Virtually everybody involved in baseball analysis believes in using park factors in evaluating player performance. However, its a lot more difficult to get anyone to agree on how to calculate park factors. The major dispute revolves around how many years of data are needed to calculate park factors. Some people argue that you need multiple…
Decline at the Deuce? In 1996, second basemen Roberto Alomar and Chuck Knoblauch were two of the six best players in the American League. Each was right in their prime, putting up a .900 OPS season and, rightly or no, hailed as defensive wizards. Alomar 1996: .328/.411/.527, .318 EQA Knoblauch 1996: .341/.448/.517, .316 EQA, 45/14…
Steven Carter is taking a break from quotes. Dave Pease will be filling in until he returns. 62 "I just hope I didn’t act foolish. This is history. " —Mark McGwire, Cardinals infielder, after breaking Roger Maris’ single-season home run record "You know what really sucks? That was his shortest of the year." —Steve Trachsel,…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Activated C Charlie O’Brien from the DL; recalled 2B Justin Baughman, RHP Jason Dickson, LHP Mike Holtz, and 1B Chris Pritchett from Vancouver; recalled RHP Steve Sparks and OF Reggie Williams from Midland (AA). [9/1] Almost everyone here has contributed to the Angels in one way or another during the course of the…
A funny thing happened on the way to 62. In the midst of all the superfluous attention and asinine questions sent Mark McGwire‘s way, some reporter decided to bring up a topic that hadn’t already been beaten to death: the issue of nutritional supplements other than creatine. McGwire innocently confirmed that he took a little-known…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Acquired LF/1B Gregg Jefferies from the Phillies for a PTBNL; activated RHP Ken Hill from the DL; optioned RHP Steve Sparks to Midland (AA); recalled RHP Jeff Schmidt from and placed him on the 15-day DL (shoulder); transferred RHP Mike Freehill from the 15- to the 60-day DL; selected INF Gar Vallone from…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees Astros Braves Padres Red Sox Mets Indians Cubs Angels Rangers Its probably just me, but I’ll take the Astros’ combination of power, patience, pitching, defense, managing, you name it, over the tried-and-true Braves. Since I’m expecting the Mets to stay in front of the Cubs for a wildcard, I don’t expect…
TOP TEN TEAMS New York Yankees – what can I say, these guys are awesome. The team is full of solid performers having good offensive seasons, and the pitching staff has been incredible. Bernie Williams is an injury away from being a no-brainer MVP. Atlanta Braves – those Rockie imports are still playing well. Very…
Basically for little more than grins, we polled ourselves to see who we thought ranked where in various categories: the top ten teams in MLB, the three most disappointing teams, MVPs, Cy Young Awards, Rookies of the Year, Managers of the Year, and the paramount Least Valuable Player of the Year. You’ll find links to…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees Braves Astros Red Sox Padres Indians Mets Giants Orioles Angels A handful of great teams and lot of not-so-hot teams. The wild- card "pennant races" really are a sham. The Braves and the Giants going down to the last day with 100+ wins, that’s a pennant race. One which wouldn’t have…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees Braves Astros Padres Red Sox Mets Indians Cubs Rangers Angels No real surprises. Cleveland is where you’d expect them, but that’s by default. They haven’t played good baseball since May. The Oriole run is a nice story, but it’s over. I still think Seattle’s got one big push left in them,…
TOP TEN TEAMS Yankees – Amazing depth, they can lose anyone and keep right on rolling. But new playoff system will make it much less likely that the Yanks will be champs. Braves – Same old story, plus the emergence of Chipper Jones as a superstar and Andres Gallaraga’s career year. Padres – This almost…
