Daubach was placed on waivers by the Red Sox because they needed to add another pitcher. Nobody will come out and say it but this is it for Daubach in a Red Sox uniform. Daubach will catch on with another team and Boston will lose a fan favorite.... I think someone should make a movie out of the book Ball Four using Ken dolls, GI Joe's and Barbie dolls instead of actors. I think that would be awesome.... Wow - Roy Halladay hasn't won a March or April start since 2002? Who knew?... Another former Fenway fan favorite - Lou Merloni is hitting .300 for the Indians.... Hey today is Jason Varitek's and Trot Nixon's birthday... Freddie Adu will be playing soccer in Europe before he's 18... Yellow marshmallow Peeps are the best.... The movie Hidalgo did seem to last very long at the movie theaters....
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Miscellaneous Thoughts
Some observations while watching the end of the Masters coverage while waiting for the Red Sox / Blue Jays to come on...
I seem to be the only one concerned with the complete disappearence of David Duval from the golf scene. His vertigo has turned him into as big a forgotten man as Nick Esasky.... What was a better name for a character - Snake Plisken or Crash Davis?... Everybody is rooting for Phil Mickelson but watch out for Freddie Couples and Bernhard Langer. Old-timers always seem to make big runs on the final day at Augusta... James Doohan who played Scotty on Star Trek must thank his lucky stars every day for getting that role. It had no heavy lifting and required no acting talent. A perfect fit... Am I the only one that thinks that a Girls Gone Wild at the Masters would be tacky enough to be funny?... Well the Detroit Tigers have finally lost a game but the Mariners still haven't won a game.... Wow - Tim Hudson went the entire distance in the 2-1 win over the Mariners? I wonder if that was because his pitch count was down or because the A's don't have as much confidence in Arthur Rhodes as they say they do?.... Who knew? Jose Offerman has more home runs than anyone on the Red Sox....
Some observations while watching the end of the Masters coverage while waiting for the Red Sox / Blue Jays to come on...
I seem to be the only one concerned with the complete disappearence of David Duval from the golf scene. His vertigo has turned him into as big a forgotten man as Nick Esasky.... What was a better name for a character - Snake Plisken or Crash Davis?... Everybody is rooting for Phil Mickelson but watch out for Freddie Couples and Bernhard Langer. Old-timers always seem to make big runs on the final day at Augusta... James Doohan who played Scotty on Star Trek must thank his lucky stars every day for getting that role. It had no heavy lifting and required no acting talent. A perfect fit... Am I the only one that thinks that a Girls Gone Wild at the Masters would be tacky enough to be funny?... Well the Detroit Tigers have finally lost a game but the Mariners still haven't won a game.... Wow - Tim Hudson went the entire distance in the 2-1 win over the Mariners? I wonder if that was because his pitch count was down or because the A's don't have as much confidence in Arthur Rhodes as they say they do?.... Who knew? Jose Offerman has more home runs than anyone on the Red Sox....
Interesting
Mark Steyn has a very interesting piece on the role Richard Clarke had on the genocide in Rwanda. Worth the read.
Mark Steyn has a very interesting piece on the role Richard Clarke had on the genocide in Rwanda. Worth the read.
Miscellaneous Thoughts
Just some quick observations made while perusing the morning papers...
How strange is it that Detroit is the only team left that hasn't lost while Seattle is the only team left that hasn't won?.... The NL West is the only division in baseball where the current standings will also be the final standings at the end of the year... What the heck were the Mets thinking when they signed Scott Erickson in the first place?... I hope Maine wins the NCAA hockey crown... Jack Cust's days in Baltimore seem to be over. The hefty hitter will mostly be remembered for falling down just feet from home plate in a game against the Yankees last year.... The Passion of the Christ is back as the #1 movie in the country and it has also knocked Forrest Gump from the top 10 highest grossing movies of all-time... Johnny Damon kinda looks like Forrest Gump back when Forrest just felt like running... Barry Bonds will be tainted in the minds of many people who read the sports sections the same way that Bernie Ebbers will be tainted in the minds of many people who read the business sections. Bonds may have been arguably the best player of the 90's but his accomplishments will be tainted if the feds find he took steroids and try him for perjury. Ebbers may have been the best businessman of the 90's as he took a tiny long distance company and built it till it swallowed the much larger MCI. Sure Ebbers may have used creative accounting to achieve his goals but how is that very different from Bonds using steroids to achieve his numbers?... Heh heh - Jose Contreras - 5.1 innings, 5 earned runs, 8.44 ERA...
Just some quick observations made while perusing the morning papers...
How strange is it that Detroit is the only team left that hasn't lost while Seattle is the only team left that hasn't won?.... The NL West is the only division in baseball where the current standings will also be the final standings at the end of the year... What the heck were the Mets thinking when they signed Scott Erickson in the first place?... I hope Maine wins the NCAA hockey crown... Jack Cust's days in Baltimore seem to be over. The hefty hitter will mostly be remembered for falling down just feet from home plate in a game against the Yankees last year.... The Passion of the Christ is back as the #1 movie in the country and it has also knocked Forrest Gump from the top 10 highest grossing movies of all-time... Johnny Damon kinda looks like Forrest Gump back when Forrest just felt like running... Barry Bonds will be tainted in the minds of many people who read the sports sections the same way that Bernie Ebbers will be tainted in the minds of many people who read the business sections. Bonds may have been arguably the best player of the 90's but his accomplishments will be tainted if the feds find he took steroids and try him for perjury. Ebbers may have been the best businessman of the 90's as he took a tiny long distance company and built it till it swallowed the much larger MCI. Sure Ebbers may have used creative accounting to achieve his goals but how is that very different from Bonds using steroids to achieve his numbers?... Heh heh - Jose Contreras - 5.1 innings, 5 earned runs, 8.44 ERA...
Steroids and Baseball
IRS agents have seized "documentation and samples" from the Las Vegas lab that did testing for MLB last year. This could prove to be big trouble for Bonds, Sheffield and Giambi if their test results are included and show that they tested positive for steroids since they said under oath to the feds that they did not. (Martha Stewart anyone?)
This brings up a couple of questions:
1. Will the Feds also retest for THG? MLB said that MLB was prohibited by collective bargaining from retesting but no such agreement should prohibit the Feds (except maybe illegal search and seizure Constitutional protections).
2. I keep hearing people defend the players by saying that even if they took THG it wasn't an illegal supplement at the time. Maybe THG wasn't proscibed by MLB rules but wasn't it still an illegal substance? I mean ecstasy may not be a proscibed substance according to MLB but that doesn't make it legal. I don't understand this line of thinking.
IRS agents have seized "documentation and samples" from the Las Vegas lab that did testing for MLB last year. This could prove to be big trouble for Bonds, Sheffield and Giambi if their test results are included and show that they tested positive for steroids since they said under oath to the feds that they did not. (Martha Stewart anyone?)
This brings up a couple of questions:
1. Will the Feds also retest for THG? MLB said that MLB was prohibited by collective bargaining from retesting but no such agreement should prohibit the Feds (except maybe illegal search and seizure Constitutional protections).
2. I keep hearing people defend the players by saying that even if they took THG it wasn't an illegal supplement at the time. Maybe THG wasn't proscibed by MLB rules but wasn't it still an illegal substance? I mean ecstasy may not be a proscibed substance according to MLB but that doesn't make it legal. I don't understand this line of thinking.
Fantasy Baseball
So far this season - the best fantasy position player has been Colorado's Charles Johnson who has 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 runs, 1 stolen base and is hitting .600 with an OPS of 2.367. Johnson has been a very nice surprise for the teams that picked him as their back-up catcher.
Other top position players so far this year include Jeff Bagwell, Albert Pujols and Richard Hildalgo.
Among the pitchers - probably the biggest surprise so far this season has been Armando Benetiz as a closer for the Marlins. So far Armando has three saves - which ties him for the MLB lead with Arthur Rhodes of the A's (a guy some people were saying was overvalued).
So far this season - the best fantasy position player has been Colorado's Charles Johnson who has 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 runs, 1 stolen base and is hitting .600 with an OPS of 2.367. Johnson has been a very nice surprise for the teams that picked him as their back-up catcher.
Other top position players so far this year include Jeff Bagwell, Albert Pujols and Richard Hildalgo.
Among the pitchers - probably the biggest surprise so far this season has been Armando Benetiz as a closer for the Marlins. So far Armando has three saves - which ties him for the MLB lead with Arthur Rhodes of the A's (a guy some people were saying was overvalued).
Friday, April 09, 2004
West Wing Thoughts 2
With Condolezza Rice so much in the news these days - I wanted to make a couple of comments about how Condi relates to the bizarro - this is how the liberal elites view the perfect President and White House staff of The West Wing.
In Aaron Sorkin's world the chief National Security Advisor to the President is a black woman. In the show her name is Dr. Nancy McNally. In the real world - her name is Dr. Condolezza Rice.
In the real world - Rice was grilled by the 9/11 commission about what the President knew and when did he know it and was the President preoccupied with thoughts of "getting" Saddam Hussein. In the real world - we have a man named Richard Clarke trying to sell the idea that when he briefed Condolezza Rice on the security threats facing the US during the transition period of the new administration - she seemed unaware of who Osama bin Laden was. (It's in his book you can look it up.)
In the bizarro world of "this is how we want the White House to operate" world of The West Wing - in the first show of the second season - the President is shot. This show aired on October 4, 2000 (a month before the Presidential election). When Leo McGarry and the Vice President go to the situation room - the first two things that they are told are that a number of splinter cell leaders are missing including bin Laden and that the Iraqi Republican Guard is on the move. This update on the situation is delivered by Nancy McNally who wants to prepare to strike Iraq right then and there.
(BTW - Nancy McNally once offered up this gem, "You want peace in the Middle East? Give me a pair of third-generation ICBMs and a compass." Can you imagine the outrage the liberal media would have if the real world NSA head said something like that?)
OK - so even though the fake black woman NSA head knew about bin Laden and the fake ideal White House viewed Iraq as a major credible threat - the real world liberal elite want us to believe that the real black woman NSA head didn't know who Osama bin Laden was (according to Richard Clarke) and that the White House was wrong to view Iraq as such a threat.
I don't get it.
With Condolezza Rice so much in the news these days - I wanted to make a couple of comments about how Condi relates to the bizarro - this is how the liberal elites view the perfect President and White House staff of The West Wing.
In Aaron Sorkin's world the chief National Security Advisor to the President is a black woman. In the show her name is Dr. Nancy McNally. In the real world - her name is Dr. Condolezza Rice.
In the real world - Rice was grilled by the 9/11 commission about what the President knew and when did he know it and was the President preoccupied with thoughts of "getting" Saddam Hussein. In the real world - we have a man named Richard Clarke trying to sell the idea that when he briefed Condolezza Rice on the security threats facing the US during the transition period of the new administration - she seemed unaware of who Osama bin Laden was. (It's in his book you can look it up.)
In the bizarro world of "this is how we want the White House to operate" world of The West Wing - in the first show of the second season - the President is shot. This show aired on October 4, 2000 (a month before the Presidential election). When Leo McGarry and the Vice President go to the situation room - the first two things that they are told are that a number of splinter cell leaders are missing including bin Laden and that the Iraqi Republican Guard is on the move. This update on the situation is delivered by Nancy McNally who wants to prepare to strike Iraq right then and there.
(BTW - Nancy McNally once offered up this gem, "You want peace in the Middle East? Give me a pair of third-generation ICBMs and a compass." Can you imagine the outrage the liberal media would have if the real world NSA head said something like that?)
OK - so even though the fake black woman NSA head knew about bin Laden and the fake ideal White House viewed Iraq as a major credible threat - the real world liberal elite want us to believe that the real black woman NSA head didn't know who Osama bin Laden was (according to Richard Clarke) and that the White House was wrong to view Iraq as such a threat.
I don't get it.
Miscellaneous Thoughts
Lots of windshield time today and lots of small miscellaneous thoughts like....
With the Jesus of Nazareth look going - how long before people start calling Johnny Damon - Johnny of Fort Riley? (Doesn't have the same ring to it - does it?)... Driving on the Mass Pike, I passed a guy who was reading the Daily Racing Forum while driving his car. That's a guy with a gambling problem... Looking back - the show Grizzly Adams with Dan Haggerty was pretty gay. A mountain man who lives with a bear and whose closest friend was another mountain man? I can't recall any women being involved with that show. Yup - gay show - not that there's anything wrong with that.... I thought about Grizzly Adams because it occurred to me that if Kevin Millar decided to join Johnny Damon in growing his hair and beard out - then he would look a lot like Dan Haggerty.... Last year the Red Sox had Kevin Millar as the Karaoke Guy singing Springsteen's Born in the USA. How about having Johnny Damon being this year's Karaoke Guy singing Nazareth's Love Hurts?.... I didn't see it but they say that yesterday at the Yankees' home opener Don Mattingly got the loudest ovation when he was introduced to the crowd (he's the batting coach this year). Even as a Red Sox fan - I was glad to hear that. To me it is so unfair that Wade Boggs will make the Hall of Fame and Don Mattingly won't.... Be sure to watch Band of Brothers on the History Channel - the series starts this Sunday.... With Mike Cameron playing in the NL this year - Johnny Damon has a good shot to win a Gold Glove.... If at any point in their careers Don Mattingly was offered to the Red Sox in exchange for Wade Boggs - the Red Sox would have made that deal in an instant. Yet Boggs is the one who will make it into the Hall of Fame. That is so not right.... I think a pretty could satire / spoof would be to have Grizzly Adams meet the Care Bears...
Lots of windshield time today and lots of small miscellaneous thoughts like....
With the Jesus of Nazareth look going - how long before people start calling Johnny Damon - Johnny of Fort Riley? (Doesn't have the same ring to it - does it?)... Driving on the Mass Pike, I passed a guy who was reading the Daily Racing Forum while driving his car. That's a guy with a gambling problem... Looking back - the show Grizzly Adams with Dan Haggerty was pretty gay. A mountain man who lives with a bear and whose closest friend was another mountain man? I can't recall any women being involved with that show. Yup - gay show - not that there's anything wrong with that.... I thought about Grizzly Adams because it occurred to me that if Kevin Millar decided to join Johnny Damon in growing his hair and beard out - then he would look a lot like Dan Haggerty.... Last year the Red Sox had Kevin Millar as the Karaoke Guy singing Springsteen's Born in the USA. How about having Johnny Damon being this year's Karaoke Guy singing Nazareth's Love Hurts?.... I didn't see it but they say that yesterday at the Yankees' home opener Don Mattingly got the loudest ovation when he was introduced to the crowd (he's the batting coach this year). Even as a Red Sox fan - I was glad to hear that. To me it is so unfair that Wade Boggs will make the Hall of Fame and Don Mattingly won't.... Be sure to watch Band of Brothers on the History Channel - the series starts this Sunday.... With Mike Cameron playing in the NL this year - Johnny Damon has a good shot to win a Gold Glove.... If at any point in their careers Don Mattingly was offered to the Red Sox in exchange for Wade Boggs - the Red Sox would have made that deal in an instant. Yet Boggs is the one who will make it into the Hall of Fame. That is so not right.... I think a pretty could satire / spoof would be to have Grizzly Adams meet the Care Bears...
Boston Bruins
I haven't written much about the Bruins mainly because last season I wrote a long analysis of the team and how great they were doing and then the team immediately went into the dumper. At the risk of jinxing the team - here are three reasons why the Bruins will not lose to the Canadiens:
1. Raycroft is a hot goalie and that is the number one thing you need in the playoffs
2. The Bruins go three lines deep now as opposed to the one big line it seems they have been relying on for the past 20 years.
3. The Canadiens do not have a single player on their roster with the first name of "Guy" [Geee]. In the 70's it seemed that the whole team was named Guy - with a Serge or Larry here or there.
I haven't written much about the Bruins mainly because last season I wrote a long analysis of the team and how great they were doing and then the team immediately went into the dumper. At the risk of jinxing the team - here are three reasons why the Bruins will not lose to the Canadiens:
1. Raycroft is a hot goalie and that is the number one thing you need in the playoffs
2. The Bruins go three lines deep now as opposed to the one big line it seems they have been relying on for the past 20 years.
3. The Canadiens do not have a single player on their roster with the first name of "Guy" [Geee]. In the 70's it seemed that the whole team was named Guy - with a Serge or Larry here or there.
Lynch's Inverse Rule of Movie Commercials (aka the Anger Management rule)
If there is a new movie out (one week into release) and you watch TV from 8:00 PM to midnight - take the number of times you see a commercial for that movie and subtract that number from ten. This will give you a general idea of the quality of the movie (on a scale of 1 to 10).
For instance - last night I saw 6 commecials for the movie The Whole Ten Yards - meaning the movie is probably a 4 on a scale of one to 10.
Think about it - really good movie don't need commercials once they are released because of good reviews and word of mouth. Really bad movies need to flood the zone with commercials to overcome bad reviews and bad word of mouth. Remember all the commercials you saw for the Adam Sandler / Jack Nicholson movie Anger Management?
If there is a new movie out (one week into release) and you watch TV from 8:00 PM to midnight - take the number of times you see a commercial for that movie and subtract that number from ten. This will give you a general idea of the quality of the movie (on a scale of 1 to 10).
For instance - last night I saw 6 commecials for the movie The Whole Ten Yards - meaning the movie is probably a 4 on a scale of one to 10.
Think about it - really good movie don't need commercials once they are released because of good reviews and word of mouth. Really bad movies need to flood the zone with commercials to overcome bad reviews and bad word of mouth. Remember all the commercials you saw for the Adam Sandler / Jack Nicholson movie Anger Management?
Thursday, April 08, 2004
West Wing Thoughts 1
The West Wing has been the only "must see" show on TV for me for some time. With the departure of Aaron Sorkin the show has definitely slipped. I think one way for the show to recapture some momentum and get back its fastball would be to bring back Rob Lowe.
Lowe's character was basically written out of the show (because Lowe and Sorkin didn't get along and Lowe thought he was being underpaid). Sam Seaborn ran for Congress in Orange County, CA and presumably won (I don't recall them ever actually mentioning whether Sam won or lost). In Sam's place the character of Will Bailey was brought in (played by Josh Molina). To put it frankly - Will Bailey has been the TV equivalent of replacing Mark Prior with John Burkett. It's just not working.
Reintroducing Sam Seaborn would be relatively easy. Just have Sam be a member of Congress who is helpful to the White House (just like Toby's wife). Maybe Josh and Toby use Sam on an important issue on the Sunday morning news shows - maybe Sam gets into an affair with one of the President's daughters, etc., etc. It wouldn't be rocket science to get the character back into the swing of things and it would also open up whole new avenues of plot structure (we never get to see how things work from the perspective of the Congress).
I hope Lowe realizes that he had it good on the ensemble cast of The West Wing. The catastophe that was The Lyon's Den I hope has taught him some humility.
The show was built on intelligence, humor and snappy dialogue. Bringing back Sam Seaborn brings back all those elements.
The West Wing has been the only "must see" show on TV for me for some time. With the departure of Aaron Sorkin the show has definitely slipped. I think one way for the show to recapture some momentum and get back its fastball would be to bring back Rob Lowe.
Lowe's character was basically written out of the show (because Lowe and Sorkin didn't get along and Lowe thought he was being underpaid). Sam Seaborn ran for Congress in Orange County, CA and presumably won (I don't recall them ever actually mentioning whether Sam won or lost). In Sam's place the character of Will Bailey was brought in (played by Josh Molina). To put it frankly - Will Bailey has been the TV equivalent of replacing Mark Prior with John Burkett. It's just not working.
Reintroducing Sam Seaborn would be relatively easy. Just have Sam be a member of Congress who is helpful to the White House (just like Toby's wife). Maybe Josh and Toby use Sam on an important issue on the Sunday morning news shows - maybe Sam gets into an affair with one of the President's daughters, etc., etc. It wouldn't be rocket science to get the character back into the swing of things and it would also open up whole new avenues of plot structure (we never get to see how things work from the perspective of the Congress).
I hope Lowe realizes that he had it good on the ensemble cast of The West Wing. The catastophe that was The Lyon's Den I hope has taught him some humility.
The show was built on intelligence, humor and snappy dialogue. Bringing back Sam Seaborn brings back all those elements.
Just Sayin'
I was in Boston today and I couldn't help notice that a number of the Boston police cars have the words "Crime Stopper" on the rear panel. What's up with that? Isn't a policeman by definition a "crime stopper"? Are the police cars without the words "Crime Stopper" manned by policemen who just hand out tickets or deal with crimes after the fact?
The saddest thing is the fact that the City probably paid some consultant to come up with that motto.
I was in Boston today and I couldn't help notice that a number of the Boston police cars have the words "Crime Stopper" on the rear panel. What's up with that? Isn't a policeman by definition a "crime stopper"? Are the police cars without the words "Crime Stopper" manned by policemen who just hand out tickets or deal with crimes after the fact?
The saddest thing is the fact that the City probably paid some consultant to come up with that motto.
Baseball Salaries
Interesting piece over at Foxsports.com on how the average baseball salary has decreased for the first time in nearly a decade. (I found the article via Doug's Business of Baseball Blog - which I should have added to my blogroll by now).
I do think that the article left out some of the causes for the decline in the average salary including:
- It is now much harder for teams to insure contracts and the teams are thus much more hesitant to give out big dollar contracts
- With the rise of "sabermetrics" - the replacement level player idea has taken hold. Why overpay for a older journeyman when a younger cheaper player would provide the same productivity? (I would like to see charts on the median age and experience levels to go along with the pay information.)
- Salary Arbitration is being used by clubs much more often. Now this will result in larger one year contracts but it helps avoid dead money long term deals where a player is getting a big salary for being on the DL while driving up the cost of the average salary at the same time.
Interesting piece over at Foxsports.com on how the average baseball salary has decreased for the first time in nearly a decade. (I found the article via Doug's Business of Baseball Blog - which I should have added to my blogroll by now).
I do think that the article left out some of the causes for the decline in the average salary including:
- It is now much harder for teams to insure contracts and the teams are thus much more hesitant to give out big dollar contracts
- With the rise of "sabermetrics" - the replacement level player idea has taken hold. Why overpay for a older journeyman when a younger cheaper player would provide the same productivity? (I would like to see charts on the median age and experience levels to go along with the pay information.)
- Salary Arbitration is being used by clubs much more often. Now this will result in larger one year contracts but it helps avoid dead money long term deals where a player is getting a big salary for being on the DL while driving up the cost of the average salary at the same time.
Fantastic Four - Ben Grimm / The Thing
I've been second guessing my choice of Michael Clarke Duncan to play Ben Grimm in the movie version of the The Fantastic Four. Duncan has the size but maybe not the edge to play the beer drinking, moody Ben Grimm. Maybe a better choice would be Stone Cold Steve Austin.
I've been second guessing my choice of Michael Clarke Duncan to play Ben Grimm in the movie version of the The Fantastic Four. Duncan has the size but maybe not the edge to play the beer drinking, moody Ben Grimm. Maybe a better choice would be Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Jeff Weaver
Last night Jeff Weaver looked really good for the Dodgers. He pitched 7 innings and gave up only one run while stiking out 6 (with one walk). Weaver looks poised for a rebound year. I would predict 17 wins and an ERA around 3.25. His curve was sharp last night and he made Phil Nevin look like a AA player with it on more than one occasion.
One troubling thing is some sort of rash or acne right below his left eye. Jeff should have that looked at.
Last night Jeff Weaver looked really good for the Dodgers. He pitched 7 innings and gave up only one run while stiking out 6 (with one walk). Weaver looks poised for a rebound year. I would predict 17 wins and an ERA around 3.25. His curve was sharp last night and he made Phil Nevin look like a AA player with it on more than one occasion.
One troubling thing is some sort of rash or acne right below his left eye. Jeff should have that looked at.
NESN Programming
The Boston Red Sox own NESN (the New England Sports Network) and Bill James works for the Red Sox – so why not also have him work for NESN with his own show?
There are many people out there who would be very interested in what Bill James had to say (his books make the NY Times bestseller lists for a reason). Plus James has a very understated sense of humor. The only problem would be the fact that since he is employed by the Red Sox he couldn’t comment on any of the current Red Sox players or other current MLB players for that matter (tampering). That’s OK – just make the show about historical baseball.
You could have Bill James plus a studio host (someone like Don Orsillo). The 22 minutes of programming for the half-hour show could be broken into the following segments:
· One segment on a particular player (this would be easy since all James would have to do is take material directly from his Baseball Abstract)
· Viewer email is answered by James
· This week in baseball history
· Bill James answers questions from callers
The show would be very interesting to baseball junkies and very inexpensive to produce. In fact – if they kept the show from being Red Sox centric – the show could easily be syndicated for other regional sports networks across the country.
Since Bill James cannot comment on current players because he is a Red Sox employee – I would suggest a second show by NESN. This show could be called The Stats Geeks and he hosted by two stats geeks and an in studio host. The show would be similar to the Bill James’ show but the segments would be as follows:
· Review of the week’s transactions, trades and injuries. For instance - the stats geeks could predict how Milton Bradley’s fantasy numbers would work with his trade from Cleveland to the Dodgers. They could talk about league and park factors, etc.
· Viewer email is answered by the stats geeks
· The stats geeks both go over their best and worst fantasy baseball players for the week
· The stats geeks answer caller questions
Again – if NESN keeps the show from being Red Sox centric – it would easily be syndicated.
I should get a job in TV programming.
The Boston Red Sox own NESN (the New England Sports Network) and Bill James works for the Red Sox – so why not also have him work for NESN with his own show?
There are many people out there who would be very interested in what Bill James had to say (his books make the NY Times bestseller lists for a reason). Plus James has a very understated sense of humor. The only problem would be the fact that since he is employed by the Red Sox he couldn’t comment on any of the current Red Sox players or other current MLB players for that matter (tampering). That’s OK – just make the show about historical baseball.
You could have Bill James plus a studio host (someone like Don Orsillo). The 22 minutes of programming for the half-hour show could be broken into the following segments:
· One segment on a particular player (this would be easy since all James would have to do is take material directly from his Baseball Abstract)
· Viewer email is answered by James
· This week in baseball history
· Bill James answers questions from callers
The show would be very interesting to baseball junkies and very inexpensive to produce. In fact – if they kept the show from being Red Sox centric – the show could easily be syndicated for other regional sports networks across the country.
Since Bill James cannot comment on current players because he is a Red Sox employee – I would suggest a second show by NESN. This show could be called The Stats Geeks and he hosted by two stats geeks and an in studio host. The show would be similar to the Bill James’ show but the segments would be as follows:
· Review of the week’s transactions, trades and injuries. For instance - the stats geeks could predict how Milton Bradley’s fantasy numbers would work with his trade from Cleveland to the Dodgers. They could talk about league and park factors, etc.
· Viewer email is answered by the stats geeks
· The stats geeks both go over their best and worst fantasy baseball players for the week
· The stats geeks answer caller questions
Again – if NESN keeps the show from being Red Sox centric – it would easily be syndicated.
I should get a job in TV programming.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
The Fantastic Four
I've had the question on how I would cast the new Fantastic Four movie in the back of my mind for most of the day and here is what I've come up with:
Reed Richards - Jason Isaacs
Sue Storm - Charlize Theron
Johnny Storm - Matt Damon
Ben Grimm - Michael Clarke Duncan
Dr. Doom - Roy Scheider
I've had the question on how I would cast the new Fantastic Four movie in the back of my mind for most of the day and here is what I've come up with:
Reed Richards - Jason Isaacs
Sue Storm - Charlize Theron
Johnny Storm - Matt Damon
Ben Grimm - Michael Clarke Duncan
Dr. Doom - Roy Scheider
Interesting
I had a door-to-door salesman stop at my house today - selling burial plots. Swear to God! I told him that I already had one. I admire his effort but in this day of scams and buying whatever you need at WalMart or off the Internet - who is going to buy something from a door-to-door salesman?
Although I guess if there was something you might just buy from a door-to-door salesman - burial plots might just be it.
I had a door-to-door salesman stop at my house today - selling burial plots. Swear to God! I told him that I already had one. I admire his effort but in this day of scams and buying whatever you need at WalMart or off the Internet - who is going to buy something from a door-to-door salesman?
Although I guess if there was something you might just buy from a door-to-door salesman - burial plots might just be it.
Steve Trachsel
Steve Trachel had his option for 2005 picked up and a new option for 2006 added (the option vests if he pitches 150 innings in 2005). The two years are worth $12 million to the career 106-118 pitcher. The Red Sox are letting their best players play out the year - risking losing them to free agency while the Mets not only pick up the option on a player who should easily be replaceable - they added another year!
For what it's worth - the 10 players most similar to Trachsel (according to Baseball-Reference.com) went a combined 95-168 (a 36% winning percentage) after age 32. Trachsel has a career ERA+ of just 102 (meaning that he has just barely been better than the league average for his career). I know Mets fans will point to his ERA from last year and the year before to say that Trachsel is trending upward but I think this was a bad move by the Mets.
Steve Trachel had his option for 2005 picked up and a new option for 2006 added (the option vests if he pitches 150 innings in 2005). The two years are worth $12 million to the career 106-118 pitcher. The Red Sox are letting their best players play out the year - risking losing them to free agency while the Mets not only pick up the option on a player who should easily be replaceable - they added another year!
For what it's worth - the 10 players most similar to Trachsel (according to Baseball-Reference.com) went a combined 95-168 (a 36% winning percentage) after age 32. Trachsel has a career ERA+ of just 102 (meaning that he has just barely been better than the league average for his career). I know Mets fans will point to his ERA from last year and the year before to say that Trachsel is trending upward but I think this was a bad move by the Mets.
Heh heh
Found this over at The View from the Bleachers - Cubs and Red Sox bloggers should stick together.
Found this over at The View from the Bleachers - Cubs and Red Sox bloggers should stick together.
Damning Praise?
After I read this piece in ESPN.com on Hank Aaron's thoughts on Barry Bonds - I was left thinking of Lyndon Johnson saying something like, "Now I'm not going to say that my opponent has relations with his farms animals."
Johnson didn't say that his opponent had sex with pigs or sheep but that was the impression you got from the comment. After reading Aaron's comments - I was left with the impression that Aaron has no doubt that Bonds used/uses steroids. Am I wrong? Let's take a look at what Aaron said;
Aaron said he would "let the public judge for themselves," whether Bonds' records should be tainted. Keep in mind that as an executive associated with a MLB club - Aaron is subject to Bud Selig's gag order on the issue. What he said could easily be paraphrased, "Now I'm not going to say that Barry Bonds abuses steroids..."
"I'm just hoping and praying nothing comes up," Aaron told the newspaper. "I admire Barry Bonds. Steroids or no steroids, he would have had a Hall of Fame career." Steroids or no steroids? You know Aaron must be thinking "Of course he's on steroids - just look at him!" To put it into Lyndon Johnson speak, "Farm animal sex or no farm animal sex - my opponent would make a fine candidate for office."
Finally - Aaron goes out of his way to say that he thinks Alex Rodriguez is a better player. Alex Rodriguez who no steroid rumors have tainted is a better player to Aaron. Read into it want you want but I'm not going to write that Barry Bonds took steroids or had sex with farm animals.
After I read this piece in ESPN.com on Hank Aaron's thoughts on Barry Bonds - I was left thinking of Lyndon Johnson saying something like, "Now I'm not going to say that my opponent has relations with his farms animals."
Johnson didn't say that his opponent had sex with pigs or sheep but that was the impression you got from the comment. After reading Aaron's comments - I was left with the impression that Aaron has no doubt that Bonds used/uses steroids. Am I wrong? Let's take a look at what Aaron said;
Aaron said he would "let the public judge for themselves," whether Bonds' records should be tainted. Keep in mind that as an executive associated with a MLB club - Aaron is subject to Bud Selig's gag order on the issue. What he said could easily be paraphrased, "Now I'm not going to say that Barry Bonds abuses steroids..."
"I'm just hoping and praying nothing comes up," Aaron told the newspaper. "I admire Barry Bonds. Steroids or no steroids, he would have had a Hall of Fame career." Steroids or no steroids? You know Aaron must be thinking "Of course he's on steroids - just look at him!" To put it into Lyndon Johnson speak, "Farm animal sex or no farm animal sex - my opponent would make a fine candidate for office."
Finally - Aaron goes out of his way to say that he thinks Alex Rodriguez is a better player. Alex Rodriguez who no steroid rumors have tainted is a better player to Aaron. Read into it want you want but I'm not going to write that Barry Bonds took steroids or had sex with farm animals.
Damon Saves!
With all the talk about how Johnny Damon looks like Jesus in The Passion of the Christ - I got to thinking about the name Jesus [Hey-zeus]. The name seemed to be pretty popular among Latin players when I was growing up but did you know that there are only two players this year in MLB with the first name Jesus? There is one Jesus in each league - Jesus Colome with Cincinnati in the NL and Jesus Sanchez with the Devil Rays in the AL. Interestingly enough - both are relief pitchers which means at some point this summer you will probably see the headline "Jesus Saves!"
With all the talk about how Johnny Damon looks like Jesus in The Passion of the Christ - I got to thinking about the name Jesus [Hey-zeus]. The name seemed to be pretty popular among Latin players when I was growing up but did you know that there are only two players this year in MLB with the first name Jesus? There is one Jesus in each league - Jesus Colome with Cincinnati in the NL and Jesus Sanchez with the Devil Rays in the AL. Interestingly enough - both are relief pitchers which means at some point this summer you will probably see the headline "Jesus Saves!"
The Fantastic Four
They will be making a movie based on the comic book The Fantastic Four. I'm hoping the movie is more like Spiderman than The Hulk (meaning that the movie relies more on a good script than on special effects). The screenwriter on the movie is Mark Frost who hasn't done any big movies but was a writer on both Twin Peaks and Hill Street Blues. So that's a good sign.
The casting hasn't been announced - so I will be noodling who would make the best actor choices during the day today. Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.
They will be making a movie based on the comic book The Fantastic Four. I'm hoping the movie is more like Spiderman than The Hulk (meaning that the movie relies more on a good script than on special effects). The screenwriter on the movie is Mark Frost who hasn't done any big movies but was a writer on both Twin Peaks and Hill Street Blues. So that's a good sign.
The casting hasn't been announced - so I will be noodling who would make the best actor choices during the day today. Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Interesting
I could see the Greatful Dead connection but 95% of the country's acid came from rural Kansas? That just seems strange - kinda like imagining that the best hockey players came from Aruba.
I could see the Greatful Dead connection but 95% of the country's acid came from rural Kansas? That just seems strange - kinda like imagining that the best hockey players came from Aruba.
Schilling gets first win
Curt Schilling got his first win as a member of the Boston Red Sox today - going 6 innings while giving up 6 hits and one earned run while striking out 7. I am glad that Schilling gave up that one run because otherwise the temptation would have been there to leave him in beyond the 109 pitches he threw. Plus if Schilling did have a shut-out in his first game then all the Boston scribes would have been writing stories about how he is the staff ace - not Pedro Martinez.
As it is - you can expect a number of stories with that theme tomorrow. I put the over/under at three stories in the next two days. Only in Boston would you get this sort of crap two games into the season.
Curt Schilling got his first win as a member of the Boston Red Sox today - going 6 innings while giving up 6 hits and one earned run while striking out 7. I am glad that Schilling gave up that one run because otherwise the temptation would have been there to leave him in beyond the 109 pitches he threw. Plus if Schilling did have a shut-out in his first game then all the Boston scribes would have been writing stories about how he is the staff ace - not Pedro Martinez.
As it is - you can expect a number of stories with that theme tomorrow. I put the over/under at three stories in the next two days. Only in Boston would you get this sort of crap two games into the season.
Texas Infield
Texas signed SS Michael Young to a 4-year $10 million contract (with a team option for a fifth year). The Rangers now have perhaps the best young infield in baseball with Teixeira at first, Soriano at second, Young at short and Blalock at third. The Rangers have both Young and Blalock signed long term (Blalock signed thru 2008 with a 2009 option). Teixeira and Soriano are still arbitration eligible - so barring a trade - this infield should be together for some time to come.
Young is a natural second baseman - so it will be interesting to see if maybe Soriano is dangled to teams either mid-season or after the World Series.
Texas signed SS Michael Young to a 4-year $10 million contract (with a team option for a fifth year). The Rangers now have perhaps the best young infield in baseball with Teixeira at first, Soriano at second, Young at short and Blalock at third. The Rangers have both Young and Blalock signed long term (Blalock signed thru 2008 with a 2009 option). Teixeira and Soriano are still arbitration eligible - so barring a trade - this infield should be together for some time to come.
Young is a natural second baseman - so it will be interesting to see if maybe Soriano is dangled to teams either mid-season or after the World Series.
The Dave Roberts Conundrum
Dave Roberts must have naked pictures of somebody - that's the only way I can explain it.
The Dodgers get Milton Bradley and immediately put him in centerfield (which is a good thing) but then they move Dave Roberts to left which forces Shawn Green to 1st and Robin Ventura to the bench. I just don't understand it.
Sure Roberts is an above average defensive player but his offense is awful and it is no secret that the Dodgers need offense more than anything. Roberts has a career OPS of just .667 and ONLY 7 CAREER HOME RUNS. What in God's name is Roberts doing in left field?
The Dodgers could have left Green in the outfield and left Ventura at first base. Over the past two years Ventura has averaged a HR every 21 at bats. If the Dodgers want Ventura coming off the bench - then have Paul LoDuca move to the outfield and have Dave Ross take over at catcher (meaning Green is again at first).
The Dodgers could also go young - putting either Jayson Werth or Jason Grabowski into left (with Encarnacion in right and Green at first). I like this option the best but the thing is - any of these options provides much more offense than any line-up that has Dave Roberts.
I just don't understand.
Dave Roberts must have naked pictures of somebody - that's the only way I can explain it.
The Dodgers get Milton Bradley and immediately put him in centerfield (which is a good thing) but then they move Dave Roberts to left which forces Shawn Green to 1st and Robin Ventura to the bench. I just don't understand it.
Sure Roberts is an above average defensive player but his offense is awful and it is no secret that the Dodgers need offense more than anything. Roberts has a career OPS of just .667 and ONLY 7 CAREER HOME RUNS. What in God's name is Roberts doing in left field?
The Dodgers could have left Green in the outfield and left Ventura at first base. Over the past two years Ventura has averaged a HR every 21 at bats. If the Dodgers want Ventura coming off the bench - then have Paul LoDuca move to the outfield and have Dave Ross take over at catcher (meaning Green is again at first).
The Dodgers could also go young - putting either Jayson Werth or Jason Grabowski into left (with Encarnacion in right and Green at first). I like this option the best but the thing is - any of these options provides much more offense than any line-up that has Dave Roberts.
I just don't understand.
How Augusta used the Blogosphere to Beat Burk and the Times
Excellent article in Sports Illustrated on how Augusta used the blogosphere to beat the New York Times and Martha Burk in the arena of public opinion. As Mark Steyn has noted - there were more New York Times stories on the Augusta protest than protesters at Augusta.
Excellent article in Sports Illustrated on how Augusta used the blogosphere to beat the New York Times and Martha Burk in the arena of public opinion. As Mark Steyn has noted - there were more New York Times stories on the Augusta protest than protesters at Augusta.
Sports and Politics
Many people like to just get sports when they read the sports section. Politics should be for the front section or the opinion page. Even bloggers like The Baseball Crank debate whether they should have two separate blogs (one for baseball and one for politics) to keep things pure. It seems to me that normally it is the more conservative writers who are concerned with being able to compartmentalize. The liberal writers seem blissfully unaware when they weave politics into their sports writing (as if they expected everyone who reads them to have the same political beliefs).
Take for example today's Boston Globe sports section. There is an article on the Democratic Convention in Boston this summer and by my count 14 people are mentioned in the article. The only person with a sports connection is Celtic great Bill Russell - yet this winds up in the sports section?
Also in today's Globe sports section is a column on tonight's women's NCAA championship game between UConn and Tennessee. The article is by Susan Bickelhaupt of the Globe staff and starts off, "The Democrats have a move to elect "Anybody But Bush" in an effort to take over the White House. And a lot of women's basketball fans might have had similar thinking when they watched the NCAA Tournament semifinals: 'Anybody but Connecticut and Tennessee.'"
In the Globe - the line "Anybody but Bush" gets by the editors without a second thought but if Bickelhaupt had written something like, "The number one ranking in women's college basketball has flip-flopped between UConn and Tennessee more often than John Kerry's positions on Iraq" - I have no doubt that some editor would have chastised Bickelhaupt for dragging politics into sports.
Many people have learned to just gloss over these obvious political biases but it is still fun to point them out if only to hear people try and say that a liberal bias does not exist in the media.
Many people like to just get sports when they read the sports section. Politics should be for the front section or the opinion page. Even bloggers like The Baseball Crank debate whether they should have two separate blogs (one for baseball and one for politics) to keep things pure. It seems to me that normally it is the more conservative writers who are concerned with being able to compartmentalize. The liberal writers seem blissfully unaware when they weave politics into their sports writing (as if they expected everyone who reads them to have the same political beliefs).
Take for example today's Boston Globe sports section. There is an article on the Democratic Convention in Boston this summer and by my count 14 people are mentioned in the article. The only person with a sports connection is Celtic great Bill Russell - yet this winds up in the sports section?
Also in today's Globe sports section is a column on tonight's women's NCAA championship game between UConn and Tennessee. The article is by Susan Bickelhaupt of the Globe staff and starts off, "The Democrats have a move to elect "Anybody But Bush" in an effort to take over the White House. And a lot of women's basketball fans might have had similar thinking when they watched the NCAA Tournament semifinals: 'Anybody but Connecticut and Tennessee.'"
In the Globe - the line "Anybody but Bush" gets by the editors without a second thought but if Bickelhaupt had written something like, "The number one ranking in women's college basketball has flip-flopped between UConn and Tennessee more often than John Kerry's positions on Iraq" - I have no doubt that some editor would have chastised Bickelhaupt for dragging politics into sports.
Many people have learned to just gloss over these obvious political biases but it is still fun to point them out if only to hear people try and say that a liberal bias does not exist in the media.
Exhibit A Why Dan Shaughnessy is an idiot
Chinless Dan writes, "Why does this stuff always happen with the Red Sox? Why can't it just be about the baseball? Even for one day." Maybe because people like you need to write nasty stories about the Red Sox to perpetuate some sort of doom and gloom mentality?
Yes Pedro Martinez left Sunday's game early and frankly I don't blame him. Pedro only gave up two earn runs in 6 innings but he knew he would have to answer idiot questions about "what's wrong Pedro" from the knights of the keyboard like Shaughnessy. This isn't Roger Clemens (who Dan always sticks up for) disrespecting Butch Hobson. This was game one and already the sky is falling for the writer many call Shagnasty.
Chinless Dan writes, "Why does this stuff always happen with the Red Sox? Why can't it just be about the baseball? Even for one day." Maybe because people like you need to write nasty stories about the Red Sox to perpetuate some sort of doom and gloom mentality?
Yes Pedro Martinez left Sunday's game early and frankly I don't blame him. Pedro only gave up two earn runs in 6 innings but he knew he would have to answer idiot questions about "what's wrong Pedro" from the knights of the keyboard like Shaughnessy. This isn't Roger Clemens (who Dan always sticks up for) disrespecting Butch Hobson. This was game one and already the sky is falling for the writer many call Shagnasty.
Jim Calhoun and UConn
First congratulations to coach Calhoun and the Huskies. Two national championships in six years - that's something to be very proud of. Let's be honest though - last night's game wasn't exactly an ESPN Instant Classic. In fact it was kinda boring. The game was decided by halftime as St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli's prediction of UConn wire to wire came true.
I ended up switching between the game and baseball on ESPN and later The West Wing on Bravo. I also started to wonder if all of this success for UConn might have been very different if John Calipari had stayed at UMass instead of taking the boat loads of NBA cash from the New Jersey Nets. Calipari was a very good recruiter and having another major proram right up the street from UConn may have put a dent in UConn's recruiting ability (remember that Marcus Camby was a Connecticut guy but he went to UMass). If Calipari stays at UMass - maybe UConn doesn't get the national championships. (Note: I went to UMass so this is probably "what if" sour grapes on my part)
First congratulations to coach Calhoun and the Huskies. Two national championships in six years - that's something to be very proud of. Let's be honest though - last night's game wasn't exactly an ESPN Instant Classic. In fact it was kinda boring. The game was decided by halftime as St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli's prediction of UConn wire to wire came true.
I ended up switching between the game and baseball on ESPN and later The West Wing on Bravo. I also started to wonder if all of this success for UConn might have been very different if John Calipari had stayed at UMass instead of taking the boat loads of NBA cash from the New Jersey Nets. Calipari was a very good recruiter and having another major proram right up the street from UConn may have put a dent in UConn's recruiting ability (remember that Marcus Camby was a Connecticut guy but he went to UMass). If Calipari stays at UMass - maybe UConn doesn't get the national championships. (Note: I went to UMass so this is probably "what if" sour grapes on my part)
Monday, April 05, 2004
Opening Day Predictions
AL MVP: Carlos Beltran - Royals
AL Cy Young: Pedro Martinez - Red Sox
AL Rookie of the Year: Joe Mauer - Twins
NL MVP: Derrek Lee - Cubs
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson - Diamondbacks
NL Rookie of the Year: Aaron Miles - Rockies
Glad I'm done with the predictions. They are generally boring to read but I wanted to say my peace so at the end of the year I can look back and see how I did. Some of my predictions differ greatly from the "experts" but we'll see at the end of the year.
AL MVP: Carlos Beltran - Royals
AL Cy Young: Pedro Martinez - Red Sox
AL Rookie of the Year: Joe Mauer - Twins
NL MVP: Derrek Lee - Cubs
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson - Diamondbacks
NL Rookie of the Year: Aaron Miles - Rockies
Glad I'm done with the predictions. They are generally boring to read but I wanted to say my peace so at the end of the year I can look back and see how I did. Some of my predictions differ greatly from the "experts" but we'll see at the end of the year.
Opening Day Predictions
NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Arizona
3. San Diego
4. San Fran
5. Colorado
The Dodgers have the best pitching and I expect DePodesta to get a mid-season pick-up just the way Beane always does in Oakland. Arizona makes it interesting but they are 1 or 2 starters short. San Diego shows great improvement but too many things would have to go right for them. San Fran implodes and Colorado is - well Colorado (not one of the Rockies starting pitchers could start for LA or Arizona).
NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Arizona
3. San Diego
4. San Fran
5. Colorado
The Dodgers have the best pitching and I expect DePodesta to get a mid-season pick-up just the way Beane always does in Oakland. Arizona makes it interesting but they are 1 or 2 starters short. San Diego shows great improvement but too many things would have to go right for them. San Fran implodes and Colorado is - well Colorado (not one of the Rockies starting pitchers could start for LA or Arizona).
Excellent Interview
Royal Rooters of Red Sox Nation has an excellent interview of baseball historian Glenn Stout - well worth your time.
RSN: Is there anything you want to add regarding Robinson or Mays?
GS: In the waning days of the 1967 season Jackie Robinson was asked which American League team he wanted to win the pennant. Even though Dick Williams had been his teammate, he said anybody but the Red Sox, because “Tom Yawkey is one of the most bigoted men in baseball.” Robinson didn’t throw charges like that around lightly.
And Tom Yawkey is in the Hall of Fame. For what? He didn’t win and he was behind the curve on every issue baseball faced during the time he owned the team. Well, once I asked someone who worked at the Hall that very question. And they said it was because he contributed a lot of money, and that’s a fact. For him to be the first man inducted solely for being a team owner is repugnant.
Royal Rooters of Red Sox Nation has an excellent interview of baseball historian Glenn Stout - well worth your time.
RSN: Is there anything you want to add regarding Robinson or Mays?
GS: In the waning days of the 1967 season Jackie Robinson was asked which American League team he wanted to win the pennant. Even though Dick Williams had been his teammate, he said anybody but the Red Sox, because “Tom Yawkey is one of the most bigoted men in baseball.” Robinson didn’t throw charges like that around lightly.
And Tom Yawkey is in the Hall of Fame. For what? He didn’t win and he was behind the curve on every issue baseball faced during the time he owned the team. Well, once I asked someone who worked at the Hall that very question. And they said it was because he contributed a lot of money, and that’s a fact. For him to be the first man inducted solely for being a team owner is repugnant.
Just Sayin'
Last night Pedro Martinez took the loss for the Red Sox. Pedro pitched 6 innings and gave up 3 runs (2 earned).
Today Roy Halladay took the loss for the Toronto Blue Jays. The reigning Cy Young winner went 6.2 innings and gave up 7 runs (6 earned).
Today Pedro is taking shots in the paper from people like Shaughnessy and on talk radio from people who are panicked after only one game. Do you think Halladay will be likewise lambasted in the Toronto papers tomorrow or do you think the folks up in Canada may have a better grasp on the fact that it's only one game?
Last night Pedro Martinez took the loss for the Red Sox. Pedro pitched 6 innings and gave up 3 runs (2 earned).
Today Roy Halladay took the loss for the Toronto Blue Jays. The reigning Cy Young winner went 6.2 innings and gave up 7 runs (6 earned).
Today Pedro is taking shots in the paper from people like Shaughnessy and on talk radio from people who are panicked after only one game. Do you think Halladay will be likewise lambasted in the Toronto papers tomorrow or do you think the folks up in Canada may have a better grasp on the fact that it's only one game?
Opening Day Predictions
NL Central
1. Cubs
2. Astros
3. St. Louis
4. Reds
5. Pittsburgh
6. Milwaukee
The Cubs have a better pitcher's park than Houston and that will make all the difference. St. Louis may keep it close or they may move Jim Edmonds and waive the white flag. The Reds get forth place while the Pirates and Brewers both have payrolls lower than the Expos (that should tell you all you need to know about the Pirates and Brewers).
NL Central
1. Cubs
2. Astros
3. St. Louis
4. Reds
5. Pittsburgh
6. Milwaukee
The Cubs have a better pitcher's park than Houston and that will make all the difference. St. Louis may keep it close or they may move Jim Edmonds and waive the white flag. The Reds get forth place while the Pirates and Brewers both have payrolls lower than the Expos (that should tell you all you need to know about the Pirates and Brewers).
Bill James Interview
Excellent interview of Bill James by Alex Belth (found via BaseballMusing.com). I found it interesting that James said that one of his favorite players growing up was Tito Francona - the father of current Red Sox manager Terry Francona. It was also interesting to me that James singled out Jason Varitek as his favorite current Red Sox player to watch. I wonder if James opinion will impact the resigning of Varitek in any way?
Excellent interview of Bill James by Alex Belth (found via BaseballMusing.com). I found it interesting that James said that one of his favorite players growing up was Tito Francona - the father of current Red Sox manager Terry Francona. It was also interesting to me that James singled out Jason Varitek as his favorite current Red Sox player to watch. I wonder if James opinion will impact the resigning of Varitek in any way?
Opening Day Predictions
NL East
1. Atlanta
2. Phillies (they win the Wild Card)
3. Florida
4. Montreal
5. New York Mets
Atlanta is still the team to beat. It will be close but you have to knock the champion out to take his belt. The Phillies get the consolation prize of the Wild Card while the Marlins follow the path blazed by the 2002 Angels (the year after Anaheim won the World Series). Neither the Mets nor Expos are too bad but someone has to finish next to last and last.
NL East
1. Atlanta
2. Phillies (they win the Wild Card)
3. Florida
4. Montreal
5. New York Mets
Atlanta is still the team to beat. It will be close but you have to knock the champion out to take his belt. The Phillies get the consolation prize of the Wild Card while the Marlins follow the path blazed by the 2002 Angels (the year after Anaheim won the World Series). Neither the Mets nor Expos are too bad but someone has to finish next to last and last.
Speaking of Barry Bonds
Michael Rains, the lawyer for Barry Bonds, is saying that the federal government is out to get Barry Bonds for perjury. To me this was to be expected. Barry Bonds is no different than Martha Stewart and now Martha Stewart is going to jail - not for insider trading but for lying to the federal investigators. Likewise, Bonds will likely get in trouble not for taking steroids but for lying about taking them to federal prosecutors. That's the way the system works and I personally have no sympathy for Bonds.
Ask yourself - who is the worse villain - Martha Stewart or Barry Bonds? If Martha motivated some young high school girls to make their own centerpieces and be nasty to their assistants - no real harm done. If Barry Bonds steroid use motivated high school athletes to gobble pills and inject themselves with needles - then there was some harm done. Barry gets no sympathy from me.
I know we will hear the argument of "doesn't the federal government have better things to do?" To me this is the same argument used by people stopped for speeding who lament about the cop who pulled them over, "shouldn't you be out catching murderers and rapists instead of pulling me over?" Neither argument is really an argument but more of a complaint that has as its basis the idea "yeah - I'm guilty but...."
Michael Rains, the lawyer for Barry Bonds, is saying that the federal government is out to get Barry Bonds for perjury. To me this was to be expected. Barry Bonds is no different than Martha Stewart and now Martha Stewart is going to jail - not for insider trading but for lying to the federal investigators. Likewise, Bonds will likely get in trouble not for taking steroids but for lying about taking them to federal prosecutors. That's the way the system works and I personally have no sympathy for Bonds.
Ask yourself - who is the worse villain - Martha Stewart or Barry Bonds? If Martha motivated some young high school girls to make their own centerpieces and be nasty to their assistants - no real harm done. If Barry Bonds steroid use motivated high school athletes to gobble pills and inject themselves with needles - then there was some harm done. Barry gets no sympathy from me.
I know we will hear the argument of "doesn't the federal government have better things to do?" To me this is the same argument used by people stopped for speeding who lament about the cop who pulled them over, "shouldn't you be out catching murderers and rapists instead of pulling me over?" Neither argument is really an argument but more of a complaint that has as its basis the idea "yeah - I'm guilty but...."
Observations
Last night during the Red Sox / Orioles game BaseballMusings.com David Pinto made the following observation, "I wonder if there will be fans in centerfield calling themselves Damon's Disciples?" Referring to Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon and his new long hair and beard Jesus look.
About the same time that Pinto made that observation, I was wondering if during the season if somebody in charge of the PA music in an NL park would play Rick James' Super Freak when Barry Bonds came up to bat. "He a super freak, super freak, he's super freaky..." It would probably only last one or two at bats before the Giants officials put a stop to it and the guy playing it would probably lose his job but it would be pretty funny.
Last night during the Red Sox / Orioles game BaseballMusings.com David Pinto made the following observation, "I wonder if there will be fans in centerfield calling themselves Damon's Disciples?" Referring to Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon and his new long hair and beard Jesus look.
About the same time that Pinto made that observation, I was wondering if during the season if somebody in charge of the PA music in an NL park would play Rick James' Super Freak when Barry Bonds came up to bat. "He a super freak, super freak, he's super freaky..." It would probably only last one or two at bats before the Giants officials put a stop to it and the guy playing it would probably lose his job but it would be pretty funny.
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Opening Day Predictions
AL West
1. Oakland
2. Seattle
3. Anaheim
4. Texas
Oakland still has the big guns on the pitching mound and that will be all the difference. Seattle may keep it close for a while but I see the A's winning by 10 games. I also am not buying into the hype surrounding the Angels - they will win about 80-85 games (their pitching staff is way over-rated). Texas is still Texas and the only thing Ranger fans will have to root for is Alfonso Soriano's bid to out homer A-Rod this year.
AL West
1. Oakland
2. Seattle
3. Anaheim
4. Texas
Oakland still has the big guns on the pitching mound and that will be all the difference. Seattle may keep it close for a while but I see the A's winning by 10 games. I also am not buying into the hype surrounding the Angels - they will win about 80-85 games (their pitching staff is way over-rated). Texas is still Texas and the only thing Ranger fans will have to root for is Alfonso Soriano's bid to out homer A-Rod this year.
Bradley to the Dodgers
Cleveland today traded Milton Bradley to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 21-year old Single A outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. Bradley will most likely take over in centerfield for light hitting Dave Roberts.
It seems like Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta got a real talented player on the cheap. Bradley should greatly help the anemic LA offense, only makes $1.73 million this year and is still a couple years away from free agency. If Bradley's behavioral problems rear their ugly hear - then the Dodgers can cut him loose - all it would cost them is a Single A prospect and $1.73 million.
Something tells me that DePodesta isn't done with his dealing though. The Dodgers could still use a big bat in the outfield or at first base.
Edit: Maybe the price wasn't as cheap as I thought - Franklin Gutierrez was ranked 41st among the Top 50 prospects in baseball (right above Kevin Youkilis) and was the third best prospect in the Dodger farm system according to the folks at The Hardball Times
Cleveland today traded Milton Bradley to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 21-year old Single A outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. Bradley will most likely take over in centerfield for light hitting Dave Roberts.
It seems like Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta got a real talented player on the cheap. Bradley should greatly help the anemic LA offense, only makes $1.73 million this year and is still a couple years away from free agency. If Bradley's behavioral problems rear their ugly hear - then the Dodgers can cut him loose - all it would cost them is a Single A prospect and $1.73 million.
Something tells me that DePodesta isn't done with his dealing though. The Dodgers could still use a big bat in the outfield or at first base.
Edit: Maybe the price wasn't as cheap as I thought - Franklin Gutierrez was ranked 41st among the Top 50 prospects in baseball (right above Kevin Youkilis) and was the third best prospect in the Dodger farm system according to the folks at The Hardball Times
Black Jack's Comments
Recently Jack McDowell said that Mark Prior's tendon injury was a tell-tale sign of a player on steroids (I paraphrased). McDowell took a lot of flack for his comments and has since backed off his observation and apologized. A number of people have asked who McDowell thinks he is to make such comments. Well people may be forgetting that McDowell was actually a Cy Young pitcher (1993).*
What got me thinking was why McDowell would think what he obviously must think (if at the very least in private). Consider that McDowell was once the toast of Chicago and now at just 38 years old - he's an after thought. Consider that McDowell was 6'5" but only 180 pounds while Prior is also 6'5" but 225 pounds. McDowell may be playing the "what if" game in his head. What if McDowell took steroids - then he would have filled out to about 225 pounds too and maybe have had more pop on his fastball and thus more strikeouts (kinda just like Prior). Mark Prior is the toast of Chicago, a beefy (compared to McDowell) 225 pounds and has a fastball that McDowell can only dream about. Of course he's jealous.
I believe we have just started to see the tip of the iceberg for comments like Black Jack's. First we had Turk Wendell, then Reggie Jackson, then Jim Palmer and now McDowell speaking out and speculating about who was on steroids. The list of players (and ex-players) making accusations will continue to grow (maybe one accusation every two weeks or so). It will be an entertaining summer.
* Randy Johnson should have won the Cy Young in 1993 - the Unit was robbed
Recently Jack McDowell said that Mark Prior's tendon injury was a tell-tale sign of a player on steroids (I paraphrased). McDowell took a lot of flack for his comments and has since backed off his observation and apologized. A number of people have asked who McDowell thinks he is to make such comments. Well people may be forgetting that McDowell was actually a Cy Young pitcher (1993).*
What got me thinking was why McDowell would think what he obviously must think (if at the very least in private). Consider that McDowell was once the toast of Chicago and now at just 38 years old - he's an after thought. Consider that McDowell was 6'5" but only 180 pounds while Prior is also 6'5" but 225 pounds. McDowell may be playing the "what if" game in his head. What if McDowell took steroids - then he would have filled out to about 225 pounds too and maybe have had more pop on his fastball and thus more strikeouts (kinda just like Prior). Mark Prior is the toast of Chicago, a beefy (compared to McDowell) 225 pounds and has a fastball that McDowell can only dream about. Of course he's jealous.
I believe we have just started to see the tip of the iceberg for comments like Black Jack's. First we had Turk Wendell, then Reggie Jackson, then Jim Palmer and now McDowell speaking out and speculating about who was on steroids. The list of players (and ex-players) making accusations will continue to grow (maybe one accusation every two weeks or so). It will be an entertaining summer.
* Randy Johnson should have won the Cy Young in 1993 - the Unit was robbed
Opening Day Predictions
AL Central
1. Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. White Sox
4. Cleveland
5. Detroit
KC will probably need to make a mid-season addition to their starting rotation but their offense is what will win the division for them. Carlos Beltran will have an MVP season and Angel Berroa will prove that last season was no fluke. Twins come up just short while the White Sox waive the white flag at mid-season and trade Magglio. The Indians make great strides and should compete in 2005 and the Tigers are no longer a joke. It is possible that only one team will finish over .500 in this division.
AL Central
1. Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. White Sox
4. Cleveland
5. Detroit
KC will probably need to make a mid-season addition to their starting rotation but their offense is what will win the division for them. Carlos Beltran will have an MVP season and Angel Berroa will prove that last season was no fluke. Twins come up just short while the White Sox waive the white flag at mid-season and trade Magglio. The Indians make great strides and should compete in 2005 and the Tigers are no longer a joke. It is possible that only one team will finish over .500 in this division.
Opening Day Predictions
AL East
1. Red Sox
2. Blue Jays (Toronto wins the Wild Card)
3. Yankees
4. Tampa Bay
5. Orioles
The Red Sox have the most balanced team in baseball and they will win the AL East this year. Toronto has a better team than most people realize and they will be this year's surprise team. Everything will go wrong in the Bronx this year but they will still remain the most talked about team in baseball (Cashman is replaced before the trading dead-line, major injuries decimate the starting rotation, Giambi and Sheffield struggle to play 100 games each, etc., etc.). Lou Pinella makes good on his promise not to have the Devil Rays finish last. Baltimore's starting pitching is awful and they finish last in the AL in team ERA and last in the East.
AL East
1. Red Sox
2. Blue Jays (Toronto wins the Wild Card)
3. Yankees
4. Tampa Bay
5. Orioles
The Red Sox have the most balanced team in baseball and they will win the AL East this year. Toronto has a better team than most people realize and they will be this year's surprise team. Everything will go wrong in the Bronx this year but they will still remain the most talked about team in baseball (Cashman is replaced before the trading dead-line, major injuries decimate the starting rotation, Giambi and Sheffield struggle to play 100 games each, etc., etc.). Lou Pinella makes good on his promise not to have the Devil Rays finish last. Baltimore's starting pitching is awful and they finish last in the AL in team ERA and last in the East.
I don't get it
It's no secret that the New York Mets have been trying (in vain) to rid themselves of Roger Cedeno and his awful $5 million per year contract. It's also no secret that the Mets are pretty stocked at catcher (with Mike Piazza, Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips). So what does the Mets front office do? They trade Cedeno (but agree to pay for $4.5 million of his contract for this year and next) for a back-up catcher (Chris Widger). Now the Mets have four catchers (although two can also play first) but now need a back-up outfielder (they actually need a starter to take Karim Garcia's spot if you ask me). This deal makes no sense.
Of course Milton Bradley is available and he could take Karim Garcia's starting spot (plus be back-up for Mike Cameron in center). Also Paul DePodesta has recently stockpiled young outfielders out in Los Angeles - maybe the rumored (by me) deal that would send Mike Piazza back to LA is in the works (which would explain the need for another back-up catcher).
It's no secret that the New York Mets have been trying (in vain) to rid themselves of Roger Cedeno and his awful $5 million per year contract. It's also no secret that the Mets are pretty stocked at catcher (with Mike Piazza, Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips). So what does the Mets front office do? They trade Cedeno (but agree to pay for $4.5 million of his contract for this year and next) for a back-up catcher (Chris Widger). Now the Mets have four catchers (although two can also play first) but now need a back-up outfielder (they actually need a starter to take Karim Garcia's spot if you ask me). This deal makes no sense.
Of course Milton Bradley is available and he could take Karim Garcia's starting spot (plus be back-up for Mike Cameron in center). Also Paul DePodesta has recently stockpiled young outfielders out in Los Angeles - maybe the rumored (by me) deal that would send Mike Piazza back to LA is in the works (which would explain the need for another back-up catcher).
Red Sox Offense
Most people are predicting that the Boston Red Sox offense will decline from last year's historic levels mainly because second baseman Todd Walker's bat has been replaced with the bat of Pokey Reese and also because most people don't expect players like Bill Mueller, David Ortiz, Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek to be able to repeat their performance from last year. I say that the Red Sox offense will probably score even more runs this year because:
- Nomar Garciaparra will move from the third spot in the batting order to clean-up and Manny Ramirez will take his spot at third. Last year Nomar had 79 opportunities with runners in scoring position with 2 outs but he only batted .228 in those situations (with 2 HR and 26 RBI). Manny only had 54 opportunities with RISP and 2 outs but he hit .370 in those situations (with 4 HR and 26 RBI). The switch in batting positions should result in Manny getting more RBI chances and I also don't expect Nomar to have such poor numbers this year with RISP and 2 outs (in 2002 Nomar had 73 AB in that situation but hit .342 with 5 HR and 40 RBI). Simply put - this switch should lead to more runs scored for the Red Sox.
- True the Red Sox lost Todd Walker's bat but they also lost Jeremy Giambi's too. Giambi last year had 127 AB for the Red Sox and he only hit .197. If you combined Walker's AB's with Giambi's they only hit .267 - I think even worst case pessimists think that between Pokey Reese, Mark Bellhorn and Ellis Burks .267 will be a number that is easily topped.
- People seem to forget that last year the Red Sox had significant second half drop off's from Varitek, Kevin Millar and Nomar. Sure Mueller probably won't win the batting title this year but I'm not expecting anyone else to significantly drop off from last year's levels. In fact I'm looking for a number of players to improve.
Most people are predicting that the Boston Red Sox offense will decline from last year's historic levels mainly because second baseman Todd Walker's bat has been replaced with the bat of Pokey Reese and also because most people don't expect players like Bill Mueller, David Ortiz, Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek to be able to repeat their performance from last year. I say that the Red Sox offense will probably score even more runs this year because:
- Nomar Garciaparra will move from the third spot in the batting order to clean-up and Manny Ramirez will take his spot at third. Last year Nomar had 79 opportunities with runners in scoring position with 2 outs but he only batted .228 in those situations (with 2 HR and 26 RBI). Manny only had 54 opportunities with RISP and 2 outs but he hit .370 in those situations (with 4 HR and 26 RBI). The switch in batting positions should result in Manny getting more RBI chances and I also don't expect Nomar to have such poor numbers this year with RISP and 2 outs (in 2002 Nomar had 73 AB in that situation but hit .342 with 5 HR and 40 RBI). Simply put - this switch should lead to more runs scored for the Red Sox.
- True the Red Sox lost Todd Walker's bat but they also lost Jeremy Giambi's too. Giambi last year had 127 AB for the Red Sox and he only hit .197. If you combined Walker's AB's with Giambi's they only hit .267 - I think even worst case pessimists think that between Pokey Reese, Mark Bellhorn and Ellis Burks .267 will be a number that is easily topped.
- People seem to forget that last year the Red Sox had significant second half drop off's from Varitek, Kevin Millar and Nomar. Sure Mueller probably won't win the batting title this year but I'm not expecting anyone else to significantly drop off from last year's levels. In fact I'm looking for a number of players to improve.
Saturday, April 03, 2004
The Sports Retort
All I can say is Wow! If you are a Red Sox fan (or just a baseball fan) - you should read the 2004 Red Sox Preview over at The Sports Retort before tomorrow's Opening Day Game. It is the most comprehensive preview of the Red Sox I have seen anywhere. The preview is in six parts and below I am linking to the five parts that are already done. I am also adding The Sports Retort to my blogroll and will be a frequent (i.e. daily) visitor.
- Part One: A Look Back at the "Cowboy Up" Sox
- Part Two: The 2004 Pitching Staff
- Part Three: Player Notes (Pitchers)
- Part Four: The 2004 Position Players
- Part Five: Player Notes (Position Players)
All I can say is Wow! If you are a Red Sox fan (or just a baseball fan) - you should read the 2004 Red Sox Preview over at The Sports Retort before tomorrow's Opening Day Game. It is the most comprehensive preview of the Red Sox I have seen anywhere. The preview is in six parts and below I am linking to the five parts that are already done. I am also adding The Sports Retort to my blogroll and will be a frequent (i.e. daily) visitor.
- Part One: A Look Back at the "Cowboy Up" Sox
- Part Two: The 2004 Pitching Staff
- Part Three: Player Notes (Pitchers)
- Part Four: The 2004 Position Players
- Part Five: Player Notes (Position Players)
Heaven's Gate
It's hard to believe that it's been a little over 7 years since 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult took their own lives in an attempt to catch a ride on the tail end of the Hale-Bopp comet from the UFO residents who dwelt there. Their passing has left us with many unanswered questions such as
- could this tragedy have been avoided if George Lucas just released The Phantom Menace in 1997 instead of waiting and waiting to release it in 1999?
- how did the names of the 39 dead males show up on the donor lists of Al Gore's 2000 Presidential campaign?
- the house where the tragedy occurred was up for sale at the time with a listing of $1.6 million. Did the house sell for full list? Do the new residents hear noises in the night?
- do you think anyone at NASA has used the example of the Heaven's Gate Cult as justification for more money for exploration in NASA's budget?
- how come Reebok and Adidas haven't used the fact that all the cult members were wearing Nike in an ad campaign?
- if ESPN's Cold Pizza was around 7 years ago - would the number of people who volunteered to end their lives have greatly increased?
Seven years later and there are still so many questions.
It's hard to believe that it's been a little over 7 years since 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult took their own lives in an attempt to catch a ride on the tail end of the Hale-Bopp comet from the UFO residents who dwelt there. Their passing has left us with many unanswered questions such as
- could this tragedy have been avoided if George Lucas just released The Phantom Menace in 1997 instead of waiting and waiting to release it in 1999?
- how did the names of the 39 dead males show up on the donor lists of Al Gore's 2000 Presidential campaign?
- the house where the tragedy occurred was up for sale at the time with a listing of $1.6 million. Did the house sell for full list? Do the new residents hear noises in the night?
- do you think anyone at NASA has used the example of the Heaven's Gate Cult as justification for more money for exploration in NASA's budget?
- how come Reebok and Adidas haven't used the fact that all the cult members were wearing Nike in an ad campaign?
- if ESPN's Cold Pizza was around 7 years ago - would the number of people who volunteered to end their lives have greatly increased?
Seven years later and there are still so many questions.
Miscellaneous Thoughts
After reading a comment on The Corner over at NRO - it occurred to me that Cluster Bombs for Jesus would actually be a pretty good name for a band.
Did you know that the soundtrack to The Passion of the Christ is number on on the Christian Music charts?
Is it just me or did the shows Friends and Fraiser really overstay their welcome?
After reading a comment on The Corner over at NRO - it occurred to me that Cluster Bombs for Jesus would actually be a pretty good name for a band.
Did you know that the soundtrack to The Passion of the Christ is number on on the Christian Music charts?
Is it just me or did the shows Friends and Fraiser really overstay their welcome?
Heh heh
I'm getting me a Johnny Damon picture to put over the bar!
Even in these days of year-round fitness in baseball, there are many different types of off-season training programs for big leaguers. Take Johnny Damon, for example, who says that sitting around and drinking beer was an important part of his off-season training.
I'm getting me a Johnny Damon picture to put over the bar!
Even in these days of year-round fitness in baseball, there are many different types of off-season training programs for big leaguers. Take Johnny Damon, for example, who says that sitting around and drinking beer was an important part of his off-season training.
The Whole Ten Yards
Have you seen the ads for the new movie - The Whole Ten Yards? I have two comments - one - did you know that the phrase "the whole nine yards" actually refers to cement trucks? Yeah - a cement truck carries 9 yards of cement so "the whole nine yards" means the same as "the whole thing". Second comment - who told Bruce Willis to go with the Truman Capote on steroids look?
Bonus comment - it looks like this movie will open in Sucksville.
Have you seen the ads for the new movie - The Whole Ten Yards? I have two comments - one - did you know that the phrase "the whole nine yards" actually refers to cement trucks? Yeah - a cement truck carries 9 yards of cement so "the whole nine yards" means the same as "the whole thing". Second comment - who told Bruce Willis to go with the Truman Capote on steroids look?
Bonus comment - it looks like this movie will open in Sucksville.
Coo Coo for Covelli
Reportedly Covelli Loyce Crisp would prefer to be known by his given name instead of by his nickname of "Coco". Good luck with that - even the Indians own web site refers to him as "Coco" (although on the player page his given name is used).
Crisp and Alex Escobar look to be the main benficiaries of Milton Bradley's impending trade. However, who the Indians get in return could easily change the fortunes of either (or both) players. The Indians' web site report that the team and the Mets are in trade talks regarding Bradley. My guess is that this report is just being made to try and drum up better offers. I can't picture a worse situation for Bradley than going to the pressure of New York City but stranger things have happened. Maybe if the Mets do trade for Bradley - they could have him room with the immortal Karim Garcia. That would be fun.
Reportedly Covelli Loyce Crisp would prefer to be known by his given name instead of by his nickname of "Coco". Good luck with that - even the Indians own web site refers to him as "Coco" (although on the player page his given name is used).
Crisp and Alex Escobar look to be the main benficiaries of Milton Bradley's impending trade. However, who the Indians get in return could easily change the fortunes of either (or both) players. The Indians' web site report that the team and the Mets are in trade talks regarding Bradley. My guess is that this report is just being made to try and drum up better offers. I can't picture a worse situation for Bradley than going to the pressure of New York City but stranger things have happened. Maybe if the Mets do trade for Bradley - they could have him room with the immortal Karim Garcia. That would be fun.
Look out John Williams
Danny Elfman started out with Oingo Boingo but man has he been the man when it comes to TV and movie theme music. The theme song to The Simpsons is probably his most famous work (imagine the residuals he gets from that) but check out just a few of the movie scores he has done - Beetlejuice, Batman, Mission: Impossible, Men in Black, Good Will Hunting, etc., etc. Yikes!
Oh yeah - he's also married to Bridget Fonda. Yes - I do want to be Danny Elfman - why do you ask?
Danny Elfman started out with Oingo Boingo but man has he been the man when it comes to TV and movie theme music. The theme song to The Simpsons is probably his most famous work (imagine the residuals he gets from that) but check out just a few of the movie scores he has done - Beetlejuice, Batman, Mission: Impossible, Men in Black, Good Will Hunting, etc., etc. Yikes!
Oh yeah - he's also married to Bridget Fonda. Yes - I do want to be Danny Elfman - why do you ask?
NCAA Final Four Picks
Today Oklahoma State is favored by 4.5 over Georgia Tech - take GT getting 4.5 for a mythical $100
Today UConn is favored by 2.5 over Duke - take UConn and give the 2.5 for a mythical $100
Proposition bets:
Take Jarrett Jack to get over 23.5 in combined points, rebounds and assists - risk $135 to win $100
Take Ben Gordon to get under 28 in combined points, rebounds and assists - risk $110 to win $100
OK - a last second meaningless three pointer at the end of the UConn game is the difference between being up $165 and being down $45. Damn!
Today Oklahoma State is favored by 4.5 over Georgia Tech - take GT getting 4.5 for a mythical $100
Today UConn is favored by 2.5 over Duke - take UConn and give the 2.5 for a mythical $100
Proposition bets:
Take Jarrett Jack to get over 23.5 in combined points, rebounds and assists - risk $135 to win $100
Take Ben Gordon to get under 28 in combined points, rebounds and assists - risk $110 to win $100
OK - a last second meaningless three pointer at the end of the UConn game is the difference between being up $165 and being down $45. Damn!
Jason Varitek
True - Jason Varitek was named the MVP of last year's Red Sox team by the players and will be a very valuable part of this year's team's attempt to win the first World Series for Boston since 1918.
Also true - Jason Varitek is 32 years old, a free agent at the end of this year who experienced a significant drop-off in productivity in the second half of last season and his agent is Scott Boras.
Yesterday (or the day before - I forget) the Boston Globe had an article that wrote that the Red Sox had made a "rock bottom" three-year offer to Jason Varitek. (How much do you want to bet that this tidbit was leaked by Boras or one of his minions?)
Today - Bob Hohler has an article on Jason Varitek and his impending free agency. I love Bob Hohler and I think combined with Gordon Edes - he gives the Globe the best one-two baseball coverage in the US. However, I do have to take exception to a couple of things that he wrote for today's paper.
Hohler wrote:
Varitek, who turns 32 April 11, set career highs last year with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs as he maintained his standing as one of the premier game-callers and clubhouse leaders in baseball. His camp believes he has greater potential value than 32-year-old Ivan Rodriguez, who signed over the winter with the Tigers for $40 million over four years. The Sox are not expected to invest that much in Varitek, but Epstein indicated the team has not abandoned trying to retain him.
Hohler must know that the I-Rod contract was signed with significant caveats about I-Rod's health (specifically his back) and I-Rod's contract was geared more to help sell tickets than anything else. Also, Rodriguez is considered by most to be a Hall of Famer who is also a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner and 1999 American League MVP who is only half a year older than Varitek. This is sort of like comparing Trot Nixon to Manny Ramirez. (No disrespect meant to either Varitek or Nixon.)
Next Hohler wrote:
The only major league catcher who hit more homers, logged a higher slugging percentage, and knocked in more runs than Varitek last year was Jorge Posada of the Yankees. And Sox pitchers rank Varitek among the best all-around catchers in baseball.
Ummm...Bob - Javy Lopez had 18 more HR, 24 more RBI and his slugging was .687 compared to Varitek's .512. Lopez signed with Baltimore for $22.5 million over 3 years. Wouldn't it make more sense to compare Varitek's potential contract to Lopez' $7.5 million per year vs. I-Rod's $10 million per year? Also it should be pointed out that when it came time for the players to pick a back-up catcher for the All-Star game that Oakland's Ramon Hernandez was chosen over Varitek. I'm not belittling Varitek's value - just trying to put it into better context.
We don't know what the Red Sox offer was to Varitek but I would guess that it was in the range of Trot Nixon's 3-year $19.5 million contract. I don't blame the Red Sox if they wait out the year to see if Varitek's production slides or if he gets injured because 32 is old for a catcher. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox immediately offer Varitek arbitration at the end of the season but let's be real - players don't sign with Scott Boras unless they plan to test the market in order to get every last dollar available.
True - Jason Varitek was named the MVP of last year's Red Sox team by the players and will be a very valuable part of this year's team's attempt to win the first World Series for Boston since 1918.
Also true - Jason Varitek is 32 years old, a free agent at the end of this year who experienced a significant drop-off in productivity in the second half of last season and his agent is Scott Boras.
Yesterday (or the day before - I forget) the Boston Globe had an article that wrote that the Red Sox had made a "rock bottom" three-year offer to Jason Varitek. (How much do you want to bet that this tidbit was leaked by Boras or one of his minions?)
Today - Bob Hohler has an article on Jason Varitek and his impending free agency. I love Bob Hohler and I think combined with Gordon Edes - he gives the Globe the best one-two baseball coverage in the US. However, I do have to take exception to a couple of things that he wrote for today's paper.
Hohler wrote:
Varitek, who turns 32 April 11, set career highs last year with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs as he maintained his standing as one of the premier game-callers and clubhouse leaders in baseball. His camp believes he has greater potential value than 32-year-old Ivan Rodriguez, who signed over the winter with the Tigers for $40 million over four years. The Sox are not expected to invest that much in Varitek, but Epstein indicated the team has not abandoned trying to retain him.
Hohler must know that the I-Rod contract was signed with significant caveats about I-Rod's health (specifically his back) and I-Rod's contract was geared more to help sell tickets than anything else. Also, Rodriguez is considered by most to be a Hall of Famer who is also a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner and 1999 American League MVP who is only half a year older than Varitek. This is sort of like comparing Trot Nixon to Manny Ramirez. (No disrespect meant to either Varitek or Nixon.)
Next Hohler wrote:
The only major league catcher who hit more homers, logged a higher slugging percentage, and knocked in more runs than Varitek last year was Jorge Posada of the Yankees. And Sox pitchers rank Varitek among the best all-around catchers in baseball.
Ummm...Bob - Javy Lopez had 18 more HR, 24 more RBI and his slugging was .687 compared to Varitek's .512. Lopez signed with Baltimore for $22.5 million over 3 years. Wouldn't it make more sense to compare Varitek's potential contract to Lopez' $7.5 million per year vs. I-Rod's $10 million per year? Also it should be pointed out that when it came time for the players to pick a back-up catcher for the All-Star game that Oakland's Ramon Hernandez was chosen over Varitek. I'm not belittling Varitek's value - just trying to put it into better context.
We don't know what the Red Sox offer was to Varitek but I would guess that it was in the range of Trot Nixon's 3-year $19.5 million contract. I don't blame the Red Sox if they wait out the year to see if Varitek's production slides or if he gets injured because 32 is old for a catcher. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox immediately offer Varitek arbitration at the end of the season but let's be real - players don't sign with Scott Boras unless they plan to test the market in order to get every last dollar available.
Friday, April 02, 2004
Holy Crap!
Do you recognize this person??
It's Janeane Garofalo! What happened?
The picture is via Something Awful who had the best review of the new Air America Radio that I have read anywhere on the web. I haven't tuned in yet (they aren't in Boston as far as I know) but I am curious. I hope I get the chance before they run out of money. EDIT - you need to scroll down to get to the Air America Radio story
PS - this is what Garofalo used to look like. If I didn't know better I would think the first picture was a result of a Something Awful Photoshop Friday contest.
Do you recognize this person??
It's Janeane Garofalo! What happened?
The picture is via Something Awful who had the best review of the new Air America Radio that I have read anywhere on the web. I haven't tuned in yet (they aren't in Boston as far as I know) but I am curious. I hope I get the chance before they run out of money. EDIT - you need to scroll down to get to the Air America Radio story
PS - this is what Garofalo used to look like. If I didn't know better I would think the first picture was a result of a Something Awful Photoshop Friday contest.
Seattle Preview
Another excellent preview over at Baseball Primer - this one by Dan Werr on the Mariners.
This observation when discussing the catcher situation made me spit my beer:
"The team also said that if [Ben] Davis does make the roster, he will not be calling pitches. Pitch-calling would instead be the responsibility of a Magic 8-Ball, which would also handle the bulk of the fielding duties."
Another excellent preview over at Baseball Primer - this one by Dan Werr on the Mariners.
This observation when discussing the catcher situation made me spit my beer:
"The team also said that if [Ben] Davis does make the roster, he will not be calling pitches. Pitch-calling would instead be the responsibility of a Magic 8-Ball, which would also handle the bulk of the fielding duties."
Maybe this just interests me
The great 18th century thinker Dr. Samuel Johnson read Shakespeare at such an early age that the ghost in Hamlet gave him nightmares.
And just so you don't think I'm some sort of stuck up egghead - did you know that it is physically impossible for you to kiss your own elbow?
(And I know that you will try to do it - it's OK I had to try for myself too.)
The great 18th century thinker Dr. Samuel Johnson read Shakespeare at such an early age that the ghost in Hamlet gave him nightmares.
And just so you don't think I'm some sort of stuck up egghead - did you know that it is physically impossible for you to kiss your own elbow?
(And I know that you will try to do it - it's OK I had to try for myself too.)
Braves Preview
Excellent preview of the Atlanta Braves by James Fraser over at Baseball Primer. Just in time for tonight's game against the Red Sox.
Excellent preview of the Atlanta Braves by James Fraser over at Baseball Primer. Just in time for tonight's game against the Red Sox.
Questions I have (speak like Yoda I do)
I have two questions that have been churning in my head for the past day or so.
1. I think that teams with deep rotations and a good starting pitcher who gets placed as the number 3 (or 4) guy in the rotation has an advantage in match-ups during the season. This should result in the number 3 (or 4) guy getting more wins than he would have if he was the number 1 or 2 starter. (Think Loaiza last year.) This year I think Derek Lowe and Greg Maddux will probably do very good in wins due to being matched up vs. inferior starters. Now the best way to check this (I think) would be to check the historical run support and match it up to see if the top run support guys are also number 3 or number 4 starters (disproportionately). Does anyone know where I can find historical run support stats?
2. With Uggie Urbina being sent down for extended spring training / conditioning and with Franklyn German being sent to the minors - who will open up as the Tigers closer? This guy (who ever he is) could be a cheap fantasy baseball pick-up. Anyone know who the Tigers plan to go with?
Please either leave your info in the comments or send me an email at of4dad@hotmail.com.
Thanks
I have two questions that have been churning in my head for the past day or so.
1. I think that teams with deep rotations and a good starting pitcher who gets placed as the number 3 (or 4) guy in the rotation has an advantage in match-ups during the season. This should result in the number 3 (or 4) guy getting more wins than he would have if he was the number 1 or 2 starter. (Think Loaiza last year.) This year I think Derek Lowe and Greg Maddux will probably do very good in wins due to being matched up vs. inferior starters. Now the best way to check this (I think) would be to check the historical run support and match it up to see if the top run support guys are also number 3 or number 4 starters (disproportionately). Does anyone know where I can find historical run support stats?
2. With Uggie Urbina being sent down for extended spring training / conditioning and with Franklyn German being sent to the minors - who will open up as the Tigers closer? This guy (who ever he is) could be a cheap fantasy baseball pick-up. Anyone know who the Tigers plan to go with?
Please either leave your info in the comments or send me an email at of4dad@hotmail.com.
Thanks
Victor Davis Hanson
VDH has some answers to some reader questions posted on his site. Always worth the time to read.
VDH has some answers to some reader questions posted on his site. Always worth the time to read.
Milton Bradley
By now you have probably read that the Cleveland Indians have decided to trade Milton Bradley by Sunday. You have also probably read how Bradley is considered a cancer to any team lockerroom. I just wanted to add two observations about this situation.
First - when Danny Ainge made the trade that brought Ricky Davis to the Celtics all we heard was that Davis was an uncoachable, selfish, team cancer. The problem is - since he's been with the Celtics he's been the consummate team player. Who's to say the same wouldn't be true of Bradley?
Second - I think the most likely landing spot for Bradley will turn out to be Los Angeles. The Dodgers could offer Jason Romano for an even swap of centerfielders. Romano has been the Dodgers best hitter in spring training but they seem reluctant to give him a shot at the big league level for some reason.
By now you have probably read that the Cleveland Indians have decided to trade Milton Bradley by Sunday. You have also probably read how Bradley is considered a cancer to any team lockerroom. I just wanted to add two observations about this situation.
First - when Danny Ainge made the trade that brought Ricky Davis to the Celtics all we heard was that Davis was an uncoachable, selfish, team cancer. The problem is - since he's been with the Celtics he's been the consummate team player. Who's to say the same wouldn't be true of Bradley?
Second - I think the most likely landing spot for Bradley will turn out to be Los Angeles. The Dodgers could offer Jason Romano for an even swap of centerfielders. Romano has been the Dodgers best hitter in spring training but they seem reluctant to give him a shot at the big league level for some reason.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
NYC Taxi driver or new leader of Hamas?
One of these men will be running a terror group and sending suicide bombers to their deaths. The others will be cruising the streets and looking for fares - and may even take you home this evening. Can you tell who's who? The answer.
(This joke was completely lifted from NewYorkish.com - just linking to it wouldn't do the joke justice.)
One of these men will be running a terror group and sending suicide bombers to their deaths. The others will be cruising the streets and looking for fares - and may even take you home this evening. Can you tell who's who? The answer.
(This joke was completely lifted from NewYorkish.com - just linking to it wouldn't do the joke justice.)
The Sporting News Top 50 Baseball Players
You can find the list here.
I know that making these types of lists is difficult and is mostly subjective but I do have some problems with some of the rankings:
- How can you have Ivan Rodriguez listed as the top ranked catcher and not have either Mike Piazza or Javy Lopez on the list? (Jorge Posada was the only other catcher to make the list.) Piazza is still more valuable than I-Rod even though he was injured for most of the year (Roy Oswalt was injured for most of the year too but he still made the list). Javy had the best year of any catcher last year - how come he doesn't make the cut?
- Where's Preston Wilson? Last year he hit 36 HR with 141 RBI. Vernon Wells is listed at 14 and their numbers are comparible (Wells had a much better average but 24 fewer RBI). I'm not saying that Wilson should be higher than Wells - just saying that Wilson should have made the list.
- No Keith Foulke? He did lead the AL in saves last year. Mariano Rivera had fewer saves but is ranked at 15 (yeah - I grant that Rivera is a Hall of Famer but he is also getting old and he did have FEWER saves than Foulke last year). They also had Billy Wagner at 23. So the top 3 closers in the NL made the top 25 but the AL leader is left off the list?
- Mike Lowell doesn't make the list but Hank Blalock does? Last year Lowell had 32 HR and 105 RBI vs. Blalock's 29 HR and 90 RBI. Sure Blalock is much younger than Lowell but let's wait for Blalock to have a 100 RBI season before we put him in the top 50. Let's also not forget that 62% of Blalock's HR's came at the Launching Pad in Arlington last year.
- Carlos Beltran at 41? What does The Sporting News have against Beltran? Last year he didn't even make the top 50. I would have Beltran in the top 10. Not to have him in the top 20 is insulting. Not to have him in the top 40 is crazy.
You can find the list here.
I know that making these types of lists is difficult and is mostly subjective but I do have some problems with some of the rankings:
- How can you have Ivan Rodriguez listed as the top ranked catcher and not have either Mike Piazza or Javy Lopez on the list? (Jorge Posada was the only other catcher to make the list.) Piazza is still more valuable than I-Rod even though he was injured for most of the year (Roy Oswalt was injured for most of the year too but he still made the list). Javy had the best year of any catcher last year - how come he doesn't make the cut?
- Where's Preston Wilson? Last year he hit 36 HR with 141 RBI. Vernon Wells is listed at 14 and their numbers are comparible (Wells had a much better average but 24 fewer RBI). I'm not saying that Wilson should be higher than Wells - just saying that Wilson should have made the list.
- No Keith Foulke? He did lead the AL in saves last year. Mariano Rivera had fewer saves but is ranked at 15 (yeah - I grant that Rivera is a Hall of Famer but he is also getting old and he did have FEWER saves than Foulke last year). They also had Billy Wagner at 23. So the top 3 closers in the NL made the top 25 but the AL leader is left off the list?
- Mike Lowell doesn't make the list but Hank Blalock does? Last year Lowell had 32 HR and 105 RBI vs. Blalock's 29 HR and 90 RBI. Sure Blalock is much younger than Lowell but let's wait for Blalock to have a 100 RBI season before we put him in the top 50. Let's also not forget that 62% of Blalock's HR's came at the Launching Pad in Arlington last year.
- Carlos Beltran at 41? What does The Sporting News have against Beltran? Last year he didn't even make the top 50. I would have Beltran in the top 10. Not to have him in the top 20 is insulting. Not to have him in the top 40 is crazy.
Are you now - or have you ever been a steroids user?
OK - former big league pitcher Jack McDowell says, "He [Cubs ace pitcher Mark Prior] has a tendon injury that's not healing. You shouldn't have a problem like that that doesn't heal in a month. That's what happens to guys who use steroids."
This comes on the heels of former big league pitcher Jim Palmer questioning former Oriole Brady Anderson who had a monster 50-HR season seemingly out of nowhere in 1996.
This is going to be an interesting season. McDowell made his reputation as a Chicago White Sox player. Prior is a Chicago Cubs star. Girls in the greater Baltimore area quickly forgot underwear guy Palmer when Brady and his side-burns came into town. Who's next for the steroids allegation?
Maybe Rolando Arrojo (who was once known as the greatest pitcher to defect from Cuba) comes out and says something like, "Hey - look at Jose Contreras. That acne isn't natural. Everyone knows that Castro had all the players on steroids after I left."
Maybe Matt Stairs (who could be the all-time Canadian home run king if it wasn't for Larry Walker) comes out and says something like, "Hey look at the weight Walker lost this off-season. That's because he must be off the roids."
Who's next for these sort of allegations? What's next - a House hearing where the players are called to answer the question, "Are you now or have you ever been a steroids user?"
OK - former big league pitcher Jack McDowell says, "He [Cubs ace pitcher Mark Prior] has a tendon injury that's not healing. You shouldn't have a problem like that that doesn't heal in a month. That's what happens to guys who use steroids."
This comes on the heels of former big league pitcher Jim Palmer questioning former Oriole Brady Anderson who had a monster 50-HR season seemingly out of nowhere in 1996.
This is going to be an interesting season. McDowell made his reputation as a Chicago White Sox player. Prior is a Chicago Cubs star. Girls in the greater Baltimore area quickly forgot underwear guy Palmer when Brady and his side-burns came into town. Who's next for the steroids allegation?
Maybe Rolando Arrojo (who was once known as the greatest pitcher to defect from Cuba) comes out and says something like, "Hey - look at Jose Contreras. That acne isn't natural. Everyone knows that Castro had all the players on steroids after I left."
Maybe Matt Stairs (who could be the all-time Canadian home run king if it wasn't for Larry Walker) comes out and says something like, "Hey look at the weight Walker lost this off-season. That's because he must be off the roids."
Who's next for these sort of allegations? What's next - a House hearing where the players are called to answer the question, "Are you now or have you ever been a steroids user?"
Blogroll Update
Today I'll be adding ESPN.com (because you know you want it), Something Awful (one of the funniest sites on the web) and STATS (now that baseball season is upon us - this site will be invaluable to any baseball fan).
Today I'll be adding ESPN.com (because you know you want it), Something Awful (one of the funniest sites on the web) and STATS (now that baseball season is upon us - this site will be invaluable to any baseball fan).
Just Sayin'
Peter Gammons is reporting on ESPN.com that the Cleveland Indians will trade troubled centerfielder Milton Bradley within the next 72-hours. I will leave it to others to debate the value of Bradley's talent vs. the trouble he brings with it. What got me thinking is the the fact that Bradley will make $1.73 million this year and if the Indians replace Bradley with a player making less than $1 million - then the Indians will join three other teams with payrolls less than that of the Montreal Expos.
Think about that for a moment.
Potentially the Indians, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Milwaukee will have lower payroll salaries than the Expos this year. There is something seriously wrong with that. If I were a fan of the Indians, Devil Rays, Pirates or Brewers - I'd be pretty pissed off about it.
Peter Gammons is reporting on ESPN.com that the Cleveland Indians will trade troubled centerfielder Milton Bradley within the next 72-hours. I will leave it to others to debate the value of Bradley's talent vs. the trouble he brings with it. What got me thinking is the the fact that Bradley will make $1.73 million this year and if the Indians replace Bradley with a player making less than $1 million - then the Indians will join three other teams with payrolls less than that of the Montreal Expos.
Think about that for a moment.
Potentially the Indians, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Milwaukee will have lower payroll salaries than the Expos this year. There is something seriously wrong with that. If I were a fan of the Indians, Devil Rays, Pirates or Brewers - I'd be pretty pissed off about it.
Greg Maddux
Even though I think John Thomson will have a better year statistically than Greg Maddux this year - I don't think Maddux has slowed down. What prompted this post was reading what Bryan Smith wrote in The Hardball Times today regarding Maddux and the Cubs. Two points that I think Bryan overlooked regarding Maddux:
1. Maddux was one of the pitchers who was very adversley effected by the QWESTEC system last year. It took Maddux about half a season to adapt. The QWESTEC effect is real mainly because the pitcher believes it is real.
2. Maddux actually had a very productive second half in 2003. Pre All-Star game last year Maddux was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA *cough* QWESTEC* cough*. In the second half - Maddux was 9-3 with a 3.03 ERA. Maddux was obvioulsy older in the second half of the season vs. the first half - so I think some of the "age catching up on him" criticism isn't as valid as it might seem at first blush.
Even though I think John Thomson will have a better year statistically than Greg Maddux this year - I don't think Maddux has slowed down. What prompted this post was reading what Bryan Smith wrote in The Hardball Times today regarding Maddux and the Cubs. Two points that I think Bryan overlooked regarding Maddux:
1. Maddux was one of the pitchers who was very adversley effected by the QWESTEC system last year. It took Maddux about half a season to adapt. The QWESTEC effect is real mainly because the pitcher believes it is real.
2. Maddux actually had a very productive second half in 2003. Pre All-Star game last year Maddux was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA *cough* QWESTEC* cough*. In the second half - Maddux was 9-3 with a 3.03 ERA. Maddux was obvioulsy older in the second half of the season vs. the first half - so I think some of the "age catching up on him" criticism isn't as valid as it might seem at first blush.
Atlanta Braves
I have seen so many people fixate on the fact that between losing Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez that the Braves have lost too many runs created or home runs to repeat as NL East Division champs. What people always seem to overlook is the other side of the ledger. Consider:
Last year the Braves led the NL in HR with 235 but they were also 6th in the NL in HR allowed. The year before the Braves were 8th in HR but 2nd in HR allowed. In 2001 they were 10th in HR but 3rd in HR allowed. Each year they won the NL East. Do you see where I'm going with this?
Last year the Braves had two relievers give up double digit HR totals (and a third had 8 HR allowed). You would have to go back to 1996 to find a year when a single pitcher who was primarily a reliever gave up double digits in HR for Atlanta. Not surprisingly - the two guys who gave up double digits and the guy who gave up 8 are no longer with the Braves.
Yes the Braves lost Maddux but did you realize that he led the team in HR allowed with 24? He will be replaced by John Thomson who gave up 27 HR in the DH fueled AL while playing half his games at Arlington. Thomson will most likely give up less than 24 HR because he will be facing pitchers instead of DH mashers and now he gets to play at pitcher friendly Turner Field.
The fifth starter - Shane Reynolds also gave up his share of HR last year (20 to be exact). Reynolds gave up a HR roughly one every 8 innings pitched. This year's fifth starter is bound to do better (Trey Hodge's who is penciled in as the fifth starter by some did not allow a single HR in 65 innings pitched last year).
Simply put - yes the Braves will most likely not have as many HR this year as last but they also won't give up as many. Nobody seems to take this into account.
Last year the Braves led the Phillies in runs scored 907 to 791 (difference of 116 runs). Now the Phillies offense has basically remained the same but the Braves lost Sheffield and Lopez which does make their offense worse but I don't think it will be 116 runs worse and meanwhile I look for the Braves to give up fewer runs to lower their team ERA vs. last year.
What does all this mean to me? The Braves will win the NL East this year (again).
I have seen so many people fixate on the fact that between losing Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez that the Braves have lost too many runs created or home runs to repeat as NL East Division champs. What people always seem to overlook is the other side of the ledger. Consider:
Last year the Braves led the NL in HR with 235 but they were also 6th in the NL in HR allowed. The year before the Braves were 8th in HR but 2nd in HR allowed. In 2001 they were 10th in HR but 3rd in HR allowed. Each year they won the NL East. Do you see where I'm going with this?
Last year the Braves had two relievers give up double digit HR totals (and a third had 8 HR allowed). You would have to go back to 1996 to find a year when a single pitcher who was primarily a reliever gave up double digits in HR for Atlanta. Not surprisingly - the two guys who gave up double digits and the guy who gave up 8 are no longer with the Braves.
Yes the Braves lost Maddux but did you realize that he led the team in HR allowed with 24? He will be replaced by John Thomson who gave up 27 HR in the DH fueled AL while playing half his games at Arlington. Thomson will most likely give up less than 24 HR because he will be facing pitchers instead of DH mashers and now he gets to play at pitcher friendly Turner Field.
The fifth starter - Shane Reynolds also gave up his share of HR last year (20 to be exact). Reynolds gave up a HR roughly one every 8 innings pitched. This year's fifth starter is bound to do better (Trey Hodge's who is penciled in as the fifth starter by some did not allow a single HR in 65 innings pitched last year).
Simply put - yes the Braves will most likely not have as many HR this year as last but they also won't give up as many. Nobody seems to take this into account.
Last year the Braves led the Phillies in runs scored 907 to 791 (difference of 116 runs). Now the Phillies offense has basically remained the same but the Braves lost Sheffield and Lopez which does make their offense worse but I don't think it will be 116 runs worse and meanwhile I look for the Braves to give up fewer runs to lower their team ERA vs. last year.
What does all this mean to me? The Braves will win the NL East this year (again).
Baseball Musings Breaking News
Wow - very busy and surprising day in baseball. Check out the latest developments over at BaseballMusings.com. What day is it again?
Wow - very busy and surprising day in baseball. Check out the latest developments over at BaseballMusings.com. What day is it again?
#44: Daylight Savings Contest
In 1984 the Eldorado Daily Journal, based in Illinois, announced a contest to see who could save the most daylight for daylight savings time. The rules of the contest were simple: beginning with the first day of daylight savings time, contestants would be required to save daylight. Whoever succeeded in saving the most daylight would win. Only pure daylight would be allowed—no dawn or twilight light, though light from cloudy days would be allowed. Moonlight was strictly forbidden. Light could be stored in any container. The contest received a huge, nationwide response. The paper's editor was interviewed by correspondents from CBS and NBC and was featured in papers throughout the country.
From the Top 100 April Fool's Hoaxes of All-Time
In 1984 the Eldorado Daily Journal, based in Illinois, announced a contest to see who could save the most daylight for daylight savings time. The rules of the contest were simple: beginning with the first day of daylight savings time, contestants would be required to save daylight. Whoever succeeded in saving the most daylight would win. Only pure daylight would be allowed—no dawn or twilight light, though light from cloudy days would be allowed. Moonlight was strictly forbidden. Light could be stored in any container. The contest received a huge, nationwide response. The paper's editor was interviewed by correspondents from CBS and NBC and was featured in papers throughout the country.
From the Top 100 April Fool's Hoaxes of All-Time
My Idiot Congressman
On Tuesday the House voted on HR 3966 - a bill that basically said that if a college or university took government funds then they have to grant equal access to ROTC just as they would for any other employer. The vote passed 343 to 81 and of course my Congressman - Jim McGovern was among those voting "Nay".
I swear this guy is such a rubber stamp - you can almost picture McGovern calling Ted Kennedy before every vote to ask what he should do. So let me get this straight - if NAMBLA or the US Communist Party wanted to recruit say for a membership director - that's OK? But if the ROTC wants to offer students a career and a way to pay for college - that's somehow wrong?
Yeesh!
On Tuesday the House voted on HR 3966 - a bill that basically said that if a college or university took government funds then they have to grant equal access to ROTC just as they would for any other employer. The vote passed 343 to 81 and of course my Congressman - Jim McGovern was among those voting "Nay".
I swear this guy is such a rubber stamp - you can almost picture McGovern calling Ted Kennedy before every vote to ask what he should do. So let me get this straight - if NAMBLA or the US Communist Party wanted to recruit say for a membership director - that's OK? But if the ROTC wants to offer students a career and a way to pay for college - that's somehow wrong?
Yeesh!
Just Sayin'
In 1999 Mo Vaughn took big money to leave Boston as a free agent. His replacement was the low cost Brian Daubach. Now that Mo's forced into retirement - I thought we would take a quick look at what the two players did since 1999:
Mo Vaughn .267 batting average, 98 HR and 312 RBI
Brian Daubach .264 batting average, 90 HR and 319 RBI
Pretty even production but consider that since 1999 Mo Vaughn was paid $60.83 million while Daubach made only $3.685 million. Mo Vaughn will also pocket another $17 million this year ($15 million salary and $2 million buy-out for 2005) on the final year of the deal he signed when he left Boston (the Mets are lucky that insurance will cover most of the money) while Daubach will be back playing for the Red Sox after a year in Chicago. Daubach's salary this year will be well south of $1 million.
In 1999 Mo Vaughn took big money to leave Boston as a free agent. His replacement was the low cost Brian Daubach. Now that Mo's forced into retirement - I thought we would take a quick look at what the two players did since 1999:
Mo Vaughn .267 batting average, 98 HR and 312 RBI
Brian Daubach .264 batting average, 90 HR and 319 RBI
Pretty even production but consider that since 1999 Mo Vaughn was paid $60.83 million while Daubach made only $3.685 million. Mo Vaughn will also pocket another $17 million this year ($15 million salary and $2 million buy-out for 2005) on the final year of the deal he signed when he left Boston (the Mets are lucky that insurance will cover most of the money) while Daubach will be back playing for the Red Sox after a year in Chicago. Daubach's salary this year will be well south of $1 million.
#24: Drunk Driving on the Internet
An article by John Dvorak in the April 1994 issue of PC Computing magazine described a bill going through Congress that would make it illegal to use the internet while drunk, or to discuss sexual matters over a public network. The bill was supposedly numbered 040194 (i.e. 04/01/94), and the contact person was listed as Lirpa Sloof (April Fools backwards). The article said that the FBI was going to use the bill to tap the phone line of anyone who "uses or abuses alcohol" while accessing the internet. Passage of the bill was felt to be certain because "Who wants to come out and support drunkenness and computer sex?" The article offered this explanation for the origin of the bill: "The moniker 'Information Highway' itself seems to be responsible for SB 040194... I know how silly this sounds, but Congress apparently thinks being drunk on a highway is bad no matter what kind of highway it is." The article generated so many outraged phone calls to Congress that Senator Edward Kennedy's office had to release an official denial of the rumor that he was a sponsor of the bill.
From the Top 100 April Fool's Hoaxes of All-Time
An article by John Dvorak in the April 1994 issue of PC Computing magazine described a bill going through Congress that would make it illegal to use the internet while drunk, or to discuss sexual matters over a public network. The bill was supposedly numbered 040194 (i.e. 04/01/94), and the contact person was listed as Lirpa Sloof (April Fools backwards). The article said that the FBI was going to use the bill to tap the phone line of anyone who "uses or abuses alcohol" while accessing the internet. Passage of the bill was felt to be certain because "Who wants to come out and support drunkenness and computer sex?" The article offered this explanation for the origin of the bill: "The moniker 'Information Highway' itself seems to be responsible for SB 040194... I know how silly this sounds, but Congress apparently thinks being drunk on a highway is bad no matter what kind of highway it is." The article generated so many outraged phone calls to Congress that Senator Edward Kennedy's office had to release an official denial of the rumor that he was a sponsor of the bill.
From the Top 100 April Fool's Hoaxes of All-Time
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