bonds

i think it's really interesting that they're doing an investigation of sorts on why teams aren't signing barry bonds. apparently mlb is trying to make sure that the teams haven't made an informal pact to keep him out.

it seems like it'd be difficult to get all of the owners to agree to something like that... but if they did, what's wrong with that? bonds has single-handedly made a mockery of baseball. [okay... to be fair... he didn't do it single-handedly... and to be more fair... he also did great things for the sport. unless, of course, everything he did was tainted with steriods. in that case... he's just a big cheater and in my humble opinion... should have his records revoked.] either way... he's created a big mess. and with a person is as unlikeable and controvery-stricken as bonds is... it'd make sense that teams wouldn't want him.

for as much as i don't like a-rod... i'm looking forward to him surpassing bonds' home run record. at least he's done it cleanly.

point being... keep bonds out. i hope no one ever signs him.

Moneyball and Bill James

Also, I finally got around to reading Moneyball and am also reading a biography of sorts about Bill James, The Mind of Bill James, both of which I highly recommend. Aside from all the eye-opening thoughts on how we need to look behind many of the commonly held assumptions of the game, it has been an incredible reminder of how much I love baseball, much because of all the ways we can break it down and analyze it. There is just so much that goes on surrounding every play, situation, player, team, etc. And it is inutterably beautiful.

And to throw out the first pitch...

So, I went to the Cardinals-Cubs game on Saturday...a beautiful day, great view, and the first game of the year for me, but let us just avoid talking about how the game turned out...and noticed something I found peculiar.

I'm not talking about the 2:45pm start time, which was a bit different, but must have had something to do with the game being on the Saturday FOX broadcast. No, what was strange was the ceremonial first pitch.

I understand that it is almost a given to have a ceremonial first pitch at a game anymore and have seen many variations--I was even on the field to video my friend throwing one out (contest winner) at Busch a few years ago and also saw G.W. Bush throw out the first one on opening day--but I can't ever remember seeing six before one game before. Yes, six!

It was nice to see U of I basketball coach Bruce Weber...and then some guy from a local Association of whatever...and then a little boy who had suffered a stroke in utero...and then, well I can't remember all of them because they just kept coming out and throwing pitches. Two or three I have seen, but never six. It was weird. I know it doesn't interupt the game and is surely a huge thing to most of those people, but do we really need that many? It just seems a little too...minor league or something--where you have a promotion or gimmick between every half inning.

It was just weird.

Inherited Runners

Today, Okajima came in the 7th with a runner on third and 1 out. I immediately said to my brother "I guarentee he's gonna let him score." Sure enough, Carl Crawford singled to left off Okajima, who then settled down and struck out the next two Rays.

It's very frustrating, cause Okajima is suppose to be a great reliever, but it seems like he allows every single inherited runner to score. His ERA is less than 1, but if we were to redo it to account for inherited runners, I bet it would be in the 3's or 4's. Anyone know of a site that gives stats about that?

Youk just homered as I'm posting. 5-3 Sox in the bottom of the 7th.

Order has returned

Everyone can calm down. After the D-R...I mean Rays swept the Red Sox last week, Boston has taken the first 2 of this series, and I see no reason to not expect the full sweep.

too good to be true

the phils are in first place.

pat the bat hit a walk-off 2-run home run in last night's game.

chase also homered in the game.

i got to listen to harry kalas announce, "this ball's outtaaaa heeeeeeeere," on mlb.com.

it's a good time to be a philly fan. : )

Red Sox almost get revenge...sort of...

So, way back in the early 90s, I remember watching a Red Sox-Yankee game at Yankee Stadium. I forget most of the details, but what I remember clearly is the Sox were winning in the ninth inning with 2 outs. A Yankee, I don't know who, flew out to Mike Greenwell to end the game, or so we thought. Unfortunately, some little 13 year old punk in braces and everything sprinted out onto the field, I guess as the pitcher was releasing the ball. The Yankee Manager (someone other than Joe Torre) called time out. Tim Naerhing, 3rd baseman for the Sox, verified this in the post game show. The third base umpire, after the ball was caught by Greenwell and while the Red Sox were shaking hands in celebration and security was getting the little punk, decided to inform everyone of this. Apparently, even though he didn't elect to tell anyone, he decided to grant the time out to the Yankees, so the hitter got another chance. I was pissed. I can't remember what happened next exactly, I only remember the Yankees won that game. It was the first of many times in my life I've seen an umpiring crew hand a ball game to the New York Yankees. Roger Clemens was quoted a few days later as saying something along the lines of "It's too bad it isn't like football and they can't penalize the home team five yards or something when that happens." Too bad indeed, Roger. Too bad indeed.

Flash forward to Thursday Night. Bottom of the ninth, 2 outs, Toronto's on top 3-0. Coco Crisp is up with Brandon Moss on 1st. Crisp pops up to end the game, and the Blue Jays begin shaking hands. Moss is jogging off the field, but all of a sudden, the second base umpire tells Moss to go to second base, and has Crisp go to the plate. He apparently, without letting anyone know, called a balk on B.J. Ryan. Toronto Manager John Gibbs was ejected in the immediate aftermath. Here's a video. Anyway, Crisp gets another shot at the plate, and singles, sending Moss to third. Jed Lowrie comes to the plate, and Crisp takes second on a defensive indifference.

Unfortunately, the Lowrie struck out to end the game. That means I'm still waiting for payback with almost 20 years of interest.

Manny's the Man

Game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth. Jed Lowrie-who pinch ran for David Ortiz- is on second, Manny on first. 1 out. Brandon Moss at the plate. Moss gets a single up the middle, Lowrie tries to score, but he's thrown out by Vernon Wells. Fear not, citizens of Boston. Manny's on second.

Varitek comes to the plate, and similiarly singles to center. This time, Manny tries to score, and obviously beats the throw. Red Sox win 2-1 thanks to the outstanding hustle by Manny Rameriz.

Also...

It would be great to have a few more folks on here. I know Brandt has been asked before, but maybe we could try again or see if there are another couple fans from different teams...

I have a couple staff guys in mind that are fans of different teams, but I know that it started as a small group that knows each other...not that I have met John. Maybe someday. Anyway, just a thought.

When Is It "For Real"?

Checking the standings just a few minutes ago, it is almost ridiculous to see the teams at the top of their divisions: Baltimore (tied with Boston, who is only surprising in an 'underplaying' sense), the Sox (yes, there are other Sox, although from ESPN you'd hardly know it), Oakland (somehow tied with LAA), Florida, St. Louis, and Arizona (the crazy thing here is no one else is .500). And if we went back a couple days we would have the Rays tied up on top, too.

I know, it's still early. There is a lot of season left. Injured players will return. Hot bats will cool down. Teams will figure out some of those pitchers. Cliff Lee will allow another run (what is going on there?...if you said Lee would be throwing like this I'd swear they should have 20 wins by now with CC and Carmona...crazy). So...when does it become real? When is it not just a hot start? Or a fluke? Or...whatever?

I ask this in a broader sense as a fan of the game, but I also am really starting to wonder if the Cardinals will actually contend for the division. Should I get my hopes up? Maybe the longer I see them as 'overachievers' the less chance there is for a letdown and more chance to remain excited. Maybe.

They are just pitching so well. All of them, really. Kind of scares me that Mulder and Clement are scheduled to return in the next month...will that throw things off? Where will they put everybody?
The real issue is the hitting. When Ankiel is on, they seem like they have a chance. I am still wondering when Glaus is going to start hitting the HRs. He has one. Not a great power team. Still, they are scoring enough.

Is it real yet?

Signs of the Apocalypse

The Tampa Bay Devil Ra...I mean Tampa Bay Rays just swept the Boston Red Sox. Maybe the name was curse...

the first winning april since 2003

even though they lost today... i'm REALLY proud of the phillies right now. before today, they had a three-game winning streak and had won six of their last seven games.

that makes me really happy.

for how many years in a row... they've started off terribly slow and have [with the exception of 2007] missed the playoffs by a game or two. even though they're just floating right around .500... that's an improvement. i'm really proud of them.

and that's WITHOUT jimmy rollins and shane victorino... and WITH ryan howard slumping.

chase and pat have been on fire. werth has proven his worth. hahahahahahhaha. i just got that.

pedro, ruiz, jenkins, and bruntlett are doing okay. bruntlett's time is limited, obviously... as he's back on the bench as soon as j-roll comes back. jenkins will be more limited, too, after the flyin' hawaiian comes back.

i'm pleased with the pedro/dobbs combo at third. dobbs is great off the bench... and is a reliable back-up. i also like the ruiz/coste combo. chris coste is hilarious. he's batting .371 in 35 at bats... and has gotten a few starts for the fact that he's consistent at the plate.

so when it comes together... when rollins and victorino come back... and howard's bat wakes up... i have really high hopes for the phils.

i'm also pleased with the way old uncle charlie is shaking the line-up around to get the most effective 1-2 punch at the start. he's not just keeping things the way they are... he's doing what he needs to do as a manger to keep his team competitive. i even respect him sitting howard for a couple of games. let him find his swing again so he can contribute the way we expect him to.

if chase [aka my baseball boyfriend] stays healthy through the whole year... i'm naming him the nl mvp. it's just amazing watching this guy. which... would be really fun to for 3 phillies in a row to get it. hee.

i'm even leaning toward the phils doing what they can to keep burrell. ::gasps:: i'm not ready to say that i've become a fan again... but hey... if he keeps playing with the same caliber has he has since the all-star break... i'll keep him!

the phillies are making me proud. : )