Mark Melancon’s Struggles with Red Sox
During the 2011-’12 offseason the Red Sox and Astro‘s made a trade that brought the Red Sox their next set-up man, and the Astro’s an injury plagued, yet talented middle infielder who was looking for an opportunity in Jed Lowrie. There wasn’t a ton of reaction to this trade, but it’s proving rather significant through only […]
Thirty Something: The Verducci Effect in Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy baseball owners are always looking for an edge. From the latest news to the latest stats, trying to get a leg up on your opponents is often enough to carry you to victory. Predicting the future would be ideal (although highly unlikely) so fantasy owners have to settle for indicators of what the future […]
Phillies 2012 Predictions
Opening Day is upon us, so it is time for our 2012 Phillies predictions. If you haven’t already, check out the predictions for pitching and hitting. Phillies Run Differential Wins and losses generally come down to run differential: how many more(or less) runs did you score than you gave up? Last year, the Phillies had […]
April Twins Reflection
Who is ready for some baseball, or at least regular season ball? Tell you what, I am. The Twins seem to be ready for it too. They are down to 27 on the roster with Baker going to the 15-day DL and Marquis hitting the bereavement list. The entire roster as listed on MLB right […]
SMALLS TALK: O’s lose to college team – big deal?
It’s not out of the ordinary for a Big League team to face college competition at some point during Spring Training. It’s a tradition that several clubs have honored for years as both a showcase for fans and a special treat for the college kids. It is out of the ordinary, however, for a Big League team to lose to […]
SMALLS TALK: Tito on Baseball Tonight – in over his head?
I love Terry Francona. I think he’s a great manager and an even better guy. I agree that it was time for him to part ways with the Red Sox, but his managerial career at Fenway will be argued as the best of all-time for years to come. As a broadcaster, however… To put […]
Mets Roster Just As Set As When Camp Began
Most teams come in to spring training with several questions with regards to the composition of their roster. There are teams with many questions and others have only some. Seldom does a team know exactly how their entire roster should look before spring training starts. You can make a case that Sandy Alderson, Terry Collins […]
SMALLS TALK: The Curtain Call
Just when you think a crowd can’t get any more hopped up, it happens. The hero that just brought the stadium to its feet pokes his head out of the dugout, jumps up on the top step, and offers a tip of the cap to the home town fans. And just like that, the steady […]
Book Review: Summer of ’68 by Tim Wendel
For baseball, the 1960s were an extremely memorable decade. Every fall it seemed that there were heated series between historic teams who had a deep love for the game and a desire to call themselves the best. This decade also featured many polarizing and other not so popular, yet still interesting players. Author Tim Wendel […]
DRSEA: Making a Difference in the Dominican Republic
DRSEA and FIU College of Law Sports & Entertainment Law Society (SELS) Present Special Screening of “El Play” Documentary on Dominican Baseball Florida International University College of Law April 19, 2012 3 pm The Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy (DRSEA) will present a special screening of “El Play,” a documentary on Dominican baseball on […]
DUGOUT LINGO: “Cage-Killer”
Sometimes, you just can’t get out of the cage. We’ve all been there – you hit ball after ball after ball up into the netting above you. You try to comfort yourself – How far up is this thing today? – as though the cage’s location on the field was robbing you of no-doubt homers. You […]
Running on Empty: Cheap Stolen Bases in Fantasy Baseball
Drafting power in fantasy baseball is always a good option. After all, a home run results in an increase in batting average, a run scored and an RBI (or possibly several). Drafting speed on the other hand often helps in only one category (stolen bases). With reliable power and speed guys hard to come by […]
Book Review: High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania
Recent history has not been kind to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, in Paul Haddad’s new book, High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania: A Fan’s History of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Glory Years 1977-1981, the author gets the reader so immersed in what happened between these years, that it makes the reader remember what a […]
Cole Hamels Ready to Win 2012 Cy Young Award
National League Cy Young winner for 2012 Cole Hamels? Why not? In 2011, his 2.79 earned run average ranked sixth in the NL, his walks plus hits per innings pitched ranked second at 0.99, and he finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. I looked like a genius for a while when I picked Hamels […]
Baseball Tips On Hitting: How You Stride When Hitting Is Critical!
Exactly when you should start your stride varies among hitters. Usually, the stride begins a fraction of a second before the pitcher releases the ball and that’s my preference. Many teach that the stride should start when you see the pitcher pivot on the rubber and the hitter can see the pitcher’s rear end. That […]
A Review: Baseball Fantography: A Celebration in Snapshots and Stories from the Fans
Fans are no doubt what make the game of baseball so popular, especially at the Major League level. Over time, the players who have noticed this and focused on being a fan favorite have been able to overcome hitting slumps or pitching doldrums in the public eye much easier than those who may not be […]
My ECFBL 12-team Dynasty H2H Category League Draft Plus Analysis
Last night I participated in the first draft for my new dynasty keeper league. The league is filled with some smart baseball minds (including one not-so-smart) so I was excited to see how it would go. Based on the scoring categories and layout, I had devised my strategy before the draft and stuck with […]
Who’s Who? Fantasy Baseball Player Stats Tell the Truth
When deciding upon which fantasy baseball players to draft and which to leave for the next owner, often we are apt to go with players who get a lot of attention in the media or those “hot hands” who may (or may not) deliver the stats for your fantasy baseball team. When taking a closer look […]
SABR is launching a digital library
The following post is an official press release from SABR – The Society for American Baseball Research is introducing a new publishing initiative this spring. The SABR Digital Library will be publishing new titles as well as reviving historical SABR publications that have gone out of print. Two books mark the inception of the library: […]
30-1 Countdown: #22 New York Mets
My 30-1 MLB countdown and team preview brings me to a team for whom I have rooted for over 25 years. A team that is trying to keep its focus off its financial problems and on to the team that has been constructed for the 2012 season. That of course, is the New York Mets. […]
Arizona Diamondbacks 2012 Predictions and Prospects
The Arizona Diamondbacks have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming season. After finishing first in the National League West last season (lost in the N.L. Divional Series to Milwaukee), Arizona is looking to prove that 2011 wasn’t just a fluke. After a few roster changes during the off-season, Arizona is ready to show […]
The 2012 Kansas City Royals are Primed for a Breakout Season
The Kansas City Royals were at one time the class of the American League. They were established as a premiere team that was built with homegrown talent, sprinkled with free agents that made the team contenders year after year. However, for the last 15-plus years they turned into a laughing stock, basically a minor league […]
Baseball Umpiring In High School: How To Communicate With Your Partner!
For the many who have read my many articles on playing and coaching baseball, hopefully you believe that I have a pretty good understanding of how baseball should and should not be played. At least I hope you feel that way. Now that I have become a certified high school umpire, I have found that […]
Let’s Go Blue Jays: Fantasy Baseball Options North of the Border
When considering options for your fantasy baseball team, it is never a good idea to be a “homer”. In other words, be very careful about selecting players from your favorite team just because you follow them and would like to see them on your fantasy roster. My favorite team is the Toronto Blue Jays. Always […]
Bandit Kiwi makes his Marck in New Zealand Baseball
Return of the Marck For 22 year old Andrew Marck, it seems his career has come full circle, from a dream he formed age 6 at the Howick-Pakuranga baseball club which was realised on Sunday at the 2012 National Championships. Over three days, seven teams played 18 games in the biggest competition on Baseball New […]
Ozzie Guillen, “The Franchise”
Miami’s latest hurricane didn’t blow in from the Atlantic–it came from Chicago. Marlins fans will know exactly what that sentence means very soon, especially when they get to see their team and their new manager on Showtime’s “The Franchise.” Ozzie Guillen has been thrust into the spotlight again, and you’d better believe that he’s enjoying […]
On the Rebound: Fantasy Baseball Buy Low Candidates for 2012
Many fantasy baseball owners are obsessed with the latest ‘hot prospect’, MVP candidate or a player coming off a monster season. If you like to target these types of players, then expect to pay top dollar at the draft table or auction for Brett Lawrie, Matt Kemp or Justin Verlander. When you consider some of the strongest fantasy baseball […]
Golf And Baseball: Not Worlds Apart
Athletes that compete in fast paced, explosive sports like football and basketball tend to turn to golf as a change of pace. They like the fact that they can still take part in a competitive game, but it’s completely different from the contact sports they play (you can’t tell me basketball isn’t a contact sport). […]
Bill’s Analysis/Book Review: The Little White Book of Baseball Law
Law can be an extremely boring subject. This may deter people from reading John Minan and Kevin Cole’s recent work, The Little White Book of Baseball Law. If the subject matter serves as a deterrent to some, they are missing out on a great opportunity to both learn about the laws of this country and […]
Spring Ahead: Spring Training Stats & Fantasy Baseball Roles
When considering your options for fantasy baseball in the regular season, many owners look to put stock in the performances of players during spring training games. Pitchers are often behind their batting counterparts to begin camp and often spend time working on developing or refining pitches. Also, the big names on the mound often only pitch a few […]
