While conducting some serious research for my most recent post that ties together the off-season I came across probably my favorite Game Day Thread from last year:

http://www.draysbay.com/2010/4/19/1430378/4-19-10-gdt-tampa-bay-rays-boston

http://www.draysbay.com/2010/4/19/1430679/4-19-gdt-pt-2-boston-defensive

I can't tell if this was peak internet or if it's just been that long since we've sat around and shot the shit while we all watched something that brings us happiness (for the most part).  Today's OTTOTD is in remembrance for the GDT, hallowed be thy name, and please come home soon.  We miss you.

I'm bored by myself in a hotel so hopefully some other losers will come join me.  I've got the Pack only because I can't support rape and my cuz is a huge Pack fan since the day he was born.  And we're off. 

75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 75 words 

Consider this an open signup for anyone that wants to play fantasy baseball for free this year.  The idea is to hopefully get 40 people to sign up and create 4 separate leagues.  We would play out the regular season like normal, thhen, instead of normal playoffs within your league, the winners from each league meet up.  It would be impossible to do within ESPN, but we can just create a Google Doc that tracks everything for those playoff games.  

We could set it up so that all the 1s meet, and all the 2s, and so on down the line.  This would strictly be for bragging rights unless any sponsors feel like doing the right thing.  If you want in, say yes in this thread.  Off-topic comments will be hidden.  I could help with setting everything up, but I would be looking for 3 other people to step up to each run one of the leagues.  These "captains" would be tied to each league, while every other player would be randomly assigned to keep it as fair as possible.  If you would like to be one of these captains, please shoot me an e-mail at sabresrule79080 at Yahoo dot com

It doesn't matter if you've never played before, this is about having fun, and having something to talk about throughout the year.  So have at it.

I didn't have much to put here, but thankfully SBN makes it easy:

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Absolutely love this, Andy. The graphic is a perfect example of where labels and data actually detract from the visual -- seeing the all the Mariners' positional players in the negatives is perfectly descriptive, and illuminating. -jbopp.

via i273.photobucket.com

Updated 12/7/10, this is the correct version

Continue reading this post »

Just wanted to say that my all-Bucs squad went out and achieved and that I trounced the shit out of the The Mad Arab as Vick let him down hardcore.  Talk trash Dave, I'd love to hear it.  I'm pretty proud of this week, but even more proud of Josh Freeman and the rest of the Bucs.  Solid win when they don't generally play well on the west coast.  2-3 more wins and we're talkin bout PLAYOFFS.  Who knew?

via i273.photobucket.com

via images.athlonsports.com

via img.fannation.com

Say what you will about the miserableness of the Bucs defense, they pulled it out when it mattered.  You have to admit that yesterdays game and the non-blowout losses before it have been more exciting than  the ground out wins of the Dungy & Early-Gruden eras.  Josh Freeman continues to play mistake-free ball while taking shots when they are available and making precise throws when the window is small.  

Mike Williams and Josh Freeman have already put themselves on the map as improving, potential super star players, but yesterday, they got some help.  LeGarrette Blount showed that even with poor blocking that he can grind out yards and limit the negative rushes that cripple an offense's success expectation.  Speaking  of the line, at least they didn't have 37 penalties for 700 yards lost again this week.  Arrelious Benn also showcased himself on a gorgeous deep ball and looks to be slowly working his way into that #2 receiver spot.  This allows Stroughter to move to the slot where he is a natural fit.  With all these weapons, we have seen Josh rely less on KW2 and all those short routs that he runs.  

The other side of the ball was about as boom-or-bust as you can get.  After getting gouged early by the run, the Bucs did a better job of that after running up a big lead as the Cardinals were less inclined to run the ball.  We also saw 4 turnovers (two returned for scores by Aqib Talib and Geno Hayes) that came after the few times that we were able to pressure their two-headed lamester at QB.  Ultimately, we got pressure when it mattered and a garbage QB showed his true colors in the highest leverage moment of the game.  

5-2 can't be taken away, I don't care how many loser stats you quote.

Some guy presents a bunch of dirty campaign ads:

You are all a bunch of Godless Americans, because there is no God:

Welcome to Coolifornia, Demon Sheep:

Carly was one of the worst CEOs of all time, I hope she wins.

Tim James says if you want to live here, learn the language:

Does it to you?

Tim James- This is Alabama "We speak English" Campaign Video (Widescreen HD) (via CopyRightHater2006)

Carly Fiorina's "Demon Sheep Ad" (via GCrowdy)

Godless Americans PAC, Kay Hagan (via utopiasbane)

CNN: The Dirtiest campaign ads of 2010 (via CNN)

They say misery loves company
We could start a company and make misery

Frustrated, Incorporated
Well I know just what you need
I might just have the thing
I know what you'd pay to see

Put me out of my misery
I'd do it for you, would you do it for me
We will always be busy making misery

We could build a factory and make misery
We'll create the cure; we made the disease

Frustrated, Incorporated
Frustrated, Incorporated 
Well I know just what you need
I might just have the thing
I know what you'd pay to feel

Put me out of my misery
All you suicide kings and you drama queens
Forever after happily, making misery

Did you satisfy your greed, get what you need
Was it only envy, so empty

Frustrated, Incorporated
Frustrated, Incorporated

Frustrated, Incorporated (put me out of my misery)
Frustrated, Incorporated (I'd do it for you, would you do it for me)
Frustrated, Incorporated (forever after happily)
Frustrated, Incorporated (making misery) 

Click this LINK and then post all your favorite Yankee-fan frustrations that you've stumbled upon throughout this series.  To get you started I submit this post over at Pinstripe Alley titled, "5 Reasons the Yankees Will Make it to Game 7" with this snippet:

Mood Music: An Eric Clapton cover of Bob Dylan's It's Not Dark Yet (But It's Getting There).

1. CC Sabathia- He couldn't located the strike zone after too much rest before Game 1.  Expect big things from the big man tonight.

2. Phil Hughes- Let me introduce you to a 24 year old stud who pitched 175 innings of 1.25 WHIP and 7.5 K/9.  He's got a shutdown game in him.

3. Robinson Cano- He's been unstoppable, but because of the futility of the 3-4 hitters, he's only hit solo shots in the ALCS.  Maybe the silver lining of Mark Teixeira's injury will be moving the Yankees' best hitter into the 3 spot.

4. Derek Jeter- Yeah, he's got the intangibles and the experience.  But he's also been leading the Yankee offense the last couple games.

5. Mariano Rivera- He hasn't pitched since Game 1, but he's still there in the bullpen.  Get him the ball.

It ain't over till it's over.

Plenty of drama yesterday in the NFL, but who cares when you've got another division championship to celebrate.  There will be plenty of previews in the coming days, so why not read mine that looks at the Rangers hitters:

http://dockoftherays.com/2010/10/03/rangers-slgcon-and-swstr-by-pitcher-handedness-and-pitch-type/

Today is going to be a relative oasis to catch your breath, but once the playoffs start up they will be over before you know it.  Let's take it in stride and keep our eyes peeled for the official playoff 25-Man.  Here's my mock:

C Jaso/Shoppach

1B Pena/DanJo

2B Zobrist/Rodriguez

3B Longoria

SS Bartlett/Brignac

LF Crawford

CF Upton

RF Joyce

DH Aybar/Hawpe

Bench:  Jennings + whoever sits

SP1 Price

SP2 Shields

SP3 Garza

SP4 Davis

Pen:

Soriano

Benoit

Balfour

Choate

Wheeler

Hellickson

That's what I got off the top of my head, do your worst.

Smoke em if you got em.

LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS LET'S GO RAYS

The Yanks just lost their 4th game in a row for the first time this year.  Their offense has looked abysmal of late, is there any way they can get the ship righted in time to make the playoffs?  We'll find out, but I'm with Mitch Williams, it's all starting to happen:

If you think the battle for the American League East is a two-team race between the Yankees and Rays, you are sadly mistaken. The Red Sox are still in this thing.

I base that statement on their starting rotation, which is very solid. Josh Beckett is only 4-3 and has missed most of the season, due to injury, but he's back now, and we all know how tough he can be in September and October.

Then there's Jon Lester (14-8, 3.12 ERA), who has some of the best stuff of any left-handed starter in baseball. Clay Buchholz has been the ace of this staff all season, compiling a 15-5 record with a stingy ERA of 2.21. And the Red Sox have been able to limit his innings to just 146 2/3.

John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka round out a rotation that gives the Red Sox a legitimate chance to gain ground on the Yankees and Rays. To have endured the injuries they have and still have the fourth-best record in the AL proves this team will fight to the end.

As for the Yankees' rotation, beyond C.C. Sabathia and Phil Hughes, who have combined for 33 wins, it's got problems. After that, the dropoff is significant. A.J. Burnett and Javier Vasquez have struggled, and Andy Pettitte has been hurt. If they don't pick it up, the Yankees will have a difficult time holding off the Red Sox.

The Rays have six starters they can plug in and expect to win. David Price, Matt Garza, Jeff Neimann, Wade Davis and James Shields are a formidable five, and Jeremy Hellickson is an ace in the hole.

I believe Boston and Tampa Bay have better bullpens than the Yankees, so here's my prediction for the AL East:

The AL Wild Card will come out of this division, and I believe it will be the Red Sox, which means the Yankees or the Rays will be left out of the postseason. I think the Yankees will fall short, because they lack depth in the starting rotation.

I could be dead wrong about this, and Pettitte could come back and give the Yankees the boost they need to hold off Boston. But if that doesn't happen, the Yankees are going to have to hit a ton in September in order to be playing in October.

I'm a sailor peg
And I lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg!

I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayy-yooo!
I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayyyyyy-yo!
I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayy-yooo!
I'm shipping off ... to find my wooden leg!

I'm a sailor peg
And I lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg!

I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayy-yooo!
I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayyyyyy-yo!
I'm shipping up to Boston ... wayy-yooo!
I'm shipping off ... to find my wooden leg!

Best song evah!  If you don't believe me, I have some comments to back it up:

ok it is one thing to just plain say you don't like this band, and that is fine, but let's not insult classic lyrics that the TRUE irish community has been able to laugh over for years. honestly it is a huge insult to me i'm 98% irish my grandfather was born and raised in Ireland and he loves this song and these lyrics. Oh yea and you must REALLY have no life if the only reason you looked this song up is so you could bash it.

UFC fighter Forrest Griffin used this song for his walk to the ring from the locker room. It was perfect. This song kicks ass. Who gives a fuck what silly baseball cockknocker abuses the song? Still a cool, abstract song.

Punk Rock...great song, simple lyrics but carried by awesome music...

Departed, Black Donnelly's were smart employing such a bad a$$ song to amplify the Irish gangster genre...

Go Chargers beat New England!

They make me want to go and riot. But I have to say that they are not metal. They are Punk. Irish/Celtic Punk. No metal to them. PUNK is what they are.

this is fuel for retaliation dear musick lovers!
a great song for a great movie, i´m shocked and in tears and want to get laid! ha!

This song is awesome.... and people here spell like a bunch of black people on crack.

I f*cking love this song i wake up and this is the first song i play on my ipod... idk how a song with only 18 different words can do it but it did.... its just brilliant.. the best fucking song ever made... rock on dropkick murpheys and touche ..... touche

This is the most F**kin best song in da world, it rocks

Well said, sirs and madams.  For those that can't get enough, I suggest you check this out:

www.endlessyoutube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw

All comments and lyrics taken from:

http://www.sing365.com/music/archive.nsf/Dropkick-Murphys-Career-Opportunites-Reviews/75F3F54BBA4813EA4825762D0010C228

A few days ago I took a look at the pitch result outcomes for the heart of our order.  It turns out that Longoria is the aorta, who knew?  I wanted to ramp this up for all players and included a few more games of data.  The following includes the first series against Bodymore, Murdaland and the series against the New York Yankees (amirite?) or through 4/11/10 if you know how to work a calendar.  I will solely be looking at the pitch result outcomes produced by the Pitch F/x data of Ball, Called Strike, Foul, In Play, and Swing Strike.  Here is a column chart showing the breakdown for each player that has a PA thus far:

Continue reading this post »

via www.fangraphs.com

Pretty much the best day of the season thus far.  Stars a plenty

Come to B-more where, the bats truly come to life.

via www.fangraphs.com

I'd say that about sums it up.  Click here to vote on the stars of the game.  Let's get the brooms ready for tomorrow as we look to build on THE GREATEST START IN (DEVIL) RAYS HISTORY!

F the walks, how about some hits, runs, or brawlfense.  

via www.fangraphs.com

Nice to get back into column A, now lets put a couple together.  Go here to vote for CC as your player of the game, after that it's up to you

Pena walks, please.  

With two series down the lazy analyst can start to find data without having to set up his/her own database.  Joe Lefkowitz has been working hard and now has 2008 up to 4/8/10 in his easy to use database.  Since we're about to play the team from Bodymore, Murdaland again, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how the top of the rotation pitched to the heart of our order last time around.  My initial goal was to see if there was anything obvious for why we weren't racking up walks from three of our best OBP guys.  We won't see Millwood this time around, but Bergesen will be following Guthrie and Matusz, whom we did face.  After the jump there will be pretty pictures, haphazard "analysis", and cake.  Warning there is no cake. 

Continue reading this post »

For those that didn't know, Forbes recently released their Forbes Valuations of the 30 Clubs in MLB.  I'm not going to delve into the legitimacy of their numbers, we will just assume that the data presented is well-researched and correct.  Here is a look at their 2010 report to give you an idea of their format and what they report:

Continue reading this post »

http://comeyoumastersofwar.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/how-good-was-the-springfield-power-plant-team/

I just saw this over on BTB and wanted to file it under Friday Funnies.

via www.fangraphs.com

Annnd that happened, click HERE to choose your 3 stars.  Rays won a handicap match tonight against the Brooklyn Brawler and the Baltimore Orioles.  Don't matter, can't stop us right now.  Garza was bananas.

Looking a lot like yesterday so far, lets get the bats going here.

Here's the low-down on the Longoria and Scott homers.
  The Longoria homer was indeed unusual in that it reached the second deck in left field, but that in itself doesn't necessarily mean anything in terms of distance.  My distance numbers are all derived exactly the same way:
1.  Determine the landing spot: how far from home plate did the ball land, horizontally, and vertically.  In this case, for Longoria, it was 392 feet horizontally and 40 feet above field level.
2.  Determine the time of flight of the ball.  For Longoria, this was 4.98 seconds.
3.  Determine the weather conditions.  This one is easy, 72 degrees and no wind.
With this information, Hit Tracker recreates the full trajectory of the ball, and from that it figures out where the ball would have been (i.e. how far from home plate) when it flew back down to field level.  That's the distance.
It turns out that Longoria's homer was somewhat less than what most people expected for precisely the same reason that home runs to the second deck at the Trop are rare: to get the ball that high in the air, that far from home plate, requires a very high-angled trajectory which is less than optimal for distance.  His ball came off the bat at 31 degrees, much higher than the optimal 27-28 degrees.  If he had hit the ball the same speed, but at 27 degrees, it would have gone farther, but not reached the second deck.

One other thing: long, high fly balls pulled straight down the lines are rare.  It is much more common for pulled balls (especially balls pulled right down the line like this one) to be lower trajectory, line drives, while for balls pushed to the opposite field, high fly balls are more common.  That's why Longoria's homer was unusual, and that's why second deck homers at the Trop are rare: the second deck is closest to home plate right down the line, but that is the direction that it is most difficult to hit one that is high enough and hard enough to get there...
Anyway, take a look at the two attached plots, this should illustrate nicely the short distance to the second deck down the line, and the much longer distance to the place Scott's homer came down...
I'd be interested to hear from whoever came up with 473 feet - I'd guess that their method would be a little less rigorous, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt...

Greg Rybarczyk Hit Tracker

 

Continue reading this post »

via www.fangraphs.com

Well that was exciting.  Way to start the year off boys.  If you want to vote for your 3 stars of the game CLICK HERE

It only takes a couple of seconds, afterwards, feel free to bask in the glory of being on pace for 162-0.

Will we see the Rays play like they can in the second part of this infinite part series?  Tune in to find out!!!!!!!!!!

For those that haven't seen it, Fangraphs is now doing a hockey-style 3-star system that everyone can vote on after a game ends.  LINKY  Anyone that watches the game should be encouraged to do this on a daily basis as it will give a great fans perspective of who has been most critical to deciding a game.  WPA does a great job of this, but I find it robotic, where this gives a human touch.  You can use the WPA charts to make your decision or be more emotional about what you just witnessed.  I'll try to make sure that a link gets in the end of the GDT's, but you could also find one in the game recap if that individual author takes the time to link.  This is your chance to give feedback on who were the most important players of each game, so take the 5 seconds to do this after games. 

This is something that I've been meaning to post for some time and finally have a minute to transfer electrons from neural form to something you can understand (hopefully.)  I hope you took the time to read my part of our award-winning* Annual that came out over a month ago, if not here's a linky poo.  My non-self-titled piece was SLGCON Meltdown and took a look at SLGCON and Swing Strike % for our boys against each pitch-type that they saw in 2009.  I defined SLGCON as:

The idea behind SLGCON is to get an idea of how well a batter can drive a pitch when he does put it in play. For example, if Evan Longoria puts four balls in play during a game and gets a single and a double, then his SLGCON would be .750 for the game for getting three bases on four balls in play.

Swing Strike % is merely the percent of times that a guy would get an empty swing for each pitch.  I've gone ahead and done this for the Rays, Yanks, and Sox primary batters in 2009, though in this installment we will won't be delving into the individual pitch-types, just the overall numbers and versus lefties and righties.  First a pretty picture, then some boring words:

via i273.photobucket.com

Continue reading this post »