cubfan33
07-04-2002, 11:50 PM
Fireworks are pretty cool.
Remember a while back when I quoted MLB.com as a reliable source? Forget it, I was so far off base it's not funny. There is a LOT of good work there, especially on the team sites, but when it comes to labor info, it's flat out bogus. Barry Bloom, the "freelance" writer, who agreed to an interview with UTK is now claiming he will only conduct interviews with presubmitted questions. If the players think they can strike without damaging the game, they're wrong. If the owners think they can claim financial brinksmanship with the same accounting as Worldcom and Enron, they're VERY wrong. A strike date WILL be set and the public relations spin on both sides is beginning. Budzilla's cronies, starting with Red Sox ownership, is starting to line up behind Bud. Call me when a non-obvious candidate like Peter Magowan or Howard Lincoln says something. Better yet, let's hear George Steinbrenner - does Bud think a million dollar fine will keep the Boss' mouth shut?
I mention Voros McCracken for the first time and boom, there's Voros news, sort of. Again, if you haven't checked out his work, it's some of the most groundbreaking research done in baseball in years. At the recent SABR convention (and if any readers went - I know we have SABR members here - I'd love to hear more about it), there was an extension of Voros' original work. To summarize it, defense may be more important than we thought ... and Billy Beane evidently was - once again - one step ahead of everyone in baseball. There's a great column by the always excellent Rob Neyer at his website that goes into a lot more detail, so be sure to check it out. I think Rob does a better job of making stathead stuff readable than anyone else.
The big injury news of the night is Derek Jeter's knee. The Yankee shortstop got rolled up on by John McDonald in a clean, hard slide and was helped from the field. The injury is being reported as a bruised leg, but an MRI will be conducted tonight or early tomorrow (depending on swelling) to determine if there is ligament damage in his knee. Losing Jeter for any period of time would be very bad, if not devastating for the Yanks. I'm guessing from the video, but I don't think that Jeter will have much beyond a Grade I sprain (the most minor type.) There's a more technical description here if interested.
The Yankees will also skip Roger Clemens' next start, or rather, Clemens will skip his next start while the rest of the Yankees are forced to play behind another pitcher. Clemens is dealing with a number of minor injuries and left his last start with leg cramps. The skip and the ASB should give Clemens the rest he needs to be more effective than he has in his last few starts.
Todd Stottlemyre didn't last a week before his elbow broke down again. He had surgery last night after bone chips were rubbing against a nerve in his elbow, causing what's described as "mindbending pain." While the surgery is minor, at what point does Stottlemyre hang it up?
Are you frickin' kidding me? The Phillies tried the hidden ball trick tonight against the Expos. Larry Bowa should be fined - or if Tomas Perez called for it himself, he should be suspended for idiocy. Worse, the play caught Brian Schneider off the bag but time had been called by the home plate ump.
As reported last night, Travis Lee has an injured shoulder. The new info is that the Phils placed him on the DL with the problem. Jeremy Giambi was able to play and will likely get the bulk of the starts at first base while Lee is out.
Charles Johnson left tonight's game with back spasms, never a good thing for a catcher to have. Johnson's been off all year, so this could be merely the first reported problem rather than the first actual problem. The Fish are calling it day to day, but he's scheduled to see the team ortho tomorrow.
Its a bad sign when a pitcher's name and Jim Andrews are in the same sentence. It must be a multiplier if you toss in Scott Boras. (Just kidding, Scott.) Rick Ankiel has been unable to rehab during his time in Peoria (an option, not a rehab assignment as is often incorrectly reported) and Boras has inquired to Walt Jocketty about seeing Dr. Andrews for a second opinion. There was an interesting theory put forward by a leading ortho that "Steve Blass Disease" may in fact have some connection to a damaned ulnar collateral ligament, born out by Mark Wohlers and a few others. It's certainly worth a look at Ankiel - he's young and has undeniable talent.
Carlos Beltran gets the big flinch award tonight. Beltran had his great toe's toenail split when John Olerud accidentally spiked him. I'm not sure what Olerud is wearing, but the spike not only caused the damage, but penetrated Beltran's shoe. While the injury won't be chronic, it does have to hurt like the devil. Give him credit for playing tonight.
The Royals also have their other good player hurting. Mike Sweeney was hit by a pitch, cutting his finger open and resulting in two stitches. Mike Sweeney is not a hockey player. Luckily, the finger was not broken and Sweeney will only miss a shift, I mean, a game and should be available tomorrow.
Al Levine is not healing on schedule and is forcing the Angels to look more closely at the trade market. The Cubs are the most often rumored trade partner, with the most likely deal I've heard being Jeff Fassero and Tom Gordon to the Angels for Shawn Wooten (currently rehabbing and about two weeks away) and a single A third baseman I know nothing about named Duncan.
Damian Miller has missed two straight games with tendonitis, making his appalling selection the the ASG doubtful. Miller is a fine catcher and from all accounts a nice guy, despite his treatment by MLBPA, but that's one selection that's clearly bad. Paul LoDuca is having the better year, but then again, Jim Tracy isn't managing the National League.
Ok, ok. C.C. Sabathia is dating Serena Williams, not Venus. They both scare me anyway.
Next report tomorrow. Look for me over on Netshrine ... OR check for me on Yahoo Messenger. I'm "cubfan333" there and love talking baseball. Add me to your buddy lists and if nothing else, say hi.
Remember a while back when I quoted MLB.com as a reliable source? Forget it, I was so far off base it's not funny. There is a LOT of good work there, especially on the team sites, but when it comes to labor info, it's flat out bogus. Barry Bloom, the "freelance" writer, who agreed to an interview with UTK is now claiming he will only conduct interviews with presubmitted questions. If the players think they can strike without damaging the game, they're wrong. If the owners think they can claim financial brinksmanship with the same accounting as Worldcom and Enron, they're VERY wrong. A strike date WILL be set and the public relations spin on both sides is beginning. Budzilla's cronies, starting with Red Sox ownership, is starting to line up behind Bud. Call me when a non-obvious candidate like Peter Magowan or Howard Lincoln says something. Better yet, let's hear George Steinbrenner - does Bud think a million dollar fine will keep the Boss' mouth shut?
I mention Voros McCracken for the first time and boom, there's Voros news, sort of. Again, if you haven't checked out his work, it's some of the most groundbreaking research done in baseball in years. At the recent SABR convention (and if any readers went - I know we have SABR members here - I'd love to hear more about it), there was an extension of Voros' original work. To summarize it, defense may be more important than we thought ... and Billy Beane evidently was - once again - one step ahead of everyone in baseball. There's a great column by the always excellent Rob Neyer at his website that goes into a lot more detail, so be sure to check it out. I think Rob does a better job of making stathead stuff readable than anyone else.
The big injury news of the night is Derek Jeter's knee. The Yankee shortstop got rolled up on by John McDonald in a clean, hard slide and was helped from the field. The injury is being reported as a bruised leg, but an MRI will be conducted tonight or early tomorrow (depending on swelling) to determine if there is ligament damage in his knee. Losing Jeter for any period of time would be very bad, if not devastating for the Yanks. I'm guessing from the video, but I don't think that Jeter will have much beyond a Grade I sprain (the most minor type.) There's a more technical description here if interested.
The Yankees will also skip Roger Clemens' next start, or rather, Clemens will skip his next start while the rest of the Yankees are forced to play behind another pitcher. Clemens is dealing with a number of minor injuries and left his last start with leg cramps. The skip and the ASB should give Clemens the rest he needs to be more effective than he has in his last few starts.
Todd Stottlemyre didn't last a week before his elbow broke down again. He had surgery last night after bone chips were rubbing against a nerve in his elbow, causing what's described as "mindbending pain." While the surgery is minor, at what point does Stottlemyre hang it up?
Are you frickin' kidding me? The Phillies tried the hidden ball trick tonight against the Expos. Larry Bowa should be fined - or if Tomas Perez called for it himself, he should be suspended for idiocy. Worse, the play caught Brian Schneider off the bag but time had been called by the home plate ump.
As reported last night, Travis Lee has an injured shoulder. The new info is that the Phils placed him on the DL with the problem. Jeremy Giambi was able to play and will likely get the bulk of the starts at first base while Lee is out.
Charles Johnson left tonight's game with back spasms, never a good thing for a catcher to have. Johnson's been off all year, so this could be merely the first reported problem rather than the first actual problem. The Fish are calling it day to day, but he's scheduled to see the team ortho tomorrow.
Its a bad sign when a pitcher's name and Jim Andrews are in the same sentence. It must be a multiplier if you toss in Scott Boras. (Just kidding, Scott.) Rick Ankiel has been unable to rehab during his time in Peoria (an option, not a rehab assignment as is often incorrectly reported) and Boras has inquired to Walt Jocketty about seeing Dr. Andrews for a second opinion. There was an interesting theory put forward by a leading ortho that "Steve Blass Disease" may in fact have some connection to a damaned ulnar collateral ligament, born out by Mark Wohlers and a few others. It's certainly worth a look at Ankiel - he's young and has undeniable talent.
Carlos Beltran gets the big flinch award tonight. Beltran had his great toe's toenail split when John Olerud accidentally spiked him. I'm not sure what Olerud is wearing, but the spike not only caused the damage, but penetrated Beltran's shoe. While the injury won't be chronic, it does have to hurt like the devil. Give him credit for playing tonight.
The Royals also have their other good player hurting. Mike Sweeney was hit by a pitch, cutting his finger open and resulting in two stitches. Mike Sweeney is not a hockey player. Luckily, the finger was not broken and Sweeney will only miss a shift, I mean, a game and should be available tomorrow.
Al Levine is not healing on schedule and is forcing the Angels to look more closely at the trade market. The Cubs are the most often rumored trade partner, with the most likely deal I've heard being Jeff Fassero and Tom Gordon to the Angels for Shawn Wooten (currently rehabbing and about two weeks away) and a single A third baseman I know nothing about named Duncan.
Damian Miller has missed two straight games with tendonitis, making his appalling selection the the ASG doubtful. Miller is a fine catcher and from all accounts a nice guy, despite his treatment by MLBPA, but that's one selection that's clearly bad. Paul LoDuca is having the better year, but then again, Jim Tracy isn't managing the National League.
Ok, ok. C.C. Sabathia is dating Serena Williams, not Venus. They both scare me anyway.
Next report tomorrow. Look for me over on Netshrine ... OR check for me on Yahoo Messenger. I'm "cubfan333" there and love talking baseball. Add me to your buddy lists and if nothing else, say hi.