tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165384242024-03-13T17:18:09.399-04:00Out Of Left FieldNot so much a general sports blog as an irregularly updated desperate plea for help.sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comBlogger4601125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-35977196374274266442012-06-27T11:54:00.000-04:002014-02-20T10:32:07.151-05:00Weight loss update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNsrBRrr_A4/T-sr_pwFCOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/gmknM6KkHag/s1600/527695_10100167941446695_1483805745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNsrBRrr_A4/T-sr_pwFCOI/AAAAAAAAA_M/gmknM6KkHag/s320/527695_10100167941446695_1483805745_n.jpg" /></a></div><p>Fourteen months into my commitment to health, diet and fitness, I've lost 65 pounds (319 to 254) and cut my body-fat percentage by nearly half (43 per cent to 23 per cent!).</p><p>Thanks to everyone for their support. Undying thanks to the three great trainer at GoodLife Fitness, Danielle Barkhouse, Erika Blais and especially Janet Alexander. They've made working out fun and only a little painful.</p><p>Next challenge is the South Ottawa Raceday on Sept. 30, already signed up for my second 5K. Also plan on tackling my first 10K on Father's Day 2013 at the Alterna Ultimate Run.</p><p>Incidentally, I am posting personal posts over at <a href="http://drivebyarguments.tumblr.com" target="_blank">my new Tumblr</a>, Drive-By Arguments.</p>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-57739257880814603692011-07-25T16:30:00.000-04:002011-07-25T16:32:48.959-04:00Well worth the weight loss (so far)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmXI3MUj7Pk/Ti3Q1qrjalI/AAAAAAAAA9s/D-MTCJg-5wA/s1600/26034_10150162397945720_726515719_12071102_6951649_n_%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmXI3MUj7Pk/Ti3Q1qrjalI/AAAAAAAAA9s/D-MTCJg-5wA/s400/26034_10150162397945720_726515719_12071102_6951649_n_%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633388329318967890" /></a><br /><br />Weight, BMI, body-fat percentages, who needs those? These before and after photos better illustrate progress (and probably explain why the non-paying-gig blog posts have dried up). Personally, exercising and eating clean have become high priority since mid-April. There is a lot of work yet to be done, of course.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R4i8SpNgzA4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-35059342349589140442011-07-07T22:13:00.008-04:002011-07-07T23:57:08.564-04:00Knock 'em dead, Kinger<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCh8_Q6WZ40/ThZsUqU2BRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/prqxGVgEULM/s1600/260142_913346135671_81011416_45530272_3311875_n_opt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCh8_Q6WZ40/ThZsUqU2BRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/prqxGVgEULM/s400/260142_913346135671_81011416_45530272_3311875_n_opt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626803886660912402" /></a>Once in a great while, those who Kingston sports near and dear are privileged to know a broadcast talent so extraordinary he becomes part of our shared heritage.<br /><br />Nineteen seventy-eight: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chris Cuthbert</span> broadcasts football games for CFRC 101.9 during the Golden Gaels' run to the Vanier Cup and goes on to a career at TSN.<br /><br />Nineteen seventy-nine: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rod Smith</span> enrolls at Queen's to play football for the Golden Gaels and goes on to a career at TSN.<br /><br />Then for a long time, nothing happened. Until about 2007. On a Saturday afternoon of no particular distinction, yours truly happened to come across the dulcet tones of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tyler King </span>calling a Queen's hockey game on CFRC. The result of that game has been forgotten by everyone save the players and coaches. What endures is that some typical insecure angry young man comment that I made on <span style="font-style:italic;">OOLF</span> prompted Tyler, not that he needed the help, to e-mail asking for any tips to he could use to improve as broadcaster.<br /><br />There was probably little I could impart since I work in a medium blessed with a backspace key, to be honest, but that hardly matters. What matters is that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, one that has enriched the person who's the older of the two by a decade more than the younger individual. You are probably acquainted with either Tyler or me personally and professionally. If you are devoted or bored enough to be checking this long-dormant site tonight you probably know this is about sending Tyler, AKA Kinger, AKA Cookie, AKA Miguel Sanchez, off well as he wings west. Monday, he'll begin what seems like a great opportunity, working for Rogers Radio as a newscaster and hockey play-by-play announcer calling the action for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.<br /><br /><span id="fullpost">No one gets that an opportunity while still on the cool side of 25 without working so hard for it that people feel compelled to open doors, like the way then-Kingston Kimco Voyageurs owner <b>Gregg Rosen </b>and coach<b> Evan Robinson</b>, my fellow Napaneean, did in 2010 when they agreed to let Tyler set up an Internet broadcast of their playoff games, which was without precedent for the Junior A team.<br /><br />It has been and will continue to be a trip to have a rinkside seat to watch Tyler work on his craft, refusing to take the easy way out on any task, even though many do while trying to gain or keep a foothold in the tough-to-crack broadcasting field.<br /><br />No doubt this reads like a total tire-pumping. That is not needed. Tyler has <span style="font-style:italic;">very</span> fully developed ego integrity. It just bears putting in words that without our association, borne from a random CFRC/Queen's/Kingston/sports connection, the past few years would not have been as fun. Knowing Kinger was a conduit for keeping somewhat in tune with the Kingston sportscape. It meant having someone to bounce lines off, someone who could always be meta when it came to having a germane sitcom reference to break out with wit and impeccable timing. It also meant having someone to down a few beers with after the seminal Saturday in November 2009 when the Big Yellow Guys took down Laval. Tyler should know that I feel fortunate to have witnessed his career changes, I am glad I knew him while my professional set-up changed for the better.<br /><br />None of that is profound, I know. Hey, the only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share when we're uncool. That's from the Lester Bangs character in <span style="font-style:italic;">Almost Famous</span>. Tyler has never seen that film, no matter how many times I have recommended it.<br /><br />That's okay, though, since the kid is stubborn-to-a-fault true to himself, like most people who get anywhere in this life. What draws people to Tyler is that he has taken it to heart that being in the media isn't about the events or stories you get to cover on the corporate dime. It's about trying to keep yourself fresh. It's also about considering why the stories matter to the people involved, knowing all the while that understanding will not make you rich, it will win something much more valuable — respect.<br /><br />By all accounts, Tyler has learned that, lived it and loved it on all of his stops. One mark that someone is capable of bigger and better things is those who effect lasting change before they move up the ladder. Very rarely does someone get to do that in campus media or at one of her/his first jobs. A proof of how good Tyler is the influence he managed to have in Kingston over a short period of time. The aforementioned Vees had never had live play-by-play prior to his arrival. Next season, that will carry on with <b>Allan Etmanski</b> calling the games.<br /><br />Similarly, lots of young guys have had sports shows on CFRC 101.9 over the years. Most were just the same variation on Here's What's Happening In Sports And Here's What I Think About It — basically Bleacher Report in spoken-word form. Tyler's show, <em>Offsides</em>, grew into much more over its three-year run (interrupted by his stint at Syracuse). Tyler broke news with respect to the Voyageurs and Kingston Frontenacs and kept Queen's Athletics on its toes. Many informed sports fans came to see it as the city's most credible source for sports news.<br /><br />One hope in writing this is that someone else comes along to fill that void in Kingston before too long. Sports coverage is a niche, nowhere as big in the grand scheme as hard news, but Kingston's dedicated sports fans are not always well-served by either of the city's two old-media outlets. That's not a slam on the hard-working people employed on the editorial side at the Quebecor-owned newspaper and Corus-owned TV station. Far from it. I am just trying to be honest about what everyone working in a newsroom knows but might not say aloud: the wild world of monetized media coverage means there is precious little a mass-audience newscast or newspaper can do for sports fans who want to know more about the teams in their backyard than who won and who lost. Most allow for as much unbridled creativity now as a box factory.<br /><br />With time, that will change. All it will take a few more young people such as Tyler going out there and pushing the limits until they're the mainstream. Let's hope it happens soonly.</span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-47088062460629934652011-03-21T01:20:00.009-04:002011-03-21T01:20:00.545-04:00Ultimate baseball league: Texas Rangers<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smCBn1DZZ9M/TXKlpIxMNAI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ylmy4ZBf7ZM/s1600/mlb_rangers_hamilton.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580705014412489730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smCBn1DZZ9M/TXKlpIxMNAI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ylmy4ZBf7ZM/s400/mlb_rangers_hamilton.jpg" /></a><div>The all-time Rangers should score some runs, with a starting nine that includes four MVPs and two table-setters who each on-based above .400 during the representative seasons.</div><div></div><div>The pitching, on the other hand, stinks like some of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' business dealings. </div><div> </div><div>The Rangers have historically never been much on developing pitching in-house, so most of the best pitching seasons, by Ferguson Jenkins, Nolan Ryan, John Matlack, et al., belong to pitchers whose best work came with another franchise. Suffice to say, having Ken Hill as a staff ace is a bit dodgy. </div><br /><div>That said, between a pitcher who threw no-hitter on LSD and a reliever who pitched with both hands, the Rangers are colourful. So they have that going for them, which is nice.</div><strong>STARTING LINEUP</strong><div><ol><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrato01.shtml">Toby Harrah</a>, 1975 (6.6). He would have been a fantasy baseball darling if it had been invented, since the majors' leading palindrome was a middle infielder who was an on-base machine (he on-based .403 during his representative season). Sportswriter Mike Shropshire once wrote that he played an entire game in Tiger Stadium with congealed vomit in his hair.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/francju01.shtml">Julio Franco</a>, 1991 (7.0). Played forever and had an awesome, never-duplicated batting stance where he pointed his bat directly at the pitcher. </li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/palmera01.shtml">Rafael Palmeiro</a>,* 1993 (7.4). He will forever live in infamy, period. Hit like a machine for a time.</li><br /><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzaju03.shtml">Juan González</a>, 1993 (6.7). The <a href="http://www.hallofverygood.com/2010/12/cooperstown-2011-juan-gonzalez.html">most forgotten</a> two-time MVP in history. Was it Steroid Era guilt-by- association, being a bit of a one-dimensional run producer or just radiating little personality? He was <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzaju03.shtml#1992-1999-sum:batting_standard">a terror during his peak years</a>.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamiljo03.shtml">Josh Hamilton</a>,* 2010 (6.0). Still wincing at Rick Reilly's, "It's a bad night to be an atheist." Guh. </li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sierrru01.shtml">Rubén Sierra</a>,# 1989 (5.7). The poor, lacking-in-taste's man Roberto Clemente, or at least he seemed like it for a few years in the late 1980s.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burroje01.shtml">Jeff Burroughs</a>, 1974 (5.7 oWAR). There was a time when Texas batters did not have a great home park factor; Burroughs won the MVP in '74 while losing about 150 points in OPS to the adverse winds at old Arlington Stadium.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriiv01.shtml">Iván Rodríguez</a>, 1998 (6.6). Realizing he's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2011/2/16/1997743/ivan-rodriguez-not-considering-retirement">still playing</a> is akin to finding out Sony <a href="http://www.top9tip.com/gadgets/sony-walkman-discontinued-after-30-years-walkman-review.html">still manufactured Walkmans as late as 2010</a>. The upshot is the longer he plays, the more it helps his Cooperstown case, since there'll be some tacit resolution over what to do about suspect players. </li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellbu01.shtml">Buddy Bell</a> 1979 (6.9). Played his entire career in Cleveland in the 1970s, Texas in the 1980s and also managed some godawful teams. Great glove man, though.</li></ol><br /><div><strong>STARTING PITCHERS</strong></div><br /><div><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillke01.shtml">Ken Hill</a>, 1996 (6.5). The de facto ace since someone has to be.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/houghch01.shtml">Charlie Hough</a>, 1985 (5.7). A knuckleballer who is threat to put up a double-double (10 walks, 10 strikeouts), just in the wrong sport. Kept his dignity intact even when hanging on while wearing a teal cap.</li><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rogerke01.shtml">Kenny Rogers</a>, 1995 (5.2). Keep a safe distance, camera operators.</li><br /><li>LHS C.J. Wilson, 2010 (4.6)</li><br /><li>RHS Jim Bibby, 1973 (4.3). A human footnote; he pitched the Rangers first no-hitter, served in Vietnam and was the uncle of the NBA guard Mike Bibby. He was 6-foot-7 and his younger brother topped out 6-foot-1, so naturally the latter was the one <a href="http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=The+Bibby+boys,+little+Henry+of+the+NBA+Clippers+and+big+-+03.02.81+-+SI+Vault&urlID=419855777&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1124257/index.htm" target="_blank">who took up basketball</a>.</li><br /><li>RHS Dock Ellis, 1977 (3.6). His place in history was long assured by the time he ended up with the Rangers.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_vUhSYLRw14" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /></li></ul><span id="fullpost"><strong>BENCH</strong></div><div><ul><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hargrmi01.shtml">Mike Hargrove</a>,* 1977 (5.1). The Human Rain Delay himself. Would offer plate discipline and fielding, but not much else.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fletcsc01.shtml">Scott Fletcher</a>, 1986 (4.5). Trivia question: who was the first pro athlete in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to earn a million dollars a year? Herschel Walker? The starting cornerback on the 1984 SMU Mustangs? Nope, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Fletcher">it was Scott Fletcher</a>. </li><br /><li>UT <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mclemma01.shtml">Mark McLemore</a>,# 1996 (3.9). Played almost any position; also a <a href="http://dallasdirt.dmagazine.com/2009/03/21/suite-real-estate-deals/">curator of livestock</a>.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buechst01.shtml">Steve Buechele</a>, 1988 (3.6). Apparently he was a poster child for the perils of paying for past performance. Buechele was kinda-sorta OK in Texas as a young player, but once he starting moving around from team to team, he usually <a href=" http://highsockslegend.blogspot.com/2009/05/steve-buechele-experience.html">salted the earth at for that particular organization</a>.</li><br /><li>C Rod Barajas 2005, (2.0). <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/28/sports/la-sp-0301-dodgers-rod-barajas-20110301">How can anyone not like him</a>?</li></ul></div><br /><div><strong>BULLPEN</strong></div></div><br /><div><ul><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=jim+kern">Jim Kern</a>, 1979 (5.0). Was fortunate enough to enjoy his peak years in the late 1970s, when relief pitchers became famous, to paraphrase Sam Malone. <a href="http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Jim_Kern_1949">Was once concussed by his own catcher</a>.</li><br /><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cordefr01.shtml">Francisco Cordero</a>, 2004 (4.2). There are two other pretty good closers</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zimmeje02.shtml">Jeff Zimmerman</a>, 1999 (3.6). You knew there would have to be a place for the Canadian <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com/story/2006/1/18/181639/695">whose career was much too short</a> after he persevered against long odds to make the majors. His 1999 season is one of the best by a Rangers reliever.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/russeje01.shtml">Jeff Russell</a>, 1992 (3.4). In '89, Dennis Eckersley issued <em>three</em> unintentional walks all season. Why is that being brought up right now? Because the Rolaids Relief Man Award that season went to Russell, who had the most saves in the AL.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrigr01.shtml">Greg A. Harris</a>, 1985 (3.1). Since he played in the 1980s before relief pitching was specialized, he'd be the long man of the staff. If he gets tired, he can always <a href="http://switchpitching.blogspot.com/2010/03/case-study-6-major-league-switch.html">switch to using his left arm</a>.</li></ul></div><br /><div>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</div><br /></span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-9673265220296842572011-03-18T01:30:00.008-04:002011-03-18T01:30:00.249-04:00Ultimate baseball league: Toronto Blue Jays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv1ms9XxY6k/TXTxx4b432I/AAAAAAAAA7w/-KgO7ucKmyY/s1600/_mlb_jose_jays%2B%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv1ms9XxY6k/TXTxx4b432I/AAAAAAAAA7w/-KgO7ucKmyY/s400/_mlb_jose_jays%2B%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581351677484130146" /></a>Roy Halladay as a No. 3 starter? The all-time Blue Jays, for a franchise that only began play in 1977, have a pretty deep pitching staff even without a certain federally indicted former right-hander.<br /><br />Batting-wise, we end up with a left-right-left combo of power hitters who each drew 100-plus walks. Those pitch counts will get run up. Meantime, with Roberto Alomar at second base, the starting lineup includes four Gold Glove winners, for what it is worth.<br /><br />The Duane Ward-Tom Henke combo makes an appearance in the bullpen.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">STARTING LINEUP</span></div><ol><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alomaro01.shtml">Roberto Alomar</a>,# 1993 (6.4). I'm over that he was denied his rightful status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2010. The vox populi of the BBWAA has trouble evaluating second basemen, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/7503/the-bbwaas-worst-mistake">who have a high burnout rate</a>. Besides, it is better to burn out than to fade away.<br /><br />By the way, remember the Alomar bio Stephen Brunt published soon after the 1992 World Series? Small world: <a href="http://www.guelphmercury.com/print/article/496710">one of his researchers</a> one interviewed yours truly for a job as a copy editor.</li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/olerujo01.shtml">John Olerud</a>,* 1993 (8.4). Outside of Wade Boggs, Oly in 1993 had the highest OBP (.473) in the majors in more than 30 years. Yet he batted <em>fifth</em> all season. Genius, Cito.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bautijo02.shtml">José Bautista</a> 2010 (5.6, but 7.1 oWAR). <em>Gotta at least ask the question ...</em> What has Joey Bats<i> (pictured) </i>got for an encore after that 54-homer, 100-walk season in 2010?</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delgaca01.shtml">Carlos Delgado</a>,* 2000 (6.5). The late 1990s-early 2000s answer to Fred McGriff, who he just beats out to for a roster spot.</li><br /><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wellsve01.shtml">Vernon Wells</a>, 2003 (4.9). Not a cheat, as Vernon moves to the left on the defensive spectrum to provide the all-time Jays with an all-Gold Glove outfield. He was never better than he was while putting up a .317/.359/.550 slash line in 2003.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/barfije01.shtml">Jesse Barfield</a>, 1986 (7.3). Nothing obscure here, this is the season when he became the first Jay to win a home run title. He also had the best outfield throwing arm of the 1980s, can play centre in a pinch and apparently found the Fountain of Youth.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Acc3mJCS-fc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitter01.shtml">Ernie Whitt</a>,* 1987 (2.8) / C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buckjo01.shtml">John Buck</a>, 2010 (3.0). A catching platoon of Ernie and Buck. Jays fans in their mid-30s will approve. It's okay to admit you're picturing Whitt's corkscrew swing.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scutama01.shtml">Marco Scutaro</a>, 2009 (5.5). A tough call, but WAR has Scutaro's 2009 season (100 runs scored, .379 on-base as the best year by a Blue Jays shortstop, especially considering he was only being paid $1.1 million.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitede03.shtml">Devon White</a>,# 1993 (6.0).Two decades later, Jays sites are <a href="http://www.bluejayhunter.com/2010/04/acid-flashback-friday-devon-whites.html">still doing tributes</a> to <a href="http://mopupduty.com/index.php/devon-whites-spectacular-catch/">the catch in the 1992 World Series</a>.</li></ol><br /><strong>STARTING PITCHERS</strong><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hentgpa01.shtml">Pat Hentgen</a>, 1996 (8.4). You can impress people and win drinks at cocktail parties by stumping them on who had the best season by a Jays starter that wasn't suspicious. Hentgen probably is among the more anonymous Cy Young winners, but between him and Roy Halladay, this staff will keep the ball in the park.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stiebda01.shtml">Dave Stieb</a>, 1984 (7.7). The <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2009/12/23/1203927/top-50-all-time-jays-2-dave-stieb">second-best Jay of all time</a>, Stieb was hosed in the Cy Young voting at least once.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hallaro01.shtml">Roy Halladay</a> 2003 (7.5). The second Hall of Famer to have spent the majority of his career in Toronto? At 34, the current No. 34 of the Philadelphia Phillies has already met the standard for the Black Ink and HOF Monitor tests. Granted, a lot of the former includes leading the league in complete games, which is no longer really a relevant stat.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keyji01.shtml">Jimmy Key</a>, 1987 (6.6). The stylish lefty who was much easier to love than Stieb. Pitched the most important win in team history.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZCS2xaaSYoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guzmaju01.shtml">Juan Guzman</a>, 1996 (6.5). High-risk, high-reward, much? Guzman was kind of a poor man's Pedro Martínez in the '90s, at least during the two seasons when he was fairly good. His ERAs over one six-season stretch: 2.64, 3.99, 5.68, 6.32, 2.93 and 4.95.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romerri01.shtml">Ricky Romero</a>, 2010 (3.4). RickyRo gets the sixth-starter slot (meaning he's the 11th-best starter in Jays history) with the expectation he'll move up when this is revised in some future season.</li></ul><span id="fullpost"><b>BENCH</b><div><ul><li>OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stewash01.shtml">Shannon Stewart</a>, 2000 (4.6). A better fourth-outfielder candidate than Reed Johnson, again.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garcida01.shtml">Dámaso García</a>, 1982 (4.4). The second Jay to bat .300 over a full season; later survived a malignant brain tumor.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hinsker01.shtml">Eric Hinske</a>,* 2002 (4.0). The point of the exercise is to construct something approximating a 25-man roster. Hinske gets in since he can plug a leak at all four corners.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoor01.shtml">Orlando Hudson</a>,# 2004 (3.2). Probably won't play much with a Hall of Famer ahead of him, but good to have around.</li></ul><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div><ul><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eichhma01.shtml">Mark Eichhorn</a>, 1986 (6.4). Innings-eating sidearmer. Almost won the ERA title in '86, when he fell five innings shy of qualifying.</li><br /><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/henketo01.shtml">Tom Henke</a>, 1987 (3.4). Probably one of the game's best closers east of Dennis Eckersley from 1985-92. His 1995 season (36 saves for St. Louis) was probably one of the best 'final' seasons.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/warddu01.shtml">Duane Ward</a>, 1992 (3.2). Was good for 100 high-quality innings a summer in those days when a team let a late-inning reliever throw that much. He even led the Jays in strikeouts one season <em>as a reliever</em>, which is like, what, a quarterback leading a NFL team in rushing? Too bad biceps tendinitis ended his career at age 31.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quantpa01.shtml">Paul Quantrill</a>, 1997 (3.0). On late-night Canadian TV you can see former Jays pitcher Paul Spoljaric appearing in commercials for a furniture wholesaler that cuts out the middleman. This other Paul was a perfect middleman in his day; his 841 career appearances is the most ever by a Canadian pitcher.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=downssc01&year=2008&t=p">Scott Downs</a>, 2008 (3.0). A pox on left-handed hitters.</li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)<br /></div></span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-16426558919565846242011-03-17T11:30:00.006-04:002011-03-17T11:30:00.179-04:00Ultimate baseball league: Seattle Mariners<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ta3tx-TrSg/TXlb2BAGJ1I/AAAAAAAAAA8/M21RljlGnKo/s1600/__hernandez%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ta3tx-TrSg/TXlb2BAGJ1I/AAAAAAAAAA8/M21RljlGnKo/s400/__hernandez%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582594196642342738" /></a><div>Hey, Félix Hernández might actually get some run support. The first four spots in the all-time Mariners lineup includes four likely Hall of Famers, which raises the question of how in hell they never won a pennant during the years from approximately 1995 through 2002.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Short answers: pitching, playoff baseball is a crapshoot and who cares, it was 10 years ago.)</div><div><br /></div><div>King Félix leads a starting rotation that is relatively strong for a 35-year-old franchise, even with Randy Johnson needed elsewhere. </div><br /><b>STARTING LINEUP</b><br /><div><ol><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml">Ichiro Suzuki</a>,* 2004 (8.1). This was about the point (the 262-hit season) when he went from foreign curiosity to living legend. The last great singles hitter is about two-plus seasons away from 4,000 hits combined for NPB and MLB, four seasons away from three thou in North America.<br /><br /></li><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martied01.shtml">Edgar Martinez</a>, 1992 (5.9). The <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hof10/news/story?id=4755544">most beloved Mariner</a> will become the first DH in the Hall of Fame one of these days. Nineteen ninety-two was Gar's best hitting season (.343/.404/.544 slash line) while he was a position player, so let's use it to keep the DH spot open. It is either that or use either David Bell, Russ Davis or Jim Presley and no one wants that.<br /><br /></li><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/griffke02.shtml">Ken Griffey</a>,* 1996 (9.7). As Poz <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/05/11/ken.griffey/index.html?eref=writers">put it</a>, Junior "was so much to watch that he he probably inspired to people to think he was better than he was." Saying Griffey inspired people to think he was better than Barry Bonds would have been more to the point. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2016.<br /><br /></li><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrial01.shtml">Alex Rodríguez</a>, 2000 (11.0). The only debate <a href="http://www.ussmariner.com/2008/07/02/all-time-all-mariner-roster-shortstop/">is which A-Rod season to use</a>. How did he not win MVP for leading a thoroughly mediocre Mariners team to a playoff spot in '00?<br /><br /></li><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisal01.shtml">Alvin Davis</a>,* 1984 (5.6). Typically associated with Bill James' concept of young players with old player skills. Davis on-based .380 career, more than decent considering his era.<br /><br /></li><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/camermi01.shtml">Mike Cameron</a>, 2001 (6.4). Three-time Gold Glover slides left on the defensive spectrum, since nobody puts peak-value Griffey in an outfield corner. This also takes care of the Mariners' eternal vacuum in left field. Cameron has never made enough contact to an elite player, but he's always been a treat to watch.<br /><br /></li><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=phelpke01&year=1986&t=b">Ken Phelps</a>,* 1986 (3.7 oWAR) / <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=sexsori01&year=2005&t=b">Richie Sexson</a> 2005 (3.9).<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUwSxqnRW-8">They kept saying, 'Ken Phelps, Ken Phelps</a>.' " The irony of that is the <i>Seinfeld</i>-ized George Steinbrenner's baseball people <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Phelps#endnote_kenphelpsallstars">were clearly in the right</a>. Phelps was 31 in 1986 when he finally got a regular swing in the majors; he <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=phelpke01&year=1986&t=b">wore out right-handed pitching</a>. He and the lefty-mashing Sexson would form a good platoon.<br /><br /></li><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoha01.shtml">Harold Reynolds</a>,# 1989 (4.2). Three Gold Gloves, good at getting on base, occasional boundary issues.<br /><br /></li><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johjike01.shtml">Kenji Johjima</a>, 2007 (3.4) / <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsoda01.shtml">Dan Wilson</a>, 1997 (3.3). A pair of good catch-and-throw types can decide which starting pitchers to work with. Wilson caught 190 of Jamie Moyer's career starts.<br /></li></ol><div><b>STARTING PITCHERS</b></div><div><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml">Félix Hernández</a>, 2010 (6.0). <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/handling-young-pitchers/">Fingers are crossed</a> that he did not waste the best 250 innings of his pitching life on a 101-loss team. Becomes the ace since Randy Johnson is needed elsewhere.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moyerja01.shtml">Jamie Moyer</a>, 1999 (5.7). Last threw a fastball in Babe Ruth league, but one of the all-time survivors.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/langsma01.shtml">Mark Langston</a>, 1988 (5.6). The best pitcher the Mariners had until the guy who came from the Expos in exchange for him (the kicker is the Randy Johnson deal was not a blunder, since 6-foot-10 pitchers aren't sure things). Langston probably <a href="http://boydwonder.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/remembering-mark-langston/">should have never left Seattle</a>, but the team had some cheapskate ownership.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mooremi01.shtml">Mike Moore</a>, 1985 (5.6). Power pitcher who started the trend of Mariners pitchers being a big part of World Series-winning staffs.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garcifr03.shtml">Freddy García</a>, 1999 (5.0). The six degrees of García include being traded for Randy Johnson and mentoring his compatriot, Hernández. Probably should be given the 2001 Cy Young (he had a 3.05 ERA that season) retroactively).</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bankhsc01.shtml">Scott Bankhead</a>, 1989 (4.2). Must have known how to pitch, since he was generously listed at 5-foot-10.</li></ul><span id="fullpost"><b>BENCH</b></span></div><div><ul><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezjo01.shtml">José López</a>, 2008 (3.9). Once had more home runs in a season than bases on balls. That is difficult to do!</li><br /><li>OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pacioto01.shtml">Tom Paciorek</a>, 1981 (3.9). It is arguable Paciorek had the best season by a Seattle left fielder during a strike-shortened season. That does not say much for the club, does it?</li><br /><li>INF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellda01.shtml">David Bell</a>, 2001 (3.1). In the mid-aughties the Philies had Chase Utley and Placido Polanco and couldn't figure out that one of them should bump Bell off third base.</li></ul></div><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div></div><div><ul><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/caudibi01.shtml">Bill Caudill</a>, 1982 (4.3). Scott Boras is not the devil, but Caudill <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/03/boras-blast-from-the-past-bill-caudill.html">was the vessel for one of his more notorious stunts</a>. </li><br /><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/putzjj01.shtml">J.J. Putz</a>, 2007 (3.9). One of the best relief seasons ever, which gulled the New York Mets into signing him.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swiftbi02.shtml">Bill Swift</a>, 1991 (3.5). Was lights-out as a middle reliever in Seattle, then converted to starting after being part of a 3-for-1 deal that stuck the Mariners with Kevin Mitchell. </li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romoen01.shtml">Enrique Romo</a>, 1977 (2.9). Once held the record for saves by a pitcher on a first-year team (16 for Seattle in '77). Major league career ended <a href="http://www.nerdbaseball.com/2010/04/enrique-romo/">when his team couldn't find him</a>. Was also traded for Mario Mendoza, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1111915/index.htm">namesake of the Mendoza line</a>.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rhodear01.shtml">Arthur Rhodes</a>, 2002 (2.7). Do not comment on his diamond earrings. </li></ul></div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-29685800675816355542011-03-17T01:37:00.004-04:002011-03-17T01:37:00.334-04:00Ultimate baseball league: San Diego Padres<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVKdnlZox7w/TXkzYRJVOgI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Y-WetI-4vtw/s1600/__mlb_padres_gwynn%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVKdnlZox7w/TXkzYRJVOgI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Y-WetI-4vtw/s400/__mlb_padres_gwynn%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582549705114860034" /></a>The all-time Padres look a little like the present-day team: deep pitching, with a group hitters headlined by two big stars.<div><br /></div><div>Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Dave Winfield fill the all-important 2 and 3 holes in the lineup, with Adrian González as a cleanup hitter. The left side of the infield leaves much to be desired. That is what happens with a team that let Ozzie Smith and Ozzie Guillen get away in the 1980s.<br /><br /><b>STARTING LINEUP</b><br /><div><ol><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loretma01.shtml">Mark Loretta</a>, 2004 (6.8). Who knew an egghead school in frozen Chicago produced a major league all-star? Loretta made the bigs out of Northwestern.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gwynnto01.shtml">Tony Gwynn</a> <i>(pictured)</i>,* 1987 (8.1). On-based .398 or higher seven times on his way to being a first-ballot Hall of Famer; this was his best season far away, with a slash line of .370/.447/.511 and 32 net steals to go along with a Gold Glove in right field. </li><br /><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/winfida01.shtml">Dave Winfield</a>, 1979 (8.4). The first 3,000-hit player to enter Cooperstown as a Padre; had a little something to do with the Blue Jays winning the 1992 World Series. </li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzaad01.shtml">Adrian González</a>,* 2009 (7.0). About to find out right-centrefield in Fenway Park is an awful long way from home plate. Should improve the lot of a below-average infield.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vaughgr01.shtml">Greg Vaughn</a>, 1998 (6.6). Set the team record for homers in a season (50 in 1998). His son is <a href="http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/V/Cory-Vaughn.shtml">now a Mets prospect</a> who was coached at San Diego State for none other than Tony Gwynn.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tenacge01.shtml">Gene Tenace</a>, 1979 (6.3). Obligatory <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgpsEcztYHY">Whammy!</a> reference goes here; he was so much more than a knowing reference in <em>Anchorman</em>. Tenace was Gene, Gene The On-Base Machine (.388 career, .403 in 1979) throughout the '70s. He would get <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=tenacge01&year=1979&t=b">some starts at first base vs. left-handed pitchers</a>, opening a lineup spot for Benito Santiago.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendrge01.shtml">George Hendrick</a>, 1977 (5.5). This was before he started the trend of wearing pants that came almost down to one's ankles. Hit .311/.381/.492 in '77, which was a big deal in those days.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/headlch01.shtml">Chase Headley</a>,# 2010 (3.7). Plenty of time to move up the pecking order, if he ever figures out how to produce in Petco.<br /><br />Staffing the hot corner for the Padres lends new meaning to the notion of "fraught." Knowing what we know and/or strongly suspect, one cannot include the late Ken Caminiti. Even adding Phil Nevin, whose only three good seasons came from 1999-2001, would be a stretch.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greenkh01.shtml">Khalil Greene</a>, 2007 (3.6). Truth hurts. The <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/7567/san-diegos-historical-black-hole-at-shortstop">most productive shortstop in San Diego's history</a> is someone who is widely considered a washout. Social anxiety disorder hurt Greene's career.</li></ol><div><b>STARTING PITCHERS</b></div><div><ul><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberda05.shtml">Dave Roberts</a>, 1971 (8.5). One of the all-time hard-luck seasons; Roberts posted a 2.10 earned-run average in '71 (second to someone named Tom Seaver) and was charged with a 14-17 record, since the Padres <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=roberda05&t=p&year=1971">scored two runs or less in 20 of his starts</a>.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesra01.shtml">Randy Jones</a>, 1975 (7.7). Advanced scouting has probably made <a href="http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Padre+Randy+Jones,+who+pitches+at+ordinary+speeds,+could+-+07.12.76+-+SI+Vault&urlID=448582527&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091307/2/index.htm">junkballers of Jones' ilk</a> obsolete. His fastball could not break glass, but the left-hander had Pete Rose's number so badly that the hit king used to bat lefty against him.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hurstbr01.shtml">Bruce Hurst</a>, 1989 (6.6). His name is an <a href="http://www.vauxhalladvance.com/sports/local-sports/594.html">anagram for B Ruth Curse</a>, which is fitting for someone who was initially voted the 1986 World Series MVP before Boston blew it against the New York Mets. His first season with San Diego (2.69 ERA) was the best of his career, but a 15-11 record led to him not even getting a single Cy Young vote.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitsed01.shtml">Ed Whitson</a>, 1990 (6.5). Pitched way better on the West Coast than he ever did on the East Coast. Should be remembered for helping the Padres come back from two games down to win their first pennant, not for brawling with Billy Martin in a hotel.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml">Jake Peavy</a>, 2007 (6.2). It would be nothing shy of astonishing if he <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/10/jake-peavy-throwing-well-and-aiming-to-break-camp-with-the-team/">ends up in the Chicago White Sox rotation soonly</a> rather than never.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/latosma01.shtml">Mat Latos</a>, 2010 (3.3). He's <a href="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-latospadres030511">just an excitable boy</a>. Latos, only 23 coming into this season, has a chance to move up the ladder in future seasons. Made sense to include him here.</li></ul></div><span id="fullpost"><div><b>BENCH</b><ul><li>UT <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/readyra01.shtml">Randy Ready</a>, 1987 (5.7). Better to take a little bit of liberty (Ready batted only 423 times in '87, just making the cutoff) than include someone whose accomplishments are suspect. Ready can fill in at two infield spots.</li><br /><li>OF-1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martica01.shtml">Carmelo Martínez</a>, 1984 (4.6). Probably one of the few players here represented by his rookie season; he never developed as San Diego descended into mediocrity in the second half of the Reagan Decade.</li><br /><li>UT <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wiggial01.shtml">Alan Wiggins</a>,# 1983 (4.1). He was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/15/sports/sports-of-the-times-wiggins-touched-the-hot-iron.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm" target="_blank">a tragic figure</a>, whose fall reminds of how callous and careless society was a generation ago. Hit leadoff in 1984 when Gwynn, batting second, won his first batting title.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santibe01.shtml">Benito Santiago</a>, 1987 (2.9). His reputation probably exceeded his actual ability, thanks to all those clips of him throwing from his knees to pick runners off at second base. The <a href="http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=BASEBALL+IS+SUFFERING+FROM+A+SHORTAGE+OF+GOOD+CATCHERS.+-+04.05.89+-+SI+Vault&urlID=415973702&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068232/index.htm">dearth of good catchers during his early career</a> probably helped, too.</li><br /><li>OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberda07.shtml">Dave Roberts</a>,* 2006 (2.8). Present-day Padres coach was a sparkplug in '06, on-basing .360 with 37 net stolen bases.</li></ul></div><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div></div><div><ul><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoffmtr01.shtml">Trevor Hoffman</a>, 1996 (4.0). As Dirk Hayhurst <a href="http://dirkhayhurst.com/2011/01/dear-trevor/">put it</a>, he brought glory to "the everyman's off-speed pitch," the changeup. Also made a great entrance.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ffKW-RLA9D8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrigr02.shtml">Greg W. Harris</a>, 1989 (3.7). Was a fine middle reliever around the turn of the 1990s (2.30 ERA in 117 innings in '89), but got converted to starting and then ended up in the pitchers' graveyard in Denver.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellhe01.shtml">Heath Bell</a>, 2007 (3.5). From the days when he was Hoffman's heir apparent. Can come out for the eighth inning throwing some serious gas.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/otsukak01.shtml">Akinori Otsuka</a>, 2004 (3.0). Japanese right-hander with a deceptive delivery. North American career basically ended after the Texas Rangers replaced him as their closer with Eric Gagne, which could really make a dude bitter.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/linebsc01.shtml">Scott Linebrink</a>, 2005 (2.4). Mr. Consistency across the Aughts for the San Diegans.</li></ul></div>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</div><br /></span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-24014460278517278332011-03-16T01:20:00.006-04:002011-03-16T01:20:00.107-04:00Ultimate baseball league: Montréal Expos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QA0wXZM396w/TXfOhWWe0xI/AAAAAAAAA74/r8MQwTF8Kj4/s1600/mlb_expos_martinez.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QA0wXZM396w/TXfOhWWe0xI/AAAAAAAAA74/r8MQwTF8Kj4/s400/mlb_expos_martinez.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582157335479898898" /></a><div>The Expos could be the favourite in the <a href="http://neatesager.blogspot.com/2011/02/sixty-starting-nines-dude-all-time.html">NL Newbie division</a>, which consists of expansion cousin San Diego, the Milwaukee Braves-Brewers and the trio that began play in the 1990s, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins.<br /><br /></div><div>For starters, since a guideline was, when in doubt, put a player with the team which needs him more, Pedro Martínez <span style="font-style:italic;">(pictured)</span>, is on the Expos instead of the Boston Red Sox. The starting staff should be strong, although it leans right more than Steven Harper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Offensively, how does Tim Raines-Andre Dawson-Vladimir Guerrero outfield (with Rusty Staub at DH and Gary Carter batting cleanup) grab you? Granted, manager Jonah Keri might have to get creative to optimize this lineup.</div><div><br /></div><div>The infield is a weak spot. It still sucks that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brookhu01.shtml">Hubie Brooks</a> went down with a season-ending knee injury in 1986 when he was batting .340 and OPS-ing .956; otherwise he would have had the best season by a Montreal infielder. (The arbitary cutoff being observed here is 500 plate appearances for an everyday player, 400 for a utiltyman, 350 for a catcher. Brooks batted 338 times that season.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>STARTING LINEUP</b><br /><div><ol><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raineti01.shtml">Tim Raines</a>,# 1985 (7.5). For the Rock, we'll pick a quintenessential Rainesian season where he on-based .405 with some power, had 52 net stolen bases (70-for-79), scored 115 runs and played a lights-out left field. All that and he didn't crack the top 10 in MVP balloting. C'est la vie.<br /><br />In the present, of course, <a href="http://www.raines30.com/">as a Raines supporter</a>, it was gratifying that he is halfway to the Hall of Fame after garnering 37.5 per cent support in the 2011 Cooperstown voting. We all knew it would be a long process.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guerrvl01.shtml">Vladimir Guerrero</a>, 1998 (7.1). The age-23 version of Vlady would provide plate coverage nonpareil out of the 2-hole, along with power and speed. He might have to come out for late-inning defence.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/staubru01.shtml">Rusty Staub</a>,* 1969 (5.9, 6.7 oWAR). <span style="font-style:italic;">Le Grand Orange</span> was <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/jack-of-all-trades-rusty-staub.html">traded a lot during his career</a>, but had his best three seasons with the early Expos.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartega01.shtml">Gary Carter</a>, 1982 (7.8). Remember when he trying to get a a major league managing job? This space <a href="http://neatesager.blogspot.com/2008/11/we-kid-because-we-love-gary-carter-can.html">did have some fun with that</a>. Here is hoping it will not have to be reenacted during the 2012 U.S. election.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dawsoan01.shtml">Andre Dawson</a>, 1983 (6.6). One of his two seasons as runner-up for MVP; he was better in both than he was when he actually won with the last-place Cubbies in '87.</li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galaran01.shtml">Andrés Galarraga</a>, 1988 (5.1). It was a tough call to go with The Big Cat over Scoop, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oliveal01.shtml">Al Oliver</a>, but the .302/.340/.502 line Galarraga put up in '88 tops Oliver, who couldn't take a base on balls or field by the time he came to Canada.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vidrojo01.shtml">Jose Vidro</a>,# 2002 (4.6) / 2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/huntro01.shtml">Ron Hunt</a> 1971 (4.9). Contrary to how <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Duke/4391520/story.html">some older writers remember it</a>, the Expos did employ some decent second basemen after Rodney Scott was released in 1982. Vidro , who hit almost the same for his career <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=vidrojo01&year=Career&t=b">from each side of the plate</a>, was the best of the lot.<br /><br />Hunt was once described by Bill James as "being as bad a player as you can be with a .400 on-base percentage." He holds still holds the record with 50 hit-by-pitches in a single season.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wallati01.shtml">Tim Wallach</a>, 1985 (5.5). Was the National League's Gold Glove and Silver Slugger third baseman in 1985. Now you know when Michael Jack Schmidt moved across the diamond.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreor01.shtml">Orlando Cabrera</a>, 2001 (3.3). Every organization has that one black hole; the pool at shortstop was a little thin. Cabrera was good, as evidenced by the fact he's always with a team that makes the playoffs.</li></ol><div><b>STARTING PITCHERS</b></div><div><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipe02.shtml">Pedro Martínez</a>, 1997 (8.2). One would imagine it was a tough call whether to place Pedro with the Expos or with the Boston Red Sox, where he had his two best seasons according to WAR (10.1 in 2000, 8.4 in 1999). Then again, if you've ever met a Red Sox fan, you would know it was not a hard decision at all.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bFX92ALqxlk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rogerst01.shtml">Steve Rogers</a>, 1982 (8.4). One of the better pitchers to <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_6_63/ai_n6108130/" target="_blank">never receive a single Hall of Fame vote</a>. This is also a good time to remind people of <a href="http://www.griefilm.com/subpages/MontrealExpos.htm">Blue Monday</a>. Yours truly once had the misfortune to work with an ex-Montrealer (know how you know someone is from Monreal? They tell you) who whenever the Expos came up in conversation, would say they had the tying run on third base with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning in that game. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON198110190.shtml">Nope; not true</a>. The Expos never even got a runner past second base after the first inning that day.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martide01.shtml">Dennis Martínez</a>, 1991 (5.5). El Presidente, El Perfecto. That is all.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stonebi01.shtml">Bill Stoneman</a>, 1971 (5.4). No need to remind people Stoneman pitched the Expos first two no-hitters or that he was general manager of the Angels when they won the World Series in 2002. He almost he three no-nos; in his career-best season, 1971, he had a <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_4_64/ai_n13684079/" target="_blank">one-hit, one-walk, 14-strikeout game</a>. Considering he led the NL with 146 bases on balls that season, a one-walk game was pretty extraordinary.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vazquja01.shtml">Javier Vazquez</a>, 2003 (5.4). How often does a NL pitcher throw a nine-inning complete game and lose? Vazquez did so in yours truly's <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200108070.shtml">last visit to the Big Owe</a>. Mark McGwire couldn't even get a ball in play (three strikeouts and a pop foul) against him that night. And the Expos still lost.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernali01.shtml">Liván Hernández</a>, 2003 (5.3). Of indeterminate age and weight, but keeps on keeping on. Gave the Expos their last hurrah with a push for the wild card in '03.</li></ul></div><br /><span id="fullpost"><div><b>BENCH</b></div><div><ul><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grissma02.shtml">Marquis Grissom</a>, 1992 (5.6). Former stolen base champ is the answer to a great trivia question: who was in centrefield when the 1995 and 1997 World Series ended? Grissom was on the winning Atlanta Braves in '95 and on the losing Clevelanders in '97, who lost on Edgar Renteria's 11th-inning walk-off single in Game 7.<br /><br />Grissom would provide some late-inning fielding insurance in place of Guerrero.</li><br /><li>4C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parrila01.shtml">Larry Parrish</a>, 1979 (4.7). There will be some PAs at either infield corner or as <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=parrila01&year=1979&t=b">the designated lefty-masher</a>.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=deshields">Delino DeShields</a>, 1992 (4.0). Apparently Delino <a href="http://fansofmediocrity.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/delino-deshields/">was a demigod to first-gen gamers</a>. He had an awesome name, so of course he passed it to his son, now a Houston Astros outfield prospect.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/footeba01.shtml">Barry Foote</a>, 1974 (2.2). Gary Carter would catch 95 per cent of the games, so it's not a worry there's no good alternative.</li></ul></div><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div></span></div><div><ul><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wettejo01.shtml">John Wetteland</a>, 1993 (4.6). He <a href="http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=By+turning+his+own+life+around,+Montreal+closer+John+-+07.04.94+-+SI+Vault&urlID=411592007&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005368/index.htm" target="_blank">was out there</a>. He <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=12339" target="_blank">is still out-out there</a>. </li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burketi01.shtml">Tim Burke</a>, 1987 (4.2). Made the Expos in '85 as a non-rostered player and wound up becoming their relief ace within two years; during that Year of the Homer in 1987, he gave up only three in 91 innings. Actual quote: "If Jesus were on the field, He'd be pitching inside and breaking up double plays."</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml">Jeff Reardon</a>, 1982 (3.5). Gary Carter beat him to the trend of former Expos earning World Series rings by a season; Reardon got his with the 1987 Twins. Having him here is just an excuse to bask in some Steve Rushin brilliance the SI Vault, writing on the development of the closer:<blockquote>Baseball's closers have, historically, come from a can of mixed mustachioed nuts. And Reardon has closed more often than the most prolific of Century 21 agents: Through Sunday, Reardon's 339 career saves left him three short of breaking the alltime mark held by Hall of Famer-elect Rollie Fingers. Fingers, you'll recall, carried his teammates on the waxed handlebars of his curlicue mustache. Remember, too, the road-kill beards of Bruce Sutter (300 saves) and Gene Garber (218), the hood-ornament-steer-horns 'stache of Sparky Lyle (222) and the fearsome Fus of Goose Gossage (308) and Mike Marshall (178).<br /><br />Long before the invention of the Gillette Atra twin-blade razor, these flamboyant relievers were causing heads to pivot. But few got the attention, adulation or remuneration afforded today's premier closers. In fact, the term closer doesn't do justice to the glamorous head-liners of the 1990s. Does Sinatra close for Steve and Eydie? No. They open for him, much as starter Tom Browning opens for stopper Rob Dibble in Cincinnati. (<span style="font-style:italic;">Sports Illustrated</span>, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1003862/index.htm">June 8, 1992</a>)</blockquote></li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rojasme01.shtml">Mel Rojas</a>, 1992 (3.5). Felipe Alou's nephew, Moises Alou's first cousin. You know that. Did you know the family business has reached a third generation? <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mel_Rojas_Jr.">Mel Rojas Jr.</a> is an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. Mel Sr. was an efficient right-handed reliever on some contending Expos teams in the first half of the 1990s.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/frymawo01.shtml">Woodie Fryman</a>, 1980 (2.5). The well-remembered 'Spos southpaw <a href="http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/sweatsox/archive/2011/02/06/former-expos-lefty-starter-reliever-woodie-fryman-dies-at-70.aspx" target="_blank">left this mortal coil</a> recently; he was good for them in iterations as a starter on some bad teams and as a reliever on some good ones.</li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</div></div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-12583614066627847182011-03-11T04:20:00.006-05:002011-03-11T04:20:00.249-05:00Ultimate baseball league: Tacoma Rainiers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCZ6J6YyqNo/TXlepZJproI/AAAAAAAAABE/yTv0gVos1SA/s1600/__franklin%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 321px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCZ6J6YyqNo/TXlepZJproI/AAAAAAAAABE/yTv0gVos1SA/s400/__franklin%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582597278321454722" /></a>In our mind's eye, Franklin Gutiérrez will have an ample canvas. The Rainiers, AKA the Seattle Mariners B team, would play in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheney_Stadium">Cheney Stadium</a>, which has a 425-foot centrefield marking. Plenty of room to roam for the best-fielding centrefielder in the game today.<br /><br />Far be it to suggest a pitching staff bereft of a starter with a 5.0 WAR could use the help of a big ballpark. The Rainiers boast a lefty-heavy staff.<div><br /></div><div>Offensively, the mid-'90s M's are well-represented with Tino Martinez and Jay Buhner in the heart of the batting order. Of course, they were the supporting cast in those days, not the stars. The lack of depth means Canadian Michael Saunders could <a href="http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110309&content_id=16874236&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea">crack the lineup with a big 2011 season</a>.<br /><br /><b>STARTING LINEUP</b><br /><div><ol><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bradlph01.shtml">Phil Bradley</a>, 1985 (4.3). Gave Seattle some credibility in the mid-'80s. Jays fans might remember him more from the 1989 Baltimore Orioles who finished two games behind Toronto; a <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=bradlph01&year=1989&t=b#oppon">quick check confirms</a> he did hit .349 with an 1126 OPS against T-dot pitching that season.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boonebr01.shtml">Bret Boone</a>, 2002 (3.9). It's not like his entire career should be stricken <a href="http://simononsports.blogspot.com/2009/03/numbers-on-steroids-bret-boone.html">based on some strong suspicions</a>, but the 2002 Boone was closer to his true level than the 2001 (9.3 WAR) or 2003 (7.1) iterations. Was a second baseman of modest talent for much of his career.</li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martiti02.shtml">Tino Martinez</a>,* 1995 (4.6). A fine first basemen who's here since his best season (1997) came with the New York Yankees, who might have employed a decent first basemen or four.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberle01.shtml">Leon Roberts</a>, 1978 (4.1). The first Mariner to ever get a MVP vote after hitting .301/.364/.515 with 22 home runs in the team's second season of existence. </li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buhneja01.shtml">Jay Buhner</a>, 1996 (3.0). <i>I'll take Seattle outfielders not named Junior or Ichiro <a href="http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=SEATTLE+MARINERS+SLUGGER+JAY+BUHNER+MAY+LOOK+LIKE+A+-+03.18.96+-+SI+Vault&urlID=417640312&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007861/index.htm">who have been on SI's cover for $1,000</a>, Alex. </i>Buhner put Seattle on his back during their Drive of '95, hitting 14 homers in the final 29 games.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrad01.shtml">Adrián Beltré</a>, 2006 (4.6). This is probably more representative of who he truly is than whenever he's in a contract season (see 2004, Los Angeles). </li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gutiefr01.shtml">Franklin Gutiérrez</a> <i>(pictured)</i>, 2009 (5.4). A worthy heir to the Mariners' tradition of fine defensive centrefielders; a one-man argument for why MLB should not just have the Gold Glove Awards, but a defensive player of the year award.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stinsbo01.shtml">Bob Stinson</a>,# 1978 (3.0) / <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valleda01.shtml">Dave Valle</a> 1993 (2.7). If <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Dni_KNDjQ">it wasn't for this song</a>, Bob Stinson would have been completely forgotten. A .258/.346/.404 line is good by the standards of Seattle catchers.<br /><br />Dave Valle's claim to fame is that when he was in a massive slump in 1991, Seattle bars began using his batting average as a beer price. No word of a lie, his <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=valleda01&t=b&year=1991">absolute lowest average of the season</a> came on the biggest drinking night of the summer, Independence Day, when he dipped down to .128, or $1.28 if you prefer. </li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynocr01.shtml">Craig Reynolds</a>,* 1979 (2.4). Has it been mentioned there is a real big drop-off among Mariners shortstops after Alex Rodríguez? Omar Vizquel and Carlos Guillén also did their best work with other franchises, so that leaves the job open to Reynolds, who was the Opening Day starter in the Mariners' maiden season and also an all-star in '78. He co-holds the MLB record of three triples in one game.</li></ol><div><b>STARTING PITCHERS</b></div><div><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hansoer01.shtml">Erik Hanson</a>, 1990 (4.6). Used his power curve to record 211 strikeouts in 1990, but was never again that dominant.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hansoer01.shtml">Matt Young</a>, 1983 (4.8). Was better than his lifetime 55-95 record, especially since one of those losses included being the first pitcher to throw an eight-inning complete-game no-hitter and not have it count as an official no-hitter. That was kind of a microcosm for Young's hard-luck career.<br /><br /></li><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flemida01.shtml">Dave Fleming</a>, 1992 (4.7). Was a one-hit wonder (17-10, 3.39 ERA in 1992 despite a low strikeout rate) before settling into <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=pearlman/080609&sportCat=mlb" target="_blank">a quiet normal life as a school teacher</a>.<br /><br /></li><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fasseje01.shtml">Jeff Fassero</a>, 1997 (4.4). One could set a watch to reading every summer to having Fassero linked to teams that needed another quality starter or a veteran left-hander. His best season was actually in 1996 with the Expos.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pineijo01.shtml">Joel Piñeiro</a>, 2002 (4.4). Quality over quantity; as a fifth starter, it is not such a big deal that Piñeiro is hard-pressed to hit 200 innings every season.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bannifl01.shtml">Floyd Bannister</a>, 1982 (4.3). Quick, who was the first Mariners pitcher to win a strikeout title? No, not Mark Langston. Bannister did it in 1982; he had only two double-digit strikeout games all season.</li></ul><span id="fullpost"><b>BENCH </b></span></div><div><ul><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesru01.shtml">Ruppert Jones</a>,* 1979 (3.3). Some at-bats could be found for <em>the</em> the original Mariner, who was their first expansion draft selection in November 1976.</li><br /><li>OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/comerwa01.shtml">Wayne Comer</a>, 1969 (3.0). A cheat? Since the criteria for this owes more to Calvinball or TEGWAR, it is kosher to include one Seattle Pilot. Comer was the P's starting centrefielder before the franchise was bogarted by Bud Selig in Milwaukee.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/corajo01.shtml">Joey Cora</a>,# 1997 (2.3). It was not Edgar Martinez or Ken Griffey or Randy Johnson who carried the Mariners into their first league championship series appearance in 1995. It was Cora. Admit it.</li><br /><li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJlW9YXFbg/TXl7jViRudI/AAAAAAAAABU/VEuriNWBWYI/s1600/___presley.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJlW9YXFbg/TXl7jViRudI/AAAAAAAAABU/VEuriNWBWYI/s200/___presley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582629060108990930" /></a>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/preslji01.shtml">Jim Presley</a>, 1986 (2.0). Adequate player who was one-man explanation for (a) why Edgar Martinez will have a long road to Hall of Fame induction and (b) why the Mariners did not have a winning season until 1991. The two go hand-in-hand. Anyone who had a complete set of 1987 Topps baseball cards (with the awful wood grain design) has a good chance of recall Presley's rather rank ratio of bases on balls (32) to strikeouts (172).</li></ul></div><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div></div><div><ul><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hasegsh01.shtml">Shigetosi Hasegawa</a>, 2003 (3.0). Had a good career in two cultures (3.33 career ERA in Japan, 3.71 in the American League). Was the closer for the Mariners' most recent good team in 2003.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1982.shtml">Ed Vande Berg</a>, 1982 (2.6). Considered <a href="http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/a-history-of-the-loogy-part-one/">the original LOOGY</a>, since in 1982-83 he had more appearances than innings pitched. That means Tony La Russa cannot take full credit for developing the modern bullpen? Let us hope so.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nelsoje01.shtml">Jeff Nelson</a>, 1995 (2.5). Threw a wicked slider; among a select few who played for both teams in those three Mariners-Yankees post-season series.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/timlimi01.shtml">Mike Timlin</a>, 1998 (2.5). Won two World Series rings with two different AL East franchises who are not named the New York Yankees, so that narrows it down considerably. He's needed more in the Seattle stream. </li><br /><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aardsda01.shtml">David Aardsma</a>, 2009 (2.0). Hard-throwing closer for the current Mariners; control can be an issue.</li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</div><br /><br /></div>outofleftfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483800070663314985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-28395229970884035252011-03-10T15:00:00.004-05:002011-03-10T15:00:04.551-05:00Ultimate baseball league: Round Rock Express<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-283Ey02tx_I/TXLStpzbCuI/AAAAAAAAA7g/1jFWe2HMJ58/s1600/pcl_express_kinsler.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580754570022947554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-283Ey02tx_I/TXLStpzbCuI/AAAAAAAAA7g/1jFWe2HMJ58/s400/pcl_express_kinsler.jpg" /></a> The Express are the first of our amalgam teams, drawn from the second failed Washington franchise and the best of the rest from the Texas Rangers.<br /><br />What is there to see? Frank Howard, the 1960s home run champions who was known as the Capitol Punisher and Hondo in his day, does not have to worry about carrying around his 6-foot-7, 275-lb. body around in the outfield. Real baseball rules were late in coming for Howard, whose last season was the first season the DH was used.<br /><br />Four of Round Rock's six starting pitchers are named either Rick or Dick, and one of the Ricks <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/matthew_waxman/06/21/waxman.klosterman/1.html">was kind a of dick in his youth</a>.<br /><br /><strong>STARTING LINEUP</strong><br /><ol><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greerru01.shtml">Rusty Greer</a>,* 1996 (4.8). A one-team player is rare, but Greer was a one-organization player. On-based .387 for his career; best known for making a diving catch to secure Kenny Rogers' 1994 perfect game.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kinslia01.shtml">Ian Kinsler</a> <em>(pictured)</em>, 2008 (5.3). Consider the middle-infield defence spoken for.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/howarfr01.shtml">Frank Howard</a>, 1969 (6.3). The first representative from the franchise's Washington days, Hondo probably was a Hall of Famer dropped into the wrong era, just going by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/howarfr01.shtml#1962-1971-sum:batting_standard">his 10-year peak</a>. Despite that, he hit 382 home runs before his big body betrayed him just after the DH was created. In '69, under Ted Williams' tutelage, his offensive WAR was 8.1.</li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teixema01.shtml">Mark Teixeira</a>,# 2005 (6.0). Might have a little trouble cracking the all-time Yankees lineup.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcmulke01.shtml">Ken McMullen</a>, 1969 (6.2). <a href="http://1965topps.blogspot.com/2010/08/319-ken-mcmullen.html">Prototype third baseman from the late 1960s</a>; homered in his final plate appearance.<br /></li><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngmi02.shtml">Michael Young</a>, 2006 (4.6). Has moved all over the fielding spectrum; has anyone else ever been a Gold Glove shortstop one season and then shifted to third base the next season?</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wardga01.shtml">Gary Ward</a>, 1984 (4.4). A nondescript contact hitter who isn't even the most notable Gary Ward in baseball (that would be a legendary college coach at Oklahoma State). Ward at his best hit a somewhat empty .300.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matthga02.shtml">Gary Matthews Jr.</a>,# 2006 (3.4). The season that led to him being rewarded with one of the worst contracts of all time.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sundbji01.shtml">Jim Sundberg</a>, 1978 (4.9). <a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/2007/8/21/104719/399">Generational defensive catcher</a> in his prime; in this realm he'll have his work cut out for him with a mediocre pitching staff.</li></ol><strong>STARTING PITCHERS</strong> <ul><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richepe01.shtml">Pete Richert</a>, 1965 (4.9). Apparently he was a cult hero to Strat-o-matic players, since it was damn hard to reach base against him when he was on.<br /></li><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bosmadi01.shtml">Dick Bosman</a>, 1970 (4.4). Supposedly Ted Williams had no time for pitchers, but he and Bosman <a href="http://www.seamheads.com/2010/08/20/touring-the-bases-with-dick-bosman/">got along famously</a>. The latter is a minor league pitching coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays, the adopted favourite team of us nerdlingers.<br /></li><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guzmajo01.shtml">José Guzmán</a>, 1991 (4.2). Was briefly known as The Wrong Juan when his namesake was an all-star pitcher for the Jays.<br /></li><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donovdi01.shtml">Dick Donovan</a>, 1961 (4.0). Won the American League ERA title in '61 while pitching for an 100-loss expansion team. How did he do that? A <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=donovdi01&year=1961&t=p">A ridiculous BABIP and park factor helped</a>.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/helliri01.shtml">Rick Helling</a>, 2000 (4.0). Was a 20-game winner when people still thought that had currency; Chuck Klosterman <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/matthew_waxman/06/21/waxman.klosterman/1.html">also put a hex on him</a>.<br /></li><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/honeyri01.shtml">Rick Honeycutt</a>, 1983 (3.8). Came to prominence as a lefty setup man for the Oakland A's turn-of-the-'90s mini-dynasty, but the finesse left-hander was an absentee ERA champion.</li></ul><span id="fullpost"><div><strong>BENCH</strong></div><div><ul><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willsbu01.shtml">Bump Wills</a>,# 1977 (4.9). Had one of the <a href="http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/01/29/card-corner-bump-wills/">most infamous error cards</a>, since one of Topps executives was apparently tight with the 1979 baseball equivalent of Eklund.</li><br /><li>UT <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=aurelio+rodriguez">Aurelio Rodríguez</a>, 1970 (4.6). Gold Glove third baseman who would offer some late-inning defence; also ensures one of the Rangers team of having an A-Rod who's not such a douche.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brinked01.shtml">Ed Brinkman</a>, 1969 (4.3). The term good-field, no-hit shortstop was gone by the wayside. It had a lot of currency in the days of Brinkman, whose park-adjusted OPS+ was 65.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lockdo01.shtml">Don Lock</a>, 1964 (3.7). OK, you try coming up with something witty about a player whose career ended 42 years ago. According to B-R, he was top-three in the AL twice in range factor</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/casanpa01.shtml">Paul Casanova</a>, 1966 (1.9). Father of former journeyman catcher Raul Casanova; catcher is apparently a weak spot for the Rangers once you get past Pudge and Sundberg. </li></ul></div><div><strong>BULLPEN</strong></div><br /><ul><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/knowlda01.shtml">Darold Knowles</a>, 1970 (2.9). One of two left-handers on this team whose greatest fame came as a supporting reliever on an Oakland team which won three consecutive pennants. Knowles<br /></li><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/paulmi01.shtml">Mike Paul</a>, 1972 (2.9). There are no great swingman seasons anymore; in '72, Paul made 20 starts and relieved in 29 other games; his ERA (2.17) is still the team record.<br /></li><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/foucast01.shtml">Steve Foucault</a>, 1974 (2.7). Another member the Billy Martin Cut Short My Career Club. Foucault was a one-man bullpen for the '74 Rangers who made a run at the Reggie Jackson-Rollie Fingers Oakland A's, but was out of the game a few years later after hurling 144 innings in relief.<br /></li><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mohorda01.shtml">Dale Mohorcic</a>, 1987 (2.7). His Wiki says he played a California Angels pitcher in <em>Naked Gun</em>. Gotta call BS on that, since Mohorcic is right-handed and the Angels hurler was a lefty.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x-S-eeInJVk" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe></li><br /><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/felizne01.shtml">Neftali Feliz</a>, 2010 (2.4). Room must be made for Feliz, the miscast closer of the Rangers' first pennant winner.</li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-17793783019921301072011-03-10T05:15:00.005-05:002011-03-10T05:15:00.758-05:00Ultimate baseball league: Tucson Padres<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyMbOJTfxSU/TXgYLojCHdI/AAAAAAAAA8A/cdI3QIxrs5s/s1600/__mlb_tucsonpadres%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyMbOJTfxSU/TXgYLojCHdI/AAAAAAAAA8A/cdI3QIxrs5s/s400/__mlb_tucsonpadres%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582238326267715026" /></a>San Diego's second unit is a bit of a patchwork crew, with a No. 1 starter who was charged with more losses than wins over his career. Still, it's a good sample of the Padres through all their mostly mediocre uniforms and frequent costume changes. <div><br /></div><div>Can you believe those all-gold uniforms that Nate Colbert <i>(pictured)</i> wore in the '70s?</div><div><br /></div><div>Our imagine Tucson Padres (who, by the way, are just in Arizona for a two-year stopover) are in a division that includes the Los Angeles Angels' and Seattle Mariners' second squads. In other words, it would be more watered-down than the current NL Central. <br /><br /><b>STARTING LINEUP</b><br /><div><ol><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberbi01.shtml">Bip Roberts</a>,# 1990 (5.3). Not <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2010/2/15/1311282/all-time-most-hated-padres-by" target="_blank">everyone was a fan</a> of the 5-foot-7 leadoff man without a position, but he <a href="http://firesandybarbour.com/2010/10/04/bip-roberts-weighs-in-on-the-cal-sports-cuts/">certainly speaks</a> <a href="http://biproberts.yardbarker.com/blog/BipRoberts/hey_bud_hire_conte/3165833:">his mind</a>. Working on the poachers/game warden paradox, has suggested Victor Conte be put in charge of MLB's anti-steroid enforcement.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gilesbr02.shtml">Brian Giles</a>,* 2005 (5.3 oWAR). His best season with the Padres. Better ballplayer than a person, <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2008/12/16/695275/brian-giles-accused-of-abu">evidently</a>. Drew a ton of walks toward the end (NL-high 119 in 2005) after losing his power to Petco Park.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lezcasi01.shtml">Sixto Lezcano</a>, 1982 (7.2). Owns the <a href="http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2010/07/fun_with_wins_a_1.php">fourth-best season ever by a Padre</a>, which would surprise some people. One of many 1970s rightfielders with a cannon throwing arm.<br /><br /></li><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kleskry01.shtml">Ryan Klesko</a>,* 2001, (5.2) / <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colbena01.shtml">Nate Colbert</a> <i>(pictured)</i>, 1972 (5.2). Colbert holds one record likely to never be broken, hitting five home runs in an Aug. 1, 1972 doubleheader earn a share of a mark held by Stan Musial. What might be less known is Colbert <a href="http://www.seth.com/coll_histbseballs_18.html">was in the stands 18 years earlier</a> when Musial hit five big flies in a single day.<br /><br />A platoon makes sense, especially since <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=kleskry01&year=Career&t=b#plato">wrong-armers were Klesko's kryptonite</a>. Some extra plate appearances might be found for both as the DH, since the UBL is playing under modern baseball rules.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kennete02.shtml">Terry Kennedy</a>,* 1982 (5.4). The real-life Terry Kennedy is the manager of the actual Tucson Padres Triple-A team. You can't plan that stuff.</li><br /><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richage01.shtml">Gene Richards</a>,* 1978 (3.5) / <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sandere02.shtml">Reggie Sanders</a>, 1999 (4.3). There is <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=richage01&year=1978&t=b">some support</a> for Richards as a generational Padre. Had more than twice as many triples (63) as home runs (26), so that tells you how he rolled. Had the <a href="http://www.historicbaseball.com/players/r/richards_gene.html">highest career batting average by a Padre</a> prior to the arrival of Tony Gwynn, which tells you how bad the team was prior to the arrival of Tony Gwynn.<br /><br />Sanders is easily the most anonymous member of the 300-home run, 300-stolen base club, largely since he changed teams every two years.</li><br /><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcreyke01.shtml">Kevin McReynolds</a>, 1984 (5.5). The lingering image of McReynolds dates from his Mets days, when he <a href="http://ladiesonthefieldganstasonthebus.blogspot.com/2009/06/kevin-mcreynolds-misunderstood.html">made it easy to portray him as an Arkansas yokel</a> dropped into the Big Apple. However, he had his best season for the Padres' first pennant winner in '84, compiling a 2.0 defensive WAR.<br /><br /></li><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verasqu01.shtml">Quilvio Veras</a>,# 1998 (3.6). Our first appearance from the '98 Padres team that got a severe ass-forking from the Yankees in the World Series. It would have all been different if Mark Langston hadn't been squeezed in Game 1, <span style="font-style:italic;">Itellsya</span>.<br /><br /></li><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/templga01.shtml">Garry Templeton</a>,# 1986 (3.0). Was traded straight up once for Ozzie Smith, who is in the Hall of Fame, while Templeton today is managing in the Golden Baseball League. It was kind of a big deal in 1979 when he became the first player to collect 100 hits in a season from each side of the plate; B-R.com now lists him as <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=templga01&year=1979&t=b">collecting only 95 as a righty</a>. </li></ol><div><b>STARTING PITCHERS</b></div><div><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kirbycl01.shtml">Clay Kirby</a> 1972 (5.3). Power pitcher with a high walk rate, but he gave the early Padres some shred of credibility. Fans of made-up curses must love that no San Diego pitcher has thrown a no-hitter since Kirby was <a href="http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_62050369-4e30-5c31-9fe9-88d0292ee726.html">lifted for a pinch hitter while working on one during a 1970 game</a>.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ashbyan01.shtml">Andy Ashby</a>, 1998 (5.0). Was easily confused with Alan Ashby, <a href="http://www.thebaseballpage.com/blog.php/108stitches/att/132">along with</a> a couple of Padres pitchers with similar skills. Was second in ERA on the '98 pennant-winning team.<br /><br /></li><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benesan01.shtml">Andy Benes</a>, 1993 (4.9). Won a strikeout title</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamiljo02.shtml">Joey Hamilton</a>, 1995 (4.9). Was good for the Padres (3.83 ERA across five seasons in the 1990s), but reeked anywhere else (cough, Toronto). </li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/draveda01.shtml">Dave Dravecky</a>, 1985 (3.7). An inspiration to us all</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shower01.shtml">Eric Show</a>, 1986 (3.6). <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=5543839">A tortured soul</a>.</li></ul></div><span id="fullpost"><div><b>BENCH</b></div><div><ul><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mumphje01.shtml">Jerry Mumphrey</a>,# 1980 (3.0). In 1980, the Padres were the first team to have three players each steal at least 50 bases and they finished last in the National League West. Let that be a lesson. Mumphrey stole 52-of-57 that season.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendafr01.shtml">Fred Kendall</a>, 1973 (2.3). Better known as Jason Kendall's father, but was an original Padre.</li><br /><li>UT <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flannti01.shtml">Tim Flannery</a>,* 1985 (2.1). Could play second base, third and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1b-wa-at5E">blues guitar</a>.</li></ul></div><div><b>BULLPEN</b></div><div><ul><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisma01.shtml">Mark Davis</a>, 1989 (4.4). Easily the <a href="http://www.joesportsfan.com/?p=927">worst pitcher to ever win a Cy Young Award</a>; he was <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1989-pitching-leaders.shtml">about the third-best pitcher</a> on his own team that season.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcculla01.shtml">Lance McCullers</a>, 1986 (3.1). Was known as Baby Goose (as in Gossage) when he first came up in the '80s.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deleolu01.shtml">Luis DeLeon</a>, 1982 (2.7). Ahead of my time, but he was very good at ages 23-24 (100-plus innings with 2-something ERAs) before fading out. He didn't stop pitching, though, going to to play in a record 14 Caribbean Series.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leffecr01.shtml">Craig Lefferts</a>, 1990 (2.4). Standout middle reliever for two pennant-winning teams who overcame <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/print/1985-06-09/sports/sp-9968_1_craig-lefferts">being unable to use his right eye when he pitched</a>.<br /><br /></li><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adamsmi03.shtml">Mike Adams</a>, 2010 (2.3). Future closer material or so they once said.</li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)</div></span></div></div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-37428811238797381312011-03-07T07:10:00.015-05:002011-03-07T09:41:21.989-05:00Ultimate baseball league: Las Vegas 51s<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mefum57KBSA/TWw4O4TrOhI/AAAAAAAAA7I/2_HUmdgWU-8/s1600/mlb_51s_moseby.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578895866689436178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mefum57KBSA/TWw4O4TrOhI/AAAAAAAAA7I/2_HUmdgWU-8/s400/mlb_51s_moseby.jpg" /></a>Since entertainers well past their prime always end up in Las Vegas, it is oddly fitting a roster of the best of the rest from Blue Jays history is largely drawn from the '80s.<br /><br />Ah, to be young again and believe that a team in powder-blue polyester uniforms playing on carpet in the corner of a CFL stadium represented the diamond game in its ideal form. No less than five of the nine starters, along with one of the starting pitchers, is drawn from that decade, when the Jays were usually awesomely good until October. Borderline Hall of Famer Fred McGriff, who had his best season in Toronto, anchors the starting lineup, while the good version of Juan Guzman is the staff ace.<br /><br />Of course, by process of elimination, you might be able to figure out who is on the Jays' all-time team that will published at a later date.<br /><br />The 51s' division includes Fresno (a Giants B team), Sacramento (an Athletics B team) and Reno. They might be up against it in a division with two original franchises, especially since the lineup isn't very deep.<br /><br /><strong>STARTING LINEUP</strong><br /><ol><li>CF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mosebll01.shtml">Lloyd Moseby</a>,* 1984 (6.2). In another time, the Shaker might have been a 40-homer corner outfielder, but he fit well into '80s baseball, with all of its stolen bases and triples (he even tied for the league lead in three-baggers once). First Jay to score 100 runs in a season.</li><br /><li>SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fernato01.shtml">Tony Fernandez</a>,# 1987 (5.0). Was probably overrated in his prime since artificial turf makes middle infielders look better. It meant more to have one of the 1980s Jays around for the second World Series triumph. It's probably a surprise he is not on the A squad.</li><br /><li>DH <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgrifr01.shtml">Fred McGriff</a>,* 1989 (6.6). Will the Crime Dog and his .377/.509 career <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2009/12/1/1176183/reviewing-fred-mcgriffs-hall-of">ever earn entry to Cooperstown</a>? Led the AL in home runs, bases on balls and OPS in 1989, which only him to sixth place in the MVP vote.</li><br /><li>LF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellge02.shtml">George Bell</a>, 1987 (5.0). Ol' Senor Ding-Dong himself, as the only Jay to be a league MVP shall be known retroactively. No wonder Manny Ramirez idolized him; Jorge being Jorge included <a href="http://mopupduty.com/index.php/george-bell-was-a-firecracker/">karate-kicking pitchers</a>, <a href="http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/cityofate/2010/10/world_series_food_what_the_pla.php">eating McDonalds in the clubhouse</a>, driving in runs by the assload and not being able to field worth a damn. Also <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR198809040.shtml">hit the <em>other</em> Blue Jays walk-off home run</a> off Mitch Williams, which few remember since no one in Toronto watched baseball outside of the years 1989-93.</li><br /><li>RF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=shawn+green">Shawn Green</a>,* 1999 (5.9). Well, there has to be one representative from the era of ArenaBaseball and the Jays being under an absentee owner that was not Rogers.</li><br /><li>2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillaa01.shtml">Aaron Hill</a>, 2009 (5.4). Don't be silly and think he's as good as Roberto Alomar was in Toronto. Who does that?</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grubeke01.shtml">Kelly Gruber</a>, 1988 (4.8). Only Jay <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhIqaCxWImY">ever referenced</a> on <em>Kids In The Hall </em>(Kevin McDonald: "But if Kelly Gruber makes one more mistake, he'll have to change his name to Kelly Boober.") . Enjoyed water skiing, according to Marty York.</li><br /><li>1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/upshawi01.shtml">Willie Upshaw</a>,* 1983 (4.3). Be honest, you can still hear Murray Eldon <a href="http://www.torontomike.com/2004/06/the_friday_five_43.html">calling his name at Exhibition Stadium</a>.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fletcda01.shtml">Darrin Fletcher</a>,* 2000 (2.3). Recorded a promo for CFRC 101.9 FM's<em> The Sports Revolution</em> in 2001, which in Neil Acharya's mind, makes him the seventh-greatest catcher of all time.</li></ol><strong>STARTING PITCHERS</strong><br /><ul><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alexado01.shtml">Doyle Alexander</a> 1984 (5.6). In hindsight, he must have been a smart pitcher since he thrived in Exhibition Stadium despite <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2008/12/14/692495/top-50-all-time-greatest-j">having nothing resembling a major-league fastball</a>. </li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lillyte01.shtml">Ted Lilly</a> 2004 (5.0). Nothing against him, but it completely spoiled the summer that time when he was the Jays lone representative at the all-star game. </li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clancji01.shtml">Jim Clancy</a>, 1982 (4.8). The original innings-eater.</li><br /><li>LHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wellsda01.shtml">David Wells</a>, 2000 (4.5). The Boomer in Vegas; honestly, that is just how it worked out.<br /></li><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marcush01.shtml">Shaun Marcum</a>, 2010 (3.8). Good luck in Milwaukee, Marcum.</li><br /><li>RHS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stottto01.shtml">Todd Stottlemyre</a> 1991 (3.8). <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1993-10-20/sports/1993293204_1_stottlemyre-blue-jays-phillies">Eighteen years later</a>, former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell is still a dillhole. The perception was that Stottlemyre never quit put it together in his Toronto years, but evidently he was decent.</li></ul><br /><span id="fullpost"><strong>BENCH</strong><br /><ul><li>OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riosal01.shtml">Alex Rios</a>, 2007 (4.5). It ended poorly for him in Toronto, but he did many things well, if never at the same time.</li><br /><li>3B-SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/batisto01.shtml">Tony Batista</a>, 1999 (4.3). A guaranteed stumper among Blue Jays fans is to ask them to name all seven Jays who have had a 40-homer season. Bell, Jesse Barfield, Jose Bautista, and Carlos Delgado come to mind no problem. It might take a minute to recall Green and Jose Canseco, but Bautista, who had the world's most open batting stance, is a tough pull.</li><br /><li>OF-1B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mullira01.shtml">Adam Lind</a>,* 2009 (3.3). Lefty bat off the bench, if needed.</li><br /><li>3B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mullira01.shtml">Rance Mulliniks</a>,* 1985 (3.0). Platoon partner for Gruber, plus there is undying respect for someone who got a World Series ring for basically hanging out in the bullpen all season.</li><br /><li>C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zaungr01.shtml">Gregg Zaun</a>,# 2005 (2.1). Does anyone feel we are poorer for it that Rogers Sportsnet does not let Zaunie have a can of Skoal in his breast pocket when he's on air with Jamie Campbell during post-season telecasts? </li></ul><strong>BULLPEN</strong><br /><ul><li>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanb.01.shtml">B.J. Ryan</a>, 2006 (4.0). A rare lefty closer, The Beej was sneaky fast before arm problems derailed his career.</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vuckope01.shtml">Pete Vuckovich</a> 1977 (2.9). Old Clu Haywood himself (he played the Yankees slugger in <em>Major League</em>) was a swingman with the original 1977 Jays, pitching the first shutout in franchise history.<br /><br />This is how bad Cy Young Award voting was 30 years ago. Vuckovich won in 1982 with the Milwaukee Brewers even though the only categories in which he ranked in the top five of the league were winning percentages and bases on balls. Really. He</li><br /><li>RHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kochbi01.shtml">Billy Koch</a> 2000 (2.7). After <em>The Wrestler</em> came out, many ex-WWE stars claimed to be the basis for Mickey Rourke's character, The Ram. No ex-ballplayer ever claimed to be the basis for Kenny Powers — they're not typically so desperate for money — but Koch <a href="http://www.ktvu.com/news/9264350/detail.html">might have had a case</a>. He burned brightly for a few years and slots in here as an eighth-inning reliever.</li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garvije01.shtml">Jerry Garvin</a>, 1980 (2.6). Some acknowledgement has to made for the Jays early years. Garvin was a lefty who managed to have a high leg kick and a good pickoff move. </li><br /><li>LHR <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castito02.shtml">Tony Castillo</a>, 1995 (2.5). The last two spots in the 'pen are a bit of a weak point, but Castillo was either better than most people remember or he just got to work in all the low-leverage situations. Was credited with the win in Game 4 of the 1993 World Series, the 15-14 game, since obviously it is all on the pitching when a team scores 15 runs. </li></ul>(* left-handed hitter; # switch-hitter)<br /></span>outofleftfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483800070663314985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-30340912259902580892011-02-28T00:18:00.010-05:002011-03-09T16:35:54.143-05:00Sixty (starting) nines, dude: the all-time baseball league<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zFOS4Zd4zI/TWvBTkj-iVI/AAAAAAAAA7A/iTVhbOGtxyQ/s1600/springtraining.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578765105404741970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zFOS4Zd4zI/TWvBTkj-iVI/AAAAAAAAA7A/iTVhbOGtxyQ/s400/springtraining.jpg" /></a> <div>Baseball is the intellectual's game since all the action takes place in the observer's head — which could also be why it takes nearly three hours to complete seven minutes of action.<br /><br />That's the best way of introducing a fun little side project borne from a secret shame: creating a 25-player roster for all 30 current MLB franchises, plus another 30 historical rosters. Sixty nines, as it were.<br /><br />This sort of ties with the <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=12994">concept of metafandom</a>, along with having personal and professional obligations that proscribe any blogging on baseball. Talking about a game will never replace watching the best players in the world do their thing. However, there is a lot to be said for the idea a lot of Seamheads, as <strong>Craig Calcaterra</strong> put it recently, have come "to love or obsess about the game — through something other than actually sitting down and watching it."<br /><br />For yours truly, the gateway drug into being a stat geek was a computer simulation from called <em>Earl Weaver Baseball </em>that was released in the late 1980s. There is general awareness that <em>John Madden Football</em> was catalytic for sports video games, but <em>Weaver</em> was innovative in its own right (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Weaver_Baseball">you could play an entire season and it recreated different stadiums</a>). Its era-specific rosters using Hall of Fame players, this being before people realized using one's name and likeness without compensation was probably actionable, was a better introduction to baseball history than<strong> Ken Burns</strong>' <em>Baseball</em> (not being hyperbolic, it really was).<br /><br />From about 1989 through 1996, a shameful number of hours were wiled away playing games between, for instance the AL 00-30 team with its <strong>Ty Cobb</strong>-<strong>Tris Speaker</strong>-<strong>Babe Ruth</strong> outfield (and two .400 hitters, <strong>Harry Heilmann</strong> and <strong>George Sisler</strong>, sitting on the bench) and the likes of the AL 61-75 team, on which the 1961 version of <strong>Roger Maris</strong> was the fourth outfielder behind<strong> Mickey Mantle</strong>,<strong> Frank Robinson</strong> and <strong>Carl Yastrzemski</strong>. Even more time was pissed away typing in contemporary players' stats from the backs of baseball cards to make rosters of current players to make imaginary teams.<br /><br />As a 15-year-old loner growing up in a rural area, it was either that or learn how to hunt or fish. Remember, this was before kids out in the boonies had the Internet or meth labs. Besides, who wouldn't have been curious to see what kind of power numbers<strong> Frank Thomas </strong>would have put up if he was 'created' and placed on a team that played in Fenway Park?<br /><br />Suffice to say, that's always been there. So, if all this goes according to plan, by Opening Day each roster should be posted.<br /><br /><span id="fullpost">Here is a rough format: <ul><li><strong>Franchises will be grouped by vintage. </strong>The Blue Jays and their 34-season history aren't competing with Red Sox and Yankees, whose lineups can be drawn from nearly a century. Feel free to read that as a protest against MLB wrecking a good thing, being a sport, no salary cap, with a bad thing, unbalanced schedules and too many divisions.<br /><br />That expanded playoff format cannot happen soon enough. </li><br /><li><strong>No player may be used twice. Rob Neyer </strong>of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/">sbnation.com</a>, a few years ago, published his <em>Big Book of Baseball Lineups</em>. When it came out, I was all, "How dare he have the drive and work ethic to see to fruition an idea I never acted on!" However, Neyer's objective was just picking the best lineup. This exercise is under the guise that there's some realm where these teams would actually play, so<strong> Barry Bonds </strong>can't be on the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants.<br /><br />A couple years ago, yours truly also managed the Blue Jays in a <a href="http://www.seamheads.com/">Seamheads.com</a> sim league. Again, players could be used more than once. This is more pure.</li><br /><li><strong>Each player will be chosen by his most representative season.</strong> The criteria is to use WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to pick a 25-player roster with a batting order using a designated hitter, bench, starting rotation and bullpen.<br /></li><li><strong>Context counts.</strong> That's a way of dealing with suspect Steroid Era seasons or one-year wonders. For instance, <strong>Brady Anderson</strong>'s 50-home run 1996 season (6.6 WAR) should get tossed out, but his '92 campaign (5.4) that better reflected his overall body of work is permissible. Some emphasis will be given to more contemporary players, since baseball has become more competitive over time. In other words, anyone from the pre-<strong>Jackie Robinson </strong>era or Dead Ball Era (before 1920) will have to be more exceptional than a latter-day player. </li></ul><p>Here are the divisions:</p><b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b><br /><ul><li><strong>Classic: </strong>The charter franchises — Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers.</li><br /><li><strong>Modern: </strong>Teams that took their current form in the 1950s and '60s — Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Newbies: </b>The under-40 (as in seasons) teams — Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays. Some allowance is being made for the Royals' small-market woes.</li></ul><p><b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b> </p><ul><li><b>Classic: </b>Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals.<br /><br /></li><li><b>Modern: </b>Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves (dating from 1966).<br /><br /></li><li><b>Newbie: </b>San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks. The Milwaukee team would draw on seasons when that city had a NL team.</li></ul><b>INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE</b><br /><br /><ul><li><b>North Division:</b> Buffalo Bisons (Mets B), Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies B), Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston B), Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Yankees B), Rochester Red Wings (all-time Washington Nats/Twins B), Syracuse Chiefs (players born in '40s).</li><br /><li><b>South Division: </b>Brooklyn Dodgers, Charlotte Knights (Chisox B), New York Giants, Norfolk Tides (all-time Browns/Orioles B)</li><br /><li><b>West Division:</b> Columbus Clippers (Cleveland B), Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh B), Louisville Bats (Cincinnati B), Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit B).</li></ul><b>PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE</b><br /><br /><ul><li><b>American North:</b> Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs B), Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis B), Nashville Sounds (Brewers AL-only, 1969-97), Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City B).</li><br /><li><b>American South: </b>Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers B), New Orleans Zephyrs (players born in '50s), Oklahoma City RedHawks (Houston B), Round Rock Express (Senators/Rangers B).</li><br /><li><b>Pacific North:</b> Colorado Springs Sky Sox (players born in '60s), Tucson (Padres B), Salt Lake Bees (Angels B), Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners B).<br /></li><br /><li><b>Pacific South: </b>Fresno Grizzlies (Giants B), Las Vegas 51s (Blue Jays B), Sacramento River Cats (Athletics B), Reno Aces (players born in '70s and '80s).</li></ul>Hope this can be pulled off!<br /></span></div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-54535714555750756162011-02-26T01:31:00.000-05:002011-02-26T13:34:46.511-05:00Blog blast past: Balsillie boarded; the Phoenix Coyotes story few people read<em>As you know, the bond sale that would keep a NHL hockey team in Glendale, Ariz., <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/coyotes-glendale-bond-sale-hits-snag/article1921333/">has gone awry</a>. Reading back to July 30, 2009, it's not surprising when you realize whose interests the NHL and most politicians are really representing these days.</em><br /><br />The NHL really showed Wednesday how as a business, it is a game of TEGWAR, The Exciting Game Without Any Rules.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jim Balsillie</span>'s camp smartly pointed out minutes after he was denied that this had nothing to do with his fitness to be an owner, and that the judge in Arizona said in June that the league would have to show he didn't have the cash. Of course, the nets had already been moved, like a group of kids moving their ball hockey game down the street (which <a href="http://makeiteighteh.com/2009/07/30/the-legal-eyebrow-is-officially-raised/">might cheese the judge off</a>, but that is neither here nor there). <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bruce Arthur</span>'s <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">National Post </span>column pointed out, well, if it wasn't money, then it had be something else, but this is the league that let future felon <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Boots Del Biaggio</span> into the fold.<br /><br />Granted, being the person who waits for Canadians to wake up to what <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Gary Bettman</span>'s NHL stands for is like being sent out on a snipe hunt. Please, though, sometime between now and the next labour stoppage, clue in that denying Balsillie, <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/story-printer.html?id=1842506" target="_blank"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">again</span></a>, really betrays that the NHL always represents its interests to the bitter end. It's just that those interests have nothing to do with the <a href="http://makeiteighteh.com/2009/07/18/is-the-coyotes-deal-more-about-development-subsidies-than-hockey/" target="_blank">great game of hockey and everything to do with corporate malfeasance</a> that could launch six <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Naomi Klein</span> screeds and a couple <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bruce Cockburn</span> ditties. They won't care you could have three teams in Southern Ontario which would each draw more than the Phoenix Coyotes (with higher ticket prices) until the day when the U.S. economy is really up a creek.<br /><br />The Coyotes are just a game piece in a scheme where, to quote an alternative weekly <a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/1290876">said the week Balsillie's bid for the Coyotes became public</a>, a "broke" city is "also trying to line the pockets of some of the wealthiest investment groups in New York City, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi." (<i>Phoenix New Times</i>, May 14.)<br /><br /><span id="fullpost">The above link came via <a style="FONT-STYLE: italic" href="http://makeiteighteh.com/" target="_blank">Make It Eight, Eh?</a>. From the look of it, a Hamilton, Ont., insurance broker named <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Craig Ferguson</span>, over the run of this sordid saga, has evolved from a thinking fan's case for the NHL to put more teams into Canada to advocacy for taxpayers in Arizona in the wake of a swindle/boondoggle which is going down in the American southwest. You really should, if you have time, read through it since Ferguson makes it clear why the hell <b>Jerry Reinsdorf</b> wants to own an unprofitable hockey team which has never been about hockey from the day it arrived in the desert.<br /><blockquote>"The attraction to the Coyotes hockey team has always been an issue of land development opportunites and great deals with government, and the profits that would go along with them. Nobody in their right mind would take this team with the clear math currently in place. As soon as (former owners Jerry) Moyes and (Steve) Ellman broke up the land from the ice, that’s when the 'Coyote' should have chased the Roadrunner out of town.<br /><br />"Are we to believe, as mentioned by the Reinsdorf camp, and now even by the new Canadian/American mixed coalition represented by Daryl Jones (Research Edge LLC) that trying to share in a little bit of food and parking is going to cut the mustard? 'Little things add up' is the argument? Were we born yesterday? And, if I might add, if Daryl Jones and his group thinks they are going to break into this game with nickel and dime thinking, they had better think again. Like all politics, what would make sense from a genuine, honest angle usually doesn’t win the prize."</blockquote>In other words: Cha-ching! Ferguson has flipped over a couple other rocks, <a href="http://makeiteighteh.com/2009/07/14/the-promise-of-revenues-outside-of-hockey-the-glendale-connection/">noting two weeks ago</a> that Jerry Reinsdorf's son is "is a director of a partnering firm, <a href="http://www.ifgroup.cc/teammembers/reinsdorf.htm" target="_blank">International Facilities Group (IFG)</a>, that has a hand in consulting the City of Glendale for the Jobing.com arena, <a href="http://makeiteighteh.com/2009/07/14/conspiracy-and-deceipt-the-nhl-glendale-and-the-bankrupt-coyotes/" target="_blank">and more</a>."<br /><br />It is not like this should shock anyone. For the most part this is the way of the world, at least up until Bear Stearns went nips-up last fall. (At this point, one should allow that maybe the NHL would like Balsillie to pay $350-400 million for an expansion team instead of $212.5M for an established team. At some point, though, these guys have to stop <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/07/30/sp-balsillie-walker.html">playing the Canada card</a>.)<br /><br />Most sports fans, regardless of background or intelligence, would be like, "Why should I care that the the city of Phoenix is going to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124425483396690959.html">hand over $100 million in subsidies</a> in return for 200 public parking spaces at a time when it can't afford to open public pools? I just want to know if the team is going to relocate or not." Thankfully, no one needs a public pool in a desert during a time of high unemployment). That is just the nature of following a sport, nothing wrong or evil about it.<br /><br />However, it does seem crazy how few in Canada have really gone to lengths to explain how the Duel in the Desert, so-called, was more than Gary Bettman and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bill Daly</span> delivering a big screw-you to Jim Balsillie. In the grand scheme, this only reaffirms Canadians' Pavlovian slavishness to the NHL. Hockey is a wonderful sport, perhaps the best of the team games, and the NHL is more appealing to watch that it has been at pretty much any point in the Bettman era.<br /><br />At the same time, to repeat <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Peter Gent</span>'s "every time I say it's a business you call it a game and every time I call it a game you say it's a business" corollary, let's have some clear eyes. At the end of the day, this league Canadians hold so near and dear is run by some not-too-nice people who are only to eager to be part of greater outrages. On a macro level, it does affect the competitive product.<br /><br />It was nice to speculate for a couple days when that one bid group for the Coyotes talked about playing games in Halifax or Saskatoon and having an AHL team in Thunder Bay. Maybe that was akin to<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> The Simpsons</span> episode when Monty Burns ran for governor: "They're like seals. Toss 'em a couple fish and watch 'em jump."<br /><br />Point being, smarten up. The next person who says Balsillie needs to learn to play by the NHL's rules should get two minutes for bein' stupid. (Outgoing Montreal Canadiens <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">George Gillett </span>actually accuse of him creating a "distraction" that caused the Habs' season to go downhill was a new low. (Mr. Gillett, I have with me a Mr. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jared Allen</span> who <a href="http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/110855-jared-allen-favres-deliberations-annoying">has debunked the myth athletes can be distracted</a>, and he's not above using physical force to make a point.)<br /><br />Rules? The NHL has but one that it honours, realizing its place as a pipsqueak in the lumbering dinosaur of the American economy, 2009. Balsille, to borrow a line from those Ford ads which have been playing all summer, might "pulled off a game-changer" by moving the Coyotes to Southern Ontario, but there were other interests to defend.<br /><br />Gary Bettman fits right in with the Boomer mentality where old-economy businesses hide that they are just going around in circles, slowly losing ground before realizing time has run out. The commish is a pipsqueak in the grand scheme of bankrupting America, but like any good CEO, he knows who he works for. That's why they pay him the big bucks.<br /><br />As previously stated, "It would be silly to use the league's idiotic business practices to justify non-interest in what happens on the ice." However, this has been an exercise in the NHL as usual. It has no rules and when you have no rules, you have less of a game.<br /><br />Related:<br /><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/balsillie-vows-to-press-on/article1235670/" target="_blank">Balsillie vows to press on; BlackBerry billionaire given rough ride by NHL's board of governors as bid for troubled Coyotes rejected</a> (Paul Waldie and David Shoalts, <i>Globe & Mail)</i><br /><a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/story-printer.html?id=1842506" target="_blank">NHL: Anybody but you, Balsillie</a> (Bruce Arthur, <i>National Post</i>)</span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-44975451518269010602011-02-12T12:06:00.003-05:002011-02-12T12:15:53.697-05:00The thinking fan's reaction to the Mike Fisher trade ...<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ON0l0KWgucc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Far be it to point out keeping <strong>Bryan Murray</strong> is a move down the slippery slope of not really rebuilding a la that other Ontario-based NHL team. Farther be it to feel vindicated that the same diehard Sennies fans blog that ripped yours truly for pointing out the obvious in 2009 <a href="http://fiveforsmiting.com/2010-articles/november/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-hits-redux.html" target="_blank">is no longer publishing</a> now that the team is contending to win the draft lottery (where Murray will talk himself out of drafting <strong>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</strong>). Funny how that worked out.outofleftfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483800070663314985noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-58098891547203486502011-01-30T12:57:00.002-05:002011-01-30T13:00:11.529-05:00Canada to become a nation of Gomers<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9efgLHgsBmM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Odd how a government that claims to be on the side of law and order wants to alter laws in a way that <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Citizen+arrests+carry+risks+experts/4192020/story.html">would lead to disorder</a>. This is what happens when you have a permanent minority government whose overarching principle is, "What's the worse that can happen?"sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-83042630313287110452011-01-14T01:30:00.010-05:002011-01-14T02:07:19.882-05:00You'll be hearing me talk ... face for radio, body for sin<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NNKD3IjazNs/TS_vy50055I/AAAAAAAAA60/Y1wvjG_f0QM/s1600/n538855926_1200478_3304.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561927722620741522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NNKD3IjazNs/TS_vy50055I/AAAAAAAAA60/Y1wvjG_f0QM/s200/n538855926_1200478_3304.jpg" /></a>Everyone's heard about Ted Williams, that homeless man with the golden voice. It might interest you to know Friday's Carleton-Queen's basketball doubleheader will be called by someone who is typically as dishevelled as Williams was when he was discovered — but minus the golden voice.<br /><br />Yep, yours truly will be doing play-by-play for all four games at the Queen's Centre this weekend, on the radio live for <a href="http://cfrc.ca/blog/">CFRC 101.9</a> for the Ravens-Gaels games Friday and for TV Cogeco Kingston's tape-delayed broadcast of the Queen's Saturday games vs. the Ottawa Gee-Gees.<br /><br />Short story even shorter, purely by happenstance, Will Cunningham, the station's sports director and a promising young broadcaster in his own right, needed a play-by-play announcer for a couple games in January.<br /><br />It seemed like something to do on a lark, just to see if I could pull it off. My experience broadcasting hoops has all been on the colour-commentary end, including working with National Post reporter Mark Masters during the CIS Final 8 in 2009 and '10.<br /><br />In terms of play-by-play, all I've got is about a half-dozen hockey telecasts a half-decade ago for Cable 5 in Simcoe, along with three quarters of Queen's football play-by-play more than a decade ago. (That was during Queen's 1-7 season in 2000; there were a couple games in which the two regulars just couldn't take it anymore; as one of them put it during a 60-point loss to Laurier, "Both teams have put in their backups, so we're putting in our backup.") <br /><br />So please listen — and be kind.<br /><br />Also, yours truly will be on News 570 in Kitchener around 10 a.m. ET Friday to talk about the Kayla Watkins <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/920859--should-hockey-dad-be-ashamed-after-girl-s-humiliating-departure?bn=1">story</a>. (Watkins is the 12-year-old Toronto youth hockey player who quit her peewee rep team after another parent drafted a contract to limit her ice time.) That's right; promote the appearance on a campus station, downplay the one on a major talk radio station.sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-36947258791878227082011-01-04T03:41:00.000-05:002011-01-04T19:00:40.139-05:00Blog blast past: The annual Tim Raines rant ...<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Robbie Alomar should take his rightful place in Cooperstown on Wednesday when the Baseball Hall of Fame vote is announced. What of another table-setting switch-hitter who played in Canada? From Jan. 5, 2010 ... apologies to the people mentioned by name. The meds are doing their job, thank you for asking!</span><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></span><br /><a href="http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/01/04/hall-of-fame-arguments/">Seeing as</a>, "Numbers can be presented so many ways, folded into so many origami shapes," so it's understandable a baseball writer might twist it around after being bombarded with an "avalanche of numbers" during the lead-up to Wednesday's Baseball Hall of Fame election results. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jeremy Sandler </span>should get the BBWAA honour for being <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/story-printer.html?id=2409691">a wee bit off-base</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>"The obsession over numbers 'proving' Hall of Fame worthiness also leads to inauthentic comparisons. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tony Gwynn</span> was a first-ballot selection with a .388 on-base percentage, 1,383 runs and 319 steals. Thus, one could argue <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tim Raines </span>should not be languishing with 22% support with his .385 OBP, 1,571 runs and 808 stolen bases."<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">(Two paragraphs later)</span><br /><br />"Every player needs to be evaluated on his own merits against the best players of his era and of all time. To do this, numbers will tell part of the story, but will never tell the whole story."</blockquote>Did anyone else see that? It seems as if (and please don't read this as a personal attack, it just happens to be one article that came to attention) the argument is for wanting to one day live in a world where we rate each ballplayer against the best players of his era, but without making "inauthentic comparisons" such as one between Tim Raines and Tony Gwynn. You should just be able to find "what lies beyond what the mere calculations can show."<br /><br />From the department of, "yeah ... no," you cannot compare Raines to Gwynn just because one was a National League outfielder born in 1959 and the other was a National League outfielder born in 1960, a whole eight months apart! You may not compare a player who was a MLB regular from 1981-98 with someone who was a regular from 1984-99 just because they each:<br /><ol><li>Played a corner outfield spot and some centrefield;</li><li>Spent their peak years in the NL at about the same time (1983-87 for Raines, '84-89 for Gwynn);</li><li>Usually batted in a similar place in the lineup (91% of Gwynn's career plate appearances and 90% of Raines' were hitting first, second or third);</li><li>Hit similarly well in the leadoff spot (Gwynn OPSed .823, Raines OPSed .813)</li><li>Hit similarly well in the 3-hole (Gwynn OPSed .860, Raines .856)<br /></li><li>Had similar short-and-squat builds (Raines was listed at 5-foot-8, 178 lbs.; Gwynn, 5-11, 199);</li><li>Batted from the left side (Raines was a switch-hitter);</li><li>Had a son of the same name make the major leagues;</li><li>Had a son of the same name make the major leagues as an outfielder;</li><li>Went into coaching after retiring as a player. Yep, totally inauthentic.<br /></li></ol><span id="fullpost">This is half about a fondly remembered former Expo getting his due (<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hall-not-such-an-exclusive-club-any-more/article1420425/" target="_blank">Jeff Blair</a>: "... the lack of support for Raines is embarrassing") and half about media types who, present company included, get uber-defensive whenever something complex crops up. It is understandable. Some people don't like trying out new ways of seeing. Some cannot wait to see what's next.<br /><br />Staying barely on-point, the argument is not that Tim Raines was better than Tony Gwynn.<br /><br />The point is that they had contemporary careers where they each fulfilled the same role about equally well. Except Gwynn was not just a first-ballot inductee, as Sandler describes it, he was elected with 97.6% support three years ago. If you picture the Baseball Hall of Fame as the trendy new nightspot, Gwynn was let inside the velvet rope post-haste. Raines is standing out in the cold while the doorman pretends to scan a clipboard. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Raines ... Raines ... Raines ... don't see it.</span><br /><br />As <b>Joe Posnanski</b>, whom Sandler cites in his column without even a hint of irony, <a href="http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/01/04/hall-of-fame-arguments/">noted</a>,<blokckquote>" ... there are only 26 players in baseball history who have received 90% of the vote, and that list does NOT include: <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Frank Robinson</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Joe DiMaggio</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Al Kaline</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mickey Mantle</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sandy Koufax</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Yogi Berra</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bob Gibson</span>, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Walter Johnson</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Warren Spahn</span>."<br /><br />Gwynn had the high batting average and the 200-hit seasons (a hitting feat you know is vital since <b>Barry Bonds</b>, <b>Babe Ruth</b> and <b>Ted Williams</b> accomplished it a combined <i>never</i>). Raines had the bases on balls, sick stolen-base success rate and scored more runs. Same aims, different means.<br /><br />Raines' argument is not airtight; no one's is. However, the same out clauses that are applied to him have been overlooked for other players. For instance, one <a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Headlines/sptBASE01010610.htm">sympathetic sportswriter</a> said of Raines, "Should get more votes than he does, but unfortunately his peak years were mostly spent on mediocre teams." Raines' teams finished above .500 in 12 of his 15 seasons as a regular, compared to 8-of-16 for Gwynn. For pity's sake, <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ryne Sandberg</span> played on only three winning teams in his whole career. No one ever mentioned that when he was on the ballot, since he played for the Chicago Cubs and was a clean-cut white guy.<br /><br />Anyway, the song remains the same with Tim Raines. He received 24.3% support in 2008, 22.6 in 2009. <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Billy Williams</span>, the 1960s and '70s Chicago Cubs outfielder, received similar support (23.4%) in his first go-around in 1982 and was elected five years later. For some reason, he kept gaining about 10% each year. It has not happened for Raines. It needs to this year or next.<br /><br />The second part of this is feeling personally frustrated at working in the media and being surrounded by people who are rigid when fluidity is needed, especially when people can call BS so conveniently. It is disappointing to hear Jeff Blair, who is always a great read, say he "will not vote for a player on subsequent ballots if I didn't vote for him on the first."<br /><br />There are issues with how some ballplayers have crept up to around 20% support to eventually getting the necessary 75% (<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Jim Rice</span> was a classic example), but come on, Jeff. What, no one should ever re-evaluate their critical opinion, especially if new shit has come to light, man? In other fields, academe, film and literary criticism, people change their minds <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">all the time</span>. They decide they liked a book or movie, or that they hated it. about a book or movie they didn't like the first time around. It's called being human.<br /><br />Getting back to baseball, you have to be careful not to beat people over the head with sabremetrics. It has found its rightful place. It is just a gas to see poor Jeremy Sandler projecting that he's threatened. Sorry to come off like a graduate of the Harry Neale School of Knowing What Everyone Is Thinking, but here is a grown man who says, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"People do not live and die with their favourite players because of mathematical formulae. Adjusted ERA or VORP never made a kid put a poster on his wall." </span>One, as if that proves anything and two, did anyone argue that we should hang our arses on trying to see the world through a child's eyes?<br /><br />Yeah, when you were a kid, you were drawn to specific ballplayers for all sorts of reasons, but no one voted to put <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">George Bell</span> into the Hall of Fame because he had an awesome Jheri-curl and once tried to do a flying karate kick on a Boston Red Sox pitcher named <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bruce Kison</span>.<br /><br />You grew up, kind of, and you learned to use your mind, instead of losing it when faced with complexity.<br /><br />Enjoy election day. Please keep an eye on <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/05/SP931BE0BB.DTL">how big a leap</a> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mark McGwire</span> takes. By 2 p.m., <b>Roberto Alomar</b> should be a Hall of Famer. Sweet.</blokckquote></span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-9044570588823701352010-12-18T22:24:00.000-05:002010-12-18T23:00:34.438-05:00Blog blast past: "It's a white man's game"; an examination of racism in minor hockey in Canada<i>No doubt you heard the awful story about <b>Greg Walsh</b>, the house league hockey coach whom the Ontario Minor Hockey Association <a href="http://www.thestar.com/printarticle/908540" target="_blank">suspended for the entire season</a> after his team forfeited a game in which one of his players, <b>Andrew McCullum</b>, was subject to racist abuse. It is embarrassing, speaking as a Canadian who covers hockey, loves hockey and played in the OMHA (1983-96). </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Perhaps it's all of a piece with some larger virulence which is going unchecked (<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/don-cherry-its-loony-right-night-in-canada-brought-to-you-by-the-cbc/article1827207/">particularly on CBC each Saturday night</a>). Either way, this July 14, 2008 post from <b>Duane Rollins</b> (actually, a repost of a newspaper article Duane wrote in '07) showed minor hockey officials in Ontario are resistant to even broach racism. Their attitude hands-off indifference at best and at worst it's enabling by labelling it as quote, unquote "part of the game."<br /><br />There are always going to be idiots in the world and the best remedy is to call it out. Greg Walsh acted correctly. Cue Rollins, from two years ago:</i><i> </i></div><div><br /><br /><span id="fullpost">Normally, driving home from a hockey game is a chance for Denis Commanda to catch up with his son Theorem. An energetic and athletic boy, Theorem is usually a chatterbox during his and Denis' long drives back to their West Nipissing home.<br /><br />"He'd want to talk about the game," Denis said. "Everything about it. We'd usually talk about everything."<br /><br />However, the drive back from Theorem’s March 20 game against a North Bay team was different. On that day, instead of the sound of an excited teenager filling the air, there was silence.<br /><br />Denis says he wasn't talking that day because he was too angry. He suspects that Theorem was too sad.<br /><br />Both father and son were responding to an incident that occurred about midway through the third period of the game. It wasn't something that would have been obvious to most of the people watching the game.<br /><br /></span><div><span id="fullpost">Actually, only a select few people were likely aware that anything had happened at all.<br /><br />What happened was this: Theorem and the opposing goaltender became involved in a discussion. The North Bay player became angry and responded by directing a racial slur at Theorem.<br /><br />He called him a "bush nigger," referring to Theorem’s Aboriginal heritage. It was the second time this season that Theorem’s team, which has five Aboriginal players, had experienced racism while playing the North Bay team.<br /><br />In many ways, Denis says that he shouldn't be surprised that these incidents took place. After all, being called a wagon burner, or worse, was a nightly experience for him when he played junior hockey in the '70s. Back then, he dealt with the slurs the way that you would expect a junior hockey player in the '70s to do so -- with his fists.<br /><br />However, he says that the times have changed. Or, at least they should have.<br /><br />"I thought we evolved, you know," he said. "I don't think we should have to deal with that type of thing anymore. It discourages the kids."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not isolated</span><br /><br />Incidents like the Commandos experienced aren’t isolated to Northern Ontario. In March, several Six Nations players and fans say they had to deal with similar things during two separate playoff series with the Eastern Ontario town of Campbellford.</span></div><div><span id="fullpost"><br /></span></div><div><span id="fullpost"><i>(Campbellford, eh? -- Ed.)<br /></i><br />During the Ontario Minor Hockey Association all-Ontario midget CC semi-final, the Six Nations players say they were subjected to racial slurs from fans located immediately above the player’s bench. Six Nations players say they had beer poured on them from the crowd while the slurs were being shouted.<br /><br />In a video of the game taken by a Six Nations fan, there is clear evidence of a young man pulling a silver can from his pants while standing above the Six Nations bench. However, you cannot understand what the fans are saying in the video.<br /><br />Players and fans of the Six Nations bantam team say they had a similar experience during their OMHA final series with Campbellford.<br /><br />And while covering the final game of that series, I witnessed behaviour of some Campbellford fans that was, if not racist, then certainly distrustful of Six Nations’ people.<br /><br />Unaware of my affiliation with an Aboriginal publication, a Campbellford fan approached me prior to the game to offer a bit of advice.<br /><br />“Watch yourself,” the woman dressed in the Campbellford team colours of black and gold said. “They will spit in your (food) from above.<br /><br />“Be careful,” she added ominously.<br /><br />Later, while shooting photographs in the penalty box, I heard a penalized Campbellford player say, “Stupid Indians. I fucking hate them.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not a new thing</span><br /><br />It's not a new thing, of course. Aboriginals have dealt with racial slurs for as long as they have playing hockey. The unspoken code amongst Native players is that there are two acceptable ways to deal with it -- beat 'em on the scoreboard, or just beat 'em up.<br /><br />"It's a white man's game," former Boston Bruins tough guy Stan Jonathan, a Six Nations native, said. "They would call me a wahoo and a wagon burner and all sorts of things. You just have to learn to take care of yourself if you want to be successful."<br /><br />Taking care of himself was something that Jonathan never had difficulty with. In just over six full NHL seasons, he spent the equivalent of 12 and a half games in the penalty box. He added 91 goals, including 27 in 1977-78, but it was his toughness that Jonathan was best known for.<br /><br />In that he was typical of Aboriginal players. Although there have been exceptions, the normal way a Native player makes it to the NHL is with his fists. There is a long history of Aboriginal enforcers in the NHL, from Jonathan to Bob Probert to current-day players like Jonathan Tootoo and Chris Simon.<br /><br />That toughness is a source of pride amongst many Native hockey fans and players. And it speaks to an overall code of behaviour that has ruled hockey for generations.<br /><br />If you are wronged, you take care of it yourself, the code says. You do not look for outsiders to fight you battles. Outsiders are not to be trusted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don’t want to hear it.</span><br /><br />A cheerful voice answered the phone when I called the head office of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association March 30.<br /><br />"Good morning, NOHA. How can I help you?"<br /><br />"I'm calling from an Aboriginal publication in Southern Ontario. I have a letter that was," I said before the voice cut me off.<br /><br />"I know what you are calling about and I don't want to hear any more," it says, more serious now. "I'll take your name and number and pass it on."<br /><br />"I don't want to hear any more." It was a common response to my requests.<br /><br />Three calls to Hockey Canada -- none returned.<br /><br />Calls to several minor hockey officials throughout the province -- none returned.<br /><br />A call to the coach of the player involved in the act of racism directed towards Theorem Commanda--not returned.<br /><br />Additionally, no one from Campbellford was willing to talk. Actually, the town’s minor hockey vice president, Fred Todd, indicated that it was the position of the organization that the OMHA would speak for them.<br /><br />“I have nothing to say,” he said in March 2007. “Talk to the president of the OMHA. What he says is our position.”<br /><br />And the NOHA never did get back to me.<br /><br />Denis says the reluctance to talk should be expected. Canadians, whether they are involved in hockey or not, have a tendency to view themselves as “nice,” he says. And nice people don’t make racial slurs.<br /><br />“They don’t want to deal with it,” Denis said. “But, they need to. I want to make sure that they do.”<br /><br />OMHA executive director Richard Ropchan was the only hockey official to respond to a request to be interviewed. He indicated that the OMHA did not typically get involved in specific hockey games or series. However, the game officials do have the authority to call a game if they feel that the players’ safety is in jeopardy.<br /><br />Local officials can also step in if things become problematic, Ropchan said.<br /><br />In the Campbellford-Six Nations midget series the OMHA took the “unusual” step of sending an observer to the games, Ropchan said. He said that the observer was happy with what he saw during the series.<br /><br />“Both teams and fans appeared to get along,” he said.<br /><br />When asked if the OMHA had ever considered requiring racial sensitivity training for its members, Ropchan seemed to be taken aback. It appeared that it was something that he had not considered before.<br /><br />“We don’t really have anything like that,” he said.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It should be about the game</span><br /><br />Ultimately, that’s the type of thing that Denis would like to see. Having played hockey at a high level, he says he understands that sometimes emotions get the better of people. However, if they have a better understanding of where someone is coming from, it’s less likely that they will cross a line, he suggests.<br /><br />“We just want a chance to talk to the (North Bay) team,” he said. “We want to teach them a bit about our culture.”<br /><br />The North Bay player that made the slur was asked by his coach to apologize to Theorem after the incident. He did so, and, although Denis says that he is happy that he did, he suggests that it isn’t nearly enough.<br /><br />“The longer it went, the angrier I got,” he says. “The more I wanted to fight it.”<br /><br />In a formal complaint to the NOHA, Denis has asked that the player make a written apology and that the coach, managers, trainers and players of the North Bay team, as well as representatives of the NOHA, have an Aboriginal speaker address them. The speaker would talk about the value of multiethnic cultures and about how destructive racial slurs can be.<br /><br />Denis also asked that the North Bay player be monitored moving forward.<br /><br />As someone that loves the game, Denis says it would be the right move for the NOHA to make.<br /><br />“These kids were picked for the team based on their skills and abilities as hockey players,” he said. “At no time did their racial background come into play. That’s the way it should be.”<br /><br />Denis made the complaint to the NOHA on March 2. He’s still waiting to hear back.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: The last time I touched base — about July 2007 —the NOHA had still not resolved the complaint.</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-17263062439710005162010-12-08T14:04:00.000-05:002010-12-08T14:04:37.804-05:00Guess which one really did think he was bigger than JesusEveryone is doing a<b> John Lennon</b> tribute today; here's his classic <i>Monday Night Football</i> interview with <b>Howard Cosell</b>.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ds82Id_GMe8?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-89289720857633884692010-12-08T10:36:00.011-05:002010-12-08T20:39:26.792-05:00Modern technology won't make you Ice-T; to quote a true working-class hero, you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NNKD3IjazNs/TP-1OsqDx3I/AAAAAAAAA6o/4JrUlmEVM6A/s1600/whiteandpurple%2B%25281%2529_opt.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NNKD3IjazNs/TP-1OsqDx3I/AAAAAAAAA6o/4JrUlmEVM6A/s320/whiteandpurple%2B%25281%2529_opt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548352530054104946" /></a>The only way poseurs can offend is with their obscene lack of self-awareness.<div><br /></div><div>The last thing anyone from the over-30 set who grew up on <b>P.E. </b>and <b>NWA</b> wants is to get in a twist over some wannabes. The second-last is to give said wannabes who feel it is high-larious to record a rap video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4cDEwhVWJY">with a chorus that includes</a> "Fuck Queen's" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YVParcOe2U">or a gay slur</a> any undue publicity. </div><div><br /></div><div>Granted, you could point out the University of Western Ontario students shot part of their video in TD Waterhouse Stadium and thus would have had to get permission from school officials. Never mind that connotes giving tacit approval to insulting another Ontario university, the <a href="http://oua.ca.ismmedia.com/ISM2//Documents/OUA%20Code%20of%20Conduct_August2008.pdf">OUA Code of Conduct be damned</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YVParcOe2U">The copycat response</a> from University of Guelph students is probably worse, what with its what-grade-are-you-in homophobia.<i> ("You would have thought I had fangs / Take the 'n' out and you just described the Mustangs" / " ... and Queen's, fuck you too / fuck you fuck you fuck you.")</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing a bunch of spoiled brats degrade a musical genre and insult the university two of my family members — my educator mother and engineer sister — attended is blood-boiling. You just know it's a matter of when until someone from Queen's will retaliate, even though some might argue the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3uM157JH9Q">video response was posted 10 months ahead of time</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A little dollar-store cultural anthropology, kids: the great hip-hop came from a place of being an outsider, feeling excluded, be it due to race, class or intellectual sensibility. Those threads run through the rhymes of<b> Ice-T</b>,<b> Chuck D </b>or<b> Eminem</b>. Perhaps that's why the former two struck such a nerve two decades ago with teenaged white boys. It was also evident in the later work of that working-class hero who left us 30 years ago today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now you have these ciphers, who can quote the lines but have learned none of the meaning, mimicking it to validate their snobby, cliquey superiority. This is what the generation which is going to have to save the world, along with Xers, is wasting its time on? They want to do that, fine, but it's not exactly inspiring.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every generation is entitled to a few years — or decades, in Boomers' case — of look-at-me preening. So it goes. Hopefully, millennials' gift of sharing its self-involvement so quickly and thoroughly will help them get it out of their systems relatively quickly.</div><span id="fullpost"><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps this is a live-and-let-live deal, it is protected speech, but it is fair to ask what it means. After all, OUA schools have taken a hard line with bad behaviour when it's convenient. In 2009, Guelph suspended senior quarterback <b>Justin Dunk</b> for one game for swearing on live television during a game against Western. How could what Dunk did, off the cuff during a game, be punishable while using the Gryphons logo in a rap that promotes homophobia is okay? Talk about arbitrary rule.</div><div><br /></div><div>I saw this a few weeks ago but withheld comment. My student days are long, long past. There is enough burden involved with getting a degree, especially with runaway student debt<br /><br />However, even as recently as the late 1990s, there was still this notion that post-secondary education was as much about cultivating some semblance of character and couth, not just the degree. Those qualities count for more in this life than any numbers on a transcript, especially when studies show a lot of those numbers are generated by academic fraud.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bright side is most people have to learn this eventually. Some will make it tougher on themselves than others.</div></span>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-79140771662712508242010-12-04T13:42:00.002-05:002010-12-04T13:44:32.308-05:00Latest on Brock LesnarIt’s amazing how since his loss against Cain Velasquez at UFC 121, much of the discussion has been about Brock’s next move and not Cain’s.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><span id="fullpost">Since the one round beat down by the hands of Cain, Brock has been rumoured to <br /><br />A) Wrestle in the WWE<br /><br />B) Have a 3rd encounter with Frank Mir<br /><br />C) Fight “Big Country” Roy Nelson, who recently had his bout with Shane Carwin scrapped after the latter pulled out with an injury.<br /><br /><br />Well, UFC boss Dana White has said that Lesnar isn’t going to the WWE, and it doesn’t look like he wants a Lesnar-Nelson fight to happen. Lesnar, and many other fans, don’t seem to be too interested in a third fight with Mir, even though that is the fight that would generate the most dough and PPV buys.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Shane Carwin is still sidelined with a back injury so he’s out as the next opponent for Brock (unless they fight in the spring). Going further down the list of available opponents after Mir and Nelson is Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira who’s definitely a stiff test for Brock and also Ben Rothwell.<br /><br /> <br /><br />If the UFC wants Lesnar to stick around for a while though (and earn some major moolah and PPV buys), they need to develop him and match him perfectly so he can improve. If not, he may have one of the quickest downward spirals in MMA history. <br /><br /> <br /><br />The reality is though, whatever Lesnar’s next move is, and whenever he announces it, many people will be listening closely. He’s still one of the most popular UFC fighters there is, and he can bring in all sorts of fans.<br /><br /> <br /><br />And as far as the question of, “Is Lesnar’s mystique gone?” - or anything along those lines – the answer? Far from it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Brock has lost twice in the UFC but that’s not that strange for an MMA fighter. No fighter that Brock has fought in the UFC so far has been scared of him. People know what he brings to the table and he’s definitely beatable. He was beaten by Mir in the first fight, was hurt against Carwin and Velasquez but his wrestling skills are outstanding as are his ground and pound.<br /><br /> <br /><br />He’s still a top UFC contender, an entertaining fighter, and if matched perfectly, could be a big money maker for the UFC for many fights to come.<br /><br /> <br /><br />If he can win enough that the UFC can sell him as a credible opponent, then their job is done.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-59891759517822941312010-11-28T22:38:00.003-05:002010-11-29T00:00:34.676-05:00It's a big building with patients, but that's not so important right now<b>Leslie Nielsen</b> has left this mortal coil where a lot of people are humming the<span style="font-style:italic;"> Naked Gun</span> theme tonight. <span style="font-style:italic;">Requiescat en pace</span>.<br /><br /><i>"I'm a locksmith and I'm a locksmith."<br /></i><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pRva7z8pvwc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pRva7z8pvwc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><i>"Give me the strongest thing you've got."</i><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rKWoI6ivRyw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rKWoI6ivRyw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><i>"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."<br /></i><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SzE0YhcHhqs?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SzE0YhcHhqs?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />" ... and where the hell was I?"<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGx5JUp_i-A?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PGx5JUp_i-A?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-65591030585243465772010-11-25T05:29:00.000-05:002010-11-25T05:29:00.483-05:00Enjoy the turturkeykey and your football with that milquetoast fair catchA happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. You might not have invented insulin, instant replay, standard time, caulking guns or the BlackBerry, but you did perfect the three-camera sitcom.<br /><br /><embed allowscriptaccess="never" src="http://sa.kewego.com/swf/p3/epix.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="language_code=it&playerKey=5a97cfb5a98b&skinKey=71703ed5cea1&sig=iLyROoafYtDe&autostart=false&allowfullscreen=" wmode="transparent" height="415" width="480"></embed> <div style="font-size:0.9em;"><br /> <a href="http://vodpod.com/watch/2583965-wkrp-turkey-drop">WKRP Turkey Drop</a><br />- Watch more <a href="http://vodpod.com/">Videos</a> at Vodpod.</div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-9263633989680702712010-11-20T16:56:00.006-05:002010-11-29T01:31:43.360-05:00Close only counts in horseshoes, not for purple poniesDedicated to<b> Greg Marshall</b> and the Western Mustangs, for the third consecutive year.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jsaTElBljOE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jsaTElBljOE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Remember, kids, it is OK to be an opportunistic jerk if you admit your jerkiness. It is also OK if you likened <b>Donnie Marshall</b> to <b>Rex Grossman</b> during a radio hit before the Western QB's four-interception day against Laval. (It's in Kinger's archive from last Thursday.)<div><br /></div><div>Nine of 19 for 61 yards with four picks and a 15-yard sack, what's that in adjusted net yards per pass? Minus-6.7 yards. Really. </div>sagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.com15