Archive for February 2012
Does Losing Pujols Really Matter?
1Tuesday, February 21, 2012 by SKSocial
What should I base my answer on? I could use RBI's, HR'S, or even BA. But lets be honest, "not all hits are created equal". A home run could cause the same change in the score as a single. Slugging percentage wont work either. Is a double worth twice as much as a single? The only real true gauge of a player like Pujols' worth is the Weighted On Base Average, or wOBA for the noobs.
Quick lesson:
“Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) is based on a simple concept: not all hits are created equal. Batting average would have you believe they are, but think about it: what’s more valuable, a single or a homerun? Batting average doesn’t account for this difference and slugging percentage doesn’t do so accurately. OPS does a good job of combining all the different aspects of hitting (hitting for average, hitting for power, having plate discipline) into one metric, but it weighs slugging percentage the same as on-base percentage, while on-base percentage is more valuable than slugging.”
A Case for Ryan Braun...or not so much
0Friday, February 10, 2012 by SKSocial
As a professional athlete it is safe to say that you are fairly anal about what you put into your body. So when the reigning MVP, Ryan Braun, popped on a standard MLB drug test for an unknown banned substance you can imagine the disbelief when Braun's spokesperson issued this statement:
"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."
Wait...what? "Highly unusual circumstances"? "No intentional violation"? Does it matter? The MLB had multiple testing agencies, including the World Anti-Doping Agency, test the sample. All positive for extremely high levels of testosterone that was determined to be exogenous, meaning it came from outside the body. As in fake. As in not the stuff that's made when i'm in a bar shouting about the Skankies/Red Sox rivalry.
Braun's camp is claiming that the failed test was a result of medication given to him for a prior infection. Here is where it gets embarrassing. Rumor has it Braun was combating Herpes with this medication. The bloggers at TerezOwens.com claims to have spoken to a high ranking Brewers official. On their site they wrote:
GoDaddy Hates You and A Red Sox 2012 Preview
0by SKSocial
So...in an attempt to turn our noses up at GoDaddy we have moved the blog (as you know because you are here). But enough about them...how about those Red Sox?! That's right folks, it's that time of year when I start to get extremely obnoxious about my Boston Red Sox. Lets talk 2012 preview...
Starting pitching has been a big off-season topic. Believe it or not Matsuzaka is still an option in 2012 and, despite his recent Tommy John surgery, you will probably see him around the all-star break. Scary, I know. Bucholz looks ready to go and was touted as having his best winter yet. Staff says he looks very strong and probably could have even pitched at the end of last season. Of course hind sight is 20/20.
Now, all Sox fans shed a tear for the bullpen down the stretch last season, and some of us even made animal sacrifices to the gods in hopes of a turn around (RIP Mittens). This years looks to be better. Pap is gone and we have all mourned but, just like ex-girlfriends and hangovers, nothing gets you over the last one like the next one. Andrew Bailey (acquired from O-Town) will fill the roll of the jig-dancing closer and probably be even better at it seeing as how he is actually Irish, or Welch...or something. Oh, and he was 2009 AL Rookie of the Year, and a 2010 All-Star. So he's got that going for him.
Who takes over for Crawford if his wrist isn't 100% by regular season? First, the Red Sox are very confident that if Carl is not ready by opening day it will only be a minimal amount of time that he will miss. In his place would be either Cody Ross or Darnell McDonald. Right field will most likely house Ryan Sweeney. Center goes to Ellsbury, obvi. Not a bad little crew patrolling the wall if you ask me.