Mark Kriegel has a video up discussing Bud Selig's salary, which is north of $18mm. He focuses on the negative fact that Bud's improvements to the game have come in the steroid era.
Here's are the 5 most significant things that Bud has done.
Added Interleague Play
Developed the new playoff system with Wild Card teams.
Started the WBC.
Decided that the All-Star game would decide home field advantage in the World Series.
Let the Steroid Era get way out of hand.
I like the first three on the list, but not the last two.
Let's see your thoughts in the comments.
3/2/09
3/1/09
New URL!!!
Hey Everyboy,
Just wanted to let you all know that this site will now be accessed as 6pound8ouncebabyjoba.com, not 6pound8ouncebabyjoba.blogspot.com. Thanks.
Joba- Not the Only Good One
A couple of days ago we posted about Joba sending a family to Disney World. I was very impressed with this news, and when I heard about Robinson Cano's good-deed, I was thrilled. Kat O'Brien reported that Cano had bought jerseys for an entire league of kids. Roughly 6000 kids were in this league. He also purchased 2 ambulances for the town. Its very refreshing and heartwarming to hear of these guys trying to give back. Plus, Joba and Cano aren't quite superstars yet, so you know they are just doing it to help out, not to "get in good with the public".
2/28/09
Everybody Has a Rough Day
Its true. Even Lord Chamberlain. Chamberlain got roughed up against the Twins today, giving up 2 runs in 1 inning. But hey, it doesn't matter at all because its the first time he has pitched in a game all year!
Notes for the Day
Juan Cruz signed with the Kansas City Royals for two years and $6mm. That's an arm in the bullpen they'll surely cherish. Cruz will most likely be Kansas City's eighth inning guy. Just an interesting note, Kansas City signed set-up man and former Yankee Kyle Farnsworth to a 2 year, $9.5mm deal as well this winter. It's almost comical to think that someone like Farnsworth is making that much more than someone like Cruz.
Curt Schilling, one of my least favorite baseball players of all time, said, when asked about returning to the game "Absolutely, I'll come back." He wants to play for a team with championship caliber that hasn't won recently....or ever. His top choices are the Rays and the Cubs right now.
Johan Santana has a sore left elbow. In other news, CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and Melky Cabrera all have no current injuries...
Via PeteAbe we learn that Jorge Posada was scratched with shoulder discomfort. They say it isn't too serious, but when the guy we're expecting to catch 120 games for us has a sore shoulder, you can't help but be worried. If I were Brian Cashman I would be having periodic conversations with Indians' GM Mark Shapiro, Angels' GM Tony Riggans, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik, Texas GM Jon Daniels, and Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd about the availability of Kelly Shoppach, Jeff Mathis, Jeff Clement, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez, Taylor Teagarden, and Yorvit Torrealba in case Posada can't catch and we need someone who can catch and hit at the major league level.
Curt Schilling, one of my least favorite baseball players of all time, said, when asked about returning to the game "Absolutely, I'll come back." He wants to play for a team with championship caliber that hasn't won recently....or ever. His top choices are the Rays and the Cubs right now.
Johan Santana has a sore left elbow. In other news, CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and Melky Cabrera all have no current injuries...
Via PeteAbe we learn that Jorge Posada was scratched with shoulder discomfort. They say it isn't too serious, but when the guy we're expecting to catch 120 games for us has a sore shoulder, you can't help but be worried. If I were Brian Cashman I would be having periodic conversations with Indians' GM Mark Shapiro, Angels' GM Tony Riggans, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik, Texas GM Jon Daniels, and Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd about the availability of Kelly Shoppach, Jeff Mathis, Jeff Clement, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez, Taylor Teagarden, and Yorvit Torrealba in case Posada can't catch and we need someone who can catch and hit at the major league level.
2/27/09
Our Lord the Savior: Joba Chamberlain
Joba is not only a phenomenal pitcher. He's a phenomenal person. He's sending an 11 year old kid and her family to Disney world, all expenses paid, to reward her for simply being a hardworking kid in a school in Nebraska. That's classy Joba. A man of the people, he truly is. This is something that that girl and her family will never forget. With all the steroids, and contract complaints, and flaws of so many players, its just great to see Joba doing something like this.
Amen Joba Amen
Amen Joba Amen
2/26/09
Predictions: AL Playoff Teams
Thought you all might be interested in some more predictions. Here's who I think will be in the playoffs this year....
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Chicago White Sox
AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Al Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays
The Yanks will win the East because they have the best rotation in baseball now. They also have a pretty darn good offense. I also see a more motivated team this year, missing the playoffs sucks, and Derek Jeter isn't going to deal with that two years in a row. Also, on the team chemistry component everyone(other than A-Rod) is pretty classy. Sabathia is one of the world's most renowned "nice guys." Derek Jeter is a natural leader. Nick Swisher has fun, but not carelessly, and has been called a "grinder." Johnny Damon is a great guy for the clubhouse, I mean who doesn't love Damon? Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada are classic Yankess who know how to lead by example and not let the press get to them. Mark Teixeira is a professional kind of guy who obviously has a great work ethic, and is a no-nonsense type of guy. The manager, Joe Girardi, has a year managing in New York under his belt, and has shown he's going to be even better this year through his honesty on injuries so far with the press, and his epic "pool tournament" outing with the team. The Yanks are the team to beat in the East.
The White Sox will win the Central simply because they have the best pitching. The Tigers have too many question marks in the rotation, the only established guys the Royals have in the rotation are Gil Meche and Zach Greinke. The Twins have some talented pitching with Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, and Kevin Slowey, but their offense is so weak (outside of Mauer and Morneau) that I don't see them holding up. Lacking a veteran ace is also problematic (although Tampa didn't have any true vets in their 08 rotation). The Indians have a great offense, but their pitching scares me. Cliff Lee won't repeat his super human 08, and Anthony Reyes won't be anywhere near as good either. And Aaron Laffey and Fausto Carmona are real question marks. Also, they signed some guy named Pavano, word has it he's one of the worst people to ever walk the earth and one of the worst players to ever enter a ballpark, not to mention he's a compulsive liar. Kerry Wood could be great, however he usually has trouble keeping healthy, with only one year under his belt as a closer who knows how he'll do this year. Chicago, however, has the following players that could fill rotation spots:Mark Buehrle (a veteran ace), Jon Danks (a proven young arm), Gavin Floyd(another nice young arm), Bartolo Colon (a former Cy Young winner), Jose Contreras(a questionable quantity nowadays, but he used to be one of the best in Cuba), Jeff Marquez (former Yankee prospect), Lance Broadway( young prospect), and Aaron Poreda (pormising young prospect). With Buehrle, Danks, Floyd, and Colon, Chicago could have a pretty great rotation. They've got a decent offense with power(Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin), speed(Alexei Ramirez), and athletic young players (Jayson Nix, Brent Lillibridge, Ramirez, Josh Fields, Jerry Owens, etc). Add in a phenomenal closer named Bobby Jenks and a veteran catcher (AJ Pierzynski) and you have a team that can dominate the AL Central.
The Angels will bring in the West simply because of pitching. Texas has practically no starting pitching, Seattle has too many question marks and underachievers, and Oakland's rotation has too little experience. The Angels however have John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver who all have experience and talent. Add in some young talent with Nick Adenhart and Dustin Moseley and you have a strong rotation. They have a decent 'pen even without K-Rod, and a managable offense with Vlad Guerrerro, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, the versatile Chone Figgins, and possible breakout candidate Howie Kendrick. Add in the fact that they have baseball's greatest manager (Mike Scioscia) and the team is headed for good things.
The Rays will win the Wild Card because, well how can that team not make the playoffs? Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro, BJ Upton, Pat Burrell, they make up a great offense. A rotation of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, and David Price is pretty scary too. Add in Joe Maddon's ability to make his pen work extremely well, and you have a recipe for success. The Rays could win the East, but it'll be close between them and the Yanks. For anyone who wants to know why I'm not saying Boston will make it...here's why. David Ortiz and JD Drew are too big of injury risks. They'll feel the loss of Manny's bat this year, no matter how good Jason Bay is, he'll never fill Manny's shoes. Josh Beckett's ERA was over 4 in 08. Dice-K's lgERA, park adjusted, was 4.62 this year, so don't expect another strong season. Tim Wakefield is 42 years old. And then Brad Penny and John Smoltz are too big of question marks. Also, there's no way that both Youkilis and Pedroia repeat their phenomenal 08 years, and Lowell has hip issues. They'll still be a good team, but not as good as the Yanks and Rays.
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Chicago White Sox
AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Al Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays
The Yanks will win the East because they have the best rotation in baseball now. They also have a pretty darn good offense. I also see a more motivated team this year, missing the playoffs sucks, and Derek Jeter isn't going to deal with that two years in a row. Also, on the team chemistry component everyone(other than A-Rod) is pretty classy. Sabathia is one of the world's most renowned "nice guys." Derek Jeter is a natural leader. Nick Swisher has fun, but not carelessly, and has been called a "grinder." Johnny Damon is a great guy for the clubhouse, I mean who doesn't love Damon? Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada are classic Yankess who know how to lead by example and not let the press get to them. Mark Teixeira is a professional kind of guy who obviously has a great work ethic, and is a no-nonsense type of guy. The manager, Joe Girardi, has a year managing in New York under his belt, and has shown he's going to be even better this year through his honesty on injuries so far with the press, and his epic "pool tournament" outing with the team. The Yanks are the team to beat in the East.
The White Sox will win the Central simply because they have the best pitching. The Tigers have too many question marks in the rotation, the only established guys the Royals have in the rotation are Gil Meche and Zach Greinke. The Twins have some talented pitching with Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, and Kevin Slowey, but their offense is so weak (outside of Mauer and Morneau) that I don't see them holding up. Lacking a veteran ace is also problematic (although Tampa didn't have any true vets in their 08 rotation). The Indians have a great offense, but their pitching scares me. Cliff Lee won't repeat his super human 08, and Anthony Reyes won't be anywhere near as good either. And Aaron Laffey and Fausto Carmona are real question marks. Also, they signed some guy named Pavano, word has it he's one of the worst people to ever walk the earth and one of the worst players to ever enter a ballpark, not to mention he's a compulsive liar. Kerry Wood could be great, however he usually has trouble keeping healthy, with only one year under his belt as a closer who knows how he'll do this year. Chicago, however, has the following players that could fill rotation spots:Mark Buehrle (a veteran ace), Jon Danks (a proven young arm), Gavin Floyd(another nice young arm), Bartolo Colon (a former Cy Young winner), Jose Contreras(a questionable quantity nowadays, but he used to be one of the best in Cuba), Jeff Marquez (former Yankee prospect), Lance Broadway( young prospect), and Aaron Poreda (pormising young prospect). With Buehrle, Danks, Floyd, and Colon, Chicago could have a pretty great rotation. They've got a decent offense with power(Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin), speed(Alexei Ramirez), and athletic young players (Jayson Nix, Brent Lillibridge, Ramirez, Josh Fields, Jerry Owens, etc). Add in a phenomenal closer named Bobby Jenks and a veteran catcher (AJ Pierzynski) and you have a team that can dominate the AL Central.
The Angels will bring in the West simply because of pitching. Texas has practically no starting pitching, Seattle has too many question marks and underachievers, and Oakland's rotation has too little experience. The Angels however have John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver who all have experience and talent. Add in some young talent with Nick Adenhart and Dustin Moseley and you have a strong rotation. They have a decent 'pen even without K-Rod, and a managable offense with Vlad Guerrerro, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, the versatile Chone Figgins, and possible breakout candidate Howie Kendrick. Add in the fact that they have baseball's greatest manager (Mike Scioscia) and the team is headed for good things.
The Rays will win the Wild Card because, well how can that team not make the playoffs? Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Dioner Navarro, BJ Upton, Pat Burrell, they make up a great offense. A rotation of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, and David Price is pretty scary too. Add in Joe Maddon's ability to make his pen work extremely well, and you have a recipe for success. The Rays could win the East, but it'll be close between them and the Yanks. For anyone who wants to know why I'm not saying Boston will make it...here's why. David Ortiz and JD Drew are too big of injury risks. They'll feel the loss of Manny's bat this year, no matter how good Jason Bay is, he'll never fill Manny's shoes. Josh Beckett's ERA was over 4 in 08. Dice-K's lgERA, park adjusted, was 4.62 this year, so don't expect another strong season. Tim Wakefield is 42 years old. And then Brad Penny and John Smoltz are too big of question marks. Also, there's no way that both Youkilis and Pedroia repeat their phenomenal 08 years, and Lowell has hip issues. They'll still be a good team, but not as good as the Yanks and Rays.
2/25/09
First ST Game
In their first ST game of the year, the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 6-1. PeteAbe has the lineups and full coverage of the game, so go check it out. Notable things that happened in todays game were a lead-off HR from Brett Gardner, a HR from A-rod, and an RBI single from Juan Miranda. On another note, Melky changed his number from 28 to 53. Brett Tomko took over 28. PeteAbe also mentioned that Tomko could have a good shot at a long relief job.
I FORGOT
I totally forgot. BERNIE WILLIAMS MADE THE PUERTO RICAN TEAM! I am thrilled for him. He is my favorite player of all time, and was a fantastic Yankee for years, and I wish him the best of luck.
2/24/09
WBC Rosters
The WBC Rosters came out today. You can look at them all at mlb.com and see what players from all of the MLB teams are playing. I'll just do a quick rundown of the Yankees players who made teams. Robinson Cano will play for the Dominican Team, Francisco Cervelli will play for the Italians, Derek Jeter will play for USA, Kai Lui will play for China, Damaso Marte- Dominican, Edwar Ramirez- DOM, A-Rod- DOM, Jorge Vazquez- Mexico, Jose Veras- DOM, and Zhenwang Zhang will play for China. Let hope that nobody gets hurt. Despite the fact that there is a risk, I think that the WBC is a fun and great event that will hopefully spur interest in Baseball on a global scale.
According to PeteAbe, Edwar Ramirez was diagnosed with shoulder bursitis and will be out for the next 3 days. He had this same injury at the end of last year, so I'm a bit skeptical that it isn't more serious than mild bursitis. We'll See.
I would be interested in hearing all of your thoughts about the WBC. Please respond in the comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
