January 27, 2012

Top Stories

The Winter of My Discontent

January 23, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment 

It has been more than a month since I felt like writing anything about baseball. The musings, daydreams, and historical diversions that usually fill the off-season void have not been sufficient to overcome the ravages of reality enough for me to celebrate anything with words. Oh, I’m having a fine winter on a personal level. I’m not complaining. It’s just that a sense of dread has replaced anticipation of things to come in the sport I love. If I’m lucky, it will turn out that only the real world is going to hell and not baseball as well. Maybe it’s the sense of economic... [Read the full story]

General

Glory Days of the 50s and 60s

January 27, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment 

Transactions make the offseason fun. Until free agency came along, we watched for trades and waited for the blockbuster variety. Of course, those deals still pump life into baseball’s winter – the rumors alone provide plenty of drama – but now there are also signings and those rumors as well. Nobody liked trades more than Frank Lane. A major league general manager for parts of four decades, he reportedly made more than 400 trades. In seven years with the Chicago White Sox, he pulled off 241 deals. Trader Frank swapped players like they were baseball cards. He even traded his... [Read the full story]

Features

The Business of Baseball

January 23, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment 

Such current, popular, and reputable publications as Business Week, Forbes and Fortune, and the former Financial World contain annual financial data and other information about Major League Baseball (MLB) and the league’s franchises. Based partly on what these magazines published on professional sports, there are economists and various organizations that research and perform studies, and write articles, reports, and perhaps books that analyze the sports industry including the business of professional baseball. Since the late 1990′s to early 2000′s, Forbes has published different... [Read the full story]

Hall of Fame

Some Thoughts on Secondary Aspects of the Hall of Fame Voting Results

January 15, 2012 · by · 10 Comments 

The 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame vote was recently announced, and only one player was elected, Barry Larkin. Fellow Seamheads author Andrew Martin wrote a good post dissecting this year’s vote. I’m not going to do the same, especially since I largely agree with his views: Larkin is marginal but I support his election; Bagwell and Raines should get elected and their lack of support is distressing (see Andrew’s additional post arguing for Bagwell); I don’t understand the increasing support for Morris — his rise to 66.7% would be particularly concerning, except next... [Read the full story]

Minors

After Six Indy Division Titles and Two League Championships, Brendan Sagara ‘On Cloud Nine’ With Marlins Job

January 20, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment 

Hawaiian native Brendan Sagara had barely gotten his first managerial job after nearly a decade building a successful resume as a pitching coach in four different Independent leagues, but he knew he had to give up the opportunity to lead Na Ikaika Koa Maui when the Miami Marlins offered him a job. “It (minor league pitching coach) was absolutely what I’ve been wanting for a long time,” Sagara said from his home in Honolulu.  He had “thought it out”, planned for this type of opportunity, even though it meant giving up a chance to build a roster in Maui (North American... [Read the full story]

Baseball Daily Digest

Blog Eat Blog: Irrational Radicals

January 26, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment 

As a person who spends considerable time outside the box, I was intrigued when I came across yesterday’s ESPN headline for “Five radical game-changing proposals.” I am a big fan of articles that integrate the opinions of various writers, and this particular piece offered the thoughts of some of ESPN’s top contributors. So imagine my surprise [...] Read More →

General

Glory Days of the 50s and 60s

January 27, 2012 by

Transactions make the offseason fun. Until free agency came along, we watched for trades and waited for the blockbuster variety. Of course, those deals still pump life into baseball’s winter – the rumors alone provide plenty of drama – but now there are also signings and those rumors as well. Nobody liked trades more than Frank Lane.... Read more of this article

Offseason blues.. and a Tribute to McDonough

January 26, 2012 by

Most of us are stuck in this limbo right now of baseball purgatory. It’s a scattered mixture of anticipation for the upcoming season, haunted by continual days that lack game play. For the most part though, we have all started our count downs and planned our spring training vacations, while continually checking our spots on season ticket... Read more of this article

Les Mueller: The Man Who Threw 370 Pitches In A Game

January 25, 2012 by

Although he only appeared in 26 major league games, right-handed pitcher Les Mueller made quite an impression. Big things were predicted ever since he was a lanky high school sensation from Illinois. As a senior in 1937, he averaged 18 strikeouts per game, which were 7 innings each. Many teams were interested in him, but he chose to sign with the Detroit... Read more of this article

Una Pregunta Controversial Sobre Martin Dihigo (A Controversial Question About Martin Dihigo)

January 25, 2012 by

Martin Dihigo (right) and Roy Campanella Si el cubano Martín Dihigo hubiera podido jugar en Grandes Ligas, ¿Estuviera en Cooperstown? Este tipo de aseveración no solo es controversial, sino comprometedora de la capacidad de justicia de quienes vemos cualquier asunto relativo al beisbol, más allá que una respuesta tan fácil... Read more of this article

Manuel “El Pollo” Malpica fue un héroe del deporte Venezolano‏ (Manuel “El Pollo” Malpica was a Venezuelan sports hero)

January 25, 2012 by

En la presente temporada del Bèisbol profesional de Venezuela se acordó la creación de un premio para el mejor receptor de la temporada.  la junta directiva de Liga  distinguirá al con el premio MANUEL POLLO MALPICA al receptor más destacado de la Zafra.El premio MANUEL “POLLO” MALPICA rinde un merecido... Read more of this article

Gaylord Perry: Moon Man

January 25, 2012 by

This year is the 40th anniversary of the last time human beings set foot on the moon.  Why haven’t we been back since?  Maybe we should blame Gaylord Perry. One of baseball’s great urban legends is that Perry, a Hall of Fame pitcher from 1962 to 1983, once said a man would walk on the moon before he hit a home run.  Or perhaps... Read more of this article

The Business of Baseball

January 23, 2012 by

Such current, popular, and reputable publications as Business Week, Forbes and Fortune, and the former Financial World contain annual financial data and other information about Major League Baseball (MLB) and the league’s franchises. Based partly on what these magazines published on professional sports, there are economists and various organizations... Read more of this article

OOTP 13 Available for Pre-Order!

January 23, 2012 by

OOTP 13: We Hit it Out of the Park With Our Best Baseball Sim Yet! Reserve Your Copy Now For Just $34.99 and You Could Win an iPod Touch! When Baseball Prospectus gave OOTP 12 an A- rating, they said the game “is as close to the front office experience you can get without having to actually wear a suit and tie.” Now you can get even closer... Read more of this article

Fenway 1912: Glenn Stout’s Fascinating History of Fenway Park and the 1912 Red Sox

January 22, 2012 by

Fenway Park is one of the most historic and well known landmarks in all of baseball and Boston. Despite its modern notoriety, the home of the Red Sox is the oldest major league stadium still in play, and is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary later this spring. Professional sport venues typically have lives that are measured in decades, but with... Read more of this article

After Six Indy Division Titles and Two League Championships, Brendan Sagara ‘On Cloud Nine’ With Marlins Job

January 20, 2012 by

Hawaiian native Brendan Sagara had barely gotten his first managerial job after nearly a decade building a successful resume as a pitching coach in four different Independent leagues, but he knew he had to give up the opportunity to lead Na Ikaika Koa Maui when the Miami Marlins offered him a job. “It (minor league pitching coach) was absolutely... Read more of this article

More Posts From General

Features

The Business of Baseball

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Such current, popular, and reputable publications as Business Week, Forbes and Fortune,... 

The Impact of Prince Fielder in Washington

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Prince Fielder was always one of the impact players in this year’s free agent... 

2012 Milestones (And Beyond): Home Runs

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Depending on which camp you’re in, 2012 will either tickle you pink or make... 

Mr. President, Baseball Lasts Til Almost November

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The St. Louis Cardinals are in the Rose Garden soon for the customary victory lap... 

2012 Milestones (And Beyond): Hits

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Last time around I looked at potential milestones in runs scored and Alex Rodriguez’s... 

More Posts From Features

Hall of Fame

Some Thoughts on Secondary Aspects of the Hall of Fame Voting Results

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The 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame vote was recently announced, and only one player was... 

The Golden Era Hall of Fame Ballot

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The Hall of Fame has announced that eight players (and two executives) are to be... 

The Pitchers: The 4 Levels of Greatness – Part 2

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The CAWS Career Gauge has identified only fifty-one (51) 20th century major league... 

The Pitchers: The 4 Levels of Greatness – Part 1

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In a previous series of articles, I presented the 5 Levels of Greatness for the 20th... 

Mariano Rivera – the Best “Pure” Reliever

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At the present moment (2011), there are only five pitchers in the Hall of Fame who... 

More Posts From Hall of Fame

Minors

After Six Indy Division Titles and Two League Championships, Brendan Sagara ‘On Cloud Nine’ With Marlins Job

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Hawaiian native Brendan Sagara had barely gotten his first managerial job after nearly... 

Getting More Opportunities, Indy Hurlers Top Three Winter Leagues in ERA

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Unlike many previous seasons when prominent current or former Independent players... 

Grube, Savage New Names to Watch in Spring Training

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Since this is the final column before the calendar turns to 2012, I cannot help but... 

Forensic Career Bypassed as Indy Grad Jason Cooper Takes on New Opportunity With Pirates

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Stanford University professors may not want to hear it, but one of their anthropological... 

New ‘Prospect Tournament’ Ticketed for St. Petersburg: A Refreshing Opportunity for Independent League Players

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Every once in a while a really novel idea comes along; something with benefits for... 

More Posts From Minors

Baseball Daily Digest

Blog Eat Blog: Irrational Radicals

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As a person who spends considerable time outside the box, I was intrigued when I came across yesterday’s ESPN headline for “Five radical game-changing proposals.” I am a big fan of articles that integrate the opinions of various writers, and this particular piece offered the thoughts of some of ESPN’s top contributors. So imagine my... Read more of this article

Deadly Accurate: NL West

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Our review of Baseball Prospectus’ 2011 PECOTA projections continues with the hits and misses of the National League West, a division comprised of top-heavy teams that has seen a different club capture the flag in each of the past three seasons. - Diamondbacks In 2011, Upton actually met Doug Thorburn’s expectations, and kicked the crap out of... Read more of this article

Deadly Accurate: AL Central

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Our review of Baseball Prospectus’ 2011 PECOTA projections continues with the hits and misses of the American League Central, a division that has seen all but one ballclub finish in the top two spots over the last two years, with the Kansas City stragglers on the prospect-laden fast track to contention. Indians Friends of the feathered [...] Read More →

Deadly Accurate: NL East

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The review of BP2k11 continues with the NL East, a division that is undergoing a dramatic shift in the fortunes of several franchises. The Marlins have started throwing money around like it’s 1997, the Mets are in rapid decline, the Braves have a young core and plenty of pitching to spare as they challenge the aging [...] Read More →

True Value, Part II: Press Your Luck

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The sand trap of luck has sucked in a legion of baseball enthusiasts. Lured by deviant BABIP’s, even astute analysts continue to walk into the trap, and proceed to sink as they grasp for statistical explanations to pull themselves out of the muck. Luck has become the default scapegoat for anything that cannot be conveniently [...] Read More →

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