On "fastball, first pitch, to Josh Beckett," doesn't Dreckman signal a strike? I looked back at the box, and Beckett had a ball and a bunt foul on his two first pitches seen from Lincecum, but Dreckman gives a strike call on whatever pitch that was above.
That's not to say this isn't another great piece, Sam, and a real concern for the Giants. When other pitchers have gone with "personal catchers," they've usually been pretty damn good defensively, no?
Great stuff, Ian.
And great point about one of Sunday's heroes: Rick Ankiel blows my mind, every time I see him play the field or hit. You want to talk about great athletes, he is definitely on the list. What a sad, but incredible comeback story.
Reimold being back and Markakis leading off all season (hopefully), along with a full season of the vastly improved D at third should be extremely helpful. Also, Hardy was sub-par offensively, so there may be a bump there, too. The performance, especially defensively, after Machado got called up was not smoke and mirrors.
I can't understand this. No one is close to Trout all-time, much less this year. (My position changes if the above tweets are from people who think Trout should win MVP and thus shouldn't get ROY. Wrong, but better logic than simply 'Darvish/Cespedes have been just as good,' which is patently false.)
"a package of young impact bats that are close to big-league ready"
So, what are we talking here, Profar and Olt? Seriously, what's the return on Felix, and who among the contenders best fits that bill?
Sam, the work you do with embedded video is outstanding. I really enjoy your articles, and seeing stuff I miss around the league.
Also, Bob Carpenter is known for frequently getting giddy and prematurely starting his home run calls on routine fly balls. Anyone else on this list guilty of the same? (Orioles broadcaster Jim Hunter does the same thing, but they may actually be the same person)
Great stuff, Jay, as usual, and I look forward to your work at SI.com.
As an Orioles fan, I have greatly enjoyed the first quarter of this season, but always qualify it with "It's early."
I would be shocked if someone intentionally put anything in Strasburg's jock before his start. I would like to think Davey Johnson's comments after the game were misconstrued...no way someone pulls a prank on a) Strasburg and b) on a day he starts.
And this would be a great time for MLB to do something more than the '5-day suspension' which simply means 'one start.'
Hamels admits hitting one of the game's newest and brightest stars, for nothing other than Hamels thinking he (Hamels) is "old school" and this whippersnapper needs to be put in his place??
Something more than one start should be levied.
Thanks Ben. Any data on NL hitters moving to the AL? Also, how has Angel Stadium played in April? Seems the announcers referenced a damp, thick air at night in April (heard this during the Orioles series there from Palmer or Thorne)...anything to it?
Do you think Pujols (and other 'bunches' proponents) meant per game, or in any given week or month? Kemp just hit 12 in April, but with only one 2-homer game.
As with all April stats and streaks, would this be anywhere near as big a story if a) Albert were still a Cardinal or b) this happened in August? Or May, even?
Big BIG thanks for this...great idea, and easy delivery. I looked everywhere for Rendon in the big book, and I'm impressed BP put this together, and got it out so quickly. Nice work.
I really appreciate the look back. Seeing "Reitsma" and "Tankersley" and how highly they were esteemed 9 years ago gives a lot of perspective.
We (well, definitely "I") give a lot of knee-jerk reactions to trades, and it is always educational to be able to step back months, or years, later and reconsider or truly evaluate a trade.
Though those moves look awful now, Duquette deserves to be judged in context.
Bingo. Thanks, BP.
Great column, and that Chipper story is gold. Sciambi is one of the best broadcasters in the business, and he clearly 'gets it.' I'm gonna miss the rapport he had with Joe Simpson.
I think that's how they keep replies to particular posts together...
I would be surprised if the Braves are finished dealing. Francoeur will be the next to go.
Fair enough, and I understand your point, but I'm sure the Dominican team thought they were catching a break with The Netherlands, no?
I think a run differential idea would be a good idea for seeding as far as the aforementioned Korea-Japan Pool A problem (Japan beats Korea 14-2, Korea beats Japan 1-0, therefore Japan SHOULD win Pool A) goes, or any subsequent issue like that.
I don't like it as far as elimination goes, though. Double-elimination formats at least let you know when your back is against the wall, regardless of opponent.
And I mean the first round w/r/t Korea and Japan. For purpose of THIS round's games, Venezuela should "win" automatically (no losses) and USA should be 2 seed...
Is this format any different than the one used for the College World Series? Losers of first games play each other, and then the winner of that game plays loser of winners game...each has a loss, and they know going in it's an elimination game. I think the format works...
The problem I saw was Korea "winning" Pool A after finishing tied with Japan. Japan wins first matchup, and then Korea wins second matchup? Why bother having that game if we know they are both going to advance? Japan should advance as first seed and Korea second seed....
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