Month: November 2007

Check out the sabermetrics on the new Pirate GM

Pirate sabermetricians are going to like the new Pittsburgh Pirate GM.  During a Q & A, Neal Huntington showed off his baseball smarts: The Pirates upper management has widely ignored OBP (on base percentage) in the past. How important will OBP be in player evaluation under your leadership? — Eric S., Pennsboro, W.Va We are going to … Continue reading “Check out the sabermetrics on the new Pirate GM”

Pirate sabermetricians are going to like the new Pittsburgh Pirate GM.  During a Q & A, Neal Huntington showed off his baseball smarts:

The Pirates upper management has widely ignored OBP (on base percentage) in the past. How important will OBP be in player evaluation under your leadership?
— Eric S., Pennsboro, W.Va

We are going to utilize several objective measures of player performance to evaluate and develop players. We’ll rely on the more traditional objective evaluations: OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) , WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched), Runs Created, ERC (Component ERA), GB/FB (ground ball to fly ball ratio), K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings), K/BB (strikeouts to walks ratio), BB%, etc., but we’ll also look to rely on some of the more recent variations: VORP (value over replacement player), Relative Performance, EqAve (equivalent average), EqOBP (equivalent on base percentage), EqSLG (equivalent slugging percentage), BIP% (balls put into play percentage), wOBA (weighted on base average), Range Factor, PMR (probabilistic model of range) and Zone Rating.

That said, we will continue to stress the importance of our subjective evaluations. Succinctly stated, we believe that a combination of quality objective and subjective analysis will allow us to maximize our probability of success and to make the best possible decisions

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Considering what the Pittsburgh fans have had to deal with in the recent past (and believe me, I know.  We’ve hear about from Bucs fan Todd V on The Baseball Zealot), they have to me drooling with anticipation.  This guy sounds like he has a head on his shoulders. 

/hat tip Baseball Musings

Vote Early and Often! The 2007 Weblog Awards poll is open.

The 2007 Weblog Awards poll is open.  Of interest to us is the Best Sports Blog.  Vote for your favorite.  And yes, in this case you CAN vote often. You can vote every 24 hours.  The polls close tomorrow.  As for me, I voted for The Hardball Times and SB Nation.  SB Nation is actually … Continue reading “Vote Early and Often! The 2007 Weblog Awards poll is open.”

The 2007 Weblog Awards poll is open.  Of interest to us is the Best Sports Blog.  Vote for your favorite. 

And yes, in this case you CAN vote often. You can vote every 24 hours.  The polls close tomorrow. 

As for me, I voted for The Hardball Times and SB Nation. 

SB Nation is actually a coalition of blogs representing every major sport team.  some of the blogs under SBN include Bleed Cubbie Blue, Viva El Birdos, and South Side Sox.  I would have loved to vote for Bleed Cubbie Blue itself but this will have to do.

Good luck to all!

Update:  The results are in and Kissing Suzy Kolber won by a landslide. 

MLB’s DRM-laden videos no longer accessible for Red Sox fan

Allan Wood is a Red Sox fan and author of The Joy of Sox, a Red Sox blog.  During the 2004 season, he purchased $280 worth of Red Sox game videos from MLB.com.  Now, those videos are unable to play because MLB.com has gone on to a new deployment system.  Wood blogged about it this morning and he’s … Continue reading “MLB’s DRM-laden videos no longer accessible for Red Sox fan”

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Allan Wood is a Red Sox fan and author of The Joy of Sox, a Red Sox blog.  During the 2004 season, he purchased $280 worth of Red Sox game videos from MLB.com.  Now, those videos are unable to play because MLB.com has gone on to a new deployment system.  Wood blogged about it this morning and he’s pretty unhappy for a Red Sox fan.

The problem??  Digital Rights Management or DRM. 

What is Digital Rights Management? Sam Costello has a reasonably neutral definition for such a divisive issue. 

Those media outlets who use DRM claim that DRM is necessary to preserve the copyright or digital rights to the intellectual property.  However, I think it’s more than that.  The frustrating thing about DRM is that it keeps ALL the control to the owners of the media and in situations like these when it may become obsolete, the customer has no recourse. 

The frustrating thing for Allan Wood??  They are now selling the exact same games that he purchased 3 years ago (yes, the ones that won’t play) all over again. 

Wood has talked to MLB and I have to say I’m surprised that they have been so responsive (bordering on rude).  I’ve dealt with MLB.com’s media support once or twice on the phone and been ok. 

I don’t know if Wood’s situation is isolated.  Knowing how DRM works, I doubt it and Wood is one of few who is speaking up about it. 

Also check out Ars Technica’s piece about Wood’s issue with MLB. 

Gold Gloves Announced: Maddux gets record #17

Major League Baseball announced the Gold Glove winners today.  Overall, there weren’t too many surprises. American League Gold Glove recipients National League Gold Glove recipients Greg Maddux won his record-breaking 17th Gold Glove (and 17th of the past 18th seasons).  He surpassed Brooks Robinson and Jim Kaat who both have 16.  Quoth manager Bud Black: … Continue reading “Gold Gloves Announced: Maddux gets record #17”

Major League Baseball announced the Gold Glove winners today.  Overall, there weren’t too many surprises.

American League Gold Glove recipients

National League Gold Glove recipients

Greg Maddux won his record-breaking 17th Gold Glove (and 17th of the past 18th seasons).  He surpassed Brooks Robinson and Jim Kaat who both have 16.  Quoth manager Bud Black:

“I think, more than anything, he has great baseball instincts when it comes to fielding a ball,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “When he throws a pitch, he knows where the ball is going to be hit. It’s amazing to see the plays he makes but it doesn’t surprise me.

Six of the seven outfielders who received the award (there was a tie so 10 were awarded in the NL) were centerfielders.  I guess shouldn’t surprise too many people.  Historically, not many left fielders are in line for the award.  Rightfielder Jeff Francouer, who got his first Gold Glove, was the exception. 

The Gold Glove is known for being an award of tradition but this year, ten first-timers won the award. 

The only surprise to me was David Wright.  Maybe it’s just my ignorance since I didn’t watch a whole lot of Mets games this year.  I did watch a few last year, though and while I loved his stick, I wasn’t impressed with his glove.  But again, that was last year.

For what it’s worth, the Beltway Boys felt that Zimmerman wuz robbed.  It just came out by the way, that Zim broke his hamate bone while swinging a bat last weekend.  He is scheduled for surgery and should be fine in a month or two.

Followup:  I did a quick search regarding left fielders and the Gold Glove.  Indeed, I was right.  From Baseballlibrary.com, Paul White writes:

In the forty-five seasons that Gold Gloves have been awarded, 135 have been given to American Leaguers. Just 19 of those went to left fielders, and never more than one in any year. Of those, 15 are accounted for by just four men – Carl Yastrzemski (7), Minnie Minoso (3), Joe Rudi (3) and Dave Winfield (2).

 

 

2008 Cubs Convention tix on sale Nov 7

My ticket from last year’s convention Cub fans, the 2008 Cubs Convention is only 2 months away.  If you’re interested in getting tickets, you can try your luck on Wednesday November 7 when a limited amount of tickets will be on sale.  Details on the Cubs website.  Last year, I had no luck that route … Continue reading “2008 Cubs Convention tix on sale Nov 7”

My ticket from last year’s convention

Cub fans, the 2008 Cubs Convention is only 2 months away.  If you’re interested in getting tickets, you can try your luck on Wednesday November 7 when a limited amount of tickets will be on sale.  Details on the Cubs website. 

Last year, I had no luck that route and ended up buying them on Ebay for a few dollars over list price. 

I had a blast at the 2007 Cubs Convention.  You can see my photos and blog posts from that weekend here. 

ESPN’s Free Agent Tracker

ESPN is out with its Free Agent Tracker which is probably one of the best out there.  The list is sortable by amount of contract (when players start getting signed of course) and can be filtered on team (both old and new) and position. There is also a chart for total spending by team.  For those … Continue reading “ESPN’s Free Agent Tracker”

ESPN is out with its Free Agent Tracker which is probably one of the best out there. 

The list is sortable by amount of contract (when players start getting signed of course) and can be filtered on team (both old and new) and position.

There is also a chart for total spending by team. 

For those who want to compare, you can see how the 2006 Free Agency ended up as well. 

Bookmark it.  You will probably use it.  Especially all of you in fantasy leagues. 

 

 

Back in Baseball

Hey, guess who’s back in baseball??  I’ll give you a hint.  He used to manage the Cubs in the 80’s and he had a way with the press.  That’s right, Lee Elia is the new on-the-field consultant for the Seattle Mariners.  Looks like that the Mariners are also trying to acquire Larry Bowa as third base … Continue reading “Back in Baseball”

Hey, guess who’s back in baseball?? 

I’ll give you a hint.  He used to manage the Cubs in the 80’s and he had a way with the press. 

lee eliaThat’s right, Lee Elia is the new on-the-field consultant for the Seattle Mariners.  Looks like that the Mariners are also trying to acquire Larry Bowa as third base coach. 

The Seattle media better be careful.  Some reputations are hard to live down.

 

Update:  Bowa will NOT be going to the Mariners.  He’ll be joining Torre in LA.  

 

 

Short stint for Floyd… even shorter for Trachsel

The Cubs said goodbye to Cliff Floyd and Steve Trachsel by declining their options.  I can’t say I shed a tear for either one of them.  Floyd was productive here and there during 2007 but he just lacked regular playing time and wasn’t able to prove that he could justify it.  The move to get … Continue reading “Short stint for Floyd… even shorter for Trachsel”

The Cubs said goodbye to Cliff Floyd and Steve Trachsel by declining their options.  I can’t say I shed a tear for either one of them. 

Floyd was productive here and there during 2007 but he just lacked regular playing time and wasn’t able to prove that he could justify it. 

The move to get Trach was a mystery from the start (at least to me).  Sean Marshall was in the rotation and he was just starting to find his groove and put up some good numbers. 

Trachsel had managed to put up 10+ wins in 5 of the last 6 seasons.  Maybe the Cubs felt he might reach back and give the team some veteran leadership.  I know I have my hindsight glasses on now but that would have been a stretch. 

The Cubs did exercise an option with Daryle Ward who in very limited play did what he was supposed to do.  For the price, he’s worth it.

Fans have a say on the Ford Frick nominees

Ford Frick Those fans who have an ear for a good broadcaster can make a difference in the Ford C. Frick balloting.  Here’s how it works:  Baseball fans can vote on a select few and the top three qualify for the final 10 member ballot.  I don’t mean to be a grinch, but I generally … Continue reading “Fans have a say on the Ford Frick nominees”

Ford Frick

Ford Frick

Those fans who have an ear for a good broadcaster can make a difference in the Ford C. Frick balloting.  Here’s how it works:  Baseball fans can vote on a select few and the top three qualify for the final 10 member ballot. 

I don’t mean to be a grinch, but I generally don’t care for these fan participation promotions.  First of all, that’s essentially what they are… promotions.  Promotions that are tied to a heavy marketed ad deal.  Whether it’s Monster.com, DHL or whatever, MLB is getting paid big bucks whenever these fan polls come around. 

However, looking at the actual Ford Frick ballot this year, I have to say it is relatively free of advertising.  Aside from your usual ads on MLB’s entry page and an ad from monster.com declaring that the poll is presented by them, it’s not much.   

Also, I hate to say it but when we leave the fans in control, we don’t always get the best results.  If we could be sure that knowledgeable fans voted, I wouldn’t mind.  I know that sounded elitist.  Anyway, anyone who notices the All-Star ballot results knows what I mean.  Ken Harrelson won the initial fan-based poll and went on the final ballot.  That should seal it right there. 

Frick Award Recipient, Not Inducted

One thing that the MLB is doing right, in my opinion.  From MLB.com (bold emphasis mine):

 Each award winner, not to be confused with an inductee, is presented with a calligraphy of the award…

I’m not sure if this is a new thing or what precipitated it but I heartily endorse it.  Back in 1989, I had the privilege of seeing Harry Caray receive the Ford Frick award in Cooperstown.  Even back then, much of the media were prone to saying that Harry was “inducted” into the Hall of Fame which you and I know to be false.  As much as I like Harry, I’m a stickler for things like that and it bugged me. 

The trend of saying that anyone who received the Frick award (or any other significant award for that matter), was “inducted”.  As I say, I don’t know why they are pronouncing the difference (and I’m SURE there is a reason) but I’m glad they are. 

If you want to vote, here is the link.  If it’s not too personal, let us know who you voted for.  Broadcaster threads are always fun.