Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

Two more great careers reach the end of the line posted by David

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas officially announced their retirements this week, ending speculation that either one would attempt a comeback in 2010 after not appearing in a big league game last season.  Glavine was a great finesse pitcher of his generation, and Thomas was a premiere slugger of the nineties.

The southpaw won 305 games, two Cy Young Awards, and four Silver Sluggers.  He was a 10-time All-Star, had five 20-win seasons, and was named the 1995 World Series MVP for leading the Braves to victory.  Glavine’s Fall Classic performance included eight innings of one-hit, shutout ball in a decisive Game 6 against the Cleveland Indians.  In addition to cleanup man Albert Belle, the Cleveland lineup featured the likes of Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and then-future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.  Meanwhile, Braves hitters were only able to put a single run on the board in the bottom of the sixth, leaving Glavine with no margin for error.  Among his lesser-known achievements, Glavine allowed just one grand slam in 682 games – all starts – over his 22-year major league career.  Finally, at the time of his retirement, he was second only to Omar Vizquel in sacrifice bunts among active players, with 216.  (The next-closest – pitcher or position player – is longtime teammate John Smoltz, with 136.)

Thomas hit 521 home runs, collected 2,468 hits, and finishes with an impressive line of .301/.419/.555.  He won back-to-back MVP awards, four Silver Sluggers, and one batting title.  Additionally, he had 11 seasons with 100+ RBI’s and was named to five consecutive All-Star teams (1993-1997) at a very competitive time for American League first basemen.  (Mark McGwire, John Olerud, Mo Vaughn, Tino Martinez, Cecil Fielder, Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro were perennial contenders.)  The Big Hurt’s best year came in 1994, when he set career highs in batting average (.353), on-base-percentage (.487), and slugging percentage (.729), and despite being limited to 113 games by the players’ strike, hit 38 home runs and drove in 101 runs.  Thomas’s monstrous slugging percentage that season puts him in a club with guys named Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Hornsby, and Foxx.

Run production and slugging: not always hand in hand posted by David

While researching ballplayers of the nineties, I discovered that in 1993, Jeff King of the Pirates drove in 98 runs while hitting only nine home runs and slugging just .406.  I then wondered if any player has ever driven in 100 runs with fewer than 10 homers or with a slugging percentage under .400.  Upon further investigation, I found that in 1996 – the year he turned 40 during the Dog Days of August – Paul Molitor hit just nine homers but accumulated 113 RBI’s while playing for the Twins.  Thanks to his American League-leading 225 hits and batting two hitters behind leadoff man Chuck Knoblauch in the midst of his best season (.448 OBP), Molitor led the Twins in both hitting (.341) and Runs Batted In.  I have yet to find a player with a season of 100+ RBI’s despite a slugging percentage under .400 (Molitor’s was a healthy .468), but I will continue searching.

How ‘bout that?

How about Roy Halladay?  In a classy move following his trade to the Phillies, Halladay wrote an open letter to Blue Jays fans in a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun, thanking them for their “overwhelming passion and devotion.”  Halladay, the longest-tenured member of the Jays, will remain in the team record books for quite some time.  He is second to Dave Stieb in wins by a Blue Jays pitcher with 148, and during his big-league career, which began in 1998, he represented the Jays in six All-Star games, came within one out of a no-hitter in his second major league start, and set a single-season franchise record with 22 wins in 2003, when he won the Cy Young Award.  He also threw 49 Complete Games, including 15 shutouts, good for third and second, respectively, in Blue Jays history.  Halladay’s good-bye makes me feel good as a baseball fan.

Gold Glove on the pitcher’s mound: a new era begins posted by David

For the first time since 1990, both the American and National Leagues saw first-time Gold Glove winners on the pitcher’s mound.  It is no coincidence that 2009 is the first year that Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, and Kenny Rogers aren’t eligible, each having retired following the 2008 season.  From 1990 through 2008 – his final year in the big leagues – Greg Maddux was named the National League’s Gold Glove pitcher every year but one – 2003, when teammate Mike Hampton won.  From 1996 through 2008, the American League saw two pitchers – Mike Mussina and Kenny Rogers – win all but one Gold Glove.  (Johan Santana received the award in 2007.)

If history is getting ready to repeat itself, 2009 winners Mark Buehrle and Adam Wainwright could both be on their way to collecting a dozen Gold Gloves.

How ‘bout that?

How about Zack Greinke?  Though he won only 16 games, Greinke led A.L. Cy Young Award challenger Felix Hernandez in E.R.A. (2.16 to 2.49) and WHIP (1.073 to 1.271).  He was also second in the majors (to perennial Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay) with six complete games and three shutouts.  In 33 starts, Greinke surrendered 11 home runs – the same number as allowed by Yankee pitchers in the six games of the World Series.  The Royals tied the Indians for last-place in the A.L. Central, winning 65 games, but on a first-place team, Greinke would likely have been a 20 game winner.

How about Andrew Bailey?  The A’s rookie right-hander boasted a 1.84 E.R.A. to go with his 6-3 record, 26 saves, and most impressive of all, a 0.876 WHIP.  Among American League closers, not one had a lower WHIP, and only Mariano Rivera bested Bailey’s Earned Run Average.  Bailey was without question the right choice for A.L. Rookie of the Year.

CC Sabathia's The Greatest Free-Agent Pitcher The Yanks Have Ever Signed posted by Colin Linneweber

The New York Yankees bludgeoned the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10-1 in Game 4 of the ALCS Tuesday night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim to move within one victory of their first trip to the World Series since the 2003 season.

Yankees ace lefthander C.C. Sabathia allowed only one run on five hits and two walks over eight stellar innings to help New York take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Angels in the best-of-seven series.

“He was spectacular again,” Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said of Sabathia, who is now 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in his three postseason starts this year. “To be able to shut this club down like he did, again, is no easy feat.”

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia agreed with Girardi’s assessment.

“Game 1 and this game, C.C. is the story,” said Scioscia of the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner who went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA this year. “He pitched a terrific game for them.”

Sabathia, 29, who signed a seven-year contract with the Yankees worth $161 million last December, has not always fared quite so well in the postseason.

Prior to this autumn, the San Francisco Bay Area native owned a 4-3 record with a 5.45 ERA pitching in the playoffs.

While he was still a member of the Cleveland Indians, Sabathia particularly struggled in the 2007 ALCS versus the Boston Red Sox.

Sabathia’s porous outings paved the way for Boston to erase a 3-1 deficit to the Indians and win the series in the decisive seventh game.

Bobby Cox has one more season in him posted by David

Braves manager Bobby Cox announced this week his plans to retire after the 2010 season and to immediately take on a consulting role with the team.  Cox has won 2,409 games as a manager and is fourth all-time in the category, behind only Connie Mack (3,731), John McGraw (2,763) and current Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (2,550).  Cox has five pennants and one World Series title to his name, and won the Manager of the Year award four times.  Under his leadership, the Braves have won 100 games six times.  The next manager of the Atlanta Braves will have big shoes to fill.

How ‘bout that?

How about Adam Laroche?  Since being traded back to the Braves mid-season, Laroche has slugged .622 to go with his .355 batting average and .426 on-base percentage.  In 126 fewer at-bats, Laroche has hit twice as many home runs (12) as did his predecessor, Casey Kotchman.  To top it off, Laroche has made just one error in 47 games with Atlanta and boasts a .998 fielding percentage.

How about Joel Piñeiro?  The Cardinals have a mighty pitching duo in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, but their third starter has been pitching like an ace this year too.  Celebrating his 31st birthday today, Piñeiro is 15-11 with a 3.24 E.R.A. and a 1.128 WHIP.  He leads the pitching staff with two shutouts and is tied with Carpenter for the team lead in complete games, with three.  If their pitchers perform in the playoffs anything near their regular season stats, St. Louis will be the toughest club to beat.

Boston Red Sox to MISS Playoffs in '09 posted by Joe Burgmeier

Sunday August 16, 2009 following their 4-3 loss at Texas, is the first time since April 21st that the Red Sox do not have a share of the wild-card or AL East lead.  Does this mean that Red Sox nation should give up hope for the playoffs or a world series birth this year?  Probably not.  However, they should.  Sorry Red Sox fans and band wagoners, your team simply is not going to make the playoffs this year with the emergence of the Rangers pitching staff and the dominance of the Yankees offense.

Now I assume most of the Boston fans are screaming and their faces are steaming with team colors and pride.  But we have to look at match ups in the remaining schedule.  The Red Sox have a tougher remaining schedule than the Wild Card leader Texas Rangers and the only other team with an outside chance in Tampa Bay, has a tougher remaining season schedule than either and it would be one of the more amazing stretch runs if they make it.  The Red Sox have 20 games left against teams that are trying to make the playoffs, this of course comes with 6 games against all of Boston's beloved Johnny Damon and the New York Yankees, 6 games against newly acquired division rival Tampa Bay, who play tough at home, and 3 games with the Angels.  Out of the 20 playoff type team games left, there are 8 interesting games between the White Sox and Red Sox.  I'm not going to predict any winners from these games {insert 2005 playoff flashback here} but will be some of the most intriguing match ups of the season as Chicago has bolstered their hitting and pitching with the addition of Alexei Rios and SP Jake Peavy.  Peavy has been rumored for a late August return or early September return and could be a factor.  The White Sox are doing everything they can to try to win the Central this season.

The Case for Trading Grady Sizemore posted by Brad VanFossan

...this offseason:

-The Indians have already traded better players so why not?

-The Indians are not going to contend next year (repeat in 2011, 12, 13, 14....etc.)

-You can't build your team around a guy who strikes out too much and hits .260 when he's healthy.

-Trade him while other GM's still feel he has a tremendous upside and before they have a few more years to see his batting average and extra base hits decline as they have since 2006.

-Grady's Ladies have got to go.

-There would never be a chance of another Surfing Sizemore bobblehead.  Hard to imagine a kid who grew up in Washington state did much surfing.

-There would never be a chance of another Sizemore fleece blanket, paving the way for just a plain Snuggie giveaway, which is all we've really ever wanted as fans.

-I won't have to watch him hit anymore solo home runs when the Indians are losing 8-1.

-I won't have to watch him kill rallies by striking out with runner's in scoring position in a close game anymore.

-The Indians could get three prospects that aren't considered their trading partners top prospects (i.e. the Cliff Lee trade).  Please note sarcasm, but I'm sure this isn't far from the truth.

-Sure no one would probably ever play centerfield defensively as well ever again in an Indians uniform, but if your'e becoming more known for your defense, well then sorry but you're not an elite player.

-I won't have to hear in the media that the Indians are trying to get Grady to be more of a leader anymore.  It hasn't happened in five years and it's not going to happen now.

Red Sox making push for Playoffs posted by john howard

The Boston Red Sox on Friday acquired C/1B Victor Martinez and 1B Casey Kotchman while giving up right hander Justin Masterson and 1B Adam LaRoche.

Martinez gives them a first baseman and catcher. With Mike Lowell's sore hip, Kevin Youkilis has been playing third base. Now, Martinez can play first. He can also play some at cather where backup Kattaras is batting .224 with one homerun in 85 at bats. This is a major upgrade in both spots. Meanwhile, LaRoche backing up first and pinch hitting is lost. But instead of power, they traded for average with Kotchman. Also, with Ortiz struggling, Kotchman can dh or Martinez can. There is now a lot of flexibility on this team.

They had to give up Masterson to make this happen. Masterson had appeared in 31 games and 6 as a starter. With a 1.35 WHIP and 4.50 ERA, Masterson is a valuable pitcher on any staff. Boston has 4 very strong starting pitchers with Lester, Beckett, Penny and Wakefield. The 5th spot is currently John Smoltz and Dice K has been a bust this year. However, once youv'e made the playoffs, #5 doesn't matter. This is all about winning the world series.

Bravo Boston!!!Continue reading "Red Sox making push for Playoffs"

UPDATE 3:26 PM : Details on the Victor Martinez trade posted by Tony Rossi

The Boston Red Sox have acquired Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians.  Here's who we've given up:

Justin Masterson

Nick Hagadone

Bryan Price

I'm sure gonna miss Masterson, but I guess this is the best deal.  We didn't lose Buchholz, and we didn't have to give up prospects like Bowden or Anderson.   Even still, I feel like this leaves a hole in the bullpen. 

4 minor leaguers suspended for positive drug tests (AP)

Four Dominican Summer League players, including a pair of New York Yankees prospects, have been suspended for the first 50 games of the season following positive tests for steroids under baseball's minor league drug program. Yankees pitcher Israel Tolentino and catcher Josue Rodriguez were penalized along with New York Mets pitcher Melvin Colon and Cleveland Indians outfielder Steven Lebron. [read full article]

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