Posts belonging to Category Teams

–       Sure, the Yankees are one of, if not the most storied franchise in baseball.  They have a history of being larger than life, no doubt.  However, do they really believe that they are in a position to complain about rescheduling a couple games due to a freaking hurricane?  Forget being happy about the fact that they were not the ones trying to gather the pieces of their lives and put them back together.  Forget the fact that the payroll of that organization could provide a lending hand and still turn a profit of a billion dollars.  Nope, they want to complain about rescheduling baseball games.  Go be the whales you are NY, and blow it out your hole.

–       Congrats to the kids from Cali.  They took home the LLWS title in a most dramatic, walk-off fashion over the weekend.  The only way this game could have been better would have been if the SS from Japan had not booted the opportunity to turn two the batter before, and the game went to extras for a walk off victory.  I feel for the little guy.

–       It might just be that I am a former Tommy John victim, but following Stephen Strasburg’s Phoenix-like rise from the ashes of an operating table is remarkable.  The fact that he will return to the Nationals around September 6^th is downright absurd.  Man, am I glad to say I saw him pitch live once in my lifetime.  An arm like that is once in a lifetime folks.  I suggest you watch it every chance you get.

–       Jamie Moyer is still rehabbing from his own Tommy John surgery and believes he will be ready and able to pitch again in the bigs next season.  The dude turns 49 in just a few months.  Good luck, partner.  I am definitely in your corner.

–       I can’t wait to see the Moneyball movie next month.  I only hope that Hollywood does not ruin it for me.  I also am afraid that the average person who goes to that movie will not be able to truly understand, or appreciate what that story is about.  It forever changed the way that not only baseball, but all sports, are viewed, played, and managed from the front office on down.

–       I am not sure what is happening at The Ballpark in Arlington, but this is starting to become downright ridiculous.

–       Go Astros!  We were able to win in extra innings last night, despite the fact that we are basically a Triple-A team right now.  Wandy Rodriguez on the bump tonight (a fellow southpaw), and I expect him to record 8 K’s against the Pirates.

Top 1: Michael Bourn struck out swinging against Chris Capuano

Top 4: Bourn struck out swinging against Capuano

Top 7: Bourn struck out swinging against Capuano

Top 9: Bourn struck out swinging against Capuano

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: On Friday night against the Mets, Bourn struck out to lead off the game and ended it in the same manner.  Capuano had the best outing of his career, as the left-hander fired a two-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts and no walks.  I’m not sure what the official total is (don’t worry, I’ll look it up for the next one), but there have probably been about 10 sombreros out of the leadoff spot this season.  And while I have your attention, I feel as though it’s necessary to point out that The Golden Sombrero is the proud sponsor of Michael Bourn’s Baseball-Reference page.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 98

Bottom 2: Adam Lind grounded out to second against Jeff Francis

Bottom 4: Lind called out on strikes against Francis

Bottom 6: Lind struck out swinging against Francis

Bottom 8: Lind struck out swinging against Greg Holland

Bottom 9: Lind struck out swinging against Joakim Soria

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: One of three players to register a platinum sombrero in 2010, Lind got on the board with a golden sombrero against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.  After hitting .311 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI in June, Lind tailed off in July (.210, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and his struggles have only intensified in August – .181 (17-for-94), 3 HR, 14 RBI, 20 K, 0 BB.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 97

Top 1: Mike Carp struck out swinging against Josh Tomlin

Top 3: Carp singled to center against Tomlin

Top 5: Carp struck out swinging against Tomlin

Top 6: Carp called out on strikes against Joe Smith

Top 7: Carp struck out swinging against Rafael Perez

Top 9: Carp grounded out to first against Vinnie Pestano

Final Line: 1-for-6, 4 K

Notes: With the Mariners leading 9-2 entering the ninth inning, Carp stepped to the plate for a chance at the first platinum sombrero of the season.  But like so many others, he was able hold-off history and put the ball in play.  After posting a .449 wOBA and .307 ISO this season between two stints (66 games) at Triple-A, Carp has cooled off considerably since snapping a 20-game hit streak on August 22.  Since then, the first baseman has gone 3-for-27 with one XBH and two RBI.  With a 27.8 K% and .385 BABIP, Carp is prone to slump.  So in reality, the fact that he put together a 20-game hit streak is pretty remarkable.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 96

–       I am glad to see Jim Thome waive his no trade clause and return to Cleveland.  He is the anti-LeBron for that city, not to mention they could really use his bat to make a final push at the playoffs.

–       Talk about a grand showing by the Yankees last night.  Did anyone else find it as fitting as I did that Curtis Granderson was the guy to hit the record setting 3^rd grand slam?  Thank goodness it wasn’t Derek Jeter.  I am tired of hearing people talk about how great he still is.

–       Just to point out a few stats the back up my claim that despite his recent “resurgence” at the plate, Jeter is still not very good anymore.  His .299 avg. is completely hollow.  His isolated power stands at a paltry .088 (lowest of his career).  This in turn leads to his meager .388 slugging percentage and an OPS of only .747.  He is on pace to set career lows in runs scored and total bases.  I am not here to pile on with the Jeter haters.  I just wish people would put it into perspective that despite his mashing of late, he is still set to have one of the worst years of his career.  Dude is still a 1^st ballot HOF though…so don’t get it twisted.

–       Those of you who saw California’s Braydon Salzman take a comebacker right of the brim of his hat witnessed something amazing.  For the science behind why he was not killed immediately upon impact check out this video from ESPN’s Sport Science.

–       I watched The Sandlot last night on AMC and was reminded of why that movie is the Best Baseball Movie of All Time.  For more details on that, look for my write up on the movie to come out later today.

–       Lenny Dykstra has been charged with indecent exposure.  Supposedly he exposed himself to women he met on Craigslist…Hello ladies, why else do you think a washed-up, has-been, like Lenny Dykstra wants to meet you based on an internet personal ad?

–       And ending on a good note for my Astros today, we actually won a real, live, major league baseball game last night!