Miggy’s Triple Crown Pursuit – Never Been A Repeat

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Can Miggy “Three-Peat” to repeat the Triple Crown. Never been done.

As BBRT posts this, 2012 AL Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers is in hot pursuit of a second Triple Crown.  His .387 average and 47 RBI lead the AL and his 11 home runs are just one off the pace.   Can Miggy repeat as a Triple Crown winner?  History says “no.”   In fact, if Cabrera tops the AL in two of the three categories, he will be the first MLB Triple Crown winner to accomplish a two-thirds Triple Crown in the next season.  Only seven times has a Triple Crown winner come back to lead his league in at least one of the three categories  – and that has most often been batting average (six of the seven repeats, with one TC winner – the Cardinals’ Joe Medwick – taking the RBI title the year after his Triple Crown).

We’ll take a look at how TC winner have fared in the following season, but first a few TC factoids:

 

 

  • Only once in MLB history have both the AL and NL featured a Triple Crown winner and both triple champions played in the same city.  It was 1933, and the TC winners were Chuck Klein of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jimmie Foxx of the Philadelphia Athletics.
  • There have been only two two-time TC winners, Rogers Hornsby and Ted Williams.
  • Twice in MLB history, a TC winner has been foiled in his attempt to “repeat” by a player who achieved a Triple Crown of his own. Jimmie Foxx, who won the AL Triple Crown in 1933, saw his repeat effort overshadowed by Yankee Lou Gehrig’s 1934 Triple Crown season. In 1966, Frank Robinson won the AL Triple Crown with the Orioles, and Carl Yastrzemski followed up in 1967 with a TC of his own for the Red Sox.
  • One TC winner was stopped in his attempt to repeat his achievement by a greater conflict – Ted Williams missed the season following his first Triple Crown due to military service in WWII.
  • In a numbers game, Ty Cobb may have come the closest ever to a Triple Crown repeat.  He won the TC in 1909 and finished second in all three categories the following season.
  • Ty Cobb, at age 22, is the youngest-ever TC winner, while Frank Robinson at 31 the oldest.

Let’s take a look at the TC winners and their follow-up efforts.

Paul Hines, of the NL Providence Grays, won the Triple Crown in 1878 – going .358-4-50.  The following season, he repeated as batting champion at .357, but his 2 home runs and 52 RBI left him fifth in the league in both categories.

Tip O’Neill, of the American Association St. Louis Browns, won his Triple Crown in 1887 – with a line of .435-14-123.  Like Hines, he repeated as batting champ in 1888, despite a 100-point drop to .335, but hit only 5 home runs (failing to make the top ten) and drove in a league fourth-best 98 runs.

In 1901, Nap Lajoie of the AL’s Philadelphia Athletics won the Triple Crown with a .426-14-season. It was the first year of the newly formed American League and Lajoie was one of the premier players who had “jumped” to the rival league – moving crosstown from the NL Phillies to the Athletics.  Lajoie did not remain with the Athletics for long after his Triple Crown achievement – he played only one game for the A’s the following year, thanks to legal wrangles between the NL and AL. In April 1902, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania overruled an earlier decision by a lower court and reinforced the reserve clause in contracts between players and NL clubs. Under the rule, it appeared Lajoie could only play for the Phillies (the NL team to which he had been under contract).  However, ongoing proceedings found the ruling was only enforceable in the state of Pennsylvania. The Athletics resolved this dilemma by trading Lajoie to the AL’s Cleveland Bronchos. Lajoie repeated as AL batting champ, hitting .378, but dropped to seven home runs and 65 RBI in a season that essentially began for him in June.  

The Detroit Tigers’ Ty Cobb captured the Triple Crown in 1909 with a .377-9-107 performance.  In 1910, he put up a .383-8-91 season, finishing second in all three categories.  He was edged out for the batting by .001 (Nap Lajoie hit .384), fell two home runs behind AL leader Jake Stahl of Boston and trailed teammate Sam Crawford by 29 for the RBI crown.

The Cardinals’ Rogers Hornsby captured the 1922 NL Triple Crown with a .401-42-152 season.  He came back in 1923 with .384-17-83, repeating as batting champ and finishing fifth in home runs.

Rogers Hornsby captured his second Triple Crown in 1925, going .403-39-143. In 1926, he dropped to .317-11-93 (finishing in the top ten in home runs and RBI) and, in 1927, after an off-season contract dispute with the Cardinals, he found himself traded to the New York Giants.

Chuck Klein of the Phillies captured the NL Triple Crown in 1933 at .368-28-120.  The financially troubled Phillies traded Klein to the Cubs for three players and $100,000 in cash following his TC season and he put up with a .301-20-80 season for the Cubs in 1934.

Philadelphia had two TC winners in 1933.  Klein in the NL and Jimmie Foxx of the Athletics in the AL – .356-44-130.  Foxx went a solid .334-44-130 in 1934, finishing seventh in average, second in homers and fourth in RBI (in a season when Lou Gehrig won the AL Triple Crown).

Lou Gehrig captured the 1934 AL Triple Crown, going .363-49-165 for the Yankees.  He had a strong 1935 season … .329-30-119 … finishing sixth in the AL in average, third in home runs and second in RBI.

Joe “Ducky” Medwick earned his Triple Crown for the Cardinals in 1937 – .374-31-164.  He came back with a .322-21-122 season in 1938, leading the league in RBI.  (He is the only TC winner to repeat the following year in a category other than average.) In 1938, he also finished fourth in average and sixth in home runs.

The Boston Red Sox’ Ted Williams earned his first Triple Crown in 1942, with a .356-36-137 season – then missed the 1943 season due to WWII military service.

Ted Williams came back to win a second Triple Crown in 1947, when the Red Sox’ outfielder went .343-32-114.  He repeated as batting champ in 1948 at .360, with 25 home runs (sixth in the AL) and 127 RBI (third).

Yankee great Mickey Mantle took Triple Crown honors in 1957, with a .353-52-130 season.  The following year his .365 average was second only to Ted Williams (.388) and his 34 homers and 94 RBI were third and sixth in the AL, respectively.

Frank Robinson of the Orioles captured the 1966 AL Triple Crown – .316-49-122 and came back with a .311-30-94 campaign in 1967, when Carl Yastrzemski captured the AL Triple Crown.

The Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski’s .326-44-121 earned him the 1967 AL Triple Crown.  He won the AL batting title again in 1968 (with the lowest-ever average for a batting champ at .301), while finishing seventh in the AL in HR (27) and eighth in RBI (74). 

Detroit Miguel Cabrera earned the AL Triple Crown in 2012 with a .330-44-139 season – and is off to a great start in 2013  … .387-11-47 through May 19.

photo by: Keith Allison
Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Happ Injury Brings Back Memories of Herb Score

May 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Tuesday– May 7. 2013 – Toronto left hander J.A. Happ was knocked from the mound by a Desmond Jennings line drive.  BBRT is glad to hear Happ is already out of the hospital, although he reportedly has a fracture behind his left ear that he indicated doctors say will heal on its own.  BBRT wishes Happ, now on the disabled list, a speedy and full recovery.

Desmond’s line drive came 56 years to the day that another left-handed hurler – Indians fastballer Herb Score – was dropped by a line drive of the bat of the Yankees Gil McDougald.  The line drive was so vicious, the crack of the ball against Score’s face so loud (even in the stands, according to observers) that McDougald reportedly froze at the plate and had to be urged to run to first.  The baseball struck Score flush in the face, the right eye to be more specific, knocking him to the ground – bleeding from the eye, nose and mouth.  Score never lost consciousness, but had to be helped from the field, his head swathed in a bloody towel.  He spent three weeks in the hospital, having suffered a broken nose, several other facial fractures, and severe hemorrhaging and a swollen retina in the right eye.  After the game, McDougald said he would retire from baseball if Score lost sight in his eye.

It was one of the most publicized, and talked about, baseball injuries ever.  The fact is, Score had rocketed to the top of the national past time even faster than McDougald’s liner had found him on the mound.  Among those of us who took the mound in Little League (I was a nine-year old third baseman/pitcher at the time), the youthful Score had become an instant hero (and the black and white photos of him lying on the mound in pain were downright scary). After the injury, I moved his baseball card to the place of honor – at the very top of my rubber-banded pack of person all-stars.

Score signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians on his 19th birthday – June 7, 1952.  By 1954, as a member of Cleveland’s AAA farm club in Indianapolis, he was making his mark.  That season at Triple A, he went 22-5, with a 2.62 ERA and league-record 330 strikeouts in just 251 innings.  Score, who had already established a record as being nearly unhittable (but also lacking control) in his first two minor league seasons, gave up just 140 hits that season and seemed to gain some control (140 bases on balls).  He earned the Sporting News recognition as Minor League Player of the Year – and was referred to often as “a left handed Bob Feller.”  

Score was called up to the Indians in 1955 and continued to confound hitters.  He went 16-10, with a 2.85 ERA and recorded a league-leading and rookie-record (broken 29 years later by Dwight Gooden) 245 strikeouts.  He made the AL All Star team and was selected Rookie of the Year.  His reputation continued to grow when he followed up his rookie season with a 1956 performance that included a 20-9 record, 2.53 ERA and a league-leading 263 strikeouts in 249 1/3 innings.  Score also tossed 16 complete games and led the league with five shutouts.  In 1957, up to the point of the McDougald line drive, Score was 2-1, 2.00, with 39 punch outs in 36 innings – and hitters like Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle were calling him the toughest left-handed pitcher they ever faced. 

Score returned to the Indians in 1958 at went 2-3, 3.95 with 48 strike outs in 41 innings over 12 starts, before an elbow injury curtailed his season and – eventually – his career. While some speculated that Score’s elbow injury resulted from his changing his pitching motion so he could be better positioned to protect himself from balls hit back up the middle, Score himself rejected those comments. The hard throwing lefty indicated he changed his pitching motion after the 1958 elbow injury – which makes considerable sense. Score had such a violent delivery that he reported that he sometimes wore a basketball knee-pad on his right knee to absorb the shock of a follow through that often saw him bouncing his left elbow off his right knee.  Regardless of the cause, the post 1957 Herb Score wasn’t the same.  In 1955-57, Score went 38-20, with a 2.64 ERA in 73 games.  In the remaining five years of his career, his record was 17-26, with a 4.42 ERA in 77 games.  Herb Score was a true flame thrower, who – for fans, especially young fans – burned brightly, but too briefly.

Score, who passed away in 2008 , kept his passion for the game.  His Cleveland Indians television and radio broadcasting career lasted 34 years, and earned him a spot in the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

A Few April Surprises

May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Here are a few April surprises – at least from BBRT’s point of view.  This post doesn’t touch on them all, there have been plenty.  For example, there is no commentary on Colorado’s first-place standing (at the end of April) in the NL West, Orioles’ first baseman Chris Davis’ .348–9–28 start, Roy Halladay’s early season difficulties, the Yankees’ unique triple play or the fact that the Tigers have three hurlers averaging better than a strikeout per inning. (Or for my fellow Twins fans, Carlos Gomez hitting .360 through April for the Brewers and Kevin Slowey with a 2.15 ERA, with six walks and 29 strikeouts in six starts for Miami.)

So, here are a handful of April “surprises’ that captured BBRT’s attention. 

Philip Humber … 6 losses by the end of April.

Phil Humber – yes, he of the April 21, 2012, perfect game – started the 2013 tying a different kind of unique record.  In the month of April, the Astros’ Humber started six games and ran up an 0-6 record (29 2/3 innings pitched, 7.58 ERA, 44 hits, 10 walks, five wild pitches).  The only other starting hurler to notch six April losses was the A’s Dave Stewart in 1984, a year in which he went 7-14.    Still BBRT is surprised to see a pitcher get six starts in a single month – to get a decision in every outing – and, of course, to lose them all.  Humber can take solace in the fact that just three seasons after his 0-6 opening month, Stewart started a string of four consecutive 20-win seasons.  Not likely for Humber, however, whose career ERA is north of five.

 

A surprising ten April saves for the equally surprising Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees … 16-10 in second place in the AL East.

The Yankees – without Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, from day one, and now Francisco Cervelli and Kevin Youkilis – are an early season surprise.  BBRT really thought age and injuries would quickly drag the Bronx Bombers toward the bottom of the division.  However, here they are in second place at the end of April, thanks to some individual surprises, particularly: Vernon Wells, who after two down years with the Angels, hit .300 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in April; and Travis Hafner, showing new life at age 36, sitting at .318-6-17.  (Maybe there is something to the aura of the pinstripes.) Not surprising, Robinson Cano leads the NY offense (.327-7-17).  On the mound, veterans Hiroki Kuroda, C.C. Sabathia and the ageless Andy Pettite (3-2, 2.86) and Mariano Rivera (10 saves, 1.74 ERA) lead the way.  Still, despite the early season surprise, BBRT sees a Yankee fade as we hit the dog days of August.

 

 

Adam Wainwright … 3 walks (one intentional) against 43 strikeouts in 44 innings.

The Cardinals Adam Wainwright ran up a 4-2 record with a 2.03 ERA through April.  Not surprising, he has true “ace” stuff.  Surprising to BBRT is that Wainwright notched 35 strikeouts before issuing his first walk of the season – and that’s a record.

Toronto Blue Jays … already 8 ½ out.

The Blue Jays made a statement in the offseason – no more “wait until next year,” 2013 is THE year.  They took advantage of the Marlins’ fire sale to add a quality lead off hitter and two proven starting pitchers: shortstop Jose Reyes and hurlers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson.  Then they did some wheeling and dealing with the Mets to acquire 2012 Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey.  In addition, they added Melky Cabrera to an offense that was welcoming back power hitters Edwin Encarnacion and a now-healthy Jose Bautista.   Pre-season polls tabbed the Blue Jays East Division favorites.

Ouch!  One month in and that Jays are at 10-17, 8 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston.  What happened?  It starts with Jose Reyes, who was hitting .395 with one home run, five runs scored, five RBI and five stolen bases after 10 games.  Then a severe ankle sprain put him on the disabled list for an expected three months.  Buehrle and Johnson are a combined 1-2, 6.57 in 9 starts; R.A. Dickey at 2-4, 4.50 and has looked more like the pitcher who went 41-50 from 2001-2011 than 2012’s 20-game winner; and PED-free Melky Cabrera is hitting just .250 with no home runs. Couple that with slow starts from just about the whole lineup and the Jays have dug a surprisingly deep hole.  BBRT does expect Josh Johnson to right his ship, but .500 seasons from Buehrle and Dickey would not surprise.

 

Game changer for the Braves!

Justin Upton … prestigious power display.

.298, 12 homers, 19 RBI in April.  Enough said.  Well, one more surprise, the average distance of those 12 dingers?  Each exceeded 400 feet, for an average of 423.5 feet. We all knew he’d be good for the Braves – just surprised that he’s this good this fast.

The Washington Nationals … popular pick to win the NL crown, now sitting at 13-14, a surprising 4 ½ games behind the Atlanta Braves.

The Nats’ problem appears to be a lack of offense.  Despite a blistering start by Bryce Harper .(344-9-18 through April), the Nationals finished the month 12th in the league in runs scored (96), 13th in batting average (.234) and sixth in home runs (27).  That lack of offense explains Stephen Strasburg’s surprising 1-4 record, despite a 3.13 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched.  With their depth of pitching – and the fact the some early bullpen issues seem to be working themselves out – BBRT expects the Nationals to remain in the hunt (and make the playoffs).

Boston … the first-place Red Sox.

Boston ended the 2012 season in apparent disarray, discontent and, according to some sources, outright animosity – finishing last in the AL East at 69-93, 26 games out.   The goal for 2013 was to change the personality of the team – and that meant changing some personnel, from the manager (John Farrell replacing Bobby Valentine) on down.  On the field, the Sox avoided some of the big name opportunities, going for steady, solid performers with equally solid clubhouse reputations.  Among the additions that have paid dividends early:

1B-DH-C Mike Napoli who has driven in 27 runs in his first 26 games; Shane Victorino, out with a back issue now, but sporting a .292 average over 19 games; and reliever Kuji Uehara, with a 1.69 ERA and seven holds in 12 games.  But, in reality, it’s been the core holdovers that have boosted the Sox – particularly strong performances from starters John Lester and Clay Bucholz (who went a combined 20-22 in 2012).  Through April the pair are 9-0 – Buchholz, 5-0, 1.19 ERA and Lester, 4-0, 3.11.  In addition, David Ortiz has come back with a vengeance hitting .500 (18 for 36) with three home runs and 15 RBI in his first nine games back in the lineup.  Then there is Dustin Pedroia, hitting at a .337 clip with 16 runs scored and 12 RBI.  It looks to BBRT that the surprising Red Sox will remain in the hunt in a tight AL East race.

Torii Hunter …  .370 in 23 games.

There was a popular TV commercial that used the line, “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better.”  That describes the surprising 37-year-old Torii Hunter, now patrolling right field for the (not surprising) first-place Detroit Tigers.  In 2012, Hunter surprised us all with a .313-16-92 season (with nine steals) for the Angels.  It was Hunter’s best average ever, and his fifth-highest RBI total in 16 seasons.  In 2013, Hunter is off to a .370-1-12 start.

The Angels (9-17) and Josh Hamilton (.204 average, 32 strikeouts in 108 at bats).

It shouldn’t really be a surprise, the Angels have already proven that you can go deep – and expensive – into the free agent market without guaranteeing the post season.  Still, when the Halos added Josh Hamilton to the Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo powerhouse, expectations were high (despite a somewhat iffy starting rotation minus Zack Greinke).  Both Hamilton and the Angels have surprised with their April futility.  Hamilton’s is hitting just .204, with 2 homers and 9 RBI going into May. Even with Hamilton’s slow start, the Angels rank in about the middle of the AL in offensive output.  The pitching, however, ranks 14th (based on ERA) out of 15 teams – and, with ace Jered Weaver on the DL, things don’t look promising.  Fact is, the Angels would have been better off spending some of the Hamilton money on pitching.  Will they bounce back? Doubtful, unless they come up with some arms.  Will Hamilton rebound.  Probably, but he’ll likely fall well short of 2012’s .285-43-128 (but .280-35-102 would not surprise).

Josh Donaldson (.314, 2 HR, 20 RBI) and the Oakland A’s (16-12).

The 27-year-old Oakland third baseman (a converted catcher) has progressed dramatically in the field and at the plate since winning the third base job (after injuries to Brandon Inge and Scott Sizemore) last season.  Still he came into the season with a .232 average in just 306 at bats in two seasons.  Now, he’s not only hitting over .300, he’s driven in 20 runs (sixth in the AL) as of May 1 – and he’s showing solid leather at third base.

The A’s surprise is a little more complicated.  BBRT expected the A’s young pitching (a record 54 wins from rookies a year ago) to falter a bit and, after notching the AL’s second-lowest ERA in 2012, the A’s ranked 12th through April.  On the other hand, they led the AL in runs scored – despite standing a surprising 9th in home runs and 10th in batting average. Over time, BBRT thinks the pitching will pick up, but the run scoring will tick down and the A’s will finish third this season.

Shin-Soo Choo … impervious to pain.

The Reds wanted a leadoff hitter – and they picked up a good one in Shin-Soo Choo (through April, .337 – four homers – 11 RBI – 20 runs scored – 17 walks.)  The surprise for BBRT is Choo has already been hit by a pitch 10 times.  Ouch!  That’s taking one – and then some – for the team.

Got any April surprises you’d like to share?  BBRT welcomes your comment?

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Brotherly Love and the Long Ball

April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Upton brothers launched their own theory of relativity against the Rockies.

Yesterday (April 23, 2013), 21,724 fans attending the Colorado Rockies homes game against the red hot Atlanta Braves were treated to a baseball rarity, as brothers B.J. and Justin Upton cranked back-to-back homers in the fifth inning of the Braves’ 10-2 victory.

How rare are MLB back-to-back jacks by brothers?  The Uptons were only the second set of brothers to accomplish the feat – following Paul and Lloyd Waner (both Hall of Famers), who hit back-to-back dingers (also in the fifth inning) for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 7-2 road win over the New York Giants on September 15, 1938.

For BBRT, the Upton’s accomplishment brought back memories of an even rarer long ball feat – back-to-back home runs by father/son major leaguers.  It happened in the first inning of a Seattle Mariners 7-5 loss to the California Angels on September 14, 1990 and the principals were, of course, Ken Griffey Senior and Junior.  (By the way, for you trivia buffs, the Griffeys’ shared first name is not Ken.  The pair are, in fact, George Kenneth Griffey, senior and junior.) The two remain not only the only father/son duo to hit back-to-back homers, but the only such pair to even homer in the same game.

This brings BBRT to another of those “in baseball we count everything” moments.  When it comes to the Upton’s’ accomplishment – and going beyond back-to-back dingers – brothers homering for the same team in the same game is itself a rare feat.  It’s been accomplished just 27 times in MLB history to date.   This is comparable in rarity to the pitching of a perfect game (23 times).

Here are the players:

Four times: 

Jason and Jeremy Giambi, A’s

Vlad and Wilton Guerrero, Expos

Three times:

Justin and B.J. Upton, Braves (they’ll be moving up this list)

Paul and Lloyd Waner, Pirates

Hank and Tommy Aaron, Braves (in Milwaukee)

Two times:

Tony and Billy Conigliaro, Red Sox

Cal, Jr. and Billy Ripken, Orioles

Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, Padres

Once:

Felipe and Matty Alou, Giants

Matty and Jesus Alou, Giants (making Matty the only brother to hit homers in the same game with two different brothers)

Bengie and Jose Molina, Angels

Adam and Andy LaRoche, Pirates

By the way, if you are on one of Ballpark Tours trips (see ballparktours.net) this year, you can expect something from this post to be on the traditional K-Kwiz.  

photo by: ozmafan
Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Musings – Triple Plays, “Basebrawls” and More

April 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

TRIPLE PLAYS

Robinson Cano … started yesterday’s six-throw triple play.

Yesterday, in a 5-2 win over the Orioles, the New York Yankees turned one of the most unusual triple plays in MLB history.  It took place in the eighth inning and went like this:

The Orioles’ Nick Markakis and Alexi Casilla started off the inning with singles against Yankee starter C.C. Sabathia – putting runners on first and second with no outs.   Manny Machado then hit a sharp one-hopper to second baseman Robinson Cano, who tossed to shortstop Jayson Nix to force Markakis for out number one; meanwhile, Casilla had headed toward third and was now in “no-man’s land” between the bases; Nix tossed to Yanks’ third baseman Kevin Youkilis to start a rundown that saw Youkilis throw to Nix and then Nix back to Youkilis who applied the tag; the hitter, Machado, looking to take advantage of the rundown, had rounded first and was now in his own “no-man’s land;” Youkilis threw to first baseman Lyle Overbay, cutting off Machado’s path of retreat; Overbay then fired to Cano, who tagged out Machado at second.

In the scorebooks, it went 4-6-5-6-5-3-4.

All of the subsequent triple play media talk reminded BBRT of the day in 1990 (July 17) when BBRT’s Twins became the only team to turn two triple plays in one game.   They came in the fourth and eighth innings of a game against the Red Sox and both were of the most traditional variety.  In the fourth, with the bases loaded, former Twin (then Boston right fielder) hit a ground ball to Twins’ third sacker Gary Gaetti, who stepped on the bag and threw to second baseman Al Newman (for out number two), who relayed to first baseman Kent Hrbek to complete the triple play.  In the eighth, with runners on first and second, Red Sox second baseman Jody Reed grounded to Gaetti at third, and the around-the-horn triple play was duplicated.  The Twins, despite the triple killings, lost the contest 1-0 on an unearned run.

Other triple play factoids of interest to BBRT”

-  Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson holds the MLB record for hitting into triple plays with four;

- In 1962, Mets’ catcher Joe Pignatano ended his six-year MLB playing career by hitting into a triple play in his final at bat;

-  Ron Wright, in April 2002, had a one-game MLB career as a Designated Hitter for the Seattle Mariners.  He garnered three at bats – striking out, hitting into a triple play and hitting into a double play.  Three at bats – six outs – one MLB career.

By the way, Wright was a “glass-half-full” kind of guy, who always referred to his one MLB game as “the best day of my professional life.” For more on Wright, who was a legitimate prospect, see BBRT’s post April 28, 2012 – when BBRT took a look at the best and worst one-game MLB careers.

BASEBRAWLS

A little rant here.  We are seeing lots of “noise” around the recent injury to Zach Greinke, when Carlos Quentin charged the mound after being hit by a pitch.  BBRT noted that almost every bit of sports coverage, in the first or second paragraph, notes that the Dodgers lost their “$147-million pitcher.”  Would we be seeing all this concern, and calls for rules changes and lengthy suspensions, if the injured hurler had been a journeyman middle reliever?  BBRT regrets the injury to Greinke, but sees a lot of over-reaction out there.

 

Joe Adcock, principal in one of baseball’s legendary confrontations.

All this mound-charging debate took BBRT back to July 17, 1956, when Giants’ pitcher Ruben Gomez beaned red-hot Milwaukee slugger (first baseman) Joe Adcock twice in one plate appearance.  In the second inning of a Giants’ 11-inning 8-6 win, Gomez hit Adcock (who had hit eight home runs in the past ten games) in the wrist with a pitch. 

As Adcock trotted to first, words were exchanged and the 6’4”, 210-pound slugger rushed the mound.  The 6’, 170-pound Gomez – who had already received a new ball from the umpire – selected his weapon, firing the horsehide at Adcock and hitting him (a second time) in the left thigh.  As players poured from the dugouts, Gomez, unlike Greinke, thought better of facing his larger and angrier opponent – taking flight into and through the Giants’ dugout, all the way to the locker room.  As reported in “The Milwaukee Braves – A Baseball Eulogy,” Adcock charged right into the Giants’ dugout in pursuit, but was restrained by New York players and coaches – who were joined by uniformed police officers trying to restore order.  Quick-thinking organist Jane Jarvis broke into an impromptu rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which quelled the disturbance.  

When the game resumed, both Gomez and Adcock had been ejected and police officers were stationed (temporarily) in front of the Giants’ dugout.  (It has also been reported that Gomez had retrieved an ice pick from the clubhouse, but was disarmed and disuaded by teammates before he could return to the field.)  Associated Press reports indicated that, after the game, both Gomez and Adcock agreed the incident was best forgotten.  Hmm?  Advice for today’s Dodgers and Padres?

EARLY SEASON SURPRISES – ALTHOUGH TOO EARLY TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS

- Red Sox and Yanks atop the AL East, Blue Jays in last place – although only 1 ½ games separate the pack.

- Kansas City leading the AL Central – and Detroit 5-5 after ten games.

- Oakland proving to be “real” at 9-2, loaded Angels starting at 2-8.

- Many-Snow-Ta weather – which really shouldn’t surprise Twins’ fans at all.

- Arizona atop the NL West (although the  favored Giants are only ½ game out).

NOT UNEXPECTED

- Atlanta and Washington atop NL East.

- St. Louis and Cincinnati heading up NL Central.

 

photo by: Keith Allison
Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Rants & Raves

DH 40th Anniversary – A Walk In The Park

April 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Not everyone in the lineup needs one of these – at least not in the AL.

Today, the American League marks the 40th Anniversary of the initial regular season use of the Designated Hitter – a day of celebration or chagrin, depending on your stance on the issue.   (Note:  BBRT is not a big fan of the DH, but I’ve ranted about that often enough.)

A bit of trivia for you baseball history buffs.  Ron Blomberg of the Yankees was the first player to officially come to the plate as a DH – as the Yanks faced off against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, on April 6, 1973.  On the hill for the Red Sox was Louis Tiant, coming off a 15-6 season (with a league-low 1.91 ERA) in 1972) and on his way to 20 wins in 1973.  Tiant, however, did not get off to a great start.  That first inning – and Blomberg’s historic plate appearance – went like this.  Yankee Second baseman Horace Clarke singled; center fielder Roy White struck out, with Clarke thrown out stealing; right fielder Matty Alou doubled; center fielder Bobby Murcer walked; third baseman Greg Nettles walked.  This brought up MLB’s first DH in an historic spot, bases loaded, two outs.  The result was a bit anticlimactic.  Blomberg walked to force in a run.

Tiant did settle down, earning a complete-game, 15-5 win.  As a DH, Blomberg added a single, going 1-for-3.  His counterpart DH on the Red Sox – Orlando Cepeda – did not fare as well.  Despite Boston’s 20-hit attack, Cepeda went 0-for-6, with two strikeouts.  Thus began the era of the American League DH – still alive forty years later – much to BBRT’s chagrin. 

photo by: biggertree
Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News, Rants & Raves

Chris Davis on Pace for 648-RBI Season

April 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Chris Davis – off to a record-setting and record-chasing start.

Orioles’ first baseman Chris Davis is making a lot of fantasy baseball owners – not to mention Orioles’ fans – happy.  He’s off to a blazing start.  After four games, including yesterday’s grand slam against BBRT’s beloved Twins, Davis is nine for 15 (.600 average), with four home runs and 16 RBI (more RBI than 25 of the thirty teams in MLB).

This is a truly record-setting pace.  Only three other players have started a season going deep in the first four games – Willie Mays (1971), Mark McGwire (1998), Nelson Cruz (2011).  No one has homered in the first five games of any season – so keep an eye on the Orioles/Twins today.  Davis also broke the RBI record for the first four games of a season – we do count everything in baseball, don’t we?  The previous record of 12 was shared by Dolph Camilli (1935), Mark McGwire (1998) and Charles Johnson (2000). 

Going forward, here are a few marks Davis can swing for: 

Most consecutive games with an RBI:  AL, 14 games, Tris Speaker, Philadelphia, 1928; NL & MLB, 17 games, Ray Grimes, Chicago (NL), 1922

Most RBI in April:  AL & MLB, 35, Juan Gonzalez, Texas, 1998

Most RBI any month:  NL & MLB, 61 RBI, Sam Thompson, Philadelphia, August 1894; AL, 53 RBI, Joe DiMaggio, New York, August 1939

Most consecutive games with a home run:  NL, AL & MLB, 8 games, Dale Long, Pittsburgh (NL), 1956; Don Mattingly, New York (AL), 1987; Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle, 1993

Most HR in April: AL. NL & MLB, 14 HRs, Alex Rodriguez, New York (AL), 2007; Albert Pujols, St. Louis, 2000

Most HR any month:  NL & MLB, 20 HR, Sammy Sosa, Chicago, June 1998; AL, 18 HR, Rudy York, Detroit, 1937

photo by: Keith Allison
Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Chilly Beginning to Twins Season

April 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Baseball is back in Minnesota – “cooler” than ever.

BBRT was in the stands – on the very chilly third deck – for the Twins home opening 4-2 loss to the highly-compensated Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.  BBRT survived a brisk wind and temps that my IPhone indicated dropped into the twenties during the game (other sources quoted the low at 34 degrees), but came close to not surviving the $8 price tag on a cup of vendor-delivered hot chocolate.  Among the keys to my enjoyment were long underwear, two pair of gloves, boots and earmuffs – all Opening Day firsts for BBRT. All around me I saw stadium (ballpark) blankets, hoodies, hats with earflaps – and, of course, truly “ice cold” beer.  And I could have sworn I saw a couple of hitters sporting mittens instead of batting gloves.

Still it was baseball and the well-bundled crowd enjoyed the atmosphere of Opening Day.  As for BBRT, I dutifully kept my scorecard up to date until my pen stopped  delivering ink in the eighth inning, when I retreated to the already crowded (Kent) Hrbek’s Pub to catch the final nine outs on the big screen (in a crowd that drew warmth from each other).

Overall, the 3 ½-hour game was less than cleanly played, as the players, at times, seemed to have trouble getting the feel of the ball (2 errors, three wild pitches). Twins fans did get to see a lot of new faces, including the starting pitcher (Vance Worley), who proved his Minnesota-worthiness by taking the mound in bare-armed short sleeves and new leadoff man Aaron Hicks (who helped justify Verlander’s new contract with three early strikeouts).  And, there were MVPs in abundance – Verlander, Miguel Cabrera (also last year’s Triple Crown winner), Joe Mauer (also a three-time batting champ) and Justin Morneau. And, there was the tension of a close game – the Twins left twelve men on base in a 2-run game and just couldn’t seem to get the big hit (or sacrifice fly).  Having twelve batters go down on strikes will do that to you.  For BBRT, the season was officially welcomed in the second inning, with the first (witnessed by me) 6-4-3 (Florimon to Dozier to Morneau) double play.  For BBRT, double plays are a thing of beauty.

In addition, the beer was cold, the hot dogs steaming (as was my breath), the ball stark white against green grass and blue sky, the crack of the bat as sharp as ever, the scorecard cheap and informative, the home team garb plentiful throughout the sellout crowd – and there was a full slate of games being reported on the scoreboard.

So, all in all, despite the cold, there was plenty to enjoy at Target Field.  Most important, however, baseball is back!  BBRT note: Also enjoyed a truly cold pre-game brew with Ballpark Tours operator Julian Loscalzo on Cuzzy’s Bar & Grill’s outdoor patio – a markedly Minnesotan way to precede the opener.  (See www.ballparktours.net for info on this year’s trips.)  Julian’s beloved Phillies opened in Atlanta, where it was reportedly in the 70s. 

Clayton Kershaw – a shutout and a homer on Opening Day. LET THE PITCHERS HIT!

While Julian may have envied the fans in Atlanta, I was envious of those in Los Angeles, who not only enjoyed the California warmth, but saw HOFer Sandy Koufax toss out the first pitch – and then enjoyed their Dodgers beating the long-time rival Giants 4-0, behind Clayton Kershaw’s complete-game shutout.  They also witnessed Kershaw becoming the first pitcher since Bob Lemon (in 1953) to hurl a shutout and hit a homer on Opening Day.  The result reminded me – one more time – of why I still oppose the DH.  A couple of other reasons:  On June 23, 1971, Phillies’ right-hander Rick Wise no-hit the Reds at Cincinnati 4-0 (one walk, three strikeouts) and also drove in three runs with a pair of homers (he would hit six dingers that year) – making him the only pitcher to hit two homers in a no-hit performance.  Another reason?  The first National Leaguer to hit two grand slams in a single game?  Atlanta Braves pitcher Tony Cloninger, in a July 3,  1966, 17-3 road win over the Giants.  Cloninger also added a single and had nine RBI in the contest.  So, I say, let the hurlers hit.

In a final Opening Day thought – since April 1 was this year’s official Opening DAY (versus March 31, Opening NIGHT) – BBRT offers a tribute to late MLB umpire John McSherry, who suffered a fatal heart attack while working the plate at the Cincinnati Reds’ home opener (against the Expos) on April 1, 1996.  Seven pitches into the contest, McSherry called a timeout and began to walk toward the Reds’ dugout before stumbling and falling.  McSherry, a 25-year MLB umpiring veteran, had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and was scheduled to see a doctor the next day. It was reported that McSherry had cancelled an earlier appointment because he didn’t want to miss Opening Day.   McSherry was rushed to a hospital, where the 51-year-old was pronounced dead about an hour later.   (The game was postponed and played, from its beginning, the following day.)

Well-respected and well-liked, McSherry worked a dozen post-season series, including the 1977 and 1987 World Series, as well as the 1975, 1982 and 1991 All Star games. He was behind the plate for Larry Dierker’s July 9, 1976 no-hitter, as well as for the 1977 World Series contest in which Reggie Jackson belted three home runs. He was also behind the plate, doing what he loved on April 1, 1996.

photo by: bryce_edwards
Filed Under: Ballpark Tours, BB Fun Facts, News, Rants & Raves, Uncategorized

2013 NL Preview and Predictions

March 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BBRT has posted its AL predictions (see post of February 28), now let’s shift to the Senior Circuit, where all three division races appear to offer some great  competition.  The East could go to the Nationals or Braves, the Dodgers seem ready to challenge the Giants in the West and the Cardinals may push the Reds in the Central.  Here is BBRT’s take on the NL.

MVP

Matt Kemp puts it all together to lead the Dodgers to the playoffs.  Kemp puts up a .300-30-100 season, and swaps 30 bags.  His main competition comes from Joey Votto of the Reds and a surprising season from the Braves’ Justin Upton.

Cy Young

The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw edges out the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg and the Reds’ Johnny Cueto in a tight vote.

Rookie of the  Year

The Cardinals’ Shelby Miller wins 15 games to take the award from Travis d’Arnoud of the Mets, with the Diamondbacks Tyler Skaggs finishing a surpisring strong third.

Now for the division races:

AL EAST – Nationals

A full season of Stephen Strasburg will make the Nats even better.

The Nationals had the best record in baseball last year, and they appear to have gotten stronger.  With the Nats, it all starts with pitching.  A full year of Stephen Strasburg (no shut down in 2013) should enable the D.C. star to top his 15-6, 3.16 season.  Then there’s 21-game winner (2.89) Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman (12-8, 2.94), Ross Detwiler (10-8, 3.40) and newcomer Dan Haren, who had an injury-marred 2012 season with the Angels (12-14, 4.33), but who  has a 3.66 career ERA (10 seasons). The Nationals’ rotation had the lowest ERA in the NL a year ago, and they are likely to retain that crown.

The starting rotation is backed by a strong bullpen, led by closer Drew Storen (back after saving 43 games in 2011, but missing much of 2012). Tyler Clippard, who saved 32 games (3.72 ERA) in Storen’s absence, returns as a top setup man and insurance at closer.  Other key bullpen assets include Ryan Mattheus (5-3, 2.85 in 66 appearances) and Craig Stammen (6-1, 2.34 in 59 games).  Zack Duke, who looked strong in a late season call-up will handle long relief.

While it starts with pitching in the nation’s Capitol, it’s not all about pitching.  Phenom Bryce Harper (.270-22-59, with 98 runs and 18 steals) can be expected to build on his rookie season.  First baseman Michael Morse is coming off a .291-18-62 season – in just 102 games –  and outfielder Jayson Werth is recovered from a broken wrist that limited him to .300-5-31 in 81 games. Full seasons from Morse and Werth should help ease the loss of Adam LaRoche (271-33-100 last year).  Also providing offense are second baseman Ian Desmond (.292-25-73), third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (.282-25-95) and newcomer to the outfield Denard Span (.283, with 71 runs and 17 stolen bases for the Twins).

All in all, the Nationals are more than ready to defend their AL East Crown, they will be chased by (in order) the:

Braves … The Atlanta squad has a chance to upset the Nationals, using a combination of power and – like the Nationals – youth.  The offense starts in the outfield, with 23-year-old Jayson Heyward (.269-27-82, with 21 stolen bases and plenty of room to grow.)  He will be joined in the garden by newcomers Justin (.280, with 17 home runs, 107 runs scored and 18 steals for Arizona) and B.J. (.246-28-78, with 31 steals for Tampa Bay) Upton.  All three are under thirty and have the potential to push each other to greater heights in 2013.  The lineup also includes a couple of additional 23-year-olds in first basemanFreddie Freeman (23 homers and 94 RBI) and flashy fielding shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who hit .289 in 49 games last season.  Dan Uggla at second and Brian McCann behind the plate will add punch to the offense and a veteran presence in the clubhouse  – although there is a hole to file at third (Chipper Jones).

The Braves have perhaps the hardest throwing bullpen in baseball, led by closer Craig Kimbrel (42 saves, 1.01 ERA, 116 strikeouts  in 63 innings).  The difference between the Braves and Nationals is the starting rotation.  The Braves have some quality arms (Kris Medlen, Tim Hudson, Pat Maholm, and Mike Minor, with Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado fighting for a spot), but they have not proven the abilty to perform at the Nationals’ level.

Phillies … The Phils can keep it interesting behind the arms of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels – as good a top three as there is in baseball.  The bullpen, beyond Jonathan Papelbon and newcomer Mike Adams, is suspect and the offense is starting to show  its age.   Comeback seasons from Ryan Howard and Chase Utley would go a long way toward making the Phillies a force in the pennant race.

Mets … The Mets have David Wright (.306-21-93) and Ike Davis (.227-32-90) to power the offense, as well as high hopes for rookie catcher Travis d’Arnaud (acquired in the trade of Cy Young  winner R.A. Dickey) – but a lot of holes to fill beyond that. 

Marlins … Fire Sale – come to see Giancarlo Stanton hit long bombs …  enough said.

 

AL Central – Reds

Joey Votto will power the Reds.

The Reds should repeat as NL Central Champs, but not without a fight from the Cardinals.  The Reds return a strong rotation and a solid everyday lineup.  In fact, during the offseason, the one thing the Reds truly were shopping for was a leadoff hitter.  They got one in the Indians Shin-Soo Choo (.283-16-67, with 21 steals for the Indians), who will patrol centerfield in 2013.

The middle of the lineup is once again strong:  first baseman Joey Votto (.337-14-56 in 111 games); left fielder Ryan Ludwick (.275-26-80); and right fielder Jay Bruce (.252-34-99).  With Choo leading off, second baseman Brandon Phillips will add power and speed (.281, 18 homers, 15 steals) from the number-two spot in the order.  At the bottom of the order, frosting on the cake, third baseman Todd Frazier and shortstop Zack Cozart contributed a combined 34 roundtrippers.

This 2013 squad has the ability to put runs on the board – and they have the ability to keep the opposition at bay as well.

The starting rotation is solid, with four starters topping 200 innings.  Number-one is Johnny Cueto, still improving at age 27 and coming off a 19-9, 2.78 season.  Then there’s Mat Latos (14-4, 3.48), Homer Bailey (13-10, 3.68) and Bronson Arroyo (12-10, 3.74).  Most likely joining, and improving, the rotation in 2013 is fire-balling reliever Aroldis Chapman.

The bullpen will be led by Jonathan Broxton, who saved 27 games with the Royals and Reds in 2012.  Support will come from the likes of Sean Marshall (5-5, 2.52, 9 saves in 73 appearances; Jose Arrendondo (6-2, 2.95 in 66 appearances); Alfredo Simon (3-2, 2.66 in 36 appearances; and Logan Ondrusek (5-2, 3.46 in 63 appearances).

Very simply, “The Red are Ready.”  This is a good team, top to bottom, and should repeat as Division champs, followed by the:

Cardinals … The loss of Chris Carpenter is a tough blow, but the Cardinals still have quality pitching with Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn and Jake Westbrook (a combined 45 wins last year) and  potential Rookie of the Year Shelby Miller expected to make the rotation.  The starters are supported by a solid bullpen, led by closer Jason Motte (42 saves a year ago).  Offensively, Matt Holiday, Carlos Beltran, Yadier Molina, David Freese and Allen Craig all topped 20 home runs in 2013.  The Cards should keep it interesting

Pirates … Every year I expect them to break .500, maybe this is the year, but now I doubt it. It’s really the Andrew McCutchen and Garret Jones show on offense – and A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez on the mound.  In 2013, newcomer (C) Rusell Martin should boost  the offense and  good seasons by Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker would help.  There seems to be more hope than help after A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez in the competition for the starting rotation.   

Brewers … The Brewers will go as far as their offense (Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Aramis Ramirez) will take them – and drop as far as their pitching  will pull them (Yovani Gallardo will lead a relatively inexperience and unproven starting staff – supported by a bullpen that added fuel to plenty of fires a year ago). 

Cubs …  The Cubs have been headed in the wrong direction – winning fewer games each season since their 2008 playoff appearance.  2013 doesn’t look to reverse that trend.  Still, there are Anthony Rizzo’s bat, Darwin Barney’s glove, Starlin Castro’s speed to watch and Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville to enjoy. Just don’t expect too many wins.

 

WEST – Giants

Buster Posey to help Giants repeat.

It starts with pitching for the defending West Division champs – and there is enough of it to enable the Giants to defend the crown.  First is often unsung Cy Young candidate Matt Cain (16-5, 2.79).  Number-two is lefty Madison Bumgarner  (16-11, 3.37) – as good a right-lefty combo as you’ll findin the NL.  Three and four are Ryan Volgelson and Barry Zito, who won 14 and 15 games respectively in 2012.  The wild card is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.  The wheels came off last year (10-15, 5.18) and the Giants still led the Division.  If the 29-year-old rights the ship, the Giants’ vaunted rotation gets even stronger.

With Brian Wilson gone, the bullpen is a little less set.  Sergio Romo 4-2, 1.79, 14 saves) has the advantage, but he’ll get plenty of support (and competition) from Santiago Casilla (7-6, 2.84, 25 saves).  Also in the pen are quality veterans Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez.

The offense is not as potent as the pitching, but there is enough to get the job done.  At the 2-4-5 spots, the Giants have hard hitting (but injury prone) Pablo Sandoval, MVP Buster Posey and the overlooked Hunter Pence (.253-24-104 with the Phillies and Giants).  Setting the table are (CF) Angel Pagan and (2B) Marco Scutaro – who both had  career years in 2012.  Also contributing is the improving Brandon Belt.  Another Brandon – shortstop Brandon Crawford – solidified the infield with Gold Glove-caliber defense.  Ultimately, it’s not a flashy, star-powered offense, but it has the pieces to get the job done.  Following the Giants will be:

Dodgers … If things go right, the Dodgers (with MLB’s highest payroll) could unseat the Giants.  There is star power in LA, and not just in Hollywood.

Let’s start with the lineup.  The heart of the order is slated to include Adrian Gonzalez (1B), Matt Kemp (CF), Andre Ethier (RF) … a formidable trio, but not  without issues.  Kemp – with the potential to be a Triple Crown candidate (with speed) – is coming back from offseason elbow surgery and Gonzalez is still figuring out how to hit in Dodger Stadium.  Joining this trio as run-makers are shortstop Hanley Ramirez (.257-24-92, with 21 steals for Miami and LA) and speedy Carl Crawford (coming off elbow surgery). What makes this team even more interesting is bench strength – Jerry Hairston, Jr., Skip Schumaker, and Nick Punto are a high-quality, versatile bunch.

The rotation is sound – but just as the Giants don’t have the offensive stars of the Dodgers, LA’s stardom does not go as deep on the mound.  Still Cy Young candidate (maybe favorite) Clayton Kershaw, newly acquired Zack Grienke, Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley and Korean Baseball sensation Hyun-Jin Ryu should keep the Dodgers in the race. The bullpen is also deep, with closer Brandon League and a support staff of Kenley Jansen, Javy Guerra and J.P. Howell.

If Crawford and Kemp are healthy and Grienke earns his contract, LA and SF will likely change places … both teams should make the playoffs.

Diamondbacks … Make no doubt about it, this is a pretty good team – just unfortunate to play in the NL West – and newcomer (in the Justin Upton trade) Martin Prado’s bat, versatile glove and attitude will make them better.  Prado – who played five positions last year – should take over third base for the Snakes.  With Atlanta in 2012, he hit .301 (he’s topped .300 in four of the last five seasons and has a .295 career average), with 10 home runs, 70 RBI, 81 runs and 17 steals.  He’ll probably slip into the five- or six-hole in the D-backs’ lineup, which includes quality reliable bats in catcher Miguel Montero (.286-15-88), outfielder Jason Kubel (.253-30-90), still improving first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (.286-20-82) and outfield Cody Ross (.267-22-82), along with platesetters Aaron Hill and Adam Eaton.

The rotation is solid, if not spectacular, led by righty Ian Kennedy (15-12, 4.02 – and a 21-game winner in 2011) and young lefty Wade Miley (16-11, 3.33), runner up to Bryce Harper for NL Rookie of the Year.  Trevor Cahill, Brandon and Patrick Corbin will round out the rotation.  The bullpen is in good hands with closer J.J. Putz (77 saves in the past two seasons), Health Bell and Brad Ziegler.

Padres … The offense is led by third baseman Chase Headley, who broke out with a .286-31-115 season (17 steals) – despite playing a pitcher’s park.  The offense drops off pretty fast.  Only one other Padre topped 50 RBI, rookie first baseman Yonder Alonso (.273-9-62) and only one other Padre reached 10 home run (Carlos Quentin, .261-16-46 in 86 games).  A full season of Quentin would help the Padres and provide some protection for Headley.  The pitching staff is without a true ace, Clayton Richard led the way with a 14-14, 3.99 record, followed by Edison Volquez at 11-11, 4.14.  It’s not a good thing when you play in one of MLB’s most pitcher-friendly parks and still have concerns about your rotation.  Huston  Street heads fairly strong bullpen (Luke Gregerson, Dale Thayer, Brad Bach). 

Rockies … The Rockies are long on offense (Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitski,  Todd Helton, Wilin Rosario, Micheal Cuddyer) if they are healthy.   Helton, Gonzalez and Tulo all fought the injury bug last season.  Pitching, however, is another story.  Yes, it’s Coors Field, but Colorado starters rang up MLB’s highest ERA at 5.81.  No starter reached 120 innings and reliever Rex Brothers led the team with eight wins.  The relief staff, led by closer Rafeal Betancourt (31 saves) is adequate – but suffers the consequences of overwork (the Rockies set an MLB record  with 657 relief innings last season.)  Still Betancourt, Brothers, Matt Belisle and Wilton Lopez are a game bunch out of the pen. A little improvement in the rotation would move the Rockies past the Padres. 

 

Wild Cards – Dodgers, Braves

NL Champions – Nationals

Filed Under: News

AL Division Winners – 2013 Predictions

February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

The next couple of posts will take a look at BBRT’s annual “predictions,” starting with the American League – where I expect quite a shakeup at the top, including a playoff scenario that does not include the Red Sox (new attitude, not as much talent) nor the Yankees (age and injuries catching up).  First the individual awards, then the Division Winners and Wild Cards

MVP – Evan Longoria

Longoria puts in a full season and leads the Rays to a Wild Card spot.  He edges out Mike Trout and Albert Pujols of the Angels (who suffer the fate of playing on a team with three potential MVP’s – Trout, Pujols, Hamilton) and Miguel Cabrera, who splits support with Justin Verlander and Prince  Fielder.  Supporting evidence?  In 2012, the Rays were 47-27 with Longoria in the lineup, 43-45 without him. 

Cy Young – Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander brings home the trophy, finishing in the top three in pretty much every pitching category.  His main competition comes from the Rangers’ Yu Darvish and the Angels’ Jered Weaver

Rookie of the Year – Jurickson Profar

In a close race, Rangers’ switch-hitting infielder Jurickson Profar’s combination of power, speed and defensive ability enables him to not only earn an early season spot in the everyday lineup, but also to squeak by Rays outfielder Wil Myers in the ROY race.

Now for the Division Winners:

WEST – Angels

Albert Pujols will have even more help in the Angels lineup this season.

Once again, the Angels went big on the free agent market – adding Josh Hamilton to a line-up that already featured Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo.  Last season, that quartet put up 135 home runs and drove in 411 runners.  The Angels also have some speed, with Trout’s 49 steals, second baseman Kendricks’ 14 and shortstop Erick Aybar’s 20.  The starting pitching is solid at the top with Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, but it gets a bit thin at 3-5 (Jason Vargas, Tommy Hanson and Joe Blanton).  Of greater concerns is whether the relief corps goes deep enough with off-season acquisition Ryan Madson (tabbed as closer) recently suffering a setback in his Tommy John rehab.  Ernesto Frieri seems ready to fill that gap, having saved 23 games a year ago (80 strikeouts in 54 innings).  Still, BBRT thinks the offense will be enough to bring the Angels home in first place this  time.  The rest, in order of finish:

Rangers … still plenty of offense (Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler) and pitching (Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Joe Nathan.  But losing Josh Hamilton and missing out on Zach Grienke  will see them falling short.

A’s … Young pitching may keep them in the race, but not much offense after Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss.

Mariners … Everything pretty thin after King Felix.

Astros … New league, same result.

 

EAST-Blue Jays

R.A. Dickey takes his knuckler … and Cy Young credentials … to the Blue Jays.

Used to be the off-season for the AL East was all about the Yankees and Red Sox making move and counter move in an effort to finish at the top.  Move over tradition – the Blue Jays are here.  There was the 12-player trade with the Marlins that brought Toronto the likes of shortstop Jose Reyes (considered to have had a bit of an off season in 2012, despite going .287, with 11 home runs and 40 steals); second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (30 steals in 2012); and a pair of solid starting pitchers in innings-eating lefty Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74) and Josh Johnson (8-14, but with a 3.81 ERA last season).  Then they added the NL Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey from the Mets.  Also new to the team is Melky Cabrera, out to prove his solid pre-suspension numbers for the Giants weren’t all PED-related.

These new cast members joined holdovers like righty Brandon Morrow (10-7, 2.96 in 21 starts); power-hitting Edwin Encarcion and Jose Bautista; and third-baseman Brett Lawrie (just 23), who went .273-11-48 in his first full season in the bigs.  The supporting cast looks just fine as well.  Catcher J.P. Arencibia contributed 18 roundtrippers and 56 RBI; and outfielder Colby Rasmus added 23 homers and 75 RBI.

The bullpen, led by Casey Janssen (1-1, 22 saves, 2.64 and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings), Sergio Santos and Darren Oliver may not have “star power,” but should be strong enough to help move the revamped Jays from last year’s 73 wins to 91 and first place in a very tight AL East.  The rest of the Division: 

Rays … Quality pitching and a full season of big banger Evan Longoria keeps them in the race, but there are one bat short.

Yankees … Still a lot of talent on this squad, but age and injury  take their toll.

Red Sox … Clubhouse attitude should be vastly improved, product on the field just enough to climb out of the cellar.

Orioles … 2012 Cinderella team here’s the clock strike midnight.  No true ace on the pitching staff (Wei-Yin Chen led starters with 12 wins last year) and – despite balanced lineup, the Orioles comes back to reality.  Two things not likely to repeat:  a 29-9 record in one-run games and 51 saves from Jim Johnson (although 40 is a real possibility).  

 

AL CENTRAL – Tigers

Miguel Cabrera will help power the Tigers back to the World Series.

Not much contention here.  Whether it’s power bats or power arms, the Tigers have what they need to take it all in the AL Central.  The offense is led (at the corners) by Triple Crown and MVP winner Miguel Cabrera (.327-44-139) and Price Fielder (.313-30-108), while the pitching staff boasts consistent Cy Young candidates Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) and Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74) – who finished 1 & 2 in the AL strikeout race.

Offensively, the Tigers also expect solid contributions from centerfielder Austin Jackson in the leadoff spot (.300, with 103 runs, 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases a year ago.) They let post-season hero Delmon Young slip away in the off season, but added veteran outfielder Torii Hunter, who comes into the season at 37-years-old – but also off a .313-16-92 season with the Angels.  He should more than make up for Young’s loss at the plate, in the field and in the club house.  The Tiger are also excited about Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia (27- and 22-years-old, respectively) – who both performed well in limited time last year. 

The coming season will also see the return of Victor Martinez (at DH), who missed all of last season (knee surgery).  In 2011, Martinez, with a lifetime .303 average over ten seasons, hit .330, with 12 home runs and 103 RBI.  A return to even near-form would be like adding a premier free agent.  At the bottom of the lineup, you’ll likely find steady shortstop Jhonny Peralta, catcher Alex Avila and second baseman Omar Infante, who will hold their own. 

Getting back to the starting rotation, 3-4-5 look to be Doug Fister, Anibel Sanchez and either Rick Porcello or Drew Smyly.  With the offense the Tigers bring to the plate, that rotation should be more than enough.

The only question mark is the relief staff.  The Tigers let closer Jose Valverde leave via free agency and the leading candidate to replace him appears to be 22-year-old flame-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon – who moved from A to AA to AAA a year ago, going a combined 2-1, 1.53 with 29 saves and 66 punch outs in 53 innings.  There’s plenty of experience in the rest of the pen, with Octovio Dotel, Joaquin Benoit and Phil Coke.  But, if Rondon falters, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Tigers go out and get a bonafide ninth-inning hurler.

All in all, Detroit is a well-balanced squad that should easily win the Central – followed by:

White Sox … Solid starting pitching (Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, John Danks, Gavin Floyd) and some Punch in the lineup (Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and youngster Dayan Viciedo), plus off-season pickup (3B) Jeff Keppinger (.325 with the Rays last year) help keep the White Sox in the race.  Still the Sox have more questions (Danks’ recovery from surgery, Konerko’s age, can Flowers replace Pierzynski) and less talent up and down the roster than the Tigers.  

Royals … Took steps forward in the off-season, but after newcomers true “ace” James Shields and Wade Davis, the starting rotation lacks a record of consistency.  Still, a strong  bullpen and the bats of Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar should keep them at or near .500.  To go further, they need more from high-potentil corner  infielders Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas and a return to form at the back end of the rotation (Ervin Santana, Bruce Chen, Jeremy Guthrie).

Indians … The tribe made strides on offense with the addition of Nick Swisher and Micheal Bourn and they are strong up the middle with (c) Carlos Santana, (2B) Jason Kipnis, (SS) Asdrubal Cabrera and newly acquired speedy center fielder Drew Stubbs.  Questions remain at the corners and in the rotation – number-two looks like Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.4o last season).

Twins … The Twins’ off-season moves appear good for the future, but the outlook for 2013 is not as bright.  A revamped pitching staff  looks to include acquisitions Vance Worley, and Mike Pelfrey – both coming off surgery – as is holdover Scott Diamond, the Twins’ best 2012 starter.  Could be a lot of work for a solid bullpen, led by closer Glen Perkins. There is some potential in the lineup with former MVPs Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, slugging outfielder Josh Willingham and steady Ryan Doumit.  Still, there are questions in the infield and center field (where the Twins traded away Denard Span and Ben Revere). But there is hope on the horizon, with prospects like pitchers Trevor May, Alex Meyer and Kyle Gibson (who could make the 2013 rotation) and infielder Miguel Sano in the wings.  

Wild Cards:  Rangers and Rays.

 AL Champion:  Tigers … Verlander and Scherzer provide the edge, as two offensive juggernauts (Angels/Tigers) face off. 

Coming soon … a look at the NL. 

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