Sunday, October 23, 2011

Baseball: - Cut-Off Throw, Baltimore in the 80s, Arthur Rhodes, Mike Napoli, John Lackey


As it turned out, Pujols accepted full responsibility for failing to catch the cut-off throw when he finally spoke Friday, exonerating center fielder Jon Jay, who had said that his throw was off-line. Pujols’ remarks offered clarity, if not deep insight. Maybe they comforted Jay, a second-year major leaguer, maybe not. But the question — what happened? — was on the minds of many. And if Pujols had given the same answers in the immediate aftermath, he would have been labeled a stand-up guy. I get why some fans think all of this is silly, but in the end what unites all of us — players, reporters, fans — is our love for the game. Pujols doesn’t need to talk to us. We don’t need to talk to him. But everyone benefits from the dialogue. Everyone, including fans. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/world-series-albert-pujols-st-louis-cardinals-players-need-media-and-should-answer-questions-even-after-loss-102111

In 1983, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr. helped lead the Baltimore Orioles to the World Series championship, their third since moving to Baltimore from St. Louis in 1954.  At the time, the Orioles were one of the best teams in the American League.  From 1966-1983, no team in baseball won more pennants than Baltimore's six.  Not the Yankees or the Big Red Machine (they each won four).  Not the Dodgers (they won five pennants, but only one championship).  Not even the Oakland A's dynasty (three titles) could surpass the pennant-winning success of the Baltimore Orioles for an almost two http://studiousmetsimus.blogspot.com/2011/10/curious-stat-about-80s-world-series.html?mid=50

Arthur Rhodes made his Major League debut on August 21, 1991 as a flame throwing left handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. He would continue to struggle as a starting pitcher for the next five seasons, compiling a 17-24 record with a 5.70 ERA in 69 appearances (59 starts). He would struggle with his control, walking 4.9 batters per nine innings and giving up 1.2 homeruns per nine. The struggle against his control would mark the next 15 years of his career. When Rhodes was able to throw strikes on a consistent basis, he would put together an above average season like he did in 1997 when he posted a 10-3 record with a 3.02 ERA in 95 innings. He allowed 7.5 H/9, 2/5 BB/9, and 9.6 K/9. He finished 20th in the MVP voting that season. It would be the last season Rhodes would get any sort of national attention until 2010 when he was named to his first All-Star team at the age of 40. http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/10/22/the-20-year-journey-to-being-a-champion

Mike Napoli (TEX) – After a first half in which he hit for only a .232 BA, Napoli led all catchers (min. 175 PA) in the second half in HR (14), BA (.385), OBP (.468) with a major league best 1.158 OPS. Considering his eligibility at 1B as well his ability to pick up AB as the DH, Napoli ranks high at a shallow position. - http://baseballreflections.com/2011/10/20/catching-up-top-ten-fantasy-baseball-catchers-for-the-2012-season

John Lackey has always been a little overrated. Praised for his postseason success and competitive demeanor, Lackey used to have a reputation for being one of the best starters in the American League. In 2007, he even contended for the Cy Young award, managing an impressive third-place finish. This esteem helped him land a monster five-year, $85 million contract from the Boston Red Sox. A surprising deal at the time, the signing is as perplexing now as it was then. In only one season had he bested an xFIP- of 87, and by the time he signed the contract, that was a few years in the past. Paid like a top-tier starter, Lackey has been anything but. Replacement level*. Bust. Flop. Call it want you want, he has not lived up to his contract. Aside from moving to a more offense-friendly environment and a tougher division, what has been driving his mediocrity? http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/two-lackluster-years

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