Billy Joel is scheduled to play eight ballparks this summer plus one football stadium, Lambeau Field. Here he is playing “Allentown” at Shea Stadium in 2008.
Everyone’s Favorite Crazy Closer Brian Wilson Planning Comeback as a Knuckleballer
ESPN – Former reliever Brian Wilson is planning a comeback — as a knuckleballer. Wilson hasn’t pitched professionally since 2014 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he recently has thrown for at least two teams, Yahoo Sports reports.
If there is anyone who deserves to have a second career as a knuckleballer it’s Brian Wilson. That guy is batshit crazy in the mold of someone like Bill the Spaceman Lee. Coming off his second Tommy John surgery, the days of Wilson throwing triple digits are in the rear view mirror. So we need Wilson to get good at knuckleballs and fast. Knuckleballers are notoriously a little odd, probably just because its one of those positions that so few people can relate to. You’re basically on your own trying to figure out how to make this whiffle ball pitch good enough to strike out major league hitters while throwing 60 mph meatballs.
There’s so few pitchers that have been good at consistently throwing knuckleballs that its almost impossible to groom in a player. I mean the Red Sox had one of the best knuckleball pitchers ever in Tim Wakefield so a guy like Steven Wright definitely had a huge advantage.
As a knuckleballer, Wilson likely would attempt to move from relief to a starting role. “I can already see myself out there,” he told Yahoo, “throwing up some waffles.”
But can you imagine a former flamethrower in Wilson, a guy who used to throw up some sort of UFC/MMA “X” with his arms after nailing down a save, a guy who legit painted his beard with shoe polish so it would be jet black, that guy coming back as a slow pitch softball player on the mound? Just lofting knuckles hoping they don’t get hit to the goddamn moon? Would be A+ viewing material. Plus he’s a New Hampshire guy, so he’s definitely already a little bit off. He was born for this.
MLB to Get Serious about Speeding up Games
ESPN – Is this the year baseball raises the strike zone? Is it the year the sport does away with the practice of lobbing four balls toward home plate to issue an intentional walk? Major League Baseball has made formal proposals to the players’ union to usher in both of those changes.
ESPN – MLB will test a rule change in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League this summer that will automatically place a runner on second base at the start of extra innings.
The days between the Super Bowl and MLB Opening Day are the dreariest days of the year for sports talk. Even for the diehards, breaking down regular season hockey and basketball games every day can get tedious. Topics like MLB’s pace of play can get a lot of attention in February.
You gotta admire MLB’s attempt to steer the conversation on the pace of play discussion. “Games lasting longer three hours have nothing to do with endless Southwest Airlines commercials. Nothing at all. It’s all those intentional walks and extra inning games slowing us down! Yeah, that’s it!”
Actually, only 7.6% of MLB games last year went to extra innings. Of those extra inning games, 40% ended after just 10 innings. Only 32 games went past 12 innings last year.
There were 932 intentional walks last season. That may seem like a lot, but that’s out of 2430 games played across the league last year. That works out to one intentional walk every two and half games or so. On a night when all 30 teams are playing, you might see about 6 intentional walks.
Speeding up extra innings and/or intentional walks does not seem like the best way to regularly speed up the pace of play or cut down game times significantly. I think if MLB wants to get serious, they’ll have to consider George Carlin’s rule proposals from 1986.
If that doesn’t work, maybe we can cut a few Southwest ads after all. I don’t know that many people need to fly from Manchester to Albany for 49 bucks any time soon anyways.
Mariners Top Spring Training Cap Power Rankings
The trident returns and it is 🔥.
Here’s your first look at our cap and threads for #MarinersST 2017. pic.twitter.com/qFWhbkY1H9
— Mariners (@Mariners) February 3, 2017
A+ tweet, Mariners. The 300s can confirm that this hat is, in fact, 🔥.
I’m semiretired from the hat game. Bought a ton in high school, college and right after college. Sadly, real world expenses have put a real dent in my sports apparel budget. A few times a year, though, something new catches my eye. This Mariners spring training cap definitely passes the eye test for me.
MLB unveiled their 2017 spring training collection earlier today, and the new Mariners cap is definitely the big winner. The Mariners already had a solid “fauxback” cap in their rotation, which features their current logo in their old color scheme. This new spring training cap seems like the next logical step – their old logo with their current color scheme.
Some other big winners today are the Cubs, who brought back their “angry cub” sleeve patch from the 80’s for their new spring training cap. The Mets continue to push Mr. Met back into the witness protection program and the Rays continue to push the limits of powder blue. The new Yankees cap might be the only swing and miss for me. Their pinstripes are iconic but seem out of place on the brim of a cap.
The whole 2017 Spring Training cap lineup can be seen on Chris Creamer’s SportsLogos.Net.
Episode 001 of The 300s Podcast Coming In Hot!
This is it. The start of the 300s media empire. Unless you’d rather listen to guys scream at each other on the radio about why Drew Pomeranz should be coming outta the bullpen. This is a podcast from real fans who talk the way you do; no hyped up hot takes or mock outrage. Just shooting the shit. In the very first episode of The 300s Podcast we talk about how Los Angeles has too many football teams, NFL coaches getting fired/hired, the Red Sox rotation vs the Mets, how the Islanders ended up with a bastard dragon as their mascot and is it possible to buy season tickets without having a panic attack? Subscribe today!
Red Sox Re-Sign Jackie Bradley Jr. for $3.6 Million to Avoid Arbitration
ESPN – “The Boston Red Sox have avoided salary arbitration with Jackie Bradley Jr., agreeing to a $3.6 million deal with the All-Star outfielder, a source told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Bradley made $546,500 last season and will be eligible for arbitration in each of the next three years. Bradley, 26, enjoyed a breakout season in 2016, batting .267 with career highs of 26 home runs, 87 RBIs and 94 runs scored. He was voted a starter for the American League in the All-Star Game and helped Boston win the AL East with a 93-69 record.”
Its a good thing the Red Sox stuck with it when guys like Jackie Bradley Jr were struggling because with all the $20 million pitchers on the roster, theres not really much money left for expensive outfielders. Now the Sox have one of the best outfielders in all of baseball and all 3 guys are on rookie contracts. As anti-Theo as Dombrowski is, that is exactly what Theo preaches. Build up your farm system to be the core of your team and then add in a few high priced vets to fill out the roster, especially pitching.
I’m sure JBJ’s number will continue to rise, but if he puts up numbers similar to last year then $3.6 million is an absolute bargain. Not a bad bump for him either, essentially getting paid 6x what he made last year. I’d take that deal every day of the week.
Voltron at 3B Cancelled by Red Sox; Plouffe Signs with the A’s
MassLive – “The Oakland Athletics have agreed to a deal with infielder Trevor Plouffe worth approximately $5 million plus incentives, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball and FanRag Sports. It had been reported Dec. 27 that the Red Sox were interested in signing Plouffe.”
Cancel the assembling of Voltron at third base. The Red Sox had been reported as in on Trevor Plouffe, which would have been at the very least some competition for the Panda at the hot corner. But he just signed with the Oakland A’s so cancel that. Welp, at least we all know Sandoval is the beacon of self control, inner fortitude and loves to compete with himself… Marco Hernandez is gonna push the shit out of Panda or maybe Brock Holt just up and takes the job for a couple months at a time. Or maybe, in a wild twist the $100 million third baseman starts earning some paychecks. Buckle up.
Also, $5 million bucks for a career .247 hitter? Peace.
Is Manny Playing Japanese Independent Island League Baseball at 44 Sad or Awesome? Lets Make the Case
ESPN – “Former major league outfielder Manny Ramirez has agreed to terms with the Kochi Fighting Dogs of Japan’s independent Shikoku Island League.”
Guys this is sad. This is Manny Ramirez. The guy who never seemed to give a shit about baseball or his teammates or about much at all seemingly can’t quit the game. Manny was one of the greatest hitters of my generation, maybe of all-time, but the guy was so frustrating. It was like babysitting at times, but in the end it was worth it because when he was going .300/40/140 you’ll put up with a lot of shit.  It was just “Manny being Manny.”
The thing about this though is its not like Manny needs the money. And its not like he’s expecting to make a MLB comeback at age 44. Hell he’s actually raking over there. He hit.352 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs playing in Taiwan in 2013. So he’s probably doing it just because he loves to play baseball. Maybe he’s like an old man who’s just now looking back and regretting not caring more? Maybe he misses the good old days? Or Maybe he just wants to swing through his goddamn shoes every at bat. I mean thats why I play beer league softball. Not to pad my OBP; I want to try and hit a HR every single at bat, regardless of my debatable power.
Alright, I think I’ve come full circle and changed my mind. You do you, Manny. Have a beer or 6 and swing for the fences. Thats what mens league/Japanese Independent Island League baseball is all about.
Cue the highlights!
Would Bryce Harper Spurn the Yankees Over His Lettuce?
Yahoo – “Even the most ardent Bryce Harper haters have to admit one thing: The Washington Nationals outfielder has a strong hair game. We’re not just talking about the hair on his head, either, though it is spectacular…It’s no secret Harper rooted for the Yankees growing up, and there’s been speculation about him joining the club the instant he becomes a free-agent for years now. Knowing that, [Clint] Frazier took the opportunity to do a little recruiting for New York.”
If you’ve ever had any hope of Bryce Harper spurning the Yankees (who he’s long been rumored to be destined for in Free Agency), then this is your best shot. Bryce Harper, the young, cocky dude who mashes dingers all while rocking the best hair in baseball and a full beard. Not on the Yankees because of their nonsensical rules on hair and facial hair. Bryce would have to shave the beard and start rocking a boy’s regular. Not this guy.
Would his glorious lettuce be enough for Harper to say forget that, I’ll go mash somewhere else and look like Jayson Werth if I want? Thats what I’m hoping at least. I love Harper and I think he’d be a cult figure in Boston; a fiery asshole that lives and dies with every play, runs into walls and absolutely rakes? Yea I think Massholes would take a liking to him. Either way, anyone but the Yankees. Thats just what they need, an MVP slugger in his prime. Don’t do it Bryce. Just look at the damage the Yankees have done to lettuce over the years.
PS – I’m already distraught over the lettuce that Yankees top prospect Clint Frazier will soon have to axe. RIP.
Red Sox Looking to Cobble Together a Third Baseman: Interested in Trevor Plouffe
NBC Sports – The Red Sox are interested in free agent third baseman Trevor Plouffe, Evan Drellich reports for the Boston Herald. If the two sides were to reach an agreement, Plouffe would likely be utilized in a utility or platoon role.
Can’t have an All-Star at every position I guess. As much as people wanted the Red Sox to smash open the piggy bank and go all in by signing a guy like Edwin Encarnacion, it wasn’t really realistic. Whether that reason truly is just a matter of staying under the luxury tax, who knows. But this Sox team is set at just about every position, except for ya know that glaring hole at 3rd base. With one of the worst outputs in the entire league at 3B last year, the Sox are desperate for some production out of the hot corner. So while Plouffe certainly won’t step in and be The Guy, he can contribute as a utility guy and provide a little safety net if Panda shits the bed.
So God help you Pablo Sandoval if this whole “I’m gonna lose weight to revive my career” thing is bullshit.
ICYMI – Pablo Sandoval looks to be slimmed down and in great shape down in Fla – photo courtesy Alvaro Hernandez – #wbz #RedSox pic.twitter.com/YX2zNm1E3U
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) December 6, 2016
The 300s 