By Kyle Soppe Detroit Tiger closer Jose Valverde has converted all 39 save attempts this season and the last 2 save attempts in 2010. The 41 straight successes are impressive, and rank him fourth all time. However, he isn’t even half way to the all time mark of 84, set by Eric Gagne from 2002 to 2003. An interesting note: Valverde has surrendered 18 runs over the … [Read more...] about MLB Splinters
Red Sox
Red Sox @ Rangers – Tale of the Tape
By Kyle Soppe Setting: Two of the better teams in the MLB face off in what could be a preview of the ALCS. This 4-game series could distance the Rangers from the second place Angels, who continue to hang around with their superior pitching. The Red Sox and Rangers are known for their big name bats (Ellsbury, Youkilis, Ortiz, Kinsler, Hamilton, Cruz, etc), and they … [Read more...] about Red Sox @ Rangers – Tale of the Tape
As if We Needed Any More Evidence That Wins and Losses Are Flawed Statistics
Dan "Chas" McCloskey The old school types were up in arms over the fact that Felix Hernandez, and his 13-12 won-loss record, won the American League Cy Young Award last year. One of them actually went so far as to use some ridiculous argument about the morale of a pitcher's teammates when he takes the mound, and that when players make great defensive plays behind one … [Read more...] about As if We Needed Any More Evidence That Wins and Losses Are Flawed Statistics
Buckner’s Bolero
By Dan "Chas" McCloskey Not to try and create any competition for the Chinchillas as the musical darlings of this site, but a couple of obscure musicians--one of whom has toured as a sideman with R.E.M.--recently released their second set of tunes celebrating our national pastime. Less than three years ago, Steve Wynn and Scott McCaughey teamed up for Frozen Ropes and … [Read more...] about Buckner’s Bolero
Johnny Damon and Six Other Red Sox-Turned Yankees
By Chas The recent coverage of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez signing with the AL East team that was otherwise raided by their two chief rivals this off-season got me to thinking. Damon, once considered the equivalent of Jesus in Boston, but later nicknamed Judas, has an interesting distinction in common with six other players in baseball history. Of course, I'm not … [Read more...] about Johnny Damon and Six Other Red Sox-Turned Yankees