Archive for July, 2011
If you build it ….. they will come!
If you are a baseball fan, chances are you have seen one of the best baseball movies all time in “Field Of Dreams“. From sitting on the same benches as Kevin Costner to viewing the Field that happens to have been built after plowing down a corn field, this place is a perfect day trip [...]
Author Bill Palmer’s Reflections on the Game of Baseball
This is my first article for Baseball Reflections and I’m very happy to be here. What a great name for the site. It got me thinking about my personal baseball reflections. I’ve always thought memories are a lot like reflections, especially when it comes to baseball memories. Sometimes, but not often enough, the memory is [...]
Sabermetrics 101: Gaining the Fantasy Baseball Edge
Most people who play fantasy baseball participate in leagues which count basic statistical categories. Although actual league formats may differ (head-to-head, rotisserie, points leagues being among the most popular), the categories in which your teams compete are generally the same. Most fantasy baseball leagues will consider the following categories for batters: Runs, Home Runs, RBI, Batting Average and [...]
Dear Ruben, Just Say No to Carlos
Attention Ruben Amaro and anyone of the Phillies top brass: DO NOT BRING CARLOS BELTRAN TO THE PHILLIES I beg you, please don’t bring Carlos Beltran to the Phillies Trading for Carlos Beltran would be an awful idea for the Phillies. Would adding him to the roster help the Phillies this year? Probably. Is he [...]
What’s Wrong With Adam Dunn?
Coming into the 2011 season, there was arguably no more consistent a player in all of major league baseball thanAdam Dunn. When it comes to fantasy baseball, there is perhaps nothing more treasured to owners than a player that provides constant and consistent numbers, year after year. In a game where player statistics can veer wildly [...]
What if MLB Were to do a Soccer-Style-Payroll-Based Realignment?
Despite being a Yankees fan, I admit the economics of baseball are way out of whack. I was talking with a few other fans about the MLB and thought of a radical new change in division re-alignment that may finally end the disparity between all ball clubs having a chance to make the playoffs each [...]
The New Moneyball
Those that read Moneyball remember it well. You had the case of Scott Hatteberg. Hatteberg moved from behind the dish to first base because he could no longer throw effectively. He could however draw walks and hit with moderate power. There were the collective drafts of Nick Swisher and Jeremy Brown. Swisher you have heard [...]
Six Decades of Baseball: A Book Review
Author Bill Lewers has possibly lived a life many baseball fans would trade for. In his work, Six Decades of Baseball, Lewers chronicles his time surrounding the game of baseball across the nation. Lewers, a Red Sox fan who never lived near Boston, and actually grew up in New York City, presents a story of [...]
The Tribe is Failing to Meet Expectations
When the Indians started the season out on a 30-15 clip, everything was clicking. The average result of a game was a win by 1.5 runs. They had a respectable .265 batting average and their ERA was a sparkling 3.38. They were looking like a true team as [...]
Backstop to the Future: Fantasy Baseball Catchers in the Second Half of 2011
One position that has often befuddled fantasy baseballowners is that of catcher. Usually, there are one or two elite options and the rest of the pack has often consisted of filler players that will hopefully provide a little pop, no speed and not destroy your overall team batting average too badly. Although there are still elite options [...]
Baltimore Orioles: First Half in Review
Coming into the season, the Baltimore Orioles had high expectations on getting the team back to a competing level. With all the key moves the Orioles were hoping this would become reality. Let’s take a look back at the Orioles first half of the season. First off the Orioles started the season fast and [...]
On the Short List: Fantasy Baseball Shortstops in the Second Half of the 2011 Season
Are you wondering about your fantasy baseball options at the shortstop position for the second half of the 2011 season? If so, there are many options to consider. Some players are over-achieving, some are under-achieving and some are just noteworthy. I recently looked at fantasy baseball third basemen in the second half, now let’s consider some options for [...]
Leadership – What it Takes
Leadership is often lacking on our playing fields, even at the highest levels of sport. It certainly makes a coach’s life easier when they have a player, or two, who has leadership skills. Of course, good coaches develop leaders by showing youth players how to deal with the various situations that sport present, good and [...]
Heating Up at the Hot Corner: Fantasy Baseball Third Basemen for the Second Half of 2011
As the temperature heats up heading into the ‘dog days of summer’, fantasy baseball teams will be looking for players which will heat up at many positions as well. The ‘hot corner’has been anything but ‘hot’ so far in the 2011 season, as many players have battled through injuries and cold streaks, leaving the third base position rather shallow so [...]
A Mets Fan’s View of the K-Rod Trade
The Mets’ trade of Francisco Rodriquez to the Brewers was a good one because it gives them a much better chance of signing Jose Reyes in the offseason. The Mets dumped their closer to Milwaukee for players to be named later. In doing so, they don’t have to worry about the financial repercussions of [...]
The Mariners Career of Erik Bedard
15 Starts That seems like the magic number Bedard strives for each season, at least during his Mariners career. In his four seasons with the club (he missed all of 2010), Bedard has made exactly 15 starts in all of them. Here’s a look at his numbers: 2008: 6-4 3.67 ERA 4.50 xFIP 1.0 [...]
Second Base Options for the Season’s Second Half
Entering the second half of the 2011 season it is time to consider your options at several positions for your fantasy baseball team. You may be looking to acquire players either through a trade or the waiver wire. Regardless of where you turn to for help improving your team, there are many options to consider. I recently discussed your fantasy [...]
DRSEA INFORMER: Education Program And Documentary
Volume IV, Issue 5: A Publication For Your Reading Enjoyment DRSEA Education Program Launched – The Arias & Goodman Academy, one of the premiere baseball development programs in the Dominican Republic, has launched a pilot project developed by the Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy to provide education for its prospects. “Make no mistake [...]
What The Tampa Bay Rays Need to do in the Second Half
The season is halfway over and it appears that the Rays are still hanging on to a place at the table come October. Being 6 games out, the chances of taking the Division seem slim, but given the equation of a normal team in Major League Baseball of winning 50, losing 50, and fighting for [...]
The Brewers High-StaKes Gamble
With their recent acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez, the Milwaukee Brewers further solidify their bullpen and continue to push all their chips onto the table for a 2011 playoff berth. The Brewers bullpen to date has offered them a steady 1.4 WAR according to Fangraphs, which is in the middle of the pack in MLB. K-Rod, [...]
A Few Words With Gabriel Busch
Gabriel Busch, author of the new novel “Circle Change” has created a memorable tale of love, dreams, loss, grief, introspection and redemption. The story is set in the world of professional baseball against the backdrop of New Orleans. It is a book which offers something for everyone and asks the reader to look inward in [...]
October 1964: A Book Review
Ironically the time period with the least amount of time spent on it in David Halberstam’s book October 1964 would be October 1964. Don’t let this come as a deterrent to reading Halberstam’s work, because even if you aren’t interested in baseball, but enjoy learning about how different people act in life, this is certainly [...]
Fantasy Baseball: First Half Studs to Avoid in the Season’s Second Half
As often is the case, the first half of the 2011 baseball season has had its share of players who have performed much higher than their projected statistical levels. While it is tempting to hold onto these players and expect them to continue putting up huge fantasy baseball numbers, there are several players that may indeed be ‘sell high’ candidates [...]
The Jolly Roger Has Broken Out
For the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a winning record heading into the All-Star Break. Ironically, the last time the Pirates compiled a winning season was the same year, 1992. Here we stand in 2011 watching an assembly of young talent get better each week. Clint Hurdle has done a great job managing [...]
Tigers Fans Left Confused At Break
If you’re a Detroit Tigers fan right now you probably don’t know how to feel. On one end of the spectrum your team is actually in first place. On the other, questionable coaching and personnel moves have haunted you on a nightly basis. Most recently, Detroit decided to fire (scapegoat) Rick Knapp after an abysmal [...]
Who’s On First? Fantasy Baseball First Basemen for the Second Half of 2011
As we approach the second half of the 2011 season, it may be time to start looking at potential key moves to make a second half push toward your fantasy baseballleague title. When considering the position of first base, there is no lack of players who are underachieving, overachieving, sleeper picks or possible ‘buy low’ [...]
The 2011 All-Star Futures Game
On Tuesday night, the 2011 All Star game will take place. Of course, it’s supposed to be a battle of the biggest stars of the sport, and for the most part, it is. I’ll leave my reservations about the voting process for another day. MLB has done a great job advertising the Home Run Derby, [...]
Arias & Goodman Academy Launch Education Program for Prospects
MEDIA RELEASE JUNE 30, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Arias & Goodman – 908-272-6900 DRSEA – 215-888-9608 ARIAS & GOODMAN ACADEMY LAUNCH EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PROSPECTS SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The Arias & Goodman Academy, one of the premiere baseball development programs in the Dominican Republic, has launched a pilot project [...]
Akron Aeros Mull Name Change
During the mid-1990s Akron was a buzz about the possibility of having a team playing downtown. The current AA Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the Canton-Akron Indians, played about a half hour away from Akron and was really associated with the city by name only, like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or whatever they [...]
Second Half Fantasy Options: Right Field
When looking to fill out your outfield positions in fantasy baseball, your league may require you to use one each of a left fielder, center fielder and right fielder. If your league has these specific position requirements, there is no need to worry. I recently discussed options for left field fantasy baseball players as well as fantasy baseball center field options [...]
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