As teams close in on the 100-game mark, enough pitches have been thrown and enough starts have been made that we can begin to draw significant conclusions from the Pitcher Abuse Points data. But before we get to that, here’s a demonstration of how PAP differs from looking at average pitch count totals: 1- 91-…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated RHP Jack McDowell and C Charlie O’Brien from the DL; recalled LHP Mike Holtz from Edmonton; optioned C Bret Hemphill and LHPs Scott Schoeneweis and Jarrod Washburn to Edmonton; released UT Tim Unroe. [7/23] It’s still fashionable to talk about how the Angels maybe, kinda, sorta could just almost get back into…
THE HALL OF FAME “It’s special this year that George Brett, Robin Yount and Nolan Ryan can enjoy the moment in their first year of eligibility. They are three guys I greatly admire. I think they earned the right to go in the first year.” — Don Sutton, announcer “I think this is the final…
BALTIMORE ORIOLES Optioned 3B Ryan Minor to Rochester. [7/20] Acquired RHP Al Reyes from the Brewers to complete the Coppinger trade. [7/21] Activated 2B Delino DeShields from the DL; optioned 2B Jerry Hairston to Rochester. [7/22] If you’re a veteran second baseman, you more than most should be singing the praises of a Combined Bargaining…
I went to the game at Safeco Field Sunday afternoon. It was a good one, as the Mariners came back from a 7-1 sixth-inning deficit to win in extra innings, netting their second win at the new park. The Building The ballpark is spectacular, though not without problems. Aesthetically speaking, it’s very pretty; it’s assymetrical,…
I’m not one that worries about a lot of the fluff that goes on around baseball in specific, or sports in general. Organizations like ESPN are so desperate for broadcast material that they have no choice but to spend a lot of time and effort blowing things out of proportion. Minor fluctuations in performance become…
Second-Half Prospectus San Francisco Giants (50-38, division leader) With the return of both Bill Mueller and Barry Bonds from long injury-related layoffs, everything is falling into place for the division-leading Giants. As with most of Dusty Baker’s squads, the offense is paving the way for success–the team’s 495 runs scored are good for third in…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated RF Tim Salmon from the DL; designated UT Tim Unroe for assignment. [7/17] Activated RHP Ken Hill from the DL; optioned INF Andy Sheets to Edmonton. [7/19] Salmon’s back but restricted to DH for the near future, which means the Halos will have to continue getting by with Orlando Palmeiro in right…
Second-Half Prospectus It’s not the runaway we saw last year, but the order of the teams is the same. By the end of the year, it’s likely the Blue Jays will have caught and passed the Red Sox, snagging the wild card slot. New York Yankees (52-34, division leader) It’s not easy to play .600…
Second-Half Prospectus The division of the Indians and the Four Papooses isn’t exactly burgeoning with major changes in the standings, but there are things to look forward to. Cleveland Indians (56-31, division leader) John Hart’s outfit can afford to tinker, because it isn’t like anyone’s going to sneak up on them. The offense is chugging…
COMPLAINING Dear Rotoman, Here’s my situation: I’m in a 12-team, AL-only league with a $260 salary cap. I bit the bullet and have dumped this season for next year, picking up Carlos Lee, Eric Chavez, and Carlos Febles, among others. I currently have two open pitching slots, and was considering picking up Gabe Molina, hoping…
ALL-STAR GAME “I was having fun. I love doing these things. Earlier in my career, when I didn’t accept myself as a home-run hitter, I didn’t like doing these things. But now I enjoy them. I think sometimes it’s better than the game because I haven’t really had a great All-Star Game.” — Mark McGwire,…