There is NO argument against netting at MLB stadiums.
PERIOD.
END OF STORY.
Enjoy this rainy Tuesday!!
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It’s the highest honor a professional athlete can receive. It’s the culmination of a life’s work. It’s validation.
The greatness of 4 individuals was recognized Wednesday evening, as they were elected to the MLB Hall of Fame:
Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman.
This Hall of Fame class is strong, with 4 players being elected for just the 4th time (1947, 1955, 2015).
Chipper Jones, 3B/OF, Atlanta Braves (1993-2012 – 97.2%)
Chipper Jones played his entire 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves. As a switch-hitting third baseman and outfielder, Jones was part of the Braves’ dynasty that won 14 consecutive NL East Division Titles. Mets fans know what I’m talking about.
Jones’ career was filled with numerous accolades, including 8 All-Star Game appearances, 1 MVP, and 1 World Series. Jones ranks 3rd all-time in home runs by a switch hitter. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, Jones lived up to expectations, finishing 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1995 (Hideo Nomo). Consistency and longevity could have been his nicknames, as he drove in at least 100 runs 9 times and hit at least 20 homes runs 14 times.
Check out his stats here.
Few are more deserving than Chipper Jones, and he can now smile knowing he’s been immortalized amongst the greatest to ever play the game.
Vladimir Guerrero, OF/DH, Montreal Expos/Los Angeles Angels (1996-2011 – 92.9%)
Has there ever been a scarier hitter?? No, he’s not the best hitter of all-time, but his ability to hit ANY pitch made him one of the toughest outs in MLB history. I once saw Vlad hit a homerun off of 1 knee. Vlad possessed a rare power, batting average combination. He hit over .300 in 14 of his 16 seasons, hit 25 home runs 12 times, and drove in 100 runs 10 times. I’m still trying to figure out how he didn’t make it in on his 1st ballot….
Check out his stats here.
Vlad also had the best arm I’ve ever seen. When you can throw the ball from the right field wall to home plate, on a fly, off your back foot, you have a GREAT arm!!
Jim Thome, 1B/3B/DH, Cleveland Indians (1991-2012 – 89.8%)
Jim Thome had 1 job, and he did it VERY well. His job was to hit the ball over the wall. He did that 612 times (8th all-time). That’s a lot of times!!
Allow me to put that into perspective. Thome hit at least 40 homes runs 6 times. Only 8 players have hit 40 home runs more times than Thome. And his slugging percentage (.554) ranks 23rd all-time.
Check out his stats here.
Oddly, Thome wore 6 different jerseys throughout his 22-year career. Thome, along with Jones, became a 1st ballot Hall of Famer Wednesday evening.
Trevor Hoffman, RP, San Diego Padres (1993-2010 – 79.9%)
Trevor Hoffman is in elite company. He’s just the 6th reliever to be elected to the Hall of Fame. While he ranks 2nd all-time in saves (behind the almighty Mariano Rivera), he is a controversial selection for Cooperstown. Hoffman was known for 2 things: his strikeout ability, and his propensity to blow big games.
Check out his stats here.
Hoffman’s shortcomings won’t show up all over a stat sheet, but I don’t think he’s worthy of the Hall of Fame. It should be the Hall of Great, not the Hall of Very Good.
Do you agree with the Hall of Fame selections?? Is Trevor Hoffman a Hall of Famer?? Tell me everything you think in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
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Are we buyers or sellers?? Should we live for the moment or build toward the future?? Oh yeah, it’s that time of year again in Major League Baseball. The time when General Managers make decisions that determine their employment status. Every season there are teams who are clearly out of the playoff race (sellers) and teams clearly in the playoff race (buyers). Door opens..grey area enters. And then there are teams who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Many thought the New York Yankees fell into this unenviable area. Many would be wrong about that.
Tuesday night, the Yankees definitively become buyers in this year’s trade market, as they acquired 3 players from the Chicago White Sox. At 38-53, the White Sox hold the worst record in the American League. Selling off players who aren’t part of their long-term future is the right decision. The question is, are the Yankees making the right decision by trading prospects for players who can contribute now?? As with anything, only time will tell.
The Yankees acquired Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle for Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin, Tito Polo, and Tyler Clippard. Todd Frazier is a third baseman with solid power and deceptive speed. He also possesses the ability to play first base. This all sounds great, but there must be a catch…. Oh, well, see the thing is, is ummmm..he’s hitting .207. .207?!?! Yup. No typo there. Now, Frazier’s career batting average is .247, so I’m sure he’ll slowly move that in the right direction, but expect Frazier to bring solid pop to an already dangerous lineup. He’s an expiring contract, so he’s a 2-month rental.
David Robertson, former Yankees’ closer, and Tommy Kahnle will provide much needed bullpen support. What was seen as the Yankees’ greatest strength at the start of the season, has become their biggest weakness. Robertson will most likely slide into the 7th inning role, while Kahnle will be a 6th inning, Swiss-Army Knife type reliever for the Yankees. Both relief pitchers are strikeout machines with live arms. Robertson is under contract through 2018, and Kahnle is under contract until 2021 (I really like that part of this deal by the way).
Now let’s meet the prospects the Yankees packed up and shipped out. Blake Rutherford was their #3 prospect. He’s a 20-year old outfielder (the Yankees have plenty of those), currently hitting .281 in Single-A. He’s the biggest prize in this deal for the White Sox, and his development over the next 5 years will determine the victor here. Ian Clarkin is a left-handed starting pitcher (22 years old) who is having a nice season at High-A Ball. And Tito Polo (love the name) is a 22-year old, speedy outfielder in Double-A. It’s extremely difficult to evaluate a trade involving 3 players, all 22 or younger, but I think this is a good trade for the Yankees.
They part ways with 1 very solid prospect in exchange for 2 proven bullpen arms and 1 infield power hitter. And I haven’t even mentioned the best part of the trade yet….
They rid themselves of Tyler Clippard!! Tyler Clippard, who’s been traded more times in his career than I’ve done laundry in my life, will play for his 6th MLB team. And for good reason..HE SUCKS!!
Following this trade, the Yankees must continue their buying ways, by bringing in a starting pitcher. To truly give themselves a fighting chance this year, they need a solid starting pitcher to fill out the rotation. Luis Cessa has shown he’s not ready for the big show, and I wouldn’t bring up Chance Adams (Yankees’ best pitching prospect) now. With the Yankees looking to make an October push, they should allow Adams to hone his skills at Triple-A, while they bring in an experienced starter.
What do you think of the Yankees’ trade?? Like it, love it, or hate it?? Tell me in the comment section below.
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It’s supposed to be the best day of your life. A day to rejoice and celebrate that you’ve made it. After pouring blood, sweat, and tears into the lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player, all that, in a flash, is gone. That was the harsh reality for Yankees’ outfielder, Dustin Fowler.
On Thursday, Fowler, just 22 years old, made his major league debut in Chicago against the White Sox (the same day he was called up). He was slotted 6th in the batting order and started in right field. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Jose Abreu popped-up a ball, down right-field, in foul territory. Fowler gave chase but ran out of room. He crashed into the half-wall, badly injuring his right knee. After two brief attempts to walk it off, Fowler’s leg gave out as he crumbled to the floor. Video of the injury can be seen here. Fowler had to be carted off the field. His 1st Major League at-bat will have to wait.
Fowler ruptured his patellar tendon and was rushed to Rush University Medical Center for surgery. His recovery and rehabilitation will last at least 6 months. Fowler wasn’t the 1st Yankees’ prospect to hit the Disabled List (DL) on Thursday (Tyler Austin – hamstring). The Yankees are making a run at the New York Mets for most injured team in New York. Here are the Yankees and Mets players currently on the Disabled List:
Yankees Mets
Matt Holliday Noah Syndergaard
Aaron Hicks Jeurys Familia
Starlin Castro Matt Harvey
Greg Bird Neil Walker
CC Sabathia Zack Wheeler
Tyler Austin David Wright
Dustin Fowler Robert Gsellman
Adam Warren Josh Smoker
Insane!! Who can compete with so many injuries?? Ahem..apparently the Yankees can (sorry Mets fans).
Injuries are not limited to the Tri-State area, as Major League Baseball seems to have a pandemic on it’s hands. There are 25 active players on each of baseball’s 30 teams (750 players available on a daily basis). 437 players have spent time on the DL at some point this season. Talk about insane!! That’s 58.3%!! And there are currently 164 players on the DL.
At the start of the season, Major League Baseball altered the terms of their DL policy. Now, 7-day, 10-day, and 60-day DL’s exist. The 7-day DL pertains to concussions and other situations, such as paternity leave. The 10-day DL, previously the 15-day DL, is for common injuries and has likely caused the number of DL stints to rise slightly. However, there were 475 DL stints all of last season, compared to 437 so far this season (through 81 games). Such a rapid increase in injuries should be alarming to the ‘suits’ of Major League Baseball. Maybe this is contributing to a decline in ratings. Fans pay to see Mike Trout play, not Eric Young Jr.
The question is, why are players more injury prone now??
Some, like Mets’ commentator Ron Darling, suggest it is today’s training style that contributes to more frequent injuries. Following Robert Gsellman’s injury Ron didn’t hold back, “These trainers, get them in a room with some of the old trainers and people that took care of baseball players and how to keep them healthy. And get them in a room and try to tap into their knowledge on how to train baseball players – not weightlifters, not six-pack wearers – baseball players. They’re doing a disservice to their million-dollar athletes that they’re paying. It’s a joke to watch this happen each and every night.”
To Ron’s point, of course players can get hurt lifting weights, but to suggest that is the main factor for an increase in injuries across Major League Baseball is blasphemous. And it actually contradicts science. An increase in injuries in baseball is not a new problem, it is simply getting worse. Here’s why:
Money is the answer to everything, however, in this case it is a DL enabler. If I am still awaiting my ‘huge’ contract, why am I going to play through an injury?? Performance enhancing drugs effect injuries in a multitude of ways. The decrease in drug use no longer allows someone to play through an injury. And while these drugs can provide short-term assistance with performance or recovery, they actually leave your body more prone to injury upon cycling off the drug. And finally, Major League Baseball’s grueling schedule also contributes to injuries. Players have an average of 18 days off throughout an entire season. That’s 3 days off per month. So much for having weekends off….
Why do you think players are getting injured at a faster rate?? Please tell me what you think in the comment section below.
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Today, we will take a look at our first American League Division; the American League Central. I will preview each team and give you my bold predictions for the upcoming season. Here is a quick look at how each team finished last season:
2012 American League Central Final Standings:
W L
Detriot Tigers: 88-74
Chicago White Sox: 85-77
Kansas City Royals: 72-90
Cleveland Indians: 68-94
Minnesota Twins: 66-96
Ah, the 2012 Minnesota Twins. What a major disappointment they were huh? No one was crowning them World Series champions prior to the 2012 season, but I think we all expected them to be above .500. The Twins started out with a horrid record, and as the season continued it only got worse. They finished dead last in the American League Central, a horrible 30 games under .500. There is good news for 2013. I don’t think it is physically possible to be as bad as they were last year. That means there is only one way to go; up. The Twins lost speedy outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere, and they are hoping Darin Mastroianni can be their starting center fielder of the future, their leadoff hitter, and can blossom into a star. I think he is a nice little player, but his strikeout rate is too high and his batting average is too low for me to say he’ll be a difference maker in Minnesota. They also added Vance Worley and Mike Pelfrey to their starting rotation. Mike Pelfrey after one solid year for the Mets in 2010, has underachieved beyond belief (if only I were 6’7″). I don’t see the change of scenery being the difference for Pelfrey, and I see him struggling mightily this season. As for Worley, after bursting on to the scene in 2011, his 2012 was very pedestrian (where he sported a 4.20 era and only won 6 games). The Twins offense does have a chance to put up some runs, but that all depends on the health of their two former ‘superstars’; Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Josh Willingham should have another nice season at the plate, but if Mauer and Morneau can stay healthy they could make a run at that elusive .500 record (hahaha). That’s how good I think they will be this season, their ceiling is a .500 record. When it’s all said and done I do think they improve upon their record from last season, but not by much. They will be a stellar 70-92.
Last season the Cleveland Indians showed that they can compete in the American League Central. They held a record of 44-41 at the All-Star break. Then the Indians went on to have a disastrous 2nd half, going 24-53 to close out the season. This forced the Indians owner to fire their manager Manny Acta. Over the offseason, the Indians hired former Red Sox manager Terry Francona. They believe that the combination of Francona and their new acquisitions this offseason gives them a chance to compete for the division title. They added former Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, home-run hitting Mark Reynolds, speedy centerfielder Michael Bourn, and the power/speed threat of Drew Stubbs (if only Stubbs didn’t strike out a million times he’d have the potential to be GREAT). Between Reynolds and Stubbs their batting average will plummet while their strikeout rate soars through the roof, but they have the potential to be a very good team. If Ubaldo Jimenez can return to All-Star form, watch out for the Cleveland Indians! I think that they will be the most improved team from last season but will just miss out on the playoffs. I believe they will finish with a record of 85-77.
The Kansas City Royals have been a model of inconsistency over the years, and that’s exactly what they were last season. I do believe that they are heading in the right direction though and might actually surprise some folks this season. The Royals have a good young team with a mountain of potential. They also added James Shields, Ervin Santana, and Wade Davis to their starting rotation this offseason. I believe this will vastly improve this team, and they will finish with a winning record for the first time since 2003. The Royals have a lineup with a rare combination of speed and power. Between Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jarrod Dyson, and Alex Gordon the Royals should swipe a lot of bases this season. They also have a lot of pop in their bats, with Mike Moustakas, Eris Hosmer, and Billy Butler anchoring the lineup. Expect the Royals to be improved from last year, finishing with a record of 82-80.
Outside of Chris Sale, the Chicago White Sox rotation hovered around .500 in terms of wins and losses last season. I believe that is what we will see from this team in 2013. They did not make much noise this past offseason. The only real addition they made was bringing in Jeff Keppinger to play 3rd base. He should help with their batting average but not much more. They do have nice players in their lineup in Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Alejandro De Aza, but that won’t be enough to compete in this division. This will be the most improved division in baseball, and the White Sox will finish in 4th place in the division this season. I don’t think their pitching is good enough and it will ultimately be their downfall. I see the White Sox having a disappointing season, finishing with an 80-82 record.
This is the Detroit Tigers division to lose. With Justin Verlander heading up a rotation that includes Max Scherzer and Doug Fister, the Tigers rotation should continue to mow batters down. Add that to a lineup that features Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and I think it’s safe to say that the Tigers will win the American League Central again this season. The Tigers do have a big question mark this season though, that could throw a big curveball into their plans. They don’t have a closer right now. They don’t seem to be interested in re-signing Jose Valverde. Now, I dislike Valverde more than anyone in the world. Watching him pitch makes me want to stab myself in the eyes with a pencil. However, sometimes the scarcity at a position should dictate how you put your team together. Valverde did implode in the postseason last year, but he is by far the best option at closer for the Detroit Tigers (at least right now). Come playoff time, are you really going to feel comfortable handing the ball to a rookie in the 9th inning?? I highly doubt it. I foresee the Tigers holding off the Indians to win the division, but I don’t think they’re going to make it look easy. Their record should be similar to that of last year at 89-73. They will narrowly win the American League Central.
2013 American League Central Projected Final Standings:
W L
Detroit Tigers: 89-73
Cleveland Indians: 85-77
Kansas CIty Royals: 82-80
Chicago White Sox: 80-82
Minnesota Twins: 70-92
Projected American League Central Winner: Detroit Tigers
If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!
Dave Talks Sports 