Archive for December, 2011
DRSEA INFORMER: A Draft In MLB Future
Volume IV, Issue 9: A Publication For Your Reading Enjoyment Major League Baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement, and its potential impact on international baseball, has caused quite a stir in the Dominican Republic as many fear it could spell the beginning of the end for the current development system. Under the terms of the new [...]
Sabermetrics and the Hall of Fame: How Choosing the Elite has Evolved
The standards by which the elite are chosen for election into Cooperstown are evolving. This transition can mostly be attributed to the growing popularity and acceptance of Sabermetrics. The decision to vote Ron Santo into the sacred Hall is a prime example of the shift from traditional thinking. While greatness on the diamond has [...]
Baltimore Orioles December Reflections: The Dan Duquette Era
The Dan Duquette era in Baltimore has started with a collective yawn among the orange and black clad faithful. Duquette said all the right things in his introductory press conference about building the farm system, increasing the team’s International scouting presence, and generally upgrading the talent level across the organization. Perhaps it’s unfair to judge [...]
Jimmy Rollins Signs 3 yr $33 Million Contract With Philly
News of the Rollins signing has had negative comments rising up in Philly Phans, who wished to see a faltering SS who had a horrible playoff and has a history of lackluster effort in jogging to first, go to another team for a cheaper option. However, Rollins has had positive contributions to this team [...]
The Dual-Threat Duttons of the Australian Baseball League
We’ve celebrated the John’s, the Waugh’s and the Chappell’s, now meet Australia’s new sibling sporting super duo – the Dutton’s. Despite the four year age gap and careers in baseball that have separated them by continents, they are united again, for a second season with the Brisbane Bandits. Guided by their rugby league and baseball [...]
One Umpire’s Perspective on a Batter’s Approach at the Plate
When I was younger I had a great eye for pitches thrown for balls & strikes. I almost never got called out on strikes, but over the last 2 seasons (and over 20 years later) in my over 30 baseball league I have been called out on pitches thrown on the outside corner (some teammates [...]
An Interview With Brisbane Bandits (ABL) and Red Sox Prospect Pitcher, Justin Erasmus
Maturity and success aren’t always aligned with years on the diamond; just ask Australian sensation Justin Erasmus. The Boston Red Sox know this, having snapped Erasmus up as a free agent at just 17. This now 21-year-old right handed pitcher is carving his name around the globe in baseball. Currently on the Brisbane Bandits roster, [...]
Mr. Baseball Inducted into Broadcasting Hall of Fame
It’s only right that a man known simply as “Mr. Baseball” be entered into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Bob “Mr. Baseball” Uecker will officially be inducted next year so that leaves you with some time to get his books and memorabilia from Tanga because they will become collector’s items soon. [...]
College Baseball Showcases – Good or Bad?
I am often asked about whether college baseball showcases are worth attending. In general, I answer, “Yes, if affordable and if the showcase is not an apparent money grab. Attending one or two is a good experience for kids for a few reasons. One, it gives player (& parent) an idea of how they compare [...]
Baseball Pitching Tips: How To Improve Your Control By Playing A Game That Is Fun!
Take a look at almost any inning in which three or more runs are scored and I would venture that in at least 75% of those innings one or more walks were involved. I teach pitchers that you must throw strikes consistently and I don’t care if a batter hits the ball into the trees [...]
Should MLB players suspected of PED use be penalized in Hall of Fame voting?
This is a post written by Jeff Herbst. Jeff has had a passion for sports ever since he could first walk and enjoys writing in his spare time. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that manufacturers wood bats and specialty composite wood bats for amateur and professional ball players around the globe. Since 1936, the baseball Hall [...]
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for Every Position in 2012
Fantasy baseball owners are no different than anyone else. Whether you are looking to buy a car, invest in a stock, pick up a CD of your favorite band or draft a player for your fantasy roster, everyone is searching for a deal. In fantasy sports, deals come in the form of players who are under-valued [...]
Brain vs. Braun: Fantasy Baseball Impact of Ryan Braun’s PED Allegations
As you are most likely aware, Milwaukee Brewer’s outfielder and reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for having a banned Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) in his system. As a result, he now faces a 50-game suspension from major league baseball. Many observers have been quick to condemn the slugger but it is probably best to reserve [...]
Pujols Talks About His New Team: Angels
Albert Pujols opens up about his decision to sign with the Angels, noting that he brings experience to a young club. Help support Baseball Reflections and buy me a coffee with PayPal!
What’s the Best Player in Baseball Worth?
In a twist reminiscent of last year’s Cliff Lee negotiations, what appeared to be a two-team race for the services of Albert Pujols between the Cardinals and Marlins was upset by the entrance of a third “Mystery Team”. Though many believed the Mystery Team was simply a tactic Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, was using [...]
How to Play Fantasy Baseball
The more I play fantasy baseball, the more I love the game of baseball itself. There is no better way to closely follow box scores, standings, player trends, hot streaks, cold slumps and the inevitable friendly competition which arises from trying to best your opponents then by participating in fantasy baseball. However, more and more I am approached [...]
The Interconnectedness of Carlos Zambrano’s Challenges
by Buddy Biancalana I recently returned from baseball’s Winter Meetings. Reflecting back over the three days, one conversation I had is staying with me. The conversation of which I intentionally did more listening than speaking, included Carlos Zambrano’s agent Barry Praver, Cub’s VP, Player Personnel, Oneri Fleita and MLB.com writer Carrie Muskat. They were discussing Zambrano’s challenges. [...]
Fresh Prince: Why Prince Fielder is not a Good Long Term (Fantasy) Baseball Solution
Whether you run a major league franchise or a fantasy baseball team, Prince Fielder represents a risk to your team’s long term success. There has been much ado in the sports media recently about Prince Fielder perhaps joining a new team (or re-signing with his old club) as a free agent for the 2012 season. Armed with a professional [...]
My Outlook on the Boston Red Sox 2012 Season
This article was originally posted at BaseballDigest.com on December 4th, but was updated for this publication due to a few transactions that have occurred since it was written. A Look Back at Boston’s 2011 Season First, they had that horrific 0-6 start which led to their 11-15 April finish and this was after being tabbed [...]
11th Annual Winterball Game benefits Toys for Tots
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Young Bucks 6, Aging Stallions 5 Results The 11th annual Winterball was a huge success, drawing dozens of amateur adult baseball players from local baseball leagues across New England to play a game to benefit Toys for Tots. With a game-time temperature of 39 degrees, the Young Bucks (players aged 18-29) defeated [...]
GMs Talking About Their Teams Needs Going Into The Winter Meetings + Jim Crane
The following is a list of 5 MLB GMs (and 1 video of new Astros owner Jim Crane) that were all recorded before the winter meetings this past week (Monday through Thursday). Of these GMs, which ones stuck to their plan and which ones did not execute thier plan this past week? Reds GM [...]
MLB Hall of Fame Ballot Controversy
The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for next year is so controversial that the conversations discussing whether two key names should be voted on has overshadowed this year’s entire class. If you didn’t guess already, the two players that will be eligible for entry are Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. They are two [...]
Angels Stun the Baseball World
In what can only be described as stunning, the Angels shook the baseball world today in a way normally reserved only for earthquakes on Southern California’s notorious San Andreas Fault by announcing they have reached an agreement on a 10 year contract with first baseman Albert Pujols and a 5 year agreement with starting pitcher [...]
A Reflection on the Career of Alex Rodriguez to Date
I recently ran into this CNN feature from 1995 on Alex Rodriguez. If you think about it, they were making a pretty big deal about him – when was the last time a major news outlet did a feature on an up and coming teenage pro athlete? LeBron James is the only one I can [...]
Fish make a big splash…in a shallow pool
It makes some sort of ironic sense that the biggest splash of baseball’s offseason signing season so far is made by the Fish. The newly crowned Miami Marlins made a big move in reshaping the image of their franchise by stepping up to the plate and landing shortstop Jose Reyes on Sunday night. The Marlins [...]
Hitting Drills using Two Batting Tees to “Stay” Fundamentally Sound
Three important ingredients of a good baseball swing are staying compact, staying inside the ball, and staying through the ball. The following drills involve using two batting tees. These drills work on good hitting fundamentals and just as important, give hitters a better understanding of what those ingredients mean. 1. “High, Low tee drill” develops [...]
Are You Really Comfortable With Your Circle Changeup Grip?
You really have to experiment and find out what is the most comfortable for you when it comes to different grips on the baseball. Baseball pitching tips involve experimenting with many different ways to grip your pitches. This definitely applies to throwing the changeup. I would venture that 95% of all pitchers, at any level [...]
Ron Santo Elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee
Ron Santo spent 14 of his 15-year career as a professional baseball player with the Chicago Cubs before he joined their broadcasting team. He was the self-described “single biggest Cubs fan of all time.” He was vocal on and off the field too, especially when it came to his desire to be voted into the [...]
Mets’ Decision to Keep Reyes Backfires
Just before the trade deadline, Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson faced a dilemma; Trade his shortstop, best player, and the face of the franchise, for prospects that could help the team in the future, or hold on to him and receive draft pick compensation if Reyes were to go elsewhere in Free Agency. Alderson decided Reyes [...]
The fourth-annual David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic
Step up to the plate with David Ortiz… And help make a difference for kids in need. The fourth-annual David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic will bring some of the biggest names in sports to the Dominican Republic this week in support of the slugger’s charitable efforts. Fishing Lodge Cap Cana, a Salamander Caribbean Resort that [...]
<--under the tag-->