Tagged: Rockies
Remember This Guy?
Okay I was about to start a Young Guns for the Brewers when I saw Trot Nixon’s name on the roster. At first I thought it was a different one then I clicked on him and it was the same guy!
Trot Nixon was drafted by the Red Sox with the seventh pick in the 1993 MLB draft. He paved the way for Red Sox to wear go-tees (your welcome Youk 🙂 during the eleven seasons he spent in Boston. On September 21, 1996 he made his major league debut with the Red Sox. He became the starting right-fielder in 1999. That year he hit .270 with fifteen home runs, 103 hits, 52 RBI’s, and three stolen bases. In 2001 he had his breakout year with Boston hitting .280 with 88 RBI’s, 27 home runs, 150 hits, and seven stolen bases. Two years later in 2003 he had his best season ever batting .306 with 87 RBI’s, 28 home runs, 135 hits, and four stolen bases. The next year he helped the Red Sox come back against the Yankees in the ALCS going six for 29 with one home run and three RBI’s in that series. In the World Series he helped Boston sweep the Cardinals going five for 14. He only played in 48 games because he had a herniated disc. His carer then became a downward spiral after that. In 2006 he had only eight home runs and 102 hits. Nixon was not offered salary arbitration and the Red Sox signed J.D. Drew to take the right field spot. In January 2007 he signed a one year three million dollar deal with the Cleveland Indians.  He batted .251 with three home runs that season. In the 2007 ALCS Nixon faced of against his former team the Boston Red Sox. Through the first four games Cleveland had a big lead three games to one but we all know how that season ended. The Red Sox came back to win the series and then sweep the Rockies in the World Series. In the ALCS he went three for seven with one RBI. In the 2008 offseason he signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. On June, 13 he was traded to the New York Mets for money. In 2008 he batted .171 with one home run, one RBI, one stolen base, and six hits in 35 at bats. On December 18 he signed a minor league deal with the Brewers with an invitation to spring training. It is very unlikely that he will get a starters sport since Ryan Braun, Mike Cameron, and Corey Hart are all in the outfield but he could get the role of the forth outfielder beating out Tony Gwynn Jr. Nixon is now 34 years old. This story shows how stardom doesn’t not last. Just like Andruw Jones. One minute you could be a star the next a nobody. So Mr. Nixon and Mr. Jones I hope you prove me wrong by having a great season.
   
Photos
1- sportsillustrated.com
2- boston.com
3- azcentral.com
4- wikipedia.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.
Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 7
First- The Marlins aren’t really interested in Pedro after all.
Lee Smith, No, Eventually
Lee Smith is on the ballot for the sixth year. He has a carer record of 71-92, an ERA of 3.03, 1,251 strike outs, and 478 saves. Smith played 18 seasons with the Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Angels, Reds, Expos. Smith will probably go in as a Cub. Closers Bruce Sutter and Goose Gossage waited a while but finally got in. Smith is third on the all time saves list behind Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Smith will get 50% of the votes and will get in with 78% of the votes.
Alan Trammell No, Never
Alan Trammell is on the ballot for the eighth year. He hit .285, with 185 home runs, drove in 1,003, scored 1,231 times, stole 236 bases, and was caught stealing 109 times. He made 235 errors at shortstop, third, second, and outfield. Trammell played twenty seasons all with the Tigers. Trammell was a six time all-star who also won four golden gloves. Last year Trammell got 18.2% of the vote. This year he will get 20% of the vote and his best will be 40% of the vote.
Greg Vaughn No, Never
Greg Vaughn is on the ballot for the first time. He hit .242, with 355 home runs, drove in 1,072, scored 1,017 times, had 1,475 hits, stole 121, and was caught stealing 59 times. Vaughn played 15 seasons with the Brewers, Padres, Reds, Devil Rays, and Rockies. Vaughn if he does go in will probably go in as a Brewer. In 1998 he hit 50 home runs while the Padres went to the World Series. Vaughn will get 5% of the vote and his best will be 20% of the vote.
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.Â
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, EventuallyÂ
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.
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.Â
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.
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.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! (again)
Bostonball 