san diego – NY Renegades

The ZiPS Rankings Projected by Lockout: National League Edition

Don S. Sipe — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 19:19:08 +0000

As you may have noticed if you’ve been surfing FanGraphs while relaxing on the weekend – or recuperating after shoveling snow in the northeast – the ZiPS projections have now been populated in the projecting part of the construction site.

There will be several updates to these projections this spring because, well, there’s a whole heap left over from the offseason, way more than usual when ZiPS hits the database. While I’m more cautiously optimistic than most of my colleagues about the future of the 2022 season, the baseball landscape right now is less about fans huddled around an abstract burning stove and more about death by death. warmth of the universe. With no MLBPA members signed, traded, or even recognized on official MLB channels, baseball has almost entered a state of thermodynamic equilibrium.

While this is bad for the game and anyone who loves it, it does at least make depth charts less volatile and provide a good opportunity to run mid-lockout leaderboards. These are obviously a far cry from the final preseason projections, but they do give some insight into where baseball is right now. Which teams are fit and which still have work to do?
Let’s forget the eternal emptiness that beckons us and come to some projections!

The methodology I use here is not identical to the one we use in our projected ranking, so naturally there will be significant differences in the results. So how does ZiPS calculate the season? First to 99th percentile projections are stored in ZiPS for each player they project. I start by creating a generalized depth chart, using our depth charts as an initial starting point. Since these are my curated screenings, I then make changes based on my personal feelings on who will receive playing time, filtered by ~~arbitrary fantasy~~ my logic and reasoning. ZiPS then generates one million versions of each team in Monte Carlo fashion. Computational algorithms, that is – nobody dresses in a tuxedo and plays baccarat like James Bond.

Once done, ZiPS applies another set of algorithms with a generalized injury risk distribution, which changes the selected base AP/IP for each player. It should be noted that the upper percentile projections already have more playing time than the lower percentile projections before this step. ZiPS then automatically “fills in” the playing time of the next players on the list (proportionally) to get a full list of appearances and innings. For example, here are two simulations of Texas Rangers shortstop results:

ZiPS Simulated Results (Texas Rangers SS)

The result is a million different rosters for each team and an associated winning percentage for each of those million teams. After applying the new strength of schedule calculations based on the other 29 teams, I’m left with the standings for each of the millions of seasons. It’s actually a lot less complex than it looks.

We’ll consider the National League today, with the American League to follow tomorrow. First up: the NL East.

ZiPS Projections – National League East

Team	O	L	GB	%	Div %	BATHROOM%	Playoffs%	WS Win%
Atlanta Braves	90	72	—	55.6%	49.1%	21.2%	70.3%	7.7%
New York food	88	74	2	54.3%	34.3%	24.4%	58.7%	5.6%
Philadelphia Phillies	82	80	8	50.6%	9.5%	14.0%	23.5%	1.7%
Miami Marlins	80	82	ten	49.4%	5.7%	10.1%	15.8%	1.0%
Washington nationals	75	87	15	46.3%	1.3%	3.0%	4.3%	0.2%

As I expected when discussing Atlanta projections, the Braves show up in ZiPS as a slight favorite, even with the built-in assumption that Freddie Freeman will go to free agency. His still likely return would put a few more games between the Braves and the Mets, though that return isn’t certain until there’s a signed contract to that effect. The Mets, meanwhile, have some holes in them, but they probably underperformed their abilities as a group in 2021 and are close enough that hopefully – I know, that’s not a typical phenomenon. of the Mets – they can catch the Braves, especially in the Freeman- less scenario.

The Marlins and Phillies project the same way, even though they are teams going in opposite directions. Miami’s pitching staff, especially the rotation, is already playoff-worthy. The offense is… not. But the Marlins have a long-term advantage that I’m not sure is there for the Phillies, a team that’s been content to just keep a .500ish roster together. The Marlins are still probably about a year away from making the Braves or Mets nervous about a stumble, but a 6% split chance isn’t a 0% chance.

The Nationals basically project themselves as a terrible team that benefits from the services of Juan Soto, which can make almost any team watchable. And in this case, it puts Washington just on the edge of playoff relevance if all goes well, rather than being a near-lost cause.

ZiPS Projections – Central National League

Team	O	L	GB	%	Div %	BATHROOM%	Playoffs%	WS Win%
Cardinals of St. Louis	89	73	—	54.9%	49.0%	16.6%	65.5%	6.8%
Milwaukee Brewers	88	74	1	54.3%	39.3%	18.4%	57.7%	5.5%
Cincinnati Reds	80	82	9	49.4%	8.5%	8.8%	17.3%	1.2%
Chicago Cubs	76	86	13	46.9%	3.0%	3.8%	6.8%	0.4%
Pittsburgh Pirates	68	94	21	42.0%	0.1%	0.2%	0.3%	0.0%

I’m actually slightly surprised the Cubs didn’t fare better in ZiPS’ predicted standings. Part of that is ZiPS being stronger on the Brewers rotation than I initially expected and part is the lockdown preventing the Reds from blowing their rotation. The Cardinals once again project themselves into that magical 88-92 winning zone they always seem to occupy, but the Brewers could have more of an advantage due to the presence of three starting pitchers who could be in the conversation of Cy Young. It also makes Milwaukee a dangerous October foe. ZiPS really like Aaron Ashby and if the Brewers commit to using him in the rotation (I don’t expect them to), they could catch St. Louis in the forecast.

St. Louis’s throwing isn’t quite as impressive, but ZiPS likes offense and defense enough to get the Cardinals the No. 1 spot. The Cubs still have holes, some of which likely won’t be addressed when the offseason resumes. Pirates don’t have much going for them in 2022 after Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayesbut they at least avoid the ignominy of a playoff probability that rounds to zero.

ZiPS Projections – National League West

Team	O	L	GB	%	Div %	BATHROOM%	Playoffs%	WS Win%
Los Angeles Dodgers	94	68	—	58.0%	63.7%	24.2%	87.9%	12.2%
San Diego Padres	90	72	4	55.6%	31.9%	38.5%	70.4%	6.9%
San Francisco Giants	81	81	13	50.0%	4.2%	15.5%	19.7%	1.2%
Arizona Diamonds	72	90	22	44.4%	0.2%	1.3%	1.5%	0.1%
Colorado Rockies	66	96	28	40.7%	0.0%	0.1%	0.1%	0.0%

What particularly interests me is the relative weakness of the Dodgers and Padres compared to last year’s projections. Yes, both plan to remain great teams, but both have roster questions that have yet to be resolved this offseason. Los Angeles’ rotation looks more shaky than it has in years and unlike seasons past, there are plenty of scenarios projected in which it becomes an unimpressive group, at least enough to bring down the Dodgers in the peloton and sometimes even out of the playoffs. ZiPS remains bullish on San Diego’s pitching, but the team has real needs at first base, left field, right field and, assuming the next CBA works out as we expect, designated hitter. The team can still approach these positions, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Some may complain about Giants projection, but losing Buster Posey cuts some wins on the team’s prospects, just like Kevin Gausmandeparture to the vast cornfields of Canada. Alex Cobb was pretty solid for the Angels in 2021, but his health history is troubling. Like the Red Sox’s projection for the 2021 season, ZiPS sees a lot of variability in rotation based on health, enough to make the team more volatile overall than it otherwise would be.

The Diamondbacks plan to have a better season than 2021 is just regression to the mean. The good news for the Rockies is that they have almost no star players left to alienate, then trade or simply let walk with little or no compensation. I let you imagine what the bad news is.

NFL superstar expresses interest in playing Major League Baseball | Fox Sports 1070

Don S. Sipe — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:55:00 +0000

An NFL star has expressed interest in being a dual-sport athlete.

Titans wide receiver AJ Brown took to Twitter just days after Tennessee’s divisional round loss to the Bengals to express his interest in playing baseball.

Here’s what he said on Twitter.

Sometimes I think about playing both sports again. Padres, all I need is a practice. I still. I promise to do better than Michael Jordan at baseball.

Why the San Diego Padres for Brown, though? Well, he was actually drafted by the Padres as an outfielder in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. That almost came to fruition when he signed with the Padres, making him ineligible to continue playing baseball. university.

However, Brown also wanted to continue playing football at Ole Miss. He was then drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he became one of the best players in his position.

Brown is another such case as Russell Wilson (drafted by the Rockies), Kyler Murray (written by the A’s), and Tom Brady (written by the Expos), all of whom chose a career in football over baseball.

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Colorado Rockies announce coaching staffs for Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League

Don S. Sipe — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 20:15:40 +0000

DENVER- The Colorado Rockies today announced the coaching staff for their Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League clubs.

The Arizona Complex League club will be managed by Manager Fred Ocasio with Cesar Galvez serving as a bench trainer, David Burba and Helmis Rodriguez serving as pitching coaches and Trevor Burmeister returning as batting coach.

In the Dominican Summer League, Mauricio Gonzalez and Eugenio Jose each returns as manager of the Rockies’ two DSL clubs. Joining them will be Pitching Coach Sam Deduno, Strike Coach Florentino Nunez and hitting coach Felix Rosario.

Opportunity is returning to a leadership role after serving as development supervisor for High-A Spokane in 2021 and development supervisor for Short-Season Boise in 2019. His last stint in leadership came with High-A Lancaster/Modesto, where he directed from 2015-18. Entering his 26th season with the Rockies organization, Ocasio also served as manager of Low-A Asheville (2013-14), manager of Short-Season Tri-City (2006-12), batting coach for Tri-City (2001 – 05), hitting coach for High-A Salem (2000) and hitting coach at Rookie Level Tucson (1998-99). His managerial record includes a championship with Asheville in 2014 and three trips to the Northwest League Championship with Tri-City. The former infielder spent two years as a player in the Rockies organization from 1994 to 1995 before becoming a coach.

Galvez enters the role of bench coach with the ACL Rockies after coaching with Double-A Hartford in 2021, his sixth year as a coach. Prior to his time at Hartford, Galvez spent three seasons (2017-19) as a coach with Short-Season Boise and was named to manage Boise in 2020 before the Minor League season was canceled. Galvez spent seven seasons as an infielder in the Rockies’ minor league system from 2010 to 2016, reaching the Triple-A level.

Bourba returns as one of the ACL Rockies pitching coaches, his 12th season as a pitching coach in the Rockies farm system. Prior to joining the ACL club, Burba spent the 2018-19 seasons as High-A Lancaster pitching coach, following three seasons with Double-A Hartford/New Britain (2015-17). He also spent time as a pitching coach at High-A Modesto (2013-14) after beginning his coaching career with Short-Season Tri-City (2011-12). Burba made the transition to coaching after 19 seasons as a pitcher in professional baseball, including 15 major league seasons with Seattle (1990-91), San Francisco (1992-95, 2004), Cincinnati (1995- 97), Cleveland (1998-2002), Texas (2002) and Milwaukee (2003-04).

Rodriguez also returns as a pitching coach with the ACL Rockies, his fifth season as a pitching coach with the Rockies organization. Before joining the ACL club in 2021, Rodriguez served three seasons as a pitching coach in the Dominican Summer League. He was originally signed by the Rockies as a player at age 16 in 2010, playing seven seasons with the Rockies organization from 2011 to 2017.

burmeister is entering his third season with the Rockies organization, his second as a batting coach with the Complex League Rockies. He was originally hired as a hitting coach for Rookie Level Grand Junction ahead of the canceled 2020 season. Prior to joining the Rockies, he was an assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for Madison College (2016-19) and an assistant baseball coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth (2015-16).

González is entering his 23rd season as manager of the Dominican Summer League team of the Rockies. In addition to his managerial role, he also oversees all aspects of fieldwork and fundamentals for DSL clubs and the resort. Before becoming a coach, Gonzalez spent five seasons as a minor league player with Oakland (1989), Colorado (1992-95) and Cleveland (1996), as well as two seasons in Taiwan and Italy (1996-97). .

Jose is entering his 17th season with the Rockies, his third as second-team DSL Rockies manager. Previously, he served 14 seasons as a batting coach in the DSL. In addition to his managerial duties, he also works in various areas of player development. A former professional player who originally signed with the Rockies in 1999, Jose played in the Rockies’ minor league system for three years.

Deduno is entering his third season as a pitching coach with the Rockies after joining the club before the canceled 2020 season. Deduno entered the coaching ranks after a professional pitching career that included Major League stints with Colorado (2010), San Diego (2011), Minnesota (2012-14) and Houston (2014-15).

Nunez enters his 15th season with the Rockies, while coaching in the Dominican Summer League. The former Rockies minor league player (2001-06) works with players in all areas of defense, base running and hitting.

Rosario will serve as batting coach for DSL clubs for the third season. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rosario played in the Puerto Rican semi-professional leagues for 12 years and was the travel manager for the Puerto Rico team during the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He also worked for the program Major League Baseball’s after-school program for kids ages 14-18, where he coordinated tryouts and games and recruited coaches.

Spring Surprise Training Box Office, Schedule

Don S. Sipe — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:21:36 +0000

Presented by Beltone – A leader in audience health care.

The box office at Surprise Stadium, home of spring training for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, will open for in-person ticket sales beginning Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8 a.m.

The 20th season of surprise spring training kicks off on Saturday, February 26 with the annual Surprise Sundancers charity game featuring homegrown teams – the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

The 2022 schedule features matches every day from February 26 to March 26, with a double header on February 28. The Surprise Stadium schedule also includes several visits from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies.

Ticket office opening hours

Opening weekend:
Saturday February 5: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday February 6: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

February 7 – 17:
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 18 – March 26:
Every day from 10 a.m. Closing times vary by event.

The Surprise Stadium match schedule is as follows:

February 26	Texas Rangers	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
February 27	San Francisco Giants	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.*
28-Feb	Arizona Diamonds	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
28-Feb	Colorado Rockies	vs.	Texas Rangers	7:05 p.m.
March 1	Chicago Cubs	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.*
March 2	San Diego Padres	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
3rd of March	Kansas City Royals	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 4	Milwaukee Brewers	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
March 5	Los Angeles Dodgers	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.*
March 6	Los Angeles Angels	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
March 7	Oakland Athletics	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
8 March	Chicago White Sox	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 9	Chicago Cubs	vs.	Kansas City Royals	6:05 p.m.*
March 10	San Diego Padres	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 11	Cincinnati Reds	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
12th of March	Seattle Mariners	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
March 13	Oakland Athletics	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 14	Seattle Mariners	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 15	Colorado Rockies	vs.	Kansas City Royals	6:05 p.m.
March 16	Milwaukee Brewers	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 17	Chicago White Sox	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
March 18	Los Angeles Angels	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 19	Cleveland Guardians	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 20	Cleveland Guardians	vs.	Kansas City Royals	1:05 p.m.
March 21st	Cincinnati Reds	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.
March 22	Seattle Mariners	vs.	Kansas City Royals	6:05 p.m.
March 23	Arizona Diamonds	vs.	Texas Rangers	6:05 p.m.
March 24	Los Angeles Dodgers	vs.	Kansas City Royals	6:05 p.m.*
March 25	San Francisco Giants	vs.	Texas Rangers	1:05 p.m.*
March 26	Kansas City Royals	vs.	Texas Rangers	12:05

* Denotes a premium game.
Dates, times and opponents are subject to change. Game times listed are Arizona time. All games are subject to dynamic pricing.

Single Match Tickets

Ticket prices range from $8 to $50. Choose from multiple seating options and experiences, including our Michelob Ultra Legends Deck, which offers specialty catering, a drink and a seat in our exclusive on-court pavilion for just $45. Learn more about the Michelob Ultra Legends deck here. To find your perfect seat, check out SurpriseStadium.com or visit the box office for all the details.

Buy your tickets before game day and save at least $2 per ticket.

Season promotions and special events

Sunday Funday Family Four Pack (every Sunday)

Spend your Sunday enjoying spring training at Surprise Stadium with family and friends with our Sunday Funday Family Four Pack for $44. That’s four lawn tickets, four drinks, four hot dogs and four popcorns.

Military and First Responder Appreciation Days (every Sunday)

In recognition of the courage and sacrifices of our nation’s military and first responders, Surprise Stadium is offering 50% off Sunday game tickets this season. This offer includes tickets in the following sections: Lower Baseline, Baseline, Lower Outfield and Outfield Reserved. There will be a special color presentation at each game on Sunday. Limit of 4 tickets per transaction. To receive the discounted rate, please present your military ID or proof of eligibility at the ticket counter or use the promo code “MILITAIRE” online. Tickets are based on availability.

20th Season Resident Appreciation Days: February 26 to March 13

Our residents are what make Surprise Stadium the #1 stadium in the entire Cactus League according to USA TODAY rankings! Surprise Stadium is pleased to offer a 20th season discount (two Baseline tickets for $20) to residents of Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage and Waddell. Verified by credit card billing zip code for online purchase or box office photo ID. Offer excludes matches on March 1, 5 and 9.

Kids Run the Bases (every Sunday)

After each Sunday game, the youngest Spring Training fans can enter the field! Each participant will receive a special prize!

University days

University students – spend your spring break at Surprise Stadium! From March 2-13, show your college ID for a $7 Outfield Reserved ticket (excludes March 5-9). Buy before game day and get a surprise limited edition 20th season stadium t-shirt for FREE!

Spring Training 5K & 1K presented by Palm Valley Pediatrics Dentistry & Orthodontics

Spring Training 5K & 1K, presented by Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, returns Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.! Register before March 3 to take advantage of early bird rates of $30,5000 and $15,1000. Runners receive a voucher for a “buy one, get one free” lawn seat for the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals game on March 4.

Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic

While you’re ordering Spring Training tickets, you can also get tickets for the 2022 Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic! The tournament will kick off with the Oregon State Beavers, New Mexico Lobos and Gonzaga Bulldogs Feb. 18-20, followed by a series featuring the Oregon State Beavers taking on the Xavier University Musketeers Feb. 24-26.

Tickets for the 2022 Spring Training Season and the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic are available at SurpriseStadium.com and can also be purchased in person at the Surprise Stadium box office, 15850 N Bullard Ave., or by phone at 623.222.2222.

MLB’s first female minor league manager is living the ‘American Dream’

Don S. Sipe — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 08:11:26 +0000

Rachel Balkovec is aware of the negativity in her social media feeds and tries to leave it there. Her sisters see it too and can’t help but convey some derogatory reactions to her barrier-breaking journey.

“It’s hilarious to me,” Balkovec said. “Because it’s the American dream.”

At the clubhouse? She didn’t see any of that toxicity there.

Balkovec was introduced Wednesday as the manager of the New York Yankees Low A affiliate in the Florida State League. By taking over the Tarpons from Tampa, Balkovec will become the first female manager in affiliate baseball history, a nomination that has been ongoing for 10 years for the former college softball player.

“If you know my story and have a pulse, I think it’s pretty hard not to understand what’s going on here,” she said.

Nearly a decade after changing her name on resumes to disguise her gender and break into baseball, the 34-year-old has broken down multiple barriers en route to that title. She was the first woman to be a full-time strength and conditioning coach in the minor leagues, and then the first to be a full-time hitting coach in the minors.

FILE – New York Yankees minor league batting coach Rachel Balkovec, center, speaks to reporters during Major League Baseball’s winter meetings on Dec. 10, 2019 in San Diego

This promotion — a year after former Yankees employee Kim Ng became the majors’ first female general manager with the Miami Marlins — is different. Balkovec will lead the Tampa clubhouse, responsible for overseeing the development of future big leaguers for one of the world’s most celebrated sports franchises.

“The players I’ve worked with, whether they like me, whether they like me, whether they like what I say, whether they like what I say, I have feel like they respect me,” she said.

It’s a trust she’s earned in an unusual way – one that didn’t exist 20 years ago, but not just because of her gender.

A former softball catcher in Creighton and New Mexico, Balkovec has a master’s degree in kinesiology from LSU and another in human movement science from Vrije University in the Netherlands. She has worked strength and conditioning with the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros since entering pro ball in 2012, and has also spent time at Driveline Baseball, a data-driven center that has trained many major leaguers. She is an expert in the science of performance, precisely that the teams of experts covet.

When the Yankees hired her as a minor league hitting coach in 2019, she was at the forefront of women entering uniformed jobs, but she wasn’t the only coach without traditional playing experience. .

Getting to 95 mph isn’t the same skill as teaching someone else, and as teams shifted focus in the hiring process to reflect that, it created a pathway for women like Balkovec or Alyssa Nakken, who is part of the San Francisco Giants major. league coaches since 2020.

“There wasn’t a ton of debate about whether baseball was ready or whether the world was ready,” said vice president of baseball operations Kevin Reese, who made the decision to promote Balkovec. “We try to find the best people and put them in the best position to make an impact here.”

Reese, introduced Wednesday under a new title after being promoted to senior director of player development, helped hire Balkovec in 2019 and has been hugely impressed with her expertise and ability to lead, including with young Latin American players. The Nebraska native taught herself Spanish after becoming Houston’s strength and conditioning coach in 2016, and some of her most notable work has been with New York’s Spanish-speaking players, including the best prospect Jasson Dominguez.

FILE – Rachel Balkovec coaches Jasson Dominguez during American League batting practice at the MLB All Star Futures game, July 11, 2021, in Denver.

General manager Brian Cashman has had a woman as assistant general manager since Ng was hired in 1998. When she left in 2001, Jean Afterman was appointed to the position and has been there ever since. Balkovec has expressed interest in one day working in the front office and potentially becoming a general manager herself.

“The sky’s the limit,” Cashman said. “She is determined. She is strong. She has perseverance.”

She needed it. After moving into her temporary position in St. Louis in 2012, she began applying for baseball jobs with what she knew was a solid resume. And yet, only one team responded.

His point of contact with that club said his bosses wouldn’t let him hire a woman in a strength and conditioning role. Worse still, this person called other teams with vacancies, and they all told him the same thing.

“At that exact moment, my level of naivety went from 10 to zero,” she said.

One of his sisters suggested changing his name to “Rae Balkovec” on his resume, and the tactic worked to at least get hiring managers on the phone. The Cardinals brought her back as full-time strength and conditioning coordinator in 2014.

She rarely had issues with players related to her gender – “so few that it’s not worth mentioning,” she said. Being the only woman in this pioneering role, however, was lonely.

FILE – American League’s Adley Rutschman, left, talks to Rachel Balkovec during the third inning of the MLB All Star Futures baseball game, July 11, 2021, in Denver.

Now she thinks there will be 11 women with field jobs in Affiliate Ball next year, and she is able to compare their experiences with them. Tennis great Billie Jean King was among the many who praised her for her work in Tampa, and she’s developed a support network that has bolstered her confidence that she’s ready for the role.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Rachel on this historic milestone,” commissioner Rob Manfred said. “As manager of the Tampa Tarpons, she will continue to demonstrate her expertise and leadership in the Yankees organization. We wish Rachel well in this new capacity and appreciate her mentorship to the growing network of women in baseball operations. and player development roles.”

The task before him, however, is the same as for any other skipper: to get the best out of the players in his clubhouse.

“My goal is really to know the names of the girlfriends, the dogs, the families of all the players,” she said. “My aim is to develop them as young men and youngsters who have immense pressure on them. My aim is to support the coaches who are on staff.

“We’re going to talk more throwing and hitting details with them, and defense. It’s really just to be a supporter and to facilitate an environment where they can be successful.”

Ex-manager Ausmus named Oakland Athletics bench coach | major league baseball

Don S. Sipe — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 02:49:40 +0000

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Former Tigers and Angels manager Brad Ausmus will serve as the Oakland Athletics’ new bench coach under first-year manager Mark Kotsay.

The A’s announced Kotsay’s personnel on Friday. Ausmus, who interviewed for the Mets management open and has a 386-422 record as a manager, will provide Kotsay with an experienced sounding board in the dugout. Tommy Everidge will serve as batting coach and assistant batting coach Chris Cron.

Former A’s batting coach Darren Bush becomes third base coach and run prevention coach, while Eric Martins will serve as first base coach/infield coach and Mike Aldrete becomes run control coach. the quality.

Coaches retaining their previous roles are Scott Emerson as pitching coach and Marcus Jensen as bullpen coach.

Kotsay was hired last month to replace Bob Melvin, who left in late October to lead the San Diego Padres.

———

More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

Dodgers: Spring 2022 practice tickets set to go on sale this week – Inside the Dodgers

Don S. Sipe — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:00:00 +0000

It looks like we’re all a long way from seeing a Dodgers spring training game right now. This is mainly because there has been little progress in reaching agreement on a new CBA for the 2022 season and beyond.

In fact, the MLB and MLBPA have not agreed on a date for a meeting, according to recent reports. For baseball fans, this is a terrible scenario.

However, the Dodgers are here to help you achieve your ambitions. They might be lost, but they’re still there. According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, tickets for a spring practice game go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 10:00 a.m. PST. Fans can purchase tickets online at Dodgers.

Rick Wright: Inspiring Lobo’s Women’s Team Is The Best Story Of A Tough 2021

Don S. Sipe — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 02:54:28 +0000

The UNM women’s basketball team celebrate their Mountain West Conference championship after beating Colorado State in the second of two straight games in an empty pit in March. (Roberto E. Rosales / Journal)

In a sporting year in New Mexico full of complications, story # 1 is simplicity itself.

The hard thing has started.

And, yeah, things got tough, really tough. Faced with some of the country’s toughest coronavirus restrictions for another year, New Mexicans continued to find a way.

If that meant Lobos and Aggies were playing “home games” in Texas, Utah, or Arizona, living in hotels without setting foot in a real restaurant, so be it.

If that meant wearing a face mask while playing soccer, basketball, or volleyball, or wrestling, or running 3 miles, well, fine. To swim? Glasses, maybe, but no masks.

If that meant traveling to other states (or other countries), being repeatedly tested for COVID and facing quarantine for the ability to trade punches and kicks in arenas empty, why not?

Who, however, is the poster child for the tenacity, dedication, insight (yes, that’s right) that New Mexico athletes, coaches, administrators, and even fans have displayed throughout. of the year ?

Candidates abound. But the winner here is… the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team, which not only survived, but thrived through a chaotic 2021 year.

In any year approaching par, a change of coach to the top of UNM men’s basketball would be a virtual lock to be the best story of the year. It happened in 2021, with Richard Pitino, son of a coaching legend, taking the reins after the release of Paul Weir. But this year has been as close to normal as Lobo’s men have been for a winning season.

Last year in this space, the choice for the main story was the absence of the Isotopes – an austere and sad symbol of the COVID-dominated year that 2020 was. The return of “Topes”, of course, was. a positive and welcome development.

Exactly what voters’ outright rejection of a football-specific stadium bond issue in Albuquerque says about our community is widely open to debate, and certainly, a candidate in history of the year.

Two former Lobos, Courtney Frerichs and Josh Kerr, have won Olympic track and field medals. There is no bigger stage, even in a COVID-crippled Games in Tokyo.

Courtney Frerichs celebrates the silver medal for the United States following the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel)

Biggest Stage: Former Lobo and Valley Viking Teton Saltes won the Wuerffel Trophy, “presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievements on and off the pitch.” Carlsbad left-hander Trevor Rogers’ brilliant rookie season earned him a spot in the Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Trevor Rogers of Carlsbad throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo / Lynne Sladky)

From the world of sports to high school, the big stories of the COVID era have continued to come. These, however, are the sole domain of Journal prep writer James Yodice, whose coverage, year after year, is virtually flawless. I could say the same for his taste for burgers.

So what did the Lobo women accomplish in 2021, under such trying conditions?

Glad you asked.

They started the season with a 4-0 record, established on the road in December 2020 after canceling the home game of their pre-Mountain West Conference schedule. They swept their opening streak from Mountain West, Nevada, then saw their two-game streak in Utah postponed due to two positive COVID tests (neither players nor coaches) during their trip.

The team spent six days in quarantine at a Utah hotel.

“Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as you might think,” Lobos forward Shaiquel McGruder told The Journal’s Ken Sickenger.

We will take her at her word.

The Lobos then traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada for games that were originally “home” games for the Lobos in Canyon, Texas, separating from the UNLV. Two games against San Jose State were called off when SJSU withdrew from its conference schedule.

On January 20, the Lobos were allowed to come home and train, but not play, at the Rudy Davalos Center. At the end of the month, they split two “home” games against Fresno State at West Texas State A&M in Canyon.

After sweeping the state of San Diego on the road, the Lobos then took an 18-day hiatus. During that time, two games at Colorado State and two more in Wyoming were postponed because one Lobo tested positive for the virus.

The Lobos returned to the field on Feb.23 in the Air Force, sharing two games with the Falcons, then swept away the rescheduled games against Utah State in Logan.

They then wrapped up the conference season at – of all places – the Pit, sweeping the state of Colorado for the program’s first outright regular-season title at Mountain West.

After playing the team’s first 15 games of the season away from state, senior goaltender Jaedyn De La Cerda said: “It was a blessing after everything we’ve been through. We have to party at the Pit. Dancing in the confetti, taking pictures with the trophy, cutting nets, this is what we all dream of.

From there, the Lobo women lost to Fresno State in the second round of the Mountain West tournament and lost to Cal Baptist in Fort Worth in the first round of the WNIT.

Yet in the context of COVID-19, the success of the Lobo women – an overall record of 15-5, a conference record of 11-3, the league title – personifies determination and the pursuit of excellence. as athletes, coaches, administrators from New Mexico, yes, fans too, posted through another torturous year.

Much more could be written, much more, on this subject. But I’ll leave it at that, because – I don’t know about you – I’m ready for the end of this year.

Most games played for each MLB team

Don S. Sipe — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 02:43:54 +0000

There are some players who, when you think of a team, you can’t help but think of this player carrying this uniform. There is something about putting on this uniform every day that stays on people’s minds. You will always wear this uniform … even if one day you wear someone else’s.

With that in mind, we take a look at which player from each team wore their team’s jersey on more often: the player who has played the most games with each individual franchise. For franchises that have evolved over the years (think Dodgers and Giants), we’ve included Leader in Games Played at their current location, while also noting the overall leader in the franchise.

Blue Jays: Tony Fernandez, SS (1,450)
Runner-up: Carlos Delgado, 1B (1,423)
Fernandez has actually played for seven teams in his career, but 12 seasons of his 17-year career have come with the Jays; he is ahead of Delgado by 27 games. The Jays have several players on the roster right now, you might expect, they would love to see Fernandez pass one day.

Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr., SS / 3B (3,001)
Runner-up: Brooks Robinson (2,896)
The streak may have ended in 2,632 games, but Ripken actually played 3,001 games for the Orioles. Robinson is much closer to Cal than you might think otherwise.

Spokes: Evan Longoria, 3B (1435)
Runner-up: Carl Crawford (1235)
Longoria is the only active player on this list, even though he left town four years ago. Fred McGriff, delightfully, is 10th on this list with 577 games .. just ahead Desmond Jennings.

Red Sox: Carl Yastrzemski, OF (3,308)
Finalist: Dwight Evans, OF (2,505)
For a team with such a rich history as the Red Sox, it’s shocking to see someone so far ahead of second place. Sure, Yaz is second on the all-time games played list behind Pete Rose, but Yaz has only played for one team.

Yankees: Derek Jeter, SS (2,747)
Finalist: Mickey Mantle, OF (2,401)
Lots of big names on this list, obviously, although Yogi Berra (2,116 as a player) surpasses Jeter if you count all the many matches he’s worn the uniform long after his playing days are over.

Cleveland: Terry Turner, INF (1,619)
Runner-up: Nap Lajoie, 2B (1614)
A surprisingly unknown player for a team with such a long history, Turner played exclusively during the dead ball era and ended his career with eight homers. He made seven home runs until 1906, then hit one more in 4,958 home plate appearances from 1907 to 1919.

Royals: George Brett, 3B (2,707)
Runner-up: Frank White, 2B (2,324)
Brett played two full decades for the Royals, from his season at 20 to 40. Did you know he stole 201 bases in his career?

Tigers: Al Kaline, OF (2,834)
Finalist: Ty Cobb, OF (2,806)
Kaline is one of the most underrated players in baseball history … but certainly not by Tigers fans.

Twins: Harmon Killebrew, 1B / 3B / OF (1,939)
Runner-up: Joe Mauer, C / 1B (1,858)
Killebrew also played a few seasons for the Senators before the club moved to Minnesota, so if you count his franchise total, it’s 2,329, and then there’s a bunch of Senators that would be before Mauer. But if we only look at the Minny years, Mauer is # 2.

White Sox: Luke Appling, SS (2,422)
Runner-up: Paul Konerko, 1B (2,268)
Appling was the all-time leader of the games when he retired, earning his famous nickname “Old Aches and Pains”. As for Konerko, it’s easy to forget that he made his debut with the Dodgers and played part of two seasons in LA (and one in Cincinnati!) Before landing on the South Side.

Angels: Garret Anderson, OF (2,013)
Finalist: Tim Salmon, OF (1,672)
Anderson struggled with injuries at the end of his career, but his longevity is underestimated: he ended up with over 2,500 hits, after all.

A: Rickey Henderson, OF (1,704)
Finalist: Sal Bando, 3B (1,410)
We’re only looking at the Oakland years here… if we count the time the franchise spent before moving to Oakland (including Kansas City and Philly), the answer is Bert Campaneris (1795).

Astros: Craig Biggio, 2B / C (2,850)
Runner-up: Jeff Bagwell, 1B (2,150)
It’s probably fair to say that moving away from wide receiver status has helped extend Biggio’s career a bit, right? There is probably no other franchise with a more obvious top two than this.

Navigators: Edgar Martinez, 3B / DH (2,055)
Finalist: Ichiro Suzuki, OF (1,861)
Ichiro didn’t make his Seattle debut until he was 27, so he would be the clear leader here if he hadn’t spent his formative years playing in Japan.

Rangers: Michael Young, SS / 2B (1,823)
Finalist: Elvis Andrus, SS (1652)
Young people came this nearly twice a World Series, but his 13 years at Arlington outlived everyone.

Braves: Chipper Jones, 3B (2,499)
Finalist: Dale Murphy, OF (1,926)
If you include all of the Braves’ history, Hank Aaron (3,076 games with the franchise) is the runaway leader, but he has spent much of his career with the Milwaukee Braves and has played “only” 1,270 games at home. Atlanta.

Marlins: Luis Castillo, 2B (1,128)
Finalist: Jeff Conine, OF (1,014)
Like you, I thought the answer would be Conine. He was missing 114 games. Castillo actually leads the Marlins in games (breathe), batting, home plate appearances, runs, hits, trebles, stolen bases, steals caught and sack cavities.

Foods: Ed Kranepool, 1B (1853)
Runner-up: David Wright, 3B (1,585)
It’s still Ed! Wright’s injuries prevented him from catching it. But because Kranepool has spent so much time as a part-time player, Wright has a lot more home plate appearances with the Mets than Kranepool (6,872-5,997) … not to mention a lot more hits, homers. , product points, shopping and pretty much everything in between.

Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman, 3B / 1B (1,799)
Finalists: Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond (927)
We don’t necessarily count Zimmerman as “active” because he could retire, but the Nationals’ first-ever draft pick has represented the franchise honorably for nearly two decades.

Reminder: we are only looking at Washington years with the names above. If we include the Montreal years (before 2005), the top 10 is made up of all the players who accumulated their totals mainly with the Expos. We say “mainly” because of Jose Vidro (No.6 on the list), who played 1,186 games for the franchise, including 213 in Washington.

Phillies: Mike Schmidt, 3B (2,404)
Runner-up: Jimmy Rollins (2,090)
Believe it or not, Rollins actually had more batting appearances than Schmidt with the Phillies (8,628-8,352), which can be attributed to the fact that Rollins has almost always been at bat and walked much less often than Schmidt. .

Brewers: Robin Yount, SS / OF (2,856)
Finalist: Paul Molitor, 3B (1,856)
We will all be thinking of Yount whenever we see that specific hat logo, forever. I bet you didn’t know he played exactly 1,000 more games in Milwaukee than Molitor.

Cardinals: Stan Musial, 1B / OF (3,026)
Finalist: Lou Brock, OF (2,289)
The man set the precedent and example for Cardinals baseball that the franchise tries to uphold even today.

Bears: Ernie Banks, SS / 1B (2,528)
Runner-up: Cap Anson, 1B (2,277)
Mr. Cub played for three different decades at Friendly Confines and, of course, never sniffed a World Series or playoff game. He’s the all-time record holder in most games played without ever making the playoffs, and he’s pretty sure such a sad record will stand the test of time.

Pirates: Roberto Clemente, OF and Honus Wagner, SS (2,433)
Runner-up: Willie Stargell, 1B (2360)
Clemente and Wagner having the exact same number of games played for the Pirates is one of the stats that gets you to do a quadruple take.

Reds: Pete Rose, 1B / 3B / OF (2,722)
Finalist: Dave Concepcion, SS (2,488)
Rose still tops this list despite spending time with the Expos and Phillies.

Defenders D: Luis Gonzalez, OF (1,194)
Finalist: Paul Goldschmidt (1092)
Gonzalez has played 1,194 games for the D-backs, but it’s fair to say that he will be remembered for one – that draw in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series – mostly.

Dodgers: Bill Russell, SS (2,181)
Finalist: Willie Davis, OF (1952)
Russell isn’t the guy you would have thought, is he? The shortstop / outfielder played 18 years at the Dodger Blue and competed in four different World Series. Of course, we’re only looking at the LA years here. If you count the time the franchise spent in Brooklyn (before 1958), Zack Wheat (2,322 games) became No. 1.

Giants: Willie McCovey, 1B (2,256)
Finalist: Willie Mays, OF (2,095)
Totals above include only the San Francisco years. If we include Mays’ seven seasons with the New York Giants (1951-57), he goes to No.1 with 2,857 games played with the franchise, and Mel Ott – who played exclusively for the New York Giants – would be No. 2 at 2730. McCovey’s entire career with the Giants has been in San Francisco (he also spent time in Oakland and San Diego).

Chaplains: Tony Gwynn, OF (2,440)
Runner-up: Garry Templeton, SS (1,286)
It is a testament to Gwynn’s longevity and identity with this club that he has almost twice as many games played as No.2 on this list.

Rockies: Todd Helton, 1B (2,247)
Runner-up: Charlie Blackmon, OF (1,269)
Helton’s Hall of Fame affair still looks like a referendum on how voters treat Colorado and Coors Field. How many players will it take to leave the Rockies and keep hitting well (Matt Holliday and DJ LeMahieu, to name just two) for people to realize that great hitters like Helton aren’t just Coors creations?

2021 Minor League Draft Rule 5 results follow-up

Don S. Sipe — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 16:42:26 +0000

The major league part of the rule 5 draft may be suspended, but the minor league phase is proceeding as planned.

The teams will meet by teleconference Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. to select the players.

You can find our rundown of the intriguing names teams might covet. Several launchers from the Rays and Guardians organizations are on our radar.

Unlike the draft MLB Rule 5, there are no list restrictions or other rules with respect to MiLB Rule 5 choices. Once a player is selected, the selection team pays the previous team $ 24,500 and the player is added to the selection club’s AAA list. This Triple-A roster designation is simply a procedural move – the player can be assigned to any level in the minors by their new team and there are no other roster requirements.

Of the 56 players selected in last year’s MiLB Rule 5 draft, 54 have played for their new clubs, five have reached the major leagues and 16 have played in Triple-A.

Below we will follow the results of each selection. The order is as follows.

ROUND 1
TO TAKE	TEAM	PLAYER	POS
1	Baltimore Orioles
2	Arizona Diamondbacks
3	Texas Rangers
4	Pirates of pittsburgh
5	Washington Nationals
6	Miami Marlins
7	Chicago Cubs
8	Minnesota Twins
9	Kansas City Royals
ten	Colorado Rockies
11	Detroit Tigers
12	Los Angeles Angels
13	New York food
14	San Diego Padres
15	Cleveland Indians
16	Philadelphia philly
17	Cincinnati Reds
18	Oakland Athletics
19	Atlanta Braves
20	Seattle sailors
21	Cardinals of Saint-Louis
22	Toronto Blue Jays
23	Boston Red Sox
24	New York Yankees
25	Chicago White Sox
26	Milwaukee Brewers
27	Houston Astros
28	Tampa Bay Rays
29	Los Angeles Dodgers
30	Giants of San Francisco

Endeavor Group agrees to buy nine minor league baseball teams

Endeavor formed a subsidiary named Diamond Baseball Holdings to initiate the acquisitions.