Several days ago, Monte Poole reported in the Oakland Tribune “general manager Billy Beane is all but conceding the loss of Keith Foulke”. Now it is reported that the A’s have offered Foulke a $20-24 million deal over four years, which is a giant step towards retaining the A’s closer. Past reports indicated that the A’s had no interest in offering Foulke a deal beyond three years. Beane usually never offers players (non-arbitration eligible, that is) deals for four or more years, but it seems like he may feel differently about Foulke. It’s pretty clear why. Foulke’s 2.08 ERA was the lowest for any A’s closer since soon-to-be hall of famer Dennis Eckersley had a 1.91 ERA in 1992. Does Beane believe that Foulke is the best closer out there, whether on the free agent market or available by trade?

Click below for the answer and more baseball chatter! [Read more →]

I have an alternative plan for making Baseball’s All-Star game more meaningful.

Instead of having the potential of penalizing the team with the best over all record because their league lost the game, why not give the league that wins the game an extra Wild Card team?

This would not only bring meaning to the All-Star game but would increase the competition in the league during the second half of the season.

The All-Star Wild Card would be either a second place team with the second best record or could be the third place team from the division that has the Wild Card team.

There would be a one game playoff at the end of the season to determine that leagues Wild Card team.

This system would be rewarding the league that wins the All-Star game without penalizing the team that loses.

Imagine how much more the All-Star game would become if the All-Star Wild Card team makes it to the World Series or even won it all. It would also give the league an additional playoff gate.

Considering that every other major sport gives the team with the best overall record home field advantage, I feel that this alternative keeps that tradition for Major League Baseball.

It also will most certainly create excitement by giving teams an additional shot at making the playoffs.

I can’t think of any baseball fan who would be opposed to this proposal.

Mark Feigenbaum

Marlboro, New Jersey

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Marty Lurie here on Memories of the Game with Joe Pignatano. Joe, baseball stories are special. This game’s been around 125 years, and what makes it live on are the stories of the game. You were born in Brooklyn and you signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. I don’t know if there’s a better story than that. [Read more →]

Watching the way the A’s are playing now, reminds me a lot of the way they surged last year. Led by their big 3 aces, Mulder, Hudson and Zito, and tight defense, the A’s are showing their succes is so dependent on starting pitching.

Let me give you my formula for the A’s success this season.

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Just when you would love to agree with the sign at the Netwrok Associates Coliseum when the Yankees we’re in town that stated “Jason Who?” it’s time to evaluate how credible of a statement that is.”

Dale gives us his take on the A’s.

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The Yankees just have too many weapons to ignore in the AL East. Jason Giambi with all his leg issues is still the best hitter in the league and when you put him into a line up with Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, et al it is the most well balanced and fearsome group in the league. Mike Mussina was simply awesome once he adjusted to being in NY. Roger Clemens is shooting for 300 and cetainly Joe Torre will do everything possible to give him the ball for his next 20 win season. Personally, I think Clemens will win about 14 and come back next year to nail down the final victories for 300. [Read more →]

The NL Central promises to be one good race. Everyone is picking the Cardinals, I disagree. They look too good on paper. Their rotation is suspect. Matt Morris is a 20 game winner, after that anyhting can happen. Woody
Williams, Darryl Kile, Bud Smith and Andy Benes can all have major off seasons. [Read more →]

Over the next few days, I’ll take a look at the races in baseball for the 2002 season.

The NL East will be one heckuva race all year. It was last year and I think everyone got a little better including the soon to be former Montreal Expos. [Read more →]

Lou, you get my vote for leading your team to the greatest regular season win total in the last 95 years. [Read more →]

With the season concluded, it’s time to look at the other awards. [Read more →]