Results tagged ‘ A-Rod ’
SS = Super Speed
New Age of Super Shortstops
by Johnny Archive
In the past, fantasy owners drooled over big-time productions from unlikely positions (i.e., catcher, shortstop, and second base), primarily because there were so few of them. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, MLB teams would gladly suffer a deficiency of offensive production in exchange for a solid glove in the field, which would inevitably help their pitchers – who were arguably the stars of the team.
You might get some speed from a player like “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith, for example, was never a home run threat, but he could steal you some bases. Sure, the ground game on the bases was nice, but his glovework is what really mattered. Well, that and his ability to do gymnastics on the way to his position.
Then came the ’80s and we saw a change. Baseball franchises wanted offense. Why? Because the fans seemed to dig an 8-6 game with four homers over a well-pitched 2-1 “classic.” This was also the time when television networks were devoting more airtime to sports and shows like ESPN and SportsCenter were emerging onto the scene. It’s hard to condense a nine-inning, three-hitter into a 60-second video clip. However, loading up two or three HR bombs during a highlight package was easy as, well, 1-2-3.
Is it really a coincidence that around the same time there began an influx of offense from traditional defensive positions? Sure, we think of Cal Ripken, Jr. as “Mr. Ironman,” but would he really have played as often if not for his power numbers from the SS position? He did have an accurate arm and was a sure-handed ball-gobbler for anything within his range, but he didn’t cover near the ground as a lot of other shortstops from that era. I’d suggest it was his offense that enabled him to play a huge chunk of those games.
But I digress, the point of this article is not to, in anyway, undermine a true baseball legend, which the classy Ripken, Jr. is without question.
In the late ’80s, Barry Larkin of the Reds also brought, with his slick fielding, a propensity to drive in runs. This seemed to open the door for a trio of outright superstar shortstops in the ’90s; Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez. I’m sure many baseball fans and fantasiers recall debating which player was “the best” among those studs when they were all in their prime and playing SS exclusively.
1999
Derek Jeter 24 HR / 102 RBI / 19 SB / 134 R / .349 AVG
Alex Rodriguez 42 HR / 124 RBI / 21 SB / 110 R / .285 AVG
Nomar Garciaparra 27 HR / 104 RBI / 14 SB / 103 R / .357 AVG
In fact, the main point here is to address the direction of MLB offenses and of the emerging shortstops that bring excellent glove skills and a proficient ability to run. Yes, the post-roid era appears to be all about speed. To that, I humbly offer these fine young players:
ã
Hanley Ramirez FLA 27 SB / 576 AB
Elvis Andrus TEX 33 SB / 480 AB
Alcides Escobar MIL 4 SB / 125 AB
Everth Cabrera SD 25 SB / 377 AB
Asdrubal Cabrera CLE 17 SB / 523 AB
Now, there’s still a modern day Ripken, Jr. and his name is Troy Tulowitzki of the Colordao Rockies. But he brings power to the position — I know, so does Han-Ram and that’s why I almost didn’t include him on this list. Indeed, there were a few boppers who tried to emerge at shortstop in the past few years. Players like Bobby Crosby, Khalil Greene and Jhonny Peralta. But they have moved to thirdbase or in the case of Greene working on outside baseball issues. The bottom line is they were not true shortstops and definitely not built for the future.
Tipping: Cows-Fun, Pitches-Bad
A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod…
What the heck happened to you when you went to Texas? Sure, you were accused of be a sell-out for scooping up all that cash, but did you sell your soul too? I mean, sheesh, if this latest accusation of you tipping pitches to your opponents is true, then you are the Devil!
Seriously…wait a second.
Baseball has become a multi-billion dollar business, right? Players are rewarded for their individual stats, right? And WE, the fans/media, are outraged that a player would be using “performance-enhancing drugs” and colluding with another player(s) to benefit each other’s stats?
Hrmmm…
Maybe, we’re being a little too naive here? I know we want desperately to believe in our heroes, but they are people like us. Yes, I’m talking about the same “us” that is likely to fudge on their taxes, embelish their resumes and perhaps peek at our neighbors during SATs. At the very least, we edge over that posted speed limit, snag a few extra plastic forks at the local burger joint and don’t even get me started with hotel rooms.
I know we all think that we are soooo good, but there is — at the very least — a smidge of evilness lurking somewhere just below the surface. In our worlds though, we rationalize our little indescretions by thinking “everyone else is doing it” so it must be okay. Right? C’mon, we can be honest here, nobody is around.
So, let’s put ourselves in A-Rod’s world. A very, very competitive enviroment where it must have seemed like “everybody” was using ‘roids or HGH. Then in a 10-2 game he accidentally gives his teammates the signals of the next pitch — which is common, so the defense can prepare — a little early and it occurs to him that the batter noticed what he was doing. He ponders, so what if the opposing player ripped a double? It’s not like the game’s outcome was altered. Plus, that opposing player is really a good guy and, as everyone knows, has been mired in a deep slump.
And, boom, 3 years later you have two or three players on every team that you “help out”, but of course, ONLY if the game is out of hand. And there within lies the rub, who determines when a game is “out of hand”?
I am in no way condoning what A-Rod has done or what he may still be doing when he returns to the game in a week or so. I’m just trying to step off the soapbox and look realistically at how he could get to the point where he would think these things are somehow acceptable behavior from a professional athlete and role model.
Not only am I willing to look below the surface at A-Rod’s thinking, but I’m even open to the possibility that my beloved fantasy baseball might actually contribute to the landscape that excuses any action, ethical or not, that enhances a player’s stat line.
Amazing, just look at the names that have been associated with or torn down and destroyed by ‘Roids in past few years; Rafeal Palmeiro, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi and of course Alex Rodriguez. They’re all elite players…or at least were.
Have a great weekend! And catch my podcast at BlogTalkradio.com this Sunday at 5-7pm ET!
-Johnny Archive
JAIL Keepers and More
Hey there,
I thought I’d pass on some inside information on the “haps” within the JAIL league. As some of you may remember, we put in keepers (3) starting with the 2009 season. So, here are the players kept;
Keepers Lists (In DRAFT ORDER) for 2009 (Round Replacing)
Don’t Tread On Me – A.Pujols(1), J.Peralta(14), C.Davis(26)
Looters – B.McCann(5), C.Billingsly(8), A.Either(24)
Firewyrm’s – J.Lackey(7), J.Hamilton(10), E.Volquez(26)
Jersey Hitmen – J.Morneau(3), J.Damon(10), A.Ramirez(26)
Ramblers – I.Kinsler(5), C.Delgado(13), J.Chamberlain(16)
PBR Street – B. Upton(3), A.Gordon(9), K.Slowey(26)
Fatheads – J.Reyes(1), PASSED, D.Price(26)
Green Mtn. – G.Sizemore(2), J.Bay(8), M.Wieters(26)
Bryan’s team – A.Gonzalez (6), S.Victorino(8), S.Drew(15)
Encouraging B. – H.Ramirez(1), B.Lidge(11), E.Longoria(17)
Licking Co. – T.Lincecum(7), K.Youkilis(10), C.Lee(26)
Folsom P.B. – R.Braun(1), J.Soria(9), C. Quentin(23)
B.R.*****. – D.Wright(1), R.Ibanez(12), S.Baker(26)
Usual Suspects – R.Howard(1), G.Soto(12), N.Cruz(26) <— Johnny Archive
We could keep 1 player from 3 dfferent tiers of the draft, 1-7/8-14/15-26. Undrafted players counted towards the 15-26 tier. I think this system works well because it allows for teams to keep key elements of their existing team, but doesn’t drain the draft of big name players. I mean every league has a new owner or two and you don’t want people coming in with no shot at improving their rosters.
Speaking of new owners, we really added some talent this year. Ward Pettenger, Bryan Clarke and Brent Voorhees are all now serving time in JAIL!
I also want to apologize to the people who weren’t able to join this year, but there’s always next year and I’ll do everything I can to include everyone next year.
NFBC is going to JAIL, or I guess more accurately, JAIL is going to the NFBC. I will participating in one the NFBC leagues this year with a fellow JAIL member. BUT, I’m also sponsoring a team that will compete under the JAIL banner with two JAIL owners running the team. Another example of some of the perks you get from simply being a member of a Johnny Archive league.
The JAIL draft will be held LIVE Feb. 28th at 6PM ET. Join me at BlogTalkRadio.com as I broadcast the draft live. It will be fun, entertaining and should help you with your own fantasy draft.
Notice, this was an A-Rod free post! Doh! So much for that. Unlike everyone rushing to comment on A-Rod, I will let the dust settle before I chime in. If you remember my post on ‘roids last year, you should have an idea how I feel about this “lynch-mob” mentality that is so prevelant in the world today. He didn’t beat his wife, kill dogs or get his 5th DUI. No, he used a substance to try and enhance his performance…just like everyone else in baseball was doing.
Everyone says he “cheated”. Blah, Blah Blah. This game endorses/allows stealing signs, corked bats, pine tar (and not just on bats), getting eye surgery in the off-season and managers to go out on the field to argue calls (“Daddy, why is that man kicking dirt on the umpire?”). We want our teams to win, we want the players on our teams to perform well(how many times have you heard someone say “they need to earn all the money in that big contract”) and do everything they can to contribute to our teams being successful and yet so many people are apalled when those players do just that!
Well, so much for waiting to comment. Bleh!
-Johnny Archive
Sickness
Halo!
I am starting to feel the affects; that unmistakable grumbling is in my tummy, I’m unable to focus on others subjects and, of course, the ear-to-ear grin is back . It could only be one thing.
Noooo silly, not a refill of Viagra.
It’s almost Superbowl Sunday!
Uhmmm, Archive, I don’t want to tell you how to write your blog, but shouldn’t you being saying stuff like that over at NFLblogs.com (if there was one)? You do remember that this is a baseball blog-like place, ya-know. I mean, c’mon we could go to a million other places to read more frickin’ hype about that crazy pigskin abusing game.
I gotcha mate. No worries (Mrs. Archive’s favorite saying). You see, after this gridiron battle takes place on Sunday the sports world begins to realize that Spring is in the air! As far as I’m concerned, the Superbowl represents the official, unofficial start of BASEBALL SEASON!
And this year, we have a baseball team in the big football game – the Cardinals! Go Albert Pujols! By the way, now that I think about it, I bet AP would make an excellent outside linebacker. But I digress (my favorite saying).
Baseball fans all over the world are making a mock of themselves as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season by entering fantasy baseball mock drafts. Remember, having a great mock draft season wins you abslutely nothing. So, “be a smart Jock and don’t over Mock!”
I just coined that, but feel free to use it…but send me a nickel everytime you do. I made a funny.
See, I toldjya (nice word) I was giddy. And if you are not giddy too, then you are probably not on alot of medications, erm I mean, an avid baseball fan.
The Johnny Archive Invitational Leagues still has a few openings. If you are interested in joining let me know, but be prepared to join the toughest fantasy baseball league you have ever seen. Think I’m kidding? Well, join and see for yourself. It’s not some free league where 80% of the owners quit at the All-Star break. Nope, it’s tough and as reigning champ I can tell you how satisfying it is to win.
Sure, the prize money is cool, but knowing I worked my booty off all year battling some of the most talented fantasy owners in the country and came out on top is an awesome feeling. Oh and like I said, I’m the champ and I don’t plan on giving up my title without a fight. So, get all swolled up and come get yourself some, boyeee. hehe Sorry, I went gangster for a sec there.
By the way, I added a special little feature this year. Since this is the first year we are expanding and some owners are crazy enough to be in BOTH leagues I’m willing to toss in some of my own cash if someone can do the impossible. I will give $200 to and owner that finishes in the top 3 in both JAIL leagues and $500 if some stud can win both leagues! Not gonna happen, so my cash is safe.
Speaking of defending titles, I am also back in the Fantasy 411 Ron Cey Listener League. In ’06 I finished 3rd and in ’08 I won, so I will not easily part with that title, either. Zach Steinhorn takes over as commish this year and has some goofy idea that he’s going to dethrone me. Not happenin’!
No matter how it goes, you can be sure I will be writing about it all year long right here at this very place, MLBlogs.com. Don’t forget, I’m an official FSWA member now, so I writer betterer now. It’s my job to fight through the crowd at the scene of a fantasy baseball emergency and record it for all to see.
Okay, now on to a few touchy subjects.
As most of you know, Casey Stern has left the Fantasy 411 and MLB.com altogether. I never thought he was a good fit for the show, but I think he is a talented young man and a great Mets fan. I wish him nothing but the best at his new job.
It has been announced that Fantasy 411 will no longer be a live show, but instead be a pre-recorded download. Sure, there are some advantages, and yes I get that alot of people checked out the archived show even when they were doing the show live. But, there’s always a but isn’t there? Heh But, my first reaction is not good. The community feel simply won’t be there. I know, the blog is still there and they are as active as ever, but it’s not the same.
Some of the best, most memorable, 411 shows were ones when the guys would go off topic and on some tangent about something that was bothering one or both of them. The show will be cleaner, I’m sure, but I have a feeling it will be a bit sterile. I’m trying to keep an open mind, but I’m already longing for the good old days of 1-hour live shows of Mike Siano and Cory Schwartz with emails/calls from regulars like me.
Maybe I’m being selfish, but the show felt close knit and warm back in those days. Even when some of the callers would ask lame questions or be long-winded in asking (not me, noooo, never not me:P). If it turns out those days are gone forever, I am so grateful for being around during that era of the 411. It was special.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I am truly honored to be a member of the Fantasy 411 Hall of Fame. I worked hard to develop my niche’ as “the man who goes back in time.”
These days, I’m kind of in the doghouse for speaking my mind about the 411 last year. That’s a bummer, but I had a feeling with the MLB Network coming and the changes made to the 411 last year that the show was headed in a certain direction. I wasn’t happy and felt compelled to speak the truth and share what, as it turns out to be, were the sentiments of alot of 411 fans.
I sent the guys a bunch of boxes of Tasty Kakes this off-season as a token of my appreciation for all they’ve done over the years. I know, it seems like a strange gesture, but Tasty Kakes are made in Phily, who just won the ‘Series and is the former hometown of, the late, John Marzano. At the time it seemed like a good idea, and hey, Cory seemed to enjoy the snacks.
Yes, the podcast will be back in ’09, probably starting this weekend. I had an issue with some of my equipment and I’m still working on it. I hope/think the Johnny Archive Fantasy Baseball Show will be better with a full year under my belt. be sure to check it out and see what you think, especially if you are a Fantasy 411 listener and subscribe to the principles preached on the 411. I will do my best to keep bringing you my take on fantasy baseball which will undoubtedly make us all better fantasy owners.
Just for the record, I make no money off of the Johnny Archive persona. yes, the leagues I run have entry fees, but all loot is paid back in prize money. I do my podcast, write my blog and do my best to inform and entertain all for free. So, you don’t have to worry about any alterior motives here. I do all this because I am passionate about fantasy baseball, and real baseball, for that matter.
Not everyone can say that. A little warning, some people are indeed in this gig to make mola and we alll know the crazy, unscrupulous things people will do for money. If we all had a dime for every “new and best fantasy sports site on the web” that has come and gone over the past 10-15 years we’d all be rich. Having a website or podcast does NOT make someone an expert. The good news is that the frauds usually implode from within and get exposed for the slime that they are at some point.
Alright, well, lets finish with some on the field stuff. The Yanks resigned Andy Pettitte who will be the #5 guy in the rotation. Mixed emotions. I still think he represents an era that we’re all trying to get beyond and frankly he is not dependable on the mound. He looks great for 3 innings then can’t a throw strike to save his life. I’m guessing he’ll have a dazzling start here and there, but end up hurt and miss most of the ’09 campaign. Funny, but I think that summarizes my opinion of the entire Yankee rotation.
I wouldn’t be surprised if 2 of them toss no-no’s this year (remember where you heard it) but overall they disappoint. Sorry Yankee fans, but I have a feeling this will be another frustarting year, even with the new ballpark. Oh wait, you guys have A-Rod to keep the locker room calm. I made another funny.
To close, I’m starting to get into the swing of things and it’s going to be another great baseball season for Johnny Archive. I mean even if I don’t win my leagues this year…pffft what am I saying, back-to-back jacks for me!
As humble as ever,
-Johnny Archive
commissioner, writer, producer, player, owner, entertainer and dead sexy!
Top 100 Blog!
I got some good news today and it’s all because of you, the reader. This li’l ol’ blog is one of the Top 100 blogs at MLBlogs! Pretty cool, huh?!
I really made an effort to be more consistent with my posts last year. I will try to do the same in 2009 because not only do I think it makes the blog itself a better read, but it made me a more focused fantasy owner.
Matter of fact, I have an idea as to what I need to do to pass on my style of fantasy sports gaming. As most of you know, I believe in a very aggressive approach to managing my teams. What do I mean by aggressive? Well, here’s how Dictionary.com describes the meaning: “making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive.” I think that is exactly what I try and do…and last year it paid off big time as I won both of my main leagues (J.A.I.L. and the MLB.com Ron Cey Listener League).
The only problem with this “in your face, full-court press” style is sometimes it’s kinda hard to pass on to the readers my precise moves at the same time I’m making them. And timing is crucial to my formula.
For example, I feel even the biggest names in Major League Baseball have times during the season when their perceived values are so far off what they are truly worth that it makes sense to trade them. Yes, that means players like Albert Pujols, A-Rod and Johan Santana can, and should be, moved in my opinion if you can capitalize on them being under or over valued. By the way, I actually traded all three of those players at some point in the season last year — in Pujols’ case, two times.
But the timing can be tricky. Sometimes when there are early reports of injury, for example, some(most) owners are panicing and if you make the right offer you can land a big name for a good price. I’m not talking about scamming or dumping an injured player on an unsuspecting owner, but instead being unafraid of taking some short-term risk for some long-term benefit.
Anyway, I’ll get more into the details of what I am proposing next month. But for now, let’s take a moment and enjoy a little of the rewards from all of our efforts. I mean, we’re a team after all. I try and do my part by writing informational and entertaining posts and you close deal by reading the blog on a regular basis. I say we do more of the same in 2009!
Thank you to everyone who reads and recommends this blog! I really appreciate it.
**One final note, if you’re interested in joining one of the new J.A.I.L leagues that are forming now and competing against some of the best fantasy owners in the world, shoot me an e-mail at johnnyarchive@johnnyarchive.com.
-Johnny Archive
FSWA, Fantasy 411 Hall of Famer
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