Good morning, all and happy Monday!
MLB is into its All-Star break, including tonight’s home run derby. Since MLB took over complete operation of the minor leagues, a split season has been instituted at all levels of the minors. Some have suggested MLB should adopt the same format, but as I explain in the video/audio commentary, in reality a split season already exists.
Here are some other thoughts on this second Monday in July:
Kudos to Boston Globe baseball writer Peter Abraham, unearthing a statistic that demonstrates how much MLB has changed. Abraham wrote that in his 19-year career, Ted Williams faced 447 different pitchers. Washington Nationals up-and-coming star James Wood, who broke in two seasons ago, has already faced 468 different pitchers. Yes, the game has changed.
It used to be a badge of honor for pitchers in the old days to throw a complete game (Nine innings for those who do not know.) Now they are doing jumping jacks if a pitcher throws five innings. A quality start is considered a pitcher allowing three or less runs over six innings. Six innings and three runs computes to a 4.50 ERA, which is nothing to brag about.
And do not get me going on the number of pitches these hurlers throw, another reason many of them are yanked after the fifth inning. More and more the pitch counts are exceeding 80 pitches after five innings, which is not only unacceptable but why pitchers are always getting hurt and requiring Tommy John surgery. These days it’s news if a pitcher hasn’t had TJ surgery.
Reports indicate Tigers ace Tarik Skubal does not want to be traded and would prefer to remain with the team through the remainder of the season. Skubal is in his walk year. He reportedly has told friends he believes the Tigers have a legitimate shot at winning the World Series. Since June 1 Detroit, which got off to an abysmal start, has been one of the game’s hottest clubs, along with the Miami Marlins. The Tigers were my pick to win it all and I am not backing down now.
Yahoo Sports is reporting Warde Manuel’s tenure as athletic director at Michigan is hanging in the balance because of the scandal, involving head coach Sherrone Moore, who was fired in December. Moore was dismissed for an “inappropriate relationship” with a female staffer. Manuel left as UConn AD to take the Michigan job - his alma mater - in 2016. His latest contract runs through 2030. Michigan’s Regents meet this Thursday with Manuel’s job reportedly on the agenda, now that an investigation into the Moore saga has been completed. Manuel’s contract does have a buyout clause. I am surprised Manuel has lasted this long, since the scandal broke. Perhaps what saved him was Michigan winning the men’s basketball national championship, but now the Spartans have lost hoops coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks.
Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler becoming the latest player to bow out of playing in the All-Star game is another example why the game itself is outdated. For that matter, All-Star games in all sports are outdated for fear stars, who are paid megabucks, might get injured.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing and have a magnificent Monday!
DAN
