Happy Opening Day, everyone! To celebrate, BBRT is sending you this “sweet” baseball song – it’ll take you back to pickup ball on the playground.
Opening Day – Optimism Abounds!
March 26, 2013 by
Opening Day is almost upon us, and BBRT can hardly wait.
Opening Day … the most optimistic day of the year.
Opening Day is the most hopeful and optimistic day of each year. At least for this one day, every team is a contender, every rookie a potential “phenom,” every fading veteran a potential “Comeback Player of the Year,” and every new face in the lineup or on the bench a welcome addition.
There are flyovers, team introductions, and ceremonial first pitches in ballparks adorned with red, white and blue bunting across the nation. As the game time approaches, the sun seems a little brighter, the sky a little bluer, the grass a shade greener. Once the game begins, the ball hops off the bat with an especially sharp crack, the pitches seem to have more zip and whir-r-r than ever and the fielders move with a unique combination of grace and energy. In the stands, the beer is crisp and cold and the hot dogs steam in the cool of early spring. The fans cheer on their old and new heroes and follow this opening contest with pennant race intensity – the most intense among them logging each play in the new season’s first scorecard. Baseball is back!
Ted Williams hit the round ball squarely … every Opening Day … to the tune of a .449 average.
As much as BBRT loves the return of the national pastime (see the YILBB page, just click the link at the top of the page), perhaps no one looked forward to Opening Day more than Ted Williams. “Teddy Ballgame,” a .344 lifetime hitter, outdid himself on Opening Day. Williams played in fourteen “openers” and was NEVER held hitless. He finished his career with a .449 Opening Day average (22 hits in 49 at bats), with 3 home runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 9 runs scored, 14 RBI and 11 walks. His Opening Day on-base percentage was .550 and his season-opener slugging percentage was .837.
The Washington Senators’ Walter Johnson also was always ready for an Opening Day assignment. On his first-ever Opening Day start (April 14, 1910), the 22-year-old Johnson tossed a 3-0 one-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics. Note: President William Howard Taft, on that day, became the first President to toss out the season’s ceremonial first pitch – caught by Johnson. Sixteen years (and 13 Opening Day starts) later, a 38-year-old Johnson fulfilled his last Opening Day assignment with a 15-inning, complete-game, 1-0 win (6 hits, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts) over the A’s. Johnson holds the record for Opening Day pitching victories with nine (against five losses) and also threw a record seven Opening Day shutouts.
Adam Dunn – already has a share of the Opening Day HR record.
As BBRT follows Opening Day 2013 (going to the Twins Target Field opener), I’ll be keeping an eye on the White Sox. On April 6, 2012, Chicago White Sox DH Adam Dunn hit a sixth-inning solo homer in a 3-2 loss at Texas. While it was just one of forty-one 2012 round trippers for Dunn, it earned Dunn a spot on BBRT’s Opening Day “watch list.” By going yard on Opening Day 2012, Dunn tied Ken Griffey, Jr. and Frank Robinson for the most career Opening Day home runs at eight (six in the NL for the Reds and two in the AL with the White Sox.) Dunn has homered in six “openers” – twice starting the season with a two-homer game. BBRT will be watching to see if Dunn can move into sole possession of the Opening Day Dinger record.
For trivia buffs, while Griffey, Jr., Robinson and Dunn share the overall record, the American League-only record belongs to Griffey, Jr., who hit all his Opening Day shots for the Mariners. Robinson hit Opening Day homers for the most teams: the Orioles, Angels and Indians in the AL and the Reds in the NL. The National League-only record (7 Opening Day Shots) is shared by a couple of Hall of Famers: Willie Mays (all for the Giants – in New York and San Francisco) and Eddie Mathews (all for the Braves in Milwaukee.)
Here are a few other Opening Day factoids:
– The most home runs in a single Opener is three: The Blue Jays’ George Bell (1988); Cubs’ Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes (1994); and Tigers’ Dmitri Young (2005).
– On April 16, 1940, Bob Feller threw the only (to date) Opening Day no-hitter – a 1-0 win over the White Sox at Chicago (5 walks, 8 strikeouts).
– Tom Seaver was the starting pitcher for his team on Opening Day a record sixteen times (Mets, Reds, White Sox) – going 7-2 with 7 no-decisions.
– Sixto Lezcano (Brewers) holds the record for Opening Day grand slams at two (1978, 1980).
– The longest-ever Opener took place on August 5, 2012, with Jays topping the Indians 7-4 in 16 innings at Cleveland.
Can’t wait to see what 2013’s Opening Day will hold.
LAST SEASON, BBRT’S OPENING DAY GIFT WAS A VIDEO OF ABBOTT AND COSTELLO’S FAMOUS “WHO’S ON FIRST?” ROUTINE. WATCH THIS MARCH 31 FOR THE VIDEO OF A SPECIAL BASEBALL SONG THAT WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE SANDLOT.
First Spring Game
March 9, 2013 by
Spring Training – first BBRT’s 2013 MLB game, freebie, completed scorecard.
Game on! BBRT made it to my first Spring Training game of the year – so, also, first MLB game of 2013. It was the Braves versus the Yankees at Tampa – Braves won in a squeaker: 2-1.
Lots of 2013 baseball firsts for BBRT. Not just first MLB game attended this year, also:
– First freebie – Yankee water bottle.
– First completed scorecard – accurate, despite the forty-two players used.
– First new stadium pin – George Steinbrenner Field.
– First two hot dogs.
– First obnoxious fan.
That last first (“last first”, I like that) was pretty good. When we arrived (30 minutes prior to game time), my spouse Denise was seated next to a woman who obviously had already been enjoying adult beverages. After the National Anthem, which she belted out loudly and off key, she announced proudly to the crowd in our section: “Get ready. I’m drunk. I’m loud. I was cheerleader. And, you’ve got me for nine innings.” She delivered on almost all promises. She was drunk and loud and she did cheer – over and over again “Come on, (insert Atlanta player’s name.) You got this. Let’s go Atlanta.” There were also a few F-bombs, usually when her husband tried to quiet her down. Her other favorite cheer was “Come on, (insert player’s name). Look over here, show me your pretty face.” She also attempted to call “a penalty” on an Atlanta error. She did not, however, keep her nine-inning promise. She downed six large beers (we counted the spent containers) in five innings and left in the sixth.
Good seats at a good price.
On the plus side, for only $37.50 each, we had seats at the home plate edge of the third base dugout, just six rows back, it was nearly 80 degrees (and BBRT is from Minnesota) and the refreshments were reasonably priced. And, of course, IT WAS BASEBALL.
Other observations. About half the players used were not in the program (Too many off to World Baseball Classic?). And the game’s key moment – bottom of ninth, two on-two out for Yankees in a 2-1 game, saw a Braves’ pitcher wearing number 82 (Travis Wood) facing a Yankee hitter wearing number 96 (Addison Maruszak) – gotta love Spring Training.
Derek Jeter showed up.
Still we did get to see future HOFers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera – and a sharp young pitcher (Jose A. Ramirez) for the Yankees, who started the game, faced only 12 Braves’ hitters (the only hitter to reach base was tossed out trying to steal) with four strikeouts. Great fastball, considering his size – 6′ 1″ and just 155 pounds.
All in all, a good day at the ball park.
Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless inning for us old guys.
AL Division Winners – 2013 Predictions
February 28, 2013 by
The next couple of posts will take a look at BBRT’s annual “predictions,” starting with the American League – where I expect quite a shakeup at the top, including a playoff scenario that does not include the Red Sox (new attitude, not as much talent) nor the Yankees (age and injuries catching up). First the individual awards, then the Division Winners and Wild Cards
MVP – Evan Longoria
Longoria puts in a full season and leads the Rays to a Wild Card spot. He edges out Mike Trout and Albert Pujols of the Angels (who suffer the fate of playing on a team with three potential MVP’s – Trout, Pujols, Hamilton) and Miguel Cabrera, who splits support with Justin Verlander and Prince Fielder. Supporting evidence? In 2012, the Rays were 47-27 with Longoria in the lineup, 43-45 without him.
Cy Young – Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander brings home the trophy, finishing in the top three in pretty much every pitching category. His main competition comes from the Rangers’ Yu Darvish and the Angels’ Jered Weaver
Rookie of the Year – Jurickson Profar
In a close race, Rangers’ switch-hitting infielder Jurickson Profar’s combination of power, speed and defensive ability enables him to not only earn an early season spot in the everyday lineup, but also to squeak by Rays outfielder Wil Myers in the ROY race.
Now for the Division Winners:
WEST – Angels
Albert Pujols will have even more help in the Angels lineup this season.
Once again, the Angels went big on the free agent market – adding Josh Hamilton to a line-up that already featured Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo. Last season, that quartet put up 135 home runs and drove in 411 runners. The Angels also have some speed, with Trout’s 49 steals, second baseman Kendricks’ 14 and shortstop Erick Aybar’s 20. The starting pitching is solid at the top with Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, but it gets a bit thin at 3-5 (Jason Vargas, Tommy Hanson and Joe Blanton). Of greater concerns is whether the relief corps goes deep enough with off-season acquisition Ryan Madson (tabbed as closer) recently suffering a setback in his Tommy John rehab. Ernesto Frieri seems ready to fill that gap, having saved 23 games a year ago (80 strikeouts in 54 innings). Still, BBRT thinks the offense will be enough to bring the Angels home in first place this time. The rest, in order of finish:
Rangers … Still plenty of offense (Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler) and pitching (Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Joe Nathan. But losing Josh Hamilton and missing out on Zach Grienke will see them falling short.
A’s … Young pitching may keep them in the race, but not much offense after Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss.
Mariners … Everything pretty thin after King Felix.
Astros … New league, same result.
EAST-Blue Jays
R.A. Dickey takes his knuckler … and Cy Young credentials … to the Blue Jays.
Used to be the off-season for the AL East was all about the Yankees and Red Sox making move and counter move in an effort to finish at the top. Move over tradition – the Blue Jays are here. There was the 12-player trade with the Marlins that brought Toronto the likes of shortstop Jose Reyes (considered to have had a bit of an off season in 2012, despite going .287, with 11 home runs and 40 steals); second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (30 steals in 2012); and a pair of solid starting pitchers in innings-eating lefty Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74) and Josh Johnson (8-14, but with a 3.81 ERA last season). Then they added the NL Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey from the Mets. Also new to the team is Melky Cabrera, out to prove his solid pre-suspension numbers for the Giants weren’t all PED-related.
These new cast members joined holdovers like righty Brandon Morrow (10-7, 2.96 in 21 starts); power-hitting Edwin Encarcion and Jose Bautista; and third-baseman Brett Lawrie (just 23), who went .273-11-48 in his first full season in the bigs. The supporting cast looks just fine as well. Catcher J.P. Arencibia contributed 18 roundtrippers and 56 RBI; and outfielder Colby Rasmus added 23 homers and 75 RBI.
The bullpen, led by Casey Janssen (1-1, 22 saves, 2.64 and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings), Sergio Santos and Darren Oliver may not have “star power,” but should be strong enough to help move the revamped Jays from last year’s 73 wins to 91 and first place in a very tight AL East. The rest of the Division:
Rays … Quality pitching and a full season of big banger Evan Longoria keeps them in the race, but they’re one bat short.
Yankees … Still a lot of talent on this squad, but age and injury take their toll.
Red Sox … Clubhouse attitude should be vastly improved, product on the field just enough to climb out of the cellar.
Orioles … 2012 Cinderella team here’s the clock strike midnight. No true ace on the pitching staff (Wei-Yin Chen led starters with 12 wins last year) and – despite balanced lineup, the Orioles comes back to reality. Two things not likely to repeat: a 29-9 record in one-run games and 51 saves from Jim Johnson (although 40 is a real possibility).
AL CENTRAL – Tigers
Miguel Cabrera will help power the Tigers back to the World Series.
Not much contention here. Whether it’s power bats or power arms, the Tigers have what they need to take it all in the AL Central. The offense is led (at the corners) by Triple Crown and MVP winner Miguel Cabrera (.327-44-139) and Price Fielder (.313-30-108), while the pitching staff boasts consistent Cy Young candidates Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) and Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74) – who finished 1 & 2 in the AL strikeout race.
Offensively, the Tigers also expect solid contributions from centerfielder Austin Jackson in the leadoff spot (.300, with 103 runs, 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases a year ago.) They let post-season hero Delmon Young slip away in the off season, but added veteran outfielder Torii Hunter, who comes into the season at 37-years-old – but also off a .313-16-92 season with the Angels. He should more than make up for Young’s loss at the plate, in the field and in the club house. The Tiger are also excited about Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia (27- and 22-years-old, respectively) – who both performed well in limited time last year.
The coming season will also see the return of Victor Martinez (at DH), who missed all of last season (knee surgery). In 2011, Martinez, with a lifetime .303 average over ten seasons, hit .330, with 12 home runs and 103 RBI. A return to even near-form would be like adding a premier free agent. At the bottom of the lineup, you’ll likely find steady shortstop Jhonny Peralta, catcher Alex Avila and second baseman Omar Infante, who will hold their own.
Getting back to the starting rotation, 3-4-5 look to be Doug Fister, Anibel Sanchez and either Rick Porcello or Drew Smyly. With the offense the Tigers bring to the plate, that rotation should be more than enough.
The only question mark is the relief staff. The Tigers let closer Jose Valverde leave via free agency and the leading candidate to replace him appears to be 22-year-old flame-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon – who moved from A to AA to AAA a year ago, going a combined 2-1, 1.53 with 29 saves and 66 punch outs in 53 innings. There’s plenty of experience in the rest of the pen, with Octovio Dotel, Joaquin Benoit and Phil Coke. But, if Rondon falters, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Tigers go out and get a bonafide ninth-inning hurler.
All in all, Detroit is a well-balanced squad that should easily win the Central – followed by:
White Sox … Solid starting pitching (Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, John Danks, Gavin Floyd) and some Punch in the lineup (Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and youngster Dayan Viciedo), plus off-season pickup (3B) Jeff Keppinger (.325 with the Rays last year) help keep the White Sox in the race. Still the Sox have more questions (Danks’ recovery from surgery, Konerko’s age, can Flowers replace Pierzynski) and less talent up and down the roster than the Tigers.
Royals … Took steps forward in the off-season, but after newcomers true “ace” James Shields and Wade Davis, the starting rotation lacks a record of consistency. Still, a strong bullpen and the bats of Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar should keep them at or near .500. To go further, they need more from high-potentil corner infielders Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas and a return to form at the back end of the rotation (Ervin Santana, Bruce Chen, Jeremy Guthrie).
Indians … The tribe made strides on offense with the addition of Nick Swisher and Micheal Bourn and they are strong up the middle with (c) Carlos Santana, (2B) Jason Kipnis, (SS) Asdrubal Cabrera and newly acquired speedy center fielder Drew Stubbs. Questions remain at the corners and in the rotation – number-two looks like Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.4o last season).
Twins … The Twins’ off-season moves appear good for the future, but the outlook for 2013 is not as bright. A revamped pitching staff looks to include acquisitions Vance Worley, and Mike Pelfrey – both coming off surgery – as is holdover Scott Diamond, the Twins’ best 2012 starter. Could be a lot of work for a solid bullpen, led by closer Glen Perkins. There is some potential in the lineup with former MVPs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, slugging outfielder Josh Willingham and steady Ryan Doumit. Still, there are questions in the infield and center field (where the Twins traded away Denard Span and Ben Revere). But there is hope on the horizon, with prospects like pitchers Trevor May, Alex Meyer and Kyle Gibson (who could make the 2013 rotation) and infielder Miguel Sano in the wings.
Wild Cards: Rangers and Rays.
AL Champion: Tigers … Verlander and Scherzer provide the edge, as two offensive juggernauts (Angels/Tigers) face off.
Coming soon … a look at the NL.
Box Scores – They’re Ba-a-a-ck!
February 27, 2013 by
Box scores – in the morning paper of course (online is a second choice) – are one of the things I love about baseball. Now it’s Spring Training and the box scores are back. Here’s why I love ’em – my #8 reason in “Why I Love Baseball.” (Click the YILBB link at the top of the page to see all ten reasons.)
The box score – akin to the “orchestra in a box.”
8. The box score.
BBRT editor’s mother used to refer to an accordion as “an orchestra in a box.” That’s how I view the daily box score – the symphony of a game recorded in a space one-column wide by four inches deep. Some would say the box score reduces the game to statistics, I would say it elevates the game to history. What do you want to know about the contest? Who played where, when? At bats, hits, stolen bases, strikeouts, errors, caught stealing, time, attendance, even the umpires’ names? It’s all there and more – so much information, captured for baseball fans in a compact and orderly space. I am, of course, dating myself here, but during baseball season, the morning newspaper, through its box scores, is a treasure trove of information for baseball fans.
BBRT’s Hall of Fame Balloting – I Stand Corrected
January 31, 2013 by
This year, as I noted with disappointment in my January 9 post, the Baseball Writers Association of America threw a shutout in the Hall of Fame balloting. While the steroids era “tainted” the 2013 election process, I felt that there were candidates who deserved election – and that the BBWAA could have made more of a statement by voting in a “clean” candidate or two and denying the “suspect” superstars on the list. I was pretty sure that most fans would feel pretty much the same way – and that a fan vote would have turned out differently. With that in mind, I sent out my own ballot – to Ballpark Tours Hot Stove League Banquet and Annual Tour participants, fantasy baseball league opponents and baseball-fan friends. The results are in – and I stand corrected.
BBRT voters put more zeroes up on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame scoreboard.
With just over 50 ballots in, the results of the BBRT balloting were not that different from the official BBWAA vote – and no one was elected. In the BBRT ballot, Craig Biggio topped all candidates with 65.3% of the vote, just as he topped the BBWAA ballot at 68.2%. Jack Morris and Mike Piazza tied for second on the BBRT ballot at 61.5%, while in the official voting, Morris finished second (67.7%) and Piazza fourth (57.8%). The main outlier at the top of the ballot was Jeff Bagwell, who finished fifth in the BBRT vote, but with only 38.5%, while the writers has him third at 59.6%.
BBRT voters were a bit harder than the BBWAA on PED-suspect candidates: Here are some notable with the BBRT vote percentage followed by the BBWAA percentages: Barry Bonds (19.2/36.2); Roger Clemens (19.2/37.6); Mark McGwire 15.4/16.9); Sammy Sosa (11.5/12.5); Rafael Pameiro (11.5/8.8).
I did take part in another mock ballot this year – conducted by the national Baseball Bloggers Alliance. In that vote, one candidate – Jeff Bagwell – was elected, with 76% support. As in the BBRT and BBWAA votes, Biggio and Piazza finished close with 69% each, but Morris fared much worse at only 32% (not too many folks who attended Game 7 in 1991, apparently). The suspect list also fared better with the blogger group. Bonds got 62%, Clements 56%, McGwire 35%, Sosa 21% and Palmeiro 15%. Also of interest to me was the fact that Lee Smith, who captured 57.6% of the BBRT votes and 47.8% of the writers’ ballots, got only 25% from the bloggers’ group. (Visit the Baseball Bloggers Alliance Website for the full results of thee vote. )
BBRT saw three prevailing attitudes in the balloting, in the following order of frequency (I’ll share some of the comments I received at the end of this post):
1) Don’t let the suspects in, but I will vote for a couple of qualified “clean” candidates;
2) Don’t let the suspects and there are no candidates I see worthy of first-ballot election, and few or no returning candidates that really command my vote;
3) Let the records stand for themselves, as long as MLB has not declared candidates ineligible, like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, I will vote based on the numbers;
4) I think the game’s gone bad and here’s a blank ballot in protest.
So, here are the final BBRT results, with each candidate’s vote percentage followed by the BBWAA’s official tally:
Craig Biggio – 65.3% (68.2)
Jack Morris – 61.5% (67.7)
Mike Piazza – 61.5% (57.8)
Lee Smith – 57.6% (47.8)
Jeff Bagwell – 38.5% (59.6)
Edgar Martinez – 30.7% (35.9)
Alan Trammel – 30.7% (33.6%)
Roger Clemens – 19.2% (37.6)
Barry Bonds – 19.2% (36.2)
Curt Schilling – 19.2% (38.8)
Tim Raines – 19.2% (52.2)
Don Mattingly – 15.4% (13.2)
Mark McGwire – 15.4% (16.9)
Sammy Sosa – 11.5% (12.5%)
Larry Walker – 11.5% (21.6)
Rafael Pameiro – 11.5% (8.8)
Dale Murphy – 7.7% (18.6)
Bernie Williams – 7.7% (3.3)
Fred McGriff – 3.8% (20.7)
Julio Franco – 3.8% (1.1)
Note: The following BBWAA vote-getters did not get votes in the BBRT balloting: Kenny Lofton (3.2%, BBWAA) and Sandy Alomar Jr. (2.8%).
To wrap up, here excerpts from some selected comments BBRT received with its ballots.
I’ve got a real problem with voting for suspected PED-users – particularly on the first ballot. Beyond that I find this year’s HOF class uninspiring – and look forward to next year with Maddux, Glavine and the Big hurt eligible. BK
If there was ever a year to justify a shutout, this would be it. It’s a pretty uninspiring ballot, all the more compared to recent years and what’s to come. On the drug issue, at this point I’m not willing to vote for them – realizing that ‘them’ is a slippery slope in some cases. My view may change over time as we have a longer historical lens and more knowledge with which to work. In 10 years, will I feel differently about Bonds or Clemens? Can’t answer that.
One other thing: I really believe there’s a distinction between a Hall of Famer and a “first-ballot Hall of Famer,” … I think that first-ballot election signifies being among the elite of the elite in all criteria of the game: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. HS
I’m tired or reading about drugs and money, rather base hits. They’re spoiling the game, so I vote a blank ballot. LW
I believe that the steroid users should never get in. If they can continue to keep Pete Rose out for gambling and refuse to acknowledge his accomplishments on the field sans drugs, then there is no way there is justification for putting the druggies in. I don’t care how many others do it and I don’t care how it enhances performance. KC
Why doesn’t MLB take these guys off ballots? It seems to me that they asking voters to make up minds for MLB. Bud needs to step up and deny these guys (entry) into HOF as a ban. PC
I agree with the MLB Baseball writers in not electing players into the hall every year. I think that there are some players that should be in, Jack Morris, Jim Kaat but the vote is the best process that can be used and if they do not concur for that year than so be it. It just makes the membership to the hall that much more exclusive … The debate that this year’s vote has brought on is what makes this sport so wonderful and timeless. SB
I am of the belief that it is not possible to tell who did or did not inhale, so trying to be drug-cops is, in the end ineffective. So my ballot is based on the fact that these players are part of the history of the game. It seems to me there are three key issues:
1) As fans of the national pastime, we accept the scoreboard as it is, regardless of any extenuating circumstances: no asterisks, no questions. The Game is the Game; the record is the record.
2) Betting on baseball is bad, Bad, BAD, REALLY BAD. Thou shalt forever be banned from the Hall. Is it a greater sin to bet on the game than to use drugs to improve your performance? If you agree, Pete and the Black Sox shall be forever banned, but Sammy, Mark et al. shall be eligible. I am not wise enough to make this call so close to the bag.
3) Performance enhancing drugs are worse /are not as bad as betting on the game. If you used steroids, you should/should not/should/should not/should/should not be admitted to the Hall of Fame. You hit the ball more, you scored more runs, but was it you or the drugs in your body allowed you to be that good? How well would Sammy, Roger, Barry, and Mark done if they had not used drugs? They might have done just as well. They were, after all, really good players. Sadly, we shall never know. What we do know now is that certain players were banned by the Commissioner for betting on the game, regardless of their performance record. End of story. If Pete Rose is ever inducted, I will have watched my last MLB game, unless at the same moment Shoeless Joe is also forgiven his sins. To the best of my understanding, their crimes were only about money. From my professional perspective, using drugs to enhance performance is a deeper, more fundamental violation of the rules of the game. It seems to me that those who voted this year unambiguously agreed. So it should remain. JT
What Were They Thinking?
January 20, 2013 by
A DIFFERENT KIND OF BAD HAIR DAY!
BAD HAT DAY!
WORSE HAT DAY!
BAD LANGUAGE DAY! (Read the end of the bat)
ISN’T OUR FANTASY LEAGUE USING A SNAKE DRAFT?
ALL WE NEED IS GLOVE … YA-TA-DA-TA-DA!
JUST FINISHED POLE DANCING 101!
HELLO! IS 1970 THERE?
IS THIS MY GOOD SIDE? OOPS! STRIKE THREE!
YOUR COMMENT HERE ...
HOF – No Electees … Wrong Message
January 9, 2013 by
“There is no joy in Mudville” … or Cooperstown. The BBWAA has struck out.
Ouch! The Baseball Writers Association of America has locked the doors to the Hall of Fame – at least for 2013. With no “winners” in the election, fans and players lose. Now, at this year’s ceremony, there will be only the ghosts of Hank O’Day, Jacob Ruppert and Deacon White to be honored. There will be no new, living members to be inducted. It will be interesting to see how much excitement that event generates among fans.
Yes, the steroid era “tainted” this year’s election process, but there were candidates who were not painted with that brush and who – at least in BBRT’s opinion – deserved election. BBRT also believes the writers could have made more of a statement – if that is what they were trying to do – by voting in a couple of “clean” candidates, while ignoring those most heavily associated with the PED issue. Here are two that would have fit the bill.
Craig Biggio
In his 20 MLB seasons, Biggio collected 3,060 hits, scored 1,884 runs and hit 291 home runs, while also stealing 414 bases. He was a seven-time All Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner, who spent notable time at second base, catcher and in the outfield. His 668 doubles are the most ever by a right-handed hitter (and fifth all time) and he is one of only two players to collect 50 doubles and 50 stolen bases in the same season. He holds the NL record (285) for being hit by a pitch.
Lee Smith
Smith’s 478 saves put him third on the all-time list (he was number-one when he retired after the 1997 season). He also recorded 13 consecutive seasons (in an 18-year career) of 25 or more saves, a 3.03 lifetime ERA and 1,251 strikeouts in 1,289 innings pitched; led the league in saves four times; and made seven All Star Teams.
Slightly behind Biggio and Smith, but also deserving from BBRT’s vantage point is:
Jack Morris
In his 18-year career, he earned a reputation as a big-game pitcher, as well as a 254-186 record with a 3.90 ERA, 2,478 strikeouts and five All Star selections. A two-time twenty-game winner, Morris led his league in wins twice, games started twice, and one time each in complete games, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
There were also have two worthy players who appear to have been punished for playing in the steroid era – despite no compelling PED evidence. It appears for these two, it was guilt by association or suspicion.
Mike Piazza
Piazza finished his 16-year career with 2,127 hits and a .308 average. The 1993 Rookie of the Year collected 427 home runs (a Major League record 396 as a catcher) and 12 All Star selections.
Jeff Bagwell
In 15 seasons, Bagwell amassed 2,314 hits and a near-.300 (.297) batting average. He also collected 429 home runs, and more than 1,500 runs and RBI, as well as 202 stolen bases. He was a NL Rookie of the Year, MVP and Gold Glove winner.
BBRT would have case a ballot for all of the above. As for the message from this year’s balloting, from this vantage point it does not seem very well thought out.
Here are this year’s vote recipients and percentages (75% needed for election).
Name
Craig Biggio (68.2%, first year on ballot)
Jack Morris (67.7%, fourteenth)
Jeff Bagwell (59.6%, third)
Mike Piazza (57.8% first )
Tim Raines (52.2%, sixth)
Lee Smith (47.8%, eleventh)
Curt Schilling (38.8%, first)
Roger Clemens (37.6%, first)
Barry Bonds (36.2%, first)
Edgar Martinez (35.9%, fourth)
Alan Trammell (33.6%, twelfth)
Larry Walker (21.6%, third)
Fred McGriff (20.7%, fourth)
Dale Murphy (18.6%, fifteenth)
Mark McGwire (16.9%, seventh)
Don Mattingly (13.2%, thirteenth)
Sammy Sosa (12.5%, first)
Rafael Palmeiro (8.8%, third)
Bernie Williams (3.3%, second)
Kenny Lofton (3.2%, first)
Sandy Alomar Jr. (2.8%, first)
Julio Franco (1.1%, first)
David Wells (0.9%, first)
Steve Finley (0.7%, first)
Shawn Green (0.4%, first)
Aaron Sele (0.2%, first)
A Great Opportunity for One of Baseball’s Good Guys
November 2, 2012 by
Mike Redmond, 2011 Midwest League Manager of the Year … now leading the Miami Marlins.
BBRT says congratulations to one of its favorite “grinders,” Mike Redmond, who was recently named manager of the Miami Marlins. Redmond’s 13-year major league career – primarily as a backup catcher, included time with the Marlins, Twins and Indians. His best season came with the Twins in 2007, when he hit .294. with 1 home run and 38 RBI in 82 games. His career batting average was .287, with 13 homers and 243 RBI in 764 games.
As a player, Redmond enjoyed a well-earned reputation as a hard worker who got the most from his talents, was respected for his commitment to and knowledge of the game, and was appreciated for his clubhouse presence – knowing when to get fired up and when to loosen up. He was also known for clutch hits, playing through pain, “smelling the RBIs” and taking naked batting practice (actually, he was wearing spikes and batting gloves.)
And, while his managing experience is brief, it’s pretty impressive. The 41-year-old Redmond, who retired as a player after the 2010 season, managed the past two seasons in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. In 2011, he started his managerial career by leading the Lansing Lugnuts to their best record ever (77-60), winning Midwest League Manager of the Year honors. In 2012, he moved to the Florida State League, leading Dunedin to a 78-55 record and first-place divisional finish.
Redmond has plenty of work to do with the Marlins, who finished 69-93 under veteran manager Ozzie Guillen in 2012. BBRT applauds the Marlins’ choice and wishes Mike Redmond the best – we know he will, as always, give the job his best.
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.
