Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Pettitt In Pinstripes Till The End

Andy Pettitt was praying that things would work out with the New York Yankees so that he wouldn't have to play with the Astros in Houston.

One of the few Yankees left from the World Series Teams of 1996-2000, Andy turned down the previous Yankee offer of $10 million dollar offer, which was a pay cut from his 2008 salary of $16 million.

Well, Andy's prayers came through ,as he resigned with the Yankees to a one year $5.5 million deal. Even though the deal is for less guaranteed money, he can make it up with an incentive filled package that could pay him an additional $5 million in bonuses, $4.5 million in innings and $2 million based on days on the active roster.

One of the big reasons he wanted to stay with the Yankees is that he is a Yankee at heart. The other reason, he wants to play in the new Yankee stadium.
If Andy stays healthy and plays like he usually does, he will make more than he did last year.
Andy Pettitt, Derel Jeter and Jorge Posada are the only Yankees remaining from the glory days of winning 4 World Series in 5 years - that ended in YK2.


Monday, January 26, 2009

Torre's "Yankee Years" Swings At Rodriguez, Cashman and the Yankees

Joe Torre, the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes some harsh swings at Alex Rodriguez, Brian Cashman and the Yankees in a book due out early next month.
The "Yankee Years" reveals that Alex Rodriguez was called "A-friend" by his teammates and that Alex developed an obsession with shortstop Derek Jeter. Torre, coached the Yankees from 1996 to 2007, says he was betrayed by Brian Cashman, the Yankees longtime General Manager.
Torre's book is co-authored by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. It is due out on February 3, 2009 and is being published by Doubleday. The book is not a first-person account, but instead is written in a third-person narrative based on interviews with Yankees players, coaches and employees.
Torre, who was loved by the Yankees fans, took the Yankees to 4 World Series titles between 1996 and 2000. But in 2007 he was offered a one-year contract with a significant paycut after George Steinbrenner handed control of the team to his son Hank.
According to Verducci. "the book really needs to be read in context", "...Anybody who know Joe, especially during his time in New York, knows he's a very honest man and he is very honest in the pages of this book".
Joe Torre will go down in Yankee lore as one the most successful and the most popular Yankee manager in New York Yankee history.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

How To Score A Major League Baseball Game


The game of baseball is enjoyed most when you can understand what the sportscasters are saying and you follow the game using a baseball scorebook.

Baseball Scorekeeping is a way to document and record the details of a baseball game. Each game has an official scorer responsible for recording the events of the game. The Official Scorer makes judgment calls about how to interpret certain circumstances as they relate to the rules (hits vs. errors, etc), but does not have an influence on the final score or the winner and loser. The official scorer must have an in-depth knowledge of the game of baseball and also be intimate with the league rules.

It is recommended that each team assign a coach to be the scorekeeper for the team. His score has no affect on the official game score. His records are used to serve the team in many ways. They help the coach:

1. To keep track of which players have played, and who is available.
2. To keep the batting order accurate
3. To keep individual and team statistics throughout the season
4. To use as a tool for strategic advantage

When Did Baseball Scorekeeping Begin?
It is believed that the foundations of baseball scorekeeping were developed in the late 1800’s by Henry Chadwick. His goal was to come up with statistics of hits, outs, etc. to evaluate which players helped or hurt a team’s chance of winning a game.

Baseball Scorekeeping Systems
There is no definitive system for baseball scoring but the basics are universal. This guide provides the symbols, abbreviations and notations needed to score a baseball game, including youth leagues. More important it will show you how to interpret the scorekeeping results of any game.

With the advent of computers and statistic organizations, such as the Elias Sports Bureau, baseball scorekeeping has taken on a life of it’s own.

Recording a Plate Appearance
Baseball games are scored one turn at bat (Plate Appearance) at a time. The information entered should reflect everything that affected the player in that inning.

Not only is the player’s activity at the plate recorded, but his entire life on the bases in the inning.

Learning how to score baseball is easy and fun. If you are already know how to score the game, you can learn how to score even the most advanced situations in all of baseball

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Jeff Kent Turns Back To Clark Kent

After 17 years in the big leagues, Jeff Kent is calling it quits on major league baseball. Jeff's decision to leave the game is due to him missing out on his kids childhood, traveling from town to town and the "baggage" that goes along with it.
Jeff's teary-eyed farewell is in stark contrast to the gruff public demeanor Kent maintained for years.
"I don't get how you can go up to an opposing starting pitcher, give him a hug and say, `How you doing?' and then go out there and try to hit a gapper," Kent said. "I tried to separate the emotions from the game.
"If you allow yourself as a player to get emotionally involved in every little thing that happens, I don't think you can stay as consistent as you ought to in this game. I wanted other people to perceive me as a guy who was level emotionally."
But that facade came undone during a farewell news conference at Dodger Stadium, especially when Kent looked over at his wife, Dana, daughter Lauren, and three young sons. His 12-year-old daughter wiped her eyes at times.
"We're glad to see him home," Dana Kent said.
At 40, Kent realized his future as a middle infielder was in jeopardy. The Dodgers reportedly offered him another year but it was not a factor in his decision.
Kent leaves as the career home run leader among second basemen with 351 — 74 more than Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. A five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent made his only World Series appearance with San Francisco in 2002, when the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.
"Being a Game 7 loser is the worst feeling that I've ever had as an athlete, but the participation in those games and being able to play alongside my teammates have put to peace any resentment of not being a World Series winner," he said. "I'm OK with it."
Kent had a .290 career batting average with 377 homers, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage. He was drafted by Toronto in 1989 and also played for the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.
"Half of my playing career I was able to get on a team and then make the playoffs, and what a special feeling that is to be part of," he said. "The reasons why I was able to do such things is because of my teammates."
Kent's famous intensity led to clashes with teammates, including Barry Bonds when they played with the Giants from 1997-2002, and the two once scuffled in the dugout for all to see. In 2005, Kent tangled with then-Dodgers teammate Milton Bradley, who claimed Kent couldn't deal with black players.
"Those two guys were teammates of mine and we won," Kent said. "I had run-ins with other teammates. Was it me having a run-in with those guys or them having a run-in with me? It doesn't matter, we were all teammates."
Kent criticized players who used performance-enhancing drugs while endorsing improved testing.
"The integrity of the game has been jeopardized for so many years and I'm just so embarrassed about the steroid era," he said.
Kent thinks the sport has made great strides against steroids.
"Baseball has created a drug policy that is on the right path, that has brought the game to a better level playing field than it ever was," he said.
Kent said he applied a motto to his career that his police officer father taught him: If you're going to do a job, do it right.
Jeff had some tips for kids who have dreams of playing in the big league one day. You don't have to be the biggest guy, or the fastest guy or the smartest guy to make it!
Kent hit .253 during the first half of last season, improved to .353 in August, then injured his knee on Aug. 29 and had surgery four days later. He returned to make the postseason roster, but was relegated to a bench role. He went a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts during the two playoff series and became a free agent in November.
He said he walks away with no regrets.
"I believe I've played this game right and I believe I'm leaving this game right," he said.

MLB 2009 World Series Favorite Early Odds

The 2009 Major League Baseall season has yet to begin and the trades and free agents signing aren't even complete, but the early 2009 World Series Championship odds have been established.
The pre-season favorites to win the World Series Championship are; from the American League, the Los Angeles Angels (7 to 1) and Boston Red Sox (9 1/2 to 1).
In the National League, it's the Chicago Cubs (7 to 1) and the New York Mets (10 to 1).

Longshots include Balitmore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners - all at 100 to 1.

Here is the pre-season 2009 MLB World Series odds:

TeamOdds
Arizona DIAMONDBACKS20 to 1
Atlanta BRAVES40 to 1
Baltimore ORIOLES100 to 1
Boston RED SOX9 1/2 to 1
Chicago CUBS7 to 1
Chicago WHITE SOX22 to 1
Cincinnati REDS100 to 1
Cleveland INDIANS100 to 1
Colorado ROCKIES40 to 1
Detroit TIGERS20 to 1
Florida MARLINS35 to 1
Houston ASTROS35 to 1
Kansas City ROYALS100 to 1
Los Angels ANGELS7 to 1
Los Angeles DODGERS20 to 1
Milwaukee BREWERS35 to 1
Minnesota TWINS30 to 1
New York METS10 to 1
New York YANKEES30 to 1
Oakland ATHLETICS44 to 1
Philadelphia PHILLIES13 to 1
Pittsburgh PIRATES100 to 1
San Diego PADRES100 to 1
San Francisco GIANTS50 to 1
Seattle MARINERS100 to 1
St. Louis CARDINALS20 to 1
Tampa Bay RAYS12 to 1
Texas RANGERS50 to 1
Toronto BLUE JAYS40 to 1
Washington NATIONALS10 to 1

Monday, January 19, 2009

2009 World Baseball Classic: Who Is The Favorite?

The opening round of the World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to March 12. The tournament consists of two double elimination rounds followed by a single elimination Semi-Final and a single-elimination Championship round. All of the World Baseball Classic games will be played in California.

Who are the favorites to win the World Baseball Classic in 2009?
Once again, the Japanese national team is the early favorite. However, one of its top pitchers from 2006, Koji Uehara, is not on the provisional roster after just signing with the Baltimore Orioles. The Dominican Republic team is very much at the top, the United States should be much improved, Venezuela is always tough and Cuba can never be discounted.

What are other teams to watch out for?
Korea is the first team that comes to mind, especially since they beat the Cubans at the Summer Games and finished third in the 2006 World Basebal Classic. Hey, Puerto Rico is going to be super tough, considering that the following MLB stars are expected to play for them: Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Alex Rios, Yadier Molina, Mike Lowell, Bengie Molina, Geovany Soto and retired Yankee Bernie Williams.

Just south of the border, Mexico will also be in the mix, with veterans Oliver Perez, Elmer Dessens and Rodrigo Lopez as impressive starting pitchers. They will be joined by newcomers Matt Garza and Jorge Campillo along with bullpen stud Joakim Soria.

Team USA will have some outstanding talent and will be lead by manager Davey Johnson. Some familiar names include infielders Derek Jeter of the Yankees, Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta's Chipper Jones and Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkalis. Some of the big name pitchers expected to play include the Angels' John Lackey, the Padres' Jake Peavy and Houston's Roy Oswalt.

The starting lineup could include: Derrek Lee or Kevin Youkilis at first base, Pedroia and Cleveland's Mark DeRosa at second, Jeter and Philadelphia's Jimmie Rollins at shortstop, Chipper Jones and the Mets' David Wright at third and Brian McCann of the Braves behind the plate.

It looks like the outfield of Team USA may be in good hands with Ryan Braun of the Brewers, Curtis Granderson of the Tigers and Grady Sizemore of the Indians. However, you would expect more superstars and/or well known players.

The starters could be Peavy, Lackey and Oswalt or even Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir. The bullpen possibilities are the newly signed Angel Brian Fuentes, Joe Nathan, Scot Shields, Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers, B.J. Ryan of the Blue Jays, J.J. Putz of the Mets, Matt Thornton of the White Sox and Matt Lindstrom of the Marlins.

The one and only, Yankee, Alex Rodriquez will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He played for Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

The teams for the double elimination Round One will be divided into 4 pools, they are:
Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea
Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa
Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela
Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Giambi Signs And Heads To The Left Coast

Jason Giambi, the former New York Yankee and free agent, has signed a deal with the Oakland Athletics for the 2009 season. Jason will be heading back to the Left coast, where he started his career with the A's.
Giambi came up with the A's in 1995 and quickly became a fan favorite and a true MLB star, winning the 2000 American League MVP award before signing a seven-year, $120 million deal with the New York Yankees following the 2001 season.
The Yankees declined to pick up his $22 million option for 2009. Now, as Giambi celebrates his 38th birthday Thursday, the A's hope he has enough left in his bat to help them return to contention in the American League West.
Giambi's Giambi's 2009 salary will be $3.5 million, with the $5 million option for next season carrying a $1 million buyout. The deal also includes a 2010 club option.
The deal is said to be a one-year deal worth $4 million, with a $6.5 million club option for 2010 and a $1.25 million buyout.
Giambi will mostly see time as the DH and at first base. His signing is a bargain the A's and it will help the A's in the hitting challenged AL West.
The money Giambi agreed too reflects the economy and the realization by both players and MLB front offices, that "it is what it is".
There are rumors that the A's ain't done dealing. With free agents Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson on their radar, they could really become the top hitting team out West.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Pettitt Refuses Yanks But The Cash Man Visits

Various sources are reporting that Andy Petitt has refused the New York Yankees offer of $10MM to play for the Yankees in 2009. His annual salary in 2007 and 2008 was $16MM.
However, the New York Daily News is reporting that Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees General Manager, is in contact with Andy to try to hammer out a deal.
There is no denying that Andy wants to play with the Yankees, and the Yankees really want Andy. They have both been around the Yankees when they won the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Chances are good that a deal can be reached in the next few days. If not, expect Andy to retire from the game and head back home to Texas.
Andy Pettit made his major league debut on April 29, 1995, with the New York Yankees, with whom he spent 9 seasons in the starting rotation. He has a lifetime record of 215 wins and 127 losses. His career earned run average is 3.89 and he has 2,002 MLB lifetime strikeouts.
He is a 2 time All Star (1996 and 2001) and has won 4 World Series Championships with the Yankees. He was also the 2001 ALCS MVP.

Minnesota Twins Owner Dies At 93

Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series died yesterday, January 5, 2009. Mr. Pohlad bought the Twins in 1984 and is credited with keeping baseball alive in Minnesota.
Back in 1984, Pohlad bought the Twins franchise from Calvin Griffith for $38 million. Back in the 80s Pohlad inherited a promising group of baseball greats including Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti and the late Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett.
Minnesota won the World Series championships in 1987 against the St. Louis Cardinals and in 1991 against the Atlanta Braves.
Over the last 22 years, the Minnesota Twins have had two different managers, three GMS and two presidents. The reason for this is Carl Pohlad hallmarks were loyalty and stability.
Nothing drastic will change with the Twins. They are lead by their president Dave St. Peter and Senior V.P. and General Manager Bill Smith. The Twins will be managed again by Ron Gardenhire.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Team USA Doing It Wright For 2009 World Baseball Classic

The New York Mets All Star Third Baseball, David Wright has committed to the USA baseball squad for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Wright, wil be the only New York Met playing for the USA in the tournament.
Other Met players are playing in the World Baseball Classic but not for Team USA. First baseman Carlos Delgado and relief pitcher Pedro Filiciano have given their intentions to play for Puerto Rico. Pitcher Johan Santana and newly acquired relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez have stated they will play for their homeland - Venezuela. Shortstop phenom Jose Reyes would like to play for the Dominican Republic.
The addition of David Wright to Team USA will help to attract the MLB fan base to the tournament. David Wright is a downright good guy and a true American patriot - that's what the fans love about him. He gives 100% all the time and doesn't complain like many other primadonas in Major League Baseball.
Team USA disappointed in the World Baseball Classic in 2007, only making it to the second round. They lost to South Korea and the eventual champion Japan.
This year, the Americans will play their opening-round matches in Toronto, within a pool that includes Canada, Italy and Venezuela. The Double elimination tournament opening round is scheduled for March 5 - March 12.



Round One
There are 4 pools in round one:

Pool A - China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea

Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa

Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela

Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico


Round Two

Will be be held March 14 - March 19 in a double elimination format

Pool 1 will be played in San Diego, California and consist of:

Pool A Winner

Pool A Runner-Up

Pool B Winner

Pool B Runner-Up



Pool 2 will be played in Miami, Florida and consist of:

Pool C Winner, Pool C Runner-Up, Pool D Winner and Pool D Runner-Up


The Semi Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 21 and March 22 in a single elimination format:

Game 1: Pool 2 Winner vs. Pool 1 Runner Up

Game 2: Pool 1 Winner vs. Pool 2 Runner Up


The World Baseball Classic Finals

Will be played in Los Angeles on March 23. It will be one game

Semi-final 1 Winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Manny Ramirez - The San Francisco Treat?

Could Manny Ramirez end up as a San Francisco Giant for the 2009 MLB season? It isn't likely, but never say never.
The Giants front office believe there is no reason not to explore the possibility of Manny Ramirez moving "upstate" to play with the Giants.
The Giants are in a desperate need for a cleanup hitter and Manny fits the bill. Based on his .396 batting average, 17 homeruns and 53 RBIs, he has proven he can carry a National League team to the playoff.
The buzz about Manny to the Giants has risen lately. The Denver Post led the parade by reporting that the Giants were "aggressively pursuing" him. San Francisco's KPIX-TV reported that the team had offered Ramirez a multiyear contract. And SI.com's Jon Heyman wrote that the Giants had "entered the bidding" for Ramirez.
But is it all hype or are the reports true?
Based on the needs of the Giants [they need a offensive infielder desperately] and the price tag [would put them over their payroll limit and might force them to trade another outfielder], a deal isn't likely. And Manny is considered by many to be too much of a defensive liability.
But how does Manny feel about playing in San Francisco? Money talks! Adn the economic times might make him think twice about passing up the possibility. In his heart though, many feel he wants to go back East - close to his roots in Washington Height, NYC.
Regardless of what you hear in the press, expect both New York teams to be in the Manny hunt. The Yankees could maximize his bat by making him the DH and the Mets would certainly welcome his power.
Stay tuned as the Manny saga continues.