Edgy MD

My only problem is that, if the result turned out more or less fine but the fan base is miserable and bitter and speaking with exclamation points, it only gives the damned-no-matter-what-they-do writers less motivation to bring gravity to their vote, and instead turn into intractable old stinkers like Murray Chass. On another note, with five starting pitchers elected in two years, it could be another five or more until another one gets the call, unless the electorate comes around on Mussina, Schilling, or Clemens.

It may seem more fair from the broadcasters' point of view, but I don't see how that's going to mean less knuckleheadedness or produce outcomes that are met with more universal acclaim. I don't even think there is a broadcasters' association.

If he returns with any degree of usefulness. He was never consistent in getting the offspeed pitches over. If his fastball is meaningfully diminished, he'll be just another guy.

It's just that MLBAA is a body that controls for it's membership. And as a professional organization, you don't join just to get a vote. So who is and isn't in the electorate is clear. Nobody can get a vote just because he or she thinks he or she has a valid opinion. I'm just not clear at how this election diminishes the Hall.

[fimg=650]http://pioneersofbearddom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/14b16fb802d095dee93590d0557ad0dc.jpg[/fimg] I'm coming for ye', Flynn, ye' backstabbin' Irish bastard!! Ye' kinna hide!!

MLB has announced that longtime Met Field Maven Pete Flynn has been inducted into the Groundskeeper Hall of Fame. In an accompanying statement, the Mets said, "Seriously? There's a Groundskeeper Hall of Fame? Don't get us wrong. We love and respect Pete to death, but... seriously?" [fimg=650]http://m.mets.mlb.com/assets/images/9/5/4/106024954/cuts/pflynn1280_3s6ixld4_j91kkiir.jpg[/fimg] The announcement was met with near-universal acclaim from Flynn's peers in the industry. Near-universal.

I'm not really sure what that fixes. Or if there is consensus on what's broken. I mean, the people on social media I've read tend to be furious, but all furious about different things. One guy was in a pique because Eddie Guardado got ignored.

Oh, shit. Now I wanna write parodies.

I mean, in the first year of voting, Babe Ruth received votes on but 95.1% of the ballots, so it's not as if things are necessarily and definitively deteriorating.

While individual writers indeed have their arbitrary standards, aren't these largely canceled out in the great body of the electorate. I mean, didn't we get a meaningful, valid and defensible outcome, even if the process, and the process of some guy's thinking, aired in social media, isn't always pretty? Is the return of these four guys as a result of the process any less valid and authentic than what was returned in 2005, 1995, 1985, or 1975?

Not quite progeny, but we'll take it.

Although the circumstances are apparently different from those of Brien Taylor's and hopefully the outcome is different, I can't help but think about Taylor when I read that 2012 Yankees first round pick Ty Hensley was apparently brutally beaten --- like, continually beaten after being knocked unconscious. Although, being that the story had been missed for two weeks, and the initial report comes from the player's lawyer, it isn't exactly clear what the circumstances were.

Cory Vaughn, current and active Mets minor league outfielder, peaking so far at AAA in 2014: Son of Greg Vaughn, 15-year Major League left fielder and four-time All-Star. Cousin once removed of Mo Vaughn, 12-year Major League first-baseman/DH, three-time All-Star, and two-year Met. Cousin once removed of Jerry Royster, 16-year Major League infielder.

Mets looking to keep their longtime (20-year?) record of avoiding arbitration hearings intact, and they sign Bobby Parnell for something like what he got (for nutting') last year. Actually, I'm slightly worried he won't have anything to give them this year either. Other dudes who went into the offseason arbitration eligible and still remain on the roster: Murphy, Duda, Mejia, Gee, Recker. Have they settled with any of those?

WRT The Millennium Falcon: I'm thinking whatever heretofore-unknown technological harnessing of gravimetric forces there is that makes up up and down down on an interstellar ship, and keeps human beings from being smashed to atoms against the bulkheads, also allows ships to maneuver in a planet's atmosphere, providing hovering capability, pitch control, and vertical and side-to-side thrust.

KC is your man. Get a chance, buy him a beer.

Maybe we'll some Opening Day Nate McLouth action.

"Life Skills Coordinator"? "Rick is going to be a confidant to our players," assistant general manager Doug Harris said. "With Rick's background, he has dealt with a lot in his personal life. He had a very unique experience in his professional life. He has the ability to help our kids during difficult times based on his experience and background. It's something we wanted to dabble into. "I can't think of another guy that has gone through what he has gone through as a pitcher and then came back to be a Major League position player and dealt with the highs and lows that came with that." I'm curious to see if any other MLB teams have one. I assume it's about teaching adult children how to at least pretend to be a grown-up. Here's how Long Beach State describes the job. Welcome to the Life Skills program at Long Beach State! WHY HAVE LIFE SKILLS? The purpose of the Life Skills program is to prepare student-athletes for the challenges of life during and after college athletics and guide them toward their graduation day. CHAMPS/Life Skills was developed for student-athletes to enhance the qualities and skills necessary for their high level of achievement in athletics and academics, applying these skills to "life" situations. The Life Skills program was developed to help student athletes not only make the transition from college to professional life in the work world, but also to make meaningful contributions to their communities by encouraging the development of character, integrity, and leadership skills. Below are some of the programs the Life Skills Coordinator facilitates. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)Community ServiceEducational awareness programsSenior Excellence ProgramLeadership opportunities for student athletesMaking Wise Beach Choices Program, an alcohol awareness grant through the NCAA (2007-2010) Goals: Promote student-athletes' ownership of their academic, athletic, career, personal and community responsibilities.Meet the changing needs of student-athletes.Promote respect for diversity and inclusion among student-athletes.Assist student-athletes in identifying and applying transferable skills.Enhance partnerships between the NCAA, member institutions and their communities for the purpose of education.Foster an environment that encourages student-athletes to effectively access campus resources.

Tabbed as the Nationals new Life Skills Coordinator is former Met and St. Lucie High's own Rico Ankiel. I need me some life skills. Rick always seemed like a computer-generated face, to me.

Matt Franco, nephew of minor league second baseman and major league action hero Kurt Russell, who had a cameo appearance in The Battered Bastards of Baseball, grandson of fringy post-war minor league second baseman Bing Russell. Kurt peaked at AA before escaping from New York. Bing peaked at D.

There you go. Preston also had two uncles: John, who played six seasons of minor league ball, mostly in the Mets system (also Detroit), peaking at AA, and Phil, who played six seasons in the Minnesota system (plus 24 games for the Montreal minos). Outfielders both, although John pitched in one game on the mound for the 1983 Columbia Mets and acquitted himself well, going 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, while striking out six and walking four, collecting the win. As he wasn't the starting pitcher, I imagine it was either a marathon, or the second game of a doubleheader in which the first game was a marathon.

Sure, why not? I'll join in. Gil Hodges, Jr. played two years in the Mets minor leagues, topping out at Class A Pompano Beach His father, Gil Sr. played 19 years in the big leagues, including the last two with the Mets, and managed nine seasons, the last four with the Mets.

Name any baseball player who ever played in the Mets organization who had a professional ballplayer in his bloodline. Include, if you will, what the highest level the player reached was and what the highest level his forebear(s) reached. I'll open with a complicated one. Scott Hairston has played 11 years in the big leagues, including two with the Mets. His father Jerry Hairston played 14 years in the bigs. HIs uncle John Hairston played three games in the bigs. His grandfather Sam Hairston played for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro Leagues, and played four games for the White Sox. He's got a brother, too, but that's not really what we're looking for.

Sons of police officers, sons of farmers, and sons of cabinet makers also have a wide range of success. Sons of bankers and sons of lawyers usually turn around and say good morning to the night.

Well, he has evidence, just not conclusive evidence. Man, Chass's page hits must multiply by a factor of 10 about this time of year.