Saturday, December 29, 2007

Weekend Links

I didn't write a whole lot this Christmas week, and I'm not sure how much will be written during the New Year's week, so I thought I would make a weekend posting. I know not as many people read blogs or even get on a computer at times like this, but for those that do, something new is always good. So for you, here are several links so that you have plenty to read. Although the MLB offices are closed through New Years Day, that doesn't mean nothing is going on. There have been a couple of minor signings. LaTroy Hawkins officially signed with the Yankees. Miguel Olivo signed with the Royals. Here are some more links:

• Last year, the Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team won 10 games. Last night, they beat Nicholls State 77-32 for their tenth win of this season already. Now, you may say that they haven't really played a tough schedule, and you wouldn't be wrong. However, Nicholls State played #1 North Carolina a week ago and only lost 88-78 to them. I am still thinking that the Gophers will win less than six Big 10 games this season, but I am convinced that Tubby Smith will bring credibility to Gophers basketball. Credibility, and incredible defense, and wins!

• Maybe it was a way to take some attention away from the Mitchell Report, but the Jim Leyritz story is incredibly sad and likely will only get worse. Early Friday morning, after 3:00 a.m., Leyritz was driving home from his 44th birthday party in Ft. Lauderdale. He drove through a red light and hit a vehicle, killing the lady who was driving it. He has been charged with DUI-Manslaughter and DUI-Property Damage. He refused a breathalyzer test. He is out on $11,000 bail. As more information comes out, I don't expect the news to be any more positive.

• Patrick Reusse wrote a nice article on the very hard-working Bill Smith who was in the office yesterday all by himself. Apparently, he just has one more thing to do.

• Want to make yourself sound like an idiot??? Try to argue that Bert Blyleven is not a Hall of Famer! There is no logical explanation for any voter who does not vote for Blyleven. Here are a couple of great articles that you will enjoy on the topic:

  • At ESPN.com, writers Bob Klapisch and Sean McAdam debate Blyleven's candidacy. I encourage you to read the debate, but also read through the Comments. There are really some great points made by some commenters as well!

  • Fire Joe Morgan dissects very well a Jon Heyman article on Blyleven and Jack Morris. If nothing else, it is just a fun read!

• So many people seem to want to think that Jack Morris is a Hall of Famer. I have never included him in any of my "If I had a vote" postings. I just don't think he was that great. Joe Posnarski is one of the best baseball writers in America. He is from Kansas City. He wrote a great article on Morris talking about how much he hates the Jack Morris Hall of Fame campaign. Read the full argument, but here is a brief portion of that...

  They will tell you how he was the best pitcher for three World Series teams which might be an interesting point except that he was not, in fact, the best pitcher on ANY of those teams. At least by the numbers. I mean, you be the judge:

  1984 Detroit Tigers:
  Jack Morris went 19-11, 3.60 ERA, 148 Ks, 87 walks, 109 ERA+.
  Dan Petry went 18-8, 3.24 ERA, 144 Ks, 66 walks, 121 ERA+.

  1991 Minnesota Twins:
  Jack Morris went 18-12, 3.43 ERA, 163 Ks, 92 walks, 124 ERA+
  Scott Erickson went 20-8, 3.18 ERA, 108 Ks, 71 walks, 134 ERA+
  Kevin Tapani went 16-9, 2.99 ERA, 135 Ks, 40 walks, 143 ERA+

  1992 Toronto Blue Jays
  Jack Morris went 21-6, 4.04 ERA, 132 Ks, 80 walks. 102 ERA+
  Juan Guzman went 16-5, 2.64 ERA, 165 Ks, 72 walks, 156 ERA+

  The thing is that (some) people want you to FEEL the Morris case, feel it in your gut, remember how he battled, be touched by his competitive spirit, imagine that he had this mystical ability to give up one run when his team scored two but flop around and give up seven runs when his team scored eight.

• If you haven't read the article in the New York Daily News written by former Twins and Yankees pitcher Dan Naulty on his steroid, HgH and amphetamine usage and its affects, be sure to do so!

• Over the Baggy has an excellent posting on the Twins Top 10 draft picks in 2007. Did you know that the father of Reggie Williams, the Twins 4th round pick this year, played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers?

• Roger posted a diary at Twinkie Town about the 2008 Twins budget. Plenty of great comments too. Roger then adjusted his numbers after Joe Christensen posted his thoughts on the Twins diminishing payroll.

• I'm late on this one, but Bugs & Cranks has a Q&A with mlb.com's Twins writer Kelly Thesier.

• At Coffeyville Whirlwind, he has now entered into July of 1988 with a nice 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Frank Viola gave up two runs in eight innings for the win. Jeff Reardon struggled mightily, but he held on for the save. This is a very fun series to follow!

That's it for now. If you have read an article that you enjoyed and think that the readers of this site should read it, please e-mail me the link and I will be happy to post it. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.

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