The Slav's Baseball Blog - BASEBALL 24-7-365
The Slav's Blog about anything relating to the great game of baseball
- and other less important issues from outside the diamond.
The best baseball blog that you have never heard of.
Take, for instance, Chris "Crush" Davis, the Baltimore Orioles first baseman who's suddenly hitting like he was bitten by a radioactive spider. He has 31 home runs. That's two fewer than his career best, and it's not even the All-Star break. Entering Wednesday, he's hitting .329. That's 59 points higher than his lifetime average. He's on pace to double his best RBI season.
And in a contract year, no less.
So say it with me: "It's gotta be the steroids."
Davis can explain everything, of course. He says he went from Bernie Williams to Ted Williams because "I'm just making more consistent contact," he says. Also, he switched to a bigger bat.
And he fixed a couple of holes in his swing.
But this is a guy who's spent most of his career bouncing from the bushes to the bigs. In fact, in four seasons of facing Triple-A pitching, he hit only 54 home runs. Now, in one major league season, he's on pace to hit 62? That must be some new bat.
Perhaps Mr. Reilly has never read noted prognosticator and SABR-guru Nate Silver's article on the subject titled "What Do Statistics Tell Us About Steroids", where he comes to four conclusions regarding the issue.
1. In baseball, unexplained change in performance are the norm not the exception: once you control for park and league effects, "power spike" in which established veterans have increased their HR rates by at least 10 HR's per 650 plate appearances have been fairly consistent across eras. ( see Chris Davis and Joey Bats in Toronto )
2. Relatively few players are steroid users... Even if testing is catching only a fraction of users, it seems that >50% estimates are inaccurate.
3. Marginal players are more inclined than star performers to use steroids. ( see players implicated in the most recent HGH scandal, there will be some headliners and a lot of guys named Joe )
4. The average performance improvement from steroid use is detectable, but small: Silver estimates an average effect of 10 points to BA, OBP and SLG for position players and statistically insignificant gains for a pitcher
I agree with Silver on most of these points, although I think the effect on average and slugging may be slightly higher. The main benefit I think PED's gave to players and is still giving today is a greater recovery which leads to a greater ability to stay on the the field and enhance career statistics ( higher longevity ).
This just illustrates how Lance Armstrong is, was and always will be the consummate politician -- which is to say sociopath. Good word!!
And it is very important to understand the analogy to what continues to go on today in the political arena.
I've been criticized somewhat in the past for making the linkage, the analogy from sports to real-life, especially politics.
To those critics, I will say you are as wrong as those who stood steadfast in their defense of Lance Armstrong. You need to adjust your mind-set, just a wee-bit.
I have always said that anyone who thought that Armstrong could not only beat cancer, but beat a Tour de France field that was rife with cheating, would require a level of cognitive dissonance that was simply off the charts. I do agree with Armstrong on the "culture of the game" issue and that he took the path of least resistance, ie: if you can't beat them, join them. That cognitive dissonance was snapped in two yesterday.
"Fame just magnifies who we really are,” Winfrey noted at one point, saying such power and wealth can either make someone a bigger jerk or humanitarian, depending on their outlook, The implication to Armstrong: Weren’t you just acting like the jerk you always were?
“I don’t know if you pulled those two words out of thin air; jerk and humanitarian – I’d say I was both,” Armstrong added, looking at a clip of himself lying during a court deposition. “I look at that and say ‘look at that arrogant prick.' I say that today. That’s not good.”
But many commenting on the interview used a different word to describe Armstrong after seeing the interview: sociopath.
Unable to really empathize with those whose lives he upended or admit how his lawsuits, bullying and control of the sport impacted so many, Armstrong came off mostly as a guy only willing to admit what the public already knew, in some head-scratching bid to try salvaging his reputation.
Given how badly this interview went, Armstrong may find that task tough as winning another Tour de France.
The Rick Reilly's of the world have spent a lot of time defending this and selectively vilifying and bullying those they don't like while simultaneously protecting those they do like. Today they are paying the price.
They should pay a professional price as well. They left their journalistic integrity, professionalism and any shred of objectivity at the door in order to wave pom-poms for this guy shamelessly for years and years.
Illustration below in Reilly's own article.
Cry me a river, Rickey. You were a willing and able co-conspirator in Lance's crimes and now you want to disown him? Same thing with the corrupt MSM in other genres.
Go down with the ship, Captain.
You and your ilk are as big a bunch of lying, whiny, little scum-bag, bitches as you portray Lance to be today. Take a look in the mirror, Sherlock Holmes.
Lance Armstrong lied for years. Now he apologizes? Forget it
Among my emails Wednesday morning, out of the blue, was one from Lance Armstrong.
Riles, I'm sorry.
All I can say for now but also the most heartfelt thing too. Two very important words.
L
And my first thought was ... "Two words? That's it?"
Two words? For 14 years of defending a man? And in the end, being made to look like a chump?
Wrote it, said it, tweeted it: "He's clean." Put it in columns, said it on radio, said it on TV. Staked my reputation on it.
"Never failed a drug test," I'd always point out. "Most tested athlete in the world. Tested maybe 500 times. Never flunked one."
Why? Because Armstrong always told me he was clean.
On the record. Off the record. Every kind of record. In Colorado. In Texas. In France. On team buses. In cars. On cell phones.
I'd sit there with him, in some Tour de France hotel room while he was getting his daily postrace massage. And we'd talk through the hole in the table about how he stared down this guy or that guy, how he'd fooled Jan Ullrich on the torturous Alpe d'Huez into thinking he was gassed and then suddenly sprinted away to win. How he ordered chase packs from the center of the peloton and reeled in all the pretenders.
And then I'd bring up whatever latest charge was levied against him. "There's this former teammate who says he heard you tell doctors you doped." "There's this former assistant back in Austin who says you cheated." "There's this assistant they say they caught disposing of your drug paraphernalia."
And every time -- every single time -- he'd push himself up on his elbows and his face would be red and he'd stare at me like I'd just shot his dog and give me some very well-delivered explanation involving a few dozen F words, a painting of the accuser as a wronged employee seeking revenge, and how lawsuits were forthcoming.
And when my own reporting would produce no proof, I'd be convinced. I'd go out there and continue polishing a legend that turned out to be plated in fool's gold.
This is former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's latest submission to ESPN, his new employer. The WWLIS committed millions to lure this guy over, read the excerpt below and see if you can't guess where I believe they should have committed a few extra dollars. -------------------- http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3450245
You've heard of Kill the Ump, Lynch the Ump, and Strangle the Ump, right? Well, get ready for the latest thing—Bean the Ump.
It happened on May 31 in the Georgia high school Class AAA championship game. Stephens County was losing to Cartersville 9-1 early, partly because nine straight SCHS batters had struck out. The last ring-up so hacked off superstar shortstop Ethan Martin—who had just been drafted 15th overall by the Dodgers—that he threw his helmet in protest. But that figured. Martin and his brother, Cody, who was pitching, reportedly had been complaining about balls and strikes the entire game.
So now it's the bottom of the fourth, with Ethan playing short and Cody on the mound. The catcher is Matt Hill. There are no outs. The count is 0-1. Cody winds up and flings a very high, very hard fastball. Hill comes out of his squat, puts his glove up to catch it, then does a very funny thing.
He doesn't. -------------------------- Did you get it?
Well, maybe it's because your reading a blog, written by someone who is probably typing away from his Mom's basement. No thanks, I have my own basement.
In my opinion, ESPN and/or the esteemed Mr. Reilly ought to seriously consider allocating more of the company funds to proof readers and maybe a fact checker or two.
PARAGRAPH 2, LINE 1: It happened on May 31 in the Georgia high school Class AAA championship game.
Check, that's true, it's so true. OMG this guy is so good. He's all over this.
MIDDLE OF SAME PARAGRAPH: The last ring-up so hacked off superstar shortstop Ethan Martin—who had just been drafted 15th overall by the Dodgers—
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, stop the presses, Stop the F$%^king presses!!!!
Hey dingbat, most baseball fans know the MLB Draft is in June. ESPN covered it and everything. So how could this hot-shot SS have been already drafted in a game held on May 31st, when the draft was not held until early June??
Explain that one to me hot-shot. Explain it to me like I'm a six-year old. Did this kid have one of those flux, capacitor, DeLorean cars from Back to the Future or something?
What is wrong with you people at ESPN!!! This is amateurish work at best. Why I wouldn't wipe my blog with this crap. This is shoddy journalism that I wouldn't expect from a blogger. --------------------------- I'm firing off a letter to the folks at ESPN and Mr. Reilly as we speak.
It reads as follows:
Interesting that you would choose a story that has been all over the blogosphere (mine included) for your first choice with ESPN.
Aren't you afraid of the backlash from Costas and his crowd?
Also, on a minor point, the SS had not been drafted yet. The game occurred May 31st, I believe and the draft was early June.
Not that the kid wasn't aware that he was likely to be a high draftee and this may have been in factor in his attitude about being "rung up".
I can imagine he gave him a ration of his "don't you know me, I'm a potential first-rounder" smack that may charm the local teenage girls, but really doesn't sway too many umpires that I know of.
Now, if someone would proof-read my work and check all relevant facts, this is a go people. I think our work is done here. AND DON'T FORGET TO RUN THE SPELL-CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
ONE OF THESE COACHES IS A WINNER - AND ONE IS A LOSER - ANY QUESTIONS???
This story really illustrates what is wrong with the MSM, talk radio mentality we have today in sports and politics as well. The part of the story that received the most attention, the most airplay was Coach Dungy's closing remarks as reported below:
Then someone asked if anything happened last season that he wished he could include in the book. What followed was vintage Dungy. He seized the opening. He brought up the videotaping scandal with the New England Patriots.
"We talk about how important it is to do things the right way and have integrity so that when you do win, people can never ask that question," he said. "That's the great thing that I'm happy about with our team.
"Yes, we won. But no one is really going to ask, 'Did they cheat? Did they do things the right way?' I think our record speaks for itself and if you're a true champion, that's the way you'd like it to be."
Now as I read it, he did not mention the Patriots directly, but I agree with his message entirely. I think it is a joke how virtually every mouthpiece and talking head has put the whitewash to the Matt Walsh tapes saying they didn't reveal anything new, they didn't have any impact on the Patriots Super Bowl, etc. etc.
Well, there was new information in that they were taping the offensive signals as well. That was new information. They taped a team before an AFC Championship Game. The argument that it had no impact begs the question posed by those who do not accept the "steroids don't help you hit HR's" argument, "Then why did they do it?"
I suppose they did it because "everybody else was doing it". I'm not sure why everyone else was doing it if it didn't work though. I'm still having trouble reconciling those two arguments. Besides, like my Mom used to say, "If everyone else was jumping off a bridge, would you jump off too?" You gotta love a Mom's wisdom.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
The Patriots and Belli-cheat must have thought it would help or he would not have committed valuable team time and resources in doing it. THEY CLEARLY THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP. They weren't taping these signals for posterity. Or if the opposing coaches all forgot their own signals they could just requisition the Patriot for their tapes and they could re-learn them.
I think it's time that we institute the same types of disclosure rules that we impose on analysts and CEO's when they go before the media and talk about a particular stock or company. They have to completely disclose any relationships they have with the company that could cloud or impact the information being dispensed.
So before these talking heads pontificate and editorialize about these issues they would have to disclose that "my station is a corporate partner of the NFL". Instead, we get the nonsense that these ass-clowns are legitimate reporters who would never let buckets of money cloud their stated opinions. Or that of their bosses. Give me a break. I believe the relevant phrase that describes the situation is "You don't shit where you eat". You might as well refer to ESPN News as the ESPN Spin and Promote our Corporate Partners Department. Those boys can spin a story like a top.
But don't listen to just my opinion. Here is the opinion of former Sports Illustrated journalist and author Rick Reilly before he jumped over to the dark-side that is ESPN. I'm guessing you won't hear nearly the same opinions from Mr. Reilly in the future. A $12 million dollar salary (hush-money) buys a shitload of silence:
RICK REILLY RELEASING HIS INNER NOAM CHOMSKY
After listening to that, every time I see Mr. Reilly on ESPN, I'm sure I'll be reminded of that joke that ends "....we know what you are, we're just deciding on the price."
(for those who are old-joke handicapped, it rhymes with bore, only with the H-sound instead of the B-)
And to the idiot ex-players on ESPN who say it makes no difference that the Pats taped (cheated): Why then when you played did you have signals and audibles in the first place? Why didn't you just go up to the line and, instead of barking out signals or pointing like spasmodic idiots, just yell at the defense "We're going to run a toss sweep to left and you can't stop us, you pansies." And then the middle linebacker could yell back, "That's fine bucket-head, we have a run blitz called, we're going to stuff your toss sweep right back up your butt."
It doesn't work that way because there is a large advantage in disguising coverages and blitzes, etc.
Oh and I love how the fall back argument is "Well who cares? Everybody was doing it."
I just love how these hypocritical idiots pick and choose how and where to apply their ethics. Great lesson for the kids. Luckily for us adults, it seems as if the kids from Jefferson High School see through the mixed messages they're getting. They should be applauded for that.
What gets lost in the story is the impact that Coach Dungy still has among Tampa's youth and he's not even the current football coach of the local team. The impact his book has had on that group makes Dungy a Hall of Fame coach and a HOF human being. That's why he'll always be a better coach, unless you only look at wins/losses, Super Bowl rings. And even that metric can be deceiving.
I'm glad to see the book get it's just due as well. I've mentioned the book before here and it's listed as one of my favorite books, I would give it high marks. It is one of the best books I've ever read by a coach. Like a John Wooden, Dungy doesn't just teach the sport, he doesn't just build the skills of the players he coaches, he builds the inner strength and character of the individual.
That's what great coaches do. It's clear that he and Coach Bellicheat move in different circles and operate from opposite ends of the spectrum ethically and morally.
Dungy's 'Quiet Strength' Fires Up Jefferson Students
By JOE HENDERSON
Published: May 9, 2008
TAMPA - Both sides of the Jefferson High gymnasium were packed with stomping, cheering, chattering students early Thursday afternoon. They weren't there for a pep rally or a big game, although you couldn't have guessed that by how excited everyone seemed.
They were there because of a book.
Tony Dungy's book.
"This is a little hard to believe here," he said with a look that suggested he wasn't quite ready for how big this had become. "When we wrote the book, you hoped it might get into the hands of young people and maybe have an impact for good, but to hear how the whole school here read it and how it turned out - it's overwhelming."
(click on the link above to read the entire article)
{to the tune of "Who's sorry now" with apologies to Connie Francis, who popularized the song}
Well, well, well Mr. Clemens and Mr. Pettite, what does the media say now?
My guess is to shoot the messenger and deny, deny, deny. Even though the circumstances and the so-called "evidence" is so delightfully similar to that stacked against Mr. Bonds.
I'm sure we'll hear words to the effect of "Now remember, these are just reckless accusations of a ballplayer who may have an agenda", they'll actually make Clemens defense for him rather than attack him. I don't recall Mr. Bonds getting similar consideration. Hmmm interesting.
The scumbag, know-it-all media elements like Frank Deford, Rick Telander, Jay Marriotti, Mike Lupica, Rick Reilly et.al. who wanted to string up Bonds, and I use that term for a reason, must be spinning in their sheets. I truly hope they get whiplash from the 180 spin they'll get from having to retrofit their arguments against Mr. Bonds to fit vis-a-vis their oncoming defense of Mr. Clemens.
And now all these bubble-headed cretins can use the Clemens worship articles they wrote, usuually right after crucifying Bonds, the fruit of their work product, for it's best current purpose. TO WIPE THEIR SMUG LITTLE SANCTIMONIOUS ASSES WITH.
LET SPORTS ILLUSTRATED PUT AN ASTERISK ON A COVER SHOT OF CLEMENS.
I've always said, if a popular guy like Derek Jeter ever tested positive, we'd see these same guys trash the very testing program they worked so hard to shove down everyones throat. Although, from the Marion Jones case, we now see what a quagmire the WADA-USADA utopian world of drug testing and storm trooper tactics bring us. Hell, let's have it in baseball and high school sports for that matter.
Jason Grimsley is to the Clemens-Pettite charges what Victor Contee is to the BALCO-Bonds case. So when mouthpieces say "Well, Grimsley made these charges and then backed off them"
well guess what, so did Conte and the same beneift of the doubt wasn't given in that case. EVER.
Now let's hear from guys like David Wells and Curt Schilling, who couldn't wait to find a microphone when it was on Bonds. Talk now hyprocrites.
Just watch and listen and remember. And ask questions in your own mind and don't accept everything these media morons and quasi-racists want to shove down your throat for no reason. Or whatever their personal reasons are. Most of these guys are nothing more than modern day Klansmen in pin-striped suits.
And it's time some of the focus is put on these trainers, who are making their reputations as gurus on the basis of what appears to be fraudulent means, if not outright criminal means. I mean we barely know Barry Bonds personal trainers name, because that's what he was always referred to as, but in all these other cases, it seems as if the willing co-conspirators never suffer any consequences. They shouldn't be allowed to work in the industry again.
What a concept, the press is not above the law. They quite possibly cannot hide behind the shield of the First Amendment to do anything, say anything, write anything without regard to the source. Go Feds. And it normally pains me to side with Uncle Sammy, but in this case, it may be warranted. Or at least good entertainment.
I'd pay some solid money to see sanctimonious pricks like Mike Lupica, Rick Reilly, Jay Moriarty (Ozzie's buddy) , Rick Telander, et al. spend some serious time in jail. Lupica as someone's bitch, that would probably be like art imitating life or something.
Ozzie Guillen rules.
from the Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bush administration urged a federal judge Wednesday to force two San Francisco Chronicle reporters to divulge who leaked them secret grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes who took part in the government's probe of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.
Noting that it is a crime to leak grand jury materials to the media, "there is no reporter's privilege in criminal cases, under the First Amendment or under common law," federal prosecutors Brian Hershman and Michael Raphael wrote in a 51-page brief.
The attorneys said California's shield law protecting California reporters from divulging their sources does not apply to the federal probe of who violated a court order and leaked the documents.
Reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada reported a series of stories beginning in 2004 detailing the secret testimony of Bonds, Jason Giambi and others who were called to testify before a grand jury probing BALCO. The government's investigation unveiled BALCO as a steroid ring posing as a nutritional supplement company that doled out performance-enhancing drugs to elite athletes from its office just south of San Francisco.
The government, in its brief targeting the two reporters, repeatedly cited a 1972 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. In that case, Branzburg v. Hayes, Justice Byron White ruled that reporters, like everyone else, must "respond to relevant questions put to them in the course of a valid grand jury investigation or criminal trial."
Despite that decision, the government noted that "the free press, relying on confidential sources, has thrived."
Over the years Branzburg was largely ignored. Judges more often sided with Justice Lewis Powell, who wrote separately in the same case. He urged the judiciary, before ordering reporters to testify, to balance the First Amendment rights of journalists against the public's right to know.
That changed in 2003, when the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune lost a bid to protect their reporters from divulging recordings of interviews of a witness in a terrorism case. A federal appeals court, citing Branzburg, ordered disclosure.
The Chronicle reporters, who are subpoenaed to testify here before a federal grand jury about how they got the leaked testimony, said through their attorneys in court briefs last month that they should be let off the hook. The First Amendment right of speech, they said, was more important than the government learning who unlawfully leaked secret grand jury testimony.
Both Fainaru-Wada and Williams say they aren't going to comply with the subpoena, which means they could be fined and jailed until they reveal their sources if they lose their legal challenge. The reporters also could be jailed for a fixed term for contempt if U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White forces them to appear before the grand jury.
They face more jail time than any of the five BALCO defendants, as the largest prison term was four months.
A hearing before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White is scheduled for Aug. 4.
The government also suspected the leak came from Victor Conte, BALCO's founder who pleaded guilty to steroid distribution charges and was sentenced to four months.
Agents last year searched his San Mateo house to bolster that view. Conte and others pointed to the government as the source.
According to the two reporters, Bonds testified that he used substances provided by his trainer, Greg Anderson, but said he thought it was flaxseed oil. Anderson was among the five defendants convicted in the BALCO probe.
1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.
2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects
1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.
2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects
1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.
