Archive for October, 2007
It is very difficult, not to say impossible, to get back to the World Series for a team that keeps most of the roster together in the era of the 3-tiered playoff. A team must perform up to a similar level for a 2nd consecutive year, and moreover, it must stay healthy and enter the postseason with the roster at full strength. The Tigers came out of 2006 as a popular pick that were supposed to at least win their division. However, despite adding a major piece in Sheffield, the team’s young pitching was not able to build on its success of the previous year, and so the team missed the playoffs with a respectable 88-win season. While Detroit will remain contenders for the next few seasons, their task has only become harder with the rise of the Indians and the arrival of some impact bats in Kansas.
October 31st, 2007
It was a banner year for MLB. We could witness record attendance and gross revenues, dynamic pennant races, and a great feeling that all is well despite the fact that the WS ended in 5 or less matches for the 4th postseason in a row. Even the disappointing news of the pending report from the Mitchell Committee concerning MLB’s steroid era could not darken the enthusiasm. The attendance records were broken for the last 4 years, and the gross revenues of baseball have now gone over six billion. Baseball has never been more popular.
October 30th, 2007
MLB’s sales will surpass six billion US dollars for the 1st time this year. This amount has doubled in comparison with 2000 putting baseball closer to passing the NFL.
Usually, when it comes to sales, the NFL used to dwarf the MLB like a defensive lineman towers over a batboy. No more. The MLB will finish this year with just over six billion US dollars in revenue, according to Major League Baseball’s president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy.
Considering the numbers, that will put baseball right on the heels of the more than six billion US dollars in revenue reported by the NFL last year.
And in fact, the MLB has a lot more games from which to generate sales than the National Football League, but that has always been the case. To put it simple, the MLB has done a much better job in the past years of boosting its revenues beyond traditional sources, like TV broadcasting and ticket sales.
MLB’s sales have increased fifty per cent percent from 2004 and have since doubled 2000. The National Football League’s sales grew at roughly half of the MLB’s pace during the same period.
Even DuPuy and Commissioner Bud Selig were surprised by the level of growth this year. DuPuy attributed the gains to more competitive balance in the game that helped improve attendance for teams in smaller markets like the NL champion Rockies and Brewers, which was in the race for a division title up until the very last week of the season.
The rapid growth of the online ticket resale market has spurred more season ticket sales, which helped cut down on the number of no-shows.
October 26th, 2007
The fact that the World Series were held in Boston allowed MLB to put its interview on hold with the most recent baseball player, who was accused of using human growth hormone. Major League Baseball’s chief operating officer Bob DuPuy said yesterday that because Cleveland did not win the ALCS, the Indians’ pitcher Paul Byrd did not need to be interviewed until after the WS. Last week Paul Byrd said he took hGH via prescription because he suffered from a pituitary gland problem. Commissioner Bud Selig and Bob DuPuy declined to comment on other steroid issues.
October 25th, 2007
The A’s moved a little bit closer to filling out their 2008 coaching staff with yesterday’s hire the new bench coach Don Wakamatsu. The coach comes from the Rangers taking the place of Bob Schaefer that was let go after 1 season.
Don Wakamatsu, is 44 years old and he is a Hayward native. He grew up attending A’s games during the early ‘70s. Wakamatsu spent the past 5 seasons with the Texas Rangers, 4 of which as bench coach and the last one as 3B coach.
October 24th, 2007
Ed Goren president of Fox Sports wants MLB to rethink the World Series. The main thing he was wondering is an 8-game series, or even better, a best of fifteen. Of course, he was not serious about that, but baseball is a hot property right now, and Fox Sports cannot get enough of it. Ed Goren noted that the irony, is that Fox Sports asked baseball for a midweek start to the fall classic in order to maximize advertising and media coverage.
October 23rd, 2007
MLB is going to investigate allegations that the Indians pitcher Paul Byrd purchased and used using human growth hormone, the one that the league bans for muscle-building properties.
It was reported that Paul Byrd purchased almost $25,000 worth of human growth hormone in the period between August 2002 and January 2005, which was before this drug was officially banned.
It was stated by Fox Sports that Paul Byrd didn’t dispute the claims. In an interview he admitted taking human-growth hormone, which will be described in his upcoming book, entitled “The Free Byrd Project.” Byrd stated that he no longer uses the drug, according to Fox Sports.
October 22nd, 2007
Finally, we have a postseason MLB series that are worth watching. The Red Sox do not have to wait until next year to show some great results, because the team has a minimum of 9 more innings that are left to play this season. This weekend before Cleveland fans ready to celebrate, Boston guaranteed that the Head of the Charles Regatta is not going to be the focal point of the Red Sox sports scene.
Boosting his reputation as an October “money-man” Beckett outpitched C.C. Sabathia for his 3rd consecutive superlative outing. Therefore, the Red Sox were able to postpone the inevitable hand wringing and Francona 2nd-guessing festival with a 7-1 win before 45 thousand dispirited Cleveland fans at Jacobs Field.
In case the baseball series gets to a 7th game, Beckett said he would be ready to pitch in relief after another amazing effort in Game 5.
Cleveland still leads this best-of-7 series 3-2. However, now the Indians will have to duplicate the performance of the ‘95 and ‘97 Cleveland league champions and win the pennant.
The matchups seem to favor the Indians, with nineteen-game winner Carmona taking on Schilling in Game Six on Saturday and Westbrook opposing Matsuzaka in a possible 7th game the following day.
Any benefits Cleveland derives from the pitching are sure to be outweighed by the Red Sox’s home-field advantage and the frantic atmosphere of Fenway Park. Boston went 51-30 at home this season, and Cleveland won Game 2 by a 13-6 score.
October 19th, 2007
Yesterday Kranitz was hired as the Orioles new pitching coach, replacing Leo Mazzone. During the past 2 seasons, Kranitz was the pitching coach for the Marlins. The club wanted to retain him for following year, however, Kranitz wanted to explore other options, and was not with the team for the final 6 matches of this season. Rick Kranitz also worked with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail in the Cubs organization and Baltimore manager Dave Trembley.
October 18th, 2007
The Indians are only 2 win away from the World Series after yesterday’s 7-3 victory over the Red Sox. Cleveland lead the ALCS three games to one and won thirty-two of their last forty-three going back to the regular season. Johnny Peralta added a 3-run home run. Casey Blake delivered a bloop single that scored Lofton that singled and stole second. Byrd got the win with 5+ innings, allowing 2 runs.
Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox hit consecutive solo home runs in the top of the 6th. In fact, it was the 1st time in the history of the championship series that a team has hit 3 consecutive home runs. Today there is an off day for the Indians that can earn a World Series trip against Colorado with tomorrow’s victory in Cleveland.
October 17th, 2007
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