Part II of Jonah Keri’s interview with Tendu founder Ron Antinoja discusses the rigors of being a Tendu scorer, some of the firm’s clients, and future improvements in the company’s database and software.
Edgar Martinez’s Hall of Fame candidacy remains controversial, judging by my e-mail, which baffles me.
There is a historical precedent for electing a Designated Hitter to the Hall of Fame. As baseball has evolved, the players who have evolved with it have been recognized for their accomplishments in the new roles they’ve filled. Shortstop, for instance, hasn’t always existed in its present role, but would anyone argue that no shortstop should ever have been elected to the Hall of Fame because they would be the first? For most of baseball’s history, the relief corps has been random swing starters, position players, the rotation on their off-days, and passers-by. Would anyone argue that true relief aces like Goose Gossage and Dennis Eckersley shouldn’t even be considered because their contributions in relief came in a role that didn’t exist, or wasn’t important, throughout baseball history? The DH is a position in the rules, and the DH contributes to a team’s success or failures.
Mark Buehrle isn’t the ace the White Sox hoped he’d be. The Cardinals offense is more top-heavy than Morganna. Kameron Loe may be a late-round steal for the Rangers. These and other news and notes out of Chicago, St. Louis, and Texas in today’s Prospectus Triple Play.
Matt Mantei is nearing his return to the mound–and his next appearance in UTK. Fred McGriff goes on the DL for the first time in his career. Melvin Mora’s off-the-charts season hits a snag. These and other injury updates in today’s Under The Knife by Will Carroll.
Joe Sheehan clears up a Fisk snafu, endorses Ryan Klesko for the NL All-Star Team, and mourns the loss of a die-hard Reds fan in Prospectus Today.