Random Collection of Thoughts re April 16 in the MLB

The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins Wednesday to improve their record versus Miami to 5-1 in 2014.  The Nats have also swept the New York Mets but have gone 1-5 versus the Atlanta Braves, aka, the only team they have played with a legitimate playoff hope.  Up next, the World Series runner ups the St. Louis Cardinals who just squished the Milwaukee Brewers 9 game winning streak by only allowing one run in their first two matchups against the Brew Crew.  The first of four Cardinal pitchers the Nats will face is three time Cy Young Award finalist Adam Wainwright.  Will the real Washington Nationals please stand up!?


Top of the 9th, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee gives up singles to the first two batters of the final frame and Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran is due up in a 1-0 game in favor of the Atlanta.  This situation is the perfect example of why managing a team in the "designated hitter" American League is much easier.


Bottom of the 11th, Houston Astros down 2 runs with a man on and the most publicized rookie since Wil Myers steps into the batters box for the hometown team.  George Springer falls behind 1-2 in the count.  The count goes full at 3-2.   Springer fouls off two balls and then...the strikeout.  Springer would finish the night 1-5 with a walk and two strikeouts.  For the record, the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Myers started his pro career with an 0-4 at the dish.


This is what happens when a position player pitches in a MLB game - - 1 inning pitched, 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 runs against.  With no other options available, the Chicago White Sox had to practically hand the game over to the Boston Red Sox in the 14th inning.  Captain Obvious says both teams are very happy Thursday's game is NOT a matinee!


In this day of parity/mediocrity I try to always to acknowledge sweeps of a series. An internet high five to the  New York Mets, New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.


Here is a montage of Kendrys Morales' and Stephen Drew's 2014 season.  The question is what is the true reason for their free agency?  Is it

• a)  Teams waiting until after June 5 - 7 draft  to avoid compensation pick  OR
• b) Morales and Drew would rather earn no money rather than be "underpaid"?

Random Collection of Thoughts re April 13 in the MLB

Sweeps and their ramifications will be the subject of the day.


The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Arizona Diamondbacks making it a 5-0 regular season start against the NL West Kirk Gibson led foe.  The D'Backs currently sit at 4-11 two days away from Jackie Robinson Day on Tuesday April 15th.  I mentioned in an earlier post that if going into Jackie Robinson Day the Diamondbacks were still counting wins with only one hand that Manager Kirk Gibson likely does not make it through the month of May with his job.  A 3 game series with the New York Mets may just be what the doctor ordered.  Then again, it may be the iceberg that sank the Titanic.


Speaking of baseball managers doubling as crew members of the Titanic, Kansas City manager Ned Yost must be feeling sea sick after being outscored 21-6 whilst being swept by the Minnesota Twins.  The Royals now have lowest scoring offense in the American League 0.02 less runs per game than the Houston Astros.  The Astros happen to be their next opponent before an opportunity for redemption when the Twins visit Kauffman Stadium next weekend.  For a trendy pick to win the division, the Royals are doing it wrong!!


Speaking of trendy picks to win the division, the Washington Nationals just got swept by the Atlanta Braves, the team they would have to overcome to win the NL East.  The Braves scored 23 runs during the series doubling their season long production at the plate.  Another Nats sweep of the Miami Marlins would likely keep them neck and neck with the Braves for 1st place but an abysmal showing in their 4 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals next weekend will help solidify their "pretender not contender" status.


Speaking of the Miami Marlins, anybody remember when they were 5-1?  After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Marlins now sit at 5-8.  I never thought they would keep pace with the Nationals and Braves but third place in the NL East is feasible.  The Marlins will have to win these games back from the Phillies when they visit Miami May 20-22.


I ran out of "speaking of" tie-ins.  The Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to 9 games by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Now the real fun begins as they host the St. Louis Cardinals then fly to Pittsburgh for a three game re-match.  The Cardinals were the gold standard last season beating the Brewers in the pennant race by 23 games.  Can a full year of Ryan Braun and tweaked starting rotation really close that gap?

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.

MLB Bonanza Items for March 31

Interesting comparison after Day One of two players traded for each in one of the most controversial trades in recent memory.  Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria 3-4, Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes 0-1, 15 Disabled List.


Only reason to smile on opening day if you are a Blue Jay fan, now Cub Emilio Bonifacio went 4-5 with a double and a stolen base and an outfield assist BUT  was picked off at first base during the top of the 10th inning.  Classic Emilio!


The Phillies and Rangers combined for 24 runs in their season opener.  The game featured a player who had a great summer that amidst all the offence went 0-4 in Shin-Soo Choo.  The game also featured a player who had arguably the rockiest of off-seasons smash a Grand Slam in the 2nd inning in Jimmy Rollins.


Detroit Tigers shortstop Alex Gonzalez 2-4.  Free Agent Stephen Drew...well...suppose it's better making no money than it is playing for "under market value".


Cincinnati Red fans hope that rookie Billy Hamilton learned a valuable lesson in today's opener.  You can't steal first base!  Hamilton struck out all four of his at-bats.


Pablo Sandoval started his "contract year" with a strikeout and a fielding error, he's doing it wrong!

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.