Heyman | Real Wild-Card Loser Is Pace Of Play

When they were just finishing the third inning around 10 PM, I knew there was no way I would make it to the end. I don’t need the games done in two hours. Somewhere between 2 1/2 to 3 hours would be fine. 4+ hour games with 8 PM start times means I’m missing the end. That bites. Tonight I have an extra incentive to stay late. I’ve been rooting for the D’Backs all year since I put $100 down on them at 100-1 odds back before Spring Training started. Unfortunately, I might have to find out if they ...

Piecoro: Arizona Diamondbacks riding closer Fernando Rodney into postseason

If the Diamondbacks find themselves with a slim lead after eight innings on Wednesday night, they will put their season in the hands of a closer few in baseball trust. The bullpen door will swing open and Fernando Rodney will begin his slow trek to the mound. The image alone creates anxiety for Diamondbacks fans.

Good stuff on the ups and downs with Rodney this year.

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 10-4-2017

Pittsburgh Press, October 4, 1917:

Rogers Hornsby has asked for a three-year contract without the release clause, calling for $22,500, to remain with the Cardinals. President Rickey has offered $5,000 for one year. Hornsby says: “It is my price or I will close my baseball career with this fall series.” President Rickey, according to Hornsby, said: “I will save money if you do not come back next season.”

Pay the man, Branch. Just trust me on this. He’s worth it. I promise. ...Read More...

WaPo: One of Mike Francesa’s callers predicted Luis Severino’s early exit … and he was mocked

Al Alburquerque was unavailable for comment. (Were he real.)

“Let’s just say, inning one, right away, you can tell Severino doesn’t have it,” the caller asks. “Do you go to [Yankees reliever] Sonny Gray first or would you go right to Chad Green?”

Francesa, who already had predicted that Severino “was gonna go deep, he could go as many as eight innings,” scoffed at the notion as only Francesa can.

“How many games this year did Severino come out in the second inning, out of his ...

A’s brass addresses offseason concerns, will continue to focus on youth - San Francisco Chronicle

The one regular in the A’s lineup, then, who might be dangled for bullpen help is corner infielder-designated hitter Ryon Healy, should the front office want to risk breaking up the tight-knit core of youngsters who have come up through the organization together.

Healy is 25 and he blasted 25 homers in his first full big-league season, but he isn’t an accomplished fielder and moving him would free up the DH spot for Davis and give Oakland more options in the outfield.

The Downside of Baseball’s Data Revolution—Long Games, Less Action - WSJ

Is it analytics or players taking too long between pitches? That’s what I see.

Marche: The Error in Baseball and the Moral Dimension to American Life

Why do we still score errors?

Baseball goes to the trouble to record a highly subjective decision that does not affect the outcome of the game and fails to communicate meaningfully a player’s ability. Why?

The short answer is “because it used to meaningfully communicate something about events that happened frequently,” but of course as with so many traditions, inertia supersedes usefulness.

Via Language Log, which notes that, wonderfully, the word “bobbles” was spelled erroneously in the ...

ALWC Playoff OMNICHATTER for October 3, 2017

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 10-3-2017

The link is to a nearly half-page ad in the Butte Daily Post for One Touch of Nature, a short film featuring John McGraw and the New York Giants.

Unexpected success could be the start of something big for Twins - StarTribune.com

“The reality is, there are cycles to this game,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “You want to avoid significant valleys, the long downturns, and unfortunately, we’ve been unable to do that. But the good news is, it feels like that’s behind us now. We believe we are on the cusp of an upturn that could result in some great things — including, hopefully, bringing another world championship here.”

The 2 moments that turned afterthought teen into Yankees’ ace | New York Post

Nice feature on Severino.

Braves’ John Hart talks about John Coppolella | MLB.com

With Coppolella gone, Hart now must oversee and handle more of the daily responsibilities in a front office full of new faces.
“We won’t miss a beat going forward,” Hart said while trying to remain optimistic during the early stages of an unenviable development.

Scout who signed both wild-card aces has clear rooting interest | New York Post

Teams don’t have to be perfect; they just need to be better than their competitors.

“The percentage of players reaching the major leagues, whether it’s domestic or international, is so low that when someone that you sign or your group has signed reaches the major leagues and has a reasonably successful career, there’s always satisfaction there,” Rowland said Monday in a telephone interview. “Because scouts and directors, particularly directors, understand the odds and understand the ...

As Braves GM, John Coppolella had his dream job. Now it’s gone | Mark Bradley blog

The international player market is a murky place. (Scout Gordon Blakeley, an old pro on the international scene, also resigned Monday.) Everyone had the Venezuelan teenager Kevin Maitan ticketed to sign with the Braves long before he was eligible to sign with any team; sure enough, Maitan signed with the Braves in July 2016 and is regarded, at age 17, as one of the 10 best prospects in what has become the sport’s No. 1 farm system. That farm system would never have gone from fallow to ...

Jeffrey Loria Is Sending His Bobbleheads To Cooperstown

Outgoing Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is taking one of his prized belongings, his collection of 900 bobbleheads, and giving them to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The remaining 300 to 400 bobbleheads that weren’t part of his private collection will continue to be displayed at Marlins Park.

Those bobbleheads are perhaps the best reason to go to Marlins Park.

Coppolella resigns as Braves’ GM

Braves general manager John Coppolella has resigned from his position, the Braves announced on Monday afternoon.

The resignation came as a result of a breach of Major League Baseball rules regarding the international player market, the Braves’ statement said.

Most of the stories are still updating, so there’s not a lot in this link.  More info is on twitter, from people like Passan and Rosenthal:

Resignation of Coppolella believed to stem in part from issues with #Braves’ talent ...

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 10-2-2017

Bismarck Tribune, October 2, 1917:


There’s also a fun cartoon about Red Faber at the link.

OTP 2 October 2017: Oakland Catcher Bruce Maxwell Breaks Baseball’s Politics Line

It’s worth asking why baseball has been behind other sports. Some of the surprise over MLB players’ reticence to protest is rooted in a misreading of baseball history. Because of icons like Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente (and, less so, another social-justice icon, Curt Flood), the sport has always had a superficial patina of progressiveness. But baseball has always been a conservative sport.

Jackie Robinson was a giant, and his tenacity in breaking another of baseball’s “color ...

Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton wins HR, RBI titles | MLB.com

“It was tough not to think about,” Stanton said of the home run attention. “But at the same time, if I hit 60, you guys would be sitting here saying, why didn’t I hit 61 or 62? I’m fine with the way my season went.”

Marwin Gonzalez’s versatility key for Astros | MLB.com

When talking about fungible utility players, I used to say, “You know, the Marwin Gonzalez type.” I need to find another example.

Bartolo Colon wins, doesn’t plan to retire | MLB.com

The Energizer Colon.

2018 MLB Draft order set, Tigers pick first | MLB.com

1. Tigers (64-98, .395)
2. Giants (64-98, .395)
3. Phillies (66-96, .407)
4. White Sox (67-95, .414)
5. Reds (68-94, .420)
6. Mets (70-92, .432)
7. Padres (71-91, .438)
8. Braves (72-90, .444)
9. Athletics (75-87, .463)
10. Pirates (75-87, .463)

2018 MLB Draft order set, Tigers pick first | MLB.com

If you are going to be bad, you might as well be the worst.

The Tigers have selected No. 2 overall three times. In 2004, they got Justin Verlander with the second pick; in 1990, that selection netted them Tony Clark; and in 1976, they took southpaw Pat Underwood, who went 13-18 with a 4.43 ERA in four big league seasons, all with the Tigers.

Terry Collins fights back tears as he steps aside | New York Post

Nobody manages forever.

OT - October 2017 College Football thread

“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul… but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.”

Inside Baseball AL Notes | Lorenzo Cain’s Potential AL Options

Heyman’s NL Notes.

The Last Regular Season OMNICHATTER for 2017!

D-backs rally to help Fuentes, Puerto Rico

Kendrick sends private jet to bring outfielder’s family to Arizona

Miami Heat’s transition to mobile only entry begins with Sunday’s preseason opener

...The Heat, which announced earlier this year it was going to be the first franchise in the NBA to completely transition entry into AmericanAirlines Arena from tickets to smartphones, will begin the switch with its first exhibition game.

Parking at AmericanAirlines Arena and Bayside Marketplace will also be mobile only….

Former All-Star Carl Crawford Is Making $21.9M to Not Play, and He’s OK with It | Bleacher Report

Who doesn’t appreciate a good severance package?