Fenway Park’s 100th Anniversary: There’s Nothing Like Being at the Game

I’ve never considered myself religious by any means. Yet, I’m a believer that everyone has some place where they just feel at home, or safe. A sanctuary, of sorts. To some of the more religious types, a church. Baseball stadiums are my church. There is just something about passing through the gates and walking into […]

Should the Twins Move Mauer from Behind the Plate?

Late this past week the Minnesota Twins were forced to place their starting catcher, Joe Mauer, on the 15-day disabled list. Mauer injured his left knee late in the 2010 season, resulting in offseason arthroscopic surgery. According to multiple reports he has yet to regain full muscle strength in the area, despite playing in limited […]

Pujols vs. A-Rod: Contract Negotiations by the Numbers

Following the 2007 season, Alex Rodriguez exercised a clause built into his existing contract which allowed him to opt out of the remaining years and become a free agent. Less than two months after doing so, the New York Yankees resigned their third baseman to a MLB record ten year, $275 Million contract. The deal […]

Is Andy Pettitte a Hall of Famer?

As things currently stand, the New York Yankees will go into the 2011 season without Andy Pettitte as part of their starting rotation. We’ve known for some time now that this could be a real possibility as he had stated at the end of the 2010 season the same sentiment he’s made at the end […]

Evaluating the Mets’ Internal Rotation Options, Mejia/Perez in Mix to Replace Santana

The date was Friday, September 10, 2010. The New York Mets had just dropped an afternoon game against the division rival Philadelphia Phillies by an 8-4 score. Philadelphia’s ace Roy Halladay had outpitched rookie Jenrry Mejia to pick up his 18th win of the season. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley each homered. As did Carlos Beltran. The loss dropped the Mets to 69-72, three games […]

Boston Finally Gets Their Man

The Boston Red Sox held a press conference early Monday morning to make an announcement that has been in the works for over two years. Joined at Fenway Park by principal owner John Henry and General Manager Theo Epstein, newly acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was introduced to the Boston media for the first time. To his […]

Atlanta Acquires Uggla, Florida’s Return Unimpressive

Lost amongst a multitude of trades, award announcements, and rumors was a relatively significant trade that was completed just two nights ago. The timing was slightly ironic as just a few days prior I had taken a look at what teams could potentially be the most likely suitors if the Florida Marlins decided to deal […]

Astros, Rockies Swap Barmes, Paulino

One of the many struggles the Houston Astros faced in 2010 was a lack of production from their middle infield. Second baseman Jeff Keppinger had a solid season, posting career highs in most offensive categories while amassing a total of 575 plate appearances. However, the Astros failed to find consistent production at shortstop which became a revolving […]

Toronto Acquires Davis, Increases Outfield Options for 2011

When the Oakland Athletics acquired David DeJesus from the Kansas City Royals one week ago there appeared to be a logjam created within their outfield as the team simply had too many players for the positions available. To further complicate the situation, four of the eight outfielders that were on the team’s 40-man roster as of this morning have […]

Red Sox Acquire Miller, Deal Richardson to Marlins

From 2004 through 2006 the University of North Carolina boasted a pair of starters that many considered surefire MLB prospects. The MLB Draft came up that June and with the 6th pick in the first round the Detroit Tigers selected left-hander Andrew Miller. Later, with the 28th pick in the first round, the Boston Red […]

A’s Acquire DeJesus, KC Gets Mazzaro

When word came out that the Oakland Athletics had submitted the highest bid in the posting process for Japanese righty Hisashi Iwakuma earlier this week the early speculation was that Oakland would then turn their pitching surplus into a much needed bat. Presumably nobody expected that GM Billy Beane would make a trade so soon after, especially considering Iwakuma […]

Molina to Get Ring Regardless of W.S. Victor

There are many perks to being a part of a team that reaches the World Series. The obvious ones are the chance at winning a Championship, being a part of history, and the ring. There’s the thrill of celebrating with your teammates in a dog pile on the field followed by a roomful of champagne […]

Crossing the Pacific

The 1988 Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, Korea. Baseball was merely a “demonstration” sport but that didn’t mean that the competition wasn’t fierce. Eight teams participated in the tournament which saw a final game played between the United States and Japan. The US team – led by future Major Leaguers Robin Ventura, Jim Abbott, […]

Pete Rose: Justice Delivered, But Only Temporarily And Only In Theory

Twenty five years ago today one of the most hallowed records in baseball history was broken when Pete Rose singled to left field against San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show (who’s tumultuous life and death were chronicled by ESPN’s Outside the Lines) for career hit number 4,192, passing the legendary Ty Cobb. Fireworks instantly went off […]

Dickey, Wakefield, and the Not-So-Lost-But-Sorta-Lost Art of the Knuckleball

With roughly six weeks remaining in the 2010 season there are a number of bloggers, writers, and analysts that have started looking ahead to the offseason. While the writing itself hasn’t actually begun yet, I’ll admit I’ve started thinking ahead to the format I hope to encapsulate my year-end thoughts within. Of course, the season’s […]

Deadline Day for Draftees is Quickly Approaching

With a mere 11 days to go until the deadline for 2010 draftees to reach agreement with their respective teams there are a number of interesting stories worth monitoring. As of this morning, 25 of the first 50 picks have yet to sign a contract – including 7 of the first 10. The surprising part […]

Comparing the Cliff Lee Hauls

Two weeks and three starts ago, the Texas Rangers swooped into the mix and pulled off a trade with the Seattle Mariners for starting pitcher Cliff Lee – easily the most coveted pitcher available this season. Despite the weeks of rumors, there was little said about the likelihood of Texas being able to make a […]

Instant Replay

Yesterday as I had a conversation with my mother about whether or not the Boston Red Sox would ultimately be able to overcome their mounting list of injuries, the conversation ended up taking a turn towards instant replay’s place in baseball. Coincidentally, early this morning I also received a message on Facebook from one of my […]

Ozzie’s Big Mouth

In my post yesterday regarding players drafted in this year’s MLB Draft who have some bloodline connection to a former or current player, manager, or front office executive (which, by the way, MLB.com has an extensive list up with all of the connections taken in this year’s draft and it’s a much more extensive list […]

2010 MLB Draft: A Family Affair

One thing that I always find fascinating to follow when it comes to the MLB Draft is seeing young kids drafted who have some relation to a current or former Major League player, coach, or executive. This year’s draft has had a number of such cases that I thought I’d take a look at. Some […]

Is this it for Zaun?

In mid-April, the Milwaukee Brewers were in the midst of a series at Washington. Nationals rookie shortstop Ian Desmond had a chance to score as long as he could plow through Brewers catcher Gregg Zaun at the plate. The two collided, leaving Zaun with some pain and discomfort in his right shoulder. For a 16-year […]