tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post1405338206696468545..comments2024-03-17T03:18:56.070-04:00Comments on Dan Shanoff: Thursday 06/07 A.M. Quickie:LeBron, Ducks, MLB Draft, Donovan, Van Gundy, More!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-30911405607701314072007-06-07T16:56:00.000-04:002007-06-07T16:56:00.000-04:00GOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVSGOCAVJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071405721004631626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-30585251147143241792007-06-07T15:39:00.000-04:002007-06-07T15:39:00.000-04:00Tbender, That's a good point about the union not r...Tbender, That's a good point about the union not really showing much loyalty to draftees. Even taking that away, it's probably just too difficult logistically (scouting costs, etc) to incorporate international kids into the draft. <BR/><BR/>International players are like draftees though in that the prominent ones get pretty decent signing bonuses. <BR/><BR/>As for Edmonds for Kennedy and Bottenfield, at least Kennedy helped them win a WS, so he wasn't a complete waste.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-81493756207434188732007-06-07T14:41:00.000-04:002007-06-07T14:41:00.000-04:003/23/00Edmonds for Bottenfield and Kennedy.Wow. T...3/23/00<BR/>Edmonds for Bottenfield and Kennedy.<BR/><BR/>Wow. That was more lopsided than I thought.TBenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337905315011989614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-18317618316681932202007-06-07T14:36:00.000-04:002007-06-07T14:36:00.000-04:00Gil Meche has done a great job so far. 3 of his 1...Gil Meche has done a great job so far. 3 of his 13 outings he's deserved the loss, but otherwise, he's kept KC in the games. He's had 5 starts of 6 or more IP with 1 or less ER and either had a ND or a L.<BR/><BR/>Why didn't the M's keep him and leave Weaver for the termites?chipphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233463496650742328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-36190621994804063872007-06-07T14:32:00.000-04:002007-06-07T14:32:00.000-04:00Edmonds was acquired in a trade...for Bottenfield,...Edmonds was acquired in a trade...for Bottenfield, Kennedy, and someone else I think.<BR/><BR/>It's wayyyy too early on Carlos Lee...that was a 6 year deal that I fully believe will become a new "Bagwell" albatross for the Astros in years 4-6. I agree with the others though.<BR/><BR/>Todd, if I recall correctly, the union really doesn't care about draftees and the non-MLB ready international FAs because they aren't MLB level players. Most of the Latinos don't sign MLB-level contracts. They are signed to draftee type deals which puts them at the MLB minimum when they get called up -- and then the union cares about them.<BR/><BR/>Cycledan, the problem is too many times the umps have stepped in when it is clear that there was no situation or a team has instigating something knowing that they're getting a free shot.TBenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337905315011989614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-79924227013373191522007-06-07T13:20:00.000-04:002007-06-07T13:20:00.000-04:00guess I have my answer on the switching batter's b...guess I have my answer on the switching batter's box:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.baseball-rules.com/myths.htm" REL="nofollow"> Read these....<BR/></A>Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-41204022917171456062007-06-07T13:02:00.000-04:002007-06-07T13:02:00.000-04:00Here's a baseball question I was posed today, and ...Here's a baseball question I was posed today, and would love peoples' input on: <BR/><BR/>How many A-list free agents signed to multi-year deals (3 years or more, and that have switched teams) have been really good signings over the past few years?<BR/><BR/>In other words, free agent signings of high caliber players who've signed contracts to 3 or more years that have panned out well in MLB. <BR/><BR/>Here's my list:<BR/><BR/>Manny, Vlad, Beltran, Pudge, Tejada (arguable), Bonds, Dye, Mussina, Glavine (arguable). <BR/><BR/>Ones that look good but too early to tell: Ramon Hernandez, Carlos Lee, Billy Wagner<BR/><BR/>A-Rod has been a hell of a player, but I just have a hard time justifying him as a "good" signing, since Texas dumped him to the Yankees. <BR/><BR/>Was Jim Edmonds a free agent when he signed with the Cards?ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-64908336278027459422007-06-07T13:00:00.000-04:002007-06-07T13:00:00.000-04:00I think that a batter is required to stay within t...I think that a batter is required to stay within the batter's box so that he can't jump across. Besides, even if he did, he wouldn't have enough time to get set. <BR/><BR/>I never heard that a hitter couldn't switch sides once he had 2 strikes. What if a team changes pitchers when a batter has 2 strikes?<BR/><BR/>I think baseball handled it correctly regarding pitchers throwing at batters. It should be the ump's discretion. Sometimes it is really obvious it was an accident and there shouldn't be an automatic rule. Also, batters are required to try to get out of the way. Batters with plastic armor on their amrs leaning into pitches shouldn't be awarded first base but they are way too often.CycleDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08933822029791530613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-47870194839056406902007-06-07T12:47:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:47:00.000-04:00Billy Wagner could have been a great switch pitche...Billy Wagner could have been a great switch pitcher.verbal97https://www.blogger.com/profile/02282148454169067288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-87213716793359203382007-06-07T12:27:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:27:00.000-04:00@tbender, I'm cynical enough that I'm not so sure ...@tbender, <BR/><BR/>I'm cynical enough that I'm not so sure that MLB trainers aren't/haven't given PEDs to players, so I could easily see some doctors/trainers in places less regulated/policed distributing PEDs, or at the very least using illegal supplements. <BR/><BR/>As per the international draftees, I don't think it'd be legal for the 16/17 year olds that signed to get drafted in the US, due to age/school restrictions, right? <BR/><BR/>I'm sure though that players Union would argue against it though, since it divides the money. In other words, with draftees getting a ton of money, AND international signings getting a good amount, the amount of money on contracts would/could drop, especially if MLB stuck to its current recommended slotting costs.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-49429057840561544872007-06-07T12:15:00.001-04:002007-06-07T12:15:00.001-04:00Cycledan....If the pitcher comes to his set positi...Cycledan....<BR/><BR/>If the pitcher comes to his set position, couldn't the batter could jump across the plate. I sorta remember a rule that once the batter gets 2 strikes, he's not allowed to switch from hitting lefty to righty or vice-versa. <BR/><BR/>Anyone know if that's really on the books like that?Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-87093738481788625572007-06-07T12:15:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:15:00.000-04:00Thistlewarrior:I don't disagree. I pitched up thr...Thistlewarrior:<BR/>I don't disagree. I pitched up through HS and hit a few guys myself (only 1 intentionally :) ).<BR/>When MLB gave the umps the ability to warn both dugouts and give automatic ejections for retaliatory acts (in the judgement of the ump), the whole system failed. They wanted to stop the brawls, IIR. They should have moved to a "3rd man in" rule if they were serious, but in typical MLB fashion they botched it.<BR/><BR/>Plus there are other places to get your point across. Knees, Back, Ribs. Bob Gibson once said the knees were the best place to hit because they don't move (and lack the padding).<BR/><BR/>I just think that a ball up around the ears is asking for trouble -- of course, I'm biased a little by the crap Zambrano pulled on Edmonds a couple of years ago (hit him once, and then threw at his head after Jimmy homered).<BR/><BR/><BR/>Todd:<BR/>I know. There is a lot of rules that would need to be changed, but until they are the Latin countries are always going to be the bigger focus.<BR/><BR/>A scary thought about the academy thing: Those academies are run by the teams. If the kids are getting access to steroids and PEDs, then aren't the teams partially responsible?TBenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337905315011989614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-77529935027833477102007-06-07T12:14:00.001-04:002007-06-07T12:14:00.001-04:00I thought I read something by Neyer or Keith Law a...I thought I read something by Neyer or Keith Law awhile back that said the switch pitcher really wasn't very good, that he was mediocre on both sides, and the splits on him weren't as good as they should've been or something like that. <BR/><BR/>What I'm more surprised at is that there are no tennis players that use two forehands (left and right). I know you'd have to shift your hands at the set position, but there would be definite reach and power advantages seemingly too, right?ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-78608799764685378362007-06-07T12:14:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:14:00.000-04:00shades of Greg Harris, pitching with a 6-finger gl...shades of Greg Harris, pitching with a 6-finger glove?<BR/><BR/>I see nobody's voting for that hideous BCS cubic-zirconia atrocity.<BR/><BR/>Sharapova got her butt kicked this morning.<BR/><BR/>Without Joey Crawford, how can the Cavs win a game? :)Brian in Oxfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16053368055698118199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-41180894472344142852007-06-07T12:09:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:09:00.000-04:00Thanks guyinthecorner. I have discussed with frien...Thanks guyinthecorner. I have discussed with friends over the years, why hasn't there ever been a switch pitcher. Obviously it is not as easy as being a switch hitter but in all the years ...<BR/><BR/>What happens when a switch pitcher faces a switch hitter? Who gets the advantage. The pitcher puts on his righty glove and the batter jumps over to the other batter's box and the pitcher changes gloves again? I am serious. This issue is bothering me. Who gets to decide, the pitcher or the batter?CycleDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08933822029791530613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-50164483244654754452007-06-07T12:05:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:05:00.000-04:00Rafael, Sorry, you're right. I guess I don't conce...Rafael, Sorry, you're right. I guess I don't concentrate on knowing who is what nationality too much. I am not sure what I thought Palmeiro was - maybe Italian. <BR/><BR/>Still my point is that I find it hard to believe that MLB is intentionally trying to test and suspend Latino players for drug use over other players.<BR/><BR/>I think the best explanation for more Latinos getting busted is that they are not doing as good a job at cheating. There are all sorts of ways of beating tests. There are masking agents, timetables and specific dosages allowing drugs to be taken while avoiding positive tests. The American players probably know the better doctors.<BR/><BR/>As for Sheffield's comment, if I was Hispanic, I would find it insulting. Actually I find it insulting and I am not even Hispanic.CycleDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08933822029791530613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-77139706944346639682007-06-07T11:56:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:56:00.000-04:00I'm pretty sure that the player to warch in the ML...I'm pretty sure that the player to warch in the MLB draft is Pat Venditte. You know...<BR/><BR/><B><I>THE SWITCH PITCHER</B></I><BR/><BR/>If you haven't heard the story just google him. I can't believe that he's legitimate from both arms. That's the coolest thing ever. I hope the O's draft him.<BR/><BR/>I think that he might turn into a circus attraction though.GuyInTheCornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10281686811471557576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-83561008724643688422007-06-07T11:42:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:42:00.000-04:00Not only is the Stanley Cup the best trophy, each ...Not only is the Stanley Cup the best trophy, each of the players get to have it for a day. Some drink out of it. I think I heard someone make jello in it. To me, that no only makes the Stanley Cup the best trophy, but the most special, as well.<BR/><BR/>I'm disappointed that my Sharks weren't the first California team to win the Cup. But, I'm happy for Teemu Selanne, an ex-Shark, for waiting for 15 years to win the Cup.WuzUpGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17432324921980566815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-68659993963459785172007-06-07T11:32:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:32:00.000-04:00Lost in the Ozzie Guillen and Sheffield comments w...Lost in the Ozzie Guillen and Sheffield comments was what Carlos Guillen said, in that he thought there was some truth in what Sheffield said. <BR/><BR/>In other words, Carlos Guillen agreed that the kids in the Academies in Latin America do for the most part do what they're told, for fear that they could be sent back home. That actually seems pretty logical to me. <BR/><BR/>So, to me at least, there doesn't seem to be that far of a jump to make that the 16-17 year old kids in these academies could be more likely to take steroids, since they would be less likely to object against trainers, and will do anything to stay, (assuming what Carlos Guillen says is correct). <BR/><BR/>Obviously, the danger of what Sheffield said was making too gross of a stereotype, including all players. And I haven't read all of Ozzie's comments, so I'm not sure if he explained it more in depth, or just made sweeping generalizations, so I won't chastize him yet...ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-9789640751956177672007-06-07T11:28:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:28:00.000-04:00TBender, as a former pitcher (albeit softball) I t...TBender, as a former pitcher (albeit softball) I think that an automatic 1 gm suspension is a bit harsh. Even professionals can accendentally bean hitters and such a rule could have some unintended consequences. It could give batters, particularly those who like to crowd the plate, an unfair advantage since pitchers would be less likely to pitch inside. The intent/situation needs to be considered, although I know making it subjective opens a whole new can of worms.thistlewarriorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12933316654294968024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-8072256283246412122007-06-07T11:20:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:20:00.000-04:00As per the argument that Latino players are being ...As per the argument that Latino players are being unfairly targeted in steroid investigations/punishments, I don't think it's an intentional racism issue so much as an institutional racism issue, in that I'm guessing US/Canadian players are able to get non-banned supplements easier than Latin American players. Like Ortiz said, in the DR and other players, you're not as sure what it is that you're taking. Not to mention that it's pretty likely IMO that a lot of the academies themselves encouraged young 16-17 year olds to take steroids, to help their bodies fill out sooner. <BR/><BR/>Also, a few years ago I know there were a lot of complaints by some of the Latin American players that the new PED rules weren't being properly translated/communicated to the players in the academies, etc. I would hope that's been remedied slightly, but still it does represent that there is a bit of a history there.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-50799606148975525412007-06-07T11:15:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:15:00.000-04:00Tbender, I think there are a ton of logistical rea...Tbender, I think there are a ton of logistical reasons that you can't internationalize the draft as much, part of which is that international players are signed as early as age 16 I believe. But I'm also sure there's a union issue as well that prevents this from happening. <BR/><BR/>CM, that's fair, I just made a list of trophies in general, but for championship trophies, yes, the Heisman would definitely not be applicable. I also had a tough time deciding if the Green Jacket was a 'trophy' per se. Also, as per the people suggesting the Indy 500 trophy, I generally associate the drinking of milk as being more associated with winning Indy than the trophy, which is really cool though.ToddTheJackasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06333015679479284215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-80001742388710396522007-06-07T11:09:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:09:00.000-04:00Todd - Not sure if the Heisman can be included in ...Todd - Not sure if the Heisman can be included in this debate. It is not a Championship Trophy.CMFosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291296862033162143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-32673868129321500132007-06-07T11:08:00.000-04:002007-06-07T11:08:00.000-04:00One thing about Latino players that hasn't been me...One thing about Latino players that hasn't been mentioned much is the fact that they aren't subject to the draft. So when the teams setup their academies they have total control of those players. Setting up similar academies here preps the kids for everyone because they have to go into the draft.<BR/><BR/>If you were an MLB team, which would you rather do?<BR/><BR/>Thus, the draft needs revamped to include all players worldwide.TBenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337905315011989614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33624629.post-85685554913737109452007-06-07T11:03:00.001-04:002007-06-07T11:03:00.001-04:00One problem Thistlewarrior with retaliation is MLB...One problem Thistlewarrior with retaliation is MLB now works to prevent it, giving the instigating side a free pass.<BR/><BR/>Suspend any pitcher who beans a batter for 1 game (or start) OR quit trying to regulate what was already regulated -- you hit one of ours, one of yours is getting plunked too.TBenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337905315011989614noreply@blogger.com