Idealism, that is what it is all

about.

I do not know anybody

that enjoys playing more

the game of baseball

than one 77 year old

man by the name of

Orestes Saturnino Arrieta

Armas Minoso, aka

Minnie Minoso who at

the age of 77 walked

last night, playing in an organized game for the seventh decade, a major league record !

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]

“This Time It Counts”

Reads the promos for

the 74th All Star Game

this tuesday July 15 at

US Celullar Field (actually

New Comiskey Park)Chicago.

By Amaury Pi-González

San Francisco [Read more →]

The A’s need go for it now, because next year they won’t have Tejada and they won’t have Foulke. The missing link now is Brian Giles.

Here’s what they do: the Pirates can have Bobby Crosby and any other two prospects they want except Harden. That means Joe Blanton, Nick Swisher, Bill Murphy. Anyone. I’d maybe even give em a fourth prospect, if they will also send along some cash to pay Giles.

Now, this leaves the A’s with no heir apparent at shortstop next year. No problem. At the end of the season they get Khalil Greene from the Padres. He’s in Triple A and has numbers very much like Crosby. The A’s wanted to draft Greene last year in the first round, but the Pads took him. The Padres, opening their new ballpark, are probably going to go after a big name shortstop (Tejada or Aurilia?), so Greene will be expendible. The A’s could also sign some journeyman shortstop to be a fallback if Greene doesn’t work, but they would have had to do that with Crosby anyway.

The A’s also have the option of trading Giles over the winter to get their shortstop. Giles makes $9 mil a year for 04 and 05. Obviously they’d be better off keeping Giles and trading Jermaine Dye, but it would harder to trade Dye.

This also leaves the A’s farm system a little bereft. No problem again. When Tejada and Foulke leave, the A’s will get four more comp draft picks in the first two rounds. That’ll refill the cupboard.

I recognize this proposal from a very astute baseball analyst who shall remain anonymous.
Thanks,
Marty [Read more →]

Marty; The Giants have just concluded three games with Arizona, winning two of them at Arizona’s home field. In assessing the significance of this short series, is it an overemphasis to call it a microcosm of the remainder of the season?

Click Below for Ed’s Analysis.
Marty [Read more →]

During the past 29 games the leading

Mariners have scored three or fewer

runs 19 times.

Yet General Manager Pat Gillick

says their is no panic here in

“coffe town”.

This weekend Lou Piniella

is in town, the best Mariners

manager in history.

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Seattle [Read more →]

Marty,

After writing the latest article on the state of the Giants’ pitching I searched for an appropriate title and gave consideration to describing it as a “shambles”. I decided that such a description might be too disheartening and,instead, settled on describing it as being in disrepair and asking whether it could be salvaged. On picking up this morning’s paper, I discovered that Glenn Dickey had no such cumpunctions and reasonably described the present pitching plight as a “shambles”. There could have been no greater justification for the use of such appelation than reading in the same paper that the Giants had just called up a heretofore remarkably unsuccessful pitcher, when pitching in the majors, from the Fresno farm. Giants fans, who have consistently been supporting the club with record breaking attendance deserve better. The earlier announced justification for for disposing of Ortiz was to save the money it would have cost to retain him, thereby forcing Sabean to look around for the best deal. That coming up with Moss was the best solution is open to question but the primary culprit is management. The Giants, if they are to have a successful year, are probably going to have to spend as much money as they saved by getting rid of Ortiz. It is exceedingly unlikely that any new face they come up with is going to be as good a pitcher as Ortiz. Further, to compound the lack of foresight on management’s part, their actions may end up costing them a pennant and the resultant income benefits that would produce. Ed [Read more →]

Marty; At the start of yesterday’s game against St. Louis the Giants had two outstanding starters, Schmidt and, surprisingly, Williams. Each of the remaining members of the rotation presented problems. Rueter had been lit up in his two previous starts, Foppert was a promising youngster who had not developed in a manner consistent with his spring training numbers,and Moss had for two months been a disaster. By the second inning the problems were magnified. Reuter had come down with a sore left shoulder and removed himself from the game.He now is on the DL. When he returns is anyone’s guess.

Click below and I’ll give you my thoughts.
[Read more →]

Here’s how the A’s can get one of the Dodgers stud setup men, Paul Quantrill or Paul Shuey (I prefer Quantrill.)

They need to send a good prospect and a so-so prospect to the Rockies for Preston Wilson, who is having a great year but makes a ton of money (9 mil next year and 12 mil in 04). The A’s get the Rockies to also throw in the remaining $2 mil on Wilson for this year. The Rockies will do this to get the prospects and to be rid of his 04 and 05 salary. The A’s might have to give up two good prospects (Duchscherer and Joe Blanton?)

The A’s then send Wilson and the cash for 03 to the Dodgers for Quantrill. The Dodgers can afford Wilson’s 04 and 05 salaries more than the Rockies or the A’s.

This also takes the Dodgers out of the running for guys the A’s might want, like Rondell White. [Read more →]

Marty: There is a story in today’s morning paper by one of the paper’s major sports writers concerning the Giants. It analyzes the club’s personnel and makes all the talent, or lack of talent, assessments that could have been made before the season started. It’s conclusion is that the team could “still make the post season as a wild card but the run won’t go as smoothly as in that giddy first month”. Nothing of great consequence respecting personnel has changed since the first day of the season except the injury to Ainsworth and emergence of Williams. A more interesting story would have revolved around the question, why do the Giants win, particularly if one had a reasonable answer to give.

Let me try to answer, what Glenn Dickey in the SF Chronicle couldn’t, in my analysis of the Giants.

Click below for more! [Read more →]

Marty: You mention Yankees bench. They picked up Sierra and have him hitting cleanup with his .300 average and big hits. Wouldn’t the Giants like to have him, even with his personality problems? The word is that he is much better these days in that department. As you point out, tonight is a tough one for the Giants, with Brower going. The bullpen is rested and they will undoubtedly need all of them. The Moss fallout! I am looking forward to the next few starts by Williams. Is it possible that this kid is the Giants pitching saviour? They sure need someone to go along with Schmidt. The present rotation inspires small confidence. Other than Schmidt, and, it is to be hoped, Williams, there is no one on the team who can be counted on to give them six good innings. Where is Ortiz, now that we need him? Did someone say Atlanta? I read this morning that Aurilia is getting healthy and due back in the lineup, possibly tonight. I don’t know if that is good news. I like the looks of the Giants, with Perez playing shortstop and hitting second. far more than any lineup with Aurilia. Ed

[Read more →]