Something about Boston fans makes us cling to our past sports heroes, beyond what is 'normal'. I suppose 'tis the sports version of stalking, wanting what you cannot have, when previously you didn't always want it. Surely there are some out there even pining for Michael Bishop, despite three titles from Mr. Brady.
Nomar Garciaparra is the classic example, 'our Nomah' better than Jeter (not better than A-Rod) but feeling underloved and underpaid despite hauling down more money last year than we will make in two lifetimes. Was Nomar ever a 'happy camper?' Sources (hardly close friends) said that he was more of an isolationist than a teammate, although perhaps that was just another indispensable ritual.
All of us thought Nomar was ticketed for Cooperstown, but absent recovery and several more productive seasons, that seems unlikely. If durability hurt the Rices and Mattinglys of the world, then surely Nomar, introverted and at times surly is no different.
Does that make Nomar a tragic figure? Tragic (in baseball terms) means Tony C or Herb Score, Clemente, Dravecky, and Thurman Munson. Nomar falls into another category of star player limited by injury, not as much as a Gale Sayers, but more like Grant Hill. I prefer to reserve tragedy for those whose suffering is more universally understood.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Bird Man of Indiana
I have to confess that I spent more time watching the Celtics than the Sox last night, suffering through the pain of the isolation game and shot selection from hell. Have to offer props to Marcus Banks and to Delonte West for playing very hard on defense. Will Thursday be the last of the Antoine Walker reappearance? Walker's presence may have helped this year but Mr. Jefferson needs those minutes.
Dig Doug. Mirabelli continues to make his cameos count, with the grand/slam game winner off Sox castoff Mike Maroth (he of the Bruce Chen, Abe Alvarez, Frank Tanana the Elder school of soft tossers). Manny, go see the team doctor to check to see whether you got a hernia from swinging so hard.
Short Stop Sign. Edgar, your wakeup call has arrived. You can start playing shortstop any day now.
Nixon's Got One. Good idea to take a couple of days off now.
Pen Pals. Timlin continued to excel, and Foulke was adequate. They need a new category of save to describe his work lately. BUT, it's getting better.
Minor adjustments. The Sea Dogs lost 5-3 at New Britain, but David Pauley had a good outing with six innings, one run and no walks. Dustin 'I get no respect' Pedroia had another three hits, raising his average to .337 and taking the lead in the 2006 second base derby.
Double A is the 'launching pad' and Triple A the taxi squad in contemporary major league baseball.
Steroid happenings? Are those 'supplements' mislabeled as 'performance enhancing' vitamins confusing Latin players who have been caught more thus far at cheating? Or do they lack the access to get the premium/high test agents and masking agents?
Dig Doug. Mirabelli continues to make his cameos count, with the grand/slam game winner off Sox castoff Mike Maroth (he of the Bruce Chen, Abe Alvarez, Frank Tanana the Elder school of soft tossers). Manny, go see the team doctor to check to see whether you got a hernia from swinging so hard.
Short Stop Sign. Edgar, your wakeup call has arrived. You can start playing shortstop any day now.
Nixon's Got One. Good idea to take a couple of days off now.
Pen Pals. Timlin continued to excel, and Foulke was adequate. They need a new category of save to describe his work lately. BUT, it's getting better.
Minor adjustments. The Sea Dogs lost 5-3 at New Britain, but David Pauley had a good outing with six innings, one run and no walks. Dustin 'I get no respect' Pedroia had another three hits, raising his average to .337 and taking the lead in the 2006 second base derby.
Double A is the 'launching pad' and Triple A the taxi squad in contemporary major league baseball.
Steroid happenings? Are those 'supplements' mislabeled as 'performance enhancing' vitamins confusing Latin players who have been caught more thus far at cheating? Or do they lack the access to get the premium/high test agents and masking agents?
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Under the Microscope
Little ambivalence exists about the Red Sox. Yes, playing in Boston means living with the passion, the second-guessing, the frustration, as well as the adulation and the perquisites of celebrity status.
Performing under pressure means many different things. Sure, that could be winning, but how many parents work two jobs to get a kid through college or just to pay the rent and feed their kids.
Our idea of suffering pales in comparison with that throughout much of the country and the world. As much as we may object to the kings' ransom that players command, we might also understand better had we grown up in the slums around Santo Domingo or the barrio in East LA.
Professional athletes don't have to make excuses for their salaries, but we ask that they don't need to make excuses for either their attitude or their effort. Did you do the best you could do? If you had told me that Jeremy Gonzalez were going to have seven strikeouts and pitch even decently, I wouldn't have been amazed, but moderately surprised.
Mickey Mantle had three seasons worth of strikeouts during his career, and at least at the time, I believed that he always did his best. Maybe it was always his best, although performing (even well) sleep-deprived or hung over isn't my definition of professionalism.
All we can ask for is concentration and hustle. The results are not always proportionate to the effort.
Performing under pressure means many different things. Sure, that could be winning, but how many parents work two jobs to get a kid through college or just to pay the rent and feed their kids.
Our idea of suffering pales in comparison with that throughout much of the country and the world. As much as we may object to the kings' ransom that players command, we might also understand better had we grown up in the slums around Santo Domingo or the barrio in East LA.
Professional athletes don't have to make excuses for their salaries, but we ask that they don't need to make excuses for either their attitude or their effort. Did you do the best you could do? If you had told me that Jeremy Gonzalez were going to have seven strikeouts and pitch even decently, I wouldn't have been amazed, but moderately surprised.
Mickey Mantle had three seasons worth of strikeouts during his career, and at least at the time, I believed that he always did his best. Maybe it was always his best, although performing (even well) sleep-deprived or hung over isn't my definition of professionalism.
All we can ask for is concentration and hustle. The results are not always proportionate to the effort.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Sox 'Neal' to Tigers (L8-3) Season 13-12
The only consistency is inconsistency. First, the good news. Jeremy Bonderman is on my fantasy team. The good news ends there.
The Sox played the Tigers tough for five innings, behind a decent appearance from Tampa castoff Jeremy Gonzalez. Gonzalez had seven strikeouts in five innings, allowing six hits. Our Jeremy had the knack of throwing an occasional meatball, unlike Blaine Neal, yet another Padre infiltrator onto the Sox roster. Neal relieved Gonzalez with a gas can and Northeastern product Carlos Pena lit him up to the tune of a two-run shot, the first of his two for the night.
Matt Mantei followed up with a strong 1 2/3 innings before the Tigers savaged Alan Embree for three runs and four hits in 2/3rds of an inning.
The Tigers had a rarity with three triples on the night, with Johnny Damon adding a fourth as well as two other hits to raise his average to .368.
Questions for the post-debacle press conference? David McCarty was designated for assignment. McCarty had two hits in four appearances without a homer and played good defense. Kevin Millar has no homers and an OPS of .684 with mediocre defense. Huh? Blaine Neal has shown just about nothing this year, with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP ratio in the stratosphere. Patty Paige? Is that all their is? The Sox bullpen is making me long for the days of Allen Ripley and 'Five-Inning' Frank Castillo.
Pitching Grades: mostly without annotation (note that the most misleading statistic in pitching is wins in isolation) It's all Geek to me.
Curt Schilling: Incomplete
David Wells: B- (two shutouts)
Bronson Arroyo: B+
Tim Wakefield: A-
Matt Clement: B-
Jeremy Gonzalex: B- (limited observation)
Overall starters grade: B-
Lenny Dinardo: A (very limited observation)
Alan Embree: C
Mike Timlin: A
Keith Foulke: C-
Matt Mantei: C+
Blaine Neal: D
Mike Myers: B-
John Halama: C+ (easy questions so far)
Overall relief grade: C-
Farm Aid. The Portland Sea Dogs are tied up 1-1 in the eighth at New Britain. The game is suspended in a rain delay. Southpaw premium prospect Jon Lester has worked seven innings yielding four hits, two walks and a run. Dustin Pedroia (.325) doubled in Jeff Bailey in the sixth to tie the game.
Wilmington, behind Anibal Sanchez, stopped Potomac 6-2. Sanchez worked six innings with nine strikeouts, no earned runs, and no walks, lowering his ERA to 2.42. In 26 innings, he has allowed 18 hits and has a strikeout to walk ratio of 44 to 1. At some point, the Sox have to move him up to Portland to see what he looks like at the next level as statistically he is overmatching the Carolina League.
The Sox played the Tigers tough for five innings, behind a decent appearance from Tampa castoff Jeremy Gonzalez. Gonzalez had seven strikeouts in five innings, allowing six hits. Our Jeremy had the knack of throwing an occasional meatball, unlike Blaine Neal, yet another Padre infiltrator onto the Sox roster. Neal relieved Gonzalez with a gas can and Northeastern product Carlos Pena lit him up to the tune of a two-run shot, the first of his two for the night.
Matt Mantei followed up with a strong 1 2/3 innings before the Tigers savaged Alan Embree for three runs and four hits in 2/3rds of an inning.
The Tigers had a rarity with three triples on the night, with Johnny Damon adding a fourth as well as two other hits to raise his average to .368.
Questions for the post-debacle press conference? David McCarty was designated for assignment. McCarty had two hits in four appearances without a homer and played good defense. Kevin Millar has no homers and an OPS of .684 with mediocre defense. Huh? Blaine Neal has shown just about nothing this year, with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP ratio in the stratosphere. Patty Paige? Is that all their is? The Sox bullpen is making me long for the days of Allen Ripley and 'Five-Inning' Frank Castillo.
Pitching Grades: mostly without annotation (note that the most misleading statistic in pitching is wins in isolation) It's all Geek to me.
Curt Schilling: Incomplete
David Wells: B- (two shutouts)
Bronson Arroyo: B+
Tim Wakefield: A-
Matt Clement: B-
Jeremy Gonzalex: B- (limited observation)
Overall starters grade: B-
Lenny Dinardo: A (very limited observation)
Alan Embree: C
Mike Timlin: A
Keith Foulke: C-
Matt Mantei: C+
Blaine Neal: D
Mike Myers: B-
John Halama: C+ (easy questions so far)
Overall relief grade: C-
Farm Aid. The Portland Sea Dogs are tied up 1-1 in the eighth at New Britain. The game is suspended in a rain delay. Southpaw premium prospect Jon Lester has worked seven innings yielding four hits, two walks and a run. Dustin Pedroia (.325) doubled in Jeff Bailey in the sixth to tie the game.
Wilmington, behind Anibal Sanchez, stopped Potomac 6-2. Sanchez worked six innings with nine strikeouts, no earned runs, and no walks, lowering his ERA to 2.42. In 26 innings, he has allowed 18 hits and has a strikeout to walk ratio of 44 to 1. At some point, the Sox have to move him up to Portland to see what he looks like at the next level as statistically he is overmatching the Carolina League.
Lies, Damned Lies...
Statistical update from my son Conor, an Orioles fan
Based on standings through 5/1 from 1996-2004:
# of teams with a winning % > .650: 30
# of these 30 who made the playoffs: 22 (73%)
# of teams with a winning % > .700: 13
# of these 13 who made the playoffs: 10 (77%)
(O's, White Sox are above .700)
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .500: 11 (guess it's not that early)
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .450: 3
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .401: 1 (2001 A's)
The 2005 Yanks have a .400 winning percentage.
Based on standings through 5/1 from 1996-2004:
# of teams with a winning % > .650: 30
# of these 30 who made the playoffs: 22 (73%)
# of teams with a winning % > .700: 13
# of these 13 who made the playoffs: 10 (77%)
(O's, White Sox are above .700)
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .500: 11 (guess it's not that early)
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .450: 3
# of the 72 playoff teams with records below .401: 1 (2001 A's)
The 2005 Yanks have a .400 winning percentage.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
How the Yankees Affect MLB
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/crystal-ballsthe-slide-of-the-yankees/
A spectacular article concerning the state of the Yankees, their owner, and how the way they do business impacts all of MLB. A must read.
A spectacular article concerning the state of the Yankees, their owner, and how the way they do business impacts all of MLB. A must read.
Sox Rearrange Rangers (W6-5) Season 13-11
Another benefit of baseball is its suitability, if not design, for radio. As the family drove back from a volleyball tournament, we got to hear the ministrations of Jerry and Joe, and oddities like all the early runs being scored without a base hit driving in runs.
Matt Clement used up his pitch ration for the week, but somehow gets the victory with yes, a quality start. Only 5 percent of quality starts involve a six inning, three run performance, so this was a bit of a rarity, too. Still, Clement is 3-0, he kept the Sox in the game, and Texas is a formidable hitting club.
The much-maligned bullpen came through with solid work from Embree and Timlin, and Keith Foulke continues to work through his early season struggles. His velocity and command aren't where they need to be, but they look better.
The Sox pounded out thirteen hits and worked five walks, so obviously the left on base problem is still a bit of an issue. Kevin Youkilis had another hit and a pair of walks. He definitely looks to be the kind of guy who can be a .280/.400/.450 underpriced infield asset.
Yankees lose, Yankees lose. Well, the Yankees continued to struggle, dropping one 8-6 to Toronto (tied with the Sox for second). Carl Pavano, another of Dirt Dogs Fortune 500 (makes a fortune, .500 pitcher) got rapped for 6 runs in 5 innings, and the Yankees bullpen failed again. George Steinbrenner must be on anticonvulsants by now, if not on suicide watch.
Meanwhile, the Oriole train keeps rolling, with two homers from Melvin Mora (6), another from Miguel (some people questioned whether he was better than Nomar) Tejada (9), and another win for Bruce 'Marshmallow Fluff Arm' Chen. Why can't we get guys like this?
Stathead Section. The Sox remain in second place in runs scored (136 in 24 games, 5.66 per game), second place in OPS, second in slugging and first in on-base percentage. In fourteen road games, they've scored 72 runs, 5.1 per game.
Where have they gone? Gordon Edes had a magnificent article about Earl Wilson, formerly a Sox pitcher who authored a no-hitter in 1962. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2005/05/01/man_of_substance_and_style/
I remember Wilson as a very good pitcher, but also as a free-swinging hitter who was a pretty decent long ball threat. Wilson is also one of those trivia answers, as in African-American pitchers who won at least 20 games in a season, having won 22 in 1967 (after the Sox traded him in 1966). Some others that I know:
Bob Gibson (5 times)
J.R. Richard (1976)
Vida Blue (3 times, 24 in 1971)
Ferguson Jenkins (7 times)
Dave Stewart (four years in a row, 1987-1990)
Mudcat Grant (21 in 1965)
Don Newcombe (twice)
Al Downing (1971)
Mike Norris (1980)
Dwight Gooden (24 in 1985)
Sam Jones (21 in 1959)
Productivity goes hand in hand with opportunity.
Matt Clement used up his pitch ration for the week, but somehow gets the victory with yes, a quality start. Only 5 percent of quality starts involve a six inning, three run performance, so this was a bit of a rarity, too. Still, Clement is 3-0, he kept the Sox in the game, and Texas is a formidable hitting club.
The much-maligned bullpen came through with solid work from Embree and Timlin, and Keith Foulke continues to work through his early season struggles. His velocity and command aren't where they need to be, but they look better.
The Sox pounded out thirteen hits and worked five walks, so obviously the left on base problem is still a bit of an issue. Kevin Youkilis had another hit and a pair of walks. He definitely looks to be the kind of guy who can be a .280/.400/.450 underpriced infield asset.
Yankees lose, Yankees lose. Well, the Yankees continued to struggle, dropping one 8-6 to Toronto (tied with the Sox for second). Carl Pavano, another of Dirt Dogs Fortune 500 (makes a fortune, .500 pitcher) got rapped for 6 runs in 5 innings, and the Yankees bullpen failed again. George Steinbrenner must be on anticonvulsants by now, if not on suicide watch.
Meanwhile, the Oriole train keeps rolling, with two homers from Melvin Mora (6), another from Miguel (some people questioned whether he was better than Nomar) Tejada (9), and another win for Bruce 'Marshmallow Fluff Arm' Chen. Why can't we get guys like this?
Stathead Section. The Sox remain in second place in runs scored (136 in 24 games, 5.66 per game), second place in OPS, second in slugging and first in on-base percentage. In fourteen road games, they've scored 72 runs, 5.1 per game.
Where have they gone? Gordon Edes had a magnificent article about Earl Wilson, formerly a Sox pitcher who authored a no-hitter in 1962. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2005/05/01/man_of_substance_and_style/
I remember Wilson as a very good pitcher, but also as a free-swinging hitter who was a pretty decent long ball threat. Wilson is also one of those trivia answers, as in African-American pitchers who won at least 20 games in a season, having won 22 in 1967 (after the Sox traded him in 1966). Some others that I know:
Bob Gibson (5 times)
J.R. Richard (1976)
Vida Blue (3 times, 24 in 1971)
Ferguson Jenkins (7 times)
Dave Stewart (four years in a row, 1987-1990)
Mudcat Grant (21 in 1965)
Don Newcombe (twice)
Al Downing (1971)
Mike Norris (1980)
Dwight Gooden (24 in 1985)
Sam Jones (21 in 1959)
Productivity goes hand in hand with opportunity.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Surf's Up (W9-2) Season 12-11
Channel surfers' delight as the Sox won (9-2) for the first time in seven games in Texas and the Celtics evened their series at two with the Pacers with a 110-78 blowout.
Seven strong innings from 'Then Came' Bronson Arroyo, three hits from Kevin Youkilis (the Talisman is back), and homers from Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, and Jason Varitek made for a relatively easy win. Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke closed out the win. Foulke had his command back and his fastball was in the 88 range, up from the mid 80s.
Arroyo held the powerful Rangers to 5 hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts. Former Sox fill-in Pedro Astacio got touched up for the loss, as after three decent starts he has reverted to his struggling form over the past couple.
Unfortunately for the Sox, the Yankees and Orioles both won, and the Orioles moved to 16-7, behind a game tying homer from Miguel Tejada and another shot from Brian Roberts.
Texas Trip Notes. Terry Francona sat out his second game of the Tampa beanbrawl suspension, and Brad Mills filled in for him. Damon and Nixon went back-to-back jacks, a change from the more usual Ramirez and Ortiz. Jim Rice and Dwight Evans are the two Sox who have most often gone back to back.
The Sox are now 6-4 at home, 6-7 on the road, 5-3 during the day, and 7-8 at night.
The Kevin Millar homerless streak lives on, although he drove one out to the track.
Statistical oddity. In Carl Yastrzemski's MVP/Triple Crown season, he slugged .622, with only 69 strikeouts accompanying 91 walks. For his career, he only fanned 1393 times to go along with 1845 walks. During his two seasons at age 42 and 43, he only struck out 79 times in 739 at bats, and hit 26 homers during those years. Conversely, last year Adam Dunn .266/.388/.569 fanned 195 times, walked 108 and had 5 HBP. In other words Dunn had 308 appearances without contact, and had 46 homers in the 373 at bats in which he made contact. Amazingly, he had no sacrifice flies in 681 plate appearances.
Farm Land. Abe Alvarez (3.90, 2-1) got his head on straight for seven innings of one-run ball as the Pawsox blasted Wilkes-Barre 13-2. Chip Ambres had a slam and six RBI. The Sea Dogs were rained out.
Seven strong innings from 'Then Came' Bronson Arroyo, three hits from Kevin Youkilis (the Talisman is back), and homers from Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, and Jason Varitek made for a relatively easy win. Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke closed out the win. Foulke had his command back and his fastball was in the 88 range, up from the mid 80s.
Arroyo held the powerful Rangers to 5 hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts. Former Sox fill-in Pedro Astacio got touched up for the loss, as after three decent starts he has reverted to his struggling form over the past couple.
Unfortunately for the Sox, the Yankees and Orioles both won, and the Orioles moved to 16-7, behind a game tying homer from Miguel Tejada and another shot from Brian Roberts.
Texas Trip Notes. Terry Francona sat out his second game of the Tampa beanbrawl suspension, and Brad Mills filled in for him. Damon and Nixon went back-to-back jacks, a change from the more usual Ramirez and Ortiz. Jim Rice and Dwight Evans are the two Sox who have most often gone back to back.
The Sox are now 6-4 at home, 6-7 on the road, 5-3 during the day, and 7-8 at night.
The Kevin Millar homerless streak lives on, although he drove one out to the track.
Statistical oddity. In Carl Yastrzemski's MVP/Triple Crown season, he slugged .622, with only 69 strikeouts accompanying 91 walks. For his career, he only fanned 1393 times to go along with 1845 walks. During his two seasons at age 42 and 43, he only struck out 79 times in 739 at bats, and hit 26 homers during those years. Conversely, last year Adam Dunn .266/.388/.569 fanned 195 times, walked 108 and had 5 HBP. In other words Dunn had 308 appearances without contact, and had 46 homers in the 373 at bats in which he made contact. Amazingly, he had no sacrifice flies in 681 plate appearances.
Farm Land. Abe Alvarez (3.90, 2-1) got his head on straight for seven innings of one-run ball as the Pawsox blasted Wilkes-Barre 13-2. Chip Ambres had a slam and six RBI. The Sea Dogs were rained out.
Latest from Dirt Dogs
Fehr and Yawning: Selig Will Get Rejected on 50-Game Penalty for Steroids(The Smart Players Using the High-End 'Roids Can Beat the Low-End Tests Anyway)
Newsweek: Nomar and the S Word
What's the best word for Fehr, anyway? Smarmy, unctuous, weasel, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, treacherous, duplicitous, mendacious, disreputable, perfidious, disgusting, fulsome, cloying?
Newsweek: Nomar and the S Word
What's the best word for Fehr, anyway? Smarmy, unctuous, weasel, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, treacherous, duplicitous, mendacious, disreputable, perfidious, disgusting, fulsome, cloying?
The Curse of Kevin Youkilis
Never unnecessarily cloud the truth with facts. Maybe that would be an alternative mantra for Washington after 'plausible deniability.'
After languishing without a World Series title for 86 years (Henry's comet appearing with lesser frequency than Halley's), the Sox finally broke through in 2004. The solution? The appearance of Billy Beane's 'Greek God of Walks', Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis made his debut in Toronto with unusual fanfare, a home run in his first game, followed by the infamous 'air five', a variation on the Silent Treatment.
He went on to have a solid if unspectacular season, the talisman smashing the curse. Of course, that is the stuff of legend, and fantasy, as the principal curse-buster was the simple answer: pitching, pitching, and more pitching. The work of Schilling, Pedro, Lowe, and Foulke in shutting down the Yankees and the Cardinals, not curses, spells, or voodoo provided the answer.
Naturally the season got off to a sluggish start again this year, followed by improvement, and then exile of Youkilis to Pawtucket, coincident with the miasma known as Springtime in Boston. Youkilis goes down, the Sox struggle, so why not bring him back?
Damn, reality sets in, with the Sox at 5-5 when Youk got the bus ticket, and he returns with the team in a funk and fade, now at 11-11. So, .500 with Youkilis, and .500 without the Walkbino. It's time for Youkilis to prove himself to be the real stopper, and give this column a happy ending.
After languishing without a World Series title for 86 years (Henry's comet appearing with lesser frequency than Halley's), the Sox finally broke through in 2004. The solution? The appearance of Billy Beane's 'Greek God of Walks', Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis made his debut in Toronto with unusual fanfare, a home run in his first game, followed by the infamous 'air five', a variation on the Silent Treatment.
He went on to have a solid if unspectacular season, the talisman smashing the curse. Of course, that is the stuff of legend, and fantasy, as the principal curse-buster was the simple answer: pitching, pitching, and more pitching. The work of Schilling, Pedro, Lowe, and Foulke in shutting down the Yankees and the Cardinals, not curses, spells, or voodoo provided the answer.
Naturally the season got off to a sluggish start again this year, followed by improvement, and then exile of Youkilis to Pawtucket, coincident with the miasma known as Springtime in Boston. Youkilis goes down, the Sox struggle, so why not bring him back?
Damn, reality sets in, with the Sox at 5-5 when Youk got the bus ticket, and he returns with the team in a funk and fade, now at 11-11. So, .500 with Youkilis, and .500 without the Walkbino. It's time for Youkilis to prove himself to be the real stopper, and give this column a happy ending.
Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude: taking pleasure in another person's pain or misery.
No doubt that much of Baseball America is taking pleasure at the Sox demise, not only with respect to the return to mediocrity, but also the way they've done it, accelerated by injuries to high paid aging stars. That would be the 'mean reversion' of age and injury impacting a pitching staff that was fortunate to avoid that last season.
Sure, the Yankees have fared worse, even last night as back to Cy Young form Roy Halladay blanked the Bombers and RJ 2-0. With 140 games to go, the chowderheads who said Johnson would win 30 better hope for a 30 game winning streak in 29 starts. That's schadenfreude. Not to mention at 205 million dollar payroll, but of course, the season is young.
At this point,with six losses in a row in Arlington, and 8 out of 9, I'm beginning to believe my 'strip joint' theory, and suggest that a number of us go on a 'fact-finding mission' to uncover the truth ;)
No doubt that much of Baseball America is taking pleasure at the Sox demise, not only with respect to the return to mediocrity, but also the way they've done it, accelerated by injuries to high paid aging stars. That would be the 'mean reversion' of age and injury impacting a pitching staff that was fortunate to avoid that last season.
Sure, the Yankees have fared worse, even last night as back to Cy Young form Roy Halladay blanked the Bombers and RJ 2-0. With 140 games to go, the chowderheads who said Johnson would win 30 better hope for a 30 game winning streak in 29 starts. That's schadenfreude. Not to mention at 205 million dollar payroll, but of course, the season is young.
At this point,with six losses in a row in Arlington, and 8 out of 9, I'm beginning to believe my 'strip joint' theory, and suggest that a number of us go on a 'fact-finding mission' to uncover the truth ;)
Friday, April 29, 2005
Staff Infection (L7-2) Season (11-11)
First, the good news. The Sox remain at the .500 mark. Now, the reality check, getting the road trip off on the wrong foot.
The Sox grabbed the lead on a two-run triple by Kevin Millar that Gary Matthews probably should have caught. Aside from that, the offense was on holiday.
Tim Wakefield weakened in the sixth, as quality start became a historical term for the Sox, as the Rangers went on to top the Sox 7-2 behind quality work from Chan Ho Park. Is he in a contract year?
While the Sox have had Jin Ho Cho and B.K. Kim, the Rangers have had the best of the lot in Park. Park, entering this season 13-18 in three AL seasons, allowed two runs in seven innings, mixing his pitches well in sending the Sox to the ignominy of the post-game mean and retreat to their watering hole to recharge for tomorrow.
There's no time for wallowing in self-pity, as the offense feels the urgency to start producing during the pitching staff infection. Ouch.
The best part of the game is Rico Petrocelli doing the post-game. That's sad.
The Sox grabbed the lead on a two-run triple by Kevin Millar that Gary Matthews probably should have caught. Aside from that, the offense was on holiday.
Tim Wakefield weakened in the sixth, as quality start became a historical term for the Sox, as the Rangers went on to top the Sox 7-2 behind quality work from Chan Ho Park. Is he in a contract year?
While the Sox have had Jin Ho Cho and B.K. Kim, the Rangers have had the best of the lot in Park. Park, entering this season 13-18 in three AL seasons, allowed two runs in seven innings, mixing his pitches well in sending the Sox to the ignominy of the post-game mean and retreat to their watering hole to recharge for tomorrow.
There's no time for wallowing in self-pity, as the offense feels the urgency to start producing during the pitching staff infection. Ouch.
The best part of the game is Rico Petrocelli doing the post-game. That's sad.
Theory and Practice (game 22 in progress)
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Yogi Berra
The Sox are testing out my hypothesis about selected road trips. Last night on WEEI, the announcers speculated that excessive nightlife was a cause for the D-Lowe departure after last season. Rumors about Lowe's post-game styling were flying. Of course the Sox elected to replace Lowe with a pitcher picture of decorum, David Wells.
Anyway, although I haven't been to the Arlington area, my guess is that there are plenty of distractions available for young guys with too much money and time on their hands. A quick search of the Internet, er, revealed seven strip clubs in Arlington, Texas. While the home team is enjoying a little quality family time, it takes little imagination to envision American League visitors losing sleep and brain cells out on the town.
Statistically speaking. If I had to be stranded on a desert island with one book, the Baseball Encyclopedia might not be a bad choice (presuming that a survival manual wasn't another choice). Carl Yastrzemski is second in career at bats, seventh in hits, and sixth in doubles. Cy Young has not only the most career wins but the most career losses and career complete games. Pedro Martinez has the highest career winning percentage, and Jim Thome has an astounding percentage of at bats without contact (17 percent walks and 30 percent strikeouts). Mark McGwire has the highest percentage of homers per at bat.
Thus far after 21 2/3rd games, neither Mark Bellhorn nor Kevin Millar has homered. No homers for your fifth hole hitter at this point in the season?
The Sox called up righthanded reliever Tim Bausher from Pawtucket. The Pawsox immediately felt the loss, blowing a five run lead to lose to Scranton 8-6. Denny Tomori is one Japanese import that hasn't done well on his road test, taking the loss.
Meanwhile, the dreaded Norwich Navigators of the Eastern League dope-slapped the pride of Portland, thumping the Sea Dogs 8-0. Chris Durbin raised his average to .373 with two hits and Jeremy West raised his average to .347. Kason Gabbard (3-1) absorbed his first loss of the campaign.
Don Orsillo informed us that the day after Kevin Millar's twins were born, the lottery number came up 1515 (Millar's number is 15).
The Sox are testing out my hypothesis about selected road trips. Last night on WEEI, the announcers speculated that excessive nightlife was a cause for the D-Lowe departure after last season. Rumors about Lowe's post-game styling were flying. Of course the Sox elected to replace Lowe with a pitcher picture of decorum, David Wells.
Anyway, although I haven't been to the Arlington area, my guess is that there are plenty of distractions available for young guys with too much money and time on their hands. A quick search of the Internet, er, revealed seven strip clubs in Arlington, Texas. While the home team is enjoying a little quality family time, it takes little imagination to envision American League visitors losing sleep and brain cells out on the town.
Statistically speaking. If I had to be stranded on a desert island with one book, the Baseball Encyclopedia might not be a bad choice (presuming that a survival manual wasn't another choice). Carl Yastrzemski is second in career at bats, seventh in hits, and sixth in doubles. Cy Young has not only the most career wins but the most career losses and career complete games. Pedro Martinez has the highest career winning percentage, and Jim Thome has an astounding percentage of at bats without contact (17 percent walks and 30 percent strikeouts). Mark McGwire has the highest percentage of homers per at bat.
Thus far after 21 2/3rd games, neither Mark Bellhorn nor Kevin Millar has homered. No homers for your fifth hole hitter at this point in the season?
The Sox called up righthanded reliever Tim Bausher from Pawtucket. The Pawsox immediately felt the loss, blowing a five run lead to lose to Scranton 8-6. Denny Tomori is one Japanese import that hasn't done well on his road test, taking the loss.
Meanwhile, the dreaded Norwich Navigators of the Eastern League dope-slapped the pride of Portland, thumping the Sea Dogs 8-0. Chris Durbin raised his average to .373 with two hits and Jeremy West raised his average to .347. Kason Gabbard (3-1) absorbed his first loss of the campaign.
Don Orsillo informed us that the day after Kevin Millar's twins were born, the lottery number came up 1515 (Millar's number is 15).
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Fever Pitch
No game tonight, so my wife and I went out to see Fever Pitch.
My first impression (naturally) is that Fallon's character, Ben Wrightman, makes the rest of us merely devoted fans look much better to our wives than the obsessed beyond belief Fallon. Second, the movie truly has loads of terrific sight gags and oneliners, to the point that my wife said that she thought she would be sick she laughed so hard,
Pitch captures the wide emotional swings that captivate Red Sox nation. Even tonight, in the wake of the double disabled dip, the debate rages on Sports Radio about why the Sox were willing to 'break up' their championship team (a mere 150 million dollars or so would have locked up Nomar Garciaparra, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe). The film also explores the complex relationships between and among men and women. The scene depicting the distribution of season tickets was sidesplitting.
Sure, there's a little baseball tossed in with the humor, with a few season and postseason highlights, but the amalgam of comedy and baseball makes for a great evening out, at a fraction of the cost of Fenway.
Any Red Sox fan has to see Fever Pitch. I can't wait for the DVD.
My first impression (naturally) is that Fallon's character, Ben Wrightman, makes the rest of us merely devoted fans look much better to our wives than the obsessed beyond belief Fallon. Second, the movie truly has loads of terrific sight gags and oneliners, to the point that my wife said that she thought she would be sick she laughed so hard,
Pitch captures the wide emotional swings that captivate Red Sox nation. Even tonight, in the wake of the double disabled dip, the debate rages on Sports Radio about why the Sox were willing to 'break up' their championship team (a mere 150 million dollars or so would have locked up Nomar Garciaparra, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe). The film also explores the complex relationships between and among men and women. The scene depicting the distribution of season tickets was sidesplitting.
Sure, there's a little baseball tossed in with the humor, with a few season and postseason highlights, but the amalgam of comedy and baseball makes for a great evening out, at a fraction of the cost of Fenway.
Any Red Sox fan has to see Fever Pitch. I can't wait for the DVD.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Wounds to be licked. Rain Out.
Memorable rain out/rain delay moments? Rick Dempsey of the Orioles always had some with his comedy routines, and as I've mentioned, I saw a grounds crewman have sudden death at the first game I ever attended as they ran out the tarpaulin.
The Orioles and Sox both have an open date tomorrow, but I haven't heard when the game is rescheduled. One would think the Sox might want it to be played later (presuming they might be playing a bit better).
The timing of an extended road trip (starting against the nightmarish Rangers) that can eat up pitching, coupled with key injuries creates more than a few problems. With less quality pitching, the Sox absolutely will have to carry that extra pitcher (12) and the offense (that historically can struggle on the road) has extra pressure on it.
The Pen is mightier than ... nothing. The Sox relief corps is last in OPS, next to last in strikeouts per 9 innings, and next to last in losses (5). Keith Foulke just hasn't found the groove, and as a finesse pitcher, he needs to get there soon. He's been like the little girl with the curls: "when he is good he is very good..." His stats this year? One win, three losses, and 13 hits and 5 walks (with 4 strikeouts) in 10 innings, with an OPS of 1.027. For his career he has a strikeout to walk ratio of four to one, and last year he allowed 63 hits in 83 innings during the regular season, and 7 hits with 19 strikeouts in 14 post-season innings. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Offensively, the Sox are relying on Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz right now to do almost all the lifting. One statistic I found amazing was that Mark Bellhorn either walks or strikes out in 40 percent of his at bats. Unfortunately, strikeouts occurred in 28 percent.
The ankle xray shown over at www.bostondirtdogs.com shows an ankle fracture, so I hope that it isn't anybody we know.
Baseball tonight. The PawSox got the short straw again, losing 9-8 at Rochester. Kevin Youkilis (.220) went 2 for 5 and Chip Ambres homered. Scott Cassidy gave up 5 runs in 5 innings and Anastacio Martinez got lit up for three runs in the ninth, so there's a crisis in confidence on the farm, too.
The Sea Dogs are at Binghamton after losing to the Mets farm club by a field goal, 13-10 last night.
Uber-prospect Hanley Ramirez is at .300/.355/.471, Jared Sandberg at .302/.397/.619, and second base convert Dustin Pedroia, the little engine that could, is at .350/.452/.550. Olise (Cla) Meredith has seven saves and a .000 ERA thus far.
The Orioles and Sox both have an open date tomorrow, but I haven't heard when the game is rescheduled. One would think the Sox might want it to be played later (presuming they might be playing a bit better).
The timing of an extended road trip (starting against the nightmarish Rangers) that can eat up pitching, coupled with key injuries creates more than a few problems. With less quality pitching, the Sox absolutely will have to carry that extra pitcher (12) and the offense (that historically can struggle on the road) has extra pressure on it.
The Pen is mightier than ... nothing. The Sox relief corps is last in OPS, next to last in strikeouts per 9 innings, and next to last in losses (5). Keith Foulke just hasn't found the groove, and as a finesse pitcher, he needs to get there soon. He's been like the little girl with the curls: "when he is good he is very good..." His stats this year? One win, three losses, and 13 hits and 5 walks (with 4 strikeouts) in 10 innings, with an OPS of 1.027. For his career he has a strikeout to walk ratio of four to one, and last year he allowed 63 hits in 83 innings during the regular season, and 7 hits with 19 strikeouts in 14 post-season innings. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Offensively, the Sox are relying on Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz right now to do almost all the lifting. One statistic I found amazing was that Mark Bellhorn either walks or strikes out in 40 percent of his at bats. Unfortunately, strikeouts occurred in 28 percent.
The ankle xray shown over at www.bostondirtdogs.com shows an ankle fracture, so I hope that it isn't anybody we know.
Baseball tonight. The PawSox got the short straw again, losing 9-8 at Rochester. Kevin Youkilis (.220) went 2 for 5 and Chip Ambres homered. Scott Cassidy gave up 5 runs in 5 innings and Anastacio Martinez got lit up for three runs in the ninth, so there's a crisis in confidence on the farm, too.
The Sea Dogs are at Binghamton after losing to the Mets farm club by a field goal, 13-10 last night.
Uber-prospect Hanley Ramirez is at .300/.355/.471, Jared Sandberg at .302/.397/.619, and second base convert Dustin Pedroia, the little engine that could, is at .350/.452/.550. Olise (Cla) Meredith has seven saves and a .000 ERA thus far.
Schilling on the DL
The sky isn't falling. Ah, maybe it is. Whatever we do, I hope it is not in the Bobby Sprowl tradition. That is, do not try to 'rush' guys who aren't ready (Papelbon, Alvarez, Lester) out of desperation and make them head cases forever.
My argument about starting Wakefield every fourth day makes more sense to me now.
My argument about starting Wakefield every fourth day makes more sense to me now.
Pen Pals (L11-8) Season 11-10 (GB 3)
Tedious. That's the only way to describe last night's game, from the glacial pace to the outcome. It felt like a World Series game - played at night, lasted forever, and made it impossible for children and tired old men to see the outcome.
The less said about this game, the better.
If the Billy Beane triad of the season is evaluation, repair, and completion (what has Beane won is a legitimate question) then themes are emerging. First, that the offense has largely been adequate, particularly at Fenway. Even with neither Manny Ramirez nor David Ortiz at peak production, the Sox are scoring runs. However, if the Sox are Achilles then the bullpen has been their heel. Keith Foulke became the culprit this time, torched for four runs late when asked to deliver a two inning save.
Well, as they say 'momentum lasts only as long as the next day's starting pitcher' so we'll see what Tim Wakefield can deliver tonight. Heading off to Texas for an extended roadtrip, the Sox can use a stop.
The less said about this game, the better.
If the Billy Beane triad of the season is evaluation, repair, and completion (what has Beane won is a legitimate question) then themes are emerging. First, that the offense has largely been adequate, particularly at Fenway. Even with neither Manny Ramirez nor David Ortiz at peak production, the Sox are scoring runs. However, if the Sox are Achilles then the bullpen has been their heel. Keith Foulke became the culprit this time, torched for four runs late when asked to deliver a two inning save.
Well, as they say 'momentum lasts only as long as the next day's starting pitcher' so we'll see what Tim Wakefield can deliver tonight. Heading off to Texas for an extended roadtrip, the Sox can use a stop.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Get Wells Soon
After awkwardly coming off the mound last night, David Wells has an unspecified foot injury and has been placed on the DL. We haven't heard whether he has a sprain, stress fracture, or other injury. Lenny DiNardo has been called up, and John Halama will go into Wells' slot in the rotation.
Obviously, many eyes are on Wade Miller's progress as an alternative. I've always wondered about pitching Tim Wakefield every fourth day, and working other guys around him. For example.
Clement
Wakefield
Off day
Schilling
Arroyo
Wakefield
Clement
Schilling
Spot Starter
Wakefield
Arroyo
Clement
Schilling
Wakefield
Spot Starter
Arroyo
Off Day
Schilling
Clement
Wakefield
The cons: this disrupts the pitchers' customary schedule.
The pros: you get only two appearances from spot starters, with more starts from Wakefield who is likely to outperform your spot starter, and you get an occasional extra day of rest for one of your other starters. Would Wakefield be more OR less effective (or no different) on three days rest?
Conclusion: very unlikely to be worth the difference or very agreeable to players.
Obviously, many eyes are on Wade Miller's progress as an alternative. I've always wondered about pitching Tim Wakefield every fourth day, and working other guys around him. For example.
Clement
Wakefield
Off day
Schilling
Arroyo
Wakefield
Clement
Schilling
Spot Starter
Wakefield
Arroyo
Clement
Schilling
Wakefield
Spot Starter
Arroyo
Off Day
Schilling
Clement
Wakefield
The cons: this disrupts the pitchers' customary schedule.
The pros: you get only two appearances from spot starters, with more starts from Wakefield who is likely to outperform your spot starter, and you get an occasional extra day of rest for one of your other starters. Would Wakefield be more OR less effective (or no different) on three days rest?
Conclusion: very unlikely to be worth the difference or very agreeable to players.
A Case for Luis
Originally published at www.uwritesports.com by Ron Sen
Election to the Baseball Hall of Fame shouldn’t be a popularity contest. But, if it were, shouldn’t a popular player get an even break? Concerning Cooperstown, that sleepy village in northern New York state, Luis Tiant remains on the outside looking in. We can only ask why and examine Tiant in comparison with some of the Hall entries.
I remember Tiant as the Cuban, cigar smoking, whirling dervish on baseball’s Mount Olympus, the mound at Fenway Park. He looked more like a sausage vendor than an athlete, cut from the John Kruk mold, playfully butchering the English language, but on the mound he was all business. In Game 1 of the 1975 World Series, he carried the Sox to an improbable victory, not only with his pitching, but with his bat, delivering a hit and scoring a key run.
From a longevity standpoint, Tiant pitched in 19 seasons, winning 229 games and losing 172, a winning percentage of .571. One of Bill James’ principles is that won-loss record in a single season is not a great measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness, but the Hall of Fame is about careers. Tiant’s career ERA was 3.30, significantly better than the average league ERA of 3.74 during those years. He never finished higher than fourth in the Cy Young voting, despite winning the ERA title twice, winning 20 or more games 4 times, and leading the league in shutouts 3 times. He finished in the top 30 pitchers all-time in strikeouts (30) and shutouts (21).
How does Tiant stack up against some other contemporary Hall of Fame pitchers? His ‘similarity scores’ compare strongly with HOFers Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter, Jim Bunning, and Don Drysdale. Career totals are noted below.
Pitcher-------- Win Loss K--- ERA/LgERA
Tiant----------- 229 172 2416 3.30/3.74
Hunter- --------224 166 2012 3.26/3.39
Bunning -------224 184 2855 3.27/3.74
Drysdale-------209 166 2486 2.95/3.57
Hunter was the consummate big game pitcher, pitching on 5 World Series champions. There is no argument against Hunter, but he also had the good fortune of playing for outstanding teams, and having premier relief help, Rollie Fingers, perhaps the greatest relief pitcher ever and Goose Gossage another dominant closer. Drysdale’s luster may have dimmed against teammate Sandy Koufax’s, but he too had World Series glory behind him. Bunning, the affable Kentuckian, has a lower winning percentage, only 1 twenty game season, more strikeouts, and never even appeared in the post-season.
Perhaps, the ‘politics of glory’ aspect contributed to his Hall entry.Bill James’ newest effort, ‘Win Shares’ attempts to provide quantitative analysis of player production. Baseball fans with more than a passing interest in Sabermetrics should consider putting it on their bookshelf. No one would argue that any individual metric should determine entry into Cooperstown, but we can at least stack up Tiant against some entries using this standard. The All-Time Win Share leader was Babe Ruth with 756, and the highest rated pitcher was Cy Young with 634. The highest rated player not in the HOF is Pete Rose with 547. Everyday players obviously have the opportunity to contribute to more wins than pitchers.
The overall analysis favors everyday players (hitters) over pitchers, but again we are comparing apples with apples. By this measure, Drysdale had 258, Bunning 257, Tiant 256, Hunter 206. During the 1970s Tiant had 158 Win Shares and Hunter 157.
During the four year run of Sandy Koufax from 1963 to 1966, he had 124 shares, averaging 31 per season. ! During Bob Gibson’s stunning 1968 season with his 1.12 ERA, he contributed 36 win shares, while Denny McLain had 33 with his 31 wins.
There are not an abundance of Latin players in the Hall of Fame. Quickly coming to mind are Luis Aparicio, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, and Juan Marichal. Surely, as African-American and Latin players have become dominant, we should expect to see an influx of deserving candidates and entrants.
As we embark on the 2005 baseball marathon led by Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Vlad Gueriero, Manny Ramirez and others, we should pause for a few moments to recognize players who made the game special for us. Having grown up in the era of Mays, Aaron, the Oriole Robinsons, Gibson, Koufax, and Yastrzemski, I can only wonder why every year, there isn’t a case for Luis.
Election to the Baseball Hall of Fame shouldn’t be a popularity contest. But, if it were, shouldn’t a popular player get an even break? Concerning Cooperstown, that sleepy village in northern New York state, Luis Tiant remains on the outside looking in. We can only ask why and examine Tiant in comparison with some of the Hall entries.
I remember Tiant as the Cuban, cigar smoking, whirling dervish on baseball’s Mount Olympus, the mound at Fenway Park. He looked more like a sausage vendor than an athlete, cut from the John Kruk mold, playfully butchering the English language, but on the mound he was all business. In Game 1 of the 1975 World Series, he carried the Sox to an improbable victory, not only with his pitching, but with his bat, delivering a hit and scoring a key run.
From a longevity standpoint, Tiant pitched in 19 seasons, winning 229 games and losing 172, a winning percentage of .571. One of Bill James’ principles is that won-loss record in a single season is not a great measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness, but the Hall of Fame is about careers. Tiant’s career ERA was 3.30, significantly better than the average league ERA of 3.74 during those years. He never finished higher than fourth in the Cy Young voting, despite winning the ERA title twice, winning 20 or more games 4 times, and leading the league in shutouts 3 times. He finished in the top 30 pitchers all-time in strikeouts (30) and shutouts (21).
How does Tiant stack up against some other contemporary Hall of Fame pitchers? His ‘similarity scores’ compare strongly with HOFers Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter, Jim Bunning, and Don Drysdale. Career totals are noted below.
Pitcher-------- Win Loss K--- ERA/LgERA
Tiant----------- 229 172 2416 3.30/3.74
Hunter- --------224 166 2012 3.26/3.39
Bunning -------224 184 2855 3.27/3.74
Drysdale-------209 166 2486 2.95/3.57
Hunter was the consummate big game pitcher, pitching on 5 World Series champions. There is no argument against Hunter, but he also had the good fortune of playing for outstanding teams, and having premier relief help, Rollie Fingers, perhaps the greatest relief pitcher ever and Goose Gossage another dominant closer. Drysdale’s luster may have dimmed against teammate Sandy Koufax’s, but he too had World Series glory behind him. Bunning, the affable Kentuckian, has a lower winning percentage, only 1 twenty game season, more strikeouts, and never even appeared in the post-season.
Perhaps, the ‘politics of glory’ aspect contributed to his Hall entry.Bill James’ newest effort, ‘Win Shares’ attempts to provide quantitative analysis of player production. Baseball fans with more than a passing interest in Sabermetrics should consider putting it on their bookshelf. No one would argue that any individual metric should determine entry into Cooperstown, but we can at least stack up Tiant against some entries using this standard. The All-Time Win Share leader was Babe Ruth with 756, and the highest rated pitcher was Cy Young with 634. The highest rated player not in the HOF is Pete Rose with 547. Everyday players obviously have the opportunity to contribute to more wins than pitchers.
The overall analysis favors everyday players (hitters) over pitchers, but again we are comparing apples with apples. By this measure, Drysdale had 258, Bunning 257, Tiant 256, Hunter 206. During the 1970s Tiant had 158 Win Shares and Hunter 157.
During the four year run of Sandy Koufax from 1963 to 1966, he had 124 shares, averaging 31 per season. ! During Bob Gibson’s stunning 1968 season with his 1.12 ERA, he contributed 36 win shares, while Denny McLain had 33 with his 31 wins.
There are not an abundance of Latin players in the Hall of Fame. Quickly coming to mind are Luis Aparicio, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, and Juan Marichal. Surely, as African-American and Latin players have become dominant, we should expect to see an influx of deserving candidates and entrants.
As we embark on the 2005 baseball marathon led by Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Vlad Gueriero, Manny Ramirez and others, we should pause for a few moments to recognize players who made the game special for us. Having grown up in the era of Mays, Aaron, the Oriole Robinsons, Gibson, Koufax, and Yastrzemski, I can only wonder why every year, there isn’t a case for Luis.
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