Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
University of Illinois reliever Jake Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball’s 10 Pitchers You Should Know list. Of Toohey, BTH says: Toohey is one of the conference’s best closers. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten in saves in ’06. The Illini righthander had a very strong summer in the Northwoods League and probably should … Continue reading “Illini Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball list”
University of Illinois reliever Jake Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball’s 10 Pitchers You Should Know list.
Of Toohey, BTH says:
Toohey is one of the conference’s best closers. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten in saves in ’06. The Illini righthander had a very strong summer in the Northwoods League and probably should have been added to the Stopper of the Year pre-season
watch list.
It’s no surprise that the list is otherwise dominated by Wolverines and Buckeyes.
Bill Mazeroski was on hand at Pirate City to give Freddy Sanchez some tips on handling the ball. Who better than Maz who was a fair to middlin’ secondbaseman in his day? “When you watch film of Maz, you can’t see the transfer,” Sanchez said. “It’s like … nothing.” “Freddy can be a fine second … Continue reading “Maz giving tips, not cheering for Bonds”
Bill Mazeroski was on hand at Pirate City to give Freddy Sanchez some tips on handling the ball. Who better than Maz who was a fair to middlin’ secondbaseman in his day?
“When you watch film of Maz, you can’t see the transfer,” Sanchez said. “It’s like … nothing.”
“Freddy can be a fine second baseman,” Mazeroski said.
While some (including Commissioner Bud Selig) are side-stepping the Barry Bonds/homerun record issue, Maz was unabashed about the whole thing.
“I hope it doesn’t happen,” he said. “It’s just the steroids issue and all that stuff. I’d like to see Hank keep the record.”
It’s nice when some people, despite what you think about their opinions, aren’t afraid to speak their minds.
This is for all you beer drinkers out there (not much of a drinker myself). For those too lazy to get up to get your own brew, I present the Beer Launching Fridge. You have to see it in action to appreciate it. This thing is remote contolled (obviously, otherwise would defeat the purpose). And … Continue reading “The Beer Launching Fridge”
This is for all you beer drinkers out there (not much of a drinker myself). For those too lazy to get up to get your own brew, I present the Beer Launching Fridge. You have to see it in action to appreciate it.
This thing is remote contolled (obviously, otherwise would defeat the purpose). And did you see the accuracy on this thing? The video claims he did this on one take!
Very impressive.
I’ve heard that a man’s laziness factor equals the amount of work he tries to avoid minus the amount of work he does to avoid it. That said, the designer of this contraption has a great future ahead of him being lazy.
Chuck and I host this week. Afterwards, Chuck said that hosting Baseball Zealot Radio is just like our APBA weekends except we’re not rolling dice. To be honest, that’s exactly what I had in mind when I conceived the idea for BZR. When we get together to play APBA, we inevitably get into discussions about … Continue reading “Baseball Zealot Radio- Show #11”
Chuck and I host this week. Afterwards, Chuck said that hosting Baseball Zealot Radio is just like our APBA weekends except we’re not rolling dice. To be honest, that’s exactly what I had in mind when I conceived the idea for BZR.
When we get together to play APBA, we inevitably get into discussions about baseball whether it be current hot stove action or the playoff race (depending on the time of year) or reminiscing about the “good old days”. Of course, depending who was talking and how old they were, we could be talking about different eras. We were a fount of baseball knowledge, we usually knew what we were talking about and the converstions were sometimes animated.
Regardless, we always talked baseball and that was my inspiration for Baseball Zealot Radio.
Check out this week’s show. We run the gamut of Spring Training topic but focus on Cubs and Sox plus we hit on the Veterans Committee HOF announcement on Tuesday.
Bobby Abreu has a strained oblique muscle and will be out for 2-3 weeks. Call it a blessing or a curse. The good news is that he will be back for opening day. Whether or not he will actually be ready is another question. Abreu joins Kris Benson, Carl Pavano and Corey Koskie who have … Continue reading “Abreu joins list of injured”
Bobby Abreu has a strained oblique muscle and will be out for 2-3 weeks.
Call it a blessing or a curse. The good news is that he will be back for opening day. Whether or not he will actually be ready is another question.
Abreu joins Kris Benson, Carl Pavano and Corey Koskie who have already suffered injuries this year. Koskie’s injury was carried over from last year but he is suffering from post-concussion syndrome.
Sometimes I never know if Piniella is joking with the media or if it’s just old age settling in. Asked about the “controversy” last spring when Ozzie Guillen didn’t want to finish a game with the Cubs because of a lack of arms in the pen and the chance to play them this year: “I … Continue reading “Lou Piniella: It’s a Cubs thing”
Sometimes I never know if Piniella is joking with the media or if it’s just old age settling in.
Asked about the “controversy” last spring when Ozzie Guillen didn’t want to finish a game with the Cubs because of a lack of arms in the pen and the chance to play them this year:
“I better circle that game on the calendar,” he said, turning around in his office chair to look at the schedule. “I didn’t know. Oh, there they are–the White Sox. On the 4th (of March), on a Sunday. How about that one? You guys aren’t kidding me?”
Piniella was assured the exhibition-game tie caused a huge ruckus.
“Where’s Rothschild?” he shouted in reference to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. “We’d better get our rotation in order.”
Better get him a clapper, too. For the bullpen.
The University of Illinois baseball team are two games into a three-game set with the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Do you want the good news or bad news first? Last night, I logged into Gametracker just as the game was entering the ninth inning. The Illini were down 13-0. For those scoring at home, that … Continue reading “Illini Baseball: There’s a silver lining here somewhere”
The University of Illinois baseball team are two games into a three-game set with the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Do you want the good news or bad news first?
Last night, I logged into Gametracker just as the game was entering the ninth inning. The Illini were down 13-0. For those scoring at home, that would be the bad news.
The good news: The Illini have outscored the Cajuns since that point.
Unfortunately, the final result is two losses. I have to hand it to the Illini for bucking up and scoring 5 runs in the ninth inning last night and at least making it look respectable. It was a loss but I bet deep down that 5 run rally gave the Illini players a bit of a boost.
Sure enough, today’s game was much closer. Actually, the Illini were ahead for much of the game but they just couldn’t hold on and lost 7-6.
With the blowout score on Friday night, Coach Hartleb saw fit to give some of his freshman some experience. Catcher Joe Mercurio responded with a double and a run. Craig Lutes got a hit and a rbi.
By the way, it seems Mike Rohde is now the firstbaseman taking over for graduating Dave Schultz. Brandon Wikoff got the nod at third (where Rohde played last year) for both games.
Update: The Illini lost the third game 10-7 to give the Ragin’ Cajuns the sweep for the weekend. The Cajuns scored five against Ben Reeser in the first and the Illini never recovered.
Former Cubs owner P. K. Wrigley On March 2, the Veterans Committee will announce the results of their balloting for selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Most Cub fans (as well as many baseball fans in general) will be hoping Ron Santo will hear good news on that day. Lesser known is that former … Continue reading “Wrigley gets a shot at Hall”
Former Cubs owner P. K. Wrigley
On March 2, the Veterans Committee will announce the results of their balloting for selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Most Cub fans (as well as many baseball fans in general) will be hoping Ron Santo will hear good news on that day.
Lesser known is that former Cubs owner P. K. Wrigley is on the ballot as well. His credentials are maybe less worthy.
But what struck me about this MLB.com article, was this paragraph:
Wrigley also instituted a “college of coaches,” which eventually developed into the modern-day type of coaching staff. The specialization of coaches is somewhat taken for granted today, but Wrigley’s innovation abolished the traditional field management structure that had dominated the game for years.
I’m not from that era so maybe I’m off base but I’ve never heard that analogy drawn before. Can anyone out there confirm or deny that the College of Coaches led to or influenced the development of the modern-day coaching staff?
All I’ve heard was that the COC was a big disaster and was eventually discarded after a couple years of sub-par (i.e cellar dwelling) performances.
Back to Wrigley, does anyone out there want to make an argument for his induction? MLB.com’s article doesn’t tout him too well. I think even I could spin Wrigley better. The first I would do is NOT bring up the College of Coaches.
And bobbleheads?
As we head into the college baseball season, Big Ten Hardball has been busy previewing the Big Ten teams. Today it was Illinois’ turn. As an Illini fan, I’m biased, of course. So it was nice to see these words in the review: Illinois is my dark horse choice in the Big Ten. Coach Hartleb … Continue reading “Big Ten Hardball previews the Illini”
As we head into the college baseball season, Big Ten Hardball has been busy previewing the Big Ten teams. Today it was Illinois’ turn.
As an Illini fan, I’m biased, of course. So it was nice to see these words in the review:
Illinois is my dark horse choice in the Big Ten. Coach Hartleb returns a balanced ball club — they can run, hit, catch and pitch. I would certainly expect Illinois to qualify for the conference tournament. It will be difficult to overtake both Michigan and Ohio State, but if a couple of players step-up, Illinois might be in the running for the top spot overall.
I think this is spot on. The Wolverines and Buckeyes will not be easy to overtake (even Coach Hartleb alluded to this in his interview on our podcast). But given the chance and the motivation, it’s very possible.
Here are Big Ten Hardball’s previews for all the Big Ten teams
but I think it says good things for the 2007 season. The Cubs will grace the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.
but I think it says good things for the 2007 season.
The Cubs will grace the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.