One game Cardinals – Marlins Series!  WTH (What the heck?)

In BBRT’s March 30th post, I ranted about how officially opening the MLB season in Japan, only to have the teams (A’s / Mariners) come home and restart thier spring training schedule made no sense.   Yesterday, MLB opened its truly “home” season, with a one-game series between the Cardinals and new-look Marlins.  Yes, the Marlins have a new ballpark to show off, but why not a three-game series?  Maybe this is what they mean by “Moneyball.”

Jaime Moyer, at age 49, has earned the number-two slot in the Colorado Rockies’ starting   rotation.  BBRT sees this as a cause for celebration for all AARP-sters.  (See BBRT post of March 27 under Rants and Raves or News for more info on Moyer, his stuff and his career.)

Think about it!  On July 16, 1986, Moyer made his debut and earned his first ML victory, as Moyer’s Cubs beat the Steve Carlton and the Phillies 7-5 in Chicago.  Yes, that’s the same Steve Carlton who has been in the Baseball Hall of Fame for 18 years.  Moyer’s line:  6.1 innings pitched, 8 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 walks and 2 Ks.  Oh, and in 1986, gas was 93 cents a gallon and the Mets were baseball’s World Champions.

Moyer, who went 2-0 with a 2.77 era in four spring training appearances, is slated to start April 7 against the Astros (with one more spring tune-up).  If he wins, he’ll become the oldest pitcher to earn a ML victory.  BBRT is hoping he breaks the record many times over in 2012.

On March 22, Jamie Moyer, competing for a spot in the Rockies’ rotation, tossed four
perfect innings (with four strikeouts) against the San Francisco Giants.  No biggie, right?  What’s four perfect innings in one meaningless spring game?

Well, this one had considerable significance.  Moyer, 49, pitched his first game in the big leagues on June 16, 1986.  He sat out last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, did some work with ESPN, and then decided he had to give it one more try (at his age, you probably wouldn’t say “good ol’ college try”).

After the March 22 game, he had tossed 9 innings against major league teams this spring, with four hits, one run, no walks and seven strikeouts – using pinpoint control, a fast ball that doesn’t reach 80 mph and an assortment of off speed pitches to baffle hitters.

Will he win a spot in the rotation, competing with 20-somethings who benefit from Moyer’s pitching Ph.D. every time he takes the mound?  The jury’s still out as BBRT posts, but it’s looking good.  No matter what the outcome, the entire Rockies’ staff is learning a lot about changing speeds, changing locations and getting hitters off balance.

They are also learning a lot about heart and the satisfaction of doing something you love.

BBRT thanks Jamie Moyer for that lesson.  Jamie Moyer’s comeback should teach us all about the importance of following our passion, maintaining a positive attitude and never being afraid to try.  Officially, Jamie Moyer has left the mound a winner 267 times.  In reality, he’s a winner everyday – on and off the mound.

And, by the way, should he earn a roster spot and notch a victory, Moyer would become the oldest pitcher to ever win a major league game.  He also will add to a remarkable career. He has 24 major league seasons under his belt, 267 wins, two 20-win seasons,  more than 4,000 innings pitched, has been to the postseason four times (1997, 2001, 2007, 2008) and, heck, he’s even got 49 base hits. Wouldn’t it be great if number 50 was Moyer’s first home run – it is Colorado after all.

All of this from a pitcher who says his fastball was always below average.  Jamie Moyer has always pitched with his head – and his heart.  BBRT salutes his accomplishments, applauds his spirit and anticipates his first official 2012 start.

Pujols, Cano, Verlander, Tulo …  Easy to predict all of these will be impact players.  BBRT wants to look a little deeper at players we think may make a bigger difference than you might expect in 2012.

Matt Moore – SP –  Tampa Bay… This Strasberg-like phenom will help keepTampa in striking distance.  Potential Rookie of the Year could rack up 12-15 wins and 200 ks.

Mat Latos – SP – Cinc. … Strong second half of 2011 (after starting season on the DL) showed this potential ace is fully healthy.  Should benefit from the Reds offense after going 9-14 with the anemic Padres.  15-10 not too optimistic.  Key to Red’s ability to chase down Pujol-less Cardinals.

Daniel Hudson – SP – Arizona … Good bet to win 16 games, toss 200 innings and strikeout 200 for the D-backs, and they’ll need it to hold off SF.

Madison Bumgarner – SP – SF … Lincecom and Cain get most of the publicity, but this 22-year-old seems on the verge of a great season.  191 Ks versus 46 BBs last year.

Francisco Liriano – SP –Minn. … Looked strong in spring.  If he goes back to form of 2010, could help the Twins return to respectability.

Matt Garza –  SP –  Chicago (N) … 10-10 record in 2011 may put him under the radar, but Garza still has plenty left.   Keep in mind, he went 6-2 (2.45 ) in the second half of 2011 and, for the season,  he struck out 197 in 198 innings.  If Cubs are going nowhere, Garza may go somewhere (to a contender).

Julio Teheran , Shelby Miller, Drew Pomeranz – SPs – Atlanta, St. Louis, Colorado … Youngsters with great stuff sure to get to the “show” sometime in 2012, if they don’t start the season there.  Once up, they will make a difference.

Glen Perkins – RP –  Minnesota … Hard thrower stabilizes Twins’ end-game, and if Matt Capps falters, Perkins could slide into the closer role (which it is unlikely he will ever relinquish).

Nick Hundley, Jesus Montero – Cs – San Diego, Seattle … Two young “catchers of the future,” unfortunately playing where the opportunity to make a difference will be minimal – but look for strong seasons from both.

Eric Hosmer –1B – KC ….  Will build on his .293-19-78 of 2011.  Important power source for Royals.  And, hes only 22.

Ryan Rayburn – 2B –  Detroit … Showed nice pop for a middle infielder (14 HR in 121 games) last year.  Plus he can play all over the field.  Will find plenty of ABs as the Tigers defend the Central.

Dee Gordon – SS – LA (N) … Spray hitter with little power, but brings great speed.  Hit .304 with 24 stolen bases in 56 games with the Dodgers last year.  Will lead off and have an impact.   Could lead Kemp to the MVP.

Bryce Harper – OF –  Washington … Enough written already, look for him in the Nats’ lineup by June and to lead a surge to a .500 season.

Micheal Cuddyer –OF –  Colorado.  Steady power hitter will benefit from move away for Target Field to Colorado’s power-friendly air.  .280-30-100 a possibility.   Needs to perform and lead in the clubhouse if Colorado is to contend.

As the season unfolds, there will be plenty of surprises and these are just a handful of players BBRT thinks will make a bigger difference than you might expect

More smilin’ than stylin’

When Braves’ Chipper Jones announced his retirement after the 2012 season, baseball began saying goodbye to a great player – a fan favorite (unless you’re a Mets fan), who truly did “more smilin’ than stylin”.  Eighteen years with one team
 (and counting); 454 home runs; 1,500+ RBIs and runs scored; an MVP award; and the list goes on.  The only switch hitter to achieve a .300 career average and 300 roundtrippers, Chipper should walk into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

Humble to the end, even in announcing his retirement he sang the praises of others who played out their careers with one team – specifically Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn.  In Chipper’s words, “While I don’t consider myself in their realm, I’m awfully proud to say I’ve been a part of this organization for so long.”

Well, Chipper, you did things so right for so long, but on this one you’re wrong.  You are in the Ripken/Gwynn realm and BBRT looks forward to your induction into baseball’s ultimate “realm” – Cooperstown.