Tagged: Mariners

Junior Goes Back To Where It All Started

Ken Griffey Jr. signed a one year two million dollar contract with the Seattle Mariners today. He could earn up to six million dollars if he completes all of his incentives. Griffey started his care with the Mariners and played in Seattle for eleven seasons. In 1997 he batted .304 with 56 home runs, 147 RBI’s, 185 hits, and fifteen stolen bases. That seasons he made the all-star game and  won a MVP, Golden Glove, and Silver Slugger. In the 1990’s Griffey won a Golden Glove for every season. Griffey and his dad played together in Seattle. They were the first father and son to play together and the first father and son to hit back to back home runs. In 1999 Griffey was the youngest player to be on MLB’s all century team. After that there were rumors that he could make the 2000’s all century team but nabbing injuries will probably keep him off the list. At the end of the 1999 season Griffey requested a trade to go to Cincinnati so he would be closer to his family. Griffey’s time with the Reds was bot so good. He got hurt over 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . well lets just so a lot of times. In 2004 on Fathers Day he was one home run away from 500. That game with his father in the stands he hit his 500th home run. Talk about a Father’s day gift. In 2005 he was the National League Comback Player of the Year batting .301 with 35 home runs, 148 hits, 92 RBI’s, and zero stolen bases. In 2006 he played for team U.S.A. in the World Baseball Classic with his dad as a coach. At the begging of 2007 Griffey was moved from center-field to right-field following the signing of Ryan Freel. On June 22 Griffey returned to Seattle in a Reds uniform and he gave a speech and a video called The House That Griffey Built was played. In 2008 on June ninth he hit his 600th home run at Marlin Stadium. At the trading deadline Griffey was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Nick Masset and Danny Richar. Griffey moved back The White Sox won the American League Central after a one game playoff with the Twins. The White Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the playoffs. In the offseason Griffey became a free agent. Griffey has two playing options. He could D.H. or move to left field putting Endy Chavez on the bench. MLB Network said Griffey would go to the Atlanta Braves (his second choice) because it is close to home. This is a great choice by Griffey. The Griffey signing but the Mariners in the spot to contend in a weak American League West. Griffey is now 39 years old with a .288 batting average, 611 home runs, 1,772 RBI’s, 2,680 hits, and 184 stolen bases. The only thing that we can be sure due to Griffey’s injury history is that he is a future hall of famer maybe not the 755 home run guy like he was spose to be but he is a MLB legend.

Photos
1-mouthpiecesports.com
P.S. so for only one picture extra tomorrow.

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.

Jon Garland, The Most Overrated Pitcher in  Baseball

Today the Arizona Diamondbacks signed right hander, Jon Garland to a one year deal, worth about $7 million dollars. The deal also includes an option for 2010. Garland will replace Randy Johnson who signed with the Giants this offseason. Garland is a sinkerballer, who played last season with the Angels were he went 14-8, with a 4.90 ERA, and 90 strikeouts. The Angels were the A.L. West champions and the only team to win 100 games last season. Now some idiots (no offense) might say, why is Garland overrated then if he was on the Angels? You just answered your own question. Garland won only 14 games for one of the best teams in baseball last year. Imagine what he would have been like if he played for the Mariners, Pirates or even Astros. If he was with the Mariners then maybe seven wins. If he played for the Pirates then ten wins. If he played for the Astros, he would have helped them get the wild-card spot but he would have only won eleven games. Yet, Garland gets treated like he has won 20 games. At least the front offices know he is overrated by not giving him say a $20 million dollar contract. Garland is a good pitcher but not an all-star. He was one in 2005 though with the White Sox when they won the World Series. So I don’t want to have any comments saying the Garland is underrated or that I’m wrong. Garland will most likely be the second or third starter in the D-Backs rotation. Right now it looks like Brandon Webb will be the ace, followed by Dan Haren, then Garland, next is Doug Davis, and in the fifth spot Max Scherzer or Yusmerio Petit. It will most likely be Scherzer though. Garland is 29 years old and has played nine major league seasons with the White Sox and Angels. His first eight years were with the White Sox. His carer stats are 106-89, a 4.47 ERA, and 851 strike outs. He also has one save and a .971 fielding percentage at pitcher. Garland is overrated by the fans but this should be a good move for the Diamondbacks.

Garland_2
Jon Garland Photo Enlargement

Progress With Varitex

First- Manny and the Dodgers are still just talking.

Second- Carlos Zambrano has to get LASIK eye surgery on his right eye.
Third- Tom Glavine threw of the mound for the first time since shoulder and elbow surgery. Glavine, a free agent, is a low risk high reward player. I think he could come to Boston because of that and his long time teammate, Jon Smoltz signed with the Red Sox. More on that soon.
Third- After the San Diego Padres signed David Eckstein the Texas Rangers want Omar Vizquel.
Forth- Just a quick shout out to got milb? and District Boy who made my link list.
Jason Varitex wants to stay in Boston and the Red Sox want him back. Jason Varitex meet with Red Sox owner John Henry, The meeting was requested by Varitex. They spoke one on one for 90 minutes. Varitex said that the meeting was “okay” as he put it. Varitex could have been lying because maybe he didn’t want the media to know about something. Henry had no comment. They meeting was just Henry and Varitex so that means Scott Boras, Teo Epstein, or any one else. Varitex, a switch hitter, turns 37 in April. Varitex hit .220, with 13 home runs, and drove in 43. He also threw out 16 runners and caught Jon Lester’s no hitter. Varitex managed to make the all-star game last season as the back up catcher. The Red Sox signed catcher Josh Bard this month. They also let knuckle ball catcher, Kevin Cash leave. Cash then signed with the New York Yankees. Varitex has been with the Red Sox for twelve seasons. Derek Lowe, who recently signed with the Atlanta Braves, and Varitex were traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Red Sox in 1997. In 2002 Varitex caught Derek Lowe’s no hitter. Both had great seasons with the Red Sox. I hope Varitex comes back to Boston. I mean what other catcher has caught four no hitters? No one. Yes, he is getting old and he had a down year last season but he is a Red Sox legend. The city of Boston loves Varitex. Having Varitex go would be like Johnny Damon going to the Yankees. Okay, that was a little to dramatic. So Mr. Varitex if your reading this right now come back to Boston.
Clockwise from top left) Jason Varitek has been behind the plate for gems by Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz and now Jon Lester.


Top Left- Hideo Nomo’s no hitter in 2001.

Top Right- Derek Lowe’s no hitter in 2002.

Bottom Right- Clay Buchholz’s no hitter in 2007.

Bottom Left- Jon Lester’s no hitter in 2008.





Jason Varitek gives Alex Rodriguez a face full of catcher's mitt, setting off a benches-clearing incident July 24.

Varitex stands up for the Red Sox, I mean no glove no love.

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.

The Last Moves of 2008

First- Happy New Year!

Second- You heard it here first at Eat Sleep Baseball, The Red Sox will win the World Series, they have great chemistry, pitchers, fielders, and sluggers.
Third- MLB Network will launch at 6 pm eastern! I have to record it though because I have a dinner to go to. 😦 I hope every one gets to see it. I also hope that it is on at the restaurant! Tomorrow look out for a review of the MLB network. 
The last free agent signing of 2008 was a pretty big one. Brian Fuentes signed with the Angels on a two year deal with a club option for 2011. He would get $17.5 million the first two years and 9 million in 2011,if he stays with them. Fuentes is a three time all-star. Fuentes is coming home to LA which was probably a huge factor for him, and with the Dodgers already having a closer it was kinda obvious, okay well not that obvious. Fuentes played for the Rockies for the last seven seasons for the Rockies. He had his major league debut for the Mariners in 2001. In ten postseason games he is one and o with a 6.52 era. Fuentes is replacing K-Rod who signed with the Mets this offseason.Brian Fuentes
Before I start talking about the DeRosa deal remember how I had him in the roster game in a Cubs uniform. Now the picture is of an Indians uniform, without me changing it. The DeRosa trade was a steal for the Indians. The three prospects traded away, Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub, will probably have little or no effect at the major league level. Mark DeRosa can play 1st, 2nd, shortstop, 3rd, LF, and RF. DeRosa has played 11 seasons with the Braves, Rangers, and Cubs. He has a .350 postseason batting average. DeRosa has never been an all-star.
Image: Mark DeRosa
HAPPY NEW YEAR! (again)