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J. Wagner interviewed for the latest podcast at cubscast.com

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Johanna Wagner, a lifelong baseball fan, is the only woman to go to all 30 MLB stadiums in one season, alone, for her book The View from the Stands.

Currently, Ms. Wagner is finishing her Master's in Sports Business at New York University and working on another book on baseball, called Insider's Game.

Always Something you have never seen before...
May 11, 2008, 9:15pm So I was at the Reds/Mets game today, and actually considered leaving early. It had gotten quite windy and with an 8-3 score, I was thinking I could listen to the 9th in the car. I didn't leave though, and I'm thankful, or I would have missed one of the craziest things ever. I did move closer to the exit, and found a seat in front of two men keeping score, which is always fun for me, since I think it indicates that they know a thing or two. Just as I sat back down, and had retrieved my pencil and scorecard, David Ross flew out. I looked down puzzled, and checked the number of outs, in case I had somehow missed Corey Patterson batting, since after the double switch the previous inning he should have been up. The man behind me actually asked out loud who that was, and we all looked at each other confused. Then Patterson stepped to the plate, and so that maybe they moved the order all kinds of crazy when they made that switch...not really possible. Then we notice Willie is talking to the Ump--Dale Scott. Scott goes over to Dusty and you see Patterson sit back down. OK, so that must mean two out. There is discussion, and the umps signal to everyone that there are two out. Then David Ross comes back up to bat, and hits a grounder into CF. So, he has gotten an out, and a hit, and then Ryan Freel comes to bat. Now it's my understanding that if you bat out of order both batters are automatically out, and everyone in the stands agreed when there was two out, but how would Ross still be up if thats the case? Did they start over? More conferencing takes place between the umpires. Then Scott returns to Willie and then to Dusty and the game continues... meanwhile those in the stands cannot figure out what happened. The score is 8-3 so unless the Reds create some kind of crazy rally this doesn't matter at all, but those of us with a scorecard want to know what the umpires are thinking. After all, the out of order was a double play to all of us. So the game ends and I finally head to the car. The post-game show gives it away. Willie says he made a mistake by telling the umpire before Patterson saw a pitch. If he waits, then both Patterson and Ross would be out. By telling him prior to the official At-bat, only the batter that holds the hole that was missed is out. Ross gets to take his official at-bat over.. bit of a mulligan. Baker in his post-game show says that he once took the turn for Ron Cey when he was a player, but that was due to the line-up on the board being different than the line-up card. He also took the blame for not catching David Ross. Good for Dusty. But, how on earth do professional baseball players not know when they are batting? How is your bench coach not watching? How does that happen? I know its get away day, but all you have to know is that you bat next. How does Corey Patterson not know where he bats? Its even on the scoreboard for crying out loud! I thought I was going to get to post about Oliver Perez vs. Johnny Cueto.... but no. Baker fixed that. Unbelievable.

Oh, and the other annoying thing, was the woman who turned around and said to me (I was wearing a Reds cap) "You may be a Reds fan but you know the rules." Like Mets fans have cornered an understanding on the rules. Luckily, I was more interested in figuring out what had happened on the field to give this lady a lecture on what I know about baseball.

A change is going to come...
May 11, 2008, 10:25am This week, Jim Edmonds, traded to the San Diego Padres was released, and its unlikely that he will play again. He won a gold glove 8 times in his 16 year career, and even with his lousy average this year ended with a .286 lifetime batting average. Edmonds release though is just a symptom of many things that are wrong in the land of the Friars right now, as Tim Sullivan writes. Though the team has been to the playoffs or missed by a tiny margin every year they have been in their new ballpark (2004) they are in real danger of finishing last in their division this year, something we all thought was a spot for the Giants to hold onto. The Padres have to make some changes, something more than dumping the center-fielder that once was one of the best in the game.

Speaking of the Giants, though, Ray Ratto more than suggests that Peter Magowan is getting ready to step down as team president. Magowan, in the past year, has been shoved into the spotlight a little too often for my taste, and though the reason for the change aren't made clear in the article, it certainly does seem that the organization could benefit from a different face sitting in the big chair. He probably should have exited with Bonds, just to send the signal that there is a new team coming, one that looks nothing like the old.

Happy Mother's Day!
May 11, 2008, 10:00am Though I am doubtful I have too many mother's reading this, and you should correct me if I am wrong, I want to take you today to Umpire Perry Barber's blog, in which she talks about her strong mother who sent her on her path to becoming an umpire. Though she hasn't umpired a regular season Major League game, she has been involved in many college playoff games, as well as some spring training games. Here is Perry, the umpire to your left, this past spring when The Mets hosted the University of Michigan. She is a strong tough cookie, and I'm glad I'e gotten to know her over the past few months. Her presence in this business has made it easier for me.
All-Female Umpire Crew Meets the coaches at the plate

All-Female Umpire Crew Meets the coaches at the plate

For those of you looking for a more traditional baseball post, I will send you to the New York Times Slide Show about the state of Tiger Stadium, or even the Joe LaPointe article that talks about the desperate attempt by a small group of Detroit residents trying to save a small part of the stadium. If you remember going to Tiger Stadium (or Briggs stadium as it was earlier known) this will make you sad.

How do you save your managers job?
May 10, 2008, 10:10am It's pretty simple, you shut the opposing team out three times in a row.... and not bad teams either! Go Rangers!

So, I am going to get to a real post later, but I thought I would take you through the website a bit. I've posted a new pole to get some feedback from you the reader about what time of day you check in here. It will help all of us here work to create new content on a regular basis, so you never have that pissed-off feeling that I am just sitting around doing nothing when you want something to read. The last pole, about the best movie, has been moved over to the messageboard to create a little banter...maybe you didn't like the limited choices that I gave you...well, now is your chance to tell us what you think is the best baseball movie. I also want to encourage the LoveMyTeam.com readers to use the links in the advertisements on the site to access the vendors that they regularly use. If you use Stubhub, click through from here and that sends a few pennies my way, same for amazon or barnes and noble. I know its one extra step for you, but it will keep LoveMyTeam up and running. Don't forget to voite for the Fan Friendly Awards with a story of a guy you have seen put forth some extra effort. The LoveMyTeam Fan Survey allows you to share a story about what made you fall in love with the game. And lastly, the first newsletter of the 2008 season will come out on Tuesday, so sign-up to the left so it comes right to you inbox! As always, if you see a problem, or there is some kind of content you would like to see, drop me an email in the box at the end of the blog. Don't forget to include your email address. Thanks for reading!

Rangers kicking up some dust
May 9, 2008, 4:40pm So Ron Washington's job appears to be safe, at least until the All-Star break, according to reports today. Thought from team President Nolan Ryan show that Washington isn't completely in the clear, but that you can't just make changes without some idea what you are changing too, and its too early for that decision. My guess is that Ryan is against making a decision about the manager until he has some more information about the General Manager too. Why hire the Manager, if you might be making a change with his boss at the end of the season. Ahhh, what Wayne Krivsky could do with the pieces Texas has! Besides the commotion off the field in Arlington, there has been some on-the field while the Rangers were in Seattle. The best part is the Mariners head to Arlington early next week, so there is more to come. For those of you who aren't following the Rangers, and how many of you could be, the Rangers stunk it up in April, beating themselves pretty consistently. Its the sloppy play that led to discussion of Washington's demise. Since May began though, there has been quite the turnaround, with the team out-pitching some of their divisions best pitching. The Rangers took 2 of 3 from the Mariners going into last nights game, and the idea of losing another to the Rangers must have irked the M's more than it should. Evan Grant overviews the game, and the situation in Texas. It looks like Sexson, who clearly was wrong, even if you don't just read the one-sided reporting I've pointed you to, has been suspended 6 games. After an appeal, that should go down to 3 which is probably what he should get, even though he may have sent Gabbard to the DL in the brawl. In the blog above where Ryan shares his thought on a managerial change he is asked if Gabbard should have put Sexson in a head lock like Ryan did to Robin Ventura. As Ryan points out, it would be hard to do to a guy who 6'7".
Nolan Ryan vs. Ventura

New Britain Rock Cats--What's a Rock Cat, you say?
May 9, 2008, 10:20am Well, it seems there is no such thing as a Rock Cat... New Britain was a quarry town way back when and the team looked around for something that represented minor league baseball they found that cats was a common term in team names, so they married the rocks of the quarry to the cats of baseball, and got the Rock Cats! (This according to Rock Cats President, Bill Dowling.) Yesterday was Education Day at the ballpark, so the game began at 10:35, the parking lot was filled with school buses and the park was filled with kids from all around Connecticut. I've been to a ton of games played to allow schools to bring the kids but this one was a bit unusual. Though many of these kids had never been to a baseball game before, you would never know it. Though they were loud from the outset, the volumn was directed at the game. They cheered for the home team, and with the help of their teachers, I expect, they were led in appropriate cheers throughout the day. Here is a peak at the ballpark, though taken at the 7th inning as many schools were exiting the ballpark.

It had the feel of an important game, despite the matchup between the New Britain Rock Cats (AA Twins) and the Bowie Baysox (AA Orioles). There were a couple of players on both teams that have been ranked by Baseball America as tops in their respective systems, though at this point, neither system is that strong. (The Twins is a bit better than the Orioles, by a long shot, though). The pitching of the Orioles starter Jason Berken (ranked 16th in the Orioles system by Baseball America) was stronger than that of Jay Rainville (ranked 16th in the Twins system by BA) but the Orioles defense was abysmal, particularly the outfield, who could get to a lot of balls, but had a tough time finding the cut-off man or in a couple of cases even reaching the cut-off man. Here is a shot of Berken, and in the background a hallmark of minor league baseball, the ads on the wall.
Jason Berken pitches

The final score was 9-7 Bowie. The Rock Cats had quite a few good players, though on this dreary day, they seemed a little too rushed at the plate, swinging at a lot of first pitches. One of the other "highlights" of the game was the chance to see the Bowie 3rd baseman and son Graig Nettles play. Jeff Nettles went 3-5 with a two-run home run. Jeff was drafted in 1998, and has been kicking around the minor leagues for quite awhile. It was kinda cool to see Graig's son though. Here is hitting into a ground-out though.

New Britain Stadium is a very typical, quite nice ballpark. There aren't any big surprises in the amenities, but the atmosphere was wonderful. The fans who stayed after the kids left were vocal in their cheering for their team, and very into the outcome. The President of the team is omni-present as well, so any fan who needs anything can interact with someone who cares about making your game experience as good as it can be. Its one of those things you don't see on the Major League level anymore, but its one of those things that really makes it easier to choose baseball to spend your money on.

Luis Castillo and why salary matters
May 8, 2008, 9:00am So yesterday I am listening to Mike and the Maddog, two of the biggest sports talk radio hosts in the country and a Mets fan calls up and suggests that Luis Castillo be pinch hit for in the bottom of the 9th on Tuesday. Mike Francesa and Chris Russo both shout him down telling him you can't do that, the Mets just gave Castillo a 4-year contract they aren't pinch hitting for him. The caller made the point that he's hitting .150, and is doing nothing and why shouldn't the best hitter be put in that spot to drive in the typing runs. Well, the sports talk duo, rather than explain just kept repeating that the Mets wouldn't do that, with no new information given. Do not understand how two guys can get paid so much who insult their listeners and add nothing to the conversation. They were right, the Mets would never pinch-hit for Castillo just because he's in a serious slump. Maybe if there was a pitcher that really had his number, as with any player, but the fact that all pitchers have Castillo's number these days doesn't matter. Now I would never have give Luis Castillo 4 more years, I have never liked him as a player. He can hit consistently (usually), has speed, and can play some defense and when the Mets picked him up they desperately needed someone who could play 2nd base. The thing I don't like, is even as far back as when he was with Florida, I saw him consistently make some dumb base running gaffs... enough of the same kinds of things, like caught sleeping while taking a lead off of first, that I don't trust him. I don't think his head is in the game enough of the time. I'd rather have a mediocre second baseman who wants to be there. That being said, I want to get back to why you can't pinch hit for him in that spot. The Mets have invested $25 million in the guy over the next four years, and his 2008 salary in $6 million. He's the fourth highest paid position player on the team, behind Beltran, Delgado and Alou, with only Beltran having a commitment after this year. That means the Mets really think he's part of their future, and they need to do whatever they can to get him back to the .290 career hitter he actually is. That means that the team has to give him every chance to succeed... and if he can't succeed in New York, they need to run him out there as often as possible to showcase what value he has to other teams. Now, I think its doubtful that anyone is thinking about trading Castillo, but the situation applies to many players around baseball. Kyle Farnsworth gets pitched sometimes just to show his upside to other teams, for example. But back to Castillo. No player has ever come out of a slump by being pinch hit for in the big spot, the team must show they believe in him, and support him to help him get out of it. Sure, if this were Sept. and he was in the slump and the team had to win this game, Willie might need to consider pinch hitting for a guy hitting .150 but, in May, when you know you need that bat for the next 5 months, you have to do everything to make him believe that you believe in him. And the 4 year contract adds to the necessity. If this was his last year, you could look for other options out on the trade market and jettison him if need be, but the $25 million due him through the next 4 years, means that you are committed to getting him back to being close to the player he was, committed to winning with him. Think about how hard the club worked to make Kaz Matsui work out, moving Jose Reyes to 2nd for one season until he got hurt. The team eventually paid him to play for someone else, but only after all other option were explored. And just like each of, the person making those decisions has to be able to explain to his boss why he's paying money to a guy who can't be trusted to get the big hit, if you decide to pinch hit for Castillo there. That's a tough conversation to have. Better to run him out there and hope that he gets his mojo back. And the reality is, he will get his mojo back. I know after last fall, its tough to sit back and trust that the Mets will make a move if he doesn't, but, as fans, we have to know that more than avoiding the conversation about why money is going to a guy who isn't playing, Omar and Willie want to avoid the conversation where they learn that the guy will be not playing for someone else...because they have been fired. Neither is dumb enough not to know what the outcome of not winning the NL East is this year. We have to believe that their survival is important enough to them that they will get Castillo going again.

On an unrelated note, just to take a nod to history. 40 years ago today, Catfish Hunter of the A's pitched a perfect game against the Twins, winning 4-0. Tip of the cap to Catfish. Don't know if you know this, but Charley Finley, the A's owner, gave Catfish his nickname and made up a story about how Catfish had gotten it as a child as a marketing ploy, and to give the player some color. It's always been a business.

Griffey Jr.
May 7, 2008, 10:05am Hal McCoy writes the day after story about Ken Griffey Jr. and the tiny bit of controversy that has shown up in Cincinnati. McCoy's article tells the story, I think, of what is really going on with the Reds, and not just what Griffey is thinking. People do seem to want to paint Jr. as a malcontent, but I think thats far from the case. If so, he wouldn't still be in Cincy. One of the more moving moments I have seen was Griffey speaking at a press conference after the passing of Kirby Puckett. Puckett had responded to Griffey when asked why he is always smiling, that if you are smiling no one can tell you are in a slump, and sometimes not even you can tell.... its the quickest way out of one. If you walk and talk like you are happy and proud soon everything else will come together and you will have something that will make you happy and proud. The firing of Krvisky two weeks ago did send a big message to the players... even though that message might be hard to see... it seems to them much like it seems to me a panic move. And with panic comes some irrational decision making. I think its doubtful Griffey is going anywhere anytime soon but who knows once June and July get here, it might be a whole different story.

10 years went by so fast
May 6, 2008, 9:10am Those of you who have read my book know that I had lost track of the game in the 90's. Some of that was the strike, and some of that was being around non-sports fans in a non-sports part of the world, and some of it was I was just too busy to care about such things. I am also one of those people that was won back by the home-run race. I will admit that. Maybe that's why I am a defender of those that took performance enhancing drugs, (not a condoner, just a defender). The summer of '98 was a time that reminded what was special about this game. Kids could grow up to break impossible records, and even those that did, did it legally at the time, as far as we know anyway. Baseball didn't ban PED's until years later, and even the things that were admitted to were over the counter at the time. I even think in the back of our minds as fans we knew that McGwire had advantages that Maris did not and it wasn't that big of a deal then. McGwire didn't seem entitled, he seemed like a kid who had his biggest dream come true. So that is what brought me back to the game, that and a divorce that sent me to Shea stadium on Friday nights looking for an escape. It hardly seems 10 years ago. But it was. Along with McGwire's and Sosa's hitting that summer were some other amazing performances, and Anthony McCarron acknowledges the anniversary of a big one. The decade anniversary of Kerry Wood striking out 20 Astros is upon us, and McCarron's story builds it up to be one of the greatest moments in baseball history. He also does a nice job of showing the disappointment that Wood's career has produced following that start. Its intereting because if I was on that team, I would say it was the best stuff ever too. But the guys who speak who were no-hit by Koufax talking about Wood on that day are the guys whose word you can take. Can't believe its been 10 years.

Tipping my cap to the best fans--St. Louis
May 5, 2008, 9:30am So this post will be met with some raised eyebrows, of that I am sure, but as I was watching the Sunday night baseball game last night, I saw something, as did Jon Miller, that prompts me to begin today writing about. In the 5th inning of the game, Yadier Molina threw out the Cubs Ryan Theriot on a poorly placed pitch. Molina saw Theriot break and began to move into throwing position but had to reach for the ball instead. Though Molina's momentum was moving in the right direction he couldn't get to his feet, and had to throw to second from his knees. His throw was perfectly placed to the runners side of the bag and it allowed the Cards second baseman to tag the runner perfectly as he slid. A very difficult play to attempt, let alone execute perfectly. What happened next was the part that makes you understand why St. Louis fans are the best. The crowd gathered for the game gave a standing ovation to Molina. Catching the nuance of a play like that is tough in a ballpark situation, a fan might be watching the runner, and not noticing the catcher, or even noticing the catcher's agility in stopping the ball, and still getting the runner while on his knees. Cards fans had o trouble at all. The broadcast even showed a young boy keeping a scorecard, and again as Miller pointed out, where are the kids who are keeping scorecards now a days? Apparently in St. Louis. In 2002, when I was traveling to all the ballparks, I was amazed at the fans in St. Louis. As the game went on, they got more interested not less. If someone got a hit, that was fine, but if someone got to second base, well, conversation stopped and everyone leaned a little forward in their chair. The perspective was different, and as a visitor, I couldn't help but adjust how I watched the game.
Now don't get me wrong, there are fans like this everywhere, but there are not ballparks filled with fans like this, as there are in St. Louis. For once, I think ESPN gave a little look into the feel one gets sitting in the stands, though, the fans with their ovation showed what kind of fans they really are.

As for the Cardinals themselves, they are much better than I (or any scout I spoke with this spring) thought. Watching them last night, I thought they looked much better than at any time during spring training. Bernie Miklasz shares the point of view of many in his column. I'm still not sure they can win the division, but last night, they looked much tougher than I expected them too. Miklasz gets it right though, if they stay under the radar, and play it one day at a time, they could come away with a playoff berth, one only those in the Cards organization expected.

Tipping my hat to Julio Franco
May 4, 2008, 9:35pm I couldn't let the retirement of Julio Franco, without some notice. Franco was one of a very few position players that was older then myself. Eric Koreen shares some fun facts about Fraco's career, even including a six-degrees of separation to Ted Williams thread. Strange batting stance aside, the man was in amazing shape... and had a 23- year career many would have loved to have had. A big tip of the cap... whichever cap you want Julio.

Final Resting Places
May 4, 2008, 1:30pm This Stan Grossfeld story about some folks who wanted to spread ashes at Fenway Park. Though it seems a little unceremonial, and a little too much like throwing out garbage, apparently a ton of people have been dumped over the fence onto the warning track. Still... its a perspective that I thought was worth sharing.

These Prices will explain the Yank fans entitlement!
May 4, 2008, 1:00pm OK, so I find it ironic that Mike Lupica is outraged about ticket prices, since he is known to walk into a local stadium and kick a guy who reports on the team everyday of a season out of his front row seat in the pressbox with no notice, sometimes even bringing his kids, but nonetheless, he makes a point. For those of you living around the country who are outraged at what it costs to go your ballpark, this will open your eyes. Yankee fans see entitled because they are paying crazy amounts of money to sit in the stands. They really shouldn't have to root for mediocre teams. The sad part is that there are people who will pay these prices, but how many of them love the game. Once again the passionate fans who understand the intricacies of the game will be pushed further out and further away. One has to wonder if the Yankees will be making any new fans while they are making all this money, and if they aren't they are gonna find a very expensive seat empty in about 10-15 years...but that's a long time for most of us, and clearly the team believes that there will always be rich companies that will pay to send their employees to games for many years to come.... By the way, don't read past the Yankee ticket part of the Lupica story, or you will see that he really is arrogant enough to think that readers care what he has to say on a ton of subjects that aren't his forte.

Phil Hughes, Kerwin Danley, and Buzzie Bavasi
May 3, 2008, 10:15am OK, so I was wrong... Phil Hughes really was hurt, but when I wrote that I honestly believe that the Yankees didn't know he was actually hurt. I still think finding a reason to put him on the DL was the right way to go, unfortunately it became a "be careful what you wish for" scenario when they sent Hughes for tests and it turned out he had actually broken a rib.

Anyone who watched sports center last week heard about Kerwin Danley getting hit by a 96pmh Brad Penny fastball which knocked him unconscious. Bill Shalkin writes a follow-up story about what Danley remembers, and how he is doing now. Personally, can't imagine stepping in behind the plate and seeing another ball coming at me... but then it doesn't sound like Danley remmbers the ball.

Finally, Buzzie Bavasi dies Thursday. Besides being the father of Seattle Mariners GM Bill, and former Blue Jays and Indians manager Peter, Bavasi had a long career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including running the team when Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale worked together to negotiate their new contracts. The two players held out, knowing the team wouldn't be able to get along without both of them. Their holdout helped the formation of the union, but Bavasi succeeded in giving up less money than the two players had actually asked for. Steve Henson writes a nice homage to the front-0ffice great.

What everyone is saying about Barry Zito and some other struggling pichers
May 1, 2008, 9:55am If you are writing in San Fran about the Giants, trying to find something to write that isn't about why they are so bad or hwo far some youngster has come is hard these days. That leaves and in-depth look at what is wrong with Zito, and John Shea gets a lot of opinions. The scouts stuff is clearly explained, and then the psychologists stuff thrown in says the rest. He is having trouble executing his signature curve, so now there is little difference between his slower fastball and his curve, meaning batters can just tee off on him.

Meanwhile, at Wrigley field, The Brewers pitching staff played a little game of who can pitch worse. What is most amazing is that they only gave up 17 hits for those 19 runs.... as they used to say in Cincy when I was a kid, "walks will haunt" and the 9 walks by Brewers pitchers really did haunt. Tom Haudricourt writes the game story, but also suggests that we may have seen the last of Derrick Turnbow for awhile. That's the difference between a guy making league minimum and a guy with a big contract. You can't send the guy with the big contract (Zito) down to work on his stuff with less proficient hitters, you have to pay him to work on it at the big league level... the cheap guy you can eat his money and send him away for someone else to improve. Zito could benefit from a trip to the farm where he can improve out of the spotlight. Unfortunately, the stigma for him and for the team of sending him down is too much to ask, though I would argue a $126 million bullpen guy is slightly more embarrassing.

The Yankees took a third route when they placed Phil Hughes on the disabled list because of tightness in his ribcage...or at least that is the excuse they are going to use to justify the trip to the DL. He might be hurting, but this might also be a way to make the player look tough to the fans while they figure out what is wrong with his pitching. Not a bad way to spin it, since Hughes really has been built up to be key to the Yankees success this year, and with the hard feelings Mets fans are holding onto across town, the Yanks can little afford to let the fans get too down on Hughes.

Lastly, on a lighter note, we have a new poll posted above, so check it out and lets see which movie our readers prefer!

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