The life of a big league ballplayer is rarely as glamorous as most people envision. For Scott Seabol - a 21-year old infielder who signed with the New York Yankees in the 1996 amateur draft - his life was anything but glamorous. After toiling in the Yankees system for five years, his shot with the big club finally arrived on April 8, 2001.
The Yankees were hammering the Toronto Blue Jays, 13-5, in the sixth-inning of a game played at Yankee Stadium, when manager Joe Torre decided to give veteran outfielder David Justice the rest of the night off. With that, Seabol entered the game as a pinch hitter to face the zany Dan Plesac, who retired the kid on a pop fly to the second baseman.
That was the extent of his major league career with New York.
After signing a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002 - he never made the big club, was released in 2003 - then immediately signed with the Cardinals. After spending another couple of years kicking around the minors, Seabol got another chance to live the glamorous life of a big league ballplayer in 2005 - at the age of 30.
Seabol appeared in 59 games for Tony LaRussa in 2005 - mostly as a backup infielder - in what would prove to be his final season as a major league player. The highlight of his very brief career came in a game against his original team - the New York Yankees - on:
Sunday, June 12, 2005 - At Busch Stadium III: This was the rubber game of a three-game series between the New York Yankees and St Louis Cardinals - two iconic rivals who had faced each other five times between 1926 and 1964 in World Series competition. Every regular season inter-league game since has been infused with a definite postseason atmosphere - and today was no exception, as 50,372 red-clad fans packed the house, hoping Cards starter Matt Morris could contain the mighty Yankees' lineup.
The Cardinals struck first off Yankees stater Carl Pavano in the third-inning - when Yadier Molina doubled, advanced to third on Morris' sacrifice bunt, and scored on David Eckstein's single. That would be the only run Pavano would allow in his six innings of work.
New York tied the game in the fifth-inning, on a two-out Alex Rodriguez RBI double - scoring former Cardinal Tony Womak from first. For Morris, that too, would be the only run he'd allow in six innings of work.
With Alberto Reyes now pitching for St Louis, Derek Jeter began the Yankees' seventh with a double, but remained at second as Reyes retired the next two batters. LaRussa then summoned lefty Ray King out of the bullpen to face the dangerous Hideki Matsui - who promptly drove in the run with a single to right.
With Tanyon Sturtze now pitching for the Yankees - trying to preserve a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh- the Cardinals got something started, with a one-out single by Molina - his second hit of the game.
LaRussa then sent Scott Seabol in to pinch hit for Ray King - who was currently on the hook for a possible loss. Instead, the former-Yankee draftee hit the first - and only - home run of his major league career - putting King (1-1) - who completed one-third of an inning of work - suddenly in a position to win the game.
In Seabol's childhood fantasies, maybe this home run took place in the Seventh Game of the World Series, to win it for his team. Yet, as he circled the bases with more than 50,000 fans going crazy on this Sunday afternoon in St Louis, this had to be the next best thing.
Later in the inning, Jim Edmonds added a two-out two-run double off reliever Mike Stanton to pad the Redbirds' lead to 5-2 - which shrunk to 5-3 in the New York eighth-inning, after Jorge Posada's solo home run off Julian Tavarez.
But that was the old ball game. Jason Isringhausen retired the Yankees in order in the ninth, to earn his 18th save, and make Scott Seabol a bit of a hero in Cardinal Nation, for at least a day.
Showing posts with label jorge posada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jorge posada. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Friday, January 20, 2012
Prediction: No Postseason Play for Aging Yankees
Contrary to what most baseball experts believe, the New York Yankees are no longer the best team in the American League. In fact, they're not even the best team in their division; maybe not even the second best team in the much-improved (except the Yankees) AL East.
On the surface, the Yankees appeared to have addressed their most glaring weakness - starting pitching - when they signed 37-year old free agent former-Dodger Hiroki Kuroda to a $10 million one-year deal and acquired (via trade) 22-year old rookie sensation Michael Pineda from the Mariners. With last year's shaky pitching trio of AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes providing little stability to the rotation, adding these two arms should eat up some innings in 2012. That's the good news.
Here's the bad news:
Kuroda has spent his entire four-year major league career with the Dodgers, who play their home games in pitcher's haven Chavez Ravine. Consequently, his career ERA of 3.45 is artificially low, which accounts for a so-so won loss record of 41-46. He may give the Yanks some innings, but don't expect double digit wins as his ERA soars well over 4 runs per game in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.
Likewise, Pineda's 2011 ERA of 3.74 seems like a pretty good number for a rookie, but Safeco Field was his home field advantage. Pitching away from home resulted in a less than desirable 4.40 ERA for the youngster. Performing in the harsh spotlight of New York is never easy for even the most seasoned hurler; putting that kind of pressure on a kid with just one season of stress-free experience on his resume may be disastrous.
Last year, the Yankees relied heavily on the one-two pitching punch of CC Sabathia (19-8) and rookie Ivan Nova (16-4) to facilitate another trip to the post season, as AL East division champions. Their failure to get past the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS reveals what is perhaps the real challenge facing New York heading into the 2012 season: The offensive core of this team has grown old. Derek Jeter is heading into his age-37 season and Alex Rodriguez seems practically washed-up at the age of 36. Of course, neither key player did much of anything in that five-game flop against Detroit.
Ironically, only the now-deposed Jorge Posada rose to the occasion in that series, hitting .429 (6 for 14), drawing four walks (OBP of .579), and slugging an impressive (especially for a 40-year old) .571. By contrast, Jeter hit just .250 while striking out a team-high eight times, and A-Rod managed a paltry .111 BA with six whiffs, including the game and series-ending punch-out.
More bad news:
The Yankees dealt rising star Jesus Montero (.328 - .406 - .590 with four home runs in 18 games) to Seattle in exchange for Pineda. Montero displayed great opposite-field power in his brief stint with the Yankees last season, and would've fit in nicely in the middle of that lineup in '12. Certainly, there is some offensive fire-power returning in '12, led by the explosive Robinson Cano, who drove in 118 runs while scoring 104 in '11. Curtis Granderson had a career year with 139 runs scored, 119 RBIs, 41 home runs, and an OPS+ of 138, but can he keep up that type of production in '12? It's more likely he'll return to his normal career averages: 109 runs scored, 81 RBIs, 28 home runs, with an OPS+ of 117. Those are good numbers, but nowhere near his 2011 production.
When all is said and done, the failure of the Yankees to reach the 2012 post season will be largely attributed to the continued demise of Alex Rodriguez. Here's a look at A-Rod's steadily declining OPS+ since he led the American League in 2007:
'07 - 176
'08 - 150
'09 - 138
'10 - 123
'11 - 116
Look for that OPS+ to fall below the "average" level of 100 in 2012. That's not the kind of production the Yankees are going to need from its aging superstar third baseman, if they expect to reach the post season, and possibly win another World Series.
Unfortunately, if you're a Yankees fan; that's the harsh reality. Don't expect to see New York playing past the first 162 games in 2012. Their glory years are at least temporarily on hiatus.
Larry Underwood is a baseball historian, die-hard Cardinals fan and author. Here's his latest: St Louis Cardinals IQ - The Ultimate Test of True Fandom (Volume 2)
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
On the surface, the Yankees appeared to have addressed their most glaring weakness - starting pitching - when they signed 37-year old free agent former-Dodger Hiroki Kuroda to a $10 million one-year deal and acquired (via trade) 22-year old rookie sensation Michael Pineda from the Mariners. With last year's shaky pitching trio of AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes providing little stability to the rotation, adding these two arms should eat up some innings in 2012. That's the good news.
Here's the bad news:
Kuroda has spent his entire four-year major league career with the Dodgers, who play their home games in pitcher's haven Chavez Ravine. Consequently, his career ERA of 3.45 is artificially low, which accounts for a so-so won loss record of 41-46. He may give the Yanks some innings, but don't expect double digit wins as his ERA soars well over 4 runs per game in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.
Likewise, Pineda's 2011 ERA of 3.74 seems like a pretty good number for a rookie, but Safeco Field was his home field advantage. Pitching away from home resulted in a less than desirable 4.40 ERA for the youngster. Performing in the harsh spotlight of New York is never easy for even the most seasoned hurler; putting that kind of pressure on a kid with just one season of stress-free experience on his resume may be disastrous.
Last year, the Yankees relied heavily on the one-two pitching punch of CC Sabathia (19-8) and rookie Ivan Nova (16-4) to facilitate another trip to the post season, as AL East division champions. Their failure to get past the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS reveals what is perhaps the real challenge facing New York heading into the 2012 season: The offensive core of this team has grown old. Derek Jeter is heading into his age-37 season and Alex Rodriguez seems practically washed-up at the age of 36. Of course, neither key player did much of anything in that five-game flop against Detroit.
Ironically, only the now-deposed Jorge Posada rose to the occasion in that series, hitting .429 (6 for 14), drawing four walks (OBP of .579), and slugging an impressive (especially for a 40-year old) .571. By contrast, Jeter hit just .250 while striking out a team-high eight times, and A-Rod managed a paltry .111 BA with six whiffs, including the game and series-ending punch-out.
More bad news:
The Yankees dealt rising star Jesus Montero (.328 - .406 - .590 with four home runs in 18 games) to Seattle in exchange for Pineda. Montero displayed great opposite-field power in his brief stint with the Yankees last season, and would've fit in nicely in the middle of that lineup in '12. Certainly, there is some offensive fire-power returning in '12, led by the explosive Robinson Cano, who drove in 118 runs while scoring 104 in '11. Curtis Granderson had a career year with 139 runs scored, 119 RBIs, 41 home runs, and an OPS+ of 138, but can he keep up that type of production in '12? It's more likely he'll return to his normal career averages: 109 runs scored, 81 RBIs, 28 home runs, with an OPS+ of 117. Those are good numbers, but nowhere near his 2011 production.
When all is said and done, the failure of the Yankees to reach the 2012 post season will be largely attributed to the continued demise of Alex Rodriguez. Here's a look at A-Rod's steadily declining OPS+ since he led the American League in 2007:
'07 - 176
'08 - 150
'09 - 138
'10 - 123
'11 - 116
Look for that OPS+ to fall below the "average" level of 100 in 2012. That's not the kind of production the Yankees are going to need from its aging superstar third baseman, if they expect to reach the post season, and possibly win another World Series.
Unfortunately, if you're a Yankees fan; that's the harsh reality. Don't expect to see New York playing past the first 162 games in 2012. Their glory years are at least temporarily on hiatus.
Larry Underwood is a baseball historian, die-hard Cardinals fan and author. Here's his latest: St Louis Cardinals IQ - The Ultimate Test of True Fandom (Volume 2)
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Hall of Fame Case for Ted Simmons
I have to believe Ted Simmons' long, overdue inclusion into baseball's Hall of Fame will finally happen, as the Veteran's Committee will be reviewing his qualifications - which are decidedly Hall of Fame caliber - in time for the upcoming January selection process.
* His career began as a full-time catcher for the Cardinals in 1970, which happened to coincide with a prolonged period of mediocrity the team would endure throughout his tenure in St Louis, which came to an end ten years later, when he was traded to Milwaukee. Being stuck on a mediocre team wasn't his fault. In fact, without Ted Simmons in the lineup, the Cardinals would have been something far less than mediocre through the 1980 season - in other words, they would have really sucked.
* His career roughly coincided with the career of Johnny Bench, who was arguably, the greatest catcher in MLB history. Being second banana to the Great Bench unfairly diminished his performance, which was in fact, Hall of Fame caliber.
* Playing half his games for most of his career in cavernous Busch Stadium turned countless home runs into long outs. Few players in MLB history ever smashed baseballs with the degree of ferocity Simmons did in 21 big league seasons, so his relatively modest home run total of 248 is misleading.
The hard-hitting (switch-hitting) Simmons amassed 2472 hits (probably none of the "infield variety") - more than Bench, Carlton Fisk, Gary Carter, or Jorge Posada, for that matter. His lifetime .285 BA also leads that quartet, and his 1389 RBI total is close to the top of that heap, trailing only Bench by a mere seven runs batted in.
What about OPS+? This is perhaps the most accurate saber-metric measurement of a player's offensive production, taking into consideration "on base percentage" and "slugging percentage", while factoring in the "degree of difficulty" associated with the playing venue. As stated, old Busch Stadium was a pitcher's haven - not at all condusive to the long ball. Here's how Simmons stacked up against the three Hall of Famers and the one potential Hall of Famer:
Bench - 126
Posada - 121
Simmons - 117
Fisk - 117
Carter - 115
Of the three catchers already enshrined in Cooperstown, Bench played in four different World Series, winning twice; Carter and Fisk both played in one Fall Classic (both were very "classic" Fall Classics), as did Ted Simmons - ironically, as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, playing against his old team - and losing in seven games - in 1982. Carter was on the winning side playing for the Mets in 1986, and we all know Fisk's Red Sox fell to Bench's Reds in 1975, although Carlton's memorable Game Six walk-off home run made him an instant legend in Bean Town.
If World Series success affects Hall of Fame voting, five-time winner Jorge Posada may find himself in Cooperstown some day; hopefully, by that time, Cooperstown will have already admitted the greatest Cardinal catcher in history - Ted Lyle Simmons.
Just ask Peter Gammons; he belongs.
Fascinated with St Louis Cardinals history? Test your Redbird IQ!
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
* His career began as a full-time catcher for the Cardinals in 1970, which happened to coincide with a prolonged period of mediocrity the team would endure throughout his tenure in St Louis, which came to an end ten years later, when he was traded to Milwaukee. Being stuck on a mediocre team wasn't his fault. In fact, without Ted Simmons in the lineup, the Cardinals would have been something far less than mediocre through the 1980 season - in other words, they would have really sucked.
* His career roughly coincided with the career of Johnny Bench, who was arguably, the greatest catcher in MLB history. Being second banana to the Great Bench unfairly diminished his performance, which was in fact, Hall of Fame caliber.
* Playing half his games for most of his career in cavernous Busch Stadium turned countless home runs into long outs. Few players in MLB history ever smashed baseballs with the degree of ferocity Simmons did in 21 big league seasons, so his relatively modest home run total of 248 is misleading.
The hard-hitting (switch-hitting) Simmons amassed 2472 hits (probably none of the "infield variety") - more than Bench, Carlton Fisk, Gary Carter, or Jorge Posada, for that matter. His lifetime .285 BA also leads that quartet, and his 1389 RBI total is close to the top of that heap, trailing only Bench by a mere seven runs batted in.
What about OPS+? This is perhaps the most accurate saber-metric measurement of a player's offensive production, taking into consideration "on base percentage" and "slugging percentage", while factoring in the "degree of difficulty" associated with the playing venue. As stated, old Busch Stadium was a pitcher's haven - not at all condusive to the long ball. Here's how Simmons stacked up against the three Hall of Famers and the one potential Hall of Famer:
Bench - 126
Posada - 121
Simmons - 117
Fisk - 117
Carter - 115
Of the three catchers already enshrined in Cooperstown, Bench played in four different World Series, winning twice; Carter and Fisk both played in one Fall Classic (both were very "classic" Fall Classics), as did Ted Simmons - ironically, as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, playing against his old team - and losing in seven games - in 1982. Carter was on the winning side playing for the Mets in 1986, and we all know Fisk's Red Sox fell to Bench's Reds in 1975, although Carlton's memorable Game Six walk-off home run made him an instant legend in Bean Town.
If World Series success affects Hall of Fame voting, five-time winner Jorge Posada may find himself in Cooperstown some day; hopefully, by that time, Cooperstown will have already admitted the greatest Cardinal catcher in history - Ted Lyle Simmons.
Just ask Peter Gammons; he belongs.
Fascinated with St Louis Cardinals history? Test your Redbird IQ!
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
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