Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Dang. I spent a half hour this morning pushing redial trying to get a ticket to the Cubs Convention in January. By 10:30, the voice mail announced that all tickets had been sold and a similar message had been posted on their website: Weekend passes for the 2007 Cubs Convention are SOLD OUT. Maybe next … Continue reading “Wanted: Ticket to Cubs Convention”
Dang. I spent a half hour this morning pushing redial trying to get a ticket to the Cubs Convention in January. By 10:30, the voice mail announced that all tickets had been sold and a similar message had been posted on their website:
Weekend passes for the 2007 Cubs Convention
are SOLD OUT.
Maybe next year. Typical rant of a Cub fan.
Much has been made about Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan. I have at least taken the time to learn to pronounce his name so I can at least sound intelligent when talking about him. The $30 million fee just to talk to Matsuzaka has appeared to be prohibitive enough to limit the teams serious about him … Continue reading “Daisuke Matsuzaka”
![Matsuzaka[1]](https://www.thebaseballzealot.com/archives/Matsuzaka[1].jpg)
Much has been made about Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan. I have at least taken the time to learn to pronounce his name so I can at least sound intelligent when talking about him.
The $30 million fee just to talk to Matsuzaka has appeared to be prohibitive enough to limit the teams serious about him to the big money teams. The Seattle Mariners have already put out a press release to the effect that they are dropping out of the bidding war.
It may more than money considerations that prompted Seattle’s withdrawal. Matsuzaka (and his agent, Scott Boras) is reported to be discriminating about what teams he will consider playing for. Apparently, the Mariners is not on that list. Neither are the Dodgers.
A few things we know about Matsuzaka:
– Ironically, the most important thing about him is that he is an unknown. And MLB GMs shouldn’t forget that. They play a different brand of baseball in Japan. The most important thing considering Matsuzaka is a pitcher, is that Japanese baseball uses a slightly smaller baseball. That of course, is only the start. Whether Matsuzaka’s success will translate in the MLB is up in the air.
– Matsuzaka will no doubt have fan draw. There are many Asians and Asian-Americans watching the MLB and the owners know that. The marketing success of Ichiro, Hideki Matsui and other Asian baseball players has not gone unnoticed. Add to that the marketable sensation that a huge deal that will bring a new Japanese player to the majors and any success on the field will be frosting on the cake.
– At 17, he pitched a 17-inning complete game that required 250 pitches in a high school playoff game. And won. Later, he started the championship game and pitched a no-hitter.
From a baseball perspective, I’m not sure if Matsuzaka is really worth the green. I’m not so naive to think that it’s all about the game, though. Time will tell which team will fork over the dough. Even more time will tell if it was worth it.
Greg Maddux The N.L. Gold Gloves were announced with Greg Maddux leading the way with his 16th. Omar Vizquel won his 11th at SS, two away from the Wizard. First time winners were Albert Pujols at 1B & Carlos Beltran in the OF. Unlike the AL Award winners, I have no problem with the NL … Continue reading “2006 N.L GOLD GLOVES ANNOUNCED”
Greg Maddux
The N.L. Gold Gloves were announced with Greg Maddux leading the way with his 16th. Omar Vizquel won his 11th at SS, two away from the Wizard. First time winners were Albert Pujols at 1B & Carlos Beltran in the OF. Unlike the AL Award winners, I have no problem with the NL winners. Here are all of the winners listed below. What do you think?
P Greg Maddux Cubs
C Brad Ausmus Astros
1B Albert Pujols Cardinals
2B Orlando Hudson Diamondbacks
3B Scott Rolen Cardinals
SS Omar Vizquel Giants
OF Andruw Jones Braves
OF Mike Cameron Mets
OF Carlos Beltran Mets
So what have you been doing since the World Series ended? Our kids are happy to have the TV back during prime time hours now that the postseason is over. MLB has turned the post season awards into a postseason “season”. You can’t tell the awards without a schedule. If you don’t believe me check … Continue reading “2006 A.L. Gold Gloves Announced”
So what have you been doing since the World Series ended? Our kids are happy to have the TV back during prime time hours now that the postseason is over.
MLB has turned the post season awards into a postseason “season”. You can’t tell the awards without a schedule. If you don’t believe me check out their MLB awards page. All the awards are neatly spaced by a couple days in order of “importance” (i.e. media ranking).
Anyway, AL Gold Gloves were announced yesterday, There were the usual standbys and a surprise or two.
C: Ivan Rodriguez, DET
1B: Mark Teixeira, TEX
2B: Mark Grudzielanek, KC
3B: Eric Chavez, OAK
SS: Derek Jeter, NYY
OF: Torii Hunter, MIN
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
OF: Vernon Wells, TOR
P: Kenny Rogers, DET
Rodriguez, Teixeira, Hunter, Wells, Chavez, Suzuki and Rogers are all previous winners so they shouldn’t be a big surprise. Ok, Jeter has won it, too but there is the ongoing debate (not necessarily fostered by me) about his defense.
But Mark Grudzielanek? Other may know more than me but I’ve never put Grudzielanek and Gold Glove in the same 
thought. I’ve always considered him adequate, at best.
Kenny Rogers has won the GG in the last 3 years running now but I think this is a rather ironic pick, no? Kind of a slap in Detroit’s face. “See? If you had pitched THIS guy, you wouldn’t have had that throwing error.
Pitch counts have made their way into MLB as owners try to limit the risk of arm injuries to their star pitchers. Starters are yanked at about 100 pitches, while closers seldom work more than one inning. Former Big League pitcher Mike Marshall has the answer, but so far MLB hasn’t been willing to listen. … Continue reading “DR. MIKE MARSHALL IS IN THE HOUSE”
Pitch counts have made their way into MLB as owners try to limit the risk of arm injuries to their star pitchers. Starters are yanked at about 100 pitches, while closers seldom work more than one inning. Former Big League pitcher Mike Marshall has the answer, but so far MLB hasn’t been willing to listen.
Mike Marshall was the 1974 NL Cy Young Award winner when he appeared in 106 of the Dodgers 162 games. Marshall amassed 208′ innings as a relief pitcher, posting a 15-12 record out of the pen, with 21 saves. Mike faced a remarkable 857 batters and had an exceptional 2.42 ERA. But 1974 wasn’t a fluke as illustrated by his career statistics. From 1971-76 he pitched 66-111′, 65-116, 92-179, 106-208′, 57-109′, 54-99′ (games-innings) and then in 1978-79 54-99, 90-142″ (games-innings), AMAZING! So he knows what he’s talking about.
Check out what Dr. Mike Marshall had to say in an article that appeared in the July 13, 2006, St. Petersburg Times. The article goes on to say how Marshall’s study of kinesiology early in his career led him to a surprising discovery. He developed a motion that ended the immense stress on his elbow, allowing him to pitch well with little rest.
There are so many major league teams & pitchers who would benefit from Mike Marshall’s knowledge. Wake up & smell the coffee!!! Is anybody listening?
Trevor Crowe I’m heading west November 13-16 to watch some baseball, Arizona Fall League style. Then gonna roll some dice in Vegas over the weekend, before giving you a full baseball report when I get back to Chicago. I’ve been doing my homework on Who’s Who in the AFL and one player I’m very psyched … Continue reading “ROAD TRIP TO SEE SOME FALL BALL”
Trevor Crowe
I’m heading west November 13-16 to watch some baseball, Arizona Fall League style. Then gonna roll some dice in Vegas over the weekend, before giving you a full baseball report when I get back to Chicago. I’ve been doing my homework on Who’s Who in the AFL and one player I’m very psyched to see is Trevor Crowe.
Trevor Crowe was a star outfielder at the University of Arizona before being selected by the Cleveland Indians in 2005, 14th player chosen. Trevor’s a switch hitter, who’s shown good speed, the ability to draw a base on balls, as well as hitting for a high average in the AFL.
Razor Shines It’s about time we FINALLY get to hear the words all Sox fans have been waiting to hear, “YER OUT!”, but this time it relates to Joey Cora being replaced as the White Sox 3rd base coach. Razor Shines will replace Joey, dunno if Razor will be any better than Joey, but one … Continue reading “JOEY CORA OUT AS 3B COACH”
Razor Shines
It’s about time we FINALLY get to hear the words all Sox fans have been waiting to hear, “YER OUT!”, but this time it relates to Joey Cora being replaced as the White Sox 3rd base coach. Razor Shines will replace Joey, dunno if Razor will be any better than Joey, but one thing’s for certain, he can’t be any worse! This move will make the 2007 White Sox five games better than the 2006 team if everything else stays the same.
In a sad note, Man Soo Lee, the Babe Ruth of Korea, will be returning to his native land. Lee has served as bullpen coach for the White Sox. He will be missed.