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The 10 Great Negro League Ballplayers That Have Gone Unsung

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

Satchel Paige & Josh Gibson

Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson were players that paved the way for future Hall of Famers who were able to take their talents from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues.  Such Hall of Famers were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, who was the last Negro league player to hold a regular position in Major League Baseball.  With that said, what about other players that were productive in the Negro Leagues?  There are players that had wonderful careers, who could have easily made the jump to the Majors but never had the opportunities.  Here is my list of 10 Negro League ball players that have gone UNSUNG.

10. Larry Doby (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1998)

Mr. Doby had a small stint in the Negro Leagues, playing second base for four seasons with the Newark Eagles.  He helped the Eagles to a Negro League championship in 1946.  Bill Veeck made Larry Doby the first African-American to play in the American League, eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.  In the 1948 World Series, he played center field for the Cleveland Indians, and was the first black to hit a World Series home run, and he also was the first to win a World Series title.  He is one of only four players to play in both a Negro World Series and a major league World Series.  Doby was the first black to lead the league in homers.  Larry Doby came to the Majors and put up productive numbers helping other Negro League players get the opportunity to reach a dream of playing at the Major League level.  Doby was a .283 career hitter with 253 HR and 970 RBI in 1,533 games.

9. Andrew “Rube” Foster (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1981)

Rube Foster was known as the “Father of Black Baseball”!  Rube was a pitcher, manager, owner, and founder of the Negro National League.  Some baseball historians have given Rube credit with the invention of the screwball.  As a player, he spent his first year pitching for the Chicago Union Giants in the dead-ball era where he compiled a record of 51 wins in a single season.  The following year he came back and surpassed that with a 54-win season which put him as one of the best pitchers of the twentieth century.  Between the years 1903-1906, Rube’s presence on both the Cuban X-Giants and the Philadelphia Giants led to multiple championships.  In 1907, he left the Philadelphia Giants to take over the Leland Giants (American Giants) as both player and manager.  Rube managed Leland to 110-10 record, winning 48 in a row and took the Chicago City League pennant.  After establishing the best black team in the league, he paved the way by organizing the first black baseball league called Negro National League in 1920.  Andrew “Rube” Foster was the president and treasurer of the league while remaining owner and manager of the American Giants.  As owner of the most successful black team in the Negro National League, his American Giants absolutely pulverized everyone they faced as they won 11 championships.

8.  Hilton Smith (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 2001)

Hilton Smith may have been the best pitcher on the Kansas City Monarchs if it wasn’t for the flamboyant Satchel Paige.  Though he was known as “Satchel’s Shadow”, Hilton still managed to become a 20-game winner all 12 seasons as a Monarch.  He often came in after Paige had pitched the first 3 innings of a ball game because Satchel would draw fans to the stadium.  Hilton would finish off opponents in the same fashion as Paige started the game.  Hilton Smith was known as the best all-around pitcher throwing from both sidearm and overhand with unbelievable control.  He had a devastating curve ball, high fastball, and slider.  In 1941, he posted a 25-1 record, losing his only game in a non-league contest.  There was a streak where in 89 innings, he gave up 39 hits.  Hilton helped lead the Monarch to 7 Negro American League titles and a championship in 1942.

7. Martin “El Maestro”Dihigo (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1977)

Martin “El Maestro” Dihigo was the most versatile ball player, with his speed and throwing arm, ever to go through the Negro Leagues.  He played in the Mexican, Cuban, and Negro Leagues where he earned election into the Hall of Fame of each three .  He could play multiple positions including pitcher.  According to Johnny Mize, “He was the only guy he ever saw play all nine positions skillfully, switch hit and manage”.  In 1938, El Maestro won a batting title with a .387 avg while going 18-2 with a 0.90 ERA.  He was the first player in the Mexican league to throw a no-hitter.  Dihigo won three home run crowns in the Negro Leagues and tied Josh Gibson for another.  He also won over 250 games as a pitcher.

6. Reece “Goose” Tatum (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011)

Before there was a Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, Reece Tatum, better known as the “Goose” was the two-sport athlete back in 1940’s.  He played in the Negro Leagues and on The Harlem Globetrotters.  Goose was considered one of the top first basemen in the Negro League.  Tatum was 6’4″ and said to have an arm span of about 84 inches long and could touch his kneecaps without bending.  His length made him a prime fixture at first base with his long arms and legs helping him stretch on close plays.  Reece Tatum was best known as the “Clown Prince”, as he was a crowd pleaser with Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers.  Goose has been credited for inventing the hook shot (sky hook) that Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul Jabaar made famous in his playing career.  Tatum also became owner of the Detroit Clowns in the late 50’s.

5. Walter Fenner “Buck” Leonard (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1972)

While the New York Yankees had Ruth & Gehrig, the Homestead Grays had Leonard & Gibson, better known as the “Thunder Twins”!  That would be Buck Leonard, who had the hand-eye coordination of Ted Williams and the home run power of Hank Aaron.  He was considered one of the best hitters baseball has ever seen.  Also known as “Mr. Clutch”, Buck was the clean-up hitter, protecting Josh Gibson for over a decade.  The Grays’ first basemen was the captain and fixture for the best Negro team in history for seventeen years.  Pitchers feared pitching to him as much as they did Josh Gibson because of his tremendous power.  The Black Lou Gehrig averaged over 40 home runs with a batting average of .350 in his prime.  His glove was also a huge weapon as he was so sophisticated at first base, being compared to the greatest defensive first baseman of all time, George Sisler.  He always made the right play and had a very strong throwing arm.

4. John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1977)

When Babe Ruth reportedly believed Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever to play the game, and Honus Wagner said “It’s an honor to be compared to him”, we can say that John Lloyd was the greatest shortstop the Negro Leagues had ever witnessed.  For over two decades, Pop was cerebral, an exceptional shortstop with good hands and great range.  Early on, he would study his opponents, positioning himself in the field where he was able to get a good jump on the ball.  Pop on the offensive front had a lifetime batting average of .343 and displayed extreme speed on the base paths.  Playing in the dead-ball era, Pop Lloyd used the bunt as a way of getting on base and with his speed he would often be in scoring position that would lead to a run scored.  He played on numerous teams but had most of his success when he played on Rube Foster’s Chicago American Giants.

3. James “Cool Papa” Bell (Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class 1974)

James “Cool Papa” Bell was a legendary lead-off/switch-hitting center fielder, known as the fastest man to ever play the game of baseball.  It has been told that he could circle the bases in an astounding twelve seconds!  Cool Papa’s quickness allowed him to go from first to third on an infield single.  This man was so fast that 1936 Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, who would race anyone prior to the ball games, refused to race the speedy Bell.  Cool Papa used his blazing speed to make up for his lack of power, stole 175 bases in a 200 game season.  His speed going from home to first is described by a former teammate, “If he bunts and it bounces twice, put it in your pocket,” says “Double Duty” Radcliffe.  In his illustrious 20-year career, Bell played on numerous championship teams such as the St. Louis Stars, Pittsburgh Crawfords, and the Homestead Grays.  He never batted under .300 in his career and against competition such as future Hall-of-Famers Dizzy Dean, Bob Feller, and Bob Lemon, Bell hit .391 in 58 exhibition games.  Cool Papa Bell’s defense was so superb, he would be compared to Hall of Fame greats Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays as the best center fielders ever to play the position.  After retiring from the game he made a strong impact on players making the transition to major league baseball, influencing such greats as Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Lou Brock.

2. Oscar “The Hoosier Comet” Charleston (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1976)

In 1921, the left-handed Oscar “The Hoosier Comet” Charleston led the Negro Leagues in doubles, triples, and home runs while batting a whooping .426 for the season, drawing comparisons to Ty Cobb.  In nine consecutive seasons, he hit over .350, twice over .400.  His career batting average was .348. “The Hoosier Comet” was known for his speed on the bases and one of the finest defensive outfielders of all-time.  His career in the Negro Leagues lasted four decades as a player and manager.  It was rare to see Hall of Fame players such as Frank Robinson and MLB all-time hits leader Pete Rose manage and play the game at the same time.  In 1932, Oscar managed and played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords, who were said to be the greatest Negro baseball team ever.  The Hoosier Comet also excelled against the major leaguers in 53 exhibition games with a career avg .358 and 11 HR.  After his playing career, he continued to coach where he managed the Pittsburgh Crawfords to a National Negro Championship.  He was a tough, demanding manager that had the respect from all players that played under him.

1. Joe “Smokey” Williams (Inducted in Baseball Hall of Fame 1999)

There has never been a pitcher at the professional level to strike out more than 20 batters in a game.  On Aug. 2, 1930, Smokey Joe Williams of the Homestead Grays struck out 27 Kansas City Monarchs and threw a one-hitter in a 1-0, 12-inning victory.  He was 44 freaking years old!  The strikeout king was a modern-day Nolan Ryan as he pitched 27 years in the Negro Leagues.  Joe Williams was also known as the “Cyclone” because of his untouchable fastball that led to record-breaking strikeout performances and numerous no-hitters.  His lifetime exhibition record against major league competition was 20-7.  He posted barnstorming victories over the 1912 pennant-winning New York Giants and 1915 Philadelphia Phillies, shutting out both teams.  Smokey’s memorable moment occurred in 1917, when he struck out 20 batters while no-hitting the New York Giants, although he lost the game, 1-0 on an error.  The Giants were the representatives in the World Series that year.  The Cyclone defeated five Hall of Fame pitchers (Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson and Rube Marquard) in exhibitions.  He must have been a bad boy if Ty Cobb thinks he could have won 30 games in the Major Leagues.  Smokey Joe Williams has one up on the great Satchel Paige as in their only encounter, old man Williams outgunned the young Paige sensation 1-0.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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The Ryan Express

Monday, May 21st, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

If you could choose any Major League pitcher, retired or active, to pitch in game seven of the World Series during the dead-ball era or the steroid era with success, who would you choose?  Without any hesitation I would choose Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr.  He was the most intimidating power pitcher of his era, for more than a quarter of a century.  He pitched 27 years in the majors to be exact.  In fact, his last major league pitch registered at 98mph on the radar gun.  Mr. Ryan was a bulldog of a pitcher, who never fraternized with any opposing players because he wanted to keep his edge.  He amazingly pitched in the major leagues in four different decades.  Nolan Ryan is the only major league ballplayer outside of Jackie Robinson to have his number retired by three different teams (Anaheim Angels, Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers).  It’s hard to believe that the Ryan Express has been away from the game since 1993.  It seems like he would put up legendary stats each time he appeared in a game.  I would like to share with you my top 5 most memorable moments in Nolan Ryan’s career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(#5) July 15, 1973 – NO HITTER!  California Angels vs Detroit Tigers

Nolan Ryan gets his second “NO-HITTER” of the season at Tiger Stadium.  He struck out 17 Detroit Tigers that day, which at the time was two shy of the Major League record of 19.  That year was golden for The Ryan Express as he won 21 games with a 2.87 ERA, broke the single season strike out record (383) by one, formerly held by Sandy Koufax, and after almost 40 years, that record still stands today.  As puzzling as it sounds, Nolan did not win the Cy Young Award that year (losing to Jim Palmer who had one victory more than Nolan).  In fact, in all of his 27 years playing, he never brought home the trophy.  Nolan ended up with seven no hitters, three more than his closest rival (Sandy Koufax).

 

 

 

 

(#4) August 22, 1989 – #5000! Texas Rangers vs Oakland A’s 

Who better to be at the plate than The Greatest!  Not Ali, but this individual was the greatest lead-off hitter of all time in Ricky Henderson.  The Ryan Express, at the age of 42, threw a 3-2 pitch fastball down the pipe……and a WHIFF by Mr. Henderson!  Ricky graciously quoted, “If you haven’t been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you’re nobody.”  Although Nolan Ryan is in elite company, he is the only pitcher to top 5,000 strikeouts in a career (5,714total).  He has 938 more strikeouts than second place Randy Johnson, a record that probably will never be beaten.

 

 

 

 

(#3) July 31, 1990 – 300th Win!  Texas Rangers vs Milwaukee Brewers

  After failing to win number 300 at home in Arlington, Texas, Nolan traveled to Milwaukee where he went out and pitched 7 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, one earned run, and eight strikeouts, to record his 300th career victory.  That was one month after recording no-hitter number six.  Nolan is the fourth oldest player behind Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro and Early Wynn to have won 300 games.  He finished his career with 324.

 

 

 

 

(#2) August 4, 1993 – Don’t Mess With Texas! (The Lesson) Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox

After five years in Texas, Nolan had recorded his 300th victory, 5000th strikeout, and his sixth and seventh no-hitters as a Texas Ranger.  In the final season of Nolan Ryan’s illustrious career, he showed why you “Don’t Mess With Texas”!  The 46 year old Ryan hit Robin Ventura’s backside with the ball.  Like most ballplayers, they take exception to getting hit by the ball and he charged the mound.  Nolan is 20 years Robin’s senior.  I am sure when Ventura ran toward the old timer, his plans were to even the score.  This is when keeping it real goes wrong!  Robin learned a valuable lesson that day.  Little did he know, Nolan, who placed the young Ventura in the same head-lock he used on steers, struck Robin in the head six times before Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez pulled Robin away!  After the brawl occured, Robin Ventura was ejected from the game, and somehow Nolan dusted off his cap and remained pitching.  Why was he allowed to remain in the game you might ask?  After the can of whoopin  he gave Robin, who’s going to tell him he can’t pitch?!  By the way, Ryan didn’t give up another hit the rest of the way.

 

 

 

 

(#1) August 5, 2010 – Nolan Ryan delivers the Texas Rangers

Not many people can stack their credentials next to the legend Nolan Ryan.  He can literally be compared to the stories you hear of Babe Ruth.  5714 strikeouts, 324 victories, and 7 no-hitters are marks that may never be reached.  He won a World Series in 1969 with the New York Mets.  He has had a full career pitching in the Major League.  There is no other ballplayer in the history of the game that has made such a significant impact on the field, and now he is calling shots as an owner.  A little bit past midnight on August 5, 2010, Nolan Ryan and his investment group swooped in and saved the Texas Rangers franchise by purchasing a team that had filed Chapter 7 under owner Tom Hicks.  Since Ryan’s arrival as president and owner of the Texas Rangers organization, the atmosphere of the last place team has changed full circle.  No longer are the Texas Rangers the laughing stock of the American League West.  His presence has made pitchers tougher, and their endurance to pitch deeper in the games has increased the team’s chances at victories.  With shrewd business moves in free agency, building up the farm system that is the best in baseball, the Texas Rangers have enjoyed success in the last two years by winning back-to-back pennants for the first time in Texas history and a trip to two World Series.  Although the franchise has yet to win the World Series, the future of Texas Rangers baseball is positive. 

I am pretty sure at age 64, Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr’s passion for baseball still exists.  If by chance the Texas Rangers need an out with the bases loaded, a 3-2 count and a one run lead,  I bet he would deliver a strikeout to win the game.  Who is going to say he can’t take the mound?  He owns the team now!

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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Who is the Villain?

Monday, May 7th, 2012

By Brandon McConnell

Growing up in Kansas City, my father always liked taking our family to the movies during the summer.  He loved to watch a good action movie.  I can remember him arguing with his friends for weeks about different scenes in the original Terminator movie.  In all of these movies, there was a good guy to root for and a villain to go against.

Over the years, there have been several villains in movies.  Superman had Lex Luthor, Batman had the Joker, and Luke Skywalker had Darth Vader.  Anyone who knows me can tell you who is my all-time villain.  That would be Wesley Snipes’ character Nino Brown in the best movie ever, New Jack City. 

I thought about this topic while listening to an ESPN sports radio show discussing something similar this past weekend.  Just like in every action movie, there is a villain that the audience is supposed to go against or strangely root for.

In baseball, you could consider Barry Bonds a villain.  He broke the home run record and is known as one of the best baseball players ever, with an asterisk, since he took performance enhancement drugs “without knowing”.  Side note, if my head size went from a 7 to an 8 after age 24, I would check with a doctor about that.  He was always a complete jerk to the media.

Basketball has their fair share of villains.  Dennis Rodman is the first one that comes to mind.  He was an original Bad Boy for the Detroit Pistons championship teams.  Dennis and his teammates believed it was their duty to beat the crap out of Michael and Scottie any chance they could.   

Football has a couple villains as well.  One of the most recent inductees to the villain fraternity would be Gregg Williams, GODFATHER of the BOUNTY.  He turned a mediocre New Orleans Saints team into a championship defense just by giving the team an incentive (BOUNTY) to do what they were already going to do. 

Villains in the sports world can be players, coaches or even owners.  Let me know who are some people you think are the villains of their sport and what they did to give themselves the VILLAIN title.

Brandon McConnell of “Respect Da Game”, for War Room Sports

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Pardon My Interruption!

Monday, April 30th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

Each day at 5 pm I tend to turn on the “four letter network” to get my sports fix, but it seems that I may as well be watching the local news instead.  Lately, the sports show starts off with some sort of breaking news, or the top story of today, and it has nothing to do with sports.  I just want to see scores, highlights, and previews for tonight’s games.  What do I get instead…….. a bunch of bullshit!

There are so many exciting things going on in the world of sports.  In football, we had the much anticipated NFL draft, but as soon as the weekend is up, all the attention will go back to “As The New Orleans Saints Turn”!  The baseball season has begun and baseball fans all over the country are optimistic about their team’s success.  Baseball was running smoothly until the morning of April 27, 2012 when Delmon Young involves himself in a racial hate crime which leads to an arrest.  The regular season in the NBA has come to an end and now the world can finally watch some good playoff basketball.  Leading up to the playoffs, last Sunday in the Staples Center, Metta World Peace’s altar ego was at it again.  After having much success in recent weeks, he was shown celebrating after a made dunk.  Metta, who was pounding his chest, purposely woke up Big Bad Ron and what do you know……. he maliciously elbowed James Harden of the OKC Thunder in the back of the head/neck area, knocking him silly to a standing eight count. 

Breaking News:

Detroit Tigers' Delmon Young

 

Athletes at every level, have to be accountable for all their actions.  There is no excuse for a player such as Delmon Young to exercise his right to be out in public at 2:40 in the morning.  He was intoxicated, and allegedly shoving a man to the ground and making anti-Semitic remarks.  What is the old saying? “Nothing good happens after midnight”.  We all have heard that saying, and I have to believe it’s a true statement.  I don’t want to hear the apology written by Delmon’s entourage because I know good and well he doesn’t mean it, and the damage is done.  Delmon Young, look in the mirror son!  You are a black man in Major League Baseball, a league who’s African American players make up only 8% of the sport.  Earlier this month the league just celebrated Jackie Robinson Day.  What does that day mean to you, Delmon?  Jackie Robinson was the man!  He was a pioneer who withstood  insults and racism, while still having to compete in a league where no one looked like him, and certainly didn’t want him there in the first place.  He is the reason why you and other minorities have gotten that slim chance of being a professional ballplayer.  You have been on notice since the day you reached the majors and you can ill-afford any negative publicity.  The Detroit Tigers cannot afford the racist remarks you’ve made; heck didn’t you learn anything from the Ozzie Guillen fiasco?  Think son, THINK!

My last rant goes to Mr. World Peace.  Fine time to bring out your evil twin.  As I said earlier, the worse thing you could have done Metta, is beat your chest because Ron Artest couldn’t wait to come out and play!  Ron, you threw a vicious elbow to the back of James Harden’s neck, and you even had the nerve to run down the court and act as if you did nothing wrong.  I guess I have to believe you were the last to realize you actually hurt this man.  As the great Charlie Murphy  would say, “you are a habitual line crosser”!  Ron, you will lose over $350,000 in this latest suspension for swinging your elbow.  You have been suspended over 118 games in your career.  You apologized, but I am sick of them.  I don’t want to hear it, sincere or not.  If it was an accident, you should have gone to him while he was lying on the ground immediately after the incident happened.  You are a buffoon.  The league is kind to you, and I don’t understand why you are not appreciative of being a part of the game.  The LA Lakers have to do damage control as did Indiana back in 2004 with your altercation among players and fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons.  If there is talk of bounties in sports, you are it Ron!  There will be a time when you have played your last game, and don’t be surprised if it’s real soon.  My prediction for you, Ron, is you will be black balled from the league, and you will only have yourself to blame.  Come to think of it, you are better fit throwing your hat in the ring as a professional boxer.  Once again, America is salivating for a new Heavyweight Champ.  You would be perfect for the sport and without a doubt be loved by everybody once you’ve become the champ!  Oh well, just a thought.

Now back to your regularly scheduled sports program.

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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Who’s The Best, Who’s The Greatest, Who’s The # 1 (Vol. II)

Friday, April 13th, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

The phrase “who is the best, the greatest, and the number one” has been a term used throughout my childhood.  The original “KCMAC” used that phrase for years.  He would tickle me as a child until I would give in and tell him he was the best, the greatest, and occasionally saying that MOM was number one.  To find out who was the turkey back then, “KCMAC” would pin me down and if I wanted off my back then I guess I would be the turkey.  Well in sports we have athletes who have demonstrated greatness, and athletes who may not have been so great.  So I think some recognition is in order.

WHO’S THE BEST?

Baylor Lady Bears

“The Best” so far goes to the Baylor Lady Bears basketball program who went an NCAA record 40-0.  Baylor started and finished the season ranked #1 in the country with the help of All-American Brittney Griner, who is the most dominant center women’s basketball has ever witnessed.  Oh, by the way, their starting five will be back to defend their title next year.  Congratulations to Coach Kim Mulkey and the Lady Bears for a magical season.

WHO’S THE GREATEST?

 

“The Greatest” goes to San Antonio Spurs, who for the second time this year has gone on a eleven game winning streak that suddenly ended Monday night against the Utah Jazz.  Their streak ended because coach Greg Popovich arrogantly gives Tim Duncan, Manu Ginoboli, and Tony Parker the day off.  I’m not sure if it was a wise thing to do considering they have the opportunity to get the number one seed in the Western Conference.  The loss placed the Spurs one game out of first behind the Oklahoma City Thunder with 11 games to go.  No one can really question the mind of Greg Popovich, who has been pushing the right buttons since 1999.  We must remember the last time there was a shortened season the Spurs were holding the Larry O’Brien trophy!

WHO IS THE #1

As if you really have to ask.  Who would of thought that a man named Bubba would be wearing the prestigious Masters’ green jacket!  Bubba Watson is his name, a man who last month squandered a 3-shot lead in the final round of the Doral by losing to Justin Rose by a shot.   This is a man that is self taught, never been coached, and was bold enough to go out there with a pink driver (dad died of throat cancer) to shoot a final round 68 to beat the likes of Mickelson, Westwood, and overcame Louis Oosthuizen in a sudden death playoff.  Bubba Watson has overcome ADHD to win his first major tournament.

Gobble, Gobble! 

Who does the Turkey of the Week go too?

I would have said the mouth of the Ozzie Guillen for his ill-advised comments he made about his admiration of Fidel Castro.  Of course he was  misinterpreted when he said “I love Fidel Castro.”  He basically said he admires Castro for staying alive/in power this long with everyone out to get him.  He must have forgotten he was in Miami where there is a strong Latin community.  Ozzie is the most defiant person in sports towards authority I have ever seen.  He makes Charles Barkley sound like a role model.  Ozzie being Ozzie, I guess that’s what Manny Ramirez would say.  I thought he was finished as a coach on that remark.  However he only got a 5-game suspension, which seems kind of light, especially when people were calling for his firing.  Either way this is probably far from being over with and if his comments affect butts in the seats, he’s a dead man walking anyway.

The true “Turkey” this time around has to be former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino!  Unfortunately he and his mistress was involved in a motorcycle accident on April 1, 2012.  That motorcycle was coach Petrino’s skeleton in the closet.  Yikes, Petrino is a married man and his mistress is engaged.  He was fired “with cause” because of misleading University of Arkansas about his accident.  His relationship with this woman, for whom he used athletic department funds to hire, was granted an unfair advantage, bypassing 159 other qualified applicants which was a conflict of interest.  He never informs his athletic director that he gave his mistress $20,000 in cash prior to hiring her.  Petrino’s April Fools joke is on him, as he will lose his multi-million dollar buy-out.  Now that’s a REAL TURKEY!

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

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Philadelphia Phillies 2012 Season Preview

Friday, April 6th, 2012

By Brandon Pemberton

Follow me on twitter @BrandonOnSports and @SportsTrapRadio

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Hunter Pence and Jimmy Rollins need to carry the Phillies offensively while Ryan Howard is out of the lineup.

 

Ever since the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, expectations have been high here in Philly.  This has clearly been one of the best eras of baseball in town since the late 70’s-early 80’s Schmidt and Bowa led squads, and fans now have a “championship or bust” mentality.  How this team plays offensively without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley for a good part of the season will be huge.  Barring injury, the pitching staff should be fine and I’m looking forward to the addition of Jonathan Papelbon as the new closer as well.

The Miami Marlins have added some pieces to go along with their young talent and should be better this season.  The Nationals are a year older and will have a starting rotation of Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Zimmerman at the top and could be potentially a threat.  The Braves fizzled out and lost a 9.5 game wild card lead in September, but also remember, they lost quality starting pitching late in the season as well and the bullpen was overworked something vicious.

So I will breakdown this year’s team by the infield, outfield, and pitching staff, and then give my prediction on regular season wins and how far they get in the playoffs.

Pitching Staff

Starters: This staff is headlined by three aces and Cy Young award candidates: Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Cliff Lee.  All three had great regular seasons in 2011 and I expect the same this season.  Vance Worley was a pleasant surprise in his rookie year, with an 11-3 record, 3.01 ERA, and 119 K’s in 131.2 innings, and hitters only had a .232 average against him.  Right now, Joe Blanton is penciled in as the fifth starter and the Phillies just need him to be solid, nothing spectacular, make thirty starts give them six plus innings per outing, and don’t give up too many big innings.

Bullpen: Jonathan Papelbon was signed during the offseason to replace Ryan Madson as the Phillies’ closer and the move really looks great now after the news came out that Madson will miss the entire 2012 season with Tommy John’s surgery.  Last season, Antonio Bastardo was great as the only lefty in the bullpen and the Phils will need the same from him this year.  Michael Stutes, a rookie last season, pitched well in the 7th and 8th innings of games and will be the setup man for Papelbon.  This year, lefty Joe Savery will be the 2nd southpaw and that should give Bastardo the needed rest as he wore down at the end of the season.  Kyle Kendrick was given a 2-year contract and will be the Phillies’ long reliever and emergency start if one of the regulars happen to get hurt.

Infield: The Phillies will start the season without their starting right side of the infield as Ryan Howard is still recovering from his ruptured Achilles tendon and Chase Utley is on the shelf to start the season to rehab his bad knees.  Ty Wiggington, John Mayberry Jr., and Jim Thome will all see time at first base and rookie shortstop prospect Freddie Galvis has been moved to second base with the injury to utility infielder Michael Martinez, out until possibly June with a fractured foot.  Pete Orr could also see some time at 2nd base if Gavlis struggles a bit at the plate.

Jimmy Rollins was re-signed during the offseason and his glove and arm are still elite, but the Phillies need him to have a big year at the plate, regardless of his spot in the lineup.  Placido Polanco got off to a hot start last season, but hit well below .200 over the last two months of the season and dealt with back and elbow injuries during the season.

Carlos Ruiz had a hot spring and has been a rock behind the plate for the Phils pitching staff.  He has been a clutch hitter in big spots over the past few years and is a fan favorite here in Philadelphia.  Brian Schneider provides veteran leadership and steady play off of the bench when “Chooch” needs a rest.

Outfield: Shane Victorino is a potential All-Star player for the Phillies and will be the lead-off hitter and catalyst offensively.  He’s also one of the best defensive center fielders in all of baseball.  I would like a better approach at the plate, less strikeouts, and a higher on-base percentage as well.  Hunter Pence is in his first full season as a Phillie and the team needs big-time run production out of him with Howard out of the lineup for a while.  John Mayberry will get his chance to see quality time in the lineup after producing well in spot duty last season.  Juan Pierre adds speed, late game pinch hitting, and running to the Phils and Laynce Nix provides a left-handed bat off of the bench with some pop.

Prediction: The Phillies have an elite pitching staff who will win or keep them close in most games this season.  I’m not worried about pitching with this team as long as they stay healthy.  The question is the Phillies offense and how will they make up for the run production that Ryan Howard has  produced on a yearly basis.  Howard is unfairly scrutinized in Philly, but the numbers don’t lie, he’s been one of the best run producers in baseball over the last five years.  The Phillies will need to play more “small-ball”, cut down on the strikeouts in the lineup, and get timely hits in big spots.  Even with Howard and Utley out for a long period of time and the Marlins and Nationals making moves and having young talent, I still believe the Phils have enough to win the division.  They won’t run away with it like last season.  It will be a closer race than most think.

I really believe this is the year Philadelphia makes it back to the World Series.  I’m not saying they win it, but I predict they play the Detroit Tigers in the fall classic.

94-68, win the N.L. East, and represent the National League in the World Series.

Brandon Pemberton of Brandon on Sports & Sports Trap Radio, for War Room Sports

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Justin Verlander for MVP!!!

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

By Germain Favor

With a little less than a month left in the baseball season, pundits and analysts alike are starting to tell us  who they believe should win the various individual awards for the 2011 season.  One of the hotly-debated topics is about Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Justin Verlander and whether or not he should be the American League Most Valuable Player.  Some say that he should be the MVP because MVP is Most Valuable PLAYER, not Most Valuable BATTER.  Others say he should not be MVP because a starting pitcher does not play on a regular basis.  I for one say he is the AL MVP.  If you look at Verlander’s stats, you will see he has the numbers needed to be an MVP.  In 29 starts, Verlander is: (1) first in wins with 20; (2) first in Innings-pitched with 215.2; (3) first in strike-outs with 218; (4) second in earned run average  with 2.38; (5) first in WHIP with .90; and (6) first in win percentage with .800.  But the one thing that makes Verlander MVP is unquantifiable; his impact on the Tigers.  Including his 4 “no-decisions”, the Tigers have won around 70 percent of their games started with Verlander on the mound.  When another pitcher starts, the Tigers are near or below .500.  That is the mark of an MVP. 

An MVP should be a player that lifts his team.  An MVP should be a player that, when he plays, the team is better than they are in the games in which he does not play.  Verlander is all of that and then some.  No other player in the American League has such an impact on a team that is in first place and the numbers to go with it.   But there are those who think that Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox, Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees, or Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays is the MVP.  Yes, all three have the numbers, but does Bautista, Granderson, and Gonzalez make their teams dramatically better?  No.  The Red Sox, Yankees, and Blue Jays do not play harder when they are in the lineup, nor does each team do worse when they are out.  So are they good players?  Yes.  MVPs?  No.  Verlander fits the bill as an MVP because he has the numbers and the impact on his team that an MVP is supposed to have.  The MVP voters need to do the right thing and make Justin Verlander the American League MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.

Germain Favor, for War Room Sports

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Unwritten Rules of Major League Baseball

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

By Jimmy Williams

I just want to say a few words about baseball and it’s unwritten rules.  This has pissed me off for years.  Earlier this season, Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Justin Verlander was working on a no-hitter when Erick Aybar bunted the ball in the eighth inning and reached 1st base on a play where Verlander fielded the ball and threw it wide to first base.  Later in the inning, a two-out single was hit and the no-hitter was broken up.

After the game, many players were pissed at Aybar for laying down the bunt when there was still a chance of a no-hitter.  They said he had broken one of baseball’s “unwritten rules”.  First off, the term “unwritten rules” is stupid!  If it’s a rule, it should be in writing! Baseball players overall are a bunch of bivious creatures.  They hate when players don’t give their all by hustling to first base or running out a pop-fly, but they get upset when someone is doing everything in their power to get on base when a no-hitter is taken late into a game.  Aybar was trying to get on base late in a close game but because Verlander had a no-hitter going on, you get pissed.  If you ask me it was a smart play, yet people were treating Aybar like he was the leader of Cobra Kai, telling his students to hurt Daniel-San.

Baseball has so many unwritten rules that players often break them without knowing. Jason Turbow has written an excellent book called “The Baseball Codes”, which discuss some of baseballs unwritten rules.  Some of the rules are downright egregious!  I won’t name them all but I want to mention a few so you can see how stupid they are.

1)  Don’t swing at the first pitch after back-to-back Home Runs.  Huh?  Why not?  So if it is a good pitch to hit, I shouldn’t swing because the pitcher sucks “rhinoceros pizzle”? That’s just stupid!

2)  When you are hit by a pitch, you shouldn’t rub the mark.  What if it hurts like hell?

3)  Don’t help the opposition make a play by bracing them if they are falling into the dugout.  So basically, if you see a guy about to break his neck by trying to make a play, you should just let him break his neck.  I wonder how that will look on replay.

There are many more stupid “unwritten rules”, but you get my point.  I think baseball players should act like adults and stop being so “Tresvanty”.  They should take all of these “unwritten rules” and toss them in a “pit of unfortunate”.  I find it funny how players speak out when someone breaks an unwritten rule but for the most part they remain silent when a player breaks written rules.  Where is the backlash when players get caught drinking & driving, or engaging in spousal abuse, or drug possession?  Yet, when someone lays down a bunt in the 8th inning of a close game, players want to speak up.  For the players who spoke out against Aybar, you should be forced to drink bleach and then be thrown off the roof of a Baltimore row home, while landing on dog feces with glass in it.  And for those who read this and also believe in these “unwritten rules”, you can get the “Bozak”!

Jimmy Williams 

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Clemens & Bonds: Let My People Go…Into The Hall of Fame

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

by Jimmy Williams

Bonds & Clemens

Although the trial of Roger Clemens ended in a mistrial, (as of now it is unclear whether or not they will retry him) no one believes he DIDN’T use steroids.  This puts his chances of going into the Hall of Fame in jeopardy, even though his numbers clearly make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Growing up as a huge baseball fan, there were many great players that put up crazy numbers, but the best pitcher of my generation was clearly William Roger Clemens, and the best player was without a doubt, Barry Lamar Bonds.  Now both of these athletes may never get the honor of going into the Baseball Hall of Fame because of their connection to steroids.  To me this is unfathomable.  I believe all of the great players and products of my era should be honored.  Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Nike ‘95’ Air Max, Reversible Nautica Jackets, Issey Miyake Cologne, The “Illmatic” Album, Voltron Cartoons…you get the point.

I don’t know whether or not they will ever make it into the Hall of Fame, but I hope the Baseball Writers Association of America does not wait until they are damn-near ineligible to put them in the HOF.  That would be equivalent to the writers of “Who’s The Boss” waiting until the last season of the show to make Tony and Angela hook up.

The steroid era has forever changed baseball.  Any time anyone puts up any power numbers, people automatically start with the steroid talk.  It’s sad what has happened to the game but what is more sad is how there is a cloud of suspicion over most of the great players of my era.

Jimmy Williams 

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Derek Jeter’s 3000th Hit: Nobody’s Perfect

Monday, July 18th, 2011

by Jimmy Williams

So Derek Jeter has now hit for over 3,000 hits and has added to his legacy of being an all-time great baseball player. People are now arguing about where he stands in terms of Yankee greats.  I don’t know where he stands historically as a Yankee because I haven’t put any thought into it, and unlike most people I have the ability to form my own opinion.

Over his career, Jeter has been a great player who has stayed out of trouble, and has done nothing but play the game the right way.  He is also one of the most clutch athletes I have ever seen.  I don’t believe in praising people for doing what they should do, like staying out of prison, but with athletes being arrested on what seems like a daily basis, I feel like those who stay out of trouble like Jeter has, deserve credit.  This leads me to my problem with Derek Jeter.  He is a Yankee.  Being a Phillies fan, I cannot admire nor like a Yankee.  Yet I have been having a hard time finding anything to dislike about Jeter.  He recently sat out of the All-Star Game and I thought, “okay, here is my reason”.  But honestly I had no problem with him doing this.  All of the all-star games are a joke at this point but that is for a later discussion.  It really is difficult to dislike a guy who plays the game extremely well, has just as many hits with models & actresses as he does on the diamond, has made a boat-load of money, and is philanthropic.

But after a couple days of pondering about what I can say bad about Jeter, I finally found something.  Mr. Jeter…your cologne distributed through Avon STINKS!  That’s right…it is horrible and cheap.  It smells like a combination of polar bear urine and bone marrow from a dead alley cat.  How could you associate yourself with a fragrance as repugnant as that?  Your fragrance is called “Driven” but it smells more like an old Chevy driven by four homeless men and a dead, diabetic pig.

So now Mr. Jeter, I can throw you in the same boat as most Yankees I hate, like “A-Roid”, because you don’t have enough sense to smell a fragrance before you put your name on it.  So there you have it.  Although it sounds like I am dissing you in a weird way, I am actually giving you credit because that is the only thing I can find to make me dislike you.  But you are a Yankee, so FOH and go play in traffic!!

I’m Nice!!!

Jimmy Williams

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