Thursday, December 22, 2011
60 days till pitchers and catchers report...
Merry Christmas, PFBL!
Colorado Springs is having a White Christmas!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Congrats Ronnie
Congratulations to the newest member of the Hall of Fame, Ron Santo. It was long overdue and very unfortunate that the honor didn't come while Ronnie was still with us to enjoy it but at least it has finally come. We love you Ronnie. Pass10n.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
90 days till pitchers and catchers report...
Click to enlarge
Which is worse, talking to your self or posting on a blog that nobody reads?
Which is worse, talking to your self or posting on a blog that nobody reads?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
94 days till pitchers and catchers report...
Who would you rather have as your manager...
this guy?
or...
this guy?
or...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
95 days till pitchers and catchers report...
A gold star to anyone who can identify this autograph:
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
96 days till pitchers and catchers report...
In case you were wondering as well, in 1956 the New York Yankees won the American League and the Brooklyn Dodgers won the National League. It was the Dodgers' penultimate year in Brooklyn, and Sandy Koufax's sophomore season. Brooklyn's Don Newcombe was the NL MVP, going 27-7 in 268 IP with a .989 WHIP, 18 complete games, and 5 shutouts. New York's Mickey Mantle won the AL MVP, going .353/.464/.705 with 52 HR and 130 RBI.
The 1956 World Series was a rematch of the previous year, and the sixth time the two teams faced each other in the previous ten World Series matchups. The Dodgers were unable claim a second consecutive championship, as the Yankees won in seven games. The two teams had a combined twelve hall of fame players and managers. Yankee starters pitched five consecutive complete games in Games 3 through 7, including Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
October 8th...
October 8: the first day of dreaming about Spring Training. Only 129 days until pitchers and catchers report!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Early thoughts on the playoffs
I know the Rays are already playing golf, but take a look at the best breakdown of all the playoff teams via Craig Robinson's Infographic at Grantland. Which team has the most Twitter followers? The answer might surprise you. (I highly recommend Robinson's book.)
Meanwhile, the Yankees are pioneering a "new" strategy:
I'm only going to see that movie if Batting Stance Guy portrays Brad Pitt.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are pioneering a "new" strategy:
I'm only going to see that movie if Batting Stance Guy portrays Brad Pitt.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Bo Knows: 2011 Percell Fantasy Baseball League Champions
 |
| 2011 Percell Fantasy Baseball League Champions |
Congratulations to Regan Slater and Bo Knows, the 2011 Percell Fantasy Baseball League Champion!
Bo Knows scored an unprecedented 8,106 points, being the first team ever to crack 8k.
Even as the race drew close down the stretch, Bo Knows extended his lead every day during the final week to run away with the title by a more than 200 point margin, the largest ever.
Way to go Regan, what a great season for Bo Knows!
I also want to personally thank everyone who participated in the league, making it highly competitive and fun yet again, as always. Also thanks to everyone for contributing, reading, subscribing to, and following the PFBL blog Out Standing in the Field. It was our initial effort at collective blogging, and I am very pleased with the result. Expect more of the same in seasons to come. We will continue to find new and exciting ways to promote the best fantasy baseball league in the nation.
As we hunker down for a long cold winter, and look to the NFL and Fantasy Football to occupy our time, we know that 2012 spring training is really right around the corner. Never to early to start draft prep. In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy the MLB playoffs - without a doubt the best time of the whole year.
Until Next Season,
Jay
The Commish
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Long, Cold Winter Looms
It's going to be a long, cold winter, but good thing he's got plenty of facial hair to keep his chin warm.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
PFBL Standings 8/29/11
Click to enlarge.
Big news this week is that Pioneer Skies shot up the standings two spots from fourth place to second place.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Playing with Numbers
Hello fellow owners and PFBL followers! I've been trying to figure out why my team continues to languish in 6th place, even after pulling two trades to strengthen it. As often is the case, this led me to Play with the Numbers. Now, my fellow owners of PFBL are relatively aware that this is something I do frequently, but generally only to support an argument (or start one).
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Secret to Surviving the Trade Deadline
On a warm summer's evening,
on a train bound for nowhere,
6:35 PM, Saturday, July 30th, 2011. Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres. Game time temperature, 71 degrees. Partly Cloudy. 13 MPH winds.
Nearly two-thirds of the way through the season, the Rockies found themselves 6 games below .500, and 11 games back of the first place San Francisco Giants.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Down and Out in Emerald City
July 5th, 2011. The last time the Seattle Mariners won a baseball game until today. It was a 10th inning victory over the Oakland A’s. At the time the Mariners had improved to a .500 record. Since then the Mariners went on to lose 17 straight games over the course of 21 days, until their dominating victory over the Yankees today. The record for losses in a row is 23 games by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies. Seattle will be glad not to top that mark, but they may flirt with it again soon.
It was only a matter of time before ‘King’ Felix led them to a win. Chone “Mendoza Line” Figgins even got a few days off recently that no one noticed, due to a family emergency, though I believe he just wanted to get away, right now there is a team emergency happening.
The M’s leading hitter is batting .266. That would be Mr. Ichiro. The man has not batted less than .300 in all ten of his MLB seasons, and never less than 200 hits. But this year folks, I think things will change.
What a woeful turn this franchise has taken or better yet, what a woeful road this franchise has been plodding along on. This is an organization, which has never even been to the World Series, and they have been floundering about the AL West almost three and a half decades.
The Mariners tied the MLB record for most wins in a season in 2001 before being destroyed by the NY Yankees and Andy Pettite’s strong-arm tactics 4 games to 1 in the American League Championship.
I was a huge Ken Griffey Jr. fan growing up.
#24 was the most hyped player of my generation and for good cause.
It was a common belief he would be the one to break Hank Aaron’s
Home run record, not Barry Bonds. Instead he wound up finishing his career taking naps in the team clubhouse and 219 hits short of 3,000. (Though he did finish with a respectable 630 career home runs most likely without the aid of performance enhancing drugs, but who knows.)
I suppose it is somewhat sad that Seattle’s 2011 season will only be remembered for a truly amazing losing streak, but this is the fate of certain teams in Bud Selig’s Milwaukee League Baseball. The bullies of the block will continue their reign into the foreseeable future. Get used to seeing New York/Boston or Philadelphia/San Francisco as champions for the next five years.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
OSITF Links: Final Vote Edition
You will only find one link here: vote Alex Gordon & Todd Helton.
Time is running out to vote in the last man standing, MLB All-Star Game final vote. Currently there is slightly less than 5 hours before the polls close. Voting is unlimited so stuff as many ballots in the box as possible.
Time is running out to vote in the last man standing, MLB All-Star Game final vote. Currently there is slightly less than 5 hours before the polls close. Voting is unlimited so stuff as many ballots in the box as possible.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Winless in Seattle, or: How I Learned to Stop Player-Hating and Love the BBWAA
Last season, Félix Hernández won the AL Cy Young award. In 249.2 innings he struck out 232 with an ERA of 2.27 and a WHIP of 1.06. And yet, his final win/loss record was 13-12. His 2010 Seattle Mariners finished 61-101 (a .377 win percentage), which was enough to finish dead last in their division and dead last in the entire American League.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Blog Fodder from a Bachelor Party? Say It Ain't So!
Typically bachelor parties are known for their 'what happens at the party, stays at the party' antics. However, when we held a party for my younger brother a week and a half ago, several moments were decent enough to be made public, and even some were broadcast on live tv. As one Percell Fantasy Baseball League owner put it, "It's not every bachelor party where they televise the end."
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Following up on the NOT
My previous post got me to thinking about NOT (awesome) names for MLB Pitchers, and a constant debate within the PFBL.
In the AWESOME and NOT post, I proposed Grant Balfour as having the NOT name for a MLB pitcher, but really I don't think he sports the worst name. I know some will disagree...
So, here is my submission for worst NOT name: Homer Bailey.
You see, this debate has been raging for a few years in the PFBL. Here is the basic argument:
1. It is better for a starter to give up a lead-off Home Run, than to issue a Walk.
Vs:
2. A Walk doesn't necessarily score a run and allows the defense a chance to get 3 outs before a score, whereas the Home Run is already scored.
Obviously, statement 1., is the ludicrous and illogical side of the debate, but is argued with quite some fervor (I won't name names here, but you know who your crazy butt is!).
So let's hear it in the comments, which is the worst NOT name for a MLB Pitcher, Balfour or Homer?
Let's end the debate...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Awesome and Not
While watching the Royals/Athletics game tonight, I took particular interest in Oakland's starter, Josh Outman. Outman is apparently 26, from St. Louis MO, went to Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg MO, and now plays for the A's.
So what makes that awesome? Well, nothing really. What makes Josh Outman AWESOME is his name.
I mean, really, is there a better possible name for a Major League pitcher? As in, "That pitcher got me Out, man!"
As a demonstration of the AWESOMEness of the name Outman for a MLB pitcher, let me submit the NOT portion. Meet Oakland's very own relief pitcher: Grant Balfour. As in, "Ball four, take your base."
Currently we are in the top of the 6th inning and the score is 0-0. Outman has gotten a lot of outs, man. I may fall off the couch if he's replaced in the game by Balfour only to give up a walk.
**Update--It's now the 8th and Oakland is leading 2-0. More importantly, Brian Fuentes has come in to pitch for the A's, which totally throws off the Outman/Balfour combo. I'm very disappointed.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
OSITF links - 6/7/11
Wedding edition!
...sort of.
I guess that is how they tore down the old Yankee stadium.
...sort of.
I guess that is how they tore down the old Yankee stadium.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Remembering Splitt
No one had been associated with the Kansas City Royals longer. Drafted in the 25th round of the 1968 draft, he was a member of the Royals before there was a team. Since his final season was 1984, I remember Splitt as an announcer rather than a player. In the past few years he has been replaced in the booth by another Royals great, Frank White, but Splitt continued to do pre and post games as recently as 10 days ago.
RIP Splitt...
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Exhibition Season
The abomination of interleague play is back. I guess that means the Brewers are back in the American League. Interleague play is the worst thing to happen to baseball, second only to steroids. ...and the Red Sox winning the World Series. Interleague play is a gimmick that Bud Selig uses to pander to the large market teams. It is obscene and needs to be done away with.
And I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
"Rain, Rain, Go Away..."
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My All-Time Team - Me and Willie McGee
In honor of George Brett's birthday, I give to you my all-time baseball team. If I had to run 9 guys out there, this is who I would want on the field. I constrained myself to only players that I've seen play (live or tv), players who have played in my lifetime.
CF McGee
SS Tulowitzki
LF Gonzalez
RF Walker
3B Brett
1B Helton
2B Sandberg
C Rodriguez
P Ryan
Thursday, May 12, 2011
It's about stinking time!
Yahoo has finally released a fantasy baseball app for android devices. It allows you to check stats, points, standings, as well as add/drop players or make daily roster changes anytime on your battered Droid 2 or other android OS device. I don't know whether this app is available on RIM devices or the i*hone, but frankly I don't care.
Monday, May 9, 2011
I'm saving the best for last!
Fig. A: Eric Hosmer
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Fig. B: Homsar
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Fig. B: Homsar
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Beating the Bushes from Birmingham
A moment of silence for the victims of yesterday's storms before the Barons/Baybears game in Birmingham April 28, 2011.While some might think that we go too far with the fantasy game, is that possible? We have added the keepers concept. What about a farm system? It would be a travesty to grant points and scoring based in minor league performance. But what about selecting future keepers or a rookie for next year selected from one's farm system. Where would it stop?
Some owners scout spring training. Some even scout AAA. Today I hit AA. Who's been to a college baseball game this year?
Silliness aside, I did locate some nice baseball history here. Rickwood Field is said to be the oldest professional baseball stadium in the land and turned 100 years old last year.
Silliness aside, I did locate some nice baseball history here. Rickwood Field is said to be the oldest professional baseball stadium in the land and turned 100 years old last year.
Many stars have played for Birmingham including Willie Mays, Rollie Fingers, Satchel Paige, Robin Ventura (only batter to get 3 hits off Nolan Ryan in one inning), Big Hurt, and in 1967 a skinny guy that I saw playing center field up in KC that same year - Reggie Jackson.
Oh, and the Barons prevailed 5-3 on this pleasant evening.
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Problem With Catchers
Catcher. The most important defensive position excluding the pitcher. Heck, even good pitchers can look great with a good catcher. No one on the field knows the opposing offense better and no one else controls the tempo of the game like a catcher. Good catchers are invaluable and great catchers are priceless... Except in Fantasy Baseball...
Why you might ask? Let me answer that question with a question, or rather a statement followed quickly by a question.
Name today's great catchers. Go ahead, just do it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Problem With Blackouts
MLB currently has a policy that each major league team gets to select what areas are considered their home market. For the most part this isn't a problem, it allows those teams games to be played on the various networks (Comcast, FSN, etc.) in those areas. The problem with this setup is that games in that local area are blacked out if they are on say Wednesday night baseball on ESPN or MLB.TV.Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Ode to Cheap Tacos
♫ Buy me some peanuts and cheap tacos... ♫
That, my friends, is what I ate for dinner last night. Oh yes, it was the Rockies cheap tacos special. For years, Taco Bell has offered a promotion that if the Rockies score 7 runs or more, the next day between 4pm and 6pm, you can buy four regular tacos for a dollar with the purchase of a drink. So far in this young season, there have been four cheap taco opportunities...
That, my friends, is what I ate for dinner last night. Oh yes, it was the Rockies cheap tacos special. For years, Taco Bell has offered a promotion that if the Rockies score 7 runs or more, the next day between 4pm and 6pm, you can buy four regular tacos for a dollar with the purchase of a drink. So far in this young season, there have been four cheap taco opportunities...
Monday, April 18, 2011
Stacks of Cash & Standings
It's often talked about here in KC during baseball season... Money, Payroll, Small Market, Large Market, the Yankees!! Isn't it amazing that one Álex Rodriguez makes almost as much as the entire roster of Royals? Isn't it more amazing that we are currently sporting a similar record (10-5 vs 9-5)?
Because of this, I thought it would be interesting to see who's "Payroll" was the highest in our fantasy league and if it had any correlation to the standings.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Blown Save Quandry
Wednesdays White Sox game got me thinking about something that I hadn't really thought of before but I find rather interesting. As they have all season the White Sox were yet again unable to close out a save situation. As Matt Thornton's parting gift to One Bad Pitch he added yet another blown save to his previous three. What made this blown save different and what I found intriguing was how it unfolded.Thursday, April 14, 2011
Card Collecting--A Fan Duty
Hello fellow owners and growing readership! This blog will be dedicated to the time honored tradition
of collecting baseball cards. In the photo above you will see one of my prized cards, former KC Royals outfielder, Bo Jackson's autographed Sweet Spot Signature card by Upper Deck. The center of the card features Bo's autograph on actual baseball leather complete with red stitches and as you can see the Kaufman stadium backdrop is pictured on either side of the card, awesome!
Another card that was long on my list, and purchased a few years ago was the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. I opted to buy this card in a graded condition. When buying pricier cards online this is the way to go. A third party company such as Professional Sports Authenticator or PSA receives the card from a seller and judges the cards condition. Once that is done, it is slabbed in plastic with a label and a condition rating never to be touched again. In the case of my particular Griffey card it is a PSA 9, Mint Condition. The grading scale goes from 1, being poor-fair, to 10, a gem mint and most valuable. The price difference between a Griffey in PSA 9 vs PSA 10 is substantial. A psa 9 will fetch around $40-50 on Ebay, whereas the psa 10 version will command at least $200, if not a tad more.
A card which has long been on my wish list is the 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card.
Well, chime in and tell me about your favorite cards you own or are on your wish list.And remember to keep collecting!
It's a fan duty.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Buying or Selling?
As I sit here writing this, my boys in powder blue have just gone in to extra innings for the 4th time in 10 games. Over that span they are 6-3 with this game yet to be decided. Win or lose tonight, one thing I'll say, is they have been in every game but one and it was only a 3 run loss. So, I'm struggling here; I know I'm biased, I WANT this to be real, but I've been burned before. I guess the real question is, are you Buying or Selling the Royals in this very young season?
How NOT to hit for average
Brought to you by Adrián Beltré.
More baseball talk after the jump...
(hint: click on the "Read more >>" link below)
More baseball talk after the jump...
(hint: click on the "Read more >>" link below)
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