Jeff Passan, a workaday baseball writer writing for Yahoo, does a fine job identifying the issues at play (and their importance) as we approach this year’s collective bargaining negotiation.
MLB
This Week’s Ask Rotoman
I didn’t anticipate that with Ian Kinsler going down with a bum finger that Gary Matthews would be called up right away. Knowing what I know now, especially given Matthews’ three-run triple tonight, take him over the recommended Kevin Millar. . . Wait! I recommended Millar instead of Matthews and Millar hit two homers, drove in four runs. Sweet! As usual, you should sort it all out for your league.
Elsewhere in this week’s model, frank discussion about Jeff Francoeur, the breakout (break down?) of a trade of big players (for educational purposes only), and some chatter about some Hots and Nots.
Be there! As some of us used to say in college.
BBTF’s Game Chatter Discussion
Cleveland 91-63 at Kansas City 52-101 7:10pm ET
In the Guide I wrote about Cleveland farmhand Jason Stanford: “He was arrested in September for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, and then missed his court appearance. It’s too bad, since control was always one of his bests qualities.”
Today Stanford called the magazine’s publisher and said he hadn’t missed the court date. The Baseball Think Factory page above has links to Cleveland Plain Dealer stories about the original arrest (JS made disparaging comments to a man wearing a pink shirt, apparently, which led to a bit of a brawl) and the court announcing after Stanford apparently missed his court date that they’d written the wrong date on his appearance ticket. So it wasn’t his fault. The links don’t work, however, so I’m basing this on the postings on the BTF page.
I’m certainly sorry for drawing on the mistaken AP story originally and am happy to point out the error while wearing pink (actually salmon) slacks.
A Willie Randolph Lover
This story for mlb.com isn’t hard hitting journalism, but Marty Noble’s thing is getting into ballplayers’ heads. Cliff Floyd’s head (as well as his injured parts) has always seemed to get in the way, and now we know that Floyd has had a meeting with Randolph like the one Mickey Mantle had with Ralph Houk nearly a lifetime (if you’re me) ago. Floyd’s redemption is emotionally told, and if he can hold up all season long again he’ll make fool of those of us who thought he could only do that in one season out of four.
Cory Sullivan Triples Twice in One Inning
Major League Baseball : News : Major League Baseball News
I mention this only because yesterday, when Chris Shelton tripled twice in one game, I wondered how often that had happened. Last year’s triples leader, Jose Reyes, had 17 triples. That’s one every 10 games or so. Today we learn that it’s been 50+ years since someone tripled twice in the same inning, a much more difficult feat.
Saitomite
Dodger fans may dig this exhaustive study done before Spring Training camps opened, but we all should be aware that such work is out there. I’m glad it is, though I also shake my head in wonder.
Soriano Not Sore!
Is it just me, or isn’t this story (which seems like it should be throwing huge sparks) wonderfully human and understanding? Mistakes were made, human beings talked to each other, did what they had to do, everyone understood, and they moved on. Nice.
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff:
A wide-ranging look at Jimmy Rollins before the streak started, and since, from a Philly-based blog that has a great style and actual activities (a reading group!). Okay, the reading group is tackling Mike Schmidt’s book this month.
Cleaning Up
MLB – Chicago Cubs/Cincinnati Reds Box Score Wednesday April 5, 2006 – Yahoo! Sports
It’s hard to argue with the results, but was that Rich Aurilia batting cleanup today?
A Nice New Blog
Trade rumors are usually worth the electrons their published with, but this new blog has a genial approach that suggests it will hold up as long as its author remains interested in being interesting. Worth adding to your feed, for now.