Category Archives: Baseball

Another great baseball broadcaster has called his last game. Curt Gowdy, whose distinctive baritone was the TV voice of the Red Sox for 15 years, died at his Florida home after a long battle with leukemia. He was 86. Gowdy … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I have to agree with Tom – this column by Richard Justice about how Drayton McLane and Jeff Bagwell should settle their differences is just plain ignorant. I mean, among other things, a little thing called the Collective Bargaining Agreement … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Not really much to say about the Jeff Bagwell saga, in which the team is attempting to claim he’s physically unable to play in 2006 and thus claim over 90% of the $17 million salary he’s owed from their insurance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is the lone inductee to baseball’s Hall of Fame this year. Sutter, the first pitcher elected to the Hall with no career starts, was listed on 76.9 percent of the ballots cast by 10-year members of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

If you’ve read this site for awhile, you know that I firmly believe that Bert Blyleven belongs in the Hall of Fame. His vote total has crept steadily upwards every year, but he’s still only a bit closer than halfway … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m going to join with Tom here in a little Richard Justice-bashing for his lame column today. If people keep reminding Tim Purpura he has been on the job 14 months without acquiring a player of consequence, he’s going to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Jay Jaffe uses his JAWS system to evaluate the Class of 2006 hitters in this BP Premium article, and suggests that three current players on the ballot are Hall-worthy. One is Allen Trammell, whom I’d briefly pondered previously. I’m convinced … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I agree with Tom: However sad it may be, the Astros’ decision to forego offering salary arbitration to Roger Clemens was the right call, and here’s the reason why: The Astros’ decision was based on the uncertainty of Clemens’ status … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Via The Jeffersonian, officials with the Florida Marlins met with San Antonio politicos to discuss the possibility of relocation to the Alamo City after their lease expires in 2007. Marlins president David Samson said San Antonio was the first stop … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The MLB Hall of Fame ballot for 2006 has been announced, and it’s remarkable in two ways: One, there’s no slamdunk newcomer on the list, and two, it’s curtains for Pete Rose until and unless the Veterans Committee takes up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Today is not the day for Kim Ng, as the Dodgers go old school by hiring Giants Assistant GM Ned Colletti. Colletti was chosen over Kim Ng, the Dodger assistant general manager of four years and one of two women … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The Los Angeles Dodgers, the franchise that broke the color line in Major League Baseball in 1947, may be about to shatter another barrier, as they are interviewing Kim Ng for their open General Manager job. “I’ve been out in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Since I’m not feeling like writing much about politics today, I thought I’d take a look at the question of how long baseball teams have waited to win their first pennant and World Series, and how long it’s been since … Continue reading → Continue reading →

What a bummer. I’ll have more later, but for now, there’s no definition of the word “unsuccessful” that accurately describes this season for the Astros. They have nothing to be ashamed of, and they have every right to be proud … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Crap. Only good thing I can think of to say is that I gave up and went to bed after the ninth. One question: I know she was cute and all, but why did the Fox cameras keep focusing on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Tonight will feature the first World Series game ever played in the state of Texas, and what is Major League Baseball talking about? Whether or not the Astros must open the roof on Minute Maid Park. Major League Baseball officials … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Ah, screw it. When Scott Podsednik goes yard against you, there’s not much to say. Well, okay, one thing: According to Joe Buck, Podsednik is the second player in history to have a postseason home run in a year where … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Well, they can still get a split on the road, right? I can’t be the only person who was amused at the sight of a very wholesome-looking Liz Phair singing God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch, can I? Whoever … Continue reading → Continue reading →

One of the things that I remember well from the Rockets’ 1994 march to the NBA title was how for about a six-week period, everyone was wearing Rockets garb, and every other car you passed on the street had some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Another citizen journalism opportunity from the Chron: If you’re going to the World Series, we want to hear from you. Chron.com is looking for “citizen journalists” to report on the scene in the stands at Minute Maid Park and U.S. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ll save the analysis of who is the favorite to win this World Series for later. For now, I’ve got a little inspiration from this Baseball Prospectus article on World Series matchups. There were eight original franchises in each league, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

How about that? I have a feeling there’ll be a higher than usual occurrance of absenteeism and tardiness in the workplace tomorrow. Somehow, I think it’ll be overlooked. Congratulations to the Astros and to all their long-suffering fans. And just … Continue reading → Continue reading →

In case you were wondering, it’s games like last night’s that Yogi Berra had in mind when he said that thing about it not being over until it’s over. Reversals of fortune don’t get much more whiplash-inducing than that. What … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Congratulations to the White Sox for winning the American League pennant and thus finally killing their Lack Of Good Marketing Curse. I’m glad that nobody really cares about the agonies of being a White Sox fan – 88 years since … Continue reading → Continue reading →

You may live for the playoffs, but if you do so at the office, you’re part of a $225 million problem. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimates that the playoff schedule will cost employers about $225 million this year, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Well, at least there was a pretty good explanation for why Padres ace Jake Peavy stunk up the joint yesterday. Jumping up and down in a close knot of teammates during San Diego’s celebration of the NL West championship, Jake … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Haven’t written much about baseball lately, have I? Well, as a Yankee fan, I spent much of this season holding my breath. Things looked pretty grim in May, and even as late as Labor Day, the Bombers didn’t quite have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Norbizness points to this two–part story on ESPN about which active players will make the Hall of Fame. I don’t care to go through the whole list, but I do have a few comments. – I think Mike Mussina‘s chances … Continue reading → Continue reading →

My apologies for not writing anything related to the All Star Game this year. I try, but I never can work up too much excitement about an exhibition game. I’m happy that the American League has continued its recent dominance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m disappointed to read that the International Olympic Committee has dropped baseball and softball as participating sports in the Games starting in 2012. The first sports dropped from the Olympics since polo in 1936, both fell victim to a new … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Craig Biggio, the undisputed modern day king of the hit by pitch. Craig Biggio’s arm guard is headed to the Hall of Fame. The way Houston Astros manager Phil Garner sees it, the player … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m relieved, yet a little bit disappointed, to hear that George Steinbrenner has named his successor. With his 75th birthday approaching next week, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made it official Tuesday: Son-in-law Steve Swindal will follow him as head of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s bad enough that Congress has held hearings into the vitally important issue of steroids in baseball. Now they want to have a say in who does or does not get to own a piece of a baseball team. Does … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I have to admit, though all the recent talk about the Yankees moving to a new stadium has always given me hives, this plan strikes me as being not so bad. The New York Yankees unveiled plans to build a … Continue reading → Continue reading →