If you have been watching baseball this year, you probably have noticed the number of young stars in the game. But do you realize how many there are? I am naming my all 25 and younger all star teams.
First Team:
C: Salvador Perez (25 years old) KC Royals
1B: Eric Hosmer (25) KC Royals
2B: Jose Altuve (25) Houston Astros
3B: Manny Machado (23) Baltimore Orioles
SS: Carlos Correa (21) Houston Astros
OF: Mike Trout (24) Los Angeles Angels
Bryce Harper (22) Washington Nationals
Giancarlo Stanton (25) Miami Marlins
SP: Gerrit Cole (25) Pittsburgh Pirates
Michael Wacha (24) St. Louis Cardinals
Jose Fernandez (23) Miami Marlins
Danny Salazar (25) Cleveland Indians
Carlos Martinez (24) St. Louis Cardinals
Sonny Gray (25) Oakland Athletics
Closer: Jeurys Familia (25) New York Mets
2nd Team:
C: James McCann (25) Detroit Tigers
1B: Wil Myers (24) San Diego Padres
2B: Kolten Wong (24) St Louis Cardinals
3B: Nolan Arenado (25) Colorado Rockies
SS: Jose Iglesias (25) Detroit Tigers
OF: Yasiel Puig (24) Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts (22) Boston Red Sox
Gregory Polanco (24) Pittsburgh Pirates
SP: Taijuan Walker (23) Seattle Mariners
Marcus Stroman (24) Toronto Blue Jays
Yordano Ventura (24) KC Royals
Jake Odorizzi (25) Tampa Bay Rays
Closer: Roberto Osuna (20) Toronto Blue Jays
Honorable Mention
C: Kyle Schwarber (22- CHiC) Blake Swihart (23-Bos) and JT Realmuto (24-Miami)
1B: Travis Shaw (25-Bos) Greg Bird (22- NYY)
2B: Roughned Odor (21-Tex) Jonathan Schoop (24-Balt)
SS: Francisco Lindor (21-Clev) Xander Bogaerts (22-Bos) Corey Seager (21-LA D) Addison Russell (21-CHI C)
3B: Kris Bryant (23-CHI C) Miguel Sano (22 - Minn) Maikel Franco (23- Phi)
OF: Jackie Bradley Jr (25-Bos) Yasmany Tomas (24- Ari) Michael Conforto (22-NYM) Byron Buxton (21-Minn) Eddie Rosario (23-Minn) Billy Hamilton (25 - Cinn) Stephen Piscotty (24- StL) Christain Yelich (23-Mia) Joc Pederson (23-LAD) Marcell Ozuna (24- Miami) Jorge Soler (23-ChiC)
SP: Carlos Rodon (22 -CHiW) Aaron Nola (22- Phi) Steven Matz (24- NYM) Noah Syndergaard (23- NYM) Daniel Norris (22-Det) Luis Severino (21-NYY) Nathan Eovaldi (25-NYY) Julio Teheran (24-Atl) Lance McCullers Jr (21-Hous)
A few players who may have crossed your mind and think I ommited. Paul Goldschmidt and Anthony Rizzo are both 26. Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom of New York Mets are both north of 25 also
You can have quite the All Star game just between the young stars of the game. Did you also notice how many young shortstops there are? This list doesn't include Andrelton Simmons, Brandon Crawford and Adeiny Hechavarria or Philadelphia top prospect JP Crawford. In a few years, we may call this the era of the great shortstops.
Yes, baseball is in very good hands for the next decade with these players.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
In Memoriam: Yogi Berra
One of the game's greatest characters and winners passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90 - Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra. Coincidently, he passed away exactly 69 years to the day of his MLB debut.
Instead of going through all of his accomplishments, there are many. I will honor Mr. Berra with his Yogi-isms. He was a very bright man, but couldn't quite say what was on his mind in a very eloquent way. Yes, Berra said all of the following:
-A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
-Baseball is ninety percent mental, the other half is physical
-Bill Dickey is learning me his experience
-I always thought a record would stand until it was broken
-So I am ugly, I never saw anyone hit with their face
-It gets late early out there
-It's deja vu all over again
-Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded
-You can observe a lot just from watching
-The game isn't over until it's over
-We made too many wrong mistakes
-You should go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours
-You've got to be careful if don't know where you are going because you might not get there
-When you come to a fork in the road, take it
-If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?
-I never said most of the things I said
RIP Yogi You will be greatly missed.
 |
| 1954 Topps |
Instead of going through all of his accomplishments, there are many. I will honor Mr. Berra with his Yogi-isms. He was a very bright man, but couldn't quite say what was on his mind in a very eloquent way. Yes, Berra said all of the following:
-A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
-Baseball is ninety percent mental, the other half is physical
-Bill Dickey is learning me his experience
-I always thought a record would stand until it was broken
-So I am ugly, I never saw anyone hit with their face
-It gets late early out there
-It's deja vu all over again
-Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded
-You can observe a lot just from watching
-The game isn't over until it's over
-We made too many wrong mistakes
-You should go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours
-You've got to be careful if don't know where you are going because you might not get there
-When you come to a fork in the road, take it
-If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?
-I never said most of the things I said
RIP Yogi You will be greatly missed.
Friday, August 14, 2015
15 Greatest Left Handed Pitchers of All Time
Thursday was International Left-Handers Day. What a good reason to name my fifteen greatest lefty pitchers of all time. So here goes:
15. Eddie Plank
14. Andy Pettitte
13. Lefty Gomez
12. Vida Blue
11. Hal Newhouser
10. Clayton Kershaw
9. Mickey Lolich
8. Whitey Ford
7. Carl Hubbell
6. Tom Glavine
5. Steve Carlton
4. Lefty Grove
3. Warren Spahn
2. Sandy Koufax
1. Randy Johnson
I picked Johnson over Koufax basically because of longevity of career. Other left handed pitchers I considered were: Sam McDowell , Cliff Lee , Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Guidry , Jim Kaat Billy Pierce CC Sabathia and Cole Hamels .
One addition honorable mention would be Babe Ruth. He was one of heck of a starter before becoming the home run legend we all know him as.
Obviously, Kershaw is still in his prime and could go up on the list very easily. Others who has time on their side are David Price , Madison Bumgarner , Chris Sale and Jon Lester . Hamels belongs on this list also.
15. Eddie Plank
14. Andy Pettitte
13. Lefty Gomez
 |
| 1976 Kellogg's |
12. Vida Blue
11. Hal Newhouser
10. Clayton Kershaw
9. Mickey Lolich
8. Whitey Ford
 |
| 2012 Panini Cooperstown |
6. Tom Glavine
5. Steve Carlton
 |
| 1933 Goudey |
3. Warren Spahn
2. Sandy Koufax
 |
| 2001 Fleer Tradtion |
I picked Johnson over Koufax basically because of longevity of career. Other left handed pitchers I considered were: Sam McDowell , Cliff Lee , Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Guidry , Jim Kaat Billy Pierce CC Sabathia and Cole Hamels .
One addition honorable mention would be Babe Ruth. He was one of heck of a starter before becoming the home run legend we all know him as.
Obviously, Kershaw is still in his prime and could go up on the list very easily. Others who has time on their side are David Price , Madison Bumgarner , Chris Sale and Jon Lester . Hamels belongs on this list also.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
World Elephant Day
Today, August 12, is International World Elephant Day. It was established three years for the dedication and preservation of the elephants worldwide. Why am I writing about elephants on a baseball blog? Well, if you pay close attention to the Oakland A's and their uniforms, you will find an elephant. As you can see with this baseball card of pitcher Jarrod Parker:
The elephant on the A's uniform dates back to the days when the franchise was in Philadelphia over 100 years ago. Sporting goods manufacturer Benjamin Shibe and Connie Mack founded the A's franchise as a part of the newly formed American League in 1901. The new ball club was trying establish themselves in a city where the National League's Phillies have been playing since the 1880s. New York Giants manager John McGraw felt that that Shibe and Mack had a " white elephant " on their hands.
Mack ran with the jab and added the elephant as the team's mascot. The A's quickly became a success and as fate would have it, competed against McGraw's Giants in the 1905 World Series. Prior to the series, Mack presented McGraw with a toy elephant.
The elephant was eventually replaced by then owner Charles O. Finley in favor of a Missouri mule in 1963, but for the 1988 season the elephant was back with the franchise and has been ever since.
 |
| 2015 Topps Heritage |
The elephant on the A's uniform dates back to the days when the franchise was in Philadelphia over 100 years ago. Sporting goods manufacturer Benjamin Shibe and Connie Mack founded the A's franchise as a part of the newly formed American League in 1901. The new ball club was trying establish themselves in a city where the National League's Phillies have been playing since the 1880s. New York Giants manager John McGraw felt that that Shibe and Mack had a " white elephant " on their hands.
Mack ran with the jab and added the elephant as the team's mascot. The A's quickly became a success and as fate would have it, competed against McGraw's Giants in the 1905 World Series. Prior to the series, Mack presented McGraw with a toy elephant.
The elephant was eventually replaced by then owner Charles O. Finley in favor of a Missouri mule in 1963, but for the 1988 season the elephant was back with the franchise and has been ever since.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Random Early Season Thoughs and Observations
The 2015 baseball season is a little over a month old now. I am going to give you all a few items of note that popped in my head while watching some games. Nothing significant enough to write a whole story about but relevant enough to share.
Has Alex Rodriguez finally become a good teammate? He seems to be more humble after being away from the game for a year plus due to his suspension. Of course, the season is very early. He could still have an ARod being ARod moment or two.
Speaking of Yankees. They are playing above my expectations. Their bullpen seem to be the biggest contributing factor in their early success. Taking a page from the Royals and shortening the game. The 1-2 punch of Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner at the top of the order with Mark Teixeira and ARod hitting like they used to are also helping out. Yankees should contend all year, but are an injury away from falling in the standings.
This maybe the worst American East in a very long time. Every club is mediocre at best. Orioles loss of Nelson Cruz, and a lack of legit pitching ace. The Yankees with their the age and overall health questions. Blue Jays are lacking pitching. Rays are in a rebuilding mode and the Red Sox have pitching questions and now injury problems. Who you got? Not sure for me and I would not put money on any of them in winning a playoff series.
From afar, I still don't know why Rays gave up and traded OF Will Myers so early. He was the big pick up for Tampa in the James Shields trade. Myers had a dismal year in 2014 after winning the Rookie of the Year award the year prior. Rays still had several years of Myers control and his talent before free agency. They usually keep the younger players until they become unaffordable and deal for younger players. Myers is having a nice comeback year with San Diego. Time will tell what we think of Myers and the trade to the Padres.
The Washington Nationals looks to be the most overrated team of 2015. Their defense is terrible and will not win any pennants when they are making laughable errors on an almost nightly basis. They seem to be proof that you can not build a team like a fantasy team. It takes more than names and numbers to field a winning team in the major leagues.
A few years ago the Detroit Tigers had one of the worst defenses in MLB. The Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler trade, the return of shortstop Jose Iglesias and the addition of Yoenis Cespedes has made the Tigers a pretty decent defensive team.
Mets young outfielder Juan Lagares is a star in the making. He is already widely considered the best overall defensive centerfielder in the game. Now his bat is catching up to his glove. He should be a mainstay in the Mets outfield and at Gold Glove banquets for years to come.
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been getting praise since debuting in 2012 and deservedly so. But there is another young third baseman who may end up having a better career -Nolan Arenado of Colorado. He has won Gold Gloves in each of his two seasons in the majors and also had a 28 game hitting streak in 2014. Nolan Arenado is legit.
I totally agreed how the Chicago Cubs handled Kris Bryant and his MLB debut. Even if it was obvious that the team delayed Bryant's debut until after the date that would put his contract in control of the Cubs for an additional year. I rather have a player cheaper for another year than have him play a few more weeks at the onset of his career. Plus on a purely baseball point of view, a prospect usually don't pan out by staying in the minor leagues too long as opposed to being the big leagues too soon.
Is it coincidence that the Miami Marlins started winning games since catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was benched and subsequently released? I think not. On my team, I rather have a catcher who hits .200 and handles the pitching staff well over one that hits and the pitchers don't really like throwing to. Saltamacchia was benched during the Red Sox World Series championship in 2013 and now is replaced by a rookie(J.T. Realmuto) in Miami.
 |
| 2015 Topps Heritage |
Has Alex Rodriguez finally become a good teammate? He seems to be more humble after being away from the game for a year plus due to his suspension. Of course, the season is very early. He could still have an ARod being ARod moment or two.
Speaking of Yankees. They are playing above my expectations. Their bullpen seem to be the biggest contributing factor in their early success. Taking a page from the Royals and shortening the game. The 1-2 punch of Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner at the top of the order with Mark Teixeira and ARod hitting like they used to are also helping out. Yankees should contend all year, but are an injury away from falling in the standings.
This maybe the worst American East in a very long time. Every club is mediocre at best. Orioles loss of Nelson Cruz, and a lack of legit pitching ace. The Yankees with their the age and overall health questions. Blue Jays are lacking pitching. Rays are in a rebuilding mode and the Red Sox have pitching questions and now injury problems. Who you got? Not sure for me and I would not put money on any of them in winning a playoff series.
From afar, I still don't know why Rays gave up and traded OF Will Myers so early. He was the big pick up for Tampa in the James Shields trade. Myers had a dismal year in 2014 after winning the Rookie of the Year award the year prior. Rays still had several years of Myers control and his talent before free agency. They usually keep the younger players until they become unaffordable and deal for younger players. Myers is having a nice comeback year with San Diego. Time will tell what we think of Myers and the trade to the Padres.
The Washington Nationals looks to be the most overrated team of 2015. Their defense is terrible and will not win any pennants when they are making laughable errors on an almost nightly basis. They seem to be proof that you can not build a team like a fantasy team. It takes more than names and numbers to field a winning team in the major leagues.
A few years ago the Detroit Tigers had one of the worst defenses in MLB. The Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler trade, the return of shortstop Jose Iglesias and the addition of Yoenis Cespedes has made the Tigers a pretty decent defensive team.
 |
| 2013 Topps Update |
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been getting praise since debuting in 2012 and deservedly so. But there is another young third baseman who may end up having a better career -Nolan Arenado of Colorado. He has won Gold Gloves in each of his two seasons in the majors and also had a 28 game hitting streak in 2014. Nolan Arenado is legit.
I totally agreed how the Chicago Cubs handled Kris Bryant and his MLB debut. Even if it was obvious that the team delayed Bryant's debut until after the date that would put his contract in control of the Cubs for an additional year. I rather have a player cheaper for another year than have him play a few more weeks at the onset of his career. Plus on a purely baseball point of view, a prospect usually don't pan out by staying in the minor leagues too long as opposed to being the big leagues too soon.
Is it coincidence that the Miami Marlins started winning games since catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was benched and subsequently released? I think not. On my team, I rather have a catcher who hits .200 and handles the pitching staff well over one that hits and the pitchers don't really like throwing to. Saltamacchia was benched during the Red Sox World Series championship in 2013 and now is replaced by a rookie(J.T. Realmuto) in Miami.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Continuing a Spring Tradition: Voice of the Turtle
Every year prior to the Detroit Tigers first spring training game long time radio announcer would recite "the voice of the turtle." The passage is from the Song of Solomon of the Old Testament. Here it is:
"For lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone;
the flowers appear on earth;
the time of singing of birds is come ,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land"
"For lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone;
the flowers appear on earth;
the time of singing of birds is come ,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land"
Monday, March 2, 2015
In Memoriam: Minnie Minoso
 |
| 1956 Topps |
Minoso became a star when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1951. While playing for Chicago, the Cuban Comet made 9 All Star teams and won three Gold Gloves for his outfield play. Minoso was a multidimensional player. Not only he had speed and a good glove, Minoso was one of the few power threats for the White Sox in the 1950s. He even led the league in hits by pitch ten times in his career.
Minoso initially finished his career in 1964 back with White Sox after short stays with the Cardinals and Senators. His love for the game never waned after retirement, Minoso made a well publicized three game stint in 1976. He went 3 for 8 in hitting, thus becoming the oldest player ever to hit safely at the age of 50. Minoso made more two appearances in 1980 pitch hitting, which made him the only player to play in five different decades in MLB history.
Many believe Mr. White Sox should be in the Hall of Fame for his play and contributions to the game and the White Sox that went well beyond his playing career. 2014 American League Rookie of the Year and fellow Cuban Jose Abreu said Minoso helped him in his transition into the big leagues. I am not sure if his appearances in 1976 and 1980 helped or hurt his case. Some voters think of it as only publicity stunts, but frankly the Hall of Fame would not be looked at any less with Minnie Minoso included.
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