August 31st Trade Deadline

Have you ever been confused about the July and August trade deadlines in Major League Baseball. Here is an article I pulled off MLB.com that discusses the waiver wire August trades.

Here is a look at how a trade can be completed via the waiver wire process after July 31:

In most instances, teams place a large number of their players on waivers and still never follow through with a trade. But through this process, they can at least gauge interest and see if there are sensible and available trade options that would allow them to fill a present need or relieve themselves of a high-salaried player. With the passing of Monday's trade deadline, all teams must now pass players through waivers before trading them. Beginning Tuesday, all teams were permitted to place as many as seven players per day on the waiver wire. Thus by Friday, many teams will have already put members of their 25-man roster on waivers. Multiple teams can claim a player who has been placed on waivers. If two teams were to claim a specific player, the lower-ranking team according to winning percentage (whether it be an American or National League team), is given rights to that player for 48 hours.
For example: If the Astros and Red Sox were to both put a claim on Andruw Jones, the Astros would have that 48-hour period to discuss a trade with the Braves. If nothing materialized, Jones would remain with the Braves.

All players remain on the waiver wire for two full business days. If they are never claimed, they can be traded at any point, to any team for the remainder of the season. But to be eligible for the postseason, a player must be traded by Aug. 31. If a player is claimed by a team and a deal never materializes, a team will not likely place them back on waivers. When they initially place a player on waivers, a team has the right to pull them back at any time. But when a player is placed on waivers a second time, the claim is irrevocable. Thus any claiming team owns the rights and a trade must be completed.

Peter Gammons is a Genius

Legendary sportswriter and ESPN broadcast journalist Peter Gammons transferred his journalistic acumen from the sports page to the musical charts July 4 with the release of his debut album, Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old. In his first foray as a recording artist, Gammons utilizes the talents of music and baseball friends to present an assorted compilation of classic blues and rock ‘n’ roll covers, as well as his own “She Fell From Heaven.”

Special guests on the album include Red Sox players Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Trot Nixon and Gabe Kapler, Sox play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo, acoustic guitar and vocals by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo and Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo, as well as vocals by Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. Additionally, Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein makes a special guest appearance playing electric guitar.

“I was flabbergasted when I was asked to undertake this project,” said Gammons. “Life is good when one can continue with a lifelong philosophy that you can only be young once but you can always be immature, while being able to turn that into the avocation of helping the underprivileged. Warren Zevon would smile if he knew he contributed to Paul and Theo Epstein's Foundation To Be Named Later."

I don’t think that I will rush out and buy this album unless I find out that Gammons is doing an in-depth analysis of the St. Louis Cardinals while playing a Metallica cover. Of course, we are all thinking of Gammons and pushing for his full recovery after his brain aneurysm. The man is a genius and perhaps he is a lyrical genius. If anyone has heard his album please let me know what you think of it.

ALL-STAR GAME MEANS NOTHING

Bud Selig has done a few good things for baseball, but he has done some strange things also. Among those strange things (as most baseball enthusiasts would agree) is deciding that the winner of All-Star game will determine what league has home field advantage. Of course, the AL loves this because they are winning all the All-Star games. But the way the game is currently setup does not provide a real game situation. If the game truly meant something then starting pitchers should go 6 or 7 innings, and position players should play most of the game (except for A-Rod, he can sit after the first inning because he won’t do anything anyway). Players should be substituted in a manner reflecting a real game. But the All-Star game is not a real game -- it is an exhibition that allows fans to see some of baseballs greatest players. I do sympathize with Bud in the fact that many players see it as a time to rest mid-season and get ready for the second-half, so if the game didn’t mean anything then more and more players would decline. If players truly loved the fans and the game, then they would show up to the game no matter what. And what is wrong with the team having the best record in the Majors have home field advantage? Is that because the NBA does it and Bud doesn’t want to be like the NBA. I am getting way off track here, but the main point is that Bud needs to end the All-Star game ‘meaning something.’ Let the players and the fans have fun and enjoy the game or make the managers manage the game in a ‘real’ fashion. That would be a classic Bud decision - - perhaps next year he will institute the rule that the NL gets a two run lead so they have a chance to win the All-Star game.

Who bought the World Series?

Rick Sutcliffe is not the smartest baseball analyst around. This is adequately shown by his recent public drunkenness, but also shown by an article he recently wrote on ESPN.com. The guy does not write based upon facts, but writes based upon beliefs. Though he was a great baseball player, he has some work to do on analyzing baseball (why does the world believe that since you played a sport you must be a good analyst – Charles Barkley and Joe Morgan, case in point). Sutcliffe wrote:

“What people forget is that the Yankees championships' were built through their farm system and the draft. When they were winning World Series titles, starting in 1996, the Yankees were not led by players like Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Gary Sheffield or Alex Rodriguez, all players who came aboard via free agency. They were led by Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera. All came up in the Yankees' system.”

That is indeed a good point that Jeter, Posada, Williams, and Rivera all came from the Yankees farm system, but was there anyone else in all those years that truly made a difference? No. Those championships were won based upon the free agents and trades who came into the Yankee system. Not only just ‘free agents and trades’ but ‘the best free agents and players available on the market.’ Here is a short list of players that came into the Yankees program to help them ‘buy’ a World Series from 1997 to 2000:

Wade Boggs
David Cone
Tino Martinez
Paul O’Neil
Tim Raines
Cecil Fielder
Jimmy key
Darryl Strawberry
David Wells
Orlando Hernandez
Chuck Knobloch
Chili Davis
Scott Brosius
Mike Stanton
Roger Clemens
Jose Canseco
Glenallen Hill
David Justice
Denny Neagle

There are probably many more that I have neglected to mention….but I think you get the picture - - The Yankees World Championships did not come from their farm system and draft.

Forever Memories Photography

Baseball seems to be handling itself without me blogging about it, so I am going to post some pictures from Forever Memories Photography, that deal with baseball. These pictures are absolutely amazing and caught my eye because of their uniqueness. These are actual photographs that have been manipulated to give it an old time picture feel. Look at the artistic ability and creativity of the photographer. The photographer is Stacey M. Griffin. She is a well-known photographer that specializes in children’s photography; however, she has taken wedding pictures all over the country and is known for her creativity, artistic foresight, and sweet personality. Check out the website at http://www.forevermemoriesphoto.com/. Apparently, she is in high demand but well worth booking a sitting with her….besides, her prices are less expensive than most photographers of her stature and experience.

Fire Joe Morgan

I recently read that Joe Morgan received an article that said "Bob Costas, Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth and Joe Morgan were honored as outstanding sports personalities... Morgan as an event analyst for ESPN." So, basically Morgan won a Sports Emmy, but I am not quite sure why. I know that he announces the Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN, but is there something else that he does? There is no way he could win an Emmy for his baseball game announcing. The guy is the worst analyst I have ever heard. Thank goodness for Jon Miller and his announcing abilities or else Joe Morgan would be fired. Morgan has no clue as to what pitch the pitcher threw. I have seen him time and time again call a fastball a change-up and a curve a fastball and a change-up a curve. Furthermore, he is so negative about the game of baseball and players today. He never has anything good to say - and plus he never has anything smart to say. A couple of weeks ago I was watching the Sunday night game, and the center fielder made a great diving catch. Miller went on and on about the great play, but Morgan added "Well, frankly that is what center fielders are paid to do." What an idiotic statement. Give the player some credit. Additionally, Morgan always talks about how great he was, and how great his team was, and how great the game of baseball was back in his day. Baseball analysts should analyze the game and talk about the players from the game they are currently discussing. Frankly, Morgan is probably the worst analyst/broadcaster in the game of baseball right now (besides Tino Martinez - but we will give him some time to get his feet under him. Remember how Harold Reynolds was when he first came to ESPN), and I have no idea why ESPN keeps bringing him back. I do not believe there is a true baseball fan out there that respects Morgan for his broadcasting abilities - and most didn't care for his baseball skills and "flapping arm" when he was at bat.

While looking for some material on Joe Morgan I came across a website that is probably the sweetest website I have ever seen. It focuses a lot on Morgan's weekly chat on ESPN and then analyzes everything he says. I don't think I have laughed so hard as I did when I read the things posted on this website. If you get a chance, then check it out www.firejoemorgan.blogspot.com. I think you will get a kick out of it also - especially if you are a true fan of the game of baseball.

Ozzie vs. LaRussa

Growing up, there was one baseball player that I wanted to be like – Ozzie Smith. My baseball jersey’s always had a number 1 plastered to the back. He comprised amazing defensive abilities, uncanny athleticism, and flare for the dramatic. There has never been (or ever will be) a shortstop that played with the skills, abilities, and charisma of the Wizard of Oz.
As the years past, I knew the inevitable was bound to come to pass - The Oz would have to retire. Only on the Field of Dreams can a person play baseball forever. But I was not alone, all fans of the St. Louis Cardinals dreaded the day when the player they embraced for so long, the player who was the face of the Cardinals, would step away from the game. At the age of 41, the great Ozzie retired from the game of baseball in 1996 and he was just as quick and just as nimble as ever.
Which made Tony LaRussa’s decision to platoon the shortstop position between Ozzie and Royce Clayton so disturbing. Here was the greatest shortstop ever and the most beloved player to hit St. Louis since Stan “the Man” Musial and Bob Gibson, and LaRussa was essentially ‘benching’ him. Of course, LaRussa claimed it was to protect Ozzie because of injuries the previous year and to slowly integrate Clayton to that position. Critics may agree with LaRussa, but he should have given Ozzie the chance to prove himself. If Ozzie could not compete, then Ozzie would have relinquished playing time, because that is the type of person and player he is. Now there is a clash of pride between The Wizard and LaRussa that we are currently reading about in the news – a feud that has lasted these 10 years. Ozzie felt hurt because of the way he was treated his final year in St. Louis, and he rightly deserves to feel that way. However, he could be such an influence to the Cardinal organization. I hate to say this but Ozzie needs to humble himself and rekindle his relationship with “management.” LaRussa needs to take a few steps forward in repairing his hurt pride along with Ozzie’s pride. LaRussa is a great manager (though he sometimes has questionable strategies because he ‘thinks’ too much), but he did not handle this situation well in 1996 and he is not handling it well now.

Damn Yankees

Much of the Major League baseball community was elated to see the Yankees start the season off in such a slow fashion and dwell in the cellar position of their division. However, we all knew it was just a matter of time before the Yankees would scrape and crawl their way back to the top. This is largely due to the fact that Mussina is having a career year. He is the only stable aspect of the Yankees right now – except for A-Rod has had some resurgence ever since someone called him a “girl.” (A-Rod: “I’ll show you that I am not a girl.”) Randy Johnson hasn’t been helping the cause – which is sad, because he has been such a dominant pitcher for so long and is one of the only likable guys on the Yankees.

I thought the injuries to the Yankees would hurt them, but it might actually force A-Rod to play better. He has been so complacent for so long because the team is surround by good solid players that he doesn’t have to shine. But perhaps, like Andrew Jones last year when Chipper went down to injuries, A-Rod will start living up to his talent and the hype. I didn’t intend this blog to focus so much on A-Rod, but instead I wanted to ‘bash’ the Yankees a bit.

The Yankees will make it to the playoffs again this year, unless Mussina reverts back to his old form and Randy Johnson never regains his old form. However, Boston has been playing extremely well lately, but that might just be mirage, given the many changes made to their team and lack of playing experience together. Beckett seems to be a quality ‘gamer’ and Schilling has shown some brilliance at times. Even Mike Lowell has improved drastically from last year. Some of Boston’s role players, like Willy Mo Pena and Mark Loretta, have shown steady improvement. Who knows, maybe Boston will sit at the top of the rankings by the end of the season - - and we can only pray for more Yankee injuries. But then they will just go out and buy more players….

MLB and Steroids - Cut Bud Some Slack!

Bud Selig is receiving unfair criticism concerning this whole Major League Baseball steroid scandal. Basically, critics say that Selig either was out of touch with baseball or that he just turned his back on steroids because of the popularity of baseball made by Sosa, McGwire, Bonds, and others. Those that take this position are uneducated and baseball illiterate. The reason for steroids in baseball is because there was no testing mechanism available MLB because player testing is a collectively bargained issue. Testing could not be inposed by Bud without the player's union willing to accept a testing program for any kind of substance use. The Players Association's stance was that testing is part of the rights of personal privacy. There was a steadfast refusal on the union's part for any kind of testing. But thanks to Congress and Presidential intervention and the threat of federal legislation, the Union was willing to sit down with the Commisioner's Office and impose a testing program.

The Commisioner's Office was able to institute a testing program in the minor's, thanks to no union intervention. This program involved the ability to test any player for any drug at any time. The number of incidents in the minors has been minimal due to this policy. I believe with a similar policy in the Majors would have prevented steroid allegations and scandals.
So, let's cut Bud some slack, and start blaming the union. They have continually ruined the game of baseball causing salaries to skyrocket, among other things...but that is a blog for another time.

Will the Rocket Re-Launch?

Like the rest of the world, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Roger Clemens to make a final decision as to IF he is going to pitch again and WHERE that will be. Houston is in town this week (Denver) and I am so mad because I should be watching Roger pitch. But, no, the guy can't make a decision in life. Sure he deserves a lot of respect and can basically command any contract that he wants, but this is getting ridiculous. Make a decision already so that not only can I get on with my life, but so can the rest of the baseball world. I doubt that he will retire, because at this point it would be ridiculous. I assume he is going to wait and see who is going to be in the best position to win the world series and then go with that team. The Yankees seem to be in the best position for that, but Houston would definitely be a better fit for him. But the Rocket will pitch again, he is too good, and too competitive not to do it. If he can be dominating for half a season for the next fives years, he should consider trying that out....

Wild Card Standings

As you know, wild card teams have advanced to the last Four World Series with three Wild Card teams winning - Angels '02, Marlins '03, and the Red Sox '04. Is the current post-season format to your liking? Let me know. Personally, I think there should be two wild card teams and these teams should play a one- or three-game playoff to advance to the next round. There the winning wild card team will face the No. 1 seed team. Currently, the No. 1 seed has no better chance or opprortunity to win then the wild card. When you are the best team over 162 games, you ought to be able to 'hopscotch' over the first round. I hate to admit this, but Major League Baseball could learn a little from the NFL.

Cy Young #5

Greg Maddux won his 5th game of the young 2006 season yesterday. Even in his 4 Cy Young years, Maddux never started the season off 5-0. I feel like I am back in 1995! Maddux is truly an amazing pitcher who has been baffling hitters for years. What is even more amazing is that the guy recently turned 40. He is following in the footsteps of Roger Clemens, with having an amazing career after the age of 40.

But, no matter how great the guy is, and how much I respect him, I still think he looks like Corky from the television show Life Goes On that played in the late 80's.

Bonds or Maddux??

In his book, Built to Win, General Manager John Schuerholz reveals that Barry Bonds was an Atlanta Brave for 15 hours at the beginning of the 1992 season. The Pittsburgh Pirates nixed the deal right before the deal was announced to the general public. Thus, Bonds never officially became a Brave. Schuerholz revealed that if the Braves had signed Bonds then they never could have afforded Greg Maddux following the 1992 season. So, this brings to mind the question "Would the Braves have been better off with Bonds?" Furthermore, with the Braves' strict code of ethics, would Barry Bonds have taken steroids and, perhaps, been a better overall person? Would the Braves have won 14 straight divisions? Would the Braves have won another World Series or two?

Let me know what you think.