Owner: Chad Gramling's Baseball Blog (CGBB) URL:www.baseballblog.chadgramling.com Join Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:17:21 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: CGBB is "A Fan's Blog for Baseball" where baseball fans can gather to discuss the game they love in a positive and uplifting manner. Today’s media too often focuses on negative aspects that surround the game and baseball personalities. CGBB attempts to fo Site statistics:Click here
What Might Have been. 2006-12-23 20:19:36 The hot stove has been a bit cold as of late, but I recently saw a couple signings that got me to thinking about what might have been.
There were points of their careers where Runelvys Hernandez and Erubiel Durazo could do no wrong. They were highly acclaimed and looked like heir apparents to carry the MLB flag in the upper echelon of stars.
But sadly, before either of their careers could be deemed as successes, things went south, and little has been heard of about either player. However, as the 2007 season unfolds, both will have new opportunities to make good on their promises.
Runelvys Hernandez went from being the 2003 Opening Day starter for the Kansas City Royals in a month that saw him go 4-0 with a 1.36 earned run average to being a forgotten coulda-been pitcher with lingering injuries and weight issues. After his torrid April start, Hernandez went on the disabled list, where he has been a frequent guest ever since.
Now, it looks as though Hernandez will get a new chance with
Fort Wayne Announces Major Stadium Plans 2006-12-23 05:20:43 Note: The following is a post I originally posted over at one of my other blogs, baseballinfortwayne.com. Beleiving that this type of information is relevant to the growing number of minor league baseball enthusiasts, I have posted it here as well.
Baseball Stadium
. Hotel. Condos. Retail shops. Parking . . . it's all part of a grand vision to revitalize downtown Fort Wayne
. The project, which is tentatively titled "Harrison Square," would be bounded by Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison, Brackenridge and Ewing streets. Some of the more prominent items of the development include;
New $48 million hotel with at least 300 rooms on the site of Belmont Beverage
60 new residential condominium units - valued at $12 million - with future phases anticipated to provide 120 more units
30,000 square feet of new street-level retail - valued at $6 million - with future phases anticipated to provide an additional 60,000 square feet
$30 million minor league baseball stadium
$10 million, 90 Read more:Major
I know . . . I cannot believe it either! 2006-12-23 04:55:00 You may have noticed a few weeks ago when I put a nifty little link in my blogroll for Bronx Bloggers. Me being among the evil empire haters club elite, I am sure that seemed out of place to you. Honestly, it sent shivers down my spine.
And now, you may think that I have totally lost control of CGBB by renting to Bronx Bloggers for an entire week!!! I may have lost contol. But hey, regardless of the team they follow, us sports bloggers gotta stick together.
Besides, Steve posts a lot of interesting stuff over at Bronx Bloggers. Click on the thumbnail when you have a chance and take a look.
Read more:believe
, either
Giles Brothers to Take Field Together in 2007 2006-12-21 04:33:29 In 2007, Marcus and Brian Giles will take the field together for the first time in their Major League Baseball careers.
Marcus Giles was introduced to the media as the new San Diego Padres second baseman at a press conference at PETCO Park on Wednesday afternoon. His brother Brian, the Padres' current outfielder, was at his side.
“I know my brother being here and the way he cares about the game, his personality, the way he cares about his teammates from talking to the Braves, it’s going to be a great addition,” Brian said. “Hopefully, that pushes us to the next level.” [Source: MLB.com]
Marcus wasn’t offered a contract last week by the Atlanta Braves, paving the way for his one-year $3.75 million deal and club option for 2008. He’ll take over at second for the recently traded Josh Barfield, who will suit up for Cleveland next season. I think this has calmed a lot of nerves among Friars fans since the Barfield trade. As it turns out, if Kousm Read more:Brothers
, Field
Closing Time for Radke 2006-12-20 02:36:14 Though he won 148 games during his 12 seasons, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Brad Radke took on the closer’s role today, capping a successful 2006 campaign that saw a rejuvenated Twins club put together a remarkable run at the playoffs.
The retirement has been widely suspected for months and comes as little surpise to anyone who has any familiarity with the story.
The right-hander had dealt with shoulder problems over the past two seasons, and with surgery a necessity to fix the problem if Radke wanted to continue pitching, it appeared retirement was inevitable. [source: MLB.com]
Radke, 34, spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins after being selected in the eighth round of the draft in 1991 and joining the rotation in 1995.
From the Bloggers’ Box (other perspectives on this topic):
Despite winning 20 games in 1997, Radke will be most remembered for his final season in 2006. He went 12-9 while pitching with a torn labrum and a stress fracture in the shoulder s
Former Big Leaguer; Robin Ventura Helps Santa Cop Program 2006-12-16 18:51:32 Santa Maria, California — Former
Chicago White Sox's and New York Yankees player, RobinVentura
recently offered his services to help the Arroyo Grande Police Department’s Santa Cop program. During an autograph signing session at the Petro Grande Mobil gas station, Ventrua helped raise nearly $700 for the program.
Santa Cop is a nationwide program that serves children whose families did not receive assistance from other sources, or who had unexpected sickness, injury or financial crisis.
In addition to cash contributions, the community donated gifts to help make the program successful.
Ventura played Major League Baseball from 1989 to 2004 and won the American League Golden Glove Award six times. During his 16-year career, Ventura produced a .267 batting average, 294 home runs and 1182 RBI in 2079 games. He played was drafted by the Chicago White sox and also played with the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite his respectable career, he is Read more:Santa
, Program
Bagwell Retirement Shows Why the "Stros Shine 2006-12-16 04:44:40 Seems like I posted about Jeff Bagwell's retirement from Major League Baseball a year ago. Turns out, though he did not play last season, his retirement became official today.
But that's not the oddest part.
About a year ago, Bagwell and the Houston Astros appeared to be on the outs of a relationship in a way that possibly was irreparable. I guess a lot can happen in year though.
If animosity still exits between Bagwell and McLane following last spring’s well-publicized disagreement involving the condition of Bagwell’s shoulder, they masked it well Friday. McLane and Purpura thanked Bagwell for his contributions and welcomed him to his next stage of his baseball life. [Source: MLB.com]
I guess that just goes to show that the Astros are a much different type of ball club. Whereas the Cubs have had very public feuds with their players (like Mark Grace, Steve Stone, Greg Maddux, Sammy Sosa), the Astros have developed a sense of mutual loyalty.
Like Nolan Ryan, Bagwell wil Read more:Shine
A Case for Andre 2006-12-14 15:04:20 Mike Downey has a good article pleading the case for Andre
Dawson to be voted into the Hall of Fame.
In “High time for Dawson” he states:
Who’s out there reminding the North American public that Dawson is among baseball’s all-time top 50 in hits, top 35 in home runs, top 25 in total bases, top 25 in RBIs? . . . And if you add the issue of character to the conversation, keep in mind that the next person to question the character of Andre Dawson will be the first.
If you are a regular reader, you most certainly know I am in full agreement with Downey. The Hawk belongs in the Hall. More on this later…
In the Year 2007 . . . The Texas Rangers Will Win the World Series! 2006-12-13 01:24:11 If you haven't noticed, I love to follow the Hot Stove Season almost as much as I do the regular season. I probably enjoy that more than the playoffs, save for the World
Series.
So far, the most talk about moves made and not made have centered around the Cubs, Red Sox and Yankees. A few days ago, I presented the Kansas City Royals ‘case for being a team on the rise. Today, I'm going to suggest something that is absolutely ludicrous: The TexasRangers
Will Win the World Series
!
I know it is crazy to make such a prediction before the first pitch of Spring Training has occurred, but the off season is all about speculation, right? Anywho, here is my evidence to support my claim?
Supporting Evidence #1: Off Season Moves + the Zito Factor
The wheels were set into motion on November 6 when the Rangers announced that former Oakland A's coach, Ron Washington, would manage the club in 2007. Just days later, former Oakland A's manager, Art Howe, was named as a bench coach and infiel
Back to Baseball for Backman 2006-12-26 01:22:43 Here’s another news story that has seemingly gone ignored by most of the mainstream press. Wally Backman, who was the topic of many a front page news stories in 2004 after being ousted as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ skipper after just four days on the job. The short tenure was the result of “evidence of off-field issues including two arrests and financial problems.” [source: OregonLive.com].
Since that time, Backman has been running a charter fishing boat business out of Newport (Oregon). However, 2007 will see the former New York Met’s star back in baseball as the manager of the South Georgia Peanuts, an independent South Coast League team based out of Albany, Georgia.
"We're thrilled to have Wally on board with the Peanuts, said General Manager Keith Michlig. "He's a name most people familiar with Major League Baseball will recognize. More importantly, he has been recognized for his ability to work with young players at our level. His expertise wil
Angels Finally Wake Up . . . Sign Hillenbrand 2006-12-27 02:06:47 One of the things that has baffled many baseball observers of the 2006/07 hot stove league is the lack of moves on the part of the Los Angeles Angels
of Anaheim California. However, the recent news . . . Read more:Finally
Does Everybody Hate Barry Zito? 2006-12-29 01:42:48 This signing is sure to set many other signings into motion and perhaps a trade or two. I personally have not done the due diligence to have a valid opinion on the pitcher, but judging by the blog-o-sphere, there are not many fans of this . . . Read more:Barry
, Everybody
Feed Subscriptions 2006-12-29 18:16:01 I have been working on feed subscriptions lately - and have been toying with a few for my own subscriptions. I tend to like Bloglines the best. Anyone else have favorites you’d like me to add?
Sponsored Post - I Need HP Gear! 2007-01-03 03:08:59 I don't just want some spiffy new HP gear. I Need it. I gotta have it. Pick me Ted . . . whoever you are.
Report: 1998 Baseballs Were Juiced 2007-01-04 02:10:55 Universal Medical Systems Inc. is claiming that baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring during the 1998. This assertion includes the ball that Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer.
The company bases their claims upon computer imaging evidence that was concluded with assistance from Doctors Avrami S. Grader and Philip [...]
Considering Selig's Legacy 2007-01-06 03:31:18 To his credit, Selig
bravely introduced many innovations to the game. Whether they have been good for the game or not, only time will truly tell. That's why it is a little early . . . Read more:Legacy
Upcoming Dates 2007-01-07 02:12:39 Well, the NFL playoffs took center stage today. This is about the time of year I really start getting antsy for Spring Training to begin. Wtih not much in baseball news . . . Read more:Upcoming
One More Key Date of Note 2007-01-07 19:26:32 In my haste, I neglected to include one key date in yesterday’s post. the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting results will be announced on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 (yeah, that’s this Tuesday). The announcements will be available on the Websites of the Hall of Fame (www.baseballhalloffame.org) and the BBWAA (www.baseballwriters.org).
The annoucement can be experienced [...]
Ford Frick; Hall of Fame Founding Father 2007-01-10 00:34:24 This post also appears at BaseballinFortWayne.com. It is leadding off a short series I will be doing with regard to the Hall of Fame the rest of this week. Read more:Founding
, Father
Plans For the Coming Season 2007-01-13 02:28:15 I am already starting to get Spring Training fever. There’s a lot in store for this season, including photos from ballparks I visit (hopefully some videos too), details on what I am going to do to reverse the Cubs’ curse, adventures in selling my book (which will be available February 26th - see sidebar for [...] Read more:Season
Brewers to Honor "82 WS Squad; Old Logo 2007-01-13 21:19:36 Here we are, nearly a quarter century later. Today, Yost is the Brewer's manager, the team is in a different league and division, Selig has sold the team and they have shed the embarrassing logo and uniforms. Read more:Brewers
, Squad
Padres Add to Catcher Corps. 2007-01-14 04:07:30 Reportedly, the Padres
have signed catcher, Todd Greene to a minor league deal. Anyone have any idea why?
The friars already have Rob Bowen and Josh Bard on the 40-man roster and they may have one of the best minor league up-and-comers with Colt Morton, Nick Hundley and Luke Carlin.
Tags: Colt Morton, Nick Hundley, [...] Read more:Catcher
, Corps
The Hall of Fame Class of 2008 2007-01-14 18:14:26 Baseball writers take note, 2008 will be a year for the birds; put Goose and the Hawk in the Hall!
Cubs Convention Notes 2007-01-15 16:41:48 It looks to have all the usual;activities, events, players new and old. But there are a couple items that caught my iterest: Read more:Convention
, Notes
Inside the Park News . . . 2007-01-16 14:08:24 I've noticed a lot of ballpark related news on my Bloglines subscriptions lately. I'm almost as much a fan of ballparks as I am of the game, so I thought I would throw it all into one easy post for you all to enjoy.
To start off, we'll talk about the park that is yet [...]
Rollie Fingers Blogs 2007-01-17 01:42:19 One of the wonderful things about the Internet and blogs is the ability to connect. I am always intrigued when a figure in the public spotlight, or was once in in, open themselves up to the public in the form of personal blogging.
Today, I stumbled upon Baseball Hall of Famer, Rollie Fingers
’ blog at rolliefingerssportsblog.com. [...] Read more:Blogs
Roundin the Bases - 01/20/07 2007-01-20 21:00:39 From time to time, whenever I deem necessary, I will do a post about other blogs that are linking to and/or have written about CGBB (regardless of the whether it is good or bad). Naturally, I . . .
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