C-Ram vs. R-Pod

He hasn’t pitched a single game professionally yet, but already Ricky Podsednik is drawing comparisons to Christopher Ramirez, arguably the best pitcher in the world. While such comparisons may be a bit premature – the 18-year old Podsednik most likely will not be ML ready for at least four seasons – it does pose an interesting debate. Will Ramirez eventually pass the torch of the World’s best pitcher to another player in the NL East? A look comparing the current ratings of Ramirez, to the projected ratings of Podsednik.

Stamina

Ramirez: 94

Podsednik: 84

Advantage: Ramirez

Control

Ramirez: 90

Podsednik: 97

Advantage: Podsednik, slightly

Splits

Ramirez: 95 vs LH, 93 vs RH

Podsednik: 91 vs LH, 77 vs RH

Advantage: Ramirez

Velocity

Ramirez: 91

Podsednik: 88

Advantage: Draw, Ramirez has a slightly better number, but three points is too close to call.

Pitches

Ramirez: 4 (84 4-Seam FB, 68 Curveball, 70 Change Up, 36 Cut FB)

Podsednik: 5 (83 4-Seam FB, 84 Slider, 66 Curveball, 83 Change Up, 44 Split FB)

Advantage: Podsednik

Of course all these projected numbers mean nothing yet. Ramirez is a 5-time Cy Young winner, and that number will most likely get higher before he’s ready for retirement. Podsednik also is seen by some as an injury risk who could fall victim to Mark Prior/Kerry Wood syndrome. But like all top prospects it will take a few years before we know just how good this young phenom will be.

From the Onion News Network

At a press conference Wednesday, the San Francisco Sourdoughs and their absence from the World Series announced an agreement to a four-year contract extension, with an option for another six years. "The relationship between the Doughs’ and their Absence From The World Series is strong, as both sides have shown loyalty to each other for the past 6 years," Sourdoughs owner John Derasmo said. "It's something the fans have come to expect. Why, I remember sitting around the fire as a boy, talking with my grandfather about how that other team in that other league, the Cubs I think they called themselves, would never make it to another World Series.” Derasmo paused to chug a glass of water, which we later found out was Grey Goose, straight, in a tall glass. “I only hope my children and their children and their childdren's children have the same opportunity."

Despite rumors, Absence From The World Series would not admit to holding closed-door talks with the AltiDUDEs.

Power Rankings - December 11, 2008

Underachievers

1. New York Moon Shots: 3.42

2. Houston Aggies: 2.776

3. Indianapolis Racers: 2.322

4. Buffalo Thunderbolts: 2.18

5. Kansas City Shuffle: 1.604

Overachievers

1. Jacksonville Juggernauts: -3.327

2. Pawtucket Polythene: -2.18

3. Atlanta City Slickers: -2.037

4. Scottsdale T's: -1.923

5. Rochester Raging Rhinos: -1.48

Computer Rankings

Rank	Team	Record	Computer Score
1	Pawtucket Polythene	17-3	0.7846
2	Jacksonville Juggernauts	16-3	0.737
3	Norfolk Nomads	13-6	0.7032
4	Kansas City Shuffle	12-7	0.6824
5	Texas Tittyballs	13-7	0.6746
6	Fresno Fire Dragons	13-7	0.668
7	Charlotte knights	13-7	0.635
8	Scottsdale T's	13-6	0.6234
9	Atlanta City Slickers	13-6	0.6198
10	Tucson Turbocors	11-8	0.582
11	Trenton Tadpoles	11-8	0.564
12	Cleveland Steamers	10-9	0.5554
13	Colorado Springs AltiDUDES	10-9	0.5494
14	Cheyenne ChilliPeppers	11-9	0.5398
15	St. Louis Birdnals	10-9	0.517
16	Buffalo Thunderbolts	9-11	0.5154
17	Richmond Moonshiners II	11-9	0.5134
18	Memphis Hound Dawgs	9-10	0.4926
19	Fargo Nines	8-11	0.4624
20	Rochester Raging Rhinos	10-10	0.4556
21	Monterrey Cervezas	9-11	0.4194
22	Little Rock Big Rocks	8-12	0.4192
23	Salt Lake City Dodgers	8-12	0.418
24	New York Moon Shots	6-14	0.4026
25	Indianapolis Racers	6-13	0.3892
26	Detroit Tigers	8-12	0.3598
27	Huntington Cousins	7-12	0.3404
28	New Orleans Breeze	6-13	0.3316
29	Scranton Dunder-Mifflins	7-13	0.3248
30	Hartford Defenders	6-14	0.3186
31	San Francisco Sourdoughs	5-15	0.2626
32	Houston Aggies	3-16	0.2456

Season 8 Hall of Fame Ballot

Minor snafu in the voting this year, as nobody in the AL North wanted on the HOFC. Instead of figuring things out on the fly (since I realistically don't believe anyone will be enshrined this year anyway), I'm just going with 8 people voting, and lowering the required votes from 5 to 4 to make the ballot.

I'm going to keep the 8 people who voted (bader, bearclan, longday, johnderasmo, dubabe, dawgfan, pvc & myself) on the HOFC permanently. KRS & jtrueblue also showed interest in being on the HOFC. I want everybody's input on this, but since they're the only other people who showed interest, I'm thinking of just making them both members and going with a 10 person committee. Would anybody be opposed to this?

Anyway, on to the three person ballot for the Hall of Fame in season 8. Remember, 70% of votes are required to make the HOF. There are 28 eligible voters, but I'm not sure if everyone will vote in time.

The nominees are:


Steven Widger played 5 major league seasons for the Louisville Freezer Monkeys before playing a year at AAA for Jacksonville. He played 680 career games in the bigs, posting 512 runs, 762 hits, 173 doubles, 20 triples, 137 home runs, 482 rbi's, 103 stolen bases and a .298 career average in 2550 at bats. Widger made 2 all star teams, won 2 silver slugger awards, 1 gold glove, and was voted the Season 1 AL MVP.

Bubba Wall played 5 seasons, all with the Texas Tittyballs. In 613 career games, the catcher hit .293 with 382 runs, 627 hits, 91 doubles, 8 triples, 168 home runs, and 512 RBI's. Wall was a 3-time All Star, as well as winning one Silver Slugger award.

Jeremi Warden pitched 5 seasons with Cheyenne and Rochester, mostly as a closer. He pitched 349 innings in 299 games, posting 154 saves in 178 oppurtunities. He struck out 222 batters while posting a 1.25 whip and 2.99 era. He is the Sharkey's World single season saves leader, with 53 in season 5, his last year in the majors. Warden made 3 All Star teams, and won the Season 5 NL Fireman of the Year award.

I'll update this blog once a day with the results on the voting. The deadline is one week from now. 11:30 PM Eastern on Tuesday, December 16th.