Bleacher Report - Articles by Cliff Eastham

Is Joe Mauer the Best Player in Major League Baseball?

Cliff Eastham — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:52:52 -0500

I recently took a written beating for saying that I thought Joe Mauer was helped greatly by being a catcher, in his recent naming as the American League's Most Valuable Player for 2009.

With that being said, is Mauer not only the best catcher in the game, is he also the best player in MLB? Let's not throw pitchers in this mix, I would like to be able to compare "apples with apples."

First order of business, let's look at what competition he actually has, at least in my opinion. Forget steroid talk, age of the player, futuristic possibilities, etc. These will appear in no particular order in the following list:

1) Albert Pujols

2) Miguel Cabrera

3) Alex Rodriguez

4) Mark Teixeira

5) Hanley Ramirez

6) Ryan Howard

7) Ichiro Suzuki

8) Chase Utley

These are the only contenders in my view. If you disagree, you are cordially invited to toss someone else in the mix.

These statistics reflect averages for 162 games:

PLAYER	R	H	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS+	RISP
Mauer	97	196	17	92	.327	.408	.483	136	.347
Pujols	124	199	42	129	.334	.427	.628	172	.345
Cabrera	98	190	33	117	.311	.383	.542	140	.318
Rodriguez	126	189	44	128	.305	.390	.576	147	.301
Teixeira	102	178	37	122	.290	.378	.545	136	.314
Ramirez	123	202	27	82	.316	.386	.531	138	.305
Howard	103	166	49	142	.279	.376	.586	142	.278
Ichiro	111	231	10	59	.333	.378	.434	118	.340
Utley	109	178	29	106	.295	.379	.523	129	.291

I believe that if you were just relying on statistics, Pujols would win this contest in walk-off fashion. He leads the pack in four of the nine categories.

Now we all know that stats only show us so much of the player's ability. Many B/R readers believe that 1B is the easies to play and C is the hardest. Therefore, according to some, an intangible factor would need to be invented to sway things the way of the catcher.

It is interesting to note that of the nine players I chose, four play 1B, one 2B, one SS, one C, one 3B and one OF.

I am not a mathematician, nor do I play one on TV, and therefore could not come up with a numerical factor to represent the different positions. So it would seem justifiable to come to the conclusion that Albert Pujols is the best player in the game today.

OK, I am ready. Let's hear it.

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Could Manny Pacquiao Beat Paul Williams at 147 Pounds?

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:20:08 -0500

Manny Pacquiao has seemingly improved with every fight. He has taken a good deal of punishment throughout his brilliant career, however not nearly as much as he has delivered to his adversaries.

The question I have, especially in the throes of all the madness about a Gazillion Dollar fight with Pretty Boy Floyd, could he beat Paul (The Punisher) Williams ?

The question has been thrown at Mayweather fans so long, concerning his alleged ducking of Williams, that I wonder about the possibility of Pacman and the Punisher getting together.

Williams has fought as a welter-weight, junior middle-weight, middle-weight and super middle-weight during his 8-plus year professional career. He has fought at weights ranging from 145 1/2 against Walter Matthysse in 2006, to 160 against Robert Muhammad in 2001 and James Young in 2000.

Therefore it shouldn't be a stretch for him to slide back down to 147 for a fight with a warrior such as Manny.

The age difference is not convincingly different—Manny being 30 while Williams is only 28. If this fight were ever made, it would truly be a David and Goliath conflict. Williams standing a towering 6'1" or 6"2" (depending upon where you read about him) would be menacing looking to a 5'6" Pacquiao.

The height disparity was so obvious when Williams stepped into the ring against Carlos Quintana (at 5'9") it looked like a grown man fighting a kid. Can you imagine how it would look with someone nearly three inches shorter than Carlos?

Pacquiao's constant motion would clearly be a test for the Punisher who averages throwing around 100 punches per round.

If nothing else, Quintana's first fight with Williams, which he won by an unanimous decision, lifted the veil of invincibility from Paul. Quintana landed jabs and right hooks all night long against the taller southpaw.

I doubt if the fight would ever be made. With so many boxing fans wanting the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to happen, I believe they would rob a liquor store to get enough money to watch it.

Manny is on an 11 fight win streak is currently 50-3-2 with 38 KO. Williams is 37-1 with 27 KO, currently riding a four fight win streak of his own.

Williams' height and build is reminiscent of Tommy Hearns , a great fighter who began as a welter-weight at 146 and retired in the cruiser-weight division, fighting as heavy as 191 against Uriah Grant.

I think it would be a great fight, exciting to watch, and who knows it could mimic the drama of the first Hearns/Leonard fight of 1981, which Sugar Ray won with a 14th round TKO.

What are your thoughts concerning such a confrontation?

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Willy Taveras

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:41:53 -0500

This is the sixth installment of the grading of the starters for the Cincinnati Reds' 2009 performances.

Willy Taveras is my biggest disappointment of the Reds' acquisitions last season. He came in as the reigning National League stolen base champ with 68.

This season, he "tentatively" stole only 25 bases and finished a dismal ninth in the league. Michael Bourn of the Houston Astros was the league's most prolific thief this year with 61.

When a player's OBP doesn't equal a real good batting average, something is wrong. A .275 OBP is a notch or two below anemic. His .240 average was a career low as well.

He missed 34 games in August and September while spending time on the disabled list.

His disappointing season is another terrible return on our money—$2.25 M basically poured down the drain. He did not perform as the table setter most of us expected him to be. He ran "cautiously" at best, rarely attempting to steal, appearing as though he was unable to get a read on the pitcher.

Prior to coming to the Queen City, Taveras was a respectable .283 career hitter. He only scored 56 runs and collected 97 hits. His OPS+ was a microscopic 48. That isn't a typo; there are only two digits in the number.

His defense was adequate, but again, not up to expectations. In all, it was just a miserable season for the 27-year-old Dominican.

If Walt Jocketty and the other Muckety Mucks think Willy is a bona fide center fielder that will lead us anywhere but the lower portion of the Central Division, he is on the Chinese pipe.

Look at these statistics he posted in 2009.

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
404	56	97	11	2	1	15	.240	25	.275	.285	.559	48

Unfortunately, Willy ends the year with a weak D.

Next up: Jay Bruce

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Is Albert Pujols the Best Cardinal Player Ever, Including Stan Musial?

Cliff Eastham — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:53:14 -0500

As you know, Albert Pujols won his second consecutive National League Most Valuable Player Award. He didn't just win it, he won it unanimously. Every single voter had him as their No. 1 pick.

Pujols' exploits have been well chronicled. I think he is the best baseball player who is currently playing baseball on Planet Earth. Some would disagree, but that is the prerogative of baseball fans everywhere.

While we shower Prince Albert with praise that he is absolutely deserving of, I would like to ask a question. Is he the best player to ever play for the St. Louis Cardinals?

All you must do is look out front of Busch Stadium to see the statue of the "face of the franchise," Stan "The Man" Musial, to see his only competitor for that particular honor. You need look no further.

Stan Musial was one of the greatest players to ever play the game of baseball. He played 22 seasons, all with the Cards, from 1941 until 1963. He is a three-time winner of the MVP award—as is Pujols, was on 24 All-Star teams (two games were played from 1959-62) at four different positions.

Musial also won seven batting titles, two RBI Crowns, was the league leader in runs scored five times, in hits six times, had over 200 hits six times, led the league in doubles eight times, triples five times, in OBP six times, in SLG six times, in OPS seven times, and OPS+ six times (once at 200). He also was the league leader in total bases six times. His career OPS+ is 159. In 17 seasons, he batted over .300, 16 consecutively. He also hit 30 or more HR six times, and drove in over 100 runs 10 times, while scoring over 100 runs 11 times.

In 24 All-Star appearances (a record he shares with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron) he hit six HR (a record which still stands), 10 RBI and batted .317.

His career stats are nearly unbelievable.

BA=.331, R=1949, H=3630 (1815 at home, 1815 away), HR=475, RBI=1951.

Pujols, like Musial, hit the ground running. In 2001, he won the Rookie of the Year award while putting up MVP-type numbers: 37 HR, 130 RBI, and a .329 average.

He has played nine seasons thus far and .314 is the lowest season average he has posted. He has hit over 40 HR five times, while belting 30 or more the other four. He has had at least 103 RBI each season he has played.

In 2003, he won the National League batting title with a .359 average. This past season (2009) he won his first HR crown, with 47. He led the league in hits in 2003 with 212. He has been on the All-Star team each year with the exception of 2002 when he placed second in the MVP voting. He led the league in OBP once, in SLG three times, OPS three times and OPS+ three times. He was also the league leader in TB four times.

In seven All-Star appearances Pujols has batted .353 with three RBI.

His career numbers are as unbelievable—albeit incomplete—as Musial's.

BA=.334, R=1071, H=1717, HR=366, RBI=1112. His career OPS+ is 172.

Two great players from two time periods on the same squad. Obviously if Pujols continues to put up the crazy numbers we have become accustomed to expect for a few more years, he will surpass many of Stan's numbers and be the best Cardinal ever.

Until that day, I believe Stan Musial is still the best Cardinal in history.

What are your thoughts?

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. the Best Boxer of All Time?

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:22:59 -0500

That may be a foolish question to some boxing fans, experts, and enthusiasts.

There have been scores of great fighters, hundreds of very good fighters, and thousands of good fighters.

It is impossible to accurately say that one fighter would beat another fighter from a different era. It is, however, one of the things that makes boxing one of the most debatable and colorful sports there is.

There are obviously fighters in the past, and even currently, who possess(ed) more power than Floyd. Some would be willing to get hit seven or eight times to be able to launch one bomb.

Floyd is virtually unmarked as a fighter, hence the moniker Pretty Boy Floyd. He looks more like a movie star than a pugilist.

While drinking a pint in a tavern, nothing whiles away the time better than a good old fashioned discussion about how Ali could have knocked out Marciano, or how Willie Pep could have given a boxing lesson to Manny Pacquiao (when he was a featherweight).

Thus, we have two factions warring against one another. Old school fans and experts tend to want to give the edge to the guys that they grew up idolizing or following closely.

Secondly, we have the new age fans, who can't seem to imagine how anybody could be better than the current field. Advanced training methods with bigger, stronger, and faster fighters make today's competition much more fierce than in days gone by.

I suppose I would be called old school because of my age, however, I am making a case today for the current best in the world, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

I have thought about it for some time, and have finally pushed myself to a decision. I believe Pretty Boy is the best "boxer" in the history of the sport.

I said boxer, not fighter. Let me illustrate. When you look up the word "boxer" in the dictionary, Wikipedia, or whatever, you should see an image of him right there on the page. He epitomizes the word.

I have seen boxers since the late fifties and there have been some dandies. Cassius Clay (the caterpillar who turned into the butterfly Muhammad Ali), Floyd Patterson, Archie Moore, Emile Griffith, Joe Frazier, George Foreman (twice), Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tommy Hearns, Julio Caesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor, Bobby Foster, Roberto Duran, and Larry Holmes, just to name a few.

I watched those fighters while they were still active and I saw films of most of the other great ones.

There is not one, in my opinion, who is or was superior to Floyd Mayweather. If there ever was a complete package in one boxer, he would be it.

His defense is beyond description, he is as hard to hit as a bat flying in front of you at night.

He has the fastest hands I believe I ever saw. His punch placement is as good or better than Ali's. He wastes no gas. He is as effective with his punches as anyone ever has been. He has developed a respectful portion of power over the years.

It is a joy to watch him as he commands the ring, dictating how the fight goes. His stinging jabs keep the brawlers off balance and measures them for a strong right hand.

Do I think he could have beaten fighters of other eras? Yes, I do. I think he could have won decisions over Robinson, Leonard, and any other fighters who were in his weight classes.

Pound for pound, he is the best ever. I realize this is speculative at best, and everybody has their own opinions, but I believe he is the one.

There have been other fighters who have retired undefeated. The great Rocky Marciano and even more recent than he, Joe Calzaghe (who quit just in time considering he was down in round one and barely won a split decision over Bernard Hopkins).

Money has beaten everyone who had the stones to throw with him. Some of today's best have witnessed his hand being raised at the end of their bout with him; Oscar De Le Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Jose Luis Castillo, Chop Chop Corley, Sharmba Mitchell, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

He is in fact, the best boxer in the history of the sport.

What are your thoughts?

Joe Mauer: Is the Twins Catcher's Position the Main Reason He Won the MVP Award?

Cliff Eastham — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:07:37 -0500

In a showdown of American League's "best," it probably comes as a surprise to very few (living outside of New York) that Joe Mauer won the Most Valuable Player Award walking away. The only other first-place vote went to Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers.

Catchers seem to have a bone tossed their way on a regular basis, don't they?

What's that? You disagree, you say?

We must look no further than last season (2008) when Chicago Cubs catcher Geovanny Soto won the National League Rookie of the Year Award (running away) from should-have-been winner Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds.

Doubt me if you must, but just check the numbers. Votto batted .297 with 24 home runs and 84 RBI. Soto's numbers were similar but inferior: .285, 23 HR, 86 RBI. Surely you will show me more respect than to attempt to say those two RBI assured him passage on such a runaway train.

I don't wish to digress from the purpose of this piece; I was just offering up a recent example of "behind the plate" preferences. I could go on, but then what is the point?

Am I attempting to diminish Mauer's great year and his first MVP trophy, not to mention that incredible .365 average? No, not at all.

Should it have been one of the New York Yankees since they did win the World Series—say, perhaps, Mark Teixeira or Derek Jeter? Yes, I think Tex should have been the winner, and let me tell you why.

Teixeira won two legs of the Triple Crown, tied with Carlos Pena for the league lead in homers with 39, and was the league leader in RBI with 122. The only remaining leg of the Crown was won in convincing fashion by Mauer with an incredible .365 batting average. Mauer did lead the league in OBP, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Both men are Gold Glove winners, but if there is another first basemen with the defensive skills of Tex, I wish someone would bring him to the forefront so we could lay hands on him. He also tied for the league lead in total bases with Cabrera, at 344.

The best "overall" year at the plate of anyone in the American League was crafted by Cabrera. It is still hard for me to believe he is only 26 years old. Let us get out our pencils and compare apples to apples—that is to say Cabrera and Mauer. Cabrera's vital signs were .324 with 34 homers and 103 RBI. The Tigers first baseman had more runs (96-94), hits (198-191), doubles (34-30), home runs (34-28), RBI (103-96), and total bases (344-307) than Mauer.

As is the case nearly every year, there are disputes in many of the categories voted on by those slick-talking sages (baseball writers) who are oozing with acumen.

Condensing a long story into a "Reader's Digest" format, do I think Joe Mauer is undeserving of the award? No, of course not; I just think Mark Teixeira is a tad more deserving.

What's your story?

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Jonny Gomes

Cliff Eastham — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:49:33 -0500

This is the fifth report card I have given out to the starting players for the Cincinnati Reds.

I started it by giving first baseman Joey Votto an A, followed by Brandon Phillips, whom I graded a solid B.

Next up was shortstop Paul Janish, who inherited the starting role when Alex Gonzalez was sent to the Boston Red Sox. Janish barely made muster as he received a disappointing D+ due to his anemic bat.

He was followed by third baseman Scott Rolen, who came in after approximately 3/4 of the season was over. Scott received a B+ performing both offensively and defensively with a very respectable measure.

Jonny Gomes didn't make the club coming out of spring training. His tenacity and hard work paid off for him as he was brought up from Louisville on May 22 in a home series with the Cleveland Indians.

Largely used as a pinch-hitter during most of his first several games, he began platooning with Laynce Nix among others playing left field and right field.

Gomes' power was highlighted as he hit 20 HR in only 314 plate appearances. Based on a 502 AB, that would yield 32 round-trippers.

His average was up .042 from his career total up through last (2008) season, .267 to .235. His OPS+ this year was a very respectable 127.

The highlight of his season came on August 13 at home against the Washington Nationals. He blasted three home runs and drove in five in four at bats.

He had one other game in which he left the yard more than once, belting two in a game against the San Diego Padres.

Although far from flashy in the field, and certainly not fleet of foot, Gomes committed only two errors this season.

He is not the best base-runner on the squad but did manage three steals while being thrown out only once.

A pretty decent year for a man who didn't make the team originally.

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Why Jason Bay Should've Accepted the Boston Red Sox' $60 Million Offer

Cliff Eastham — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:44:53 -0500

ESPN.com reports that Boston Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay refused an initial offer by the team and will dive into the pool of free agency to test the depth of its waters.

If the figures mentioned—$60 million over four years—are indeed what was offered by the front office, Bay and/or his agent may prove to be foolish. Large money is becoming much more difficult to demand with the economy suffering as it is.

Even though $15 million per year would not place him at the head of the class, neither does the .267 average he posted this past season. It is also a pretty doggone good salary for anyone, even a baseball star.

I am not attempting to diminish the ability or the statistics of Bay; I merely state what I believe are solid facts.

I have always liked Bay, even when he was the best hitter against the Cincinnati Reds while a Pittsburgh Pirate. He absolutely wore the Reds thin, seemingly hitting multiple homers each series, especially at Great American Ball Park.

It is a very good resume he boasts, may I add. He won the Rookie of the Year Award while with the Pirates in 2004, when he batted .282 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI. In four complete seasons with the Bucs, he batted .281 and averaged 32 homers and 104 RBI (based on a 162-game season).

He has been a crowd-pleaser and one of the best players on the Red Sox. His salary for 2009 was reported as $7.8 million, according to ESPN.com. It would be hard to support a claim that he be paid twice what he made when he batted .267 with 36 homers and 119 RBI, being among the league leaders in the latter two categories.

Tampa Bay left fielder Pat Burrell found the financial waters waving roughly after his final season with the (then-) world champion Philadelphia Phillies. He eventually signed with the Rays for $7 million, half of what he commanded the year before.

He is one of the top two left fielders on the market at the present time, the other being Matt Holliday, most recently of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He may be handsomely rewarded for his voyage to the pinnacle of the salary world, but it would surprise me if anyone would be willing to beat that offer. Having said that, I would love to see him in a Cincinnati uniform—at half that amount.

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Scott Rolen

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:39:47 -0500

While Scott Rolen is still in the "honeymoon" stage with the Reds, I will be evaluating him on a 40-game season.

His hitting is better than average, which should be expected for a .284 lifetime hitter. He didn't exhibit the power that I was so hopeful he would. Three home runs in a quarter of the season make it elementary enough to do the math; 12 home runs would not cut it for a corner infielder. He had a decent OBP as well at .364.

With the leather, we saw precisely what everyone in baseball has been accustomed to witnessing. He played error-free ball while with the Reds, as well as making a few very nice gems.

Rolen is a good presence in the clubhouse and an intangible source of guidance to this squad. He is in the twilight of his career, so hopefully he will have a few good years left and will be able to hang up the spikes while still close to home (Jasper, IN).

He is an asset to an infield that is one shortstop away from being comparable to any other team. We had to mortgage the house in order to find room on the payroll to welcome him to the Queen City. We gave up on a couple pitchers with possible stars on their horizon.

A good solid job for a brief stint. His final mark for 2009 is a B+.

Next up: Jonny Gomes

Tim Lincecum Wins National League's Cy Young Award By Default

Cliff Eastham — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:15 -0500

ESPN has just announced that Tim Lincecum has become the first MLB repeat winner of the Cy Young Award since Randy Johnson won four in succession from 1999-2002.

Lincecum, in my opinion, won the award by default this season. I don't think the voters could choose between Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, both of the St. Louis Cardinals, so they chose Lincecum by default.

Carpenter led the league in ERA with a dazzling 2.24 and the best ERA+ at 183. He also had the best W/L PCT with .810 and the best whip of the three at 1.007.

Lincecum led the league for the second consecutive season in strikeouts with 261. He also led the league in complete games and shutouts.

Wainwright was the league leader in wins with 19. He also led in games started with 37, and innings pitched with 233.

The voting was as thin as ice, with Lincecum receiving 100 votes, Carpenter 94, and Wainwright 90. Wainwright received the most 1st place votes with 12.

Even though I believe Tim is the best starting pitcher on the planet, I do not feel he is worthy of the repeat honor. In fact, it seems incredulous that a man with 15 wins could win the award while leading the league in only one of the three "triple crown" categories.

Chris Carpenter should have won the award and although he was not "above and beyond" the others, I believe he did enough to win the award.

What are your thoughts?

Sources:

ESPN.com

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. -Manny Pacquiao: Who Is the Best?

Cliff Eastham — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:17:56 -0500

What does Manny Pacquiao have that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. does not? The answer to that is a simple one-word response: respect.

Far too few boxing fans hold Pretty Boy Floyd in any respectful light, whatsoever. He has been called Moneybags, Motormouth, and worse, but the point remains that he is undefeated, without spot or blemish on his record. Pure (may I say?) as the driven snow.

How did Manny get such world-wide praise and adoration? Some say it is because he is a true warrior, content to fight anyone who is willing to become a sacrificial lamb to the boxing gods. Nothing could be more accurate.

These are my two favorite boxers who are currently throwing hands. So I will be delighted by the outcome, regardless of whose hand is raised at the end of the war.

The boxing world is chomping at the bit to see this fight made by the Muckety Mucks of the boxing world. It probably is dominating 99 percent of the boxing coverage, being talked to death by radio shows.

Writers, both professional and amateur are dangling participles all over the fruited plain in order to describe which one is better and why he will win.

If you came here to find that out, you have walked through the correct door, my good man, or lady.

Let us ponder for the next several moments which of these great fighters is the best, how they got here, and what will happen when their collision eventuates.

First, let us speak of speed. If there is a boxer with faster hands than Money Mayweather, I have yet to see him or hear his name called out from the far reaches of Boxing Lore. There have certainly been some fast ones, you can be sure. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, and a host of others. I have watched film of each of these I have mentioned and can't see that any could best Pretty Boy.

Manny is a different cut of cloth altogether. He is fast, not super-fast like Mayweather, but faster than most. In most of his fights he is usually the one with the best hand speed, as Miguel Cotto found out much too painfully. If I were rating speed on a 10-point system, I would give the nod to Mayweather 10-8.

When we talk power, we must tread slowly. The first thing the tongue wants to say is that Manny is the better of the two. I concur, if we are speaking of one-punch ability. Mayweather punches in so many flurries that the recipient simply cannot block them all, thus the rub.

Neither of the two possess the punch that makes someone "starve to down bouncing" such as a Tommy Hearns (just think about his KO punch that floored the great Roberto Duran like an oak tree) or a George Foreman.

In the power profile, I would have to give Manny an eight and Mayweather a seven.

If you plan to examine fighters, you certainly cannot neglect to talk about defense.

Here, Pretty Boy stands alone. He, my friends, is the tallest tree in the defensive forest of professional boxing. If the man chooses to box, he will hit the opponent with so many left hands that the opponent will beg for a right.

In doing so, he doesn't make the mistake of many, by letting his defenses rest. If he doesn't see an exchange as a good idea, he will be on his toes throwing eight or nine punches and receiving maybe one in return.

Described in the least common of denominators, Floyd would have to be called Poetry in Motion. It is utterly fascinating to see him let his hands go. If you are a true boxing fan, and can't appreciate that, then I don't know what your source of boxing pleasure could be.

Manny, being southpaw, is very unorthodox to say the least. He gives his opponent different looks, but the impossible thing to overlook is his perpetual motion. He is throwing hands from the beginning to the end, non-stop. In that regard, he reminds me of Vinny Pazienza from a few years back. Vinny wasn't nearly as good or polished as Manny but he was non-stop.

You could say that Pacman's defense is his offense. It is hard to pick your shots when you are being hooked and overhanded from pillar to post. The first time I ever saw Manny or heard of him, was when he upset Marco Antonio Berrera. He did it in stunning fashion, knocking out Berrera in the 11th round winning Ring's Featherweight championship in the process.

My defensive ratings favor Mayweather, 10-7.

Pacman has reeled off 11 straight wins since losing a decision to Erik Morales in January of 2006. Along the way he avenged the loss to Morales with two knockouts. His skills are very good, he is a spectacular finisher. Once he smells victory, he releases the hounds, then the end comes.

Since Morales took him to school in '06 he has endeared himself to fight fans (myself included) and experts everywhere. Beating Manny would be no minuscule task. Mayweather will need to box, box and box some more. He will need to knock knots on Pacman's head faster than he can wipe them away, if he intends to close the deal.

The closest thing to a MoneyMay loss was a split decision win over the great Oscar "D" in May of 2007. I don't know what fight judge Tom Kaczmarek was watching, but that is neither here nor there.

Mayweather naysayers and detractors want others to think he was beaten by Jose Luis Castillo, but that is all speculation.

What is the comparison between opponents?

Some of the notable fighters Mayweather has beaten are Toney Pep, Angel Manfredy, Gregorio Vargas, Diego Corrales (undefeated), Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Castillo (twice), DeMarcus Corley, Arturo Gatti, Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, Carlos Manuel Baldomir, Oscar, Ricky Hatton (undefeated), and most recently Juan Manuel Marquez.

Manny's list of notorious victims include Marco Antonio Berrera (twice), Erik Morales (twice), Jorge Solis (undefeated), David Diaz, Oscar, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

Mayweather is undefeated at 40-0 with 25 knockouts, while Pacquiao boasts a record of 50-3 with two draws. His losses were to Rustico Torrecampo (third round KO), Medgoen Singsurat (third round KO) and Erik Morales. He had two fights which ended in draws. The first one was Agapito Sanchez and the other to Juan Miguel Marquez.

The notable common opponents are Oscar, Hatton and Marquez. They both defeated Oscar, Manny by TKO and Floyd by split decision. They both knocked out Ricky Hatton, Mayweather while he was undefeated and Pacman with a devastating two-round stoppage.

Marquez managed a draw with Pacman while Mayweather overwhelmed him with an unanimous decision.

The edge in common opponents goes to Manny, 10-9.

So, what can we look for when these two greats "get it on?"

If Mayweather fights tactically, hit-and-run style, he will win a decision. If he chooses to punch, I don't know if he can take it. The longer the fight goes, the edge goes to Floyd, in my opinion. Both times Manny was knocked out it came in round three.

If Pacman is overly confident or wades in without caution, he could easily be on the canvas wondering what happened.

It should be a fight that will go down as one of the greats. If Mayweather wins he will probably be forced to listen to hundreds or thousands of excuses as to why he won. If he loses, it will be a chorus of "see what happens when he fights a good fighter?"

If Manny can be the man who pulls the proverbial mask off the much scorned, so-called 'pretender", he will not only be the best pound-for-pound in the world, he will be one of the best ever to lace them up.

Ramon Hernandez Re-Signed by Cincinnati Reds: $3 Million More Down the Drain

Cliff Eastham — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:55:16 -0500

Wow. Just as I thought the Reds had given up on any hope they had for Ramon Hernandez, he slides in the back door. Cincinnati just signed him to a one-year contract (with options) worth $3 million.

The Reds had declined his $8.5 million option earlier, and many, including myself, were not sad to see him depart. Ryan Hanigan can play the position for one-eighth of the price or less, and just as well I might add. I had big plans for that money!

He came over to the Reds in a deal that sent "Swiss Utility Knife-like" player Ryan Freel to the Baltimore Orioles during the 2008 offseason. Freel has since been with at least two other squads, so the trade, as it were, could be called a wash or push.

Hernandez filled in at first base while Joey Votto underwent personal maladies. Although he did field the position adequately, his offensive production was lackluster at best.

Hernandez appeared in exactly half of the Reds' games this past season while hitting a paltry .258, with only five round-trippers. Three million dollars should buy you better than that. That money could have been well used in the purchase or trade of a decent-hitting shortstop.

As I wrote in an earlier piece, Paul Janish, in my mind, is not yet a starting-caliber shortstop for a MLB team. His average barely bests his weight, and that is a fact which cannot and certainly should not be ignored.

Janish has no power, cannot hit effectively, and is not especially fast, but he does field his position as decently as most other shortstops in the National League.

As distressing as this is to me, I hope I don't wake tomorrow and find that they had rehired Dick Pole.

The transactions the Reds have made recently have been less than stellar. With the exception of acquiring All-Star third baseman Scott Rolen from the Toronto Blue Jays, the management has not shown to be truly effective in their dealing capacities.

I could be wrong. Maybe in 2010 Hernandez could have the year everyone hoped for in 2009.

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Did You Know That Miguel Cotto Is Really Fernando Vargas?

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:46:31 -0500

A boxer's identity is something they have worked long and hard to achieve. Whether they want to be perceived as charming, polite, and gracious such as the identity crafted by the Golden Boy, Oscar de La Hoya; or a mean, frightful, vicious persona such as Ferocious Fernando Vargas.

The identity the boxer chooses is one that generally affects what the public perceives them to be. I think of Oscar and I think of something so pure it farts rainbows. On the other end of the spectrum when I think of Vargas I think of a monster who would rip your heart out and show it to you before your untimely demise.

The two fighters in this article, Vargas and Miguel Cotto, both like to present the feeling that they would absolutely die on their sword and be carried out on their shield rather than give up the conquest.

They both started out meteorically. Fernando Vargas reeled off 20 consecutive wins before sampling the acidic taste of defeat. On the other hand, Cotto had fought 32 times before his initial undoing.

Why do I draw comparisons between these two? What do they have in common?

Vargas and Cotto both fought some very good fighters on their way to the spotlight. Vargas was good enough to win a majority decision against Winky Wright in an IBF Light Middleweight title fight in 1999. That fight provided the impetus for Wright to go on a nearly seven-year streak where he didn't lose again.

Miguel Cotto's first fight with a marquee opponent, in my opinion, was in 2006 when he dealt Carlos Quintana his first defeat for the vacant WBA Welterweight title. Cotto beat Quintana into submission forcing him to retire in five rounds.

Vargas went on to beat Ike Quartey and Ross Thompson before giving us one of the most thrilling fights of the year when he succumbed to Felix Trinidad in a unification of the IBF and WBA Light Middleweight crowns. Vargas nearly fell on his own sword as Trinidad knocked him out in the 12th and final round. Both men had been down previously in the contest, Vargas twice in round one and three times in the final round. Trinidad was knocked down in the fourth.

After Cotto dispatched Quintana he went on to defeat Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and Alfonso Gomez before he met his "controversial" Waterloo. In a fight which he was being soundly whipped by Antonio Margarita, the corner threw in the towel near the beginning of the 11th round. Cotto's camp claimed that Margarita had used an illegal substance in his gloves during the fight. It certainly tainted a beautiful performance by Margarita, but meanwhile left Cotto's "superman" status somewhat deflated.

After Vargas was starched by Trinidad, he went on a successful two-fight rebuilding tour that brought him to the gates of Goldentown. That's right a war with the Golden Boy. Oscar beat him badly that night and Fernando was tested positive for steroids, resulting in a suspension of nine months and a $100,000 fine. Vargas denied the abuse of drugs but served the sentence and paid the fine.

Cotto knocked out Michael Jennings in a comeback cruise that was comprised of two fights. In the second fight he won a hard-fought split decision over Joshua Clottey in September of 2009, setting up what would be a fight for the ages with Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound champion in the world.

Fernando Vargas went on to win against four handpicked opponents in the next two years and set up a big money fight with Sugar Shane Mosley. Mosley beat him like he stole something, twice actually, and then he lost a decision to Ricardo Mayorga, whose claim to fame was a three-round devastation of the late Vernon Forest, and for smoking a cigarette in the ring after the fight. Vargas retired after that fight realizing that whatever he had once was gone.

In Cotto's showdown with Manny it was evident that the beating he took at the hands of Margarito had taken its toll. He looked good for the first round or two but then was completely outclassed and ultimately disassembled by the non-stop action of Pacman.

There you have a portrait of two careers, both promising at the beginning. Both promoted highly by HBO and other puntiffs of the sport. Both fighters eventually revealing a chink in their proverbial armor, and both having it handed to them but a superior fighter.

Though Vargas' career is over, the light switch hasn't been turned off yet by Cotto. There is still millions to make, stiffs to fight, and much, much rebuilding to do if he should get another big money fight.

There is nobody left that Cotto can beat. Mosley would pick him apart this time, as would Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather.

The end has come to Cotto's tenure of greatness just as it did with Ricky "Hitman" Hatton.

Why Is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Hated By All Boxing Fans?

Cliff Eastham — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:38:16 -0500

It is difficult for me to see why so many boxing fans hate Floyd Mayweather, Jr. When I say "hate", i don't mean dislike, tolerate, detest or even abhor. I believe many would like to see Money dead.

What is at the core of all of this venomous outrage for such a talented boxer? Is it because he doesn't look beaten up like Jake LaMotta or Tex Cobb? Is it because he has so much money he could literally wipe his butt with $100 bills?

When Pretty Boy (I prefer that moniker to Money) began his pro career as a brash young man in 1996, I saw him as cocky, irreverent, and disrespectful. From that time until he demolished the resurrected Arturo Gatti and then took apart Sharmba Mitchell I wanted him to lose every time.

Finally it came to me, that I didn't really dislike Mayweather the boxer, I detested Mayweather the man, the talker, the mean mouth.

This braggart has beaten Zab Judah, the great Oscar de la Hoya, Jose Luis Castillo twice, and Diego Corrales.

He has outclassed everyone who had the stones to walk into the ring with him. He has the fastest hands I have ever seen. Period. Don't tell me Ali was faster, don't tell me Chad Dawson or Sugar Ray was faster. Don't even tell me Roy Jones threw hands faster than Mayweather. Don't lie to me.

He has developed power over the years to complement his hand speed. He is stronger and much more powerful than most fans will admit, if they are honest with themselves.

The simple fact is that he will not be hit if he chooses to fight completely defensive. If he chooses to slug he may get tagged occasionally, but will always be willing to trade five or six good shots to one grazer coming his way.

He demolished Ricky Hatton when the "Hitman" was at the top of his game. Then after a 21 month retirement he came back and had his way with Juan Manuel Marquez, beating him like a 12th century slave.

The only thing keeping him from being the best P4P ever is Manny Pacquiao, another favorite of mine. Without digressing deeply I would like to say how fulfilling it was to see Manny silence the Cotto crowd.

When they do meet, and they will, I look to see Pretty Boy box as only he can. He should attempt to keep the relentless Pacman at bay with his excellent jab and will mix it up only occasionally. If he does that he will win a tough fought decision, thus establishing his place in boxing lore.

You know I am right, whether you wish to admit it or not.

Are You a Hardcore MLB Fan? Check Your Trivia Knowledge Here

Cliff Eastham — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:20:34 -0500

Do you consider yourself a hardcore fan of baseball history? Is your head filled with frivolous information such as the time of day the "shot heard round the world" occurred?

I like to consider myself to be somewhat knowledgeable concerning the more important things that has taken place in MLB history. Being a graduate of Old School, it is hard to think that instead of younger fans knowing who has hit the most home runs in All-Star game history, they are more concerned with who has the best VORP.

Here are a few nuggets you may or may not have dug up before. Some are interesting, some are nearly unbelievable and some are ridiculous, but they all are authentic.

See how many you know and how many surprises you discover.

Did you know that Roy Face of the Pittsburgh Pirates holds the single season W/L Pct?

In 1959, Roy (who was the first pitcher I was ever aware of who threw a "fork" ball) was an incredible 18-1 which translates to .947. All of his wins came as a reliever.

Rafael Palmeiro has played more games than anyone in MLB history who has never gone to the World Series.

Palmeiro played an incredible 2,831 games from 1986 to 2005 while with the Cubs, the Rangers twice and the Orioles twice.

Are you surprised to know that Jim Thome is fifth on the career list of AB/HR?

Thome has an excellent ratio, hitting one homer in 13.66 at bat. He is looking up in this list to Mark McGwire (1), Babe Ruth (2), Ryan Howard (3) and Barry Bonds (4).

Are you aware that Darren Dreifort made $63,882,000 in MLB?

As a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1994-2004 he crafted a career record of 48-60 with an ERA of 4.36. I must bow and admit I have never heard of him prior to researching this article.

That boils down to over 1.3 million bucks per win. Maybe the Sabrmetric guys could come up with a matrix for that, or have they already?

Career hit king Pete Rose made more outs than anyone in MLB history?

Pete made 10,328 outs during his 24-year career. He is followed by Hank Aaron (9136), Carl Yastrzemski, Cal Ripkin, and Eddie Murray.

Did you know Barry Bonds was walked intentionally more than Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays combined in their careers?

Bonds received 688 intentional free passes compared to Aaron (283), Banks (198), and Mays (192).

The most prolific base stealer Ricky Henderson was caught stealing more times than anyone in history.

Henderson was caught stealing 335 times in his career and 42 times in 1982 (a single season record).

Who is the only player in MLB history to win a Rookie of the Year Award, Most Valuable Player Award and a Triple Crown during his career?

Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson was Rookie of the Year with Cincinnati in 1956, won an MVP with Cincinnati in 1961 and in 1966 won the MVP and a Triple Crown with the Baltimore Orioles.

What pitcher was on the most All-Star teams?

Warren Spahn of the Braves was on 17 squads in the Midsummer Classic.

What Most Valuable Player Award winner had the lowest batting average (position players only)?

Marty "Slats" Marion of the St. Louis Cardinals batted .267 while winning the award in 1944. Keep in mind the War was still waging in full vigor.

What pitcher has the lowest WHIP in MLB history for a single season?

In 2000, Pedro Martinez posted a blinding 0.737 while with the Boston Red Sox.

Who is the only pitcher in history to start at least two games for the American League and two for the National League in the All-Star game?

Randy Johnson was the AL starter while with Seattle in 1995 and 1997, and started for the NL while with Arizona in 2000 and 2001.

What American League Player was on the most All-Star teams?

Mickey Mantle was on 20, though there was two games each season from 1959 until 1962.

What pitcher has the lowest number of hits allowed per nine innings during his career?

Nolan Ryan allowed only 6.555 hits per nine innings during his 27 seasons.

So how did you do? Did you know them all? If you said yes, you are lying and you know it (just kidding).

Here is a quick one to end with. Answer in the comment section if you know it.

What announcer used the term "he sloood into second"?

SOURCES:

Baseball-Reference

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Would Mark DeRosa Be a Nice Fit With the Cincinnati Reds?

Cliff Eastham — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:01:23 -0500

I repeat my assertion that the Reds need a solid shortstop to be an authentic contender for the Central Division championship. I have had my fill of Juan Castro's, Felipe Lopez's (though look at him now), Enrique Cruz's and Alex Gonzalez's until I could puke.

Jeff Keppinger filled in for nearly a year and did an adequate job. I think they sent him to Houston while my back was turned shortly before the season began.

Since the retirement of Barry Larkin, they have come and gone so swiftly that a daily roster is needed to keep abreast of the situation. Prior to that, Roy McMillan, Chico Cardenas, and Dave Concepcion provided a strong lineage that existed until Larkin's arrival in 1986.

Mark DeRosa, a Type B Free Agent, is a Swiss Army Knife of MLB if there ever was one. He can play anywhere in the infield or outfield without giving quarter to the opposition.

He can hit adequately, as his .275 career average testifies. He can hit with power, as he has left left the proverbial yard 44 times in the previous two seasons.

We don't know if DeRosa is a Gold Glove player, because he hasn't had the opportunity to play consistently at one position long enough.

He has played third base more than any other position, however I could see him at second base if the Reds would like to move Brandon Phillips back to his original position of shortstop.

Age is not a big concern, either, as he is only two months older than Scott Rolen, whom the Reds remortgaged Great American Ball Park for recently.

It is unclear to me as to the kind of jack he makes. ESPN shows that he made $4.75 million in 2008 and played for free last year. That's what it shows.

I don't think he would incite a bidding war, though I could be wrong. I would at least like to see the "Muckety Mucks" of the Reds open the door a crack and take a look inside. You never know what you might pull out.

I may be alone, a voice crying in the wilderness, as it were, but I do believe it is at least worth a gander. Please, no more bring-ups at SS, and don't think that you will go an further than last year with Paul Janish filling the gap.

No offense intended to Paul, he is a great guy and an excellent glove. If he could only hit, we would have something to behold. We cannot afford another season of a shortstop batting below the Mendoza line.

Sources:

Baseball-Reference.com

ESPN.com

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

If You Can't Play, Coach: Do Bad MLB Players Really Make Good Coaches?

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:34:53 -0500

I am sure you have heard the ages old adage, "If you can't play, coach." I have been hearing that from the time I followed the sport in the late 1950s.

Can it be true? I mean, you can look at teams all across the fruited plain who are replete with hitting coaches who barely batted above the Mendoza line .

I always wondered how Charlie Lau (may he rest in peace) ever got his first gig as a hitting instructor in the big leagues. He authored the book "How to Hit .300" which was highly successful.

I have an important question at this point. How do you write a book about something which you know nothing about? I am not knocking Lau here. He proved to be an excellent hitting coach throughout his career. I mean look at George Brett, Frank Thomas, Pudge Fisk, Hal McRae and even Mark McGwire. A pretty impressive portfolio, wouldn't you say?

Back to my question, as I have begun to digress. How can you tell someone how to hit .300 when you have never done it? How, when history shows that you are a career .255 hitter? That would be like a runner telling you how to run a sub-four minute mile when he hasn't broken five minutes yet.

Not picking on Lau, let's turn our attention to another great coach, Wally Hriniak . In a two-year MLB career with the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres, he only came to the plate 111 times. Like Lau, his average was an unimpressive .253 with not a single home run.

After Johnny Pesky retired as the Boston Red Sox hitting coach in 1984 Hriniak took over that slot on the payroll. He was undermined by Hall of Fame great Ted Williams about his teaching style. Teddy Ballgame thought Hriniak's method robbed the students of their ability to hit the long ball.

Hriniak moved to the Chicago White Sox in 1989 after the death of Charlie Lau. A short list of his students include Wade Boggs and Dewey Evans.

That is enough for hitters, let's move out to the mound.

One of the most revered pitching coaches of the last decade or so is St. Louis Cardinals coach Dave Duncan . Does it surprise you that Dave is a former catcher? Never threw a real MLB pitch in his life that I am privy to. Would that be the equivalent of a slugger trying to teach a young boxer how not to get hit?

That's not as much as a stretch as you might initially think. I mean, after all he (the catcher) does call the game that the pitcher throws. He probably knows which batter likes them high and which ones would put a low slider into the parking lot.

Duncan wasn't much at the plate either. He batted .214 but did have home run power. Some of his more prominent protege's are Dennis Eckersley, Dave Stewart, Bob Welch, and more recently Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainright.

It is interesting to note that all three men I have mentioned were catchers.

Let us now look at another great coach Leo Mazzone . He never threw a MLB pitch, however he did his time in the minor leagues. After his playing days he began working with minor league pitchers for several different squads. Eventually he got a call from the Atlanta Braves and the rest was magic.

Among the pitching performances he was in charge of were six Cy Young Awards, nine twenty-game winners and four ERA titles. That isn't bad for 14 seasons. Of course if you see what he had to work with it makes you wonder. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Steve Avery, Denny Neagle, Kevin Millwood and Mike Hampton. I think Rusty Kuntz could have done quite well with that bunch.

Although it isn't true that just because a player can't play he can coach. it does prove that many great coaches were less than significant (politically correct) players.

SOURCES:

Baseball-Reference.com

The Wikipedia

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Is the Gold Glove Given to the Best Defensive Players in MLB?

Cliff Eastham — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:51:25 -0500

What is a Gold Glove exactly?

It is an award created in 1957 by Rawlings (the most popular baseball glove maker at the time) to show defensive excellence at each of the nine positions.

It began, like the Cy Young Award, with only one winner at each position in MLB. In 1958 it was changed to include one for the American League and one for the National League.

A perusal of a list of all the winners fosters the opinion that, like many awards, it tends to honor the same players in a succession of seasons. For example, Brooks Robinson , Hall of Fame third baseman, won the award a record 16 consecutive times.

Jim "Kitty Kat" Kaat (who should be in the Hall of Fame), is next in line with 14 in a row and 16 total.

Pitcher Greg Maddux won 13 consecutive awards, and if not for an interruption by Mike Hampton in 2003 would have not only the all-time record but the consecutive record as well with 18, 19 had he won that year.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith put the trophy on his mantle 13 times, all in succession.

The great Willie Mays won the award 12 seasons, all in a row. Roberto Clemente , the Pirate Hall of Fame rightfielder who was taken from us much too early, also won the award 12 times, wait for it, you guessed it, all in succession. It would be prudent at this point to inform you that the award has always gone to the three outfielders, regardless of their position (LF, CF, RF), a change I would also see as being beneficial to the corner outfielders.

What am I driving at here? Well, I was just getting to that. Apparently if you have won the award once, it seems so much easier not even to look at a page of stats, just checking off the previous winner's name.

It would be too many names and too much reading, to list all of the award winners who won in at least back-to-back seasons. I did think it would be fun to list some who have won several awards, but have received no love at all from historians.

Jim Landis , center fielder for the Chicago White Sox, who people under 50 probably are not remotely familiar with, was a five-time winner, again all in succession.

The diminutive southpaw Bobby Shantz won the inaugural award while with the New York Yankees in 1957. He ran the table three more times in succession in the American League and was traded in 1961 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was so good with a glove that he won four more times, all in succession in the senior circuit, making him the only player to win at least four Gold Gloves in each league. Again, if you are under 50 you may have not even heard of him.

Paul Blair (do you know him?) was in my view, one of the top five centerfielders of all time. He won eight awards, seven in a row, all with the Baltimore Orioles.

Curt Flood of the St. Louis Cardinals won a Gold Glove seven consecutive seasons but all young people know about him is that he is the spark for the explosion known as free agency and the ensuing wealth of seemingly everyone in MLB.

Bill Freehan , the outstanding catcher for the Detroit Tigers, won a Gold Glove five consecutive times, but remains unknown to most fans under 50.

I guess it would be Pollyanna-ish of me to think the award would go to the player with the best defensive statistics of the year. In 2007 Orlando Hudson of the Arizona Diamondbacks won the Gold Glove, but was inferior statistically to Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds. I realize I am a homer to say this, but he bested Hudson in PCT, had fewer errors and turned more double plays.

Hudson won again this season even though Phillips turned more double plays and had the same PCT.

As with all the other awards, there is always plenty to cry about, and always some who will just cite it as a popularity contest. What are your thoughts?

The players with the most awards at each position are:

POS	PLAYER	AWARDS
P	Greg Maddux	18
C	Ivan Rodriguez	13
1B	Keith Hernandez	11
2B	Roberto Alomar	10
3B	Brooks Robinson	16
SS	Ozzie Smith	13
OF	Roberto Clemente	12
OF	Willie Mays	12
OF OF OF	Ken Griffey, Jr. Al Kaline Andrew Jones	10 10 10

Sources:

Baseball-Reference. com

Wikipedia

Cliff Eastham is a BR Feature Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Should Instant Replay be used by MLB in the Same Manner as the NFL?

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:48:11 -0500

Should instant replay be used in MLB as it is in the NFL?

That is a question that should be addressed, the sooner the better. Not just for the integrity of the game, but for the sake of “what's right is right.”

I am Old School but I am not closed minded. I watched the World Series which recently ended and I must say there were some pretty bad calls.

Alex Rodriguez’ home run had to be looked at through the scope because the ball actually hit a TV camera that was in HR territory, then bounced back in.

A play that featured Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard short-hopping a ball and the 1B umpire called the batter out, thus allowing a double play.

Plays like these happen all of the time and if it were little league or American Legion ball I don’t think it would be such a big deal. But when you have guys who are making more money than the Kings of other countries combined, a closer look is warranted.

I don’t mean a full scale, carte blanche, look-at-every-play deal. I am speaking rather of a format similar to that of the National Football League. Umpires are only human, they do a great job, nearly all of the time. It is that small iota of a percent that puts the game in a chaotic state.

We aren’t playing in medieval times here, we should employ the technologies that we possess. Just because they didn’t have recording devices in Shoeless Joe’s day, does not mean we should just not do it for the “integrity of the ages”.

Here are my thoughts on the subject.:

1) Each game would have an MLB Umpire sitting in the control booth. He would be the sole, deciding factor in all disputes.

2) Each manager would have one instance in which he can request an instant replay.

3) The umpire in the control booth could, at his discretion, halt the game and look at a play himself.

4) The disputed calls would not have to be just home runs. It could be anything that happens on the field, other than a ball/strike call.

Maybe more regulations could be added to that, but I believe that it is necessary for the sake of the outcome of the game.

Naysayers would say that it isn’t fair to the players who played in earlier time periods, even the Mayflower Boys. I could only respond with this: Just because they didn’t have the capability to play night games in those days, does not mean we should not play them now, in fairness.

Each age has seen its own adaptations. For instance, in the earliest of times, they pitched the ball underhanded from a drawn box, and they had no home run fences. But the evolution of the game dictated that changes be made and they were.

There was a time, I believe, when it took five balls to warrant a walk. Think of the pitchers today who could be saved if that rule was still kicking.

This is all just fodder for good ol’ sitting-around-the-pot-bellied-stove talks. But, in all seriousness, what is more important, sticking by our old guns, or getting it right, which could mean millions for someone in the long run.

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Paul Janish

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:59:17 -0400

For good or bad, Paul Janish inherited the position of shortstop after Alex Gonzalez was sent to Boston.

Janish fits the description of "slick fielding, weak hitter" all to well. His defense has been sterling this season, as he has committed only three errors in 82 games.

In a 10-game stretch from August 23 through September 1, Janish batted .333 with one home run and nine RBI. During that run, he was 14-for-42. That was the highlight of the season for him, although he did have 14 multi-hit games.

You could see many things about Janish, but one thing you can't say about him, is that he is "clutch." With RISP he batted a dismal .175. He had a career .261 average in the minors, so he should be able to hit something else besides his weight.

I have written before that I believe shortstop is the Achilles heel to the whole operation. I know the Reds don't offer All-star quality, except for maybe three positions, but without getting more than .200-plus out of your eight hole, you have troubles.

There has been talk earlier of trying Drew Sutton at second and moving Brandon Phillips to his original position at shortstop. I believe Sutton would be a better hitter than Janish, though it would almost appear as a lateral move to me.

He stacks up better than average against the rest of the league when it comes to base running, although he is far removed from a being bandit on the bases.

His pitching is atrocious, giving up nine hits and 11 earned runs in two innings. That blows up to a 49.50 ERA if you are counting. I say that "tongue in cheek" because he only filled in when there was nobody left to call on. Kudos for having the balls to take the mound in such a situation.

If he could get his batting up to a respectable .250, I would say we have something, but until then I'd keep looking.

Next up: Scott Rolen

caesar cliffius has spoken

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

The True Account Of Fred Merkle's "Boner"

Cliff Eastham — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:18:33 -0400

Note: This was found in the diary of a Mr. O. C. Schwartz at an estate sale

So much has been said about what is commonly called "The Merkle Boner" that, being an eyewitness to the account, I should set the matter straight once and for all.

It was a Wednesday, Sept. 23 in 1908, my Dad took me to the game , letting me miss school that day. I was only eight-years old at the time, and it was the first chance I ever had to watch a professional baseball game in person.

I may be 75 years old, but I remember it as if it were yesterday.

The controversy is all about what happened in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Polo Grounds was crowded that day. The fans were all getting ready to rush the field at game's end.

The score was tied 1-1 with two outs. A fellow by the name of McCormick was on first base at the time. Fred Merkle came to bat and wasted no time getting a base hit and advancing the runner to third base.

The crowd was absolutely hysterical as Al Bridwell came to the plate. Bridwell singled to the outfield and McCormick scored what was the apparent winning run. The fans all rushed onto the field to celebrate the win as pandemonium filled the ballpark.

It is a funny thing, but instead of watching all the people or the players, I kept my eye on the ball. It came to center fielder Solly Hofman on the second bounce. Realizing that the winning run was scoring as he fielded the ball, Hofman lobbed a rainbow into the infield. The third base coach Joe McGinnity, pitcher Christy Mathewson and a fan were all in a battle with second baseman Johnny Evers to catch the ball. After a brief skirmish, the fan came away with the ball and heaved it into the stands along the third base line.

Meanwhile Merkle, who was so excited by his team apparently winning the game, jogged halfway to second base and then starting running towards the Giant's dugout. Mathewson or one of the other Giants in the dugout had yelled to Merkle and he began scurrying towards second base.

Evers had somehow retrieved yet another ball from somewhere and touched second base ahead of Merkle and the umpire, at Evers admonishing, saw the event and ruled Merkle out, thus negating the winning run.

So much has been said and talked about over the decades, about whether Evers had the ball that was hit by Bridwell. I saw it with my own eyes, Evers forced Merkle out at second with a ball which was thrown to him from the New York dugout.

The chaos that ensued was one of the wildest things I have ever seen. The umpires were arguing with Cubs manager Frank Chance and Giants manager John McGraw in the infield. After being swarmed by fans and reporters, the umpires decided to assemble in the umpires quarters which was located behind home plate beneath the grandstand.

After deliberating what seemed like an eternity, they came back to the field and advised everyone of their decision. They had decided that the force-out at second base negated the run scored, therefore the game ended in a tie, and would have to be replayed, pending a review by the National League President.

If I forget everything else in my life, I shall never forget the look of sadness and helplessness in the face of young Fred Merkle right then.

The fans were so incensed that the police had to come and escort the Cubs personnel out of the ballpark.

Subsequently, the game had to be replayed to determine who would win the pennant. The Cubs won the "new" game and therefore went to the word series, which they won, four games to win against the Detroit Tigers.

Perhaps a morsel of justice was meted out by the Baseball Gods as the Cubs have not gone back to the World Series for 66 years now.

O.C. Schwartz

Newark, NJ

April 1975

_______________________________________________________

Sources: Wikipedia

Baseball-Reference

Cliff Eastham is a BR Feature Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Brandon Phillips

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:34:33 -0400

Reds' second baseman Brandon Phillips is next up to be graded on his performance this season.

Phillips has been as steady as anyone this season. The longest stretch of the season for him without a hit was six games. From Apr. 15 until Apr. 23, he went 0-21 with an OBS of only .087. Other than that mini-lapse, Brandon has done well at the bat.

He hasn't had much time off this season, playing in 147 of 156 games to this point.

Phillips has also had a decent season with men in scoring position. He is batting .291 with an OBP of .335.

He has already set a career high of 95 RBI, though he hasn't demonstrated the power that he displayed in 2007 when he belted 30 HR. This is the third consecutive year that he has hit at least 20 HR and stole more than 20 bases.

Aside from the couple of occasions when he cost himself a base or more, because of not running full bore on a long drive, he has proved to be a fierce base-runner.

Brandon has 40 multiple-hit games this season, the high being three on 11 different occasions.

His most productive game was on May 5 against the Marlins when he was 3-for-5, with a HR and six RBI.

He again ranks among the top in fielding percentage among second basemen, with a .987, committing only nine errors thus far.

His momentary lapses of hustle have cost him and the team at times. In the past, he has been disciplined by managers for this lack of focus.

A Gold Glove winner last season, it strikes me odd that Brandon hasn't been included on an All-Star squad so far in his eight year career.

Phillips leads the team in games, hits, triples, RBI, SB, and TB. There has been some discussion of him moving to shortstop (where he started his career), to make way for one of the younger players, because of lack of consistency at by the team at that position.

His stats so far this season:

AVG	RUNS	HITS	HR	RBI	SB	OPS+
.279	74	156	20	95	25	101

Next up: shortstop Paul Janish

Caesar Cliffius has spoken

sources: Baseball-Reference.com

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

What Is Baseball? A Recollection Of Memories

Cliff Eastham — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:29:25 -0400

Baseball means so many different things to different people. Not just a nine inch (circumference) circle shaped object with cork at the center, wrapped in yarn with white cowhide sewn with red stitches.

To some, it is a way of life, while others may view it strictly as a business.

To a little kid growing up in in the 1940's, in East Slumville, it was a way to escape the poverty and hopelessness found in the "hood". His game could consist of a garbage lid for first base, a discarded pizza box for second, an old newspaper with a rock holding it down for third base.

I couldn't sum up baseball in one word, one sentence or one paragraph.

Pull up a chair and I will attempt to tell you what baseball is to me.

Baseball is the smell of freshly cut grass at my old elementary school (now used as a horse stable for the Sheriff and Police Dept.)

Baseball is Joe Adcock (may he rest in peace) hitting one over the wall in center field in the Polo Grounds (483')

Baseball is diminutive southpaw Harvey Haddix (may he rest in peace) pitching a 12-inning perfect game and losing in the 13th 1-0.

Baseball is reading a book about Lou Gehrig (may he rest in peace) called "The Iron Horse".

Baseball is opening up a fresh pack of Topps Baseball Cards. You could smell the gum years later. There were five cards and they cost a quarter.

Baseball is taking scissors and cutting the baseball cards off the back of a Post Raisin Bran box.

Baseball is Stan Musial hitting five home runs in a double-header.

Baseball is Rocky Colavito hitting four home runs in one game.

Baseball is watching host Mark Scott (may he rest in peace) and two great power hitters every Saturday evening on Home Run Derby. I loved it when he would say, "That's two in a row, one more means $500." I was well into my 40's before I found out the show was filmed at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles.

Baseball is looking at the Sports page in1961 seemingly every day and seeing Roger Maris (may he rest in peace) with another home run or two.

Baseball is Roger Maris hitting 61 home runs, aided by three packs of camels a day, not steroids.

Baseball is Norm Cash batting .361 and never hitting .290+ before or after.

Baseball is watching two All-star games in the same summer. ('59-'61)

Baseball is listening to the Reds on the radio with my father, who swore until he died that he hated the Reds. He never missed a game on the radio, as far as I know.

Baseball is the terrace that proudly introduced rookie outfielders to the fence at Crosley Field.

Baseball is me throwing a baseball against a retaining wall made from cross ties. I actually played a game, pitched for both sides, and was the official scorer. I imitated them all as well . I guess I was the original "Batting Stance Guy". I even taught myself to throw left handed so I could do a better job of pitching like Billy Pierce and Mike McCormick.

Baseball is Tom Cheney (may he rest in peace) striking out 21 Orioles in a 16-inning game in 1962.

Baseball is thinking about how cool the LA Angels' Bo Belinsky (may he rest in peace) was because he threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in Dodger Stadium in 1962 (not to mention the fact that he dated actresses such as Mamie van Doren, Ann-Margret, Tina Louise and Connie Stevens.) It was the first major league no-hitter on the West Coast.

Baseball is Pete Rose running out a base on balls.

Baseball is Dave DeBusschere (may he rest in peace) pitching in the Major Leagues and playing forward in the NBA.

Baseball is watching a game on TV in 1962 and seeing a guy I never heard of named Purnal Goldy of the Tigers hit two of his three career home runs.

Baseball is Sandy Koufax taking the mound in the bottom of the first in the 1963 World Series at Yankee Stadium.

Baseball is thinking how sad it is for Ken Hubbs (may he rest in peace) to be killed in an airplane crash at 22, just two years after winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Baseball is Al Rinker and me playing catch in my side yard in Winchester, Va. I can still recall what a "heavy" ball he threw. He and I would sit down and name over 500 current MLB players!

Baseball is listening to Waite Hoyt broadcast a Reds ballgame on the radio while he gets jacked up on Hudepohl.

Baseball is Don Drysdale (may he rest in peace) pitching high and tight to Frank Robinson. Low bridge.

Baseball is Masanori Murakami being the first Japanese player in the biggies, with no fanfare.

Baseball is Don Drysdale being on the Donna Reed Show.

Baseball is Pitcher Juan Marichal taking a bat to the head of John Roseboro (may he rest in peace)in 1965

Baseball is Mel Allen (may he rest In peace) broadcasting a ballgame.

Baseball is Charlie Finley (may he rest in peace) not signing Don Sutton because he didn’t have a cool nickname.

Baseball is the Green Monster in Fenway Park.

Baseball is the ivy covering the walls in Wrigley Field.

Baseball is thinking that Dick Radatz was big (6-5, 235)

Baseball is playing a board game called Strat-O-Matic.

Baseball is playing whiffle ball in Tim Slepetz back yard with he, Larry Spurlock and Mike Thompson (may he rest in peace.) Billy Bryan of the KC A's had a great year in the backyard. Boston's Gary Waslewski threw a no-no.

Baseball is Stan Musial and Al Kaline playing over 20 seasons each for the same team every year.

Baseball is players having to have a job in the off-season to put food on the table.

Baseball is Larry Spurlock, my sister Ruby and me sitting in the top seats in center field of DC (RFK) stadium watching the Senators. I drank a little heavily and actually hit my head against the concrete ceiling.

Baseball is thinking that Denny McLain's 31 wins was not that big a deal.

Baseball is wondering when Richie Allen actually became Dick Allen.

Baseball is my brother Frank and me getting to go to the 1969 All-star game in Washington, D.C. The game was scheduled to be played Tuesday night but was postponed until Wednesday afternoon because of rain. The sales manager where I worked had tickets but had unbreakable arrangements for Wednesday. Free, and I even called Bill Freehan's home run.

Baseball is Pete Rose bowling over catcher Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-star game.

Baseball is Wes Parker being on the Brady Bunch.

Baseball is thinking that Pete LaCock has the coolest name in the game.

Baseball is thinking that Crosley Field should be made into a museum after the 1970 season.

Baseball is me putting a curse on Bowie Kuhn (I hope he rests in peace) and Charlie Finley (may he rest in peace) for making All-star and World Series games to be played under the lights.

Baseball is Charlie Finley hiring Stanley Burrell (now M.C Hammer) as his Executive Vice President.

Baseball is Charlie Finley using orange baseballs.

Baseball is Charlie Finley wanting to implement a Designated Runner.

Baseball is me putting a curse on the Player's Union for striking in 1972.

Baseball is saying a premature goodbye to the great Roberto Clemente.

Baseball is Dodger lefty, #44 Al Downing throwing a fat one to #44 Hank Aaron for No. 715.

Baseball is the Houston Astros uniforms looking like they came from a beer softball league.

Baseball is me cussing Yogi Berra for not putting Tommy John on the All-star squad with a record of 13-3, 2.59. I never forgave him for that. Tommy was and still is My Boy.

Baseball is Lyman Bostock being at the wrong place at the right time.

Baseball is thinking how cool the Pittsburgh Pirates looked with their 18 combination color coordinated uniforms in 1979.

Baseball is me putting a curse on the Player's Union for striking in 1981

Baseball is the Atlanta Braves (America's team) being the only team to have cable coverage of all their games.

Baseball is "Maniacal" George Brett storming towards the umpire during the "pine tar" incident of 1983.

Baseball is watching Pete Rose hug his boy after passing Ty Cobb (may he rest in peace) on the all-time hit list in 1985.

Baseball is Nolan Ryan throwing seven no hitters in his career.

Baseball is Pete Rose being convicted by MLB of gambling on baseball games.

Baseball is me putting a curse on Bart Giamati (wish I could take that one back) for levying a lifetime ban on Rose, preventing him from consideration to the Hall of Fame.

Baseball is Bob Horner hitting four home runs in one game.

Baseball is me putting a curse on the Player's Union for striking in 1994. I quit the game completely until 2006.

Baseball is Curt Schilling's bloody sock.

Baseball is the insects swarming in Cleveland.

Baseball is thinking that Sean Penn could play Khalil Greene if they made a movie about him.

Baseball is thinking that Will Smith should play Robinson Cano if they make a movie about him.

Baseball is me hoping with all my might that Cal Ripken doesn't break Gehrig's longevity record.

Baseball is trying to figure out why people like Brady Anderson and Luis Gonzalez are hitting 50+ home runs.

Baseball is Roger Clemens saying he doesn't give a "rat's ass" about the Hall of Fame.

Baseball is my still amazing disbelief that Bill Mazeroski is in the Hall of Fame.

What I am trying to say is that in and of itself, baseball is just that, a ball. But, when you throw in personalities, crowds, players, umpires, weather and records, it becomes something alive.

What memories the word brings to the forefront of your memory vault. The game would not be quite what it is without the good things that have happened, and even the bad, sad, crazy and egotistical things that have rubbed us the wrong way.

So, I would say that the good outweighs the bad, and the Lou Gehrig's of baseball will always trump the Juan Marichal's and the Roger Clemens' any day of the week.

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Joey Votto

Cliff Eastham — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:40:07 -0400

Unfortunately, especially for the Cincinnati Reds, the baseball season is rapidly coming to a close. Just as in school, a student is issued a final grade for the season, it is within my power as Caesar Cliffius, not to mention Featured Columnist for my beloved Reds, to grade each player at their respective positions.

This is the first in a series of articles designed to give a thumbnail image of each player's performance rating for the season. I could have confronted this issue from a couple different angles. For instance I could have evaluated them against the other players in MLB at their positions. I could also have graded them against their own ability. I decided however, to grade them on a "bell curve" within the team.

We will start this evaluation process with the starting first-baseman, Joey Votto. Joey started the season as if he were angry at the baseball. He was among the lead leaders in batting average for a huge part of the season. In fact, his average didn't dip below.330 until August 3.

Votto served a couple of stints on the bench and on the DL resulting from emotional problems brought on by the death of his father. After getting himself together he has carved out a very good season, currently batting .314 with 22 HR and 76 RBI.

He is just about on pace to mimic his statistics last year when he was robbed of the Rookie of the Year award by Chicago Cubs catcher, Geovany Soto.

Even after missing 31 games, Joey has led the team in HR and in OPS+ with 144. On the downside, he has shown a propensity for the strikeout, leading the team, even with the missed games, with 104.

His defense is more than credible. He is among the league leaders currently with a fielding average of .991.

His biggest highlight of the season came on May 23, at home against the Cleveland Indians, when he hit two HR and drove in four.

I feel that the low point(s) of the season has to be grouped together and chalked up to medical problems.

Strikeouts are the only thing preventing Joey to receive the vaunted A+. Therefore he will have to settle for a very solid A.

Next up, second-baseman Brandon Phillips.

Caesar Cliffius has spoken.

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds Ride Houston's Nine-Game Losing Streak

Cliff Eastham — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:37:02 -0400

The Cincinnati Reds have used the nine-game losing streak of the Houston Astros as a springboard to tie them for fourth place in the National League's God-awful Central Division.

The Reds have won seven of their last 10 to distance themselves from the cellar, which is being occupied by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ramon Hernandez went 2-for-5 in his first appearance in the lineup since sidelined in mid-July with a knee injury.

The Reds have been in fifth place or the cellar since the All-Star break. If they could win the final 11 games of the season, the Reds could snap an eight-year losing streak. They are currently 70-81.

Injuries have plagued Cincinnati the entire year, leaving fans and sportswriters to ponder what could have been. As has been the case for the last half of the season, at least, the Reds had very few players on the card from the Opening Day lineup. This time the familiar faces were Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Darnell McDonald, and Hernandez.

As we draw closer to the postseason, we Reds fans have nothing to do but wish and hope for next year. What do we need most? Let's examine the situation.

We are dying at shortstop and, in fact, have been since before we attained Alex Gonzalez. He never really panned out to what most of us expected.

I can't imagine another year with Hernandez behind the plate. It would be my call to hand the reins over to Ryan Hanigan, who did a quality job in relief of Hernandez during the last half.

We writers have beaten the subject to death concerning the outfield. I would put Jonny Gomes in left, Drew Stubbs in center, and Jay Bruce in right.

Now, back to shortstop—what can we do there? I would try to find some way to unload Hernandez and one of our "babies" for a decent shortstop in the performance line of a Miguel Tejada, Rafael Furcal, or Mark DeRosa.

I realize DeRosa hasn't played short as much as some of his other positions, but he could adjust well, and if he couldn't, put him at second and move Phillips to short. The man can play anywhere.

I do not want to see another fast center fielder come in here during the offseason. That picture is getting pretty faded. First Corey Patterson and then Willy Taveras—'nuff said.

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Tom Barlow: Baseball's Unfortunate First Drug Casualty

Cliff Eastham — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:30:52 -0400

In today’s technology-fueled society, if a professional athlete is caught up in a scandal, or meets an untimely demise, we are made aware of it instantly (or so it seems). Obviously that has not always been the case.

Former baseball player and MVP winner Ken Caminiti died of an apparent drug overdose in 2004 and it was big news. Unfortunately, every instance in which a celebrity does something untoward, it makes national news, sometimes for days or weeks.

Very little is known about Tom Barlow. If you have even heard of him at all, it is probably related to the fact that he is commonly attributed to as the inventor of the “bunt.”

So little is known of him in fact that I cannot ascertain what his middle name was. The initial “H” is the only mention I can find for a middle name. The actual date of his birth is seemingly unknown, and he is only to be known as born in New York in 1852.

Being raised in Brooklyn, Tommy did not have the most affluent lifestyle. He, as so many other children like him, honed his skills as a baseball player on the streets and vacant lots.

In 1872, Tommy began his professional career in the National Association, the first American professional baseball league. He was with the Brooklyn Atlantics.

Barlow was a catcher and shortstop for the fledgling team. After playing just two seasons with the Atlantics, he had his fill of losing and signed with the newly formed Hartford Dark Blues.

Barlow was not known for his power, but his ability to get on base with line drives and grounders. The “bunt” as it has become to be known, was employed first by young Barlow. It had no fan appeal whatsoever and was referred to as “Barlow’s dodo.”

Tommy was known primarily for his defensive prowess and the team had plans of moving him to shortstop so he could anchor their infield and display his superior ability.

Young Barlow never received the opportunity to excel at shortstop. His career was destined to end before he had a chance to really prove himself.

Baseball history is splattered with players who have had their careers ended abruptly due to the use and misuse of alcohol. Barlow, however is the first known career to be ended due to drugs.

His story is even capsulised in Ken Burns documentary “Baseball.” Barlow tells of his life-ending spiral at the hands of the dangerous drug, morphine in this letter which is read in the documentary:

“It was on the 10th of August, 1874, that there was a match game of baseball in Chicago between the White Stockings of that city and the Hartfords of Hartford, now of Brooklyn.

I was catcher for the Hartfords, and Fisher was pitching. He is a lightning pitcher, and very few could catch for him. On that occasion he delivered as wicked a ball as ever left his hands, and it went through my grasp like an express train, striking me with full force in the side.

I fell insensible to the ground, but was quickly picked up, placed in a carriage, and driven to my hotel. The doctor who attended me gave a hypodermic injection of morphine, but I had rather died behind the bat then [sic] have had that first dose.

My injury was only temporary, but from taking prescriptions of morphine during my illness, the habit grew on me, and I am now powerless in its grasp. My morphine pleasure has cost me eight dollars a day, at least.

I was once catcher for the Mutuals, also for the Atlantics, but no one would think it to look at me now.”

That letter also appeared in the Boston Times on Sept. 16, 1877.

What a sad story of a promising career, and life, ended prematurely by a drug which was introduced to him legally.

The “Fisher” to whom Barlow was referring was Cherokee Fisher, a hard throwing right hander who was better known for his drinking than his ball playing.

Although Barlow was listed on the roster as a shortstop, he was the only one who could catch Fisher effectively.

What a shame, for a man to play his last game at age 22. Any person with a milligram of compassion would be compelled to lament with me about a deed so tragic.

Was Tommy Barlow a great player? No. He hadn’t even hit his prime yet at that tender age. We will never know how good he could have become, thanks to the drug named for the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus.

Morphine was and still is one of the most addictive of all medications. Once a person uses Morphine to combat pain for an extended period of time, it becomes addictive. Over time, it requires a higher dosage in order to achieve the same euphoric feeling.

Instead of viewing Tom Barlow as a great pioneer of baseball and one of the founding fathers, we do not know when he was born, what he did after baseball, or where or when he died.

Sources: Wikipedia

Baseball-Reference

"The Curious Case of Tommy Barlow" by David Arcidiacono

Cliff Eastham is a BR Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Does Showalter's MLB Alignment Provide Answers Or Present More Questions?

Cliff Eastham — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:42:45 -0400

Buck Showalter of ESPN has come up with his own version of how to align MLB divisions.

First things first. He makes enemies of the entire state of Florida, as task number one is to eliminate two franchises. He has chosen Tampa Bay and Florida. No big deal, he says, they have spring training anyway.

In his world there will be no need for inter-league play because there will no longer be an American or National League. Major League Baseball, that's all there is.

His plans include 28 teams due to the unfortunate demise of the Rays and Marlins. He would call for four divisions grouped geographically which would eliminate travel (I am all for that, if it would work.)

RUTH	ROBINSON	CLEMENTE	AARON
Baltimore	Arizona	Chicago Cubs	Atlanta
Boston	LA Angels	Chicago White Sox	Colorado
NY Mets	LA Dodgers	Cincinnati	Detroit
NY Yankees	Oakland	Cleveland	Houston
Philadelphia	San Diego	Milwaukee	Kansas City
Toronto	San Francisco	Minnesota	St. Louis
Washington	Seattle	Pittsburgh	Texas

Buck is on the fence when it comes to the DH. Take it or leave it, but we can't have both.

Each team will play everyone else six times, three at home and three on the road.

It looks like a division in the east to be called the Babe Ruth Division and one in the west to be known as the Jackie Robinson Division. He would also have two divisions in the heartland, one called the Roberto Clemente Division and the other to be called the Hank Aaron Division.

If I may play the devil's advocate for a moment, why must it be Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente? I have no beef with Ruth and Aaron, arguably the two best to ever play the game.

What's wrong with Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig, or Ted Williams? Each of the three more deserving than the other two.

Surely it would not be a race-card thing, would it? As it sits now you have a German American, a Latin American, and two African Americans. If you used Musial you would be replacing one of the African Americans with a Polish American, hmm.

On the other hand if you put Gehrig in you would then have two German Americans, hard to sort it out and still be politically correct.

I say Jackie goes and Musial steps in, with my most sincere apologies to Lou Gehrig, probably the second best player ever. His only crime so far, having German ancestors. We can't have two. It just won't do. Enough of this, I digress.

Showalter is not yet clear on his plans for a playoff, maybe even having the best two teams having a bye in the first round.

My first question as I looked into this blender was, "What about the Mid-Summer Classic, the All-Star Game?" Would we have a game that would match Ruth/Robinson vs. Clemente/Aaron or what?

I am not a mathematician and I don't play one on TV or here on the Internet, but I don't know how much all of this will save on travel. The West Coast bunch would still have to travel East and vice versa. You figure it up. I am just a would-be writer.

I do like the fact that everyone would play everyone the same number of times, making the playing field as level as the proverbial pancake.

This will affect the MVP voting. A player has to compete against one league now. With Showalter's New Order (my words not his) he would have to go up against the entire Major League.

The same obviously applies to all of the other awards we have been accustomed to over the decades.

A couple more "t"s to cross—what happens to the Florida and Tampa Bay players and personnel? Would the other teams then have a lottery? Goodbye Joe Maddon, so long Freddie Gonzalez.

In my humble opinion, the current setup does need work. I have designed a "new order" myself.

They are much easier to put on paper than to implement in real life. At least in mine I don't murder any franchises.

As long as Uncle Bud is in the driver's seat, this bus "aint going nowhere."

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

He is also Editor of the site, "Old School" Sports World

Why Jonny Gomes Should Be the Cincinnati Reds' Left Fielder in 2010

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:37:33 -0400

Jonny Gomes should be the Reds' left fielder in 2010. A bold statement, but a statement that is borne from facts.

Gomes has been used as a part-time outfielder, sharing time with Chris Dickerson, Laynce Nix, and Wladimir Balentien. He has been used in both corner positions and has been impressive in his hustle and determination.

He was sent down to Louisville after spring training, where he batted .282 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in only 37 games. On May 22, he was called up to the Reds and has been one of the most productive hitters on the squad.

He leads the Reds in slugging percentage, with a .568 mark, and is second on the team with a .284 batting average and OPS+ of 135. He is third with 18 homers and third in RBI with 45. All this in only 228 official at-bats in 82 games.

In contrast, the cumulative totals of Nix, Dickerson, and Balentien are:

	AB	AVG	HR	RBI	SLG	OPS+
NIX	283	.251	13	37	.484	99
DICKERSON	297	.277	2	15	.375	95
BALENTEIN	90	.269	2	8	.436	108
TOTALS	670	.266	17	60	.432	101

Gomes has actually been more effective as a right fielder, batting .319 with nine home runs and 24 RBI.

In left field, he is averaging only .250, with six homers and 12 RBI.

I know Drew Stubbs is seeing a good deal of time in center, and I would have no problem with him being the full-time center fielder. If Jay Bruce regains complete usage of his wrist and plays well, I would put him in right field.

Gomes is just now hitting his stride as a player. At age 28, he has nearly a full tank of gas for the future. If he were afforded an everyday position, I believe he could hit 40 homers the way he is playing now. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see him finish as the team's home run leader.

Sources: Baseball-Reference.com

Cliff Eastham is a B/R Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds.

Is Smokeless Tobacco OK in MLB ?

Cliff Eastham — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:32:06 -0400

Let me preface this article by saying that I do not nor have I ever used tobacco of any kind.

Much has been said about athletes—baseball players specifically—being role models for youngsters. The current villain (steroids) is being dealt with severely by MLB and rightly so.

While they are busy rounding up documents on every thug who has used the illegal substance, baseball players all around the league are using smokeless tobacco. I know, I know, they have used it since the sunrise of the game. That is not a viable excuse sir, and it will no longer do.

It seems like only a year or two ago (several years actually) that players and managers were smoking right in the dugouts.

(Keith Hernandez)

When manager Earl Weaver of the Baltimore Orioles was in the dugout, he smoked like a teenager in a school rest room. When Don Stanhouse would be pitching, Weaver claims that he would go through an entire pack of cigarettes. Hence, Stenhouse's nickname from Weaver, "Full Pack."

When Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, and Roger Maris were smoking as players, there was no public outcry like today, and very little in the way of factual evidence that tobacco was the "silent killer" it has turned out to be.

(Dave Parker & Grant Jackson)

(Willie Mays)

Smokeless Tobacco Is a Horse of a Different Color. Let Us Examine the Attributes of This Fine Habit

1) It doesn't make your hair or clothes stink.

2) It doesn't inflict physical damage on those around you—no "second hand spit."

3) It doesn't (usually) promote lung cancer.

4) It doesn't turn your fingers, mustache or hair yellow.

I am certain there are plenty of other great things about smokeless tobacco I have left out, but I press on.

Now Let Us Look at the Downside of Using Smokeless Tobacco

1) You must carry a cup with you everywhere you go.

2) It makes you look like a squirrel preserving his nuts.

3) Prolonged use may lead to oral cancer (mouth, tongue, throat, etc.).

4) It can disfigure your facial features.

(Rick Bender)

Smoking Is Gone, Now It Is Time for Tobacco in Any Form to Go

So, why does MLB allow its players to use this unhealthy, nasty substance during baseball games or any time they are in uniform for that matter?

As far as I know, they have banned smoking from the dugout and the field (it is probably banned from the entire stadium). I think they need to step up and ban the use of tobacco in any form. I know this doesn't set well with old timers, but hey, I am old school myself.

Many words have been written about ballplayers being role models for youngsters. I agree that they should be, at least in a small measure. When a young kid's favorite player is at bat looking like he has a golf ball in his jaw, don't think for a moment that the child thinks it is wrong.

Watching a player stand and expectorate a stream that resembles puking is flat out disgusting.

Hall of Fame second baseman Nellie Fox of the Chicago White Sox was a major league tobacco user in the strictest sense of the term. In this photo he is smoking and getting his chew on at the same time. Can you dig it?

(Nellie Fox)

I don't believe it is possible to watch a complete MLB game on TV without someone having their lower lip bulging like an African tribesman or their jaw puffed out like a viper.

If a player cannot go "chewless" for the few hours he is at the ballpark, then he definitely needs professional help. If they can't afford it, I am sure it is in their contract as one of their "perks," like dry cleaning, meals, and hotel expenses.

Cliff Eastham is a Featured Columnist for the Cincinnati Reds

Is This The End For Jim Thome?

Cliff Eastham — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:10:37 -0400

Is this the end of the line for Jim Thome? Is there nothing left for the big guy to do?

Jim Thome is my favorite active player in MLB. I have always found him to be a very solid clutch power hitter with an excellent presence in the clubhouse. That is evidenced by the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him up from the White Sox to shore up their bench hitting.

What did you say, bench hitting? Yeah, that is what he is apparently reduced to. Coming off the bench against a right handed pitcher to take three mighty swings and sit back down.

When he moved from Philadelphia to Chicago in 2006 he was immediately employed as a Designated Hitter. This did two things.

First it helped him stay healthy for most of the time, and secondly, it has made him soft defensively. So soft, in fact that he told Dodgers' GM, Ned Colletti, 'I just want to be honest with you. I'd love to come. I want to help you guys any way I can. But playing first base is not something I'm going to be able to do—maybe in an emergency situation, perhaps.'"

So there, right from the horse's mouth as it were sir. Maybe in an emergency situation, that is a shame.

Thome is currently in 12th place on the all time Home Run list with 564, behind only Ken Griffey Jr., and Alex Rodriguez as far as active players are concerned.

If he were playing everyday for the rest of this year, I believe he would hit his 600th HR next year around mid-season. Obviously, that will not happen now. If he is used exclusively as a pinch hitter he will only see 20-30 more at bats.

It is his best interest, if he indeed wishes to play next year that he sign with an American League team as a DH. If he surpasses the 600 mark in HR, I don't see how his naysayers could keep him from Cooperstown.

Jim personifies everything that is good about the game of baseball. He is wholesome, friendly, tobacco free and an excellent role model for youngsters to get behind. In fact he is so congenial that a couple years ago he came in 2nd as the friendliest player in MLB. He finished only behind the "Mayor" Sean Casey.

He will become a free agent after the World Series and I am sure there will be more than one AL squad trying to obtain his service as a DH. If he cannot play, or DH everyday, I would rather see him walk off into the cornfield with Shoeless Joe than hang around as a career pinch hitter.

Good luck Jim.