Thursday, July 07, 2005
Maddux redux
I saw a story online today about Greg Maddux's fall from greatness. I was looking at his stats and noticed that twice he had a higher batting average than the batting average hitters had against him. I don't know if that's rare for a starting pitcher, but it seems pretty cool.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Fred Lynn
I see that Fred Lynn will be signing autographs at the All-Star Game. When I was a lad, just starting out in Little League, Lynn was starting his career with the Red Sox. I don't know why, but he was my favorite player at that time. I remember trying to run like him, and carrying my glove a certain way -- the way Lynn did, tucked against his chest -- as I ran to the dugout from the outfield.
Lynn played with reckless abandon, slamming into walls and breaking up double plays, which pretty much ruined his career. Injuries hampered his production by the 1980s. In fact, after leading the AL in batting in 1979, Lynn got more than 475 at-bats in a season just once during his remaining 11 years (and he topped 400 at-bats only five times during that span).
In 1979, Lynn had a monster year, batting .333 with 39 homers and 122 RBI. During his first five seasons, from his Rookie of the Year and MVP winning campaign in 1975 through 1979, Lynn hit .308 and averaged 25 HR, 104 RBI and 104 R over 162 games. The rest of his career, he batted .267 and averaged 84 RBI.
From 1975-79, Lynn ranked 11th in the entire majors in batting average, 12th in runs, 14th in RBI, 21st in HR and 10th in on-base average.
I'll also always remember him for the great catch he made leaping halfway over a fence to take away a homer. This clip ended "This Week in Baseball" for years.
Lynn played with reckless abandon, slamming into walls and breaking up double plays, which pretty much ruined his career. Injuries hampered his production by the 1980s. In fact, after leading the AL in batting in 1979, Lynn got more than 475 at-bats in a season just once during his remaining 11 years (and he topped 400 at-bats only five times during that span).
In 1979, Lynn had a monster year, batting .333 with 39 homers and 122 RBI. During his first five seasons, from his Rookie of the Year and MVP winning campaign in 1975 through 1979, Lynn hit .308 and averaged 25 HR, 104 RBI and 104 R over 162 games. The rest of his career, he batted .267 and averaged 84 RBI.
From 1975-79, Lynn ranked 11th in the entire majors in batting average, 12th in runs, 14th in RBI, 21st in HR and 10th in on-base average.
I'll also always remember him for the great catch he made leaping halfway over a fence to take away a homer. This clip ended "This Week in Baseball" for years.
Capital gains
I give up. I have no idea how the Nationals keep winning. Frank Robinson must be a genius. Or, perhaps, getting out of Canada was key. (After all, the team won 67 games last year in Montreal, which is like 83 wins American.)
Nick Johnson, who now is on the DL, and Jose Guillen have been leading what only vaguely resembles an offense. Only Guillen, with 17, has more than 8 homers this season. Only OF Ryan Church, also on the DL, Guillen and Johnson are hitting above .300. This is a team with a lineup that includes Matt Cepicky, Carlos Baerga and Jamey Carroll.
Pitchers Livan Hernandez and Esteban Loaiza have been outstanding and John Patterson has been much better than expected. But the rest of the rotation is awful. The bullpen -- which I guess is the real story -- has been incredible, led by Chad Cordero, Luis Ayala, Gary Majewski and Hector Carrasco.
Washington has scored 340 runs, and allowed 340. Yet the Nats are 26-7 since May 29.
They are 23-7 in one-run games, which means 36 percent of their total games have been decided by a run and that 45 percent of their wins have come by a run.
They have won 16 games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs and six games in which they scored 2 or fewer. They have won a pair of 1-0 games.
Nick Johnson, who now is on the DL, and Jose Guillen have been leading what only vaguely resembles an offense. Only Guillen, with 17, has more than 8 homers this season. Only OF Ryan Church, also on the DL, Guillen and Johnson are hitting above .300. This is a team with a lineup that includes Matt Cepicky, Carlos Baerga and Jamey Carroll.
Pitchers Livan Hernandez and Esteban Loaiza have been outstanding and John Patterson has been much better than expected. But the rest of the rotation is awful. The bullpen -- which I guess is the real story -- has been incredible, led by Chad Cordero, Luis Ayala, Gary Majewski and Hector Carrasco.
Washington has scored 340 runs, and allowed 340. Yet the Nats are 26-7 since May 29.
They are 23-7 in one-run games, which means 36 percent of their total games have been decided by a run and that 45 percent of their wins have come by a run.
They have won 16 games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs and six games in which they scored 2 or fewer. They have won a pair of 1-0 games.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Tears of a clown
There's nothing more entertaining than listening to Yankees radio announcer John Sterling when the Bombers are bombing out.
Last night, in the first inning at Detroit, the Yanks got runners to second and third with no outs. Sterling was talking about how NY could score two runs without getting a hit, and that a 2-0 lead with Randy Johnson on the mound was solid.
The Yanks could only scratch across a run against Jeremy Bonderman and the Tigers erupted for a 10-2 win. (Welcome back, Maggs!)
By the seventh or eighth inning, Sterling was lamenting the poor pitching of the Yanks. He was on the verge of writing off the season. The Yanks aren't a team that goes on winning streaks, he whimpered, and can't make up ground. (Even though NY has had win streaks of 10, 6 and 5 games this season.) He said, plain and simple, the top three pitchers in the Yanks rotation simply aren't good enough.
Sterling reverses field better than anyone, including Barry Sanders.
Last night, in the first inning at Detroit, the Yanks got runners to second and third with no outs. Sterling was talking about how NY could score two runs without getting a hit, and that a 2-0 lead with Randy Johnson on the mound was solid.
The Yanks could only scratch across a run against Jeremy Bonderman and the Tigers erupted for a 10-2 win. (Welcome back, Maggs!)
By the seventh or eighth inning, Sterling was lamenting the poor pitching of the Yanks. He was on the verge of writing off the season. The Yanks aren't a team that goes on winning streaks, he whimpered, and can't make up ground. (Even though NY has had win streaks of 10, 6 and 5 games this season.) He said, plain and simple, the top three pitchers in the Yanks rotation simply aren't good enough.
Sterling reverses field better than anyone, including Barry Sanders.
More Pat the Bat
Pat Burrell hit another homer today in Citizens Bank Park. It seems to be coming clear that Burrell is a big-time threat in the Zen, and not so much anywhere else.
Since the Zen opened, entering today's game, Burrell has hit .303 with 24 homers and 79 RBI in 100 games (353 at-bats). He is slugging .547 and has an OPS of .953.
On the road during that same period, Burrell has batted .232 with 16 homers and 65 RBI in 99 games (357 at-bats). He is slugging .406 and has an OPS of .735.
Since the Zen opened, entering today's game, Burrell has hit .303 with 24 homers and 79 RBI in 100 games (353 at-bats). He is slugging .547 and has an OPS of .953.
On the road during that same period, Burrell has batted .232 with 16 homers and 65 RBI in 99 games (357 at-bats). He is slugging .406 and has an OPS of .735.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Ugh!
I'm guessing Ugie Urbina is not a fan of Citizens Bank Park, which is his new home in Philly. How could he be? He went from one of the most spacious parks -- Comerica in Detroit -- to a band box.
So far since Urbina was traded from the Tigers to the Phils, he has given up 5 HR in 5 1/3 innings at the Zen and posted a 15.19 ERA. On the road for the Phils, he is unscored upon in three outings.
At Comerica this year, Urbina gave up 4 R in 15 IP and had a 2.40 ERA.
It's got to be tough watching balls that would have been caught in Comerica end up in the seats in Philly. I guess Urbina has got to change his approach at the Zen and realize there is no margin for error. Otherwise, it will be a long second half for Ugie and the Phils.
So far since Urbina was traded from the Tigers to the Phils, he has given up 5 HR in 5 1/3 innings at the Zen and posted a 15.19 ERA. On the road for the Phils, he is unscored upon in three outings.
At Comerica this year, Urbina gave up 4 R in 15 IP and had a 2.40 ERA.
It's got to be tough watching balls that would have been caught in Comerica end up in the seats in Philly. I guess Urbina has got to change his approach at the Zen and realize there is no margin for error. Otherwise, it will be a long second half for Ugie and the Phils.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Mister Roberts
One of the fun features of Baseball Reference.com is the "similar players" comparisons at the bottom of each player’s page. For example, we recently discovered that through the 2004 season, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts was most similar to Bret Barberie.
Yes, that Bret Barberie.
Barberie, a utility infielder with Montreal, Florida, Baltimore and the Cubs in the early to mid 1990s, played six years in the majors and hit .271-16-133 in 1,434 at-bats. Roberts ended last year at .264-12-122 in 1,502 at-bats. The major difference between the two players was in stolen bases, where Roberts topped Barberie, 73-16.
One other difference: Those numbers represent Barberie’s entire career.
Roberts, of course, is continuing his career and having a career year, batting .363 with 12 HR and 43 RBI. He has 16 SB and a .435 OBP. He ranks No. 2 in the majors in OPS with a 1.038 mark – right between Derrek Lee and Albert Pujols.
The only other middle infielder to rank in the Top 20 for OPS is Baltimore SS Miguel Tejada, who is ninth (.968).
Roberts is making $390,000 this season. Lee is making $7.7 million, Pujols $11 million, and Tejada $10.8 million. A-Rod, who is fourth in OPS, is making $25.7 million.
Bret Barberie made $958,750 with the Orioles in 1995.
Turns out that Brian Roberts is no Bret Barberie.
Yes, that Bret Barberie.
Barberie, a utility infielder with Montreal, Florida, Baltimore and the Cubs in the early to mid 1990s, played six years in the majors and hit .271-16-133 in 1,434 at-bats. Roberts ended last year at .264-12-122 in 1,502 at-bats. The major difference between the two players was in stolen bases, where Roberts topped Barberie, 73-16.
One other difference: Those numbers represent Barberie’s entire career.
Roberts, of course, is continuing his career and having a career year, batting .363 with 12 HR and 43 RBI. He has 16 SB and a .435 OBP. He ranks No. 2 in the majors in OPS with a 1.038 mark – right between Derrek Lee and Albert Pujols.
The only other middle infielder to rank in the Top 20 for OPS is Baltimore SS Miguel Tejada, who is ninth (.968).
Roberts is making $390,000 this season. Lee is making $7.7 million, Pujols $11 million, and Tejada $10.8 million. A-Rod, who is fourth in OPS, is making $25.7 million.
Bret Barberie made $958,750 with the Orioles in 1995.
Turns out that Brian Roberts is no Bret Barberie.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Pitching is the art of instilling fear
That was one of Sandy Koufax's famous quotes. Another was "Show me a guy who can't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser."
On this date 50 years ago, Sandy Koufax made his major league debut. Koufax famously had two careers, so to speak -- his wild years and his untouchable years.
In his first six seasons, Koufax was 36-40 with a 4.57 ERA. He averaged 5.3 walks and 8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings. He had five shutouts.
Over his final six years, when he learned to harness his remarkable stuff, Koufax was 129-47 with a 2.19 ERA. He averaged 2.3 walks and 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings. He had 35 shutouts.
He pitched a no-hitter in each year from 1962-65. In Game 7 of the 1965 World Series, he beat the Twins on a three-hit shutout -- on two days rest.
Mazel tov!
On this date 50 years ago, Sandy Koufax made his major league debut. Koufax famously had two careers, so to speak -- his wild years and his untouchable years.
In his first six seasons, Koufax was 36-40 with a 4.57 ERA. He averaged 5.3 walks and 8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings. He had five shutouts.
Over his final six years, when he learned to harness his remarkable stuff, Koufax was 129-47 with a 2.19 ERA. He averaged 2.3 walks and 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings. He had 35 shutouts.
He pitched a no-hitter in each year from 1962-65. In Game 7 of the 1965 World Series, he beat the Twins on a three-hit shutout -- on two days rest.
Mazel tov!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Memory lane
On this date in 1971, Phillies pitcher Rick Wise tossed a no-hitter and homered twice in a 4-0 win over the Reds at Riverfront Stadium. Ross Grimsley, a 21-year-old rookie at the time, got the loss.
Grimsley, of course, had one of the game's most colorful nicknames: "Scuz." It also was accurate.
Grimsley, of course, had one of the game's most colorful nicknames: "Scuz." It also was accurate.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Bonderman, Jeremy Bonderman
In honor of AFI releasing its Top 100 movie quotes of all time (where "Bond, James Bond" ranked No. 22), here's a salute to Tigers ace of the future -- perhaps even the present -- Jeremy Bonderman.
Bonderman got his 9th win of the season last night and helped lift the Tigers over .500 at 34-33. Detroit is 3 GB in the wild card race.
Since his midseason struggles a year ago, Bonderman, a mere child of 22, is 14-7 with a 3.19 ERA over his last 23 starts. He's got two shutouts during that span and has struck out 142 in 160.2 IP. That's 8 K per 9 innings.
Bonderman's success can be traced to pitching coach Bob Cluck telling him to quit thinking on the mound and have fun. Bonderman responded with a 14 K shutout of the White Sox on August 23, 2004.
He is tied for 4th in the majors in wins since then and his ERA is the 15th best in the majors among pitchers with at least 100 IP.
The Tigers got Bonderman, who has a 97-mph fastball, wicked slider and improving change-up, from the A's in the deal that ended up sending Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. I hated that deal when it happened. But it's looking very good now thanks to Bonderman.
Bonderman got his 9th win of the season last night and helped lift the Tigers over .500 at 34-33. Detroit is 3 GB in the wild card race.
Since his midseason struggles a year ago, Bonderman, a mere child of 22, is 14-7 with a 3.19 ERA over his last 23 starts. He's got two shutouts during that span and has struck out 142 in 160.2 IP. That's 8 K per 9 innings.
Bonderman's success can be traced to pitching coach Bob Cluck telling him to quit thinking on the mound and have fun. Bonderman responded with a 14 K shutout of the White Sox on August 23, 2004.
He is tied for 4th in the majors in wins since then and his ERA is the 15th best in the majors among pitchers with at least 100 IP.
The Tigers got Bonderman, who has a 97-mph fastball, wicked slider and improving change-up, from the A's in the deal that ended up sending Jeff Weaver to the Yankees. I hated that deal when it happened. But it's looking very good now thanks to Bonderman.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Just win baby
Who are the winningest pitchers of the 21st century?
1. Randy Johnson 93
2. Greg Maddux 90
2. Bartolo Colon 90
4. Mark Mulder 89
5. Tim Hudson 87
6. Curt Schilling 86
6. Roger Clemens 86
8. Russ Ortiz 85
9. Mike Mussina 83
10. Pedro Martinez 82
Martinez is the ERA leader among that group with a 2.55 mark followed by Johnson at 2.76, Schilling at 3.30, Hudson at 3.34, Maddux at 3.43, Clemens at 3.49, Mussina at 3.75, Colon at 3.85, Mulder at 3.95, and Ortiz at 4.08.
1. Randy Johnson 93
2. Greg Maddux 90
2. Bartolo Colon 90
4. Mark Mulder 89
5. Tim Hudson 87
6. Curt Schilling 86
6. Roger Clemens 86
8. Russ Ortiz 85
9. Mike Mussina 83
10. Pedro Martinez 82
Martinez is the ERA leader among that group with a 2.55 mark followed by Johnson at 2.76, Schilling at 3.30, Hudson at 3.34, Maddux at 3.43, Clemens at 3.49, Mussina at 3.75, Colon at 3.85, Mulder at 3.95, and Ortiz at 4.08.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Mo Po
It's dangerous to get too excited, but after nine games Placido Polanco is looking like he might be the best mid-season trade addition for the Tigers since Doyle Alexander in 1987.
Alexander went 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA and helped lead Detroit to the AL East title in a thrilling stretch run. The Tigers edged Toronto in the final series of the season in one of the greatest, least-talked about finishes to a season in MLB history.
Of course, the Tigers gave up a youngster named John Smoltz to get Alexander, so the deal might have hurt them in the long run. But I've got no complaints. Smoltz was only in A ball at the time, so you're really relying on hindsight to evaluate that deal.
Anyway, Detroit has won 6 of its last 8 and scored eight or more runs four times. This from an offense that was ranked last in the AL prior to Polanco's arrival. Detroit is 33-33 and four games out of the wild card.
In his 9 games with the Tigers, Polanco is batting .378 with a homer (game winner), seven RBI and eight runs scored. His OPS is .928.
Plus, there's this good news from the Free-Press: Right-handed starter Justin Verlander, the Tigers' top draft pick in 2004, was promoted to Class A Lakeland to Double-A Erie, which could be his last stop before the majors. Verlander was 9-2 at Lakeland and led the Florida State League in wins, ERA (1.67) and strikeouts (104). He is due to start for Erie on Tuesday night.
Maybe Verlander makes it to the Show and can push the Tigers over the top.
Alexander went 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA and helped lead Detroit to the AL East title in a thrilling stretch run. The Tigers edged Toronto in the final series of the season in one of the greatest, least-talked about finishes to a season in MLB history.
Of course, the Tigers gave up a youngster named John Smoltz to get Alexander, so the deal might have hurt them in the long run. But I've got no complaints. Smoltz was only in A ball at the time, so you're really relying on hindsight to evaluate that deal.
Anyway, Detroit has won 6 of its last 8 and scored eight or more runs four times. This from an offense that was ranked last in the AL prior to Polanco's arrival. Detroit is 33-33 and four games out of the wild card.
In his 9 games with the Tigers, Polanco is batting .378 with a homer (game winner), seven RBI and eight runs scored. His OPS is .928.
Plus, there's this good news from the Free-Press: Right-handed starter Justin Verlander, the Tigers' top draft pick in 2004, was promoted to Class A Lakeland to Double-A Erie, which could be his last stop before the majors. Verlander was 9-2 at Lakeland and led the Florida State League in wins, ERA (1.67) and strikeouts (104). He is due to start for Erie on Tuesday night.
Maybe Verlander makes it to the Show and can push the Tigers over the top.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Nice numbers
Tigers 3B Brandon Inge, a former catcher, is probably the most unlikely leadoff hitter in the majors. But, so far, he’s produced pretty good numbers. This season, Inge is batting .302 with 39 R, 6 HR and 30 RBI. His on-base percentage is a career-best .385.
Inge struggled as a hitter when he was a catcher. He batted .202 in 2002 and .203 in 2003. (He didn’t hit .204 in 2004.)
In 2004, with the arrival of Pudge, Inge was moved to the OF and then 3B. It now appears that catching was a drain on Inge’s hitting. (And for the record Inge was a very solid defensive catcher.)
Over his last 162 games, Inge is batting .285 with 73 R, 17 HR and 84 RBI.
Not too bad, especially from a guy in your leadoff spot. Plus, Inge is only 28 and probably just hitting his prime. He still needs to improve defensively at 3B, but overall he’s been one of the biggest reasons for the Tigers turnaround since 2003.
Inge struggled as a hitter when he was a catcher. He batted .202 in 2002 and .203 in 2003. (He didn’t hit .204 in 2004.)
In 2004, with the arrival of Pudge, Inge was moved to the OF and then 3B. It now appears that catching was a drain on Inge’s hitting. (And for the record Inge was a very solid defensive catcher.)
Over his last 162 games, Inge is batting .285 with 73 R, 17 HR and 84 RBI.
Not too bad, especially from a guy in your leadoff spot. Plus, Inge is only 28 and probably just hitting his prime. He still needs to improve defensively at 3B, but overall he’s been one of the biggest reasons for the Tigers turnaround since 2003.
Polanco update
For those who are interested, reports out of Detroit say that Placido Polanco is a huge hit with his new teammates. His patient style at the plate is rubbing off on the younger players, too.
Since joining the Tigers, Polanco is 10-for-20 with 5 R, 4 RBI and 2 SB. He also been perfect defensively, an area in which Detroit needed help.
Since joining the Tigers, Polanco is 10-for-20 with 5 R, 4 RBI and 2 SB. He also been perfect defensively, an area in which Detroit needed help.
Long division
Who is the best team in baseball? The standings would suggest the White Sox, who are 43-22 and winning at an MLB-bests .662 clip. But for what it’s worth, there are only two teams in the majors that have posted winning records against each division in their league – the Orioles and the Padres. (No team has posted a winning mark against every division plus interleague rivals.)
The White Sox are 20-5 against the AL Central this season, and 15-13 against everyone else in the AL. The Angels are 11-6 vs. the AL West and 19-17 elsewhere. The O’s are 18-8 in the AL East and 15-12 outside of the division.
In the NL, the Nationals are 16-13 in the East and 14-11 outside of it. The Cardinals, who have the major’s second-best record of 41-24, are 21-5 in the Central and 13-14 in the others. The Padres are 15-12 in the West and 18-9 elsewhere.
Given the unbalanced schedules, these numbers bode well for most of the division leaders, I’d say. You’ve got to take care of biz in the division, and these teams, generally, are the best in that category. The only division leaders that don’t have the best record in divisional play are the Nationals and the Padres. In the NL East, Atlanta is 18-14 in the division. In the NL West, the D-backs are 20-12 while the Dodgers are 17-11.
The White Sox are 20-5 against the AL Central this season, and 15-13 against everyone else in the AL. The Angels are 11-6 vs. the AL West and 19-17 elsewhere. The O’s are 18-8 in the AL East and 15-12 outside of the division.
In the NL, the Nationals are 16-13 in the East and 14-11 outside of it. The Cardinals, who have the major’s second-best record of 41-24, are 21-5 in the Central and 13-14 in the others. The Padres are 15-12 in the West and 18-9 elsewhere.
Given the unbalanced schedules, these numbers bode well for most of the division leaders, I’d say. You’ve got to take care of biz in the division, and these teams, generally, are the best in that category. The only division leaders that don’t have the best record in divisional play are the Nationals and the Padres. In the NL East, Atlanta is 18-14 in the division. In the NL West, the D-backs are 20-12 while the Dodgers are 17-11.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Bronx cheer
Steinbrenner is apparently so disgusted with the Yankees that he's tearing down the stadium:
NEW YORK -- A new Yankee Stadium leaped from past dreams to future reality Wednesday, when club and government officials parted the curtain on construction plans for an $800 million project to replace and honor the Major Leagues' third-oldest ballpark.
Numerous political dignitaries, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. George Pataki and a host of city and Bronx elected officials, joined Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in an event highlighted by the unveiling of renderings of the 51,000-seat park targeted for a 2009 opening.
NEW YORK -- A new Yankee Stadium leaped from past dreams to future reality Wednesday, when club and government officials parted the curtain on construction plans for an $800 million project to replace and honor the Major Leagues' third-oldest ballpark.
Numerous political dignitaries, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Gov. George Pataki and a host of city and Bronx elected officials, joined Yankees owner George Steinbrenner in an event highlighted by the unveiling of renderings of the 51,000-seat park targeted for a 2009 opening.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Winning ways
After thinking about Hooks Dauss being the Tigers all-time leader in pitching wins, I wondered who leads every franchise. Well, with the exception of the newer expansion teams, here's the list:
Braves: Warren Spahn, 356
Orioles: Jim Palmer, 268
Red Sox: Roger Clemens, Cy Young, 192
Cubs: Charley Root, 201
White Sox: Ted Lyons, 260
Reds: Eppa Rixey, 179
Indians: Bob Feller, 266
Astros: Joe Niekro, 144
Royals: Paul Splittorff, 166
Angles: Chuck Finley, 165
Dodgers: Don Sutton, 233
Brewers: Jim Slaton, 117
Twins (Washington): Walter Johnson, 417
Mets: Tom Seaver, 198
Yankees: Whitey Ford, 236
Athletics: Eddie Plank, 284
Phillies: Steve Carlton, 241
Pirates: Wilbur Cooper, 202
Padres: Eric Show, 100
Giants: Christy Mathewson, 372
Mariners: Jamie Moyer, 131
Cardinals: Bob Gibson, 251
Rangers: Charlie Hough, 139
Blue Jays: Dave Stieb, 175
Nationals (Montreal): Steve Rogers, 158
Braves: Warren Spahn, 356
Orioles: Jim Palmer, 268
Red Sox: Roger Clemens, Cy Young, 192
Cubs: Charley Root, 201
White Sox: Ted Lyons, 260
Reds: Eppa Rixey, 179
Indians: Bob Feller, 266
Astros: Joe Niekro, 144
Royals: Paul Splittorff, 166
Angles: Chuck Finley, 165
Dodgers: Don Sutton, 233
Brewers: Jim Slaton, 117
Twins (Washington): Walter Johnson, 417
Mets: Tom Seaver, 198
Yankees: Whitey Ford, 236
Athletics: Eddie Plank, 284
Phillies: Steve Carlton, 241
Pirates: Wilbur Cooper, 202
Padres: Eric Show, 100
Giants: Christy Mathewson, 372
Mariners: Jamie Moyer, 131
Cardinals: Bob Gibson, 251
Rangers: Charlie Hough, 139
Blue Jays: Dave Stieb, 175
Nationals (Montreal): Steve Rogers, 158
Just a thought
There has been talk from time to time about the Phils moving Ryan Madson from the bullpen to the rotation. Madson, a starter in the minors, won 12 games at Scranton in 2003 and 16 at Reading in 2002 with a 3.20 ERA. He also won 14 with a 2.59 ERA in the South Atlantic League in 2000.
Anyway, with Tim Worrell getting ready to make a return shortly ... and the addition of Ugie Urbina to the pen ... and the loss of Randy Wolf to the DL ... and the Phils' already suspect back of the rotation ... do the Phils consider moving Madson?
If Worrell returns to form, he can take over Madson's role because Urbina has already taken over Worrell's former role.
The other option would be to leave Madson in the pen and hope you can get 5 innings out of whatever starters you use. Then you can start bringing in Aaron Fultz, Madson, Worrell, Urbina and Wagner.
Anyway, with Tim Worrell getting ready to make a return shortly ... and the addition of Ugie Urbina to the pen ... and the loss of Randy Wolf to the DL ... and the Phils' already suspect back of the rotation ... do the Phils consider moving Madson?
If Worrell returns to form, he can take over Madson's role because Urbina has already taken over Worrell's former role.
The other option would be to leave Madson in the pen and hope you can get 5 innings out of whatever starters you use. Then you can start bringing in Aaron Fultz, Madson, Worrell, Urbina and Wagner.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
An apology
I'm sorry, Pat Burrell. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I'm still not crazy about your swing, but, hey, Dave Winfield didn't have a pretty swing and all he did was hit .308 or better four times, blast 465 homers and go to the Hall of Fame. And let's not even examine Vlad Guerrero's swing.
You're only 28 and maybe just now coming into your prime, like many players do at that age. Maybe it was Larry Bowa. Maybe it was the nagging injuries. Whatever the reason, you're hitting .324 with 13 homers and 54 RBI and should be an All-Star this season.
Of course, the true reason for the turnaround is probably the fact that I don't have you on my fantasy team this year, as I had the previous few seasons.
You're only 28 and maybe just now coming into your prime, like many players do at that age. Maybe it was Larry Bowa. Maybe it was the nagging injuries. Whatever the reason, you're hitting .324 with 13 homers and 54 RBI and should be an All-Star this season.
Of course, the true reason for the turnaround is probably the fact that I don't have you on my fantasy team this year, as I had the previous few seasons.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
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