Bud Selig has been the Commissioner of Major League Baseball since 1992 and says he will retire at the end of the 2014 season. During his tenure baseball has endured a strike that cancelled the entire 1994 season, including the World Series, implemented inter-league play and consolidated power with his office rather then their being a president of both the National and American Leagues as had been the case since the leagues were founded. He presided over the return of baseball after 9-11 and was the decision maker that resulted in the 7-7 tie of the 202 All-Star Game. He was also Commissioner during the discovery of wide-spread use of performance enhancing drugs, one of the worst scandals in baseball history.
He has been involved in many other decisions that have changed baseball. Selig's decision to extend the traditional post-season schedule into November in an attempt to increase Nielsen ratings was met with widespread disdain, both inside and outside the baseball community. Selig has made some decisions involving the Houston Astros that were unpopular with their supporters. He ordered the roof at Minute Maid Park to be opened for games three and four of the 2005 World Series, pre-empting the authority held by the Astros. The roof was closed for all prior playoff games and similar weather conditions. For Hurricane Ike in 2008, Selig mandated that the Astros play two home games against the Chicago Cubs in his hometown of Milwaukee despite proximity to the visiting Cubs. The Astros subsequently were victims of a no-hitter by Carlos Zambrano and recorded a single hit in the following game. In the midst of the playoff race, this decision and its impact deeply affected the playoff race and seedings with eight teams holding winning records at the moment. The Milwaukee Brewers benefited from these events by qualifying in the playoffs as a Wild Card team. The home ballparks for the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves were both available to host the games. In 2011, Selig also demanded that the Astros move to the American League West as a condition of the sale of the franchise to businessman Jim Crane; the team switched leagues in 2013 in return for $70 million discount in the purchase price. Selig also drew criticism for his handling of the Los Angeles Dodgers situation. United States bankruptcy judge Kevin Gross rendered a stern warning to Selig in regards to the Dodgers ownership dispute. Treating other teams differently in regards to their media contracts drew accusations that Selig did not act in good faith with respect to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Selig rejected the television deal that Frank McCourt negotiated that intended to bring the franchise out of bankruptcy, claiming McCourt violated the Baseball Agreements although no action taken against New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon despite being in a similar position. Some critics have used Selig's handling of the Dodgers to point out a double standard in treatment of MLB owners. More specifically in regards to the Mets, critics point out Selig's personal relationship with Wilpon has allowed him to stall any possible removal of Wilpon as that club's principal owner.
Selig was also responsible for the realignment of teams into three divisions per league, and the introduction of playoff wild card teams (1994), the addition of two franchises: the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, now the Tampa Bay Rays (1998), transfer of the Milwaukee Brewers (the team he owned until he became commissioner) from the American League to the National League (1998), Unbalanced schedule (2001), Home field advantage in the World Series granted to the winner of the All Star Game in the same season (2003), Transfer of Montreal Expos franchise to Washington, D.C., becoming the Washington Nationals (2004), Dedicating April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day (2004), Stricter Major League Baseball performance-enhancing drug testing policy (2005), World Baseball Classic (2006), Introduction of instant replay in the event of a disputed home run call (2008) and the introducing a second wild card playoff team in each league (2012). Quite an impressive list of accomplishments, some good, some bad but has he done enough to keep baseball in the forefront of the minds of people around the world? I think there are six things a Commissioner could do to improve the product of baseball.
First, I believe the season is too long, I'm not saying the 162 games are too many, just that the season lasts too long. In 1984, the last year the Tigers won the World Series, the season started on April 2nd and ended October 14, 192 days. Last year the season started March 28th and ended October 28th, 210 days. Eighteen days may not seem like much but in October it could mean the difference between playing in 50 degree weather and 40 degree weather. Another reason I picked 1984 is because it was the last time a World Series game started earlier than prime time in the eastern United States. In addition, no World Series has ended as early as October 14 since 1984; in fact no World Series game has been played earlier than October 15 since 1984. Format changes—the best-of-five League Championship Series becoming best-of-seven affairs, followed by the addition of wild-card teams and the best-of-five League Division Series—have made that impossible. That needs to change, when I was a kid baseball teams played multiple doubleheaders a season, not because of rain outs, but to keep the number of days in the season down. Nowadays that does not happen. Teams do not want to schedule twin-bills because it cuts into their revenues, they just don't make as much money if two games are played in one day as they would if they were on separate days. If we can convince the teams to have more doubleheaders we can reduce the number of days in the season, which will allow the post-season to start earlier and therefore end earlier.
Second, along with increasing the number of doubleheaders I also believe the start time for most post-season games should be earlier. Since 1984 there has not been a post season game that has started before 8:00 PM Eastern time, with the average length of a World Series game in the last five seasons coming in at 3:30 that puts the end of the game around 11:30 PM much too late for children to stay up. Consequently there are whole generations of young people that have never seen a whole World Series game. That hurts the popularity of baseball in the long run, if kids don't grow up as a fan of baseball the league will lose then as fans as adults. I know that the sports landscape is crowded these days but if baseball wants to keep growing and maybe return to it's number one spot then they need to court the kids in America.
Third, I don't understand Selig's decision to move the Houston Astros to the American League. Why move a team that has been in the National League since it's inception in 1962. There are no rivalries for Houston in the AL and with their poor play in recent years I see that fan base unwilling to pay Major League prices to see a game. One could say that there will be a rivalry with the Texas Rangers but that will take time to develop, especially with the Astros playing so badly. I think a better move would have been to move the Brewers back to the American League. The Brewers played in the AL from 1969 until Selig moved them to the NL in 1997. Sure, There was a team in Milwaukee that played in the NL from 1953 until 1965 but that is a totally different team known as the Braves that now plays in Atlanta and how many people that we around then were around in 1997? The reason the Brewers were moved in 1997 was the re-alignment to three divisions in each league and the addition of the Rays and Diamondbacks. The league wanted to put one new team in each league and that would have meant there were more teams in the American League then in the NL. The talk in baseball circles said that the team that moved would make a lot of money, and it seems pretty coincidental that it was Selig's old team that moved. With the move of the Astros to the AL there are now more teams in the AL then in the NL, so that reason to move the Brewers is now moot, but I guess they were able to postpone it for 16 years.
Fourth, if I were Commissioner of Baseball would be the reduction or elimination of inter-league play. Inter-league play was introduced in 1997 to try to generate renewed fan interest after the player's strike in 1994. It was a success at first but the novelty has worn off, especially for the players who would rather go back to the traditional schedule. I think it waters down the World Series doubly so if the teams had met in the regular season. Half the fun of the World Series was the unfamiliarity of the two teams with each other and the way the other league plays. It was a great memory of mine to see an American League pitcher have to grab a bat in a high pressure situation in the World Series and try to get a hit. With inter-league play it still might be unlikely for a pitcher to get a hit but all the AL pitchers have done each season. Another cool thing about the World Series before the advent of inter-league play is the managerial choices that have to be made especially late in the game. Pinch hitting for the pitchers and double switches were not something managers had to worry about during the regular season but now with so many inter-league games they are much more familiar with it. I think it is a sad commentary on the state of baseball today that teams only play one series against some of the opponents in the other two divisions but make sure to have games against some team from the other league.
Fifth, another issue I would address if the owners saw fit to hire me as Commissioner would be a harder stance on performance enhancing drugs. PED's are the biggest black mark on baseball since the gambling problems of the early 20th century. They take away the enjoyment fans have if their favorite player has a record year and puts every record set, under a cloud of suspicion. Currently, baseball has a graduated punishment policy regarding PED's. The first offense for a positive PED test is 50 games, the second 100 games and the third a lifetime ban for the player. I would take a two pronged approach, with much better education of the players as to what they can and can't take and an increased punishment plan. The Major Leagues can not expect the players, especially players from countries other then the United States, to understand that something they find at the grocery store could contain a banned substance. A good idea would be to have every player sign a list of all the banned substances stating they understand and will comply with the rules. After the education we need to give the players only two strikes, the first positive test is a 100 game ban and the second is a lifetime ban. There also can't be any differentiation between a rookie from the Dominican Republic and someone like Ryan Braun or Barry Bonds, a failed test is a failed test. If baseball bans a few star players then I think the message might sink in and we can clean up this great game.
The final item I would change would be the elimination of the World Baseball Classic. I believe it is a total waste of time for most Major League players and it seems to matter only to the other countries that participate. It plays into my desire to shorten the season, if the WBC is eliminated spring training could be shortened but at the same time start later and the season could start at a more reasonable date. It was started in a response to the International The super-star American players don't care about the WBC and would rather not be forced to decide to play or not. American fans don't care and don't want any of there favorite players to play and risk an injury, in fact the US has never finished better than fourth. Sure, it might be good for growing the game overseas but that doesn't need to be MLB's focus right now, it should focus on fixing the game here at home.
These are the items that I think are the most important to change right away to make baseball the game I remember as a kid. I know it will never be exactly the same but it can be much better then it is now. It might not ever regain it place as the most popular sport in American but it should be a strong second and it can be if these items are addressed.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Game Updates for Detroit Tigers games 95-98.
Team Leaders: Avg: | Miguel Cabrera | .359 |
| HR: | Miguel Cabrera | 31 |
| RBI: | Miguel Cabrera | 96 |
| SB: | Andy Dirks | 7 |
| Wins: | Max Scherzer | 13 |
| Saves: | Jose Valverde | 9 |
| ERA: | Anibal Sanchez | 2.85 |
| Pit KO: | Max Scherzer | 152 |
Injuries:
| 07/07/2013 | Darin Downs, RP | tendinitis left shoulder | Out |
| 07/04/2013 | Omar Infante, 2B | sprained left ankle | Out |
| 04/20/2013 | Octavio Dotel, RP | right elbow inflammation | Out |
Player News:
| 07/14/2013 | Jeremy Bonderman, SP | Signed to minor league contract assigned to Toledo (AAA) |
| 07/11/2013 | Rick Porcello, SP | Suspension dropped from six to five-games by (MLB) |
| 07/09/2013 | Hernan Perez, SS | Recalled from Erie (EAS) |
Friday 7/19/13 Detroit-0 Kansas City-1
The first game back for the Tigers after the All-Star break was quite a disappointment as the lost to the Royals 1-0 and only managed two hits in the game. Anibal Sanchez got the start for Detroit and took the loss, his seventh of the season. He pitched really well even though he was charged with the loss, going six innings while giving up one run on four hits, five walks and three strikeouts. Phil Coke and Bruce Rondon finished the game going a combined two scoreless innings, giving up one hit and fanning two. Ervin Santana got the start and the win for the Royals, his sixth of the season. He went 7-1/3 shutout innings giving up two hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Kelvin Herrera threw 2/3 of an inning fanning one and Greg Holland recorded his 23rd save of the season with a perfect ninth. No one led the offense for Detroit with Torii Hunter and Andy Dirks getting the only hits of the contest. The Tigers got one walk to go along with their two hits and left two men on base. Alex Avila was charged with an error, his third of the season.
Saturday 7/20/13 Detroit-5 Kansas City-6
The second game of the three game series was a little more lively but the result was the same; a one run loss by the Tigers. Justin Verlander got the start and the loss for Detroit going 5-2/3 innings while giving up six runs on eight hits, four walks and three strikeouts. Al Alburquerque and Drew Smyly finished the game going a combined 1-1/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out three. Jeremy Guthrie got the start and the win for Kansas City, his ninth of the season going six innings while giving up five runs on ten hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Three relievers combined to go two scoreless innings while giving up two hits and one walk and Greg Holland got his 24th save of the season giving up one hit in the ninth. Alex Avila led the offense going 3-4 with a double and two RBI’s. Prince Fielder was 2-5 with one RBI, Victor Martinez was 3-5 with a double and an RBI and Torii Hunter had one RBI despite going 0-4. Jhonny Peralta had two hits while Miguel Cabrera, Andy Dirks and Ramon Santiago each had one hit in the game. Prince Fielder was charged with his sixth error of the season and Justin Verlander was charged with his first. The Tigers collected thirteen hits, three walks and left eleven men on base.
Sunday 7/21/13 Detroit-4 Kansas City-1
In the third game of the series the Tigers were trying to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Royals and sent Doug Fister to the mound to get a victory. The Royals countered with James Shields but it was Fister coming out on top of the 4-1 decision earning his eighth win of the season. Fister went six innings while giving up one run on six hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Drew Smyly and Bruce Rondon each threw a perfect inning with Smyly fanning two and Rondon, one and Joaquin Benoit earned his ninth save of the season giving up one hit in the ninth. Shields was saddled with his seventh loss of the season, going seven innings while giving up three runs on nine hits, and six strikeouts. Kelvin Herrera finished the game going two innings while giving up one run on two hits and three K’s. Bryan Pena, Miguel Cabrera and Andy Dirks led drove in all four Tigers runs with Pena going 0-2 with two sac flies, Cabrera going 1-4 with a solo homerun and Dirks going 2-4 with a solo homer. Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta each had two hits while Austin Jackson and Ramon Santiago each had one hit in the game. Miguel Cabrera was charged with his eleventh error of the season. The Tigers collected eleven hits and left five men on base.
Upcoming Games:
7/22/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/23/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/24/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/25/13 at White Sox 2:10(EDT)
7/26/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/27/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/28/13 vs. Philadelphia 1:08(EDT)
Cumulative stated for the Tigers in 2013:
Batters:
| D.Fister | .667 | .667 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M.Cabrera | .359 | .668 | 96 | 373 | 75 | 134 | 249 | 20 | 1 | 31 | 96 | 61 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| M.Tuiasosopo | .322 | .609 | 43 | 87 | 15 | 28 | 53 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 16 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| O.Infante | .309 | .447 | 76 | 291 | 38 | 90 | 130 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 27 | 15 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| T.Hunter | .307 | .446 | 87 | 368 | 56 | 113 | 164 | 24 | 3 | 7 | 45 | 17 | 68 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| J.Peralta | .305 | .447 | 92 | 351 | 42 | 107 | 157 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 46 | 32 | 88 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| B.Pena | .275 | .355 | 41 | 138 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 5 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| A.Jackson | .272 | .391 | 66 | 279 | 57 | 76 | 109 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 32 | 68 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| P.Fielder | .269 | .453 | 97 | 375 | 49 | 101 | 170 | 21 | 0 | 16 | 70 | 50 | 75 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| V.Martinez | .263 | .386 | 96 | 365 | 40 | 96 | 141 | 21 | 0 | 8 | 51 | 32 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D.Kelly | .250 | .411 | 63 | 112 | 21 | 28 | 46 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| A.Dirks | .248 | .357 | 81 | 286 | 37 | 71 | 102 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 24 | 24 | 57 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| A.Garcia | .241 | .373 | 30 | 83 | 12 | 20 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| B.Holaday | .231 | .308 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A.Avila | .185 | .302 | 60 | 205 | 20 | 38 | 62 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 28 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| R.Santiago | .167 | .244 | 34 | 90 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| H.Perez | .143 | .143 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pitchers:
| J.Benoit | 2-0 | 1.60 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 39.10 | 29 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 50 | 1 |
| D.Smyly | 4-0 | 1.83 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 59.00 | 42 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 14 | 61 | 2 |
| L.Putkonen | 1-1 | 2.66 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20.10 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 2 |
| A.Sanchez | 7-7 | 2.85 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 98.00 | 85 | 35 | 31 | 5 | 32 | 114 | 3 |
| M.Scherzer | 13-1 | 3.19 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 129.20 | 96 | 47 | 46 | 12 | 31 | 152 | 3 |
| J.Verlander | 10-7 | 3.69 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 131.20 | 132 | 58 | 54 | 11 | 49 | 128 | 0 |
| J.Ortega | 0-2 | 3.86 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11.20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| E.Reed | 0-0 | 3.86 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14.00 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 1 |
| D.Fister | 8-5 | 3.90 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 127.00 | 135 | 60 | 55 | 10 | 23 | 98 | 3 |
| B.Rondon | 0-1 | 4.76 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11.10 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 3 |
| R.Porcello | 6-6 | 4.80 | 18 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99.10 | 106 | 54 | 53 | 11 | 19 | 80 | 2 |
| J.Bonderman | 1-3 | 4.93 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38.10 | 40 | 23 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 16 | 2 |
| A.Alburquerque | 1-2 | 4.97 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.10 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 22 | 42 | 7 |
| J.Alvarez | 1-2 | 5.03 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19.20 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 0 |
| D.Downs | 0-2 | 5.18 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 33.00 | 36 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 10 | 37 | 2 |
| J.Valverde | 0-1 | 5.59 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 19.10 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 0 |
| P.Coke | 0-5 | 5.70 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 30.00 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 3 | 15 | 25 | 1 |
| O.Dotel | 0-0 | 13.50 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.20 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| B.Villarreal | 0-2 | 20.77 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4.10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
Monday, July 15, 2013
Updates for Detroit Tigers Games 88 Through 94
Monday 7/8/13 Detroit-4 Cleveland-2 (10 Innings)
Max Scherzer’s pursuit of a 14-0 record met a bump in the road Monday as the Tigers played the Indians at Progressive Field. Scherzer did not get a decision in the ten inning win for the Tigers. Scherzer went seven innings while giving up two runs on seven hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. Bruce Rondon took over for Scherzer and threw one scoreless inning giving up one hit. Drew Smyly got the win with one perfect inning, fanning one and Joaquin Benoit recorded his seventh save of the season with a ninth inning where he gave up two hits and fanned two. Scott Kazmir got the start for the Indians, going 5-2/3 innings while giving up two runs on four hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Four Cleveland relievers combined to go 3-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up two hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Matt Albers was saddled with the loss, his first of the season giving up two runs on one hit, two walks and one strikeout in one inning of work. Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Matt Tuiasosopo drove in all four Detroit runs, with Martinez going 2-4 with two double and two RBI’s, Peralta going 1-5 with a double and one RBI and Tuiasosopo going 1-2 with a solo homerun. Austin Jackson, Andy Dirks and Brayan Pena each had one hit in the game as the Tigers collected seven hits, six walks and left eight men on base. The no decision by Scherzer does not affect his perfect record status, as it only counts losses not consecutive starts. Scherzer was had 19 starts this season and struck out at least six batters in each game, a team record.
Tuesday 7/9/13 White Sox-11 Detroit-4
The first game in this four game series between the Sox and Tigers saw Chicago send Jose Quintana to the mound and Detroit responded with Justin Verlander. Verlander took the loss, his sixth of the season, in a season of ups and downs. Verlander went seven innings while giving up five runs on twelve hits, one walk and three strikeouts but pitched to four batters in the eighth without recording an out. Al Alburquerque took over for JV and lasted only 2/3 of an inning while giving up three runs on four hits and one K. Alburquerque gave up a three run homerun to Dayan Viciedo. Phil Coke came on next and gave up one hit and one walk in 1/3 of an inning. Even Reed finished the game giving up three runs on six hits, no walks and two strikeouts in one inning of work. Quintana recorded his fourth win of the season, going eight innings while giving up three runs on six hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. Simon Castro finished the game going one inning while giving up one run on one hit and one strikeout. Homeruns accounted for all four Detroit runs with Miguel Cabrera going 1-4 with a two run homerun, Matt Tuiasosopo 1-3 with a solo homerun and Don Kelly was 1-1 with a solo homer. Victor Martinez had two hits, while Torii Hunter and Jhonny Peralta each had one hit in the game. The Tigers collected seven hits, one walk and four men left on base.
Wednesday 7/10/13 White Sox-5 Detroit-8
In the second game of the series Detroit put Rick Porcello up against Dylan Axelrod. Porcello came out on top, recording his sixth win of the season. He went six innings while giving up three runs on seven hits, no walks and six strikeouts. Bruce Rondon pitched the seventh giving up two runs on two hits, a walk and one strikeout. Drew Smyly pitched a perfect eighth inning fanning one and Joaquin Benoit recorded his eighth save of the season walking two and fanning one but getting out of the jam without giving up a run. Axelrod went 5-2/3 innings while giving up seven runs on eleven runs, two walks and three strikeouts for his sixth loss of the season. Three Sox relievers combined to finish the game going 2-1/3 innings while giving up one run on four hits, no walks and two strikeouts. Prince Fielder and Alex Avila led the offense with Fielder going 3-4 with a homerun and three RBI’s and Avila going 1-4 with two RBI’s. Austin Jackson was 2-5 with a triple and one RBI, Miguel Cabrera was 3-5 with one RBI, Victor Martinez was 3-4 with one RBI and Ramon Santiago had one hit in the game. The Tigers collected fifteen hits, two walks and left seven men on base.
Thursday 7/11/13 White Sox-6 Detroit-3
The third game of the series saw the Sox send Chris Sale to the mound While Detroit countered with Anibal Sanchez. This was Sanchez’s second start after coming off the DL and this time he did not perform as well, earning his sixth loss of the season. He went 5-1/3 innings while giving up five runs on seven hits, three walks and six strikeouts. Luke Putkonen got the only batter he face out before yielding to Al Alburquerque who threw 1-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and one K. Phil Coke continued his struggles this season giving up one run on one hit and three walks in 1/3 of an inning. Evan Reed finished the game going 1-2/3 scoreless innings while giving up one walk and striking out one. Sale got his sixth win of the season going 6-2/3 innings while giving up 6-2/3 innings three runs on ten hits, two walks and eight K’s. Matt Lindstrom and Matt Thornton combined to go 1-1/3 perfect innings fanning one and Addison Reed recorded his 23 save of the season with a perfect ninth. Miguel Cabrera and Matt Tuiasosopo hit homeruns to drive in all three Detroit runs with Cabrera going 1-3 with a solo homer and Tuiasosopo going 1-3 with a two run homer. Victor Martinez had three hits, Torii Hunter had two hits and Fielder, Brayan Pena and Hernan Perez each had one hit as the Tigers collected ten hits, two walks and left six men on base. Austin Jackson made an error, his second of the season and Evan Reed was charged with his third error of the season. In the second inning Sanchez hit Dayan Viciedo and after Cabrera’s dinger Prince Fielder was buzzed up and in by a pitch from Sale, Jim Leyland was mad after no warnings was given. After the Josh Phegley grand slam Putkonen was brought in and his first pitch to Alejandro De Aza went behind him. De Aza was incensed and took steps towards the mound before being intercepted by Alex Avila. The benches and bull pens emptied and while the players milled around Luke Putkonen and Jim Leyland were ejected from the game.
Friday 7/12/13 Texas-2 Detroit-7
After the dust up in Thursday night’s game the Tigers were glad to return home and welcomed the Texas Rangers in for a three game series to close out the first half of the season. In the first game the Tigers sent Doug Fister to the mound and Texas countered with Justin Grimm. Fister recorded his seventh win of the season going six innings while giving up two runs on eight hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Bruce Rondon, Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit combined to finish the game going three scoreless innings giving up two hits and fanning two. Grimm was saddled with his seventh loss of the season going 3-1/3 innings while giving up seven runs on ten hits, two walks and three strikeouts. The Texas bull pen was called on early in the game and responded well with Joseph Ortiz going 3-2/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and fanning three and Wilmer Font going one scoreless inning with one walk. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta led the offense with Martinez going 1-3 with a double and two RBI’s and Peralta going 2-4 with a double and two RBI’s. Torii Hunter was 2-4 with a double and one RBI, Miguel Cabrera was 1-2 with one RBI and Alex Avila was 1-3 with one RBI. Austin Jackson had two hits and Prince Fielder had two hits and his fifth error of the season as the Tigers collected eleven hits, three walks and left six men on base.
Saturday 7/13/13 Texas-7 Detroit-1
The second game of the series saw Max Scherzer going for his 14th win to start the season, trying to become the first pitcher to do that since Roger Clemens in 1986. Unfortunately for the Tigers Scherzer was unable to match his other starts this season taking his first loss of the season. Scherzer went six innings while giving up four runs on eight hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Luke Putkonen took over for Scherzer and recorded one out before giving up two hits and yielding to Phil Coke, who finished the inning and threw a scoreless eighth inning. Al Alburquerque continued his recent struggles three runs on two hits, one walk and one K in one inning of work. Derek Holland got the start and the win for the Rangers, his eighth of the season, going seven innings while giving up one run on five hits, five walks and seven strikeouts. Joakim Soria and Neal Cotts finished the game going two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and fanning two. Hernan Perez drove in the only Detroit run with a single in four trips. Torii Hunter had two hits while Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta each had one hit as the Tigers collected six hits, five walks and left eight men on base. Brayan Pena was charged with his second error of the season.
Sunday 7/14/13 Texas-0 Detroit-5
After the disappointment of Scherzer’s first loss of the season the Tigers were trying to earn a series win against the Rangers. Detroit sent Justin Verlander to the mound and Texas countered with Martin Perez. Verlander looked like the Verlander of old taking a no-hitter into the seventh and got two outs before it was broken up by a Mitch Moreleand double. Verlander was pulled after the seventh with one hit, three walks and three strikeouts. Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit finished the game going a combined two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and fanning three. Perez was charged with the loss, his second of the season, going 5-2/3 innings while giving up five runs on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts. Three Texas relievers combined to finish the game going 2-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and two walks. The homerun was the weapon of choice for Detroit with Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta each getting one. Hunter was 2-3 with a solo shot, Martinez was 1-4 with a solo dinger and Peralta was 2-3 with a solo shot and another RBI. Matt Tuiasosopo was 1-3 with a RBI while Don Kelly had the only other hit for the Tigers. The Tigers collected seven hit, five walks and left six men on base. The Tigers end the first half of the season leading the Central Division by 1-1/2 games over the Cleveland Indians.
Upcoming Games:
7/19/13 at Kansas City 8:10(EDT)
7/20/13 at Kansas City 7:10(EDT)
7/21/13 at Kansas City 2:10(EDT)
7/22/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/23/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/24/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/25/13 at White Sox 2:10(EDT)
7/26/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/27/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/28/13 vs. Philadelphia 1:08(EDT)
Cumulative stated for the Tigers in 2013:
Batters:
M.Cabrera .365 .674 93 362 73 132 244 20 1 30 95 60 64 3 0 10
M.Tuiasosopo .329 .624 42 85 15 28 53 7 0 6 22 16 25 0 0 0
T.Hunter .315 .458 84 356 56 112 163 24 3 7 44 17 63 2 1 2
O.Infante .309 .447 76 291 38 90 130 18 2 6 27 15 31 4 2 4
J.Peralta .303 .447 89 340 40 103 152 25 0 8 46 31 87 3 2 4
A.Jackson .280 .403 63 268 56 75 108 14 2 5 23 31 62 6 2 2
B.Pena .279 .360 40 136 11 38 49 5 0 2 14 5 15 0 1 2
P.Fielder .267 .457 94 363 48 97 166 21 0 16 69 50 74 1 1 5
V.Martinez .258 .380 93 353 39 91 134 19 0 8 50 32 44 0 1 0
D.Kelly .252 .414 61 111 21 28 46 4 1 4 13 14 15 2 0 0
A.Dirks .243 .344 78 276 36 67 95 8 1 6 23 24 55 6 0 1
A.Garcia .241 .373 30 83 12 20 31 3 1 2 10 4 21 0 1 1
B.Holaday .231 .308 4 13 3 3 4 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1
A.Avila .177 .293 58 198 19 35 58 5 0 6 21 28 67 0 0 2
R.Santiago .160 .247 31 81 10 13 20 5 1 0 4 8 15 0 0 1
H.Perez .143 .143 4 14 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0
Pitchers:
J.Benoit 2-0 1.64 38 0 0 19 0 8 38.10 28 7 7 2 12 50 1
D.Smyly 4-0 1.91 36 0 0 7 0 2 56.20 41 12 12 1 14 58 2
L.Putkonen 1-1 2.66 20 0 0 7 0 0 20.10 19 7 6 2 7 17 2
A.Sanchez 7-6 2.93 15 15 1 0 1 0 92.00 81 34 30 5 27 111 2
M.Scherzer 13-1 3.19 19 19 0 0 0 0 129.20 96 47 46 12 31 152 3
J.Verlander 10-6 3.50 20 20 0 0 0 0 126.00 124 52 49 10 45 125 0
J.Ortega 0-2 3.86 11 0 0 5 0 0 11.20 10 5 5 2 6 10 0
E.Reed 0-0 3.86 9 0 0 5 0 0 14.00 18 11 6 1 3 12 1
D.Fister 7-5 4.02 19 19 1 0 0 0 121.00 129 59 54 9 22 93 3
R.Porcello 6-6 4.80 18 17 0 1 0 0 99.10 106 54 53 11 19 80 2
J.Bonderman 1-3 4.93 7 7 0 0 0 0 38.10 40 23 21 4 17 16 2
J.Alvarez 1-2 5.03 4 4 0 0 0 0 19.20 21 12 11 5 7 17 0
A.Alburquerque 1-2 5.18 26 0 0 4 0 0 24.10 24 14 14 3 22 40 7
D.Downs 0-2 5.18 26 0 0 7 0 0 33.00 36 20 19 4 10 37 2
J.Valverde 0-1 5.59 20 0 0 18 0 9 19.10 18 12 12 6 6 19 0
P.Coke 0-5 5.83 30 0 0 11 0 1 29.10 29 19 19 3 15 24 1
B.Rondon 0-1 6.00 10 0 0 4 0 0 9.00 12 6 6 1 4 8 3
O.Dotel 0-0 13.50 6 0 0 1 0 0 4.20 10 7 7 0 4 4 0
B.Villarreal 0-2 20.77 7 0 0 3 0 0 4.10 8 10 10 1 8 6 1
Max Scherzer’s pursuit of a 14-0 record met a bump in the road Monday as the Tigers played the Indians at Progressive Field. Scherzer did not get a decision in the ten inning win for the Tigers. Scherzer went seven innings while giving up two runs on seven hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. Bruce Rondon took over for Scherzer and threw one scoreless inning giving up one hit. Drew Smyly got the win with one perfect inning, fanning one and Joaquin Benoit recorded his seventh save of the season with a ninth inning where he gave up two hits and fanned two. Scott Kazmir got the start for the Indians, going 5-2/3 innings while giving up two runs on four hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Four Cleveland relievers combined to go 3-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up two hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Matt Albers was saddled with the loss, his first of the season giving up two runs on one hit, two walks and one strikeout in one inning of work. Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Matt Tuiasosopo drove in all four Detroit runs, with Martinez going 2-4 with two double and two RBI’s, Peralta going 1-5 with a double and one RBI and Tuiasosopo going 1-2 with a solo homerun. Austin Jackson, Andy Dirks and Brayan Pena each had one hit in the game as the Tigers collected seven hits, six walks and left eight men on base. The no decision by Scherzer does not affect his perfect record status, as it only counts losses not consecutive starts. Scherzer was had 19 starts this season and struck out at least six batters in each game, a team record.
Tuesday 7/9/13 White Sox-11 Detroit-4
The first game in this four game series between the Sox and Tigers saw Chicago send Jose Quintana to the mound and Detroit responded with Justin Verlander. Verlander took the loss, his sixth of the season, in a season of ups and downs. Verlander went seven innings while giving up five runs on twelve hits, one walk and three strikeouts but pitched to four batters in the eighth without recording an out. Al Alburquerque took over for JV and lasted only 2/3 of an inning while giving up three runs on four hits and one K. Alburquerque gave up a three run homerun to Dayan Viciedo. Phil Coke came on next and gave up one hit and one walk in 1/3 of an inning. Even Reed finished the game giving up three runs on six hits, no walks and two strikeouts in one inning of work. Quintana recorded his fourth win of the season, going eight innings while giving up three runs on six hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. Simon Castro finished the game going one inning while giving up one run on one hit and one strikeout. Homeruns accounted for all four Detroit runs with Miguel Cabrera going 1-4 with a two run homerun, Matt Tuiasosopo 1-3 with a solo homerun and Don Kelly was 1-1 with a solo homer. Victor Martinez had two hits, while Torii Hunter and Jhonny Peralta each had one hit in the game. The Tigers collected seven hits, one walk and four men left on base.
Wednesday 7/10/13 White Sox-5 Detroit-8
In the second game of the series Detroit put Rick Porcello up against Dylan Axelrod. Porcello came out on top, recording his sixth win of the season. He went six innings while giving up three runs on seven hits, no walks and six strikeouts. Bruce Rondon pitched the seventh giving up two runs on two hits, a walk and one strikeout. Drew Smyly pitched a perfect eighth inning fanning one and Joaquin Benoit recorded his eighth save of the season walking two and fanning one but getting out of the jam without giving up a run. Axelrod went 5-2/3 innings while giving up seven runs on eleven runs, two walks and three strikeouts for his sixth loss of the season. Three Sox relievers combined to finish the game going 2-1/3 innings while giving up one run on four hits, no walks and two strikeouts. Prince Fielder and Alex Avila led the offense with Fielder going 3-4 with a homerun and three RBI’s and Avila going 1-4 with two RBI’s. Austin Jackson was 2-5 with a triple and one RBI, Miguel Cabrera was 3-5 with one RBI, Victor Martinez was 3-4 with one RBI and Ramon Santiago had one hit in the game. The Tigers collected fifteen hits, two walks and left seven men on base.
Thursday 7/11/13 White Sox-6 Detroit-3
The third game of the series saw the Sox send Chris Sale to the mound While Detroit countered with Anibal Sanchez. This was Sanchez’s second start after coming off the DL and this time he did not perform as well, earning his sixth loss of the season. He went 5-1/3 innings while giving up five runs on seven hits, three walks and six strikeouts. Luke Putkonen got the only batter he face out before yielding to Al Alburquerque who threw 1-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and one K. Phil Coke continued his struggles this season giving up one run on one hit and three walks in 1/3 of an inning. Evan Reed finished the game going 1-2/3 scoreless innings while giving up one walk and striking out one. Sale got his sixth win of the season going 6-2/3 innings while giving up 6-2/3 innings three runs on ten hits, two walks and eight K’s. Matt Lindstrom and Matt Thornton combined to go 1-1/3 perfect innings fanning one and Addison Reed recorded his 23 save of the season with a perfect ninth. Miguel Cabrera and Matt Tuiasosopo hit homeruns to drive in all three Detroit runs with Cabrera going 1-3 with a solo homer and Tuiasosopo going 1-3 with a two run homer. Victor Martinez had three hits, Torii Hunter had two hits and Fielder, Brayan Pena and Hernan Perez each had one hit as the Tigers collected ten hits, two walks and left six men on base. Austin Jackson made an error, his second of the season and Evan Reed was charged with his third error of the season. In the second inning Sanchez hit Dayan Viciedo and after Cabrera’s dinger Prince Fielder was buzzed up and in by a pitch from Sale, Jim Leyland was mad after no warnings was given. After the Josh Phegley grand slam Putkonen was brought in and his first pitch to Alejandro De Aza went behind him. De Aza was incensed and took steps towards the mound before being intercepted by Alex Avila. The benches and bull pens emptied and while the players milled around Luke Putkonen and Jim Leyland were ejected from the game.
Friday 7/12/13 Texas-2 Detroit-7
After the dust up in Thursday night’s game the Tigers were glad to return home and welcomed the Texas Rangers in for a three game series to close out the first half of the season. In the first game the Tigers sent Doug Fister to the mound and Texas countered with Justin Grimm. Fister recorded his seventh win of the season going six innings while giving up two runs on eight hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Bruce Rondon, Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit combined to finish the game going three scoreless innings giving up two hits and fanning two. Grimm was saddled with his seventh loss of the season going 3-1/3 innings while giving up seven runs on ten hits, two walks and three strikeouts. The Texas bull pen was called on early in the game and responded well with Joseph Ortiz going 3-2/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and fanning three and Wilmer Font going one scoreless inning with one walk. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta led the offense with Martinez going 1-3 with a double and two RBI’s and Peralta going 2-4 with a double and two RBI’s. Torii Hunter was 2-4 with a double and one RBI, Miguel Cabrera was 1-2 with one RBI and Alex Avila was 1-3 with one RBI. Austin Jackson had two hits and Prince Fielder had two hits and his fifth error of the season as the Tigers collected eleven hits, three walks and left six men on base.
Saturday 7/13/13 Texas-7 Detroit-1
The second game of the series saw Max Scherzer going for his 14th win to start the season, trying to become the first pitcher to do that since Roger Clemens in 1986. Unfortunately for the Tigers Scherzer was unable to match his other starts this season taking his first loss of the season. Scherzer went six innings while giving up four runs on eight hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Luke Putkonen took over for Scherzer and recorded one out before giving up two hits and yielding to Phil Coke, who finished the inning and threw a scoreless eighth inning. Al Alburquerque continued his recent struggles three runs on two hits, one walk and one K in one inning of work. Derek Holland got the start and the win for the Rangers, his eighth of the season, going seven innings while giving up one run on five hits, five walks and seven strikeouts. Joakim Soria and Neal Cotts finished the game going two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and fanning two. Hernan Perez drove in the only Detroit run with a single in four trips. Torii Hunter had two hits while Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta each had one hit as the Tigers collected six hits, five walks and left eight men on base. Brayan Pena was charged with his second error of the season.
Sunday 7/14/13 Texas-0 Detroit-5
After the disappointment of Scherzer’s first loss of the season the Tigers were trying to earn a series win against the Rangers. Detroit sent Justin Verlander to the mound and Texas countered with Martin Perez. Verlander looked like the Verlander of old taking a no-hitter into the seventh and got two outs before it was broken up by a Mitch Moreleand double. Verlander was pulled after the seventh with one hit, three walks and three strikeouts. Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit finished the game going a combined two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and fanning three. Perez was charged with the loss, his second of the season, going 5-2/3 innings while giving up five runs on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts. Three Texas relievers combined to finish the game going 2-1/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and two walks. The homerun was the weapon of choice for Detroit with Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta each getting one. Hunter was 2-3 with a solo shot, Martinez was 1-4 with a solo dinger and Peralta was 2-3 with a solo shot and another RBI. Matt Tuiasosopo was 1-3 with a RBI while Don Kelly had the only other hit for the Tigers. The Tigers collected seven hit, five walks and left six men on base. The Tigers end the first half of the season leading the Central Division by 1-1/2 games over the Cleveland Indians.
Upcoming Games:
7/19/13 at Kansas City 8:10(EDT)
7/20/13 at Kansas City 7:10(EDT)
7/21/13 at Kansas City 2:10(EDT)
7/22/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/23/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/24/13 at White Sox 8:10(EDT)
7/25/13 at White Sox 2:10(EDT)
7/26/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/27/13 vs. Philadelphia 7:08(EDT)
7/28/13 vs. Philadelphia 1:08(EDT)
Cumulative stated for the Tigers in 2013:
Batters:
M.Cabrera .365 .674 93 362 73 132 244 20 1 30 95 60 64 3 0 10
M.Tuiasosopo .329 .624 42 85 15 28 53 7 0 6 22 16 25 0 0 0
T.Hunter .315 .458 84 356 56 112 163 24 3 7 44 17 63 2 1 2
O.Infante .309 .447 76 291 38 90 130 18 2 6 27 15 31 4 2 4
J.Peralta .303 .447 89 340 40 103 152 25 0 8 46 31 87 3 2 4
A.Jackson .280 .403 63 268 56 75 108 14 2 5 23 31 62 6 2 2
B.Pena .279 .360 40 136 11 38 49 5 0 2 14 5 15 0 1 2
P.Fielder .267 .457 94 363 48 97 166 21 0 16 69 50 74 1 1 5
V.Martinez .258 .380 93 353 39 91 134 19 0 8 50 32 44 0 1 0
D.Kelly .252 .414 61 111 21 28 46 4 1 4 13 14 15 2 0 0
A.Dirks .243 .344 78 276 36 67 95 8 1 6 23 24 55 6 0 1
A.Garcia .241 .373 30 83 12 20 31 3 1 2 10 4 21 0 1 1
B.Holaday .231 .308 4 13 3 3 4 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1
A.Avila .177 .293 58 198 19 35 58 5 0 6 21 28 67 0 0 2
R.Santiago .160 .247 31 81 10 13 20 5 1 0 4 8 15 0 0 1
H.Perez .143 .143 4 14 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0
Pitchers:
J.Benoit 2-0 1.64 38 0 0 19 0 8 38.10 28 7 7 2 12 50 1
D.Smyly 4-0 1.91 36 0 0 7 0 2 56.20 41 12 12 1 14 58 2
L.Putkonen 1-1 2.66 20 0 0 7 0 0 20.10 19 7 6 2 7 17 2
A.Sanchez 7-6 2.93 15 15 1 0 1 0 92.00 81 34 30 5 27 111 2
M.Scherzer 13-1 3.19 19 19 0 0 0 0 129.20 96 47 46 12 31 152 3
J.Verlander 10-6 3.50 20 20 0 0 0 0 126.00 124 52 49 10 45 125 0
J.Ortega 0-2 3.86 11 0 0 5 0 0 11.20 10 5 5 2 6 10 0
E.Reed 0-0 3.86 9 0 0 5 0 0 14.00 18 11 6 1 3 12 1
D.Fister 7-5 4.02 19 19 1 0 0 0 121.00 129 59 54 9 22 93 3
R.Porcello 6-6 4.80 18 17 0 1 0 0 99.10 106 54 53 11 19 80 2
J.Bonderman 1-3 4.93 7 7 0 0 0 0 38.10 40 23 21 4 17 16 2
J.Alvarez 1-2 5.03 4 4 0 0 0 0 19.20 21 12 11 5 7 17 0
A.Alburquerque 1-2 5.18 26 0 0 4 0 0 24.10 24 14 14 3 22 40 7
D.Downs 0-2 5.18 26 0 0 7 0 0 33.00 36 20 19 4 10 37 2
J.Valverde 0-1 5.59 20 0 0 18 0 9 19.10 18 12 12 6 6 19 0
P.Coke 0-5 5.83 30 0 0 11 0 1 29.10 29 19 19 3 15 24 1
B.Rondon 0-1 6.00 10 0 0 4 0 0 9.00 12 6 6 1 4 8 3
O.Dotel 0-0 13.50 6 0 0 1 0 0 4.20 10 7 7 0 4 4 0
B.Villarreal 0-2 20.77 7 0 0 3 0 0 4.10 8 10 10 1 8 6 1
Sunday, July 14, 2013
What Is Wrong With The MLB All-Star Game?
With the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game coming up I've been thinking about the problems with the Midsummer Classic. It should be a game the fans of baseball look forward to, but it seems like it is something the fans don't care about. If they see it, then great, if they don't, that's fine too. Why should a game that bring together the best players in baseball be such a non-event? The only thing I can come up with is that are more than a few problems with the game and the selection of players.
In 1933 Arch Ward the Sports editor of the Chicago Tribune wanted to hold an event to coincide with the 1933 Chicago's World Fair and convinced Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis to assemble teams of the best players in each league to play a one-time game. Landis agreed and the managers of Yankees and A's were tabbed to pick the teams. 20 players out of the 36 on the rosters would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The game was so successful that Commissioner Landis decided to make it a annual game and the baseball fans reacted by coming to the game in droves
In 1947 fans were giving the chance to vote for the eight position players that would start (the managers still picked the starting pitchers and the rest of the team). In 1957 fans of the Cincinnati Reds stuffed the ballot box and elected seven Reds as starters, after this incident the voting was taken away from the fans until 1970. Sometime in the 60's the distinction between outfield positions was removed, the thinking being if you have Clemente you can't have Aaron and so on. The players of the early era played hard and wanted to win the game. This could be summed up by the actions of Pete Rose in the 1970 All-Star Game. In the last play of the game Rose was trying to score and came barreling into home, knocking over the catcher Ray Fosse and separating his shoulder. It was those kinds of plays that made the All-Star game such a fan favorite. As the game of baseball became the business of baseball, players became less and less willing to play in another game in a long season and as player interest began to wane so did the fan's interest. Players started thinking of baseball as a business and of their bodies as an integral part of that business. It is also the reason players started moving from team to team following the money, because they realized they have a short window to earn the big money baseball provides. Players also realized that the three days off for the All-Star break is something they wouldn't get if their elected to the team.
The Major Leagues tried to do things to increase fan interest. In 1985 baseball started the Homerun Derby to spark fan interest and it worked for a while but soon the players started declining the invitation because they would rather have the extra day off. Since 1999, the All-Star Futures Game has been held during All-Star Week. The two teams, one consisting of young players from the United States and the other consisting of young players from all other nations, are usually chosen based on prospect status in the minor leagues. Since 2001, the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game pits teams with a mixture of former stars from the host team's past, as well as celebrities from music, film, and television. This game is held the day before the Home Run Derby. Soon other things started to pop up to lower fan interest in the game. In 1998 MLB introduced Internet voting, allowing fans to vote up to twenty times from each e-mail address they have, this also led to "ballot box stuffing" and a further decline in fan interest. Another factor would be the lack of respect the press has for the All-Star game. The reason the press doesn't view the game as important is the selection process. The fact that fans vote for the starters and it turns out be be more of a popularity contest then a true vote on the best players of the year. If that process is changed the press might get behind the game and if they get behind it then fan interest might increased. The 2002 incident really put the game to shame, the 2002 All-Star Game, held in Milwaukee, ended in controversy when the teams ran out of substitute players and relief pitchers. At that point, Commissioner Bud Selig declared that the game would end after 11 innings, and it ended in a 7-7 tie. The crowd booed and threw beer bottles onto the field, and the media were highly critical of this unsatisfactory conclusion. This combined with the continued lack of interest from the players led to a all time low in fan interest.
In an attempt to raise the stakes for the players and get them to play like the game meant something, Major League Baseball reached an agreement with the players union to award home-field advantage for the World Series to the league that won the All-Star Game. Is that something the public wants to come out of a expedition game? I understand the attempt made by baseball to generate player interest but now a whole new can of worms have been opened. Questions can be asked about the way managers, manage the teams. Have coaches made decisions that effect the outcome of the game? Let's take a hypothetical situation; Tigers manager Jim Leyland is coaching the American League team and the Tigers are already out of the playoff picture. Would Leyland, or any other manager, sabotage the game so their American League rivals do not get home field advantage in the World Series? Is the good feelings that come with your league winning the World Series more important then sticking it to your rivals? I would hope not but the enemy you know is worse then the enemy you don't.
So what can be done to fix the situation? First, I think the fans have to except the fact that baseball is no longer a passion for the players but a business and they believe they need to take care of the tools they make their money with. No matter how much he would like baseball to return to the good old days, it never will, the money is too big and the players too focused on the business rather than the ball. If fans give up the longing for the old days and accept the game the way it is, as an exhibition game between some (but not necessarily all) of the best players in the Major Leagues, the better off everybody will be. We will never see a Pete Rose taking out a catcher, or players sliding hard into second to break up a doubleplay, nobody will get thrown at no matter how many homeruns are hit and players won't sacrifice their bodies to make a play. The players cannot be made to participate or play hard just because the fans want them to. Second, I think the managers need to pick the 32 players that will make up the team and then the fans can vote for the starters. That way the players that deserve to play in the game will and it won't just be a popularity contest or a case of fans remembering who had a good season last year. When players who have been on the disabled list all season are still elected to the All-Star team, how is the game to be taken seriously? Also baseball should do as much as possible to get the best players to play. If it means shortening the season and eliminating spring training games then this would not be such a bad thing. Thirdly, managers need to be told to manage the game like it matters and not just burn through their lineups, no one wants a repeat of the 2002 incident. I understand no manager wants his pitcher to throw too many pitches in a meaningless game but hat doesn't mean one inning and done. Three innings of work for a All-Star starter doesn't seem like too much, 50 or 60 pitches to a pitcher that will throw as many as 120 in a start can't can't be bad, especially with another day off after the game. The Homerun Derby should continue and efforts should be made to try to get as many of the top homerun hitters of the season to compete. All-Star Futures Game and the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game are good ideas and lend a feeling of celebration to the three day event.
All in all, I enjoy the All-Star game as much as every other game in the Major League Baseball season but I think it needs to be overhauled or it could be eliminated. With all the controversies currently swirling around baseball, the All-Star Game could be something for fans to rally around but unless the issues facing the game are fixed it will continue to be more of a sideshow then a real part of a MLB season.
In 1933 Arch Ward the Sports editor of the Chicago Tribune wanted to hold an event to coincide with the 1933 Chicago's World Fair and convinced Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis to assemble teams of the best players in each league to play a one-time game. Landis agreed and the managers of Yankees and A's were tabbed to pick the teams. 20 players out of the 36 on the rosters would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The game was so successful that Commissioner Landis decided to make it a annual game and the baseball fans reacted by coming to the game in droves
In 1947 fans were giving the chance to vote for the eight position players that would start (the managers still picked the starting pitchers and the rest of the team). In 1957 fans of the Cincinnati Reds stuffed the ballot box and elected seven Reds as starters, after this incident the voting was taken away from the fans until 1970. Sometime in the 60's the distinction between outfield positions was removed, the thinking being if you have Clemente you can't have Aaron and so on. The players of the early era played hard and wanted to win the game. This could be summed up by the actions of Pete Rose in the 1970 All-Star Game. In the last play of the game Rose was trying to score and came barreling into home, knocking over the catcher Ray Fosse and separating his shoulder. It was those kinds of plays that made the All-Star game such a fan favorite. As the game of baseball became the business of baseball, players became less and less willing to play in another game in a long season and as player interest began to wane so did the fan's interest. Players started thinking of baseball as a business and of their bodies as an integral part of that business. It is also the reason players started moving from team to team following the money, because they realized they have a short window to earn the big money baseball provides. Players also realized that the three days off for the All-Star break is something they wouldn't get if their elected to the team.
The Major Leagues tried to do things to increase fan interest. In 1985 baseball started the Homerun Derby to spark fan interest and it worked for a while but soon the players started declining the invitation because they would rather have the extra day off. Since 1999, the All-Star Futures Game has been held during All-Star Week. The two teams, one consisting of young players from the United States and the other consisting of young players from all other nations, are usually chosen based on prospect status in the minor leagues. Since 2001, the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game pits teams with a mixture of former stars from the host team's past, as well as celebrities from music, film, and television. This game is held the day before the Home Run Derby. Soon other things started to pop up to lower fan interest in the game. In 1998 MLB introduced Internet voting, allowing fans to vote up to twenty times from each e-mail address they have, this also led to "ballot box stuffing" and a further decline in fan interest. Another factor would be the lack of respect the press has for the All-Star game. The reason the press doesn't view the game as important is the selection process. The fact that fans vote for the starters and it turns out be be more of a popularity contest then a true vote on the best players of the year. If that process is changed the press might get behind the game and if they get behind it then fan interest might increased. The 2002 incident really put the game to shame, the 2002 All-Star Game, held in Milwaukee, ended in controversy when the teams ran out of substitute players and relief pitchers. At that point, Commissioner Bud Selig declared that the game would end after 11 innings, and it ended in a 7-7 tie. The crowd booed and threw beer bottles onto the field, and the media were highly critical of this unsatisfactory conclusion. This combined with the continued lack of interest from the players led to a all time low in fan interest.
In an attempt to raise the stakes for the players and get them to play like the game meant something, Major League Baseball reached an agreement with the players union to award home-field advantage for the World Series to the league that won the All-Star Game. Is that something the public wants to come out of a expedition game? I understand the attempt made by baseball to generate player interest but now a whole new can of worms have been opened. Questions can be asked about the way managers, manage the teams. Have coaches made decisions that effect the outcome of the game? Let's take a hypothetical situation; Tigers manager Jim Leyland is coaching the American League team and the Tigers are already out of the playoff picture. Would Leyland, or any other manager, sabotage the game so their American League rivals do not get home field advantage in the World Series? Is the good feelings that come with your league winning the World Series more important then sticking it to your rivals? I would hope not but the enemy you know is worse then the enemy you don't.
So what can be done to fix the situation? First, I think the fans have to except the fact that baseball is no longer a passion for the players but a business and they believe they need to take care of the tools they make their money with. No matter how much he would like baseball to return to the good old days, it never will, the money is too big and the players too focused on the business rather than the ball. If fans give up the longing for the old days and accept the game the way it is, as an exhibition game between some (but not necessarily all) of the best players in the Major Leagues, the better off everybody will be. We will never see a Pete Rose taking out a catcher, or players sliding hard into second to break up a doubleplay, nobody will get thrown at no matter how many homeruns are hit and players won't sacrifice their bodies to make a play. The players cannot be made to participate or play hard just because the fans want them to. Second, I think the managers need to pick the 32 players that will make up the team and then the fans can vote for the starters. That way the players that deserve to play in the game will and it won't just be a popularity contest or a case of fans remembering who had a good season last year. When players who have been on the disabled list all season are still elected to the All-Star team, how is the game to be taken seriously? Also baseball should do as much as possible to get the best players to play. If it means shortening the season and eliminating spring training games then this would not be such a bad thing. Thirdly, managers need to be told to manage the game like it matters and not just burn through their lineups, no one wants a repeat of the 2002 incident. I understand no manager wants his pitcher to throw too many pitches in a meaningless game but hat doesn't mean one inning and done. Three innings of work for a All-Star starter doesn't seem like too much, 50 or 60 pitches to a pitcher that will throw as many as 120 in a start can't can't be bad, especially with another day off after the game. The Homerun Derby should continue and efforts should be made to try to get as many of the top homerun hitters of the season to compete. All-Star Futures Game and the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game are good ideas and lend a feeling of celebration to the three day event.
All in all, I enjoy the All-Star game as much as every other game in the Major League Baseball season but I think it needs to be overhauled or it could be eliminated. With all the controversies currently swirling around baseball, the All-Star Game could be something for fans to rally around but unless the issues facing the game are fixed it will continue to be more of a sideshow then a real part of a MLB season.
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