So, I was less than impressed by the Home Run Derby this year. I didn't watch the whole thing because it went really late (#eastcoastprobs) but I was the most bored watching it that I had been in years (well, since I started watching it...) I think that the problem was that the new bracket format put in place this year. Here's why...
First of all, 7 outs vs 10 outs. By lowering the number of outs that the hitters have in each round, MLB is essentially decreasing the chance that any particular player will be able to start a hot streak by 30%. This is clearly evident by the fact that the highest round score was 10 in the first round by Jose Bautista. The main draw of this event is every home run hit, and by implementing a change that lowered the number of home runs substantially, some of the excitement is drained out of the event.
Also, the bracket form itself severely inhibits the flow of the event. Because the league are now separated until the final round, there is a higher chance that the final two, or even the winner, will not be the best home run hitter in the event. When the leagues are pooled together, the two players with the highest numbers of home runs will always advance. Although this usually results in the American League killing the National League, it make for a more entertaining event and thus should be the format followed in future years.
Finally, adding an extra player to each leagues team did absolutely nothing but extend the already tedious first round. If MLB thought that having more players would cause more excitement, they were sorely mistaken, as I was done with the derby by the end of the first round, in part because so many of the hitters failed to hit even 5 home runs.
So those are my thoughts on the new home run derby format. Better luck next year, I guess?
~TBC
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
What makes a star?
Heyyy, I'm back with more random babbles. I'm very sorry that I didn't post anything last week but I was away pretty much the entire week (yes, I'm making excuses).
Anyway, the other day I was thinking about how some player are recognized as stars even if they have an average year (say 6 on a scale of 1-10) and how others are ignored even if they have several very solid seasons (let's say 8 on the same scale).
For example, let's compare these players (they will remain nameless for now) (also note, I meant to write this earlier so the stats I found are a couple of weeks old):
Player A (Career Stats): .269/52 HR/ 191 RBI/ 1208 AB
Player B (Career Stats): .273/43 HR/127 RBI/ 1043 AB
If you look at the stats, these players appear to be very similar. Except for the fact that one is a star and one is not. See, player A is the vastly underrated Josh Donaldson of Oakland. Player B is Bryce Harper. Both are early draft picks (although Harper was first overall and Donaldson was 48th) , many baseball fans on the east coast have never heard of Donaldson while basically ever baseball fan ever knows of Harper and has since he was a teenager. So why? why, out of these two very similar players only one is famous?
First thing: Career track record and reputation. Harper was a mega-prospect, a star since before he was drafted. Donaldson was not. Donaldson emerged as a legitimate major league player in 2012, Harper has been dubbed the next Babe Ruth since 2010. Basically, Harper has enough buzz surrounding him that even though he has been injured a lot recently, he is still hyped to be one of the best players in baseball.
Also, Harper plays in a bigger baseball market than Donaldson, so he has more national exposure than Donaldson. Although Oakland has the best record in baseball, the Bay Area is dominated by the Giants. Harper plays in the rapidly growing Washington market and is on the east coast (which for some reason means more coverage automatically...I don't know).
Basically, that's two reasons why the perception of these two players is so different. I thought that this was an interesting issue with the All-Star Game tomorrow (because,all the starters are never the most deserving...) Enjoy Donaldson in the Home Run Derby tonight folks!
~TBC
Anyway, the other day I was thinking about how some player are recognized as stars even if they have an average year (say 6 on a scale of 1-10) and how others are ignored even if they have several very solid seasons (let's say 8 on the same scale).
For example, let's compare these players (they will remain nameless for now) (also note, I meant to write this earlier so the stats I found are a couple of weeks old):
Player A (Career Stats): .269/52 HR/ 191 RBI/ 1208 AB
Player B (Career Stats): .273/43 HR/127 RBI/ 1043 AB
If you look at the stats, these players appear to be very similar. Except for the fact that one is a star and one is not. See, player A is the vastly underrated Josh Donaldson of Oakland. Player B is Bryce Harper. Both are early draft picks (although Harper was first overall and Donaldson was 48th) , many baseball fans on the east coast have never heard of Donaldson while basically ever baseball fan ever knows of Harper and has since he was a teenager. So why? why, out of these two very similar players only one is famous?
First thing: Career track record and reputation. Harper was a mega-prospect, a star since before he was drafted. Donaldson was not. Donaldson emerged as a legitimate major league player in 2012, Harper has been dubbed the next Babe Ruth since 2010. Basically, Harper has enough buzz surrounding him that even though he has been injured a lot recently, he is still hyped to be one of the best players in baseball.
Also, Harper plays in a bigger baseball market than Donaldson, so he has more national exposure than Donaldson. Although Oakland has the best record in baseball, the Bay Area is dominated by the Giants. Harper plays in the rapidly growing Washington market and is on the east coast (which for some reason means more coverage automatically...I don't know).
Basically, that's two reasons why the perception of these two players is so different. I thought that this was an interesting issue with the All-Star Game tomorrow (because,all the starters are never the most deserving...) Enjoy Donaldson in the Home Run Derby tonight folks!
~TBC
Monday, June 30, 2014
My All-Star Ballot 2014 Edition
So...I've had a crazy couple weeks, but I'm finally getting around to posting again. Today I realized that I hadn't voted for the All-Star Game yet, so I figured it's a good time to make that the subject of my post. Since I've been a little out of the loop, I'm just using the stat comparison that they offer on the ballot to decide, and also voting for some old favorites.
1. First Base
American League: Jose Abreu (CWS).
So...Abreu has 25 home runs...that is crazy at this point in the season. I was contemplating putting Miggy here because he is a monster...but 25 home runs...
National League: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
This decision was ultimately between Goldschmidt and Justin Morneau, because they both had similar stats, but the deciding factor was Goldschmidt's 7 stolen bases, which is a good amount for a first basemen at this time of the year.
2. Second Base
American League: Ian Kinsler (DET).
This pick was a real struggle...the real question was whether to value the traditional second base stats (average, stolen bases) or Kinsler's power (10 HR). I decided on the latter.
National League: Chase Utley (PHI)
Because loyalty. And because he is one of the only good things about the Phillies this year.
3. Shortstop
American League: Derek Jeter (NYY)
None of the shortstops really impressed me...so I voted for Jeter because it is his last season and he is one of the greatest players of his generation.
National League: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
The numbers don't lie. Nobody else was close.
4. Third Base
American League: Josh Donaldson (OAK)
For some reason I am rewarding power hitters this year as Donaldson is only hitting .250, but has 18 home runs. Oh well, maybe if all of the power hitter make it then we will actually have an exciting game this year....
National League: Todd Frazier (CIN)
I remember when this guy was battling Bryce Harper for Rookie of the Year...good for him I guess...again...leading in almost every category...
5. Catcher
American League: Brian McCann (NYY)
I don't even know...good for you for escaping the Braves...lol
National League: Jonathon Lucroy (MIL)
Again...he was statistically the best...and now I'm running out of things to say...
6. Designated Hitter
American League: Edwin Encarnacion (TOR)
Because most people think of the DH as a power hitter, it is pretty obvious that this choice is between one of the 25 home run guys (Edwin and Cruz) and I decided to reward the one that wasn't just suspended for PED use.
7-9. Outfield
American League: Mike Trout (LAA), Jose Bautista (TOR), Adam Jones (BAL)
Three historically solid guys having pretty awesome seasons!
National League: Giancarlo Stanton (MIA), Carlos Gomez (MIL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
Again, all of these guys have been good in the past...they deserve it.
So there you have it!...my All-Star Ballot for 2014...I was literally deciding as I wrote this post so I'm sorry that my thought were less organized the more I wrote...but hey, at least it's something...
Hopefully there will be more to come in the next couple of days...
~TBC
1. First Base
American League: Jose Abreu (CWS).
So...Abreu has 25 home runs...that is crazy at this point in the season. I was contemplating putting Miggy here because he is a monster...but 25 home runs...
National League: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
This decision was ultimately between Goldschmidt and Justin Morneau, because they both had similar stats, but the deciding factor was Goldschmidt's 7 stolen bases, which is a good amount for a first basemen at this time of the year.
2. Second Base
American League: Ian Kinsler (DET).
This pick was a real struggle...the real question was whether to value the traditional second base stats (average, stolen bases) or Kinsler's power (10 HR). I decided on the latter.
National League: Chase Utley (PHI)
Because loyalty. And because he is one of the only good things about the Phillies this year.
3. Shortstop
American League: Derek Jeter (NYY)
None of the shortstops really impressed me...so I voted for Jeter because it is his last season and he is one of the greatest players of his generation.
National League: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
The numbers don't lie. Nobody else was close.
4. Third Base
American League: Josh Donaldson (OAK)
For some reason I am rewarding power hitters this year as Donaldson is only hitting .250, but has 18 home runs. Oh well, maybe if all of the power hitter make it then we will actually have an exciting game this year....
National League: Todd Frazier (CIN)
I remember when this guy was battling Bryce Harper for Rookie of the Year...good for him I guess...again...leading in almost every category...
5. Catcher
American League: Brian McCann (NYY)
I don't even know...good for you for escaping the Braves...lol
National League: Jonathon Lucroy (MIL)
Again...he was statistically the best...and now I'm running out of things to say...
6. Designated Hitter
American League: Edwin Encarnacion (TOR)
Because most people think of the DH as a power hitter, it is pretty obvious that this choice is between one of the 25 home run guys (Edwin and Cruz) and I decided to reward the one that wasn't just suspended for PED use.
7-9. Outfield
American League: Mike Trout (LAA), Jose Bautista (TOR), Adam Jones (BAL)
Three historically solid guys having pretty awesome seasons!
National League: Giancarlo Stanton (MIA), Carlos Gomez (MIL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
Again, all of these guys have been good in the past...they deserve it.
So there you have it!...my All-Star Ballot for 2014...I was literally deciding as I wrote this post so I'm sorry that my thought were less organized the more I wrote...but hey, at least it's something...
Hopefully there will be more to come in the next couple of days...
~TBC
Monday, June 9, 2014
I'm Back!
Well hello there! I realize that it's been forever since I posted anything on here and that the season has been going on for two months already, but with finals and AP exams and other projects I have just now been able to catch my breath :) Anyway, I really have no real structure in place for this post yet but we will see what happens.
So...on a road trip my family took recently I decided to download a whole week of baseball podcasts to my iPod and listened to them all in a row to try to get caught up on the happening around the game of baseball. I realize that I probably should have taken notes because now I forget what I was thinking then (yay for planning!) but I can think of a couple things of the top of my head (again, I totally plan every post ;)
1. Apparently Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins blew out his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. That is sad because Fernandez was one of my favorite new players last year and he had a real shot to be one of the best pitchers in the game this season. Luckily, most players recover from this surgery and some of the best pitcher in the game ( or may just half of the Nationals staff) have gone on to have great careers because of this. Also another Marlins note: Why are they actually good this year???????? Anyway, whenever I think of the Marlins beating the Phillies is immediately think of this:
And laugh...(by the way for those who don't understand the above it is Marlins president David Samson being voted off first on Survivor: Cagayan.)
In all seriousness, I'm not really sure what is going on with them and will have to investigate further but I think that it probably has to do with Giancarlo Stanton because he is a monster.
2. So now the Rays are terrible and have the worst record in baseball. Hm...thinking about it, at first this surprised me but then I realized that when the Rays are winning they are doing so with player who ardent supposed to be great but end up performing well. Basically, all that needs to happen for the Rays to have a bad year is for some of the gambles that they took this offseason to fail miserably and for some of there reliable players to get injured. My best guess is this is what happened this year.
Also, not surprised that the Phillies are pretty bad this year, but I'm wondering if there is anything in the farm system to make the situation better at all if not this year than next...my guess would be not. Oh well, at least the Nationals are tied for first.
And that's all!
~TBC
So...on a road trip my family took recently I decided to download a whole week of baseball podcasts to my iPod and listened to them all in a row to try to get caught up on the happening around the game of baseball. I realize that I probably should have taken notes because now I forget what I was thinking then (yay for planning!) but I can think of a couple things of the top of my head (again, I totally plan every post ;)
1. Apparently Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins blew out his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. That is sad because Fernandez was one of my favorite new players last year and he had a real shot to be one of the best pitchers in the game this season. Luckily, most players recover from this surgery and some of the best pitcher in the game ( or may just half of the Nationals staff) have gone on to have great careers because of this. Also another Marlins note: Why are they actually good this year???????? Anyway, whenever I think of the Marlins beating the Phillies is immediately think of this:
In all seriousness, I'm not really sure what is going on with them and will have to investigate further but I think that it probably has to do with Giancarlo Stanton because he is a monster.
2. So now the Rays are terrible and have the worst record in baseball. Hm...thinking about it, at first this surprised me but then I realized that when the Rays are winning they are doing so with player who ardent supposed to be great but end up performing well. Basically, all that needs to happen for the Rays to have a bad year is for some of the gambles that they took this offseason to fail miserably and for some of there reliable players to get injured. My best guess is this is what happened this year.
Also, not surprised that the Phillies are pretty bad this year, but I'm wondering if there is anything in the farm system to make the situation better at all if not this year than next...my guess would be not. Oh well, at least the Nationals are tied for first.
And that's all!
~TBC
Saturday, November 30, 2013
I wish I was a (blank) fan
So in light of RAJ's latest run of signings, I realized that sometimes I really don't want to root for the Phillies. But I'm not a traitor, and I'm not about to give up on my team just because the GM is an idiot. However, it does make me jealous that other teams have front offices that, you know, actually think. So I've decided to write a post on the team I wish I rooted for...
If I was starting a MLB team I would first look for two things, players who are young, but still somewhat proven, and veterans who still have something left in their tanks. I would back that up with solid drafts picks, great young pitching, and one or two superstar players. That would be my recipe for success not only because I've seen it somewhat work with the 2012 Nationals, but I've seen a mini-dynasty of a franchise emerge from the Midwest. Yes, I'm talking about the St. Louis Cardinal's. Don't get me wrong, often times I find myself rooting against GM John Mozeliak's team, and the Redbirds have caused me much heartbreak, but they always find a way to position themselves really well coming into the postseason. They have only won one division title in the past 3 years, yet have 3NLCS appearances, 2 Nationals League Titles, and 1 World Series Championship. Not to mention they have done this with a core of players that they themselves drafted. This is the team that I look at jealously when RAJ makes another moronic move. I thought that the Freese-Bourjos trade was great way to fill a need, and it accounted for the possibility of Carlos Beltran leaving the team by adding yet another competent outfielder to the team. I also like the Jhonny Peralta, because, as much as I dislike anyone with a PED background, the Cardinals were in desperate need of a SS and I believe that a clean Peralta can still put up decent numbers for that position. I fully expect to see the Cardinals in playoff position come next September, and I can't wait to see what they pull together next season. As for the Phillies...I can't say as much...but I'll still be loyally rooting for them come opening day.
Honorable mention goes to the Rays, who always seem to be in the Postseason mix despite one of the lowest payrolls in the game. But the Cardinal's postseason reputation give them the slight edge for me.
As for blogs this off season, they will be few and far between, but I'm sure I will have something up around Christmas Break.
Ciao!
~TBC
If I was starting a MLB team I would first look for two things, players who are young, but still somewhat proven, and veterans who still have something left in their tanks. I would back that up with solid drafts picks, great young pitching, and one or two superstar players. That would be my recipe for success not only because I've seen it somewhat work with the 2012 Nationals, but I've seen a mini-dynasty of a franchise emerge from the Midwest. Yes, I'm talking about the St. Louis Cardinal's. Don't get me wrong, often times I find myself rooting against GM John Mozeliak's team, and the Redbirds have caused me much heartbreak, but they always find a way to position themselves really well coming into the postseason. They have only won one division title in the past 3 years, yet have 3NLCS appearances, 2 Nationals League Titles, and 1 World Series Championship. Not to mention they have done this with a core of players that they themselves drafted. This is the team that I look at jealously when RAJ makes another moronic move. I thought that the Freese-Bourjos trade was great way to fill a need, and it accounted for the possibility of Carlos Beltran leaving the team by adding yet another competent outfielder to the team. I also like the Jhonny Peralta, because, as much as I dislike anyone with a PED background, the Cardinals were in desperate need of a SS and I believe that a clean Peralta can still put up decent numbers for that position. I fully expect to see the Cardinals in playoff position come next September, and I can't wait to see what they pull together next season. As for the Phillies...I can't say as much...but I'll still be loyally rooting for them come opening day.
Honorable mention goes to the Rays, who always seem to be in the Postseason mix despite one of the lowest payrolls in the game. But the Cardinal's postseason reputation give them the slight edge for me.
As for blogs this off season, they will be few and far between, but I'm sure I will have something up around Christmas Break.
Ciao!
~TBC
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
To Doc
Dear Roy Halladay,
If this truly is the end of your career in the Phillies pinstripes, know that you will be sorely missed by all Phillies fans. Even though it didn't end well, we will always hold on to the memories of your 4 seasons in Philadelphia. The perfect game, the postseason no-hitter, the Cy Young Award, and the 20-win season all have a special place in our hearts. For myself personally, the first time I saw you pitch was the 2010 NLCS and you stole my heart with you tenacity and ability to keep your team in the game even when the chances were slim. I can't imagine a whole season with out your leadership and grit. I noticed that whenever you went on the DL, the team went on to an extended slump. People say that intangibles don't play a factor in winning games, but I know that we have an exception with you. I literally don't even want to think about the possibility of you wearing another uniform next year. You are such an inspiration to me and the rest of the Phillies fandom. Um...I know that I had more to say but I can't put it into words. If you decide to call it a career, just know that I consider you a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher. I mean I can't even put it into words how much I appreciate you!!!!!! You were my first favorite player, and they say the first one is the sweetest. Cheers to your career!
Sending you Brotherly (sisterly?) Love from...well not really the City of Brotherly Love but close enough.
~ Teenaged Baseball Chick <3
If this truly is the end of your career in the Phillies pinstripes, know that you will be sorely missed by all Phillies fans. Even though it didn't end well, we will always hold on to the memories of your 4 seasons in Philadelphia. The perfect game, the postseason no-hitter, the Cy Young Award, and the 20-win season all have a special place in our hearts. For myself personally, the first time I saw you pitch was the 2010 NLCS and you stole my heart with you tenacity and ability to keep your team in the game even when the chances were slim. I can't imagine a whole season with out your leadership and grit. I noticed that whenever you went on the DL, the team went on to an extended slump. People say that intangibles don't play a factor in winning games, but I know that we have an exception with you. I literally don't even want to think about the possibility of you wearing another uniform next year. You are such an inspiration to me and the rest of the Phillies fandom. Um...I know that I had more to say but I can't put it into words. If you decide to call it a career, just know that I consider you a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher. I mean I can't even put it into words how much I appreciate you!!!!!! You were my first favorite player, and they say the first one is the sweetest. Cheers to your career!
Sending you Brotherly (sisterly?) Love from...well not really the City of Brotherly Love but close enough.
~ Teenaged Baseball Chick <3
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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