July, 2006 | The Baseball Zealot

USPS OFFERS NEW BASEBALL STAMPS

Roy Campanella .276, 242 HRs, 856 RBIs
Hank Greenberg .313, 331 HRs, 1,276 RBIs
Mickey Mantle .298, 536 HRs, 1,509 RBIs
Mel Ott .304, 511 HRs, 1,860 RBIs
I just got my Baseball Sluggers stamps at the local Post Office in King, WI. I ordered them ahead and picked them up when I picked up my Superhero stamps. But getting back to baseball, and sluggers, these hitters were pure hitters – no juiced balls or players in their eras. Roy Campanella’s career was tragically cut short due to a car accident, best year 1953 .312, 41 HRs, 142 RBIs, fantastic defensive catcher. Hank Greenberg lost four years due to World War II, best year 1937 .337, 40 HRs, 183 RBIs, 170 & 183 RBIs in back to back full seasons. Mickey Mantle, followed Joe DiMaggio as Yankee centerfielder, best year 1956 .353 52 HRs, 130 RBIs, 132 runs, could do it all, & switch hit. Mel Ott, lefthanded power hitter in the Polo Grounds, used leg kick to generate power, similar to Sadaharu Oh, best year 1929 .328, 42 HRs, 151 RBIs, 138 runs, still remember his spinner disk from Cadaco’s All Star Baseball Game (he had an amazing home run spot). These stamps bring these great players from the past back to life.

MLB.TV Mosaic Player Tracker is working… or is it?

According to MLB.TV Mosaic’s web log, the latest update enables Player Tracker, something they have been touting for a while. Put simply, Player Tracker allows you to enter a list of players you wish to follow. Whenever any of your players is making an appearance in a game (either at the plate or in the … Continue reading “MLB.TV Mosaic Player Tracker is working… or is it?”

According to MLB.TV Mosaic’s web log, the latest update enables Player Tracker, something they have been touting for a while.

Put simply, Player Tracker allows you to enter a list of players you wish to follow. Whenever any of your players is making an appearance in a game (either at the plate or in the mound), Mosaic will alert you at the bottom of the screen. If you want, you can click on the alert and it will take you directly to the game.

Thing is, I haven’t gotten it to work yet. When I click Update, it spits back a strange code (Player &r2=&r) which I assume is some sort of code variable.

I’m curious if there is anyone out who has gotten this feature to work. If so, drop a comment.

ROOKIE WATCH – JON LESTER

While granted Jon Lester wasn’t facing the 1927 New York Yankees in his latest performance (one-hitting the Kansas City Royals over eight innings, 1-0 Win), it’s hard to ignore what he’s done in the bigs thus far. Lester was a 2nd round draft choice in 2002, drafted out of Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington, he had a scholarship to ASU, but gave that up for a million dollar signing bonus with the Red Sox. Jon doesn’t throw hard and isn’t overpowering, but that doesn’t mean he can’t dominate the game. He threw six strong innings against the White Sox at the Cell on July 7th enabling the Red Sox to win 7-2. In eight starts Lester has a 5-0 mark with a nifty 2.38 ERA, he’s a big reason Boston is in 1st place in the AL East. Besides beating the White Sox & the Royals Jon has wins over the Braves, the Nationals, and the Mets (three NL teams). Wisdom says it’s tough to be a successful lefty in Boston with the Green Monster looming just over the shortstop’s shoulder at Fenway, but what does wisdom know anyway? Jon Lester’s fastball reaches the low 90s, he also features a cutter, a change, & a curve. Reminds me of the Spaceman, Bill Lee.

HARDY OUT, HALL IN

J.J. Hardy has a tendon injury that will put him on the shelf for the rest of the year. One door closes, another one opens, Bill Hall will assume the role of starting SS for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Hardy is a smooth fielding shortstop, who is a hard worker, and came up along with Rickie Weeks & Prince Fielder as Milwaukee’s future. Hall was given a shot at the starting shortstop job, but was soon bypassed by Hardy when Billy proved to be inconsistent. Although Hall has been slumping lately, he already has 18 home runs, and has made spectacular plays in the field, along with a few miscues here & there. It looks like the Brewers have found their shortstop of the future in Bill Hall.

7/18: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – ANDRUW JONES

Andruw Jones wasn’t good enough to play in the All Star game, in a game that counts, but he was certainly good enough to earn Linescore of the Day for his work in last night’s game against the Cardinals. Andruw launched two homers, ripped a double, drove in six, and scored twice, all this plus … Continue reading “7/18: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – ANDRUW JONES”

Andruw Jones wasn’t good enough to play in the All Star game, in a game that counts, but he was certainly good enough to earn Linescore of the Day for his work in last night’s game against the Cardinals. Andruw launched two homers, ripped a double, drove in six, and scored twice, all this plus he’s the greatest defensive centerfielder in the history of the game. Jones is the best player in the game today, period. And for him not to even get into the All Star game was an injustice.

Andruw Jones 5 for 5, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 runs

BRIAN ANDERSON: ABOVE THE MENDOZA LINE

In last night’s 7-1 White Sox win over Detroit, Chicago rookie centerfielder Brian Anderson brought his batting average over the Mendoza Line. Mario Mendoza was a light hitting shortstop who struggled to hit .200, although his lifetime batting average is .215. The Sox starting centerfield job was handed to Anderson when Aaron Rowand was traded in the offseason to Philadelphia in exchange for DH Jim Thome. I have been outspoken in my desire to have Chicago see if they can trade for a centerfielder. It has been frustrating watching Anderson struggle at the major league level, especially in a hotly contested playoff race. Last night’s win put the Pale Hose on the Tigers tail, just 3 1/2 games out of first in the AL Central. Now that Brian is FINALLY over the .200 mark (.201), maybe he can take it from there.

LET’S GO BRIAN ANDERSON!!! LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!

PITCHING MATCHUP OF ALLTIME

Greg Maddux Roger Clemens In this day of over hype, sometimes REAL stories slip through the cracks. Unbelievably I find myself 200 miles north of Chicago, when my home is only two miles from Wrigley Field. Tonite Roger Clemens (342-175) of the Hoston Astros will take on Greg Maddux (325-199) and the Chicago Cubs. Maddux … Continue reading “PITCHING MATCHUP OF ALLTIME”

Greg Maddux

Roger Clemens

In this day of over hype, sometimes REAL stories slip through the cracks. Unbelievably I find myself 200 miles north of Chicago, when my home is only two miles from Wrigley Field. Tonite Roger Clemens (342-175) of the Hoston Astros will take on Greg Maddux (325-199) and the Chicago Cubs. Maddux earned his 306th career win over Clemens, who had 329 victories at the time, with a 3-2 win on April 29, 2005. It was the first time since Tim Keefe and Jim Gavin pitched against each other on July 21, 1892 that two 300-game winners met in the National League. This may be the last time two three hundred game winners ever square off against one another. It is becoming harder and harder to get to 300 wins, with five man rotations, pitch counts, & deep bullpens.

Even though I’ve always been a Chicago White Sox fan, I’ve always been a Greg Maddux fan. I take alot of crap when I wear my Maddux tee shirt (in Cubbie blue). Greg was born on my birthday, ten years later, and has been a member of my APBA team the Chicago Champions since his first card. Maddux just picked up his 300th win in Pittsburgh versus the Three River Gamblers, while Roger Clemens trails him in alltime Illowa APBA League wins by two at 298. So even though I’m in Waupaca, my butt will be in front of my new TV, tuned in to WGN-TV.

LET’S GO MADDUX!!!

Tuesday Top Ten: Most Outrageous minor league promotions

This week’s Top Ten, Most outrageous minor-league baseball promotions, comes from the Kansas City Star. I like #6. “Pre-planned Funeral night. They gave away a free pre-paid funeral. It was a success as the contest had 2000 entrants. Me? I like the simple promos. Like the ones where if a certain opposing player whiffs, everyone … Continue reading “Tuesday Top Ten: Most Outrageous minor league promotions”

This week’s Top Ten, Most outrageous minor-league baseball promotions, comes from the Kansas City Star.

I like #6. “Pre-planned Funeral night. They gave away a free pre-paid funeral. It was a success as the contest had 2000 entrants.

Me? I like the simple promos. Like the ones where if a certain opposing player whiffs, everyone gets a free carwash at the local Gas N Sip.

I remember seeing one of the those at Victory Field in Indianapolis. When that opposing player was up, EVERYBODY was rooting for the home pitcher and the batter was a dog. The crowd was at a fever pitch.

Sure enough. he struck out in his 3rd at-bat and everyone went wild.

Did we get our free car wash? No. But that wasn’t the point.

Rookie Watch: Stephen Drew

Ok, let’s get this out of the way re the Diamondback shortstop. Yes, he’s J.D. Drew’s brother. Hopefully, a full season will be in his repertoire. I’m watching the Dodger-Dbacks game tonight. In the 4th inning, Drew got his first career hit, a single. In addition, he stole third base. Probably more importantly, he’s already … Continue reading “Rookie Watch: Stephen Drew”

Ok, let’s get this out of the way re the Diamondback shortstop. Yes, he’s J.D. Drew’s brother. Hopefully, a full season will be in his repertoire.

I’m watching the Dodger-Dbacks game tonight. In the 4th inning, Drew got his first career hit, a single. In addition, he stole third base.

Probably more importantly, he’s already made two incredible plays in the field.

Quick Facts about Stephen Drew:

Age: 23

Bats Left, Throws Right

College: Florida State

Drafted First round (15th overall) in 2004.

Currently signed to a 5 year contract with the Dbacks.

Obviously, it’s hard to evaluate someone like Drew based on two games in the MLB. A gander at his combined 2005 minor league stats look very promising. He can certainly hit for average with some homerun pop.

But the big question is his fielding. There are mixed reviews out there but for the most part he seems solid. He definitely looked good tonight.

He has had surgery on his left foot as a freshman in college. I honestly don’t know if that is the kind of thing that can come back to haunt a player or not. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

7/16/06 Linescore of the Day: New York Mets 6th inning

11 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors I didn’t see the game. I DID see that inning. I saw it on a restaurant TV on our way back from the Voles game. The view of the TV was right over my wife’s right shoulder. Which caused some serious miscommunications over dinner. “Noo! Noo!” “What! What did … Continue reading “7/16/06 Linescore of the Day: New York Mets 6th inning”

11 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors

I didn’t see the game. I DID see that inning. I saw it on a restaurant TV on our way back from the Voles game. The view of the TV was right over my wife’s right shoulder. Which caused some serious miscommunications over dinner.

“Noo! Noo!”

“What! What did I do?”

“Hmm? Oh, not you”

…and so on.

Well, David Wright seems to be calling on a higher power and it seems to be working.

Interesting… the Mets two grand slam and 11-run inning seems like it might be newsworthy but not to USA Today. Even as of this morning, there was no mention of it on their Baseball Page.

Finally, Bleed Cubbie Blue has picked up their thesaurus and come up with 22 words that describe yesterday’s game.