Quote of the Week
“ It's pretty intelligent to play baseball. You don't get hurt as much. Any football players you know play 22 years? ”
– Dave Winfield
This Week in Baseball
Start Spreading the News...
The Seattle Mariners are rumored to be close to trading the bloated contract of Robinson Cano along with All-Star closer Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets. This move is part of the Mariners' plans to retool the roster to get back into contention and the Mets' plans to acquire dubious talent at positions where they already have players. In other words, to continue being the Mets.
Love Me Tender...
Every winter teams have to decide whether or not to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players who then become free agents earlier than originally planned. There were surprises including stolen base expert Billy Hamilton and the recently traded-for Jonathan Schoop. Teams will be doing this more and more each year as they get smarter about wasting money on mediocre players, so they can find other ways to waste money.
Yo Adrian...
After a 21-year career in Major League Baseball, Adrian Beltre has decided to retire. He does so as the all-time leader in hits by a third baseman with 3,166. Beltre also has 477 home runs, 636 doubles, a .286 average and won five Gold Gloves. He is headed to the Hall of Fame. Not right this minute. In five years when he gets voted in. He's probably going on vacation with his family. Which could be to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Home Sweet Home...
The Oakland A’s announced they plan to build a futuristic ballpark on the Howard Terminal waterfront to replace the aging multi-purpose Oakland Coliseum by 2023. The ballpark is being designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, a Danish architectural firm, so you can expect the stadium to have a flaky outer crust and a delicious cheese and fruit center.
Subtraction by Addition...
Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny joined the Kansas City Royals as special adviser for player development. Fans of the Royals may have been worried whether the team would ever return to their winning ways. But now that Matheny is on board at least they have certainty they'll lose a lot.
On the Air
“ Don't pay the ticket prices. Stay at home and watch on your 55 inch television. Go to the bathroom whenever you want. ”
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Episode 86: MLB Hot Stove Heating Up?; Josh Donaldson; James Paxson; Joe Mauer; Adrian Beltre; Stan Lee; Catherine Zeta-Jones
First and foremost, do you think the MLB hot stove is heating up or still cold? Jed wants some high-flying action—what say you? Episode 86 of Foul Territory: A Baseball Podcast has no companion name since no player in MLB …
Going Deep
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The Delicate Art of Hot Stove Baseball Calisthenics
Calisthenics Defined as gymnastic exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement, are we witnessing the equivalent of baseball calisthenics this offseason? Teams adopting unusual postures to gracefully stretch their bodies in just the right direction so they can …
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Why Are Baseball Traditions Disappearing?
Baseball Traditions Disappearing Baseball traditions are too few, ephemeral, in danger of change and tied to the holy dollar bill as they convert to the profane. The gentle valley in left-center field at old Crosley Stadium in Cincinnati. Or the …
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Holiday Gifts for Baseball Fans
The holidays are the time of year when we all get together and share in our collective joy and try to wipe away the metaphorical eye boogers of the last year. We go to parties and attend dinners and “like” …
Off Base
