Author: The Baseball Zealot

Catching up with Illinois Baseball

 

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In case you haven’t been over to Illinois Baseball Report recently, I’ve been quite busy covering Illini baseball as of late.   Illinois is doing well… if you haven’t heard, they’re ranked #26 in the nation.

Illinois swept Michigan State three games last weekend in probably the coldest games I’ve ever attended.  You can find summaries and photos over at IBR. 

I did a Q&A with Indiana baseball blog Behind the Plate in anticipation of the upcoming Indiana-Illinois series this weekend.  Behind the Plate is a new blog done by a IU student.  If you’re a fan of Hoosier baseball, stop by BTP and give him some love. 

Behind the Plate returned the favor answering a few of my questions on IBR about the Indiana squad. 

For those who are in the C-U area, I encourage you to come out to a game or to this weekend.  I can promise you with certainty that the weather will be better than last weekend (no snow, no ice on the field). 

And stop on by Illinois Baseball Report and say hi! 

‘Oil Can’ hopes to pitch up north

According to the Ottawa Citizen, former MLB pitcher Dennis ‘Oil Can’ Boyd is planning to pitch for the Ottawa Voyageurs in the Cam-Am Baseball League. 

He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 1991 when split the season between the Expos and the Rangers.  He hasn’t even played pro ball since 2005. 

But the ball feels good in Oil Can’s hands, he says:

"The ball is coming out of my hand free and easy for the first time in years. I just want to prove I can throw 100 pitches for 30 starts and dominate."

Don’t know about you but Boyd is one of those baseball players that our memories supersede his contribution to the game.  That’s not to take anything away from him but he won 78 games in his career a decade ago and I still remember him vividly.  Granted, he was an colorful, outspoken individual. 

No doubt, regardless if he pitches well in Ottawa or not, he’ll be a fun character and a good draw.

Does Little Poison belong in the Hall?

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Last weekend, I made the mistake of questioning whether Lloyd Waner should be in the Hall of Fame with a die-hard Pirate fan in the room.

THAT was met with silence, I can tell you.

Do a Google search on Hall of Fame and overrated and Lloyd Waner is all over the place. 

So here are a couple links to prove I’m not the only one. 

Baseball Think Factory’s Merit Discussion on Lloyd Waner

A more thoughtful critique on Lloyd Waner by What the Hall

Does Patton have shot in Cubs’ bullpen?

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David Patton, the Cubs’ Rule V pick this year is going to give it his best shot.  And according to Lou Piniella, he’s “in the picture”. 

While the Cubs’ bullpen is crowded, that’s not to say it couldn’t use a little improvement.  But is Mr Patton the answer?  The Bleacher Report seems to think so calling Patton “a gem”. Others may be a little more skeptical. 

Here are his minor league numbers.

The Cubs acquired him from the Reds but he originally hails from the Colorado system.  His farm numbers looks ok.  He has high strikeout rate but his control isn’t anything to write home about.  But hopefully that would come in time.

Much is being made in the media of his spring numbers this year.   One run allowed in 7 2/3 innings with 9 strikeouts.  Impressive but I don’t need to remind any baseball fan of falling for stats within small sample sizes. 

We’ll know in a couple what the future holds for David Patton.  He has a long row to hoe if he has a shot in the Cubs’ bullpen.  But the way he’s pitching now, this is his chance.

Cubs retire #31: Get two for one

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The question is:  Why wasn’t it done before?

The Chicago Cubs will retire the uniform number 31 to honor pitchers  Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux.  It was the fifth number retired by the Cubs.  The other numbers are (chronologically) #14 Ernie Banks, #26 Billy Williams, #10 Ron Santo, and #23 Ryne Sandberg. 

No doubt both pitchers are very worthy of this honor.  Interestingly, both served the Cubs in two separate stints. Jenkins  was 167-132 with a 3.20 ERA in 401 appearances including six 20-win seasons. 

Maddux won 133 games for the Cubs and his first Cy Young came when he was still with the Cubs. 

Both have a great place in Cub history and it’s about time for Jenkins, in my opinion. 

Chipper likes the fast lane

Apparently, Toronto, Canada didn’t suit Atlanta Brave Chipper Jones as he spent a couple days there as part of the World Baseball Classic.  There just wasn’t enough to do. 

“We stayed in Toronto for a week and played three games. I don’t know if you ever stayed in Toronto, but it’s not exactly Las Vegas.  To say that we were plucking our eyebrows out one at a time would be an understatement.”

I have no sympathy for Mr Jones.  He must have no creativity or wherewithal.  He sounds like my nine-year daughter when I turn off the TV.  “I’m bored… I don’t know what to do” 

The only difference is that after a few minutes, my daughter can find something to occupy her time (and she doesn’t embarrass herself by talking to the media about it).

Not only that, I’ve been to Toronto and maybe I’m easy to please but the town seemed to offer a lot. 

Get a life, Jonsie.

SABR giving away Emerald Guide to Baseball 2009

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The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is giving away their pdf version of Emerald Guide to Baseball 2009.  Here is the link to SABR’s download page.

From SABR’s website:

Edited by accomplished and acclaimed baseball historians Gary Gillette and Pete Palmer and published by SABR, The Emerald Guide distills the 2008 season down to 586 fact-filled pages that contain the pitching, fielding, and hitting statistics for every player active in the major and minor leagues in 2008.

The print version is also available from Lulu for $23.94  if you absolutely must have a hard copy.

I took a quick gander at the pdf and it pretty much delivers as promises.  If you don’t mind giving SABR your email address, take advantage of this.

 

 

Vermilion Voles announce 2009 schedule

The Vermilion Voles, the local vintage base ball team, have come out with their schedule for this year.  You can find it on the Voles’ web site.

The Voles’ season begins on the road on May 31 playing the Fort Clark Pioneers at Edwards, Illinois.  Their first game at their home park at Kennekuk State Park outside Danville, Illinois, will be June 20 and will be against their friendly rivals the Deep River Grinders.

And mark your calendars for August 22.  That’s the date for the annual Uncle Joe Cannon’s Jamboree at Kennekuk.