With the Twins deciding to renew the contract of manager Ron Gardenhire for another two years through the 2015 season, many Twins fans have expressed a lot of negative feelings toward the decision. Based on the recent track record of the club, those negative feelings are more than justified.
In an era of "What Have You Done For Me Lately?", the Twins front office has decided to make Memory Lane their permanent home. After three consecutive 96-loss seasons, what fans receive as an explanation for why the current coaching regime remains in tact is nothing short of a campfire story about how good the team was between 2003-2010. Unfortunately, reputation alone doesn't win ball games.
Ron Gardenhire may be the nicest guy around. He may be the best "players' coach" in the game. In fact, he still may be one of the best managers in all of Major League Baseball. But not for this team. Not anymore. In order to succeed in the future, you can't rely on the successes of the past.
The role of the manager can be both undervalued and overhyped at the same time. The sad fact is, managers often take the heat for the failures of a ball club, even if it's not necessarily their fault. Many believed that the 2012 demise of the Boston Red Sox wasn't Terry Francona's doing, but rather that his players quit on him. The same could be said for countless other managers who lost their jobs over the years. But, regardless of the sport, there does come a time where, no matter how nice a guy, and no matter what the past has brought, that a manager or coach's message becomes stale and lost.
To many Twins fans, that time was after 2012. The Twins' front office, however, has a different opinion.
On Monday, while Gardenhire was being notified of his two-year extension, another manager was being given his walking papers. Dale Sveum, the first-time manager for the Chicago Cubs, was fired after two seasons, in which he went 61-101 in 2012, followed by a 66-96 campaign in 2013. Two seasons. That's all it took for the Cubs to pull the trigger. Now, it's understandable to say that Sveum doesn't have near the track record that Gardenhire has with the Twins. But that is really where the comparison should stop.
For the last three seasons, Twins fans have been force-fed the excuse that Gardenhire "hasn't had much to work with." That statement should be an indictment on both the General Manager as well as the Owner, but instead, by most accounts, the Pohlad Family and Terry Ryan are given a pass by most members of the media. Not all...but most. The players Gardenhire "has to work with" are players drafted and/or signed by Ryan and the ownership. These are young, "talented" players we were told a couple of years ago would be the future of this Twins franchise. Players like Aaron Hicks. Players like Chris Parmalee. Players like Kyle Gibson. Now, the sample size for the likes of Hicks and Gibson are only a small portion of the 2013 season, but these were guys we were told would help bring this team to prominence again.
One of the reasons given for the Cubs making the decision to fire Sveum as their manager was that they felt that he hadn't developed their young talent the way they'd expected. Couldn't that very same thing be said for Gardenhire? Now, I have not heard this suggested by anyone else, but I personally feel that Gardenhire is solely responsible for stunting the growth of Aaron Hicks.
How, you ask?
I have absolutely no problem with the Twins bringing Hicks up to start the season on the big-league club. I have no issues making him the starting center fielder, even though he skipped right over Triple-A. Where my issue lies is that an experienced manager, a manager who is touted as one of the best in baseball, should have realized that beginning the season with Hicks as your lead-off hitter, with no real experience against Major League pitching, was something that could mentally hamper the young man from Day 1. In his first 10 games, Hicks was 2 for 43 at the plate, striking out 20 times during that stretch. Something as subtle and simple as positioning someone in the lineup is not something that can be blamed on the player, nor can it be blamed on the GM or the Owner. That falls on the manager.
Had Gardenhire done the responsible managerial thing, he would have started the season with someone more equipped to possibly lead off. Someone like Brian Dozier, whom Gardenhire eventually put into the lead-off spot later on, and watched him flourish. But for 10 games, Hicks struggled, trying to impress out of the gates, when he may have been more comfortable hitting in the bottom third of the order. This seems like a logical thought, but one that seemed to have eluded the manager. There are no doubt other examples.
It could also be debated whether or not Sveum had even less with the Cubs to work with than Gardenhire had with the Twins. But, regardless of the tools in his toolbox, Sveum was let go, while the Twins front office continues to make excuses for their fledgling manager. But as I've said many times, it's important to note that, if you're going to place most, if not all, of the blame on the roster for three straight 96+ loss seasons, then the roster is what brought the Twins to the playoffs six times in nine seasons from 2002 through 2010. But, we don't hear that. We always hear what a great job Gardy has done with this team. We heard during his first few seasons as manager, what a terrific job he did given the payroll he was given. How are the last three seasons any different. One word: Reputation.
As I stated earlier, the manager's role isn't a glorious one most of the time. People continue to say that "Gardy isn't the problem," or that "manager's are overrated." If the latter is truly the case, then why not make a change? Even if he's not the problem, but the role itself is overrated, what harm would it do to bring a new voice into the clubhouse? It's worked for many other teams over the years. Why should the Twins be any different, or be the exception to this rule?
Showing posts with label Major League Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Major League Baseball. Show all posts
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Twins Miss Another Opportunity To Be Smart At The Trade Deadline
Simply put, the Minnesota Twins dropped the ball.
If you believe that statement refers the fact that the Twins pulled the trigger on only one deal at the Trade Deadline involving Drew Butera, you could possibly be right. If you believe that statement refers to the fact that Justin Morneau wasn't traded at the deadline, you could also possibly be right. However, if you believe that statement refers to the fact that Morneau began the 2013 season WITH the Twins, and wasn't traded during the offseason, you absolutely would be correct!
As the clock ticked down to the 4pm Eastern deadline for non-waiver trades, there was speculation the Twins would deal Morneau, but no trade was finalized. Many in the Twins' media brigade attributed this to the lack of a market for the first baseman. In fact, a few concluded that Morneau's rankings among all Major League first basemen were simply just too low to warrant any substantial value in return. The only thing they all seemed to miss was that, frankly, any deal for Morneau shouldn't have been made at the Trade Deadline, but rather during this past offseason.
Surely, if you look at the numbers, many "experts" were correct. Morneau's numbers simply don't justify much for trade value. There were plenty of teams looking for a bat at the deadline, but few looking to offer up what the Twins were more than likely asking for. But therein lies the problem. The Twins waited far too long to ask for the level of talent they were looking for should they decide to deal Morneau. And, as a result, with visions of Delmon Young in their heads, they missed yet another opportunity to trade a player at their peak value.
After suffering the concussion he did during the 2010 season, it was almost an absolute certainty that Morneau would never again be the same player. With concussions being as prominent in sports as they are today, it truly is difficult to gauge who has come back from them successfully and who has not. Sure, there may have been players in the '70s, '80s, and '90s that suffered concussions and found themselves playing again, probably because they didn't realize what actually happened. But in today's game, there is a much bigger spotlight on them.
If the Terry Ryan were as intelligent a general manager as many Minnesota sports writers believe him to be, he would've realized that we, no doubt, would never see Morneau regain the same form that led him to the 2006 American League MVP. Taking that into account, the moment Morneau began to even resemble a glimpse of his former self, he should've been shopped to potential suiters immediately! That point was after his first full injury-free season since the concussion, which was his 2012 campaign. Knowing a contract would be looming after the 2013 season, Ryan never should have entered this year holding out hope that Morneau would once again become an MVP threat. Instead, he should have attempted to bolster the Twins' already poor pitching staff by finding a taker for Morneau, who at the end of last season ranked 16th in Avg, 13th in OBP, 18th in SLG, 19th in HR, and 16th in RBI among all Major League first basemen. Instead...by not pulling the trigger during the offseason, Ryan went into the Trade Deadline fielding calls about Morneau, who entering the morning of July 31st ranked 13th in Avg, 19th in OBP, 24th in SLG, 29th in HR, and 14th in RBI among first basemen. And to make matters more difficult, he was no doubt trying to trade the 2006 MVP, and not the 2013 shadow of that MVP.
All told, the Twins stand pat at the deadline with their current Major League roster, not addressing any needs, and putting themselves in a position to now have to negotiate a deal with Morneau come the 2013 offseason. Given their current rebuilding mindset, Morneau should've been dealt, if for no other reason than to give his playing time to a younger, up-and-coming potential replacement at first base, whoever that may have been. Instead, Twins fans will have to watch their "power-hitting" first baseman struggle to reach 15 HRs during the final two months of the regular season.
If you believe that statement refers the fact that the Twins pulled the trigger on only one deal at the Trade Deadline involving Drew Butera, you could possibly be right. If you believe that statement refers to the fact that Justin Morneau wasn't traded at the deadline, you could also possibly be right. However, if you believe that statement refers to the fact that Morneau began the 2013 season WITH the Twins, and wasn't traded during the offseason, you absolutely would be correct!
As the clock ticked down to the 4pm Eastern deadline for non-waiver trades, there was speculation the Twins would deal Morneau, but no trade was finalized. Many in the Twins' media brigade attributed this to the lack of a market for the first baseman. In fact, a few concluded that Morneau's rankings among all Major League first basemen were simply just too low to warrant any substantial value in return. The only thing they all seemed to miss was that, frankly, any deal for Morneau shouldn't have been made at the Trade Deadline, but rather during this past offseason.
Surely, if you look at the numbers, many "experts" were correct. Morneau's numbers simply don't justify much for trade value. There were plenty of teams looking for a bat at the deadline, but few looking to offer up what the Twins were more than likely asking for. But therein lies the problem. The Twins waited far too long to ask for the level of talent they were looking for should they decide to deal Morneau. And, as a result, with visions of Delmon Young in their heads, they missed yet another opportunity to trade a player at their peak value.
After suffering the concussion he did during the 2010 season, it was almost an absolute certainty that Morneau would never again be the same player. With concussions being as prominent in sports as they are today, it truly is difficult to gauge who has come back from them successfully and who has not. Sure, there may have been players in the '70s, '80s, and '90s that suffered concussions and found themselves playing again, probably because they didn't realize what actually happened. But in today's game, there is a much bigger spotlight on them.
If the Terry Ryan were as intelligent a general manager as many Minnesota sports writers believe him to be, he would've realized that we, no doubt, would never see Morneau regain the same form that led him to the 2006 American League MVP. Taking that into account, the moment Morneau began to even resemble a glimpse of his former self, he should've been shopped to potential suiters immediately! That point was after his first full injury-free season since the concussion, which was his 2012 campaign. Knowing a contract would be looming after the 2013 season, Ryan never should have entered this year holding out hope that Morneau would once again become an MVP threat. Instead, he should have attempted to bolster the Twins' already poor pitching staff by finding a taker for Morneau, who at the end of last season ranked 16th in Avg, 13th in OBP, 18th in SLG, 19th in HR, and 16th in RBI among all Major League first basemen. Instead...by not pulling the trigger during the offseason, Ryan went into the Trade Deadline fielding calls about Morneau, who entering the morning of July 31st ranked 13th in Avg, 19th in OBP, 24th in SLG, 29th in HR, and 14th in RBI among first basemen. And to make matters more difficult, he was no doubt trying to trade the 2006 MVP, and not the 2013 shadow of that MVP.
All told, the Twins stand pat at the deadline with their current Major League roster, not addressing any needs, and putting themselves in a position to now have to negotiate a deal with Morneau come the 2013 offseason. Given their current rebuilding mindset, Morneau should've been dealt, if for no other reason than to give his playing time to a younger, up-and-coming potential replacement at first base, whoever that may have been. Instead, Twins fans will have to watch their "power-hitting" first baseman struggle to reach 15 HRs during the final two months of the regular season.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Plain And Simple: Twins Pitching Stinks
There really isn't any way to sugar-coat this anymore. The Twins need to find a way to pitch better, and it needs to happen immediately!
Entering Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, the Twins pitching staff has the highest batting average against (.292) in all of Major League Baseball. What does that imply? Frankly, it implies that the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is surely working. Sadly, that type of game plan won't allow you to succeed in the professional game against professional hitters. If they haven't yet, the Twins need to realize this, and figure out a different approach.
The fact of the matter is...what was already a problematic area when last season ended, was not addressed before this season began. The Twins decided to rely on a rotation comprised of Scott Baker (career 4.15 ERA and .266 Opp BA), Carl Pavano (4.33 / .284), Nick Blackburn (4.56 / .294), and Francisco Liriano (4.35 / .250). The addition of Jason Marquis to the starting rotation was the only real change made by the Twins entering the season. Marquis is a great guy, and a serviceable starter, but he came into the season with a career ERA of 4.59 and an opponent's BA of .272. Not exactly someone you could count on to shut an opponent down.
Those numbers brought into this season by the starters (with the exception of Scott Baker, who is on the Disabled List) have done nothing but gone up, and will probably continue to go up further as the season progresses. The logic behind the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is sound; allow batters to hit the ball and let our fielders make the plays. What baffles me is that the flaw in the logic seems lost on the Twins front office and coaching staff.
What happens when the other team doesn't actually hit the ball TO our fielders, but in places where they aren't?
The answer to that question is what you saw with the 2011 club, and what you are now seeing in the 2012 Twins. Excellent big league hitters are able to hit any type of big league pitching. Average big league hitters are usually able to hit average to above average pitching. Below average big league hitters can usually hit average pitching. What the Twins have is below average pitching, which basically means that all levels of big league hitters will be able to tee off, and thus, they have.
So far this season, excluding the opening series against Baltimore, Twins' opponents have increased their team's batting average in three of the five series. Texas increased its team BA from .257 entering the series with the Twins to .270 after it. New York raised their BA from .253 before playing the Twins, to .276 after the four-game series. So far, through the first two games of its series, Boston has raised its BA from .276 at the start of the series, to .291 after Tuesday night. Needless to say, the Twins pitching staff has been a welcome sight for teams looking to improve their offensive numbers.
When asked about his starters during his post-game interview following Tuesday's 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Sox, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We have to get them straightened out. We can't go out and buy people. We've gotta make this work. I can't rub a bottle and make people pop out. We have to make these guys work."
You're right, Ron, you can't just go out and buy people. That needed to happen six months ago. With that ball having been dropped, you now need to figure out how to make the best of the situation at hand. That's what great managers do.
It's put up or shut up time.
Entering Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, the Twins pitching staff has the highest batting average against (.292) in all of Major League Baseball. What does that imply? Frankly, it implies that the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is surely working. Sadly, that type of game plan won't allow you to succeed in the professional game against professional hitters. If they haven't yet, the Twins need to realize this, and figure out a different approach.
The fact of the matter is...what was already a problematic area when last season ended, was not addressed before this season began. The Twins decided to rely on a rotation comprised of Scott Baker (career 4.15 ERA and .266 Opp BA), Carl Pavano (4.33 / .284), Nick Blackburn (4.56 / .294), and Francisco Liriano (4.35 / .250). The addition of Jason Marquis to the starting rotation was the only real change made by the Twins entering the season. Marquis is a great guy, and a serviceable starter, but he came into the season with a career ERA of 4.59 and an opponent's BA of .272. Not exactly someone you could count on to shut an opponent down.
Those numbers brought into this season by the starters (with the exception of Scott Baker, who is on the Disabled List) have done nothing but gone up, and will probably continue to go up further as the season progresses. The logic behind the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is sound; allow batters to hit the ball and let our fielders make the plays. What baffles me is that the flaw in the logic seems lost on the Twins front office and coaching staff.
What happens when the other team doesn't actually hit the ball TO our fielders, but in places where they aren't?
The answer to that question is what you saw with the 2011 club, and what you are now seeing in the 2012 Twins. Excellent big league hitters are able to hit any type of big league pitching. Average big league hitters are usually able to hit average to above average pitching. Below average big league hitters can usually hit average pitching. What the Twins have is below average pitching, which basically means that all levels of big league hitters will be able to tee off, and thus, they have.
So far this season, excluding the opening series against Baltimore, Twins' opponents have increased their team's batting average in three of the five series. Texas increased its team BA from .257 entering the series with the Twins to .270 after it. New York raised their BA from .253 before playing the Twins, to .276 after the four-game series. So far, through the first two games of its series, Boston has raised its BA from .276 at the start of the series, to .291 after Tuesday night. Needless to say, the Twins pitching staff has been a welcome sight for teams looking to improve their offensive numbers.
When asked about his starters during his post-game interview following Tuesday's 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Sox, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We have to get them straightened out. We can't go out and buy people. We've gotta make this work. I can't rub a bottle and make people pop out. We have to make these guys work."
You're right, Ron, you can't just go out and buy people. That needed to happen six months ago. With that ball having been dropped, you now need to figure out how to make the best of the situation at hand. That's what great managers do.
It's put up or shut up time.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Baseball Drama: There's NOTHING Better!
162 games.
There is no lengthier season in professional sports than that of Major League Baseball. Starting at the beginning of April (or sometimes the last day of March), the season begins. It comes to an end on or around the last day of September. That's six months.
For those people who are not true fans of the game, 162 games seems excessive. It seems like overkill. For those that are not true fans of the game, shortening the season sounds like a brilliant idea. After all, the games at the beginning of the season really don't matter, it's just the ones at the end that make the difference.
Tell that to the Atlanta Braves, who lost a "meaningless" game on April 21st to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in the 12th inning after blowing a one-run lead in the ninth.
Tell that to the Boston Red Sox, who started their 2011 season 2-10 in April, finally getting themselves back on their typical track.
Tell it to both the Braves and Red Sox, who saw their 2011 seasons come crashing down on the final day of the regular season. Game 162.
Believe it or not, they all matter!
I've been a baseball fan since I was probably about six years old. As a kid, you dream about playing baseball in the big leagues. Some of my fondest memories are of playing catch in the backyard with my father. I remember pitching in grade school, looking off to the side and seeing my grandfather leaning against a tree, watching me. It's personal memories like that which make baseball such a special sports.
My first real memory of dramatic baseball came during the 1986 World Series. I was just starting to truly understand the game and what it meant. Being only eight years old, I had no real comprehension of what that World Series meant to the Boston Red Sox. When I saw the Red Sox lose Game 6 after Bob Stanley blew a save opportunity, leading to the infamous Bill Buckner error, I knew something dramatic and memorable had just happened, and I was hooked! It wasn't until years later that I truly understood the significance of that moment.
I had the great fortune of being in attendance at the Metrodome for the 1987 World Series, to see the Minnesota Twins win their first of two World Series championships. I've never heard a building louder. I was only nine years old at the time, but I knew that what I had just seen was something so unprecedented, so "special", that I figured out; only baseball could provide moments like that.
I remember spending a fall evening in October of 1988 at my grandparents' house. I got ready for bed early so I could just lay in bed in the spare room and watch Game One of the 1988 World Series. The Oakland A's, by all accounts, should have made quick work of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, a funny, amazing thing happened as I was laying there watching the game, even more amazing to me than the '87 series. A hobbled, injured Kirk Gibson hit an improbable walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth off A's closer Dennis Eckersley, who was absolutely untouchable during the regular season. As a ten year-old, I'd never felt goosebumps like that.
In 1991, the Twins reached the World Series again, and once again, I was lucky enough to be there for all four games. I'm 13 years old now, and seem to already have a wealth of baseball history in me just in the past fives years. And yet, it's about to get even deeper. An amazing jumping catch against the plexi-glass wall in left center by Kirby Puckett, followed by a storybook walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 6 by Kirby himself sends the Twins and Braves into a Game 7. There was no way to top the emotion from Game 6. Not a chance anything could be more exciting than that!
Wrong. Game 7 proved to be, what I still consider, the greatest baseball game ever played. A game with everything riding on it, with a "win or go home" finale assured. There would be no tomorrow. Twins pitcher, Jack Morris, took to the mound for one of the most amazing, guttiest pitching performances in the history of Major League Baseball; a 10-inning, 1-0 Twins victory, giving them their second World Series title in five seasons. In a word: Epic!
Over the last 20 years of my baseball-watching life, I've seen some amazing things happen, both live and on television. I've seen a World Series clinching walk-off homer by Toronto's Joe Carter in Game 6 of the '93 World Series. I watched the drama unfold in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased down Roger Maris's home run record of 61, with McGwire breaking it first. I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks break the unbreakable Mariano Rivera to win the 2001 World Series in Game 7. Seeing the 2004 Red Sox exercise their 86 year-old demons and win their first World Series since 1918. I was in attendance at the Metrodome once more in 2009 for Game 163, a one-game playoff between the Twins and Detroit Tigers in which the Twins won a back-and-forth game in extra-innings on a walk-off single to advance to the playoffs.
I've seen quite a bit in my lifetime so far. However, nothing I've seen rivaled what I saw Wednesday night. Four teams; the Cardinals and Braves in the National League, and the Red Sox and Rays in the American League. Two playoff spots; the Wild Cards. One winner. A season where 161 games all led up to this night. Game 162.
The Cardinals made quick work of the Houston Astros, doing their part for the night, leaving it up to Atlanta to decide whether they'd be playing in the post season, or playing a one-game playoff against the Braves on Thursday. Atlanta led Philadelphia 3-2 entering the ninth inning.
The Red Sox, needing a win and a Tampa Bay loss to secure the Wild Card, led 3-2 in the seventh inning before a rain delay kept them waiting, and watching, what was happening in Tampa.
The Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Many fans in attendance had already left as it seemed an insurmountable lead to overcome. They just needed to hope the Red Sox choked, as they'd been doing throughout September, in order to play a 163rd game on Thursday.
As the Cardinals watched from their clubhouse, the Braves proceeded to blow their one-run lead, allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the top of the ninth, ultimately sending them into extra-innings in Atlanta. As this was happening, the Rays began mounting a minor assault on the Yankees, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing Evan Longoria to come to the plate with two runners on. Longoria hit the first pitch he saw into the left-center field stands for a three-run homer, bringing the Rays to within one at 7-6. The Red Sox could only sit and watch as the rain fell in Baltimore.
Once their game resumed, the Red Sox attempted to hold their 3-2 lead, learning that the Rays had just tied their game with the Yankees at 7-7 with a two-out, two-strike, pinch-hit home run by Dan Johnson, a guy who hadn't hit a home run since April. The Red Sox entered the ninth inning leading 3-2.
As the drama unfolded in both Baltimore and Tampa, the Braves succumbed to the pressure of the moment first, allowing a run in the top of the 13th inning, and falling to the Phillies 4-3. The Cardinals were going to be the National League Wild Card winners.
Back in Baltimore, the Orioles start the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-2, facing the ever-intimidating Jonathan Papelbon. After their first two hitters struck out, the Orioles get a double, ground-rule double, and a single from the next three hitters to win the game 4-3, sending the Red Sox into waiting mode to find out if the Yankees could beat the Rays to create the need for a one-game playoff on Thursday.
Boston wouldn't be waiting long. Within three minutes of the Red Sox losing, Evan Longoria comes to the plate for Tampa Bay with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, and lines the 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a walk-off, Wild Card-clinching 8-7 victory.
The drama within those 90 minutes was, as far as I'm concerned, unmatched in baseball. Having all four games taking place at the same time, having two of the four go into extra-innings, having three teams (Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees) all blow ninth-inning saves with two-outs, having three incredible clutch home runs hit by Tampa Bay in the 8th, 9th, and 12th innings...having it all happen within 90 minutes, on the last day of the regular season. Words can hardly describe it and give it justice.
If you're somebody who thinks the regular season is too long, and that baseball is boring, there are some people that might agree with you. For me, however, I couldn't imagine it being any other way. Wednesday night WAS baseball. Nights like that may not happen often, or ever, for that matter. But, when they do, they're nights you will always remember!
There is no lengthier season in professional sports than that of Major League Baseball. Starting at the beginning of April (or sometimes the last day of March), the season begins. It comes to an end on or around the last day of September. That's six months.
For those people who are not true fans of the game, 162 games seems excessive. It seems like overkill. For those that are not true fans of the game, shortening the season sounds like a brilliant idea. After all, the games at the beginning of the season really don't matter, it's just the ones at the end that make the difference.
Tell that to the Atlanta Braves, who lost a "meaningless" game on April 21st to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in the 12th inning after blowing a one-run lead in the ninth.
Tell that to the Boston Red Sox, who started their 2011 season 2-10 in April, finally getting themselves back on their typical track.
Tell it to both the Braves and Red Sox, who saw their 2011 seasons come crashing down on the final day of the regular season. Game 162.
Believe it or not, they all matter!
I've been a baseball fan since I was probably about six years old. As a kid, you dream about playing baseball in the big leagues. Some of my fondest memories are of playing catch in the backyard with my father. I remember pitching in grade school, looking off to the side and seeing my grandfather leaning against a tree, watching me. It's personal memories like that which make baseball such a special sports.
My first real memory of dramatic baseball came during the 1986 World Series. I was just starting to truly understand the game and what it meant. Being only eight years old, I had no real comprehension of what that World Series meant to the Boston Red Sox. When I saw the Red Sox lose Game 6 after Bob Stanley blew a save opportunity, leading to the infamous Bill Buckner error, I knew something dramatic and memorable had just happened, and I was hooked! It wasn't until years later that I truly understood the significance of that moment.
I had the great fortune of being in attendance at the Metrodome for the 1987 World Series, to see the Minnesota Twins win their first of two World Series championships. I've never heard a building louder. I was only nine years old at the time, but I knew that what I had just seen was something so unprecedented, so "special", that I figured out; only baseball could provide moments like that.
I remember spending a fall evening in October of 1988 at my grandparents' house. I got ready for bed early so I could just lay in bed in the spare room and watch Game One of the 1988 World Series. The Oakland A's, by all accounts, should have made quick work of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, a funny, amazing thing happened as I was laying there watching the game, even more amazing to me than the '87 series. A hobbled, injured Kirk Gibson hit an improbable walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth off A's closer Dennis Eckersley, who was absolutely untouchable during the regular season. As a ten year-old, I'd never felt goosebumps like that.
In 1991, the Twins reached the World Series again, and once again, I was lucky enough to be there for all four games. I'm 13 years old now, and seem to already have a wealth of baseball history in me just in the past fives years. And yet, it's about to get even deeper. An amazing jumping catch against the plexi-glass wall in left center by Kirby Puckett, followed by a storybook walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 6 by Kirby himself sends the Twins and Braves into a Game 7. There was no way to top the emotion from Game 6. Not a chance anything could be more exciting than that!
Wrong. Game 7 proved to be, what I still consider, the greatest baseball game ever played. A game with everything riding on it, with a "win or go home" finale assured. There would be no tomorrow. Twins pitcher, Jack Morris, took to the mound for one of the most amazing, guttiest pitching performances in the history of Major League Baseball; a 10-inning, 1-0 Twins victory, giving them their second World Series title in five seasons. In a word: Epic!
Over the last 20 years of my baseball-watching life, I've seen some amazing things happen, both live and on television. I've seen a World Series clinching walk-off homer by Toronto's Joe Carter in Game 6 of the '93 World Series. I watched the drama unfold in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased down Roger Maris's home run record of 61, with McGwire breaking it first. I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks break the unbreakable Mariano Rivera to win the 2001 World Series in Game 7. Seeing the 2004 Red Sox exercise their 86 year-old demons and win their first World Series since 1918. I was in attendance at the Metrodome once more in 2009 for Game 163, a one-game playoff between the Twins and Detroit Tigers in which the Twins won a back-and-forth game in extra-innings on a walk-off single to advance to the playoffs.
I've seen quite a bit in my lifetime so far. However, nothing I've seen rivaled what I saw Wednesday night. Four teams; the Cardinals and Braves in the National League, and the Red Sox and Rays in the American League. Two playoff spots; the Wild Cards. One winner. A season where 161 games all led up to this night. Game 162.
The Cardinals made quick work of the Houston Astros, doing their part for the night, leaving it up to Atlanta to decide whether they'd be playing in the post season, or playing a one-game playoff against the Braves on Thursday. Atlanta led Philadelphia 3-2 entering the ninth inning.
The Red Sox, needing a win and a Tampa Bay loss to secure the Wild Card, led 3-2 in the seventh inning before a rain delay kept them waiting, and watching, what was happening in Tampa.
The Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Many fans in attendance had already left as it seemed an insurmountable lead to overcome. They just needed to hope the Red Sox choked, as they'd been doing throughout September, in order to play a 163rd game on Thursday.
As the Cardinals watched from their clubhouse, the Braves proceeded to blow their one-run lead, allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the top of the ninth, ultimately sending them into extra-innings in Atlanta. As this was happening, the Rays began mounting a minor assault on the Yankees, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing Evan Longoria to come to the plate with two runners on. Longoria hit the first pitch he saw into the left-center field stands for a three-run homer, bringing the Rays to within one at 7-6. The Red Sox could only sit and watch as the rain fell in Baltimore.
Once their game resumed, the Red Sox attempted to hold their 3-2 lead, learning that the Rays had just tied their game with the Yankees at 7-7 with a two-out, two-strike, pinch-hit home run by Dan Johnson, a guy who hadn't hit a home run since April. The Red Sox entered the ninth inning leading 3-2.
As the drama unfolded in both Baltimore and Tampa, the Braves succumbed to the pressure of the moment first, allowing a run in the top of the 13th inning, and falling to the Phillies 4-3. The Cardinals were going to be the National League Wild Card winners.
Back in Baltimore, the Orioles start the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-2, facing the ever-intimidating Jonathan Papelbon. After their first two hitters struck out, the Orioles get a double, ground-rule double, and a single from the next three hitters to win the game 4-3, sending the Red Sox into waiting mode to find out if the Yankees could beat the Rays to create the need for a one-game playoff on Thursday.
Boston wouldn't be waiting long. Within three minutes of the Red Sox losing, Evan Longoria comes to the plate for Tampa Bay with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, and lines the 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a walk-off, Wild Card-clinching 8-7 victory.
The drama within those 90 minutes was, as far as I'm concerned, unmatched in baseball. Having all four games taking place at the same time, having two of the four go into extra-innings, having three teams (Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees) all blow ninth-inning saves with two-outs, having three incredible clutch home runs hit by Tampa Bay in the 8th, 9th, and 12th innings...having it all happen within 90 minutes, on the last day of the regular season. Words can hardly describe it and give it justice.
If you're somebody who thinks the regular season is too long, and that baseball is boring, there are some people that might agree with you. For me, however, I couldn't imagine it being any other way. Wednesday night WAS baseball. Nights like that may not happen often, or ever, for that matter. But, when they do, they're nights you will always remember!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
To "Save" Your Season, Get Rid Of The "Save Blower"
Seven. That's how many saves Twins closer Matt Capps has blown this season. To put that in perspective, Pittsburgh Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan has given up a total of seven earned runs thus far this season. That's as many earned runs as Matt Capps has blown saves. The sad fact for the Twins is, sitting six games out of first place, they can ill-afford to lose any ground, especially when it's a game in hand. With Matt Capps closing, those games are subject to losses.
Ron Gardenhire made the right decision on Saturday, opting to remove Capps from the closer's role after his pathetic outing on Friday night, in which he gave up a two-run home run to Kansas City's Eric Hosmer in the top of the ninth inning with two outs to give the Royals a 2-1 victory. What bothers me, however, is how Gardenhire went about doing it, proving to me that he is more interested in coddling his players than actually making good decisions.
In his post game press conference, Gardenhire defended Capps to the end, almost acting as though this blown save was a rare occurrence. Gardenhire was quoted as saying:
"The young man's a very good pitcher and our closer. We give him the ball and we have all the trust in the world in him. He didn't get it done tonight, that's all that happened."
Really Ron? He didn't get it done "tonight", as if this is something startling or shocking? Friday night was his seventh blown save, which leads Major League Baseball. This isn't anything new. This has been happening...regularly!
"We scored one run tonight. In defense of him, we scored one run, we had plenty of opportunities to score more runs. Everything gets thrown on the closer. Sure, he gave it up at the end, but a lot of people misfired, too."
Should you have scored more than one run? Absolutely! There were plenty of chances to do so. That doesn't excuse a closer from doing his job! As a closer, your responsibility and duty to the team is to ensure that the lead you're given, whether it be one run or three runs, is safe and protected. That's your job! It doesn't matter if the score is 1-0 or 10-9. You are placed in that position to close out the game, hence the name "Closer". What Gardenhire failed to realize in making that statement was how ridiculous it actually sounded. That's like a football head coach whose place kicker missed three field goals saying "The kicker takes all the rap, but we had plenty of chances to score in the red zone, so we shouldn't have lost this game 3-0." That all might be true, but the kicker's only job is to KICK FIELD GOALS (and extra points, but that's a different thing). Whether the team scores or not does not change his job description.
For the Twins to save their season, this change absolutely had to be made, and unfortunately, it was made two weeks too late. Now that it's been made, the Twins should feel a little more comfortable with those tight leads once again.
Ron Gardenhire made the right decision on Saturday, opting to remove Capps from the closer's role after his pathetic outing on Friday night, in which he gave up a two-run home run to Kansas City's Eric Hosmer in the top of the ninth inning with two outs to give the Royals a 2-1 victory. What bothers me, however, is how Gardenhire went about doing it, proving to me that he is more interested in coddling his players than actually making good decisions.
In his post game press conference, Gardenhire defended Capps to the end, almost acting as though this blown save was a rare occurrence. Gardenhire was quoted as saying:
"The young man's a very good pitcher and our closer. We give him the ball and we have all the trust in the world in him. He didn't get it done tonight, that's all that happened."
Really Ron? He didn't get it done "tonight", as if this is something startling or shocking? Friday night was his seventh blown save, which leads Major League Baseball. This isn't anything new. This has been happening...regularly!
"We scored one run tonight. In defense of him, we scored one run, we had plenty of opportunities to score more runs. Everything gets thrown on the closer. Sure, he gave it up at the end, but a lot of people misfired, too."
Should you have scored more than one run? Absolutely! There were plenty of chances to do so. That doesn't excuse a closer from doing his job! As a closer, your responsibility and duty to the team is to ensure that the lead you're given, whether it be one run or three runs, is safe and protected. That's your job! It doesn't matter if the score is 1-0 or 10-9. You are placed in that position to close out the game, hence the name "Closer". What Gardenhire failed to realize in making that statement was how ridiculous it actually sounded. That's like a football head coach whose place kicker missed three field goals saying "The kicker takes all the rap, but we had plenty of chances to score in the red zone, so we shouldn't have lost this game 3-0." That all might be true, but the kicker's only job is to KICK FIELD GOALS (and extra points, but that's a different thing). Whether the team scores or not does not change his job description.
For the Twins to save their season, this change absolutely had to be made, and unfortunately, it was made two weeks too late. Now that it's been made, the Twins should feel a little more comfortable with those tight leads once again.
Monday, July 11, 2011
All-Star, Or All-Whosever-Available?
All-Star games are supposed to be showcases for the fans. In all sports, fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players to see them play on a stage of superstars. Dream team-like rosters dueling it out to see whose stars are superior. Whether it be the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, or the NFL, All-Star games are meant to showcase the best talent each sport has to offer.
So, why does it feel as though every year, in every sport, All-Star games have become more of a "who wants to play" than a "who we want to see" atmosphere?
Of the four major sports, Major League Baseball's All-Star Game is the one that has the most significance, given the recent change to the format making the All-Star Game the determining factor for home-field advantage in the World Series. The NFL's showcase of stars, the Pro Bowl, occurs after the season and the Super Bowl have been completed. The NBA's All-Star Weekend arrives every February, just past the mid-point in the season, as does the NHL's All-Star Game.
With tickets to the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night going for between $67 and $5,500, the event is pricy for the average Joe. It is an event, no doubt about it, but one where people would more than likely be interested in watching stars like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jose Reyes, Ryan Braun, and Justin Verlander and not as interested in watching guys like Jhonny Perolta, Pablo Sandoval, Miguel Montero, Ricky Romero, and Craig Kimbrel. Unfortunately, injuries sometimes determine who it is we all get to see, and more often than not, that's the case. In the event of some pitchers, however, their normal starts on Sunday prevent them from taking part in the showcase.
This year, it seems as though more of the superstars of the game are absent from the event. Pitchers like Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia, Cole Hamels, and Felix Hernandez will all be out of the game itself, having pitched on Sunday. That's a combined 44-19 record that won't be throwing during the game. Yankee stars Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera will be out of the game, nursing injuries (Rodriguez opting to have surgery on his knee on Monday). Perennial all-stars Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins will not be present, thanks to sub-par years on their parts (although Pujols has come on late in the first half, despite a wrist injury). So, is it really an "All-Star" game if the game's best players won't actually be playing?
Sure, it's disappointing for fans who tune in to the game to watch their team's stars or to see players they don't normally see, when those players aren't playing for a variety of reasons, but that's not the true point of the game. The All-Star Game, regardless of sport, is to showcase the best talent in the league that season. To reward those players who are deserving of that spotlight, regardless of popularity. The fact that the fans get to vote in the starters is one thing, but the overall game itself is where players performing at their best get to become household names. Let's be honest and say that, aside from his 3,000th hit coming just three days prior to the game, Derek Jeter has not done much at all this season to warrant a starting spot in the All-Star Game, and that's coming from somebody that would consider himself a Derek Jeter fan. Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians has been the best shortstop in the American League throughout the first half, and is truly deserving of the start.
What becomes irritating is when players decline to partake in the All-Star Game to "avoid" injury. You tend to see this more in the NFL and NBA than you do in Major League Baseball, but it occurs anywhere. With the NFL, the Pro Bowl takes place after the season. When you're on a team that has just played two, even three games in the playoffs, you tend to see players decide to just end their season after that final loss, as opposed to suiting up just one more time for the fans. That's where it becomes unfair to the fans. For the NBA, it's even worse. When each conference has 15-16 players on their roster, in a league with only about 15-20 superstar names like Kobe, KG, and LeBron, it can be devastating for one of these superstars to back out of the game to avoid injury or to just "rest up" for the second-half of the season.
We as fans deserve to see the best players on this special stage. If there are injuries, it's understandable that you not participate. If you're electing to stay away to remain healthy and not risk hurting yourself, stop being selfish.
So, why does it feel as though every year, in every sport, All-Star games have become more of a "who wants to play" than a "who we want to see" atmosphere?
Of the four major sports, Major League Baseball's All-Star Game is the one that has the most significance, given the recent change to the format making the All-Star Game the determining factor for home-field advantage in the World Series. The NFL's showcase of stars, the Pro Bowl, occurs after the season and the Super Bowl have been completed. The NBA's All-Star Weekend arrives every February, just past the mid-point in the season, as does the NHL's All-Star Game.
With tickets to the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night going for between $67 and $5,500, the event is pricy for the average Joe. It is an event, no doubt about it, but one where people would more than likely be interested in watching stars like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jose Reyes, Ryan Braun, and Justin Verlander and not as interested in watching guys like Jhonny Perolta, Pablo Sandoval, Miguel Montero, Ricky Romero, and Craig Kimbrel. Unfortunately, injuries sometimes determine who it is we all get to see, and more often than not, that's the case. In the event of some pitchers, however, their normal starts on Sunday prevent them from taking part in the showcase.
This year, it seems as though more of the superstars of the game are absent from the event. Pitchers like Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia, Cole Hamels, and Felix Hernandez will all be out of the game itself, having pitched on Sunday. That's a combined 44-19 record that won't be throwing during the game. Yankee stars Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera will be out of the game, nursing injuries (Rodriguez opting to have surgery on his knee on Monday). Perennial all-stars Joe Mauer, Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins will not be present, thanks to sub-par years on their parts (although Pujols has come on late in the first half, despite a wrist injury). So, is it really an "All-Star" game if the game's best players won't actually be playing?
Sure, it's disappointing for fans who tune in to the game to watch their team's stars or to see players they don't normally see, when those players aren't playing for a variety of reasons, but that's not the true point of the game. The All-Star Game, regardless of sport, is to showcase the best talent in the league that season. To reward those players who are deserving of that spotlight, regardless of popularity. The fact that the fans get to vote in the starters is one thing, but the overall game itself is where players performing at their best get to become household names. Let's be honest and say that, aside from his 3,000th hit coming just three days prior to the game, Derek Jeter has not done much at all this season to warrant a starting spot in the All-Star Game, and that's coming from somebody that would consider himself a Derek Jeter fan. Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians has been the best shortstop in the American League throughout the first half, and is truly deserving of the start.
What becomes irritating is when players decline to partake in the All-Star Game to "avoid" injury. You tend to see this more in the NFL and NBA than you do in Major League Baseball, but it occurs anywhere. With the NFL, the Pro Bowl takes place after the season. When you're on a team that has just played two, even three games in the playoffs, you tend to see players decide to just end their season after that final loss, as opposed to suiting up just one more time for the fans. That's where it becomes unfair to the fans. For the NBA, it's even worse. When each conference has 15-16 players on their roster, in a league with only about 15-20 superstar names like Kobe, KG, and LeBron, it can be devastating for one of these superstars to back out of the game to avoid injury or to just "rest up" for the second-half of the season.
We as fans deserve to see the best players on this special stage. If there are injuries, it's understandable that you not participate. If you're electing to stay away to remain healthy and not risk hurting yourself, stop being selfish.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Capps Out; Perkins In?
Ron Gardenhire should know what to do right now. For the second time in the last three games, he's had to take his closer out of the game in favor of Glen Perkins to try and save two wins. This after Matt Capps had an inexcusable blown save Saturday against the Brewers, coughing up a three-run lead in the ninth inning. With the starting rotation doing everything in its power to keep this team relatively above water (albeit still in the shallow end), Gardy needs to make the right decision here. Demoting Matt Capps from the closer role, and promoting Perkins, who is proving to be the most consistent asset out of the bullpen this season.
With the blown save Saturday, Capps now leads Major League Baseball with six blown saves. That's six times he's let his starters down this season. When closers are as shaky as Capps has been, it begins to affect the rest of the team. Fortunately, the bullpen instability seems to have improved the performance of the starting rotation. Until leaving in the fifth inning with a right elbow strain, Scott Baker was throwing a terrific game, locating his pitches well, and throwing a minimal amount of pitches through those first few innings. Knowing that turning the ball over to the bullpen this season has likely meant either a no-decision or a loss, the starters have been really bearing down, putting together a great run over the last five weeks, and pulling the Twins within striking distance going into the All-Star break.
In order for the Twins to stay within range of the Indians and Tigers atop the division, Gardy will need to ensure that the leads his lineup are staking the starters to are not wasted away by the bullpen, namely a closer like Capps. As I've said before, just because you were great last year doesn't mean you will always be great. As a manager, Gardenhire needs to look at the current status of the team. Right now, that status indicates that Capps is not the right guy for the job. As he begins to show continued improvement coming off his Tommy John surgery, maybe Joe Nathan will be ready to reassume his role later this season, but for right now, the choice should be Glen Perkins, who has proven his worth this season as the best option in an otherwise forgettable bullpen.
Before the season began, it seemed like a perfect scenario, to have both Capps and Nathan in the closer role, given Nathan's injury status. Having that alternative, that back-up, was more than the team could ask for. Now, as we sit five days into the month of July, the question should be asked: Would Capps have any value for a team as we near the trade deadline? If the Twins begin to utilize both Perkins and Nathan in that closer role, and move Capps back into the bullpen as more of a set-up man, would be become expendable? The answer should be..."yes". Hindsight is always 20/20, and given what we'd seen last season from the closer role (remembering that Nathan was out from the beginning) it's possible that maybe trading for Capps wasn't the best decision. Even John Rauch, who began the year in the closer role, only blew four (4) saves last season. Here we sit on July 5th, and Capps, an established closer, has blown six (6). Moreover, the man the Twins traded for Capps, Wilson Ramos, has outhit both Drew Butera and Rene Rivera this season. With the Twins knowing their All-Star catcher has some lingering knee and leg issues, it might not have been the smartest idea to unload your best option to back him up behind the plate. But, they did, and here we sit. Like I said...hindsight's 20/20.
Just because a closer loses his spot at the end of the game doesn't mean he's done being a closer. Brad Lidge went through a difficult time back in 2007 with the Astros, and was feeling probably just like Capps is feeling now, as though nothing you do can go right. The following season, after changing teams, Lidge was 41-41 in save opportunities. Maybe Capps needs nothing more than a change of scenery. Fortunately for the Twins, the trade deadline is approaching. It's time to start testing the waters for those in need of some bullpen help.
With the blown save Saturday, Capps now leads Major League Baseball with six blown saves. That's six times he's let his starters down this season. When closers are as shaky as Capps has been, it begins to affect the rest of the team. Fortunately, the bullpen instability seems to have improved the performance of the starting rotation. Until leaving in the fifth inning with a right elbow strain, Scott Baker was throwing a terrific game, locating his pitches well, and throwing a minimal amount of pitches through those first few innings. Knowing that turning the ball over to the bullpen this season has likely meant either a no-decision or a loss, the starters have been really bearing down, putting together a great run over the last five weeks, and pulling the Twins within striking distance going into the All-Star break.
In order for the Twins to stay within range of the Indians and Tigers atop the division, Gardy will need to ensure that the leads his lineup are staking the starters to are not wasted away by the bullpen, namely a closer like Capps. As I've said before, just because you were great last year doesn't mean you will always be great. As a manager, Gardenhire needs to look at the current status of the team. Right now, that status indicates that Capps is not the right guy for the job. As he begins to show continued improvement coming off his Tommy John surgery, maybe Joe Nathan will be ready to reassume his role later this season, but for right now, the choice should be Glen Perkins, who has proven his worth this season as the best option in an otherwise forgettable bullpen.
Before the season began, it seemed like a perfect scenario, to have both Capps and Nathan in the closer role, given Nathan's injury status. Having that alternative, that back-up, was more than the team could ask for. Now, as we sit five days into the month of July, the question should be asked: Would Capps have any value for a team as we near the trade deadline? If the Twins begin to utilize both Perkins and Nathan in that closer role, and move Capps back into the bullpen as more of a set-up man, would be become expendable? The answer should be..."yes". Hindsight is always 20/20, and given what we'd seen last season from the closer role (remembering that Nathan was out from the beginning) it's possible that maybe trading for Capps wasn't the best decision. Even John Rauch, who began the year in the closer role, only blew four (4) saves last season. Here we sit on July 5th, and Capps, an established closer, has blown six (6). Moreover, the man the Twins traded for Capps, Wilson Ramos, has outhit both Drew Butera and Rene Rivera this season. With the Twins knowing their All-Star catcher has some lingering knee and leg issues, it might not have been the smartest idea to unload your best option to back him up behind the plate. But, they did, and here we sit. Like I said...hindsight's 20/20.
Just because a closer loses his spot at the end of the game doesn't mean he's done being a closer. Brad Lidge went through a difficult time back in 2007 with the Astros, and was feeling probably just like Capps is feeling now, as though nothing you do can go right. The following season, after changing teams, Lidge was 41-41 in save opportunities. Maybe Capps needs nothing more than a change of scenery. Fortunately for the Twins, the trade deadline is approaching. It's time to start testing the waters for those in need of some bullpen help.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Does Pujols' Injury Cost Him More Than Just Six Weeks?
When Albert Pujols suffered a broken bone in his left wrist during a collision on Sunday, the entire city of St. Louis gasped, wondering if this might be the end to their season. How could they overcome this? Their all-star first baseman, arguably the best player in baseball, sidelined for up to six weeks. Would they be able to stand their ground without him?
Oddly, the Cardinal fans weren't the only ones gasping at the news. Baseball fans in general, upon hearing the word that Pujols had suffered an injury that no hitter would ever want to endure, began to wonder if they'd seen the last of Pujols, at least the Pujols we've grown to expect. Will his power numbers ever be the same? Will he still be able to hit for the same .329 career average he has? Will he still be considered a lock for the Hall of Fame if the answers to both of those previous questions are "no"?
There was one more large gasp to speak of, and that gasp was from Albert's agent. Would the injury squash any potential they would have to get him the $300 million contract they'd been rumored to have been seeking this offseason? Would this injury potentially drive down his value, in this, the last year of his current contract?
These questions, among many others, are all very valid questions and concerns. We won't know until Albert comes back, some time in August, whether he'll be able to get back to the player he's been for his entire career. There is a strong possibility that he may not, given the history of some players who have had similar injuries. When you look at players such as Derrek Lee, the first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, who broke his wrist in a similar fashion while playing for the Chicago Cubs in 2006, the power numbers take a slight decline immediately. Lee was able to improve those power numbers a couple years after the injury, but overall, his career averages have been down since. Would Pujols be the same way?
Looking at his career numbers, he is easily one of the greatest players to ever play the game. If his career were to end today, I think it would be safe to say that Albert Pujols would be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. In his first ten season in baseball, he's never hit below .312, he's never hit less than 32 home runs, and never driven in less than 103 runs. Just those three stats alone are impressive, but there are so many more. It's those career numbers, however, that this injury could ultimately rob baseball fans of. The type of player that Albert Pujols is only comes along so many times during a generation. Given all of the talk of performance-enhancing drugs over the last few years in the sport, Pujols seemed to be the poster child for doing it the right way. His career numbers would have been those we would ultimately have compared to the greats of the game. Those comparisons are what have been jeopardized now by this injury.
From a business perspective, the injury could cost Pujols millions of dollars. Unless he comes back in August and lights it up over the last two months, the consensus thought amongst those in baseball is that he may never recover to be the hitter he once was. If that's the case, his overall value would take an incredible hit. No team in their right mind would give a player like Albert Pujols the type of contract he'd reportedly been looking for, just on reputation, especially coming off this type of injury. The reason Pujols and the Cardinals couldn't get a deal done before his spring training deadline was because of how far off the two sides actually were. Now, whatever the Cardinals were offering will more than likely go down, so the gamble Pujols and his agent took by not accepting any of the offers put before them by the Cardinals could come back to bite them in the rear. Only time will tell.
Having been a baseball fan for over 25 years of my life now, I've seen many great players come and go. I've seen players that were great, and we now know they were artificially great. I've seen players be crowned the next big thing, only to never pan out. When it comes to Albert Pujols, he is the real deal. He's been the most impressive player of the last 50 years. His career numbers through the first ten years are numbers many life-long Major Leaguers would kill for. And he's not done...that's the scary part.
All we, as fans, can hope for is that the injury isn't as serious and career-threatening as it appears it may be. If it's not, we can expect to see more of the same from Albert over the next few seasons. If it is as bad as advertised, then how he comes back from it will define the career of Albert Pujols. Is he truly "the machine" we sometimes think he is? We'll have to wait a few weeks to find out.
Oddly, the Cardinal fans weren't the only ones gasping at the news. Baseball fans in general, upon hearing the word that Pujols had suffered an injury that no hitter would ever want to endure, began to wonder if they'd seen the last of Pujols, at least the Pujols we've grown to expect. Will his power numbers ever be the same? Will he still be able to hit for the same .329 career average he has? Will he still be considered a lock for the Hall of Fame if the answers to both of those previous questions are "no"?
There was one more large gasp to speak of, and that gasp was from Albert's agent. Would the injury squash any potential they would have to get him the $300 million contract they'd been rumored to have been seeking this offseason? Would this injury potentially drive down his value, in this, the last year of his current contract?
These questions, among many others, are all very valid questions and concerns. We won't know until Albert comes back, some time in August, whether he'll be able to get back to the player he's been for his entire career. There is a strong possibility that he may not, given the history of some players who have had similar injuries. When you look at players such as Derrek Lee, the first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, who broke his wrist in a similar fashion while playing for the Chicago Cubs in 2006, the power numbers take a slight decline immediately. Lee was able to improve those power numbers a couple years after the injury, but overall, his career averages have been down since. Would Pujols be the same way?
Looking at his career numbers, he is easily one of the greatest players to ever play the game. If his career were to end today, I think it would be safe to say that Albert Pujols would be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. In his first ten season in baseball, he's never hit below .312, he's never hit less than 32 home runs, and never driven in less than 103 runs. Just those three stats alone are impressive, but there are so many more. It's those career numbers, however, that this injury could ultimately rob baseball fans of. The type of player that Albert Pujols is only comes along so many times during a generation. Given all of the talk of performance-enhancing drugs over the last few years in the sport, Pujols seemed to be the poster child for doing it the right way. His career numbers would have been those we would ultimately have compared to the greats of the game. Those comparisons are what have been jeopardized now by this injury.
From a business perspective, the injury could cost Pujols millions of dollars. Unless he comes back in August and lights it up over the last two months, the consensus thought amongst those in baseball is that he may never recover to be the hitter he once was. If that's the case, his overall value would take an incredible hit. No team in their right mind would give a player like Albert Pujols the type of contract he'd reportedly been looking for, just on reputation, especially coming off this type of injury. The reason Pujols and the Cardinals couldn't get a deal done before his spring training deadline was because of how far off the two sides actually were. Now, whatever the Cardinals were offering will more than likely go down, so the gamble Pujols and his agent took by not accepting any of the offers put before them by the Cardinals could come back to bite them in the rear. Only time will tell.
Having been a baseball fan for over 25 years of my life now, I've seen many great players come and go. I've seen players that were great, and we now know they were artificially great. I've seen players be crowned the next big thing, only to never pan out. When it comes to Albert Pujols, he is the real deal. He's been the most impressive player of the last 50 years. His career numbers through the first ten years are numbers many life-long Major Leaguers would kill for. And he's not done...that's the scary part.
All we, as fans, can hope for is that the injury isn't as serious and career-threatening as it appears it may be. If it's not, we can expect to see more of the same from Albert over the next few seasons. If it is as bad as advertised, then how he comes back from it will define the career of Albert Pujols. Is he truly "the machine" we sometimes think he is? We'll have to wait a few weeks to find out.
Monday, June 13, 2011
How Would Baseball Realignment Have To Work?
Often times, change is a good thing, right? Sometimes it's a change of scenery, say, from a job. Sometimes it can be a change in attitude. Other times, it can be a change in technique. Sports have gone through many different changes over the years, some of which weren't the greatest, but more often than not, those changes have worked out for the best. Major League Baseball is discussing the possibility of a pretty drastic change that could make the game even more interesting when it's all said and done. They've tried realignment before, and they're talking about doing it again. This time, however, if they want it to work, they have to be careful how they actually lay it out.
What league officials are discussing is evening out the American and Nationals Leagues. Currently, there are 14 teams in the American League, and 16 teams in the National League. The realignment discussion would bring one National League team over to the American League to even both leagues out at 15 teams. These two 15-team leagues would either be split up into three divisions of five, or lumped together in one 15 team "division," if you will. What this would do is create an inter-league match-up every series in order to accommodate the odd team out in each league. The next piece of the puzzle which National League team would come over to even things out. The preliminary talks are that it would be either the Houston Astros or the Florida Marlins, in order to create possible rivalries against the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays, respectively.
All of that seems simple, and logical enough, but there's one thing that Major League Baseball would need to consider. It's a drastic suggestion, one that's been thrown around loosely over the years, but never really taken seriously. This is a move that would change the way the game itself would be played. This change would be something that would absolutely need to happen in order for baseball to make this new idea of realignment a reality. That change is...
...Eliminating the designated hitter.
Yes, I did just say that. In order for Major League Baseball to make realignment possible in the way they are suggesting it, the would need to sacrifice the only true thing that differentiates the leagues, that being the designated hitter in the American League.
Let me explain the logic behind my thought.
If the American and National Leagues are evened out with 15 teams apiece, and an inter-league match-up will take place every series, that could possibly mean that an American League team could be playing a series in a National League ballpark with their season on the line...and be required to send their designated hitter to the bench while the pitcher takes his swings. Given the current situation, that doesn't seem entirely fair, that just the luck of the scheduling draw could send an American League playoff contender to a National League ballpark, to have the fate of their season rest on the below average offensive skills of their starting pitcher.
So, my suggestion seems like a logical one. If Major League Baseball is going to even out the leagues, why don't they truly "even out the leagues." Why not make the rules in both leagues the same, so one doesn't have an advantage over the other at any point during the season, especially down the stretch? Why not eliminate a position that many feel took away some of the purity of the game in the first place? Why not force those players who have become full-time DH's to play the field? One of the main reasons why this might be tough for the league to do is because it might lessen the offense in the American League. Balls might not fly out of the park as much if they take away that extra power-hitting spot in the batting order. But, would it really make that much of a difference?
Right now, American League DH's (those that are listed as permanent designated hitters) account for 8.9% of the home runs in the AL. They account for 10.3% of the total RBI's. The National League has hit a total of 884 home runs this season. If you average that out over 16 teams, you get an average of 55 home runs per team. Now, if you eliminate the DH totals in the AL (76 HR's) and take one team away from the NL (55 HR on average), the leagues would be almost identical. The American League would've hit 833 HR's while the National League would have 829. So, my question is this: Would eliminating the DH really stifle the offense in baseball? Probably not.
When you stop to think about it, there isn't another sport that allows it's players to only play part of the game. Football is slightly a different case because, aside from the rare two-way player, you play only your position. If that position is defense, then that's what you play. You don't see basketball players playing only offense, and then be taken out as soon as the team goes on the defense end, (unless it's the end of the game.) That being said, why should a player be allowed only to hit? If you're playing the game, you should need to play both positions. If you're unable to do so, then you can sit on the bench to allow another player to take that role.
So, what are the pros and cons of eliminating the DH?
Pros:
- Both leagues would be completely identical from a rules standpoint. Uniformity would eliminate the possibility of an unfair advantage in a pennant chase.
- More parity in the game. If a team already has a first baseman, but their DH's natural position is first base, the team probably wouldn't be able to keep both, or at least keep both happy. So, the team would need to either move one of the players to a different position to accommodate the lineup, or would need to possibly trade one of the players to a different team. For example, let's use the Twins. If there were no DH, the Twins would be forced to make a decision with both Justin Morneau and Jim Thome. Thome would need to play first base, but what would you do with Morneau. This would possibly force the Twins to offer one of the two up in a trade, potentially bolstering a different part of their roster, while possibly sending one of the two to a team with a need at that position, say, a team like the Kansas City or Toronto in need of a first baseman of that caliber.
- Bringing the more exciting brand of baseball to all teams. National League baseball presents more options and strategy than the American League style. Double-switches present a wrinkle that many fans haven't had the fortune to see.
- Potentially eliminating the careers of some lesser athletic players. Again, using the Twins as the example, Jim Thome is in the tail end of his career. He's closing in on 600 career home runs, but if realignment were to have taken place this year, Thome would more than likely have been forced to retire. With his injury problems and lack of mobility, teams would probably not be willing to take the chance on putting him in the field full-time.
The biggest question is, will Major League Baseball be willing to do what it takes to actually make this move work as well as it can? Will they actually look at the numbers and realize that there really wouldn't be much difference at all if they were to eliminate the DH and have both leagues share the same make-up? What do you all think? Post your suggestions on how they can make it work. What rules would need to be changed? What team should be moved to the AL and why? Let's hear it!
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