Just a few items of (potential) interest for you this morning:
- Jonathan at PDX Beavers is posting updates from a couple of Padres playing in Winter Ball. Be sure to check out Jon Knott & Brian Sweeney’s Venezuela Journal. Quoth Sweeney: “They love to win here and enjoy every moment. I think every baseball fan should experience a Venezuelan baseball game.” Good stuff. Also, if you have any comments or suggestions, let Jonathan know (or even just tell him how cool this is).
- I’ve added Tiger Tales to the blogroll on the right. I have “known” Lee Panas on the Internet for about a decade or so. We used to chat on the old AOL/STATS message boards back in the day. Anyway, he knows his stuff and I’m glad to see him get into the blogging thing. Stop on by and say hey when you have a chance.
- Map of MLB Team Fan Areas. This seems to be getting a lot of play lately so I’ll link to it. Falls into the category of interesting but not terribly useful for now. Could turn into something, though, and it’s a cool idea.
- 2005 Gold Gloves (Hardball Times). David Gassko uses a fielding system he developed to show, among other things, that Joe Randa was the worst defensive third baseman in baseball this past season.
- Possibly Uninteresting Fact (Lingering Bursitis). Guess which team had the highest post-season batting average. Hint: Tony Gwynn once played for them.
- Padres want one six-year free agent (Scout.com). In light of Ramon Hernandez‘ impending departure: “The list of free agents to be on the minor league side is long but one player they would like back is Nick Trzesniak.”
- Speaking of Hernandez, MetsBlog weighs in on his defense. Folks seem more excited about Bengie Molina or Brian Schneider, both of whom will be cheaper signs.
- In case you missed it, we’re having a great discussion about Xavier Nady in our review of the first base position. Richard B. Wade has picked up the ball and taken a real close look at Nady over at Friar Faithful.
- I love all this discussion about Nady. Even Padres.com is getting in on it: Is Nady suited to third base? Lyle Spencer also talks about a possible Ryan Klesko for Steve Finley deal, the availability of native son Hank Blalock, and potential free agent signings (nobody real exciting).
- I mentioned the other day that Ducksnorts won an award from Deadspin. Will Leitch was kind enough to send me an award graphic, so I’ve gone ahead and pinned that up on the virtual wall over on the right. Because, you know, it’s not every day you win an award. Anyway, thanks again to Will and the folks at Deadspin.
There you go.
From ESPN classic, courtesy of Syntax of Baseball, a move that Bill Veeck tried and the Padres should try this one night next season:
The Gaedel gimmick took place on Aug. 19, 1951, and was followed five days later by “Grandstand Manager’s Day,” perhaps Veeck’s most elaborate stunt. With himself, former Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack, and thousands of fans holding placards that said yes on one side and no on the other, publicity director Bob Fischel held up cards with proposed moves – steal, bunt, change pitchers – to which the grandstand managers flashed their opinions.
While manager Zack Taylor puffed a pipe and relaxed in a rocking chair, the fans called an excellent game: The Browns won, 5-3, to stop a four-game losing streak.
Love the fielding article. Defensive analysis has to be brought up to par with the offensive work being done. I find it interesting Klesko is not mentioned in LF. Doesn’t mean he was good, but there were at least 5 guys worse. My subjective view of his play was that he was much better than the year before. I wonder if this is reflected in Gassko’s numbers.
Thanks for the plug Geoff. I did get a hit or two from a couple of adventurous Padre fans yesterday.