The Prince of Thieves

“This is Rickey, calling on behalf of Rickey…Rickey wants to play baseball.” – Rickey Henderson

And play he did. This weekend, on an ordinary summer Sunday, in a small town in upstate New York, Rickey Henderson, along with Red Sox Jim Rice, will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Rickey will be enshrined with the best that have ever played the game, and he most definitely belongs.

Growing up in Oakland, Rickey was an amazing athlete. He was a good basketball and baseball player, and phenomenal football player, being selected to the HS All-American team in 1976 as a senior running back. However, when drafted in the 4th round by his home town Athletics, he chose to pursue baseball rather than accept any of the football scholarships he’d been offered.

Henderson spent four seasons in the minors, prior to being called up in 1979. In the minors, Rickey transformed himself from simply a speed demon into the ultimate base thief that we came to know. He learned how far to take leads, how to read the pitcher, his trademark head-first dive, and learned that he could swipe third. All of these facets, along with a solid glove and above average bat, allowed him to flourish.

Called up in 1979 as a 20 year old, Rickey stole 33 bases in only 89 games, which set the stage for a great sophomore year. That year he eclipsed the AL record, stealing 100 bags. He went on to eclipse the MLB single-season record, by stealing 130 bases two years later. In 1985, Rickey was traded to the Bronx, and played there for 4 seasons, before being traded back to the Green & Gold in the summer of 1989. That season, Rickey helped lead Oakland to a World Series title, as the A’s swept the Giants in four games.

After realizing his dream of a title, Rickey worked even harder in 1990, winning his first MVP award. That season he stole only 65 bases (low by his standards) but lead the league in runs (119), OBP (.439) and also hit a career high 28 home runs from the leadoff spot. The following year, in 1991, he broke Lou Brock’s all-time stolen base record, by stealing his 939th base. When Rickey hung up his spikes, he had 1406 stolen bases; roughly 50% more than Brock did.

He left Oakland in 1993, heading to Toronto, where he won another title. He found his way back to Oakland 1994 and was back again in 1998. From then until his retirement in 2003, Rickey bounced around to a variety of ball clubs. He ended his career as the all-time leader in SB’s (1406), Walks (2190, later eclipsed by Barry Bonds) and Runs (2295). Not to mention he also had a career OBP of .401 and is in the 3,000 hit club (3081).

One thing that no statistic can describe is how Rickey changed the game. His keen eye and powerful stroke made him an extremely tough out, and once he got on base, there was no stopping him. He caused havoc to catchers and pitchers alike, and even created the Rickey Rally, where he could walk, steal second and third, and get driven in on a sac fly, resulting in one run with no hits.

While his on field accolades speak for themselves, what adds to Rickey Henderson is his charismatic and colorful character. Some say arrogant, others say confident, but there was no doubt that Rickey knew what he could do. He also became famous for talking in the third person, talking to himself at the plate, and having some outlandish quotations. None the less, number 24 always backed up his mouth with his play.

This side of Rickey is what has many people excited to see Rickey’s induction speech, as no one quite knows what will be uttered. However, one thing is for sure; Rickey has been quite humbled. Upon his election into the HOF, Rickey talked about how humbled he was to be placed in such an elite group and how he was glad people recognized that he played the game the right way.

Ricky Henderson revolutionized the leadoff position, and there will never be any one close to his presence in the one hole. His command of the strike zone and base running capabilities are unparalleled, and he truly left his mark on the game. As my favorite player growing up, I’m proud to see his induction this weekend, as well has his number retired in Oakland come next weekend. While I too found myself in the leadoff spot a fair amount and stole a good number of bases through out my baseball career, I told myself what Rickey told himself, “you can’t steal first” when I walked to the plate. But that never stopped Rickey.

Campfire Confidential

It is summer time, one of the best times of the year. It gives us the chance to go out with our friends and sit around the campfire and share our feelings while having a kumbayatic experience. But around this time of the year we get a chance to look at a different type of campfire.

It is finally here! A time at which we starve all winter and summer for, its time for NFL training camp! I always wondered why we care so much about spring training and training camp. The reason that people love it so much is because it is something new and the opening of camp opens the hope of a new season. As a Phillies fan I always counted the days until the Birds flew into Lehigh. Now that the Phillies are a contender, Eagles training camp isn’t as necessary. It is because we needed the Eagles to save us from the despair of the long summer. I doubt many people care about the Giants camp or Patriots camp but I bet you they flock by the thousands to see the Browns and the Steelers.

Whether the need is there or not, NFL training camp gives us that thirst that can only be quenched by the promise of opening weekend. While the kids try to keep there first day of school at bay we will look at the campfires roaring this summer. Here are the top five campfires that we should keep an eye out for.

1.) TO in BUFFALO
TO knew the day that he signed his contract with the Bills that he was riding north to a very small market. There isn’t nearly the same type of attention as he received in Philly, San Fran or Big D. To remedy this problem TO has been working even harder to pull the spotlight on himself. He has hosted the Buffalo News, appeared on a reality show and created another, and even went as far as creating his own cereal “TO’s”. Before everyone picks up a box beware of what you have in Buffalo. If he isn’t made happy he could be dangerous to a young and fragile lockeroom. On the other side TO is always great in his first season to spite his previous city. He could be the star of a very underrated offense.

2.) FAVRE TO MINNESOTA
Have you heard? Favre is considering coming back to the NFL. Well we think he is, he might, we aren’t so sure, I don’t think he is, but he still could. He has held Sportscenter, Minnesota, and the NFL hostage this offseason as he makes us wait for his decision. He should make up his mind by tomorrow but the question will be if he can pick up the offense and whether or not his arm will hold up.

3.) ROETHLISBERGER’S LEGAL TROUBLE
We are not sure yet whether or not Big Ben actually raped the girl or whether it is a get rich quick scheme by another Cry Wolf. Whether it is or isn’t true the drama might distract him and the defending champions.

4.) MICHAEL VICK
Michael Vick is more hated than most of the rapist, murderer and druggies in the NFL. Something is wrong about that and we as a culture need to reevaluate who e hate. With that said he did a bad thing and has paid his debt to society and the question remains if he will be reinstated and will a team sign him. If not he may be destined as the face of the United Football League in Orlando.

5.) ROMO’S SHAPE
The summer of break ups for Tony Romo. He first split with diva Terrell Owens who ran away from Texas to an extension of Canada. Then he thought the right time to break up with his girlfriend Jessica Simpson was on her birthday weekend. He also has broken up with his athletic physique. He supposedly was asked by the Boys to drop some of the weight before camp. Will he be able to be ready to step up as the leader of the dismal Cowboys? Because the pressure falls squarely on his shoulders now that TO is gone.

Christmas In July...What A Halladay/Holliday!

How many just love unwrapping that gift on Christmas? You know the one I’m talking about…the one you’ve only been asking for since the summer. Well some teams are going to feel the same way as they get the gift that is an extra arm or bat in their arsenal.

However, this year we might not see as many deals as we think. Currently only nine teams can really be counted out of the race for October, which means that 21 are slugging it out for only eight spots. This translates in not enough sellers for the amount of buyers in the market. However there is talent out there to be had, and it could make all difference in the brawl for October.

TOP 5 AVAILABLE:

5. Dan Haren, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Although he is only in the first year of a 4-year extension, rumors have surfaced about whether he will stay in the desert. Pitching is always an essential part of any playoff run, and Haren is quality on the mound, posting some of the best numbers in the league in the past three seasons. Teams that do not have the prospects to go land astray Jay, such as the Brewers or the Braves, may look at Haren. However, in the end, Haren will probably stay put.

4. Justin Duchscherer, SP, Oakland Athletics
While he is yet to throw a pitch this season due to off-season elbow surgery, the free agent to be has been one of the most commanding pitchers in baseball the past few years if you’ve been paying attention. Last year he maintained a WHIP under 1.00 as a starter and, if not for an incompetent Oakland offense, he may have wound up with 15 wins (won 10). He will most likely stay in Oakland, but if teams are desperate for pitching, he’s not a bad target.

3. Jack Wilson, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
Although Neil Huntington has had a fairly long career in baseball, the Pirates GM must have been a used car salesman and one point by the way he’s shipping off products. The Pirates have already traded Nyjer Morgan, a speedy defensive outfielder, and Nate McClouth, their 2008 stud, in an attempt to “rebuild”. Wilson could be next, as he’s expressed an interesting in winning (clearly something not happening at PNC Park) and he’s a free agent to be. Plus, he’s put up quality numbers in the small market that is Pittsburgh.

2. Matt Holliday, LF, Oakland Athletics
While the probability of his departure has greatly diminished due to his production this season, Matt Holliday is a bright young star that needs to find a home. Beane’s crapshoot hasn’t panned out, and it’s completely improbable that he will re-sign with Oakland after the season due to payroll. With the right package, he can be drawn away from the Bay Area, otherwise Beane will sit with him and take the draft picks he gets when Holliday signs elsewhere after the season.

1. Roy Halladay, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Can’t say much more than what’s already been said the past few weeks, but yes he’s this good. The “Doc” has put up some astonishing numbers north of the border the past few seasons and would be extremely valuable to any team that can arrange it. While the Phillies are the obvious front runners, others might be in the mix. Even though they’re white hot, the Phils need this arm. Even if its in exchange for Happ and two other stud prospects, if the Phils can lock up Halladay for 5-6 years, its worth it.

Some people love Black Friday in November. I personally love watching the shopping done in July.

ANOTHER LOOK AT IT

What is going on around here? Last night the Minnesota Twins blew a huge lead against the struggling Athletics at home. After an impressive start they let the A’s off the ropes and the green and gold made them pay. They erased the deficit in a 7 run 7th which was sparked by Matt Holliday’s grand slam. Unfortunately for Oakland the headline of the night wasn’t the epic comeback it was the controversy that the final out caused.

Let me start by stating that Michael’s A’s deserved to win that game and the Twins deserved what they got. But it does raise the debate for instant replay, should it be expanded or does it not belong in baseball?

I think that what happened last night is an example that screams for the need to further introduce instant replay. The game ended when Michael Cuddyer was called out trying to score from second on Wuertz’s wild pitch. The original call was proven wrong when a second look at it clearly showed Cuddyer getting the plate before the tag.

It is hard for the ump’s to make the call in a fraction of a second from a potentially blocked view. But just because it is tough does that mean that we shouldn’t get the call correct? The Twins would have tied the game and forced extra innings or won the game. The season is a long 162 trek through the summer and it will give MLB a kick in the pants if the Twins miss the playoffs by one game.

Baseball is the last major sport to introduce instant replay. Even when they did it was merely a baby step in the right direction. They decided to limit the replay to only homeruns. It is a step that has worked but since then there have been instances in which we wish that baseball would take another step. There are many reasons that baseball fans are hesitant to further involve replay. So let’s talk about them, shall we?

1.) “The current system is taking too long. Just last night in Houston a review of a potential home run left fans and players waiting for about seven minutes. That is a long break for an already long game.”

Okay, let’s get real. If you are a baseball fan and it is your game then you stopped worrying about a long game a long time ago. If you go to a baseball game and endure the heat and humidity and then your team gets robbed of a win or a pivotal moment because of human error you are going to be ticked off. It is not as if every single out is going to be contested. Probably the only calls that will be contested will be the ones that the managers come out of the dugouts. Everyone doesn’t mind when a manager comes out of the dugout to throw a hissy fit for five minutes over a blown call, and the end of their tirade what happens? Nothing. We might as well get the call right if we are going to spend the time.

2.) “If the scope of instant replay in baseball gets too big it could really hurt the game. A replay of every close play at first base or called strike three would be horrible for the typical fan.”

It is a slippery slope that baseball intends to avoid. I do understand their concern if all of a sudden we challenge every single call. These are the same concerns that football, tennis and hockey have had to deal with. Football and tennis have systems in which the teams get a certain number of challenges and are awarded if they get the challenge right. For hockey the reviews are decided on by the officials. If the officials think that there is a possibility of their call being wrong then they check it out. For baseball we are simply looking at the hot zones for replay. The replay would be best at the foul poles, homerun calls and close plays at each base. It would never come to a point when we challenge balls and strikes.

3.) “Though accountability is good, we can't question everything an umpire says. Umpires are human and make mistakes and those mistakes will always be part of the game and there is simply no way around that.”

This quote bothers me. “those mistakes will always be part of the game and there is simply no way around that.” So we would rather accept that we are going to get things wrongs just to avoid using the technology? I am not the most technologically savvy guy and would admit that if we didn’t have technology than a lot of our lives wouldn’t be so hectic BUT if I don’t just accept that I will get to work late just because I wanted to avoid upgrading from a bike to a car.

The bottom line of the argument is that we should try to get the call right. Who wants to win or lose on a bad call. Why should we live with that when we have the possibility of getting it right. I know the baseball purists may disagree and I welcome the debate, but honestly it’s time to get it right.

On the Road Again...

A total of 1,000 miles and 18 hours of driving provided me with the opportunity to watch two ball games last week, as I was absent to the blog due to my trip to Dodger Stadium and Petco Park. Dodger is a classic, and a place I’d been before, while Petco is state of the art and was a new experience.

Thursday – July 16th
Dodgers v. Astros – Dodger Stadium
Sitting roughly 9 rows from the top of the stadium, I witnessed Manny’s first game back at Chavez Ravine since his 50 game suspension. He was greeted with overwhelming applause and proceeded to go 1-4 with 2 K’s. It was like when Bonds was a Giant, everyone knew he was a cheater, but he was their cheater. It’s becoming depressingly sad that someone sitting out for CHEATING, is still welcomed by fans because ‘roids have become such a part of the game today.


The game itself was not even worthy of the Dodger applause. After 5 innings of a masterful pitching duel between Wandy Rodriguez and Randy Wolf, the Astros jumped out in front on a Humberto Quintero homer to dead center. The Astros tacked-on two more runs, winning the game 3-0, although the Dodgers threatened in a couple innings.


As for Dodger Stadium, it’s just a classic place to see a game. You get the feeling of Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Dodgers-past, and Dodgers-present. It’s also got some of the best in the league. Dodger Dogs are by far the best franks around and Vin Scully is the ultimate listening pleasure. Overall, a must visit for any fan of the National Pastime.

Friday – July 17th
Padres v. Rockies – Petco Park
Since they took the Rockies to a one game playoff in the 2007 season, no one has been worse than the Padres. The Friars showed how a bulimic offense and mediocre pitching is not a combination for success, and sitting only 20 rows behind the dugout, it provided me with the opportunity to see this first hand.


That Friday night, the Pads pushed 3 across on only 3 hits and failed to get a hit after the 5th inning. They Rockies meanwhile hit well and played even better defense. Ian Stewart made ESPN’s Top 10 with a diving stop at the hot corner, Tulowitzki played solid up the middle, and Helton made some great stretches at 1st. Another thrill included seeing Ubaldo Jimenez, the Colorado starter, hit the triple digits on the radar gun. All in all, the Rockies dominated, although only winning 5-3, and the most explosion in San Diego that night was the post-game fireworks.


Petco Park is a great ballpark. It combines luxury with a down-to-earth feel. Modeled as a completely open terrace, it is very welcoming and provides great views of the entire field. Also, they feature a ballpark steal, by offering a 5 for $5 deal that includes a hot dog, popcorn, peanuts, a cookie, and a soda. Definitely a park worth going too.



Overall it was a trip to remember, and definitely helped make this 2009 season one to remember.