2006 Season Predictions
Asher sees big things in the future of the Cleveland Indians. Oh, and he predicts things for other guys, too.
Lowe on Lowe
Asher mixes it up with Keith on the subject of Derek Lowe. Asher thinks Lowe will perform poorly, while
Keith thinks otherwise.
The D.C. Daily Diary, Part II
Asher covers the Nationals from close up.
Alfonso Soriano
Asher foresees bad things for the Nationals big pick up.
Some notes on Sammy Sosa for 2006
Asher points out that Sammy's big homerun totals tend to obscure weaknesses in his overall game and career.
Top Ten Players to End Their Careers with the A's.
With Frank Thomas headed to Oakland, ostensibly to end his career, one may wonder whether he is the best player to end his player in Oakland.
Not even close.
More on George Sisler
Apparently still annoyed about being the only person to have voted for George Sisler,
Asher belabors the point by taking Bill James to task for his ranking of Sisler.
Asher Takes Some Off the Top
In response to Keith, Asher explains his feelings on a number of players, including:
Matt Williams and Graig Nettles
With a lack of third basemen in the Hall, Asher looks at two and determines that there may be a reason for such a lack.
Catfish Hunter vs. Ron Guidry
One is in the Hall, while the other one isn't. The one without the nickname was actually
better.
Getting Defensive About Cooperstown on Defense
Asher amends some of his statements.
Not in the Hall of Fame, But Why Not?
Some players rank amongst the All Time Greats in certain categories, and yet remain
unrewarded by induction into the Hall of Fame.
Similar Names, Similar Stats, Similar Snubs
There is a
group of players from the old days whom I always get confused. Babe Ruth is not one of them, but he is relevant to this discussion because his name, George Herman "Babe" Ruth is similar to the names of a couple of guys I always get confused. Those players are Babe Herman, Billy Herman, and Stan Hack.
A Side Order of Baines and Rice
Harold Baines and Sam Rice are two players who, because of various external factors, were unable to reach certain career milestones. One thing they do not share in common is that one is in the Hall of Fame, while conventional wisdom says
Harold Baines will not end up in the Hall.
Top Ten Hall of Famers Who Should Make it Obvious to Anyone With A Pulse That Gil Hodges Should Be in the Hall of Fame
Before we get started here, it is important to point out the possible misguideness of this venture. I do not think that a player belongs in the Hall of Fame simply because there are lesser players also in the Hall. What this really means is that such
lesser players shouldn't be there in the first place.
Whether Gil Hodges is a Hall of Famer
Although Hodges will probably not end up in any of our Top 200s, whether or not he should be a Hall of Famer is a different question altogether, since there is no number limit on the Hall. So, we consider the merits and attempt to answer the question –
does Gil Hodges belong in the Hall of Fame.
Top Ten Stories of 2005
As the new year approaches, a look back at the
Top Ten Baseball Stories of 2005.
An Early Look at 2006 - Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones was very impressive last year, as he hit over 50 homeruns. But as Asher notes, his game was not actually significantly improved overall, and in 2006 we may
see a regression.
Cubs Sign Jacques Jones
The Cubs announced that they have
signed Jacques Jones to a 3 year $16 million deal. The Cubs will add Jones to an outfield already comprised of Corey "Tools" Patterson, newly acquired Juan Pierre, and youngster Matt Murton.
Giants, Angels Complete Insignificant Deal of Off-Season
In perhaps the most meaningless trade of the off-season so far, the Giants sent Edgardo Alfonzo to the Angels for Steve Finley. How it is that the Giants expect Finley to fit into their plans next season
remains to be seen.
The Cardinals Sign Troubled Pitcher Ponson
The
signing of Ponson is similar to my plan to buy Enron stock because, like Enron, Ponson value on the free agent market is at absolutely rock bottom, as he has been plagued by poor recent performance and scandals which have made him a most unattractive investment.
Top Ten Reactions to Elliot Kalb's Top 100
Elliot "Mr. Stats" Kalb has a
new 100 list out. A lot of it is good, but a lot of it is . . .
Marlins Firesale Continues . . .
The Marlins
continued their firesale on Friday, trading Luis Castillo to the Twins for pitching prospects Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. Bowyer appears to be a stud, standing 6'3" and averaging better than a strikeout per inning in the last two years. Tyler is a good looking Single A baller who is all of 23 and stands 6'5".
Moving and Shaking in the National League East
The Mets, it would appear, have made
two moves which automatically make them the conventional favorite next year in the NL East – acquiring Carlos Delgado and Billy Wagner. The great thing about these two moves if you are the Mets, other than the material benefit that will be conferred by these two players, is that they get the daily double which comes from knowing that your acquisition is your division-mates’ loss.
Paul Konerko Re-Signs with the White Sox – Two Things
I just got word that
Paul Konerko re-signed with the White Sox. In this era of big free agent deals, and guys leaving winning situations to join losing ones (Derek Lowe?) simply based on dollar signs, Konerko’s resigning is an interesting one. I have two reactions to this – one immediate, and one that dawned slowly. I will start with the one that dawned slowly – “the bad news first,” if you will.
Thankful for November Trades
I had no idea that
trade season was going to kick up so soon. But just like that, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell appear headed to the Red Sox, Carlos Delgado is headed to the Mets, and the White Sox have shipped Aaron Rowand in exchange for Big Jim Thome.
2005 Season In Review
After the World Series, a train of thought style exposition of somethings that stuck out
in review of the 2005 season.
The 2005 National League Least Valuable Player
Derrek Lee, Albert Pujols, and Andruw Jones look to reign in the NL MVP. But Asher points out that there is a
far more compelling race than that to watch in the National League this year.
Some Unconventional Picks for the 2005 American League Most Valuable Player
While David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez vie for the AL MVP, Asher offers some
unconventional picks for AL MVP.
The Irony of Bartolo Colon
So, here I am mired in the
reality of my Cy Young picks. I steadfastly picked Bartolo Colon to win the Cy Young in both 2003 and 2004, only to give up on him this year and see him finally take the trophy.
2005 Dave Kingman Award Winner
So, which player did the least with the most this season? Find out as we unveil the
2005 Dave Kingman Award.
What's the Deal with Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre?
Wanna see something weird? Check out how similar the careers of
the Belt Brothers Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre have been.
Astros Headed to the World Series
As the Astros move on the World Series for the first time in their history, score
another
victory for teamwork and chemistry.
October 17, 2005 - Some Thoughts for the Evening
What goes through the head of a Cubs fan pondering the reality of the
White Sox going to the World Series, and getting to face either the Astros or the Cardinals?
Some Year-End Observations About Albert Pujols
He is great. No doubt about it. But, amongst other
observations about Mr. Pujols, did you notice that 2005 was actually a down year for him?
What's the Deal with Gold Gloves
Am I wrong to be ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS that
Torii Hunter won the gold glove this year even though he only played 98 games? Surely, this is not Palmeiro '98, but still.
The Outfield Gold Glove Sham
Temporarily forgetting that every year, all the outfield Gold Gloves go to centerfielders, I was struck by the oddity of this fact, and I suddenly realized that this is an absurd system, and it is depriving
deserving outfielders of their rightful hardware.
What Kind of Player Makes a Good Manager?
What do seven out of the eight managers in the post-season all have in common? Hint - the one manager who is not like the others is, in my opinion, one of the most overrated managers in the league today.
Check it out.
The D.C. Daily Diary
Asher will be working in Washington D.C. for the summer, and while he is there, he will be keeping tabs on the Orioles and Nationals via a semi-
Daily Diary that he will keep as he get the opportunity to watch these two teams close-up.
In Case You Missed It
So, is the Kid finally going to play all year? Why are the Astros and Braves starting to turn it around? And what National League catcher is having a career year? Asher knows and has it here
in case you missed it.
The First Ever "Not A Bonehead Sportswriter of the Week"
Check out David Schoenfield's remarkably well thought out and well considered article about
40 current players headed for the hall of fame.
New Stat Page
What do Babe Ruth, Andre Dawson, Lou Gerhig, Eddie Murray, and Bill Nicholson all have in common? Find out in the new
Double Crown Stat Page.
The Beane Watch Continues
On July 9, 2005, we have a look at a player Billy Beane cut loose and a plyer he picked up, and see how they compare as
the Beane watch continues.
Another Double Crown
Derrek Lee is threatening to win the triple crown this year. But last year, Ichiro Suzuki won a
very rare double crown, and it was the second time he has done it.
The Pace
As the season approaches the midpoint, Asher continues his obsession with Brian Roberts, Adam Dunn, and the 300/300 club as he tries to keep up with
The Pace.
Asher's Triumphant Return
Asher disappeared for a while (why remains a mystery), but after being gone nearly three months, Asher makes his
triumphant return.
A Few Thoughts - June 25, 2005
The D.C. Daily Diary
Asher's Triumphant Return
The Pace
An Era of Aging Veteran Pitching
The Double Crown
The Curse of the Bambino Lives On.
Second Best Pitching Staff in Baseball
Asher's Triumphant Return
Finding Things Not That Hard to Believe
Just Give Him the Damn Ball
Dodgers, Angels set to Rock the Sports World
Top Ten “What Were They Thinking” Moves of 2004-2005 Off Season.
Sandy Koufax and the Importance of What Could Have Been
Yankees the Greatest of All Time?
The Quest for 200
Another Beane-er in Oakland
2004 AL ROY Pick
2004 NL ROY Pick
Top Ten Rookie of the Year Classes of All Time
Top Ten Rookie of the Year Busts of All Time
Some Things You May Have Missed
Ken Caminiti (1963-2004)
October 2, 2004: The Fifty-Fifth Annual Dave Kingman Award
Summer 2004: The Bagwell Conspiracy
July 7th: Over-Hyped Pitcher Acquisition Comparison Game
Daily Report: Grady Little's Effect on the Cubs
Jose Canseco: Person Most Living In His Own World
11/5/2003: A Warning for Andy Pettitte
10/5/03: Chancey on Rivera
Fifteen Years Later - 1986 Revisited
Disagree with something? Got something to add? Wanna bring up something totally new? Asher resides in Alexandria, VA, and can be reached at asher@baseballevolution.com.
