Posts from — December 2006
Inside Baseball The Winter Version Returns on Janaury 3rd, 2007
December 30, 2006 No Comments
Barry Zito a late Christmas present
It was not until Thursday the 28th day of December 2006 that Santa Claus made a late stop at Giants fans with a huge 7-year $126 million contract and Barry Zito will not have not move from his residence in San Francisco, he will pitch just a few minutes away at ATT Park in 2007. [Read more →]
December 29, 2006 No Comments
Hispanic Baseball Museum to induct 101 year old player
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum is set to induct this December 29, 2006 Don Emilio"Millito"Navarro first Puerto Rican to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. Navarro is the oldest living professionaL baseball player in the world.
December 21, 2006 No Comments
Mariners become more Hispanic
The Seattle Mariners are going to need a Jose-Meter in 2007 with their recent additions. But Bill Bavasi knows that time is running out for his regime and he better try all he can to make this team leave the cellar this next season. It will not be easy, but they are trying. [Read more →]
December 16, 2006 No Comments
SABERMETRICIANS AND MONEYBALLERS MORE OF A THREAT TO THE GAME THAN STEROIDS
December 12, 2006 No Comments
Fans Dictate Decision on Bonds
If you shell out $50-100 bucks every time you buy a ticket to a Giants game you want to see Barry Bonds play in San Francisco.
It’s very easy for the media to criticize the decision to bring Bonds back to the Giants in ’07. Most of us in the media don’t have time for Bonds and his negative aura. He is the most difficult person to work with in baseball today.
Is he any different with the press than Joe Dimaggio was or Willie Mays or Ted Williams? Probably worse but not by much.
In reality the fans who buy the tickets to the game want to see Bonds play.
If you go to a Giants game there is still the buzz when Bonds comes up. He puts fans in the seats and will do so in 2007 and that’s the reason he is back with the Giants.
Moises Alou was a nice player. Hurt quite a bit, but a productive player. Does anyone give a hoot that he is long gone and with the Mets next season?
Absolutely not. The fans could care less and that’s why the Giants hardly blinked whern he left. His departure will have absolutley no impact on ticket sales.
If Bonds left town you can bet that there would be plenty of empty seats at the park.
Money talks and the fans money is what brought Bonds back pure and simple.
December 9, 2006 No Comments
Why McGwire Should Not be in the Hall of Fame
McGwire testified in March 2005 in front of Congress during the hearings on steroids. He was there with his "buddy" José Canseco Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. McGwire’s showing at those hearings was ‘to say the least’ disappointing. Canseco accused everybody, Palmeiro pulled a Clinton with his finger, Sosa had more interpreters that he really needed and McGwire in my opinion was the worse, he didn’t say much. He sat there like an idiot, half pregnant, neither confirming or denying the accusations. I covered all these guys during their playing days, talked with them, interviewed them on may occasions and of all those players I mentioned that have retired since, McGwire was always the most difficult.
December 6, 2006 No Comments
Wednesday Is The Day Things Happen at The Winter Meetings
History tells us that things at the winter meetings usually heat up on the next to last day.
Forget big trades, they are a thing of the past. The winter meetings are now solely the time for the agents and their clients to corner the baseball world in a small space such as the lobby or bar of the hotel housing the meetings and make their deals.
Wednesday should see Mike Piazza become an Athletic. Can’t see Piazza going from LA to NY and then to Texas to end his career. Oakland and the Bay Area area are better fit. Piazza isn’t the hitter Frank Thomas is so the A’s should beware of a two year deal.
At the trade deadline last year I suggested the A’s trade Joe Blanton and Mark Ellis for Lastings Milledge, Mike Pelfrey, and Aaron Heilman.
Mets fans screamed "Absurd".
Now it looks like some part of that deal might happen with pitcher John Maine possibly replacing Heilman since the Mets are desperate for middle relief.
I like the potential move because Nick Swisher should stay at 1B and not be moved back to the outfield. Milledge and Milton Bradley would make things pretty lively in the clubhouse.
Click below for more! [Read more →]
December 6, 2006 No Comments
Report from Arizona from Marty
I was down in Arizona for a good part of November and saw some Arizona Fall League Baseball. So with Raf’s help I sent in a report from Arizona which you can click on and hear. I also give some other baseball thoughts.
Let me know what you think of this format I’m considering doing a weekly audio update on the site until our winter baseball shows begin on Jan. 3rd, 2007 on 1550 AM KYOU radio here in the Bay Area. Then we’ll have the weekly radio show every Thursday before Cal Basketball on 1550 AM right up to the start of the spring training games.
We are still looking for a qualified web person to help with web design issues. Contact me at luriem@earthlink.net if you have any suggestions.
Thanks,
Marty [Read more →]
December 5, 2006 No Comments
Do You See What I see?
After reading this article, I hope Beane is just posturing when he says: "Most of our team is already in place." And "Whether or not we participate in the free-agent market or trade market, we’re not looking to reinvent the wheel." Well, Mr. Beane, do you remember that bargain, Frank Thomas? You know: the $500,000 man who put your team on his shoulders and pushed them into postseason relevance last year? Well, he’s gone. Not to mention that scrappy, left fielder with some occasional thunder, Jay Payton? Yeah, that one: He’s probably gone, too. And, last but not least, that tall, durable, lefthander with the filthy curveball, Barry Zito? Yeah, he won’t be playing his guitar in your clubhouse next year, either. Sorry, Billy, but this current roster doesn’t make me want to Loaiza on Highway 880, and snatch some World Series’ tickets just yet. But that can change next week. I remain, Professor [Read more →]
December 4, 2006 3 Comments