Cuttin’ it Close with Zambrano

Piniella says “five” years for Zambrano Looks like Zambrano and the Cubs might just pull off a long term deal before the opening day deadline. The deal is said to be for 5 years. Salary figures are yet unknown but rumored to be sub-Zito ($18m/year). I have a bet with BZR co-host Cluke that a … Continue reading “Cuttin’ it Close with Zambrano”

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Piniella says “five” years for Zambrano

Looks like Zambrano and the Cubs might just pull off a long term deal before the opening day deadline. The deal is said to be for 5 years. Salary figures are yet unknown but rumored to be sub-Zito ($18m/year).

I have a bet with BZR co-host Cluke that a deal would be reached before Opening Day. Looks like I’ll be getting a free diet soda next time I see him.

Update: The latest news is that Zam has extended the deadline to reach an agreement.

“Our discussions have progressed to a point where we are extending the deadline for an indefinite period of time,” Zambrano’s agent, Barry Praver, said on Sunday.

However, more details are out. It looks like 5 years and $80 million.

Not a bad Fantasy Team except…

Just for kicks, I put together this team. Not a bad one at first sight. But without thinking too hard, what do they have in common? Toby Hall- C Mark Teixeira- 1B Mark Grudzielanek- 2B Rafael Furcal- SS Freddy Sanchez- 3B Bobby Abreu- OF Mike Cameron- OF Jose Guillen- OF Chien-Ming Wang- SP Randy Johnson- … Continue reading “Not a bad Fantasy Team except…”

Just for kicks, I put together this team. Not a bad one at first sight. But without thinking too hard, what do they have in common?

  • Toby Hall- C
  • Mark Teixeira- 1B
  • Mark Grudzielanek- 2B
  • Rafael Furcal- SS
  • Freddy Sanchez- 3B
  • Bobby Abreu- OF
  • Mike Cameron- OF
  • Jose Guillen- OF
  • Chien-Ming Wang- SP
  • Randy Johnson- SP
  • Kenny Rogers- SP
  • Francisco Liriano- SP
  • Kerry Wood- RP
  • Luis Ayala- RP
  • Eric Gagne- RP

That’s right, they are all starting the season on the disabled list.

Time was, it wouldn’t be till another couple weeks before I would be lamenting the amount of injuries in pro baseball. Not anymore.

 

 

Pavano named Yanks’ Opening Day Starter

Two big surprises coming out of the Yankees’ camp. How many of you foresaw Carl Pavano pitching opening day for the Yanks? Not me. But with multiple injuries to the Yankee staff, he gets a shot. Unfortunately, his lovely girlfriend dumped him yesterday. Focus on the game, Carl. Love life comes second. Another surprise. Josh … Continue reading “Pavano named Yanks’ Opening Day Starter”

Two big surprises coming out of the Yankees’ camp. How many of you foresaw Carl Pavano pitching opening day for the Yanks? Not me. But with multiple injuries to the Yankee staff, he gets a shot. Unfortunately, his lovely girlfriend dumped him yesterday. Focus on the game, Carl.
Love life comes second.

Another surprise. Josh Phelps is slated at first base. I gave up on Phelps two years ago in my APBA league. I knew he had potential but ever since he graced the cover of Baseball Prospectus, he never really had it.

 

Davis wins Big Ten honor but Illini lose home opener

Ok, good news first. Canuck catcher Lars Davis took Big Ten Player of the Week last week. How good was he? Try 12 for 14 on for size. How about three homers and 5 rbis? Add to that that he threw out 2 baserunners and even stole a base of his own. By the end … Continue reading “Davis wins Big Ten honor but Illini lose home opener”

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Ok, good news first. Canuck catcher Lars Davis took Big Ten Player of the Week last week. How good was he? Try 12 for 14 on for size. How about three homers and 5 rbis? Add to that that he threw out 2 baserunners and even stole a base of his own.

By the end of the week, he was leading the Big Ten with a .492 batting average.

Davis’ hitting spree during the spring break trip came at an opportune time. Before the trip, the Illini had a 2-7 record. With Davis’ help, the Illini went on an offensive tear for the week scoring 67 runs in six games and winning 5 and only losing one. Their record after the week (I know, you can do the math), 7-8.

Tuesday was Illinois’ home opener against Indiana State. To say nothing went right would be wrong. After a rough first inning, Aaron Martin gave us a very solid start.

Unfortunately, the offense was not there at all. Indiana State shut out the team 4-0.

Looking for high points, I can tell you that Lars Davis extended his hit streak to nine games and Ryan Snowden went 3 for 4.

The Illini travel to Purdue for a 4-game set this weekend.

Trivia question: Who was the last Canadian-born Illinois catcher before Davis?

BZR chats with Larry Borowski of Viva El Birdos

The Baseball Zealot “think tank” is pretty eclectic. Among our group, our fandom represents a variety of teams. The Cubs, Sox, Pirates, Angels, and Yankees. But bein’s we’re based in downstate Illinois and we don’t have a good St Louis Cardinal rep, I figured we get an expert on Baseball Zealot Radio and give a … Continue reading “BZR chats with Larry Borowski of Viva El Birdos”

The Baseball Zealot “think tank” is pretty eclectic. Among our group, our fandom represents a variety of teams. The Cubs, Sox, Pirates, Angels, and Yankees. But bein’s we’re based in downstate Illinois and we don’t have a good St Louis Cardinal rep, I figured we get an expert on Baseball Zealot Radio and give a good rundown on the Cardinals. Larry Borowski of Viva El Birdos readily agreed…

… and did a fantastic job I might add. Larry covers the gamut from last year’s World Series to the Redbirds’ outlook for 2007.

We even talk about the Cubs. Go figger.

Anyway, I’d wish Larry good luck on his blog but I don’t think he needs it. This past week, Viva El Birdos was listed #5 in the Top Ten baseball blogs by Sports Media Challenge. Nice work!

You can download the latest episode from Baseball Zealot Radio’s website.

You can also listen to it via iTunes.

Raise the Roof! Shawn named to Coastal Plain League All-Decade Team

University of Illinois shortstop Shawn Roof received quite an honor this week from his summer college league. The Coastal Plain League named Roof to their All-Decade Team in celebration of their first 10 years in existence. Not a big deal? Well, take a look at some of the players sharing the honor with Roof. Other … Continue reading “Raise the Roof! Shawn named to Coastal Plain League All-Decade Team”

CPL AllDecade

University of Illinois shortstop Shawn Roof received quite an honor this week from his summer college league. The Coastal Plain League named Roof to their All-Decade Team in celebration of their first 10 years in existence.

Not a big deal? Well, take a look at some of the players sharing the honor with Roof. Other names on the CPL All-Decade Team include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Kevin Youkilis and Ty Wiggington. Nice bit o’ company.

Shawn Roof

Roof’s qualifications in the CPL:

Fayetteville SwampDogs, 2005-06
• In 2005, batted a team-best .315 with 47 hits, 24 runs scored, two doubles, 18 RBIs, 49 total bases, a .446 on-base percentage, and 15 stolen bases
• In 2006, batted .268 with 44 hits, 37 runs scored, a double, 19 RBIs, 45 total bases, a .406 on-base percentage, and a team-best 20 stolen bags
• Career .291 batting average with 61 runs scored, 37 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases overall
• Two-time CPL All-Star: starting second baseman of the American CPL All-Star team in 2005 and starting shortstop of the American CPL All-Star team in 2006

Last December, Shawn was kind enough to grant Baseball Zealot Radio an interview. You can hear it during the second half of our fifth show.

Congratulations Shawn!!

HOLEY SOX BATMAN!!!

Hawk Harrelson I know the real season hasn’t started yet, but I know bad when I see it and when I hear it. The Chicago White Sox are bad, or at least that’s the way they’ve been playing in preseason. Every team has its share of youngsters their trying to get a look at and … Continue reading “HOLEY SOX BATMAN!!!”

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Hawk Harrelson

I know the real season hasn’t started yet, but I know bad when I see it and when I hear it. The Chicago White Sox are bad, or at least that’s the way they’ve been playing in preseason. Every team has its share of youngsters their trying to get a look at and the veterans are working on things, so it’s hard to get a true evaluation. But thus far the White Sox have been getting their butts handed to them. I watched yesterday’s game between the Sox and the Diamondbacks after watching the Sox lose to the Angels in a previous contest, and it’s not even close.

And those two buffoons in the broadcast booth! Sheesh could they be any more homers than they are! I mean a White Sox hitter will strikeout and Hawk will comment, “Look at the rip he took” and then when an opposing hitter knocks one over the wall he’ll say, “The wind really got a hold of that one”. Well it’s not about the wind, the sun, the light desert air, the youngsters, the veterans, or anything else – it’s about results. I understand these games don’t count, except that they do count in that, they get the team ready for the regular season. And unless I’m missing something, this team is not ready.

Hawk defended Ozzie for playing Toby Hall at firstbase, where he tore his labrum, and will be lost for the season, saying, “Hall has played the position before and will be expected to play it during the season to spell Konerko from time-to-time”. Toby Hall played five innings at firstbase in 2005 and one inning at thirdbase in 2006, other than that, the only position he’s ever played in the majors has been catcher. He was a good catcher behind the plate and sported a .265 career batting average. He was going to be an important piece to this upcoming season before he played(?) firstbase.

Another thing about the Hawk! Does anybody out there other than the Hawk and his sidekick DJ (aka Charlie McCarthy) really believe catchers still call the game? Every major league game I’ve seen in recent memory, the catcher looks into the dugout before every pitch, getting the sign. It is so irritating to hear these two goofballs talk about flashing digits.

Trading Brandon McCarthy was one thing, but trading Freddy Garcia is another. Garcia was our #1 starter, our ACE! We gave him away for Gavin Floyd (the Barber) & Gio Gonzalez. Floyd has been given numerous opportunities to prove he can pitch at the major league level, so far he has not. Again this year he’s being demoted, beaten out by a minor league pitcher who’s never had a winning season in the minors. I guess trading our #1 for Floyd didn’t somehow make him better. We thought so highly of Gio Gonzalez that we gave him to Philly as a throw in, in the Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome trade. Garcia is a gamer! We should have dumped Javier Vazquez.

But these latest roster moves have been the topper! Sending Boone Logan down, beaten out by Andrew Sisco, was ridiculous. Logan hadn’t allowed a run all spring, while Sisco (surprise) was wild. Still we traded Ross Gload for Sisco, so we had to keep Andrew, tough break Boone. Another guy we let go was veteran Eduardo Perez. I was really looking forward to seeing Perez come off our bench in a key spot, in the late innings, with the game on the line, and coming through. Good luck sending Brian Anderson or Gustavo Molina up to the plate in one of those situations. Also Eduardo could’ve spelled Paulie at firstbase from time to time.

After seeing what it takes to get the job done, I’ll be surprised if this year’s team has the right stuff. But thankfully for me as a Sox fan, it’s not all about winning championships, if it was I’d have been long gone, since starting my rooting interest in 1968. But still there’s the nagging what if & wasted opportunity that gets to me. Don’t worry I’ll be out at the Cell alot this year trying to cheer my guys on to victory (three games in the first week). Maybe if I yell louder, or drink more beer!

HALL & WOOD OUT

Toby Hall Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, … Continue reading “HALL & WOOD OUT”

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Toby Hall

Just when the company line was, “the record doesn’t matter as long as we break camp healthy”, when it happened. I cringed when I saw it from the comfort of my bedroom TV. I don’t know why, but Toby Hall was playing firstbase for the Sox, a ball was hit to his right, he dove, and I saw his shoulder extend in an un-natural way. It reminded me of the injury that the Big Hurt suffered a few years back. I knew it was bad. Now it looks like Hall will miss all of 2007 with a torn labrum.

From my very same bedroom TV I was watching Kerry Wood when he allowed three runs in an inning to the LA Angels of Anaheim, including a homer by Kendry Morales on a high inside fastball that the Cuban jerked over the RF wall. After the game it was revealed that the oft injured Cub righthander would be back on the shelf again with a bum shoulder.

So today I called the White Sox and left a message for the White Sox GM Kenny Williams saying he should check out the northside of town to resolve his backup catcher dilemma. When I was in Arizona I couldn’t help but notice the Cubs depth at catcher. I suggested the Southsiders deal an arm (Gavin Floyd) for a backup catcher (Geovany Soto). I wouldn’t mind Jake Fox, but he may be a year or two away from the big leagues. IMHO, Williams has to do something, Gustavo Molina & Wiki Gonzalez are not an option, and without a quality backup catcher the Pale Hose are seven games worse than they’d have been with Toby Hall.

CACTUS LEAGUE REPORT: 3/21 Day & Night

Nick Swisher 3/21 Day: Got to Tempe Diablo Stadium early to see the Angels host the Diamondbacks. It was gonna be another scorcher with temps in the mid 90s, seemed hotter in the sun (which was where our seats were). Not much veggie fare, washed down some nachos with a couple of beers, heavily tipped … Continue reading “CACTUS LEAGUE REPORT: 3/21 Day & Night”

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Nick Swisher

3/21 Day: Got to Tempe Diablo Stadium early to see the Angels host the Diamondbacks. It was gonna be another scorcher with temps in the mid 90s, seemed hotter in the sun (which was where our seats were). Not much veggie fare, washed down some nachos with a couple of beers, heavily tipped at concession stand as tips were going to Shriners Hospital. Met a real estate agent from LA who said he’d set me up with tix right by the Dodger dugout if I ever came out to Chavez Ravine. Ran into Bernie, an Angels fan we sat by two years ago. Hard to tell who was whom as both teams wore red & white uniforms. The Halos had this one under control from the outset, besting the Snakes 8-3. Darren Oliver got a standing ovation when he entered the game, from DonS. Alberto Callaspo & Conor Jackson each had three hits for Arizona. The paramedics rushed to our section, when a foul ball hit off a little girl’s knee. Angels catcher Jose Molina was 3 for 3, including a bunt single & a stolen base. LA’s thirdsacker Chone Figgins suffered a broken finger.

3/21 Night: It was a real rush job getting to Surprise from Tempe in rush hour, with the KC night game starting at 6:05 PM. Grabbed a Rubio’s burrito just as Oakland DH Mike Piazza launched a first inning blast, putting the A’s up 1-0, which was an indication of things to come. In the 3rd inning Oakland hit back-to-back-to-back jacks, by Nick Swisher, Mark Ellis, & Dan Johnson on three consecutive pitches, all off Royals starter Brian Bannister. Adam Melhuse followed with a 1st pitch single, I said, “He should be farmed out for failing to hit a home run”. After three innings it was a TD apiece. The Royals left Joe Blanton off the hook in the 2nd, when Ryan Shealy was thrown out at third on a steal attempt & Angel Berroa was picked off first. My old White Sox buddy Ross Gload was 3 for 4, raising his spring average to .459, while future superstar Alex Gordon ripped two doubles in four times to the plate, lifting his average to .390. The A’s got to Cody Ross for two 9th inning runs, tagging him with the 11-10 loss. Surprise is the best park in Arizona, while Clearwater is the best in Florida.

Davis Unstoppable as Illini win fourth straight

University of Illinois catcher Lars Davis is on a tear and the Illini are on a streak. Thursday, Davis went 4 for 5 (his second 4 hit game in a row) with a home run and 3 rbis. The Illini won 5-2 against Dartmouth. That makes 4 in row and gives them a 6-8 record. … Continue reading “Davis Unstoppable as Illini win fourth straight”

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University of Illinois catcher Lars Davis is on a tear and the Illini are on a streak.

Thursday, Davis went 4 for 5 (his second 4 hit game in a row) with a home run and 3 rbis. The Illini won 5-2 against Dartmouth. That makes 4 in row and gives them a 6-8 record. Not bad considering they were 2-8 before the streak.

You would think after two 4 hit games, Davis would have a monopoly on the batting average on the team. Not quite. Davis is second on the team with a .458 average. Kyle Hudson is hitting a cool even .500.

Davis leads the team with 3 homers.

But the best news is that next Tuesday, the Illini are playing at home at Illinois Field. I know I’ll be there.