0 comments by TOC Locker on 5/2/2015
The Houston Astros are on fire, and not even a damn hill in center field can get in their way. In the sixth inning of Saturday’s game with the Mariners, center field Jake Marisnick climbed Tal’s Hill to rob Logan Morrison of extra bases. Houston would go on to win the game 11-4, with Marisnick […]
0 comments by TOC Locker on 5/1/2015
Have you ever wondered *why* a hitter waggles his bat at the plate? What’s the significance of where they’re waggling the bat Well, as MLB Network’s Pedro Martinez and Harold Reynolds explain, the reasoning is simple – that’s usually where hitters like the ball. My mind was actually blown when they rolled out the heat […]
:HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 30: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros gets mobbed by his teammates after his tenth inning game-winning RBI single to defeat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 at Minute Maid Park on April 30, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
0 comments by Ian Casselberry
One of the more exciting aspects of the 2015 MLB season was the number of teams that looked capable of becoming new contenders. The Cubs, Mets, White Sox, Marlins and Padres all appeared ready to make significant improvements, due to offseason acquisitions, young players developing into stars — or both, in some cases. Another club […]
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 23: Homer Bailey #34 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 23, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Homer Bailey
0 comments by TOC Locker
Another day, another prominent pitcher down with Tommy John surgery. Today’s victim? Cincinnati Reds starter Homer Bailey. The Reds signed the 28-year old (29 on Sunday) Bailey to a six-year, $105 million contract extension in February of 2014. He’s still owed $86 million (including a $5 million buyout on a $25 million mutual option in […]
BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 26: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after scoring in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 26, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joe Lucia
The first month of the 2015 MLB season is in the books, and it’s time to resurrect one of our favorite features – the best and worst players of the month! These choices are purely subjective, though statistics are obviously taken into account. Agree or disagree with any choices? Good, let us know what you […]
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 28: David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with teammate Mark Trumbo #15 after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on April 28, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joe Lucia
There wasn’t much change on our season-long list this week, but there were still some majestic blasts over the past seven days. Let’s take a look. 1. Mark Trumbo vs Kyle Kendrick, 451 feet (April 28th) We have a lot of fun with Mark Trumbo here at TOC, but the man can hit the bejeezus […]
0 comments by TOC Locker on 4/30/2015
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and closer Huston Street desperately tried to blow what was a 6-0 lead to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon. Mike Trout had other ideas, making this great leaping catch at the warning track to rob what would have been a game-winning hit from Ike Davis. That Trout guy…he’s […]
DENVER, CO – JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers strikes out bunting three pitches foul against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Tigers defeated the Rockies 9-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
0 comments by Derek Harvey
This week, the Cardinals announced they had lost rotation ace Adam Wainwright to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during a plate appearance. This launched what has become an annual conversation on whether or not to bring the designated hitter to the National League. Ten years ago, I would have counted myself among the opposition. Now however […]
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 29: Alex Wood #40 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after allowing a base-clearing double during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joe Lucia
The Atlanta Braves have a well-earned reputation of an organization that consistently churns out solid starting rotations. The names Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all immediately come to mind, but while those were the biggest names on those dominant 1990s staffs, don’t forget about guys like Steve Avery, Denny Neagle, and Kevin Millwood. The reputation is still […]
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz
Major League Baseball released their All-Star ballots yesterday afternoon, for the first season ever an all electronic endeavor, yet the same problems from the analog editions still exist. Back in 1970 when the right to vote for the All-Star game was given back to the fans from the managers, coaches and players who had previously […]
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 01: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers walks back to the dugout after getting out against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on October 1, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
0 comments by Ian Casselberry on 4/29/2015
What are the Texas Rangers thinking in making a trade for Josh Hamilton? The question was posed to me on a radio show this week, a day after the deal in which the Angels sent Hamilton back to Texas for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The terms of the deal sound far […]
ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 11: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals sits in the dugout after being removed from the game in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game One of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium on October 11, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
0 comments by Derek Harvey
Earlier in the season I wrote about injury concerns I had for Adam Wainwright but no one could have seen this coming. He left his last start early after seemingly hurting his ankle busting out of the batters box on a bunt play. Everyone’s worst fears were confirmed yesterday when it was officially announced Wainwright […]
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 31: Former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds waves to the crowd during the San Francisco Giants World Series victory parade on October 31, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals to win the 2014 World Series. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
0 comments by Dave Tobener on 4/28/2015
Barry Bonds: ambassador of baseball. Far-fetched? A few years ago, sure; heck, even a few weeks ago. But with Bonds’ felony conviction for obstruction of justice overturned and his record clean, baseball seems more than willing to welcome its home run king back in the fold. Even commissioner Rob Manfred suggested he’d like to see […]
BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 27: An announcement on the scoreboard notifies fans that the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox has been postponed at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The move comes amid violent clashes between police and youths, according to news reports, the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray on April 19 after suffering a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz
The ongoing unrest in Baltimore has resulted in a pair of cancellations for the Orioles, and further tweaks to the team’s schedule this week will be necessary. Here’s an explanation from the club. Orioles announcement regarding schedule changes pic.twitter.com/nwCDyqjzWs — Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) Orioles twitter. This is where the normalcy ends. Tomorrow’s 2:05 PM game […]
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 25: Brandon McCarthy #38 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a baseball game at Petco Park April 25, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
0 comments by Ian Casselberry
The snarky response to the news that Brandon McCarthy would miss the rest of the 2015 season was that the Dodgers’ mega-payroll of $270 million can’t buy a fully healthy pitching staff. McCarthy’s torn ulnar collateral ligament was announced by the Dodgers on Monday. The right-hander, 31, will undergo Tommy John surgery and the recovery […]
