Royals Vs Angels Preview 2014 ALDS

The Angels are finally back in the postseason after a couple of years absence.  They have the best 1 - 9 lineup in the AL, an extremely deep and revamped Bullpen, and starters like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have lots of playoff experience.  Add a roster full of World Series heroes of not so long ago, and it could be a recipe for a long postseason run.  They also have the luck of the draw with playing the Royals in the 1st Round, with only having to face James Shields once, while their top duo of Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker are slated to tow the hill in 4 of the 5 games.

The Angels are finally back in the postseason after a couple of years absence. They have the best 1 – 9 lineup in the AL, an extremely deep and revamped Bullpen, and starters like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have lots of playoff experience. Add a roster full of World Series heroes of not so long ago, and it could be a recipe for a long postseason run. They also have the luck of the draw with playing the Royals in the 1st Round, with only having to face James Shields once, while their top duo of Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker are slated to tow the hill in 4 of the 5 games.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

No time to rest for the tired and weary.  After an emotional, and jaw dropping game for the Royals on Tuesday night, they will fly to Anaheim to meet the top seeded  Los Angeles Angels in the LDS Round.

You have to realize that Mike Scioscia is running the gauntlet on the running prowess of Kansas City even as we speak,

There will be no 2 – 3 or extra jackrabbit’s for the Royals squad, who were definitely aided by a lax Roster enforcement for Wild Card play, and also by the early game injury to Geovany Soto.

Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger will have to be ready for the speed demon club, that features several guys who can swipe bags on a whim.

If there is one thing going for Kansas City right now it is rhythm of repetition having played on Tuesday, while the Halo’s have been licking their chops in Orange County all week at the beach.

The Angels clinched so early, it would have been about 15 days since they have played a meaningful game in Game #1. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 1, 2014

photo

The Royals and A’s opened the post season with one of the wildest and craziest and for Oakland fans heartbreaking game in recent years.

Right after the game, I walked out of The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park and recorded my thoughts and emotions. Some negative but a lot more positive.

 It is a “Break your heart” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series, LDS Odds + NLWC Odds (All 9 Playoff Teams)

J

J

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

Man Alive what a game last night.  I was torn in so many directions, I may need an x-ray to make sure I have no ligaments busted up this AM, like Coco Crisp and Geovany Soto experienced.

Last evening was a perfect example of how betting with a hedge can totally benefit your plight, when you are sitting nice with some favorable bets made from a good value standpoint..

I have published many articles on this site, raving about the Royals from even before the season began during 2014.  Now I picked Oakland to win last night’s contest, but financially I had a lot to gain on the Kansas City club advancing.

You see back in May, when the squad was struggling, I posted a $20 wager on them to win the World Series for a 50/1 odd.  I then put some more cabbage on them at 80/1 a few months later amidst a losing streak.

In all, I stand to win the most on KC, out of any AL club I have left.

Now, I only can win $285 on the Angels to win the Fall Classic, which would only break me about even for the year.

As stated in a blog yesterday, the Tigers net me a return of $894, and the Orioles, will bounce my bank account to the tune of $804.

I was able to speculate when the teams would all be at their max peak earlier in the year.

Based on the mere fact, the A’s only paid me around $260 for the World Series, I bet them to win $50 to start the night at +100 for the Wild Card Game..  I couldn’t believe they were underdogs to start the game, but glad for it. 

Once Oakland took a 2 – 0 led on Brandon Moss‘s 1st HR, I wagered $22 (In Play) on KC – for a return of $86 if they won.  This would have won me my money back plus a small profit.  This continued all night…. Read the rest of this entry

Previewing The ALDS: Orioles Vs. Tigers

JFdSE0K

 

By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer)  

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

For the first time since 1997, the Orioles are back on top of the AL East Division, clinching their 9th division title in franchise history.  For a team who has dealt with numerous injuries over the season, this team still found a way to win 96 games, which easily won them the division crown. 

As October baseball is sure to bring out the best in the remaining competition, the Orioles have a tough task at hand, as they match up with the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series (ALDS).

Although the head-to-head numbers and the critics seem to favor the Orioles at the moment, it would be wise to not count this Orioles team out just yet, as they have proven doubters wrong throughout the course of the entire season.

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tally Updated For AL Wild Card Game

CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP

CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP

 

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE

From September 30th’s game:

Receiving 1 WOO

Eric Hosmer reached base 5 times, scoring twice including a dramatic 12th inning triple in the Royals wild come from behind 9-8 victory against Oakland.

Brandon Finnegan came out of the bullpen in extra innings and gave the Royals 2 1/3 innings, striking out 3 and allowing just 1 run. He would not get the win, but he helped set up 9-8 win against the A’s.

Receiving 1/2 WOO

 Brandon Moss homered twice and set an Oakland post season record of 5 runs batted in in the A’s heart breaking 9-8 loss in Kansas City.

To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN

Who Owns October? A Metric For The 2014 Post Season

JEFF ROBERSON/AP

JEFF ROBERSON/AP

With “Who Owns Baseball” over with the regular season concluded, it is time for another SullyMetric.

Last year, I got THIS suggestion from reader Daryl Spitzer.

 

 

It worked last year and it will work again this year.

So it is “Who Owns October?” or “WOO.”

And here is how it works.

Each winning team of a post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter awarded a “WOO.”

The losing teams can get a pitcher and hitter to get 1/2 a “WOO” if they stood out in a losing cause. They will be awarded at MY discretion.

Why do I get that kind of power? Because it is MY stat.

So we will see at the end of the World Series who has piled up enough full or half WOO’s to claim October as their own.

Keep checking in and I will get the tally up to date tonight and update it after every playoff game.

There is no reason to yell WOO! after each game.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 30, 2014

JILL TOYOSHIBA/THE KANSAS CITY STAR

JILL TOYOSHIBA/THE KANSAS CITY STAR

It is the Post Season!!!! I make my picks for the playoffs.

Meanwhile the Royals or A’s will justify a big trade with a win. Will it be Jon Lester or James Shields who will vindicate their General Manager.

And why should Fox want a Dodgers – A’s World Series?

All that and more on this post season kick off episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series (All 10 Playoff Teams)

The Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise still has never appeared in the World Series.  That didn't stop the oddsmakers from giving them the #1 favorite status heading into the playoffs today.  They are the deepest team on both offense and defense, and only lack postseason experience.  The Stephen Strasburg decision of a few years  back, will never be put to rest until this club wins a title.  Despite them being favored, I am not sure the ranking is justified, as the Dodgers reside in the same league.

The Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise still has never appeared in the World Series. That didn’t stop the oddsmakers from giving them the #1 favorite status heading into the playoffs today. They are the deepest team on both offense and defense, and only lack postseason experience. The Stephen Strasburg ‘decision’ of a few years back, will never be put to rest until this club wins a title. Despite them being favored, I am not sure the ranking is justified, as the Dodgers reside in the same league.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

It is time to place your bets on the World Series. The Washington Nationals are your favorites to win the whole thing at +450.  The Tigers, Angels and Dodgers are both next at all tied for +500.

To round out the teams in sequence…5 –  Baltimore is at +700, 6 –  St. Louis at +900, 7 – Oakland at +1100, 8 – San Fran at +1400, and the Royals and the Bucs are the biggest odds on the board at +1600 for 9th.

At first glance I see the pattern.  The Nationals are the most deep team across the board, with having all 4 starters as potential aces in Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister.

Each one of the players in the positional lineup, were over right near of plus.400 for Slugging Percentage, and this doesn’t even include Ryan Zimmerman – who will be an awesome bat off the bench at least to start. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball For 2014 – The Final Regular Season Tally

Getty Images, USA Today Sports and The Seattle Times

Getty Images, USA Today Sports and The Seattle Times

Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates… Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers… Mike Trout of the Angels… Felix Hernandez of the Mariners.

They all owned baseball in 2014.

After a full year of checking each game and determining which player owned the game for that day, there were 4 winners.

McCutchen beat out Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman by a 9 to 7 1/2 final.

Kershaw had the highest overall WOB total, 14 1/2, topping Johnny Cueto‘s 11.

The American League races were razor thin.

Trout beat Oakland’s Josh Donaldson by a final of 9 1/2 to 9. Meanwhile King Felix squeaked past Corey Kluber of the Indians 11 to 10 1/2 (with Chris Sale close by at 9)

If I turned in a ballot with McCutchen winning NL MVP, Kershaw winning NL Cy Young, Trout winning AL MVP and Hernandez winning the AL Cy Young, could anyone protest?

Sure I could make valid arguments for Giancarlo Stanton winning the NL MVP. (His WOB total was a surprisingly low 4.) And of course Kluber and Hernandez is basically a coin toss right now. But the above ballot would certainly be acceptable.

WOB works. Adding the 1/2 WOB dynamic made it more accurate than last year.

Thanks for following it for the year. For the post season, I will have new tallies for “Who Owned October?” (WOO) and “Who Owned the World Series?” (WOWS.)

To view the Final Tally of Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

MLB Reports Playoff Predictions 2014

world2520series2520trophy

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

The playoffs are upon us, and since we had such a great year predicting a lot of stuff, both Chuck Booth and I are putting our postseason prognostications up.

In other blogs we will take a look at the series and everything, but this is just pure bets.

American League

American League Wild Card Game

Oakland -104 @ Kansas City -106 (Jon Lester @ James Shields)

Chuck – Oakland, Hunter, Oakland

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 29, 2014

Photo: Brian Hill

Photo: Brian Hill

 

The regular season is over… always a sad day.

Meanwhile I tried to watch as many games as possible on as many devices as possible.

Giving credit to Sonny Gray, Jordan Zimmermann and Jose Altuve among others on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Jordan Zimmermann , Sonny Gray, Anthony Rizzo, Ian Kinsler, Gerrit Cole, R.A. Dickey, Jose Altuve and Neil Walker all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry

MLB Interleague Results For The Entire 2014 MLB Season

AL vs NL

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

The AL have won 13 out of the 17 years for Interleague play.  The American League has also won every year since the start of the 2004 year.

1997:  NL won 117 – 97 (.547) NL up yearly series 1 – 0

1998:  AL won 114 – 110 (.509) Yearly series tied 1 – 1

1999:  NL won 135 – 116 (.538) NL up yearly series 2 – 1

2000:  AL won 136 – 115 (.542) Yearly series tied 2 – 2

2001:  AL won 132 – 120 (.524) AL up yearly series 3 – 2

2002:  NL won 129 – 123 ( .512) Yearly series tied  3 – 3

2003:  NL won 137 – 115 (.544) NL up yearly series 4 – 3

2004:  AL won 127 – 125 (.504) Yearly series tied  4 – 4

2005:  AL won 136 – 116 (.540) AL up yearly series 5 – 4

2006:  AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 6 – 4

2007:  AL won 137 – 115 (.544) AL up yearly series 7 – 4

2008:  AL won 149 – 103 (.591) AL up yearly series 8 – 4

2009:  AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 9 – 4

2010:  AL won 138 – 114 (.548) AL up yearly series 10 – 4

2011:  AL won 134 – 118 (.532) AL up yearly series 11 – 4

2012:  AL won 142 – 110 (.611) AL up yearly series 12 – 4

2013:  AL won 154 – 146 (.513) AL up yearly series 13 – 4

2014:  AL Won Season Series for the 11th straight campaign – yearly season  series  AL Up 14 – 4

SUN Sept.28, 2014 Results: NYM 8 HOU 3,  2014 – AL wins season series 163 – 137 (.543) 

ALL Time: AL leads the NL 2353 – 2126 (.525)

See Ya All in 2015 for Interleague

CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR JUST SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE 2014 iNTERLEAGUE RESULTS

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 28, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + FINAL 2014 #WOB Standings

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

Jordan Zimmermann threw the first no hitter in Washington Nationals history (and the franchise’s first since Dennis Martinez‘s perfect game for the Expos in 1991). He allowed only 1 walk while striking out 10 Miami hitters en route to his 1-0 masterpiece.

Sonny Gray provided relief for 2 months of Oakland frustration with a post season clinching 6 hit complete game shutout of the Rangers, striking out 5 and walking none.

Anthony Rizzo went 3-4 with a homer and 2 RBI, helping the Cubs win against Milwaukee 5-2.

Ian Kinsler homered, hit an RBI single and added another hit to lead the Tigers to the Division Title with a 3-0 victory over Minnesota.

They all owned baseball on Sept 28, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For September 28, 2014 )

"<strong

The first Washington No Hitter since 1931!

No Washington Nationals pitcher has ever thrown a no hitter. The last one thrown representing Washington? Bobby Burke, who no hit the Red Sox in August of 1931.

That’s all over now!

Jordan Zimmermann threw the first Washington Nationals no hitter (and the first in Franchise History since Dennis Martinez‘s perfect game as a member of the Montreal Expos.)

9 complete, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts of the Marlins, who for the second straight year end the season on a no hitter. Last year Henderson Alvarez won 1-0 over Detroit. This year the Marlins LOST 1-0.

Odd symmetry.

Safe to say, Jordan Zimmermann looks solid for this post season.

It is time to update my list!

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 28, 2014

AP Photo - Ted S. Warren

AP Photo – Ted S. Warren

 

A positively bonkers eve to the final (scheduled) regular season game leaves more questions than answers.

Tomorrow could be even crazier and realistic scenarios have as many as three additional games being played on Monday.

Things are getting odd and I’m recording a podcast in my garage.

It is a tin foil hat crazy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Eduardo Escobar, Mark Trumbo, John Danks, Wily Peralta, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Carrasco, Eric Stults and Ryan Howard all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 27, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

 (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Eduardo Escobar got 4 hits, including a 3 run homer, and drove in 6 runs, helping the Twins spoil the Tigers hopes of clinching with a 12-3 blow out.

Mark Trumbo got on base 3 times and drove in 4, including a tie breaking 3 run homer in the 7th that was the difference in Arizona’s 5-2 win against the Cardinals.

John Danks gave the White Sox 7 strong innings, scattering 5 hits and allowing just 2 runs, earning the 5-4 decision over Kansas City.

Wily Peralta finished his season with 17 wins following his 7 innings, 1 run and 13 strikeout performance against the Cubs for a 2-1 final.

 

They all owned baseball on Sept 27, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 27, 2014

 Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Waiting for my shuttle at the Bob Hope Burbank Airport, I reflect on a wild night of baseball.

The Diamondbacks made a move they should have done in the spring (and got revenge for 1988.)

The Royals showed us something we hadn’t seen since 1985.

And the Red Sox and Yankees do something that hasn’t happened since the creation of the Wild Card.

Planes flying over head in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Corey Kluber, Doug Fister, Dalton Pompey, J.T. Realmuto, Chris Archer, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Leake and Jean Segura all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 26, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Corey Kluber helped his Cy Young cause with an 8 inning, 5 hit shutout performance, striking out 11 Rays, walking 2 in a 1-0 pitchers duel in Cleveland.

Doug Fister gave the bullpen a rest for the first game of a double header as he threw a 3 hit complete game shut out as the Nationals blanked the Marlins, 4-0.

Dalton Pompey  Doubled and hit 2 triples (that is rare) driving in a pair, helping the Blue Jays top the Orioles, 4-2.

J.T. Realmuto missed the cycle by a homer, finished going 3-5 with 4 RBI in the Marlins wild 15-7 win in Washington.

They all owned baseball on Sept 26, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Even With The Awesome Farewell To Jeter, There Are Others Who Are Hanging Up The Cleats This Year

Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 439 career HR, 1412 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas.  Konerko is only 16 HRs behind Thomas for the White Sox franchise record.  While he will not reach that mark, his role may increase now with some DH AB.  Konerko, now 38, was a 1998 trade acquisition - with OF Mike Cameron going back the other way.  while Cameron was a nice Major Leaguer in his time.  Konerko should have his number retired by the club, and is the current active leader for HRs hit for just one team.

Paul Konerko announced that the 2014 season will be his last. Konerko has 439 career HR, 1412 RBI, and 6 All Star appearances in his 18 year career. What will most likely not be a HOF career, will certainly go down as one of the best in White Sox history. Konerko was the direct replacement for Frank Thomas.He is only 16 HRs behind Thomas for the White Sox franchise record. Konerko, now 38, was a 1998 trade acquisition – with OF Mike Cameron going back the other way. while Cameron was a nice Major Leaguer in his time. Konerko should have his number retired by the club, and is the 2nd active leader for HRs hit for just one team.(432 HRs) to Albert Pujols (having hit 445 HRs with STL).  His 3 Slash Line for his career is .279/.354/.487 – and he has collected 2340 hits.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

1st off, mad respect to Derek Jeter, for giving everyone a last night to remember on Thursday.  He embodied what a class act superstar should be his whole career.

The MLB world is fully justified to praise him as much as they want. So the ‘hater’s’ will just have to suffer.

I am happy to see a lot of our brethren of website writers all chime in some of the other guys hanging them up too.

Paul Konerko is about us unheralded as their is for a near Hall of Famer these. days.  He is second actively when it comes to HRs for a select team, with his total of 432 bombs for the White Sox.  Only Albert Pujols‘s 445 HRs for the Cards is more.

Only David Ortiz has hit over 400 HRs for one active team besides Pujols and Konerko..

It is only too bad, that the big 2005 World Champion, saw a lot of his power evaporate before he passed Frank Thomas‘s career mark of 448 big fly’s for the franchise.

Still, #14 will be missed, and I definitely will be watching on my computer, with it being “Paul Konerko Day” today (Saturday Sept.27th) at Us Cellular Field. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 26, 2014

MLB Network

MLB Network

 

Even this bitter Red Sox fan has to admit that Derek Jeter‘s finale in New York was pretty cool.

The narrative of the last at bat was perfect, even if the build up to it was obnoxious.

WFAN’s Jason Keidel joins the podcast to discuss Jeter, narratives of baseball and what is next.

Jeter-mania has infiltrated The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Derek Jeter (who else?), Pablo Sandoval, Hiroki Kuroda, Edinson Volquez, Coco Crisp and Yasmani Grandal  all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 25, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

ROBERT SABO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

ROBERT SABO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Derek Jeter went out in Hollywood style, getting a double and a walk off single in the 9th, driving in 3 runs all together and giving Yankee fans one last thrill with a 6-5 win over Baltimore.

Pablo Sandoval went 3 for 3, driving in 4 runs, including one in the wild 3 run come from behind rally as the playoff bound Giants topped the Padres, 9-8.

Hiroki Kuroda let up homers to the first two batters he faced and then let up 1 hit and no walks the rest of the way. The bullpen blew his lead but he set up the Yankees dramatic 6-5 walk off victory over Baltimore.

Edinson Volquez inched the Pirates closer to the Division Lead with 7 brilliant innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts, blowing out the Braves 10-1.

They all owned baseball on Sept 25, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

I Give The Captain More Accolades: Jeter To Play Last Game In The Bronx + Last Series In Boston

derek jeter

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead/Analyst – with assist to Jonathan Hacohen, Website Founder) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

I understand the “Jeter Fatigue” that has gone on all year, and half of me just wishes that he never mentioned that he was done after the 2014 campaign.  I just hate giving any ammunition to the ‘hater’s’, and definitely when I have agreed it was overkill at some points.  

But then I would have missed his brilliant series at Safeco Field, that was worth the price of admission, if I hadn’t known it was his last year.

While he has struggled for some of this season, he had hits in his 1st AB, all three games of that series I attended, and reached base 9 times in 3 straight Yankee wins, giving me yet more memories for my favorite current Pinstriper.

I was there in person for that, and bought my only t-shirt of the year from a street vendor afterwards.

While everyone is not a Yankees fan. and are growing tired of the talk, this is the greatest Yankees player in my years of watching the sport. So, because I have a forum to write about him, Damnit I will!!

Sure I had grown up on Don Mattingly  (the last captain of the team prior to #2).. Heck…he is still my favorite player of ALL – Time, but Jeter came into the mix about the same time I graduated from high school.

I am sure I can say this about a lot of “Bronx Bombers’ fans my age.  I wanted to be a New York Yankee while playing organized baseball.  It was my dream.

Derek Jeter has lived the life all of us would have wanted as a Yankee Stadium ‘hero’. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 25, 2014

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

The Giants can clinch their third post season berth under Bruce Bochy today. Hopefully San Francisco fans can truly appreciate what a remarkable run their team has had.

Chances are it won’t last much longer.

It is a City by the Bay episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Kyle Lohse, Carl Crawford, Mark Buehrle, Ryan Flaherty, Brad Hand, Andrew McCutchen, Taijuan Walker and Josh Reddick all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 24, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

Kyle Lohse kept the Brewers dim playoff hopes alive with a complete game 2 hit shutout with 6 strike outs and no walks, blanking the Reds 5-0.

Carl Crawford got on base 4 times, broke open the game with a 2 run double in the 6th and scored 3 more runs as the Dodgers clinched the NL West with a 9-1 blow out of the Giants.

Mark Buehrle pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts as the Blue Jays snuck past the fading Mariners, 1-0.

Ryan Flaherty collected 3 hits, including a 2 run double, and helped the Orioles come from behind to beat the Yankees, 9-5.

They all owned baseball on Sept 24, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Ichiro Suzuki Is Closer To Setting The ALL-Time Professional Hits Record: Provided He Keeps Playing

Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career, tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit season ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 - .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact.  Suzuki is about a full year of AB away from setting the professional hits record.  He is a Free Agent after this year. and at 40, he may have a few years left to offer a club.

Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career (2001 – 2010), tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit seasons ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 – .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact. Suzuki is about a full season of AB’s away from setting the professional hits record. He is a Free Agent after this year, and at 40, he may have a few campaigns left to offer a club.  His 2841 Career Hits come during what will end in 2014, as his 14th year only in the MLB.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

He is not receiving the kind of fanfare that Derek Jeter is this year, (although maybe he would if he was retiring too and had announced it), by Ichiro Suzuki has put forth a decent year in 2014.

His .284/.323/.338 Slash Line is not something to write home about, but he is a nice 3A Outfielder on a club that has seen its fair share of injuries.

Heading into the last 4 games of the year, the 10 time 200 hit man, has 99 hits on the season, thus giving him 2841 Hits in his MLB Lifetime.

After Derek Jeter retires this year. Ichiro will be 2nd in active total hits to Alex Rodriguez. Read the rest of this entry

MLB Baseball Clubs Should Make Single Game Tickets Available Before Christmas

The home site of the 2015 MLB ALL - Star Game, The Great American Ball Park..

The home site of the 2015 MLB ALL – Star Game, The Great American Ball Park..Baseball owners, and the MLB alike, should really think about having tickets made available for purchase prior to the Christmas season every year  Both of the NBA and NHL have free rein on this concept, with their season’s barely being midway yet in each calendar year at the end of December.  The supply and demand for NFL tickets only reaches 8 games, and is never in question whether most stadiums will have good turnouts.  You would think that kids especially, with love to receive game tickets as gifts on Christmas morning  Instead, all that is available are gift certificates at this point in the year.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

First off, the MLB has done a great job in posting their following year schedules earlier each consecutive year over the last half-dozen or so.

I give these guys full marks for that.  It also looks like they are improving their coverage of each team, to include more splits in each of the 30 squad’s itineraries.

I still wish they would follow the NHL (god did I just say that), in providing better splits for their 2430 Games Master Schedule, to include 7 day splits (you can go to ESPN.com for those), monthly splits and one year long page.

This past year, I did all of the schedules I just mentioned, and even added an Interleague Master Schedule.

It has been quite the undertaking, and I am not doing all facets of it again – going forward in 2015. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 24, 2014

AP

AP

There is a possibility that Derek Jeter‘s final game at Yankee Stadium could get rained out. That is hilarious.

Next year, how about a 30 ballpark tour celebrating Hank Aaron and Willie Mays while they are still with us?

That and Wild Card scenarios on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Justin Turner, Zack Greinke, Nick Markakis, David Price, Matt Holliday, Cole Hamels, Brian McCann and Sonny Gray all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry

B.J. Upton And Dan Uggla Were The Biggest Reasons Why Wren Was Shown The Door!

The Brothers Upton both were acquired in the 2012 offseason by the Atlanta Braves.  This was a risk for the organization, and while Justin has played extremely well in condensed pockets, Upton is quickly establishing himself as one of the worst contracts ever signed in Major League Baseball.  a .197/.276/.310 3 Slash Line - with 20 HRs and 60 RBI in 902 AB is simply abysmal.  The Braves brass should send him to the Winter Leagues this off-year, to correct his problems.

The Brothers Upton both were acquired in the 2012 offseason by the Atlanta Braves. This was a risk for the organization, and while Justin has played extremely well in condensed pockets, B.J.Upton, now 30,  is quickly establishing himself as one of the worst Free Agent contracts ever signed in Major League Baseball. with a .197/.276/.310 – Braves 3 Slash Line – with 20 HRs and 60 RBI in 902 AB during his 1st 2 years as a Brave is simply abysmal. The club’s brass should send him to the Winter Leagues this off-year, to correct his problems.  Justin Upton, 27, has fared much better in his 2 seasons, with an OPS of .822, 54 HRs and 162 RBI for his 1108 AB. The worst part about this is that the younger brother only has 1 more year left on his deal in 2015, making $14.5 MIL, while B.J. has 3 more years left on his deal, paying him a sum of over $46 MIL for the duration.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

I started writing for this website about a year ago.  One of my first articles I put forth was one centered around the albatross contracts that were B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla.

True to prior blogs written here at the MLB Reports, the older Upton’s Free Agent contract of 5 YRs/$75 MIL will go down as one of the worst deals ever consummated on the open market.

You add the $15 AAV (Average Annual Value) to Uggla’s $11 MIL, and you are forking out over $26 MIL a year – for what are horrific numbers.

The genesis of my theory was simply the team would not recover financially, or be able to cover up any mistakes/injuries that may come to the club.

Atlanta has been one of the best franchises in the MLB for the last 24 years.  Even after the organization claimed 14 straight NL East titles, they only took about 5 years to reload the troops for another wave of success.

Since the end of the 2012 year though, the franchise has seen Chipper Jones retire, longtime Catcher Brian McCann move on to New York, and former Brave great Tim Hudson move out to the San Francisco Giants. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 23, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

JAE C. HONG/AP

JAE C. HONG/AP

Justin Turner hit a pair of homers off of Bumgarner and led the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory over the Giants.

Zack Greinke pitched 8 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs and walking no San Francisco batter, bringing the Dodgers a little closer to the NL West title with a 4-2.

Nick Markakis went 4-5 with a homer and 3 RBI, helping Baltimore top the Yankees, 5-4.

David Price pitched a shutout into the 9th and was an out from a complete game. While he blew the lead, he pitched 8 2/3, striking out 8 and walking none. The Tigers would walk off in the 9th 4-3 winners against the White Sox.

They all owned baseball on Sept 23, 2014.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 23, 2014

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

Adam Wainwright has had a career worth noting, even if he will probably never win a Cy Young Award.

Plus the AL Cy Young race is more interesting with Corey Kluber pitching so well and Felix Hernandez losing.

It is a better late than never episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Adam Wainwright,  Michael Pineda, Gregor Blanco, Jose Bautista, Dan Haren, Victor Martinez, Freddie Freeman and Carlos Carrasco all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Read the rest of this entry