Scott Rolen Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Former St. Louis Cardinal and Philadelphia Phillie third baseman Scott Rolen has been elected to the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America.  He will join Fred McGriff this summer in induction ceremonies at the hall in Cooperstown, NY.  McGriff was selected to the hall by the Contemporary Era Committee.

I had the chance to watch Rolen many times at Busch Stadium II and Busch Stadium III, while he was a member of the Cardinals between 2002 and 2007.  Rolen was a good third baseman offensivly but I didn't think his production would land him in the hall.  However, he is one of the best defensively I've ever seen play the position.  While with the Cards Rolen played on two world series teams.  The Cardinals lost to the Red Sox in 2004 and then won it all against the Detroit Tigers in 2006.  Rolen was an integral part of both teams.

I hope Rolen will go into the Hall with a Cardinal hat on his induction plaque.  He played more years with the Phillies but put up better numbers with the Cardinals and was selected to four All-Star teams during his time in St. Louis.

He played a total of 17 years in the big leagues, seven with the Phillies, six with the Cardinals, parts of four years with the Reds and a partial season with the Blue Jays.  His career stats included a .281 batting average, 316 home runs and 1287 RBI.

Rolen and McGriff, who played for the Blue Jays, Braves and Rays, will be inducted into the baseball hall on Sunday July 23rd.

Game Six = 3:18

It's over and done for another year.  Thankfully.  One of the least entertaining World Series I can recall in the last 60 years came to a merciful conclusion last night in Houston.  For the record the Astros won the series four games to two.  The score last night was 5-2 obviously in favor of the Astros.

The game will not go down in history as memorable except for Houston beating a mediocre Philadelphia team and bringing the series to a close.  This game featured 17 strikeouts and seven walks.  Add to that five pitching changes and well, you get the idea.

According to those who think it's a big deal Jeremy Pena was named the series MVP.  And according to yours truly, Rhys Hoskins was the least valuable player of the Series.

The average time of game this year was 3 hours and 36 minutes.  (That includes game one which lasted ten innings, but that opening game also lasted an ungodly four hours and 34 minutes.)  Game one was the longest game of this year World Series and game three was the shortest coming in at three hours and eight minutes.

Both of my predictions prior to the start of the series were on the money.  I picked the Astros to win in five games (it took six) and I wrote the average time of game would be 3:35.  I missed that forecast by one minute.

Game Five = 3:57

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This game started just after seven p.m. and was so long it didn't end until after eleven where I live.  Three hours and 57 minutes is a very long time for a 3-2 game that was won by the Astros in Philadelphia.

The game featured lots of boredom as 24 batters struck out.  That's 44 percent of all of the outs recorded last night.  Chief of the strikeout artists was the Phillies Rhys Hoskins who whiffed four times in five at bats.  That shouldn't be too surprising as this Phillie has struck out 23 times in post season in just 69 plate appearances.  Hoskins also hurt his team in the eighth inning when he booted a ball that ended up giving the Astros a run that turned out to be the game winner.

Here is a look at the times of games for every ten years going back sixty years.

Game 5 - October 10, 1962 = 2:42     Yankees 5 - Giants 3

Game 5 - October 20, 1972 = 2:26     Reds 5 - Athletics 4

Game 5 - October 17, 1982 = 3:02     Brewers 6 - Cardinals 4

Game 5 - October 22, 1992 = 3:05     Braves 7 - Blue Jays 2

Game 5 - October 24, 2002 = 3:53     Giants 16 - Angels 4

In 2012 there was no game five as the Giants swept the Tigers in four games.

As you can see the trend is games have gotten longer and longer as pitching became more specialized, pitchers and hitters failed to stay on the mound or in the batter's box and umpires failed to call the strike zone as it is written.

For baseball more time at the ballpark does not mean improved quality.  If anything it drives the public to other forms of entertainment.  At the same time baseball's popularity has waned the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League have all seen huge increases in attendance and rising television ratings.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see where baseball is headed.

Game Four = 3:25

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The fourth game of the 2022 World Series lasted 185 minutes with the Astros shutting out the Phillies 5-0.  Four Houston pitchers led by Christian Javier held the Phillies hitless.  (The game was a no hitter, but to me a true no hitter is one pitcher throwing a complete game, not four guys joining together to keep the other team hitless for nine innings.)  It marked the first time a team had gone an entire World Series game without a hit since 1956, when the Yankees' Don Larsen pitched a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in game five.

As a comparison, that game in the 1956 series lasted two hours and six minutes.  This game lasted one hour and 19 minutes longer.  The Phillies also managed to strike out 14 times, while the Astros whiffed another eleven times.  That means 25 of the games 54 putouts (46%) had absolutely no action on the field except for the batter failing to make contact.

The reason for this is MLB's infatuation with the long ball.  Singles hitters don't get paid their worth, while hitters that strike out over 100 times a year and hit 30+ home runs are getting huge contracts.  MLB is trying to put butts in seats and believes fans would rather see home run derbies than games featuring pitching, speed and defense.  And a whole generation of fans has bought into that mentality.  That has led to more pitching specialists and more money being paid to big league pitchers.  With teams investing in pitchers arms they are more protective of those arms, thus the shortened pitching stints in a game for big league and to a certain extent minor league pitchers. The bottom line is, and it's been this way for a very long time, is the game is big, big business.  The fan can either take it or leave it.

Apparently, more fans are opting to leave it.  The latest ratings reveal that more than 300 thousand TV viewers chose not to watch game two this year compared to the second game of the 2021 World Series.  Why you ask.  The game has become so specialized at the big league level it's boring.  While MLB believes changing rules to implement a pitch clock will speed up the game next year, it must still deal with too many pitching changes and too many plate appearances where nothing happens.

Unless a strong commissioner comes along, who is given the power to make drastic changes, the game will continue to die a slow death.

Game Three = 3:08

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The third game of the World Series was completed last night with Philadelphia winning 7-0 in a boring lopsided affair.  The time of the game was three hours and eight minutes, which based on today's standard is not that long.  But in the long history of the game it is very long.  For example game three of the 1962 World Series between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants was completed in two hours and six minutes before a crowd of more than 71 thousand at Yankee Stadium.  The Yankees won that game three to two.

Last night's game was marked by the same lack of activity as the first two games of this series.  In total there were 23 plate appearances where the ball was not put into play.  There were "only" six pitching changes this game which helped to speed it up slightly from the first two games.  Still, how dull is it to sit at the ballpark and watch pitchers warm up?  Very dull.  So much so I did not watch the game.

And while I'm ranting, Astro pitchers needs to drill a Phillie slugger in the back after the hitter stands at the plate and admires a home run they've just hit.  Philly you may be the National League champ in the Series, but you've proven yourself to be a bush league team.

GameTwo = 3:18

The Houston Astros bounced back to win game two of the 2022 World Series 5-2 over the Philadelphia Phillies in a game played at Minute Maid Park in Houston.  The game was completed in three hours and 18 minutes.  But, keep in mind Houston didn't bat in the ninth inning.

The game was seven minutes longer than Game Two of the 2021 series between the Astros and Atlanta Braves.  Last night's game was 52 minutes longer than game two of the 1972 World Series between the Oakland A's and Cincinnati Reds.  That game 50 years ago featured A's Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter outdueling the Reds Ross Grimsley 2-1 at old Riverfront Stadium.

Last night's contest featured 24 plate appearances in which the batter failed to put the ball in play.  There were 17 batters who whiffed and seven more that took a walk.  And to drag it out even more there were five pitching changes in a game that was never close.

Game One = 4:34

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The first game of the 2022 World Series is behind us.  Philadelphia came from behind to beat Houston 6-5 in ten innings.

The time of the game, in case you didn't look at the headline was four hours and 34 minutes.  Yes, 274 minutes long.  It started just after seven p.m. where I live and didn't end until after 11:30 p.m.  That means 12:30 a.m. along the east coast of the US.  I wonder how many kids fell asleep or had to go to bed before it ended.  MLB you really need to be cultivating those young fans because your future is not bright.

For the record there were 23 strikeouts and nine walks in the game.  That means there was no action on the field outside of the pitcher and catcher where fans watching at the field and on TV waited for the ball to be put into play.  And to add to the boredom there were eleven pitching changes when fans sat around waiting for the game to resume.  Your fans are asleep MLB, but even with next year's planned rules changes to speed up the game you are in trouble.  Wake up!

Fearless World Series Prediction

As I finally get around to writing this, the 2022 World Series is underway in Houston with the Astros leading the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in the fourth inning of Game One.

After seeing both teams play during the regular and post-season I can say with a fair amount of certainty Houston is superior in all aspects to Philadelphia.  The Phillies momentum has taken them as far as they will go this year..

Houston has the better pitching, hitting and defense.  Phillies bats have come alive in the post season but they haven't faced the likes of Verlander and the rest of the Houston pitching staff.  I don't have a dog in this fight and really don't care who wins.  But, for what it's worth my fearless prediction is the Astros in five games.

Congratulations Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2019

Baseball inducted six new members into its Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY this afternoon.  The class is comprised of Mike Mussina, the late Roy Halladay, Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez, Lee Smith and Mariano Rivera.

I have written previously of my experiences watching Baines and Smith.  While they did not make it initially on their retirement, they were selected by the Today's Game Era committee in December. Both posted numbers worthy of Hall of Fame induction.  Smith's arrival was delayed for several years because of his role as a closer.  Baines' admission was delayed by the long overdue consideration of designated heroes.

Lee Smith's HOF plaque pictures him in a Chicago Cubs cap.  But, he also spoke fondly of his years with the Cardinals.  He thanked his former manager with the Redbirds, Joe Torre, for the guidance and direction he received while playing in St.Louis.  He also spoke highly of Cardinal fans saying they were always supportive of him during his three and a half years with the Cardinals.

I don't ever recall seeing Mike Mussina pitch in person but I saw him throw on TV many times. I can recall him battling in the World Series against the Diamondbacks in 2001 and the Marlins in 2003. In all Mussina pitched in 16 post season series and won seven games.  That may not be a lot but each of those were big wins for the Yankees. During his long career with the Orioles and Yankees he started 536 games and won 270 of them while striking out over 2800 batters along the way.

Roy Halladay joined the Hall posthumously following his retirement after the 2013 season from the Philadelphia Phillies.  He died an untimely death when the plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico in November 2017.  Halladay's widow Brandy Halladay accepted her late husband's plaque at the induction ceremony.  In an emotional speech she thanked the Hall for voting her husband into baseball immortality.  I had the good fortune to see Halladay pitch in person at Busch Stadium III when he was a Phillie. He gave my beloved Cardinals fits.  But, there were a number of pitching gems when he battled against his former buddy Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals.  The Cardinals managed to win afew times including a classic in the 2011 NLDS.  Halladay posted 203 wins in 16 seasons with the Bluejays and Phils.  He also posted over 21 hundred strikeouts.

From the sounds of the induction ceremony there were a large number of fans from the Pacific Northwest who traveled across the country to Cooperstown to see Edgar Martinez go into the Hall.  I was fortunate to see Martinez play in person for the Mariners in the old King Dome in Seattle when visiting friends who lived there in the early 90's.  Martinez had one of the sweetest swings I ever saw and he drove the ball with authority.  Combined with his speed he led the American League in doubles twice.  Once in 1992 and again in 1995.  But, his best year may have been 2000 when he drove in an amazing 145 runs. I also remember seeing two of the most exciting players in the same lineup when he and Ken Griffey, Jr. played together for over ten years.  Junior is already a member of the Hall having been inducted in 2016.

And last but not least the Hall inducted Mariano Rivera this afternoon.  I got to see Rivera play one time in person against the Cardinals but oh what a performance it was. In June 2005 the Yankees were at Busch Stadium II.  At the time I was not a fan of inter-league play.  To be honest I am still not a fan of it.  But, I was fortunate because I saw two future Hall of Famers pitch for the Yankees that afternoon.  Randy Johnson, who was inducted in 2015, pitched the first 7 innings before giving way to Tom "Flash" Gordon in the eighth.  Gordon allowed two runners and with two out Rivera came in for a four out save opportunity.  He struck out Larry Walker to end the inning.  In the 9th he got future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols to foul out to first and then struck out Reggie Sanders and Mark Grudzielanek to record his 14th save of the season.  In his speech this afternoon Rivera also gave thanks to his former manager Joe Torre.  One final note Rivera is the only player to be elected to the Hall unanimously on the first ballot.

Congratulations to all six 2019 Hall of Famers and their families!

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Fox Midwest Broadcast is Un-Watchable

As I write this I'm watching my beloved Cardinals play the Philadelphia Phillies.  The game is  ugly and so is the announcing.  The Cardinals broadcast crew on Fox Sports Midwest is comprised of Dan McLaughlin and retired (fired) Fox Sports analyst Tim McCarver.

McLaughlin is the biggest homer in the world and seems clueless at times as to what is happening on the field.  McCarver is retired from FOX sports and well, should have stayed retired.  Case in point the two are talking about the World Cup and making mistakes and in the process ignoring the action on the field.

Please FOX please, have a talk with McCarver and ask him to stay away from Cardinal broadcasts.  And while you're at it, find someone who has a knowledge of baseball to replace McLaughlin.

Congratulations Cardinals!

It's been almost four days now and I am still celebrating the St. Louis Cardinals latest World Series Championship. I won't go into a lot of detail but this World Championship is sweeter than the first four I've experienced in my lifetime.

I had written this team off back in August when they were playing like, well...crap. They weren't hitting, the bullpen was terrible and the defense was making stupid mistakes 10 year old kids don't make. But after falling back 10 1/2 games on August 25th, it turned around. Why, I don't really know. Injuries started to heal, the bullpen started getting batters out and the starting pitching came up with solid starts almost every night. Top it off with timely hitting and you can see how the club won 15 of 20 down the stretch. Twice, in the playoffs they got behind teams that were better on paper. The Phillies had more wins than any team in baseball this year and the Brewers were six games better than the Cards during the regular season. But still it was the Redbirds who found themselves in the Series.

The Cardinals again fell behind the Rangers after five games. In fact they were down to their final strike, twice, last Thursday night in Game 6. But, they rallied and went on to win this Series described by many baseball writers as the best World Series in years.

David Freese was named the MVP of the series, but really almost every player stepped up at one time or another down the stretch and during the playoffs. In my book (and yeah I know this will sound corny) they are all MVPs. Congratulations World Champion Saint Louis Cardinals!

Good Luck Redbirds

Here it is 19 days later and the Cardinals are still playing. I really didn't have much hope for their playoff chances but...they are still playing. In fact the World Series starts tomorrow night at Busch Stadium.

It's the Cardinals against a very good Texas Rangers team that tore through the American League playoffs and destroyed the Rays and Tigers along the way. At the same time the Cardinals edged out a tough Philadelphia squad and then got past a good Milwaukee team that hit the ball hard.

But, bottom line it's the Cards in the Series for the 18th time in their history. This has also been one of the most enjoyable baseball post-seasons for me in a long time. Maybe it's because of the Cardinals underdog role. Maybe, it's because of their never-say-die attittude. But, it's a great group of guys and they seem to be having a lot of fun and seem unfazed by any pressure. Witness the teams catch phrase #HappyFlight and tweets from Allen Craig's pet tortoise @TortyCraig. Whatever it is they are having fun and so am I. I won't make a prediction on the World Series this year but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see this team win it all. Go CARDS!!!

The Cardinals Get a Wake Up Call

The Birdies went to Philadelphia this week and played a good team in the Phillies. The result - the Cards lost three out of four, and they didn't do much hitting or more accuratly much timely hitting.

So, while the Birds are the best in the NL Central, they are by no means the best in the National League. That honor must be reserved for the Phillies or Giants. The Cards have three good starters right now and the best everyday player in the game. Outside of that the bullpen is suspect and two of their brightest prospects are not hitting. I know it's a long season but let's hope the hitting comes around as the weather warms up. Otherwise, it will be another year of close but no cigar.

Catching Up

I've been busy this past couple of weeks and haven't had much time to write. In reality, there hasn't been much to write about.

In sports the baseball playoffs have been boring being dominated by two East Coast teams I have no use for. (Although, as I write this the Angels have rallied against the Yankees to go ahead in game six). But, I fear ultimately it will be another "who cares" World Series of the Yank This and Fillies. (Yes, pun intended).

In other sports, Mizzou has lost two in a row and is poised to lose to Texas this weekend in Columbia and the Rams have continued their winless streak and are now 6-0. But, I believe their defense is actually better than last year.

I guess if I can find some humor in the whole situation it was listening to ESPN talking head Chris Berman trying to do baseball play-by-play. Berman's huge ego got in the way and he was terrible, but so bad he became a laughing stock. Thanks for the laughs Boomer.

Philadelphia Phillies World Series Champions

Congratulations to the Phillies and their entire organization on last nights win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The last three and a half inning played last night were as good as the rest of the series. The Phillies turned out to be the better team in this short series. And that's what they pay off on. Whoever wins four first is the champ. I really think if they played the Series ten times, both of these teams could win five. They were both that good. I think the difference for the Phillies was closer Brad Lidge.

I got a kick out of the fans at the ballpark in the post game hype when trophies were being presented. The knowledgeable fans from the "City of Brotherly Love" booed the snot out of Commissioner Bud Selig. Those people who sat in a freezing rain on Monday night, and then had to come back to winter cold last night because of Selig's arrogance, had every right to boo the moron who calls the shots at MLB.

Random thoughts on the World Series

It's been an interesting World Series to this point. The Rays and Phillies are both fun teams. I have enjoyed what I have been able to see of it. But Major League Baseball (MLB), as I have written before, has sold it's soul to the devil (Fox Sports). Otherwise, I and many, many millions of others could have stayed awake to see a great game three last Saturday night. I finally turned it off at midnight. Think about the poor fans in the Eastern time zone who had to sit up until almost two in the morning to see the finish.

The umpiring has been bad and so has the weather. Why is it that one guy can change the rules of a great game that has been played for years? Each umpire calling home plate is a little different. But, the rules book clearly defines a strike and a ball. So, why don't they all call it the same? And, it's not just the plate umpire. A horrible call was made at first base Saturday night and an even worse one made on Sunday night at third base. If these guys are the best baseball has...then it is hurting. As far as the weather Commissioner Bud Selig says they will stay in Philadelphia until Thanksgiving if needed. Gee, I wonder how that makes the Rays and their families feel? You can almost hear the execs in the NFL suite laughing from here.

Despite the poor management by Selig and his moron advisers, the game thrives. Just think how much more popular it would be if someone who knew what they were doing was actually calling the shots.