Monday, July 23, 2012

Week 15

Hey all,

Might as well call it sweeps weekend in MLB as there were nine series sweeps over the weekend. It was just another exciting weekend in majors and in turn, the Longball League.  Here's the first column since the All-Star break as we head into the "dog days" of summer.

Roster Moves
7/13/12
Tax Dodgers: Dropped G. Stanton (MIA) and ReAdded M. Kemp (LAD)

7/18/12
San Pedro Sea Monkeys: Dropped J. Bautista (TOR) and Added M. Trumbo (LAA)
Invisible Hands: Dropped J. Bautista (TOR) and Added A. McCutchen (PIT)

This week's Three Trivial Things

1. On this past Saturday night the St. Louis Cardinals were locked in a scoreless tie with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.  The Redbirds then broke the game wide open by erupting for 12 runs in the top of the seventh inning.  The Cards won the game, 12-0.  Those 12 runs were not the most runs scored in a single inning.  The modern record is held by the Boston Red Sox who crossed the plate 17 times in the bottomt of the seventh inning v. the Detroit Tigers on June 18, 1953.  The Red Sox sent 25 batters to the plate, scoring 17 runs on 14 hits.  They left the bases loaded when 3B George Kell flied out to LF Don Lund to end the inning.  Oh, the Red Sox did win the game, 23-3. The all-time record belongs to the Chicago White Stockings of National League.  They scored 18 runs in seventh inning v. the Detroit Wolverines on September 6, 1883.

2. This past weekend in Oakland, the A's pulled off a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees.  It was the A's first home four-game sweep of the Bronx Bombers since 1913. Those 1913 A's, led by manager Connie Mack won the AL pennant that year with a 96-57 record.  They would go on to defeat John McGraw's New York Giants four games to one in the World Series.

3. Not so trivial, but baseball's Hall of fame induction ceremonies are always cool to watch.  However, I can't think of how controversial a year 2013 will be for those in Cooperstown.  Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will both be on the ballot for the first time. Now, the debate over the "steroid era" and Cooperstown eligibility will be on center stage.

Baseball Card of the Week

This week's honoree is Coco Crisp of the Oaklnad A's.  His single off pitcher Cody Eppley in the bottom of the 12th brought in the winning run and a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees.  Here's a look at Coco's 2012 Topps Card #374.


Until next time folks, remember that if you're looking to add a player to your roster for a big run at the postseason at trade deadline, the price will be very high.

-The Commissioner