Unanimous decision: Kalamazoo Central re-names its baseball field
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 11, 2011 
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First Nick Swisher had a baseball field named after him. Now it’s Derek Jeter’s turn.
The field at Kalamazoo Central High School will be renamed after the Yankees captain following a unanimous vote by the board of education on Thursday night. According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the board “praised Jeter’s accomplishments on the field and his philanthropy through his Turn 2 Foundation” in agreeing to the honor.
Jeter graduated from Kalamazzo Central in 1992 and was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. As a high school senior he hit .508 with four homers, 23 RBI, 21 walks and one strikeout in 23 games.
How cool would it be to be that pitcher who got the strikeout?
Pap to the Phillies. That’s wonderful. I guess the Yankees can now cross off the red sox & phillies from contending teams next season.
Ken_Rosenthal
No guarantee #Phillies will forfeit draft pick for Papelbon. Possible that in new CBA teams will not lose picks for signing FAs.
It’s still to be decided, but under new CBA teams may still gain picks for losing Type As, but signing teams may no longer lose them.
lol @ Red Sox.
I think the Jays might outbid the Yankees. It was said they are very motivated.
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Any team could outbid the Yankees, its the danger of the process, but any team being interested heavily or not doesn’t really matter. All the Yankees need do is make a strong bid.
JF-
I’m sure they will but I think the Jays will be stronger is all I’m saying.
Later.
If they don’t lose a pick would the team losing teh FA be getting supplemental picks instead of regular 1st round picks? odd.
You guys a way to rough on Papelbon. His numbers have been consistently good for several years, and he has been reliable as far as injuries go. The Phils signed an established Closer and payed for it $$$. They got knocked outta RD1 due to their anemic offense, yet they bolster the bullpen. Throw in the injury to Howard, and they got Cracked Bats up and down the lineup to start the season. It will be very easy to pitch around Pence come April. Utley is a shell of what he once was, and Rollins talks a better game than he plays these days. And Thome? hahahahah
No surprise if the Jays go hard after Ryan Madson as their closer. If so, the main competition for the Yankees are the Rays and Jays. Boston looks in their rear view mirror at the Orioles.
Papelbon was the best closer on the market and the Phillies went and got him…..but he can’t hit so it really doesn’t address their biggest area of need.
Yanks need to put in a huge posting number for Darvish
Didn’t the Sox’ bid for Matsuzaka exceed the next highest by like $20 million? We need to do the same for Darvish
It doesn’t count against the luxury tax and the Steinbrenners make billions… a $60 mil posting fee won’t kill anybody…
blake, MTU, jerkface, LGY, et al (who are interested in the PSU case)
I don’t know whether you heard this but in 1998, the date of the first known incident, the mother of the victim reported it to the PSU police and PSU’s attorney reviewed the police report on behalf of the University before it was submitted to the Centre County DA’s office. That attorney was also the attorney for The Second Mile and continued to represent them for another 13 years!!!!!
Penn State might as well fold its tent. I wish I was licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. I could be a rich rich woman.
So we now know that Paterno was aware of the 1998 incident, as it concerned one of his employees and was reported to the University and reviewed by the University’s attorney. So the troll knew about Sandusky’s proclivities at least going back to 1998, and he knew about them when McQueary came to him in 2002.
You are wondering why Paterno lawyered up with a criminal lawyer?
SCUMBAG. Karma will bring around the legacy he deserves.
“Didn’t the Sox’ bid for Matsuzaka exceed the next highest by like $20 million?”
How’d that work out? Id like for them to bid aggressively …..but there is too much risk attached to go nuts
That Howard contract is going to kill Philly
Wouldn’t he have been a FA after this season? They could have let him walk and replaced him with Pujols/Fielder…. Now all they can go after is a Cuddayer type.
Wonder who Philly fans find more disappointing… their baseball team or football team… both were projected to be the best in their respective sport and the favorites to win it all after huge winters… their baseball team got knocked out in the 1st round and their football team needs to basically win out to make the playoffs….
Trisha,
So the campus cops and the school attorney’s dog ate the report Im sure……
No sense in outbidding the next Darvish pursuer by more than 20 million. That’s just wasted money. If the scouts are convinced he can succeed in the MLB, then I could see a bid in the mid-$30 million range. Would not go higher than that. If the jays bid higher, fine. It makes them less flexible to go after other players.
I never really got the whole dream team thing with the Eagles……that aways seemed destined for disaster to me.
“This week, in response to his inclusion in the grand jury presentment, Courtney claimed he had only begun his work for The Second Mile in 2009, instead of prior to 1998. Today the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office rebutted that claim.
“It’s clear from the findings of the grand jury that Mr. Courtney had direct dealings with both Penn State and The Second Mile and he had knowledge and was aware of the 1998 incident,” said Nils Fredericksen, a spokesman for the AG. “The grand jury findings are based on evidence and testimony. There’s no dispute he had interaction with both [Penn State and The Second Mile].”
Just wow.
blake, I heard Sandusky is also being sued in Texas.
The extent of this coverup is staggering. What’s it’s done to Penn State is probably irreparable.
If the scouts are convinced he can succeed in the MLB, then I could see a bid in the mid-$30 million range.
–
I would bid 40-45 with an expectation that you get a contract for ~50 over 6. They can’t bid mid thirties and expect to win when the Mets bid 5 million more for Daisuke and the Yankees were third place on that with 32 mil. I don’t think a team goes 50+ for Darvish.
What’s he being sued for in Texas? I hope they can charge him sufficiently so that that animal never breathes free air again.
By the way, I wouldn’t be surprised if McQueary was threatened and told to keep his mouth shut. At some point he’s going to be able to tell his story.
blake -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45255919/
Sandusky’s a monster but so are all of the pigs who colluded to keep things quiet. The name, the brand, the destruction of innocent lives – and the collapse of an institution.
And McQueary is now on administrative leave.
Blake,
I join you in your greed, Darvish and Danks. The D&D Boys.
Next time I hear a Phillies fan griping about somebody buying championships, Imma slap ‘em silly.
# Tarheel In NYC November 11th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Next time I hear a Phillies fan griping about somebody buying championships, Imma slap ‘em silly.
——–
I would say that is fair. They are going to be stuck with a lot of horrible contracts soon here. They really need to win it all again here within the next 2 years or they are going to be screwed.
Trisha,
Its incredible how deep this apparently runs.
Austinmac,
What’s that saying…..greed is good
The D and D boys would good in the Yankee rotation. Add Nova along with CC and you can go to battle with that.
I don’t think Cashman will be denied a starter (or two) this winter…..question is which one(s).
I_JonHeyman 2 hours Papelbon deal is $50M guaranteed for 4. Hear the 5th-yr vest is “easy” too.
SI_JonHeyman 2 hours Hear papelbon deal is $50M for 4 yrs w/vesting option for 5th that could make it worth $60M.
There is an option too? Wow.
SI_JonHeyman 1 hour sizemore looking for beltre/boston-type deal: 1 yr to reprove self. oak likes him but sees risk due to $ & health
blake – it is absolutely staggering, too big to wrap the mind around. Don’t you have the feeling we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg? I know I do.
If you see LGY around let him know about the attorney connection. I know he’ll be interested to know that.
Crazy thing is I cringed for the madson deal. This one im just like oh well that’s the going to be highest mark so other closers have to be equal or better then to get similar deal.
McQueary is on admin leave due to death threats. There is some thought that he is protected under the Whistleblower Law.
I would take Sizemore on a “Prove Myself” contract.
I’m really surprised that Papelbon didn’t want to top Mo’s AAV. For some reason that was important to him years ago.
I guess security trumps pride.
Pete:
“No worries. We have Bard, Aceves, and Jinx who can all handle the job.”
Aceves close? That would be interesting.
Getting Darvish and bringing Freddy Garcia back, would make the Yankee rotation 6 Deep.
(1) CC
(2) NOVA
(3) DARVISH
(4) HUGHES
(5) AJ
(6) GARCIA (insurance\depth)
This rotation coupled with the Yankee bullpen would be the best in the AL. Should Texas lose CJ Wilson, they would immediately be in scramble mode. The Yankees getting Darvish would make them head and shoulders the best team in the AL, and force Texas, Detroit, and Boston to make major revisions in their teams if they wanted to compete. Otherwise, the Yanks would have it on cruise control by August. Tampa has a good rotation, but adding Darvish and factoring in the bullpen makes their pitching a distant 2nd to the Yanks.
The Phillies could have just taken Soriano and only had half the commitment!
jacksquat says:
November 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm
The Phillies could have just taken Soriano and only had half the commitment!
——–
With a LOT less than half the production in ’11.
Watch how fast corporate sponsors will start to abandon Penn State. I think there’s been only 5 times that the death penalty has been implemented in college sports. We may well get a 6th now.
Congrats to Jeter.
Go TARHEELS!
November 11, 2011
Source: Marlins plan to make serious offer for Pujols
The Marlins aren’t playing games with Albert Pujols. According to a Major League source, the Marlins are serious about signing the free agent first baseman and intend to make a competitive offer.
Pujols was in South Florida on Friday, lunching with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and other front office executives, who have spent the past week wooing other high-profile free agents, including Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle. The Marlins also planned on giving Pujols a tour of their new ballpark, where later tonight the team will unveil its new logo and uniforms.
Pujols is the big prize in this year’s free agent class and has reportedly received a nine-year, $200 million offer from the Cardinals to remain in St. Louis. Sources say that Loria, in particular, covets Pujols and envisions him at first base when the Marlins open their new stadium on April 4 — against the World Series champion Cardinals, no less.
If the Marlins were somehow able to snag Pujols, it would seem inconceivable that they’d also land Reyes or Buehrle without increasing payroll to well over $100 million. But Loria is calling most of the shots now and is intent on creating a splash, both on the field and cosmetically, as the Marlins prepare to move into their new ballpark.
In addition to a lucrative contract offer, the Marlins will certainly use location in trying to reel in Pujols, a native of the Dominican Republic. When speaking about the Marlins’ interest in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Marlins president David Samson said: “We think we’re a great fit because we’re Miami and we are a natural destination for any Cuban player, any Latin American player. We are the gateway to the Americas.”
You can be sure Pujols heard those same words.
Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com.....z1dRcUYZGv
TAR
Hey Blake
See ya at half-time
SOX SCRAMBLE
If you’re a Red Sox fan that values having a lockdown closer at the back of the bullpen, I’ve got good and bad news for you.
First, the bad news. Jonathan Papelbon is no longer your closer after reportedly signing with the Phillies. But there is also relative good news, as new general manager Ben Cherington should have a few options as to who the Sox can turn to as their next closer.
If you’re going to lose the best closer in the history of your franchise in what’s arguably still the prime of his career (for now at least), there are worse offseasons than this one for that to happen in. Sure, Papelbon was the best option on the market (not to mention the most expensive), but unless you put an extreme amount of emphasis on the closer role, then you shouldn’t be too heartbroken about his departure, beer box hat aside.
The free agent market appears to have some interesting options for the Sox to turn to, should they feel that they must look elsewhere.
Cherington and the rest of the baseball ops guys down on Yawkey Way could turn their attention to internal options. The obvious choice, should you stay in-house, would have to be Daniel Bard. He’s got absolutely electric stuff, and if you feel he’s ready for the role, why not give it to him?
There could also be a case made for Alfredo Aceves in that role as well. However, it’s also possible that both are considerations for the starting rotation (yes, even Bard), and in which case, you’d probably have to go out and get someone new. Heck, don’t necessarily rule out Bobby Jenks as a guy who could assume the role if healthy.
Here’s just a preliminary list of free-agent closers (with a hat tip to MLBTradeRumors.com of course):
David Aardsma
Heath Bell
Jonathan Broxton
Matt Capps
Francisco Cordero
Ryan Madson
Joe Nathan
Jon Rauch
Francisco Rodriguez
Heath Bell is probably, for lack of a better term, the sexiest name on that list. Since becoming the Padres’ closer in 2009, Bell’s a three-time All-Star who’s averaged 44 saves per season. In those three seasons, he has only blown 14 saves. He’s also posted a WHIP of 1.20 or lower over that time. He was also a 10 strikeout per nine innings guys in ’09 and ’10, but that number curiously dipped to just over seven in ’11. So that’s worth noting.
Likely former Phillies closer Ryan Madson is someone the Red Sox are reportedly actively looking at. It would be interesting to see him end up in Boston if for the only reason it would mean the Sox and Phils were “swapping” closers. In his first full season as a closer, Madson locked down 32 saves for the NL East champs. He only blew two chances, and he’s another guy who will strike out more than a batter per inning. Just as importantly, he proved he’s not intimidated by playing in a sizable market in meaningful ballgames. For what it’s worth, he has a 2.31 ERA in 35 postseason innings of work.
Here’s the problem with Bell and Madson, and Matt Capps, Francisco Rodriguez and Francisco Cordero for that matter. They’re all Type-A free agents. This means the Red Sox would have to relinquish a pretty high draft pick that they have so dearly coveted in the past, to serve as compensation for poaching one of those free agents. So that may not be a path they go down. Of course, Papelbon himself is a Type-A guy.
However, there are a couple of free agent closers who could be interesting options for the Red Sox. One is Joe Nathan. He’s coming off of an injury-riddled season, something that has happened a bit too frequently for Nathan in the past few years. He’s two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so you would have to be totally sure that he’s healthy if you were to make a move for him. However, if he’s healthy, the 36-year-old could be an viable option, as his stuff is still pretty good, and he’d likely come at an affordable rate. Even last season Nathan was able to post a WHIP of 1.16, while striking out close to a batter an inning. Maybe you think Bard is a year or two away from closing, and if that’s the case, Nathan might be your guy.
Jonathan Broxton is another closer coming off of injury that could be a low-risk, high-reward type of pitcher. He had surgery in September to remove a bone chip from his elbow, and is said to be getting back into playing shape and could be a couple of weeks away from throwing. Broxton, like Nathan would probably be relatively cheap as he tries to prove he’s healthy. He’ll also be motivated, as at only 27, Broxton could still have another big contract ahead.
Jonathan Papelbon isn’t going to be jogging out of the Red Sox bullpen again, but that doesn’t mean the Sox can’t find someone to bridge the gap from the ninth inning to The Standells. There are options out there.
Or hey, there’s still always closer by comittee…
And to my buddy GB and all the other veterans out there, a heartfelt Thank You!
Campaign speech on Veterans Day. What did anyone expect? BS.
Bret,
That can’t be your writing. You don’t mention Gardner’s name at all!
Tar and blake,
Here’s to a good game and a Heel loss. Not that I’m an MSU fan, its just that I like to see polls proven wrong.
Tar says:
November 11, 2011 at 7:10 pm
And to my buddy GB and all the other veterans out there, a heartfelt Thank You!
——-
Well said
tom,
who is your team down there in GA
Tar,
see ya then….hopefully we’ll have good news. Pretty awesome setting for a game
SOX SCRAMBLE (RF)
What’s the biggest need for the Red Sox this offseason? A manager? A closer?
How about a little personality?
The team needs a new right fielder following the departure of J.D. Drew. It’s a prime opportunity to bring in a big name to replace him, but that might not be the solution the Red Sox need right now.
Watching last year’s Red Sox team play was frustrating at times. They often appeared too business-like. They looked as if they were just going through the motions on the field.
That’s not to say that they weren’t trying to win. Of course they were. It just didn’t look like they were having much fun doing it.
The Red Sox didn’t miss the playoffs last year because of a lack of production from right field. Their offense still scored the most runs in the majors without eye-popping stats from Drew or Josh Reddick or Darnell McDonald.
So why not roll the dice on a role player who might be able to provide a little levity? A little charisma in the clubhouse might come in handy if dark clouds roll in like they did last September.
Say what you will about Manny Ramirez, but when he was at his best, the man looked like he enjoyed playing baseball. You could see his enjoyment whether he was flopping around in the outfield attempting to catch a fly ball, taking cutoff throws or high-fiving opposing fans. Who on the 2011 Red Sox could you say that about?
Maybe Dustin Pedroia? But who comes next?
In the words of Rick Pitino, Kevin Millar is not walking through that door.
Even the New York Yankees know the value of some energy around the clubhouse. They had a potential opening in right field, too. Instead of pursuing a Carlos Beltran or a Grady Sizemore, they re-upped with Nick Swisher, a guy that isn’t going to turn many heads with his .260/.374/.822 splits.
Swisher’s attitude in the locker room is what makes him so valuable.
“He had an impact on the clubhouse,” said one member of the Yankees in 2009, Swisher’s first season with the team. “When I came over, this place was kinda dead, you know? I almost had to watch everything I said. I didn’t want to upset anyone.”
That former Yankee? None other than Johnny Damon, Millar’s partner-in-crime during the fun-loving “Idiot” World Series run in 2004.
Theo Epstein may have taken his number-cruncher Carmine with him to Chicago, but new general manager Ben Cherington is sure to have his own numbers to crunch. The hope here is that this season, some chemistry finds its way into all those math equations.
There has been more movement early this year than I can remember…..you hardly ever see much going on until at least after the GM meetings. I think Reyes will take his talents to south beach.