NY Yankees, BOS Red socks and HOU Astros all want Roger Clemens to come back and pitch half the season in their respective colors, but there’s a forth team who’s got a great shot at recruiting The Rocket: RE Tirement. But, lets consider them all after some tasteful but brief set up.
Last year, working out with his injured son Koby was the reason Roger felt like he stayed in good enough shape that he was in a position to come back and pitch after the All Star break. He chose the Astros for many reasons, a few of them being Houston is his home town and the Astros agreed to let him hang out at home when he wasn’t pitching—I’m not sure who hired the slaves to fan him on his thrown of cushions on the off days.
This year, the favorite seems to be the Yankees. Enough so that Robinson Cano surrendered his jersey number (voluntarily) so there wouldn’t be a conflict if Clemens decided to rejoin newly reacquired Andy Petite.
The Rocket has made statements towards the end that if he were to come back (again) it would to a team with a chance for the postseason. So, maybe not the Astros.
What doesn’t have to be said is that the team would also have to afford him—giving the Astros and their smaller budget something to consider, save for a chance that Clemens might come back (again) and pitch for half the season, or invest the money elsewhere.
Boston has two pitchers over 40 in Wakefield and Schilling—even as a fan of the knuckleball, of the two, I’d bet on Schilling having a competitive season. Roger doesn’t really seem to fit into Boston’s current rotation, and I’m not sure who they would knock back into the bullpen.
The last option no one seems to be talking about: Retirement. Roger is quotes as saying, “I don’t want to play.” The reasons he continues to entertain the notion seem to be wrapped around a team (well, one of three teams) needing him to come pitch, presumably after the all star break
So, all that has to happen for the Rocket to take the mound this year (again) are:
1. Room on the rotation (probably knocking a starter to the bullpen, and a bullpen guy back to the minors)
2. Room enough in the budget they could probably spend on two other players.
3. Said team must be bound for the post season (possible pact with Satan my be required)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring Training: II
Spring Training II
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring Training
One of my goals behind this blog is to make it welcoming to the uninitiated baseball fan as well. So, forgive me an occasional explanatory post--like this one! I'm trying to nurture and grow some new fans, so feel free to disregard any oversimplifications you might come across.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
Spring Training
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Pitching
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My Thumbs Are About Twidled Out
Fans of baseball have little else to do in the off season but check in periodicaly with the updates to see what's going on with their teams. Some teams still have question marks all over the place--who will play what position, what the final batting order will look at, final rotation schedule, etc.
There's some semi-exciting stuff going on during spring training as well as some pretty silly stuff. Invariably, someone from some team will get a season ending injury sliding wrong, intercepting a line drive with their face or maybe just getting out of their car in the parking lot. Doesn't matter--its gonna happen. The Cubs almost lost Kerry Wood to the slick ground around a hot tub. Luckily, he bruised his ego harder than his ribs.
Right now, I'm holding my breath and just hoping Randy Johnson is feeling a lot better. More specifically, I'm hoping his troubled back is feeling like cotton candy spun from the clouds of heaven! Reading session wrap-ups is a little nerve-wracking because I really want the Big Unit to come out and pitch well. As I love the Dbacks this year, it would be foolish to count on the run support he had behind him in New York.
I've been trying to will time forward--in between the sweet tidbits of information I mean. Is it just me, or would it be great if the press could create a feud instead of just hoping that printing rumors and speculation might provoke something juicy?
Just let Jeter know he's supposed to react to his weakened friendship with A-rod. Record him storming around the locker room throwing the teddy bear that A-rod won for him at the carnival on the ground. Hell, do it a few times and make sure you get the shot ya want.
Hell, let the fans vote! We get to pick the All Star Game roster, why stop at any boundary--they're artificial constructs anyways. To what degree we, the fans, get to rule the life of the player could be included in the contract. They're out there playing for us the fans, right? We consume! Jerseys, hats, posters, tickets etc. I think I should be able to decide if A-rod is going to snap and tackle Jeter on the field in the 4th inning or the 5th.
There's some semi-exciting stuff going on during spring training as well as some pretty silly stuff. Invariably, someone from some team will get a season ending injury sliding wrong, intercepting a line drive with their face or maybe just getting out of their car in the parking lot. Doesn't matter--its gonna happen. The Cubs almost lost Kerry Wood to the slick ground around a hot tub. Luckily, he bruised his ego harder than his ribs.
Right now, I'm holding my breath and just hoping Randy Johnson is feeling a lot better. More specifically, I'm hoping his troubled back is feeling like cotton candy spun from the clouds of heaven! Reading session wrap-ups is a little nerve-wracking because I really want the Big Unit to come out and pitch well. As I love the Dbacks this year, it would be foolish to count on the run support he had behind him in New York.
I've been trying to will time forward--in between the sweet tidbits of information I mean. Is it just me, or would it be great if the press could create a feud instead of just hoping that printing rumors and speculation might provoke something juicy?
Just let Jeter know he's supposed to react to his weakened friendship with A-rod. Record him storming around the locker room throwing the teddy bear that A-rod won for him at the carnival on the ground. Hell, do it a few times and make sure you get the shot ya want.
Hell, let the fans vote! We get to pick the All Star Game roster, why stop at any boundary--they're artificial constructs anyways. To what degree we, the fans, get to rule the life of the player could be included in the contract. They're out there playing for us the fans, right? We consume! Jerseys, hats, posters, tickets etc. I think I should be able to decide if A-rod is going to snap and tackle Jeter on the field in the 4th inning or the 5th.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Once Upon a Strikezone
I’m writing a piece on umpires but this isn’t it. I was fishing around the official website and I stumbled across a great page that gave a rundown on the history (from the beginning to current day) of the strike zone.
Originally, when baseball was first played, the dynamic of hitting was a different situation all together; enough so that I’m going to have some fun explaining it—plus it will help make some pitching points later.
If the strike zone were to magically revert back to its original 1876 form, we’d have players striding up to the plate (originally referred to as the batsman) and he’d tell the umpire he wanted either a high, low or fair pitch. The umpire would signal the batter's order to the pitcher and he’d pitch the pitch.
A high pitch was from the waist to the shoulders.
A low pitch was from a foot above the ground to the waist
A fair pitch was from a foot above the ground to the waist.
All pitches had to over the plate.
Can you imagine if Albert Pujols could walk up and ask for location of a pitch today?
They played for 11 years with those rules. I guess the pitcher still had the chance to get the baseball over the plate however he wants--meaning fastball, change-up, curve ball, etc. Its not like they were letting the batsman call the actual pitch, just the location.
Currently, since I’m sure you’re all sorts of curious by now, a strike is any pitch coming across the plate and is anywhere from the bottom of the knees to the top of the shoulders. Today's batter is forced to rely on a patience, personal superstition or a pitch-tipping delivery to get their pitches. Or some sort of a magical combination of all three.
Originally, when baseball was first played, the dynamic of hitting was a different situation all together; enough so that I’m going to have some fun explaining it—plus it will help make some pitching points later.
If the strike zone were to magically revert back to its original 1876 form, we’d have players striding up to the plate (originally referred to as the batsman) and he’d tell the umpire he wanted either a high, low or fair pitch. The umpire would signal the batter's order to the pitcher and he’d pitch the pitch.
A high pitch was from the waist to the shoulders.
A low pitch was from a foot above the ground to the waist
A fair pitch was from a foot above the ground to the waist.
All pitches had to over the plate.
Can you imagine if Albert Pujols could walk up and ask for location of a pitch today?
They played for 11 years with those rules. I guess the pitcher still had the chance to get the baseball over the plate however he wants--meaning fastball, change-up, curve ball, etc. Its not like they were letting the batsman call the actual pitch, just the location.
Currently, since I’m sure you’re all sorts of curious by now, a strike is any pitch coming across the plate and is anywhere from the bottom of the knees to the top of the shoulders. Today's batter is forced to rely on a patience, personal superstition or a pitch-tipping delivery to get their pitches. Or some sort of a magical combination of all three.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
I Met Tony Gwynn, Kinda
The ranks of the heroic men lining the Baseball Hall of Fame grew by two yesterday. Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken have both earned the honor--and rightly so.
I am a fan of baseball. As a kid, living in a small town in a state that didn't have a baseball team, I sometimes watched Cubs and Braves games on the WGN and TBS--but I always watched when they played the Padres.
I've only attended a single MLB game my entire life. I was a young boy on a family trip that included a trip to Disneyland, but I was more excited about seeing the Mets take on the Padres in Jack Murphy Stadium. They lost, 2 - 1, but it was still a great time for me. Aftre the game, we gathered above where all the players parked to see the hometeam a little more upclose. There was a long, steep slope of concrete angling down to where all the Padres parked. When Tony Gwynn came out, with barely a thought, I lept over the cement and slid all the way to the bottom without tripping or dropping the pen and baseball I had in my hands.
I was within five feet of him, and he just stared at me until security was there to send me back up the wall. The gathered fans boo'ed Tony while I escorted back to my family. I heard a few muttered comments about not giving that kid an autograph.
I've since lost my affinity for the Pads (go Dbacks!), but I've never been one to ignore the facts, and the facts are the man was one of the most consistant hitters the game has ever seen. He could pull the ball wherever, a testament of his lifetime .338 batting average. He was a hall of fame calibor player. And, as an adult, I really don't hold any grudges about that day. There were probably policies in place that asked the players not to sign autographs in situations like the one I created as an excited youth. Otherwise, there's be kids sliding down that cement after every game--and I had pretty good balance. It'd be quite a tumble if you didn't.
A heartfelt congradulations to both Tonly Gwynn and Cal Ripken!
I am a fan of baseball. As a kid, living in a small town in a state that didn't have a baseball team, I sometimes watched Cubs and Braves games on the WGN and TBS--but I always watched when they played the Padres.
I've only attended a single MLB game my entire life. I was a young boy on a family trip that included a trip to Disneyland, but I was more excited about seeing the Mets take on the Padres in Jack Murphy Stadium. They lost, 2 - 1, but it was still a great time for me. Aftre the game, we gathered above where all the players parked to see the hometeam a little more upclose. There was a long, steep slope of concrete angling down to where all the Padres parked. When Tony Gwynn came out, with barely a thought, I lept over the cement and slid all the way to the bottom without tripping or dropping the pen and baseball I had in my hands.
I was within five feet of him, and he just stared at me until security was there to send me back up the wall. The gathered fans boo'ed Tony while I escorted back to my family. I heard a few muttered comments about not giving that kid an autograph.
I've since lost my affinity for the Pads (go Dbacks!), but I've never been one to ignore the facts, and the facts are the man was one of the most consistant hitters the game has ever seen. He could pull the ball wherever, a testament of his lifetime .338 batting average. He was a hall of fame calibor player. And, as an adult, I really don't hold any grudges about that day. There were probably policies in place that asked the players not to sign autographs in situations like the one I created as an excited youth. Otherwise, there's be kids sliding down that cement after every game--and I had pretty good balance. It'd be quite a tumble if you didn't.
A heartfelt congradulations to both Tonly Gwynn and Cal Ripken!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sammy So What
Sammy Sosa has agreed in principle to a one year contract with the Texas Rangers (starting in AAA) that guarantees him five hundred thousand dollars. The contract is also laced with incentives, meaning he'll get some awesome bonuses for putting up some good numbers in whatever categories. Most likely, home runs and a .300+ average (says me). He'll be hitting fifth in the line-up in the DH's position.
I'm not really excited to see Sosa coming back into the limelight of baseball. I can't forget the corked bat incident and the resulting 7 game suspension (it was going to be 8, but Sammy was super sorry about cheating).
I can only imagine the pressure on the men who are out there day after day after, sometimes ten games in a row before they get one day off (much of which is spent traveling). For every player that gets caught there are many more that are playing by the rules.
I'm not saying he doesn't deserve a chance to come back and see if his guns are still firing, I just can't get excited about it.
I'm not really excited to see Sosa coming back into the limelight of baseball. I can't forget the corked bat incident and the resulting 7 game suspension (it was going to be 8, but Sammy was super sorry about cheating).
I can only imagine the pressure on the men who are out there day after day after, sometimes ten games in a row before they get one day off (much of which is spent traveling). For every player that gets caught there are many more that are playing by the rules.
I'm not saying he doesn't deserve a chance to come back and see if his guns are still firing, I just can't get excited about it.
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