GaryMrMets
01-29-2006, 10:00 PM
http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_news.jsp?articleID=v0000msgn20060127T02010 5208&newsgroup=ap.sportsml.columnist.article&sports=baseball&team=other&league=mlb
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/person_fhealy.jpg
Fran Healy
A baseball preseason potpourri
Jan 27, 2006
It's a nice gesture on the part of baseball to try to go international; it's long overdue. If done properly, the World Baseball Classic (starting March 3) could be a tremendous success, a tremendous boost for baseball. It could open up avenues of revenue, which is extremely important to baseball.
Internationally, it could certainly enhance the image of baseball, get more people involved. No matter when it is though, it's going to be difficult. You can't hold it in June because you can't interrupt the season, and after the season, players want to rest. In March, on the other hand, they're not going to be as sharp as they are in June, but you're going to have to give up something to pursue this particular classic.
There are certain countries that will be fascinated with the outcome, while others won't care at all, and the players who are going to participate should be interested.
Alex Rodriguez, for example, will still play, but I'm not sure he's that interested. As far as other players, they have mixed emotions about playing because there's only one major leagues and that's in the United States.
Also, some owners and GMs have expressed concerns about their players sustaining injuries in the WBC. These days, though, everybody is typically in great physical shape coming into Spring Training. So, the likelihood of that happening isn't as great as in say the 1950s, for example.
For the players, If you're not in peak condition, you're dealing with insanity because the opportunity of helping yourself and your family financially is unlimited. They should show up in shape, and I'd say 99 percent of them do. However, being in good physical shape and being in good playing shape are two different things.
So as far as the quality of play to expect in the WBC is concerned, it'll be competitive, but these guys will not be in the playing shape that they will eventually be in in May, June, July, August, or even September. It's a wait-and-see right now.
PIAZZA NOT DONE YET
One guy who has a lot of time, at the moment, to get ready for the season is former Mets catcher and current free agent Mike Piazza. The 37-year-old will play for Team Italy in the Classic, and has yet to sign with a Major League team, but that doesn't mean his career is over just yet.
A catcher's window of opportunity is certainly not as wide open as a shortstop or a center fielder's window of opportunity. So, you're amazed by a guy who survives and plays a long time like Carlton Fisk. Now, that being said, Fisk could've probably moved to another position. Piazza, on the other hand, has proven he's not going to be able to play first base and he's certainly not quick enough to be in the outfield.
If the opportunity was financially feasible for a team, I'd probably take a shot at him because one thing he has is charisma, and that charisma will draw some people to the ballpark. So that might pay his salary anyway.
Now, is he as dominant a hitter as he used to be? No. He'll admit that. Can he get behind the plate? He can catch it and call the game, but he has obviously, unfortunately for him, struggled throwing the ball to second base and that has left an indelible mark in the minds of the opposition.
With that in mind, I would certainly still take a shot with him. He certainly wouldn't be my everyday catcher, but if he can swing the bat, if he can hit 15, 20 home runs, he can be helpful to a team that might not need him behind the plate every day and might use him as a DH.Who knows? He might go out and get signed by somebody and just have a terrific season because he's beaten all the odds before. The only possible knock against him is his age and all those games he's caught.
THE LAST OF A DYING BREED?
Turning our attention to a pair of local lefties, the Mets Tom Glavine and the Yankees Randy Johnson are next in line to reach the 300 wins plateau -- Glavine at 275 and Johnson at 263. Should they reach that milestone, will they be the last to do so? It's an interesting thought given that it's no longer necessary for starters to give you a complete game because bullpens now are so good.
I believe there will be 300-game winners because when pitchers leave the ballgame after six or seven innings with a big lead, these bullpens are going to be almost un-hittable, and that should allow pitchers to win 300 ballgames. I know they don't pitch every three or four days, even though it's a longer week now, but they should be more effective with the help of their bullpen.
If you compare the bullpens today with the bullpens of the 1950's, it's night and day, light years away. Back then, when you were in the bullpen, your career was over. Today, they groom you for the bullpen when you're in college and in the minor leagues, so you're getting guys that are un-hittable that will preserve those wins.
SNUB FLUB
Speaking of individual accomplishments, Bruce Sutter, who revolutionized the split-fingered fastball and was among the first of the closing relief pitcher specialists, was recently elected to the Hall of Fame. His election should pave the way for the other elite relievers of his day to be inducted into the Hall. But, in my opinion, one of those elite should have been selected right alongside Sutter, and that's Goose Gossage.
If you ask any player who has ever faced or caught him, he belongs in the Hall of Fame. There is no doubt about it. Goose is a Hall of Famer.When you watch these movies today, and you see the menacing relief pitcher pitching against the good guy in the movie, it's usually a guy who looks like Goose, because he threw so hard. He belongs in the Hall of Fame, hands down.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
Be sure to check out my new show The Game: 365, Monday, Jan. 30 at 6:00 p.m. on MSG. I catch up with former Met slugger Daryl Strawberry, which I'm sure all you Amazin' fans will enjoy!
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/piazza_012606drin.jpg
Piazza's playing days with the Mets may be over, but his career isn't. (AP)
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/person_fhealy.jpg
Fran Healy
A baseball preseason potpourri
Jan 27, 2006
It's a nice gesture on the part of baseball to try to go international; it's long overdue. If done properly, the World Baseball Classic (starting March 3) could be a tremendous success, a tremendous boost for baseball. It could open up avenues of revenue, which is extremely important to baseball.
Internationally, it could certainly enhance the image of baseball, get more people involved. No matter when it is though, it's going to be difficult. You can't hold it in June because you can't interrupt the season, and after the season, players want to rest. In March, on the other hand, they're not going to be as sharp as they are in June, but you're going to have to give up something to pursue this particular classic.
There are certain countries that will be fascinated with the outcome, while others won't care at all, and the players who are going to participate should be interested.
Alex Rodriguez, for example, will still play, but I'm not sure he's that interested. As far as other players, they have mixed emotions about playing because there's only one major leagues and that's in the United States.
Also, some owners and GMs have expressed concerns about their players sustaining injuries in the WBC. These days, though, everybody is typically in great physical shape coming into Spring Training. So, the likelihood of that happening isn't as great as in say the 1950s, for example.
For the players, If you're not in peak condition, you're dealing with insanity because the opportunity of helping yourself and your family financially is unlimited. They should show up in shape, and I'd say 99 percent of them do. However, being in good physical shape and being in good playing shape are two different things.
So as far as the quality of play to expect in the WBC is concerned, it'll be competitive, but these guys will not be in the playing shape that they will eventually be in in May, June, July, August, or even September. It's a wait-and-see right now.
PIAZZA NOT DONE YET
One guy who has a lot of time, at the moment, to get ready for the season is former Mets catcher and current free agent Mike Piazza. The 37-year-old will play for Team Italy in the Classic, and has yet to sign with a Major League team, but that doesn't mean his career is over just yet.
A catcher's window of opportunity is certainly not as wide open as a shortstop or a center fielder's window of opportunity. So, you're amazed by a guy who survives and plays a long time like Carlton Fisk. Now, that being said, Fisk could've probably moved to another position. Piazza, on the other hand, has proven he's not going to be able to play first base and he's certainly not quick enough to be in the outfield.
If the opportunity was financially feasible for a team, I'd probably take a shot at him because one thing he has is charisma, and that charisma will draw some people to the ballpark. So that might pay his salary anyway.
Now, is he as dominant a hitter as he used to be? No. He'll admit that. Can he get behind the plate? He can catch it and call the game, but he has obviously, unfortunately for him, struggled throwing the ball to second base and that has left an indelible mark in the minds of the opposition.
With that in mind, I would certainly still take a shot with him. He certainly wouldn't be my everyday catcher, but if he can swing the bat, if he can hit 15, 20 home runs, he can be helpful to a team that might not need him behind the plate every day and might use him as a DH.Who knows? He might go out and get signed by somebody and just have a terrific season because he's beaten all the odds before. The only possible knock against him is his age and all those games he's caught.
THE LAST OF A DYING BREED?
Turning our attention to a pair of local lefties, the Mets Tom Glavine and the Yankees Randy Johnson are next in line to reach the 300 wins plateau -- Glavine at 275 and Johnson at 263. Should they reach that milestone, will they be the last to do so? It's an interesting thought given that it's no longer necessary for starters to give you a complete game because bullpens now are so good.
I believe there will be 300-game winners because when pitchers leave the ballgame after six or seven innings with a big lead, these bullpens are going to be almost un-hittable, and that should allow pitchers to win 300 ballgames. I know they don't pitch every three or four days, even though it's a longer week now, but they should be more effective with the help of their bullpen.
If you compare the bullpens today with the bullpens of the 1950's, it's night and day, light years away. Back then, when you were in the bullpen, your career was over. Today, they groom you for the bullpen when you're in college and in the minor leagues, so you're getting guys that are un-hittable that will preserve those wins.
SNUB FLUB
Speaking of individual accomplishments, Bruce Sutter, who revolutionized the split-fingered fastball and was among the first of the closing relief pitcher specialists, was recently elected to the Hall of Fame. His election should pave the way for the other elite relievers of his day to be inducted into the Hall. But, in my opinion, one of those elite should have been selected right alongside Sutter, and that's Goose Gossage.
If you ask any player who has ever faced or caught him, he belongs in the Hall of Fame. There is no doubt about it. Goose is a Hall of Famer.When you watch these movies today, and you see the menacing relief pitcher pitching against the good guy in the movie, it's usually a guy who looks like Goose, because he threw so hard. He belongs in the Hall of Fame, hands down.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
Be sure to check out my new show The Game: 365, Monday, Jan. 30 at 6:00 p.m. on MSG. I catch up with former Met slugger Daryl Strawberry, which I'm sure all you Amazin' fans will enjoy!
http://www.msgnetwork.com/mediaStore/p/piazza_012606drin.jpg
Piazza's playing days with the Mets may be over, but his career isn't. (AP)