As you see by his clothing and background he was always around the game.
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Name this baseball Star?
Sports Teams Loosing Fans
This article by Yahoo sports shows 12 sports teams across the four major sports of NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL that have had the lowest atteandance from 2001 to 2010. Most of the teams have performed poorly causing their fans to loose interest in their teams.
Can you guess the 12 major league teams with the least fans?
According to this article they are:
1. Cleveland Indians
Decrease in attendance: 56.08 percent
2. Baltimore Orioles
Decrease in attendance: 44.00 percent
3. Seattle Mariners
Decrease in attendance: 40.54 percent
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
Decrease in attendance: 33.78 percent
5. Oakland Athletics
Decrease in attendance: 33.51 percent
6. Detroit Lions
Decrease in attendance: 25.18 percent
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
Decrease in attendance: 25.05 percent
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Decrease in attendance: 24.94 percent
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Decrease in attendance: 24.78 percent
10. Indiana Pacers
Decrease in attendance: 24.32 percent
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Decrease in attendance: 21.76 percent
12. Oakland Raiders
Decrease in attendance: 21.32 percent
Some of the teams on this list were bad for many years, but are finally on the way up like Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rest have been bad for years and may continute to be bad for years so you can't blame there fans for not spending their money on a bad product. Hopefully they will turn things around, but sadly for many of the teams on this list, they could be mediocre at best for years.
Can you guess the 12 major league teams with the least fans?
According to this article they are:
1. Cleveland Indians
Decrease in attendance: 56.08 percent
2. Baltimore Orioles
Decrease in attendance: 44.00 percent
3. Seattle Mariners
Decrease in attendance: 40.54 percent
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
Decrease in attendance: 33.78 percent
5. Oakland Athletics
Decrease in attendance: 33.51 percent
6. Detroit Lions
Decrease in attendance: 25.18 percent
7. Arizona Diamondbacks
Decrease in attendance: 25.05 percent
8. Philadelphia 76ers
Decrease in attendance: 24.94 percent
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Decrease in attendance: 24.78 percent
10. Indiana Pacers
Decrease in attendance: 24.32 percent
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Decrease in attendance: 21.76 percent
12. Oakland Raiders
Decrease in attendance: 21.32 percent
Some of the teams on this list were bad for many years, but are finally on the way up like Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rest have been bad for years and may continute to be bad for years so you can't blame there fans for not spending their money on a bad product. Hopefully they will turn things around, but sadly for many of the teams on this list, they could be mediocre at best for years.
Best Florida Marlins in History
This is the last season the Flordia Marlins will be playing at their current ballpark. In a few
games they will be playing their final home game at the football stadium they have called home since their existence since 1993. They are inviting former players from their short history including:
From the article I learned Mike Piazza played 5 games with the Marlins in 1998. This I did not know.
When I think of Marlin Greats I think of Hanley Ramirz, Dan Uggla, Miguel Cabera, Edgar Rentaria, all still playing. There are a few retired Marlins whom I was surprised are not mentioned as being invited. Even though Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Gary Sheffield, and Bobby Bonilla would be the best performers.
The face of the franchise (not of any current Marlins) has to be fan favorite Jeff Conine. He had two tours of duty with the team being one of the first players in franchise history playing from 1993-1997 and again from 2003-2005. He won a World Series rings with both Marlins' championship teams, and is the only player top be on both teams.
Other players they could have invited are Cliff Floyd, Preston Wilson, and Charles Johnson. He may not be a player, but they owe a lot to some guy name Steve Bartmen.
games they will be playing their final home game at the football stadium they have called home since their existence since 1993. They are inviting former players from their short history including:
"Among others expected to attend are Charlie Hough, who threw the team’s first
pitch; Gary Sheffield(notes), Livan Hernandez(notes), Kevin Brown and Bobby
Bonilla, who played on the 1997 World Series championship team; and Luis
Castillo(notes), Mike Lowell(notes) and Ivan Rodriguez(notes), who played on the
2003 title team".
From the article I learned Mike Piazza played 5 games with the Marlins in 1998. This I did not know.
When I think of Marlin Greats I think of Hanley Ramirz, Dan Uggla, Miguel Cabera, Edgar Rentaria, all still playing. There are a few retired Marlins whom I was surprised are not mentioned as being invited. Even though Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo, Gary Sheffield, and Bobby Bonilla would be the best performers.
The face of the franchise (not of any current Marlins) has to be fan favorite Jeff Conine. He had two tours of duty with the team being one of the first players in franchise history playing from 1993-1997 and again from 2003-2005. He won a World Series rings with both Marlins' championship teams, and is the only player top be on both teams.
Other players they could have invited are Cliff Floyd, Preston Wilson, and Charles Johnson. He may not be a player, but they owe a lot to some guy name Steve Bartmen.
Mike Quade a Sitting Duck
Mike Quade was just hired to be the Cubs manager before this by season by general manager Jim Hendry and chairmen of the board Tom Rickets. The Cubs GM at the time, Jim Hendry made a list of potential manager candidates including Eric Wedge who had previous experience, fan favorite and up and coming name Ryne Sandberg who only had managerial experience in the Cubs minor league system. Then there was Mike Quade who Jim Hendry gave his endorsement too without formally doing so by naming him the interim manager when Lou Piniella decided to leave before last season ended. Typically the bench coach Alan Trammel should have taken over for the remainder of the season. By Hendry naming Quade, the Cubs third base coach, and a baseball lifer the interim manager he gave his endorsement. He could have promoted Ryne Sandberg to help out on the bench (once the minor league season was over), instead he called up Bobby Denier which was a knock on Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg.
Then Tom Rickets met with all of the short candidates finalized by Jim Hendry including Ryne Sandberg and Mike Quade. After this interview the Cubs chairmen from input from his trusted GM choose the experienced Mike Quade over Sandberg. Quade was Rickets choice, but with that said, Quade probably isn’t even on the hot seat anymore, he is probably a goner………………..after his disappointing season on the field the next GM will push him out the door.
Mike Quade became the Manager of the Chicago Cubs because of two things he did. The first was of the way he managed the Cubs at the end of last season when he took over for the great Lou Piniella. He was a guy with nothing to lose with a short audition and he managed like it. The other was his interview with Tom Rickets which supposedly went really well. His interview obviously went better than fan favorite Ryne Sandberg because Quade was able to come across more personal and that got him the edge. They wanted a manager that seemed to be the opposite of outgoing manager Lou and Quade came across that way being more personable and able to relate to the players.
Last season when Quade had nothing to lose he managed the Cubs differently than he has this season. That is why I think Quade has been on the hot seat and when Hendry was fired his days got numbered quickly. Even though Rickets selected him, it was from a short list compiled from Jim Hendry. Now that Hendry is gone so will Quade. The new GM will come in and want to hire his manager that is qualified to manage this club and make good in game decisions, unlike Quade even though he Rickets had the final say. Rickets doesn’t have a baseball background. Now the baseball guy that Rickets hires to handle baseball operations will want to hire a competent manager as he should so the Cubs can win as many games as they can. Quade has costed the Cubs games this season by making rookie mistakes, even though he has managed for years in the minors. One such mistake is having Pena hold on a runner in the 9th inning of a game. I talked about this with TBO and we both noted how Len and Bob on the telecast commented about there was no reason to hold the runner on.
Quade signed a two year deal not worth much money for his first chance to manage in the big leagues. So if the Cubs fire him with one year left on the deal it won’t cost them much. I think Quade makes around the same amount as the Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jarmillio. With Quade making rookie mistakes after coaching for may years, not making much money, and a new regime change starting over in Chicago this offseason look for Quade and the entire coaching staff to be out of town, except the highest paid coach in the league of course, Rudy Jarmillio.
The next general manager will have his work cut out for him starting with finding the talent, but then finding a whole new coaching staff besides for a hitting coach. Once the Cubs hire a new GM then we will have to see the type of manager he will hire.
Then Tom Rickets met with all of the short candidates finalized by Jim Hendry including Ryne Sandberg and Mike Quade. After this interview the Cubs chairmen from input from his trusted GM choose the experienced Mike Quade over Sandberg. Quade was Rickets choice, but with that said, Quade probably isn’t even on the hot seat anymore, he is probably a goner………………..after his disappointing season on the field the next GM will push him out the door.
Mike Quade became the Manager of the Chicago Cubs because of two things he did. The first was of the way he managed the Cubs at the end of last season when he took over for the great Lou Piniella. He was a guy with nothing to lose with a short audition and he managed like it. The other was his interview with Tom Rickets which supposedly went really well. His interview obviously went better than fan favorite Ryne Sandberg because Quade was able to come across more personal and that got him the edge. They wanted a manager that seemed to be the opposite of outgoing manager Lou and Quade came across that way being more personable and able to relate to the players.
Last season when Quade had nothing to lose he managed the Cubs differently than he has this season. That is why I think Quade has been on the hot seat and when Hendry was fired his days got numbered quickly. Even though Rickets selected him, it was from a short list compiled from Jim Hendry. Now that Hendry is gone so will Quade. The new GM will come in and want to hire his manager that is qualified to manage this club and make good in game decisions, unlike Quade even though he Rickets had the final say. Rickets doesn’t have a baseball background. Now the baseball guy that Rickets hires to handle baseball operations will want to hire a competent manager as he should so the Cubs can win as many games as they can. Quade has costed the Cubs games this season by making rookie mistakes, even though he has managed for years in the minors. One such mistake is having Pena hold on a runner in the 9th inning of a game. I talked about this with TBO and we both noted how Len and Bob on the telecast commented about there was no reason to hold the runner on.
Quade signed a two year deal not worth much money for his first chance to manage in the big leagues. So if the Cubs fire him with one year left on the deal it won’t cost them much. I think Quade makes around the same amount as the Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jarmillio. With Quade making rookie mistakes after coaching for may years, not making much money, and a new regime change starting over in Chicago this offseason look for Quade and the entire coaching staff to be out of town, except the highest paid coach in the league of course, Rudy Jarmillio.
The next general manager will have his work cut out for him starting with finding the talent, but then finding a whole new coaching staff besides for a hitting coach. Once the Cubs hire a new GM then we will have to see the type of manager he will hire.
Mark Prior Still working on Comeback
Mark Prior came up with the Chicago Cubs in 2002 and pitched for them until 2006. He was supposed to be one of the next Chicago Cubs great pitchers with Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano to anchor that rotation for years to come, but we see how that plan worked out.....................
Now in 2011 with Mark prior at 30 years old, he is still trying to get his career back on path, and back in the major leagues since 2006. Interesting that now he is changing his grip, an idea from Roy Halladay because he realized what he has been doing wasn't working for him.
Will Mark prior ever be back in the majors?
Now in 2011 with Mark prior at 30 years old, he is still trying to get his career back on path, and back in the major leagues since 2006. Interesting that now he is changing his grip, an idea from Roy Halladay because he realized what he has been doing wasn't working for him.
Will Mark prior ever be back in the majors?
The Jim Joyce All-Stars: 2011
- 3/31 - Mark Kotsay makes a diving catch in the outfield, called a hit
- 3/31 - Botched ground ball hit directly at Derek Jeter called a hit
- 4/1 - Roy Halladay beats out a ground ball, called out at first
TBO's Quick Take On MLB Replay
Baseball is a game inherent with errors by the players. Poping out, hanging a slider, having a ball bounce off your head for a home run. There is enough error to go around. The rules of the game should not be one of them. If there are errors on the field AND errors in the rule book that just leads to exponentially increased errors in any single game, which leads to drastically distorted game outcomes. It's like playing blackjack and 25% of the time you hit blackjack, the dealer misreads your cards and takes your money. That would really suck
I would rid of umpires altogether, maybe keep them just for aesthetic purposes
Worthless 2010 Baseball Predictions: Standings
Despite that fact that 30 teams in 30 days was giant failure last year, I'm going to essentially the same thing- because hot damn do I love making predictions and do people love reading predictions. So here is my own worthless opinion (because I'm sure to be wrong) on how I think the MLB standings will look in 2010.
Note, that no one will ever be able to tell you where a team will finish because there will always be players that surprise you to help a team win and there will always be key drastic injuries. And despite what PECOTA will predict, there's a reason teams still play the game.
So I'm not going to comment on justifying my picks. Picks aren't based on rationality and even if you think they are, they are guaranteed to be wrong. All this is is my opinion and feel free to disagree with my subjective views.
AL EAST
1) New York Yankees
2) Boston Red Sox*
3) Tampa Bay Rays
4) Baltimore Orioles
5) Toronto Blue Jays
Yankees won 100+ games last year and added Granderson and Vazquez and will get more PA from A-Rod this year. Red Sox adding Cameron and Beltre makes them one of the best defensive teams in the league and adding Lackey just adds even more depth to the deepest rotation in baseball. Rays have probably a top six team in the league but play in the hardest division in baseball- so say goodbye to Pena and Crawford. Orioles will compete for this division (a la Rays in '08), but that won't happen for another few years. Blue Jays clearly are rebuilding so will be awful for a years as well.
AL CENTRAL
1) Detroit Tigers
2) Chicago White Sox
3) Minnesota Twins
4) Kansas City Royals
5) Cleveland Indians
I love the Sox pitching but I'm so pessimistic that I can't put them winning the division like ESPN does. So if it's between the Twins and Tigers I say the addition of Damon and Scherzer
AL WEST
1) Seattle Mariners
2) Los Angeles Angels
3) Texas Rangers
4) Oakland A's
Seattle will probably be the best defensive team in the AL and add a damn fine rotation of top of that with SAFECO's caverns and you have a recipe for success. Even though I think the Rangers have more talent, it's the still Angels and they will still be competitive and still win a crap ton of games. I like the Rangers line up but they are too injury prone and even though that rotation will over-perform, they have too big of a hurdle to overcome. They A's have no chance- not this year.
NL EAST
1) Philadelphia Phillies
2) Atlanta Braves*
3) New York Mets
4) Florida Marlins
5) Washington Nationals
I was going to pick the Nationals to win the wild card because every team Jason Marquis has been on has gone to the playoffs, but then I thought about it for more than two seconds. I also believe in my heart of hearts that the Marlins are better than the Mets, but the Mets are still the Mets and they still have money and they can't have that many injuries as they did last year, can they?
NL CENTRAL
1) St. Louis Cardinals
2) Chicago Cubs
2) Cincinnati Reds
4) Milwaukee Brewers
5) Houston Astros
6) Pittsburgh Pirates
I ranked the bottom four teams based upon how I think their rotations will be and I think Dave Duncan will beat the injury prone Cubs. Plus, I'm a White Sox so I OBVIOUSLY need to crap on the Cubs.
NL WEST
1) San Fransisco Giants
2) Colorado Rockies
3) Los Angeles Dodgers
4) Arizona Diamondbacks
5) San Diego Padres
This is the division I feel the least strongly about but I'll choose the Giants because Tim-freaking-Lincecum and Matt Cain along with guys like Madison Bumgardner and Jonathan Sanchez will make the Giants have a top five rotation and propel them to win the division.
*indicates wild card birth
Note, that no one will ever be able to tell you where a team will finish because there will always be players that surprise you to help a team win and there will always be key drastic injuries. And despite what PECOTA will predict, there's a reason teams still play the game.
So I'm not going to comment on justifying my picks. Picks aren't based on rationality and even if you think they are, they are guaranteed to be wrong. All this is is my opinion and feel free to disagree with my subjective views.
AL EAST
1) New York Yankees
2) Boston Red Sox*
3) Tampa Bay Rays
4) Baltimore Orioles
5) Toronto Blue Jays
Yankees won 100+ games last year and added Granderson and Vazquez and will get more PA from A-Rod this year. Red Sox adding Cameron and Beltre makes them one of the best defensive teams in the league and adding Lackey just adds even more depth to the deepest rotation in baseball. Rays have probably a top six team in the league but play in the hardest division in baseball- so say goodbye to Pena and Crawford. Orioles will compete for this division (a la Rays in '08), but that won't happen for another few years. Blue Jays clearly are rebuilding so will be awful for a years as well.
AL CENTRAL
1) Detroit Tigers
2) Chicago White Sox
3) Minnesota Twins
4) Kansas City Royals
5) Cleveland Indians
I love the Sox pitching but I'm so pessimistic that I can't put them winning the division like ESPN does. So if it's between the Twins and Tigers I say the addition of Damon and Scherzer
AL WEST
1) Seattle Mariners
2) Los Angeles Angels
3) Texas Rangers
4) Oakland A's
Seattle will probably be the best defensive team in the AL and add a damn fine rotation of top of that with SAFECO's caverns and you have a recipe for success. Even though I think the Rangers have more talent, it's the still Angels and they will still be competitive and still win a crap ton of games. I like the Rangers line up but they are too injury prone and even though that rotation will over-perform, they have too big of a hurdle to overcome. They A's have no chance- not this year.
NL EAST
1) Philadelphia Phillies
2) Atlanta Braves*
3) New York Mets
4) Florida Marlins
5) Washington Nationals
I was going to pick the Nationals to win the wild card because every team Jason Marquis has been on has gone to the playoffs, but then I thought about it for more than two seconds. I also believe in my heart of hearts that the Marlins are better than the Mets, but the Mets are still the Mets and they still have money and they can't have that many injuries as they did last year, can they?
NL CENTRAL
1) St. Louis Cardinals
2) Chicago Cubs
2) Cincinnati Reds
4) Milwaukee Brewers
5) Houston Astros
6) Pittsburgh Pirates
I ranked the bottom four teams based upon how I think their rotations will be and I think Dave Duncan will beat the injury prone Cubs. Plus, I'm a White Sox so I OBVIOUSLY need to crap on the Cubs.
NL WEST
1) San Fransisco Giants
2) Colorado Rockies
3) Los Angeles Dodgers
4) Arizona Diamondbacks
5) San Diego Padres
This is the division I feel the least strongly about but I'll choose the Giants because Tim-freaking-Lincecum and Matt Cain along with guys like Madison Bumgardner and Jonathan Sanchez will make the Giants have a top five rotation and propel them to win the division.
*indicates wild card birth
Get to Know the Name Bryce Harper
If your a baseball fan you should already know the name Bryce Harper. He is a top baseball prospect that I mentioned in July. Harper is a catcher and third basemen and can also pitch. As a hitter he has monster homeruns over 500 feet and as a pitcher he has been clocked at 96mph. He decided to finish high school early to start his baseball career. He just received his GED in December 2009 and is going to take classes at the College of Southern Nevada. He will play baseball in the spring of 2010 for them. This will make him eligible for the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. You can read all about Bryce Harper’s potential at Yahoo Sports.
Here is a video to see him in action:
Here are some more links to learn more about him:
Achievements
His Future
His Power
Here is a video to see him in action:
Here are some more links to learn more about him:
Achievements
His Future
His Power
Are The Cubs A Bunch Of Cheap SOBs?
Below is a chart that maps the Cubs payroll, revenue and ticket prices and maps them against the league average from 1999 to 2009.
(2009 revenue is based on an estimate I heard on TV earlier this week)
Things of note:
o Over the last decade, Cubs ticket prices have risen twice as fast as those of the rest of major league baseball (that includes the 2007 price freeze).
o From 1999-2007, the Cubs only once (2004) changed their payroll by more than league average. Despite this, from 1999-2009, the Cubs total % change in payroll almost exactly matched the team's total % change in revenue.
% of 2005 Revenue spent on 2006 Payroll
79% Washington Nationals
79% Chicago White Sox
74% New York Yankees
70% Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
67% Toronto Blue Jays
66% Detroit Tigers
62% Minnesota Twins
60% Houston Astros
60% Boston Red Sox
59% Los Angeles Dodgers
59% St Louis Cardinals
57% San Francisco Giants
56% New York Mets
56% Atlanta Braves
55% Chicago Cubs
53% Oakland Athletics
53% Philadelphia Phillies
52% Milwaukee Brewers
51% Seattle Mariners
49% Baltimore Orioles
48% Cincinnati Reds
48% Texas Rangers
47% San Diego Padres
45% Kansas City Royals
44% Arizona Diamondbacks
43% Pittsburgh Pirates
40% Cleveland Indians
32% Tampa Bay Devil Rays
31% Colorado Rockies
15% Florida Marlins
SOURCES
o http://forbes.com/baseball
o http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3867:a-decade-of-growth-examining-mlb-player-payroll&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
o http://www.stevetheump.com/fan_cost_index.htm
o http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/stories/2001-12-05-focus-expenses.htm
o http://www.teammarketing.com/
o http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/haupert.mlb
(2009 revenue is based on an estimate I heard on TV earlier this week)
Things of note:
o Over the last decade, Cubs ticket prices have risen twice as fast as those of the rest of major league baseball (that includes the 2007 price freeze).
o From 1999-2007, the Cubs only once (2004) changed their payroll by more than league average. Despite this, from 1999-2009, the Cubs total % change in payroll almost exactly matched the team's total % change in revenue.
% of 2005 Revenue spent on 2006 Payroll
79% Washington Nationals
79% Chicago White Sox
74% New York Yankees
70% Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
67% Toronto Blue Jays
66% Detroit Tigers
62% Minnesota Twins
60% Houston Astros
60% Boston Red Sox
59% Los Angeles Dodgers
59% St Louis Cardinals
57% San Francisco Giants
56% New York Mets
56% Atlanta Braves
55% Chicago Cubs
53% Oakland Athletics
53% Philadelphia Phillies
52% Milwaukee Brewers
51% Seattle Mariners
49% Baltimore Orioles
48% Cincinnati Reds
48% Texas Rangers
47% San Diego Padres
45% Kansas City Royals
44% Arizona Diamondbacks
43% Pittsburgh Pirates
40% Cleveland Indians
32% Tampa Bay Devil Rays
31% Colorado Rockies
15% Florida Marlins
SOURCES
o http://forbes.com/baseball
o http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3867:a-decade-of-growth-examining-mlb-player-payroll&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
o http://www.stevetheump.com/fan_cost_index.htm
o http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/stories/2001-12-05-focus-expenses.htm
o http://www.teammarketing.com/
o http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/haupert.mlb
MLB Ages: The All 26 Years Old Team
Every baseball player breaks through and starts their career at different times. Some players brezze through the minor leagues, while other take years to develop (like Cub prospects). Thus, fans never know how old a player age. So I decided to look at different ages where they are some very good players. 26 years old seems to be the best age group where there are the most best players. So here are the best players at 26 years old in the majors. All MLB players that are 26 are not on the list, only the best.
All of these players are currently 26 years old or will be by April 1, 2010.
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Brian McCann, Kurt Suzuki, Miguel Montero
First base: Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Kendry Morales
Second base: Dustin Pedroia, Jose Lopez, Howie Kendrick
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Erick Aybar
Third base: Mark Reynolds
Leftfield: Ryan Braun, Adam Lind
Centerfield: Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span
Right field: Nick Markakis, Hunter Pence
Starting Pitchers:
1.Zack Greinke
2.Jon Lester
3.Josh Johnson
4.Cole Hamels
5.Ubaldo Jimenez
6.Matt Garza
7.Edwin Jackson
Bullpen
1.Huston Street
2.Matt Capps
3.J.P. Howell
Third base is weak in terms of depth, but every other position has very good talent and depth. This is the best age group I have found. This is the first part in the series, so we will see how other ages compare to this one.
All of these players are currently 26 years old or will be by April 1, 2010.
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Brian McCann, Kurt Suzuki, Miguel Montero
First base: Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Kendry Morales
Second base: Dustin Pedroia, Jose Lopez, Howie Kendrick
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Erick Aybar
Third base: Mark Reynolds
Leftfield: Ryan Braun, Adam Lind
Centerfield: Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span
Right field: Nick Markakis, Hunter Pence
Starting Pitchers:
1.Zack Greinke
2.Jon Lester
3.Josh Johnson
4.Cole Hamels
5.Ubaldo Jimenez
6.Matt Garza
7.Edwin Jackson
Bullpen
1.Huston Street
2.Matt Capps
3.J.P. Howell
Third base is weak in terms of depth, but every other position has very good talent and depth. This is the best age group I have found. This is the first part in the series, so we will see how other ages compare to this one.
MLB Winter Meetings
The MLB winter meetings ended today! We have not seen any moves from the Cubs or Sox, but we should see them soon. Even though the winter meetings ended, now teams can think about offers and go back to teams and free agents with offers. I think many teams are waiting to see what players get non-tendered by their current team. Teams have until December 12th to non-tender contracts. That day is approaching fast so I think next week after that day we will see more moves. Teams that have to worry about their payroll may cut players they don’t think are worth the amount they will have to pay him. Mike Fontenot could be someone non-tendered by the Cubs. Mike Jacobs and Ryan Church both have been released already. I like Church and think he could be a good fit on both sides of town. Jim Hendry only has one goal this off-season and that is to fix last off-season instead of making the club much better. Getting rid of Bradley will make the team better, but I doubt we would add an impact player by moving him.
MLB Players Make Money For Playoffs
I always knew that teams that made it to the playoffs make more money. That is common knowledge from tickets, concessions, and t.v rights. What I didn't know is that players get a part of that. As
Yahoo sports said "The Yankees won the World Series, and their full postseason shares were worth a record $365,053. That was up from $351,504 on the 2008 champion Philadelphia Phillies and the previous mark of $362,173 set by the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals".
From the $365,053 the Yankees received the "Yankees players received $21.27 million and split it among 46 full shares, 12 partial shares and two cash awards". So the players get a piece of the pie. You can read in the article how much the rest of the teams and players received, even the Cubs for not making it!
Yahoo sports said "The Yankees won the World Series, and their full postseason shares were worth a record $365,053. That was up from $351,504 on the 2008 champion Philadelphia Phillies and the previous mark of $362,173 set by the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals".
From the $365,053 the Yankees received the "Yankees players received $21.27 million and split it among 46 full shares, 12 partial shares and two cash awards". So the players get a piece of the pie. You can read in the article how much the rest of the teams and players received, even the Cubs for not making it!
New Executive Director of MLB Players’ Association
At the end of the past baseball season Donald Fehr retired as executive director of Major League baseball players’ association. On Wednesday the Players asscoation will vote in a new executive director. Michael Weiner is supposed to be named as his replacement. He worked under Fehr since 1988, but is supoosed to be the opposite. Read more about their differences at Yahoo Sports.
Average MLB player makes 3 million
On Monday it was announced that the average major leaguer makes $2,996,000. That is from the salaries of the 926 players in the major leagues before rosters expanded on September 1st. A good life to live.
Baseball Was Affected By The Economy
I know we all berated Cubsfan when he made the statement baseball wasn't affected by the economy because attendance was up this year. Well, to add insult to well I guess more insults, Beg Selig recently announced that some teams did lose money this past season.
Line drive...base hit...caught...where am I?
Too bad the run doesnt score because it would be awesome if this call lived on for decades to come. Once again Chip Caray gets overexcited and blows the shot prematurely...thats what she said
Baseball not affected by the economy
Before the 2009 season everyone was wondering if the bad economy would affect baseball. This affected the last off-season drastically where many players received smaller contracts in length and dollar amount. The question was answered yesterday. Baseball was not affected by this economy. People still went to the games for the fifth highest attendance ever in Major league baseball. This is shocking that is was one of the best attendances ever! It will be interesting how this affects free agency and the arguments that agent's will use with this.
MLB Comeback Player of the Year Awards
Major league Baseball has announced the comeback players of the year award. Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals and Aaron Hill of the Toronto Blue Jays were the winners. You can read about the great years they both had. Both are coming off injury plagued seasons, especially Chris Carpenter. Carpenter only made four starts combined in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He is coming off of major surgery and showed that he still has the stuff which won him the Cy Young a few years ago. He won't win in this year, but had a great season.
