SB Nation User Blog: HigherPie

Harden Scratched From Tomorrow's Start - Updated

HigherPie — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:46:50 -0000

Sorry for the short post, but I figured this warranted its own sad little place on AN. Slusser:

I've just arrived in Toronto to a bombshell: Rich Harden has been scratched from his start tomorrow night.

No further info was given, but he was held to 86 pitches his last time out after having thrown 95 the time before that. He was bothered by biceps tendinitis this offseason, but hasn't had any other issues since the end of last season.

Chad Gaudin will start tomorrow night, which means the A's will have to be a [sic] roster move.

We're. All. Gonna. Die.

MINOR UPDATE: Slusser added one strange sentence to her blog post:

He is now expected to start Saturday at Cleveland, according to an e-mail from the team's P.R. department.

I have no idea what's going on here. That sentence makes it seem as though a trade isn't imminent, which has been speculated in the comments. It also doesn't make it sound too bad, if it is an iunjury. Flu? Rest? SARS? I guess we'll know more in the morning.

MORNING UPDATE: One start. Not serious. Yet. Blah blah blah:

The A's have scratched Rich Harden for tonight's game in Toronto with back soreness, specifically in the lat area.

The injury is believed to be minor and it might have been the aftereffects of the long flights to and from Japan last month. Harden is now expected to start at Cleveland on Saturday.

Gaudin will make the start Tuesday. Slusser also writes that a source tells her Greg Smith will be called up to start Wednesday.

An End to MLB.TV Blackouts

HigherPie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:18:23 -0000

First, let me apologize: this is going to be something of a hit and run ~~diary~~ Fanpost. Also, it's going to be a copy/pasted Fanpost from Athletics Nation, where I originally posted it.

You see, I'm an A's fan. You're not. But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's this: Major League Baseball's MLB.TV blackout policy is ludicrous, and needs to end now.

I've created an online petition directed at Commissioner Bud Selig (whose office is responsible for such things) asking him to reconsider, re-work, revoke, and/or otherwise abolish the tyranny that is MLB.TV blackouts.

Below is the text of the petition. You can help get the word out by sending the link to the petition to friends and family and posting a link on your blogs and favorite forums. Oh, and sign it!

Sign the petition: End MLB.TV Blackouts

The text:

End MLB.TV Blackouts

Target: Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Selig:

We, the undersigned baseball fans, request that you consider an immediate end to Major League Baseball's blackout policy with regard to games broadcast on MLB.TV.

There are endless reasons why current blackout restrictions are bad for fans, and bad for the game of baseball.

First and foremost, many of us are unable to enjoy watching the teams we love, even after paying $89.99 to $119.95 for use of the service, simply because we live in or are using the internet in the wrong zip code. If a fan is in Minnesota, he can't watch Twins games. If another is in Phoenix, she can't watch Diamondbacks games. How does this make any sense?

Some of us don't have cable television. Some of us want to watch games where there is no television, like in a workplace breakroom, or a school cafeteria, or a neighborhood cafe. Some of us are unfortunate enough to be in a zip code where blackout rules apply to multiple teams, sometimes as many as six. This is patently ridiculous. Why is it so difficult to get Major League Baseball to accept our money in return for showing us the games we want to see?

Disallowing paying customers the ability to watch their favorite teams wherever they are or whenever they can does harm to baseball, both in retaining current fans and attracting new ones. The current blackout policy is arcane, and serves absolutely no one's interests: not the game's, not the teams', not the broadcasters' of the games, not MLB.TV's, and certainly not the fans'.

Please consider abolishing the blackout policy as soon as possible and begin taking steps immediately that will make that outcome possible. Let us watch the game we love.

We thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Thanks for reading, and signing, friends at LSB. Have a great season!

An End to MLB.TV Blackouts

HigherPie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:13:07 -0000

Sign the petition: End MLB.TV Blackouts

The text:

End MLB.TV Blackouts

Target: Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Selig:

We, the undersigned baseball fans, request that you consider an immediate end to Major League Baseball's blackout policy with regard to games broadcast on MLB.TV.

There are endless reasons why current blackout restrictions are bad for fans, and bad for the game of baseball.

First and foremost, many of us are unable to enjoy watching the teams we love, even after paying $89.99 to $119.95 for use of the service, simply because we live in or are using the internet in the wrong zip code. If a fan is in Minnesota, he can't watch Twins games. If another is in Phoenix, she can't watch Diamondbacks games. How does this make any sense?

Some of us don't have cable television. Some of us want to watch games where there is no television, like in a workplace breakroom, or a school cafeteria, or a neighborhood cafe. Some of us are unfortunate enough to be in a zip code where blackout rules apply to multiple teams, sometimes as many as six. This is patently ridiculous. Why is it so difficult to get Major League Baseball to accept our money in return for showing us the games we want to see?

Disallowing paying customers the ability to watch their favorite teams wherever they are or whenever they can does harm to baseball, both in retaining current fans and attracting new ones. The current blackout policy is arcane, and serves absolutely no one's interests: not the game's, not the teams', not the broadcasters' of the games, not MLB.TV's, and certainly not the fans'.

Please consider abolishing the blackout policy as soon as possible and begin taking steps immediately that will make that outcome possible. Let us watch the game we love.

We thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Thanks for reading, and signing, friends at HH. Have a great season!

An End to MLB.TV Blackouts

HigherPie — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:52:00 -0000

Sign the petition: End MLB.TV Blackouts

The text:

End MLB.TV Blackouts

Target: Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Selig:

We, the undersigned baseball fans, request that you consider an immediate end to Major League Baseball's blackout policy with regard to games broadcast on MLB.TV.

There are endless reasons why current blackout restrictions are bad for fans, and bad for the game of baseball.

First and foremost, many of us are unable to enjoy watching the teams we love, even after paying $89.99 to $119.95 for use of the service, simply because we live in or are using the internet in the wrong zip code. If a fan is in Minnesota, he can't watch Twins games. If another is in Phoenix, she can't watch Diamondbacks games. How does this make any sense?

Some of us don't have cable television. Some of us want to watch games where there is no television, like in a workplace breakroom, or a school cafeteria, or a neighborhood cafe. Some of us are unfortunate enough to be in a zip code where blackout rules apply to multiple teams, sometimes as many as six. This is patently ridiculous. Why is it so difficult to get Major League Baseball to accept our money in return for showing us the games we want to see?

Disallowing paying customers the ability to watch their favorite teams wherever they are or whenever they can does harm to baseball, both in retaining current fans and attracting new ones. The current blackout policy is arcane, and serves absolutely no one's interests: not the game's, not the teams', not the broadcasters' of the games, not MLB.TV's, and certainly not the fans'.

Please consider abolishing the blackout policy as soon as possible and begin taking steps immediately that will make that outcome possible. Let us watch the game we love.

We thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Thanks for reading, and signing, friends at LL. Have a great season!

An End to MLB.TV Blackouts

HigherPie — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:35:18 -0000

Unfortunately, I'm not here to give you (what would be) great news about MLB finally ending it's blackout policy for games streamed on MLB.TV. But maybe we can do a something to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

I've created an online petition directed at Commissioner Bud Selig (whose office is responsible for such things) asking him to reconsider, re-work, revoke, and/or otherwise abolish the tyranny that is MLB.TV blackouts.

Below is the text of the petition. Please suggest improvements on the petition's text, send the link to the petition to friends and family, and post a link on your blogs and favorite forums. Oh, and sign it!

Sign the petition: End MLB.TV Blackouts

The text:

End MLB.TV Blackouts

Target: Major League Baseball, Office of the Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Selig:

We, the undersigned baseball fans, request that you consider an immediate end to Major League Baseball's blackout policy with regard to games broadcast on MLB.TV.

There are endless reasons why current blackout restrictions are bad for fans, and bad for the game of baseball.

First and foremost, many of us are unable to enjoy watching the teams we love, even after paying $89.99 to $119.95 for use of the service, simply because we live in or are using the internet in the wrong zip code. If a fan is in Minnesota, he can't watch Twins games. If another is in Phoenix, she can't watch Diamondbacks games. How does this make any sense?

Some of us don't have cable television. Some of us want to watch games where there is no television, like in a workplace breakroom, or a school cafeteria, or a neighborhood cafe. Some of us are unfortunate enough to be in a zip code where blackout rules apply to multiple teams, sometimes as many as six. This is patently ridiculous. Why is it so difficult to get Major League Baseball to accept our money in return for showing us the games we want to see?

Disallowing paying customers the ability to watch their favorite teams wherever they are or whenever they can does harm to baseball, both in retaining current fans and attracting new ones. The current blackout policy is arcane, and serves absolutely no one's interests: not the game's, not the teams', not the broadcasters' of the games, not MLB.TV's, and certainly not the fans'.

Please consider abolishing the blackout policy as soon as possible and begin taking steps immediately that will make that outcome possible. Let us watch the game we love.

We thank you for your consideration of this matter.

We've got a long wait before the next real ballgame. How about some AN activism?

3/24/08: DLD - The Waiting Game

HigherPie — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:37:50 -0000

My first dump!

First up, Mike Sweeney is officially an Oakland A, and some new kid might not be Sacto-bound as we all thought:

Mike Sweeney is officially on the A's Opening Night roster, and the team's ineligible list for Tuesday's game might be pretty interesting, too. [...]

[Carlos] Gonzalez, who was obtained in the Dan Haren deal with Arizona, remained in Phoenix because of a hamstring strain, but he has begun playing in minor-league games. Considering that the A's center-field situation remains uncertain, there is an excellent chance that the team will want to keep Gonzalez in the mix at least through the Bay Bridge Series against the Giants this weekend. And because neither Chris Denorfia nor Ryan Sweeney conclusively has grabbed the starting job, Gonzalez might have a realistic shot at being in center for the home opener.

The A's wont have to deal with The Mayor in Japan:

The 18-hour flight that brought the Boston Red Sox to Tokyo claimed one victim when Sean Casey developed a stiff neck that is expected to keep him out of the first two games of the season against the Oakland Athletics.

And finally, Joe Blanton is clearly pumped for the series, as demonstrated by this AP photo taken during Monday's workout at the Tokyo Dome:

In less than 24 hours, the A's will be 1-0 in 2008! Commence Opening Day Eve dumpage, friends. But first, answer me this: if I go to the Coliseum box office to buy tickets, do I still have to pay the ridiculous $4.50/ticket "convenience fee" that gets charged when buying online?

AN for Best Sports Blog: Keep It Going!

HigherPie — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 23:16:54 -0000

UPDATE: It's been about 24 hours since I posted this diary. We've done a hell of a job showing the strength and persistence (and charming obsessiveness) of AN. We currently lead by nearly as large a margin as we were trailing by yesterday. 24 hours also means most of you can now vote again. Get to it!

Alright, folks. Time to stop reloading ESPN's MLB page looking for trade news and time to start heading over to The Weblog Awards to vote for Athletics Nation for Best Sports Blog.

You can vote once per day through December 15th. Get to work!

The contenders are:
Baseball Crank
23 Yards
The Phog Blog
Independent Thinking
Dead Spin
FanBlogs
He Is Man Pundit
The Hater Nation
Red Leg Nation
Burnt Orange Nation
Fast Machines
College Football Resource
The Black Hole
Blue Gray Sky

There are some excellent blogs on that list, but we all know who should take the cake.

Make Blez, Nico and all of us Blog MVPs. Vote!

Great work AN! It took us just over 6 hours to go from nearly worst to first! But remember, voting continues through the 15th, so vote once per day (per computer). Let's make this the blowout it should be. Thanks to everyone who recommended this diary and voted so far. Blez is right, this is "the best damn community on the internet."

Poll

Blez will...

Braden Watch Cont'd...

HigherPie — Thu, 12 May 2005 05:45:04 -0000

The kid's been amazing, including tonight:

Complete game (9 IP), 5 Hits, 1 ER, 11 Ks, 1 BB. The run was a solo homer. He's 6-0 with a 2.68 ERA for the Ports. Unreal. Keep it up, Dallas!

And as a side note, Marty Lurie was on Larry Kruger's (sp?) show on KNBR tonight and said that if he were BB, Hat would be sitting and DJ would be called up and starting. We shall see...

The White Sox 2005 Pitching Start...

HigherPie — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 09:12:54 -0000

I wrote this on the message board on my Fantasy League page, and I thought the rest of AN might be interested as well. I hope the stat guys and gals among us might be able to add a few things, or rip my essay to shreads if it deserves it. Please keep in mind that most of the readers at my fantasy league have never read Moneyball and don't know DIPS from a hole in Ruby's swing.

Hope you enjoy:

Why have the White Sox had such fantastic pitching to start the season? And will it/can it last?

They lead the American League by a wide margin in Team ERA at 2.90 (the A's are second at 3.71, almost a run more a game). Even more incredibly, their starters have an ERA (even after Mark Buehrle's poor outing Tuesday) of 2.58. Even if we're only talking about 12% of a season, that's astounding.

What's the reason? Let's look at some peripheral stats befeore I dig into my argumnt. Sox starters have allowed only 9 HRs, a great number. They've also only allowed 43 walks, which is above league average. Less astounding are their K/9 rates: Contreras leads the starters with a respectable 6.53, followed by Buehrle at 5.91, Hernandez at 5.48, Garcia at 4.82, and Garland at 3.30. Strikeouts, walks, and home runs are the categories where the pitcher clearly has the most direct effect on the outcome (leaving aside hit-by-pitches). The Sox have been great at preventing the longball, good at avoiding free-passes, and rather poor at getting Ks. That looks like a formula for a good staff, but not the amazing staff the Sox have trotted to the mound. So why have they been amazing?

One answer could be DIPS (Defense Independent Pitching Statistic), or more specifically in the Sox case, BABIP (Batting Average [Against] on Balls in Play). BABIP tracks batters' averages against a pitcher only when the ball is actually put into play, so the stat excludes strikeouts, walks, and HBPs.

Incredibly, the Sox have 4 of the top 12 American League starters in 2005 with the LOWEST BABIP (Hernandez is about 50th). Think about that: 13 AL teams have 8 of the 12 starters, the Sox have the other 4. Jon Garland: .202, Freddie Garcia: .225, Jose Contreras: .230, Mark Buehrle: .234. The A's, the second best ERA team in the AL, have only Joe Blanton in the top 25 in lowest BABIP.

But, isn't that a good thing for the Sox? Not necessarily. Voros McCracken, the guy who invented "DIPS", was the first to theorize that, as unlikely as it may seem, pitchers actually have little if any effect on what happens to a ball once it is put into play. If Alez Rodriguez swings and hits a pitch, it has just as good a chance of falling in (or finding its way through an infield) for a hit whether it was hit against Johan Santana or John Halama. I don't have the energy, time, space, or eloquence to explain here why this is so, so I'll direct you to a couple of resources so you can decide for yourself.

Voros McCracken's original DIPS article:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=878
ESPN's Rob Neyer's Great Column on Voros' Article:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/2001/0115/1017090.html (Scroll down to "Wednesday, "January 24" and then read "Friday, January 26")

The problem for the Sox this early season is that they might be, and you knew this was coming, getting lucky. If Voros and others since him are correct, then almost all pitchers given a large enough sample size should conform faily exactly with the league's average BABIP. Even if Sox starters continue the low HR rate and good BB rate, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that they can keep their BABIP rates so low no matter how "good" they pitch, simply because they cannot affect what happens to a ball once it's hit a bat. This means more hits. More hits means more runs. More runs means more losses.

Do the Sox still have a shot at a great season and the possibility of October ball? Of course. But their torrid pitching simply cannot be sustained at this level over the course of a season.

Some Fun for All of Us Potential Wrist-Slitters...

HigherPie — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 07:54:17 -0000

It's not too much fun to be a baseball fan in Oakland right about now, but I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this letter from a reader to Baseball Prospectus tonight:

I can't hear that Sublime song without thinking:

I don't Edgar Renteria
I don't Rafael Furcal
I had Luis Gonzalez, but I
Mike Lieberthal

I've tried my hand at the next bit. Maybe you guys can help me out with the rest:

If I Johan Santana and that sancho Kevin Brown,
Well I'd Chris a Capuano and I'd slap Craig Cou(ouou)nsel.

What I really Bartolo, X. Nady,
What I really Steve Karsay, Joe Valentine.
Well Mike Koplove that Steve Reed, oh,
But Keith Foulke will Cantu,
Wait Tony Womack, Frank Tanana David Cone,
Daddy's Derek Lowe Toby Hall.

And I Casey Blake,
Feel the Jake,
Peavy.............

And, I'm done. This ain't as easy as it looks, folks. Let's get some green and gold names in there too!

[And by the way, I'm in the club that thinks our boys will score 15 runs in a game sometime before May and we'll have at least an average offense from there on out. 91 wins and in the race all the way!]