Tag: MLB

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MLB Review at the Break

So I had posted “MLB Preview… Sorta?” all the way back on March 24th before the season predicting which teams will go over or under their win totals according a number I believe that is given to each team by some Las Vegas betting line.

Currently I am on pace for only 14 correct predictions but do take a look at some of my “incorrect” picks so far in Cincinnati who is 1.1 games off the pace, Houston Astros who are 1.5 games off and Toronto who falls 3.9 games short. As for the close ones that I am getting correct right now are Philadelphia Phillies (0.25), Kansas City Royals (0.94) and Boston Red Sox (1.2). So technically I could be anywhere from 11 to 17 correct picks and certainly even higher if teams like the Mets and Brewers decide to make a little run.

The teams that I have looked really brilliant on are of course the Tampa Bay Rays (OVER +22.8), Seattle Mariners (UNDER -21.9), Cleveland Indians (UNDER -20.34), Minnesota Twins (OVER +16.9) and even Florida Marlins (OVER +16.8).

On the other hand, some teams that made me look down right awful are the San Diego Padres (OVER -21.9), Colorado Rockies (OVER -17.2), Chicago White Sox (UNDER +17.06) and Detroit Tigers (OVER -12.5).

Here is the table from the post at the start of the season: Continue reading “MLB Review at the Break”

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Derek Jeter: Mr. Overrated?

So here is a sneak peek at a chapter that I have written for my book. The title of the book is Diamond Destruction: How Greed, The Media and Steroids Ruined Our Game. Let me know what you guys think.

This specific chapter is called “Derek Jeter: Mr. Overrated?” which I am sure is going to be a big hit amongst my Yankee friends. Maybe this is my own way of removing the closet Yankee fan label or the fact that I never fell for the Jeter hype in the first place. Not really sure what it was but I never thought he is this superstar that everyone makes him out to be. Just think about Jeter who does not put up any big numbers and plays shortstop – if he put up these numbers for a team like Kansas City Royals or another lower tier team by today’s standings, no one would even know who Derek Jeter is. He was quite fortunate to fall into a perfect place with the Yankees who had stars and he was just a very small piece who didn’t even play that big of a role in their ultimate success.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter. I might release more as I go along but feel free to criticize, point out errors or add any other input you may have on this. If you want to read everything I have, feel free to contact me. So far I would say I have about 50 pages worth written and I’m still looking for more people to read it, rip it to shreds so I can improve on it.

I will not waste much time in making my point very clear regarding this chapter. I have long stated and still stand by the statement that Derek Sanderson Jeter, also known as Mr. November to many fans around the country, is one of the most overrated and overhyped baseball players to play the game in my lifetime. Certainly it does not help that he was drafted for the Evil Empire but that doesn’t mean that I don’t like every single player who has put on a pinstripe. There are plenty of Yankees who I have great admiration for and hoped that they had played for my favorite team. Continue reading “Derek Jeter: Mr. Overrated?”

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Instant Replay? In Baseball?

In the midst of writing a chapter on steroid use for my book on baseball, I am interrupted by two simple messages…

CAM: what!? limited replay!?
CAM: wtff.

I had to remove the screen name because my friend had concerns (maybe a little exaggerated) that my readers are all psycho and creepy and would start IMing like crazy. But anyways, the concern for instant replays in MLB might be a little more profound. Anyways, let me know what you think on the decision for MLB to use instant replay in limited usages probably starting August 1st.

I would say that pretty much describes what the majority of fans are thinking right now. For me, I think in the experimental phases of the instant replay it should only be limited to home runs and nothing else. See how it affects the game and if makes it considerably longer to go and consult the use of instant replay. In a time where the commissioner wants to shorten the games by reducing the time a pitcher takes between pitches, this is certainly a step in the other direction. However, I think it is a necessary step that needs to be taken to ensure that the correct calls are made and no game is decided on an incorrect call.

This is probably better come playoff time where they expand the number of umpires in a game but they should not be afraid from using technology to call the game correctly. Yes I can understand the need to “human”-ize the game where everything is not just technologically dependent on scouts and video tapes, that there still needs to be that human element in the game. You cannot have instances like the NBA where a clock does not run and then the referees are barred under the rules to use the replay to make the correct decision. I am not saying that the umpires should now use the replay for every single pitch to determine whether it is a strike or ball, whether a runner is safe or out at first base on a bang bang play or even whether a shot down the line looked fair or foul. Those things are simple and usually close enough where the umpire should be able to make the call on his own or if consultation is needed, there are three other umpires with them on a given night. It is just on a call where the ball is leaving the park and it is not evident whether the ball cleared the foul pole on the fair or foul side which could certainly impact the outcome of the game. Yes other plays can have an impact like that as well and maybe you extend the limits to homeruns and “game ending plays” but August is still a long way away and I am sure the officials will hammer out the details in the next two months or so.

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22 Inning Baseball Game

I was just talking to my brother last night about lengthy baseball games after hearing it on Mike and the Mad Dog. They were talking about the long Yankee/Red Sox games that seem to take away from the rivalry now with the pitchers just unable to hand the two explosive offensive sides. This happens the very same day that the Padres and Rockies duke out a 2-1 game that lasted 22 Innings – MLB Wrap Up.

I’ve heard arguments that rosters should be expanded to more than 25 so teams can be allowed to carry an extra pitcher or two incase they get burned out the day before but I am totally against that. If a team is able to hit around your starter where you are forced to go to your bullpen rather early in the game or are unable to score runs in extra innings where you are forced to use multiple relievers, that is your fault and not your opponents. Your opponent should be rewarded for putting you in such a situation the next day where they face a tired team.

Yea we constantly hear that baseball has just become a hitters game with no respect being shown to the pitchers but I think most of these pitchers are just babied way too much. “Oh, we must put an innings limit on him” or “He’s on a pitch limit today”. Let these guys go out and pitch as long as they can. Let them get out of trouble and don’t bail them out and go to someone in your pen. None of the young guys ever learn that way and if they don’t get the experience now, you’re bound to pay for it later.

Let me know what you guys think… should the MLB expand rosters to say 27-28 where 2-3 guys are on reserve and a team is able to rotate players in and out on a given night to rest some players? So you always have 25 guys suited up for a game but in between games, a team can switch players and not have to option a guy or put him on a list. It’s an interesting idea to toss around.

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Streak in Jeopardy?

So I am currently sitting in my apartment looking at a boxed up television that is packed and ready to be shipped to the Sullivan residence. The MLB.tv package puts a local blackout in effect for any Yankee, Mets and possibly Phillies games so this afternoon’s Yankee game in Kansas City is not looking too promising. So far I am 7 for 7 in the games played this season with the Yankees going 4-3 in that stretch. Royals starting the season well with a 3 game sweet of the Tigers… hopefully they can pull off the same stuff against the Yanks.

I have several scenarios lying on the table right now. I could transport the new TV that is coming into the apartment but that requires carrying an 80 pound set down a block from CPA and then up 5 flights of stairs. Another option is finding some broadcast somewhere to catch an inning or so and the rest on the radio. The last option is to go out somewhere to catch the game and keep my streak alive.

I wonder, does listening to the entire game on the radio qualify as keeping the streak intact? What do you think?

Any other suggestions?

Edit:
So far it has been an even split on people suggesting listening to the game on the radio counts just as much as watching it on TV while others saying either its just not the same to my initial goal was to “watch” the games.