Here's a promise: The Frosty Mug will never be delayed to allow a half-hour national political ad. Ever.
In Arizona: Taylor Green went 1-for-4 with a walk, Lorenzo Cain went 2-for-5 but was caught stealing, Brae Wright struck out the side and pitched a perfect inning for his third hold, and David Welch retired the last batter to pick up his first save as the Javelinas defeated Mesa, 6-4. Lou Palmisano went 0-for-2 with a walk for the Solar Sox before being replaced by a pinch runner, caught Lorenzo Cain stealing and committed a throwing error.
The Javelinas host Mesa today at 2:35.
In Hawai'i: Logan Schafer went 0-for-2 with two walks, Caleb Gindl went 1-for-3 with a run scored and Mike Ramlow allowed two runs on two hits in one inning of work as the CaneFires defeated Honolulu 7-2 in 7 innings.
The CaneFires host Honolulu again at 8 tonight.
In Mexico: Erasmo Ramirez gave up a hit that allowed inherited runners to score and was credited with his second blown save, but he also pitched a scoreless third of an inning for his first win as the Algodoneros defeated Hermosillo, 7-6.
In Venezuela: Four Brewers debuted on Opening Day in the Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional. Amazingly, all of them have individual stats even though no one has a box score. Correction: These stats are from Tuesday's action. Wednesday's results will be in Friday's Frosty Mug. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot and I write the Mug before coffee? Brewer appearances Tuesday:
- Brendan Katin went 1-for-5 with his first HR for Zulia.
- Jay Gibbons went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts but walked and scored a run for Magallanes.
- Also for Magallanes, Tony Gwynn went 1-for-5 with a K.
- Hernan Iribarren went 1-for-2 with a double and two walks for Lara.
I feel like this is the 50th time I've said it shouldn't be long before the managerial situation is resolved. If it gets resolved yet this week and Doug Melvin finally agrees to an extension, items 1 and 2 will be crossed off the postseason to do list.
Welcome to day ten of another full offseason spent debating the merits of Rickie Weeks. Today, The Junkball Blues notes that Weeks turned about the number of double plays that would be expected from someone who spent the same number of innings at second base. That's fine, but the argument doesn't hold water because continued failure to convert routine double plays is something I can observe with my eyes.
Beyond the Box Score ranked Mike Cameron as the 12th best CF in 2008. Also worth noting from that article: I don't think I've ever seen anything, positive or negative, written about Nate McLouth's defense, but he somehow managed to cost the Pirates 16 runs in the field this season.
Would that be enough to keep him off the all-NM team? It's hard to say. Batter's Box Interactive has issued a challenge to build the best possible historical team using only players with the same syllables initials. (Related note: My IQ today is under 10.) Jay, this strikes me as being right in your wheelhouse.
I don't think an RY team would be very competitive, even if Seamheads did rank Robin Yount the fourth greatest shortstop of all time.
Bird Land has a poll to determine which four faces belong on the Cardinals' Mt. Rushmore. That got me thinking: are there four Brewers worthy of such an honor? Let's hear your nominees in the comments, and if there's interest I'll put a poll together at a later date.
No nominations will be accepted for Craig Counsell. FanGraphs thinks it's time for Craig Counsell to start working on the "future manager" part of his career.
Does any sport have more byzantine roster rules than baseball? I'm still trying to figure out who's eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, and now also trying to understand free agent quotas. The latter doesn't sound like it'll come into play this offseason, but it still belongs alongside Super 2's and the aforementioned Rule 5 Draft on the confusing rule Mt. Rushmore.
So the Mariners have named the three finalists for their GM position, meaning it's probably safe to assume we'll get to keep Jack Z. for at least another year.
Should the Brewers have sported mohawks for the NLDS? It's one of the many non-plausible explanations for the Rays' playoff success despite their lack of playoff experience. Lookout Landing has a post and some stats on players with (and without) playoff experience and their performances in 2008.
If you're getting a busy signal, that means three people are calling his phone at once: Josh Phelps is a free agent after being let go by the Cardinals yesterday. There are worse platoon guys out there.
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse thinks the Cubs should replace Kosuke Fukudome with Milton Bradley, who could combine with Carlos Zambrano to form some kind of hot-headed Voltron.
Leo Mazzone is back to looking for work as a pitching coach after taking 2008 off. Click the link to read a quote where he buries the Orioles organization.
Oh, and this story about Joe Posnanski's email being hacked is 15 minutes of your life you'll never want back.
Drink up.