[Reaction] How Deadspin got a Hall of Fame Ballot

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ESPN Radio host and long-time Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard has admitted to giving away his Baseball Hall of Fame ballot to sports-blogging website Deadspin. According to Le Batard himself, Deadspin attempted to buy his ballot but he refused in an attempt to abide by the rules. (ESPN)

Upset with the voting process, Le Batard allowed Deadspin to poll its voters as-to which players they would elect to the Hall. The ten players who received the most votes in the poll were the ten he voted for. 

His motivation for the controversial move was specifically his view that steroid-users with qualifying numbers should be voted into the Hall despite cheating. Aside from that main reason, Le Batard said "I always like a little anarchy inside the cathedral we've made of sports." (Deadspin)

The journalist's actions have left many astounded and with questions. Why does he think he knows best? Why couldn't he have raised his concerns in some democratic and less controversial? What does this mean about the integrity of the system?

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz made clear in a statement that Le Batard recieved his voting right while still at the Miami Herald, and that ESPN "wouldn't have advocated his voting approach". (ESPN)

In a statement posted on--of all sites--Deadspin.com, the "hero" wrote that he is aware of the likely consequences for his actions. He stated he knows his vote will likely be stripped but wouldn't want to vote in this system without its being "reformed". (Deadspin)

This scandal has personally angered me. It seems a narcissistic and immature jerk tried to play hero and single-handedly change a system which has regulated the greatest honor a baseball player could ever have. Dan Le Batard just showed the entire baseball world how highly he thinks of himself and how desperate for attention he is. While I'll admit the system has its flaws and needs to be changed, there are respectful and systematic ways to do that. Le Batard should've added his opinion to the plethora out there and found a different path to intense and legitimate debate.

Home Plate Collisions: Part of the Game or Unsafe?

Major League Baseball is reportedly looking to ban home-plate collisions for the 2014 season. The collisions in question are when a runner can attempt to knock the ball out of the catcher's hand, provided they are blocking home-plate. The MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players' Association) still needs to approve of the law for it to be used in 2014. The proposal will also be presented to the team owners in January for their approval (ESPN). 

ESPN's Buster Olney outlined the proposed change: 

• "Catchers will not be allowed to block home plate.
• Runners will not be permitted to target the catchers.
• The question of whether or not the plate was blocked or the runner targeted the catcher will be reviewable, with an immediate remedy available to the umpires.
• Catchers or runners who violate the new rules will be subject to disciplinary action."

The term "railroading" has been used in recent years to describe what the act has turned into--what some consider violent and unnecessary attempts to bowl-over a catcher. Many injuries have resulted from these attempts, most notably and recently when Giants catcher Buster Posey suffered a broken leg and three torn ankle ligaments back in 2011 (See Video). The MLB has reportedly estimated that 50% of all league concussions have been resulted from the collisions (ESPN). 

 

 Many former players, such as Hall-of-Fame catcher Johnny Bench have agreed with the decisions, citing personal stories:

The collision I had in 75 with Gary Matthews in April crushed the AC joint and I had 6 cortisone shots every 3 weeks. @MLB
— Johnny Bench (@Johnny_Bench5) December 12, 2013

This decision has come amid discussion, debate and even lawsuits regarding the issue. Most notably, the National Football League has made many attempts to deal with the issue--attempts which some say are not enough. Mets manager Sandy Alderson, who happens to be chairman of the rules committee, said "the general occurrence of injuries from these incidents at home plate that affect players, both runners and catchers. And also kind of the general concern about concussions that exists not only in baseball but throughout professional sports and amateur sports today. It's an emerging issue, and one that we in baseball have to address, as well as other sports." 

Many fans have said that collisions are part of the game and its fun. Most fans, in fact, have disagreed with the decision according to an ESPN SportsNation poll.  

QUESTION: Do you agree with the decision to ban home-plate collisions? 

Tweet us @TheMetsBeat with your answer or post a comment in our discussion box to the left of this article. 

[Reaction] Mets Agree to Terms with SP Bartolo Colon

The New York Mets dealt with their need for a starting pitcher today, signing Bartolo Colon to a 2-year contract worth $20-million (NY Post). Colon is 40 years old and has pitched for many teams including the Indians, Angels, Yankees, and most recently the Athletics (Baseball Reference).

Pitching last year for the A's Colon went 18-6, posting a 2.65 ERA and finishing 6th in AL Cy Young Award voting (Baseball Reference). Fans immediately took to Twitter voicing their opinions on what turned out to be a very controversial signing for the fan base.

Colon pitching for the A's (photo:Getty Images)

I find myself very conflicted on this signing. One the one hand Colon posted great numbers last year and good ones in 2012, but at the same time he has a history of steroid use and inconsistency. His cheating past is not much reason for me to discredit his numbers from the past couple of years but it is reason for me to dislike his character. Colon has always been fishy to me, from reports of him visiting experimental doctors (New York Times) to taking testosterone supplements (NY Daily News), he has repeatedly been in the spotlight for bad reasons. Many people believe that his experimental treatment contributed to his amazing comeback, made even more amazing by his old, heavy-set build.

Regarding his stats, Colon has been inconsistent his entire career. His ERA and every other major stat have gone up and down year-after-year since his '02 season (Baseball Reference). Though Colon's past two seasons have been phenomenal for someone his age, the problem is just that--his age. At 40 years old and with his track record, I don't believe the Mets should've signed him for as much as they did. After the 2009 season his career looked spiral downward to a close, but then he came back miraculously recovered from his injuries and has pitched well since. The question remains how long he can duplicate those numbers, and whether or not his age and past will catch up to him.

"Hall-of-Famer" Mike Piazza

Former New York Met and Los Angeles Dodger Mike Piazza has often been called the "best-hitting catcher of all-time," so why is it he wasn't voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last year?

In the 2013 voting, Mike Piazza received 57.8% of approval from the writers at the BBWAA (Baseball Writers' Association of America)--a number considerably short of the 75% needed for admission (Baseball Reference). Not a single other player obtained the necessary number, and 2013 marked only the eighth ballot in history to not send a player into the Hall. While it brought up many questions, mine solely involves the legendary catcher Piazza.

(AP Photo)

Growing up a die-hard Mets fan at the turn-of-the-century, it's not hard to see why I became Piazza's biggest fan. His towering home runs over everything from Shea Stadium's visitor's bullpen to its "Home Run Apple" seemed a regular occurrence, and many of his shots came at exactly the right time (Post-9/11). 

However, it is thankfully not only my sentimental values which determine a player's eligibility for baseball immortality. It is rather a reflection of one's statistics and overall performance, a realization which should put Piazza straight-through to the Hall. 

In examining his career hitting numbers, Mike ranks among some of the all-time greats and certainly Hall-of-Famers. And when compared to other catchers such as Carlton Fisk and Johnny Bench, his stats look even better. Piazza's 427 career HRs (Baseball Reference) would rank 24th among all Hall-of-Famers--above both Fisk (26th) and Bench (30th)--should he be elected. His slugging percentage, marked at .545, would tie him for 15th among all Hall-of-Famers (Baseball Reference). 

Roger Clemens (left), Barry Bonds (center)
and Mike Piazza (right) (photo: WIRES)

A broader look at Piazza's career will reveal the greater scope of his success. Over 16 seasons he amassed 10 Silver Slugger Awards, was voted-into 12 All Star Games, and finished among the top-14 in Most Valuable Player voting 9 times (including placing 2nd in 1996 and 1997) (Baseball Reference). 

Many cite Piazza's non-stellar fielding as reason for his ineligibility, but that just doesn't add-up. He held a career .989 fielding percentage which would rank among the best in Hall-of-Fame Catchers. And after all the comparison with other legendary catchers, Fisk passed with 79.56% approval and Bench did so with 96.42% (Baseball Almanac). 

The only other possible reason the BBWAA doesn't believe Piazza deserves this honor, is because his play happened to coincide with what's known as the "Steroid Era." Some of the game's biggest cheaters such as Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds committed their crimes against baseball at the same time he put-up his numbers. 

As a result of that coincidence, and though there is nothing but speculation based on Piazza's muscle-mass and body size. Rumors based on those minuscule things have existed for years, but while many other stars were caught and penalized for cheating, his record remains squeaky-clean. It upsets me that because of a bunch of cheats and liars one noble and morally-straight baseball great cannot be recognized for his achievements. 

What's even worse is that Piazza isn't alone. Not a single player was admitted into the Hall last year. Players like Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell were also denied and some were probably deserving. While Piazza's being denied last year may give me a chance to attend his induction, I disagree with and think it's unfair. Should Piazza be elected in this coming round of voting, while I don't believe "justice will be served," it will definitely be the right decision. 

[Reaction] Mets Agree to Terms with Curtis Granderson

Earlier today the Mets finished their quest for former Yankee Curtis Granderson, signing him to a 4-year deal worth $60 million (. Granderson is an accomplished, three-time all star outfielder who has shown power and fielding prowess in recent years. The veteran is also a lefty bat, something the Mets were in desperate need of.

Granderson talking to media (photo:Deadspin)

I agree with this signing on multiple fronts. It addresses multiple club needs in one go: an outfielder, a powerful bat, and a lefty bat. Granderson has proven that he can handle outfield duties, commanding a .994 fielding percentage over ten years, including starting centerfield positions for the Detroit Tigers and the Yankees (Baseball Reference). Though many believe the short porch in Yankee Stadium's right field has helped "Grandy" in recent years, his power numbers have been astounding--Granderson ranks 5th in the MLB in ABs between homers with 15.5 over the past 3 years (Mets.com).

I don't believe his hitting prowess is in dispute or should be. Though he missed most of last season sue to injury, in 2011 and 2012 Granderson clearly showed what he can do. Between those years he had 84 home runs and 225 RBIs (Baseball Reference)--numbers good enough for him to place fourth in AL MVP voting for 2011.

All-in-all it's great to see such an optimistic and spot-on move from management, and what makes it even sweeter is the reactions of Yankee fans everywhere. Between Granderson and Cano, the "shmankees" are losing control of their fan-base and their image.

Star Prospect Matt Harvey to Start on Thursday

The Mets have announced that top pitching prospect Matt Harvey will be on the mound in Arizona on Thursday to begin the club’s three-game set against the D-backs. After losing Johan Santana to the 15-day disabled list, that left the Mets looking to fill a second spot in their starting rotation, having also lost Dillon Gee to injury.

40-year-old long reliever Miguel Batista started this past Saturday fairing rather awfully; he needed 81 pitches to get through 3 innings. The straw that broke the camel’s back, that start earned Batista a trip back down to the minor leagues, potentially his last.

Harvey’s call-up has been long awaited by Mets fans eager to see the highly-regarded youngster in action. Matt was drafted out of the University of North Carolina in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Mets, and has since been called one of the best pitching prospects in the game. Baseball America deemed him the #34 prospect in all of baseball this past midseason.

Harvey will take the hill on Thursday sporting his 98mph fastball and wicked breaking stuff. He will undoubtedly be under the watchful eye of many fans anxiously awaiting his future with the Mets.  

One-Game Summary of the Mets' Needs this Season

There have been a couple burning questions surrounding the New York Mets these past few weeks:

• 1.     Can the Mets stay in the playoff hunt/will they be “buyers” or “sellers” nearing the July 31^st trade deadline?
• 2.     If they do stay in the hunt and are “buyers” then what is the most important roster need for them to fill? 

Last night’s (July 17^th) game in Washington D.C. made one answer painstakingly clear, and left the other one painstakingly unclear.   

To begin with the first question, last night’s back-and-forth (and then back-and-forth some more) loss offered no discernable evidence suggesting the Mets can or cannot stay in the playoff hunt. Though they were not blown away by the opposition, the Mets still lacked answers for certain parts of Washington's game, ie their starting pitching and late-inning-rallies. 

The Mets’ hitting was nonexistent up until the ninth inning; the club managed just 6 scattered hits before their late rally. However once they did get going, the lineup and bench both showed some impressive resilience. Starter Jon Neise pitched beautifully, lasting 7 innings while allowing 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 8. Sadly, that will not be the story many remember after watching the bullpen blow 3 separate saves in heart-wrenching fashion. 

Obviously one bad night by the bullpen wouldn't be a huge problem. But one look at tonight's game will offer a similar glimpse at a reoccurring issue for the team; the relief pitching has consistently thrown away quality outings by the starting pitching. 

Of late, the 1st through 6th inning New York Mets and the 7th through 9th inning New York Mets have looked like two completely different teams. The 1st is consistently pitching well but not hitting, and the latter is rallying hits together while the pitching blows leads. The bottom line is that the Mets need bullpen help very badly and GM Sandy Alderson needs to get it. Reports from a week or two ago indicated that he was unhappy with the high prices necessary to obtain a relief pitcher and thus was looking into acquiring a catcher. However, Alderson, being one of the few (if not the only) MLB general managers with a Twitter account, had to deal with a massive rush of fans tweeting him about the need for bullpen help. Now, more recent reports have stated that he is back looking for a reliever.