One of the more detailed pieces of the state of Dodger ball, and who the off-the-field players are and may be was done by Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Roben Farzad this Thursday. The story outlines the groups and their alliances as they line up to battle over each other to see who will be the next king of Chavez Ravine.

What makes the story even more interesting is the insight of Farzad himself, (an Iranian born baseball fan who came to understand the game through following the Dodgers as a child) and how the Dodgers story is similar to many of the largest high profile business deals the world has seen in recent years.  It has international intrigue (the story talks of mysterious Saudi investors, and money from South Korea), media moguls (Fox and Disney), high profile celebrities (Larry King, Magic Johnso), and the always important silent partners with deep pockets.

Roben Farzad

“It really reminds me of the 1980’s and the battle over RJR Nabisco,” Farzad, a longtime business writer and analyst who had never done a sport story before, said this week. “You have all this feeding frenzy and multi-level alliances being built up, with one group adding more high level people to try and top the other, and at this point you don’t know whether you are bidding against other groups or bidding against yourself. It has created a huge buzz in the Los  Angeles business community and in the entrainment businesses to see who can get the Dodgers.”

The Dodgers sale process, all being looked at by current owner Frank McCourt and his designees, will also continue to alter the course of the sale of franchises and all the pieces that go with them, as Farzad pointed out as well.  “The interesting thing is now much media companies, from Disney and Newscorp to Comcast and Time Warner, are looking at the prices and what is going on for the Dodgers franchise,” he added. “You have $1.5 billion being bandied about and it really raises the question of how much the better-run franchises like the Red Sox or even the Yankees, could bring should they ever go up for sale again. Who knows what that ceiling will be?”

Texeira was honored along with Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Mets ace R.A. Dickey, Mets infielder Daniel Murphy, Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin and collegiate and NBA star Dikembe Mutombo at the 32nd annual dinner benefiting AHRC, a not-for-profit organization that supports programs enabling children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead richer, more productive lives, including programs of AHRC New York City.

Question: At what point does the off-season turn off and you start to get ready for the year?
Mark Teixeira: I do get antsy once February hits, so this is the last day I can relax.

Q: We understand that you work out at Bobby Valentine’s facility in Connecticut.  Has he changed the locks or anything?
MT: He didn’t change the locks, but it’s funny I had been hiting there for two years, I had bought a machine for the facility, so when I am around there I can use the pitching machine.  It’s been throwing great, and everything was fine, I was getting all my work in.  As soon as he gets the Red Sox job, I go in the next morning, the first ball out of the machine — right at my head.  I don’t know if it was a bad ball, I don’t know if the gears jammed, whatever happened we had to get a technician in there to fix it.

Q: Other than that, how has the offseason gone?
MT: It’s been great, you know, just recharging the batteries, and looking forward to a great season.  We basically have the same team back, got a couple of key additions on the pitching staff, which is going to be great, and so we’re excited.

Q: Were you surprised about the trade of Jesus Montero?
MT: Never surprised in baseball, this business, I’ve been traded twice, a lot of great players have been traded, and Montero might be really, really good.  He’s got a chance to be special.  But so does [Michael] Pineda, and I think that’s what we’re banking on. We’re banking on Pineda being a top tier starter and someone that can really be a force for a long time.

BBD: You only faced him in, I believe, three at bats, and you have a home run and, I think, a strikeout. From that small sample size, what do u remember
MT: Explosive fastball.  Really good slider.  He’s so big — any pitcher that is that big, that can throw that hard, his margin of error is going to be a lot bigger than everyone else’s.  He can not have his best stuff, but when you’re 6-7 and thrown 97, you’re going to get outs.

BBD: Curtis Granderson has said that Pineda didn’t seem intimidated by the Yankees lineup.  Do you see that in him?
MT: Yes, it’s mound presence and you see it with the best pitchers in baseball.  They have that presence on the mound. And as a young guy, to be able to go out there and have no fear and go after everybody — I think I hit a 3-1 fastball or 3-2 fastball.  I get a lot of sliders or changeups on 3-2.  He went right after me. I got lucky on that pitch, but it just shows his confidence that he’s going to go after people.

BBD: You tweeted that you lost 14 pounds in the offseason.  Why did you feel like you needed to?
MT: I didn’t feel like I needed to, but I’m always trying to get better.  I know that the older I get, the more important nutrition is, and any chance I get to make myself lighter, faster, more energy, its going to be better for my game.  It just kind of happened.  I started changing my diet a little bit, started drinking a lot of raw juice and it really helped.

BBD: C.C. Sabathia talked about eliminating Cap’n Crunch last year; did you do anything like that?
MT: I can’t say I eat a lot of Cap’n Crunch.  I’ve really eaten pretty well the last few years, but this year I think really fine-tuning. I’m always trying to find that little edge to help myself physically, mentally, energy-wise, and I think those little things can help me over a long season and hopefully a long career.

BBD: There has been talk of the Yankees picking up another bat in a trade with some of their surplus pitching.  What do you think of the Yankees lineup as it stands now?
MT: We basically have the lineup we had last year.  Rotating a DH wouldn’t be bad, but if you can pick up a guy who can come in and give some pop off the bench or be a DH every now and then, we’re  not going to say no to that because we can use all the help we can get.

BBD: One of the areas you said you would like to improve is getting on base. Do you and hitting coach Kevin Long have a plan in place for that?
MT: I do. One thing I really noticed is that my average with no men on base was really, really good, and with men on base it wasn’t.  When no one is on base, and they’re playing a big shift, I might lay down some bunts this year.  I’ve been so against it my entire career, but I may lay down a few bunts.  If I can beat the shift that way, that’s important.  And also, not trying to hook the ball so much left handed. So when you have a 1-2 pitch, instead of trying to drive the ball in the gap and drive in the runs, you know take that single to left.  It’s [harder] than it sounds, but one hit a week really adds up.

Thurman Munson plaque at Monument Park at old Yankee Stadium. Photo credit: The Guy With The Glasses

BBD: What does Thurman Munson and the Munson Award mean to you?
MT: A Yankee legend.  Someone who did the right things on and off the field, someone whose legacy has continued to grow, because of the great things he’s done in the community, with the foundation, his family and his wife Diana have done so many great things in the community, so the Munson name is very special to the Yankees.

BBD: How did you get started working with Harlem RBI?
MT: Harlem RBI is an organization I started working with two years ago.  I knew the great work they were doing with kids in Harlem, with education.  Education has always been very important to me, and so to be able to work with those kids, you know it serves over 1000 kids, was just a natural fit for me.

He went on record with Baseball Digest to discuss the upcoming season and reflect on his development in 2011.

1. What was the biggest adjustment from High-A To Double-A?

This biggest adjustment for one was being away from my family. I was spoiled playing in San Jose with my family catching 20 of my 27 starts.  But on the baseball end of things it was the patience of the hitters and establishing the inner half of the plate. Each pitch has a purpose in setting up hitters later in counts and the 2nd and 3rd times through the lineup. Taking something off your fastball, pitching inside, purpose pitches, and not being scared to trust your stuff and know its good enough to get that guy out.

2. You spent a full season with Richmond. What did you feel you’d improved the most at the end of it?

I really struggled with my command early in the season. I was walking a lot of guys and I wasn’t burying hitters like I wanted to. I was able to make a few adjustments in my mechanics stretch and windup which allowed me to throw a lot more quality strikes with my fastball. I also made an adjustment to my slider grip which allowed more of a biting action. Being able to throw my 4 pitches for strikes late in the season was my biggest improvement.

3. You pitched a ton of innings in 2010 & 2011. Were there any changes in your throwing program over those two years?

Switching from reliever to starter was supposed to be a huge adjustment. At first it was. But, because the Giants let me know as soon as the 2009 season was over that I would be making the switch it gave me the opportunity to get into the groove of what its like to prepare as a starter in the off-season. First, it was my training schedule. The Giants sent me to Fischer Sports Physical Therapy and Conditioning in Phoenix, AZ where I get top notch training and conditioning opportunities as well as treatment opportunities to keep my arm fresh. As far as throwing I started my bullpens slightly earlier and added long toss twice a week out to 200 feet.

4. Break down your pitches. What is your out pitch, what pitch improved the most in 2011, and how was your command last season?

I throw a 4 seam fastball, 2 seam (sinker) fastball, Slider, Spike Curveball, and a circle changeup. To right handed hitters if I am in need of a strikeout I tend to go towards my slider and to a lefty I more often throw the Spike CB. But, it all depends on situations and hitters with what pitch I will go with. A lot of it also has to do with how certain pitches feel that particular start. Like I said in question 2 my command improved a lot throughout the season. Small tweaks and feel for mechanics made the difference.

5. You’ve been given an invitation as a non-roster invitee to spring training camp. What are your goals going into camp?

My goals going into camp are to be in the best shape possible, work as hard as I can once I get there, listen and learn from veterans to get a feel for what it takes to be in the big leagues, and leave a lasting impression amongst the staff with my work ethic and performance.

6. Have the Giants told you what they expect of you? Is there something you told you at the end of the season that stuck with you?

There hasn’t been anything in specific but continue to stay in shape and be ready for every chance that they give me. They have been awesome at giving me the opportunity to showcase the type of pitcher I have become and a lot of credit goes to the people they surround us with year in and year out. As of now its be the best starter you can be and perform when called upon. Hopefully in Fresno this year if not wherever they do send me.

7. Finally, would you be disappointed if you had to start the season with Richmond and not with Fresno?

I won’t lie it would be a slight disappointment but it would not get me down. I can still prove I am a worthy pitcher in the Eastern League.  I still have a job and I am still playing the game I love. I am going to work hard regardless because I have one goal in mind just like each and every player that puts a uniform on and that’s to perform at the highest level possible.

You can follow Justin @jfitzgerald31

Topps Sell Sheet

The standard sized cards all have a metallic chrome effect on the card fronts. They are border-less save a graphic on the card bottom. The graphic contains the player’s name and position, set name and logo, and team name. The graphic is also trimmed in the team’s primary color. The card backs are photo-less and are all vertical in format. The black and white backs list moderate biographical information , moderate career highlights and last season and career statistics.

What I Pulled:
5 cards
2 base
2 relic cards
1 autographed card

Base card front and back:
Mike Pouncey, Rahim Moore

Relic cards:
Deangelo Williams, Stevan Ridley RC

Autograph card:
Adrian Clayborn RC

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2011 Bowman Sterling is a super high-end product. The shot-selection is good and designs are great. The designs are very modern looking but not too busy. Four out of the five cards being rookies is a nice draw for prospectors. You can expect the usual “chrome curl.” The auto is a sticker auto but it does not detract form the card design. This particular lottery turned out to be a bust if you were looking to flip cards and make money on your investment. It is always fun to open high-end product though!

The Bottom Line:
I give 2011 Bowman Sterling a buy rating. As with all high-end products, you do not buy a box to pull a complete base set. You buy a box for the hits! This lottery ticket product can produce huge hits or misses and make it a challenge to flip your cards. Buy a box and trade your Tebow cards to me!

The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: NA
Big-hit Hunter: 3/5
Prospector Hunter: 5/5
Overall Design: 5/5
Fun: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Re-buy: 4/5
Overall Quality: 4/5

Overall: 31/35 (89% = B)

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!

Until next time, keep collecting, collect for the joy of the hobby and collect for the fan in all of us.

The official baseball card resource for Baseball Digest.com - Beckett Media

Off the field, Major League Baseball continues to push their product in innovative ways. Their At Bat application allows fans to access any regular season game while also having the ability to watch highlights. MLB TV gives fans the chance to watch most games–subject to local blackout–each day. MLB Network gives every kind of Baseball fan programming. It’s introduction of Brian Kenny’s Clubhouse Confidential show has ushered sabermetrics into prime time for the first time. Their studio shows and insiders give information on the daily transactions as well as offer some harsh criticisms when necessary. The sport is accessible to the fans.

But, Baseball is still failing to truly connect in the modern era. Today’s fan, or more importantly prospective fan, lives online. Highlights are not longer consumed on television. A young fan will go to YouTube and watch highlight packages and movies, both homemade and professional. The National Basketball Association has embraced this with their own YouTube channel. Seemingly each hour, the NBA will have a new highlight package from its games. Fans can go to the channel and watch Blake Griffin dunk over Kendrick Perkins. There is no waiting for a highlight show or need to go to NBA.com and watching a reel. The NBA gets it right.

They also get it right by allowing fans to share the videos and embed them on their blogs or other social media platforms. The NBA realizes that this type of sharing is essential in today’s world of social media. The more a highlight is shared, the more eyes that see it. There is a great chance to gain more fans. With teenagers faced with more and more choices, the idea that they’ll go to a television to watch highlights is unrealistic. YouTube is their medium. According to their YouTube channel, the NBA has received over 699 million views.

Searching for Major League Baseball on YouTube leads to video game highlights and other fan uploaded videos. There are no highlight packages, other than segments recorded right off of the television. Major League Baseball does not have a YouTube channel. They do not have their highlights there. While their own website does have highlights, fans cannot share the clips. Fans cannot embed them on their blogs. There is no global sharing.

It actually gets worse. Major League Baseball has a YouTube policy. They have employees whose job description is to find their copyrighted material and force the user to delete it. MLB is essentially preventing potential consumers the access to actually consume their product. They do have Facebook and Twitter accounts, but those accounts function more to deliver news and direct fans to MLB.com. When a fan goes to MLB’s Facebook page, he is faced with an advertisement to head to MLB.com for highlights. Does that speak to this generation of fans? Policies like this and a lack of innovative social media usage is likely the primary reason why Baseball is lagging behind both the NFL and NBA in the 18-49 demographic. It is why there is concern about the growth of its fan base.

Some individual teams have used social media quite well. Many teams, such as the Indians, have tweet-up events. Many teams are interactive on Twitter, holding question and answer sessions with fans. MLB Network utilizes both Facebook and Twitter within its programming. Baseball celebrated Social Media Day last season. MLB does seem aware of the importance of social media. Those uses of social media are innovative, but not enough. They may connect with existing fans, but they are failing to connect them like the NBA is. Fans, especially young fans, connect because of the highlight reel. They connect because of the product on the field. Right now, Major League Baseball isn’t marketing that product to potential fans or even their current fans. Instead, it is holding on to its archaic usage policy. That policy was applicable in the 1970′s and 1980′s when television was really the only thing that existed. But, with so many options, Major League Baseball must get be more progressive if it wishes to continue to grow. At some point, losing out on young fans will hurt the bottom line. It may not be felt today or in the immediate future, but it will eventually hurt.

Baseball also misses with its much maligned blackout policy. Basically, Baseball will blackout games on its MLB TV package within a home team’s market, and in some cases, the surrounding area of the market. While the other major sports do have similar policies, it is another sign that Major League Baseball simply doesn’t get it yet. It is important to protect the home market’s television broadcast. It’s understandable. But, the lack of vision is taking away from the one product that the modern fan can truly embrace. The ability to watch a game on a computer, IPad, or phone is what modern fans want. Blacking out games doesn’t allow that. As consumers are moving towards internet based television or at least consuming products more online, Baseball continues to lag. Like the highlights, black out policies made sense when there was only television. Time has moved on; technology has advanced. Baseball has not.

Major League Baseball, as an entity, must begin to show a basic understanding of the internet and how they can reach potential consumers. They can still control their product like the NBA does, but allowing fans more access and the ability to share it will grow its popularity. Selig has been quite innovated with his product on the field. The game is better. It is more exciting. There is so much to talk about. It is a shame that many are missing it because of a lack of modern access. Until Major League Baseball actually learn the purpose of the internet, they will be behind the NBA and NFL in terms of popularity. If Baseball wants to grow, it must learn how to use the internet.

The unveiling of the MLB.com Top 100 prospects has become an annual ceremonial event. At least for those wrapped up in that sort of thing. For baseball people, fans, players and scribes alike, there is much excitement and conversation leading up to the day.

We probably can’t appreciate the amount of work that goes into such an effort by Jonathan Mayo and yet there’s always intense criticism. He’s gone on record with ‘High Heels On Field’ (a blog by yours truly), as well as written about the process to help readers better understand what it entails, but there’s still bound to be a backlash.

This year’s list wasn’t full of surprises, particularly in the top ten. Bryce Harper came in the second spot, with LHP Matt Moore ranking first overall. Moore was a revelation for many in 2011 when he made his major league debut with the Tampa Rays. His development has seen an improvement in a number of key areas and he projects as a front of the rotation starter. For a system full of exciting talent, Moore is the shining star of the highly anticipated crop coming up now.

Two Royals outfielders, Wil Myers and Bubba Starling, ranked 17th and 19th, respectively. Myers had a particularly challenging 2011 season, but with a recent spring training invite from the big club he’s got an early chance to make an impression in 2012. Royals have a ton of depth in the outfield and Myers is an integral part of the picture.
Also released this week was Project Prospect’s Top 100, an independent site infamous for their sharp and informative prospect reports. The site, founded by Adam Foster, has become  popular among prospect diehards. The list usually goes a bit against convention and often varies from other top prospect lists. For PP, Moore ranks third, and Angels Mike Trout, #1 on MLB.com in 2011, takes the top slot.

For an alternative view on prospects, Project Prospect continues to rise above the various prospect lists that seem to multiply every year.

Don’t worry…the answer is no. Not ever.

Brewers Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindi Might See Big League Time

While Ryan Braun’s 50 game suspension would create a number of questions for the Milwaukee Brewers, there could be an opportunity for outfield prospects Logan Schafer and/or Caleb Gindi.

Schafer’s health is a bit of a question (wrist injury), but the reports have been positive. He or Gindi could very well be getting some work off the bench, though the Brewers have a number of options. Despite what might be a limited amount of time to show their stuff, it’s an experience worth having. They also earned it in the minors in 2011. And, for Shafer, even earned it in a couple of plate appearances during the Brewers playoff run.

Schafer hit well splitting time between two levels,  .Double-A where he hit .302 and  Triple-A hitting .331.

Gindi hit .307 at Triple-A for the season, playing in 126 games.

But, breaking through that traditional belief can be difficult. After all, who really wants to see things like VORP, BABIP or WAR on a screen while watching a game? It just doesn’t quite feel right. Because statistics like ERA and won-loss record are continually used, they become a ingrained and form a perception about a player. That’s why a pitcher with a 10-11 record along with a 4.72 ERA is thought of as nothing more than, at best, a league average pitcher.

The Toronto Blue Jays, however, decided to give their 27 year old starting pitcher Brandon Morrow a two year contract worth $20 million. Morrow is guaranteed $4 million for 2012 and $8 million in 2013 and 2014. The Blue Jays hold a club option for $10 million in 2015. Morrow, the starter turned reliever turned back to starter again, is that pitcher with the 10-11 record and 4.72 ERA. The Blue Jays would never be confused with the Yankees or other big market teams. While the organization has systematically locked up their talent such as Jose Bautista and Rickey Romero, the idea of throwing $20 million to a pitcher who has some injury history and hasn’t produced anything more than league average results seems a bit of a stretch.

Except, that it really isn’t.

The Toronto Blue Jays may just be getting themselves quite a bargain. Brandon Morrow will enter his age 27 season and just his third season as a full-time starting pitcher. Once the Seattle Mariners’ top prospect, Morrow was used out of the bullpen during his first two seasons, even closing games during the 2008 season. The Mariners were a bit scared of his injury trouble during the 2009 season. The organization evidently refused to admit that shifting pitching roles multiple times with a such a young pitcher is dangerous business. They shipped him to Toronto in exchange for reliever Brandon League. League did prove valuable as a reliever, but the Blue Jays have reaped the benefits of making Morrow a full-time starter and continuing to give him the ball.

Morrow compiled a record of 10-7 during the 2009 season in 26 starts. He was shut down in late September to preserve his innings count. In 146.1 innings, he allowed just 8.5 H/9, 4.1 BB/9, and 10.6 K/9. Had Morrow pitched enough innings to be considered a league leader, his 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings would’ve led all of Major League Baseball. He was the only pitcher to average over 10 strikeouts per nine. His walk total was obviously too high, but he made up for it by eliciting swings and misses closes to 15 percent of the time on pitches within the strike zone. In other words, he might put himself into stressful situations, but he is more than capable of getting out of them. While he is not a ground ball pitcher, he did compile a 0.97 ground ball to fly ball ratio.

The strikeouts were impressive, as was the August 8th 1 hit shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays during which he struck out 17 batters. But, that 4.49 ERA screamed mediocrity. That’s where the advanced metrics come in to give a more complete picture. His 2010 BABIP was .342. That’s indication of some bad luck. With the league average hovering around .315, it means that when batters did make contact in 2010, a few more balls found holes in the defense. Then, one can look at his 3.16 FIP, a measure of how well a pitcher succeeds when defense is taken out of the equation. The difference between his ERA and FIP are great, meaning that his defense really hurt him. The 2010 Blue Jays defense certainly wasn’t good. They ranked 9th in the American League in terms of UZR at minus-2.5. That coincides with Morrow’s high BABIP.

2011 was quite similar for Morrow. While building his innings count, Morrow compiled that 10-11 record with the 4.72 ERA. In 179.1 innings, he allowed 8.1 H/9,  1.1 HR/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 10.2 K/9. Obviously, there are quite a few positives. First, he built his innings appropriately. The Blue Jays have been careful with him after having many of their young pitchers go down with injuries in the past decade. He cut his walk total while not sacrificing his strikeouts. His 10.2 strikeouts per nine led all American League starters and trailed only Zack Greinke for the Major League lead.

But, that ERA got worse. His BABIP even fell back down to a more normal .299 so even luck couldn’t be a cause. One cause is that his homerun rate did jump from 0.68 in 2010 to 1.05 in 2011. That will cause an ERA spike. But, his FIP was a more than solid 3.64 for season. That is still a huge disparity. But, then, you look at the defense and it starts to make sense again. The Blue Jays ranked 10th in the American League with a minus-10.4 UZR, meaning their ground covered was less than the season before. And, unlike 2010 when the defense didn’t make many errors, the 2011 club had the fourth highest total in the league with 110 errors. While those errors don’t add to the ERA, they do indicate a terrible defensive team that didn’t get to many balls and didn’t handle them well either.

ERA aside, Brandon Morrow has put together two very credible seasons befitting of a number two or three pitcher. His team has hurt him in terms of the traditional statistics. But, given his improved walk rate, his elite level strikeout rate, and that the Blue Jays are handling him properly, there is every reason to believe that Morrow can be one of the top pitchers in the sport. Even more exciting is that Morrow has compiled those numbers in the American League East, the most offensive division in the sport. The Red Sox knocked him around in four starts, but Morrow dominated the Yankees (2-1, 1.74 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20 innings) and the Rays (2-2 3.38 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 24 innings). In two starts against the American League Champion Rangers, Morrow struck out 17 batters in 13 innings along with a 2.77 ERA.

There are still obstacles in front of Morrow as he heads into the 2012 season. His flyball rate cannot increase, especially when he pitches in the East. He will have to continue to decrease his walk total to avoid those possible bad luck scenarios. And, he will have to hope that the Blue Jays are a better defensive club in 2012. With essentially the same club returning, that may prove difficult. But, the stuff is there and it has been succeeding for the past two seasons. With some improved luck, improved command, and an improved defense, Morrow may just turn out to be the most surprising pitcher of 2012.

He has been a secret over the past two seasons for a couple of reasons. First, he is playing in Toronto which has really experiences Jose Bautista mania. Secondly, his traditional statistics aren’t all that special. But, hiding under the Bautista frenzy and the elevated ERA is a pitcher who has the stuff to dominate. Entering his third year as a full-time starter, it may just be time for Brandon Morrow to show just how dominant he can be.

Topps Sell Sheet

The standard sized cards are thicker than regular cards. The card fronts have a full color action shot of the player. The cards are border-less and have a matte finish. The card fronts have the set name and logo in foil in the upper left corner and a graphic at the bottom with the player name, position and team logo. The card backs are photo-less and vertical design. The backs have a black field and graphic text box. The text box contains basic biographical information, moderate career highlights, last season’s and career statistics.

What I Pulled:
10 base set cards all serial numbered (one dupe)
2 relic cards
2 autograph relic cards

Base card front and back:
#/999 – Austin, Lewis, Peterson, Ryan, Maclin
#/300 – Johnson, Mendenhall
#/250 – Cassel, Bradshaw

The Hits:
Kyle Rudolph Auto/Triple relic #/99
Dustin Keller Relic #/27
Tony Dorsett auto relic #/90
Ryan Mallett triple relic #/18

***********************************************************************************************************************

2011 Topps Triple Threads is a big hit hunters dream and a base set collector’s nightmare. I am not even going to rate a box on base set collect-ability. The photography is great. While I do like the base set design and generally like simple cards, I would have like the card backs to have been a little more flashy and high-end looking. The autos are sticker autos but do not detract from the card design. I was disappointed that I got a duplicate card between the two mini-boxes. If they were serial numbered out of different print runs and one was a parallel I would be more OK with it. I pulled two base cards, both numbered out of /999 though. One huge plus for me is that EVERY card is serial numbered. While they are not HUGE hits, they look very cool with the different window cut-outs and the low serial numbering help to add a little more excitement.

The Bottom Line:
I give 2011 Topps Triple Threads a buy rating. To be honest, TTT has successfully established itself as the product to buy for awesome pulls. Some lotto tickets win and some do not. Buy a box and trade your Tebow cards to me!

The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: NA
Big-hit Hunter: 3/5
Prospector Hunter: 3/5
Overall Design: 5/5
Fun: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Re-buy: 4/5
Overall Quality: 4/5

Overall: 31/35 (80% = B)

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!

Until next time, keep collecting, collect for the joy of the hobby and collect for the fan in all of us.

The official baseball card resource for Baseball Digest.com - Beckett Media

So how do you gauge, if you are a sport, how successful or marketable you are in the global landscape, especially against other entities like the Olympics, Mixed Martial Arts, Extreme Sports and NASCAR?

One of those engagement factors in how popular the game is was released this week in the form of the Bloomberg BusinessWeek Horrow Sports Ventures Power 100, a listing of the most 100 influential athletes based on both their on-field performance and their marketability and impact in the social media world. Bloomberg BusinessWeek worked with CSE Analytics to evaluate more than 3,000 athletes, with 50 percent based on “off-field” measurements and 50 percent on “on-field” performance. CSE’s proprietary analytics utilizes a range of industry statistics, including data from Nielsen’s E-Poll as well.

The results were very interesting for baseball, which placed 16 players on the list (third behind the NFL and the NBA) but did not have a player higher than Albert Pujols, who came in at No. 25. The former star of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals was followed by NL MVP Ryan Braun (31) and runnerup Matt Kemp (33), with Miguel Cabrera grabbing number 37 on the list. What the Power 100 showed is the viability of the team athlete with a strong personality who can mix onfield success with business success (assuming of course Braun can overcome his issues off the field in the coming months) into a brand that transcends the game. Adrian Gonzalez (44), Justin Verlander (54) and Curtis Granderson (55) all cracked the list for the first time, showing their business potential in combination with their All-Star results, while Derek Jeter of the Yankees, now in the twilight of his legendary career, slid to 81. The mix of where MLB players landed on the list, many of whom were first-timers, showed the great potential on the horizon for MLB and its newer stars. The troubling issue is the lack of a top 20 athlete in 2011, while tennis (three) and golf (three) had solid showings amongst the top 20.

MIguel Cabrera

Baseball after all is a numbers game, so 16 is a great showing for the Power 100. In a year where older stars were transitioning toward the end and new faces emerging the result is strong and sends the message that the game still holds great value on and off the field. What will be telling in 2012 is for the break through guys to continue to move up the list, landing those from The Summer Game in the rarified air of the top 10 along with their NFL colleagues like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, all of whom finished one through three on this years list. Overall a powerful showing by baseball for The Power 100, more examples that the game is mature, strong and holding its own, the Power 100 rankings also emphasized the importance of team sports, with the NFL’s 26 players ranked in the top 100. The National Basketball Association came in second with the most athletes on the Power 100, with 20 (led by LeBron James at four), followed by MLB baseball (16), tennis (10), golf (8), motorsports (6), Olympics (4), soccer (4), hockey (3), boxing (2), and action sports (1).

What does the list mean? It’s a good litmus test for marketers to see how powerful athletes can be, and it also shows that winning on the field, in the board room, and with fans in the social space are all needed these days to make those who play the game as successful as they can be in a global economy.

The Buehrles, animal lovers and supporters of Best Friends Animal Society, started the petition on Change.org after learning that they would be unable to move to the Miami Marlins’ hometown due to breed-specific animal restrictions in the county. Instead, the Buehrle family, along with their pet pit bull Slater, moved to neighboring Broward County.

“Every day that I look at my sweet-natured, certified Canine Good Citizen pit bull, I can’t imagine having to give him up, or even worse, having Slater taken from me based solely on the way he looks,” said Jamie Buehrle, who launched the campaign on Change.org. “Let’s start making owners responsible for their pets regardless of their breed and celebrating all breeds including pit bulls. I am so happy with the response to my petition on Change.org and the thousands of people helping to change the breed discrimination law in Miami-Dade.”

Mark and Jamie Buehrle

News of the online petition campaign’s success is drawing national attention to HB 997 and SB 1322, which would repeal the only county-wide breed specific legislation in Florida. The Buehrles are encouraging baseball fans and dog lovers sign their petition campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest growing platform for social change.

“Within the first week, thousands of people have already joined the Buehrles’ campaign,” said Change.org Director of Organizing Stephanie Feldstein. “The Buehrle family was affected by Miami-Dade County’s pit bull ban, and even though they were able to keep Slater safe, they decided to start a petition to help other families and their pets stay together. That’s what Change.org is all about – empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them.”

But Cody Decker brushes that off. He does so with a mix of cool confidence, extreme focus, and a whole lot of humor.

“Pitchers aren’t necessarily better, just more polished.  They know what they are trying to do and they are very good at executing it.  But honestly baseball is baseball, no matter where you play it.  But as my teammate Crash told me:  I’m just happy to be here, hope I can help the ballclub.”

You’re getting to know him quickly. And there’s no overstating his energy and attitude can make a difference in a sport that requires daily maximum drive.

Decker, 25, suffered a sprained ankle in May, his first career injury, which caused him to miss three months.

“The injury was unfortunately pretty rough, and I don’t think I fully recovered for the remainder of the season. I was however extremely happy to get back on the field and somewhat salvage the season I missed the majority of,” he said.  “My team had a great playoff run, winning the Texas League, and I’m happy that I was able to play a major role.”

He played in 49 games for the Double-A San Antonio Missions knocking in 38 runs, with 14 home runs. In 2010 he played for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm, where he put up career numbers. He finished the season with 90 RBI, 28 home runs, and worked 60 walks.

The Padres system has vastly improved this off-season through a number of significant trades. It is easy to get left behind when new talent is developing every year, all the time. Decker has the benefit of versatility. He embraces the challenge of a possible position change, something the Padres should be pleased to hear.

“I happy to play any position anyone asks.  In college I was listed as a C/1B/LF/DH/OF.  And I still find it cruel that 3B didn’t make it onto my 11 cent college baseball card.  I played 3B in winter ball, for all 3 hours I played there, and have no problem moving around.  As for DH-ing, I have no problem with that either.”

Defensively the first baseman is confident, though he is well aware of the criticism in that area.

“I have never received very much credit for my defensive ability.  And I highly doubt anyone will be tooting that horn anytime soon.  I completely disagree with those nay-sayers, but there is always room for improvement,” he said, then adds, “At the plate, a few less strike outs would be nice.”

He credits hitting coach’s Bob Skube and Tom Tornincasa (named the Padres Minor League Coach of the Year for 2011) for helping him the most in his development.

“A couple of great, not just hitting coach’s, but all around baseball coach’s.”

Like many minor league players trying to make it to the majors, Decker is part of the Twitter presence of prospects. His content is never boring, rarely small talk. He’s a straight shooter. And with trademark humor he explains his Twitter game. And his (apparent) reaction to his ranking on the Baseball Digest Twitter Twenty.

“I rarely take things too seriously, and my amazing Twitter account is no different.  I have fun with it.  Usually telling jokes and making fun of things.  Getting a chance to interact with fans is fun, somewhat get my name out there and let them know that I’m not Jaff Decker.  My blog is more or less the same.  Just an insight of what Minor League baseball is like.  Much like everything else, I have fun with it.  As for the top 20, it is a suspect list at best listing me at 12….. The writer of this list should be ashamed and I hope they miss several hours of sleep over this…..  I mean, come on, 12?!”

It’s up to you discern what part of that he’s serious about.

What he is serious about is the joy of baseball. And hitting, hitting, hitting.

“I’m like a 7 year old, hitting is my favorite thing to do, and as long as I’m doing that, you’ll never hear a complaint from me.”

Topps Sell Sheet

The standard sized base set cards feature a full color action picture of the named player. Bordered in white, the card fronts have the USA baseball logo centered along the bottom and the Topps logo, player name, team in silver foil. The card backs are photo-less. The backs have a gray background with a white text box. The backs list moderate biographical information, and extensive career highlights.

What I pulled:
The complete 61 card base set with no dupes. It is a box set.
6 autograph cards
2 autographed relic cards
3 relic cards

Base card front and back:

The Hits:
Triple relics #/240 Erich Wiess, Riley Unroe, Corey Knebel
Autographed triple relics #/214 Cole Irvin, Josh Elander
Autographs Dominic Ficociello, Nolan Fontana, Austin Meadows, Walker Weickel
Gold Ink Auto #/25 Brian Johnson
Green Ink Auto #1/1 Alex Bregman

***************************************************************************************************************************

2011 Topps USA Baseball is a great product for both prospectors and set collectors. The box set is nothing but prospects. Being above the stated odds was a nice surprise. The #/25 and 1/1 are super sweet! Unless you are really good at prospecting, you probably have not heard of many of these players before. The on-card autos look real sharp, but the sticker autos on the relic cards do not take away from the card. Being a box set you do know for the most part what you are going to get and lose out on the pack busting thrill. The only other drawback I see with 2011 Topps USA Baseball is the lack of variety in the shots.  Do to the few number of games played and limited availability of the players, many of the shots on the white background can look the same, especially the posed shots.

The Bottom Line:
I give 2011 Topps USA Baseball a buy rating. Box sets are nice in that you know you are going to get the base set of cards. The hits are just gravy!

Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: 5/5
Big-hit Hunter: 5/5
Prospector Hunter: 5/5
Overall Design: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Re-buy: 4/5
Overall Quality: 5/5

Overall: 36/40 (90% = A)

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!

Until next time, keep collecting, collect for the joy of the hobby and collect for the fan in all of us.

The official baseball card resource for Baseball Digest.com - Beckett Media

Topps Sell Sheet

The Standard sized cards have either a color or black and white picture of a person or event from the 1940′s to today. The cards are border-less and have a graphic along the bottom that contains the decade and the name of the person or event.  The graphic is designed to be reminiscent of an image or theme from the decade. The card backs are photo-less and vertical in layout. The backs contain biographical information when applicable and extensive information about the person or event.

What I Pulled:
182 cards
154 base set cards, 154/200, = 77% of the base set
1 base dulicate
18 inserts
5 foil parallels
1 puzzle card
3 memorabilia cards

Base card front and back:

The Inserts: (not all scanned)
Hirsute History: 2, 12, 16, 19
Fads & Fashions: 5, 6, 11, 14, 22, 28
Hollywood Walk of Fame: 7, 16, 24, 32, 33, 41, 45, 47
Foil Parallels: 58, 69, 88, 109, 188
Puzzle card

The Hits:
A.J. Hammer relic
Joe Gannascoli relic
Don McLean relic

****************************************************************************************************************************

2011 Topps American Pie hails itself as a celebration of American pop culture. From the end of World War II to the stars of today, Topps American Pie chronicles the people, events, fads, and fashions that have captured America’s imagination for over six decades. the cards all have catchy designs and themed form the different decades. The inserts are entertaining and clever. 2011 American Pie had near perfect collation with only one duplicate and right on with the stated hits. I think it is pretty cool that I pulled a Don McLean relic from a set called “American Pie!”

The Bottom Line:
A very fun rip for nostalgia and history buffs! It will be easy to complete the base set with one box and some light trading. Go buy a box and enjoy your slice of American Pie!

The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: 4/5
Big-hit Hunter: 3/5
Prospector Hunter: NA
Overall Design: 4/5
Fun: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Re-buy: 4/5
Overall Quality: 5/5

Overall: 29/35 (83% = B)

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!

Until next time, keep collecting, collect for the joy of the hobby and collect for the fan in all of us.

The official baseball card resource for Baseball Digest.com - Beckett Media

On the Blue Crabs offer, major league possibilities:

– For me, this is a win win situation. I can still be signed by a MLB team, or I can go play ball with a fantastic coaching staff and the best group of guys I’ve ever played ball with. The Atlantic League is known for its caliber of play, so there are bound to be scouts there.

On whether keeping a positive attitude gets difficult:

– Honestly, no. What you see is what you get. I pride myself in being authentic. Sure, I’ll have times where I’m down, but I have such an amazing wife, family, and friends that are there for me. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. You’ve got to enjoy the journey!

On what he enjoys about the team and the league:

– The style of play that our manager Patrick Osborn demands is nothing short of intense. We are there to win. Sure, it’s fun. The group of guys on that team make it that way. But, when it’s time to work, we work. The league is notorious for having big name players come through and for its high level of play. Last year, I faced some of the best competition of my career in the Atlantic League.

On the power of social media/the brand of being well-known:

– I feel like social media has helped show that professional baseball players are normal dudes with cool opportunities. Personally, what you see is what you get. Ask anyone who knows me, the Twitter/Facebook me = real me. Being a pro athlete, you’re already a brand. Marketing is key, especially throughout free agency. So yes, I believe social media has helped me!

If he focuses on the indy leagues being a bride to the majors:

– I play the game because I love it. My ultimate goal is the big leagues. However, I’m enjoying every second of having the opportunity to wear a uniform. I work as hard as I can every single day. I’m confident that if I don’t make it, I can say I explored every avenue and gave it everything I had.

On the challenges ahead:

– The #1 challenge for me is proving my health. Shoulder surgery has a way of black listing guys sometimes, and I want to show everyone that I’m stronger than ever. Going through that surgery and rehab process actually made me stronger mentally and physically. All I can ask for is an opportunity!

On doing more long toss this off-season:

– My arm has been feeling fantastic so far this off-season. I have pitching conversations with CJ Wilson fairly often, and we talk a lot about building arm strength before getting on the mound. I decided to put that into play this off-season, and so far it’s been great. I’ll still get plenty of bullpens in before the season, but taking that extra few weeks to really make sure my arm is strong will be key!

On who the comedian of the team is:

–I have played with some awesome guys over the years. The comedians of my most recent crew are definitely Richard Giannotti and Christian Lopez. Those guys cracks me up daily. I could really go down last year’s roster of Blue Crabs and tell you why each guy is deserving of a mention for this question. That’s the great part about our team. We’re all like brothers. I’ve never seen such camaraderie like we have in that Blue Crab clubhouse.

In 2011 Schlact went 6-4  with a 4.31 ERA for the Crabs. You can follow him on Twitter @michael_schlact and read his blog The Schlact Stories 

Combined, TLA intends to become the pre-eminent, fully integrated representation and marketing services agency with an on-field focus on professional baseball. As a combined group, TLA will unite industry-leading capabilities in baseball, broadcasting, coaching, golf and talent marketing as well as event management.

TLA Worldwide, which was co-founded by CEO Mike Principe and Non-Executive Chairman Bart Campbell, sees significant opportunities in a professionalized athlete representation sector, especially in a consolidated full-service offering that combines representation with leading sports marketing expertise.

TLA CEO Mike Principe commented, “TLA’s on-field focus on professional baseball stems from the industry’s strong underlying fundamentals and our belief that we can quickly become a recognized leader in the business of that sport. More broadly across our entire client roster, as a fully integrated company,

The Legacy Agency will offer clients additional commercial opportunities through an enhanced ability to identify, negotiate and monetize off-field endorsements, as well as broadcasting and coaching contracts. In addition, TLA’s combined network creates a stronger platform to recruit new clients and identify new opportunities across the portfolio. We plan to continue our growth both organically and through accretive acquisitions or other combinations, as well as the development of select properties for which we’ve identified a need in the marketplace.”

Legacy President Greg Genske said, “Given the complementary capabilities of our two firms and the incredible opportunities that a merged TLA can deliver to current and prospective clients, we are excited about joining forces. We all share a common vision of what the industry should be and how best to serve our clients. We look forward to what we can accomplish together in the years to come. In fact, in order to demonstrate our confidence in our future together and our commitment to TLA and its vision, all of the principals from both businesses have transferred significant equity into The Legacy Agency and entered into long-term employment agreements.”

The principals of The Agency said in a statement that, “This is an exciting development for talent and corporate clients alike and creates a strong platform for growth. By merging these two industry leaders and an experienced and proven management team, we will not only be able to better and more deeply serve our current clients, but we will also be able to offer a wider array of services to both clients and the market.”

TLA CEO Mike Principe

Legacy, which is headquartered in Newport Beach and was founded in 2004, represents a growing client roster of professional major league baseball players, including 13 MLB All Stars, rising stars and top prospects. Its team of agents have a combined expertise in contract law, negotiation, finance, statistics and marketing.

The Agency, which is based in New York City and was founded in 2000, is a leading full-service independent marketing and management company specializing in representation of high-profile personalities and brands, including but not limited to football, baseball, Olympics and golf for broadcasting, coaching, and endorsement partnerships.

As a combined, platform, TLA will represent over 225 clients, in baseball, broadcasting, coaching, golf and talent marketing, which includes the representation of Olympians and other personalities, from offices in New York, Newport Beach, Houston, San Francisco, Charleston and London.

After finishing the 1984 season second only to the Chicago Cubs in the NL East, the Mets front office felt that a veteran catcher who could hit as well as he performed behind the plate was in order. That’s where Carter stepped in. Frank Cashen, the general manager of the Mets at the time, was convinced that Carter would be the missing piece for a franchise anxious to return to the glory days of the late nineteen-sixties and early seventies. In Cashen’s mind, acquiring an All-Star catcher with a million-dollar smile would be the solution that would knock some of the rust off his team caused by a near-decade of irrelevance.

In Carter’s first game as a Met, on April 9, 1985, he hit a tenth inning walk-off home run on Opening Day against, none other than, Neil Allen. Maybe Cashen and the Mets were on to something, I thought. Frankly, as a young Mets fan, I probably didn’t even realize the ramifications of what Carter had just accomplished. At nine, the only thing I’d check the newspaper for was the box score not what had actually gone on during the game. Understanding the dramatics of baseball had not quite sunken in for me yet. Really, I passed out during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Don’t worry I was lucky enough to wake up in time to see the ball go through Bill Buckner’s legs.

Oh, those were the days when Carter’s bushy red-orange locks would be bouncing up-and-down as he rumbled into second base standing up, clapping his hands after smacking an RBI double. “Great days, indeed,” if you don’t mind me stealing a line from John Lennon. And I was just a bright-eyed little kid back then in Queens, NY, who was proud to call the Mets, his team to beat. I thought these guys would live forever. Carter as well as other players during that amazing World Series run of 1986 will always be immortalized in the minds of Mets fans. There’s no denying that. Carter was definitely an integral part if not the catalyst for the team’s success that year. However, believing that now pains me to read of the unfortunate turn that Carter’s health has taken of late. Being such a well-liked player in his day, then as a coach, it does not seem fair.

I’ve been reading Kimmy Carter’s blog, Gary’s daughter. The situation has gone from bad to worse. I’m hoping for the best for him. But however her father comes out of this, as Mets fans, we will always remember those fond memories of the mid-eighties. How her father’s enthusiasm and passion not only led his team into baseball’s record books but ignited a city in the process. There has been a lot of debate among Mets fans on whether the Mets organization should retire Carter’s uniform number eight. If they do decide to go for it, they’d better get cracking. I believe they should. It’s the least they could do to appease what has become a very disgusted fan base. I think it may bring Mets fans together in a positive light.

Here’s to you Gary, the Expos’ greatest Met. Wish you well and hope you get better soon.

AC – Mets Public Record

It is amazing how one life could drastically change with hard work, a passion, and dedication. Three years ago, Bob Salomon was just a regular family man with a wife, two kids, and a full-time job as an officer for the state of New Jersey. While Salomon enters his 24^th year on the job, these days you can also find him at the center of a unique movement with the commitment to making a difference. As the co-creator and driving force behind the children’s book, “A Glove of Their Own,” Bob has watched numerous organizations and foundations use his book as a platform to spread the message of giving and helping children.

“A Glove of Their Own” is a story about paying it forward and children who play baseball simply for the love of the game. You’ll find no coaches, no concession stands, and sometimes just an old bat and ball. This is the way baseball was meant to be. It has the power to touch both the old and young, with the underlining theme of both kindness and “paying it forward”.

Salomon now collaborates with some of the biggest names in sports, as he has gained the trust of the hundreds that support him. Since its publication in 2008, “A Glove of Their Own” has received recognition and attention on a national level, with numerous accolades and supporters that include both former and current players alike. The endless list features names such as Yogi Berra, Joe Torre, Tommy John, Phil Niekro, Bud Harrelson, Roy White, Bernie Williams, Eric Chavez, and Nelson Cruz, among many others. Even companies such as Louisville Slugger, Modell’s, Rawlings, and Upper Deck have joined the cause.

Bob’s latest addition to the list of superstars is former New York Yankees great and current Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. Like the many others behind his movement, Bob and Don share many of the same values, beliefs, and overall determination that have helped form the basis for their success. With their respected efforts, these men have only one mindset towards the future, and that is to help children.

Mattingly currently orchestrates “Mattingly Charities,” which is a nonprofit fundraising organization that launched in January of 2011. Its main purpose is to serve under privileged children by supporting programs that promote baseball and softball participation. The former Yankee is also an avid supporter and contributor to the Boys’ Club of New York. When ordering “A Glove of Their Own,” $3 will be donated to Mattingly Charities when using the code “DON23” at AGloveOfTheirOwn.com.

“It is an honor to have Don Mattingly on board,” Salomon said. “He is an icon and a role model for many in professional sports. He is also a class act, whose off the field work is second to none. I grew up rooting for Don as a kid, so I am truly grateful to have him support me today.”

“A Glove of Their Own,’ captures the spirit and true meaning of giving back and sharing with kids less fortunate,” said Mattingly. “It is another reminder of why the game of baseball is so special.”

After the success of the first book, Bob hopes to reach even greater heights as he produces a second children’s book, while this time, using the sport of football. The story will portray the true gift of athletes, which is the impact they have on children. It will unite all sports and also showcase the message of never giving up.

The story promises to take you on a roller coaster of emotions as the game of football helps a father and son overcome and obstacle that simply defines the will to keep fighting. Salomon’s own love for the sport is beneficial, and with many big names sharing his beliefs, the sky is the limit for what this new project can achieve.

“The goal of the football book is to make all athletes come together to help kids,” Salomon said. “We want to tour throughout hospitals around the country with various sports figures and send the message out about not giving up. My dream is that the NFL and United Way will use the book to help promote this message and place a positive impact on children and the game of football.”

With the baseball book, the vision is almost parallel. Bob continues to reach out to all 30 Major League Baseball teams and hopes that one day, each team will use his story as a platform for the various outreach programs in the sport. His latest efforts have led him to an advisory board position with the Dave Clark Foundation, which helps children with disabilities.

“Bob Salomon is one of those people who you can just tell is extremely motivated to promote a great cause,” said Rich Lampmann, director of promotions and public relations at Modell’s Sporting Goods. “Bob shares the same feeling as countless Americans when it comes to the game of baseball. The memories of pick-up games in the yard, lot, or at the field stick with us for a lifetime. Bob and his team have taken this a step further and are not only promoting the game in and of itself, but also using the game as a means of spreading sportsmanship and teamwork for the greater good.”

It is amazing to step back and see the relationships that Salomon has made since the inception of “A Glove of Their Own.” Today, one of his valued friendships is the one he holds with former MLB player and current ESPN analyst Doug Glanville, who has served as a sounding board for Bob’s endeavors.

“I connected with Bob Salomon through a mutual passion and cause,” Glanville said. “We both shared the desire to help youth through sport. After one phone call that could have lasted 24 hours, we knew right away that we spoke the same language. His drive and passion through the phone was tangible. I was drawn to his selfless will to step aside and let the purpose lead the way. There was no ego, there was no filter. It was real and it was about children.”

All in all, it is clear that Bob Salomon, Don Mattingly, and the rest of Bob’s supporters, are all truly blessed and want to do right by the children.

“I hope you will join him,” Glanville added. “Because it is a runaway train and it will one day bring the humanity back to all of the sports we hold dear by employing our greatest resource – people.”

To join the movement and to learn more, please visit AGloveOfTheirOwn.com.

To contact Bob Salomon, feel free to e-mail him directly at AGloveOfTheirOwn@aol.com.

The Winter Issue and Convention Guide is available for FREE download here:

http://gothambaseball.com/GB006_WINTER2011.pdf

Gotham Baseball covers the past, present and future of New York baseball, and in this latest issue, which features a pair of aces; New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia and New York Mets southpaw Johan Santana. Gary Armida profiles Sabathia’s return in “The Big Man is Back”, while Healey opines that for the Mets, “The Ace is The Whole”.

Also in the issue:

The Catcher Says Bye – Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is retiring. Armida takes a look at his great career.

The Magic is Back? – Joseph M. Lara tries to make some sense of the current Mets by looking at the past Mets.

Reading By The Hot Stove – Jerry Milani reviews some of his top choices for offseason reading.

The issue also includes a comprehensive guide to the three-day event, which will once again feature some of the world’s top baseball instructors in a range of settings, including new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, pitching guru Rick Peterson and softball star Jennie Finch.

Baseball Digest’s online editor Mark Healey, who is the founder of Gotham Baseball, will also be in attendance, manning BD affiliate Gotham Baseball’s booth with GB Co-Publisher Joseph M. Lara.

The Winter Issue and Convention Guide is available for FREE download here:

http://gothambaseball.com/GB006_WINTER2011.pdf

For more info visit the official site for the event or call 860.674.1500

New York Yankees at Boston, not suprisingly, accounts for two of those, on April 22 and July 8, from Fenway Park.  The Yankees have one other Sunday Night appearance, April 15 vs. the Angels.  The two-time defending American League Champion Texas Rangers host Chicago in the April 8 SNB opener.

The World Series Champion Cardinals also have three appearances (May 20 and July 15, in addition to Opening Night April 4).

ESPN’s first seven Sunday Night games will feature at least one playoff team and several of MLB’s biggest stars will be on display, including the Angels’ Pujols; the Yankees’ Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano; Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury; Texas’ Josh Hamilton; Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria; Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard and Chase Utley; St. Louis’ Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman; Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp; Atlanta’s Chipper Jones and Brian McCann; Chicago’s Paul Konerko; and Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman.

This season will also mark the debut of analyst Terry Francona, who joins play-by-play commentator Dan Shulman and analyst Orel Hershiser in the Sunday Night Baseball booth. Sunday Night games are also available via ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3 and ESPN Mobile TV.

ESPN Radio’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team will again be play-by-play commentator Jon Sciambi and analyst Chris Singleton.  ESPN Radio, entering its 15th season of MLB coverage, will also broadcast a game of the week each Saturday during the regular season, the State Farm Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and every Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series game.

The Sunday Night Baseball schedule as selected to date follows (all telecasts begin at 8 p.m. ET).  Game selections for the remainder of the season will be made three weeks (June and July 1, 22 and 29) or two weeks (August and September) in advance.

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball Schedule
Date     Teams (all telecasts at 8 p.m. ET)
April 8     Chicago White Sox at Texas
April 15     L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees
April 22     Yankees at Boston
April 29     Tampa Bay at Texas
May 6     Philadelphia at Washington
May 13     Angels at Texas
May 20     St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers
May 27     Washington at Atlanta
June 3-July 1     TBD
July 8     Yankees at Boston
July 15     St. Louis at Cincinnati
July 22-Sept 23     TBD