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And The Award Goes To…..

Posted by on 13 November 2009, 4:38 pm

Gold Glove awards completed today, as MLB Award Season has officially started.

Spreading out nicely for the month after the World Series keeps talks and debates flowing. It also lightens the initial blow for baseball fans everywhere; whom are all adjusting to nights free of baseball.

Then before you know it, 2010 is upon us and hopes can fill fans hearts for the season to start.

My sincerest congratulations, to all the recipients thus far, who are in such an elite field.

Here are the 2009 Award Winners thus far (more to come):

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

American League – Aaron Hill, 2B – Toronto Blue Jays

After suffering a concussion in 2008, Aaron Hills baseball future was in question. Hill’s determination to prove doubters wrong is a true inspiration that hard work can pay-off. Hill had only seven errors, with.991 fielding percentage and was first in home-runs (36), RBIs (108), total bases (340) and at-bats (682) out of all second baseman. This is after it took months for Hill just to ride a bike again.

National League – Chris Carpenter, SP – St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Carpenter finished the season with a record of 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA. Carpenter only allowed seven home-runs all season. Carpenter came back to baseball this season after being out since the playoffs in 2006. Tommy John surgery and then at his initial return a nerve damage in his shoulder, more surgery for the right-hander.In 2009 Carpenter came-back from it all and is in talk for the Cy Young Award as well.

DELIVERY MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Mariano Rivera, RP – New York Yankees

This is the award for the best relief pitcher of the season. In the 2009 season, no question, no doubt that it could only be Mariano Rivera. Rivera is the greatest of all-time and at 40 years old he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Gotta go to Mo!!

GOLDEN GLOVE AWARDS:

American League

POS. PLAYER TEAM
C Joe Mauer Twins
1B Mark Teixeira Yankees
2B Placido Polanco Tigers
3B Evan Longoria Rays
SS Derek Jeter Yankees
OF Torii Hunter Angels
OF Adam Jones Orioles
OF Ichiro Suzuki Mariners
P Mark Buehrle White Sox

National League

POS. PLAYER TEAM
C Yadier Molina Cardinals
1B Adrian Gonzalez Padres
2B Orlando Hudson Dodgers
3B Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
SS Jimmy Rollins Phillies
OF Shane Victorino Phillies
OF Michael Bourn Astros
OF Matt Kemp Dodgers
P Adam Wainwright Cardinals

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Mo Problems

Posted by on 4 September 2009, 5:38 am
In typical circumstances whenever anyone has shoulder surgery, it is only natural to employ on the sturdiness of your legs. It is a subconscious way in which the body reacts, giving some relief to the injured and recently tender area.

Imagine you are a pitcher in the majors and just came off shoulder surgery. Just throwing off a mound at the speeds and velocity needed to accomplish the outcome, which is a strike, is not typical to begin with.

So, as with anything else you use the strength of your legs to balance or attempt too. Because you have to play and will make it through the pain whatever way you can.

That is why I am trying not to worry too much about Mariano Rivera. His hamstring has been sore since his surgery so he sat out tonight in the win against Toronto Blue Jays.

Mariano is like Jeter; he does not miss a game. Any Yankee fan or player knows this and it puts concern out there.

Mo is a veteran, with experience and talent with the best of anyone in the history of the game. Rivera has been through it all, he knows what it takes to finish the long season and how deep a player has to dig to win in the post season.

The Yankees won again tonight and are in a great spot right now. Rivera knows this and he would never risk his role, because it is a critical one that is for sure.

Clearly in order for a team to compete in the post season they have to have a dominant closer. At least a team that wants to win, to be clearer

For the Yankees, Rivera is that guy.

The set-up now, with the rock solid bullpen or the pre-Rivera club that precedes hearing Enter Sandman, which means Mo, is a major key in this team’s success.

Let’s see how the next few days play out regarding the situation for Mo.

I would dread to have to start posting the other options that have to be taken into account if Mo is more hurt than he is letting onto.

No Mo could mean big trouble for the Yanks.

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Baseballs Real Heros: The Middle Men

Posted by on 13 July 2009, 7:24 pm

Every baseball season I have the same thought running through my head:

English: Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jonny V...

‘Why are the middle relievers basically the yes or no for any MLB team?’

It is the first topic addressed by media, managers and fans alike. These ‘middle-men’ are the talk of baseball and for a position with no recognition compared to the starting pitcher or the closer. The Middle Men sure seem to be a huge component to any teams success or failure.

I hear the phrase following a game finish “well our bullpen” with either lights-out, couldn’t get it done, worn-out, got it done or some other way to reason for the outcome.

So why do these athletes not get more credit or fame or attention? Where are the middle relievers on the all-star ballot?

The game’s outcome is heavy on these guys shoulders as it could be a run or two or three that separates the score and the middle guys have to hold up the opposing bats so their guys can play catch or lengthen their lead.

To think of the last few seasons the thriving teams who win in the regular season and the post season have the strongest bullpens. This is true more then in the past years because the middle guys get hurt, worn out and blamed more then any others on the baseball field. Continue reading ‘Baseballs Real Heros: The Middle Men’ »

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