Results tagged ‘ Sports ’
Introducing: The MLB Hall Of Fame Class Of 1965.
Jim Galvin: Pitcher, Buffalo Bisons
365-310 record, 2.85 ERA, 6003.1 innings pitched, 1807 strike outs
Jim “Pud” Galvin played professional baseball for 15 seasons, with his final year at the age of 35 in 1892. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 by the Veterans Committee and ended up being the sole inductee for this year. After looking through his career statistics and accomplishments, it would have been a crime if Galvin wasn’t in the Hall of Fame. He has the honor of being the inaugural member of the 300-win club and won 20 or more games in a season 10 times, with two of those seasons ending with more than 40 victories. Another amazing statistic is that he started 688 games in his career and registered 646 complete games. So, he finished what he started 94% of the time he took the mound- no big deal.
2012 American League East Preview.
2011 Finish: 97-65
Additions: Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda, Russell Branyan, Raul Ibanez
Losses: Jesus Montero, Hector Noesi, Jorge Posada, A.J. Burnett
The Yankees took a unique approach to free agents this hot stove season by allowing the market to come to them. Their need was clear; they needed pitchers to fill up the rotation and be half as dependable as CC Sabathia has been since he came on board in 2009. Once they inked their ace to a five-year/$122 million extension, they went out to sure up the rest of their rotation. They parted with a lot of offensive potential in Jesus Montero, but were able to gain a 23-year-old starter with electric stuff in Michael Pineda. GM Brian Cashman also nabbed Hiroki Kuroda off the market for a one-year/$10 million contract. The search for a designated hitter is over with the agreement with Raul Ibanez after they were able to unload A.J. Burnett. The biggest wild card is Alex Rodriguez. After playing under 100 games last season, everyone in the Bronx is looking for him to return to form, especially since they owe him a boatload of money for the better part of this decade. However, The Yanks are going to be part of a three team race for the division with 90-95 wins this year.
MLB Diamond Notes: February 20th, 2012.
Yoenis Cespedes signs with Oakland.
In what was a sudden change of events, Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s swooped in and stole the show by agreeing to a four-year/$36 million deal with Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. This story has been making just about everyone’s head scratch since it happened last week. No one faults Oakland for going after the highly sought free agent, but after having a major salary dump this year by dealing Andrew Bailey, Gio Gonzalez, and Trevor Cahill for lots of prospects, no one is expecting the A’s to be competitive in 2012, or 2013 for that matter. However, I can see if Beane wants to use Cespedes as proof to show MLB that moving to San Jose would be worth it because they are willing to spend money. On the other hand, if the outfielder becomes too expensive, he could be dealt for more prospects. The offer from the Marlins had some possible foreshadowing for them as well. They wouldn’t offer less than six-years/ $36 million…does that mean they want to hold onto him for around the same amount of time as Reyes and Buerhle so they can have their fire sale if things don’t work out? They said it’s because Cespedes would probably need to spend some time in the minors first, but we’ll never know. At the end of the day, Cespedes stated he felt the A’s wanted him most, and that’s where he will be for the foreseeable future.
2012 National League Central Preview.
Today, we’re taking a look at what the National League Central could potentially bring for the 2012 season; can the Brewers repeat without Fielder and possibly losing Braun to a suspension? Can the Cardinals make a run to the playoffs with Albert Pujols? That’s why they play the game, but for now, let’s have some fun and predict what might happen.
2011 finish: 96-66
Additions: Aramis Ramirez, Alex Gonzalez, Jose Veras
Losses: Prince Fielder, Yuniesky Betancourt, Craig Counsell
Barring what happens with the Ryan Braun appeal, the Brewers have done a pretty good job trying to build their team without Prince Fielder in the middle of their line-up. Bringing in Aramis Ramirez made Casey McGehee expendable, allowing them to trade for Jose Veras. Also, Alex Gonzalez is a huge defensive upgrade at shortstop. However, losing a player like Craig Counsell will make the clubhouse very different without that type of veteran leadership. They have solid pitching again, led my Greinke and Gallardo, but Braun is the wild card and if he loses his appeal and is suspended for 50 games, it will be a tough year for the Brew Crew; I’m going with 80-85 in 2012.
Happy Birthday to Ugueth Urbina!
Happy 38th birthday to former MLB reliver, Ugueth Urbina, who was born on February 15th, 1974! Now I realize that Urbina wasn’t exactly one of the more popular relievers during his 11-year professional career, but how could anyone forget a name like that! The former reliever spent most of his time in the Bigs with the Montreal Expos (seven years), but once he was traded to Boston in 2001, he bounced around to four more additional teams (Tigers, Marlins, Rangers, and Phillies), and didn’t spend more than two seasons with any organization. During his career, he was able to make his mark in several ways; he led the league in saves in 1999 (41), was named to two All-Star games (one in each league), and helped the Marlins win their second World Championship in 2003. Here is the full stat line for Urbina:
44-49 record, 3.45 ERA, 237 saves, 408 games finished, 697.1 innings pitched, 814 strikeouts, 1.213 WHIP
