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6/13/2008
Billy-Ball Daily
Bill Chuck (Billy-Ball his own self)
Billy-Ball - From the diamond to your desktop…
By Baseball Newstalgist, Bill Chuck
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The only spin here is on my screwball
Friday, June 13, 2008
Top of the 1st
SPEAKING OF BASEBALL…
By Baseball Newstalgist, Bill Chuck
Here’s a 25-fact roster for you.
Speaking of baseball…
1. The All-Star Game may actually mean something this year if the Red Sox and the Cubs get that far. The Sox have the best home record in the AL and the Cubs have the best home record in the NL.
2. Is it just me or don’t you think if David Ortiz is out for an extended period of time that Ken Griffey, Jr. would make a great addition to the Red Sox lineup?
3. The last time the Cubs were no-hit was Sept. 9, 1965 when the Dodgers' Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against them in what may have been the best pitched game of all-time. The Dodgers got only one hit in their 1-0 victory. Bob Hendley was the complete game loser giving up just one walk and an unearned run.
4. Speaking of the Cubs, Alfonso Soriano will miss 6 weeks plus with a broken hand. The Cubbies went 9-5 earlier this season when Alfonso was on the DL.
5. Since 1998, the AL West has been won by the Seattle Mariners once, Texas Rangers twice, the Oakland A’s three times, and the Los Angeles Angels four times.
6. Seven teams have an average age of under 28 years old, with Arizona and Florida, the homes for many retirees, the youngest in MLB at 27.6. There are six teams with an average age of 30.0 or older with the oldest being the Mets and Astros at 30.8.
7. The Twins have been carrying 13 pitchers forcing them to use starter Kevin Slowey as a pinch-runner. Is there a more inappropriate last name for a pinch-runner?
8. The Red Sox have been shut out five times already this season. They were blanked seven times in all of 2007.
9. A rookie is defined by MLB as a player who during a previous season or seasons, has (a) not exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) not accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of a 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service). This is why the Orioles Adam Jones is not a rookie. In two visits with the Seattle Mariners in 2006 and 2007 he had 74 and 65 at bats, putting him nine over the limit.
10. Confirming what you already know, Alex Rodriguez is simply not a clutch hitter, through Thursday, with Runners In Scoring Position A-Rod is hitting .229, and with RISP and two outs, Rodriguez is a paltry .190.
11. Giants’ infielder Emmanuel Burriss who attended Wilson High, is believed to be the first graduate of a Washington, D.C., public high school to reach the major leagues in 38 years. The district has not produced a player of any prominence since Maury Wills graduated from Cardozo High School.
12. Speaking of the Giants, while I’m not a big fan of the Quality Start stat (devised by sportswriter John Lowe, in which a starting pitcher is credited with a quality start if he pitches at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs) you have to hand it to San Fran starter Tim Lincecum who has started 13 games this season and all 13 are of the QS variety. That accounts for his 8-1 record and 1.99 ERA. Interestingly enough, Daisuke Matsuzaka who is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA only has five quality starts this season.
13. This past week, the Padres celebrated a “Groundhog Day” moment when they became the first major league team to win four consecutive games by a 2-1 score.
14. Speaking of the Padres, when Michael Barrett homered last Saturday night, it was the first homer by a Padres catcher in 233 at bats.
15. The Texas Rangers, led by their Triple crown candidate Josh Hamilton, lead the majors in runs, hits, doubles, total bases, RBI, batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. All of this is a good thing because they are dead last in ERA.
16. The Hall of Fame celebrated their 69th anniversary on June 12 and it should be noted that there has never been a unanimous choice for the Hall. (Tom Seaver came closest with 98.84 percent of the votes, not receiving the assent of five voters.) As amazing as that is, it is even more shocking that 11 of the first 226 voters did not vote for Babe Ruth or Honus Wagner and four did not vote for Ty Cobb.
17. Yankee relievers Mariano Rivera, Edwar Ramírez and José Veras visited Alcatraz Island on Wednesday, meeting one of the few surviving prisoners. It was so scary,” Veras said. “I don’t know how people can survive there for 5 or 7 or 10 years. It was unbelievable. Amazing.” That’s the same thing people say about playing for the Yankees.
18. Dontrelle Willis, 22-28 the last two years, has walked 191 batters in 440 innings. Sandy Koufax in the last three years of his career (72-22), walked 201 batters in 881.2 innings.
19. The Mets have six switch-hitters on their roster (Raul Casanova, Luis Castillo, Abraham Nunez, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Angel Pagan) while the Cubs and Brewers have none.
20. The NY Times’ Tyler Kepner tells us that Jason Giambi was in the stands at Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, when a hobbling Kirk Gibson smashed his pinch-hit, game-ending home run.
21. Omar Vizquel is the only player besides Johnny Damon to get six hits in a game at Yankee Stadium, going 6-for-7 with Cleveland on Aug. 31, 2004. Myril Hoag also went 6-for-6 for New York on June 6, 1934, at Boston, and Gerald Williams was 6-for-8 in a 15-inning game May 1, 1996, at Baltimore.
22. The Red Sox are the first major league team from Boston to play a regular season game in Cincinnati since 8/28/1952, when the Reds beat the Boston Braves 5-4 in 11 innings.
23. In honor of the last week’s draft let’s raise our glasses to toast Steve Chilcott, the only position player taken with the number one pick who never played an inning in the major leagues. Chilcott was the New York Mets' top pick in 1966. While we’re at it, here’s to Brien Taylor, the only pitcher taken with the number one pick by the Yankees (1991), who never reached the majors. Both had major injuries while in the minors.
24. June 11 was the Mets’ Jose Reyes 25th birthday. Reyes had 257 career stolen bases and 57 triples before turning 25. The only other player in major league history who had at least 250 stolen bases and at least 50 triples before his 25th birthday was Ty Cobb, who had 344 stolen bases and 89 triples when he turned 25-years-old in 1911. Reyes has five triples this season and needs only five more triples to tie Mookie Wilson for the most in Mets history.
25. If all the players who ever played baseball were arranged in alphabetical order, Red Sox reliever David Aardsma would be first and Dutch Zwilling (of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Whales, and Chicago White Sox, 1910-1916) would be last.
Have a great weekend everybody and find some time to speak about baseball.
Top of the 2nd
IT’S A LONG, LONG ROAD
While the Cubs find it hard to lose at home, the Braves keep finding new ways to lose on the road. Yesterday, Atlanta’s Jeff Ridgway hit pinch-hitter Reed Johnson with the bases loaded in the 11th inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Braves 3-2. The Braves have lost six straight and fell to 7-24 on the road this season and have lost their last 21 one-run games on the road since August, matching the Kansas City Royals who lost 21 straight one-run games on the road from 2000-01 for the longest such streak in major league history.
Chicago's Jim Edmonds tied it at 2 with a one-out solo homer in the ninth, setting the stage for the comeback victory. Kerry Wood (3-1) struck out four in two scoreless innings to get the win.
Chipper Jones went 1-for-5 with an intentional walk in the 11th, and his average dipped five points to .414.
Scott Eyre made his 32nd straight appearance , his 13th this season, without allowing a run to set a Cubs record. He had shared the mark with Ryan Dempster, who had 31 straight from Aug. 16, 2005 until April 19, 2006.
Top of the 3rd
INTERLEAGUE PLAY RESUMES
The dilution of the World Series and All-Star game resumes tonight in the activity known as interleague play. Looking for some moments to savor?
The Red Sox are in Cincinnati and the Reds plan to have Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench (tonight) and current front office adviser Ken Griffey Sr. (Sunday) throw out ceremonial first pitches. Both were members of the Reds' 1975 team that beat the Red Sox in the World Series. Yeah, a first pitch ceremony, hmm, exciting.
The Yankees visit Houston. Mickey Mantle hit the first home run in the Astrodome in a 1965 exhibition. Now both Mickey and the Astrodome are gone. Hey, but Andy Pettitte was once an Astro, right? That should be interesting, huh? Oh, the former Astro's turn in the Yankees rotation won't come up this weekend.
The Dodgers go to Detroit to play the Tigers. This will be just like the World Series that took place never. But at least they are both mediocre this season.
Stay away from the Bay this weekend, the battle will be explosive as the A’s and Giants meet to continue their proximity rivalry. Sounds like a good weekend for sourdough bread from Fisherman’s Wharf, sushi from Ebisu, and dim-sum from Yank Sing.
Then the Nationals and Mariners meet…oh my god, I’m going to kill myself!!!!
Top of the 4th
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER
The Dodgers have told shortstop Rafael Furcal to cease all baseball activities, raising the possibility his recovery from a back injury could extend well into July. The Dodgers officially list the injury as soreness in the lower back, but manager Joe Torre confirmed the specific diagnosis is a bulging disk. Dr. Robert Watkins, the back specialist who examined Furcal this week, advised the Dodgers to halt Furcal's baseball activities and limit his workouts to conditioning and strengthening exercises. Furcal, 30, is eligible for free agency this fall. He is batting .366, and has scored 34 runs in 32 games.
Furcal joins the rest of his teammates who seemed to have ceased playing baseball; yesterday Jake Peavy and three relievers combined on a five-hitter, leading the San Diego Padres to a 9-0 victory over the Dodgers. The Dodgers left San Diego scoreless in 14 consecutive innings. They have scored zero or one run in 11 of their last 20 games.
Top of the 5th
BILLY-BALL-QUOTES-OF-THE-DAY
With the onerous interleague play back with us Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia was asked which pitcher was the best hitter, Mike said, "We don't have a best hitter. We have some that are less challenged than others."
Pitcher John Lackey wasn't looking forward to the opportunity: "Why should I? I'm 0 for five or six years."
Top of the 6th
BILLY-BALL-VIDEO-OF-THE-DAY
Many of you may remember the great story that I wrote about in April about the girl who hit a home run and tore her ACL in the process. Reader James Covill was kind enough to send the link to this inspirational ESPN video:
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3380875
Every parent and every kid should see this.
Top of the 7th
PROBABLE PITCHERS
IL
Los Angeles Dodgers at Detroit Tigers, 7:05 pm
(R) Derek Lowe (4-5) vs. (R) Armando Galarraga (5-2)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 pm
(L) Phil Dumatrait (3-3) vs. (L) Brian Burres (4-5)
San Diego Padres at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 pm
(R) Josh Banks (2-0) vs. (L) Jeremy Sowers (0-1)
Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 pm
(R) Sean Gallagher (3-2) vs. (R) A.J. Burnett (5-6)
Florida Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays, 7:10 pm
(R) Ryan Tucker (1-0) vs. (R) Andy Sonnanstine (6-3)
Boston Red Sox at Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 pm
(R) Justin Masterson (3-0) vs. (R) Aaron Harang (2-9)
Texas Rangers at New York Mets, 7:10 pm
(R) Scott Feldman (1-2) vs. (L) Oliver Perez (4-4)
Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:05 pm
(R) Kevin Slowey (2-6) vs. (R) Dave Bush (2-6)
New York Yankees at Houston Astros, 8:05 pm
(R) Joba Chamberlain (1-2) vs. (R) Shawn Chacon (2-2)
Colorado Rockies at Chicago White Sox, 8:11 pm
(L) Jeff Francis (2-6) vs. (R) Gavin Floyd (7-3)
Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 pm
(R) Zack Greinke (5-4) vs. (L) Doug Davis (2-3)
Atlanta Braves at LA Angels of Anaheim, 10:05 pm
(L) Jo-Jo Reyes (2-4) vs. (R) Jon Garland (6-3)
Washington Nationals at Seattle Mariners, 10:10 pm
(R) Shawn Hill (0-3) vs. (R) R.A. Dickey (1-1)
Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants, 10:15 pm
(L) Greg Smith (3-5) vs. (L) Barry Zito (2-9)
NL
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:15 pm
(R) Kyle Kendrick (5-2) vs. (R) Todd Wellemeyer (7-1)
Top of the 8th
DID YOU KNOW?
Mike Dodd of USA Today points out that with more than 40% of the season completed, National League teams are scoring more than the traditionally offensively oriented American League. If the trend holds, it will mark the second time since the AL adopted the designated hitter rule 35 years ago that the senior circuit has produced more scoring. The only other time was in 1974, the second year of the DH.
Through Wednesday, the NL was averaging 9.10 runs and 2.01 home runs a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The AL is at 8.99 runs a game — nearly a full run a game less than last year — and 1.96 homers a contest. NL pitchers are recording a higher ERA, 4.18 to 4.17.
Top of the 9th
HAVE A HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Special Father’s Day wishes to my dad-in-law Jack Effenson. I wish my Pop were alive to see the book and excitement it’s spawned. Everyday is a special Father’s Day for me thanks to Elizabeth and Jen.
I hope the rest of you have a wonderful weekend and thank you as always for all your support, kindness, and emails. Billy-Ball is nothing without you all.
See you Monday
Bottom of the 9th
BUY THE BOOK
Bill Chuck is the creator of Billy-Ball.com and, with Jim Kaplan, is the author of the book, “Walk-Offs, Last Licks, and Final Outs – Baseball’s Grand (and not so Grand) Finales,” with a Foreword by Jon Miller available now from ACTA Sports.
Autographed first editions are available by contacting, Bill@billy-ball.com or order directly from Acta Sports, http://www.actasports.com/detail.html?&id=3427 or from your favorite bookstore worldwide.
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Information provided in Billy-Ball has been gathered from A.P. reports, espn.com, sportsline.com, mlb.com and numerous other e-sources. Opinions expressed in Billy-Ball are obviously solely the opinions of the author of Billy-Ball and do not reflect those of source material no matter how off the wall they may be.
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