When the Monroe Doctrine was resuscitated from its flatline status last year after a brief 16 year break, I harped on the morons in baseball’s fan-base that voiced their opinions on ESPN.com for Hall of Fame selection.
We now come full circle with the morons that actually do the voting. Just before this year’s election results were made public, the Tribune dedicated a page to their writers that had a vote for The Hall. While you could argue with their picks (Fred Mitchell voting for Tommy John; Dan McGrath voting for Alan Trammell; Phil Hersh voting for Don Mattingly;) at least these guys had a logic for their ballot. Then we come to Mark Gonzales. He voted only for Rich Gossage and Jim Rice. OK, fair enough. Personally I think Dawson should have been voted for as well, but that’s my opinion. The problem I have is with the article that Gonzales wrote explaining his selection.
“Someday, Tim Raines may be voted into the Hall of Fame. But not this year, at least not on this ballot. . . . I’m grateful I’ll have more chances to vote for Raines in the future. But after three days of crunching numbers and weighing other considerations, I wasn’t ready to vote for Raines – yet.”
What sense does this make? I can understand the person that won’t vote for a player and then over the years has his mind changed by further number crunching or insightful discourse with his colleagues. But Gonzales freely admits that he most likely will end up voting for Raines, but just can’t do it on this ballot. Why? He didn’t exceed his limit. He only voted for two guys.
This gets to the age old argument of how a guy can be Hall worthy after being eligible for nine years (Gossage, et al.) How did Gossage become better 14 years after he retired or how was he somehow worse only seven years after he retired? Either a player is worthy of the Hall of Fame or he isn’t. I suppose if the rules were changed and the player was only eligible for one ballot, there wouldn’t be as much drama each year. Baseball is steeped in tradition and one of those traditions is each year seeing if a player has risen up the percentage ladder to the magic 75% that grants him immortality. If you go to the Hall of Fame’s website you can see the election results of every election. In a sense it’s fascinating to see who made it and who didn’t each year and to see the progression of the eventual electees.
But from a practical standpoint you have to wonder why it is important to keep a player eligible to 15 years. That just contributes to the problem of the writers being allowed to not vote for a guy who is worthy. “I won’t vote for him this year because I can vote for him anytime over the next fourteen years.”
As with anything in life, it is better to talk about the solution than complain about the problem. I don’t see a clear cut solution. There has been talk that the fans should have a say. Dear god, please don’t. The All-Star game is already enough of a popularity contest.
There has been talk that select Baseball People should only vote (guys like Ernie Harwell, Bob Costas, etc. Gentlemen that actually watch the game and know who the great players are.) I don’t mind this too much, but I would hate to see Costas or any other individual turn into Joe Morgan (former Red/Astro/Phillie/A) and not vote for anyone.
Barring a major change in who casts votes, I think a step in the right direction is that anyone who doesn’t return their ballot or returns their ballot empty should lose their voting rights.
In a way baseball has continued the success ratio. You can bat ten times and reach base safely three times for a .300 batting average and be considered an All-Star. You can also vote ten times for the Hall of Fame, have logic or a certain rationale in your voting and logic three times and still be viewed as enough of a Baseball Know It All that you are allowed to have control over the history of baseball.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, October 1, 2007
Season 24 In The Books
The 24th Season of the CFCL has come to a close. We bring it all full circle with a couple of firsts and a 22nd.
We have a first-time champion – Congratulations to the Kenndoza Line. Despite living and working in the Queen City and letting his son flail about on the floor next to him while he’s on the computer, Kenn ran a strong campaign and executed the necessary trade to put him over the top.
For the first time ever it took the fourth extra inning of the 163rd game of the season to officially crown the CFCL Champion.
For the 22nd time in CFCL history the National League Home Run Champ was not on the CFCL Champion. Prince Fielder joined dad Cecil as the only father/son duos to have over 50 homeruns in a season, but it wasn’t enough to power the Rebels past the powerhouse Copperfields, defending champion Ruffins and new champion Line. There’s a certain logic out there that says “Dudes dig the longball” and therefore will over pay for it. So Pujols goes for .55. In years past McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, Strawberry and the ilk would command top penny. The owner providing the winning bid would rationalize that it helped tremendously in one category (HRs, then TBs) and if the guy was hitting that many HRs, then RBIs and Runs must surely come in abundance as well. That would then effectively restrict the salary cap for additional talented players. What’s interesting is that the last two National League Home Run Champions, Fielder and Ryan Howard, were playing at the Minor League Call-Up salary, so Dem Rebels and David’s Copperfields had plenty of other money to spend.
For the first time in history we had two worthy owners completely disappear for no apparent reason. Oh sure, we’ve had owners give up in years past, but they were basically vile, despicable scum. This year’s disappearance is baffling.
For the first time ever we had the top four teams enter the final weekend of the season separated by only 4.5 points with many points in play. The six point spread, 1st-4th, at the close of the day Monday belies how close this race really was. With two games still being played on Sunday (Dodgers and Giants in the 7th inning; the Rockies and Diamondbacks in the 8th inning) the Ruffins still had a chance to gain one point and the Line had a chance to lost two points which would have put both teams in a flat footed tie (has there ever been a tippy-toe tie?) with 92 points. Sunday didn’t end in a tie. The Line led the Ruffins 93 – 90.5. But then we had the Play In game. At the end of the second inning, The Line was up to 95 points and the Ruffins were at 90.5. Going in to the top of the 6th, The Line lost all the points the gained and now there was one point separating the top two spots AND they were deadlocked in Runs with 983. That means that if Adrian Gonzalez scored one more run, we would have a tie at 92.
For the fifth time in CFCL history, nine of us are thrilled that the Cubs will be playing in October. And nine of us are petrified as to what lies ahead in the post-season.
And for the first time in CFCL history, we owners are left with the conundrum of what to do at night without Sportsline’s Live Scoring.
Great season, ten of you! Enjoy the playoffs!
We have a first-time champion – Congratulations to the Kenndoza Line. Despite living and working in the Queen City and letting his son flail about on the floor next to him while he’s on the computer, Kenn ran a strong campaign and executed the necessary trade to put him over the top.
For the first time ever it took the fourth extra inning of the 163rd game of the season to officially crown the CFCL Champion.
For the 22nd time in CFCL history the National League Home Run Champ was not on the CFCL Champion. Prince Fielder joined dad Cecil as the only father/son duos to have over 50 homeruns in a season, but it wasn’t enough to power the Rebels past the powerhouse Copperfields, defending champion Ruffins and new champion Line. There’s a certain logic out there that says “Dudes dig the longball” and therefore will over pay for it. So Pujols goes for .55. In years past McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, Strawberry and the ilk would command top penny. The owner providing the winning bid would rationalize that it helped tremendously in one category (HRs, then TBs) and if the guy was hitting that many HRs, then RBIs and Runs must surely come in abundance as well. That would then effectively restrict the salary cap for additional talented players. What’s interesting is that the last two National League Home Run Champions, Fielder and Ryan Howard, were playing at the Minor League Call-Up salary, so Dem Rebels and David’s Copperfields had plenty of other money to spend.
For the first time in history we had two worthy owners completely disappear for no apparent reason. Oh sure, we’ve had owners give up in years past, but they were basically vile, despicable scum. This year’s disappearance is baffling.
For the first time ever we had the top four teams enter the final weekend of the season separated by only 4.5 points with many points in play. The six point spread, 1st-4th, at the close of the day Monday belies how close this race really was. With two games still being played on Sunday (Dodgers and Giants in the 7th inning; the Rockies and Diamondbacks in the 8th inning) the Ruffins still had a chance to gain one point and the Line had a chance to lost two points which would have put both teams in a flat footed tie (has there ever been a tippy-toe tie?) with 92 points. Sunday didn’t end in a tie. The Line led the Ruffins 93 – 90.5. But then we had the Play In game. At the end of the second inning, The Line was up to 95 points and the Ruffins were at 90.5. Going in to the top of the 6th, The Line lost all the points the gained and now there was one point separating the top two spots AND they were deadlocked in Runs with 983. That means that if Adrian Gonzalez scored one more run, we would have a tie at 92.
For the fifth time in CFCL history, nine of us are thrilled that the Cubs will be playing in October. And nine of us are petrified as to what lies ahead in the post-season.
And for the first time in CFCL history, we owners are left with the conundrum of what to do at night without Sportsline’s Live Scoring.
Great season, ten of you! Enjoy the playoffs!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Who's More Lovable?
The world believes that the Cubs are loveable. Usually the word “losers” follows loveable. My mind started to wander to a comparison of 2003 and 2007. Is one more “lovable” than the other? When I think back to my innocence, 1984’s team is much more “lovable” than 1989. Could be that ’84 was the first time the Cubs made the playoffs since 1945, could be they were only, what, three innings away from the World Series.
So below I have a position by position comparison of 2003 and 2007. The criteria for who “wins” isn’t necessarily who put up the best stats. It’s who you (I guess I mean “I”) really enjoyed, could be because of production, could be because he played the game right, could be because he just had “it”, that indescribable quality that made me glad he was a Cub.
Alfonso Soriano vs. Moises Alou This one’s tough. I really liked Alou. Loved his 22 homeruns and 91 ribbies. But then he goes down the leftfield line in October for a lazy foul flyball. Doesn’t catch it so he stamps his foot like my 10 year old and throws a girlie-fit. Soriano has had a couple of good games with clutch hits, but hasn’t given me the warm fuzzies for any particular reason. This one goes to Alou for everything until the 8th inning of game 6.
Jacque Jones vs. Corey Patterson Jones has been maligned and has come back to have a solid year when most guys would pout for the way the fans have treated him and for being on the bench for the beginning part of the season. Patterson was on the come and hadn’t yet become the Corey Patterson we all cringe about. I tell you, for the way Jones has handled himself this year, I give him the edge.
Cliff Floyd vs. Sammy Sosa I’m not even going to be objective. Floyd has dealt with a father who passed away and injuries. Sosa is a moron. I’m sure I enjoyed the homeruns and the hop, but it never really grew on me. Floyd is much more enjoyable and lovable.
Aramis Ramirez vs. Aramis Ramirez Ramirez from ’03 was more lovable. He had just come over, put up solid numbers and was a pleasant change from Bellhorn, Harris, Martinez & Co. Ramirez in ’07 likes to Cadillac his way around the bases and seems to swing at every damn outside pitch that he makes Shawon Dunston look like a patient man. ’03 Ramirez in a rout.
Ryan Theriot vs. Alex Gonzalez I was a big, big Gonzalez fan. Loved him all year long, but c’mon Alex, one damn groundball!!! What is so f***ing hard about that? Theriot is the sparkplug we haven’t had since Bob Dernier. The guy that didn’t have a position when the season started and just played ball all year so that Pinella had to give him the job. How can you not love that? Theriot wins.
Mark DeRosa vs. Mark Grudzielanek I don’t have strong feelings here. Always liked Grud, even before becoming a Cub; but this is about the impression of a ballplayer for the ’03 or ’07 team. I don’t have any excessively great or bad feelings toward Grud, while DeRosa has had a lot of clutch hits so I will give this one to DeRosa and point to my weakened long-term memory. Correction, DeRosa wins in a landslide due to his 5 for 5 game and game winning hit against the Reds on Monday night.
Derrek Lee vs. Erik Karros Isn’t this ironic? Lee was a big reason the Cubs didn’t make it to New York in ’03 and here he is on our side in ’07. I’m not biased here, Lee is awesome. While the power numbers haven’t been there, he is a leader, plays amazing defense and is impossible not to love. Karros was cool and perhaps did the classiest thing any Cub has ever done by taking out a full page ad after the ’03 season, thanking the fans for the opportunity and support. If he was up against anyone but Lee, he’d have my vote.
Michael Barrett vs. Damian Miller Wow, even less interest here than at secondbase. Barrett’s stock keeps dropping with each passing day and he’s not even a Cub any more. Miller wins by default. [Side note – I am basing this all on who played the position most during the year. As we go to press, Barrett still has more ABs than Kendall and Soto may end up being the fan favorite before the year is out.]
Carlos Zambrano & Ted Lilly vs. Mark Prior & Kerry Wood Prior and Wood were the Golden Children. They were supposed to bring us many World Series appearances, and in ’03 it looked like the beginning of great things. Zambrano (also there in ’03 but fourth in the rotation behind the Boys and Clement) is hard to love for his antics. Lilly has been solid and really the ace of ’07. But his name describes his persona; lily white, nothing to latch on to. Wood and Prior win going away.
Bobby Howry, Carlos Marmol, Ryan Dempster vs. Mike Remlinger, Kyle Farnsworth, Joe Borowski People seem to have issues with Howry, though I’ve enjoyed his presence. Marmol has been just a wonderful surprise and Dempster is, well, this year’s Borowski. About the only thing memorable or lovable about the ’03 three is when Farnsworth planted Paul Wilson with the best tackle this city has seen since Singletary retired. I’ll go with Howry, Marmol and Dempster.
Mike Fontenot vs. Randall Simon Having plucked Fontenot from the FA pool and watching him get big hits early in the season might give him an edge, but Simon was The Man when he came over from Pittsburgh. Seems like every time the Cubs needed a double, homerun or simple base hit, Simon was there to deliver. Simon gets the nod here.
Lou Pinella vs. Dusty Baker Neither one captivates me the way Zimmer and Frey did. I will have to admit that Baker seemed to have the magic until he mismanaged the bullpen against Florida. Baker seems to have the edge unless Lou somehow gets the Cubs to be the team that ends the season with a win. If that happens, he’s a god!
I noticed a trend in my mind. I had to keep putting myself back in “2003 Mode”. After ’03 I have come to hate Baker, Alou, Prior and Sosa. But during that year I loved Alou and Prior, didn’t mind Baker so much and probably tolerated Sosa more than I would care to admit. Comments and analysis are welcome on the CFCL Forum.
So below I have a position by position comparison of 2003 and 2007. The criteria for who “wins” isn’t necessarily who put up the best stats. It’s who you (I guess I mean “I”) really enjoyed, could be because of production, could be because he played the game right, could be because he just had “it”, that indescribable quality that made me glad he was a Cub.
Alfonso Soriano vs. Moises Alou This one’s tough. I really liked Alou. Loved his 22 homeruns and 91 ribbies. But then he goes down the leftfield line in October for a lazy foul flyball. Doesn’t catch it so he stamps his foot like my 10 year old and throws a girlie-fit. Soriano has had a couple of good games with clutch hits, but hasn’t given me the warm fuzzies for any particular reason. This one goes to Alou for everything until the 8th inning of game 6.
Jacque Jones vs. Corey Patterson Jones has been maligned and has come back to have a solid year when most guys would pout for the way the fans have treated him and for being on the bench for the beginning part of the season. Patterson was on the come and hadn’t yet become the Corey Patterson we all cringe about. I tell you, for the way Jones has handled himself this year, I give him the edge.
Cliff Floyd vs. Sammy Sosa I’m not even going to be objective. Floyd has dealt with a father who passed away and injuries. Sosa is a moron. I’m sure I enjoyed the homeruns and the hop, but it never really grew on me. Floyd is much more enjoyable and lovable.
Aramis Ramirez vs. Aramis Ramirez Ramirez from ’03 was more lovable. He had just come over, put up solid numbers and was a pleasant change from Bellhorn, Harris, Martinez & Co. Ramirez in ’07 likes to Cadillac his way around the bases and seems to swing at every damn outside pitch that he makes Shawon Dunston look like a patient man. ’03 Ramirez in a rout.
Ryan Theriot vs. Alex Gonzalez I was a big, big Gonzalez fan. Loved him all year long, but c’mon Alex, one damn groundball!!! What is so f***ing hard about that? Theriot is the sparkplug we haven’t had since Bob Dernier. The guy that didn’t have a position when the season started and just played ball all year so that Pinella had to give him the job. How can you not love that? Theriot wins.
Mark DeRosa vs. Mark Grudzielanek I don’t have strong feelings here. Always liked Grud, even before becoming a Cub; but this is about the impression of a ballplayer for the ’03 or ’07 team. I don’t have any excessively great or bad feelings toward Grud, while DeRosa has had a lot of clutch hits so I will give this one to DeRosa and point to my weakened long-term memory. Correction, DeRosa wins in a landslide due to his 5 for 5 game and game winning hit against the Reds on Monday night.
Derrek Lee vs. Erik Karros Isn’t this ironic? Lee was a big reason the Cubs didn’t make it to New York in ’03 and here he is on our side in ’07. I’m not biased here, Lee is awesome. While the power numbers haven’t been there, he is a leader, plays amazing defense and is impossible not to love. Karros was cool and perhaps did the classiest thing any Cub has ever done by taking out a full page ad after the ’03 season, thanking the fans for the opportunity and support. If he was up against anyone but Lee, he’d have my vote.
Michael Barrett vs. Damian Miller Wow, even less interest here than at secondbase. Barrett’s stock keeps dropping with each passing day and he’s not even a Cub any more. Miller wins by default. [Side note – I am basing this all on who played the position most during the year. As we go to press, Barrett still has more ABs than Kendall and Soto may end up being the fan favorite before the year is out.]
Carlos Zambrano & Ted Lilly vs. Mark Prior & Kerry Wood Prior and Wood were the Golden Children. They were supposed to bring us many World Series appearances, and in ’03 it looked like the beginning of great things. Zambrano (also there in ’03 but fourth in the rotation behind the Boys and Clement) is hard to love for his antics. Lilly has been solid and really the ace of ’07. But his name describes his persona; lily white, nothing to latch on to. Wood and Prior win going away.
Bobby Howry, Carlos Marmol, Ryan Dempster vs. Mike Remlinger, Kyle Farnsworth, Joe Borowski People seem to have issues with Howry, though I’ve enjoyed his presence. Marmol has been just a wonderful surprise and Dempster is, well, this year’s Borowski. About the only thing memorable or lovable about the ’03 three is when Farnsworth planted Paul Wilson with the best tackle this city has seen since Singletary retired. I’ll go with Howry, Marmol and Dempster.
Mike Fontenot vs. Randall Simon Having plucked Fontenot from the FA pool and watching him get big hits early in the season might give him an edge, but Simon was The Man when he came over from Pittsburgh. Seems like every time the Cubs needed a double, homerun or simple base hit, Simon was there to deliver. Simon gets the nod here.
Lou Pinella vs. Dusty Baker Neither one captivates me the way Zimmer and Frey did. I will have to admit that Baker seemed to have the magic until he mismanaged the bullpen against Florida. Baker seems to have the edge unless Lou somehow gets the Cubs to be the team that ends the season with a win. If that happens, he’s a god!
I noticed a trend in my mind. I had to keep putting myself back in “2003 Mode”. After ’03 I have come to hate Baker, Alou, Prior and Sosa. But during that year I loved Alou and Prior, didn’t mind Baker so much and probably tolerated Sosa more than I would care to admit. Comments and analysis are welcome on the CFCL Forum.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Honeymoon Is Over
Dateline: Fort Payne, Alabama
This breaking news was reported straight from Dem Rebels Headquarters. Rebel pitching ace, Carlos Zambrano, has been suspended indefinitely by the Rebels.
At a press conference, held Tuesday, September 4th, Rich Bentel, General Manager of Dem Rebels released this statement. “Dem Rebels have determined it is necessary to take the action of suspending pitcher Carlos Zambrano for his comments and actions that we feel are detrimental to our fans and our ballclub.”
This stems from Zambrano’s latest outing in which he made a series of questionable decisions and gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and five walks in four and a third innings.
"When he walked off the field pointing to his head and ears (as the fans were booing), I thought he was telling our great fans: 'I hear you, you're right. I understand why you're frustrated'" said Head Rebel Bentel. "I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But then for him to storm after the game into the Rebels Press Pagoda and proceed to rip our fans - the very ones that pay him his exorbitant .30 salary - well that dog won't hunt."
Zambrano showed some contrition the next day admitting he made a mistake. "When I make a mistake I admit it. I'm sorry, I was wrong."
Apparently Bentel isn't that moved. "He SHOULD apologize. We've been dealing with his antics all year long. We pay him good money, gave up a top closer to acquire him in the off season, and all we deal with is crackerbarrel garbage. In his last outing alone we saw him run through his thirdbase coach’s stop sign, stab at a grounder with his barehand and walk off the field showing up the fans. In previous starts he’s broken bats over his knee, bounced around the mound showing up the opposition and smacked himself in the head with his bat. Although I have to admit, when he clocked Barrett (of the rival Copperfields) I didn't mind it none too much."
Bentel continued "But we are in the middle of a heated pennant race. We need Quality Starts and a lot of strikeouts from Zambrano. We don't need him blowing stop signs and reaching for groundballs with his bare hand. If he wants to be part of this winning tradition that we've established for the last three months, he's going to have to prove that he can contribute to the team. Right now Harang and Maddux are carrying his large hindquarters, and that just ain't right."
"We've got El Duque on the sideline and a few other starters that forgot how to pitch. Zambrano needs to step up and show he's worth the coin he's receiving. We can’t afford any stupid mistakes. We’re three points off the lead and until Zambrano can prove to us that he won’t hurt the team more than help it, he’s on the bench. And let me tell you, if he still thinks he gets to ride shotgun in the Rebel Mobile Home Cruiser for the next roadtrip to The Projects against David’s Ruffins, he has another think comin’"
This breaking news was reported straight from Dem Rebels Headquarters. Rebel pitching ace, Carlos Zambrano, has been suspended indefinitely by the Rebels.
At a press conference, held Tuesday, September 4th, Rich Bentel, General Manager of Dem Rebels released this statement. “Dem Rebels have determined it is necessary to take the action of suspending pitcher Carlos Zambrano for his comments and actions that we feel are detrimental to our fans and our ballclub.”
This stems from Zambrano’s latest outing in which he made a series of questionable decisions and gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and five walks in four and a third innings.
"When he walked off the field pointing to his head and ears (as the fans were booing), I thought he was telling our great fans: 'I hear you, you're right. I understand why you're frustrated'" said Head Rebel Bentel. "I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But then for him to storm after the game into the Rebels Press Pagoda and proceed to rip our fans - the very ones that pay him his exorbitant .30 salary - well that dog won't hunt."
Zambrano showed some contrition the next day admitting he made a mistake. "When I make a mistake I admit it. I'm sorry, I was wrong."
Apparently Bentel isn't that moved. "He SHOULD apologize. We've been dealing with his antics all year long. We pay him good money, gave up a top closer to acquire him in the off season, and all we deal with is crackerbarrel garbage. In his last outing alone we saw him run through his thirdbase coach’s stop sign, stab at a grounder with his barehand and walk off the field showing up the fans. In previous starts he’s broken bats over his knee, bounced around the mound showing up the opposition and smacked himself in the head with his bat. Although I have to admit, when he clocked Barrett (of the rival Copperfields) I didn't mind it none too much."
Bentel continued "But we are in the middle of a heated pennant race. We need Quality Starts and a lot of strikeouts from Zambrano. We don't need him blowing stop signs and reaching for groundballs with his bare hand. If he wants to be part of this winning tradition that we've established for the last three months, he's going to have to prove that he can contribute to the team. Right now Harang and Maddux are carrying his large hindquarters, and that just ain't right."
"We've got El Duque on the sideline and a few other starters that forgot how to pitch. Zambrano needs to step up and show he's worth the coin he's receiving. We can’t afford any stupid mistakes. We’re three points off the lead and until Zambrano can prove to us that he won’t hurt the team more than help it, he’s on the bench. And let me tell you, if he still thinks he gets to ride shotgun in the Rebel Mobile Home Cruiser for the next roadtrip to The Projects against David’s Ruffins, he has another think comin’"
Monday, September 10, 2007
Paradise Lost
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Even though Kenn is starting to pull away a little, we have had an amazing four team race for almost the entire 2007 season. We also, however, are witnessing two amazing apathetic ways to run a team.
Before I get too deep into this I understand that there are all kinds of reasons owners may "drop out" during the season, ranging from the happy (birth of a child, wedding, etc.) to the mundane (very busy with work or other activities) to the tragic (serious health issues, death of a loved one, etc). There's also the possibility that they've simply lost interest. In all but the most tragic of reasons, you'd at least expect some kind of interaction - or at least a note saying "guys, work is killing me now and I just can't focus on the CFCL." Without that kind of notice, it's natural to assume they've lost interest.
The Splinters and Meisters have disengaged themselves from day to day (hell, even month to month) operations of their franchises. The last Splinter transaction was recorded on 6/22/07 (the last of five transactions all year). The last Meister transaction was recorded on 5/27/07 (also the last of five transactions all year). You may think, ‘So what, Rich. If they don’t want to replace an injured player, they’re just hurting themselves (in Teddy’s case not trying for something better than seventh place) or saving themselves time (in Paul’s case).’ True, but let’s look at the standings:
Meisters .036 behind Copperfields in ERA (He was .02 behind a week ago)
Meisters tied in H/S with Copperfields and four behind Ruffins (a week ago he was ahead of both by 1)
Splinters 3 H/S behind Kenndoza
Meisters .001 behind Rebels in K/BB (a week ago, he was ahead by .04)
Splinters 12 RBI behind Kenndoza
Meisters 14 QS behind Copperfields
Splinters 7 QS behind Ruffins
Meisters .003 behind Rebels in OBP
On the Splinters Roster:
Henry Owens and Jon Lieber are out for season (look at Holds and QS)
On the Meisters Roster
Chris Guzman out since late June
Scott Rolen out for year since 8/28 (look at OBP)
Zach Duke out since 6/28
Randy Wolf out for year since 7/3 (look at K/BB, QS)
Steve Finley released by the Rockies in mid-June
Craig Wilson released by the Pirates in early May
Neal Cotts out of the majors since May 20th
That’s over 30% of the “active” roster that hasn’t been very active.
And it’s not like the Meisters didn't have someone available to replace Finley and Wilson on their roster. On the Meisters RESERVE roster: Nate McLouth (18 SB) and Michael Bourn (also 18 SB). Now I don’t know why McLouth wouldn’t get activated. Bourn could be a different situation. To date Bourn has 111 ABs, so Paul could be holding out hope that Bourn won’t get to the plate another 24 times so his M contract won’t kick in to a D this year. While this is a fact, (Bourn’s ABs) it’s probably more of a serendipitous event rather than a conscious effort.
If the Meisters had replaced Finley and Wilson (0 SB combined) with McLouth and Bourn (36 SB combined), they would have had enough steals to pass the Picts, Stones, AND Copperfields in that category. That alone (at the time we went to press) would have tied the Meisters with the Lambchops and moved the Copperfields down into a tie for third with the Rebels. The Meisters have more SB sitting on their Reserve roster right now than the Splinters have on their Active AND Reserve roster combined! Clearly Paul checked out of the CFCL 3-4 months ago.
Both teams have their full compliment of FAAB ($1.00). But even more amazing or should I say disappointing is that neither the Meisters nor Splinters even bothered to bid on a single player all year long. Contrast that with the Bulls who bid on 29 players and the Kenndoza Line who bid on 26. Are you telling me that Mark Teixeira, Carlos Marmol, Brad Hennessey or Rick Ankiel wouldn’t have been worthy additions for this year or next? Plus the fact, three of those players made their way to two of the top four teams. Where would those teams be without those key additions? Add to that, not one Waiver Claim has been made by either team. [We interrupt our program for this very important message – Keep in mind the Transaction Reporting Deadline was moved to Sunday afternoon largely influenced by the Splinters who wanted the luxury of sitting in bed Sunday morning with his laptop to plot out the upcoming week’s strategy – We now join our regularly scheduled program, already in progress]
And that’s just the influence on the title. There is a battle for fifth and seventh place that’s being influenced by this indifference.
When a team goes through extended periods with disabled or demoted players on their active roster, it does a disservice not only to that team, but to the league as a whole. We're all entitled to a "good race" - which means that we should be able to assume that all teams are making their best effort, despite their place in the overall standings.
Inactive teams need to realize that in a Roto League, it's not just their own teams that are affected by their inactivity. For every point they lose, it means some other team is gaining a point. If that team happens to be a contender, the team that's "given up" is affecting the Championship results. They owe it to the other contenders to create an atmosphere where no team can coast past inactive teams.
Right before the trading frenzy I was a bit put out by what I felt was a lopsided trade between the Stones and Kenndoza Line. Having conversed with both Steve and Kenn over the weeks following the trade, I understand that they each felt they got value from the trade. While I still think the trade could have been made without so many high priced, so called studs making their way to Kenn, that could be peanuts compared the way the standings were affected by Teddy and Paul pulling a Doug Henning and disappearing for the majority of the baseball season.
Throughout the 24 years of the CFCL, owners have dealt with the following: Busy work schedules, their own weddings, births of children, honeymoons, deaths of family members and co-workers, divorces, career changes, birthdays, health setbacks. And these are just the things that I’ve been aware of. Yet somehow owners have persevered through to run their teams to the best of their abilities.
I’m not saying that we all have to spend five hours a day pouring over our team and the league, because none of us has the time to do that – except for Grage who annually makes something like four scouting trips to spring training, three to the Arizona Fall League, seven or eight in season trips to Wrigley or the BOB on top of his four satellite dishes and MLB.com Ultra-Season package.
But I am saying that the twelve owners as a whole, and the history of the league, are deserving of a commitment from each owner to make sure the season is as competitive as possible. It's very possible that Teddy and Paul have very serious, legitimate reasons for their lack of involvement, and no one is saying the CFCL should take precedence over major, life-altering events. If Paul and Teddy have been dealing with serious non-CFCL issues this season, their inaction is understandable and completely excusable. If, on the other hand, they're simply disappointed with the teams they drafted or found something "better" to do rather than look after a second-division fantasy team, then they're letting the rest of us down.
A number of years ago, Cincinnati Bengal football coach, Sam Wyche got on the loudspeaker as Bengal fans were acting out of control, throwing things on the field. His admonition was “You don’t live in Cleveland. You live in Cincinnati!”
My comment to all of us is “You’re not part of some dumbass, generic fantasy league. You’re part of the CFCL! Play like it!”
Before I get too deep into this I understand that there are all kinds of reasons owners may "drop out" during the season, ranging from the happy (birth of a child, wedding, etc.) to the mundane (very busy with work or other activities) to the tragic (serious health issues, death of a loved one, etc). There's also the possibility that they've simply lost interest. In all but the most tragic of reasons, you'd at least expect some kind of interaction - or at least a note saying "guys, work is killing me now and I just can't focus on the CFCL." Without that kind of notice, it's natural to assume they've lost interest.
The Splinters and Meisters have disengaged themselves from day to day (hell, even month to month) operations of their franchises. The last Splinter transaction was recorded on 6/22/07 (the last of five transactions all year). The last Meister transaction was recorded on 5/27/07 (also the last of five transactions all year). You may think, ‘So what, Rich. If they don’t want to replace an injured player, they’re just hurting themselves (in Teddy’s case not trying for something better than seventh place) or saving themselves time (in Paul’s case).’ True, but let’s look at the standings:
Meisters .036 behind Copperfields in ERA (He was .02 behind a week ago)
Meisters tied in H/S with Copperfields and four behind Ruffins (a week ago he was ahead of both by 1)
Splinters 3 H/S behind Kenndoza
Meisters .001 behind Rebels in K/BB (a week ago, he was ahead by .04)
Splinters 12 RBI behind Kenndoza
Meisters 14 QS behind Copperfields
Splinters 7 QS behind Ruffins
Meisters .003 behind Rebels in OBP
On the Splinters Roster:
Henry Owens and Jon Lieber are out for season (look at Holds and QS)
On the Meisters Roster
Chris Guzman out since late June
Scott Rolen out for year since 8/28 (look at OBP)
Zach Duke out since 6/28
Randy Wolf out for year since 7/3 (look at K/BB, QS)
Steve Finley released by the Rockies in mid-June
Craig Wilson released by the Pirates in early May
Neal Cotts out of the majors since May 20th
That’s over 30% of the “active” roster that hasn’t been very active.
And it’s not like the Meisters didn't have someone available to replace Finley and Wilson on their roster. On the Meisters RESERVE roster: Nate McLouth (18 SB) and Michael Bourn (also 18 SB). Now I don’t know why McLouth wouldn’t get activated. Bourn could be a different situation. To date Bourn has 111 ABs, so Paul could be holding out hope that Bourn won’t get to the plate another 24 times so his M contract won’t kick in to a D this year. While this is a fact, (Bourn’s ABs) it’s probably more of a serendipitous event rather than a conscious effort.
If the Meisters had replaced Finley and Wilson (0 SB combined) with McLouth and Bourn (36 SB combined), they would have had enough steals to pass the Picts, Stones, AND Copperfields in that category. That alone (at the time we went to press) would have tied the Meisters with the Lambchops and moved the Copperfields down into a tie for third with the Rebels. The Meisters have more SB sitting on their Reserve roster right now than the Splinters have on their Active AND Reserve roster combined! Clearly Paul checked out of the CFCL 3-4 months ago.
Both teams have their full compliment of FAAB ($1.00). But even more amazing or should I say disappointing is that neither the Meisters nor Splinters even bothered to bid on a single player all year long. Contrast that with the Bulls who bid on 29 players and the Kenndoza Line who bid on 26. Are you telling me that Mark Teixeira, Carlos Marmol, Brad Hennessey or Rick Ankiel wouldn’t have been worthy additions for this year or next? Plus the fact, three of those players made their way to two of the top four teams. Where would those teams be without those key additions? Add to that, not one Waiver Claim has been made by either team. [We interrupt our program for this very important message – Keep in mind the Transaction Reporting Deadline was moved to Sunday afternoon largely influenced by the Splinters who wanted the luxury of sitting in bed Sunday morning with his laptop to plot out the upcoming week’s strategy – We now join our regularly scheduled program, already in progress]
And that’s just the influence on the title. There is a battle for fifth and seventh place that’s being influenced by this indifference.
When a team goes through extended periods with disabled or demoted players on their active roster, it does a disservice not only to that team, but to the league as a whole. We're all entitled to a "good race" - which means that we should be able to assume that all teams are making their best effort, despite their place in the overall standings.
Inactive teams need to realize that in a Roto League, it's not just their own teams that are affected by their inactivity. For every point they lose, it means some other team is gaining a point. If that team happens to be a contender, the team that's "given up" is affecting the Championship results. They owe it to the other contenders to create an atmosphere where no team can coast past inactive teams.
Right before the trading frenzy I was a bit put out by what I felt was a lopsided trade between the Stones and Kenndoza Line. Having conversed with both Steve and Kenn over the weeks following the trade, I understand that they each felt they got value from the trade. While I still think the trade could have been made without so many high priced, so called studs making their way to Kenn, that could be peanuts compared the way the standings were affected by Teddy and Paul pulling a Doug Henning and disappearing for the majority of the baseball season.
Throughout the 24 years of the CFCL, owners have dealt with the following: Busy work schedules, their own weddings, births of children, honeymoons, deaths of family members and co-workers, divorces, career changes, birthdays, health setbacks. And these are just the things that I’ve been aware of. Yet somehow owners have persevered through to run their teams to the best of their abilities.
I’m not saying that we all have to spend five hours a day pouring over our team and the league, because none of us has the time to do that – except for Grage who annually makes something like four scouting trips to spring training, three to the Arizona Fall League, seven or eight in season trips to Wrigley or the BOB on top of his four satellite dishes and MLB.com Ultra-Season package.
But I am saying that the twelve owners as a whole, and the history of the league, are deserving of a commitment from each owner to make sure the season is as competitive as possible. It's very possible that Teddy and Paul have very serious, legitimate reasons for their lack of involvement, and no one is saying the CFCL should take precedence over major, life-altering events. If Paul and Teddy have been dealing with serious non-CFCL issues this season, their inaction is understandable and completely excusable. If, on the other hand, they're simply disappointed with the teams they drafted or found something "better" to do rather than look after a second-division fantasy team, then they're letting the rest of us down.
A number of years ago, Cincinnati Bengal football coach, Sam Wyche got on the loudspeaker as Bengal fans were acting out of control, throwing things on the field. His admonition was “You don’t live in Cleveland. You live in Cincinnati!”
My comment to all of us is “You’re not part of some dumbass, generic fantasy league. You’re part of the CFCL! Play like it!”
Monday, September 3, 2007
Re-ally?
This past Wednesday evening (Thursday morning) Cooper (and his three o’clock feedings) gave me the ability to watch a rebroadcast of the Cubs/Brewers game – not one of the two they won, mind you, the one they lost to Sheets. So while I watched the Brewers take one to our beloved Cubbies for a second time, it got me to thinking. I understand why this is a rebroadcast, because the game was originally broadcast earlier that night.
I have scheduled appointments with clients and then for some reason or other had to reschedule them. That makes sense.
I don’t believe I have ever had the opportunity to lax, so when I’m being told to relax, how can I do something for the second time that I never did the first time? And that leads to trying to figure out why I would need to repeat a statement, comment or question when I’m pretty sure the first time I said it I wasn’t “peating”.
I know when we are all done working, we’ll probably be tired from a long career and working a lot of hours. But is it fair to say we are retiring? When we were working were we really tiring? Or were all of our vacations a preamble of tiring, getting ready for the vaunted retirement?
At the draft when I bid .16 on Ianetta, or Teddy bid .12 on De Aza (you’re never going to get away from this, Teddy) we both wanted to rescind our bids. When did we ever initially scind them?
When I leave in the morning, I will tell my girls (not Cooper yet because he doesn’t understand much) to mind their mom. But when I have to remind them to mind it gets very confusing.
And later this year when our kids are running around the neighborhood saying “Trick or Treat”, going back to the same house would seem to imply a retreat. What Lee did against Grant, really wasn’t a retreat as much as it was a “Get your ass back home and look for a different job.”
Hopefully the Cubs will retaliate against the Cardinals this year for the way that the Cards taliated against us last year.
I have scheduled appointments with clients and then for some reason or other had to reschedule them. That makes sense.
I don’t believe I have ever had the opportunity to lax, so when I’m being told to relax, how can I do something for the second time that I never did the first time? And that leads to trying to figure out why I would need to repeat a statement, comment or question when I’m pretty sure the first time I said it I wasn’t “peating”.
I know when we are all done working, we’ll probably be tired from a long career and working a lot of hours. But is it fair to say we are retiring? When we were working were we really tiring? Or were all of our vacations a preamble of tiring, getting ready for the vaunted retirement?
At the draft when I bid .16 on Ianetta, or Teddy bid .12 on De Aza (you’re never going to get away from this, Teddy) we both wanted to rescind our bids. When did we ever initially scind them?
When I leave in the morning, I will tell my girls (not Cooper yet because he doesn’t understand much) to mind their mom. But when I have to remind them to mind it gets very confusing.
And later this year when our kids are running around the neighborhood saying “Trick or Treat”, going back to the same house would seem to imply a retreat. What Lee did against Grant, really wasn’t a retreat as much as it was a “Get your ass back home and look for a different job.”
Hopefully the Cubs will retaliate against the Cardinals this year for the way that the Cards taliated against us last year.
Monday, August 27, 2007
A Little Ditty 'Bout Paul And His Team
The Monroe Doctrine is proud to present a musical interlude. Sung by the CFCL Madrigal Singers, it is to the tune of My Darling Clementine and offered as a dirge.
Oh, Paul Meisters. Oh, Paul Meisters. Oh Paul Meisters, where’d ya go?
You were drafting then you left us, now your 12th place, Meister Boy.
Drafting old guys, drafting old guys, drafting old guys is what you do.
But when they break down, you don’t switch them, now it’s 18 (active) of 23.
You could have traded, could have traded, could have traded expiring studs
But you held on to Alou and Holliday and have no core for next year.
You’ve got Neighborgall, you’ve got Neighborgall, you’ve got Neighborgall, why is that?
He’d miss water from a boat, can you say Nuke Laloosh?
Oh Paul Meisters, Oh Paul Meisters, Oh Paul Meisters, how are you?
When we write you, you don’t answer. Makes us wonder what is up.
Rumors run wild, rumors run wild, rumors run wild around the league.
Either you forgot the Sportsline website or are Jessie Biel’s adult slave.
Are you plotting, are you plotting, are you plotting for next year?
If that’s the case then why not bid point four three on Mark Teixeira?
Are you crying, are you crying, are you crying for the White Sox?
I don’t blame you for a minute, they really suck this year.
Hope we see you, hope we see you, hope we see you more next year.
We really need twelve owners who are on top of their moves.
But we kid, but we kid, but we kid and mean no harm.
Hope to see you at the banquet, where the sausage will be warm.
Oh, Paul Meisters. Oh, Paul Meisters. Oh Paul Meisters, where’d ya go?
You were drafting then you left us, now your 12th place, Meister Boy.
Drafting old guys, drafting old guys, drafting old guys is what you do.
But when they break down, you don’t switch them, now it’s 18 (active) of 23.
You could have traded, could have traded, could have traded expiring studs
But you held on to Alou and Holliday and have no core for next year.
You’ve got Neighborgall, you’ve got Neighborgall, you’ve got Neighborgall, why is that?
He’d miss water from a boat, can you say Nuke Laloosh?
Oh Paul Meisters, Oh Paul Meisters, Oh Paul Meisters, how are you?
When we write you, you don’t answer. Makes us wonder what is up.
Rumors run wild, rumors run wild, rumors run wild around the league.
Either you forgot the Sportsline website or are Jessie Biel’s adult slave.
Are you plotting, are you plotting, are you plotting for next year?
If that’s the case then why not bid point four three on Mark Teixeira?
Are you crying, are you crying, are you crying for the White Sox?
I don’t blame you for a minute, they really suck this year.
Hope we see you, hope we see you, hope we see you more next year.
We really need twelve owners who are on top of their moves.
But we kid, but we kid, but we kid and mean no harm.
Hope to see you at the banquet, where the sausage will be warm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)