2011 MLB Season

[Dave James]

Clemens update. Judge declares mistrial.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/sports/baseball/clemens-judge-declares-mistrial.html?_r=1&emc=na

[Dan Gould]

Too bad for him jeapordy doesn't attach and we just get to do this all over again in a few months. Only putting off the inevitable though at the same time I have to say that the judge seems to be falling over backwards to make sure that nothing gets in front of the jury that could jeapordize a guilty verdict on appeal.

Basically Rusty is padding his bill because now he charges Roger again for his time during jury selection, which took quite a few days last time and will take quite a few days next time.

Its good to be Rusty.

[papsrus]

What were they thinking? This doesn't exactly foster a lot of confidence in the prosecution if they can't follow some basic rulings on what will and will not be allowed into evidence.

Almost sounds like an intentional screw-up, for some reason. Maybe they didn't like the jury? What gives?

[Dan Gould]

What an extraordinary clusterfark if the judge rules that jeapordy attaches. In that case, say hello to Hall of Famer Roger Clemens (no finding of guilt, they'll vote him in) but hopefully that a-hole will speak in front of an empty dais.

I think its ridiculous though to say that jeapordy attaches. They barely started their case, and the mistake was rectified by ending this trial. The prosecution won't make the same mistake twice, there is no reason why he can't get a fair trial next time.

So even though the judge is going to ridiculous lengths to get a bullet-proof verdict, if he says he can't be tried, then he's a closet Yankee fan.

[JSngry]

I once "met" Roger Clemens off-field. I was playing a gig in Houston for a charity event that his wife organized. Roger Clemens & Roger Clemens memorabilia were being pimped out the wazoo in the most aggressive manner imaginable. After an hour-plus of high-energy "party music" and several hours of Clemens-pimping, Roger himself shyly shuffled up to the bandstand, followed at a distance by all types of "fans" and quietly asked if we could play "Amarillo By Morning" when we got a chance. It was in no way a demand. If anything, it seemed like a plea. He seemed like a sad, lonely, maybe even lost man.

None of which has anything to do with his use of PED, I'm just saying, at that moment, he was not looking like anybody I in would any way envy for any reason imaginable.

[Dave James]

I once "met" Roger Clemens off-field. I was playing a gig in Houston for a charity event that his wife organized. Roger Clemens & Roger Clemens memorabilia were being pimped out the wazoo in the most aggressive manner imaginable. After an hour-plus of high-energy "party music" and several hours of Clemens-pimping, Roger himself shyly shuffled up to the bandstand, followed at a distance by all types of "fans" and quietly asked if we could play "Amarillo By Morning" when we got a chance. It was in no way a demand. If anything, it seemed like a plea. He seemed like a sad, lonely, maybe even lost man.

None of which has anything to do with his use of PED, I'm just saying, at that moment, he was not looking like anybody I in would any way envy for any reason imaginable.

So did you play it? I don't blame him for asking. One of my favorite C&W songs, right behind Merle Haggard's It's All In The Movies.

[JSngry]

Of course we played it - right away. That's what you do on gigs like that.

And he gave us a quiet "thank you" smile while he danced with his wife. After that dance, he snuck outta there for the night. She stayed behind and tended to the bizness at hand.

The whole thing just seemed sad somehow...

[Quincy]

It's been a long time been a long time been a long time...the Pittsburgh Pirates are tied for 1st!

[JSngry]

Clint Hurdle has the mojo.

[BERIGAN]

It's been a long time been a long time been a long time...the Pittsburgh Pirates are tied for 1st!

Indeed! Pirates fans must be pinching themselves right about now...

and in other non AL East news...Braves are just the 3rd team to win 10,000 games. Put that in your pipe and smoke it AL east teams!

Edited July 16, 2011 by BERIGAN

[Neal Pomea]

I hope the Nationals don't commit 5 errors in today's game with the Braves! That was ugly last night. Opposing teams bat around .285 against Livan Hernandez. I don't see how he's a number one starter other than the fact that he eats up innings and can bunt and field well.

[Chalupa]

and in other non AL East news...Braves are just the 3rd team to win 10,000 games. Put that in your pipe and smoke it AL east teams!

And only 8 more losses until they join the Fightin's in the 10K loss club.

(Hurry up it's lonely at the bottom.)

[Dave James]

I can't figure out why the New York press isn't dropping a size 16EEE shoe on Mark Teixeira. I know he's hitting home runs and knocks in his share of runs, but during the month of June and so far this July, a span covering 194 AB's, he's hitting .215. Imagine paying a guy this kind of money for hitting at the Mendoza line. Nice work if you can get it.

[BERIGAN]

I can't figure out why the New York press isn't dropping a size 16EEE shoe on Mark Teixeira. I know he's hitting home runs and knocks in his share of runs, but during the month of June and so far this July, a span covering 194 AB's, he's hitting .215. Imagine paying a guy this kind of money for hitting at the Mendoza line. Nice work if you can get it.

Dave, I think you already explained it. He's 2nd in baseball in Homers, and 4th in the AL in RBI's. That projects to 45 117. You can't really bash guys putting up those numbers.

If he keeps putting up numbers like this, he's easily going to be a HOF'er, but as big Al and I can testify, he seems to put up numbers without hitting like you think he really should. Chances are it's unfair, but all I know is in 2008, pitchers walked Chipper Jones to get to him....Yet in the 103 games he played that year for the braves, he had 20 HR and 78 RBIs on his way to 33 121.

and in other non AL East news...Braves are just the 3rd team to win 10,000 games. Put that in your pipe and smoke it AL east teams!

And only 8 more losses until they join the Fightin's in the 10K loss club.

(Hurry up it's lonely at the bottom.)

Can't wait to join that club !

I hope the Nationals don't commit 5 errors in today's game with the Braves! That was ugly last night. Opposing teams bat around .285 against Livan Hernandez. I don't see how he's a number one starter other than the fact that he eats up innings and can bunt and field well.

Well, normally, he has the braves number,(reason enough to keep him around! ) but those 5 errors, even he couldn't overcome that...

Missed yesterday's game, but see this time the Nats were errorless, and the braves made 2...Braves never have back to back offensive outbursts anymore...

[Dan Gould]

Mark Teixeira is nothing but a numbers-accumulator who shouldn't sniff the Hall of Fame. He's got one top-five MVP result. One homer title, one RBI title.

His number one "comparable" for the past three years is Carlos Delgado. Anyone think Carlos Delgado belongs in the Hall?

He's Fred McGriff with a World Series ring, and he could reach 550 homers because of the bandbox he plays in and it won't mean he deserves induction.

[BERIGAN]

Mark Teixeira is nothing but a numbers-accumulator who shouldn't sniff the Hall of Fame. He's got one top-five MVP result. One homer title, one RBI title.

His number one "comparable" for the past three years is Carlos Delgado. Anyone think Carlos Delgado belongs in the Hall?

He's Fred McGriff with a World Series ring, and he could reach 550 homers because of the bandbox he plays in and it won't mean he deserves induction.

Oh man, don't make me defend Tex!

Well, first Carlos Delgado. Don't like him much either. But, He's 50th all time in RBI's with 1512. 30th All time in homers, with 473. Plus injuries at the end of his career robbed him of getting better numbers. He has as good or better career BA/OBP/SLG than

Winfield (.283 .353 .475 for Winny)

some guy name named Yastrzemski, (.285 .379 .462)

Willie Stargell, (.282 .360 .529)

or Eddie Murray (.287 .359 .476) They are all in the HOF.

For Delgado (. 280 .383 .546 )

Granted, different eras to a degree. Main thing would be was Degado on 'roids??? Hip issue...but if he's clean, won't he likely be elected at some point???

Wait, where was I?? Oh yeah, Tex...I don't give a flying fuck what UZR says...Tex is a great 1st baseman. perhaps the best I have ever seen, right up there with Keith Hernandez. He's driven in 100 RBi's every season save for his rookie year(I'm old enough to still think driving in runs means something, daggumit!) He's hit 30 Homers every year short of his rookie year as well. So if he ends up with 550 HR's 1800 + RBi's, and continues to play stellar defence, how can you keep him out???

Still doesn't mean I have to like the guy....

[Dave James]

Today, July 17th, marks the 70th anniversary of the end of Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak. He went 0-3 with a walk and was robbed twice by Cleveland third baseman, Ken Keltner. During the streak, he hit .408 (91 for 223), with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs.

[Quincy]

Well, first Carlos Delgado. Don't like him much either. But, He's 50th all time in RBI's with 1512. 30th All time in homers, with 473. Plus injuries at the end of his career robbed him of getting better numbers. He has as good or better career BA/OBP/SLG than

Winfield (.283 .353 .475 for Winny)

some guy name named Yastrzemski, (.285 .379 .462)

Willie Stargell, (.282 .360 .529)

or Eddie Murray (.287 .359 .476) They are all in the HOF.

For Delgado (. 280 .383 .546 )

Granted, different eras to a degree. Main thing would be was Degado on 'roids??? Hip issue...but if he's clean, won't he likely be elected at some point???

The only shot is if a bunch of Canadians end up electing players to the Hall. And even then...Given how it looks like it will take a Vets Committee down the line to get Fred McGriff in I don't see Carlos getting in without a struggle. Other the year that Delgado had the massive 145 RBI season he didn't win any other major batting leader titles. He made it to 2 All-Star games (Fred to 5), won 3 Silver Sluggers (Fred the same). McGriff had more top 10 MVP votes (6 to 4 - although Fred neatly was 10th twice for this presentation. ) Face it, 1st base tends to be crammed with sluggers, and in the end he was rarely the best playing there, despite the fact he was an impressive hitter.

Winfield's numbers were hurt by playing at Jack Murphy and being right-handed at Yankee. Stargell had to play against the raised mound pitchers of the '60s. Ballparks mostly became more hitter friendly as Delgado played as well as watered down play due to expansion (although the others mentioned had expansion diluted competition too).

[paul secor]

I can't figure out why the New York press isn't dropping a size 16EEE shoe on Mark Teixeira. I know he's hitting home runs and knocks in his share of runs, but during the month of June and so far this July, a span covering 194 AB's, he's hitting .215. Imagine paying a guy this kind of money for hitting at the Mendoza line. Nice work if you can get it.

Watched the Yankees/Toronto game today. Texeira came up batting lefthanded and Toronto put on a weird shift with the third baseman playing first and holding the runner on, first and second basemen playing very short right field, and the shortstop playing about ten feet to the left of second base. All Texeira had to do was punch it to the (normal) shorstop/third base positions and he's got a hit. Instead, he took a big swing and flied out to left center. Dumb and selfish, imo.

[jlhoots]

Milw. 4- Colorado 3.

Brewers hanging in there.

[BERIGAN]

Well, first Carlos Delgado. Don't like him much either. But, He's 50th all time in RBI's with 1512. 30th All time in homers, with 473. Plus injuries at the end of his career robbed him of getting better numbers. He has as good or better career BA/OBP/SLG than

Winfield (.283 .353 .475 for Winny)

some guy name named Yastrzemski, (.285 .379 .462)

Willie Stargell, (.282 .360 .529)

or Eddie Murray (.287 .359 .476) They are all in the HOF.

For Delgado (. 280 .383 .546 )

Granted, different eras to a degree. Main thing would be was Degado on 'roids??? Hip issue...but if he's clean, won't he likely be elected at some point???

The only shot is if a bunch of Canadians end up electing players to the Hall. And even then...Given how it looks like it will take a Vets Committee down the line to get Fred McGriff in I don't see Carlos getting in without a struggle. Other the year that Delgado had the massive 145 RBI season he didn't win any other major batting leader titles. He made it to 2 All-Star games (Fred to 5), won 3 Silver Sluggers (Fred the same). McGriff had more top 10 MVP votes (6 to 4 - although Fred neatly was 10th twice for this presentation. ) Face it, 1st base tends to be crammed with sluggers, and in the end he was rarely the best playing there, despite the fact he was an impressive hitter.

Winfield's numbers were hurt by playing at Jack Murphy and being right-handed at Yankee. Stargell had to play against the raised mound pitchers of the '60s. Ballparks mostly became more hitter friendly as Delgado played as well as watered down play due to expansion (although the others mentioned had expansion diluted competition too).

What??? How dare you question my brilliant analysis sir! I spent at least 30 minutes researching this! According to baseball reference's HOF stats it looks like he's borderline...

Hall Of Fame Statistics

Player rank in (·)

Black Ink Batting - 8 (280), Average HOFer ≈ 27

Gray Ink Batting - 124 (150), Average HOFer ≈ 144

Hall of Fame Monitor Batting - 110 (134), Likely HOFer ≈ 100

Hall of Fame Standards Batting - 44 (118), Average HOFer ≈ 50

more from their site...

Similarity Scores

Explanation of Similarity Scores

Similar Batters

View Similar Player Links in Pop-up

Compare Stats to Similars

(added Delgado since they don't seem to have his number listed on this page! )

Carlos Delgado (892)

Willie Stargell (892) *

Jason Giambi (889)

Jeff Bagwell (879)

Jose Canseco (860)

Fred McGriff (857)

Willie McCovey (844) *

Jim Edmonds (843)

Andres Galarraga (835)

Duke Snider (824) *

Vladimir Guerrero (817)

* - Signifies Hall of Famer

Also, Yaz, Winny and Stargell faced a lot more dead armed starters late in games, and less split fingered pitchers...but, whatever. Just seems if you let the Duke Sniders of the world in, you can't leave others out , or judge future players differently. I'd rather see the Crime Dog(McGriff ) in the Hall anyway, he was a good guy and singlehandedly got the braves into the playoffs that year he came over in a trade...

Edited July 18, 2011 by BERIGAN

[BERIGAN]

Wow, did use guys see the home run from Jim Thome today??? 490 + feet, way into the 2nd deck. Also check out Delmon Young's face near the end of the clip on the on deck circle. It must have sounded like something you rarely hear!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110717&content_id=21906408&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[Quincy]

Nothing like a road trip to Seattle for Jim to quietly feel better about his team. The post All-Star Game M's offense gives me flashbacks of last year (2 runs in 4 games - yee haw.) I was reminded today that the '95 M's were 13 back on August 2nd, so just you wait! (Uh huh.) Oh well, at least the Pirates won again. Now that he's done with Jetes, the greeting ghost of Roberto is high-fivin' his fam-i-ly.

[BERIGAN]

Quincy, I thought for sure you were going to talk about the Red Sox / Rays game that is still on...wait, just now over!

[Quincy]

What??? How dare you question my brilliant analysis sir! I spent at least 30 minutes researching this! According to baseball reference's HOF stats it looks like he's borderline...

I'd rather see the Crime Dog(McGriff ) in the Hall anyway, he was a good guy and singlehandedly got the braves into the playoffs that year he came over in a trade...

I'd wouldn't be opposed for the Crime Dog getting in too eventually, as one who believes the B+ students of the game should be in the Hall and not just "the Willie Maysessess." If "Big Doggie" Tony Perez is in so should McGriff. (Aside from his being a nice guy I've always been jealous of his small waist size.) He may have had Alomar & Olerud in front of him for a few years, whereas Perez had 3 Hall of Famers w/ Rose, Morgan, Bench.

Delgado is very close to McGriff, but the problem for both is their "black ink" is so low.

I think you throw Duke out of the comparisons as he played CF, and if you make a list of great hitters who could field the position it's very short. Whereas guys who can hit at first, well just think of recent ones.

As long as Pujols doesn't have sex with a dead boy while on steroids, he's getting in.

Frank Thomas - he should get in, as it takes Pujols to exceed his insane total number of .300/30/100 seasons.

Mattingly isn't there, neither is the crosstown crossword lovin' Keith Hernandez. Yet if the standards allow Cepeda or Perez or Rizzuto or Hunter, a case could be made.

McGwire isn't in because of 'roids, but doesn't it seem like he would have hit 400+ without them?

Bagwell - He should be a slam dunk HOF despite the career ending injuries (just because it's not the eyes like Puckett) but he was muscular, and there were only 2 reporters who covered the Astros during those years, so nobody really knows if he was jacked.

Raffy did 'roids and worse pointed with his finger at members of Congress which is so impolite. But those 3000/500 totals far exceed either from the mostly from Toronto 1st basemen.

Dick "Richie" Allen - If Cepeda is in so should he, even if he was a flake. That drunk Harry Carey said he was the best he ever saw, and Harry was drunk while watching Mays, Aaron, and Jo-dee Davis.

Whatcha gonna do with Todd Helton? Isn't his lifetime Coors average .700 or something?

Andres Galarraga comps to Cepeda, Rice, Joe Carter & Stargell. Should he be in? (No, although I loved listening to the French-speaking announcers say his name.)

Will Clark, Jack Clark, Tino, Garvey, Gil, Ryan Howard, hey what the heck, Cecil Fielder (his black ink is 24)…I think Carlos is closer to most of these guys than the above. And hell, David Ortiz on "folk hero status" alone probably exceeds a few of those guys.

Since there's sort of a quota by position, I don't see Carlos getting in because of all the other names mentioned. And frankly I'd rather see Barry Larkin or Ron Santo, even Dave Parker get in before Carlos. But Carlos will be in my Hall Of The Very Good.