Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
A contact hitter who won’t take a walk. Not much power and certainly no speed. It’s a batting robot created by a tech firm in Germany called Robocross. The video is quite humorous. A pitching machine continually pitching to a batting robot. There’s a statement on society here somewhere.
The MLB.com article headline says, “Pie could start Opening Day at center”. And there are precious few real details after that. One thing we know is that management is “‘divided” about bringing him up for the start of the season. On our podcast two weeks ago, I insisted the Pie would not be ready till … Continue reading “Felix Pie to possibly start at opening day??”
The MLB.com article headline says, “Pie could start Opening Day at center”.
And there are precious few real details after that. One thing we know is that management is “‘divided” about bringing him up for the start of the season.
On our podcast two weeks ago, I insisted the Pie would not be ready till halfway through 2007. According to this article, it looks like I could be wrong. Or not.
If that does happen, this puts to rest any speculations that Soriano would be playing center. Nobody really believed that, did they?
K What a perfect name for an APBA pitcher! In the middle of November the Bosox won exclusive negotiating rights with Daisuke Matsuzaka by paying the Seibu Lions $51.1 million dollars. It is reported that Mastsuzaka has come to an agreement to relocate to Fenway Park in a deal that could reach $60 million dollars, … Continue reading “MATSUZAKA TO WEAR RED SOX”
K What a perfect name for an APBA pitcher!
In the middle of November the Bosox won exclusive negotiating rights with Daisuke Matsuzaka by paying the Seibu Lions $51.1 million dollars. It is reported that Mastsuzaka has come to an agreement to relocate to Fenway Park in a deal that could reach $60 million dollars, that’s alotta YEN! The 26 year old Japanese righthander is expected to become the ace of a rotation which already
includes Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, and Tim Wakefield. I’ve been playing APBA Baseball for 35+ years and this guy’s got the perfect name for an APBA pitcher! Play results from rolling a couple of dice and of course K meaning strikeout.
Kenny Lofton I know the Chicago Cubs have said Alfonso Soriano can play centerfield, but actually seeing that happen might be another painful story. Last season the defensively challenged secondbaseman was switched to leftfield by the Washington Nationals. I guess the theory was to move him as far away from the play as possible, like … Continue reading “OOPS THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE”
Kenny Lofton
I know the Chicago Cubs have said Alfonso Soriano can play centerfield, but actually seeing that happen might be another painful story. Last season the defensively challenged secondbaseman was switched to leftfield by the Washington Nationals. I guess the theory was to move him as far away from the play as possible, like the bad fielding kid in Little League, where can we hide him? Surprisingly Alfonso was the leader among NL outfielders in assists, not surprisingly NL runners ran on him every chance they got. Memories of Lonnie Smith, Ralph Garr, & El Caballo popped into my mind as I watched him attempt to catch flyballs. But seeing Soriano in CF seems to be coming closer and closer to reality.
Professional centerfielder & leadoff man Kenny Lofton signed with the Texas Rangers to replace Gary Matthews, Jr. and defensive wizard Jay Payton signed on with the O’s to play LF. Either would have been a good fit on the Northside of Chicago, or the Southside for that matter. For those of you who have listened to Baseball Zealot Radio have heard me repeatedly say, “the Cubs should sign Kenny Lofton”.
Darren Oliver DonS is a HUGE Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fan! And he is VERY happy the Halos have signed his buddy, Darren Oliver. Darren was a long time member of DonS’ Molly Putts Marauders of the Illowa APBA League, and it nearly broke his heart when he had to let Oliver go a … Continue reading “AT LEAST ONE HALO FAN IS HAPPY”
Darren Oliver
DonS is a HUGE Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fan! And he is VERY happy the Halos have signed his buddy, Darren Oliver. Darren was a long time member of DonS’ Molly Putts Marauders of the Illowa APBA League, and it nearly broke his heart when he had to let Oliver go a couple of years ago. The Angels really haven’t had a lefthander out of the pen in some time, they tried JC Romero, but the results were not good. Oliver is a consumate professional and looks to be a good fit. Primarily he works out of the pen, but can start in a pinch. Darren is the son of former big leaguer Bob Oliver.
Jason Jennings Most big league pitchers dread the thought of pitching at Coors Field in Colorado, but just when Jason Jennings seemed to solve pitching in the high elevation, he was traded to the Houston Astros for centerfielder Willy Taveras. Although Jennings is excited about going to his home state (he was born in Dallas), … Continue reading “OUT OF THE FRYING PAN…”
Jason Jennings
Most big league pitchers dread the thought of pitching at Coors Field in Colorado, but just when Jason Jennings seemed to solve pitching in the high elevation, he was traded to the Houston Astros for centerfielder Willy Taveras. Although Jennings is excited about going to his home state (he was born in Dallas), he can’t be too excited about pitching at Minute Maid Park. Jennings hasn’t had much success there. Jennings is 0-3 with a 10.47 ERA in three career starts at the Astros’ home park.
This trade wasn’t just a swap of a pitcher for a centerfielder, far from it! The Astros also parted with PCL Pitcher of the Year Jason Hirsh & righty Taylor Buchholz, while the Rockies tossed back reliever Miguel Asencio. Houston is looking for Jennings to step into the rotation in place of new/old Yankee Andy Pettitte. Asencio will add another hard throwing arm to their bullpen. Colorado didn’t want to lose Jennings for nothing next year, he was looking for a contract extension. The Rockies made a pretty good deal for their veteran righthander picking up a leadoff man centerfielder with great speed in Taveras, a great pitching prospect in Hirsh, and another starter in Buchholz.
This was probably a similar deal to the one White Sox GM Kenny Williams was trying to get for Jon Garland. Too bad we didn’t get it done, as a Sox fan I’d have like to have seen it happen.
Marcus & Brian Giles Now it’s all starting to make some sense. I was wondering why the San Diego Padres traded promising rookie secondbaseman to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for thirdbaseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Atlanta Braves said goodbye to their secondbaseman Marcus Giles. Although it’s not official yet, the Padres will soon ink little … Continue reading “BACK HOME WHERE HE BELONGS”
Marcus & Brian Giles
Now it’s all starting to make some sense. I was wondering why the San Diego Padres traded promising rookie secondbaseman to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for thirdbaseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Atlanta Braves said goodbye to their secondbaseman Marcus Giles. Although it’s not official yet, the Padres will soon ink little brother Marcus to a contract so he can join big brother Brian in San Diego. Both brothers grew up in El Cajon, CA, and are Southern California boys.
Take a listen to our latest edition of Baseball Zealot Radio. We take a look at the goings on at the Winter Meetings. Tedd gives a good review of the Rule 5 draft. I’ll be honest, before this year, I was blissfully ignorant of the details. During the show, Shawn brought up some interesting trivia. … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio- Warming up to the Winter Meetings”
Take a listen to our latest edition of Baseball Zealot Radio. We take a look at the goings on at the Winter Meetings. Tedd gives a good review of the Rule 5 draft. I’ll be honest, before this year, I was blissfully ignorant of the details.
During the show, Shawn brought up some interesting trivia. As a matter of fact, I pose it in the form of a question. You can listen to the show to find the answer (or probably use Google).
What strange significance does ’90s Atlanta pitcher Ben Rivera have in regards to the Rule 5 draft?
We also hit on the Ford Frick award nominees.
While I’m on the topic of BZR, I want to say thanks to Brandon Rosage of Outsider Radio who plugged Baseball Zealot Radio on his show. Check out Brandon’s show if you get the chance. It’s on my podcast roll for a reason.
If you haven’t checked out our show, give it a whirl. You don’t need an iPod to hear our stuff. Just a computer with sound.
-tbz
Burrito Sushi I don’t know if I was hallucinating or what, but I can remember being able to click on a link at either mlb.com or minorleaguebaseball.com or somewhere to find out what’s happening in the Winter Leagues (Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela). I can even remember occasionally finding a game telecast on a … Continue reading “MISSING: MLB WINTER LEAGUES & JAPAN COVERAGE”
Burrito
Sushi
I don’t know if I was hallucinating or what, but I can remember being able to click on a link at either mlb.com or minorleaguebaseball.com or somewhere to find out what’s happening in the Winter Leagues (Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela). I can even remember occasionally finding a game telecast on a local (Chicago) Spanish speaking TV station. But this year, nothing, nada, zilch! It can be argued that Winter Baseball doesn’t translate into what a player is going to do in the big leagues, but still it’s interesting to check it out, none the less. I can remember a number of years ago watching Spanish TV’s coverage of the Winter Leagues and seeing Tom Candiotti & Chris Cordiroli on the mound (before they pitched in the majors). I could make out THEIR names.
Also lacking was coverage of the MLB All Stars visit to Japan. I’ll bet most baseball fans don’t even know about the trip to Japan, let alone the results of the games, or what certain players did. It seems strange to me as a baseball fan that with all the media out there, there was no TV out there covering the games.
I’m just a baseball fan who would like to watch a little baseball. Let me know, am I the only guy out there mumbling, “baseball, baseball, baseball”, under my breath?
Luis Gonzalez So far the Dodgers have lost Greg Maddux, JD Drew, & Julio Lugo, and have added Jason Schmidt, Luis Gonzalez, & Mike Lieberthal, in addition to re-signing Takashi Saito. So far the Dodgers are WAY ahead!!! The trade off in paying Schmidt rather than Drew the BIG money is HUGE! Luis Gonzalez has … Continue reading “GONZO & LIEBS BOLSTER DODGERS”
Luis Gonzalez
So far the Dodgers have lost Greg Maddux, JD Drew, & Julio Lugo, and have added Jason Schmidt, Luis Gonzalez, & Mike Lieberthal, in addition to re-signing Takashi Saito. So far the Dodgers are WAY ahead!!! The trade off in paying Schmidt rather than Drew the BIG money is HUGE!
Luis Gonzalez has played in 145+ games in eight of the last nine big league seasons, and smart money says the 39 year old lefthanded hitting outfielder will play in more games than Drew in 2007. While Luis isn’t going to steal bases or patrol the outfield as well as JD, he did rip 52 doubles and score 93 times in 2006 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gonzo’s best season came in 2001 when he launched 57 long balls, with 142 RBIs, and 128 runs scored. Granted his best days are behind him, but he’ll be out there everyday this upcoming season, leading LA to a 1st place NL West Crown.
Jason Schmidt
LA got a BIG pitcher for BIG money, and he will be well worth it in 2007. Schmidt will be the #1 of a solid rotation, joining Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, & Randy Wolf. Heck the Dodgers even have Hong-Chih Kuo & Brett Tomko waiting in the wings, should anyone falter. Although Jason’s best year was 2003 when he was 17-5 with a 2.34 ERA, he still has plenty left in the tank.
Mike Lieberthal
The former Phillies catcher has agreed to play a backup role for his hometown LA Dodgers. Glendale’s Lieberthal made his debut at Dodger Stadium June 30, 1994. Mike is a former Gold Glove Award winner and will have alot to offer the young Russell Martin.
There go the Dodgers signing another solid veteran, who still has alot to offer.
