Between The Chalk

Instant Replay and Baseball

The great debate of baseball and instant replay came to the surface again after the Minnesota Twins had a bad call against them in game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees on October 9, 2009. The umpire missed a call on a ball hit down the line by Joe Mauer that would have been a double had he got the call right. The next batter hit a single that would have scored the runner from second base but instead the Twins did not score.

Supporters of instant replay and perhaps everyone in Minnesota now scream that instant replay needs to be expanded to include all fair and foul balls in addition to its current practice of reviewing homerun balls.

While instant replay would have clearly reversed that call and perhaps changed the outcome of the game, one has to ask if the rules are expanded, where will it end? I used to think I was the only one that hated instant replay in the NFL but found over time that I have talked to dozens of people that hate it and some of which do not watch football anymore because of it. Proponents, usually NFL fans, argue that it is important to get the call right. Detractors say that it slows down the game (NFL games are bad enough with all of the timeouts, stopping of the clock, etc), and removes the human element.

What to do? I admit I have always been against instant replay in baseball and still do not like the use of it on homerun calls. With that being said I think expanding it makes no sense. Where does it end? Replaying every questionable ball and strike? Why not get rid of the homeplate umpire and use the strikezone indicator that ESPN uses. What about calls on the bases? Baseball is not football. A simple game played on a grid. Baseball is a game played on a diamond. It has perfect symmetry in every aspect of the game. Part of that perfection is the imperfection of an umpire.

Before someone says you will change your mind when a bad call changes the outcome of a game for your team, let me say that it already has happened. In 2006 my team, the Philadelphia Phillies, missed the playoffs by one game. During the last week of the season they lost a game to the Nationals that they should have won. Chase Utley hit a homerun that was called foul but was clearly fair on the replay. Should I even bring up "Black Friday" when Davey Lopes was clearly out on replay in the NLCS in 1977? Had that call been changed by instant replay the Phillies may have gone to the World Series that year.

My response? Umpiring is a part of the game and when a mistake is made it is a shame but it is what it is. There are human beings playing the game therefore there should be human beings umpiring the games. I am sorry if your team gets the short end of the stick, but it certainly gives us something to talk about with friends over a beer at our favorite pub!

Leave instant replay out of baseball! Keep the game in the hands of humans and hold them accountable when they make mistakes. If you want to improve the calls, add the line umpires like they have in the playoffs. While that did not work out for the Twins on Friday, it certainly would get many more calls right!

Why Peter Gammons is a Genius... And Why He is Not

Peter Gammons recently spoke about adding two more teams to major league baseball's post season. After hearing a dozen or so people talk about the idea from both sides of the aisle, I came to a conclusion. Peter Gammons is a genius... or maybe he isn't. Let's take a look at his idea.

Two additional teams, one from each league, would win a wild card title. They would play a one game playoff against the existing wild card team to decide who would go to the best of five division series.

This is a good idea because:

• With two more spots in the playoff hunt, September baseball would keep even more teams in contention until the last week or so of the season.
• The one game playoffs, like we just saw from the Twins and Tigers, are dramatic, fun to watch, and draw a large national television audience.
• It gives an advantage to the team that has the best record in the league as they will face a team with less rest. This makes the top spot in the league even more coveted.

This is a terrible idea because:

• Baseball is the one sport where winning a division title or wild card berth means something. Sports like football, hockey, and basketball let too many teams in and winning a playoff spot is not regarded in as high esteem.
• Should one game really decide who goes to the division series? Is the winning team really the better team or did they just have a good game?
• If the team with the worst record wins the wild card game, are they really good enough to make the division series interesting especially against the team with the best record in the league.

Conclusion:

Leave things the way they are. Other than the N.L. Central (six teams) and A.L. West (four teams), teams have a one in five shot of winning the division plus the opportunity to win the wild card. In the current setting, a playoff berth is a very special thing but is not so hard that any franchise that puts its mind to it can not get in at least once a decade.

Melky Cabrera Hits For the Cycle: All Time List of Players to Hit For the Cycle

Melky Cabrera hit for the cycle today for the New York Yankees. He is the first Yankees to hit for the cycle since Tony Fernandez in 1995. Below is a list of all the players in major league history to accomplish this feat. Congratulations from MLBComplete.com!

Angels
Chone Figgins,  09-16-2006
Jeff DaVanon,  08-25-2004
Dave Winfield,  06-24-1991
Dan Ford,  08-10-1979
Jim Fregosi,  05-20-1968
Jim Fregosi,  07-28-1964

Athletics

Mark Ellis,  06-04-2007 
Eric Byrnes,  06-29-2003 
Miguel Tejada,  09-29-2001
Eric Chavez,  06-21-2000
Mike Blowers,  05-18-1998
Tony Phillips,  05-16-1986
Elmer Valo,  08-02-1950
Sam Chapman,  05-05-1939
Doc Cramer,  06-10-1934
Jimmie Foxx,  08-14-1933
Pinky Higgins,  08-06-1933
Mickey Cochrane,  08-02-1933
Mickey Cochrane,  07-22-1932
Frank Baker,  07-03-1911
Danny Murphy,  08-25-1910
Nap Lajoie,  07-30-1901
Harry Davis,  07-10-1901

Blue Jays

Jeff Frye,  08-17-2001
Kelly Gruber,  04-16-1989

Indians

Travis Hafner,  08-14-2003 
Andre Thornton,  04-22-1978
Tony Horton,  07-02-1970
Larry Doby,  06-04-1952
Odell Hale,  07-12-1938
Earl Averill,  08-17-1933
Bill Bradley,  09-24-1903

Mariners

Adrian Beltre,  09-01-2008
John Olerud,  06-16-2001
Alex Rodriguez,  06-05-1997
Jay Buhner,  06-23-1993

Orioles

Aubrey Huff,  06-29-2007 
Cal Ripken Jr.,  05-06-1984
Brooks Robinson,  07-15-1960
George McQuinn,  07-19-1941
Ski Melillo,  05-23-1929
Baby Doll Jacobson,  04-17-1924
George Sisler,  08-13-1921
George Sisler,  08-08-1920
* includes St. Louis Browns 1902-53

Rangers

Ian Kinsler, 04-15-2009
Gary Matthews Jr., 09-13-2006
Mark Teixeira,  08-17-2004
Oddibe McDowell,  07-23-1985
Jim King,  05-26-1964
* includes Washington Senators 1961-71

Rays

None

Red Sox

John Valentin,  06-06-1996
Scott Cooper,  04-12-1994
Mike Greenwell,  09-14-1988
Rich Gedman,  09-18-1985
Dwight Evans,  06-28-1984
Fred Lynn,  05-13-1980
Bob Watson,  09-15-1979
Carl Yastrzemski,  05-14-1965
Lou Clinton,  07-13-1962
Bobby Doerr,  05-13-1947
Ted Williams,  07-21-1946
Bob Johnson,  07-06-1944
Bobby Doerr,  05-17-1944
Leon Culberson,  07-03-1943
Joe Cronin,  08-02-1940
Moose Solters,  08-19-1934
Roy Carlyle,  07-21-1925
Tris Speaker,  06-09-1912
Patsy Dougherty,  07-29-1903

Royals

George Brett,  07-25-1990

Frank White,  08-03-1982
Frank White,  09-26-1979
George Brett,  05-28-1979
John Mayberry,  08-05-1977
Freddie Patek 7-09-1971

Tigers

Carlos Guillen,  08-01-2006
Damion Easley,  06-08-2001
Travis Fryman,  07-28-1993
Hoot Evers,  09-07-1950
George Kell,  06-02-1950
Vic Wertz,  09-14-1947
Charlie Gehringer,  05-27-1939
Gee Walker,  04-20-1937
Bob Fothergill,  09-26-1926
Bobby Veach,  09-17-1920

Twins

Michael Cuddyer,  05-22-2009
Jason Kubel,  04-17-2009
Carlos Gomez,  05-07-2008
Kirby Puckett,  08-01-1986
Gary Ward,  09-18-1980
Mike Cubbage,  07-27-1978
Lyman Bostock,  07-24-1976
Larry Hisle,  06-04-1976
Cesar Tovar,  09-19-1972
Rod Carew,  05-20-1970
Mickey Vernon,  05-19-1946
Joe Cronin,  09-02-1929
Goose Goslin,  08-28-1924
Otis Clymer,  10-02-1908
* includes Washington Senators 1957-60;
Washington Nationals 1901-56

White Sox

Jose Valentin 4-27-2000
Chris Singleton,  07-06-1999
Carlton Fisk,  05-16-1984
Jack Brohamer,  09-24-1977
Ray Schalk,  06-27-1922

Yankees

Melky Cabrera,  8-2-2009

Tony Fernandez,  09-03-1995

Bobby Murcer,  08-29-1972
Mickey Mantle,  07-23-1957
Joe DiMaggio,  05-20-1948
Joe Gordon,  09-08-1940
Buddy Rosar,  07-19-1940
Lou Gehrig,  08-01-1937
Joe DiMaggio,  07-09-1937
Lou Gehrig,  06-25-1934
Tony Lazzeri,  06-03-1932
Bob Meusel,  07-26-1928
Bob Meusel,  07-03-1922
Bob Meusel,  05-07-1921

Bert Daniels,  07-25-1912

Astros
Luke Scott,  07-28-2006 
Craig Biggio,  04-08-2002 
Jeff Bagwell,  07-18-2001
Andujar Cedeno,  08-25-1992
Bob Watson,  06-24-1977
Cesar Cedeno,  08-09-1976
Cesar Cedeno,  08-02-1972

Braves

Mark Kotsay,  08-14-2008
Albert Hall,  09-23-1987
Bill Collins,  10-06-1910
Johnny Bates,  04-26-1907
Duff Cooley,  06-20-1904
Herman Long,  05-09-1896

Brewers

Chad Moeller,  04-27-2004 
Paul Molitor,  05-15-1991
Robin Yount,  06-12-1988
Charlie Moore,  10-01-1980
Mike Hegan,  09-03-1976

Cardinals

Mark Grudzielanek,  04-27-2005
John Mabry,  05-18-1996
Ray Lankford,  09-15-1991
Willie McGee,  06-23-1984
Lou Brock,  05-27-1975
Joe Torre,  06-27-1973
Ken Boyer,  06-16-1964
Ken Boyer,  09-14-1961
Bill White,  08-14-1960
Stan Musial,  07-24-1949
Johnny Mize,  07-13-1940
Joe Medwick,  06-29-1935
Pepper Martin,  05-05-1933
Chick Hafey,  08-21-1930
Jim Bottomley,  07-15-1927
Cliff Heathcote,  06-13-1918
Tommy Dowd,  08-16-1895
Tip O'Neill,  05-07-1887
Tip O'Neill,  04-30-1887
Fred Dunlap,  05-24-1886

Cubs

Mark Grace,  05-09-1993
Andre Dawson,  04-29-1987
Ivan DeJesus,  04-22-1980
Randy Hundley,  08-11-1966
Billy Williams,  07-17-1966
Lee Walls,  07-02-1957
Roy Smalley,  06-28-1950
Babe Herman,  09-30-1933
Hack Wilson,  06-23-1930
Jimmy Ryan,  07-01-1891
Jimmy Ryan,  07-28-1888

Diamondbacks

Stephen Drew,  09-01-2008 
Greg Colbrunn,  09-18-2002 
Luis Gonzalez,  07-05-2000

Dodgers

Orlando Hudson,  04-13-2009
Wes Parker,  05-07-1970
Gil Hodges,  06-25-1949
Jackie Robinson,  08-29-1948
Dixie Walker,  09-02-1944
Babe Herman,  07-24-1931
Babe Herman,  05-18-1931
Jimmy Johnston,  05-25-1922
Tom Burns,  08-01-1890

Giants

Fred Lewis,  05-13-2007 
Randy Winn,  08-15-2005 
Jeff Kent,  05-03-1999
Robby Thompson,  04-22-1991
Chris Speier,  07-09-1988
Candy Maldonado,  05-04-1987
Jeffrey Leonard,  06-27-1985
Dave Kingman,  04-16-1972
Jim Ray Hart,  07-08-1970
Don Mueller,  07-11-1954
Harry Danning,  06-15-1940
Sam Leslie,  05-24-1936
Freddie Lindstrom,  05-08-1930
Mel Ott,  05-16-1929
Bill Terry,  05-29-1928
Ross Youngs,  04-29-1922
Dave Bancroft,  06-01-1921
George Burns,  09-17-1920
Chief Meyers,  06-10-1912
Sam Mertes,  10-04-1904
Mike Tiernan,  08-28-1890
Mike Tiernan,  08-25-1888
Dave Orr,  08-10-1887
Dave Orr,  06-12-1885

Marlins

None

Mets

Jose Reyes,  06-21-2006 

Eric Valent,  07-29-2004
John Olerud,  09-11-1997
Alex Ochoa,  07-03-1996
Kevin McReynolds,  08-01-1989
Keith Hernandez,  07-04-1985
Mike Phillips,  06-25-1976
Tommie Agee,  07-06-1970
Jim Hickman,  08-07-1963

Nationals

Cristian Guzman,  08-28-2008 
Brad Wilkerson,  04-06-2005
Vladimir Guerrero,  09-14-2003
Brad Wilkerson,  06-24-2003
Rondell White,  06-11-1995
Tim Raines,  08-16-1987
Chris Speier,  07-20-1978
Tim Foli,  04-22-1976
* includes Montreal Expos 1969-2004

Padres

None

Phillies

David Bell,  06-28-2004
Gregg Jefferies,  08-25-1995
Johnny Callison,  06-27-1963
Chuck Klein,  05-26-1933
Chuck Klein,  07-01-1931
Cy Williams,  08-05-1927
Sam Thompson,  08-17-1894
Lave Cross,  04-24-1894

Pirates

Daryle Ward,  05-27-2004 
Jason Kendall,  05-19-2000
Gary Redus,  08-25-1989
Mike Easler,  06-12-1980
Richie Zisk,  06-09-1974
Willie Stargell,  07-22-1964
Gus Bell,  06-04-1951
Ralph Kiner,  06-25-1950
Wally Westlake,  06-14-1949
Wally Westlake,  07-30-1948
Bill Salkeld,  08-04-1945
Bob Elliott,  07-15-1945
Arky Vaughan,  07-19-1939
Arky Vaughan,  06-24-1933
Max Carey,  06-20-1925
Kiki Cuyler,  06-04-1925
Pie Traynor,  07-07-1923
Dave Robertson,  08-30-1921
Honus Wagner,  08-22-1912
Chief Wilson,  07-03-1910
Fred Clarke,  05-07-1903
Fred Clarke,  07-23-1901
Fred Carroll,  05-02-1887

Reds

Eric Davis,  06-02-1989
Frank Robinson,  05-02-1959
Harry Craft,  06-08-1940
Heinie Groh,  07-05-1915
Mike Mitchell,  08-19-1911
Tom Parrott 09-28-1894
John Reilly,  08-06-1890

Rockies

Mike Lansing,  06-18-2000
Todd Helton,  06-19-1999
Neifi Perez,  07-25-1998
Dante Bichette,  06-10-1998

Contenders vs. Pretenders Round 2 and 3

Below are the additional teams added in round 2 (4 teams at the All Star Break) and Round 3 (3 more teams as of July 24). Please submit your answers in the comments section. Its not too late to join us!

Round 2: Blue

Round 3: Red

NL East:

Washington Nationals

New York Mets

Atlanta Braves

NL Central:

Cincinnati Reds

Houston Astros

Pittsburgh Pirates

Florida Marlins

NL West:

Arizona Diamondbacks

San Diego Padres

Colorado Rockies

AL East:

Baltimore Orioles

Toronto Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central:

Kansas City Royals

Cleveland Indians

AL West:

Oakland A's

Seattle Mariners

Contenders vs. Pretenders: Round 1

The major league baseball regular season is about 70 games in and it is time to see who is still in the pennant race and who is out. We will revisit this list around the All Star Break then again a week before the trade deadline. Another look will be in mid August. The rules are as follows.

• In the first round, a minimum of 10 teams will be picked that have no chance of making the playoffs.
• At the All Star break, 4 more teams will be added to the list.
• 3 more teams need to be added by July 24.
• On August 15, 3 additional teams have to be added to the list.
• On September 1 the final 2 teams will go on the list leaving the 8 teams that will make the playoffs.
• Once a team is added to the list, they can not be taken off so choose carefully.
• Submit your guesses in the comments section.

A prize will be awarded to anyone who gets all 8 teams right.

The list for my 10 eliminated is below:

NL East:

Washington Nationals

NL Central:

Cincinnati Reds

Houston Astros

Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West:

Arizona Diamondbacks

San Diego Padres

AL East:

Baltimore Orioles

AL Central:

Kansas City Royals

Cleveland Indians

AL West:

Oakland A's

Interleague Play, The DH, and The Pitcher

I think the designated hitter is one of the most ridiculous rules in baseball. The pitcher needs to go the the plate just like every other player. If he does not hit, he can throw inside all he wants without fear of retaliation. Without the pitcher in the lineup, it takes a lot of the strategy out of the game. In fact, Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston didn't understand how to make a double switch in a game this week against the Philadelphia Phillies and couldn't make the move he wanted to because he went to the mound first and not the umpire. American League managers do not even understand strategy! Spoken like a true National League fan. But what about the chances of injury to a pitcher?

Last season, we listened to the Steinbrenner brothers scream that pitchers should never hit after Ching Ming Wang injured himself running the bases in an interleague game against the Astros. The game very well could have cost the Yankees a chance to be in the post season as they lost Wang from their rotation. This week, Blue Jays closer Scott Downs was injured leaving the batters box and had to be placed on the disabled list.

Gaston said on the matter, "I know that a lot of people like this Interleague Play and I know it's great for the fans and all that. But that's what happens. Our [pitchers] don't take batting practice every day. They don't run. So things like this are going to happen until somebody wakes up and says, 'Look, let's play the DH the whole time or call it off.'"

I may not like the DH rule but Gaston is right. Agree with the DH or not, American League pitchers are not equipped to deal with hitting or base running. It is not fair to a team to lose a pitcher to injury because they are doing something they are not accustomed to and is not part of their game.

What should baseball do? Maybe use the DH in all interleague games. One could argue this may give the A.L. an upper hand because they have a DH that is used to doing the job. But most National League teams have a top pinch hitter that would serve them well as a DH. It takes away from the strategy in these games but N.L. fans may find it intriguing to watch. Since interleague play is all about ratings and fans, why not give it a try and protect the A.L. pitchers from injury.

Depth Wins Championships

When discussing baseball, most experts will say that pitching wins championships. While I do not disagree with that statement, I also believe that depth wins championships. Look at teams through the years that have won and you see certain common traits. The most important being when a player gets injured or a starting pitcher is ineffective, having someone on the team that can step in and pick him up.

Watching the series between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies this weekend, I saw two teams that have depth. The Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez away and David Ortiz has been all but nonexistent in their offensive attack.Yet the Sox still have an explosive lineup and are in first place in the American League East. The Phillies lost their number 2 pitcher, one of their top set up men for 50 games, and are without their closer. They still lead the National League East by 4 games.

Imagine another team losing the middle of their lineup up or key members of their pitching staff. They would sink like the titanic. The point is, many times the difference between the contenders and pretenders is not the starting eight, or the rotation, or the bullpen, but what they have in reserve when someone is not available anymore. 

Role players come in to play very prominently in these scenarios. Guys like Greg Dobbs and Chris Coste of the Phillies that can come in off the bench and provide adequate defense and a clutch bat. The Red Sox have the strongest bullpen in baseball and can shorten a game not just with Jonathan Papelbon, but with all of their pen men.

When thinking of a winning team, the first thought is about a team's stars. But every team suffers with injuries, the successful ones have enough depth on their bench or in the farm system to fill the holes left and continue to win games. These role players end up being the difference in where a team is come October.

Interleague Play: Still Good or Spent

Interleague play, everyone has an opinion. I love it, I hate it, it is ridiculous. Major league baseball has made a fortune from it. But should MLB continue with it?

I will start this discussion by saying I am a baseball purist. I didn't like the Wild Card when it started and certainly was against interleague play. I think the only time the two leagues should face off is in the All Star Game and World Series.

With that being said, interleague play helped the game regain popularity after the 1994 strike. It filled stadiums and shot television ratings through the roof but it has been a long time since its inception in 1997. Baseball is more popular than ever now and the game is flourishing not only in the United States but around the world. Do we still need interleague play?

Interleague play causes a distraction for the teams. They face players they normally do not see, designated hitters are forced to the bench in National League parks, and managers do not know the match ups as well or who to pitch in what situation. Arguably this makes it fun, but for a team that misses the playoffs by one game because of a bad pitching change, it could be infuriating!

It also creates an unfair schedule. Team's that have to face the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels, Philadelphia Phillies or Los Angeles Dodgers have it much harder than a team that faces the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, and other less competitive teams. Could this keep a team out of the playoffs? Absolutely. One can argue that if each team in a division plays a certain division in the other league than it is fair. But that is not true when you consider the wild card.

On the other hand, television ratings and popularity are still high for these games and stadiums are sold out. From a financial perspective, interleague play is still a great idea for baseball. So what should MLB do?

Leave it as is for now. As long as fans are enjoying it and it remains popular, why try to fix something that is not broken. Just be ready to hear the player or manager that complains that they missed the playoffs because they faced the Yankees and Red Sox while the team that beat them by a game faced the Mariners and Orioles. Also keep your fingers crossed that the two teams that meet in the World Series do not play in interleague. If they do, be prepared to hear Joe Buck and Tim McCarver over analyze it so badly that you will be tempted to turn off the World Series and watch HDTV!

Players Hiding Injuries: Good Teammates or Liars?

The news broke about an hour ago that the Philadelphia Phillies put their closer Brad Lidge on the disabled list with a strained knee. Lidge has struggled at times early in the season including blowing two saves in a series with the Dodgers over the weekend. Brad had some knee concerns in Spring Training and blamed his early problems on the knee. In recent weeks he has said his knee was fine, that it was better than it has been in a long time, and that he has no pain in it. He said as long as his mechanics were right, there was no problem and that the knee was not an issue. Really? Then why the trip to the disabled list? 

Another example was Chase Utley last season. Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said Utley was battling some issues with his hip. Utley told the media he had no problems with his hip and that he was 100%. He went on to say that if he did have an issue, the media would never find out about it. Of course as soon as the season was over, Utley had hip surgery.

Are these players good teammates or just plain liars? While I understand a player not wanting to disclose some things to the media, doesn't one have to wonder what type of integrity a person has when they tell a bold faced lie to a camera that has their fans watching on the other side? Beyond that, are they hiding it from their teammates, managers, and trainers putting their team at risk of losing because they are not 100%?

While I respect the fact that they are tough and are trying to play through pain, there needs to be some accountability as well. Players need to be accountable to their team first, then to their fans. Hiding injuries and lying about them is not the answer. Downplaying maybe and saying that you are playing through something is fine. Saying something is completely fine then ending up on the disabled list or in surgery is not.

Shame on these players hiding their injuries. In the Phillies case they may have been able to put Lidge on the D.L. a month ago, not lost the games that Lidge blew, and had him back by now 100%. Because of Lidge's actions, the Phillies may be without their star closer for some time to come and may have lost a game that will come back to haunt them in September.

National Announcers Need to Go!

Baseball is part of the fabric of our lives. The game is on in our house 162 days of the year plus Spring Training and if we are lucky a few playoff games. Our favorite team's announcers are like a part of our family. They are our voice of the game and we welcome them into our home daily. As a Phillies fan I mourned the loss of Richie Ashburn in 1997 and Harry Kalas this season. I was lucky enough to have met both men a number of times, but the fact that I listened to them day after day, year after year is why I and so many fans were affected by their passing. Our announcers are the soundtracks to our summer.

So on a Saturday afternoon when your team is on Fox or on Sunday night when they are on ESPN you are stuck listening to these bozo national announcers that most people can't stand listening to and that know so much less about your team than you do that you wonder how they have a job. Joe Morgan, Jon Miller, Tim McCarver, Joe Buck, Steve Phillips, need I go on or were their names enough to make you cringe? Why do these networks keep these guys under contract? Why do we need to suffer every time our team is on a National telecast? There is a solution. But before I tell you what it is, suffer through my example of how these guys don't even know the team's they are covering...

In 2006 the Philadelphia Phillies were on Sunday night baseball a handful of times. In each broadcast, Jon Miller went on about how Bobby Abreu was not only a good hitter but also a great fielder. Have you ever seen Bobby Abreu play right field? The guy won't go near a wall and misplays most balls hit over his head. Miller's idiotic comment helped Abreu win the most undeserved Gold Glove in the history of the award.

So what is the answer? Get rid of these guys and when there is a game, have an announcer from each team call the game. Bias is offset and two announcers that know their own team inside and out can correctly inform the national audience about their team and their players. Imagine a Brewers Dodgers game with Vin Scully and Bob Uecker as the commentators. Talk about getting ratings!

It makes so much sense Bud Selig will never get it. So sorry fans, suffer when your team is on national t.v.

Imagining Life Without A Newspaper

A story that has me second guessing what to do with my life.  Jim Caple:

    Tracy Ringolsby has covered baseball for so long that he's in the Hall of Fame and can remember transmitting stories via Western Union. This spring brought a new experience. When his newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News, abruptly stopped publishing last month, he needed to arrange a flight home from Tucson, Ariz.    

    Then he learned his company credit card had been cut off. He wound up paying for his flight, hotel and rental car out of pocket, then submitted the expenses for reimbursement.

    The bank refused to accept the check. Twice.

    The check eventually cleared, but that story pretty much sums up the current state of newspapers, which makes the U.S. auto industry look robust.

    In addition to the Rocky Mountain News, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, my former employer, ceased print publication last week after 146 years, laying off around 150 employees and retaining about 20 reporters to maintain a Web-only product, SeattlePI.com. Three of the four newspapers that cover the world-champion Philadelphia Phillies on a daily basis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 24/7 Wall St. speculated that the San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe, Detroit News, Miami Herald and Minneapolis Star Tribune are among 10 papers most likely to fold or publish only online.

    And all that has happened just since pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.

    I feel awful about the P-I situation. I know one writer who filed a story, then realized it might be the final game he would ever cover, sat in his car and cried. I've heard stories about reporters (husband/wife couples who both were thrown out of jobs) that made me want to weep, too. But I also realize the only difference between these employees and the millions of others thrown out of work in the past year is that the newspaper pink slips strike much closer to home for me.

    My school of choice, Suffolk University in Boston, costs 43,000 dollars a year.  My question to myself: why pay that to get into a field that makes on average only 42,000 dollars per year?  Why pay that much to get into a field that may be obsolete by the time I have my degree?

    Caple brought up quite a few newspapers close too going down but The Philadelphia

Daily News, Chicago-Sun Times, New YorkDaily News, Fort-Worth Star-Telegram, and Cleveland Plain Dealer all could go under within two years.  The Houston Chronicle and Atlanta Journal-Constitution have combined to lay off about 300 workers already.

    This is a sad time in American history.  When I am old and grown up and my son asks me what my first job was, I am also going to have to explain to him what a newspaper even is.  Circulation rates are constantly dropping and newspapers could go extinct a lot sooner than you think. 

    If you don’t have a subscription to a local newspaper, think about investing in it.  Once newspapers are gone for good they won’t be coming back.  Web content from newspapers won’t be free anymore in the coming years.  I guarantee once you pay your first online subscription your going to miss something people have taken for granted for centuries.

    There is no substitute in life for what you read in the morning everyday with your coffee.  Something that’s been a basis of American life for centuries is about to die off in a decade, and that is very sad.