Baseball

This article was originally published in the November issue of my school's newspaper. It discusses how a Yankee game led to bonding on the Shabbaton, our school-wide overnight trip.

Top of the ninth. Bases loaded. Three balls. Two Strikes. Two outs. Down one run.

Who would you rather have in your outfield: Torii Hunter or Larry Hisle?

What was more impressive: Ed Battey's 26 home runs in 1963 or Joe Mauer's 28 in 2009?

Is power more important than speed? Do achievements from the past outweigh successes in the present?

It all points to one question with hundreds of possibilities: Which Twin had the greatest offensive season at his position?

Major League baseball has been asking fans this same question in an effort to choose each team's best-ever collection of stars.

They are calling it MLB 9s.

With the A's coming off their third-straight sub .500 season, General Manager Billy Beane has made it clear to the A's very small and ever thinning fan base that rebuilding is key for future success.

The A's over the past two or three seasons have spent most of their efforts trying to replenish their depleted farm-system.

However, last season's off-course "spending spree" that ultimately backfired, caused Beane and the rest of the A's front office to re-evaluate their situation and their biggest organizational needs. 

Winning is a risky business. It's much easier to lose.

But the Atlanta Braves are determined to win in 2010. Not 2011. Not 2012. In 2010.

The problem is Atlanta can't simply hope for the best in 2010. The Yankees can hope for the best. The Phillies can hope for the best.

Those clubs have the answers. There might be a few additions and subtractions here and there, but the gist of a winning franchise is already in place.

From 2002 to 2005, Placido Polanco was a consistent, dependable second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. When Chase Utley burst onto the scene, Polanco was regulated to splitting time at third base.

Now the 34-year-old is returning to Philadelphia, this time as the starting third baseman. The Phillies and Polanco have agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract. A mutual option for a fourth year is also included as well as $450,000 available in award incentives.

The Lowell Spinners, Class-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will welcome Red Sox star and 2001 Spinner Kevin Youkilis back to Lowell for the Eighth Annual Lowell Spinners Alumni Dinner Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in downtown Lowell to raise money for the Joann Weber Charitable Fund.

There are plenty in the Natosphere that want Mike Rizzo and the Washington Nationals to make a big splash and sign a bunch of free agents this winter to improve the product on the field.

After two straight 100-loss seasons, I'm sure Rizzo is tempted to make a run at Matt Holliday, John Lackey, etc.

But prudence, rather than exuberance, should rule the day.

If you take a good look at the Nats' 2010 lineup, the hitters are credible enough to imitate a wild card caliber team.

It's the quiet ones that you never suspect.

If you asked who is the least likely on the Cleveland Indians to be involved in any sort of public situation unrelated to baseball, Grady Sizemore would probably the last person I'd think of.

Here is a superstar that seeks not to be a superstar. He strives for greatness on the field, but could do without the accolades and attention that comes with it. He doesn't seek out endorsements and if he does have any, they aren't big time sponsors.

Placido Polanco didn’t receive an arbitration offer from the Tigers, making him all the more valuable on the open market.  He didn’t last long on that open market and is reportedly heading to the Philadelphia Phillies.

It is being reported that Polanco is getting a 3-year deal worth $18M.  There is a mutual option for the fourth year.  The Phillies obviously don’t have room for Polanco at second base since they have Chase Utley, so it appears that Placido will be making a return to third base.