Bleacher Report - Articles by Scott Weil

2009 Major League Baseball Play-off Predictions

Scott Weil — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:13:47 -0400

Every early April, baseball junkies like myself are on the verge of being committed to an asylum due to baseball withdrawal, though the end is in sight. It’s all I can do to not be donning a straight jacket to surmise who might take each division, the wild cards, the pennants, and the trophy at the seasons end, so that’s what I’ll do here.

I cannot predict the future, and my flux capacitor is on the fritz, so I couldn’t make the trip to November to see who finished where, but I’ll do my best to predict such without the help of Marty Mcfly.

American League:

AL East:

Firstly, the American League. In the AL, the Eastern Division has arguably three of the best teams in all of baseball. The Boston Red Sox, who have the best staff in baseball as well as best bullpen and one of the top offenses, the New York Yankees who over pay and continue to under produce, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who are America’s new favorite team, are all among the elite squads throughout. The problem arises that only one team in each Division gets an automatic berth into the play-offs, and the rest of the world must sit and wait to see to whom the coveted Wild Cards go.

Prediction: Red Sox take the Division, Yankees and Rays battle and jockey for second place, the Baltimore Orioles take third, and the lowly Toronto Blue Jays trade Halladay mid-season, and become the cellar dwellers.

AL Central:

The Central Division is not as powerful, by any means. With teams like Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City retooled, it can be a toss-up, with no one team being the absolute favorite.

Prediction: the Cleveland Indians take the division with Kerry Wood (not Rick Vaughn) closing games and Mark DeRosa playing every position, including field maintenance crew. Next is Minnesota, the Tigers, the ChiSox, and even with the new high-powered offense, the Royals remain where they usually are at the end of the season, fifth place. When your pitching staff couldn’t get me out, you’re not winning any games. Nice try KC.

AL West:

Finally, the West. No questions asked, the weakest division in the American. Los Angeles down-graded with the departure of Mark Teixeira and Casey Kotchman. However, the addition of Bobby Abreu will help with some of this lack of power that Kendry Morales brings to first base. In Texas, the one thing always missing is pitching, and nothing’s changed. Oakland definitely re-upped their squad for the better, but is in desperate need of arms, and the only thing Seattle changed was adding a washed-up outfielder/DH that cures exactly zero of the infinite problems they have.

Prediction: Angels easily take the division, followed by the Athletics, the Rangers, and the Mariners in last place once again.

National League

NL East:

On to the National League, my favorite. The New York Mets are a clear favorite on paper. They sured up the back end of their bullpen, signing two above average closers in J.J. Putz and Frankie Rodriguez. They are quickly getting a reputation for blowing their chances at post-season play as the season draws to a close, however. These additions will help. Their starting rotation is the only question mark, and will prove to be a hindrance if they don’t step up. The Phillies, defending World Champions, will be coming into 2009 with a similar team, with the exception of Pat Burrell and the addition of Raul Ibanez. Atlanta added three starters to their rotation in Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami and Javier Vazquez. Additionally, they brought in veteran, reliable outfielder Garret Anderson. Other than bringing in these arms, they will be returning Tim Hudson late in the season, recovered from Tommy John. If, and it’s a big if, the Braves can keep everyone on the field (ha.) and Jeff Francoeur figures it out again, they could be dangerous, especially with Chipper Jones still hitting .345. The Marlins are in fact dangerous as well. They have a youthful pitching staff and a lot of talent and more waiting in the wings. If they, like the Rays last year, play above their heads, watch out. The Nationals remain repugnant and have gone so far as to call me to round out their starters for them, yuck.

Prediction: New York Mets take the second spot, following Philadelphia closely. Atlanta comes in third, followed by Florida, and the Nationals lose 100 games, as well as Adam Dunn not hitting 40 home runs for the first time in six years.

NL Central:

In the NL Central, things are a bit more complicated. The Cubs are similar to last year, with the additions of Kevin Gregg as their closer and Milton Bradley in right field. They took a step forward, in my opinion. The Brewers, on the other hand, take a step back with the departures of Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia. Houston remains unwilling to make any strides forward with development, and are an old team who have only one pitcher. The Cardinals lack pitching, and will be hurt because of this fact. The Reds also fail to bring any useful new talent to their ball club, but have some as is, and will see benefits of these players, most notably Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. I think I could make Pittsburgh’s squad and play everyday if I so wished. They’re abysmal and that’s that.

Prediction: Cubs take the division, followed by Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the Astros, and the horrendous Pirates who also lose 100 games.

NL West:

Lastly, in the National League West, the Dodgers lost a lot of pitching, but remain a very strong team, especially with Orlando Hudson replacing the geriatric Jeff Kent. Arizona is solid all the way around and will give Los Angeles fits. Colorado lost a lot of talent in both pitching and offense. The Giants have a decent pitching staff, however they lack any offense whatsoever. The San Diego Padres will move Jake Peavy midseason to the Angels, losing the last bit of talent they have.

Prediction: The Diamondbacks give up a late lead and lose by a game to the Dodgers. In third, San Francisco comes in followed by Colorado and San Diego, who could also lose 100 games.

Wild Card:

For the American League Wild Card, the Rays beat out the Yankees who fail to make the playoffs for the second time in as many years. Money isn’t everything. In the National League, the surprise Diamondbacks beat out the Mets by a game and for the second time in as many years, there is no October baseball in New York. There is a God.

Playoffs:

The pennants are won by the Boston Red Sox on the backs of, well who cares, anyone on their team as they’re completely stacked through and through, topping the Angels in 5 games. The National League representative in the World Series is the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez blasts his way through play-off pitching in a seven game series with Arizona.

World Series:

The World Series again goes to the Red Sox as Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, John Smoltz and Daisuke Matsuzaka are too formidable a post-season rotation to be touched by anyone. Sox sweep, and take home their third World Series in the decade.

It might seem as a stretch, but a very reachable stretch. That being said, it's my opinion, and while I will never admit to being wrong, because I never am, I'm no expert. Just a knows-more-than-most fan.

755 Home Runs. Zero Steroids.

Scott Weil — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:49:31 -0400

Baseball is known as the American pastime. Opening day, for some, is the best day of the year. It is described as “Baseball’s New Year” by commentator Jon Miller, and for some it is just as big a party.

Baseball is known as being one of the most pure things in the world. Kids from age 5 until 95 enjoy the sport. Kids in 1908 could catch a game, just as kids from 2008 are able to now. It survives and transcends decades, and now centuries, and always will. It is filled with lore and legend alike. It has more history and icons than the country which so enjoys it.

A quote from the movie Field of Dreams spewed by a character named Terence Mann says “The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again, but baseball has marked the time. This field, this game; it's a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again.” There are certain issues brought up today by certain players which give the most wonderful and poetically lending game a black eye. Hopefully the game will straighten itself out and remind us all of what was once good and could be again, as Mann lends us to believe.

Legends, and heroes alike, including, but not limited to, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Willie Mays will never go away. “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die,” a quote from none other than The Sandlot, never seemed more true.

In today’s game, we have future possible legends like Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, John Smoltz, Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones, Vladamir Gurrero, and Greg Maddux, to name a few.

A name left off this list is Barry Bonds. He is no legend. A true legend, left off the first set of names is Hank Aaron. He doesn’t deserve to have his record broken by such a despicable and disrespectful representation of our beloved game.

There’s a saying that came about circa 2006 or 2007 that says “755 Home runs. Zero Steroids.” It’s a telling line which provokes much thought. Hammerin’ Hank had smashed 755 home runs without ever in his life taking a performance enhancing substance. He did it the right way, the natural way. Hard work and determination and perseverance were the path he took.

It also deserves note that he did so during the 60s and 70s when race wars were prominent and a light was shed upon any African American who was in a white’s world, as baseball was dominated by at the time. It was hard for Aaron to accomplish any task, especially one which he was so discriminated against because Babe Ruth, a Caucasian, held it at the time. Bonds had no such hardships.

Henry Louis Aaron had his record of hitting 755 home runs “broken” on August 7, 2007 by Barry Lamar Bonds. He hit a blast that traveled over 430 feet to left-center field off of Mike Bacsik, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, marking the 756 time he had done so, a new “record.”

“Records are made to be broken,” is a saying often used to reflect upon the passing of the metaphorical baton that is a record in sports. If Barry Bonds had in fact broken Aaron’s record fairly and justly, no one would have a problem with it. The “baton” would be his.

Bonds was projected to be one of the best players of all time. He is the only player to have stolen more than 500 bases (514) and hit upwards of 500 home runs (762*). In fact, he is actually the only one to reach the 400/400 plateau.

Additionally, Bonds holds records for walks (2,558) and intentional walks (688). He also leads all active players in RBI (1,996), on-base percentage (.444), runs (2,227), games (2,986), extra-base hits (1,440), at-bats per home run (12.92), and total bases (5,976). (Bonds is still considered active although he is a free agent at this time. He has yet to formally retire.)

Most of these stats should probably be asterisks laced. The reason being that no one would be afraid to pitch to Bonds had he not been a steroid ridden monster that crushed bombs. Had he not hit the ball the extra steroid laden 5 feet needed to clear a fielder to get the RBI, runs, on-base percentage point, extra-base hit, or more total bases. Had he not been juiced he wouldn’t have hit as many home runs, doubles, and triples, lowering the extra-base hits, total bases, runs, and at-bats per home run.

Barry Bonds could always hit. It is evident that he was one of the best hitters of his generation when he took home Rookie of the Year honors for his prowess with the lumber. His multiple All-Star game selections, MVP awards, and Silver Slugger awards also attest to that fact. Bonds most likely would have still hit nearly 600 round trippers and stolen just as many bases. “Best Player of All Time” like numbers that would have catapulted him into the Hall of Fame on a first ballot after his retirement.

Steroids don’t make a person hit better. They do, however, add power and injury resistance to a player which allowed Bonds an unfair advantage and immense muscle growth that is so evident today by looking at the monstrosity he has become and by his so called numbers. Aaron had no such advantages.

Bonds went from a meek frame of about 180 pounds to a gargantuan size of about 250 pounds in his later years. His cap, jersey, and shoe sizes all swelled incredibly. Getting bigger comes with age, that being said, no one grows at the rate he did nor gets better with age as his so called numbers supposedly show. Not unless human growth hormone is there to assist in the process...

Pete Rose, MLB all-time hits leader, when asked about steroid implications surrounding the slugger, said he didn’t know anything about that, but he’s never seen anyone get better as they got older. This question raises many more.

Barry Bonds allegedly took stanzonol, a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone, in addition to a host of other steroids. The book Game of Shadows by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, 2006, told the story on Bonds’ use of the aforementioned substances, all banned by Major League Baseball.

He was also involved in the BALCO scandal in 2003. His trainer worked for the laboratory and had been indicted by a federal grand jury for supplying athletes with performance enhancing drugs. He is quoted as saying he used a substance called “the clear,” or “the cream,” given to him by Greg Anderson, his trainer. He was supposedly told it was a nutritional supplement of flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis, by Anderson.

Barry Bonds was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 15, 2007. A typographical error in court papers filed by Federal prosecutors wrongly alleged Bonds for testing positive for steroids in November 2001. A month earlier, he hit his single season record 73rd home run. The reference was meant to refer to a November 2000 test that had already been disclosed and reported at an earlier date.

The San Francisco Giants have formally removed all pieces of their park that have a Bonds reference in any way, shape, or form. They will, however, place a plaque where Bonds hit the record breaking home run. They have washed their hands of baseball’s biggest disgrace. Now the rest of the baseball world should too. Perhaps his inability to find a home for the 2008 campaign is a step towards that. Now all that’s left is the asterisk-ing of his “records” or their removal all together.

In a generation where kids need heroes, where can they look if the games best players are called out on a national stage for using performance enhancing drugs? People today should envy those growing up in the time when Hank Aaron broke the home run record. That’s a true hero. A true person to look up to. Not Barry Bonds. Not someone who cheated to get ahead, who falsely took what wasn’t his, who hasn’t earned most of the records he has broken. It’s not fair to the youth in America, nor the fans who have been watching the game for decades.

755 Home runs. Zero Steroids. That’s all that needs to be said.

Atlanta Braves: Jonesin' for an Outfielder

Scott Weil — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:12:32 -0500

With the Braves Jonesin' for an outfielder, why not put a Jones in where a Jones is now out?

"Out with the old and in with the new" seems to be Frank Wren's stance as he takes over as the General Manager of one of the oldest and most successful Major League franchises. He will be the successor to his mentor, John Schuerholz, who has been promoted to president of the Atlanta Braves.

Under his lead, the Braves have lost outfielders Andruw Jones and Willie Harris, infielders Edgar Renteria, Pete Orr, Willy Aybar, minor-leaguer Chase Fontaine, and pitchers Chad Paronto, Oscar Villarreal, Lance Cormier, Jose Ascanio, Joey Devine, and minor-leaguer Jamie Richmond.

Some key additions can be attributed to Wren as well, including outfielders Mark Kotsay, Gorkys Hernandez, Josh Anderson, pitchers Tom Glavine, Jair Jurrjens, Will Ohman, Jeff Ridgway, Chris Resop, infielder Omar Infante, and catcher Javy Lopez.

Javy Lopez and Tom Glavine will be in for their second tour of Atlanta. Some of the moves were made via trade, and some were releases or free agent acquisitions.

With the departure of five time All-Star Andruw Jones, the Braves have a gaping hole in their outfield, that's for sure. A ten time gold-glove winner while roaming the outfield at Turner, Jones has compiled a career .263 BA while mashing 368 round-trippers and 1,117 RBI. Andruw had started his career for the Braves when he was 18 and now ends at the age of 30. Jones whaled home runs in his first two World Series batting appearances.

He spent his entire 12-year career in Atlanta before they decided against offering him a new contract this offseason. He was coming off the worst offensive year of his career, hitting just .222 with 26 dingers and 94 RBI.

A midseason move bringing the first-sacking switch hitting slugging Mark Teixeira to the ATL, who needed a big contract after this year, might have influenced the decision to let the Curacao native go. Teixeira's contract could be a more lucrative deal in the long run, if they do decide to offer him one.

In addition to his immaculate defensive play in the outfield, awarding him the double-digit Gold-Glove titles, including one in 2005, Jones did win the Hank Aaron, the Player of the Year, and the Silver Slugger awards, and was selected to the All-Star team, all in that same year.

The '05 campaign was the best he had ever put together. On top of all the awards he won, Jones was the runner-up in the MVP award voting. He also led the National League in home runs, RBI, and at bats per home run.

All of these numbers mean nothing to Atlanta anymore, but they all add up to one thing. Huge numbers + huge outcome + huge hole in center field = big shoes to fill.

The days of the Jones Boys, as Andruw and Chipper were affectionately known, have seemingly effectively ended now that Andruw is donning Dodger Blue. However, with another Jones eating up the minor leagues and seeing some time in the show last season, perhaps the moniker of "the Jones Boys" doesn't have to end.

Brandon Jones, a Panama City, Florida native, was listed as the number 4 prospect in the Braves' Minor League system. He led the AA Richmond Braves to the Governor's Cup championship game in the International League in 2007, which they lost to the Sacramento River Cats 7-1.

He posted a dismal .158 batting average, with one double, four RBIs, and eight K's in 19 at-bats with Atlanta last year. He shows promise and power, however, as he hit .295 with 19 bombs and 100 RBI in 138 games, with AA Richmond and AAA Mississippi in 2007.

He is considered the Braves' long-term answer in left field, but was a three-sport standout athlete in high school, thus attesting to his athleticism and ability to play center field. That being said, he is rated as the most athletic prospect in the system.

With Jordan Schafer, Gorkys Hernandez, Josh Anderson, and Jason Heyward all being possible outfield studs with Atlanta in the near future, in addition to young phenom right fielder Jeff Francoeur, whom apparently has a rocket launcher for a right arm, it will be tough to earn a spot. Not to mention that all the current left fielder, Matt Diaz, does is hit over .330 with a dozen touch-em-all’s and about 50 runs attributed to his bat.

With the acquisition of Kotsay, who is most likely keeping the center field seat warm for the heir apparent Schafer, it will be even harder for the strapping Brandon Jones, to take over for the only center fielder some Braves fan’s have ever known.

Red Sox: Curt Schilling on the Shelf, Bartolo Colon in the Closet

Scott Weil — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:04:30 -0500

Heading out for a hot date, you reach for the shelf and see that your tried and true scent is not there. No reason to fret. Simply peak into the closet for the best of what’s left, and you’re all set.

In this metaphor, it’s the Boston Red Sox who are grooming for an outing. And the hot date?

Well, that’s the 2008 baseball season…and it’s just around the corner.

The shelf? That’s the BoSox pitching staff, while the “tried and true” old favorite is our very own Curt Schilling.

The closet represents the free agent pool, and the best of what’s left is Bartolo Cologne…I mean, Colon.

This whole scenario mimics the events of the late preseason move in Beantown when Colon was signed to a one-year minor league deal worth about $1.2 million—of course, that’s if he does in fact make the 40-man roster at Spring Training’s end.

The move is described as a “no-risk, high-reward” deal.

Bartolo Colon, 34, had spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Indians before moving on to the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals), the Chicago White Sox, and finally landing with the Anaheim Angels (now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), in 2004.

Coming off the last year of a five-year deal with the Angels in which his ERA ballooned to a career high 6.34 and he endured one of his worst win/loss records (6-8), Colon has a lot to prove.

He executed lesser performances in just two seasons. In 2006 he compiled a scintillating 1-5 record, and his initial 1997 showing ended with four wins and seven losses.

Colon has received two all-star game selections and the coveted Cy Young Award. Just three years ago he won 21 games, lost only one, and took home the hardware.

He was also the second winningest pitcher from 1998 through 2005. Colon went 146-95 with a 4.10 ERA since 1994, as well.

It should be noted that Colon battled with a sore shoulder in 2005 and experienced elbow problems last season, too.

The Red Sox decided to pursue this hefty right-handed hurler—last year jokingly placed on the DL for his weight by ESPN.com’s Page Two—because their crafty veteran starting pitcher Curt Schilling has suffered a possible career-ending tendon injury. Schilling has opted for shoulder surgery and says he will participate in rehabilitation for as long as it takes to get healthy.

But every member of Red Sox Nation, including Schilling himself, is well aware that this illustrious and heroic career of over 20 seasons may come to an end sooner than expected should the shoulder fail to retain its once great pitching form.

Boston’s pitching rotation is rock solid and as good as any in the American League—even as good as any in the National League, for that matter.

It consists of ace 2007 Cy Young runner-up Josh Beckett, Japanese import gyro-ball phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka, cancer survivor Jon Lester, crafty veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and the highly touted no-hit hurling rookie Clay Buchholz.

Adding another veteran presence and Cy Young Award winner like Colon is a no-brainer for Manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein. The move could do wonders for the young staff while providing depth to a rotation that is solid, yes, but questionable when it comes to the stability of its younger members.

“It takes more than five starting pitchers to get through a season,” Epstein explained.

Bartolo Colon has pitched recently, seeing action earlier this month in the Caribbean World Series, so he should have no problems coming to camp this week and stepping right into the program.

Colon is the second former Indian draft pick and minor league project that the Sox have picked up this offseason. They signed (former) slugger Sean Casey earlier this winter to fill the role of “off the bench lefty” hitter.

Casey could provide Kevin Youkilis with some spells at first. His presence could also allow Youk some time at his natural position in the hot corner, third base—giving Mike Lowell a rest if necessary.

The worst case scenario: All Colon will do is push the younger pitchers harder to earn their spots in the rotation. The best case scenario: He will become a stable 3-5 starter in the rotation come April.

In any case, it’s a good move and should prove worthwhile for all involved as the Boston Red Sox prepare for a valiant, and feasible, attempt at back-to-back world championships.

Knock on Wood: Preminition of the Patriots

Scott Weil — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:31:01 -0500

An undefeated season… an almost unprecedented thought as it has happened only once prior in the illustrious past of the National Football League.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins, coached by Don Shula and led by bruising running back Larry Csonka and gun-slinging quarterback Bob Greise, are the only team ever to reach the end of the arduous trail that is the lengthy NFL season unscathed and still gleaming.

They perched atop their promontory with 14 wins and no losses, looking into the postseason with an optimism unmatched by any team. The ‘Phins of ‘72 proceeded to go untouched throughout the postseason as well, gaining victories in the next three games, one of which was the hollowed Super Bowl. They finished at a perfect 17-0.

The New England Patriots of the 2007-2008 campaign seem the most worthy of bringing home the “trophy” and title of only the second team ever to be unbeaten, a daunting task which now would consist of winning 19 games.

They have scored over thirty points per game and with such connections as Tom Brady to Randy Moss, the Pats seem untouchable. They have a slew of talent in all three facets of the game. Names such as Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas, Tedy Bruschi, and Asante Samuel ring out loud and clear when defensive bests are in question, and they also have a slick and speedy return man in Wes Welker, making them solid on offense, defense, and special teams.

Oh, and not to mention that perhaps the anchor of their defense and best defensive end in the game, Richard Seymour, as well as one of the league’s youngest most talented bright lights in running back Laurence Maroney both have been absent for a large portion of the season thus far. The Patriots, nonetheless, have posted a league tying best record of six wins and no losses and with the trouncing of a fellow unbeaten franchise in the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night proves that they are the real deal and the best team in the NFL.

Brady, arguably the best quarterback in the game, has thrown 21 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions on 204 attempts, completing 148 passes for a 72.5 completion percentage and a QB rating of 128.9. Ridiculous. Those numbers aren’t normal, they make no sense. Throwing over two hundred passes and having only two end up in someone else’s hands isn’t possible. Moss alone has 8 touchdown receptions and 40 catches on the year, which set him on pace of break his personal records of 17 touchdowns and 111 catches. “Not fair” would be the phrase muttered in response to this statement.

The only foreseen obstacles standing in New England’s path are the Indianapolis Colts, also undefeated at this point in the season, injuries, an entire team collapse, and perhaps Bill Belichick using his better judgment and sitting some starters once the team is sitting at a lofty 13-0 or better, locking up their postseason by that point… and of course the curse placed on any team anywhere near the sacred ranks of the undefeated.

Many teams have come close to the mark such as the Colts last season, before suffering a few losses, and eventually sitting their starters, and ending at 12-4. Every year there seems to be a team who is likly to come close to defying logic and being the next to become undefeated. The remaining Dolphins from that fateful early seventies season pop a bottle of champagne every year after the last game is played and their mark still remains and they are still legends. After "all heroes get remembered but legends never die," thanks Babe.

In any case, the Patriots have too many weapons and too much talent to be stopped now. They seem nonchalant while on the field, and make it seem as if they were playing a far less superior opponent, perhaps because they are. A David and Goliath comparison almost seems fitting. They make every team look as bad as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish look this year.

In week 14 on December 9, the Patriots will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I wouldn't go as far as to say it is a rivalry, but it is for me. I've seen the Patriots beat the Steelers in several AFC championships and many regualr season matches in my short 20 year existance, and well I'm sick of it. I'm hoping the Patriots are still undefeated by this time, and the Steelers can hand them their first loss and I can finally be happy and smile. And the answer is yes, I will be wearing my personalized jersey.

If you’re superstitious, sorry, I talked about the precious undefeated season until it's over, my bad. Oh wait... I hope I jinxed it.

Inside the Lines: DH is Not the Same as MVP

Scott Weil — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:17:56 -0500

To quote Crash Davis: “I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter.”

The latter part of this I agree with. I don’t have so much of a problem with Astroturf.

David Ortiz is arguably the best known designated hitter in the game. (Other than perhaps Edgar Martinez, after whom the award for the best DH.)

Big Papi, as he is affectionately referred to, was in the running for the American League MVP award for the 2006 season, having the chance to beat out other perennial frontrunners Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome.

Not seeing a problem? Here, I’ll highlight it for you. The last three great players I mentioned are possible future Hall of Famers and actually play a position and contribute to the game, other than just standing in the batter's box a few times a game and trying to crush the ball out of the park.

Granted, the “position” of DH does prolong a player's career for a few more years, such as in the cases of Jason Giambi, Mike “It’s not DiGiorno, it’s” Piazza, and Ken Griffey, Jr., I do not believe it should be a players primary position, or the only position they have. Nor do I, most importantly, believe that it should warrant an MVP award. There is an award for the best DH in the game, that should be the only individual prize given to a DH. “Jason Giambi has pretty much stopped contributing to life after becoming a DH,” a Yankee fan said of the designated hitter. I agree, and that goes for all DH’s, for that matter.

Oh, and yes, I said it. I may have made some enemies here, but the man almost lacking any hamstrings should hang up the mitt and go to the American League and become a DH, sorry Griff. (Yes, this goes against my argument but I know the DH “position” isn’t going anywhere so I’m recommending who should take advantage of it.)

The only situation a designated hitter is justifiable to me is as a pinch hitter for a pitcher, or other position player, in a clutch situation when they are desperately needed, not as a position. The National League plays the game the way it should be. To DHs I say: pick up a glove, saddle up, and learn to play the field, sweetheart.

Luck of the Irish: Bobby Kielty's Bounce Into Boston

Scott Weil — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:02:53 -0500

If you were to ask me who had the best life right now, I wouldn't reply Bill Gates, I wouldn't reply Tom Brady, I wouldn't even reply Hugh Hefner.

I would most assuredly say "Bobby Kielty."

Yes, Bobby Kielty—the scrappy extra outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. Let's recap his year in baseball:

He started the season for the Oakland Athletics, just as he had for the last three seasons prior to 2007.

Kielty ended up tearing his meniscus, sidelining him for over a month. On July 23, he was designated for assignment by the A's, and released on August 1.

Six days later, Kielty was signed by the Sox and placed on their Triple A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox. On the 18th, The BoSox purchased the contract of outfielder Bobby Kielty from Pawtucket, and the rest is history.

He came off the bench for the most part and started a few games—and then Kielty hit a big homer, which ended up being the game winning run, in the series-clinching win over the Rockies during the World Series.

Kielty is a career .254 hitter, and has a slugging percentage of just over .400 with only 53 home runs over six seasons, and one postseason dinger being the biggest of his life, the aforementioned series winner.

Robert Michael Kielty went undrafted and started his career with Minnesota and spent three seasons there before being traded to Toronto for one season. His next stop was Oakland where he stayed for over three years and now finally for three months in Boston, and it looks like that will be all after he filed for free agency on the 30 of October.

The only way Kielty will be a member of the Red Sox Nation in the ensuing season is if Coco Crisp is removed, which is a legit possibility as Jacoby Ellsbury will undoubtedly be the starting center fielder in 2008 after a stellar campaign this year. Ellsbury will also be the leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year honors, as he is able to retain his rookie status as a result of not having enough at bats this season. It is unlikely that Covelli "Coco" Crisp will take such a severely reduced role, and will request a trade.

So now after spending over six years being a scrub, sometimes stud, outfielder and skipping around from team to team he finally hit pay dirt: a world championship... a World Series, and a huge ring... not to mention quite a few new fans.

Kielty can cherish this ring, he actually earned it, he wasn't just another pine riding player who can say they were a member of a champion team... he drove in the winning runs and was responsible for the win. No one can ever take that away from him.

I'd like someone to suggest who has a better life. Is that not a dream come true? What child doesn't dream of the cliché bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded, walk off grand slam, game seven, World Series-winning blast? Okay, okay...Kielty's wasn't that exact scenario, but close enough, it did win the series. Congrats Bob, bask in your glory, you earned it.