2011 Dodgers Exit Interviews: Catchers
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 7:00 AM PDT
in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
Email
PrintNow that the starting pitchers are out of the way, it's time to turn our 2011 review attention to their battery mates. The Dodgers used five backstops this season with three catchers starting 156 of the 161 games, led by Rod Barajas.
Dodgers catchers were third in the National League with 23 home runs this season, but they were 13th out of 16 teams with a .227 batting average and .305 on-base percentage. Here is a look back at the Dodgers' catching corps in 2011:
Rod Barajas
What went right: In August, Barajas turned on the power, hitting .357/.403/.750 with six home runs and 19 RBI in 18 games. On the season, Barajas hit 16 home runs, which was second on the team behind Matt Kemp's league-leading 39 bombs.
What went wrong: Barajas made outs in bulk, as his .287 on-base percentage ranked 22nd among the 28 major league catchers who caught at least 80 games in 2011. But this was expected from Barajas, who came into the year a career .239/.284/.412 hitter and was right in line with that, hitting .230/.287/.430 on the year.
2012 status: The pancake man is a free agent, and while he could return to his hometown team don't expect the Dodgers to pay him another $3.25 million. Ned Colletti said in an interview with Jim Bowden of ESPN last week that the Dodgers in 2012 will "probably let Tim Federowicz and A.J. Ellis handle the duties," but that could just be posturing by Colletti.
A.J. Ellis
 |
What went right: Ellis continued to get on base -- he had a .392 OBP in 103 major league plate appearances and a .467 OBP in 248 minor league PA -- but also turned on the power in 2011. He broke a drought of nearly three years without a home run by hitting two with Triple A Albuquerque in July and two more with the Dodgers, his first two major league taters. The 30-year old Ellis has a career .360 OBP in 244 major league PA.
What went wrong: Ellis got thrown out trying to steal second base with an 8-1 lead in the fifth inning at Wrigley Field on April 22. It is the only stolen base attempt in his major league career.
2012 status: Ellis is out of options, and will almost certainly start 2012 on the major league team. Whether he is the backup or the primary backstop remains to be seen.
Tim Federowicz
What went right: Federowicz got a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in September, and reached base in five of his first eight major league plate appearances. After hitting four home runs in 109 games in High A in 2010 and hitting eight home runs in 90 games in Double A this season, Federowicz welcomed his promotion to Triple A upon his trade to the Dodgers on July 31 by hitting six home runs in just 25 games in the Pacific Coast League.
What went wrong: Yes, Federowicz hit .325/.431/.607 in his first 25 games in Triple A, but it's important to note that he hit .405/.500/.857 in Albuquerque and just .231/.333/.385 on the road. Small sample sizes apply, so take with a grain of salt. Hat tip to Minor League Central.
2012 status: The 24-year old catcher is thought to be major league ready defensively, and there is a decent chance he ends up splitting time with A.J. Ellis if the Dodgers decide to save money at catcher next year.
Dioner Navarro
 |
What went right: Navarro didn't get many hits, but he did make a few of them count. He drove in the lone run of three different 1-0 victories in 2011, joining Gary Sheffield as the only Los Angeles Dodgers ever to do that. Two of those RBI for Navarro were home runs, including a splash hit into McCovey Cove on July 20, the only run in a classic duel between Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum.
In 202 plate appearances, Navarro hit five home runs, which tied him for fifth on the club.
What went wrong: Navarro hit just .212/.263/.306 in 2009 and 2010 combined, and he continued on that path in 2011, hitting .193/.276/.324 in 2011. Why the Dodgers guaranteed Navarro $1 million after two putrid seasons is puzzling to say the least, and their offer even surprised Navarro. In April, Curt Hitchens of Seamheads.com caught up with Navarro while the catcher was on a rehab assignment in Chattanooga with the Double A lookouts:
Hitchens: "What is it about L.A. that appealed to you?"
Navarro: "Money." [laughs] "They offered me a good contract and I jumped on it."
2011 departure: By August 23, the Dodgers finally had enough of Navarro, and designated him for assignment, citing "philosophical differences."
Hector Gimenez
 |
What went right: Gimenez parlayed a hot streak late in spring training into his first opening day roster spot. His stay was short as he hit the disabled list after just 10 days, but he did manage to start a major league game for the first time, and amassed seven plate appearances, which is about seven more than anyone would have guessed before spring training. Gimenez collected his first major league hit, a single to left field against Javier Lopez of the Giants, on April 2.
What went wrong: He missed two months after undergoing right knee surgery, and upon he activation from the disabled list the Dodgers outrighted him to Double A, removing him from the 40-man roster.
2011 departure: The 29-year old Gimenez opted for free agency last week, per Baseball America.
The Ellis, Navarro, and Gimenez photos are courtesy of Getty Images.
471 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Barajas
I assume that Ned is posturing, but given the weak fleet of catchers out there, what are the odds that Barajas could get 3 mil elsewhere?
"It takes a special fan to root for a last place moribund bankrupt franchise."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Oct 10, 2011 7:20 AM PDT reply actions
$3MM seems high for him
If the Dodgers could get him down to $1MM (what they paid Navarro and Ausmus) I think he could stay. Otherwise, I think Ned is serious and will let two guys making the major league minimum handle the catching duties.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions
And I hope so
Paying Barajas and Navarro a combined 4.25M was crazy
I will miss saying ROBAR!!!!!!!!
you're no fun
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions
wow
my 10 year will be next year.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I got mine this month
graduated in 2001. They are doing a high school football game and a get together at a bar/restaurant. Gotta pay 60 dollars for the bar/rest. EFF that. Thank god for facebook too. At least I get to see the people going so I don’t waste my time and money.
by Dodgerblue8188 on Oct 10, 2011 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I went to my 30th 8 years ago.
I’d probably go to my 40th. If for no other reason than to see who survived.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Marty at his 40th
“oh, shit you? I guess it’s true, only the assholes get old”
by Hollywood Joe on Oct 10, 2011 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I know you hate Billy Joel
but this fits in perfectly with “Only the good die young.”
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t hate Billy Joel
I don’t listen to him, but I get what the old ladies like
by Hollywood Joe on Oct 10, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
A tired-eyed troll that somehow got Christie Brinkley?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
We had a dead board
at the 30th, with pictures of those who didn’t have the grittiness to make it that long. It was morbidly fascinating.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
I’ve got my 10 year this weekend. I didn’t plan on going.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I was in Seattle the weekend of my 10th HS reunion. Same day as the Steve Finley grand slam.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
I went to my 10-year, which was the same year the Dodgers last won the World Series though I don’t remember exactly what date the reunion was, but not another since. Maybe I’ll go back after the Dodgers win another one.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I wonder if reunions will become a product of a bygone era before I’m dead. In this day and age especially, it’s not all that hard to find someone if you really want to be in contact, plus there’s always those people that you never want to see again at least some of whom I imagine always end up at reunions.
My wife has never attended a HS reunion. Her take on it is she’s still in touch with everyone she still wants to be in touch with; what does she need to go to the reunion for?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I am in her camp. I am still friends with several people from high school and see them outside of reunions. Though it might be nice to go eventually.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I think the internet is cutting back. There are a lot of people on my facebook friend list that I am interested in keeping in touch with but not really a big deal to hang out with them.
I could see it being a little different if I had no idea what they were doing and where they lived now.
by Dodgerblue8188 on Oct 10, 2011 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Captured for all of time
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He sure seemed to love playing in L.A. I think he’d probably sign for a small hometown discount, but he does have like 8 kids to feed. If the market is something like $2M and the Dodgers went $1.8, I wouldn’t mind seeing him back.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
hey delias man
you buying any of this talk of the Raiders moving back to LA?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:11 AM PDT reply actions
i always said they were coming back. not that i am really rooting for it, but it makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons.
Fuck Jacksonville
They’re dead to me
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Arizona was fun, K3vo remains awesome, and fuck the NY Football Giants.
Also, I do believe Ned is considering saving money by starting Jerry, Dee, Tim, AJ, and Justin to save money for a hitter, and of the Angels, Rockies, A’s and Diamondbacks, the Rockies have the nicest spring training fields to play on.
No need to fuck anybody. You all essentially survived for a week anyway.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I saw, but as I was driving home yesterday I heard the news and couldn’t believe it. Also, Al Davis dying…eventful weekend.
It was crazy. There was a point where I thought Marty was going to win the contest outright before the late games even kicked off (then Jacksonville blew it too.)
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions
so, did any of our guys wow you?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I still haven’t seen footage of the 90-yard interception return.
All I knew of that game was the score and relative field position from the bottom line as I watched the Raiders nearly give away the game against the Texans, and I was happy when the Giants were on (I believe) the 5 yard line, needing a touchdown for the win. Next thing I know Seattle scored and I thought I was done for in the survivor pool, not realizing that everyone picked a loser yesterday.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
The 90 yard interception: Slant route to Cruz, Cruz trips on the field turf, ball hits Cruz in the hands as he falls, ball pops up in the air and the Seattle DB catches it, runs the other way.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Just a flukish play. The worst thing was the Giants were on the 2 yard line and then there was an illegal motion penalty which ended up being killer. No penalty, the Giants try to run it in, penalty (with the clock winding down) and now it’s a pass situation.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions
sounds like Minnesota-Green Bay a few years ago where the Packers grabbed the ball because it never actually hit the ground after rolling around on the Vikings receiver. Or am I misremembering?
it was a fair while ago
I kind of hate plays like that. Makes me think of the Auburn Oregon game where the guy seemed to be down so the defenders let up so they wouldn’t get a flag, then boom, huge gain, game decided on a fluke play.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
All I was thinking, not knowing when the play happened, was that if the Giants were on the 5, Eli tried some ill-fated pass in the flat and the cornerback jumped it. The play was fascinating in my mind.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions
and all most people will do
is see eili threw some picks not knowing any context and start ranting about him being a choker.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Down 17-2 with 1 out in the 9th inning, I made the second out at home trying to score from second on a passed ball. I had rounded third before the catcher knew where the ball was and thought I could make it.
I had visions of Kirk Gibson, but ran like James Loney.
Like The Boss once said, “You can’t start a fire without a spark.”
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions
too bad you weren't
Born to Run
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I hope Maddz yelled out, “TOOTBLAN!”
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
exactly. I was only at the edge of the home plate circle when the the pitcher got the ball, so as I started to slide i decided to try to step over his glove instead and it ended with me landing knees first and rolling. Definitely worse than just being out.
Oh, I made an out at the plate too yesterday! Was going to score from second on a line drive to short left but ate shit on the wet grass rounding 3rd. Landed in an ungraceful heap.
Got caught in a rundown, was able to avoid the tag, and slide in safe at home…..
……..
and then, after the other team bitched about it, did they called me out of the baseline. total horseshit
all I got for my pleasure is a big swollen black and blue knee
by Hollywood Joe on Oct 10, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
“Rounding third and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed—-” {sound of needle sliding across vinyl} Oh shit.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I still wonder why Bruce sang “speedball” instead of “fastball”. The only meaning for speedball I know is the mixture of heroin and cocaine.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
it’s also a quick game of paintball
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Paintball seems like something ideally played while under the influence of both heroin and cocaine.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
i could see that
though I did have fun doing it sober.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I probably would have loved it at 15, but I am getting too old for that shit. I am supposed to spend some time Saturday trying sporting clays for the first time, which is probably more my speed now, and will attempt it sans speedball. I have fired probably less than ten rounds ever from a shotgun. I wonder what the odds are that I hit none of the clay pigeons.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I also have to see if my shoulder will withstand 20 recoils. My 77-year old dad is coming too though, and if he can do it….
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
You should wear a Vicente Padilla jersey when you do it.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I have killed
many clay pigeons. But not for 30 years
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
The sporting clays seem interesting, walking from station to station, each with its own setup. The website called it golf with shotguns. I just don’t want to hear anyone shouting, “FORE!”
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sporting Clays sounds like some new-age cooked up name
In my day it was either trap shooting or skeet shooting. And we liked it.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
We have a guy that has multiple car dealerships here named Daryl Teeter.
He’s in his 80’s.
He rambles incoherently in his commercials. In one of them, he talks about being in high school and throwing a 95 MPH Speed Ball.
LOL
Please tell me he used to do commercials while sitting on a see-saw.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
What a missed opportunity.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
LG’s Prime Steakhouse had some classic commercials in San Diego, with LG himself wearing a uniform of some sort. In one commercial, he hit a home run out of Minute Maid Park, and in another commercial he threw a football (better form than Tim Tebow BTW). Both classics, both I cannot find on YouTube.
The baseball one was so good I had it saved on my DVR for over two years when I was in San Diego.
The old man died a few years back, but the commercials go on. Not as epic, but still pretty funny.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
- Eric Stephenovich
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I LOVED that interception to put the nail in the coffin for the Giants yesterday
Gave me much joy, lol.
Did you skip over the relief pitchers? I saw your post on the starters.. did i miss the bullpen one?
by Lincoln Kupchak on Oct 10, 2011 8:18 AM PDT reply actions
No, you didn't
I added the word “starting” in the first sentence. Thanks.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Loved this
What went wrong: Ellis got thrown out trying to steal second base with an 8-1 lead in the fifth inning at Wrigley Field on April 22. It is the only stolen base attempt in his major league career.
For the record
I think we will re-sign Barajas.
I think we should just go with Ellis/Fed (to save money for other positions).
The fact that Barajas’s Dee-cuddle is the main reason I’m on the fence is probably not good.
First rule: never bet on Barajas
Second rule: don’t bet on Barajas twice.
At this point AJ Ellis has 250 PA and a .360 on base. He’d probably be a disaster as the starter but so would Barajas.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
and FedEx?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeah FedEx or someone completely disposable. Is Paul Bako alive?
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
so essentialy
you don’t give a shit about catcher offense. or not much of one.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
I think our best hope for catcher offense comes from AJ Ellis. If we’re trying to save money catcher is a great place to start.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions
agreed
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions
put me in coach
I’m ready to play…..today
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Can’t wait for him to have his Kirk Gibson moment…and promptly ground out on the first pitch
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Here’s the pitch, Outside! And it’s ball four to Delmon Young! I don’t believe what I just saw!
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
From a selfish standpoint, I was sad last night’s ALCS Game 2 was postponed. It went from watchable game to audio only.
Also, on the AtBat app, only the TBS games allow for watching with the different camera angles. Fox insists you have to watch Fox in order to see the game.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Rangers lineup
Kinsler 2B
Andrus SS
Hamilton CF
Young DH
Beltre 3B
Napoli C
Cruz RF
Murphy LF
Moreland 1B
By the way
Colombus Day is the greatest holiday in all of holidays
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Our leaders really need to sit down and figure out if Columbus Day is a holiday.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I think there would be a huge showing of bipartisan support to solve “oh, the post office is closed, and your trash won’t get picked up but you still have to go to work”
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s not a holiday for the Los Angeles city Bureau of Sanitation. In fact, they actually observe very few holidays. I think just July 4, Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
My normal pick up day is Monday, so I have to be conscious that they pick up on Memorial Day.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
what is the point for those guys. a 3 day wknd one week and a one day wknd the next.
or 2 regular weekends. easy decision.
Thanksgiving, Christmas nice to be with family? Labor Day, the union demands it? July 4th, given that they start early would seem to be a good day to work.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I feel like the only people who have today off
work for banks or the government.. or are school children.
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 10, 2011 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Schools do not take off for Columbus Day.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
no wonder!
Until the jackasses going north on the 101 HAD to watch the accident on the other side of the freeway…i hate humanity.
Little known fact
Chris Columbus, big hockey fan.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
The guy who wrote Gremlins?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Compared to Russell Martin
Seems like a good idea to compare the Dodgers crop to the guy the Dodgers passed on.
wRC+
Ellis 121
Martin 100
Barajas 94
Navarro 62
Fedz 50
Gimenez <30>
League-adjusted weighted runs created, per Fangraphs.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks. So this is the best, latest one-offensive-stat-to-rule-them-all? The last time I started taking note of one of those (can’t remember what it was called, I think it started with an “E”) no one ever used it. That link says that wRC is “based off wOBA”, which it links to, but does say why it’s supposed to be better than wOBA. Why are there so many? If everyone would use the same one, that would be nice. At the moment it’s sort of VCR/betamax but about 5 different systems.
wRC is park adjusted and is based off a slightly more understandable scale than wOBA.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions
wOBA would be more or less fine if we we’re comparing all Yankees or all Dodgers. But when comparing between different teams who play in different leagues and ballparks, it makes sense to adjust for those sort of things.
It’s like using OPS+ vs. straight OPS.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually that seems to be the difference between wRC and wRC+, no? What’s the difference between wRC and wOBA?
wOBA is a rate stat, wRC is a cumulative stat.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
wRC+ isn’t. Brandon Lyon lead the league this year.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
But wRC is. That’s just being confusing for no reason.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Right
It’s kind of a cheat, isn’t it?
wRC is a counting stat (sort of)
wRC+ is a rate stat, that adjusts wOBA (not wRC) for park and league.
wOBA+ would have been a better name, no?
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
wOBA: uses the league average on base as average, not park adjusted.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
wRC and wOBA are tied to linear weights. wOBA is the rate stat, and wRC+ is a way to measure that and factor in park and league.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Tigers lineup
Jackson CF
Santiago 2B
Young LF
Cabrera 1B
Martinez DH
Raburn RF
Peralta SS
Avila C
Inge 3B
Scherzer v. Holland
Not so fast my friend
per Rosenthal:
Leyland has two lineups for #Tigers – one with Young, one not.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
One with tobacco stains, one without.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of Italian
Who here can recommend a good lasagna pan. I’m looking for one that is 4" deep.
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
I’m guessing Joe or Craig.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
We got an Apilco one from Williams Sonoma as a gift when we got married back in 1999, it is a heck of a lot fancier than what I grew up, it has not given me any cause to complain
by Hollywood Joe on Oct 10, 2011 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions
For the first time since 1982
There are no college football teams from the state of Florida in the AP Top 25.
I've watched surprisingly little college football this year
I don’t even think of it until I wake up saturday morning and start flipping through channels while eating breakfast
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I think I can name all 13 undefeateds from memory--let me try
LSU/Oklahoma/Alabama
Boise/Wisconsin/Stanford
Oklahome St./Clemson/Georgia Tech
Michigan/Illinois/Kansas St.
Houston
Anarchy Rules!
Only 1 in California
Shocking for both States
by Julio Nievas on Oct 10, 2011 10:22 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Delmon Young gets the start
1. Austin Jackson® CF
2. Ramon Santiago (S) 2B
3. Delmon Young® LF
4. Miguel Cabrera® 1B
5. Victor Martinez (S) DH
6. Ryan Raburn® RF
7. Jhonny Peralta® SS
8. Alex Avila (L) C
9. Brandon Inge® 3B
via Baseballpress
Amazing
that he can be left off of the roster and then inserted back in to be the #3 hitter and play the outfield. Either he is a gritty gamer, not injured all that bad, or the team is desperate. I vote for all of the above.
Lefty with pot and sex shows?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I completely missed this yesterday
I was driving home during what would have been Game 2 of the ALCS. So the game was postponed Sunday morning, then it didn’t even fucking rain? Fuck that noise.
Nolan Ryan should personally go to every fan’s house and pitch to them in their backyard.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
MLB was criticized for not postponing game 1 in advance, screwing up Verlander’s schedule a second time, etc. They can’t win. Also, they still haven’t invented a way to get 100% accurate weather forecasting. All Selig’s fault, no doubt. ;-)
Not a coincidence that Peter Falk’s character was named Colombo, amirite?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Per Jerry Crasnick
Jim Leyland on the weather forecasts in Texas: "If somebody buys an umbrella down here, then they cancel school.’’
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Dee Gordon has finally reached his saturation point of things to say on Twitter
His latest tweet:
™®©
Baron Davis used to be the poster child for why you don’t follow athletes.
“I’m sitting in the line at DMV”
But Dee Gordon is getting to that point.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
We need Delias Man to stir things up again, and tell Dee he better not be another Izturis.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I fully credit Dee’s September to Deelias Man
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Picturing George Costanza tinkering with Danny Tartabul’s swing.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t follow that many athletes.
For some reason I follow Jeremy Guthrie. He’s good.
Kemp is cool.
Logan Morrison is an amusing follow.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Baseball players worth following: Logan Morrison, Jeremy Guthrie, Peter Moylan, Mark Teahen and the A’s rotation.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
When you’re as big as those guys and work out that hard you probably need like 7000 calories a day. Jamba and Chipotle are damn good at that.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
it is good and bad that calories are posted everywhere now
i was drooling over this chili/ roast beef/ melty cheese togos sandwich the other day to see that the 6 inch was 1100 calories. got turkey wrap instead. I feel embarrassed to order something like that now. :(
I know!
Sometimes I just want to eat something greasy and disgusting in peace but nooooooooo. Even on my “cheat” day I get to feel guilty because they shove the calories in my face. Every other day of the week I’m happy to see them though.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
This is your cue
to go to business that is too small to be required to do nutritional analysis on their food.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Haven’t been able to order a meatball sandwich since they started being displayed. I’ll take the Roast Beef on Wheat please, hold the tears.
I never thought to add bacon to a meatball sub. I don’t doubt its greatness though.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
That sounds like something bacon wouldn’t make better.
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 10, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Those words don’t make sense in this order.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Dee Gordon for Brandon McCarthy. Help the rotation, send the Dodgers TORP through the roof.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Leyland says Delmon Young definitely will play
Then dropped this gem, per Rangers reporter Anthony Andro:
Leyland on Delmon Young’s injury: It’s not really the oblique oblique. I like that one.
I'm still working on alternatives
Spent the weekend (no, not all of it) watching episodes online from old seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Enjoying the MMA thing.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
You watch that online, or do you get it already because you have ESPN Deportes so you can watch Argentine soccer?
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Derek Fisher is now retweeting all of them it seems
by Julio Nievas on Oct 10, 2011 10:45 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Dude didn’t respond to my email. A bunch of people on here got an email from him though.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
But
you confirmed your email address to them, so you got that going for you
It's not what you look like, when you're doin' what you're doin'
It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'!
Yeah, but it’s worth it sometimes to tell somebody to GFY
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Had a guy on my team this weekend try to yell at me for calling time out from the dugout because their pitcher started his windup while their left fielder was down the line chasing the previous foul ball.
Pat Riley, had he decided to switch sports, would have had you run until you throw up.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/netflix-abandons-plan-to-rent-dvds-on-qwikster/
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
“Netflix: What’s a customer survey?”
“Netflix: If you’re gonna make sausage, do it publicly”
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
If anyone cares
Dave Cameron’s four favorite under-the-radar upgrade targets for 2012:
1. Chris Volstad
2. Angel Pagan
3. Casey McGehee
4. Chris Snyder
http://www.ussmariner.com/2011/10/09/upgrades-that-wont-cost-an-arm-or-a-leg/
“trade for Angel Pagan” is one thing I want this offseason.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
cool
I was wondering what you’d think. I posted it because the positions (SP, OF, 3B, C) seem to align with ours.
Volstad seems unrealistic, the Marlins can’t afford to give up a starting pitcher entering first year arbitration.
I’m never a fan of guys that don’t even get a chance until they’re 26 and McGhee didn’t just lose BABIP there was a pretty big power outage to go with it. I’d take him but I wouldn’t give up too much for it.
I end up with Synder as my second catcher way too much in fantasy and he’s just frustrating. I’d rather take my chances with Ellis.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
McGehee could fill a need, but who knows how he’d be in DS rather than Miller Park
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions
I could get behind this. I’m not sure where he fits if we have Kemp/Ethier/Sands with Loney at first, though.
If Ned cuts Loney loose, then adding Pagan and shifting Ethier to first makes a lot of sense, or certainly if Ethier is being shopped, Pagan could work there as well. In fact, might the Mets be a reasonable potential destination in an Ethier trade? They’re likely to lose Reyes and their two biggest bats are right-handed. Do they have anyone else we’d be looking for in trade?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
David Wright :)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
My plan also involves DFAing Loney and trading Ethier.
Mets need a complete rebuild and they can’t afford to pay players any more. They’d probably need to take prospects since one year of Ethier isn’t gonna do a whole lot for them.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I could see them going that way. I could also see the Mets going all-in, signing CJ to a big deal and getting a bat like Ethier to try to compete.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Maybe, but it wouldn’t jive with reports that the Mets are slashing payroll. They’ve got 57 million going to three guys next year, Ethier would bring that up to 70.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Excellent list
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Detroit/Texas boxscore
Box score output from the simulator with actual lineups. Though I think Scherzer will throw more pitches than that.
Picked up PS3 and MLB 2011 The Show last night. Soon as we get internet on Friday, it’s on like Donkey Kong.
First thing I did last night (after creating myself in RTTS, because I’m a baseball narcissist) was start a Dodgers Franchise and immediately traded Ted Lilly to the Orioles for Jeremy Guthrie straight up. No idea if that would fly in real life, but man was that fun.
You can get anything you want in MLB 2011 The Show.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
You can get anything you want/On PS3, G dot Scott
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Also
The internet kind of takes away the need for 8 × 10 color glossy photographs with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Also
It was a very happy day for me, indeed, when I found out that Officer Obie was a real person.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
nice!
We should play online some time. I’m just Ivdown (remember it’s i not L, people like to call me “leveldown” online, lol) for my PS3 tag.
One thing you might enjoy is buying the “advanced stats” pack for .99 cents for the show. A ton of them are completely useless and things I’ve never seen before, but it gives k/9, ISO, and a couple other cool advanced stats. I think there was range factor too.
foget about borderlands
just get firefall for pc when it comes out.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Maddz worked on Borderlands, so I want her to show me where all the bugs she reported are that some Cost-Benefit Analysis intern decided not to fix.
After playing BF3 for PS3 and PC, I feel really bad for console kids. Not trying to bait or anything but people, your console is worth likely 100 bucks in hardware.
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 10, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
and thats bullshot
you can’t even build a computer to play 1080p video for less then 300 bucks
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
FIFA 12
is the hardest game in the history of the world. And I have been playing non stop since FIFA 94
does that make the goals scored just unreal?
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s incredibly hard. (Still haven’t seen Moneyball, but that quote has immediately rocketed to my goto pile)
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
that's some terrible porn dialogue
Man: “How hard is my penis?”
Woman: “It’s incredibly hard”
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
“I’ve only ever played catcher”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
“There’s 50 feet of crap, and then there’s us.”
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
“It costs a dollar?”
“Welcome to Oakland.”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll just send you a friend invite thing
It will be waiting there until you can sign on and accept it.
One thing I love doing is creating guys I’ve been making since MVP 03, but instead of making them great from the start in franchise mode, I make them prospects and after a few years they become great and build up my team from there. I have won 3 of the last 4 WS with a Dbacks franchise where I averaged 55-60 wins before my prospects matured.
I have won 3 of the last 4 WS with a Dbacks franchise
Never cross the family again.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
“Hey Bobby, feel like going fishing?”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Bobby, I knew it was you.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
by Nolij on Oct 10, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN!!! (Slap)
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I took them because they were shitty and I knew it would be fun to rebuild their crappy franchise
:)
I rarely take good teams because it’s way easier with them.
I stopped playing after 10 seasons and I couldn’t play as another team.. fuck that game. So glad I waited til it went on sale
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 10, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
There needs to be some serious changes made
I love in nba 2k11 that I could change teams mid season or whenever, and I have to stick with this same franchise forever in the show? Screw that.
On the day
that the NYSE was suppose to be taken down, we have a nice little rally. Need another dozen or so of these days to recoup.
They said they were going to hack the NYSE on 10/10
and take it down. Or some group loosely affiliated with them.
By the way
I was really disappointed in this site yesterday.
I open up the site to see the game thread. Big picture of Greinke. Great so far.
The post should have then said these words: “They might do it.”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
He quoted Morosi. What more referral do you need?
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
In anticipation of signing Pujols or Fielder
or simply so Victor can play 1st when they reach the World Series?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
In anticipation of signing Pujols or Fielder
I was thinking the same thing.
Upon hearing the story, Albert Pujols said, “I’m open to talking with the Tigers after I declare free agency, but right now, I’m just focusing on getting the Cardinals to the World Series.”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Without even reading it, I can say with full conviction, I never enjoyed watching a professional athlete more then I enjoyed watching Magic Johnson. Ever
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 10, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Big Train
The Iron Horse
“Mickey Mantle”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
The Big Hurt
Tiny Archibald
Bowl of Dicks
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Seeing as how this was a topic on double entendres I think you may have wanted to keep this to yourself…
I skim a lot of what people say
and thought people were just talking about cool nicknames that happened to be in that same vein. lol
I spread it around to one of my friends from high school yesterday. Hopefully he will enlighten his friends and it will catch on even more.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I totally agree
some of that probably comes from being a late teens early 20’s sports nut when he was propelling the Lakers to championship after championship, but he could do shit with the rock that no one his size, this side of a young wilt, could even imagine.
by MammothDodger on Oct 10, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Hat tip to MSTI
for finding a Bleacher Report article this morning that has since been pulled. I usually hate linking to Bleacher Report, but this was too bad to be ignored.
The opening two sentences, full of fail:
We are just weeks away from the National League Cy Young voting, an award that reflects regular season performance, but has often been swayed by solid postseason stats.
After all, it was Roy Halladay’s playoff no-no that solidified his unanimous Cy Young selection last year.
I want to write for Bleacher Report. Only I’ll write about a sport that I never watch. Like rugby.
I’ll fit right in.
We are months away from the Rugby World Cup, but everybody knows the favorite is Botswana.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Rugby, long shunned by the most masculine of men, has finally been accepted as a graceful and delicate art, like ballet or poetry.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m sure there’s a reason the yellow guys are just circling around the pile like ninjas in a Bruce Lee movie while the green guys are handling business.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I was just thinking that. Instead of pointing, maybe the big guy should try and stop the guy in green from breaking his teammates neck.
by Michael White on Oct 10, 2011 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
the play should have been called dead
theres about a million things happening that should not be allowed but the ref was standing around doing nothing like a ponce.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I sure wouldn’t want to break that up.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
because I need to spell these things out
Mistake: Cy Young voting took place at the end of the regular season, but isn’t announced til after the season
and then every subsequent mistake is a result of the writer not understanding this first premise.
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that TBLA should combine to write the perfect Bleacher Report “article.”
I put article in quotes because, of course, it has to be a slideshow.
well a slide show is the only way to ensure you get a hit on every single picture you got from a google image search
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions
You can’t top just transcribing calls into WFAN or Colin Cowherd.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I want to try!
“So now that the baseball regular season has ended, those teams that didn’t make the playoffs are going to start preparing for the offseason draft. To get you ready, we’ve prepared a slideshow of the top 10 Dodger draft picks:
Number 6: Andre Ethier"
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Number two: Adrian Beltre
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Number three: Roberto Clemente
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
“Jackie Robinson was drafted out of the University of California, where he was a five sport athlete. He was actually drafted by the NBA to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, but decided to stick with baseball”
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Jackie Robinson was drafted out of the University of California,
Now you are just baiting. :-P
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
University of California, Southern Branch. My bad : )
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
There was a book made by several writers that was a romance novel
Where each person had a general idea what the book was about, but everyone wrote a different chapter without knowing what the others were writing.
I say we write something like that, a slide each, hahah.
lolerskates
I keep coming back, as I’m a glutton for punishment, to that site. Mostly I read WWE crap because I don’t need actual analysis, just people talking about what’s happening.
When I see people saying that the biggest offseason move the Dodgers need to make is getting a new owner or getting a reliever, I wish I could take back the last 5 minutes of my life.
Wait a minute…just so I understand this fully…
You read about professional wrestling (WWE) on Bleacher Report?
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I… I do too. Now that Kevin Eck isn’t writing his blog anymore there isn’t anywhere really to read about WWE that isn’t idiotic so I just go to Bleacher Report because I know they have obsessive, if badly written, coverage of it.
the only place I read about wrestling is wrestlecrap.com
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
the only place i read about it is here
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
by nolander on Oct 10, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
The only place I see it, and z through it, is here.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
have you read the book?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
it's pretty good
hilarious how someone thought ANY of those gimmicks would draw.
the Gobbeldygooker? really?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Always remember that pro graps is run by carnies.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Absolutely
I’m not reading for great writing, just the info and opinions really. Opinions are horrible in actual sports, but in something scripted like wrestling, i’m cool with it.
It's my guilty pleasure
I love what’s happening in the wwe right now (I really want to call it wwf), lol. It’s one of the things I’m holding onto from my childhood. The funny thing is I didn’t pay attention from 2002 or 2003 till early 2011.
The first two sentagraphs are great, but the kicker is the close
My prediction: Kershaw gets 23 or 24 first-place votes, against six or seven for Halladay and one each for Lee and Kennedy.
Kershaw wins it.
“So who would win in a football game between Mike Ditka, and every angel in heaven?
Oh that’s just not fair, Mike Ditka 231 – Angels 0"
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
two yeps from each team, he actually got that right
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
Two from each city in each league (28 in AL).
I’m not sure what Josie found in the closing line to make it the kicker.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
you don’t think it’ll be a little bit closer than 24-6-1-1?
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I think there’s an inherent insanity needed to try and predict the exact breakdown of Cy Young votes.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I just want to know his thought process. Is that 12 unanimous cities? Are there gonna be some beat writer splits? And isn’t it too early to call Florida?
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
You want to know what he’s thinking? He wasn’t, that’s what he’s thinking.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
It wouldn't shock me
There was quite a narrative building around Kershaw at the end of the season.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 1:03 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Which BBWAA members vote for the annual awards?
Two writers from each MLB city are recommended by the local chapter chairman and approved by the national secretary-treasurer to vote for each award. Writers from NL cities vote for NL awards, and writers from AL cities vote for AL awards, making 32 voters for each NL award and 28 for each AL award. Most traveling beat writers will vote for at least one annual award each year. In some chapters, columnists or backup writers may also vote. Any active member of the BBWAA is eligible to vote for annual awards, regardless of his or her number of years in the organization.
What about national writers?
Most national baseball writers who are active BBWAA members will vote for annual awards. Typically, the writer votes in the chapter where he resides, but sometimes national writers vote as part of smaller chapters that don’t have enough qualified voters.
When does the voting take place?
Voters submit their ballots before the start of the postseason.
How many names are on the ballot?
For MVP, there are 10 spots on the ballot. For Cy Young, there are five. For Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year, there are three. A writer may not split a spot on the ballot between two candidates.
How is the voting counted?
For all awards, there is a point system that is weighted by the spot on the ballot. For the MVP, a first-place vote is worth 14 points. From second to 10th, the ballot spots are worth 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points, respectively. For the Cy Young, the points are 7-4-3-2-1. For the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year, the points are 5-3-1.
I like that they use “his or her number of years” to pretend to be gender neutral, but then later it is “where he resides.” Nice try, BBWAA.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Carrie Muskat, Christina Kahrl, and Gwen Knapp by my count. And Christina Kahrl jokes and I’ll start swinging.
by Josie Becker on Oct 10, 2011 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions
How in the hell did Christina's
ancestors avoid having their family name anglicized to Karl or Carl?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
How the Forest Service saved baseball (hyperbole!)
Cool quick blog post on how they made sure there were less broken maple bats.
Heh
manufacturers were unknowingly distributing bats that were sapped of up to three-quarters of their potential strength (although [Barry] Bonds did not seem to notice).
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
I really hope that the guy
MLB has since mandated that bat manufacturers place an inkblot on the handle of every maple bat they make. The ink bleeds along the grain of the wood, allowing a third-party agency contracted by the league to ensure that the fibers run at an angle of no more than 3 degrees from vertical.
who came up with this solution was named Rorschach.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
From Danny Knobler of CBS Sports
Tigers announce Darrell Evans will throw out first pitch, Aretha Franklin will sing natl anthem before Game 3. Joel Zumaya will be there too
I liked Darrell Evans in the 1980s
Joel Zumaya will play “God Bless America” on Guitar Hero during the 7th inning stretch.
by fbihop on Oct 10, 2011 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
Evans
had a much better year in 1985 vs 1984 but he was the starter for their World Series title team.
by bhsportsguy on Oct 10, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Not from ‘80-’83, I imagine.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
As I recall
Bill James was a big fan of Darrell Evans.
by bhsportsguy on Oct 10, 2011 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Definitely
played 3B, had power, walk % of 15.0 against a K % of 13.1. What we hoped Andy LaRoche would be, except for the bats left part.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 10, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Good point
For me the 1980s ran from 1984-1989, at least in my baseball fandom.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 1:01 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
More underrated Evans, Darrell or Dwight? Also, how the hell could Boston miss an opportunity to hype a legitimately great player? Dewey was a better player than Jim Rice.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Darrell
Boston
And I don’t mean Daryl Boston.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Dwight is still one of the more underrated players of his generation. If Darrell had been able to field his position a tad better, while Dwight was one of the best right fielders I ever saw. Great young outfields have to start with Evans/ Lynn / Rice.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
If you own a Kindle
you can check out books for it from many public libraries
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
in case you dont follow me this is the funneist tweet i have seen in a long time
The Bill Walton Trip
Does Kris Humphries break down and cry when he hears the Dr. Dre & Kurupt song “Housewife”? #ThingsToPonderAtNight
I say yes
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Qwikster had a good run
Dear john,
.
It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs.
.
This means no change: one website, one account, one password…in other words, no Qwikster.
.
While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.
.
We’re constantly improving our streaming selection. We’ve recently added hundreds of movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM and Miramax. Plus, in the last couple of weeks alone, we’ve added over 3,500 TV episodes from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, USA, E!, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, TLC, SyFy, A&E, History, and PBS.
.
We value you as a member, and we are committed to making Netflix the best place to get your movies & TV shows.
.
Respectfully,
.
The Netflix Team
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
how about
a nice game of checkers?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Wonder how many MBA’s it took to come up with an idea that would piss of the majority of Netflix’s members, and how many management folk sat at on their hands knowing it was a bad idea in the beginning but said nothing until the members(customers) told Netflix to blow me.
Netflix was able to pull a rare double play
1. Come up with an idea so bad the stock dropped from 300 to 100
2. Totally piss off it’s membership
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
but 2 is more than one? Everyone loves more!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
A true Dear John letter…well, email.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 1:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
They have high-rated shows that nobody watches — Psych, Burn Notice, White Collar… there are more too, and somehow they get watched, but not by people I know.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Psych and Burn Notice are awesome
The other stuff is supposed to be pretty good, but nothing i’m really a fan of.
Just noticed the Minor League Central shout out, thanks Eric.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
has the game started?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 10, 2011 1:18 PM PDT reply actions
BBRef never fails to amaze. Check out this gem
In 1982, apparently Mike Flanagan went to salary arbitration, and this happened:
1982 30 Baltimore Orioles $500,000 1983 TSN Guide Player asked $485K, team offered $500K!
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Outstanding
IIRC Maury Brown at Biz of Baseball found another instance of that earlier this year. I don’t remember the details though.
That is great.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 10, 2011 1:28 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
who saw delmon yong swinging
he cant swing at all… no rotation of his hips cause of his oblique…
If only they had traded for Jamie Hoffman
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
But not his oblique oblique.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
It’s his obscure oblique, or maybe his askew oblique.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 10, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
So it’s like the standard Delmon Young start.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 10, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
New post
http://www.truebluela.com/2011/10/10/2481718/lcs-open-thread-for-the-two-game-twos
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
