h2h Corner ~ Jonah Keri on Sports (Fantasy), Canada, Twitter, and Strat-O-Matic

June 5, 2009

It was great to sit down with – err – exchange e-mails with Jonah Keri recently. If you want to see an intelligent off-the-beaten path (holding back a lame Frost reference) take on the history and present of sports, read on.

We tackle everything from Rock Raines and the Expos to Twitter and the Tampa Bay Rays. There’s also a little Strat-O-Matic, points league and Canada talk.

You, at one time, were employed by the Worldwide Leader. How has branching out changed your coverage of sports?

Technically I was never employed by ESPN. I wrote as a freelancer for them, semi-regularly, for 2.5 years. Their freelance budget dried up with the economic downturn, and that was that. They’ll still sneak me under the radar on occasion (really enjoyed writing this Q&A with Daryl Morey for them), which is nice. It is unfortunate, but more because they had to cut loose far more accomplished freelancers than me (Jeff Pearlman, for one). Anyway, no worries, enjoying my new gig stringing for the Wall Street Journal, with occasional forays for SI, Baseball America, YESNetwork et al. Plus I’m finishing up my 10th year writing about the stock market for Investor’s Business Daily, which still pays a good chunk of the bills.

As long as I get to write for a living, I’m thrilled. I have no other verifiable skills. Zero.

What “new” media do you enjoy the most? Live blogging sporting events? Live chatting sporting events? Twitter? FaceBook (not sure if this counts as new)? Do you have a favorite live blogging/chatting experience?

Really enjoying Twitter, I admit it. I was a relatively late adopter, used to ask some buddies of mine (they’re a little younger, mid-to-late 20s) what the deal was with Twitter. It sounded like a place for narcissists to talk about what they ate for breakfast. Fortunately, I’m a gigantic narcissist. All right, actually it’s more that I’m constantly watching, reading about or writing about sports, my mind works a mile a minute, and I live in the deep woods of New Hampshire. So I try to imagine if a buddy was with me and we were at the ballpark or at a bar watching sports, what could I say that might be interesting? I’ll pass along links I like, comments that hopefully have at least some value, etc. Not just sports, to be fair. I’ve been a political junkie for the past couple years (started with the launch of presidential campaign season…U.S. politics never interested me that much beforehand), I’ll pass along cool science-related links, pop culture stuff, whatever.

As for liveblogging, it’s a relatively new gig I picked up as part of my WSJ duties and I love it. Same idea as Twitter in a sense, just no 140-character limit. Instant observations on games (a lot of basketball especially in the past few months), some analysis, humor sprinkled in. My favorite one to date was probably Tuesday night’s Penguins-Red Wings Game 3. It was my first time doing a liveblog or game chat for hockey, and it was frenetic. There’s no sport faster or more fluid than hockey, which means you’re just flying through it, watching, writing, watching, writing. It’s all reaction, so whatever analysis there is to be had is really stream of consciousness stuff. Which suits my style perfectly, really—I was always the guy who would wait until the night before (sometimes the morning of) an assignment or term paper was due, bang it out, and the work would be just as good as if I slaved over it for months. And really, what other profession rewards that kind of procrastination/speed on deadline, if not journalism? (That Pens-Wings game was also terrifically exciting, so that helped a lot.)

Oh and I’m enjoying blogging too. Celebrated the one-year anniversary of JonahKeri.com not too long ago. What started as just a way for me to let family and friends know when I’d written a new article evolved into me ranting about everything under the sun, Guantanamo Bay, FISA, abstinence-only education, the War On Drugs, you name it. Nobody’s ever going to pay me to write about politics or current events (I read a lot, but I’m miserably under qualified), so it’s a good place to speak out, even if it’s mostly to myself.

[Editors note, follow Jonah on Twitter at, oddly enough, jonahkeri. It is a far better tweeting experience than h2h_corner.]

Are you the most famous Montreal Expos fan? Do you have any allegiances now? Perhaps Joel Hanrahan?

Oh please, I’m not even the most famous person in my own house. Donald Sutherland has to be the most famous Expos fan of all-time. In the 80s, you could watch a game, and you’d see Donald, sitting behind home plate with a big hat (and a trench coat, when it was cold), watching the game intently. I’m actually hoping to interview Sutherland about various topics, mostly as an excuse to talk about the Expos with him.

As for allegiances, I am very much a baseball orphan. I do follow the Rays, because I’m writing a book about them and seeing them repeat would probably help, though mostly because I’ve met and talked to many of the players, and they’re just a bunch of really good guys. I can’t remember ever enjoying an interview more than I did when I talked to Fernando Perez (well, maybe Larry Bird, but I was so young and so nervous for that one I may have vomited and not noticed). So I want to see the Rays succeed, sure.

Tim Raines or Rock Raines?

Either one works. As long as he gets into the Hall of Fame, dammit.

[Editor’s note: Agreed. The Rock was better than rock candy or Dwayne Johnson.]

The Big Cat: good nickname or not?

Yes, though I prefer “le grand chat” (or “le gros chat”, when Andres went off his diet).

What is biased Canadianism?

It’s part of the little bio I cobbled together at my site, where I say that my take on the issue is “influenced by objective analysis and biased Canadianism.” Just means I tend to take a results-based, analytical approach to…pretty much everything, but that I reserve the right to obsess over a defunct baseball team or flash back to my days chugging Orange Julep and scarfing down St. Viateur bagels.

How do you think fantasy baseball has changed the way fans participate in the sport?

It gets them more involved. Most fans probably start as fans of their hometown team, whatever the sport. With fantasy baseball (or football, basketball, hockey etc.), a Yankees fan is suddenly desperate to know everything there is to know about Mark Teahen. A Cubs fan can’t get enough Scott Hairston knowledge. Suddenly there’s demand for more in-depth analysis, to learn more about players’ value. I always laugh at the criticisms of fantasy players, how they never watch the game because they’re too busy… (insert your favorite mother’s basement/head stuck in stats book cliché). Playing fantasy makes us much more invested in the game, not less. That’s a good thing.

[Editor’s note: hear, hear!]

Has fantasy changed the way you follow baseball?

Well, when I said before that I’m a baseball orphan who no longer has a favorite team, that’s not entirely true. My fantasy (and two Strat-O-Matic teams are my favorites. Roto/fantasy doesn’t really change how I see the game, probably because the categories don’t accurately reflect real-life value, given how team-dependent stats such as saves, wins and RBI are. Strat’s another story, though. Probably the two biggest lessons I’ve learned from Strat that I apply to real-life baseball are the importance of building a deep bullpen, and the value of platoons. Those two elements are hallmarks of all my Strat teams, and I tend to be successful. A team that might lack superstars can still overachieve if it has those elements.

h2h, ROTO or points?

Roto. I have never been in a head-to-head league (and that ship has probably sailed, I should be quitting leagues now, not adding) and the only points league I did was fun (linear weights-based!) but not as neat and clean as Roto.

Can you give a preview on the upcoming book on the Rays worst to first season?

Not too much, because: a) the book is still in its early writing stages, b) both the publisher and I prefer to keep things under wraps for a while. I will say that there will be ample analysis as far as how they got to where they are. There will be tons of interviews (probably 100-150 by the time I’m done, players, execs from other teams, behind-the-scenes guys, writers, politicians, etc.). And there will be lots of good stuff about how the Rays even came into existence, which is an unbelievable story that could be its own book (in fact it already is).

If you burnt a phrase into a bat what would it be?

Can I be a jerk and use Brad Fullmer’s “Can’t Break Me?” Snark value off the charts there.

Otherwise I’d go with the same quote that pops up as my cell phone On message, the same phrase that appears in about 20% of the books on my bookshelf. It’s Branch Rickey’s old saw: “Luck is the residue of design”.

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Written by Albert Lang · Filed Under H2H | 2 Comments 

h2h ~ The Buddy Garrity/Don Draper/Ed Norton Sales Convention

June 5, 2009

Who isn’t versed in financial lingo nowadays? In these tough economic times, it has become clear that everyone needs to know how to manage their finances. You certainly can’t leave it up to the experts. Read more

Written by Albert Lang · Filed Under H2H | 4 Comments 

Fantasy Impact: Rockies Set To Add Carlos Gonzalez

June 5, 2009

Manager Jim Tracy inherited the Rockies’ team and with it, the frustration of departed leader Clint Hurdle.  In an effort to jumpstart an unsurprisingly anemic offense now devoid of anchor Matt Holliday, Tracy indicated an imminent call to former uber-prospect Carlos Gonzalez. 

Gonzalez, now with his third team in three years (Arizona, Oakland, and now Colorado), needs to seize on this opportunity to stick with a big league club.  When given a shot at playing time during ‘08, Gonzo hit a mere 4 homers and 4 steals in 300 at bats to go with a .242 average.  More disturbingly was Carlos Gonzalez’s 81:13 K:BB ratio – clearly a poor fit for Oakland whose emphasis on OBP seemed at odds with Gonzo’s slap-happy offensive all-or-nothing mantra.   Dealt as a centerpiece of the Matt Holliday trade, Gonzalez was speculated to benefit from Colorado’s thin air until a demotion after spring training seemingly condemned him to yet more time in “quadruple A.”

So, why the sudden promotion to the Bigs again?  Gonzalez was batting .348 in triple A (Colorado Springs) with 10 homers, 59 RBI, and 6 stolen bases with an improved 31:22 K:BB radio.  Strengthening his case for a call-up was the fact that Gonzo was hitting better against southpaws, a new trend for the previously platoon-worthy Gonzalez.  Still, it is hard to get too excited about the promotion given the present crowding in the Rockies OF.  With Brad Hawpe no threat to lose playing time, Dexter Fowler cementing his place as the Rocks’ leadoff man, Ian Stewart pushing for playing time all over the diamond, and Ryan Spilborghs holding his offensive own, it is hard to speculate where Gonzo goes.  In a conversation with the Denver Post, Hurdle was quoted as saying, “It’s going to be interesting to see how I figure all of that out.  But when you have close to 60 RBIs, I’ll accept the challenge.”  Tracy continued by promising that Gonzalez will see playing time. “We are not bringing him in to be a part-time player, I can tell you that. And we’ll leave it at that,” Tracy said.

So this will be tantamount to a baseball reality show.  Ultimately whoever hits will start, but the projected fantasy impact:

Hawpe – With 8 homers and a .348 average and perhaps as the most tenured player in a relatively “green” outfield, Hawpe is in no danger of losing playing time.  He’s even improved to .295 against left-handers with 4 homers.

Spilborghs – In danger of platooning with either Gonzalez or Stewart.

Fowler – Likely to remain a starter in CF as the only speedy player on the entire roster. 

Ian Stewart – Right now he’s a super-utilityman but ultimately Stewart is a 3rd baseman masquerading as a middle infielder.  If Atkins is dealt or demoted Stewart will take over full time at the hot corner.  If Barmes returns to Earth and to his old middling ways, Stewart will start at second, but at present he is a minimal threat in the OF.

Gonzalez – A center-fielder by trade, has logged some time in RF with Oakland last season, but it is hard to imagine him shifted to left.  While nobody expects Gonzo to stick with the parent club and nail down a starting job, with improved patience at the dish and a supposed newfound maturity in his approach, perhaps this is the season Gonzalez puts it all together.  His fantasy owners sure hope so. 

Conclusion – Worth a flier in NL-only formats and keeper leagues.  Until he proves himself, though, watch and wait.

Written by Russell Sandman · Filed Under Roster Management | Leave a Comment 

In Case You Missed It . . .

June 5, 2009

Each week I highlight recent performances that you may have missed. These stories include interesting stats and trends, major league debuts, recent rehab starts, minor league performances, hot/cold streaks, and so on. My ultimate goal is to help you identify players and trends that you may not have noticed.

Here’s what you may have missed this week:

1. Lastings Milledge is still in the minors and is currently hitting a meager .253 with 0 homers, 4 RBI’s, 6 steals, and a .277 OBP% in 79 at-bats.

2. Andrew McCutchen was called up to the majors after the Pirates traded Nate McLouth to the Braves. McCutchen was hitting .303 with 4 homers, 20 RBI’s, and 10 steals in the minors.

3. Matt Holliday is officially on the trade block.  Consider dishing him now if you are in an AL-only league that doesn’t count stats after inter-league trades. 

4. Jose Reyes has a torn hamstring and will be out at least a month.  Hopes of 60+ steals this season are now officially out the window.

5. Randy Johnson won his 300th game.  The next closest active pitcher is 46-year old Jamie Moyer with 250.  After Moyer is Andy Pettite with 220.

6. Jason Bartlett leads the majors with a .373 batting average.  In his four full major league seasons, he finished with batting averages of .241, .309, .265, and .286.

7. Luke Scott lead the majors in home runs and RBI’s over the past seven days with 6 and 14 respectively. 

8. Tony Gwynn Jr. is getting some playing time with the Padres (25 at-bats over the past seven days).  In the minors, he was hitting .309 with 15 steals.

9. Josh Beckett is finally coming around.  He has 2 wins, 17 K’s and a 0.61 ERA in his last 14.2 IP.

10. Jeff Nieman is pitching well.  Over the past seven days he has 1 win, 13 K’s and a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings pitched.

11. Trevor Hoffman now has 14 saves and 16 scoreless innings pitched.  He sports a 0.44 WHIP to go along with his 0.00 ERA.  Hoffman is also striking out about one batter per inning.

12. Brad Lidge has regained fantasy baseball owners confidence in the past week, notching 4 saves without letting up a run.

13. Gordon Beckham, the White Sox first pick in 2008, was recalled from the minors this week.  Split between Double and Triple A, Beckham was hitting .378 with 4 homers, and 25 RBI’s in 175 at-bats.

14. Brett Myers had hip surgery and will miss the rest of the season.  He is now officially blacklisted from my team, along with former flameouts Robert Person and Matt Mantei.

15. Andy LaRoche - the same guy who hit .166 last season despite a stellar minor league career — is quietly hitting .297 with 2 homers and 25 RBI’s in 165 at-bats.

16. Chien-Ming Wang is back in the Yankees rotation after pitching well in middle relief.  Unfortunately for Wang, his return to the rotation didn’t go well; he let up 5 runs in 4.2 IP. 

17. Garrett Atkins is in danger of being demoted if he doesn’t improve his performance.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Blog, Player News | Leave a Comment