Blog Archives
Adam Jones Is In One Of His Moods And It’s Hard To Blame Him
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsThursday February.28, 2013
Adam Jones had his 4th straight improved season for overall numbers in 2012 while hitting .287 with 32 HRs, Driving in 82 RBI and scoring 103 Runs. Having signed a big contract of 6 Years/$85 Million Dollar Contract recently, he will need to show a steady improvement going forward as the teams best player.
By Chance Moore (Orioles Correspondent) Follow @chancemoore_EB
The Orioles did what many thought would be impossible in 2012. They ended a string of 14 straight losing seasons and played all the way into October before losing a very tight American League Division Series to the New York Yankees.
So why is everybody so convinced that they will stumble back to mediocrity this year? Why are the so-called experts and oddsmakers setting the bar so low when the Orioles have basically the same team back and have a chance to get much more from several key players who were injured in 2013?
Adam Jones Highlights in 2012: Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised!
Sabathia Looks For More AL Supremacy + Eventual Election Into The BBHOF!
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, January.15/2013
Sabathia is 85-31 (.762) since a 2008 mid-season trade from the Indians to the Brewers. The Yankees current ace has won 74 games in his 1st 4 years with the Bronx Bombers. He has made the playoffs in the last 6 years with CLE/MIL and NYY – with 4 ALCS trips and a World Series win in 2009. He is 7-3 with a 3.50 ERA in the Post Season for the Yankees.
By Chuck Booth (Yankees Correspondent/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
CC Sabathia is a BEAST. You just have to look at the 6 FT 7 – 300 LBS+ man to see that. If it is possible by playing in New York City – and under the brightest lights, that this man is underrated, despite being a Bronx Bomber. Heading into 2013, ‘Carsten Charles’ (not Captain Crunch as some opposing fans have called him for his love of the Cereal) is 191-102 in his astute Pitching Career, with an ERA of 3.50. What is more impressive than this are his numbers as a member of the New York Yankees – and playing in both Yankee Stadium and the vaunted AL East and amongst many of the top offensive clubs in the Major Leagues. #52 is 74-29 (.718) for the Yankees with a 3.22 ERA. He has made 3 ALL-Star Appearances and has had 3 top 4 AL CY Young Award finishes in the last 4 campaigns. The verdict: the man has been truly dominant in Pinstripes!
In the 1st year of his big contract in 2009, Sabathia led the AL in wins with 19 – en route to a World Series Championship effort. Sabathia had a brilliant Post Season, going 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 36.1 IP. The big man also Struckout 32 Batters and only yielded 9 Walks. His only loss came in Game #1 of the World Series, when Chase Utley had a career game. Sabathia bounced back in Game #4 of the Fall Classic (with a QS – ND) and the Yankees ended up winning the contest to take a commanding 3 games to 1 ead, instead of having the Phillies tie the Series at 2 should he of had a bad start.
Sabathia is a winner and maybe the last guy to win 300 Games in the Majors. At Age 32, the guy has a contract to pitch for the Yankees until 2018. In his first 4 seasons he has averaged 18.5 Wins per year. Even if the man only averages 15 wins a year for that time frame, he would be at around 265 wins at Age 37. He could possibly end his career with New York – who would bet against him pitching until he is 40 to chalk up another 35 wins between 38 and that age?
CC Sabathia 2011 Highlights – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised.
The Legacy of Chris Carpenter: Savior in St. Louis
Thursday October 18th, 2012
Chris Carpenter started his career in Toronto after being the 15th overall selection in the 1994 draft. After the 2001 season, the Toronto Blue Jays made a calculated decision not to offer Carpenter a major league contract. He elected for free agency, rather than pitching in the minors for Toronto, and his legacy in St. Louis began when the Cardinals picked him up.
Alex Mednick (Baseball Analyst and Writer):
The legend of Chris Carpenter started as a 19-year-old pitching for the Medicine Hat Blue Jays in 1994. He was the 15th overall pick by the World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays in the 1993 draft. He was a physical specimen built to stand atop a 9.5” hill and stare down at hitters as they stared back at his 6 foot, 6 inch frame. Drafted out of Manchester, New Hampshire, the 19-year-old already had a plus fastball and a nice curveball. By 1997, at the age of 22, Chris Carpenter had broken into the Toronto Blue Jays rotation and was pitching against the best hitters in the world.
As a mid-season call up in 1997, Carpenter struggled in Toronto, hosting an ERA above 5.00 and a record of 3-7 over 13 games. His role in Toronto was mostly to eat innings, and he was there to gain experience and hopefully blossom into what the Blue Jays brass new head could be. He was in a rotation that consisted of the 1996 AL Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen, as well as the 1997 AL Cy Young winner Roger Clemens, so he had some serious mentors to help guide him on breaking into the big leagues. Despite his amazing talent, Carpenter struggled for most of his first season in Toronto and was eventually moved into the bullpen. In 1998 however, he emerged and gave everyone at least a glimpse of what would eventually come of Chris Carpenter, while proving himself to already be a competent starter capable of winning games. He led the Toronto Blue Jays (tied with Pat Hentgen) with 12 wins in 1998, and continued to pitch well into 1999…at least until he became cursed by a spell of injuries. Read the rest of this entry
Orioles vs. Yankees: Curse of Maier May Be Over
Wednesday October 10th, 2012
The last time the Yankees and Orioles met in Postseason play was in 1996. The Orioles lost that series, and a lot of fingers were pointed at the controversial home run caught young fan, Jeffrey Maier. The Orioles postseason fate may be different this time around against the Bronx Bombers.
Alex Mednick (Baseball Analyst and Writer):
The last time the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees met in the playoffs was in 1996 in the ALCS. Like in 2012, Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter were on the Yankees roster. The Orioles boasted a lineup that consisted of Rafael Palmeiro, Roberto Alomar, Cal Ripken Jr., B.J Surhoff, and Brady Anderson—who was having a career year. That lineup, along with a rotation consisting of Mike Mussina and Scott Erickson and Jimmy Key, gave Baltimore an imposing roster that the Camden Faithful could expect to make a playoff run.
15 years later we see a tale that is much more of a David and Goliath story. The Orioles have not been in the playoff’s since 1997 and have finished 5th place in the AL East for the last 4 consecutive seasons. The Yankees, conversely, have made the postseason 17 out of the last 18 seasons. After getting off to a hot start, the Orioles made a trade for future Hall of Famer, Jim Thome, to help add some pop and veteran leadership to their lineup. Even later in the season, when the team still found themselves in serious contention for October baseball, they called up 20-year-old phenom Manny Machado, who wasn’t even alive when Jim Thome took his first swing in the Major League. Now, Manny Machado finds himself playing on the same field as his childhood hero, Alex Rodriguez. Read the rest of this entry
A New GWR Record and Many New Ball Park Chaser Friends
The Streak ended at 30 MLB Parks in 23 calendar days!!
I broke my old record of 24 days by being-Fastest to see all 30 MLB parks in 23 days from April 6th to 28th!
Sked is here: fastestthirtyballgames3021.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/30in20/
Follow me-@chuckbooth3024 on twitter
http://mlbreports.com/gwr-tracker/ or at my official website for all updates!
Monday, Apr.30/2012
Ken Lee, Chuck Booth, Lori Martini and Roger Ratzenberger after the final pitch in Ball Park #30 in 23 days for Chuck Booth’s New World Record. Camden Yards is the sight of this picture.
Monday April.30/2012
MLB Park # 30 Day # 23
OAK 1 @ BAL 10
April.28/2012
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)- I am going to do this segment in reverse. I am jumping right ahead to the last game of the streak. Sure I have eight other recaps (besides this one) to still post that were technically before this game, but I need to write about this game first. I will post parks 22-24 on Wednesday and 25-29 on Friday. I will also have the Expert Interviews for Chase Field, Miller Park, US Cellular Field, The Great American Ball Park, Busch Stadium and PNC Park updated by the week’s end. Eventually all of this information will be available on my website at www.thirtyballgames3021.wordpress.com. The game had wrapped up in Busch Stadium for what was game #29. My wing-man Ken Lee, had done some great driving work to help me with 2 straight double-header even before heading to St. Louis. As we left the city on I-70, I took on the duties of driving. Ken had exhausted himself in the process of helping me. I started the 1st 8 hours of driving towards Baltimore. This would be park number 30 in only 23 days. For me I knew this would mean another world record. In the back of my mind it was a long time between cities so I was gearing up to face the challenge. I was rested up as much as I had been in several weeks. The driving was actually a nice change from being a passenger.
So the Season Opener Was sold Out- What about Game #2?
Friday Apr.6/2012
(From a Greyhound Bus Ride from New York City to Boston)
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer- and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)-Having just finished watching the New York Mets be victorious 1-0 over the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in their season opener, it has me now thinking, what is the attendance going to be for Game # 2? Despite reports that the game was sold out, there were many empty seats out there. This is a problem for a lot of teams in the Majors, but it is becoming a problem to even big market teams like the Mets. A dwindling team payroll, with devastating and unfortunate injuries have not been aided by the Wilpon’s financial status either in New York. If Johan Santana can recapture any likeness to his old self, the Mets actually might be okay this year. (Kind of like when the construction workers in the movie ‘Major League’ don’t think that the team is that bad.) Read the rest of this entry
MLB Ballpark Traditions: American League
Monday December 19, 2011
Doug Booth- Guest Baseball Writer: Since I finished writing the book on my experiences in chasing down the World Record by going to all the baseball parks, I decided to ask for help in my research. I went to every ballpark for two years in a row from 2008-2009, and am always fascinated by traditions and things each city does at a ballpark. Like Sweet Caroline is always played in the bottom of 8th at Fenway or…. Tailgate parties that I have seen in Oakland, New York and Minnesota. This could be something on field, in the air, outside the ballpark, after or before the game. Fans have their own way of celebrating. This is just what I have picked up. What else am I missing?
New York Yankees-Yankee-Stadium
1. They take roll call for every position player–and it comes from the bleachers once the game starts. Each 9 starting fielders in the TOP of the first gets their name called. The fans chant each of the BALLPLAYERS until they wave their hats back to acknowledge them.
2. Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” is played at the end of every game in an infinite loop.
3. You got the ‘DEREK JETER’ with rhythmic clapping after wards
4. They chant HIP-HIP JORGE for Jorge Posada–or they say his name to the famous chant of soccer—JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE-JORGE.
5. Of course there are the famous calls of John Sterling for each player. Example,-”Teixeira sends a TEX MESSAGE TO RIGHT FIELD oh you are on the ‘MARK’ Teixeira.
6. Of course booing all the opposition is common.
7. Still play “GOD BLESS AMERICA’ before “TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME.”
Boston Red Sox-Fenway Park
1. Play the song Sweet Caroline in the bottom of the eighth.
2. They boo the catcher and pitcher of the opposite team every time they meet at the mound.
Toronto Blue Jays.-Rogers Center
1. They start at the time of 37-or 07 after the hour to accommodate both the Canadian and American anthem.
2. They have a chant in the stands where a guy counts from 10-1 and then everyone screams.
3. Other cities have called the some of the worst fans in baseball—they do the wave when they are down 10 runs—do you think they would do the wave in New York or Boston if their team was behind by 10 runs?
Baltimore Orioles-Oriole Park at Camden Yards
1. They chant “Oh” really loud at the time of the national anthem when the part says Oh say does that star spangle….”
2. There was a kid who would sprint out with a player’s jacket whenever there was a pitcher called in relief from the bullpen-is he still there?
Tampa Bay Rays-Tropicana Field
1. They play the “HEY RAYS” song when they win.
2. They post the starting lineups on a scoreboard outside the park whenever they are playing that day.
3. They light up the lights outside the ‘TROP’ on nights they win so that motorists can tell the home team won.
4. They have cowbells they use in the stands ‘for effect’
Chicago White Sox-US Cellular Field
1. Their come out song is “Thunderstruck.”
2. They always shoot fireworks after the home runs.
3. They have an old-time song they sing every game, what is it?
Detroit Tigers-Comerica Park
1. They have one of the only names retired instead of numbers with “TY COBB”S’ name being displayed but no number ahead of his name.
2. They play “Detroit Rock City”, by Kiss before the game
Kansas City Royals-Kauffman Stadium
1. They shoot the water fountains high between innings.
2. One of the only clubs that play western music, this includes a rendition of “I got friends in low places.”
Minnesota Twins-Target Field
1.TC(the Twins Mascot)-hits batting practice with a lucky fan before every game.
Cleveland Indians-Progressive Field
1. They have the loyal drummer in right field that attends every game.
2. They usually play the song “CLEVELAND ROCKS” at some point in the game.
3. There is always a clip from ‘MAJOR LEAGUE’ used too.
Seattle Mariners-Safeco Field
1. There is a train that comes through about every 10 minutes in the background-almost as frequent as planes at CITI FIELD.
2. They were the ‘original team’ of the theme “ZOMBIE NATION” by KernKraft 400.
Oakland A’s-McaFee Coliseum/now O.Overstock Coliseum
1. Get there early enough and you are sure to find half the parking lot tailgating. Note: “Worst park to where opposition gear, after all, A’s fan is also “RAIDER FAN.”
2. I would never suggest public transportation in this area, serious safety concern–pay the excruciating 17 dollars and park outside the stadium for easy access in and out.
Texas Rangers-The Ballpark in Arlington
1. They play the “Natural” theme song whenever there is a homer hit by the home team.
2. “They sing the STARS AT NIGHT SONG” as do the Astros.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-Angels Stadium
1. The staff used to wear the 20′s usher outfits until recently but they still all wear straw hats like lots of other staffs.
2. They have the waterfall going a lot-and they also have fireworks every time there is a homer hit.
These traditions make baseball great. I would appreciate any other traditions that you know of. If you are the game it makes the experience so much greater in participating. Booth7629@gmail.com
Get ready for Part 2 of Doug Booth’s Ballpark Traditions feature on MLB reports, with a look at the National League Traditions. Coming up this week on MLB reports!
*** Thank you to our Guest Baseball Writer- Doug Booth for joining us today on MLB reports. To learn more about “The Fastest 30 Ballgames” and Doug Booth, you can follow Doug on Twitter (@ChuckBooth3024) and click here for Doug’s website, fastestthirtyballgames.com***
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
