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2013 MLB Post-Season Predictions
2013 MLB Predicted Standings, All Star Game, Award Winners, Ballparks, Books, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, Hall Of Fame, History, Hot Stove, Management, Media, MiLB, MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Waiver Trades, MVP, Paul Lebowitz's 2011 Baseball Guide, Paul Lebowitz's 2012 Baseball Guide, Paul Lebowitz's 2013 Baseball Guide, PEDs, Players, Playoffs, Politics, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats, Trade Rumors, Umpires, World Series
You can see my 2013 MLB predicted standings in full here. Below are the division winners and wild card entrants.
AL EAST: Rays
AL CENTRAL: Tigers
AL WEST: Rangers
AL WILD CARD: Blue Jays
AL WILD CARD: Mariners
AL WILD CARD GAME: Mariners over Blue Jays
ALDS 1: Tigers over Mariners
ALDS 2: Rays over Rangers
ALCS: Rays over Tigers
NL EAST: Nationals
NL CENTRAL: Reds
NL WEST: Diamondbacks
NL WILD CARD: Braves
NL WILD CARD: Giants
NL WILD CARD GAME: Giants over Braves
NLDS 1: Giants over Nationals
NLDS 2: Reds over Diamondbacks
NLCS: Reds over Giants
WORLD SERIES: REDS OVER RAYS
In depth information packed in over 400 pages on all 30 teams with players' height, weight, where they were drafted, age, contract status and how they were acquired is immediately available in my new book. In addition there is analysis of front offices, managers, starting rotations, bullpens, lineups, benches, fantasy picks, breakout candidates, trade candidates, predictions and essays on such diverse subjects as the Astros' teardown and why it's bad for baseball; Jeffrey Loria; the Yankees' $189 million payroll; the pending free agency of Robinson Cano; Torii Hunter's comments about the possibility of a gay teammate; Tim Lincecum, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg and anything else you can think of is available in my new book, Paul Lebowitz's 2013 Baseball Guide now available on Amazon, BN, Lulu, Smashwords and more outlets coming soon.
April 2, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged 2013 MLB playoff predictions, 2013 MLB predicted standings, 2013 MLB predictions, 2013 World Series, Blue Jays, Braves, Bryce Harper, Diamondbacks, Giants, Jeffrey Loria, mariners, MLB breakout candidates, MLB fantasy, MLB fantasy picks, Nationals, Paul Lebowitz 2013 Baseball Guide, Paul Lebowitz Baseball Guide, Predicted Standings MLB, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Robinson Cano, Stephen Strasburg, Tim Lincecum, Torii Hunter, Torii Hunter gay comments, World Series Prediction, Yankees, Yankees $189 million
2013 MLB Predicted Standings, All Star Game, Award Winners, Ballparks, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, Hall Of Fame, History, Management, Media, MiLB, MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Waiver Trades, MVP, Paul Lebowitz's 2013 Baseball Guide, PEDs, Players, Playoffs, Politics, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats, Trade Rumors, Umpires, World Series
Here are my 2013 predicted standings.
American League East Wins Losses GB
Tampa Bay Rays 92 70 —
Toronto Blue Jays* 88 74 4
Baltimore Orioles 83 79 9
New York Yankees 81 81 11
Boston Red Sox 78 84 14
*Denotes Predicted Wild Card Winner
American League Central Wins Losses GB
Detroit Tigers 96 66 —
Kansas City Royals 87 75 9
Cleveland Indians 77 85 19
Chicago White Sox 76 86 20
Minnesota Twins 68 94 28
American League West Wins Losses GB
Texas Rangers 90 72 —
Seattle Mariners* 89 73 1
Oakland Athletics 85 77 5
Los Angeles Angels 81 81 9
Houston Astros 45 117 45
National League East Wins Losses GB
Washington Nationals 103 59 —
Atlanta Braves* 91 71 12
Philadelphia Phillies 79 83 24
New York Mets 72 90 31
Miami Marlins 68 94 35
* Denotes Predicted Wild Card Winner
National League Central Wins Losses GB
Cincinnati Reds 91 71 —
St. Louis Cardinals 84 78 7
Pittsburgh Pirates 81 81 10
Milwaukee Brewers 77 85 14
Chicago Cubs 66 96 25
National League West Wins Losses GB
Arizona Diamondbacks 91 71 —
San Francisco Giants* 90 72 1
Los Angeles Dodgers 87 75 4
San Diego Padres 73 89 18
Colorado Rockies 61 101 30
You can see my post-season predictions here.
My book Paul Lebowitz's 2013 Baseball Guide is now on sale on Amazon.com, Lulu, and Smashwords with other outlets coming soon. It has predictions, projections, in-depth analysis of all 30 teams and essays about the hottest baseball topics. Check it out.
March 31, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged 2013 MLB predicted standings, 2013 predicted wild card teams, AL Central predicted standings, AL East predicted standings, AL West predicted standings, Angels, Astros, Athletics, Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, mariners, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, NL Central predicted standings, NL East predicted standings, NL West predicted standings, Orioles, Padres, Paul Lebowitz 2013 predicted MLB standings, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees	Leave a comment
Aroldis Chapman—Starter or Closer?
Award Winners, Cy Young Award, Fantasy/Roto, Games, Hall Of Fame, History, Management, Media, Players, Playoffs, Spring Training, Stats
The Reds have experimented with Aroldis Chapman as a starter this spring after he spent the first three seasons in the majors as a reliever. He was their closer in 2012 and saved 38 games with dominant 122 strikeouts in 71.1 innings. Overall, in his three years, he's thrown 135 innings and struck out 212. It's obvious why the Reds would like to see how he'd do as a starter with those kinds of strikeout numbers and a Randy Johnson/Sandy Koufax potential for left-handed dominance if he has the durability to start.
Let's look at the various factors in Chapman as a starter or reliever from the point of view of the participants.
He's said he wants to go back to the bullpen. How much of an influence the player has on his role depends on the player, his contract, how much of a pest he can make of himself if he doesn't get his way. Chapman's statement that he wants to close was said in a sort of passive aggressive manner of, "I want to close, but it's not my decision."
Some players would exercise a self-fulfilling prophecy and say they won't be able to start and stay healthy and effective over a full season if they want to be in the bullpen, and then come up with a malady that may or may not be psychosomatic. In the age of heavy stat use, the mental aspect is regularly ignored but no less important. Years ago, the Dodgers' on-again/off-again third baseman Pedro Guerrero was so miserable at third base that it affected his hitting. When the Dodgers finally said enough and moved him back to the outfield, he went on a tear. It took Jonathan Papelbon to go to the Red Sox in 2007 and basically "save" their season by saying he wanted to close. It's not to be ignored what the player wants.
What the Reds need
The 2007 Red Sox didn't have a closer and were on the verge of making the same mistake they made in 2003 by going into the season without someone who could get the outs in the ninth inning and having it cost them games and teamwide confidence. The Reds are not in that position. They re-signed Jonathan Broxton to close if the Chapman-as-starter experiment worked. What they promised Broxton is unknown. Given the closer market and how it crashed, Broxton wasn't in a position to be making demands that he be the closer or he wouldn't re-sign. He's making $21 million over three-years to soften his bruised feelings and gaudy save stats if he's not closing.
The Reds don't need Chapman as a starter. He's competing with Mike Leake for the fifth spot and they'd be perfectly fine with the rotation they'd have with Chapman in the bullpen.
GM Walt Jocketty is not an ideologue as Theo Epstein was when he continually insisted that he wanted Papelbon to start. Brian Cashman did the same thing with Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees succeeded in nothing more than destroying Chamberlain. Because of that, it's clear that Jocketty believes that Chapman could be a very good starter and he's not trying it based on theory or what's popular.
With that 100+ mph fastball, a slider and a changeup that he rarely uses as a reliever, he certainly has the stuff to be as good as Johnson and Koufax were. At age 25, it's a tough thing to relegate him to the bullpen for his whole career when there's that chance that he could be a Hall of Fame, Cy Young Award winning starting pitcher if only given the opportunity. An old-school baseball man like Jocketty also doesn't want to be seen as having his decisions dictated by the players or by new orthodoxy.
Manager Dusty Baker wants Chapman to close.
For all the outsider talk that closing will be "easier" on a pitcher's arm, a future Hall of Famer in his own right, John Smoltz, did both and said that closing was tougher on him than starting was and he preferred being a starter. He was great at both. It depends on the pitcher.
If Johnson, Koufax or Nolan Ryan came on the scene today, it's very possible that the powers-that-be would have said, "No way they can maintain this velocity over 220 innings. Make him a closer." The White Sox made Rich Gossage a starter in 1976. His record was a dreadful 9-17, but the team was awful and he was mostly effective in the role. His strikeout numbers plummeted and he hated it. He was moved back to the bullpen and went to the Hall of Fame.
The best decision
Considering the Reds depth in the starting rotation, there's no reason to move X here and Y there to accommodate the Z theory for the sake of it. They have five starters and their bullpen would be devastating with Sean Marshall, Broxton and Chapman in the late innings. If they weren't legitimate World Series contenders, it would make sense to let Chapman start and see what happens. But they're in it to win now and that's not the time to experiment. For 2013, they should move Chapman back into the closer's role and keep it in mind that he might be capable of starting at some other time in his career, just not now.
March 19, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged 2007 Red Sox, Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox, Brian Cashman, Cincinnati Reds, Do the Reds need Chapman as a starter?, Dodgers, Dusty Baker, Goose Gossage, Joba Chamberlain, John Smoltz, Jonathan Broxton, Jonathan Broxton contract, Jonathan Papelbon, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Leake, New York Yankees, Nolan Ryan, Pedro Guerrero, Randy Johnson, Red Sox, Reds, Rich Gossage, Sandy Koufax, Sean Marshall, Should Aroldis Chapman be a starter or reliever?, Theo Epstein, Walt Jocketty, Yankees	Leave a comment
Mike Trout's Contract and the Needless Uproar
All Star Game, Award Winners, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, Hall Of Fame, History, Management, Media, MiLB, MVP, PEDs, Players, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats
There's been an absurd uproar and reaction of shock that the Angels chose to renew Mike Trout's contract for $510,000. This is strange considering that the constant storyline surrounding athletes is how overpaid they are. For the most part, it has little to do with their performance. Players who are at the top of the baseball pay scale like Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Joey Votto and Felix Hernandez are the examples given of players who are either not going to fulfill their paychecks with extended production into their late 30s or are considered anomalies and accused of PED use if they do perform.
In the realm of public perception, they can't win. Of course they win in their bank account, but through no fault of their own, no matter what they do, it's not going to be good enough.
Pujols's contract is called a backend nightmare because he's going to be paid $59 million two seasons after his 40th birthday.
A-Rod is breaking down physically, has $114 million due him with the very real possibility that the Yankees will eventually cut their losses of him and his constant sideshow of embarrassing drama, paying him to leave. They won't even have the benefit of the extra income they thought they, as an organization, would accrue as A-Rod broke home run records. He probably won't break the records at all and if he does, they're sullied beyond all recognition due to his admitted PED use and recent allegations that their use has been ongoing.
Votto will be 30 in September and his 10-year, $225 million deal doesn't kick in until 2014. He'll be paid $25 million annually from age 35-39 and $20 million at 40. Plus Votto's playing for a mid-market club, the Cincinnati Reds, for whom that contract might preclude them from putting commensurate talent around him.
Hernandez is a pitcher whose prematurely announced contract was put in jeopardy by red flags found in his elbow during his physical. By the time the contract news had been strategically leaked, neither he nor the Mariners could back out and protective language was inserted to shield the Mariners if he gets hurt.
Those who take down-the-line contracts to remain in their current venue are so rare that it's a worldwide stunner when they make the decision that they don't need to be the highest paid player in the world and that $85 million can buy just as much stuff as $200 million. Jered Weaver and Evan Longoria are players who have made that choice. They're a rarity.
No matter where you stand on the issue of athletes' pay, the way baseball functions can be manipulated to advantage the player, the club, or they can come to an agreement to share the risk with a preemptive, long-term deal. Once a player has exhausted his amateur eligibility, he's at the mercy of the organization that drafts him. For the first three years of their major league careers, they're paid at the whim of the team. The next three years they're eligible for arbitration. Then they can become free agents. If they choose to do as Longoria did and sign a contract to give up their opportunity at arbitration and have their first couple of years at free agency bought out with guaranteed years and options, they can have a nice nest egg of $10-20 million regardless of whether if they flame out as players or become stars. It's a gamble they take. It's a gamble the team makes. It applies to everyone from Trout to the last player taken in the draft who manages to make it to the big leagues for a cup of coffee or is a late-bloomer and has a 20-year career.
You wouldn't know that, though, from the indignant reaction to the Angels deciding to renew Trout's contract for $510,000. Does Trout's near-MVP season in 2012 have any bearing on the Angels' decision to raise his salary by $28,000 from what he made as a rookie? Should it?
The Players Association makes the rules for all the players and it's the players who instituted these rules. It allowed MLB to implement draconian constraints on newly drafted players because of the proffered reason to cut down on the huge signing bonuses amateurs receive. But the real, primordial reason is a "screw those guys" attitude that permeates established players and would, in a financial form of plausible deniable hazing, let the drafted players work their way up to making big money. It's long been a point of contention for veteran major leaguers to see some kid taken at number 5 in the draft being handed an automatic $8 million bonus for nothing other than being a good amateur or having great tools. They dealt with it the best way they knew how. Of course it blew up in some of their faces as solid pitcher Kyle Lohse is sitting out because no one wants to give up the draft pick to sign him.
Eventually it affects everyone. These are the rules. The Angels aren't beholden to an abstract code of right and wrong. They don't have to give Trout a long-term contract extension if they don't want to and they renewed his contract for an amount determined on their own volition. They don't have to apologize or explain.
If Trout plays even 75% as well as he did in 2012, he's going to get a $200 million contract from the Angels or someone else. He'll have his freedom in five years. For now, he's tied to the club that drafted him and that club can pay him whatever they choose to pay him under the parameters of the basic agreement. They decided on $510,000 and that's what he'll be paid. Or maybe they're already planning a long-term contract to pay him for the next 6-8 years and buy out his arbitration years and free agency. Until that happens, his salary is what it is.
Is it unfair?
It's neither. These are the rules. It's not slave wages and there's no reason for the explosion of public ridicule for the Angels operating within the pay structure in Major League Baseball.
March 4, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged A-Rod, Albert Pujols, Albert Pujols contract, Alex Rodriguez, Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Evan Longoria, Felix Hernandez, Felix Hernandez contract, Felix Hernandez elbow, How much is left on A-Rod's contract?, How much is Mike Trout's contract?, How much is the MLB minimum?, Jered Weaver, Joey Votto, King Felix, Kyle Lohse, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, mariners, Mike Trout, Mike Trout contract, MLB Basic Agreement, MLB CBA, MLB draft bonuses, MLB Draft slots, New York Yankees, Reds, seattle mariners, When will Mike Trout be a free agent?, Why did the Angels renew Mike Trout's contract?, Yankees	2 Comments
Rafael Soriano to the Nationals—Conspiracy Theories and Truth
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Rafael Soriano has agreed to a 2-year, $28 million contract with the Washington Nationals. There is significant deferred money and a third year option that automatically kicks in based on games finished in 2013-2014. You can read about the details here.
Let's look at the ramifications, theories and reality of the Soriano signing.
Did Scott Boras hoodwink the Nats again?
Boras represents both Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper—both of whose contracts will eventually be an issue for the Nationals—along with Jayson Werth, Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendon. Accompanying that, there's the concept that he's using the same Svengali-like sway he has on his clients to hypnotize Nationals' owner Ted Lerner into overpaying for a player he doesn't need.
Boras's ability to convince Lerner that this (Werth, Soriano, the Strasburg shutdown) is what the club needs to be successful certainly helped, but Boras is a businessman whose clients are his main motivating factor and if the Dodgers, Yankees or whomever had presented a better deal for Soriano, he would have taken it. Boras didn't make any promises to package his players and make Harper, Strasburg or anyone else more signable for the Nats because, apart from probably being both illegal and against MLB rules, he's not going to cost one player to serve another one. Sure, he'll plan and steer clients to certain destinations that will pay that player the most money and simultaneously open up a spot in the prior location for another client, but that's different from overtly saying, "Sign Soriano and I'll make it worth your while with Strasburg and Harper later."
For Rafael Soriano
Boras's intent was to get Soriano a 4-year, $60 million deal. If Soriano reaches his incentives for games finished (and barring injury or poor performance, he will), the deal will be $42 million for three years. That's not $60 million over four, but given the market and the draft pick compensation that was attached to Soriano serving to scare away suitors who were unable or unwilling to swing the dowry, it's a great deal for the pitcher.
The planets aligned perfectly for Soriano in 2012. He was an afterthought as the seventh inning man for the Yankees but the following happened:
Mariano Rivera's knee injury
David Robertson's brief foray as the Yankees' closer left him with a look on his face like a victim of the creepy kid from The Ring
Soriano took over as Yankees' closer and pitched brilliantly
He had the opt out in his contract
All of these factors secured more money and a guaranteed closer's role for Soriano and it's with a team on the short list to win the World Series—something that as of now cannot be said about the Yankees. Had he returned to the Yankees, his role would have been either the eighth or back to the seventh inning. His numbers and financial opportunities would've suffered for it in his next chance at free agency and his age would affect his marketability as well.
He had his chance to get paid and, wisely, he took it.
For the Nationals
Is Soriano something of an overkill? Yes, if—and it's a big if—Drew Storen's elbow is healthy and, more importantly, his head isn't still muddled by his disastrous game 5 meltdown in the NLDS loss to the Cardinals in which he blew a 2-run lead with two outs in the ninth inning. He wound up surrendering 4 runs as the Cardinals won the game and the series.
Presumably, his elbow isn't the problem. His head might be.
Nationals' manager Davey Johnson saw firsthand what can happen to a pitcher who blows a game like that when he was managing the Mets and they rallied against Red Sox closer Calvin Schiraldi in 1986 in both games 6 and 7 of the World Series and Schiraldi's career as a significant contributor was essentially done after that. Johnson likes to have a deep bullpen, but he also likes to have a closer he knows isn't going to panic in a big game. He had that with the Mets and Roger McDowell, Jesse Orosco and Randy Myers; he had it with the Reds with Jeff Brantley; and with the Orioles with Myers again. There might have been that underlying fear with Storen that he wouldn't recover.
Soriano's not exactly trustworthy in the playoffs either, but he did replace Rivera and do the job in New York, doubly-massive pressure situations.
The argument could be made that the Nationals, if they no longer trusted Storen, could simply have switched roles between him and Tyler Clippard permanently. Clippard closed in Storen's absence and even after Storen returned last season, so he can do it. But when Rivera got hurt and the Yankees stuck Robertson in the closer's role adhering to a misplaced rule of succession, it was a mistake. Robertson, like Clippard, did the heavy lifting in the seventh and eighth innings as the set-up man. It won't be a glorious role until there's a catchier and more definable stat than a "hold," and until these pitchers are paid commensurately for the job they're doing, but it's sometimes more important to have a good set-up man than the closer, whose job is to accumulate saves and whose main attribute is to handle the job mentally. Clippard can close, but he's more valuable setting up.
Historically, Johnson has also liked using more than one closer, so it's possible Storen might get a few save opportunities. With Soriano's mentality, though, that too would be a mistake. As the "established closer paid to get the saves," Soriano doesn't want to hear statistical reasons as to why he's not pitching the ninth inning in a save situation. He wants the ball and he wants the saves. If anyone else is used in the ninth inning when Soriano is healthy, feeling good and available, he'll see that as a threat, making it a potential long-term issue.
Johnson will use Soriano to close. Period. It's not because he doesn't want to think for himself or do something against new conventional orthodoxy, but because it's easier for him and the team to do it that way.
The draft pick and the money
According to Forbes, as of September 2012, Ted Lerner was worth $3.9 billion. He's 87-years-old. Could the player the Nationals would draft at 31 in the 1st round make a difference to them in Lerner's lifetime? Possibly. Is it likely that the player will be more useful than Soriano? No.
Maybe they're going to package Storen with Mike Morse in a trade to get another starting pitcher and a lefty specialist; maybe they'll use them to bolster the farm system with better prospects than they would have gotten in the 2013 first round. If that's the case, then they've benefited themselves in multiple ways.
The Nationals aren't building. They're built. Any player they drafted at number 31 isn't going to be a significant contributor to this current group unless they draft what they just signed—a short reliever. And the likelihood of a college draftee closer showing up and taking over as the Nationals' closer and anchoring a championship team in 2013-2014 is almost non-existent. The number of college closers that have been drafted as closers and made it to the big leagues quickly to contribute significantly starts with Gregg Olson and ends with Chad Cordero. It's more probable that they'd end up with a Jaime Bluma—a great closing arm that never made it.
They have the money and the draft pick was negligible. They're a better team today with Soriano than they were yesterday without him and the 31st pick in the draft. The Nationals are trying to win right now and, considering what was available, Soriano helps them to do that better than the other options. There were no conspiracies nor was it buying for its own sake. They wanted to improve immediately and that's what they did.
January 16, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged 1986 World Series, Anthony Rendon, Boras clients playing for Nats, Bryce Harper, Calvin Schiraldi, Chad Cordero, Danny Espinosa, Davey Johnson, David Robertson, Dodgers, Drew Storen, Drew Storen elbow, Drew Storen meltdown, Gregg Olson, Is Drew Storen hurt?, Jaime Bluma, Jayson Werth, Jeff Brantley, Jesse Orosco, List of Boras clients playing for Nats, Mariano Rivera, Mets, Mike Morse, Orioles, Rafael Soriano, Rafael Soriano contract, Rafael Soriano Nationals, Randy Myers, Reds, Roger McDowell, Scott Boras, Soriano contract details, Stephen Strasburg, Ted Lerner, Ted Lerner Forbes, Ted Lerner worth, Tyler Clippard, What will the Nats do with Drew Storen?, Why did the Nationals sign Soriano?, Yankees	2 Comments
Kyle Lohse—Free Agency Profile
All Star Game, Award Winners, Ballparks, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, History, Hot Stove, Management, Media, MiLB, MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Waiver Trades, Players, Playoffs, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats, Trade Rumors
Name: Kyle Lohse
Position: Right-handed starting pitcher
Vital Statistics: Age—34; Height—6'2"; Weight—210 lbs; Bats—Right; Throws—Right
Transactions: June 1996—Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 29th round of the MLB Draft
May 21, 1999—Traded by the Chicago Cubs with RHP Jason Ryan to the Minnesota Twins for RHP Rick Aguilera and LHP Scott Downs
July 31, 2006—Traded by the Twins to the Cincinnati Reds for RHP Zach Ward
July 30, 2007—Traded by the Reds to the Philadelphia Phillies for LHP Matt Maloney
March 13, 2008—Signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals
Agent: Scott Boras
Might he return to the Cardinals? Yes
Teams that could use and pay him: New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers
Positives: With the Cardinals, when he's been healthy, he's been a very good starter. He's learned to pound the strike zone, keep the ball down and in the ballpark, and use his defense. Lohse had what amount to a career year in 2012, in part, because of a friendly BAbip of .267. That number was in line with another solid year he had in 2011 of .272. His advanced statistics of hits-per 9 innings; strikeouts-per 9 innings; walks and home runs-per 9 innings were the best of his career in 2012, but he's been solid with those numbers his entire career. He's consistent at home and on the road and against righties and lefties.
Negatives: He's represented by Boras and in 2011-2012 he's gone 30-11. Boras is going to ask for a lot of money, years, and benefits. Lohse turned his career around with the Cardinals under the tutelage of Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan; he maintained and got even better under Mike Matheny and Derek Lilliquist, but the lingering questions remain as to whether he can transition to another locale and stay this productive. He's had injuries sabotaging his seasons and is 34-years-old.
What he'll want: 4-years, $50 million with a partial no-trade clause
What he'll get: 3-years, $35 million with a vesting option for 2016 at $15 million and a $2.5 million buyout
Teams that might give it to him: Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers, Royals, Angels, Nationals, Marlins, Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers
The Orioles need a starting pitcher to give them 32 starts and 200 innings with the stuff to keep the ball in the ballpark. They have money to spend, and are an agreeable location to play and win after their 93-win 2012.
The Red Sox are desperate for starting pitching and have money to burn. The Blue Jays also have money, are trying to win, and are seeking another starter. The Tigers won't want to overpay to keep Anibal Sanchez and Lohse is cheaper and shorter-term. I wrote yesterday that rather than trade one of their young bats for a starting pitcher, the Royals should delve into the free agent market and Lohse is a reasonable target. The Angels might be desperate if they can't keep Zack Greinke and Lohse falls into a "next level" category in terms of knowing what to expect, price, and availability. The Nationals might be in on Greinke; have the prospects to trade for James Shields; or could jump in on Lohse as a fallback. They have a sound relationship with Boras and tons of cash.
I mention the Marlins because with everyone in baseball angry at what they did in their gutting trade with the Blue Jays, it's possible that Jeffrey Loria might want to placate the critics by doing something like signing Lohse. I doubt it will happen, but no one saw that trade coming either.
The Cardinals will make an offer to Lohse and it probably won't be high enough in dollars or years, but if his market crashes, he could end up going back to St. Louis. The Brewers have money, talent and want to win; the Dodgers can't be discounted for any free agent and need an arm.
Would I sign Lohse? Not for what Boras is going to want. If he's on the outside looking in and I could get him for two years with a reasonable option based on performance, I'd sign him.
Will it be a retrospective mistake for the team that signs him? If they acquiesce to Boras's demands that will reach $45-55 million, they will. I'd keep him out of the American League.
Analysis: If there's a bigger "we don't know" in baseball's free agency this side of Josh Hamilton, it's Lohse. Which Lohse would a team other than the Cardinals be getting? Would it be the homer-prone mediocrity he was with the Phillies and Reds? The pretty good mid-rotation starter he was at times with the Twins or the highly hittable arm he was at the end of his Twins tenure? The All-Star, innings-eating winner he was for long spurts with the Cardinals or the shaky and injured pitcher?
In my mind, I keep seeing flashes of Cardinals pitchers of the past who've fallen apart after they left the winning organization, friendly confines of Busch Stadium, the supportive fans, and baseball-loving atmosphere from a bygone era. The vision tells me to shy away from Lohse.
One example in particular is Lohse's former teammate Joel Pineiro. Like Lohse, Pineiro's career was floundering before he got to St. Louis and was willing to listen to Duncan and alter his mechanics, mental and physical approach and become something different from what he was in order to save his career. He rejuvenated and reinvented himself to garner a 2-year, $16 million contract from the Angels when he should've stayed with the Cardinals. He started off well in Anaheim, they altered his mechanics from what had been undone and rebuilt by Duncan, and he suffered injuries to his oblique and shoulder. Pineiro pitched in 5 minor league games for the Orioles in 2012 and, barring another comeback, appears to be finished at 34.
It's a cautionary tale for a club thinking of believing the Cardinals Lohse is the Lohse they'll get.
Prediction: Lohse will sign a 3-year deal with the Nationals.
November 25, 2012 Paul Lebowitz Tagged Angels, Anibal Sanchez, Blue Jays, Brewers, Busch Stadium, Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cubs, Dave Duncan, Derek Lilliquist, Dodgers, How much does Kyle Lohse want?, How much money does Kyle Lohse want?, How much will Kyle Lohse get?, James Shields, Jason Ryan, Joel Pineiro, Josh Hamilton, Kyle Lohse, Kyle Lohse age, Kyle Lohse BAbip, Kyle Lohse negatives, Kyle Lohse positives, Marlins, Matt Maloney, Might Kyle Lohse return to the Cardinals, Mike Matheny, Nationals, Nats, Orioles, Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Reds, Rick Aguilera, Royals, Scott Boras, Scott Downs, St. Louis Cardinals, Tigers, Tony LaRussa, Twins, Where will Kyle Lohse sign?, Yankees, Zach Ward, Zack Greinke	Leave a comment
Josh Hamilton—Free Agency Profile
All Star Game, Award Winners, Ballparks, CBA, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, History, Hot Stove, Management, Media, MiLB, MVP, PEDs, Players, Playoffs, Stats, Trade Rumors
Name: Josh Hamilton
Vital Statistics: Age—31 (32 on May 21st); Height—6'4"; Weight—240 lbs.; Bats—Left; Throws—Left
Career Transactions: Drafted in the 1st round (1st overall) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 amateur draft; drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft in December of 2006; purchased by the Cincinnati Reds in December of 2006; traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Texas Rangers for RHP Edinson Volquez and LHP Danny Herrera.
Agent: Michael Moye
Might he return to the Rangers? Yes.
Teams that could use him, pay him, and might pursue him: Boston Red Sox; Baltimore Orioles; Chicago White Sox; Kansas City Royals; Texas Rangers; Seattle Mariners; Washington Nationals; Philadelphia Phillies; Atlanta Braves; Milwaukee Brewers; Chicago Cubs; San Francisco Giants; Los Angeles Dodgers.
Positives: Hamilton has the power to hit the ball out of any park at any time and is capable of hitting 10 home runs in a week. He is a former MVP, is a good defensive left fielder and can play a decent center field.
Negatives: He's injury-prone. His concentration lapses amid negativity leading to off-field questions as to how he'll cope with them. Hamilton's substance abuse problems and known incidences of drinking since supposedly getting clean raise massive red flags. At age 32, his body has been abused for extended periods making it reasonable to wonder when his physical decline will begin and if it's going to be earlier than it would be with other players.
What he wants: 7-years, $175 million
What he'll get: 4-years, $95 million
Teams that might give it to him: Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers, Mariners, Nationals, Phillies, Dodgers
The Red Sox were said to have serious interest in Hamilton, but that was later played down. Unless they're shut out on every other avenue, the Red Sox are not going to repeat the mistakes they made with players like Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and John Lackey who were not emotionally equipped to handle Boston and the intense pressure and expectations that come along with being a big name free agent signee. That said, with the Blue Jays improvement and a very tough division, they might panic.
The Orioles have the money and a hole in the middle of their lineup. It was at Camden Yards that Hamilton hit 4 homers in one game earlier this year and is a career .370 hitter there. Baltimore is sufficiently less-pressurized than New York, Boston, and Los Angeles that the temptations Hamilton has to face will be limited.
The Rangers and Hamilton have set their winter positions with the Rangers saying they won't go past 3 years and Hamilton wanting 7. There's room for negotiation and if they aren't able to get a Justin Upton, a B.J. Upton, or to improve their offense in another manner, they and Hamilton might agree to re-up.
The Nationals have a ton of money and would be able to make room for Hamilton by moving Mike Morse to first base. The Phillies need an outfield bat desperately, but I would not put the sensitive Hamilton in Philadelphia. The Dodgers don't have room for Hamilton, but with the money they're spending and the willingness of GM Ned Colletti to do anything and everything, they can't be discounted.
Would I sign Hamilton? Yes and no. I would not go over 4 years. If he's so insistent on 5-7 years, I would give 4 guaranteed and want the option to nullify the contract immediately if he fails a drug test or is caught drinking.
The Players Association would never go for it and nor would Hamilton, so reality dictates that he would not sign with me.
Will the team that signs him regret it? If he signs a 3-4 year contract, no. If someone gives him 6-7 years at $150-175 million, they will absolutely regret it.
Prediction: Hamilton will either sign with the Orioles for 6-years or wind up back with the Rangers on a 4-year contract with a reachable incentive to get a 5th and 6th year and legal language giving the Rangers some recourse if he starts using/drinking again.
November 18, 2012 Paul Lebowitz Tagged Adrian Gonzalez, B.J. Upton, Braves, Brewers, Can Josh Hamilton return to the Rangers?, Carl Crawford, Cubs, Danny Herrera, Devil Rays, Dodgers, Edinson Volquez, Giants, How much does Josh Hamilton want?, How much will Josh Hamilton get?, John Lackey, Josh Hamilton, Josh Hamilton age, Josh Hamilton agent, Josh Hamilton alcohol, Josh Hamilton contract, Josh Hamilton draft, Josh Hamilton drugs, Josh Hamilton height, Josh Hamilton negatives, Josh Hamilton positives, Josh Hamilton substance abuse, Josh Hamilton transactions, Josh Hamilton weight, Justin Upton, mariners, Michael Moye, Mike Morse, Nationals, Nats, Orioles, Phillies, Prediction of where Josh Hamilton signs, Rangers, Red Sox, Reds, Royals, Texas Rangers, White Sox, Who will sign Josh Hamilton?	Leave a comment
2012 MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winners
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Here are my picks for the Rookie of the Year in each league along with who I picked in the preseason.
1. Mike Trout, CF—Los Angeles Angels
Many say Trout should be the MVP over Miguel Cabrera even though Cabrera won the Triple Crown, so how could he not be the Rookie of the Year?
Trout was recalled by the Angels at the end of April in a "save us" move as they started the season at 6-14 and were on the verge of panic. At age 20, he did everything possible to save the season with 30 homers, 49 stolen bases, a league leading OPS+ of 171, and Gold Glove defense in center field. He may not win the MVP—in fact, I think he won't—but he's Rookie of the Year.
2. Yoenis Cespedes, OF—Oakland Athletics
Cespedes was a risky signing for the Athletics and many, myself included, wondered what Billy Beane was thinking about. Cespedes started the season looking raw and unschooled; he was also frequently injured. Talent won out, however, and he hit 23 homers, stole 16 bases, with an .861 OPS.
3. Yu Darvish, RHP—Texas Rangers
Darvish shoved it to everyone who dismissed him under the absurd logic that he was from Japan and because Daisuke Matsuzaka was a disaster, that Darvish would be a disaster as well.
Darvish went 16-9, struck out 221 in 191 innings and showed dominating potential.
4. Ryan Cook, RHP—Oakland Athletics
Cook took over as closer when Grant Balfour slumped. Balfour eventually retook the role, but without Cook, the A's wouldn't have made the playoffs. He posted a 2.09 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 73 innings and made the All-Star team.
5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B—Boston Red Sox
His season was cut short by a broken wrist in August, but he entered a toxic atmosphere and replaced a former star player Kevin Youkilis, performing well enough to spark Youkilis's trade to the White Sox. Middlebrooks hit 15 homers in 286 plate appearances.
My preseason pick was Jesus Montero of the Seattle Mariners. He hit 15 homers, but struggled for extended periods.
1. Bryce Harper, OF—Washington Nationals
The key for Harper wasn't whether he could play at the big league level at 19—he probably could've held his own at 17—but if he would act like the spoiled, loudmouthed brat he was in the minors and engender vitriol not around the league (that was unavoidable), but in his own clubhouse.
He behaved with an impressive maturity for the most part aside from the usual bits of stupidity like nearly hitting himself in the eye with his bat during a runway tantrum, and did most of his talking on the field. He had 22 homers, 18 stolen bases, and an .817 OPS. His humiliation of Cole Hamels by stealing home after Hamels intentionally hit him was a thing of beauty.
2. Norichika Aoki, OF—Milwaukee Brewers
Very quietly, the 30-year-old Aoki had a solid all-around season. He played very good defense in right field; had a slash line of .288/.355/.433 with 10 homers, 37 doubles, and 30 stolen bases.
3. Wade Miley, LHP—Arizona Diamondbacks
With the injury to Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy falling back from his work in 2011, Miley saved the Diamondbacks from a season under .500. Miley began the season in the bullpen, but made the All-Star team as a starter and won 16 games with a 3.33 ERA and only 37 walks and 14 homers allowed in 194 innings.
4. Todd Frazier, INF—Cincinnati Reds
Scott Rolen missed a chunk of the season with his usual injuries and Joey Votto was out with knee surgery, but the Reds didn't miss a beat on the way to 97 wins and the NL Central title in part because of Frazier's power and production as a utility player. He hit 19 homers and had an .829 OPS in 465 plate appearances.
5. Lucas Harrell, RHP—Houston Astros
Somehow Harrell managed to finish with an 11-11 record, and a 3.76 ERA for an Astros team that lost 107 games and by August resembled a Double A team with all the gutting trades they made during the season.
My preseason pick was Yonder Alonso of the Padres. He had a good season with 39 doubles, 9 homers, and a .741 OPS. He would've wound up around 6th or 7th on my list.
November 10, 2012 Paul Lebowitz Tagged AL Rookie of the Year, Angels, Angels record without Mike Trout, Arizona Diamondbacks, Athletics, Billy Beane, Boston Red Sox, Brewers, Bryce Harper, Bryce Harper Rookie of the Year, Cincinnati Reds, Cole Hamels, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks, Grant Balfour, Ian Kennedy, Jesus Montero, Joey Votto, Kevin Youkilis, Los Angeles Angels, mariners, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Mike Trout MVP, Mike Trout Rookie of the Year, Milwaukee Brewers, MVP, Nationals, NL Rookie of the Year, Norichika Aoki, Norichika Aoki stats, Oakland Athletics, Rangers, Reds, Rookie of the Year, Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook A's, Ryan Cook All Star, Scott Rolen, seattle mariners, Texas Rangers, Todd Frazier, Wade Miley, Washington Nationals, Will Middlebrooks, Will Middlebrooks Red Sox, Yoenis Cespedes, Yoenis Cespedes stats, Yu Darvish, Yu Darvish stats	Leave a comment
Managers Traded For Players
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To the best of my research, managers have been traded six times in baseball history. It wasn't always player for manager and the criticism the Red Sox are receiving for trading infielder Mike Aviles for righty pitcher David Carpenter and the rights to speak to John Farrell is stereotypical and silly. With it only having happened six times, it's not a large enough sample size to say it's not going to work. Also, history has proven that if a manager doesn't work out in other spots, he might in another. Casey Stengel had one winning season (and that was only 2 games over .500) in nine years as a manager with the Braves and Dodgers before going down to the minor leagues between 1944 and 1948 where he had success he'd never had in the big leagues. The Yankees hired him in 1949 and he won 7 championships and 10 pennants in 12 years.
Here are the manager trades.
Jimmy Dykes for Joe Gordon—August 3, 1960
The genesis of this trade was originally a joke between Tigers' GM Bill DeWitt and Indians' GM Frank Lane, but as their teams faded they basically said, "Why not?"
Gordon was managing the Indians and Dykes the Tigers when they were traded for one another. Dykes was 63 when the trade was made and had never finished higher than third place while managing the White Sox, Athletics, Orioles, Reds, and Tigers. At the time of the trade, the Tigers record was 44-52 and they were in sixth place in the American League. Gordon's Indians were 49-46 and in fourth place.
Interestingly, Dykes was the second Philadelphia Athletics manager in their history after Connie Mack was running things from 1901-1950.
Gordon has been popping up as a background performer in other dramas recently. As the debate regarding the American League MVP between Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout reached a critical mass in the waning days of the regular season, Cabrera's Triple Crown was a point of contention as it was stacked up against Trout's higher WAR, superior defense, and perceived overall larger contribution. The Hall of Famer Gordon won the MVP in 1942 while playing for the Yankees over Ted Williams even though Williams won the Triple Crown. You can read about that and other MVP/Triple Crown controversies here.
Gordon had a contract to manage the Tigers for 1961, but asked for his release and it was granted so he could take over the Kansas City A's where his former GM with the Indians, Lane, was the new GM under the A's new owner Charlie Finley.
Do you need a family tree yet?
Gordon had a contract with the A's through 1962, but was fired with the team at 26-33. He was replaced by Hank Bauer. This was long before anyone knew who or what Finley was. Gordon was only 46 at the time of his firing by the A's, but only managed again in 1969 with the expansion Kansas City Royals. (Finley had moved the A's to Oakland in 1968.) Gordon's 1969 Royals went 69-93 and he stepped down after the season. On that 1969 Royals team was a hotheaded 25-year-old who won Rookie of the Year and was, as a manager, traded for a player—Lou Piniella.
Now you do need a family tree.
Dykes managed the Indians in 1961. They finished in fifth place with a 78-83 record and that was his last season, at age 64, as a big league manager.
Gil Hodges for Bill Denehy and $100,000
The Mets traded the right handed pitcher Denehy to the Senators for the rights to their manager Hodges. Hodges was a New York legend from his days with the Dodgers and, despite his poor record with the Senators (321-444), they had improved incrementally under his watch. The most important quality Hodges had was that the players were afraid of him and he didn't take a load of crap. That they had a bushel of young pitching including Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Nolan Ryan helped as well. That not taking crap facet might help Farrell with the Red Sox if they have the talent to contend—and right now, they don't.
Chuck Tanner for Manny Sanguillen, November 5, 1976
Here was Charlie Finley again, still owner of the A's, but with three World Series wins in his pocket and free agency and housecleaning trades decimating his team of Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter and in the future Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, and others. Finley wasn't kind to his managers, but he won anyway. When the Yankees tried to hire Dick Williams while Williams was under contract after having resigned from the A's after the 1973 World Series win, Finley demanded the Yankees top prospects Otto Velez and Scott McGregor. The Yankees hired Bill Virdon instead and then Billy Martin. George Steinbrenner always used his friendly relationship with Williams as a weapon to torment Martin.
I find fascinating the way perceptions cloud reality. Finley was thought to be ruthless and borderline cruel with the way he treated his managers, but he was also a brilliant and innovative marketer who's rarely gotten the credit for being the shrewd judge of baseball talent he was. On the other hand, an executive like Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils hockey club has made (by my count) 19 coaching changes in his 25 years with the team. Several of the changes have been recycle jobs of bringing back men he'd fired or who'd stepped down; twice he changed coaches right before the playoffs started and replaced them with…Lou Lamoriello. Because he's won three Stanley Cups and lost in the Finals two other times, he's gotten away with it.
The Tanner trade came about because the Pirates needed someone to take over for longtime Pirates' manager Danny Murtaugh and Tanner had a reputation for being relentlessly positive, well-liked, and solid strategically. He was also said to be strong as an ox so if a player did mess with him, it was a mistake.
Tanner was an inspired hire because that Pirates' team had strong clubhouse personalities Willie Stargell and Dave Parker and the last thing they needed was for a new manager to come storming in and throwing things. Tanner and the Pirates won the World Series in 1979. The team came apart under Tanner's watch, but they got old and had little talent to speak of until the end of his tenure in 1985. He was replaced by Jim Leyland.
Sanguillen still threw well from behind the plate at age 33 and spent one season with the A's, playing serviceably, before being dealt back to the Pirates prior to the 1978 season.
Lou Piniella and Antonio Perez for Randy Winn—October 28, 2002
Like the David Carpenter for Aviles trade by the Red Sox (or the Chris Carpenter for the rights for Theo Epstein—what is it with players named Carpenter and the Red Sox?), the players were secondary to the rights to speak to and hire the still-under-contract managers. Piniella had resigned as the Mariners' manager after ten successful years and want to go to the Mets who had just fired Bobby Valentine. This is more family tree fodder since Valentine was the consolation hire the Red Sox made a year ago after failing to acquiesce to the Blue Jays' demands to speak to Farrell. It didn't work out.
The Mets were in disarray, GM Steve Phillips absolutely did not want Piniella for the same reasons Yankees' GM Brian Cashman didn't want Piniella when it was rumored he was going to replace Joe Torre after 2006—he would be uncontrollable.
It was said by the likes of Peter Gammons that the Piniella to the Mets deal would eventually get done. Of course it was nonsense. The Mariners were annoyed at Piniella and weren't going to reward him with going to his location of choice unless they were heavily compensated. They asked the Mets for Jose Reyes knowing the Mets would say no. The Mets hired Art Howe instead.
Piniella had nowhere to go aside from the Devil Rays and, while in retrospect, he should've sat out a year and waited for his contract to expire, he wanted to manage and the opportunity to be close to his home appealed to him regardless of the state of the Devil Rays. Promises were made that the team would spend money and Piniella—unlike Farrell—had the cachet to squawk publicly about it when the promise was reneged upon. Owner Vince Naimoli hoped the fans would come out to see a manager manage in spite of the players and, of course, they didn't. For Piniella's rights and journeyman infielder Antonio Perez, they traded their best player at the time, Winn. Winn had a solid big league career and the Devil Rays would've been better off trading him for players rather than a manager, but judging by how the team was run at the time, they wouldn't have accrued much more value from the players they would've gotten than they did from Piniella. Maybe they sold a few extra seats because Piniella was there, so what's the difference?
Piniella spent three years there losing over 90 games in each before leaving. He took over the Cubs in 2007.
Ozzie Guillen and Ricardo Andres for Jhan Marinez and Osvaldo Martinez
The Marlins had their eye on Guillen going back years. He was a coach on their 2003 World Series winning team and had won a title of his own with the White Sox in 2005. Looking to bring a Spanish-speaking, "name" manager to buttress their winter 2011-2012 spending spree and fill their beautiful new ballpark, Guillen was still under contract with the White Sox. But the White Sox had had enough of Guillen's antics and wanted him gone. The Marlins traded Martinez and Marinez to the White Sox to get Guillen and signed him to a 4-year contract.
The Marlins were a top-to-bottom disaster due in no small part to Guillen immediately drawing the ire of a large portion of the Marlins' hoped-for fanbase by proclaiming his love for Fidel Castro. Guillen was suspended as manager by the club. That can't be blamed for the Marlins' atrocious season. They played brilliantly in May after the incident, but incrementally came apart amid infighting and poor performance.
It's been rumored that Guillen might be fired, but if the Marlins were going to do it, they would've done it already. Trading Heath Bell—one of Guillen's main agitators in the clubhouse—is a signal that Guillen will at least get a chance to start the 2013 season with a different cast of players. Since it's Guillen, he's absolutely going to say something stupid sooner rather than later and force owner Jeffrey Loria to fire him.
Free from Guillen's lunacy and with a new, laid-back manager Robin Ventura, the White Sox overachieved and were in contention for the AL Central title before a late-season swoon did them in.
I discussed the Farrell deal yesterday here. He's who the Red Sox wanted, he's who the Red Sox got. Surrendering Aviles isn't insignificant, but everyone in Boston appears to be on the same page when it comes to the manager.
Whether it works or not will have no connection to the past deals of this kind and if a team wants a particular person to manage their team, it's their right to make a trade to get it done. Criticizing the Red Sox on anyone else for the hire itself is fine, but for the steps they took to do it? No. Because Farrell is the man they wanted and now he's the man they got. For better or worse.
October 22, 2012 Paul Lebowitz Tagged Antonio Perez, Art Howe. Brian Cashman, Athletics, Bill Denehy, Bill DeWitt, Bill Virdon, Billy Martin, Blue Jays, Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox, Casey Stengel, Casey Stengel Yankees record, Catfish Hunter, Charlie Finley, Chris Carpenter, Chuck Tanner, Cleveland Indians, Connie Mack, Danny Murtaugh, Dave Parker, David Carpenter, Detroit Tigers, Devil Rays, Dick Williams, Fidel Castro, Fidel Castro Ozzie Guillen, Frank Lane, George Steinbrenner, Gil Hodges, Gil Hodges manager traded, Hank Bauer, Heath Bell, Heath Bell trade, Historical managers traded for players MLB, How many coaching changes has Lou Lamoriello made?, Indians, Jeffrey Loria, Jerry Koosman, Jhan Marinez, Jim Leyland, Jimmy Dykes, Joe Gordon, Joe Rudi, Joe Torre, John Farrell, Jose Reyes, Kansas City A's, Kansas City Athletics, Lou Lamoriello, Lou Piniella, Lou Piniella traded to Devil Rays, Managers trade for each other, Managers traded, Managers traded for players, Manny Sanguillen, mariners, Marlins, Mets, Miami Marlins, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Aviles, Mike Trout, New Jersey Devils, New York Mets, New York Yankees, NHL, Nolan Ryan, Orioles, Osvaldo Martinez, Otto Velez, Ozzie Guillen, Ozzie Guillen contract, Peter Gammons, Philadelphia A's, Philadelphia Athletics, Pirates, Randy Winn, Red Sox, Reds, Reggie Jackson, Results of managers traded for players MLB, Ricardo Andres, Robin Ventura, Royals, Scott McGregor, seattle mariners, Senators, Steve Phillips, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Theo Epstein, Tigers, Tom Seaver, Toronto Blue Jays, Triple Crown MVP, Vida Blue, Washington Senators, White Sox, Will Ozzie Guillen be fired?, Willie Stargell, Yankees	Leave a comment
2012 MLB Award Picks—Cy Young Award
All Star Game, Ballparks, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, Hall Of Fame, History, Hot Stove, Management, Media, MiLB, MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Waiver Trades, MVP, Paul Lebowitz's 2012 Baseball Guide, PEDs, Players, Playoffs, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats, Trade Rumors, Umpires, World Series
Let's look at the award winners for 2012 starting with the Cy Young Award with my 2012 picks, who I picked in the preseason, and who I actually think is going to win regardless of who should win.
1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
Verlander won the Cy Young Award and the MVP in 2011. His numbers in 2012 weren't as dominating as they were in 2011 and the Tigers had a better team in 2012, so he's not an MVP candidate this season, but he still did enough to outdo the competition for the CYA.
Verlander led the American League in innings pitched, strikeouts, complete games, and was at or near the top in advanced stats such as Adjusted ERA+ and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
The WAR argument is a factor, but not the factor to set the stage for the MVP analysis between Miguel Cabrera and Mike Trout.
2. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
Price led the AL in ERA and wins, but was far behind Verlander in innings pitched and strikeouts.
3. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
If he hadn't had two terrible games in September in which he allowed 7 earned runs in each, he would've been higher. In addition to those games, he allowed 6 earned runs in two other games; and 5 earned runs in three others. He was pitching for a bad team that couldn't hit, pitched a perfect game, and threw 5 shutouts.
4. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
Had he not gotten injured and missed three starts, the Angels might've made the playoffs. It wouldn't have won him the award unless he'd thrown three shutouts, but he'd have had a better shot. He won 20 games and was third in ERA, but only logged 188 innings.
5. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
In his first year as a starter, it was Sale's smooth transition to the rotation that led the White Sox to surprising contention.
My preseason pick was Price.
The winner will be Verlander.
1. R.A. Dickey, New York Mets
Which will win out? The story of Dickey and how he rose from a first round draft pick whose contract was yanked from under him because his elbow didn't have an ulnar collateral ligament, then to a 4-A journeyman, then to a knuckleballer, then to a sensation? Or will the fact that he is a knuckleballer and the perception of him using a trick pitch sway some voters away from his numbers to the concept of giving the award to a "real" pitcher (as ridiculous as that is).
When Jim Bouton was making a comeback as a knuckleballer in 1978, he pitched well against the Reds of Joe Morgan, Pete Rose and Johnny Bench. The Reds quantified their inability to hit Bouton with head shakes at how slow his offerings were. Bouton's friend Johnny Sain said something to the tune of, "You've discovered a new way to assess a pitcher's performance—go and ask the opponent what they thought."
How Dickey did it and debiting him for using a "trick pitch" is like refusing to give Gaylord Perry the Cy Young Award or Hall of Fame induction because he admittedly threw a spitball. Everyone knew it and he got away with it. It's the same thing with Dickey except he's not cheating.
Dickey won 20 games for a bad team and led the National League in strikeouts, innings pitched, complete games, and shutouts.
2. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
I wouldn't argue if Kershaw won the award. You can flip him and Dickey and both are viable candidates.
Kershaw led the NL in WAR for pitchers, was second in adjusted ERA+, led the league in ERA, was second in innings pitched and strikeouts. He was also pitching late in the season with a hip impingement injury that was initially thought to need surgery. (He won't need the surgery.)
3. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
I am not punishing a great pitcher for being a closer. Saying he's not a starter is similar to saying that a player like Derek Jeter isn't a great player because he never hit the home runs that Alex Rodriguez hit. He's not a slugger. That's not what he does. It's the same thing with Kimbrel and Mariano Rivera. Make them into a starter, and it won't work. But they're great closers.
Hitters are overmatched against Kimbrel. And yes, I'm aware you can make the same argument for Aroldis Chapman, but Chapman's ERA was half-a-run higher than Kimbrel's, but Kimbrel's ERA+ was 399 compared to Chapman's 282. For comparison, Rivera's highest ERA+ in his career is 316; Eric Gagne won the 2003 NL CYA with an ERA+ of 337.
4. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
Cueto was second in WAR (just ahead of Dickey), third in ERA, first in adjusted ERA+, and third in wins.
5. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Gonzalez won 21 games, but didn't pitch 200 innings. He has a Bob Welch thing going on. Welch won 27 games in 1990 and won the Cy Young Award in the American League, but Dave Stewart had a far better year than Welch and Roger Clemens was better than both. Welch was the beneficiary of pitching for a great team with a great bullpen. Clemens was second, Stewart third. Dennis Eckersley had an ERA+ of 603 (that's not a mistake) and walked 4 hitters (1 intentionally) in 73 innings that season. Welch had a good year, but it's not as flashy as it looked when delving deeper into the truth. This is comparable to Gonzalez's predicament.
My preseason pick was Tim Lincecum.
Kimbrel is going to win on points as Dickey, Gonzalez, and Kershaw split the vote among starters. I see some writers punishing Dickey for being a knuckleballer due to some silly self-enacted "rules" or biases just as George King of the New York Post deprived Pedro Martinez of a deserved MVP in 1999—link.
October 12, 2012 Paul Lebowitz Tagged AL Cy Young, Alex Rodriguez, Aroldis Chapman, Award Picks MLB, Award Picks MLB 2012, Bob Welch, Chris Sale, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Craig Kimbrel Cy Young Award, Cy Young Award, Dave Stewart, David Price, Dennis Eckersley, Derek Jeter, Dodgers, Eric Gagne, Felix Hernandez, Gaylord Perry, George King, George King Pedro Martinez MVP, Gio Gonzalez, Jered Weaver, Jim Bouton, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Johnny Cueto, Johnny Sain, Justin Verlander, Mariano Rivera, Mets, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, NL Cy Young, Pedro Martinez, Pete Rose, RA Dickey, RA Dickey Cy Young Award, Reds, Roger Clemens, Tigers, Tim Lincecum	Leave a comment


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children movies
Movie review: The BFG
Welcome to another summer movie review. I'm running out of ways to greet you and introduce the posts, so without further ado, let's talk about The BFG – The Big Friendly Giant.
IMDb summary: A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.
I would say that The BFG belongs to the live action fairytale genre, which is so popular nowadays and especially this summer (we already had The Huntsman, Alice 2, The Jungle Book and Tarzan comes out next week). However, The BFG differs from all of them in that it is a somewhat original film – it is not a sequel or a remake of an animated picture, but the first-time big screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's book with the same name. Dahl is a famous author who has created such stories as James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda among others.
Spielberg's filmography and similar films
Back in the 80s, Spielberg made a career for himself, crafting beautiful family films about children who befriend unique creatures. Of course, I'm talking about E.T. (interestingly, E.T. and The BFG share a screenwriter – Melissa Mathison, who, sadly, had recently passed away). However, in the past 5 years, Spielberg have focused on serious historical dramas, like War Horse, Lincoln, and Bridge of Spies, so The BFG is kinda his comeback to the family fantasy genre. Another well-known director, who has also recently tried to transition from the awards contenders to family films, is Martin Scorcese, who made the child-appropriate Hugo in 2011. The BFG also reminded me a bit of Peter Pan films (the good ones) and it also had a slight Harry Potter-like feeling.
Writing: the narrative
The BFG's story was okay. It portrayed a lead peaceful 'monster' in Spielberg's fashion. It had nice things to say about friendship and growing up and also had a strong anti-bullying and standing up for yourself type of a message. The two faults I had with the story were: 1. the pace – the set up was really long and there wasn't really any buildup: the film dragged on and the final resolution was also kinda disappointing – I did not see the need to involve The Queen – those sequences came out of nowhere and just seemed so bloody British; 2. the jokes – The BFG relied on slapstick humour and fart jokes – I really wish they would have come up with cleverer comic relief, like Zootopia did. In general, I felt that The BFG was not a family but solely a kids movie and not a very good one. It lacked sophistication for adults and didn't have enough 'adventure' for the younger viewers. However, I do believe that this film could do great on TV in like 5 years time – I can definitely see people watching it at home during Christmas or something.
Directing: the visuals + the music
The CGI and the motion capture work on The BFG were both stellar. My favorite visuals were the dreamland and that tree – that whole physical manifestation of dreams was a cool idea and was realized nicely. The eye to sun transition was also a great and memorable shot. The BFG's score by the great John Williams was breathtaking, heartfelt and suspenseful. He is the greatest score composer and his work will forever live on.
Mark Rylance as The BFG was really good. This was Rylance's second collaboration with Spielberg – last year Spielberg directed Rylance into an Oscar-winning performance. His manners were really appropriate for the role – gentle yet steel giant like. His look was also on-point: Rylance looks like a really loving grandpa, so The BFG's role was perfect for him. Next year, Rylance will be in Nolan's Dunkirk and a year after that he will collaborate with Spielberg once again on Ready Player One
Ruby Barnhill as Sophie was a really good child lead. I think that this young lady has a bright future and a long career ahead of her.
Penelope Wilton as The Queen. While I did not understand the need to include The Queen into this story, I was happy that Wilton was the one to portray her. I'm happy to see her getting more work since Downton Abbey has ended.
Jemaine Clement as The Fleshlumpeater – the main antagonist. Clement was okay: his look was pretty scary and ugly and his performance brought this flesh-eater to life in a believable way.
In short, I expected more from Spielberg. I hoped that he would create another family-friendly classic, which would satisfy both the adults and the children, however, I do think that anyone above the age of 11 will find The BFG kinda boring.
Trailer: The BFG trailer
July 1, 2016 July 1, 2016 Lou Tagged alice 2, alice in wonderland, alice through the looking glass, aliens, bfg, bfg big friendly giant, bfg review, BGF review, big friendly giant, bridge of spies, charlie and the chocolate factory, children, children movies, close encounters of the third kind, directing, director, downton abbey, dunkirk, e.t, et, fairytale, family film, fart jokes, film, film review, film reviews, filming, films, giants, harry potter, hugo, humour, independant film, james and the giant peach, jaws, jemaine clment, john williams, Jurassic park, kids, kids movie, lincoln, live action, mark rylance, martin scorcese, matilda, melissa mathison, motion picture, movie, movie film, movie preview, movie review, movie reviews, movies, music, nolan, penelope wilton, peter pan, ready player one, review, roald dahl, ruby barnhill, score, star wars, star wars the force awakens, steven spielberg, tarzan, the bfg, the bfg review, the bfg the big friendly giant, the big friendly giant, the huntsman, the jungle book, the queen, war horse, winter's war, writing, zootopia	9 Comments

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Today, we had our first meetup of the year at Fork & Bottle in Zurich. Once a month we meet up and this time we met over brunch. It was great to see so many new faces and we had very inspiring conversations about topics that we have close at heart.
"It's time to think BIG and start sharing your ideas"
Why are Aspire Meetups important? We want to offer a break from your day-to-day job, your startup work, studies, family life, you name it. We hope that our meetups will bring you something different, something new and maybe even unexpected. One of our aims is to provide an opportunity to meet a new circle of people. It is a great success for us to see people feeling inspired and maybe even a bit braver when they leave.
Big thanks to all of you joining us today and we hope to see you soon again!
Next weekend Dhruv and Sofia from the Aspire team will be at the StartUp Camp Saturday, January 6th, in Basel. The event is for free and there are still some seats open so why not sign-up?
Follow us @aspiremeco to stay tuned for our next meetup event.


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New York Islanders Trades That Built 2018-19 Roster
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: (l-r) Mathew Barzal #13, Anthony Beauvillier #72, Jordan Eberle #7 and Dennis Seidenberg #4 of the New York Islanders celebrate a first period goal by Beauvillier at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 03: Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders scores his second goal of the game at 9:53 of the third period against the Dallas Stars at the Barclays Center on January 3, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Stars 6-5. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
Cal Clutterbuck
At the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders selected, with the fifth overall pick Swiss-born Nino Niederreiter. From there the New York Islanders went about their way to make Nino's stay with the team so terrible that three years in from drafting him he requested a trade.
How does that happen?
In his first post-draft year Nino was sent back to the WHL to develop. Nothing abnormal about that. Teams do it all the time. It's rare that a player goes from the draft to the NHL and stays. But in the WHL he dominated with 70 points in 55 games. Keep that in mind.
The next season the Islanders put him on the fourth line with Marty Reasoner and Jay Pandolfo. Remember that 70 points in 55 games, Nino was an offensive talent but was made to play ten or so minutes a night with a shut-down line in order to learn the defensive side of the game.
Sounds familiar right? Nino managed a single goal in 55 games that year.
The year after that, 2012-13, Nino was sent to play with Bridgeport while the NHL sorted out that lockout situation. When the lockout ended Nino wasn't invited to play with the Islanders. Nino put up 50 points in 74 AHL games that season.
That's when he asked for a trade. Clearly, he wasn't valued by the organization, better that he go somewhere where he can be appreciated. The Minnesota Wild took him and sent back Cal Clutterbuck and a third-round pick.
Three Players the Isles Need to Trade. Next
Niederreiter has put up 205 points in 452 games for the Wild, including a 57 point season. Cal has returned 96 points in 368 games for the New York Islanders. Clearly, the Isles lost on this deal, and it was their own fault.


When we showed up at Mimi's Cafe in Orem last week for breakfast, I was super impressed with how well they cater to kids. This place made it easy to have a toddler in tow...my kind of place!
After we sat down, they promptly brought over an "entertainment plate" as they called it, filled with crackers, cheerios, an orange slice, a moist towelette, a bib, crayons, and a coloring page. They asked if they could get her some milk or juice before they did anything else.
I got the Monterrey Omelet. Delicious. Lily loved it too. Between the omelet, muffin, juice, and potatoes there was plenty to share with my little one who doesn't eat much anyway. I love breakfasts at Mimi's Cafe - it is one of my favorite places to go!
Thank you Mimi's Cafe in Orem for making it so easy on me with a kid, and for having such delicious food! I will definitely be coming back again soon.
If you are visiting Mimi's at a busy time of the week, call ahead when you are on your way and we'll add you to the waiting list.
Fine print: I was in no way compensated for the review of this restaurant. All opinions posted are 100% mine.


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Survival of the Prettiest
Charles Darwin once said he was "sickened" by the sight of a peacock's tail; its impressive length was contrary to evolutionary fitness. Then he had an idea.
mlrstaff's blog
A Blade So Black
By L.L. McKinney
dlmstaff's blog
My favourite children's book of 2018 is...
Hedgehog Needs a Hug, written and illustrated by Jen Betton. Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the dumps and he knows that a hug is what he needs to turn his day around.
khstaff's blog
Domestically Wild
You don't need to camp out in the Ozarks. The phrase "The Wild" may suggest some forbidding place far distant, but, in fact, most wildlife lives in our backyards.
Tackling Walmart
Do buying habits matter? Shopping for Change shows what is politically possible - and, perhaps, impossible - for consumers to achieve.
Kilts Optional
Looking for a wind-swept coastal vista to recharge your Highland batteries? Or a festival of culture to soothe the Celtic soul? Fodor's Travel may have the answer.
Why is Canada's biggest city absorbed by a hockey team that has not won in 50 years? Toronto and the Maple Leafs tries to answer a baffling, perennial question.
Vintage BBC
Looking for that lost Norman Rockwell? You're not alone. For forty years, Antiques Roadshow, one of the Britain's most beloved TV shows, has inspired viewers to check their attics.
Nashville, Ontario
Before Johnny and June got engaged at the London Ice House, there was Johnny and Saul. The Man Who Carried Cash tells the volatile story of Johnny Cash and his manager, Londoner Saul Holiff.
Irish Cuisine 2018
In The New Irish Table, ten award-winning Irish chefs highlight fresh, local, and seasonal food. Just in time for March 17.


The jewel in the crown of the Erzbergrodeo weekend's proceedings is the Red Bull Hare Scramble.
Feel the burn with the runners of Red Bull 400 as we look back on the hugely successful 2018 season.
After another decorated season, Marcel Hirscher looks ahead to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup finals in Andorra.
Follow Red Bull Cliff Diving star Rhiannan Iffland as she attends a pre-season training camp in China.
See Mark McMorris at his most vulnerable and resilient as he battles to get back on his board.
Part art project, part practical transport, part mad scientist hobby, tall bikes just might save the world!
Take a look at how four South African trailblazers are creating a better world for others.


This name is perfect for a consultant that helps home based Business owners succeed. Alternatively, this would make a great magazine title.
Competative: advertisers pay up to $2.24 per click to advertise for home based business.


The Best 1,115 Apps for "Identifying Songs" in Music & Audio, reviewed and ranked for you from over 6 million apps, in 600 categories.
First, we ran a broad search across our database of 7 million apps to identify apps with "Identifying Songs" feature. We obtained 1,115 apps as candidates.
We then selected the highest quality apps from the 1,115 apps listed. We compared the number of stars, downloads, and reviews along with the velocity of these apps to create a list of the Best 1,115 Apps for "Identifying Songs" in Music & Audio for both Android & iOS.
1,115 Apps & Games Related to "Identifying Songs"


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You are here: Home / Entertainment / Celebrities / This is Incredible! I'm going to Disneyland & Interviewing The Incredibles 2!
This is Incredible! I'm going to Disneyland & Interviewing The Incredibles 2!
Yo. Disney's hooking me up with a trip to Cali to cover the #Incredibles2Event
So I won an Iris Award, what am I gonna do next?!
Uh, I'm going to DISNEYLAND!
But I'm also going to get to interview the infamous cast of Incredibles 2, including Samuel L. "Go the F**K to Sleep" Jackson!
And of course Craig T. Nelson (Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible), whom I've been in love with since "Coach" which I used to watch with my grandparents. He'll be paired up with Holly Hunter (Mrs. Parr/Elastigirl). I can't wait to show her that they modeled Elastigirl after me – you know, small waist, big butt, ridiculous flexibility.
We will also be interviewing Sophia Bush (Voyd) whose philanthropic work inspires me, Sarah Vowell (Violet Parr) & Huck Millner (Dash Parr), and Bob Odenkirk (Winston Dever) & Catherine Keener (Evelyn Dever)
We don't get to interview director, Brad Bird (Edna Mode) but I had the opportunity to interview him at Pixar Studios, and that interview goes live on Monday!
I'm also really excited to see Domee Shi and Becky Neiman again who are the director and producer for the short film, "Bao". I met them in San Fransisco during the Pixar event I went to. "Bao" is my favorite short EVER. Not just because the animation is so sweet, but because the story is so relevant to my life right now as a mom to a teenage son. Domee's story brought me to tears and I can't wait to hold Styles' hand when we watch it together for the first time.
MY LI'L DUMPLING – In Disney•Pixar's all-new short "Bao," an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty-nest syndrome welcomes another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Her newfound happiness is short-lived however, as she soon realizes that nothing stays cute and small forever, and even dumplings grow up. Directed by Domee Shi, "Bao" opens in theaters on June 15, 2018, in front of "Incredibles 2." ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
For all the up to the minute information during the interviews, follow along with #Incredibles2Event
A New Disney Channel Animated Comedy Series!
Follow along using #BigCityGreens #Incredibles2Event
BIG CITY GREENS – "Space Chicken" (Disney Channel)
TILLY GREEN, CRICKET GREEN, BILL GREEN, GRAMMA GREEN
Our family is still head over beaks for Duck Tales, but Disney Channel is releasing a new comedy series called "Big City Greens" that we will get to screen.
"Big City Greens" follows the offbeat adventures of 10-year-old Cricket Green, a mischievous and optimistic country boy who moves to the big city with his wildly out of place family – older sister Tilly, dad Bill and Gramma Alice. Cricket's curiosity and enthusiasm leads his family on epic journeys and into the hearts of his new neighbors.
Does it kinda sound like the Beverly Hillbillies but in cartoon form to you? It does to me.
CRICKET CREEN
We will have the opportunity to have a Q&A with the creators, brothers Chris and Shane Houghton ("Harvey Beaks"), who also serve as executive producers alongside Emmy Award-winning Rob Renzetti from "Gravity Falls".
TILLY GREEN, CRICKET GREEN
The most EXITING THING
…will be hanging out with friends at Disneyland checking out all of the fun things to do during PixarFest at Disneyland. I fully intend on going on a Churro spree, and I might find time to taste test The Carl which is a fried bologna sandwich. I'd also really like to eat the yellow snow.
If you don't understand that reference, you need to go watch Monsters, Inc. and don't talk to me again until you do.
Follow along with THAT madness using #Incredibles2Event, #Disneyland and #PixarFest
Incredibles 2 hits theaters on June 15th!
An Open Letter to my Son in College
Previous Post: « Pixie Dust, Crocodiles, & Pirates – OH MY! A Look at Peter Pan art from the Disney Animation Research Library
Next Post: Is Mr. Incredible an Incredible Stay at Home Dad? What Took So Long? Director Brad Bird & Producers Tell All! »
INCREDIBLES 2 - Coloring Pages and MORE! | Pink Ninja Blogger says:
[…] DIRTY FLOOR DIARIES […]


He has none of my diffidence. He knows all about these nominees, and if he don't he will let on to in such a natural way as to deceive the most critical. He knows everything--he knows more than Webster's Unabridged and the American Encyclopedia--but whether he knows anything about a subject or not he is perfectly willing to discuss it. When he gets back he will tell you all about these candidates as serenely as if he had been acquainted with them a hundred years, though, speaking confidentially, I doubt if he ever heard of any of them till to-day. I am right well satisfied it is a good, sound, sensible ticket, and a ticket to win; but wait till he comes.
In the mean time I go for George William Curtis and take the chances. MARK TWAIN.
"The men who did that deed are capable of doing any low, sneaking, cowardly villainy that could be invented in perdition. They are the very bastards of the devil."
"If the farmers of Cohocton are of this complexion, what on earth must a Cohocton rough be like?"
But all this happened a long time ago, and we need not detail those various old interests and labors here. It is enough to say that Mark Twain on the Express was what he had been from the beginning, and would be to the end--the zealous champion of justice and liberty; violent and sometimes wrong in his viewpoint, but never less than fearless and sincere. Invariably he was for the oppressed. He had a natural instinct for the right, but, right or wrong, he was for the under dog.
"He was a good man, and a very, very great man. America, lost a son, and all the world a servant, when he died."
Among those early contributions to the Express is a series called "Around the World," an attempt at collaboration with Prof. D. R. Ford, who did the actual traveling, while Mark Twain, writing in the first person, gave the letters his literary stamp. At least some of the contributions were written in this way, such as "Adventures in Hayti," "The Pacific," and "Japan." These letters exist to-day only in the old files of the Express, and indeed this is the case with most of Clemens's work for that paper. It was mainly ephemeral or timely work, and its larger value has disappeared. Here and there is a sentence worth remembering. Of two practical jokers who sent in a marriage notice of persons not even contemplating matrimony, he said: "This deceit has been practised maliciously by a couple of men whose small souls will escape through their pores some day if they do not varnish their hides."
Some of the sketches have been preserved. "Journalism in Tennessee," one of the best of his wilder burlesques, is as enjoyable to-day as when written.


Our very own Elias Hancock (uOttawa/Nepean) was on the 7s development team on tour for the South American Rugby Sevens series.
Please pass this along to your club members through all your social media methods.
The key for this fundraising is to work on the fields and the women's change room.
TWIN ELM is doing a final fundraiser to get our fields and clubhouse in better shape.
If you can donate any amount it will go a long way to building our sustainability. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation!!!
You have until Feb. 2 to donate.
Go to www.sport4ontario.ca, click on "Resources", donate and we are project #115, sponsored by the Ospreys.
Let's keep TERP moving forward!!!
"Capital Strength Training Systems is starting a new 10 week preseason strength and conditioning program for junior level athletes. We invite all U15-U19 rugby players to join! Our high end sports performance facility is home to professional, national, and university level athletes, including NHL players, National team volleyball players, and USport Champion Rugby Players.
See the image below for exact dates and price for the program!
Leading these sessions will be strength coaches Mason Dingwall and Bianca Paiement. Mason is a current member of the Bytown Blues Senior Men's RFC, a former EORU athlete, and a Queens Gael's alumni. Bianca is a member of the Barrhaven Scottish RFC, and a University of Ottawa Gee-Gees alumni.


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Sea Level to Summit Trek in Death Valley National Park
Dates: September-November
Start & Finish: Las Vegas, Nevada
Group Size: 10
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, guided backpacking and camping
Total Miles Covered: 35 miles
Physical Rating: 5/5
Straddling the border between Nevada and California, Death Valley National Park is home to the lowest point in North America, more than 3 million acres of rugged wilderness, and is a world-class hiking destination. With sand dunes, canyons, desert oases, wildlife, and Native American history, Death Valley is a spectacular National Park. It is known for its extreme eco-system and this charity challenge is a match for its unparalleled landscape and history.
The sea level to summit challenge is one of America's most alluring hikes. Starting at the continent's lowest point - Death Valley's Badwater Basin at over 250 feet below sea level - you will ascend straight into the heart of the towering Panamint Range and up its crowning 11,049-ft Telescope Peak. This four-day trek requires climbing over two vertical miles, and culminates in one of the most challenging days on any hike: 11 miles, 4,800 ft of elevation gain, and 3,000 ft of elevation loss. All together, this is sure to be the outdoor adventure of a lifetime and a glimpse into American History as we appreciate the land the Timbisha Shoshone Native Americans preserved, see the land where past Chinese and Basque immigrants settled. We invite you to discover the beauty and complexity of this magnificent land while harnessing its energy for a cause you care deeply about.
Summit the highest peak in Death Valley National Park – Telescope Peak. From the top down to Badwater Basin below (the lowest point in North America) the drop is a dizzying 11,331 feet – higher than the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Enjoy 360 panorama views from the top of California and Nevada. You will gaze for hundreds of miles in any direction!
See every type of Death Valley landscape: blistering salt flats, wind-torn desert, canyons, slot narrows, sloped mountain meadows with desert wildflowers, blooming cacti, and ancient alpine forests.
Challenge your endurance in a desert climate, on steep switchbacks, and while carrying a 30lb pack.
The first day of this challenge will begin with an evening orientation led by your hiking guides to prepare you for the journey ahead. After the orientation, you can delight in a welcome dinner and get to know your hiking companions. Tonight you can enjoy creature comforts in a hotel before your epic backcountry journey begins.
Today is an early start as you depart the hotel at around 5 am to begin the trek. The four-day summit bid will begin with a sunrise drive out of Las Vegas and into the Mojave Desert's vast basin-and-range landscape. After a quick breakfast on the road, you will catch glimpses of your objective—Telescope Peak—peering over two mountain ranges ahead. Upon entering Death Valley National Park, you will be treated to morning views of the Badlands: jagged hills dazzlingly colored by volcanic metals. Once out of the Badlands, you'll have uninterrupted views of Death Valley and the Panamint Range towering above. Take it all in, and celebrate what you are about to begin.
After a quick stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to collect your hiking permit, the trek will begin at Shorty's Well, 250 feet below-sea-level. You'll don your packs and leave the shuttle behind as you hike toward Telescope Peak looming to the west. The first day's route will follow along an old mining road, hand-dug by a kindly, 65-year-old miner, Alexander 'Shorty' Borden. Today's hike will immerse you in a rugged and slanted desert landscape for the first several miles as you steadily gain elevation. You will pass wind-sculpted rock, creosote, and black brush while being treated to ever-growing views of the vast salt-flats and mountains behind you.
Soon after Shorty's Road takes us into Hanaupah Canyon, we'll find some shade for a relaxing lunch. The last two miles up Hanaupah Canyon's south fork will end near the lush oasis of Hanaupah Spring. There, we'll make camp and enjoy a fresh dinner and spring water under the western shadow of the Telescope Peak ridgeline. The day's elevation gain will be significant overall, but the gains during the hike will be steady/moderate, spread over about 8 miles, and not too strenuous.
Today's hike is light, with the distance at the choice of the guides and hikers. You will leave camp set up today, and camp at the same spot that night.
Today will involve exploring Shorty's Camp and the Hanaupah Canyon narrows. Guests have the option to explore further up the canyon's south fork toward Telescope Peak, or along one of Shorty's mining roads. It will be important to hydrate well and not exert too much in preparation of the trek ahead.
The highlights today will include experiencing an old mining camp, a wet riparian environment, delicate waterfalls, and the narrower sections of Hanaupah Canyon. Hope to see some cool wildlife – including waterfowl, deer, bighorn sheep, and lizards. Expect to hike a total of 3-6 miles, depending on the group's energy.
Beginning at dawn, you will pack up camp, eat a hearty breakfast, and top off water before hiking down to the canyon confluence. There, you will leave the trail and begin our ascent in earnest as you crest the massive east-west ridgeline and hike high above the deep forks of Hanaupah Canyon. The views for the remainder of the trip will be absolutely extraordinary. You will steadily enter a forest of juniper and piñon, and occasionally enjoy hiking on flat portions along the ridgeline.
The hike will total around 8 miles. By mid-afternoon, the group will select a flat area for a forest camp and have clear sunset views of Death Valley and the many mountain ranges and basins between you and Las Vegas. You'll have dinner in this twilight glow, surrounded by boundless beauty—and the growing silhouette of Telescope Peak.
Today is the culmination of all of your training, preparation, and hard work – the summit of Telescope Peak. Prepare wake at dark, pack up camp, eat breakfast, and, in true mountaineers' fashion, be hiking before sunrise. You will crunch through slanted fields of pine cones and, as the elevation and slope increase, take a few breaks to catch our breath and drink water. The hardest portion of the hike will culminate at the lower slope of Telescope Peak as the forest opens to a 1.5-mile, seemingly near-vertical mountain meadow of grass and talus. Scattered, centuries-old limber pines will greet us as you hike toward the sky.
Finally, together you will reach the Telescope Peak Trail and encounter millennia-old bristlecone pine trees. With victory in reach, you will drop your packs and hike to the summit of Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet above sea-level and take a moment to enjoy what truly is one of the great hiking feats in America. With spectacular vistas of Mount Charleston above Las Vegas, Death Valley to the east, Panamint Valley to the West, and the fabled Sierra Nevada Range and Mount Whitney. After signing the summit register, you'll retrieve your packs for the last five miles of the trip.
Cold drinks await the group at the pick-up vehicle, which will wind you down the beautiful western slopes of the Panamints. As we cruise east out of Death Valley, we'll stop at the beautiful Mesquite Sand Dunes for one last dinner prepared by the Wildland guides for the group to celebrate and reflect on our adventure before heading back to our lodging in Las Vegas. We will return to Las Vegas well after night fall and spend your last night in a cozy hotel bed.
After breakfast, individuals will depart from Las Vegas Airport to return home and recuperate from and reflect on this incredible feat.
Plan Your Charity Challenge
The most amazing trip! We will never forget and never be the same. And we will be back!
Elevate Destinations was the perfect partner for our adventure and will be planning our future travels. Thanks!
- Leslie Hsu Besner


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Topics Basketball Enes Kanter
Enes Kanter
Former Norfolk State star opts out of Knicks' contract
In an expected move, Knicks reserve center Kyle O'Quinn declined his $4.2 million player option and will become a free agent, a source confirmed.
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Before settling on Bartelstein, O'Quinn was looking for $30 million on his next deal, according to a source. That was seen as steep for a reserve who doesn't shoot 3-pointers and hasn't been on a...
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NBA preview: Western Conference
(in predicted order of finish) 1. Spurs 2013-14: 62-20. Coming: Kyle Anderson. Going: No one of significance. Despite all of their sustained success, the Spurs have never won back-to-back titles. In fact they never had reached the NBA Finals in...
Western Conference preview: Spurs too old to repeat? Nope
Brian Schmitz
Here's our team-by-team preview of the Western Conference. Teams are in predicted order of finish in their divisions. SOUTHWEST DIVISIONSan Antonio Spurs Last Season: 62-20, 1st in Southwest. Defeated Miami to win NBA title. The Buzz: The way the Spurs...
How the NBA's Western Conference will be won
PLAYOFF-BOUND 1. San Antonio 2012-13 finish: 58-24. Coming: Marco Belinelli, Jeff Pendergraph. Going: Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair. Before anyone asks the Spurs to appear en masse on the next episode of "Derek," Ricky Gervais' thoughtful look at...