The Score: New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, a licensed pilot, and his co-pilot died today when the plane Lidle piloted crashed into a building in New York City's Upper East side.
Sfvftc's Shot: My prayers go out to both Cory Lidle's family, friends and former teammates and to the family and friends of his unnamed co-pilot.
The scouting reports on Cory Lidle characterized him as a right-handed thrower with "average stuff" but a savvy pitcher. He broke into the majors in 1997 with the New York Mets. In 9 seasons with seven different teams, he compiled a respectable 82-72 record with a 4.57 ERA.
Lidle had his best year as a MLB pitcher in 2001, while a member of the Oakland Athletics. That year, he posted a 13-6 record and a 3.59 ERA. He limited opposing batters to a .242 average against him in 188 innings of work and helped the A's reach the playoffs.
This year, he pitched for both the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. With the Phillies, he recorded an 8-7 record and a 4.74 ERA before they traded him to the Yankees on July 31st--MLB's trading deadline.
For the Yankees, Lidle notched a 9-4 record and a 5.16 ERA. Also, he helped New York to the American League Division title. Of course, on Saturday, he entered game 4 of his team's ALDS match up against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning. He lasted only 1.1 inning and surrendered 3 earned runs, as the Tigers won the game and vanquished the Yankees from the playoffs.
Lidle started a planned trip, with several scheduled stop overs, to fly across the country to his home in California today from New Jersey. Apparently the manager in the sky, God, needed a wily veteran right-handed pitcher for his team of Angels.
The Score: In response to a walk out by angry Baltimore Orioles fans last night, Orioles owner Peter Angelos said, " Whoever joins that protest has no comprehension of what it costs to run a baseball team. When you get down to facts, putting together a team that can compete in the AL East means having a payroll between $100 million-$110 million. That money comes from the consumer, and I have chosen to keep ticket prices to a minimum." AP
Sfvftc's Shot: Peter Angelos' comments revealed his ignorance about baseball.
Contrary to Angelos' ideas, it is possible for a MLB club to produce a consistent winner on a modest budget. For example, the Minnesota Twins are a playoff caliber team on an annual basis. Yet their total team payroll ranks in the bottom third of all MLB teams.
The Twins are successful because their owner, Carl Polhad, hired Terry Ryan as the general manager. Ryan is a savvy evaluator of talent. In addition, he's emphasized the importance of player development.
Therefore, Angelos it is possible to have a successful franchise without spending a $100 million dollars a year on team salaries.
The Score: The Florida Marlin won again today and trail in the National League Wild Card standings by only two games.
Sfvftc's Shot: The Florida Marlins turnaround is stunning.
On May 11th this season, the Marlins had a dismal 11-31 record. With today's victory Florida improved to 69-68 and became the first team in MLB history to rise above .500 after standing 20 games under it.
Moroever, the Marlins are staging this epic comeback with the youngest team in the majors and the lowest payroll in MLB.
Key Play (s):
1. The Florida Marlins, twenty games under .500 in May, are 69-68.
The Score: Yesterday Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confronted pitcher Ted Lilly in the tunnel leading to the team's clubhouse after Lilly argued with him when Gibbons came to the mound to replace the struggling pitcher.
Sfvftc's Shot: Blue Jays manager John Gibbons responded to Lilly's antics in an appropriate and praiseworthy manner.
Lilly "showed up" Gibbons by arguing with him on the mound. Gibbons had to react to the obvious insubordination by Lilly. Otherwise, Gibbons would have zero control over his team.
Unfortunately, today, too many managers and coaches are afraid to confront players when one of them acts in a manner that is damaging to the team. It is refreshing to learn of a manager who would not tolerate this kind of disrespect.
Thus, Gibbons is manager of the day in MLB.
Key Play (s):
1. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons does not tolerate insubordination by his players.
The Score: With less than a month and a half left in the MLB season, it is time to start to compile a list of possible candidates for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Sfvftc's Shot: New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada's name belongs on the ballot for AL MVP award.
Posada has excelled this year at the second most important position in baseball: catcher. In 103 games as the Yankees backstop, he's ranked second in the AL number of caught stealing with 31and he's first in the AL in assists for a catcher.
In addition, Posada calls a splendid game. He is adept at mixing pitching sequences in order to confuse the batter. He does a great job of shifting behind home plate in an effort to give his pitchers a clear target.
Also, sometimes, he plays the role of pitching coach. Posada understands the proper mechanics for each pitcher on his team. For example, if a pitcher is letting his shoulder fly open Posada will stand up when he throws the ball back to the pitcher and tap his own shoulder to remind the pitcher to follow through on his delivery.
On offense, Posada statistics are good but not great. He is batting .270 with 15 HR's and 63 RBI's.
Nevertheless, Posada is an integral part of the Yankees. He is involved in every single play on defense. His high level of proficiency at throwing out attempted base stealers gives the Yankees a major boost.
Therefore, Jorge Posada deserves to be on the ballot for AL MVP.
Key Play (s):
1. Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is having a terrific season on defense.
2. Posada's marvelous play behind the plate and his decent offensive statistics warrant his name being on the ballot for AL MVP.
