Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Monday QOTD: It's Alma Mater of Perspective

Monday QOTD: It's Alma Mater of Perspective

Here's a question to start the year, as the long winter vacations at universities across North America come to a close ...

Question of the Day: What's the best possible team your once or future college's alumni rolls could field? If you didn't go to college or went to Southeastern Podunk Polytechnic Institute for the Little Sisters of the Poor with no baseball team (or at least no alumni that made it to The Show), pick the school you think could form the best or most interesting all-alumni team(s) and go from there.

My own proud alma mater has one borderline HOF pitcher, a rock-solid back of the bullpen and a "lineup" that Kerry Ligtenberg could no-hit ...

Since Bowling Green State University has so far fielded just 15 big league players, I'm going to have to cheat a little bit to get a full team by including the next BG alum who will make it to the big leagues, Kelly Hunt, a young 1B who hit .275/21/103 for West Michigan (A ball). And although he went to Eastern Michigan, let's give a spot on the team to former Oriole All-Star catcher Chris Hoiles, the best player who is a native of Bowling Green the city, not the school -- with apologies to Andy Tracy who was also born there and went there.

That gives us eight able bodies in the starting lineup, though some folks are going to have to play out of position, because only one player -- Danny Godby -- ever appeared in a major league outfield; well, that's not quite true, as Roger McDowell also played several batters in the OF a few times for the Phillies while they were trying to conserve bullpen arms and switched him between the mound and the OF in the same inning to get matchups, but he's at the back of what is a really fine bullpen out of BG, so we'll leave him there.

It probably won't be hard for Gizzi out of USC to top this Bowling Green alumni lineup -- are there any Arizona State alumni out there reading this? -- and should you want to give it a try with your alma mater (or current or future school of choice) find all the help you need here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/schools

C Chris Hoiles (Eastern Michigan)
1B Kelly Hunt
2B John Knox
SS Brian Koelling
3B Larry Arndt
LF Andy Tracy (sure, he can do it!)
CF Danny Godby
RF Larry Owen (normally a C -- who broke Mike Schmidt's conference career HR record)

Nice rotation horse and a heckuva a bullpen, but not much beyond "Orel and pray for rain." McDowell, Jackson and Bair were all solid closers at one time.

RHSP Orel Hershiser
RHSP Kip Young

CL Roger McDowell
RHRP Doug Bair
LHRP Grant Jackson
LHRP Roy Lee
RHRP Jeff Jones
LHRP Barney Mussill
LHRP Scott Taylor

Posted by Mick Doherty on Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:59 PM EST.

Monday QOTD: It's Alma Mater of Perspective | 107 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_CaramonLS - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:01 AM EST (#5998) #

Too bad most of us here are Canucks!

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:04 AM EST (#5999) #

Yeah, I thought of that as I was posting the QOTD, but figured there were probably at least some players out of Canadian colleges, or a number of people who follow one or more US colleges for sporting reasons.

_Justin B. - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:01 AM EST (#6000) #

There have been a few players drafted out of my school (UBC), with the lone notable player being Jeff Francis. He was drafted during my 2nd year, and I regret not going to watch him pitch (just a bit more than I regret not trying out for the team, myself).

I think that new-Jay Corey Koskie went to nearby Kwantlen College, but I'm not sure if he was playing ball at that point or what stage their program was at.

Lucas - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:33 AM EST (#6001) #

From the University of Texas at Austin:

C Bob Kearney
1B Joe Hague
2B Shane Halter
3B Pinky Higgins
SS Spike Owen
OF Bibb Falk
OF Ernie Koy
RF Keith Moreland

C Curtis Thigpen (no MLB experience, yet)
IF Randy Jackson
IF Max Alvis
IF Grady Hatton
OF Calvin Murray
OF/RP Brooks Kiechsnick

SP Roger Clemens
SP Burt Hooten
SP Greg Swindell
SP Shane Reynolds
SP Tex Hughson
RP Jim Acker
RP Dennis Cook
RP Jerry Don Gleaton
RP Mark Petkovsek
RP Bruce Ruffin
RP Calvin Schiraldi

_Jobu - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:55 AM EST (#6002) #

http://www.baseball-reference.com/oracle/
Sorry to hijack, are we allowed to hijack the QOTD?

Anyways, since the damage is done, I'd just like to point out this awesome feature at baseball reference that is keeping my attention even close to 4am. COMN.

Here's some fun examples I did with the Babe:

Babe Ruth played with Bill Dickey for the 1932 New York Yankees
Bill Dickey played with Joe Gordon for the 1941 New York Yankees
Joe Gordon played with Minnie Minoso for the 1949 Cleveland Indians
Minnie Minoso played with Greg Pryor for the 1980 Chicago White Sox
Greg Pryor played with Bo Jackson for the 1986 Kansas City Royals

this one's got some bonafide superstars:

Babe Ruth played with Elbie Fletcher for the 1935 Boston Braves
Elbie Fletcher played with Warren Spahn for the 1949 Boston Braves
Warren Spahn played with Phil Niekro for the 1964 Milwaukee Braves
Phil Niekro played with Greg Myers for the 1987 Toronto Blue Jays
Greg Myers played with Reed Johnson for the 2004 Toronto Blue Jays

You guys give it a shot. Bonus points to whoever can come up with the funniest and/or most ironic connection.

(PS. I dont even think my university has a baseball team anymore, so that should hint as to why I'm not saying much about that)

_Ron - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:54 AM EST (#6003) #

Since my school doesn't have a baseball program (SFU) I'll have to go with the other local University (UBC). By far the most famous grad is Jeff Francis.

He was lights out at UBC. He pitched there in 2000-2002.

Here are some of his stats during his UBC career

251.1 IP
.203 Opponent BA
298 K's ......... 80 of the K's were caught looking
10.76 K's/Per 9 innings
25-9 win/loss record
7 Shutouts
Picked off 20 batters

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 08:32 AM EST (#6004) #

There hasn't been a single major leaguer to come out of my alma mater, the University of Rochester. We do have a NCAA Division III team, though. The really disturbing thing is the number of players on the team who are Econ majors when I was there. I think there were 3 or 4 in my Econometrics lab alone.

Pistol - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 08:55 AM EST (#6005) #

http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tayloha01.shtml
There hasn't been a player in the major leagues that went to Cornell since 1948 (and that was just 22 ABs).

The best player looks like Harry Taylor (1890-1893) who had a career OPS of 101, which back then was a .286/.368/.323 line.

Come on Eric Rico!

Pistol - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 08:58 AM EST (#6006) #

http://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/
For those that don't know, there's a slick tool at baseball-reference.com that has a list of players by college. COMN.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 08:59 AM EST (#6007) #

Sorry to hijack, are we allowed to hijack the QOTD?

No, you are hereby dismissed from Da Box. Seriously, sure, of course, QOTD serves as a makeshift MYOR thread unless a separate one exists, and even then, whichever seems handier seems to have been the rule.

Here's a note from Lee Sinins:

According to the LA Times, the Dodgers have agreed on a trade to send RF-1B Shawn Green to the Diamondbacks. Assuming the Randy Johnson [deal] is completed, the Dodgers would receive C Dioner Navarro and a pitching prospect. Otherwise, they would receive a C prospect, either Koyie Hill or Chris Snyder, and the same pitching prospect as in the first scenario.

_mathesond - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 09:06 AM EST (#6008) #

Sinins' report makes no mention of money switching hands. Can the D-Backs afford to take on Green's $16M? I expect they'll have to sign him to an extension to get wim to waive his no-trade, so it seems uinlikely they'd flip him. Or, do they expect to be able to afford him once they move Vazquez' contract?

_Scott - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 09:47 AM EST (#6009) #

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/mlb/blue-jays/rumors.html
A couple of articles linking Burnitz to the Jays and the possiblity of Hinske to the Tigers. Nothing earth shattering but something to talk about it.

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 09:59 AM EST (#6010) #

Mick, that site seems to list only US schools, which (thank God) most of us here probably didn't attend. Does anyone know of a similar reference for Canadian universities? I'm guessing the number of MLB players coming out of any given Canadian university is pretty small, since most good athletes tend to go to the US, where they can get a full ride scholarship and a school-provided "tutor" so they don't have to worry about any of that silly "academic" stuff ;-).

_Daryn - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:12 AM EST (#6011) #

I'd just like to point out this awesome feature at baseball reference that is keeping my attention even close to 4am. COMN.

its cute... however the Babe himself is related to the average player in the MLB by 3.14 steps... And Roberto Alomar is a 3.9

but even Junior Felix is a 4.014, less that one full step on average more than the Babe.. . (Nolan Ryan is 3.4)

Which leads me to suspect that pretty much everyone with 5 years experience is related to everyone else with 5 years or so experience by on average 4 steps or less..

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:15 AM EST (#6012) #

I know we've messed with this tool before on Da Box, but this is my favorite:

Kevin McReynolds played with Dennis Rasmussen for the 1993 Kansas City Royals
Dennis Rasmussen played with Joe Niekro for the 1987 New York Yankees
Joe Niekro played with Ernie Banks for the 1969 Chicago Cubs
Ernie Banks played with Dutch Leonard for the 1953 Chicago Cubs
Dutch Leonard played with Val Picinich for the 1933 Brooklyn Dodgers
Val Picinich played with Eddie Bacon for the 1917 Philadelphia Athletics

that's right, it's the Six Degrees of Kevin-->Bacon.

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:23 AM EST (#6013) #

Mick, that site seems to list only US schools, which (thank God) most of us here probably didn't attend. Does anyone know of a similar reference for Canadian universities?

The Baseball Cube has quite a few entries of non-US schools.

As a graduate of a fine U.S. institution, I'll ignore the "Thank God" comment.

_Andrew S - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:25 AM EST (#6014) #

As far as I'm aware, there are no sports played at the University of Waterloo, where Nerds would weggie Jocks for such things with sheer advantage of numbers.

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:26 AM EST (#6015) #

where Nerds would weggie Jocks for such things with sheer advantage of numbers.

Have you ever seen 300 ants take down a grasshopper? I suspect it would look something like that.

As someone who will be on the job market in the not-so-near future, I won't say anything bad about any other Canadian institution of higher learning. Though I really want to. :)

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:29 AM EST (#6016) #

Moffatt,

The Baseball Cube has quite a few entries of non-US schools.

Thanks. My school was listed, but unfortunately, does not seem to have produced any major leaguers.

As a graduate of a fine U.S. institution, I'll ignore the "Thank God" comment.

No offense intended. It's just that that I absolutely abhor the way US school turn collegiate athletics into a profit center. Then again, I'm not keen on private enterprise period, so I may not be the best one to comment on that.

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:31 AM EST (#6017) #

As far as I'm aware, there are no sports played at the University of Waterloo, where Nerds would weggie Jocks for such things with sheer advantage of numbers.

Oh, sports are played by UW teams. Winning, however, is another matter entirely... ;-)

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:32 AM EST (#6018) #

No offense intended. It's just that that I absolutely abhor the way US school turn collegiate athletics into a profit center.

Fair enough, though you get some of that in Canada as well (e.g. Western Mustangs football which is quite profitable, so I am told). Once you get out of Division I NCAA schools, university athletics in the United States is pretty similar to that in Canada. The student-athletes in my lab at Rochester, for instance, got no special treatment and were among the brightest and hardest working students.

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:36 AM EST (#6019) #

(e.g. Western Mustangs football which is quite profitable, so I am told).

Well, if they do make considerable profit, I can personally vouch for the fact that they do not pass the savings along to grad students... ;-)

Once you get out of Division I NCAA schools, university athletics in the United States is pretty similar to that in Canada.

Right. I was thinking mainly of Division I schools, which obviously dominate the media coverage of US collegiate athletics.

_Dr. Zarco - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:37 AM EST (#6020) #

Moffatt, I used to play Legion ball at the U of Rochester's field and I played with a few guys on the team. I'm probably a tad younger to have played with any of your strange econ buddies though. :=)

As for my alma mater, Notre Dame, here's the short list of those I've heard of:
Craig Counsell '89-92
Brad Lidge '96-98 (who had 2 hits in 7 AB's along with 163 relief appearances and 1 start)
Chris Michalak '90-93 very memorable ex-Jay
Carl Yaztrzemski '58 Sweet, didn't know he played there-in 1958.

As for some I haven't heard of:
Ed Reulbach led the way with 182 wins.
Ron Reed had 146 wins and 103 saves.
Cy Williams is the only other guy besides Yaz with more than 37 HR's.

The site Pistol linked must not be very updated as Aaron Heilman, the 5thish starter for the Mets played at ND while I was there. A few guys mentioned in Moneyball, Steve Stanley and Paul Stavisky played on the same College World Series team of 2002.

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:40 AM EST (#6021) #

Moffatt, I used to play Legion ball at the U of Rochester's field and I played with a few guys on the team. I'm probably a tad younger to have played with any of your strange econ buddies though. :=)

I love the field at U of Rochester. Never played a real game there, but my friends and I would sneak on it and play catch or 500-up whenever the varsity team wasn't using it. Nobody ever said a word to us about it in the 2 years I was there. :)

_Chuck Van Den C - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:44 AM EST (#6022) #

As far as I'm aware, there are no sports played at the University of Waterloo, where Nerds would weggie Jocks for such things with sheer advantage of numbers.

Back in the day, my alma mater was a major force in CIAU basketball (for what that's worth!). What was impressive was the number of players who were there on academic scholarships, often showing up on the dean's list in engineering or computer science.

Twenty years ago, when the degree requirements were higher (you needed 20% more credits than you need now, at least in my faculty), I was always amazed at those students who could excel in difficult disciplines and find the time to play on a sports team, even if it was a million notches lower than the American equivalent.

Mike D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:44 AM EST (#6023) #

I don't think there are any University of Toronto grads to have made it to the Show. But I also hold a degree from NYU, which bosts such savvy veteran player-manager types as Sam Mele and Eddie Yost.

Also among the Fightin' Violets alumni are the enlightened Al Campanis and Ralph (Shot Heard 'Round The World) Branca.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:44 AM EST (#6024) #

Ron Reed had 146 wins and 103 saves.

And a fine NBA career with the Detroit Pistons.

_Chuck Van Den C - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:57 AM EST (#6025) #

This Shawn Green thing sure has a stink to it, don't it? His one-time agent, the man who landed him his 7yr/$84M contract is now the very GM who is trading for him.

There has to be money coming along with Green since there's no way in hell he's worth the $30M+ he's owed in 2005 and 2006. But how much money? Half?

If he were a free agent today (let alone a player acquired for a legitimate catching prospect), would he command even $15M over the next two seasons? I have a hard time picturing even that.

Green's OPS+ during his time in LA: 118, 157, 155, 117, 113. Two standouts seasons, the latest one three years ago. And three pretty blah seasons.

He is pretty clearly a player in decline, and certainly his injuries have contributed to that. He's become, at least according to reports, a below average defender in RF. What's the appeal for Arizona? Are they expecting another Luis Gonzalez story with Green's career suddenly resurrected in his early-to-mid 30's?

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:22 AM EST (#6026) #

There has to be money coming along with Green since there's no way in hell he's worth the $30M+ he's owed in 2005 and 2006.

And of course, the Diamondbacks haven't shown a propensity to pay marginal players like superstars recently, have they? ;-)

Dave Till - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:26 AM EST (#6027) #

I'm another U of Waterloo grad. No baseball players from my alma mater, I fear.

Twenty years ago, when the degree requirements were higher (you needed 20% more credits than you need now, at least in my faculty)

...but we paid 1/3 as much tuition, and had a better chance of getting a job, so I'm not complaining. (I got my B.Math. in 1984.)

I was always amazed at those students who could excel in difficult disciplines and find the time to play on a sports team

I knew a couple of those guys, and they clearly came from a different part of the gene pool than I did.

Pistol - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:29 AM EST (#6028) #

http://www.theminorsfirst.com/tmf100/tmf100(2005).html
If I'm not mistaken this is Green's final year of his contract, although maybe there's a team option that's unrealistic at this point.

The Minors First came out with their top 100 minor league prospects. I'm not too familiar with the site, but the lists from previous years looks like the person compiling the list is pretty familiar with the minors. COMN.

Pistol - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:31 AM EST (#6029) #

FWIW, among Blue Jays Hill came in at 41, League at 75, and Quiroz at 77.

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:37 AM EST (#6030) #

Pistol, I'm pretty sure you're right about Green's contract. However, he has a no-trade clause, and from what I've read, he would want to agree to an extension with any potential new team before waiving the no-trade.

Mike Green - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:39 AM EST (#6031) #

Alma Mater of Perspective

It's the first working day of the year, and Mick comes out smoking.
Lucas' team is pretty good; I went to U of T instead of Rice or Stanford, so no competition from me.

_Braby21 - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:41 AM EST (#6032) #

Re: the Bunitz article...it says
"Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Toronto have shown interest, but in July, when the Rockies could have dealt him, Burnitz told club officials he'd retire before he would play for a team located east of Colorado."

Doesn't sound to hopefull.

_Paul D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:43 AM EST (#6033) #

I always thought it wasn't fair for someone to excel at athletics and academics.
Like, you should get one, not both. It didn't seem fair to me that someone could be talented enough to be an engineer, and a starter on the football team. (Which when I started university -1998 - was actually good).
I was marginally okay as a student and terrible as an athlete, so where's the fairness in that?
:)

_Scully - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:57 AM EST (#6034) #

Williams College hasn't had anyone in the majors since 1934, and only three players ever seem to have been regulars -- Artie Clark (1890-91); George Davis (1913-1915), and Tad Lewis (1896-1901). Our real claim to baseball fan is having both George Steinbrenner and Fay Vincent as alums.

_Scully - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:57 AM EST (#6035) #

That's baseball "fame." Shows what kind of education I got...

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:59 AM EST (#6036) #

I was going to act surprised by all the people who went to school in New York State, but after going to the Williams College website I saw that it's in Mass., and not upstate New York as I thought for some reason. Oh well.

Still, NYU, Rochester, and Cornell is a good start. Any Syracuse grads on the box?

_Grand Funk Rail - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:01 PM EST (#6037) #

I don't think Sheridan College has ever produced any major leaguers.
Thus, I nominate a team with Grand Funk at all 9 positions as the strongest team my amulnus could field.

I only wishh Kris Benson had gone to Sheridan.
Then had Ms. Benson had to go through with her revenge plot, I'd be a one-stop funshop.

Grand Funk out.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:08 PM EST (#6038) #

Any Syracuse grads on the box?

No, but I got a grad degree from Rensselaer, which is upstate ... and has zero major leaguers. With degrees from BG and RPI I have the '84 and '84 NCAA D1 hockey champs to boast about, but not much in any sport, including hockey, since then.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:25 PM EST (#6039) #

That's '84 and '85, rather.

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:30 PM EST (#6040) #

Without checking b-ref.com, let's see what I can come up with here for my beloved USC Trojans.

1B Mark McGwire
2b Bret Boone
3B Jeff Cirillo (he also pitched, and was pretty good at it)
SS Damon Buford (mainly an OF, and mainly a crappy major leaguer, but hey, we need a SS, and Buford played 2B while I was there)
OF Jacques Jones
OF Geoff Jenkins
OF Fred Lynn
DH Dave Kingman

P Barry Zito
P Tom Seaver
P Brian Cooper

I know there are more pitchers, and position players, but I have myopia from when I went there.

And Lee: let me assure you -- the USC athletic program is not involved in the for profit business, and the institution itself puts a low emphasis on the free-market system. (Activate your sarcasm detectors, people of little sense of humour.)

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:34 PM EST (#6041) #

OK, so who did I miss? These stiffs, who might help out with the rotation.

P Randy Johnson
P Mark Prior

And these folks, who could secure a spot on the team.

INF Aaron Boone
UTIL Bret Barberie
INF Roy Smalley
3B Morgan Ensberg (as long as Jimy Williams isn't the coach)
OF Steve Kemp
PH Eric Munson
PH/batting practice masher Jason Lane

That's a pretty good squad.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:46 PM EST (#6042) #

Sumbitch, Gitz, that team'd win the AL East!

Didn't Kingman and McGwire also pitch quite a bit at USC? (Not that they'd be needed.)

And forget Buford at SS ... Smalley was an All-Star, I think. And Seaver-Johnson-Prior-Zito. I defy anyone, anywhere to come up with a RLRL front four from the same school.

_Braby21 - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 12:53 PM EST (#6043) #

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_press_release.jsp?ymd=20050103&content_id=926747&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp
COMN for the press release of the Angels officially changing their names.

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:04 PM EST (#6044) #

I'm not sure if McGwire pitched at USC, but possibly Kingman did. Buford is indeed relegated to the bench, if not kicked off the team entirely. We'll give Ron Fairly his spot, and maybe even add Dave Hostetler for some kicks.

_James W - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:06 PM EST (#6045) #

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In the annals of silliness, that goes right up there with "Mighty Ducks of Anaheim".

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:10 PM EST (#6046) #

Aye, caramba. We need a catcher for the 'SC, so we'll give them Chad Moeller. Also, McGwire played 3B in college, and was drafted as a third baseman, but his range is less than your average washer/dryer combo, so the other side of the diamond seemed right.

And, yikes, I missed one of the all-time flakes in MLB history: Bill Lee! The Spaceman! He can't match the quartet above, but he makes an excellent fifth stater/swing man.

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:18 PM EST (#6047) #

What the? Is that really true about the Angels? Where is the "Disney Presents the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or The Team Formerly Known as The Anaheim Angels, or the Team Formerly Known as the Team Formerly Known as the California Angels.

_Andrew K - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:25 PM EST (#6048) #

Boy, do I feel left out of this QOTD. I very much doubt that my university has ever produced a pro baseball, hockey or American football player. Especially since those sports aren't played here. (It's conceivable that there was a Rhodes Scholar who subsequently went into sports, but most unlikely).

I think we probably have come up with some international rubgy players and rowers, but we don't have sporting scholarships; we'd rather go in for the rich and powerful. My own little college (about 1/30th of the University as a whole) has produced some Prime Ministers and the odd President, but nobody as important as a major league baseball player...

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:25 PM EST (#6049) #

Gitz, not that I'm anti-USC and rooting for Oklahoma to score 90 tomorrow night (Oh wait -- I am!) but I couldn't resist a quick look at the Arizona State all-alumni team; I think the pitching edge would still give USC a big win in a short series, but the lineup is right there and the ASU bench would crush my Bowling Green team:

Alumni Sun Devils:
C Paul LoDuca (Chis Bando)
1B Alvin Davis (Ken Phelps)
2B Fernando Vina (Marty Barrett)
SS Hubie Brooks (Alan Bannister)
3B Sal Bando (Bob Horner)
LF Barry Bonds (Pat Listach)
CF Rick Monday (Ken Landreaux)
RF Reggie Jackson (Mike Devereaux)
DH Oddibe McDowell

SP Floyd Bannister
SP Gary Gentry
SP Larry Gura
SP Lerrin LaGrow
SP Craig Swan
SP Paul Moskau
RP Doug Henry
RP Sean Lowe
RP Gabe Molina
RP Ed Vande Berg
RP Eddie Bane

Mike D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:29 PM EST (#6050) #

Solid squad, Mick, but I agree -- it's still USC in four.

And yes, Gitz, it appears to indeed be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, effective today (and pending the certain litigation of the Anaheim city council). The club's stated goal is to enhance its brand by extending its identification in L.A. County.

Why not call themselves the United States All-American Angels of Anaheim, and really extend the brand? I like the TFKA-TFKA California Angels, personally.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:32 PM EST (#6051) #

Come to think of it, it's too bad Landreaux and Devereaux didn't play at USC under Rod Dedeaux.

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:33 PM EST (#6052) #

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/01/03/bc.bba.angels.namechang.ap/index.html
In the annals of silliness, that goes right up there with "Mighty Ducks of Anaheim".

No question. It's really kind of funny; the LA city council has spoken out against the Angels changing their name, the Anaheim city council has threatened to sue over it, and as far as the name change "strengthening the Angels' long-term economic health by enhancing the marketability through this metropolitan area and beyond", which was the reason given by the team (COMN), it's such an obvious ploy that I doubt it will have any effect (not that the Angels are in economic difficulty anyhow). Arte Moreno is really beginning to get on my nerves...

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:41 PM EST (#6053) #

Johnson and Zito would shut down all those ASU lefties, and that is a devilishly bad pitching staff. Mike D., as usual, is right: Trojans in four.

And, for the record, tomorrow night's final?

USC 34, Oklahoma 24

_James W - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:43 PM EST (#6054) #

So, does anyone know if their road jerseys will say Los Angeles or Anaheim?

_Lefty - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:44 PM EST (#6055) #

My Junior High school produced,

Glenn Anderson (hockey great)
Rick House ( toughest slot back in CFL and former CFLPA Pres)
Micheal J Fox ( a bit actor some might remember)

_Lee - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:46 PM EST (#6056) #

So, does anyone know if their road jerseys will say Los Angeles or Anaheim?

Interesting question. From what I've read, they had better say Anaheim, or else the Angels may find themselves without a lease.

_Brian W - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:49 PM EST (#6057) #

Well, I haven't spent any time looking, but I'm going to guess that the University of Calgary has never produced a baseball player of note. A few CFL football players have passed through (mostly from the high school I attended), but that's about it.

_Mick - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:50 PM EST (#6058) #

is there a rule that the road jersey has to have the city name? Why wouldn't it just say "Angels"?

If they were smart, they'd cut a deal with the metro airport and just put "LAX" on their jerseys, sort of like the Phoenix Suns have done with "PHX." Downside: they could be confused with a terrible Heather Locklear hourlong drama (or is that redundant?).

Mike D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 01:55 PM EST (#6059) #

Last year, in anticipation of this move, the Halos switched their road jerseys from "ANAHEIM" to "ANGELS." It ought to remain unchanged.

_Jobu - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:03 PM EST (#6060) #

that's right, it's the Six Degrees of Kevin-->Bacon.

*begins the slow clap* Well done....

Thomas - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:24 PM EST (#6061) #

Last year, in anticipation of this move, the Halos switched their road jerseys from "ANAHEIM" to "ANGELS." It ought to remain unchanged.

Or, in the case of Adam Riggs, they switched it to "Angees."

Although, I think that incident occured in 2003.

_Rob - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:24 PM EST (#6062) #

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_news.jsp?ymd=20050103&content_id=926751&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp
Mailbag time with Fordin. COMN. Just two questions this time, about lefty relievers and GQ.

_DaveInNYC - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:33 PM EST (#6063) #

I actually like Arte Moreno... A LOT. Imagine if he were to have taken over (hypothetical of course) the Jays, it would be amazing! Forget Rogers, Moreno would be an owner who wouldn't care about "fiscal responsibility" as long as his team won. He's shown that he's willing to spend... and spend rediculous amounts of money at that. He deserves credit for what he's doing in Anaheim... errr Los Angeles of Anaheim?

I really like the job he's done with the Angels.

_Rob - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 02:34 PM EST (#6064) #

As for the QOTD, I just picked a random college from the B-Ref page. Here is your All-UNLV Rebels team!

C Toby Hall
1B Cecil Fielder
3B Matt Williams
SS Vance McHenry
LF/CF/RF Ryan Ludwick

SP Todd Stottlemyre
SP Brian Boehringer
SP Donovan Osborne
SP Mel Stottlemyre

CL Dave LaRoche
RP Tom Tellmann
RP T.J. Mathews
RP Scott Lewis
RP Joe Boever

Hopefully, Vance can cover all of the 2B territory...and the 1B territory. How fast is Ludwick, anyway?

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:10 PM EST (#6065) #

I think it's OK to like Arte Moreno for what he brings to the Angels -- he's a poor man's George Steinbrenner, to use a crude and somewhat inaccurate metaphor.

At the same time, this whole name change thing, at a visceral level, is just annoying.

_DaveInNYC - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:43 PM EST (#6066) #

Gitz, of course the name changing is... for a lack of a better word, stupid. I don't like it one bit, it just doesn't make them sound like a baseball team anymore.

But as far as how he's run the Angels, I'm really impressed. And to call him a poor man's Steinbrenner would probably be a compliment to him. Let's face it, if either were the Jays GM, us Jays fans would love it! Atleast I would. What's so bad about having a unquenchable thirst for winning? Would you rather he pocket all the money he spends like most other owners do? I'm glad Steinbrenner uses all his resources, what, do you want him to be "the bigger man" and just stop spending at a certain point to give the other teams a better chance at winning? I love how commited Steinbrenner is to winning, that's how every owner should be.

_DaveInNYC - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:44 PM EST (#6067) #

And to clarify Gitz, none of that "rant" was directed at you. It's directed at the people who complain about Steinbrenner and how much he spends.

Mike D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 03:51 PM EST (#6068) #

http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/year_in_review/y2004/trivia.jsp
COMN for a surprisingly challenging 2004 year-in-review multiple-choice trivia quiz. I only scored 12 out of 20.

_Dr. Zarco - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:02 PM EST (#6069) #

Cool quiz Mike. You're right about being surprisingly hard, I also got 12/20. And I must confess a lucky guess or two.

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:07 PM EST (#6070) #

Hmmm. A 12 on this side of the globe, as well. Erm ... great minds think alike in their mediocrity?

_Magpie - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:12 PM EST (#6071) #

Ah, famous University of Toronto baseball players! Let's see...

Pause.

Longer pause.

So, uh, what would have been wrong with "Los Angeles de Los Angeles" anyway?

(Anyone think Abby Hoffman might have made a good Designated Runner?)

_Jabonoso - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:23 PM EST (#6072) #

My Alma Mater, UNAM Mexico National University, can field a very mighty soccer team lead by Hugo Sanchez as striker...

_Magpie - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:24 PM EST (#6073) #

Also 12 out of 20, and I had to nail 6 of the last 7 to get that.

I was gonna flunk...

_Anders - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:32 PM EST (#6074) #

I think I miscounted, but i was only 11/20.

On a somewhat cool sidenote, i saw a show on the score (courtesy of espn) called 'Stump The Scbwab' which is a sports trivia thing pitting 3 people against each other, and 'the Schwab' who is the head of ESPN's research department. He basically knows everything ever about sports, I think.

One example, of a medium range final challenge question (im going from memory here, but...):
In the 1988 playoff game where kirk gibson hit his famous homerun, who was it against, who was on second base, and how did they get there.

He got it right pretty quickly too.

Gitz - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:36 PM EST (#6075) #

Ah, I know the answer to that question. On second base? Former Athletic prospect turned stiff Mike Davis. How did he get there? A four-pitch walk from Eckersley, who had walked three people that year. How did he get to second? He stole it. Who was on deck? Steve Sax. Where was Gizzi? The LAST row of Dodger Stadium, possibly the most unhappy person in the stadium. (Though I was "officially" a Yankees fan back then, I always rooted for the A's if they made the playoffs.)

Mike Green - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:38 PM EST (#6076) #

Peter Gammons (BBRRS=dry ice) reports that $8 million will accompany Shawn Green when he drives across the California desert to Phoenix. There's a George Clooney movie in there somewhere!

_Magpie - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 04:39 PM EST (#6077) #

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2005/01/03/805729-sun.html
In the MYOR spirit, not much Jays material in today's papers. Bob Elliott is anticipating tomorrow's HoF results with a Wade Boggs column. COMN.

He's hung the column around the concept of Boggs being one of the few hitters Tom Henke ever dodged, and tells the tale of the 9th inning of Sept 28 1990. With the Jays up by a run, Henke pitched around Boggs ("it was a semi-intentional walk") to put the winning run on base.

Ellis Burks and Mike Greenwell, the next two hitters, each singled, and then Jeff Stone, who entered the game as a pinch-runner for Dwight Evans, singled in Boggs with the game winner.

Those semi-intentional walks. Get ya every time.

_Shrike - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 06:39 PM EST (#6078) #

I guess my mind is full of trivial facts. I scored 15/20.

_Magpie - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 06:43 PM EST (#6079) #

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1958231
Total hijack, but hard to resist.

"Nets waive Moiso after six days." COMN

Took the Raptors a year and three months...

_Rob - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 06:43 PM EST (#6080) #

A funny Blue Jays-related story here, from the Miami Herald (COMN):

Former Boston Red Sox farmhand Rolando Viera threw seven shutout innings, and Toronto Blue Jays minor-leaguer Michael Jova had two hits and scored twice to lead Rey's Pizza to a 7-0 victory Sunday against Mendiview and the championship of the 29th Liga Latina at Tamiami Park.

Jova is playing for Rey's Pizza? What, is Tyrell Godwin playing for Rupert Jee's Hello Deli?

And 11/20 for me.

_Rob - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 06:44 PM EST (#6081) #

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/10552747.htm?1c
You know, COMN usually implies a link...

_dp - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 07:09 PM EST (#6082) #

I don't think either NYU or University of Albany produced anyone of note...

Moffatt- did hang out in Syracuse and Rochester quite a bit. Syracuse has become a cultural hole lately, but there were some good clubs and coffee shops there in the early/mid-90s.

My hometown, Utica, produced 3 recent noteworthy players- Archi Cianfrocco (sp?), former Expo, post-season hero Mark Lemke, and dyslexic quote-machine Andy VanSylke.

_Nolan - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 07:09 PM EST (#6083) #

15/20 on that quiz...there a few tough and tricky questions...oh well, at 75% I still get an exemption from the final exam. :)

_Random Task - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 07:22 PM EST (#6084) #

I haven't attended college yet, though this isn't all that odd for a 17 year old, but my high school has produced a couple of major (or at least minor) leaguers. How about Syracuse SkyChiefs Chris Jones and Jon Ratliff, and ex-Blue Jay Scott Cassidy. Or ex-Padre Dickie Woodridge and Texas farmhand Brian Mattoon. I might play on our varsity team, but obviously I cannot measure up.

Thomas - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 07:24 PM EST (#6085) #

14/20; it was a good quiz.

Mike D - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 07:54 PM EST (#6086) #

Rupert Jee's Hello Deli?

Great reference, Rob. One of my two most treasured celebrity photographs is a picutre of my brother between Paul Shaffer and Rupert Jee. Shaffer entered the Hello Deli one evening just after we did.

The other, of course, is a picture of myself and a friend, both in Leafs jerseys, flanking Cory Cross in a Rangers jersey (it was "Ronald McDonald House Skate With The Rangers Night" at Rockefeller Center). Nicest guy ever. I suggested we do a "Cherry pose," and the three of us are all giving a Grapes-like thumbs-up.

_Hosken_Powell_F - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 09:14 PM EST (#6087) #

Regarding colleges in New York...
I graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, and the University at Buffalo School of Law.
No Major Leagures from either school that I know of, however, Canisius did produce NBA player Mike Smrek, and Canadian Olympic Basketball Player Michael Meeks. UB has also produced numerous NFL players, including current Buffalo Bill Drew Hadad.

Pistol - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 09:22 PM EST (#6088) #

http://www.robneyer.com/robrany.html
From reading R&R on the Royals (COMN) it looks like Calvin Pickering isn't going to be a part of KC's plan next year.

They also had this:

Pickering�s OBP last year was .338 and his SLG was .500. Before the Twins released him in 2002, Ortiz�s OBP was .339 and his SLG was .500.

Pickering turned 28 late this season. Ortiz turned 27 at the end of 2002.

I�m not saying Pickering is as good as Ortiz. I�m just saying there are enough similarities that you�d be a fool not to give him the job.

_Rob - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:01 PM EST (#6089) #

it looks like Calvin Pickering isn't going to be a part of KC's plan next year.

What the Royals would want for him? If Toronto does pick him up, what does that do to the 1B/DH spot? Would Hinske be dealt?

Hmm, how about Hinske for Pickering? Would anyone here make that trade? Could I ask any more questions?

_David Wang - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:12 PM EST (#6090) #

Well, KC has Teahen knocking at 3B and Sweeny/Harvey at first and DH. I don't think Pickering has that much value as a 28 year old. Maybe one of the younger pitchers for him and have Pickering play some first and DH.

_Geoff - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 10:24 PM EST (#6091) #

It may not be ideal, but I'd be willing to give this lineup a fair shot:

1. Russ Adams
2. Orlando Hudson
3. Corey Koskie
4. Vernon Wells
5. Calvin Pickering
6. Alexis Rios
7. Frank Catalanotto (at 1B)
8. Gregg Zaun
9. Reed Johnson

Eric Hinske would start the year on the bench, attempting to work his way into the lineup

There'd be a lot of $$ to spend on pitching in this scenario too

_Moffatt - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:00 PM EST (#6092) #

It may not be ideal, but I'd be willing to give this lineup a fair shot:

That'd be a good start, though I'd probably put Menechino in Pickering's spot against lefties. I'd probably also platoon Reed and Cat in LF and find someone else to play 1B full time.

Who would be a worse 1B? Pickering or Cat?

If Pickering ever got 600 AB in a season, he'd probably strike out around 200 times, causing Mike D's head to asplode.

Dave Till - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:19 PM EST (#6093) #

Has Calvin Pickering gotten any smaller lately? I saw him several years ago when he was with Rochester, and he was about twice the size of Cecil Fielder. While extra weight has no effect on bat speed, I can't imagine that a player that is the size of a small battleship is going to be particularly mobile at first base. Mind you, if his OPS is higher than anyone else's out there, I'd sign him and let him eat as much as he wants.

I don't think Arte Moreno went far enough: why didn't he call them the Anyone Within Driving Distance In Southern California Who May Be Even Slightly Willing To Travel To A Suburb In The Middle Of Nowhere Please God Somebody's Got To Help Me Pay For All Those Freakin' Contracts Especially Vlad's Angels?

_Willy - Monday, January 03 2005 @ 11:31 PM EST (#6094) #

Ah, famous University of Toronto baseball players! Let's see...

Was Ron Taylor a U. of T. grad--or not?

_Mick - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 12:56 AM EST (#6095) #

Dave, good thought, but do you think AWDDISCWMBESWTTTAITMONPGSGTHMPFATFCEV would fit on the front of the jersey?

_G.T. - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 01:28 AM EST (#6096) #

Was Ron Taylor a U. of T. grad--or not?

Dunno, but Cito has an honourary doctorate fro UofT... does that count? :)

_Mick - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 01:36 AM EST (#6097) #

This is the 100th post to this thread.

That is all.

_Magpie - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 03:26 AM EST (#6098) #

Was Ron Taylor a U. of T. grad--or not?

Yes! Yes he was! We got one!

Taylor got his degree (in electrical engineering) while he was playing baseball, and began medical studies when his career ended in 1972.

Pistol - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 08:14 AM EST (#6099) #

I can't imagine that a player that is the size of a small battleship is going to be particularly mobile at first base.

Well, you can always DH him.

Mike D - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 09:08 AM EST (#6100) #

If Pickering ever got 600 AB in a season, he'd probably strike out around 200 times, causing Mike D's head to asplode.

Unlikely. My head hasn't asploded since the Jays played in Ashibition Stadium.

And besides, I've become a true believer. Adam Dunn strikes out a lot but is a valuable hitter. Therefore, if all the Jays struck out much more, they'd all turn into Adam Dunn. Homers for everybody!

Right, Moffatt?

_Moffatt - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 09:33 AM EST (#6101) #

Right, Moffatt?

Or we could go the other way and have all the Jays strike out less and pull an Eric Hinske. ;)

_Mick - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 09:46 AM EST (#6102) #

Ashibition Stadium

Named for Gord?

Mike Green - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 09:50 AM EST (#6103) #

I was wondering about Pickering. David Ortiz would not be my comparable of choice for him; that would be Cecil Fielder. Cecil was all right at first base until he was 30, and I think that Calvin would be too.

It always astounds me that teams give players like Hillenbrand so many chances, whereas players like Pickering are ignored.

Gitz - Tuesday, January 04 2005 @ 12:28 PM EST (#6104) #

Yeah, I had mentioned in an earlier thread that Pickering would be a fine target for the Jays. Cheap, some upside, and, from a fan's perspective, a fun guy to watch. Maybe Beane will beat J.P. to the punch if the A's deal Durazo.

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