NATIONAL PASTIME
Latest Blog Entries
KILL - Prospect Q&A - Fernando Martinez, Mets
At first glance, Fernando Martinez' statistics with the Binghamton Mets - .288 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 285 at bats - probably strike you as solid but unspectacular. But take a moment to consider that he's posted those numbers as a 19-year-old in double-A, and you'll begin to understand why Baseball America ranked him as the No. 1 prospect in the Mets organization and the 20th best in all of baseball entering this year. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Prospect Q&A - Bobby Parnell, Mets
Taking the lead from A's general manager Billy Beane - he of "Moneyball" fame - and statistics guru/Red Sox advisor Bill James, major league front offices have gone stat-happy over the past decade or so in evaluating both major league talent and amateur players. However, if there were ever a single player that exemplified the continued need for good, old-fashioned scouting work in identifying potential big league talent, it's Mets pitching prospect Bobby Parnell. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Prospect Q&A - David Hernandez, Orioles
Orioles pitching prospect David Hernandez has shown an uncanny ability to strike hitters out as a pro, but his high K totals didn't translate to the kind of success on the mound that he, or the Orioles, hoped for in his first two-plus seasons. The 23-year-old righty has found his groove in 2008, however, leading the double-A Eastern League with 156 strikeouts and ranking fourth with a 2.58 ERA as a member of the stacked Bowie Baysox starting rotation. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Prospect Q&A - Brad Bergesen, Orioles
Brad Bergesen was considered a pretty good pitching prospect entering this season, but he's taken his game to a whole new level in 2008. The 22-year-old righty has won an Eastern League-best 14 games while dropping just three decisions, and he ranks seventh in the circuit with a 3.01 ERA. He earned Eastern League All-Star honors at midseason, and has been mentioned as a possible September call-up. By Jay LeBlanc.
Cooperstown Bound? - Bert Blyleven
After 10 years on the ballot, Bert Blyleven has yet to garner the requisite 75 percent of the vote for enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, after only getting a little over 17 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility, his total has increased steadily and in 2008 he got almost 62 percent of the vote. This week, National Pastime's Nick Leco takes a look at Blyleven's Hall of Fame resume.
KILL - Catch 'em while you can
Thousands of baseball fans make the trek to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., each year to celebrate the game's history and look back fondly on the careers of its greatest stars. But while it's certainly worthwhile for baseball fans to peruse plaques, watch old footage of Babe Ruth and check out decades-old game-worn jerseys, it's important to remember that there are quite a few baseball legends who have yet to call it a career. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Cooperstown Bound? - Bert Blyleven
After 10 years on the ballot, Bert Blyleven has yet to garner the requisite 75 percent of the vote for enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, after only getting a little over 17 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility, his total has increased steadily and in 2008 he got almost 62 percent of the vote. This week, National Pastime's Nick Leco takes a look at Blyleven's Hall of Fame resume.
My Five - Rounders
"Rounders" is one of my top-20 favorite movies for sure. I sat down to it the other night and as I watched Mike McD walk back into the clutches of death at KGB's place telling himself, "You can't lose what you don't put in the middle ... but you can't win much either," I wondered which major league GMs would have the same gusto and show down come Thursday's trade deadline. In the words of Lester "Worm" Murphy, there was a "lot ... of ... action." By Sean Raposa.
KILL - My Five - Rounders
"Rounders" is one of my top-20 favorite movies for sure. I sat down to it the other night and as I watched Mike McD walk back into the clutches of death at KGB's place telling himself, "You can't lose what you don't put in the middle ... but you can't win much either," I wondered which major league GMs would have the same gusto and show down come Thursday's trade deadline. In the words of Lester "Worm" Murphy, there was a "lot ... of ... action." By Sean Raposa.
Prospect Q&A - Beau Mills, Indians
Indians prospect Beau Mills - son of former Expos infielder and current Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills - grew up around baseball, and when you watch him play, it's obvious he was paying attention. Scouts rave about Mills' makeup and his feel for the game, and he understands the level of dedication needed to succeed in pro ball. Better yet, the 6' 2", 220 pounder can mash with the best of 'em. By Jay LeBlanc.
I've been everywhere, man
Well, maybe not everywhere, but a whole lot of places. The ballpark is pretty much my favorite place to be. I enjoy everything about it - the atmosphere, the food, the action on the field, being outdoors on a nice summer evening ... I could go on and on. Combine all that with the fact that I also like road trips, and the end result is that I've been to a ton of different major league and minor league parks in my 28 years. By Jay LeBlanc.
Amateur Hour - Stars shine on Cape
Team USA geared up for the Beijing Olympics, while College World Series MVP Tommy Mendonca of Fresno State and his National Team teammates finished up a perfect summer by beating Japan to take their third straight FISU title. Meanwhile, some of the brightest stars in college baseball showcased their skills in the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game. By Tom Stad.
Deadline Day deals analysis
So let me get this straight: A 600-home run hitter, a member of the 500-home run club who also happens to be a former World Series MVP and a two-time All-Star change teams in the last few hours before the trade deadline? That's what I like to hear! Normally the trade deadline is a letdown, with plenty of talk but little action. Not this year. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Amateur Hour - Stars shine on Cape
Team USA geared up for the Beijing Olympics, while College World Series MVP Tommy Mendonca of Fresno State and his National Team teammates finished up a perfect summer by beating Japan to take their third straight FISU title. Meanwhile, some of the brightest stars in college baseball showcased their skills in the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game. By Tom Stad.
KILL - I've been everywhere, man
Well, maybe not everywhere, but a whole lot of places. The ballpark is pretty much my favorite place to be. I enjoy everything about it - the atmosphere, the food, the action on the field, being outdoors on a pleasant summer evening ... I could go on and on. Combine all that with the fact that I also like road trips, and the end result is that I've been to a ton of different major league and minor league parks during my 28-plus years on this planet. By Jay LeBlanc.
