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 23 in MLB

The first 9 outs St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha recorded on Wednesday were strikeouts.  As impressive as that is any and every time I read his name here's what instantly goes through my mind "waka, waka, waka"


Dictionary.com defines the word "Pinata" as " a gaily decorated crock or papier-mâché figure filled with toys, candy, etc., and suspended from above...so that children, who are blindfolded, may break it or knock it down with sticks and release the contents." New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda deserves his own Pinata, so many baseball purists would love to knock the pine tar out of him. 


Internet high five to the Texas Rangers for their sweep three game sweep of the Oakland Athletics.  The A's had not lost back to back games all year and now travel to Houston for a 4 game set.  The A's had just swept the Astros before being whitewashed by the Rangers.  Meanwhile the Rangers head to Seattle for a weekend series, trying to match their season high five game win streak.  During their first five game win streak, three of those wins were against the Mariners.


Speaking of the Seattle Mariners, they are one of three teams that avoided sweeps in their respective series by winning Wednesday night.  Kyle Seager may have earned himself a bobblehead night with a two homerun game with the second one being of the walk-off variety.


The San Francisco Giants, after being outpitched the first two games of the series, decided to try to beat the Colorado Rockies with the long ball.  The Giants hit 6 homeruns with the 6th being a grand slam in the 11th.  Sigh, I stand by my prediction if the Rockies pitching can become mediocre, they will make the playoffs. 


Lastly, the Washington Nationals avoided the sweep to the Los Angeles Angels thanks to 9th inning meltdown in the Angels bullpen.  On paper, the rosters of the Nationals and Angels coulda/shoulda/woulda be World Series bound.  I won't hold my breathe.

Collection of Random Thoughts re April 20 in the MLB

We will start with an internet high five to the two teams who accomplished sweeps this past weekend, the Oakland A's and the Miami Marlins.  The A's swept the Houston Astros, a team with a total payroll of 45 million and a fat chance to make the playoffs.  The Marlins swept the Seattle Mariners, a team that pays Robinson Cano 24 million per year and has a slim chance to make the playoffs.  Makes you realize that a slim chance and a fat chance at the playoffs really are the same.


In a world we have noses that run and feet that smell, having your team get their collective butt kicked one game is not to be taken too seriously.  The New York Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday 16-1 - - Yanks would win Sunday 5-1.  The Chicago White Sox would lose to the Texas Rangers by a combined 18-3 score from their Friday and Saturday matchups - - the Sox would win 16-2 on Sunday.  The Milwaukee Brewers would open their four game series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with an 11-2 loss - - it would be the only game in the series the BrewCrew lost.


Speaking of the Brewers, this is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Sunday April 20.  This is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Wednesday September 25, 2013.  For the 2015 season, I'd like to put $20 that the Carlos Gomez induced brawl will be the final week of August.


The San Francisco Giants played two more one run games this past weekend making it 11 of their 19 games decided by only one run this season.  Both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have played only two one run games each thus far in 2014.  I'm accepting witty comments about beer sales because I know they are there for the sharing.


With two National League games going to 14 innings on Sunday, one of them including the New York Mets, I came across this fascinating tidbit of knowledge.  Did you know that 14 innings is the NL record for Opening Day longest game?  The record has been tied 7 times with the New York Mets being involved in the last two times it has happened.  Here is the source to the obscure find.

Random Collection of Thoughts re April 14 in the MLB

After six innings of play, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates combined for TEN homeruns.  That is more homeruns than the Baltimore Orioles (9), San Diego Padres (7), Texas Rangers (5), and Kansas City Royals have hit the ENTIRE SEASON. 


When doing research for the above stat I stumbled upon the following - - 16 of 30 teams were hitting under .250 (1 of 4) going into the evening's slate of games.  Last season finished with 13 teams under a .250 team batting average, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2011, 9 in 2010.  Furthermore not since 2008 has the MLB has averaged more than 9 hits per game.  Moral of the stat story, with so much glamor given to the homerun, if nobody is on base, it's just one run. 




A nifty stat was posted by the Oakland Athletics gameday Twitter account: "(Yoenis) Cespedes is 8-for-24 (.333) with runners on compared to 3-for-23 (.130) with the bases empty"  They posted this in the 9th inning trailing the Anaheim Angels by one with a man on first.  Cespedes would fly out but pinch hitter John Jaso would hit a 2 run homerun to give the A's the lead and the win.  Sooner or later the problematic pairing of "sabremetrics" and "moneyball" will fail.  I keep choosing sooner and it keeps becoming later.




16 games, about 1/10 of the season is over for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  A 7-3 loss to the New York Mets keeps the D'Backs at 4 wins on the season.  I feel sorry for the anxiety that must be running through the Kirk Gibson family in regards to his job security and will stop writing about it out of respect for a man with the most memorable homerun trot of my life.


The Colorado Rockies found an improbable way to lose to the San Diego Padres Monday night.  After WALKING THE BASES LOADED, a wild pitch would score the game tying run and an errant throw back to the plate would score the game winning run.  Wow, just wow!

As a wrestling fan I feel obliged to share this link,

 Pirates adopt wrestling champ Daniel Bryan's 'YES!' chant

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 10 in MLB

Does anybody play ESPN's Streak for Cash?  Were you like me and swearing up a storm when the Pittsburgh Pirates fell behind 4-0 to the Chicago Cubs?  The Bucs can't possibly lose back to back games to the Cubs could they?  The "luvable loser" Cubs sent four pitchers to the mound in the 7th inning, two of them would give up homeruns to the first batter they faced and my streak extends to 7.


Whenever one of my favorite teams opens up a 3 game series, the hope is that they take two of three.  The thought of finishing a season with a winning percentage is .667 is absurd but it helps break up the marathon that is the MLB season.  As (most) teams head into their fourth series this weekend, only 2 AL teams and 4 NL teams are producing at that clip. 


Sweeping a series is always the fans desire.  Brewers fans are full of desire as their Milwaukee Brewers just swept their second straight series ON THE ROAD. The Oakland A's also just completed a road sweep of the Minnesota Twins.  I predicted the Washington Nationals would sweep the upstart Marlins, and they did just that with another chance to do so next week on the road in Miami.


Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 31.  Goldy is 25 shy of tying Joe DiMaggio's record.  I have to be honest, since the Undertaker lost his streak at Wrestlemania last Sunday, I need something to get behind and believe in.  For the next week, I will chose Goldy as my MLB Beat the Streak batter.  If he loses his streak, blame Brock Lesnar!

Interesting Items from the MLB Through April 3rd

It's April Fools Day and rookie skip Ryne Sandberg hands you the lineup card and you notice that you are not the in clean up hitter spot.  No joke Mr. Howard, for the first time since June 29, 2008, the Phillies changed the man batting fourth in the order.  The Phillies lost the game.  Now what did we learn Mr. Sandberg?


News also surfaced heading into April Fools Day that Vladdy Guerrero would be signing a one day contract with the Anaheim Angels to retire as an Angel.  That's fine and dandy but when (IF) if the Hall of Fame calls, here's hoping he does the right thing and goes in as a Montreal Expo.


The healthy Anaheim Angels get swept by the Seattle Mariners, being outscored 26-8.  Anybody who tells you they saw that coming should not be trusted dating your child!

Two really neat milestones were set during the opening series' of the MLB.

1) Congratulations to Cincinnati Red Joey Votto for becoming the 13th Canadian to reach 1,000 hits in career!




2) Oakland A's had their first home rainout since May 5, 1998.  To put some perspective on that date, 1998 was the year Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would both break Roger Maris' homerun record.

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.

Umpire Safety, Slips From Grace and Clown Blood in the MLB

As a kid, I remember riding around in my Dad's car with no seatbelt on EVER.  As a teenager, I remember riding a bicycle NEVER wearing a helmet.  As an adult, I watch baseball and wonder why umpires play the field in baseball caps and not batting helmets.  In an era where everything is about safety, why do umpires who cover first and third base not wear protective head wear?  It's not like they have baseball gloves on to protect themselves if a ball does come at them!  Sadly, it will likely take a serious head injury to an umpire before any level of baseball ushers in protective headwear for the most defenseless people on the field.


Seeing that the Astros released former Cardinals 1st round pick Brett Wallace and the Mariners have demoted uber-prospect Jesus Montero, made me wonder how Philip Humber was doing in Oakland.  You know, the guy who throw a perfect game ONLY two years ago.  Even with the A's missing Jarrod Parker AND A.J. Griffin due to injury, Mr. Perfect Game is still not on the Major League roster.  When you go to work tomorrow, hug your boss!


How much longer before St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny sets up a meeting between relief pitcher Jason Motte (actively attacking his rehab from injury) and uber-prospect Oscar Taveras (shying away from his rehab).


Kenny Lofton thinks making the shiny new "one and done" wildcard playoff game and losing the game doesn't count as making the playoffs.  The former Cleveland Indian is now being given the cold shoulder by current Cleveland Indian players because a lack of respect deserves a lack of respect back.  I fully support the 2014 edition of the Indians.


Jimmy Rollins is 60 hits shy of overtaking Mike Schmidt as the Phillies’ all-time leader. IF that's his main motivation to stay a Phillie, I hope he gets his selfish ass stapled to the bench!


Cincinnati Red Trevor Bell, a 27-year-old reliever trying to make the team, is the grandson of Bob Bell, who played Bozo the Clown on WGN in Chicago from 1960 to 1984.  THAT'S AWESOME!  Great find by John DeMarzo of the New York Post.

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.

MLB Tidbits & Gems

April 21, 2012 Philip Humber threw a Perfect Game for the Chicago White Sox.  22 months later, Humber is simply trying to win a job with the Oakland A's. 




Opening Day 2013, Justin Sellers was the starting shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  10 months later, he has been designated for assignment.  You probably thought your job was thankless!



Watching from the comforts of my couch in Edmonton, opinions of players are in many ways shaped and formed by how the media portrays the player.  I always got the feeling, even from his hometown commentators, that Barry Bonds was not the easiest person to like.  "Barry Bonds is scheduled to return to the organization in March, this newspaper has learned, serving as a special instructor for the Giants' hitters" See more at: http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/barry-bonds-will-be-spring-training-giants-instructor-291765.html#sthash.27PyflVr.dpuf Interesting!!




Staying with "media perception", Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds has released a two minute video "explaining" himself to the fans - - http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2893069007001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAACEa2yvk~,I3kckfVxEjenAeITDjThxucAtVSXPuHP&bctid=3237865925001&sf23115708=1&sf23117768=1
Thanks to Bill Baer of Hardballtalk!




Going to Barry Bonds' former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, outfielder Travis Snider has been cleared to throw again after injuring a finger on his left hand while cutting sweet potatoes.  I can't make this stuff up!