The Steroid Era is definitely over. If you think hitting is down in the American League in 2011, you're right; the numbers show it. According to Baseball Reference, the current American League batting average as of April 14th, 2011 is .248
That's the lowest league batting average since 1972, when A.L. batters hit .239. That's also a 12-point drop from the 2010 figure of .260. During the height of the Steroid Era, the A.L. registered figures of .277 in 1996, .276 in 2000, and .275 as recently as 2006.
Other offensive numbers have dropped, but not as noticeably. Home runs per game are only down from 0.97 in 2010 to 0.96 this year. Runs per game are down from 4.45 in 2010 to 4.39 this year (reached a high of 5.39 in 1996). Perhaps in response to the drop in hitting, stolen bases are up from 0.66 per game in 2010 to 0.74 this year as managers scramble to get more out of those batters who get on base. This drop is also reflected in pitching; the league ERA is down to 4.00, the lowest figure since the 3.92 number posted in 1992.
By teams, nine A.L. teams have batting averages of less than .250, and five of those teams are hitting .230 or less at this point of the season. In pitching, seven teams have ERAs of 4.00 or higher, but three teams have ERAs of under 3.00. There were some seasons during the Steroid Era in which no A.L. team had an ERA of under 4.00.
The decline in hitting is not mirrored in the National League. The N.L.'s batting average is currently .258, up from .255 in 2010. The latter figure was the lowest since 1992, which was a down year offensively for all of major league baseball. Stolen bases are up from 0.56 per game in 2010 to 0.71 this year. On the other hand, power is down in the National League, from 0.93 home runs per game in 2010 to 0.85 this year, the lowest since 1992. On the pitching side of the house, league ERA is down slightly to 4.01.
In contrast to the A.L., 13 of the 16 N.L. teams have batting averages of over .250. Four teams are hitting .280 or better. On the pitching side of the house, 10 of the 16 N.L. teams have ERAs of under 4.00, but four teams are over 5.00.
The National League is outhitting the American League even though it's the American League which uses the designated hitter.
Jeremy Lundblad picks up on this trend on ESPN. He notes that while A.L. teams are hitting almost the same at home (.246) as on the road (.247), N.L. teams are substantially better at home (.271) than on the road (.251). He also points out that A.L. teams are hitting .237 at night compared to .256 during the day. And finally, Lundblad reveals an interesting age gap in American League pitching; those who are age 30 or younger combine for a 3.73 ERA, while those older combine for a 5.06 ERA. The American League has received an influx of young pitchers.
As temperatures warm up and pitchers begin to tire, we can expect American League hitting to rebound. But the A.L. is still on track to have its worst hitting season since 1992, at the very least. After the excesses of the Steroid Era, it's good to see some balance back in baseball.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Billionaire Ron Burkle Surfaces As Possible "Savior" Of The Sacramento Kings; NBA Commish David Stern Intrigued
The drama involving the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association took an interesting turn on April 14th, 2011, and it may result in the Kings staying put.
During the April 14th meeting with the NBA Board of Governors at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, various parties made their respective pitches. The three Maloof brothers (George, Gavin, and Joe), the current co-owners of the Kings, made a pitch to their fellow owners about what's good and bad about Sacramento and Anaheim. George Maloof claimed they made progress, and are likely to seek formal seek permission to move the team, most likely to Anaheim, by the league-imposed deadline of Monday April 18th. However, he suggested that the Kings could stay in Sacramento if they sense that owners are opposed to the move.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait was also present, and later said that he made the case to the NBA that the Anaheim could support the team and that they are very excited. Tait also noted that he did not get questions from the NBA owners he met with. AP news video embedded below:
But overshadowing the Maloofs was the emergence of a possible buyer with serious financial stroke, who wants to keep the Kings in town. Sacramento lobbyist Darius Anderson, representing billionaire Ron Burkle, presented his principal's plan alongside Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Burkle, whose wealth is estimated at $3.2 billion, wants to buy the team and keep it in Sacramento. However, it appears he'll insist upon a new arena, although Anderson did not specify who would pay for it. Sacramento voters previously rejected an attempt to build a new arena with tax dollars.
The mere mention of Burkle's name clearly piqued the interest of the most influential voice in the NBA. When Kevin Johnson told Commissioner David Stern he might have a buyer for the Kings, Stern made a crack about it being a local car dealer. But when Johnson mentioned Burkle's name, Stern reportedly got real quiet and said, "You've got Burkle?" Burkle co-owns the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and was instrumental in getting a new arena built in Pittsburgh to keep the team from moving to Kansas City three years ago.
The Sacramento Bee reports that if Burkle is unsuccessful in his attempt to buy the Kings, and the Kings leave town, he's likely to try to buy another NBA franchise and relocate it to Sacramento. The New Orleans Hornets, a troubled franchise literally taken over by the league in 2010, would be the most likely candidate. Although the Maloofs have previously stated they don't want to sell the Kings, the team's value has steadily declined. According to Forbes, the team's value has dropped from $350 million in 2008 to $293 million this year, ranking the Kings at 24th in the NBA. The prospect of further decline might make an offer by Burkle more attractive.
The best-case scenario would be to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Despite the fact that they've fallen on hard times artistically during the past three years, the fans continue to support the team. Yahoo Sports details the top five moments in Kings' history HERE. Some indicate they'll continue to support the team even if it moves. There's also a potential legislative roadblock to an Anaheim move; the leader of the California state Senate, President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, has introduced a bill requiring the Maloofs to repay a $77 million loan to the city of Sacramento before they can move the club to Anaheim. The bill is broadly worded and would prohibit any professional sports club from relocating within California unless the franchise has paid off its existing debt.
Furthermore, as much as I would like to see Anaheim get an NBA team, the Kings are not the answer. SoCal already has two teams, the Lakers and the Clippers. While both share the Staples Arena, L.A. is Lakertown, and the Clippers will always be the "little brother". A move to Anaheim, preferably without Clippers owner Donald Sterling, would enable them to get a fresh start and develop a true identity of their own.
During the April 14th meeting with the NBA Board of Governors at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, various parties made their respective pitches. The three Maloof brothers (George, Gavin, and Joe), the current co-owners of the Kings, made a pitch to their fellow owners about what's good and bad about Sacramento and Anaheim. George Maloof claimed they made progress, and are likely to seek formal seek permission to move the team, most likely to Anaheim, by the league-imposed deadline of Monday April 18th. However, he suggested that the Kings could stay in Sacramento if they sense that owners are opposed to the move.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait was also present, and later said that he made the case to the NBA that the Anaheim could support the team and that they are very excited. Tait also noted that he did not get questions from the NBA owners he met with. AP news video embedded below:
But overshadowing the Maloofs was the emergence of a possible buyer with serious financial stroke, who wants to keep the Kings in town. Sacramento lobbyist Darius Anderson, representing billionaire Ron Burkle, presented his principal's plan alongside Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Burkle, whose wealth is estimated at $3.2 billion, wants to buy the team and keep it in Sacramento. However, it appears he'll insist upon a new arena, although Anderson did not specify who would pay for it. Sacramento voters previously rejected an attempt to build a new arena with tax dollars.
The mere mention of Burkle's name clearly piqued the interest of the most influential voice in the NBA. When Kevin Johnson told Commissioner David Stern he might have a buyer for the Kings, Stern made a crack about it being a local car dealer. But when Johnson mentioned Burkle's name, Stern reportedly got real quiet and said, "You've got Burkle?" Burkle co-owns the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and was instrumental in getting a new arena built in Pittsburgh to keep the team from moving to Kansas City three years ago.
The Sacramento Bee reports that if Burkle is unsuccessful in his attempt to buy the Kings, and the Kings leave town, he's likely to try to buy another NBA franchise and relocate it to Sacramento. The New Orleans Hornets, a troubled franchise literally taken over by the league in 2010, would be the most likely candidate. Although the Maloofs have previously stated they don't want to sell the Kings, the team's value has steadily declined. According to Forbes, the team's value has dropped from $350 million in 2008 to $293 million this year, ranking the Kings at 24th in the NBA. The prospect of further decline might make an offer by Burkle more attractive.
The best-case scenario would be to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Despite the fact that they've fallen on hard times artistically during the past three years, the fans continue to support the team. Yahoo Sports details the top five moments in Kings' history HERE. Some indicate they'll continue to support the team even if it moves. There's also a potential legislative roadblock to an Anaheim move; the leader of the California state Senate, President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, has introduced a bill requiring the Maloofs to repay a $77 million loan to the city of Sacramento before they can move the club to Anaheim. The bill is broadly worded and would prohibit any professional sports club from relocating within California unless the franchise has paid off its existing debt.
Furthermore, as much as I would like to see Anaheim get an NBA team, the Kings are not the answer. SoCal already has two teams, the Lakers and the Clippers. While both share the Staples Arena, L.A. is Lakertown, and the Clippers will always be the "little brother". A move to Anaheim, preferably without Clippers owner Donald Sterling, would enable them to get a fresh start and develop a true identity of their own.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Human Rights Campaign Gets Campy Because They Think Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant Called A Referee A "Faggot"
The self-appointed gay rights watchdog Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has called upon Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant to apologize for allegedly calling a referee a "fucking faggot" during an April 12th, 2011 game between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles. They cite as anecdotal evidence the fact that TNT play-by-play announcer Steve Kerr apparently reacted, announcing on the air that TNT "might want to take the camera off him right now, for the children watching". As additional evidence, HRC cites a statement by English rugby star Ben Cohen, described as a straight ally who is a staunch supporter of LGBT equality, in which Cohen condemns Bryant as well.
HRC issued the following statement:
Another gay-rights watchdog has joined the hunt. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has contacted the Lakers and is demanding disciplinary action. Outsports, a LGBT sports website, wants Bryant suspended for one playoff game.
But did Kobe Bryant actually use the word "faggot"? Watch the video below; you'll see it at the 0:35 minute point:
http://youtu.be/t84p7mcK2Pk
It looks like it, but one cannot be absolutely sure. He could have said the phrase "fucking fake". It is also quite possible that Steve Kerr was cautioning the television audience because of the use of the word "fucking". And why does it really matter, anyway; such words are used in the heat of battle. Kobe Bryant has a reputation for being foul-mouthed, but no one has called him out for taking the name of the Lord in vain.
The L.A. Times reports that Bryant expressed public regret over the incident, saying "what I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone." But HRC doesn't think that's good enough because it creates one of those legendary "teachable moments"; presumably, they want him to go on the pro-gay trail and "atone" for his actions. I'm sure HRC wouldn't be too upset if Kobe Bryant shoveled some money at them, either.
Why is Kobe Bryant so upset over a technical foul? Because it's his 15th of the season, and if he reaches 16, he'll face a one-game suspension from the league. But he won't serve the suspension until the first game of the 2011-12 season, because technical foul totals are reset when the playoffs begin. So he won't be suspended during the playoffs, which means he over-reacted.
Public Reaction: Comments posted to the TMZ story are distinctly unsupportive of HRC.
Grace makes an interesting point. Why wasn't HRC offended by the use of the OTHER f-word?
HRC issued the following statement:
“What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching. Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate. Bryant and the Lakers have a responsibility to speak up on this issue immediately. America is watching.”
Another gay-rights watchdog has joined the hunt. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has contacted the Lakers and is demanding disciplinary action. Outsports, a LGBT sports website, wants Bryant suspended for one playoff game.
But did Kobe Bryant actually use the word "faggot"? Watch the video below; you'll see it at the 0:35 minute point:
http://youtu.be/t84p7mcK2Pk
It looks like it, but one cannot be absolutely sure. He could have said the phrase "fucking fake". It is also quite possible that Steve Kerr was cautioning the television audience because of the use of the word "fucking". And why does it really matter, anyway; such words are used in the heat of battle. Kobe Bryant has a reputation for being foul-mouthed, but no one has called him out for taking the name of the Lord in vain.
The L.A. Times reports that Bryant expressed public regret over the incident, saying "what I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone." But HRC doesn't think that's good enough because it creates one of those legendary "teachable moments"; presumably, they want him to go on the pro-gay trail and "atone" for his actions. I'm sure HRC wouldn't be too upset if Kobe Bryant shoveled some money at them, either.
Why is Kobe Bryant so upset over a technical foul? Because it's his 15th of the season, and if he reaches 16, he'll face a one-game suspension from the league. But he won't serve the suspension until the first game of the 2011-12 season, because technical foul totals are reset when the playoffs begin. So he won't be suspended during the playoffs, which means he over-reacted.
Update: CNN now reports that the NBA has fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for "offensive and inexcusable" comments he made during Tuesday night's game. Bryant also personally apologized to HRC President Joe Solomonese. GLAAD has issued a statement supporting the NBA's decision.
Public Reaction: Comments posted to the TMZ story are distinctly unsupportive of HRC.
Posted at 7:58 AM on Apr 13, 2011 by MAXny:
WOW!!! As a proud, proud gay man I DO NOT find it offensive. The Human Rihts Campaign DOESN'T speak for all LGBT persons. Stop making a mountain out of a molehill. There are much bigger problems in the world, than Kobe saying, f*ggot. Stop crying, man up, bitches.
Posted at 8:06 AM on Apr 13, 2011 by Bigeasy:
Stupid made up organization trying to become known over a non-issue. That ref didn't see what Kobe said and I'm sure even the players next to him couldn't hear it. So basically Kobe is being criticized for someone reading his lips and guessing what he said. Get over it.
Posted at 8:09 AM on Apr 13, 2011 by onedollarbill:
Jesus, people need to get the sand out of their collective vagina. So what... Kobe was pissed and said something off color in the moment. I'm sure there is not a person here that hasn't said something insensitive, racist, or other when pissed driving on the freeway. The only reason this is even "news" is that it's coming from someone on TV. The country and its political correctness is one in a long list of things that is wrong.
Posted at 8:11 AM on Apr 13, 2011 by Grace:
I am offended with his use of the f***k word just as much as the next word. Bad language is never acceptable when referring to ANYONE!
Grace makes an interesting point. Why wasn't HRC offended by the use of the OTHER f-word?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Welcome To Sports Unveiled
This is the second blog of the "Unveiled" series, the other being Mormonism Unveiled. I will be sharing my thoughts and ideas about sports in general, with emphasis on my favorite teams. These include the Los Angeles Angels (who should be called the ANAHEIM Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers (who should move to Anaheim and leave Donald Sterling behind), the Utah Jazz, the Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Anaheim Ducks. I'll also discuss the best baseball simulation on the market, Strat-O-Matic, from time to time.
Yeah, I spent nine years of my childhood in Orange County, California, where I learned to root for Southern California teams. I started rooting for the Broncos during 1973-75 when I lived in Colorado Springs. And since I have ties to Utah, I root for the Jazz.
I also did root for BYU and Utah, but I'm not too happy about BYU going independent, nor am I pleased with Utah going to the Pac-12. Those teams were the heart and soul of the Mountain West Conference, which was a good conference. But I suppose I hope they do well.
Enjoy the ride.
Yeah, I spent nine years of my childhood in Orange County, California, where I learned to root for Southern California teams. I started rooting for the Broncos during 1973-75 when I lived in Colorado Springs. And since I have ties to Utah, I root for the Jazz.
I also did root for BYU and Utah, but I'm not too happy about BYU going independent, nor am I pleased with Utah going to the Pac-12. Those teams were the heart and soul of the Mountain West Conference, which was a good conference. But I suppose I hope they do well.
Enjoy the ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)