Blog Archives
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 4, 2017

Stephen Dunn – Getty Images Sports
Curt Schilling and I may not see eye to eye on many things. But I do think his Hall of Fame candidacy should be debated and his politics should stay out of it.
Opinions versus stats are debated on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 3, 2016

STAN GROSSFELD/BOSTON GLOBE STAFF
Fellow Red Sox fan and comedian/writer/YouTube star Nick Stevens rejoined the podcast to play a fun nostalgic game.
I mentioned each year the Red Sox made the post season that we remember watching and we each said our first memories of that team.
Some memories were silly. Some were poignant. All were honest and from the heart… or from the HAHHHHT in New England.
It is a memory lane episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Nick Stevens on Twitter by clicking HERE
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See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Oct. 24, 2012 – Nov.30, 2012 (Lost Eps 1 – 38)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1214 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are Sully’s 1st 38 episodes of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully starting posting his daily podcasts at the mlbreports.com on Feb.6, 2013. So we will add the dates between Oct.24, 2012 and Feb.6, 2013 in case you missed any of his awesome 1st 103 episodes.
But we will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
MLB’s Flawed 2 – 3 – 2 Format Exposed Again In 2015 World Series

The Royals had home field advantage in the 2015 World Series, yet played 1 less game at their park than the Mets, who they defeated in 5 games. Since the ALL – Star Game deciding which League would host more games, the winning team has actually had their park be the home venue for 2 less dates than the loser. There is a culprit in this fiasco, and that is the 2 – 3 – 2 format. I am proposing a 3 – 3 – 1 format or 2 – 4 – 1 change to the Fall Classic, Because of travel they would never do the 2-2-2-1 format ever again. ALEX TRAUTWIG/GETTY IMAGES
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Now while the team winning the ALL – Star Game is 8 – 4 overall in the World Series itself, only 2 teams have actually had to use Game #7 for home field advantage. That was the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals and the 2014 World Series – where the visiting Giants took down the Royals.
There have been 4 Sweeps, 3 series ended in 5 games, 3 series in 6 games, and only two series in 7 games.
In 2003, the Yankees had the best record and they both played 3 games in each others field.
In 2004, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2005, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2006, Detroit had home advantage – but were split by the Cards in Detroit, before St. Louis swept them in The Show Me State! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 23, 2015
It is Sunday and time for the Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball I agree no sentimentality is good, but Ortiz will test that if he still wants to play, can they let him go elsewhere?
— Sully (@HookingFoul) August 19, 2015
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Eventually David Ortiz will have to say good bye. Chances are it will be awkward.
In other words, par for the course in Boston.
It is a “2 Sullys are Better than One” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Donaldson, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nick Swisher, Francisco Lindor, Sonny Gray and Mike Leake all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – July 27, 2015
I loved loved LOVED the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Then again, I always do. This year was different though. My guy, Pedro Martinez, was honored.
It is an unapologetic loving episode 1,007 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
David Ortiz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Carlos Gonzalez, Jacob deGrom, Zack Greinke, Ezquiel Carrera and Jay Bruce all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 19, 2015
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball This or a Red Sox 2015 WS win
? Star Wars
: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2 https://t.co/Hi3qgFneS7 via @YouTube
— Pete McKenzie (@PeteMcKenzie) April 16, 2015
Oh man… a Red Sox title or a Good Star Wars movie? That is a debate that brings back memories of both 1983 and 199.
The Force is With Me on Episode 908 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Odubel Herrera, Chris Heston, Josh Donaldson, Felix Hernandez, David Ortiz, C. J. Wilson and Zack Cozart all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 27, 2015
I love David Ortiz to death. But has there ever been a player caught in a PED web who has been given a bigger pass than Big Papi? OK, other than Andy Pettitte.
Which makes his rambling and meandering editorial for The Players’ Tribune more aggravating. Just play, be the charming Big Papi and ride off into the sunset! Don’t invite the criticism that you are barely getting to increase.
And maybe more stars who get caught should do what Manny Ramirez did. Accept it and move on.
Meanwhile, I hear from a Twitter follower:
@sullybaseball wtf… how about YOU shut up?
— A Hat Made of Straw (@OneStrawHat) March 27, 2015
I will… right after this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
To read David Ortiz’s bizarre editorial, click HERE.
To read my 2009 post about David Ortiz, click HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 5, 2015
Ten years ago today, my twin sons were born.
So much has happened in baseball in the decade since they arrived. So many amazing names, careers and moments have transpired.
I can only imagine what the next ten will bring.
It is a proud pappa episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2014
Talking Royals, SF Symphony and answering an e mail from Michael Reisman.
The Giants are also only 1 win away from becoming the team of the decade, and it is only 5 years old.
San Francisco keeps scoring runs without actually getting hits. Insane… All of that and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Alcides Escobar, Yusmeiro Petit, Buster Posey, Jason Vargas, Ryan Flaherty and Kolten Wong all owned October yesterday
The Cardinals Struggles In 2014 So Far Might Point To Accumulation Of Roster Changes Since 2011

After St. Louis won the 2011 World Series, they lost their world class 1B Free Agent player in Albert Pujols. It was the right move (10 YRs/$250 MIL is too much), and Michael Wacha was the compensation pick, so one wouldn’t even make the trade for the Cardinals former legend. However much like the Mariners in the late 90’s lost Johnson, Griffey and Rodriguez, that team had a league record 116 wins in 2001. The Cards have back to back NLCS Appearances, and lost the World Series in 2013, however despite being chalked with young talent, is that they still have lost several key components to their team in the last 3 years. Somewhere the franchise might have to slow down for a brief spell.
In no way am I going to slag the best run franchise in the MLB. We are talking about the quintessential template of how to run your team in the modern world of baseball.
All I am projecting in this article is that every team goes through a stretch of play where they may not be performing to capabilities.
Some of these problems may even persist for a whole campaign.
The 2011 Cardinals won the World Series, and then after losing their future hall of fame legend in Albert Pujols, were able to bring in Free Agents Carlos Beltran to help offset the power headed out the door.
The move paved the way for another final four finish. In fact, St. Louis held a 3 – 1 NLCS lead before the Giants won 3 straight.
2013 saw their young players come to fruition at the same time, and it mixed perfectly with their cagey Veteran core.
The organization had 6 players in the top 100 prospects as listed by http://www.mlb.com – and most of them have seen time with the big club thus far. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 3, 2014
A few weeks ago, writer and performer Michael Bernard was my guest on the podcast, talking about the show he wrote and helped create, “Baseball Swing with the All Star Baseball Jazz Band.”
Well, our conversation kept going and we remembered what it was like living in New York as Red Sox fans during the peak of the rivalry, 2003 and 2004.
That part of the conversation is today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Subscribe to “Live from the Piano Kitchen’s Podcast”, hosted by Michael, by clicking HERE.
Listen to Michael’s previous appearance on the podcast by clicking HERE.
Dustin Pedroia, Ubaldo Jimenez, Wily Peralta, Starling Marte, Cliff Lee, Ricky Nolasco, Jhonny Peralta andJacoby Ellsbury all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball.
How All Of The St. Louis Cardinals Roster Was Acquired: 2014 Season

The Cardinals Roster Tree has been the easiest to do by far. This organization has Drafted so incredibly well, that there has been no real need for trading of late. We will still see how drafting J.D. Drew has turned into Adam Wainwright, and how Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, made for the Cards to select young phenom Michael Wacha. St. Louis is made to their 8th NLCS in the last 13 years, and 4th World Series Appearance in the last 10, with a multitude of young stars coming in the horizon. They are going to be players in the National League for some time to come.
How All Of The Cardinals Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the St. Louis Cardinals – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
The Boston Red Sox State Of The Union Part 2 – The Pitchers: 2014 Preview

This is a not a slight on the Red Sox at all, but they should not be favored to win the American League right now. Detroit should be that placeholder. I am not sure the Red Sox will even win the AL East. I would go with the Rays or Yankees before them right now. The Rays had one of the best second half records in 2013, and the Yankees are a lot better as well. I am also not sure of the team losing Ellsbury, Drew, Dempster and Saltalamacchia has improved itself with Capuano, Middlebrooks, Pierzynski and the tandem of Sizemore and Bradley JR.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
For added depth in the Bullpen, the franchise added Edward Mujica, amply giving the team multiple options at Closer should Koji Uehara not duplicate his 2013 success in 2014.
The management did a great job in peacemealing this Pitching Rotation in 2014.
Big injuries, 3 different Closers, and finally won the hottest Closers to end a year in Uehara pitching for the clubs final outs to win the Fall Classic.
The latest addition as of now for the 2014 season, are Chris Capuano for the Starting staff and also Bullpen arm Burke Badenhop, who came over from a nice year in the pen for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The club will sees Ryan Dempster take the year off for injury, but are stoked about saving his $14 MIL pricetag that he is forfeiting this season.
The Bullpen features Koji Uehara, Craig Breslow, Edward Mujica, Brandon Workman, Burke Badenhop, Andrew Miller, Junichi Tazawa and Alex Wilson round out the potential Relief Core.
The Starting Rotation was also held together with duct tape and barbed wire in 2013, but it was enough to aid the awesome offense, and the team will sporting championship rings because of it.
The Boston Red Sox State Of The Union Part 1 – The Hitters: 2014 Preview

Dustin Pedroia, the now 30 Year Old, is the only player the team has signed for massive cash and term. Pedroia is locked up until 2021, and his AAV is around $14.0 MIL for the duration. This was a considerable hometown discount and affords the club wiggle room in payroll each year, while the 2 time World Series champ received security. This contract was similar to how the New England Patriots do business with their top players. Maybe others will follow down the same pike. Pedroia had an incredible run in 2013, and that was despite of a bad injury. Project him to be his usual and consistent self in 2014.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Red Sox embark on a chance to repeat a World Series win for the 3rd time in 10 years. 2005 didn’t work out so well, and Boston narrowly missed in the 2008 ALCS (TB won 4 – 3).
This year, the teams brass has decided the 2014 Roster is a lot like the 2013 Roster, and then you add in the mix of a bunch of youngsters.
There were some acquisitions brought in with A.J. Pierzynski (replacing Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Jackie Bradley JR or Grady Sizemore will take over for departing CF Jacoby Ellsbury.
While they gave SS Stephen Drew a 1 YR/$14.1 MIL Qualifying Offer which he doth refused.
The Beantowners will go ahead with Xander Bogaerts there, and see Will Middlebrooks have another crack at the hot corner.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 23, 2014
It is Sunday, so it is time for The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, Topic: David Ortiz. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 29, 2014
David Ortiz wants an extension with the Boston Red Sox?
That’s nice, but he has clearly mistaken the Red Sox with a sentimental team.
That’s the topic for today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
To subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast on iTunes, click HERE.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 8, 2013
It is the Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, which I recorded while doing my laundry.
@sullybaseball You mention a Red Sox Mt Rushmore. Who gets left off? Speaker, Williams, Yaz, Pedro, or Papi?
— Bob Buscaglia (@BobBuscaglia) December 6, 2013
Who belongs on the Red Sox Mount Rushmore?
I have 4 faces, each representing a different aspect of Red Sox history.
To subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.
Cards State Of The Union – Fall 2013: John Mozeliak + STL Brass Are Baseball’s Best ‘Rounders’

The Cardinals are the model NL Franchise, having gone to 8 out of the last 13 NLCS Matchups. They also stand to benefit that the highest revenue teams in the MLB like New York, Boston, Los Angles (x2), Detroit, Texas and San Francisco do not reside in their Division. Their team has been run the best in the MLB for over a decade. At a just north of a $115 MIL payroll, they slightly hover over the Reds for highest team salary in the NL Central. if the Cards continue to display “Rounding techniques” in player acquisitions, they will keep contending every year with the other big boys across baseball. When you add the fact that the brass knows how to run a club like the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bays Rays do, but also have money to spend, then you can see how dangerous this organization has been since 2000.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What is not to like about this team?
The club has appeared in 4 World Series in the last decade, 8 NLCS series since the turn of the millennium, and now with brilliant drafting and trades, the club is in outstanding position to keep it up for the next decade.
While I hated the fact they recently signed Jhonny Peralta, I understand the move because it was so smart.
This franchise addressed their two top needs this offseason, without surrendering any of their top young Pitching prospects, or even Oscar Taveras for that matter.
Did I also mention that when Carlos Beltran signs somewhere else – the club receives another pick?
Michael Wacha Tosses 8.2 IP Of No – Hit Ball 9/24/13
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win Game #6

David Ortiz is having himself a field day in the 2013 World Series. He is 11 – 15 (.733/.750/2.017) with 2 HRs and 6 RBI. Can you imagine his numbers if Beltran didn’t rob him of the Grandslam in Game #1? Try .800/.813/2.346 with 3 HRs and 10 RBI. He has been epic! —– L.G. Patterson/MLB.COM
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So here it is again in the Playoffs with St. Louis facing elimination. The club is 8 – 1 in their last 9 elimination games (Game 7 of the 2012 NLCS is the only defeat (SF Giants – suffered in that realm since 2011.)
I think they can stave off being sent home on Wednesday as well. It would be really good for the game of Major League Baseball if we could have another Game #7.
While I don’t like the Red Sox (as a NYY fan) – I respect them, and David Ortiz is one of my favorite players in the game today. What he is doing is incredible.
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
Boston Red Sox -400
St. Louis Cardinals +325
Obstruction Call Game #3 Decisive Play
Pick Off Move To End Game #4
Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win Game #1

Fenway Park is not just a place – it is a community around the ballpark. This fence also made the Stadium Journey’s top 10 quirks of baseball. Boston will have home field advantage for the World Series – since the AL won the ALL – Star Game in 2013. If it makes anybody feel any better, the Red Sox had the best record in baseball this season anyway. The Red Sox will face the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic for the 3rd time (St. Louis won in 1967, and Boston won in 2004). The winner will emerge as the only team in the MLB – to have won 3 World Series in the last 10 years. Boston would be 3 out of 10, and the Cardinals would be 3 Titles in 7 years. Pic by http://www.ballparkreviews.com
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Odds To Win the World Series Today:
Boston Red Sox -145
St. Louis Cardinals +125
Ortiz Slams the Red Sox back into a tie (Credit FOX)
St. Louis Cardinals Current Roster Tree: How All Of The Team Was Acquired

The Cardinals Roster Tree has been the easiest to do by far. This organization has Drafted so incredibly well, that there has been no real need for trading of late. We will still see how drafting J.D. Drew has turned into Adam Wainwright, and how Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, made for the Cards to select young phenom Michael Wacha. St. Louis is in their 8th NLCS in the last 13 years, with a multitude of young stars coming. They are going to be players in the National League for some time to come.
How All Of The Cardinals Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the St. Louis Cardinals – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching. It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.
Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.
If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Carlos Beltran Steals Game #1 of the 2013 NLCS for the Cards
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 9, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast deals with unusual math.
You don’t really start following teams until you turn 8 years old.
That means 10 year old Yankee fans have no memory of a World Series title.
Kids getting their driving license in New England can say the whole “Curse” thing was before their time.
And 26 year old have never experienced anything other than labor peace in baseball.
It sure makes ME feel old.
Also I determined that Brandon Phillips, Matt Harvey, Ervin Santana and especially Robinson Cano owned baseball on April 8, 2013.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
Players who owned baseball for a Day
Clayton Kershaw – 2
Robinson Cano – 1
Shin-Soo Choo – 1
Alex Cobb – 1
Zack Cozart – 1
Yu Darvish – 1
Chris Davis – 1
Jacoby Ellsbury – 1
Prince Fielder – 1
Adrian Gonzalez – 1
Carlos Gonzalez – 1
Gio Gonzalez – 1
Bryce Harper – 1
Matt Harvey – 1
Felix Hernandez – 1
Adam Jones – 1
Cliff Lee – 1
Jed Lowrie – 1
Justin Maxwell – 1
Bud Norris – 1
Gerardo Parra – 1
Andy Pettitte – 1
Brandon Phillips –
Albert Pujols – 1
CC Sabathia – 1
Ervin Santana – 1
Drew Smyly – 1
Justin Upton – 1
Adam Wainwright – 1
Barry Zito – 1
St. Louis Cardinals – Week 1 Review
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Follow @mlbreportsMonday, April 8th, 2013

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. Having said this, the club started out the year dropping 2 out of 3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, before pulverizing the defending World Series Champions over the weekend – taking the series 2 – 1 and outscoring the Giants 20 – 7, while obliterating Matt Cain’s ERA for some time. by hanging 9 Earned Runs on him in just 3.2 IP.
By Landen Crouch ( Cardinals Correspondent) Follow @LandenCrouch
Week in Review:
The opening week of the 2013 season for the St. Louis Cardinals can now be considered successful after a 14-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals finished their opening week six-game West Coast road trip with a .500-record of (3-3).
This is definitely a huge success for the Cardinals to come back to St. Louis with at least a .500 record. Of course, they wanted to win the 16-inning marathon against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night (and early into Thursday morning), and the 1-0 pitchers-dual game against Barry Zito on Friday.
Those were two tough losses. Overall, though, this week was positive for the Cardinals and should give them some momentum coming into their home opening series against the Cincinnati Reds.
2013 St. Louis Cardinals Preview by MLB Network:
St. Louis Cardinals 2013 Payroll and Contracts Going Forward
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Follow @mlbreportsWednesday, March.25/2013

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:
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