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MLB Batter Vs. Batter: Which Superstar Would You Choose

Posted by on 2 November 2011, 12:52 am

Pretend it is the middle of MLB’s off-season, and you are hard at work as most General Managers are at this time of year.

Significant decisions are looming and need to be made sooner than later, as your team’s forthcoming success depends on it.

Now, below are the stats of two currently active MLB hitting superstars, but the hitch is you can only sign one. The players and stats are real, but the each player’s name, respective team and year are all crossed out in order for you to make an unbiased decision.

You won’t be discouraged, that much I can promise you.

Once you are finished, please leave your decision, via a comment and hopefully an explanation at the end of this post. Presumably, each pick will be your opinion of who is the better player as you are trying to put the best team together possible to win.

Before disclosing any true identities, let me give you the three reasons why I would sign PLAYER 1 over PLAYER 2.

  1. PLAYER 1 is just as lethal once on base as clear from his stolen base numbers. PLAYER 1 also has 57 more RBIs.
  2. PLAYER 2 doesn’t strikeout much, but my guess is that he gets intentionally walked a bit when looking at his base-on-balls numbers.
  3. PLAYER 1′s most recent numbers season shows improvement, while almost all PLAYER 2’s stats declined in his last season. This does not mean that PLAYER 2 can’t be productive again, as he could have had an off-year but PLAYER 1 hasn’t shown that kind of drop off. This leads me to believe that PLAYER 1  is the safer bet.

PLEASE WAIT once you click… ‘Continue Reading ‘MLB Batter Vs. Batter: Which Superstar Would You Choose’…. the two real owners of these stats shale be revealed.

*It is recommended that you make your choice prior to knowing each player’s true identity. As a team’s GM, intentionally hindering a decision instead of doing what is best for the team is selfish, so try to decide before you peak. You have been warned.* Continue reading ‘MLB Batter Vs. Batter: Which Superstar Would You Choose’ »

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New York Yankees Magic Number

Posted by on 17 September 2011, 1:06 pm

If you watch or read anything about MLB during the month of September, than you certainly heard the term ‘Magic Number’ over and over again.

With the New York Yankees losing 5-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, accompanied by a Boston Red Sox win; the Bombers magic number lingers at 7 for a postseason berth, and 10 to win the AL East division for another day.

So, what is the infamous Magic Number? And how is it calculated?

To put it simply, it is the number of games a division leading team has to win to secure winning their respective division.

A win drops a division team’s Magic Number down by one; and so does a loss by the team right below them in the divisional standings.

If the AL East leading Yankees want to win the division, they have to win or the Red Sox have to lose a combination of 10 games with 13 games left to play. For a playoff spot, the Yankees need to win and the Red Sox have to lose to form a concoction of 7 games total.

In essence the Magic Number only applies to division-leading teams because the formula is as follows:

So, plug-in the Yankees 90 wins and the Red Sox’s 63 loses:

163 – 90 Yankee Wins – 63 Red Sox Loses = A Magic Number of 10

With the Yankees ahead three games in the loss column over the Wild Card leading Red Sox; for a playoff berth you minus that number, which is three from the Magic Number of 10, which equals 7; and that is the number of games the Yankees need to clinch a spot in the postseason.

I hope my explanation helped, and didn’t just confuse you more. The Magic Number is a pretty straightforward method that only applies to the top team in each division, but in September who else really matters anyway? Actually a lot if you play in the AL East like the Yankees. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Magic Number’ »

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New York Yankees: You Snooze You Lose

Posted by on 8 August 2011, 1:56 am

On Monday morning, in the bottom of the 10th inning the New York Yankees lost the rubber game 3-2 to the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.

This game went four and a half hours, which is not surprising considering the match-up but tonight’s game was painfully long and no fault of the Yankees.

Even if the Yankees had won, it is no excuse that Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett took almost a minute and sometimes more between pitches.

ESPN Sunday Night Baseball’s Booby Valentine pointed out this fact to anyone who was still awake watching the broadcast.

The Official Rules on MLB.com state the following on this issue:

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call Ball. The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

The ending line ‘Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire’ was certainly not applied; and the umpire did not warn Beckett or Red Sox Skipper Terry Francona to speed it up.

My complaint has nothing to do with the fact the Yankees lost, because the Red Sox beat them in the end. The problem is the ending happened way too late and that is why the rule was implemented.

Look any diehard baseball fan appreciates how the Red Sox and Yankees grind it out when they play each other, but usually the delays are mutually both teams’ faults.

Tonight, Beckett was so sluggish it was excruciating to watch and according to MLB officials it was unfair too.

On a personal note, I finally got my mother to watch a game on my never-ending quest to convert her dislike for baseball. Well, thanks to Beckett any progress made over the last decade got squashed as she was bored and in the second inning was asking, “How many innings left?”

Otherwise, the Yankee players can spend all-day Monday stewing about why they couldn’t hold off the Red Sox, again.

In one sense it sure does keep a team humble and that is putting it politely.

The fact that the Yankees can beat any team in baseball except Boston is just plain unacceptable.

The bottom line for the Yankees is they better figure out the problem before they head back to Fenway again on August 30th, as nothing pisses off New York fans more than losing to Boston.

To sum it up….this game was too long to lose.

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MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Need To Just Overpay

Posted by on 19 July 2011, 3:37 am

The New York Yankees, along with the other 29 MLB teams have 13-days till the July 31st trade deadline.

According the Yankees GM Brian Cashman, the team will NOT overpay to acquire mid-season talent.

Well isn’t it true that when you want something, you have to be willing to pay the price for it?

You would think that the Yankees would know this better than most, but not lately. Cashman is turning into a cheap skate, who is hoarding the prospects right before are eyes.

Why did Cashman even bother building such a strong farm system?

Looking back, Austin Jackson was the last big-time Yankee prospect that fans were waiting on. Three years later, and just days before his pinstripes début, Jackson was sent packing to the Detroit Tigers; who in turn shipped Curtis Granderson to the Bronx.

Now, a season and a half later the Yankees clearly got the better deal as Granderson is establishing himself as an MVP.

Not that Jackson has been a bust, but last season’s 170-strikeout number is off the charts. Ironically, Granderson posted 174 strikeouts in his first full MLB season, so the Yankees skipped Jackson’s toddler years by grabbing Granderson.

Regardless, the Yankees seem to fare better with players than prospects, so Cashman not wanting to overpay for talent confuses me?

What did Cashman think would come with a flourishing farm system…. lower or even reasonable price tags?

Fact is that obtaining a fresh talent boosts a team, whether it is a handful prior to 2009 or a reliever mid-season like Kerry Woods in 2010. You have to pay for the talent that makes a difference, especially if you are working for the Yankees.

If the rumors, that the Boston Red Sox are ready to lay it all on the line to acquire some major player in the next two weeks than the Yankees could be in trouble.

Cashman cannot sit on his hands; celebrating prospects that have no big-league history and might never just to avoid possibly overpaying for an established player.

Remember, the Yankees made their reputation for winning by spending excessively and no offense it kind of comes with the territory don’t you think?

Whether it be Padres Health Bell or Marlins Randy Choate, the Yankees need some help and a fresh face can literally change a team’s October Road. Even trading with the Rockies for 27-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez is something Cashman needs to really consider after Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated confirmed that the Rangers and Red Sox are in this mix too. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Need To Just Overpay’ »

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Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB April Power Rankings

Posted by on 1 May 2011, 6:17 pm

What a difference a month can make?

Baseball looks a lot different then I initially predicted in my 2011 Pre-Season Power Rankings (featured on MLBBuzz.com), but I can assure you that I am not alone.

The month of April has exceeded expectations, as it has already been a wild and exciting ride. Giving the fan a consistent reminder of why we love baseball so much.

So where did Lady Loves Pinstripes rank your team’s April performance?

Well, here are my April standings of all 30 MLB teams:

 

MLB TEAM RANK COMMENTS or REASON WHY?
Philadelphia Phillies 1 Closer?? Halladay can’t start daily. Howards bat will get cold…so what is timetable on getting Utley back.
New York Yankees 2 Have yet to lose a series and new Yankees have been extraordinary. Burnett is back; but a tough May and June schedule will determine a lot. Played the least # of games, and still have most homeruns in MLB.
Colorado Rockies 3 Hello Tulo; and the Rockies stated their goal for 2011 is to win the World Series. So far, so good and message sent. Going 8-2 on the road is proof.
St. Louis Cardinals 4 Cry Baby and Closer just don’t mix…send Ryan Franklin to NY or Philly for awhile because it is his fault that Cards are not ranked #1 on this list. Who is going to close anyway? Good Question…
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5 Pitcher Jared Weaver is the definition of an ace and has been embarrassing opposing batters finishing April with a 6-0 record, 49 strikeouts and 50 innings pitched in six starts.
Florida Marlins 6 This team will give the Phillies a run for their money in the NL East, as this team is finally hungry.
Texas Rangers 7 Never got on the Rangers bandwagon, and have no plans too as my guess is the rotation will not be able to hold up. Can skipper Washington keep his head in the game for a whole season? Doubtful.
Cleveland Indians 8 Grady Seizmore is healthy and the Indians are rolling and leading MLB with a 17-8 record. Who would’ve guessed this?
Detroit Tigers 9 Miguel Cabrera is a one-man team by himself…best and most natural hitter in baseball drunk or sober.
Milwaukee Brewers 10 Signed Ryan Brawn for life was brilliant; Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks proving their worth, but whether the Brew Crew can do it for four more months is still in question.
Cincinnati Reds 11 Can’t steal the NL Central this season, Mike Leake.
Tampa Bay Rays 12 Tampa is far from done in 2011 is biting their tongues, as the Rays are a game from pushing the Yankees out of first place in the AL East. Johnny Damon has been born again; Manny proves he is still Manny…. adios.
Boston Red Sox 13 Worst start to a World Series campaign ever; team still looks uncomfortable and has displayed zero consistency. Carl Crawford issues are turning mental, so fix him fast because his new team needs him.
Los Angeles Dodgers 14 Disturbiana is what Matt Kemp is doing to pitchers, as he has been sensational again.
Atlanta Braves 15 Homophobic and drunk are NEVER a good combo, especially when team ace Derek Lowe is involved. It is careless, and Bobby Cox is kicking himself for signing on as a special consultant.
San Francisco Giants 16 Losing and injuries…. TIME TO SHAVE! Sadly proving where some players’ priorities are and it is not on repeating.  Lincecum is a STUD stuck with a bunch of celebrity-hungry duds who can’t hit.
Kansas City Royals 17 Might be losing their footing already, but still hanging in….for now.
Chicago Cubs 18 Cubs have yet to fight each other and pitcher Carlos Zombrano is dealing better than ever.
Toronto Blue Jays 19 It’s the same old song, that the AL East is just too damn strong for now.
Oakland Athletics 20 Billy Bean….go get a solid bat instead of abusing the young and talented pitchers just so A’s can finish .500.
Baltimore Orioles 21 Started off hot but the bottom feeders are back in familiar territory. Once again, the AL East is proving to hard a division even for Buck Showalter, who better get used to the cellar.
New York Mets 22 This team takes streaks to a whole new level and being that inconsistent proves that attitude, not lack of talent is the real problem. New GM and Skipper are cleaning up shop…. finally!
Washington Nationals 23 Getting Ryan Zimmerman active has been pushed back; will hover around the middle-bottom of NL West all season long.
Arizona Diamondbacks 24 Flashes of talent from young players spells BIG FUTURE….but not this season, not yet.
Chicago White Sox 25 Once the line-up gets in a groove…. watch out. Problem is the question is no longer will, but whether it happens. Skipper Ozzie Guillen has a cult following, but the problem is the umpires are not included.
Pittsburgh Pirates 26 Too much missing to go anywhere this season…. another mark on such a historic franchise.
San Diego Padres 27 A-Gone left too big a hole that hasn’t come close to being filled.
Minnesota Twins 28 Deja vu again? Mauer and Morneau are the poster boys of big talk, no walk. Mauer is and always has been overrated, as 2009-verison of Mauer is a ghost. A nightmare that the NL Central will not allow in 2011.
Seattle Mariners 29 Already have a King… and now an heir to his throne in Michael Pineda. Both wasted talents on a team that is not run well, as success starts from the top.
Houston Astros 30 Hunter Pence is in for a long season, and so are Houston fans…again.

 

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New York Yankees: Appreciating Bombers Bloggers

Posted by on 1 May 2011, 1:25 am

While I was doing my normal meandering around the Internet reading baseball stuff, I came to a story on a site called Cardinals GM that I had to share because it shocked me, in a good way.

This article was more of a thank you to the St. Louis Cardinals for hosting such a wonderful Bloggers Day, with a detailed accounting of why the attendees were so appreciative. Once you read this you will understand why these Cardinals bloggers were so blown away.

The Cardinals Bloggers Day took place on Opening Day, included many cool activities’ organized by the franchise and it concluded with free Legends Seats for the game as much free food and drinks as you wanted.

The Cardinals Organizations Exudes Class for Social Media Day at Busch Stadium got me wondering why the New York Yankees have never hosted anything for Yankee Bloggers, or even acknowledged our existent for that matter.

I have no idea if the Cardinals are the only MLB team to reach out like this. The fact that even just one team took time to show their gratitude, for literally the writers who boost their internet fame, is sufficient enough for me to feel a real lack of respect.

Would it be so hard for the Yankees to do this?

St. Louis is a baseball town and maybe the city itself is not like New York, but not many places are. Still, the Cardinals have a cult fan following and the club itself has a history that could rival New York’s, minus in # of World Series rings.

So, my question is why don’t all MLB teams take a few hours once a season to host their own Bloggers Day?

Maybe some still don’t think bloggers matter, but let me tell you that is just plain ignorant.

The reality is that sports bloggers were fans way before the Internet was invented, so making us feel important to an organization could pay-off BIG time down the road. Think about it…. and finally just two quick notes:

To Brain Cashman: I am waiting for your phone call.

To the Cardinals: What an awesome thing to do for your biggest fans, and I hope all 29 other ball-clubs take notice.

 

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2011 New York Yankees: Media Baiting The Bombers Right Into Winning No. 28

Posted by on 30 January 2011, 10:24 pm

It’s September 17, 2011, the New York Yankees are playing a Saturday afternoon game up in Toronto, the second of a three game set against the Blue Jays.

Including this game, there are just 10 games left in the regular season.

The Yankees, who are leading 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, are about to clinch the AL East.

Shocking to say the least, as no one predicted the Bombers to even be wildcard contenders. Unquestionably, this was not supposed to be happening.

I mean the Yankees were old, outdated, yesterday’s stars and age was supposed to come before beauty in 2011.

These statements were specified as facts that Yankee fans were told to deal with it back in April.

Why?

Well, because the 2011 World Series was going to be between the Phillies and Red Sox. PERIOD.

The Yankees were assumed to be building a nursing home in October, not playing in it.

How could they win, with a below average shortstop, an overrated third baseman, a declining guy at first and a pitching staff that only had one certified ace.

So let’s say after clinching, the Yankees finished the 2011 season posting 103 wins. Continued onto the World Series, a rematch against the Phillies and the outcome was like déjà vu.

I can promise the players would jump onto the field at Yankee stadium as if this was their first championship, not the franchise’s 28th. Continue reading ‘2011 New York Yankees: Media Baiting The Bombers Right Into Winning No. 28’ »

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