I believe it is foolish to get wrapped up in Spring Training statistics, particularly when they come from players who have already secured roster spots.

When a player goes through an 0-for 10 stretch at the plate, it’s not something that gets me worked up, and likewise if a young player goes through a 7-for-10 stretch I don’t jump to the conclusion that the Phillies have the next great thing on their hands.

But once in awhile I see something in Spring Training that holds my attention. Today Cole Hamels did exactly that.

The notion that the Phillies chances of winning  a second World Series in three years hinges on Hamels being the pitcher of 2008 and not the sub-.500 one of 2009 [...]

Now its time to look at the American League beginning with the home of the past three American League Champions(Red Sox, Rays, Yankees) and two of the last three World Champions (Red Sox and Yankees).   This quite possibly is the toughest division in Baseball.  Here is how I see 2010:

1. New York Yankees – The Yankees spent freely last season, bringing in Mark Teixera, C.C Sabathia and AJ Burnett and it resulted in their first World Championship since the 2000 season.  This offseason has been much different.  They made trades to get Curtis Granderson from the Tigers and Javier Vazquez from the Braves and in the process lost only Melky Cabrera from their roster.  It remains to be seen what [...]

“Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas” is currently the number 4 in Biographies and Baseball books at Amazon.com.

From Amazon.com – To Philadelphia Phillies fans, he was the soundtrack of summer. To millions of football fans across America, he was the “Voice of the NFL.” And as open and giving as Harry Kalas was throughout his professional and personal life, there are countless layers of the man that have remained unknown . . . until now.

Author Randy Miller interviewed more than 160 people—including all of Harry’s surviving family, many of his close friends from childhood to present, numerous colleagues from baseball and the NFL, and even Harry’s longtime personal psychologist—to craft a loving and shockingly honest [...]

Spring Training and pre season usually means high scoring games as managers test their pitching rotation and  hitters usually require less reps to get their timing down.

The Phillies tuned up against a hapless Florida State squad down in Clearwater with a 13-6 outing that meant little, but allowed the pitching staff to warm up their arms in preparation for a long grueling season.

They officially open spring training tomorrow in a rematch with the Yankees, and that game, although also meaningless, may very well show how much fight the Phillies will display as they defend their National League title.  It seems obvious that anything short of a return to the World Series will be considered a set back.

Last year, there was [...]

Part three of the series concentrates on handicapping the National League Western Division.  Last season the Dodgers got off to an incredible start and everyone thought by May that the Dodgers were going to run and hide.   The Rockies fired Clint Hurdle after a slow start and caught fire under new manager Jim Tracy while the Dodgers endured Manny Ramirez’ 50 game suspension and came back down to earth and almost lost the division to the surging Rockies at the end of the season.  Even the Giants caught playoff fever but came up short.  Here is how I see the 2010 race:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers – This team is still the best in the division.  Manny Ramirez is still a [...]

Are you are having a tough time getting pumped up for the Phillies first Spring Training contest tomorrow?

Well, lets fix that.

Sure we might not see Ryan Howard hit any bombs or Roy Halladay throw a few flame balls, but there is still enough going on to keep the attention of hardecore baseball fans.

Philly.com Phillies beat writer Andy Martino points out several things of interest heading into Philadelphia’s clash with Florida State. Bellow are his thoughts:

Points of interest for the exhibition include J.A. Happ’s new two-seam fastball.  The lefty is playing with the sinker to augment his four-seam fastball, cutter, change-up and curveball. As with all spring training pitch additions, he will work it in for a while before deciding whether [...]

Last week I handicapped the NL East.  Today I will do the National League Central Divsion.  Going into 2009 many thought that the Cubs would repeat and that they would have to fight off the Brewers.   As we know, that didn’t quite happen as the Cubs and Brewers both fell off and the Cardinals made the late move to get Matt Holliday and ended up winning the division.  Here is how I see it for 2010:

1. St.Louis Cardinals – In MVP Albert Pujols and Matt Hollliday this team has the best 1-2 punch in Baseball.  The Cardinals also have excellent starting pitching led by Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.   They lost Joel Piniero to the Angels via Free Agency, but [...]

This is by far my favorite time of the year when Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training.   Baseball (and later Softball) was the sport I played as a young man and there is nothing like knowing that just about every day there is a game to watch.

Today starts a six part series where I will pick each of Baseball’s divisions beginning today with the National League East.  Here is the remaining schedule for the series:

Friday – NL Central

Monday – NL West

Tuesday – AL East

Wednesday – AL Central

Thursday – AL West

So with that, here are my picks for the National League East:

1. Philadelphia Phillies – Barring any major injuries or a rash of subpar seasons by Howard, Utley, Ibanez , [...]

Consider this step one.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge threw off the mound for the first time this spring today, and did so with the eyes of his teammates all over him.

It’s no secret that a bounce-back year from Lidge is considered one of the biggest shorelines of the upcoming season. After a perfect 2008, Lidge had a disastrous 2009, setting a team-record for blown saves.  Expect to hear nothing but good things this spring as the public relations department will do their best to fill Lidge’s head with positive thoughts.

Whether or not that will help his pitching is another issue. If Lidge returns to form the team seems to be a lock to win the NL East and a heavy favorite [...]

After starting last year against the perennial rival Atlanta Braves, the Phillies will have a chance to start off strong an immediately separate from the rest of the National League East.  Their first 9 games come against 2 teams that went a combined 133-191 in 2009.  With the addition of staff ace Roy Halladay and 5 of their first 8 series coming against sub .500 teams from 2009, the Phillies may have a real shot at the best start in team history.   Halladay may have 3 starts against National League bottom feeders before he is put to his first true test.

It is funny though, from all the reports I have read, and out of all the quotes attributed to Halladay, [...]

I guess this counts as “We’re the team to beat” Part 4.

Like the Phillies, the Mets opened Spring Training action yesterday and it didn’t take the team long to show off it’s confidence for the upcoming season. Despite a 72-90 year, David Wright believes the Mets are World Series contenders.

The following is an excerpt from a NY Post report:

“We’re expecting to go out there and win the National League East and go deep in the playoffs and win the World Series,” Wright said, a day before Mets pitchers and catchers were required to report to spring training. “That is the expectation I’ve gotten from the guys who are here early, and I [expect] this team is to get back to where [...]

Thank God, baseball is back ! 

Pitchers and Catchers reported a day early as the Phillies get geared up to try to make it 4 in a row.  The role that used to belong to the Atlanta Braves as the perennial team to beat seems to have been handed over to our Phitens.   The Braves and Marlins both made off season moves that indicate the team in their sights is in fact the Phillies.  The Mets also signed Jason Bay for 66 million for four years to improve their chances at being competative.  They may finish 15 games out instead of 24, but will never seriously challenge.

I believe this year the race is a two team one.  The Braves and the [...]

With Pitchers and catchers having reported to Clearwater, Fla., Spring Training is officially underway.

The Phillies, who are coming off of consecutive trips to the World Series, return much of the same core from the previous two years with newcomers, Roy Halladay, Placido Polanco and Danys Baez now on as additional reinforcements. There will be plenty of debate about how the team’s offseason will affect the team this season. The biggest question is did the team improve?

The Philadelphia Daily News’ Paul Hagen took a stab at answering that question today and the result was a mild yes. Hagen points to the rotation, bench and catcher position as upgrades, with the bullpen a downgraded and the infield and outfield remaining the same.

In regards [...]

Roy Halladay is there.So is Cole Hamels.

J.A. Happ? Check

Brad Lidge? Check.

The pitchers and catchers have arrived at Clearwater, Fla., one day earlier than tomorrow’s mandatory date.

According to philly.com every pitcher has reported except for Jamie Moyer and Jose Contreras. (There’s an old persons joke just begging to be inserted with that).

So good news baseball fans; despite the snow that appeared outside our windows today, baseball is ready to get going again.

The only real news of the day is that J.C Romero said he expects to break camp with the team, implying that he will be completely recovered from his elbow surgery and ready to pitch at full strength by Opening Day.

That’s good news for the Phillies, as Romero is the [...]

Shortly after the World Series, Scott Boras – the agent who represents free-agent Johnny Damon, told the Yankees that his client should be given the same treatment dollars-wise that they would do for Derek Jeter because it was Damon who made Jeter so great the past few years.   Sure, Scott.  Tell me more.

Boras told Yankees GM Brian Cashman that he didn’t see his client signing for less than $13 million per year.  Cashman’s response after continuing to negotiate, was simply that the Yankees were budgeted for $200 million this year and couldn’t afford Damon.  That came out on Tuesday and by Wednesday the Yankees signed former Giant Randy Winn for one year at about $2 million.  Your move, Scotty boy.  

It [...]