SABR offers free 2009 baseball guide


SABR is pleased to help baseball fans cut expenses this season by publishing and giving away the The Emerald Guide to Baseball 2009. Yes, we said "giving away." The guide, which fills the hole in the baseball record left by the 2006 demise of The Sporting News Baseball Guide, contains detailed statistics for every player at every level of the professional game, team histories, and up-to-date team contact information and schedules.Baseball fans anywhere in the world—both SABR members and non-members—can download the PDF version of the book free of charge from the SABR website at www.sabr.org.Edited by acclaimed baseball historians Gary Gillette and Pete Palmer, The Emerald Guide distills the 2008 season down to 586 fact-filled pages that contain the pitching, fielding, and hitting statistics for each player active in the major and minor leagues in 2008. As with the classic Sporting News Guides, the Emerald Guide also features team-by-team daily results, a directory of important contacts, a synopsis of the just-completed season, and much more. A bound version is available via print on demand at Lulu.com for $23.95. Every page in the bound edition is in the PDF.Why are we doing this? Well, part of SABR's mission is to disseminate the history and record of baseball, and that's exactly what we're doing. If you find this book valuable, please consider joining SABR if you aren't already a member. And feel free to send friends and family to www.sabr.org so they can get their free PDF of The Emerald Guide to Baseball 2009.

Rick Porcello


Rick Porcello started last night's game and hurled three scoreless inning against the Marlins. According to the Free Press, "Porcello allowed five hits but held the Marlins scoreless over three innings. His secret? He didn't walk a batter and kept the ball on the ground."

Take me out to the ballgame


OK so the Yankees bombed the Tigers yesterday, but the sun was hot, the drinks were cold and the Tigers had their third-largest spring training crowd ever.

Looks like Bonderman, Jackson and Porcello


will be 3, 4 and 5 starters according to our poll, but allow me to make a prediction. With Bonderman's recent soreness, and Porcello's outstanding showings, Porcello will zoom to the #3 spot. Restrict him to 90 pitches or so, lots of rest, but baby, it's time.

If Dontrelle can get his control, look for him to start, while Bonderman works it out. Having too many good starters is the least of our worries. I just wouldn't have young Porcello mess up his head throwing middle relief. Disagreements?

You guys are what make this blog fun!

Some blogs are just full of the head blogger's opinion. (Boring to read, boring to write, unless you have an ego the size of Montana.)

The other day I suggested we poll everybody on their favorite non-Detroit ballpark. You guys are incredible. Tom even provides photographic evidence of many of the parks he has visited.
(Too many pics to show you here, but it's an awesome display you can see at http://picasaweb.google.com/Thomas.hagerty/Ballparks.)

Once again, with the power vested in me by nobody as commissioner, I'm going to break this poll into at least two or three pieces. Existing major league parks, defunct major league parks, and minor league stadiums. Let me know if you have more, and I'll do the first poll over the weekend.

Existing Major League Parks

  • Ballpark at Arlington (Texas)

  • Camden Yards (Baltimore)

  • Fenway

  • The New Comiskey

  • Wrigley

  • Shea (I think the Mets are going to play there this year, right?)

  • Rogers Centre (Toronto)

  • Coors Field

  • Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia (still used?)

  • Bush Stadium (new St. Louis)

  • PNC Park Pittsburgh

  • Miller Park (Milwaukee)

  • Great American Ballpark (Cinci)

  • Kaufman Stadium (KC)

Any more?


Fantasy Baseball anyone?

Is anyone interested in playing in a fantasy baseball league for the up coming season? If I can get enough people that are interested I will start a league. If you are interested let me know and I will email you the information. Thank you and God bless!

Spring Fling


Saturday I saw the Tigers meet, greet and beat the Mets. Today I leave work at noon to see the Tigers play Florida Southern College (whose roster include Colin Kaline, grandson of Number Six). Living in Lakeland is tough but someone has to do it.