By BudGirl
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 27, 2001.
I’ve wanted to write a Bleacher Rap for quite a while. I didn’t know where to start. I knew I wanted to share how baseball has helped my Dad and me go through the toughest time of his life. So, I’ll start by telling you about my Dad, then the influence baseball has had. (more…)
By Knoxbanedoodle
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 22, 2001.
The four best shortstops in the NL are, in no particular order, Rich Aurilia, Jimmy Rollins, Ricky Gutierrez and Orlando Cabrera – the last being yet another gem shining in the vacuum that is Montreal.
I am no stats guru, so the following analysis will be kind of soft. Through August 20, among current NL shortstops, Lugo is 5th in total chances and 4th in putouts. His fielding percentage is better by 3 points than Gutierrez, and off the leader’s pace (Cabrera) by 17. Ordered by ABs, Lugo is fifth among NL shortstops in batting average, and 3rd in OBP. (more…)
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.
“Hit the cutoff man!” That cry, which may be a demand or a plea depending on the circumstances, can be heard at every game. One of the most easily overlooked aspects of a winning baseball team is the team’s ability to hit the cutoff man, to make strong and accurate relay throws to the correct base, to make good decisions whether to cut off throws, and to make good decisions on what to do with the ball after cutting off the throw. Teams that stress fundamentals will spend a considerable amount of time drilling on balls hit in the gaps and down the lines, and they will work every day on infielders’ cutoff positions for throws from outfielders. Casual fans often cheer loudly for a throw that carries in the air from an outfielder to home or third, but the knowing fan recognizes that the impressive-looking throw missed a cutoff man and most likely allowed trailing runners to advance a base. Hitting the cutoff man consistently is one of the little things that winning teams do. This article examines the rules and positioning for infielders and outfielders to execute the cutoff play. (more…)
By Brian C.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 10, 2001.
The two US Supreme Court cases that were chiefly involved in the decision that Major League Baseball does not comprise interstate commerce are Federal Base Ball Club of Baltimore, Inc., v. National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs et al. (1922), wherein this upstart “federal club” alleged antitrust violations after being gobbled up by the National League; and Toolson v. New York Yankees (1953), which addressed the Sherman Act compliance of reserve clauses in player contracts. The decisions in these cases concluded and affirmed, respectively, that baseball cannot be regulated under existing antitrust law. Our suspicion, that these conclusions were predicated largely on the argument that you just don’t mess with baseball, were well founded. (more…)
By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 8, 2001.
An excellent email came in about the Elarton discussion last time out that raised a question already slated for discussion:
Your piece on the demise of Elarton is interesting. Given the inherent unpredictability of most pitchers, it is always risky to give up on one such as Elarton who has shown great promise. Nevertheless, he has clearly stunk for the better part of a year now, so the trade for the pennant race rental of a workhorse such as Astacio is probably not unreasonable. (more…)
By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 2, 2001.
Before the 2001 season started it seemed the Astro Nation would not have parted with Scott Elarton for anything short of a superstar. Even then it would have to have been the perfect situation. But the organization and its fans soured on Elarton when he suffered through poor mechanics and poor health and turned in a poor performance, and the Astros’ situation was far from perfect. (more…)
