Blog Archives
“Hard Cheddar” Weekly Segment 1: The Toronto Blue Jays Of The NL East?
The Blue Jays have pretty much been a mediocre franchise in the league for the last 20 years. After winning back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993, the club has had some expensive and talented pieces, yet like so many of the ‘god awful’ teams have shown us recently, maybe the club should have tanked it for 7 – 10 years in order to stockpile Grade A level talent through the MLB Amateur Draft? Toronto has been caught in the middle of a building a team through the Draft, but never seem to be bad enough to receive high enough picks to select ultimate fortune changers for the organization. Maybe they should try another way.. Lets talk about that today.
By ‘Special Guest Blue Jays Writer’ Steve Cheeseman Follow @cheeseman_s
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
“Hard Cheddar” – with Steve Cheeseman
Regardless if you’re a casual fan, or die hard Toronto Blue Jay fan, many things come into mind with regard to what should happen next after a terrible 2013 season.
Do Media/Cable giant Roger’s need to spend more money? Should they rebuild from the draft? Should they rent older, experienced players on short term deals?
How about a shift from the American League to the National League?
For the start of the 2013 season, the Houston Astros made the move from the NL to the west division of the AL. This was to equally balance the two leagues to contain 15 teams in each.
In terms of performance, it didn’t help. The 2012 NL Astros finished the season with a 55-107 record, which was good for last in all of Major League Baseball.
Montreal’s OIympic Stadium will host a Blue Jays Exhibition Game in 2014
The Los Angeles Dodgers Roster Tree: How All Of The Hitters Were Acquired
Andre Ethier finished 6th in NL MVP Voting during the 2009 season. It has been his best year to date. He hit 31 HRs, added 106 RBI, 76 XBH Overall and scored 92 Runs. He won a Silver Slugger Award for his efforts. Ethier was acquired through a chain of transactions that goes all the way back to when the team drafted Mike Piazza (who was traded for Gary Sheffield), who was traded for Andrew Brown from Atlanta, (who was later flipped for Milton Bradley from Cleveland, before lA turned around and traded Bradley to the A’s for Andre Ethier.)
How All Of The Dodgers Hitters 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 Los Angeles Dodgers – 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.
MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue
It seems the only to way to build a team successfully – is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 – 8 seasons like the Twins, Nationals, Pirates, Rays in recent years – and now the Astros are following suit), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Controllable Salaries. Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed – due to salary and Arbitration implications. I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs. If a player is ready for action in the Majors, he should playing – end of story.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Lets just take a look at the teams that have played well above their value. The Twins are a story much like the Marlins in 1997 and 2003.
The Twins had a good team in the late 80’s, and won 2 World Series Titles in 1987 and 1991. However the economics of the game hit them hard, and they struggled for an 8 year stretch in the AL Central.
For Part 1 of the MLB’s State Of the Union Part 1: Click here.
Major League Contraction Talk Again?
The Atlanta Braves State Of The Union – Fall 2013: Part 1
2013 was not an easy road traveled for Atlanta. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.
By Bob McVinua (Special Guest Braves Writer – visit his website here): Follow @tomahawkchop95
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
At the point after Eric O’Flaherty went down, many of us Braves fans began to panic and wonder how Fredi Gonzalez would get the ball to arguably the best closer
in all of baseball Craig Kimbrel. What happened after that? The Braves would still go on to post the best bullpen ERA in all of baseball and on top of that set a franchise record for the same mark.
Jason Heyward missed significant time as did Brian McCann. Freddie Freeman spent a couple of weeks on the disabled list and still drove in over 100 runs on the season.
BJ Upton and Dan Uggla struggled throughout most of the 2013 season and BJ was one of the players expected to make a huge impact when he signed with the Braves this winter and it just never happened.
Other players stepped up and young players assumed roles that were well beyond the original expectations of them in 2013.
No one panicked and no one quit and as a fan I am appreciative of the heart and effort this team always put forth.
The Dodgers Celebrate winning the NLDS Series versus Atlanta (At Turner Field)
MLB Reports’ Junior Reporter Haley Smilow Interviews The Mets 2B Justin Turner
Justin Turner is a Utility Infielder for the Mets, that put up his best numbers in the Majors for his Career in 2013. He 3 Slashed .280/.319/.704 for the campaign in his 200 AB, The Man played 5. different positions throughout the seasons, with just failing to Catch, Pitch or play CF or RF. Turner even had better numbers when he started a game: .291/.331/.737,
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Haley Smilow is a lucky baseball fan/writer/reporter. Recently this summer, she was able to interview Justin Turner of the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City.
Of course, Justin Turner also has been featured in other blog posts – because our Guest Baseball Writer and Reporter “Lori Martini”, was fortunate enough to also meet the Mets Second Baseman on the field in Flushing Meadows – when she had her song “Believe” featured as a pregame song one day,.
Turner would later adopt the tune as his ‘walkup song’ for the rest of the 2011 season.
So it doesn’t surprise me that he would be so accommodating with his time with Haley.
Like always, Haley asked Turner several questions that he was not accustomed to fielding from other reporters. I am sure that is why he was so enthusiastic about the conversation.
We are very proud of Haley at this site – for also recently being featured in a NY Times article, that showcased her as bright young star. You can check out that article here.
So without further adieu, sit back, grab a favorite drink, and enjoy the dialogue between Justin Turner of the Mets and Haley. Read the rest of this entry
Interleague Master Schedule For The 2014 MLB Season
For the 2014 MLB Schedule Links Page – that has Monthly, Weekly, Daily, 30 MLB Teams and all 2430 Games for on 1 running Page Post, click here
Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
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
The Braves Win The NL East For The 1st Time Since 2005: The Team Is Way Different From Early 2013
The Braves won 14 straight Division Titles from 1991 – 2005, that culminated in 5 World Series Visits, with cashing in for the Trophy in 1995, however other than a Wild Card Berth (2010), and a Wild Card Play In Game in 2012 (that they both lost), the club has not seen playoff success for the past 14 years. The Bravos will have a full NLDS Series to claim another chance at a NLCS Pennant, for the 1st time since 1999. Atlanta is still duking it out with the Dodgers and Cardinals for overall home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and have a 0.5 Games Lead over St. Louis (2 game lead over Los Angeles) with just 5 games left. This would be extremely ‘vital’ to the club – as the team sports a (MLB best) record of 53 – 23 at Turner Field – compared to 40 – 41 on the road this season.
By Hayley Howell (Featured Baseball Writer + Braves Enthusiastic Fan) Follow @heyhaylzzz
Follow MLB Reports Follow @mlbreports
The first fourteen years of my life (1991-2005) the Braves won consecutive division titles (the best run in MLB to date). They were the first team in the NL to go from last place to first place the next year (“Worst to First”).
They went to the World Series. (1991 was the first time that the home team won all 7 games of the World Series-too bad Atlanta wasn’t the home team).
On my first trip to the local library after moving downtown twenty minutes from home I quickly discovered there were only two Braves books in the whole four floors:
The Miracle Season and a book by John Smoltz that I wish I could remember the title of because I read that thing like it was a holy canon that summer.
I know the Braves beat the Astros 6-5 a few hours after I was born, and I think, in baseball astrology terms, that meant I was destined to become a Braves fan.
The first World Series I was alive for was the Braves and the Twins, not as if I could remember it, but I know that people still argue over the bad call that supposedly caused the Braves to lose, as if one call among thousands could determine a game much less a series.
And for fourteen years consecutively the Braves won their Division (of course the 1994 Season was cancelled, negating the only time the season ended, without them atop the NL East Standings – Montreal was leading that year).
Braves Clinch The NL East
Its Gut Check Time For The Rangers: Indians + Rays In The AL Wild Card Driver Seats
Baltimore entered last Friday night just 1 game behind the playoff bar. They were swept in a 4 game series down in Tampa Bay, in a wraparound series, that included a devastating 18 inning loss among the tough defeats. The club also lost Manny Machado to injury yesterday. The magic number to eliminate the team is just 3. The guys end the regular season with 6 straight at Camden Yards. The only real meaningful resolutions will be if Chris Davis can crack 4 Home Runs, to tie Ken Griffey Jr. (56 HRs) for the most HRs by a LHB in the AL for the last 52 years?
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
2013 WILDCARD Race Breakdown in AL
Team W – L GBL Games Left Upcoming in Sequence
Tampa Bay Rays 87 – 69 – ( 3 @ NYY, 3 @ TOR)
Cleveland Indians 86 – 70 – ( 2 vs CWS, 4 @ MIN)
Texas Rangers 85 – 71 1 (2 vs HOU, 4 vs LAA)
Kansas City Royals 83 – 73 3.0 (2 @ SEA, 4 @ CWS)
New York Yankees 82 – 74 4.0 (3 vs TB, 3 @ HOU)
Baltimore Orioles 81 – 75 5.0 ( 3 vs TOR, 3 vs BOS)
We have had some clarification occur over the last week in the AL Wild Card Race as the Rays and Indians have both won 4 straight in their goal to make the playoffs.
The Yankees went 3 – 3 for the week, including a heart – wrenching loss to the Giants late on Sunday, It must have pained them even more to see the Rays come back in the late innings versus the Orioles.
Had Baltimore won that game, the Yankees would start the series in New York versus the Rays tonight with a chance to cut their deficit to them by 3 games via a sweep.
The Bronx Bombers then waltz into Houston, where they might win their last 3 games. However, with Tampa’s come from behind win yesterday, it makes their Magic number versus the Yanks to 3.
Manny Machado’s Gruesome Injury – Sept.23/2013
The 4 Teams Chasing Texas + Tampa In The AL Wild Card Have A Great Chance (Mon – THU Game W – L Grid For All 6 Teams)
The Cleveland Indians are in the driver seat in the AL Wild Card Race. While they may not overtake the #1 Wild Card Spot by Thursday, they can guarantee to be in a playoff position if they can simply win 3 out of the next 4 games. After Thursday, the Tribe has the easiest path to the Post Season out of any of these 6 clubs when it comes to Strength Of Schedule! Cleveland last made the playoffs in 2007, when they blew a 3 – 1 ALCS to the Boston Red Sox.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
2013 WILDCARD Race Breakdown in AL
Team W – L GBL Games Left Upcoming in Sequence
Tampa Bay Rays 81 – 67 – (4 vs TEX, 4 vs BAL, 3 @ NYY, 3 @ TOR)
Texas Rangers 81 – 67 – (4 @ TB, 3 @ KC, 3 vs HOU, 4 vs LAA)
Cleveland Indians 81 – 68 0.5 (3 @ KC, 4 vs HOU, 2 vs CWS, 4 @ MIN)
Baltimore Orioles 79 – 70 2.5 (3 @ BOS, 4 @ TB, 3 vs TOR, 3 vs BOS)
New York Yankees 79 – 71 3.0 (3 @ TOR, 3 @ SF, 3 vs TB, 3 vs HOU)
Kansas City Royals 78 – 71 3.5 (3 vs CLE, 3 vs TEX, 3 @ SEA, 4 @ CWS)
The American League Wild Card spots #1 and #2 are considerably up for grabs.
To make it an even tighter race, the teams trailing Tampa and Texas can all make up ground in their own individual series this week when those clubs play each other 4 times.
This is a perfect storm for these 4 clubs to narrow the gap.
What I am going to do is make in make a grid based on how the teams will do based on the Rays and the Rangers series.
KC Royals Win the 1985 World Series – Now Sit in a 28 Year Playoff Drought (Longest in the MLB)
2014 MLB Season Schedule – Week 2 (April.07 – April.13/2014)
The MLB Reports is going to be the #1 place to come for the 2014 Major League Baseball Schedule: Dates, Days, Home Openers, # Games Per Day: Break Downs into pages of a Year Long Calendar, Monthly Calendar, Weekly Calendar – all on one page for each, so you can know your favorite teams schedule, or plan to do a MLB Road Trip. I will also do a doubleheader Master Schedule for – two parks in one day for that extreme Ball Park Chaser (Coming in Feb). Also, we will have a Sunday Night ESPN schedule page, an Interleague Schedule Page for all year, 6 different 30 Ballparks in 30 days trip schedules, and a couple of schedules I feel could break the records for ballpark viewing. Those last few pages all are coming in February.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
A lot of things that will affect any given schedule for the ‘MLB’ are weather cancellations, ESPN Sunday Night Game positioning and of course if there any other delays.
The MLB Reports will work hard to keep up with the schedule changes as they come. While we are not going to be a big proponent of putting up links for tickets, we have many friends that do such a thing.
Plus if you haven’t done so yet. join http://www.ballparkchasers.com – and join the discussion with the gang over at Facebook here.
You will be doing yourselves a favor by joining – as a lot of the people in there have vast knowledge and expertise about all of the 30 MLB Parks.
All 30 MLB Parks – in 30 Days by Blind Fan Reggie Deal (He is the man!)
2014 MLB Season Opener Date for Games In Sydney, Australia + Week 1 Of The MLB Schedule (March.23 – April.06/2014)
The MLB Reports is going to be the #1 place to come for the 2014 Major League Baseball Schedule: Dates, Days, Home Openers, # Games Per Day: Break Downs into pages of a Year Long Calendar, Monthly Calendar, Weekly Calendar – all on one page for each, so you can know your favorite teams schedule, or plan to do a MLB Road Trip. I will also do a doubleheader Master Schedule for – two parks in one day for that extreme Ball Park Chaser (Coming in Feb). Also, we will have a Sunday Night ESPN schedule page, an Interleague Schedule Page for all year, 6 different 30 Ballparks in 30 days trip schedulers, and a couple of schedules I feel could break the records for ballpark viewing. Those last few pages all are coming in February.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
With the exception of that we don’t know who is going to have the North American Home Opener on Sunday March.30/2014 yet, these are the tentative schedule – and I have highlighted home openers for each club.
Only a few teams like: St. Louis, New York (AL), Seattle, and San Francisco will not have hosted games from Mar.30 – April.06. Everybody will have played a home game by April.08/2014.
All 30 MLB Parks – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance Is Advised
Official Home Openers At All 30 MLB Parks In 2014
The MLB Reports is going to be the #1 place to come for the 2014 Major League Baseball Schedule: Dates, Days, Home Openers, # Games Per Day: Break Downs into pages of a Year Long Calendar, Monthly Calendar, Weekly Calendar – all on one page for each, so you can know your favorite teams schedule, or plan to do a MLB Road Trip. I will also do a doubleheader Master Schedule for – two parks in one day for that extreme Ball Park Chaser (Coming in Feb). Also, we will have a Sunday Night ESPN schedule page, an Interleague Schedule Page for all year, 6 different 30 Ballparks in 30 days trip schedules, and a couple of schedules I feel could break the records for ballpark viewing. Those last few pages all are coming in February.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
With the exception of that we don’t know who is going to have the North American Home Opener on Sunday March.30/2014 yet, these are the tentative home openers for each club.
30 MLB Park Rankings – According to a Fan
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (September.4th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Matt Adams came off the bench and became the first Cardinals player ever to hit two extra inning home runs in the same game. Both game St. Louis the lead and the second one was the eventual game winner in the 16th, topping the Reds 5-4.
David Ortiz delivered 3 hits including 2 of the 8 Red Sox homers. His second home run was career hit humber 2,000 as Boston clobbered Detroit in a 20-4 laugher.
Dillon Gee pitched 7 terrific innings, letting up 1 run and 4 hits and got the 5-2 victory for the Mets over the first place Braves.
Jarrod Parker did his job in a divisional showdown against Texas. He pitched 6 innings letting up just 5 hits and 2 runs while walking none, giving the A’s the chance to run up the score in an 11-4 blow out that put Oakland back into a first place tie.
They all owned baseball on September 4, 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
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To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here
Aug.31 Trade Deadline Maneuvers Part 1
Mike Morse had his best year in 2011 with the Nationals, where he hit .303, with 31 HRs and 95 RBI during his 515 AB. The Orioles would love that kind of production to aid their DH core of hitters. The club however, would simply settle for his Career 3 Slash Line of .284/.338/.816 in parts of 9 seasons and 1827 At-Bats. Morse makes $6.75 MIL this year, and will be a Free Agent after the campaign is finished.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner) Follow @mlbreports
The Orioles picking up Mike Morse is a good move. The guy is familiar with Region, is a nice contrast to Chris Davis – and cost the club a minimal amount to bring over.
I think the big 6 FT 5 players is just the kind of guy the Baltimore team has missed over the year.
The Designated Hitters slot has been abysmal – and if Morse can to the back of his bubblegum card, this move will pan out.
The team’s lineup will now feature Manny Machado 3B, , Nick Markakis RF, Chris Davis 1B, Adam Jones CF, Matt Wieters C, J.J. Hardy SS, Mike Morse DH, Nate McLouth LF and Brian Roberts 2B.
Morse joins Scott Feldman, Francisco Rodriguez and Bud Norris as late season acquisitions. All of them have contributed to the franchise.
All of a sudden having a 7 – 9, with a 25 – 30 HR powers in Morse, added with veteran Brian Roberts (if healthy) and Nate McLouth, could add a speed element when the team swings around back to the top of the lineup.
It is good for depth and when consider the team is only 5 games out of the 2nd Wild Card Spot, this is plausible with 3o games left.
Chris Tillman has asserted himself an up and coming #2 Pitcher on the team. I must say, him doing this 2 years in a row, has made a believer out of me now.
The man is 24 – 7 over his last 31 decisions – and has a mid tier 3 ERA – competing in a donnybrook of a Division. Yesterday’s win over Boston was just another example of how much the 25 year old has bailed the club out of a losing streak.
You know Buck Showalter will have his guys ‘game ready’ for the challenge.
The Traveling Salesman Problem: 30 MLB Stadiums In Record Time
The 30 MLB Park Road Trip has been mastered by about 25 people who have accomplished the feat in under a month. We are going to keep giving the extreme ballpark chasers some more food for thought here.
By Josh Robbins (Special Guest Writer And Co – Creator for The Factor12 Rating Pitching Metric.)
The Factor 12 (F12) is an analytic measurement utilizing league average performance to compare the value of all MLB pitchers on 60ft6in.com.
My grandfather was a traveling salesman for most of his working life. Frequently, he recalls stories about selling his wares in exotic places such as Keokuk, Iowa, Hannibal, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois.
However, the real Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) asks this question: “Given a list of cities and the distances between each pair of cities, what is the shortest possible route that visits each city exactly once and returns to the origin city?”
Applying this computation to all 30 MLB stadiums is more complex given the nature of the regular season schedule. A handful of metropolitan cities host two clubs enabling for travel to occur in the same city more than once.
Without using a complex algorithm or formula based system, google maps will be utilized to determine the shortest distances between each city/stadium to determine the most logical route.
Extreme ballpark chasers are often left to the mercy of the schedule eliminating a perfect directional path.
After optimizing the mileage breakdown between stadiums, this is the shortest possible DRIVING route discovered:
30 Ballparks in 30 Days Documentary
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.29th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Photo: Gene J. Puskar – AP
Yovani Gallardo kept the Pirates out of first place with 7 shutout innings, getting the 4-0 win for the Brewers.
Daniel Murphy went 4-5 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base, leading the Mets offense in a 11-3 mauling of the Phillies.
Jason Vargas continued the Angels winning ways in Tampa Bay by blanking the Rays over 7 innings of 3 hit shutout ball and getting the 2-0 decision .
Torii Hunter launched a 2 out, 3 run, come from behind, walk off homer that salvaged a game for the Tigers and avoided an Oakland sweep, 7-6.
They all owned baseball on August 29, 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.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.27th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Elisa Amendola – AP Photo
Shane Victorino hit a pair of homers, scored 4 times, drove in 7 and amassed 10 bases in the Red Sox 13-2 humiliation of the Orioles.
Andy Pettitte pitched 7 shutout innings, leading the Yankees past the Blue Jays, 7-1.
Gerardo Parra drove in 5 runs, including 3 on a homer, and was the specter on deck for the Diamondbacks bizarre 10-9 extra inning walk off victory over the Padres.
Jonathon Niese gave Met fans reason to cheer with a complete game, 3 hit shutout of the Phillies, 5-0.
They all owned baseball on August 26, 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.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here
Breaking Down A Potential Suitor For My World Record Of 30 MLB Parks in 23 Days with a 30 – 21 bid
30 in 21 chance by Jake Beham
The schedule of Jake Beham, who is trying to chase down my World Record of Seeing all 30 MLB Parks (every pitch) in 23 calendar days or less. This schedule must have been done without knowing you have to witness all plays of the game to qualify. Jake is going to have a tough time dodging a miss on day 2 – where he will try to beat Labor Day Monday traffic from after the game – in order to make 1st pitch at CBP. He will never make it by car. The Yankees always play games that are 3 Hours or longer as well. Even Amtrak train is a longshot. I give him a 10% chance to make it on his 1st Doubleheader attempt.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
2 days later he flies to Chase Field – and has scheduled a Doubleheader with Angel Stadium For DH #2. I am assuming he is planning on taking a Southwest Airlines flight that arrives at John Wayne Arpt. The flight leaves Phoenix at 455 PM.
That is 4 hours and 15 minutes after 1st pitch. The flight that arrives in SNA at 605. If he makes the flight, he could make this. However it is about a 67% chance. Most NL games last about 2 hours and 35 minutes.
The airport is close enough to the park in PHX – as is SNA airport. Any extra innings though, and it is over.
On FRI, Sept.6th, he has scheduled a Wrigley Field and Kauffman Stadium doubleheader for DH #3. This one is impossible. The game starts at 120 PM local Chicago Time.
The closest flight I saw that leaves ORD or MDW in time for Kansas City, leaves at 441 PM. That is 3 hours and 21 minutes from 1st pitch at Wrigley Field.
The Braves Keep On ‘Chopping’ Despite Several Key Injuries
The Braves have been falling by the wayside to injury since the 1st part of the year. They have lost Venters, O’Flaherty. Hudson and now Heyward for a 2nd time. If you couple that with lackluster performances from Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton, the injury time on the DL for Brian McCann, Brandon Beachy – and even Evan Gattis, plus the retired Chipper Jones having been departed from the 2012 squad, then this team has overachieved to the fullest with the rest of the choppers! Atlanta currently owns the best record in the MLB – with a 77 – 50 mark, 14 games clear of the 2nd place Washington Nationals in the NL East. Also, please stop inadvertently injuring our players New York Mets!
By Bob McVinua (Special Guest Braves Writer – visit his website here): Follow @tomahawkchop95
The word “injury” has plagued this 2013 Braves team all season long.
The injury bug didn’t take long to hit as Jonny Venters the teams premier set up man was unable to throw a single pitch this regular season.
Then it was Eric O’Flaherty who was hit with a season ending injury. At this point in time it was about mid May and many were in panic mode over what would become of this feared and revered Atlanta Braves bullpen.
It wouldn’t take too long to find out the answer to that question. After a little mixing and matching Fredi Gonzalez found the right guys to plug into those critical 7th/8th inning roles and they have been nothing short of spectacular.
Jason Heyward Hit In The Face – Not For The Weak Of Heart, You Have Been Warned!
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.
MLB Expansion Makes Ballpark Chasing Possible
Twenty years ago, the course of history changed for ballpark chasing. In 1993, the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins debuted in the National League, increasing the total number of MLB teams to twenty-eight.
The two new franchises created positions for fifty players and expanded the pursuits for ballpark chasers.
In prior years, the nearest connection between a west coast team and the mid-west was Anaheim Stadium to Royals Stadium, a 23-hour drive covering 1,619 miles.
As a result, it was impossible for fans to attend games in consecutive days at every MLB stadium during one concurrent driving trip. Consequently, the only method to complete the entire circuit was to combine land and air travel.
The new league structure dramatically altered the traveling landscape by adding Mile High Stadium in Denver, a 14-hour, 1,011-mile drive from Anaheim Stadium.
Reggie Deal’s- 30 Day. 30 Park Compilation (A Blind Fan Who visited all 30 MLB Parks in 30 Days last year)
September Callup Candidates For The Nationals: Washington With A Great 36 Game Sked To End 2013
At 62 – 64 with 36 games left, The Nationals will need a massive collapse from either the Pirates, Reds or Cardinals in order to qualify for the Post Season in 2013 being 10.5 Games behind the playoff bar. Despite the struggles, the club still has to go about the business of preparing a 40 Man Roster in September. Lets preview some of the news, injured players coming back, and recent performances of some of the guys in the Minor League System.
By Sean Hogan (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @seanhoganvt
September is just 10 days away. With 9 games in those 10 days, a lot of things can happen with the Nats. They can still go on a run and get back into the thick of things in the Wild Card race.
The reason for this is easy…. The Pirates, Cardinals and Reds are play each other a pile in the last 5 weeks of the year, so all the Nationals have to do is to take care of business, and they can be back in the conversation for the playoff game at least.
The Nats also have a ridiculously easy schedule coming from now until the end of the year in their final 36 games.
Coming up. 1 more @CHC, 3 @KC (they are struggling now), then a 6 game homestand versus the Marlins and Mets. They should go 7 – 3 here.
From there, they have a 10 game road trip with 3 @PHI, 3 @MIA and 4 @NYM. The team could go 7 – 3.
Followed by the road trip is a 10 game homestand: 3 VS PHI, 3 VS ATL (they may have clinched by then – or at least resting guys), and to vs the Marlins ends the stretch. The team could go 8 – 2.
The Nats end up playing their last 6 on the road versus the Cardinals and Diamondbacks in 3 game series each. If they win both series, it could be a 4 – 2 road trip.
You could see the club win 26 of their last 36 games – to have them equal 88 wins. The Pirates would need to win 15 games out of 36 in this scenario.
While it would still make it unlikely to be in the Wild Card Game, it could put some pressure on the 3 NL Central franchises.
The Cardinals would have to win 16 out of 36 games to stay ahead, and the Reds would need 17 wins out their last 35 games to stay head.
They could also go on a losing streak and drop out of the race just as easily. For the most part, the Nats’ September call-up candidates will be the same, but their eventual roles may differ.
The only player on the 40-man roster that I don’t think has a chance of making it to the Majors in September is Matt Purke, who has always struggled with injuries and is just starting to hack it in high A ball.
Jeff Kobernus – 1st Career HR
How Can The New York Mets Improve For The 2014 Season? Start With Some Outfielders!
As of today, The New York Mets sit in third place in the National League East with a not so good 57-66 record. With that record being nine games under the .500 mark, they need to make some improvements. How will they do that? One way is to pick up some free agents.
By Dan Wanser (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @DanWanser
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The New York Mets have struggled this year, but they are hoping to be able to do much better next year.
With solid players such as Third Baseman David Wright, Pitcher Matt Harvey, and an up and coming star in Jenrry Mejia the Mets have key players that they can build a good team around for the years to come.
If they want to improve, they need to do something. To do this, they will likely pick up some free agents and possibly make a trade or two.
If they want to pick up some free agents, they can go after outfielders such as Shin-Soo Choo of the Cincinnati Reds who would help defensively in Center Field and could also hit lead-off or anywhere else in the line-up if asked.
Marlon Byrd’s GS
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.15th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Matt Carpenter went 4-5, launched an RBI triple in the Cardinals go ahead rally in the 5th and scored the winning run in the 12th, giving St. Louis a critical victory over the Pirates, 6-5.
Chris Nelson made several sparkling plays in the field and hit a pair of homers. His second shot was a grand slam that broke the game open, helping the Angels top the Yankees (his former club) 8-4.
Zack Wheeler struck out 12 and walking only 1 in 6 innings against the San Diego Padres. He did not get the decision, but he set up the Mets’ 4-1 triumph.
Anibal Sanchez pitched into the 8th inning letting up only one run over 7 1/3 innings, getting the Tigers a win in an important division rival match up against the Royals, 4-1.
They all owned baseball on August 15, 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.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Audio Version
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The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour. Chuck Booth will guest once a month for MLB Power Rankings,
By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com) Follow @bigticketshow
Patrick sits in as the Producer and only representative of the Big Ticket Show – and Chuck Booth joins him to break down all 30 current rankings, plus what the clubs are up to.
To listen to the audio for this Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY logo or past the Triple Play Logo.
If you want the written version of these rankings click here Read the rest of this entry
MLB 30 Team Power Rankings: Week 20
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Texas has fought off a July slump – and are 9 – 1 in their last 10 games. They have added reinforcements in the way of Alex Rios and Matt Garza. If they can just hold the course – and win the AL West, they have the horses and experience to challenge every other team in October. The club was the biggest mover upwards in our rankings this week – going from #10 – #4. It was not too long ago that the Rangers were sitting at just a half – dozen games above .500 – and behind the playoff bar.
Audio Version Of These Power Rankings
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
It is time for the MLB Power Rankings. These are based on my thoughts on whether who has the best chance to win the World Series.
A lot of these positions are based on who has the toughest Strength of Schedule left, who their competition is for the Division, and possibly even the League they are in,
The races for the Divisions in the NL are becoming less competitive every week. The NL East and NL West look to be done. The Pirates are within weeks of ending a 20 year playoff drought.
The Braves rattled off a 14 game winning streak – and should cruise to the NL East crown.
The Athletics are in big trouble with some of their talented offensive players not putting up numbers like they did in 2012. They now find themselves in 2nd place in the AL West.
Adrian Beltre 2 HR day in July
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.10th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Photo: Frank Franklin II/AP
Anibal Sanchez pitched 7 solid innings, letting up only 2 runs and striking out 8 while walking one, getting the win for the Tigers over the Yankees, 9-3.
Jacoby Ellsbury doubled home a run in the 4th and in the 6th, going 4-5 and leading the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory in Kansas City.
Wilmer Flores went 2-4 with RBI singles in the 4th and the 8th, providing almost all the Mets offense over the Diamondbacks, 4-1.
Nathan Eovaldi helped the Marlins stop the Braves winning streak at 14 games. He may not have got the decision, but his 7 shutout innings, letting up one hit and striking out 8, setting up Miami’s 1-0 win.
They all owned baseball on August 10, 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.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
The Washington Nationals Brand Of Baseball Is Hard To Watch Right Now
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Surely a team with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and Bryce Harper can at least be in the Wild Card Race being stocked with so much talent right? After an atrocious stretch, the Nats are 55 – 60 – buried 15.5 Games behind the Braves in the NL East. They are even 9 Games behind the 2nd Wild Card team (Reds). This team was supposed to challenge for a World Series, and now it will take a small miracle now to make the playoffs.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Digging through numbers and searching through the rubble of the Nats season to find answers to what went so horribly wrong can numb the mind.
The reasons are right there spelled out in bold and painful numbers, but many of them raise more questions than they do answers. The Nats are awful in high leverage situations.
More than .040 points of OPS worse than the next worst team.
This could simply be a sample size issue or it could be an issue of the players internalizing all the pressure or it could be that the manager makes the moments feel more tense.
The main issue with trying to find the reason behind the numbers is that some of the possible explanations are beyond our ability to know.
The Nats Mindset 6 months ago
Who Has Earned Their $ – And Who Has Not: The Top MLB Contracts Of All – Time Part 1 of 10
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Mike Piazza has been linked to admission of using PED’s during. his career. This will probably not go down favorably with the BBWAA towards an entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mike Piazza hit 427 HRs in his MLB Career (397 as a Catcher) to go along with a .308 Avg and 1335 RBI. From 1999 – 2005, he signed a 7 YR/$91 MIL deal with the New York Mets after being acquired from the Miami Marlins. He was full value for the franchise, hitting for a 3 Slash Line of .296/.373/.915. In the 7 years of his deal, he blasted 197 HRs and drove in 579 RBI – despite missing half of the 2003 year. He was the most prolific hitting Catcher during the era.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
In doing a recent article about the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays ways of contracts, I thought I would delve into some of the biggest contracts of ALL – Time – in order to dissect them.
I have decided to break the articles up into a 10 part series that will go through the top 53 contracts in the history of the MLB. We are going to count backwards.
Each week for the next 2 months, there will be a post over the weekend with a set of 5 or 6 players.
At the MLB Reports, we are committed to being the best overall payroll/roster/depth chart/state of the union site for each club. Bookmark our page dedicated for keeping track of this here.
Signing high 8 or 9 digit Salaries is a risky business that can cripple a franchise for many years. I mean who wouldn’t want to shed themselves of the biggest Free Agency contracts of late.
I think once we have gone through these all, you will see most of them have not lived up to the value they did – when they first received their deals.
Billy Beane, The A’s Management, The Rays front office and the Braves have been the best run franchises in terms of not making horrendous mistakes.
I have to give the ultimate edge to the A’s and Rays because of B.J. Upton‘s current 5 YR/$75 MIL contract looks to be the worst FA signing ever presently, he fell just short of being in this list.’
Tied for #49 are 5 players, and the 48 th biggest contract belongs to Mike Piazza.
Mike Piazza Post 9/11 HR
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (August.7th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Photo: Bob Levey – Getty Images
Stephen Drew went 2-4 with a walk and a come from behind 3 run homer in the 9th inning to lead the Red Sox to a 7-5 win in Houston.
Martin Prado reached base 5 times, was a triple shy of the cycle and delivered the game winning, come from behind two run single that sealed the wild Diamondbacks 9-8 victory over the Rays .
Jeremy Bonderman returned to his old club, the Tigers, and gave a clutch relief performance. He entered the 11th inning in a critical game against the division rival Indians and each pitch he threw could have won the game for Cleveland. Instead he threw 3 shutout innings and got the win as the Tigers rallied in the 14th and took the game, 6-5.
Matt Harvey threw a complete game 4 hit shutout, walking none, as the Mets beat the Rockies 5-0 .
They all owned baseball on August 7, 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.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry
MLB 30 Team Power Rankings: Week 19
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The Braves have charged out of the ALL – Star Break at a pace like they did to start the year. They have an 11.5 Games Lead in the NL East over Washington, and most of their offense is starting to click – which have helped contributed to the team hold down the fort now that the pitching has had vast injuries.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
It is time for the MLB Power Rankings. These are based on my thoughts on whether who has the best chance to win the World Series.
A lot of these positions are based on who has the toughest Strength of Schedule left, who their competition is for the Division, and possibly even the League they are in.
How unfortunate it is for the Indians and the Royals to have the Tigers winning 9 of their last ten – to fend off their those absurdly hot AL Central counterparts?
The good news for the KC and CLE teams is that the AL East are beating up on each other in the last month, while Texas will see a Nelson Cruz suspension dampen their odds of making the Post Season.
Check out the Show we did on AL and NL Rankings Here on the 2 And A Hook Podcast
MLB Reports 
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