Month: April 2007

4/3/07 Linescore of the day: Bard and Martin

I’m giving it to a pair of catchers today.

Josh Bard: 4 for 5, 2B, 2 runs, rbi

Bard helped put some offense on the board. San Fran pitching didn’t need much as Peavy and Co. combined for a shutout.

Russell Martin: 3 for 5, 2B, HR, 2 runs, 2 rbi

Unfortunately for Martin, he did his damage in a losing cause as LA lost a close one to Milwaukee. Martin’s batting #2 in the lineup and it seems he likes it their so far.

Special mention goes to the Pirate starter Ian Snell. The Pirates won yesterday but he did not. That said, Snell mustered 11 strikeouts in six innings allowing only one walk.

Reset the counters… it’s a new year.

Unless I’m missing something, someone at MLB didn’t flip a switch. Melvin Mora, who had 16 home runs last year, hit one last night. Across the top of the screen flashed “Home Run- Mora (17)” Please don’t tell me the Cubs don’t have 97 losses.

Unless I’m missing something, someone at MLB didn’t flip a switch.

Melvin Mora, who had 16 home runs last year, hit one last night. Across the top of the screen flashed “Home Run- Mora (17)”

mora17

Please don’t tell me the Cubs don’t have 97 losses.

BZR does some predicting

Tom and Cluke host Baseball Zealot Radio this week. Baseball predictions. Everyone’s doing them so we thought we’d give them a try, Surprisingly, we agreed on the NL East (Hint: we didn’t pick the Mets). There wasn’t much agreein’ after that. Check out the show on Baseball Zealot Radio’s web site or listen via iTunes.

crystalball

Tom and Cluke host Baseball Zealot Radio this week.

Baseball predictions. Everyone’s doing them so we thought we’d give them a try,

Surprisingly, we agreed on the NL East (Hint: we didn’t pick the Mets). There wasn’t much agreein’ after that.

Check out the show on Baseball Zealot Radio’s web site or listen via iTunes.

Cincy mayor throws a strike with humor

Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory at least has a sense of humor about his wild pitch. Mallory was slated to throw the first ball out at Great American Ball Park and when he did, it was a tad outside. Actually, it was nowhere near home plate. But the Mayor’s office quickly released their Top Ten Reasons … Continue reading “Cincy mayor throws a strike with humor”

Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory at least has a sense of humor about his wild pitch. Mallory was slated to throw the first ball out at Great American Ball Park and when he did, it was a tad outside. Actually, it was nowhere near home plate.

But the Mayor’s office quickly released their Top Ten Reasons for his blooper of a pitch (courtesy of The Enquirer):

10. I have a shoulder injury from cracking the whip on council.

9. I got some last-minute tips from Lou Piniella.

8. I was protesting Ken Griffey’s move to right.

7. I didn’t want to show up President Bush. He might put a wiretap on me.

6. I am saving my best stuff for my Bengals tryout.

5. First pitch? I thought I was throwing out the first bowling ball.

4. I grew up in the West End playing on concrete. A field with grass and dirt threw me off.

3. Eric Davis’ red shoes blinded me.

2. My best sport is Putt-Putt.

1. Eric Davis missed the sign. I called for a pitchout.

And if you haven’t seen the pitch yet, here it is:

 

 

 

Summer Ball’s new website

For those of you who occasionally frequent Summer Ball, they have changed their web address as well as converted to a neato blog format. You can now find Summer Ball here. Summer Ball is a fine website that concentrates their efforts on college summer leagues.

For those of you who occasionally frequent Summer Ball, they have changed their web address as well as converted to a neato blog format. You can now find Summer Ball here.

Summer Ball is a fine website that concentrates their efforts on college summer leagues.

Linescores of the Day: Opening Day Edition

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Milwaukee’s Ben Sheets shuts down the Dodgers

Edgar Renteria: 2 for 5, 2 HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis

Renteria is making his early run for the Homerun crown as he helps Atlanta defeat the Phils 5-2. His power will most likely fade but who knows, we may be looking at a 15-20 homerun season from him.

Hanley Ramirez 4 for 6, 2 2B. 4 runs, 1 rbi, 2 SB

Jose who? Ramirez is a fantasy leaguer’s dream with 4 hits, 4 runs and 2 stolen bases. He’s out to dispel any sophomore jinx right out of the box.

Jose Contreras: 1 IP, 7 H, 8 runs, 7 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (Loss)

The Sox starter lasted only an inning and now has an ERA of 63.00. It will take a few starts to get that baby down again.

Adam Dunn: 2 for 4, 2 HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis

“One” Adam Dunn had Zambrano’s number for opening day. Twice. Is he really a number 2 hitter?

and finally last but certainly not least…

Ben Sheets: 9 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

The cornerstone of Brewers rotation did what every Brewer fan hoped he would. His talent is certainly there as evidenced by what he did against LA. Staying healthy is the key. If he does, watch out!

Some quick observations on MLB.TV Mosaic

I got a chance to download, install and use MLB.TV’s new version of Mosaic. I’ve been hearing a lot about this from MLB with all its new features so I’ve been looking forward to using it. Now I’ve used this new version for about 2 hours now so I’m only going to give you a … Continue reading “Some quick observations on MLB.TV Mosaic”

mosaic

I got a chance to download, install and use MLB.TV’s new version of Mosaic. I’ve been hearing a lot about this from MLB with all its new features so I’ve been looking forward to using it. Now I’ve used this new version for about 2 hours now so I’m only going to give you a quick first impression.

First, the user interface is much improved. I like the list of games at the top. From left to right, they are color coded: red are games that have ended, gold are games that are occurring, and blue are games that haven’t started.

Mosaic has a variety of views you can choose by clicking an icon. Gone is the “Screen 1” and “Screen 2”. If you want a certain game, you just click and drag it down to whatever window you want.

Interesting, it kept my players from my Player Tracker from last year. That’s nice, actually. It was a chore entering them in if I remember correctly. Hopefully, there won’t be a time lag like last year.

There are commercials now. I don’t mind them so much but last year I got a kick out of hearing the broadcasters talk somewhat freely into the mike (I’m not exactly sure they knew folks were listening… “Ok, Bonds is coming up. Let’s get this out of the way” I remember hearing).

Video is MUCH better. Of course, depending on your computer and video card, your mileage may vary.

Clicking is a bit touchy. If you’re going from one program to another like I do, just be careful you don’t click on an icon you don’t want to.

Anyway, I think the new version of Mosaic is a definite improvement but like I said, I’ve only used it for short period.

If anyone else has comments or issues, please chime in.

Followup: One thing I forgot to mention… MLB.TV threw in their BaseballChannel.TV as an extra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ten Reasons I Love Opening Day

Wow, it Opening Day! I am SO excited. As baseball people we wait all season for day. We analyzed (and over-analyzed) off-season trades. We’ve all previewed and predicted teams and players in Spring Training. But now, the season has started and everything counts. Ten Reasons why I love Opening Day 1. Wins, Losses and Stats … Continue reading “Ten Reasons I Love Opening Day”

Wow, it Opening Day! I am SO excited. As baseball people we wait all season for day. We analyzed (and over-analyzed) off-season trades. We’ve all previewed and predicted teams and players in Spring Training. But now, the season has started and everything counts.

Ten Reasons why I love Opening Day

1. Wins, Losses and Stats Count.

2. I wear my team’s colors to work today.

3. Today, I can download and install MLB.TV Mosaic (watching it right now. Nice!).

4. There’s an unspoken bond between baseball fans today.

5. It may be MLB Opening Day but the University of Illinois has been playing for about a month now.

6. I can start following my APBA players now. Go Albert!

7. At least in the morning of Opening Day, the Cubs are undefeated. Woohoo!

8. We can start making fun of Tim McCarver.

9. I can start doing the Linescore of the Day for the Zealot.

10. Play Ball!!

Feel free to add your own…

Sidd Finch

The phantom pitcher Sidd Finch How many of you remember Sidd Finch? He was a pitcher in the Mets’ system back in the mid-80’s who the Sports Illustrated said could throw 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy. Of course, he wasn’t real. He was a fabrication, an April Fool’s Day hoax courtesy of SI and author … Continue reading “Sidd Finch”

sidd_finch

The phantom pitcher Sidd Finch

How many of you remember Sidd Finch? He was a pitcher in the Mets’ system back in the mid-80’s who the Sports Illustrated said could throw 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy.

Of course, he wasn’t real. He was a fabrication, an April Fool’s Day hoax courtesy of SI and author George Plimpton.

Plimpton left a thinly veiled hint in his article that it was a hoax inserting an acronym that spelled Happy April Fools Day.