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Baseball’s Back, So What Now?

Posted by on 12 March 2010, 1:07 pm

2010 Spring Training is in full swing, and April 4th is so close you can taste it.

So, what now? Or more like what’s next?

Time to start the coulda, woulda, shoulda of predictions for the 2010 season.

Here are four to ponder:

  • The New York Mets will have a new manager before the All-Star break. Historically teams in similar situation usually turn it around with a fresh leader. By no means is Jerry Manuel a bad manager, just not a fit for the New York Mets. Even if the Mets start out hot, the memories remain and one slip is all thats needed and in baseball that is inevitable.
  • The AL East just got tougher. Not because of the usual suspects being Yanks, Red Sox and knowing what the Rays are capable of, but because of the Baltimore Orioles. It’s fair to say the Orioles have stunk the past few years, winning a combined 132 games in 2008 and 2009. Stinking with strategy will be the headline, as the Orioles have been stacking up their farm system and it is deep. Guess after watching the Red Sox, Rays and Yanks win using Boston GM’s Theo Epstein home-grown method, it was only a matter of time that the Orioles restructure. These youngsters are now coming up and it’s time Camden Yard fills-up again with Oriole fans.
  • The Seattle Mariners will dominate the AL West because of their pitching. Cliff Lee will dominate this season, winning the Cy Young again. Lee is on a contract year and clearly stated to he wants teams to show him the money. Well, not to hard to figure out how big contracts get signed. Lee will want the heck out of Seattle as he is not happy to be there in the first place, but that was his own choice. Lee pitched with purpose in the World Series and he was scary-good. This foot injury is nothing to be concerned about, because Lee can wrap in $20 dollar bills if needed.
  • Pending the latest HGH questions remain just questions, Alex Rodriguez will dominate in 2010 and the Yankees will thrive. Arod ended 2009 going strong, breaking his curse of choking in the post-season. Missing the first seven weeks in 2009 season because of hip surgery, is now a year ago for the slugger. Translation – Arod is healthy, happy and here. Also, Jeter is his BFF for now, start to slack and he can kiss the Captain goodbye.
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Player Profile: Robinson Jose Cano #24 2B

Posted by on 10 March 2010, 8:31 am

Robinson Jose Cano, who is named after baseball hero Jackie Robinson, was born in 1982, in the Dominican Republic.

His father, Jose played baseball, signed by the Astros in 1980, but only played in a few major league games for the organization in 1989.

Drafted by the Yankees in 2001, Cano has been the team’s full time second baseman since May 2005.

Cano has one of the most natural swings in baseball. To witness such a relaxed power of the bat, that turns into this whipping movement is just neat to watch.

Cano’s quick and immediate success in 2006, left him just shy of winning the batting title, but was named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger.

This drew unfair criticism for lapses at the plate in 2007 and 2008. This in turn caused any missed play in the field to be described lazy, which third-base coach, Larry Bowa made clear was far from true.

Still, this brought disappointment to fans, but it was also just enthusiasm. It is not common to see someone with Cano’s obvious, natural abilities.

Cano’s liability is he swings at everything. Slowing down to have better patienceat the plate does not work for him, and caused Cano to fight his own nature in 2008.

Overall Cano is one of the best at his position and has a cannon arm. If Arod had not re-signed in 2006, Cano could have slid right on over to third-base.

In 2009, Cano played in 161 games, most by any player league wide. In addition, Cano also had a .320 batting average (6th in AL), 204 hits (3rd in AL), .520 slugging percentage (17th in AL), 103 runs (6th in AL), .871 OPS (20th in AL) and a career high of 25 homers.

Cano started out strong and ended with the Yankees winning the World Series. No one will deny that Cano played an enormous part in the team’s success.

This season, Cano needs to be that kind-of player more than ever. He is key in the Yankees chance to repeat.

With his best buddy, Melky Cabrera headed for the Braves, Cano will have to adjust without him by his side.

At his prime age of 27, this is Cano’s year to shine. I believe Cano is up for the challenge in 2010 and will excel beyond expectations.

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Baseball Basics: The Who, What, Where

Posted by on 9 March 2010, 8:13 am

BASEBALL BASICS

WEEKLY QUESTION:

Last season during the bottom of the second inning, one of my best friend’s cheered, “There is Derek Jeter! Go Jeter!”
Except she was pointing at the catcher, Jorge Posada squatting behind home-plate.
I asked her, “What position does Derek Jeter play?”
She responds, “Hmmm shortstop, right?”

To aide in times like the above, please refer to the basic baseball field outline below.

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Baseball Basics: Fans Starting From Scratch

Posted by on 6 March 2010, 1:43 pm

WEEKLY QUESTION:

How many MLB teams are there, and are the Yankees and Mets in the same division?

Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams; 14 in the American League (AL), and 16 in the National League (NL). The two leagues are broken up into three divisions, EAST, CENTRAL and WEST.

The Yankees and Mets are not in the same divisions.

The New York Yankees are in the American League East, and the New York Mets play in the National League East.

Below, is a to a visual chart of all 30 pro-baseball teams organized into their respective league and division.


(click on chart to enlarge)



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Player Profile: Andrew Brackman #64 P

Posted by on 5 March 2010, 6:52 pm

Pitcher Andrew Brackman stands at an enormous 6’10.

He was the Yankees 2007 first round draft pick out of NC State University.

Thus far, Brackman’s actions speak louder than his words (stats in baseball terms).

In his first two seasons, as well as coming off Tommy John surgery and an emergency appendicitis, Brackman has been rough on paper.

As a starter Brackman struggled with his mechanics and control, resembling that of a young Randy Johnson, aka ‘Big Unit’.

Johnson has talked of his early struggles on the mound due to his height, and that Brackman needs some more time to adjust.

Just like Johnson, Brackman’s move into the bullpen marked a substantial improvement. That is why Brackman’s stats do not provide accurate description of his future or ability.

No one knows if this even ‘Bigger Unit’ will ever fair like his predecessor, but he throws at 94-97 mph and that is big leagues level.

Now the question is can Brackman get the same control to match.

Brackman finished up in the minors showing significant improvement in the bullpen. He came into Spring Training weighing 230 pounds down from 270 a year back; and at the young age of 23, there are many reasons to hope for a big future.

Look for Brackman to come out of the Yankee bullpen, unlikely that anyone could miss him.

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Baseball Basics: Welcome

Posted by on 4 March 2010, 9:47 am

Not everyone is a baseball fan, but everybody should be.

Attempts to gain such status are made all the time. The success ratio is about 50/50, with biggest complaints being not understanding the basics, which in turn make games boring, endlessly to long and cause resentment towards the sport itself.

Lady Loves Pinstripes wants to help with a new featured tab called ‘BASEBALL BASICS’.

‘Baseball Basics’

  • is a guide for the beginner fan.
  • will provide explanations/answers to fundamental questions.
  • new ‘Baseball Basic’ posted as questions come are recieved.
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The Yankees Boy Toys: Hughes and Chamberlain

Posted by on 2 March 2010, 9:48 am

The seemingly endless discussion of Joba vs. Phil is heating up again.

Last season this was a mess and solved nothing.

Hughes toss to the bullpen happen to look genius, when it was the only way to keep him on the roaster.

Joba’s restrictions (aka ‘joba rules’) limited the lad from learning to compete because you do not have to get up if there is always a responsibility to help.

Hughes was undoubtably the turning point of last season. Even with that success, it does not change my mind about Hughes role should remain a starter.

The characteristics of mature, calm and reliable are that of a starting pitcher. That demeanor will fare better for seven innings, and that is Hughes in a nutshell.

It could also be the words to describe the principal Mariano Rivera. Mo, does not have the usual personality of a closer, he is one-of-a-kind in every aspect.

A closer absorbs the pressure, feeding off the game and can hardly contain himself. Joba has that fire. Everyone saw this in 2007 as if it was his job. That infamous ‘bug’ game in Cleveland, even if Torre had called the game I do not think Joba would have wanted it.

Nothing is set in stone, but at least fake it is for now.

Last year, Joba had his chance and it’s time to see if he is Mariano’s apprentice and let him soak up as much as possible from the best.

They’re are two talented young guns involved here. It is their futures that are getting taken advantage of, and it is not terribly pleasant.

Please, no ‘Hughes Rules’, just let the boys pitch. If it is a problem change it but at least we will see.

If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.
Albert Einstein

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein

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