Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Ted Lilly All the HOOPLA is about the Cubs spending BIG MONEY on Ted Lilly, a four year forty million dollar deal. HELLO, WAKEUP, Ted Lilly is a pitcher who, because he was two games above last year with the Blue Jays, is now one game above .500 for his career. Dunno if this is … Continue reading “BIG MONEY DOES NOT MAKE A PITCHER BIGTIME”
Ted Lilly
All the HOOPLA is about the Cubs spending BIG MONEY on Ted Lilly, a four year forty million dollar deal. HELLO, WAKEUP, Ted Lilly is a pitcher who, because he was two games above last year with the Blue Jays, is now one game above .500 for his career. Dunno if this is money well spent, not in my book, but I’m not a win starved Cub fan who hasn’t won in championship in nearly a century.
Tom Glavine The NY Mets decided to keep Glavine in their rotation and more importantly Tom decided to stay. It was rumored the Atlanta Braves were going to try to lure the veteran lefty back where he started, but they never stepped to the plate to make an offer. Glavine said, he’s grown comfortable in … Continue reading “GLAVINE STAYS HOME”
Tom Glavine
The NY Mets decided to keep Glavine in their rotation and more importantly Tom decided to stay. It was rumored the Atlanta Braves were going to try to lure the veteran lefty back where he started, but they never stepped to the plate to make an offer. Glavine said, he’s grown comfortable in NY and has fallen in love with the fans of Shea. He is only ten wins shy of 300 wins and is still going strong at 40 years of age.
I drafted Tom Glavine for my Chicago Champions of the Illowa APBA League way back when, he was selected, after posting a 2-4 record with a 5.54 ERA over nine starts. But then I was silly enough to trade Glavine along with Melido Perez for an aging Kirk Gibson & Pete Smith. The Baseball Zealot & his Twin City Thunderchickens benefitted greatly because of this bad trade.
JD Drew The Los Angeles Dodgers have practiced addition by subtraction, with the exits of JD Drew, Greg Maddux, & Julio Lugo. I don’t know if there’s any truth to the rumor that LA’s GM actually kissed Scott Boras (Drew’s agent) when JD opted out of his contract. While Drew did drive in 100 runs … Continue reading “LA: ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION”
JD Drew
The Los Angeles Dodgers have practiced addition by subtraction, with the exits of JD Drew, Greg Maddux, & Julio Lugo. I don’t know if there’s any truth to the rumor that LA’s GM actually kissed Scott Boras (Drew’s agent) when JD opted out of his contract. While Drew did drive in 100 runs for the Dodgers last year, he’s a career .286 hitter who always seems to be down with some type of ailment. Now he’s signed a HUGE deal with the Bosox. The funny thing is that the Bosox will be replacing rightfielder Trot Nixon with Drew. When you lookup Drew, the player who he most resembles is Nixon. I guess the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.
It looks like the Dodgers will replace Greg Maddux, who has signed with the Padres, by signing Jason Schmidt. Although it’s not a done deal, it’s reported that Schmidt has told his Giant mates he’ll sign with LA. Maddux was a nice stretch drive pickup last year, but letting him go seems to be best for LA, especially if Schmidt’s brought on board.
The loss of Lugo, also going to Boston, doesn’t seem to warrant a comment. I mean, Julio’s pretty much a dime a dozen. Hey, what do you think of Lugo?
Aaron Rowand It’s not a done deal, but it would be if I were the White Sox GM. Rumor has it the Phils might be willing to send Rowand back to the South Siders in exchange for starting pitching. It’d be great if the Sox could get Aaron back for #5 starter Javier Vazquez. That … Continue reading “WELCOME BACK AARON”
Aaron Rowand
It’s not a done deal, but it would be if I were the White Sox GM. Rumor has it the Phils might be willing to send Rowand back to the South Siders in exchange for starting pitching. It’d be great if the Sox could get Aaron back for #5 starter Javier Vazquez. That would save some Sox cash and allow Brandon McCarthy to move into the rotation. C’mon Kenny, Pull the trigger!
Joe Crede Here’s the deal that’s on the table according to the Chicago Tribune article. The White Sox would send Joe Crede & Freddy Garcia to the Halos in exchange for Ervin Santana & Chone Figgins. This is not an old fashioned trade, but rather a trade based on salary. Joe Crede will soon be … Continue reading “HOT STOVE RUMBLINGS”
Joe Crede
Here’s the deal that’s on the table according to the Chicago Tribune article. The White Sox would send Joe Crede & Freddy Garcia to the Halos in exchange for Ervin Santana & Chone Figgins. This is not an old fashioned trade, but rather a trade based on salary. Joe Crede will soon be a free agent and the Sox don’t want to lose him, but there is more than just money.
The Angels could really use Crede’s bat & glove at 3B, they just signed Gary Matthews, Jr. to play CF, so Figgins’ isn’t as important as he once was. Also Bartolo Colon won’t be ready for the start of the 2007 season as he’s recovering from a partially torn rotator cuff. LAA would love to have a big time pitcher in Garcia at the front of their rotation.
Back in the Windy City Chone Figgins would fit right into the lineup at leadoff & CF, with just signed leftfielder Scott Podsednik dropping to 9th. Josh Fields looked like he was ready during a September callup to step into the everyday lineup at thirdbase. The 23 year old right hander Santana would be a welcome member of the Sox rotation, the staff is loaded with veterans, and some vitality might be just what is needed.
Any way you look at it, it’s interesting to check out the Hot Stove League to see what’s cooking. The Winter Meetings start up soon, which means spring time is just around the corner. Looks can sometimes be deceiving, as can the snow & ice on the ground, as I await the crack of the bat.
Roger Clemens
Photo courtesy of Jim Pierce Baseball America
Last year Roger Clemens timed his return to coincide with his wants. He wanted to be strong down the stretch, he wanted to rehab at two minor league teams he has an interest in, and he wanted to play ball with his son Koby. The Rocket signed a 22 million dollar deal with the Stros and the reported attendance at two of his rehab starts ended with the number 22. Quirky, maybe, but he has the rite to certain oddities. Clemens has indeed earned his place in baseball history, as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball. And at the ripe old age of 43 he still has something left in the tank as evidenced by a 2.30 ERA, with a 7-6 record, 102 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings pitched. His lifetime mark is 348-178 to go along with 4,604 career strikeouts. So what if he named his sons with each boy’s name starting with the letter K (Koby, Kory, Kacy, & Kody). Roger is a rawboned hard thrower out of the mold of Nolan Ryan, who can still, “blow that speedball by you. Make you look like a fool”, to paraphrase Bruce Springsteen. So we’ll have to see if the Rocket will be blasting off again in 2007 or whether he’s gonna come in for a landing at his home base.
Teddy Ballgame chats with Michael Point of Baseball America Photo courtesy of Jim Pierce of Baseball America Giovany Gonzalez This was get away day for the AFL, as a result this was only a seven inning game, with no chance for extra innings. Both teams were going home after the game as the Championship game … Continue reading “11/16/06: AFL SAGUAROS @ MESA”
Teddy Ballgame chats with Michael Point of Baseball America
Photo courtesy of Jim Pierce of Baseball America
Giovany Gonzalez
This was get away day for the AFL, as a result this was only a seven inning game, with no chance for extra innings. Both teams were going home after the game as the Championship game was already set between the Grand Canyon Rafters and the Phoenix Desert Dogs Saturday November 18th at Scottsdale.
The Peoria Saguaros shutout Mesa 5-0 behind 3 2/3 scoreless innings put up by starting 5’11” lefty P Giovany Gonzalez (PHI), P Kyle Kendrick (PHI) got the win allowing one hit and fanning one over 1 1/3 innings of work, P Dan Foli (WAS), and 6’7″ T.J. Beam (NYY) each pitched a scoreless inning, C P.J. Pilittere (NYY) belted a three run bomb over the leftfield fence, 3B Chase Headley (SD) knocked a solo shot over the leftfield wall, and Cuba’s own OF Amaury Marti (StL) hit one over the centerfield fence with nobody aboard, he also singled to left, 2B Juan Ciriaco (SD) had a couple of hits, and big man 6’5″ 230 pound DH Colt Morton nailed a couple of fly balls to deep centerfield for long outs.
Bright spots for the Mesa Solar Sox were DH Brooks Conrad (HOU) who got a double in four at bats, he never uses batting gloves, 2B Eric Patterson (CHC) singled to center, walked, & stole a base, and lefty reliever Carmen Pignatiello (CHC) lowered his ERA to 0.87 with a perfect inning pitched. But Carmen’s chances of making the Cubs were diminished when it was learned during the game the Cubs traded for lefty Neal Cotts from the White Sox.
The game ended at 3:00 PM, but my ride didn’t get there till after six, which gave me PLENTY of time to look over the 2006 AFL Media Guide & Program, which I got free as a result of being with the Press (thebaseballzealot.com). Sitting on a bench in the parking lot I struck up a conversation with a catcher going to school in Peoria, he said it was a blast being a bullpen catcher for Mesa, catcher for Peoria is his daytime gig. My trip ended pretty much as it began as the last person I saw at the ballpark was the same guy that I saw when I first got into Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Matt Marks. Marks was the Mesa Solar Sox Operations Manager, continued success to Matt.
The traffic was horrible and I didn’t end up getting to the Blackhawk/Coyote game until the 2nd period, the Hawks were up 2-1, but ended up losing in a shootout. Still my Fall trip to Arizona was fantastic!!! And I’d like to tell you about my weekend trip to Las Vegas, but you know the saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”.
Teddy Ballgame Chillin’ in the Sunshine Picture courtesy of Jim Pierce – Baseball America Here I am out in beautiful Arizona, without a care in the world, also without a jacket. One thing I might have overlooked is that it gets cold in the desert at night. This Wednesday in Scottsdale was the only night … Continue reading “11/15/06: AFL MESA @ SCOTTSDALE”
Teddy Ballgame Chillin’ in the Sunshine
Picture courtesy of Jim Pierce – Baseball America
Here I am out in beautiful Arizona, without a care in the world, also without a jacket. One thing I might have overlooked is that it gets cold in the desert at night. This Wednesday in Scottsdale was the only night game of the four games I was scheduled to see. Before the game stopped at Don & Charlie’s Resaurant & Lounge on Camelback in Scottsdale for a beer. I highly recommend this place, ran into Jim, he said I should just say, I’m a friend of his, and Brooke, his daughter will set me up, nice guy. The place is decorated with all kinds of baseball and other sports stuff, including a mural of the 1969 Chicago Cubs. Got to the ballpark relatively early, but the parking lot was pretty full as it was a night game, still it’s the AFL so my place behind the plate was waiting for me when I arrived. Sitting off to my left were my scout friends Marteese Robinson from the Cardinals & Phil Rizzo from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kevin Frandsen was awarded the Dernell Stenson Sportsman of the Year after the batboy sang the National Anthem and we were ready to play ball.
Scottsdale Scorpians stars of the night were CF Jerry Owens (CHW) had two singles, was really safe at first a 3rd time, stole a base, & drove in a run, DH Ryan Braun (MIL) drove a ball to the wall in right & singled to left, to go along with a couple of Ks, P Mike Schultz (ARZ) the 6’7″ righty clocked in at 91 MPH, striking out four, allowing one single, and 6’8″ righthander Adam Russell (CHW) got knocked around for a few basehits, but did strike out three, picked a runner off first, and tipped the radar gun at 93 MPH, he also shares a birthday with me, Greg Maddux, & Pete Rose – April 14th. It should be noted that Sportsman of the Year Kevin Frandsen dropped a loud “F” bomb as a flew to centerfield on his 2nd at bat of the game.
The Mesa Solar Sox topped Scottsdale 5-2 and here were their stars. RF Brooks Conrad (HOU) got a couple of hits, including an RBI double, C A.J. Ellis (LAD) got two singles, an RBI, a walk, & a K, 2B Eric Patterson (CHC) was three for five with a stolen base, SS Matt Tolbert (MIN) made a nice play in the hole and beat out a bunt, this kid can fly, P Jonathan Meloan (LAD) this righty topped out at only 86, struck out only one guy, but worked three perfect innings for the win.
Noticed some kids lined up to get autographs from some guy in the stands, turns out it was Eric Patterson’s big brother Corey the centerfielder for the Baltimore Orioles.
Then saw AFL visionary Roland Hemond Chicago White Sox Exec on the way out of the ballpark. He waved a friendly goodbye, said it was nice seeing me again, I told him to stop by Nancy Faust at the Cell in the summertime to say hello, he said he really doesn’t get to Chicago all that often anymore. Roland is one of the really good guys in baseball and it’s always a pleasure to see him.
Jordan Tata Another beautiful day in Arizona. I was stressing about where I’d end up watching today’s game from, as I arrived only moments before game time, but luckily this was the AFL and there was a place for me right behind home plate. I pulled up a chair and sat down among the scouts. … Continue reading “11/14/06: AFL PHOENIX @ SCOTTSDALE”
Jordan Tata
Another beautiful day in Arizona. I was stressing about where I’d end up watching today’s game from, as I arrived only moments before game time, but luckily this was the AFL and there was a place for me right behind home plate. I pulled up a chair and sat down among the scouts. There were plenty of radar guns, so I was able to see how hard these kids were throwing. A couple of the scouts I got to know where Phil Rizzo of the LAD and Marteese Robinson of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Scottsdale Scorpians stars of the day were 3B Ryan Braun (MIL) a double, single, and a nice play in the field, 2B Danny Richar (ARZ) two singles & an RBI, and CF Jerry Owens (CHW) two singles. SS Kevin Frandsen (SF) got a hustle double, very fast, but no shortstop arm. C Bobby Wilson (LAA) got a single & a walk, but was robbed of a 2nd hit when 3B Kody Kirkland threw him out on a great play because he’s such a slow runner. P Dennis Sarfate (MIL) is a 6’4″ righty who threw 93 MPH & struckout one, walked one, and allowed one hit, in one inning. P Patrick Misch (SF) is a lefty out of Northbrook, IL who clocked in at 86 MPH and struckout one in his perfect inning of work. P Chris Kinsey (ARZ) threw 90 MPH, two perfect innings, struckout one, and stands 6’3″.
But the Phoenix Desert Dogs won this game 5-2 behind these performances. P Jordan Tata (DET) allowed eight hits & one base on balls, no strikeouts, five innings, 90 MPH, 6’6″ 220. Oakland righties Mike Mitchell (93 MPH, one walk, one K) & Connor Robertson (88 MPH, one K) each worked an inning, while Marcus McBeth came up lame after throwing just four pitches. 1B Chip Cannon (TOR) pulled three hits to right, including a double, & three RBIs, RF Brent Clevlen (DET) drove in one, had two singles, 2B Drew Anderson (CIN) had a triple and a base hit, SS Ben Zobrist (TB) stole a base, had two base knocks.
Heard the news while the game was going on that Brandon Webb was named 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner. Also heard that Mark DeRosa was signed by the Chicago Cubs to play secondbase, assuring Ryan Theriot of staying in Triple A.
When I left the ballpark I ran into White Sox Assistant GM Roland Hemond in the parking lot. I congratulated Hemond on all his hard work paying off with a 2005 White Sox World Championship. Hemond was talking with a Chicago Cubs executive who commented on the DeRosa signing, saying, “Theriot never looked better at any level than he did with the Cubs, but Ryan decided to pass on playing winter ball, saying he was moving”. It’s a shame to see a kid like Theriot throw his major league career away so foolishly.
My mouth was watering as we were driving out of the parking lot. I’m from Chicago and I know food, have had plenty of great pizza, but the Oprah Show claimed Pizzeria Bianco at Washington & 7th Street in downtown Phoenix has the best pizza in the world, they received over 400 e-mails from viewers claiming this truth. Waited from 5:30 PM till 8:45 PM, before my tastebuds were FINALLY rewarded with what truly was the best pizza I’d ever eaten. Chris makes every pizza, I had to tell him how much I’d enjoyed it, he commented on my Buck O’Neil shirt, saying it was sad he didn’t make the HOF before he’d died. We had four pizzas between myself & my friend’s son (one cheese & basil, one arugula, one pistachio, & one sausage).
I love baseball trades! There is something exciting about seeing which team got the better of the deal and debating the strengths/weaknesses of the players involved. It kinda takes me back to when I was a kid and I would swap baseball cards with my buddies (although doubles were normally figured into which cards to … Continue reading “GOOD OLD FASHION TRADE”
I love baseball trades! There is something exciting about seeing which team got the better of the deal and debating the strengths/weaknesses of the players involved. It kinda takes me back to when I was a kid and I would swap baseball cards with my buddies (although doubles were normally figured into which cards to swap). This trade between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Arizona Diamondbacks is particularly interesting as it really wasn’t made for financial reasons. One of the strengths of the Brewers is their starting rotation and lefty Doug Davis pitches alot of innings. Even though Milwaukee is giving up Davis, and not much else (Dana Eveland & David Krynzel), they are receiving righty Claudio Vargas. Vargas had a breakout year last year for the D*Backs and should be able to step into the void left by Davis. The Brewers also received offensive backstop Johnny Estrada. Estrada is a switch hitter who hits for a high batting average and has good double power, but is one of the weakest defensive catchers in the game. That will be quite a contrast from last year’s starter behind the plate Damian Miller, who excels defensively, but is not much to write home about with the stick. Milwaukee also got some bullpen help in the person of Greg Aquino. Here is what MLB had to say about the trade.
What are some of your favorite trades? Being a Chicago White Sox fan & a Tommy John fan, I still remember when the White Sox traded John to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Dick Allen (the quickest bat I’ve ever seen). This trade kept the White Sox from moving to St. Petersburg, FL.