Archives for October 2013

Depth, Destiny and Home Field Advantage – Series to Sox

October 22, 2013 by
Deciding factor in seven-game World Series?

Deciding factor in seven-game World Series?

There is jubilation at BBRT.  Never a fan of the (expanding) Wild Card format, BBRT is pleased to see the teams with the best record in each league – the Red Sox and Cardinals, both at 97-65 – in the World Series.  The last time this happened was not even in the 21st Century (1999 – Yankees/Braves).  So, tomorrow night (Wednesday. 7:30 p.m.), two teams with long and rich baseball heritages – and knowledgeable, loyal and enthusiastic fan bases – will meet in the World Series for the fourth time.

BBRT anticipates a tough and exciting series, with the Red Sox winning in seven games – due to a combination of “Depth, Destiny and Home Field Advantage” (not necessarily in that order).

DEPTH

Both teams boast strong line-ups (the Red Sox with the edge in power and speed, the Cardinals with an advantage in consistency and situational hitting). Boston, however,  has a few more weapons to bring in off the bench with Daniel Nava or Jonny Gomes (depending on who starts in left field), the speedy Quintin Berry and backup backstop David Ross.  Plus, in Saint Louis, it appears David Ortiz will play first, making Mike Napoli available off the bench.  The Cardinal’s key bench players figure to be David Descalso and, in St, Louis, either Mike Adams or Allen Craig.

The Cardinals, boasting MLB’s second-best ERA for their starting rotation (3.42) have a solid one-two punch in Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94 in the regular season) and rookie Michael Wacha (4-1, 2.78, nine starts).  Those two have combined to go 5-1, 1.03 thus far in the 2013 post season.  Still, you can’t forget that Boston won all three Verlander/Scherzer starts in the ALCS.  Boston counters with the capable Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75) and Clay Bucholz (12-1, 1.74).  It’s when you get to the three/four slots that depth works in favor of the Red Sox, with the experienced John Lackey (who may actually draw the game two start) and Jake Peavy having an edge versus Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly.

DESTINY

The Red Sox made the leap from last to first, with a lot of new faces and (under John Farrell) a whole new culture. They are a team of emotion – driven by clubhouse chemistry, “Boston Strong” and “Boston Beards.”  The Red Sox simply believe a World Championship is their destiny – and BBRT thinks that more emotional approach may provide just a bit of an edge over the very professional and consistent confidence and performance of the Cardinals’ squad.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

These two teams are very well matched and the ultimate deciding factor may prove to be home field advantage.  Not only do the Red Sox get four games at home – that home field forces the opposition to play not only in front of the “Boston Nation,” but also in the shadow of the “Green Monster.”  For the Cardinals’ young pitching staff – particularly the relief cadre – that big green wall may seem to be leaning right over their shoulders when on the mound.  Let’s face it, playing in Fenway presents some unique challenges, and that will work in the Red Sox’ favor.

So, again, BBRT sees the Red Sox in seven, with each team grabbing one away game in the process. 

KEY MATCH-UPS

Now, here are some key match-ups that BBRT will be watching.

The Red Sox’ veteran hitters against the Cardinals’ young pitching staff.

BBRT will be keeping close tabs on the battle between key Red Sox’ veteran (and very patient) hitters like David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia,  Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino and the Cardinals’ rookie post-season “ace” Michael Wacha, closer Trevor Rosenthal and, perhaps even more important, young relievers Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist and Carlos Martinez.  If the Cardinals are going to have a chance to take the Series, Wacha and the young relievers must continue their strong post season performance; and the entire pitching staff must focus on first-pitch strikes.

 

Can Yadier and Cardinals' pitchers slow down Red Sox' running game?

Can Yadier and Cardinals’ pitchers slow down Red Sox’ running game?

Yadier Molina versus Boston Base Runners.

With Boston having out-homered Saint Louis 178 to 125 in the regular season, you would expect the speed advantage would go the Cardinals.  Not so.  The Red Sox stole 123 bases in 2013, and were caught only 19 times.  The Cardinals, on the other hand, stole just 45 bags and were nailed on 22 attempts.  In the post-season, Boston has stolen 11 bases in 13 attempts, while Saint Louis has just 3 steals. The Cardinals counter the Red Sox’ dangerous running game with five-time Gold Glover Yadier Molina behind the plate.  BBRT will be watching the match-up between Yadier’s arm and the speed of Jacob Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia and likely pinch-runner Quintin Berry.  Shutting down the Red Sox’ running game is particularly important, as the Cardinals work to keep the disruptive pressure off a young mound staff.

David Ortiz versus Carlos Beltran.

In David Ortiz and Carlos Beltran, the Series features two proven big-game hitters.  Which of these two lives up to his billing could have a lot to do with the outcome or the series.

Allen Craig versus His Own Left Foot.

Allen Craig has been out of the lineup since Sept. 4 due to a left foot sprain. Now he’s back and, if he can shake off the rust, his bat in the middle of the Cardinals’ line up can really boost the birds. During the regular season, Craig went .315-13-97 in 134 games.

Matt Carpenter versus Dustin Pedroia.

These two second baseman are both professional hitters and critical parts of their teams’ offenses.  Carpenter hit .318, with 11 home runs, 78 RBI, 126 runs and 3 steals during the regular season (leading the NL in runs, hits and doubles).  Pedroia hit .301, with nine home runs, 84 RBI, 91 runs and 17 steals. Either of these players is capable of dominating in a short series and, if either does, it could significantly impact the outcome.

Michael Wacha versus the Green Monster.

A twenty-one-year-old rookie, Michael Wacha has proven his courage and composure in the post season – going 3-0, twice beating likely NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and giving up just one run in 21 innings.  His first start in the World Series – in the shadow of the Green Monster and in the den (and din) of the Boston faithful – will be another test.  If he passes, the Cardinals could be on their way to the championship. It’s that close.

Shane Victorino - World Series MVP? It could happen.

Shane Victorino – World Series MVP? It could happen.

Shane Victorino versus BBRT’s Expectations.

David Ortiz refers to Shane Victorino as “a money player.”  BBRT thinks the World Series will be Victorino’s time to shine – and, in fact, recently made him my (surprise?) prediction for World Series MVP.

Be glad to hear your comments and predictions.

I Tweet baseball –  @DavidBBRT

Filed Under: News

Paul Strand – 325 Hits in a Single Season

October 18, 2013 by

Suppose you hit .384 in the Pacific Coast League – with 289 hits, 28 home runs and 138 RBI – and still didn’t get a call up to the major leagues.  What would you do?  Paul Strand did just that and, when he didn’t get a call up, he just went out and had a better year (in all four categories) the next season. In fact, many feel he went on to turn in one of the best – in not the best – minor league season ever.  (BBRT will give a brief nod to a couple of other outstanding minor league stat lines at the end of this post.  First, however, Paul Strand’s story.

Paul Strand - 325 hits in a single Pacific Coast League Season. Photo: Library of Congress; George Grantham Bain Collection.

Paul Strand – 325 hits in a single Pacific Coast League Season. Photo: Library of Congress; George Grantham Bain Collection.

 

In 1913, 19-year-old southpaw Paul Strand – after two seasons in the Northwestern League – found himself on the mound for the Boston Braves.  Strand pitched in just 7 games and put up a 0-0 record and a 2.12 ERA.  The following season, pitching for the 1914 “Miracle Braves” surprise NL pennant winners, Strand went 6-2, 2.44.  Then in 1913, Strand’s professional baseball career took an unexpected turn. Just 21, Strand was 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA (in 6 games) when a serious arm injury marked the end his major league pitching career.  Sold to Toledo of the American Association, Strand converted to the outfield, but hit only .215 in 61 games.

The 6’, 190-pounder didn’t give up, but honed his hitting skills while bouncing around the minor leagues (Toledo, Seattle, Peoria, Joplin, Yakima) before joining the Pacific Coast League’s Salt Lake City Bees early in the 1921 season.

Note:  Strand did not immediately abandon the mound.  In 1916-17, in addition to taking a spot in the outfield he went 16-12 as a pitcher (Toledo Iron Men and Seattle Giants), including a perfect game for Seattle on May 13, 1917 – a 1-0 win  over the Spokane Indians. His advancing offensive skills, however, eventually made him a full-time position player. 

It was with Salt Lake City that Strand made professional baseball history, putting together perhaps the best minor league season ever and earning both a spot in the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame and a return (if brief) to the major leagues.  It began somewhat quietly. In 1921, in 157 games (for Seattle and Salt Lake City), Strand hit .314, with nine homers and 95 RBI. But the PCL rocket was just leaving the launching pad.

Playing solely for Salt Lake City in 1922, Strand led the league in hits, home runs and batting average.  Strand’s stat line looked like this:

G       AB    R       H     2B  3B    HR    RBI   Avg.     SB

178*   752   138   289   52   13    28     138   .394     10

*The PCL, at the time, regularly played 200 games or more (a high of 230 for the 1905 San Francisco Seals.)

Surprisingly, those numbers did not earn the 28-year-old Strand a call to the majors.  More surprisingly, Strand’s best performance was yet to come.  In 1923, still with Salt Lake City, he had what some have called the best minor league season ever – topping his 1922 performance in every offensive category except triples (he hit 13 triples in each season).   In fact, that year Strand set (and still holds) the professional baseball record for base hits (325) in a season.  He also rapped 43 homers, scored 180 runs, drove in 187 and stole 22 bases.  Here’s Strand’s 1923 stat line:

G       AB    R       H    2B  3B   HR    RBI    Avg.   SB

194   825   180   325   66   13    43     187   .394    22

That second consecutive eye-catching season, actually did “catch the eye” of several major league teams.  Ultimately, the Philadelphia Athletics Connie Mack offered Salt Lake City three players and cash that was reported at $100,000 to secure the hot-hitting outfielder.  Strand, perhaps as shrewd off the field as he was talented on it, turned down the Athletics initial contract offer and held out for several weeks, finally signing for a reported $5,000.

Securing that contract would turn out to be Strand’s most significant achievement with the Athletics. Whatever the reason – some said he was overwhelmed by the publicity and expectations – the 30-year-old Strand hit only .228, with no homers and 13 RBI in 47 games for Philadelphia.  (The Athletics also had Strand change his unorthodox cross-handed grip on the bat.)  Mack gave up on Strand quickly, and shipped him off to Toledo of the American Association in late June.

From 1925-28, Stand once again found himself bouncing around the minor leagues, spending time with Toledo, Portland, Columbus, Atlanta and Little Rock.  He hit at just about every stop – an overall average of .330 – but his reputation as a major league bust followed him and Strand never got another shot at the big leagues.  Strand was out of baseball in 1929, with a lifetime minor league average of .334 and a major league mark of .224 (and a major league pitching record of 7-3, 2.37).

To close, let’s take a brief look at a couple of other outstanding minor league seasons.  We’ll start with first baseman Joe Bauman, who had a remarkable season in 1954 (although at a much lower level than Strand’s great year).  Playing for the C-level Longhorn League Roswell Rockets that season, the 32-year-old Bauman hit .400, with 72 homers (still the minor league record) and 224 RBI.  Bauman, notably, never made it to the major leagues.  In fact, only 102 of his 1,019 games were played above B-level (and only one game at AAA). Bauman retired after nine minor league seasons with a .337 career average, 337 home runs and 1,057 RBI.  His legend does live on. Each year, the Joe Bauman Award is presented to the the minor leagues’ leading home run hitter.

Of course, not all great minor league seasons belong to players who failed to impress at the major league level.  In 1925. Future MLB Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri put up a .355 average, with 60 home runs and 222 RBI for the Salt Lake City Bees. Like Strand, his season earned him a shot in the majors – only Lazzeri capitalized on it.  He went on to a 14-year MLB career as a shortstop/third baseman, primarily with the Yankees (also the Cubs, Dodgers and Giants). Lazzeri played in 6 World Series with the Yankees and one with the Cubs.  As an 18-year-old Lazzeri was a teammate of Strand’s at Salt Lake City during the outfielder’s spectacular 1922 and 1923 seasons.  For the Bees, Lazzeri hit .192 in 45 games in 1922 and then showed his promise by hitting .354 in 39 games the following season.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

BBRT Casts Votes on Baseball Bloggers Alliance 2013 Awards

October 11, 2013 by

After each season, members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA) vote on a series of awards for each league:

Stan Musial Award (top player in each league);

Walter Johnson Award (top starting pitcher);

Willie Mays Award (top rookie)

Goose Gossage Award (top relief pitcher)

Connie Mack Award (top manager)

BBRT will provide a link to the BBA site when the winners are announced (voting ends when the World Series begins).  In this post, I’d like to share BBRT’s votes, as well as some background on my selections and those that were “close” to getting BBRT’s vote.  Your comments on the BBRT selections are welcomed.

 

STAN MUSIAL AWARD – Top Player

AMERICAN LEAGUE

 

Mike Trout

Mike Trout

Mike Trout, Center Field, Los Angeles Angels

Remember this award says “best” player”, not “most valuable” player.  That said, the 22-year-old Trout wins hands down for his five-tool performance.  Trout boasted a .323 average (AL’s third-best); 190 hits (AL’s fourth-best); A league-leading 109 runs; 97 RBI (AL’s ninth-best); 27 home runs (14th in AL); 33 stolen bases (8th in AL); and a league-topping 110 walks.  Couple that with his sterling defense, and you have BBRT’s choice for the AL Stan Musial Award.  (Note: If I could change on thing about Trout, it would be to see him cut down on his strikeouts – 136 in 2013.  Imagine his numbers then.)

Mike Trout – 2013

G       AB     R        H      2B   3B    HR  RBI   Avg.   SB

157   589   109     190    39     9     27   110  .323     33

A couple of other players merited serious consideration for this recognition. You can’t ignore the Tigers’ third baseman Miguel Cabrera and his .348-44-137 follow-up to his 2012 Triple Crown. Had Miggy not been hampered by a groin injury late in the season, he might have been the first repeat Triple Crown winner.  As it is, he won his third straight batting title and earned BBRT’s respect for playing through pain.  Also near the top, but short of Trout, were the Orioles’ first sacker Chris Davis who led the league in home runs (53) and RBI (138), while hitting .286; and Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano, who played solid middle-infield defense, while chipping in .314-27-107 at the plate. Cano also was still successful on seven of eight steal attempts.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

FoldyPaul Goldschmidt, First Base, Arizona Diamondbacks.

The smart money seems to be on Andrew McCutchen here, but BBRT is going with the Diamondbacks’ 26-year-old first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – for his combination of power, speed and defense.  Goldschmidt, one of MLB’s top defensive first baseman, came of age in 2013 – leading the NL in home runs (tied at 36) and RBI (125), while finishing eleventh in average at .302 – and he tossed in 15 steals.   Goldschmidt’s emergence should come as no surprise. Before a 2011 call up to the Diamondbacks, he hit .316, with 82 homers and 263 RBI in 313 minor league games (2009-11).

 

 

Paul Goldschmidt – 2013

G     AB       R    H    2B   3B   HR  RBI   Avg.   SB

160   602   103 182   36    3     36   125  .302     15

Also in the mix (BBRT was attempted to split this vote), was the Pirates’ center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the likely NL MVP winner, who brought Gold Glove caliber defense, a .317-27-84 line, and 27 steals to the Pittsburgh lineup.  Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina earns BBRT’s third spot for combining game-calling skills, a likely fifth straight Gold Glove and a .319-12-80 offensive line – despite knee and wrist injuries (catchers do take a beating).

 

WALTER JOHNSON AWARD – Top Starting Pitcher

AMERICAN LEAGUE

 

Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer

Max  Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

Being “old school,” BBRT could not ignore MLB’s only twenty-game winner.  So, my AL Walter Johnson Award vote goes to 21-3 Max Scherzer – but the 25-year-old Detroit right-hander did plenty more to win my vote.  His 2.90 ERA was fifth in the AL; his 240 strikeouts (in 214 1/3 innings – AL’s fifth-highest) were second only to K-machine Yu Darvish; he allowed hitters a league second-lowest .198 batting average against; and he was the only AL pitcher to notch a WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) of less than one (0.97).

Max Scherzer – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

21-3     2.90      32    0        0      214.1  152    69       56    240

Two other hurlers who garnered BBRT consideration were: Rangers’ righty Yu Darvish (13-9, 2.83 and a league-topping 277 strikeouts in 209 2/3 innings pitched); and Scherzer’s teammate, right-hander Anibel Sanchez (14-8 with a league-low 2.57 ERA and 202 whiffs in 182 innings). Three hurlers with sub 3.00 ERA, 200+ strikeouts, so twenty wins make the difference.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

 

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

First choice in the NL, not too difficult.  The 25-year-old Kershaw was once again masterful on the mound and appears headed for his second Cy Young Award (he won in 2011, finished second in 2012).  Kershaw keeps hitters off balance with a lively mid-90s (four-seam) fastball, a mid-80s slider and a curve in the low 70-mph range. The southpaw’s 16-9 record in 2013 hovers over a MLB-lowest 1.83 ERA (his third straight NL ERA crown). Kershaw also led the NL with 232 strikeouts (in 236 innings – second in the NL).  He had the second-lowest batting average against (.195) and his 0.92 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) was MLB’s lowest.  BBRT anticipates Kershaw will be in the running for the BBA Walter Johnson Award for many years to come.

 

Clayton Kershaw – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

16-9     1.83      33    3        2       236    164    48       52    232

Without a late season shutdown, the Miami Marlins’ rookie right-hander Jose Fernandez might have given Kershaw an even stronger run for the money.  As it is, Fernandez finished 12-6 on a Marlins team that lost 100 games.  His 2.19 ERA was second only to Kershaw and, at .098, he was one of only four major leaguers with a WHIP under 1.00.  Fernandez also struck out 187 hitters in 172 2/3 innings, and his .182 batting average against was the best in MLB.  Also in BBRT’s top four for the NL Walter Johnson Award were: Cardinals’ right-hander Adam Wainwright, 19-9 (NL most wins), 2.94, 219 strikeouts  (third in the NL), and a league-leading 241 2/3 innings pitched, five complete games and two shutouts; Mets’ righty Matt Harvey, who would have challenged Kershaw for BBRT’s vote (9-5, 2.27, 191 Ks in 178 1/3 innings), but for late-season arm injury;  and Phillies’ southpaw Cliff Lee, who quietly put together a 14-8 record, with a 2.87 ERA and 222 strikeouts  in 222 2/3 innings for the under-performing Phils.

 

WILLIE MAYS AWARD– Top Rookie

AMERICAN LEAGUE

 

Wil Myers

Wil Myers

Wil Myers, Outfielder, Tampa Bay

Myers, the 2012 Minor League Player of the year (.314-37-109 in 134 games), was acquired by the Rays in the James Shields trade. The 22-year-old Myers was called up to Tampa in mid-June.  At the time, he was hitting .286-14-57 at AAA Durham – and once he joined Tampa, he got even better. Myers played in 88 games for the Rays and put up a .293-13-53 line, with 50 runs, 23 doubles and five steals – despite a bit of a slump in August.  A strong September secured BBRT’s vote.

Wil Myers – 2013

G     AB    R       H    2B   3B    HR   RBI  Avg.    SB

88    373   50     98     23    0     13    53   .293      5

Following Myers in BBRT’s consideration was his teammate, Rays’ right-handed pitcher Chris Archer (9-7, 3.22, 101 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings pitched – including two complete-game shutouts in 22 starts).  Ranking third for BBRT was Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias (who started the year with Boston). Iglesias played highlight-reel defense and put up a .303-3-29 line in 109 games.  Iglesias, however, tailed off in the second half. He hit .330 in 63 games with the Red Sox and .259 in 46 games for the Tigers.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

FernandezJose Fernandez, Pitcher, Miami Marlins

My top rookie vote in the NL goes to Miami Marlins’ right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez.  Let me reaffirm (and add to) what I wrote about the 21-year-old rookie in the Walter Johnson Award section.  Fernandez finished 12-6 on a Marlins team that lost 100 games.  He had the NL’s second-best ERA (2.19 ERA) and MLB’s second-best batting average against (.182).  He was also one of only four major leaguers with a WHIP under 1.00 and struck out 187 hitters in 172 2/3 innings.  If he hadn’t been shut down after passing the 170-inning mark, Fernandez might have put up even better numbers (perhaps three more starts). In his two September starts (facing the Braves and Nationals),  Fernandez went 2-0 – giving up just 6 hits, 5 walks and one run, while striking out 14 in 14 innings. Fernandez produced his 2013 record with a 93/94-mph fastball, a sharp-breaking overhand curve and a change-up that he is still      working on (imagine when he masters that pitch).

Jose Fernandez – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO      IP        H     ER     BB    SO

12-6     2.19     28   0        0      172.2    111    47       58    187

Also in the running for BBRT’s NL rookie vote was Cardinals’ right-hander Shelby Miller, who put up a 15-9 record with a 3.06 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 173 1/3 innings pitched.  Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig also deserves mention. Puig played in only 63 minor league games before his June 3, 2013 call up – hitting .328-13-52 with 21 steals. His 2013 line reads .319-14-42 with 11 steals in 104 games for LA, and he played a key role in the Dodgers comeback to win the division.

 

GOOSE GOSSAGE AWARD – Top Relief  Pitcher

AMERICAN LEAGUE

 

Greg Holland

Greg Holland

Greg Holland, Kansas City

Even though BBRT thinks it may be time to rename this the Mariano Rivera Award, I have to go with Royals right-handed closer Greg Holland as the AL’s premier reliever.  The 27-year-old Holland notched 47 saves (with two wins and a loss), with just three blown saves, in 2013. With a 95-mph fastball, a wicked bat-missing slider and an occasional splitter, Holland notched a 1.21 ERA, with 103 strikeouts in only 67 innings. For the season, left-handers hit .172 versus Holland, right-handers .168.

 

 

Greg Holland – 2013

W-L    SV    ERA   G       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

2-1     47    1.21     68     67      40      9       18     103

Close behind Holland is the Rangers’ veteran righty Joe Nathan, who went 6-2, 1.39, with 43 saves and just three blown saves.  Nathan doesn’t miss as many bats as Holland, but he still struck out better than one per inning (73 whiffs in 64 2/3 innings).  Lefties hit .171 versus Nathan and righties a miniscule .152.  Also in the mix, but trailing both Holland and Nathan, were: retiring Yankee legend, right-hander Mariano Rivera, who rode his cutter to a 6-2 record, with 44 saves and a 2.11 ERA; and Orioles’ righty Jim Johnson, who went 3-8, 2.94, with an AL-leading 50 saves. Both Rivera and Johnson dropped down due to the number of blown saves (nine for Johnson, seven for Rivera) and higher ERAs and lower strikeout rates than the top two.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

 

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

When you look at the whole package, the 25-year-old Kimbrel had little competition for the 2013 NL Goose Gossage crown.  Kimbrel used a 96-97 mph fastball (that occasionally tops 100 mph) and a power curve to run up a 4-3 record, with an NL-leading 50 saves (only four blown saves) and a 1.21 ERA.  Kimbrel has led the NL in saves the past three years (46-42-50).  In 2013, He whiffed 98 hitters in 67 innings, with twenty walks. Overall, lefties hit .211 against him, while he dominated right-handers (.116).

Craig Kimbrel – 2013

W-L    SV    ERA   G       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

4-3      50     1.21    68     67        39      9       20    98

BBRT also considered (but it was really no contest) Reds’ lefty Aroldis Chapman, who went 4-5, 2.54 with 38 saves (versus five blown saves).  Chapman throws a fastball consistently in the high 90s (and has reached 105 mph), as well as a devastating slider.  In 2013, he struck out 112 hitters in just 63 2/3 innings (29 walks).  Lefties hit .137 against him, while right-handers averaged .172.

(BBRT obseervation – Greg and Craig – my two Goose Gossage Award voter getters – had remarkably similar stats.  Both pitched in 68 games, threw 67 innings and gave up nine earned runs for a 1.21 ERA.  Holland gave up 40 hits, one more than Kimbrel; while Kimbrel gave up 20 walks, two more than Holland.  Holland struck out 103 to Kimbrel’s 98.)

 

CONNIE MACK AWARD – Top Manager

AMERICAN LEAGUE

 

John Farrell

John Farrell

John Farrell – Boston Red Sox

Farrell leads a strong set of candidates for top AL manager.  Farrell took a team that finished last (under Bobby Valentine) in 2012 to the top of the AL East in 2013.  This last-to-first surge included a 28-game won-lost improvement (from 69-93 to 97-65).

Farrell also “righted” what seemed to be a sinking club house culture. In doing so, he effectively brought together a lot of new faces (Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Kuji Uehara, Stephen Drew, Ryan Dempster) with some long-time Red Sox veterans (David Ortiz, John Lester, Dustin Pedroia).

Very Simply, Farrell led a turnaround on and off the field.  That earns him BBRT’s Connie Mack Award vote.

Others in the running:  Terry Francona (led the unheralded Indians to a 24-game improvement and an AL Wild Card spot); Bob Melvin (led the A’s, with the AL’s fourth-lowest payroll, to another West Division title);  Joe Girardi (led the Yankees to an  85-77 finish, overcoming age, injuries and the A-Rod controversy). BBRT also gives a shout out to Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire.  A manager who can turn a third consecutive 90+ loss season into a two-year contract extension must be doing something right.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

 

Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers

Okay, Mattingly did have the “horses” and the payroll, but he wins for keeping the Dodgers from disintegrating in the first half, and launching a ferocious second-half comeback.  The Dodgers were in last place in the West Division on  July 1 – and, just 80 days later, were the first MLB team to clinch a 2013 division title.  In fact, on June 21, the Dodgers were 12 games under .500 (30-42), in last place and 9 ½ back of the Diamondbacks.  Under Mattingly’s leadership, they kept grinding and went 62-28 the rest of the way.  A steady hand during a stormy first half, coupled with a dramatic comeback, wins Mattingly BBRT’s NL Connie Mack Award vote.

Also deserving recognition is Pirates’ skipper Clint Hurdle, who ended the Pittsburgh’s streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons and brought post-season baseball to Pittsburgh – and who may very well win MLB’s 2013 Manager of the Year Award.

 

So there are BBRT’s votes for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA) 2013 season awards.  Watch for a link to the BBA announcement of this year’s winners once voting is complete.  And you call follow BBRT on Twitter at @DavidBBRT.  For more on the BBA, click the link on the lower right hand side of the BBRT home page. 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Common and Uncommon Observations on the 2013 MLB Season

October 3, 2013 by

With the regular season over and playoffs on everyone’s minds, BBRT is taking a break from post-season tension to reflect on just a few regular season occurrences that grabbed my attention.

Payroll Didn’t Drive Placement

Looking at the teams that made it into the post-season three of the top five opening day payrolls were there (#2 Dodgers, #4 Boston and #5 Detroit), but so were three of the bottom five payrolls (#26 Pittsburgh, # 27 Oakland, # 28 Tampa).  Of note, the Dodgers’ $220 million payroll exceeded the combined opening day payrolls of playoff bound Oakland ($61 million), Pittsburgh ($80 million) and Tampa Bay ($58 million). (Figures from CBSsports.com.)

Tough to be YU!

Two guys named YU – The Rangers’ Yu Darvish and Giants’ Yusmiel Petit – both came with one batter of perfect games this season.

Yu Darvish - one of two YUs to lose a perfect game after 26 outs.

Yu Darvish – one of two YUs to lose a perfect game after 26 outs.

On April 2, Darvish was on the mound with two-out in the bottom of the ninth inning, holding a 7-0 lead over the Astros, having retired the first 26 hitters he faced (striking out 14). At the plate was Astros’ shortstop Marwin Gonzalez, who had grounded out and struck out in his first two appearances. Darvish started Gonzalez with a fastball – and the result was a low bouncer that skirted between Darvish’s legs and on into center field for a single. After 111 pitches, Darvish’s night was over and Micheal Kirkman came on to get pinch hitter J.D. Martinez to end the game.

On September 6, Yu number-two – Yusmiel Petit of the Giants – went into the top of ninth inning with a 3-0 lead over the Diamondbacks, having retired the first 24 Arizona hitters, striking out six.  He got shortstop Chris Owning with his seventh strikeout, then right fielder Gerardo Parra grounded out second-to-first.  That left just pinch hitter Eric Chavez between Petit and perfection. Petit got with one strike of a perfect game, only to see Chavez single to right field (just out of the reach of a diving Hunter Pence) on a 3-2 pitch. Chavez and was replaced by pinch runner Tony Campana before Petit induced Diamondback center fielder A.J. Pollock to ground out third-to-first to end the game.  The 95-pitch effort was Petit’s first MLB complete game.

Not So Easy To Be An Astro Either

The Houston Astros finished with an MLB-worst record of 51-111 this season, but that’s not what attracted BBRT attention.  Over the course of the season, Astro’s hitters struck out an All Time MLB record 1,535 times – breaking the Diamondbacks’ 2010 record of 1,529.  Here’s what caught BBRT’s eye.  Having moved to the American League, the Astros set the new record without the benefit of their pitchers flailing (and failing) at the plate.  In 2010, 119 of the Diamondbacks’ record-setting whiffs were credited to pitchers at the plate.

The NL Batting Race

Michael Cudyer - NL Batting Champ

Michael Cudyer – NL Batting Champ

The National League batting race was decided in the final eight days of the season – with two somewhat unlikely contenders.  On September 21, Braves’ third baseman Chris Johnson (who came into 2013 with a four-year career average of .276) was leading the NL at .332.  On his heels (at .331) was the Rockies’ Michael Cuddyer (who came into the season with a 12-year career average of .271 and a single-season high of .284).  Over the final eight days, Cuddyer went 7-for-21 to finish at a league leading .331, while Johnson faded to .321 (going 2-for-23.) Cuddyer’s final line was .331-20-84, and he even added ten stolen bases.

 

 

Lots Of Great Young Stars To Watch

Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Wil Myers, Manny Machado, Yasiel Puig, Jose Fernandez, Shelby Miller – and the list goes on an on.  There were – and still are – simply a lot of great young stars to watch.  For more – and a look at BBRT 2013 Young Star Team click  https://baseballroundtable.com/bbrts-2013-mlb-young-star-team-born-in-the-90s/

The Pirates are Back!  The Pirates are Back!

The Post Season comes to Pittsburgh.

The Post Season comes to Pittsburgh.

The unfolding story of the Pirates, going 94-68 and making the playoffs after a twenty consecutive losing seasons. By contrast, the Yankees have not had a losing season since 1992 – and have had only 22 losing seasons in the history of the franchise (1901-2013 in Baltimore and NY).   The Pirates led by such players as MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen, speedy tablesetter Sterling Marte, NL HR co-leader Pedro Alvarez, starting pitcher and Comeback Player of the Year candidate Francisco Liriano and relievers Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon should remain  fun to watch.

The Pirates Are Back!  So Is Francisco Liriano!

Speaking of the Pirates, starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (who won the first Wild Card playoff game) was a great story and an unlikely hero in the Bucs return to the post season.  The Pirates signed Liriano after a 2012 season when he went 6-12, 5.34 (his second consecutive season with an ERA north of 5.00) for the Twins and White Sox. Then Liriano broke his non-pitching arm in the off-season and didn’t make his first start until May 11.  He ended the season as the Pirates’ ace, rediscovering his wicked slider and going 16-8, 3.02, with 163 strikeouts in 161 innings. How important was Liriano the Pirates?  No other Pittsburgh starter won more than ten games.

The Dodgers’ Remarkable Comeback 

Yasiel Puig helped sparked Dodger comeback.

Yasiel Puig helped sparked Dodger comeback.

As of July 1, the underachieving Dodgers were in last place in the NL West (38-43, 3 ½ back).  Just 80 days later – on September 19 – with a 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks, LA became the first team to clinch a 2013 playoff berth.  It also made the Dodgers just the fourth team (along with the 1914 Boston Braves, 1973 New York Mets and 1995 Seattle Mariners) to finish in first place after holding last place as of July 1 or later.  The comeback is even more remarkable when you consider that on June 21, the then last-place Dodgers stood at 30-42, 12 games under .500 and 9 ½ back of Arizona.  From that point, they went 62-28 – finishing 22 games over and 11 games ahead of second-place Arizona. Looking for reasons?

Mike Trout Avoids “Sophomore Jinx

Mike Trout’s 2012 Rookie of Year season: .326, 129 runs, 30 homers, 83 RBI, 49 steals.

Mike Trout 2013:  .323, 109 runs, 27 homers, 97 RBI, 33 steals. Next Willie Mays? Enough said.

Old Guys Rule!

Mariano Rivera - making his best last.

Mariano Rivera – making his best last.

Took great pleasure in watching a couple of forty-year olds defy father time.  Mariano Rivera (age 43) goes 6-2, 2.11 with 44 saves.  Bartolo Colon (age 40) goes 18-6, 2.65.

Oh yes, and let’s not forget 41-year-old Raul Ibanez and his 29 home runs, tying Ted Williams for the most ever by a 41-year-old.

Josh Hamilton’s Fall

Josh Hamilton may have been the biggest disappointment on the disappointing Angels. In the three years before signing a five-year/$133 million contract with the Halos, Hamilton hit .313 with 100 home runs and 322 RBI.  In his first year with LA, he dropped to .250-21-79.  Of course, Albert Pujols has also fallen short of his big contract (10 year/$240 million) expectations.  In 11 years with the Cardinals, the average season for the three-time MVP was .327-40-121.  In that time, Pujols played in more than 140 games every season, hit under .300 only once (.299 in 2011), never hit less than 32 home runs in a season, and collected less than 100 RBI only once (99 in 2011).  His 2013 numbers for LA were 99 games (foot injury), .258-17-64.  This follows a first year in LA during which he put up: .285-30-105 in 154 games (decent numbers, but still short of expectations – at the time, they were Pujols’ lowest average, lowest HR total and second-lowest RBI count).

Cabrera Wins Third Batting Title/Davis Tops 50 HR

Chris Davis - newest 50-homer guy.

Chris Davis – newest 50-homer guy.

For much of the season, BBRT was on a Miguel Cabrera Triple Crown repeat watch; with the Oriole’s Chris Davis Cabrera’s main obstacle in two of the three categories.  While abdominal issues slowed Miggy late in the season, Cabrera still won his third consecutive batting crown (the first player to win three straight titles since Wade Boggs won four between 1985-88).  Meanwhile, Davis gave us the pleasure of watching him chase 50 home runs.  At season’s end, Davis led all of MLB with 53 home runs and 138 RBI (Cabrera finished second in both at 44-137). Davis became the 27th player to reach the 50-homer mark, and his 53 HRs are the 26th most in an MLB season (for more on the 50 homer club, click https://baseballroundtable.com/chris-davis-newest-member-of-50-homer-club/

The Yankees’ .500+ Record

Joe Girardi for Manager of the Year.  It could happen, considering how he managed the Yankees to a third-place finish, eight games over .500 (85-77) despite age, injuries and the A-Rod controversy.  Girardi did a great job of guiding the Yankees through troubled waters with lots of fill-ins at the oars.

The Blue Jays Disappointing Performance

With a host of off-season acquisitions – Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio – the Blue Jays moved into the top ten in payroll and became a popular pick to win the AL East.  They were, however, never a factor – finishing at 74-88, last in the division, 23 games out. Lots of reasons, with 2012 NL CY Young winner R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.73 for the Mets in 2012) at or near the top of the list.  Dickey was a significant disappointment at 14-13, 4.21 for the Jays.  (Maybe it shouldn’t have been a surprise, eliminating 2012, Dickey’s MLB record – ten seasons – would be 55-63, 4.31.) Jose Reyes performed well when he was in the lineup (.293-10-37, with 15 steals), but injuries limited him to 93 games.  Josh Johnson, who came to the Jays with a career line of 56-37, 3.15 was limited by triceps and forearm issues – and turned in 2-8 record with a 6.20 ERA in just 16 starts. And so it went for the Jays – injuries and underperformance derailing what should have been a promising season.

The First Place Boston Red Sox

Lots of excitement at Fenway this year.

Lots of excitement at Fenway this year.

In 2012, the Boston Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East, 69-93 and 26 games out.  The Sox dumped first-year manager Bobby Valentine and brought in John Farrell. They also made changes to the team during the off-season – changes that didn’t seem to excite analysts or fans. Joining the Red Sox were not the biggest name free agents, but players like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Koji Uehara, Stephen Drew, and Ryan Dempster.  The Sox, in fact, were picked to finish at our near the bottom of the division. Unlike the Blue Jays, the Red Sox strategy paid off in the W-L column, as they won the East with a 97-65 record.  Napoli contributed  23 HRs and 92 RBI, Victorino hit .294 with 21 steals, and Uehara notched 21 saves to go with a 1.09 ERA. Red Sox veterans chipped in as well.  David Ortiz went .309-30-103; Dustin Pedroia’s line was .301-9-83 (17 steals); John Lester rebounded with a 15-8 record and 3.75 ERA; and, despite injuries that limited him to 16 starts, Clay Bucholz went 12-1, 1.74.

Oakland Athletics Get High(s) – Win The AL West

The A’s must have been rewatching “Moneyball.”  Despite MLB’s 27th highest (or fourth lowest) opening day payroll, Oakland topped the AL West, which is also home to the game’s sixth- (Angels) and eighth-highest (Rangers) payrolls.  The A’s went 96-66, driven to success by such “name” players as Brandon Moss, Jed Lowrie, Eric Sogard, Josh Donaldson, Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin, and Dan Straily. (There were a lot a “career highs” along the way – like Moss’ career-high 30 HRs, Donaldson’s career-high .301 average, Lowrie’s career-topping 75 RBI, Griffin’s career-best 14 wins; and much more).  There also were some better-known names making contributions: Coco Crisp (with a career-high 22 HRs), Yeonis Cespedes (career-high 26 HRs) and 40-year-old starter Bartolo Colon, who went 18-6, 2.65.

Washington Nationals – A Fade, But Not A Collapse

The Washington Nationals were a popular pick to win the AL East in 2013, after 98 wins and an East Division title in 2012.  The team has taken a lot of heat for falling behind the Atlanta Braves early and failing to make the playoff.  But really, they still finished 10 games over .500 (86-76) and have a solid foundation in place for 2014.  BBRT urges Nats’ fans not to overreact.

“Kinda-Unlikely” No hitters

There were three no-hitters thrown in 2013, all by pitchers who started their no-hitters with a losing record on the season – and also would finish their season with a losing record. Let’s look at these “kinda-unlikely” outcomes.

"Homer" Bailey, unlikely name for no-hitter hurler.

“Homer” Bailey, unlikely name for no-hitter hurler.

On July 2, Reds’ right-hander Homer Bailey threw the first no-hitter of the 2013 season.  Given that Bailey also threw the last no-hitter of 2012 (September 28, 2012), the no-no is not entirely unlikely.  It just seems to BBRT a bit unexpected that a pitcher with the unfortunate name of “Homer” would toss a no-hitter.  This year’s no-no came in Cincinnati’s hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, with Bailey shutting down the Giants 3-0 on 109 pitches, walking just one, striking out nine. With the final out, Bailey became just the 31st pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters.  Bailey, by the way, went into the game with a 4-6 record and a 3.88 ERA.  He finished the season 11-12, 3.49.

On July 13, the Giants’ Tim Lincecum no hit the Padres 9-0 in San Diego.  Why did this seem so unlikely – after all, Lincecum is a two-time Cy Young Award winner?  True, but the Lincecum who took the mound this past July was not the hurler who in 2008-09 went 33-12, with a 2.55 ERA and 526 strikeouts in 452 1/3 innings. This was a Lincecum coming off a 2012 season in which he went 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA.  It was a Lincecum with a 2013 record of 4-9, 4.61. (He would end the season at 10-14, 4.37.)  Ultimately, Lincecum threw an unlikely (career-high) 148 pitches in his no-hit game, striking out 13 batters (while walking four).

On the final day of the season (September 29), the Marlins’ Henderson Álvarez was matched up against Detroit’s Justin Verlander – a pitcher much more likely than Alvarez to toss a no-hitter – in Miami.  Alvarez joined the Marlins after compiling a 9-14 record (4.85 ERA) for the Blue Jays in 2012.  He came into the season finale with a 2013 mark of 4-6, 3.94 (and would finish the season 5-6, 3.59).  Alvarez and Verlander matched zeros across the board and, as the Marlins batted in the bottom of the ninth, Alvarez had completed nine no-hit innings with one walk and four strikeouts.  In the bottom of the ninth, Miami turned two singles and a walk into a bases-loaded/one-out situation.  Then, with Alvarez on deck, the winning run scored (in an unlikely manner) on a wild pitch.

So, there are a few things that caught BBRT’s attention in 2013.  Got any to add?  Feel free to comment.

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