"Wednesday Mailbag"
Here's a note I received from the PA voice of the Goldeyes, Ron Arnst, with his take on this year's World Series and instant replay in baseball:
I don’t know who to cheer for in the World Series. Cheering for the Yankees and Pay-Roid doesn’t sit well with me. I would cheer for the Phillies but they sent Coste to Houston so they are off the list. Besides they beat Sherrill. Boo on them. So I guess I will cheer for the umpires. It appears they need the help.
On that topic (umpires and replay), I believe it is inevitable. The baseball traditionalist in me is not in favour of it – but you can’t ignore the future. My argument against replay technology and “challenges” is based on watching a few games over my life. How many times have you seen a player complain intensely about a ball-and-strike call and then swing at a pitch 2 feet outside or in the dirt? I think one of the things that keeps baseball apart – and I believe elevates it above other pro sports – is its long history, tradition and unrelenting reliance on the human factor. For better or for worse. Baseball is about stories. Reduce the human element and you will reduce the quantity and the quality of the stories. Let ‘em play, I say.
However, I believe replay will come to baseball sooner rather than later. If it has to come, I agree that a limited number of challenges (one per game is good) sounds like the best way to go. To help offset the time lost while we all wait around for a challenge to be decided, I suggest a couple of other changes. I believe we should also limit the number of times a batter can step out of the box to one per at bat and I believe we should limit the number of visits to the mound by the catcher or other players to one per inning. This would not include visits made by the manager or pitching coach. I see no entertainment value in watching a hitter adjust his gloves, sweatbands, cap, shirt, pants, socks and rebalance his investment portfolio after every pitch. I also don’t get a huge kick out of watching a mound meeting three times per half inning. Call me crazy but I think baseball would be better with less posturing and more playing. - Ron Arnst
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Until next time…
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - October 27, 2009
“World Series 2009 and Instant Replay”
The 2009 World Series will feature the Phillies and the Yankees. So, my prognostication wasn’t bang on, only 50% right. The Phillies were just too much for the Dodgers both on the mound and at the plate. The Yankees seem to be firing on all cylinders as well. A-Rod is doing what a guy paid $50 million per year should be doing, and the two huge off-season acquisitions in Sabathia and Burnett are, thus far, making Brian Cashman look like a genius. Andy Pettite hasn’t looked too bad either for an “old” guy.
It should be a great series played out in two places that will have similar weather to Winnipeg in late October/early November. It’s going to be cold and windy so it will be interesting which team is most affected. The Phillies didn’t seem to have any issues with the cold last year and will be looking to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees did it back in 1999 & 2000.
One common theme to this year’s post-season has been incredibly bad umpiring. There haven’t just been a few bang-bang plays missed, there have been more than a few blatant terrible calls, right in front of the ump making the call. In this writer’s humble opinion, it is time for instant replay to be used in major league baseball, and for more than just home run calls. The technology is there, why not use it? Why not get the call right? The NFL uses it, as does the NHL. Mr. Selig needs to embrace technology instead of continuing to stick his head in the sand and pretend it isn’t there, or that it doesn’t belong in the game.
While listening to a sports talk show on the drive home this week, a sports writer was discussing instant replay and his thoughts on what should happen. His idea was to have each team be allowed one challenge per game. One challenge per game by each team is not going to dramatically increase the length of the games. If each team has one challenge, they aren’t going to use it to challenge a close play at first, or whether a guy was tagged out trying to steal second. They will use them on plays similar to the play in the Yankees/Angels game where Nick Swisher was called out on appeal for tagging up too soon on a fly ball. If that play was challenged it would have taken about four seconds for replay to show that he did not tag too early and the run would have stood. That game ended up being a blow out, but what if the Yankees had lost that game by one run?
If you agree with me on instant replay, or not, or if you want to give me your prediction on the outcome of the World Series, send me a note to andrew@goldeyes.com. Also, let me know in your email if I can use it in an upcoming blog.
I’m sticking with my earlier prediction of the Yankees winning it all in 6.
Go Yankees!
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.
GoldeyesGM on Twitter
Winnipeg Goldeyes on Twitter
Until next time…
The 2009 World Series will feature the Phillies and the Yankees. So, my prognostication wasn’t bang on, only 50% right. The Phillies were just too much for the Dodgers both on the mound and at the plate. The Yankees seem to be firing on all cylinders as well. A-Rod is doing what a guy paid $50 million per year should be doing, and the two huge off-season acquisitions in Sabathia and Burnett are, thus far, making Brian Cashman look like a genius. Andy Pettite hasn’t looked too bad either for an “old” guy.
It should be a great series played out in two places that will have similar weather to Winnipeg in late October/early November. It’s going to be cold and windy so it will be interesting which team is most affected. The Phillies didn’t seem to have any issues with the cold last year and will be looking to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees did it back in 1999 & 2000.
One common theme to this year’s post-season has been incredibly bad umpiring. There haven’t just been a few bang-bang plays missed, there have been more than a few blatant terrible calls, right in front of the ump making the call. In this writer’s humble opinion, it is time for instant replay to be used in major league baseball, and for more than just home run calls. The technology is there, why not use it? Why not get the call right? The NFL uses it, as does the NHL. Mr. Selig needs to embrace technology instead of continuing to stick his head in the sand and pretend it isn’t there, or that it doesn’t belong in the game.
While listening to a sports talk show on the drive home this week, a sports writer was discussing instant replay and his thoughts on what should happen. His idea was to have each team be allowed one challenge per game. One challenge per game by each team is not going to dramatically increase the length of the games. If each team has one challenge, they aren’t going to use it to challenge a close play at first, or whether a guy was tagged out trying to steal second. They will use them on plays similar to the play in the Yankees/Angels game where Nick Swisher was called out on appeal for tagging up too soon on a fly ball. If that play was challenged it would have taken about four seconds for replay to show that he did not tag too early and the run would have stood. That game ended up being a blow out, but what if the Yankees had lost that game by one run?
If you agree with me on instant replay, or not, or if you want to give me your prediction on the outcome of the World Series, send me a note to andrew@goldeyes.com. Also, let me know in your email if I can use it in an upcoming blog.
I’m sticking with my earlier prediction of the Yankees winning it all in 6.
Go Yankees!
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.
GoldeyesGM on Twitter
Winnipeg Goldeyes on Twitter
Until next time…
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
From the Desk of the GM - October 13, 2009
"MLB Playoff update"
The first round of the MLB playoffs are now in the books. The first round provided some very exciting baseball with some great come from behind wins, a few dropped balls, a few blown saves and some great production from some guys that are expected to produce. George Sherrill pitched in all three wins for the Dodgers, picking up his first post-season victory in game one.
In the ALCS it will be the Yankees against the Angels and in the NLCS it will be the Dodgers and Phillies. The Phillies are looking to become the first team to repeat as World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000.
The two teams I predicted to be in the finals are still alive with the Dodgers and Yankees both advancing. It would be great to see Joe Torre face his former team in the finals.
Here's an email I received from Goldeyes season ticket holder Craig Kuhlman (the Kuhlman's are also a Goldeyes host family), with his predictions. The email was sent to me before the Phillies won Monday's night's game in Colorado to advance.
Just finished reading your latest blog. I'm late here, but I'm going to pick the Phillies to repeat. I was rooting for the Twins, but that didn't work out so well. I've been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I was very happy to see the Cards get swept! Anyway, I'm like you even though I love the Cubs, Reggie was always one of my favorite players growing up. From the time I got into baseball at the age of six in 1977, and when I got the chance to see him live when our family went to the Metrodome in 1985 against the A's, I've always loved Mr. October. - Craig Kuhlman
Feel free to send me your thoughts and picks as the CS's get underway.
Go Yankees!
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.
GoldeyesGM on Twitter
Winnipeg Goldeyes on Twitter
Until next time…
The first round of the MLB playoffs are now in the books. The first round provided some very exciting baseball with some great come from behind wins, a few dropped balls, a few blown saves and some great production from some guys that are expected to produce. George Sherrill pitched in all three wins for the Dodgers, picking up his first post-season victory in game one.
In the ALCS it will be the Yankees against the Angels and in the NLCS it will be the Dodgers and Phillies. The Phillies are looking to become the first team to repeat as World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000.
The two teams I predicted to be in the finals are still alive with the Dodgers and Yankees both advancing. It would be great to see Joe Torre face his former team in the finals.
Here's an email I received from Goldeyes season ticket holder Craig Kuhlman (the Kuhlman's are also a Goldeyes host family), with his predictions. The email was sent to me before the Phillies won Monday's night's game in Colorado to advance.
Just finished reading your latest blog. I'm late here, but I'm going to pick the Phillies to repeat. I was rooting for the Twins, but that didn't work out so well. I've been a lifelong Cubs fan, so I was very happy to see the Cards get swept! Anyway, I'm like you even though I love the Cubs, Reggie was always one of my favorite players growing up. From the time I got into baseball at the age of six in 1977, and when I got the chance to see him live when our family went to the Metrodome in 1985 against the A's, I've always loved Mr. October. - Craig Kuhlman
Feel free to send me your thoughts and picks as the CS's get underway.
Go Yankees!
For up to the minute information about the Goldeyes, check us out on Twitter.
GoldeyesGM on Twitter
Winnipeg Goldeyes on Twitter
Until next time…
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