Yankees pitching ace Chien-Ming Wang is on the shelf for up to 10 weeks, prompting team co-chair Hank Steinbrenner to lambaste the entire National League.
“My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century,” Steinbrenner said.
What caused this angry tirade?
Well, it certainly wasn’t caused by the fact that Wang couldn’t complete the seemingly simple athletic task of the running the bases. No, the cause for yet another Steinbrenner tirade is that the N.L. is playing with a cryptic “rule from the 1800s,” that makes pitchers bat.
“This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they’re not used to doing it,” Steinbrenner added.
Wait a second? Not used to running? Come on Hank, please.
Not delving into details, making pitchers bear bats in the N.L. adds richness to the strategy of the game. Strategy is lost when overweight defensive liabilities get three to four whacks from the plate per game.
Sorry Hank, the N.L. doesn’t need to adopt the designated hitter rule. You should make sure your pitchers can run.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Finally, on the prowl?
ESPN Researcher Mark Simon recently wrote that the Detroit Tigers are back on track. They swept the LA Dodgers over the weekend, giving them six straight wins and moving them within six games of the AL Central division leading Chicago White Sox. Simon writes “quite simply, the Tigers are now hitting the ball as they expected -- as everyone expected -– coming into the season.”
The Tigers are getting consistent hitting during this win streak (.345 team BA, 8 HRs, 5.8 avg. runs/g), however there’s another more important factor to their recent turnaround. Detroit is finally getting good efforts from the mound.
Looking at numbers from their last seven games (which includes a disastrous start from Dontrelle Willis) the Tigers pitching staff improved in nearly statistical category expect strikeouts. We’re talking team ERA, batting average against and walks. The most important being walks.
Detroit’s pitchers issued the third fewest number of base on balls during the past seven games, subtract Willis’ five walk effort and the Tigers have only given up seven walks in six games. If Detroit can keep up this kind of effort from the pitching rubber, they will make a run in AL Central.
The Tigers are getting consistent hitting during this win streak (.345 team BA, 8 HRs, 5.8 avg. runs/g), however there’s another more important factor to their recent turnaround. Detroit is finally getting good efforts from the mound.
Looking at numbers from their last seven games (which includes a disastrous start from Dontrelle Willis) the Tigers pitching staff improved in nearly statistical category expect strikeouts. We’re talking team ERA, batting average against and walks. The most important being walks.
Detroit’s pitchers issued the third fewest number of base on balls during the past seven games, subtract Willis’ five walk effort and the Tigers have only given up seven walks in six games. If Detroit can keep up this kind of effort from the pitching rubber, they will make a run in AL Central.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sportsmanships True Colors
For everything that’s wrong in sports, from steroids and greed in baseball to collegiate amateurism constantly in question and ridiculous rookie contracts in pro football, moments occur that remind us how great sports can be. The story that follows is one of those moments.
(As seen on ESPN SportsCenter)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Slugging Bonds and beyond
As painful as it is to admit sometimes, I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. I grew up with the Pirates memorizing their starting lineups, numbers and positions included.
My favorite Pirate as a kid was center fielder Andy Van Slyke. Andy was hard-nosed 'average Joe' who often sold out to make incredible and ridiculous catches. Today, Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore plays with a similar recklessness that mirrors Van Slyke in his prime, although Sizemore’s got a better stick.
Recently, Van Slyke has reappeared on the baseball landscape teaming up again with manager Jim Leyland and coaching first base for the Detroit Tigers. Yahoo Sport’s David Brown caught up with Andy, who can still spew out quotes like a machine.
If you're looking to kill a few minutes then check this awesome interview with Andy, the man who had the audacity to punch Barry Bonds.
***
Q: There's an urban legend in Pittsburgh that, from center field, you tried to wave Barry in to play more shallow in left before Francisco Cabrera's famous game-winning hit in the 1992 NLCS.
AVS: That's not a legend, that is not a rumor, that is an absolute, 100-percent, truth that I did. (Continue reading)
My favorite Pirate as a kid was center fielder Andy Van Slyke. Andy was hard-nosed 'average Joe' who often sold out to make incredible and ridiculous catches. Today, Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore plays with a similar recklessness that mirrors Van Slyke in his prime, although Sizemore’s got a better stick.
Recently, Van Slyke has reappeared on the baseball landscape teaming up again with manager Jim Leyland and coaching first base for the Detroit Tigers. Yahoo Sport’s David Brown caught up with Andy, who can still spew out quotes like a machine.
If you're looking to kill a few minutes then check this awesome interview with Andy, the man who had the audacity to punch Barry Bonds.
***
Q: There's an urban legend in Pittsburgh that, from center field, you tried to wave Barry in to play more shallow in left before Francisco Cabrera's famous game-winning hit in the 1992 NLCS.
AVS: That's not a legend, that is not a rumor, that is an absolute, 100-percent, truth that I did. (Continue reading)
Power Rankings Return
One month into the MLB season and the dust is starting to settle. Early favorites of Detroit, Seattle and New York (Mets and Yankees both) are struggling. The LA Dodgers, underachieving thus far, but are making a little run, and don’t look but Tampa Bay and Baltimore are both living above the .500 mark.
While it’s way too early to say how things are going to turn out, it is time now to unveil the first FPS MLB Power Rankings:
1. Diamondbacks 20-9 – Arizona boasts the best record in the game. The bats are producing and Brandon Webb has been untouchable. The D-Backs look poised early to win back-to-back division crowns.
2. LA Angels 18-13 – No Lackey, no Escobar, no problem. The Angels are getting key performances from young guns Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana and are establishing themselves at the AL West front runner.
3. Cardinals 19-11 – Ludwick, Schumaker, these aren’t the Cards of old. However, Albert Pujols (.364 Avg, 5 HR, 20 RBI) is still the anchor in St. Lou and has found base in every game so far.
4. Cubs 17-12 – Catcher Geovany Soto is batting with .333 with five home runs, second baseman Ronny Cedeno has a 1.059 OBP as the Cubs are getting production for unexpected sources. If Alfonso Soriano comes around the NL should watch out.
5. Athletics 18-13 – Billy Beane is at it again. After trading away more top talent the A’s are again the best team in the Bay Area. It also helps when relievers Santiago Casilla and Andrew Brown combine for 30 1/3 scoreless innings.
6. Rays 16-13 – You’re not going crazy; the Tampa Bay Rays make this original list. Winners of eight of the last 10, including a sweep of the Red Sox, the young Rays are rolling.
In the Chase: Brewers 16-13 – Still awaiting for outfielder Ryan Braun to start producing with power, but the Brew Crew and Ben Sheets are looking to contend again.
Red Sox 18-13 – Although the defending champs are leading the AL East, their play lately has been anything but stellar. Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are swinging the bats, David Oritz has yet to show up.
Look for updated FPS MLB Power rankings throughout the summer.
While it’s way too early to say how things are going to turn out, it is time now to unveil the first FPS MLB Power Rankings:
1. Diamondbacks 20-9 – Arizona boasts the best record in the game. The bats are producing and Brandon Webb has been untouchable. The D-Backs look poised early to win back-to-back division crowns.
2. LA Angels 18-13 – No Lackey, no Escobar, no problem. The Angels are getting key performances from young guns Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana and are establishing themselves at the AL West front runner.
3. Cardinals 19-11 – Ludwick, Schumaker, these aren’t the Cards of old. However, Albert Pujols (.364 Avg, 5 HR, 20 RBI) is still the anchor in St. Lou and has found base in every game so far.
4. Cubs 17-12 – Catcher Geovany Soto is batting with .333 with five home runs, second baseman Ronny Cedeno has a 1.059 OBP as the Cubs are getting production for unexpected sources. If Alfonso Soriano comes around the NL should watch out.
5. Athletics 18-13 – Billy Beane is at it again. After trading away more top talent the A’s are again the best team in the Bay Area. It also helps when relievers Santiago Casilla and Andrew Brown combine for 30 1/3 scoreless innings.
6. Rays 16-13 – You’re not going crazy; the Tampa Bay Rays make this original list. Winners of eight of the last 10, including a sweep of the Red Sox, the young Rays are rolling.
In the Chase: Brewers 16-13 – Still awaiting for outfielder Ryan Braun to start producing with power, but the Brew Crew and Ben Sheets are looking to contend again.
Red Sox 18-13 – Although the defending champs are leading the AL East, their play lately has been anything but stellar. Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are swinging the bats, David Oritz has yet to show up.
Look for updated FPS MLB Power rankings throughout the summer.
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