Monthly Archives: March 2013
Rick Ankiel Earns A New MLB Life Yet Again
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Ankiel could be used in any of the Outfield Positions as a PH/defensive replacement even if he is not in the Starting Lineup for the Astros, Ankiel only batted .236/.292/.669 with the Nats in 2 years but was slugging .411 – with 17 XBH (5 HRs, 10-2B and 2 3B ) in just 158 AB during the 2012 campaign. The Nats released him near the end of June after Jayson Werth returned to the lineup and Bryce Harper was called up. Injuries has plagued him for the majority of the 2009 – 2010 years. At age 33, does he have any baseball left? The Astros fans will soon find out.
By Richard Perez (Astros Correspondent visit the StrosBros Website here): Follow @yokorick
In his tenth overall MLB season, Rick Ankiel is on his fourth MLB team after struggling to stay in the Majors since 2010, being designated as a back-up outfielder with the Royals, Braves, and finally the Nationals. As a Non-Roster Invitee, Ankiel has found a home with the Houston Astros organization.
It seems clear that with his explosion towards the end of Spring Training that he could potentially earn a spot on the Astros 25 Man Roster. More than likely we will see Ankiel be platooning with J.D. Martinez in Left Field, with the former Starting Pitcher taking the Starting job, and having the young and inexperienced Martinez under him and learning from the ten-year veteran, Ankiel.
Don’t Run On Rick Ankiel – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 31, 2013
On today’s podcast, I talk about how futile making predictions can be, then I make them anyway!
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Jose Altuve: The Speedy Little Big Man
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Jose Altuve was named an ALL-Star Reserve at 2B in 2012 with his .309 AVG in the 1st half and after appearing in the 2011 Futures Game. He hit for a 3 Slash Line .290/.340/.750 with 34 Doubles, 7 HRs and 41 RBI. The man also had 33 SB (7th in the NL) and 80 Runs in his 1st full season. Altuve is also a great defender (4th in the NL with Assists during the campaign – while only committing 11 Errors. He is under club control until 2018 with the Houston Astros.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Last year we all discovered what was the phenomenon of what was the Jose Altuve Movement. You can check out that article here. Since that day, the Astros have traded away every semblance of a veteran – and are carrying a salary that is being challenged by the Yankees Taxi Sqaud of players that have come in since the start of the week.
One of the best things to do at Minute Maid Park – and on broadcast via Root Sports, will be to watch the little speedster from Venezuela. He is 5 Foot 5 – and swings like Jeff Bagwell. Everything about this man is pure heart, emotion and effort.
MLB Fancave gets measure in Altvues!!
Astros Awareness Day Mar.31/2013
If all goes well with the team this year, the Astros could improve on their 2012 year. If all else fails, Houston might challenge the ALL-Time Loss Record.
Hey Folks,
Welcome to opening day Finally -WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Man Alive it is good to have the season finally start tonight. Since I will be on the road in California – I wanted to post all of the awesome links to see for Astros Awareness Day. We also have an article written about Jose Altuve and one of Rick Ankiel coming today later.
Have an awesome season Opener Astros – Even though I picked your team to have a bad year – just like our Lead Writer Sully says – “Hope that Houston can finish dead last again and pick awesome talent in the MLB Draft!!
Astros Opening Day Dilemma At Minute Maid Park
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast talks about Houston Astros on his podcast here from Yesterday..
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast from Mar.21st Houston Astros the topic that day here
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast from Feb.06 – Houston Astros Fans should embrace the bad click here
Can Nate Freiman Make The Houston Astros? A Little dated – but a good article nonetheless.
The Astros Miss Out On Reid Brignac
Houston Astros Roster In 2013: State Of The Union:
Chris Carter: The Future Star That Will Make Billy Beane Regret His Trade Mistake
Luhnow Spins His Trade Magic Again For The Astros In: Get Carter
Roger Clemens: Close To Returning To Houston
Houston Astros Payroll In 2013 And Contracts Going Forward
Minute Maid Park Review By Stadium Journey Correspondent Paul Derrick
Have a Great Day ay Minute Maid to all of those people going,…
Chuck Booth
Owner MLB Reports
Texas Rangers Staff – A Preseason Pitching Analysis: State Of The Union
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Joe Ortiz was brought up from the farm system, and although he is only 22, he has spent six years with the Rangers. Ortiz has had an impressive Spring Training – and has caught the eye of fans as well as pitching coach Mike Maddux. Ortiz posted a 1.97 ERA in 24 Appearances with AAA Round Rock last season – and has officially made the big league Bullpen this year.
By Brooke Robinson (Rangers Correspondent): Follow @bka_9
Though baseball season begins in Texas just hours away, there were many questions left for the team to answer throughout Spring Training. Who will become the fifth starter? Who will recover from surgery this season? And who will revive the Bullpen?
In the past month of training in Surprise, Arizona, some of the answers of these questions have come to light. The Rangers were plagued with injury in the latter part of the 2012 season, particularly with their pitching.
So it was no surprise that the front office brought in and up some new faces to test out this spring. Pitchers that will still be recovering at the beginning of the season include: RHP Colby Lewis, RHP Neftali Feliz, RHP Joakim Soria, and LHP Martin Perez.
Neftali Feliz hits 100 MPH!
An American Hobby: Baseball Memorabilia – ‘Kid Nichols’ Card From Mayo’s 1895 N300 Collection
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Kid Nichols was 361 – 208 (.634) for his Career -with a 2.96 Lifetime ERA. From 1896 – 1898 he led the NL in wins each year – amassing an incredible 92 – 37 (.713) Record in that time frame with the Boston Beaneaters. He is one of 13th players to throw in over 5000+ IP (5067.IP and good for 11th ALL – Time. Incredibly he spent time growing up playing baseball in Surrey, B.C. Canada, which is where our Website Owner Chuck Booth played.
By Lee Edelstein (‘Baseball Memorabilia Enthusiast’ – visit his website here) Follow @chinmusicstory
MLB Reports: We are pleased to present you with Baseball Author Lee Edelstein as the newest writer with us at the Reports. Lee will be providing us with great stories about baseball memorabilia on a regular basis.
MLB Reports
An American Hobby
Blog 7
Kid Nichols
Charles Augustus “Kid” Nichols was born four years after the end of the Civil War. He would live long enough to see himself inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949.
His journey to Cooperstown began in 1890 when he debuted for the Boston Beaneaters. He had quite a rookie season, winning 27 games, putting up an ERA of 2.23, and leading his league with 7 shutouts. But Kid Nichols was just warming up.
In 1891 he won 30 games, the first of seven seasons when he would reach the 30-win plateau. In 1892, Nichols won 35 regular season games plus two more in the Championship Series where they vanquished the Cleveland Spiders and their top pitcher, a guy named Cy Young.
Youtube Tribute Page to 300 Game Winners – Many of the them featured:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99r1TcnBrU&list=FLt4R0b8rfq11zVEjnHUcJsQ%5D
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 30, 2013
The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast had its first episode taped on an airplace.
While on an airplane, I sang the praises of the Astros and the Red Sox, two teams that I think will be lousy in 2013.
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The Mets Fans Have Good Reasons To Be Choked
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Johan Santana signed a 6 YR/$137.5 MIL deal with the Mets prior to the 2008 season. He only managed to start in 109 Games for the franchise in his stint. With a 2nd shoulder surgery coming – he is likely finished for his Career. He will receive a $5.5 MIL Buyout for the team declining his 2014 Option. That means he will have made $143 Million in his New York time. This works out to be over $1.2 MIL per game. If pro – rated on a 33 Start season, it equates to be about a $40 Million a year pitcher. Santana is 46 – 34 – with a 3.14 ERA for his Met playing days.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Today has to eb a frustrating day if you are a Mets fan with the news of Johan Santana being out for the year. It is just another example of a deal gone awry from a superstar.
Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Mo Vaughn, Jason Bay and Roberto Alomar….What do these ex – superstar players have in common with former Cy Young Winner Johan Santana??
How about all of them played at ALL – Star Caliber (even Hall of Fame Careers) before they entered a Mets uniform. Once they arrived in the Big Apple, their careers basically fizzled out faster than a sparkler on the 4th of July. They all made great money in their time with the New York club, yet failed to live up to expectations.
All 27 Outs of Johan Santana’s No Hitter:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 29, 2013
Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I talk about the contract extensions of Buster Posey and Justin Verlander and why I want them both to become Hall of Famers.
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Can The Cardinals Still Compete With Another Winter Of Losses For A 2nd Year?
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The Cardinals have been the most consistent Franchise in the National League, having appeared in 8 of the last 12 NLCS since 2000 (3-5). They have also won 2 World Series in that time (2006 and 2011.) They held a 3-1 NLCS lead over the San Francisco Giants before losing to the eventual 2012 World Champions. If there was an Atomic Bomb, I am sure that Cockroaches, Silly Puddy and the Cardinals would survive it because they just keep coming like Zombie’s. Will 2013 be any different for the team without being able for all of the NL Teams to fatten up on the Astros?
Jake Dal Porto (Baseball Writer) Follow @TheJakeMan24
The St.Louis Cardinals didn’t do much adding this offseason. Sometimes this isn’t such a bad thing, as constant tinkering to a roster isn’t always needed. But if anything, the Cardinals have become a weaker team since losing to the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS.
Perhaps the most concerning flaw to their roster revolves around the pitching staff.
Kyle Lohse just signed a deal with inner-division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers. Lohse posted a 2.86 ERA in 2012, and finished seventh in Cy Young voting. Among other things, he also pitched a career-high 211 Innings, compiled a career-high 134 ERA+ and barely walked 1.5 batters per 9 IP. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 28, 2013
On today’s Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I discuss the Mets. I thought they had already hit rock bottom. Then they lost Johan Santana for the year.
I guess there was somewhere lower to go!
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LA Dodgers Organizational Depth Charts, Rosters And Salaries (Majors And Minors)
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When Magic Johnson and his ownership group spent 2 Billion Dollars on acquiring the Franchise, that should have been a red-flag that they were going to outspend every club when it came to payroll. Get ready for it baseball world! With the MLB not having a Salary Cap – and a whimsy penalty for 1st time offenders for the 1st violation of the Luxury Tax Threshold – how high will the LA club go?
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 and welcome Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB – visit his website here Follow @prosportsroster
You guys are all in for a treat. Jeff Kleiner recently contacted me about a partnership merge for the website. He has developed a site (prosportsrosters.com) that covers all organizational affiliates in the Minors for all of the Major League Baseball Clubs. We are going to combine efforts to bring you the best look at salaries, current 25 Man Player Rosters and Depth Charts for all 30 teams.
Jeff is going to provide the documents in form of spreadsheets and I am going to accompany the posts with deep analysis of what the numbers tell us from my perspective. If you can’t wait for all of my assessments for each club, go and visit Jeff’s website over at http://www.prosportsrosters.com.
In Speaking with Jeff, he is one of the more passionate fans I have come across towards the game of baseball. He spends enough time in updating his MLB Facts for it to be a Full-Time Job. So after the usual Video Clip and READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY button, you will find some serious &*!@?!#!
For a Full 3 year Salary Outlook plus last years Stats for every player in the Dodgers Organization click here
LA Dodgers Great Moments:
The LA Dodgers Player Roster In 2013: State Of The Union Mar.28
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The Dodgers are putting the other National League teams to shame with payroll – and have assembled an ALL – Star Squad with 8 Starting Pitchers, with perhaps the best athletic Outfield in the Major Leagues. The Dodgers spent most of the 1st half of the 2012 campaign in the NL West before injuries crippled the product on the field. A blockbuster trade late in August saw the club win 8 of the last 10 games after struggling to gel early. Skipper Don Mattingly is in the last year of his contract, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez will try to put their 2012 fiasco behind them. Home grown talent, Kemp and Ethier will be in the best opening lineup since they came up to the Majors. Could all of this equal a World Series Berth?
By Enrique Rivera (Dodgers Correspondent): Follow @eriqwiththeq
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise had an exciting 2012. From March, when Magic Johnson was announced as part of a group that had bought the Dodgers, to June, when Los Angeles gave Yasiel Puig $42 Million, this has been a wild year for the Dodgers.
After all of the hype surrounding the new Dodgers seemingly died down, they committed $147 Million to Zack Greinke. The N.L. West has been dominated by the Giants in the last couple years, but one has to wonder if the Dodgers recent moves make them the favorite to win the N.L. West in 2013?
Clayton Kershaw 2012 Highlights – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance Advised:
LA Dodgers Payroll In 2013: And Contracts Going Forward
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Thursday Mar.28/2013
Adrian Gonzalez flew into LA last year and paid immediate dividends as he clubbed a 3 run HR in the 1st Inning with his new team. Gonzalez is in the 3rd year of a 7 YR/154 Million Dollar Contract. At age 30, he is a career .294 hitter with 214 HRs and 750 RBI in 1176 Games. Perhaps a full season back in California will re – ignite his MVP like numbers with the Padres during the 2009 and 2010 seasons – where he hit 71 HRs, drove in 200 RBI and hit for an OPS well over .900. He also is a 3 Time Gold Glove Award Winner in the National League.
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst And Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
I must say I am completely shocked at the Dodgers spending as much money as they are since the ownership change. I listened to Magic say how he ‘was not going to do anything stupid’, I will give him this much. However, the amount of payroll the team has taken on is enormous. The Dodgers are going to be over 200 Million Dollars in Payroll for years to come.
After I put their top ten salaries on the board, I will break down the rest of the roster to analyze some more projections for salary. The Dodgers have about 218 Million Dollars in signed contracts.
If you can believe this next part, they even are paying Manny Ramirez 8.33 Million Dollars still in 2013, Andruw Jones 3.375 Million and Huroki Kuroda 2.0 Million. That is roughly 13 Million Dollars on guys that are no longer in your organization.
Back to the trades that have brought in several players. I do agree for the mentality of it. The Dodgers fans were given a raw deal by the past management and the new guys are showing the rest of the MLB that they intend to be the big dog.
With Cole Hamels re-signing with the Phillies, their coveted starter was no longer available in Free Agency. Gonzalez was there to be had if they would take on the Carl Crawford/Josh Beckett contracts.
The team went out and signed Zack Greinke (15 – 5 with a 3.48 ERA split between the Brewers and Angels) instead.
Here is a nice highlight clip of Carl Crawford below. As a side note: The only inside the park Home Run I have ever witnessed at a game live was hit by Carl Crawford at Us Cellular Field in 2008. He was one of the best lead-off hitters back then.
Carl Crawford Highlights – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is Advised:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 27, 2013
Trading away Justin Upton was dumb for the Diamondbacks. They are probably regretting it now!
On today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I say “I told you so” regarding the Justin Upton trade and talk a little about Tim McCarver and why it is time to move on.
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The Cubs And Jeff Samardzija Belong Together
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Samardzija made seven starts in Class A in 2006 before he was allowed to return to the Fighting Irish in the fall to fulfill a promise to his coach of playing football his senior year. He even helped lead his team to the Sugar Bowl -and finished out his illustrious career as the team’s all-time leader in reception yards.
But that’s where his football career ended, as Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry made the projected first-rounder in the 2007 NFL Draft an offer he couldn’t refuse – $10 Million over five years, including a $2.5 million signing bonus that Samardzija agreed to return if at any time he pursued a career in another sport.
By Alex Kantecki (Cubs Correspondent): Follow @rotodealer
I remember the grumbles and the echoes of “You’ve got to be kidding me” and “Jim Hendry did what now?” from Cubs fans when the team signed a 21-year old football star to a five-year, $10 million contract back in 2007.
I remember because I was one of the grumblers.
In 2006, the Cubs selected Jeff Samardzija – a wide receiver from Notre Dame – in the fifth round (149th overall) of the Amateur Baseball Draft, not knowing whether the All-American football player with a 97 MPH fastball would forfeit a clear path to the NFL for a hit-or-miss career in baseball.
Jeff Samardzija Tribute: Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised:
Nats Acquire LHP Ian Krol To Complete The Mike Morse Deal
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Ian Krol is a 6 FT 1 and 190 LB native of Illinois – who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 7th Round of the 2009 Amateur Draft, He was selected right out of high school and jumped two levels of the Minor Leagues before he even hit the age of 19. Controversies and in injuries then ensued. Last year he played with Stockton (A+) and Midland (AA) – going 3 – 9 with a 5.20 ERA.
By Sean Hogan (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @seanhoganvt
The Nationals already came out ahead in the Michael Morse trade, acquiring two Righties with upside in A.J. Cole and Blake Treinen. Last Wednesday, they added to the previous bounty when the player to be named later was named:was… wait for it……..
LHP Ian Krol. The Lefty, who was once lauded by prospect gurus Kevin Goldstein and Keith Law in 2010, has fought through some self-inflicted drama as well as some minor injuries since then; the Nationals are picking him up in hopes that he’ll continue to be “a joy to watch” as Goldstein mentioned and will build upon his solid 2012 season.
Krol is a pitcher, not a thrower. His mechanics are excellent, throwing from a ¾ arm slot, and he has no issues locating his three pitches. Like former Nats prospects Tommy Milone and Danny Rosenbaum, Krol lacks velocity, topping out at 90-91 MPH. In order to keep climbing up the ladder, he must continue to exhibit excellent command on the hill and induce ground balls.
Ian Krol Bullpen Session:
Reds Organizational Depth Chart, Rosters And 2013 Payroll Part 1 (Majors And Minors)
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The core is as solid as ever and they could potentially add Stolen Base Threat Billy Hamilton to the arsenal of attack this year. The Reds will be a fast, entertaining team with lots of power from both hitting and defense. The Reds feature a payroll that will range between $103 – 110 Million Dollars in 2013. Other than Bronson Arroyo and Shin-Soo Choo, the whole team should be back again in 2014. Will the fans continue to come in droves to the Great American Ball Park? With 2 division crowns in the last 3 years, it seems likely.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 and welcome Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB – visit his website here Follow @prosportsroster
You guys are all in for a treat. Jeff Kleiner recently contacted me about a partnership merge for the website. He has developed a site (prosportsrosters.com) that covers all organizational affiliates in the Minors for all of the Major League Baseball Clubs. We are going to combine efforts to bring you the best look at salaries, current 25 Man Player Rosters and Depth Charts for all 30 teams.
Jeff is going to provide the documents in form of spreadsheets and I am going to accompany the posts with deep analysis of what the numbers tell us from my perspective. If you can’t wait for all of my assessments for each club, go and visit Jeff’s website over at http://www.prosportsrosters.com.
In Speaking with Jeff, he is one of the more passionate fans I have come across towards the game of baseball. He spends enough time in updating his MLB Facts for it to be a Full-Time Job. So after the usual Video Clip and READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY button, you will find some serious &*!@?!#!
For a Full 3 year Salary Outlook plus last years Stats for every player in the Reds Organization click here
2012 Reds Clinch The Division:
Reds Are Going To Make The Rest Of The NL Bleed Red
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Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, March.26/2013
In his 1st half season during last year, Joey Votto clubbed for a 3 Slash Line of .348/.471/1.124 with 35 Doubles, 14 HRs and 48 RBI. He was the leading candidate to pull in his 2nd NL MVP Award. Once he returned from injury, he was not the same – only plating 8 RBI and HRs in the last 28 games he played in. The Canadian still led the NL in OBP for the 3rd straight season. He also led the NL In Walks despite missing 51 games. Votto has a Career 3 Slash Line of .316/.415/.968. He is signed through the 2024 year in a 13 YR/.$263 MIL deal.
MLB Reports: Welcome to our newest Kids writer Jason Alpert-Wisnia – for being selected to join our MLB Reports Kids Writing team. We are pleased to present the readers with a youthful look to the game of baseball. Moms and Dad’s – if you have a young kid who loves baseball and wants to write about the game, please email us at mlbreports@gmail.com. We will be selecting three more kid writers for our website this year.
By Jason Alpert-Wisnia (AKA “JAWS”): (MLB Reports Kids Writer – visit his website here )
The Cincinnati Reds last season had a 97 Wins and 65 Losses Team Record, scoring them 1st place in the NL Central last season. The team could have made it even farther in the Postseason, maybe even beating the Giants and becoming the NL representatives, BUT, they missed their chance in losing 3 straight tries to eliminate the club from the BAY after taking a commanding 2 – 0 lead in the Series.
During the year Joey Votto injured his knee and was out for a while along with the manager Dusty Baker having a stroke, and you have to wonder about these two incidents not factoring in them feeling less than 100% heading into the Playoffs.
You throw in Johnny Cueto‘s injury moving up all of the depth on the Starting Pitching versus the Giants in the 2012, and you can see that things spiraled downward.
Joey Votto Highlights – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is advised:
St. Louis Cardinals 2013 Payroll and Contracts Going Forward
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2012 was a season that ended with disappointment which ultimately distracted us from recognizing what a successful year it really was. 2012 highlighted a lot of the greatness that is to come for this great franchise. The Cardinals are greatly positioned for the next 5 years with the influx of 6 top 100 MLB Prospects at League Entry Level Contracts. The Cards were 1 one away from the World Series in 2012 before the Giants won 3 elimination games. Can the franchise withstand the losses of Lohse, Carpenter, Furcal and even Hitting Coach Mgwire
By Landen Crouch ( Cardinals Correspondent) Follow @LandenCrouch
I believe we can expect more of the same from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013. This is a franchise that has proven they can be competitive on a consistent basis, even doing so last year without Albert Pujols. The Cardinals enter 2013 following consecutive runs to the National League Championship Series (won World Series in 2011).
On the heels of a very quiet offseason, the Cardinals seem to be entering the 2013 season with a very clear plan: get younger while simultaneously maintaining a high level of success on the field. The franchise has clearly begun this transition already with the departure of a few key players in the last several years – Kyle Lohse being the latest.
In the money department, the Cardinals have never been afraid to spend money to help the ballclub; however, they have always done so wisely. They are not among the teams that seemingly are just trying to buy championships. They have always been a team that uses a healthy balance of money and a solid farm system for success.
In 2013, the Cardinals will rank 10th in all of Major League Baseball in overall payroll – in the upper tier, for sure, but not overspending by any means – and their farm system is ranked 1st overall in baseball. The Cardinals have the money and the players it takes to continue being competitive for a long time to come.
2011 Cardinals World Series:
Top Five Most Memorable Moments from the 2013 World Baseball Classic
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Monday, March.25 2013
The World Baseball Classic Ran from Mar.02 – Mar.19/2013.
By Sam Evans (Baseball Writer): Follow @RJA206
The 2013 World Baseball Classic was an amazing tournament that had its up’s and down’s; but for the most part, it provided a great opportunity to watch meaningful spring training games during the winter. Having watched almost every game, I can officially say that it exhausted me.
From cheering on the Americans to trying to pronounce all of the Japanese names, there was never a shortage of things going on at the 2013 WBC. There were a very few number of special moments that will stay with me until the 2016 WBC. Without further ado, here are my top five memories from the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The Final 3 Outs of the World Baseball Classic:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 25, 2013
There is some bad news for Cardinals fans all over the world. I’m picking the Cardinals to win the World Series in 2013, and my picks are almost always wrong!
But I have a good feeling about this Cardinals team and that is the topic for today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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NL Preview: Triple Play Podcast Episode 2
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The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month staring in April. Each show will be about 1 hour.
Today on the National League Podcast the Big Ticket Show and I ran the gauntlet on the National League Preview. We are down on the Milwaukee Brewers and high on the Washington Nationals. We almost became too sidetracked with talking about some of the ball parks in the NL (yes it is that time of year). It was after that the Big Ticket Show made some declaring of future roadtrips, so sponsoring companies are totally welcome to contact us for opportunities.
I made it be known that baseball fans are allowed to have one NL and one AL Team – and I went on a rant about Coors Field from a 3 part article series here . The Video Player/or Download to your favorite listening is right after the READ THE REST OF THE ENTRY – or past the Triple Play Podcast Logo. Read the rest of this entry
Oakland A’s Player Roster in 2013: State Of The Union Part 2: The Pitchers
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A.J Griffin was 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 15 Games Started for the A’s in his 2012 Rookie Season. The A’s will look for the 24 Year old for some Quality Starts in 2013. The former University of San Diego Pitcher yielded a 1.13 WHIP during his time last year. As the teams #4 Starting Pitcher on the depth chart, Griffin should be able to see some favorable matchups in 2013. If he throws like 2012 again in 2013, he might very pole vault to being the ace of the rotation. We may have another 3 – 4 staff that contend for the AL Cy Young like the days of Hudson, Mulder and Zito.
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Billy Beane has always recycled his great starting pitchers once they hit the experience level that he could not pay them for. His new crop of pitchers include Jarrod Parker, Brett Anderson, Tommy Milone and new Starter A.J. Griffin.
They also are bringing back Bartolo Colon for the 2013 season, despite taking a 50 game suspension for PED use last year. Billy Beane is a master tactician on assessing a players worth and especially pitchers. Just like the hitters, the pitchers are all mostly in the 25-30 Age bracket. He has a quality set of controllable relief pitchers in the barn to close out games too.
A.J. Griffin at University of San Diego:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 24, 2013
How worthless is the New York Yankees farm system? They can not seem fill in a single spot on an injury plagued team even on an interim basis.
Why not give the likes of Addison Maruszak a shot?
Meanwhile, I remember my Weston, Massachusetts Little League teammate Huckleberry Keys on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
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The New Bash Brothers of Oakland – The A’s State Of The Union 2013 Part 1: The Hitters
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Sunday March 24th, 2013
With Cespedes (23 HRs)and Reddick (32 HRs) anchoring the middle of the lineup last year in the 2nd half – the Athletics belted an MLB Leading 112 Round Trippers after the ALL – Star Game. Many players clubbed the long – ball despite limited AB in the lineup. They also finished 3rd in the Major Leagues for the whole season on the road. This is bad news for teams in the AL West. The team looks to duplicate their incredible second half of power into a full season in 2013.
By Bernie Olshansky Follow @bernieolshansky and Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
The success of the Oakland Athletics was the surprise of the year in 2012. No one expected them to win the AL West after the Angels signed Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson and with the Rangers coming off of their second straight World Series Appearance. The A’s completely came out of nowhere with players stepping up that no one had heard of.
Josh Reddick proved to be a great acquisition from the Red Sox, hitting 32 bombs and driving in 85 runs. Cuban import Yoenis Cespedes also exceeded expectations after he was signed in the offseason, hitting 23 Homers and driving in 82. These two hard-hitting Outfielders served as mini Bash Brothers.
Of course, no pair of hitters could compare to the Bash Brothers of 1987 consisting of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, who combined for 80 HR.
But, seeing Reddick and Cespedes both have good hitting seasons could have reminded longtime A’s fans of the greatness that happened in 1987, Canseco’s second year and when McGwire was a rookie. Cespedes and Reddick, along with the rest of the Oakland Athletics’ cast brought excitement to the Oakland Coliseum for the first time in a few years. But, the big question is: was last year a fluke?
The Swinging A’s in 2013 – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance Is Advised:
An American Hobby: Baseball Memorabilia – ‘Mel Ott’ Card From 1935
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Mel Ott was a Hall Of Fame Player that spent his whole Career with the New York Giants. He ranks 4th in ALL – Time HRs for players that played for just 1 team behind Schmidt – PHI (548), Mickey Mantle – NYY (536), and Ernie Banks – CHC (512). Ott made every ALL – Star Game (33 – ’44}. He led the NL in Home Runs and Walk 6 times each. Ott had 8 straight 100 + RBI years from Age 20 – 28. At the Age of 20 (1929), he had his best year with 42 HRs, 151 RBI and a 3 Slash Line of .328/.449/1.084.
By Lee Edelstein (‘Baseball Memorabilia Enthusiast’ – visit his website here) Follow @chinmusicstory
MLB Reports: We are pleased to present you with Baseball Author Lee Edelstein as the newest writer with us at the Reports. Lee will be providing us with great stories about baseball memorabilia on a regular basis.
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An American Hobby
Blog 6
Collecting baseball cards is a uniquely American hobby. As a kid growing up in the 1950’s I had shoeboxes full of them. All of my friends did, too. We had so many cards that, when we got older and our interests shifted to teenage pursuits, our moms decided to clean house. Literally. Out went the cards which they considered to be nothing more than junk. Today, we wax nostalgic over those cardboard canvasses of our heroes that we treated so casually. That’s also why, in good condition, they are worth small fortunes.
I renewed my interest in card collecting a few years ago when I decided to build a collection of the elites of the game – the ballplayers who are members of three very exclusive clubs: 300 Wins, 3,000 Hits, and 500 Home Runs. It’s an exclusive membership that includes players from before the turn of the twentieth century (Kid Nichols #7 with 361 wins) through players who are active today (Derek Jeter is currently #10 on the all-time hit list with 3,304 hits):
- 300 Wins – 24 players
- 3,000 Hits – 28 players
- 500 Home Runs – 25 players
Each week, I’ll feature a baseball card of one of these all-time greats. Along the way, we’ll talk about other aspects of America’s Hobby, why it continues to grow in popularity, and answer any questions you may have.
1933 World Series Recap – Including a HR by Mel Ott!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 23, 2013
Are upsets good for baseball?
Or is it better to see some of the great teams of all time have their crowning moment?
On today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I ponder those questions.
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The Red Sox Are Getting Thrown Into The Dirty Laundry Bag!
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Follow @mlbreportsSaturday, March.23/2013
Bobby Valentine may have been happy to start the year as skipper of the Red Sox, but the 2012 season was nothing to smile about at.
MLB Reports: Welcome to our newest Kids writer Jason Alpert-Wisnia – for being selected to join our MLB Reports Kids Writing team. We are pleased to present the readers with a youthful look to the game of baseball. Moms and Dad’s – if you have a young kid who loves baseball and wants to write about the game, please email us at mlbreports@gmail.com. We will be selecting three more kid writers for our website this year.
By Jason Alpert-Wisnia (AKA “JAWS”): (MLB Reports Kids Writer – visit his website here )
The Red Sox in the 2011 season were managed by the Luckless Losing manager Bobby Valentine and made them lose with a HORRID and CRAPPY Season Record of 69-93 putting them in last (5th) place in the AL East. They, are guessed to be going on another losing streak and get 5th place in the AL East again.
Youkilis reaction to a question about Bobby Valentine – Returns to Boston:
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