Archives for October 2012

Sandoval KOs Verlander – Game On!

October 25, 2012 by

Kung Fu Panda changes the tone of the World Series.

Now that the Panda-Monium surrounding Pablo Sandoval’s record-tying three homers in a single World Series game has waned (at least a little bit), BBRT would like to add its perspective on Kung Fu Panda’s historic game.

Sandoval may have already earned the World Series MVP award for changing the whole “tone” of the Series in three swings of the bat.  Remember, just a few days ago, Detroit was supposed to “over power” the Giants on the strength of big bats and strong arms. San Francisco, which had hit the fewest home runs in major league baseball over the course of the season (103) seemingly couldn’t match the power of the Miguel Cabrera / Prince Fielder-led Tigers (the Tigers hit 163 regular-season homers).  In addition, the power pitching of the Tigers, led by Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer – the first teammates to finish 1&2 in strikeouts since Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in 2003) – was supposed to be too much for the Giants peck-and-scratch lineup.  After all, the Tigers starters had the second-best ERA (3.76) in the AL and, going into game one of the Series, had a 2012 post-seasons ERA of 1.02.  And, besides, mound king Justin Verlander was starting game one.

So, what did Sandoval’s big game do?

  • Dispelled the notion that the Giants couldn’t generate series-winning power.
  • Dispelled the notion that Justin Verlander was the “invincible difference” in the Series.
  • Dispelled the notion that the Tigers starters would overpower the Giants hitters.

As Verlander mouthed after Sandoval’s second-dinger “Wow!”  It now appears to be a whole new ballgame.

BBRT would also like to congratulate the (in the past, much-maligned) Barry Zito – who despite his 85-mph fastball, outpitched Verlander (95-mph heater).  Zito joined the  Giants in 2007 with a $126-million contract after seven seasons with the Oakland A’s, where he never finished under .500 (102-63 overall), won the 2002 Cy Young, led the league in wins once (23-5 in 2002) and starts four times, and had an ERA over 4.00 only once.  In his first five years with the Giants, Zito went 43-61, never had an ERA under 4.00 (and topped 5.00 twice), led the league in only one category (17 losses in 2008) and was left off the 2010 post season roster.  It appears all is now forgiven,. Zito went 15-8, 4.15 in the regular season and delivered important wins in game five of the National League Championship Series and, of course, yesterday’s World Series game one.  BBRT congratulates a hurler who worked hard, persevered and is now proving to be a post-season difference maker.

So, as we move to game two – it’s “game on.”  The Tigers still have the advantage when it comes to starting pitching (although less so with Verlander’s loss) and home run power, with Giants having the edge in the bullpen (Valverde seems totally lost) and defense.  It should be a fun ride.

Filed Under: News

Why I Love Baseball … Guest Post from sportswriter/author Larry LaRue

October 22, 2012 by

BBRT presents a guest post from journalist/author Larry LaRue.

BBRT is pleased to bring you a guest post from veteran journalist/sportswriter Larry LaRue, author of the entertaining book Major League Encounters,  a compilation of 100 vignettes over 255 pages that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at what drives the men – and boys – who earn the rare opportunity to play our national past time  at its highest level.  (See BBRT’s review, posted August 30, for more detail.   Major League Encounters is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  BBRT thanks LaRue for his contribution – especially the very appropriate tale (since this is a post for BBRT’s Why I Love Baseball section) on how he witnessed the no-hitter on which the Kevin Costner’s film “For the Love of the Game” is based.

 

Why I Love Baseball

By Larry LaRue

For BaseBallRoundTable.com

I’ve loved the game my entire life and 33 years ago was given the opportunity to cover it professionally. What I learned from and about the men who play, manage and coach the game only deepened my affection for baseball.  All of us who played the game learned somewhere along the line how difficult it was to be as good as the best on our teams. It was no different in the majors.

In the spring of 1988, Ken Griffey Jr. was in camp with the Seattle Mariners and his natural ability was astonishing.  He was having a great spring until he faced Oakland’s Dave Stewart, and Stewart made him look foolish at the plate.  After a second strike out, Griffey went to hitting coach Gene Clines.

“What is that pitch?” he asked.
“That’s a split-fingered fastball,” Clines said.
“Why does he keep throwing it in the dirt?”
“Because you keep swinging at it.”

Griffey considered that, took it to heart. He committed the pitch to memory, swore he would make Stewart throw it for a strike. When the regular season opened, rookie Griffey faced veteran Stewart in the Kingdome for the Mariners home opener.  Stewart got ahead in the count, threw Junior a splittie.  Griffey hit it off the left field fence for a double.

For many of the 33 years I covered the game, I was in the press box of one ball park or another most nights all season. It was impossible not to see the physical toll a 162-game season took on the men who played it.  By the All-Star break, every pitcher was at less than 100 per cent.  So were most hitters. There are strains, aches and minor injuries that are largely ignored day after day after day.

The game isn’t played by supermen. Those who succeed, however, do so because – like all of us growing up playing once or twice a week – they love to be on a diamond.

Being around players meant appreciating their devotion to a game, and understanding it was for the most selfish of reasons. They could not imagine enjoying any thing in life more than playing baseball well.

Cal Ripken Jr. considered his consecutive games streak little more than a man showing up for work every day. He did it because he loved the game, yes, but he also did it because he felt an obligation to teammates and the franchise.  He’d signed on to play baseball. Unless there was someone on the team better than he was at what he did, the team was at its best when he played.

The more I learned about the game – and I often learned it from old-school managers like Gene Mauch and Dick Williams, who didn’t mind pointing out what I didn’t know – the better it got.

Seeing a pitcher set up a hitter in the first inning for what he might need to do late in the game, knowing what hitters looked for in certain counts … the complexity of the game was fascinating.

More than anything, though, knowing the men who played the game made watching it all the more gripping.

On May 14, 1996, I watched Dwight Gooden throw a no-hitter for a New York Yankees team he’d barely made. Starting because someone else couldn’t, he was a shell of the pitcher he’d been when he burst upon the game.

That night, however, Gooden pitched on heart and grit and the desire players never lose no matter what their ability. By the seventh inning, he had nothing left but a curveball. By the eighth inning, he’d thrown 110 pitches. In the ninth, he passed 120 pitches, then 130.  On the 135th pitch of the game, Gooden completed a no-hitter. Kevin Costner’s film, ‘For Love of the Game,’ was based on Gooden’s performance.

For Gooden that night, the game was about redemption.

Baseball has never been only about athletic ability. The drama each season provides goes beyond wins and losses and gives those who follow it comedy and melodrama, delight and torment.

The best players fail, not just at the plate or in the field, but occasionally in life. Unknowns fill in and become stars.  Bodies break down, teams that are great in May flounder in July.  The game is never scripted and as a writer, I couldn’t have created more moving stories.

I watched Nolan Ryan throw his last big-league pitch, a ball with nothing on it, and walk off the mound and the field for the final time as a pitcher.  He’d thrown a million fastballs by then, set records and left his mark, but Ryan knew his right arm. What hurt that night was, he knew, the end.

“I’ve thrown my last pitch,” he said afterward, without tears.

I consider myself fortunate to have known men like Ryan, Reggie Jackson, Bret Boone, Griffey, Fred Lynn, Ripken, Bruce Kison, Jay Buhner … and countless others who gave me their time, shared their stories.

Professionally, I’ve now covered my last baseball game.  I’ve been shifted back to news, where my career began, as a columnist.

Yes, I love the game of baseball, and the young players like Mike Trout, Kyle Seager, Chris Sales. I will miss covering the sport and the men who keep it alive.  Players like Ryan and Ripken, however, showed how to walk away with dignity that reflected well on them and their game.  No tears here.

I still love the game.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Why I Love Baseball (YILBB)

Harmon Killebrew Ultimate Slugger – You Couldn’t Make This Up

October 20, 2012 by

Harmon Killebrew  Ultimate Slugger

 

By Steve Aschburner

Triumph Books, 2012

$25.95

 

Fact or fiction – a story about a strapping, 17-year-old country boy being signed by the Washington Senators after being discovered playing baseball by a U.S. Senator?  The Senators’ scout goes west to watch this teenager play a trio of games for the – Oh, let’s call them the Payette Packers – and all the kid does is go 11 for 13 with four home runs, two triples and a double.

But wait, the story gets better.  The phenom goes on to a 22-year career in which he is an 11-time All Star (the first player selected an All Star at three positions); hits 573 home runs (leading the league six times); drives in more than 1,500 runs (leading the league three times); and wins an AL MVP award.

But there’s more.  While his prestigious power earns him the nickname “Killer,” this ultimate slugger celebrates victories with milkshakes, has a humble and quiet disposition and spends time schooling teammates on how to sign a legible autograph for the deserving fans.

Had enough yet?  How about he visits a young burn victim in the hospital and tells him he’ll try to hit “a couple” of home runs for him (against the then vaunted Yankees no less) – and goes out and does it?  Oh, and for good measure, let’s say that, in addition to the Baseball Hall of Fame, he also earns a spot in the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

As movie, it would probably be considered a baseball fantasy.  As a book – Harmon Killebrew Ultimate Slugger – it is the real life story of the late Harmon Killebrew (as told by long-time journalist/sportswriter Steve Aschburner.)

I was seven-years-old when Harmon first came to the big leagues with the Senators in 1954, and was privileged to live in Minnesota and see him play for much of his career with the Twins.  I can confirm what the late Twins’ owner Calvin Griffith said about the excitement generated by this quiet star:  “If our fans knew Killebrew was coming up in the ninth inning, they never left the ball game, no matter what the score was.”  The fact is, we all knew the Killer was always a towering tape-measure drive waiting to happen.

All of this makes Ultimate Slugger a great read for anyone who had the fortunate opportunity to see Killebrew play.  Yet, in some ways, it may make the story less compelling for others.  Many of the stories about Killebrew are as modest as the man himself – no late-night carousing, no braggadocio, no feuds with pitchers or umpires.  Yet, the book is a good, and even inspiring, read.

Aschburner, in sparse journalistic style, captures the spirit, dignity and quiet strength of the Killer –  from his Idaho youth, across his HOF career, and finally through a series of family, financial and health issues.  He brings Killebrew to life not only with statistics and biographical information, but with stories and comments from those who played with him and against him.  He also gives readers a look at baseball in the 1950s and 1960s, referred to by many as the sport’s “golden years.”

But maybe more important, he gives us a look at a player who behaved in real life like the heroes we imagined in our youth.  Harmon Killebrew was the kind of man, the kind of role model, we’d all like to know (and have our kids get to know).  This book opens the door to that opportunity – and it is a BBRT recommended read for baseball fans of all ages.

It’s a good story, about a good man, who happened to be a great ballplayer.  For BBRT, there is one quote in the book that tells it all.  Asked to comment on the best day in his life (or career), Killebrew answered, “What’s the best day in my life?  I try to make every day in my life the best day.”  You couldn’t make that up.

Filed Under: Reviews

Move Over Reggie – For the Real Mr. October

October 15, 2012 by

Carlos “Big Game” Beltran – this guy can play the game.

Great players need great nicknames – like Mr. October, Big Train or the Baby Bull. Well, perhaps Carlos Beltran should be Carlos “Big Game” Beltran.  With his home run in game one of the 2012 NL Championship Series, Beltran added to his already spectacular post-season statistics.

In 29 post-season games, Beltran is hitting .370 with 14 home runs, 25 RBI., 38 runs scored and 9 stolen bases.  Not that he’s a regular season slouch.  In 15 seasons, the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year and nine-time All Star has rung up a .282 average, with 2,064 hits, 1,243 RBI and 1,267 runs scored.  He’s also a member of the 300-300 club, with 334 home runs and 306 stolen bases.  And, he tops it off with 3 Gold Gloves.  And, he’s done it all consistently and quietly, never leading the league in any of the key offensive categories.

Filed Under: News, Rants & Raves

BBRT Looks at 2012 Rookie and Manager of the Year Awards

October 9, 2012 by

In recent posts (Oct. 6/7), BBRT has shared its opinion on the AL & NL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards.  In this post, we’ll take a look at two more major regular season recognitions – Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.   We’ll start with the easiest to guage, American League Rookie of the Year.

 

Mike Trout – likely unanimous AL ROY.

AL Rookie of the Year – Mike Trout (Angels)

If you don’t know the AL ROY is going to be the Angels’ Mike Trout, go back to Monday Night Football, you’re reading the wrong blog.

The (now) 21-year-old Trout, called up in late April, finished the season with a .326 average, 30 HRs, 83 RBI (from the lead-off spot) – while also leading the AL in runs scored (129) and stolen bases  (49) and likely earning Gold Glove consideration. In the process,  he became the youngest player to reach the “30-30 Club” (HRs and SBs), one of only 19 players to reach 30-40, and came within one stolen base of joining Eric Davis (1987) and Barry Bonds (1990) in the 30 HR-50 SB fraternity.   In fact, as BBRT completes this post, Trout is not only being talked about as a shoe-in Rookie of the Year, but as a leading AL Most Valuable Player candidate (see BBRT post of Oct. 7).

Honorable Mention would go out to the Rangers’ right-hander Yu Darvish, who posted a 16-9 record, with a 3.90 ERA, striking out 222 batters in 191 1/3 innings pitched.  The contest, however, is not even close.

NL Rookie of the Year – Wade Miley (Diamondbacks)

Wade Miley – stats on next year’s card will show why BBRT likes him as NL ROY.

BBRT sees a three-way battle here – one that could have been avoided except for a kink in the ROY eligibility rules (more on that later).  BBRT takes Arizona hurler Wade Miley over Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Norichika Aoki of the Brewers.

First, why Miley?  For the year, he posted a 16-11 record (leading the Diamondbacks in wins), with the league’s tenth-best ERA among qualifiers (3.33).  He took on a strong workload for a rookie (194 2/3) innings pitched – showing poise, control and power (only 37 walks against 144 strikeouts).

Second, why not Harper or Aoki (especially Harper, who was touted all year as the league’s top and most exciting rookie)?  For BBRT these two players, who took widely different paths to the NL (Harper a teenage sensation and Aoki a 30-year-old Japanese import), stole votes from each other.   Here’s the proverbial “tale of the tape.”

Games Played:  Aoki leads 151 to 139.

Hits:  Aoki tops Harper 150 to 144.

Batting Average:  Aoki bests Harper – .288 to .270.

Runs Scored:  Harper tops Aoki – 98 to 81.

Home Runs:  Harper well ahead of Aoki 22 to 10.

Doubles:  Aoki makes up for some of Harper’s HR-power, leading in two-baggers 37-26.

Triples:  Harper is more explosive, with 9 triples to Aoki’s 4.

RBI:  Despite the “overpowering” HR lead, the RBI race was closer than you would expect, with Harper leading 59 to 50.

Stolen Bases: Like Harper in HRs, Aoki has a big lead here, 30 to 18.  Also, Oaki was safe 89.5% of the time to 75.0% for Harper.

Walks:  Harper leads Aoki 56 to 43.

Strikeouts:  BBRT hates these wasted at-bats.  Aoki fanned only 55 times to Harper’s 120.

Excitement quotient:  Have to give the edge to Harper, who went all-out, all-the-time.

Harper had a fantastic season for a teenager, but just not enough to offset Wiley’s presence in the Diamondbacks’ rotation – and really not that far ahead of Aoki’s 2012 performance.

Honorable Mention:  BBRT regrets that Cardinal Lance Lynn did not qualify for ROY consideration (there was some debate early in the season).  He was well under the 50 innings pitched limit (getting in 18 games with 34 2/3 innings in 2011), but his early June  2011 call-up gave him more than the allowable 45 days of ML service (during the 25-man roster period – yes, it’s a technical rule).  Without that hitch, and time on the bench, Lynn would get BBRT’s vote hands down for his 18-7, 3.78, 176 innings pitched, 64-walk, 180-strikeout effort.

Notably, over in the AL, Mike Trout faced a pre-season ROY-eligibility dilemma himself.  According to reports last December, Trout was initially credited with 55 days on the Angels’ active roster (during the 25-player time period) in 2011. However, Trout was on the 25-man roster for just 38 days, with the remaining additional 17 days being credited after a short-term demotion to the minors.  MLB, in that case, ruled that while Trout retains 55 days of service time for accounting purposes, only the time he spent on the active roster will count against his rookie status.  Wow, I’m getting a headache, Mr. Commissioner.

AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin (A’s)

The A’s Bob Melvin – BBRT choice for AL Manager of the Year.

BBRT’s choice, Bob Melvin, brought a no-name, no-payroll club (picked for last place by many analysts) to the West Division Championship with a 94-68 record (second-best in the AL).  Along the way, his A’s overcame a 13-game deficit as of June 30; were nine games out at the All-Star Break, four back with eight to go; and two behind with three to go.  They had to sweep the first-place and favored Rangers in the last series of the year and needed to overcome a 5-1 deficit in game 162 to capture the Division title.  They did it all – and with the lowest payroll in the league.

They also did it with no 100-RBI men; no .300 hitters; only one player with 30 or more homers; no-pitcher with more than 13 victories; only one pitcher with 30+ starts; and no pitcher with 200 innings pitched. They had 54 wins from rookie pitchers, and started a rookie hurler in each of the last 14 games of the season.

Runner-up?  That would be Buck Showalter of the equally “disrespected-in-the-preseason” Orioles.  Showalter kept his Orioles in the race with the vaunted Yankees until the final weekend, finishing two games out of the Division title – winning a Wild Card spot with a 93-69 record.  Had Melvin’s A’s not captured the West, BBRT would have split its vote between the A’s and Orioles’ skippers.

NL Manager of the Year – Davey Johnson (Nationals)

Davey Johnson – BBRT choice for NL Manager of the Year.

This was a close one for BBRT, with the Nationals’ Davey Johnson barely edging out Bruce Bochy of the Giants and Dusty Baker of the Reds not far behind.  All three managers brought 2011 non-playoff teams to Division Championships.  Johnson ends up with a slight edge for bringing his Nationals’ squad in at 98-64, MLB’s best record in 2012.

Here’s what BBRT saw over the season.  We’ll start with Johnson.  His Nationals improved from 2011’s third-place finish (80-81, 21 ½ games out) to 98-64 and an AL East Crown.  In the process, Johnson had to deal with injuries to key players like Michael Morse,  Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman.  He also had to keep enthusiastic (can you be overly enthusiastic?) 19-year-old rookie Bryce Harper on as even a keel as possible and handle the Stephen Strasburg shut-down controversy.  Finally, he boosted the confidence and performance of middle-infielders Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa, who came into the season with a combined 515 total games of MLB experience.  Those challenges, plus his deft handling of the pitching staff and MLB’s best record earn Johnson BBRT’s vote.

Close behind is the Giants’ Bruce Bochy.  The Giants didn’t have as far to come as the Nationals (which played a role in BBRT’s preference for Johnson), going from 2011’s second-place finish (86-76, eight games out) to 94-68.  Bochy, however, faced plenty of challenge along the way.  He lost his leading offensive player to a PED-related suspension, suffered through an off-year by staff ace Tim Lincecum (whose ERA went from 2011’s 2.74 to 5.18), dealt with injuries to key players like Pablo Sandoval, and faced the threat of the high-spending Dodgers.   Outside of the spectacular year from Buster Posey (.336, 24 HR, 103 RBI), the Giants’ HR and RBI leader would have been Sandoval, with only 12 HRs and 63 RBI.  Like the Nats, the Giants could count on a strong starting staff (Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Madison Baumgardner and a resurgent Barry Zito), which helped compensate for Lincecum’s 10-15 record. A key to the Giant’s strong season, however, was Bochy’s handling of the bullpen, consistently getting the “hot hand” in at the “right time.”  As a result, the bulk of the saves went to:  Santiago Casilla (25), Sergio Romo (14) and Javier Lopez (7).

BBRT gives third place in the Manager of the Year race to Dusty Baker of the Reds.  Baker brought the Reds from 2011’s third-place finish (79-83, 17 games back) to 97-65.  Over the course of the season, he had to deal with injuries to key players like Joey Votto (the center of the Reds’ offense) and Scott Rolen.  Baker, known as a player’s manager and motivator, responded by getting the best out of players like Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick.  Not blessed with a particularly strong bench, Baker proved a master (though an oft-criticized one) at juggling his line-up to keep the Reds on track.  Baker also has to be credited for the Mid-May decision to move hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman into the closer role.  Chapman responded with 38 saves, a 1.51 ERA and 122 K’s in 71 2/3 innings pitched.

Like Johnson and Bochy, Baker did benefit from a solid and stable (perhaps the most stable) starting rotation.  Baker’s five-man rotation (Johnny Cueto, Matt Latos, Homer Bailey, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake) accounted for 161 of the Reds’ 162 starts.  For you trivia buffs, the starter in that one “outlier” – the second game of an August 18 day/night doubleheader – was rookie Todd Redmond (his only ML appearance to date).

Overall, a great – maybe even award-worthy – managerial season for Baker.  However, both Johnson and Bochy had to deal with more “distractions” in bringing their squads home in first.

BBRT invites your comments on 2012 regular-season awards.

Filed Under: News, Rants & Raves

2012 Awards – NL MVP & the Cy Young(s)

October 8, 2012 by

With BBRT’s pick for the AL MVP out of the way – see the previous post on the very debatable junior circuit Most Valuable Player award – let’s move on to BBRT’s look at the remaining regular-season recognitions.  Not as much controversy here, but still plenty of good competition.

Buster Posey – BBRT choice for NL MVP.

NL MVP – Buster Posey (Giants)

BBRT sees a two-player race here and, surprisingly, both contenders make at least half their living in foul territory.  BBRT’s top candidates for NL MVP are catchers Buster Posey (SF) and Yadier Molina (St.L.).  BBRT is going with Posey, based on a combination of timing and circumstance.

Let’s look at Molina first.  A Gold Glove performer (who tosses out about half of the opponents’ potential base stealers), Molina put up some pretty gaudy offensive numbers for a backstop – .315, 22 HRs and 76 RBI.   His season was one of consistency:  .304, 13, 45 before the All-Star break, .328-9-31 in the second half.  Further, he called a great game and was a leader on the field.  Clearly, he made strong contributions to St. Louis run to a Wild Card spot.

BBRT’s MVP choice, however, contributed even more to his team’s results, helping lead the Giants to the West Division title (by 8 games over the Dodgers) despite the team’s on-field injuries and off-field difficulties.    Not only did Posey (like Molina) play the game’s most mentally and physically demanding position, he put up a line of .336, 24 HRs and 103 RBI.  In addition, Posey picked up the slack following Melky Cabrera’s PED-related suspension.  After a .289, 10 HR, 43 RBI first half, Posey delivered a .385 average with 14 HRs and 60 RBI after the break.  Further, Melky C.’s unfortunate (self-inflicted) circumstances, paved the way for Posey to become only the fourth catcher to win a league batting crown.   Ultimately, that strong (and much-needed) second-half push moves Posey ahead of Molina.

AL Cy Young – David Price

David Price – Edges Out Verlander for BBRT’s AL Cy Young.

Three starters dominated here – David Price, Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver.  BBRT goes with Price, barely over Verlander (due primarily to Price’s three extra wins) with Weaver dropping to third.  Let’s examine the competition.

Weaver, despite his 20-5 record, drops off due to having the fewest starts, fewest innings pitched, fewest strikeouts and highest ERA of the three.  Still he deserved consideration based on a 20-5 record, and 2.86 ERA.  It was the sub-200 innings pitched (188 2/3) and the less than dominating 142 strikeouts that put him third in this race.

Now to the top two contenders.  Verlander did lead the league in innings pitched and strikeouts (238 1/3 IP, 239 Ks). Price was not far behind at 211 IP and 205 Ks.  Verlander also led Price in starts, 33-31.  Price, on the other hand, led the league in ERA at 2.56, with Verlander second at 2.64 and Weaver third at 2.86.  Verlander also topped the AL in complete games with 6, to only 2 for Price (but today’s game really is not about going nine innings anymore).  Both pitchers logged 25 quality starts.  Ultimately, this could go either way, but for BBRT it comes down to Price’s three extra victories (20-5 versus 17-8) and the fact that Price edged Verlander by winning 22% of TB’s games, while Verlander picked up 19% of the Tigers’ victories.  BBRT can support either Price or Verlander, we just give the edge to tradition and the 20-game winner.

R.A. Dickey – Should Walk Off with NL Cy Young.

NL Cy Young – R.A. Dickey

This was a no-brainer for BBRT.  Yes, we love Braves’ closer Craig Kimbrel, 3-1 with 42 saves, a sparkling 1.01 ERA and a spectacular 116 strikeouts (and only 14 walks) in only 62 2/3 innings.   And there’s Gio Gonzalez of the Nationals, who was often buried in the Strasburg publicity and shut-down controversy, while quietly turning in a 21-8, 2.89 season with 207 K’s in 199 innings pitched.  A lesser case could also be made for the Reds’ Johnny Cueto (19-9, 2.78) and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 2.53), who came on strong; just too late.

Hands down, however, the Cy Young has to go to the Mets’ R.A. Dickey – who went 20 – 6, 2.73 with a Mets’ team that had a faltering bullpen and finished 14 games under .500.  Dickey led the NL in:  Starts (33, tie); Innings Pitched (233 2/3); Strikeouts (230, one more than Kershaw); Quality Starts (27); and Complete Games (5).  He finished second in wins to Gonzalez’ 21 and second in ERA (at 2.73) to Kershaw’s 2.53.  And, Dickey walked only 54 against his 230 K’s – unusual control for a knuckleballer.  A great season, deserving of the Cy Young for a pitcher who came into 2012 with a career 41-50 record and a 4.34 ERA.

Watch soon for BBRT’s Rookie and Manager of the Year picks – and we invite your comments on the MVP and Cy Young. 

Filed Under: News, Rants & Raves

BBRT Weighs In On Post Season Awards – Starting with AL MVP

October 7, 2012 by

Miguel Cabrera – BBRT’s AL MVP.

In the next few posts, BBRT will be taking a look at the upcoming MLB 2012 Regular Season Awards – MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year.  We’re starting with the most controversial award of 2012 – American League MVP.  The Tigers’ Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and the Angels’ spectacular rookie Mike Trout each have plenty of supporters and statistics – from Batting Average to On Base Percentage to Wins Above Replacement – are being tossed around like hand grenades.

In a tight contest, BBRT would give the AL MVP to Cabrera over sure-thing Rookie of the Year Mike Trout – and not just on the basis of Cabrera’s rare Triple Crown achievement.  Let’s look at the logic.

First, of course, we all know that Cabrera won the first Triple Crown in 45 years.  How much an edge is that in the race for MVP?   For BBRT, the three legs of the Triple Crown are weighed equally with a host of other stats.  Let’s look.

 

Batting Average

This is close, Cabrera leads the league at .330, but Trout is right behind, second in the league, at .326.  Very slight edge to Cabrera.

Home Runs

Cabrera enjoys a big lead in total HRs with his AL best 44, but Trout showed solid power as well. His 30 round trippers ranked 13th in the AL.  BBRT gives a moderate edge to Cabrera. (Some might argue that Trout spent most of April in the minors, but for the season he had only 63 fewer at-bats.)

RBI

Big edge to Cabrera, a league-leading 139, to Trout’s 83 (13th in the league).  But we need to take into account that Trout is a lead-off hitter and Cabrera is a middle of the line-up guy.

With the big three out of the way, Cabrera has a bit of an edge.  Now, let’s look deeper.

Runs Scored

Trout led the AL at 129 (despite a late-April call-up).  Cabrera, however, was no slouch.  His 109 runs scored were second only to Trout.  And, here again, for different reasons, we must keep in mind that Trout was leading off.  Still, slight advantage Trout.

Hits

Cabrera’s 205 were second in the league, but Trout’s 182 placed him tenth (and, again, he was called up in late April.)  Call this one a draw.

Doubles/Triples

Cabrera had a large lead in doubles 40 to 27, but that was offset by Trout’s 8 to 0 lead in triples.  Another toss-up.

Stolen Bases

Trout by far, a league-leading 49 to Cabrera’s four – making Trout a unique power-speed threat.

On Base and Slugging Percentage

Trout’s .399 OBP was third in the league, just besting Cabrera’s .393 (AL 4th) – while Cabrera’s .606 league-leading Slugging Percentage topped Trout’s .564 (third).  Six of one, half-dozen of another here.

So, now we’re through most offensive stats – and it’s very close.  BBRT sees a slight edge to Cabrera, but it’s still debatable.

Now, some offensive stats not too many are talking about.

Bases on Balls

Surprisingly, not a lot of free passes for either of these offensive stars.  Trout’s 67 walks were one more than Cabrera.  Toss up.

Strikeouts

Let’s face it, K’s are pretty much wasted at-bats.  A surprise here, Trout fanned 139 times (not expected from your lead-off man) to 98 for Cabrera (a more respectable number for the middle of the line-up).  Trout fanned 41 more times – in 63 fewer at bats.  Edge – Cabrera.

Defense

Trout takes the lead here, a potential Gold Glove candidate.  But, we have to keep in mind that Cabrera moved over the third base to enable the acquisition of Prince Fielder – a valuable concession from a team point of view.   Ultimate advantage, still a healthy one for Trout, but not weighted as heavily here as in some other quarters.

Other factors

Remember, this is not a Best Player or even Best All-Around Player award; this is Most Valuable Player – what you mean to your team.

BBRT give Cabrera an edge here, with Detroit coming back to win the Division

Mike Trout – spectacular rookie a close second in BBRT’s book.

and the Angels at home watching the post season after finishing third in their Division and four games behind in the Wild Card race. The fact is, without Cabrera, the Tigers, like the Angels, would already be home.  Without Trout, the Angels would probably still have finished third – just a little closer to Seattle.  BBRT agrees that Trout did spark the Angels, just not enough to make a difference in the final division standings. 

And what about the impact as the pennant race unfolded?  Consider what the two accomplished through the “Dog Days” of August, and the critical September/October time frame.  As Bill Madden of the NY Daily News noted: from August 1 on, Cabrera .344, 19 HRs and 54 RBI – Trout .287, 12 HRs and 28 RBI.  As the race heated up, Cabrera got hotter, while Trout seemed to fade a bit.

Further, Cabrera went through the season with the expectations placed on a veteran leader – to inspire, mentor and motivate – to be a clubhouse leader.  Trout was a rookie, expected to learn from team leaders like Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter.

So yes,  Trout, at 21, became the first rookie and youngest member of the 30-40 club (30 homers and 40 stolen bases) – and, to BBRT even more impressive, was only one stolen base from joining the elite 30-50 club, which includes only Eric Davis and Barry Bonds. An argument may, in fact, be made for Trout being very close to – if not the – best all-around, five-tool player of 2012.

But, again, this award does not recognize the “best” player, but rather the “most valuable.”   When you add it all up, BBRT’s MVP vote goes to Miguel Cabrera (WAR not withstanding) – not just for for his full-season performance on the field (all those stats being tossed around), but also for his contributions down the stretch, his willingness to cross the diamond from first base to third base for the good of the team, and the expectations placed on him as a veteran and team leader.  

Watch BBRT for a soon-to-come (and briefer) look at the other 2012 Awards:  NL MVP; AL & NL Cy Young; AL & NL Rookie of the Year; and AL & NL Manager of the Year.  There’s some spirited competition, but far less controversy.

Filed Under: News, Rants & Raves

Ten BBRT “Hits” from the 2012 MLB Season

October 5, 2012 by

Evan Scribner was the winning pitcher in the A’s storybook finish – and AL West Title.

2012 was a remarkable season – and BBRT expects even more excitement in the post season.  Most readers may be too young to remember “Your Hit Parade,: an early TV show that featured the Top Ten music hits and a few “extras.”  Here are ten “hits” and a few extras that grabbed BBRT’s attention during the 2012 MLB regular season.

1.  The no-name, low-payroll Oakland A’s AL Western Division Championship.

The Oakland A’s started the 2012 season with the lowest payroll in the AL and second-lowest payroll in all of baseball ($55.3 million, with only the Padres lower), and with most analysts predicting a last-place finish in the AL West.   Yet, this no-name bunch – 13 games out of first on June 30 – completed a remarkable comeback with a dramatic final weekend sweep (and comeback from a 5-1 deficit in game 162) of the heavily favored Texas Rangers to grab the AL West title with a 94-68 record.  The heroes in that final contest included such “name” players as Evan Scribner, Derek Norris, Brandon Moss and Coco Crisp.

How improbable was this division championship? The A’s had no 100-RBI men; no .300 hitters; only one player with 30 or more homers (Josh Reddick, 32);  no-pitcher with more than 13 victories; only one pitcher with 30+ starts (Tommy Milone, 31); and no pitcher with 200 innings pitched. They had 54 wins from rookie pitchers, and started a rookie hurler in each of the last 14 games of the season.

Here is the list of A’s with at least 100 games played in 2012:  Brandon Moss, Coco Crisp; Josh Reddick; Chris Pennington; Yoenis Cespedes; Seth Smith; Jemile Weeks.

Oh, and by the way, the A’s had sole possession of first place on only one day all season – the day that counted.

For BBRT, the A’s story was number-one on the 2012 Hit Parade.

2.  Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown

Not accomplished since 1967 (the Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski), Cabrera’s Triple Crown included a .330 average, 44 homers and 139 RBI – a performance that led his Tigers to the AL Central crown.  His key challenges came from Josh Hamilton in home runs (who suffered a late season power slump) and a final rush from Curtis Granderson that brought him within one round tripper of Cabrera.  Cabrera also pushed aside batting average challenges from Joe Mauer and Mike Trout, with Miggy turning in a clutch four-hit performance in the Tigers’ October 1 Division Championship-clinching game.

3.  Mike Trout’s spectacular rookie season.

All the pre-season hype focused on Washington National’s phenom Bryce Harper.  Then on April 27th, the California Angels made a move that changed the playing field – calling up Mike Trout, a 20-year-old who was hitting a blistering .403, with one HR,  13 RBI and six stolen bases at Salt Lake City.  Despite missing a month of the MLB season, Trout, at 21, became the first rookie and youngest member of the 30-40 club (30 homers and 40 stolen bases), finishing with a line of .326; 30 HRs; 49 SBs; 129 runs; 83 RBI; and a good shot at a Gold Glove.  And, again, despite his late April call up, was only one stolen base from joining the elite 30-50 club, which includes only Eric Davis and Barry Bonds.  It was a marvel to witness – and think about how much more baseball Trout (and fans) have to look forward to in the seasons ahead.

Hit Parade Extra – Precognition or Coincidence?  We’ll take coincidence.  BBRT’s March 29th blog may have foreshadowed the current Cabrera versus Trout MVP discussions.  The blog was title “Triple Crown = MVP?  Not Always!” Visit that blog for more detail, but three players have been denied the MVP after winning the Triple Crown, one of them twice:  Lou Gehrig, in 1934, actually led both leagues in the Triple Crown categories and finished a distant fifth in MVP voting, while Ted Williams won the Triple Crown in 1942 and 1947 without being recognized as MVP and Chuck Klein had that distinction in 1933. For 2012, BBRT’s vote goes to Cabrera, since Trout’s solid season and strong supporting cast still could not bring the Angels a playoff spot. 

4.  Baltimore Orioles make playoffs for the first time since 1997.

Like the Oakland A’s, the Orioles came into the season as Division “also-rans.”  Yet they stayed in the hunt with the powerful Yankees until the final weekend – and earned a Wild Card spot.  Like the A’s, we are not looking at a group of established names.  The O’s did show power, with five 20+-HR players, led by Chris Davis (33) and Adam Jones (30).  However, they had no 100-RBI players (although Davis, Jones and Matt Wieters all topped 80) or .300 hitters.  The Orioles starters were led in wins by Wei-Yen Chen, the only hurler with more than 20 starts (12-11, 4.02) – but did benefit from Jim Johnson’s 51 saves.  Still, the Orioles played gritty, were fun to watch, and did bring home 93 wins.

5.  The Washington Nationals NL East Crown.

The Nationals are considered another surprise team in the playoffs by many (BBRT was among those predicting a playoff spot), but more surprising may be that they led the NL in wins (98) and how they did it –with the NL’s lowest ERA (3.33), even after shutting down Stephen Strasburg.  Staff leaders were Strasburg (15-8, 3.16) and Gio Gonzalez (21-8, 2.89), while seven pitchers logged saves, led by Tyler Clippard (32) and Henry Rodriguez (9).  A real interest grabber was what would happen once Strasburg left the rotation.  John Lannan filled in admirably.

Hit Parade Extra – What difference relief pitchers make.  The New York Mets led all of MLB in quality starts in 2012 (101) and yet finished with only 74 wins against 88 losses.  BBRT watched the self-destruction closely.

6. The Pittsburgh Pirates fall from grace.

BBRT predicted in March that the Pittsburgh Pirates would end 19-years of futility (under-.500 finishes) this season.  That looked like a pretty good bet on August 8, when the Pirates were 16 games over .500 at 63-47, just 2 ½ games behind the division-leading Reds.  In fact, just over a week later, the team sent out play-off ticket ordering instructions.  Well, from August 8 on, BBRT watched in dismay as the March prediction and the Pirate’s season went into free fall.  They played 20-games under .500 the rest of the way, finishing at 79-83 for their 20th consecutive losing season.  Ironically, the clinching 82nd loss came at home on Sunday, September 30 – the Pirates’ official Fan Appreciation Day.

7. Chipper Jones’ Final Season.

BBRT watched with interest (and respect) as the forty-year-old Chipper Jones went .287, 14 HR, 62 RBI in his final season, helping the Braves to a post-season slot.  The future Hall of Famer, always a pressure player, hit a single (as a pinch-hitter) in his final regular season at-bat.  Post-season to follow and BBRT hopes to see more of Chipper.

8.  Kris Medlen’s remarkable comeback.

Kris Medlen is a remarkable “find” for the Braves – a solid prospect lost for all of 2011 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.  After the Braves moved him into the rotation on July 31 (after 38 relief appearances), he made 12 starts and went 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA.  For the year, he’s 10-1, 1.57.  But here’s what has grabbed BBRT’s attention.  Since 2010, the Braves have won 23 consecutive games started by Medlen, breaking a record shared by Hall of Famers Carl Hubbell and Whitey Ford.  As BBRT writes this post, Medlen is preparing to face the Cardinals in a Wild Card play-off game.

9. Melky Cabrera suspension and right decision.

BBRT was glad to see Melky Cabrera, baseball and the Giants do the right thing after Cabrera’s PED-related suspension, with Melky opting out of the batting race (see blog post of Sept. 22) and the Giants deciding not to activate him for the post season.   Notably, Melky’s “resignation” – with a .346 average – opened the door for the Giants’ Buster Posey (.336) to become only the fourth catcher to win a batting title.

10. Seven no-hitters and three perfect games.

Seems like BBRT has been posting about no-hitters and perfect games all season.  You can check them all out in posts of Sept. 29, August 16, July 12, June 14, June 9 and April 21.  Lots of no-hitter trivia and tidbits there.

 Hit Parade Extra – A Few Honorable Mentions:  Jamie Moyer becoming the oldest pitcher to win a major league game; the collapse of the Red Sox; the inability of the West Coast Dodgers and Angels to make the playoffs despite some aggressive signings and trades; R.A. Dickey’s remarkable season; the impact of the new Wild Card system; Yu Darvish; and my fantasy team – the KL Mundies – taking first place with 7200 total points, only 15 ahead of second place.

Any highlights to add – use the comments section, BBRT would love to hear your views on the 2012 season. 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Rants & Raves