Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sox 1, Orioles 8: Dreary
This had all the markings of a let-down day: two splendiferous victories over the Yankees, plus Rodrigo Lopez taking the mound, who for some reason turns into an ace against the Sox. Expectations high against a team decimated by injuries.
So it was written, so it was: Arroyo pitched woefully - that whole first two innings, he was saved only by the Os' aggressiveness on the basepaths, which led to 2 outs, plus 1 out thanks to a sac bunt - it was as though they were desperately trying to score against a top pitcher. Which Arroyo, unfortunately, didn't look like today. The breaking ball was all over the place - I remember Tek really stretching just to reach one that ended up somewhere unexpected - and even the outs looked well-hit.
I think what's galling are the people who scored on the grand slam - Newhan, Palmeiro, Gibbons, Surhoff. Roberts, Mora, Tejada, Sosa - now that's a top of the order to be feared, and rightly so. But 4 of the bottom 5 (admittedly, Palmeiro and Gibbons can hit), with Newhan getting the homer? Ugh. Arroyo must be really rusty apres suspension.
This had all the markings of a let-down day: two splendiferous victories over the Yankees, plus Rodrigo Lopez taking the mound, who for some reason turns into an ace against the Sox. Expectations high against a team decimated by injuries.
So it was written, so it was: Arroyo pitched woefully - that whole first two innings, he was saved only by the Os' aggressiveness on the basepaths, which led to 2 outs, plus 1 out thanks to a sac bunt - it was as though they were desperately trying to score against a top pitcher. Which Arroyo, unfortunately, didn't look like today. The breaking ball was all over the place - I remember Tek really stretching just to reach one that ended up somewhere unexpected - and even the outs looked well-hit.
I think what's galling are the people who scored on the grand slam - Newhan, Palmeiro, Gibbons, Surhoff. Roberts, Mora, Tejada, Sosa - now that's a top of the order to be feared, and rightly so. But 4 of the bottom 5 (admittedly, Palmeiro and Gibbons can hit), with Newhan getting the homer? Ugh. Arroyo must be really rusty apres suspension.
Old timers' day
Jim Caple's column on ESPN discussed old-timers like Oil Can Boyd and Rickey Henderson playing for the independent leagues:
Seems all these old-timers should do really if they want to play in the majors is call up Brian Sabean and see if there's a space open in his AARP roster...
Jim Caple's column on ESPN discussed old-timers like Oil Can Boyd and Rickey Henderson playing for the independent leagues:
And Rickey Henderson, now of the San Diego Surf Dawgs, told reporters he should be playing in Yankee Stadium. "The Yankees have that guy (Tony) Womack playing left field," Henderson said. "If I can't play that position at least as well as he can, I'll hang up the spikes right now."Nobody gives good quote like Rickey.
Seems all these old-timers should do really if they want to play in the majors is call up Brian Sabean and see if there's a space open in his AARP roster...
Good times never seemed so good
The Boston Globe had a piece on why "Sweet Caroline" plays at every 8th inning. I hate "Tessie", but "Sweet Caroline" has always had a so-bad-it's-kitschy appeal to it for me. Reminds me of that scene in Beautiful Girls where they all sing along to that song... come to think of it, that was written by a Massachusetts native, Scott Rosenberg, before "Sweet Caroline" became a standard at Fenway. For that matter, I have a recording of U2 singing that song in Foxboro (purportedly) and everyone joins in the "bah-bah-bah" and "so good, so good, so good" parts. What's with the Massachusetts connections to the song?
The Boston Globe had a piece on why "Sweet Caroline" plays at every 8th inning. I hate "Tessie", but "Sweet Caroline" has always had a so-bad-it's-kitschy appeal to it for me. Reminds me of that scene in Beautiful Girls where they all sing along to that song... come to think of it, that was written by a Massachusetts native, Scott Rosenberg, before "Sweet Caroline" became a standard at Fenway. For that matter, I have a recording of U2 singing that song in Foxboro (purportedly) and everyone joins in the "bah-bah-bah" and "so good, so good, so good" parts. What's with the Massachusetts connections to the song?
Monday, May 30, 2005
Sox 7, Yankees 2: Everybody Makes Good
So Wells gets Renteria's number, Renteria gets Wells', and everybody does well in their renewed outfits. Not sure why Renteria had to pay Wells, and not the other way around, especially with the results - 8.1 innings, 2 ER, after 2 first-inning homers! (Edgar didn't do shabbily for himself either.) As usual, the key seemed to be throwing strikes - I think these patient teams like the Sox and the Yankees have problems with extreme strike-throwing machines. Wells clearly still has some love in his heart for New York - just listen to his quote about pitching in Yankee Stadium:"The greats, man, they're shining down. If you don't want to pitch here, there's something wrong with you." But as long as he produces results like today's, I don't care where his favourites are.
Even Ortiz, who seemed to be somewhat dimmed as a hitter recently, lit up the scoreboard - his homers were MONSTROUS. Upper deck? That's incrdible.
And I love seeing Mussina get chased from the game. Absolutely love it - I don't think there's a starter in the Yankee rotation that's as irritating, mostly because he keeps whining about how his schedule has been affected and so on. (It felt like his complaining about the trip to Japan in April 2004 ended only about the same time summer ended.) And for Wang, who's been a solid starter for the Yankees, to get forced to do long relief is good news.
AP game report.
So Wells gets Renteria's number, Renteria gets Wells', and everybody does well in their renewed outfits. Not sure why Renteria had to pay Wells, and not the other way around, especially with the results - 8.1 innings, 2 ER, after 2 first-inning homers! (Edgar didn't do shabbily for himself either.) As usual, the key seemed to be throwing strikes - I think these patient teams like the Sox and the Yankees have problems with extreme strike-throwing machines. Wells clearly still has some love in his heart for New York - just listen to his quote about pitching in Yankee Stadium:"The greats, man, they're shining down. If you don't want to pitch here, there's something wrong with you." But as long as he produces results like today's, I don't care where his favourites are.
Even Ortiz, who seemed to be somewhat dimmed as a hitter recently, lit up the scoreboard - his homers were MONSTROUS. Upper deck? That's incrdible.
And I love seeing Mussina get chased from the game. Absolutely love it - I don't think there's a starter in the Yankee rotation that's as irritating, mostly because he keeps whining about how his schedule has been affected and so on. (It felt like his complaining about the trip to Japan in April 2004 ended only about the same time summer ended.) And for Wang, who's been a solid starter for the Yankees, to get forced to do long relief is good news.
AP game report.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Ugly Guys Break Graves
Peter Gammons had some nice tidbits in his column today, including this one:
Interesting that the Reds players' reaction to Graves leaving was completely different from their uncontained glee at the DFA'ing of D'Angelo Jimenez, who I shall always remember as one of those "position players who pitched in one game", much like Mark Grace.
Peter Gammons had some nice tidbits in his column today, including this one:
Reds players let it be known that their distaste for the Danny Graves release started with the fact that he was notified with a phone call, but more important, what set off his [obscene] gesture was a fan who according to teammates yelled, "go back to Vietnam." That told players that the fans' racist behavior is acceptable. (Gammons, plus some background on Graves' release and the gesture.)Yeah, I'm in the camp that says baseball players shouldn't have to accept racist taunts in their workplace, and the fact that they earn a huge salary doesn't change that opinion. The focus shouldn't have been on the gesture, but on Graves' bad pitching.
Interesting that the Reds players' reaction to Graves leaving was completely different from their uncontained glee at the DFA'ing of D'Angelo Jimenez, who I shall always remember as one of those "position players who pitched in one game", much like Mark Grace.
He's broke - that's oke
I was reading in Thursday's USA Today about an increased prevalence of broken bats in the major leagues (possibly caused by the increased use of maple bats, although other factors including smaller bat handles might be causing it) and one of the games I managed to catch during my European sojourn involved Youkilis at 1st being forced to move out of the way of a broken bat piece... then I caught up with old baseball news and the news of Rick Helling's forearm being impaled by a bat shard caught my eye. Man, makes me nervous about ever getting seats down the right-field line... not sure my reflexes would be fast enough to get out of the way!
I was reading in Thursday's USA Today about an increased prevalence of broken bats in the major leagues (possibly caused by the increased use of maple bats, although other factors including smaller bat handles might be causing it) and one of the games I managed to catch during my European sojourn involved Youkilis at 1st being forced to move out of the way of a broken bat piece... then I caught up with old baseball news and the news of Rick Helling's forearm being impaled by a bat shard caught my eye. Man, makes me nervous about ever getting seats down the right-field line... not sure my reflexes would be fast enough to get out of the way!
Sox 17, Yankees 1: Release
Wow. Given all the frustrations of the past weeks' play, combined with the Yankees' form, that was incredibly cathartic. Especially given that Renteria and Manny came up big. Biggest win ever against the Yankees.
Wow. Given all the frustrations of the past weeks' play, combined with the Yankees' form, that was incredibly cathartic. Especially given that Renteria and Manny came up big. Biggest win ever against the Yankees.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Sox 3, Yankees 6: Sink or Sveum
Dale Sveum seemed to have been overly cautious at the start of the season, perhaps in response to last year's overly enthusiastic baserunning, but the pendulum seems back at the gung-ho extreme. Once two people were out at home in one inning, that was clearly the ballgame, even though the Cano and Sheffield homers came later. 5 consecutive hits off Randy Johnson, for 1 run and 2 outs? UGH.
And Embree isn't helping the cause any.
Great homer by Tek. Still can't get used to the "C" on the jersey, but heck, a hot-hitting catcher is hard to find. Also good to know Renteria can hit, if only against lefties.
Meanwhile, I caught Pedro's 8th inning and 10th K in his 1-0 win over the Marlins. Sigh. I like the whole "set up away, pitch in" breaking ball he and Piazza were doing in the last inning.
Dale Sveum seemed to have been overly cautious at the start of the season, perhaps in response to last year's overly enthusiastic baserunning, but the pendulum seems back at the gung-ho extreme. Once two people were out at home in one inning, that was clearly the ballgame, even though the Cano and Sheffield homers came later. 5 consecutive hits off Randy Johnson, for 1 run and 2 outs? UGH.
And Embree isn't helping the cause any.
Great homer by Tek. Still can't get used to the "C" on the jersey, but heck, a hot-hitting catcher is hard to find. Also good to know Renteria can hit, if only against lefties.
Meanwhile, I caught Pedro's 8th inning and 10th K in his 1-0 win over the Marlins. Sigh. I like the whole "set up away, pitch in" breaking ball he and Piazza were doing in the last inning.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Sox 1, Jays 8: Very disappointing
Wade Miller lost a couple of mph on his fastball yesterday/this morning (yessiree, back in Singapore) and didn't have the curve, and was punished for it. It's weird. Right now I think the Sox pitching is unpredictably bad - which in a way is worse than Blaine Neal bad, since knowing Neal can't pitch means he can always be saved for mopup, whereas Miller had a couple of good outings before this one.
And yet, for all that bad pitching, down by 6 in the 2nd inning, my worry wasn't that the Sox would keep on bleeding runs; for some reason I was sure Jeremi Gonzalez could stanch it (which he did - he's not been great in his starts, but I think he's adequate in long relief). My worry was that the Sox couldn't score 6 runs in 7 innings - which, given that they've scored about as many runs as the supposed offensive juggernaut Baltimore (245 to the Orioles' 247), should have been a ridiculous idea. And sadly, that's the worry that came true.
AP game report
Wade Miller lost a couple of mph on his fastball yesterday/this morning (yessiree, back in Singapore) and didn't have the curve, and was punished for it. It's weird. Right now I think the Sox pitching is unpredictably bad - which in a way is worse than Blaine Neal bad, since knowing Neal can't pitch means he can always be saved for mopup, whereas Miller had a couple of good outings before this one.
And yet, for all that bad pitching, down by 6 in the 2nd inning, my worry wasn't that the Sox would keep on bleeding runs; for some reason I was sure Jeremi Gonzalez could stanch it (which he did - he's not been great in his starts, but I think he's adequate in long relief). My worry was that the Sox couldn't score 6 runs in 7 innings - which, given that they've scored about as many runs as the supposed offensive juggernaut Baltimore (245 to the Orioles' 247), should have been a ridiculous idea. And sadly, that's the worry that came true.
AP game report
Monday, May 23, 2005
Sox 5, Braves 2: You complete me
Somewhere in the 6th inning, I peeked out of my spot in the cybercafe to realise everyone had left, and the old woman who was running the place was sweetly waiting for me to finish (it was 10pm on a Sunday night) to close up, so I had to catch up this morning.
What a performance by Clement. A CG saves the bullpen, 7 Ks are great, and his control seems intact. 5-0 is a great record, and puts the rest all those worries about Clement "not knowing how to win", that old sham argument.
This whole series has had some great plays by Nixon in right field - I thought the catch the other day where he went over the railing was better, but yesterday's catch was pretty sweet too. Looks like his injury isn't really hampering his athletic ability - shades of the defensive quality that once led Rob Neyer to call Nixon the Sox's best all-time right fielder in terms of defense.
Somewhere in the 6th inning, I peeked out of my spot in the cybercafe to realise everyone had left, and the old woman who was running the place was sweetly waiting for me to finish (it was 10pm on a Sunday night) to close up, so I had to catch up this morning.
What a performance by Clement. A CG saves the bullpen, 7 Ks are great, and his control seems intact. 5-0 is a great record, and puts the rest all those worries about Clement "not knowing how to win", that old sham argument.
This whole series has had some great plays by Nixon in right field - I thought the catch the other day where he went over the railing was better, but yesterday's catch was pretty sweet too. Looks like his injury isn't really hampering his athletic ability - shades of the defensive quality that once led Rob Neyer to call Nixon the Sox's best all-time right fielder in terms of defense.
Sox v. Braves, as of now...
Watched parts of Pedro's start in this cybercafe, now catching the Sox game. Stupid me forgot to update my fantasy team, and now Clement is on the bench for my team - although being 2-0 down is really frustrating. Just checked in the commercials... As usual, the Mets bullpen just cost Pedro a win.
WHAT is with leaving people on base? The Sox are such teases.
Watched parts of Pedro's start in this cybercafe, now catching the Sox game. Stupid me forgot to update my fantasy team, and now Clement is on the bench for my team - although being 2-0 down is really frustrating. Just checked in the commercials... As usual, the Mets bullpen just cost Pedro a win.
WHAT is with leaving people on base? The Sox are such teases.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Sox 4, Braves 3: Flirting With Disaster
Man, when I saw the score on CNN Europe's little scrolling bar, I immediately thought, "Sox 4, Braves 3 - sounds like Foulke gave up a few near the end"... fortunately he only almost took the loss, and almost only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades...
Man, when I saw the score on CNN Europe's little scrolling bar, I immediately thought, "Sox 4, Braves 3 - sounds like Foulke gave up a few near the end"... fortunately he only almost took the loss, and almost only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades...
Friday, May 20, 2005
Baseball Odds and Ends
Cesar Crespo did win something last season... Baseball Prospectus' DiSar Award, going to the player who goes longest into the season without drawing a walk. 79 ABs, and he never drew a walk. I guess that's something to ponder when thinking about Renteria's poor season thus far, or even Vazquez's play.
Cesar Crespo did win something last season... Baseball Prospectus' DiSar Award, going to the player who goes longest into the season without drawing a walk. 79 ABs, and he never drew a walk. I guess that's something to ponder when thinking about Renteria's poor season thus far, or even Vazquez's play.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Sox 6, Oakland 13: Wells gives it up
I'm not so worried that David Wells is fat. He's always been fat and an effective pitcher, and while many like to think we need players who look like Men's Health cover models, I'm not so convinced about that for pitchers. I am worried that he's 42, and 42 seems to be an age where even hitherto-effective players fall off a cliff - Willie Mays comes to mind.
I'm not so worried that David Wells is fat. He's always been fat and an effective pitcher, and while many like to think we need players who look like Men's Health cover models, I'm not so convinced about that for pitchers. I am worried that he's 42, and 42 seems to be an age where even hitherto-effective players fall off a cliff - Willie Mays comes to mind.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
While I was away...
... congrats to Manny on homer #400. May he hit many more for the Sox.
... what is with Trot's leg injury? Worries me. Can we experiment with Trot at DH and Ortiz at 1st occasionally?
... congrats to Manny on homer #400. May he hit many more for the Sox.
... what is with Trot's leg injury? Worries me. Can we experiment with Trot at DH and Ortiz at 1st occasionally?
Best eligible players still not in the Hall of Fame
Ron Santo, Bert Blyleven, Dick Allen, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Ted Simmons. Just a thought.
Ron Santo, Bert Blyleven, Dick Allen, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Ted Simmons. Just a thought.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Sox 6, Seattle 3: You can trot when you homer
Damn. Sounds like I missed a hell of a game. Wade Miller's comeback is just about as expected - last week I predicted to a buddy 5IP, 2ER, which was what we saw. Sounds like he's still got stuff, but it's not totally sharp.
And in other AL news, I can't believe Kenny Rogers is at 30 scoreless innings.
Damn. Sounds like I missed a hell of a game. Wade Miller's comeback is just about as expected - last week I predicted to a buddy 5IP, 2ER, which was what we saw. Sounds like he's still got stuff, but it's not totally sharp.
And in other AL news, I can't believe Kenny Rogers is at 30 scoreless innings.
In Bonn
Ja, ich bin jetzt in ein neue Stadt... just touched down in Bonn, where I'll be attending an environmental conference for the next few days. Since my hotel room doesn't have the Internet, posting might be a bit intermittent for the next week or so (am typing this from a cybercafe). My apologies.
By the way, the voice they use to dub over Billy Crystal's voice on German TV sounds nothing like his real one. Whoever does his voice has a deep booming voice. Ah, what you learn from bad Sunday TV.
Ja, ich bin jetzt in ein neue Stadt... just touched down in Bonn, where I'll be attending an environmental conference for the next few days. Since my hotel room doesn't have the Internet, posting might be a bit intermittent for the next week or so (am typing this from a cybercafe). My apologies.
By the way, the voice they use to dub over Billy Crystal's voice on German TV sounds nothing like his real one. Whoever does his voice has a deep booming voice. Ah, what you learn from bad Sunday TV.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Sox 7, Mariners 14: Cla aching
Well... um... Bellhorn hit his first homer today.
Always look on the bright side of life... *whistles*
And Trot Nixon had some really spectacular looking catches.
Always look on the bright side of life... *whistles*
Oh well. What to say? The good luck with spot starters like Jeremi Gonzalez and John Halama couldn't last forever. Cla Meredith was rushed too soon seems clear, but at least it does seem like the Sox were testing not just Cla himself - a little bit of forepla? - but testing out a theory about going with the "hot hand". Guess it just didn't work this time. Hope that doesn't discourage him...
Speaking of going with the hot hand and failing, Chris Reitsma gave up a grand slam today, spoiling one of my fantasy teams. Ick.
And the way Ichiro holds that bat like a sword before an at-bat always intrigues me.
Well... um... Bellhorn hit his first homer today.
Always look on the bright side of life... *whistles*
And Trot Nixon had some really spectacular looking catches.
Always look on the bright side of life... *whistles*
Oh well. What to say? The good luck with spot starters like Jeremi Gonzalez and John Halama couldn't last forever. Cla Meredith was rushed too soon seems clear, but at least it does seem like the Sox were testing not just Cla himself - a little bit of forepla? - but testing out a theory about going with the "hot hand". Guess it just didn't work this time. Hope that doesn't discourage him...
Speaking of going with the hot hand and failing, Chris Reitsma gave up a grand slam today, spoiling one of my fantasy teams. Ick.
And the way Ichiro holds that bat like a sword before an at-bat always intrigues me.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Master of My Domain
I've just been informed that, sadly, worldbaseballclassic.com has already been taken - if you look up Register.com's database, it notes that MLB registered it on Mar 8, 2005. (Link) So the name of the tournament was in place a while ago. Some enterprising guy has registered mlbworldbaseballclassic.com already though, under the name "Yellowdog Design", as the Whois info shows.
I've just been informed that, sadly, worldbaseballclassic.com has already been taken - if you look up Register.com's database, it notes that MLB registered it on Mar 8, 2005. (Link) So the name of the tournament was in place a while ago. Some enterprising guy has registered mlbworldbaseballclassic.com already though, under the name "Yellowdog Design", as the Whois info shows.
The World Cup
No real time to blog about it as much as I would like, given that I'm in the midst of changing jobs and prepping for a conference, but the fact that the Baseball World Cup is finally seeing shape (albeit as the "World Baseball Classic") is awesome to me. Interesting bits from that article:
Some country pride and modesty from Beltre:
SoSH has a series of speculative lineups for various countries - I came up with the Canadian one (with some minor amendments from fellow board members).
C - Pete LaForest
1B - Justin Morneau
2B - Danny Klassen
3B - Corey Koskie
SS - Pete Orr
LF - Jason Bay
CF - Adam Stern
RF - Larry Walker
DH - Matt Stairs
Bench - Mark Teahen, Aaron Guiel?, Cody McKay?
SP - Rich Harden
SP - Erik Bedard
SP - Ryan Dempster
SP - Jeff Francis
RP - Chris Reitsma
RP - Rheal Cormier
RP - Jesse Crain
RP - Paul Quantrill
Closer - Eric Gagne
Edit: Incidentally - does anyone need someone to cover the Asian regionals of the World Cup? Hint, hint. :)
No real time to blog about it as much as I would like, given that I'm in the midst of changing jobs and prepping for a conference, but the fact that the Baseball World Cup is finally seeing shape (albeit as the "World Baseball Classic") is awesome to me. Interesting bits from that article:
Some country pride and modesty from Beltre:
"I would like to play in that, but the Dominican has a lot of good players," Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre said last year. "Who knows if I would be in it? If I was [chosen] to be in it, I'd like to represent my country."And of course, the prevailing fears of injuries:
According to one union official, major-league clubs will not be able to block any of their players from participating...This can only be great for the sport, in my opinion - it'll build up the sport's popularity and thus deepen the talent pool from which MLB can draw players. But of course what's good for the group may not be good for the individual, and it's quite possible that an important major leaguer could come up hurt for his team. Having said that, there are limitations on pitch counts, which is always good, and some players do play winter ball against their team's wishes so it's not like that risk doesn't occur anyway...
One union official said that insurance to cover player contracts in the event of injuries during the tournament had been addressed to MLB's satisfaction.
SoSH has a series of speculative lineups for various countries - I came up with the Canadian one (with some minor amendments from fellow board members).
C - Pete LaForest
1B - Justin Morneau
2B - Danny Klassen
3B - Corey Koskie
SS - Pete Orr
LF - Jason Bay
CF - Adam Stern
RF - Larry Walker
DH - Matt Stairs
Bench - Mark Teahen, Aaron Guiel?, Cody McKay?
SP - Rich Harden
SP - Erik Bedard
SP - Ryan Dempster
SP - Jeff Francis
RP - Chris Reitsma
RP - Rheal Cormier
RP - Jesse Crain
RP - Paul Quantrill
Closer - Eric Gagne
Edit: Incidentally - does anyone need someone to cover the Asian regionals of the World Cup? Hint, hint. :)
Let's hear it for JD
I should note just how good Johnny Damon's play has been lately, despite all the mumblings and grumblings about his media-hogging. Personally, I don't think Damon's off-field activities are any worse than in previous years, only that the Sox championship made them more prominent. So if he could hit then, he can hit now. And boy, can he hit.
It's a good Calvinist story, isn't it? "Player spends too much time in sinful off-the-field activities, suffers with poor performance." Too bad for those would-be gleeful tut-tutters expecting a drop in performance - doesn't always work that way.
Of course, Damon remains an icon in Boston, as shown by how people get Damon birthday cakes:
(Cake pic from Colossus of Rhode)
I should note just how good Johnny Damon's play has been lately, despite all the mumblings and grumblings about his media-hogging. Personally, I don't think Damon's off-field activities are any worse than in previous years, only that the Sox championship made them more prominent. So if he could hit then, he can hit now. And boy, can he hit.
It's a good Calvinist story, isn't it? "Player spends too much time in sinful off-the-field activities, suffers with poor performance." Too bad for those would-be gleeful tut-tutters expecting a drop in performance - doesn't always work that way.
Of course, Damon remains an icon in Boston, as shown by how people get Damon birthday cakes:
(Cake pic from Colossus of Rhode)
Sox 6, Oakland 5: Tek Over
Another day, another ritual abuse of Octavio Dotel. Of course, this time round it could be just payback for the As' abuse of Keith "What The" Foulke at the top of the inning - very few wins are as undeserved as the "win" you get for giving up 4 runs in an inning.
Days till Dotel gets traded and Huston Street becomes the closer? I used to think that whole series of pitchers that made up the 6-man Astros staff that no-hit the Yankees was a pretty fine bullpen, but Dotel's got to do more than keep slinging fastballs that miss, walking people, and being forced to throw pitches in the wheelhouse of the following hitters.
So, as always, for both closers, the key word: location, location, location.
Another day, another ritual abuse of Octavio Dotel. Of course, this time round it could be just payback for the As' abuse of Keith "What The" Foulke at the top of the inning - very few wins are as undeserved as the "win" you get for giving up 4 runs in an inning.
Days till Dotel gets traded and Huston Street becomes the closer? I used to think that whole series of pitchers that made up the 6-man Astros staff that no-hit the Yankees was a pretty fine bullpen, but Dotel's got to do more than keep slinging fastballs that miss, walking people, and being forced to throw pitches in the wheelhouse of the following hitters.
So, as always, for both closers, the key word: location, location, location.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Sox 3, As 2: Don't Ask Dotel
What a great, great shot for redemption for Kevin Millar. All those fielding gaffes - although as Remy pointed out in the broadcast, the runs probably would've scored anyway - erased with one swing of the bat. Clearly he's getting on one of his hot streaks.
This is the legacy of 2004: anytime someone walks against the closer in the 9th, I'm expecting a shot over the Monster to win the game.
What a great, great shot for redemption for Kevin Millar. All those fielding gaffes - although as Remy pointed out in the broadcast, the runs probably would've scored anyway - erased with one swing of the bat. Clearly he's getting on one of his hot streaks.
This is the legacy of 2004: anytime someone walks against the closer in the 9th, I'm expecting a shot over the Monster to win the game.
Wang Number
Apparently "Tiger" Wang's appearance on the Yankee rotation has gotten a lot of publicity in Taiwan (see this Taiwanese Sox blogger's entry, if you read Chinese). It's pronounced "Wong", which hasn't stopped a million bad Wang jokes... so someday soon we'll probably see this news story:
Apparently "Tiger" Wang's appearance on the Yankee rotation has gotten a lot of publicity in Taiwan (see this Taiwanese Sox blogger's entry, if you read Chinese). It's pronounced "Wong", which hasn't stopped a million bad Wang jokes... so someday soon we'll probably see this news story:
Wang Fed Up, Changes Name
"Someone finally explained why people made jokes about my name. I'm changing my name to a nice American one. Like Johnson."
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Slate polishes Bud Selig's apple
Slate has an article that tries to reverse the public perception of Selig: "Bud Selig - A Baseball Hero".
Here's a summary of the other points made on Selig in the article:
Bad
- strike of '94
- replacement players in '95
- conflict of interest, given his interest in the Brewers
- threatening contraction
- cancelling All-Star game
Good
- steroids policy
- revenue-sharing system
- interleague
- wild card
- making Henry, Werner, and Lucchino owners of the Sox
- moving of the Expos to DC
- centralisation of MLB.com
I wouldn't consider the move of the Expos to DC great without first noting that MLB completely mismanaged that franchise. Which illustrates a problem with some of the things in the "good" column: the article tries to paint Selig as the hard-hitting type ("Selig may look like a chump, but he always swings hard. And now he's finally hitting some balls out of the park."), but really how much did he do when his hand wasn't forced? Was it really necessary to leave the Expos in limbo for 3 years? Wasn't the steroids policy a response to the threat of Congressional action? (Hmmm... who was commish in those years when McGwire was setting records and noone seemed to say anything?)
And while Henry/Werner/Lucky worked out all right for the Sox in the end, doing it by a shady backroom manoeuvre (as the article calls it) is hardly something to be proud of.
To be fair, I think the Wild Card is a great idea. Not just because of the ultimate results, though of course that helps, but because it keeps a lot of teams in the hunt, which is fun. I also like it because it allows teams to stumble slightly during the first half, and use the trade deadline to assess the team and address needs: the Sox did this in '04 with the Nomar trade, and Billy Beane seemingly reworks the Oakland As every year... Also, the Wild Card necessitated the creation of the AL Central, the very existence of which has been as much a force for parity as revenue sharing.
Interleague? Meh. No strong opinions on it either way.
Slate has an article that tries to reverse the public perception of Selig: "Bud Selig - A Baseball Hero".
And Selig has taken a step toward enhanced competition by overseeing the creation of an effective, if imperfect, system for transferring money from rich teams to poor ones. This year, for example, the Yankees were forced to pay more than $60 million dollars to other teams as part of a revenue-sharing agreement and an additional $25 million tax to the sport based on their huge payroll. The system has flaws—some small-market teams have an incentive to stay bad so they can continue to rake in George Steinbrenner's dollars—but it's a big step toward greater parity among teams. In addition, Selig has written rules limiting the amount of debt, compared with cash flow, that a team can carry. This is a huge hindrance to the Yankees, the sport's behemoth, who carry a heap of fat, long-term contracts. It's probably the reason the team has scrub infielder Tony Womack in their outfield instead of the studly Carlos Beltran, and it helps to explain why it looks like another team might win the Yanks' division next fall, for the first time in eight years.I would say this just reflects the fact that the obsession with baseball not having parity really seemed to be borne out of the Yankees' late-90s success. And it's not only true that the revenue-sharing system encourages small-market teams to stay bad - I feel there should be a salary floor, actually - it encourages them to stay "small market". So a team like Philly, playing in one of the larger metropolitan areas, for a while was "small market". And heck, the Twins may revel in their small-market status, but they have the richest owner in baseball. If he's a tightwad (as was Oakland's former owner, actually), should the rest of baseball be punished for that?
Here's a summary of the other points made on Selig in the article:
Bad
- strike of '94
- replacement players in '95
- conflict of interest, given his interest in the Brewers
- threatening contraction
- cancelling All-Star game
Good
- steroids policy
- revenue-sharing system
- interleague
- wild card
- making Henry, Werner, and Lucchino owners of the Sox
- moving of the Expos to DC
- centralisation of MLB.com
I wouldn't consider the move of the Expos to DC great without first noting that MLB completely mismanaged that franchise. Which illustrates a problem with some of the things in the "good" column: the article tries to paint Selig as the hard-hitting type ("Selig may look like a chump, but he always swings hard. And now he's finally hitting some balls out of the park."), but really how much did he do when his hand wasn't forced? Was it really necessary to leave the Expos in limbo for 3 years? Wasn't the steroids policy a response to the threat of Congressional action? (Hmmm... who was commish in those years when McGwire was setting records and noone seemed to say anything?)
And while Henry/Werner/Lucky worked out all right for the Sox in the end, doing it by a shady backroom manoeuvre (as the article calls it) is hardly something to be proud of.
To be fair, I think the Wild Card is a great idea. Not just because of the ultimate results, though of course that helps, but because it keeps a lot of teams in the hunt, which is fun. I also like it because it allows teams to stumble slightly during the first half, and use the trade deadline to assess the team and address needs: the Sox did this in '04 with the Nomar trade, and Billy Beane seemingly reworks the Oakland As every year... Also, the Wild Card necessitated the creation of the AL Central, the very existence of which has been as much a force for parity as revenue sharing.
Interleague? Meh. No strong opinions on it either way.
Sox 13, Oakland 5: Millar goes long
Well, after he lost a homer to the wind yesterday and his homer today, it seems Millar has rediscovered his power. Whew. I had to miss the bottom of the 7th inning, thanks to the phenomenon known as "going to work", so I missed the 7-run inning. Feels like I've seen very few blowouts this year, actually.
Wakefield's knuckler looked average today, so it was a good thing he faced the crap lineup that Oakland fielded. Even Eric Chavez looked pretty ordinary out there.
Danny Haren is actually pretty good for a 1-5 pitcher, and certainly he was the only St Louis pitcher that even made any sort of impact in the World Series. But that beaning of Manny looked PAINFUL.
Well, after he lost a homer to the wind yesterday and his homer today, it seems Millar has rediscovered his power. Whew. I had to miss the bottom of the 7th inning, thanks to the phenomenon known as "going to work", so I missed the 7-run inning. Feels like I've seen very few blowouts this year, actually.
Wakefield's knuckler looked average today, so it was a good thing he faced the crap lineup that Oakland fielded. Even Eric Chavez looked pretty ordinary out there.
Danny Haren is actually pretty good for a 1-5 pitcher, and certainly he was the only St Louis pitcher that even made any sort of impact in the World Series. But that beaning of Manny looked PAINFUL.
M*ll*r
Another point about the second game: it was funny to see Mueller, Miller, and Millar at 3B, P, and 1B. How many variations of that name do the Sox want to accumulate? Does Freddie Muller have any descendants who, like him, could be a Sox 2B? Does Phil Meeler have any baseball-playing relatives? Can we sign Chad Moeller?
Another point about the second game: it was funny to see Mueller, Miller, and Millar at 3B, P, and 1B. How many variations of that name do the Sox want to accumulate? Does Freddie Muller have any descendants who, like him, could be a Sox 2B? Does Phil Meeler have any baseball-playing relatives? Can we sign Chad Moeller?
Monday, May 09, 2005
Sox 6, Mariners 3 and Sox 4, Mariners 6: Going Dutch
When they do the double dutch that's them dancing...
So the Sox split the doubleheader with Seattle, no thanks to the bad luck for Cla Meredith on his big league debut... Meredith having given up the wind-aided grand slam. Can't they be like track and field records and not count hits if the wind's above a certain speed? Heh. Still, I like Cla's callup, and his attitude towards being inserted in a big spot is great:
When they do the double dutch that's them dancing...
So the Sox split the doubleheader with Seattle, no thanks to the bad luck for Cla Meredith on his big league debut... Meredith having given up the wind-aided grand slam. Can't they be like track and field records and not count hits if the wind's above a certain speed? Heh. Still, I like Cla's callup, and his attitude towards being inserted in a big spot is great:
"I saw that drifting and drifting and drifting. I knew then it wasn't going to be an outcome," said Meredith, who described himself as "pumped up but not nervous" about being thrust into a tie game. "I wouldn't have wanted it to be any different.Watching the first game, it was clear that the wind also robbed the Sox there... Millar almost had his first homer, Mirabelli almost had a couple. And Jay Payton's a GREAT bat to have off the bench, but still, it was scary to see Manny leave the game.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Mother's Day
Aww... Ortiz sends his wife Mother's Day greetings:
Aww... Ortiz sends his wife Mother's Day greetings:
Tiffany, I think you're a great mom. I feel so happy and safe knowing that when I'm not around, our kids are safe with their mom. You have a great personality. I don't think anybody can take care of kids better than you do. Love, David. (Link)And a happy Mother's Day to my own mother, who's done so much for me in spite of illness.
Switch pitching
Since I've been talking about quirky baseball ideas like the intentional balk, I should mention that one of my favourite ideas ever is the switch pitcher, perhaps because I had to learn to be ambidextrous at one point in my life. Here's a piece on Greg Harris, the last man to pitch from both sides.
I mentioned it on SoSH, which sparked a mini-discussion of the idea. I still don't quite know why it would be an insult to the game to switch-pitch.
Since I've been talking about quirky baseball ideas like the intentional balk, I should mention that one of my favourite ideas ever is the switch pitcher, perhaps because I had to learn to be ambidextrous at one point in my life. Here's a piece on Greg Harris, the last man to pitch from both sides.
I mentioned it on SoSH, which sparked a mini-discussion of the idea. I still don't quite know why it would be an insult to the game to switch-pitch.
Identity theft
In lieu of the rained out game, here's the Ron Mexico name generator. I'm Giorgio United Kingdom, by the way.
In lieu of the rained out game, here's the Ron Mexico name generator. I'm Giorgio United Kingdom, by the way.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Sox 7, Mariners 2: Yo No Soy Marinero, Soy Capitan
Great pitching performance by Clement - good command... for once I wasn't dangling on the edge of my seat because of free passes. As I've noted before, I find it hard to believe Clement is already 30 - I guess it's almost as though he has "young pitcher's skills", insofar as lack of command, reliance on the innate quality of his stuff, and the fact that he's still learning how hitters respond to some of his pitches go...
Blaine Neal, of course, added the missing thrills... that old feeling of a 7-1 game being a "close" one is never fun to experience. Fortunately only 1 run scored off Neal "Down and Pray", but still, I'm none too impressed.
Great pitching performance by Clement - good command... for once I wasn't dangling on the edge of my seat because of free passes. As I've noted before, I find it hard to believe Clement is already 30 - I guess it's almost as though he has "young pitcher's skills", insofar as lack of command, reliance on the innate quality of his stuff, and the fact that he's still learning how hitters respond to some of his pitches go...
Blaine Neal, of course, added the missing thrills... that old feeling of a 7-1 game being a "close" one is never fun to experience. Fortunately only 1 run scored off Neal "Down and Pray", but still, I'm none too impressed.
More Korean comics
Much to my detriment, I haven't really been keeping up with Choi Hoon, the great Korean MLB cartoonist. Looking at his site, I see he did a funny 2005 MLB preview, including the above comic of the FA market. Lord knows what they're saying, but I think it's funny the way Clemens is just depicted as a tub next to the posing sluggers... of course, Clemens' great season thus far is far outstripping Beltran, Beltre, and Delgado...
He did a more recent set of AL and NL updates, but unfortunately the jokes seem more verbal than visual in those. Although there is this cute Pedro-as-otherworldly-pitcher bit:
Much to my detriment, I haven't really been keeping up with Choi Hoon, the great Korean MLB cartoonist. Looking at his site, I see he did a funny 2005 MLB preview, including the above comic of the FA market. Lord knows what they're saying, but I think it's funny the way Clemens is just depicted as a tub next to the posing sluggers... of course, Clemens' great season thus far is far outstripping Beltran, Beltre, and Delgado...
He did a more recent set of AL and NL updates, but unfortunately the jokes seem more verbal than visual in those. Although there is this cute Pedro-as-otherworldly-pitcher bit:
Intentional balk
A thread on Baseball Think Factory alerted me to Bob Wickman's intentional balk against the Twins. Man (Michael Cuddyer) on second, he thought the man was stealing signs, balked him to third. As Tangotiger sums it up:
I love weird tactical moves like this, almost as much as I love the hidden-ball trick. And I think there's an advantage in screwing with the batter's mind, since it's a weird move. Of course, Stewart ended up walking and stealing second, so the effect seems to have been lost. But still.
Now if Wickman did an intentional balk when there are men on 2nd and 3rd in a 2-run game, that would take some serious cojones...
A thread on Baseball Think Factory alerted me to Bob Wickman's intentional balk against the Twins. Man (Michael Cuddyer) on second, he thought the man was stealing signs, balked him to third. As Tangotiger sums it up:
Down by 2, man on 2b, 2 out, chance of winning is .052. Move him to 3B, and it's .053. That's a +.001 win change, or the equivalent of +.01 run change in a random situation. i.e., virtually useless.Not to mention the possible benefit of confusing the heck out of the Twins, if the balk was done so deliberately...
...
If Wickman believed just a bit about that sign stealing, it was definitely a great move on his part.
I love weird tactical moves like this, almost as much as I love the hidden-ball trick. And I think there's an advantage in screwing with the batter's mind, since it's a weird move. Of course, Stewart ended up walking and stealing second, so the effect seems to have been lost. But still.
Now if Wickman did an intentional balk when there are men on 2nd and 3rd in a 2-run game, that would take some serious cojones...
Friday, May 06, 2005
The network of livejournals
Okay, the A-Rod and Matsui faux livejournal things were funny (especially when "Matsui" wrote them in haiku: "Chinese pitcher starts / I wish he were Japanese / Cannot trust Chinese"), but the level of detail of the whole enterprise is quite scary... who goes to all the trouble to create blogs by Jay Gibbons, Brett Tomko, Nick Swisher, Michael Tucker, and Kyle Farnsworth?
Here's a list...
Sox: Arroyo, Bellhorn, Damon, Manny, Millar, Mirabelli, Ortiz, Theo, Varitek, Wells, Youkilis.
As: Eric Byrnes, Bobby Crosby, Rich Harden, Danny Haren, Hatteberg, Swisher, Barry Zito
Astros: Brad Ausmus, Brandon Backe, Clemens, Morgan Ensberg, Andy Pettitte
Brewers: Chris Capuano, Ben Sheets
Cardinals: Mark Mulder, Scott Rolen
Cubs: Michael Barrett, Nomar, Nomar #2, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood
Diamondbacks: Brad Halsey
Dodgers: Eric Gagne
Giants: Edgardo Alfonzo, Marquis Grissom, J.T. Snow, Tomko, Tucker, Omar Vizquel
Marlins: Josh Beckett
Mets: Mientkiewicz, Pedro
Orioles: Gibbons, Sammy Sosa
Phillies: Rheal Cormier (in French), Mike Lieberthal, Chase Utley, Randy Wolf
Tigers: Farnsworth, Mike Maroth, Nate Robertson
White Sox: Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Scott Podsednik
Yankees: A-Rod, Bubba Crosby, Derek Jeter, Matsui, Jorge Posada, Tanyon Sturtze
I guess I stumbled into a whole community slash (and I mean slash) subculture that I didn't know existed. And they're often hilarious. Here's some quasi-illumination.
Edit: added Manny, Wells, Grissom. I like the ones that take somewhat less hailed players such as Tomko - kind of reminds me of how people like to choose obscure players as their user names on baseball message boards.
Edit #2: added Youks, Theo, Ortiz, Sosa, and a second Nomar one. I feel like inventing one meself at this rate...
Okay, the A-Rod and Matsui faux livejournal things were funny (especially when "Matsui" wrote them in haiku: "Chinese pitcher starts / I wish he were Japanese / Cannot trust Chinese"), but the level of detail of the whole enterprise is quite scary... who goes to all the trouble to create blogs by Jay Gibbons, Brett Tomko, Nick Swisher, Michael Tucker, and Kyle Farnsworth?
Here's a list...
Sox: Arroyo, Bellhorn, Damon, Manny, Millar, Mirabelli, Ortiz, Theo, Varitek, Wells, Youkilis.
As: Eric Byrnes, Bobby Crosby, Rich Harden, Danny Haren, Hatteberg, Swisher, Barry Zito
Astros: Brad Ausmus, Brandon Backe, Clemens, Morgan Ensberg, Andy Pettitte
Brewers: Chris Capuano, Ben Sheets
Cardinals: Mark Mulder, Scott Rolen
Cubs: Michael Barrett, Nomar, Nomar #2, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood
Diamondbacks: Brad Halsey
Dodgers: Eric Gagne
Giants: Edgardo Alfonzo, Marquis Grissom, J.T. Snow, Tomko, Tucker, Omar Vizquel
Marlins: Josh Beckett
Mets: Mientkiewicz, Pedro
Orioles: Gibbons, Sammy Sosa
Phillies: Rheal Cormier (in French), Mike Lieberthal, Chase Utley, Randy Wolf
Tigers: Farnsworth, Mike Maroth, Nate Robertson
White Sox: Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Scott Podsednik
Yankees: A-Rod, Bubba Crosby, Derek Jeter, Matsui, Jorge Posada, Tanyon Sturtze
I guess I stumbled into a whole community slash (and I mean slash) subculture that I didn't know existed. And they're often hilarious. Here's some quasi-illumination.
Edit: added Manny, Wells, Grissom. I like the ones that take somewhat less hailed players such as Tomko - kind of reminds me of how people like to choose obscure players as their user names on baseball message boards.
Edit #2: added Youks, Theo, Ortiz, Sosa, and a second Nomar one. I feel like inventing one meself at this rate...
Meanwhile, over in Tropicana Field...
Everybody, Wang stunk tonight!
Even A-Rod says so in "his" blog!
Everybody, Wang stunk tonight!
Even A-Rod says so in "his" blog!
Not ONLY can we not win a GOD DAMN GAME (Thanks, WANG. You SUCK. Your mom SUCKS. Your dad SUCKS.), but fucking Bitchson almost goes and pitches a no-no.Other funny excerpts:
Also, who is this bitch in Baltimore and what is he doing with my Player of the Month award? I am America's Greatest Ballplayer! What gives? He plays in Baltimore, for Pete's sake. The only good thing they have there is the crabs. The crab DINNERS, you perverts. GOD.
Sox 2, Tigers 1: B.A. Pities the Fools
In lieu of saying what a good job Arroyo did today (well, not till I go to the video... he was great for the 1st three innings that I watched, definitely, but I was really worried that the Sox wouldn't give him any run support - a no-hitter through 6 is amazing stuff), here's Arroyo's 2004 stats and his rank among AL pitchers:
Does anyone have a video of Arroyo's perfect game for the PawSox?
In lieu of saying what a good job Arroyo did today (well, not till I go to the video... he was great for the 1st three innings that I watched, definitely, but I was really worried that the Sox wouldn't give him any run support - a no-hitter through 6 is amazing stuff), here's Arroyo's 2004 stats and his rank among AL pitchers:
ERA 4.03 (11)Clearly, last year he started coming into his own, and this year, despite all the distractions of alleged headhunting and other stuff, he's continued to do great. Today's win was his 9th in a row... as the AP story notes, "the last Boston pitcher to win nine decisions in a row was Pedro Martinez in 2002".
DIPS ERA 3.88 (10)
WHIP 1.22 (6)
K/9 7.15 (11)
K/BB 3.02 (7)
Does anyone have a video of Arroyo's perfect game for the PawSox?
Renteria's hand
Dagnabit, Renteria's hand looks hurt.
What's with anyone playing SS for the Sox? Renteria possibly hurt. Nomar out. Pokey on the DL. Lou Merloni to have season-ending surgery. If I were Orlando Carbrera, I'd be very, very worried.
Dagnabit, Renteria's hand looks hurt.
What's with anyone playing SS for the Sox? Renteria possibly hurt. Nomar out. Pokey on the DL. Lou Merloni to have season-ending surgery. If I were Orlando Carbrera, I'd be very, very worried.
Achilles heel
Sadly, it looks like Curt Schilling may have come back too soon from his ankle problems... can't decide what that means for the Bobble Ankle doll (a link pointed out by the good folks at BSMW) - it's still for a good cause, but baseball makes me a superstitious man. Maybe owning it will be like a Dorian Gray thing... if the doll is hurt, Curt isn't.
Among things Schilling could do in his rest time: update his official photo at his game publishing firm... sure would be nice to see him in Sox colours. Man, it's cool to be able to just buy the firms involved in your hobby.
Sadly, it looks like Curt Schilling may have come back too soon from his ankle problems... can't decide what that means for the Bobble Ankle doll (a link pointed out by the good folks at BSMW) - it's still for a good cause, but baseball makes me a superstitious man. Maybe owning it will be like a Dorian Gray thing... if the doll is hurt, Curt isn't.
Among things Schilling could do in his rest time: update his official photo at his game publishing firm... sure would be nice to see him in Sox colours. Man, it's cool to be able to just buy the firms involved in your hobby.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Sox 4, Tigers 3: Plate disciplined
Yes, I couldn't bear to watch, and I was really afraid of jinxing the team again, but I couldn't bear not to watch. Plus, heck, I didn't pay for MLB.tv so as not to watch the Sox games. So, questions - how hard is it to watch Foulke in the 9th inning these days? Even when everything's going well, as it did today (the only single was a weak hit), I still had to switch between the Sox game and the glorious schadenfreude of watching the Yankees lose badly to the Devil Rays... the wait between batters is too nervewracking sometimes. Foulke is locating his pitches better, it seems, so hopefully April was just a little bit of a slump.
Wakefield has been excellent this season. The man's ageless. And Youkilis getting the game-winning single is great. Francona's quote ("We try to find at-bats for [Youkilis], but he just cares about winning") is encouraging for a Youks fan... What a throw by Renteria to get Guillen. What a throw.
Yes, I couldn't bear to watch, and I was really afraid of jinxing the team again, but I couldn't bear not to watch. Plus, heck, I didn't pay for MLB.tv so as not to watch the Sox games. So, questions - how hard is it to watch Foulke in the 9th inning these days? Even when everything's going well, as it did today (the only single was a weak hit), I still had to switch between the Sox game and the glorious schadenfreude of watching the Yankees lose badly to the Devil Rays... the wait between batters is too nervewracking sometimes. Foulke is locating his pitches better, it seems, so hopefully April was just a little bit of a slump.
Wakefield has been excellent this season. The man's ageless. And Youkilis getting the game-winning single is great. Francona's quote ("We try to find at-bats for [Youkilis], but he just cares about winning") is encouraging for a Youks fan... What a throw by Renteria to get Guillen. What a throw.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Ortiz and PEDs
Ortiz speaks out about the steroid policy, noting how Latin players have been the ones who're getting caught:
Ortiz speaks out about the steroid policy, noting how Latin players have been the ones who're getting caught:
Ortiz was inclined to think [Juan] Rincon simply didn't understand or was unclear about what he was taking, a problem Ortiz believes is widespread among Latin players because of the language barrier.Globe story. I'm just as curious about what people are getting caught for. Right now, the impression is they're finally getting some steroids-takers, but what if it turns out to be something else?Ortiz also believes Major League Baseball and the Players Association should change their policy and announce the substance in positive tests, to eliminate suspicion.
...
"I just know that Juan would be afraid to do anything like [take steroids]," said Ortiz. "I think they need to tell people what the suspension is for, because people see a name on the screen and think he must be doing the same things as [Jose] Canseco, when he really took some ephedra instead of andro. Those aren't the same thing."
Pedro and Mientkiewicz get their rings
So Tom Werner flew into New York to make passionate pre-show love to Katie Couric give the World Series rings to Pedro and Mientkiewicz, posing in that pic like Doiby Dickles and the Green Lantern:
Yeah, that sure looks like one upset angry player.
Herald report on the two getting their rings
So Tom Werner flew into New York to make passionate pre-show love to Katie Couric give the World Series rings to Pedro and Mientkiewicz, posing in that pic like Doiby Dickles and the Green Lantern:
"To actually win it for that city and for that team after so many years, and that's the thing that really excites me the most," a touched Martinez said.Sadly, the way the circus seems to work, that last self-mocking statement will probably get spun into "PEDRO DOESN'T WANT TO WEAR HIS RING". But really nice to see them get their rings, and good of Werner to do the job."To be part of a team that was that special, it's irreplaceable," he said.
Martinez said he probably won't wear the ring much because his fingers are skinny and ugly.
(Link)
Yeah, that sure looks like one upset angry player.
Herald report on the two getting their rings
Sox 5, Tigers 3: Doug goes deep
Yeah, Nixon was out (nicely timing his suspension to match a pair of left-handed opposing starters), but Ortiz was available, and it was an interesting move to put in Mirabelli at DH... the grand slam made Francona look like a genius. I've always felt bad for Mike Maroth since that awful 2003 season, but you can't keep walking people or letting people put the ball in play and then expect to get out unscathed.
Halama had a decent start, making for a couple of decent outings for the spot starters. 5IP, 2ER is very decent indeed. And Johnny Damon's hitting .360. At that rate, I really don't care what book he wrote in the offseason.
Yeah, Nixon was out (nicely timing his suspension to match a pair of left-handed opposing starters), but Ortiz was available, and it was an interesting move to put in Mirabelli at DH... the grand slam made Francona look like a genius. I've always felt bad for Mike Maroth since that awful 2003 season, but you can't keep walking people or letting people put the ball in play and then expect to get out unscathed.
Halama had a decent start, making for a couple of decent outings for the spot starters. 5IP, 2ER is very decent indeed. And Johnny Damon's hitting .360. At that rate, I really don't care what book he wrote in the offseason.
Yankees reshuffle lineup
I can't decide if the whole reshuffle was a good move for the 2nd-to-last-place Yankees: Hideki Matsui is moving to center field for an ailing Bernie Williams. Tony Womack is headed to left, and Robinson Cano is coming up from the minors to play second base every day. Cano will probably outdo Womack, and Matsui has CF experience from his Japan days, but can Womack's Tommy John-ed arm handle left field?
I can't decide if the whole reshuffle was a good move for the 2nd-to-last-place Yankees: Hideki Matsui is moving to center field for an ailing Bernie Williams. Tony Womack is headed to left, and Robinson Cano is coming up from the minors to play second base every day. Cano will probably outdo Womack, and Matsui has CF experience from his Japan days, but can Womack's Tommy John-ed arm handle left field?
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
More entrants into the baseball blogosphere
John Marzano has a blog:
Last Man Crouching: The cushy life of the backup catcher.
John Marzano has a blog:
Hey everyone. I wanted to start off my first "Marz Unplugged" blog post off with a bang. Just for some background info, I'm a former MLB catcher (Red Sox, Mariners, Rangers) who runs a Baseball Academy in Philly. I also do the Phillies post game show on Comcast SportsNet. Feel free to ask questions about Baseball, or anything else that's on your mind.Yay, backup catcher blogs. Next up: "My Life With Maddux", by Eddie Perez.
Last Man Crouching: The cushy life of the backup catcher.
The Nation
Red Sox Nation and other places not on your map. Or, how you can be part of a nation when in a completely different country.
Red Sox Nation and other places not on your map. Or, how you can be part of a nation when in a completely different country.
RIP Earl Wilson
Somehow this post never got posted - ugh, Blogger. Anyway, good to see the Globe run an obit for Earl Wilson that covers the racism that he faced:
Sometimes it's hard to believe that the Sox still had race issues as late as the 80s (with the Tommy Harper case) - then you realise how much bias there was in the organisation.
Somehow this post never got posted - ugh, Blogger. Anyway, good to see the Globe run an obit for Earl Wilson that covers the racism that he faced:
The subtext of the Red Sox scouting report on Mr. Wilson when he was signed was an indication of the bias in the organization at the time and what Mr. Wilson had to overcome to make it to the major leagues.The Sox of the 50s had enough troubles with talent evaluation without limiting the pool they had to select from.
It read in part, ''well-mannered colored boy, not too black, pleasant to talk to, well-educated, very good appearance."
Sometimes it's hard to believe that the Sox still had race issues as late as the 80s (with the Tommy Harper case) - then you realise how much bias there was in the organisation.
Sox 3 Tigers 8: Pena-ta
So: I tune in to watch Jeremi Gonzalez turn in a decent effort, and then next inning up, I watch Carlos Pena launch one against the immortal Blaine Neal. Which leads me to conclude: I am not going to watch the Sox games as I get ready for work. At least for now. Seems to jinx things.
Time for my questions:
What was with all the triples today? Freaky.
What was with Neal being out there? I suppose when your starter only goes 5 (not blaming J-Gon, that was a very credible debut) that's what happens, you need arms for the 6th and 7th, and it's a grab bag of Neal, Mantei, and Embree. But boy, Blaine's making me wish Dave McCarty wasn't DFA'd.
Why do the Sox keep leaving men on base? Very frustrating.
So: I tune in to watch Jeremi Gonzalez turn in a decent effort, and then next inning up, I watch Carlos Pena launch one against the immortal Blaine Neal. Which leads me to conclude: I am not going to watch the Sox games as I get ready for work. At least for now. Seems to jinx things.
Time for my questions:
What was with all the triples today? Freaky.
What was with Neal being out there? I suppose when your starter only goes 5 (not blaming J-Gon, that was a very credible debut) that's what happens, you need arms for the 6th and 7th, and it's a grab bag of Neal, Mantei, and Embree. But boy, Blaine's making me wish Dave McCarty wasn't DFA'd.
Why do the Sox keep leaving men on base? Very frustrating.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Do scabs get hit?
Was thinking about how Kevin Millar's high OBP for the season was because he got plunked a fair bit, but then realised Millar gets plunked a fair bit in general anyway. If he got plunked at his 2004 rate (17 HBPs), he would have been hit 3 times. As it is, he's been hit 5 times, which is high, but seems statistically possible.
In fact, quite a bit of Millar's OBP value is in his HBPs. His career OBP (not counting 2005) is .366. If he never got plunked, his OBP would be .350. If he got plunked at another first baseman's rate - let's say new Sox signing John Olerud's - his career OBP would be .360.
So I wouldn't say Millar's being plunked is a total fluke for his OBP: for some reason he gets hit fairly often. Which brings me to twitch124's post that noted that replacement players - players recruited during the 1994-95 strike - were 1.3 times more likely to get hit by pitches than other players. I decided to break the data down further and look at who exactly was getting hit.
This is just the original info - that replacement players are hit once every 86 plate appearances, versus once every 114 PAs. But I decided to look at specific replacement players, and just called up the 7 names that looked most familiar:
As can be seen, taking out the HBP of the more well-known replacement players basically makes the HBP rates of both replacement and non-replacement players equal. In fact, just taking out Menechino, Millar, Merloni, and Daubach makes the rates equal. Which is to say, the main difference in the apparent higher rate of replacement players being hit is that there happen to be 4 players in the bunch who are particularly adept at getting plunked.
What does that all mean? Hard to say, really. You could argue that it reflects Empyreal Environs' contention that replacement players are not looked upon that favourably, except refined to say that the more famous 'scabs' get plunked. On the other hand, Damian Miller's the only all-star of the lot (albeit somewhat dubiously), and he hardly gets hit. Maybe the best batters learn to get on base whatever way they can. Or maybe it's just a small sample size, and by some fluke the replacement players happen to include a few people who happen to get hit a lot.
Was thinking about how Kevin Millar's high OBP for the season was because he got plunked a fair bit, but then realised Millar gets plunked a fair bit in general anyway. If he got plunked at his 2004 rate (17 HBPs), he would have been hit 3 times. As it is, he's been hit 5 times, which is high, but seems statistically possible.
In fact, quite a bit of Millar's OBP value is in his HBPs. His career OBP (not counting 2005) is .366. If he never got plunked, his OBP would be .350. If he got plunked at another first baseman's rate - let's say new Sox signing John Olerud's - his career OBP would be .360.
So I wouldn't say Millar's being plunked is a total fluke for his OBP: for some reason he gets hit fairly often. Which brings me to twitch124's post that noted that replacement players - players recruited during the 1994-95 strike - were 1.3 times more likely to get hit by pitches than other players. I decided to break the data down further and look at who exactly was getting hit.
HBPs / Plate Appearances / Rate of HBP
All 16145 1827143 0.00884
Replacement players 215 18454 0.01165
Non-replacement players 15930 1808689 0.00881This is just the original info - that replacement players are hit once every 86 plate appearances, versus once every 114 PAs. But I decided to look at specific replacement players, and just called up the 7 names that looked most familiar:
Kevin Millar 47 2905 0.01618
F. Menechino 29 1330 0.02180
Lou Merloni 17 1193 0.01425
Brian Daubach 24 1532 0.01567
Benny Agbayani 15 1254 0.01196
Damian Miller 15 2545 0.00589
Shane Spencer 17 1867 0.00911
Without all 7 'big names': 51 5828 0.00875
Without Millar, Menechino, Merloni, and Daubach: 98 11494 0.00853As can be seen, taking out the HBP of the more well-known replacement players basically makes the HBP rates of both replacement and non-replacement players equal. In fact, just taking out Menechino, Millar, Merloni, and Daubach makes the rates equal. Which is to say, the main difference in the apparent higher rate of replacement players being hit is that there happen to be 4 players in the bunch who are particularly adept at getting plunked.
What does that all mean? Hard to say, really. You could argue that it reflects Empyreal Environs' contention that replacement players are not looked upon that favourably, except refined to say that the more famous 'scabs' get plunked. On the other hand, Damian Miller's the only all-star of the lot (albeit somewhat dubiously), and he hardly gets hit. Maybe the best batters learn to get on base whatever way they can. Or maybe it's just a small sample size, and by some fluke the replacement players happen to include a few people who happen to get hit a lot.
Sox 6, Rangers 5: My Darling Clementine
I've always thought Matt Clement was one of the most aggravating pitchers to watch. This game showed why: the lack of control, always pitching in jams - not to mention he's slow. But he did get out of the jams to finish at 3-0, which is something.
This bit in the Globe intrigued me:
And I love that Kevin Youkilis is hitting well. One of my favourite players.
I've always thought Matt Clement was one of the most aggravating pitchers to watch. This game showed why: the lack of control, always pitching in jams - not to mention he's slow. But he did get out of the jams to finish at 3-0, which is something.
This bit in the Globe intrigued me:
Clement, when he's missed and walked people, especially lefties, frequently has done so by misplacing his cut fastball. That's a result of still learning how he wants to pitch, even at age 30.Interesting. I don't know whether to be impressed that he's still trying to learn at 30, or be worried that he's still figuring out what to do with the cutter. I guess Clement's always seemed like a young pitcher for his age in that sense.
"I never threw it to that side of the plate before," he said of the cutter, which he throws outside to lefties and in to righties. "It's a pitch that's helped me a lot this year. But it's finding a groove." (Link)
And I love that Kevin Youkilis is hitting well. One of my favourite players.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Sox 9, Rangers 2: Bronson Takes Charge
Finally, a win. Of course, it would come in a Bronson Arroyo start - the man hasn't lost a game since August last year. There are babies born right now that were conceived after Arroyo last lost a game. They'd be slightly premature babies, if my calculations are right, but still.
By "calculations" I meant I counted nine months off my fingers.
Funny that the AP report called Arroyo's delivery "quirky" - I mean, the leg-kick is unusual, but it's not like he dropped sidearm. Or did he? I missed the first few innings - by the time I turned on my computer, it was the 5th inning and he was back to dealing. Great stuff. There are times you see a lead and you don't feel safe - this wasn't one of those times.
Randomly: I also saw a clip of Ken Griffey's first homer of the season. He knew it was gone the moment he hit it.
Terry Francona again watched the game on TV. Between his viral infection and suspensions, how often has Mills had to manage? Speaking of infections, I suppose one way Bill Mueller dealt with the after-effects of flu was to take it easy: walking to first base 4 times instead of running there. What is with this flu? Now Bellhorn was sidelined because of it. This particular regression to 1918 isn't what I wanted to see.
All in all, at least the Sox finished April over .500, if barely at 12-11. These aren't the hot-starting Sox that I'm used to. I'm hoping they'll finish hot.
Finally, a win. Of course, it would come in a Bronson Arroyo start - the man hasn't lost a game since August last year. There are babies born right now that were conceived after Arroyo last lost a game. They'd be slightly premature babies, if my calculations are right, but still.
By "calculations" I meant I counted nine months off my fingers.
Funny that the AP report called Arroyo's delivery "quirky" - I mean, the leg-kick is unusual, but it's not like he dropped sidearm. Or did he? I missed the first few innings - by the time I turned on my computer, it was the 5th inning and he was back to dealing. Great stuff. There are times you see a lead and you don't feel safe - this wasn't one of those times.
Randomly: I also saw a clip of Ken Griffey's first homer of the season. He knew it was gone the moment he hit it.
Terry Francona again watched the game on TV. Between his viral infection and suspensions, how often has Mills had to manage? Speaking of infections, I suppose one way Bill Mueller dealt with the after-effects of flu was to take it easy: walking to first base 4 times instead of running there. What is with this flu? Now Bellhorn was sidelined because of it. This particular regression to 1918 isn't what I wanted to see.
All in all, at least the Sox finished April over .500, if barely at 12-11. These aren't the hot-starting Sox that I'm used to. I'm hoping they'll finish hot.
Wang takes on Bush
Meanwhile, since I'm awake, I might as well watch Wang go at it against Bush... man, I love sniggering juvenile humour. Where Midre Cummings when you need him?
Edit: from the commentary - "Bush has got to take his ball and go in and out with it.... Bush has got to go not just in and out, but up and down"
Edit 2: impressive - the Toronto announcers actually prononuced Wang's last name in the proper Chinese way, so it sounds like "Wahng" rather than rhyming it with "hang".
Meanwhile, since I'm awake, I might as well watch Wang go at it against Bush... man, I love sniggering juvenile humour. Where Midre Cummings when you need him?
Edit: from the commentary - "Bush has got to take his ball and go in and out with it.... Bush has got to go not just in and out, but up and down"
Edit 2: impressive - the Toronto announcers actually prononuced Wang's last name in the proper Chinese way, so it sounds like "Wahng" rather than rhyming it with "hang".
Millar has twins
Congrats to Kevin Millar on his twins Kashten and (probably) Kylie. Last year his wife's unfortunate miscarriage was said to have been the cause of his slow start... here's hoping this year pre-birth anxiety has been the cause of his weird lack of power.
Congrats to Kevin Millar on his twins Kashten and (probably) Kylie. Last year his wife's unfortunate miscarriage was said to have been the cause of his slow start... here's hoping this year pre-birth anxiety has been the cause of his weird lack of power.
"Maybe we'll hit a home run for the kid. We're on pace for one," said Millar, poking fun at himself for not going deep yet this season.Yes, good that he can joke about it - now hit a pair of homers for the twins!
Singapore Sox Fan
