Showing posts with label baseball blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baseball blogs. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

"It's great to be young and a Yankee." (Baseball)


REVIEWED BY: Marguerite Zelle

MY RECOMMENDATION: YES

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: "It's great to be young and a Yankee.", by Crazy Yankee Chick

WEB ADDRESS: http://crazyyankeechick.blogspot.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Daily recaps, highlights, analysis, and a general bullpen of observational commentary...plus everything a Crazy Yankee Chick does in between watching the Yankees, Giants, and Rangers.

MY REVIEW: This is a heckuva fun blog. (If you're a Yankees fan. I'm not. Booo hiss!) The author covers each game, in detail, in her own inimitable style. As you'll see in the sample post below, she knows her baseball. I don't really care for some of the language she uses, but it's not that egregious, and younger people of course won't mind it.

Highly recommended.

sample post:
Game 127/ Tuesday, August 24: NYY @ J's (You wanna play long ball, Toronto? Well, DO YA?) Two thousand nineteen.

That's how many feet of bombs came off the Yankee bats during the course of this game. The longest one, improbably, came from Jeter. This wasn't like a GGBG-esque basehitter homerun. This was like a Giambi in the pouring rain moonshot. Dammmmn, #2. And dammmmn, Yanks. But let's be honest, you're the Yankees. This is what you do, right?

The J's just temporarily forget that they're the not the Original. Just a $10 generic version that comes out years after the original brand name, legitimate prescription.

So last 2 nights ago, Bautista acted like a little bitch and took his sweet ass time rounding the bases. Because "lookatmelookatme I'm the homerun champ so far!" You guys are like 108 games out of the division.

But, hey, if that's how you want to do it, the Yanks are game. In fact, they're so game that they'll show you exactly who the real kings of [bat] pop are. As my often quotes from his favorite movie, "You may be a one-eyed jack around here, but I've seen the other side of your face."

I'm not entirely sure what this means, but it sounds menacing, which is basically all I'm looking for here.

By the 3rd inning, the Yanks were up 6-0, thanks to 3 dings in the 3rd inning alone. Monster blast from Tex, a 2-run shot from Timms, and a solo from Jorge.

2 innings later, Grandy and Jeter both went yard, and the J's were reeling. (No fights though!) After 6 innings, the Yanks were sitting on an 11-1 game. The J's had a measly 1 run from an RBI single off the bat of Vernon "My Name is Vernon if that gives you any idea of how f'n old I am" Wells.

Moseley gets the win, and this guy is starting to remind me of Brain in Inspector Gadget or something. Like the guy behind the scenes that you don't really pay much mind to. I've suggested that this guy was lifted from some stock imagery website.

Or, rather, his line scores have been. 2 runs, 5 hits, 4BBs, 4Ks, 6 innings. Your basic fare from this guy. And basic is being liberal. It's more like your lock-it-up numbers from this guy.

Gaudin came in for relief, and managed to avoid intentionally/unintentionally beaning anyone, much to the dismay I'm sure of the warning-trigger-happy umps. Kerry Wood closed out the game with a scoreless 9th. Well, Mr. Wood, I'll bite.

(Oh Good God, did I actually just write that?? Moving on...)

Ok, KERRY, I'll SAY IT. You're not working out too badly. At all. I had my doubts. Lots of em. I thought you'd be the new Esteban Loiza or something.

But I guess it's true what they say about senior citizens. And by "they" I mean Lloyd Christmas. "Senior citizens, though slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can serve a purpose!"

The pitcher for the J's is a guy I had big predictions for last year. He's also a guy who joins Jonathan Albaladejo and Buehrle as players whose names I hate typing with an unyielding passion.

Welcome to the club, Mark Rzepczynski. In fact, I'm making you President. Congrats.

He got chased in the 4th, big surprise there. 6 runs on 8 hits isn't gonna impress anyway and pretty much guarantees you the L. Which he got.

The Yanks had 17 hits on the day, with Tex and Posada both going 4 for 5, Grandy and Timms both going 3 for 4.

Grandy made an OUTSTANDING play at the plate. It was one of those plays that made me think for a second, "Wait, are we the home or away team?" on account of how raucous the cheering was afterwards. Amazing work. It's funny how these things seem to happen RIGHT when The Other Man's name starts lolling around sports journalists' tongues.

As soon as Johnny Damon even remotely starts tiptoeing towards the limelight, it's like Grandy goes, "YES, YES FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, I WAS THE RIGHT MOVE."

(On a side note, that's f'n gangsta, Damon. Well done. It's like being on the Yanks reminded you how decent a guy you are. I'm sorry you had to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous idiocy and classlessness on the Sox for so long. If you're happy, I'm happy.)

The bad news was a foul ball that Swish inflicted upon himself, and put GGBG in mid AB. Who struck out looking.

The other bad news is that the LIFE WITHOUT AROD propoganda has officially set in.

13-1 without him. 3 runs per game more. About 1 more HR per game. And more than 30 points more in the team BA.

Yeah, only logical conclusion is that Arod sucks, yeah?

Or you could subscribe to the much more reasonable explanation which is that the rest of the team is working to fill in the power gap that Arod left.

But I mean, teamwork, schmeamwork. Makes much more sense to just deduce that future Hall-of-Famer, legend-in-our-time Arod is just secretly bad, statistical contradictions be damned.

Sigh. Anyways...

Weird stat of the night: The Yankees have 44 four-run innings this season, the most in the majors. Yay? Can we take that to the bank? Eh, sure, why not?

Annoying fact of the night: Javy's moving to the bullpen for the time being, with newbie Nova set to start in his place Sunday at Chicago. This irks me for some reason. I used to get so f'n annoying at Javy in his early starts, because he let everything get under his skin.

But he's shed that habit, and now he's playing strong and composed and it annoys me that the flashy newcomer is pushing Javy to the pen. I don't know. I feel like Javy is getting walked all over. Yeah, it's a business. Yeah, maybe it's a good move. And yeah, he probably doesn't care as much as I do. But I'm just saying. It rubs me the wrong way.

The Yanks stay tied with TB, since the Angels are an unmitigated nightmare in the field. It was like watching a softball team play at 8am on a Sunday morning. ("Stop talking so loud! Why is everything so bright! WHERE ARE THE GODDAMN GATORADES AND SAUSAGE MCMUFFINS?")

And don't listen to anyone. The Yanks are doing great. It's not as "magical" as last year, but sometimes you gotta take the inside straight. It'll pay just as big dividends as getting the cards on the flop, but now we gotta wait for that elusive card on the river.

I'll call.

RECENT POSTS:
--Monday, September 7: TB @ NYY (Juggernaut Double Digest Edition)
--Game 126/ Monday, August 23: NYY @ J's (Nova Like a Caine)
--Game 125/ Sunday, August 22: SEA @ NYY (Cano is good. And he knows it.)
--Game 124/ Satruday, August 21: SEA @ NYY (Beach Day)
--Game 123/ Friday, August 20: SEA @ NYY (The King and I)

_______________________
Check out the following blogs:
Star Trek Report: Space Sciences
Volcano Seven: Treasure and Treasure Hunters
Rush Limbaugh Report

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Fenway West (Baseball)


REVIEWED BY: Ms Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Fenway West, by Matt O'Donnell

WEB ADDRESS: http://fenwaywest.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: A Boston Red Sox blog written by authors across the United States. The blog is updated multiple times each day with team news and analysis.

MY REVIEW: Multiple posts a day, but not much substance. One post is always the day's lineup...do we really need to know that? [Just tell me when Ellsbury is back on the field!] Although I suppose people will want to know who the pitcher is.

There's also not a lot of game analysis. Here's what was said about last night's game:
Hits were hard to come by against Orioles starter Brian Matusz and the Red Sox were getting shut out until Varitek hit his fourth homer of the season in the fifth. Lackey gave up ten hits but kept the O's from any big innings, he went seven innings with three earned runs. Scutaro and Youk both had three-run homers in the seventh to give the Sox a big lead which would almost disappear when the bullpen let Baltimore back in it. Ramon Ramirez gave up a homer and Papelbon gave up a run on three hits before closing the door and holding on for the save.

Not a lot of info there!

That might not be such a big deal,except this blog is still priced at $1.99 a month. That's a bit too high for the amount of info provided. Nevertheless, check it out for yourself.

RECENT POSTS:
--Red Sox Hold On to Beat the O's
--Jonathan Van Every is Back with the Red Sox
--Red Sox Lineup 4/24 vs Baltimore
--Papi and Lester Get the Monkey off of Their Backs
--Red Sox Lineup 4/23 vs Baltimore
--Dunkin' Donuts and Dustin Pedroia Wish Tito a Happy Bday!

___________________
Ms. Cairo writes two blogs of her own:
Winged Victory: Women in Aviation
Volcano Seven: Treasure and Treasure Hunters

Monday, April 12, 2010

Baseball Prospectus (baseball)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Baseball Prospectus

WEB ADDRESS: http://BaseballProspectus.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: The official blog of Baseball Prospectus.com

MY REVIEW: This is one of those blogs where it is actually cheaper to subscribe via Kindle than to read it on the web. That's because if you try to read this blog on the web, it costs you $5 a month. It only costs 99 cents a month to do it on the Kindle.

If you're a baseball generalist - loving all teams equally - you'll enjoy this blog. And you'll save money, too. ; )

RECENT ARTICLES:
--You Can Blog It Up: Dead Player of the Day and Other Notes #11
--Fantasy Beat: Hot Spots: First Base, Third Base, and Designated Hitter
--Transaction Action: Going to Dozens
--One-Hoppers: Mets/Nats Game Story
--One-Hoppers: Strasburg wins pro debut

___________________
Barbara Peterson writes two blogs of her own:
Winged Aviation: Women in Aviation
Volcano Seven: Treasure and Treasure Hunters

Monday, March 29, 2010

Center Field (Red Sox Baseball)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: No, inactive

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Center Field

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.outincenterfield.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Red Sox blog... with attitude.

MY REVIEW: The author of this blog is, or perhaps I should say, was, a woman. "Red Sox blog written from the female perspective. Not just news, or just multimedia, or just analysis, or just humor — it’s my own crazy mix of all that. My philosophy has always been that you can enjoy the nuts and bolts of the game of baseball- learn the strategy, study the numbers, follow the stats- and still be interested in the crazy antics of the players as well. I think it’s just as fun to learn about the mechanics of Beckett’s curveball as it is to watch Pedroia goofing off in the dugout."

Unfortunately, the blog hasn't been updated since October 27, 2009. Since spring training has been going on for a month now, surely she'd be blogging again...if she were going to be blogging again.

So I can only assume that the blog is inactive. I'll keep an eye on it however, and if it ever starts back up...

RECENT ARTICLES:
2610.27.0910-27-04… NEVER FORGET!
1410.16.09ALCS Non-Preview: Los Angeles Angels
910.16.09ALCS Non-Preview: New York Yankees
310.15.09NLCS Non-Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
810.15.09NLCS Non-Preview: Philadelphia Phillies
910.12.09The Green Fields of the Mind
27610.11.09Gameday Open Thread: ALDS Game 3
30010.9.09Gameday Open Thread: ALDS Game 2
28810.8.09Gameday Open Thread: ALDS Game 1

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Incompleat Complete Baseball Blogs Index Page

This page is a permenent list of all baseball blogs available (whether or not they are available to subscribe to via the Kindle) and will be updated on an irregular basis.

Always under construction.

National League East
Atlanta Braves (1871)

Florida Marlins (1993)

New York Mets (1962)

Philadelphia Phillies (1883)

Washington Nationals (1969 as Expos/2005 as Nationals)
-http://www.federalbaseball.com/ (Kindle page: Federal Baseball)

National League Central
Chicago Cubs (1871)

Cincinnati Reds (1882)

Milwaukee Brewers (1969)

Pittsburgh Pirates (1882)
http://bucsdugout.com Bucs Dugout

National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks (1998)

Colorado Rockies (1993)

Los Angeles Dodgers (1884)

San Diego Padres (1969)

San Francisco Giants (1883)

American League East
Baltimore Orioles (1894)

Boston Red Sox (1901)

New York Yankees (1901)

Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998) (yes, I said Devil Rays!)

Toronto Blue Jays (1977)

American League Central
Chicago White Sox (1894)

Cleveland Indians (1894)

Kansas City Royals 1969)

Minnesota Twins (1901)

American League West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1961)

Oakland Athletics (1901)

Seattle Mariners (1977)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/ Mariners Blog


Texas Rangers (1961)

Federal Baseball (Washington Nationals)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Federal Baseball

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.federalbaseball.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Federal Baseball is an online resource for Washington Nationals baseball fans seeking comments, news, game day and player updates, stats, and top stories. Post your comments or check the biographical encyclopedia for a list of players going back to 2005. It's all right here.

MY REVIEW: As with all Sports Nation blogs, this blog is chock full of information, but much of it is only available at their web address - for example game threads. On the other hand, if you're a Washington Nationals fan, and you've got 99 cents to spare each month, why not have this material delivered to your Kindle on a regular basis?

RECENT ARTICLES:
-National News: Not Too Concerned Edition
-Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg, Start Two: What "They're" Saying
-Washington Nationals: 0-10 after loss to St. Louis Cardinals
-Washington Nstionals: Stephen Strasburg starts spring with 5.0 ERA
-Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg Stars Two Game Thread

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Behind the Backstop Baseball


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Behind the Backstop

WEB ADDRESS: http://behindthebackstop.wordpress.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Behind The Backstop offers news, analysis, and opinions on all topics concerning Major League Baseball. We provide content 7 days a week.

MY REVIEW: Well, this is a brand new blog, so it's a bit hard to give it a proper review right now. Just as this blog metamorphosized in its first two weeks of existence, so might this one, especially when the real season starts.

Rather than focusing on one particular team, it seems that this blog will focus on baseball news in general. Right now, as we wait for the season to start, they're doing Team Previews, which are all very well if you're interested in teams from a fantasy league basis, or just in baseball in general.

There are no photos yet, and presumably tehre won't be until the writers actually go visit the teams in their area (as opposed to spring trainng which are all taking place in Grapefruit places - that'd be Florida, or Cactus places - that'd be Arizona!

How will this blog differentiate itself from the hundreds of other blogs out there. If you're a general blog rather than a specific team blog, it'll require something special. Perhaps the authors will have a certain sense of humor, or some particular style.

So for now, we'll say yes with reservations to this blog, and we'll check back when the season starts to see what is happening then.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-2010 Preview: Boston Red Sox
-2010 Preview: Baltimore Orioles
-2010 Preview: Washington Nationals
-2010 Preview: Philadelphia Phillies
-2010 Preview: New York Mets

Bucs Dugout (Pittsburgh Pirates)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Bucs Dugout

WEB ADDRESS: http://bucsdugout.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Follow games, player stats and more at this blog, dedicated to fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information given by Bucs Dugout to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a Pittsburgh Pirates fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There are videos, audio, lots and lots of photos, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

I anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

Let's hope that the Pittsburgh Pirates can regain their former glory, so long lost!

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Colton CAin, Brett Lorin, Zac Fuesser Hurt
-Fantasy League Update
-Floating REalignment?
-Some Spring Training Notes
-2010 NL Central Preview: Chicago Cubs
-Bucs Dugout Fantasy League

Mariners Blog (Seattle Mariners)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Mariners Blog

WEB ADDRESS: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

MY REVIEW: There are a couple of Mariners blogs available for subscription on the Kindle. There's the SportsNation blog, and then there's this one, by Geoff Baker for the Seattle Times. As such, this one is not bogged down with extraneous videos or audio...at least, not that I sawa. It's strictly the reporting of Geoff Baker (as well as an author named Bob Condotta, who seems to do game threads (which, of course, don't feed to the Kindle.)

If you're a fan of Baker's writing, you'll enjoy this blog, as you will if you're a fan of the Seattle Mariners. For myself, I remain a fan of Ichiro...but most of the rest of the Mariners are newbies. I hope they can produce and give the Mariners a chance at winning this year. Of course, I'll be watching the Mariners mainly to see if Ichiro can continue to be a hit machine.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Mariners vs Texas game thread, March 10
-Mariners cut eight
-Lee set to make Mariners spring debut
-Baker vs Calabro...sort of
-Wrapping up the day
-Mariners game thread, March 9...and Hernandez feels great after....

Camden Chat (Baltimore Orioles)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Camden Chat

WEB ADDRESS: http://camdenchat.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: The SB Nation blog covering the Baltimore Orioles. (Costs $1.99 per month to subscribe via Kindle)

MY REVIEW: I'v been a Baltimore Orioles fan for a long time....heck, I was watching the Orioles when Boog Powell was playing! And of course Cal Ripken was a perennial favorite. So if I may interject a personal note here... please, Orioles, get over .500 this year.

There is such a wealth of information given by Camden Chat to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a Baltimore Orioles fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There are videos, audio, lots and lots of photos, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

I anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Potential minor league call ups
-Another quick poll: T-shirt cost
-Now its time to panic - MacPhail officially worried about Roberts
-Matt Wieters graces the cover of Sports Illustrated, meaning that (for this week)...
-Game Thread: Rays at Orioles

True Blue LA (Los Angeles Dodgers)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: True Blue LA

WEB ADDRESS: http://truebluela.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: True Blue is a blog for fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Featuring Dodgers baseball news, updates and top stories, True Blue highlights all the news about the Dodgers team.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information given by True Blue LA to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a true blue LA Dodgers fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There are videos, audio, lots and lots of photos, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

However, I frankly anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Day of Departure: Dodgers leave for Taiwan, Nomar retires
-2010 Player Profiles - James Loney the Road Warrior
-Willie Davis slides into heaven
-Did the Dodgers leave enough infielders behind?
-Willie Davis found dead
-Starting pitchers for Taiwan series announced

Athletics Nation (Oakland As)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Athletics Nation

WEB ADDRESS: http://athleticnation.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: A weblog for fans of the Oakland A’s, Athletics Nation includes teams news and the latest statistics.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information fed by Athletics Nation to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a diehard Oakland As fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There aew videos, audio, lots and lots of photos, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

However, I frankly anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Chavez hits two HRs in A's loss
-Open thread: Game - 26 (Chicago White Sox at Oakland Athletics) (doesn't feed over)
-Adjusting Kevin Kouzmanoff's San Diego Numbers
-Sometimes you lose, sometimes you tie: Spring training game recap(s)
-Open thread: spring training A's vs Royals and Rangers

Twinkie Town (Minnesota Twins)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Twinkie Town

WEB ADDRESS: http://twinkietown.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Twinkie Town is the blog for fans who are fanatical about the Minnesota Twins baseball. Containing Twins news, updates and top stories, Twinkie Town features the happenings of the Twins team.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information fed by Twinkie Town to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a diehard Minnesota Twins fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There aew videos, audio, lots and lots of photos, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

However, I frankly anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Torii Hunter: Black Latin Players "Impostors"
-Window of Opportunity (Joe Nathan out)
-Twins sign Brad Hennessy
-Twins interested in RHP Jason Frasor
-Twinkie Town a Top 10 Twin's Blog
-Twins 7, Cardinals 6

Bleed Cubbie Blue (Chicago Cubs)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, wth reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Bleed Cubbie Blue

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: This blog is dedicated to the Chicago Cubs fan community and features game recaps, bleacher reconstruction news, and book reviews. All sides of being a Cubs fan are covered in this informative site.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information fed by this blog to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There's videos, audio, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

However, I frankly anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Kung Fu Panda Slams Z: Giants Beat Cubs 5-1
-First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs Giants, Wednesday 3/10 (gamethread, unreadable on Kindle)
-What Will We See on Opening DAy? Cubs vs Giants at Mesa Preview, Wednesday 3/10
-2010 BCB Community Projections: Starting Position Players (Corrected)
Parker Lets Inglett Park One: 9th inning HR leads Brewers over Cubs, 5-3

Over the Monster (Boston Red Sox)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Over The Monster

WEB ADDRESS: http://overthemonster.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Over the Monster is your source for the latest Red Sox news and game recaps. This blog provides a forum for passionate fans all year round.

MY REVIEW: There is such a wealth of information fed by this blog to your Kindle, that at a cost of 99 cents a month to have it delivered, it's not a bad deal, especially if you're a diehard Red Sox fan.

Unfortunately, like most of the SportsBlog Nation blogs, many of the features available on the website aren't available on the Kindle. There's videos, audio, and probably even game threads that you won't see unless you actually visit this blog web's page.

However, I frankly anticipate that once the season actually begins and the posts really start coming, they'll mostly be text-based, and Kindle users will be able to enjoy having the articles delivered directly to their Kindle.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Sox can'r overcome Mill's implosion
-Listenin' in on the Re Sox (audio)
-Watch live: Nomar Garciaparra press conference
-Who is Yu Dervish and why doesn't he come to America to play for the Yankees (video)
-Nomar Garciaparra to sign with Red Sox, retire
-Tim Wakefield, Red Sox blank Marlins, 9-0

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Royals Review (Kansas City Royals)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Royals Review

WEB ADDRESS: http://royalsreview.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Royals Review highlights Kansas City Royals baseball news, updates and top stories. The blog also previews upcoming games and provides player profiles.

MY REVIEW: I'm reviewing all these baseball blogs in the spring season, trying to get them available for potential subscribers. To date, it appears that entries are made on a daily basis, on everything to do with the Royals.

For myself, I find it easier to read this blog on Kindle then on its actual webpage. At the webpage, you get a couple of sentence for each article, then a link to Read More. But the feed is set up on the Kindle so that you get the entire article without having to diddle around.

The Angels blog, also hosted by Sports Nation, has game threads and video (none of which are accessible on the Kindle.) To date Royals Review has strictly news articles on Royals' players.

Since it's only 99 cents a month to subscribe to this blog, go for it!

RECENT ARTICLES:
--Baseball Prospectus ranks Royals farm system 10th best
--2010 Player projections - Zach Greinke
--CBSSportsline.com Fantasy Baseball Partnership
--Well this is certainly novel: News breaks about odd Jason Kendall Story
--Picking through the wreckage of Black Sunday

Halos Heaven (The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: Yes, with reservations.

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: Halo's Heaven

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.halosheaven.com/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Halos Heaven is a Los Angeles/Anaheim Angels blog that delivers news, updates, top stories, as well as links to SportsBlogs Nation, polls, and Angels sites galore!

MY REVIEW: I'm reviewing all these baselball blogs in the spring season, trying to get them available for potential subscribers. To date, it appears that entries are made on a daily basis, on everything to do wtih the Angels.

What are its flaws? Well, the blog is updated every day, which is a plus...but a lot of those updates aren't accessible to people with a Kindle. They consist of Youtube videos, or game threads which don't feed over, and so on.

On the other hand, if you're a die-hard Angels fan, once the season starts you may want all this material delivered to your door on a regular basis. So I leave that decision up to you!

RECENT ARTICLES:
--Brandon Wood - Will he rock or flop? (Video)
--Still no Trivia Winner (Trivia contest)
--Spring debut game thread (Inaccessible)
--Hank Conger is Cool, Scott Kazmir is not: Halolinks (Lots of links, time-consuming to get to on a Kindle)
--'Angels' Japanese Quiz Show Sighting

Thursday, March 4, 2010

UmpBump (Baseball)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: MAYBE - if you like "in-your-face" commentary

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION LINK: UmpBump, published by UmpBump

WEB ADDRESS: http://umpbump.com/press/

BLOG DESCRIPTION: In-your-face baseball commentary

MY REVIEW: I am so sick of "in-your-face" commentary. How about a little informed but well-mannered commentary? But I guess that's what young males like these days (and heck, considering what I read on women's college basketball boards, young women, too.) Write your posts in a a condescending way, and this will make you appear witty.

So, because of the way the posts are couched, I really can't give this a thumbs-up. But since this type of "witty" writing seems to be appreciated these days, if you like that, you'll like this.

Some sample paragraphs:
This is one in a series of posts where we laud teams’ shrewd offseason acquisitions and pan their terrible trades and silly signings.

The Braves finished six games out of first place in 2009, but their Pythagorean record had them only a game back of the Phillies. Moreover, Atlanta can expect continued improvement from Tommy Hanson, who MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes predicts will be one of the NL’s 10 best pitchers in 2010. Super prospect Jason Heyward, meanwhile, is on his way and might make the team out of spring training (especially if he keeps shattering car windows in batting practice).

The Braves could have returned the same lineup as last season and been in position to make a playoff run.

Instead, they traded their best pitcher in a cost-cutting move.

The Braves sent Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera and two minor leaguers. Fangraphs’ Dave Cameron said the Braves got more for Vazquez than the Phils got for Cliff Lee. Tim Hudson says the Braves’ rotation will still be strong, even without Vazquez. But will it be strong enough? Atlanta’s staff will boast Hudson (who the team signed to a new contract this offseason), Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Kenshin Kawakami, who is better suited to a relief role. It’s a good group, and could be great depending on how Hudson does in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, and how young guns Hanson and Jurrjens progress. But the Braves’s staff could have been lights out if only ownership had been willing to spend a little more on Vazquez.

Elsewhere on the diamond, Atlanta signed Troy Glaus to play first base, a position at which he has played in only six games in his career. If Glaus is healthy, the signing could be a real coup, as the slugger is a regular threat to hit 30 home runs. But Glaus missed all but 14 games last season with St. Louis, after having arthroscopic shoulder surgery and experiencing a setback when he tried to make it back in time for opening day. Signing a first baseman to a one-year deal made sense, since the Braves expect prospect Freddie Freeman to be ready as early as 2011. But it’s a little surprising that a team that already boasts one oft-injured corner infielder (Chipper, we’re looking at you) would want to add another.

The Braves also signed the tatted up Eric Hinske, who’s played in the World Series three years in a row with three different teams. Hinske’s not good enough to play everyday, nor is he an ideal platoon partner for Matt Diaz, since both hit lefties better than righties.

So how does Hinske fit in? In an ideal world, Hinske will spend most of his time on the bench, pinch hitting and providing outfield and first base depth. But that’s only possible if Heyward makes the team out of spring training. Then Cabrera and Diaz can platoon in left.

Atlanta also tinkered with its bullpen this offseason, letting Mike Gonzalez walk and trading Rafael Soriano (who surprised the team by accepting salary arbitration). GM Frank Wren signed Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito to replace them, two old guys who are looking to prove they’ve still got what it takes.

The net result?

Atlanta took a big step back by dealing Vazquez, who was worth more than 6 games above replacement last season. To make up the difference, the Braves will be betting on solid health from Jones, Wagner, Saito and Glaus, and a return to form from Lowe. And that’s a lot to hope for. If only the team had found the cash to keep Vazquez. If only.

Grade: C-

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Hot Offseason Action: Oakland As
-Ozzie Guillen's Spanish tweets son oro solido [are solid gold])
-Hot Offseason Action: Tampa Bay Rays
-Hot Offseason Action: Washington Nationals
-Hot Offseason Action: San Francisco Giants

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Seattle Mariners: Caffeinated Confines (baseball)

REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: No Longer Exists

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION PAGE: N/A

WEB ADDRESS: N/A

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Caffeinated Confines features the latest updates on the Seattle Mariners players, personalities and news.

MY REVIEW: Another blog that used to be hosted on the MVN (most valuable network) which is no longer in existence.

Since the baseball season is coming up rapidly I'll be reviewing lots of baseball blogs. This one unfortunately no longer exists.

RECENT ARTICLES:
N/A

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

High and Tight (Baseball in general)


REVIEWED BY: Ms. Cairo

MY RECOMMENDATION: NO.

AMAZON SUBSCRIPTION PAGE: High and Tight

WEB ADDRESS: http://highandtight.blogspot.com

BLOG DESCRIPTION: Headline news, analysis and commentary for the New York Yankees' fan, culled from SportsBlogs' New York Yankees Daily Entries.

MY REVIEW: Well, although the blog description says this is a blog for Yankees, the posts seem to skip all over the place. The "commentary" is a single sentence, commenting on comments made by other people - usually sarcastic. I found it uninteresting. I don't care for the man's sense of humor, and I also don't care to read F-bombs in blog entries... (It also hasn't been updated since January 13, even though spring training is already goig on.)

There are plenty of New York Yankees blogs, and plenty of General Baseball blogs. I don't see the point in adding this one to your list of must reads.

RECENT ARTICLES:
-Dumbest Statement of 2010 (So Far) (Jan 13, 2010)
-Worst Team Slogan Ever (Jan 12, 2010)
-Huge Move By the Padres (Jan 7, 2010)
-Congratualtions Andre Dawson (Jan 6, 2010)
-So How Many Interns Was Peter Gammons Sleeping With ((Dec 8, 2009) [Perhaps even now Gammons is suing this guy, which is why he hasn't posted in over a month]