2012 Awards

While the front office of each major league club is busy during the offseason, so are some of the top baseball writers in the country. Yes, the writers are busy writing, but they are also making important decisions as well. They are the ones who vote for some of the most prestigious awards, including Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP. This year features some of the tightest races that we’ve seen in recent memory. The speculation on who will win these close races has been alive since July. Now it's my turn to say who I feel should win each BBWAA award as well as several others.

AL MVP: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Probably the closest race of all will be argumentative either way. If Cabrera wins, Trout fans will be angry. If Trout wins, Cabrera fans will be angry. As for my opinion, I feel Trout should win the award. There are a few classic arguments that get presented when deciding who the MVP should be, with classic being the operative word. Among these arguments are batting average, RBI, whether their team advanced to the playoffs, and how they played down the stretch. Since the inception of each baseball fan’s conscious as to what makes a great baseball player, well, great, we’ve been taught that’s someone who hits for a high batting average, mashes a lot of home runs, and drives home droves of runs. To that end, yes, Miguel Cabrera should win the MVP in the most hands-down sort of fashion conceivable. But along with father time, naturally, baseball has evolved. The players have evolved, the in-game strategies have evolved, even the way we statistically break the game down, and consume the information, has evolved. In many ways, I can see the Trout-Cabrera MVP discussion being the watershed moment in the transition from the traditional stats we’ve all known and fallen in love with into the next wave of modern information. And although it’s almost become a dirty word at this point among many mainstream media personnel, Sabermetrics is that new, modern tool. To me, Mike Trout is the MVP, and it’s not even a particularly close race. He played in 20 fewer games than everyone in the American League, and still posted an historical Wins Above Replacement figure, which, according to Fangraphs (fWAR), finished at a robust 10.0. Miguel Cabrera generated 7.1 fWAR, 3rd in the American League behind the aforementioned Trout, and Robinson Cano (7.8 fWAR).It’s not that I don’t consider the Triple Crown to be an impressive feat to accomplish; I do. After all, it hasn’t happened in 45 years, and it plays a lurid role behind the romanticism of baseball, and why fans who love baseball, really love baseball. But within this new-wave of statistics in the baseball lexicon, we’ve come to realize that batting average isn’t nearly as important as on-base percentage, and that RBI is a stat predicated on who’s on base in front of you, rather than what a player generates in one single at bat. For instance, Miguel Cabrera was the cleanup hitter in Detroit, making it elementary that he’d have more runs batted in than Mike Trout, a leadoff hitter. Now let’s get into some stats.

Offense

The surface numbers are what make this race nearly impossible for Mike Trout to win. Miguel Cabrera finished up with the most home runs in the AL (44), the most RBI (139) and the highest batting average (.330). Mike Trout, even if he had played the same allotted amount of games as Cabrera, wouldn’t have eclipsed him in home runs or RBI, as he finished with 30 and 83 in those two categories, respectively. So, yeah, if you need any explanation in Cabrera’s MVP legitimacy, look no further than this paragraph. However, if we’re looking at Sabermetrics, then offensively — Cabrera’s lone contribution on a baseball diamond — they show that he wasn’t any better than Trout.

In terms of wRC+, which is defined as “[an attempt] to quantify a player’s total offensive value and measure it by runs,” Mike Trout finished at 166 (where 100 is league average); Cabrera also finished at 166. In terms of wOBA, defined “to measure a hitter’s overall offensive value, based on the relative values of each distinct offensive event,” Trout finished at .409; Cabrera at .417.

They were precisely even in wRC+, and Cabrera was a whole eight one-thousandths of a point better than Trout in the wOBA department — virtually identical. By way of my batting order argument, this information leads one to believe that had Trout been batting in the 4-hole in Anaheim’s lineup over the course of the season, and had he played in as many games as Cabrera, he would have generated as many runs. That’s why RBI is an outdated statistic; it’s measured by opportunity, not skill.

Defense

According to Fangraphs, the DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) measurement is quantified by using UZR (Ultimate Zone Range). It’s used, as you yourself can probably deduce, to determine how many runs away from zero a player saved his team, or cost them. In the Trout vs. Cabrera discussion, this is the singularly-most glaring difference between the two players. It’s said that the four priority positions on the diamond from a defensive standpoint are all up the middle, which is why you generally see teams trying to build around catching, shortstop, second base and center field. Trout occupies the latter. In 2012, Trout’s UZR was 11.4, meaning he saved his team 11+ runs roaming center field. This figure was 3rd in baseball, behind Michael Bourn‘s incredible 22.4, and Ben Revere‘s 16.4. Cabrera, on the other hand, playing 3rd base, posted a UZR of -10.0, meaning he actually cost his team ten runs over the course of the season. That figure was 2nd-worst among all Major League 3rd basemen. Between the two, the difference away from zero [(11.4 - (-10.0)] says Mike Trout was defensively a little over 21 runs better than Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

Conclusion:
Yes, I realize a Triple Crown is something special. Very special in fact. But look at the advanced statistics. Mike Trout had an unbelievable season. His season would be empty without a MVP award.

NL MVP: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Every one of you just said to yourself: "What about Buster Posey?" What Buster Posey did, coming back from that leg injury, was truly remarkable. However, Molina is the MVP. "Yadi" as Cardinal Nation refers to their franchise player has steadily improved each of his nine major league seasons. When he emerged from the minor leagues, everyone knew the defensive capabilities were there. Molina was projected as a perennial Gold Glove winner but has now evolved into a perennial all-star. While Posey had a great season, Yadier Molina had the bigger overall impact on his team. When Albert Pujols made the decision to move to the West Coast on December 8th, the Cardinal franchise was changed. A leader was gone. A superstar was gone. Molina filled the leadership void left by Pujols' exit and helped rookie manager Mike Matheny guide the Cardinals into the postseason. St. Louis was a team who relied heavily on veteran players with lengthy medical records. Given the loss of Pujols and future Hall of Famers Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan, this could have been a difficult transition season. Molina single handily made sure it wasn't. Molina was remarkable for just how many things he did well. He hit for average, a career-high .315; he hit for power, the 22 home runs are as many as he slugged between 2004 and 2007; he played his usual peerless defense, throwing out 48% of base-stealers. He even ran the bases well, taking 12 of his own on 15 chances. Posey played 29 games at first base. Molina played 0 at first base. Having that consistent backstop helped an army of promising young hurlers evolve into future stars.

AL Cy Young: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

David Price was the best pitcher on the best rotation in the American League. The southpaw dominated. Especially against tough competition. Price was 10-2, 2.51 ERA in 16 starts against AL East teams, representing four of the league's top eight offensive teams by on-base plus slugging percentage, or OPS. He was 13-3, 2.27 ERA in 19 games (and 62 percent of his innings) against teams that finished .500 or better. Price faced hitters with the highest aggregate OPS, as compiled by Baseball Prospectus, of the finalists, .763 (fifth among AL starters). Price had the second-highest WAR number of all AL pitchers, with 6.4. Now let's look at how Price's 2012 numbers have stacked up against previous AL Cy Young winners: Of the past 10 winners, Price's ERA is lower than six pitchers. Only five won more games, and only six bested him in strikeouts (205). If Price doesn't win this award, something is wrong with the BBWAA.

 

NL Cy Young and Breakout Pitcher: RA Dickey, New York Mets

Don't you just love a feel good story like RA Dickey? After the release of his tell-all book in the offseason, Dickey posted incredible numbers en route to one of the best seasons ever by a knuckleballer. Dickey recorded a league-best 230 strikeouts in 233 2/3 innings, while walking just 54. That strikeout ability combined with the low number of walks put Dickey in a unique class of controlling the game's most unpredictable pitch, "The Knuckler." Dickey should win because of what he did and how he pitches. He was on a team that wasn’t very good. Sorry, Mets fans. Yet, Dickey still went out and dominated the competition that he faced. He had 20 wins, which is behind only Gio Gonzalez who was also a finalist. He also threw five complete games. Let’s also not forget about the fact that Dickey had to overcome adversity to be at this level. Dickey wasn’t ever supposed to pitch again. He decided to start throwing the knuckleball, a lost pitch in modern MLB. Dickey has two different types of knuckleballers: one that is thrown around the low 70s and one that is thrown in the upper 70s. The faster one even topped out at 81 mph. Dickey put up a truly remarkable season and is fully deserving of taking home the prize for best pitcher in the senior circuit.

AL Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Trout had arguably the best rookie season in major league history, and remember, he didn’t play his first game of 2012 until April 28. Before you continue reading, remember that I love the WAR statistic. Trout led the majors with 10.7 WAR. That is the second-highest WAR for a player in his age 20 or younger season, surpassed only by Dwight Gooden’s 11.9 WAR for his age 20 for the 1985 New York Mets. It was tied for the 13th-best WAR for any AL player since 1900, and was the third-highest WAR by any player in the last 20 seasons, beaten only by a pair of seasons by Barry Bonds (11.6 WAR in both 2001 and 2002). Trout was the fifth player in major-league history to have a season in which he hit at least .300, with 30 home runs, 40 steals, and 120 runs scored.

NL Rookie of the Year: Wade Miley, Arizona Diamonbacks

From Tyler Kepner:

Ken Griffey Jr. was 19 as a rookie for Seattle in 1989. He hit .264 with 16 homers and 61 runs batted in, a strong showing for his age that foreshadowed greatness. But Gregg Olson, Baltimore’s closer, had a better season and was rookie of the year.

Wade Miley of Arizona is this year’s Olson. The left-handed Miley has been a steady presence all year long in Arizona’s rotation, going 16-10 with a 3.25 earned run average. He should win the National League award over Bryce Harper, Washington’s 19-year-old sensation.

AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles

The last time the Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs, I was two years old. The division the Orioles play in is arguably the toughest in all of baseball. Four of the league's top eight offensive teams by OPS came from the AL East. Yet, the Orioles were able to make the playoffs and contend against baseball's stiffest competition. They were able to do this through the decisions of their manager and the uncanny moves he would make. With a rotation that consisted of no proven pitchers, Showalter was able to win games through the use of his bullpen. Jim Johnson was lights out. Once the O's had a lead, they rarely relinquished it. Extra Inning games were practically automatic wins. It takes a great manager to motivate his team to be more than what their talent says they are. And that's what Buck Showalter did. He convinced his team that they could compete with the best teams in baseball. And they did just that.

 

NL Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson, Washington Nationals

Many people threw the Nationals' postseason chances out the window even before a single game was played. "They don't have the experience." "They are too young." Davey Johnson led this "inexperienced, youthful" team to the best record in baseball and a spot in the playoffs where they were eventually eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in a heartbreaking Game 5 for the Nationals Faithful. A franchise that hadn't experienced postseason play since the 1930s was able to get a feel of just how special it really is. I was at Game 3 of the NLDS and the atmosphere was truly remarkable. Well, at least for the first few innings. The Cardinals changed that climate but that is beside the point. Under Johnson's leadership, the Nationals achieved what few thought they would. He trusted his veterans. He trusted his up and coming stars. His leadership was felt in that clubhouse and the results showed.

 

That wraps up the traditional awards. Now for several other categories where there is no BBWAA voting.

 

Closer of the Year: Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays

Fernando Rodney 2012: 2 Wins, 0.60 ERA (Let that grasp your mind), 48 Saves, 0.78 WHIP, 76 K.

Having that lockdown closer is especially important in today's game. The job of a closer is to record saves and not give up runs – in that order. Rodney had a 0.60 ERA in 74.2 innings pitched and he’s converted 48 of 50 saves. Rodney had been extremely erratic his whole career, posting an ERA in the 4.00s for each of his last five seasons. What happened this year is nearly unprecedented, as he went from walking more batters than he struck out in 2011 to striking out 4.5 times as many as he has walked this year. Truly an incredible season. Just look at that stat line again. Wow.


Comeback Player of the Year: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

Some will say; "Well shouldn't he win the MVP too?" That honor goes to Yadier Molina in my opinion. But what Posey did this season was truly remarkable. After playing only 45 games in 2011 due to a leg injury suffered during a home plate collision with Florida Marlin, Scott Cousins, Posey picked up right where he left off in 2010. In his rookie season, Posey was named Rookie of the Year and led his team to its first World Series Championship since 1954. Posey was the superstar on the 2012 champion Giants team. When the offense was slumping, Posey picked his teammates up and was able to lead a pitching staff that ranked among the best in baseball. Oh yeah, he also had the highest batting average in all of baseball. Hats off and congrats to you, Mr. Posey on a great year and a great comeback.

 

Executive of the Year: Billy Beane, Oakland A's

The 2011-2012 offseason strategy of the Oakland A's: rebuild the team for a hopeful move to San Jose. That strategy led to the trades of Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, and Andrew Bailey. All all-stars at one time in their respective careers. All still young and in their prime/not quite in their prime. This looked like as good a rebuilding case if I've ever seen one. What it turned into however, was an American League West championship. How? Well, that is something lots of people are trying to figure out. This team had no business competing with the likes of the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. Beane's crafty in season trades and waiver signings helped lead this team to what it accomplished. Moneyball 2.0.

Breakout Hitter of the Year: Allen Craig, St. Louis Cardinals

From Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

First baseman Pujols exited via free agency. Veteran Lance Berkman broke down. Replacement slugger Beltan labored through the dog days of summer and new No. 3 hitter Matt Holliday struggled down the stretch with nagging back problems. Amid all that, Allen Craig emerged as an outstanding clean-up hitter while playing first base and the corner outfield spots. In 469 at bats, he stroked 35 doubles, hit 22 homers and drove in 92 runs. While many young veterans prospered during Matheny's initial managerial campaign, Craig's breakthrough was most critical. He became the impact hitter this lineup desperately needed post-Pujols. His 2012 numbers projected over 550 at bats would have been MVP-worthy.

Postseason MVP: Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants

I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan. I witnessed first-hand what Marco Scutaro did to lead the Giants to their second World Series championship in three years. Story Time: April 15, 2007. Oakland A's vs. New York Yankees. Marco Scutaro, the A's light hitting shortstop steps in against the best closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera. The Yankees led 4-2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Scutaro hit a 0-2 cutter off the left field foul pole sending the Oakland Colliseum into pure bedlam. Scutaro, who was hitting .050 at the time, had just hit a three run home run against Mariano Rivera. Easily one of the best experiences of my life. Back to 2012, that pesky Marco Scutaro propelled his team in October, rather than April, to a championship by hitting nearly .500 in the NLCS and delivering the go-ahead hit in Game 4 of the World Series. A great postseason by a great player and a great man.

 

Postseason Moment: St. Louis Cardinals, Game 5 NLDS

You seriously can't make this stuff up. 2011 World Series Game 6. David Freese erases elimination in the 9th inning with a 2 RBI triple. Then in the 10th, Lance Berkman tied the game with a RBI single scoring Jon Jay. Both occured when the Cardinals were down to their last strike. Now let's fast forward to September 12, 2012. The Cardinals are down 6-0 after three innings at Nationals Stadium in a win or take all Game 5. The Cardinals claw back to 6-5 but hopes are soon crushed after the Nationals tally on a run in the bottom of the 8th. So how do the Cardinals respond? The best way they know how. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. The Cardinals are down to their last strike five times this time around and do not fail to make it exciting. Daniel Descalso ties the game with a 2 RBI single on the first pitch he sees from hard-throwing Nationals closer, Drew Storen. Nationals fans are stunned. Shell-shocked. Embarrassed. There is really no word to describe what the feeling was like in that stadium. Then former first round pick Pete Kozma gives the Cardinals a two run lead driving in David Freese and Descalso. Jason Motte closes the door and the Cardinals advance. Just like that. In a matter of fifteen minutes, the Nationals went from booking a flight to San Francisco to dreaming of what could have been. Just call them the Comeback Cardinals.

 

Play of the Year: Mike Trout, June 27

Just watch this and there will be no arguments: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=22644539&c_id=mlb&topic_id=vtp_must_c

 

The Magic of Baseball

There are illusions created by baseball. They allow the imagination to travel endless journeys, painting pictures of fantasy as it goes along. This is the part of the magic of baseball. But it has not survived for over a hundred years on illusion alone. Although today’s fans have never seen Christy Matthewson pitch, they can say with conviction that he was great-not only because of stories which drift down through the ages telling of his greatness, but because of the greatness he left behind. This is the proof of his acclaim. Yet the records are not merely black and white figures on a piece of paper. They also tell of his speed, control, and endurance and inspire a colorful dialogue wherever baseball is played. The dialogue can be heated and often emotional, and may even throw the reality out of proportion. But these men are saved from the realm of myth by the same records which bring them to that threshold. This, too, is the magic.

 

            The design of baseball and its strategies require a fan patience not demanded by other sports. Although events can suddenly happen on a baseball field, the excitement is nurturing, the slow and necessary aging process of a game and a season.

 

 

          The magic of baseball is the ninth inning-the last fragment of the game- in which the conflict is finally resolved. As it is with the final inning, so it is with the season. Baseball is the pennant race-the full schedule, play upon play, game after game, in which fulfillment is reached. A single game is an isolated event. The strategies become lost, the perspective distorted. The magic of baseball is the reward after waiting and watching is over. For most it’s the intangible reward of an uncaptured image, a memory, or the full roar of 50,000 throats sending a runner home.

 

 

 

*Part of this entry stems from a passage in the 1969 Baseball Encyclopedia

2012 Fielding Bible Awards

The 2012 Awards

First Base – Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees Mark Teixeira finally wins his first Fielding Bible Award at first base. Always well known for his defense, Teixeira broke through for another one of his huge defensive years in 2012 as he has done before from time to time. In 2003 and 2005, before the Fielding Bible Award began, he had seasons of 19 runs saved and 13 runs saved respectively. In 2008 he had his best season with 21 Defensive Runs Saved, but lost the Fielding Bible Award in a close vote to Albert Pujols. In 2012 he notched 17 runs and earned his first Fielding Bible Award. But it’s not that his defense has been poor in his other seasons. In the last decade Mark has never cost his team runs in any single year. But in his four best seasons he has saved 70 runs, while only saving a total of 24 runs in the other six.

Second Base – Darwin Barney, Chicago CubsDarwin Barney’s defense is a shining star in an otherwise cloudy season for the 2012 Chicago Cubs. After a nondescript debut at second base in 2011, when he saved only one run defensively, Barney led all second basemen in 2012 with 28 runs saved. This total led by a wide margin. He had a lot more runs saved than defending Fielding Bible Award winner Dustin Pedroia’s total of 11, a lot more than Robinson Cano’s 15, and a lot more than Brandon Phillips’ 11. Those three came in second, third and fourth in a vote that wasn’t close; Barney received eight of ten first-place votes. Barney’s vote tabulation of 96 points was only four short of perfection.

Third Base – Adrian Beltre, TexasAdrian Beltre has been the best defensive third baseman of our generation, and he now has his fourth Fielding Bible Award to prove it. But he has had competition. When Beltre won his first award in 2006, he barely beat out Scott Rolen and Joe Crede for the award. He won the award pretty easily in 2008 over Evan Longoria, but Longoria gave him a much tougher battle in 2011 when Beltre beat him by a 98-90 score in the voting. This year it was Mike Moustakas on Beltre’s heels. Third base was 2012’s slimmest margin of victory, with Beltre winning 90 to 86 in the tabulation. Brett Lawrie was a close third with 83 points. Both Lawrie and Moustakas had a few more runs saved than Beltre this year (20 and 14, respectively, compared to 13 Defensive Runs Saved for Beltre), but it is Beltre’s long time excellence year after year that allowed him to retain the award this year. He has saved the most runs at third base in baseball over the last three years with 45. But if Lawrie or Moustakas repeat next year what they did this year, one of them will no doubt unseat Beltre.

Shortstop – Brendan Ryan, SeattleBrendan Ryan is the best defender in baseball. Period. Make that double period. His has saved 67 runs for his teams defensively over the last three years, the highest total among all players. The next highest runs saved total is not even close (Michael Bourn, 51). Ryan led all shortstops in 2012 with 27 runs saved, led in 2011 with 18, and finished second in both 2010 and 2009 with 22 runs saved each year. Seattle recognizes the value of Ryan’s defense, and that’s why they keep putting him out there day after day despite his .194 batting average during the 2012 season. It will be interesting to see if the American League coaches and managers, who vote for the Gold Glove Awards, can look past Ryan’s offense and base their ballot on his defense alone. This has been one of the problems with the Gold Glove voting—a certain amount of offense has always been required for what should be a defense-only award. Gold Glove voting has never allowed for a position player hitting below the Mendoza line to win a Gold Glove. Hopefully Ryan will be the first.

Left Field – Alex Gordon, Kansas CityIn the history of the Fielding Bible Awards, Carl Crawford and Brett Gardner have won every award given out to left fielders except one. But this year both Crawford and Gardner were injured, opening the door for Alex Gordon. Gordon didn’t stroll through that door—he tore it off its hinges and burst through the other side. He lapped the field with his 24 runs saved defensively, his nearest competitors being Martin Prado of Atlanta with 12 and Tampa Bay’s Desmond Jennings with 9 runs saved. Gordon was a unanimous choice for the 2012 Fielding Bible Award, finishing first on every single ballot cast by the panelists.

Center Field – Mike Trout, Los Angeles AngelsCan Mike Trout win every single award in his rookie season? In 1975 another rookie center fielder, Fred Lynn, won the MVP award, the Rookie of the Year award, and a Gold Glove. It was the first and last time this has ever been done. (Technically, Ichiro also won the same three awards in 2001, but he wasn’t really a rookie at age 27 having played many years of professional baseball in Japan, was he?) Mike Trout can now top that. Trout wins his first award in a possible Grand Slam of Awards with a Fielding Bible Award for his play defensively. He has incredible range, especially on balls hit deep, where he saved many a run, converting possible doubles and triples into outs. He made 23 more plays on balls hit deep than an average center fielder would have made on the identical type of batted balls. The other thing that set him apart was his four home-run saving catches in 2012. Cameron Maybin was second with three, and no one else had more than two.

Right Field – Jason Heyward, AtlantaAfter finishing second to Justin Upton in 2011, Jason Heyward wins his first Fielding Bible Award in 2012. Heyward demonstrated that his superlative performance in 2011 was no fluke. And neither was 2010. In 2011 he led all right fielders with 15 runs saved defensively. He saved 15 runs in 2010 as well. He topped both those years in 2012 with 20 runs saved, just two behind Josh Reddick’s total of 22. How does he do it? He covers a ton of ground in right field, whether the ball is hit shallow, medium, or deep. In each of the last three years he has made between 30 and 40 more plays than an average right fielder would have made. All those extra plays more than make up for what is a slightly below average throwing arm for a right fielder.

Catcher – Yadier Molina, St. LouisYadier is back. After a one-year hiatus when he came in second to Matt Wieters, Molina wins his fifth Fielding Bible Award, tying him with Albert Pujols for the most awards won in the seven-year history of The Fielding Bible Awards. In 2011 Molina dropped to his all-time low only throwing out 25% of baserunners attempting to steal. In 2012 he threw out 46%, an MLB leading percentage in line with the rest of his career. On top of that he was superlative handling bunts, saving four runs in the process and giving him 16 Defensive Runs Saved on the season, the most among catchers in baseball last year

Pitcher – Mark Buehrle, Miami MarlinsMark Buehrle wins his fourth consecutive Fielding Bible Award. His 12 Defensive Runs Saved was the highest total among pitchers. As a player who only plays once every five games compared to those in other positions, it is Buehrle’s consistency defensively that really stands out. In the last nine years, he has ranked no worse than number 11 in Defensive Runs Saved among the 175 pitchers we rank each year. In seven of those nine years he was no worse than fifth. In that time span, only 42 runners have stolen a base on him, while 48 have been thrown out and another 31 have been picked off by Buehrle. That comes out to 32 runs saved for Buehrle preventing stolen bases when we do our calculations. On top of that, he has saved another 36 runs with the way he has fielded his position in those nine years. Buehrle joins Alex Gordon and Yadier Molina as the third player in 2012 to receive a perfect total of 100 points in the balloting. The Fielding Bible Awards have never had more than one unanimous selection in any other year.

Straight from: http://www.fieldingbible.com/default.asp

Mike Trout 100 Game Records

Mike Trout is having an unbelievable season to say the least. Trout has carried the Angels offense and is on pace for an MVP season. Trout qualifies as a rookie and would become just the third player in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (Fred Lynn in 1975, Ichiro in 2001). Trout has played in only 99 games this season and is setting records in his first 100 games of his rookie season. His stats compare to legends such as Joe DiMaggio. A look at Trout compared to other great rookie seasons in MLB history:

MOST HITS, FIRST 100 GAMES OF ROOKIE SEASON (since 1930)
YEAR..........................................Games
.... H ....AB ....AVG
1936 DiMaggio, Joe, Yankees .........100 ....153 - 461 - .332
1954 Moon, Wally, Cardinals ...........100.....145...428 - .339
1964 Oliva, Tony, Twins ...................100 ....144 ..428 - .336
1934 Trosky, Hal, Indians .................100 ...140 ..409 - .342
2012 Trout, Mike, Angels .................99 ...137 ..400 - .343

MOST RUNS, FIRST 100 GAMES OF ROOKIE SEASON (since 1900)
YEAR ..........................Games Runs
1936 DiMaggio, Joe ..........100 100
2012 Trout, Mike ................99 96
1911 Jackson, Joe ............100 96
1924 Cuyler, Kiki ...............100 84
1951 Minoso, Minnie .........100 84

MOST SB, FIRST 100 GAMES OF ROOKIE SEASON (since 1981)
YEAR
...................................SB
1985 Coleman, Vince............. 81
1981 Raines, Tim....................71
1984 Samuel, Juan.................47
1986 Cangelosi, John.............44
1995 Veras, Quilvio.................42
1982 Dernier, Bob...................40
1990 Cole, Alex.......................40
1992 Listach, Pat....................39
2012 Trout, Mike....................39
1984 Pettis, Gary....................39

As you can see, Trout is having one of the greatest rookie seasons of all-time and is demolishing American League pitching this season. Trout brings the whole package and can be labeled a "five tool" player.

Have to share this story from CBS Sports.

Umpire Jim Joyce makes the best call of the year -- before the game

By Scott Miller | Senior Baseball Columnist

You never know when the big moments will arrive, and so it was that veteran umpire Jim Joyce made his biggest call of the season ... roughly 90 minutes before the Marlins-Diamondbacks game started in Arizona on Monday night?

Joyce administered CPR to a Diamondbacks' game-day employee in a tunnel leading to the umpires' dressing room minutes on his way into the ballpark Monday, saving her life in a moment nobody who was in the vicinity at Chase Field will soon forget.

Talk about making the right call in a split-second.

"It was non-normal," Joyce told CBSSports.com Tuesday afternoon. "I don't know what word to put on it.

"It's obviously never happened to me before."

Joyce, 56, and the other umpires in his crew -- Lance Barrett, Jim Reynolds and James Hoye -- had just arrived at Chase Field and were headed to their dressing room when they saw a woman down in the midst of having a seizure. Noting that, Joyce, who learned CPR when he was in high school, made sure that the woman's head was protected. But shortly afterward, her body relaxed and Joyce knew something was wrong.

"I've had to use CPR before," Joyce said, though not in many years. "This is something everybody should know. Everybody should know what to do in a circumstance like that.

"It's not a hard thing. You don't need a degree. It's very simple, and very easy."

Paramedics arrived while Joyce was administering CPR, but even after an initial shock from a defibrillator, the woman did not come out of it. So Joyce continued administering CPR while the paramedics did another round with the defibrillator.

Finally, the woman began breathing again. Someone told Joyce later Monday night that she went out again in the ambulance and that paramedics again used the defibrillator. But by later that night, when he came back into the umpires' room following the game, Joyce's understanding was that the woman's condition in the hospital was stable.

"I'm going to find out more, hopefully she's doing OK," said Joyce, who was waiting for an update Tuesday.

Joyce, who was in the national spotlight in 2010 when he missed the call at first base that prevented the Tigers' Armando Galarraga from completing a perfect game against the Indians, was scheduled to work home plate Monday night.

After the emotions of the moment, his colleagues suggested a swap that would move him to third base. Joyce declined.

"It was very emotional, I'll be honest with you," he said. "But I didn't want to go to third base because just standing there, literally, [the incident] is all I would have thought about all night. I wouldn't have been able to think about anything else.

"Going behind the plate, I would have something to do every minute. I could just do my job. But I'll be honest with you, there were still times during the game that I was thinking about it."

The Marlins clobbered the Diamondbacks 12-3, and it was a fairly routine game for Joyce behind the plate. There were no controversies.

Turns out, not only did Joyce long ago learn CPR, but his daughter currently is in EMT school and his son, a coach back home in Beaverton, Ore., is certified in CPR.

"Just knowing it, I think it's imperative," Joyce said. "You may never, ever, have to use it.

"But it's just that one time that you do."

Manny Machado's Debut

Manny Machado, the top prospect recently ranked as the ninth best by Baseball America, made his MLB debut last night at home against the Royals. Machado finished the night 2-for-4 with a triple, becoming the first 20-year-old to have a multi-hit game in his first big league game since Giancarlo Stanton in 2010. Here's a quick breakdown of how pitchers attacked Machado:

Machado's 1st AB

Royals lefty Will Smith started Machado off with a curveball that Machado took for a strike. After taking a fastball just off the outside corner, Machado grounded out on a middle-of-the-plate curve.

Machado's 2nd AB

Machado showed his youth -- and pure hitting ability -- in this AB. He took an 88 MPH fastball down the middle for strike one, and then whiffed at curveball at the shoe tops. But Machado adjusted, drilling an outside curve to the right field gap for a sliding triple.

Machado's 3rd AB

Machado took a big hack at a borderline changeup from Smith and came up empty, then fouled off a fastball to fall behind 0-and-2. He took a high-and-tight fastball for a ball, then hit a squibber on an inside slider that rolled away from Smith for an infield single.

Machado's 4th AB

Machado took a 95 MPH from Jeremy Jeffress for strike one, checked his swing on a low-and-away slider to even the count and then flied out on a high-and-inside fastball.
While Machado is awfully young, the O's promoting him might not be as big of a rush job as it first appears. He showed a mature plate approach at Double-A Bowie with a 48/70 K/BB ratio in 459 plate appearances, and his .266/.352/.438 line looks better once you consider that the Eastern League average is just .260/.331/.391 in 2012. He'll have some rough moments, as any 20-year-old facing a two-rung promotion to the majors would. But it will be fun seeing just what type of hitter Machado becomes as he fills out his 6-foot-3, 185 pound frame.

MLB Hitters with Two Strikes

When a batter gets down to his last strike, he's usually toast. Hitters have a .178 average, a .244 on-base percentage and a .273 slugging percentage in two-strike counts this season. Those are the kind of numbers Brendan Ryan puts up. But a select few have managed to inflict pain on pitchers even with their backs against the wall. Who are baseball's best two-strike sluggers?

Here are the hitters with the highest slugging percentage in two-strike counts this season:

Batter	Two-Strike Slugging Pct.
Andrew McCutchen	.573
David Ortiz	.539
Ryan Braun	.511
Prince Fielder	.500
Jed Lowrie	.469
Edwin Encarnacion	.460
Adam Jones	.458
David Wright	.449
Alex Rios	.437
Mark Teixeira	.435

McCutchen has hit a Major League best 14 home runs in two-strike counts. Here's a hint to opposing pitchers: Don't try to challenge Cutch's quick wrists with a two-strike pitch inside.

McCutchen's two-strike slugging percentage by location

Average two-strike slugging percentage by location

Ortiz, meanwhile, is mauling most two-strike offerings thrown below the letters:

Ortiz's two-strike slugging percentage by location

Braun, like McCutchen, has been an inside slugger when he doesn't have a strike to spare:

Braun's two-strike slugging percentage by location

Braun's no one-year wonder, either: He has consistently drilled two-strike pitches. Braun has the highest two-strike slugging percentage in the majors since 2008. Papi also makes an appearance in the top ten:

<>

<>

Batter	Two-Strike Slugging Pct.
Ryan Braun	.428
Albert Pujols	.422
Troy Tulowitzki	.420
David Ortiz	.402
Prince Fielder	.401
Robinson Cano	.401
Jason Kipnis	.398
Allen Craig	.389
Fernando Tatis	.388
Aramis Ramirez	.384

Midseason Awards

The All-Star break of another mesmerizing baseball season is upon us. It's time again for the Midseason Awards Extravaganza.

AL MVP: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Yes he was called up a month into the season. Yes he is still a rookie. Yes his last name is the name of a fish. None of this matters. Mike Trout has had more impact on his team than any other player in the American League this year. Trout's 4.7 WAR ranks tops in the American League. When he walked into the Angels' clubhouse April 28, they were 6-14, nine games behind Texas and tied for the second-worst record in baseball. Since that day, they own the best record in baseball (40-23), and if the postseason started tonight, they'd be a playoff team. Trouts WPA/LI ranks tops in the American League attesting to his value for the Angels. A link to what WPA/LI is: http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/misc/wpa-li/. If the season ends today, Trout would be the AL Batting Champion and lead the league in SB with 26 while only being caught 3 times. Trout has shown fans across the nation why he was such a highly touted prospect that plans on being a superstar for years to come.

Mike Trout being awesome: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=22650853&c_id=mlb&topic_id=vtp_star_of_the_game

Also in the Hunt: Josh Hamilton, Robinson Cano, Adam Jones, Jose Bautista

NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

Many will say Joey Votto. Does my anti-Red mindset have something to do with it? Possibly but no. Andrew McCutchen is having a MVP caliber season. McCutchen is having a great year in what is a critical year for the Pirate Franchise. The Pirates have had 19 consecutive sub-.500 years and are 11 games over headed into the break. A lot of that is due to the year McCutchen is having. McCutchen leads all of baseball with a .359 Batting Average and is third in the NL with a WAR of 4.2. McCutchen is on pace for a triple slash line of .356/.410/.603. Since 1900 only two players have ever had a season in which they hit .345 or better, with 200 hits, 25 steals, 25 homers, a .400 OBP and a 1.000 OPS: Larry Walker in 1997 (in Denver) and Willie Mays in 1958. Andrew McCutchen is having a great year.  

Also in the Hunt: Joey Votto, David Wright, Ryan Braun, Yadier Molina

AL CY Young: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

Chris Sale always had a promising young arm but this year he has become an unstoppable southpaw. At the beginning of the season it was unsure whether Sale would be starting or coming out of the bullpen but new manager Robin Ventura and GM Ken Williams made the right call in moving him to the rotation. Sale hasn't disappointed going 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 98 strikeouts to go with a 0.95 WHIP. That's a very good first half from a young arm on a first place team.

Also in the Hunt: Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Jake Peavy, David Price

NL CY Young: R.A. Dickey, New York Mets

No knuckleballer has ever won the Cy Young Award and Dickey may be the first if he keeps up his current numbers. Dickey is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 123 strikeouts. Dickey's back to back 1-Hit Shutouts were two of the best pitched games this year as hitters had no chance against the knuckler. Dickey's xFIP- ranks top in the league and has been dominant in practically every start. http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era-fip-xfip/ Not only has this been a great year for Dickey on the bump, but he also had a best-selling book hit the press this winter. The book was a hit with baseball lovers and non-baseball lovers alike.

Also in the Hunt: Gio Gonzalez, James McDonald, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain

AL Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

If you're the MVP as a rookie, you will take home the Rookie of the Year. See above.

Also in the Hunt: Yu Darvish, Will Middlebrooks, Jarrod Parker

NL Rookie of the Year: Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks

Miley is 9-5 with a 3.04 ERA and leads all National League rookies in WAR at 2.0. Miley's 1.09 WHIP leads all rookies and shows his ability to not allow a lot of baserunners. Despite playing for a sub-.500 team, Miley is putting up a great year.            

Also in the Hunt: Bryce Harper, Wilson Rosario, Zack Cozart

AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles

Showalter has transformed the attitude about baseball in the city of Baltimore since taking the reign in 2010. With the Orioles pitching rotation the way it is, Baltimore has no business being in the playoff hunt but because of Showalter's tactics they are.

Also in the Hunt: Robin Ventura, Mike Scoscia, Manny Acta, Joe Maddon

NL Manager of the Year: Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates averaged 2.9 Runs per Game in April and May but yet go into the break not only 11 games above .500 but also in first place in the National League Central. The Cardinals and Reds have more talent than the Pirates but Hurdle's managing of the team has allowed them to play great baseball the past month.

Also in the Hunt: Davey Johnson, Dusty Baker, Terry Collins, Bruce Bochy

AL Least Valuable Player: Jonathan Sanchez, Kansas City Royals

This past offseason, the Royals traded Melky Cabrera for Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez has gone1-4 with a 6.80 ERA and more walks(40) than strikeouts(32). Meanwhile, Cabrera is the starting centerfielder for the National League All Star team.

NL Least Valuable Player: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants/Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers

Lincecum is 3-9 with a 6.08 ERA. Not exactly what the Giants were expecting going into the season. Lincecum is a 2-Time Cy Young Award Winner but a Cy Young Winner doesn't put up those numbers. I'm expecting a better second half from "The Freak." Meanwhile, Rickie Weeks is hitting .193 and has struck out 100 times and has gotten 59 hits. That isn't good. Weeks participated in the Home Run Derby last year. Not exactly the numbers you'd expect from an All Star second baseman just the year before

Most Impressive Prospect: Wil Meyers, Kansas City Royals/Billy Hamilton, Cincinnatti Reds

Wil Meyers is having an amazing year in the Royals Farm System. He is hitting .333 on the year with 27 Home Runs and 72 RBI. Look for the Royals to try and trade Jeff Franceour to open up a spot for Meyers. In 82 games this season, Hamilton has swiped 104 bases. 104 stolen bases. Let your mind ponder 104 steals in 82 games. He's also hitting .323.

                                     

All Stars According to WAR

Each year I take a look at who actually deserves to be an All Star based on the stat that in my opinion captures a player's worth to his own franchise. The voted in starters will be put in parentheses next to the player's name that deserves to be playing. We shall look at who should be playing in Kansas City next week.

American League
Starters
C: Joe Mauer 2.6 WAR (Mike Napoli 1.1)
1B: Edwin Encarnacion 2.5 WAR (Prince Fielder 1.4)
2B: Robinson Cano 4.1 WAR (Cano)
3B: Miguel Cabrera 2.9 WAR (Adrian Beltre 2.7)
SS: Elvis Andrus 2.9 WAR (Derek Jeter 1.0)
OF: Mike Trout 4.3 WAR (Curtis Granderson 1.4)
OF: Josh Hamilton 3.6 WAR (Hamilton)
OF: Austin Jackson 3.5 WAR (Jose Bautista 3.1)
DH: David Ortiz 2.3 WAR (Ortiz)

Reserves
C: A.J. Pierzynski 2.2 WAR
C: Matt Wieters 2.0 WAR
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera 2.2 WAR
SS: Mike Aviles 2.0 WAR
3B: Mike Moustakas 2.8 WAR
3B: Brett Lawrie 2.8 WAR
2B: Jason Kipnis 2.4 WAR
1B: Paul Konerko 2.2 WAR
OF: Adam Jones 3.3 WAR
OF: Josh Reddick 3.2 WAR
OF: Alex Gordon 3.1 WAR
DH: Adam Dunn 1.4 WAR

SP: Justin Verlander 3.6 WAR
SP: Chris Sale 3.2 WAR
SP: Jake Peavy 2.8 WAR
SP: CC Sabathia 2.8 WAR
SP: Felix Hernandez 2.6 WAR
SP: Matt Harrison 2.5 WAR
SP: Jason Hammel 2.5 WAR
SP: Jered Weaver 2.3 WAR
RP: Joe Nathan 1.3 WAR
RP: Fernando Rodney 1.3 WAR
RP: Chris Perez 1.0 WAR
RP: Tom Wilhelmsen 1.0 WAR
RP: Scott Atchinson 1.0 WAR

In Total: 3 of the actual starters deserve to start based on WAR. 13 players that aren't All Stars deserve to be All Stars based on WAR.

National League
Starters
C: Carlos Ruiz 4.0 WAR (Buster Posey 2.3)
1B: Joey Votto 4.8 WAR (Votto)
2B: Aaron Hill 2.8 WAR (Dan Uggla 2.4)
3B: David Wright 4.5 WAR (Pablo Sandoval 1.0)
SS: Ian Desmond 2.7 WAR (Rafael Furcal 1.4)
OF: Michael Bourn 4.0 WAR (Melky Cabrera 3.1)
OF: Ryan Braun 3.9 WAR (Carlos Beltran 2.8)
OF: Andrew McCutchen 3.8 WAR (Matt Kemp 2.4)

Reserves
C: Yadier Molina 3.3 WAR
C: AJ Ellis 2.8 WAR
1B: Paul Goldschmidt 2.1 WAR
2B: Dan Uggla 2.4 WAR
SS: Jed Lowrie 2.4 WAR
SS: Starlin Castro 2.0 WAR
3B: Chase Headley 3.4 WAR
OF: Martin Prado 3.6 WAR
OF: Jason Heyward 3.3 WAR
OF: Melky Cabrera 3.1 WAR
OF: Giancarlo Stanton 3.1 WAR
OF: Matt Holliday 3.0 WAR
OF: Carlos Beltran 2.8 WAR

SP: Zack Greinke 3.5 WAR
SP: Stephen Strasburg 3.2 WAR
SP: Gio Gonzalez 2.9 WAR
SP: RA Dickey 2.9 WAR
SP: Matt Cain 2.8 WAR
SP: Johnny Cueto 2.6 WAR
SP: Josh Johnson 2.4 WAR
SP: Clayton Kershaw 2.4 WAR
RP: Aroldis Chapman 1.6 WAR
RP: Craig Kimbrel 1.5 WAR
RP: Matt Belisle 1.3 WAR
RP: Tyler Clippard 1.2 WAR
RP: Rex Brothers 1.0 WAR
In Total: Only 1 of the actual starters deserve to start based on WAR. 16 players that aren't All Stars deserve to be All Stars based on WAR.

In conclusion, fan voting should not be used to decide who is an All Star and who is not. Players such as Zack Greinke and Austin Jackson are having great seasons and deserve to be a part in the All Star Festivities. Greinke has the highest WAR of any pitcher in the National League! Thank you for reading and enjoy your July 4th and Midsummer Classic.

Baseball is America

With today being Memorial Day, baseball is again turned to help celebrate our veterans. First, I want to personally thank every man and woman who has ever served our country to protect our freedom. You are the real MVPs. Baseball is more than the nation's pastime, baseball is America.

Our country has taken its fair share of hits throughout history, but since the Civil War, baseball has always been there. Baseball has always been counted on to supply an escape to the world's problems. There's something about walking through the turnstiles, emerging from the concourse, and seeing the beautiful, well kept field that gives one hope that better things are to come. Baseball was there during the Great Depression, when stars like Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, and Hornsby put on a show for the fans to remember. Baseball was there during World War II, even if it did mean having women play. Yes Tom Hanks, there is no crying in baseball. Superstars through many decades have often served their country, even losing years in their prime to do so. Imagine how good Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and countless others would have been if not for World War II taking away star seasons. They did this knowing that country outweighs a game.

September 21, 2001. 10 days after 9/11. The nation is still in shock of the horrors that occured on that Tuesday morning. Tonight, the Braves and the Mets play the first game of any major sports league since that day. Bitter rivals come together knowing that this game means a lot more than the other 161 they will play. The Mets won 3 to 2 on a Mike Piazza home run in the 8th inning. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3218879. Goosebumps. The city of New York has hope as a silly little game makes people forget about the events for three hours. That's what baseball is all about. Hope. Whether a minor league player hoping to make it to the show or a fan attending a July game. Baseball provides hope for those involved. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

So as you watch baseball on this Monday, think of the men and women who are/ have served our country and the sacrifices they make to keep us free. None of this would be possible without them. So as a proud member of Cardinal Nation I say, this one's for you.

Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa had his number retired by the St. Louis Cardinals tonight, May 11th, joining the list of a legend of the most historic franchise in the Senior Circuit. Given the illustrious history and winning tradition of the Cardinals' franchise, the only recognition that will top this personal honor is La Russa's inevitable induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The La Russa legacy will live on among members of Cardinals Nation forever. It is much, much more likely that he endures as the winningest manager in club history and that his era is remembered for unusual stability and success that actually gets more credit as it falls further into history. Three pennants and two World Series titles put La Russa on the podium with Billy Southworth and Whitey Herzog. Who stands atop the trio is more a matter of personal taste than it is a show of wins, losses, pennants, and trophies. All three of them share a similar success as Cardinals’ skipper. It’s the 16 years that La Russa spent in the role and the 1,408 wins that will be La Russa’s legacy.

I myself witnessed the greatness of "TLR" as he is known to Cardinals fans. Going to games and winning games with his wit and prepardness. Not a single manager was ever more prepared for a game than Tony La Russa. His obsession became known to the public in Three Nights in August, a must read for baseball strategists. When I met Mr. La Russa this spring, I couldn't help but think of how much this man has done for Cardinals Nation and what he has done for me personally. His team's played with the old school flare that is lost in the modern game. He protected his players and would go to war with them. Just ask Ryan Braun how Tony La Russa payback feels #GetOffTheJuiceRyan. However, the thing I myself most appreciate about La Russa's years with the Cardinals is the consistency the Cardinals had. The Cardinals were always near the top of the division and made summer the greatest season because there is nothing like a day baseball game in Busch Stadium on a nice July day.

La Russa will more than likely get voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (he should) but he should not be the only one of his tenure. TLR would not have been so successful without the greatest pitching coach of all time, Dave Duncan. The simple phrase "Dave Duncan Will Heal You" speaks dividends to how many pitchers had their careers rejuvinated because of Duncan. Dave Duncan should be in the Hall of Fame. That's a whole other entry though. For this I leave you with these fast facts about Tony La Russa:

1. Only 2 Managers have more Major League Wins than TLR; Connie Mack and John McGraw

2. TLR is a Vegatarian

3. TLR practically invented the modern day bullpen with a closer, set-up man, and middle reliever

Thank you for the memories TLR.

It's Jackie Robinson Day!

For most Americans, April 15 is dreaded tax day. Beware the ides of April. It's time to render unto Caesar (aka the IRS) the things that are Caesar's (aka your hard-earned money). But for baseball lovers such as myself, April 15 is much more. April 15th is Jackie Robinson Day. It is a chance to celebrate the life and legacy of the great Jackie Robinson. Today is the 65th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier.

April 15, 1947 came at a time soon after Americans had survived the Great Depression and won World War II. But even though black people stood in the same soup lines during the Great Depression and fought on the same battlefields in World War II, they were still denied the same freedoms as the white man. Jackie Robinson helped change that. Robinson opened the door to the Civil Rights Movement.

When every Major League player puts on a jersey with the Number 42 on it today, remember Jackie Robinson for more than just a .311 career hitter. Remember Jackie for being a man who grew up fighting for his rights but soon changed into a man with the dignity not to fight back.

When Robinson stepped onto the grass of Ebbets Field on that beautiful Tuesday afternoon, he was not greeted with cheers and praise but rather jeers and insults. Robinson was the target of hatred and discrimination. That was nothing new to Robinson though. While serving in the U.S. Army, he refused an order to move to the back of an Army bus and was unjustly court-marshaled. He was charged with many offenses, one of them public drunkenness even though he didn't drink. Through everything he faced, Robinson always stood up for what was right.

It was clear that Robinson would not rest until he saw America live up to its great ideals of equality. He saw any place that had inequality and discrimination as a threat to freedom everywhere. So he came to fight about policies from Ethiopia to Brooklyn. Robinson did not stand through his discrimination alone. Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese said: "You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them." When fans in Cincinnati shouted racial slurs at Robinson, Reese put his arm around his friend to show his support.

"Jackie Robinson's contributions were far beyond the baseball field," said Michael Young, who plays on a Texas Rangers team with a black manager. "Obviously, this is where it started, but I think everybody in American society owes a huge debt of gratitude to the contributions Jackie Robinson made."

So as you watch Major League Baseball today and see all of baseball celebrate the life of Jackie Robinson, remember him for who he was as a person. Remember the way he carried himself and the way he effected the lives of others. He was more than a .311 hitter and a World Series Champion. He started the Civil Rights Movement which changed America forever. Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Stan Musial and the Cardinals Franchise

With the Cardinals home opener yesterday, Busch Stadium was filled to see the reigning World Series Champions take the field for the first time in the city of St. Louis. But seeing the Cardinals play isn't necessarily the highlight of the home opener. The main show is the Opening Ceremonies which include the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hall of Famers dressed in their ever so classy Red Jackets. However, when the greatest Cardinal of them all, Stan Musial, took the field riding on a golf cart with his grandson, all of Cardinals Nation put out an extra little cheer. What Stan Musial means to the St. Louis Cardinals Franchise cannot be expressed in words.

During Mike Matheny's Press Conference being introduced as the Cardinals manager, he stated that "The Cardinal way is tradition, history, and respect.." Stan Musial exemplifies every one of those characteristics. The tradition of him being at Opening Day has been a staple in St. Louis for over 40 years. His history goes without saying. Musial's .331 Batting Average ranks among the top all time and the fact that he had the same number of hits (1,815) on the road as he did on the road speaks volumes on how consistent of a baseball player he was. In his 22 year career, he played in 24 All Star Games as well as being a three time World Series Champion. Respect. A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I will say this and will argue this with anyone. Stan Musial is the most respectable baseball player to ever put on a baseball uniform. Every day he gave everything he had and showed astounding character in doing so. Even while serving in the Second Great War, Musial was still able to put together one of the greatest baseball careers ever. Stan Musial exemplifies the three characteristics that are the Cardinal franchise in an outstanding fashion.

Cardinals Nation LOVES Stan Musial. And they should. Stan "The Man" Musial means more to the Cardinals organization than any player will ever mean to any franchise. As Stan gets older, the amount of his public showings get shorter and shorter. That's why we must cherish the opportunity for the chance to see one of the best men in history. Cherish the chance to see Stan show off that corkscrew batting stance that made him such a great hitter. Cherish the chance to see him make 47,000 Cardinals fans rise to their feet knowing they are in the prescence of a hero. Cherish the tears you shed when you see him. Just remember how great the life of Stan Musial has been and resemble the life he lived. Treat others with the respect they deserve and give them the chance to remember something forever. The legend of Stan Musial goes beyond the baseball field. It takes more than talent to be a successful ballplayer. One must have strong character and strong demeanor. Stan has that. The Presidential Medal of Freedom only added to the greatness of a boy from Donora, Pennsylvania. Remember Stan Musial for more than who he was on the baseball field. Stan Musial. More than a name. A hero. A legend. Stan Musial is Cardinals Baseball and Cardinals Nation needs to take advantage of having such a prestigious man in the history of their organiztion.