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23
Oct
09

OK, One More Item on Steve Phillips’ Talent Evaluation Skills

By slanch 5 Comments
Categories: Baseball
Tags: , , , , , ,

WrightCruz One of my favorite baseball writers/evaluators is ESPN’s Keith Law who writes extremely well, is smart, witty, snarky and an excellent judge of talent (even if he doesn’t like Anna’s Tacqueria); I trust his eye. During his time as a special assistant to JP Ricciardi in Toronto he witnessed any number of interesting and bizarre choices by his GM, including passing on Troy Tulowitzki in favor of Ricky Romero. Sure, Romero has come on recently and looks to be a good pitcher, but Tulo is a 30 HR Gold Glove shortstop and those simply don’t grow on trees.

Anyhoo, in his chat yesterday on ESPN, Keith Law dropped this little nugget that absolutely FLOORED me:

Eddie (Milwaukee): What was Steve Phillips thinking? Almost trading a 19 year old David Wright for Jose Cruz Jr.? Ridiculous.

Klaw: I’ve been asked about that trade rumor for three years but never answered while Ricciardi was still GM. The offer was made, though; I was there when the call came in. It was the first time I’d heard of Wright, since I wasn’t with Toronto in 2001 nor had I followed the draft when Wright was in it. JP’s reaction was, “I’m not trading a major league player for some guy in the Sally League.” And that was pretty much that. We had a chance to trade Cruz after that for Rafael Soriano, but JP refused to do it unless Seattle included Clint Nageotte, who, at the time, was a pretty hot prospect. It’s weird; I can’t remember some things that happened last week but I remember those conversations (over seven years ago now) like they just took place.

This makes BOTH Phillips and Ricciardi look bad. I can’t believe Stevie-boy offered D-Wright for Jose Cruz Jr. who had his best year as a rookie and then never followed up on it. This is the same Jose Cruz Jr. who is OUT OF THE LEAGUE, and the David Wright who is a regular pre-season MVP pick and one of the best young players in the game (if he ever gets his power stroke back.) Wow. WOW. WOW.

[ESPN]

22
Oct
09

Brett Myers Gets Shot Down

By slanch 3 Comments
Categories: Baseball and Douches
Tags: ,

Amidst the celebration on the field last night for the Phillies win, the players’ wives and families joined them out on the field. Noted wife-abuser Brett Myers goes in for a celebratory smooch from his wife to get shot down.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

“Don’t kiss me,” she clearly says to him, probably because he smells like cigars and cheap beer, plus he’s an asshole. Eat a dick Myers.

[The Fightins]

22
Oct
09

One Last Thing on Steve Phillips and His Lady-Love

By slanch 1 Comment
Categories: Baseball, Douches and Television
Tags: ,

I wish I could take credit for this line, but it comes from commenter Garnold.

brookephillips

Looking at Steve Phillips’ paramour Brooke Hundley all of a sudden Phillips’ talent evaluation “skills” with the Mets make a lot more sense.

21
Oct
09

Carlos Guillen Wants to Play 9

By slanch Leave a Comment
Categories: Baseball
Tags: , ,

Carlos Guillen Leyland HugJim Leyland and his left fielder Carlos Guillen had a long phone conversation on Monday after Guillen made it known he didn’t want to continue playing left field. After the conversation Leyland told reporters that “We were talking a lot about playing time, about (his) playing 9 innings. There is absolutely no problem there. We talked for quite a while, Carlos wants to play and we want Carlos to play.”

Considering that Guillen has 2 years remaining on his contract and was pretty solid once he finally came back from injury late in the season, the Tigers can ill-afford to not have an effective Guillen on the field. Guillen apparently was dissatisfied with being removed late in games for a defensive replacement and wants to be playing the full game. Of course, since he moves like a 85-year-old three-time hip-replacement person, that doesn’t seem too likely.

Mostly though, I just really love this picture of he and Leyland sharing an awkward hug several years ago. Adorable!

[Detroit Free-Press]

21
Oct
09

October 21 is One of the Greatest Days of the Year

By slanch 3 Comments
Categories: Awesome, Baseball and Boston
Tags: ,

RED-SOX-VICTORY__1224078695_6201Sure, 5 years ago technically the game began on October 20th, but it was after midnight when the final out (Ruben Sierra grounding out to second) was recorded and history was made. The Red Sox had conquered their Everest. Yes, the Sox still had to make their way through the Cardinals, but that proved to be no trouble. More importantly, it was the Yankees who had been the enemy, who had confounded Boston time after time, letting the Sox get tantalizingly close and then CRUSHING the dreams of a region.

All that changed with Alan Embree’s final pitch, Sierra’s weak grounder and the celebration was on. The most improbable comeback, against the hated powerful rivals was complete, the Boston Red Sox were going to the World Series and destiny was on their side.

Everything was different when they won. I remember when the final out was recorded into Doug Mientkiewicz’s glove I just raised my fist in victory, unable to talk, unable to move, the Red Sox were the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.

These days in October are precious, every playoff game is a gift, this year the gift was put away too early but that’s the way it goes sometimes. A sentiment I could never have expressed before the magic of 2004. For a 8 game stretch the Boston Red Sox played like gods, with carefree abandon, nothing to lose and everything to gain they did it. Today is the anniversary of one of the greatest victories in Boston history. Celebrate accordingly.

21
Oct
09

The Skipper Takes in a Show by the Boss

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Categories: Baseball, Celebrities and Pop Culture
Tags: , ,

Joe Torre at Bruce SpringsteenLast night the Philadelphia Spectrum held one of its final concerts before it is due to be destroyed with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band holding court. Among the thousands of attendees was one Joseph Paul Torre, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in town to battle the defending champs, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Torre’s appearance did not go unnoticed, whether it was the many phones taking photos of him (left) or when the crowd started chanting “BEAT LA.” Even Bruce got in on the action, during “Glory Days” at the line where Bruce says “I had a friend, was a big baseball player,” Bruce pointed to the Dodgers manager.

I think it’s safe to say that Torre much prefers THIS Boss as opposed to his previous employer George Steinbrenner, who, it should be noted, is a terrible Rock and Roll musician.

[The 700 Level]

21
Oct
09

Steve Phillips Puts the Screw to an ESPN Staffer

By slanch 3 Comments
Categories: Baseball, Douches and Television
Tags: , , ,

m_9aacf01663b446fc8e4bf3d2a2d177a0

Former Mets GM and current ESPN baseball “analyst” Steve Phillips has been suspended by the WWL after details of an affair he had with a 22-year-old production assistant came out. The young lady, Brooke Hundley, apparently was distraught when Phillips broke things off with her and began calling and texting Phillips’ wife. According to Phillips, Hundley became “obsessive and delusional” after he dumped her, and really how could you not, I mean, he’s STEVE PHILLIPS.

Unfortunately, she has hidden her profile picture on Facebook, but there is always Myspace, and so you can get an idea of what she looks like to the left or by going HERE. Helen of Troy she is not.

NYMETS2KS9Hundley met Phillips while working on a St. Louis Cardinals game on July 13th, “Over a three-week span, I had a total of three sexual encounters with her,” Phillips told police. “Those were the only times I spent any time alone with her.”

Apparently Steve Phillips has some kind of raw animal magnetism, or she has a couple screws loose, because Hundley started harassing Phillips’ wife Marni on August 5th with text messages and phone calls. “The tone of the text message was, ‘I care about Steve, I make him happy, and we both can’t have him,’ ” Marni said.

Brooke HundleyAt the same time Hundley was attempting to contact one of Phillips’ sons through Facebook, posing as a high school friend and then trying to find out information about his parents like if they slept in the same bed, if they were fighting and whether he thought they were going to get divorced. Which makes sense considering her LinkedIn profile claims she has “Extensive knowledge in new and emerging technologies especially in social networks.”

Hundley also came to Phillips’ Connecticut home leaving a letter for Marni and sitting in her car outside the home. When Marni arrived home with her 7-year-old son, Hundley attempted to speed off, slamming into a stone column, damaging the rear end of her car before driving away.

In the letter, Hundley details her affair with Phillips, and mentions “a big birthmark on his crotch . . . and one on his left inner thigh, so you know I’m not being fake.” So now you have that image in your head. Enjoy!

Who knew Steve Phillips had such a pull on the ladies. Of course, this isn’t the first time Li’l Steve has gone where he shouldn’t, while he was GM of the Mets he had to take a brief leave of absence after word of an affair with an employee came out and she sued him for sexual harassment. ESPN has suspended Phillips for a week, which is the most merciful thing to ever happen to baseball fans. Marni meanwhile has filed for divorce and Phillips has already deeded over their home to her.

[NY Post]

20
Oct
09

Brad Penny Partakes in Some Smirnoff Action

By slanch Leave a Comment
Categories: Baseball, Hot Women and Television
Tags: , , , ,

Brad Penny wasn’t so lucky on the field when he played for the Red Sox this season; however, he turned his season around, and made himself some money, by putting up strong numbers down the stretch for the San Francisco Giants. Off the field Penny has done very well for himself, including dating for a time Alyssa Milano who is far far far far far far out his league. He’s done it again as noted scumbags and rumor-mongers TMZ captured a video of Penny making out with his apparent new love interest, Dancing With the Stars dancer Karina Smirnoff. I don’t get it, he looks like he was hit in the face with a paint bucket of ugly, yet he attracts these hotties. Is it just that he’s rich? It’s not like he’s some highly tuned athlete, I’m probably in better shape than he is.

Then again, she dated Mario Lopez for two years, so clearly she doesn’t have much in the way of taste…

Vodpod videos no longer available.

[TMZ]

20
Oct
09

Seattle Gets Better as Johjima Decides to Return to Japan

By slanch Leave a Comment
Categories: Baseball
Tags: , ,

JohjimaWow! The Seattle Mariners just got incredibly fortunate, their catcher Kenji Jojhima has opted out of his contract and is intending to return to Japan to finish his career there. The first Japanese catcher in the majors, Johjima’s first two seasons were solid, with his best campaign coming in his rookie season when he put up an OPS+ of 103, hitting .291/.332/.451 with 18 HRs. After the first two years his production dropped precipitously, which of course led to the idiotic decision to RESIGN him to a three-year extension for $24 million.

Thankfully for Mariners fans, they can now move on and aren’t on the hook for the remaining $16 million on his contract. While GM Jack Zduriencik denies that the team bought-out any of the contract, this turns out to be incredibly fortuitous for the team and their future. Sure, they don’t have a particularly good catcher in Rob Johnson, but he’s still better than the marginal Johjima whose OPS+s went from 103, 101, 68 and then 84 last season in only 71 games.

The 33-year-old catcher told reporters that:

After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan. I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches.

I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. This was a very difficult decision, both professionally and personally. I feel now is the time to go home, while I still can perform at a very high level. Playing close to family and friends was a major factor. I will miss the Seattle fans and their gracious support. Thank you all.

Now with Johjima’s contract Adrian Beltre’s nearly $13 million coming off the books, the team has some $20 million available to spend to upgrade their team. However, since this season’s free-agent class is highly lackluster, that’s not a great boon. Perhaps this means though that they pursue someone like John Lackey, the best pitcher available on the market. Or — even worse for me and the Red Sox’ lust for Felix Hernandez — perhaps the money could be used as a starting point for a new contract for the supremely talented 23-year-old ace. Regardless, the team just got better through a subtraction that doesn’t appear to cost them anything.

[USS Mariner]

20
Oct
09

Phillies Win to the Delight of the Hometown Analysts

By slanch Leave a Comment
Categories: Baseball and Television
Tags: , , , ,

As the battle of attrition that are the League Championship series continues, it appears that the team to win the World Series will be the one whose closer is in marginal suck-land as opposed to full-on blow-it mode.

Here though is a great video of Comcast Sportsnet host Michael Barkann and his co-hosts for the Phillies post-game show, Darren Daulton and Ricky Bottalico, watching the end of the Phillies game last night.  I think they’re excited.

[Hot Clicks]

20
Oct
09

This Year’s Best Promotions at the Ballpark

By slanch Leave a Comment
Categories: Baseball
Tags: ,

Ever wonder what promotions are the most successful at the ballpark? Well the Sports Business Journal looked at this year’s attendance numbers and found the affect that the various promotions had on attendance figures. Who knew that Webkinz were so popular, averaging a nearly 32% increase in attendance. I would have thought bobbleheads would be higher up on the list. I’d also wager that nearly all of the magnetic schedule days are on or around Opening Day hence the larger number there which skews the results slightly. I also love that Health Awareness day and College Night’s are both negative draws at the box office.

Giveaways
Category (dates) Attendance Average % Change
Webkinz toy (17) 677,562 39,857 31.60%
Blanket (11) 404,166 36,742 21.20%
Banner/pennant (10) 350,536 35,054 15.60%
Magnetic schedule (41) 1,411,969 34,438 13.70%
Bobblehead (75) 2,555,561 34,074 12.70%
Figurine (29) 957,161 33,006 8.90%
Cap (85) 2,752,213 32,379 7.00%
Backpack/bag (48) 1,522,580 31,720 4.60%
Jersey (34) 1,070,513 31,486 3.80%
Lunch box/school supplies (25) 743,502 29,740 -2.00%
Calendar (23) 680,350 29,580 -2.60%
Poster (33) 929,173 28,157 -7.30%
Helmet/gloves (14) 389,031 27,788 -8.50%
Shirt (67) 1,803,625 26,920 -11.60%
Baseball cards (11) 221,924 20,175 -33.50%
Promotions
Category (dates) Attendance Average % Change
Team history tribute (19) 655,280 34,488 13.80%
Autographs (48) 1,598,118 33,294 9.90%
Fan appreciation day (29) 960,266 33,113 9.20%
Concert (36) 1,188,728 33,020 8.90%
Fireworks (195) 6,384,812 32,743 8.60%
Run the bases (53) 1,723,097 32,511 7.30%
Cultural celebration (61) 1,940,501 31,811 4.90%
Military day (28) 845,447 30,195 -0.60%
Concessions discount (122) 3,545,640 29,063 -4.50%
Health awareness day (26) 740,762 28,491 -6.20%
Kids day (60) 1,688,884 28,148 -7.40%
Family day (41) 1,100,960 26,853 -11.70%
Pet day (15) 394,303 26,287 -13.50%
Little League day (26) 680,675 26,180 -13.90%
College night (22) 531,875 24,176 -20.50%
Source: Teams, SportsBusiness Journal research

[Sports Business Journal]

20
Oct
09

Mariano Rivera Loads Up a Spitball

By slanch 21 Comments
Categories: Baseball and Douches
Tags: , , ,

He is the greatest closer in post-season history but during last night’s game against the Angels it appeared that Mariano needed a little something extra. He turns his back from the plate, looks around to see if anyone is paying attention and then BLOOP, he SPITS on the ball. Now I’m not idiotic enough to think that this is the reason for his long history of success, but for this one moment, Mariano CLEARLY is cheating. Of course, the spitball was banned from MLB in 1920, so it’s not like this is something new to Mariano, I mean, he’s old but not THAT old…

Amazingly none of the other 5 umpires on the field noticed anything and while the TV cameras caught it, there was no mention or acknowledgement whatsoever. Astonishing.

Mariano Rivera Spit on Ball3Mariano Rivera Spit on Ball4

What do you think? Is he cheating or just “accidentally” spitting on the ball.

[Halos Heaven]

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