This week, we’re joined by Daniel Rotenberg, who contribued this piece on the Toronto Blue Jays. We hope you enjoy it. Our thanks to Daniel for his work. Introduction In 1997, the Toronto Blue Jays were last in the AL in runs, walks, batting average, and on-base percentage. They were below average or far below…
The Giants recently traded for Robb Nen, putting to rest the rumors that Julian Tavarez would have to be the team’s closer in 1998. Nen struck out 81 batters in 74 innings last season, and has struck out more than a batter per inning throughout his major-league career. The alternative, Julian Tavarez, is three years…
The Diamondbacks did a fair to middling job in the draft. There were a lot of missed opportunities, and a couple of inexplicable acquisitions before the dust settled, but by and large, they did a passable job, and far better than the atrocities against humanity committed by Chuck LaMar in the name of the Devil…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed RHP Ken Hill to a three-year deal with a one-year option. [11/16] Acquired UT Phil Nevin and C Matt Walbeck from Detroit for RHP Nick Skuse. [11/20] Trading Perisho for the subsequently drafted Mike Bell doesn’t hurt as much now, since Hill came around and re-signed. There are still questions about whether…
THE DRAFT 1. Tony Saunders, LHP, Florida 4. Quinton McCracken, CF, Colorado 6. Bob Abreu, LF, Houston (traded to Philadelphia for SS Kevin Stocker) 8. Miguel Cairo, 2B, Chicago-NL 10. Rich Butler, RF, Toronto 12. Bobby Smith, SS/3B, Atlanta 14. Jason Johnson, RHP, Pittsburgh 16. Dmitri Young, 1B, Cincinnati (the PTBNL for the 11/11 trade…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Exercised the option on RHP Ken Hill, who declined and is now a free agent. [11/7] The Angels are supposed to be livid about this, because they claim they would not have traded Matt Perisho to the Rangers had they known this was going to happen. Since the Perisho-Mike Bell deal wasn’t a…
NL MVP AWARD "It’s such a great feeling. I was going up and down the stairs at my house and I don’t think I hit any of the steps. I just kind of glided up the stairs." — Larry Walker, on winning NL MVP "[Larry Walker] is the MVP, no question. But I go out…
The full results of this year’s IBA voting.
ANAHEIM ANGELS Traded third baseman Rob Sasser to the Texas Rangers to complete an earlier trade; traded pitcher Matt Perisho to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Mike Bell. [11/4] I don’t see any reason the Angels should think they can just give away starting pitchers. Getting Mike Bell – who is not a prospect…
THE WORLD SERIES "I didn’t want to make the error, but the Lord allowed it to happen." — Tony Fernandez "You’re looking at a backup catcher from Double A. I’ve finally arrived at the pinnacle of this sport tonight, so there’s hope for all those guys out there. Don’t give up." — Jim Leyland, Marlins…
Gregg Pearlman returns with a look at the frustrating relationship some sportswriters seem to have with San Francisco Giants all-world OF Barry Bonds. You can read more of Gregg’s work at the Official San Francisco Giant Fan House Of Pain: EEEEEE!. Sportswriters hate Barry Bonds. They point to his surliness, unfriendliness, and arrogance, and, not…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Outrighted RHP Fausto Macey and C Brett Hemphill to Vancouver, and announced that RHP Shad Williams rejected an assignment to Vancouver, cleared waivers, and is now a free agent. [10/16] This is pretty straightforward roster cleaning prior to the expansion draft and the Rule V draft; Williams was never really a prospect, and…
THE WORLD SERIES "I think it is really neat for the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins to be playing in the World Series. I think everybody is tired of seeing the Braves." — David Justice "My graduating class was 125 and so far it’s up to 625 that I graduated with asking for tickets." —…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Announced that INF Craig Grebeck and LHP Greg Cadaret cleared waivers and declared free agency; activated RHP Mark Gubicza and INF Randy Velarde from the 60-day DL and placed them on the 40-man roster. [10/9] C Chris Turner cleared waivers and declared free agency. [10/10] Damn that Craig Crebeck for outplaying DiSarcina as…
THE ORIOLES "Those guys can play with the gloves. That’s the biggest difference I see in them this year." — Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on the Orioles "He’s the Oriole way." — Davey Johnson, Orioles manager, on Mike Bordick "He’s one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball today. When he’s on his game, he’s…
AL PLAYOFFS "This is the situation I love. It’s party time, time to get down and dirty. I love pressure situations, and I can handle it with the best of them." — David Wells "When you play a 162-game schedule, there isn’t too much doubt who had the best year. But when you get to…