Hey Guys!
Sorry for not checking in recently on http://www.milbradio.com but just wanted to pass along Happy New Year greetings to everybody or anybody who might read this. Plus, I have got a few things to say about the baseball Hall of Fame.
First, let me give my congratulations to Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson. I knew as well as everybody else that Henderson was a first-ballot HOFer. He was the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of the game (no offense to the Ty Cobb fans out there.) Rice, on the other hand, had a much harder time getting into the shrine.
Personally, I don't why it took 15 years to get Rice into the Hall of Fame. He (along with fellow HOFers Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, and Johnny Bench) was one of the top power hitters of the 1970s and early '80s. If sportswriters hold a grudge against somebody like Rice who doesn't always say what they want to hear... then I say... GET OVER IT !! Rice did everything on the field all natural unlike the known recent cheaters in the game who have taken steroids until their biceps look like tires and their testicles are (probably) the size of chick peas!!!
Now, for my really good rant... who should be in and out of the Hall of Fame. Cooperstown is a hallowed shrine devoted to only the best in the game. I think there are several great players who should be in... and a few who should be out. Let me show you...
WHO SHOULD BE IN: Bert Blyleven, "Indian" Bob Johnson, Tony Oliva, Allie Reynolds, Bill Freehan, Vada Pinson, Ron Santo, Rocky Colavito, Roger Maris, and Gil Hodges.
WHO SHOULD BE OUT: Ray Schalk, Chief Bender, Hughie Jennings, Jesse Haines, Waite Hoyt, Addie Joss, Eppa Rixey, and Rabbit Maranville.
Some names are obvious ins and outs... but most are not. Look up their records at http://www.baseball-reference.com/ and see if you agree with me. Be sure to keep abreast of the latest baseball news (particularly the minors) at MILBradio.com and remember... baseball spring training is less than a month away!!!! --- Todd Newville (http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
MVPs are for EVERYDAY players... not pitchers
Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox was voted American League MVP and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals won his second National League MVP award this year. I have no qualms about that and I never will have a qualm with everyday players getting an MVP award.
Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Cliff Lee of the Indians were the Cy Young Award winners in each league. I have no reservations about those picks. Both were very worthy and probably the obvious picks. Here is my beef, though.
I think that MVP awards are for everyday players and Cy Youngs are for pitchers. I make a distinct division between the two. Cy Young Awards were "invented" for pitchers because they were not getting enough recognition in the MVP vote back in the 1950s. Yet, somehow, they can win both an MVP and the Cy Young in the same season while everyday players like Pedroia and Pujols can't simply because they don't pitch.
Here's what is really weird. While Lee won the Cy Young Award in the AL with his sparkling 22-3 record, he garnered less votes for the MVP award than Francisco Rodriquez of the Angels, the astoundingly talented relief pitcher who set an MLB-record with 62 saves in 2008. F-Rod, in fact, came in THIRD for this year's Cy Young Award in the Junior Circuit behind Toronto's Roy Halladay...
THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AT ALL!!!
Here's the solution: give the MVP award to the most valuable everyday player in each league and give Cy Youngs to the most valuable pitcher in each league. It's just not fair. I know the pitcher is probably the most important position on the field simply because he delivers the ball and starts every play in motion with his delivery.
But, why do we have to endure the option of possibly having a pitcher win both important awards at the same time. I say avoid any further confusion and nonsense and make Cy Youngs for pitchers and MVPs for everyday players ONLY. I just don't think guys like Roger Clemens, Dennis Eckersley, Don Newcombe, Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, Vida Blue, and Rollie Fingers should win both awards.
Goalies in hockey have their own awards and other players on a hockey team have their own awards to try and win. The NFL has all sorts of accolades to pass out to various offensive and defensive players. Same with the NBA basketball giants... let's get this situation resolved in baseball and dictate that pitchers can win Cy Young Awards ONLY! I just think MVPs should be the guys who play the majority of the schedule everyday... not just jumping on the bump every fourth or fifth day.
Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Cliff Lee of the Indians were the Cy Young Award winners in each league. I have no reservations about those picks. Both were very worthy and probably the obvious picks. Here is my beef, though.
I think that MVP awards are for everyday players and Cy Youngs are for pitchers. I make a distinct division between the two. Cy Young Awards were "invented" for pitchers because they were not getting enough recognition in the MVP vote back in the 1950s. Yet, somehow, they can win both an MVP and the Cy Young in the same season while everyday players like Pedroia and Pujols can't simply because they don't pitch.
Here's what is really weird. While Lee won the Cy Young Award in the AL with his sparkling 22-3 record, he garnered less votes for the MVP award than Francisco Rodriquez of the Angels, the astoundingly talented relief pitcher who set an MLB-record with 62 saves in 2008. F-Rod, in fact, came in THIRD for this year's Cy Young Award in the Junior Circuit behind Toronto's Roy Halladay...
THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AT ALL!!!
Here's the solution: give the MVP award to the most valuable everyday player in each league and give Cy Youngs to the most valuable pitcher in each league. It's just not fair. I know the pitcher is probably the most important position on the field simply because he delivers the ball and starts every play in motion with his delivery.
But, why do we have to endure the option of possibly having a pitcher win both important awards at the same time. I say avoid any further confusion and nonsense and make Cy Youngs for pitchers and MVPs for everyday players ONLY. I just don't think guys like Roger Clemens, Dennis Eckersley, Don Newcombe, Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, Vida Blue, and Rollie Fingers should win both awards.
Goalies in hockey have their own awards and other players on a hockey team have their own awards to try and win. The NFL has all sorts of accolades to pass out to various offensive and defensive players. Same with the NBA basketball giants... let's get this situation resolved in baseball and dictate that pitchers can win Cy Young Awards ONLY! I just think MVPs should be the guys who play the majority of the schedule everyday... not just jumping on the bump every fourth or fifth day.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Congrats Phils/Former Yanks I Love and Miss
First of all, I would like to congratulate the Phillies on winning the 2008 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays. When I was about 10 or 11 years old, the Phils were the parent team of the Triple A Oklahoma City 89ers in the old American Association... now OKC's team is known as the Redhawks in the Pacific Coast League and affiliated with the Rangers.
Back in 1980 (when the Phils won the World Series over the Royals), they used to come to OKC every summer in mid-season and play an exhibition against the 'Niners. Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Sparky Lyle, Tug McGraw, Bake McBride, Dallas Green... they all came and it was great fun to watch some of my favorites.
Now, that the '08 Phillies are world champions, I would like to congratulate them on a job well done. They will always be one of my favorite teams along with the Rangers, Braves, and Reds. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins... hope you guys enjoy your new title as champs. And, give my condelences to the Rays... who I wouldn't have minded if they won the Series, either. They have come through a lot of adversity to get to this season and beyond since their humble beginnings.
OK, now for my real feelings today... I am extremely saddened to learn that one of the guys I got to interview on my website at http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/ passed away recently. His name was Tom Tresh, former New York Yankee and 1962 American League Rookie of the Year. I wrote a story about him when I was still in college rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman.
Tresh was the hitting coach for Central Michgan. When I learned this, I found him sitting in the stands of Dale Mitchell Park eating a hot dog between games of a doubleheader. I asked him for 10 minutes and he graciously granted me some of his valuable time.
The story never got published in the student paper, but I did get it published later on in http://www.baseballink.com/ and later on my site. I also met Tresh at a baseball card show in Duluth, Ga., back in 2002 when I was living in Alpharetta, Ga. What a great guy he was... very cordial and friendly and willing to take a picture of me with him -- courtesy of my beautiful wife Melissa!
Other Yankee greats I have interviewed and written stories about include Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson, Fred Beene, Tom Sturdivant, Oscar Gamble, ... and Babe Ruth (just kiddin'!) Also, in my lifetime, I have met up close and personal for autographs with the likes of Hank Bauer, Bobby Murcer, Moose Skowron, Yogi Berra... and the awesome MICKEY MANTLE!
Tresh joined the list of past Yankee greats who have passed away recently (Boyer, Bauer, and Murcer.) I don't know why today's great players seem to have a total disregard for their fans for the most part, but I do know that I respect these living and deceased former Yankee greats (and all the other former major leaguers I have been privileged to meet) because they treated me with the same respect.
They knew and know where their bread and butter came from. They know where their contracts were paid for... from the fans in the stands... not corporate sponsors and multimillion-dollar worth owners with money to burn. They truly appreciate the respect and adulation they got and, in return, I got to meet and adore several of my baseball heroes like Mr. Tresh and the like. With that, I will bid you adieu!!!
Back in 1980 (when the Phils won the World Series over the Royals), they used to come to OKC every summer in mid-season and play an exhibition against the 'Niners. Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Sparky Lyle, Tug McGraw, Bake McBride, Dallas Green... they all came and it was great fun to watch some of my favorites.
Now, that the '08 Phillies are world champions, I would like to congratulate them on a job well done. They will always be one of my favorite teams along with the Rangers, Braves, and Reds. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins... hope you guys enjoy your new title as champs. And, give my condelences to the Rays... who I wouldn't have minded if they won the Series, either. They have come through a lot of adversity to get to this season and beyond since their humble beginnings.
OK, now for my real feelings today... I am extremely saddened to learn that one of the guys I got to interview on my website at http://www.baseballtoddsdugout.com/ passed away recently. His name was Tom Tresh, former New York Yankee and 1962 American League Rookie of the Year. I wrote a story about him when I was still in college rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman.
Tresh was the hitting coach for Central Michgan. When I learned this, I found him sitting in the stands of Dale Mitchell Park eating a hot dog between games of a doubleheader. I asked him for 10 minutes and he graciously granted me some of his valuable time.
The story never got published in the student paper, but I did get it published later on in http://www.baseballink.com/ and later on my site. I also met Tresh at a baseball card show in Duluth, Ga., back in 2002 when I was living in Alpharetta, Ga. What a great guy he was... very cordial and friendly and willing to take a picture of me with him -- courtesy of my beautiful wife Melissa!
Other Yankee greats I have interviewed and written stories about include Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson, Fred Beene, Tom Sturdivant, Oscar Gamble, ... and Babe Ruth (just kiddin'!) Also, in my lifetime, I have met up close and personal for autographs with the likes of Hank Bauer, Bobby Murcer, Moose Skowron, Yogi Berra... and the awesome MICKEY MANTLE!
Tresh joined the list of past Yankee greats who have passed away recently (Boyer, Bauer, and Murcer.) I don't know why today's great players seem to have a total disregard for their fans for the most part, but I do know that I respect these living and deceased former Yankee greats (and all the other former major leaguers I have been privileged to meet) because they treated me with the same respect.
They knew and know where their bread and butter came from. They know where their contracts were paid for... from the fans in the stands... not corporate sponsors and multimillion-dollar worth owners with money to burn. They truly appreciate the respect and adulation they got and, in return, I got to meet and adore several of my baseball heroes like Mr. Tresh and the like. With that, I will bid you adieu!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Famous Minor/Major Leaguers/Chris Davis
Former MILB Radio guest/first baseman/third baseman Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers organization certainly had a marvelous third season in the pros - and a great rookie year in the majors in 2008! Let’s measure how he did by looking at his numbers, shall we?
He started the year at the Double A level with the Frisco Rough Riders in the Texas League, then progressed to Triple A with the Oklahoma Redhawks. After that, he made the “Big Club” with the Rangers mid-summer. Frankly, this guy is pegged for stardom unless he does something really stupid off the field which I don‘t suspect he won‘t.
At Frisco in ’08, he hit .333 with 13 home runs and 42 runs batted in. At Oklahoma, he hit .333 with 10 homers and 31 ribbies. Then, with Texas, he hit .285 with 17 round-trippers and 55 RBI during the latter half of the summer.
GOSH!!! What a year! Overall, Davis hit .309 with 40 homers and 128 RBI during the course of a full, complete season. That’s pretty impressive. But, that’s not even close to what some previous major leaguers accomplished in the minors before they embarked on star-studded careers.
First, I offer up Wally Berger, a former member of the old Boston Braves from the earlier century. In 1929, all he did was hit .335 with 40 homers, 170 runs scored, 249 hits and 166 ribbies in 199 games. Next, I will put Sam Chapman on the board, a former New York Yankee. In ’29 with St. Paul (Minn.) of the American Association, he hit .336 with 31 home runs, 137 RBI, 162 runs scored, 43 doubles and 222 hits in 168 games played.
There’s more!!! Tommy Davis TWICE led the minors in batting average. He won a batting crown at Kokomo of the Midwest League in 1957 with a .357 average along with 104 ribbies. Then (not surprisingly) he also won the Pacific Coast League batting title with a lofty .345 mark in ’59.
According to Crash Davis in that famous pool room scene in Bull Durham where he punched Nuke LaLoosh, “That’s a career.”
Davis would go on to lead the National League twice in batting in ’62 and ’63 (including an NL-leading 153 ribbies in 1962) before becoming one of the first great designated hitters in the Amercian League in the 1970s.
Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean won a league-leading 26 games for Houston in the Texas League in 1931 before becoming an icon with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe DiMaggio established himself way before his Yankee days by hitting in 61 straight games with the San Francisco Seals of the PCL in 1933.
Lefty Grove (another Hall of Famer) was seemingly stuck in the minors back in the ’20s before he embarked on his stellar stint in the majors with the Athletics and Bosox. He won 25 games in 1921 and another 27 contests in both 1923 and ’24 with Baltimore of the International League before going to the big leagues. Along with Denny McClain in 1968 and Dean in ‘34, he’s the only other pitcher to win 30-plus games in a single season since 1931.
Finally, I present Lefty O’Doul, an awesome hitter who won two National League batting titles in 1929 with the Phillies with a .398 mark and again in ‘32 with the a .368 average for the Dodgers.
Here’s what Lefty did in the minors back in 1925 with Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League: .375 batting average, 24 home runs, 191 ribbies, 63 doubles, 185 runs scored, and a whopping 309 hits in 825 at-bats. O’Doul played in 198 games that year and led the league in hits and triples with 17.
Why do I bring all these mundane stats/numbers to your attention? Because in this day and age, minor league baseball is different in a whole ‘nother sense! Back years ago, players could make as much and even more money playing in the minors in the larger classifications than they could in the major leagues.
Before the time of airplanes and such, trains/railroads were the only way to go across the country. It took too long to go from coast to coast for road trips on a train back in those times and it really wasn’t financially feasible. So, great players on the West Coast often stayed home to play there, where the PCL was a really much-established and respected entity - often called the “third Major League” behind the Junior and Senior Circuits of MLB.
Then, when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants took flight to California in the late 1950s, that’s when the majors (in my mind) actually took hold of the notion that minor league baseball could help them in ways nobody had envisioned up to that point. Besides building a future nucleus for your top team, you could also now build a fan base for the parent club in smaller minor league cities at the time like Oklahoma City, Denver, Salt Lake, Alburquerque, Toledo, etc.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that someone like Chris Davis back in the very early days could very well had numbers like O’Doul posted when he was in the minors. We’ll never know, but it would be exciting to see how well he would have done. After all, he’s had a great first year in the major leagues and a great minor league career leading up to it. Plus, you heard Mr. Davis first here on MILB Radio!!!!!!
He started the year at the Double A level with the Frisco Rough Riders in the Texas League, then progressed to Triple A with the Oklahoma Redhawks. After that, he made the “Big Club” with the Rangers mid-summer. Frankly, this guy is pegged for stardom unless he does something really stupid off the field which I don‘t suspect he won‘t.
At Frisco in ’08, he hit .333 with 13 home runs and 42 runs batted in. At Oklahoma, he hit .333 with 10 homers and 31 ribbies. Then, with Texas, he hit .285 with 17 round-trippers and 55 RBI during the latter half of the summer.
GOSH!!! What a year! Overall, Davis hit .309 with 40 homers and 128 RBI during the course of a full, complete season. That’s pretty impressive. But, that’s not even close to what some previous major leaguers accomplished in the minors before they embarked on star-studded careers.
First, I offer up Wally Berger, a former member of the old Boston Braves from the earlier century. In 1929, all he did was hit .335 with 40 homers, 170 runs scored, 249 hits and 166 ribbies in 199 games. Next, I will put Sam Chapman on the board, a former New York Yankee. In ’29 with St. Paul (Minn.) of the American Association, he hit .336 with 31 home runs, 137 RBI, 162 runs scored, 43 doubles and 222 hits in 168 games played.
There’s more!!! Tommy Davis TWICE led the minors in batting average. He won a batting crown at Kokomo of the Midwest League in 1957 with a .357 average along with 104 ribbies. Then (not surprisingly) he also won the Pacific Coast League batting title with a lofty .345 mark in ’59.
According to Crash Davis in that famous pool room scene in Bull Durham where he punched Nuke LaLoosh, “That’s a career.”
Davis would go on to lead the National League twice in batting in ’62 and ’63 (including an NL-leading 153 ribbies in 1962) before becoming one of the first great designated hitters in the Amercian League in the 1970s.
Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean won a league-leading 26 games for Houston in the Texas League in 1931 before becoming an icon with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe DiMaggio established himself way before his Yankee days by hitting in 61 straight games with the San Francisco Seals of the PCL in 1933.
Lefty Grove (another Hall of Famer) was seemingly stuck in the minors back in the ’20s before he embarked on his stellar stint in the majors with the Athletics and Bosox. He won 25 games in 1921 and another 27 contests in both 1923 and ’24 with Baltimore of the International League before going to the big leagues. Along with Denny McClain in 1968 and Dean in ‘34, he’s the only other pitcher to win 30-plus games in a single season since 1931.
Finally, I present Lefty O’Doul, an awesome hitter who won two National League batting titles in 1929 with the Phillies with a .398 mark and again in ‘32 with the a .368 average for the Dodgers.
Here’s what Lefty did in the minors back in 1925 with Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League: .375 batting average, 24 home runs, 191 ribbies, 63 doubles, 185 runs scored, and a whopping 309 hits in 825 at-bats. O’Doul played in 198 games that year and led the league in hits and triples with 17.
Why do I bring all these mundane stats/numbers to your attention? Because in this day and age, minor league baseball is different in a whole ‘nother sense! Back years ago, players could make as much and even more money playing in the minors in the larger classifications than they could in the major leagues.
Before the time of airplanes and such, trains/railroads were the only way to go across the country. It took too long to go from coast to coast for road trips on a train back in those times and it really wasn’t financially feasible. So, great players on the West Coast often stayed home to play there, where the PCL was a really much-established and respected entity - often called the “third Major League” behind the Junior and Senior Circuits of MLB.
Then, when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants took flight to California in the late 1950s, that’s when the majors (in my mind) actually took hold of the notion that minor league baseball could help them in ways nobody had envisioned up to that point. Besides building a future nucleus for your top team, you could also now build a fan base for the parent club in smaller minor league cities at the time like Oklahoma City, Denver, Salt Lake, Alburquerque, Toledo, etc.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that someone like Chris Davis back in the very early days could very well had numbers like O’Doul posted when he was in the minors. We’ll never know, but it would be exciting to see how well he would have done. After all, he’s had a great first year in the major leagues and a great minor league career leading up to it. Plus, you heard Mr. Davis first here on MILB Radio!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Formally know as?
Now that the minor league seasons have ended and with it being an even year, MLB our exercising their options changing affiliations. Let's take a look at a few of these moves.
Buffalo Bison, new AAA affiliate, New York Mets.
This makes sense. The Mets former triple A team was in New Orleans which last time I checked is quite a distance from New York. With the Mets having their triple A team in the same state, it allows them the ability to pull players up quickly with little travel if necessary. It would be possible for a player to be getting ready for his afternoon game in Buffalo, but end up in New York for the night game. The other advantage is the Bison may generate more interest with local fans who may be fans of the parent club.
Wisconsin Rattlers, new A affiliate, Milwaukee Brewers
Another good move for many of the reasons listed above. The Wisconsin Rattlers are located in Appleton Wisconsin a short 1 and half trip from Milwaukee. Brewers fans will be able to see their stars of the future just down the road.
Albuquerque Isotopes, new Triple A affiliate, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers return to Albuquerque were the likes of Tommy Lasorda managed. Dodgers hope the return to Albuquerque will reignite their triple A development.
Clinton Lumberkings, new A affiliate, Seattle Mariners
Seattle comes into one of the oldest franchises in the Midwest league. Though Clinton has finished near the bottom in attendance in recent history, they should get a boost this year with the 2009 Midwest League All Star game scheduled to take place in town. This can only help in the development of the Mariners future players.
On a personal note, I am somewhat disappointed to see the Rangers leave the Midwest League but it will be nice to see Milwaukee players come through.
Buffalo Bison, new AAA affiliate, New York Mets.
This makes sense. The Mets former triple A team was in New Orleans which last time I checked is quite a distance from New York. With the Mets having their triple A team in the same state, it allows them the ability to pull players up quickly with little travel if necessary. It would be possible for a player to be getting ready for his afternoon game in Buffalo, but end up in New York for the night game. The other advantage is the Bison may generate more interest with local fans who may be fans of the parent club.
Wisconsin Rattlers, new A affiliate, Milwaukee Brewers
Another good move for many of the reasons listed above. The Wisconsin Rattlers are located in Appleton Wisconsin a short 1 and half trip from Milwaukee. Brewers fans will be able to see their stars of the future just down the road.
Albuquerque Isotopes, new Triple A affiliate, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers return to Albuquerque were the likes of Tommy Lasorda managed. Dodgers hope the return to Albuquerque will reignite their triple A development.
Clinton Lumberkings, new A affiliate, Seattle Mariners
Seattle comes into one of the oldest franchises in the Midwest league. Though Clinton has finished near the bottom in attendance in recent history, they should get a boost this year with the 2009 Midwest League All Star game scheduled to take place in town. This can only help in the development of the Mariners future players.
On a personal note, I am somewhat disappointed to see the Rangers leave the Midwest League but it will be nice to see Milwaukee players come through.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
MLB Rookies of the Year (by Todd Newville)
Which players do you think deserve to win the Rookie of the Year awards this year in both the American League and National League? I’ve got an opinion on this subject. I’ll go ahead and share it.
Okay, over in the American League, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays is going to top rookie honors in the Junior Circuit. Longoria is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound third baseman who was listed No. 1 among Tampa Bay prospects this year in Baseball America. He started the year with the bang before breaking his wrist in August - which shelved him for about a month.
But, now he’s back for Tampa Bay’s run at the AL East championship and a playoff berth. Longoria is hitting .282 at the moment with 22 home runs and 74 RBI - totals that would probably be even higher had he not gotten injured and placed on the disabled list.
Nevertheless, Longoria seems to be the safe - and obvious - pick for AL Rookie of the Year. I think Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers may get some attention from voters since he’s hitting a solid .271 with 15 homers and 46 ribbies at the moment. But, if I had a vote, I’d cast it for Longoria.
In the National League, pitcher Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds would get the nod from me. Volquez was part of the deal which brought slugger Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. Volquez was the top pick for Texas in the draft in 2006 and was listed No. 3 in 2007 among Ranger prospects according to Baseball America.
Volquez (like San Diego’s Chris Young, Chisox pitcher John Danks, and Detroit’s Armando Galarraga) is a former Ranger prospect that could have helped Texas tremendously. But, now he’s with the Reds and he is 16-5 with 184 strikeouts. Both his win and strikeout totals are among the NL leaders. He may even garner consideration for this year’s NL Cy Young Award. We’ll wait an see.
Jay Bruce of the Reds along with Chicago Cub teammates Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome should get some consideration for the NL award this year. Bruce (listed No. 1 before this season in Baseball America as the Reds’ top minor league prospect) was called up about mid-year and has been sensational - both on the field and (from what I’ve seen and heard on TV) among the ladies, too!
Soto and Fukudome both started in the All-Star Game this year - quite an accomplishment for a couple of rookies. But, again, if I had a vote (which I don’t but wish I did), I would cast my ballot for Mr. Volquez and his stout showing on the mound for Cincy.
While I’m at it, let me just throw in a few more things - my votes for MVPs and Cy Young Award winners. In the NL, I think Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, Ryan Howard of the Phillies, and Chipper Jones of the Braves have a chance for the MVP - but I would vote for shortstop Jose Reyes of the New York Mets. He has 101 runs scored, 187 hits, 49 stolen bases, and 18 triples from the leadoff spot and has helped keep the Mets in contention for the NL East flag.
In the AL, I like Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. He’s hitting .328 with 112 runs scored and has helped keep Boston in the thick of things. Catcher Joe Mauer of the Twins provides solid hitting and defense behind the plate and Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is having a monster year - but Pedroia has been the most valuable in my opinion.
Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants would be my Cy Young Award winners. Lee is 22-2 with a 2.36 ERA. Lincecum is 16-3 with 225 strikeouts. Francisco Rodriquez ought to get some heavy consideration for the AL Cy Young; afterall, he did set a MLB record this year with 58 saves and counting. But, Lee and Lincecum would get my votes.
Okay, over in the American League, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays is going to top rookie honors in the Junior Circuit. Longoria is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound third baseman who was listed No. 1 among Tampa Bay prospects this year in Baseball America. He started the year with the bang before breaking his wrist in August - which shelved him for about a month.
But, now he’s back for Tampa Bay’s run at the AL East championship and a playoff berth. Longoria is hitting .282 at the moment with 22 home runs and 74 RBI - totals that would probably be even higher had he not gotten injured and placed on the disabled list.
Nevertheless, Longoria seems to be the safe - and obvious - pick for AL Rookie of the Year. I think Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers may get some attention from voters since he’s hitting a solid .271 with 15 homers and 46 ribbies at the moment. But, if I had a vote, I’d cast it for Longoria.
In the National League, pitcher Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds would get the nod from me. Volquez was part of the deal which brought slugger Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. Volquez was the top pick for Texas in the draft in 2006 and was listed No. 3 in 2007 among Ranger prospects according to Baseball America.
Volquez (like San Diego’s Chris Young, Chisox pitcher John Danks, and Detroit’s Armando Galarraga) is a former Ranger prospect that could have helped Texas tremendously. But, now he’s with the Reds and he is 16-5 with 184 strikeouts. Both his win and strikeout totals are among the NL leaders. He may even garner consideration for this year’s NL Cy Young Award. We’ll wait an see.
Jay Bruce of the Reds along with Chicago Cub teammates Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome should get some consideration for the NL award this year. Bruce (listed No. 1 before this season in Baseball America as the Reds’ top minor league prospect) was called up about mid-year and has been sensational - both on the field and (from what I’ve seen and heard on TV) among the ladies, too!
Soto and Fukudome both started in the All-Star Game this year - quite an accomplishment for a couple of rookies. But, again, if I had a vote (which I don’t but wish I did), I would cast my ballot for Mr. Volquez and his stout showing on the mound for Cincy.
While I’m at it, let me just throw in a few more things - my votes for MVPs and Cy Young Award winners. In the NL, I think Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, Ryan Howard of the Phillies, and Chipper Jones of the Braves have a chance for the MVP - but I would vote for shortstop Jose Reyes of the New York Mets. He has 101 runs scored, 187 hits, 49 stolen bases, and 18 triples from the leadoff spot and has helped keep the Mets in contention for the NL East flag.
In the AL, I like Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. He’s hitting .328 with 112 runs scored and has helped keep Boston in the thick of things. Catcher Joe Mauer of the Twins provides solid hitting and defense behind the plate and Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is having a monster year - but Pedroia has been the most valuable in my opinion.
Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants would be my Cy Young Award winners. Lee is 22-2 with a 2.36 ERA. Lincecum is 16-3 with 225 strikeouts. Francisco Rodriquez ought to get some heavy consideration for the AL Cy Young; afterall, he did set a MLB record this year with 58 saves and counting. But, Lee and Lincecum would get my votes.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Texas League News/Wrapup (by Todd Newville)
The Double-A Texas League completed its regular season on Sept. 1st and the playoffs commenced on Sept. 4th. The league is divided into two divisions – the North and the South – and into first and second halves. The Frisco Rough Riders won both the first and second halves of the South division.
The Riders played the San Antonio Missions for the right to advance to the Texas League championship series - and swept the series in three games. The Missions had the next best overall record along with the Midland Rockhounds. But, San Antonio had the better head-to-head record against Midland, so they got the playoff nod against Frisco.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Arkansas Travelers met as the respective first and second-half winners of the North division. Even though Springfield had the best overall season record for the season, they were left out in the cold as far as playoff implications go. Too bad, but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. With that, the Travelers swept the Naturals in three tilts.
So, it will be the Frisco Rough Riders taking on the Arkansas Travelers for the Texas League championship - starting at Arkansas on Sept. 9th. As far as individuals go, the Texas League sported a bunch of prospects who proved their worth over the course of the regular season. As the unofficial “Texas League correspondent” for MILB radio, I thought I would give you a quick rundown on some of the fantastic players I had the opportunity to interview this summer at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
First, the Riders already have seen Chris Davis, Matt Harrison, Taylor Teagarden, and Max Ramirez make an impact at the major league level with the parent Texas Rangers. Through Sept. 7th, Davis was hitting .279 with 14 homers, 42 runs scored, 18 doubles and 42 RBI. Harrison (who threw the first no-hitter ever at Dr. Pepper Ballpark earlier this year) was 7-3 with a 5.76 ERA. His inflated ERA is due to a couple of bad outings several days ago, but he beat the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 6th for the Rangers‘ first win this season over Beantown. Harrison has certainly given the Rangers some quality starts as of late and the “big club” has all the confidence in the world in him.
Teagarden had three hits in 11 trips to the plate at Texas through Sept. 7th. He started the year at Frisco and followed that up with a trip up to Oklahoma City. Two hits for the Rangers so far have been home runs - and he has a bronze medal to show off around the clubhouse in Arlington thanks to being part of the USA squad that just finished a trip to Beijing, China, for the Olympics.
Plus, Teagarden has proven to be a very quality signal caller for the Rangers. He has been behind the plate for the last two 1-0 wins for the Rangers - and there have only been three in the last decade for the franchise. Ramirez has a .233 average with two homers and nine ribbies with the big club. On Sept. 6th, he hit a grand slam against Iowa in the Pacific Coast League playoffs to help the Oklahoma Redhawks win an important playoff game 9-6 and keep their hopes alive. Ramirez has bounced around from Frisco to OKC to Texas all summer long - and still has time to find a way to help each club along the way.
Okay, enough about the Rangers. How ‘bout other Texas League phenoms?! As an esteemed and privileged contributor to MILB Radio from time to time, I thought it might be pertinent to catch you up on others who I’ve interviewed over the last summer. First, Jon Zeringue of the the Midland Rockhounds finished tied for third in the circuit with 23 homers (along with Tulsa’s Tony Blanco) and was third in RBI with 89.
Tommy Everidge of Midland led the Texas League with a whopping 115 ribbies, followed by Kyle Blanks of San Anotonio (107). Blanks (who hit 20 round-trippers this year) also finished third in the league in batting average, hitting the horsehide at robust .325 clip. Drew Sutton (another MILB Radio guest) was 5th in the league in hitting at .318 as he also clouted 20 homers with a league leading 101 runs scored.
Switch-hitting Dexter Fowler of the Tulsa Drillers (who like Teagarden was an Olympian this summer) was second among Texas League batters at .332 and scored 90 runs. He also had a league-leading 58 stolen bases along with a .429 on-base percentage. Dan Cortes of the Naturals was 10-4 this year while Andrew Carignan had 24 saves for Midland - second only to Fernando Salas’ 25 saves for the Springfield Cardinals.
Yes, it was certainly a good summer for many Texas League performers and MILB Radio guests. We hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about these players on the show this season. Look for more next season. In the meantime, stay tuned and we’ll keep you informed on what’s happening in the world of minor league baseball.
The Riders played the San Antonio Missions for the right to advance to the Texas League championship series - and swept the series in three games. The Missions had the next best overall record along with the Midland Rockhounds. But, San Antonio had the better head-to-head record against Midland, so they got the playoff nod against Frisco.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Arkansas Travelers met as the respective first and second-half winners of the North division. Even though Springfield had the best overall season record for the season, they were left out in the cold as far as playoff implications go. Too bad, but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. With that, the Travelers swept the Naturals in three tilts.
So, it will be the Frisco Rough Riders taking on the Arkansas Travelers for the Texas League championship - starting at Arkansas on Sept. 9th. As far as individuals go, the Texas League sported a bunch of prospects who proved their worth over the course of the regular season. As the unofficial “Texas League correspondent” for MILB radio, I thought I would give you a quick rundown on some of the fantastic players I had the opportunity to interview this summer at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
First, the Riders already have seen Chris Davis, Matt Harrison, Taylor Teagarden, and Max Ramirez make an impact at the major league level with the parent Texas Rangers. Through Sept. 7th, Davis was hitting .279 with 14 homers, 42 runs scored, 18 doubles and 42 RBI. Harrison (who threw the first no-hitter ever at Dr. Pepper Ballpark earlier this year) was 7-3 with a 5.76 ERA. His inflated ERA is due to a couple of bad outings several days ago, but he beat the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 6th for the Rangers‘ first win this season over Beantown. Harrison has certainly given the Rangers some quality starts as of late and the “big club” has all the confidence in the world in him.
Teagarden had three hits in 11 trips to the plate at Texas through Sept. 7th. He started the year at Frisco and followed that up with a trip up to Oklahoma City. Two hits for the Rangers so far have been home runs - and he has a bronze medal to show off around the clubhouse in Arlington thanks to being part of the USA squad that just finished a trip to Beijing, China, for the Olympics.
Plus, Teagarden has proven to be a very quality signal caller for the Rangers. He has been behind the plate for the last two 1-0 wins for the Rangers - and there have only been three in the last decade for the franchise. Ramirez has a .233 average with two homers and nine ribbies with the big club. On Sept. 6th, he hit a grand slam against Iowa in the Pacific Coast League playoffs to help the Oklahoma Redhawks win an important playoff game 9-6 and keep their hopes alive. Ramirez has bounced around from Frisco to OKC to Texas all summer long - and still has time to find a way to help each club along the way.
Okay, enough about the Rangers. How ‘bout other Texas League phenoms?! As an esteemed and privileged contributor to MILB Radio from time to time, I thought it might be pertinent to catch you up on others who I’ve interviewed over the last summer. First, Jon Zeringue of the the Midland Rockhounds finished tied for third in the circuit with 23 homers (along with Tulsa’s Tony Blanco) and was third in RBI with 89.
Tommy Everidge of Midland led the Texas League with a whopping 115 ribbies, followed by Kyle Blanks of San Anotonio (107). Blanks (who hit 20 round-trippers this year) also finished third in the league in batting average, hitting the horsehide at robust .325 clip. Drew Sutton (another MILB Radio guest) was 5th in the league in hitting at .318 as he also clouted 20 homers with a league leading 101 runs scored.
Switch-hitting Dexter Fowler of the Tulsa Drillers (who like Teagarden was an Olympian this summer) was second among Texas League batters at .332 and scored 90 runs. He also had a league-leading 58 stolen bases along with a .429 on-base percentage. Dan Cortes of the Naturals was 10-4 this year while Andrew Carignan had 24 saves for Midland - second only to Fernando Salas’ 25 saves for the Springfield Cardinals.
Yes, it was certainly a good summer for many Texas League performers and MILB Radio guests. We hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about these players on the show this season. Look for more next season. In the meantime, stay tuned and we’ll keep you informed on what’s happening in the world of minor league baseball.
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