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Thanks to the miracle of technology and the relatively advanced state of sabermetrics, evaluating a pool of ballplayers statistically, even one as large and disparate as the NCAA, has become pretty easy if you want to pour in the skull sweat, and can find the data.

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I am expecting to win a coffee at "Roll Up The Rim" one of these days.
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Whisper it, but maybe you can rebuild in the Big Apple.

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The unbeaten Blue Jays take on the Yankees in Tampa this afternoon, and it's on Sportsnet. Yesterday, the Bombers delighted a crowd of more than 10,000 by beating the Phillies 7-5 on a Jason Giambi grand slam. Alex Rodriguez looked great at third -- who would have expected anything else? -- and Gary Sheffield threw out a runner at the plate.

It's also spring training for the broadcast crew, so I'll go easy on them today. If you're not in range of the TV, you can listen live on The FAN 590, where the pregame show begins at 12:30 with Tom, Jerry and Mike.
When Joe Jackson wrote "You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want)", we doubt he had the Pittsburgh Pirates in mind. The team could never decide if wanted to try for one last gasp at a division title, or rebuild. In trying to meet both goals, it accomplished neither. The team has averaged a 71-91 record over the last 6 seasons and has finished higher than fourth only once since 1998.
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A circumstance when you make your dreams. A song you've heard dozens of times although you may not realize it. Here are some Jays articles, however, that should be new to you:
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"We think this is our worst club over the next five years. You'd better beat us now." -- A's General Manager Billy Beane, after his club lost to the Yankees in five games in the 2000 ALDS.

"I beg to differ." -- Hack writer John Gizzi, March 5, 2004.

The 2004 Oakland A's: 20 Questions With John Gizzi (JG) and an Anonymous Interviewer (AI)
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Someone leans in my direction, quizzing on my story selection
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With the previous HJC banished to the archives, it’s time for a new thread. Points to ponder:

Juan Gonzalez starting at DH because his arm wasn’t “in game shape” according to manager Tony Pena. The injury causing him to miss the second half the 2003 season was to his calf...

Brandon Inge as a center fielder...

Jack Wilson
as a #2 hitter...

Mike Lowell’s perpetually inflamed right elbow...

The Phillies’ record if Eric Milton stays healthy and effective...

Rob Neyer’s equivocal assessment of the Toronto Blue Jays...

Someone other than Mike Moffatt making an 80's music reference.
Of the 27 predictors tracked by Diamond Mind Baseball (including 25 media outlets/prognosticators, and also the previous year's standings and current season's spring training standings), only four outperformed the Vegas over/under line in 2003. Of those four - Diamond Mind simulations, the Los Angeles Times, Baseball America and Baseball Digest - only Diamond Mind and the Times have consistently bested the House over the past three seasons.

What do the sportsbooks have on the over/under menu this year? This is, of course, for predictive value and conversation stimulation only; the Box does not endorse gambling.

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A little bit more than you could ever say.
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Despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth from White Sox supporters, the 2004 White Sox should be as good as the 2003 Sox. The departure of Bartolo Colon and Carl Everett will be offset by better seasons from Paul Konerko, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee, Joe Crede and Mark Buehrle.
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Before spring training games start tomorrow I decided to look back to "The Good Old Days".

It has recently come to my attention that I’m the second-oldest member of the Batter’s Box roster. It has been quite a shock to my system to think of myself in those terms. At age 47, I do not consider myself old. My father is old; I am not.
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The Houston Astros might be the best franchise never to win a World Series. That should change this year.

Yes, that’s high, out-on-a-limb praise, but as Lou Brock once said, show me a man who’s afraid to look bad and I’ll show you a man you can beat every time. As my track record of predictions has clearly established, I have absolutely no fear of looking bad, repeatedly so in fact. All the same, the 2004 Astros have the look of a team that’s geared for a championship run. They need do only three things to achieve greatness: win the season series with the Cubs, fire their manager in May, and bench their incumbent centerfielder in June.
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Everybody shooting from the hip, Everybody wants their Jays news.
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