71 days to Opening Day

April 5, 2007 is Opening Day for the Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium. That is 71 days from today.

The number 71 is represented once again by Yogi Berra.

Yogi had 71 hits in his 75 World Series games.

Another M? Part Two.

Deanna from Seattle Marinerds checked in to the Memphis, Milwaukee, Montgomery post below with another similar M...That of the Chiba Lotte Marines

I can kind of see it.

Anyone else?

Mets?

Blog Reaction to Extra Innings

The baseball blogs are beginning to stir in reaction to the potential move of the MLB Extra Innings package to Direct TV.

This is the latest blogsearch

A few selections:

Sports Guru:
MLB Appears Ready to Further Screw its Fan Base

Major League Baseball and Direct TV appear close to signing an agreement valued at somewhere near $700 million over seven years, with said agreement making Direct TV the exclusive home for the MLB Extra Innings package and eventually (in 2009) the 24-hour MLB channel. This would result in all cable or Dish Network subscribers being left out of the market for the MLB EI package, a move that unquestionably cements baseball’s reputation as money-hungry sport that is repeatedly willing to ditch its fans in search of another dollar.

Red Sox Chick
Cranky Chickie

This business with MLB and Direct TV is another issue that annoys the he11 out of me. Granted, I'm in the correct viewing market for my team, but I've purchased the Extra Innings package from Comcast for three seasons now because I love baseball. Last year, I went to sleep many a night to the sounds of Vin Scully calling Dodgers games. I watched every game that Bronson Arroyo pitched for the Reds (okay, some of them I did while flipping from Sox games). I watched as many Yankees games as I could get in. I love baseball and I want to watch as much of it as possible. I happily paid whatever was asked of me to do so. Not this time. I enjoy my cable and have no issues with my cable company. None that are major enough to switch to Direct TV for four televisions, that's for damn sure.

With all due respect to people like our own Mark Newman who sing the praises of MLB.tv and Direct TV, I'm not paying for MLB.tv so I can watch baseball on my computer. And I don't see all the people losing Extra Innings going that route. Once again, MLB shows the fans how very little they regard us. Time and again people tell me about 'the evils' of MLB. And, admittedly, I've done little in the way of protest. Sure, I won't purchase items from the MLB store, but I WAS paying for that Extra Innings package - and I pay for the space here on MLBLogs. I also buy tickets to ballgames through the Red Sox (most of the time, on occasion I go the 'other' route). So who am I to complain, right? I keep bending over and letting MLB have their way with me so why should I complain now when, truly, this new issue doesn't affect me?

Thank You For Your Time
Dear Major League Baseball

How many Americans have the opportunity to purchase the Extra Innings package from their local cable provider? About 75 million. How many Americans have the opportunity to purchase a DirectTV-fueled baseball package? Only about 15 million.

But I do understand why you want to make this deal: DirectTV will pay you $700 million; InDemand’s bid was but $70 million. But what about alienating fans? Or does counting all your money blind you to this reality?
...
The likely rejoinder from you is that Extra Innings will be available through your Web site, mlb.com. Though this is a terrific service, it does not replace the package’s availability on cable. Being able to watch Major League Baseball games on a computer requires a high-speed Internet connection. If you add the number of DirectTV subscribers to the number of Americans with high-speed Internet, you come nowhere near the number of potential subscribers from cable.

Please take into consideration the feelings of baseball fans. In doing so, consider how important your antitrust exemption is to you. And reconsider your deal with DirectTV.

Cards Fan Union
Go on, take the money and run...

Why am I even surprised by the news that MLB will make the Extra Innings package available only on DirecTV? (registration required for link). The Extra Innings package gives fans up to 60 out of market games per week.

To summarize the article, DirecTV will pay MLB $700 million, or roughly 2.8 “A-Rods,” over seven years for the exclusive rights to carry the Extra Innings Package.

This means that only 15 million of the 75 million families that currently have the option to buy the package will have the option when the deal goes through. If the ratios of current subscribers are equal across mediums (and I don’t have that stat), then the number of subscribers will fall from 750,000 to 150,000 simply due to lack of availability. MLB will have left 600,000 of its diehard fans without the subscription.

Ump Bump
MLB only needs 700 million reasons to tell you to drop dead

The NYT reports Extra Innings as having 750,000 subscribers.

Let’s do the math, 750,000 x $129 = 96,750,000. That’s $96 million a year, about $670 mill for seven years. Sketchy math, I know, since I don’t take into consideration the potential DROP in subscribers.

So does DirecTV absorb the cost in hopes of landing many more subscribers? I mean, MLB Extra Innings was available through DTV before this deal, why would it increase the subscriber-base by restricting the distribution channels?
...
Oh and not only will I NOT buy the MLB Extra Innings package as I have done for the past three years, because obviously I don’t have DirecTV, but I doubt I’ll buy the MLB.TV service.

I dunno. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be thinking about this in January; I thought I was just going to punch in my credit card in March.

The rest of the blogs follow in a similar vein.

Baseball in Fort Wayne

There have been a few referrals from a blog named Baseball in Fort Wayne over the last few days.

Popped over there for a bit last night. Go check it out.

The post at the top when I got there was Minor League Baseball and Local Economic Development, a brief look at a book of the same name. There is an excerpt from the first attempt at getting a baseball team to come to Fort Wayne.

Baseball History -- January 24

Complete entry for January 24 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1973
Warren Spahn is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first try on the BBWAA ballot, receiving 316 of 380 votes.

Spahn won 45 more games than he had votes to get into Cooperstown.

1962
The Southern Association, which lost New Orleans and Memphis in the last two years and with attendance lagging, suspends operation.

1913
In a story in the New York Times, Detroit Tiger President Frank Navin blames the length of the games on the "coachers boxes." Navin, reacting to American League President Ban Johnson's complaint that too many games the previous season had taken two hours to play, says the boxes should be moved back so that the catcher can give the pitcher his signals more quickly. From where they are now, he said, the coaching players can detect the catcher's signals unless he takes a lot of time to hide them. Navin said this slow signalling is the reason for the longer games (as noted by Lyle Spatz).

Emphasis mine.

72 days to Opening Day

April 5, 2007 is Opening Day for the Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium. That is 72 days away.

The number 72 is represented by one of my favorite Rattlers, Chris Snelling.


Snelling played in 72 games for the Timber Rattlers in 2000.

Aside, isn't it weird seeing him in a Washington Nationals cap?

The 10,000

Originally, this post was going to be called Over 10,000 served, Over 10,000 entertained, or Over 10,000 informed. But, those would all be lies.

At 6:13pm CDT yesterday, a Comcast Cable subscriber stumbled across Rattler Radio from Mariner Minors.

That person, who is in the Pacific time zone was visitor number 10,000. Of course, once that person got here, he (or she) took off immediately.

10,000 may not seem like a lot compared to the monster traffic that other blogs get, but it seems like milestone worth noting.

Consider it noted.

The next time I do this kind of post will be the first day the counter goes over 100 for the day or passes 100,000 total.

M's Mailbag

Corey Brock has answers to questions in this week's M's Mailbag.

There are two items in the entry that concern ex-Rattlers:

Do you think Eric O'Flaherty will make the team as a reliever this season?--Derek L., Vancouver

That's a tough call at this point. O'Flaherty certainly accounted well for himself during a short stint with the team last season, posting a 4.09 ERA in 15 appearances after he was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. A lot of what happens will depend on, I think, if Jake Woods -- who also is left-handed -- makes the starting rotation this spring. If he doesn't, then he'll go back to the bullpen, giving Seattle two left-handers there (George Sherrill is the other).

I don't really know how Hargrove feels about the prospect of carrying three left-handed relievers on the roster. O'Flaherty wouldn't be hurt by starting the season at Tacoma again. He'll be 22 on Opening Day, and he certainly has a bright future. But he could be in a situation where no matter how well he pitches during Spring Training, it might be the fate of others that determines where he begins the season.

And now...Christmas was either kinda late or very early for Corey Brock. There is nothing that a writer likes more than what he thinks is a dumb question.

Just like what the Boston Red Sox did, can't the Mariners just put J.J. Putz into the starting rotation? He's coming off his career year with a low ERA and a very high strikeout ratio. I was looking at the Mariners' starting rotation for this season -- it doesn't look too strong. Putz has some experience in starting from Triple-A Tacoma, I believe. Then the Mariners can look for some relief pitchers or possibly closers by looking at what's left in the market, or a possible trade.--Tom K., Portland, Ore.

While Putz had been a starter during his Minor League career, the notion of moving him out of the closer role -- especially after the monster season he had last year -- makes no sense at all for several reasons.

First, look at what Putz did last season. He had 36 saves even though he didn't assume the full-time closer role until May. His strikeout-to-walk ratio (104-to-13) was nothing short of amazing. And given that Seattle traded away its second-best reliever (Rafael Soriano) last month, taking Putz out of the closer role doesn't add up.

Teams struggle to find guys to get those last three outs of the game, and Putz proved his worth last season -- and, subsequently, he was rewarded last week by agreeing to a three-year, $13.1 million contract. It's takes a different kind of makeup to be a closer, and Putz fits the bill. Simply put, Putz's role is closer. He's as good at it as anyone in the American League.

Think there will be anymore e-mails to Corey Brock from Tom in Portland?

A good idea?

No. I don't think so.

The guys at Deadspin had this story:

In Case You Had Any Doubt, MLB Doesn't Care About You At All

We are not against corporations, inherently; we spend most of our days enjoying products of the Coca-Cola Company and the Philip Morris Corporation, and if they do an excellent job mass-producing consumables that we keep on buying, hey, that's the American way. But as a serious sports fan, there might be no corporation that's causing us more headache than DirectTV.

It was one thing when DirectTV, in a desperate attempt to justify its own existence, bought out the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, making it impossible for anyone unable to install the dish network -- or unwilling, if you're one of those people like us who uses digital cable for both television and the Internets, making DirectTV entirely unnecessary and cumbersome -- watch out-of-town games without wedging into a crowded bar with a bunch of screaming people. It's annoying that they do that, but that's just Sunday, after all; just one day.

But now, they're taking away MLB Extra Innings. If you don't have DirectTV this year (or for the next seven years), you're not going to be able to order the MLB Extra Innings package, because DirectTV just paid $700 million for exclusive rights over the next seven years. It will also be the exclusive home to a 24-hour baseball channel.

That link in the excerpt goes to a New York Times story.

So. I'm a cable subscriber. The Trailer Park Association doesn't allow for a dish. I can't get the baseball package now? Okay. Not realistic. I wouldn't get it at home anyway because I'm never here during the summer. Let's be more accurate...

Let's say the Timber Rattlers wanted to get the MLB Extra Inings package at Fox Cities Stadium so I could hang out in the press box after the game to watch a west coast game. I can't do that?

Now, I'll have to go home after the Rattler game?

That's.
just.
great.

Editorial?

Not me, the Jackson Sun. They really like the move by the Diamond Jaxx to hire a PR firm.

The Diamond Jaxx have made a smart move by bringing in a local public relations firm to help drum up excitement and public support for the team. The PR firm is filled with experts who know how to sell a product to the public, and the team certainly could use the help. Using a PR firm also makes sense because it represents a source of fresh ideas.

Well, if that's all it takes...I'll be taking applications from PR firms to represent me. Now, before we go any further, you will be paid in Coca-Cola and old VHS movies. Still interested?

Another M?

If you remember this post, I noted the kinda, sorta similarity between the new Memphis 'M' and the "M' of the Brewers.

Jay, the Rattler web and team store guy, pointed out another similar "M". The Montgomery Biscuits:

Now, Monty the Biscuit peeking out from the side and the curly thing being at the bottom instead of the top of the left side of the letter show enough of a difference.

I think that I'm going to start signing my last name with an "M" like these. I can copyright it, right?

A festival I can support

Why is this happening in Florida?

Miracle hosting third Festival of Beers

On Saturday, January 27, over 40 different types of beer will quench the taste buds of even the most diehard beer drinker. From 5:30-8:30 p.m., for just $20, patrons will receive 20 sampling tickets, each good for a four-ounce taste of their favorite beer and the first 350 people will receive a commemorative sampling glass presented by Shoeless Joe's Sports Café. They will also receive tickets good for the Best of the Ballpark Wing Contest, with local restaurants such as Mr. Burro, Wings to Go and Scorz, there will be over 30 varieties of wings to sample.

Something is missing, but I can't quite figure out what it is....

Along with great beers and wings, the entertainment is sure to bring the house down with the rocking sounds of Vintage Vinyl. Cigars of Ybor will offer a cigar-rolling demonstration for those who enjoy the fine tastes of tobacco.

Cigars! That's it! I'm heading out today!

Ex-Rattlers in transactions

Mariner Minors has pointed out that the latest minor league transactions are up at Baseball America.com.

J has the lowdown on the three Mariner signees: Pitchers Aaron Small and Matt Perisho and outfielder Jason Grove. Looking at the ages and experience of these guys, they won't be showing up in Timber Rattler uniforms.

Ex-Rattlers involved in this batch of transactions:

Jamal Strong signed with the Red Sox
Dusty Wathan signed with the Phillies (I think I had this one a while ago)
Kevin Gryboski signed with the Pirates

An ex-UW-Oshkosh Titan was also involved in these transactions. Pitcher Jordan Timm was released by the Blue Jays.

Baseball History -- January 23

Complete entry for January 23 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1981
Faced with the possibility of losing star OF Fred Lynn to free agency because of a front-office blunder, the Red Sox trade Lynn and P Steve Renko to the Angels for pitchers Frank Tanana and Jim Dorsey and OF Joe Rudi. The Players' Association contends that Lynn and C Carlton Fisk are free agents because the Red Sox failed to mail their new contracts by the deadline provided for in the Basic Agreement. Lynn signs a 4-year deal with the Angels and agrees to drop his case. Fisk's case will go to arbitration.

Blunder is the right word.

Some Hall Of Fame induction classes:

1979
Willie Mays receives 409 of 432 votes in the BBWAA election to earn enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

1975
Ralph Kiner earns Hall of Fame membership by a single vote.

1968
Joe Medwick is voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1962
Bob Feller and Jackie Robinson are selected for the Baseball Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

Also from 1962

Lawyer Melvin Belli wins a breach-of-warranty suit against the San Francisco Giants on the grounds that his box seat at Candlestick Park is too cold. Belli's suit contends that the seat he bought in 1960, at the cost of $1,597, was supposed to have radiant heating.

73 days to Opening Day

April 5, 2007 is Opening Day at Fox Cities Stadium for the Timber Rattlers. That is 73 days from today.

I've debated using this guy or not using this guy for the number 73, but finally said "Might as well." at about 2:30 this morning.

The number 73 is represented by Barry Bonds:
Bonds had 73 home runs in 2001.

The picture is taken from the page with his 2001 home run log at the Baseball Almanac.

Why wait until later this week

Checking in on the votes as of this morning for the slogan for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx poll at jacksonsun.com:

Back the Jaxx leads with 51.3% of the 76 votes cast so far
Take Me Back to the Ballgame is next with is 35.5%
Take Me Back to the Jaxx is last at 13.2%

Not baseball, but worth it

Watched the producer's cut of The Return, the most recent new episode of The Office, on nbc.com last night. Not going to spoil it with quotes or exactly what happened for any who haven't seen it. But, here are a few of the things that did not make it to the for air episode:

Michael's interesting car trouble
Two special Creed moments
Kelly tells Oscar to learn more about his culture
Michael with a disturbing childhood story
Angela opening up to Pam...in her own unique way
Phyllis with a disturbing display
What happened to Andy

I really like that show.

I'm sensing a disturbance in the force

There has been something bugging me since about 5pm yesterday. It's like 7 million Packer fans screamed out in pain and were suddenly silent. Maybe a quick trip to the Chicago Tribune will help me figure it out...

Nothing to be done. Besides, we are coming up on Alderaan.

Baseball History -- January 22

Complete entry for January 22 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1988
As a result of the Players' Association's 1985 collusion suit against the owners, arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven players no-risk free agents until March 1st, giving them a chance to sign with other clubs despite already having contracts. The seven are Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Donnie Moore, Joe Niekro, Butch Wynegar, Tom Brookens, and Juan Beniquez.

This is how Gibson wound up with the Dodgers.

1929
The Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to start continuous use of the numbers. The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order; thus, Babe Ruth will wear number three and Lou Gehrig 4. In a few weeks, the Indians announce that they, too, will put numbers on the uniforms and by 1931 all American League teams will use them; it will be 1933 before all National League players are numbered.

The Yankees knew their batting order for the 1929 season in January?

1913
The Giants give the Yankees permission to use the Polo Grounds for the 1913 season only, as the lease on the Hilltop grounds has expired. The Yankees will remain as tenants through 1922.

So, the Yankees were like the guest that wouldn't leave?

74 days to Opening Day

April 5, 2007 is Opening Day for the Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium. That is just 74 days from today.

The Rattlers will be playing the Peoria Chiefs that Thursday. The manager of the Chiefs is Ryne Sandberg and the number 74 is represented by Sandberg.


During his MVP season in 1984, Sandberg had 36 doubles + 19 triples + 19 home runs = 74 extra base hits.

That is his plaque from the Baseball Hall of Fame, by the way.