MFS62

="Rotblatt"]One of the real knocks against him are that he's only led the league in any categories only 5 times, and some of them are kind of bullshit categories: Yogi Berra is in the Hall, and he never led his league in any offensive category. And he never attained any "magic" number (like 3,000 hits), either. And Al Kaline led his league in only two (batting and doubles, once each) but had 3,000 hits. A few more pretty good years, and Jeter will probably make it. Although, I still look at the "dominance at his position" gate. He may have only been the thrid or fourth best shortstop in his league over his career, depending on the year. Later

]If you think there was a game where everybody sucked, just don't vote. That's how I handled it last year, and that's why my total votes awarded for the year were fewer than others'. Later

It still amazes me that GMs throw around millions of dollars for salaries, but will be reticent to lose $25,000 by returning a RuleV player to their original team. Is it worth it to a team that is in a pennant race to keep a player on th 25man roster all year who may not be as good as the player who would replace him? Logic says "no". GMs say "Let me think about it a while". Later

Bingo! Please report to the front desk and pick up your prize. If they could quote that picture, you must have had interesting friends. Later

So now, for the USA team, it all comes down to having to beat South Africa. "Oh no! Not the Boer worms!" * Later *= can you name that movie upon which that terrible pun was based?

This email came to my friend in Canada from the canadian hall of fame today. Thought I'd share. Later ************************************************************************************ Canadian upset of USA amazing but explainable High times in 90's bearing fruit now by Tom Valcke, president & CEO of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum St. Marys - Canadians shouldn't be nearly as shocked as our friends south of the 49th parallel over our 8-6 upset of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. National pride and baseball passion have been increasingly oozing out of both players and fans in each of the four host cities as the inaugural battle of the world's best players is gaining momentum, and the stars and stripes' faithful are quickly learning that the globalization of America's pastime is already well underway. Nobody but manager Ernie Whitt and his troops thought we had a chance to throw maple syrup on their parade. Granted, the absence of Cy Young winning Eric Gagné, premier starter Rich Harden, 33-save man Ryan Dempster and three-time batting title and former MVP Larry Walker does help build the case for the 'David versus Goliath' analogy. But this team has heart, and Stubby Clapp's unrelentless energy and get-dirty approach can be contagious, especially when it comes down to one nine-inning game against anybody. Also, with Walker on the coaching staff, don't think any player is going to have the nerve to come into the dugout not having left everything they had out on the field, the way Walker did throughout his outstanding career. Baseball Canada's front office deserves credit as well, as the integrity and credibility of their management team of Jim Baba, Greg Hamilton and Andre Lachance has given the Ottawa-based operation an unprecedented and deserving level of efficiency and respect. President Ray Carter oversees this very well-run ship that has had its share of rough seas in its evolution but is running on smooth under his leadership. Coupled with this, unquestionably the biggest win in the 40 year history of Canada's national team program, our impressive performances at recent World Cups and the near miss of a medal at the Athens Olympics have spurred many media, fans, and budding national federations to ask what Canada is doing now to reach these new heights. But the secret is only partly about what we're doing now. It is equally significant to understand what was happening in our country a decade or so ago, from the grass roots all the way up to the Major Leagues. The dropout rate for baseball players tends to peak when youngsters are in the neighborhood of being 12 years of age, which coincides with our roster of twenty-somethings currently busting out in Phoenix. Chronologically, Canada hosted (Brandon, Manitoba) and won its first ever World Junior Championship in 1991, taking and keeping the National Junior program to new heights. Also in 1991, Major League Baseball ownership decided to incorporate Canadians in their annual First Year Player draft, and in short order, scouts became so plentiful in Canada that it became impossible for a quality prospect to be overlooked. In 1992, The Toronto Blue Jays brought the first-ever World Series title to Canada, and baseball was played as an official medal sport for the first time in the Barcelona Olympics. The Blue Jays repeated their amazing feat in 1993. The Expos had baseball's best record when the 1994 season was cut short due to the strike. Three national training centres were emerging, the National Baseball Institute in Vancouver, the Academy of Baseball Canada in Montreal, and the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta. When the top of the sport's pyramid does well, it helps the foundation. And it works both ways. When more kids are recruited and retained, it gives the national team program a higher quantity and quality of players in the pool at selection time. While baseball was booming during this period on so many fronts in the early-to-mid 90's, more kids signed up, more parents watched baseball on television, and more coaches committed themselves by researching their responsibilities and attended clinics, all contributing to strengthening the base. Baseball fever was never as hot in the north, and consequently, fewer youth quit baseball. It is now evident that the cream has surely risen to the top. Canada placed 19 players in the Major Leagues last year, and not just roster-fillers, but impact players such as 2004 National League Rookie-of-the-year Jason Bay, rock-solid veteran Corey Koskie, Twins emerging slugger Justin Morneau, and the seemingly ageless masher, Matt Stairs. There have been a total of 221 Canadians to play in the Major Leagues. Our starting line-up versus the USA made a total of $6.6 million dollars in the majors last summer, while the USA starters earned $74 million dollars. Would we have beaten them in a best-of-seven series? Unlikely. But that is the beauty of baseball, and the power of the Maple Leaf when it gets placed on the chests of our best players.

EDIT; dupe post

Frayed Knot wrote: Or maybe Fiore Gino Tennaci who used to play for the A's. You may have known him as Gene Tenace. He was listed on some rosters as "Fury" Gene Tenace. Later

Edgy DC wrote: Did I know that we had P Bascik in camp? Edgy, must be this guy: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/chris-basak.shtml I mentioned him before, because he has pitched in blowout games in the minors and hasn't given up a run in two years. They must have called him over from the minor league camp for a look-see. Later

Is he related to Mike Fiore, a first baseman who once played for the O's? Later

He can't bat cleanup for that club? Later

Does he have any witnesses? Later

He replaced Varitek after he hit a grand slam? echhh. Later

I checked with Charter Communications yesterday. They said they are in "negotiation" with SNY at the current time. Sounds to me like I'll be paying extra to see the Mets this year. Later

Upon hearing that for the USA team to get to the next round, Canada must beat Mexico (or not lose to them by a narrow margin in a low scoring game)., A-Rod said: "We have to root for Canada? What's the spread?" Later

It must be a Yankee thing. I remember two year ago, when the Yankee staff was in turmoil, that Michale Kay was suggesting at mid season that the Mets trade Al Leiter to the Yanks for Duncan. His reasoning was "The Mets have always needed a third baseman and can afford to wait a few years for Duncan to develop". This was the time when David Wright was tearing up AA and there had already been numerous articles in the NY press about him. Kay's cohort (a Mets fan I believe) would bring up Wright's name and Kay would dismiss it with a comments such as " well, we know Duncan is the real deal". Later

]bonds began taking steroids in 1998 bonds appeared in post season in 2000 bonds performed terribly in post season (and did the authors "run a statistical analysis on" bonds' performance in that postseason! HA!) how, therefore, can you say that steroids made him a better ballplayer? shouldn't tehy have made him a better player in that postseason? Thon, when I heard that "logic" I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream "you stupid bastard" at the radio. I chose the third oprion. Later

... is to be large, talented, and vilified. Later

83, here was the Cleveland starting lineup: CF-Sizemore LF-Michaels SS-Peralta 1B-Hafner 3B-Boone DH-Hollandsworth C-Shoppach RF-Snyder 2B-Phillips Final score 7-1 Mets. Edit: And here was the Mets: Hernandez SS Keppinger 2B Diaz DH Self 1B Woodward 3B Milledge LF Martinez C Ramirez RF Redman CF Only home run by Sandy Martinez. The Mets scored all their runs off Byrd. in 1 2/3 IP. Don't know how other than the homer. Later

Iriki is pitching for the Mets and has given up only one hit so far. The only Mets regulars playing are V. Diaz and A. Hernandez.(From E. Coleman earlier in the day) He was moaning about the 2+ hour bus ride. Later

Frayed Knot wrote: Is MLB prepared to tackle the legal morass of trying to punish Bonds based solely on the words of outsiders (the authors)? Its not the "word" of the authors. Their book is based on evidence and testimony presented in various courts of law, and accepted by those courts. The authors can make it public if challenged as to veracity. I'm certain the Law Department of the publishing company looked into this before the book was scheduled for release, lest they risk lawsuits. Later

Edgy, how can AH have a higher OBP than BA if he has no walks? Do HBP count? They aren't shown. LAter

I just heard that the Mets have reassigned 10 players to their minor league camp. The only name mentioned was Philip Humber. Can someone post the other names here when available? Thanks Also- reassigning that many players before the WBC players return seems silly to me. Even without split squad games, the roster will be kinda thin for a while. EDIT: here we go: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060307&content_id=1338664&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym After his performance last Sunday( 8 ER in 1 IP), it doesn't surprise me that Jason Scobie is on the list. Later

Consider it done, oh great one. Later

I've recently read some stories that said that LoDuca has been suffereng from an Arthritic condition in his hand. Maybe that's a contributing factor in his declinine in throw-out rate. Or, it could just be that the new pitchers on the LA staff don't hold runners on as well as the pitchers he caught a few years ago. Later