Category: Uncategorized
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A crossword clue..
While perusing the obit for former Yankee and Cub, Joe Pepitone, I found out that Jesus Alou had passed away at the ripe old age of 80. The Alou family is probably the most popular baseball name in the crossword puzzle world. Here’s a nice obituary on the last remaining Alou. Jesús Alou, former Giants…
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Character counts…
It’s hard to believe that professional sports franchises place such a low premium on character. Yet, the news surrounding current prospects in both the NFL and NBA draft are concerning. I guess we all have different thresholds for what we will tolerate or what sins we’ll forgive, but the guys and gals vetting players should…
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May the best man win..
During spring training, I keep coming back to the question of players really competing for jobs and whether anyone really benefits from having to compete. Typically, the better-established teams have fewer spots open when spring training starts. However, injuries happen every year and teams must be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. Where there…
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Sure it means nothing, but
Last night 7 Chicago Cubs pitchers combined to no-hit the Padres in a meaningless Cactus League game. It really doesn’t matter in the big picture, but it sure was fun to watch from afar. Editor’s note: I didn’t stay up to watch the full game. While the workload for any given pitcher in a combined…
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The WBC, edition #5
In a few days, the 2023 version of the World Baseball Classic is set to open up in four international cities. I’m not suggesting this will be the biggest or best, and that everyone should care. The tournament has expanded to 20 teams, up from 16. I’m linking to a pretty good preview from mlb.com.…
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Draw your own conclusions
After only a handful of spring games, everybody’s got answers even if nobody is asking questions. Most of the experts are sitting at home, watching the occasional broadcast from the safety of their den. Those writers and broadcasters tasked with rating a team’s success take advantage of access and inside connections. I haven’t heard many…
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Exceeding expectations
Every year in each professional sport, a player is taken with the first pick in the draft. More often than not, a team will surprise the world and with a questionable pick. Every once in a great while, that selection will be a pleasant surprise. Someone far smarter than I can rank all of each…
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The lost leader…
Initially, I thought of Walgreen’s and their weekly inserts in the newspapers. Remember newspapers? Back in the day, they’d coax you with great deals on large bottles of booze, you’d go in and purchase your liquor and spend more money on impulse purchases. Retailers, restaurants and bars sacrifice something in order to gain loyalty. Pro…
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The real Day One..
There were a couple games played on Friday, but Grapefruit and Cactus League play started yesterday. For the most part, everyone seems happy with the rule changes. I thought I’d include one last column elucidating the changes, expected results and what happened in the minor leagues after instituting some of the changes. 2023 MLB rule…
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Does size matter?
I have to question some of the numbers MLB cited in defending the new rule changes. Earlier this winter, a report said that injuries in the minor leagues were down in 2022 due to the increase in base size. At the time I wasn’t thinking clearly. In all the years of parsing every silly comment…
I'd rather be sitting in a ballpark. 