This winter, the Tigers were lambasted on this site for trading away Matt Joyce for Edwin Jackson.  It was a pretty even split here between those who liked/disliked the deal.  Jackson was described as "garbage" along with other similar adjectives.  I was on the side of liking the deal for the Tigers as I had watched quite a few of Jackson's starts last year.  Most that didn't like the deal kept pointing at his overall stat line and missed the forest for the trees, as there were quite a few excellent starts turned in by Edwin last year - but his poor starts obscured the big picture for many here.

     I really liked what I saw of Jackson last year and stuck my neck out in support of him in the face of stats/data that are generally very good indicators of luck and/or future performance.  I acknowledged that but held my ground that he was quite possibly someone who was on the verge of  taking a major step forward this year.  Jackson has done just that.  On the year he has a 2.16 ERA with a WHIP below 1.  His K:BB ratio has improved quite a bit this year, while his fly ball tendencies are right where they have been throughout his career.  This is probably one of the best examples of what I was talking about when I mentioned actually watching what was going on and not simply quoting dry stats.  While Jackson does allow hitters to elevate the ball - the contact is generally poor, resulting in many routine pop ups.  People have argued that this will "normalize" as he pitches in Comerica, but so far the home/road splits are very similar.

     So what does everyone think now that the season has started and Jackson has seemingly taken off as some predicted?

Harry Kalas, Pillies announcer and the person who's voice is synonomous with NFL films has died.  He collapsed in the booth before today's game.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11625834

RIP Harry

This 75 word minimum is gay.
This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

Jim Bowden is stepping down before he gets fired and possibly charged in a kick-back scheme that may be coming to light from the whole Esmailyn Gonzalez debacle.  How this guy kept getting a job in MLB front offices is beyond me, but I think this would signify the last time we see him in any front office job.  The Nats are one of my "secondary" teams that I like and I can't be happier this guy is out....

Full story here...

What happened? 

I probably wouldn't be saying anything, but he did make sure to take a bit of a pot shot at me when he made his original call for the community synthesis list.  It was due on January 3rd - today is the 5th. 

Wha-happened?  Not as easy as it sounded?  A bout with pnuemonia?  A meteor strike?

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long

Not sure how this slipped by so quietly yesterday.  No surprise as Boston seemed to never be in question, but it is now official.  What I am surprised at is how little it took to sign him : 3 years for 3.3 million.  Theo thinks he'll start in AA and his stay in the minors should be short.  Not a lot of room in the rotation right now, so if he does come soon, it will most likely be in the pen.

What does everyone think - a solid starter long term or will he be more of a Okijima?

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081130&content_id=3695971&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Well, we're pretty well for the playoffs.  As far as the White Sox and Twins are concerned, the playoffs start tomorrow when the Sox play Detroit.

What happens now in NY after 2 straight choke jobs?  Do they make MAJOR moves up to and including  firing the GM?  Or do they go through a fairly normal off-season and simply address needs in the OF and bullpen?

When do the wheels come off Sabathia?  Quite an interesting year (rwperu where are you?) in the NL Central and the Cubs definately look to be the favorites along with the Angels in the AL.

So... here are my predictions:

Sox defeat Detroit, lose to the Twins.

Cubs defeat Dodgers in 4, Rays over Twins in 4, Milwaukee over Philly in 5, Angels over Boston in 5.

Cubs over Milwaukee in 6, Rays over Angels in 7

Cubs over Rays in 6.

Why has this guy been flying completely under the radar?  A little old for his league (23 in high-A), but he is a catcher so it's not as big of a deal.  20 HR's, with an OPS that has been around .900 most of the year.  Strikes out a bit, but also draws a fair share of walks. 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jon%20Still&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453287

Anyone heard any scouting on him?  Can he stay behind the plate? 

Clemens is going to be in some trouble:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/27/sports/main3882845.shtml

It's always been about the criminalization of white people.  Where's the white people's version of Al Sharpton to take a stand?  Hell... where's Al Sharpton? [crickets]

I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries

I'll be busy with work pretty much the next few days, so I won't have too much time the rest of the week to finish compiling the top 50/100 list.  If you ant your list included in the first edition - have it to me by early afternoon this Saturday.  You can always send one in after that and/or update your list after that, but it probably won't make the intial list...  Any questions, let me know...