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A-Rod Will Retire After ’17

Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
Ground Rule Triple Blog (Featured BBBA Website – groundruletriple.com)
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Whether you like it or not, you can’t argue that Alex Rodriguez is definitely a symbol of the game of baseball, whether you believe that is negative due to PEDs or positive due to his illustrious career.
Alex Rodriguez announced Wednesday afternoon that he will play out the rest of his 10-year $275 million contract with the New York Yankees and then retire, which would be after next season, following the footsteps of fellow longtime Yankees Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera.
The 40-year-old slugger has played 20 years in the MLB thus far–11 with the Yankees and counting, 7 with the Mariners, and 3 with the Rangers. He’s a 14x All-Star, 3x AL MVP, 2x Gold Glover, 10x Silver Slugger, and a 4x Hank Aaron award winner.
He was a part of that Yankees 2009 squad that won the Fall Classic, and he has proceeded to…
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Nov 1, 2013 – Nov 30, 2013 (Episodes 374 – 403)
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 1232 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 374 – 403 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
We will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) so they are easily accessible for all his fans. Check out all his Archived info here.
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
The Next ‘Core Four’ For The New York Yankees?
Ground Rule Triple Blog (Featured Baseball Website/groundruletriple.com)
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Mariano Rivera. Derek Jeter.Andy Pettitte . Jorge Posada. These are the four members of the Yankees’ legendary Core Four.
The four members played several years together and all made their MLB debut in 1995.
They won five World Series championships together. Pettite was the first to retire in 2010. Posada retired a year later in 2011. Andy Pettitte came out of retirement and played for two more years before retiring alongside
Mariano Rivera in 2013. The Captain, Derek Jeter, followed suit in 2014, leaving the Yankees with no members of their legendary Core Four.
Since then, the Yankees have been saving money in free agency and instead opting to build their farm system.
And now it’s time for a new Yankees generation of the Core Four: 1B Greg Bird, SP Luis Severino, OF Aaron Judge, and SS Jorge Mateo.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 25, 2015
When I played the videogame Hardball II in the 1990s, I realized how to format the playoffs
That plus the Yankees retiring numbers on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Wilmer Flores, Rusney Castillo, Jon Lester, Nathan Eovaldi, Jose Abreu, Ryan Howard and Corey Kluber 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 – February 17, 20015
The Yankees are going to run out of numbers for their players to wear.
Meanwhile the current Washington roster is great. But could they be lining up for an amazing mid season trade?
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Best Teams In The MLB From 1980 – Now: SF Cements Their Place From 2010 – 2014 With WS Birth

The Giants won the World Series in 2010 and 2012, and now are in the 2014 World Series – with a great chance to win 3 titles in 5 years against Kansas City. The best teams for the last several years include the Red Sox from 2004 – 2007, the Phillies from 2008 – 2009, and then you would have to place the Giants as the best overall team from 2010 – 2014. Can they keep up the format of winning a World Series every 2 years again this year? The Red Sox (3 Titles), plus the Giants and Cards each having 2 Fall Classics, are the only 3 teams to have multiple World Series Trophies since the 2004 year.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is only so much one can read in an article, otherwise I would make these lists up from the turn of the 20th century.
If you gave me enough time as a reader, I promise to backdate this topic with another article featuring the best teams dating back further in years.
Eventually, all of the years may be dissected and we can have a healthy debate on some of my selections. I really started watching baseball in the early 1980’s.
As I became older and discovered ways to research the history of the game, my knowledge and curious mind grew for more information.
I have studied and read baseball stat books and breezed through the odd Bill James novel.
If I ever take a break from writing or baseball park chasing, I may find some time down the road to watch the 9 part PBS documentary that Ken Burns did on baseball’s history.
Triple Play Podcast Episode 2 Of 2014: Empire State Of Mind: NYM + NYY + TOR Chat

The Triple Play Show will have 2 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour. Chuck Booth will guest once a month for MLB Reports Power Rankings,
By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com) Follow @bigticketshow
Mike Silva (Radio Host 1240 AM WGBB, Long Island New York – 19 Minute Mark and a 31 Min segment) ) Follow @mikesilvamedia
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
New York, New York big city of dreams where not everything is as it seems, so we had Mike Silva (http://www.mikesilvamedia.com)of WGBB1240 AM break down the Mets and a bit of the Yankees + our new Mt .Flushmore segment. Read the rest of this entry
Derek Jeter Is Retiring In 2014: He Is Hoping It Will Be A Season To Remember

Derek Jeter has announced today – that 2014 will be his last year in the MLB. After he led the MLB in hits in 2012 with 216, he finished with just 11 knocks in 2013 – due to 4 DL stints and just 53 AB. The worst the team has ever done in his 19 year career, is finish 87 -74 in 2000 (still won the WS). The only time the club missed the playoffs – was in 2008, when they were 89 – 73. We will follow his last season much like we did Mariano Rivera. Endless amounts of respect should be poured out on the road and at home for this man. In 2014, he will enter his 20th and final campaign in the Bronx. The team has never had a losing season under his time there heading into 2014.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner) Follow @mlbreports
2014 will mark the second straight year that an ALL – Time Yankee Legend will have a year long retirement party.
The emergence of Derek Jeter in the Bronx culminated with a new dynasty of Bronx Bombers’ baseball – and resulted in 6 World Series visits in his first 7 years as the club’s Shortstop.
Derek Jeter personified everything that was great in the sport of baseball – and New York City, in a time where there were seedy underlings doing damage to the game.
The man is a consummate professional, and carried himself in a dignified manner, despite playing in a city where you can hardly breathe when it comes to media attention.
Derek Jeter’s only HR in the 2014 year
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 2, 2014
It is The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Why is it that post-season success & championships are much greater factors when evaluating NFL players vs MLB players?
— High Heat Stats (@HighHeatStats) February 2, 2014
It is harder to use stats to evaluate the worth of an NFL player compared to a baseball player. Perhaps “counting the rings” is more relevant for that reason.
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For Those Thinking The Yankees Are So Much Older Than The Red Sox, Think Again

With spending $503 MIL on contracts this winter, however they are not as old of a club as they were last year. That doesn’t mean the problem won’t come back in future years, it just means this is their best year to compete for some time.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am not a Yankees fan, and am definitely not a Red Sox fan either, however it is funny how this rivalry has captivated most baseball followers.
After this winter signings have occurred, I finally decided to do some investigating, because of all the venom fired towards the Bronx Bombers.
Immediately after Carlos Beltran signed, you saw, ‘hey, the Yankees are signing old fogies again.’
I also watched as Boston Red Sox Nation piled on the New York franchise for this.
So after reviewing both rosters, guess what….Both teams have similarly aged players. It is almost dead on. Read the rest of this entry
The Top 10 Active MLB Pitchers In Win Percentage

Jered Weaver is the ace of the staff for the Angels, but has had issues avoiding the disabled last year. When healthy, Weaver is one of the best pitchers in the AL. He was 11 – 8 last year for the Halos, while sporting a 3.277 ERA in 154.1 innings pitched. In 2012, he fared much better putting up an AL Leading 20 wins against just 5 losses for an .800 Win PCTG. Despite just a .579 mark in 2013, he took the reigns of Active Win PCTG once Ropy Halladay hung up his cleats for good. Weaver is 113 – 60 (.6531%) for his 8 year career so far, with a 3.24 ERA. Weaver is signed for the next 3 years, and will collect $54 MIL for his efforts – including a full no-trade clause from the Angels.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I think people might be a little surprised to see that Jered Weaver was atop on this list. Last year, Roy Halladay held the mark, but as soon as he retired, it immediately fell to Weaver.
With Andy Pettitte also taking off of his cleats for the last time, we see 2013 AL Cy Young Winner Max Scherzer also enter the top 10 list with his .6186 Win Percentage.
Just on the outside looking in is Cliff Lee at 11th (.6178) and another guy who you might not expect is Yovani Gallardo at (.6045).
If Roy Oswalt were to sign with a team – instead of possibly retiring, I will re-insert him into the list.
Roy Halladay Retirement Press Conference
The Best Teams In The MLB From 1980 – 2017: The Biggest Question Is, Who Owns 2015 – 2017 Mark? Early Favorite Lends 2 Cubs With 3 Straight LCS Appearances, 1 World Series

With 3 straight LCS appearances and 1 World Series – the Cubs can lay claim to the best team from 2015 – 2017. If Houston were to win the 2018 World Series, they could be turned back to the 2015 – 2016 stretch, however Chicago can advance the years if they are able to go farther than the Stros this campaign
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is only so much one can read in an article, otherwise I would make these lists up from the turn of the 20th century.
As I became older and discovered ways to research the history of the game, my knowledge and curious mind grew for more information.
I have studied and read baseball stat books and breezed through the odd Bill James novel.
If I ever take a break from writing or baseball park chasing, I may find some time down the road to watch the 9 part PBS documentary that Ken Burns did on baseball’s history.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 3, 2013
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast is not so much a Sunday Request as it is a Sunday Response.
Andrés du Bouchet is one of the funniest and most talented comedic minds currently breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide on the planet Earth. As an Emmy nominated writer and frequent performer on Conan, his brilliant comedic imagination and performing style can be seen on national TV.
And I had the privilege of seeing him as a sketch performer in the late 1990s and 2000s in venues all around New York.
A big sports fan and a lifelong Mets supporter, Andrés went to Twitter to question the adoration of David Ortiz after the 2013 World Series.
So, when the inevitable evidence finally turns up that Ortiz has been on PEDs for the entire Boston portion of his career, is baseball over?
— Andrés du Bouchet (@dubouchet) October 31, 2013
I just think it’s a shame that a city’s biggest folk hero has so clearly been a PED user since he got there. Nothing against Boston.
— Andrés du Bouchet (@dubouchet) October 31, 2013
Meanwhile ESPN continues to mythologize the knucklehead.
— Andrés du Bouchet (@dubouchet) November 1, 2013
If he were a Yankee fan, I’d chalk it up to sour grapes and remind him that Andy Pettitte was practically deified in September.
But I decided to actually respond, not as a Red Sox fan, but as a baseball observer. Why does David Ortiz and Andy Pettitte get off Scott Free while the likes of A-Rod have to fight for their baseball lives.
My conclusion is that PED’s don’t really enter into the thought process.
Follow Andrés on Twitter HERE.
Here is Andrés as seen on TV.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 3, 2013
November 3, 2013
Jack Morris: It Is Time To Elect This Winner Into The Baseball Hall Of Fame!

Jack Morris was a winner, a true throwback pitcher who came after hitters with reckless abandon. He pitched based on what the score was – and had no personal regard for his own personal statistics. It is this very reason why the debate has hit epic proportions on social media hubs, amongst bloggers, former players, analysts, broadcaster and statisticians. I intend to prove the case for the guy in a manner that will have some similarities to other pieces you may have read, yet promote a big look into the numbers that I have been bouncing around in my head for months.
BY Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports on Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The debate for whether or not Jack Morris belongs in the Baseball Hall Of Fame has heated up to an ALL-Time high with the big vote going down in Jan of 2014 for the final time.
575 members of BBWAA fraternity will decide whether or not the big man from Minnesota will enter one of the hardest Hall Of Fame’s to enter in pro sports (if not the hardest).
Morris will need a 75% (432 Minimum Votes) of them to write down his name on their ballot for enshrinement into Cooperstown.
Last year, Morris received 67.7 % of the writers votes in his 14th year of eligibility. He will have his name on a 14th ballot this year.
He has been trending up in recent years, so if he can improve in 2014, with the same amount of 2011-2012 jump of (+13.2%), then he will make it in.
If he fails to reach the Hall this year, it would be his last year of eligibility for the BBWAA Vote.
He could still make it via the Veterans Committee after that. But that could take some significant time.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (September.28th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Andy Pettitte ended his remarkable career with a complete game victory, letting up just 1 run and 5 hits as the Yankees topped the Astros, 2-1.
Brad Miller homered twice and drove in 5 runs as the Mariners beat the AL West Champion A’s, 7-5.
Nathan Eovaldi pitched well over 6 innings, wiggling out of trouble and yielding only a single run against the Tigers. He did not get the decision but his pitching performance set up the Marlins 2-1 extra inning triumph.
Neil Walker launched a pair of home runs that sparked the Pirates power outburst while winning against the Reds 8-3 and clinched home field in the Wild Card Game..
They all owned baseball on September 28, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
New York Yankees Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward + The Cano And A – ROD Factors

The Yankees should not pay Robinson Cano more than $25 – $28 MIL per season for a max of 7 years. The club is fortunate to have the relief of A – Rod’s pending suspension – otherwise the percentage of inking the Free Agent 2B would not even be possible. Cano’s agent -Jay – Z, has thrown out the first Salvo, saying the Slugger wants a 10 YR/$300 – 305 MIL Deal. The Bronx Bombers would be crazy to offer any more than what I stated up in the 1st sentence of this Caption. New York is looking to reset its Luxury Tax Penalty (when the Threshold is moved to $189 in 2014), in order to spend again commencing in 2015.
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
They are old and 2014 will not make them younger. However, there are some small tweaks that the team could do in order to make the payroll make sense.
The 2014 version of the Yankees may struggle. Exiting are Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda, Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Curtis Granderson, Brendan Ryan and potentially Derek Jeter (although he has a Player Option for 2014) and Mark Reynolds.
To the Readers on our Payroll Breakdowns: Keep in mind these are all just estimates as we are all not forensic payroll accountants. For a better look at how Payrolls work in the MLB please check out this article here.
Derek Jeter Highlights:
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 23, 2013
Andy Pettitte’s career is winding down (again) and so is Mariano Rivera’s.
The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast takes a long look at their legacies and what they mean to the Yankee squad.
James Shields, Justin Maxwell, Yusemeiro Petit and Billy Hamilton all owned baseball on September 22, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
Subscribe on iTunes HERE.
The Yankees Keep The Pedal To The Metal For A Playoff Spot

Despite not having a top Catcher in the mix, and also not wishing for Soriano to be a Yankee, Cashman has still done a decent job maneuvering the team through some murky times, by finding a bunch of guys on the scrap heap, to help this club. Recently, the teams offense is resembling the ‘Bronx Bombers’ mantra, and the club has gone 22 – 12 over their last 34 game, to pull within 1 game of the last playoff spot, with 15 games left on the schedule.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner) Follow @mlbreports
This season has seen the Yankees face a multitude of injuries to their best players, plus a lot of the key components to the 2012 version of the club are playing elsewhere.
The Bronx Bombers surprising flew out of the gate in April, led by Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner of all people. If it weren’t for New York, Wells would be rusting on the Anaheim bench, and “Pronk” might be looking for work still.
Despite a fast start, the team was counting on Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter to return after a few weeks into the season, both of them ended up going back on the DL. Jeter is now on his 4th stint on the Disabled List – and is out for the remainder of the regular year.
I will say that while I was ultra choked at Brian Cashman for not bringing in an experienced Catcher like A.J. Pierzynski, or potentially trading for a guy like John Buck, that he did acquire Vernon Wells and brought back Alfonso Soriano.
I wrote an article back when Curtis Granderson was hurt in the preseason, that these should be the 1st and 2nd options for the team (Soriano and Wells. It simply made sense for this year, and even for the 2014 year.
In early July, right before the ALL – Star break, the Yankees were hovering around .500 again, and I send it was time for the team’s Management to become ‘Riverboat Gamblers.’
Alfonso Soriano 2 HR Game August versus the Angels
Jeter Passes Eddie Collins For 10th On The ALL – Time Hit List: Next Up – Paul Molitor – Only 4 Hits Away!

I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 – regardless of how this season ends up. #2 has a Player Option for $8 MIL in 2014. It would behoove he and the club if Jeter exercises it. After he led the MLB in hits last year with 216, he is sitting on just 11 knocks in 2013 – due to 3 DL stints and just 49 AB. The Yanks are hoping that Jeter can provide them a spark towards a 2013 playoff spot. The worst the team has ever done in his 19 year career, is finish 87 -74 in 2000 (still won the WS). The only time the club missed the playoffs – was in 2008, when they were 89 – 73.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner) Follow @mlbreports
This season has to have been the most mentally grueling campaign for EL Capitan. Jeter has fought through several injuries, DL stints, and seen his teammates struggle for the 1st time in 5 years.
Despite all of that, Derek Jeter smacked two base hits last night (including his 3315th) – to pass Eddie Collins for 10th on the ALL – Time Hit List (If you are on mlb.com). It was just the Shortstops 11th hit on the year.
Next on the list is long time Brewer great, and Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor at 3319 Career hits sitting 9th. With any luck, Jeter will pass this legend by the week’s end.
Derek Jeter’s only HR this year
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 16, 2013
The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast previews the Red Sox/Yankees series, talks about A-Rod and wonders how his reputation could possibly be lower.
Then I play a video game and suddenly understand steroid users a little better.
Matt Carpenter, Anibal Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Chris Nelson all owned baseball on August 15, 2013.
To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.
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