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Yesteryear Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day – 7/6/74

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:00:39 +0000

July 6, 1974

Hitters
Bobby Murcer – 3 for 5, Run, 2 Double, 3 RBIs
Ed Brinkman – 3 for 4, 2 Runs, HR, 2 RBIs
Gary Matthews – 3 for 4, Run, HR, 2 RBIs
Willie Horton – 3 for 4, Run, Triple, 2 RBIs
Darrell Evans – 3 for 4, Run, Double, RBI, Walk
Len Randle – 3 for 4, SB
Rennie Stennet – 3 for 4
Mickey Stanley – 2 for 5, Run, HR, 3 RBIs
Bob Bailey – 1 for 2, 2 Runs, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Walks
Carlos May – 1 for 3, Run, HR, 3 RBIs
Jeff Burroughs – 1 for 3, 3 RBIs
Chris Chambliss – 1 for 5, Run, HR, 3 RBIs

Pitchers
Ross Grimsley – W, CG Shutout, 9 IP, 0 Runs, 6 Ks
Don Wilson – W, CG Shutout, 9 IP, 0 Runs
Bob Gibson – W, CG, 9 IP, 1 Run, 3 Hits, 6 Ks
Mike Torrez – W, CG, 9 IP, 1 Run
Dick Bosman – W, 6-1/3 IP, 0 Runs
Bill Champion – W, 5-2/3 IP, 0 Runs
Doc Medich – W, CG, 9 IP, 3 Runs, 6 Ks
Dick Ruthven – W, 6 IP, 1 Earned Run, 6 Ks
John D’Acquisto – W, 6 IP, 2 Runs
Roric Harrison – ND, 6 IP, 2 Runs
Ed Figueroa – L, CG, 9 IP, 1 Run, 6 Ks
Clay Kirby – L, 6-1/3 IP, 1 Earned Run
Joe Decker – L, 7 IP, 2 Earned Runs

2009 MLB All-Star Snubs

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:00:48 +0000

Every year there are All-Star snubs. This year is no exception. Here is my list of guys who should not have been left off. I will name the player that should be replaced to justify my decisions. I will follow the rule and make sure every team remains represented.

American League
Miguel Cabrera (1B) – Miguel is hitting .323 with 48 Runs, 16 HRs, and 47 RBIs. Meanwhile Kevin Youkilis is hitting .301 with 49 Runs, 14 HRs, and 47 RBIs. They both are on division-leading teams. I know Youk is a much better defensive First Baseman, but Cabrera is deserving of the nod.

Ian Kinsler (2B) – I put this one on the fans. Dustin Pedroia is having a solid year. Ian Kinsler is having an All-Star year. I would have Aaron Hill start and slide Kinsler to the bench with Pedroia being the odd man out. In fact, I would even put Brian Roberts and Robinson Cano on the team before Pedroia.

Chone Figgins (3B) - I would swap out Michael Young with Chone Figgins, who is hitting .312 with 61 Runs and 24 SBs. In fact, I would even put Scott Rolen ahead of Young for All-Star worthiness.

Johnny Damon (OF) – Again, shame on you MLB fans for voting Josh Hamilton as the starter. I would put Torii Hunter into the starting lineup and put Johnny Damon (.284, 61 Runs, 16 HR, 49 RBIs & 8 SBs) on the bench.

Adam Lind (OF) – Granderson is hitting .256. If you want to go the speed route, Jacoby Ellsbury is a better option. If you want solid hitting, Lind is your guy. I know Granderson is a combo of the two, but he’s hitting .256. I’ll plug in the guy hitting .310 with 49 Runs, 18 HRs, and 57 RBIs.

Shin-Soo Choo (OF) – If the All-Star roster was set a month ago Adam Jones would easily be in. However, he’s slumped and Choo has been on a tear. I plug in his numbers (.301, 49 Runs, 12 HRs, 53 RBIs, 13 SBs) and replace Jones’ (.308, 52 Runs, 12 HRs, 46 RBIs, 6 SBs).

Edwin Jackson (P) – You’re going to think I’m secretly a Yankees fan, but as a Red Sox fan knowing what’s riding on the game I would take out Tim Wakefield and put in Jackson. Jackson has 93 Ks, a 2.59 ERA, and a 1.07 WHIP. Sure, he only has six Wins, but they don’t necessarily define a Pitcher.

David Aardsma (RP) – It’s tough taking the league leader in Saves out, but Aardsma has Brian Fuentes trumped in K’s (48 to 32), ERA (1.41 to 3.38), WHIP (1.15 to 1.23), and BAA (.165 to .245). I’ll take Aardsma and you can keep your seven extra Saves.

National League
Bengie Molina (C) - I know the game is in St. Louis, but I would move McCann into the starting role and switch Molina’s. Bengie has 20 more RBIs than Yadier. That’s enough to offset the batting average discrepancy.

Pablo Sandoval (3B) – I know Howard can plain mash, but you have Pujols, Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez already. Pablo is hitting .333 and gives you flexibility with his ability to play three positions (3B, 1B, C).

Mark Reynolds (3B) – OK, I took Howard out, now I’m taking A-Gone out. Reynolds has a higher average (.269 to .263), more Runs (56 to 48), the same amount of HRs (24), more RBIs (61 to 51) and more SBs (13 to 1).

Matt Kemp (OF) – They must have forgot that Miguel Tejada was an Astro. Hunter Pence’s line (.302, 44 Runs, 11 HRs, 34 RBIs, 8 RBIs) is inferior to Kemp’s (.305, 43 Runs, 10 HRs, 44 RBIs, 19 SBs).

Yovani Gallardo (P) – This is tough to do, but I am sending Johan Santana packing. Gallardo has just one fewer Win, but his ERA (2.75), WHIP (1.15) and Ks (114) trump Johan’s (3.29, 1.23, 107).

Chris Carpenter (P) – He has been limited to 77-2/3 IP, but he has been as nasty as any Pitcher out there. He sports a 2.32 ERA and a miniscule 0.82 WHIP. Jason Marquis has 10 Wins, but his ERA is 3.87 and his WHIP is 1.31. Plus, Carpenter has more Ks (58 to 51) in 31-2/3 fewer Innings. Finally, the game is in St. Louis. With all that Carpenter has been through the past few years, how great would it be for him to pitch in front of his hometown fans?

Jason Kidd to Stay in Big D

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:09:48 +0000

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Jason Kidd listened to the offers, but in the end will remain a Dallas Maverick after agreeing to a three-year deal. Kidd continues to perform at a high level despite his age (36) and mileage (15 seasons). He averaged 9.0 points, 8.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.98 steals. Kidd shot 41.6% from the floor, 81.9% from the line, and 40.6% from three. Kidd had 3 triple-doulbes last year to bring his career total up to 103.

Despite the career low scoring average, Kidd remains a valuable PG for the Mavs and for fantasy owners because he contributes in so many areas.

The deal won’t be official until Wednesday.

Big Three & Sheed

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:40 +0000

It seemed like all the major players added a piece recently except for the Boston Celtics. That changed when Rasheed Wallace agreed to join the C’s for the mid-level exception. Teamed with KG, the Celtics not only have two of the more fiery Power Forwards in the league, but two dynamic multi-dimentional big men, something that caused Cleveland fits in the Eastern Conference Finals. He also gives the Celtics another big man, along with KG and Kendrick Perkins, to take on Shaq.

Sheed’s fantasy value takes a hit. With Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, KG, and Rajon Rondo, there just won’t be enough shots to go around. With KG and Perkins down low, he won’t grab a ton of rebounds. This signing wasn’t about his number though. It was about winning. As long as everyone stays healthy, the Celtics should be right in the mix to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

The deal won’t be official until Wednesday.

Fantasy Baseball Leaders – 7/6/09

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:35 +0000

Batting Average
Ichiro Suzuki - .362
Hanley Ramirez – .346
Carlos Beltran - .336
Albert Pujols – .336
Pablo Sandoval – .333

Runs
Albert Pujols - 66
Brian Roberts – 62
Johnny Damon - 61
Chone Figgins – 61
Marco Scutaro – 60

HRs
Albert Pujols - 31
Adrian Gonzalez - 24
Mark Reynolds – 24
Carlos Pena - 23
Three tied at 22

RBI
Albert Pujols – 82
Prince Fielder – 76
Jason Bay – 70
Justin Morneau – 69
Evan Longoria - 64

SBs
Carl Crawford – 41
Jacoby Ellsbury – 35
B.J. Upton – 30
Michael Bourn - 27
Chone Figgins – 24

Wins
Zack Greinke – 10
Roy Halladay - 10
Jason Marquis – 10
Kevin Slowey - 10
Tim Wakefield – 10

ERA
Zack Greinke - 2.00
Dan Haren - 2.16
Tim Lincecum – 2.23
Matt Cain – 2.48
Edwin Jackson - 2.59

WHIP
Dan Haren - 0.83
Zach Greinke - 1.05
Tim Lincecum – 1.05
Edwin Jackson – 1.07
Javier Vazquez - 1.07

Strikeouts
Tim Lincecum - 141
Javier Vazquez - 130
Justin Verlander - 130
Jon Lester – 123
Zack Greinke - 120

Saves
Brian Fuentes – 24
Heath Bell - 23
Joe Nathan – 22
Mariano Rivera – 21
Francisco Rodriguez – 21
Brian Wilson - 21

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day – 7/5/09

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:08 +0000

7/5/09

Hitters
Derek Jeter – 4 for 5, 3 Runs, HR, 2 RBIs
Jorge Posada – 4 for 5, 2 Runs, Double, 3 RBIs
Martin Prado – 4 for 4, 2 Doubles, Walk, SB
Juan Pierre – 4 for 7, RBI, SB
Nyjer Morgan – 3 for 5, Run, 2 Doubles, RBI
Skip Schumaker – 3 for 4, 2 Runs, Double, Walk
Dustin Pedroia – 3 for 5, 2 Runs, Double, HR, RBI
David DeJesus – 3 for 5, RBI
Willie Bloomquist – 3 for 5, RBI
Casey McGehee – 3 for 4, RBI
Rafael Furcal – 3 for 7, 2 Runs, Triple
Jeff Keppinger – 3 for 4, 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, RBI
Matt Wieters – 3 for 3, 2 Runs, HR, RBI, Walk
David Murphy – 3 for 3, RBI
Hideki Matsui – 2 for 4, Run, HR, 4 RBIs, Walk
Aaron Hill – 2 for 5, 2 Runs, HR, 3 RBIs
Derrek Lee – 2 for 4, Run, HR, 3 RBIs
Brian Roberts – 2 for 5, 2 Runs, Double, HR, 3 RBIs, SB
Ronnie Belliard – 2 for 3, 3 Runs, Double, RBI, Walk
Casey Blake – 2 for 5, Run, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Walks
Bobby Abreu – 1 for 3, 3 Runs, Double, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks
Mark Reynolds – 1 for 4, Run, HR, 3 RBIs
Ronny Cedeno – 1 for 4, Triple, 3 RBIs
Ryan Ludwick – 1 for 5, 3 Runs

Pitchers
Ricky Nolasco – W, 8 IP, 0 Runs, 3 Hits, 12 Ks
Nick Blackburn – W, CG, 9 IP, 1 Earned Run, 6 Ks
Joe Blanton – W, 7-1/3 IP, 0 Runs, 5 Ks
Roy Oswalt – W, 8 IP, 1 Run, 3 Hits, 6 Ks
Chris Carpenter – W, 7 IP, 1 Run, 5 Ks
Ted Lilly – W, 6-1/3 IP, 2 Runs, 9 Ks1
Gio Gonzalez – W, 6 IP, 2 Runs, 8 Ks
Dan Haren – W, 6 IP, 1 Earned Run, 6 Ks
Scott Feldman – W, 6 IP, 1 Earned Run, 3 Hits
Brian Bannister – W, 6 IP, 2 Runs
Scott Olsen – W, 8-2/3 IP, 3 Runs, 5 Ks
Jon Lester – ND, 6-2/3 IP, 1 Earned Run, 8 Ks
Johan Santana – 7 IP, 2 Runs, 3 Hits