Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Former University of Illinois baseball players will be back in town for the annual Alumni Game on Sunday, September 11. For those in the C-U area itchin’ for some good baseball, this should be a good game to go to. No word yet (that I could find) on the time of the game. The women’s … Continue reading “Illini Alumni Baseball Game”
Former University of Illinois baseball players will be back in town for the annual Alumni Game on Sunday, September 11. For those in the C-U area itchin’ for some good baseball, this should be a good game to go to. No word yet (that I could find) on the time of the game.
The women’s softball Alumni game is on the same day at noon at Eichelberger Field. I hope they have the sense not to schedule the two games at the same time.
‘Nuff said.
Two LSOTD today, from two very different players. One rookie, one veteran. Mark Teahen, Kansas City Royals 4 for 5, 2 2B, run, 3 rbis Teahen came up to the majors with a lot of promise. I recall someone (maybe it was DonS) saying he was the real deal. So far, he hasn’t shown a … Continue reading “9/2 Linescores of the Day – Mark Teahen, Scott Hatteberg”
Two LSOTD today, from two very different players. One rookie, one veteran.
Mark Teahen, Kansas City Royals
4 for 5, 2 2B, run, 3 rbis
Teahen came up to the majors with a lot of promise. I recall someone (maybe it was DonS) saying he was the real deal. So far, he hasn’t shown a lot of offense, hitting .238 with 3 homeruns. He did his job last night though KC lost anyway 8-7 to the Rangers.
Scott Hatteberg, Oakland Athletics
3 for 5, 2B, HR, 2 runs, 4 rbis
This is Hatteberg’s 11th season in the bigs. That’s kinda hard to believe for a catcher-turned-firstbaseman with no real power and a batting average that over the years has hovered around .270-.290. In the last 4 years, he’s been the A’s full-time firstbaseman (with some time at DH). In those 4 years, he’s has had as many homeruns (49) as some have had in one season. Yet, the A’s find a reason to play him.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the guy. He’s scrappy and hits in the clutch.
But I probably wouldn’t pick him for my fantasy team.
According to FoxSports, the Baseball Hall of Fame has been offered Barry Bonds’ 700th homerun ball. But they’re not taking it. The current owner is Sportsbook.com, an online gambling operation who bought the ball for $102,000. Though they would give the ball with no strings attached, the HOF isn’t interested according to HOF spokesperson Jeff … Continue reading “HOF Refusing Bonds’ #700 ball”
According to FoxSports, the Baseball Hall of Fame has been offered Barry Bonds’ 700th homerun ball.
But they’re not taking it.
The current owner is Sportsbook.com, an online gambling operation who bought the ball for $102,000. Though they would give the ball with no strings attached, the HOF isn’t interested according to HOF spokesperson Jeff Idelson,
”The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will never accept an artifact from any company whose business is promoting gambling,” Idelson said. “We have a responsibility to preserve the game’s history.
“We would not intentionally compromise its integrity when there are other ways to tell the history of this milestone,” he said.
Some might think “What’s the big deal? Take the ball.” But I understand the position the HOF is taking. If anyone thinks that Sportsbook.com won’t use this to their advantage is being naive. The HOF needs to maintain the integrity of the game (or at least maintain the facade of such) by not associating or assisting gambling organizations.
Shoot, if they did that, they would have to let Pete Rose in, wouldn’t they?
Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (Win) Add Paul Maholm to the list of young Pirate hurlers to watch. This was Maholm’s first start and like Zack Duke earlier this year he’s performing so people will pay attention.
Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates
8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (Win)
Add Paul Maholm to the list of young Pirate hurlers to watch. This was Maholm’s first start and like Zack Duke earlier this year he’s performing so people will pay attention.
Steve Trachsel, New York Mets 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, (Win) Steve Trachsel pitching his first game of the season, did an all right job. Trach allowed only 2 hits in 8 innings and got the win. He gets a bad rap sometimes but he’s won over 10 … Continue reading “8/26 Linescore of the Day – Steve Trachsel”
Steve Trachsel, New York Mets
8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, (Win)
Steve Trachsel pitching his first game of the season, did an all right job. Trach allowed only 2 hits in 8 innings and got the win.
He gets a bad rap sometimes but he’s won over 10 games in the last 4 seasons and has had an ERA at or below 4.00 in the last three.
Jim Edmonds, St Louis Cardinals 3 for 4, HR, 3 runs, 2 rbis Diamond Jim did it all for the Cards. Including a HBP.
Jim Edmonds, St Louis Cardinals
3 for 4, HR, 3 runs, 2 rbis
Diamond Jim did it all for the Cards. Including a HBP.
Looks like the new sponsor of the MLB Comeback Player of the Year is… Viagra My brain is being inundated with so many double-entendres, puns, and otherwise nasty jokes, I don’t know where to begin. But I’ve been told that’s just the kind of guy I am. I guess losing their spokesman (I’m assuming Palmeiro is … Continue reading “Comeback Player will need to get it up”
Looks like the new sponsor of the MLB Comeback Player of the Year is…
Viagra
My brain is being inundated with so many double-entendres, puns, and otherwise nasty jokes, I don’t know where to begin. But I’ve been told that’s just the kind of guy I am.
I guess losing their spokesman (I’m assuming Palmeiro is no longer shilling for them. Sexual enhancements is one thing… muscle enhancements is another story) forced Pfizer to come up with a (admittedly creative) marketing campaign.
Sportswriter Don Banks takes an interesting look at Fantasy sports. His article focuses entirely on fantasy football but the analogies can be easily be applied to fantasy baseball. His basic premise is that fantasy football takes away from the actual sport. And he’s got his reasons. As an APBA baseball manager for some 25 years … Continue reading “An alternative view of Fantasy Sports”
Sportswriter Don Banks takes an interesting look at Fantasy sports. His article focuses entirely on fantasy football but the analogies can be easily be applied to fantasy baseball. His basic premise is that fantasy football takes away from the actual sport. And he’s got his reasons.
As an APBA baseball manager for some 25 years and a fantasy baseball participant for 3 years, I have to say he brings up some good points. His best point?
1. It changes how you watch a game. We all have some experience with a person who has perfectly illustrated this point from time to time. Being a fantasy player means you can’t see the forest for the trees. Rather than watching a game in its context and meaning to the standings, fantasy folks often ignore the big picture, focusing only on how their players are performing around the league.
I have to plead guilty of this. When a pitcher from my Thunderchickens is facing the Cubs, do I want him to get shelled? My honest answer is no. I hope for clean 1-0 win by the Cubs. At least his ERA will go down.
However, check out Reason #4:
4. The geek factor. Sorry, but we have a name for people whose primary source of entertainment stems from stuff that didn’t really happen. They’re called Trekkies.
I mean, come on. We’re not all geeks. That’s just a stereotype. Now excuse me while I create an Access database of all my players stats.
Carlos Pena, Detroit Tigers 3 for 4, 2 HR, 2 runs, 4 rbis Pena’s little trip to AAA ball must have done wonders. Since coming back, he’s gone 7 for 13 with 5 homers and 10 rbis. He drove in all four runs for the Tigers in their win against the A’s.
Carlos Pena, Detroit Tigers
3 for 4, 2 HR, 2 runs, 4 rbis
Pena’s little trip to AAA ball must have done wonders. Since coming back, he’s gone 7 for 13 with 5 homers and 10 rbis. He drove in all four runs for the Tigers in their win against the A’s.
