Ranking Shortstops

Posted on August 22, 2001 by Andyzipp in Bleacher Rap

By Knoxbanedoodle
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 22, 2001.

The four best shortstops in the NL are, in no particular order, Rich Aurilia, Jimmy Rollins, Ricky Gutierrez and Orlando Cabrera – the last being yet another gem shining in the vacuum that is Montreal.

I am no stats guru, so the following analysis will be kind of soft. Through August 20, among current NL shortstops, Lugo is 5th in total chances and 4th in putouts. His fielding percentage is better by 3 points than Gutierrez, and off the leader’s pace (Cabrera) by 17. Ordered by ABs, Lugo is fifth among NL shortstops in batting average, and 3rd in OBP. Read More

The Rawhide Barons

Posted on August 10, 2001 by Andyzipp in Bleacher Rap

By Brian C.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 10, 2001.

The two US Supreme Court cases that were chiefly involved in the decision that Major League Baseball does not comprise interstate commerce are Federal Base Ball Club of Baltimore, Inc., v. National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs et al. (1922), wherein this upstart “federal club” alleged antitrust violations after being gobbled up by the National League; and Toolson v. New York Yankees (1953), which addressed the Sherman Act compliance of reserve clauses in player contracts. The decisions in these cases concluded and affirmed, respectively, that baseball cannot be regulated under existing antitrust law. Our suspicion, that these conclusions were predicated largely on the argument that you just don’t mess with baseball, were well founded.Read More

Counter Intuitive

Posted on August 8, 2001 by Andyzipp in From Left Field

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 8, 2001.

An excellent email came in about the Elarton discussion last time out that raised a question already slated for discussion:

Your piece on the demise of Elarton is interesting. Given the inherent unpredictability of most pitchers, it is always risky to give up on one such as Elarton who has shown great promise. Nevertheless, he has clearly stunk for the better part of a year now, so the trade for the pennant race rental of a workhorse such as Astacio is probably not unreasonable.Read More

Rocky Mountain Bye

Posted on August 2, 2001 by Andyzipp in From Left Field

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 2, 2001.

Before the 2001 season started it seemed the Astro Nation would not have parted with Scott Elarton for anything short of a superstar. Even then it would have to have been the perfect situation. But the organization and its fans soured on Elarton when he suffered through poor mechanics and poor health and turned in a poor performance, and the Astros’ situation was far from perfect. Read More

Taking The Shot

Posted on July 31, 2001 by Andyzipp in Zipper Flap

Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

In a single afternoon of telemarketing, Gerry Hunsicker went from none to Hun, acquiring Pedro Astacio and Mike Williams for Scott Elarton (and a PTBNL) and Tony “McKnight train to New Orleans” in separate deals.Read More

Obligaroty Midterms

Posted on July 10, 2001 by Andyzipp in Zipper Flap

Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

There’s nothing more important or popular than arbitrary grades picked by ill-informed yokels such as myself at the mid-point of a season. Especially when that midpoint happened 5 games ago. The Stros are 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 1999 season, and playing well enough to win games. I’ll be the first to admit that they are also playing about 10 games over my expectation level of this team, so as an Astros fan, I’m pleased. Here’s what I think about everyone in an Astros uniform this season:Read More