AL Wildcard race: September 21, 2011

BOS 88-68 [5-16 in SEPT]
TBR 85-70 [11-9 in SEPT] (2.5 GB)
LAA 85-70 [12-7 in SEPT] (2.5 GB)

MLB.com: Beckett stumbles

For the second consecutive evening, what was shaping up as a much-needed win turned into loss. Playing their final game at Fenway Park this season, the Sox suffered a 6-4 defeat to the last-place Orioles.

Almost stunningly, considering the juncture of the season that it is, Boston lost three out of four to Baltimore to cap a disappointing 3-7 homestand.

MLB.com: Rays miss ...

Royals Designate Kila Ka’aihue For Assignment

The Roberto Petagine of our day?

It wasn’t long ago that Kila Ka’aihue seemed like a promising piece of the Royals’ future. But the Hawaiian first baseman doesn’t appear to fit into their long-term plans any more, despite the career minor league on-base percentage of .390 that has endeared him to the statistically minded. Kansas City designated the 27-year-old for assignment to create 40-man roster space for right-handed reliever Kelvin Herrera, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star ...

Baseball Prospectus: Fast: Removing the Mask

A freebie from Prospectus: a study on catchers and ranking them by their pitch-framing and ump-gulling ability, replete with animated GIFs and heat maps.

To calculate the catcher performance, I first established a baseline for each pitcher over the period 2007-2011. I used the strike zone definition described here and counted the number of extra strikes and subtracted the number of extra balls tallied by each pitcher. I also applied a small correction to the pitch location data as described ...

Sirius: In a classic Mad Dog Rant, hear Chris Russo go off on Billy Beane and “Moneyball” (Audio)

“Brad Pitt on the cover of Sports Illustrated is gonna make me throw up!”

Yahoo: Movietalk: Brad Pitt Going All Out for ‘Moneyball’

To say Pitt has been less than shy in his public appearances in support of “Moneyball” is putting it mildly: never before has the actor seemingly campaigned so hard to sell a film, happily posing for photos that milked his universal sex appeal. The new Sports Illustrated cover boy knows he’s hot, and he’s working it. According to Us Weekly, Pitt charmed journalists on the “Moneyball” red carpet and “let loose” at the afterparty. “He was hugging old ladies, taking pics with co-stars, and letting ...

Hoffarth: Larry King says he’s mad as heck and isn’t going to take it anymore

Big Jack Braun from Borough Park…you’re on the air!

Longtime listener, perhaps first-time caller Larry King made it clear that he’s dropping his Dodgers’ season seats after this season because of his disappointment with Frank McCourt’s running of the franchise.

Calling in today to the MLB Network Radio channel on SiriusXM today to vent with hosts Kevin Kennedy and Jim Duquette, the former CNN talk-show host said:

“My contract’s up on my season tickets. I’m in partnership with another guy. ...

Kiszla: Time for Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd to take responsibility

When will somebody finally demand accountability from general manager Dan O’Dowd for a team that has lost its mojo in LoDo?

We know O’Dowd won’t be grilled by franchise owners Dick and Charlie Monfort, who apparently think general manager is a lifetime appointment, the same as Supreme Court justice or queen of England.

But, sooner or later, O’Dowd must answer to the 2.9 million Coors Field fans who mistakenly bought the idea that this would be a baseball season with no limits.

What went ...

Playoff Race: Today’s Schedule

Rays@Yankees-GM 1: 1:05pm:  Shields (15-11) against Noesi (2-1)

Rays@Yankees-GM 2: 7:05pm:  Hellickson (13-10) against Sabathia (19-8)

Orioles@Red Sox-7:10pm:  Hunter (4-4) against Beckett (13-5)

Angels@Blue Jays-7:07pm:  Haren (15-9) against McGowan (0-0)

Braves@Marlins-7:10pm:  Lowe (9-15) against Vazquez (11-11)

Mets@Cardinals-8:15pm:  Schwinden (0-2) against Garcia (12-7)

Giants@Dodgers-10:10pm:  Vogelsong (11-7) against Eveland (2-1)

Tampa Bay: 2 GB from Red Sox ...Read More...

Lost Giants Fan Billy Found

For those who read the first post about Billy.

Finally, I spotted Billy Chamberlain, the homeless Giants fan who has been missing, at the entrance to the main parking lot at Dodger Stadium. I talked to him for a little while. He said he’s OK and was looking forward to seeing the team. He’s been in Southern California for awhile, and although he heard something about people looking for him, he had no idea the Giants had been showing his picture on the scoreboard, etc.

“That’s the first ...

New Miami Marlins logo latest uniform leak

My freakin’ eyes!

The latest security breach came last night, when the Marlins’ new 2012 logo began circulating. At first it wasn’t clear whether it was legit or just some Photoshopper’s concept, but Uni Watch has confirmed that it is in fact the real deal. This is what the team will be wearing next year when it’s rebranded as the Miami Marlins.

Joe Sheehan:

I don’t get the hate for the new Marlins logo. It’ll fit right in with the rest of Major League Lacrosse.

...Read More...

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: September 21, 2011 at 03:18 PM | 152 comment(s)
  Beats: media, miami, online

Amazin’ Avenue: Transcript of Sandy Alderson’s Interview on SNY

During the top of the third inning of the Mets’ series-opener in St. Louis last night, Sandy Alderson joined Gary Cohen and Ron Darling in the SNY booth to talk about the organization’s prospects, offseason plans, and potential changes to Citi Field.

GC: Let’s parlay that question about team speed into the next question about the configuration of the ballpark. Do you see it changing appreciably next year?

SA: How do those relate, Gary? [laughter]

We’re certainly talking about it, and I ...

Washington Post:  Boswell:  The Greatest Yankee Since Ruth

Mariano was the greatest Yankee since Babe Ruth. He was more valuable, more central and more emblematic than Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter or any of the assorted Hessians like Roger Clemens of the free agent era since ’76. That’s an opinion from observation; it’s not a proof. Joe DiMaggio hit .271 (.760 OPS) in his 10 World Series. Rivera’s ERA was 0.71 in 31 postseason series. Not 31 games, 31 entire series….

Too soon, Mo will become an oldie-but-goodie. But not yet. The ...

Steve Cameron: Alex Gordon deserves to win Gold Glove

Now seriously, shouldn’t Alex win a Gold Glove by a country mile here?

Let’s see, why not start with those 20 assists, which lead all major league outfielders?

Or the fact that Alex has committed only three errors and has a fielding percentage of .991?

How about all the diving catches, the wall-scrapers, the leaps for balls headed into the left-center gap?

The fact is that Alex Gordon has had a magnificent season – from Opening Day through the twilight of September – and there’s no way ...

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 9-21-2011

Toledo News-Bee, September 21, 1911:

Gavvy Cravath made his twenty-sixth home run of the season yesterday, thereby breaking the former record of 25, held by John Freeman, while with the Boston Americans.

He’s had a nice season, but Cravath’s no prospect.  He’s a 30-year-old Quad-A corner outfielder, a .240 career hitter in 117 big league games.  He’s supposed to be a slugger but he only managed two major league home runs before getting shipped back to the bushes.

He’ll never amount to much. ...Read More...

Schilling: ‘Don’t know that it’s there’

Owner of Big Huge Games speaks.

Schilling said the pressure is on Josh Beckett, Wednesday night’s starter, to go deep into the game—or else.

“Josh Beckett has to will himself to be in the game into the eighth or ninth inning, no matter what the score is. If they score one, he can give up none. It takes a pitcher getting that mentality and going out and executing on that to get this thing ended.”

That kind of performance is what the Red Sox have sorely needed over the last few weeks, ...

Plaschke: Paul DePodesta is captured to a T in film ‘Moneyball’

That was DePodesta when he took over the Dodgers in February 2004, a 31-year-old prodigy occupying a seat once held by Branch Rickey and Al Campanis. That light made him blink, and he wasn’t the only one.

He clearly wasn’t ready for the job, which lasted only two years before he was fired for essentially tearing the place apart. But I clearly wasn’t ready for him, and never really gave him time to implement the baseball sabermetrics that I have since come to accept and understand.

“The ...

MLB.com: Kershaw dominates Giants for 20th win

With a 2-1 win over the Giants that pulled the Dodgers above .500 for the first time since April 29, Kershaw bested two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum for the fourth time this year while becoming the first Dodgers pitcher to go 5-0 against the Giants in a season since Vic Lombardi in 1946.

Kershaw threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits—including an eighth-inning homer to Chris Stewart—while striking out six and was removed after walking the last two batters he faced. He made 115 pitches. ...

NL Wildcard race: September 20, 2011

ATL 88-67 [8-12 in SEPT]
STL 85-69 [13-5 in SEPT] (2.5 GB)

MLB.com: Rookie Delgado comes up big for Braves

Granted a cushion courtesy of a three-run second inning at Sun Life Stadium on Tuesday night, Randall Delgado displayed veteran poise as he tossed five scoreless innings and notched his first career victory to help Atlanta notch a much-needed 4-0 win over the Marlins.

MLB.com: Resilient Cards keep pace with six-run rally

AL Wildcard race: September 20, 2011

BOS 88-67 [5-15 in SEPT]
TBR 85-68 [11-7 in SEPT] (2 GB)
LAA 84-70 [11-7 in SEPT] (3.5 GB)

MLB.com: Despite loss, Sox maintain Wild Card lead
MLB.com: Rays’ playoff chase paused with loss in NY
MLB.com: Angels ride early wave to win over Jays

Ric Flair’s Surprise Visit Energizes Red Sox Clubhouse

The Laser Show may be the shortest ride in the park, but it has the longest line! WOOOO!!

Ric Flair, a 16-time world heavyweight wrestling champion that has entertained fans for nearly 40 years, surprised the Sox with an impromptu visit that accomplished the unaccomplishable—it rendered Dustin Pedroia speechless.

Pedroia, who teamed with Josh Reddick to purchase an autographed Flair robe that has hung above Pedroia’s locker for months, was given an authentic championship belt from the ...

Red Sox pitcher served papers by Yankees fan before start

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

“The Red Sox were very cooperative,” Cabral told The Post. “They asked me if I could serve these tomorrow because he was starting tonight. My position was, my client wants it served today, and that’s what I have to do.”

Cabral didn’t bother to hide the fact he is a Yankees fan. In fact, he proudly wore a Yankees shirt while he served Bedard the papers.

“When I walked in I was like, I’m a Yankees fan, but I’m not trying to (give ...

International Baseball Update: More Rosters released for World Cup

More rosters have been released for the 2011 Baseball World Cup (AKA “The World Baseball Classic only without Major Leaguers, NPB players or any major media attention whatsoever”).

The Netherlands currently includes 10 Minor Leaguers and 16 from the Honkbal Hoofdklasse in Holland.

Germany also is bringing some Minor Leaguers, along with players from their domestic league.

Canada has released their roster as well, and it is made up entirely of minor leaguers, plus former Expo and current ...

Bronson Arroyo bothered by ERA, not home runs

HA! He should have pitched during the .303 1930 National League seasohhhhh…

“I couldn’t care less how many home runs I give up in a season,” Arroyo said. “Having a five ERA (5.34) is going to bother me 30 times more than how those runs scored. If I gave up 100 homers this year and they were all solo shots and my ERA was 2.7, I’d be completely content.”

Arroyo is 8-12 with the aforementioned 5.34 ERA, his worst year since joining the Reds in 2006. Arroyo last season was 17-10 with ...

Lasorda to be Dodgers coach on Thursday

Vic Tanny lies. Believe me; Vic Tanny lies.

Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda will serve as an honorary coach Thursday, his 84th birthday and the final home game of the season for the Dodgers.

Current manager Don Mattingly made the invitation to Lasorda, whose Dodgers managerial career began 35 years ago when he replaced Walt Alston and lasted 20 seasons.

“I am so deeply honored and grateful that Don would ask me to do this,” said Lasorda, who will suit up and be in the Dodgers’ dugout for the ...

Glasses stolen off Ernie Harwell statue at Comerica Park in Detroit

That ####### Swofford!

Someone has stolen a pair of glasses off a statue of late Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell that stands at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Columnist Neal Rubin with The Detroit News reports that the team noticed the vandalism in July and a new pair should be in place by Thursday’s game.

It’s unclear exactly how — or when — the glasses were taken.

The Tigers notified artist Omri Amrany, who oversaw the statue of Harwell, about the theft. Amrany says the glasses are being ...

New Mexico State University Baseball ‘Hitter’ Mannequin Reported Stolen

Probably by the ACC.

The New Mexico State University baseball team says its “hitter” mannequin has been stolen.

NMSU announced Tuesday that the team reported the mannequin stolen after a player noticed that it was missing.

The six-foot tall black mannequin wearing a gray New York Yankee uniform is modeled after a baseball player holding a bat and standing at home plate. The equipment, paired with a “catcher” mannequin that was not taken, is used for pitching practice.

The hitter mannequin ...

ESPN: Szymborski: A staff for the ages (INSIDER)

n December, the Philadelphia Phillies were revealed to be the notorious “mystery team” in the hunt for Cliff Lee, eventually signing the 2008 AL Cy Young winner to a five-year, $120 million contract. With Philly’s rotation already containing Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, the hype surrounding the team’s quartet of starting pitchers reached epic proportions. The hypemakers were wrong—the Phillies’ starters went on to exceed expectations.

After the inking of Lee, we took a look at ...

Megdal: RA Dickey: Steal of the Offseason

The Achievement of RA Dickey: A Comprehensive Selection of His Knucklers.

But would it surprise you to know he’s been the second-most valuable pitcher of any who signed last winter, regardless of salary?

Dickey’s been worth 4.6 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2011, good for 16th in all of baseball among starting pitchers. Those pitchers ahead of him: Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee (the only signing of the offseason with more value than Dickey in 2011, but who will make more in ...

BPP: An interview with Dan Szymborski

You can’t spell ZiPS without…Dan!

How long ago did you come up with ZiPS?

Szymborski: The genesis of it was there’s a [person] who contributes to Baseball Think Factory named Chris Dial, and in the late ’90s, they were talking about how someone could make a projection system that’s very basic and get most of the way there, in a way kind of a primordial version of Marcel which is a tabulator.

Before 2002, I was thinking maybe I should try my hand at a projection system. At that time, ...

Berg: The save stat, nutshelled

Yankees: Let’s all pull together to really suck!

“I couldn’t believe they were cheering me for hitting into a double play,” Swisher said. “I said: ‘Whoa, what’s this? And then I looked at the bullpen and saw Mo coming out and I said: ‘Now I get it!’ This was the greatest double play of my life.”

“Runners at first and second…it was unbelievable,” Rivera said. “I don’t ever want my teammates to do bad so I can pitch, but this time I was happy for the opportunity. ...