Results tagged ‘ Off Season ’
A Meeting of Two Minds…One Charismatic, Of Course!
Photo by some random person using Randy Stern’s camera
Last night, there was a meeting of the MLBlogs minds in the River North section of Chicago. I happen to be town to fulfill my other blogging obligation for MotorGeek, the four-wheeled version of The Heirloom, by covering the Chicago Auto Show’s Press Days.
As you can see on the photo above, to your right is one half of Red State Blue State, Mr. Jeffery Lung. Over dinner at a pretty nice place a block from my hotel, we talked about…baseball was indeed part of the conversation. We think it’s great that we can talk about the game now that we are days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training.
One thing we did not discuss (or, at least I recall not discussing) was Albert Pujols. I’m glad we didn’t. It would’ve made for a bad exit.
Thank you, Jeff, for meeting with me. I look forward to many conversations over baseball going forward. Now, I ask y’all to do me a favor: Don’t hate Jeff ‘cuz he’s one of the coolest fellas in the Blogosphere! And RSBS can’t be stopped! Ya heard? Holla!
My lesson for the blogosphere: We are all human beings who write about the passion of baseball. We also use this to hopefully connect with our readers and our fellow MLBloggers. When we end up in each other’s backyard, drop a line! Don’t be shy! We’re family!
Random Heirloom Thoughts Under Insomnia
I have two hard and fast rules on writing: Never write under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any substance that would induce abnormal behaviors. And, never write unless you had enough rest!
So, I woke up way early because my brain was fried from parsing out the draft of the Capstone (If I were to explain what it’s all about and the exact arguments I made so far – you would go into convulsions. Moving right along…). It’s also being sent into the spin cycle with another class I picked up this semester that has been fighting for attention lately.
But, there’s plenty out there to parse out. Shall I begin with the biggest head-scratching moment of the off-season?
THE RAYS FIRE SALE AND TRADE-IN: Barrett-Jackson has nothing on what the Tampa Bay Rays did this off-season. Carlos Pena – gone. Matt Garza – gone. Carl Crawford – gone. Sure, break up a team that won two division titles and appeared in a World Series over the past few years, but replace them with Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez? I’m sure there’s a Dave Chappelle joke somewhere…
Fire sales are nothing new in modern baseball. The San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins are masters in liquidations of winning ballclubs. What bugs me about the Rays’ personnel turnover is that they had to go to retreads (unless Damon and Ramirez prove their fitness at their advanced stages of their careers) to replace key producers on their ballclub.
I’m not even convinced that Kyle Farnsworth would step into the Garza role when you have a solid rotation with Price, Niemann, Shields and Sonnenstine. Don’t worry, the latter will be back in full strength – I can see it!
DATING AT THE BALLPARK: I was reflecting back at some experiences I had at ballparks around the continent and a question came up due to whether I took a date to a ballgame. Why, yes I did. Should I explain? Only to say that I had a mixed bag of experiences with this. I could go on, but in one instance I’d rather not.
However, I can safely say that dating at the ballpark is a common thing to do. Some couples I know love being together for a game. It is a shared experience that keeps them happy and joyful. That is until their ballclub is down by a half-dozen runs, the team is at the bottom of the standings and someone called them a derogatory epithet from a few rows back.
And, don’t think you’ll get on the video screen when the Kiss-Cam is roaming the ballpark looking for you two to smooch for tens of thousands of fans! If I recall, there was a minor uproar when Safeco Field’s Kiss-Cam got a lesbian couple to kiss for a Mariners’ game. Besides, the game is designed for the dominant paradigm – until Jackie Robinson blew that notion out of the water!
You know, I should write a full post on a similiar subject…or, have I? Moving along…
TWINSFEST – SOLD OUT! If you’re like me and think that you would saunter up to Blaine to catch TwinsFest this weekend – bzzzzzz! The annual fundraiser/off-season festival of all things Twins was sold out due to to advance ticket sales to the event. When they had to scale back the event – no one figured they would have to scale back the number of people allowed onto the National Sports Center for it!
Well played, Twins!
So, if your favorite team is hosting a fan fest this weekend (Milwaukee and Seattle already come to mind), check for tickets for before you go. Don’t get caught in the sell-out! And, check for public transit before you go! I know you can’t with this year’s TwinsFest – and, it’s a low-down shame!
Offseason Musings: Being Switzerland
It’s tough being Swiss.
Not that I am of the Alpine persuasion – far from it! Heck, I’m goulash – mainly 25% French and the rest scattered from eastern end of the Alps to the Baltic and down to the Caspian.
What I am on about is the proverbial Switzerland: A concept rooted in neutrality. It is about never taking sides when two volatile camps are rising up around you. It is never upsetting the one because of the other. It is sitting on the sidelines while all heck breaks loose.
Living in a NFC North rival city and watching the followers of both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears strut their stuff was a bit disheartening at first. I’ve already put away my purple paraphernalia for the year, so to see the swath of green-and-yellow and navy blue-and-orange clad ex-Wisconsinites and ex-Chicagoans troll around the Twin Cities prior to the NFC Championship was a bit much, I’ll admit.
In the other conference final, I have friends who are fans of the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. Their loyalty was broadcasted on Facebook and Twitter in the days and hours prior to kickoff. I had no pulse regarding this matchup, sadly.
Then, I realize it’s best to be Switzerland for the weekend. It was best not to engage with fans of the four combatants – except for a brief jabbing at a couple of acquaintances who are huge Packers fans. They were at a local bar when I asked why they weren’t in Chicago. One quipped that he didn’t have the $600 the scalpers were asking for seats at Soldier Field that night. Again, I went back to what everyone else was doing.
Yet, it was hard seeing the reaction to the result of the Bears-Packers game. A car salesman was fired for wearing a Packers tie to work. Then, the tidalwave of vitriol against Jay Cutler throughout Chicagoland got so bad that even Ozzie Guillen responded to on his twitter account.
Yes, the Manager of the Chicago White Sox tweeted his version of a Chris Crocker video essentially telling his fans to leave Jay Cutler alone.
The problem with being Switzerland is watching my friends take sides in what I’d call a gang fight – as evidenced in the two Conference Championships last weekend.
Yet, I cannot claim Switzerland in a few of baseball’s biggest rivalries. My longtime support of the Boston Red Sox pits me against any friend who supports the New York Yankees. And, as I wrote earlier this month, I swapped sides between my hometown Los Angeles Dodgers and the current World Series Champion San Francisco Giants – now siding with my birth ballclub. Then, there’s the Minnesota Twins-Chicago White Sox/Detroit Tigers AL Central mess. I’ll admit, I love following Ozzie’s Twitter/MLBlog and I have dated some Tigers fans in my time. However, I live here in Twins Territory – and they have been my home team since 2004.
You see, even the Swiss takes sides sometimes.
SIDE NOTES: If you’re wondering how my progress has been on my final semester in grad school, I’m working on the body section of my final paper while balancing out my work in another class. The former is due February 3 – so help me God!
Secondly, I am working the Chicago Auto Show during their Press Days February 8-10. This is for my other blog (RandyStern.net/MotorGeek) and might do something on here to parse out the experience somehow. So, if you’re in Chicago and want to hang out and talk baseball – let me know!
TwinsFest 2011 – Now in Suburbia
Normally, there is something white and puffy on the top of that building…
Photo by Randy Stern
Happy New Year! Aren’t you glad we made it to 2011?
The first order of business starts with a ritual now shared by many ball clubs in baseball: The Winter confab. Usually, this takes place at a convention center in town with a line-up of current and former ballplayers ready to sign their lives over to you, along with Q&A sessions, kids’ activities and other vendors.
The only team in the northern climes that have utilized the same facility as their home ballpark was the Minnesota Twins. Last year, they retained the Metrodome for TwinsFest despite moving over to Target Field. This year is going to be different – thanks to the blizzard that felled the Teflon roof covering ye ol’ inflatable domed stadium.
Believe me, the Twins tried everywhere to fit their massive program for the same dates. The Minneapolis Convention Center was not available. Neither was Saint Paul’s RiverCentre. Instead, they will hold TwinsFest on the same scheduled weekend – January 28-30 – in suburbia.
Normally, the National Sports Center in Blaine is a track-and-field, soccer and ice hockey venue. Located north of both downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Anoka County, the NSC will feature a scaled-down version of the Fest benefitting the club’s Community Fund. That also means a smaller pool of tickets will be available for fans to attend this year compared to the times held in the Metrodome.
There is also another disadvantage to holding the Fest in Blaine: Public transportation. We’re pretty spoiled having our Twins games along the Light Rail line – whether it was at the Metrodome or Target Field. MetroTransit and the Metropolitan Council, the state-funded governmental body managing all public transport in the Twin Cities, do not operate any service up by the NSC on the weekends. This will keep urban Twins fans away – unless they wish to venture up to what may seem like nowhere to attend TwinsFest by car. There is plenty of parking at the NSC.
I do have an excuse for not going, though. As I looked at my syllabuses for the coursework in my final semester of grad school, that weekend will be majorly impacted. The first major submission for the Capstone, along with a class session on Saturday, will prevent me from attending TwinsFest this year.
Frankly, I’m not disappointed. I’ve attended this event enough to not have any high hopes. Ticket sales won’t happen until March – so, what’s the point? I’d rather attend another team’s Fest – if I could.
This Ain’t Fort Myers!
I know – Spring Training is underway. Everyone’s reporting, except those who are waiting to see what kind of contract they’ll have before they arrive. The lucky fans are heading south to witness this glorious transition of winter into spring.
No, I’m not in Fort Myers. Nor am I in or heading to Tampa-St. Petersburg, Orlando, the Space Coast or Phoenix. I’m still in Minnesota. And, you can’t get any Minnesotan than ice hockey. I normally get my fill of live NHL action about this time of year, but they are taking a break for Vancouver’s Olympic spectacle.
There’s other forms of the game around. So, last night, I went down to Mankato (south of The Cities) and checked out the Minnesota State University men’s hockey team play against the University of Alaska at Anchorage in a NCAA Division I tilt.
Overall, I had a very good time. I figured that I’d share the photo above. You think that the powers to be would let their own club huddle in front of their own student section. Not so here. It was hilarious! Though I understood why as the home Mavericks shoot twice into said goal to excite the students a lot.
BTW, Minnesota State won 5-2.
Meanwhile, I heard that Dave Dombrowski was ready to offer a contract to Johnny Damon for a year in Detroit. Good news and bad news, perhaps (except for Allen at Red State, Blue State – whom I would imagine would be ecstatic over the news)?
2010: Five Situations (For All of Us) to Watch
This was considered a “controversy” in 1961 - really? Photo by Randy Stern
The Players have been identified. The Teams are ready to be debated. What else do we need?
How about some controversy?
Has there ever been a season where there has been no drama to speak of? Someone’s always getting in trouble for some thing or another. Whether it’s Performance Enhancing Drugs, gambling, weapons charges, misconduct on and off the field, death – you name it, something’s going to shake the game a bit before it comes back and carries on its merry way.
I can think of several situations that could come up this season, but I only limited myself to five (as with the players and teams). Yet, I had to find five situations and controversies that are either already in progress and/or have potential ramifications on the game immediately or in the long run.
What are they? They are…
LINCECUM BANKRUPTING MCGOWAN: As the two-time Cy Young Award winner heads for the Arbitration table, speculations are rising on the kind of money Tim Lincecum will ask from the San Francisco Giants. In other words, how much will it take to pay baseball’s equivalent to a Fall Out Boy? The über cool righty stands to make one of the richest contracts amongst pitchers, but can Peter McGowan and his fellow owners afford it? If the New York Yankees’ offing of Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon is an indication – baseball may be feeling the effects of the economic downturn and are reluctant to give their finest players the world on their contracts. Even the Twins’ are trying to find a way to keep Joe Mauer in Minnesota, but one would guess that the largest sticking point is the amount of compensation to give the American League MVP. The litmus test for renewing contracts over the next few seasons is with Lincecum and how much to give him for new skullies to adorn his trademark long dark brown locks for the Bay Area to swoon over in the years to come.
WATCHING THE SECRET COMMITTEE: After the end of last season, Commissioner Bud Selig called a committee of the game’s most esteemed gentlemen to seek ways to improve the game of baseball. He called for the 14 conveners of the Special Committee for On-Field Matters to review every aspect of Major League Baseball and let their opinions be known. As the Commissioner puts it, there will be “no sacred cows” left behind in the conversation. OK, fine. The members of this committee are amongst the most respected names in and around the game: Frank Robinson, George Will, Jim Leyland, John Schuerholz, Bill DeWitt…etc. But, what will they talk about? How far can they go with the conversation. What will come out of it for the game’s long run? I’d like to know! So would we, right? My question is what will we see this season that will come out of this committee? What will be talked about? Why is there no transparency with everyone else on this committee? Isn’t Passover coming up and there’s another set of questions to be asked? My frustration, exactly!
MITCHELL REDUXS: Manny Ramirez should’ve known better, right? Well, his doctor who prescribed the medication should’ve known better as well. Even with every drug test being scrutinized today, as well as delayed revelations of players shooting up during the steroids era, the words of the Mitchell Report continue to haunt baseball. After a few rumors and accusations were thrown about last season, along with Mark McGwire’s tearful admission of using PEDs, one may wonder who will be next? Who will be tried in the court of public opinion over their supposed use of PEDs? Which player will get pulled aside and sit for 50 games because they tested positive for an illegal substance – prescribed for an ailment or not? Which former athlete will come forward to possibly get slapped with perjury charges from the Congressional hearings a few years ago? These are just a few questions that may be asked this season – and for perpetuity – as long as the memory of the steroids era clouds the game. Or, do we let it? That will be up to the Commissioner’s Office to decide eventually.
BETS ON THE FIRST MANAGERS TO BE TERMINATED: Premonitions, when used for evil, are devastating. By accident, these premonitions just ended up being evil for the message they relay: Patience is running short amongst Major League owners and general managers. “Win now” is a mantra that screams “salary cap” to the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. If there is a lack of patience brewing, it could lead up to seven potential mid-season terminations at the manager position. If I were Lou Piniella (Chicago Cubs), Ozzie Guillen (Chicago White Sox), Jerry Manuel (New York Mets), A.J. Hinch (Arizona Diamondbacks), John Russell (Pittsburgh Pirates), Bud Black (San Diego Padres), and Dusty Baker (Cincinnati Reds), I’d make sure I come in with a minimum .450 winning percentage by the All-Star Break. Otherwise, I have the bags packed and boxes ready to pack my office posthaste.
CAMPAIGNING FOR SELIG’S JOB: Did I read right that Bud Selig will be stepping down as Commissioner in 2-3 years? If so, when will we see the names of successors batted about for the game to consider? After all, the Brewers are erecting a statue of Selig in front of Miller Park in Milwaukee this season. For now, Selig is our Commissioner – until we actually hear otherwise.
2010: Five Teams (For Me) to Watch
Photo by Randy Stern
Yesterday, most of this country witnessed the power of a team fraught with adversity can lead to redemption and a championship. Six years ago, the Boston Red Sox was that example to the world. This time, it’s the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints. The culmination of over four decades of futility, combined with the slow rebuilding of a city destroyed by a massive weather event, yielded the franchise’s finest moment – a Super Bowl victory on its first try.
Now that the NFL season has closed, it’s baseball’s turn. Well, we’re also joined by the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the NBA All-Star Game played in Jerry Jones’ megachurch of sport as put on by Mark Cuban. All we know is that pitchers and catchers are reporting on February 18.
Looking back at the five players I mentioned in the last post, I am always reminded that there is no “I” in “team.” Unless, of course, you’re Johnny Damon (amongst other free agents still unsigned) and is looking for one to play on this season…
Let’s take a step back and wonder what will really transpire in 2010. For me, that means finding teams to follow that will have compelling storylines and personal investments involved. How so? It comes down to tickets, caps, clothing – you name it! It also comes down to more than a piqued interest in the daily grind of these ball clubs.
Ah, but which five teams will I be able to follow this coming season? I guarantee you some surprises…and some obvious choices.
MINNESOTA TWINS: Target Field is just about ready. A few more installations of ticket booth equipment and other details are to be completed before it gets its first test on the day of regular season single game ticket sales. Though most of the lineup is in tact, the swap of Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy had a few heads scratching around here. Things should settle a bit after everyone’s Brett Favre jerseys gets put away for the spring – but the Twins appear not to be done with improving the team. The biggest concern is pitching, which Carl Pavano helped by sticking around for 2010. Still unresolved are the futures of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. If General Manager Bill Smith can get a deal done during the season, the potentially packed houses in the North Loop will continue for years to come. As for repeating as AL Central Champions, it always appears that every team has a shot at dethroning them. The Tigers? Maybe. The Chicago White Sox? Again, maybe. The Kansas City Royals? That could be one that would wreck things for the Twins, Tigers and the Southsiders. I have this feeling that might happen. Still, the new ballpark’s impact will be tested for a team that was designed for the Metrodome. I’d say this will be an entertaining season in Minneapolis – Jim Thome, included.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: I left Wisconsin in 2004 because I simply disliked it. I always dreaded visiting there. Last year, with one of a few remaining friends in the state in tow, I finally enjoyed a nice time at Miller Park – always the third time’s the charm. The huge difference has been the overall performance of the team has improved since before Mark Attanasio poured money into the team after acquiring it from the Commissioner’s family. At its core, Prince Fielder provided power when needed with a supporting cast of farm system-bred and acquired talent to bring the Brew Crew back to the Postseason a couple of years ago. The biggest challenge for Ken Macha in 2010 is to harness the exuberance of Carlos Gomez into a team player. Macha’s system seems like a nice fit for Gomez, which will allow the Dominican a chance to show off his no-holds-barred style of play within the context of Fielder/Braun/Weeks/McGehee. The big concern is pitching. However, having a strategy that enables Trevor Hoffman to save games without the benefit of a powerful rotation may backfire in the face of its rivals – mainly the Cards, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. I’ve always said this is an exciting team to watch. It’s worth the five-and-a-half hour drive from home to see them again.
BOSTON RED SOX: From 1975 to September of 1986, this was my constant in the American League. The California (Los Angeles) Angels interrupted this love for all things Fenway. Then, I visited Fenway in 1993 – and the love returned. Two World Series Championships later, the love remains. However, I found it interesting that they appeared to “give up” more than they acquired during the off-season. Jason Bay was gone – now a New York Met. Good thing they kept most of the lineup in tact. Theo Epstein did add Mike Cameron from San Diego to resolve the outfield and added John Lackey from Anaheim to augment the rotation. Add Adrian Beltre and Jeremy Hermedia (heading for arbitration, BTW) and the Nation seems to be all right. Yet, I need to call Epstein on the carpet for adding Boof Bonser to the 40-man roster. WHY?!? The dude has diminished his minor league hype since he was called up to the Twins! What miracle can John Farrell and Terry Francona exact in Fort Myers to get this big lump of pathetic pitching to Red Sox standards? (At least they didn’t get Sidney Ponson – how low could you go, really?) There are enough arms at Fenway to keep Bonser in Rhode Island and Maine. The big question remains: Can they get back into the Postseason in 2010? Only if they win the AL East outright – the AL West has just gotten stronger.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS: There is a rule of thumb to think about when looking at your home division: Watch out for the most likely rival to screw up the best-intended plans (see above under “Minnesota Twins”). In the case of my home Minnesota Twins, it rotates between the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Until recently, no one took the Kansas City Royals seriously for the last decade or so. Every year, they keep on improving by adding key acquisitions to augment a farm system-bred core. However, one of their core was sent off to the Southside of Chicago: Mark Tehaen. To replace him is Rick Ankiel, coming across Interstate 70 from St. Louis. Ankiel arrives to help fellow newcomers Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, and Brian Anderson, along with returning Royals David DeJesus, Jose Guillen and Billy Butler. However, the universe in Kansas City revolves around this generation’s Bret Saberhagen: Zach Greinke. Without Zach, the Royals could be nothing. Trey Hillman’s guys are looking for their elusive division title – which is something I fear living in Twins Territory and such. However, let there be no doubt that this Royals team will be the most entertaining group to play east of downtown Kansas City since 1985.
IOWA CUBS: Whoa? I thought this was a Major League blog! Well…not if you consider who’s managing the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate and potentially the Pacific Coast League’s story of the year. Ryne Sandberg carries his magic touch up another level after successes in Peoria (A) and Tennessee (AA). One of the most beloved members of the Chicago Cubs of the past generation, Sandberg hopes to get the Des Moines-based ballclub to the level of the Sacramento River Cats, Albuquerque Isotopes and Memphis Redbirds to challenge for the PCL’s American North division’s flag come Labor Day weekend. To do so, the Cubs will need to improve on their .500 record and ensure that the roster to be decided at Spring Training in Mesa will be ready to run out the gate. That will depend on how many of Sandberg’s disciples from Peoria and Tennessee will be promoted to Iowa. This will be a fun season at Principal Park.
Keep on mind these five teams do not represent whether they’re the best in their leagues or division – or whether they will make it to their postseasons. These are five ball clubs I intend to examine throughout the year as the season grinds onward. What storylines will come true from these clubs? Come April, we will certainly find out.
2010: Five Players (For Me) to Watch
That guy on the right…he’s one of the players to watch… Photo by Randy Stern
Last night, I celebrated my 46th birthday with a few friends. I know I should expect this, but the conversation turned to baseball. One of the couples at the dinner, who are considerable sports fans, asked whether I got my Twins season tickets for the new building. I said that I couldn’t justify getting them for the small amount of games I attend (plus games away from Target Field).
The fact that any discussion of baseball ensued can tell you where my head has been at for the past couple of weeks. The thought of the game coming back soon with Spring Training and single game ticketing looming warms the heart in the fact of below freezing temps in the Twin Cities.
With the Arbitration hearings looming on the horizon, we’ve already seen our share of Hot Stove deals that would make the average baseball fan’s head spin. All of the sudden, teams looking to get better simply went for broke on signing new players – as well as averting arbitration on others.
Would you also believe there were teams that did not dive into the market, if at all? Was Curtis Granderson “it” for the New York Yankees?
Granted, the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros headlined the Hot Stove season – and it appears these teams may not be done. Let alone, everyone else. That would be determined by the upcoming Arbitration hearings for the San Francisco Giants’ two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. Even the recently acquired Edwin Jackson is headed for the table with his new team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
All of this is a whirling dervish to me.
Looking ahead to 2010, I wanted to look at which teams would create the most interest to me, as well as individual players to watch. The reasons are simple: The storylines that grabbed my attention and players that had caught my attention from last season whom I believe will make an impact in the coming season.
There is a rhyme and reason for these five players I’m going to follow closely in 2010. There’s also potential outcomes I can see transpire as the spring rolls into summer and into the postseason.
Whom will I follow starting later this month? Well…let’s start with one of the biggest deals of the Hot Stove…
CLIFF LEE – SEATTLE MARINERS: He earned a Cy Young Award as a member of Eric Wedge’s Cleveland Indians. He helped put the Philadelphia Phillies over the top and back into the World Series last year. Now that he’s back in the American League, how will Lee help Don Wakamatsu’s ball club? In Cleveland, Lee had C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona in his rotation. Once he got to Philly, he was put on the rotation with a pitching staff overflowing with strong arms. At Safeco, Lee will share the rotation with Felix Hernandez providing a 1-2 punch for the M’s. Lee is a catalyst, but he’s not the solution as his arm is only as good as the team around him. In both Cleveland and Philadelphia, he had the luxury of deep talent in the lineup. The same is developing in Seattle as Ichiro Suzuki and Ken Griffey, Jr. received some needed help around the field. Lee needs another 18-plus-victory year – along with King Felix – to ensure the M’s shot at the AL West and/or the postseason.
DENARD SPAN – MINNESOTA TWINS: In the spot where Kirby Puckett showed Torii Hunter how to play the deep part of the outfield, the next great Twins star cultivates his place out in center field. Last year, Span batted .311 and became a catalyst for Ron Gardenhire’s offense. Once he became the leadoff hitter, Span simply took control at bat as well as out in the field. His speed alone covers plenty of real estate for the personable and humorous Span – just as you were watching Puckett or Hunter in years past. However, it’s easy to forget about Span with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau grabbing all the attention in the Twin Cities. After you marvel at Morneau’s power and Mauer’s ability to create on-base opportunities, watch Span hit, run and score at the top of the order. The heir apparent to center field has 2010 to claim as his.
ROSS OHLENDORF – PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Last year, I had a chance to see this guy twice on the road (in Chicago against the White Sox and in Milwaukee). Though he can be hit by some of the better lineups around, he has the potential to improve on his 11-10 season. He is amongst a core of three strong starters for the Bucs, including Zach Duke and Paul Maholm. You may not have heard of these three arms, but I can assure you that you may hear more about them – and, possibly, even more about Ohlendorf. Why Ohlendorf? He’s more intimidating than the other two young arms. For the Pirates to break out of the low end of the NL Central, they need to rely on these arms to lower their ERA and win more decisions than losses. For Ohlendorf to become successful, he needs to become a leader amongst the arms and use his size to become more fearsome in his starts. I can certainly see him break out even more this season.
PABLO SANDOVAL – SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Doesn’t he remind you of someone? Maybe he might resemble a slightly svelte Prince Fielder? Which brings up the question as to Sandoval’s impact on the Giants’ 2010 campaign as the word is out on his bit speed and power. His .330 average is nothing to ignore. Let alone his potential to become a game changer. The Giants always had one throughout their history ranging from Willie Mays to, ehem, his Godson. Granted it would take a sea change to get Bay Area fans to forget about Bobby Bonds’ son and fully embrace the guy who can carry this team into the new decade – one who had to overcome his fear on walking on ice at a San Jose Sharks game recently. If this guy can walk on ice, then expect Sandoval’s bat will be hotter than a typical summer day in the Sunset District. I also expect his slugging numbers to significantly increase in 2010 as well. Believe me, Sandoval is the biggest single threat in the NL West.
JOHNNY DAMON – ???: Notice that a team has not been designated for the former World Series hero. Since Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners felt compelled to leave the deal table, Damon is making sure he’ll play in 2010. He’s got a lot in his tank – and, whoever gets his services will not be disappointed. Damon will be a huge help to a lineup – a veteran outfielder that can cover his field with ease and a bat that can go yard at any time. Neither the Toronto Blue Jays, the Detroit Tigers or anyone else interested in Damon would pass up a guy with a lifetime .288 batting average, 207 home runs and memorable moments during the 2004 and 2009 World Series for his respective winning ball clubs. The New York Yankees may end up regretting leaving Damon at the table. He will come back and haunt them every time he steps up against a Yankee pitcher. In fact, expect him to take 2010 by the horns by making a huge impact for his new team.
In the next posting – I’ll talk about the five teams (for me) to watch. Get ready for some surprises there…
TwinsFest 2010 – Memories and Opportunities
Yep, I went to TwinsFest!
Normally, I don’t do the Friday night session with the big stars shining. I figured “what the heck” and checked it out instead of my usual Saturday morning visit.
This was a great opportunity to see how the Twins are presenting Target Field before they play their first game there. Needless to say, there’s plenty of interactivity there from the usual autographs, photo sessions, regional baseball inducements, and memorabilia and cards sales. There’s plenty of stuff for kids of all ages.
Well, this “kid” ended up facing his childhood again. The Ferguson Jenkins Foundation had a booth where for a fee you can get an autograph from five of the greats of my era: Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, George Foster, Vida Blue and Mudcat Grant. That was my most exciting moment. I came home with an autographed ball from Jenkins. It felt like 1973 again.
Incidentally, after talking to a couple of folks at TwinsFest, I have some ideas of what I’ll be writing on this season. Since I kept this MLBlog as non-team specific, it gave me some license to cover a lot of the game as possible – including experiences in the minors, semi-pros and independent leagues.
My focus right now is the second week of March as to determine when my first game at Target Field will be. I’m pretty anxious about getting into that new ballpark. TwinsFest certainly whetted my appetite for it.
All photos by Randy Stern
A Purple Hangover
I could recite the lyrics of Maureen McGovern’s “The Morning After” from The Poseidon Adventure, but I’ll spare you the pain.
Coming off of a purple stupor, I am so glad to see the comfortable surroundings of The Heirloom and the MLBlogosphere again. Has anyone been to a Cinema Grill? It’s a fun place where they serve food and a second run movie. Imagine a small one with two screens, filled with 340 people of varying shades of purple making no distinction whether they’re at the Metrodome or some joint in an inner ring suburb of Minneapolis. Then, in the end, found themselves short in overtime – walking peacefully to their cars. No riots or engagements with the City of New Hope Police Department. Me, I went across to St. Paul for some venting in the form of karaoke.
Oh yeah, and remind me to never live blog again. That was painful. I’m glad I’m a commentator and analysis guy instead of a play-by-play one.
In the last week of January, there has been so much I haven’t covered. Soon, pitchers and other personnel will report to Spring Training. Arbitration hearings are being set – or avoided. The hot stove still burns as the number of free agents is reduced to those who may have to look for work in insurance this season. Believe me, I am trying hard to understand some of the patterns of these deals that went down while Brett Favre was dancing on my MacBook’s screen.
As much as I love American Football, baseball is an uncomplicated sport – that’s if you remove the palace intrigues, the intricacies of player transactions and FOX’s coverage of the game. It’s a sport that brings everyone together no matter what part of society you come from. It’s a sport that takes a lot of time to complete – from February to November. It’s what brings communities together across the country and in various countries around the world.
I’m so glad this NFL season is over for me! Now, I can breathe easier. Even better is the feeling I get whenever I pass Target Field on my way home. I can imagine the place brimming with excitement once the snow and ice melts away from it by Opening Day. That new ballpark smell is alluring!
Besides, I’m glad I don’t have to plan a Super Bowl party this year…
Randy Stern
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