UMPIRES "I think if you’d just call the strike zone from what it is in the rule book that you would see pitching improve." — Nolan Ryan, former player "They can fine me all they want. What they need to do is start watching film on [umpires] and get rid of the guys who aren’t…
In the wake of Randy Johnson‘s three-game suspension for throwing at Kenny Lofton‘s head (and did anyone else think of Crocodile Dundee? “That’s not wild, mate. That’s wild.”), the other professional sports have announced they will follow the AL President Gene Budig‘s example of sitting players down for similiarly significant lengths of time. Today, the…
ATLANTA BRAVES Optioned RHP Paul Byrd to Richmond, and recalled OF Damon Hollins from Richmond. [4/23] When you’re the Braves, I guess you feel you can afford to waste a roster spot for five days to get two mopup innings of relief, because that’s all they got out of Byrd; considering that their bullpen had…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Placed INF Craig Shipley on the 15-day DL (irritated nerve – right hand); activated 1B Chris Pritchett from 15-day DL and optioned him to Vancouver; recalled LHP Rich Robertson from Vancouver. [4/16] Activated RHP Pep Harris from the DL and optioned him to Lake Elsinore (A). [4/18] Losing Shipley may make the pickup…
CATCHERS "I would have to think that if you put a risk-factor on a position, pitchers would be the highest risk and catchers would be the next highest risk." — Bob Melvin, Rangers GM "I think Peter Gammons said one knee was bone on bone. That’s the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard." — Mike…
ATLANTA BRAVES Placed Lucky Charm Rafael Belliard on the 60-day DL (torn left quad); purchased the contract of INF Ray Holbert from Richmond. [4/10] Is there any potential downside with replacing arguably the worst major league player with a living, breathing utility infielder? Only in the sense that Cox may feel less comfortable with his…
I spent the last few days looking at tapes. Primarily boring tapes. Tapes of people playing defense. I really believe that the average baseball fan can get a lot more enjoyment out of watching the game if they understand the actual ‘fundamentals’ that we’ve all been told since the age of 5 (for me at…
UPS … "This is going to be a good club, but I don’t know to what extent yet. It will be an exciting year. We’ve got a pretty good ballclub. We’ve still got to see how things go, see how things fall into place." — Tony Gwynn, Padres outfielder "The crowd reaction today was great…
CHICAGO CUBS If any Cub prospect has an impact in the majors this year, it’ll be Kerry Wood, the wunderkind pitching prospect with the blazing fastball and nonexistent control. Cub fans are already clamoring for his immediate promotion, but that’s a bad idea for two reasons: he won’t pitch well in the majors, and he…
ATLANTA BRAVES As far as hitters, the cupboard’s getting bare for the Braves. Andruw Jones will be their last dynamite property to reach the majors for a while, and he’s here to stay. Tony Graffanino has no real competitors for the second base job with the departure of Mark Lemke. He’s been better than Lemke…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Purchased the contracts of OF Damon Mashore and 3B Frank Bolick; placed 1B Chris Pritchett on the 15-day DL (inflamed right elbow). [3/31] Mashore weeded through Pat Lennon, Gary Thurman, and Orlando Palmeiro to win a spot as a backup outfielder, while Bolick apparently caught on as a backup to both Hollins at…
PITCHING "It has to be tough for a kid pitcher these days just to watch ESPN. All they show are guys hitting balls where no one has hit them before. They show them bouncing into fountains and stuff. This is not a good time to be a bad pitcher." — Chuck Finley, Angels pitcher "I…