Baseball is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kid Rock]

And so is the bulkier, 190 lb Pedro Martinez.

http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-02-15/Metro_Sports/Baseball/martinez_pedro.jpg

[Dr T Non-Fan]

(Sigh,) I'm still heavier than he is.
Good news for BoSox fans is that he doesn't have to throw hard the whole night. I'd put him on a four-man rotation. He's old-school.

Only some of the hockey players in the Olympics are heavier. Maybe some of the curlers, too.

[Captain America]

Good news for BoSox fans...


:lol:

That's like saying "Good news for:

Charlie Brown
Al Gore
The pretty blond in a slasher movie

_________________
Font size matters.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Captain America on 2002-02-15 21:58 ]</font>

[urysohn]

The Patriots did their part, but we're still hungry for more. Here's hoping the Red Sox bring home a title!
(hey, I'm happy with the AL East title if for no other reason than that means it doesn't go to New York!)

[Drzy]

Absolutely! I'm not a Patriots fan, but go Red Sox! Whooooooooo!!!

[Kid Rock]

nacho,
I fully intended to put the 1 at the end. This is the first of many chapters. The next one will be titled

Baseball is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2

[Pseudolus]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/audio/mlb_gameday_audio.jsp

If you need a fix, have a fast internet connection, and a company that won't mind sparing the bandwith, this link will take to to a page where you can listen to spring training broadcasts over your computer.

[Pseudolus]

"I'm really looking forward to having some of the players puke for me during wind sprints."
--Jay Buhner, Mariners coach

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20020304wiq.shtml

[Pseudolus]

Yankees experiencing cap problems? (http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/sports/0304cap.html)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pseudolus on 2002-03-04 14:54 ]</font>

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Seems as if someone has a hot head in the Yankee executive suites.
Only who? Who could it be?

[frummie]

I voted to fine Pettite's son. About 25% agree with me as of now.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Or, they could give the kid a cap. If they can afford it.

[Drzy]

The sooner his son learns his dad works for an evil corporation, the better. Yay Mets! Boo Yankees!

[Pseudolus]

I went with "trade Pettite to the Mets". We'll give you Rey and Trachsel, and we'll transfer our rights to throw things at John Rocker, since he's now in the AL.

[Pseudolus]

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/pg2/2002/0305/photo/pettitte_cap.jpg

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/thinking/020304/pettitte.html
(picky)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pseudolus on 2002-03-05 13:30 ]</font>

[urysohn]

Steinbrenner should buy the little league team (errr, I mean "sponsor" the team) and rename them as the Yankees.

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

That link needs a trailing "l".

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/thinking/020304/pettitte.html

[Pseudolus]

Grady Little is the new manager of the Red Sox.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20020311/ap-redsoxmanager.html

[Pseudolus]

Another odd Yankee story:'THIEF' RUBEN GONE
Tue Mar 12, 4:00 AM ET
By GEORGE KING


TAMPA - There is no room in the Yankees' clubhouse for a thief.

That message was sent loud and clear to Ruben Rivera last night when GM Brian Cashman released the outfielder who was, according to multiple organizational sources, caught stealing a glove from Derek Jeter late last week.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nypost/20020312/sp_nypost/_thief__ruben_gone

[Anonymous]

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/caple/020313.html

Funny link on the Rivera theft

[Pseudolus]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0314/1351277.html

Thursday, March 14

Watson: Heavy plastic pads can't be worn

-------------------------------------------

Major league hitters will no longer be allowed to wear heavy plastic elbow pads unless there is a medical reason for the extra protection.

Bob Watson, vice president of field operations for Major League Baseball, is meeting with clubs in spring training to tell them that elbow pads must be nylon and no more than 10 inches long.

I agree there's a problem, but don't think this is a great solution. Any player who wants an exemption will just find a doctor to sign off on it. I'd prefer saying: Wear whatever you want, but you have to lug it around the bases with you - no handing it off to the first base coach.

[Pseudolus]

Projected Regular-Season Standings (http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2002/diamondmindprojections.html):
(they used a computer, so it must be scientific!)Legend
W, L, Pct, GB -- average wins, average losses, winning percentage, games behind leader
RF, RA -- average runs for and against
#DIV, #WC -- number of division titles and wild cards (fractions given for ties)



AL East W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
New York 104 58 .642 - 919 680 45.5 1.5
Boston 92 70 .568 12 851 727 4.5 24.5
Toronto 77 85 .475 27 781 839 1.0
Baltimore 66 96 .407 38 721 861
Tampa Bay 61 101 .377 43 696 902

AL Central W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
Chicago 89 73 .549 - 827 762 40.5 .5
Minnesota 81 81 .500 8 791 796 6.5
Cleveland 78 84 .481 11 827 852 3.0 .5
Kansas City 64 98 .395 25 725 906
Detroit 63 99 .389 26 708 883

AL West W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
Oakland 96 66 .593 - 850 669 31.5 6.0
Seattle 91 71 .562 5 792 691 10.0 9.5
Texas 88 74 .543 8 901 830 6.5 5.5
Anaheim 82 80 .506 14 769 751 2.0 1.0

NL East W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
Atlanta 88 74 .543 - 748 686 25.5 5.0
Philadelphia 83 79 .512 5 735 706 13.0 1.5
Florida 82 80 .506 6 753 736 7.5 3.0
New York 80 82 .494 8 704 717 4.0 1.8
Montreal 69 93 .426 19 705 830

NL Central W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
St. Louis 90 72 .556 - 797 711 28.8 5.0
Houston 87 75 .537 3 837 783 13.8 11.0
Chicago 81 81 .500 9 779 781 4.8 2.0
Cincinnati 80 82 .494 10 785 796 3.0 3.3
Milwaukee 73 89 .451 17 735 832 .5
Pittsburgh 72 90 .444 18 689 765

NL West W L Pct GB RF RA #DIV #WC
San Francisco 88 74 .543 - 772 717 22.5 4.3
Colorado 85 77 .525 3 967 931 12.0 5.0
Arizona 84 78 .519 4 729 713 11.0 5.0
Los Angeles 79 83 .488 9 706 709 2.0 2.5
San Diego 77 85 .475 11 728 765 2.5 1.0

[Dr T Non-Fan]

1. How did Diamond Mine do last year?

2. While the program to project a whole season might be sound, the fact that they project only about 25 seasons seems a bit too few to make such absolute projections.

[Pseudolus]

On 2002-03-27 16:11, Dr T Non-Fan wrote:
1. How did Diamond Mine do last year?



http://www.diamond-mind.com/articles/tmpred01.htm

"Score" is the sum of the squared differences between projected placement and actual placement. (So if a team picked for first actually finished third, that's (1-3)^2=4 points toward the final number.)


Forecaster Score

Sean McAdam, ESPN.com 32.5
Lindy's 36.5
Steve Mann 38.5
Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe 44.5
USA Today 46.5
Baseball Weekly 46.5
Jayson Stark, ESPN.com 46.5
The Sporting News (spring magazine) 52.5
Diamond Mind simulations 54.5
Tom Tippett, Diamond Mind 54.5
Baseball America 54.5
Sports Illustrated 56.5
Peter Gammons, ESPN 56.5
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe 56.5
David Schoenfield, ESPN.com 56.5
Matt Szefc, ESPN.com 56.5
Bob Klapisch, ESPN.com 57.5
Zack Scott, Diamond Mind 58.5
Baseball Digest 58.5
Baseball Yearbook 58.5
Danny Sheridan, USA Today 59.5
Rany Jazayerli, Baseball Prospectus 62.5
2000 final standings 64.5
Las Vegas over-under line 65.5
Rob Neyer, ESPN.com 66.5
Athlon 67.5
John Sickels, ESPN.com 68.5
Street &amp; Smith 68.5
Pete Palmer 70.5
Larry Whiteside, Boston Globe 74.5
Mazeroski 75.5
Bob Ryan, Boston Globe 84.5
Spring training results 113.5

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pseudolus on 2002-03-27 16:20 ]</font>

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Can't read that for a couple hours, but I thought Neyer did better than that. Perhaps I saw last year's results on espn.com in terms of simple absolute differences instead of squared ones. Using squared differences overweights the exceptionally wrong prediction.

[Drzy]

You're right, the results on espn.com from last year were scored different. The way they did it was, if you selected a team to finish 4th in their division and they finished 2nd, you got 4-2=2 points added to your score. Neyer was 2nd in that method, except it was just against other ESPN people.

[Mick Fan]

Notice how two of the bottom three prognosticators (excluding spring training) were from Boston? How bad were they?

The Pirates are projected for only 90 losses? I'd be thrilled with that! :smile:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Check the big results vs expected by team from last year.
I think they were Philly and Minny.
Then there those who picked Housy to stay near the cellar.
Texy was a slight disappointment for some.

[Pseudolus]

In the spirit of "Man Bites Dog", we now have "Butt Scratches Pitcher (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/fanball/20020401/fanball-bravesmadduxscratche.html)".

:lol:

[Pseudolus]

Has anyone else signed up for the $15 MLB.com internet audio package? Going against my instincts not to pay for intenet content, I bit the bullet yesterday and did it - the lure of being able to hear my Mets at work and at home (w/o moving the radio to just the right spot, which happens to be in the middle of the room) was too much.

My problem - as of this morning, MLB.com still had not activated my membership. If I can't hear the Mets' opening game this afternoon, I'm going to be pretty ticked. If Amazon.com can process my purchase and ship an actual, physical book in less than 24 hours, why can't MLB.com enter my username into a computer database in the same amount of time?

[Pseudolus]

They managed to get their acts together... Bases loaded for the Mets... no outs... full count...

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Two dingers for Barry. At this pace,...

[Pub Guy]

Found this on ESPN's website and thought it was funny.

Mr. October
Top 10 Ways to Stop Barry Bonds from Homering
10. Put a reporter on the mound, and Barry will take the day off. Pat Stansberry, Iowa City, Iowa
9. Start Rick Ankiel and tell him to "throw 'em down the middle." Michael Murphy, New York, NY
8. Have Tonya Harding become the Giants' batgirl. Jon Pinyan, Waldwick NJ
7. Make him bat right-handed, put a dress on him and call him Moises Alou. Rich Glanzer, Lynbrook, NY
6. Get Jeff Kent to take him for a motorcycle ride before the game. Paul Smith, Atlanta, GA
5. Trade him to Cincinnati. Worked for Griffey. Jason Johnson, Alpharetta, CA
4. Add a rule that requires the hitter to finish running the bases in one minute. Todd Uyeda, Pleasanton, CA
3. Tawny Kitaen and a pair of Prada pumps. Shane Winegard, Chicago, IL
2. Renovate his locker space so it is only twice as big as everyone else. Scott Williams, Calgary, Alberta
And a special thanks to Joe Graff of Saylorsburg, PA for the No. 1 answer:
1. Change the name of McCovey Cove to Postseason Pond.

[egg]

It's about time (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0408/1364856.html)

Randy Smith should have been fired years ago - at the minimum after Juan Gonzalez - That one trade set us back 3 years at least.
As for Garner, I read today that he is (was) working on his 10th straight losing season. I am sure there aren't too many Tigers fans out there, but any time you get swept by the Devil Rays you should have a bad feeling.

Edited to get rid of extraneous html code.

[Lee Mellon]

Pseu - so what's up w/ Pedro? Watched some "high"lights Sunday am. He seemed to be having trouble getting the ball thru the batter.

[frummie]

Has anyone else signed up for the $15 MLB.com internet audio package? Going against my instincts not to pay for intenet content, I bit the bullet yesterday and did it - the lure of being able to hear my Mets at work and at home (w/o moving the radio to just the right spot, which happens to be in the middle of the room) was too much.


I almost did it last night, but I don't have a sound card at work. :evil: I'm right next to a window so I can listen to the Angels when they play. Pretty good game last Friday. I was walking around with a smile on my face the rest of the day.

[Cho Da]

So the Angel's former pitcher comes in and gives up a bases loaded balk to give them a two run lead, then ends up getting the win when the M's get three in the eighth!
What a game!

[frummie]

Yes, how frustrating for an Angel fan like me. Shige was my favorite, but they used his money for Sele, which is a good pickup. Bad loss considering its a two game swing each time we play the M's. Still lots of time to go.

[Pseudolus]

Pseu - so what's up w/ Pedro? Watched some "high"lights Sunday am. He seemed to be having trouble getting the ball thru the batter.

I'm only a resident alien in Red Sox Nation, but here's what I know. Pedro has a "frayed" rotator cuff. This somehow isn't the same as a tear, but still isn't good. Over his (extended) off season, Pedro bulked up his upper body substantially - the docs say that this will take stress off his cuff and reduce the chances that his arm will fly off into the third-base stands. Pedro says his new proportions have him a little off balance, and he'll need some time to get everything working together in mid-season form.

My gut: He'll be a very good pitcher, but will not again approach his 1997-2000 streak, when he was just stupid good.

[Pseudolus]

Quiz: Jason Veritek just batted with the bases loaded. As a result of his at bat, he was credited with a hit, but not an RBI. What happened?

(I know what really happened. I'm curious if there's any other way.)

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

Did he miss the plate sliding and get tagged out?

[Pseudolus]

No, that's not what happened. I think that would be recorded as a fielder's choice, and not a hit. Good guess, though.

[Ray Finkle]

How about: Varitek hits a bloop single. The guy on third holds because he expects the ball to be caught. The ball drops and they throw him out at home.

That's the only thing I can come up with.

[Cho Da]

That would still be a FC, not a hit.
Per the play by play at mlb.com, Hillebrand was out at first, unassisted by the first baseman.
Did the batted ball hit Hillebrand?

[Pseudolus]

Yes, it was a runner being out by interference from being hit by the ball.

I thought it was Manny (espn.com says "-J Varitek reached on infield single to first, M Ramirez out at home, T Clark to third, S Hillenbrand to second.", CBS has the same). I wonder why mlb.com has something different?

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

Yahoo has the same thing as espn.

[Cho Da]

This is in the bottom of the first, yes?
mlb.com still say Hillebrand out at first. I can't copy/paste from mlb.com's shockwave app.
boston.com's gamelog (http://208.31.25.3/default.asp?c=globe&page=mlb/scores/live/P83082.htm) skips Varitek's at bat.

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

Yes, bottom of the first.

[Cho Da]

Today's Boston Globe writeup had Hillebrand out ater getting hit with Varitek's batted ball.

[Pseudolus]

What happened to Maddux? He was taken out after 1 inning (no runs, one hit, nine pitches). Did he reinjure himself?

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

Yahoo says it's a lower back injury.

[Pseudolus]

Dog Day Afternoon (http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/fla/community/fla_community_option1.jsp?story_page=promotion_dog day_community)

APRIL 28, 2002
1:05 P.M.
Pro Player Stadium

The inaugural "Dog Day Afternoon" is set to take place on Sunday, April 28 as the Florida Marlins take on the defending World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks at Pro Player Stadium at 1:05 p.m.


The Marlins, in partnership with the Humane Society of Broward County, invite pet lovers to bring their dog to the park for an afternoon of baseball. Now you don't have to feel guilty about leaving Fido at home when you're out enjoying the game.

Your dog too, can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of baseball. Outfield reserved seats are available for $10.00 adults, $5.00 kids (12 and under) and $5.00 for dogs.

Proceeds from the dog tickets will benefit the Humane Society of Broward County. Dog tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance through the Humane Society of Broward County by Sunday, April 21. Absolutely no tickets may be purchased for your dog(s) on the day of the event.

For more information call the HSBC at (954) 266-6827 or the Florida Marlins at (305) 626-7236.

Let's see, they're going to have some large number of dogs in the stadium that day for a game that should last ~3 hours. That's going to be a lot of dog crap. Let's hope it won't be too hot that day... :-?

[Shrek]

I can imagine the scene as the first homer reaches the bleachers. Oh, the humanity!

[RedSoxFan]

kind of a belated comment here.. i was watching the game. varitek hit a hard grounder that bounced a couple times and hit hillenbrand in the ankle as he was running to 2nd. he was right in front of the second baseman at the time, who would have easily made the play (and probably a double play) if it didn't hit hillenbrand. Good deal for varitek: hits into a double play, but instead gets a hit.
My question is, is it automatic that a player who gets hit with a batted ball is always out? Or was Shea called out only because the defending player was going to pick the ball up easily and get an out?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Automatic.

[Pseudolus]

Thanks for the description, LGIC.

From the Official Rulebook (http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/baseball_basics/mlb_basics_runner.jsp):

7.09
It is interference by a batter or a runner when:

[snip]

(m) A fair ball touches him on fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and touches a runner immediately back of him, or touches the runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball. In making such decision the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through, or by, the fielder, and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner deliberately and intentionally kicks such a batted ball on which the infielder has missed a play, then the runner shall be called out for interference. PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.

In my reading, the only way that something like this ISN'T interference is if an infielder has already had a chance to make a play on the ball and failed to make it. This is why coaches always tell runners on 3rd base to take their leads in foul territory.

[RedSoxFan]

what if the 2b had zero chance of getting the ball (he's like 10 feet to the side) and the only person who's going to pick the ball up if it doesn't hit the runner is the right fielder? So is he out? But if the 2b was playing close to the plate, like for a bunt, and the ball whizzes by him because he doesn't have the reaction time to make a dive, then he's not out?

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

Not the way I read it. If a runner touches a batted ball in fair ground before a fielder, he's out, end of story.

[Pseudolus]

That's how I read it. But, while I may have the physique of a MLB umpire, I am not actually qualified to be one.

I think the idea is that the onus is strongly on the runner not to get his lame self hit by the ball. The exceptions are when his sightline is screened by an infielder or when the fielder deflects the ball and changes it's flight path.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

From how I read it, for example, if the first baseman is playing in front of the runner, and the ball gets by him to his right, and the ball hits the runner from first base (but not intentionally by the runner), AND the second baseman had no chance at playing the ball, then it's not interference according to the first sentence of section (m) of the rule.

That's a lot to watch for.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Anyone disagree with this?

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20020418daily.shtml

In short, and in order, qualities required in a leadoff hitter, according to Joe Morgan:
1. Speed.
2. Awareness.
3. OBP.
4. Stealing.
5. Power.

Baseball prospectus says OBP is number 1. By a longshot. Not overrated, as Joe Morgan says.
Later, Joe Morgan confuses me by saying that past leadoff hitters drove in fewer runs because they thought their primary job was to get on base. But now, speed and awareness are more important? Which is it, getting on base or not necessarily?
Secondly, leadoff hitters seldom get RBI chances due to the poor hitters (or none at all in the first plate appearance) preceding them. One still needs to look at RBI chances versus success, a simple probability concept if you ask me.

[Pseudolus]

Oy. (http://msn.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/morgan_joe/1372831.html)

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

The more I hear Joe Morgan talk, the more I'm convinced the teams who wouldn't pay him $1M a year to manage (when that was real baseball money) knew what they were doing.

[Pseudolus]

First he was called Joey Belle.

Then, he changed to Albert Belle.

Now... Corky (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0425/1373638.html)?

[Pseudolus]

Pedro's putting together a nice little start this afternoon. So far: 5 innings, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 0 H on 70 pitches.

[Pseudolus]

Screwing around at baseball-reference, I stumbled across what I think may be the best obscure nickname of all time (http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/solommo01.shtml). Any challengers?

[Captain America]

In keeping with the original theme(s):
Lou 'The Crown Prince of Swat' Gehrig
Rogers 'The Rajah of Swat' Hornsby
Mike 'SuperJew' Epstein

*Incidentally, Solomon's name was Moses (aka Moe), not Mose.

I also enjoy:
Wilmer 'Vinegar Bend' Mizell
Dixie 'The People's Cherce' Walker
Mike 'The Volga Batman' Chartak
Sammy 'Babe Ruth's Legs' Byrd

And from the Negro Leagues:
Chet 'Dooflackem' Brewer

The Negro Leagues generated some great nicknames.

A strong case could be made for Solomon winning the 'most obscure' award considering his lifetime major league stats. However, he was quite famous in his time, having hit 49 home runs in the minor leagues in 1923. He was then signed by John McGraw for $4,500 and became a hit with the New York papers. As you can guess, it didn't pan out - it was discovered he couldn't play defense or hit a curve ball. So long, 'Rabbi of Swat'.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Now that (manager) Muser's gone, when will (GM) Baird be gone?
And what will Rob (Neyer) and Rany (Jazaleri(?)) complain about for their beloved Royals?

Second topic:
Prospectus yesterday had an interesting article about team defense statistics using batting average of balls in play. However, I thought that BABIP was a somewhat random statistic that can't predict future performance? I can't remember whether the stat was used for explaining current standings or revising predictions of final results. But, the table showed that top teams were doing well defensively, and only the D-Backs were down the list a bit. Their division co-lead is explained by their two pitchers' ability to get outs on their own.

[Pseudolus]

From what I can recall, the view of the Prospectors is that BABIP is not predictive for or attributable to the pitcher. This is the basis for whatzizname's Defense Independent Pitching Statistics (DIPS). BABIP would, presumably, be p.f.o.a.t. the team's defense.

Here's the list : ("DE" is 1-((H-HR)/(AB-HR-SO)), or 1-BABIP.)

American League National League
Team DE Team DE

Red Sox .761 Dodgers .748
Yankees .745 Giants .742
White Sox .718 Pirates .724
A's .713 Mets .723
Mariners .708 Padres .719
Twins .707 Brewers .718
Royals .699 Reds .712
Rangers .699 Braves .712
Angels .699 Marlins .698
Orioles .691 Cubs .695
Devil Rays .681 Cardinals .693
Tigers .680 Expos .690
Blue Jays .675 Rockies .688
Indians .669 Diamondbacks .686
Phillies .684
Astros .670


And the LINK (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/20020429daily.shtml).

I was surprised that the lack of discussion of park effects. My first instinct is that these would inflate the Defensive Average of a team playing in a bandbox look good (less space between the outfielders for a ball to drop in) and the opposite for a team playing in a cavern. That makes the Dodgers' achievement look even more impressive (or flukey, depending on your view of things).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Dodger Stadium is supposedly a pitcher's park. Something about the air, since it doesn't appear to be large. (Other parks have been replaced with smaller ones?) Matter of fact, they moved the backstop toward the plate, cutting down on foul outs.
It is, however, well-groomed (weather and no football affect this, I guess) and symmetric -- no quirky fences. If the wind blows, it usually blows in from the north, which will come into the stadium due to the shortness of the grandstand seating.
That's about all I can think of about Dodger Stadium's park effects on defensive abilities.

Those Astros aren't doing too well in their bandbox.

On the Royals, Neyer sure kicks him when he's down. He's been kicking him for about three years now, so I guess is his swan song.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1375894.html

[Ben Kenobi]

Foul ground is a much-overlooked part of park bias. It's the lack of foul ground in Wrigley that makes it a hitter's park, even when the wind is blowing in.

[Pseudolus]

Jeremy Giambi traded for John Mabry? (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0522/1385606.html)

I don't get it. What do the A's get out of the deal? If this had happened in the Cooler League, I'd be harassing Draco to veto it.

Salary dump? Even if that were the case, wouldn't the A's want someone younger in return, with some potential?

[Mr. Penguin]

Jeremy Giambi traded for John Mabry? (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0522/1385606.html)

I don't get it. What do the A's get out of the deal? If this had happened in the Cooler League, I'd be harassing Draco to veto it.

Salary dump? Even if that were the case, wouldn't the A's want someone younger in return, with some potential?

I really don't get this one either. I don't think it could be a salary dump, because I doubt Jeremy is making all that much. At the very least, you figure the A's could have traded him to the Yankees and gotten more. Every time I see Mabry's name in a boxscore or mentioned on TV, I think to myself, "hmmmmmm, I didn't realize he was still playing".

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Comments about 2 homers:
1. I saw a clip of a home run that was clearly not a home run the other day (on PTI). Did anything become of it?
2. How about Bonds's smack off the foul pole (Wednesday) to tie McGwire? I haven't seen a foul pole hit that high in a long time.

[Pseudolus]

I think your #1 was Durazo. It's still officially a home run. The umpire's call stands, even though the replay shows it was foul. Durazo caught a break.

Every time I see a foul pole hit like that I think of Tim McCarver's endless rants on how, since they're in fair territory, they should be called fair poles. Listening to McC was one of the greater burdens of being a Met fan growing up. (He also had a 37-hour bit on how the opposite field outfielder was always playing too deep. He was usually correct, but he went on, and on and...)

[Pseudolus]

Nice little game Shawn Green had today:

LOS ANGELES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
S Green rf 6 6 6 7 0 0 1 .265

HOME RUNS: LOS - SHAWN GREEN (6) OFF GLENDON RUSCH IN THE 2ND, 2 ON
SHAWN GREEN (7) OFF BRIAN MALLETTE IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
SHAWN GREEN (8) OFF BRIAN MALLETTE IN THE 5TH, 0 ON
SHAWN GREEN (9) OFF JOSE CABRERA IN THE 9TH, 0 ON (some non-Green homers removed)

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/scores/20020523/losmil.html

[Dr T Non-Fan]

(Use Max Smart voice:) That's the second time that's happened this month.

[frummie]

Jeremy Giambi traded for John Mabry? (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0522/1385606.html)

I don't get it. What do the A's get out of the deal? If this had happened in the Cooler League, I'd be harassing Draco to veto it.

Salary dump? Even if that were the case, wouldn't the A's want someone younger in return, with some potential?

And they thought my Boone for David Bell trade was bad (BTW, They are playing pretty even now...Bell has more HRs).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Regarding umpires:
1. Anyone think the "Plate Cleaning" incident will result in anything?

2. What about the crew working that foul-ball home run? Anything happen to them yet?

[Pseudolus]

1. Anyone think the "Plate Cleaning" incident will result in anything?


I only know what I read here (http://www.baseballprimer.com/clutch/archives/00003358.shtml#comments_20) (and the links therefrom). I don't know why Shulock didn't clean off the plate after Pinella hid it. Did he think it would look like Pinella (whom he had already run) would be showing him up?

And does Lou always look like this?

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20020528/450mariners08.jpg

He looks like he's going to puff himself up and explode!

[Ben Kenobi]

2. What about the crew working that foul-ball home run? Anything happen to them yet?

Why should it? Anybody can miss one.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

OWK, that wasn't even close. I don't mind missing a close one. And the heavily publicized ones usually get an ump in hot water.

Psuede, the balls and strikes were awful in that game, not consistent from one team to the next. Not only was the ump not doing a good job, he then refused to do his job! If I were the catcher, I'd have told him that I'd call the balls and strikes, too. According to that chat, he's not much of an umpire in the first place.

[Pseudolus]

Yet another strange umpire story - A-Rod ejected for looking at an ump funny (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020529/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_a_rod_s_stare_1).Rodriguez was initially upset by a safe call on a stolen base at second in the fifth inning. He held up his glove in disbelief and had words with [umpire Greg] Gibson in a lively but quick face-to-face outburst. As play continued, the two exchanged several glances before Rodriguez was ejected while running back to the dugout after the inning ended.

When he realized he had been thrown out, Rodriguez turned around and had more words with Gibson.

"It's ludicrous when you look at someone and you get thrown out," Rodriguez said. "It must have been a bad look, but again, I wanted to clarify I didn't say one word. He said that was correct."

[Pseudolus]

I'm listening to the Yankee game (they're losing), and all the announcers are talking about is the Clemens/Bonds/Mets beanball dustup. Theyr'e practically ignoring the game they're supposed to be telling me about. The Yankee broadcasters are usually pretty good, but today they're driving me crazy!

[Aaron Brachowitz]

I sympathize. As a Cubs listener/viewer, we are subjected to puffy interviews with the semi-celebrities brought in to sing the seventh-inning stretch. As Kerry Wood faces Lance Berkman, we're listening to former Cubs great Ted Nobody talking about nothing particularly interesting.

[Pseudolus]

From the espn.com front page (upper right, below the ad):Rain Can't Cool Off Castillo

Luis Castillo needed only one at-bat to make history Thursday ... and it's a good thing, because he only got three chances. Castillo hit in his 34th straight game, singling in the Marlins' rain-shortened 3-0 win. His streak marks the longest-ever by a second baseman and ties Benito Santiago's record for a Latin player.

1) Streaks are fun, but they don't really mean much.
2) Isn't that "for a Latin player" bit a little odd? Condescending, even?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Whoever's in charge of keeping records by race or national origin should resign immediately.

[Tony the Tiger]

What's the hitting streak record for Japanese players?

Is that condescending? No. Who cares if a record is mentioned by national origin? I find it informative, not derogatory.

[Pseudolus]

Does the NBA keep track of records of "dunks by white guys"?

[Drzy]

I don't think it's condescending, but it's definitely not worth mentioning. Sort of like in Mr. Baseball when Tom Selleck says he led his team in 9th inning doubles in the month of August.

[Drzy]

Does the NBA keep track of records of "dunks by white guys"?
I heard they're making a new award for the MVWP.

[Tony the Tiger]

I would say this is more inappropriate to say
Bobby Valentine dismissed last night's pregame altercation between Roberto Alomar and Roger Cedeno by saying, "the Latin fluids were going."

[Ben Kenobi]

My nominee for today's absurd (but non racial) statement:

"I thought he [Jared Wright] did all right," Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster said. "He just gave up too many runs."

This must be some new definition of "all right" I was not previously aware of.

[Pseudolus]

The spirit of Bill Veeck lives on!
Riverdogs trying to set lowest attendance record with ``Nobody Night''
By JACOB JORDAN
Associated Press Writer
July 7, 2002

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Nobody -- not even the die-hard fans -- will be allowed to watch the Charleston Riverdogs' game against the Columbus Redstixx on Monday night. ADVERTISEMENT


And that's just what the team wants.

The Riverdogs will continue their tradition of outlandish promotions when they padlock the gates and hold a party, including discounted food and beer, outside the ballpark in an attempt to set the record for the lowest attendance at a professional baseball game on ``Nobody Night.''

The idea has been called ridiculous, and team owner and promotional guru Mike Veeck says that's the point.

Veeck has a long history of outlandish promotions, including ``Vasectomy Night'' -- canceled at the last minute -- and ``Tonya Harding Bat Day.''

Veeck said without the support of the community, the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays couldn't pull off an empty-stadium stunt.

``Even though it's so goofy and it's so out there, I think they have a capacity along with us now, after kind of a relationship that's been built, to kind of laugh and say 'Gosh, that's stupid' -- which it is,'' Veeck said

There's a discrepancy over what the actual lowest attendance record is, but Veeck believes nobody has ever had zero attendance. That's exactly the number radio play-by-play announcer Jim Lucas had in mind when he dreamed up ``Nobody Night'' at Veeck's promotional seminar last year.

Lucas says the attendance record is 12 people who braved a rainstorm to see Chicago defeat Troy on Sept. 17, 1881.

Fans will be permitted into Joe Riley Stadium after the game is declared official.

``We've called the Hall of Fame and they said 'If it happens, and you play in front of no one, send us all the information and verification,''' Lucas said. ``They didn't promise us anything, but they said, 'We'll look into it for you.'''

During the first five innings, the game will proceed as usual and include contests between innings. Concession workers and ticket takers will be waiting for customers.

Lucas said the response to ``Nobody Night'' has been favorable.

Riverdogs manager Buddy Biancalana and the players just shake their heads and say, '''You guys are just absolutely nuts,''' Lucas said.

``Nobody Night'' comes just days after the team set an attendance record of 7,885 on July 4.

``I never had any idea that we were going to do that, but it makes it a little more palatable,'' Veeck said. ``We going to take it on the chops concession- wise and stuff, and I think that's what I love about it.''

Veeck's father, Bill, was the mastermind behind the Chicago White Sox's notorious Disco Demolition Night in 1979, where fans burned disco records in the outfield of Comisky Park and started a riot.

Bill Veeck also once sent a midget to bat in the major leagues.

Mike Veeck's mother was in town just days before ``Nobody Night,'' and, of course, she's not going to attend the game.

``She lived with a fairly crazy guy for a lot of years,'' Veeck said. ``She looked at me this morning over coffee and said 'Bill would've loved this. You spend your whole life figuring out ways to draw 'em in and now you're keeping 'em out.'''

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20020707/ap-nobodynight.html

[Ex-parrot]

It's genius I tell you! (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0722/1408546.html)
The union apparently decided it would be a public-relations nightmare to go on strike before Sept. 11.
Hey idiots, going on strike anytime is going to be a public-relations nightmare. :shake2:

[quentin cassidy]

a bunch of whiny millionaires planning their strike around possibly the worst day in american history should be a public relations nightmare in and of itself. if these people had any decency, when the topic of 9/11 comes up, they'd think of how grateful they are to be able to play a game for a living, and maybe they'd all take pay cuts so that average folks can afford to take their families to the ballpark a few times a year without blowing a couple hundred bucks.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Regarding MLB pensions:
Pensions? These guys need PENSIONS!??
I can understand, just barely, the "minimum-wage" player, and only if he's been around more than a few years.

Here's another gem:
"We have to continue to do what's right for the future of the game," Mets first baseman Mo Vaughn said after his team met with Fehr. "We know that if it comes down to it, we know what we've got to do."
(end quote)
Does this mean no strike, ever?

[Pseudolus]

Keeping up with the (Bobby) Jonses (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20020731/ap-padres-metstrade.html):Bobby Jones' reunited

July 31, 2002
CHICAGO (AP) -- Bobby Jones and Bobby Jones are back together.
The New York Mets traded left-hander Bobby M. Jones to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday along with right-hander Josh Reynolds and outfielder Jay Bay.

(Note the incorrect use of the apostrophe in the headline. :shake: )

[Tony the Tiger]

Note the incorrect spelling in your title. :shake:

[Pseudolus]

Note that I occaisionally make a typo, which isn't what ESPN did. http://www.matesupover.com/Emoticons/shrug.gif

I expect higher standards in my sports-journalism.

[Ben Kenobi]

I just noticed in the "Nobody Night" article--now we know where Buddy Biancalana is!

[Tony the Tiger]

Note that I occaisionally make a typo, which isn't what ESPN did. http://www.matesupover.com/Emoticons/shrug.gif

I expect higher standards in my sports-journalism.

I find it amusing that you made a typo in a post about ESPN making a typo.

[Pseudolus]

You don't even know the meaning of the word "typo". You should write for the AP sports desk.

(Great. Now everyone will think I'm Griffin.)

[Ben Kenobi]

Pseudolus = Griffin. Pass it on.

[Tony the Tiger]

Pseud, what is your definition of typo? When only you (and nobody else) make a typing mistake?

[Pseudolus]

Using an apostrophe to indicate a plural is not a "typing mistake". the "e" and "s" needed to make "Jones" into to correct plural form "Joneses" are allllllll the way across the keyboard from the apostrophe.

BK - Can you tell Glenn to have "Griffin"'s post count added to mine? And tell him to convert the # to metric, so it looks bigger.

[DonkeyPunch (Banned)]

Another "typo". Time to change your name again.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Sorry to get back on topic (no, I don't think it's a dead thread, for at least two weeks).

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=220801117

This ejection was unwarranted. With a two-run lead in the ninth, no one (not even the league's save leader) is going to hit a batter.

[Captain America]

Agreed.

[Mick Fan]

This is one of the reasons that hitting is up so much ... nobody can throw inside anymore. Everyone's so hypersensitive about it

This is also the first time that I have ever heard of a closer being ejected for throwing a batter in the ninth inning! I think that was a stupid call by the ump. As he said, there's a directive, but you gotta use some common sense as well! If we just have robotic application of the "directives," we'll get machines to ump. They'd do a better job of balls and strikes! :-?

[Pseudolus]

When's the last time you've seen a pitcher ejected without a warning having been previously issued, even when intent was clear? A very strange move by the ump.

[Ben Kenobi]

No wonder the Pirates can't win (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recaps/20020822/pitstl.html)
Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Brian Giles' 32nd home run, which came off Cardinals starter Jason Simontacchi leading off the second inning.
They don't get to have a first inning.

From the same article:
Neither team scored until the seventh, when Armando Rios and Pokey Reese hit RBI singles to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 advantage.

[Pseudolus]

Good times watching the Little League World Series this weekend. I was rooting for Worcester, but it's not like you can root against any group of 12-year olds. Congratulations to Kentucky - that Alvey kid was impressive.

I did feel bad for the Japanese kids. They got hosed on two plays at first where they narrowly beat the throws but got called out anyway. I enjoyed the piece at the start of the game where each kid introduced himself and listed his favorite MLB player. Just about every kid on the Japan team listed (unsurprisingly) Ichiro!, except for one little guy who preferred Randy Johnson.

Anyone here been to the LLWS? Someday I've got to make the trip.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1423827.html

About four paragraphs in, there appears to be a non-traditional career possibility.

As if we didn't know some of us could do better than at least half of the GMs in the MLB.

[Pseudolus]

From elsewhere (http://boards.espn.go.com/cgi/mlb/request.dll?MESSAGE&room=robneyer&id=93844):Try this:

Take the ratio of a team's runs scored (RS) to their runs allowed (RA). Then compute the base-10 logarithm of this ratio. Add 1/2 and see how the number compares with a team's winning percentage. Try it with this year's teams, and try it with the Lahman database for years after 1900.

When I did this for the Lahman data, I found the fit to be slightly better than the Pythagorean ratio. But the neat thing is that if you increase RS (or RA) by a factor of X, the change in winning % is the base-ten logarithm of X.

So, it appears that the game of baseball naturally measures the ratio of runs scored to runs allowed in decibels (dB). Perhaps this is already known. If so, I would appreciate a pointer to a reference.

The advantage of the Pythagorean ratio is that it produces a 'valid' winning % for all ratios of RS to RA, whereas the logarithm will produce numbers outside the range of 0 to 1 for extreme ratios of RS to RA. But it is OK for the range of ratios that have occured since 1900.

I'll have to think about that some more, but at first glance it sounds pretty cool.

[Cho Da]

Congrats to Anaheim. :cry:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

I'm not a big fan of the Pythagorean Ratio. Doesn't it seem like a substitute for a team's runs scored and runs scored against variances?Higher variances equals more likely to have Pythagorean ratio different from actual winning percentage. A team that scores 10 runs one day and 0 the next is probably 1-1, A team that scores 6 runs then 4 runs in successive games is more likely to have a winning record than a losing one. (Colorado Home games being the exception. This is merely an example.)

The only two arguments for teams having different P.R.'s than Actual Winning percentage are:
1. Different record in close (one-run, mostly) games; attributed to luck.
2. Different record in blowouts; attributed to wasting runs.

It is used to predict the rest of the season at All-Star break; who's scoring and who isn't. The expectation is that the runs scored and allowed will continue at their pace, and the luck and waste parts will even out. I'd like to see how well it does half-season vs whole.

Sure glad I didn't plan to go to any of the M's-Halos games this weekend.

[frummie]

Thanks Cho. The Mariners raised the bar in the division, we were able to make it over.

Woo hoo! Its our turn! Bring on the Yankees, we ain't afraid.

16 years of waiting to get back in after Henderson's homer and the great collapse in Boston. Nice to see my guys celebrating for a change. I can't believe it...

[Pseudolus]

we ain't afraid.


You will be. Yooouuu wiiiillll be.


edit to fix Jedi-master misquote

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

I'm not a big fan of the Pythagorean Ratio. Doesn't it seem like a substitute for a team's runs scored and runs scored against variances?

I can see that, but the P.R. is a lot easier to calculate, since it doesn't require individual game data.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Change "should" to "will".
Ben, why didn't you tell him the proper quote? Why?

I figure someone else will do it anyway. The way it's used is that teams are "punished" for not meeting the P.R.

Yes, the Red Sox have under-performed their run differential by eight wins and the Yankees are plus-two, which makes a huge difference in the standings. If both teams were merely playing to their differentials -- or if just the Red Sox were -- we'd have a battle in the East to match the one in the West, and there'd be a fine battle for the wild card.


My question is why are they "underperforming"? It's possible that they are overperforming at the wrong time. Since it doesn't seem possible to "save" runs by resting players halfway through a game, after they've warmed up and played, to save their runs (or pitching arms) for another day, I contend that wasted runs distort the P.R. picture.

And this season, what's surprising is the massive impact luck has had on the pennant races. Aside from the National League East, the top of every division would look at least somewhat different if the best teams' records all conformed closely to their runs scored and allowed.

And since when is luck (losing records in 1-run games) considered underperforming? Maybe it's a poor choice of words, since we're discussing baseball players who perform for a living (as opposed to a stock return).

[Pseudolus]

Left-hander Orosco gets one-year, $800K deal (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1119/1463335.html)

Gotta love Jesse!

http://www.edhs.org/graphics/jpgs/metschamps.jpg

[Han Solo]

Left-hander Orosco gets one-year, $800K deal (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1119/1463335.html)

Gotta love Jesse!
I guess the big question is are they integrating that $800K with his social security?

[Cho Da]

Bob Melvin (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/melvibo01.shtml) to replace Sweet Lou (http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/pinielo01.shtml)? :-?

[Pseudolus]

From the NYT:Stricter Insurance Is at Root of 3-Year-Maximum Offers (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/sports/baseball/01BASE.html?pagewanted=print&position=top)

By MURRAY CHASS

[T]he line from the daily list of transactions practically leaped from the page.

"Baltimore Orioles activated OF Albert Belle from the 60-day disabled list," it said.

What's this? Belle is back? His degenerative arthritic hip is better, and he is going to play next season?

Not quite. The Orioles restored Belle to their 40-man roster not so he can play right field for them but so that their insurance policy on his $65 million contract will pay off for the third year.

His bad hip forced Belle to retire after he had played only two years of the five-year contract. Fortunately for the Orioles, they had an insurance policy that would pay 70 percent of his salary in the event of permanent disability. At $13 million a year for the last three years of the contract, the policy would pay $27.3 million, the Orioles $11.7 million.

Belle signed that contract four years ago today. If he were signing it today, the insurance policy would very likely not be as beneficial to the Orioles.

"I would think not," Joe Foss, the club's chief operating officer, said.

That is because insurance companies have made contract coverage a costlier and riskier business.

According to John Scotti — whose Pittsburgh company, Team Scotti, is the largest broker for disability insurance in Major League Baseball — premiums have risen more than 300 percent in the past 30 months, coverage has been reduced from five years of a player's contract to three years and the amount of coverage a broker can issue immediately is $18 million to $20 million, down from $42 million to $50 million just two years ago. "Losses in the business have been substantial," Scotti said, "but reinsurers also have had a lot to deal with, including 9/11."

Contract coverage may be the most significant element of signing players that clubs don't talk about publicly. As an industry, Major League Baseball spent $55 million in premiums the past year.

The cost of insuring 70 percent of an individual contract can be more than $1 million a year. The Texas Rangers are paying $9 million in premiums for coverage of the first five years of Alex Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million contract.

"It's become so expensive that it's a cost item we really have to look at when you put your payroll together," Walt Jocketty, the St. Louis Cardinals' general manager, said. "If you're going to insure players, you almost have to include that as part of your payroll."

Coverage can affect signing decisions in another way. With initial coverage restricted to the first three years, a club might hesitate to sign a big contract for more years. The Tom Glavine negotiations could be a case in point.

Glavine wants a four-year guaranteed contract, but the Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies each offered him three years guaranteed with an option for a fourth year. If the pitcher — who will be 40 years old in the fourth year — should break down that season, his club would not have insurance to cover his salary.

Ed Wade, the Phillies' general manager, would not talk about Glavine, but speaking generally he said: "Obviously we're all aware that the insurance market has changed dramatically. There are a very small number of companies willing to insure contracts. The insurance available comes with a lot of conditions and a high cost. Clubs have to reconcile themselves to not being able to get the kind of coverage they'd like, or they may go into a contract without any insurance coverage at all and hope for the best."

In another case, a person familiar with the Mets' plans said that when they were trying to sign Edgardo Alfonzo to a contract extension before he became a free agent, they did not want to exceed three years because of the insurance limitations. Alfonzo has had back problems, and the Mets did not want to risk a fourth and fifth year without insurance.

The three-year limit, the Orioles' Foss said, "is going to have an impact on clubs' appetite for the length of contracts."

Omar Minaya, the Montreal general manager, said: "When you're negotiating a contract, the insurance issue comes up more and more, especially now that it's three years. When you take on a guy in a trade, you always ask what's the insurance situation."

If a player's five-year contract is insured for the first three years and the player sustains a career-ending injury in the first three years, the policy will pay off on all five years. But if the player gets through the first three years and the club wants to keep the contract insured, it has to apply for a new policy for the last two years.

The insurance companies have created other difficulties for clubs.

"The companies are more aggressive in trying to exclude conditions from policies," Joe Garagiola Jr., the Arizona general manager, said. "We don't do a lot of policies. Mostly our insuring is confined to pitchers. But our experience is you can have a policy effectively excluded out from under you. You can have a disability policy on a pitcher, and exclusions can cover injuries to his shoulder and elbow."

The ease with which a policy can be obtained has also changed.

"I remember when it was a snap to get coverage immediately," Garagiola said. "You signed somebody, called the insurance company and they said O.K., we'll bind the coverage, send the paperwork. Those days are gone."

More and more, clubs have to try to line up insurance before they sign a player, but that kind of timing can create problems when a player is a free agent.

"What's going on," said Scotti, the insurance broker, "is the capacity, which is the amount of insurance a team can get on a player immediately, has shrunk to an all-time low."

In other words, if $18 million to $20 million is the capacity, the Mets very likely wouldn't be able to get instant coverage on Glavine even if he agreed to accept their three-year, $28.5 million offer.

If the outlook on the insurance issues offers any bright side for the clubs, it might be in the area of cost. "The cost has definitely started to stabilize," Scotti said. "I don't foresee the volatility that's been present in the past couple years in the next couple years."

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Kent to Astros. To play third base.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1218/1478962.html

He'll fit in well at Minutely Made park. Plus all those players ahead of (or behind) him will provide good pitches to hit.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Bonds 73rd HR ball to be sold and proceeds split.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1218/1479014.html

[Pseudolus]

Looks like Kent's an Astro.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20021218/ap-baseballrdp.html

[Tony the Tiger]

Psude Dude, take a look at the post 2 before yours. almost 2 hours earlier.

[Anonymous]

Kent to Astros.
8)

[Dr T Non-Fan]

From Neyer at ESPN, re Theo Epstein and Dan Shaughnessy:


As for Theo's first couple of deals, you're correct on all counts. Or at least I think you are; all I know about Hillenbrand is what I read in the papers, and the Sox might have trouble finding somebody better for the right price.

Hey, did you see what Dan Shaughnessy wrote about the trade for Giambi?

"Some of us find it a tad frightening that the Sox made a big deal of Giambi's on-base percentage when announcing the deal. It's easy to see Bill James' fingerprints on this trade."

I don't have any idea if Bill James recommended Giambi, but it's not like Theo Epstein's not capable of noticing that Giambi can hit. To me, what should be frightening to readers of The Boston Globe is that 1) Shaughnessy apparently thinks that the Red Sox should not care about on-base percentage, and 2) he seems to be truly afraid of James' very presence on the franchise payroll. When I appeared on a television show with Shaughnessy last month, he said he found the hiring of James "troubling."

So he's frightened and he's troubled. I guess the obvious question is, why? What is it about Bill James that gives Shaughnessy the heebie-jeebies?

I don't know. But if he doesn't get over that particular fear, he's going to get left in the dust. That's not to say that one can't make a fine living without listening to all those crazy kids and their kooky newfangled ideas. But you know, if you've got any self-awareness at all, being a dinosaur ain't much fun.

[Tony the Tiger]

"The insurance industry has analyzed every actuary table, every statistic, every player history and concluded that anything more than a three-year contract is a bad idea," says Oakland assistant GM Paul DePodesta. "Maybe we should listen."

http://espn.go.com/gammons/s/2002/1221/1480737.html

[Pseudolus]

Gary Carter disses Canada. (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20030110/ap-carter-hallcap.html)

[Patience]

I find that strange. I heard him interviewed on NY radio and he actually said he was glad he didn't have to make the decision.

Maybe the non-existence issue came to him later. But he is usually very diplomatic, almost too much so for some people's taste.

btw, I would expect Andre Dawson to make it & to be an Expo

[Anonymous]

``What if the Expos are no longer in existence after this year? What good does that do me?'' he said. ``I hope the Hall of Fame will understand where I'm coming from.''


what good is it supposed to do him, exactly ? it is what it is ... is it not ?

[Pseudolus]

This (http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-sp-plaschke25aug25.column) is actually a pretty amazing article.

[Tony the Tiger]

Gary Carter will be the first player to go into baseball's Hall of Fame with a Montreal Expos logo on his hat.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0116/1493792.html

Sorry to disappoint you Gary.

[Anonymous]

it is what it is, after all

[Patience]

This (http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-sp-plaschke25aug25.column) is actually a pretty amazing article.

wow. quite sad

[The Cat in the Hat]

The first baseball game I ever went to was a minor league game featuring the Chicken about 20 years ago. My Dad took me, he thought I would enjoy it and that it would be a good introduction to a game that he loved. I still have very fond memories of that. I didn't realize it was still the same guy, amazing. For me, baseball will be a much sadder place when he finally hangs up the costume.

[Pseudolus]

Who else remembers the "Baseball Bunch" TV series? Johnny Bench and the Chicken taught my how to play ball.

[Patience]

Who else remembers the "Baseball Bunch" TV series? Johnny Bench and the Chicken taught my how to play ball.

I do. But not as a kid

[Tony the Tiger]

Maybe Rose can get into this Hall of Fame. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0116/1494103.html

If he wears the Montreal cap, can Carter change his?

[Anonymous]

Gary Carter is about as much a Met as Clemens is a Yankee come HOF time

[Patience]

As a Met fan I have no strong feeling about which hat. The one thing the Mets offered was the championship, but he had some very good Montreal teams. I think it is the right choice.

I also don't think he really cared despite what TtBP is trying to rile up.

Funny thing is, I believe there is only 1 Met in the hall. When Andre goes in the Expos will double that up.

[Kid Rock]

Prediction: If Pete Rose is reinstated and elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, he will wear a GoldenPalace.com hat.

[Drzy]

I just thought I'd put my 583rd post here. I'm sure the motivated can figure out why. :D

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Where did you put your 0.263rd post?

Can't wait until your 1596th post.

Motivated, by default (nothing else to do).

[frummie]

Who else remembers the "Baseball Bunch" TV series? Johnny Bench and the Chicken taught my how to play ball.

I do. But not as a kid

Me too. I think I was in college.

[Drzy]

Today kids learn from Tom Emansky.
(cue Fred McGriff) "This is a video that will get re-sults!"

[Patience]

Who else remembers the "Baseball Bunch" TV series? Johnny Bench and the Chicken taught my how to play ball.

I do. But not as a kid

Me too. I think I was in college.

http://www.dailyping.com/archive/2002/06/27/

1980 -83

[Pseudolus]

Left-hander Orosco gets one-year, $800K deal (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1119/1463335.html)

Gotta love Jesse!
I guess the big question is are they integrating that $800K with his social security?

:bump:

Jesse sighting: traded to Yankers (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&ncid=577&e=2&u=/nm/20030723/sp_nm/al_orosco_dc)

[Han Solo]

:bump:

Jesse sighting: traded to Yankers (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&ncid=577&e=2&u=/nm/20030723/sp_nm/al_orosco_dc)
Even better (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2003/07/23/yankees_orosco_ap/)
Traded from the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, the 46-year-old reliever was in a hurry to join his new team. So he left the West Coast and boarded a plane headed toward Baltimore.

Unfortunately for him, the Yankees' series opener against the Orioles on Wednesday night was in New York, not Camden Yards.
:lol:

[Patience]

Just a senior moment