Hall Of Fame

In my life I have attended many more major league games than minor league ones, but 2010 will be a chance for me to experience the minors like never before.  I will be working in media relations for the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League.  The Mud Hens are the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers and play at Fifth Third Field, just an hour from Detroit, which means that Tigers on rehab assignments will likely make cameo appearances throughout the season.

Continue reading "Next stop in my baseball career – ..."

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas officially announced their retirements this week, ending speculation that either one would attempt a comeback in 2010 after not appearing in a big league game last season.  Glavine was a great finesse pitcher of his generation, and Thomas was a premiere slugger of the nineties.

Continue reading "Two more great careers reach the end of the line"

I generally prefer beginning my blog with news that is positive or at least neutral, but I cannot think of a more worthy story than that of former Major Leaguer Jose Offerman, who was banned from the Dominican Winter League for life after attacking an umpire earlier this month.  The incident, sadly, is not the first time Offerman has embarrassed the game of baseball.  While playing in the Atlantic Independent League in August 2007, he charged the mound – bat in hand – after being hit by a pitch, and proceeded to break one of the pitcher’s fingers.  The catcher, trying to protect his pitcher, was hit in the back of the head and received a severe concussion that ended his career.  Now, two and a half years later, Offerman is still making the game look bad.  His behavior, without question, is Bad for Ball.

Continue reading "Offerman a disgrace to the game"

Big news from the Big Unit: 46-year-old Randy Johnson announced his retirement, concluding his career with a record of 303-166, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  His five Cy Young Awards – one with the Mariners and four in a row with the Diamondbacks – rank him behind only Roger Clemens, and his 4,875 career strikeouts are second only to Nolan Ryan.  He was a 10-time All-Star, starting the Midsummer Classic four times – twice for each league. Johnson made history in 2004 when he became the oldest player – at 40 – to throw a perfect game.

Continue reading "The Big Unit hangs ‘em up"

Should Roberto Alomar be elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility?  The spitting incident with umpire John Hirschbeck does not help his case, but it really has nothing to do with his success on the field.  Fans may also remember that Alomar’s career ended with a couple of mediocre seasons, but when you look at his statistics, it’s a no-brainer.

Continue reading "A vote for Alomar"

I don’t know what the players on most of the World Baseball Classic teams were thinking during the tournament, but the players on Team Italy really wanted to win.  The WBC wasn’t spring training for most of them, like it was for the United States.  I’m not suggesting the Americans did not try as hard as everyone else, but each of Team U.S.’s players knew he had a great job to go back to when the WBC was over.  Some of the players on the Italian roster, by contrast, were auditioning for big-league or even minor league jobs.

Continue reading "WBC thoughts from an inside perspective"

Mike Mussina announced his retirement this week.  While I’m glad he won’t be a Yankee anymore, I can’t say I’m happy to hear the news.

Mussina hasn’t been a member of the Orioles in eight years, but he was the team’s pitching staff in the 1990’s.  He became the staff ace as soon as he arrived, and won 147 games during his nine and a half seasons with the team.  He broke my heart when he left to sign with the Evil Empire, but the Birds had a bad habit of not scoring enough runs for their #1 pitcher and it was hard to blame him for leaving for greener pastures.

Continue reading "Say it ain’t so, Moose"

In his 18th and perhaps final big-league season, Mike Mussina finally reached the 20-win plateau he so clearly deserved.  I couldn’t root for it to happen while he wore Yankee Pinstripes, but Mussina’s first-ever 20-win season was long overdue.  He deserved it more than once as a member of the Orioles but didn’t get enough offensive support.  For those of you unfamiliar with Mike Mussina prior to his signing with the Yankees eight years ago, check out these stats:

Continue reading "20 wins for Moose"

Entrance into the Hall of Fame is the highest individual honour that baseball has to offer. Getting into Cooperstown means that without a doubt you are one of the greatest players of your generation and have earned the right for children to stare at your plaque as parents tell tall-tales of your abilities for years to come.

Continue reading "What makes someone a hall of famer?"

Jay Payton’s release is way overdue.  As an Oriole fan, I can honestly say I would rather have any other major league player – even a journeyman minor leaguer who does not play the outfield, for that matter – on Baltimore’s roster.  Payton is a poor hitter and a mediocre defender at best, but has managed to remain on the active roster for the last season and (almost) a half.  In 2007, he hit .256 with a pathetic .292 on-base-percentage and a measly .376 slugging percentage.  So far this season, he has managed to put up even worse numbers - .239/.289/.372.  Part of the problem is that Orioles manager Dave Trembley for some inexplicable reason finds it necessary to start Payton a couple times every week, which only magnifies the team’s weak bench.  A fourth outfielder should be someone the manager knows can deliver in the clutch, a guy he calls on to pinch-hit for the pitcher or in the American League, for his offensively-challenged Gold Glove catcher or middle infielder.  Jay Payton is a far cry from a heavy hitter who puts fear in the opposing manager’s eyes.  On defense, he doesn’t make a ton of errors, but no major league outfielder does or else he’d find himself either a) at a new position or b) in the minors.  Payton doesn’t make any great plays, nor does he rack up outfield assists, as he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and his limited throwing accuracy fails to make up for his lack of strength.

Continue reading "Time for the Birds to cut their losses, ..."

Mussina is on the hill today for the Yanks and, while I admire him and think he's a very good pitcher and a modest, intelligent, generally good fellow, I wonder about his Hall of Fame credentials. Dave Niehaus, the mellow-toned broadcaster, has repeatedly called him a shoo-in or a lock for the Hall during the game today, and it's made me wonder. To me, a player in the HOF represents someone who was genuinely and consistently feared (on the field, not off) during his career, the kind of pitcher that batters hated to face (and vice versa). And not for one year, but for several; you can be Sandy Koufax and be unhittable for four or five seasons (and merely outstanding for a handful more) or Nolan Ryan and be unhittable for twenty years.

Continue reading "Mike Mussina for the HOF?"