The Balk - Interleague Reality & Fantasy

The Balk is half Larry's rambling thoughts on baseball and half fantasy baseball thoughts.

The Counselor is IN:

Larry's Ramblings:

Has the luster of Interleague games worn off? I have heard some commotion about getting rid of these games between the leagues. Often this is from the "traditionalists" that cry out for Major League baseball to head back to the way baseball used to be played. Of course these same traditionalists don't want us to go back to the days of underhand pitching, a best of 9 game World Series, or using metal polls instead of bases. No they want baseball to be the way it was when they were children. I know it is fond memories of a simpler time when baseball players were more human and less diva. It could be argued that the divas were not as exposed to fans as they are today.

For me, the luster of Interleague play has not worn off. I still find myself intrigued by the match ups of teams in different leagues. I know that it may be less dramatic when the World Series comes around in October if the teams have faced each other. But I think each Interleague Series can be almost that intense.

I watched most of the Cardinals/Royals game from Wednesday night and loved it. I love the rule differences and how the visitors have to adjust. I am fascinated with the American League pitchers batting in the National League parks and the National League pitchers having to face another big bat in the American League parks. It is part of the fun. I hope it becomes something the traditionalists of the future fondly remember.

Fantasy Section:

2nd Half Players/ Studs
Here is a list of players that may play well in the second half of the season. Historically many of them are better after the All Star game than before. Trading for these guys could benefit your team.

--1B Mark Teixeira - you may be able to make a good trade for him. Someone may be willing to part with him since he is batting a mild .266. But he also has 10 homers so it will still cost you something of value. He is starting to get hot. You should get him now if you can.

-- 1B Richie Sexson- Richie always plays better in the second half and it is a good chance he will be on a new team. Rumors are that the Mariners will drop him very soon. His .220 BA is not helping. He could be a source of cheap power off of the waivers but be cautious.

-- OF Carlos Beltran- He is a traditional second half stud. He is currently batting a good .273 BA with 10 homers and 10 SB. I think he will find his power stroke in the summer months and move the homer total closer to 30 while inching the BA to .285.

-- OF Jermaine Dye- Another player who is known for strong second halves. He is already batting well with 12 homers and a .286 Batting Average. You will have to make a sweet deal to steal him away from a team but I think he will pay off for you.

-- Pitcher Johan Santana- Yes everybody wants Santana and it will be almost impossible to trade for him. I owned Santana in my AL only league for 6 years. Every year he was unhittable in the second half of the season. He is a huge part of my domination of that league. If you can trade for him, do it and laugh all the way to the bank. Johan is a second half super-stud. He already has a 7 wins, a 3.04 ERA and a WHIP of 1.21. Look for 15 to 18 wins with an ERA of 2.80 or less and a WHIP of 1.09.

The Counselor is OUT:

The Balk 6-12-08

The Counselor is IN:

Larry's Ramblings:

I recently spent an evening at Hammons Field, the ballpark for the Springfield Cardinals. The Springfield Cardinals are the AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. This team played in the Championship series for the Texas League last year. In Springfield, we do get to see the up and coming players before they become Major League stars.

With prices at $6 a ticket, I can afford to take my family out to the ballpark and have good seats. It has become an economic hardship to my family to Busch Stadium to see the big Cards with the noise bleed seats. Financially there is no comparison.

The game was a reminder of why I love baseball. A live baseball game has wonderful atmosphere. I love the mix of the smell of the grass and the hotdog vender. You have the crowd cheering for the home team. With every man, woman, and child singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", it was nostalgic and wonderful.

Fantasy Section:
It is nearing the middle of June. You should have a good idea of what your players are doing. You should know if your team is a contender or not.

If a contender, then you need to examine what will make your team better. Do you need that one top starter to push you over or a stolen base guy to help you in a week category? No team is perfect. The other contenders will be examining their teams and attempting to make trades. Even if you are winning your league easily, you should examine possible trades. Rarely have I seen someone leading at the All Star Game not make a move and still win their league in a traditional roto league.

If you are out of contention, then you should be examining big names that you might want to trade. This is particularly true in keeper leagues. If you have a keeper league, trade off that big name for up and coming players. Done properly, this can get you into contention next year. If you are not in a keeper league, then you should be open to trading for quality players to advance your position this year

The key to performing well in Fantasy Baseball is continued to pay attention. So often the long daily season will cause some owners to stop paying attention. Replace your injuries and examine trade options and free agency pickups. If you do this, it should help your team stay near the top.

The Counselor is OUT:

"The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat"

The Counselor is IN:

The famous words "Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" is burned in the memory of many sports fans which grew up in the 70's and 80's. We tuned in many of a Saturday afternoon to see where in "Wide World of Sports" we would be taken. It might be a skiing competition, or a Harlem Globetrotter Game, or Evel Knievel or some other wacky sporting event. We all remember the intro with the skiing accident scene. The voice of this intro, Jim McKay, was often the sportscaster reporting from the event.

Yesterday, June 7, 2008, Jim McKay passed away from natural causes at 86 years of age. Other than the Wide World of Sports, he was most known for his coverage of horse races, like yesterday's Belmont Stakes, and the Olympics. He covered the horrific Munich Massacre during the 1972 Summer Olympics.

My condolences, prayers, and thoughts go out to the memorable sportscaster's family.

The Counselor is OUT:

Johnson to give Gold metal back for relay

The Counselor is IN:

According to SI, Olympic track sprinter Michael Johnson is set to give back his gold metal for the 2000 Sydney Olympics 1,600-meter relay. The world record holder for the 200 and 400 meters stated that he was shocked by the doping admission, performance-enhancing drugs, of former teammate Antonio Pettigrew. He stated that he will give this medal back to the International Olympic Committee because it is tainted with Pettigrew's admission.

Johnson has 5 Olympic gold metals and will still have 4 when he gives the relay one back. A gold metal is what track and field athletes train for their entire lives. It displays that they were the best in the world on that day. Giving a gold metal back would be pain stakenly difficult. I am sure it will be easier since he still has 4 other gold metals but it still would be a difficult decision to make. I commend Michael Johnson for his good conscience on this matter.

The Counselor is OUT:

The Balk 6-3-08

The Counselor is IN:

The Chicago White Sox face a lot of adversity this year with a lack of offensive prowess. It has not stopped them from leading their division with a 30 and 26 record. It also has not stopped Manager Ozzie Guillen from going on one of his usual tie raids. He stated the following over the weekend, ”I'm sick and tired to watch this thing for a year and a half. I'm not protecting anybody anymore. ... If they can't get it done, Kenny (General Manager) should find someone to get it done." His boss, Kenny Williams, stated that Ozzie should be cautious of throwing him under the boss since he has been the guy defending Ozzie. They ended up burying the hatchet and now love each other again. It appears that they are going to have to live with each other for this season especially if they continue to win in spite of their manager

I have heard it described as "Ozzie being Ozzie". You have to wonder if there does become a point where Ozzie goes from being an asset to a liability. His players do usually like Ozzie and often play well for him. Is this enough to deal with these continual distractions? We will see over time. A couple of years ago, Ozzie had to undergo sensitivity training after calling Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti inappropriate names.

Fantasy Information:

* Key injuries

DH- David Ortiz Red Sox: He has a partially torn tendon in his left wrist. Ortiz should be able to avoid surgery on this wrist which is good news. He will be out for at least a month. The Sox will be lucky if he is back right after the All Star Game.

3B- Ryan Zimmerman- Nationals: The 23 year old has a small labral tear in his left shoulder. He was added to the DL retro to May 26. He was hitting .257 with 8 homers and 27 RBIs. With this injury, there is no guarantee when or if he will return this season.

* Players that might be available free agents in your league.

OF - Jay Bruce- Reds: Bruce has been in the majors for 7 days. If he is still available in your league then grab him right now. He is only batting .577, three home runs, seven RBI, and 12 runs. This in 7 games. He will not continue to hit .577 but he has hit for good average in the minors. I expect him to continue to play well and to be in contention for Rookie of the Year.

Starter Pitcher- Bartolo Colon- Red Sox: Yes this is the same Colon that killed you last year. He is also known as the "Big Fat Bartolo Colon" by Matthew "the Talent Mr. Roto" Berry. Bartolo may only be a temporary fix but he does play for the Red Sox so he will win some games. Here are his current stats: 3 wins, 3.50 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP.

OF- Coco Crisp- Red Sox: Coco is the forth outfielder for the Red Sox. He has already been a source of cheap steals. With Ortiz on the DL, Coco should get consistent playing time, which he has not seen this year. I would expect his average and steals to go up. If you need steals, then here is your source.

The Counselor is OUT: