Baseball's Best Playoff Players For The Buck

From Forbes.com:

High-performing bargain players like Joey Votto and Johnny Gomes are the reason the Reds are in the postseason.

A winning baseball roster isn't put together by money alone. Cash helps, but for most ball clubs, it's limited. And that requires a front office that's savvy enough to find bargains.

This year's eight-team playoff field includes payrolls from all over the spectrum: High (Yankees, Phillies), middle-high (Giants, Twins), middle-low (Braves, Reds, Rays) and low (Rangers). All but the Yankees and Phillies have one common ingredient: at least one player on our list of top performers for the buck among this year's playoff participants.

The most cost-efficient player in the postseason, Reds' first baseman Joey Votto, is a strong favorite for the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting .324 with 113 RBI, while leading the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Votto's 2010 salary: $525,000.

To rate players' contributions on the field, we used a method popularized by Baseball Prospectus, Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), which calculates how many net runs a player is responsible for producing for his team relative to a hypothetical "replacement" player assumed to perform at an average rate for minimal cost. We then factored in salary to determine players' performance per dollar. Votto's VORP score of 78.2 was fourth-highest in the majors in 2010, and easily the best on a per-cost basis among postseason players.

Joe Torre Retiring as Dodger’s Manager

Those who know me know that I am no Dodger’s fan. I’m well known for teasing my Dodger-loving employees and friends all throughout baseball season – especially when they play my SF Giants. But the news of Joe Torre stepping down is big, no matter which team holds your heart. Torre is a legend, managing the Dodgers, and the Yankees before that, through some pretty incredible successes. According to MLB Fanhouse Torre’s career record is 2,318-1,990 over 29 seasons as a manager.

Torre is quoted as saying, "Baseball has been my life, and hopefully will continue to be my life in some capacity. When I came out here, it was just to find out if managing can be fun again, and it's been fun. ... But you have to make some decisions by instinct, and my instinct tells me it's time to go.''


Does this mean Torre is retiring altogether? My bet is no. I don’t think the 70-year old is quite out for the count. Don’t be surprised if you see him return for the 2011 season with a different team… perhaps the Mets?

What’s in a Nickname? The Origins of MLB Team Names

As many people know, I love baseball. Go Giants! And, with the Major League Baseball season getting underway, I thought it would be fun to write about how some of the league’s teams got their name (from Mental Floss):

Arizona Diamondbacks
In 1995, the expansion franchise’s ownership group asked fans to vote from among a list of nicknames that included Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Phoenix, Rattlers, and Scorpions. Diamondbacks, a type of desert rattlesnake, was the winner, sparing everyone the mind-boggling possibility of a team located in Phoenix, Arizona, called the Arizona Phoenix.

San Francisco Giants
The New York Giants moved to San Francisco in 1957 and retained their nickname, which dates back to 1885. It was during that season, according to legend, that New York Gothams manager Jim Mutrie referred to his players as his “giants” after a rousing win over Philadelphia.

San Diego Padres
When San Diego was awarded an expansion team in 1969, the club adopted the nickname of the city’s Pacific Coast League team, the Padres. The nickname, which is Spanish for father or priest, was a reference to San Diego’s status as the first Spanish Mission in California.

Find the story about your favorite team’s name by clicking here.

Former All-Star Pitcher Jerry Koosman Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

From MLB.com:

Former All-Star pitcher Jerry Koosman pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion at a Madison, Wis., hearing on Friday and could face up to a year in prison. Sentencing is set for July 21.

Koosman, who also faces $25,000 in fines, neglected to pay federal income taxes for 2002, '03 and '04, defrauding the government out of as much as $90,000, assistant U.S. attorney John Vaudreuil told The Associated Press.

According to court documents, the IRS learned in '05 that Koosman hadn't filed any returns for 2002, '03 and '04. Using his W-2 wage statements, the IRS determined Koosman earned about $754,950 over those years, including about $130,000 from his Major League Baseball pension and $25,000 in '02 alone for autographs and personal appearances. He also had a stock sale in '02 worth $551,881.

Koosman, who helped led the 1969 Mets to a World Series title, maintained that he thought federal taxes applied only to federal workers, corporate employees and District of Columbia residents, court documents said.

"I guess it's a combination of being naive and not being able to understand law as I read it or was told," Koosman told U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb during Friday's hearing.

Koosman, 66, lives in Osceola, Wis., and retired after the 1985 season. He played in the Majors for 19 seasons, including his first 12 with the Mets, and was an All-Star in '68 and '69. He retired with a career record of 222-209 and a 3.36 ERA.

My Top 10 Favorite Baseballs Players of All Time

Baseball has always been my favorite sport, and anyone who has ever met me or seen my office knows that I am a huge Giant’s fan. Even as a little girl I have always loved baseball. To me, there’s nothing like the smell of cut grass, hot dogs, and anticipation before a game. In honor of my favorite sport I have decided to put together this list of my top 10 favorite baseball players for all the readers of my blog.

1. Steve Garvey

Garvey, well known for playing 193 consecutive, errorless games at first base, an MLB record, is the only player in the history of baseball to have played an errorless season at the position. His 1984 NL championship game-winning home run hit, also known as his “blast”, is one of the most unforgettable hits in baseball history.

2. Greg Maddux

With an eerie talent of guessing what a hitter is going to do next, Maddux has made a name for himself using his brain just as much as his arm. Not only does he hold the major league record for seasons leading his league in games started, but as of November 2007, Maddux holds the record for most gold gloves in MLB history.

3. Barry Bonds

Following in the footsteps of his father Bobby and godfather Willie Mays, Barry Bonds is a definite baseball legend. Among his many, many achievements, Bonds holds 7 MVPs, 8 gold gloves, the record for most home runs – as well as the record for most home runs in a season, 73 – and is the only member of the 500/500 club and third member of the 700 club.

4. Hank Aaron

Best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, Aaron held the record of most home runs (755) until 2007. Aaron’s resolve during the home run chase raised the bar for players and fans alike. He and his brother also hold the record for most home runs by a team of brothers, and Aaron himself was inducted into Cooperstown in 1982.

5. Ted Williams

A man of many trades, Ted Williams was a great ball player but also an expert fly fisherman as well as an expert fighter pilot. Some of his baseball achievements include the record for reaching base in most consecutive games (84) as well as two-time MVP and a two-time triple crown winner.

6. Chipper Jones

With a name to suit him, Chipper Jones plays for the fun and love of the game and the love of his family. Jones isn’t all fun and games though, a 6-time NL All-Star, NL MVP in 1999, as well as a World Series winner in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves, he is made history already and is still making it.

7. Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez

Some see “Pudge” as the best all around catcher in baseball today. Being the first catcher in history to have more than 20 home runs and 20 steals in the same season, it is no surprise at age 29, he was the youngest catcher ever to amass 1,000 hits. Pudge is also the first American League catcher to hit .300 or better five years in a row.

8. Mark McGwire

With a portion of interstate named after him (interstate 70 in St. Louis, to honor his 70 home run achievement) Mark McGwire earned the love of baseball enthusiasts’ nationwide. Although his 70 home runs in a season record was broken by Barry Bonds in 2001, he still holds the records for most home runs by a rookie (49).

9. Mike Schmidt

A 1980 World Series MVP, Schmidt made his mark in MLB history. In addition to being a 12-time NL All-Star, he was a 3-time NL MVP and won 10 gold gloves. Combined with immense patience and a deep-rooted love for the game, it was no shock when he was introduced to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.

10. Pete Rose

Well known for his records of most games (3562) at bats (14053), hits (4256), and singles (3215), Rose was simply determined. Some say Rose was not the most skilled (though still very talented) player in the game, but certainly the most determined. He must have been doing something right though, at the end of his career he left as a World Series MVP (1975), 3-time World Series winner (1975, 1976, 1980), a 17-time NL all-star, and winner of 2 gold gloves.

More Information on Fielder’s Tax Problem

The Milwaukee Online Journal posted this article with slightly more information on the story I posted about yesterday, Milwaukee Brewers First Baseman Owes the IRS $409,149.

Many people in the professional sports industry refuse to comment on financial issues, and this case is no exception. However, the author does bring up a few interesting points. For example, Fielder recently turned down a new contract valued at around $60 million, so it seems likely that he will be able to repay the liability. However, there are no court records to support the idea that he has already settled the liability, meaning it could still be in IRS collections.

Milwaukee Brewers First Baseman Owes the IRS $409,149

Yesterday Detroit News broke the story that Prince Fielder, who plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, owes $409,149 to the federal government in unpaid taxes. Prince is the son of former Detroit Tiger great, Cecil Fielder, who currently manages the independent league Atlantic City Surf baseball team.

The apple apparently does not fall far from the tree as Cecil had financial problems of his own four years ago. According to public records, he lost $47 million through bad business decisions. However, Cecil and Prince have not spoken in years after Prince accused his father of money extortion.

Local Teen Girl Plays on Boy’s Baseball Team

Check out this video on Yahoo, of a news report on a local teen girl. She is the only girl to play on the boy’s baseball team at a nearby high school. Gabby Sanchez is a freshman at Rio Linda High School and has already made it onto the Junior Varsity baseball team, playing along with older male students.

It warms my heart to hear stories like this one. For those of you who do not already know, I absolutely love baseball, and have been playing my entire life. At the age of 11, I became the first female in the history of California to play little league baseball on an all boys’ team. Then when I was 12, I was selected as an All-star player. But Gabby takes the cake.

I strongly encourage Gabby to continue doing what she loves, and to not be concerned about gender stereotypes or what anyone else has to say. Follow your dreams, and do not let anything stand in your way.

MLB Files Incorrect Return

According to TaxProf.org and Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal there are some potential problems with the Major League Baseball’s October 2006 Tax return.

"MLB did not include the compensation amounts for its other top officers in its most recent return. The names of MLB President Bob DuPuy and four executive vice presidents are listed but without pay totals. Those numbers appeared in prior MLB tax returns, with DuPuy pulling in a total of $4.875 million in the 2005 fiscal year.

Nonprofit tax experts said such omissions are not permissible under the current tax code. "The [tax return] instructions just couldn’t be clearer. The compensation of the officers, directors and key employees must be disclosed in the return," said Marcus Owens, former director of the IRS’s exempt organizations division and currently an attorney with Caplin & Drysdale in Washington, D.C., representing a variety of nonprofits.

Said DuPuy of that assessment, "We respectfully disagree."

Leaving out officer compensation in Part 5-A of the nonprofit return could be considered an incomplete return and could subject MLB to fines up to $50,000 per year from the IRS, Owens said."

Next Big Thing for Major League Baseball: China

According to this article, Major League Baseball has billions of reasons to play ball with China, and its international business chief says the sport's owners are ready to pitch. MLB is hoping to increase efforts to expand Chinese interest in Baseball, similarly to how the NBA courted the Chinese market nearly 20 years ago. Nowadays, the NBA Chinese affiliate accounts for over $2.3 billion of revenue.
"Whether you're a sport, consumer product or any other business, everyone is now interested in China to grow," claims MLB's international senior vice president Paul Archey, who is set to visit Beijing on Wednesday.

Full List of 2007 Baseball Champions

Nutty About Sports.com has a very informative article on their site with a list of all the current baseball champions of 2007. The list includes not only Major League Baseball Champions, but Minor League Baseball Champions, Independent League Champions, College Baseball Champions and Little League Baseball Champions as well. You can see the full list by clicking here.

Giant’s Relief Pitcher Passes Over Weekend

Former Giant’s and Cubs pitcher Rod Beck tragically died over the weekend at the young age of 38. According the Daily Herald, Rod "gained initial fame as a member of the San Francisco Giants and was a three-time all-star who twice led the NL in saves." Though he was well respected by fans and players alike, Rod had dealt with some personal demons and had spent time in rehab to overcome his problems. "Tragedy," Cubs president John McDonough explained. "Colorful character. Great for baseball. Sad. He was a big part of the '98 team. Baseball needs more people like Rod Beck. I think all of us are very saddened." SFGate.com has a well written article on Rod and why he was so well respected, you can check out the article here.

Bonds Sits Out Second Game In A Row Due To Injury

According to SFgate.com, Barry Bonds was out of the lineup for the second game in a row but vowed not to go on the disabled list. "I'm not going on the DL. Don't count on me seeing the DL at all," Bonds said. "I won't let myself. I'll work hard. I'll do what I have to do to make sure I don't go there ... unless I get hit by a truck. I'll play through it." He later claimed that he expects to return to the lineup for the series finale tonight. "I was sore (last week) in New York. This kept escalating," Bonds said. "Normally, I'd get through it. I'd never had shin splints. It started hurting in my knees, bad. ... Today, I feel good. I feel I can go out there and play."

Barry Bonds Mum About Playing in 2008

Barry Bonds isn't sure about his future or thinking about breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. Swarmed by a horde of reporters, an affable Bonds sat in the dugout and discussed various topics. Asked if he planned to play next season, Bonds said: "I don't know. Let me get through this one first."



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Mets ride two Benitez balks to 12-inning win vs. Giants

Armando Benitez committed two balks -- the last of which allowed the tying run to score -- and gave up a game-winning solo homer to Carlos Delgado in the Giants' 5-4 loss to the Mets in 12 innings.

After the Giants went ahead 4-3 in the top of the 12th, Benitez walked Reyes to lead the bottom half. Reyes moved up on a balk and then went to third on a sacrifice. Reyes stayed at third when Carlos Beltran grounded out but then was waved home when Benitez was called for his second balk. Benitez then gave up Delgado's winning home run.

San Francisco Giants Beat Oakland A’s

On Sunday the Giant’s beat the Oakland A’s in a 4-1 win, thanks to pitcher Matt Morris. The Giants' veteran pitched a two-hit complete game with nine strikeouts to give the Giants a much-needed win after consecutive losses. ''This was something we needed today and I'm glad I was able to do it,'' claimed Morris. ''I'm not here to be on the back page (of the tabloids), that's for sure. I'm here to get my innings and keep the team in the game.'' For a more detailed recap of the game, check out All Headline News.