Os hire Dan Duquette as baseball prez (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 06 November 2011 06:01:21 PM. © MLB News Blog

Dan Duquette signed a three-year contract Sunday to become the Baltimore Orioles’ president of baseball operations. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press of the move on condition of anonymity because the Orioles haven’t announced the hiring. The 53-year-old Duquette, who interviewed with the Orioles over the weekend, was farm director of [...]

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30-YOC Top Ten Top 10 Stars From The 2011 World
Series

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 06 November 2011 05:29:05 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

?30-YOC Top Ten? ? Top 10 Stars From The 2011 World Series I couldn’t do this list last Sunday because I wanted to get my ‘Pick The Award Winners’ contest up and going. Lucky for me, the results of the … Continue reading →

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0%93-top-10-stars-from-the-2011-world-series/

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TCB at the Movies: The Sequel

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 06 November 2011 05:01:20 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Brad Pitt and the Saints...two of my favorite things!

David and I finally saw Moneyball yesterday. Before the movie came out, David promised--perhaps a bit unwisely--that if I would go with him to see that movie, he would go with me to see any movie I want. That's probably a deal he didn't need to make considering the movie stars Brad Pitt, but I'll take it.

Moneyball, based on the Michael Lewis book of the same name, chronicles the efforts of Oakland A's General Manager, Billy Beane (played by Pitt), to change the way MLB evaluates players, shifting to a more statistical analysis rather than who looks a certain way or who are fan favorites. TCB has already posted a review of the movie, which can be read here.

I agree with some of Tim and other commentators that there are awkward interactions between Billy Beane and the movie's other characters, including the fictional Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) and Art Howe (Philip Seymour Hoffman). I think those awkward moments added to the movie. The movie was uncomfortable at times because it dealt with uncomfortable moments. People's jobs were on the line. As the review says, much of the movie was fictionalized or condensed. (I heard all about it on the ride home with David.) Such is the case with movies based on historical events.

The movie deals with the best method to field a team. Which is better--the old school method of scouting and going after big names or the revolutionary method of using statistics? Ultimately, the answer is to utilize both, but that's out of the purview of the movie. Rather, Moneyball triumphs the use of statistics. Critics of statistical analysis in baseball claimed that this dehumanized the game.

Actually, the statistical analysis of play adds to the human drama. There are humans behind those stats.

This is clear with players like Scott Hatteberg (Chris Pratt) and David Justice (Stephen Bishop). We first see Hatteberg silently sitting in his living room surrounded by Christmas lights, probably pondering his seemingly career-ending injury. Enter Beane and an offer to join Oakland with the caveat that he'll have play an entirely new position. Beane wants Hatteberg because of his ability to get on base, foreshadowing Hatteberg's role in helping the A's create a record-breaking winning streak.

Justice was a popular player but was considered by many to be past his prime and on the decline. Justice has to come to terms with the fact that he's not the player he once was, but Beane assures him that they want him for the player he was at the moment, not the player he was in his youth. Justice is encouraged to be a leader on the team.

And then there's Beane himself, who recognizes that as a player he himself wouldn't have been an attractive player using his own methods. And, his methods don't lead to winning the last game of the season (a championship) for Oakland. But, he did field a great team on a limited budget, and his methods were embraced by other teams. His methodology did get a high paying job offer from the Red Sox.

On some level, as a viewer, I wanted the happy ending where Beane got the dream job and then goes on to win his championship using the methodology he espoused. But, he turned the job down to remain closer to his daughter (and for other reasons not covered by the movie, which I also heard about in the car ride home...it was a long trip). And this was an okay resolution too. Beane stays with the As (a team he clearly wants to win with) while remaining a short trip away from the daughter he adores. Sports movies often have a family element, but they usually involve a nuclear family with a wife (who could move cross-country without concern for custody arrangements).

There's human drama behind those stats!

Overall, Moneyball was a good movie with some laugh-out-loud moments. It got me to think about certain elements of baseball. I am typically more of a football movie fan, but I am warming to the idea of seeing more baseball movies.

So, I have two questions for TCB readers.

One--what baseball movies would you suggest I see?

And two--what movie should I make David go see with me? I'm thinking the new Twilight movie. A deal's a deal.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2011/11/6/2542674/tcb-at-the-movies-the-sequel

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Braves Hitters Shine In AFL Rising Stars Game

post from Talking Chop on 06 November 2011 03:01:25 PM. © Talking Chop

Braves Hitters Shine In AFL Rising Stars Game

Yesterday in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars game, first baseman Joey Terdoslovich went 3-for-3 with a double and a 3-run home run, and Christian Bethancourt went 1-for-3. Terdoslovich capped off a five-run first inning with his homer, and ended a triple shy of the cycle while also adding a walk. J.J. Hoover did not make it into the game.

The Rising Stars game will be replayed on the MLB Network tonight (Monday morning) at 1am.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/11/6/2542360/braves-hitters-shine-in-afl-rising-s
tars-game

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Braves Could Have A Higher Payroll In 2012

post from Talking Chop on 06 November 2011 03:01:25 PM. © Talking Chop

As fans of the Atlanta Braves we know that Frank Wren is doing all he can to make next year's team stronger than the one that collapsed down the stretch this year. He got creative and moved quickly to rid himself of as much of Derek Lowe's contract as possible. Initial off-season reports after that seemed to indicate the Braves would make very few moves, but that's not what Ken Rosenthal is hearing:

The Braves are up to something. How can they not be after their historic collapse in September?
No one should be immune from trade discussions. And, apparently, no one is.
Yes, the Braves would move right-hander Jair Jurrjens and left fielder Martin Prado, the two players whose names surfaced in trade discussions with the Royals, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Heck, the Braves would trade just about anyone for the right price - and moving Jurrjens, in particular, could make sense.

In addition to making trades to secure better pieces, and create openings in the rotation for their talented young starting pitchers, the Braves ownership may also be (finally) giving the team (and their fans) some relief by increasing the self-imposed salary cap. Once again, here is Rosenthal:

The Braves operate at a different financial level and, sources say, intend to increase their payroll from $87 million, their Opening Day figure last season.

That is EXCELLENT news! Liberty Media, the team's "owner," has mainly been hands off, which has allowed the baseball people to make mostly good baseball decisions without meddling owners getting involved. But that hands off approach has also meant that the owners don't really seem to be personally invested in whether the team has the resources to compete in a division where more teams are spending more money.

Creating salary space by trading Lowe, and possibly Jurrjens, while also being allowed to raise their overall salary total could give the Braves significantly more money to spend this off-season than what was previously thought. The beat writers and bloggers presumed that the Braves had about $10 million of additional money to spend after trading Lowe, and after all estimated arbitration raises were accounted for.

Now consider that if they are able to trade Jurrjens, that's another $5 million. We won't know how much Liberty will allow the team to expand their salary total, but I'll venture a guess that it's somewhere between $5 and $10 million. Add all that together and the Braves could possibly have somewhere between $20 to $30 million to spend this off-season. That's enough money to make a significant splash in the free agent market if they choose, but more likely it's enough money to greatly expand the possibility of players that the team could trade for this winter.

If all of this is accurate, then we could be in for a much more active off-season than previously thought, and we could see the Atlanta roster change much more than previously thought. I'm excited at this prospect of more cash to spend. It should be pretty apparent that the Braves will have to increase their salary total, stagnant for the past several years, to stay competitive with Philly, New York, and now Washington -- all of whom could spend more than the Braves next year.

Of course, the last time this front office had money to spend, they spent it on Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami. Hopefully they make better choices this time.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/11/6/2542379/braves-could-have-a-higher-payroll-i
n-2012

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John Smoltz 2007 Upper Deck Antiquity Game-Used
Relic Card

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 06 November 2011 02:50:05 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

John Smoltz 2007 Upper Deck ‘Antiquity’ Game-Used Relic Card Another beauty scored by yours truly for the low, low price of just $0.99. And there was not way that I was going to let this one get by me!!! I … Continue reading →

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Ten 2012 Season Predictions.

post from Royals Review on 06 November 2011 01:01:14 PM. © Royals Review

Lots of people are saying that the Royals will have a great season next year. Lots of people are saying the Royals won't have a great season next year. So, where do I stand in all of this? Some of you might already know, but for those who don't, here are my predictions for the 2012 season.

Keep in mind: these are predictions. This isn't supposed to be hard-hitting analysis, I just felt like listing what I think might happen in 2012.

Prediction #1: The Royals will trade for Brandon Beachy this off-season.

Let's see... Braves connection, good young pitcher who is cost controlled. What could match that? Well, I hate to say this, but Wil Myers could match that. Our lineup is already great, and we would be essentially trading the same amount of cost-control for a pitcher with just about the same amount of upside.

I could definitely see a Myers-for-Beachy trade in order, and it would help the Royals in 2012 by a lot.

Prediction #2: The Royals will have at least 3 All-stars next season.

This is one of my bolder predictions for 2012. The last time the Royals had 3 All-Stars was 1988. The last time they even had two was 2003.

I predict that Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Salvador Perez will be All-Stars in 2012.

Prediction #3: Eric Hosmer will hit 34 Home Runs, and get in the Top 3 in the MVP voting.

Another VERY bold prediction. Eric Hosmer is probably the best player we have had since George Brett, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is better than Brett over the course of his career. If he does get in the top 3, SIGN HIM TO AN EXTENSION IMMEDIATELY.

I also predict that he will hit for .305 or above.

Prediction #4: Alex Gordon will duplicate his success in 2012.

Pretty self-explanatory.

Prediction #5: Joakim Soria will return to form.

Also pretty self-explanatory, but I'll add in that he will get at least 45 saves.

Prediction #6: Mike Montgomery will step it up in 2012.

I think Montgomery will regain his control during ST, and will start the season in the rotation. I think he will win at least 14 games, and lose less than 8, and get some ROY votes.

Prediction #7: Felipe Paulino will become an ace.

Yes, I'm saying Felipe Paulino will become an ace. I think he'll be able to sort out his walks in ST, and start hitting the corners more, which would make him a terrific pitcher. It wouldn't surprise me if he won at least 16 games.

Prediction #8: Mike Moustakas will start hitting for power.

Mike Moustakas has power potential, and I think that potential will start to show in 2012. Expect him to break Balboni's record.

Prediction #9: Melky Cabrera will be dealt at the deadline.

I think Melky will have a strong start to the season, and he will be dealt at the deadline to another contending team. DM has hinted at this, so it wouldn't surprise me.

Prediction #10: The Royals will win 89 games next year, will finish second in the division, and will sneak into the playoffs with a wild-card spot.

Yes, the Royals will get to the playoffs next year. Barely.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

So, those are my predictions. What are yours?

Poll

Where do you think the Royals will finish in 2012?

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http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/11/6/2541846/ten-2012-season-predictions

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Fergie Jenkins 1984 O-Pee-Chee

Fergie Jenkins 1984 O-Pee-Chee I have the 1984 Topps baseball card that features Fergie Jenkins I have the 1984 Topps Nestle baseball card that features Fergie Jenkins. So, as a loyal and sometimes obsessive collector, I of course had to … Continue reading →

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Active Players Who Have Worn At Least 8 Different
Uniform Numbers

Some players wear a single number for so long that it becomes irrevocably associated with them. Mickey Mantle is 7, Cal Ripken is 8, Chipper Jones is 10, and so on. Other players, though, aren't so lucky.Here are the active players who have worn at least[...]

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It’s Time to Play “Would You Make
That Trade”

post from LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Chatter on 06 November 2011 11:01:28 AM. © LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Chatter

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