Tagged: A's
Abreu the Angel
I have had it with steroids in baseball. Sure Miguel Tejada didn’t take steroids but he lied about them. From now on the word steroid is banned on this blog unless we are making fun of the Yankees or that the one in a billion chance that David Ortiz took steroids becomes true.
Bobby Abreu
Today outfielder Bobby Abreu signed a one year five million dollar contract. The deal also includes incentives. This deal is a perfect example of the effect the economy is having on baseball. It seemed like yesterday he was getting twenty million! The deal is still pending a physical though. Abreu turns 35 in March will lead an already talented batting order with Torri Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero. The other five outfielders Hunter, Guerrero, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits, and Juan Rivera (who mostly plays D.H.) are all righties and Abreu is a lefty. Last season with the Yankees Abreu hit .296 with twenty home runs, 100 RBI’s, 22 stolen bases, 180 hits, and a .984 fielding percentage. Abreu has played thirteen major league seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankees. In his carer Abreu has batted .300 with 241 home runs, 1,084 RBI’s, 1,946 hits, 318 stolen bases, and a .984 fielding percentage. Abreu mostly plays right field and Vladimir Guerrero is currently the right-fielder. Abreu will most likely move to left making Reggie Willits sit on the bench. Abreu is a two time all-star won a 2005 Golden Glove, the 2005 Home Run Derby (pictured), and a Silver Slugger in 2004. In the Home Run Derby he hit 24 home runs in the first round a record that was broken by Josh Hamilton (28) at Yankee Stadium in 2008. Hamilton though did not win because he lost to Justin Morneau of the Twins in the finals. Abreu hit six home runs in the semis and hit eleven out of the park in the finals. This is going to be a good move by the Angels who I think with this move are the favorites in the A.L. West over the Oakland A’s. The A’s signed Jason Giambi who took ste****** (hey I’m serious about what I said ay the top) back when he played with the A’s before. They also traded for outfielder Matt Holiday this offseason.
Photos
1- mlbfrontoffice.com
2- nytimes.com
3- sportsillustrated.com
4-nj.com
Fantasy Baseball Help- Tip 1
I know Cob is starting a fantasy baseball league so I thought for all you first timers I thought I would give you some tips.
Draft Players on Good Teams
When drafting your team try to draft great players on average or great teams. The Mariners lost 101 games in 2008 year. In 2007 years ago they won 88 games. In 2007 Felix Hernandez won 14 games an in 2008 he won nine and lost 14. For pitchers run support is key. A baseball team with great sluggers and average pitchers will do fine. In 2007 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won 66 games. In 2008 the Rays won 97 games. Every single one of their pitchers did better because of run support. When drafting sluggers you can afford to break this rule for a really good player. Playing on a better team for a slugger means more runs, RBI’s, and a higher on base percentage. You get more runs because people will drive you in more. You get more RBI’s, because more people will be standing at third base. Lastly you will get a higher on base percentage because if a pitcher walks someone they will then have to face a better hitter next. Lets use the Mariners and the Rays again. In 2007 Ichiro hit had 111 runs, 68 RBI’s, and a .396 on base percentage. In 2008 he had 103 runs, 42 RBI’s, and a .361 on base percentage. Akinori Iwamura, of the Rays had 82 runs, 34 RBI’s, and a .359 on base percentage in 2007. In 2008 he had 91 runs, 48 RBI’s, and a .349 on base percentage. Sure his on base percentage dropped by .010 but he had a much better year. When you drafted players on good teams their confidence is higher which means a better year most of the time. So my list of teams I would draft from are the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Twins, White Sox, Indians, Angels, A’s, Rangers, Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Astros, Cubs, Reds, D-Backs, Giants, and Rockies. I don’t plan on drafting any one from the Rays or Yankees though. Also I left the Brewers and Cardinals off for two reasons their pitchers and the fact that their not that heathy.
Young Guns- Dodgers
Andre Ethier
Sportsillustrated.com
Andre Ethier is 26 years old. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2003. He was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the second round in 2003. Ethier has a carer batting average of .299, with 44 home runs, 196 RBI’s, 409 hits, and eleven stolen bases. He has a .981 fielding percentage in the outfield. He became a Dodger when he was traded on December 14, 2005 from Oakland for Milton Bradley, who is now with the Chicago Cubs. In his rookie year Ethier hit .308, with 11 home runs, 55 RBI’s, 122 hits, and five stolen bases in 126 games. He finished tied for fifth in rookie of the year voting behind Hanley Ramirez the winner, Ryan Zimmerman, Dan Uggla, Josh Johnson, and tied with Matt Cain. This season he hit .305, with 20 home runs, 77 RBI’s, 160 hits, and six stolen bases in 141 games. He was nominated as the Dodgers nominee for the 2008 National League Hank Aaron Award. He lost to Aramis Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs though. After Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers Ethier and Ramirez became on fire. Ethier batted in the three hole and Manny batted cleanup or vis versa. It seemed like every day he or Manny was hitting a home run! He Ethier is 6’2 and weighs 210 pounds. Ethier has an MLBlog called Dining With Dre’ where he is a food critic. Ethier has never been an all-star. He went to the postseason twice in 2006 and 2008. In 2006 he had one at bat where he didn’t get a hit or walked. In 2008 he played in the divisional series and the NLCS. He batted .188, with zero home runs, zero RBI’s, six hits, and zero stolen bases in eight games. Andre may not have better stats than Russell Martin or Chad Billingsley but I think in the future he will best. It is to early to predict his carer because he hasn’t had his breakout year yet, but some could argue that 2008 was his break out year. I think though Ethier will get 3,000 hits.
allposters.com
pe.com
dodgers.com
Honorable Mentions
2. Russell Martin
3. Chad Billignsley
4. James Loney
5. Matt Kemp
Style Statements
First before I begin I know nothing about style like the pink hats. Why would I, Bob wear a pink hat. I know nothing about style unless it has to do with a baseball cap and a Red Sox jersey. I have no future in fashion. No the real reason I’m blogging about this is due to a blog, Girly Baseball Chick: A’s All the Time. Not a bad read if you haven’t checked it out yet. She talked about the pink hats. I support the pink hats. Yes, their not the team colors but their different. Sometimes people just want something different. Wouldn’t it be kind of boring if the only hat you could find was a green and gold A’s hat or a white and blue Padre hat? I know one of my readers, Julia wears a pink Red Sox hat. I can not stand the all white hats though you can’t see the logo or anything. That is why I support the pink hats.
Another thing I support is the green Red Sox uniforms. Yes the Red Sox colors are red and dark blue but the green is cool. Now I don’t mean to say I want the Red Sox to change their name to the Green Sox just wear the cool green hats and jerseys a little more. The only reason they wear the green uniforms is because of the Boston Celtics, the NBA team in Boston. When Kevin Garnett threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park the Red Sox wore their green uniforms. When the Celtics won the NBA championship the Red Sox wore the green uniforms. As you see the green uniforms is just showing respect to the Celtics. Even Manny liked them.
Another thing I like are the style caps. Some people say that only thugs were them. That is not true those are so cool. I don’t have one though. One game players should play with style caps. Their just so unique and different then the one we see David Ortiz, Ryan Braun, David Wright, and Andre Ethier wear on the fields. Another cool style cap are the stars and strip caps. They wore them on 9-11. I also think they wore them on the Fourth of July but I was at summer camp then. I really think the Blue Jay Canada hat. Those are so random, awesome, and cool. I bought one for no reason. I know it was a waist of money. I mean like I said about the pink hats sometimes people just want something different. Like the flat lids. I love those. My Red Sox hat has a flat lid. I only can think of one person who wears a flat lid, Joba Chamberlain who plays for the Y-. I told you I don’t like to say the Y word in my blog.
Glavine to Boston?!?
Tom Glavine a low risk high reward player said he felt good after throwing of the mound for the first time since elbow and shoulder surgery in August. Glavine is a local guy according to Julia (Julia your “dream” came true) over at Julia’s Rants. Glavine’s longtime teammate John Smoltz recently signed with the Red Sox. Glavine, a free agent, made thirteen starts last season. He went two and four, with 37 strikeouts, and a ERA 5.54. Tom Glavine is 42 years old. Glavine is a sure first ballot hall of famer he has 305 carer wins, an ERA of 3.54, and has 2,607 strikeouts. Glavine has played twenty-two seasons with the Braves on two different occasions and the New York Mets. He has won twenty games five times. While Glavine is a great player and I am sure he would love to go to the Red Sox, but Boston already has eight starters in Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, Smoltz, Clay Buchholz, and Michael Bowden. Smoltz though could come out of the bullpen and I think Clay could too. As for Bowden he’ll come up from AAA in mid-season. He would probably cost a around the amount of Smoltz and is better. Am I saying that I would rather have Glavine then Smoltz? No, Smoltz will not pitch till June but he can be a starter or come out of the bullpen which I wish every pitcher could. Glavine will should sign with a team with young pitchers, the Rays, Twins, A’s, D-Backs, Reds, Pirates, Brewers, Nationals, Marlins, or maybe even the Padres. he also could resign with the Braves who have signed Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami. The Braves also traded for former Chicago White Sox, Javier Vazquez. Vazquez is listed as the Braves ace on Braves.com don’t get that one. I would put my money on the Brewers or the Braves. The Brewers lost C.C. Sabathia to the Yankees. Ben Sheets, the other Brewers ace is still on the market. One game I would love to see, Red Sox vs. Brewers, Jon Smoltz vs. Tom Glavine, at Fenway Park.
Tom Glavine (left) John Smoltz (center) Greg Maddux (right)
Boston We Don’t Have A Problem
First- Brad Hawpe will play for team USA.
Second- Yesterday I did eight entries and my hard work paid off. On mlblogs home page my blog was featured on the hall balloting blogs!
Third- I’m doing a report on Ted Williams if any one knows some stuff about him please comment on it.
Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson got elected to the baseball hall of fame. Henderson got 511 votes, 94.8%. Jim Rice got 412 votes, 76.4%. I guess yesterday I was to generous yesterday. Mark Grace, David Cone, Matt Williams, Mo Vaughn, Jay Bell, and Jesse Orosco got less then 5% of the vote while Orosco got one vote. Ron Gant, Dan Plesac, and Greg Vaughn didn’t get a vote. The person who got the most votes and didn’t get in was Andre Dawson with 361 votes, 67%. The player with the most votes who was on the ballot for the first time was Jim Rice only made it in by seven votes but I am sure he will take that. Yesterday I predicted that Rice would just get in by a few votes, one or two. It was a little bigger but it was still pretty close. Rice got in on his fifteenth and last time joining Red Ruffing and Ralph Kiner as the only people to get in on their last time on the ballot. Jim Rice will now get his number retired by the Red Sox. The two rules to get your number retired by the Red Sox are you must be elected to the baseball hall of fame and you must have played ten years with the Red Sox. The unofficial rule is you must finish your carer with the Red Sox. The only exception was to Johnny Pesky who was with the Red Sox for 21 years as a player, coach, and manager. When Johnny Pesky went up for election for the hall of fame in 1960 he got one vote, 0.4%. The only exception to the unofficial rule (which really doesn’t make it unofficial if there has been and exception) was to Carlton Fisk who finished his carer with the Chicago White Sox. Rickey Henderson played with the Red Sox in 2002. He hit .223, with five home runs, drove in 16, scored 40 times, stole eight, and was caught stealing twice in 72 games. One difference between the two is Henderson played for the Yankees. Henderson though was mostly an Oakland Athletic. Henderson’s number will obviously not be retired by the Red Sox but his work will be thought of. Congrats to both Henderson and Rice and best wishes to Dawson, Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, Jack Morris, and the others. Now the eyes are on Roberto Alomar, Andres Galarrage, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, and Robin Ventura who are on the ballot for the first time.
Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 5
Dale Murphy No, Never
Dale Murphy is on the ballot for the eleventh time. He hit .265, with 398 home runs, drove in 1,266, scored 1,197 times, had 2,111 hits, stole 161 and was caught stealing 68 times. Murphy played for 18 seasons with the Braves, Phillies, and Rockies. If he does go in it will be as a Brave. In just an eight span Murphy won two MVP’s, along with six golden gloves, four silver sluggers, the Lou Gehrig award, and the Roberto Clemente award. In that same span he was elected to seven all-star games. This year he will get 15% of the vote and at his best 45% of the vote.
Jesse Orosco No, Never
Jesse Orosco is on the ballot for his first time. He has a carer record of 87-80, with an ERA of 3.16, and 1179 strike outs. Orosco, a relief pitcher is the all-time leader in appearances. He played 24 seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Indians, Brewers, Orioles, Cardinals, Twins, Yankees, and Padres. He played with the Dodgers two different times. He made four errors at pitcher. He had a great .984 fielding percentage. Orosco is my favorite player on the ballot to not play for the Red Sox because in 2003 in 15 games for the Yankees he had a 10.38 ERA. Orosco will get 7% of the vote this year and his high will be 45% of the vote.
Dave Parker, No, Never
Dave Parker is on the ballot for his 13th year. He hit .290, with 339 home runs, drove in 1,493, scored 1,272 times, had 2,712 hits, stole 154, and was caught stealing 113 times. He made 144 errors at first, second, and in the outfield. He has a .966 fielding percentage. Parker played 19 seasons with the Pirates, Reds, A’s, Brewers, Angels, and Blue Jays. Parker if he goes in will go in as a Pirate. He won two batting titles, three golden gloves, three silver sluggers, and a MVP. He also was elected to eight all-star games. I think Parker should go in. He just missed 3,000 hits and had great stats otherwise, but I don’t think he will. Last year he got 15.1% of the vote I think this year he will get 17% of the vote and his best will be 24.5% of the vote back in 1998.
Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 4
Don Mattingly No, Never
Don Mattingly is on the ballot for the ninth time. He had 222 home runs, had 2153 hits, with a .307 batting average, he drove in 1,099, stole fourteen, and was caught stealing nine times. He made 68 errors at first base and in the outfield. He played fourteen seasons all with the New York Yankees. While Mattingly was good he didn’t have a hall of fame carer. He didn’t hit 500 or get 3,000 hits. Maybe if he played longer he would be in the hall. Mattingly got 15.8% of the vote last year. This year he will get 20% of the vote and at his best 55% of the vote.
Mark McGwire, No, Never
Mark McGwire is on the ballot for his third year. He hit .263, with 583 home runs, drove in 1,414, scored 1,167 times, had 1,626 hit, stole twelve and was caught stealing eight times. McGwire played sixteen seasons with the A’s and Cardinals. While McGwire has great numbers (half of his hits were home runs) his carer will remembered by one word, steroids. This is an important election because Clemens, Bonds, and others don’t stand a chance if McGwire doesn’t get in. It would send a message, if you used steroids you will not get in. McGwire will get 25% of the vote and at his best 35% of the vote.
Jack Morris, No, Never
Jack Morris is up for election for his tenth year. Morris had a carer record of 254-186, an ERA of 3.90, and 2,478 strikeouts. Morris played 18 seasons with the Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, and Indians. He will probably go in, if he goes in as a Tiger.In 1986 and 1992 he won 21 games. He pitched 28 shutouts and 175 complete games. He made 29 errors with a .965 ERA. Last year he got 42.9% of the vote. This year he will get 50% of the vote and at his best 70% of the vote. He will never get in to the hall because you need 75% to get in.
Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 3
First- My Celtics won!
Mark Grace No, Never
Mark Grace is on the ballot for the first time. He hit .303, with 173 home runs, drove in 1,146, stole 70, and was caught stealing 48 times. He played 16 seasons with the Cubs and D-Backs. Grace won the World Series with the D-Backs against the Yankees in 2001. Grace will probably go in as a Cub. Grace was a first baseman who made 110 carer errors. In 2002 he played pitcher for one inning. He gave up a home run. Grace had a great fielding percentage, .995. He will probably get around 5% of the votes this year and at his best 60% due to his great fielding.
Rickey Henderson, Yes
Rickey Henderson is on the ballot for his first time. He hit .279, with 297 home runs, scored 2,295 times, had 3,055 hits, drove in 1,115, stole 1,406, and was caught stealing 335 times. He played 25 seasons with the A’s, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, and Dodgers. He played with the A’s for different times and the Padres two different times. He will probably go in as an A’s. He had more stolen bases and runs then any other player in the history of baseball. He had 3,000 hits too. He is one of the best leadoff hitters ever. He will get 99% of the vote and get in to the hall of fame.
Tommy John No, Never
Tommy John is on the ballot for his 15th and final time. He has a carer record of 288-231, an ERA of 3.34, and 2,245 strike outs. He made 49 errors at pitcher and had a .963 fielding percentage. John played 27 seasons with the Indians, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, and A’s. He was with the Yankees two different times. John was the first player to get Tommy John surgery, which was named after him. In 1980 he won 22 games with an ERA of 3.43. John got 29.1% of the votes last year this year he will get 35% of the votes and will not make it in the hall of fame.
Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 2
David Cone, No, Never
David Cone is up for election for his first time. His carer record is 194-126, with an ERA of 3.46, and 2,668 strike outs. He played 18 seasons with the Royals, Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox. He played with the Mets two different times and the Royals two different times. If Cone does go in he will probably go in as a Met. Cone was traded twice in midseason. After playing with Boston in 2001 he didn’t play again till 2003 with the Mets. Cone won a Cy Young and four World Series. Cone was pretty good but only 194 wins as a starter. Yes, he was a relief pitcher his first few years in the bis but still. he doesn’t have 3,000 strike out or an ERA under 3.00. Cone will get 5% of the votes this year and at his best 25% of the votes.
Andre Dawson, No, Eventually
Andre Dawson is up for election for his eighth year. He hit .279, with 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI’s, had 2,774 hits, stole 314, and was caught stealing 109 times. Dawson had 93 carer errors in the outfield with a rocket for an arm. He played 21 years with the Expos, Cubs, Red Sox, and Marlins. He will probably go in as the last Expo in the hall of fame. If not an Expo then a Cub. In 1987 he hit 49 home runs, with 137 RBI’s, and 178 hits as a Cub that year. That year he also won MVP. Dawson was so close to 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Last year he got 65.9% of the vote this year he will get around 70% of the vote. In 2010 he will get in with 76% of the vote.
Ron Gant, No, Never
Ron Gant is up for election for his first time. He hit .256, with 1651 hits, 321 home runs, drove in 1,008, stole 243, and was caught stealing 102 times. Gant played 17 seasons with the Braves, Reds, Cardinals, Phillies, Angels, Rockies, A’s, and Padres. He played with the A’s two different times. Gant was a great hitter before the dirt bike accident where he broke his leg before the 1994 season then he never was his old self again. Gant had back to back 30-30 seasons joining Willie Mays and Bobby Bonds as the only players to do that. Gant will probably get 5% of the votes this year and at his best 15% of the votes.
Bostonball 