Looking at baseball mysteries and the best player with a last name that starts with X, this week’s “Wisdom and Links” is now up at Hall of Very Good.
Over at Hall of Very Good: “Wisdom and Links” for January 12
Reply
Football Continuum: Short Predictions for the NFL Divisional Round (2015)
I was 2-2 last week. Let’s see how I do this week:
- I like the Patriots over the Ravens, because I long ago learned not to bet against Tom Brady, even when he is facing the one team that could be said to “have his number”.
- I like the Seahawks over the Panthers. The sub-.500 Cinderella Story will not be able to withstand “Beast Mode”, Russell Wilson and the “12th Man”.
- Green Bay will beat Dallas because they are home and are the better team. It could go the other way though if Rodgers’ injury is worse than some are letting on.
- Similarly, the Broncos, being both the home team and the better team, will beat the Colts.
- BONUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: Oregon over Ohio State.
Do you want to be a racing mascot? Well… GOOD NEWS!
There is good news for those of you who aim to win athletic glory while wearing a big-headed mascot uniform: the Oakland Athletics are hiring for just such a position! Yes, you can be a racing mascot, defeating your foes and amusing the masses while in a caricature version of somebody like Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson or Dennis Eckersley. Wait… no Connie Mack? No Jimmie Foxx? No Reggie Jackson?
Jeez, Athletics, are you even TRYING in this racing mascot thing? Oh well, I guess I’ll have to make due. Let’s see what this requires….
• Prior experience in promotions, performing in costume and customer service preferred.
Well, two out of three isn’t too bad, although one of those two I wasn’t a professi-… wait… preferred? Ha! That means it isn’t required! I’m good!
• Must be comfortable performing and interacting with fans in front of large crowds and on camera.
Full disclosure: When I was like eight, I jumped on top of a dugout and danced on it. Everybody thought it was hilarious except for my parents and the security guards. Tough crowd. So… I’m good!
• Must be reliable, punctual, courteous, have good listening skills and ability to multi-task.
Standard stuff, I’m good!
• Must have high energy, enthusiasm and excitement to promote the A’s brand.
I wrote an article on how the A’s brand should survive even if they move to San Jose! That’s total promotion and excitement about the brand! I’m good!
• Must have strong ability to work well with all employees in a team environment.
Okay, this may be a problem, because I think of myself as something of a method actor. If I’m in the costume, I am the costume. So, it’s entirely possible that I’d start referring to myself in the third person or something, which would be weird. Still, I’m sure I’d be able to manage it, so I’m good!
• Must have ability to run a minimum of 250 yards in a 50 pound costume. Running skills will be tested.
It wouldn’t be graceful at all, but I’d probably be able to handle it. So I’m good!
• Must have ability to perform and entertain while wearing a 50 pound costume for extended periods of time.
See above.
• Must be able to lift and carry items up to 50lbs.
Shouldn’t be too much of a problem, hopefully.
• Must be available to work during all A’s home games and outside appearances as needed, including days, nights, weekends and holidays, throughout the 2015 baseball season.
Hey, if they are willing to get me to Oakland, I’m willing to…
• Must have reliable transportation and live in or close to the Oakland area.
CRAP.
Well, maybe one day I shall win glory as a racing mascot. Maybe one day….
Famous For Something Else: NBA Ref David Guthrie
David Guthrie is a referee in the National Basketball Association. But before he was a ref on the hardwood, he played hardball in the Reds organization. Drafted in the 26th round of the 1995 draft out of NC State, Guthrie played infield positions from 1995 to 1998. Although he never hit well, he did reach AA by the end of his career:
| Year | Age | AgeDif | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 21 | 1.1 | Princeton | APPY | Rk | CIN | 55 | 207 | 181 | 28 | 37 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 41 | .204 | .286 | .265 | .551 | 48 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 22 | 1.4 | Billings | PION | Rk | CIN | 48 | 219 | 181 | 45 | 41 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 10 | 1 | 26 | 48 | .227 | .343 | .359 | .702 | 65 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 23 | 1.5 | Charleston WV | SALL | A | CIN | 73 | 264 | 233 | 27 | 50 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 75 | .215 | .295 | .300 | .595 | 70 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 24 | -0.1 | Chattanooga | SOUL | AA | CIN | 67 | 225 | 203 | 23 | 39 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 58 | .192 | .261 | .256 | .517 | 52 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 Seasons | 243 | 915 | 798 | 123 | 167 | 29 | 9 | 7 | 76 | 24 | 5 | 80 | 222 | .209 | .296 | .294 | .590 | 235 | 16 | 20 | 13 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Rk (2 seasons) | Rk | 103 | 426 | 362 | 73 | 78 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 41 | 17 | 2 | 44 | 89 | .215 | .315 | .312 | .627 | 113 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| A (1 season) | A | 73 | 264 | 233 | 27 | 50 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 75 | .215 | .295 | .300 | .595 | 70 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| AA (1 season) | AA | 67 | 225 | 203 | 23 | 39 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 58 | .192 | .261 | .256 | .517 | 52 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |||||
By the way, the players who Guthrie was drafted before in the 1995 draft and signed a contract include Pedro Feliciano, Justin Speier, and Gabe Kapler.
IT CAME FROM eBAY: Lefty Grove’s Tax Returns!
In the grand tradition of previous blog entries on weird baseball auctions, I now give you…LEFTY GROVE’S TAX RETURNS!
Yes, you can, for the low price of $995.00, own Lefty Grove’s tax returns from 1925. His rookie year! Yes, YOU can own the tax returns of a Hall of Famer. It’s not quite Stan Musial’s wallet or Reggie Jackson’s pal Mr. Peanut, but it’s something.
So… what did Lefty make his rookie year?
Okay, so…. he made $7404.00. That’s $101,600 in 2015 money! That would be below the minimum MLB salary today!
Also, I like the occupation of “Ball Player”. That’s a cool thing to have on a tax form.
My justifications for my hypothetical HoF Ballot
I had my hypothetical HoF ballot yesterday. So here are my justifications. Portions of these have already been printed earlier in the blog’s history.
Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez are obvious. Johnson is one of the great left-handed pitchers of all time, while Pedro’s pitching peak was perhaps the greatest of all time- maybe even greater than Sandy Koufax.
John Smoltz was likely the third-best of the Atlanta aces when his starting career is taken as a whole, but when he wasn’t starting, he was an excellent reliever, a latter-day Dennis Eckersley in his adaptability. He’s the only player in history with 200+ wins and 150+ saves.
Craig Biggio played catcher, he played second, and he played in the outfield. And he was a great hitter who could get on base any way he could- he holds the record for HBP among modern players. Probably could have been a star in any era he played. Should have gone in last year… and the year before that.
Tim Raines may not get in on the “gut feeling” test, but he is, nonetheless, a Hall of Famer in my book. While certainly being a seven-time All-Star help, the big reason is because of how great he was as a leadoff hitter. Not only could he get on base- he was a respectable .294 hitter (and that was lower than it probably should have been because he stuck around a few years too long)- he also was a great base-stealer, 8th all-time.
Mike Piazza was the greatest power-hitting catcher of all time, and yet steroid rumors (none of which have been proven and most of which seem to be innuendo like saying he had an acne problem at one point) have kept him out. He should be in or whatever real evidence there is should be revealed.
Barry Bonds is in because, well, he was a Hall of Famer before he started using steroids in the late 1990s. The steroids merely turned him from a great player to arguably the greatest hitter of all time.
Roger Clemens is a similar story. Would have been a Hall of Famer before his PED use, so I say he should still be a Hall of Famer.
Mike Mussina is known as “Mr. Almost”. He was almost a Cy Young winner, he almost threw perfect games or no-hitters, he was Orioles teams that almost made the World Series and Yankees teams that almost won the World Series. It wasn’t until his final season that he finally won 20 games. He was never the best, but he was always one of the best. It’s a sad irony that he might end up “almost” a hall of famer.
Edgar Martinez was the greatest DH-only player of his era. He won two batting titles, had a career .312 average, is 21st in career OBP and 34th in career OPS, and hit probably the most memorable hit in the history of the Seattle Mariners- the double that won the 1995 ALDS against the Yankees and arguably saved the franchise’s future in Seattle.
Should be in the Hall.
Jeff Bagwell, Curt Schilling, Fred McGriff, Alan Trammell, Jeff Kent and maybe McGwire and Sosa would receive votes if there was more than 10 spots on a ballot.
If I had a Hall of Fame ballot… (2014-2015)
Today, the latest inductees to get into the Hall of Fame will be revealed. If I had a ballot, here’s who I’d vote for (in rough order of likelihood that they actually will get in):
1. Randy Johnson
2. Pedro Martinez
3. John Smoltz
4. Craig Biggio
5. Mike Piazza
6. Tim Raines
7. Barry Bonds
8. Roger Clemens
9. Mike Mussina
10. Edgar Martinez
WOULD RECEIVE VOTES IF I WASN’T CAPPED AT 10: Jeff Bagwell, Curt Schilling, Fred McGriff, Alan Trammell, Jeff Kent, maybe McGwire and Sosa.
I’ll post my justifications later today or sometime tomorrow.
Over At Hall of Very Good: “Wisdom and Links” answers… how many days?
How many days until certain milestones of the 2015 baseball calendar will occur? This week’s “Wisdom and Links” answers that over at Hall of Very Good!
NOTE: The number of days only fits if you look at it on January 5.
Football Continuum: Short Predictions for the NFL Wild Card Round (2015)
Okay, so, it’s time for the NFL playoffs. Some quick thoughts:
- The Cardinals will beat the Panthers, if there is any justice in the world, since the Panthers shouldn’t even be here, much less at home. Although the fact the Cardinals are on their third QB (as well as the fact the Panthers are at home) does give the Panthers a chance, I don’t see them doing the Seattle thing.
- The Steelers will beat the Ravens, because they are at home. A cop-out, I know, but sometimes that’s something you have to go with.
- Indianapolis will beat Cincinnati, because I like Luck more than Dalton.
- And finally, I think the Cowboys will beat the Lions this weekend. Because if Tony Romo doesn’t go far in the playoffs this year, I don’t think he ever will.
Famous for Something Else Repost: Urban Meyer
Today, Urban Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes will play in the Sugar Bowl in an attempt to reach the College Football Playoff Championship Game. So, here’s a repost of his famous for something else post.
Did you know that Urban Meyer, head coach of Ohio State’s football team and former coach of the Florida Gators, had a brief minor league career? It’s true! He played two seasons in the low minors in the Braves organization.
Here are his stats:
| Year | Age | AgeDif | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | TB | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 17 | -2.9 | Braves | GULF | Rk | ATL | 20 | 61 | 53 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | .170 | .267 | .245 | .512 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 18 | -2.0 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | Rk | ATL | 24 | 77 | 57 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 15 | .193 | .365 | .281 | .646 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 18 | -2.4 | Pulaski | APPY | Rk | ATL | 15 | 41 | 32 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 9 | .250 | .400 | .406 | .806 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 18 | -1.5 | Braves | GULF | Rk | ATL | 9 | 36 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | .120 | .324 | .120 | .444 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 Seasons | 44 | 138 | 110 | 19 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 24 | .182 | .321 | .264 | .585 | 29 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
Now, as you can see, he didn’t do very good, but, according to a recent episode of Real Sports, it was a defining moment for him. Frustrated by his struggles, he told his father he was going to quit and come home, enraging his father, who told him that he would have no losers in his family. This would fuel a long obsession with winning that would define his career for years and ended up forcing his family to have him sign a contract to make sure he didn’t essentially abandon them for coaching.
One interesting thing to note, by the way, is that Urban Meyer played alongside Ron Gant and Mark Lemke during his 1983 stint in the Gulf Coast League.
So, anyway… now you know!
The Baseball Continuum 