Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in angelsmathis' LiveJournal:

Tuesday, December 26th, 2006
5:36 pm	Update on Ozzie's Wet Dream and Onto Jeeves' (not so wet) Dream Crisis averted. Apparently Bruce Levine reported on the radio that the Sox are not the team that offered the 3-year $15 mil contract to Alex Gonzalez. Those sounds you here are the collective sigh of relief by Sox fans and Ozzie's stiffled sobs as his dream player won't be coming to Chicago. While that rumor died fast, there are even more rumors circulating around the Sox. It looks like yet another team has entered the Freddy Garcia derby. According to the Sun Times Among the more interesting scenarios is a pitch that sources say the Los Angeles Angels made for right-hander Freddy Garcia, whom they highly covet. The Angels' deal would call for a package that includes right-hander Ervin Santana, who turns 24 on Dec. 12. Santana, who went 16-8 with a 4.28 ERA, has been dangled by the Angels in talks about acquiring offensive help. But they would part with their key trading chip to land Garcia, 30, who has done some of his best work at Angel Stadium, going 8-1 with a 2.99 ERA during his career. I'm praying that this rumor is true. While Ervin is no Johan Santana, he is still a damn good pitcher and certainly is worthy of the Santana surname. If I was Kenny, I would pull the trigger on Santana for Freddy straight up, let alone a package including Santana. Odds are, this rumor will never come to fruition, because it would be a ridiculous move for the Angels to make. Garcia looked good with his cutter, but he will be a free agent after next season, whereas Santana is locked up for four more years. (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006
1:13 pm	The Good News a new MLB labor accord, the Bad News a new MLB labor ... Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association Sunday night hours before game two of the 2006 World Series the two sides reached a five year extension on the collective bargaining agreement the two parties reached on August 30, 2002. The current four-year CBA which encompassed four baseball seasons (2003 through 2006) was set to expire on December 19, 2006. Bud Selig and MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr are expected to hold a press conference in St. Louis as early as today, where games three, four and five of the World Series will be played. The Selig/Fehr press conference follows the current NBA CBA announced before game five of the 2005 NBA Finals in San Antonio. With 1,800 accredited media covering the Fall Classic, the World Series is a prefect platform for Selig and Fehr to present a united front. There are many questions yet to be answered, but several key issues have been settled. Major League Baseball will remain the only major North American sport without a salary cap (maximum team payrolls), or a salary floor (minimum team payrolls). Revenue sharing and a luxury tax will remain in place, but it appears certain big market franchises can and will continue to spend whatever they wish on team payrolls, and franchises at the other end of the spectrum (those receiving revenue sharing like the Kansas City Royals) won’t be forced to take the money they’re receiving from their partners and put that money back into their payroll. The 1994 baseball strike which directly led to the cancellation of the 1994 World Series was based on the owners’ insistence to share incoming revenues with players on an equal basis (down from the estimated 56 percent the players where receiving at the time) the elimination of salary arbitration and phasing in a salary cap. Once again it was ‘back to the future.’ The elimination of arbitration would have effectively tied a player to the team he was drafted by for the first six years of his MLB career with the team having the ability to control a player’s salary for that six year period. The end result – Donald Fehr recommended the players reject the proposal which the MLBPA estimated would have cost the players $1.5 billion over the lifetime of the proposed CBA. The year long National Hockey League lockout in large part accomplished its objective because NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had spent more than five years educating franchise owners the NHL could have a salary cap, but only if the owners remained united in their resolve. The National Hockey League Players Association made it clear to their membership, if NHL players wanted to maintain the NHL’s version of a free market system the players would have to have the same conviction the owners had. The players blinked first, NHL owners had their salary cap, tied directly to hockey generated revenue. Gary Bettman learnt how to manage franchise owners at the foot of NBA commissioner David Stern. Bettman worked for Stern and the NBA before he became the NHL’s first commissioner in 1993. (Prior to Bettman the NHL designated a President as the head of their league). The NHL was a business run amok, 76 percent of league revenues went directly to the players. The NHL needed a new economic system or the league was faced with the real potential of collapsing as a business. Bud Selig may not be the commissioner Gary Bettman is, but Major League Baseball isn’t the National Hockey League. The 1996 CBA included a provision of a competitive balance tax. Major League Baseball taxed the franchises with the five highest payrolls contributing to a fund that would be distributed to baseball teams at the other end of the spectrum. While on the surface the system may have made sense, “The Robin Hood affect” taking from the rich to give to the poor, didn’t include any safeguards forcing teams benefiting from adding to their payrolls. The 2002 CBA added another ‘tax’ on teams with large payrolls, a luxury tax. Major League Baseball established what Selig believed would create a ‘drag’ on team payrolls. Teams would be tax based on a downward graduating scale. The tax would also increase each year their payroll surpassed the threshold. On September 9, 2002 the owners approved a four year CBA 29-1 (the lone descending vote where the New York Yankees). MLB which had tried to introduce contraction before the 2002 CBA agreed to take that proposal off the table for four years. Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad and the Montreal Expos (then owned by current Florida Marlins owners Jeffrey Loria) agreed their two franchises would be contracted by Major League Baseball. Pohlad and Loria reach the agreement with MLB in 2001 with Selig’s goal to contract the two franchises before the 2002 season. A series of lawsuits initially postponed that plan until 2003. A clause in the 2002 CBA included a provision preventing MLB from contracting any franchises until the end of the current CBA. It’s likely when the new CBA is announced this week MLB will agree to extend their ban on contracting franchises. When the new CBA is announced in the next few days it will be more of the same, and in that business philosophy belies the problem MLB will face in the next five years. Esteemed baseball business analyst Maury Brown publisher of The Biz of Baseball.com in a report he prepared for Hardball Times offered the cold hard truth, the facts and the figures when it comes to who gives, who receives and what if anything happens as a result relating to the dynamics of the current MLB CBA. The following is a breakdown, based on the plan outlined above for those that are payers into the system. To place some context behind this, these 13 clubs moved $312 million to the 17 lower revenue clubs. Team Amount paid (millions) New York Yankees $76 Boston Red Sox $52 Chicago Cubs $32 Seattle Mariners $25 New York Mets $24 Los Angeles Dodgers $20 St. Louis Cardinals $19 Chicago White Sox $18 San Francisco Giants $14 Houston Astros $11 Los Angeles Angels $11 Atlanta Braves $10 Texas Rangers $.035 Is it any wonder George Steinbrenner is looking for a loophole to get out of some of these revenue sharing obligations? That is a key loophole that the lower revenue making clubs will zero in on as a portion of stadium construction can be deducted from revenue sharing obligations as it is viewed as "operating expenses" and therefore falls within section 5 of the revenue sharing provision of the current agreement. While that's a concern for the lower revenue making clubs, the payees also have to concern themselves with how they are using their revenue sharing funds. Here are the payees under the revenue sharing system: Team Amount received (Millions) Tampa Bay Devil Rays $33 Toronto Blue Jays $31 Florida Marlins $31 Kansas City Royals $30 Detroit Tigers $25 Pittsburgh Pirates $25 Milwaukee Brewers $24 Minnesota Twins $22 Oakland Athletics $19 Cincinnati Reds $16 Colorado Rockies $16 Arizona Diamondbacks $13 Cleveland Indians $6.0 Philadelphia Phillies $5.8 San Diego Padres $5.7 Washington Nationals $3.9 Baltimore Orioles $2.0 So, back to that provision within the CBA where clubs are supposed to use the revenue sharing monies to improve on the field performance... The loophole, of course, is that you can "improve" your on the field performance any number of ways, be it investing in scouting, or farm systems, or what have you. The verbiage in the provision is vague, in that sense. But, let's just look at those as payees and their Opening Day payrolls and see whether the clubs are using revenue sharing dollars toward improving on-the-field product: Club Revenue Sharing Opening Day Payroll Difference Tampa Bay Devil Rays $33,000,000 $35,417,967 -$2,417,967 Toronto Blue Jays $31,000,000 $71,915,000 -$40,915,000 Florida Marlins $31,000,000 $14,998,500 +$16,001,500 Kansas City Royals $30,000,000 $47,294,000 -$17,294,000 Detroit Tigers $25,000,000 $82,612,866 -$57,612,866 Pittsburgh Pirates $25,000,000 $46,717,750 -$21,717,750 Milwaukee Brewers $24,000,000 $57,568,333 -$33,568,333 Minnesota Twins $22,000,000 $63,396,006 -$41,396,006 Oakland Athletics $19,000,000 $62,243,079 -$43,243,079 Cincinnati Reds $16,000,000 $60,909,519 -$44,909,519 Colorado Rockies $16,000,000 $41,233,000 -$25,909,519 Arizona Diamondbacks $13,000,000 $59,684,226 -$46,684,226 Cleveland Indians $6,000,000 $56,031,500 -$50,031,500 Philadelphia Phillies $5,800,000 $88,273,333 -$82,473,333 San Diego Padres $5,700,000 $69,896,141 -$64,196,141 Washington Nationals $3,900,000 $63,143,000 -$59,243,000 Baltimore Orioles $2,000,000 $72,585,582 -$70,585,582 So, of the 17 clubs that are receiving revenue sharing, five clubs have actually spent less than $40 million of their own money on player payroll (Devil Rays, Royals, Pirates, Brewers, Rockies), and even that could be generous as the USA Today Opening Day Payroll figures do not reflect payments teams receive as compensation in some player trades in the individual or team salaries. The business of baseball has never been better. Major League Baseball established an attendance record for the third consecutive season. More than 76 million people attended MLB games in 2006. Heading into the 2007 Major League Baseball has national over-the-air and cable TV agreements with Fox, ESPN and Turner Broadcasting that will on average generate $710 million per year, an average of $23.6 million annually, and a far cry from $106 million each NFL team receives from their national TV agreement. Remember NFL franchises share all television revenues; MLB teams have varying local television rights agreements, creating a disparity in revenues MLB teams can generate. Last week while in St. Louis for the National League Championship Series Selig sang the praises of how great the business of baseball is in 2006. Selig pointed out MLB generated league wide revenues of $3.6 billion in 2001. In 2006 that total increased to $5.1 billion. "I had dreams of things getting better but, no, in many ways this has exceeded my fondest expectations," Selig said last Tuesday night in St. Louis . "This sport has more parity than ever. We have more parity than any other sport." Give Bud credit for this, he has put in place a system that continues the free market system, penalizes franchises that consistently spend money without any regard to their teams’ payroll, and puts in place a system that provides teams at the other end of the baseball spectrum the means to build their payroll through revenues provided by teams capable of generating significantly greater revenues. The YES Network may produce more than $200 million in annual revenues for the New York Yankees, but in large part thanks to the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays where sent a $33 million check by Major League Baseball. The Florida Marlins where sent a check for $31 million. The Marlins opening day payroll was just north of $14 million. Where does the responsibility lie in a system that gives tens of millions of dollars to owners who refuse to invest those revenues directly back into their product? Is it the Yankees and the Red Sox who aren’t getting it right or the Marlins and the Royals who are getting it wrong? "It's great to hear that the sides are closing in," former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent told the Boston Globe. "It makes great sense to get something done before the agreement expires. The economics of the game are excellent -- attendance records were broken -- so there's no reason to make drastic changes. Both sides are making a lot of money. I think you have to be realistic that there's no sense in tinkering with what works." "There are no salary cap issues, no major shift by the union. The union is still very much in control and as long as the owners are all right with that, they'll get along. I would think a big issue would be revenue sharing and the luxury tax to make sure those clubs benefiting with that spend their money on players," Vincent added in the Boston Globe report. If the National Football League, National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League all have salary caps and salary floors, and Major League Baseball doesn’t have that economic system in place, which system is better? The NFL shares 83 percent of all of their revenues and remains the greatest single example of sports socialism. The NBA was headed towards destruction in 1984 when David Stern became commissioner. Stern instituted a salary cap and dramatically increased revenue sharing. The NBA flourished as a result. The NHL professional sports version of The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor had no choice but to force economic controls on their owners. In each case the salary cap came after protracted labor stoppages. The difference between the MLBPA and the player unions in the other three so called major North American sports is in the determination and resolve of the players. From that first fateful day Marvin Miller was elected as the first executive director for the MLBPA, Miller instilled in the players an understanding how they could move forward in the free market system. The average player salary in 1966 was $17,000. Ten years later in 1976 (the last year before free agency, but with salary arbitration in place) the average salary increased to $51,501. Five years later in 1980, the average salary increased to $143,756. The average player salary was $1.1 million in 1995, the first season after the 1994-95 strike. It rose to just under $2.3 million in 2002 and will be about $2.7 million this year. The average likely will top $3 million next year or in 2008. Will Major League Baseball ever see a salary cap – it now appears unlikely. The reality is, the system is working better then it ever has. If you’re a fan of the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees your teams generate enough revenues they can afford to pay whatever they want for players, and if they’re taxed so be it, they can afford that too. Baseball fans shouldn’t care what happens in Boston or New York . However, if you’re a baseball fan in Kansas City or Miami and you’re upset your owner claims he doesn’t generate enough money to field a competitive team, just make sure your team is at least spending all of the money they’re being sent by Major League Baseball as part of the leagues revenue sharing program. For Sports Business News this is Howard Bloom. Sources cited in this Insider Report: The Upcoming CBA and the Battles Within It (Part 2) - Revenue Sharing (Hardball Times, written by Maury Brown), The Boston Globe and Revenue Sharing in Major League Baseball by Matthew Ryan McCarthy (Comment on this)
Friday, September 29th, 2006
7:44 am	D-Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Near Disney Land Tidbits The Rays enter this series 41 and friggin' 58, 3.5 games behind the Horioles and 6,242 games behind the Red Hose in the AL East. The Rays are so far behind Boston right now, they should just move the team to Anchorage, Alaska. When the season started, we hoped for a .500 season...Then the goal was to finish ahead of Baltimore in the highly competitive AL East...Now we just want the team to stop embarrasing themselves.The Angelinos are 50-48, in 3rd place in the AL west but only 1 game behind Oakland and a half game behind Texas, both of whom are about as scared as a fastball approaching Vlad Guerrero's thunder stick. After James Shields won his big-league debut against the Angels, on June 5, the Angels have won the last 5 matchups, including a 3-gmae sweep last week. Last time the Devils faced the Angels...no not that time...the last time the Devil RAYS faced the Angels, we got on Halo's Heaven for calling for the promotion of Howie Kendrick, to replace the veteran Adam Kennedy during the penant race. Well, we must eat at least a little crow for that one. Since thenm, Kendrick has been recalled and is platooning at 2B. He has handled himself very well so far, with 3 hits in his first game back and hits in each of his 4 starts and 5 RBI. We still think that Mike Scioscia (one of our all-time favorite players) is too smart and too old-school to give Kendrick very many starts and ABs down the stretch.Speaking Halo's Heaven and platooning. They are now calling for an all-platoon lineup. By all-platoon, they of course mean that Super-Vlad would start against righties and Mega-Vlad would start against southpaws.Vlad, Vlad, Vlad...blah, blah, blah...Juan Rivera has 8 home runs this month and 3 multi-HR games in July.Its good to play at The Pit...The Rays have the 2nd biggest disparity between home and road record in the Majors. They are 24-21 at The Pit and 17-37 on the road. The Twins have a 37-11 record at home and 19-30 on the road. Probable Pitchers Monday, 7:15 et Los Angeles John Lackey, LHP (8-6, 2.93) Devil Rays Jae Seo, RHP (2-8, 5.44) Tuesday, 7:15 et Los Angeles Ervin Santana, RHP (11-3, 4.03) Devil Rays James Shields, RHP (4-4, 5.75) Wednesday, 12:15 et Los Angeles Bartolo Colon, RHP (1-5, 4.55) Devil Rays Casey Fossum, LHP (4-3, 4.84) (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 29th, 2006
6:36 pm	bitter - SWEET! [July 26th] -- Two of the Nationals' best players said their good-byes at RFK Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Throughout the team's sweep of the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, the wins and the game's drama have taken a back seat to what is going on behind the scenes in Jim Bowden's office and on Jim Bowden's blackberry. When will Alfonso Soriano be traded? Where will Livan Hernandez go? And when will it happen? The Nationals, as constructed, are a pretty good team. We all know, however, that the team is just days, perhaps hours away from being sliced and diced by baseball's version of the veg-o-matic. Where once stood Dr. Evil will soon be "Mini Me." The "good" will soon be replaced by both the "bad" and the "ugly." It's going to be hard to watch. So let us enjoy the good while we can. The good: Once again, young Ryan Zimmerman showed that he is one of the best third baseman in the National League today. Zimmerman walked and hit a long home run off the back wall in left-center field. His batting average is back above .290, and, more importantly, his on-base percentage is .357, excellent for a rookie. He may develop into a power hitting third baseman like Chipper Jones, or he may develop into a high average third baseman like Wade Boggs. If the planets align just "so," he might develop into both. Alfonso Soriano, in what must have been his last at-bat as a National at RFK, homered in his first at bat for the 30th time in his career. Of course, I don't know anything that you don't, and this is pure conjecture, but I'm afraid that Soriano's high-water mark in terms of value returned in a trade passed over the weekend. Until now, it was the suitors who were frantic that they were going to be out-bid, now it's Bowden who is worried that if he doesn't "adjust" his asking price, he might be forced to trade his star player for a couple of nobodies and a suitcase full of cash, or worse still, keep him in Washington for the rest of the season. Bowden had better pull the trigger in the next 48 hours or run the risk of having Nationals' fans think the Kearns-Lopez trade was more the ineptness of the other team's GM rather than any brilliance on Bowden's part (Bowden and "brilliance" in the same sentence? When's the last time that happened?) Livan Hernandez did exactly what he had to do to continue to whet the appetites of baseball's pennant contenders. Over his last three outings, Livan has averaged 6+ innings, allowing three runs and six hits while striking out four. Other general manager's will now forget all the flotsom and jetsom floating around from earlier this year and concentrate on the fact that Livan has proven that he is capable of keeping any team in any game against any pitcher. That's all they needed to know. The Nationals are now assured of a solid prospect, maybe two for Hernandez. That helps greatly since Jose Guillen and Jose Vidro, both injured and both now past their prime, will bring us nothing this year. What a wonderful home-stand this was. Six games played, six games won. The team broke their consecutive 30,000 + attendance mark at five this afternoon, but only by less than 300. The team now heads to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers, owners of one of the worst post-all star game records in the National League. Who knows, the winning streak might continue. More than likely, however, the Nationals will begin to look like a minor league team as it begins to lose player after player, night after night. Once the trades are all finished, they might be a minor league team. But it has to happen, and I understand the motives for the moves. That said, this is a good team, and could have been a great one with another pitcher or two. Sadly, we'll never know. Nats Notes: Former Nats' president Tony Taveres has been sued for allegedly slapping a former employee. Nice ... Austin Kearns got three hits in Thursday's game and is now batting .271 ... Micah Bowie pitched a ho-hum 1-2-3 8th inning and lowered his ERA to 1.35 ... Ryan Church went hitless for the first time since returning to the lineup last weekend ... Felipe Lopez stole his 26th base of the season. Fox Sports Lists Nats - Angels As Trade that "Has To Happen" As if you wanted to read more about Alfonso Soriano. Foxsports.com has an article that lists trades that need to happen. Number four is Alfonso Soriano to the Los Angeles Angels: 4. Alfonso Soriano To The Angels "If recent rumors are any guide, Nats outfielder Alfonso Soriano may soon be on his way to the White Sox. However, Chicago (who ranks first in the AL in runs scored but only ninth in bullpen ERA) instead needs to be focusing on bringing in a Roberto Hernandez or similarly skilled middleman. The offense is fine. Alfonso Soriano has recently stated that he'd prefer to stay in Washington. As for the Angels, despite a number of injuries, disappointing performances and tactical missteps, they're only a game out in the eminently winnable AL West. If the Halos are to make strides, then they'll need to improve the lineup. Presently, they rank 11th in the 14-team AL in runs scored and 12th in slugging percentage. In specific terms, they need power. In left field, they've got organizational stalwart Garret Anderson. Anderson has a productive history, and he's as likeable and intelligent a player as there is in the game today. However, Anderson (2006 batting line: .259 AVG/.305 OBP/.398 SLG) has been all kinds of awful this season at the plate, and in the field he's no longer the defender he once was. If the Angels are to take the West, they need to make the difficult call and bench Anderson in favor of someone who can hit. Someone who can hit, thy name is Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is slugging .594 on the year and ranks second in the NL with 31 bombs despite playing half his games in pitcher-friendly RFK. That's power and lots of it. Soriano, who has the Yankees, Tigers, White Sox, Dodgers and others in the derby for his services, will probably cost quite a bit on trade market. However, the Angels have a rich farm system and can assemble the necessary package without parting with top talents like Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick. Soriano's a better fit in Anaheim than he is on the South Side of Chicago." I still think that Soriano is going to end up in the AL Central, with the White Sox, Tigers, perhaps even the Twins now that they are hot-hot-hot. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
11:40 am	Baseball Tonight 8-12-06 Yesterday I didn't know who Joe Saunders was. Today, he's on my fantasy team as he shutdown the Yankees yesterday and is responsible for my sole loss. To be honest there aren't very many must-see matchups today, except probably the Tigers/White Sox, but I'm not picking Sox games anymore. So here's the best of the rest. New York Yankees (67-45 1st AL East Jaret Wright 8-6 4.38) vs. Los Angeles Angels (60-56 2nd AL West Kelvim Escobar 8-9 3.73)-This game features two pitchers who have thrown a lot better lately than their numbers lead you to believe. Jaret Wright is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his last two starts, while Escobar is 3-0 with a 2.77 over his last six. Should be a close game, but I'm taking the Yankees cuz they don't lose 3 in a row all that often. (TV-FOX 1:20PM Est.)Los Angeles Dodgers (60-56 1st AL West Brad Penny 12-5 3.43) vs. San Francisco Giants (54-61 5th NL West Matt Cain 8-8 4.62)-One of baseball's greatest rivalries features baseball's hottest team right now. With last night's 3-2 win the Dodgers have now won 13 out of 14, and have gone from third place in the NL West at 5 games out, to first place with a 1.5 game lead. Today they send their ace, Brad Penny, to the mound. The Dodgers have been good to me this season, and I'm taking them again today. (TV-FOX 4:10PM Est.)Arizona Diamondbacks (58-57 3rd NL West Brandon Webb 12-4 2.74) vs. Florida Marlins (54-61 3rd AL East Scott Olsen 9-5 3.92)-Brandon Webb makes his first start since July 31st when he beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He missed his last start due to arm stiffness in his left forearm. Since he's a righty he shouldn't have any problems today. Olsen has lost his last 2 starts for the Marlins, and is going against the favorite for the National League Cy Young. I'm gonna take Arizona. (TV-Local 9:40PM Est.) Last Night: 2-1 (W-Blue Jays Athletics L-Yankees Season: 36-36 (Ahh, the sweet smell of mediocrity.) (Comment on this)
Friday, August 11th, 2006
10:59 am	Game 101: Reality entering my baseball world Final Score: Boston Red Sox 3, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8I wish that rain delay went a little longer. Like 5 hours longer. After two hours of waiting, the rain finally let up and the tarp on the field followed. Lester started sharp (including a patented escape artist 5th) but really fell apart in the 7th when he gave up 4 earned and Delcarmen followed with 2 of his own. Nice guys. You really made that wait worthwhile. The bats were not represented very well in this game either. Seven scattered hits made it possible for the Angels of Wherever to gain a big lead and then ZZ Flop came in to clean up this mess. Let me tell you, Fenway cleared out QUICK. Sox threatened with 2 outs in the 9th but Ortiz struck out to end it. Brutal stuff. Didn’t somebody tell them we need these wins? That crew in New York doesn’t seem to be going away. Anyway, I wish I had a better game to do this with… but Eric and I won’t be around for a while. One of us is getting married this weekend (not me) and we both kinda HAVE to be in attendance (him more than me). Once we return I will take up the posting duties while he enjoys his new bride and their honeymoon. Congrats my friend. Try not to trip or say something dumb during the nuptials and I will try not to scratch myself too much in that rented tux… no promises. Drop a line in the comments to wish the happy couple some luck. I’ll be back on Tuesday with a weekend recap. Till then: Go Eric and Nikki… and GO SOX. (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006
6:00 pm	Baseball Notebook and Etcetera Bonds Not Indicted Hits 721st Homer Barry Bonds is not indicted and hits his 721st homer the same day. He may not ever admit it but his chances of going into Hall of Fame may depend on how his legal problems unravel in the coming months and years. Bonds is arrogant enough to think this will all pass away and he will take his place in Cooperstown. If he is convicted of a felony his chances of getting into the hallowed halls of the Hall of Fame will be reduced to slim and none. Greg Anderson is the key to whether Bonds is convicted and has done jail time to avoid testifying to whether Bonds lied to the grand jury. If he testifies that Bonds took steroids on specific dates it will be the death knell for Bonds and his baseball career. Bonds may have captured the attention of baseball fans everywhere with his 73 homer season but at what price. He may have traded a few years of prodigious home run numbers for a prison cell if Greg Anderson explains the doping schedule on the calendars that were seized by law enforcement officials and proving beyond a doubt that Bonds knew exactly what he was taking and it wasn’t flaxseed oil but undetectable steroids. So for now Bonds can continue to play baseball and possibly even break the record of Hank Aaron for lifetime homers of 755 but even more likely is that he will be convicted of a felony before that ever happens. Trade Rumors From Sportsline.com Team by Team Arizona Diamondbacks Updated:07/18/2006 The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes the Diamondbacks have sent a scout to follow the Indians this week. It is believed Arizona has its eyes on pitcher Jake Westbrook. Atlanta Braves Updated:07/14/2006 According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Braves are interested in Padres setup man Scott Linebrink. Baltimore Orioles Updated:07/19/2006 The Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles and Phillies have held discussions about sending Rodrigo Lopez to Philadelphia in exchange for either Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell. ... Jim Duquette, Baltimore's vice president of baseball operations, told the Washington Post there was no truth to the rumor the Orioles are planning to trade Lopez to the New York Mets. Boston Red Sox Updated:07/19/2006 According to the Providence Journal, the Red Sox may be willing to move Wily Mo Pena in exchange for a pitcher. The Cubs and Nationals have contacted Boston about the outfielder. Chicago Cubs Updated:07/19/2006 The latest rumor involving Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux, as published in the Daily Southtown, has the former Cy Young winner returning to Atlanta. Chicago White Sox Updated:07/19/2006 GM Ken Williams said there have been no takers for reliever Cliff Pollite, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, the Daily Southtown reports. ... The Chicago Tribune says Williams does not have any meetings planned between front office personnel and professional scouts before the trade deadline. ... According to the Daily Herald, the White Sox may consider trading for Philadelphia's Tom Gordon or Pittsburgh's Roberto Hernandez. Cleveland Indians Updated:07/18/2006 If the Indians decide to trade Jake Westbrook, they would want a power-hitting outfielder in return, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Colorado Rockies Updated:07/19/2006 The Rockies are working on a deal that would send Ray King to the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez, says the Rocky Mountain News. ... The Denver Post says Colorado is also interested in Boston's Rudy Seanez and Atlanta's Jorge Sosa. Detroit Tigers Updated:07/20/2006 The Tigers are reportedly in the running to acquire Washington's Alfonso Soriano, but White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen told the Chicago Sun-Times he heard the asking price was Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya. Florida Marlins Updated:07/12/2006 The Dontrelle Willis front remains quiet, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Although several teams talked with the Marlins regarding the lefty, Florida was quick to reject any offers. Houston Astros Updated:07/16/2006 The Astros are shopping Willy Tavares and the Cubs and Marlins have shown interest, says the Chicago Tribune. Kansas City Royals Updated:07/17/2006 It is believed the Royals are going to be big sellers before the trade deadline by moving veterans Reggie Sanders, Matt Stairs, Mark Grudzielanek and possibly Mark Redman, says the Boston Globe. Los Angeles Angels Updated:07/20/2006 The Riverside Press Enterprise says the Angels will start shopping second baseman Adam Kennedy. Previous reports had Kennedy headed for Toronto in exchange for Shea Hillenbrand, but after the third baseman was released Wednesday, that seems unlikely. GM Bill Stoneman would not say whether there was still interested in the former Blue Jay, writes the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Dodgers Updated:07/20/2006 If the Dodgers are unable to trade Jose Cruz Jr. or Ricky Ledee, the Los Angeles Times says Sandy Alomar Jr. could be moved. Milwaukee Brewers Updated:07/18/2006 GM Doug Melvin denied rumors he contacted Philadelphia about trading for Bobby Abreu, says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Minnesota Twins Updated:07/20/2006 The Minneapolis Star Tribune says scouts from the Dodgers, Brewers, Cardinals and Yankees have been frequenting the Metrodome to scout pitcher Kyle Lohse. New York Mets Updated:07/20/2006 According to the Newark Star-Ledger the Mets would be interested in White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia, but would probably have to give up pitcher Aaron Heilman or Duaner Sanchez in return. ... The East Valley Tribune reports the Mets have scouted the starts of Arizona's Miguel Batista and Juan Cruz and the teams have held preliminary discussions. New York Yankees Updated:07/20/2006 Newsday reports owner George Steinbrenner has switched his preference in outfielders from Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu to Washington's Alfonso Soriano. Oakland Athletics Updated:07/19/2006 Barry Zito and the Athletics have mapped out the lefty's final 15 starts for this season, suggesting the Oakland ace will not be traded before the July 31 deadline, says the Oakland Tribune. Philadelphia Phillies Updated:07/20/2006 The New York Daily News says GM Pat Gillick would be willing to move Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu, but not both. ... The most recent rumors involving Abreu have the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox among the interested parties, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer also says the Orioles are considering trading for Abreu, but it would take more than Rodrigo Lopez to get him. Pittsburgh Pirates Updated:07/20/2006 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says trading Craig Wilson is almost certainly in GM Dave Littlefield's pre-deadline plans. San Diego Padres Updated:07/20/2006 With the release of Vinny Castilla the Padres are definitely in the market for a third baseman and the San Diego Union-Tribune suggests Houston's Morgan Ensberg and former Blue Jay Shea Hillenbrand are possibilities to fill the role. San Francisco Giants Updated:07/19/2006 The Giants have set their sights on Pittsburgh's Sean Casey, but the Oakland Tribune says the team may go after lefty Mike Gonzalez as well. ... The Tribune also speculates San Francisco could try to acquire Javy Lopez, who reportedly wants out of Baltimore. ... According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are also considering Rockies first baseman Ryan Shealy. Seattle Mariners Updated:07/19/2006 The Seattle Times says several teams have asked about the availability of reliever Rafael Soriano. St. Louis Cardinals Updated:07/17/2006 The Cardinals have considered contacting the Phillies about spare outfielder David Dellucci, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Updated:07/20/2006 Julio Lugo's contract demands of about $8 million over four or five years make it likely he'll be traded before the July 31 deadline, says the St. Petersburg Times. The Toronto Sun says there have been conflicting reports as to whether the Blue Jays are interested in the shortstop. Texas Rangers Updated:07/20/2006 The Rangers have held internal discussions on whether Shea Hillenbrand, who was released by the Blue Jays on Wednesday, would fit into the club's plans, says the Dallas Morning News. Washington Nationals Updated:07/20/2006 The Washington Examiner reports the Nationals have ordered emergency scouting reports of the Mariners' farm system. Recent rumors have suggested Seattle has joined the fray to acquire Alfonso Soriano. A’s Move Further Ahead Of Rangers and Angels A’s didn’t play yesterday yet they still put more distance between them and the Rangers and Angels who both lost. A’s are now a game and a half ahead of Rangers and 2 games ahead of Angels. Blue Jays Defeat Yankees in 11th Inning Blue Jays take a much needed win against the Yankees when Vernon Wells hits his 24th homer in the 11th inning. Blue Jays really need a sweep in this series to make an impact on the AL East race because it is not likely the Red Sox or Yankees will let them back into the race. Braves Fall 12 Back of Mets Braves fall back to 12 games back of Mets. It is looking more and more like their only hope is the wildcard. They have 7 teams ahead of them in wildcard but they could pass 3 of those teams if those teams lose and Braves win today. Nineteen Teams Still in Pennant Race There are 19 teams that are either leading a division or are 10 or less games behind the leader. The AL West and NL West finds all their teams with a chance to win the pennant so there should be a lot of exciting baseball left this season. Etcetera Roberta Gambarini Exciting New Singer Very seldom does a singer like Roberta Gambarini come along and release such an excellent album on her first try. To me she sounds a little like Diana Krall. Even though raised in Italy you would never know it from the way she sings. Her first release contains songs that are standards. It is a very good business decision to first release songs that people know of because some record buyers will buy an album for the songs in it. You can listen to her music at amazon.com. The following is a review at amazon.com about her first American release Easy to Love with John Clayton who has backed up Diana Krall in some of her recordings playing the bass. "outstanding vocal & jazz arrangements...Roberta Gambarini", June 30, 2006 Reviewer: J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) Roberta Gambarini once quoted..."I am concentrating to a standard repertoire because people relate to it more in America, more original material will come later on."...As a teenager, when her peers were listening to American and Italian pop, she was checking out her dad's jazz record collection. She got hooked on the music and has developed a captivating, confident voice as she has matured into a serious artist..."The most important thing for me now, even more than style, is to establish a connection with the audience."...Roberta now puts her own spin on jazz chestnuts, works from the "Great American Songbook", and waits for the recording industry to notice how well she does it with her singular approach...Roberta Gambarini has an instrumental approach and possesses a warm timbre, impeccable timing and intonation, incredible technique and scatting and improvisation skills. Born in Torino, Italy from a family where jazz was much loved and appreciated, she began listening to this music as a child...started performing while still in her teens, touring jazz clubs in northern Italy...Since 1985 she has played the most important festivals and venues in her country as well as many of the renowned international jazz festivals...Gambarini's been recording since 1986 both under her name and as a featured singer with most Italian musicians. In 1998 she moved to the United States with a scholarship from the New England Conservatory in Boston. In the same year she won third price at the International Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. Appearing with Roberta on this album as backup Chuck Berghofer (Bass), John Clayton (Bass), Gerald Clayton (Piano), Joe La Barbera (Drums), Willie Jones III (Drums), James Moody Sextet (Tenor Saxophone, Vocals), Tamir Hendelman (Piano)...with outstanding arrangements by Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Strayhorn, Roberta Gambarini, Tamir Hendelman...Gambarini is now performing under her own name...just stand back and take in her warm and dusky timbre, with which she can scat well-known solos remarkably subtly. As Michael Brecker stated "Finally a singer whom musicians have long known is one of the greats, Roberta's recording debut is breathtaking"...a quote from Kevin Lowenthal of the Boston Globe "Gambarini is a true successor to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae"...take a listen and see if you don't agree --- outstanding vocals and jazz arrangements on her latest release from Koch is "Easy To Love", and my friend this album is just that! (Comment on this)
Monday, July 31st, 2006
9:58 pm	New Palestinian Craze: US Army Gear Bizarre, for sure. Wearing a green Hamas headband, waving a Hamas flag, swinging a Kalashnikov and chanting for Israel's demise, Bassem Shorah looks to be a prototypical Palestinian militant. His olive green shirt, however, tells a different story. It's a spot-on replica of those worn by soldiers in the United States Army, replete with combat patches and unit designations. Though he's a committed Islamist activist in a movement that denounces the United States for supporting Israel and occupying Iraq, Shorah proudly sports what has become the latest trend in Palestinian street wear: US military apparel. "This is the new fashion in the market," says Shorah. "It's a show of force, because the US army is powerful. It's a symbol of strength and of our refusal to put down arms"... On their television sets these young people see images of US soldiers in Iraq, and they view them as the ultimate symbol of military might... The trend is not limited to clothing. At barber shops across the West Bank and Gaza young Palestinians are demanding what's known as a "Marines," meaning a high and tight crew cut, the kind that is mandatory for US Marines." Similarly, Abu Sim, a rank and file gunman in the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing, has wrapped the barrel of his Kalashnikov with desert camouflage padding, another nod to US military fashion. "I saw a US Marine sniper on TV doing the same thing," he says. "It's natural to copy the US military because they are powerful and so are we." They even have baby clothes and pink camo with US Army on it for the ladies. Strange. Palestinian militants look up to the US Army moreso than our own Hollyweirdos do, even though it's the Hollyweirdo's freedom that's being guaranteed by the work our brave soldiers do. Most of the Palestinians would gladly kill a US soldier, yet they respect them and revere the job they do. Our Hollywood elitists and ultra-libs like Cindy Sheehan, Susan Sarandon, and Sean Penn hate our soldiers, libel our soldiers, slander our soldiers, and then abuse the rights those soldiers protect every day. All of this proves one thing: Gaza is cooler than LA. I think the next NFL franchise should go to Gaza, instead of Los Angeles. Or, maybe the Los Angeles Angels baseball team could play a few home games in Gaza, like on the Fourth of July, when the crowd in Gaza is certain to be more patriotic than half of LA would be. (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
4:51 pm	man sues anaheim angels for sexual discrimination in a mother's ... A man is suing the los angeles angels of anaheim (wow, that's a mouthful, try saying that quickly a couple of times...) because he wasn't given the mother's day promotional tote bag the angels were giving that say to women who attended that particular game. Haha I think this guy has been inhaling a little bit too much of the los angeles smog... (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
10:48 am	Cards trade for Weaver AP reports that the St. Louis Cardinals traded Terry Evans and cash conisderations to the Los Angeles Angels for Jeff Weaver.Weaver, 29, was designated for assignment by the Angels last Friday after going 6-10 with a 6.29 ERA in 16 starts this season. He signed an one-year, $8.3 million contract with Los Angeles as a free agent during the offseason.[...] He has a career record of 81-97 with an ERA of 4.55 in 225 starts. "We feel that Weaver is someone who can come in and lend immediate help and depth to our rotation," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said after St. Louis' 14-4 loss at Atlanta. Weaver allowed 114 hits, including 18 homers, while walking 21 and striking out 62 in 88 2-3 innings this season with the Angels. Opponents had a .309 average against him. Evans, 24, was hitting .311 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 21 games with Double-A Springfield. He began this season with Class A Palm Beach, hitting .307 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 60 games. Evans was drafted in the 47th round by St. Louis in 2001.Somehow I think this trade is a mistake. (Comment on this)