Archive for July, 2010
Baltimore Orioles Finally Hire Buck Showalter as Manager
After two months under the guidance of interim manager Juan Samuel, the Baltimore Orioles finally have a permanent captain for their floundering ship with the hiring of Buck Showalter to take over the team beginning on August 3rd. After hiring the interim manager to eventually be the permanent manager after each of the last two [...]
Hey Andy MacPhail, Is The Barn Burning Yet?
Less than two weeks ago, Baltimore Orioles president Andy MacPhail said that the team was in no hurry to hire a new manager because “it’s not like the barn is on fire right now. The players are doing a nice job for Juan [Samuel].” Over the last two weeks, the Orioles have won just two [...]
Was Dawson Hall Worthy?
The induction this Sunday of Andre Dawson led to my annual evaluation of whether the chosen player(s) are worthy of such a lifetime achievement honor. With Dawson the answer is yes and no. What, you say? Let me explain. By strict statistical standards, Dawson should not have been inducted. In nearly every important analytic metric [...]
JEWS AND BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY
NARRATED BY DUSTIN HOFFMAN New Documentary Features Major Sandy Koufax Interview; Recollections from Ron Howard, Larry King, Bob Feller, Bud Selig, Marvin Miller, Al Rosen, Hank Greenberg and Many More Official Press Release New York – “Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story,” a major new documentary release from Clear Lake Historical Productions, is now [...]
A Glove of Their Own: A Grand Slam On and Off the Field
This article is being reprinted by permission… Every so often in the sports industry, do you encounter a genuine person who is trying to making a difference without a hidden agenda. Bob Salomon is one such individual. Over the past month, I have gotten to know Bob and truly what he is about. His book, “A [...]
Tim Lincecum’s Mechanics: A Somax Analysis
Below you will find an analysis of Tim Lincecum‘s pitching mechanics as compared to other pitchers. Some pitchers are current day pitchers as well as including how he compares with selected Hall of Fame pitchers like Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, etc. Help support Baseball Reflections and buy me a coffee with PayPal!
Pitch in for Baseball Joins the State Farm “Go To Bat” Campaign
Pitch In For Baseball is delighted to have been selected to participate in State Farm‘s ‘Go To Bat’ campaign. Now we need your help! ‘Go To Bat’ was launched nationally during the State Farm Home Run Derby. ’Go To Bat’ gives entrants a chance to win tickets to the upcoming World Series and selected charity [...]
A-Rod’s Quest for his 600th HR
Last night A-Rod hit his 599th career HR in new Yankees Stadium & with a weekend series in the Bronx against the Royals it is very likely that # 600 will be launched in NY. With that in mind, here are a few infographics from our friends over at TiqIQ. This first one is a [...]
Come On Down!
It’s that time of year again — time to play “The Price Is Right”. Let’s meet our contestants (records are at beginning of play on 7/21): 59-34 This contestant is a regular each year. They like to bid high and will aggressively pursue anyone their heated rival from Boston does. This year they need some [...]
Pre 2010 Fantasy Baseball Predictions at the Mid-Way Point
With the All-Star Break in our rear-view, it becomes a perfect time to evaluate some pre-season predictions and projections… Division Winners AL (b)East – New York Yankees (1st, 58-33) AL Central – Minnesota Twins (3rd, 49-43, 1.5 GB) AL West – Texas Rangers (1st, 53-39) NL East – Philadelphia Phillies (3rd, 48-43, 5.5 GB) NL [...]
The Japanese All-Star Series
Image via Wikipedia While watching the recent MLB All-Star game, I started thinking about what the All-Star game is like in Japan. Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd performed late-inning heroics, propelling the National League to victory. Now that the MLB’s mid-summer classic “counts,” the win assures a National League [...]
How Have Prices Been Affected at Yankees Stadium Since The Boss Passed Away
Here are two infographics showing the results brought to you by our friends at TiqIQ. AND Help support Baseball Reflections and buy me a coffee with PayPal!
Remembering George Steinbrenner: A Female Umpire’s Perspective
Here’s the abstract of the article originally titled “Remembering George” from professional umpire, Perry Barber’s website “Dishing It… and taking it, too”. March, 1990: After twenty-eight years with the New York Mets, my friend and mentor Arthur Richman had recently matriculated to the Yankees‘ front office at his good pal George Steinbrenner’s insistence. One of [...]
Berry Reassigned, Bagwell to Take Over as Astros Hitting Coach
Image by BaseballBacks via Flickr The following article was originally posted at James’ site Astros County back on July 11th! It’s not often you get an email in church that makes you go, “Whoa!” in the middle of the Lord’s Supper. But that’s exactly what happened this morning. Alyson Footer first broke this morning that [...]
The SF Giants at the All Star Break
I think that the Giants are one of the more interesting teams at the All-Star Break. At the time of this writing they are five games above the .500 mark and only four games back of first place. With half the season to go, anything can happen. This is part of what makes baseball exciting [...]
The 1% Factor: How The Brewers Can Defy The Odds And Make A Run
As the Brewers end the first “half” of play and come out on the other end of the All-Star Break, the following question popped into my mind: Can The Brewers Defy a 40-49 Record and actually make a playoff run? The one good thing about hope is that it cannot be killed (no matter how [...]
Mets at the Break: Back in Contention
The Mets went into the All-Star Break 48-40, four games out of first and one game out of the wild card. What could have been devastating problems have instead resulted in pleasant surprises. Carlos Beltran, perhaps the team’s best all-around player, was originally expected back in May, but won’t make his season debut until after [...]
The Boss Has Left the Office
Here is my eulogy to George Steinbrenner He parlayed a $167,000 investment into a business now worth over $1 billion. That was the business side of George Steinbrenner. In 1973, when he became Managing General Partner, he vowed to take a once glorious team mired in a long stretch of mediocrity and make it a [...]
Baltimore Orioles Sweep The First Place Rangers: Not a Misprint
After enduring one of the most disappointing first halves to a season in franchise history, the Baltimore Orioles headed into the All-Star break with a surprising four-game sweep over the West Division leading Texas Rangers. What makes the sweep particularly shocking is that Texas entered the series with a 31-15 home record while the Orioles [...]
Seattle Mariners Trade Cliff Lee to Texas Rangers for Justin Smoak: Fantasy Impact
After weeks of anticipation, Seattle Mariners’ pitcher Cliff Lee finally has a new home. Just hours after it was reported that the New York Yankees were close to acquiring Lee’s services, the Mariners dealt the 31-year-old southpaw to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Justin Smoak and minor leaguers Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Matt [...]
Haarlem Baseball Week Updated: 3 Games In
Good Morning, after several days of many calls and mail, has finally clarified the participation of Venezuela in the 25th Haarlem Baseball Week. Saturday revealed that the team still in the capital Caracas, and that insurmountable difficulties were about obtaining visas for Porto Rico. The Venezuelan team was in Puerto Rico, adjacent to the Baseball [...]
Cliff Lee NOT Traded to the Yankees, but IS now a Ranger!!!
Biggest Trade of 2010 Season Occurs With Added Drama From the words of Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, the Rangers, not Yankees, are the winners of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. They will be sending star 1B prospect Justin Smoak, and minor leaguers RHP Blake Beavin, RHP Josh Lueke, and utility man Matt Lawson to the [...]
Cliff Lee (Almost) Traded to Yankees?!!!
Lee becomes 9th Yankee on AL All-Star team Mariners receive prospect package with Jesus Montero as the centerpiece The most talked-about sweepstakes at the trade deadline this year is coming to a close. THUH-UH-UH-UH—YANKEES WIN! Despite missing the first month of the season with an abdominal strain, LHP Cliff Lee places 4th among pitchers in [...]
Russell Branyan traded for Randy Johnson… Kind of (includes FLOW CHART)
About a week ago, on the heels of winning 6 of their last 7, a few days ago Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik was quoted “I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet.” Now, he has absolutely no incentive to say the opposite (“Fire Sale!” shows your hand and gives away your leverage), [...]
Early 2011 Fantasy Baseball Value Plays
We are not even at the All-Star Break yet so you may be asking, “Why the hell are you talking about values for 2011?” Certainly a fair question but it is never too early to start getting a feel for the next season – even in non-keeper leagues. Here is a look at some players [...]
All-Star Shame; Prospects Flame
Image by Evan Wohrman via Flickr I’m going to go on my annual rant about the All-Star Game albeit somewhat less harsh. This game is at a crossroads. What is it really and what has it become? Historically the All-Star Game was created to offer some excitement during the Great Depression. No fewer than 19 [...]
The SF Giants June Swoon
I can recall one time when I was a kid, one of my sisters asked me “What about the Giants’ “June swoon?” At the time she asked I was not familiar with what the phrase “June swoon” actually meant. Now, many years later I am painfully aware of what the June swoon is, and it [...]
Brandon Phillips: Why You Should Sell High on The Cincinnati Reds’ Second Baseman
In four and a half seasons with the Reds, Phillips has never finished with a batting average higher than .288, and his career mark is an uninspiring .269. Yet somehow, the recently-turned 29-year-old is batting .309 this season…
July 4th Baseball Facts, New and Old
An infographic by TiqIQ Help support Baseball Reflections and buy me a coffee with PayPal!
The New York Yankees: Brains Behind the Brawn?
Ah, hating the Yankees. This is a passion that even the most hated division rivals will share. If you’ve never heard someone say “All they do is buy championships,” you must not be from this continent. Buying championships? I think that undersells the fantastic job that GM Brian Cashman has done. Since From 1973 until [...]
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