Baseball Historians

Silva had a very rough year although this may have been a no brainer.  it was either pay up the $4.325 option  or pay Silva $100,000 AND see him go to arbitration.  And with Radke’s retirement and Liriano’s elbow problems, the Twins can use all of the arms they can get.

The free agent market just got more interesting and the Cubs just got a whole lot worse.  With Derek Lee on the shelf in most of 2006, the Cubs offense was Aramis Ramirez.  He’s now decided to opt out of his contract, which will save the Cubs $22.5 million (with potentially another $11 million with [...]

The Red Sox will get the services of knuckleballer Tim Wakefield for at least one more year because they picked up his $4 million option.  Wakefield had a rough, injury plagued year in 2006 after an outstanding year in 2005.
Wakefield is one of those guys you like to have on your staff.  He can start and [...]

The White Sox picked up their options on Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and Tad Iguchi.  Buehrle will make $9.5 million, Dye will make up to $7 million and Iguchi will net $3.25 million.  Dye and Iguchi are solid bargains.  The one I was a little surprised about was the Sox picking up the option on Buehrle [...]

By Thaq Diesel
I saw a recent listing of the single-season 50 home-run hitters of all time (full list below, ‘roid suspects in bold).  I always hear about the perception that ‘roids are tainting the statistical tradition of baseball.  I thought that the home run, the most hallowed and sexy of baseball statistics, would be a good way [...]

That was quick. Nomar was one of the first players to file for free agency as he’ll get to test the market after winning the comeback player of the year for the Dodgers. 
It’ll be interesting to see if the Dodgers can get him to come back.  They were the ones who gave him a chance but it’s [...]

It’s not too often that I criticize the Yankees front office but this time I have to say WTF.  You can’t tell me you couldn’t find a better use (i.e. pitching) for the $13 million option we have on Gary Sheffield.  The same Gary Sheffield who was hurt most of this season.  The same Gary [...]

In the past two days, at least a dozen people have asked me how bummed I am about the Tigers World Series loss.  In a lot of ways, I’m disappointed that the Tigers couldn’t seal the deal although it’s hard to be so down when this team did so many things for this year.
For the [...]

 Mike Schimidt’s Hall of Fame career didn’t get off to a good start.  in fact in Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, James listed Mike Schmidt as having the worst rookie season of any player who’s in the Hall of Fame.  The only thing Schmidt seemed to do well was strikeout.  In only 367 at bats, Schmidt struck out [...]

Terry Pendleton took himself out of the running for the Wasington Nationals head coaching job so it looks like for the time being, he’s going to remain with the Braves organization.  Pendleton has been the Braves hitting coach since 2002.  Bobby Cox isn’t going to the be the Braves coach forever and his contract runs [...]

Alright, the Reds’ bloggers got together for another chat and I actually showed up this time.  Most of my comments revolved around how I disgusted I was with Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez getting traded.  I have part three and I’ll post the other four parts when they come online.
Shawn: Q4:
Shawn: What offseason trades would [...]

For those of you who are fans of Marcus Thames, John Sickels recently wrote a prospect retro on him.  As always, it’s a great read from prospect guru John Sickels.  At one point in 2001, he had upped his rating to a B+, which is very good.  He also did one on Craig Monroe earlier [...]

MLB.com beatwriter Spencer Fordin answered his email in a recent column.  He discusses the Kris Benson trade, who the Orioles backup catcher will be and James Hoey’s chances of making the big league club next year.  Good stuff as always.

Lou Pinella stayed with the Cubs organization for a couple of his recent hires.  New third base coach Mike Quade was the manager for the Cubs’ Triple A affiliate (Iowa Cubs) and the new bullpen coach, Lester Strode, has been the Cubs’ minor league pitching coordinator for the past eleven years.  The other hire is [...]

The Red Sox inked Mike Timlin to a one year deal for $2.8 million.  That’s not too far out of line even with Timlin’s rough season last year.  He is 40 but they got him for less then he made last year ($3.6 million).  I’m just hoping they go out and get some solid relief [...]

Well, the blogs are filling up fast and I never formally posted anything to where I needed writers.  Braves Baseball Blog was just launched and Ryan will be working on a 1957 Braves diary next year.  Next up will be the Pirates and I’m also going to help Nick Smith from Baseball’s Savior on a [...]

What an outing by Jeff Weaver.  I was pretty skeptical when we picked him up but boy did he come through tonight.  The only guy who could hit him was Sean Casey and he couldn’t do it by himself.
The Cardinals got on the board first when David Eckstein singled home Yadier Molina in the second [...]

By Thaq Diesel
More disturbing than seeing an Albert Pujols close up in HD (replete with larger-than-life cold sores), watching the Cardinals win the World Series was painful.  Had they made the playoffs, I doubt the Reds pitching staff would have hurt them much after seeing the games this post-season. 
At least Sean Casey played well for the Tigers.  I’m [...]

If I ever said anything bad about Sean Casey, i take it all back.  Every Single Word.  Two run shot for Casey and it’s Tiger 2, Cardinals 1

1986 World Series - Game Seven
October 27, 1986 at shea Stadium
Mets 8, Red Sox 5  Mets Win Best of Seven Series 4-3
Rain delayed this game by one day and that appeared to be a boon for the Red Sox as Bruce Hurst, who had won his other two games in the World Series, would be ready [...]

The Cardinals are now one win away from their first World Series since 1982.  In the previous two wins, it was pitching that got us through.  This time, not so much.  We got some timely pitching but it was hardly a shutdown performance by Jeff Suppan.
David Eckstein was the man.  He got the Cardinals on [...]

I’ll have a full report over at the Hardball Times tomorrow.  This was a tough game.  Needless to say, you hear the words “must win” in a lot of situations where it really doesn’t apply.  This time it does.  The next TIgers loss will be their last of the 2006 season because their season will be [...]

Derek Jeter was given the American League’s Hank Aaron award, which is given to the best offensive player.  There’s no double Jeter had an outstanding season.  He just about did it all, at least during the regular season.
There’s little doubt that Jeter will also win the MVP this year as well.  Fat Papi might provide [...]

Angels’ pitching coach Bud Black is going to interview for the Oakland A’s coaching vacancy.  Black already talked to the Giants so he’s got to potential head coaching jobs he’s being considered for.

I’ve heard quite a bit about Mark “the Bird” Fidrych.  He had that phenomonal rookie season and seemed to have a very bright career.  Then an injury, and another and Fidrych failed to really have a career after being on top of the world.  You’re seeing something similar with Mark Prior.  I just hope the [...]

Welcome to my Braves blog.  I’m Ryan Rogers and my dad was a life long Braves fan and grew up with the team when they were in Boston.  By the time I came into the picture, the Braves had been in Atlanta for a few years and I grew to love the team as much [...]

Game four didn’t happen as planned so they’ll to get in game four tonight.  It’s not looking good though.  If things get pushed back another day, Caprenter could throw as early as game six or even game five if he goes on short rest.  This is huge.  Although it also means we might be seeing [...]

The Dodgers have a new director of player development.  De Jon Watson was the Indians director for player scouting the past three years and he’s also been a director of scouting for the Reds.   Watson replaces Terry Collins, who recently left to coach the Oriz Buffaloes in Japan.

This is a pretty good writeup on White Sox pitching prospect Lance Broadway.  Scott Merkin discusses the White Sox top 2005 draft pick’s chances of breaking into the rotation in 2008.  It’s nice that the front office is continually able to produce quality prospects.
The story also talked about how the White Sox WERE going to [...]

It’s ten o’clock and MLB is meeting with the teams.  I can’t see this game happening tonight.