Who's your tiger?

Just utter stupidity

2008-11-05T17:28:58Z

Seriously, it's comments like this from Padres GM Kevin Towers on Jake Peavy that just drive me absolutely insane:

"He's not too expensive to keep," said Towers, whose opening-day payroll this year was $74 million. "It's just that last year, we lost 99 games with him. So if we're able to add multiple pieces here that we think are going to improve our club, we've got to look at it."

This therefore, when read in conjunction with this statement from Jake's agent Barry Axelrod, would seem extremely contradictory, wouldn't one say?

"Axelrod said the Padres approached him about a possible trade because of the team's financial situation and need to rebuild. Peavy has a no-trade clause, and Axelrod said he gave San Diego a list of five potential candidates the pitcher would approve a deal to."

So if you have a Cy Young caliber, top 10 pitcher in the majors who's just entering his prime, and you then self proclaim that he's 'not too expensive to keep', wouldn't that surely indicate that you don't have a problem with Jake sticking around? Seriously? Remove him and then who've ya got? I don't care if you get two or so quality major league starters back in return. Peavy has an aura that only the top pitchers have when they take the hill. If anything, you'd had thought he'd be the piece that you build your future around, not trade away. Honestly. What you'd give to have some people just step back and take a look in the mirror.

Planning for a trip of a lifetime....

2008-11-03T20:51:48Z

I've always flirted with the idea of wanting to visit all 30 major league stadiums all on the same road trip. So when a once in a lifetime chance presents itself, wouldn't you want to grab it? Currently, I've only ever been to 7 major league stadiums, (fenway, shea stadium, citizens bank park, PNC park, jacobs (or progressive) field, comerica park and wrigley) and i'd love to do the whole lot. The only thing I'm stumbling upon is the scheduling. Everytime you think you have a route that works, one team not being home blows the whole thing up. Still, the dream is on, and if it becomes a reality then I'll definitely be blogging all about it.

Speaking of ballparks, I've been following construction of the Twins new park, recently named Target field, which is coming along beautifully. Steel is just starting to go up, and it actually physically resembles something close to a ballpark right now. Bring on 2010! You can follow the construction right here and get a look at what i'm talking about. And after Nationals park opened this year, we've got New Yankee stadium and Citi field opening this coming season. If you're a big a fan of ballparks as I am, then this years gonna be some kind of fun. In addition, i'm hoping the Marlins can straighten out their legal issues and finally get the new park they've been campaining for for what seems like forever now. I heard that if everything goes as planned, details and designs should be released later this month. Fingers crossed!

Now, I don;t quite know what it is about ballparks. Maybe it's the atmosphere. Maybe the sounds. The crack of the bat. The sound of cowhide on leather. The excitement when the runner takes off from first. The whole crowd standing on a 3-2 count with 2 outs in an inning. Or maybe high fiving the stranger next to you after your team just hit a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth. I love all of those things. I love quirks in ballparks. I also love the ability to aimlessly wander around a ballpark, taking in views for virtually anywhere you see fit, whether it be the concourses, or in the outfield. Here's some of my favourite features of parks around the majors (in no particular order):

Eutaw street and the warehouse at Camden Yards, Baltimore - The ballpark that started the current revolution in park design, Camden Yards is just so asthetically pleasing to my eyes. I love it all, the double decker bullpens, Eutaw street and the century old warehouse in the background. Too bad the Orioles don't draw better.
The Green Monster, Fenway Park, Boston - Probably one of my top 5 ballparks, Fenway just feels so different from any other park I've been to. You're so close to the action, and the fans around you, that you might feel a squashed as a pea in a pod. But that doesn't make me uncomfortable, in fact, that makes it even better. And the Green monster is just the icing on the cake. As for the monster seats? Well, if I could ever afford to cough up the money, then I'd be up there for one game.

Monument Park, Old Yankee Stadium, New York - When it's all said and done, one of my biggest regrets might well be not visiting the 'cathedral of baseball'. I can't say that I ever really took a great shining to Yankee stadium, maybe it was my disliking for the Yankees, but watching the final game there on mlb.tv made me realise how much I might actually miss it. The history for one thing, is unmatched by any other park: From Ruth, to Mantle, to Jeter, it's had it all.
The fountains, Kouffman Stadium, Kansas City - I've heard that Kauffman is one of the most pleasant places to watch a ballgame. I'd love to find out. But it certainly appeals from a visual standpoint. I love the scoreboard in centerfield, and with the Royals upgrading a whole hell of a lot over the past 2 years, Kauffman's gonna be around for a long time!
Ashburn alley, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia - CBP's one of my favourite parks that I've visited. I can't quite put a finger on it, but Ashburn Alley definitely helped. I just loved how you can stroll the outfield, the general layout, and the bullpens in right center just are so awesome. You even get a great view of downtown from behind the plate.
Tal's Hill, Minute Maid Park, Houston - Despite it's fruity naming rights, I love this park. From the train tracks, to the Crawford boxes, and yes to Tal's hill, Minute Maid is one place I really want to visit. Badly.
The Western metal supply co building, Petco Park, San Diego - Yes this one has some hideous naming right too, but I love Petco also. The park at the park looks awesome, and the western metal supply co building is just awesome. Plain and simple.
The ivy, Wrigley field, Chicago - The friendly confines may have been crumbling a little while ago, but I sure loved it just as much when I visited back in 04. Now that they've re-tooled the bleachers some 2 years ago, I really really want to go back and sit in the outfield. Everything, from the brick backstop, to the Ivy on the walls, and the scoreboard, are just so amazing that Wrigley's one of my favourite places to go watch a game that I've experienced so far. Oh and the hot dogs are damn good too!
AT&T Park, San Francisco - I'm not even going to mention a feature in the header for this park, because everything about this ballpark just appeals to me. The old school bullpens down the lines, the coke bottle and giant glove in left field, and McCovey Cove.

Well I'm not even close to having covered all that I love about the majors best. I could go on, take a look at spring training, but I'd be here all night long. But you get the message: every little difference, amenity, distinct character that makes each ballpark unique is so amazing to me. Hopefully one day I'll be able to visit them all. Bring on April already!

To trade or not to trade

2008-11-02T12:50:27Z

It's early sunday, and I've got a few things on my mind. First I want to get some things off my chest about Jake Peavy, who just so happens to be my favourite major league starter right now. Rumours are swirling around right now that Padres GM Kevin Towers is shopping Peavy, who, after enduring their most losses since 2003 with 99, need to get something in return for Peavy while his value is sky high. And if there's talk of Peavy's contract being too expensive right now, then you can forget about it. Just compare what Jake's going to make until his contract expires in 2012, at a total of $52 million, to what C.C Sabathia's gonna get this offseason. And Johan Santana? Forget it. Peavy's a bargain for the current escalating market. I'd chalk Peavy up among the top 5 major league pitchers right now, even though his record from this past season, 10-11, wouldn't suggest it. But check out his WHIP: 1.18, tied for 14th in the majors, his ERA: 2.85, ranked 6th in the majors, and his run support? How about 3.63 runs per game, ranked 439th! The padres ranked 15th in the NL in batting average (.250) and were last in runs scored (637). So where's the help for a guy who clearly is one of the best pitchers in the game?

At the same time, why would you want to give up a guy who, at 27 years of age, is the face of the franchise (outside trevor hoffman) and has a bunch of promising years ahead of him? Let's not forget that Jake UNANIMOUSLY won the NL Cy Young award in 2007. So therefore, I can only ask Kevin Towers, NOT to trade Jake Peavy this offseason. Let him stay, build on what you have, and reap the rewards that way. Don't make a deal now that you're going to regret for a bunch of prospects who could end up on the scrap heap 5 years down the line while Peavy could be marching towards the hall of fame.

Fightin Phils'

2008-10-31T10:50:30Z

What a fitting end to a fitting season. But who would have thought the Phillies would be the last ones standing when the last pitch of the postseason was thrown? Not me. I would have put the Dodgers, Cubs and Red Sox ahead of them. But good for the Phillies. For a franchise that's been around since 1883 and only been rewarded once with a world championship in 1980, some could say it's about time. It's more than about time for the city of brotherly love all the same. Yes they got some breaks, but boy were they good when it counted. Brad Lidge, Cole Hamels. Things are going to be interesting in the NL east next year. And don't count out the Rays. David Price is set to move into the rotation, and that's gonna be a lot of young arms in one place. Something tells me that they're gonna be playing with the boys once again next year.

And so begins another offseason. With 65 players already having filed for free agency, including Manny Ramirez, anything could happen. Hell, we've already had our first trade with the Marlins sending Mike Jacobs to the Royals for flamethrower Leo Nunez. As for the Tigers, who knows. They've already bought out Edgar Renteria, but don't expect the Tigers to make any big splashes this offseason. They've already got a whole heap of trouble (see Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson). For me, one of the most interesting storylines to keep an eye on will be what happens to Jake Peavy out in San Diego. Rumour has it the Padres are shopping the 2007 Cy Young award winner, but where he might wind up is a mystery. Stay tuned as the hot stove heats up!!

They won't say it, but you get that feeling.

2008-08-09T15:40:09Z

Staying up until 3am in the morning to watch the Tigers lose to the A's 4-2 last night was, well, let's just say it wasn't the result I was hoping for. Kenny Rogers pitched a very solid game, albeit for a 5th inning which ended up killing him, (3 runs, capped by Rajai Davis' two run single.) You get the impression that the Tigers are done. Well, I certainly do. I hope not. I'd like to believe that they have more fight in them. That if they looked at the standings and saw that they're 8 1/2 off first place in the Central, that they'd see take it upon themselves personally to try and turn things around. But in a world where $20 million a year contracts are becoming the norm, and guys like Manny Ramirez can practically walk to first base on a grounder, instead of showing the game the respect it deserves and at least running! (hey, I'm not asking for a Michael Johnson sprint down the line, playing 100+ games with very few days off has to give you your aches and pains, but when you're making more money in a day than most make in a year, you'd like to see some effort...)
The Tigers still have a shot. Nothings done yet. A couple of good series and this can get turned around again. But all year long the Tigers seemed to have failed to click. If it's not one thing, it's another. If the starters are doing well, the offense dies. Or Cabrera and Ordonez come alive (like they have recently), then the bullpen blows it. Oh how things were so much different when the Tigers were the underdogs in 2006. If only things had stayed the same. I still don't agree with the Sheffield trade, and (yes I know it's easy to critise with hindsight and all) I was never a fan of the Cabrera/Willis trade at the time.
But things aren't all bleak. Armando Galaraga was probably the steal of the offseason if you're not counting Carlos Quentin of the White Sox. Matt Joyce has shown he can more than hit up here. Cabrera, after an expected adjustment, looks like he's becoming more comfortable. Both in the AL and at first base.
And there's hope on the horizon in the minors too. Take a trip down to Class A Lakeland. Rick Porcello is pitching like he could be the real deal. Duane Below has taken his minor league pitcher of the year status from West Michigan and moved it up a notch. And then there's Wilkin Ramirez at Double A Erie. And Brent Clevlen's having his best minor league season. Ryan Strieby's broken the single season home run record for Lakeland in the Florida State League with 28. And then there's Casey Fien , who's 2.96 ERA in 40 games has propelled the young righty to Toledo. And you've just got to take a look at the fact that 2008 first rounder Ryan Perry is pitching in A Ball at Lakeland, after signing in July. Add in that 11th rounder Brandon Douglas has already had a stint with West Michigan, and things are certainly looking up!
Even if the Tigers don't show any signs of making it, i'll still be watching, especially come 1st September when rosters expand and we might get a quick look at the future of the Tigers, some of which who might be taking on a full time role with the big club come 2009.

They won't say it, but you get that feeling.

2008-08-09T15:00:45Z

Peavy watch!

2008-08-09T14:20:49Z

As I watched Jake work at Coors field this morning, I got an interesting snippet of info from the FSN Rocky Mountain broadcast crew: In Peavy's last 8 starts, the Padres have scored a total of 20 runs. Now you can perhaps begin to understand why Jake has an even 8-8 record! Jake's 2.68 ERA is currently tied for the NL league lead with fellow NL west compatriot Tim Lincecum of the Giants. When you read inside the numbers even further, it gets even more interesting. Peavy's 1.43 home ERA is tops in all of the majors, yet he's only 4-4 at Petco Park in 2008. The way things go? Yes sir! But Jake didn't have his best control last night at Coors, walking a season high 5, and he has now dropped to 0-2 in 3 starts vs the Rockies. Of course, it's never easy pitching in Denver, as it's well known that the thinner air creates less resistance meaning there's less friction on pitches, resulting in less movement. The thinner air also means that balls travel further, DESPITE the fact that the Rockies fences are further back than you'll find at most parks. Still, Jake managed to turn in 6 solid innings, and he should get another crack at win no 9 back at Petco thursday afternoon vs the Brewers. And if I'm not mistaken, it should be Ben Sheets opposing the reigning NL Cy Young award winner. (I originally thought it could be CC Sabathia, but the Brewers don't have Monday off, whereas the Padres do, so Sabathia is in line to start Wednesday not thursday. Too Bad.) Stay tuned for more Peavy watch as we close down the last two months of the year.

Hmm, Cy Young...

2008-08-07T00:00:08Z

Well it seems I was writing this blog entry late last night, but published it, and then wrote the rest of the article or deleted it or something. Whatever. it doesn't matter. Hey I had a bottle of wine. Forgive me!! But I will post sometime today...stay tuned!

And the Rookie of the year goes to.....

2008-08-04T22:48:16Z

It's August already, somehow. There's only two months left of baseball. The window of opportunity for me to get out and see some games is closing. (and it'll cost me!) So maybe it's about time we started talking about awards. The first i'm gonna tackle is the rookie of the year. And here's where I think they should extend this award. Maybe make a rookie Cy Young award, and a rookie position player award. Cause let's face it, I feel Jair Jurrjens is worthy of recognition, but he'll end up getting beat out by Geovany Soto of the Cubs. And you probably could have put up an argument for Brian Bannister of the Royals in 07. However, it'll probably never happen because if you don't get that many rookie pitchers who have enough innings to qualify, then you're gonna end up giving an award to a guy with a 5.09 ERA because he might happen to be the only guy with enough innings. Still, it was an idea.

So who would I say? Well, Evan Longoria's gonna get alot of votes in the AL. I think Armando Galarraga and his 3.23 ERA is worthy of a look. Hell, if it wasn't for Galarraga, I don't even want to imagine where the Tigers would be right now. But I think I'm gonna go for Longoria. And as much as I'd love to see Jair Jurrjens get the nod, I don't think there's a way you can really deny Soto the award. He was an all star. He's led the Cubs pitching staff to the second lowest ERA in the league. He's got 62 Rbi's while hitting in the .270's. His 17 homers are tops among NL rookies, and second to just Brian McCann's total of 20 for the LEAGUE lead at Catcher.

And there you have it. Longoria and Soto. Plus the fact that they both play for first place teams will more than likely boost them along the way.

A sunday night and a beauty....

2008-08-04T22:36:16Z

I've made a consistent habit of trying to watch ESPN's sunday night baseball every week, and this week's game was a gem. Pitching duel, timely hitting, and a near comeback victory and a closer who hadn't blown a save this year with the bases loaded and two outs with Albert Pujols on deck. Suffice to say I was praying that Joe Mather could find a way to get the run in from 3rd. Not only because Pujols was due up next, and 1) I love Albert Pujols, greatest hitter in the game atm if you ask me and 2) he's on my fantasy team! And anytime I see a guy getting a few consecutive saves together, Lidge now has 31 in a row, and I think of Eric Gagne and his 84 in a row. I know, I know, he's still 53 off, but I'd still like it if he'd blow one at some point. But i think the reality is, Gagne's record is one of those accomplishments that rivals in my mind Cal Ripken jnr's 2,632 consecutive games, or Orel Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless innings. I feel that Gagne often gets forgotten. And as I watched Lidge get through the 9th inning sunday night, with that runner on 3rd and a one run lead, you realise just how many ways that runner could have scored with the one out. Let's see: there's a sac fly, a sac bunt, a suicide squeeze, a safety squeeze, a wild pitch, a balk, a passed ball, an error....etc etc. And then you begin to appreciate the importance of a two run lead, and so on. Cause if Lidge had just so happened to have bounced one that got past the catcher, then there goes your save. Just like that. I feel it's about time that closers got a little more recognition!

sometimes life just isn't fair....

2008-08-04T10:37:26Z

So I'm watching Jake Peavy spin a gem saturday night (or rather sunday morning) at Petco Park vs the offensively challenged Giants. Peavy's had a great season, a terrific ERA, more than a strikeout per inning pitched, but he's got no run support all year. Same goes for the rest of the Padres starters. And tonight's no different. Peavy's thrown 6 shutout innings. But here's the unfair part. So has Barry Zito. Zito, by all standards, has had an awful year, marred by inconsistency and just getting hammered often. But on this night, he's also thrown 6 shutout innings. The top of the 7th roles around, and Peavy gives up a cheap single to left off the bat of Fred Lewis, who did a good job taking the ball the other way. Lewis then stole second. Bengie Molina then hit a Seeing Eye Single through the right side on a tough pitch from Peavy and Lewis scored. The Padres then couldn't get anything off Zito through 8 innings and Brian Wilson closed the door, and the Giants won 2-0. Peavy's line, 7IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 0BB and 7 K's, lowering his season ERA to 2.59. Now tell me how fair that is? Tell me how fair Peavy's 8-7 record is this year? Or his 1.12 WHIP? Or the fact that he hasn't given up more than 4 runs in one start this year? Or that 14 of his 19 starts have been quality starts? Or how the Padres have scored just 72 runs in his starts? That's an average of about 3.7 runs per game. See how unfair this game is? If Peavy had say, another run on average per start, he might have 11/12 wins by now and might be on his way to another Cy Young. Instead, it's just gonna go down as a great year if you can read between the lines. If you can't and just look at the won/loss then he's just another guy.

Another farewell....

2008-08-04T10:16:16Z

I must say, I'm pretty sad to see Tiger stadium get torn down. I'm hopefull that Ernie Harwell and co can save part of it and the field and make it a memorial, or a park, or a little league field. Something to commemorate it better than what's left of the old classics such as Ebbets field, Crosley field, the Polo Grounds etc. Hell, at least they saved the old centre field wall from Forbes field in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I never had the experience of visiting the old girl before she closed in 1999. Ironically, I was in Detroit that summer, and I hadn't yet discovered baseball. It was later that summer after we had left Detroit and travelled out to Cape Cod that I discovered baseball. Of course, in my ignorance and little knowledge at the time, I hardly knew the significance of Tiger Stadium and what it meant. I would have loved to turn back the clock and gone. In my successive visits back to Detroit I've driven around the outside of the park, snapped pics of it from the road, and had time to have a small look. And everytime I went it made me realise how big an opportunity I had passed up. But I love Comerica Park. It's a gem. So i'm happy. But i'd have loved to been able to go to Tiger Stadium. I hope some of it gets saved so I can finally fulfill the chance.

Wasted opportunity....

2008-08-04T10:03:05Z

As I sat here at my mac at 1am in the morning, watching the Tigers in St Petersburgh, Florida, I wondered what could and what should have been. The offseason hope, Cabrera/Willis, the optimism, the people mouthing world series already, october here we come. And yet, here the Tigers were, a mere two games over .500, and a handful of games out of first place in the AL Central. Nate Robertson's got an ERA over 6. Justin Verlander's under .500. Dontrelle Willis is in A ball. Edgar Renteria's AL struggles continue. And Armando Galarraga leads all Tigers pitchers in wins. And then we flick back to reality for a second. It's the top of the first against the first place Rays. Scott Kazmir's on the mound. When Kazmir's on, he's one of the best lefties in the game. But he couldn't find it in the first. He couldn't keep his front side in long enough, and he kept flying open and missing the zone. He walked Granderson, he walked Guillen, he walked Ordonez. Kazmir put 3 ducks on the pond without one swing of the bat from the Tigers. (minus Polanco popping out). So i'm thinking, wow, bases loaded, one out, against one of the best arms in the game. You don't get many opportunities like this. Here comes Cabrera. The table was set for a big inning, to knock Kazmir out, start off the series the right way. But no. Cabrera pops out, and Sheffield manages to walk to score one run. But that's it. Wasted. Done. And the Rays end up winning the game 5-2. See the pattern here? It just felt like that one inning epitomized the whole season for the Tigers. When it looked like they could put it all together, they blew it. Take the first game of the White sox series a couple weeks back. carrying a lead into the 9th. Here comes Jones. And a two run homer later by Jermaine Dye and we're done. Hell. There's still a ton of baseball left. So we can only hope. Make Farnsworth the closer. And start finding some consistency. Please!

Goodbye Pudge....

2008-08-04T09:50:24Z

Well, Ivan Rodriguez is done as a Tiger. Amazing though it might sounds, it's somewhat interesting. I guess you could view this as the Dave Dombrowski throwing in the towel. But I don't see it that way. Rodriguez is a free agent after the year. Chances of him coming back? Who knows. But with the relative disaster of a season so far, it's b etter to get something back than just let him walk. To be honest, I'm pretty happy with this deal. I love Kyle Farnsworth, always have. He's always had a damn good arm. When he was with the Cubs, he just couldn't seem to put it together. You knew it was there somewhere, but he just hadn't figured it all out. And then he came to the Tigers, and boy was that fun to watch. Farnsworth seemed to add the slider, and everything clicked when he was given the closers role. And that dump tackle of Jeremy Affeldt? Priceless.
Yea i'm gonna miss Pudge. I'll miss the intensity, the fire in his eyes, everything. The passion. Pudge was and is one hell of a ballgame. And i don't think we can appreciate fully the impact he had on turning this Detroit team around. The Yankees needed a catcher after Posada went down for the year, and the Tigers badly needed a solid veteran arm for their bullpen. Both teams got what they needed, and let's hope it works for the best! So long Pudge!

the fallacy that is the all star game ballot....

2008-06-20T12:13:17Z

Before I begin this rant, I have to say I love the all star game. I love the home run derby. It's a great spectacle, and it gives the fans a little more excitement. One of my favourite memories was in the 2005 all star game when Pudge Rodriguez and Bobby Abreu battled it out in the homer run derby. The Detroit fans were going nuts. Insane. However, the ballot and voting is just irrational and just stupid. What's to stop me say, getting 25 friends of mine and getting them each to vote 25 times for my favourite player even though he's having a completely sub par standard season? Automatically, this guy has 625 votes. It's nuts. The whole point of an all star game is to reward the guys who are having the best current seasons. Not the best careers. Or the guys who can hit the ball the fastest, or throw it hardest, the guys who are having the best CURRENT season in the majors. Just take a look at the current voting standings. At DH is David Ortiz, leading the way with over a million and a half votes. Yet he's having a .252 season with just 13 big flies. Does he deserve it? No way. But seeing as Red Sox nation covers about half the world, then it's no suprise. Evidently, they haven't forgotten how Ortiz hit just .198 in April? Apparently not. And how has Gary Sheffield even got 212,000 votes? Ridiculous. Oh yes and lets see our AL catching leader. Jason Varitek, .240 anyone? 7 Homers? Hell, I know there's alot more to a ballplayer than stats, and 'tek is one of the best leaders in the game, but come on, you've got to draw the line somewhere right? And look at the guy ranked no 3 in the second baseman voting. Cano. Absurd numbers. .228 batting average. There's no way he should even be in the top 5. And a guy who's having an awesome year for the White sox, Carlos Quentin, isn't even in the top 15 in voting for the AL outfielders. Nuts. If I had it my way, everyone would get one vote and that'd be the end of it. Because really, the current system just undermines the whole idea behind having an all star game in the first place. It's not like the fans won't come if you have Nick Markakis in right field instead of Vlad Guerrero, but at least let's remember that the fans can only vote for the starting lineups, and not the whole roster, that way, the guys who are deserving will still get on the rosters. but it'd be nice if they actually got some recognition from the fans.