Retweet of the Day - July 25, 2012

The approach of the Major League Baseball trade deadline is in full swing. On Monday, the New York Yankees aquired Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made their own power move by aquiring 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, 2009 National League batting champion and three time All-Star Hanley Ramirez (.246, 14 HR, 48 RBI) from the Miami Marlins.

While Ramirez has remained a threat with his power, his batting average has plummeted during the past two seasons. It was painfully obvious that Ramirez did not want to be in Miami last season. It only got worse when the Marlins acquired 2011 N.L. batting champion Jose Reyes and moved Ramirez from shortstop to third base. The Dodgers are rolling the dice in hopes that Ramirez just needed a change of scenery to get his groove back. I happen to agreee.

Enough of all of that analysis. Today's retweet looks at a lighter side of the Ramirez acquisition by the Dodgers. Los Angeles had another high profile hired gun named Ramirez come to town, in 2008, before showing himself the door two years later. Today's retweet is from DodgersGM (@DodgersGM) (not the real Dodgers GM, Ned Colletti).

"Management wants me to acquire Hanley Ramirez so we can sell remaining "Ramirez 99" merchandise from Manny era. #Dodgers"

History repeating itself...sort of.

Image from www.theurbandaily.com

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics - Volume 2

The Daily Hat Trick reviews all angles of sports. It isn’t always about the athletes. Sometimes it is about the numbers. Recently, The Hat Trick shared some NFL statistics that the average fan may not have known. With the Fall Classic in Major League Baseball just a few weeks away, it is time to look at some “did you know” facts in baseball.



Todd Helton is in the top 5 all-time among active players in batting average, on base percentage, and on base plus slugging percentage.

The Colorado Rockies first baseman has been to several All-Star games and has been a steady mainstay in the Rockies lineup. Still, The Toddfather doesn’t have any shoe deals and is one of major League Baseball’s more quiet stars on one of its more quiet teams in one of MLB’s quieter markets. I have a lot of doubt as to whether the casual baseball fan thinks of Helton as a slam-dunk Hall-of-Fame player.

I wonder how many casual fans associate Todd Helton with "National League Champion", let alone "Hall of Famer". 1

Among Major League Baseball’s all time leading run scorers, the only active players in the top 50 are current or former New York Yankees.

First of all, with the superstars of the Steroid Era in the twilights of their careers, I find it surprising that there are no active players in the top 10. Alex Rodriguez is #15 all-time; Derek Jeter is #21 and former Yankee Johnny Damon is in the #37 position. Considering how steroids, supposedly, bastardized and tainted the records of Major League Baseball, one would expect the statistic most central to winning a game, runs scored, to be littered with accused juicers from the 1990s and early 2000s.

The MLB career leader in runs scored, who never wore Yankee pinstripes, is 40 year old Jim Thome of the Cleveland Indians, at the #52 all-time position. In fact, only non-Yankee name associated with the scandals of the Steroid Era in the top 100 on the all time runs scored list is Manny Ramirez. Ramirez, of course, never failed a steroids test or had his name mentioned during the Congressional hearings of the mid 2000s, but in 2009, he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a banned female fertility drug associated with masking the use of steroids.



Message: If you do enough of this, sooner or later you'll be wearing this uniform. 2

 Omar Vizquel is among the top 50 all time career leaders in hits.

The 44 year old reserve infielder for the Chicago White Sox has had a longer career than one may think. Vizquel is #45 all-time for career hits with 2,841 (one hit behind Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez of the Washington Nationals as of September 22). While only an average to above average contact hitter (.272 career average), those hits pile up over the years.

To put Vizquel’s longevity into perspective, he debuted in the major leagues in 1989, the same year as Ken Griffey Jr. While the last player active to play with Junior, who retired last year, may not be identified for another 20 years, Vizquel has been the last active player to play with the future Hall-of-Famer, as a rookie, for several years.

Longevity, good health, and consistency have their rewards. Does anyone remember THESE Mariners lids from back in the day? 3

Alex Rodriguez is the only player among the 100 all time career leaders in games played age 35 or younger.


The only active players ahead of Alex Rodriguez are Vizquel, Pudge Rodriguez (age 39), Thome, and Jeter (age 37). In conducting research for this piece, I came to the conclusion that A-Rod is the most likely player associated with the scandal of the Steroid Era to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) is often punitive, sometimes to the point of being irrational. However, greatness is greatness.

A-Rod’s numbers, across the board – hits, home runs, RBIs, etc., are approaching those of some of the greatest record setting players of all-time. His alleged steroid use took place prior to the 2003 season, very early in his career. One could toss out his pre-2003 numbers and his statistical output would still be Hall-of-Fame worthy.

In addition, A-Rod said his steroid usage was isolated. Based on his physical appearance before and during that time and his performance over his career, that claim may be credible. Last, ‘roids won’t help anyone very much trying to hit a baseball well, but they will increase the velocity and stamina of the pitchers he faced during his career.

Finally, Rodriguez may have five or more good years left in his career. He has not shown many signs of slowing down at the plate, though he has missed more games due to injury this year than in the past. With an on base plus slugging percentage still over .800, Rodriguez may completely shatter all of the all time MLB records, except for Pete Rose’s 4,256 career hits.

It is so hard for me to compliment...this guy! 4

Ryan Howard’s 58 home runs in 2006 is the highest single season total among active players.

Fifty-eight dingers seem like a pittance in a decade that produced a new single season record of 73 (Barry Bonds, 2001). It is also a reminder of how the legacy of the Steroid Era will probably taint baseball for decades to come. Excluding Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa, players whose accomplishments have been clouded by the steroid scandal, Roger Maris’ 61 homeruns in 1961 is still the highest single season total in the history of Major League Baseball.

Because the full fallout of the steroid scandal had yet to develop in 2006, Howard’s single season bash fest looked like just another MVP-caliber year. When excluding the potentially tainted players, however, Howard’s 2006 output was the highest since Maris’ record breaking season of ’61 and tied with Jimmie Foxx (1932) and “Hammerin’” Hank Greenburg (1938) for the fourth best single season total of all-time (Babe Ruth hit 60 and 59 in 1927 and 1921, respectively).

Last name, "Ever"...middle name, "Greatest" (first name, "Fourth").... 5

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1) Image from roxpile.com
2) Image from nj.com
3) Image from seattlesportsinsider.com
4) Image from sportschump.net
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Word on the Tweet - June 15, 2011

The NBA Finals are over. The Stanley Cup will conclude tonight. We are now in the S..L..O..W season for sports. We have regular season Major League Baseball and “everything else” for the next 6 weeks until NFL training camps start really cranking, if there IS an NFL this year.

That does not stop your favorite athletes, coaches, and sports personalities from Tweeting or yours truly going through painstaking measures to acquire the top secret Tweets not available to the public, mainly because they are products of my imagination. It has been a few weeks but, by popular demand, here is today’s Word on the Tweet.



Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, of which NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is a member. Busch was recently penalized six points for having a car outside of approved specifications. Busch was also in an altercation with 65 year old owner Richard Childress earlier this month and an altercation in May with driver Kevin Harvick:

@PresidentBusch_18 Fortunately, I budgeted money for all the trouble you were going to get us into when I signed you.

It's always something with him. 1

2011 NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki:

@King_James We’ll be taking our trophies from South Beach in the morning. #champions #MVP

Peace, suckers! 2

Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, who said, during a live interview on ESPN, “Our fans punked the shit out of the Miami fans”:

This is why I don’t drink during the games. #whoops #BeerMouth #Sbomb

Mark Cuban may be a billionaire, but he still drinks Budweiser, in the aluminum bottle, of course! 3

Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert:

@King_James Karma’s a b****

LeBron’s response:

@ThunderDanGilbert 19-63…It’s not only the year of the Kennedy assassination, it’s your record. #HotMess #tragic #TinyViolin

Perhaps LeBron can help Gilbert out, one day, by buying the Cavaliers. 4

Manny Ramirez, who is due $8 million in deferred salary from the Los Angeles Dodgers, owned by the nearly bankrupt Frank McCourt, after playing 66 games and hitting 8 homeruns in 2010:

I didn’t kill nobody. I didn’t rape nobody. So…. #FYouPayMe #PaulieFromGoodfellas

Ben Roethlisberger:

@MannyBeingManny Dude, this is rape. Trust me; I know.

Frank McCourt’s reply to Big Ben:

@NoMeansNo YA THINK? At least your variety doesn’t cost anything!

Can't make payroll? F you! Pay me! Wife took your shirt in the divorce? F you! Pay me! Gonna lose the Dodgers because you're out of money? F you! Pay me! 5

All time great Pete Rose, who did time on federal tax related charges:

@LennyDykstra At least it can't get any worse for you. I got railroaded after I got out. Nobody thinks you belong in the Hall of Fame.

Dykstra faces up to 80 years in the slammer on 25 misdemeanor and felony counts of grand theft auto, attempted grand theft auto, and identity theft, among other charges. What...a...LOSER! 6 

  

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1) Image from Fox Sports
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3,6) Image from espn.com
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5) Image from sportschatterbox.com

WWMD – What Would Manny Do?



Manny being Manny 1

It appears that the colorful career of Manny Ramirez came to an end on Friday. Ramirez announced his retirement from the Tampa Bay Rays after it was revealed that he failed a drug test for performance enhancing drugs for the second time. Under Major League Baseball rules, Ramirez would have faced a 100 game suspension. A subsequent infraction would have resulted in a lifetime ban.

The sports media has covered every angle of how this latest, and possibly final, episode in The Saga of Man Ram would affect Ramirez’s legacy. Will this kill his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame? Was Ramirez arrogant or stupid (or both)? Was his “Manny being Manny” act a rouse to minimize the fallout when he decided that Manny was going to do what Manny wanted to do when Manny wanted to do it? What does this latest chapter say about his career?

At least Manny didn't leave us guessing as to whether he'd continue playing. 2

The Daily Hat Trick is a drop of water in the ocean of sports writing. I am glad to have every one of you reading this blog. So I feel that I owe you a little more than the same cliché drivel that you can find on any major sports site anywhere.

Very briefly, my opinion on Manny’s career is as follows. Manny Ramirez was a colorful and somewhat eccentric personality during his time in the majors. He was also one of the most precise and feared hitters in the majors. Even during his “slumps”, except for his short time in Tampa, he was still better than all but the most elite.

His stat sheet speaks for itself and he would have my vote for the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Baseball has rules and all of Manny’s achievements happened within the parameters of those rules. I am not a fan of revisionist sports history. What happened on the field happened. I am also fully aware that the Baseball Writers Association of America will have a different view for decades to come.

With all of that said, my thoughts for today are not what was, but what could be. Manny’s eccentricity endeared him to fans everywhere he played, until it was time for him to go. Manny was Manny and marched to the beat of his own drummer. Whether you liked it or not, his value at the plate was unquestionable. How would Manny’s demeanor on the diamond translate into real life situations? What would Manny do?

By the way, is it a coincidence that the acronym for “what would Manny do” contains the letters “WMD”?


Car Shopping – WWMD?

Salesperson: Well, you’ve taken her for a test drive. We let you check the car out for three days. You’ve installed a custom entertainment system. (sniffs) I can smell the, um, aroma of your fine cigars entrenched in the upholstery. I assume you’ve bought yourself a car, sir?

Manny: I need to sleep on it.

Salesperson: Sleep on it? Mr. Ramirez, I don’t understand. Clearly you have made yourself at home in this car.

Manny: I never signed anything.

Salesperson: Do you have any idea how much you could cost us? What am I supposed to tell my boss?

Manny: Tell him everybody is invited to my house tonight for free drinks!

Manny: "Tell you what. Keep the rims." 3

Public Appearances – WWMD?

Retail Sponsor: Alright, Manny. When the doors open tomorrow, we want the customer to see you and your trademark dreads and “Manny smile”. Everyone that buys something gets an autograph, got it?

Manny: Sure thing! My check cleared already. Whatever you need, man.

(the following day)

Sponsor: Manny! You…cut…your…hair off? WHY?

Manny: It’s hot out here today.

Sponsor: But, but, but…couldn’t you wait until after today? I’d call the whole thing off except we’ve paid you already! How could you do this to us?

Manny: Hey! I didn’t kill nobody; I didn’t rape nobody. So….

Perhaps Manny thought he'd be signing rookie cards. 4

Dating – WWMD?

Friend: Manny, this is Becky, my date. Becky, this is my good friend, Manny.

Becky: I know who you are! Hel-lo!

Manny: Nice to meet you.

Friend: Manny, I am going to run and get us all some drinks. You want anything?

Manny: Naw, I’m good, man.

Even I'd know better than this. 5

(after friend leaves)

Manny: Hey, Becky. You wanna get outta here? We can go to my yacht. I can make you a little something to eat…. I’ll text him. Tell him where to catch up to us.

Becky: Well…that’s all we’re going to do is eat?

Manny: Oh yeahhh! Eat. That’s all!

(Two hours later, the friend climbs on Manny yacht and into the cabin.)

Friend: MANNY! Oh my God! You ditched me at the club and took my date back here to sleep with you?

Manny: I wasn’t sleepin’, man. Besides, you were takin’ too long.

Friend: I was gone for three minutes! How can you live with yourself?

Manny: Hey. I’m just Manny being Manny, man. It’s great!

It was great. Thanks for the memories, Manny! 6

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1) Image from the situationist.wordpress.com
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