Tag Archives: Baseball

Baseball Hall of Fame or Shame. The Great Debate.

10 Jan

Hall of Fame or Shame? What should consitute induction?

Published by: Doc on 10th Jan 2013 | View all blogs by Doc
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Well getting back to baseball, and the topic of the day has been the Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame. For the first time since 1996 ironically around when this steroids era started, no one was inducted Of course this 2013 class could have been one of the greatest classes ever. Barry Bonds with 762 home runs the all time home run leader. Roger Clemens with 354 wins as a pitcher. Sammy Sosa with 609 home runs.

And then you have others in question like Jeff Bagwell and Mike Piazza. Of course all these great players are linked to the steroids era and that’s a shame no matter what happened it was a part of the culture and time in baseball. 500 home run hitters Mark McGuire and Rafeal Palmerio’s legacies are also stained.

Even some players thought to be clean like 3000 hit member Craig Biggio and 3 time World Series champion Curt Schilling were excluded. And some long time veterans like pitcher Jack Morris, reliever Lee Smith, base stealer Tim Raines who had a cocaine problem himself and others. Of course we haven’t talked about the all time hits leader with 4,256 hits Pete Rose who remains banned for life for gambling.

So why is Ty Cobb the second all time hits leader with 4,191 hits in the Hall of Fame? He was considered one of the most dirtiest ruthless players ever. And Babe Ruth was a heavy beer drinker and ladies man lol.

I don’t know what the answer is for these Hall of Fames in football and baseball especially. But instead of just statistics, it seems like a lot of these choices are made by stuffy and traditionalist writers.

Now I’m not saying what these players did was right. It wasn’t. But it was a culture of the game at the time and their records and performance wasn’t banned like Shoeless Joe Jackson and the 1919 Chicago Black Sox were when the White Sox were accused of throwing the World Series against the Cincinatti Reds and profiting from it.

But we all watched these players like Bonds, McGuire, Sosa and Clemens among others. And we were drawn into their performances maybe in a falsehood but they and others still played the games and had to achieve these performances whether they took the stuff or not or how much it benefited or hurt them.

I wish we could go back and erase the whole thing but like vacating performances and championships it doesn’t change what happened or memories. The New Orleans Saints for example won the 2009 Super Bowl after some of their players were accused of being involved in bounty hits. But they’re still the Super Bowl Champs and their record still stands right? Reggie Bush and USC could still be college champions as well but his/their performances were vacated.

So what I’m saying is vacate all of it, if it never happened or accept it as a part of the game’s less than perfect history and these players tainted and all have a place in the Hall of Fame. Or is it a popularity contest and Good Samaritan Hall of Fame. In that case Tim Tebow and Tony Romo will get a call tomorrow lol. Best wishes, Doc

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Memorable Moments of the 2012 Baseball Season and remembering Roberto Clemente after 40 years

30 Dec

Memorable Moments from the 2012 Baseball Season, Also remembering Roberto Clemente after 40 years

Published by: Doc on 30th Dec 2012 | View all blogs by Doc
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It’s the end of the year 2012, and it was another great and memorable year in baseball. The San Fransisco Giants won their 2nd World Series in 3 years after going 56 years and a city change from New York since winning their last World Series in 1954 when Willie Mays was catching fly balls there. The last out of the World Series on a called third strike was Miguel Cabrera as his Detroit Tigers got swept by the Giants. But Cabrera had a pretty good year capturing baseball’s first Triple Crown in 45 years since Carl Yasztremski won the honor in 1967 and Frank Robinson in 1966. Someone has tough shoes to fill this season if there is to be a repeat Triple Crown winner in baseball. His teammate pitcher Justin Verlander was pretty good winning the AL CY Young Award and he did good dugout interviews leading to Tiger rallies. What he couldn’t do was get batters out in the All Star Game and World Series mainly to San Fransisco Giants batters like Pablo Sandoval who hit a triple off him in the All Star Game, and then 3 home runs in the World Series Game 1. Also his Giant teammate Melky Cabrera hit a home run off Verlander in the All Star Game and won the MVP giving the National League home field advantage in the World Series. But Cabrera wasn’t able to share in the Giants joy after being suspended for 50 games for PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs). And later he was released and ended up with the Toronto Blue Jays. There were three perfect games in baseball as well. Phillip Humber of the White Sox, Mait Cain of the Giants and Felix Hernandez of the Mariners which was the first time that three perfect games had happened in one season of baseball. Bobby Valentine was fired by the Boston Red Sox for poor managing and volitale behavior. Ozzie Guillen was fired by the Florida Marlins for poor managing and insensitive comments about Cubans. The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros lost over 100 games each and the New York Yankees got swept out of the playoffs by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS before shortstop Derek Jeter their captain had his season ended with a broken ankle. Ouch I know what that feels like as I have been recovering from a broken foot this fall. The Texas Rangers after two tough World Series losses in 2010 and 2011, blew a big AL West lead to the Oakland A’s and then lost a wildcard game at home to the Baltimore Orioles one of the surprise teams in baseball. And then the Rangers lost free agents Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli. Some big bats to fill and the Rangers will likely be the Texas Strangers this year. And a team I like and will be focusing on Basebook here this next year, the Milwaukee Brewers didn’t play well until August after winning the NL Central and going to the NLCS in 2011. But the Brewers caught fire the last month in a half of the season and made a late playoff run behind 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun and a load of bats and improved pitching which could be even better in 2013. So we’ll see what happens in 2013. The Washington Nationals formerly the Montreal Expos made their first postseason appearance since 1981 when they were in Montreal. They lost a tough deciding game to the 2011 World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals who had another great year, but their miracle comebacks and finishes were finally finished in a pouring rainstorm down 9-0 to the San Fransisco Giants in Game 7 of the NLCS. And as I write this catcher AJ Pierzynski formerly of the White Sox has signed a 1 year 7.5 million dollar contract with the Rangers. So maybe they’ll be a little less strange after although AJ can be a volitaile and feisy character and catcher having been in a few brawls, but he also helped lead the White Sox to the 2005 World Series Championship. So we’ll see what happens this coming season and their will be more moves ahead before spring training for sure. Finally before I go a tribute to a legendary player, who many of us younger fans never saw other than highlights Roberto Clemente who died or disappeared in a tragic plane crash 40 years ago on New Years Eve in 1972 while delivering relief supplies to Nicaragua struck by an earthquake. from his homeland Puerto Rico. Clemente was only 38 years old . In an 18 year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates he played and won two World Series in 1960 and 1971. In the 1971 series he batted .414 in a 7 game Series win over the Baltimore Orioles. His last regular season hit was his 3000th so he’s the original and true Mr 3000. Also what I liked about Clemente was he had power, speed and a great arm. He always hustled and more impressively he did it while playing hurt with chronic back pain and other injuries. Roberto Clemete. I would have loved to see him play and his body was never found which adds to his everlasting mystery and mystique. We’ll remember the great Latin #21 player Roberto Clemente always. RIP. Talk soon and Have a Happy New Year and I look forward to Playing Ball Soon!! Best wishes Doc.

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Boston Red Sox add to their offensive attack with free agents Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino. How will the Red Sox spend next?

7 Dec

http://basebook.socialgo.com/magazine/read/new-free-agents-mike-napoli-and-shane-victorino-sign-three-year-contracts-to-play-for-the-boston-red-sox-will-sox-spend-more_88.html

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Some excitement to be decided on the final day of the baseball regular season

3 Oct

October 3rd, 1951  is a very famous date in baseball history as it is the 61st anniversary of Bobby Thomson’s shot around the world. “The Giants win the pennant” you’ve heard the call many times as the then New York Giants defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in a playoff to win the pennant.

And today is the final day of this baseball season, and it could be very exciting. The New York Yankees are one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. One will win the division and the other will be one of the two wildcards. If there is a tie in the standings there will be a one game playoff for the AL East in Baltimore. Meanwhile on the West Coast the Texas Rangers will play at the Oakland A’s. They are tied for the AL West. Again both will make the playoffs one as a wild card and one as the AL West Champion. Just a note the A’s were 13 games out in June so they have made a remarkable comeback in the AL West.

Also the Orioles, Yankees, Athletics and Rangers are all fighting for the best record in the American League.

Meanwhile Miguel Cabrera,  a member of the other American League playoff team, the Detroit Tigers the AL Central champs has  a chance to win the Triple Crown in baseball.

Wiinning the Triple Crown is a rare feat as a player must lead the league in batting average, runs batted in and home runs. And going into the final day of the season Cabrera has the lead in all three categories. The last men to win the Triple Crown were Carl Yastzremski in 1967 and Frank Robinson in 1966. Cabrera has a .331 batting average 44 homers and 139 runs batted in, RBIs.  We’ll see what happens there.

Meanwhile in the National League the Cincinatti Reds and the Washington Nationals are tied for the best record in the National League and since the National League won the All Star game the team that has the best record in the NL will have home field throughout the World  Series. And as far as a playoff note the St Louis Cardinals the defending World Champions will be able to defend their crown as they beat out the Los Angeles Dodgers for the final NL Playoff spot. The Cardinals will play at the Atlanta Braves on Friday in the NL Wildcard game.

As for me I’ll be rooting for the Texas Rangers to try to win the AL West today and if not that the wild card game so they can try to eventually get back to the World Series for a third year in a row after losing the last two World Series to the San Fransisco Giants the NL West winner this year in 2010 and the St Louis Cardinals in 2011.

Other teams that I like the Milwaukee Brewers had a strong finish and will finish over .500 with an 83-78 record heading into their season finale tonight. The Boston Red Sox meanwhile had a horrible year for them at 69-92 and will finish in last place in the AL East. Embattled manager Bobby Valentine’s future there is in question. However the Red Sox still could spoil some things facing the Yankees in their season finale tonight. Finally woes to the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. As recently as 2003 they finished a game apart at the top of the NL Central with the Cubs winning. In 2005 the Astros went to the World Series. Today they will play each other in the season finale and the Astros final game in the National League. And both teams have over 100 losses. The Cubs have 101 losses and the Astros have 106 losses. Perhaps as a good friend of mine has mentioned these teams should be demoted to the minor leagues in Peoria and Round Rock.

Oh well Opening Day is only 6 months away and we can always dream of next year. In the meantime enjoy the suspense of the final day of the season, Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown chase and the playoffs. Enjoy the games as October baseball is here! Best wishes. Bratman

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Baseball races are heating up with three weeks to go. Here’s what’s happening.

12 Sep

Well things are heating up in baseball as  5 teams are fighting for two wildcard spots within 5 games of each other in the American League. In the National League there are ALSO  5 teams within 5 games of the second wildcard spot.

This is what MLB Commisioner Bud Selig had in mind when he added the second wild card spot this year for more competitive balance and excitement in baseball.

And all the divisional races in the American League are within 3 games of each other.

The A’s and the Yankees have the top two AL wildcard spots while the Rays are 2 back, the Angels 2.5 and the Tigers 5 games back of the last wildcard spot as the Yankees who are also tied with the Orioles for the AL East lead though the Orioles currently hold a tiebreaker for the division.

In the NL wildcard it’s even more crazy. The Braves have a six game lead for the first wildcard spot. Then it gets interesting as the Cardinals who are last years World Series Champs lead the Dodgers by one game, the Pirates by 2.5 games. And then the late charging Phillies and Brewers are 4 games back and the Diamondbacks are 5  games out. The Phillies, Brewers and Diamondbacks all played in a deciding 5th game of the divisional round last year and here they are again after a disappointing first five months of the season fighting back into the race. It’s crazy and kind of exciting for baseball.

Besides the tight AL East race between the Orioles and Yankees, the White Sox lead the Tigers by 2 games in the AL Central.  And the Rangers try to hold off the A’s in the AL West and the Rangers have the best record in the AL by 5 games over the AL East leader.

In the National League which has home field advantage in the World Series for winning the All Star Game, the NL East  Nationals have the best record by 2.5 games over the NL Central leading Reds and then the Giants lead the NL West.

So in conclusion the wildcard and divisional races add a lot of excitement to the playoff races which would be over in a lot of cases without the wildcard chase.

And following the regular season which ends Wednesday October 3, there will be a one game playoff between the wildcard teams before the rest of the playoffs begin. It will just be more fun to see which teams get in and which one’s are left out. So enjoy the rest of the regular season and playoffs, and good luck if your teams are involved in the playoff chase or whoever you are rooting for down the stretch. Best wishes. Talk soon. Bratman

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A big trade: Pitcher Ryan Dempster to the Texas Rangers and congrats to Michael Phelps winning record setting 19th medal in Olympics

1 Aug

Well the trade deadline has come and gone in baseball and the biggest pickup or trade was pitcher Ryan Dempster going to the struggling but still very good Texas Rangers. The Rangers have won the last two American League Pennants and have led the AL West most of the season. But their lead has been trimmed to 3 games by the LA Angels who have beaten them this week in the first two games of a four game series and the Oakland A’s who are right on their heels as well  3 ½ games out.

As it stands now the AL West could have the two wildcards in the A’S and Angels and three teams would currently make the playoffs from the AL West the Rangers, Angels and A’s.

The Angels also recently picked up former Brewers pitcher Zach Greinke so it was time for the Rangers to make a move. The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t trade Cliff Lee back to the Rangers where he pitched in the second half of 2010. Josh Beckett didn’t get traded by the Boston Red Sox.

So the Rangers needed to make a move and when the Dempster trades to Atlanta, the LA Dodgers and the NY Yankees fell through there was an opening in Texas and as a partial Rangers fan I couldn’t be happier.

The Cubs got some good minor leaguers and the Rangers who are struggling for pitching with Colby Lewis and Netafli Feliz out for the year. Feliz will have Tommy John Surgery.

We’ll see what happens in Texas and see if the Ryan Dempster trade leads to a third straight AL West and pennant/World Series appearance. The Rangers are still looking for that first World Championship after two years of heartbreak in the World Series.

Also in a few other moves NL West rivals the LA Dodgers picked up outfielder Shane Victorino and the SF Giants picked up Hunter Pence who both came from the Phillies who have disappointingly struggled in last place this season.

One other note from baseball last night. AJ Burnett of the Pittsburgh Pirates was pitching a no hitter for 7 2/3 innings. That’s different from a perfect game as he walked a couple batters and scarily hit Cubs second basemen Darwin Barney on his helmet. Barney left the game but just seemed a little dazed fortunately.

AJ Burnett end up with a one hitter and despite all the Cubs woes and losing over the years, did you know that the Cubs have now not been no hit in 7,441 games which dates back to September 1965 when Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Cubs. So say what you want against the Cubs but that is the longest streak in baseball currently going without having a no hitter thrown against them.

Finally in closing one non baseball achievement. Congratulations to American swimmer Michael Phelps who won two record setting medals a silver and a gold to get the all time Olympic medals count at 19 Terrific accomplishment Michael and continued success to the USA and the other countries for a great Olympic games so far. Talk soon. Best wishes. Bratman

A late addition catcher Geovany Soto has also been traded from the Cubs to the Rangers.

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