Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
More BC Eagles in the MLB Draft
Pitcher James MacDonald and infielder Barry Butera were snatched up by the Houston Astros. Congratulations to them. More to follow (I hope).
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Congratulations Tony Sanchez and Mike Belfiore
Our BC catcher Sanchez was the FOURTH overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft. It's only too bad that he was selected by the Pirates.
Belfiore, a guy who can do a little bit of everything, was taken early in "compensatory round A" (more like Round 1 and a half) by Arizona.
They have done us both proud at BC but now it's time for them to embark upon their professional careers. We wish them all the best.
Belfiore, a guy who can do a little bit of everything, was taken early in "compensatory round A" (more like Round 1 and a half) by Arizona.
They have done us both proud at BC but now it's time for them to embark upon their professional careers. We wish them all the best.
Ya think?
"Bad eyes not reason for Ortiz slump"
Can't have anything to do with his loss of bat speed and just being this massive guy breaking down, right?*
*Note: I did not say the s-word.
Can't have anything to do with his loss of bat speed and just being this massive guy breaking down, right?*
*Note: I did not say the s-word.
Friday, June 5, 2009
A bit of a Pirate mutiny
This article should tell you everything you need to know about where the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise is right now. It's where players go if they don't want to have anything to do with the pressures of the postseason.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bob Watson is [headline edited for content]
I think it had to be said. AJ Burnett was not perilously close to hitting the guy nor was he ejected from the game, and yet he gets slapped with a 6-game suspension.
Why not suspend Vicente Padilla, Bob? He hit Teixeira twice! Or does that not comply with your agenda?
Why not suspend Vicente Padilla, Bob? He hit Teixeira twice! Or does that not comply with your agenda?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Peavy passes up Pale Hose
Well, I guess the guy really just wanted to pitch in the NL. The ChiSox's 20-1 loss today couldn't have really helped matters, either.
How would this guy have looked in the AL? It's tough to say. I think he's a fine young pitcher but there's little doubt that the junior circuit is a tougher league to navigate. Not only is he pitching in a league where he gets a free out every 9 batters, but he's pitching in a division with one good team. The ERA would have gone up on the South Side for sure.
Or perhaps it didn't make any sense for Peavy to trade one bad team for another right now.
How would this guy have looked in the AL? It's tough to say. I think he's a fine young pitcher but there's little doubt that the junior circuit is a tougher league to navigate. Not only is he pitching in a league where he gets a free out every 9 batters, but he's pitching in a division with one good team. The ERA would have gone up on the South Side for sure.
Or perhaps it didn't make any sense for Peavy to trade one bad team for another right now.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A-Rod learned something again tonight
The proper way to shut up opposing fans, especially when trying to come at you with taunts about your past usage of steroids, is to hit a home run on the first pitch you see.
He needed that for his sake more than anything else. The fans would have been merciless if he, say, struck out instead.
He needed that for his sake more than anything else. The fans would have been merciless if he, say, struck out instead.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Manny busted for *violating drug policy*
Brilliant move, sir. Manny being Manny once again.
Edited for clarity: I amended the title of the post because it seems as though Manny took a banned substance, but not steroids. Regardless, if this was in fact the result of an oversight on his part, it was foolish. Every player should be mindful of the things they put into their body and especially mindful of the fact that MLB has a lengthy list of banned substances. Manny does indeed bear guilt in this situation for not doing his homework.
And now edited for comedy: The banned substance he reportedly took was human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which happens to be a fertility drug for the ladies. It's also *supposedly* used by some athletes after steroid use, but what do I know, I've never done the stuff.
Edited for clarity: I amended the title of the post because it seems as though Manny took a banned substance, but not steroids. Regardless, if this was in fact the result of an oversight on his part, it was foolish. Every player should be mindful of the things they put into their body and especially mindful of the fact that MLB has a lengthy list of banned substances. Manny does indeed bear guilt in this situation for not doing his homework.
And now edited for comedy: The banned substance he reportedly took was human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which happens to be a fertility drug for the ladies. It's also *supposedly* used by some athletes after steroid use, but what do I know, I've never done the stuff.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Maybe
...the Yankees just aren't that good?
I'm sure the thought has occurred to some of you readers, especially those with a more Bostonian persuasion.
I'm sure the thought has occurred to some of you readers, especially those with a more Bostonian persuasion.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
MLB Notes - May 1, 2009
For now, I will fuse my individual game reports into my nightly "MLB Notes" section. This will be easier for everyone.
* The Yankees did to the Angels tonight what the Angels usually love to do to the Yankees: rip out their innards and jump on them. A 9-4 Angel lead was evaporated in the 8th and 9th inning which gives the Yankees their first 4-game win streak of the year. The Yanks are still 68-81 against the LAAoA, including the playoffs, since 1995.
* Andy Sonnanstine looked far from good, but you don't always have to look good to win. Tampa Bay got to Justin Masterson in the 5th as the Rays beat the Red Sox 6-2. Boston has now lost 3 out of 4 after winning 11 straight.
* Life is good for the Twins: they're very much in the AL Central hunt, and Joe Mauer is back. He made up for some lost time by knocking 2 hits and scoring 3 runs in a win against the Royals.
* Cincinnati's starting rotation strikes again. Bronson Arroyo went 8 shutout innings to beat the Pirates, and it's their 4th shutout win of the year (and their 2nd against Pittsburgh).
* The Cardinals are rocking at baseball right now. 17-7 after beating the Nationals today, which if you didn't notice, is the best record in baseball. Albert is now up to 29 RBI.
* The Marlins let one get away against the Cubs. Rich Harden did not pitch well but thanks to Ryan Theriot, he didn't even take the loss. The rest of the pack in the NL East (sans Nats) are starting to pull in a little closer to each other.
* The Yankees did to the Angels tonight what the Angels usually love to do to the Yankees: rip out their innards and jump on them. A 9-4 Angel lead was evaporated in the 8th and 9th inning which gives the Yankees their first 4-game win streak of the year. The Yanks are still 68-81 against the LAAoA, including the playoffs, since 1995.
* Andy Sonnanstine looked far from good, but you don't always have to look good to win. Tampa Bay got to Justin Masterson in the 5th as the Rays beat the Red Sox 6-2. Boston has now lost 3 out of 4 after winning 11 straight.
* Life is good for the Twins: they're very much in the AL Central hunt, and Joe Mauer is back. He made up for some lost time by knocking 2 hits and scoring 3 runs in a win against the Royals.
* Cincinnati's starting rotation strikes again. Bronson Arroyo went 8 shutout innings to beat the Pirates, and it's their 4th shutout win of the year (and their 2nd against Pittsburgh).
* The Cardinals are rocking at baseball right now. 17-7 after beating the Nationals today, which if you didn't notice, is the best record in baseball. Albert is now up to 29 RBI.
* The Marlins let one get away against the Cubs. Rich Harden did not pitch well but thanks to Ryan Theriot, he didn't even take the loss. The rest of the pack in the NL East (sans Nats) are starting to pull in a little closer to each other.
MLB Notes - April 30, 2009
* The Red Sox got absolutely obliterated tonight, and Matt Garza took a perfect game into the 7th inning, but what's lost here is just how badly Tampa needed to win. They're in one tough stretch of games right now and the losses were starting to pile up. Jonathan Van Every, becoming somewhat of an 'every'man (ha ha, no you're right, that was terrible. I'll stop), pitched for Boston tonight after getting the game-winning hit last night. Quite the blowout.
* Toronto has lost 4 of their last 6 games and they're starting to pull closer to the pack in the AL East. Boston is tied with them and the Yankees are 2 games out.
* The Royals will enter May in first place. Last time that happened? 2003, when they ended up having a pretty good year.
* Florida seems to have stabilized things after losing 7 games in a row. Meanwhile, the Cubs are under .500 for the first time this season and the first time since the start of business on April 6, 2008.
* If you haven't yet seen Ryan Sweeney's catch against Texas, robbing Ian Kinsler of a home run, you should. Damn fine play.
* Toronto has lost 4 of their last 6 games and they're starting to pull closer to the pack in the AL East. Boston is tied with them and the Yankees are 2 games out.
* The Royals will enter May in first place. Last time that happened? 2003, when they ended up having a pretty good year.
* Florida seems to have stabilized things after losing 7 games in a row. Meanwhile, the Cubs are under .500 for the first time this season and the first time since the start of business on April 6, 2008.
* If you haven't yet seen Ryan Sweeney's catch against Texas, robbing Ian Kinsler of a home run, you should. Damn fine play.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
MLB Notes - April 29, 2009
* The Mets spent all that time and money on their bullpen, and the bullpen is what let them down today against the Marlins (JJ Putz in particular). The 9-12 start in Queens has a lot of blue-and-orange-clad people scratching their heads.
* The Cubs are in 5th? How did that happen?
* The Rays really just don't look good. Tonight, Scott Kazmir got pounded by the Minnesota Twins; his ERA is 5.40 so far. Some of the other stats don't look very good for Tampa Bay either: BJ Upton is hitting .158, Carlos Pena is at .244 (despite his 24 RBI), and Dioner Navarro is at .181. Starter Andy Sonnanstine has an ERA of 7.78, reliever Dan Wheeler's ERA is at 8.59 and Grant Balfour is sporting a 7.50. Not good. A few players, such as Evan Longoria, are playing well, but a few players can't carry a whole team.
* Did I mention that the AL Central is a mess? Of course I did. It still is today. 4 teams at about .500, within one half game of each other.
* Everyone, or almost everyone, notices when a team like Boston is hot, but how about the Brewers? Not very long ago they were well under .500 and the next thing you know, they've won 8 out of 10 and are in a 3-way tie for second in the NL Central.
* Pujols already has 26 RBI through 22 games. That would be a pace of 191 RBI in 162 games. The man is a monster, plain and simple. Ask Brad Lidge. Of course, you've gotta get guys on base to be able to knock them in, and the Cardinals are doing a fine job in that department as well.
* 21 games into the season and still zero dingers for David Ortiz. Jonathan Van Every now has more home runs than him. The power numbers for Ortiz are pretty dismal in other categories as well: 8 extra base hits in 85 at-bats, good for an OPS of .630. He's hitting better -- in fact, he's on a 9-game hitting streak -- but who knows if he'll stay much more than a glorified singles and doubles hitter.
* The Cubs are in 5th? How did that happen?
* The Rays really just don't look good. Tonight, Scott Kazmir got pounded by the Minnesota Twins; his ERA is 5.40 so far. Some of the other stats don't look very good for Tampa Bay either: BJ Upton is hitting .158, Carlos Pena is at .244 (despite his 24 RBI), and Dioner Navarro is at .181. Starter Andy Sonnanstine has an ERA of 7.78, reliever Dan Wheeler's ERA is at 8.59 and Grant Balfour is sporting a 7.50. Not good. A few players, such as Evan Longoria, are playing well, but a few players can't carry a whole team.
* Did I mention that the AL Central is a mess? Of course I did. It still is today. 4 teams at about .500, within one half game of each other.
* Everyone, or almost everyone, notices when a team like Boston is hot, but how about the Brewers? Not very long ago they were well under .500 and the next thing you know, they've won 8 out of 10 and are in a 3-way tie for second in the NL Central.
* Pujols already has 26 RBI through 22 games. That would be a pace of 191 RBI in 162 games. The man is a monster, plain and simple. Ask Brad Lidge. Of course, you've gotta get guys on base to be able to knock them in, and the Cardinals are doing a fine job in that department as well.
* 21 games into the season and still zero dingers for David Ortiz. Jonathan Van Every now has more home runs than him. The power numbers for Ortiz are pretty dismal in other categories as well: 8 extra base hits in 85 at-bats, good for an OPS of .630. He's hitting better -- in fact, he's on a 9-game hitting streak -- but who knows if he'll stay much more than a glorified singles and doubles hitter.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
In the discretion of the official scorer
Now I've heard of the official scorer in baseball being able to award the win in certain circumstances to another pitcher other than the one who was in the game at the time of the lead being taken for good, but I must admit, I've never heard of it happening a day or two later.
If none of you have any idea what the hell I'm talking about, here is the official rule (MLB Rule 10.17c), which states in part:
"The official scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead."
So there you have it. If a guy comes into the game, sucks, his team takes the lead, and then the next guy after him pitches well, the guy who sucked will most likely not get the win. I guess they shouldn't have given the other guy the win in the Rockies game in the first place, just to take it away from him later.
If none of you have any idea what the hell I'm talking about, here is the official rule (MLB Rule 10.17c), which states in part:
"The official scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead."
So there you have it. If a guy comes into the game, sucks, his team takes the lead, and then the next guy after him pitches well, the guy who sucked will most likely not get the win. I guess they shouldn't have given the other guy the win in the Rockies game in the first place, just to take it away from him later.
MLB Notes
*I guess the Marlins were lucky, because they did hold off the Phillies for another day.
* Maybe the Angels are starting to come on a little bit after having won back to back games -- just in time for the series with the Yankees. Terrific.
* The AL Central is just a mess. Look at it: except for Cleveland, basically everyone's a .500 team.
* Boston is still probably baseball's hottest team, having won 11 out of 12. If you're curious to know how their win streak ended, it was on an E-1 in the bottom of the 9th.
* By this time last season, the Tampa Bay Rays begun to turn it around. They were never any worse than 3 games below .500 for the season. The Rays now stand at 5 games under and now are 6.5 games out of first place, which is their biggest deficit since 2007. This team is going to have a bigger hole to climb out of, and that's not easy in the AL East. Their next week or so looks very difficult.
* It's still way too early to draw conclusions about teams. Well, except that Washington is pretty bad. Sorry Nats fans; I'm sure you realize it even more clearly than I do.
* Maybe the Angels are starting to come on a little bit after having won back to back games -- just in time for the series with the Yankees. Terrific.
* The AL Central is just a mess. Look at it: except for Cleveland, basically everyone's a .500 team.
* Boston is still probably baseball's hottest team, having won 11 out of 12. If you're curious to know how their win streak ended, it was on an E-1 in the bottom of the 9th.
* By this time last season, the Tampa Bay Rays begun to turn it around. They were never any worse than 3 games below .500 for the season. The Rays now stand at 5 games under and now are 6.5 games out of first place, which is their biggest deficit since 2007. This team is going to have a bigger hole to climb out of, and that's not easy in the AL East. Their next week or so looks very difficult.
* It's still way too early to draw conclusions about teams. Well, except that Washington is pretty bad. Sorry Nats fans; I'm sure you realize it even more clearly than I do.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
MLB Notes
* The pain it causes me to admit that Boston is currently baseball's best team is extreme, yet there it is. 11 in a row is hard to argue with.
* On the other side, baseball's former best team, the Marlins, continue their death plummet. 7 losses in a row now for the Fish who will be lucky if they can hold off the Philsfor the rest of the week through tomorrow. To make matters worse, Hanley Ramirez got plunked and had to leave the game, leaving it very likely that he'll miss the rest of the series with the Mets.
* Baltimore and the Yankees together have combined for 260 runs allowed already.
* The AL West is a peculiar division. I'm sure I've said this before, but it really doesn't seem as though the teams I thought would step up are able to do so at this point. I think any of these four teams have a legitimate chance to be in the race in September.
* St. Louis looks like they've got their crap together. They're probably the best in the NL at this point.
* If I hadn't looked it up, I would have never guessed that the Giants have won 7 of their last 10 games to pull even at .500. They've got the second-fewest runs allowed in the NL, and third-fewest in the majors.
* The team with the fewest runs allowed in all of baseball? Get ready for this: the Kansas City Royals. I guess they're finally getting something right out there after so many years of blahness.
* On the other side, baseball's former best team, the Marlins, continue their death plummet. 7 losses in a row now for the Fish who will be lucky if they can hold off the Phils
* Baltimore and the Yankees together have combined for 260 runs allowed already.
* The AL West is a peculiar division. I'm sure I've said this before, but it really doesn't seem as though the teams I thought would step up are able to do so at this point. I think any of these four teams have a legitimate chance to be in the race in September.
* St. Louis looks like they've got their crap together. They're probably the best in the NL at this point.
* If I hadn't looked it up, I would have never guessed that the Giants have won 7 of their last 10 games to pull even at .500. They've got the second-fewest runs allowed in the NL, and third-fewest in the majors.
* The team with the fewest runs allowed in all of baseball? Get ready for this: the Kansas City Royals. I guess they're finally getting something right out there after so many years of blahness.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Let's play some catchup
It was a nice productive weekend off of the blog...maybe...but here's some of what Soaring to Glory missed:
* The Yankees played a terrible series in Boston and got swept by the Red Sox. Three games, three leads, three losses.
* The Marlins are crashing back to earth after starting 11-1, going 0-for-Pennsylvania in the last 6 games.
* Al Davis did it again by taking Heyward-Bey with the 5th overall pick. He's not a bad player by any stretch, but how can anyone pass up Crabtree in that spot?
* BC baseball lost 2 out of 3 to Duke in their weekend road series to put their record at 26-17 (11-11). They've now matched last season's win total overall at 26 and already have 2 more ACC wins than all of last season.
* The Rangers have all but blown their series against the Washington Capitals.
* The Yankees played a terrible series in Boston and got swept by the Red Sox. Three games, three leads, three losses.
* The Marlins are crashing back to earth after starting 11-1, going 0-for-Pennsylvania in the last 6 games.
* Al Davis did it again by taking Heyward-Bey with the 5th overall pick. He's not a bad player by any stretch, but how can anyone pass up Crabtree in that spot?
* BC baseball lost 2 out of 3 to Duke in their weekend road series to put their record at 26-17 (11-11). They've now matched last season's win total overall at 26 and already have 2 more ACC wins than all of last season.
* The Rangers have all but blown their series against the Washington Capitals.
Friday, April 24, 2009
MLB Notes
* There is building Met panic in New York. Swept by the Cardinals and now 3 games under .500, the fans are getting restless. Nothing is coming together yet.
* Like I said, the Reds potentially have good pitching. They just beat a quality opponent again today and have gone into second place, tied with the Pirates of all teams.
* What a pitcher's duel at Safeco tonight, and the home-team Mariners won. Tampa Bay is now the only sub-500 team in the AL East with Baltimore's win over the White Sox.
* Toronto is still playing well, and the Dodgers restored a little order.
* Dave Bush almost no-hit the Phillies. Just coming close to no-hitting the world champions is an accomplishment.
* Like I said, the Reds potentially have good pitching. They just beat a quality opponent again today and have gone into second place, tied with the Pirates of all teams.
* What a pitcher's duel at Safeco tonight, and the home-team Mariners won. Tampa Bay is now the only sub-500 team in the AL East with Baltimore's win over the White Sox.
* Toronto is still playing well, and the Dodgers restored a little order.
* Dave Bush almost no-hit the Phillies. Just coming close to no-hitting the world champions is an accomplishment.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
MLB Notes
* I don't believe...what I just saw! The Pirates swept the Marlins! Hope in Buccoland after all? Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, but 9-6 must feel pretty good.
* Perhaps I spoke too soon with regards to the Twins looking up. Boston swept a 16-inning doubleheader today by a combined score of 17-4. The Yankees and Red Sox will both be 9-6 when they meet on Friday night at Fenway.
* Barry Zito pitched quite well, or so it would seem, against the Padres. San Diego seems to be coming back to earth a little bit.
* Tough way for the Nats to lose tonight. Their play in these last few games appears to be a bit better.
* Only 1 team has given up more than 100 runs to this point in the season: the Baltimore Orioles. None have scored 100 yet.
* Cincinnati will go as far as their pitching takes them this year, and as we've discussed on this blog before, it's not bad at all, at least in terms of the rotation.
* I really doubt the Mets fans and most analysts expected them to be in 4th place at any point this season. Likewise I'm not sure anyone expected the Royals to be in first past day 1.
* Perhaps I spoke too soon with regards to the Twins looking up. Boston swept a 16-inning doubleheader today by a combined score of 17-4. The Yankees and Red Sox will both be 9-6 when they meet on Friday night at Fenway.
* Barry Zito pitched quite well, or so it would seem, against the Padres. San Diego seems to be coming back to earth a little bit.
* Tough way for the Nats to lose tonight. Their play in these last few games appears to be a bit better.
* Only 1 team has given up more than 100 runs to this point in the season: the Baltimore Orioles. None have scored 100 yet.
* Cincinnati will go as far as their pitching takes them this year, and as we've discussed on this blog before, it's not bad at all, at least in terms of the rotation.
* I really doubt the Mets fans and most analysts expected them to be in 4th place at any point this season. Likewise I'm not sure anyone expected the Royals to be in first past day 1.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)