I don't know how this happened, but these rankings didn't get posted. I found them on my spreadsheet that keeps track of movement from month to month when I was writing up August's rankings. It's too bad because I had some good comments on some teams that moved a lot (Pirates from 26 to 14, Florida from 9 to 20, Oakland from 13 to 23), but in retrospect the analysis was flawed as the month of July showed, so probably better that nobody saw it ! Anyhow, here is the list FWIW, sans commentary:
#1 - Philadelphia (--,1/2)
#2 - Boston (--, 1/8)
#3 - San Francisco (+5, 3/12)
#4 - Yankees (+2, 4/10)
#5 - Atlanta (+5, 5/16)
#6 - Texas (-3, 3/10)
#7 - Tampa Bay (-2, 5/8)
#8 - Detroit (+6, 8/14)
#9 - Milwaukee (-2, 7/18)
#10 - St. Louis (-6, 4/15)
#11 - Angels (+6, 11/22)
#12 - Arizona (+4, 12/27)
#13 - Toronto (+2, 13/20)
#14 - Pittsburgh (+12, 14/29)
#15 - Cincinnati (+3, 14/18)
#16 - Cleveland (-4, 12/30)
#17 - Washington (+10, 17/27)
#18 - Mets (+7, 18/28)
#19 - White Sox (--, 15/23)
#20 - Florida (-11, 5/20)
#21 - Minnesota (+3, 3/24)
#22 - Colorado (-11, 2/22)
#23 - Oakland (-10, 4/23)
#24 - Dodgers (-1, 20/24)
#25 - Seattle (-3, 22/27)
#26 - Cubs (-5, 12/26)
#27 - Kansas City (+1, 22/28)
#28 - San Diego (+1, 17/29)
#29 - Baltimore (-9, 17/29)
#30 - Houston (--, 28/30)
July 29, 2011
July 24, 2011
Division realignments and playoffs
Lately there has been a lot of talk about division re-alignment and changing the MLB playoff format. When MLB expanded to 3 divisions in each league, I gave a lot about how to optimize pennant races. I think now is a good time to revisit this.
Before I explain my proposal, here is a brief history of how we got to the current system:
Before I explain my proposal, here is a brief history of how we got to the current system:
Until 1969 whoever led their league in wins in the regular season advanced to the World Series. No divisions, no wildcards. It made the regular season extremely meaningful - pennant races could be exciting, knowing that one game could be the difference between going to the World Series and missing the playoffs entirely (see 1967 example under point #1 below). It also often made the end of the season meaningless. The Tigers made the World Series in 1968 by winning the pennant by 12 games. I don't think there was a lot of drama in September of that year.
July 21, 2011
More than just a game
editor's note: This post first appeared in the Red Sox Nation - Alberta blog, before amalgamating it's contents here.
Came across something I thought I should share with my readers, and I wasn't sure whether to post it here or on my Baseball in Alberta blog.
This blog has stories that are of interest to Red Sox fans. It's slightly geared towards Albertans or Canadians, but is also of interest to fans from elsewhere, whether it's Boston or Bangladesh. Red Sox Nation knows no borders.
The Baseball in Alberta blog has stories of interest to baseball fans in Alberta. Whether it's about a local team or academy or tournaments or camps or tryouts, or players who have moved on and are enjoying success elsewhere, or famous players who are in the province for whatever reason, the common theme is that it's about baseball and is of particular interest to Albertans.
This story isn't about anything to do with the Red Sox. Or Alberta.
Please read it by clicking on the link to the Seamheads website below:
http://seamheads.com/2011/07/19/more-than-just-a-game/
And if after reading it you suddenly find out that all that dust in your computer must have gotten in your eyes and they're watering, please click on the donation widget at that page and help if you can. And pass the link along to anyone else who might be touched by it.
Came across something I thought I should share with my readers, and I wasn't sure whether to post it here or on my Baseball in Alberta blog.
This blog has stories that are of interest to Red Sox fans. It's slightly geared towards Albertans or Canadians, but is also of interest to fans from elsewhere, whether it's Boston or Bangladesh. Red Sox Nation knows no borders.
The Baseball in Alberta blog has stories of interest to baseball fans in Alberta. Whether it's about a local team or academy or tournaments or camps or tryouts, or players who have moved on and are enjoying success elsewhere, or famous players who are in the province for whatever reason, the common theme is that it's about baseball and is of particular interest to Albertans.
This story isn't about anything to do with the Red Sox. Or Alberta.
For that matter it really has very little to do with baseball.
So why am I writing about it? Because it's about more than just a game. And in the grand scheme of things way more important.
So I'm posting it in both places to try and reach a wider audience.
Please read it by clicking on the link to the Seamheads website below:
http://seamheads.com/2011/07/19/more-than-just-a-game/And if after reading it you suddenly find out that all that dust in your computer must have gotten in your eyes and they're watering, please click on the donation widget at that page and help if you can. And pass the link along to anyone else who might be touched by it.
The writer of the article above also passed along the following information:
A Luncheon will be held for Jim and his family in early August and items will be auctioned off. If you can contribute something to the auction or know someone who might be willing to, I'd be forever in your debt. I didn't know Jim well but we share mutual friends and I hope to get to know him better over the coming months. None of us knows his fate but he's fighting as hard as he can and everything we can do for the Orr family will help.
If you want to donate an item (or items) to the auction, please send it to me and I'll make sure it gets where it needs to go:
12630 SE Stephens St.
Portland, OR 97233
editor's note: This post first appeared in the Baseball in Alberta blog, before I amalgamated its contents here. The intro to it makes a little less sense now that all the posts are on one blog.
Came across something I thought I should share with my readers, and I wasn't sure whether to post it here or on my Red Sox Nation Alberta blog.
This blog has stories of interest to baseball fans in Alberta. Whether it's about a local team or academy or tournaments or camps or tryouts, or players who have moved on and are enjoying success elsewhere, or famous players who are in the province for whatever reason, the common theme is that it's about baseball and is of particular interest to Albertans.
The RSN blog has stories that are of interest to Red Sox fans. It's slightly geared towards Albertans or Canadians, but is also of interest to fans from elsewhere, whether it's Boston or Bangladesh. Red Sox Nation knows no borders.
This story isn't about anything to do with Alberta. Or the Red Sox.
For that matter it really has very little to do with baseball.
So why am I writing about it? Because it's about more than just a game. And in the grand scheme of things way more important.
Please read it by clicking on the link to the Seamheads website below:
http://seamheads.com/2011/07/19/more-than-just-a-game/
And if after reading it you suddenly find out that all that dust in your computer must have gotten in your eyes and they're watering, please click on the donation widget at that page and help if you can. And pass the link along to anyone else who might be touched by it.
Came across something I thought I should share with my readers, and I wasn't sure whether to post it here or on my Red Sox Nation Alberta blog.
This blog has stories of interest to baseball fans in Alberta. Whether it's about a local team or academy or tournaments or camps or tryouts, or players who have moved on and are enjoying success elsewhere, or famous players who are in the province for whatever reason, the common theme is that it's about baseball and is of particular interest to Albertans.
The RSN blog has stories that are of interest to Red Sox fans. It's slightly geared towards Albertans or Canadians, but is also of interest to fans from elsewhere, whether it's Boston or Bangladesh. Red Sox Nation knows no borders.
This story isn't about anything to do with Alberta. Or the Red Sox.
For that matter it really has very little to do with baseball.
So why am I writing about it? Because it's about more than just a game. And in the grand scheme of things way more important.
So I'm posting in both places to try and reach a wider audience.
Please read it by clicking on the link to the Seamheads website below:
http://seamheads.com/2011/07/19/more-than-just-a-game/And if after reading it you suddenly find out that all that dust in your computer must have gotten in your eyes and they're watering, please click on the donation widget at that page and help if you can. And pass the link along to anyone else who might be touched by it.
The writer of the article above also passed along the following information:
A Luncheon will be held for Jim and his family in early August and items will be auctioned off. If you can contribute something to the auction or know someone who might be willing to, I'd be forever in your debt. I didn't know Jim well but we share mutual friends and I hope to get to know him better over the coming months. None of us knows his fate but he's fighting as hard as he can and everything we can do for the Orr family will help.
If you want to donate an item (or items) to the auction, please send it to me and I'll make sure it gets where it needs to go:
12630 SE Stephens St.
Portland, OR 97233
July 13, 2011
Albertans representing Canada at World Baseball Challenge
All these players have helped Canada so far. Colin Moro was a big part of the offense, scoring in a 4 run 1st inning, and knocking in a run and scoring in the 4th inning, when Canada put up 4 more runs, en route to an easy 13-7 victory over Bahamas on Sunday. On Monday, Dustin Northcott and Geoff Freeborn both pitched scoreless frames, helping Canada preserve a 6-2 victory over Beijing. On Tuesday, Jordy Alexander threw a hitless inning and Moro knocked in another run, but it was not enough as the undefeated and always tough Cuban squad defeated Canada 9-4.
Play continues with games against Japan on Wednesday, and the round-robin play finishes on Thursday with a match against Chinese Tapei. The playoffs start on Friday with the championship game being played on Sunday afternoon.
Best of the luck to these Albertan players and the rest of their teammates on the Canadian National Team.
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