I don't quite understand the metrics involved, but this Fangraphs post lists the players whose 2009 season was closest to the average for all of baseball.
It's a list no superstar wants to be on, which is why I took some glee for Christine when I read No. 3 - Aaron Rowand. The smugness subsided when I got to No. 2 on the list, former MVP Jimmy Rollins.
I'm sure J-Roll isn't happy with the ranking, but I guess it's better than where he was in July when Jayson Stark picked him as the league's least valuable player.
At least he pulled himself up from dead weight to mediocre. Yeah!
Silver Sluggers: Chase Utley and Jason Bay were honored today for their batsmanship at their respective positions.
Tonight: Assuming there would be no major SoxandPhils news tonight, we attended a preview of Pirate Radio. It rocked. I won the tickets, and a couple of goodies, from a Philadelphia Inquirer contest.
Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts
Nov 12, 2009
Apr 21, 2009
Busy night
A long day at work, voting and going to our free movie have left little time for blogging. But it looks like the Phillies have responded to Charlie Manuel's little "attitude adjustment." They were leading the Brewers 11-3 after six innings when the game was delayed to rain.
The Red Sox game was completely rained out.
The Red Sox game was completely rained out.
Apr 20, 2009
Apple Pie, Mom and a Patriots' Day blowout
I like Patriots' Day. It's not like I get to see the game or anything, but there's just something appealing about checking the score on my lunch break and seeing the Red Sox are halfway to a win.
Today must have been cathartic for the Sox, who have now won five straight after stumbling a bit out of the gate. Justin Masterson, making his first start of the season, pitched into the 6th inning on 84 pitches - one earned, four hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
And the bats gave him plenty of support in the 12-1 win over the Orioles. Half the lineup had a multi-hit game, and every starter except Rocco Baldelli (who left with an injury) and Nick Green had a hit. Several Sox had big games: slumping David Ortiz (2-4 with a stand-up triple!), Jason Varitek (2-5 with a home run), and Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia set the table, going 7-13 with six runs. And there was even a little cherry on top: Hunter Jones, who took Daisuke Matsuzaka's spot on the roster, made his major league debut with an efficient 9th inning, allowing only one man to reach base via error.
Injuries: It wasn't all good news today. As I mentioned, Baldelli left the game with a mild hamstring sprain. Doesn't sound bad, but they're talking about the DL. And I've neglected to mention that we've been without our shortstop for more than a week, and now it's looking like Jed Lowrie is heading for surgery, but may be back midseason. I'm doubtful on that one.
The Phillies and Padres were rained out, and now it's really coming down here. Our movie was also postponed, but because of a scheduling mistake; we'll be attending tomorrow instead.
Today must have been cathartic for the Sox, who have now won five straight after stumbling a bit out of the gate. Justin Masterson, making his first start of the season, pitched into the 6th inning on 84 pitches - one earned, four hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
And the bats gave him plenty of support in the 12-1 win over the Orioles. Half the lineup had a multi-hit game, and every starter except Rocco Baldelli (who left with an injury) and Nick Green had a hit. Several Sox had big games: slumping David Ortiz (2-4 with a stand-up triple!), Jason Varitek (2-5 with a home run), and Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia set the table, going 7-13 with six runs. And there was even a little cherry on top: Hunter Jones, who took Daisuke Matsuzaka's spot on the roster, made his major league debut with an efficient 9th inning, allowing only one man to reach base via error.
Injuries: It wasn't all good news today. As I mentioned, Baldelli left the game with a mild hamstring sprain. Doesn't sound bad, but they're talking about the DL. And I've neglected to mention that we've been without our shortstop for more than a week, and now it's looking like Jed Lowrie is heading for surgery, but may be back midseason. I'm doubtful on that one.
The Phillies and Padres were rained out, and now it's really coming down here. Our movie was also postponed, but because of a scheduling mistake; we'll be attending tomorrow instead.
Apr 17, 2009
All in all, we've had worse days
Despite the Phillies' worst loss of the season, a Brad Penny implosion and the Harry Kalas ceremony getting pre-empted for the Flyers game, it was still a pretty good day at SoxandPhils.
With the Phillies booted to Comcast Network (unavailable on Verizon FIOS), I called a sports bar Thursday to make sure it would be playing the game because Christine was upset about having to miss the pregame memorial for Harry. A convenient coincidence with my work schedule allowed me to get my normal Friday errands done in the morning and us seated in the bar by game time.
Unfortunately, there were just a few TVs showing the Phillies - I guess Flyers playoffs are more important than Harry - but we did get to see his sons throw the first pitches to Michael Jack Schmidt, John Kruk and Jimmy Rollins. Then, Harry's son Kane sang the national anthem. I got chills watching some of the players, such as Jamie Moyer, break up during the ceremonies.
The bar had sound for the Flyers game only, so we couldn't get the full effect of the Phillies' half-inning silent broadcast.
We had a nice meal and headed home to "watch" the game on the radio. Larry Andersen explained at length about the ugly tie he wore (Christine picked up on L.A.'s odd look when the TV broadcast showed him). In a nutshell, it was one of Harry's ties, and Andersen has a connection to his paisley ties.
As we listened at home, the Padres slowly chipped away at Cole Hamels and the Phils' 7-1 lead and wound up winning 8-7. Christine was a little vocal during the game. However, the Red Sox did the reverse to the Orioles. Brad Penny was awful tonight and put the Sox down by seven runs after two innings. But the Sox struck back and won 10-8.
Another game Christine won't see: Monday. That's because I won another prize from the Inquirer. It's not the tickets for suites at the 76ers or Flyers playoff games we'd been hoping for, or the Daily News Home Run Payoff, but something Christine has wanted: tickets to an advance screening of Earth.
It's not all-you-can eat wings and beer, but I'll take a free show featuring bears.
With the Phillies booted to Comcast Network (unavailable on Verizon FIOS), I called a sports bar Thursday to make sure it would be playing the game because Christine was upset about having to miss the pregame memorial for Harry. A convenient coincidence with my work schedule allowed me to get my normal Friday errands done in the morning and us seated in the bar by game time.
Unfortunately, there were just a few TVs showing the Phillies - I guess Flyers playoffs are more important than Harry - but we did get to see his sons throw the first pitches to Michael Jack Schmidt, John Kruk and Jimmy Rollins. Then, Harry's son Kane sang the national anthem. I got chills watching some of the players, such as Jamie Moyer, break up during the ceremonies.
The bar had sound for the Flyers game only, so we couldn't get the full effect of the Phillies' half-inning silent broadcast.
We had a nice meal and headed home to "watch" the game on the radio. Larry Andersen explained at length about the ugly tie he wore (Christine picked up on L.A.'s odd look when the TV broadcast showed him). In a nutshell, it was one of Harry's ties, and Andersen has a connection to his paisley ties.
As we listened at home, the Padres slowly chipped away at Cole Hamels and the Phils' 7-1 lead and wound up winning 8-7. Christine was a little vocal during the game. However, the Red Sox did the reverse to the Orioles. Brad Penny was awful tonight and put the Sox down by seven runs after two innings. But the Sox struck back and won 10-8.
Another game Christine won't see: Monday. That's because I won another prize from the Inquirer. It's not the tickets for suites at the 76ers or Flyers playoff games we'd been hoping for, or the Daily News Home Run Payoff, but something Christine has wanted: tickets to an advance screening of Earth.
It's not all-you-can eat wings and beer, but I'll take a free show featuring bears.
Mar 11, 2009
Tidbits
Kyle Kendrick: During dinner, Greg and I were discussing his latest disastrous outing. Greg said he's ready to call him Adam Eaton Jr.; I disagree. I know the comparison has been made before, but I'm afraid that he's going to be another Pat Combs. Prove me wrong, KK.
World Baseball Classic: Go Netherlands! I love an underdog story. I love when overly cocky team lose. I love watching Jose Reyes when his team blows it. I've seen that stunned look on his face before. You would think that he'd be used to it by now. Here he sits, wiping away the tears, with fellow non-winner Robinson Cano.
Jon Lester: Greg briefly panicked last night when he heard that the Lester deal hasn't been finalized yet. He started thinking of doomsday scenarios, the worst being that something bad was found on his physical. But it seems like just normal drawn-out contract mumbo jumbo. Lester is still expected to sign a multi-year deal with the Red Sox.
Movie review: Greg and I agreed that we would have never watched Race to Witch Mountain if we hadn't won free tickets, but it was enjoyable for a Disney movie. We were a bit overwhelmed when we walked into the theater because it was packed with kids who must have won tickets from Radio Disney. They were all screaming out answers to High School Musical trivia questions but quieted down for the flick. Nothing better than a free movie on a Tuesday night.
[Photo credit: Associated Press]
World Baseball Classic: Go Netherlands! I love an underdog story. I love when overly cocky team lose. I love watching Jose Reyes when his team blows it. I've seen that stunned look on his face before. You would think that he'd be used to it by now. Here he sits, wiping away the tears, with fellow non-winner Robinson Cano.Jon Lester: Greg briefly panicked last night when he heard that the Lester deal hasn't been finalized yet. He started thinking of doomsday scenarios, the worst being that something bad was found on his physical. But it seems like just normal drawn-out contract mumbo jumbo. Lester is still expected to sign a multi-year deal with the Red Sox.
Movie review: Greg and I agreed that we would have never watched Race to Witch Mountain if we hadn't won free tickets, but it was enjoyable for a Disney movie. We were a bit overwhelmed when we walked into the theater because it was packed with kids who must have won tickets from Radio Disney. They were all screaming out answers to High School Musical trivia questions but quieted down for the flick. Nothing better than a free movie on a Tuesday night.
[Photo credit: Associated Press]
Mar 10, 2009
Tickets
Catching up on my e-mail ... and it looks like we'll be going to just one SoxandPhils game this year:
At least the Phillies were a bit more subdued in the subject line, unlike their opening day drawing:
Barring any unforeseen problems or delays at work , Christine and I are probably going to use tickets I won from Philly.com to see an advance screening tonight of Race to Witch Mountain - if you smeeeeeeeellllllllll what the Rock is cooking. (I never heard of the movie before I got the e-mail saying I won.)
Thank you for registering for a chance to purchase tickets for the Phillies series versus the Boston Red Sox to be played at Citizens Bank Park. Unfortunately, your entry was not selected for an opportunity to purchase tickets to this series.
At least the Phillies were a bit more subdued in the subject line, unlike their opening day drawing:
Boston Red Sox Ticket Opportunity Notification Update
Barring any unforeseen problems or delays at work , Christine and I are probably going to use tickets I won from Philly.com to see an advance screening tonight of Race to Witch Mountain - if you smeeeeeeeellllllllll what the Rock is cooking. (I never heard of the movie before I got the e-mail saying I won.)
Mar 2, 2009
Brett's new diet
A couple weeks ago, I suggested that Brett Myers should share his weight-loss secrets with the world. I thought it would be funny for us, and a way for young Brett to supplement his income in case the downtrodden economy forces him to accept a pay cut next year.
But he's giving away his tips for free:
Myers, who described his weight as "beer-thirty" hasn't convinced Rich Dubee that this new healthy lifestyle will stick:
Regardless, Brett is already feeling the difference:
Now we just need to get him in a sweatsuit in front of a mountain or stream to teach us yoga exercises.
Game day: Or maybe Brett lost his weight playing a lot of basketball. On Sunday, I went to my first basketball game since I was a kid when I saw a contest featuring the Harlem Wizards. {I was a big Duke fan for a while and never realized at the time how much they are universally detested. I saw them lose to Temple at the Spectrum in 1996.}
Christine and I watched St. Joe's beat St. Bonaventure 72-63 at the Palestra. I enjoyed it even though I'm a bit naive to basketball (I had to ask Christine if they play quarters or halves in college). Christine enjoyed it too - especially watching the hawk mascot. {He never stopped flapping his wings!} We both liked Bryant Irwin, who seemed like the least talented guy who got any minutes for St. Joe's. No one passed him the ball. Give him some time, he's just a freshman.
FNG: The acronym is homage to a former colleague. NG stands for New Guy, you can figure out the first letter. The Philadelphia Inquirer's FNG Phillies beat writer is Andy Martino. He introduced himself Sunday:
Well, Andy, we here at SoxandPhils always like Todd Zolecki, but there is one thing he kept us hanging on. I cite SoxandPhils from July 11, 2008:
I never got an answer, even after e-mailing Zolecki. Maybe the new guy can dig out the truth on this one.
But he's giving away his tips for free:
"Making smarter choices while you drink beer," the righthander said after his first start of the spring yesterday. "Instead of pizza, eat salad. Play for the tie, you know."
Myers, who described his weight as "beer-thirty" hasn't convinced Rich Dubee that this new healthy lifestyle will stick:
"I've seen him come in in good shape before and not maintain it," Dubee said. "It's about consistency with Brett. Be the same guy every day, stay away from the roller coaster, from the way he prepares to the way he executes."
Regardless, Brett is already feeling the difference:
Myers laughed off a question about whether he felt any differently physically due to weight loss.
"I felt really fat out there," he said. "I was having a problem getting the ball to the outer half of the plate because my belly was in the way."
Now we just need to get him in a sweatsuit in front of a mountain or stream to teach us yoga exercises.
Game day: Or maybe Brett lost his weight playing a lot of basketball. On Sunday, I went to my first basketball game since I was a kid when I saw a contest featuring the Harlem Wizards. {I was a big Duke fan for a while and never realized at the time how much they are universally detested. I saw them lose to Temple at the Spectrum in 1996.}
Christine and I watched St. Joe's beat St. Bonaventure 72-63 at the Palestra. I enjoyed it even though I'm a bit naive to basketball (I had to ask Christine if they play quarters or halves in college). Christine enjoyed it too - especially watching the hawk mascot. {He never stopped flapping his wings!} We both liked Bryant Irwin, who seemed like the least talented guy who got any minutes for St. Joe's. No one passed him the ball. Give him some time, he's just a freshman.
FNG: The acronym is homage to a former colleague. NG stands for New Guy, you can figure out the first letter. The Philadelphia Inquirer's FNG Phillies beat writer is Andy Martino. He introduced himself Sunday:
My job is to aggressively dig up news and deliver it to readers in a fair and objective way; in other words, I work for you, so if you ever have questions, complaints, compliments or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email or comment.
Well, Andy, we here at SoxandPhils always like Todd Zolecki, but there is one thing he kept us hanging on. I cite SoxandPhils from July 11, 2008:
After Shane Victorino tripled in the 8th to tie the game at five, Jimmy Rollins kept waving a bottle of baby oil at him from the dugout. I can't wait to hear the explanation of that one.
I never got an answer, even after e-mailing Zolecki. Maybe the new guy can dig out the truth on this one.
Jan 20, 2009
Cha-ching!
There is a lot of contract news today, but the biggest is that Ryan Howard filed for $18 million in arbitration - only $4 million higher than the Phillies offer. Let the games begin.
The number is so high that only greedy New Yorkers Roger Clemens (I know he was an Astro at the time) and Derek Jeter ever put in for higher amounts. I don't expect Howard to be around Philadelphia much longer. According to Fan Graphs, he has only had one one season (2006) in which he was worth more than $18 million. He was worth $25.7 million in his MVP season, $17.1 million the next year and $14.1 million last year.
The Phillies avoided arbitration with Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, kept in tact Theo Epstein's streak of never going to arbitration by giving a one-year $6.25 million contract to Jonathan Papelbon. Javier Lopez also signed a one-year deal.
I guess this is a fair deal for Papelbon - he's been worth more than $6.25 million the past three seasons - but it seems awfully high for a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Like Howard, I wonder if he's going to price himself out of Boston in a couple of seasons. The Red Sox have been hyping up Daniel Bard lately.
David Aardsma was traded to the Mariners. I still think he'll have a productive career, but it's better to trade him for a prospect than cut him in a numbers crunch at the end of spring training.
Personal: SoxandPhils players weren't the only ones cashing in today. Since I was forced into retirement from journalism, Christine urged me to start entering newspaper contests. I won two tickets to a St. Joe's basketball game. Yea! Although, if I had Howard's $14 million to $18 million, or even Papelbon's $6.25 million, I could buy tickets for all my readers.
The number is so high that only greedy New Yorkers Roger Clemens (I know he was an Astro at the time) and Derek Jeter ever put in for higher amounts. I don't expect Howard to be around Philadelphia much longer. According to Fan Graphs, he has only had one one season (2006) in which he was worth more than $18 million. He was worth $25.7 million in his MVP season, $17.1 million the next year and $14.1 million last year.
The Phillies avoided arbitration with Shane Victorino and Joe Blanton.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, kept in tact Theo Epstein's streak of never going to arbitration by giving a one-year $6.25 million contract to Jonathan Papelbon. Javier Lopez also signed a one-year deal.
I guess this is a fair deal for Papelbon - he's been worth more than $6.25 million the past three seasons - but it seems awfully high for a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Like Howard, I wonder if he's going to price himself out of Boston in a couple of seasons. The Red Sox have been hyping up Daniel Bard lately.
David Aardsma was traded to the Mariners. I still think he'll have a productive career, but it's better to trade him for a prospect than cut him in a numbers crunch at the end of spring training.
Personal: SoxandPhils players weren't the only ones cashing in today. Since I was forced into retirement from journalism, Christine urged me to start entering newspaper contests. I won two tickets to a St. Joe's basketball game. Yea! Although, if I had Howard's $14 million to $18 million, or even Papelbon's $6.25 million, I could buy tickets for all my readers.
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