If the recently released Vegas odds are a reliable indicator of how the 2015 pennant races will turn out, fans are in for a few surprises. I have included current payroll estimates in the table below because--as much as this makes some people uncomfortable--there is a strong correlation between player salaries and postseason success. Counter-intuitive to the "Moneyball" philosophy, the general rule of thumb is: the higher the payroll, the higher the order of finish. It's an inconvenient but incontrovertible principle. The Giants had the seventh highest payroll in baseball last year. Three of the six teams with higher salary costs appeared in the playoffs. Billy Beane and his followers can rage against the establishment all they want, but it won't change the fact that the A's haven't won a World Series since 1989. Chances are good that they won't until they start shelling out some real money.
Anyway, here's how the teams will stack up in 2015--according to Vegas odds makers:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East Central West
Red Sox ($182.1M) White Sox ($115M) Angels ($145.9M)
Blue Jays ($127.3M) Tigers ($172.3M) Mariners ($125.9M)
Yankees ($214.3M) Indians ($85M) A's ($80.5M)
Orioles ($121.2M) Royals ($111M) Rangers ($141.1M)
Rays ($74.6M) Twins ($107M) Astros ($69.7M)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Central West
Nationals ($160.5M) Cubs ($117.5M) Dodgers ($264M)
Mets ($98.2M) Cardinals ($120.5M) Padres ($97.2M)
Marlins ($69.5M) Pirates ($88.2M) Giants ($170.6M)
Braves ($96M) Reds ($117.7M) Diamondbacks ($89.8M)
Phillies ($139.3M) Brewers ($101.7M) Rockies ($101.3M)
Of course there are those who beg to differ with the current odds. In a recent article, Bleacher Report correspondent Stephen Nelson labeled the Giants as "contenders" and the Cubs as "pretenders." A writer from the Boston Herald echoed that sentiment, stating that the Cubs will go nowhere in 2015 while the Blue Jays and Marlins will be teams to watch. Jesse Spector of the of The Sporting News feels that the Pirates will be in Wild Card contention. Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group predicts a fifth straight AL Central title for the Tigers.
Three Things I'll be following this season:
1.) Ichiro's quest for 3,000 hits.
The most successful Japanese player in major league history will be 41 years old and playing for the Marlins this year. He needs 156 hits to reach 3,000. With all the young talent in the Miami outfield, it's doubtful he'll get enough playing time to make a serious run, but hey--you never know.
2.) The Return of A-Rod
Like it or not, Alex Rodriguez will be in spring training with the Yankees. He hasn't seen live pitching in well over a year. He wasn't hitting it very well before then. Does he have anything left in the tank at all or will he just end up embarrassing himself? Most people (myself included) are pulling for the latter scenario.
3.) The Red Sox Back on Top?
After winning a World Series in 2013, the Sox traded away their best players and ended up in last place. They made some blockbuster deals in the offseason. Will they be as good as everyone says? It will be interesting to find out.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
Biggest Winners in the 2015 Hot Stove Sweepstakes
Boston Red Sox
After trading away most of the players who led the club to a World Series title in 2013, the Sox have taken several positive steps toward rebuilding a winner. Coming off his best season ever, Rick Porcello is set to make his Boston debut this year. The right-hander attained several career-best marks with the Tigers in 2014, gathering 15 wins and 3 shutouts while posting a 3.43 ERA. He'll have the offense to back him up with Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval playing behind him. Hampered on and off by injuries, Ramirez has posted a .308 batting average over the past two seasons with the Dodgers. Though he hasn't reached the 30-homer mark since 2008, the Green Monster should boost his power numbers considerably. The same goes for Sandoval, who has been one of the Giants most reliable players over the past five years. He has good range at third base and is a steady offensive presence.
San Diego Padres
The Padres took great strides toward respectability this offseason with the acquisition of several high profile players. Right-hander James Shields will anchor their rotation in 2015. Shields was a major contributor to the Royals' remarkable turnaround last year and has kept his ERA in the mid to low-three's over the past four seasons. Other notable signings for the Padres include outfielders Justin Upton and Matt Kemp. Acquired from the Braves, Upton is coming off his first 100-RBI campaign. Among the most productive Dodger hitters in recent past, Kemp has a pair of Gold Gloves to his credit as well.
Miami Marlins
After a disastrous 2014 campaign, the Marlins have made several useful upgrades. Though he's been slowing down a bit over the past few seasons, 41 year old Ichiro Suzuki may still be a viable presence in the lineup. Ichiro needs just 156 hits to reach the 3,000 mark and can still field his outfield position with the best of them. Other significant imports for Miami include infielder Dee Gordon and starting pitcher Dan Haren. Gordon led the NL last year with 12 triples and 64 stolen bases. Haren, who requested a trade from the Dodgers, is not as durable as he used to be. But he has put up double digit win totals for ten straight years. Last season, he was 13-11with a 4.02 ERA.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals have failed to live up to expectations over the past few seasons. This year's squad will feature the recently acquired Yunel Escobar. Entering his ninth season, Escobar has moderate power and hits for decent average. He has excellent range and good hands as well, having led AL shortstops in fielding percentage during the 2013 slate. The Nationals bolstered their pitching corps considerably with the signing of right-hander Max Scherzer--the AL wins leader for two seasons running. In 2013/'14, Scherzer posted a record of 39-8 with a cumulative ERA of 3.02 for the Tigers. Another move that may or may not pay off for Washington: slugging second baseman Dan Uggla was signed to a minor league contract. Uggla enjoyed his best years with the Phillies, but has been mired in a hitting funk over the past three seasons. If he can get back on track, it's good news for the Nationals.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox have been shut out of the playoffs for six years straight. In the offseason, they decided to do something about it, signing closer David Robertson and first baseman Adam LaRoche. Robertson saved 39 games for the Yankees last year while striking out 96 batters in 64.1 innings of work. LaRoche was Washington's top RBI man in 2014. Discounting an injury plagued 2011 season, he has averaged 25 homers per year since 2005.
Other notable offseason signings include Atlanta's acquisition of Nick Markakis and Detroit's signing of Yoenis Cespedes. A reliable RBI producer at the beginning of his career, Markakis served as the Orioles' lead-off man last year. He has won Gold Gloves in two of the last four seasons and currently carries a .290 lifetime batting average. Entering his fourth season, Cespedes is a bit error prone in the outfield, but mixes power and speed at the plate. Appearing in the heart of the order for Oakland and Boston last year, he hit .309 with runners in scoring position. Though he has seldom been asked to, he can steal bases as well. In 2012 and 2014, he was successful in 23 of 29 attempts.
After trading away most of the players who led the club to a World Series title in 2013, the Sox have taken several positive steps toward rebuilding a winner. Coming off his best season ever, Rick Porcello is set to make his Boston debut this year. The right-hander attained several career-best marks with the Tigers in 2014, gathering 15 wins and 3 shutouts while posting a 3.43 ERA. He'll have the offense to back him up with Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval playing behind him. Hampered on and off by injuries, Ramirez has posted a .308 batting average over the past two seasons with the Dodgers. Though he hasn't reached the 30-homer mark since 2008, the Green Monster should boost his power numbers considerably. The same goes for Sandoval, who has been one of the Giants most reliable players over the past five years. He has good range at third base and is a steady offensive presence.
San Diego Padres
The Padres took great strides toward respectability this offseason with the acquisition of several high profile players. Right-hander James Shields will anchor their rotation in 2015. Shields was a major contributor to the Royals' remarkable turnaround last year and has kept his ERA in the mid to low-three's over the past four seasons. Other notable signings for the Padres include outfielders Justin Upton and Matt Kemp. Acquired from the Braves, Upton is coming off his first 100-RBI campaign. Among the most productive Dodger hitters in recent past, Kemp has a pair of Gold Gloves to his credit as well.
Miami Marlins
After a disastrous 2014 campaign, the Marlins have made several useful upgrades. Though he's been slowing down a bit over the past few seasons, 41 year old Ichiro Suzuki may still be a viable presence in the lineup. Ichiro needs just 156 hits to reach the 3,000 mark and can still field his outfield position with the best of them. Other significant imports for Miami include infielder Dee Gordon and starting pitcher Dan Haren. Gordon led the NL last year with 12 triples and 64 stolen bases. Haren, who requested a trade from the Dodgers, is not as durable as he used to be. But he has put up double digit win totals for ten straight years. Last season, he was 13-11with a 4.02 ERA.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals have failed to live up to expectations over the past few seasons. This year's squad will feature the recently acquired Yunel Escobar. Entering his ninth season, Escobar has moderate power and hits for decent average. He has excellent range and good hands as well, having led AL shortstops in fielding percentage during the 2013 slate. The Nationals bolstered their pitching corps considerably with the signing of right-hander Max Scherzer--the AL wins leader for two seasons running. In 2013/'14, Scherzer posted a record of 39-8 with a cumulative ERA of 3.02 for the Tigers. Another move that may or may not pay off for Washington: slugging second baseman Dan Uggla was signed to a minor league contract. Uggla enjoyed his best years with the Phillies, but has been mired in a hitting funk over the past three seasons. If he can get back on track, it's good news for the Nationals.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox have been shut out of the playoffs for six years straight. In the offseason, they decided to do something about it, signing closer David Robertson and first baseman Adam LaRoche. Robertson saved 39 games for the Yankees last year while striking out 96 batters in 64.1 innings of work. LaRoche was Washington's top RBI man in 2014. Discounting an injury plagued 2011 season, he has averaged 25 homers per year since 2005.
Other notable offseason signings include Atlanta's acquisition of Nick Markakis and Detroit's signing of Yoenis Cespedes. A reliable RBI producer at the beginning of his career, Markakis served as the Orioles' lead-off man last year. He has won Gold Gloves in two of the last four seasons and currently carries a .290 lifetime batting average. Entering his fourth season, Cespedes is a bit error prone in the outfield, but mixes power and speed at the plate. Appearing in the heart of the order for Oakland and Boston last year, he hit .309 with runners in scoring position. Though he has seldom been asked to, he can steal bases as well. In 2012 and 2014, he was successful in 23 of 29 attempts.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Baseball's Sad Passings: 2014-Present
Rocky Bridges
Died: Jan. 30, 2015
Bridges was a colorful character who became more widely known for his witticisms than his on-field accomplishments. An infielder, he played for seven teams between 1951 and 1961, spending his longest stretch with Cincinnati. He earned the first and only All-Star selection of his career while playing for the Senators in 1958. "I never got in the game, but I sat on the bench with Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Yogi Berra," Bridges joked. "I gave 'em instruction in how to sit." After compiling a .247 average in eleven seasons, he coached for the Angels. He later served as a minor league manager for multiple franchises.
Ernie Banks
Died: Jan. 23, 2015
A Hall of Fame infielder and beloved ambassador for Chicago baseball, Banks was nicknamed "Mr. Cub." He was also known to many as "Mr. Sunshine" for his pleasing persona. In nineteen big league seasons, he hit more than 500 home runs--277 of them as a shortstop--the second highest total for any player at that position. Banks also spent plenty of time at first base. His career highlights included eleven All-Star selections, two MVP Awards and a Gold Glove. Banks got his start in the Negro Leagues and was the first black man to play for the Cubs. A statue of Banks was erected outside of Wrigley Field after his retirement. It was moved to a downtown location following his death so his legions of fans could pay their respects.
Alvin Dark
Died: Nov. 13, 2014
Captain of the New York Giants during the 1950s, Dark was named to three All-Star teams and played in three World Series. He captured Rookie of the year honors with the Braves in '48, hitting .322 with 39 doubles. His 41 doubles in 1951 were tops in the National League. In the '51/'54 World Series, Dark compiled a .404 batting average with 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored. After retiring as a player, he embarked on a successful managerial career, leading the Giants to a pennant in 1962. In 1974, he guided the Oakland A's to their third consecutive World Series title.
Tony Gwynn
Died: June 16, 2014
Gwynn spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Padres. In twenty seasons, he collected more than 3,100 hits and captured eight batting titles. During the strike-shortened '94 slate, he carried a .394 average into the second week of August. He was on a 9-for-18 tear when the season was preempted. Gwynn captured five Gold Gloves and was named to fifteen All-Star teams before he retired. He later became head coach at San Diego State. He also served as a TV analyst for ESPN. He was only fifty-four years old when he died of salivary gland cancer.
Don Zimmer
Died: June 4, 2014
Zimmer began his career as a power-hitting infielder in the minors. Two serious beanings stunted his development as a player. He had a few good seasons with the Dodgers and Cubs during the late-50s/ early '60s. He appeared in two World Series with the Dodgers. Zimmer is best remembered for his long career as a manager and coach. He spent significant periods of time at the helm of the Red Sox and Cubs. He served as interim manager of the Yankees in '99 while Joe Torre recuperated from surgery. Short and pudgy, Zimmer earned the endearing nickname of "Popeye." His baseball career spanned portions of fifty-seven seasons.
Ralph Kiner
Died: February 6, 2014
Kiner was the reigning NL home run king from 1946-1952. He drew a lot of walks, leading the league with a robust .452 on-base percentage in '51. The short left-center field porch at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh (originally designed for Hank Greenberg) became known as "Kiner's Korner." In September of '47, Kiner set a major league record with 8 homers in four games. The previous month, he had launched 7 long balls in a four-game span. The Pirates were a non-contending club in those days and GM Branch Rickey eventually refused to meet Kiner's salary demands. The slugger finished his career with the Indians. After his retirement, Kiner was a long time broadcaster for the Mets. His postgame show was appropriately named "Kiner's Korner." He became renowned for his unintentionally funny comments. He once remarked that: "If Casey Stengel were alive today, he'd be spinning in his grave."
Jim Fregosi
Died: Feb. 14, 2014
Originally signed by the Red Sox in 1960, Fregosi was left unprotected in the expansion draft. He was one of the Angels' most productive players until injuries began to take their toll in the 1970s. Between '62 and '70, Fregosi made six All-Star appearances as a shortstop. During his peak offensive season, he collected 60 extra-base hits and drove-in 82 runs. He led the league with 13 triples in '68. In December of '71, he was traded to the Mets in exchange for four players--one of whom was Nolan Ryan. Fregosi slowly faded from the majors as Ryan became a Hall of Famer. Following his retirement as a player, Fregosi began a fifteen-year managerial career with several teams. He led the Angels to a playoff berth in '79 and the Phillies to a pennant in '93. His last season as a skipper came in 2000.
Jerry Coleman
Died: Jan. 5, 2014
Coleman was the Yankees' primary second baseman for several years during the dynasty of the late-'40s/ early-'50s. He spent nine years in the Bronx, appearing in six World Series and winning five rings. After retiring as a player, he served as the Yankees play-by-play announcer for several seasons. He managed the Padres in 1980 and worked as a San Diego broadcaster until the end of the 2013 campaign. In 2005, he received the prestigious Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Like Ralph Kiner, he was known for his malapropisms (nicknamed "Colemanisms"). During one memorable broadcast, he called a play as follows: "Winfield goes back to the wall. He hits his head on the wall and it rolls off. It's rolling all the way back to second base! This is a terrible thing for the Padres!"
Died: Jan. 30, 2015
Bridges was a colorful character who became more widely known for his witticisms than his on-field accomplishments. An infielder, he played for seven teams between 1951 and 1961, spending his longest stretch with Cincinnati. He earned the first and only All-Star selection of his career while playing for the Senators in 1958. "I never got in the game, but I sat on the bench with Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Yogi Berra," Bridges joked. "I gave 'em instruction in how to sit." After compiling a .247 average in eleven seasons, he coached for the Angels. He later served as a minor league manager for multiple franchises.
Ernie Banks
Died: Jan. 23, 2015
A Hall of Fame infielder and beloved ambassador for Chicago baseball, Banks was nicknamed "Mr. Cub." He was also known to many as "Mr. Sunshine" for his pleasing persona. In nineteen big league seasons, he hit more than 500 home runs--277 of them as a shortstop--the second highest total for any player at that position. Banks also spent plenty of time at first base. His career highlights included eleven All-Star selections, two MVP Awards and a Gold Glove. Banks got his start in the Negro Leagues and was the first black man to play for the Cubs. A statue of Banks was erected outside of Wrigley Field after his retirement. It was moved to a downtown location following his death so his legions of fans could pay their respects.
Alvin Dark
Died: Nov. 13, 2014
Captain of the New York Giants during the 1950s, Dark was named to three All-Star teams and played in three World Series. He captured Rookie of the year honors with the Braves in '48, hitting .322 with 39 doubles. His 41 doubles in 1951 were tops in the National League. In the '51/'54 World Series, Dark compiled a .404 batting average with 4 RBIs and 7 runs scored. After retiring as a player, he embarked on a successful managerial career, leading the Giants to a pennant in 1962. In 1974, he guided the Oakland A's to their third consecutive World Series title.
Tony Gwynn
Died: June 16, 2014
Gwynn spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Padres. In twenty seasons, he collected more than 3,100 hits and captured eight batting titles. During the strike-shortened '94 slate, he carried a .394 average into the second week of August. He was on a 9-for-18 tear when the season was preempted. Gwynn captured five Gold Gloves and was named to fifteen All-Star teams before he retired. He later became head coach at San Diego State. He also served as a TV analyst for ESPN. He was only fifty-four years old when he died of salivary gland cancer.
Don Zimmer
Died: June 4, 2014
Zimmer began his career as a power-hitting infielder in the minors. Two serious beanings stunted his development as a player. He had a few good seasons with the Dodgers and Cubs during the late-50s/ early '60s. He appeared in two World Series with the Dodgers. Zimmer is best remembered for his long career as a manager and coach. He spent significant periods of time at the helm of the Red Sox and Cubs. He served as interim manager of the Yankees in '99 while Joe Torre recuperated from surgery. Short and pudgy, Zimmer earned the endearing nickname of "Popeye." His baseball career spanned portions of fifty-seven seasons.
Ralph Kiner
Died: February 6, 2014
Kiner was the reigning NL home run king from 1946-1952. He drew a lot of walks, leading the league with a robust .452 on-base percentage in '51. The short left-center field porch at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh (originally designed for Hank Greenberg) became known as "Kiner's Korner." In September of '47, Kiner set a major league record with 8 homers in four games. The previous month, he had launched 7 long balls in a four-game span. The Pirates were a non-contending club in those days and GM Branch Rickey eventually refused to meet Kiner's salary demands. The slugger finished his career with the Indians. After his retirement, Kiner was a long time broadcaster for the Mets. His postgame show was appropriately named "Kiner's Korner." He became renowned for his unintentionally funny comments. He once remarked that: "If Casey Stengel were alive today, he'd be spinning in his grave."
Jim Fregosi
Died: Feb. 14, 2014
Originally signed by the Red Sox in 1960, Fregosi was left unprotected in the expansion draft. He was one of the Angels' most productive players until injuries began to take their toll in the 1970s. Between '62 and '70, Fregosi made six All-Star appearances as a shortstop. During his peak offensive season, he collected 60 extra-base hits and drove-in 82 runs. He led the league with 13 triples in '68. In December of '71, he was traded to the Mets in exchange for four players--one of whom was Nolan Ryan. Fregosi slowly faded from the majors as Ryan became a Hall of Famer. Following his retirement as a player, Fregosi began a fifteen-year managerial career with several teams. He led the Angels to a playoff berth in '79 and the Phillies to a pennant in '93. His last season as a skipper came in 2000.
Jerry Coleman
Died: Jan. 5, 2014
Coleman was the Yankees' primary second baseman for several years during the dynasty of the late-'40s/ early-'50s. He spent nine years in the Bronx, appearing in six World Series and winning five rings. After retiring as a player, he served as the Yankees play-by-play announcer for several seasons. He managed the Padres in 1980 and worked as a San Diego broadcaster until the end of the 2013 campaign. In 2005, he received the prestigious Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Like Ralph Kiner, he was known for his malapropisms (nicknamed "Colemanisms"). During one memorable broadcast, he called a play as follows: "Winfield goes back to the wall. He hits his head on the wall and it rolls off. It's rolling all the way back to second base! This is a terrible thing for the Padres!"
Monday, February 2, 2015
The All Bat/ No Glove National League All-Star Team
It's interesting to note that, without the designated hitter rule in place, National League managers have been forced to find creative ways to hide defensively challenged players for well over a century now.
Here are my nominees for the National League All Bat/ No Glove All Time All-Stars:
OUTFIELD
Lonnie Smith: Rare are the instances in which modern outfielders finish with double digit error totals. Smith managed to accomplish this four times during his career. He received the nickname "Skates" in reference to his clumsy footwork in the field. Offensively, he carried his weight, exceeding the .300 mark at the plate on six occasions. He led the NL in runs scored during the 1982 campaign and finished among the top five in stolen bases for four consecutive seasons. His reputation took a serious hit when he testified at the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985. He served a full year suspension for his long term drug abuse.
Dave Kingman: Kingman was a prolifically bad fielder at multiple stations. He began his career as a first baseman, finishing first or second in errors on three occasions. San Francisco manager Charlie Fox tried to convert him to a third baseman, but the experiment was a flop as Kingman committed 48 errors in 154 assignments. Eventually moved to the outfield, the man known to many as "Sky King" placed among the top three in muffs during thee seasons. Some would say that he was worth his weight in miscues. At one time, he had more home runs than any player not in the Hall of Fame (442). He hit some of the longest shots in history. One of his blasts sailed out of Wrigley Field and bounced onto the porch of a neighboring house. He also hit the roof at the Astrodome and Metrodome. The ball he hit in Minnesota got stuck in a drainage hole and didn't come down.
Babe Herman: One of the premier batsmen of the late-'20s/ early-'30s, Herman peaked at .393 in 1930 after posting a .381 batting average the previous year. He spent a large chunk of his career with the Brooklyn Robins (later known as the Dodgers) and was a poster child for ineptitude when he didn't have a bat in his hands. Called out for passing runners on the basepaths multiple times, he once slid into a bag occupied by two of his teammates. An unconfirmed story alleges that he was hit in the head with a pop fly. He began his career at first base and was later assigned to the outfield, where it was presumed he could do less damage. He committed no fewer than 28 errors in five consecutive seasons and his lifetime total as a right fielder ranks #21 among players at that position.
FIRST BASE
Dick Stuart: During the 1956 campaign, Stuart drew comparisons to Babe Ruth when he led the Western League with 66 homers. Though he never lived up to the hype, he clubbed 27 or more long balls in four major league seasons while reaching the century mark in RBIs on three occasions. Stuart was such a liability at first base, he carried three different nicknames: "Dr. Strangeglove," "The Boston Strangler" and "Stone Fingers." Embracing his incompetence, he had a vanity license plate that read: "E3." A crowd at Fenway Park once gave him a standing ovation for cleanly fielding a hot dog wrapper that had blown onto the field. While playing for the Red Sox and Pirates, Stuart led the league in errors for seven straight seasons (1958-'64)--a major league record.
SECOND BASE
Fred Pfeffer: No one would ever have accused Pfeffer of not being able to hit. A reliable offensive presence, he drove-in no fewer than 73 runs in nine of ten seasons from 1884 to 1893. But his lifetime total of 857 errors is an all time record for second basemen. It wasn't entirely his fault. In Pfeffer's day, infielders used thin, fingerless gloves made of heavy fabric. Though they provided marginal protection from the impact of hard-hit grounders, there was no webbing to trap the ball with. Consequently, error totals were much higher in those days. Though Pfeffer was a pitiful fielder by today's standards, he led his contemporaries in putouts eight times and double plays turned on seven occasions.
SHORTSTOP
Ian Desmond: It's only fair to throw an active player into the mix. Desmond holds his own offensively. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 23 homers and 81 RBIs while maintaining a steady .275 batting average. But his glovework leaves much to be desired. In 2010, he committed 34 errors--the most by any NL player. Since then, he has placed first or second among NL shortstops in errors three times while compiling a fielding percentage significantly below the league average. A 2014 article in the Washington Post criticized Desmond for handling grounders with "stiff hands" and making "erratic throws." Desmond is still only 28 years old and there's plenty of time for improvement, but right now his name often surfaces in discussions of the league's worst. If his offense drops off, he could find himself looking for a job outside of Washington.
THIRD BASE
Charlie Hickman: Again, it's probably not fair to include old-timers in this survey. Though fielder's mitts had come a long way by the time Hickman ascended to the majors, pitchers routinely doctored the baseball and umpires kept them in play until they were lopsided and soggy. Excuses aside, Hickman's stupendously bad defensive season in 1900 is among the worst on record. Hickman had one of the greatest nicknames of all time--"Piano Legs"--a moniker given to him for his somewhat paunchy stature. It was said that he needed piano legs to mobilize him in the field. He swung a pretty reliable bat, topping the .300 mark at the plate three times between 1899 and 1902. In the latter campaign he led the league in hits and total bases. During the 1900 slate, he set the bar for defensive futility with an incredible total of 91 errors--that's nearly three times the amount committed by Evan Longoria, Pablo Sandoval and Adrian Beltre combined in 2014! Hickman later established an American League record with 5 errors in a game.
CATCHER
Ivey Wingo: In the early-1900s, teams manufactured runs the hard way--by bunting, stealing and sacrificing. Wingo, whose career began in 1911, was busier than most contemporary catchers. Consequently, his defensive shortcomings became glaringly obvious. A left-handed hitter, Wingo was more than competent offensively. He rarely struck out, was an adept bunter and routinely hit around .260 or better. He also had excellent speed for a catcher. Between 1912 and 1921, he led the league in errors seven times. In that same span, he paced the loop in stolen bases allowed four times and passed balls twice. His lifetime mark of 234 errors is the most by any backstop in history. Even so, statistician Bill James ranked Wingo among the top 100 catchers of all time in the revised edition of his classic Historical Baseball Abstract.
Here are my nominees for the National League All Bat/ No Glove All Time All-Stars:
OUTFIELD
Lonnie Smith: Rare are the instances in which modern outfielders finish with double digit error totals. Smith managed to accomplish this four times during his career. He received the nickname "Skates" in reference to his clumsy footwork in the field. Offensively, he carried his weight, exceeding the .300 mark at the plate on six occasions. He led the NL in runs scored during the 1982 campaign and finished among the top five in stolen bases for four consecutive seasons. His reputation took a serious hit when he testified at the Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985. He served a full year suspension for his long term drug abuse.
Dave Kingman: Kingman was a prolifically bad fielder at multiple stations. He began his career as a first baseman, finishing first or second in errors on three occasions. San Francisco manager Charlie Fox tried to convert him to a third baseman, but the experiment was a flop as Kingman committed 48 errors in 154 assignments. Eventually moved to the outfield, the man known to many as "Sky King" placed among the top three in muffs during thee seasons. Some would say that he was worth his weight in miscues. At one time, he had more home runs than any player not in the Hall of Fame (442). He hit some of the longest shots in history. One of his blasts sailed out of Wrigley Field and bounced onto the porch of a neighboring house. He also hit the roof at the Astrodome and Metrodome. The ball he hit in Minnesota got stuck in a drainage hole and didn't come down.
Babe Herman: One of the premier batsmen of the late-'20s/ early-'30s, Herman peaked at .393 in 1930 after posting a .381 batting average the previous year. He spent a large chunk of his career with the Brooklyn Robins (later known as the Dodgers) and was a poster child for ineptitude when he didn't have a bat in his hands. Called out for passing runners on the basepaths multiple times, he once slid into a bag occupied by two of his teammates. An unconfirmed story alleges that he was hit in the head with a pop fly. He began his career at first base and was later assigned to the outfield, where it was presumed he could do less damage. He committed no fewer than 28 errors in five consecutive seasons and his lifetime total as a right fielder ranks #21 among players at that position.
FIRST BASE
Dick Stuart: During the 1956 campaign, Stuart drew comparisons to Babe Ruth when he led the Western League with 66 homers. Though he never lived up to the hype, he clubbed 27 or more long balls in four major league seasons while reaching the century mark in RBIs on three occasions. Stuart was such a liability at first base, he carried three different nicknames: "Dr. Strangeglove," "The Boston Strangler" and "Stone Fingers." Embracing his incompetence, he had a vanity license plate that read: "E3." A crowd at Fenway Park once gave him a standing ovation for cleanly fielding a hot dog wrapper that had blown onto the field. While playing for the Red Sox and Pirates, Stuart led the league in errors for seven straight seasons (1958-'64)--a major league record.
SECOND BASE
Fred Pfeffer: No one would ever have accused Pfeffer of not being able to hit. A reliable offensive presence, he drove-in no fewer than 73 runs in nine of ten seasons from 1884 to 1893. But his lifetime total of 857 errors is an all time record for second basemen. It wasn't entirely his fault. In Pfeffer's day, infielders used thin, fingerless gloves made of heavy fabric. Though they provided marginal protection from the impact of hard-hit grounders, there was no webbing to trap the ball with. Consequently, error totals were much higher in those days. Though Pfeffer was a pitiful fielder by today's standards, he led his contemporaries in putouts eight times and double plays turned on seven occasions.
SHORTSTOP
Ian Desmond: It's only fair to throw an active player into the mix. Desmond holds his own offensively. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 23 homers and 81 RBIs while maintaining a steady .275 batting average. But his glovework leaves much to be desired. In 2010, he committed 34 errors--the most by any NL player. Since then, he has placed first or second among NL shortstops in errors three times while compiling a fielding percentage significantly below the league average. A 2014 article in the Washington Post criticized Desmond for handling grounders with "stiff hands" and making "erratic throws." Desmond is still only 28 years old and there's plenty of time for improvement, but right now his name often surfaces in discussions of the league's worst. If his offense drops off, he could find himself looking for a job outside of Washington.
THIRD BASE
Charlie Hickman: Again, it's probably not fair to include old-timers in this survey. Though fielder's mitts had come a long way by the time Hickman ascended to the majors, pitchers routinely doctored the baseball and umpires kept them in play until they were lopsided and soggy. Excuses aside, Hickman's stupendously bad defensive season in 1900 is among the worst on record. Hickman had one of the greatest nicknames of all time--"Piano Legs"--a moniker given to him for his somewhat paunchy stature. It was said that he needed piano legs to mobilize him in the field. He swung a pretty reliable bat, topping the .300 mark at the plate three times between 1899 and 1902. In the latter campaign he led the league in hits and total bases. During the 1900 slate, he set the bar for defensive futility with an incredible total of 91 errors--that's nearly three times the amount committed by Evan Longoria, Pablo Sandoval and Adrian Beltre combined in 2014! Hickman later established an American League record with 5 errors in a game.
CATCHER
Ivey Wingo: In the early-1900s, teams manufactured runs the hard way--by bunting, stealing and sacrificing. Wingo, whose career began in 1911, was busier than most contemporary catchers. Consequently, his defensive shortcomings became glaringly obvious. A left-handed hitter, Wingo was more than competent offensively. He rarely struck out, was an adept bunter and routinely hit around .260 or better. He also had excellent speed for a catcher. Between 1912 and 1921, he led the league in errors seven times. In that same span, he paced the loop in stolen bases allowed four times and passed balls twice. His lifetime mark of 234 errors is the most by any backstop in history. Even so, statistician Bill James ranked Wingo among the top 100 catchers of all time in the revised edition of his classic Historical Baseball Abstract.
Monday, January 26, 2015
The All Bat/ No Glove American League All-Star Team
There are numerous qualities a ballplayer needs to make it in the majors. Few players excel in every department. For instance, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson--despite his penchant for dramatic homers--was a liability in the field. "Let's face it," teammate Sparky Lyle commented in his book, The Bronx Zoo, "Reggie's a bad outfielder. He has good speed to the ball, but the catching part is shaky." To be certain, the designated hitter rule has helped prolong the careers of many players like Reggie. But even before the AL started using designated hitters, there were plenty of players who made a living off of swinging the bat...Enough to fill an All-Star team.
Here are my nominees for the American League's All Bat/ No Glove All Time All-Stars.
OUTFIELD:
Jose Canseco: Canseco had both power and speed, becoming baseball's first 40/40 man in 1988. What he didn't have was a glove to go with it. He provided one of the most spectacular bloopers of all time when he misjudged a fly ball that bounced off his head and over the fence for a home run. He was allegedly offered a pro soccer contract shortly after the incident. When his defensive ineptitude could be ignored no longer, he was used primarily as a DH. Forty-six percent of his lifetime appearances were in that capacity. Still, his career error total is among the top 100 for right fielders.
Reggie Jackson: Jackson was aware of his defensive shortcomings, commenting: "The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." Manager and nemesis Billy Martin was acquainted with the slugger's weaknesses as well, telling reporters one day: "It's not that Reggie's a bad outfielder. He just has trouble judging the ball and picking it up." Most people know Jackson as "Mr. October," a nickname bestowed upon him for his postseason heroics. When he retired, his 563 regular season homers were among the top totals of all time. But he was always a little scary in the outfield, finishing among the top three in errors during nine seasons. The low-light of his defensive career came during a nationally televised game at Fenway Park, when Martin pulled him off the field for not hustling after a bloop hit by Jim Rice. Rice ended up with a double. Jackson ended up with a tarnished reputation.
Smead Jolley: Jolley had one of the greatest player names of the 1930s. In sixteen minor league seasons, he hit .367. In four campaigns with the White Sox and Red Sox, he hit .305. The reason he didn't stay in the majors longer was his abominable fielding. Cardinals coach Johnny Riddle remarked that Jolley looked "like a kid chasing soap bubbles" in the outfield. Numerous legends exist about Jolley's fielding exploits--none of which can be confirmed. According to one popular story, he committed three errors on a single play. According to another, he fell flat on his face coming down the steep left field embankment at Fenway Park (known to contemporaries as "Duffy's Cliff"). A verifiable fact, Jolley averaged one error per every 9 outfield assignments, which would have put him on pace to shatter any error record ever established.
CATCHER
Wally Schang: Schang's career began in the Deadball Era and extended into the offensive renaissance of the 1920s/30s. During his nineteen seasons in the majors, he hit .280 or better on ten occasions, frequently leading AL backstops in numerous offensive categories. His lifetime on-base percentage is second only to Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane among catchers. He also had the distinction of being the first switch hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in a game. Schang often earned glowing praise from contemporaries for his defense. One contemporary remarked that: "Just to watch him was an education in the art of catching." It's true that he was equipped with a strong arm behind the plate, but he was lacking other defensive attributes. He finished among the top three in errors committed nine times and also led the league twice in passed balls. His 223 lifetime errors as a catcher currently place him among the top forty of all time in that dubious category.
FIRST BASE
Mo Vaughn: Nicknamed "Hit Dog," Vaughn was a staple at first base for the Red Sox and Angels from 1993-2000. He averaged 35 homers and 111 RBIs per year during that span, capturing an MVP Award in '95. But throughout his career, the hulking first-sacker struggled defensively. One writer remarked that a pop fly for Vaughn "was an adventure." A 1996 Red Sox spring training report cited him as a defensive weakness. The headline read: "The Balls Should be Flying--But Will Any be Caught?" Plenty of balls eluded Vaughn over the years as he led the league in errors seven times--a major league record. What boggles the mind is that he played in just 175 games as a designated hitter.
SECOND BASE
Chuck Knoblauch: Knoblauch never had any difficulty with the offensive side of the game. After capturing Rookie of the Year honors in '91, he became one of the premier lead-off men in the American League, stealing 30 or more bases in six of eight seasons between 1992 and 1998. In '96, he hit .341 and led the league with 14 triples. Though he captured a Gold Glove the following year, he later developed a puzzling inability to throw to first base (sometimes referred to as "The Yips" or "Steve Blass Disease"). One of his errant throws sailed into the stands and hit a fan in the head. During a game on June 16, 2000, he voluntarily left the game after making three throwing errors in six innings for the Yankees. He never recovered and was subsequently moved to left field.
SHORTSTOP
Luke Appling: Appling was nicknamed "Old Aches and Pains" for his incessant griping about various physical ailments. During his twenty years in the majors, he won a pair of batting crowns while finishing among the top ten in batting average eight times. But Appling's glovework left something to be desired. In the minors, he was known as "Kid Boots" for his poor fielding. Between 1933 and 1939, he led the American League in errors four times. Despite his defensive shortcomings, he set a major league record with 2,153 consecutive games played at shortstop. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
THIRD BASE
Edwin Encarnacion: A ninth round pick in the 2000 Amateur Draft, Dominican standout Encarnacion was a late-bloomer. After putting up middling numbers in his first few seasons, he has suddenly emerged as one of the Blue Jays' top sluggers with three consecutive 30-homer seasons from 2012-2014. Primarily a third baseman, Encarnacion's shoddy glovework has confined him to the role of a DH. 'Jays manager John Gibbons gave him a trial at first base in 2014, but he continued to disappoint. In 674 games at third base, Encarnacion has fielded his position more than 20 points below the league average--Yikes!
Here are my nominees for the American League's All Bat/ No Glove All Time All-Stars.
OUTFIELD:
Jose Canseco: Canseco had both power and speed, becoming baseball's first 40/40 man in 1988. What he didn't have was a glove to go with it. He provided one of the most spectacular bloopers of all time when he misjudged a fly ball that bounced off his head and over the fence for a home run. He was allegedly offered a pro soccer contract shortly after the incident. When his defensive ineptitude could be ignored no longer, he was used primarily as a DH. Forty-six percent of his lifetime appearances were in that capacity. Still, his career error total is among the top 100 for right fielders.
Reggie Jackson: Jackson was aware of his defensive shortcomings, commenting: "The only way I'm going to win a Gold Glove is with a can of spray paint." Manager and nemesis Billy Martin was acquainted with the slugger's weaknesses as well, telling reporters one day: "It's not that Reggie's a bad outfielder. He just has trouble judging the ball and picking it up." Most people know Jackson as "Mr. October," a nickname bestowed upon him for his postseason heroics. When he retired, his 563 regular season homers were among the top totals of all time. But he was always a little scary in the outfield, finishing among the top three in errors during nine seasons. The low-light of his defensive career came during a nationally televised game at Fenway Park, when Martin pulled him off the field for not hustling after a bloop hit by Jim Rice. Rice ended up with a double. Jackson ended up with a tarnished reputation.
Smead Jolley: Jolley had one of the greatest player names of the 1930s. In sixteen minor league seasons, he hit .367. In four campaigns with the White Sox and Red Sox, he hit .305. The reason he didn't stay in the majors longer was his abominable fielding. Cardinals coach Johnny Riddle remarked that Jolley looked "like a kid chasing soap bubbles" in the outfield. Numerous legends exist about Jolley's fielding exploits--none of which can be confirmed. According to one popular story, he committed three errors on a single play. According to another, he fell flat on his face coming down the steep left field embankment at Fenway Park (known to contemporaries as "Duffy's Cliff"). A verifiable fact, Jolley averaged one error per every 9 outfield assignments, which would have put him on pace to shatter any error record ever established.
CATCHER
Wally Schang: Schang's career began in the Deadball Era and extended into the offensive renaissance of the 1920s/30s. During his nineteen seasons in the majors, he hit .280 or better on ten occasions, frequently leading AL backstops in numerous offensive categories. His lifetime on-base percentage is second only to Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane among catchers. He also had the distinction of being the first switch hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in a game. Schang often earned glowing praise from contemporaries for his defense. One contemporary remarked that: "Just to watch him was an education in the art of catching." It's true that he was equipped with a strong arm behind the plate, but he was lacking other defensive attributes. He finished among the top three in errors committed nine times and also led the league twice in passed balls. His 223 lifetime errors as a catcher currently place him among the top forty of all time in that dubious category.
FIRST BASE
Mo Vaughn: Nicknamed "Hit Dog," Vaughn was a staple at first base for the Red Sox and Angels from 1993-2000. He averaged 35 homers and 111 RBIs per year during that span, capturing an MVP Award in '95. But throughout his career, the hulking first-sacker struggled defensively. One writer remarked that a pop fly for Vaughn "was an adventure." A 1996 Red Sox spring training report cited him as a defensive weakness. The headline read: "The Balls Should be Flying--But Will Any be Caught?" Plenty of balls eluded Vaughn over the years as he led the league in errors seven times--a major league record. What boggles the mind is that he played in just 175 games as a designated hitter.
SECOND BASE
Chuck Knoblauch: Knoblauch never had any difficulty with the offensive side of the game. After capturing Rookie of the Year honors in '91, he became one of the premier lead-off men in the American League, stealing 30 or more bases in six of eight seasons between 1992 and 1998. In '96, he hit .341 and led the league with 14 triples. Though he captured a Gold Glove the following year, he later developed a puzzling inability to throw to first base (sometimes referred to as "The Yips" or "Steve Blass Disease"). One of his errant throws sailed into the stands and hit a fan in the head. During a game on June 16, 2000, he voluntarily left the game after making three throwing errors in six innings for the Yankees. He never recovered and was subsequently moved to left field.
SHORTSTOP
Luke Appling: Appling was nicknamed "Old Aches and Pains" for his incessant griping about various physical ailments. During his twenty years in the majors, he won a pair of batting crowns while finishing among the top ten in batting average eight times. But Appling's glovework left something to be desired. In the minors, he was known as "Kid Boots" for his poor fielding. Between 1933 and 1939, he led the American League in errors four times. Despite his defensive shortcomings, he set a major league record with 2,153 consecutive games played at shortstop. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964.
THIRD BASE
Edwin Encarnacion: A ninth round pick in the 2000 Amateur Draft, Dominican standout Encarnacion was a late-bloomer. After putting up middling numbers in his first few seasons, he has suddenly emerged as one of the Blue Jays' top sluggers with three consecutive 30-homer seasons from 2012-2014. Primarily a third baseman, Encarnacion's shoddy glovework has confined him to the role of a DH. 'Jays manager John Gibbons gave him a trial at first base in 2014, but he continued to disappoint. In 674 games at third base, Encarnacion has fielded his position more than 20 points below the league average--Yikes!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Piazza in the Hall?
The doors to Cooperstown have suddenly swung wide open. For the second year in a row, baseball writers saw fit to elect three or more players at once. It's an interesting development considering that only fourteen men were granted access to the Hall by the BBWAA over the previous decade. Will the mass enshrinement continue in the coming years?
(My Magic 8 Ball says...)
Don't Count on it.
Among the holdovers from this year's election, there are only a handful who meet Hall of Fame standards according to the Bill James scoring system (which is a fairly reliable indicator). Even fewer in that group have received any considerable support from voters. Curt Schilling, who will be entering his fourth year on the ballot, peaked at 39.2% of the vote this year--only slightly above his debut of 38.8%. The same holds true for bad boys Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Both have been holding steady in the thirtieth percentile over the last three elections. Though speedster Tim Raines reached a personal high of 55% in 2015, it took him eight years to get there and he's still a long way off. Former Astros' slugger Jeff Bagwell has failed to gain any momentum, hovering in the fiftieth percentile for four years running.
One player who appears to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory is Mike Piazza. Among the greatest offensive catchers of all time, Piazza captured 69.9% of the vote this year, falling just five percentage points shy of enshrinement. In the coming years, only a handful of new candidates will seriously compete with Piazza for Hall of Fame consideration. In 2016, Ken Griffey Jr. will be added to the ballot along with relief specialist Trevor Hoffman. 2017 will mark the arrival of Ivan Rodriguez. He'll be joined in 2018 by first-timers Omar Vizquel, Chipper Jones and Jim Thome. Looking even further into the future, Mariano Rivera will become eligible in 2019. Assuming there will be no sudden inclination among voters toward electing steroid abusers, designated hitters and assorted trouble makers like Manny Ramirez, the list of inductees should be considerably smaller over the next several elections.
(My Magic 8 Ball says...)
Don't Count on it.
Among the holdovers from this year's election, there are only a handful who meet Hall of Fame standards according to the Bill James scoring system (which is a fairly reliable indicator). Even fewer in that group have received any considerable support from voters. Curt Schilling, who will be entering his fourth year on the ballot, peaked at 39.2% of the vote this year--only slightly above his debut of 38.8%. The same holds true for bad boys Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Both have been holding steady in the thirtieth percentile over the last three elections. Though speedster Tim Raines reached a personal high of 55% in 2015, it took him eight years to get there and he's still a long way off. Former Astros' slugger Jeff Bagwell has failed to gain any momentum, hovering in the fiftieth percentile for four years running.
One player who appears to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory is Mike Piazza. Among the greatest offensive catchers of all time, Piazza captured 69.9% of the vote this year, falling just five percentage points shy of enshrinement. In the coming years, only a handful of new candidates will seriously compete with Piazza for Hall of Fame consideration. In 2016, Ken Griffey Jr. will be added to the ballot along with relief specialist Trevor Hoffman. 2017 will mark the arrival of Ivan Rodriguez. He'll be joined in 2018 by first-timers Omar Vizquel, Chipper Jones and Jim Thome. Looking even further into the future, Mariano Rivera will become eligible in 2019. Assuming there will be no sudden inclination among voters toward electing steroid abusers, designated hitters and assorted trouble makers like Manny Ramirez, the list of inductees should be considerably smaller over the next several elections.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Record-Setting Streaks (Part IX--Ted Williams, Piggy Ward and Earl Averill Jr.)
Considered by many to be the greatest natural hitter in baseball history, Ted Williams preyed upon American League pitching for nineteen seasons, retiring with a slew of notable accomplishments under his belt. Among his less-heralded feats was a streak of reaching base safely in sixteen consecutive plate appearances. He assembled the skein in September of 1957--the same year he won his fifth batting crown with a mark of .388. Over a one-week span, "Teddy Ballgame" collected 6 hits, 9 free passes, an intentional walk and a hit-by-pitch all in succession. 4 of his 6 hits were homers. Rendering the feat even more extraordinary, he was thirty-nine years old at the time.
Williams' streak is not the longest of its kind, though it is (perhaps) the most impressive. In 1893, Piggy Ward of the Cincinnati Reds reached safely in seventeen straight trips to the plate--a mark that still stands. But the rules were quite different in Ward's day. Back in 1893, foul bunts and held foul tips were not classified as strikes. Additionally, there was no infield fly rule and the height of the mound was not yet regulated. If ever there was a record in need of an asterisk, this is the one!
Ward's dubious mark was tied in 1962 by Earl Averill Jr.--son of the Hall of Fame center fielder. Averill's string was rendered less remarkable by the inclusion of an error and a fielder's choice. He finished the season with a feeble .219 batting average--nearly a hundred points below his father's lifetime mark. The streak was his only claim to fame (aside from ties to baseball royalty) during a mediocre career that spanned portions of seven major league seasons.
In terms of getting on base, there are few players who came close to matching the career numbers put up by Ted Williams. In addition to compiling the highest on-base percentage in history at .482, Williams also holds the record for reaching base safely in consecutive games--84 in 1949. Even DiMaggio fell short of that mark during his incredible 1941 campaign. "The Yankee Clipper" reached base in 74 straight games that year--the second longest streak to date. Interestingly, Williams wasn't far behind in '41, finding his way aboard in 69 consecutive contests.
Williams' streak is not the longest of its kind, though it is (perhaps) the most impressive. In 1893, Piggy Ward of the Cincinnati Reds reached safely in seventeen straight trips to the plate--a mark that still stands. But the rules were quite different in Ward's day. Back in 1893, foul bunts and held foul tips were not classified as strikes. Additionally, there was no infield fly rule and the height of the mound was not yet regulated. If ever there was a record in need of an asterisk, this is the one!
Ward's dubious mark was tied in 1962 by Earl Averill Jr.--son of the Hall of Fame center fielder. Averill's string was rendered less remarkable by the inclusion of an error and a fielder's choice. He finished the season with a feeble .219 batting average--nearly a hundred points below his father's lifetime mark. The streak was his only claim to fame (aside from ties to baseball royalty) during a mediocre career that spanned portions of seven major league seasons.
In terms of getting on base, there are few players who came close to matching the career numbers put up by Ted Williams. In addition to compiling the highest on-base percentage in history at .482, Williams also holds the record for reaching base safely in consecutive games--84 in 1949. Even DiMaggio fell short of that mark during his incredible 1941 campaign. "The Yankee Clipper" reached base in 74 straight games that year--the second longest streak to date. Interestingly, Williams wasn't far behind in '41, finding his way aboard in 69 consecutive contests.
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