Posts belonging to Category Major League Baseball

In late September, with only a few games remaining in the regular season, I wrote a column that highlighted Alexei Ramirez’s outstanding season at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox.  More importantly, I contended that he should be the recipient of the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop.  However, after Tuesday’s disconcerting announcement that Derek Jeter had won the Gold Glove over Alexei Ramirez, I became perturbed by the thought that the Rawlings Silver Slugger Award might ultimately be just another popularity contest.

Thankfully, logic prevailed on Thursday as Ramirez was awarded the first Louisville Silver Slugger Award of his career, ending Jeter’s four-year stranglehold over the honor.

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The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Nomar Garciaparra 1992 Topps Traded Team USA

Fun Fact: The only shortstop in history to win more consecutive batting titles than Nomar was Honus Wagner, who won four straight from 1906 to 1909.

The San Francisco Giants drafted Brandon Belt — a 6’5,” lefthanded first baseman — in the 5th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft.  Making a stop at each minor league level in 2010, Belt posted a 1.075 OPS that included 43 doubles, 23 home runs and 112 RBI.  Also impressive is the fact that he drew 93 walks while only striking out 99 times in 492 at-bats.  If the Giants are unable, or choose not to resign veteran Aubrey Huff, then Belt could be the Giants new 1B as early as 2011. In case you have not seen him absolutely rake, here is a video of Belt taking batting practice before an Arizona Fall League game on November 1st:

As we have already mentioned on this site, the selections for the Gold Glove were confusing.  With guys like Jeter winning this once prestigious award, it may be best to now consider it completely meaningless.  What a joke.  Papi’s option was picked up and will inevitably be regarded as a gross overpayment.  This is the one that baffles me, though: Cliff Lee is asking for 7 years at over $160 million.  What?  This guy is 32.

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Since the announcement that Derek Jeter won the American League Golden Glove Award at shortstop on Tuesday afternoon, Chicago White Sox fans, as well as most of the baseball blogging community, have explicitly expressed their outrage and disgust with the selection.

How is it possible that Jeter (-4.7 UZR) received the award over Alexei Ramirez (10.8 UZR) of the Chicago White Sox? To offer insight into this ghastly discrepancy, here is a compilation of the web’s best articles regarding yesterday’s disconcerting announcement:

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