Few pitchers are given the opportunity to manage in the big leagues, but playing background appears to have little connection with success in helming a club, Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com writes. The 48 former Major League pitchers who have managed big league teams together have a .497 winning percentage, higher than the composite mark for the 113 catchers who have managed, despite the belief that the backstop job is best for preparing players for future managing careers. Ringolsby opines that many former pitchers simply need to be given an opportunity, citing Red Sox manager John Farrell — one of just two former pitchers currently managing — as an example. On to links from around baseball's Eastern divisions:
- Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara is reluctant to divulge the secrets of his devastating splitter, telling Tim Britton of the Providence Journal that he'd "have to kill you to tell you," but is willing to reveal that he employs three different grips. The slightly altered grips produce different movement but can still be thrown with the same arm action, making the pitch all the more deceptive.
- Some Blue Jays players are disappointed that Ervin Santana didn't end up in Toronto, but the Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott writes that Santana wouldn't have made the Jays contenders.
- Spring Training under manager Ryne Sandberg has been a different experience for the Phillies, reports Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Sandberg has focused heavily on fundamentals and drills so far this spring, a departure from longtime Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel.
Charlie was the right guy for the glory days: a player’s manager that didn’t stir the pot. He was the anti-Bowa that was needed as the team transformed into a winner.
Ryno chose Bowa to be his right hand, which should be indicative of his managing style, which is what the Phillies need right now. Here’s to hoping Ryno is successful, transforms the team into a contender and maintains a handle on them in the process.
The Jays were the favorites until the very last day until the Braves swooped in. Santana clearly wanted to play in the NL this year and that is why he is there.
To me, considering that there are no named “sources” or players who have come out being upset, this is just the typical 24 hour news cycle saying things just to say things.
Jays will always have to outbid other teams. If they have the same offer players will go elsewhere due to taxes, etc. I suspect The Blue Jays were given a chance to up their offer and they may have refused, or did not up it enough.
With some of the physical issues I am hearing about on the staff it looks like another last place finish for them,
I’m sure Ervin was looking at the long term contract effects coming off a year pitching in the NL East vs the AL East and would have sacrificed a couple mill more from the Jays this year in order to make more in the long run.
Players regularly still sign in NY and CA even though taxes compared to Seattle/Texas/Florida is much higher. I think though since you are talking about a 1 year contract that it makes much more sense to sign with the Braves. The AL East is not a friendly place for pitchers, and he should be concerned with his results. Also being in Anaheim he might not be used to pitching in cooler weather in April.
Looks like the Mets will be contending for years with Harvey, Wheeler and now Snydergaard all throwing to Travis d’arnaud. How did AA give up this kid Snydergaard ? He’s 6 feet 6, 240 pounds, with 10 Ks in 8 2/3 innings during camp. Jason Heyward couldn’t catch up to his 98-mph heat. In his latest outing, he struck out four straight and five overall. Looks like another last place year with Dickey, which would be his third straight divisional last place… meanwhile the Mets are building a contender.
koji has not mastered english idioms, but has a heck of a split
you might have to kill him if you told him the secrets of english idioms