NumberOneBaseball

The Beginning

Erik Eitel — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:08:37 +0000

Recently it seems that attendance records are being set every time you turn around. It is not unusual for a team to draw three million people during a season, but there was a time, not that long ago, when just one million was a big deal.

Along came the 1975 World Series. You know, the one between the Big Red Machine and the Boston Red Sox. Cincinnati had not won a championship since 1960 and the Red Sox since 1918. One had to win. We all know how that turned out, but the action and tension it created will live on forever.

At one point Pete Rose, of the Reds, turned to Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox and proclaimed game six to be the best game he was ever in. That meant a lot coming from the man who would have more hits than anyone else in the major league history. That was the game when Bernie Carbo tied it up with a pinch hit three run homer and the famous image of Carlton Fisk waving his ball fair in the 12 inning.

Not only did that series change how baseball was televised, it restored interest in Americas pastime. That has lead to the attendance figure we see today. Yes, it started with the 1975 World Series. What was the moment that you fell in love with in baseball?

Written by Chris Papas

Winter Meetings Notes

Erik Eitel — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:39:24 +0000

Not much to talk about, unless you a Marlins fan. Their signings of Heath Bell and Jose Reyes made a big splash to open the Winter Meetings in Dallas. There have also been reports that the Marlins have made an aggressive 10 year offer to the prized Albert Pujols.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports: The Cubs met Monday night with the agent for Albert Pujols and it was confirmed early Tuesday morning that they submitted a bid for the Cardinals slugger.

Here’s what’s happened today:

Baltimore Orioles outrighted Pedro Viola to Norfolk Tides.

Detroit Tigers outrighted Ryan Strieby to Toledo Mud Hens.

Cincinnati Reds outrighted Jeremy Horst to Louisville Bats.

Colorado Rockies claim Jamie Hoffmann off waivers from Los Angeles Dodgers

Minnesota Twins claim Pedro Florimon Jr. off waivers from Baltimore Orioles

Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent SS Jerry Hairston

There have also been reports that CJ Wilson could be headed to the Angels, and that Mark Buehrle has narrowed his choice down to 5 teams.

Who makes the next big splash?

Compiled by Chris Papas

Hot Stove Notes

Erik Eitel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:00:23 +0000

The Phillies have released Roy Oswalt, with the hope of bringing him back for less. What the Papelbon signing will do to this remains to be seen. Oswalt is 34 but still has some good years left. They bought him out for $2 million with the reported hope of bringing him back at a more modest salary. Oswalt has been among the game’s best, but slipped to 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts and 139 innings.

C.J. Wilson has proven to be the Ranger s ace, now that Cliff Lee has moved on. But as good as he was in the regular season, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 34 outings, Wilson lost some luster because of his struggles in the postseason. At 31, he has been a starter for two seasons, after spending five years in the Rangers’ bullpen.

We should not overlook Mark Buehrle of the White Sox. He’s a little older and there is always the fear of retirement with him. But he is a work horse that would be a fine addition to any starting rotation.

Written by Chris Papas

Off Season Update

Erik Eitel — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:09:13 +0000

The playoffs and the season have ended. We know the St. Louis Cardinals are Champions of the baseball world. The Texas Rangers are runners up… again.

Now the anticipation of the off season starts.

Every team is going to try to improve themselves. Logic and history tells us they all can’t, but they will all claim to their fan base that they did. We will watch and see what happens.

The CBA is in the process of being renewed, free agents are visiting prospective teams, and teams are beginning to flash some big dollar amounts. Who do think your team will go after? Are those with home grown talent better off?

The big move (announced during the World Series) was the Cubs hiring Theo Epstein away from the Red Sox. Although the Red Sox did not put up much of a fight. Compensation is still being worked out.

Written by Chris Papas

St. Louis Cardinals Win 2011 World Series

cpapas — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:00:39 +0000

By now it’s old news, but the Cardinals are the world champs of baseball. We have said here many times, they just kept winning. They went as far as they could go.

Congratulations to all of St. Louis and their fans. Nobody thought they would be here, but they stand alone on top of the baseball mountain. I, for one never thought they would go that far. I thought the Rangers would beat them handily, and they almost did. Twice St. Louis was down to their last strike, but they got the big hit when they needed it. And they got the big pitch when they needed it.

When that Texas home run was caught over the fence, I knew it was the Cards night. It sure was. They are world champs.

Now we turn to the free agency period as many teams have questions to answer. For the World Series Champion Cardinals, they will have to decide how much to pay their star athlete if they want to keep him. Albert Pujols, along with 140 or so other players officially filed for free agency at the conclusion of the World Series.

Written by Chis Papas

Back to St. Louis for Game 6… Maybe 7

cpapas — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:20:06 +0000

And… We’re headed back to St. Louis! After the Rangers took a 3-2 game lead in the series, we’re headed back to St. Louis where the Rangers have a chance to end it all with a win in game 6. Did you project that the series would go this long?

The winner will join the history of other winners like the ’27 Yankees. The loser will be soon forgotten. That’s the way this works. There is nothing wrong with it, but that should not mean that the season has been a failure for the loser.

On the contrary, there are plenty of other teams that would of liked to have gone that far. Teams that were supposed to be there but are not. All year most attention was elsewhere as teams teams like the Red Sox and Braves witnessed massive collapses. That was then, and this is now. It is the Cardinals and the Rangers who are playing for all the marbles!

Written by Chris Papas

The World Series Is Here

Erik Eitel — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:21:54 +0000

I hate it when people don’t step up to their predictions. So I will. The World Series is set with the Rangers and the Cardinals.

I thought it was going to be the Rangers and the Phillies, but it is not. The Phillies fell way short, losing to the Cardinals in round one. I picked the Phillies to go all the way, and probably will next year. How can you pick against starters like Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hammels? Now I was surprised they did not make it, but then I thought the Brewers would best the Cards. However the Cardinals keep winning.

My number two team, the Texas Rangers, did make it to the World Series by beating the Tigers.

Who did you pick to make the World Series?

Written by Chris Papas

The Playoffs Have Begun

cpapas — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:25:26 +0000

Well it happened. A month ago the Cardinals and the Rays were behind by double digits in the wild card race. On the last day of the season they both made the playoffs, a storyline that would have been laughed at if Hollywood came up with it. It’s true what they say… fact is stranger than fiction.

That story is big enough, but there is also the continuing saga of Ozzie Guillen. He has just been introduced as the next manager of the Florida Marlins taking over for the now retired Jack McKeon

In Chicago people are still dazed. It all seemed to happen so fast. Ozzie was a fixture in Chicago, much like Mike Ditka had been. Of course he never reached Ditka’s status, but he was the manager of the White Sox for eight years.

For many, this author included, the announcement confirmed what we had believed all along. His meeting with Jerry Rynsdorf, the owner of the White Sox, was Ozzie delivering an ultimatum. Pay me or else! The or else was the fact that he would be manager next year in body, but not spirit. After all, Rynsdorf could of kept him as Ozzie did have a contract. However, nobody wants someone as a lame duck manager.

This could work out well for the White Sox. We should not be so naive as to think that the rift between Ozzie and the front office was not seen by the players. As long as Ozzie was on your side, there was a comfort level. Now the players will have to impress some body new.

Putting Ozzie aside, all eyes are now focused on the playoffs. Who do you think will emerge to play in the World Series?

Written by Chris Papas

Ozzie Guillen Heads out of Chicago

cpapas — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:58 +0000

It was announced by the Chicago White Sox that they had released Ozzie Guillen from his contract as the White Sox manager. Guillen had been the White Sox manager for eight years, a life time compared to most managerial jobs.

There had been much speculation in Chicago about his departure, and it seems everyone has their own thoughts about it. After eight years and the only World Series victory Chicago has had since 1919, it was time for the team to move on. This season was a big disappointment compared to what was expected to happen.

It has been obvious the players tuned Ozzie out a long time ago. Now he can not be blamed for the poor performance of some of the players, but it is obvious that his words fell on primarily deaf ears in the clubhouse. A new manager is sure to get their attention.

Who do you think would be a good fit for the White Sox managerial job?

Written by Chris Papas

The Bartman Era

cpapas — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:46:19 +0000

In Chicago just the mention of the name Bartman congers up all sorts of feelings in Cub fans and non-Cub fans.

The Cubs have gone over 100 years without winning the World Series. Hey, anybody can have a bad century. However, in 2003 they were 5 outs from the World Series. There was a high pop up down the left field line, and it drifted just into the seats. Moses Alou was playing left for the Cubs and he moved over to jump into the stands and catch the ball.

As the ball was coming down the ill fated Steve Bartman reached out and touched the ball. Before Alou could try for it. All of the baseball world saw Alou’s reaction. He slammed his glove as though to say “I would have caught that ball”.

The visiting Marlins went on to rally and win that game. It did not matter that any one of us would have done the same thing, nor did it matter that even after the game the Cubs held a three games to two lead with their two best starters ready to go.

No, everyone blamed Bartman. He became legendary in Chicago. Maybe even bigger than the goat.

Since that time Alou has admitted that he probably could not of caught the ball. We’ll never know. That has been glossed over and not paid much attention, but Bartman is still assumed responsible for the Cubs not winning in 2003. A few years later the ball was auctioned off and the winning bid came from a famous Chicago watering hole named for Harry Cary. After they got the ball, a party was held and the ball blown up. All of Chicago cheered, but the Cubs continue to lose.

Every city has it’s own story. What’s yours?

Also, be sure to check out ESPN’s “Catching Hell.” A documentary about the Steve Bartman incident.

Written by Chris Papas