Yardbarker: Mariano Rivera

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/23

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:51:08 -0500

With the trade deadline looming and injuries to several players, bullpen situations remain in flux throughout baseball. Jonathan Lee takes a look at recent moves and ranks all of MLB's closers.

Please Don't Let This Happen Again: The Yankees in the Playoffs, Pt. 1

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:02:34 -0500

At 53-45, New York has been consistent in its early season underachieving over the past four years, posting similar records through 98 games since 2005. During each of those years the Yankees recovered to make the playoffs. So, does New York really have a legitimate shot at making some noise come September? If history is any indication, all signs point to yes:

Sunday MLB on TBS: Comments from A's/Yankees Game

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:42:25 -0500

The following is commentary and interviews from yesterday's (7/20) Sunday MLB on TBS broadcast between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees with announcers Chip Caray and Ron Darling, and interviews with Bob Geren of the A's and Joe Girardi of the Yankees. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Oakland A’s @ New York Yankees Game announcers: Chip Caray and Ron Darling Darling on the frequent adjustments of the Yankees' line-up due to injuries: “Joe Girardi was saying he’s had the opening day line-up only four or five times, but there won’t be a lot of teams weeping for the Yankees’ injury problems.” Darling on whether the Yankees can make a run to get into the MLB Posteason: “(The Yankees) have everything right in front of them. Can they make a run? Of course they can, they’ve done it in the past. More importantly, they’ve got to get good starting pitching every single day, they’ve got it from (Mike) Mussina, they’ve got it from (Andy) Pettitte… Joba (Chamberlain), of course everyone knows about him out there. Most importantly, they’ve got to get a good start every fifth day; if they can do that than once their offense starts clicking they can win 10 or 11 straight, that’s how good they can be.” TBS’ Chip Caray and Ron Darling spoke to Oakland A’s manager Bob Geren during the game. Geren on the solid pitching of A’s pitcher Justin Duchscherer: “You have a guy that goes out there and leads the league in ERA, every time (Justin Duchscherer) goes on the mound you feel like you have a real good chance to win. He does a great job of giving our bullpen a break and pitching deep in the game and just feel like we don’t need to get too many runs when he’s out there.” TBS’ Chip Caray and Ron Darling spoke to New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi during the game. Girardi on the offense of Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano: “(Robinson Cano) has been outstanding hitting .340 the last month. He’s been really hot since the break and had four hits yesterday (Saturday), he’s really hitting the ball hard. Even his outs are line-drive outs so we’re excited about the way he’s swinging the bat.” Darling on the complexity of managing a baseball team today: “The coaches and managers today show up at the ballpark at 11 or 12 in the morning for a night game, they are on those computers looking at data to see how they can catch an edge. It’s a much different job than when I played 25 years ago. You have to really have big shoulders and thick skin and be able to get very insular, just be with your ball club and block out all that outside stuff that happens in this town.” Darling on Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte tagging A’s center fielder Carlos Gonzalez when he slid head first into first base: “That is an ill-advised play, you should never slide head first into first base. Luckily Andy (Pettitte) didn’t step on his finger, but nice job by the veteran left hander to get over there and get to Speedy Gonzalez.” Darling on Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte throwing to both sides of the plate: “A lot of you youngsters in the summertime go to a lot of clinics to learn how to play this game. Well, this man (Andy Pettitte) right here is putting on a clinic if you want to learn how to pitch to both sides of the plate. The thing about Andy that you like is he has such command of the outside corner, he’s thrown more change-ups than I’ve seen him throw in a long time. On the left handed hitters he’s really been going with fastballs and sliders away and occasionally that standard beautiful cutter that he throws down and in to the right handed hitter that is just impossible for them to lay off.” Darling on Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek being up for a new contract: “Jason Varitek adds a lot to that Boston mystique. He’s been their biggest team leader, he’s their captain. But if you start thinking as a general manager that ‘I should give contracts based on past service’ than you’re in harm’s way. You should give it based on what Jason can bring to your team and if that means that the captain that’s hitting .214 deserves a two-year contract with options that kick in if he plays a certain amount of games, than I think that’s a good thing.” Darling on comments made by Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon that he wanted to close the MLB All-Star Game: “I think that (Jonathan) Papelbon got ‘New Yorked’ because some of the comments that he made. I think that he was saying as an athlete he (would have been) proud to close the All-Star Game, but of course it belonged to Mariano Rivera who pitched excellently in that All-Star Game. Rivera, what do you say about him, just the greatest postseason closer, greatest reliever of all time.”Source:TBSMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/), which includes The Biz of Baseball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/), The Biz of Football (http://www.bizoffootball.com/), The Biz of Basketball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/) and The Biz of Hockey (http://bizofhockey.com/). He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus (http://baseballprospectus.com/news/?author=124), and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content view=article id=47 Itemid=18) He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_contact view=contact id=2 Itemid=29).

Rated R For Repulsive: My Boneheads of the Week

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:03:22 -0500

With the week almost over, I've been scanning and surfing through this atrocity known as the Internet to find the people who have done something so stupid that it warrants a permit to be that off the wall. After careful deliberation with several people, these seven entities have earned the title of Boneheads of the Week. And man, have they earned it! www.rawsportsblog.com

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/15

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:38:01 -0500

Now that baseball has hit the All-Star break, it is a good time to assess the bullpen situations across baseball. Eleven different relievers were named to the All-Star team, but that doesn't mean they were the most valuable relief pitchers in fantasy.

Jason Giamibi spends All-Star Break drunk

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:09:24 -0500

With thanks to WL and TMZ, we've been able to locate NY Yankees Slugger Jason Giambi getting his JD on in Vegas during the All-Star Break. Honestly though, these pictures are semi-weak. How are you in Vegas, getting drunk, without a couple pairs of plastic boobs around you? Isn't it the law or something? It's interesting though if you look closely, I was unaware they put HGH in bottles now. Oh, and the pinky off the bottle Jason, very nice touch. It says uber classy. The 'stache though says you enjoy your boyfriends broom up your caboose.

Exclusive Interview with Papelbon just hours before the ASG (Video)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:01:23 -0500

Jonathan Papelbon spends a good 6 minutes sharing his feelings on the "events" from the last few days.

ESPN's Jayson Stark Hands Out 1/2 Season Honors

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:43:18 -0500

Check out ESPN contributor Jayson Stark's picks for the best and worst performances of the first half of the season. Look it over and weigh in on your thoughts:
NL MVP- Cards Albert Pujols
Honorable Mention-Uttley, Ramirez, Jones, Berkman, Uggla, Holliday
AL MVP- Rangers Ian Kinsler
Honorable Mention-Hamilton, Bradley, ARod, Quentin, Youkilis, Mauer, Drew
Least Valuable NL Player-Dodgers Andruw Jones
Runners-Up-Tulowitzki, F. Sanchez, Francoeur, K. Greene
Least Valuable AL Player- No Longer Mariner Richie Sexson
Runners-Up-E. Renteria, J. Vidro, K. Johijima, R. Cano
NL Cy Young-Giants Tim Lincecum
Runners Up-Volquez, Webb, Sheets, Zambrano, Haren, Lidge
Al Cy Young-Yankees Mariano Rivera
Runners Up-Duchscherer, Lee, R. Halladay, J. Saunders, KRod, J. Danks
NL Rookie-Cubs Geovany Soto
Honorable Mention-Votto, DeWitt, Jurrijens, Parra, Fukodome
AL Rookie-Rays evan Longoria
Honorable Mention-Ellsbury, D. Murphy, G. Smith, J. Chamberlain, N. Blackburn, J. Johnson, A. Aramirez

All-Star Break Awards--American League

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:04:00 -0500

Awards, both good and bad, for the first "half" of the MLB season for the American League.

FOX All Star Game Broadcast Out of Touch

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:53:17 -0500

FOX proved once again last night that it is completely out of touch when it comes to the televising special parts of a baseball game. I would think that trying to give the home viewer the "at the game experience" would be something that any broadcast would strive to achieve. FOX ignored one key element and bolted for a commercial during a second. For the millions of people who watched the game last night but have never had the opportunity to attend a game at Yankee Stadium, the "Bleacher Creatures" do the "roll call" during the top of the first inning. The fans in the bleachers simply chant the players name until he acknowledges them. This is has been going on for at least 10 years and it is unique to Yankee Stadium. Last night in the 1st inning you could hear the creatures doing there thing. FOX completely ignored them. In the 9th inning with one out, Terry Francona did a classy thing by going to the mound to summon Mariano Rivera into the game. As Francona signaled to the bullpen, Joe Buck mentioned that "something special was happening" and he was right. The bullpen gate swung open and the beginning notes of "Enter Sandman" rained down on Yankee Stadium. For dramatic effect, the FOX cameras panned back for a full stadium view. A great shot, the music grew louder and then ...commercial! Unbelievable!

Fantasy Baseball Update: First Half Awards

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:43:05 -0500

The All-Star Break gives fantasy owners a chance to rest and gives us a chance to hand out some first half fantasy awards.

Disaster averted, time to make contingency plan for All-Star Game

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:28:34 -0500

The 15-inning All-Star Game nearly gave us a nightmare scenario -- no more pitchers. Ken Rosenthal has a plan to avoid a repeat

10 HOMERS OF THE ALL-STAR BREAK

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:37:20 -0500

Major League Baseball may not be the most exciting of professional sports, but it celebrates better than any other. No lame dunk contests, no potential career threatening scrimmages (ask former Patriot RB, Robert Edwards, how he feels about beach football) and no skills competitions consisting of three Russians, whose names you can't pronounce. Just long balls, Hall of Famers, and home field advantage in the World Series. Welcome friends, to the homers of the 2008 MLB All-Star break:

A.L wins 11 straight.. Red Sox player MVP in FINAL All-Star @ Yankee Stadium.. Ironic hunh?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:31:45 -0500

Though this game took FOREVER, I enjoyed it. This game was filled with frustrations for the continuous blown chances of scoring, and the ridiculous amount of errors... I enjoyed seeing all my Red Sox players. Many don't agree with the ones chosen, but heck, if you want to see your players in there, then vote!!! Don't u know Boston has the most dedicated fans?? Geez.. so stop complaining or do something for next year. Anyways, back to the game. The game was going pretty slow, with no runs, and continuous 1-2-3 innings by both pitchers. Things got interesting when the scoreboard was starting to be filled with hits and runs. If it wasn't for JD Drew, who I think is most improved from last season, the N.L would NOT have won. It was because of his 2 run home run that saved the AL. Yes, I was disappointed that most of the starting Red Sox players were like 0-3. But im glad they weren't alone, and that Jeter and A-Rod was joined in, to stop the Sox haters from having something negative to say. The story going on here is mostly about Paps talking about NOT wanting to be the closing pitcher because Rivera deserved it and also seeing as to how it was going to be in the last All-Star at Yankee Stadium. He was even quoted, and was not being sarcastic, when he said "I Jonathan Papelbon would rather have Mariano Rivera close" But some way some how the NY press... which MANY NYkers consider the Bible, took what Pap said and turned it around to say that Pap said he deserved it because they won the WS.. and that the A.L. manager was his team manager. Pap does talk a lot of smack. But i seriously think hes doing it for fun, and is not serious. Now back to the game. I was happy for Micheal Young for being able to do two walk off runs in the past three yrs. One in 2006 and one tonight. But JD Drew was really the exceptional player. Carrying the whole A.L team on his back with the 2-run home run and his excellent defense skills with those catches that could have let the N.L win. Drew went 2-4. But had many clutch defensive catches and singles. Which turned to be unimportant because the other players couldn't produce anything. The fact that Drew won the MVP... and that besides Rivera, NO OTHER YANKEE PLAYER WAS REMEMBERED.... was just so ironic to me. I would have thought that seeing that this was the LAST ALL-STAR BEING PLAYED AT YANKEE STADIUM they (A-rod and Jeter) would have played much better. Now with this win that had much to do with Drew, the Red Sox (if they make it to the WS again, have home-court once again...) Im glad Drew won. He deserved it so much. He is a great player and a humble one. A quiet one. But productive one. From where he was last season to where he is now, must be a great feeling for him. Im just happy that SURPRISINGLY SOME NY fans were able to be classy for the first time in their lives and actually cheer on a red Sox player for that two-run home run. But that will be the last time you see that happening. Because he was booed at the presentation. This All-Star game will be the ONLY thing that brings us and Yankee fans together to agree and cheer on our team... Well Congrats to Drew!!, and like he said while receiving the MVP award, "One of those indescribable moments" must be a true feeling.

Bodog AL MVP Odds

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:52:52 -0500

On to Bodog's MVP odds. They're all listed prior to their write-ups, so I won't bother posting a table up top.

Josh Hamilton, +200
Last night certainly helped, although his odds haven't changed since Monday afternoon. The Triple Crown talk has fizzled, at least for the moment, as his average is down to .310. The MVP campaign is obviously still in full force though, as he has 25 more RBIs than anyone else in the league.

There are various concerns here. One is how his body will hold up. He played just 90 games last year, and only 26 after July 7. But the more important issue is the quality of his team. Thanks to a team ERA+ of 81, the Rangers are 7.5 games back in the West, and only fifth in the Wild Card race, six games behind Tampa. It's entirely possible that Hamilton wins the MVP, but he's got way too much going against him to be worth it at +200 in mid-July.

Justin Morneau, +400
Morneau is a former MVP, has 68 RBIs, and his team is overachieving. That is essentially his campaign at the moment. Considering the Twins' chances of making the playoffs are about +400, and it's highly unlikely he wins the award if they don't, this is certainly not a good price.

Ian Kinsler, +550
This number actually came out at +400. There is no doubt Kinsler's having a great year, hitting .337/.397/.548 with 23 steals in 24 attempts. The second baseman leads the league in VORP, at 52.4. But the MVP? Even with his first half, he hasn't received much hype at all. He runs into the same problem as Hamilton, of playing on a third place team, except Kinsler is miles behind him in terms of name recognition, public perception, and the ever-important RBIs (Kinsler has 58).

Alex Rodriguez, +750
He missed three weeks, which means his counting stats won't jump off the page at the end of the year, so the Yankees would have to make a run at the playoffs for him to have a shot. He does have a current line of .312/19/53, so it's not unreasonable to think he could end up at .310/40/115. The problem is that won't be good enough if the Yankees don't make the playoffs, and it's far from a lock if they do. He's got a shot, but it's probably more like 12-1.

Carlos Quentin, +1200
I'd say this is the best value on the board. Quentin is looking great in the HR (22) and RBI (70) categories, and his batting average isn't bad at .276 (his OBP is .375; he walks a lot, but I doubt that'll help his case too much). He has the added advantage of his team is the favorite to win their division. If he had more of a name, he'd probably be the second favorite after Hamilton.

As it stand, though, the fact that he was a relative unknown before this year will hinder his campaign. It also makes it unlikely he can sustain this pace--his PECOTA, pro-rated for 650 PAs, coming into the year was .263/17/77. Even considering that, I think we'll start hearing a lot more about him in the national media if the White Sox stay on top of the Central, and he's got a chance at winning the MVP.

Jermaine Dye, +1500
Manny Ramirez, +1500
Evan Longoria, +2000
J.D. Drew, +2000
Joe Mauer, +2000

Dye would have to catch up to Quentin--he only has 56 RBIs--to receive any serious consideration. Considering some of the years that Manny has had without ever even finishing second, he would have to have an absolutely enormous second half. Longoria has gotten a lot of attention recently, but he's still only at .275/16/53, and his team isn't exactly a lock to make the playoffs at this point. Drew is having a monster year--.302/.412/.572--but his counting stats aren't as impressive, and it's likely that his reputation precedes him with a loft of the writers. Most of Mauer's value is in his position, his defense, and his OBP, which aren't exactly in the forefront of the voters' minds.

Francisco Rodriguez, +2500
Grady Sizemore, +2500
Kevin Youkilis, +2500
Carl Crawford, +3000
Mariano Rivera, +3000
Milton Bradley, +3000
Miguel Cabrera, +5000

Did you know K-Rod has walked 26 guys in 42 innings? That certainly doesn't portend well for his ERA over the next 2.5 months. Thigpen in '90 isn't the great comparison, since he had a better ERA (1.83), but his team didn't make the playoffs (he finished 5th). In '03, when Gagne went 55/55 with three losses and a 1.20 ERA, the Dodgers missed the playoffs and he finished sixth, while winning the Cy Young. The best comparison is probably Smoltz in 2002; 55 saves, 3.25 ERA, Braves won the division by 19 games. He finished eighth.

Field, +550
The only hitters I can reasonably makes a case for here--and this is really stretching it--are Vlad, Curtis Granderson, Jim Thome, and Magglio. I guess you can throw Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay in the mix, and maybe some unlisted closers--Papelbon, Nathan, maybe Jenks. Regardless, I can't see there being any value in this. Those guys are all real longshots.