The Big Show: Charles M Conlon’s Golden Age Baseball Photographs, A Book Review
While there are strong debates raging today as to what sport should not be considered America’s pastime with football, basketball and baseball all making their sound arguments, there was a time when this was not in doubt. During the first half of the 20th Century, there was really only one choice for the sport that […]
Vizquel, Thome Warrant One More Shot
The next time you see them together might be in Cooperstown. It was a nice gesture to have to Cleveland legends Omar Vizquel and Jim Thome bring the line-up cards out for their respective teams when the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians squared off for the last time this season Thursday night in Cleveland. […]
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 […]
A Review of BB&T Ballpark Home of the Winston-Salem Dash
If one thing is for sure in Winston Salem, it’s that the people in that area love their baseball team. Attending a Saturday night game for the Winston Salem Dash, the Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, is akin to being present at a very popular regular season series in the Major Leagues. […]
Ozzie Guillen Joins GameSlam As New “Slambassador”
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE Guillen to Compete with Fans in the Hot New Sports Prediction Game, Offer Strategy Tips and More HIGHLAND PARK, Illinois, – Game Time Live announced a new fan for the company’s exciting real-time social sports prediction game, GameSlam (www.gameslam.com). Ozzie Guillen, the candid World Series-winning manager for the Chicago White Sox, has […]
“Saved by the Bell”. Heath Bell, That is.
“Don’t pay for saves”. We’ve all heard it. Going into any fantasy season, there are always reasons to avoid taking closers early. After all, they only contribute in one category, right? They can’t be depended upon to hold onto their jobs. Injuries are a risk, etc etc etc. These are facts that also affect each […]
DRSEA INFORMER: Former Baseball Exec Admits Taking Kickbacks
Taken from: Volume IV, Issue 2: A Publication For Your Reading Enjoyment One-time high-ranking Chicago White Sox executive David Wilder recently pleaded guilty to federalfraud charges that he solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from poor Dominican prospects hoping to make it in the big leagues. “I understand what I have done,” Wilder said […]
Remembering Chuck Tanner and Winning Championships
Chuck Tanner sadly passed away on February 11th. One thing you will never hear me criticize when writing about Pittsburgh is the loyalty that fans have shown to those who have given their best. Sometimes, one’s best isn’t enough to win a championship. Fortunately for Chuck Tanner, his best was good enough to claim a […]
Chicago White Sox turn on power for 2011
The Chicago White Sox went into this off-season with plenty of work to do. They head toward spring training with a job well Dunn. Plenty of questions surrounded the offense heading into the fall and winter. Would catcher A.J. Pierzynski remain? Could they find a left-handed power hitter to compliment their line-up? And, most notably, […]
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), […]
Can Brad Bergesen Be The Next Jim Palmer?
Considering that he has just been demoted to the minors, it might seem strange to now be comparing struggling Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. However, it is often forgotten that like Bergesen, after early success Palmer also struggled before eventually becoming the best pitcher in Orioles history. In 1966, […]
Top 5 Fantasy Surprises So Far in 2010: Hitters
*These stats are as of 5/20/2010. The stats next to their names are R/HR/RBI/SB/BA. These players are the biggest offensive surprises of the season so far… 5. Paul Konerko 1B of the Chicago White Sox is hitting 21/14/30/0/.262 Image by Getty Images via @daylife Konerko is leading the all of baseball with his 14 HRs […]
Interviewing the Good Doctor and Former Pitcher, John D’Acquisto, Ph.D
A few weeks ago, I connected with former pro baseball player turned doctor, John D’Acquisto, D.Sc. When asked about his professional playing days, when he earned his doctorate and the field he earned it in, he had this to say: “I played for 16 years of professional baseball I started in 1971 Major League Spring […]
Reflections on the 2010 White Sox: A Preview
The 2010 season is less than a month away, and here on the South side of Chicago (read: the western Chicago suburbs), White Sox fans are mostly talking about five topics in regards to the team’s upcoming campaign. The arms race: Say it with me, “Buehrle, Peavy, Danks, Floyd… Garcia” If there’s a case to […]
Around The Horn in MLB News
Image by JudeanPeoplesFront via Flickr Here are a few links to the trades and signings this Hot Stove Season from teams who are either not currently covered here or haven’t been covered in a while…in alphabetical order and from the blogs currently on my blogroll. If you want to be added to my team blogrolls […]
The Top 10 Fantasy Catchers of 2009
Ok, after playing in only four Fantasy Baseball Leagues (all on ESPN) in three years (and winning in two of those) I have decided to take over the weekly Fantasy Baseball Column here on Baseball Reflections each Friday (when possible). For example, this year in a 12 team league with a draft saw me as […]
Don’t Stop BeLEEvin’
Image via Wikipedia As the popular 1981 Journey song from their hit recording Escape reminds us to “Don’t Stop Believin’” I also found out that the song was adopted by the 2005 Chicago White Sox when they were in that year’s Fall Classic. Wikipedia also has the following story regarding the song’s connection to baseball. […]
BBA Ballot: 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Award
This is the BBA ballot for the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year vote from Baseball Reflections. Honorable mentions include Tigers SP Rick Porcello who might have gotten a top 3 vote if he was better supported by the Tigers, likewise with Rays SP Jeff Niemann. Last but not least, Rangers SS Elvis Andrus who […]
The Tommy John Interview: Part 2
Tommy John and His Coaching and Playing Career I started off the conversation in part 1 talking about how he became affiliated with the increasingly popular children’s book, “A Glove of Their Own”. Part two of this interview with Tommy John will highlight his career both pitching and coaching. At the end of the interview […]
Carlos Guillen Key for Tigers’ Pennant Chances
As the July trade deadline neared, there was much rumbling about the Tigers lack of offensive prowess. The general consensus was that Detroit had to make a move to bring in a big bat. He should be left handed and be able to hit for some power. Instead, Dave Dombowski pulled the trigger on a […]
Breaking News: The Rays Are Sellers, and Looking Towards 2010
They’ve done it. I asked them to. I suggested it. But I didn’t expect them to do it. But they did it. I can’t believe they actually did it. Image via Wikipedia The Tampa Bay Rays have traded Scott Kazmir. My logic at the beginning of the season was as sound then as it is […]
Blue Jays Reflections: Playing for Next Year?
Hi all. Time for our monthly look in from north of the border. Actually, it is well past time. Sorry, I’ve been on holiday and then I tried to catch up on everything that wasn’t being done over the holiday. And I’m lazy. But I digress. What has happened in the world of the Jays […]
Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The Art of Spot Starting
If there’s one thing that separates good fantasy baseball managers from the greats ones, it’s the ability to spot start. Having at least one or two open roster spots, (especially in leagues with 12 teams or less) gives you an incredible advantage over the competition. This allows you to strategically spot start players who have […]
As the Cubs Roll Into August…
July turns to August and finds the Chicago Cubs still in the NL Central hunt. Nevertheless, they didn’t look like a contending team as the trading deadline neared, making a nominal move for minimal help which may actually hurt the team this season. Image by Getty Images via Daylife In a month in which Roy […]
Yesterday, Buehrle Was Perfect!
Image via Wikipedia Mark Buehrle led the White Sox to victory in grand fashion today, by tossing a perfect game, and his second career no-hitter. His first came on April 18th, 2007, also at U.S. Comiscular Field. This is only the 18th perfect game in MLB history, Randy Johnson being the last to do so […]
Yeah, I’m talking about Practice
Most everyone agrees that sports should be fun and, for most, playing games is usually fun. Practice can be a different story and making practice fun should be the goal of sports parents and coaches. Parents, who have attained the proper perspective and patience, as previously discussed, will have a great head start with getting […]
Effective Communication Is Important For Coaches
Effective communication is important for coaches to make baseball rewarding and fun for young players Chicago – It was the chance I had waited for since I was a 16th round draft pick drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1976. As a second baseman, I had cups of coffee with the Dodgers in 1980 […]
Another One Bites The Dust
Image by Getty Images via Daylife In yesterday’s New York Times, Michael S. Schmidt reported that “Sammy Sosa…is among the players who tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, according to lawyers with knowledge of the drug-testing results from that year“. Sosa is now the second name to be leaked from that 2003 test […]
Chasing the Aces and the Pennants
Image via Wikipedia It’s officially trade rumor season in the MLB and teams are now just beginning to assess their needs and see what is available on the market. This season marks a special one in the starting pitching department as we have four key names playing for underperforming teams looking to slash payroll and […]
Will Joe Mauer Continue The Power?
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr The fantasy baseball community is buzzing over Joe Mauer‘s newfound power stroke since returning from the DL on May 1. After his grand slam against the White Sox on Thursday, Mauer is batting .417 with 8 HR in just 72 at-bats. That’s 1 long ball every 9th at-bat. The […]
