MLB Topics

[Joe Wally]

Belated birthday wishes to the Say Hey Kid.

Willie Mays turned 80 yesterday

[Ralph Turner]

Money Ball Trailer

Release is scheduled for Fall 2011

[Ralph Turner]

First pitch for the Padres

...but his foot was off the rubber when he threw the ball.

[infielddad]

Belated birthday wishes to the Say Hey Kid.

Willie Mays turned 80 yesterday

For any who are fans of Willie, the newer book, "Willie Mays, the Life and Legend" is off the charts. A wonderful look into Willie's life; one of the very rare times Willie has authorized and been a part of such an effort.
Currently I am reading "The Last Boy."  So far, 300 pages into 900, it does not do justice to Mickey Mantle.
But the Hirsch effort about Willie is outstanding and a great, great read about life on and off the field for, arguably, the greatest player ever.

[OshDude]

Belated birthday wishes to the Say Hey Kid.

Willie Mays turned 80 yesterday

For any who are fans of Willie, the newer book, "Willie Mays, the Life and Legend" is off the charts. A wonderful look into Willie's life; one of the very rare times Willie has authorized and been a part of such an effort.
Currently I am reading "The Last Boy."  So far, 300 pages into 900, it does not do justice to Mickey Mantle.
But the Hirsch effort about Willie is outstanding and a great, great read about life on and off the field for, arguably, the greatest player ever.

I recommend to anyone the memoir Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time by David Goodwillie. Goodwillie is a former baseball player at Kenyon. Not a baseball book by any stretch despite it starting that way, it's thoroughly enjoyable and readable. That guy had an interesting, improbable life after playing at Kenyon.

[Ralph Turner]

St Lawrence graduate catches HR-ball that was Jeter's 3000th hit.

[Ralph Turner]

Brooks Robinson's new statue in Baltimore

Notice the Gold Glove on the bronze statue.

[bulk19]

Hope Brooks is feeling OK from his recent tumble...

But anyway, T minus 15 days before pitchers and catchers start reporting to their respective clubs!

[Joe Wally]

Lest I be swayed by anything like performance or fact; here are my picks for divisional winners and wild cards as we head south for spring training:

AL East - Yankees
AL Central - Tigers
AL West - Angels
Wildcard - Rays

NL East - Phillies
NL Central - Reds
NL West - Dodgers
Wildcard - Braves

Watch ya got?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sometimes baseball scoring is just plain weird.

Today, Verlander had a 2-hit shutout for 8 innings; left up 2-0.  Valverde (49 for 49 in save opportunities last year) comes in and promptly blows the save, giving up three hits and two runs.  Tigers score in the bottom of the 9th.  Meaning, of course, that Verlander gets a no decision; Valverde gets the win!

[Mr. Ypsi]

And in game two, the win goes again to the 'wrong' pitcher.  Doug Fister had a shutout through 3.2 innings (and the lead), but left due to injury, so does not get the win.  Below was deserving (2.1 shutout innings), but not as much as Fister (who has been placed on the 15-game DL).

Because of cut-and-dried rules for scoring, wins have become a nearly useless stat.  If only they would allow some discretion by the scorekeeper!  Sure it could be abused, but the rules have already given the 'wrong' pitcher the win twice in two Tigers games!

[Ralph Turner]

And in game two, the win goes again to the 'wrong' pitcher.  Doug Fister had a shutout through 3.2 innings (and the lead), but left due to injury, so does not get the win.  Below was deserving (2.1 shutout innings), but not as much as Fister (who has been placed on the 15-game DL).

Because of cut-and-dried rules for scoring, wins have become a nearly useless stat.  If only they would allow some discretion by the scorekeeper!  Sure it could be abused, but the rules have already given the 'wrong' pitcher the win twice in two Tigers games!

Ehhh, Mr Ypsi,

I just can't figure you.

You're a Tiger fan, and you're complaining about which pitcher got the win?

You oughta be glad the Tiger pitching staff got the win!

   

[OshDude]

Jaime Moyer, 49, wins a major league game despite not touching 80 mph with a single pitch. Love it.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Jaime Moyer, 49, wins a major league game despite not touching 80 mph with a single pitch. Love it.

THis also makes him the Oldest player to ever win a game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

And in game two, the win goes again to the 'wrong' pitcher.  Doug Fister had a shutout through 3.2 innings (and the lead), but left due to injury, so does not get the win.  Below was deserving (2.1 shutout innings), but not as much as Fister (who has been placed on the 15-game DL).

Because of cut-and-dried rules for scoring, wins have become a nearly useless stat.  If only they would allow some discretion by the scorekeeper!  Sure it could be abused, but the rules have already given the 'wrong' pitcher the win twice in two Tigers games!

Ehhh, Mr Ypsi,

I just can't figure you.

You're a Tiger fan, and you're complaining about which pitcher got the win?

You oughta be glad the Tiger pitching staff got the win!

   

Sorry for the late reply.

Just got back from 12 days in Peoria, burying my dad and helping my mom adjust and clear up all the inevitable loose ends.

Certainly not complaining about any Tiger getting the win!  I just find the cut-and-dried rules on wins to be often bizarre.  (Since awards, salaries, and bonuses are often tied to wins, players might be concerned as well!  Verlander seems to have a really good grounding on this - he recognizes it is highly unlikely he will match last year's record - when Valverde went 49 of 49 on saves - but hopes to be a better pitcher, regardless of record.)

BTW, Verlander is now 2-1 with a 1.72 era.  Duane Below is showing his mettle - his era is still 0.00 (with 6 shutout innings today after Rick Porcello got seriously abused by Texas in the first game)!