With Manny to the Dodgers, I'd say the Marlins cannot win. They didn't get a catcher, which they desperately need, since they are playing a 3d stringer. And they didn't get a big bat.
The Dodgers are now loaded in the outfield with Manny, Kemp and Ethier. Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones shouldn't, but will, receive more plate appearances this year. I bet the Dodgers let those stones drag them down simply because they are paying big money. It would be smarter to recognize they were stupid signings, and play the real talents.
The Dodgers are obviously counting on Casey Blake at 3b, at least this year. He's 32 years old, so he is not the future. I suppose Blake DeWitt showed them enough at 3b for them to find LaRoche expendable. A little surprising, but at least they made their move.
Boston is a weaker team at the moment. Bay is not as good a hitter as Manny, which means he won't adapt to the AL pitching as fast as Manny will adapt to the NL pitching. But, he will have the Green Monster, and he's a better defensive player.
Pittsburgh? What difference does it make? Andy LaRoche is a serious prospect and gets reunited with his brother Adam. Not much else to say.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Mo Manny
As I've written before, I'm a Manny Ramirez supporter. He's such an incredible hitter.
I lost a little respect this week, though. Boston is in a tight playoff race, and I think Manny is tanking it. Not only is it a bad time for him to be denigrating the team, he seems to be punishing his teammates at the same time.
On the Marlins telecast last night they interviewed Dan Uggla about trades generally, and how they blend in with the team. Uggla said that you never know whether a guy will blend in and be a good teammate or not. Some very talented players join teams, and while their stats may contribute, they can actually bring down the team as a whole.
Uggla was not asked about Manny, but if the Marlins' clubhouse is so tight, what's gonna happen with Manny in there. Florida is a bunch of underachievers who probably play better because of a good clubhouse. When Josh Johnson came out of the game last night, Uggla went over to him, patted him on the back and said "Don't worry. We've got your back." He then went up and hit a two-run homer, which was the margin of victory.
In the dugout after the homer, Hermida must have hugged Uggla three times. And it's Hermida who is likely out the door if Manny joins the team.
I lost a little respect this week, though. Boston is in a tight playoff race, and I think Manny is tanking it. Not only is it a bad time for him to be denigrating the team, he seems to be punishing his teammates at the same time.
On the Marlins telecast last night they interviewed Dan Uggla about trades generally, and how they blend in with the team. Uggla said that you never know whether a guy will blend in and be a good teammate or not. Some very talented players join teams, and while their stats may contribute, they can actually bring down the team as a whole.
Uggla was not asked about Manny, but if the Marlins' clubhouse is so tight, what's gonna happen with Manny in there. Florida is a bunch of underachievers who probably play better because of a good clubhouse. When Josh Johnson came out of the game last night, Uggla went over to him, patted him on the back and said "Don't worry. We've got your back." He then went up and hit a two-run homer, which was the margin of victory.
In the dugout after the homer, Hermida must have hugged Uggla three times. And it's Hermida who is likely out the door if Manny joins the team.
Griffey to White Sox
Ken Griffey, Jr. is headed to the White Sox for Danny Richar and Nick Masset.
Right now the Sox outfield is Dye, Swisher and Quentin. That’s pretty good. Konerko at first and Thome at DH. Where does Junior play? If you put him in the OF, Swisher has to play first or sit. If you DH him, Thome has to play first or sit. If Swisher or Thome play first, Konerko's out of the picture.
The rumor is that Konerko will sit (thanks to Wes for the contribution). He is having an attrocious year. It would be a bad year at the plate for a really good defensive shortstop, much less at first base.
So I guess that means Griffey in center, Swisher at 1b and a Thome/Konerko platoon at DH. You don't want Thome at 1b if you can help it.
Another reminder of how fast fortunes can change (like Morgan Ensberg last year). Konerko has been very productive for the Sox over the years.
The White Sox really gave up nothing to get Griffey. Richar, who is the odd man out now that Alexei Ramirez is in the picture, and Nick Massett, who is already 26 and is doing journeyman work in the bullpen.
Why would the Reds want a second baseman?
Right now the Sox outfield is Dye, Swisher and Quentin. That’s pretty good. Konerko at first and Thome at DH. Where does Junior play? If you put him in the OF, Swisher has to play first or sit. If you DH him, Thome has to play first or sit. If Swisher or Thome play first, Konerko's out of the picture.
The rumor is that Konerko will sit (thanks to Wes for the contribution). He is having an attrocious year. It would be a bad year at the plate for a really good defensive shortstop, much less at first base.
So I guess that means Griffey in center, Swisher at 1b and a Thome/Konerko platoon at DH. You don't want Thome at 1b if you can help it.
Another reminder of how fast fortunes can change (like Morgan Ensberg last year). Konerko has been very productive for the Sox over the years.
The White Sox really gave up nothing to get Griffey. Richar, who is the odd man out now that Alexei Ramirez is in the picture, and Nick Massett, who is already 26 and is doing journeyman work in the bullpen.
Why would the Reds want a second baseman?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Teixeira Trade
As ESPN has reported 250 times in the last two hours, the Braves traded Mark Teixeira to the Angels for Casey Kotchman and pitching "prospect" Stephen Marek.
What I'm wondering is this: what's it like to be Casey Kotchman right now? You are the starting first baseman on the best team in baseball. The playoffs are a foregone conclusion. The only question is how far.
Now you are going to a team that is on the downswing after a long long climb. The Braves, in one weekend, lost their three best players (Chipper, Hudson and Teixeira). The best hitter on the team is Brian McCann. And then who? Kelly Johnson? Jeff Francoeur? The best pitcher? Jair Jurrjens?
And the Braves are not clicking on all cylinders in the minors, at least on the hitting side, so no help is on the way. The Braves appear to have a strong set of pitchers in the minors, but Stephen Marek wouldn't seem to add much. He was not rated as one of the Top 11 prospects in the Angels' system by Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein.
In 2007, BP's book said: "He consistently delivers heat in the low-90s (topping out at 95), and supplements it with a nice curve and change, though his delivery needs work. He has work to do--he won`t be able to overpower people as easily in Double-A--but he`s among the organization`s best pitching prospects."
Wow, that's not bad. Problem is, he didn't make BP's 2008 book at all, after a lackluster performance in high A ball. The BP Web site predicts him as having a 10% chance of being a regular in the rotation in 2008, decreasing thereafter. In other words, he was expected to peak this year as a fringe starter.
Now he's already 24 years old in double A. So far he has been a game finisher for Arkansas, having started no games. Why did I call him a finisher instead of a closer? He has finished 20 games, but that's with only 3 saves. He's had 14 other relief appearances. Granted, in that role he is striking out more than a batter an inning, which is nice. Still, adding a closer to the Braves AA system isn't much of a boost, is it? Or do they think they can work some magic and make him a starter?
Kotchman goes from a real contender for the world title, to a team that is several years away from contending for a playoff spot.
Kotchman said this: "I'm not shocked. I'm overflowing with joy and thankful of the opportunity to go to Atlanta and play for Bobby Cox. I've heard a lot of great things about him."
I believe the part about playing for Bobby Cox. I don't believe for a second he is overflowing with joy.
What I'm wondering is this: what's it like to be Casey Kotchman right now? You are the starting first baseman on the best team in baseball. The playoffs are a foregone conclusion. The only question is how far.
Now you are going to a team that is on the downswing after a long long climb. The Braves, in one weekend, lost their three best players (Chipper, Hudson and Teixeira). The best hitter on the team is Brian McCann. And then who? Kelly Johnson? Jeff Francoeur? The best pitcher? Jair Jurrjens?
And the Braves are not clicking on all cylinders in the minors, at least on the hitting side, so no help is on the way. The Braves appear to have a strong set of pitchers in the minors, but Stephen Marek wouldn't seem to add much. He was not rated as one of the Top 11 prospects in the Angels' system by Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein.
In 2007, BP's book said: "He consistently delivers heat in the low-90s (topping out at 95), and supplements it with a nice curve and change, though his delivery needs work. He has work to do--he won`t be able to overpower people as easily in Double-A--but he`s among the organization`s best pitching prospects."
Wow, that's not bad. Problem is, he didn't make BP's 2008 book at all, after a lackluster performance in high A ball. The BP Web site predicts him as having a 10% chance of being a regular in the rotation in 2008, decreasing thereafter. In other words, he was expected to peak this year as a fringe starter.
Now he's already 24 years old in double A. So far he has been a game finisher for Arkansas, having started no games. Why did I call him a finisher instead of a closer? He has finished 20 games, but that's with only 3 saves. He's had 14 other relief appearances. Granted, in that role he is striking out more than a batter an inning, which is nice. Still, adding a closer to the Braves AA system isn't much of a boost, is it? Or do they think they can work some magic and make him a starter?
Kotchman goes from a real contender for the world title, to a team that is several years away from contending for a playoff spot.
Kotchman said this: "I'm not shocked. I'm overflowing with joy and thankful of the opportunity to go to Atlanta and play for Bobby Cox. I've heard a lot of great things about him."
I believe the part about playing for Bobby Cox. I don't believe for a second he is overflowing with joy.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Gobble Gobble
Jimmy Gobble came into the Detroit-Kansas City game in the 7th inning. The Detroit hitters had already put 9 runs on the board. He walked his first hitter, allowing another run in, but that was charged to Robinson Tejada.
He then got a ground out from Renteria to end the 7th. Too bad his day didn't end there.
In the 8th, he gave up 6 hits. Then retired 2. He then gave up 3 walks and another hit before being lifted. Unfortunately, Leo Nunez allowed all of Gobble's baserunners to score.
So that's 1 inning of work, 7 hits, 4 walks and 10 earned runs.
It's not like Gobble was having a good year. His ERA was nearly 8.00 coming into the game. Leaving the game, it was 11.31.
Now Gobble is no star, even among major league middle relievers. He has had a mostly mediocre-to-bad career, with ERAs in the fives. Except last year, he was really really good. Averaged nearly a strikeout an inning and managed a 3.02 ERA. In fact, I think he was my choice to represent Kansas City in the All-Star game last year. Admittedly, there weren't many options.
With tonight's inning, he has thrown 25.7 innings this year. I did a quick search to find out how many players since 1901 pitched more than 25 innings in a season and finished with an ERA greater than 10.00.
It has happened 25 times, most recently with Scott Elarton last year -- 37 innings at 10.46. Should we be surprised that he pitched for Kansas City?
There are five seasons on the list with ERAs worse than Gobble's. His work isn't done if he wants to set a record.
But here's the most startling record of the 25 players who had at least 25 innings and an ERA over 10.00. Roy Halladay is one of them! And he's the WORST one. He doesn't have the worst ERA in the group...only the 9th worst. But unlike nearly everyone else on the list who pitched around 30 innings, Halladay pitched 67.7 innings at 10.64 when he was 23.
So, if I refined the search to players with an ERA over 10.00 with at least 60 innings pitched, Roy Halladay would be the only guy on the list. If the criteria was 50 innings, we'd add one more: Micah Bowie managed 51 innings of horror in 1999, but his ERA was only 10.24.
He then got a ground out from Renteria to end the 7th. Too bad his day didn't end there.
In the 8th, he gave up 6 hits. Then retired 2. He then gave up 3 walks and another hit before being lifted. Unfortunately, Leo Nunez allowed all of Gobble's baserunners to score.
So that's 1 inning of work, 7 hits, 4 walks and 10 earned runs.
It's not like Gobble was having a good year. His ERA was nearly 8.00 coming into the game. Leaving the game, it was 11.31.
Now Gobble is no star, even among major league middle relievers. He has had a mostly mediocre-to-bad career, with ERAs in the fives. Except last year, he was really really good. Averaged nearly a strikeout an inning and managed a 3.02 ERA. In fact, I think he was my choice to represent Kansas City in the All-Star game last year. Admittedly, there weren't many options.
With tonight's inning, he has thrown 25.7 innings this year. I did a quick search to find out how many players since 1901 pitched more than 25 innings in a season and finished with an ERA greater than 10.00.
It has happened 25 times, most recently with Scott Elarton last year -- 37 innings at 10.46. Should we be surprised that he pitched for Kansas City?
There are five seasons on the list with ERAs worse than Gobble's. His work isn't done if he wants to set a record.
But here's the most startling record of the 25 players who had at least 25 innings and an ERA over 10.00. Roy Halladay is one of them! And he's the WORST one. He doesn't have the worst ERA in the group...only the 9th worst. But unlike nearly everyone else on the list who pitched around 30 innings, Halladay pitched 67.7 innings at 10.64 when he was 23.
So, if I refined the search to players with an ERA over 10.00 with at least 60 innings pitched, Roy Halladay would be the only guy on the list. If the criteria was 50 innings, we'd add one more: Micah Bowie managed 51 innings of horror in 1999, but his ERA was only 10.24.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sabathia Trade
ESPN's producers get kudos tonight. During the Monday night telecast for the Brewers/Cardinals, Doug Melvin (Brewers GM) joined Steve Phillips and Orel Hershiser in the booth to talk about the trade.
What's neat is that they also got Mark Shapiro (Indians GM) on the phone and they extensively questioned Melvin and Shapiro about how the deal went down.
This was a truly unique perspective. No speculation about how it worked from a bunch of former players in the ESPN studios. The two dealers were there, live, answering questions about all the mechanics of the trade. It was useful also to have Steve Phillips, a former GM, asking those questions. He had a good perspective on the kinds of things that happen during major deals, but also a good sense of what the viewers would want to hear.
What's neat is that they also got Mark Shapiro (Indians GM) on the phone and they extensively questioned Melvin and Shapiro about how the deal went down.
This was a truly unique perspective. No speculation about how it worked from a bunch of former players in the ESPN studios. The two dealers were there, live, answering questions about all the mechanics of the trade. It was useful also to have Steve Phillips, a former GM, asking those questions. He had a good perspective on the kinds of things that happen during major deals, but also a good sense of what the viewers would want to hear.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Predict-a-Matic Results: July 20, 2008
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr%
Duchscher(OAK) 6.0 6 1 2 4 2 54 33% 14%
7.0 6 1 3 4 2 58
Pettitte (NYY) 6.3 7 - 2 5 2 54 36% 13%
8.0 4 0 0 9 1 79
----------------------------------------------------
Verlander (DET) 6.1 6 - 2 5 2 54 29% 17%
8.7 3 0 3 3 1 76
Burres (BAL) 5.3 6 1 3 4 3 45 17% 34%
5.3 6 2 4 5 3 45
----------------------------------------------------
Pelfrey (NYM) 5.8 6 0 3 4 2 51 24% 20%
7.0 6 3 1 4 5 48
Volquez (CIN) 5.6 5 - 3 5 2 54 33% 15%
5.0 8 1 3 3 4 35
----------------------------------------------------
Perez (WSN) 4.9 6 0 2 3 2 47 16% 25%
5.0 9 2 2 4 5 31
Reyes (ATL) 5.6 5 - 2 4 2 54 30% 12%
2.3 7 0 4 1 6 16
----------------------------------------------------
Bannister (KCR) 5.8 7 1 2 3 3 45 16% 28%
3.0 8 1 1 4 5 26
Danks (CHW) 5.7 6 0 2 4 2 52 30% 19%
4.0 9 0 2 3 6 21
----------------------------------------------------
Dempster (CHC) 5.9 6 1 2 5 2 55 37% 12%
8.0 6 0 1 7 0 76
Backe (HOU) 5.6 6 1 2 4 2 52 26% 21%
6.7 8 1 0 8 4 52
----------------------------------------------------
Padilla (TEX) 5.8 7 1 2 3 2 49 22% 24%
7.0 3 0 2 0 0 69
Baker (MIN) 6.0 6 1 1 5 2 55 32% 15%
8.0 2 1 1 8 1 81
----------------------------------------------------
Lee (CLE) 6.7 7 0 1 5 2 57 47% 11%
9.0 11 0 0 4 2 61
Silva (SEA) 5.9 7 0 1 4 2 54 36% 14%
3.0 4 1 1 1 4 35
----------------------------------------------------
Duke (PIT) 5.4 8 1 1 3 3 42 12% 34%
5.0 10 2 1 5 9 15
Cook (COL) 5.9 8 1 1 3 3 46 18% 28%
7.0 5 0 1 2 3 56
----------------------------------------------------
Wakefield (BOS) 6.5 6 1 2 3 2 54 31% 16%
7.0 6 2 0 1 4 50
Garland (LAA) 6.0 7 0 2 3 2 50 24% 22%
6.7 6 0 3 6 2 57
----------------------------------------------------
Parra (MIL) 6.0 6 - 2 5 2 54 33% 19%
7.7 7 0 2 9 2 66
Lincecum (SFG) 5.9 5 1 2 8 2 59 44% 13%
6.0 6 2 4 8 5 44
----------------------------------------------------
Lowe (LAD) 5.8 6 0 2 5 2 54 34% 15%
5.3 7 0 3 6 4 42
Webb (ARI) 6.8 7 0 2 5 2 56 40% 10%
8.0 6 0 3 4 1 67
Pitcher Boom Games: Lee (61), Webb (67), Lincecum (44)Pitcher Bust Games: Burres (46), Duke (15)
Hitter Boom Games: .292/.358/.667 5hr 9r 11rbi -- Avg. GS: 52 -- Aramis (36), Soto (43), Sheffield (53), Ordonez (54), Thome (48), Dunn (64), Holliday (64), Hawpe (44), McLouth (45), Morneau (41), Chipper (51), Tex (75)
Hitter Bust Games: .186/.222/.209 5r 3rbi -- Avg. GS: 44 -- Figgins (52), Kendrick (50), Matsui (39), Bloomquist (45), Suzuki (41), Kemp (47), Delw.Young (47), En.Chavez (36), Ca.Gomez (41), Langerhans (41), Blanco (48)
Game Winners: 4-8
Predict-a-Matic: July 20, 2008
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr% Duchscher(OAK) 6.0 6 1 2 4 2 54 33% 14% Pettitte (NYY) 6.3 7 - 2 5 2 54 36% 13% Verlander (DET) 6.1 6 - 2 5 2 54 29% 17% Burres (BAL) 5.3 6 1 3 4 3 45 17% 34% Pelfrey (NYM) 5.8 6 0 3 4 2 51 24% 20% Volquez (CIN) 5.6 5 - 3 5 2 54 33% 15% Perez (WSN) 4.9 6 0 2 3 2 47 16% 25% Reyes (ATL) 5.6 5 - 2 4 2 54 30% 12% Bannister (KCR) 5.8 7 1 2 3 3 45 16% 28% Danks (CHW) 5.7 6 0 2 4 2 52 30% 19% Dempster (CHC) 5.9 6 1 2 5 2 55 37% 12% Backe (HOU) 5.6 6 1 2 4 2 52 26% 21% Padilla (TEX) 5.8 7 1 2 3 2 49 22% 24% Baker (MIN) 6.0 6 1 1 5 2 55 32% 15% Lee (CLE) 6.7 7 0 1 5 2 57 47% 11% Silva (SEA) 5.9 7 0 1 4 2 54 36% 14% Duke (PIT) 5.4 8 1 1 3 3 42 12% 34% Cook (COL) 5.9 8 1 1 3 3 46 18% 28% Wakefield (BOS) 6.5 6 1 2 3 2 54 31% 16% Garland (LAA) 6.0 7 0 2 3 2 50 24% 22% Parra (MIL) 6.0 6 - 2 5 2 54 33% 19% Lincecum (SFG) 5.9 5 1 2 8 2 59 44% 13% Lowe (LAD) 5.8 6 0 2 5 2 54 34% 15% Webb (ARI) 6.8 7 0 2 5 2 56 40% 10%Pitcher Boom Games: Lee, Webb, Lincecum
Pitcher Bust Games: Burres, Duke
Hitter Boom Games: Aramis, Soto, Sheffield, Ordonez, Thome, Dunn, Holliday, Hawpe, Morneau, Chipper, Tex
Hitter Bust Games: Figgins, Kendrick, Matsui, Ausmus, Marte, Fasano, Bloomquist, Suzuki, Adam Jones, Gathright, Kemp, Del.Young, En.Chavez, Ca.Gomez, Casto, Langerhans, Blanco
Game Winners: Boston*, Cubs, Cleveland*, Detroit, White Sox, Arizona, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Oakland*, Colorado, Minnesota, Atlanta
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Predict-a-Matic Results: July 19, 2008
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr%
Gallagher (OAK) 6.1 7 1 3 4 3 48 20% 27%
5.0 7 0 4 7 2 48
Chamberlain(NYY)4.4 3 - 2 8 1 59 47% 6%
6.0 6 0 1 8 1 63
----------------------------------------------------
Kendrick (PHI) 5.3 7 1 1 4 3 45 19% 26%
4.3 10 3 1 2 7 17
Olsen (FLA) 5.4 6 1 3 5 3 47 22% 26%
5.0 8 1 2 0 3 37
---------------------------------------------------
Beckett (BOS) 6.6 5 1 1 6 2 60 47% 9%
8.0 9 1 1 6 4 53
Saunders (LAA) 6.0 7 1 2 3 3 47 22% 25%
6.7 6 1 3 1 2 54
--------------------------------------------------
Wolf (SDP) 5.3 6 1 2 5 2 51 26% 20%
5.7 8 0 2 4 4 41
Wellemeyer(STL) 5.9 6 1 2 5 2 54 31% 17%
6.3 5 1 3 2 5 43
--------------------------------------------------
Sowers (CLE) 5.2 7 0 1 2 2 47 12% 29%
6.0 5 1 3 3 4 46
Batista (SEA) 5.8 6 1 2 5 2 53 31% 16%
2.0 7 1 1 2 8 11
--------------------------------------------------
Sheets (MIL) 6.3 7 0 1 5 2 56 41% 12%
5.0 9 0 1 3 2 43
Sanchez(SFG) 5.7 5 1 3 8 2 56 36% 15%
5.3 7 0 2 8 4 45
---------------------------------------------------
Halladay (TOR) 7.0 7 0 2 6 2 59 46% 13%
6.0 8 1 3 6 5 39
Garza (TBR) 5.6 6 0 2 4 2 52 29% 17%
7.7 2 0 0 6 0 83
---------------------------------------------------
Lannan (WSN) 5.4 6 0 2 3 2 50 22% 24%
6.0 7 0 3 4 1 55
Jurrjens (ATL) 5.7 6 - 2 4 1 56 35% 9%
6.3 8 0 1 5 5 42
----------------------------------------------------
Robertson (DET) 5.8 7 1 2 4 3 48 24% 24%
2.3 8 1 0 1 7 14
Cabrera (BAL) 5.9 6 1 3 4 3 48 23% 25%
5.0 5 2 5 4 6 32
----------------------------------------------------
Zambrano (CHC) 6.6 6 0 2 5 2 58 38% 13%
6.3 6 0 6 3 4 45
Rodriguez (HOU) 6.1 6 1 2 6 2 57 42% 13%
6.7 9 1 0 7 1 61
----------------------------------------------------
Meche (KCR) 5.6 7 1 2 4 3 46 19% 29%
6.3 2 0 1 6 1 71
Floyd (CHW) 5.8 7 1 2 4 3 48 26% 23%
6.0 4 1 3 6 1 63
----------------------------------------------------
Perez (NYM) 5.3 5 1 3 6 3 50 26% 21%
6.0 6 0 3 6 2 55
Fogg (CIN) 5.3 7 1 2 3 3 43 15% 35%
6.0 8 1 1 1 1 52
----------------------------------------------------
Billingsl(LAD) 6.1 6 0 3 6 2 55 37% 15%
5.7 7 1 3 5 3 47
Haren (ARI) 6.4 6 0 1 6 2 60 49% 8%
7.0 4 0 2 7 0 74
Pitcher Boom Games: 3-2-3 Avg GS: 52
Pitcher Bust Games: 0-1-0 Avg GS: 50
Hitter Boom Games: .360/.418/.697 6HR 22Run 20RBI
Hitter Bust Games: .244/.322/.308 3Run 4RBI
Game Winners: 5-8
Predict-a-Matic: July 19, 2008
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr% Gallagher (OAK) 6.1 7 1 3 4 3 48 20% 27% Chamberlain(NYY)4.4 3 - 2 8 1 59 47% 6% Kendrick (PHI) 5.3 7 1 1 4 3 45 19% 26% Olsen (FLA) 5.4 6 1 3 5 3 47 22% 26% Beckett (BOS) 6.6 5 1 1 6 2 60 47% 9% Saunders (LAA) 6.0 7 1 2 3 3 47 22% 25% Wolf (SDP) 5.3 6 1 2 5 2 51 26% 20% Wellemeyer(STL) 5.9 6 1 2 5 2 54 31% 17% Sowers (CLE) 5.2 7 0 1 2 2 47 12% 29% Batista (SEA) 5.8 6 1 2 5 2 53 31% 16% Sheets (MIL) 6.3 7 0 1 5 2 56 41% 12% Sanchez (SFG) 5.7 5 1 3 8 2 56 36% 15% Halladay (TOR) 7.0 7 0 2 6 2 59 46% 13% Garza (TBR) 5.6 6 0 2 4 2 52 29% 17% Lannan (WSN) 5.4 6 0 2 3 2 50 22% 24% Jurrjens (ATL) 5.7 6 - 2 4 1 56 35% 9% Robertson (DET) 5.8 7 1 2 4 3 48 24% 24% Cabrera (BAL) 5.9 6 1 3 4 3 48 23% 25% Zambrano (CHC) 6.6 6 0 2 5 2 58 38% 13% Rodriguez (HOU) 6.1 6 1 2 6 2 57 42% 13% Meche (KCR) 5.6 7 1 2 4 3 46 19% 29% Floyd (CHW) 5.8 7 1 2 4 3 48 26% 23% Perez (NYM) 5.3 5 1 3 6 3 50 26% 21% Fogg (CIN) 5.3 7 1 2 3 3 43 15% 35% Billingsl(LAD) 6.1 6 0 3 6 2 55 37% 15% Haren (ARI) 6.4 6 0 1 6 2 60 49% 8%
Pitcher Boom Games: Beckett, Zambrano, Rodriguez, Haren, Sheets, Sanchez, Chamberlain, Halladay
Pitcher Bust Games: Fogg
Hitter Boom Games: Beltre, Ibanez, M.Cabrera, Thames, Roberts, J.Buck, Thome, Dye, Braun, Hart, Wright, Beltran, Dunn, ARod, Sexson, Rollins, Burrell, C.Ross, H.Ramirez, A.Gonzalez, Pujols, Ludwick, Chipper, Teixeira
Hitter Bust Games: Figgins, Mathis, Fukudome, Theriot, K.Matsui, Pence, Marte, Bloomquist, Adam Jones, Fahey, DeWitt, J.Upton, Bako, Hannahan, Cust, J.Molina, Gardner, Padres catcher, Iwamura, Navarro, Langerhans, Nationals 3b or 2b (not Belliard), Blanco, Lillibridge
Game Winners: Boston, Houston (tossup), Seattle, Detroit*, White Sox, Arizona, Milwaukee, Mets*, Yankees, Philadelphia*, St. Louis (tossup), Toronto, Atlanta
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tony Clark to Diamondbacks
Tony Clark moving from the Padres to the Diamondbacks strikes me as a great move for both Arizona and Tony.
Clark spent three seasons with Arizona, and became a good pinch hitter and sometime 1b replacement. These days, in San Diego, he is only a pinch hitter, because Adrian Gonzalez plays every day.
What's remarkable is that Clark was entitled to a $500,000 bonus if San Diego traded him, and he waived it. That's a half million bucks! Gone.
And that's why the story is cool. Clark does not fancy himself an every day major league ballplayer anymore. He's older and more mature. He wants to help a ballclub win, and he wants to be in the playoffs. That's more important than money, and it's nice to see a ballplayer make that choice.
Clark spent three seasons with Arizona, and became a good pinch hitter and sometime 1b replacement. These days, in San Diego, he is only a pinch hitter, because Adrian Gonzalez plays every day.
What's remarkable is that Clark was entitled to a $500,000 bonus if San Diego traded him, and he waived it. That's a half million bucks! Gone.
And that's why the story is cool. Clark does not fancy himself an every day major league ballplayer anymore. He's older and more mature. He wants to help a ballclub win, and he wants to be in the playoffs. That's more important than money, and it's nice to see a ballplayer make that choice.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Manny Being Manny
Two players before the Hamilton-Mays incident, Manny was introduced. He ran out to greet the Hall of Fame left fielders (Lou Brock, Billy Williams and Ralph Kiner). He was gracious, shaking hands and smiling.
He worked his way down to his NL counterpart, Ryan Braun. Manny had a huge smile on his face. He hugged Braun. Then, instead of returning to his position on the opposite side of the Hall of Famers, he stood next to Braun, talking and hugging him. That's him middle left, with his arm around Braun. He's supposed to be four places to the right, between Kiner and Mays (standing alone).
What possible connection could they have? A veteran, in the AL, and an almost-rookie from the NL. They have never faced each other. Probably never even met. And yet Manny was excited for Braun and chatted him up like an old friend. It was only when someone from Fox told him to get back to his appointed position to Kiner's left that Manny scooted around to dutifully comply.
So how is it that Manny has a certain negative reputation, and a guy like Willie Mays has such a great one?
He worked his way down to his NL counterpart, Ryan Braun. Manny had a huge smile on his face. He hugged Braun. Then, instead of returning to his position on the opposite side of the Hall of Famers, he stood next to Braun, talking and hugging him. That's him middle left, with his arm around Braun. He's supposed to be four places to the right, between Kiner and Mays (standing alone).
What possible connection could they have? A veteran, in the AL, and an almost-rookie from the NL. They have never faced each other. Probably never even met. And yet Manny was excited for Braun and chatted him up like an old friend. It was only when someone from Fox told him to get back to his appointed position to Kiner's left that Manny scooted around to dutifully comply.
So how is it that Manny has a certain negative reputation, and a guy like Willie Mays has such a great one?
Fantasy Immaturity
In one of my fantasy leagues, a team proposed sending outfielder David Murphy to the last place team in the league -- a team with no shot at the playoffs in this head-to-head format, for Miguel Cabrera.
When the league vetoed it, and I specifically objected to it, the owner of Murphy seemed shocked. He believes David Murphy, journeyman outfielder and non-prospect, is the equivalent of Cabrera. There was no positional move being made here. He was just taking advantage of (i) a last place team and (ii) the only female owner in the league, who is playing "for fun," doesn't have an Internet connection at home, and doesn't know all the players but likes the Cleveland Indians.
He's still complaining. He has now picked up Barry Bonds, and inserted him as the only player in his starting lineup.
Here's a step-by-step guide to immaturity:
Step 1: Assert something undoubtedly untrue (Cabrera = Murphy)
Step 2: Get feelings hurt when someone mentions the falsity of the assertion
Step 3: Entrench belief in the untrue assertions as defense mechanism to protect fragile ego
Step 4: Resort to name calling
Step 5: Show inability to let go of false assertion, and dwell on it to the point of absurdity
Let's hope these traits are limited to fantasy sports.
When the league vetoed it, and I specifically objected to it, the owner of Murphy seemed shocked. He believes David Murphy, journeyman outfielder and non-prospect, is the equivalent of Cabrera. There was no positional move being made here. He was just taking advantage of (i) a last place team and (ii) the only female owner in the league, who is playing "for fun," doesn't have an Internet connection at home, and doesn't know all the players but likes the Cleveland Indians.
He's still complaining. He has now picked up Barry Bonds, and inserted him as the only player in his starting lineup.
Here's a step-by-step guide to immaturity:
Step 1: Assert something undoubtedly untrue (Cabrera = Murphy)
Step 2: Get feelings hurt when someone mentions the falsity of the assertion
Step 3: Entrench belief in the untrue assertions as defense mechanism to protect fragile ego
Step 4: Resort to name calling
Step 5: Show inability to let go of false assertion, and dwell on it to the point of absurdity
Let's hope these traits are limited to fantasy sports.
"Say Hey" Says Nothing
I’m wondering if you noticed something and whether I’m just being too sensitive.
When Josh Hamilton was announced in the pre-game lineups, the crowd gave him a huge reception, not surprisingly. When he got to mid-field to stand with the Hall of Famers, Willie Mays was the guy who would be standing next to Hamilton. Willie was involved in a conversation with Fukudome, facing the opposite direction to Hamilton. Hamilton's name came over the speaker, and he ran out to the position.
Willie never looked at Hamilton. Hamilton tapped him on the shoulder to say hi, and pay his respects, and Mays did not turn around. Hamilton then made a little gesture like he was going to tap him again, but then changed his mind and stood there, sort of lonely. Willie still hadn't turned around.
Mays had finished his conversation with Fukudome, and eventually turned to face front. Best I can tell, he never even glanced to his left at Hamilton.
Perhaps Willie is just an old man and isn’t all that sharp. Couldn’t hear Hamilton's name. Didn’t feel the tap. Was engrossed in a conversation and is unable to multi-task. Perhaps the language barrier with Fukudome was also a distraction.
Some of that is no doubt true, but is it an explanation? Hamilton hit 28 homers in the 1st round of the derby. Wouldn’t an ordinary HoFer (or anyone, really) have some interest in meeting the guy who did that? Wouldn’t most people acknowledge another person standing right next to them? This is a pretty exclusive club these guys are in. It's not like the annoying person standing next to you in the grocery store line.
Yet Mays never acknowledged Hamilton. Josh ended up shaking hands with Fukudome, on the other side of Mays by reaching around behind Mays' back to acknowledge his NL counterpart! Mays didn't flinch.
Willie Mays is known as a kind man, as far as I know. I wonder whether Willie was giving the cold shoulder to Hamilton in moral judgment of Hamilton’s past indiscretions.
When Josh Hamilton was announced in the pre-game lineups, the crowd gave him a huge reception, not surprisingly. When he got to mid-field to stand with the Hall of Famers, Willie Mays was the guy who would be standing next to Hamilton. Willie was involved in a conversation with Fukudome, facing the opposite direction to Hamilton. Hamilton's name came over the speaker, and he ran out to the position.
Willie never looked at Hamilton. Hamilton tapped him on the shoulder to say hi, and pay his respects, and Mays did not turn around. Hamilton then made a little gesture like he was going to tap him again, but then changed his mind and stood there, sort of lonely. Willie still hadn't turned around.
Mays had finished his conversation with Fukudome, and eventually turned to face front. Best I can tell, he never even glanced to his left at Hamilton.
Perhaps Willie is just an old man and isn’t all that sharp. Couldn’t hear Hamilton's name. Didn’t feel the tap. Was engrossed in a conversation and is unable to multi-task. Perhaps the language barrier with Fukudome was also a distraction.
Some of that is no doubt true, but is it an explanation? Hamilton hit 28 homers in the 1st round of the derby. Wouldn’t an ordinary HoFer (or anyone, really) have some interest in meeting the guy who did that? Wouldn’t most people acknowledge another person standing right next to them? This is a pretty exclusive club these guys are in. It's not like the annoying person standing next to you in the grocery store line.
Yet Mays never acknowledged Hamilton. Josh ended up shaking hands with Fukudome, on the other side of Mays by reaching around behind Mays' back to acknowledge his NL counterpart! Mays didn't flinch.
Willie Mays is known as a kind man, as far as I know. I wonder whether Willie was giving the cold shoulder to Hamilton in moral judgment of Hamilton’s past indiscretions.
All-Star Game Thoughts
These are the things that are most memorable to me about the game:
1. For 7 innings, I thought this was going to be the fastest AS game in history. I left the pizza place in the break before the first inning. I rode my bike 10 minutes home, and it was already the bottom of the second.
2. Russell Martin will one day play first base to save his legs. If he can scoop it with the catcher's mitt, he can scoop it with that giant first baseman's mitt. I think he locked up the gold glove tonight. Think about how many people watched him make those plays.
3. Cristian Guzman is a trooper. He has never played 3b in the big leagues, but had to make several plays over there. A regular third baseman would have had no trouble with them, but they were high pressure plays for a second baseman playing out of position. And he made them.
4. Aaron Cook pitched very well, with no help from Dan Uggla, who committed two errors behind him, and almost a third. I haven't watched Cook pitch before, but I know why he's hard to hit. He has a hitch in his delivery. On the first pitch, I thought he had tripped because there's a hesitation mid-way through the windup. That must be very confusing for hitters. It also seems bad mechanically. Seems like he'd be all arm going forward.
5. I hate to see Scott Kazmir pitch. One of the best young arms in the game, injured earlier this year, and throwing 100+ pitches two days ago. The Rays must be freaking out. I'd say the same thing about Brandon Webb, except Webb's arm is more mature, and he doesn't have the injury history. Plus, the NL has Lidge behind Webb.
6. Joakim Soria has the best stuff I've seen in years. There's about 25 mph difference between his fastball and curveball. Guys were just frozen by the curve. Look how off-balance Guzman is on this swing. And then he just buckles Uggla's knees.
7. Tejada should not have been in the All-Star game, but he can still play. His play to get the third out after Uggla's two errors was gorgeous. He made another nice play later in the game. Here's the first one.
8. The umps blew two calls. Kinsler was safe at second on his stolen base attempt, and would have scored on Michael Young's hit. Tejada never tagged him. Navarro was safe at home because his foot got under Martin's tag. Kudos to Tejada and Martin, both of whom made it look like an out. I thought they were outs when I saw them live and real time, and I'm about 95% right in real time. I guess I can't ask more from the umpires, considering I'm watching it on tv.
9. I feel awful for Uggla. Two strikeouts. A GDP. Three errors, though really only two, and nearly another error. Must be his worst nightmare. I think Uggla's ankle must be bothering him. He's not a great defensive player, but he's gritty enough to put his face in front of the ball. He looked tentative, and that's not Uggla's game.
I'm posting this in the commercial break before the top of the 15th. Uggla is up first. Will he be the hero?
Update: Uh, no. Uggla struck out AGAIN!
1. For 7 innings, I thought this was going to be the fastest AS game in history. I left the pizza place in the break before the first inning. I rode my bike 10 minutes home, and it was already the bottom of the second.
2. Russell Martin will one day play first base to save his legs. If he can scoop it with the catcher's mitt, he can scoop it with that giant first baseman's mitt. I think he locked up the gold glove tonight. Think about how many people watched him make those plays.
3. Cristian Guzman is a trooper. He has never played 3b in the big leagues, but had to make several plays over there. A regular third baseman would have had no trouble with them, but they were high pressure plays for a second baseman playing out of position. And he made them.
4. Aaron Cook pitched very well, with no help from Dan Uggla, who committed two errors behind him, and almost a third. I haven't watched Cook pitch before, but I know why he's hard to hit. He has a hitch in his delivery. On the first pitch, I thought he had tripped because there's a hesitation mid-way through the windup. That must be very confusing for hitters. It also seems bad mechanically. Seems like he'd be all arm going forward.
5. I hate to see Scott Kazmir pitch. One of the best young arms in the game, injured earlier this year, and throwing 100+ pitches two days ago. The Rays must be freaking out. I'd say the same thing about Brandon Webb, except Webb's arm is more mature, and he doesn't have the injury history. Plus, the NL has Lidge behind Webb.
6. Joakim Soria has the best stuff I've seen in years. There's about 25 mph difference between his fastball and curveball. Guys were just frozen by the curve. Look how off-balance Guzman is on this swing. And then he just buckles Uggla's knees.
7. Tejada should not have been in the All-Star game, but he can still play. His play to get the third out after Uggla's two errors was gorgeous. He made another nice play later in the game. Here's the first one.
8. The umps blew two calls. Kinsler was safe at second on his stolen base attempt, and would have scored on Michael Young's hit. Tejada never tagged him. Navarro was safe at home because his foot got under Martin's tag. Kudos to Tejada and Martin, both of whom made it look like an out. I thought they were outs when I saw them live and real time, and I'm about 95% right in real time. I guess I can't ask more from the umpires, considering I'm watching it on tv.
9. I feel awful for Uggla. Two strikeouts. A GDP. Three errors, though really only two, and nearly another error. Must be his worst nightmare. I think Uggla's ankle must be bothering him. He's not a great defensive player, but he's gritty enough to put his face in front of the ball. He looked tentative, and that's not Uggla's game.
I'm posting this in the commercial break before the top of the 15th. Uggla is up first. Will he be the hero?
Update: Uh, no. Uggla struck out AGAIN!
Joe Buck has lost his mind
He actually said, on the air, that George Steinbrenner ought to be in the Hall of Fame.
First of all, owners should not be in the Hall of Fame at all. I don't see how spending money and hiring a bunch of executives fits with the spirit of the Hall. There are other owners in the Hall (Barney Dreyfuss and Walter O'Malley are recent inductees), but I don't agree with the approach.
Second, he wasn't a particularly good owner. Sure, the late 90s and early 00s have been good to the Yankees, but for the first 20 years, Steinbrenner was basically a nightmare. He created more dissent on his teams than anyone in the game, sending the Yankees into the doldrums for awhile. Being famous is not the same thing as being good.
Even in interviews with the Yankees players you couldn't get more than a generic statement.
I guess Buck was just feeling sentimental because Steinbrenner's health is obviously horrible. He looked awful.
First of all, owners should not be in the Hall of Fame at all. I don't see how spending money and hiring a bunch of executives fits with the spirit of the Hall. There are other owners in the Hall (Barney Dreyfuss and Walter O'Malley are recent inductees), but I don't agree with the approach.
Second, he wasn't a particularly good owner. Sure, the late 90s and early 00s have been good to the Yankees, but for the first 20 years, Steinbrenner was basically a nightmare. He created more dissent on his teams than anyone in the game, sending the Yankees into the doldrums for awhile. Being famous is not the same thing as being good.
Even in interviews with the Yankees players you couldn't get more than a generic statement.
I guess Buck was just feeling sentimental because Steinbrenner's health is obviously horrible. He looked awful.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Home Run Derby
Some thoughts on tonight's HR Derby:
1. Hamilton was incredible in the first round. Not just the number he hit, but the distance.
2. It was almost certain he wouldn't win the competition. I can't imagine he had anything left in the tank. He took about twice as many swings as everyone else.
3. I'm tired of reporters asking Hamilton about his comeback. We know the story. I'm tired of having him called a heroin addict. Yeah, well he's a baseball player. An unbelievable baseball player.
4. I'm tired of Hamilton praising God and the "Lord Saviour Jesus Christ" every time he does anything. If that's what it takes to get over a drug problem, then good for him. But I don't see any reason to flaunt his delusion every time something happens on the baseball field. And for a reporter to say "It's a bad night for atheists"...ridiculous. Is this "journalist" reporting, as fact, that the home runs were caused by God?
5. The Home Run Derby is overdramatized. As amazing as Hamilton was tonight, I cannot consider it one of the great moments in Yankee Stadium. It is an exhibition. It might be one of the great moments in most stadiums, but not this one.
6. Has there ever been a more boring MVP and Home Run Derby champ than Justin Morneau?
7. Milton Bradley had a good time with Hamilton's home runs. I wonder if anyone else on the AL team joshes around with Bradley. Would you?
1. Hamilton was incredible in the first round. Not just the number he hit, but the distance.
2. It was almost certain he wouldn't win the competition. I can't imagine he had anything left in the tank. He took about twice as many swings as everyone else.
3. I'm tired of reporters asking Hamilton about his comeback. We know the story. I'm tired of having him called a heroin addict. Yeah, well he's a baseball player. An unbelievable baseball player.
4. I'm tired of Hamilton praising God and the "Lord Saviour Jesus Christ" every time he does anything. If that's what it takes to get over a drug problem, then good for him. But I don't see any reason to flaunt his delusion every time something happens on the baseball field. And for a reporter to say "It's a bad night for atheists"...ridiculous. Is this "journalist" reporting, as fact, that the home runs were caused by God?
5. The Home Run Derby is overdramatized. As amazing as Hamilton was tonight, I cannot consider it one of the great moments in Yankee Stadium. It is an exhibition. It might be one of the great moments in most stadiums, but not this one.
6. Has there ever been a more boring MVP and Home Run Derby champ than Justin Morneau?
7. Milton Bradley had a good time with Hamilton's home runs. I wonder if anyone else on the AL team joshes around with Bradley. Would you?
Monday, July 07, 2008
Unprofessional Umpiring
Marlins are at the Padres in the top of the 7th. Amezaga is on first. Hanley at the plate. Hanley hits a screamer down the third base line, and the third base ump has to dodge to get out of the way. He calls it fair. Amezaga scores, and Marlins lead 3-1.
Replay shows it was foul. Bud Black comes out to argue the call -- very reasonably. The third base ump acknowledges he had to dodge, so he consults the only other ump who could have seen it: the home plate ump. After consultation, the ball is called foul. The correct call.
Freddy Gonzalez, Marlins manager, enters the field to find out why the call was changed. Gonzalez was not throwing a fit; just finding out what happened. Again, this is reasonable behavior.
Joe West, the second base umpire and crew chief, steps in front of the other umps and in front of Gonzalez. He puts up his hands to say to Gonzalez "Don't come out here and argue." Five seconds later, West throws him out of the game.
This is ridiculous and unprofessional behavior by West -- which, frankly, is nothing new.
-First of all, West was in no position to see the play from second base.
-Second, West seemed to say to Gonzalez that he can't argue, even though every manager in the majors would argue if the ball was called fair in favor of his team, and then after the opposing manager argued with the umps, the call was changed to foul.
-Third, if Black is allowed to argue, why not Gonzalez?
-Fourth, why was West even involved? He wasn't one of the two umps asked to make the call, and none of the managers were acting unreasonably.
-Finally, what's he doing throwing Gonzalez out of the game after 5 seconds of questioning? That's too short a hook even if the manager is being a complete ass (see, e.g., every Lou Piniella argument). When a guy is barely even raising his voice, it is more ridiculous.
Replay shows it was foul. Bud Black comes out to argue the call -- very reasonably. The third base ump acknowledges he had to dodge, so he consults the only other ump who could have seen it: the home plate ump. After consultation, the ball is called foul. The correct call.
Freddy Gonzalez, Marlins manager, enters the field to find out why the call was changed. Gonzalez was not throwing a fit; just finding out what happened. Again, this is reasonable behavior.
Joe West, the second base umpire and crew chief, steps in front of the other umps and in front of Gonzalez. He puts up his hands to say to Gonzalez "Don't come out here and argue." Five seconds later, West throws him out of the game.
This is ridiculous and unprofessional behavior by West -- which, frankly, is nothing new.
-First of all, West was in no position to see the play from second base.
-Second, West seemed to say to Gonzalez that he can't argue, even though every manager in the majors would argue if the ball was called fair in favor of his team, and then after the opposing manager argued with the umps, the call was changed to foul.
-Third, if Black is allowed to argue, why not Gonzalez?
-Fourth, why was West even involved? He wasn't one of the two umps asked to make the call, and none of the managers were acting unreasonably.
-Finally, what's he doing throwing Gonzalez out of the game after 5 seconds of questioning? That's too short a hook even if the manager is being a complete ass (see, e.g., every Lou Piniella argument). When a guy is barely even raising his voice, it is more ridiculous.
33rd Man on the All-Star Team
Because it is otherwise buried in my posts about the all-star team, and since I now have the voting widget on my page, vote for:
Jermaine Dye and
Pat Burrell
MLB must agree, since they appear first on the ballot.
Jermaine Dye and
Pat Burrell
MLB must agree, since they appear first on the ballot.
ARod in the News
Let me be blunt with this one:
Who the FUCK cares if Alex Rodriguez is getting divorced?
It's all over CNN this morning, not as a sports story, but as a news story. Madonna has been forced to release a statement through her publicist that she isn't getting divorced, is not having an affair with ARod, has nothing to do with his marriage, and nothing to do with his spiritual path.
I want to throw my t.v. out the window.
Who the FUCK cares if Alex Rodriguez is getting divorced?
It's all over CNN this morning, not as a sports story, but as a news story. Madonna has been forced to release a statement through her publicist that she isn't getting divorced, is not having an affair with ARod, has nothing to do with his marriage, and nothing to do with his spiritual path.
I want to throw my t.v. out the window.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
April 13, 1978
Milwaukee was off this day, which they probably regretted, considering their hot streak. The Orioles, the Brewers' early victims, were also off, and likely thankful for it.
Three of the six scheduled games went down to the wire, and two went to extra innings.
Twins at Angels
An 11 inning pitcher's duel won 1-0 by the Angels. Paul Thormodsgard and Nolan Ryan started. Thormodsgard left in the 7th, but Ryan went 10 innings, with only 4 hits and 4 walks, combined with 12 strikeouts. LaRoche, who saved last nights game, entered the 0-0 game in the 11th, allowing no runs. After Lyman Bostock grounded out in the bottom of the 11th, Joe Rudi hit a solo homer to win it for the Angels and LaRoche.
Mariners at A's
Another end of game winner. The A's entered the bottom of the 9th down 3-1. Staggs walked, and was bunted to second. Matt Alexander then hit a two-run homer off Steve Burke for the victory.
Giants at Reds
Another one? The two teams used two pitchers in this 13 inning game, which the Reds won at the end. With John Curtis on the mound in the bottom of the 13th, and one out, Ray Knight walked. The weak Rick Auerbach pinch hit, and doubled to score Knight. It ruined one of Mike Ivie's best days as a major leaguer. He played 1b for McCovey on this day and went 3-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. That must have made Giants fans feel good about McCovey's heir-apparent.
Three of the six scheduled games went down to the wire, and two went to extra innings.
Twins at Angels
An 11 inning pitcher's duel won 1-0 by the Angels. Paul Thormodsgard and Nolan Ryan started. Thormodsgard left in the 7th, but Ryan went 10 innings, with only 4 hits and 4 walks, combined with 12 strikeouts. LaRoche, who saved last nights game, entered the 0-0 game in the 11th, allowing no runs. After Lyman Bostock grounded out in the bottom of the 11th, Joe Rudi hit a solo homer to win it for the Angels and LaRoche.
Mariners at A's
Another end of game winner. The A's entered the bottom of the 9th down 3-1. Staggs walked, and was bunted to second. Matt Alexander then hit a two-run homer off Steve Burke for the victory.
Giants at Reds
Another one? The two teams used two pitchers in this 13 inning game, which the Reds won at the end. With John Curtis on the mound in the bottom of the 13th, and one out, Ray Knight walked. The weak Rick Auerbach pinch hit, and doubled to score Knight. It ruined one of Mike Ivie's best days as a major leaguer. He played 1b for McCovey on this day and went 3-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI. That must have made Giants fans feel good about McCovey's heir-apparent.
April 12, 1978
Baltimore, a good team, is still winless, and the Brewers are still undefeated. In other action:
Twins at Angels
California scored 8 runs in the first inning, and Pete Redfern got yanked before the inning ended. He was only charged with 2 earned runs, because Roy Smalley made an error. But he gave up 2 hits and 4 walks. He was just lucky the other 5 runs were not charged to him. The Twins actually had a better hitting day, but left 11 on base. Dave LaRoche, Andy's father, got the save for the Angels.
Blue Jays at White Sox
Jorge Orta, who had a long career but never hit more than 14 homers in a season, hit two for the White Sox on this day. Both were solo shots off Dave Lemancyk. Lemancyk gave up two more homers in this game, but only 5 earned runs. Guess if you are going to serve them up, you may as well do it when no one is on base. Sox won.
Red Sox at Indians
Jerry Remy had a great day for the Sox, going 4-for-5 and stealing his 4th base of the young season. The Red Sox have a patient manager in Don Zimmer. Mike Torres stays in to pitch all but the last two outs, despite surrendering 13 hits and 2 walks. Maybe Zim was asleep. Sox won.
Giants at Reds
The Big Red Machine pounded out 20 hits and 12 runs. Joe Morgan did most of the damage: 3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI. Morgan would have been a fantasy dream at 2b, especially in an era when that was not a power position.
Dodgers at Astros
The Dodgers were undefeated rolling into Houston, but they dropped their second straight, this time in the bottom of the ninth. The score was tied at 10 when Art Howe led off the inning with a double, facing Bobby Castillo. Jimmy Sexton pinch ran for Howe, and moved to third on pinch hitter Wilbur Howard's groundout. Jesus Alou (Moises' uncle) then pinch hit into a fielder's choice, but Sexton scored to win the game. Howe had also homered in the game off of Charlie Hough. Sutton started for the Dodgers and couldn't make it out of the third inning.
Twins at Angels
California scored 8 runs in the first inning, and Pete Redfern got yanked before the inning ended. He was only charged with 2 earned runs, because Roy Smalley made an error. But he gave up 2 hits and 4 walks. He was just lucky the other 5 runs were not charged to him. The Twins actually had a better hitting day, but left 11 on base. Dave LaRoche, Andy's father, got the save for the Angels.
Blue Jays at White Sox
Jorge Orta, who had a long career but never hit more than 14 homers in a season, hit two for the White Sox on this day. Both were solo shots off Dave Lemancyk. Lemancyk gave up two more homers in this game, but only 5 earned runs. Guess if you are going to serve them up, you may as well do it when no one is on base. Sox won.
Red Sox at Indians
Jerry Remy had a great day for the Sox, going 4-for-5 and stealing his 4th base of the young season. The Red Sox have a patient manager in Don Zimmer. Mike Torres stays in to pitch all but the last two outs, despite surrendering 13 hits and 2 walks. Maybe Zim was asleep. Sox won.
Giants at Reds
The Big Red Machine pounded out 20 hits and 12 runs. Joe Morgan did most of the damage: 3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI. Morgan would have been a fantasy dream at 2b, especially in an era when that was not a power position.
Dodgers at Astros
The Dodgers were undefeated rolling into Houston, but they dropped their second straight, this time in the bottom of the ninth. The score was tied at 10 when Art Howe led off the inning with a double, facing Bobby Castillo. Jimmy Sexton pinch ran for Howe, and moved to third on pinch hitter Wilbur Howard's groundout. Jesus Alou (Moises' uncle) then pinch hit into a fielder's choice, but Sexton scored to win the game. Howe had also homered in the game off of Charlie Hough. Sutton started for the Dodgers and couldn't make it out of the third inning.
AL All-Star Pitchers
My AL All-Star pitchers, with some commentary. I stick to the MLB rules. Starter is in italics.
Starting Pitchers
Lee (CLE) -- Would win the Cy Young if given today. Comes out #1 in every measure I can think of.
Danks (CHW) -- Yes, he's this good. Second on my list of pitching performances this year. Doesn't have gaudy traditional stats, though, so no one will recognize him.
Halladay (TOR) -- A guy a team can just ride. Rests the bullpen. Wipes out the competition. You've got to love this guy.
Duchscherer (OAK) -- My best feeling about watching the All-Star selection show was realizing that someone actually found Justin among all the choices and selected him. I guess leading the league in ERA helps.
Marcum (TOR) -- Has anyone even mentioned this guy? High on the list of VORP and WPA. Toronto is living off Halladay and Marcum.
Saunders (LAA) -- Unlike his NL counterpart with the big wins, Saunders actually is delivering a top 10 performance.
Greinke (KCA) -- Kansas City is so used to only getting one guy on the team, I think someone forgot about Greinke because they selected Soria.
Hernandez (SEA) -- Same phenomenon as Kansas City. Once Ichiro made the team, they forgot to look elsewhere.
Relief Pitchers
Rivera (NYY) -- For some reason no one's paying attention anymore. Maybe great has become boring. Well, take a look. The best reliever in the AL.
Soria (KCA) -- An awesome season. He's doing a Joe Nathan impression. They can't hit him.
Nathan (MIN) -- When you get some time, look up his record on www.baseball-reference.com. I'll save you some time. Since 2003, he's thrown 397 innings, given up just 265 hits and 25 home runs, walked just 119, and allowed only 92 earned runs (2.09). There's also 184 saves in there.
Rodriguez (LAA) -- You may find this incredible, but he almost didn't make my team. The saves are great, but it's a stupid stat. What saved him was WPA. Who almost got his spot? Jim Johnson. That's right, a Baltimore middle reliever. It's hard for me to imagine too. KRod gets the spot. I wish there was a spot for Johnson, though.
Starting Pitchers
Lee (CLE) -- Would win the Cy Young if given today. Comes out #1 in every measure I can think of.
Danks (CHW) -- Yes, he's this good. Second on my list of pitching performances this year. Doesn't have gaudy traditional stats, though, so no one will recognize him.
Halladay (TOR) -- A guy a team can just ride. Rests the bullpen. Wipes out the competition. You've got to love this guy.
Duchscherer (OAK) -- My best feeling about watching the All-Star selection show was realizing that someone actually found Justin among all the choices and selected him. I guess leading the league in ERA helps.
Marcum (TOR) -- Has anyone even mentioned this guy? High on the list of VORP and WPA. Toronto is living off Halladay and Marcum.
Saunders (LAA) -- Unlike his NL counterpart with the big wins, Saunders actually is delivering a top 10 performance.
Greinke (KCA) -- Kansas City is so used to only getting one guy on the team, I think someone forgot about Greinke because they selected Soria.
Hernandez (SEA) -- Same phenomenon as Kansas City. Once Ichiro made the team, they forgot to look elsewhere.
Relief Pitchers
Rivera (NYY) -- For some reason no one's paying attention anymore. Maybe great has become boring. Well, take a look. The best reliever in the AL.
Soria (KCA) -- An awesome season. He's doing a Joe Nathan impression. They can't hit him.
Nathan (MIN) -- When you get some time, look up his record on www.baseball-reference.com. I'll save you some time. Since 2003, he's thrown 397 innings, given up just 265 hits and 25 home runs, walked just 119, and allowed only 92 earned runs (2.09). There's also 184 saves in there.
Rodriguez (LAA) -- You may find this incredible, but he almost didn't make my team. The saves are great, but it's a stupid stat. What saved him was WPA. Who almost got his spot? Jim Johnson. That's right, a Baltimore middle reliever. It's hard for me to imagine too. KRod gets the spot. I wish there was a spot for Johnson, though.
AL All-Star Hitters
My AL All-Star hitters, with some commentary. I stick to the MLB rules. Starters are in italics.
Catcher
Mauer (MIN) -- The second easiest call of all the all-star selections (behind Hanley at SS for the NL). A threat on offense and defense.
Pierzynski (CHW) -- An important offensive contributor to the White Sox, who are heating up now, but were cold as ice in the first two months. A.J. saved them a few times.
First Base
Youkilis (BOS) -- Detest watching him hit, with that wiggling ass. But I think he has been the best first baseman in the league at the plate this year, and he's good on defense too. Compare Jason Giambi!
Morneau (MIN) -- Minnesota is a surprise team, but their two all-stars are no surprise. I think Morneau has been better at the plate than Giambi, and is definitely better defensively.
Guillen (DET) -- The lone Detroit representative. Steals Giambi's spot on my roster.
Second Base
Kinsler (TEX) -- VORP has him as the best offensive player in the AL right now. Not surprising since he is leading the league in BA, has power, and steals bases.
Roberts (BAL) -- For a bad team, the Orioles have some good players. Roberts is a perennial all-star. Unless you are naming the real all-star team. He's on the list for the 33rd group, but because of Dye's presence on the list, you can't choose Roberts.
Shortstop
Young (TEX) -- Probably the weakest of all the All-Star positions. There's no one at SS in the AL having an unbelievable season. Still Young is having a good season, and unlike prior years, he is not a defensive disaster.
Jeter (NYY) -- A defensive disaster.
Third Base
Rodriguez (NYY) -- Pencil him in for the next five years.
Longoria (TBR) -- Apparently only good enough for the 33rd man ballot, I think he's good enough to be named outright. In addition to being a good hitter, he is incredible defensively. Falls short of Dye, though.
Outfielders
Bradley (TEX) -- Despite the personality problems, the guy is having a monster year. The talent has never been in question. Hit him 3rd instead of Hamilton and Bradley would be leading the league in RBI.
Markakis (BAL) -- This one surprised me, because Baltimore is not on my radar screen. He is having as good a season as anyone else on the list. Not even close to making the actual team.
Dye (CHW) -- Carrying the White Sox in a big way. There's no way Carlos Quentin should have the spot ahead of him. Quentin got off to a hot start but has cooled completely. Dye got off to a modest start and has been raking for a month. If you are voting for the 33rd man, Dye is the most deserving (Longoria is second). A player having this kind of season cannot be left off the team. Don't forget he's one of the best defensive outfielders in the majors.
Hamilton (TEX) -- Having a great season. The RBI totals are gaudy. Of course, Dye and Bradley would have totals like that if Kinsler and Michael Young hit immediately before them. He's a popular pick because of what he's overcome. That's great, but he still needs the numbers. He has them for the team, but not for the starting spot. DH him.
Drew (BOS) -- Big Papi's hurt? I didn't notice. J.D. finally is showing the talent he has always had, and he has been injury free.
Sizemore (CLE) -- The only Cleveland all-star. Has all the tools. Wasting away on this year's Indians team.
Upton (TBR) -- Like Longoria, I think he is overlooked because he plays for Tampa. He has something else in common with Longoria, and that is the superior defense that adds to his value.
Ramirez (BOS) -- Pedroia has actually contributed more overall to Boston's season, but Ramirez has been big time clutch, and he is a truly great player. I chose him over Dustin.
Suzuki (SEA) -- Not having an Ichiro year, but edges out Carlos Quentin and David DeJesus.
Catcher
Mauer (MIN) -- The second easiest call of all the all-star selections (behind Hanley at SS for the NL). A threat on offense and defense.
Pierzynski (CHW) -- An important offensive contributor to the White Sox, who are heating up now, but were cold as ice in the first two months. A.J. saved them a few times.
First Base
Youkilis (BOS) -- Detest watching him hit, with that wiggling ass. But I think he has been the best first baseman in the league at the plate this year, and he's good on defense too. Compare Jason Giambi!
Morneau (MIN) -- Minnesota is a surprise team, but their two all-stars are no surprise. I think Morneau has been better at the plate than Giambi, and is definitely better defensively.
Guillen (DET) -- The lone Detroit representative. Steals Giambi's spot on my roster.
Second Base
Kinsler (TEX) -- VORP has him as the best offensive player in the AL right now. Not surprising since he is leading the league in BA, has power, and steals bases.
Roberts (BAL) -- For a bad team, the Orioles have some good players. Roberts is a perennial all-star. Unless you are naming the real all-star team. He's on the list for the 33rd group, but because of Dye's presence on the list, you can't choose Roberts.
Shortstop
Young (TEX) -- Probably the weakest of all the All-Star positions. There's no one at SS in the AL having an unbelievable season. Still Young is having a good season, and unlike prior years, he is not a defensive disaster.
Jeter (NYY) -- A defensive disaster.
Third Base
Rodriguez (NYY) -- Pencil him in for the next five years.
Longoria (TBR) -- Apparently only good enough for the 33rd man ballot, I think he's good enough to be named outright. In addition to being a good hitter, he is incredible defensively. Falls short of Dye, though.
Outfielders
Bradley (TEX) -- Despite the personality problems, the guy is having a monster year. The talent has never been in question. Hit him 3rd instead of Hamilton and Bradley would be leading the league in RBI.
Markakis (BAL) -- This one surprised me, because Baltimore is not on my radar screen. He is having as good a season as anyone else on the list. Not even close to making the actual team.
Dye (CHW) -- Carrying the White Sox in a big way. There's no way Carlos Quentin should have the spot ahead of him. Quentin got off to a hot start but has cooled completely. Dye got off to a modest start and has been raking for a month. If you are voting for the 33rd man, Dye is the most deserving (Longoria is second). A player having this kind of season cannot be left off the team. Don't forget he's one of the best defensive outfielders in the majors.
Hamilton (TEX) -- Having a great season. The RBI totals are gaudy. Of course, Dye and Bradley would have totals like that if Kinsler and Michael Young hit immediately before them. He's a popular pick because of what he's overcome. That's great, but he still needs the numbers. He has them for the team, but not for the starting spot. DH him.
Drew (BOS) -- Big Papi's hurt? I didn't notice. J.D. finally is showing the talent he has always had, and he has been injury free.
Sizemore (CLE) -- The only Cleveland all-star. Has all the tools. Wasting away on this year's Indians team.
Upton (TBR) -- Like Longoria, I think he is overlooked because he plays for Tampa. He has something else in common with Longoria, and that is the superior defense that adds to his value.
Ramirez (BOS) -- Pedroia has actually contributed more overall to Boston's season, but Ramirez has been big time clutch, and he is a truly great player. I chose him over Dustin.
Suzuki (SEA) -- Not having an Ichiro year, but edges out Carlos Quentin and David DeJesus.
NL All-Star Pitchers
My NL All-Star pitchers, with some commentary. I stick to the MLB rules. Starter is in italics.
Starting Pitchers
Lincecum (SFG) -- Buried on a horrible team, he has been the best pitcher in baseball. Yes, better than Volquez, who has faltered a bit recently. Lincecum also has very little support. Is there another team in the league that would hit Bengie Molina in the cleanup spot? But his defensive support is almost as bad.
Sheets (MIL) -- Finally healthy, and that's the only thing that has kept him out of the Cy Young race in prior years. Amazingly, he is the only Brewer on my team. Braun and Hardy came fairly close. I'm a big Corey Hart fan, but he should not be one of the guys eligible for the 33rd spot. He's very good, but this is not an all-star season for him.
Haren (ARI) -- Change of scenery didn't hurt him. The mountain man is better than Webb right now. Haren is my only Diamondback. Hard to leave off Webb, who is on my fantasy team every year and leads the league in wins. However, wins are not entirely attributable to the pitcher. Webb has had a rough 3 weeks. He almost got the last spot on this team for starters, but I gave the spot to Hamels.
Volquez (CIN) -- Starting to slip a little, but in the first part of the season, he has been practically unhittable. If the control issues don't undo him, he'll be in the Cy race at the end.
Zambrano (CHC) -- The right-handed Sabathia, but with more consistency.
Hudson (ATL) -- Of the all-star snubs, this is the one that first caught my eye. I pay a lot of attention to pitching because of the Predict-A-Matic, and Hudson has had a great season.
Cook (COL) -- When I saw his name on the All-Star selection show, I thought "there's Hurdle picking one of his own guys." But I dug into the numbers more, and he deserves this spot. Arguably more than even Zambrano.
Hamels (PHI) -- With all the great pitchers on this list, I'm not angry about him getting snubbed. I do, however, think he has been more valuable than Webb, in particular because he's playing in a hitter's park.
Relief Pitchers
Lidge (PHI) -- Wow. I have nothing more to add.
Wilson (SFG) -- Throws freakin' hard, and apparently well.
Bell (SDP) -- Unlike the real all-star game, I pay attention to middle relievers and set up men. Bell has been the second most valuable reliever in the NL, behind Lidge, in part because he always pitches in crucial situations.
Cordero (CIN) -- Not 100% sure that the final spot goes to Francisco. He is deserving, but I also considered Damaso Marte, who has been a terrific set up guy in Pittsburgh. Also, Hong-Chu Kuo has been very valuable for the Dodgers, both as a starter and reliever. In the end, though, I think Cordero has helped his team more.
Starting Pitchers
Lincecum (SFG) -- Buried on a horrible team, he has been the best pitcher in baseball. Yes, better than Volquez, who has faltered a bit recently. Lincecum also has very little support. Is there another team in the league that would hit Bengie Molina in the cleanup spot? But his defensive support is almost as bad.
Sheets (MIL) -- Finally healthy, and that's the only thing that has kept him out of the Cy Young race in prior years. Amazingly, he is the only Brewer on my team. Braun and Hardy came fairly close. I'm a big Corey Hart fan, but he should not be one of the guys eligible for the 33rd spot. He's very good, but this is not an all-star season for him.
Haren (ARI) -- Change of scenery didn't hurt him. The mountain man is better than Webb right now. Haren is my only Diamondback. Hard to leave off Webb, who is on my fantasy team every year and leads the league in wins. However, wins are not entirely attributable to the pitcher. Webb has had a rough 3 weeks. He almost got the last spot on this team for starters, but I gave the spot to Hamels.
Volquez (CIN) -- Starting to slip a little, but in the first part of the season, he has been practically unhittable. If the control issues don't undo him, he'll be in the Cy race at the end.
Zambrano (CHC) -- The right-handed Sabathia, but with more consistency.
Hudson (ATL) -- Of the all-star snubs, this is the one that first caught my eye. I pay a lot of attention to pitching because of the Predict-A-Matic, and Hudson has had a great season.
Cook (COL) -- When I saw his name on the All-Star selection show, I thought "there's Hurdle picking one of his own guys." But I dug into the numbers more, and he deserves this spot. Arguably more than even Zambrano.
Hamels (PHI) -- With all the great pitchers on this list, I'm not angry about him getting snubbed. I do, however, think he has been more valuable than Webb, in particular because he's playing in a hitter's park.
Relief Pitchers
Lidge (PHI) -- Wow. I have nothing more to add.
Wilson (SFG) -- Throws freakin' hard, and apparently well.
Bell (SDP) -- Unlike the real all-star game, I pay attention to middle relievers and set up men. Bell has been the second most valuable reliever in the NL, behind Lidge, in part because he always pitches in crucial situations.
Cordero (CIN) -- Not 100% sure that the final spot goes to Francisco. He is deserving, but I also considered Damaso Marte, who has been a terrific set up guy in Pittsburgh. Also, Hong-Chu Kuo has been very valuable for the Dodgers, both as a starter and reliever. In the end, though, I think Cordero has helped his team more.
NL All-Star Hitters
My NL All-Stars, with some commentary. I stick to the MLB rules. Starters are in italics.
Catcher
Martin (LAD) -- Went back and forth on this one. All three catchers have done about the same thing with the bat. Martin, however, has a much better win percentage added. He's done the damage when it really matters. He's my only Dodger representative, which I would not have predicted. Chad Billingsley almost made the team, and if Furcal had not been injured, he was a lock.
McCann (ATL) -- An obvious selection. Even hits the lefties.
Soto (CHC) -- Three catchers seems strange, but WARP shows him as the best offensive and defensive catcher. I gave the nod to Martin because Soto's WPA is pretty low.
First Base
Berkman (HOU) -- Having an MVP-type season. I noticed on the selection show that he has only one fewer all-star appearance than Chipper Jones. He's only 30. He's the lone Astro on this team.
Pujols (STL) -- What's the point of an all-star game without this guy?
Gonzalez (SD) -- Hidden in San Diego, and putting up power numbers in a pitcher's park. Derrek Lee got some consideration for this spot, but Gonzalez deserves to be recognized.
Second Base
Utley (PHI) -- Another real tough call, considering Dan Uggla's year. Uggla not playing this week tipped the balance to Utley, who may be the best player in the NL anyway.
Uggla (FLA) -- Has been more clutch than Utley, but falls a little shy on both offense and defense. Not that I'm complaining.
Shortstop
Ramirez (FLA) -- The only truly easy call among the National Leaguers. Really, there's no one in second place.
Reyes (NYM) -- Despite the media coverage and constant harping on the Mets, Jose Reyes is having a good season. Presumably he was left off the squad because Cristian Guzman was included as the Nationals' representative. That's no excuse. He should be there.
Guzman (WAS) -- Not having an all-star season, but having a good season. That's sufficient on a team that is too injured to compete.
Third Base
Jones (ATL) -- A guy who spends most of the season chasing .400 is gonna make the team. Let's not forget he has an OPS well in excess of 1000.
Wright (NYM) -- No disrespect to Aramis Ramirez, of whom I'm a fan, but Wright is a better player, and having a better year.
Outfielders
Burrell (PHI) -- The best NL outfielder/hitter, and he was left off the team? Wake up people! He's on the list of players you can add for the last spot. Do so. Even more than Wright, he deserves to be on the team. I don't hold out much hope for him, though.
Ludwick (STL) -- With Pujols, has carried a team that started three weak-hitting middle infielders in the interleague games, and still wins games.
Nady (PIT) -- Totally overlooked, he has been Burrell and Ludwick's equivalent, despite missing significant time to injury. He's not even eligible for the 33rd spot. A shame. His spot went to McLouth.
Holliday (COL) -- Some of it is playing in Denver, but not that much. He can flat out hit.
Fukudome (CHC) -- Not just a fan pick. He has been a sparkplug for the Cubs, because he is constantly on base and can hit anywhere in the lineup.
Rowand (SFG) -- One of the two players on my All-Star squads that I cannot stand to watch hit. The other is Kevin Youkilis. Still, that team has serious lineup problems. He's the only bright spot, and it is brighter than the other candidates for this position, like McLouth. Also better this year than Carlos Lee, who pads his counting stats but hasn't been as good a player as Rowand.
Bay (PIT) -- Nice to see him back. Two years ago an All-Star game in 2008 would have been predictable. Last year, it would have been inconceivable. McLouth just misses my team. I've got the two just about even so far, but I'm guessing Bay will look better in the end. What an outfield the Pirates have. Too bad the Pirates suck at every other position, including pitching (notable exception for Damaso Marte, who just missed my team).
Catcher
Martin (LAD) -- Went back and forth on this one. All three catchers have done about the same thing with the bat. Martin, however, has a much better win percentage added. He's done the damage when it really matters. He's my only Dodger representative, which I would not have predicted. Chad Billingsley almost made the team, and if Furcal had not been injured, he was a lock.
McCann (ATL) -- An obvious selection. Even hits the lefties.
Soto (CHC) -- Three catchers seems strange, but WARP shows him as the best offensive and defensive catcher. I gave the nod to Martin because Soto's WPA is pretty low.
First Base
Berkman (HOU) -- Having an MVP-type season. I noticed on the selection show that he has only one fewer all-star appearance than Chipper Jones. He's only 30. He's the lone Astro on this team.
Pujols (STL) -- What's the point of an all-star game without this guy?
Gonzalez (SD) -- Hidden in San Diego, and putting up power numbers in a pitcher's park. Derrek Lee got some consideration for this spot, but Gonzalez deserves to be recognized.
Second Base
Utley (PHI) -- Another real tough call, considering Dan Uggla's year. Uggla not playing this week tipped the balance to Utley, who may be the best player in the NL anyway.
Uggla (FLA) -- Has been more clutch than Utley, but falls a little shy on both offense and defense. Not that I'm complaining.
Shortstop
Ramirez (FLA) -- The only truly easy call among the National Leaguers. Really, there's no one in second place.
Reyes (NYM) -- Despite the media coverage and constant harping on the Mets, Jose Reyes is having a good season. Presumably he was left off the squad because Cristian Guzman was included as the Nationals' representative. That's no excuse. He should be there.
Guzman (WAS) -- Not having an all-star season, but having a good season. That's sufficient on a team that is too injured to compete.
Third Base
Jones (ATL) -- A guy who spends most of the season chasing .400 is gonna make the team. Let's not forget he has an OPS well in excess of 1000.
Wright (NYM) -- No disrespect to Aramis Ramirez, of whom I'm a fan, but Wright is a better player, and having a better year.
Outfielders
Burrell (PHI) -- The best NL outfielder/hitter, and he was left off the team? Wake up people! He's on the list of players you can add for the last spot. Do so. Even more than Wright, he deserves to be on the team. I don't hold out much hope for him, though.
Ludwick (STL) -- With Pujols, has carried a team that started three weak-hitting middle infielders in the interleague games, and still wins games.
Nady (PIT) -- Totally overlooked, he has been Burrell and Ludwick's equivalent, despite missing significant time to injury. He's not even eligible for the 33rd spot. A shame. His spot went to McLouth.
Holliday (COL) -- Some of it is playing in Denver, but not that much. He can flat out hit.
Fukudome (CHC) -- Not just a fan pick. He has been a sparkplug for the Cubs, because he is constantly on base and can hit anywhere in the lineup.
Rowand (SFG) -- One of the two players on my All-Star squads that I cannot stand to watch hit. The other is Kevin Youkilis. Still, that team has serious lineup problems. He's the only bright spot, and it is brighter than the other candidates for this position, like McLouth. Also better this year than Carlos Lee, who pads his counting stats but hasn't been as good a player as Rowand.
Bay (PIT) -- Nice to see him back. Two years ago an All-Star game in 2008 would have been predictable. Last year, it would have been inconceivable. McLouth just misses my team. I've got the two just about even so far, but I'm guessing Bay will look better in the end. What an outfield the Pirates have. Too bad the Pirates suck at every other position, including pitching (notable exception for Damaso Marte, who just missed my team).
Predict-a-Matic: July 6, 2008
Another change to the system. Instead of predicting the percentage over and under my prediction, I've simply added the percentage chances that the pitcher will have an excellent game or a poor game. Excellent is a game score performance in the top 25% (GS >=62) or bottom 25% (GS <=36). Boom games are reserved for pitchers with a very high chance of GS >=65 and a very low chance of a GS <=35. Bust games are reserved for pitchers with a very high chance of FS <=35 and a very low chance of a GS >=65.
Also, two of the three pitchers I most often get wrong (Perkins and the Big Unit) are pitching today. Predicting big things from Randy, so he'll probably be gone by the 4th innning.
Pitcher Bust Games: O.Perez, Duke, Banks
Hitter Boom Games: Arod, Giambi, Aramis, Pujols, Glaus, Ross, Hanley, Holliday, Atkins, Chipper, Teixeira, C.Pena, Wright, Delgado, Burrell, Utley, Cust, Ellis, Fielder, Cameron, McLouth, A.Gonzalez, C.Young, Tracy, Hamilton, Bradley, Millar, Vlad, Napoli
Hitter Bust Games: Youkilis, Crisp, Kennedy, D.Young, Casilla, Quintanilla, Tejada, Pence, G.Blanco, Gload, Olivo, Iwamura, Bartlett, Kemp, Hannahan, Cabrera, Pierzynski, E.Gonzalez, Figgins
Game Winners: Yankees, Cubs*, Cleveland, Colorado, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Oakland, Milwaukee, Arizona, Texas, Angels
Also, two of the three pitchers I most often get wrong (Perkins and the Big Unit) are pitching today. Predicting big things from Randy, so he'll probably be gone by the 4th innning.
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr% Millwood (TEX) 5.5 7 0 2 4 3 45 21% 32% Liz (BAL) 4.6 4 1 3 5 2 50 24% 23% Hochevar (KCR) 5.6 6 1 3 4 3 47 23% 26% Shields (TBR) 6.9 7 1 1 6 2 60 51% 8% Rodriguez (HOU) 5.5 6 - 2 5 2 53 32% 19% Morton (ATL) 6.1 6 0 2 4 1 58 47% 10% Harden (OAK) 5.4 5 - 2 6 2 54 40% 15% Danks (CHW) 5.5 6 1 2 5 2 53 29% 24% Perez (NYM) 5.0 5 1 3 5 3 46 17% 33% Kendrick (PHI) 5.4 7 1 1 2 3 44 18% 32% Lee (CLE) 6.6 6 0 1 5 2 59 48% 12% Perkins (MIN) 6.4 7 1 2 5 2 54 37% 17% Duke (PIT) 5.2 7 1 1 2 3 43 13% 37% Suppan (MIL) 6.0 6 0 2 3 2 52 31% 21% Litsch (TOR) 5.6 7 1 1 3 3 45 19% 30% Garland (LAA) 6.3 7 0 2 3 2 52 29% 23% Hendrickson(FLA)5.5 6 1 2 4 3 47 22% 28% Cook (COL) 6.0 8 1 2 3 3 45 20% 31% Marshall (CHC) 5.0 5 1 2 4 2 50 24% 19% Wellemeyer (STL)6.1 6 1 2 5 2 54 33% 20% Wakefield (BOS) 5.7 6 1 3 4 3 47 24% 28% Chamberlain(NYY) (unreliable data) Stults (LAD) 6.2 7 0 2 5 2 54 37% 16% Cain (SFG) 6.3 6 0 2 6 2 57 46% 13% Banks (SDP) 5.4 7 1 2 3 3 43 13% 38% Johnson (ARI) 5.9 6 1 1 7 2 57 42% 12%Pitcher Boom Games: Shields, Morton, C.Lee, Cain, R.Johnson
Pitcher Bust Games: O.Perez, Duke, Banks
Hitter Boom Games: Arod, Giambi, Aramis, Pujols, Glaus, Ross, Hanley, Holliday, Atkins, Chipper, Teixeira, C.Pena, Wright, Delgado, Burrell, Utley, Cust, Ellis, Fielder, Cameron, McLouth, A.Gonzalez, C.Young, Tracy, Hamilton, Bradley, Millar, Vlad, Napoli
Hitter Bust Games: Youkilis, Crisp, Kennedy, D.Young, Casilla, Quintanilla, Tejada, Pence, G.Blanco, Gload, Olivo, Iwamura, Bartlett, Kemp, Hannahan, Cabrera, Pierzynski, E.Gonzalez, Figgins
Game Winners: Yankees, Cubs*, Cleveland, Colorado, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Oakland, Milwaukee, Arizona, Texas, Angels
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Predicting Pitchers
To give an idea how difficult it is to nail a pitcher's performance on any given night with a game simulator, let's look at Carlos Zambrano. His line last night:
Actual 6.0 IP, 4H, 0Hr, 2Bb, 5K, 0Er
Predic 6.7 IP, 6H, 0Hr, 2Bb 4K, 2Er
Not too bad from the predictor, but obviously not perfect. I looked at the sim and calculated the odds of getting within one measure of the actual performance in each category. So, I calculated the odds of predicting between 5.7 and 6.3 IP, 3-5 hits, 1-3 walks, 4-6 strikeouts and 0-1 earned runs. For homers, I calculated the percentage for the exact number. Here are the odds of me coming that close with a 500 game sim, for each of the categories:
IP: 29%
H: 33%
HR: 52%
BB: 64%
SO: 49%
ER: 33%
Home runs I have a decent shot at, as rarely are there more than 2 HR in a game, so predicting that a good pitcher like Zambrano will have 0 is a even proposition. Walk and strikeout rates are a little easier too. But I have only about a 1/3 chance of getting within 1/3 of an inning or within 1 hit, or 1 earned run, of the actual performance.
Those are the stats in isolation. What about combining them? The simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 3-5 hits, only 8% of the time. The simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 0-1 earned runs, only 10% of the time.
And the big one: the simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 3-5 hits and 0-1 earned runs, only 5% of the time. It found the exact combination of IP(6), Hits(4) and Earned Runs(0) only once out of 500 simulations. In that instance, Zambrano gave up 0 homers (accurate), 4 walks (off by 2) and 6 strikeouts (off by 1).
That's how hard it is to predict the performance.
Which got me thinking about whether I should bother. Perhaps I should simply predict the odds of being excellent, good, average, below average and poor. Or, simpler still, the odds of being above average and below average. The question is how to measure those. I could do so with game scores.
Zambrano's game score for last night was 67. The simulator only predicted 9 out of 500 games to have that exact game score. But only 20% of the performances in the majors have game scores 65 or higher, and the sim found 25% of Zambrano's game to be 65 or higher, 21% to be 56-64, 20% to be 47-55, 19% to be 36-46 and 15% to be 35 or lower.
Perhaps that's more useful than the other stats. Or the above average, below average moniker: His odds of a top 40% performance (game score 56 or higher) were 46%, and his odds of a bottom 40% performance 46 or lower were 34%.
Game score is imperfect, though. A pitcher can mitigate giving up runs by striking out a lot of hitters.
Actual 6.0 IP, 4H, 0Hr, 2Bb, 5K, 0Er
Predic 6.7 IP, 6H, 0Hr, 2Bb 4K, 2Er
Not too bad from the predictor, but obviously not perfect. I looked at the sim and calculated the odds of getting within one measure of the actual performance in each category. So, I calculated the odds of predicting between 5.7 and 6.3 IP, 3-5 hits, 1-3 walks, 4-6 strikeouts and 0-1 earned runs. For homers, I calculated the percentage for the exact number. Here are the odds of me coming that close with a 500 game sim, for each of the categories:
IP: 29%
H: 33%
HR: 52%
BB: 64%
SO: 49%
ER: 33%
Home runs I have a decent shot at, as rarely are there more than 2 HR in a game, so predicting that a good pitcher like Zambrano will have 0 is a even proposition. Walk and strikeout rates are a little easier too. But I have only about a 1/3 chance of getting within 1/3 of an inning or within 1 hit, or 1 earned run, of the actual performance.
Those are the stats in isolation. What about combining them? The simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 3-5 hits, only 8% of the time. The simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 0-1 earned runs, only 10% of the time.
And the big one: the simulator had Zambrano with between 5.7-6.3 IP and 3-5 hits and 0-1 earned runs, only 5% of the time. It found the exact combination of IP(6), Hits(4) and Earned Runs(0) only once out of 500 simulations. In that instance, Zambrano gave up 0 homers (accurate), 4 walks (off by 2) and 6 strikeouts (off by 1).
That's how hard it is to predict the performance.
Which got me thinking about whether I should bother. Perhaps I should simply predict the odds of being excellent, good, average, below average and poor. Or, simpler still, the odds of being above average and below average. The question is how to measure those. I could do so with game scores.
Zambrano's game score for last night was 67. The simulator only predicted 9 out of 500 games to have that exact game score. But only 20% of the performances in the majors have game scores 65 or higher, and the sim found 25% of Zambrano's game to be 65 or higher, 21% to be 56-64, 20% to be 47-55, 19% to be 36-46 and 15% to be 35 or lower.
Perhaps that's more useful than the other stats. Or the above average, below average moniker: His odds of a top 40% performance (game score 56 or higher) were 46%, and his odds of a bottom 40% performance 46 or lower were 34%.
Game score is imperfect, though. A pitcher can mitigate giving up runs by striking out a lot of hitters.
Predict-a-Matic Results: July 4, 2008
Yesterday's predictions.
Pitcher Bust Games: Avg GS: 10
Hitter Boom Games: .440/.495/.758 11dbl 6hr 10bb 21r 26rbi
Hitter Bust Games: .250/.276/.357 6dbl 2bb 7r 6rbi
Game Winners: 9-4
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr%
Beckett (BOS) 6.6 6 1 1 7 2 61 16% 14%
6.0 4 0 2 4 3 54 Grade: B
Rasner (NYY) 5.0 6 0 1 3 2 48 17% 14%
5.0 10 1 3 2 6 22 Grade: C-
----------------------------------------------------
Bergmann (WSN) 5.0 6 1 2 5 3 45 8% 25%
6.0 6 1 3 5 2 54 Grade: B+
Arroyo (CIN) 5.8 6 0 2 5 2 54 17% 18%
6.0 5 0 3 3 0 62 Grade: B
---------------------------------------------------
Rogers (DET) 5.8 7 0 2 2 2 49 17% 14%
7.7 6 1 2 3 4 54 Grade: C-
Bedard (SEA) 6.0 6 1 2 7 2 57 20% 12%
5.0 5 1 3 6 1 53 Grade: B
---------------------------------------------------
Gorzelanny (PIT)5.4 6 1 3 4 3 45 9% 29%
4.7 11 2 4 4 7 16 Grade: C
Sheets (MIL) 6.3 6 1 1 5 2 57 21% 10%
5.7 8 0 3 6 1 54 Grade: B
---------------------------------------------------
Padilla (TEX) 4.9 7 1 2 3 3 42 7% 30%
2.7 9 0 2 0 8 6 Grade: D
Guthrie (BAL) 6.1 6 1 2 5 3 51 12% 19%
6.7 8 0 2 6 4 47 Grade: B
---------------------------------------------------
Lowe (LAD) 6.3 7 0 1 5 2 54 22% 11%
5.0 8 0 0 2 4 37 Grade: C
Sanchez (SFG) 6.0 6 0 3 6 2 55 24% 13%
5.0 5 1 3 7 3 49 Grade: B
---------------------------------------------------
Bannister (KCR) 5.8 6 0 2 4 2 52 14% 15%
5.0 8 1 1 6 6 32 Grade: C-
Jackson (TBR) 5.7 6 0 2 4 2 52 17% 14%
8.0 4 1 1 2 1 71 Grade: D+
---------------------------------------------------
Blanton (OAK) 6.3 7 1 2 3 3 48 11% 22%
7.0 6 0 2 5 1 64 Grade: C+
Buehrle (CHW) 6.3 7 0 2 4 2 53 13% 15%
5.7 10 1 3 5 4 37 Grade: C+
---------------------------------------------------
Moehler (HOU) 6.4 7 1 2 4 3 49 11% 23%
6.0 6 1 3 1 5 38 Grade: B
Hudson (ATL) 6.7 6 0 1 5 1 62 28% 6%
7.0 4 0 3 6 1 68 Grade: A
---------------------------------------------------
Byrd (CLE) 6.0 8 1 1 2 3 47 14% 19%
5.3 8 2 3 4 6 30 Grade: C
Hernandez (MIN) 5.8 7 1 2 3 3 47 8% 25%
6.0 5 2 3 4 3 51 Grade: A-
---------------------------------------------------
Olsen (FLA) 5.1 6 1 3 4 3 44 9% 32%
5.0 11 3 1 3 8 15 Grade: C
Reynolds (COL) 5.0 7 1 2 2 4 37 9% 35%
1.3 7 2 2 0 7 10 Grade: F
---------------------------------------------------
Burnett (TOR) 6.5 6 1 2 6 2 58 16% 14%
7.0 12 2 0 3 6 32 Grade: F
Weaver (LAA) 6.2 6 0 1 3 2 53 17% 12%
7.3 6 0 1 6 2 64 Grade: B+
---------------------------------------------------
Zambrano (CHC) 6.2 6 0 2 4 2 54 15% 15%
6.0 4 0 2 5 0 67 Grade: B
Looper (STL) 5.6 7 0 2 3 2 49 14% 15%
7.0 6 2 1 5 2 61 Grade: B-
Pitcher Boom Games: Avg. GS: 53Pitcher Bust Games: Avg GS: 10
Hitter Boom Games: .440/.495/.758 11dbl 6hr 10bb 21r 26rbi
Hitter Bust Games: .250/.276/.357 6dbl 2bb 7r 6rbi
Game Winners: 9-4
Friday, July 04, 2008
Predict-a-Matic: July 4, 2008
13 of the 15 games:
Pitcher Bust Games: Olsen, Reynolds
Hitter Boom Games: Manny, Aramis, Fukudome, Pujols, Sizemore, Blake, Morneau, Kubel, Hanley, Jacobs, Hawpe, Tulowitzki, McCann, Chipper, C.Pena, Kent, Thome, Fielder, Hardy, Hamilton, Bradley, Huff, Markakis, Dukes, Dunn, Griffey
Hitter Bust Games: Jeter, Abreu, Schumaker, Kennedy, Gomez, Renteria, Granderson, Bloomquist, Bourne, Pence, G.Blanco, Gathright, Bartlett, Iwamura, Berroa, F.Lewis, J.Wilson, F.Sanchez, Eckstein, Scutaro, Kendrick, E.Aybar
Game Winners: Boston, Cubs, Cleveland, Seattle, Florida*, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Dodgers*, White Sox, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Toronto*, Cincinnati
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr% Beckett (BOS) 6.6 6 1 1 7 2 61 16% 14% Rasner (NYY) 5.0 6 0 1 3 2 48 17% 14% Bergmann (WSN) 5.0 6 1 2 5 3 45 8% 25% Arroyo (CIN) 5.8 6 0 2 5 2 54 17% 18% Rogers (DET) 5.8 7 0 2 2 2 49 17% 14% Bedard (SEA) 6.0 6 1 2 7 2 57 20% 12% Gorzelanny (PIT)5.4 6 1 3 4 3 45 9% 29% Sheets (MIL) 6.3 6 1 1 5 2 57 21% 10% Padilla (TEX) 4.9 7 1 2 3 3 42 7% 30% Guthrie (BAL) 6.1 6 1 2 5 3 51 12% 19% Lowe (LAD) 6.3 7 0 1 5 2 54 22% 11% Sanchez (SFG) 6.0 6 0 3 6 2 55 24% 13% Bannister (KCR) 5.8 6 0 2 4 2 52 14% 15% Jackson (TBR) 5.7 6 0 2 4 2 52 17% 14% Blanton (OAK) 6.3 7 1 2 3 3 48 11% 22% Buehrle (CHW) 6.3 7 0 2 4 2 53 13% 15% Moehler (HOU) 6.4 7 1 2 4 3 49 11% 23% Hudson (ATL) 6.7 6 0 1 5 1 62 28% 6% Byrd (CLE) 6.0 8 1 1 2 3 47 14% 19% Hernandez (MIN) 5.8 7 1 2 3 3 47 8% 25% Olsen (FLA) 5.1 6 1 3 4 3 44 9% 32% Reynolds (COL) 5.0 7 1 2 2 4 37 9% 35% Burnett (TOR) 6.5 6 1 2 6 2 58 16% 14% Weaver (LAA) 6.2 6 0 1 3 2 53 17% 12% Zambrano (CHC) 6.2 6 0 2 4 2 54 15% 15% Looper (STL) 5.6 7 0 2 3 2 49 14% 15%Pitcher Boom Games: Beckett, Bedard, Sheets, Sanchez, Hudson
Pitcher Bust Games: Olsen, Reynolds
Hitter Boom Games: Manny, Aramis, Fukudome, Pujols, Sizemore, Blake, Morneau, Kubel, Hanley, Jacobs, Hawpe, Tulowitzki, McCann, Chipper, C.Pena, Kent, Thome, Fielder, Hardy, Hamilton, Bradley, Huff, Markakis, Dukes, Dunn, Griffey
Hitter Bust Games: Jeter, Abreu, Schumaker, Kennedy, Gomez, Renteria, Granderson, Bloomquist, Bourne, Pence, G.Blanco, Gathright, Bartlett, Iwamura, Berroa, F.Lewis, J.Wilson, F.Sanchez, Eckstein, Scutaro, Kendrick, E.Aybar
Game Winners: Boston, Cubs, Cleveland, Seattle, Florida*, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Dodgers*, White Sox, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Toronto*, Cincinnati
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson, the Giants' closer, throws hard. I've never watched him before tonight, but I saw 18 pitches against the Cubs in the 9th.
Of those 18 pitches, he threw one 84 mph slider, one 96 mph fastball and one 97 mph fastball. Everything else was 98 and above, and he hit 100 five times.
He doesn't have particularly good control, but I haven't seen a pitcher in awhile who is consistently 98, 99, 100.
Matt Cain, the starting pitcher in this game, was still throwing 96 mph in the 8th inning, so maybe there was something magical in San Francisco tonight.
Of those 18 pitches, he threw one 84 mph slider, one 96 mph fastball and one 97 mph fastball. Everything else was 98 and above, and he hit 100 five times.
He doesn't have particularly good control, but I haven't seen a pitcher in awhile who is consistently 98, 99, 100.
Matt Cain, the starting pitcher in this game, was still throwing 96 mph in the 8th inning, so maybe there was something magical in San Francisco tonight.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
April 11, 1978
Twins at Angels
Roy Smalley hits another home run to maintain his major league lead. Smalley was a good shortstop, but had never hit more than 6 home runs in a year. Ten days into 1978 and he already has 1/2 that total. It would turn out to be maturity. He was 25 in 1978, and he always had potential. He was the #1 pick in the 1974 draft. Twins won easily.
Blue Jays at White Sox
It's a slow game day, so I want to mention Vic Voltaggio, the home plate umpire. Vic has one of the best umpire names I've ever heard. Wonder how many times players argued with his calls, when his name indicates the mob might only be a phone call away.
Yankees at Brewers
Slow day for Milwaukee, and yet the Yankees' nightmares come true. The Brew Crew score another 9 runs, courtesy of two Gorman Thomas homers. 49 runs in 4 games.
Mike Caldwell gets the save. Apparently the Brewers don't yet know he's going to be their best starting pitcher for the next two years. In fact, he's going to win 22 games this season alone, and finish second in the Cy Young race. And he's closing the game!
Padres at Braves
Like the night before, the game is decided in the 9th inning, this time in the Padres' favor. Phil Niekro was still in the game in the top of the 9th, and Winfield reached on an error. George Hendrick then doubled him home to give Niekro his second loss. Niekro is going to have 37 decisions this year. Think that's a lot? In 1979 he would have 41 decisions!
Giants at Reds
Reds lose for the first time. Seaver pitched well, but Randy Tomlin gave up a homer to a young Jack Clark in the 8th, and the Giants eeked out the win.
Dodgers at Astros
Dodgers got their first loss, and Astros got their first win. J.R. Richard was dominant, with a complete game 2-hitter and 8 Ks. The only run of the game was in the bottom of the first, when leadoff hitter Terry Puhl singled, stole second and scored on a Cesar Cedeno single.
Cubs at Mets
Cubs lead 4-0 in the bottom of the eighth when Bruce Sutter is brought in to relieve Rick Reuschel. He gives up an earned run, and then Herman Franks decides not to bring him out in the ninth. Not a lot of confidence in this future Hall of Famer, and his youth can't be the reason. He had been an all-star the previous year, and finished 6th in the Cy Young voting and 7th in the MVP voting. Donnie Moore picked up the save for the Cubs.
April 10, 1978
Red Sox at Indians
Notable because there were only 4,177 fans at this game, which must have produced an echo in Cleveland Stadium. It held more than 75,000.
Orioles at Royals
Baltimore was no doubt happy to get away from the Milwaukee hitters. They lost anyway and remain winless. The runnin' Royals stole two more bases.
San Diego at Atlanta
Sarge (Gary Matthews, Sr.) went 4-for-4 with 2 homers and four RBI. It was all hit or miss. Gene Richards was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI, Dave Winfield was 2-for-5 with 4 RBI, Biff Pocaroba was 3-for-5 with 1 RBI, and Barry Bonnell 3-for-5. Take away those five guys, and the other 13 non-pitchers were a combined 4-for-40. Atlanta won when light-hitting Darrell Chaney hit a 9th inning 2-run homer off SD closer Bob Shirley. Chaney played 11 seasons and hit 14 home runs.
Atlanta finally gets in the win column.
Pirates at Cardinals
Jim Rooker couldn't get out of the first inning, and the Pirates called on Don Robinson in relief. It was Robinson's debut. No one yet knew it, but Robinson would turn out to be one of the best hitting pitchers of the modern era. In this game, he was 0-for-2, and he didn't pitch well either.
Red Sox @ Rays
It has been a long, long time since I've seen a regular season game with as much energy as tonight's Red Sox/Rays game. I've never seen it at a Rays game. Y'know, one of those games where the cameras are shaky because the crowd is so excited? The stands are jam packed.
The Rays announcers have been talking in excited tones the entire game, as if winning the game will put the Rays in the playoffs. I'm sure those in Tampa Bay are anticipating this kind of battle between the Rays and the expected contenders for the rest of the year.
What energy!
The Rays announcers have been talking in excited tones the entire game, as if winning the game will put the Rays in the playoffs. I'm sure those in Tampa Bay are anticipating this kind of battle between the Rays and the expected contenders for the rest of the year.
What energy!
Predict-a-Matic Results: June 30, 2008
The system vastly underpredicts Glen Perkins every time out, and vastly overestimates Greg Maddux (and Pedro too...must be a predilection for HoFers past their prime).
Pitcher Bust Games: Avg. GS: 37
Hitter Boom Games: .288 3dbl 6hr (.477slg) 15r 21rbi
Hitter Bust Games: .338 1dbl 2hr (.441slg) 11r 7rbi
Game Winners: 9-3
Pitchers IP H HR BB SO ER GS Over% Undr%
Greinke (KCR) 6.1 6 1 2 5 2 54 33% 25%
5.0 7 1 1 5 5 37 Grade: C+
Burres (BAL) 5.9 7 1 2 4 3 48 13% 20%
5.0 5 0 3 3 1 53 Grade: C+
----------------------------------------------------
Maine (NYM) 6.0 6 1 2 5 2 54 38% 27%
4.0 7 0 3 1 3 34 Grade: C-
Lohse (STL) 5.7 6 0 2 3 2 51 20% 16%
7.0 5 0 2 4 0 69 Grade: C+
----------------------------------------------------
Feldman (TEX) 5.7 8 1 4 3 4 37 14% 58%
5.7 4 1 3 3 1 59 Grade: B-
Mussina (NYY) 5.3 7 1 1 3 2 48 13% 17%
6.0 5 0 2 8 2 60 Grade: B-(over penalty)
----------------------------------------------------
Maholm (PIT) 5.5 7 1 2 4 3 44 21% 45%
7.0 5 1 2 5 2 62 Grade: C+
Harang (CIN) 6.2 7 1 1 6 3 53 12% 18%
7.0 7 1 1 8 3 58 Grade: A
----------------------------------------------------
Masterson (BOS) 5.5 6 1 3 4 3 49 31% 30%
6.0 5 2 5 5 4 46 Grade: B
Shields (TBR) 6.8 6 1 1 6 3 59 15% 16%
6.3 5 1 1 5 2 60 Grade: A
----------------------------------------------------
Galarraga (DET) 6.2 6 1 2 4 2 55 37% 27%
6.0 9 0 1 3 3 44 Grade: B+
Perkins (MIN) 5.9 8 1 2 3 3 45 9% 30%
6.3 7 1 1 7 2 58 Grade: B+
----------------------------------------------------
Sowers (CLE) 4.6 7 1 2 2 3 39 19% 48%
3.0 6 2 2 2 8 15 Grade: C-(under bonus)
Floyd (CHW) 5.5 6 1 2 5 3 47 6% 32%
6.0 7 1 2 10 3 54 Grade: A
----------------------------------------------------
Maddux (SDP) 5.8 7 0 1 3 2 50 34% 25%
4.7 8 1 3 1 8 16 Grade: D
de la Rosa (COL)5.2 6 1 2 4 3 45 10% 23%
5.0 11 2 0 3 6 24 Grade: C
----------------------------------------------------
Smith (OAK) 5.7 6 1 3 3 3 47 31% 35%
9.0 4 1 2 3 1 76 Grade: C-(over bonus)
Garland (LAA) 6.0 7 0 2 3 2 51 12% 19%
6.0 8 0 1 6 2 53 Grade: A
----------------------------------------------------
Bush (MIL) 5.3 7 1 2 4 3 45 23% 39%
5.0 9 0 2 1 4 32 Grade: A-(under bonus)
Davis (ARI) 5.6 6 1 3 5 3 48 11% 22%
5.7 5 0 4 3 3 48 Grade: A
----------------------------------------------------
Halladay (TOR) 7.2 8 0 1 4 2 57 38% 25%
9.0 4 0 0 6 0 85 Grade: C (over bonus)
Dickey (SEA) 6.1 7 0 2 4 3 47 11% 24%
6.3 9 0 1 3 2 50 Grade: A-
----------------------------------------------------
Lilly (CHC) 5.9 6 0 2 5 2 55 42% 20%
8.0 7 0 2 5 2 63 Grade: B (over bonus)
Zito (SFG) 5.3 6 0 3 4 2 49 15% 16%
5.0 6 1 5 6 4 40 Grade: B
Pitcher Boom Games: Avg. GS: 66 Pitcher Bust Games: Avg. GS: 37
Hitter Boom Games: .288 3dbl 6hr (.477slg) 15r 21rbi
Hitter Bust Games: .338 1dbl 2hr (.441slg) 11r 7rbi
Game Winners: 9-3
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