Brauns appeal of positive test begins (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 19 January 2012 11:35:43 PM. © MLB News Blog

Ryan Braun’s appeal of his positive drug test began Thursday before baseball arbitrator Shyam Das. The start of the National League MVP’s appeal, first reported by the New York Daily News, was confirmed by a person familiar with the session who spoke on condition of anonymity because the proceeding was not to be made public.

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Was Carlos Febles Ever Good

post from Royals Review on 19 January 2012 11:01:45 PM. © Royals Review

I have in my mind some notion that Carlos Febles was a good player once. Sure, it didn't last and didn't matter, but it happened, once. Right? He was some late Clinton-Era Mike Aviles, or so I remember, part of Dos Carlos. And then his sister married Angel Berroa (or something crazy like that, probably not that, but like it) and he rode off into the sunset.

Did this happen?

AgePABAOBPSLG19982229.400.483.600199923524.256.336.411200024399.257.345.316200125317.236.291.363200226404.245.336.348200327219.235.299.260

What a strange career. There were always the low batting average, but some years he walked a little and had some decent power, but never in a consistent way. To be sure, he was a second baseman, but for his era the composite line was never even close to average, peaking at an OPS+ of 88 back in the golden light of 1999. What I like best about Febles's career is the absolute destruction of his final season. At age 27, with the Royals actually competing for the division, with Febles a seasoned veteran... yea... here's a .299 OBP and a .260 SLG in a high offense era. Nice working with you.

But was he ever good? Well, according to baseball-reference WAR, he was worth 1.5 wins in 1999 and 1.3 in 2000, thanks to positional adjustments and some decent defense. I definitely know that I didn't value defense at the time. Did anyone else? Was that enough to stand out in the loaded fin de siele Royals lineup? Not really.

Prospect hype? Maybe. Baseball America rated him the 30th best prospect in baseball prior to the '99 season, but I would have not known about that then.

Ultimately, the notion of Febles as a good player seems rooted in a familiar culprit: he started well. In the chart above you can see the good play in his cup of coffee in 1998. In 1999, he was a first half sensation. After 53 games in '99 he was hitting .329/.405/.546. It was a long way downhill from there. Over the next 345 PAs he hit .219/.301/.342, basically your standard issue Chris Getz line.

He followed that up with an rough 2000 at the plate (though he was still worth about a win thanks to defense and walks) that firmly established his actual offensive level.

Anyway, Carlos Febles.

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Red Sox GM Cherington eager for season (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 19 January 2012 10:56:36 PM. © MLB News Blog

After his first winter as general manager of the Boston Red Sox, Ben Cherington can’t wait until spring training so he can finally see how things are working out. And his players are eager to get going for their own reasons. “I’m really looking forward to getting down there and seeing this in action,” Cherington [...]

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As close to deal with veteran OF Gomes (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 19 January 2012 10:22:40 PM. © MLB News Blog

The Oakland Athletics and Jonny Gomes were working Thursday to finalize a deal that would provide the team with outfield depth, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. The person confirmed the pending contract on condition of anonymity because the club had yet to formally announce the acquisition of Gomes, who grew up in [...]

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Offseason blues & a Tribute to McDonough

post from The Baseball Life on 19 January 2012 07:03:02 PM. © The Baseball Life

Most of us are stuck in this limbo right now of baseball purgatory. It's a scattered mixture of anticipation for the coming season haunted by continual days that lack game play. For the most part though, we have all started our count downs and planned our spring training vacations, while continually checking our spots on season ticket waitlists. This past weekend and the next two are fan conventions league-wide that serve as a kick off party for fans to celebrate the anticipated season. Being from Chicago, I am proud to note that I have been a Cub Convention attendee for most of my life (and even a few Sox Fests!) Fan fests are the ultimate for die hards, especially autograph collectors. It allows you to sit in on seminars where management discusses their philosophies and future plans. It even lets you ask the players questions, stock up on merchandise, and learn more about your team all while enjoying fun filled days with your friends. Now let me ask you.... who invented fan fests?

John McDonough.

Mr. McDonough is an outstanding man. Growing up, I referred to him as the marketing guru. He was hired in 1983 by the Chicago Cubs and by 1985 he had launched the first ever Cubs Convention- it was the first fan fest of any kind in professional sports. When Harry Caray died in 1998 it was McDonough who started having guest conductors come to Wrigley. Today, its a huge fan favorite as celebrities sing the stretch while paying homage to the late Caray.

In 2007, I had the pleasure of meeting McDonough. I was at Skyharbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona and I was on standby waiting for a flight back to Chicago after games 1 and 2 of the NLDS (Cubs @ Dbacks). We had been at the airport for about 6 hours with little-to-no chance of getting a seat on any upcoming flights, and in the corner of my eye I spotted McDonough walking past us. I woke up my friend and pointed (not very subtly) and he confirmed my suspicion - it was him! With absolutely nothing else to do at the airport, we interrupted our waiting-game and we approached McDonough to introduce ourselves - mind you, we were still unshowered and wearing our cubs attire from the game the night before, while being majorly hungover (Cubs fault - we did shots to all their miscues).

Like many, John McDonough went on to bigger and better things. Shortly after their playoff catastrophe, McDonough joined the neighboring Chicago Blackhawks hockey front office and immediately introduced his concept of fan fest to the organization. He was a large factor in bring the Winter Classic to Wrigley Field in 2009 as the Hawks faced off against rival Detroit and drew over 40,000 in attendance while boasting the highest ratings for any hockey game in 34 years. Another McDonough PR move was bringing back Hall of Famers and re-introducing them to the public as ambassadors for the sports. Forbes later named the Hawks under his guidance ?The Greatest Sports-Business Turnaround Ever.? Since then, he has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer.

Well folks, hope you've been hanging in there. We are almost there!
-S

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http://www.thebaseballlife.com/2012/01/most-of-us-are-stuck-in-this-limbo.html

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Update on Twins' and other MLB teams' interest on
Roy Oswalt

post from The tenth inning stretch on 19 January 2012 07:02:24 PM. © The tenth inning stretch

I last gave an update on the full picture surrounding Roy Oswalt a couple days ago, and there has been some additional information, so I think that an update is in order. I will maybe do those daily if new information is out, or just do small update[...]

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ns-and-other-mlb-teams.html

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Dave Parker 2005 Upper Deck Past Time Pennants
NICE!!!

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 19 January 2012 06:49:28 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

Dave Parker 2005 Upper Deck Past Time Pennants – NICE!!! I finally found a great one of these baseball cards - and it is in COLOR too!!! My last two requisitions from this 2005 Upper Deck Past Time Pennants set have … Continue reading →

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pennants-nice/

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Rookies to Look For: Manny Banuelos

It's rare that a Yankees' starting pitching prospect hangs around long enough to reach professional maturity for the major league club. Most of their starting pitching prospects are traded for an established impact starter. But lately the Yankees have[...]

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Judge ratifies McCourt divorce agreement (AP)

A Los Angeles judge has ratified a binding agreement between outgoing Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his former wife Jamie McCourt in their divorce case. Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon on Thursday signed off on the settlement reached in November that calls for Frank McCourt to pay his ex-wife $131 million by the end of [...]

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Former C Carters condition worsens (AP)

Gary Carter’s health has taken a turn for the worse. The 57-year-old Hall of Fame catcher, diagnosed last May with a malignant brain tumor, received results of his latest MRI exam Thursday, according to the online journal of his daughter, Kimmy Bloemers. She writes: “I wish I could say that the results were good.

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