Links for Wednesday, as Stephen Strasburg continues to dominate in the minors…
- Royals manager Trey Hillman told MLB.com's Dick Kaegel that he's as frustrated as ever about his club's slow start.
- R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs is not completely convinced that Hank Blalock is the solution for the Rays, even as Pat Burrell's struggles continue. Blalock may exercise the opt-out clause in his contract in the coming week. ESPN.com's Buster Olney names the A's as a possible suitor for Blalock (Twitter link).
- An Associated Press article on ESPN.com notes that the deadline for signing players with remaining college eligibility has been pushed back a day to August 16th this year because August 15th falls on a weekend.
- RotoAuthority identifies Scott Olsen as a candidate to post a sub-4.00 ERA and respectable strikeout totals for your fantasy team going forward.
- MLB.com's Carrie Muskat says the Cubs aren't about to make a deal any time soon.
- If you have experience designing databases, MLBTR has a project for you. We’re interested in finding someone to design a searchable database for the site, so send an email to mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com if you are the right person for the job.
- Mark DeRosa told MLB.com's Chris Haft that last year's wrist surgery was "a total failure." With numbness in a couple fingers and ligaments "flapping all over the place again," DeRosa might need another procedure. From Day 1, two years and $12MM was an aggressive commitment by the Giants.
- In a similar vein, Nationals free agent signing Jason Marquis will likely miss another eight to ten weeks with surgery to remove spurs and bone chips from his elbow, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports asked Ken Griffey Jr. about retirement, and Junior said, "I'll figure it out when I get to that point." The Mariners, meanwhile, have made a villain of Larry LaRue, the reporter who quoted a couple of unnamed players about a recent Griffey in-game clubhouse nap.
The 2010 Mariners are acting as if they were an exclusive club, above criticism and not responsible to their fans. To refuse to speak to a columnist is a disservice to both fans and baseball.
When the media is writing stories that cause controversy in the clubhouse it is better for the team to turn him away. Larue won’t name his sources and Wak says that Griffey was in the dug out ready to go at the accused time. I think the team is using this as fuel to pull together and I like it!
yeah but what good is it if it is based on a lie, especially if the players know its a lie.
they obviously need a spark but getting one from Jr’s nap seems kind of ironic
You don’t understand. The spark is coming from the false accusation by Larue (who is now the villain).
that’s assuming it is actually a false accusation.
True. Or at least an inaccurate one.
No sir, YOU don’t understand. It is the job of the reporter to report the stories. Why would he make up such a statement? You don’t actually think that THIS is his well calculated idea of 15 minutes, do you? He is simply reporting what some player(s) told him. That’s what journalists are supposed to do: report the story. The blame falls on those unnamed players who spoke with Larue in confidentiality. Either they were telling the truth, or lying, but either way, you cannot put the fall on a reporter for reporting.
The job of a reporter is to sensationalize stories as much as possible, while protecting themselves from libel. They are trying to sell news papers, or ad space on a company website. That’s how they get paid. That being said, Griffey probably screwing around and lost an at bat as a result.
No it isn’t. Unless you work for Fox News or the NY Post. A REPORTer’s core job function is to REPORT the story. All that other stuff is extra, fluff, and mostly unnecessary.
By all means, believe everything you want to hear. I won’t stop you.
Anyone can skew facts. However… Adults are able to take the story reported, apply critical thinking, logic, reasoning and other such things, to form their own opinion. Hence I said it doesn’t make sense for for a reporter to fabricate such a story for personal gain, mainly because, there is very little personal gain or motivation, if any, from doing so. That isn’t something I read or heard…it’s something that I pieced together, and quite frankly, it seems pretty obvious.
Larue was simply reporting something that was said to him by some players. How did he become the villain in this when he was simply doing his job by reporting what the players said to him?
I said the job of a reporter is to sensationalize and NOT commit libel. Most of what you just said to counter my point didn’t even address what I actually said. What’s the point of bringing up adults. Are you a child or something?
A player easily could have made a remark like, “Griffey was sleeping on the job,” when he hadn’t physically lost consciousness. It is an expression, and it would not be a lie for a reporter to then say, “A player told me that Griffey was sleeping and missed an at bat.”
Another question, how do you intend to apply reason and logic to media stories when you acknowledge that anything you read might have been skewed? I really wonder how much you think before you post here. You seem to appeal to arrogance and assume that whoever you are addressing won’t understand the lack of substance behind your arguments. The “obvious” deductions you made with your “adult” logic are based in substantial assumptions. You assume that you are A: competent, and B: able to pinpoint components of stories that are likely stretched. Based on your banter thus far, it would be a stretch to say that you embody either quality “A” or “B” stated above.
Actually, I did address it. Here’s how:
You said “The job of a reporter is to sensationalize stories as much as possible”
I responded “No it isn’t. A REPORTer’s core job function is to REPORT the story. All that other stuff is extra, fluff, and mostly unnecessary.”
Conclusion, since you have a hard time following, is that you think a reporter’s core job is to sensationalize the story, while I say a reporter’s core job is to report the story. Next…
You said “What would possibly make you believe that only news sources you don’t agree with are the ones that skew the facts. Don’t be naive.” Then edited it to “By all means, believe everything you want to hear. I won’t stop you. ”
I replied “Anyone can skew facts. Adults are able to take the story reported, apply critical thinking, logic, reasoning and other such things, to form their own opinion.”
Conclusion is while you are telling me to not be naive and think that only the stories that I want to believe are not skewed, I am agreeing with you in saying, yes, I know anyone can skew facts, both authors I agree with and don’t. However, like most adults, I am able to take the substance from all stories reported, and regardless of how much they are “sensationalized,” I am able to form my own opinion by applying critical thinking and all that jazz.
Now, my friend, do you better understand? Or shall I simplify it for you some more?
As for your current post.
I addressed the first paragraph in that lengthy but necessary explanation in hopes you understand. Second paragraph, you backed up my original point, that the blame falls mostly on the player speaking, and not on the reporter reporting. Third paragraph, you’re just taking shots at me, which is fine, if it makes you feel better. Cheers.
“Now, my friend, do you better understand? Or shall I simplify it for you some more? “”Third paragraph, you’re just taking shots at me, which is fine, if it makes you feel better. Cheers.”Your comments are hypocritical and misguided. As I said before, and as I left it earlier, feel free to believe what you want to. I’m done exposing where you are blindly arrogant and have little concept of how media outlets make their money. Goodbye.
P.S. You never addressed my question at the beginning of my third paragraph. Don’t worry about it though, you wouldn’t want to bump your head as you fall off your intellectual high horse.
If you can’t find an answer to your question in my post, then you have some reading comprehension problems my friend. First things first…
Hypocritical and misguided? My whole point, which you keep missing, is that the reporters report stories, regardless of how sensationalized they are, and people make up their own minds, as individuals.
Other point, which you also keep missing, hmm I’m noticing a pattern here… I digress. Second point being I know how people in media make money. I work for a large marketing firm which has a lot of major media outlets (TV channels, newspapers, websites, etc…) as prominent clients. So I understand what you’re saying. HOWEVER, you keep missing that the CORE JOB FUNCTION is to report the story, without trying to sell it to make money. It’s called integrity. I honestly don’t know how to make it anymore clearer without repeating myself, which I already have been doing for the past 3 days. Sigh…
As for your third paragraph question, which I thought was answered through my posts, but you must have a hard time finding it. So to humor you, here.
Another question, how do you intend to apply reason and logic to media stories when you acknowledge that anything you read might have been skewed?
Simple. You do your own research and look for the truth. Don’t be naive and believe everything you read. Do your own homework, and make your own opinion based on such research different stories. You obviously don’t take everything at face value. That’s what I’ve been saying all along. How do you still not get it? Are you 5?
And I’m not on a high horse. You just keep misinterpreting my posts as something you want them to be. Reread them. For real. I hope you get it now. I’m getting quite tired of this. I’m running out of ways to explain it to you. It’s not like I’m teaching calcalus to an infant. Geez… Just comprehend, for both of our sakes. Please!
Lets count them:
“you have some reading comprehension problems”
“which you also keep missing, hmm I’m noticing a pattern here”
“repeating myself, which I already have been doing for the past 3 days. Sigh… ”
“How do you still not get it? Are you 5? ”
“For real. I hope you get it now.”
“I’m running out of ways to explain it to you. It’s not like I’m teaching calcalus to an infant.”
Hopefully these six quotations (I could have dug up more, but you think so highly of yourself that of course you’ll understand now, though you’ll likely never admit it.) will make it painfully clear that the thrust of your commentary is pretty much an appeal to snobbery. Since you volunteered what you do, I’ll disclose that I’m an undergraduate at a well respected business school (early 20’s, sorry to break it to you…. I even understand calculus. And I read “real good”)….. You know you really make an ass out of yourself talking like this, hopefully you’ll see that.
It seems that a big part of why we disagree is rooted in how we see media fitting into society, which is far beyond the scope of this site, and I really am exhausted debating it. I’m rather pessimistic and am under the impression that integrity lasts as long as it’s profitable. You don’t appear to be that way, which I really do think is fine. I have said that a number of times. Bottom line: we both presumably enjoy baseball, and that’s what this site is about. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your posts in the future.
Glass houses. Throwing stones. You know how it goes…
“Are you a child or something?”
“I really wonder how much you think before you post here.”
“You assume that you are A: competent, and B: able to pinpoint components of stories that are likely stretched. Based on your banter thus far, it would be a stretch to say that you embody either quality “A” or “B” stated above.”
So…yeah. You know where I’m going with that.
To close, yes, you finally understand what I’ve been trying to say. Sort of. Just wish you got it sooner. It’s not just what the media’s role in society is, but the ethics and philosophy behind it. Anyway we disagree, no big deal.
Lastly, I will not apologize for being educated. You’re out of your mind if you think anything of the like. Trust me, we would both have given up a long time ago if our posts were along the lines of “omg ur stupid lolololol.”
Anyway, cheers, and good luck with your studies. Don’t ever succumb to mediocrity!
Giants medical staff:
Noah Lowry – FAIL
Freddy Sanchez – FAIL
Mark De Rosa – FAIL
For some reason I get the feeling when a player goes in to the medical room his initial greeting is “HI EVERYBODY!!”
o.O
Dr. Nick is a good doctor.
Jason Schmidt – PASS
Even a blind dog finds a bone…Giants did offer Schmidt arbi…but he turned it down.
A lot of people also blame the Giants management/medical staff for the way they’re handling Madison Bumgarner right now and blame them for his sudden struggles and drop in velocity.
That sucks, imagine that rotation.
Linceum, Cain, Zito, Sanchez, Bumgarner. UNREAL.
Bumgarner had a lax offseason. He got married and came in out of shape, then threw too much.
His velocity is back up to 91-92 and had topped at 94. He’s getting there.
you also have to imagine that the tragic death of his half-sister right before spring training had to have affected him.
overall, the giants training staff has been remarkable. how many days have lincecum, cain, sanchez, zito, wilson, and the panda spent on the DL? i’m sure the athletic staff knew about derosa’s health and the front office ignored them and signed him anyways
Very good point.
Anyone who thinks that LaRue should name his source is just stupid. He has a right to protect his sources and the M’s come off looking childish and Sweeney challenging teammates to fight isn’t exactly a good way to build team harmony.
As much as I love DeRosa, I’m glad now that the Cards didn’t resign him. They must have seen his symptoms and taken a pass.
Having Freese producing makes the non-signing look that much better as well. I hope DeRo can get healthy again though, great guy.
That only makes sense if DeRosa had those symptoms months ago
About a week after the Cardinals acquired, he tore a tendon in his wrist and played horribly, as in he couldn’t hit and played terrible defense.
Yes, it was well reported than he was going to needed surgery in the offseason- that didnt mean they KNEW that the surgery was going to be a “total failure”, it’s not TJS or something that was suppose to keep him out all sesaon.
They did offer him arbitration, which means they were going to be cool with paying him ~7m or so.
I don’t think the arbitration was necessarily indicative of their interest. I believe that they solely wanted the draft pick, and DeRosa was drawing interest from a lot of teams despite the injury.
He played in 71 games for CLE, 68 for STL. Numbers are– BA: .228-.270, HR: 13-10, RBI: 50-28, OPS .799-.696.
I agree he didn’t play great D, but actually he didn’t commit an error with the Cards while he made 9 with Cleveland.
And besides the numbers, he said himself at times that the wrist didn’t feel right.
I’m aware of that, so was every one else around baseball. The surgery failed, not the Giants fault, and not giving St Louis credit for knowing his surgery wouldnt be successful.
What if this was a fabricated story from the get go STARTED by M’s management as a way to get the public to turn on Griffey, so that the front office doesn’t look like the bad guy once they cut him?
Sports conspiracy theorists everywhere just got a raging hard on!
DeRosa hits well for a second baseman and was signed to play left field in his mid-30s. Even without the injury, it was a dumb signing.
“I’ll figure it out when I get to that point.”
That quote from King Griffey Jr. ranks right up there with “When there is a better Center Fielder on the team, I will change positions”.
The problem with KGJ is his EGO!!!!
At the time KGJ said this, the Reds HAD a couple of guys who could play CF better than KGJ and it had been obvious for at least two years that KGJ was no longer even an average Center Fielder yet he wouldn’t acknowledge it. When the Reds finally MADE KGJ move, he pouted and took most of Spring Training off (he had broken his wrist and was supposed to be ready by the start of Spring Training yet didn’t really play Games until the last week of ST, all the while he was hitting and running and doing things on HIS schedule).
NOW, KGJ doesn’t have to play defense and all he has to do is hit and he can’t even do THAT anymore. Yet, here he is again, dictating to the team what is going to happen instead of the team dictating to HIM what is going to happen.
King Griffey’s EGO wont allow him to see that he is not good anymore and he is NOT helping the team and the Mariners are going right along with it.
Sure the AL West is up for grabs but that doesn’t mean you keep giving away Games early in the seasoin in HOPES that KGJ can regain the fountain of youth and turn things around. Like i have said before, I think a LOT of the team’s problems revolve around the OTHER players pressing because they KNOW KGJ is done and THEY have to try and make up for the Offense he CANT produce.
These players KNOW KGJ has the Mariners wrapped around his finger and he will get his way until it is too late. So, KGJ plays, gets At Bats he shouldn’t and the other players try too hard to overcome his black hole in the lineup. KGJ fails, they fail and the team fails.
The EASY solution is to CUT KGJ LOOSE. Yes, the team will take a PR hit but the players will feel like they aren’t battling 10 opponents every Game (the opposing nine and KGJ).
People also praise him as the one guy they just know in their heart of hearts is clean. For me, it’s the exact opposite. He more than anyone has always screamed dirty to me. The types of injuries he had & the frequency are chapter & verse examples of the after shocks of PED usage.
All the people that were bashing Omar over the off-season for not picking up Jason Marquis please stand up !
Notice no one standing. You seem to be the only one that thinks Mets fans really wanted Jason Marquis. I think the majority of Mets fans were oppose to signing Marquis. But our perception is ours alone and differs greatly, it seems.
http://dearwilpons.blogspot.com/2009/12/take-chance-on-jason-marquis.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2009/12/21/2009-12-21_marquis.html
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/12/21/patience-is-no-virtue-for-mets-now/#cmtForm
http://www.metsblog.com/2010/01/28/buzz-mets-showing-interest-in-josh-fogg/
http://www.metsblog.com/2010/02/16/news-nationals-sign-chien-ming-wang/
I remember debating with people over Marquis on mlbtraderumors but they delete comments after a certain amount of time.
I have even more with people begging for Sheets and Piniero
but then again, everyone loves to revise history when it benefits them.
Maybe, just maybe, they delete the comments because you aren’t supposed to be linking to other websites in the comment section.
they also appear to delete comments after a certain amount of time, the comments i was referring to being deleted were the ones for the jason marquis post back in december of 09
I have tons of links if u want to see..
all u have to do is go to google, do a search on Mets Omar jason marquis with the quotation marks, then limit the search to december 1st 2009 – december 21st 2009..
i tried putting the links here but for whatever reason it got banned
I don’t know man, at least everyone I spoke with that is a Mets fan was against signing Marquis. There are probably people on the other side, but I, personally, have not come across many, if any.
look at all the links below…
Time for Willie Mays to phone Jr. and ask him to retire.
Blalock to Oakland makes a lot of sense, hope it happens.
Blalock to Oakland makes absolutely no sense when the superior Jack Cust is at AAA until Chavez gets hurt/retires.