re: Atlanta Maybe the Braves old ballpark at Fulton County Stadium just seemed a "mile high" because of its nickname, "The Launching Pad." Turner Field is a hitters paradise too and 1000ft still makes Atlanta one of the highest. Most MLB ballparks are on the coasts, at sea level or near rivers or lakes... http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020803/mathtrek.asp re: Dodger fans reactions to Andruw Jones Today's LA Times is filled with remarks exactly like mine above that was posted yesterday. The reaction of DodgerDogs is universally negative. This guy is a bum and we don't want him. We've had experience with clowns like this before; Darrell Strawberry, Eddie Murray, etc. The "Dodger Way to Play Baseball" is all about hustle and pukes like this guy just don't qualify. When the Braves visited Dodger Stadium last year, Andruw Jones made two errors in one inning and struck out most of the time. He loafed after flyballs and walked out grounders. Bobby Cox took him out of games in the late innings and he wasn't missed. Dodger fans booed him for his lack of effort. It was embarrassing to see and cheapened the value of every ticket purchased. This guy has a lot to prove after that. There is no honeymoon for him. We've seen guys like that before... .........JO'Co PS. Torre doesn't get a honeymoon either. The reaction to his hiring has been fairly cool. He wasn't who we wanted and most of us remember him as the Angel's broadcaster or a National League manager whom we used to beat. The Dodgers aren't the Lakers or the Yankees or the Red Sox, and our Boston owner obviously doesn't understand that. We have our own unique culture and traditions here, of which he is completely ignorant...
Today's LA Times is more of the same. TJ Simer now has a new target for his venom and the rest of the Times wasn't too kind either. One cartoon included a poem about our new centerfielder, just in time for the Holiday Season, called "Andruw Jones is Coming to Town." (To the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town.") The natives are restless in La-La land...
This trade surprised me. Miller and Maybin were impressive last year. The Tigers success was done by developing a great farm system and making shrewd trades for veterans whose price tag did not break the bank. This trade runs contrary to that philosophy. But, Dombrowski turned the Marlins into contenders before he came to Detroit and, given the great job he has done for Detroit, I can only assume that he knows what he is doing. But, he does need to trade Tod Jones for 6 to 8 pieces of sushi.
I gotta wonder, a team that has the cheapest payroll and constant "firesales" has won 2 world series in the past decade. Is the problem the ownership or the fanbase? Personally speaking I think it's the fanbase. With the exception of basketball, MIA is just pathetic at supporting their local franchises. Hell, the Dolphins have had playoff games blacked out and have more Jets fans in their own stadium when the they meet. It's a shame, but MIA does not deserve a pro baseball or football franchise IMO. There are far too many more deserving areas/cities across the country.
8) re: Detroit Tigers They've got me convinced. I'm on the bandwagon. Five years ago they were a dead franchise. Dead as old Marley's ghost. Now they have a lineup that no pitcher would want to face; a strong minor league system and a front office with demonstrated organizational skills. I never would have thought this was possible, but there it is... re: Miami area They've got me convinced too: its a sports wasteland...
Bobda The key to this trade is Willis. While Cabrera is the "big name" Cabrera is what the Tigers need. He can give plenty of innings and if his delivery is as difficult for first time opponents as it was his first year or two in the NL he'll be a solid no. 2 starter. We know that Inge was as close to a sure out as there was last year. While a fine defensive 3rd sacker, he's not proven he deserves to be an everyday player. It wasn't the outs so much as the pathetic strike outs, so often with men on. The final point is that the Tigs didn't get aged veterens. Cabrera and Willis are 25 and 24. They've got long futures. It isn't the Doyle Alexander trade all over again, that's for sure.