The Game of Baseball: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Vets Committee Says 'No' Again to Possible Hall of Famers

Evidently it must take a lot to impress the Veterans Committee in Major League Baseball. For the third straight vote, that committee has decided against voting anyone into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The announcement came Tuesday, with the closest vote going to former Cubs third baseman Ron Santo. Santo was named on 69.9-percent of the ballots and came up just five votes shy with 57. A total of 75-percent of 62 votes are needed to gain entry.

The committee may change again before their next vote in 2009, as there have been allegations in the past that they are too strict and do not allow for much leeway in voting a player into the Hall. The committee was revamped after charges of cronyism after it elected Bill Mazeroski in 2001. Vice Chairman of the committee, Joe Morgan, stated his and his committee's case following the vote. "We're being blamed because something hasn't happened," Morgan said. "If you're asking me, 'Do we lower our standards to get more people in?' my answer would be no."

Other than Santo, other players that could have garnered votes in included Gil Hodges, Tony Oliva, and Doug Harvey. The committee votes every other year for players and every four years for managers, umps, and executives. The process of how the committee is run will be discussed at a board meeting on March 13th, but Morgan continues to stand up for his group of guys. "The writers voted on these people for 15 years and they weren't elected," he said. "Why are we being criticized because we haven't elected someone?"

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Ramirez Arrives Early Ready To Go

Manny Ramirez has never been one to do things that people expect, which is why his appearance at Red Sox spring training came as a surprise to many. It was just about a week ago that teammate and friend pitcher Julian Tavarez told the media that Manny would not be in camp until early March. But there he was Monday in Fort Myers, joking with teammates and jogging in the outfield. Ramirez is always in the public eye in Boston, one day telling people of the love he has for the city and his team, and the next telling anyone who listens that he wants to be traded.

"I don't know what to expect from Manny," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "I just know that he's getting ready, and, whichever way it is, that's fine with me." Ramirez has changed agents about as often as most people change underwear, and his newest agent, Greg Genske, told the media that Manny is as prepared to have a big year as any. "Manny reported early because he was ready to go. He's excited to be here in spring training," Genske, said. Reports say that one reason that Ramirez would not be in camp on time was due to the health of his mother. Genske spoke of that situation as well on Monday. "I do know that (Onelcida Ramirez) had very, very serious medical issues this offseason and that was the reason why Manny is reporting when he is."

While he didn't speak to the media on Monday, which is the norm, there is no denying that if the Red Sox are going to get back to playoff form in 2007 they are going to need Manny to have a big year. Last season he had another huge year, hitting .321 with 35 homers and 102 RBI. This despite the team not playing up to potential as the Sox ended the year in third place in the AL East at 86-76, 11 games back of the Yankees. The Sox though think that 2007 will be different.

They made a monster push and eventually landed Japan's best pitcher - Daisuke Matsuzaka, and feel that some players that had down years in 2006 will be back and ready to go in 2007.
Ramirez, who has hit below .300 just once in his six years with the Red Sox, will be a main reason why the Sox may be able to return to form in 2007. They need big years from their starters on the pitching, hitting from the bottom of the lineup, a healthier season all around, and some help from a bullpen that was beat up last season. Manny's normal 35 homers, .315 average, and 100 RBI would be a good start. One of his teammates, David Ortiz, says the last thing you need to worry about is Ramirez. "By April 1, he'll be doing his thing, guaranteed."

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments

Friday, February 23, 2007

Schilling Talking Like 2007 Will be His Last in Boston

In a bizarre move that could prove to be a distraction all season, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who has even in the past talked about retirement, has decided to tell the world that he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Why, when Schilling has already won a title with the Red Sox, and had a great tenure in Boston, would he decide to come out and make this announcement now? It really looks as if it could come down to one evil, and its the evil that drives us all - money. Yes, don't kid yourself, Schilling, who will be 41 this season, would not mind moving to a different team next season for that one big final payday, but I think deep down he wouldn't mind getting that big payday now - from the Red Sox.

Of course Curt has already come out and stated that the possible leaving of Boston next season via free agency will not be a distraction. Sure, I am positive that the question will only come up about 1,000 times before the season, and again about 5,000 during it. And if the Sox are back in 2007 and in contention for the AL East title, well, then look out, as it will become an even bigger question as the season goes on and into the stretch run. GM Theo Epstein quickly tried to diffuse the situation on Thursday, stating that "if Curt wants to pitch in 2008 and he's still pitching effectively, as I expect he will, then we'll find a way to keep him in a Red Sox uniform."

Schilling claims that he wants to throw in 2008, this after stating he would retire after the 07 season. Then he said that he would pitch for the same amount that he currently makes - $13 mil per season. Schilling represents himself, so I guess in the long run there is no middle man between he and the Red Sox. The thing that will get tricky is that Schillng can simply change his mind on how much money he wants to make in 2008, just like he has already changed his mind on wanting to pitch at all next season. If that happens, and you can bet it will if he has a solid year, the Red Sox may be left behind.

The way Schilling is talking right now and going back and forth on things, he could change his mind on a variety of topics at any point and time. But from the quotes he made on Wednesday, it sounds like this year may very well be his last in Beantown. "I will file for free agency at the end of the season and they know that," Schilling said. "I'm going to get ready for opening day and this is not going to change anything that I do or how I do it"

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Hermanson Still Looking to Land on a Team Somehwere

Another pitcher that can be classified as "damaged goods" is looking to land on a roster in the Major Leagues, that being former White Sox hurler Dustin Hermanson. The righty has played on six teams in his 11-year career, and it was just two seasons ago when he made a big impact with the White Sox on their run to the championship. That season, 2005, he appeared in 57 games, going 2-4 but holding down an ERA of 2.04, and holding batters to an average of .222. Last season Hermanson appeared in just six games, throwing a total of 6.2 innings. He was stopped from doing more with a lower back injury, which still has more than a few teams scared.

Monday Hermanson threw for several teams in Phoenix, and showed no ill effects of the back injury. On hand to watch the workouts were reps from the Indians, Devil Rays, Reds and Giants. For some time, it looked as if the Reds were the front runners in trying to bring Dustin in, but their efforts have cooled over time. The Indians are in need of a relief pitcher after last Friday's somewhat stunning announcement that pitcher Keith Foulke was retiring. The Indians were counting on Foulke and/or Joe Borowski to be one of the teams closers, but now may take a more serious look at bringing in Hermanson.

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Brash Bonds Speaks out for First Time in Camp

Outspoken and brash as ever, Barry Bonds was all talk Tuesday as he arrived at Giants spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bonds was very confident that any sort of problems with a grand jury would show that he is innocent of any criminal wrong doings. "Let them investigate. Let them, they've been doing it this long," Bonds stated. He was cracking jokes not only at the whole situation with a federal grand jury looking at what substances Bonds' has been doing to reach the status he is currently at, but also about the home run race to try and reach Hank Aaron. "I'll drag it. I'll let you guys wait," he kidded. "You know how I do it, the anticipation, the hype, the talk. I'll let you guys talk about it."

Bonds was without his two personal trainers, Greg Oliver and Harvey Shields, who the team demanded can no longer be with the slugger at games, or the ballpark as a whole. He did have two publicists with him at the interview session, as well as a MLB security guard. Bonds hit five homers in his time at the plate on Tuesday, but it will be each and every homer hit during the regular season that will be shown time after time on the sports highlight shows. Bonds will someday have to answer to the charges that have been lobbied against him, which include that he perjured himself when testifying in 2003 in the BALCO steroid distribution case. In that case, Bonds claimed he had not with knowledge taken any performance-enhanchig drugs.

The interview between Bonds and the media lasted about 12 minutes, and things turned a bit hairy when topics shifted from hitting homers to the steroids and performance enhancing drug allegations. Whether he likes it or not, he has backed himself into a corner where someday, in front of someone, he is going to have to answer the questions and face the music that is set before him about what he has done to reach the level he is at. If he is truly innocent, that will be settled. If not, then you can throw out the records, as no one will ever take Bonds seriously again.

For now, he can tout his new one-year, $15.8 million dollar deal with the Giants as a sign that the past is the past, and that he is moving on and looking forward to hitting bombs around ballparks around the country. He can hide from the allegations and problems, but they will surface again, no matter how long Bonds runs for, he can't hide the truth forever.

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

A-Rod & Jeter No Longer Having Sleepovers

So the biggest story to hit Major League Baseball on Monday is the fact that Yankees thirdbasemen Alex Rodriguez told the media that he and shortstop Derek Jeter are no longer like blood brothers. This is the biggest story we can get? Welcome to the sport dominated by Yankee and Red Sox news day after day. It's as if we have to have a breaking news scroll at the bottom of the screen when anyone within those two organizations goes to the bathroom. I realize that we're talking about two of the biggest superstars in the sport in A-Rod and Jeter, but really, do we care that they no longer go out to dinner 4-5 times a week?

It's as if Rodriguez just waited till the right moment to drop the media bombshell Monday, using the power of the media for everything that its worth. "They're obviously not as great as they used to be," A-Rod stated about he and his former pal Jeter. "We were like blood brothers, I just want to let the truth be known." Pleeeaaaassse. Are you kidding me? This is news? I guess that its not enough that we have to hear about these two GQ's during the season throwing verbal slapps at each other, but now we need to extend it over into spring training.

I don't know where in the shuffle we all got so caught up in the fact that Rodriguez and Jeter use to "sleep over each other's house five days a week," but I for one don't need to hear about such a silly soap opera, and I would think that the upper brass of the Yankees, including big George, is not exactly a fan of having to deal with 3rd graders making millions upon millions on his team, having a junior high feud, and his team getting bounced from the playoffs year after year.

It's really bad when the teams GM needs to come out and make a statement on the whole spat - "I suspect it's nowhere near as bad as the general perception is," Brian Cashman said Monday. Maybe these two can get called into the junior high counslers office and air out their problems, and once again swap spit. For now, give me some baseball and what happens ON the field, not these romances turned sour that most don't give a darn about.

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:13 AM | Permalink | Comments

Monday, February 19, 2007

News and Notes Around the League

More news and notes as Spring Training really kicks into high gear this upcoming week:

* Ken Griffey Jr. now says that he broke his hand wrestling with his kids on his yacht in the Bahamas. There is just something wrong with that, but according to Griffey, he was quick to defend himself. "It was nothing that could violate my contract, it was Dad being Dad," the once feared slugger said Friday. Griffey has been on the DL eight times since joining the Reds back before the 2000 season, and while some of the injuries have been flukes, there is no doubt that Griffey's pains have derailed what once was a for sure Hall of Fame career.

* The sudden retirement of Indians relief pitcher Keith Foulke stunned the Indians Friday, despite the claim by GM Mark Shapiro that "while we are disappointed, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and the way he went about this decision." In other words - crap. The Indians spent a lot of the offseason trying to rebuild a bullpen that was pounded in 2006, and now they must count on former Marlins closer Joe Borowski to fill the void as the teams lone solution as closer. The Indians recorded a MLB low 23 saves in 2006.

* Randy Johnson will not be ready to go for the D-Back's till mid-April according to manager Bob Melvin. The Big Unit is trying to come back from back surgery, and the D-Backs sorely need him, not only for some wins on the mound, but to generate some excitement and fans in the seats again for Arizona. No one can deny that RJ's two-year 34-19 stint with the Yankees was under whelming at best.

* Blue Jays hurler Roy Halladay was miffed this past week at reports that he had a setback in his rehab from a strained right forearm that cut his season short by two starts last year. Halladay stated to the Toronto Star Friday "I don't know where that came from, it was somebody who, obviously, I don't talk to." Halladay was a stud in 2006 for the Jays, going 16-5 with a 3.19 ERA. If the Jays are serious about a run at the Yankees or Red Sox in 2007, they are going to need Halladay 100 percent.

* Bernie Williams is crying the blues these days, upset that the Yankees won't give him a guaranteed roster spot. Williams reportedly feels that 21 years in the Yanks organization should merit him an automatic spot on the team, but apparently the higher ups are not convinced. Last season Williams played in 131 games, hitting .281 with 12 homers and 61 RBI, but there is not denying that the game is getting past the 38-year old. Word is he will not be with the team when they report to camp on Tuesday. If Williams' is still able to play at a high level, why not come in and win a roster spot?

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Starting to Answer Some Questions About the 2007 Season

It won't be much longer before the sound of balls hitting mitts and bats taking swings will be heard all over the country. It will be even a shorter amount of time before those sounds are heard at Spring Training camps in the warm weather states of America. Yes, baseball is back, and with it comes the hopes and dreams of teams all over the country.

As baseball gets ready to kick off again, there are many questions heading into spring training and the 2007 season. Below are just a few with some thoughts thrown in.

* Can the Cardinals repeat as World Series Champions? - On the surface, repeating in any sport is darn near impossible in this day and age of free agency, pressure from the year before, and just the rigors of having to be the hunted instead of the hunter. The Cardinals though do have a very solid makeup, and their core players are back, led by Albert Pujols, who hit .331 with 49 homers. There will be some tweaking of the pitching staff, but overall the Cardinals enter 2007 as good as anyone.

* Who Rules the American League? - Of course you will always have the media focused on two teams - the Yankees and the Red Sox. These two teams simply outspend everyone, and are not afraid to make move after move to get better. Despite the fact that the overhype gets old, no one can deny these are not two of the best teams in the AL. As far as the AL Champion Tigers go, they are still going to be a force, and it will be interesting to see how Gary Sheffield adds to their team. Oakland may come back to earth after a great 2006, and don't overlook the White Sox and Angels.

* Where will Roger Clemans throw in 2007? - My first reaction is that he has done very well with the Astros, plus it is close enough to home to make them the front runner in the Clemans sweepstakes. The Yankees and the Red Sox are in the running, but I think in the long run, the Astros win out. Clemans will make an impact on a team that was inches away from taking the division away from the Cards the last few days of the season.

* Will this be A-Rod's Last Season with the Yankees? - No. Despite the fact that Rodriguez sidestepped a question this week about if he would use an opt-out clause to leave the Yankees after this season, there is little doubt that he will leave the most regarded franchise in sports. Rodriguez has had his share of struggles in New York, and last years Sports Illustrated article did nothing to soothe the pain he has felt there. Forget about it, A-Rod has a huge 2007 and becomes the Golden Boy in NYC once again.

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments