MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way

Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011
Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011

My Advice to understanding the St. Louis Cardinals espionage investigation is simple:

Get to know Jeff Luhnow. Continue reading “MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way”

MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)

Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far
Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far

I can’t believe it’s already June 1st.

While this date might seem unimportant to some, it’s very important when it comes to those of us tracking Major League Baseball’s marathon known as the regular season.

Why? Well for a few reasons:  Continue reading “MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)”

MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015

Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the "Overrated" label levied by his peers.
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the “Overrated” label levied by his peers.

A make or break year for a baseball player isn’t always one that sees them going into free agency. It’s also one that changes perceptions placed on a player after a couple of inconsistent or down years. Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015”

Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push

The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta's lineup)
The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta’s lineup)

We’ve passed the point of its early. You’re either a “contender” at this point or you’re not. Of course there are teams that can put together a run, but generally they have the talent on their roster to be considered a team to watch as we head into the All-Star break in the next four weeks. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push”

Major League Baseball 2014: My Beef With The Boston Red Sox and Baseball’s Unwritten Rules

I've got an issue with Gomes and the Red Sox behavior from this past weekend
I’ve got an issue with Gomes and the Red Sox behavior from this past weekend

Every now and then I get into this phase where I need to take a step back from writing/podcasting about sports to enjoy it again. It has been a while since I wrote on this blog but it really is for the betterment of the content (at least that is what I tell myself). My apologies for the break, but I am back now and I’ve got beef with a team and a concept. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: My Beef With The Boston Red Sox and Baseball’s Unwritten Rules”

Major League Baseball Preview: American League Central

Chris Sale (11-14, 3.07 ERA, 226 K’s, 1.073 WHIP) is leading the youth movement on the Southside of Chicago

In the American League Central one thing is clear: you’re only as good as the sum of your parts, and the Detroit Tigers are as good as anyone in baseball. Their lineup features the best hitter in baseball (Miguel Cabrera), the last two American League Cy Young award winners (Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer), and the last three American League MVP award winners (Justin Verlander (2011), Cabrera (2012 and 2013). They traded for Ian Kinsler, get Victor Martinez for another full season, and their bullpen now features Joe Nathan who has 80 saves in 86 opportunities (93%) the last two years. They are the only team in this division who boast those kinds of parts all around. 

Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview: American League Central”

Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview

Sonny Gray will look to lead the A's to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)Sonny Gray looks to lead the A’s to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

The last couple seasons when I’ve kicked off these previews the American League West seemed all but won. In 2012 they had the best staff, best lineup, and best front-office heading into that season. The Oakland A’s proved that incorrect on the last day of that season by thumping the Rangers 12-5. Last season the Angels looked like the favorites heading into the season when they brought Josh Hamilton over from the Rangers to form an impossible lineup trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Hamilton. Well, the A’s spoiled those plans as well winning a second consecutive AL West crown.

Yet here I am in 2014 about to prove I haven’t learned my lesson.

Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview”

Major League Baseball 2014: 5 Early Spring Training Storylines To Keep An Eye On

Is Nick Swisher ready to lead the Indians to a Playoff encore in 2014?
Is Nick Swisher ready to lead the Indians to a Playoff encore in 2014?

To say this is my favorite time would be an understatement.

I’m not talking about the approaching March Madness or the incessant NFL draft conversation (although I’ll be weighing in on that later this Spring), I’m talking about the most glorious words any snow-covered East coast dweller can hear: Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: 5 Early Spring Training Storylines To Keep An Eye On”

Pittsburgh Pirates Are Surging, Others Withering In The Heat Of Summer Races

The heat has been turned up on Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central
The heat has been turned up on Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central

As the races in major league baseball march on we are starting to see some teams in situations they may not have foreseen when the season began. Continue reading “Pittsburgh Pirates Are Surging, Others Withering In The Heat Of Summer Races”

MLB Continues To Get Marketing Of The Sport Wrong, Show Hypocrisy In HOF Voting

Bud Selig's legacy rests on how he handles the growing PED scandal
Bud Selig’s legacy as commissioner rests on how he handles the growing PED scandal

This past weekend the Major League Baseball inducted three new members to its Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York: Jacob Ruppert, Deacon White, and Hank O’Day. Now we’re not going to take the time to discredit the contributions of these three men to the sport, but I will take this time to point out baseball’s continued hypocrisy in regards to the steroid era, its reluctance to fix the voting process, and another lost opportunity to take air-time from an NFL juggernaut that just began playing football in shorts (training camps) this past week.  Continue reading “MLB Continues To Get Marketing Of The Sport Wrong, Show Hypocrisy In HOF Voting”