B r u s h b a c k

2004-03-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

Different People Celebrate in Different Ways
My favorite headline of the week, courtesy of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

2004-03-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

Steroids Barry
So it begins.

I agree with Barry Bonds who consider the steroids question a full-blown Witch Hunt. Yet even if "Have you at any time taken steroids" becomes the theater of the absurd question of the summer, Bonds only has himself to blame.

Sure Greg Anderson and Bonds go back to high school and they have strong ties that bind. But even if Bonds is clean, he's still exposing brethren baseball players to a guy who is as unsavory as they come. Anderson's lawyer, the erstwhile Tony Serra, in defense of Bonds says that he was offered illegal substances and turned them down, so it's not like he didn't know what Anderson is up to. One must wonder if Bonds ever considered what business Anderson was doing in the Giants dugout, or on the Japan All-Star trip in 2000 and 2002.

At best Barry is the Typhoid Mary of Major League Baseball, exposing the 'clean' around the league. At worst, he's a 'roided out pusher's assistant.

2004-02-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

AQAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

I hate the Yankees.

2004-01-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Off Topic Alert
Is there a job more unappetizing that a head coach job in the NFL? Ask Nick Saban, the coach of the "national champion" LSU Tigers. His good friend, Jerry Angelo, offered him the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, complete control of his assistant coaches, a say in the personnel decisions of the team, and $3.5 million a year to lead the Monsters of the Midway.

Saban says "Mmm, no thanks. Can't afford the pay cut." Not really. But it's close. Saban will get $2.3 million for winning the "national championship" at LSU. And as long as Saban keeps the LSU Tigers competitive (which looks like a synch with his recruiting touch), he can stay in Death Valley as long as he wishes. Plus, there is no general manager overrulling who he wants on the field or who gets playing time, or who stays or who goes after the season on the field or off.

Being a big time football coach (outside of Lincoln, Nebraska) is the closest equivalent to benevolent dictator there is in sports today. You have control over your entire empire and are treated like a god when you win. If you lose, you might be villified, but nobody will fire your defensive coordinator, or pick a defensive back that you hate with the first pick in the draft.

2004-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

Gettin' Paid Like It's 2001
In December of 2000, Rich Aurilia signed a three year deal that paid him bank for the time. In 2001 Aurilia made $3.5 million and went out and posted a .941 OPS. It was a career high by far and away for Aurilia and put him just on the outskirts of the elite shortstops in the game (his OPS trailed ARod in that season, but finished ahead of both Jeter and Nomar).

However in the past two years, injuries of all sorts took their toll, limiting Aurilia's playing time and power. Now 32, Aurilia hits the market at the absolutely wrong time. The Great Budget Shrinkage of 2004 is well underway. The only offer Aurilia received that was near market value was from the Detroit Tigers--not quite the winning atmosphere the ultra-competitive Aurilia was seeking.

So Aurilia signed a one-year deal with the Mariners today for $3.5 million. It's nowhere near as galling as the Robbie Alomar surrender to the D'Backs, and you can't really call $3.5m large a disaster. But it certainly does not bode well for a gimpy, mid-30s player with questionable offensive and defensive abilities.

2004-01-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

Immortal Conspiracy Theories
What it means I don't know, but Boston Dirt Dogs astutely pointed out that the Red Sox took both Manny Ramirez and Nomie off the banner of their official web site. A-Rod no longer appears on the Rangers offical web site banner, either. And then Manny and Nomar were stuck back on the Sox banner about 10 hours later. At this point I'm sick of the story, but it just won't die, will it.

2004-01-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

Cheap Diamondback
Sure, Robbie Alomar stats have fallen off considerably. But is he really only worth $650,000? That's how much cash the D'backs will shill out to the future Hall of Famer for 2004. Of course they are paying Alomar another $350k. In 2009. Interest fee. How cheap is this? Well, if Robbie's buddy Carlos Baerga gets 200 at bats, he'll earn $1.2 million in 2004 -- 45 percent more than Robbie. Todd Walker, who unlike Alomar has some value at the plate, will earn $1.75 millon in 2004. And he turned down another half million from the Indians. I don't know what this says about Robbie, but it must mean something.

2004-01-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

"In the end, the deal collapsed under the weight of too much money, by far the most involved in a proposed player transaction. Rodriguez could not buy his way to freedom, no matter how willing he was to sacrifice millions to play for the Red Sox."
--from Gordon Edes's Boston Globe report on the failed Alex Rodriguez deal

2004-01-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

The Liar and the Gambler
"We haven't seen the book. Until we read the book, there's nothing to comment on."
-Bud Selig to The AP about Pete Rose's admission that he bet on baseball.

Does anyone in their right mind believe that Selig isn't closely choreographing Pete's every step this week. Don't try to bullshit us, Bud. You want Pete back because the fans like him, for some reason that we haven't figured out yet.

2004-01-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

I always like that guy
Here's a hilarious Op-ed from Fay Vincent on Pete Rose's new book, in which CHarlie Hustle purportedly will admit betting on baseball (and clearing the way for entry into the HOF).

2003-12-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

Great Player, Bad Future Executive
A-Rod says the Marlins are the most talented team in baseball, and that Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo are the best 1-2 hitters he's seen in ten years. For anyone who believes in A-Rods ability to judge talent, I have three words for you: CHAN - HO - PARK.

2003-12-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

No Love For the Glove
"They can also have the glove that would have caught the ball for another $100,000-something,''
-Moises Alou commenting on the 'Steve Bartman ball' that was sold in auction last week for $133,824.11.

2003-12-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Breaking News
No A-Rod Deal.

2003-12-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

In dissent
I respectfully disagree with my esteemed colleague. The A-Rod contract is not the problem. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what is.

There is a book I keep on my desk called "Follow the Money." It is good advice for any journalist, and it was used by Woodstein (at the urging of Deep Throat) to bring down Nixon. Another bit of advice is to follow the motive. The two, of course, are often one and the same. But not always.

I've looked into the money situation with the Manny and A-Rod deal. First of all, the side deal involving Scott Williamson and Nomar for Magglio Ordonez is pretty much a wash in terms of money. A quick primer on the salaries (in millions) for Manny and A-Rod (numbers lifted from BaseballProspectus): Manny is owed $20.5 (03), $20 (04), $19 (06), $18 (07) and $20 (08) -- which assumes that no team in its right mind would pick up the two option years on the back. Total: 5 years and $97.5 million. A-Rod looks like this: $21 (04), $25 (05, 06), $27 (07), and we'll assume that he picks up three player options through 2010 at $27 mil per. We do that, and also ignore the fact that A-Rod can opt out of the deal early, because I want to look only at the club's potential exposure, since that's what a club considering the deal would do. A new club would also be on the hook for a total of about $32 million in 2014-2020 in deferred payments. 2020!!! There's a reason players like Scott Boras (again, the money/motive thing¦)

On its face, the deals are fairly similar in the short term, but from there they diverge. Over the five years that Manny is owed $97.5 million, A-Rod is paid $125 million -- an annual difference of just under $6 million (also known as one Keith Foulke). Once Manny's deal expires, however, A-Rod's team is on the hook for another $86 million, which includes the back-loaded deferred payments which, to be fair, accumulate during the life of Manny's contract as well. Anyway, it's a lot of change.

It's been argued that A-Rod is worth that kind of money -- an argument I will buy. You can also argue that Manny isn't worth his money, since he plays a fungible outfield position with a lot of replacement talent out there. Plus, he comes down with whatever Pedro's got before drinking in the hotel bar with Enrique Wilson. There's a reason they call him a hitting savante. At least when he's playing.

It's been reported that Texas wants money Red Sox money to cover Manny's contract. It's also been reported that Larry Lucchino said NO GODDAM WAY. You can understand the man's position. Money is a great motivator, which is is why I'm assuming the Red Sox won't budge on this one. Which brings me to A-Rod, who reportedly offered to relinquish $28 million in order to, in effect, help Manny buy drinks for Enrique Wilson. But mainly, to get his ass to Boston. Clearly -- despite the rabid rumblings of sports writers overs that past three years -- A-Rod is not motivated by money, despite the claims of Bob Ryan and his ilk that the reason A-Rod isn't on the Red Sox is the 'greed' he displayed in signing with the Rangers. Bizarre.

A-Rod's only crime is that he happens to deserve a lot of money, not so much that he is motivated by it. No, A-Rod is motivated by something else. Wining? His Texas team will win and soon (although maybe he doesn't realize it, if Chan Ho Park is any indication of his ability to spot talent.) Happiness? I'll get back to that later.

Texas reportedly wanted Manny and $25 million in unmarked bills. A-Rod went to the union for permission to give back $28-30 million, with the supposed "benefit" being that he could opt out of his deal one year earlier. C'mon people, that's just a charade. He's never going to opt out, and the Sox don't expect it. Understandably, the union balked. Gene Orza apparently made a counteroffer, though the details are murky. Texas did make a counteroffer -- three years of $5 million per -- $15 million. If the union would allow a contract reduction in the range of HALF of what was previously proposed, the deal is done. The Red Sox have already demonstrated that the club will assume A-Rod's contract, but won't pay Manny. Looking at the numbers and the concessions that people made, I can't believe this isn't done.

Back to motive, and happiness. Because the very process of negotiating a trade -- or rather, the extreme publicity surrounding the negotiations -- have created motives that are counterintuitive to money. A-Rod won't be happy with Texas. Tom Hicks isn't happy. Gene Orza isn't happy -- cause he looks like an ass, though he's probably used to that. Lucchino isn't happy, issuing a scathing, blaming statement that the deal is dead. John W Henry called the collapse "astonishing" on a Red Sox blog. Nomar isn't happy. Magglio isn't happy. Manny isn't happy (well, OK, he may not be beholden to the normal human passions). I'm pretty sure Scott Williamson might even be a wee bit miffed. And what about Kevin Millar, who embarrassed himself karoake-style on ESPN by saying he'd much rather play with A-Rod? He's probably not smiling either.

I don't think this is about money anymore, people, which is why I think this gets done. It started with money, but it's come down to something more important.

2003-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

Still Pay-Rod
The Alex Rodriguez deal apparently is dead. However it's cause a storm over who killed it. Many people are blaming the Major League Baseball Players Union for its demise.

But I respectfully refuse to accept accusations that this is the union fault for holding up the deal. Frankly, the problem still remains the ridiculous contract that Tom Hicks signed with Rodriguez, not the union upholding its contractual obligation that the Office of the Commissioner signed and 29 out of the 30 major league baseball teams voted to approve.

At issue is what value Rodriguez will get out of renegotiating the terms of his deal. The union's position is that the player must get something of value back--this means the value of the deal cannot be less than it was before the negotiation.

How do you figure value? There's a complicated formula that takes the years involved and figures the money, how much is deferred, how many years are guaranteed. etc., etc., and then they come up with a number. Where the press reported that the Rodriguez contract was a $252 million deal in 2000, the union probably gave it a smaller number because of the deferred dollars. Over the remaining life of the contract about $24 million is deferred.

President/CEO of the Red Sox, Larry Lucchino says that the union has arbitrarily decided what is of value for the player. But clearly the union ran the numbers and saw a contract with fewer dollars in Rodriguez's pocket. And less dollars is less value, no matter what the Sox or Rangers or Office of the Commissioner say.

This is starting to look like is a mud-slinging contest between the parties that would like to trade horrible contracts, Bud Selig--who would like to see those contracts vanish (if not get smaller) vs the union's legally negotiated rights. The union probably sees it as the first beachhead into their ability to enforce a simple rule: you don't give money back in a guaranteed contract.

Think about it, if Alex Rodriguez is allowed to give back $10 million in guaranteed money, what's to say that say Jeff Cirillo wouldn't be allowed to give the Mets back a couple of the $6.725 million he is due to earn in 2004 for say "a bag of baseballs" or "a private parking spot at Shea" or other items "of value" to the player just to get his deal to clear. The union doesn't really give a damn about how much ARod really will get a year. They care about enforcing the contract to the letter of the law.

I have absolutely no sympathy here for the owners. You made you bed by signing Manny, Alex, and Jeff to ridiculous contracts and now you complain that the union has the gall to legally enforce them? Caveat emptor, man. Caveat emptor.

2003-12-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Pre Non-Tendered Thoughts
Taxachusetts
The biggest winner in the proposed A-Rod/Manny deal? Perhaps the State of Massachusetts. If the deal goes through, Mass would gain about $30,000 difference between the two players salaries, thanks to the state's 5.3 percent state income tax. The $583,000 in taxes works out to a 2.65 percentage of A-Rod's total salary that he wouldn't pay if he still played a majority of his game in the non-income tax state of Texas. Of course A-Rod would still have to pay taxes on the three days that the Rangers would visit Beantown, but that'd only work out to $16,657--merely tip money for Alex.

Petering Out
Rob Neyer is convinced that Pete Rose's book, due to publish on January 8th (a day after your favorite Brushback author's birthday--no gifts, please) will include the shocking disclosure that he bet on baseball. Of course along with the disclosure will be Pete's public self-flagellation and the equally shocking lamentations from the self-monikered Hit King that he never meant to hurt the game.

Since Hall of Fame vote announcements are due on January 6th, Neyer believes that this has been closely choreographed by the Office of the Commissioner to allow the appropriate timing of the hullabaloo that will surely follow. Which would give more creedence to Baseball Prospectus's story from last summer that there already was a signed Selig/Rose agreement. I wonder if Bud will send BP's Derek Zumsteg and Will Carroll a magnum of Champaign as an apology for slamming their report. Or did Bud think we'd all just forget....

2003-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Mollie-fied
Bruce Jenkins needs his head examined. He says he didn't vote for Paul Molitor for the Hall of Fame? Why, you might ask?

"What can I say? I was a working journalist throughout Molitor's career, saw him play countless times, and unlike Eddie Murray or Cal Ripken, he didn't have "Cooperstown" written all over him, not until he got to Toronto at a late stage of his career."

Hmm. Not very Moneyball of Bruce. Maybe he's thinking about going down to clubhouse to get a quote from Mollie instead of remembering him play.

Molitor's career marks and all time rankings:
Hits 3319 #9
Doubles 605 #10
Runs 1782 #17
Times on Base 4460 #17
Total Bases 4854 #21
Extra Base Hits 953 #30

So by many standards (apart from the nights Mr. Jenkins watched Molitor labor), he was one of the top 20 most productive hitters of his or any other time.

Baseball Reference compares players who put up similar stats, using Bill James's similarity scores standards. Here's the players closest to Mollie.

Robin Yount (831) *
George Brett (828) *
Paul Waner (800) *
Roberto Clemente (796) *
Vada Pinson (785)
Lou Brock (767) *
Tony Gwynn (763)
Al Oliver (760)
Al Kaline (746) *
Goose Goslin (746) *

*- Enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

So what doesn't seem Hall material about Molitor? Hey Bruce, being very good for a very long time makes you a Hall of Famer.

2003-12-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

Snowballed
For years I could never figure out the Giants's fascination with JT Snow, the good-glove, no-hit first baseman that labored for the team. At first, I thought it had to be Dusty Baker who kept trotting JT out there until his slugging percentage hovered near the Rey Sanchez's neighborhood. However over the weekend GM Brian Sabean was outed as having unhealthy respect and admiration for JT. He signed for the 2004 season yesterday for the princely sum of $1.5m. If Snow gets 450 plate appearances next year, then a 2005 option of $2m becomes guaranteed.

However, Snow might not get anywhere close to the PAs he needs to be guaranteed. Pedro Feliz put up phenominal power numbers in his limited playing time. In 235 at bats, Feliz slugged 16 home runs, double the number that Snow produced in 100 at bats less than him. Feliz appears ticketed to take over first base duties at the beginning of the season, and if he produces like last season and Edgardo Alfonzo doesn't fall flat, he'll probably be in there five times a week. Basically Snow is the Giants $1.5m insurance policy that Feliz and Alfonzo produce. Sure, Felipe Alou will get them all plenty of at bats. But it's really Feliz that Sabean is banking on.

Meanwhile, I'm so digusted by the Giants giving up a draft pick to sign Michael Tucker, I can't even really comment on it.

Postscript: This just in: Harry Schulman says JT Snow was razzing Tucker about Pac Bell Park's hellacious impact on lefties during yesterday's conference call with the press: "Left hand hitter, you're going to love Pac Bell Park," Snow told Tucker.

2003-11-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

A Storm Brewing

What’s behind the brew-ha-ha with the Brewers? It could well be a portent of coming trouble that may bring Major League Baseball to its knees in the next couple years. If you haven’t heard, the Brewers are cutting their budget $30 million for 2004, much to the chagrin of the good people of Milwaukee, the Journal-Sentinel newspaper and elected officials.

Folks are pretty angry because the Brewers promised that if they paid for Miller Park, that the team could support a payroll to compete in the National League for years to come. They see the cut in budget as slap in the face (and pocketbook—residents of five surrounding counties will continue to pay 0.1% sales tax through 2014 to pay for the stadium construction and upkeep) from the Brewers.

But the Brewers may have no choice in the matter. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes that during the last labor agreement, the players agreed to allow the Commissioner's Office to enforce the debt-equity rule that has been on the books for quite a while, but hadn't been strictly enforced. Basically starting in 2005, a team can't spend beyond the total value of the franchise, which is calculated by including the revenues and market value of the franchise against the amount of debt a team carries.

And the Brewers have debt…lots of it. There are reports of that the franchise, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks, are about $100 million in the hole. So what does this mean? No more big money contracts multi-year contracts, and dumping of larger contracts by mid-to-small market teams (which is why Brew Crew’s Richie Sexson and Geoff Jenkins are both on the market this year).

Teams that have more money in the bank, high valuations, huge local media deals and have spent prudently will be in excellent shape to pick up quality players on the cheap (think the Cubs, Mariners, Red Sox, Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, and Dodgers). Teams that are mortgaged big like the Brewers and Diamondbacks and the Giants (who owe $200 million for PacBell Park) could be in tough shape. And small market teams? Same as it ever was: no capital in, no capital out.

Although spending within your means is always a good thing, the implications of all this are bad for the owners, because they’ve been telling bald-faced lies to their fans, players and each other. Baseball owners for years have been using accounting tricks to hide revenue and cheapen the value of their franchises.

Every year Forbes magazine estimates the value of profit margin for every team. And every year, the number that they come up with and what teams claim are about 50 percent different.

So while teams are busy hiding their revenues, they continue to beg for public handouts, raise ticket prices, and demand that players submit to salary curbs. It was all good for a while. But last summer, a couple teams had problems making payroll and Bud Selig is concerned that a team is going to go plumb broke during the season. Which is why he’s now enforcing the debt rule.

But the players won’t see it that way. They’ll see it as a sneaky way to enforce salary caps on them. Teams will claim they have no choice--they have to stay within what MLB says they can spend. And as we’ve starting to see, communities don't like it either. When the greater Milwaukee area throws down tall dollars to field a competitive team, they damn well expect to see that team on the field.

My guess is that the following will occur:

1) Small market teams and teams in debt cut their payrolls drastically by 2005.
2) Contract values and lengths continue to plummet.
3) A team will have to submit to a full budget if they want to play in their state or locally financed ballpark. My guess is the Brewers will be the test case. The team will fight this as far as they can, and hide behind the anti-trust exemption. But in the end, the Senate will repeal anti-trust exemption and they’ll have to submit to an audit.
4) The results will not be pretty for baseball owners, as it’ll expose auditing tricks that will make Hollywood movie auditors look like amateurs.
5) Expect a long strike when the Collect Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires after 2006. Players were skeptical that the luxury tax payments to small market teams would be put back into payroll. Now that small market teams are cutting rather than expanding, you can imagine that the players will believe like they’ve been suckered.
6) Forget any future team currently residing in a city getting a new stadium, unless the team pays a huge portion of the costs. This bodes poorly for the A’s and the Marlins, two teams that really need new stadiums if they want to stay in their cities.
7) Several small market teams will move in the coming years. If a prosperous city will pay for a new stadium, someone will go there. Portland, Charlotte, Washington, New Jersey, Las Vegas and who the hell knows where else are potential new candidates.

2003-11-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

See Ya Shinjo
Tsyhoshi Shinjo signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Pacific League today, thus ending the Shinjo era in the big leagues, which mostly consisted of a stylish uniform that included orange undershirts and later orange wristbands.

On the field, the league adjusted to Shinjo with a vengance. His OPS went from a JT Snow-like .725 in 2001 for the Mets to a Neifi Perez-like .664 in 2002 for the "Orange October" Giants to a Mario Mendoza-like .483 (ugh) last season in his return to Metdom. One note of interest: the Fighters colors are blue and orange.

Have fun, Tsyhoshi.

2003-11-18T17:10:00.000-08:00

Whoops
There goes Ted Lilly too. Getting damn hard to keep track of these blokes around here. We get Bobby Kielty. Who'll play left I assume, alongside Kotsay in center. Dye is back for year three of the boondoggle, but we expect big things out of him.

The repercussions are pretty significant. Harden will stay in the rotation, as an (and forever to be) unfinished project of Rick Peterson, who is also gone. Byrnes will stay on the bench. Singleton is gone. So is Jose Guillen, who had some big hits for the A's in the postseason, unlike -- well -- most of the A's. And he did it with a broken hand.

Milhouse ("Strike Three!") will catch. I guess. Unless we can get Miguel Oliva back from the White Sox. But we can do that, why not get Eric Hinske and Angel Berroa back as well. They only won the last two ROY's. Berroa would be particularly helpful with Tejada leaving.

It looks like the A's have saved a million or three, which might go to the fifth starter. Yeesh. The lineup is something like Ellis, Durazo, Dye, Chavez, Kielty, Kotsay, Hatteberg, Bobby Crosby and Milhouse.

That is, unless "Mr. Swing At Everything" comes back. But I doubt it. Steve Schott needs to sell the team. He's driving Billly Beane to drink.

Look, I don't think the A's gave up more than they could afford to lose. It's just that it doesn't look like they got much in return. Terrence Long hit more home runs than Kotsay (not that I'm pining for T). Kielty is good, sure, but.... Agh. I don't know.

2003-11-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

It's one of those universal questions:

Is it OK to lie, cheat and steal for the Greater Good?

Is a man still a good man if he's a hero to his country at the expense of his family?

Is it worth getting rid of Terrence Long if it costs you Ramon Hernandez?

2003-11-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Tuesday....
Where is the A's catcher? Apparently in San Diego.

Billy Beane traded Ramon Hernandez and Terrance Long for Mark Kotsay today. It solves a couple problems for the team. 1: Gets rid of the worthless Long; 2: Solves the center field position.

Doesn't seem like they'll have any more flexibility with payroll. Kotsay ain't exactly cheap himself. As Christian over at the Transaction Guy points out, Kotsay will make $5.5m for the next three years. Long and Hernandez are due $6.6m next season, meaning the A's save about $1.1m next year. And at least Kotsay will play, which is more than you can say about Long. That is a huge hole behind the dish, however. I'm assuming that the A's are going to give Adam Melhuse a shot at the starting job, and hope that ties them over until Jeremy Brown is ready. Does this means the end of Chris Singleton and Jose Guillen for the A's?

But really the transaction of the day: Freddie Adu. Go Freddie go!

2003-11-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

Beautifully Done
Roger Angell has a great wrap-up on the season in the current New Yorker. Angell writes great sentences. My editors would chop them up.

2003-11-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

Testing, Testing!!!
Is it time to panic?

The steroid tests have been released and over five percent of major league baseball players tested positive, meaning that automatic testing for all players kicks in next season. Of course, the commissioner, in his wisdom, would not release the actual number of positives, maybe because the union is disputing what is a positive result.

But there will be repercussions to this story. Who got a positive? Which team had the most? What kind of drugs were they taking? Pretty soon, you'll hear all kinds of rumors. In a way, it's a healthy thing for the league, as there should be testing.

Between this and finding someone who'll take the Expos, expect this offseason to be painful for Bud Selig.

2003-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

Really. I Mean It.
I like the ESPN headline running right now that reads, "New O's Manager Mazilli Says Team Can Win".

Well slap my buns and call me fruitcake, a newly hired manager is telling the press that his team has what it takes. What, like he's going to trot out there and boast to the the press that he's inheriting a team that's finished fourth six years running, spends too much money on lousy talent, and is close to cementing a reputation for mediocrity?

2003-11-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

The Long Cut
Alex Belth, who runs Bronx Banter, has a great interview with former Milwaukee Braves prospect and current writer Pat Jordan that is well worth the read. Jordan is the author of "A False Spring" which tells the story of his days with the Braves and its follow-up "A Nice Tuesday" that's less about baseball and more about going to the dogs.

In a sea of brief and asinine bloggers (including yours truly), it's good to see some folks take on the longer form. Nobody does this better than Mr. Belth. Also check out his interview with author and sportswriter Jane Leavy. Another excellent read.

2003-10-31T16:19:00.000-08:00

Take My Slugger, Please
In an effort to rid his club of $33 million dollars in salary due to one Samuel Peralta Sosa, Cub President Any MacPhail did about everything he could do to irriatate his star right fielder. Sosa's agent Adam Katz asked for an extension and was turned down but cold. Katz probably even asked to guarantee the final year of the contract (2006, for a cool $18 million) and only heard the haunting sound of crickets on the other end of the connection.

Fact is, Sosa's contract seemed reasonable, and perhaps even modest when put into context to Alex Rodriguez ($22m in 2003) and Manny Ramirez ($20m in 2003) mega deals. But nobody is shelling out those kind of bucks anymore. Sammy and Katz looked at the landscape and figured the $33 million he'll get in 2004/2005 is probably the amount he'd get if someone offered him a four year deal as a free agent (which nobody would, by the way).

And that 2006 option? If Sosa's production rebounds a bit to 2001 numbers and he can remain healthy and he's nearing Aaron/Bond type home run numbers and the Cubs make at least one more post-season appearance, well then...there's no way in hell MacPhail will pick up that last season.

So, in the past few days, two of the best power hitters in the majors both could have found new homes. Nobody wanted Manny because the price was not right. The other decided that the price of freedom would have been too high. Interesting.

2003-10-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

Get your Red Hot Manny!!!!!
For $101 million, you can get yourself Manny Ramirez today. He of the .325 batting average, 37 home runs, and 104 rbi. He of the suspicious sickness and laggardly behavior on and off the field as well. Yes, the Red Sox put Manny on irrevocable waivers this week, meaning any team who'd take on the financial burden would own him.

Manny may well come with a huge amount of baggage, he yet is undeniably one of the best hitters in the big leagues, posting five consecutive years of an OPS over thousand. A team (based in the Bronx) who just so happens to have a hole in their outfield (known for their pinstripes) and recently completed a post-season where they didn't show the offense they needed to get it done (owned by a former shipping magnet) could be interested.

2003-10-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Anyone see Paul's story on THG? It's thoughtful, lucid, brilliantly reported and well written...in other words, the polar opposite of everything he posts here. Enjoy.

2003-10-27T13:24:00.000-08:00

Pull My Finger
Grady Little rode off into the sunset today. Many in the media seem to think he got a raw deal. I'm not so sure. He never bought into the whole Bill James Approach and though the bullpen by committee was a load of nonsense. Maybe Theo Epstein micromanages; I wouldn't be surprised. Either way, he didn't fit, and the whole Pedro nightmare in game 7 was the icing on the cake.
But to make everyone feel better about what apparently is a tragedy (the firing, I mean), here's a good joke:

Did you hear how high the grass has grown on Little's lawn this summer?

Yes, he hadn't been able to use his mower.

He didn't know how to pull the starter.

2003-10-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Why do a bunch of Yankees have weird black spots on their faces? Look at close-ups of Hideki Matsui and David Delucci. They're either huge blackheads or small leeches. Can the Yankees be that bad at shaving?

2003-10-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Guilt By Association
The grand jury that is looking into sports nutrition supplement specialist BALCO apparently believe that the Burlingame-based company accepted cash payments from athletes for a new undetectable steriod, THG, so there would be no paper trail from the athlete to BALCO and its owner Victor Conte.

This probably is the worst nightmare ever for track and field athletes. U.S. Sprinter Kelli White, who won two gold medals in this summer's World Championships, tested positive for steroids that have been traced back to BALCO.

But baseball players could well get caught up in the dirty laundry. Jason Giambi has been subpeonaed by the grand jury, as has Barry Bonds. A search of BALCO employee Greg Anderson's house (one of Barry Bonds's personal trainers) turned up anabolic steriods, human growth hormone and testosterone. Bonds was a client of BALCO and bragged about how the company was able to figure out what trace minerals he was deficient in and custom designed supplements to improve those.

Apparently, Conte would test the athlete's blood before and after taking the supplements he sold to them to prove that they were clean. So, it appears like Conte boasted to his clients that he could beat any test, then proved it to them. This clearly could become a huge story and anyone associated with BALCO could well end up with the tar of scandal smeared over their reputation.

And if an inside source (like Anderson) turns government witness and starts naming names, look out.

2003-10-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it depends...
I wonder if Paul Williams, the Fenway groundskeeper who allegedly had the puss kicked out of him by Karim Garcia and Jeff Nelson, would still be pressing charges if the Sox had beaten the Yanks. I bet not.

2003-10-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

There is clearly no god.
"Whoever said it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all clearly wasn't a Red Sox fan."
-Joey Scanga, my boss (and closet Red Sox fan)

2003-10-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

What? You Thought It Would Be Easy?
There's a reason the Cubs haven't gone to the series in 57 years nor won one 94. So while lots of people thought they'd get through the NLCS without some sort of histronics. There were plenty of those to go around at Wrigley last night. It's up to Dusty and Kerry Wood to make believers of the Cubs again tonight at Wrigley.

2003-10-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Dustiny
Don't blame the fan. Everyone in that section was reaching for that ball, and not one single person was doing the "Hold 'em back, no one touch it" move. Not one.

Blame Dusty, once again. Stung by yanking Ortiz too early (?), he lets Prior go to long. Prior throws a slider to Castillo early in the inning that doesn't snap down and away at all, just floats up and in. That's a tired arm if I ever saw one. I'm yelling at the screen: "Jesus Dusty, pull him! PULL HIM!" He let Prior throw 116 pitches in an 11-0 game. Why? You're riding this horse to the World Series ... if you can get him a break, do it! But he didn't, and failed to recognize that Prior's pitches just weren't doing anything anymore until it was too late.

If they lose, does the curse switch from the Billy Goat to the Bernie Mac? When he sang "Root, root root for the cha-amps," you could see everyone at Wrigley turn to each other and say: "Dude, why is he trying to jinx us?"

Dumbshit of the day goes to Manny Ramirez, who swings at Wells' first curveball, ahead in the count, with the bases loaded and two out. I could cut a fencepost in half and it would still be smarter than Manny.

2003-10-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

The more the Yankees & Red Sox series resembles the English Premiere League, the more I like it. I just thought I should share that.

2003-10-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Phew, finally some boring playoff games. I wasn't sure I could take any more of that. I need to sit down.

2003-10-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Your San Francisco Giants?
The team that took the field in game seven of the World Series for the Giants last year is apparently no more. Brian Sabean told reporters yesterday that we've seen the last of Rich Aurilia, J.T. Snow, Benito Santiago, as well as Sidney Ponson, Jose Cruz, Jr. and Felix Rodriguez. That means only Barry Bonds will be the only regular from last year's team to return.

That might not be so bad if the team hadn't traded their future in the Ponson deal, giving up both Damian Moss and Kurt Ainsworth for Serve-It-Up Sid. After Jesse Foppert's elbow and Jerome Williams's psyche exploded, the Giants seem to be fresh out of the bevy of great arms they had collected.

With an improved Padres squad, and an always powerful Dodgers team lurking, could this mean a battle royale with the aging D'Backs for third place in '04?

2003-10-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's really rough to have four World Championship banners flying in Oakland since the last time the Cubs went to a series and the Red Sox have dropped two Fall Classics in, how shall we say, frustrating fashion.

It sucks to lose in the way the A's have, but comparing the team's pain to the Red Sox is like comparing a cat scratch to Montecore's revenge.

2003-10-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Apparently, even if you're Jewish and it's Yom Kippur, it's OK to pinch run.

2003-10-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

You know somthing? I hope the Red Sox win tonight. Then their fans could end their perpetual bitchfest about how tough it is being a Red Sox fan. You want tough? How about condensing 85 years of your misery into four playoff series. Start with T-Long misplaying the fly ball, watch Jeremy not slide, see Koch give up ninth inning bonus runs, and then call out Byrnes along with the rest of the country, even though Varitek doesn't have the ball in his glove. I'll save the rest for the rubber room.

"Which one?" -- Steve Palermo's answer to an inquiry about Bud Selig's telephone call.

2003-10-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

After the Fact
So glad to see that Grady Little is determined to start "defensive whiz" Damian Jackson at 2B for game three. I put it in quotes because Jackson had something like 4 errors in three games the last weekend of the season.
Regardless, isn't this Little just locking the barn doors after the cows have escaped, been slaughtered, and eaten by his neighbors with a nice cold beer?

2003-10-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

There IS Bunting in Oakland
And it's not on the facade of the upper deck in the playoffs. Perhaps the greatest thing about the play that beat the Red Sox last night was that Ramon Hernandez called it on his own. As did Chavy on his steal. Do you think Billy Beane was chewing on the carpet in the 12th?

2003-10-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's official
The Ponson trade was an utter bust. Nothing he did during the regular season counted, since the Giants were 10 up when they traded 40 percent of their rotation for him. And two starters for two to five starts in the post-season didn't even seem worht it back in August. Now it REALLY looks like Sabes got fucked.

2003-10-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Fonz
Two walks to Bonds, two doubles for Edgardo Alfonzo. Looks like the Fish are going to come up with another strategy.

2003-10-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

GO, CUBS, GO
by Steve Goodman

Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day.

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They're singing ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

We're singing now ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp you feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You're singing now ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Stolen from Christian's great Cub Reporter.

2003-09-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

On Second Thought
My first thought on seeing the scores from the first two games today (3-1 and 2-0), was, "Huh. Playoff games really are low scoring. It really is a different kind of baseball."
But then my second thought was, "Yeah, well no sh%$ the scores were low. Look who's pitching." Look at their ERAs this year. Beckett's is 3.04. Schmidt's is 2.34. Moose's is 3.40. And Santana's is 3.07. It shouldn't be that surprising.

2003-09-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

Intentionally Annoying
Bonds got IBB'd in the first inning of the Marlins/Giants game. I can already see the articles coming about how it's such a travesty that they take the bat out of his hands in the playoffs because the fans want to see him hit.
Cry me a river. Baseball is a team game, and that's why the key to the Giants' playoff hopes sits in the five hole. As long as they can't find someone to consistently hit behind Bonds, then they don't deserve to win it all.

2003-09-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

Stat of the Day
Opposing teams have stolen 32 bases off Kirk Reuter in his career. Only seven in the last three seasons.

2003-09-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Sweet
A collection of some of the pitchers working this postseason. Wow:

Mike Mussina
Roger Clemens
Davis Wells
Andy Pettite
Tim Hudson
Barry Zito
Pedro Martinez
Derek Lowe
Brad Radke
Johan Santana
Greg Maddux
Russ Ortiz
Jason Schmidt
Sidney Ponson
Kerry Wood
Mark Prior
Dontrelle Willis
Josh Beckett

2003-09-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Four Games for Glory
After last night's bullpen debacle at Great American Ballpark, the Cubs and Astros, two terrifically flawed teams, are tied with three to play. In actuality, it's tied with four to play, as I can't see either team dropping one of their remaining games against substandard opponents. That would set up a dramatic one game play-in tilt at Wrigley on Monday night. The Cubs this weekend line up with Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Kerry Wood, leaving (gulp) Shawn Estes to start on Monday night, although I guess the entire staff would be available. His opponent most likely would be Tim Redding. Bring it on!

2003-09-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Backwards Matchup
Everybody keeps saying that the Red Sox v the A's is a case of the Sox hitters v the A's pitchers, but they're all wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. If you start with the assumption that the Sox offense is awfully good and so is the A's pitching, you have to assume that the two are going to cancel each other out, to a certain extent. That leaves a matchup of the Sox pitching v the A's hitting.
And I have to say that with Pedro and Lowe hitting their stride lately, I think the Sox might have the upper hand - especially in a five game series.

2003-09-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a night
Leo Sayer's got nothing on the AL. That's right, a Leo Sayer reference, as in "Oh what a night/Late September back in 65." The scene is Shannon's, a raggety sports bar in North Beach with plenty of TVs and zero estrogen. The bartender's a big, one-eyed sloth wearing a Yankees cap. First we watch the Yankees clinch (do Jason Giambi's feet leave the ground when he runs?), which triggers zero reaction from the drooling, three-toed bartender. This also triggers the Twins clincher by way of the White Sox loss. Tom Kelly is in the stands, which I think is really weird until I remember that Ron Gardenhire is the Twins manager. Three beers down at this point.

As the Red Sox are eliminated from contention in the East, they let their game slip away ... momentarily. The Orioles put up two in the ninth to take a 5-2 lead, undoubtedly giving the Mariners -- just getting underway against the Angels -- a little pick me up. Which they need since they're fading faster than Justin Guarini. But wait! Jorge Julio is coming in to close! And he gives up a three-run home run to Todd Walker -- Todd Walker!! -- with two out. Someone yells "gascan!" at Julio, probably the Boston fan on the barstool perched about two feet away from the big screen TV. Extra innings. This is what we call "forseshadowing." Sharing a pitcher, so no idea how many beers down at this point. But at least we have a new bartender.

By this time the Main Event -- A's v. Rangers, for at least a share of the title (if not the whole thing if the Mariners lose) -- is well underway. Former phenom Rich "what have you done for me lately" Harden is pitching well, which he will continue to do as long as we continue to yell at him to keep the ball down. He can hear us in Texas, can't he? The Angels are beating the Mariners, but both games are tight contests. Then things get interesting: David Ortiz deposits one over the green monster, Red Sox win. Ortiz is mobbed at home and everyone turns to the Mariner's-A's games. This also means that the A's get the big screen now. Diggity. Another pitcher.

This is when things get elevated into baseball Nirvana. In my memory, which may or may not be accurate, both games enter the Ninth Inning at about the same time. The A's are tied; the Angels lead the Mariners by one. Ken Macha goes to the security blanket -- Keith Foulke -- to hold the game in check, while Scoscia (who managed the game for broke, by the way -- thank you Mike) brings in Troy Percival. Shockingly, Percival can't throw strikes. Even more shockingly, Foulke gives up a home run to the first batter. Then the Mariners score. Things went from very good to very bad very fast. Kinda like Tahoe. I'm worried about Foulke's propensity to do this in even games -- just like in the game started by Hudson and Maddux during interleague play. I should know. I was there. Chavy made the Foul Pop Catch of the Year, and Jermaine Dye won it in extra innings with what seems like his only home run of the year. This is also called "foreshadowing."

(Incidentally, the cool bartender put on A's radio so we could listen to Bill King instead of Greg Papa, who seemed more interested in calling the Mariners game. Papa was also calling Mariners play-by-play ahead of the satellite feed, which was annoying. Not that he needs any help in that department.)

Things are getting hazy here, but I remember chalking up an A's loss when the A's Ramon Hernandez got a hit, was subbed out for Chris Singleton (no comment) and Dye got down 1-2. The Mariners had the game in extra innings, had the momentum, had Ichiro, had the A's for three in Seattle this weekend. Ugh. But look! That's ball is headed toward the gap! Dye hit it! Look! It's rolling to the wall! Whoops of recognition start kicking in around the bar -- yeah! Yeah!! YEAH!!!
Extra innings! Both games are in extra innings!! At this point the bartender gave us -- not a free beer -- but a free PITCHER. Good bartender. Let's go Oakland.

I think we know what happened next. Adam Milhouse, er, Melhuese rolled one under a drawn in A-Rod. A's WIN! Salmon or Spezio or Glaus planted one. This all happens within about five minutes of each other, so Zito and Hudson watch the game on Diamondvision from the A's mound. Pandemonium regins in the bar, with high fives all around.

Then the A's fans notice they're celebrating with the Red Sox fans, who are caught up in the delirious baseball mojo. Things calm down. "Hey, we'll see you next week," we all say to each other, looking forward to the series and suddenly serious. "Yeah, see you next week."

I can't wait.

2003-09-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Postseason Prognosticator
With a full week to go in the season, it's time to give our picks of who's going, who's staying home, and who'll have a short stay in the playoffs.

Seattle Mariners
A disciplined, balanced team that can't seem to put it all together. Their best hitter has very little hamstring left and is over 40. Probably can't make the 2.5 gap with 6 to play.
Results: Watching playoffs on couch.

Philadelphia Phillies
Question: Does Larry Bowa help or hurt this team?
Answer: Yes
Results: Bowa has a half game lead with three to play. They lose three straight to the Braves. Wild Card: Marlins.

Houston Astros
Their resurgent starting staff has kept them ahead of the Cubs, until the Giants come to town.
Results: Lose to Milwaukee on the final day to choke up the division to the Cubs.

Oakland Athletics
Without Mulder, they aren't a lock to win the opening round.
Results: Lose to Red Sox in first round 3-2.

Minnesota Twins
The Anti-Yankees. One of the better defensive teams in the playoffs. Ok overall pitching, so-so offense. Another intriguing first round matchup.
Results: If you play the Yankees, bring pitching and lots of it. Unfortunately, the Twins don't have enough. Lose in first round to Yankees 3-2.

Florida Marlins
Team of the Future: Yes. Team of This Year? No.
Results: Lose 2-3 to Phillies this week, and then watch the Phillies meltdown against Atlanta over the weekend. Grist for the mill against the Giants. Will they win a game? Doubtful.

Atlanta Braves
Since 1993, the Braves are 10-8 in postseason series. That's impressive. A different approach this year: strong offense, solid starting, zero bullpen, fragile closer. If Smoltz can't pitch two innings of relief three times in a series, the Braves could be 10-9.
Results: Cox doesn't hand Russ Ortiz the ball when he pulls him in the 7th inning of NLDS game 5 against the Cubs, but it doesn't matter. Cubs score five runs on bullpen to knock out the Braves.

Boston Red Sox
If they don't melt down this week, we'll have the Moneyball Series. It'll be interesting to see how many pitches are taken. Of course, Boston has bullpen problems, too (sound familiar?).
Results: Up 3-1 in the ALCS, but can't hold a lead to you-know-who in three straight games.

Chicago Cubs
Great starting pitching. Serviceable bullpen. Improved offense. Decent defense. Bullshit schedule since September 4 puts them in a game above Houston.
Results: North Side euphoria dies in Pac Bell. Just the way Dusty would want it.

New York Yankees
Less than powerful bullpen and that defense (worst zone rating in the majors) but they have a lot of offense.
Results: The O powers them to game seven of the series, wehre four errors marks the loss to the Giants. Mt. Steinbrenner erupts.

San Francisco Giants
Interesting team. Ok offense, very good defensive club, nice starters and relief corps. Experienced. Great bench. Only question is if they will be ready and able to turn it up in the post season. Haven't played a meaningful game in a month.
Results: Overcomes NL Cy Young Eric Gagne's gagging up the All Star game by winning game seven in Yankee Stadium of all places.

2003-09-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

Ouch!!!!
Kerry Wood plunked Roger Cedeno in the first inning for his 21st hit batsmen of the year. While Wood has no chance of reaching Joe McGinnity's record of hitting 41 batters in the single season of 1900, he's got a good shot to equal Jake Weimer, who hit 23 batters for the Reds in 1903.

2003-09-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Pimpzilla
For this alone Hideki Matsui will win Rookie of the Year award.

2003-09-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Showdown 3.0
Last weekend the Cardinals for all intensive purposes got eliminated from postseason play as they got swept by the Astros.

The week before, the Cards dropped four of five to the Cubs to take a giant step backwards.

This week the Chicago White Sox sojourn to Minneapolis to face the Twins in a battle for first place. Tonight, Brad Radke takes on Esteban Loaiza, who is going for his 20th win and first place for the team. Tommorow it's Garland vs. Rogers, and Thursday it'll be Colon vs. Lohse.

The Sox have the lead in the season series nine games to seven, but if they don't win two of three or sweep, they'll be up against the wall. The Sox remaining 10 games are against KC and the Yankees. The Twins are at home for five against the Tigers and Indians and finish with four on the road at Coamerica.

Even if the Twins get swept, they still have a hell of a shot.

2003-09-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

June 23rd

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Jason Hoppin:

...I don't like the Giants chances because I don't like the Giants. I believe Paul now -- Felipe Alou is a lost old man to the point that it's just sad. So I'm picking the D-Backs. In fact I'd put money on it.

I'm no better, I picked the Dodgers in the West.

2003-09-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Seeing Red

If i were Matt Morris, I'd probably sneak past his managers office for a while. Morris says the Cardinals wouldn't mind the Astros winning the Central division. Speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

"I really have a respect for their players," Morris said of the Astros. "When we compete against them, the games are intense but they don't have that 'I want to kill you, I hate you' attitude. When it's over, it's easy to tip your hat to the other side.

"It's just the way they go about it and the way we go about it. There's professionalism involved."

This is obviously different than Morris feels about the Cubs. He is apparently still not very happy with Kerry Wood, who threw an up and in fastball when Morris had squared around to bunt last Tuesday, leading to the annual screaming match between Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker.

La Russa doesn't have the same level of respect for...anybody. He's pretty pissed at his own players and umpires as he was at Dusty. Apparently, the Cardinals manager was questioning Fernando Vina's lack of hustle on a bobbled groundball by Jeff Kent and was livid about Jerry Crawford's performance behind the plate in Saturday's loss. Crawford was suspended and fined for getting into it with former Cardinals bench coaches Dave Parker and Carey Lansford during the 1998 season, and now La Russa thinks that Crawford is sticking it to the team. According to Mike Matheny, Crawford was pushing the Cardinals catcher forward during breaking balls, making it difficult for the catcher to smother pitches in the dirt.

From the AP story:

"Umpires have their hands on you and that's not a big deal," Matheny said. "I was trying to make some catches on breaking balls and as the ball was coming in I was getting shoved forward." Matheny said he discussed the pushing with Crawford after the second inning.

"He seemed to take offense to it in the beginning," Matheny said. "We tried to talk about it the next inning and he didn't seem to think there was going to be any change."

Matheny said he was told by Crawford that he would have to get used to it "because that's exactly what he was going to keep doing."

Jerry, you might want to avoid La Russa for a while too.

2003-09-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

About a marriage
7th inning, Giants game. Video already of drunk singles spilling beer on each other. They show ... a marriage proposal. She says yes.

Krukow: "It was singles night here six innings ago. now he's slapping a ring on her. Gamer."

Hilarious.

2003-09-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Can Anyone Spare A Prospect?
The Expos start their second Puerto Rican homestand tonight. Of course, home depends on the way you define it. "I wish we had more games at home," manager Frank Robinson said when asked about the latest trip to the island. Home being Montreal, where they've averaged over 12,000 fans per home date this year. It's not Pac Bell Park or Dodger Stadium numbers, but it's a far cry from the 9,000 they drew per home date last season. The fact is this team is very solid and currently reside just on the outskirts of the Wild Card race, thanks to strong pitching and the return of Vladimir Guerrero.

Since September 1st is here, you'd expect the team to load up with minor league prospects and useful spare parts against teams like Florida and the Cubs. Not if you're on the Planet of the Expos. The team apparently can't add a Peter Bergeron (who had a solid season in Ottawa), or Terrmel Sledge (.322 avg, 22 HR in AAA). The team is in a pennant race, so why not add a couple guys? Well, apparently the Expos don't have the cash.

So not only do the Expos have another asinine road trip instead of a homestand against two contenders, they also must do it with less players than the Marlins and Cubs. At some point and time this fiasco of Major League Baseball "owning" a franchise must end.

2003-09-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Two words:

Go Cubs!!!!

2003-08-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Moneyball Backlash?

BP's David Cameron is puzzled (note: subscription necessary) why Angel's GM Bill Stoneman failed to renew the contract of scouting director Donny Rowland. Cameron looks at the 2000 draft and sees some high level flameouts (#1 Joe Torres) and a few intriguing arms (the aforementioned nut job Bobby Jenks). but Cameron also rates Rowland's 2001 draft as brilliant.

However, Rowland never shied away from high school players, and more importantly, the bane of Moneyball, high school pitchers. It could be that GMs like Stoneman are starting to call their scouting directors on the carpet and ask why, oh why, are we spending millions of dollars on high priced gambles. Torres, who the Angels gave a $2m+ bonus, has seen his velocity drop and now is working his way back, according to Cameron.

While a pure Moneyball-like strategy is probably not the way to go it's interesting to see how the big league clubs are responding, right or wrong.

2003-08-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Madame Clemens
"They should have left (my mom) on the mound.''
Roger, on giving up 9 runs in 4.2 innings after his mom threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

2003-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Angry Beavers
You have got to admit, the image of 19 guys chasing one foul-mouthed squishyball-throwing lout is pretty funny. What I want to know is how that guy could get caught. I'm sure he was wearing shoes. If you have sneakers on, you can easily make a bunch of guys on concrete with metal cleats look like the failures from the Ice Capades just by cutting repeatedly. Of course you'd probably have to be pretty hammered to get to the point where you are badgering USF's own Tagg Boized incessantly, then throwing something at him. So I guess even walking might have been as hard as running.

2003-08-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Parts Are Parts
Xavier Nady is a pure hitter. He could hit falling out of bed. Jason Bay has pure power potential. Give him 500 ABs in the bigs and he will get you 30 bombs, no doubt. Cory Stewart is a lefty who can throw 94 mph. This is his second season in the minors where he is throwing more strikeout than innings pitched. Oliver Perez is another lefty who shows signs of being a Kirk Reuter/Jamie Moyer type of pitcher with some seasoning.

None, alone or in total, equal up to Brian Giles. No way. No how.

2003-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm starting the Ron Hassey fanclub. Anyone in?

2003-08-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Jerk alert
Think Jeffrey Loria is reformed because his Marlins are in playoff contention and he's paying Mike Hampton to pitch for the Braves? Think again. Loria was at the Fish series against the Giants, according to a good friend of mine who is well-enough known in his chosen field (law) to get some very good Giants tickets whenever he wants. Instead of a nice box, Loria sat in the stands -- which normally I would congratulate him for.

But being Loria, the jerk told the ushers -- again, according to a reputable source -- that all the kids running down the aisles for foul balls "ruined the game for him." So on this night, there were no kids rushing for foul balls, because Jeffrey Loria wanted it that way.

"I thought about drinking a lot of beer and vomiting on his head," was how my friend put it, who was there with his son.

The scum also rises.

2003-08-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Barry
From the couch at my new apartment, I can vaugely make out the lights of Pacific Bell Park twinkling in the background. I had the better view of the Braves-Giants tilt last night on Fox Sports Net. Of course Barry had the best view. The one at home plate. With a 2-1 count. In the top of the 10th.

Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus (if you're not a subscriber, you should be) writes today that there's a 30 percent chance of Bonds hitting a home run this year with a two ball, one strike count. Sheehan also shows that Bonds, toiling in the worst hitters park in the league, hits significantly better at his home park than Todd Helton hits in Coors Field. And then there's this nugget. With an 0-2 count, Bonds is hitting .317 with a .404 on base and a .683 slugging. The major league average at 0-2 this year is .156/.167/.231. That's not domination. That's a legend.

2003-08-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Off The Scrap Heap
No team in the NL has been as active as the Cubs in trying to remake themselves, with all the emphasis on assemblying spare parts and nearly washed-up veterans to create a semblance of a major league offense. The scorecard.

Player: Randall Simon
Position: Left-handed first baseman
Role: Not the wurst choice, but certainly won't hot dog it. Relieves Karros against tough right handers (which should mean ALL right handers, but it won't). Will he fare any better than Big Choi? Doubtful.

Player: Tony Womack
Position: Weak-hitting middle infielder
Role: Traded for a 21-year-old, I mean 22-year-old, I mean 23-year-old (make up your mind) minor league reliever that you've never heard of and most likely never will. Will play second base until Grudzielanek's broken hand is healed and then find a nice comfy seat on the bench. Still better than Neifi Perez and Augie Ojeda.

Player: Armaris Rameriz
Position: Good-bat, no-glove third baseman
Role: At the plate -- Ole! It's a home run. In the field -- Ole! It's a double.

Player: Kenny Lofton
Position: Centerfielder
Role: Harsh on the Chicago media. Most despised player of his generation in the press box. San Francisco writers preferred the Barry Bonds 'you don't exist' treatment to Lofton's 'you're not a human being' act. During the Series last year Lofton was trying to warm up with Shawon Duston and urged him to throw a ball that would have pegged at least one working reporter. Duston (and any reasonable human being) opted not to, even moreso irritating Kenny.

Player: Doug Glanville
Position: Backup Centerfielder
Role: Gives Cubs Ivy Leauge dominance (Penn) along with Mike Remlinger (Dartmouth). Can't really think of anything else.

2003-08-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

I kid you not
The Giants lineup today:
J. Cruz RF
T. Linden LF
P. Feliz 1B
E. Alfonzo 3B
B. Santiago C
J. Hammonds CF
N. Perez 2B
C. Ransom SS

Their average output for each spot (not counting the pitcher) is a .254 avg and six home runs. Not exactly the Red Sox.

2003-08-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

I recommend that everyone immediately download the MP3 of Ozzy Osborne singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Sunday's Cubbies game. What you won't hear, though, is Vin Scully leaning over to give the Oz a sarcastic thumbs up. Oh my god it's funny.

2003-08-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

Livan large

Other than Marvin Bernard, Livan Hernandez is the least likely person I thought I'd ever blog about, but here I go. If you haven't noticed Livan has had a pretty solid year. And unless he's on your fantasy roster, you haven't noticed.

In 24 starts he's already matched his win total of last year- 12. So thus far he's given up 20 HRs and that means only one thing- he's actually throwing stirkes. He has only issued 39 walks this season, compared to 71 last year. He also has recorded 122Ks, 12 short of last year's total. His WHIP, ERA, and BAA are the lowest they've ever been. Hell if he hits the weights this offseason and gets his fastball back in the early 90s range, he could be again seen as a staff ace. And he's only 28. Oh, but it won't happen. He's too stubborn and besides we all know he plays golf in the offseason.

Oh yea could you imagine these three in the same rotation?

Jason Schmidt, Russ Ortiz, Livan Hernandez

That trio could win a team a pennant.

2003-08-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Guess who...

is not in the A's lineup today? I'll give you a hint, last night he went 0 for 4 with 3 Ks and left 7 on base.

2003-08-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mini-Pedro
When the fifth inning was over, Pedro had thrown more than 100 pitches. Hudson had thrown 54.

Huddy has a reputation as a giant-killer. He really gets up for the big games, so don't believe him when he says "I was pitching against their hitters, not Pedro." Hudson's liked beating Martinez ever since Giambi dubbed Huddy "mini-Pedro" during the 2000 stretch run.

This year he's added a 3/4 delivery to go with his standard over the top motion. It adds a little side to side movement to the dippers, which are already hard enough to hit. He even admitted last night it has to be close to the best that he's ever thrown.

One flyball went to each outfielder. Nothing else left the infield, not even the two hits. Those were erased on double plays, too. Throw in a walk. 28 batters faced. Amazing.

The Yankees have absolutely the best approach against Hudson. They take and take and take. Doesn't seem like the Sox were doing that, but in truth that approach has been less effective this year. Hudson's been able to throw humpback sinkers at the knees, almost at will.

Now the Sox throw out John Burkett, the five-plus ERA Derek (Not so) Lowe and Tim Wakefield, and you see why game one was big. Now we'll see if Zito can put it together tonight....

2003-08-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Untouchable
I was at the A's game last night and good god Huddy was amazing. It took him, what, 93 pitches to dispatch the Sox, who you might have noticed are no slouches at the plate this year. It got so bad that perennial nice-guy Johnny Damon came out with the most half-assed disparaging quote ever, mumbling that Hudson "pitched a great game, almost like the ball was scuffed up."
It's like Damon wanted to say something mean but his heart just wasn't in it, most likely owing to the fact that the whole team got schooled.

2003-08-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

On Hiatus
I'm working on a longer feature-type story, so won't be blogging this week about the amazing races in the Central Divsions (can anyone stop the White Sox in the AL and does anyone want it in the NL?) or the AL four team scrum for three spots.

2003-08-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

So That's What That Means
From Joe Morgan's column on espn.com handicapping the pennant races:
I believe the Marlins have the best overall personnel. While that doesn't mean they'll win, they do have an edge in talent.

2003-08-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Lastings Effect
Let me get this straight: The Mets have decided to stop negotiating with first round pick, Lastings Milledge.

Why, you might ask?

Well, the official line is that there have been allegations that Milledge, while a 16-year-old, had sexual relations with girls as young as 12 years old. These allegations were fairly well documented before this year’s draft and he dropped from a sure fire first three pick to number 12. Milledge was not charged with a crime, mind you. But there was an investigation when he was 16.

Now it's come out that he apparently had sex with his girlfriend, who was 15 at the time. The Mets clearly are shocked, just shocked, by this amazing revelation and now are vigorously investigating the case. After all Fred Wilpon has stated that Met players must be of the highest character.

By the way, the Mets just so happen to be the organization of Steve Phillips, the former general manager who admitted he was a "sex addict." He allegedly diddled his secretary then later fired her for unspecified, but very suspicious reasons. Yet Philips wasn't fired for this offense. He was fired for trading for Mo Vaughn and Robbie Alomar.

Look, having sex with a minor is a nasty crime and if Milledge was guilty of an offense, then yes, he should have been punished to the fullest extent of the law. Yet the law took a pass. The Mets stance smells more like a public relations ploy (and maybe even a negotiation point) than a plea for justice.

2003-08-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

Is anyone watching this?
This White Sox/Royals scrum for firs

2003-08-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

Black or White?

Brian Roberts?
Warren Morris?
Brian Buchanon?
Jimmy Gobble?
Shane Loux?
Craig Monroe?

2003-08-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Ryan Jensen
Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I just thought I'd throw that out there.

2003-08-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sabes
I know Billy Beane. Billy Beane is a god of mine. You, Sabes, are no Billy Beane. Giants gave up way too much to rent an unproven pitcher like Sir Sidney.

2003-08-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Why, cause he's fat?
"He's a real imposing figure out there on the mound." - Felipe Alou on Sidney Ponson.

I'm saying Brian Sabean got taken by the Orioles. Ponson's a rent-a-pitcher who you don't really need except for that cliche "veteran arm in the post-season" -- which doesn't even apply here, since Ponson's 26 and has never pitched in the post-season. He gave up two middle-of-the-rotation-guys (maybe better in Ainsworth) and a pretty good prospect. I'm saying he saw Kirk Rueter walk off the bullpen mound and hit the panic button. Yeah, that was ugly.

As further proof that the public's an ass, I offer you the results of ESPN's online poll: "Which deal will have the bigger impact on the pennant race?" Sidney Ponson topped the list easily, but I'd offer this little nugget -- THE GIANT'S AREN'T IN A DAMN PENNANT RACE. THEY'RE 12 GAMES UP FOR CHRIST SAKES!!!!

There, that feels better.

2003-07-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

Would anybody else be interested in Texas Hold-Em on Pay-per-View between Epstein and Cashman? That was crazy.

2003-07-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

Insurance
I think what really bugs me about the Suppan deal is that the Sox end up with Suppan and Lyon, neither of whom are going to see significant playing time come the playoffs, in exchange for Sanchez, who looked to be a legit 2B or SS for the next few years at a bargain price. So that boils down to losing Sanchez in exchange for some supposed playoff insurance. I don't like it.

All the other trades the Sox have made recently have been from a position of strength. This one smells vaguely like a "THIS IS THE YEAR" kind of trade where you hock off all your valuables for once shot.

2003-07-31T13:35:00.001-07:00

Giant Move
The Giants paid a high price, but apparently got what they believe they needed in Sidney Ponson, a shut down right handed starter. In essence, they traded Kurt Ainsworth and Russ Ortiz for Ponson.

It's not Javier Vazquez, but it'll do. The Giants rotation now looks set with Schmidt, Reuter, Ponson, Williams and Foppert. Beats the hell out of Damian Moss and Jim Brower, who got knocked around by the Cubs today.
Update: Reuter was a late scratch in the game today, probably putting more pressure of Brian Sabean to make a deal.

2003-07-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

Ping Pong
Sheesh, think Brandon Lyon is happy to be back in Boston after his ever-so-brief DL stint in Pittsburgh? In the end, after much back and forth, it seems the Sox got Suppan and Sauerbeck for Sanchez. I rather liked Sanchez. I rather think Suppan is pitching better than he is lately. Others are saying it was a good deal, but I'm not so sure.

2003-07-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Genius, Thy Name Is...
...Theo Epstein
Slugging Sox
From Rags to Riches: The story of Theo and his bullpen
Boston believing in new Theo-logy

2003-07-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Moneybawl
There has been talk that Billy Beane isn't getting the trades he wants as payback for the way he belittled general managers in Moneyball. Beane found a way to get around that by trading with someone who wasn't a GM during the timespan the book was written. He pulled the trigger with Reds COO John Allen to get Jose Guillen for Aaron Harang, closer-in-waiting Joe Valentine, and former Stanford Cardinal standout, Jeff Bruksch. All the talk about GM payback seems a bit silly. By next year, nobody will remember Moneyball. And the real reason Beane didn't get Brian Giles is because the A's can't take on any payroll in the form of Jason Kendall.

2003-07-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Yahtzee!!
Milton Bradley just got called out on a no-question strike from Mark Mulder. He then threw his bat and his helmet at Bruce Froemming, who doesn't really look like he'll take it from anyone. Then Bradey did a gangsta stare down at Froemming from the dugout before leaving. The news ... Bradley actually kept his batting gloves on. What a punk. Didn't get enough love from mommy, I guess.

2003-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

How Exactly Do You Do That?
The Colorado Rockies have the second best home record in baseball. They also own the worst road record in the National League, and only trail the Devil Rays and Tigers for worst road record in the majors. Are they changing teams when they go on the road?

2003-07-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

A's say have you seen my wig around
I have no idea what that title means. Blame it on Perry.

Remember the Sporting News? They still write articles, apparently Here's one on the A's. I think it is saying the A's suck, except for their pitching. I've never read that before.

2003-07-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Biological Clocks
With Joe Torre saying that he thinks the AL East is going to be decided by who pitches better, the Sox or the Yankees, I can't help but think the Sox might actually win out. Not because their starting pitching is better - it clearly isn't - but because the Yankees starting pitchers are all getting old. David Wells was experiencing that old familiar back pain after his last start, apparently.

2003-07-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

It's Gotta Be the Jockstrap
Did anyone see the Royal's game highlights? What exactly did Jose Lima have in his pants?

He has got to be the most symbolic piece of the Royals' amazing run this year. Talk about pulling someone off the trash heap.

2003-07-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Take My Contract, Please.
If I were the Pirates, I'd hold onto and build around Brian Giles. But Dave Littlefield must believe trading him is the only way they're going to get rid of Jason Kendall. They almost got a sucker, eh, uh, I mean taker, for both earlier this month when the Padres were ready to part with a bevy of prospects to close the deal. Among the rumored were Josh Barfield and Khalil Greene, who has performed at every minor league level and appears ready for the big leagues. (So, naturally, the Padres are going to pursue a top-notch shortstop free agent this fall--did somebody say Tejada?)

Towers probably was drooling with the thought of featuring a lineup that included Phil Nevin, Ryan Klesko, Giles and Miggy. Add senior leadership like Trevor Hoffman and Jason Kendall, and blooming talent like Sean Burroughs, you'll have a team that can score a lot of runs. Pitching? Mmm, not so much. Towers has said that he'll have another $20m in revenue to play with next year. He apparently opted to not spend it all on Giles and Kendall.

The Pirates? They still need to get rid of money. Nothing is more ominous than Kendall's contract. He signed a six year deal in November of 2000 that is heavily loaded in the final three years. Next year his salary is a fairly overprcied $8m, but the Pirates will be on the hook for $34 million in the final three. This is for a guy who's slugging percentage is under .400, third worst amongst qualifying major league catchers.

Knowing the way Beane works, he probably had worked out a deal with the Pirates for Giles and was trying like hell to make it a three way, trying to sucker, eh, uh, i mean intice someone into taking Kendall and perhaps a top prospect. He found no takers. As it should be.

2003-07-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

Billy Beane, (Not A) Pirates Fan
Beane was on KFRC this morning and the subject got around to trades. He's definitely changed his tune since the "We just need people to start hitting" days. He was grousing that the market sucks and people are trying to package a decent player with one who has a heavy contract. Since the Cubs took the bait, we all know who he's talking about: Brian Giles and Jason Kendall.

Fine. So we won't get Giles. Or Giles comes down to the deadline while the Buccos and other teams play chicken with Jason Kendall's contract. Kendall's not a bad player. And Giles is even better. But this brings up another point. I'm concerned that the Pirates are taking this rebuilding thing waaaaay too seriously. Like Jeffrey Loria seriously.

Beane took over the A's in 1996. In 1997, he brought in Jose Canseco for a year (yes he did). In 1998, it was Rickey Henderson (yes he did), the biggest star on a team that traded McGwire the previous year (Giambi was still Christopher Moltesanti at this point, not Tony Soprano). There's always been one guy the fans recognized or, at least, the players did. Without it you're the Devil Rays. JP Ricciardi had Carlos Delgado (and much more now). Who do the Pirates have that can be that guy? If they deal Giles and Kendall, they can't beat the the Toledo Mudhens. I mean, you can take this thing too far, can't you?

2003-07-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Bobby Hill
Jason may be right after all. Turns out the PTBNL in the Pirates dump could include Bobby Hill.