Still Americas Pastime

Here’s the standings as of 9:00pm 9/29/09.  

Teams that have an “E” instead of a number of games back have been mathematically eliminated from the division. 

* denotes Division Winner

American League East

1. *New York Yankees (101-56) 0 GB
2. Boston Red Sox (91-65) E
3. Tampa Bay Rays (80-76) E
4. Toronto Blue Jays (73-84) E
5. Baltimore Orioles (60-96) E

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers (83-73) 0 GB
2. Minnesota Twins (82-74) 1 GB
3. Chicago White Sox (76-81) E
4. Cleveland Indians (64-92) E
5. Kansas City Royals (64-93) E 

American League West

1. *Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (92-64) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (85-71) E
3. Seattle Mariners (80-76) E
4. Oakland Athletics (75-81) E

American League Wild Card

1. Boston Red Sox (91-65) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (85-71) 6 GB

National League East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (90-66) 0 GB
2. Atlanta Braves (86-70) 4 GB
3. Florida Marlins (83-74) E
4. New York Mets (67-90) E
5. Washington Nationals (53-103) E

National League Central

1. *St. Louis Cardinals (90-66) 0 GB
2. Chicago Cubs (81-74) E
3. Milwaukee Brewers (77-79) E
4. Cincinnati Reds (74-82) E
5. Houston Astros (73-83) E 
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (59-96) E

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-64) 0 GB
2. Colorado Rockies (88-68) 4.5 GB
3. San Francisco Giants (83-73) E
4. San Diego Padres (72-85) E
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (68-88) E

National League Wild Card

1. Colorado Rockies (88-68) 0 GB
2. Atlanta Braves (86-70) 2 GB
3. San Francisco Giants (83-73) 5 GB 
4. Florida Marlins (83-74) 5.5 GB
5. Chicago Cubs (81-74) 6.5 GB

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No, I’m not talking about the Olympics or the World Baseball Classic (WBC).  The US defeated Cuba today 10-5 to win their 2nd consecutive Gold Medal and 4th overall Gold in the World Cup.

Although at it’s unveiling the WBC was called by some as “the Baseball World Cup”, this speaks more to the obscurity of the Baseball World Cup than the ignorance of the speakers. 

The World Cup has historically gotten little press coverage, probably because it occurs during the regular MLB season, and no Major League players participate.  The US does have some minor league players on its team.

The World Cup has been around since 1938, although it has grown since then (the first Baseball World Cup had two teams, with the United Kingdom team beating the American team).

Not only did the US win their 2nd consecutive Gold Medal, but they faced a familiar foe.  The Cubans lost to the US in the finals last year as well.  In face the two teams have met 8 times in the finals, with the Cubans winning the first 6.

Even after only earning the Silver Medal, the Cuba remains far and away the best performing team in the Baseball World Cup.  In total medal they lead the 2nd place US 30-15.  Also they are severely outpacing the world in Gold Medals, leading (again, with the US in 2nd) 25-4.  In 2007 when the US won their first of these consecutive titles, the Cuban team had won the previous 9 World Cup Gold Medals.

Here’s the standings as of 9:38pm 9/22/09.  Teams that have an “E” instead of a number of games back have been mathematically eliminated from the division. 

American League East

1. New York Yankees (95-56) 0 GB
2. Boston Red Sox (89-60) 5 GB
3. Tampa Bay Rays (77-73) E
4. Toronto Blue Jays (67-83) E
5. Baltimore Orioles (60-90) E

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers (79-70) 0 GB
2. Minnesota Twins (77-73) 2.5 GB
3. Chicago White Sox (73-78) 7 GB
4. Kansas City Royals (62-88) E
5. Cleveland Indians (61-88) E 

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (90-60) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (82-67) 7.5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (78-72) 12 GB
4. Oakland Athletics (71-79) E

American League Wild Card

1. Boston Red Sox (89-60) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (82-67) 7 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (78-72) 11.5 GB
4. Tampa Bay Rays (77-73) 12.5 GB
5. Minnesota Twins (77-73) 12.5 GB 

National League East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (88-61) 0 GB
2. Atlanta Braves (80-70) 8.5 GB
3. Florida Marlins (80-71) 9 GB
4. New York Mets (65-86) E
5. Washington Nationals (51-98) E

National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals (88-63) 0 GB
2. Chicago Cubs (77-72) 10 GB
3. Milwaukee Brewers (74-76) E
4. Houston Astros (70-80) E 
5. Cincinnati Reds (69-81) E
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-92) E

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (90-60) 0 GB
2. Colorado Rockies (85-65) 5 GB
3. San Francisco Giants (81-69) 9 GB
4. San Diego Padres (69-82) E
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (65-86) E

National League Wild Card

1. Colorado Rockies (85-65) 0 GB
2. San Francisco Giants (81-69) 4 GB
3. Atlanta Braves (80-70) 5 GB 
4. Florida Marlins (80-71) 5.5 GB
5. Chicago Cubs (77-72) 7.5 GB

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From this year onward, where one game playoffs occur will no longer be determined by a coin flip.

It’s about time, in my opinion.  If the All-Star Game determines which league has home team advantage in the World Series (something I’m not a fan of) then why did it take so long to get rid of coin flips to determine where one game playoffs are held?

Before this year, if two (or more) teams tied for the division lead or the Wild Card, a series of coin flips would determine which team would host the one game playoff.

Now there are a series of tiebreakers in place and teams have to earn home field advantage.

If two teams tie then the team with the best head to head record will host the playoff.  If the teams had an even head to head record, then the team which performed better against their division will host the game (best intradivsion winning percentage).  Provided another tiebreaker is needed it will go to the team with the best winning percentage against their league (so exclude interleague games) in the second half.

Personally, I don’t know why it took the GMs and owners this long to get rid of coin-flips.  Not only would this reward teams that performed well, but it would save time on the myriad of often pointless coin flips s that occur every year.

Here’s the standings before play started today (9/15/09).  Teams that have an “E” instead of a number of games back have been mathematically eliminated from the division. 

American League East

1. New York Yankees (93-52) 0 GB
2. Boston Red Sox (84-58) 7.5 GB
3. Tampa Bay Rays (73-71) E
4. Toronto Blue Jays (61-76) E
5. Baltimore Orioles (56-81) E

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers (77-66) 0 GB
2. Minnesota Twins (72-72) 5.5 GB
3. Chicago White Sox (71-73) 6.5 GB
4. Cleveland Indians (61-82) 16 GB
5. Kansas City Royals (57-86) E

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (86-57) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (80-63) 6 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (74-70) 12.5 GB
4. Oakland Athletics (65-78) E

American League Wild Card

1. Boston Red Sox (84-58) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (80-63) 4.5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (74-70) 11 GB
4. Tampa Bay Rays (73-71) 12 GB
5. Minnesota Twins (72-72) 13 GB 

National League East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (82-60) 0 GB
2. Florida Marlins (76-68) 7 GB
3. Atlanta Braves (75-68) 7.5 GB
4. New York Mets (63-81) E
5. Washington Nationals (50-93) E

National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals (85-60) 0 GB
2. Chicago Cubs (74-68) 9.5 GB
3. Houston Astros (70-74) 14.5 GB
4. Milwaukee Brewers (69-74) 15 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds (65-79) E
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (55-87) E

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (86-59) 0 GB
2. Colorado Rockies (82-63) 4 GB
3. San Francisco Giants (78-66) 7.5 GB
4. San Diego Padres (65-80) E
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (63-82) E

National League Wild Card

1. Colorado Rockies (82-63) 0 GB
2. San Francisco Giants (78-66) 3.5 GB
3. Florida Marlins (76-68) 5.5 GB
4. Atlanta Braves (75-68) 6 GB
5. Chicago Cubs (74-68) 6.5 GB

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Yeah, this post is going to be way more partisan than any other has been so far.  I probably should post about Jeter breaking Lou Gehrig’s record, but I mentioned that a couple of days ago.  (And, I just did mention it right there, so moving on.)

Instead, I’m just going to be happy the the Braves beat the Cardinals 1-0 in St. Louis, keeping their minuscule post-season hopes alive.

After an awful week of baseball (including a 3 game sweep at the hands of the Reds), the Braves have won a couple big games the past to nights.

I have to admit I haven’t seen that many games this year.  It is definitely harder following the Braves now that TBS doesn’t carry all their games.  Still I could have caught a few more.  Now I have to hope they can leapfrog their way into the playoffs so I can see a few more games.

Most of you are probably scratching your head on this one.  Isn’t a walk the same thing as a base on balls?  Well, you’re right.

So why have two names for the same thing?

It comes down to how technical you want to be.

The term walk came about because a player is entitled to first base and can not be put out by the defense.  Therefore, he can take his time and walk down to first base.

The reason some people use the term base on balls (and the notation for a walk on a scorecard is “BB”) is because there are other ways to be awarded first base.

When a batter is hit by a pitch, he is awarded first base, and can therefore walk down to first.  Also, catcher’s interference will award the batter first base.  By calling a walk a base on balls, you clarify why the player can walk to first base.

Derek Jeter is enduring a slump right now, not having reached base in his last 13 plate appearances.  While a slump is frustrating under any circumstances, Jeter is only 3 hits away from tying Lou Gehrig for the most hits in a Yankee uniform.

You read that right, Derek Jeter is a mere 4 hits from becoming the All-Time Hit Leader in Yankee history.

With the history that the team in pinstripes has, that’s quite a prestigious position.

Jeter has been the face of the Yankees and one of the few captains in team history, but I think his numbers have often been under-appreciated.  For example, I bet many non-Yankee fans don’t know that he already holds the record for most hits by a shortstop.

Look, I don’t like the Yankees, and so I’m not a Jeter fan by any stretch of the imagination.  But I am rooting for him to break the record.  His passion for the game and willingness to go all-out all the time is great for baseball.  I might not be a fan, but I sure do respect him (and I wouldn’t say no to an autograph).

Here’s the standings before play started today (9/8/09).  Teams that have an “E” instead of a number of games back have been mathematically eliminated from the division. 

American League East

1. New York Yankees (89-50) 0 GB
2. Boston Red Sox (79-58) 9 GB
3. Tampa Bay Rays (72-66) 16.5 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays (61-76) E
5. Baltimore Orioles (56-81) E

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers (75-61) 0 GB
2. Minnesota Twins (69-68) 6.5 GB
3. Chicago White Sox (69-70) 7.5 GB
4. Cleveland Indians (60-76) 15 GB
5. Kansas City Royals (52-85) 23.5 GB

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (81-55) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (76-60) 5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (72-66) 10 GB
4. Oakland Athletics (61-76) 20.5 GB

American League Wild Card

1. Boston Red Sox (79-58) 0 GB
2. Texas Rangers (76-60) 2.5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners (72-66) 7.5 GB
4. Tampa Bay Rays (72-66) 7.5 GB
5. Minnesota Twins (69-68) 10 GB 

National League East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (77-58) 0 GB
2. Florida Marlins (72-65) 6 GB
3. Atlanta Braves (70-67) 8 GB
4. New York Mets (62-75) 16 GB
5. Washington Nationals (47-90) E

National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals (82-57) 0 GB
2. Chicago Cubs (69-67) 11.5 GB
3. Houston Astros (67-70) 14 GB
4. Milwaukee Brewers (66-71) 15 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds (63-74) 18 GB
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (54-82) E

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-57) 0 GB
2. Colorado Rockies (78-60) 3.5 GB
3. San Francisco Giants (76-62) 5.5 GB
4. Arizona Diamondbacks (61-78) 21 GB
5. San Diego Padres (61-78) 21 GB

National League Wild Card

1. Colorado Rockies (78-60) 0 GB
2. San Francisco Giants (76-62) 2 GB
3. Florida Marlins (72-65) 5.5 GB
4. Atlanta Braves (70-67) 7.5 GB
5. Chicago Cubs (69-67) 8 GB

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The phrase “ducks on the pond” refers to having runners on base.  Some people use it to refer to a situation where there is only one runner on base, but the phrase isn’t “duck on the pond” so I say they’re wrong.

The term probably derived from duck hunters preferring to shot a duck on a pond than one flying (easier target).  A batter coming up with a runner (or runners) in scoring position will have an easier time of getting an RBI and just a runner on first or if the bases are empty.

“Ducks on the pond” was first used by the announcer Arch McDonald, who also first used the phrase “right down Broadway” and gave the great Joe DiMaggio his nickname, the Yankee Clipper.  Arch McDonald was a good old country boy from Arkansas and (I guess) at least familiar with duck hunting.  He announced for both the Washington Senators and the New York Yankees.