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.

OSITF epic links - 6/21/11

Cigar-smoking octogenarian edition!

Jack "who's he?" McKeon is off to a good start...

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."

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...

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.

OSITF links - 6/7/11

Wedding edition!

...sort of.
I guess that is how they tore down the old Yankee stadium.

OSITF links - 6/3/11

All rise for OSITF links!