SURPRISE, Ariz. --- Some numbers from noted baseball writer Gerry Fraley regarding spring training:
Of the teams with the ten best exhibition records last year, only the Angels, Red Sox, and D-Backs made the playoffs. The Tigers had the best overall exhibition record. Then again, of the teams with the ten worst exhibition records, only the Phillies made the playoffs, and only three others --- Mets, Mariners and Brewers --- had winning records.
Kameron Loe had a 0.92 spring ERA, then 5.36 in 136 regular season innings.
Ian Kinsler had a spring-high 19 RBIs, then only 61 in the regular season.
St. Louis starters Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Kip Wells and Chris Carpenter each ranked in the NL's top 10 in spring ERA last year. Come regular season, the Cards' rotation was third-worst in the NL at 5.04.
Now that the value of spring stats have been sufficiently trashed, let's take a look at spring performances, shall we?
* Tsao has had some struggles, though he did pitch a scoreless inning on Tuesday. Several people I've heard from, however, say he's so injury prone it doesn't matter.
* Miguel Olivo had two doubles and a homer yesterday. Talked to a scout for another AL team who said, "he'll be the main guy there sooner rather than later."
* I was just thinking this morning that Alex Gordon hadn't done anything real standout-ish this spring, then I look it up and the guy's hitting .346. Two lessons: Gordon's good, I'm an idiot.
* One number that sticks out to me so far: David DeJesus has a .533 OBP.
* Another one: Ryan Shealy has three home runs in 19 at bats.
* From the pitchers: John Bale's seven strikeouts to one walk.
OK, on with the links:
* Gordon Eades talks with Bill James about his impact on the Red Sox.
* Found this through The Big Lead: according to the Boston Herald, Clay Buchholz is "hanging out with" with a Penthouse Pet of the Year. Good for him.
* Tom Gage catches up with former Negro Leagues star Bullet Jim Moore to talk Tigers and baseball.
* I love stories like this one from Mark Whicker about an Angels' bullpen candidate Darren O'Day. Or, as you may call him someday, Dr. O'Day.
"Now that the value of spring stats have been sufficiently trashed, let's take a look at spring performances, shall we?"
Then you list some good numbers for DeJesus, Shealy, Bales, and Gordon. What are you trying to say? Do we get excited, or do we not?
I, personally, have trouble keeping track of stats throughout the season. I know some stats when appropriate (talking to my wife at the game while Denny and Ryan {I'll miss Ryan} are stating them in my ear always made me look smarter than I actually was), but if we can stay closer to Spring numbers than going in the tank, I think we'll do okay.
Got my Opening Day tickets, got my Jersey, I'm ready to go!!!!!
Bleed Blue....jcblue42