Author: DonS

My Dad took me (age 9) to my first Major League game on this date. Pirates – Cubs at Wrigley. A little over 8,000 in attendance. The Upper Deck was closed during the week in those days.

Pirates won 8-2. Hank Foiles took Marcelino Solis deep for the only home run. When the ball was hit, my Dad quietly observed, “There it goes.” I don’t know whether he meant the ball or the game.

George Witt got the win and Vern Law pitched the final 3 innings for one of his few career saves.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will sit out the post-season, for the first time in three years. After going 95-67 in 2005, the Halo’s ended up 89-73 for 2006.

My view of “The Why,” as Leo Kilfoy says:

1) The absence of Bartolo Colon. In 2005, Bartolo won 21 games and the A.L. Cy Young Award. In 2006, he had 10 semi-injured starts and finished with a 1-5 record.
2) Signing Jeff Weaver to replace Jarrod Washburn, who went to Seattle as a free agent. I wish the Angels had listened to Teddy Ballgame, concerning the probable success of THAT move.
3) Team Defense. The Angels were last in team defense, and first in errors, in the A.L. When you’re trying to win low-scoring games on pitching, defense and speed, that is tough to overcome. Some teams can slug their way past these problems; the Halo’s are not ONE of those teams, IMO.

Dealing with 1) and 2) together.

2005 rotation was 1) a healthy Bartolo, 2) Washburn, 3) Square-Head (Paul Byrd, it’s a term of endearment), 4) John Lackey and 5) Ervin Santana.

2006 rotation was 1) John Lackey, 2) Kelvim Escobar, 3) a non-healthy Bartolo, rescued by Jared Weaver, 4) Jeff Weaver, replaced by Joe Saunders, and 5) Ervin Santana,

By the numbers:

2005: 1) 21-8, 3.48, 2) 8-8, 3.20, 3) 12-11, 3.74, 4) 14-5, 3.44, and 5) 12-8, 4.65.

2006: 1) 13-11, 3.56, 2) 11-14, 3.61, 3) 13-7, 3.36, 4) 10-13, 5.59, and 5) 16-8, 4.28.

The 2005 Rotation was 67-40. The 2006 Rotation was 63-53.

For what it’s worth, Paul Byrd went 10-9, 4.88 for Cleveland, and Washburn was 8-14, 4.67 for the Mariners. Jeff Weaver was 3-10, 6.29 in his 16 Angel starts.

Dealing with the Defense: In 2005, I thought the Angels were above average at every position except third base and “whatever position Figgins was playing.” So if Figgins was playing 3B that day, they were above average at 7 of the 8 positions. In 2006, I worried whenever the ball was hit to anybody except Orlando Cabrera. And even Orlando’s error total went from 7 to 16. Figgins at 3B fielded an unbelievable .878.

Since I don’t think there are any defensive statistics that tell the tale, let’s compare the people at each defensive position, 2005 to 2006.

C: Bengie and Jose Molina – Jose Molina and Mike Napoli.
1B: Darin Erstad – Kendry Morales, Howie Kendrick, Rob Quinlan.
2B: Adam Kennedy – Kennedy and Kendrick,
SS: Orlando Cabrera.
3B: Dallas McPherson and Chone Figgins – Maicer Izturis and Figgins.
OF: Garret Anderson, Steve Finley, Vladimir – Garret, Figgins and Juan Rivera, Vladimir. No comment necessary, right?

Granted, a dip from 95 wins to 89 isn’t exactly “falling off the cliff,” but I think these 3 factors were most indicative of the 2006 failings.

What do others think?

Despite rumors involving Alfonzo Soriano and Miguel Tejada, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim stood pat as the July 31 trade deadline came and went.

My reactions:

Overview of 2006, to date: The Angels are last in the AL in fielding %–age, and first in errors. As long as that
continues, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are going to have a tough time finishing much over .500. I wonder if
adding a bat would be “attacking the wrong problem.” While there are teams that hit better than the Angels (lots of them), the Halos win with pitching and defense — and a highly productive farm system. I’m comfortable with that.

The Angels present roster has 15 farm system products, 7 free agents and only 3 guys they traded for. They got Adam Kennedy for Jim Edmonds (maybe THAT will make you swear off trading) and got Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera for Jose Guillen ( a better deal). Each of those two trades was getting rid of a bad attitude and, in Edmonds’ case, losing a clubhouse problem. Point being: The Angels don’t trade much. So the lack of a deal is not a shock.

Despite what I said earlier about “attacking the wrong problem,” I’d take that Soriano of Washington. He can play whatever position he WANTS to play. Maybe I’ll feel different tomorrow, but he looks pretty good after about EIGHT Frosty Old Style’s. If Alfonzo Soriano would agree to a long-term deal, that would be enticing. But I prefer to pursue it over the winter, not now.

Nick T says: “…the Angels were smart to walk away from Tejada. Why spend the price of a top SS, only to play him at 3B? They wouldn’t make it without Santana.” and “…they send out a good pitcher every night, so they have a good chance to win. I think they’ll win the division.”

About Tejada: I agree 100% (word-for-word) on Miguel Tejada. He’s a great player and would fit right into the Angels’ lineup. But he doesn’t want to play 3B. So, for ME, that settles it. I’m not sold on swapping pitching to begin with and Ervin Santana is my favorite Angel pitcher to watch. But all of that is secondary. If Tejada doesn’t want to play 3B, that ends the discussion. I’m glad Bill Stoneman agreed.

About the division: I don’t think the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will win the division. As I said previously, the Angels are last in the AL in fielding percentage and first in errors. I say Oakland wins the division. I hope to “stand corrected.”

In conclusion (finally, right?): I’m glad they didn’t swap Howie Kendrick. I’m glad they didn’t swap Brandon Wood. I’m glad they didn’t swap Ervin Santana. And I’m glad they didn’t swap Kendry Morales.

What do others think?

DonS.

Ramblings:

The Kansas City Royals just completed a particularly inept series (even for THEM). KC scored ONE run in the 3-game series. In two of the three games, Kansas City got only one hit against the opposing starter.

This season, the Royals are 2-12. No Royal starting pitcher has won a game. They have currently lost ten in a row, and NONE of their losses this season are one-run losses. They can’t even stay in the games.

Royal wins: One of their wins was a “Slow Pitch Softball”-type game, where the opposing starter pitched poorly enough to get removed early, both bullpens were bad, and the ROYALS had “last bats.” In their other win, they managed to overcome 6 walks and a wild pitch to win, 4-3, using 5 pitchers in the process. In 2 1/2 weeks, the Royals have not won ONE game in which they played well and earned the win. In my estimation, they don’t have ONE Major League pitcher. And, lately, they keep getting one hit.

Think about this: If the Royals were disbanded and all of their players were made free agents, is there anybody who would catch on as a a major league regular on another team? Mike Sweeney, definitely, if healthy. Mark G, probably. Matt Stairs might platoon if the team he joins is weak enough. Anyone else? No one comes to mind.

I’m sure that these are nice kids; major league players, they are NOT.

Is the Mets’ loss record (40-120) in danger?

The Money Question: How many years must this go on before MLB throws the Kansas City Royals out of the Major Leagues. This team is getting WORSE every year, and it’s obvious to me that they aren’t even trying.

Clarification: The PLAYERS are trying, but the ORGAN-I-ZATION is not trying.

Here’s Another Thing: Lesser players are sent to the minor leagues all the time, replaced by guys who might be better. Why can’t the same thing happen to complete teams with bad ownership? Why can’t major league TEAMS be sent to the minors, replaced by owners and players who might be better?

As an aside: The reason The Boss is against the luxury tax is because bad owners don’t put the money back into their teams. The money goes into the owners’ pockets, because the owners are NOT TRYING TO WIN. The team is a “Money Machine” to these guys, and the lower the salaries are, the more money they make.

Another point: Would the value of minor league franchises skyrocket if potential buyers knew, “If we run our Organ-I-zation well enough, we might get promoted to the big leagues?” Would that be good for baseball?

Something to think about?

DonS.

The Zealot’s “5 Young Pitchers” article put me in a contemplative mood.

When I first became a baseball fan (1959, age 10), the CUBS had 5 Young Pitchers. These guys were the envy of baseball, at least among the scouting world. They portended a bright future for the Cubs. They were:

1. Glen Hobbie. Age 23. Southern Illinois Boy. While my definition of “downstate” is “anything south of 127th Street,” Hobbie was from “real Southern Illinois:” South of Springfield. In 1958, he had gone 10-6 with an ERA of 3.76. In 1959 and 1960, he won 16 games each season. Unfortunately, those 32 wins were accompanied by 33 losses, 20 in 1960. And that was the high-water mark. He had 42 of his 62 major league wins before his 25th Birthday: 42-39 before Age 25 and 20-42 thereafter. The Cubs swapped him to the Cardinals in June, 1964, for aging Lew Burdette. That turned out to be “not the worst trade the Cubs made with the Cardinals that month.” In 1961, I was at Wrigley Field when Glen Hobbie hit two home runs in his first two at bats. He sacrifice bunted his third time up and, in the seventh inning, the Cubs pinch-hit for him. I didn’t understand that at age 12; I’m not sure I understand it NOW. Glen Hobbie’s final major league total was 62-81.

2. Bob Anderson. Age 23. East Chicago, Indiana. In 1959, Anderson went 12-13 at Age 23. That was his best year. He won 24 games before Age 25, 12 games after that age. After 1962, the Cubs traded him to Detroit for Steve Boros. The Tigers used him out of the pen for one year, then included him in the trade that sent Rocky Colavito to Kansas City. My memory is that Anderson took one look at Charlie Finley’s organization (Charlie O was still in the learning phase of running a baseball team. Remember the “Pennant Porch?”) and promptly retired. True or not, he never pitched in the major leagues after leaving Detroit. Bob Anderson’s final major league total was 36-46.

3. Dick Drott. Age 22. Cincinnati Kid. He was 15-11 with a last-place team in 1957 (Age 20), and won 7 more (losing 11) in 1958. He won 22 games before Age 23, FIVE afterward. The Cubs did not protect Drott from the expansion draft following the 1961 season. He was drafted by the Houston Colt .45’s, and pitched two years for them. It has been stated that the turning point of Dick Drott’s career was the day he turned 21. Drott REALLY liked the bars on Clark Street. According to reports: About twice a year, John Holland (Cubs GM) would get a late night call from the Addison Street Lockup (Chicago Police Station, Addison and Halsted). The officer would say, “Hello, John. We’ve got your Pitcher again.” Holland never had to ask, “Which Pitcher?” He simply replied, “I’ll be right over.” It was reported that he had a sore arm, but rumor was that he was constantly “drying out.” Dick Drott was dead before Age 40. For some reason, I have the idea that Teddy Ballgame knew Dick Drott. But he might have instead known Ryne Duren, who had many of the same habits. Dick Drott’s final major league total was 27-46.

4. Moe Drabowsky. Age 23. Ozanna, Poland. He was 13-15 with the last-place 1957 team. Drott and Drabowsky were 28-26 for the Cubs in 1957; the rest of the staff was 34-66. His three years with the Cubs after 1957, he was 17-21, and probably led baseball in “not getting out of the second inning” in that time-period. Following the 1960 season, the Cubs swapped him and Seth Morehead (now, there’s another story) to the Braves for Andre Rodgers, a shortstop who hit OK but made too many errors. When Drabowsky was with the Cubs, he beat the Pirates regularly, but had less success against other clubs. Drabowsky actually had a decent “second career” as a somewhat above average relief pitcher, first with the Baltimore Orioles, then with the expansion Kansas City Royals. And, of course, he had the one spectacular World Series game. Moe Drabowsky’s final major league total was 88-105. 43-73 as a starter, but 45-32 with 55 saves in relief.

5. Dick Ellsworth. Age 19. Wyoming. Dick Ellsworth actually came up in mid-1960 at Age 20. But, in 1959, he shut out the eventual pennant-winning White Sox in the Boys’ Benefit Game. He lost 20 in 1962, then won 22 in 1963. His final season with the Cubs was 1966, when he lost 22 games for first-year Cub manager Leo Durocher. Leo wasn’t known for his patience, and following that season, he told the Cubs, “You might as well get whatever you can for Ellsworth, because I’m not going to use him any more.” “Whatever” turned out to be Ray Culp, who had a sore arm. Ellsworth ended up 84-109 in seven seasons (1960-1966) with the Cubs. 62-99 if you don’t count the 22 win season. Ellsworth was traded to Boston a year later, then bounced around through the early-‘70’s. He was involved in the trade where the Red Sox dumped Ken Harrelson on the Indians: The Hawk had gotten “too weird.” Boston’s words, not mine. Ellsworth finished his career with GO BREWERS GO. Dick Ellsworth’s final major league total was 115-137.

Fact: I wanted Paul Konerko on the Angels. There are several others that I want just as much, but I wanted Paul. Call it “Revenge for Doug Eddings” if you want. But the bottom line is that the Angels will get somebody with a Big Bat for the middle of the lineup, because they have money and that’s what they want.

Paul Konerko is a Big Boy now. I assume he can read a contract. If not, I hope that he has an agent who can explain it to him. I hope he and his agent know who they are dealing with, and have read EVERY WORD, EVERY PHRASE. Particularly dealing with THAT owner and THAT Organ-I-Zation. Stop reading after every sentence and ask: How can the White Sox use that sentence against me in three years? Pay particular attention to phrases like “buyout option,” “team option,” “diminished skills” and “negotiable in the future.”

Paul says he wants to finish his career with the White Sox. Well, I want General Motors to build a new Firebird in 2006 so that I can buy it. Guess What. It’s not going to happen. Has any of their best players ever finished his career with the White Sox? Robin Ventura? Ray Durham? Jack McDowell? Alex Fernandez? Bobby Thigpen? Albert Belle? Magglio Ordonez? Rich Dotson? Tom Seaver? NONE OF THEM. Harold Baines. But the Sox dumped him earlier, so I don’t think he is a “counterpoint argument.” Carlton Fisk also did, but under circumstances that were so contentious that for TEN YEARS, he refused to show up at The Cell. Plus, the way they are now treating Frank Thomas — and have treated him for most of this decade — odds are that he won’t finish with the Sox either.

What makes Paul think that he is going to be different? The White Sox have a team history of throwing guys out like last night’s chicken bones when “the skills begin to diminish.” I didn’t coin that phrase, by the way. Or when they don’t feel like signing the paychecks. Is he gambling that he’ll have five great years and not start to break down until this contract is fulfilled?

And when (“if and when,” I guess) this thing goes South, everybody is going to side with The Chairman and his poodle GM. Nobody takes the side of a $60,000,000 ballplayer in the PR wars. Look again at the Big Hurt Example. I think Paul should have asked himself, “If they treat the best hitter they’ve ever had that way, how am I going to be treated when I lose a step.”

I wish him the best, but I think he made a mistake. Time will tell, as it always does.

If Paul Konerko wanted loyalty, he should have bought a dog.

“I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt.” — The Pride of Nashville, Tennessee.

Actually, for me, it was Saturday morning after a Friday night at The Cell in Chicago. In the company of half of our fantasy league and other serious degenerates.

Having nothing to do the rest of the weekend, I drove up to Minneapolis to see the Mariners and the Twins. Almost exactly 400 miles. Games were Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. This was my first trip to the MetroDome, and my first “inside baseball,” other than when the roof is closed at Miller Park. I have now been to 20 major league parks. Only 10 of them are still open.

Saturday night’s game featured young Felix Hernandez. This kid is going to be pretty good. He hit 97 on the gun, and his change-up was a consistent 82. The Twins had 5 singles in 8 innings. Two were infield hits. One walk.

The Handsome Man hit two LONG home runs, one a Grand Slam in the 10th inning, as the Mariners posted an 8-3 win.

The Twins came alive to take the Sunday game.

Saturday night, they honored the 1965 Twins, who lost to the Dodgers in the World Series. The only living Twin who was a “no-show” was Jimmie Hall. I think I remember reading years ago that he never forgave the Twins for trading him to the Angels for Dean Chance. Mudcat Grant and Jim Kaat said a few words. Earl Battey, Bob Allison and Zoilo Versalles are no longer with us; I think everyone else was there. Some on crutches, one in a wheel chair, but they all looked GREAT to me. At my age, I get emotional at settings like that. I was in high school in 1965; what an avalanche of memories for me. Worth the trip.

Quick Trivia Question: Who is the only man in Twins history who was a Twins PLAYER, a Twins MANAGER and a Twins RADIO COLOR MAN? Answer later.

Olerud update: First baseman John Olerud played in his first extended Spring Training game on Saturday and went 3-for-4. Because he’s been nursing a tweaked hamstring, Olerud was instructed not to run at full speed. Instead, he ran nine 40-yard sprints.

Tito Francona’s kid (Terry Francona, Red Sox manager) said the club has no specific timetable on when Olerud will be activated, or, for that matter, depart Fort Myers, Fla.

“When he leaves Florida, we want to make sure he’s ready to play and not limping, and not beat up,” Francona said. “They’re keeping a pretty close eye on him.”

John Olerud has never played in the minor leagues.

Is there any player presently in the major leagues who has never played in the minors? I can’t think of one. Any help?