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2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 5

Posted by on 11 May 2012, 4:08 am

Well another week in the 2012 MLB Season is in the books, and so far each one brings more excitement and drama than the last.

And this week history was made both good and bad.

First, the Yankees are learning what life is like without the greatest closer in the history of baseball. Losing Mariano Rivera to a torn ACL and a newly discovered blood clot did not just take a toll on Yankees fans, as it sadden baseball fans all around the world. There is not anyone like Mo on the mound, or off of it. He is the definition of rarefied air.

The Rangers are dominating baseball this season and so is slugger Josh Hamilton. Hamilton achieved something that has only been done 16 other times in the Majors, hitting four home-runs in one game. It was an incredible feat, and one that will be remembered for decades to come.

Now to my Week 5 – Power Rankings… as don’t you want to see what I think of your team this week?

Also, whether you agree or disagree please let me know in the comments below.

Enjoy!

Week 5 rankings 1-17.

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Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not

Posted by on 9 May 2012, 2:49 am
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a...

New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera before a game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What MLB stories have hogged headlines so far in the 2012 season?

Shockingly, it is not the New York Yankees, as the Universe is in mourning and adjusting to life being Mo-less, which is about all they can handle now anyway.

So for those Yankees fans who have lived in a box since Opening Day; or if you need to make/fake an impression with some baseball knowledge; or maybe you decided to become a baseball fan yesterday…well, whatever it is you came to the right place.

So, in no particular order, here are the 5 biggest headlines from the first month of 2012 season. I included links to both the baseball blogosphere, and MLB experts/analysts under each subject line.

Enjoy!

Fragile closers.

MLB Analysis: It’s Not Easy Being a Closer These Days – Opposing Views

There’s only one Mariano Rivera – Baseball Insider; CBS Sports

Fragile bunch in high-risk job – Republican-American

Marmol likely out as closer – Cubs Den

Closer Turnover In 2012 – Beyond the Boxscore

Phillies Cole Hamels names himself president of MLB’s welcoming committee, just ask Nationals rookie Bryce Harper.

Spike Eskin Says: The Bryce Harper Incident Was Cole Hamels’ Free Agency Audition – CBS Sports Philadelphia.

Cole Hamels Pays a $468,750 Price for Honesty – Forbes Magazine.

The Juice: Bryce Harper steals home, Jayson Werth breaks wrist in Phillies win – Big League Stew

Charlie Manuel wishes Cole Hamels hadn’t been so honest – High Cheese Continue reading ‘Are the Yankees stealing the spotlight in 2012? I think not’ »

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New York Yankees: Hearts are broken for Mo

Posted by on 4 May 2012, 1:03 am

The greatest closer in baseball history is New York Yankees Mariano Rivera, and now the team will have to go on without him for the 2012 season.

Mariano Rivera celebrates a victory against th...

Mo tore his ACL catching batting practice prior to the game against the Royals in Kansas City. Mo was supposedly on his way back to New York to see the Yankees doctors but he wants to stay with his teammates right now.

As a Yankees fan, Mo is like family and it is beyond crushing.

Since I am at a complete loss for words here, I will turn to twitter and leave you with the sentiments of others:

 

 

Very interesting tweet from @YankeesWFAN about how clubhouse is morgue-like. Not surprised. Rivera is as revered/respected as any Yankee On 4:10 AM May 4th 2012 from web
Derek Jeter: "He's going to be missed. There's no other way to put it. You can't replace him." On 4:10 AM May 4th 2012 from Twitter for iPhone
If Mariano Rivera is done, I might need to take a personal day. This is like finding out Santa Claus died. On 4:22 AM May 4th 2012 from Mobile Web
This phrase is often floated around much too liberally, but there will never be another Mariano Rivera. On 4:20 AM May 4th 2012 from TweetDeck
Mariano Rivera, head bowed and teary-eyed, says he does not know if he will pitch again. On 4:17 AM May 4th 2012 from Twitter for iPhone
This cannot be the end of Mariano Rivera's career. It just can't. On 4:20 AM May 4th 2012 from Twitter for iPhone

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD Mariano Rivera is down on the warning track after hurting his knee shagging fly balls. This is BAD. #Yankees On 11:14 PM May 3rd 2012 from web
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2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 3

Posted by on 27 April 2012, 3:12 am

Wow….can you believe we are only a month into the 2012 MLB season? 

There have been ups and downs…

Numerous injuries to pitchers…

The witnessing of  historical feats, both good and bad….

And the too old playing like they are too young.

It has been insane.

Can’t think of a greater time to be a baseball fan.

To steal a quote from the great Walt Whitman:

I see great things in baseball. It’s our game — the American game. It will take our people out of doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair those losses, and be a blessing to us.

Here are my power rankings for week #3: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 3’ »

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2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 1

Posted by on 13 April 2012, 2:07 am

The first week of the 2012 season was far from boring, as the competition is even better than I realized.

My advice is if you want to make a baseball fan out of someone this is the season to do it but that is for another post.

For now, here are my weekly power rankings…remember weekly isn’t limited to just the past week as I prefer looking at the bigger picture; and comments are just my quick notes.

Lady Loves Pinstripes - Week 1 Power Rankings

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New York Yankees: 3 reasons to tune into Spring Training

Posted by on 9 March 2012, 4:24 pm
 For the most part, Spring Training stats and standings (wins and loses) can be ignored. But that doesn’t mean fans should completely ignore watching any Spring Training games because there are some worthwhile and interesting situations to keep an eye on.

Here are three reasons that I keep the channel on the YES or MLB Network every March:

  1. Injuries are what I watch for in Spring Training, both new and old. A lot of players are returning from serious injuries and fans want to see if they are still effective. This holds especially true for pitchers and looking at their K/9 and K/BB can be very useful. Also, observe their mound presence by re-watching a few innings prior to the injury and compare their general motion etc. Unfortunately, Spring Training also means new injuries will occur all over the place, and all fans can do is have to pray that their team avoids any that are season changing.
  2. Watching players fight it out for a job. You want to try to avoid emphasizing actual stats when judging a spring competition. Try and look at the bigger picture I guess from of a skipper’s viewpoint instead of judging as a fan. If that makes sense, but it does depend on what job is up for grabs too. Is it a starting role or a backup? If it is a bullpen job, how they fit into the overall puzzle. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 3 reasons to tune into Spring Training’ »

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MLB: To Be Or Not To Be MVP Is Up To Ryan Braun

Posted by on 21 January 2012, 2:17 am
Ryan Braun

Tonight, Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun will be presented with the 2011 NL MVP Award at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in New York City and everyone is wondering what he will do.

That is because back in October, Braun failed a routine performance-enhancing drug test. The levels of testosterone found were said to be “insanely high,” and Braun has been adamantly refuting the test results to be true.

Back on November 22, 2011 the BBWAA announced Braun as the 2011 NL MVP Award recipient.

That same day, Braun went on the MLB Network to talk about how hard he works on being the best baseball player he can be; and he also thanked the Brewers, his teammates and the fans. He talked about his fondest personal memory, which was when he hit the home-run vs. the Florida Marlins that clinched the NL Central Division for Milwaukee. That was on September 24th and he failed the test only a week later.

According to the New York Daily News, Braun started the appeal process this past Thursday just two days before he is to be presented with the NL MVP Trophy.

Whether the appeals committee find Braun’s “highly unusual circumstances” relevant enough to overturn his pending 50-game suspension has said not to be decided prior to the Awards gala tonight.

The likelihood that the test results won’t be upheld and the suspension will be lifted is low because no player has yet to have an appeal overturned.

Regardless, for now Braun is left with a life-altering decision to make, to accept or decline the NL MVP honor.

The BBWAA has already stated that the NL MVP voting results stand no matter what happens.

So, this made me think what I would do if I were Braun? Continue reading ‘MLB: To Be Or Not To Be MVP Is Up To Ryan Braun’ »

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