Random Collection of MLB Thoughts re April 27 in the MLB

The Toronto Blue Jays avoided a sweep Sunday night defeating the former manager John Farrell and his World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 7-1.  Most impressive factoid about the win?  For the first time this season, the Blue Jays pitching staff did not issue a walk!  Apparently the group as a whole felt Brandon Morrow had given up enough on Saturday (8 in 2 2/3 IP).


Answer: Saturday April 12th, top of the 6th inning versus the Chicago Cubs.
Question: When was the last time St. Louis Cardinal starting pitcher Adam Wainwright gave up a run?  Wainwright and the Cards would blank the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-0 on Sunday.


The weekend in baseball featured two sweeps.  An internet high five to the NL East leading Atlanta Braves (17-7) sweeping the Cincinnati Reds (11-14) AND the NL West leading San Francisco Giants sweeping the Cleveland Indians (11-14).


Chicago White Sox rookie phenom Jose Abreu is crushing the baseball with 10 HR's in 26 games.  Here's a video showing you how much force it would take to flatten a baseball. 


The continued look at All Star balloting brings us today to third base.  My votes for the American League went to Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre, and Trevor Plouffe.  My votes for the National League went to Juan Uribe, Nolan Arenado, and Aramis Ramirez.

Random Collection of #MLB thoughts re: April 26 in the MLB

Toronto Blue Jay Brandon Morrow gave up no hits on Saturday versus the Boston Red Sox.  Morrow did however give up EIGHT walks in 2 and 2/3 innings.  To make matters worse, Blue Jay reliever Chad Jenkins (making his 1st appearance of 2014) gave up homeruns to the first two batters he faced.  At the end of the 3rd inning the Boston Red Sox line read 6 runs on 2 hits. EEP!


So did Ryan Braun take out Jean Segura OR did Segura aimlessly wander into his bat? http://m.mlb.com/video/v32407589/chcmil-segura-leaves-the-game-with-an-injury/?partnerId=as_mlb_20140427_22756654  OBVIOUSLY, if Braun always does his bat stretching at the top step of the dugout (as the announcer states in the clip), then it's on Segura for not paying attention.  Agree or disagree? 


Chicago White Sox Adam Dunn, the king of all or nothing at the plate, is batting .265 in 68 AB.  Dunn is 35 and is part of a three headed monster which features the future in Jose Abreu and the past in Paul Konerko.  Indulging in a game of wannabe GM, the only team that might even be remotely interested in an aging power hitter would be the Milwaukee Brewers who are platooning 37 year old Lyle Overbay and 33 year old Mark Reynolds (if ever there was an Adam Dunn clone it's Reynolds - - minus the height).  Wouldn't you love to see Dunn's bat in Miller Park?


The Minnesota Twins beat Detroit Tigers Saturday.  If the Twins win again on Sunday against the Tigers, that would put them in a tie for first place in the AL Central.  On March 27th if you would have told me on April 27th the Twins would be playing for a share of first place, I would have sent you to live these folks.


Continuing with my look at All Star balloting, here's the three separate submissions in respect to second baseman. 

1. American League - Howie Kendrick, Ben Zobrist, Robinson Cano
2. National League - - Anthony Rendon, Chase Utley, DJ LeMahieu

Random Collection of Thoughts re: MLB action April 24

The surprising New York Mets took three out of four from the St. Louis Cardinals.  The nifty factoid to take from Thursday's 4-1 loss is the difference in average age in terms of the pitchers used in the game.  The Mets used Bartolo Colon, Carlos Torres, Scott Rice and the returning Daisuke Matsuzaka for an average age of 35.  The Cardinals used Lance Lynn, Kevin Siegrist, Carlos Martinez and Eric Fornataro for an average of 25.25. 


Toward the end of the exhibition season, Erik Bedard let it be known that if he was not in the starting lineup he would consider retirement over coming of the bullpen.  In Bedard's first start on April 18th, he never made it out of the 3rd inning while giving up 4 runs on 6 hits.  Bedard's second start came Thursday night giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while issuing 5 walks while struggling to make it through 4 innings.  Proving to the Tampa Bays Rays you belong, you're doing it wrong Mr. Bedard!!


How do you comeback from a sweep at the hands of a divisional rival?  If you are the Oakland A's, you throttle another divisional opponent 10-1.  Beating down divisional opponents was a theme in the AL East


The Baltimore Orioles defeating the Toronto Blue Jays by a touchdown, 11-4.  The New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox so badly, the Sox sent outfielder Mike Carp to pitch the 9th inning.  FIVE WALKS later that misery was over.


Scanned all the infielders stats using the stat column "at bats" to sort each position.  Safe to assume the players making the Top 10 in the "at bats" category are everyday starters.  Here is a look at the slowest starts by players in the top 10 of their respective positions using their batting average as a gage so far this season.

1. C - Sal Perez .213, Buster Posey .229, Juan Castro .217
2. 1B - Nick Swisher .205, Edwin Encarnacion .233
3. 2B - Aaron Hill .232, Brian Dozier .224
4. 3B - Marcus Semien .235, Martin Prado .234, Pedro Alvarez .176, Brett Lawrie .157
5. SS - Ian Desmond .200, Brad Miller .221, Asdrubal Cabrera .238

Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 15 in MLB



"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" ~Jackie Robinson.

Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a grand slam Tuesday versus the Minnesota Twins.  Why is that noteworthy?  The runners on base were all WALKED!  I'm trying to work in a joke about some of the Blue Jay players wearing balaclavas on a night the temperature hovered around 0 degrees Celsius to defend the Twins relief pitcher but I just can't defend back-to-back-to-back walks.


On Monday night during the 8th inning of their game, the Colorado Rockies walked the bases loaded then made two throwing errors to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  On Tuesday night, the Rockies gave up a leadoff single then with two outs walked the bases loaded.  Are the Rockies in the business of giving away wins to the San Diego Padres?  As Buzz Lightyear would say, "NOT TODAY!".  The Rockies held on to win 3-2.


My apologies to the Milwaukee Brewers and specifically relief pitcher Jim Henderson.  In his first appearance since praising him for his good start to 2014, the St. Louis Cardinals would put three up on the board against him.  Makes me nervous to praise Oakland A's relief pitcher Jim Johnson on his second straight win and his 3rd straight solid outing after losing his closer title.


The 10 homerun suspended game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds was played out Tuesday night and won by a RBI single in the 7th from the Pirates catcher Russell Martin.  Well that was anticlimactic!!  The Reds would win the scheduled regular Tuesday night game to even the series.  Going into Wednesday's matinee at Pittsburgh, if the Reds were to lose that would be 5 straight series to start the season which they dropped 2-1 which equals T-R-O-U-B-L-E.


You know the cliché "mama said there would be days like this" Boston Red Sox rookie shortstop Xander Bogaerts had one of those Tuesday night.  0-4 at the plate with a hat-trick in strikeouts and the game ending throwing error giving the Chicago White Sox the win.  The Red Sox fall to 5-9 to start 2014 which is a stark contrast to the 10-4 start they had in 2013. 

Random Collection of Thoughts re April 12 in the MLB

Instant replay rules need limits! 

In today's Red Sox/Yankees game, karma itself is trying to tell the MLB to keep the reviews to homeruns, home plate calls and diving catches in the outfield.  The MLB has already released their statement saying the umpires should have overturned the call on the field when Dean Anna sliding into second had his foot leave the bag momentarily while the Red Sox shortstop held a tag on him.   How long before they start reviewing throws over to first base too?  All the other leagues have limits with their replays, the NFL doesn't review every pass interference call (those yards are just as important as an extra base in baseball), the NHL doesn't review every goal (they learned their lesson the hard way with this Stanley Cup winning goal which during the regular season would have been disallowed), etcetera etcetra.  As much as the MLB is trying its best to remove the human element from decisions being made in-game STOP IT! 


Being from Alberta, the highest level of baseball is the Western Major Baseball League.  Here's some love to two "graduates" off to a good start in 2014.  Cleveland Indians relief pitcher John Axford pitched a perfect inning today dropping his ERA to 1.69 in 6 appearances this season.  Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jim Henderson kept his ERA at 0.00 today despite giving up two hits which doubled the amount of hits he had giving up in his previous 5 outings.

Two teams losing the pennant in April, the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds.

Being outscored 17-2 in two games against the Minnesota Twins is not changing my mind about the Detroit Tigers winning the AL Central but is making me wonder about the Royals earning the wildcard spot.  Meanwhile in Cincy, the Reds need to win on Sunday to avoid a sweep.  If they avoid the sweep, it will be the fourth consecutive series the Reds have lost 2-1.  Last I checked, a .333 winning percentage will not get you into the playoffs.


After Brock Lesnar'ing Paul Goldschmidt's on base streak with a simple mention in this blog, let's see if I can "Brock Lesnar" the Milwaukee Brewers 8 game winning streak going into Sunday's matinee with the Pirates. 

One Series From Every Division to Look Forward to This Weekend

AL EAST - - Red Sox vs Yankees


The Yankees took the 1st game of the four game series on Thursday.  If the Red Sox were not World Series champs, the nod for AL East series of the weekend would have went to the Blue Jays vs Orioles.  I can't imagine the Red Sox not making the playoffs in 2014 but this weekend could start rubbing the sticks together to start that fire.


AL CENTRAL - - Indians vs White Sox


Remember to the 2012 Baltimore's Orioles and their improbable playoff berth?  That's exactly how I feek about the Cleveland's run to the playoffs last season.  Much like the O's failed to make consecutive post season appearances, the same fate awaits the Tribe. My bold prediction is that the White Sox that will challenge them for 3rd place in the division.  The series began Thursday night with the Sox breaking a 14 game losing streak against the Tribe...a sign of things to come!


AL WEST - - A's vs Mariners


"To the man, you've gotta beat the man" Ric Flair The Mariners lost 2 of 3 in Oakland to the A's and (pardon the exaggerated tone in April) can ill-afford to do the same during this weekend's series at Safeco Field.


NL EAST - - Nationals vs Braves


The sexy pick last season to win the AL East was the Nationals.  The sexy pick to possibly knock the Braves out of first place in 2014 is again the Nationals.  The Nats lost 2 of 3 against the Braves in Washington.  Sure it's their only two losses of the season but feasting on teams like the Miami Marlins and New York Mets only makes you pretenders not contenders.


NL CENTRAL - - Cubs vs Cardinals


The argument here is simple, the Cubs hold the power in the NL Central to decide who wins the division.  The Cardinals play their first three of 19 games versus the Cubbies after seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates took 4 of 6 from Chicago.  If Chicago finds a way to take two games this weekend...who am I kidding!


NL WEST - - Tigers vs Padres


This may not be an inter-divisional game but this series has me wondering, how do the Tigers not sweep the Padres?  Porcello, Verlander, Scherzer pitching in the cavernous Petco Park against a team that has scored only 20 runs in 9 games this season.  If the Padres find a way to take 2 of 3, Royals fans should cry if they don't take 2 of 3 from Twins and make up a game on the Tigers "the easy way".

Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 5th in MLB

Pennants are not won in April, they are lost.  Cincinnati Reds I'm looking at you!  Starting out the season having the St. Louis Cardinals taking two of three from you at home is forgivable. Going into New York and having the Mets take the first two games from you almost inexcusable.  I will assume the Reds can avoid the sweep at the hands of the Mets but going into St. Louis for the next series, the feeling has to be that one out of three won't be enough.




In the dogfight that the NL Central will be for playoff seeding, the Pittsburgh Pirates were gifted two series with the Chicago Cubs with the St Louis Cardinals sandwiched in the middle.  Anything less than 6-3 for the Pirates should be considered a failure to start the season.  I would have waited until then before I extended the contracts of General manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle.


Tonight's pitching lines from the Mariners Felix Hernandez (8.1 IP 6 hits 1 run 8 K's) and the Marlins Jose Fernandez (6.2 IP 3 hits 0 runs 8 K's) make me really hope the two pitchers face off against each other when their respective teams play a three game series April 18 through 20th.


The Boston Red Sox page on MLB.com only allows me to go back to 2000.  This is the first time in the new millennium that the Red Sox have lost their 1st two home games of a season.


The last undefeated team in the MLB is the Detroit Tigers.  That in and of itself is not that shocking.  The fact they are only 4-0 and are the last perfect team is the surprising part.

MLB Nuggets - - PED Penalty Question, World Series Nifty Realization, Tigers Find, Twins Lost, Harper Mad,

The following is the reported new penalties being worked on for players using performance enhancing drugs (PED's).  A first time offense would be 100 games instead of 50 unless it was "unintentional".  A second time offense would be 162 games instead of 100, again unless it was "unintentional".  Third time is a lifetime ban which is also the current penalty. 


Here's what I find interesting, the MLB (much like the NFL) gives itself the power to be judge, jury & executioner.  Therefore they decide if the players use of PED's was "unintentional" or not.  So if a star player gets caught with a PED in their system but no major firm or pharmacy or scandal is linked to the sale of steroids to said star player, does it automatically just become "unintentional"?


Did you know that since the turn of the 2000's the New York Yankees and St Louis Cardinals are tied with 4 World Series appearances while the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants are tied with 3 World Series appearances.  Here's a nifty realization, the 2005 World Series featured the two teams who finished as the bottom two teams in the American League last season, the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros.


A sneaky good signing was recently made by the Detroit Tigers.  The Tigers signed JD Martinez, cast away by the Houston Astros, to a minor league deal.  Martinez big league career started strong midway 2011 but like many hitters, pitchers learn their faults therefore learning how to get them out.  A fresh start in the Tigers organization should bring him back to the .274 batting average that had fans projecting so much good fortune for Mr. Martinez.


Have to feel sorry for the Minnesota Twins.  The Twins entered training camp with arguably the first and second overall prospects in baseball in tow.  Neither Byron Buxton nor Miguel Sano were expected to get much Major League play in 2014 but to have one suffer a wrist injury threatening the start of his season AND the other one to undergo Tommy John surgery ended his season, that's just terrible luck.


Need a friendly reminder that these exhibition games are not completely meaningless?  Bryce Harper got himself worked up enough that he got ejected from a spring training game.

Baseball Blog Entry for the Casual Baseball Fan

Headline from MLB.com "(Grady) Sizemore passing all tests, could win starting job".  Even if you are a Yankees fan, this news from Boston should put a smile on your face.  Two years removed from the game to possible opening day Red Sox center fielder, I wonder what size Cinderella slipper Mr. Sizemore wears?


Cris Carter, the Houston Astro and MLB league leader in strikeouts last season (212), has been given some sound advice by manager Bo Porter: " Swing at more pitches he can hit, and swing at fewer he can't." My official guess for 2013, based on 145 games, 190 strikeouts.


Staying with the theme of  making an "official guess" here come two more!  1) The Miami Marlins, who stroked out 19 hits in one game versus the Mets, will require three full regular season games versus the Rockies to get 19 hits.  2) The 2013 NL West last place Colorado Rockies will finish over .500 in 2014.


C.J. Wilson of the LA Angels: “I need to learn to be more efficient. Today was a good example of that. I didn’t walk anybody, so I was popping apple-cider ginger ale in the dugout for that one.” Yup, that's making the "Words to Live By" column!  Quote provided by Alden Gonzalez blog.


Having watched the Marlins/Red Sox situation go from disrespecting each other to having one of the hottest trade rumours around, I'm waiting to see the trade rumour that comes from the "Twitter Battle" going on between the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, and Cleveland Indians mascots.

Mount Roidmore, Skidmarks, Cubans, Short Memories, Curses & Runaway Strollers MLB-Style

Barry Bonds has started his "return" to baseball.  Eric Chavez says thank you to one of the heads of Mount Roidmore. "A lot of players are outspoken about it," Chavez told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday morning. "They just forget how many riches, for lack of a better word, that all of us have enjoyed. Ownership, MLB, those guys brought baseball to a whole new level as far as popularity is concerned. That's something I'll never forget." - See more at: http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/as-bonds-returns-one-player-thanks-him-for-riches-294549.html#sthash.hLREPGyd.dpuf 


So if you are Kyle Drabek, Drew Hutchinson, Dustin McGowan or Esmil Rogers of the Toronto Blue Jays how do you not feel like a skidmark on underpants when it's widely reported that right fielder Jose Bautista, shortstop Jose Reyes and first baseman Edwin Encarnacion are actively pursuing Ervin Santana?


Coming into pre-season, the 3 Cuban names I heard a lot of: Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox, Alex Guerrero of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and recently signed Aledmys Diaz of the St Louis Cardinals.  Abreu likely the one to be in the starting lineup come the season opener.  That's a lot of freakin money to be sitting on bench (possibly in the minors).


I laugh every time I heard the rumour of Giancarlo Stanton being to the Red Sox.  Apparently the Marlins organization have short memories, or don't read Twitter (check front page "Sweet Tweets" to see what I'm talking about).


NY Mets 3B David Wright run the #faceofMLB contest leading into the exhibition season.  He has started 0-7 at the plate.  If Wright starts the regular season 0-7, can I coin the overdramatic phrase "Curse of faceofMLB"?


Now, I admit, sometimes when the game is on, my kids don't receive enough of my attention.  I'm very glad to report that my attention span has never faltered as badly as this parent in the funny linked video - - > http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/03/10/69054142/fan-leaves-baby-in-runaway-stroller

Friends and Foes Within MLB

Friends - Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays


In advance of their exhibition game Friday March 7th, Rays Manager Joe Maddon called up Cameron Seitzer.  Cameron is the son of Blue Jays Batting Coach Kevin Seitzer.  To enhance the special father/son moment, Jays Manager John Gibbons moves Papa Seitzer over to be first base coach.  Cameron is a first baseman.


Foes - Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins


Thursday March 6, the Marlins host the Red Sox in exhibition play.  The Red Sox did not dress the minimum amount of MLB vets.  Marlins complain to everyone who will listen.  The response from the principal owner of the Red Sox made "Sweet Tweets" on the front page of the blog.

The Grand Scheme of Life in Relation to Baseball

Frank Jobe, the doctor who "invented" Tommy John surgery,

has passed way.  Rest In Peace Mr. Jobe.

You enabled the ability to extend more MLB careers than steroids ever has or will.

Like being in caught up in the majesty that is Disneyland and catching yourself chatting away to one of the suited characters, sometimes fans forget that baseball is just a game.  I give you four very different examples of "real life" interfering with "the game".


1) Rich Hill signed this past off-season with the Boston Red Sox in large part due to a desire to be closer to his family.  His infant son, barely two months old recently passed away. 


He was recently quoted on CBS Sports website ""Excited to be here, to be playing baseball again and get back into the normalcy of my profession and to be around a great group of guys and to just take that next step,""


I sincerely hope he makes the Red Sox major league squad to help work through the pain.


2) Oscar Taveras of the St Louis Cardinals is a "can't miss" prospect.  The banana peel on the roadway to stardom?  Oscar Taveras had ankle surgery last season to end his AAA season and is, rightfully,  a little leery about going full boar to test his surgically repaired ankle.


"Physically, there is technically nothing wrong with Taveras. But he’s reluctant to let loose and go full speed. If there’s pain, it’s in his head. He’s apparently fearful of derailing his career by re-injuring the joint, and has favored the right leg while running the bases." Credit Bernie Miklasz for the observation.


At what point in Taveras recovery do the Cards appear as if they are "playing God" with the livelihood of a 22 year old?


3)  "Despite 103 RBIs, it is tough to ignore Brandon Phillips' eroding skill set as his days as an elite offensive second baseman may be numbered"  The caption underneath Anthony Castrovince MLB.com report about the Cincinnati Reds "star".


Phillips, who was nearly traded to the New York Yankees during the off-season, does not feel the love and respect he feels is owed.  I do not sense a Derek Jeter-like farewell tour for Mr. Phillips in the future.


4)  Coincidence?  Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke mentions he has little interest in going to Australia and now his calf injury will keep him from going? 


I'm not implying the injury is not legit but sometimes when you park at a meter and there's enough time left on it for you not to pay a toll...I hope he along with Chase Headley and Josh Hamilton are all ready for March 31/April 1.

MLB Fistpumps

Adam Dunn, 6 of 28, with 1 homerun, 6 walks and 12 strikeouts versus Jeremy Guthrie apparently has his respect as evidenced by Guthrie's "Sweet Tweet" just to the right of this article on the main page.


I must send a shout out to Reds Owner Bob Castellini.  Having some experience with professional sporting teams and their relationships with the media, Mr. Castellini has taken it upon himself to say out loud the words many, if not all, owners mutter to themselves - - "It gets written in such a way – ‘Well, the Reds aren't doing anything' – that really does affect people buying season tickets. “Personally, I get a little ticked off."  I respect for your speaking your opinions but look how far that got the late Marge Schott.


Grady Sizemore, coming back from duel micro fracture knee surgery, took a spill today in centerfield today.  You know people are rooting for you to be healthy and complete the storybook comeback after two years away when the simple fact you got up, makes the local Boston blog story.


Now, I'm not one to really pay attention to exhibition game box scores but holy moly, the Braves and Nationals played to a 16-15 final score on March 1st.  WOW, I'd love to see that happen in the regular season!!

Nifty MLB Finds

Example of dedication from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Pirates 2B Neil Walker is attacking the problems he had against left handed pitchers last season by going to minor league camp.  With a lack of left handed pitchers in the upcoming MLB pre-season schedule, Walker will pick up some games with Double-A Trenton Thunder when they play against lefties.


On the day Blue Jays Jose Bautista was in the final four of the "Face of the MLB" contest on Twitter, he hit a homerun and a double.  On the day after he signed his 1 million dollar arbitration contract,  Angels Mike Trout hit a grand slam.  In the wake of the news that he is a porn addict, Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez had a solid outing trying to lock down a spot in the starting rotation.


From the San Francisco Tribune: "He's worked as a volunteer fireman, has appeared in a popular TV show, is a wine connoisseur and does an immense amount of community work, much of it with no fanfare." Oakland A's fans, that's your new closer Jim Johnson.


One of the oldest rivalries in the MLB is the Red Sox versus the Yankees.  With Jacoby Ellsbury switching sides this past summer, it was nice to read the Red Sox blog article from "Brownie Points" showing that it was done civilly. Give it a click!


Check the "Sweet Tweets" for an addition from MLB Fancave care of Joba Chamberlain and his "happy face" tattoo PLUS check the "Words to live by" for an addition from Torii Hunter.