tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38382317677655238272024-03-12T22:10:14.376-04:00Twins on TwinsTwins writing about the Minnesota Twins, sports in general, and various other things that happen in their lives.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.comBlogger495125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-79911658991891683312012-04-09T13:36:00.001-04:002012-04-09T13:37:04.723-04:00A Miserable StartSo it's been a pretty miserable start to the Twins' season. They were swept by the Baltimore Orioles, the same Orioles who finished the 2011 season with a 69-93 record (which, of course, was six games better than the Twins' own record).<br />
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Minnesota failed to score in the first seven innings in any of the three games, but did miraculously avoid being shut-out in any of the games either. They scored a total of 5 runs against an Orioles pitching staff that, last year, was easily the worst in the league. Even the Twins, who finished 29th in the Majors in ERA and runs allowed, along with opponents' OBP, SLG, and OPS, looked down their noses at the Orioles' pitching... because Baltimore was dead last in each of those categories, some by a wide margin.<br />
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Of course, it was the Orioles laughing this whole weekend. And it's everyone collectively laughing that, in a fantasy preview of the AL starting pitchers taking the mound twice this week, <b>Nick Blackburn </b>was placed all alone in a group called "This is seriously a terrible [expletive] idea". Even Baltimore's Brian Matusz made it into a superior group, despite his heroic contributions to the Orioles' league-worst pitching in 2011, including a 10.69 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in twelve starts. And he even pitches against New York and Toronto. I guess that's a pretty accurate picture of just how good Nick Blackburn is.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-33847928677467784052012-02-09T16:34:00.001-05:002012-02-09T16:35:42.334-05:00Playing PepperEvery year, Baseball Bloggers Alliance founder Dan Shoptaw sends out a few questions to each team's chapter regarding the outlook for that team. As you might have guessed, those question are much more bleak than they have been in a long time. You can read responses from all of the Twins blogs on March 13th, at which time I will provide the link.<br />
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<i>1) What was your opinion of the team's off-season? </i><br />
All in all, it was solid. Unfortunately, a solid off-season isn't likely to be good enough for a team that lost 99 games last season. They avoided bad contracts with Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer (and will get draft picks in their place), they made some nice pick-ups with Ryan Doumit, Joel Zumaya, and Jamey Carroll, and they struck a good deal with Josh Willingham, their biggest free agent signing in franchise history. But their bullpen is still riddled with holes, which could have been filled fairly easily with multiple quality relievers with the $4.5 million that instead went to Matt Capps. Their starting rotation is likely to again be one of the worst in the league, unless Liriano returns to form (more on that in a minute), as Jason Marquis is not an appreciable upgrade in that department. And their hitting still leaves something to be desired given the health of Justin Morneau, and, to a lesser extent, Denard Span and Joe Mauer.<br />
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<i>2) Francisco Liriano seemed to be wildly inconsistent last season. Is there any reason to hope he'll be more dominant this season?</i><br />
He was much closer to consistently bad than wildly inconsistent. Outside of a freak no-hitter (which was still quite the highlight in that depressing Twins season) and a great game in August against the Yankees, Liriano was plain bad. Then again, the year before he had some sabermetrically-inclined fans calling for his inclusion at the top of the Cy Young discussion. As such, he's probably the most polarizing Twins player in recent memory, perhaps with the exception of Nick Punto. As for the hope that he'll be much better this year, I think it's closer to hoping against hope that he will be, rather than any rational expectation for him to be. Like Jason Kubel's knee injury suffered in the AFL in 2004, Liriano's Tommy John surgery will more than likely have us wondering what could have been as he disappoints once again.<br />
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<i>3) Justin Morneau hasn't played 100 games in the past two seasons. What are the expectations for him in 2012?</i><br />
Not much. He had so many injuries last year that I can't even keep track of them all. Wrist surgery, neck surgery, post-concussion symptoms, the list goes on and on. And the fact that Minnesota is spinning it as good news that he is finally no longer experiencing concussion symptoms 18 months after his initial injury? Just depressing. Morneau was in the midst of a magical season before that fateful and seemingly innocuous feet-first slide into second base, and since then he's been a complete mess. I feel for the guy and hope so much that he can come back and be the player he was two years ago, but at this point if he either makes it through the whole season OR provides above average production for any significant portion of 2012, I'll be satisfied.<br />
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<i>4) Is there a prospect that will make an impact on the team this season?</i><br />
With Kyle Gibson going under the knife last year, I don't think there's one clear answer to this question. Chris Parmelee might be a popular choice but I don't see a roster spot for him to start the season, nor do I see him maintaining the success he had in his call-up at the end of last year. Joe Benson and Alex Wimmers might be options, but I don't think the Twins see either as being ready for extended time with the big league club this year. To me, that leaves Brian Dozier or my choice, Liam Hendriks. Dozier might have if the Twins hadn't signed Carroll, but now he figures to be behind Alexi Casilla, Carroll, and presumably Tsuyoshi Nishioka at the midle infield spots. Hendriks pitched decently in his cup of coffee at the end of 2011, and figures to be one of the top choices should anyone in the rotation go down with an injury. Or struggle, which, given the makeup of the Twins' rotation, is virtually guaranteed. He may not have a lot of upside but I think he's the prospect most likely to make an impact this year.<br />
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<i>5) Where will the team finish in their division and what are you most excited about for 2012?</i><br />
As a fan, despite everything I've written, I think they'll come out on top. The White Sox mortgaged for the future this off-season, the Tigers lost Victor Martinez and are playing a man at third base who could pass for an NFL offensive lineman, and the Indians just played over their heads last year. And do I even need to mention the Royals? As a realist, the Tigers have to be the favorite to win the division with Verlander, Cabrera, and now Prince Fielder. After that, it's a bit wide open, so I'll be a homer and pick the Twins a distant second--around .500--to the Tigers.<br />
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And I'm most excited about Joe Mauer. I am the biggest apologist and fan of him, even in Twins territory. When so many fans turned on him toward the end of last year, I remained one of his staunchest supporters. He's healthy now and he'll be back to form this year. He'll never repeat his 2009 season, but I see another batting title coming in 2012.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-14914042984480259292012-02-07T16:28:00.000-05:002012-02-08T16:52:48.301-05:00A Recap of the Twins' OffseasonThe last time the Twins organization saw this many changes in one season was back in 2007, when perennial all-stars Torii Hunter and Johan Santana departed. In trying to avoid replicating a disastrous 99-loss season, Minnesota sacked Bill Smith and reinstated Terry Ryan as General Manager, who stepped down in that same 2007 season. The moves Ryan have made since then have mostly been positive, as he's helped situate the Twins to be better than they were in 2011--thought that wasn't all that difficult.<br />
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There are still many holes, however, and many of the problems that produced 99 losses last year are still present. While the Twins will probably be better, hopes are not nearly as high as they've been in years past. Let's take a look at each of Terry Ryan's moves one-by-one and evaluate their effect on the prospects of the 2011 Minnesota Twins.<br />
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<b>Matt Capps</b>- The gift that keeps on taking. In mid-2010, Bill Smith traded top catching prospect Wilson Ramos for the overrated Matt Capps. In the 2010 off-season, Smith retained Capps for the next season for more than $7 million, a result of Smith's complete over-valuation of the save statistic. In December of 2011, Terry Ryan decided to re-sign Capps for $4.75 million. While that represents a significantly smaller sum than his previous salary, it was still far too much, especially considering the number of quality relievers available as free agents. Aaron Gleeman <a href="http://aarongleeman.com/2012/01/30/matt-capps-axl-rose-and-the-twins-bullpen/">depressingly captures</a> exactly what the Twins could have done to improve their bullpen with that $4.75 million they spent on Capps. Oh, and they also would have received an extra draft pick if Capps had signed with another team. Ouch.<br />
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<b>Jamey Carroll- </b>This was meant as a move to fill the chasm that was created at shortstop last season when Tsuyoshi Nishioka turned out to be woefully under-prepared for the Major Leagues. Of course he's still around and could be better this year, but nobody's hopes are very high. Carroll will presumably begin the year as the starting shortstop, a role that he adequately fits. He's 37 years old so his good defensive ratings from last year are no bet to continue, though, and his slap-hitting tendencies won't make up for his defense if it's below average. Considering the black hole the Twins have often been sporting at shortstop over the last decade, however, this move is solid. 2 years at more than $7 million total may be a little high, but all around this was a decent acquisition.<br />
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<b>Ryan Doumit- </b>I don't think there's anything to complain about with this signing. For the low price of $3 million, the Twins have added a switch-hitting catcher who can also play the outfield. With Denard Span and new acquisition Josh Willingham locked into outfield spots, Doumit will either play DH or take the third outfield position from Ben Revere. In addition, he provides a very capable option at catcher if Joe Mauer gets injured or just to fill in on his regular days of rest. Doumit is no superstar but he's a great fit for the Twins at a great price.<br />
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<b>Josh Willingham- </b>The biggest move of the Twins off-season was essentially choosing to sign Willingham over re-signing Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer's popularity with Minnesota fans and the media is well-known, but the fact of the matter is that this was the correct move to make. Cuddyer signed with the Rockies for $30 million over 3 years, while the Twins got Willingham for $21 million over the same period. In addition to saving $9 million, Minnesota will also get two extra draft picks because another team signed Cuddyer. And, despite that, they really didn't lost much, if anything, in terms of on-field production. Willingham is a poor-fielding right-handed power bat, just like Cuddyer, except that he gets on base a little more while hitting for a slightly lower average. It's sad to see Cuddyer go, but Ryan did well in making this tough decision.<br />
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<b>Joel Zumaya- </b>This was a low-risk, high-reward signing that will probably give the Twins little to no value. Zumaya hasn't pitched since mid-2010, when his elbow shattered while pitching for the Tigers against Minnesota. The likelihood that Zumaya will be healthy and effective at all in 2012 is low, and the likelihood that he will be both of those for anything resembling an entire season is essentially zero. Nonetheless, for $800,000 it was worth the risk. In the past, when healthy, Zumaya has been a top-flight reliever, something the Twins sorely need with the departure of Joe Nathan.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-75034021880081783962012-02-02T15:51:00.000-05:002012-02-08T15:53:04.994-05:00The Final Word on Instant ReplayIn 1966, following a controversial call that cost his team a victory, Florida State football coach Bill Peterson remarked upon a novel idea: “With all the electronic devices we have in football, why don’t we have videotape or something like it to help officials?”<br />
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You see, just three years earlier CBS had aired the first replay ever. CBS Director Tony Verna had almost single-handedly made it possible, outfitting a 1200-pound videotape machine for the job and pioneering a system that could efficiently track time on the recorded videotape. During an Army-Navy football game on December 7, 1963, replay made its debut following an Army touchdown. The concept was so shocking that broadcaster Lindsey Nelson needed to tell viewers that “Army did not score again!” Tex Schramm, who hired Verna and would go on to become General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys, immediately grasped the historic impact, saying to Verna: “What you have done here will have such far-reaching implications, we can’t begin to imagine them.”<br />
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Almost half a century later, those implications have certainly been realized. As Brad Willie, Vice President of Dixon Sports Consulting explains in regard to video replays: “We can control up to 16 cameras… We can show forward and backward slow-motion, frame-by-frame, and jogging. If they want to see another another angle or the first angle again… we can do all of those motions with one operator.” Every play of every professional sports game is filmed from multiple angles, and a close play never passes by on television without multiple replays.<br />
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And yet, in the 2009 Major League Baseball postseason, Joe Mauer was forced to continue batting after he had roped a ball into the left-field corner, seemingly for an obvious double, because the umpire called it foul.<br />
And yet, in that same postseason, Robinson Cano was allowed to stay at third base after both he and Jorge Posada were seemingly tagged out by Mike Napoli while standing in the vicinity of the bag, because the umpire ruled him safe.<br />
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And yet, in June of 2010, Armando Galarraga got credit only for a one-hit shutout despite seemingly retiring 27 consecutive batters for the 20th perfect game in Major League history, because the umpire called the 27th batter of the game safe on a groundball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.<br />
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You know what really happened, and every fan watching on television knew what had really happened within seconds: Mauer had, in fact, hit a double, Napoli had actually tagged out both Posada and Cano, and Galarraga did indeed complete a perfect game. But umpires Phil Cuzzi, Tim McClelland, and Jim Joyce, respectively, saw the plays differently—that is to say, wrong—and there was no recourse in place to correct their mistakes.<br />
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Forty-five years after Bill Peterson first lobbied for some technical aid for officials, in Major League Baseball those officials are still not permitted look at a replay to see what truly occurs except in very specific circumstances. While every fan across the world knew the proper calls immediately afterward, the umpires—the only people who could change the official result—were the only people not allowed to consult video replay to get a second look at the plays.<br />
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At this point, Major League Baseball is pretty much alone in that resepct. Across the board, professional sports leagues have expanded instant replay to aid their officials.<br />
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The National Football League first experimented with replay in 1986. After a trial period, it disappeared because of the league’s top-heavy voting policy, though 17 of 28 teams and the commissioner at the time, Paul Tagliabue, were all in favor of continuing with it. Said Jim Finks, then the owner of the New Orleans Saints, twenty years ago, “We’ll regret the day we voted it down. This is a major step backward for the NFL. This is stupidity on the part of our league.” His words proved true when, eight years later, the NFL re-introduced instant replay, and has continued to use it extensively since then.<br />
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The National Basketball Association has been using instant replay since 2002, at first only to judge whether shots at the end of quarters were released in time. Stu Jackson, the NBA’s Senior Vice President for Basketball Operations, explained: “Plays sometimes occur in which it is impossible for a human being to determine whether the play took place before time expired.” It’s not exactly a revelation that human beings are fallible, but admitting it and working to make up for it is something every other sport has been willing to do. The NBA is constantly looking to improve replay, with an instant replay committee featuring general managers and coaches approving additional replay opportunities both in 2008 and 2009.<br />
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The National Hockey League’s use of instant replay dates back to 1991, when officials were newly allowed to check close calls on goals and potential goals, and it streamlined the process in 2003 by giving the responsibility to off-ice officials. With the initial inception of replay in 1991, NHL president John Ziegler pointed out: “We can at least…provide assistance to those people, who, under great pressure and at very difficult times, have to make these difficult decisions.”<br />
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NASCAR uses instant replay to determine if cars pass into pit road before a caution flag is raised. Professional tennis, encompassing both the USTA and WTA, has taken on more extreme measures, using a computerized system termed HawkEye, rather than video replay, to judge if a ball lands in or out. In defending the decision in 2006, USTA CEO Arlen Kantarian said: “We have to change with the times… We can’t stick our heads in the sand.” In college football, multiple conferences have recently upgraded to High Definition replay in college football.<br />
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What has prevented instant replay from taking hold in baseball, when every other American professional and college sport with the means to use it does so extensively? Why is it that the authorities in each of the aforementioned leagues have realized the benefits of instant replay, but MLB commissioner Bud Selig staunchly opposed its introduction and stubbornly continues to fight against any additions? It boils down to his faulty reasoning, and the shrinking number of people who indulge each aspect of it. Wall Street Journal contributor Jason Gay separates these people into three different groups: the romantics, the slippery slopers, and the laughably impatient.<br />
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New York Times writer George Vecsey exemplifies the romantics’ point of view: “Imperfect umpires are as much a part of this sport as imperfect fielders who muff a pop fly or imperfect runners who neglect to touch a base.” They are traditionalists who think that umpiring errors are part of the game because, well, they always have been, and for that reason they must stay. They fear that instant replay will remove the human element, and, as Selig described, “It’s been said for 150 years that you can’t remove the human element from baseball.”<br />
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That reasoning is both mistaken and misguided. Humans will stay play the game, and humans will still umpire the game, but those umpires will just be able to use technology to help them make difficult calls. Instant replay will only eliminate the human element insofar as the human element is synonymous with officiating mistakes.<br />
Even more ridiculous is the notion that it is tradition for umpires to make incorrect calls, accidentally of course, and thus that they must be able to do so. Do these people think that if, when baseball was first played in the mid-nineteenth century, players and coaches had had the option of using a replay system they would have balked at it? As Vecsey points out, umpires in that era often asked passing spectators for help with calls. At one point, that was tradition too, but baseball got rid of it because it correctly decided that it was not the best way to officiate games. The only reason that, for 150 years, people have said you can’t remove the human element—again, the human element being equivalent to incorrect calls—from baseball is that for the first 140 years you couldn’t. And we still can’t entirely eliminate it, but thanks to advanced video technology we can significantly limit its affect on the game.<br />
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Even in a sport that usually changes at a lurching pace, there are other examples of parting with tradition. For instance, in January of 2009, a new rule was approved to get rid of “the traditional and historic practice of using coin flips to determine which team hosts a one-game playoff.” This was a direct result of a one-game playoff the previous season in which Minnesota played Chicago for the American League Central title and a spot in the postseason. The White Sox had won the coin-flip, forcing Minnesota to travel to Chicago for the game that they subsequently lost 1-0. The Minnesota organization complained bitterly that, despite having won the season series, they had to play on the road for the play-in game. Lo and behold, that was adopted as the new rule within months. And the very next season, Minnesota again was in a one-game playoff for the division crown, but this time Detroit had to meet them in Minneapolis because of the rule change.<br />
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In 2010, the Twins again stirred controversy, as they managed a ninth-inning victory over Tampa Bay when an infield popup off the bat of Jason Kubel struck a catwalk close to the roof of Tropicana Field and dropped in for a game-winning single as a result. This time, Major League Baseball didn’t even wait until the offseason to change the rule, stipulating that, starting with the 2010 postseason, any ball that hit a catwalk would result in a do-over. Joe Garagiola Jr., Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, explained that the rule would “take an element of randomness out of the game.”<br />
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Both those rule changes were made in the attempt to create a fairer game with less randomness outside of the skill of the players involved, and ignored any sense of tradition that had kept them in place previously. You know what else would achieve both of those goals? Instant replay. It would help eliminate randomness regarding whether a play was called correctly or not, and I think everyone will agree that would make the game fairer.<br />
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But, of course, those aforementioned rule changes were much simpler than instituting full-fledged instant replay. That’s where the slippery slopers and the laughably impatient come in. Not necessarily in favor of the errant calls made by umpires, as the romantics are, these two groups are concerned with the precedent more instant replay will set and with the delays it will cause.<br />
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Mike Scioscia, the current manager of the Los Angeles Angels, articulated the slippery slope argument perfectly: “It should be limited to a home run or fan interference [as it currently is]. There are so many things that you can question that it would be almost dysfunctional.” Oftentimes, opponents of instant replay will carry that line of thinking to outrageous ends, wondering how soon it will be until robots replace umpires entirely and machines play the game instead of humans.<br />
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That argument is pure fallacy. Obviously, carrying any policy to its furthest extent will make it look absurd, and intimating that instant replay will be like a runaway train once it starts is doing just that. As long as the rules regarding instant replay are carefully constructed, as just about everything in the Major League rulebook is, it will not degenerate into a system that looks at every play and turns umpires into powerless spectators.<br />
Oh, but what about all the time it will waste, the laughably impatient argue. This is a legitimate concern, as Major League Baseball is already attempting to implement strategies that will shorten games and prevent them from regularly pushing beyond three hours. This group’s mistake, therefore, is not in worrying about time, but in thinking that instant replay will significantly lengthen games. Instant replay will not be the drag on game pace that these folk think it would.<br />
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For a case study, consider the Little League World Series (LLWS), a set of baseball games played by 12-year olds for free, which has instituted extensive instant replay, allowing umpires a second look at force outs, tags, missed bases, and hit batters. In the 30 games played during the 2010 LLWS prior to the final day of the tournament, sixteen calls were reviewed—eight of which were overturned—and the average delay was estimated at 52 seconds. For the small price of approximately 30 extra seconds per game, the LLWS made significant strides toward eliminating all erroneous calls.<br />
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On top of that, there’s the fact that baseball often already experiences lengthy delays on controversial or missed calls, and thus there is the possibility that instant replay won’t truly add any time to games. We’ve all seen a manager walk out of the dugout, despite knowing that nothing will be changed, to get in a shouting match with an umpire that winds up wasting multiple minutes while everyone else simply watches the spit fly from both of their mouths. With instant replay, the umpire will instead spend that time making sure the correct ruling is made. That sounds pretty good to me.<br />
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Then there’s the last type of person who advocates against instant replay, the Michael Hiestands of the world. Like the USA Today writer, they are so misguided you realize there’s no hope of convincing them, and you just hope there aren’t enough of them out there to stand in the way. In the process of denouncing replay, Hiestand writes the following: “Thanks to technology, we’re no longer allowed to get lost, ever be out of touch with the office or late with a check that’s, uh, in the mail. Spellcheck, GPS, TiVo, red light cameras, and thermometers stuck in turkeys keep taking guesswork out of our lives.”<br />
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I understand the sentiment, but to suggest that the negative aspects of those technological advancements outweigh the positives is preposterous. Yes, it’s harder to pretend we’ve gotten lost, but what about the times when we previously would have ended up driving in circles for hours and can now avoid it? Yes, it’s harder to be out of touch with the office, but what about the ability to be in contact with friends and loved ones around the world that technology has afforded us? Yes, it’s harder to dupe our credit card company, but what about possibility of paying that bill online on the last day since you forgot and otherwise would owe huge late fees? And, yes, instant replay will mean sometimes we won’t get the benefit of a bad call, but Armando Galarraga won’t lose his place in baseball lore because of an umpiring mistake either. Enjoy your guesswork, Mr. Hiestand—I’ll take the technology.<br />
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Considering the amount of time I just spent debunking the myths that opponents of instant replay use as arguments, it would seem that they are in the majority; that, however, is not the case. Even back in 1986, when the technology was much more limited, 66 percent of fans thought the NFL’s replay system improved the game, compared to just 20 percent who thought it made the game worse. As for baseball fans, after Galarraga was robbed of his perfect game in June of 2010, 78 percent came out in favor of instant replay. Look at any survey you want, and they all send the same message.<br />
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So where does Selig draw his support from? “Most baseball people are really against it. There’s no question about it,” he explains. I don’t doubt that some baseball people agree with the romantics, the slippery slopers, and the laughably impatient, but there are certainly plenty that have publicly embraced replay. Managers such as the Rays’ Joe Maddon, the Pirates’ Clint Hurdle, and Tony LaRussa (Cardinals) have all given their stamp of approval. As La Russa put it, “There’s nothing wrong with using replay. The number one priority for the umpire is to get the play right.”<br />
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Many umpires, long stubborn antagonists against replay, have also recently converted. Don Denkinger, who made one of the most infamous blown calls in the history of the sport in the 1985 World Series, is among them: “I had 30 great years…and I had one call that’s all anybody ever wants to talk about. It’s not right.” He continued, “Instant replay can clean things up… I didn’t feel that way in ’85, but I feel that way now.” Tim McClelland, who missed one of the calls described in the introduction, has also had a change of heart: “I know I wasn’t for it. But after watching what I went through in the playoffs last year and then what Jim [Joyce]’s going through, I think more and more umpires are coming around to it.”<br />
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Anybody who saw Joyce’s tearful press conference after he ruined Armando Galarraga’s perfect game can’t help but feel sorry for the guy. They know what he wanted most was to get that call right and to give Galarraga his place in history. His fellow umpires have largely swallowed their pride, too, and admitted that, like every human on the planet, they are imperfect and could use the help. They take such a beating for missing calls, if they are ready to embrace replay technology, who are we to deny them?<br />
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Despite Selig’s assurances, both the fans and enough baseball people are ready for expanded instant replay that it’s time for him to forget his personal feelings and start working on the logistics of it. Lucky for him, it’s not that complicated, and there are improvements he can make to the existing system that will mitigate his concerns.<br />
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There is no doubt that the technology is there to make instant replay work on an extended basis. ESPN uses 14 cameras when it broadcasts Sunday Night Baseball and 7 cameras for other baseball broadcasts, and Fox Sports, which broadcasts many local games, has 8 cameras at its disposal at most of its games. As ESPN Vice President of Event Production Tim Scanlan reports, even with 7 cameras, ESPN is “able to provide a second or third look that the umpire doesn’t have.” College football sometimes even uses replay in non-televised games by using 4 cameras for the sole purpose of replay reviews.<br />
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That’s one argument you will often hear regarding the logistics: if every single one of the 2,430 regular season games scheduled each year can’t have replay, then none should. What’s the reasoning for that? Essentially, because a handful of games aren’t televised each year, each game should be less fair? Because in a few games each season teams are still subject to blatant officiating errors, teams should be subject to them in every game? Having replay does not make the games without replay less fair, but preventing replay from being expanded in those games that can have it misses an opportunity to make those games more fair.<br />
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That being said, the current method of replay must be changed to allay Selig’s and fans’ legitimate worries about extending games. Having the umpires leave the field is an unnecessary and costly measure in terms of the resultant delay. Instead, as is done in the NHL and NCAA football among other sports, baseball can have the calls reviewed by off-field personnel. They can put an umpire in the press box, or anywhere in the stadium with access to replay, and allow him to communicate with the crew chief on the field via a microphone. If he sees a close play, he takes a look and tells the umpire he is doing so. By the time Josh Beckett has taken his average 45 seconds between pitches, he’s already made up his mind about what is to be done. If the play is close enough that he can’t make up his mind within a reasonable amount of time, he sticks with what was called on the field.<br />
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Obviously this would necessitate adding an extra umpire for each game, but I think that small cost is definitely worth it. Besides, we’ve seen it happen before. You probably aren’t aware, but in 1977 the Atlanta Braves put an umpire in the press box to determine if replays were too controversial to show on the stadium video board. That practice didn’t catch on, but, instead of using him in an attempt to prevent fans from knowing the truth, couldn’t they use him to help the umpires know the truth and change the call? Now that would keep the fans’ anger with the umpires at bay.<br />
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Here’s one example of how it would work which I happened to witness in an Angels-Twins game while writing this. Erick Aybar was leading off the bottom of the first inning against Minnesota’s Carl Pavano in a game on September 2. He grounded a ball to first baseman Luke Hughes, who made a diving stop, and then was forced to race Aybar to the bag since Pavano was slow off the mound. On a bang-bang play, Aybar was called out by the first base umpire. As the TV broadcast showed a replay definitively confirming the original call within 10 seconds, Mike Scioscia left the dugout and spent between 30 and 40 seconds discussing the call with the umpire.<br />
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It seems so simple. In that case, replay would have actually saved time. In fact, if it worked ideally, you wouldn’t even know the play was reviewed, as the normal time in between batters would have been more than the time used to review the play. And, if it had been overturned, it wouldn’t have taken much more than the 30 or 40 seconds to do so, even including the time to get Aybar out of the dugout and on first base.<br />
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When baseball finally does expand instant replay, which it will eventually, it will not be the most unprecedented use of replay in baseball history. And the initial inception of replay for home run calls wasn’t either. No, that was in a 1999 game when umpire Frank Pulli went to a camera in the Florida Marlins’ dugout to review a home run call. Long before there was any rule stipulating for replay, Pulli decided it was in the game’s best interest that he get the call right, tradition be damned. Upon reviewing it, he saw conclusive evidence that Florida’s Cliff Floyd’s hit did not clear the wall, and changed the ruling from a home run to a double.<br />
<br />
Why did Frank Pulli feel the need to consult a video replay? “At that moment, I thought it was the proper thing to do.” You can say that again.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-88482739261959064212011-12-13T18:05:00.000-05:002011-12-13T18:05:47.384-05:00Fantasy Baseball Mock DraftNow, obviously, it's a long way before the start of both the real and fantasy baseball season. But to pass the long months until then (and because I was eliminated from competition in both of my legitimate fantasy football leagues today), I have joined a fantasy baseball mock draft through the <a href="http://baseballbloggersalliance.wordpress.com/">Baseball Blogger's Alliance</a>.<br />
<br />
We'll be drafting for a standard 5x5 rotisserie league. There are 14 teams and we'll be going through 16 rounds, enough to draft 9 position players and 7 pitchers. Each pick can last as many as 8 hours, so it could take a while. Of course, it also may go much faster. Depending on how quickly it goes, I'll be updating here on my selections. Jeff Furtah, of <a href="http://www.bleachergm.com/">BleacherGM.com</a>, is running the draft and will be providing updates throughout the process.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-52952651370081301722011-11-26T14:43:00.002-05:002011-11-26T14:47:12.165-05:00A Twins' Fan Christmas ListWith Thanksgiving having just passed, it's now officially the Christmas season, a joyous reprieve from the cold, dark, and depressingly short days of winter. That also means it's that time of year when your family members are trying to figure out what that perfect gift will be. Well, consider this a cheat sheet (in no particular order) for the Twins' fan in your family or friend group.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2759117&cp=1452357.1452811.1454572">Winter Hat</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3SnlX7VzsXOxJXiemKMCu1NrvLUuX_3g0t9GCgTRO3HPlD5wf1VVNDM5jobY9UXFiDlc-sct3ZDXtNWv1hxwdPDUA6sfVmM6RhValwhuQw3MQ6XcKDTSfaCmh6BHKmIYfv2g8QCiGEY/s1600/winterhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKbxTrqz3dkvhPe9tjvTKcYYzzquzVCYxmxoVN4YJYoCo_Upd0eHwi2tzRSxqS-81SlnM1CWcI3zwDWSO-MaX4-8COCaPYS_9eH5jSkWM5dWiH33kFqpJ2NZGbm_cuMRAe75jiJp5awY/s200/winterhat.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>Any self-respecting Twins fan will already have the classic style baseball cap, but it's getting too cold for that to be comfortable. With this, they'll be able to stay warm and sport their team pride as well. But please, don't make the mistake of getting this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEStjrYD4a1VHuh2yWgategzRRsNVMuZguPMOIieP4s5_H5zTnM5uYpIr2KUosBTdQWgiF8HKDrP5TXIqvFy5QunW5DqO1dDyi8IS-q9L5UBgs6G2XyaVBUfUhgj61TvTqrlktFrVP5eM/s1600/winterhatflap.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEStjrYD4a1VHuh2yWgategzRRsNVMuZguPMOIieP4s5_H5zTnM5uYpIr2KUosBTdQWgiF8HKDrP5TXIqvFy5QunW5DqO1dDyi8IS-q9L5UBgs6G2XyaVBUfUhgj61TvTqrlktFrVP5eM/s200/winterhatflap.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>They may never forgive you.<br />
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2. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10751789&cp=1452357.1452812.1668554">Tie</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI9y34lAf6x9CyNriftvfOrlA6dZ9owvOlLk8V8oqJUyEB1uWDPAGOgZHeXjqE-2_35GBx1etLNvay7IgskOq2mPVaBO6QaQBKdRkIu98YgU0EyVqN2DPwJkNmgOpw9OjEKLMmYZSFSc/s1600/tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI9y34lAf6x9CyNriftvfOrlA6dZ9owvOlLk8V8oqJUyEB1uWDPAGOgZHeXjqE-2_35GBx1etLNvay7IgskOq2mPVaBO6QaQBKdRkIu98YgU0EyVqN2DPwJkNmgOpw9OjEKLMmYZSFSc/s320/tie.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>For the professional Twins fan (though not too professional), this fits perfectly. Unable to wear their sport their Twins fandom on any other part of their work outfit, they can show their support on their tie. Or, for the high-rolling professional, spring for the <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11800936&cp=1452357.1452812.1668554">silk tie</a>.<br />
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3. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11525163&cp=1452357.1452812.709222">Sweatshirt</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi4F8HsKf6mW2LfxadKtmCKc4_qJk8QEJn1hLNJbpoVAMa8P2gly2X05JgZG2ypOxup9De7F6_R5yqnJOTtgOQqEZexetPTA6OKSIMihw9DhsbYgvi-1ZfhAm7D60CpitLvZ2BaJom6g/s1600/sweatshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi4F8HsKf6mW2LfxadKtmCKc4_qJk8QEJn1hLNJbpoVAMa8P2gly2X05JgZG2ypOxup9De7F6_R5yqnJOTtgOQqEZexetPTA6OKSIMihw9DhsbYgvi-1ZfhAm7D60CpitLvZ2BaJom6g/s200/sweatshirt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I already have a Twins sweatshirt, but otherwise this is a great option. There are a number of different styles (zip-up, pullover, hooded, etc.), and a number of different designs. Figure out what type of sweatshirt the Twins fan on your list likes and be sure they can count a sweatshirt among their wardrobe.<br />
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4. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3416839&cp=1452357.1452812.2455385">Player/Custom T-Shirt</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx5HGVPHK02-SBOJa1nmptAtidPJulOqgndkGlYrXoIXVpYca0SOAEH8clCurziZYml_O2wZzG15jZk38PZ4OYQzLmkus2CQ6LuhZeqvRP1wou3UjzDIyL_GCsg3Kv-l9DNnCEJmT4Mg/s1600/customshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx5HGVPHK02-SBOJa1nmptAtidPJulOqgndkGlYrXoIXVpYca0SOAEH8clCurziZYml_O2wZzG15jZk38PZ4OYQzLmkus2CQ6LuhZeqvRP1wou3UjzDIyL_GCsg3Kv-l9DNnCEJmT4Mg/s200/customshirt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>There are so many t-shirts, and just about any one of them would make a good gift, but why not customize and provide your recipient with exactly what they want? Do they want their name and favorite number on their t-shirt? Do they long to relive Nick Punto's Twins days with a #8 Punto jersey? Do they prefer an obscure #54 Ryan jersey to harken back to Michael Ryan's short-lived Twins career? Do they want to celebrate Tsuyoshi's Nishioka explosion onto the American baseball scene with... er, never mind. But it's all up to you with this option.<br />
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5. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11192234&cp=1452357.1452812.2455385">Joe Mauer Shirt</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADX5ykvHovPB9hNeqrYaHzr-K7USnxTIKRyYseNE50YSTVKoU7CUnNeiQVd1Di7YvsaKRBsCgFjoxHoN2mM_-yn8UwSZsNDwjoFe_jI1ZlwnAp-tLM4pFcC_OP0sxkI1yIkXuQWqiHXU/s1600/mauer+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADX5ykvHovPB9hNeqrYaHzr-K7USnxTIKRyYseNE50YSTVKoU7CUnNeiQVd1Di7YvsaKRBsCgFjoxHoN2mM_-yn8UwSZsNDwjoFe_jI1ZlwnAp-tLM4pFcC_OP0sxkI1yIkXuQWqiHXU/s200/mauer+shirt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>For the unabashed Joe Mauer fan who, despite his rough 2011 season, has never wavered. It's not going to be as popular a shirt as it would have been in other years, but for the fan who has defended him the whole year and would like to continue to show his support, it makes a perfect gift. Just remember that even the most avid Mauer fan will not want this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG5sdON6TSGwJsSPZ9s8EkvXh3gtRenp59jzusQTsIGb1h86RHuGVVD1KPJ1_rpC4CsqxB2l9dONYKbzaC0n0KSNR4bIBffRuLBZlXZ4YmyvM39mc1c-Q6GyBc91xZf9g57FcEcINr_I/s1600/mauershirt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG5sdON6TSGwJsSPZ9s8EkvXh3gtRenp59jzusQTsIGb1h86RHuGVVD1KPJ1_rpC4CsqxB2l9dONYKbzaC0n0KSNR4bIBffRuLBZlXZ4YmyvM39mc1c-Q6GyBc91xZf9g57FcEcINr_I/s200/mauershirt2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Seriously, what is the point?<br />
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6. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12321595&cp=1452357.1452813.1485373">Twins T-Shirt</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvE-nGqhjjX1RqbqxpNqlKUrV-ND_tSUCFMHwV8Tisv3hHuqAEm2cdTvN-9c2vY41taeSXmtCIDg2ZSK3Q5e2h9KtEJSXpu8Y41wdidsc1bgnBCObt_-Eql5ayq9GGt1XNZ6p3Mpr16M/s1600/twinswomensshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvE-nGqhjjX1RqbqxpNqlKUrV-ND_tSUCFMHwV8Tisv3hHuqAEm2cdTvN-9c2vY41taeSXmtCIDg2ZSK3Q5e2h9KtEJSXpu8Y41wdidsc1bgnBCObt_-Eql5ayq9GGt1XNZ6p3Mpr16M/s200/twinswomensshirt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Are you trying to convince your significant other to become a Twins fan? Surprise her by purchasing a Twins t-shirt for her! She may not like it, but how else will you make any progress in converting her?<br />
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7. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11828093&cp=1452357.1452819.3847331">iPhone Case</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu7wnryg88CG8aaey6pbSM8S62WzxOA5FGncTPVocPjA440r-nSsVIzoTSdTrEAYIKS7sS61akmP5Tfet0NKOkjwsXACnXtPabQtIC6kxkg6knY3W738F0bqIiXYMlJp5Vggl7Y_Q2nE/s1600/iphonecase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu7wnryg88CG8aaey6pbSM8S62WzxOA5FGncTPVocPjA440r-nSsVIzoTSdTrEAYIKS7sS61akmP5Tfet0NKOkjwsXACnXtPabQtIC6kxkg6knY3W738F0bqIiXYMlJp5Vggl7Y_Q2nE/s200/iphonecase.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>If they want to dress themselves in Twins clothes, they probably also want to dress their belongings in Twins paraphernalia. Help them out by getting them a case for their iPhone (or Droid or iPod or Kindle) that will display their Minnesota pride. Don't let them carry their electronics around in a generic case anymore!<br />
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8. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4049490&cp=1452357.1452819.1339350">Throw Blanket</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2APkIalz0whOL09TUmNAH0F93e9_166eMnzCei_k_a37OiQPWbDWTeBITy0gQDFg0uJzczNtzPB3fbtZfPh7ZTtgFxLRmLrDPFmfgHaEpnG3lxb2uKro1gbEZw6YqW-P2sZ5Gx9S7Zeg/s1600/blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2APkIalz0whOL09TUmNAH0F93e9_166eMnzCei_k_a37OiQPWbDWTeBITy0gQDFg0uJzczNtzPB3fbtZfPh7ZTtgFxLRmLrDPFmfgHaEpnG3lxb2uKro1gbEZw6YqW-P2sZ5Gx9S7Zeg/s200/blanket.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Again, help them stay warm this winter with a sporty Twins blanket. When they're laying in bed it will keep their spirits up by reminding them of the beautiful spring days ahead when the Twins will take the field again.<br />
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9. <a href="http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3104136&cp=1452357.1452819.1955770">Refridgerator</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-qiU828siS2P-Xa7tEFa59CzrgOTTac62mxe3i0G-WUdZlS-WOX9QmizcfBBJFQqRgBjlo9B6LqTakdZ5pB9ziDGSc_STv_Xt7cRY96s7mJWUS37-vT_yGK0tl-2Ry3qNSOKzS8unks/s1600/fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-qiU828siS2P-Xa7tEFa59CzrgOTTac62mxe3i0G-WUdZlS-WOX9QmizcfBBJFQqRgBjlo9B6LqTakdZ5pB9ziDGSc_STv_Xt7cRY96s7mJWUS37-vT_yGK0tl-2Ry3qNSOKzS8unks/s200/fridge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One of the crown jewels of gifts for Twins fans, this one breaks the bank at $500. But if you have the means, and your recipient won't feel guilty accepting it, this is a fantastic option. They can keep their snacks and drinks cool right by their favorite chair while they watch their team play.<br />
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I've outlined some of the best gift ideas, but don't limit yourself to those. There are a ton more accessories available, from cups to glasses to light switch covers, and each Twins fan will want something different.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-56467632285909945582011-11-07T17:51:00.002-05:002012-02-08T16:03:38.077-05:00Bill Smith FiredFour years after being installed as the General Manager, Bill Smith has been fired. Following a disastrous 99-loss season, the Pohlad family has decided to replace the man responsible for constructing the roster that finished with the worst record in the American League, despite the franchise's highest-ever payroll. From trading Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris to signing Nick Blackburn to an entirely unnecessary contract extension to turning Wilson Ramos into an overpaid and overrated reliever to giving away J.J. Hardy for two replacement-level relievers, Smith's tenure has been a series of bungled moves.<br />
<br />
In his stead, the Twins have brought back Terry Ryan, who stepped down in September of the 2007 season, leaving Smith to deal with the Torii Hunter and Johan Santana situations. While I thought (and still think) Smith made the right move in letting Hunter walk and I don't particularly blame him for the Santana disaster, the rest of the moves were can definitely not be attributed to Ryan and were even worse. Ryan is a legend in the Minnesota organization and he can't really be any worse than Bill Smith was, but it remains to be seen just how long he will occupy this position.<br />
<br />
Last time he stepped down he cited a lack of energy or interest in doing the general manager's duties. Either his time off caused him to regain that fire or he's doing the Twins a favor as they look for somebody else (or he just couldn't stand to see Smith's continued blunders and felt obligated to take his place). Regardless, hopefully Ryan's return means a return to the shrewd moves that made the Twins contenders for the past decade despite a relatively small budget.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-47730198142807963042011-10-21T09:15:00.000-04:002011-10-21T09:15:34.085-04:002011 All-MLB Teams<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>ALL-MLB FIRST TEAM</b><br />
<u>Catcher</u>: Alex Avila, Detroit<br />
<u>First Baseman</u>: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit<br />
<u>Second Baseman</u>: Dustin Pedroia, Boston<br />
<u>Third Baseman</u>: Adrian Beltre, Texas<br />
<u>Shortstop</u>: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado<br />
<u>Left Field</u>: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee<br />
<u>Center Field</u>: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles NL<br />
<u>Right Field</u>: Jose Bautista, Toronto<br />
<u>Designated Hitter</u>: David Ortiz, Boston<br />
<u>Starting Pitchers</u>: Justin Verlander, Detroit; Roy Halladay, Philadelphia; Cliff Lee, Philadelphia; Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles NL; Jered Weaver, Los Angeles AL<br />
<u>Relief Pitchers</u>: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta; Mike Adams, San Diego/Texas; Mariano Rivera, New York AL<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>ALL-MLB SECOND TEAM</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b><br />
<u>Catcher</u>: Mike Napoli, Texas<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">First Baseman</span>: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Second Baseman</span>: Ian Kinsler, Texas<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Third Baseman</span>: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Shortstop</span>: Jose Reyes, New York NL<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Left Field</span>: Alex Gordon, Kansas City<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Center Field</span>: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Right Field</span>: Justin Upton, Arizona<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Starting Pitchers</span>: Cole Hamels, Philadelphia; Dan Haren, Los Angeles AL; James Shields, Tampa Bay; Doug Fister, Seattle/Detroit; C.C. Sabathia, New York AL<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Relief Pitchers</span>: Jonathan Papelbon, Boston; Koji Uehara, Baltimore/Texas; David Robertson, New York AL<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>ALL-MLB THIRD TEAM</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b><br />
<u>Catcher</u>: Miguel Montero, Arizona<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">First Baseman</span>: Joey Votto, Cincinnati<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Second Baseman</span>: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Third Baseman</span>: Aramis Ramirez, Chicago NL<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Shortstop</span>: J.J. Hardy, Baltimore<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Left Field</span>: Matt Holliday, St. Louis<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Center Field</span>: Curtis Granderson, New York AL<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Right Field</span>: Lance Berkman, St. Louis<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Starting Pitchers</span>: Ian Kennedy, Arizona; C.J. Wilson, Texas; Josh Beckett, Boston; David Price, Tampa Bay; Felix Hernandez, Seattle<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">Relief Pitchers</span>: Tyler Clippard, Washington; Sean Marshall, Chicago NL; Rafael Betancourt, Colorado<br />
<br />
<br />
A reminder that each player was only eligible at one position, that position being the one he played most often.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-26240050768960297202011-10-20T00:15:00.000-04:002011-10-20T00:15:01.127-04:00Stan Musial Award for Best PlayerThe last of the Baseball Blogger's Alliance awards is also the biggest: the Stan Musial Award, its version of the MVP. I'll reveal my thoughts on both leagues, though, as with all the other awards, my ballot is only eligible for the American League voting.<br />
<br />
<b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS<br />
2. Jose Bautista, TOR<br />
3. Justin Verlander, DET<br />
4. Miguel Cabrera, DET<br />
5. Curtis Granderson, NYY<br />
6. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS<br />
7. Jered Weaver, LAA<br />
8. Alex Gordon, KC<br />
9. Alex Avila, DET<br />
10. Dustin Pedroia, BOS<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: Ian Kinsler (TEX), Robinson Cano (NYY), Adrian Beltre (TEX), Evan Longoria (TB), Dan Haren (LAA), James Shields (TB)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Matt Kemp, LAD<br />
2. Ryan Braun, MIL<br />
3. Troy Tulowitzki, COL<br />
4. Roy Halladay, PHI<br />
5. Joey Votto, CIN<br />
6. Prince Fielder, MIL<br />
7. Cliff Lee, PHI<br />
8. Clayton Kershaw, LAD<br />
9. Justin Upton, ARI<br />
10. Albert Pujols, STL<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: Lance Berkman (STL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT), Jose Reyes (NYM), Cole Hamels (PHI)</i>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-5869192174176644032011-10-19T00:23:00.000-04:002011-10-19T00:23:00.767-04:00The Final Word on Instant ReplayRecently <a href="http://minorwisdomreview.com/2011/10/14/ryan-drost-on-americas-game/">I wrote a lengthy article</a> for an online magazine regarding the future of instant replay in baseball. I have long been a proponent of replay, and I attempt to once and for all explain why it's an important and necessary part of baseball--although I am quite certain I did not succeed, as some people will never agree with that statement.<br />
<br />
Here's one paragraph from my article:<br />
<blockquote><i>Even more ridiculous is the notion that it is tradition for umpires to make incorrect calls, accidentally of course, and thus that they must be able to do so. Do these people think that if, when baseball was first played in the mid-nineteenth century, players and coaches had had the option of using a replay system they would have balked at it? As Vecsey points out, umpires in that era often asked passing spectators for help with calls. At one point, that was tradition too, but baseball got rid of it because it correctly decided that it was not the best way to officiate games. The only reason that, for 150 years, people have said you can’t remove the human element—again, the human element being equivalent to incorrect calls—from baseball is that for the first 140 years you couldn’t. And we still can’t entirely eliminate it, but thanks to advanced video technology we can significantly limit its affect on the game.</i></blockquote><a href="http://minorwisdomreview.com/2011/10/14/ryan-drost-on-americas-game/">Read more... </a>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-73833255330085356082011-10-18T00:03:00.001-04:002011-10-18T12:19:02.074-04:00Walter Johnson Award for Best PitcherI'll continue revealing my ballot for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance's postseason awards. Today I'll look at the Walter Johnson Award, given to the top pitcher in each league. Again, my votes count only for the American League, but I'll show you my thoughts on both.<br />
<br />
<b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Justin Verlander, DET<br />
2. Jered Weaver, LAA<br />
3. Dan Haren, LAA<br />
4. James Shields, TB<br />
5. Doug Fister, SEA/DET<br />
<br />
I think Verlander will run away with this, and rightfully so. Among AL pitchers, he ranked first in IP, ERA, and WHIP, second in xFIP, third in K/9 and K/BB, and fourth in FIP. Not to knock the other pitchers on this list, as they all had great seasons in their own right, but I can't see an argument for someone other than Verlander.<br />
<br />
Teammates Weaver and Haren put together quite the 1-2 punch for the Angels this season. Neither struck out a ton of batters, just a respectable amount, but both threw over 235 innings and placed second and third, respectively, in the AL in WHIP. Weaver also was second by 0.01 points in ERA, and Haren led the league in K/BB ratio, thanks to the second-lowest walk rate in the bigs. Some batted ball luck certainly helped Weaver, who had the lowest GB% among qualified starters, but he was pretty good too.<br />
<br />
Shields almost reached 250 innings and rated well across the board. Fister is surely the most surprising and controversial name on my list, as I was shocked to find him there myself. His strikeout rate was mediocre, but because of impeccable control he was fifth in the AL in strikeout-per-walk ratio. Combining that with an above-average groundball rate, he was also in the top six in ERA, WHIP, and FIP. I doubt anyone else will have him ahead of C.C. Sabathia, but I thought that statistically Fister had the better year.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: C.C. Sabathia (NYY), C.J. Wilson (TEX), Josh Beckett (BOS), David Price (TB), Felix Hernandez (SEA)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Roy Halladay, PHI<br />
2. Cliff Lee, PHI<br />
3. Clayton Kershaw, LAD<br />
4. Cole Hamels, PHI<br />
5. Ian Kennedy, ARI<br />
<br />
Halladay won this award last year, and he should again in 2011, followed closely by two teammates and Kershaw. Looking at this, it's hard to believe the Phillies aren't still playing, but that's baseball for you. The first three were all very close, but Halladay prevailed because of a league-best K:BB ratio and FIP combined with an excellent ERA and WHIP. Hamels was a pretty easy choice for fourth, and then the last spot was a toss-up between Kennedy and Cain. Kennedy grabbed it because in the end I valued his superior K:BB ratio more than Cain's continuous home run-dampening ability. I know a lot of people would have Cain's teammate Lincecum in the top five somewhere, but I just couldn't put him there because of his comparatively high walk rate and subsequently comparatively high WHIP.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: Matt Cain (SF)</i>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-79548923475183398012011-10-17T12:51:00.000-04:002011-10-17T12:51:35.003-04:00BBA Announces Goose Gossage Award Winner<div style="background-color: white;"><div style="background-color: transparent;"> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following is a press release from the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, of which Twins on Twins is a voting member, announcing the winners of the Goose Gossage Award for the top reliever in each league. Clearly most of the voters valued saves far more highly than I did, although I did agree with the NL choice of Craig Kimbrel.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">-------------------------------------------------</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BBA SELECTS KIMBREL, VALVERDE FOR GOOSE GOSSAGE AWARD</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In earlier voting this postseason by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel won the Willie Mays Award for top </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">rookie handily while the American League race for that award was much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">tighter. With the Goose Gossage Award, handed out to the best reliever, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kimbrel got to see how the other half lives, at least somewhat.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"> <br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kimbrel beat Milwaukee’s John Axford by 13 points in the votes submitted by the National League voters of the Alliance, accumulating 78 points and garnering 12 first place votes. Axford, on the other hand, received 65 points on the strength of seven first place selections. Kimbrel’s bullpen teammate Johnny Venters was a very distant third with nine total points.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The race in the American League was a little more anti-climatic as Detroit closer Jose Valverde gained 13 first place votes on his way to a league-leading 74 point total. Two New York Yankees followed him in the voting, with Mariano Rivera receiving four first place votes and 56 total points while David Robertson gained 39 points for third.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The complete voting results are as follows (first place votes in parenthesis):</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American League</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jose Valverde, Detroit (13) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">74</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mariano Rivera, New York (4) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">56</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David Robertson, New York (3) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">39</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jonathan Papelbon, Boston (1) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">21</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Koji Uehara, Texas (1) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alfredo Acevas, Boston (1) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neftali Feliz, Texas </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Greg Holland, Kansas City </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris Perez, Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brandon League, Seattle </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National League</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta (12) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">78</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Axford, Milwaukee (7) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">65</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Johnny Venters, Atlanta (1) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JJ Putz, Arizona </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sean Marshall, Chicago </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heath Bell, San Diego </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tyler Clippard, Washington </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sergio Romo, San Francisco </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Baseball Bloggers Alliance was formed in the fall of 2009 to encourage cooperation and collaboration between baseball bloggers of all major league teams as well as those that follow baseball more generally. As of this writing, the organization consists of </span><a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=9ca3680564&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">316 blogs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> spanning all 30 major league squads as well as general baseball writing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The BBA is organized under a similar structure as the Baseball Writers of America, where blogs that follow the same team are combined into “chapters” and only two votes from the chapter on an award are counted. The blog chapters that are focused on general baseball were allowed two votes as well, which they could use both on the same league or split between the two leagues.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chapters generally followed one of two methods when casting their ballot. Either representatives of the chapter were given the ballots for voting or a “group ballot” was posted, accounting for both of their votes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Notably, though the Alliance’s awards come out well before their official counterparts, the BBA selections have matched those of the Baseball Writers of America in all but two instances in the past two years. This, of course, does not include the Goose Gossage Award that is exclusive to the BBA.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ballots are posted on the respective blogs and for this award, were tabulated on a 5-3-1 point scale for first through third place. In the interest of transparency, links are given below for the ballots. Chapter affiliation is in parenthesis. Those chapters that decided on the group method are noted with an asterisk.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American League</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=df2b3e5930&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baltimore Sports and Life</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Baltimore)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=ac6b8e1e2c&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baseball Is My Boyfriend</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Texas)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=aba00172c7&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baseball North</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Toronto)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=785061cc67&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boston Red Thoughts</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Boston)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=6b989add4e&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contract Year</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Oakland)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=e1c35861de&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Flagrant Fan</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (General)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=a9c29f8880&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kings of Kauffman</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Kansas City)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=04963cab83&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lady At The Bat</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (New York)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=5769af892a&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Misc. Baseball</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (History)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=38ec6b1078&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Motor City Bengals</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Detroit)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=3a7ab50c18&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">North Dakota Twins Fan</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Minnesota)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=091354f4d0&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Rays Rant</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Tampa Bay)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=fef7d67b37&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seattle Mariners Musings</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seattle)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=14c7488ec4&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seedlings To Stars</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Other)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=4463553c96&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some Thoughts On Baseball</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Toronto)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=f7ad1b3b18&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tigers Amateur Analysis</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Detroit)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=0b3b6390c8&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Tribe Daily</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Cleveland)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=7fd3ecb275&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twins On Twins</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Minnesota)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National League</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=2704f28d10&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appy Astros</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Houston)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=158ef2ef74&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog Red Machine</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Cincinnati)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=30b555e044&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cincinnati Reds Blog</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Cincinnati)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=b2da443160&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dugger Sports</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Philadelphia)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=b99cd6ed6d&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eddie Kranepool Society</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (New York)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=a3b3e3dca1&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Flagrant Fan</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (General)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=a7d2470668&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Misc. Baseball</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (History)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=407b8bd425&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On The Outside Corner</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (St. Louis)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=6a47b2ddd1&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phils Baseball</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Philadelphia)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=e37524fd0c&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prose and Ivy</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Chicago)*</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=991ded5766&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Raise The Jolly Roger</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Pittsburgh)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=fd8b76924c&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ’s Fro</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (San Diego)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=1dae743aa4&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rockies Woman</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Colorado)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=9ad3d664ab&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">22 Gigantes</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (San Francisco)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=2e201286cf&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Victoria Seals Baseball Blog</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Other)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=b7f5c53cf7&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Websoulsurfer</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (San Diego)</span><br />
<a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=934d90af7b&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke?</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Pittsburgh)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior Winners:<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>2010: Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay; Brian Wilson, San Francisco</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The official website of the BBA is located at</span><a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=f0a92e43a2&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><a href="http://wordpress.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b951cbdad6ef06d061a72ea58&id=d86195f0aa&e=1d770cf6c0" style="color: #3d6776; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">baseballbloggersalliance.<wbr></wbr>wordpress.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The BBA can be found on Twitter by the handle @baseballblogs and by the hashmark #bbba. For more information, contact Daniel Shoptaw at <a href="mailto:founder@baseballbloggersalliance.com" target="_blank">founder@<wbr></wbr>baseballbloggersalliance.com</a>.</span></div></div>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-82915778652731941242011-10-15T07:30:00.001-04:002011-10-18T13:09:03.427-04:00Willie Mays Award for Best RookieSo the <a href="http://baseballbloggersalliance.wordpress.com/">Baseball Bloggers Alliance</a> has actually already handed out this award, so I'm a little late to the party. Still, I wanted to share my would-have-been ballot for who deserved each award.<br />
<br />
<b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Eric Hosmer, KC<br />
2. Michael Pineda, SEA<br />
3. Jeremy Hellickson, TB<br />
<br />
Hosmer and Trumbo were clearly the best of the position players, at least in my opinion. Hosmer's superior batting average and plate discipline numbers gave him the edge, in addition to Trumbo's huge advantage on defense likely not being an accurate measure of each player's performance in the field. The three pitches--Pineda, Hellickson, and Ogando--are very closely grouped. Pineda and Ogando have better peripherals, while Hellickson had better results (i.e. ERA and WHIP). Pineda's strikeout rate was enough to overcome that, while Ogando's was not.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: <strike>Alexi Ogando (TEX)</strike>*, Mark Trumbo (LAA), Ivan Nova (NYY)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Craig Kimbrel, ATL<br />
2. Danny Espinosa, WAS<br />
3. Freddie Freeman, ATL<br />
<br />
I have a hard time voting for a reliever over an everyday player, but Kimbrel's dominance was unmatched, as noted by his appearance at the top of my ballot for the best NL reliever. When you're the top player at your position, that's grounds for the rookie of the year award. Most people have Freeman over Espinosa for the second position, but I don't agree. They have similar counting numbers, but Freeman has the better triple-slash while Espinosa played much better defense at a more difficult position. I gave Espinosa the edge.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: Brandon Beachy (ATL), Wilson Ramos (WAS), Cory Luebke (SD), Vance Worley (PHI)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*Ogando is not eligible for the Rookie of the Year award. I mistakenly included him as a consideration.</span>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-69388206852818039272011-10-14T12:37:00.002-04:002011-10-14T12:37:37.490-04:00Goose Gossage Award for Best RelieverThe <a href="http://baseballbloggersalliance.wordpress.com/">Baseball Bloggers Alliance</a> has started handing out their awards for the 2011 season. Up next is the Goose Gossage Award for the top reliever in each league. As a member of the BBA, I thought I'd share my ballot for the award. My vote will only count for the American League, as I'm a member of the Minnesota Twins chapter, but I've outlined my thoughts on both.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Mariano Rivera, NYY<br />
2. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS<br />
3. Koji Uehara, BAL/TEX<br />
<br />
Believe me, I did not give this to Rivera on reputation. He earned it once again (I realize he actually did not win it last year, he finished third) with a sparkling season. With nearly one strikeout per inning and impeccable control, Rivera totaled 7.5 strikeouts for every walk. He recorded a a 1.91 ERA (4th), a 0.90 WHIP (2nd), and a 2.19 FIP (3rd) to round out another phenomenal campaign at age 41.<br />
<br />
Papelbon was a close 2nd, as he exhibited similar control but showed a much greater ability to miss bats, striking out 12.17 batter per nine innings. His WHIP was also quite comparable, coming in at 0.93, but due to some worse luck he had an ERA of 2.94. Unfortunately for him, luck is part of the equation, so he gets the runner-up position.<br />
<br />
I don't think anyone will quibble with Rivera and Papelbon being on the ballot, but I'm a little worried people won't be as accepting of Uehara. He doesn't have the saves that Rivera and Papelbon do, but otherwise he's not far behind. Another guy who showed pinpoint control and still missed a bunch of bats, Uehara actually had the highest K/BB rate in the league (a ridiculous 9.44). He gave up a ton of homers, even more than you'd expect from a fly-ball pitcher such as himself, but he balanced that out with good luck in the BABIP department (.196). All in all, his zesty K/BB rate and league-best WHIP of 0.72 were too much to overlook.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: David Robertson (NYY), Daniel Bard (BOS)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<br />
<b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
1. Craig Kimbrel, ATL<br />
2. Tyler Clippard, WAS<br />
3. Sean Marshall, CHC<br />
<br />
Kimbrel has already claimed the BBA's Willie Mays Award for the league's top rookie, and now he should add the Goose Gossage Award to his mantle. His sky-high strikeout rate (14.84/9) was second to Kenley Jansen, and, while his control was never his strong suit, he averaged almost 4 strikeouts for every walk. Combining that with a solid ground ball rate (44.8 %) allowed Kimbrel to lead the NL in both FIP and xFIP. As long as his ERA (2.10) and WHIP (1.04) were reasonable--and they were better than reasonable--that was a recipe for winning this award.<br />
<br />
Clippard may not find his way on to many ballots because he isn't as big a name as closers such as John Axford and Joel Hanrahan (who had very good years in their own rights), but if you don't overvalue saves, he's right there with the best relievers. He led the league in WPA despite not recording a single save, posted 4 strikeouts for every walk. In addition his WHIP topped all other NL relievers and his ERA was third among that group. Critics will point to his infinitesimal ground ball rate (20.2 %) and his unsustainable BABIP (.197), but I think the facts I already offered outweigh those two factors.<br />
<br />
Marshall is another non-closer who pitched very well for a bad team, meaning he may not get much recognition here, even though he should. While he doesn't top any single category, he rates very highly across the board. He topped one strikeout per inning, kept his walk rate very low, induced a high number of ground balls, and kept runners off the bases and prevented runs from scoring.<br />
<br />
<i>Also considered: Rafael Betancourt (COL), Jonny Venters (ATL), Joel Hanrahan (PIT), John Axford (MIL), Eric O'Flaherty (ATL), J.J. Putz (ARI)</i>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-16103243526483341672011-10-04T21:56:00.000-04:002011-10-04T21:56:43.399-04:002011 Game BallsHow incredibly timely. Within a week after the season ended, I've already totaled up the game balls from 2011. Consider that I posted 2010's game ball tally in mid-July and it seems incomprehensible that I've already done it.<br />
<br />
Michael Cuddyer - 18<br />
Scott Baker, Jason Kubel, Trevor Plouffe - 9<br />
Carl Pavano, Jim Thome, Danny Valencia - 8<br />
Brian Duensing, Francisco Liriano, Joe Mauer - 7<br />
Nick Blackburn - 6<br />
Alexi Casilla, Luke Hughes, Justin Morneau, Denard Span, Anthony Swarzak - 5<br />
Drew Butera, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Ben Revere, Rene Tosoni, Delmon Young - 4<br />
Chris Parmelee, Matt Tolbert - 3<br />
Scott Diamond, Jose Mijares, Joe Nathan, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey - 2<br />
Joe Benson, Alex Burnett, Brian Dinkelman, Liam Hendriks, Jim Hoey - 1<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------<br />
CAREER LEADERBOARD<br />
<br />
1. Mauer - 60<br />
2. Cuddyer, Kubel - 47<br />
4. Morneau - 39<br />
5. Blackburn, Young - 38<br />
7. Baker - 34<br />
8. Liriano - 33<br />
9. Span - 29<br />
10. Pavano - 26<br />
11. Slowey - 25<br />
12. Thome - 21<br />
13. Casilla - 18<br />
14. Duensing, Valencia - 15<br />
16. Carlos Gomez - 14<br />
17. Perkins - 12<br />
18. Nick Punto - 11<br />
19. Orlando Hudson, Plouffe - 9<br />
21. Swarzak - 7<br />
22. Brendan Harris, L Hughes, Craig Monroe, Tolbert - 6<br />
26. Orlando Cabrera, Mike Lamb, Mijares - 5<br />
29. Boof Bonser, Burnett, Brian Buscher, Butera, Joe Crede, Livan Hernandez, Nathan, Nishioka, Revere - 4<br />
38. R.A. Dickey, Matt Guerrier, Parmelee, Mike Redmond - 3<br />
42. Craig Breslow, Jesse Crain, Diamond, Matt Macri, Jose Morales - 2<br />
47. Luis Ayala, Brian Bass, Benson, Matt Capps, Dinkelman, Matt Fox, Matt Garza, Hendriks, Hoey, Torii Hunter, Bobby Keppel, Bobby Korecky, Jeff Manship, Wilson Ramos, Randy Ruiz, Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Rondell White - 1Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-80564551960744282572011-09-29T02:09:00.001-04:002011-09-29T07:53:26.281-04:00The Greatest Day of Baseball... Ever?Yesterday was one of the most exciting days in baseball history. As far as the regular season goes, I can't think of a better set of games, but I'm young and that may be why. On the other hand, Tim Kurkjian is much older and a much more respected baseball analyst, and he echoed my sentiments, saying: "This was the greatest day of regular season baseball in the game's glorious history." Regardless of where exactly it ranks on your list, it was without a doubt an amazing day. Here's what happened, in timeline form.<br />
<br />
<b>12:00 PM: </b>I am informed by Twin #2 that Adam Dunn is not in the lineup for the White Sox. Alas, that means that his quest for infamy has ceased. More on that in another post, as there were exciting moments galore to come.<br />
<br />
<b>9:56 PM: </b>Skipping way ahead. In Atlanta, Craig Kimbrel is on the mound against Chase Utley in the top of the ninth inning. With one out and the bases loaded, the Braves led by the score of 3-2. At the same time, the Cardinals were up 7-0 on the Astros, meaning a loss would likely send Atlanta home for the season. Utley came through with a deep sacrifice fly to left field that brought in the tying run from third.<br />
<br />
<b>10:02 PM: </b>Kimbrel walked the next batter, his third free pass of the inning, to load the bases, forcing Fredi Gonzalez to go to his bullpen. Out trots Kris Medlen, a pitcher who had thrown exactly one inning in the Major Leagues in 2011. He does his job, though, getting Michael Martinez to pop out, keeping the game knotted at three.<br />
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<b>10:23 PM: </b>While Boston, up 3-2 on Baltimore in the seventh inning, continues to sit through a lengthy rain delay, the Rays start to rally against the Yankees. Down 7-0 in the eighth, Tampa Bay has just scored 3 runs to trim the lead to 4. But, though they have runners on first and second, they potentially have only four outs left in their season. Evan Longoria rises to the occasion with a 3-run homer that brings the Rays within one run. <br />
<br />
<b>10:26 PM: </b>As the Braves-Phillies matchup pushes into extra innings, the Cardinals seal up their victory, an 8-0 win over Houston. Chris Carpenter dominated from starting to finish, pitching a complete game shutout in which he allowed just two hits and one walk, and struck out 11 batters. It's official now: Atlanta has to keep their postseason hopes alive.<br />
<br />
<b>10:31 PM: </b>Although it has no bearing on the postseason matchups, <b>Trevor Plouffe</b> hits a single to drive in <b>Denard Span</b> to break a scoreless tie, giving Minnesota a walk-off win to end its season and avoid 100 losses. <b>Carl Pavano </b>was the true hero, however, as he went toe-to-toe with Bruce Chen (seriously?), putting up a complete game shutout with only 95 pitches. <br />
<br />
<b>10:47 PM: </b>With two outs and nobody on in the ninth, and the Rays still down by a run, Joe Maddon sends Dan Johnson to the plate to pinch hit for Sam Fuld. It's a strange decision, if only because Johnson has not had a Major League hit since April 27. Sure, he was in Triple-A for a while, but he was also hitless in his last 20 at bats and had a .108 average on the season. Of course, down to his last strike, Johnson ropes a line drive just inside the right field foul pole for a game-tying home run.<br />
<br />
<b>10:58 PM: </b>Play finally resumes in Baltimore, with the Red Sox emerging from their clubhouse having just watched the epic comeback the Rays had completed.<br />
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<b>11:40 PM: </b>In the 14th inning, it all finally comes to a close for Atlanta. Following a broken bat, blooping infield single by Hunter Pence that put Philadelphia in front by a run, the Braves' Freddie Freeman grounds into a double play to end the game and complete a collapse that saw an 8 1/2 game lead in early September go by the wayside. St. Louis is officially headed to the playoffs.<br />
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<b>11:51 PM: </b>An hour after the Red Sox learned they might not have the luxury of a play-in game even if they lose, Ryan Lavarnway grounds into a double play with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the ninth inning. Boston enters the bottom half of the frame still clinging to a 3-2 lead.<br />
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<b>11:54 PM: </b>Brandon Gomes and Jake McGee have combined to put Yankee runners on the corners with nobody out in the top of the twelfth inning. McGee then induces a grounder from Jorge Posada. After Evan Longoria scoops up the ball, he catches Greg Golson straying too far from third base and tags him out.<br />
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<b>11:59 PM: </b>Jonathan Papelbon gets the first two outs of the ninth inning before Chris Davis strokes a ball into right field for a double. Immediately afterward, McGee gets the final out of twelfth inning to squelch the Yankees' scoring opportunity.<br />
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<b>12:00 AM: </b>Only 30 seconds later, Papelbon gives up a game-tying ground-rule double to Nolan Reimold. Baltimore now has the winning run at second base.<br />
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<b>12:02 AM: </b>The next batter, Robert Andino, loops a soft liner into left field. Carl Crawford attempts to make a sliding catch and gets his glove on it, but can't come up with it. He still has a chance to throw out Reimold at home, but his throw is off-line, allowing Baltimore to end their season with a walk-off victory. And, of course, to potentially end Boston's season. It's the first time all year that Boston has lost a game they led after the eighth inning. Previously they had been 77-0. <br />
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B.J. Upton takes a healthy cut and misses as the T.V. announcers for the Yankees-Rays game inform their audiences that Boston has lost.<br />
<br />
<b>12:04 AM: </b>The remaining fans at Tropicana Field go crazy as the scoreboard operator puts up the result of the Red Sox game. B.J. Upton has struck out and Evan Longoria is strolling to the plate.<br />
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<b>12:05 AM: </b>Longoria knocks a line drive down the left field line, almost a mirror image of Dan Johnson's homer earlier in the game. Again it sneaks inside the foul pole for a home run, giving the Rays a walk-off victory and pushing them into the playoffs. They overcame a 9-game deficit in early September and a 7-run deficit with just 6 outs to go in their final game. It was the first time the Yankees had lost a game they led by 7 or more runs in the eighth inning or later since 1953.<br />
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<br />
<b>2:08 AM: </b>So you tell me: was this the most exciting day in baseball history?Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-7801358327341597192011-09-27T19:45:00.000-04:002011-09-27T19:45:32.690-04:00Twins try to avoid 100 lossesThe good news: if the Twins could have chosen anybody in the entire league to pitch against them tonight, they would have picked Sean O'Sullivan.<br />
<br />
The bad news: the Twins are a terrible team.<br />
<br />
O'Sullivan has thrown 53.1 innings this season, and has a WHIP of 1.78 and an ERA of 6.92. That ERA is the worst in the Majors among anyone who's pitched more than 50 innings, as are his xFIP and FIP. He's also collected just 18 strikeouts in his time on the mound, a rate of 3.04 K/9. Not surprisingly, that ranks last among the same group, as does his K% and his utterly embarrassing 0.69 K:BB ratio. And his career numbers don't paint a much better picture: 6.01 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 1.23 K/BB.<br />
<br />
Of course, if the Royals could pick any team to play against, it would probably be the Twins. While the Astros have a worse record on the season, Minnesota has won 3 of their last 23 games, 5 of their last 34, and 20 of their 71 games since the All-Star break. Anyone who thinks the Red Sox have been playing badly of late should take a look at the Twins' performance. Sure, Boston has won just fewer than a quarter of their games in September, but Minnesota has won only one-sixth of their games.<br />
<br />
<br />
On an unrelated note, the Adam Dunn watch has taken a turn for the better. Since my original post, Dunn has played in all 3 games and is in the lineup again tonight. He's gotten 12 more plate appearances, including 8 hitless at bats, which puts him at 493, nine away from history. I'll be intently keeping an eye on the White Sox's matchups with Toronto these next two days.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-46587539446734228872011-09-24T14:55:00.004-04:002011-09-24T15:02:27.649-04:00Adam Dunn Chases HistoryYou've been reading all year about how terrible Adam Dunn has been. What's the root of the problem? Will he re-discover his stroke next year? Will he retire? Is this the worst season of all-time given that he plays designated hitter? Is it the most inexplicable drop-off in performance ever? Was he the worst free agent signing ever?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0txV9GumkGCR8OqQZecyy3fzvHKzrlO9-zeDIWo3CHeqQ4FNFiL5m76ReE9S-NP6_9mGVjXPKjmo27yy6HN6Bv0uFaldnZ8CmaQhXCAoHTExHXybn-JoYjkpOmq7Ql8nhHqBvrt7zJeA/s1600/dunn+K.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0txV9GumkGCR8OqQZecyy3fzvHKzrlO9-zeDIWo3CHeqQ4FNFiL5m76ReE9S-NP6_9mGVjXPKjmo27yy6HN6Bv0uFaldnZ8CmaQhXCAoHTExHXybn-JoYjkpOmq7Ql8nhHqBvrt7zJeA/s320/dunn+K.png" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunn reacts after striking out... again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Those questions may be answered in the future, and some may never be answered. But there is one we will have a definite answer to in less than a week: will Adam Dunn break the record for lowest batting average for a player who qualified for the batting title in the modern era (since 1900)?<br />
<br />
Here, I am using the modern definition of qualifying for the batting title, which is a minimum of 3.1 PA per team game. In the past, other standards have been used, including playing in 60% of team games prior to 1920. Bill Bergen qualified at the time with a .139 average in 1909, and again in 1906 at .159, for the lowest batting averages of the modern era. However, in both of those years he wouldn't have been particularly close to being eligible for the batting title according to the modern standard, as he only averaged around 2.4 PA per team game in both seasons.<br />
<br />
Here's a full list of the worst qualified batting averages of the modern era:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7Vhv3XfsqCQxHNMZEhFRbRA157bLVe-EhJXqLDjzrdVx5M0M0htS1yuxUjK0UTQVtmheXoHVIFsyAYQUGdZQkLos1_MJhfwBVA9aUZbsxoL4_8LDyVSyeiLfW913gtFHpDSY_dMAoAk/s1600/worstBA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7Vhv3XfsqCQxHNMZEhFRbRA157bLVe-EhJXqLDjzrdVx5M0M0htS1yuxUjK0UTQVtmheXoHVIFsyAYQUGdZQkLos1_MJhfwBVA9aUZbsxoL4_8LDyVSyeiLfW913gtFHpDSY_dMAoAk/s320/worstBA.png" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Even if you don't care for that bit of posturing, Dunn at the very least is looking to claim the lowest qualified batting average--period--since 1910.<br />
<br />
After yet another hitless game yesterday, Dunn's average currently rests at .163 through 481 plate appearances. The White Sox have five games remaining, and Dunn needs to hit the 502 mark to qualify for the batting title. That's a tall task, as he needs to come to the plate 21 times in that span. Considering that he's only averaging 3.06 plate appearances per team game thus far, and has only appeared in 75 percent of Chicago's games on the year, it wouldn't appear likely.<br />
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Of course, it's much more telling to look at how much he has been playing lately to determine if he will crack the barrier. After playing sporadically through the first half of September, Dunn has been in the lineup each of the last 8 games--including both games of a doubleheader on September 20--and has accumulated 33 trips to the plate in the process. That's exactly what he would need to do over the next five days to make history, so it looks like Ozzie Guillen is doing his part.<br />
<br />
If Dunn makes it to the mark, he's already essentially clinched the worst qualified average since 1914. Rob Deer owns that honor for the time being, with a .179 average in 1991. In order to overcome that, Dunn would have to do something like get 10 hits in 20 at bats to end the year, which would bring him up to .179. Congratulations Rob, it seems as if you are out of the ignominious record book. And before Dunn, Deer had had a stranglehold on the record, as .194 was the second-worst qualified mark since 1950, and .185 was the second-worst qualified mark since 1920.<br />
<br />
If he merely stays at .163, Dunn will have the fourth-worst qualified average since 1900, the worst since 1910, and the absolute worst using today's 3.1 PA/team game standard for qualification. He's got a very good chance to move into third-worst place since 1910 if he can merely put together a 2-for-16 stretch together to end the season, and if he can do something along the lines of 1-for-20 he can nab the second-worst average of the modern era.<br />
<br />
Today the White Sox go against Royals lefty Everett Teaford, which may mean Dunn will be out of the lineup. That would cripple his chances of reaching the 502-plate appearance plateau. After that it's all righthanders, so let's hope Ozzie sees this opportunity for what its worth.<br />
<br />
Only 7 players since 1950 have managed to hit under .200 while coming to the plate often enough to qualify for the batting title. Since 1920, that number is 14. Adam Dunn has a chance to blow them all away. While the Twins fight against the current sweeping them towards an embarrassing 100 losses, Adam Dunn is faced with the potential of holding a much more ignominious place in baseball history.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-66111260247229643662011-09-20T10:53:00.000-04:002011-09-20T10:53:31.468-04:00Word Search Answer Key<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pretty self-explanatory. If you've done the <a href="http://twinsontwins.blogspot.com/2011/09/twins-2011-word-search.html">word search</a> and couldn't locate a name or two, this is your ticket to completion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfSzdJITeGDbnQKbcq0OLbx_hpJrpuBmr42ah07dVyTFZdZE-0IrMcTwHJB3_b58kzuy_swYOJD_keF3aK2f5Hggq4WF0B4B61c3uhCzvEovd3_0JUKRszvNYhX1p34P_ZuhoeMFatQY/s1600/word+search+2011+ans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfSzdJITeGDbnQKbcq0OLbx_hpJrpuBmr42ah07dVyTFZdZE-0IrMcTwHJB3_b58kzuy_swYOJD_keF3aK2f5Hggq4WF0B4B61c3uhCzvEovd3_0JUKRszvNYhX1p34P_ZuhoeMFatQY/s320/word+search+2011+ans.png" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-88303599921995172072011-09-16T10:51:00.000-04:002011-09-16T10:51:25.384-04:00Twins 2011 Word SearchWith the Twins 2011 season slowly lurching to a close, we need something to distract us. And then we finish it, to remind us what we were distracting ourselves from. That's why I've made this word search, which features every player to play with the Twins this season, plus their manager. Then, when you're done, write out all the letters that weren't circled for a secret message (how exciting! [it's not]).<br />
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Every player is listed by their last name only. Any two players who have the same last name have their first initial included too. Have fun!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg679_WUfdlcMYMYTpaPJtsbkJcx2iVq4V0ACIZjWinXrOBxtIGpQKiOTw5u8mumqCtnwOrkRQpuxQuVdSS8lURZvewGFYqdJYGzrD-glfiAQWvXdMxLObvofWPyhfJib9CQG9ZzvmicP8/s1600/word+search+2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg679_WUfdlcMYMYTpaPJtsbkJcx2iVq4V0ACIZjWinXrOBxtIGpQKiOTw5u8mumqCtnwOrkRQpuxQuVdSS8lURZvewGFYqdJYGzrD-glfiAQWvXdMxLObvofWPyhfJib9CQG9ZzvmicP8/s320/word+search+2011.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Answer key to be posted sometime in the next few days. I would have put it right below this, but it's too easy to see the circled players by accident when scrolling through.</div>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-20180310771503576722011-09-11T22:29:00.000-04:002011-09-11T22:29:10.064-04:00Who is Rene Rivera?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1s3K7mkxZgPsckCco4nBs2L5wfn8iJp52ZiRCvGB1PMsm0aOScKhDHddC0QhFNP-HW8rBtjcUsnT7TiLu3e5FF319vokOFeeAnYwWbYTtkmMzy5iEnD7qTqOYi_8pH6iMMPNL4EizsU/s1600/rivera+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1s3K7mkxZgPsckCco4nBs2L5wfn8iJp52ZiRCvGB1PMsm0aOScKhDHddC0QhFNP-HW8rBtjcUsnT7TiLu3e5FF319vokOFeeAnYwWbYTtkmMzy5iEnD7qTqOYi_8pH6iMMPNL4EizsU/s320/rivera+tag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivera tags out Chicago's Tyler Flowers at home plate</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Rene Rivera, born on July 31, shares a birthday with Harry Potter, but that's the only magical thing about him. After making his first Major League appearance in 2004 with Seattle, Rivera has played the role of a prototypical journeyman catcher perfectly. He's spent time with five different organizations, occasionally getting opportunities to fill in at the big league level.<br />
<br />
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners as a 17-year old out of Puerto Rico in 2001, Rivera at that point was an exciting prospect. A second round selection, he split time between rookie league and low Single-A that season. It was a tale of two halves, as Rivera's performance in rookie-ball was very encouraging, while in Single-A he had four hits in 45 at bats, one walk against 19 strikeouts, and a .351 OPS. The next two seasons, at low and high Single-A respectively, were solid, but much of the luster was gone from Rivera's days as a projectable 17-year old.<br />
<br />
In 2004, Rivera spent most of the season at Single-A again, although he appeared in four games at the Triple-A level and, despite his inexperience, he received a Major League call-up. On September 22, he made his big league debut, but he did only came to the plate 3 times that season and unsurprisingly did not manage to reach base. Another mediocre season, this time split between Double-A and Triple-A, nonetheless saw Rivera in Seattle for two short stints, where he actually had a very good hitting line.<br />
<br />
Perhaps because of that, Rivera earned the backup catcher gig for the Mariners in 2006 when, save for one game in Triple-A, he spent the entire season at the big league level. It was a miserable affair, however, as he came crashing back to earth following his unsustainable performance with Seattle the previous year. A season with a 29-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .152 batting average, and a .431 OPS, even as young 22-year old, essentially ended any prospect of Rivera becoming a starting-caliber catcher.<br />
<br />
It would also be four full seasons before Rivera would be back in a big league uniform. After toiling away in Double-A and Triple-A for three more organizations--the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees--, and not really warranting a call-up with his performance, Rivera signed a minor league contract with Minnesota prior to the 2011 season. Although he displayed the same lack of plate discipline that has hampered him during his entire professional career, Joe Mauer's trip to the disabled list at the beginning of May necessitated Rivera's presence in Minneapolis.<br />
<br />
It was more of the same in the Majors, as Rivera's average rested under the Mendoza Line and he added little power or on-base ability on top of it. When Joe Mauer returned, Rivera was predictably sent back to Rochester, although he returned to the big league club in at the end of August. At this point, his average is down to .152 and his OPS is a putrid .419. No matter what the Twins organization says about his game-calling ability or defense, it's clear to anyone who watches him that Rivera is eminently replaceable and probably shouldn't have even a backup job in the Major Leagues.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-49577757117773468302011-09-08T22:39:00.001-04:002011-09-08T22:44:27.517-04:00Fantasy Football Draft DiaryI can't imagine anyone is interested in my personal fantasy football draft, but if you happen to be that person, this is the right place to be.<br />
<br />
On Monday my keeper league did its draft, and since then I've been quite excited for the NFL season to start. It's getting underway as I write this, with a great matchup between the Super Bowl champion Packers and the New Orleans Saints.<br />
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<b>Type</b>: Head-to-head, Auction<br />
<b>Number of Teams</b>: 10<br />
<b>Categories</b>: Standard (or close enough it's not worth explaining)<br />
<b>Roster Spots</b>: 2 QB, 3 RB, 3 WR, 1 RB/WR, 2 TE, 1 K, 2 DEF, 4 Bench, 2 IR<br />
<b>Keeper Style</b>: Max of 4 at escalating prices, only 1 can be a free agent pickup<br />
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<br />
<b>--</b>I only had three keepers because you can only keep 4 players if at least one was kept the previous year too. None of the guys I kept last year were worth holding onto at the price I would have had to pay, so it was just Austin Collie, Kenny Britt, and Michael Vick for me. Each of them was only $1. Collie and Britt aren't great value, but obviously Vick is just about as good as it gets. That meant I had $197 to spend in the draft itself, by far the most of any team.<br />
<br />
<b>--</b>The draft starts with a kicker nominated. How boring. Next up is Peyton Manning, who's a huge mystery. Given the 2-QB format, quarterbacks generally go for exorbitant prices, but Manning's injury means he goes for a meager $23.<br />
<br />
<b>--</b>The next five players nominated are Drew Brees (who goes for a cool $54) and four running backs: AP ($68), CJ2K ($64), MJD ($57), Michael Turner ($44), and Frank Gore ($45). I was planning to grab Adrian Peterson at any cost, since I had lots of money and no running back keepers, but of course I got cold feet and didn't have the guts. Same thing happened with Chris Johnson. Not picking up one of them, or at least Turner, would be the biggest regret of my draft.<br />
<br />
<b>--</b>Among the next couple picks, Brady goes for $46 and Greg Jennings goes for $38. Jennings is a good option, but at this point I have my eyes set on Larry Fitzgerald as my top receiver, and I don't think I can afford to grab both.<br />
<br />
--With Frank Gore ($45) and Steven Jackson ($47) going off the board, I'm really feeling a sense of urgency in regard to my running back situation. Still, when Matt Forte is nominated, I back away as the price climbs to $29, since I don't think much of him and the Bears as a whole.<br />
<br />
--Finally, Larry Fitzgerald is on the board. His price soars to $45 at which point I clicked to bid with 3-4 seconds left. This wasn't like my half-hearted bids on Peterson and Chris Johnson, when there were approximately 0.05 seconds left to bid. Unfortunately ESPN didn't register my bid and Twin #2 got him for what was certainly not a bargain. Still, I definitely wanted him for $46.<br />
<br />
--Now I'm really nervous. The one guy I was planning to spend all my money on is gone and I still have $197 to spend. A couple guys are down to double digits and most are at least closing in on it, meaning I've got a lot of money left but not a lot of talent to spend it on. So, not surprisingly, I panic and grab the next player up, Matthew Stafford, for $13. In the end, I actually liked that pick, but it was definitely a panicked decision.<br />
<br />
--Jimmy Graham, one of the two tight ends I have penciled into my starting lineup, is nominated next. Antonio Gates and Jason Witten were kept, but after Dallas Clark, Graham is the second TE off the board. I'm surprised but nab him nonetheless for $5. A dollar or two higher than I would have hoped, but at this point, with the excess money I have, that's irrelevant.<br />
<br />
--After a few teams grab defenses and Reggie Wayne ($25) leaves the board, I finally win my first running back, DeAngelo Williams for $24. I like that price a lot for him, even if Carolina will likely be a terrible team. I think the new contract shows a commitment to him as the feature back, and he did rush for 1500 yards and 18 touchdowns just three years ago.<br />
<br />
--As the price for Jahvid Best rises to $27 I feel even better about the price for Williams. A couple players later, Jermichael Finley is nominated. He might be the guy I want the most in the whole draft, just as he was last season. I got him last year, only to see him get injured in early October, but I'm back for more at a price of $15.<br />
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--Cedric Benson is auctioned off for $17. You couldn't pay me to have him on my team. Then Marques Colston comes up, and I'm still feeling the heat of needing to use up all of my money. I don't necessarily like Colston that much but he seems to be one of the few #1 WRs with a chance to score big points remaining, so I blow $23 on him. Although I kept two receivers, both are big question marks, with Manning's situation devaluing Collie greatly (on top of his concussion and injury issues) and Britt's general enigmatic personality and play putting his contributions in question. This was another one I felt like I had to take, and I didn't feel nearly as good about this afterward as I felt about Stafford.<br />
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--A couple mediocre running backs, some kickers and tight ends, and Steve Johnson ($21) go off the board before I nominate Brandon Marshall. Him I'm much more excited about, as he's a #1 receiver coming off a down year which, I think, has people devaluing him. Even with Henne at quarterback, I think he's much better than the receivers he's ranked with. I get him for $24.<br />
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--I grab Mark Ingram following a bidding war with Twin #2 for $18, immediately after I lose a bidding war with him for Tim Hightower ($20). High for Ingram, for sure, but high-upside rookies always go for a lot in this league. I don't really think he's worth that price, but there's a chance he breaks out and is a solid keeper, and I still have way too much money to spend. I don't know if you've noticed, but that's a theme. I do feel worse that I didn't bid on Ryan Grant ($15) a couple picks before, though.<br />
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--The next player nominated is Anquan Boldin. One of the last receivers at the top of their depth chart, and probably the last one with even halfway-decent offense, I round out my starting receiver corps by paying $19 for Boldin. With that, I finally have less money than one other person to spend, though I have way fewer position left to fill, meaning I still have the highest maximum bid.<br />
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--Thirteen picks later I grab another player, my longest break since I went the first 18 nominations without winning anybody. In between, Jonathan Stewart goes for $21. I sure hope that guy doesn't get his money's worth, or it's going to be pretty hard for DeAngelo to give me what I think he will. The guy I get now? Reggie Bush. As I said at the time, every year someone gets sucked into the Reggie Bush hype, and this year it's me. Daniel Thomas, Miami's rookie RB, has looked terrible in the preseason and Bush still has all that talent somewhere. Of course, the counter argument is that Bush has been in the NFL for 5 years and has never shown any ability to even be a good change-of-pace back, never mind a starter. Seeing as how I have him on all three teams, I'm looking on the positive side.<br />
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--I take some time off again as nobody that interests me comes up. In the meantime, Thomas ($14) goes for the same price as Bush, which makes me feel good, and Tony Gonzalez is won for $2, which makes me feel a little worse about splurging on Graham early. With my top 3 (and only 3) running backs, I feel the necessity to start stockpiling rushers. Mike Tolbert is one of the few remaining backs who might get starters' touches, so I pick him up for what I think is a very affordable $10.<br />
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--Julio Jones is auctioned off next. This is another guy I really, really want. I feel more confident in him having a good or great year than Ingram, so this is the rookie I truly want to have. I'm forced, by Twin #1, to spend $15, which is more than I want to. As I said, though, high-upside rookies always go for more than you expect in this league, and I still have more money than I can spend anyways.<br />
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--Just a couple picks later, I grab my final skill player, with just a kicker and two defense spots left. It's Michael Bush ($5), another guy who I really liked last year and am returning to this year. It was Darren McFadden who broke out in 2010, as Bush's injury allowed him to get starter's reps and run away with the job. For just $5, though, I can hope that he'll either split enough carries to be relevant or that the injury-prone McFadden will give Bush another chance to rack up big stats.<br />
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--To fill out my roster I pick up the Falcons defense ($1), Matt Bryant ($1), and the Chiefs defense ($3). I would never have paid more than $1 for the Chiefs D, but I didn't have any more roster spots to fill after that pick. I had tried to get the Giants defense much earlier, but since someone else upped the bid after I nominated them, I bowed out, as I never pay more than $1 for a defense or a kicker. As it turns out, it wouldn't have mattered, but that was impossible to know mid-draft.<br />
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--All in all, I'm not that pleased. I really needed to get a top-tier running back, considering the number of good running backs kept, but I didn't have the guts to spend the money right away. My receivers are okay, and I'm very satisfied with my tight ends, but my running backs look quite weak. As it stands, I'll be starting DeAngelo, Reggie Bush, and Tolbert in Week 1, which isn't exactly inspiring, especially considering my opponent has LeSean McCoy, Rashard Mendenhall, and Maurice Jones-Drew. So, ultimately, my team's fortunes rest on the shoulders of Michael Vick, and whether he can repeat the utterly dominant show he put on in 2011.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-23248097848432188162011-09-06T23:01:00.000-04:002011-09-06T23:01:22.478-04:00An Even Rockier BottomJust when it seems like things can't get any worse, they do. Never say never with the Twins this year, as they continue to surpass their low point, time after time.<br />
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On Monday, they lost both games of a doubleheader to Chicago. <b>Anthony Swarzak </b>gave Minnesota a very strong start in the early session, going seven innings and allowing only two runs. It wasn't enough, though, as the Twins didn't give him any support, scoring just one run in the game. With runners on the corners in the ninth inning, <b>Luke Hughes</b> lined out to left field for a sacrifice fly, putting the Twins on the board.<br />
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Who would have thought that that would be the best game, and the only run, the Twins would score in the first three games of the series? I suppose if you've been following the season closely, it might have been a logical guess.<br />
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In the night half of the doubleheader, Zach Stewart, who came into the game with a 5.48 ERA on the season, made it through 7 innings before he allowed a baserunner. <b>Danny Valencia </b>broke up the perfect game with a double in the eighth inning, but Stewart went the distance, surrendering the one hit and striking out 9 Minnesota hitters.<br />
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Scoring one run across two games, and nearly getting no hit in the second had one positive outcome: Tuesday's game would have to be better. Instead, the Twins got shut out yet again.<br />
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In that game, three Twins made their Major League debuts. <b>Liam Hendriks </b>got the start, and pitched admirably, throwing seven innings and giving up just four hits. He made one mistake to Alex Rios, who capitalized and hit a home run, but otherwise he looked quite good, though he did manage to let Adam Dunn on base twice.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>Joe Benson </b>didn't help Hendriks out on defense, as he made an ill-advised diving attempt on a Alejandro De Aza liner, letting the ball roll to the wall and De Aza to reach third base. He didn't pick up a hit either, although he did draw a walk in a long at bat to lead off the game. Obviously one game is essentially meaningless, so I am excited to see more of what Benson has to offer.<br />
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<b>Chris Parmelee </b>also debuted, and he had two fliners drop into centerfield for hits in his first two plate appearances. He ended the game 2-4 and should see many more opportunities in the waning weeks of the season.<br />
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But the Twins as a whole looked ugly, at best. They went 0-10 with runners in scoring position. They struck out 14 times. They are now in last place, behind even the lowly Kansas City Royals, and have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. If they win their final 21 games, they will tie their worst record under Ron Gardenhire. They have lost--outright lost, not tied--their last 7 home series, including holding a record of 3-21 in their previous 24 home games. They have won only 2 series period since the All-Star break.<br />
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So, please, next time you write a whole article about how being swept by Baltimore at home, while scoring 4 runs total, is the most embarrassing series Minnesota has ever played, keep in mind that they'll be trying to outdo themselves just two weeks later.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-25986121968943044442011-09-05T11:30:00.001-04:002011-09-05T11:31:01.140-04:00Stephen Strasburg Returns<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIOkxUj_vvm-2ozWciEqZeGHDanRQaUx8udYP5Lm4tBeQEEp50U0xT7sjMV_9mSPBNKVcSCGvKaL-Uj5Y97xGB0-7pk48_52Ee7yQYfPtrmK51iv1XB4at_Rxb-LUawf80nZ2mpyf7aQ/s1600/strasburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIOkxUj_vvm-2ozWciEqZeGHDanRQaUx8udYP5Lm4tBeQEEp50U0xT7sjMV_9mSPBNKVcSCGvKaL-Uj5Y97xGB0-7pk48_52Ee7yQYfPtrmK51iv1XB4at_Rxb-LUawf80nZ2mpyf7aQ/s320/strasburg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strasburg walks off the mound after his last ML appearance on August 21, 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On Tuesday, Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg will make his first Major League appearance since he underwent Tommy John surgery last September. He'll start at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers just over a year after he had his operation.<br />
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Last June, Strasburg somehow matched the immense hype surrounding him by recording a Major League record 14 strikeouts in his first start, and proceeded to take the league by storm. In July, however, forearm pain forced him to the disabled list. He would return in August, but after three more starts he was shut down for the season. By the end of August it was apparent that right ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction--Tommy John surgery--would be necessary, and on September 3rd he had the procedure performed.<br />
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Just more than 11 months later, Strasburg took the mound for a rehab appearance with the Nationals' Low Single-A affiliate, Hagerstown. It was a lower level than he had ever pitched at before and he threw only 31 pitches over 1 2/3 innings before departing, but the excitement was palpable all the same. As he moved up through the minors, worked up higher pitch counts, and dominated opposing hitters in five of his six starts, it became more obvious that he would make it back to the Majors in 2011.<br />
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And, on Tuesday, September 4, that journey will be complete. Assuming he has no setbacks, he will make about five starts this year for Washington, something almost no one thought would be possible when he went under the knife twelve months ago. <a href="http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/strasburg-likely-headed-for-tommy-john-surgery/">Lynn Zinser of the New York Times</a> represented the prevailing opinion at the time, writing: "Strasburg... is facing a 12-to-18 month recovery from the operation and perhaps another season to recover his form." In defying the odds, Strasburg will give hope to other pitchers that they, too, can accomplish the same feat. Teams and fans will no longer hear Tommy John surgery as a death sentence that will keep the player out for 12 to 18 months, and even then have them return as a shell of their former self.<br />
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When Twins fans hear that their top prospect <b>Kyle Gibson</b><b> </b>must have the same surgery, as was announced mere days ago, they can hold out hope that he will be able to pitch in a few games at the end of 2012. They don't have to look back on <b>Joe Nathan </b>and his 12-month recovery that saw him pitch poorly upon his return before finding himself back on the disabled list. Nor do they have to look at the horror story that followed <b>Francisco Liriano</b>'s operation, which forced him out of game action for 18 months and then caused an absolutely miserable season when he did finally return.<br />
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Instead, they, and fans across baseball, can look at Strasburg's path, one that took only one year, almost exactly, before he was back at the Major League level and within reach of his former dominance. Beyond the fact that we as fans get to see him pitch again, Stephen Strasburg's return gives us hope for everyone else who receives the same diagnosis.<br />
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<i>Article first published as <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://technorati.com/sports/baseball/article/stephen-strasburg-returns-to-the-big/%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3Ehttp://technorati.com/%3Cwbr%3Esports/baseball/article/%3Cwbr%3Estephen-strasburg-returns-to-%3Cwbr%3Ethe-big/%3C/a%3E">Stephen Strasburg Returns to the Big Leagues</a> on Technorati.</i>Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3838231767765523827.post-21026203880447303952011-09-04T13:41:00.000-04:002011-09-04T13:41:27.361-04:00Who is Luke Hughes?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5w_tpebINvQq9_4tkh0bBb9M8o9sNRCcOf5rr3WIWnuLmziOczSVv-ozSk0C4Nl6OnJ13D2YyM4E65ZjeHdyAPas_NXz5gCEnsUpD1-5pBXCIsOxVCAenS9iU0emza-Dl1g9ZsjXkfk/s1600/hughes+homer-verlander_082811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5w_tpebINvQq9_4tkh0bBb9M8o9sNRCcOf5rr3WIWnuLmziOczSVv-ozSk0C4Nl6OnJ13D2YyM4E65ZjeHdyAPas_NXz5gCEnsUpD1-5pBXCIsOxVCAenS9iU0emza-Dl1g9ZsjXkfk/s320/hughes+homer-verlander_082811.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hughes celebrates with Justin Morneau after hitting a home run off Justin Verlander</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Signed out of Australia in July of 2002, Hughes came to the United States as an 18-year old the following year to start his career. He spent his first two seasons in the Minnesota organization in short-season ball, with the GCL Twins and Elizabethton, respectively, and put up pretty good numbers. In 2005 he moved up to full-season ball for the first time and the result was relatively disappointing. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was worrisome, his OBP was unremarkable, and his decent power wasn't enough to make up for those weaknesses. A 23-game cameo with Ft. Myers only heightened those red flags, as he tallied a pathetic .484 OPS there.<br />
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At this point, Hughes looked like the majority of minor leaguers--that is, a player destined to never play in the Majors. And his full-season performance at Ft. Myers in 2006 did nothing to change that, as he once again demonstrated limited plate discipline and subsequently a limited ability to get on base. His power numbers also suffered compared to what they were at the lower levels, and his OPS on the season was under .600.<br />
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Nonetheless, the Twins pushed him to Double-A the following season. As it turned out, Hughes responded by playing the best baseball of his career, showing resurgent power and improving his walk rate. It wasn't until after the 2008 season, though, when he finally got noticed as a prospect. That's because he took another leap forward that year, posting an excellent .252 ISO and .415 wOBA in repeating Double-A, and playing in that year's Futures Game, before moving up to Triple-A for the end of the year. A huge strikeout rate and a drop in his plate discipline at that level were concerning in his short stint there, but he also continued to show a good amount of pop.<br />
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For those reasons, he entered the 2009 season as a player who could potentially be in Minnesota at some point that season. However, he started back at Double-A and regressed in most offensive categories. At the same time, he was forced to move further down the defensive spectrum to third base, after starting his minor league career at shortstop and then playing second base for the majority of the previous seasons. Upon moving up to Triple-A later in the season, however, he improved both on those numbers and on his performance at Triple-A in 2008.<br />
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He entered 2010 as a viable option for the big league club, but did not make the team out of Spring Training and began the season with Rochester. Within a month, though, he was in Minnesota as a replacement for Nick Punto, who had to be put on the disabled list. On April 28, he made his Major League debut and homered in his first plate appearance, the fifth Twin ever to do so. He played the next day too, but was sent down days later on May 1, having made just 7 trips to the plate for Minnesota. A sports hernia and groin injury he suffered at the beginning of June made it impossible for him to return to Minnesota that year.<br />
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Hughes again began 2011 in Rochester, but this time he was called up within a week, as Tsuyoshi Nishioka's broke his leg and needed to be replaced on the roster. Hughes has spent the rest of the season bouncing between Triple-A and the Majors, at times displaying solid pop, but at other times looking lost at the plate and always looking like a marginal fielder. Hughes has the potential to be pinch hitter and a backup infielder, but his defensive limitations prevent him from playing a premium position, and his offense isn't good enough for him to be considered a long-term starter at a less important position.Twin #1http://www.blogger.com/profile/11343198923057954999noreply@blogger.com0