I can't remember this sort of thing happening this many times in one season before. Three veterans who did not play in the Major Leagues last year, and who you had to figure wouldn't play in the Major Leagues ever again:
1. Jay Gibbons. He hadn't played a big league game since 2007, and hadn't played close to a full season or put up a WAR above 0.2 (per Baseball-Reference.com) since 2005. He was relegated to an independent league in 2009. He was raking in AAA this season, however, and now Gibbons, age 33, is hitting a hilariously unlikely .326/.380/.652 in his first 50 PA for the Dodgers and has probably nabbed himself a backup outfielder job for next season.
2. Jay Payton. Guess it's a Jay thing. Payton's nearly 38 and missed all of 2009 after suffering an injury in spring (though he'd probably played himself out of a big-league job anyway). He was awesome in AAA for the Rockies this year, though, and he was called up on September 8 (too late to be a part of a potential Rockies postseason, unless they find a loophole). After a three-for-four in his first start last night, He's five for his first nine with two doubles.
3. Dan Johnson. After a promising start (though far from great, and he was a bit old for a rookie) in 2005 with the A's, Johnson's career fizzled, and he played just 11 big league games in 2008 before heading to Japan in 2009. And he was awful in Japan, hitting just .215/.330/.462. But Johnson, now 30, came back and put up a 1.053 OPS for the Rays' AAA squad, and is now effectively the starting DH for maybe the best team in baseball. After playing the hero with two homers last night against the Yankees, Johnson's hitting .221/.386/.471 in 88 plate appearances.
Are there more guys like this? Does this happen all the time and I just haven't noticed?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
SweetSpot Roundup 9/16
Austin's 290 Astros Blog: Norris Toughs it out, CJ airs it out, Astros win again
"Brett Wallace sat again because it’s more important to try to get to .500 than trying to help a young player learn how to hit major league pitchers. It’s what managers of the year do. You wouldn’t understand."
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): I Like This Bullpen
Jack is bullish on the Brew Crew's pen in 2011.
Redleg Nation (Reds): Titanic Struggle Recap
"Is there anything Jay Bruce can’t do?" Apparently not.
The View From the Bleachers (Cubs): Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Blunders
Rob takes us all out for ice cream every time we plug one of his books. Can we go to Dairy Queen this time? I've got a hankering for a mint Oreo Blizzard.
Dodger Thoughts: Obscure but memorable cleanup hitters
"Jay Gibbons is batting cleanup tonight for the third time as a Dodger. That would not have seemed likely a month ago, but Gibbons is far from the most unlikely Dodger cleanup hitter of the past seven seasons." I call Shea Hillenbrand!
Mets Today: Mets win ugly over the Pirates
"Thankfully, there weren’t too many impressionable kids in the stands, and hopefully, there weren’t too many aspiring youngsters watching the game on TV — because the Mets and Pirates put on a clinic on how NOT to play baseball."
Nationals Baseball: Adjusting or not
Is Ian Desmond really improving? Harper isn't so sure.
Ducksnorts (Padres): Wednesday Links
A comprehensive list of Padres-related links from the last week. Geoff expects you to read every single one.
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): What a 10 game swing looks like
Bill looks at the Phils recent success in beautiful graphic form.
Weaver's Tantrum (Orioles): Scoring Explosion
Appreciating, at long last, some success against the Jays.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Drew and Who?
Andrew breaks down the field of potential outfield-mates to join the underappreciated J.D. Drew in 2011.
Sox Machine (White Sox): It's all over but the math
Summing up the apparent end of the Sox's season with a song and some funny quotes. There's also a great Oregon Trail-related picture linking to this article on the front page, but it's not reproduced in the article itself.
The Daily Fungo (Tigers): Cabrera Victim of Circumstance in MVP Race
Mike thinks Cabrera deserves the MVP award, but won't get it because of circumstances out of his control. (I tend to think the opposite -- he shouldn't get it, but he might. But Mike makes a good case.)
Royals Authority: The September Tease
Kyle Davies seems to look great every September. Clark urges you to remember that we already know who he is, and it's not good.
Nick's Twins Blog: Straightening Out the AL Cy Young Race
Nick analyzes the race and gives you his pick (nope, it's not Liriano).
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Questioning Girardi's Decision
"Yes, the team used a bunch of pitchers in the prior night’s 13 inning game and they are in the midst of a crazy tough stretch. Yes, I am sure he wanted to see his pitcher get through the 5th so he’d be eligible for a Win. Yes, I am sure he wanted Nova to gain some battle scars and come through it successfully. However… this team had lost four straight and seven of eight, this was a game the team had to win.
And Girardi let Nova battle through it."
The Ray Area: 142 Reasons Crawford's Gamble Was Worth It
Another newcomer to SweetSpot, The Ray Area makes a great first impression, defending Carl Crawford's widely criticized decision to attempt to take third on a fly ball with two outs in the ninth. The number refers to...well, you'll just have to click through and find out!
"Brett Wallace sat again because it’s more important to try to get to .500 than trying to help a young player learn how to hit major league pitchers. It’s what managers of the year do. You wouldn’t understand."
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): I Like This Bullpen
Jack is bullish on the Brew Crew's pen in 2011.
Redleg Nation (Reds): Titanic Struggle Recap
"Is there anything Jay Bruce can’t do?" Apparently not.
The View From the Bleachers (Cubs): Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Blunders
Rob takes us all out for ice cream every time we plug one of his books. Can we go to Dairy Queen this time? I've got a hankering for a mint Oreo Blizzard.
Dodger Thoughts: Obscure but memorable cleanup hitters
"Jay Gibbons is batting cleanup tonight for the third time as a Dodger. That would not have seemed likely a month ago, but Gibbons is far from the most unlikely Dodger cleanup hitter of the past seven seasons." I call Shea Hillenbrand!
Mets Today: Mets win ugly over the Pirates
"Thankfully, there weren’t too many impressionable kids in the stands, and hopefully, there weren’t too many aspiring youngsters watching the game on TV — because the Mets and Pirates put on a clinic on how NOT to play baseball."
Nationals Baseball: Adjusting or not
Is Ian Desmond really improving? Harper isn't so sure.
Ducksnorts (Padres): Wednesday Links
A comprehensive list of Padres-related links from the last week. Geoff expects you to read every single one.
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): What a 10 game swing looks like
Bill looks at the Phils recent success in beautiful graphic form.
Weaver's Tantrum (Orioles): Scoring Explosion
Appreciating, at long last, some success against the Jays.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Drew and Who?
Andrew breaks down the field of potential outfield-mates to join the underappreciated J.D. Drew in 2011.
Sox Machine (White Sox): It's all over but the math
Summing up the apparent end of the Sox's season with a song and some funny quotes. There's also a great Oregon Trail-related picture linking to this article on the front page, but it's not reproduced in the article itself.
The Daily Fungo (Tigers): Cabrera Victim of Circumstance in MVP Race
Mike thinks Cabrera deserves the MVP award, but won't get it because of circumstances out of his control. (I tend to think the opposite -- he shouldn't get it, but he might. But Mike makes a good case.)
Royals Authority: The September Tease
Kyle Davies seems to look great every September. Clark urges you to remember that we already know who he is, and it's not good.
Nick's Twins Blog: Straightening Out the AL Cy Young Race
Nick analyzes the race and gives you his pick (nope, it's not Liriano).
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Questioning Girardi's Decision
"Yes, the team used a bunch of pitchers in the prior night’s 13 inning game and they are in the midst of a crazy tough stretch. Yes, I am sure he wanted to see his pitcher get through the 5th so he’d be eligible for a Win. Yes, I am sure he wanted Nova to gain some battle scars and come through it successfully. However… this team had lost four straight and seven of eight, this was a game the team had to win.
And Girardi let Nova battle through it."
The Ray Area: 142 Reasons Crawford's Gamble Was Worth It
Another newcomer to SweetSpot, The Ray Area makes a great first impression, defending Carl Crawford's widely criticized decision to attempt to take third on a fly ball with two outs in the ninth. The number refers to...well, you'll just have to click through and find out!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
SweetSpot Roundup 9/15
By The Common Man and Bill
The B-List Indians Blog: B-List Lite
Mitch Talbot's dead cat bounce.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): October 4th can't get here soon enough
What does hopelessness sound like? "This season has been so bad that I can’t even be upset. It’s been a big, sick joke. This team is playing so terribly that watching the games is more like a chore than a recreational activity, and I haven’t been doing my chores. I’m just ready for it to be over."
Baseball Tonight in Arlington (Rangers): Vladamir Guererro and win value
With the Rangers committed to a $90-100 million payroll next year, Joey wonders whether Vlad will be good money spent.
The Ray Area: The Experience to Stay the Course
The newest member of the SweetSpot Network reminds us that, because of the club's excellent farm system, several Rays have playoff experience...in the minors.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): State of the Pen
Charlie doesn't see a lot of upside in the BoSox pen in 2011, aside from Daniel Bard.
Royals Authority: Willie Bloomquist is History
Isn't it nice when both sides are happy that a player was traded: "It is the understatement of the year to say that the Royals are no longer playing meaningful games, so getting rid of a guy who is going to be a free agent in the offseason and was taking playing time from younger developing players is an obvious move."
Nick's Twins Blog: Chicago's Last Chance at Big Dance
"Without a sweep, their season is essentially over." Well, so much for 2010, right Sox fans?
Sox Machine (White Sox): It's Sweep Season for White Sox...or Else
Right: "Winning two of three means the Sox have to win 13 of their last 16 to even have a shot. And when you think it through chronologically, it means the Sox have to win something like five of their first six to both put a scare into the Twins, and maintain the same intensity in the dugout."
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): The Cy Young Debate, the Stats Debate, and the Lazy MSM
Brien piles on Jon Paul Morosi and his idiotic claim that Felix Hernandez has not been the best pitcher in the American League. The money quote: "So if I’m not trying to argue Felix’s case, what is my point? Well, it’s simple: by and large, the writers who make arguments like Morosi is making are downright, absurdly, offensively, lazy." Here, here.
The View from the Bleachers (Cubs): In the News: We've Got Aramis!
Maybe Jeff Samardzija isn't as much a lost cause as fans learning to spell his name, A-Ram is definitely coming back, and other thoughts.
Redleg Nation: How We Got Here--Pitching
Part 2 of a series breaking down the performances of your NL Central champion Reds.
Ausin's Astros 290 Blog: The Case Against Brad Mills
Poking holes in Mills' Manager of the Year case. I have no idea what the standards of that award are, or what most managers do and don't do, so I like stuff like this.
Dodger Thoughts: McDonaldmania in Pittsburgh
"The fact remains, the Dodgers parted with their two-time minor league pitcher of the year and an effective member of their 2009 bullpen, earning a minimum salary, in order to acquire Octavio Dotel. They nurtured McDonald through eight years in the organization, and then gave up too soon."
Mets Today: Mets Game 145: Win Over Pirates
R.A. Dickey's ERA drops to 2.80 after a complete-game win. Even if he's not quite that good, he's been very, very good. Afraid it's still going to be a while before I can actually think of him as a good pitcher.
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): With Age, Phillies' Baserunning Aggression Fades
The Phillies are running a lot less often, but are successful at the same rate. Bill breaks it down.
Fungoes (Cardinals): Are they live or are they dead?
"The Cardinal loss, which puts them seven games behind the Reds again, included much of what has characterized the team’s demise this year: Some strong individual performances punctuated by hapless team play, like erratic fielding and syncopated hitting, as well as some old-fashioned bad luck."
Nationals Baseball: It's All in the Batting Average
Bemoaning the young Nationals' lack of patience and/or power.
The B-List Indians Blog: B-List Lite
Mitch Talbot's dead cat bounce.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): October 4th can't get here soon enough
What does hopelessness sound like? "This season has been so bad that I can’t even be upset. It’s been a big, sick joke. This team is playing so terribly that watching the games is more like a chore than a recreational activity, and I haven’t been doing my chores. I’m just ready for it to be over."
Baseball Tonight in Arlington (Rangers): Vladamir Guererro and win value
With the Rangers committed to a $90-100 million payroll next year, Joey wonders whether Vlad will be good money spent.
The Ray Area: The Experience to Stay the Course
The newest member of the SweetSpot Network reminds us that, because of the club's excellent farm system, several Rays have playoff experience...in the minors.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): State of the Pen
Charlie doesn't see a lot of upside in the BoSox pen in 2011, aside from Daniel Bard.
Royals Authority: Willie Bloomquist is History
Isn't it nice when both sides are happy that a player was traded: "It is the understatement of the year to say that the Royals are no longer playing meaningful games, so getting rid of a guy who is going to be a free agent in the offseason and was taking playing time from younger developing players is an obvious move."
Nick's Twins Blog: Chicago's Last Chance at Big Dance
"Without a sweep, their season is essentially over." Well, so much for 2010, right Sox fans?
Sox Machine (White Sox): It's Sweep Season for White Sox...or Else
Right: "Winning two of three means the Sox have to win 13 of their last 16 to even have a shot. And when you think it through chronologically, it means the Sox have to win something like five of their first six to both put a scare into the Twins, and maintain the same intensity in the dugout."
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): The Cy Young Debate, the Stats Debate, and the Lazy MSM
Brien piles on Jon Paul Morosi and his idiotic claim that Felix Hernandez has not been the best pitcher in the American League. The money quote: "So if I’m not trying to argue Felix’s case, what is my point? Well, it’s simple: by and large, the writers who make arguments like Morosi is making are downright, absurdly, offensively, lazy." Here, here.
The View from the Bleachers (Cubs): In the News: We've Got Aramis!
Maybe Jeff Samardzija isn't as much a lost cause as fans learning to spell his name, A-Ram is definitely coming back, and other thoughts.
Redleg Nation: How We Got Here--Pitching
Part 2 of a series breaking down the performances of your NL Central champion Reds.
Ausin's Astros 290 Blog: The Case Against Brad Mills
Poking holes in Mills' Manager of the Year case. I have no idea what the standards of that award are, or what most managers do and don't do, so I like stuff like this.
Dodger Thoughts: McDonaldmania in Pittsburgh
"The fact remains, the Dodgers parted with their two-time minor league pitcher of the year and an effective member of their 2009 bullpen, earning a minimum salary, in order to acquire Octavio Dotel. They nurtured McDonald through eight years in the organization, and then gave up too soon."
Mets Today: Mets Game 145: Win Over Pirates
R.A. Dickey's ERA drops to 2.80 after a complete-game win. Even if he's not quite that good, he's been very, very good. Afraid it's still going to be a while before I can actually think of him as a good pitcher.
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): With Age, Phillies' Baserunning Aggression Fades
The Phillies are running a lot less often, but are successful at the same rate. Bill breaks it down.
Fungoes (Cardinals): Are they live or are they dead?
"The Cardinal loss, which puts them seven games behind the Reds again, included much of what has characterized the team’s demise this year: Some strong individual performances punctuated by hapless team play, like erratic fielding and syncopated hitting, as well as some old-fashioned bad luck."
Nationals Baseball: It's All in the Batting Average
Bemoaning the young Nationals' lack of patience and/or power.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Book Review: The Opposite Field by Jesse Katz
By The Common Man
As he has mentioned a couple of times on Twitter, The Common Man took a weekend to rest up for the stretch drive up at the cabin this weekend. He cleared brush (hey, that does work as something more than a euphemism), pulled the pontoon up on the shore for the winter, and took The Boy and The Uncommon Wife to see Lake Superior for the first time. All in all, it was a successful mini-vacation, made all the more successful because TCM got to finish Jesse Katz’s memoir The Opposite Field.
Katz is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has written for the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles magazine, and who made his bones on the gang beat in the 1990s. His credentials don’t really figure much into the story, except that they speak to how skillful he is as a writer and how much he put on hold as he took over and restored his son’s Little League as the organization’s commissioner.
You might ask why race needs to be included in a memoir about a Little League, and why TCM is even bringing it up in this review. In Katz’s book, race is everywhere. He is a Jew living in a part of Los Angeles that is rapidly changing from a white and Hispanic suburb to an Asian-American community with a Latino-run government. Katz covers the African-American gangs beat in Watts. Katz’s son Max, who a friend of his dubs the only Nicaraguan Jew, has a mixed ethnicity. Max and his best friend call each other coffee and cream. Each ethnicity, in Katz’s narrative, clings to their identities and to what little power and control they have managed to amass, and many of the book’s players do not take kindly to Katz charging in.
That said, Katz is careful (in most cases) not to paint himself as a white knight (pun intended) riding in to save the league. He’s incredibly concerned for his son, after trouble at home with his step-son and friction with his wife leave him concerned that his son will grow up idolizing the gang culture his father chronicles and drifting aimlessly like his half-brother. Indeed, Katz’s motives are selfish, as he quickly volunteers to take over the league (and ropes in a friend as a deputy), and gets in over his head.
Katz is also careful to document his own faults and failings, as a commissioner, as a father, as a husband, as a journalist, and as a man. He falls for grifters and con men at the ball park. He ignores his wife (and step-son) to devote his entire attention to Max. He ignores Max and his job when the business of running the league gets too involved and he is unwilling to sacrifice control. And he ignores basic morality when he strikes up an affair with the wife of one of his coaches.
But it’s hard to fault Katz, in part because he is so self-aware of his faults, in part because he is a wonderful writer, and because he goes into this adventure with the best intention, providing the best for his son. That Katz has chosen baseball as a vehicle to bond with his boy is rooted in his own upbringing, as his father regaled him with stories of the Brooklyn Dodgers while they played catch. And baseball provides ample opportunity for Katz and Max to bond, as Katz also serves as his son’s coach.
It would be tempting to chalk all of this up to the “powers of baseball to unite us,” but that’s not really what Katz’s story is about. Indeed, Katz’s success as a commissioner helps a community unite around baseball, there are still power struggles and pettiness and in-fighting within that community over players, facilities, and games. Rather, it’s the story of a father and son, and how that father uses baseball to help guide his son and keep him close. And, as a baseball fan, that’s just fine with The Common Man. Would that we all have that opportunity.
TCM recommends this book to dads, sons, baseball enthusiasts, and anyone dumb enough to think running a baseball league is an easy job. It's available in paperback or Kindle and probably on other digital readers that TCM doesn't know about and won't spend time linking to. You're resourceful people; have at it.
As he has mentioned a couple of times on Twitter, The Common Man took a weekend to rest up for the stretch drive up at the cabin this weekend. He cleared brush (hey, that does work as something more than a euphemism), pulled the pontoon up on the shore for the winter, and took The Boy and The Uncommon Wife to see Lake Superior for the first time. All in all, it was a successful mini-vacation, made all the more successful because TCM got to finish Jesse Katz’s memoir The Opposite Field. Katz is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has written for the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles magazine, and who made his bones on the gang beat in the 1990s. His credentials don’t really figure much into the story, except that they speak to how skillful he is as a writer and how much he put on hold as he took over and restored his son’s Little League as the organization’s commissioner.
According to Katz, the Monterey Park Sports Club baseball program was rife with corruption and mismanagement, to the point where the league was planning to “take a year off” to reorganize. Katz stepped into a largely Latino-run organization and nurtured it back to health.
You might ask why race needs to be included in a memoir about a Little League, and why TCM is even bringing it up in this review. In Katz’s book, race is everywhere. He is a Jew living in a part of Los Angeles that is rapidly changing from a white and Hispanic suburb to an Asian-American community with a Latino-run government. Katz covers the African-American gangs beat in Watts. Katz’s son Max, who a friend of his dubs the only Nicaraguan Jew, has a mixed ethnicity. Max and his best friend call each other coffee and cream. Each ethnicity, in Katz’s narrative, clings to their identities and to what little power and control they have managed to amass, and many of the book’s players do not take kindly to Katz charging in.
That said, Katz is careful (in most cases) not to paint himself as a white knight (pun intended) riding in to save the league. He’s incredibly concerned for his son, after trouble at home with his step-son and friction with his wife leave him concerned that his son will grow up idolizing the gang culture his father chronicles and drifting aimlessly like his half-brother. Indeed, Katz’s motives are selfish, as he quickly volunteers to take over the league (and ropes in a friend as a deputy), and gets in over his head.
Katz is also careful to document his own faults and failings, as a commissioner, as a father, as a husband, as a journalist, and as a man. He falls for grifters and con men at the ball park. He ignores his wife (and step-son) to devote his entire attention to Max. He ignores Max and his job when the business of running the league gets too involved and he is unwilling to sacrifice control. And he ignores basic morality when he strikes up an affair with the wife of one of his coaches.
But it’s hard to fault Katz, in part because he is so self-aware of his faults, in part because he is a wonderful writer, and because he goes into this adventure with the best intention, providing the best for his son. That Katz has chosen baseball as a vehicle to bond with his boy is rooted in his own upbringing, as his father regaled him with stories of the Brooklyn Dodgers while they played catch. And baseball provides ample opportunity for Katz and Max to bond, as Katz also serves as his son’s coach.
It would be tempting to chalk all of this up to the “powers of baseball to unite us,” but that’s not really what Katz’s story is about. Indeed, Katz’s success as a commissioner helps a community unite around baseball, there are still power struggles and pettiness and in-fighting within that community over players, facilities, and games. Rather, it’s the story of a father and son, and how that father uses baseball to help guide his son and keep him close. And, as a baseball fan, that’s just fine with The Common Man. Would that we all have that opportunity.
TCM recommends this book to dads, sons, baseball enthusiasts, and anyone dumb enough to think running a baseball league is an easy job. It's available in paperback or Kindle and probably on other digital readers that TCM doesn't know about and won't spend time linking to. You're resourceful people; have at it.
SweetSpot Roundup: September 14
Weaver's Tantrum (Orioles): On Deck--The Toronto Blue Jays
"No other team has embarrassed the Orioles the way the Toronto Blue Jays have. They have beaten the Orioles like a drum. The O's are 0-12 against the Jays and the games really haven't been close." Well, now they're 1-12! And all it took was for the entire mid-Atlantic region to be distracted by the Ravens game. And eleven innings.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Jed Lowrie's Big Bat
While the entire rest of the team, give or take, has been lost for the year to injury, a forgotten man who was about a year ahead of the curve on that front, Lowrie, is finally healthy and reminding people that he's pretty good.
Sox Machine (White Sox): Making Room for a New Konerko Contract
The 2010 Sox's best player is a free agent after the season, and Jim's not buying Kenny Williams' preemptive excuses for not re-signing him. Jim makes some good points, but I think Konerko's having the kind of wildly out of character season that gets 34 year olds paid, way beyond their going-forward worth. If it were me, I have to believe I'd hope my team would say "thanks for the memories, Paulie," and let some other team be That Team.
The B-List Indians Blog: B-List Lite: 9/10-9/12
Recaps of Cleveland's weekend series loss to the Twins.
Royals Authority: Believing in Hochevar?
Apparently, Ned Yost thinks that Luke Hochevar is more or less the same as Zach Greinke. I think that's really, really funny.
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): People Already Complaining About the Playoff Weather
Scioscia thinks the season should be shortened by a week or so. Brien gives that frivolous idea about five times the respect it deserves, but it's well worth a read.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Everett AquaSox: NWL Champions
A recap of the big night for the short-season Class A affiliate. When I lived in Seattle, I always really wanted to go to an AquaSox game, but never quite made it. I'd get their e-mails, and it always sounded like a good little (affordable) time. Today, they're pretty much the pride of the whole Mariner organization.
Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers): Monday Morning Rangers Notes: Wait, They Swept the Yankees?
The Rangers do something they haven't done in seven years, and Cliff Lee and Vlad Guerrero are both still pretty good.
Austin’s 290 Astros Blog: Astros Salvage Series Split
Austin recaps the Astros frustrating series against the Dodgers, and finds a couple heroes in Michael Bourn and Brett Wallace.
Capitol Avenue Club (Braves): How to Win the NL East
Memo to Bobby Cox: “A strategy manual on how to maximize the resources at hand over the season’s final eighteen games in an attempt to win the NL East.” Can Jason Heyward really play all 9 positions at once? Hey, if Griffey could do it.
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): Gallardo Winning By Himself
Yovani Gallardo has basically been winning games by himself all season long with his arm and his bat, and Jack Moore has proof.
Dodger Thoughts: Fall TV Follies
Even I have a hard time concentrating on baseball when the new fall season starts up (and I’m not talking about football). I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to ignore if you follow the Dodgers.
Mets Today: Planning Without Santana
Joe reminds us that the Mets don’t exactly have a good track record of getting their guys back on time, and has a solution, “The Mets can and should build their 2011 club with the thought that Santana’s spot needs to be filled. It should be a nice surprise and a bonus if Johan Santana is healthy and able by April 2011 — not an expectation. That’s not pessimism, it is good planning.”
Redleg Nation (Reds): Willie Bloomquist, Cincinnati Reds
Congrats to Chad and the rest of his Redleg Nation crew on joining The SweetSpot Network. And gems like this is why it’s so exciting to have a Reds blog on board with the SSN. Why would anyone want Willie Bloomquist? “Reds fans know that there’s a method to this madness, and it indicates something that’s perhaps more worrisome. First, the Reds have been going without any backup outfielders since Jay Bruce was injured on August 30….Dusty Baker’s hands have been tied – he’s been unable to pinch hit or double-switch for any of his outfielders, let alone give someone a rest.”
Bay City Ball (Giants): Pondering Madison’s Workload
“I don’t know what’s the right thing for the Giants to do with Bumgarner. I’m sure they are monitoring him — whatever that means — but the Giants desperately need him to make the playoffs. I just hope that push for the playoffs doesn’t come at a huge price.”
"No other team has embarrassed the Orioles the way the Toronto Blue Jays have. They have beaten the Orioles like a drum. The O's are 0-12 against the Jays and the games really haven't been close." Well, now they're 1-12! And all it took was for the entire mid-Atlantic region to be distracted by the Ravens game. And eleven innings.
Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Jed Lowrie's Big Bat
While the entire rest of the team, give or take, has been lost for the year to injury, a forgotten man who was about a year ahead of the curve on that front, Lowrie, is finally healthy and reminding people that he's pretty good.
Sox Machine (White Sox): Making Room for a New Konerko Contract
The 2010 Sox's best player is a free agent after the season, and Jim's not buying Kenny Williams' preemptive excuses for not re-signing him. Jim makes some good points, but I think Konerko's having the kind of wildly out of character season that gets 34 year olds paid, way beyond their going-forward worth. If it were me, I have to believe I'd hope my team would say "thanks for the memories, Paulie," and let some other team be That Team.
The B-List Indians Blog: B-List Lite: 9/10-9/12
Recaps of Cleveland's weekend series loss to the Twins.
Royals Authority: Believing in Hochevar?
Apparently, Ned Yost thinks that Luke Hochevar is more or less the same as Zach Greinke. I think that's really, really funny.
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): People Already Complaining About the Playoff Weather
Scioscia thinks the season should be shortened by a week or so. Brien gives that frivolous idea about five times the respect it deserves, but it's well worth a read.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Everett AquaSox: NWL Champions
A recap of the big night for the short-season Class A affiliate. When I lived in Seattle, I always really wanted to go to an AquaSox game, but never quite made it. I'd get their e-mails, and it always sounded like a good little (affordable) time. Today, they're pretty much the pride of the whole Mariner organization.
Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers): Monday Morning Rangers Notes: Wait, They Swept the Yankees?
The Rangers do something they haven't done in seven years, and Cliff Lee and Vlad Guerrero are both still pretty good.
Austin’s 290 Astros Blog: Astros Salvage Series Split
Austin recaps the Astros frustrating series against the Dodgers, and finds a couple heroes in Michael Bourn and Brett Wallace.
Capitol Avenue Club (Braves): How to Win the NL East
Memo to Bobby Cox: “A strategy manual on how to maximize the resources at hand over the season’s final eighteen games in an attempt to win the NL East.” Can Jason Heyward really play all 9 positions at once? Hey, if Griffey could do it.
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): Gallardo Winning By Himself
Yovani Gallardo has basically been winning games by himself all season long with his arm and his bat, and Jack Moore has proof.
Dodger Thoughts: Fall TV Follies
Even I have a hard time concentrating on baseball when the new fall season starts up (and I’m not talking about football). I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to ignore if you follow the Dodgers.
Mets Today: Planning Without Santana
Joe reminds us that the Mets don’t exactly have a good track record of getting their guys back on time, and has a solution, “The Mets can and should build their 2011 club with the thought that Santana’s spot needs to be filled. It should be a nice surprise and a bonus if Johan Santana is healthy and able by April 2011 — not an expectation. That’s not pessimism, it is good planning.”
Redleg Nation (Reds): Willie Bloomquist, Cincinnati Reds
Congrats to Chad and the rest of his Redleg Nation crew on joining The SweetSpot Network. And gems like this is why it’s so exciting to have a Reds blog on board with the SSN. Why would anyone want Willie Bloomquist? “Reds fans know that there’s a method to this madness, and it indicates something that’s perhaps more worrisome. First, the Reds have been going without any backup outfielders since Jay Bruce was injured on August 30….Dusty Baker’s hands have been tied – he’s been unable to pinch hit or double-switch for any of his outfielders, let alone give someone a rest.”
Bay City Ball (Giants): Pondering Madison’s Workload
“I don’t know what’s the right thing for the Giants to do with Bumgarner. I’m sure they are monitoring him — whatever that means — but the Giants desperately need him to make the playoffs. I just hope that push for the playoffs doesn’t come at a huge price.”
Monday, September 13, 2010
Steve Carlton's '72, King Felix's '10 and the Myth of Knowing How to Win
I suspect that what we're seeing right now in the American League is something we'll see in one or the other of the leagues almost every September for the next mess o' years: one pitcher has the most wins, one has been the best at preventing runs, and there's a heated debate (among, increasingly, fans of the team the wins guy pitches for on the one hand and almost everybody else in the world on the other) over which one deserves the Cy Young Award.
You can guess which side I come down on in the Felix-vs.-C.C. debate, and it's been covered more than adequately elsewhere (including last week's podcast), so I won't discuss it here; I'll just heartily endorse this, and this, and this.
What I do want to address is one line of argument the pro-Sabathia crowd keeps bringing up in this debate. You see it mostly in angry comments to articles like the ones I just linked to, but it's probably phrased most ably by courant.com's Dom Amore (who doesn't ultimately pick C.C., but uses this argument to take Felix out of the equation right away; the bolded emphasis is mine):
Pitching isn't like a golf tournament where the lowest aggregate score wins, it's Match Play - the job of a starting pitcher is to match the other guy on each given time out. This is why a great pitcher can win a ton of games for a bad team, like Steve Carlton in 1972, while others, no matter how talented, seem to find their way to .500 no matter what kind of team they're on, such as A.J. Burnett.
Sounds good, right? Well, not to me, and probably not to you either since you've found your way to this blog, but you can see why it would sound good to a lot of pretty smart people. Most serious baseball fans get the allusion right away: in 1972, the Philadelphia Phillies won just 59 games, and Carlton was credited with the "win" in nearly half of those victories, going 27-10 in his 41 starts. If he can win with a terrible team like that, why is it unfair to expect Felix Hernandez to win with the similarly terrible Mariners?
SweetSpot Weekend Roundup: September 13
By Bill
The View from the Bleachers (Cubs): Game 143: Just Give Me Some Truth
"First, the good (and interesting) news. As Darrell told me a few days ago, today’s starter, Casey Coleman, is a third generation big-leaguer. Now for the bad news. Coleman is way too hittable to be a useful ML pitcher."
Austin's Astros 290 Blog: Astros Fall in Another Ugly One
"I also hope that anyone who thinks that Brad Mills is the NL Manager of the year was playing close attention to tonight’s game. Because I’m pretty sure that a manager of the year wouldn’t burn through nine pitchers in an 11-inning game because he’s so obsessed with lefty-righty matchups that he pulled three different guys who had thrown fewer than 11 pitches."
Dodger Thoughts: Welcome to the 2011 Dodgers, Jay Gibbons
Jay Gibbons is one of those guys I had consigned to the back of my mind forever, never thought I'd hear his name again after he played so badly three seasons ago that he even played his way out of Baltimore. He's been excellent in a month-or-so sample for the Dodgers, however, and Jon says you can pretty much pencil him in for 2011.
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): Capuano as a Starter
Chris Capuano has managed to hang on for years longer than ever seemed possible. Between his encouraging five starts in 2010 and the Brewers' lack of exciting options, Jack thinks he's got at least one more in him.
Mets Today: Mets Game 143: Loss to Phillies
Thirteen words you probably never thought you'd hear or read (and then the rest for context): "As Mets fans we are blessed to have the Phillies in our division and in turn the opportunity to see two of the best righthanded starters in baseball pitching over the course of a weekend."
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): Understanding Ryan Howard's WAR
Bill takes one writer's uninformed dismissal of WAR as an opportunity to explain how it works, and why it likes Jamey Carroll, et al. better than Ryan Howard in 2010.
Ducksnorts (Padres): Stranded, Caught in the Crossfire
"If there is a player who takes better advantage of his park than Gonzalez, I don’t know who it is. How cool would it be to magically transform from Juan Encarnacion into, oh, Jeff Bagwell v. 1994 whenever you return home from a road trip? I so want that super power."
Bay City Ball (Giants): State of the Giants -- September Edition
Written before Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Padres that tied up the NL West. Got to be one of the most interesting teams left to follow right now.
Fungoes (Cardinals): Better for Rasmus to Speak Softly, Carry Big Stick
Thoughts on the huge day by beleaguered Colby Rasmus. My favorite part: Pip calls Rasmus "the subject of an amateurish squabble among the team’s powerbrokers, Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols."
Nationals Baseball: One thing on Dunn's fielding...
Harper urges some caution about Dunn's "improved" fielding at first base. Seriously, how is it that anyone thinks it's a good idea for Dunn to be anything but a full-time DH? I mean, besides Adam Dunn himself. I can see why he might not see things that way.
Weaver's Tantrum (Orioles): Luke Scott--Tiger Killer?
"Luke Scott has a well-earned reputation for destroying the Detroit Tigers....In two games this year, Luke is a respectable but not spectacular 2 for 8 with one walk. Both hits were singles. Will Luke turn it around?"
Fire Brand of the American League: Somebody Out There Still Believes
On hope in the face of increasing hopelessness.
Sox Machine (White Sox): Thanks to Thome, huge game rests on Harrell's shoulders
"Ozzie knew Thome still could hit, and was unsure about whether other groups knew as well. This is a great defense for answering complaints about one-dimensionality after re-signing Thome, by the way."
The Daily Fungo (Tigers): Widespread Selective Amnesia from Media on Huff's Pennant-Race Experience
And from Huff too, apparently. Lots of cute little stories about how Huff is thriving with the Giants in his first sniff of pennant-race baseball...which would be awesome, if Huff hadn't hit .189/.265/.302 as the Tigers fell to pieces in the stretch drive just last season.
Royals Authority: Bloom Off the Renovated K?
Attendance is down in 2010 after the excitement from the good-as-new Kaufman Stadium in 2009, which could be a bad sign for future payroll and such.
Nick's Twins Blog: Not So Easy to Find
Some thoughts on Twins' DH Jason Kubel, in response to a Twit-versation Nick, myself and some other Twins fans had with FanGraphs' Dave Cameron regarding a rather infamous article Cameron wrote in spring 2009.
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Joba and FIP
Mark with a brilliant piece on the single most unfairly maligned player in baseball.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Fusco's a Goner; Jackson Generals
Apparently, Mariner scouting director Carmen Fusco is set to take the fall for the Josh Lueke silliness--good move? Bad move? Who's to say?--while the "West Tenn Diamond Jaxx" are set to undergo a badly, badly needed rebranding.
Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers): The Ones We Remember
"Depending on your perspective, [Friday] night's Yankees-Rangers tilt was either a tension-packed classic or absolutely painful to endure. Maybe both."
The View from the Bleachers (Cubs): Game 143: Just Give Me Some Truth
"First, the good (and interesting) news. As Darrell told me a few days ago, today’s starter, Casey Coleman, is a third generation big-leaguer. Now for the bad news. Coleman is way too hittable to be a useful ML pitcher."
Austin's Astros 290 Blog: Astros Fall in Another Ugly One
"I also hope that anyone who thinks that Brad Mills is the NL Manager of the year was playing close attention to tonight’s game. Because I’m pretty sure that a manager of the year wouldn’t burn through nine pitchers in an 11-inning game because he’s so obsessed with lefty-righty matchups that he pulled three different guys who had thrown fewer than 11 pitches."
Dodger Thoughts: Welcome to the 2011 Dodgers, Jay Gibbons
Jay Gibbons is one of those guys I had consigned to the back of my mind forever, never thought I'd hear his name again after he played so badly three seasons ago that he even played his way out of Baltimore. He's been excellent in a month-or-so sample for the Dodgers, however, and Jon says you can pretty much pencil him in for 2011.
Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): Capuano as a Starter
Chris Capuano has managed to hang on for years longer than ever seemed possible. Between his encouraging five starts in 2010 and the Brewers' lack of exciting options, Jack thinks he's got at least one more in him.
Mets Today: Mets Game 143: Loss to Phillies
Thirteen words you probably never thought you'd hear or read (and then the rest for context): "As Mets fans we are blessed to have the Phillies in our division and in turn the opportunity to see two of the best righthanded starters in baseball pitching over the course of a weekend."
Crashburn Alley (Phillies): Understanding Ryan Howard's WAR
Bill takes one writer's uninformed dismissal of WAR as an opportunity to explain how it works, and why it likes Jamey Carroll, et al. better than Ryan Howard in 2010.
Ducksnorts (Padres): Stranded, Caught in the Crossfire
"If there is a player who takes better advantage of his park than Gonzalez, I don’t know who it is. How cool would it be to magically transform from Juan Encarnacion into, oh, Jeff Bagwell v. 1994 whenever you return home from a road trip? I so want that super power."
Bay City Ball (Giants): State of the Giants -- September Edition
Written before Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Padres that tied up the NL West. Got to be one of the most interesting teams left to follow right now.
Fungoes (Cardinals): Better for Rasmus to Speak Softly, Carry Big Stick
Thoughts on the huge day by beleaguered Colby Rasmus. My favorite part: Pip calls Rasmus "the subject of an amateurish squabble among the team’s powerbrokers, Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols."
Nationals Baseball: One thing on Dunn's fielding...
Harper urges some caution about Dunn's "improved" fielding at first base. Seriously, how is it that anyone thinks it's a good idea for Dunn to be anything but a full-time DH? I mean, besides Adam Dunn himself. I can see why he might not see things that way.
Weaver's Tantrum (Orioles): Luke Scott--Tiger Killer?
"Luke Scott has a well-earned reputation for destroying the Detroit Tigers....In two games this year, Luke is a respectable but not spectacular 2 for 8 with one walk. Both hits were singles. Will Luke turn it around?"
Fire Brand of the American League: Somebody Out There Still Believes
On hope in the face of increasing hopelessness.
Sox Machine (White Sox): Thanks to Thome, huge game rests on Harrell's shoulders
"Ozzie knew Thome still could hit, and was unsure about whether other groups knew as well. This is a great defense for answering complaints about one-dimensionality after re-signing Thome, by the way."
The Daily Fungo (Tigers): Widespread Selective Amnesia from Media on Huff's Pennant-Race Experience
And from Huff too, apparently. Lots of cute little stories about how Huff is thriving with the Giants in his first sniff of pennant-race baseball...which would be awesome, if Huff hadn't hit .189/.265/.302 as the Tigers fell to pieces in the stretch drive just last season.
Royals Authority: Bloom Off the Renovated K?
Attendance is down in 2010 after the excitement from the good-as-new Kaufman Stadium in 2009, which could be a bad sign for future payroll and such.
Nick's Twins Blog: Not So Easy to Find
Some thoughts on Twins' DH Jason Kubel, in response to a Twit-versation Nick, myself and some other Twins fans had with FanGraphs' Dave Cameron regarding a rather infamous article Cameron wrote in spring 2009.
It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Joba and FIP
Mark with a brilliant piece on the single most unfairly maligned player in baseball.
Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Fusco's a Goner; Jackson Generals
Apparently, Mariner scouting director Carmen Fusco is set to take the fall for the Josh Lueke silliness--good move? Bad move? Who's to say?--while the "West Tenn Diamond Jaxx" are set to undergo a badly, badly needed rebranding.
Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers): The Ones We Remember
"Depending on your perspective, [Friday] night's Yankees-Rangers tilt was either a tension-packed classic or absolutely painful to endure. Maybe both."
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