You'd think with all the contracts and marketing with FOX that they'd be showing Roger Clemens' start today, but it's not going to be on down here in the DC area (and MLB TV has it blacked out until it's archieved). So a big F you to 'em. Not that I'd like to hear the Buck, McCarver combo, but I'd like to watch it live. Maybe I'll tune into 88.0 AM if I can get it here.
It's been a month since we started this blog and we're 46 posts in. The first two posts started with Clemens, so I thought I'd return to him since today's his 2007 debut. Here are the big five questions in my mind as Clemens starts his season.
1. Is Clemens worth the money?
Well, I guess the Yankees look at it this way. He came out of retirement, didn't stay with Houston and didn't go to Boston. In the minds of Steinbrenner and Co. that's probably worth it. Everyone knew he wouldn't come cheap. Clemens can still pitch well at 44, is a huge draw for baseball fans (at home and away), and a huge presence for his team. And we all know he's practically in the HOF already. Based on the way the last three seasons have gone with his retirement, out-of-retirement scheme, this is the price that's paid to have Roger Clemens.
2. How will Clemens help the Yankees?
One man cannot help bring the Yankees back into a position to get a playoff spot. Especially one that will presumably pitch every five days (by the way, it still hasn't been clear to me if Clemens will pitch on the road. I think if he wants to win a championship he's gotta pitch every five days unless his body is tired). But Clemens gives the Yankees a better chance to win when he pitches given the way the rotation has shaken out this year so far. Also, and I know I keep harping on this, but his presence is a motivating factor. As a baseball player, I'm not sure how you cannot look up to Clemens, seek out his advice, hold him up as a team leader, and on days he pitches do your best not to disappoint him.
3. Will Clemens' pitching be effective in the AL East?
This is a tricky question and I don't want to make a ridiculous prediction here. Clemens will have his share of bumps in the road as all pitchers do. It's been four years since he pitched in the AL East and I'd say all the teams' offenses are better now than they were back then (I should check this though). Knowing Clemens, he thrives on competition and he will do whatever it takes since the bar is higher for him now. But what is effective in the AL East? I could try to put numbers to it but I won't. What is not effective though is not giving the Yankees a chance to beat Boston or Baltimore or Toronto or Tampa Bay when he pitches against them.
4. Can Clemens' body hold up another year?
I'm a bit concerned about this one. Being completely honest here, it seems like Clemens' put on a few extra pounds this offseason. Maybe he's shed some and will continue to build stamina, but after watching his second minor league start in Trenton he looked like he was laboring. That was about two weeks ago. Then came the groin issue this past week pushing back his start. Red flag right there. But Will Carrol's Under the Knife has me feeling a bit better:
The groin probably won't have any effect on Clemens' performance, though there could be a slight effect on velocity and on how long Clemens will be able to sustain that velocity. I'm expecting a smart pitcher like Clemens to make an adjustment and use more breaking pitches and splitters. In the longer term, the groin problem isn't likely to do much; scar tissue is scar tissue, and like Clemens, it never goes away.
But still I worry. If it's not the groin it could be hamstrings or calf--whatever. Clemens' is still a power pitcher and relies on his legs. He may require additional days off here and there to get through the season, but Clemens is someone who knows his body, its limits and not to push it to the point of injury. He'll be closely monitored not only by himself but by the trainer staff.
5. How does this season determine Clemens' decision to return or not next year?
I can't say how Clemens determines whether he should come back, it could be the money thing--yes--but I believe he just loves pitching. No matter how his season goes, I think he'll be back next year. I won't speculate with who, but here's my rationale. Clemens wants to pitch. He also wants to win another championship before hanging it up. Let's say he has a pretty good year pitching. Well, in Roger's mind I guess he can still pitch, so why not another year. I also think the opposite is true. He has a terrible year, but why would Roger Clemens go out like that? He'll be back in that case too to prove he can still throw Mr. Splitty and all.
I'll end with this. No matter what your opinion is on Clemens this year, he's still a great pitcher and if he's on TV (damn FOX) or pitching at your team's stadium, I don't doubt that you'll consider watching him. He's one of the best pitchers in our time and if you're a true baseball fan, you have to appreciate to some level the guy's still just that.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
The Milk Carton All-Stars and Other Musings
full credit to my father for inspiring the theme of the first part of this post
Garelick Farms is releasing a new series of Milk Cartons in search of missing persons - I am reposting that information here:
Julio Lugo
Last Seen: Tampa Bay, 2005
This was pretty much the high-water mark of Lugo's career.
This is what Theo felt justified replicating Renteria's contract to be Boston's leadoff hitter:
6 HRs, 57 RBIs, 39 SB, .295/.362/.403
Where have you gone, Jose Offerman?
Coco Crisp
Last Seen: Cleveland, 2005
I still remember seeing the side-by-side comparisons of Coco Crisp and Johnny Damon - about how Coco had better numbers at age 25 than Johnny did. After Damon's defection ruined Christmas and the Sox got Crisp, this was supposed to be comfort food. A year and a half later, we're still waiting...
J.D. Drew
Last Seen: Los Angeles, 2006
I remember reading something a year ago back about how Ken Griffey, Jr.'s injuries had kept him from being his generation's Mickey Mantle. What the author of this piece failed to realize was that injuries were what kept the Mick from achieving his destiny of hitting 800 HRs. Which means that Junior Griffey absolutely is his generation's Mickey Mantle. I can't really say what destiny J.D. Drew has been prevented from fulfilling due to injuries. Maybe his generation's Dave Winfield? Of course, now that he's ostensibly healthy, what's the excuse?
Signs of life: He did go 3 for 5 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs while starting against lefty Doug Davis this evening.
Eric Hinske
Last Seen: Toronto, 2002
It's official: Hinske's Sophmore Slump is in its 5th year. He had a fine rookie season - in which he won the Rookie of the Year award (not too shabby for a guy who was once traded straight up for Miguel Cairo) and got a nice extension from the Jays.
Unfortunately, he's turned into a poor man's version of Jeff Conine - his versatility in the field does not make up for his .155/.254/.293 line in 67 PAs.
Wily Mo Pena
Last Seen: Cincinnati, 2004
Following in the tradition of Jose Guillen, Wily Mo was the third and a half Reds Outfielder - the guy guaranteed to get ABs due to the precarious health of Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, and Junior Griffey.
He was supposed to be the guy who was too good to sit, but he only has 4 HRs in 89 PAs, with a .241/.326/.443 line.
Of course, he is essentially filling the Gape Kapler Memorial 4th outfielder role, and Gabe the Babe never really tore it up.
In 2004, with 310 PAs over 136 games, Kapler hit only 6 HRs with a .272/.311/.390 line - so I won't lambast the decision to trade a 5th starter for a slugger of Pena's potential.
Doug Mirabelli
Last Seen: Boston, 2004
In 192 PAs in '04, Dougie hit 9 HRs with a .281/.368/.525 line.
That's more than a lot of teams can expect from their full-time catchers.
All that, and he can catch the knuckleball, too!
This year? He's a 36-year old backup catcher, and that's exactly what he looks like - in 56 PAs he's mustered 2 HRs and a .208/.250/.340 line, as opposed to say... Kelly Shoppach, who has 2 HRs in 62 PAs, but who has a .352/.453/.556 line.
Why can't the Red Sox develop catcher's like that?
Alternate Milk Carton:
Both Teddy and I seem to return to this theme (it is after all, the theme that got us started) - but let's talk about the Rocket again.
Roger Clemens
Last Seen: Trenton, 2007
So first the Rocket was supposed to make his triumphant return to pinstripes at Fenway Park. Then it was pushed back to the day after the Boston/New York series ended - he would pitch against the White Sox. Now, he's expected to pitch tomorrow against the Pirates.
What's the point? I mean, if the Yankees are going to spend all this money on Clemens, why waste him in a game they would probably win anyway? Are we going to be treated to months of Joe Torre press conferences where he explains he's holding the Rocket out for the next Devil Rays series?
Looking at the schedule, the Rocket's next start will either be on the 14th against the D-Backs of the 15th against the Mets - both very good teams.
The Yankees have the next 3 days off, so it will be interesting to see how Torre plays the rotation - he could have Clemens against the Rockies and Orioles (two easy wins) or against the Giants and A's (an easy win and an actual challenge)
It will be interesting to see if Clemens coasts through a soft schedule, puts up a deceptively good record, and feeds the perception that he's having a huge impact on the team's fortunes - despite the fact that he's winning games that Chase Wright or Kei Igawa could just as easily win.
Fun with rosters
The last time the Yankees won the World Series was 2000 - here are the players still on the roster:
Jorge Posada
Derek Jeter
Roger Clemens (by way of retirement, Houston, retirement, Houston, retirement, Houston, and retirement)
Andy Pettite (by way of Houston)
Mariano Rivera
The last time the Red Sox won the World Series was 2004 - here are the players still on the roster:
Jason Varitek
Doug Mirabelli (by way of San Diego)
David Ortiz
Kevin Youkilis
Manny Ramirez
Curt Schilling
Tim Wakefield
Mike Timlin (by way of the Disabled List)
So that's 8 players for the Red Sox (only 3 years later) and 5 players for the Yankees (7 years later)
I believe it was a Yankee executive who once said that fans are rooting for laundry - that is to say, for the uniforms, not the players.
Both of our teams have had a lot of turnover through trades and free agency this decade - but I'm still a little amazed when I actually see how little of the championship makeup is left of both of those teams.
Don't knock SCAD
A quick response to Teddy's throwaway comment on the player drafted from Savannah College of Art and Design. I don't know how great the Baseball program is there, but I do know that Luis Tiant - El Tiante if you're hip - a borderline Hall of Famer who pitched for both the Sox and the Yankees (229-172, 3.30 ERA, 2,416 Ks) was once the Baseball Coach there. This was the guy who started Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (some guy hit a home run to finish that one) - so I feel like the program must have at least something to offer.
Mounting dread
Abreu-for-Dye - I smell David Justice circa 2000.
Mark Texeira on the trading block - my father has an expression for this, which is "stooge deal". This is where the Yankees take a bunch of my neighbors (I mean this literally, all the players on the Yankees' A-Ball team in Charleston live in the same apartment complex I do) who are never going to make it to the majors and dumping them for a star. What will follow is Rangers' GM Jon Daniels trying to hold a straight face during a press conference in which he attempts to explain how he thinks these young players might benefit the organization, while the players themselves start sending resumes to auto dealerships.
Oh yeah, and if the Indians fall out of the race, they might trade Hafner instead of losing him as a free agent.
Draft
Teddy suggested I might be able to shed some light on the "theme" of the Red Sox draft. All I can come up with is that they're drafting guys who sound like they should be porn stars (Nick Hagadone, Ryan Dent, Brock Huntzinger) or superhero alteregoes (Hunter Morris, Christopher Province, Will Middlebrooks)
I'll give MLB credit for taking a step forward in at least televising part of the draft, but until amateur baseball players get the exposure their football and basketball counterparts do, it's ultimately fruitless.
The development track in the Minor Leagues is such that it's fruitless to even draft according to need (unlike the NFL and the NBA), so teams are really better off taking the best player available irregardless of the big club's needs.
Closing
I haven't been to a Greenville Drive game yet, but I'm happy to report that Josh Papelbon - younger brother of Jon - is 2-3 with 9 saves and a 3.09 ERA.
I'm looking forward to a day when you can expect guys like Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester to go 7 strong innings and the see Papelbon and Papelbon in the 8th and 9th.
Garelick Farms is releasing a new series of Milk Cartons in search of missing persons - I am reposting that information here:
Julio Lugo
Last Seen: Tampa Bay, 2005
This was pretty much the high-water mark of Lugo's career.
This is what Theo felt justified replicating Renteria's contract to be Boston's leadoff hitter:
6 HRs, 57 RBIs, 39 SB, .295/.362/.403
Where have you gone, Jose Offerman?
Coco Crisp
Last Seen: Cleveland, 2005
I still remember seeing the side-by-side comparisons of Coco Crisp and Johnny Damon - about how Coco had better numbers at age 25 than Johnny did. After Damon's defection ruined Christmas and the Sox got Crisp, this was supposed to be comfort food. A year and a half later, we're still waiting...
J.D. Drew
Last Seen: Los Angeles, 2006
I remember reading something a year ago back about how Ken Griffey, Jr.'s injuries had kept him from being his generation's Mickey Mantle. What the author of this piece failed to realize was that injuries were what kept the Mick from achieving his destiny of hitting 800 HRs. Which means that Junior Griffey absolutely is his generation's Mickey Mantle. I can't really say what destiny J.D. Drew has been prevented from fulfilling due to injuries. Maybe his generation's Dave Winfield? Of course, now that he's ostensibly healthy, what's the excuse?
Signs of life: He did go 3 for 5 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs while starting against lefty Doug Davis this evening.
Eric Hinske
Last Seen: Toronto, 2002
It's official: Hinske's Sophmore Slump is in its 5th year. He had a fine rookie season - in which he won the Rookie of the Year award (not too shabby for a guy who was once traded straight up for Miguel Cairo) and got a nice extension from the Jays.
Unfortunately, he's turned into a poor man's version of Jeff Conine - his versatility in the field does not make up for his .155/.254/.293 line in 67 PAs.
Wily Mo Pena
Last Seen: Cincinnati, 2004
Following in the tradition of Jose Guillen, Wily Mo was the third and a half Reds Outfielder - the guy guaranteed to get ABs due to the precarious health of Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, and Junior Griffey.
He was supposed to be the guy who was too good to sit, but he only has 4 HRs in 89 PAs, with a .241/.326/.443 line.
Of course, he is essentially filling the Gape Kapler Memorial 4th outfielder role, and Gabe the Babe never really tore it up.
In 2004, with 310 PAs over 136 games, Kapler hit only 6 HRs with a .272/.311/.390 line - so I won't lambast the decision to trade a 5th starter for a slugger of Pena's potential.
Doug Mirabelli
Last Seen: Boston, 2004
In 192 PAs in '04, Dougie hit 9 HRs with a .281/.368/.525 line.
That's more than a lot of teams can expect from their full-time catchers.
All that, and he can catch the knuckleball, too!
This year? He's a 36-year old backup catcher, and that's exactly what he looks like - in 56 PAs he's mustered 2 HRs and a .208/.250/.340 line, as opposed to say... Kelly Shoppach, who has 2 HRs in 62 PAs, but who has a .352/.453/.556 line.
Why can't the Red Sox develop catcher's like that?
Alternate Milk Carton:
Both Teddy and I seem to return to this theme (it is after all, the theme that got us started) - but let's talk about the Rocket again.
Roger Clemens
Last Seen: Trenton, 2007
So first the Rocket was supposed to make his triumphant return to pinstripes at Fenway Park. Then it was pushed back to the day after the Boston/New York series ended - he would pitch against the White Sox. Now, he's expected to pitch tomorrow against the Pirates.
What's the point? I mean, if the Yankees are going to spend all this money on Clemens, why waste him in a game they would probably win anyway? Are we going to be treated to months of Joe Torre press conferences where he explains he's holding the Rocket out for the next Devil Rays series?
Looking at the schedule, the Rocket's next start will either be on the 14th against the D-Backs of the 15th against the Mets - both very good teams.
The Yankees have the next 3 days off, so it will be interesting to see how Torre plays the rotation - he could have Clemens against the Rockies and Orioles (two easy wins) or against the Giants and A's (an easy win and an actual challenge)
It will be interesting to see if Clemens coasts through a soft schedule, puts up a deceptively good record, and feeds the perception that he's having a huge impact on the team's fortunes - despite the fact that he's winning games that Chase Wright or Kei Igawa could just as easily win.
Fun with rosters
The last time the Yankees won the World Series was 2000 - here are the players still on the roster:
Jorge Posada
Derek Jeter
Roger Clemens (by way of retirement, Houston, retirement, Houston, retirement, Houston, and retirement)
Andy Pettite (by way of Houston)
Mariano Rivera
The last time the Red Sox won the World Series was 2004 - here are the players still on the roster:
Jason Varitek
Doug Mirabelli (by way of San Diego)
David Ortiz
Kevin Youkilis
Manny Ramirez
Curt Schilling
Tim Wakefield
Mike Timlin (by way of the Disabled List)
So that's 8 players for the Red Sox (only 3 years later) and 5 players for the Yankees (7 years later)
I believe it was a Yankee executive who once said that fans are rooting for laundry - that is to say, for the uniforms, not the players.
Both of our teams have had a lot of turnover through trades and free agency this decade - but I'm still a little amazed when I actually see how little of the championship makeup is left of both of those teams.
Don't knock SCAD
A quick response to Teddy's throwaway comment on the player drafted from Savannah College of Art and Design. I don't know how great the Baseball program is there, but I do know that Luis Tiant - El Tiante if you're hip - a borderline Hall of Famer who pitched for both the Sox and the Yankees (229-172, 3.30 ERA, 2,416 Ks) was once the Baseball Coach there. This was the guy who started Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (some guy hit a home run to finish that one) - so I feel like the program must have at least something to offer.
Mounting dread
Abreu-for-Dye - I smell David Justice circa 2000.
Mark Texeira on the trading block - my father has an expression for this, which is "stooge deal". This is where the Yankees take a bunch of my neighbors (I mean this literally, all the players on the Yankees' A-Ball team in Charleston live in the same apartment complex I do) who are never going to make it to the majors and dumping them for a star. What will follow is Rangers' GM Jon Daniels trying to hold a straight face during a press conference in which he attempts to explain how he thinks these young players might benefit the organization, while the players themselves start sending resumes to auto dealerships.
Oh yeah, and if the Indians fall out of the race, they might trade Hafner instead of losing him as a free agent.
Draft
Teddy suggested I might be able to shed some light on the "theme" of the Red Sox draft. All I can come up with is that they're drafting guys who sound like they should be porn stars (Nick Hagadone, Ryan Dent, Brock Huntzinger) or superhero alteregoes (Hunter Morris, Christopher Province, Will Middlebrooks)
I'll give MLB credit for taking a step forward in at least televising part of the draft, but until amateur baseball players get the exposure their football and basketball counterparts do, it's ultimately fruitless.
The development track in the Minor Leagues is such that it's fruitless to even draft according to need (unlike the NFL and the NBA), so teams are really better off taking the best player available irregardless of the big club's needs.
Closing
I haven't been to a Greenville Drive game yet, but I'm happy to report that Josh Papelbon - younger brother of Jon - is 2-3 with 9 saves and a 3.09 ERA.
I'm looking forward to a day when you can expect guys like Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester to go 7 strong innings and the see Papelbon and Papelbon in the 8th and 9th.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Draft Day
So today was the first time the MLB draft was aired on television. I'm not sure how they expected any baseball fans to watch it since it was during working hours, otherwise I would have watched. However, the main resources on the internet: Baseball America, Keith Law on ESPN, and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus covered it with blogs and reviews on the day.
I don't know what the Yankees or Red Sox strategies were, but I thought I'd list who they selected today on here and try my best to summarize what the scouts and such may be thinking. I'll start with the ladies first--I mean the Red Sox (listed is round and pick #):
(1) sandwitch, #55: Nick Hagadone, lhp
(1) sandwitch, #62: Ryan Dent, SS/2b
(2) #84: Hunter Morris, 1b
(3) #114: Brock Huntzinger, rhp
(4) #144: Christopher Province, rhp
(5) #174: Will Middlebrooks, 3b/rhp
Of the six picks the Sox took, four of them are high schoolers (Dent, Morris, Huntzinger, and Middlebrooks). So those guys are obviously far away and none of them were listed in the top 50 draft choices this year. Certainly the focus was on pitching more, especially in the later rounds.
The only piece of information I read on any of these picks was about Dent from Goldstein who said:
I really can't assess more than that, I have no idea who these other guys are or what their upside is. I'll let Doug fill in any gaps here.
Now the Yankees' picks:
(1) #30: Andrew Brackman, rhp
(2) #94: Austin Romine, C
(3) #124: Ryan Pope, rhp
(4) #154: Brad Suttle, 3b
(5) #184: Adam Olbrychoski, rhp
Before I get into Brackman here, as I understand it the whole Yankee drafting philosphy has changed to focus more on rebuilding. Don't ask me what it was before, but my guess is that it was to draft future trade bait. Anyhow, of the Yankees picks only one was from high school (Romine) and I have to laugh that Pope is from the Savannah College of Art and Design--not exactly what I think of as a sports school or even one that may have sports teams.
The Yankees focused on a catcher in the 2nd round which is interesting. Who knows if Romine, who's gotta be 17 or 18 would make the majors, but I'm wondering who the catcher will be after Jorge who's 35 this year. But there sure isn't anyone in the pipes and Nieves sure ain't a full-time catcher.
But the bigger story regarding the Yankees' draft picks was Brackman. From what I've read, the Yankees passed over Matt Harvey, a right handed high school pitcher who has a, "mid-90s fastball, and a curve that rates among the best in the high school class; very good changeup for teenager." On BP's top 50 list he ranked #13.
However, when the Yankees' first round pick came up they went with Andrew Brackman of North Carolina State, a right handed pitcher ranked #30 on the list. Here's Brackman's review from BP:
Pros: The six-foot-11 righthander has touched 99 mph in the past, and arguably has a higher ceiling than any player in the draft; curveball flashes as plus at times; mechanics are surprisingly refined for a player with his size and lack of experience.
Cons: Rarely pitched as freshman or sophomore because of a basketball commitment, then was practically shut down after 78 innings due to a tired arm; before the shutdown, he became less and less effective as season wore on.
There are certainly questions about his arm, but I'm guessing his size and fast ball were attractive (though I heard he only hit 87 mph on the gun the last month he played). To me it looks like a bad pick for the Yankees.
Crazy Pitching Tonight
I don't know what the Yankees or Red Sox strategies were, but I thought I'd list who they selected today on here and try my best to summarize what the scouts and such may be thinking. I'll start with the ladies first--I mean the Red Sox (listed is round and pick #):
(1) sandwitch, #55: Nick Hagadone, lhp
(1) sandwitch, #62: Ryan Dent, SS/2b
(2) #84: Hunter Morris, 1b
(3) #114: Brock Huntzinger, rhp
(4) #144: Christopher Province, rhp
(5) #174: Will Middlebrooks, 3b/rhp
Of the six picks the Sox took, four of them are high schoolers (Dent, Morris, Huntzinger, and Middlebrooks). So those guys are obviously far away and none of them were listed in the top 50 draft choices this year. Certainly the focus was on pitching more, especially in the later rounds.
The only piece of information I read on any of these picks was about Dent from Goldstein who said:
Hoping to make up for not having a first rounder, the Red Sox use their second supplemental pick (#62) on high-school infielder Ryan Dent. He has a higher ceiling than quite a few of the players selected ahead of him, but at the same time, Boston is betting on his athleticism, as he's still a long way from converting his tools into baseball skills.
I really can't assess more than that, I have no idea who these other guys are or what their upside is. I'll let Doug fill in any gaps here.
Now the Yankees' picks:
(1) #30: Andrew Brackman, rhp
(2) #94: Austin Romine, C
(3) #124: Ryan Pope, rhp
(4) #154: Brad Suttle, 3b
(5) #184: Adam Olbrychoski, rhp
Before I get into Brackman here, as I understand it the whole Yankee drafting philosphy has changed to focus more on rebuilding. Don't ask me what it was before, but my guess is that it was to draft future trade bait. Anyhow, of the Yankees picks only one was from high school (Romine) and I have to laugh that Pope is from the Savannah College of Art and Design--not exactly what I think of as a sports school or even one that may have sports teams.
The Yankees focused on a catcher in the 2nd round which is interesting. Who knows if Romine, who's gotta be 17 or 18 would make the majors, but I'm wondering who the catcher will be after Jorge who's 35 this year. But there sure isn't anyone in the pipes and Nieves sure ain't a full-time catcher.
But the bigger story regarding the Yankees' draft picks was Brackman. From what I've read, the Yankees passed over Matt Harvey, a right handed high school pitcher who has a, "mid-90s fastball, and a curve that rates among the best in the high school class; very good changeup for teenager." On BP's top 50 list he ranked #13.
However, when the Yankees' first round pick came up they went with Andrew Brackman of North Carolina State, a right handed pitcher ranked #30 on the list. Here's Brackman's review from BP:
Pros: The six-foot-11 righthander has touched 99 mph in the past, and arguably has a higher ceiling than any player in the draft; curveball flashes as plus at times; mechanics are surprisingly refined for a player with his size and lack of experience.
Cons: Rarely pitched as freshman or sophomore because of a basketball commitment, then was practically shut down after 78 innings due to a tired arm; before the shutdown, he became less and less effective as season wore on.
There are certainly questions about his arm, but I'm guessing his size and fast ball were attractive (though I heard he only hit 87 mph on the gun the last month he played). To me it looks like a bad pick for the Yankees.
Crazy Pitching Tonight
- I decided I'd watch Jake Peavy's start tonight which looked good until the 7th inning when the Dodgers went up 4-1. Unfortunately I didn't see a dominant Peavy tonight and his ERA edged up to 2.00. Even better though, I watched the Padres come back in the 9th to win 6-5 (they scored 5 runs), exciting stuff!
- Cole Hamels, another Cy Young candidate who I think I forgot to mention in another entry on here, gave up three homeruns in a row, but that was it.
- Curt Schilling had a no hitter in the 9th, 2 outs and shook off the slider call to throw a fastball. Granted it was thrown to the outside, but Stewart seemed ready and slapped a single into right. The Red Sox needed the win though
- ESPN Classics, is showing 6 hours of Clemens' greatest games Friday.
I'll be back on the crop duster plane (as someone here called it) tomorrow on the first leg of my journey home--the wind has calmed down but if you read about a passenger freaking out on a plane in Kansas it'll be me.
And before I get, congrats to Joe Torre who won his 2000th game as manager tonight (of which 1,106 were won while managing the Yankees).
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Dribs and Drabs
Y'know, a few years ago, Lenny DiNardo seemed like a pretty good Rule V pick for the Sox - a lefty spot starter/middle reliever/loogy type - but never quite made it happen.
And then last night he pitches the game of his life.
I don't even want to investigate how little time has passed since I was crowing about Tim Wakefield's sub-2.00 ERA, now that it has ballooned 3 runs. As I right this, he's struck out 7 and is losing the to the A's while something called a Joe Kennedy shuts down the Red Sox.
I'm pleased to report that a probe has found that Mike Shannon's restaurant was not at fault, and that Josh Hancock's family's lawsuit will not go forward. There are lessons to be learned, certainly, but needless litigation never solved anything - just ask Nicole Brown Simpson's family.
So... Jason Giambi might talk to the Mitchell Comsission - this being George Mitchell, part-owner of the Red Sox, and blah, blah-blibbity-bullshit conflict of interest.
Whatever.
Basically what I've gotten out of the Mitchell Comission is that he's trying to get players to talk to him, the Union is telling him "no", and he's powerless to force them to speak.
Giambi has, apparently, already incriminated himself to a Grand Jury, and certainly implicated himself to the media (and in the court of the public opinion) and with his current disability status and the threat of the Yankees' voiding his contract, he has nothing left to lose.
As loath as I am to speculate about steroid use by players past and present, this brings to mind another Mitchell:
Kevin Mitchell.
Kevin Mitchell would have achieved baseball immortality for no other reason than the fact that he was the guy who scored when the ball went through Buckner's legs in '86.
What people remember him for is primarily the numbers he put up in '89 - .291/47/125/1.023.
He was never as good before that or ever again - he went from being a spunky supersub to an all-or-nothing corner outfielder.
Giambi's resume also includes an MVP award, and his plate patience alone makes him Mitchell's superior, but as the revelations keep coming - faster and more furious, I think we'll see more clouds over past achievements.
The Sox are now down 3-2; I'm not holding my breath.
And then last night he pitches the game of his life.
I don't even want to investigate how little time has passed since I was crowing about Tim Wakefield's sub-2.00 ERA, now that it has ballooned 3 runs. As I right this, he's struck out 7 and is losing the to the A's while something called a Joe Kennedy shuts down the Red Sox.
I'm pleased to report that a probe has found that Mike Shannon's restaurant was not at fault, and that Josh Hancock's family's lawsuit will not go forward. There are lessons to be learned, certainly, but needless litigation never solved anything - just ask Nicole Brown Simpson's family.
So... Jason Giambi might talk to the Mitchell Comsission - this being George Mitchell, part-owner of the Red Sox, and blah, blah-blibbity-bullshit conflict of interest.
Whatever.
Basically what I've gotten out of the Mitchell Comission is that he's trying to get players to talk to him, the Union is telling him "no", and he's powerless to force them to speak.
Giambi has, apparently, already incriminated himself to a Grand Jury, and certainly implicated himself to the media (and in the court of the public opinion) and with his current disability status and the threat of the Yankees' voiding his contract, he has nothing left to lose.
As loath as I am to speculate about steroid use by players past and present, this brings to mind another Mitchell:
Kevin Mitchell.
Kevin Mitchell would have achieved baseball immortality for no other reason than the fact that he was the guy who scored when the ball went through Buckner's legs in '86.
What people remember him for is primarily the numbers he put up in '89 - .291/47/125/1.023.
He was never as good before that or ever again - he went from being a spunky supersub to an all-or-nothing corner outfielder.
Giambi's resume also includes an MVP award, and his plate patience alone makes him Mitchell's superior, but as the revelations keep coming - faster and more furious, I think we'll see more clouds over past achievements.
The Sox are now down 3-2; I'm not holding my breath.
Near Death
I flew out to Kansas today. I don't know if anyone has ever fishtailed in a plane before, but I came in on one of those propeller 20 person planes in 50 mph winds and did so several times. Let's just say I prayed more in the 10 minutes it took to land than in the last 5 years or so. It wasn't any better after we landed when the pilot came out of the cockpit and said, "that was nasty."
So with my feelings of near death aside, Giambi is back in the news with the steroids thing. Most of the news is preliminary stuff, but as I understand it there's politics in play. How couldn't there be though?
Basically what has surfaced is this. Giambi made his comments criticizing MLB and admits he used "the stuff". MLB didn't like what was said and considered suspending Giambi as an initial option. I'm not clear that that's an actual policy in MLB, but for some reason Giambi could have been in hot water. Then Selig and Giambi talked, about what is pure speculation. Now that Giambi's injured and also given his regret for doing steroids, (quite different from other suspected players) Selig is extending an olive branch of sorts. The deal looks to be Giambi won't be in trouble if he testifys for the Mitchell Commission.
What has the Mitchell Commission been doing though? I have no idea. As the article linked above seems to say, the Commission has no teeth. It looks as though MLB took a page out of the Bush administrations use of commissions. Just set them up to look like you're doing good and when they're done they really have no power and life goes on as if nothing ever happened. As I see it, the Mitchell Commission is a first step in trying to seek the truth in the Steroid Era. How much truth they find is up to whomever they get in to investigate. I believe in Giambi's case, if he's serious about keeping on the good face and saying steroids is wrong, he should and will testify, but he won't leak out names of other players he knew doing them.
The other aspect is that a Commission goal is figuring out if Barry Bonds perjured himself. Since Greg Anderson is keeping silent I'm not sure who nails Bonds on this. I won't go into my thoughts on Bonds here, I'll save that as he gets very close to the HR record.
In any event, I'm not expecting much from the Commission other than it rattles a few cages and makes some players nervous. Unless they find the siringe or pill or cream or whatever form a steroid can be taken in in a steroid drug bust, all the anedotel stuff will just be that.
One recommendation for the Mitchell Commission from me is this. Its been made out to be controversial that steroids helps you hit homeruns. Some players say, if you can't make solid contact then they make no difference-you still need to know how to hit. Point taken. But what if you can hit homeruns? I would like the show Mythbusters to take this up. Then it will be settled.
So with my feelings of near death aside, Giambi is back in the news with the steroids thing. Most of the news is preliminary stuff, but as I understand it there's politics in play. How couldn't there be though?
Basically what has surfaced is this. Giambi made his comments criticizing MLB and admits he used "the stuff". MLB didn't like what was said and considered suspending Giambi as an initial option. I'm not clear that that's an actual policy in MLB, but for some reason Giambi could have been in hot water. Then Selig and Giambi talked, about what is pure speculation. Now that Giambi's injured and also given his regret for doing steroids, (quite different from other suspected players) Selig is extending an olive branch of sorts. The deal looks to be Giambi won't be in trouble if he testifys for the Mitchell Commission.
What has the Mitchell Commission been doing though? I have no idea. As the article linked above seems to say, the Commission has no teeth. It looks as though MLB took a page out of the Bush administrations use of commissions. Just set them up to look like you're doing good and when they're done they really have no power and life goes on as if nothing ever happened. As I see it, the Mitchell Commission is a first step in trying to seek the truth in the Steroid Era. How much truth they find is up to whomever they get in to investigate. I believe in Giambi's case, if he's serious about keeping on the good face and saying steroids is wrong, he should and will testify, but he won't leak out names of other players he knew doing them.
The other aspect is that a Commission goal is figuring out if Barry Bonds perjured himself. Since Greg Anderson is keeping silent I'm not sure who nails Bonds on this. I won't go into my thoughts on Bonds here, I'll save that as he gets very close to the HR record.
In any event, I'm not expecting much from the Commission other than it rattles a few cages and makes some players nervous. Unless they find the siringe or pill or cream or whatever form a steroid can be taken in in a steroid drug bust, all the anedotel stuff will just be that.
One recommendation for the Mitchell Commission from me is this. Its been made out to be controversial that steroids helps you hit homeruns. Some players say, if you can't make solid contact then they make no difference-you still need to know how to hit. Point taken. But what if you can hit homeruns? I would like the show Mythbusters to take this up. Then it will be settled.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Bad to Worse...
Yes, I took a 3-day weekend, immediately after calling Teddy out for doing the same. I would like to say that I had the excuse that my team embarassed themselves - and seem to be in the process of doing the same on their West Coast swing.
I also want to mention that the Red Sox (despite losing 4 of their last 5) still have the best record in baseball. I mention this mainly because I might not be able to say so much longer...
Last week started out promisingly enough for the Sox - completing a sweep of the Rangers, taking the first 2 out of 3 from the Indians, but from Wednesday on, it was all thud. Paul Byrd derailed them Wednesday, and then the Yankees' series stared. Wake was awful (I'm aware of at least 6 BBs, 2 Passed Balls, and a Wild Pitch - I don't really feel the need to clarify the stats further). Saturday night was saved by Joe Torre's collosal brain fart (which is to say, the decision to bring Proctor in) and A-Fraud taking time out from canoodling with strippers who aren't his wife (as opposed to Damon, who is married to an ex-stripper) to apply a little kryptonite to Jon Papelbon was just the nail in the coffin.
I haven't even gone into all the details of the A's game last night - I just know that the Sox lost a very winnable game.
The Billy Beane A's have always been a pesky team, and right now I'm thinking that I'll just be content with a split. Then it's on to the 34-24 Diamondbacks - with Brandon Webb, a resurgent Big Unit, and a cast of good young bats.
Even in '04 the Sox suffered through a 3-month stretch of .500 ball, and I think the next two months is where they'll be at their most mediocre. I don't have any doubt that there will be a real race between the Sox and the Yankees come August and September, when we'll next have to assess a Sox-Yankees matchup.
I also want to mention that the Red Sox (despite losing 4 of their last 5) still have the best record in baseball. I mention this mainly because I might not be able to say so much longer...
Last week started out promisingly enough for the Sox - completing a sweep of the Rangers, taking the first 2 out of 3 from the Indians, but from Wednesday on, it was all thud. Paul Byrd derailed them Wednesday, and then the Yankees' series stared. Wake was awful (I'm aware of at least 6 BBs, 2 Passed Balls, and a Wild Pitch - I don't really feel the need to clarify the stats further). Saturday night was saved by Joe Torre's collosal brain fart (which is to say, the decision to bring Proctor in) and A-Fraud taking time out from canoodling with strippers who aren't his wife (as opposed to Damon, who is married to an ex-stripper) to apply a little kryptonite to Jon Papelbon was just the nail in the coffin.
I haven't even gone into all the details of the A's game last night - I just know that the Sox lost a very winnable game.
The Billy Beane A's have always been a pesky team, and right now I'm thinking that I'll just be content with a split. Then it's on to the 34-24 Diamondbacks - with Brandon Webb, a resurgent Big Unit, and a cast of good young bats.
Even in '04 the Sox suffered through a 3-month stretch of .500 ball, and I think the next two months is where they'll be at their most mediocre. I don't have any doubt that there will be a real race between the Sox and the Yankees come August and September, when we'll next have to assess a Sox-Yankees matchup.
Monday, June 4, 2007
What are Managers Drinking?
This is why minor league games are so much fun! I had to share it since Joe Torre could learn a thing or two. Pinnella needs to change his act a bit too.
Hindsight and Foresight: Yankee Review May 28th to June 10th
As I keep saying on this blog, the Yankees can't get on track. This week was no different but A-Rod provided a newsworthy twist as blogged on here (as it happened too, how's that for real time blogging, huh?). The Yankees now lack Doug Mientkiewicz's solid glove (won't miss his bat--wait did he even have one?) at first base and also lost Giambi and Hughes. Pettitte's back goes spastic and Mussina can't find his groove. Who knows if the Yankees make a trade, but it won't be Teixara who's apparently soon to be on the trading block. Maybe they should reconsider because Josh Phelps made a hiddious throw to Jeter but it ended up in the OF (Damon's throw may not have even made it to second with his arm). And so it goes...
And did I mention Clemens' groin (the right one he throws off of) is "fatigued". After three minor league starts no less. Maybe that's a good thing since tonight's game is once again in the rain (is it resorting back to early April again?). But it's not a good sign.
I was trying to think of what the positives for the Yankees are this season and honestly I can't think of any. A handful of players are performing at or above their level of play, but it's not translating into wins. It's a team effort and that's what I keep saying is needed more of--that's something you can't buy Mr. Steinbrenner (man I am bitter today).
I guess Doug's taken a three day weekend but let's get this party started.
Hindsight: May 28th to June 3rd
Continuing after being swept by the Angels, the Yankees skid continued as they headed north of the border. Ron "Refuse to Lose" Villone got rocked on last Monday in a third of an innings work. He's looking pretty wild since being called up, perhaps he needs to riot in Southwest to get it out. The next night, once again Pettitte pitched, which meant the Yankees failed to score runs again. That was until Wednesday night's infamous "MINE" call by A-Rod which lead to two more runs and a Yankee win--read the prior blogs for our takes on it. Into Fenway the Yankees headed and the Red Sox fans not only gave 'em the traditional "Yankees Suck" chant, but also incorporated "Where is Roger" and of course "Mine" anytime the ball was popped up to a Yankee--especially if you wore #13. Wang took the first game over Wakefield--who was all over the place yielding 6 walks to the Yankees. As an aside Wang's pitch counts are getting pretty high (last three games 114, 109, 113). The two highlights of the game were Torre's in yo face argument, which I enjoyed watching since Torre doesn't argue much like that these days. The second highlight was Proctor throwing way inside toward the head of "Walk Man" Kevin Youkilis. I can understand Youk's anger and near charging the mound--afterall he was deep in the count. The game also had five beanings in all which could have been something to do with it. But a fight didn't happen and Farnsworth lost out on body slamming someone. The next game was a slug fest of sorts, with five home runs between the teams only to be lost by Proctor and the infield in the 7th inning (5 runs allowed and two missed inning ending double plays). Yesterday's game was pretty exciting as Pettitte pitched well up until the 5th inning. But the Yankees fought back and A-Rod HR off Papelbon in the 9th capped it off--though Big Papi's at bat against Mo was classic.
Weekly Stats
W-L: 3-3
RS/RA: 31/36
Offensive Numbers (BA/OBP/SLG): .277/.460/.807
Pitching Line (ERA/Whip/K per 9/BAA/SLG): 5.47/1.76/4.94/.313/.478
Who's Hot: Melky Cabrera who is now playing everyday and got it going this week hitting .471/.550/.765
Who's Not: Mike Mussina. Since it's not a contract year, like last year, he's been aweful leaving the ball up and giving up a ton of hits.
My Yankee of the Week: Joe Torre. He thought A-Rod's play at third was out of line, got thrown out of game, and he's still manager.
Foresight: June 4th to June 10th
A four game series in Chicago followed by interleague play against the Pirates. I'm trying to think of something new here to say about what needs to be done but it comes down to one word: wins. The Yankees longest winning streak this year is three games and the White Sox and Pirates are two teams to start a winning rally against. But who the hell knows given the track record so far this year. More injuries continue to cripple the Yankees and other than A-Rod's "mine" play which continues to be a part of every baseball broadcast discussion and will never have any sort of conclusion since everyone's split on--the "mysterious blonde" in Toronto was just another distraction to add to the flames. At least Torre is disciplining A-Rod by telling him he may sit him one game this week or DH him (or maybe drop him to 8th in the lineup). I don't know what will transpire this week, but my guess is more of the same.
On a final note, my thoughts are with Clete Boyer's family--I actually got to shake the guys hand at the Baseball HOF weekend last year, but also to my girlfriend's family who lost a member of the family who I wish I had gotten to know better because she seemed like a fun aunt.
And did I mention Clemens' groin (the right one he throws off of) is "fatigued". After three minor league starts no less. Maybe that's a good thing since tonight's game is once again in the rain (is it resorting back to early April again?). But it's not a good sign.
I was trying to think of what the positives for the Yankees are this season and honestly I can't think of any. A handful of players are performing at or above their level of play, but it's not translating into wins. It's a team effort and that's what I keep saying is needed more of--that's something you can't buy Mr. Steinbrenner (man I am bitter today).
I guess Doug's taken a three day weekend but let's get this party started.
Hindsight: May 28th to June 3rd
Continuing after being swept by the Angels, the Yankees skid continued as they headed north of the border. Ron "Refuse to Lose" Villone got rocked on last Monday in a third of an innings work. He's looking pretty wild since being called up, perhaps he needs to riot in Southwest to get it out. The next night, once again Pettitte pitched, which meant the Yankees failed to score runs again. That was until Wednesday night's infamous "MINE" call by A-Rod which lead to two more runs and a Yankee win--read the prior blogs for our takes on it. Into Fenway the Yankees headed and the Red Sox fans not only gave 'em the traditional "Yankees Suck" chant, but also incorporated "Where is Roger" and of course "Mine" anytime the ball was popped up to a Yankee--especially if you wore #13. Wang took the first game over Wakefield--who was all over the place yielding 6 walks to the Yankees. As an aside Wang's pitch counts are getting pretty high (last three games 114, 109, 113). The two highlights of the game were Torre's in yo face argument, which I enjoyed watching since Torre doesn't argue much like that these days. The second highlight was Proctor throwing way inside toward the head of "Walk Man" Kevin Youkilis. I can understand Youk's anger and near charging the mound--afterall he was deep in the count. The game also had five beanings in all which could have been something to do with it. But a fight didn't happen and Farnsworth lost out on body slamming someone. The next game was a slug fest of sorts, with five home runs between the teams only to be lost by Proctor and the infield in the 7th inning (5 runs allowed and two missed inning ending double plays). Yesterday's game was pretty exciting as Pettitte pitched well up until the 5th inning. But the Yankees fought back and A-Rod HR off Papelbon in the 9th capped it off--though Big Papi's at bat against Mo was classic.
Weekly Stats
W-L: 3-3
RS/RA: 31/36
Offensive Numbers (BA/OBP/SLG): .277/.460/.807
Pitching Line (ERA/Whip/K per 9/BAA/SLG): 5.47/1.76/4.94/.313/.478
Who's Hot: Melky Cabrera who is now playing everyday and got it going this week hitting .471/.550/.765
Who's Not: Mike Mussina. Since it's not a contract year, like last year, he's been aweful leaving the ball up and giving up a ton of hits.
My Yankee of the Week: Joe Torre. He thought A-Rod's play at third was out of line, got thrown out of game, and he's still manager.
Foresight: June 4th to June 10th
A four game series in Chicago followed by interleague play against the Pirates. I'm trying to think of something new here to say about what needs to be done but it comes down to one word: wins. The Yankees longest winning streak this year is three games and the White Sox and Pirates are two teams to start a winning rally against. But who the hell knows given the track record so far this year. More injuries continue to cripple the Yankees and other than A-Rod's "mine" play which continues to be a part of every baseball broadcast discussion and will never have any sort of conclusion since everyone's split on--the "mysterious blonde" in Toronto was just another distraction to add to the flames. At least Torre is disciplining A-Rod by telling him he may sit him one game this week or DH him (or maybe drop him to 8th in the lineup). I don't know what will transpire this week, but my guess is more of the same.
On a final note, my thoughts are with Clete Boyer's family--I actually got to shake the guys hand at the Baseball HOF weekend last year, but also to my girlfriend's family who lost a member of the family who I wish I had gotten to know better because she seemed like a fun aunt.
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