Category Archives: The Rest: Everything Baseball
From Cuba to Japan, Opening Day to the World Series and the WBC
The Struggles Of Josh Hamilton: Despite Massive Talent, He Has Underwhelmed in LA, But Layoff The Guy For His Addiction Battle!
Josh Hamilton from a much younger time in his life. He fought off his drug addiction in his early 20’s, to become one of the best players in the game from 2008 – 2012. Following a recent list of injuries and personal battles, he has suffered a relapse in his addiction. Hamilton met with the MLB yesterday in New York, and has reportedly admitted to at least using cocaine.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
In the first two months of 2012 Josh Hamilton was putting up historic numbers and was on his way to a Cooperstown resume. I even wrote a column on how he was the best baseball player on the planet.
I had evidence to support my statement. In his 1st 47 Games, the man had 21 HRs and 57 RBI, while batting nearly .400, with an OPS that neared 1.200. Included in those impressive totals was a 4 HR game at Camden Yards.
During my 30 MLB Park streak the 1st 4 weeks of the season, I saw Hamilton play four games. He clubbed 3 HRs and added 3 doubles in his AB during the games I witnessed, and he hit one jack at Target Field that may have not landed yet. This man was pistol hot. I had no doubt he would continue to post Hall Of Fame credentials in that season, and for many years to come.
Right after that he quit chewing tobacco, and has been plagued with problems since. He has left the Texas Rangers, been hurt and underperformed since signing with the Angels. Read the rest of this entry
2015 Regular Season Win Over/Unders In The MLB + Best Bets
What are your best Over/Under Bets for the upcoming 2015 MLB Season? We have selected our top 10.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Over/Unders for the year, based on odds given by http://www.bovada.com sports book
Arizona – 71.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I gotta go with the under. San Diego, LA and SF are all much better, and even Colorado is tough on the road. Like them at just around 70 wins. Is a rebuilding year, and they might fetch a heavy ransom if Mark Trumbo can have a bounce back 1st half. 2016 maybe the year the can contend again.
Atlanta – 73.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I like the over on this one big time. This club lost a ton of offense, yet I like their run prevention more than ever. Shelby Miller was a great acquisition, and they still have a nasty Bullpen. I am not as bullish on the rest of the NL East as a lot of clubs are too. Wouldn’t call this a best bet, however, like them to win 75 – 77 games. Read the rest of this entry
Finalizing My Full Year Quest To See A Game Everyday Live In 2015
The 30 MLB Park tour by travel or air is one of the most adrenaline filled chases one can endure. It is like the Amazing Race, meets Survivor, against Planes, Trains and Automobiles. But even if you just love to travel, nothing beats going to the park!
I wanted to watch the 1st 2 months off of the West Coast, but the schedule didn’t allow it.
I would have loved to chase down records (for land or air), but obligations to family, friends and also to this website had me thinking of the bigger picture, and I just couldn’t wear myself that thin…when the goal was originally a game a day all year at least
It has been a grueling journey to even plan this 179 day MLB Trip, but the end is in sight, and the baseball year is just 6 weeks away. You can view my pending journey here.
I have dealt with the Canadian $ plummeting to the lowest mark it has seen since I started ballpark chasing in 2005, but at least had the foresight to see it coming down in advance.
The cost of a venture like this changes on a daily basis with fuel prices, and also the rise of inflation. The best laid budgets can veer the wrong way on any given 24 hour stretch. Read the rest of this entry
The Sully Baseball Fantasy 300
Sully knows a lot sbout baseball so read his blog about fantasy drafts
Lucas Graciano, Artist
This is a first for Sully Baseball. I have never attempted this before, but what the heck? Trying out new things can never hurt. Actually new things can hurt horrifically sometimes. But I suppose this will be harmless.
The incomparable Erin Foley, the brilliant comic and host of my favorite sports podcast Sports Without Balls, has enlisted me to help her with her fantasy draft.
While I do not play fantasy baseball (365 baseball podcasts a year will suffice for my on line obsessions) I decided to do my best with my own rankings to help her draft.
There are 12 teams in her league with 24 roster spots on each team.That means 288 players will be drafted.
I am not sure what the Keeper situation is on the roster, but I figured I’d list the 288 players I personally would draft, then Erin’s team would…
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Buying 2015 MLB Tickets For All 30 Clubs: Rating Packages, Partial Plans + Single Game Sale Dates
With Philadelphia not having the best team the last few years, I am giving them the nod for having the best ticket campaigning to drive sales in 2015. They had their schedule up early, offered a Christmas special, 3, 4 or 6 game fan select packages (that didn’t omit any games), and most of them included the season opener option – while supplies lasted. In addition to this, they had a business person’s special, the Phillie Phanatic birthday package, Mothers Day and Father’s day specials and 4 different options for 20 game plans. I am glad I am watching the most games here on my 179 day trip – than any other venue.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
One of the things that has made me quite upset over forecasting my big road trip is the waiting for single game tickets. I made a point back in December that baseball needs to look at this in great detail for all 30 MLB franchises.
Some of the clubs are doing a better job than the others, having said that, maybe Rob Manfred could help address some of these marketing drives.
There is no reason why fans have to wait so long for to buy game tickets for the upcoming campaign! Kudos to the teams like Seattle, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto, Philadelphia and the Giants for having several fan selection packages available in a timely fashion.
Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium have come down in ticket prices over the last 5 years. Routinely, the most expensive ballparks, even they have deals on certain games and times of the year. Boston even had a day where they waved their processing fee’s for a 24 hour stretch. Other teams should take heed on this brilliant idea.
The Red Sox had one of the best promotions I have seen this winter during a day in January this year. For their lower tier games in dynamic pricing, they offered a fee waiver on service charges for a 24 hour session. I ended up buying 9 tickets for $90. Outstanding value to see a park most people have near the tops of their stadium rankings! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 12, 2015
Chicago Tribune
I am still picking the White Sox to win the 2015 AL Pennant.
Their historical legacy and place among fanbases remains complex.
It is a South Side episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
MLB Farm System Rankings (1 – 30) In 2015
By Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Chicago Cubs- They are still one of the top systems even with Javier Baez graduating from the list. I love the bats headed by what maybe the top prospect in baseball in Kris Bryant and high end talent in Addisson Russell, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Dan Vogelbach.
They also have upside in Albert Almora, Eloy Jimenez and Jeimer Candelario. The pitching on the farm remains the main concern with a wiry C.J .Edwards, a mid ceiling Paul Blackburn and Pierce Johnson and a very far away Carson Sands.
The best farm system in the league that will see some graduates very soon.
2. Minnesota Twins- Last season was unfortunate for the twins and all of major league baseball as Byron Buxton got injured in spring training and Miguel Sano got TJ surgery.
I believe both of them will bounce back with ease and could be close to the major league level. Pitchers J.O Berrios, Alex Meyer and Kohl Stweart have frontline potential with Meyer possibly a candidate to make the rotation out of spring training.
They took Dee Gordons brother Nick in the first round last year and he can be a complete player. There is upside all over in Lewis Thorpe, Felix Jorge, and 50th overall pick Travis Harrison. A very solid farm that can hopefully bear some fruit this season.
Dear Mr. Manfred: Shifts, Trying To Help Offense – How About 9 Fielders And 8 Hitters In Both AL + NL?
Under my proposed format of 9 fielders, with only 8 hitters – eliminating both the pitcher and DH from entering the box, having 8 batters only in every lineup would allow players such as Mike Trout a helluva lot more Plate Appearances in a full year. The National League would stand to gain almost a quarter of a run, and the American League would also knock off its worst hitter from each squad. So how do you do this with the players union? Offer a 26 man roster (with 25 activated for each game). Creating 30 new jobs would be a better way than having the NL adopt the DH into their game. That would not go well, and longtime would throw a conniption fit. The best way to uniform both leagues is to go with a lineup of 8 guys.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I like the way Rob Manfred came out blazing Sunday on heels of his 1st 24 hours as commissioner. I agree completely that we need more offense infused into the game.
Whether any of us like or not, the ;PED’ era while it was going, was at least fun to watch on the offensive side of it. I have even talked to fans that in my shop that would love for them not to be illegal – so we could see that HR’s creep up again. I can’t say I would go that far, but the recent trend of Runs scored on the decline is alarming.
I grew up in the 80’s, and if there were any season that has been similar to that timeframe, last season was. Pitching, speed, defense and clutch hitting was the key to winning in that decade, and there was a degree of parity that existed too.
I am still stunned that more people can tell the real reason why games take so long. How about Strikeouts at an ALL – Time rate? This is the biggest factor, and it is not even debatable. You add in the “Moneyball” concept of taking a pile of pitches, combined with tonnes of pitching changes, instant replay, TV time out, and players going through per pitch rituals that would make golf’s Sergio Garcia seem like a speed demon in contrast, and no wonder why games take forever. Read the rest of this entry
The MLB Reports Own State Of The Union (SOTU) – 2015 Address
Home Of Sully Baseball + #WOB, #WOO, #WOWS #SullyMetrics, Baseball Analysis (Audio + Written, Roster Trees, Salaries, Org. Depth Charts,+ Roster Trees + TJ Surgery Tracker – MLB Park Roadtripping + Wicked Daily Content,) + We are not your Cutter” Website. Also our motto is “THE TRUTH STINGS LIKE A CATCUS!”
What We are Up To This Campaign + Going Forward
The MLB Reports will be updating lots of posts for the 2015 schedule as it sits right now for the next 2 weeks. We will have all 26 weeks listed in 7 day increments from during the year. I will try to update those as much as possible.
I will do an all 2430 game schedule on 1 page post once. I will not update it that much though, this will be for mostly pre-season planning for most ballpark goers,
I will also compile a month to month schedule around the last week of each month. The MLB or ESPN still need to follow in the nhl.com’s footsteps and make these possible. I do like the ESPN 7 day module for any time frame. I still think they should have a 179 days module and a month module.
We will also be featuring our Interleague Master Schedule with updated start times. We already have a master grid of all 30 clubs and who they play in league versus league combat this season. Keep in mind of the special 4 day window in which Interleague has 15 – 2 home and 2 away games against one other club from Monday June 15th to Thursday June 18th, 2015. In essence a back to back – home and home series. Read the rest of this entry
It Was An Epic 24 Hours For The 2015 MLB Schedule, Potential Trips + Season Opener At Wrigley!
Wrigley Field had its 100th birthday last season, and is undergoing modifications and renovations for 2015. Some of them won’t be ready for the SMLB Season Opener on Sun Apr.05, 2015. in the North Side of the Windy City. Tickets are going for $150 each, but if you had the luck to buy a 12 game fan flex pack yesterday. then you scored tickets to the opener and 11 other contests at about $25 per ticket.
At last, we have the majority of all 30 MLB teams scheduled start times. The Padres, Indians, White Sox and Astros were the last 4 clubs to join the party. Yes, I will continue to call franchises out on this aspect.. It costs you people from including your park as part of their road trips when they are trying to finagle the landscape of a trip itinerary for time, and you have yet to put them up before other squads.
Having said that, I have no complaints in how the actual times they put forth on their year calendars. I was stoked about a month ago, as it looked like I had a perfect storm brewing for a World Record Chase for either my own record (ALL 30 MLB Parks, every pitch of every game, in just 23 days).
What happened after that is the Canadian dollar went from hovering 90 cents versus the American Dollar, all the way to just over 80 cents. The costs were mounting astronomically for an odyssey that requires special kinds of transportation to break the damn thing.
Secondly, I had horrible news (schedule wise) from the Cubs/Brewers, Rays/Marlins, and Giants/A’s all hosting games in their towns in respective areas, only to not have one scheduled available Doubleheader for all of the ballpark chasers to attend every pitch. I was frustrated at all concerned, and packed in the thought of trying for either. world record journey in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
The Falling Canadian Dollar Could Be A Major Roadblock In Any Montreal Bid For Another MLB Franchise
Toronto is the only team in the MLB not in the USA. With that comes foreign currency. For the years of 1990 – 2007, the Canadian Dollar was hovering around the 70 cents mark for the duration (62 cents at its worst). The last economic crash in the USA – had the dollar at par for the better part of the last 7 years, including once reaching $1.10 for every George Washington bill in America in late 2008. The average for the exchange rate had been in the mid 90 cents range for the most part of 2014. The loonie has been in a nosedive since the end of 2014 kicked in – and now it is around 80 cents for every US Dollar. It will cost you $1.263 Canadian for $1 American on today’s market, and it If it looks to go down much more. This economic factor could significantly derail any effort the city of Montreal has to ever regain an MLB franchise.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Canadian Dollar is in a free-fall against the American greenback. I woke up this morning to see that to buy a US $1, it now cost $1.263 Canadian dollars. Effectively that means any club in Canada is at 26.3% Luxury Tax before the season even starts, because the team pays out player salaries in USD, while the money brought in is Canadian currency.
So often people forget that the Montreal Expos problems became occurring not only as the 1994 Player Strike/1995 Lockout fanbase was angry at the MLB, with some of them never to return, but also a sagging loony.
At its worst price, was a 0.62 cent buck vs the USA back in the mid-90’s. With the oil prices being what they are, this has serious ramifications for any impending groups of people wishing to bring back baseball to Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Expos left after the 2004 season, and in some ways it is a total injustice. Perhaps no other franchise has been affected more by the two biggest work stoppages than the Montreal had been.
The 1981 Player strike happened when Montreal was filling Olympic Stadium to the tune of 2 Million Fans per year, and the young nucleus of players such as Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Gary Carter, Tim Wallach and Warren Cromartie were leading the charge to an uprising NL squad.
Of course everyone remembers “Blue Monday’s” HR to knock the Expos out of the 1981 playoff chase. The 1979 – 1994 teams carried out 12 out of 15 winning seasons, and possessed one of the greatest semblance of a drafting organization ever. Read the rest of this entry
Random Travel Tips I Have Stumbled Across In 2015 MLB Roadtrip Planning
Milwuakee is one of the cheapest cities to travel in, (if not the cheapest), and I routinely start a big tour there, for rates within car rentals, hotels and of course the doubleheaders that can be done with the Cubs or White Sox. MKE Airport is also one of the only airport that has a rental center within the airport that you can walk to among the 30 teams, Sometimes it cheaper to fly into Chicago 1st and make your way to this city via Amtrak.
I have said it many times before, but having Amtrak and Greyhound available for travel on the Eastern Seaboard is a life saver for the MLB Roadtripper.
Another company I like is http://www.hihostels.com. This place is instrumental for cheap accommodations in San Diego, Houston, Chicago, Boston and Baltimore specifically, and to a lesser extent in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.
The dumbest new thing is the airliner http://www.spiritairlines.com. Sure they will be the cheapest on several flights for websites like http://www.kayak.com, but then you realize that is just a price for your personal being and belongings. These guys are the only carrier that gets with you carry on charges (hidden from the normal fee) Just include the price like everyone else jackball’s.
The best airline is still southwest.com They offer the free luggage check ins, being able to change flights, and they have the most modern gates in any airport, and all have free WiFi. The whole plane is coach, and I personally love that on a budget. Read the rest of this entry
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 3: Why I Will See 220+ Games In 2015
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition: Why I Will Attend 220+ MLB Games This Year Part 1
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 2: Why I will See 220+ MLB Games in 2015
So I finally had my insurance settlement (that I was waiting almost 3 years) paid out in the summer of 2013.. The 1st thing I did was take a lesser route for my courier job. I had already bought this website in Nov of 2012.
From June 2013 – February of 2014, I barely made a profit at work, but still had physical lingering of not taking the 6 months off I needed. The symptoms were a lot more apparent in the summer when it is hotter, and I was staring down a long 6 months of warmer weather.
2013 had been a gong show for me personally, and I only made it 2 games at MLB Parks (Safeco Field and Dodger Stadium). I was at least happy that this website was flourishing with a growing network of readers, and we had 40 writers work the season with us.
Not adding enough money to my savings account, in order to take off 6 months straight was frustrating. I needed to come up with something quick. A new route popped up that was the highest paying profit in the company, and I pounced on the chance. In March of 2014 I embarked on my new quest that required more work than I ever had done in my life.
To give myself some fun for the baseball year in 2014, I purchased a portion of Mariners Season Tickets to attend games. The baseball was awesome, and I had fun, but 10 hour days of going to Seattle and back, then working straight through after arriving home, was a lot to do that much in one year.
When the hot month’s hit last season in July and August. , it was the 1st time I had taken on so much work ever at the job (Twice as much than any other year). I had the 2008 and 2009 summer’s off, I had 2 jobs still in 2010, in 2011 I had a lower paying route, recovering from the accident, the months of June, July and August of 2012 are the only 3 months I failed to turn a profit in the last 90 – with less papers coming back after my 2012 baseball streak. Read the rest of this entry
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 2: Why I will See 220+ MLB Games in 2015
This was taken for a news paper article. It was in June of 2008. I was in the best shape of my life mentally and physically..
We finished off earlier in the week about the chance for me to play NCAA Baseball that was foiled by knee problems and concussions. Looking at reconstructive knee surgery in late 1994, I was seeking a second and third opinion on the matter. If you have to read that blog to catch up it is available right here.
On a night in Sept of that year I was in the wrong place at the wrong time helping a friend move. I was a victim of a serious home invasion. It was truly a life or death situation at points. It ended with all of receiving baseball bats to the back of the head before they left.
In the minutes after it was over, I was on an adrenaline rush, so I never realized how much damage had been done with the impact. I did go to the hospital that night, but we never wanted to divulge that much information about what happened to us. I was given some painkillers, and I passed a quick eyeball test with the doctor in the emergency room.
I stayed up for almost 2 days straight. Previous head injuries had told me not to sleep that much if all. I drank alcohol and took painkillers. at will.
When I went to work 3 days later, I knew I was in trouble. I started having vision problems and felt nauseous. Within 3 months – I stopped working entirely and didn’t want to leave the house at all. I never went to my knee appointments, as I had gone through similar symptoms with my brain after a concussion at 16. Worse part of the whole ordeal, was not demanding a CT scan on the night of the incident. Read the rest of this entry
My New 2015 30 MLB Parks/183 Day Record Trip Is Revealed (226 Games)
The count is in, and it may increase a little – or decrease a little. It has taken me about a week’s worth of hours to formulate this game plan. I have had to revamp the itinerary several times for cost and time considerations.
I initially had wanted to spend the first few months on the West Coast, however the parks are too far from each other. Once I established that was a problem, it made life easier. Factor in some great scores on tickets for the Red Sox and Phillies, and I am looking at a ton of games on the Eastern Seaboard.
Highlighted in my April schedule are 12 Doubleheader Attempts. Yes I am crazy, but this a good way to put a lot of games up early while I am freshest.
ESPN has also placed its first 5 games for Sunday night contests and surprise…the Yankees are in 3 of the contests. I am attending 4 of these games as part of Doubleheader days. The only one not consisting of 2 games is the MLB Season Opener at Wrigley Field on Apr.5, 2015.
I have slated to see most teams at least 3 times at home (except for Tropicana Field which I will see 2x), and all teams at least once on the road. I will see Citizens Bank Park, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Miller Park, Safeco Field, US Cellular Field, Nats Park and Citi Field at least 10games or more.
There are 46 Doubleheaders in the 179 games played, with potentially more coming on the way. I could have a few taken away with my schedule projections as well. Right now the Royals, Padres, White Sox, Astros and Indians have not placed their start times yet (Shame on them, LOL). Read the rest of this entry
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition: Why I Will Attend 220+ MLB Games This Year Part 1
Donnie Baseball holds the record for most HRs hit in a 8 game HR streak stretch ever – with big flies in July of 1987. The Yankees 1B also would establish a record for 6 grandslams in one year that campaign, (since tied by Travis Hafner in 2006. Mattingly knocked in 23 RBI with those 10 HRs.
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 2: Why I will See 220+ MLB Games in 2015
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 3: Why I Will See 220+ Games In 2015
When I was a kid I wanted to be baseball player for the New York Yankees. Don Mattingly was my favorite hitter. Funny saying this as a Canadian, where our national pastime is hockey. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that sport too.. Just not as much as baseball.
My mom was talking me to my dad’s fastball league games when I was in a stroller in the late 1970’s.
By the time I was 3, my 2 older brothers were already playing baseball and I was hooked. It wasn’t too long after that I was joining them in practice.
For the next 16 years I ate, lived and breathed the sport. Some real life issues popped up, and I never recovered from injuries sustained growing up. I still can’t play recreational baseball because of a deep concussion history. I turned my back on the sport live in late 1996, never coming back until 2005. Now I am about to go my 4th epic journey to all 30 MLB Parks in the last 7 years.
This season, I will be live for a game every day all year. So how does one come to this lifestyle and crazy fandomness? We must go back in time…..
Quick Blurbs:
From Ages 10 – 15, I would hit baseballs to my dog every day. He was an English Springer Spaniel named Patches, and he was the quickest outfielder of ALL-Time, and handy when no one else wanted to play ball in the rainy winter months in Vancouver B.C, Canada. All I had to do was to bring a towel to wipe the slobber off of the baseballs.
I caught for 10 years, and loved the position as I could lead from the backstop of the diamond. At 9 years old, I began to umpire baseball games like my father. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 8, 2015
Lisa Swan, creator of Subway Squawkers and Jason Keidel of WFAN both return the podcast to talk Yankees.
Actually we started talking about the Yankees but wound up talking about The Facts of Life, The Blues Brothers, WKRP in Cincinnati and whether or not they should remake The Bonfire of the Vanities.
It is another “Let’s see where it goes!” discussion on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Subway Squawkers on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter by clicking HERE.
A Early Look at Future Hall of Fame Candidates
Craig Biggio finally got his “call to the hall” and should set an example for players who didn’t get that call on their first try. Other notable players are still on the ballot, and should receive legitimate consideration for induction in the future.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The BBWAA elected four players into the Baseball Hall of Fame for the class of 2015: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. This is the first time that the BBWAA has elected four players in 60 years, as these four players truly exemplify what the MLB Hall of Fame is all about.
Now that the official results have been released, we can now take a look at not only some of the guys who will return on the ballot in the upcoming years, but also some future eligible players who present a very interesting case for their enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
2015 MLB Hall of Fame Voting: Who Deserves to Get In?
The MLB Hall of Fame will announce which players will be part of the Class of 2015. With players such as Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez being added to the ballot this year, the question remains as to which players will ultimately make the final cut this year?
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is very possible that history is made with regards to this year’s MLB Hall of Fame induction class. In the past, the committee has been hesitant to vote in more than three players in one class, and it has been very rare to see more than three voted in at one time. In the past, the committee voted in four players twice (1947 and 1955) and five players only once (1936- the first year of the voting process).
As the decision day quickly approaches, there is speculation that the BBWAA could possibly end the long drought and elect five players this year. With this year’s ballot having a ton of players who could make a legitimate case to be inducted, I decided to go to the process of picking my own ballot (which doesn’t count for the BBWAA), and after taking the time and effort to research my ballet, I realized that it was a much harder process then I anticipated it would be.
Dear Santa: All AL Teams 2015 Wish List (By The Fans)
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Okay, so it is time to ask old Saint Nick, for some help for teams in the MLB to have their wishes come true.
New York Yankees:
Can someone please knock some sense into the brass in the Bronx to realize they are the friggin Yanks? Since we can’t bring the “Boss” back to kick some ass, maybe a losing season would force the team to pilfer the payroll, and believe it or not, if Cashman behaves himself before Spring Training, the club could get under the Luxury Tax Threshold this year with a few Trade Deals, and go an attack the 2016 Free Agent core of Jason Heyward, Jordan Zimmermann, David Price and Johnny Cueto…
Would it be too much to ask if the team could just release Alex Rodriguez? There is no way he should hit his 660th HR in Pinstripes. Release him before that day, or way prior, and don’t pay him that dumb $6 MIL Bonus. He ain’t worth it. Also don’t want him passing Lou Gehrig for the RBI list ALL – Time in a New York uniform either. Read the rest of this entry
The History Of Extreme Ballpark Chasing (1993 – 2013)
The days of not being able to visit all MLB parks in consecutive days ended in 1993, when the Rockies were introduced, and enhanced even more with the Arizona Diamondbacks entering the league in 1998. In the last 15 years, several people have tried to see all 30 MLB parks in under a month. Some successful, some broke some rules, and one guy even bought this website 6 months after he set the World Record for visiting all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 Calendar Days – completing 7 Doubleheaders.
Ballpark Chaser definition: Someone who is actively pursuing quests to view Baseball Parks.
Guys talked about in this Article: Completely Insane!
By Josh Robbins (Special Guest Writer And Co – Creator for The Factor12 Rating Pitching Metric.) Factor 12 (F12) is an analytic measurement utilizing league average performance to compare the value of all MLB pitchers on 60ft6in.com.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 19, 2014
AP Photo -Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
Thinking of the good will already in the bank with the fan bases, I hope Jon Lester goes back to Boston and the Panda returns to San Francisco.
It is a “go where the love is” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Baseball Book Review: My Ballpark Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me – By Alicia Barnhart
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I don’t read many baseball books, heck, I have written more books in the last 6 years (3), than I have actually read (2). This book I finished awhile back and is subject of today’s Book Review.
The book is called “My Ball Park Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me.” It is authored by Alicia Barnhart. You can follow her brilliant blog at http://www.ballparksonabudget.com
I first met Alicia online earlier this year and was impressed at her knowledge of the baseball parks. After a few brief discussions, and following her on twitter Follow @alicia_barnhart , I realized she ventured to all 30 MLB Parks during the summer of 2012. Coincidentally, this is the same year I broke my own record for ‘attending all 30 MLB Parks” in 23 days.
Miss Barnhart is among a small percentage of ballpark chasers that have actually seen all 30 parks in one year, and she is the only woman that I have ever seen to do them all by herself in one baseball campaign.
Why I was drawn to buying her book, is that I wrote a book “The Fastest Thirty Ballgames” in chronicling my previous record trips (2008 and 2009) for 30 MLB Park tours in 2011.
Again, Alicia is part of a small percentage of people that have compiled a book based on her baseball journey to all of the baseball stadiums.
I purchased the E-Book format from Amazon (In the Kindle Reader). The cost was $3, which itself lends to her motto of “Ballparks On A Budget”, and I started to read about her baseball quest. It was such an intriguing read, I never finished reading it until I ran out of pages on my computer screen. Read the rest of this entry
Baseball News Of The Week, Baseball News Of The Weak, Baseball News That Wreaks
Joe Maddon signing with the Cubs to skipper the club for the next 5 years/at $5 MIL per annum is the biggest story of the hotstove season so far. He is also the clubhouse leader of adult beverages bought, although we will still give the consumed adult beverage lead to Madison Bumgarner.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Welcome to the new offseason segment. I will try to do this once again. It has been a slower winter than the previous two years, however it is starting to pick up.
Anybody miss the live action yet? Yes there is still the Japan exhibition series and the Arizona Fall League, but for the people like myself, I live and die for the major league action.
I would much rather watch Major League Baseball any day of the week. It is not that I begrudge anyone for attending Minor League attendance, heck in some campaigns, the Minor Leagues have outdrawn the MLB.
This will be sort of like the good, the bad and the ugly from (insert show here). Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 11, 2014
Getty Images
Why haven’t the Rays hired Dave Martinez to be their manager yet?
And where the hell are they going to wind up playing?
It is a Tampa centered this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
It Is Time For The MLB To Eliminate Defensive Shifts + Why I Won’t Use Sabermetrics In My Posts
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am all for a good game of chess on the baseball field, but when one wonders how come games are 4 hours, you have to add defensive shifts into the mix.
Other big sports such as the NFL, NHL and even the NBA have implemented rules in order to preserve offense in the game.
It is time to make a rule having the 3B and SS not be able to shift over to the 1B and 2B side of the field, and vice versa, before a pitch is thrown.
Credit to MLB Broadcaster Seth Everett Follow @Seth_Everett, for being one of the only public figures I have heard that has also advocated this thought process.
Defense and technology have come light years ahead in the last 15 years or so, and it is affecting the game. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Reports – Drastic Changes To The Game Going Forward In The Next CBA?
With Bud Selig leaving as commissioner in Jan of 2015, we have given the new guy in charge (Rob Manfred) some ideas to chew on from our top 3 guys at this website. Agree or disagree with us, at least we are not afraid to speak our mind about the game we all love so much. We are here to help grow the game. If we are not hardcore fans, we wouldn’t be running this fan-based website.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21 w/assists to
Paul Sullivan (Sully) (Lead Personality): Follow @sullybaseball &
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The game of baseball is in decline right? Loved hearing that yet once again from every non-baseball fan. I tend not to disagree, but to think that no changes going forward is the right call is entirely wrong.
With Bud Selig making his grand exit in 2 months, Rob Manfred has a daunting task of capturing the new age fan, while the core audience grows a little older next year.
Here at the Report we have suggested some radical thought-provoking topics towards how baseball can improve, so I thought I would put them all in one article.
This list coming forth is a compilation of our top personalities – and their stances towards how the game can improve.
In this blog, I am using a lot of (Paul Francis Sullivan) Sully’s ideas. He is our lead personality on this site, and has the pulse of all sorts of historical and new age references that make sense.
Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also use some of our Owner/Lead Analyst’s (Chuck Booth) views to add to the puzzle.
Finally, the list is completed by yours truly. Read the rest of this entry
Denard Span’s Defense
So it is now officially the offseason which is probably my least favorite time of the year. I’ve been very strong in my opinion that every trade proposal is stupid, especially the ones that are executed by MLB teams (thanks again for Doug Fister Detroit). Beyond the simple acknowledgement that the Nationals are currently missing a starter at second base or third base and will need some new players to replace the ones leaving there isn’t much more analysis one can do until an actual move is made. So until then I’m looking elsewhere for writing.
Which leads me to the actual point of this post, Denard Span’s defense. You’ll notice this post is generically titled, I don’t want to give away any spoilers as to the conclusion. As you probably know Span was just named a finalist for a Gold Glove award for the National League’s best center fielder…
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 22, 2014
ESPN
Take a look at the map above. It is from an ESPN survey of baseball fans asking them which team they are rooting for. The blue states are rooting for the Royals fans. The red ones are pulling for the San Francisco Giants.
That’s pretty cut and dry who most people are rooting for.
The Giants are indeed the bad guys in the 2014 World Series. Relish it, Giants Fans.
Also, what the hell was going on with Tim Lincecum? Is there a behind the scenes rift?
It is the Game 1 of the World Series episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Madison Bumgarner, Hunter Pence and Salvador Perez all Owned the World Series and October
A Disappointing End and the Road Ahead For The Nationals
An Article by http://www.citizensofnatstown writer David Huzzard. @davidhuzzard on twitter.
The corpse of the Nats 2014 season isn’t even cold and it’s time to look ahead to the off-season. I sat and listened to the final game of the Nats season in pitch darkness as the thunder echoed and the storm raged outside my windows. Charlie and Dave’s voices guided me to the bitter bloody end as the Washington Nationals slit their own wrist on the field in San Francisco. Gio Gonzalez botched a comebacker and then faked out Rendon as he first went for and then peeled away from a bunted ball. Matt Williams went to his 8th best reliever in a critical spot after the Nats had tied the game and it all blew up.
The Nats shouldn’t be judged by the playoff series. The 162 games they played before that were far more important than those four. It is hard to deny that Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth’s bats…
View original post 1,249 more words
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