Random Collection of Ideas re: April 7 in MLB

According to an article from ESPN's Buster Olney, a MLB executive is floating the idea of 7 inning games instead of 9.  Here's a link to the free part of the article.  While we are it, lets make hockey three 15 minute periods instead of 20 minutes and condense the NBA into three quarters instead of four quarters.  Dear Mr. MLB Exec, if you want to protect the athletes like your starting pitchers, vote to cut 62 games off of the schedule, that translates to approximately 12 less starts.  Oh wait, that would dip into your bottom line wouldn't it?  I'm sure if the games were reduced 22% to seven innings, ticket prices would be reduced 22%, right?  My idea to ban defensive shifts doesn't seem so absurd anymore does it?


Texas Ranger Prince Fielder went 0-4 tonight dropping his average to .143.  This batting average will double by season's end.  J.P. Arencibia went 0-3 tonight dropping his average .125.  This batting average will NOT double by season's end.


With today's loss to the Anaheim Angels, the Houston Astros drop under .500 by one game.  Official prediction, the Astros will not reach the .500 mark again this season.  Guess I'm cheering quite hard for the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night.


Speaking of the Angels, they fly to Seattle Tuesday to face James Paxton for the second time in a week.  In college baseball, the third time round the order is usually the most nerve wracking as the batters now have seen most of what the pitcher has to offer.  This is the first time in Paxton's 6 six start career that he is facing a team for the second time. Paxton shut the Angels out over seven inning facing everybody minus the bottom of the order three times.  Smells like boom or bust for the Halo's.


Kansas City Royal starting pitcher Jason Vargas has pitched 15 total innings in his two starts this season giving up only two runs.  Both runs coming against him were solo homeruns by second baseman (Detriot's Ian Kinsler and Tampa's Ben Zobrist).  Vargas' next scheduled start is against the Minnesota Twins, so if you play fantasy baseball, Brian Dozier is a must have on your roster this weekend.

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.

Weird MLB Rule Explained, New Pop Flavour, Injury Thoughts and a Notso Daring Comparison

The Houston Astros offer Outfielder George Springer, the Astros' top prospect a 7 year 23 million dollar contract.  Springer declines the offer and is demoted to the minors.  Here's the real reasoning behind the demotion - - > If an uber-prospect debuts on Opening Day, he'll be a free agent in six years, presuming he remains on the big league club. However, by waiting one month, a team can push back his free agency an entire year.  Mr. Springer will be an Astro in May.


LeBron James now has is own flavor of Sprite.  My vote for a MLB player to have his own flavor of Sprite would be the Angels Mike Trout.  Somehow it's a sponsorship I don't see working!


Re-visiting the notion of "slips from grace", Hiroyuki Nakajima played his first two innings of exhibition baseball with Oakland A's recently.  Nakajima was projected to be the A's starting shortstop in 2013 after signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract before last season.  Today, Nakajima isn't even on the A's 40-man roster.  Must not drink Sprite.


Los Angeles Dodger 1B Adrian Gonzalez reportedly has a stiff lower back from walking around sightseeing.  Raise your hands if this excuse would earn you a day off of work.  Anybody?  This is exactly why some folks have a hard time respecting baseball players, suck it up buttercup!


The Miami Marlins posted a picture of Derek Dietrich and his nasty bruise after taking a baseball to the face on field. Cinncinati Red Aroldis Chapman only wishes he was that lucky.


You should be as worried about Derek Jeter’s spring training average of .132 in 41 plate appearances this spring as you are excited about Dustin Ackley's spring training average of .457 in 46 plate appearances.

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.

A Couple MLB Hobbies and Dreams

John Axford successfully closed 19 of 26 ballgames last year for a 73% close rate.  Mr. Axford went 18 of 18, a perfect 100%, with his Oscar predictions.  I guess everybody needs a hobby.


Speaking of hobbies, I'm thinking Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson is taking a shine to Twitter.  He used Twitter to announce that Patrick Corbin and Trevor Cahill will be his starting pitchers for the 2 game series in Australia.


Kristie Reiken of the Associated Press got the following quote from twice suspended prospect Jon Singleton of the Houston Astros:

I know that I enjoy smoking weed, I enjoy being high and I can't block that out of my mind that I enjoy that," he said. "So I have to work against that
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20140303_ap_46c2dd6f8c9040d7b9462a184c6cb1da.html#JekfI9V0rmSsXHzK.99

"At this point it’s pretty evident to me that I’m a drug addict.  I don’t openly tell everyone that, but it’s pretty apparent to myself.  I know that I enjoy smoking weed, I enjoy being high and I can’t block that out of my mind that I enjoy that.  So I have to work against that"

Good luck Mr. Singleton in staying clean and sober and realizing your MLB dreams.



I know that I enjoy smoking weed, I enjoy being high and I can't block that out of my mind that I enjoy that," he said. "So I have to work against that
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20140303_ap_46c2dd6f8c9040d7b9462a184c6cb1da.html#JekfI9V0rmSsXHzK.99

I know that I enjoy smoking weed, I enjoy being high and I can't block that out of my mind that I enjoy that," he said. "So I have to work against that
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20140303_ap_46c2dd6f8c9040d7b9462a184c6cb1da.html#JekfI9V0rmSsXHzK.99

Staying with the theme of realizing MLB dreams: I have twice mentioned Grady Sizemore and his attempt to return from dual microfracture knee surgeries.  Also attempting the feat is Seattle Mariner Corey Hart.  If his steal of home base is a sign, I think he is going to be okay! 


Mandatory clip to Corey Hart music video here