Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
There will be no prizes, or points, for guessing the identity of this months 3 star selection leader. Ryan Roberts was the leader for May. You might have a tougher time guessing who the joint second place finishers are.
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The results are in. Thanks to all who participated!
Tonight figures to be our best chance for a win in Oakland: Miguel Batista has the best stuff and most experience of any pitcher in our current rotation.

I was extremely impressed with the patience of our undermanned lineup the last two games in Seattle. I would hate to be the Bob Melvin right now - the local press must be circling like vultures looking for a scapegoat for the M's terrible start.

Contest of the day: Predict how many total runs both the Jays and A's will score in this four game series. The winner gets 30 million points.
My 2004 NCAA Adjusted Statistics are now available for download over at The Hardball Times.

They are .pdf files. If anyone needs them in database format, let me know here and I'll send them to you that way. Pistol, I know you want them; I'm going to send them later today.

The .pdf files are quite large - 60 pages of pitchers and 86 pages of hitters, available in rank order and team-by-team. There are nearly 5,000 players in all. Thanks to Robert Dudek, Boyd Nation, and Tangotiger for being totally awesome and uncountable others for aid and suggestions.
Of everyone I've ever known
It's nothing I regret
Save it for another day
It's the school exam and the kids have run away
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Here's my monthly Blue Jays report card for May. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

As always, players are graded from A+ ("like unto a god") to F ("make him go away") using my time-honoured method of thinking for a few seconds and then guessing.
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With all the injuries and the last minute scratch of Roy Halladay, yesterday's victory over Seattle must be viewed as a character win. A key 2-run shot from Vernon Wells and excellent hitting and fielding from Reed Johnson paved the way to a one-run victory. Jason Frasor has some rough moments in the 8th, but found his command in the 9th to close the game out.

If Ted Lilly doesn't walk a lot of Mariners hitters he should be able to limit their run scoring opportunities. Like Gil Meche, Joel Pineiro is a young righthander who's had a rough go of it this season so far.
Paint my love a morning sky, it’s all cold.
Dawn is breaking everywhere, light a candle, curse the glare
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The sample sizes are a little bigger, the flashes in the pan have started to fade, and we’re getting a clearer picture of the Blue Jays’ top prospects. Only one or two players are having truly breakout seasons, but a lot of blue-chip prospects are rounding into shape. Here’s your May 2004 Farm Report.
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Given the following season-to-date statistics, which outfielder would you choose?
NamePABAOBPSLGOPSGPA
Player A189.322.377.466.843.286
Player B244.335.381.409.790.273

As an armchair manager you'd probably be well-off with either of these players, but in this case I'm forcing you to make a decision.

If batting statistics aren't enough for you, I'm happy to report that in their time spent in right field, both players have been almost equivalent fielders. Player A has a lower fielding percentage but higher zone rating; both men's range factor is essentially equal.

Have you made up your mind yet? Click the link below to find out which player you now call your own.
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Reader and regular Thomas Ayers takes a look around the minors and picks out ten Ken Phelps All-Stars, guys who are trapped inthe minors when they belong in the Show. Part 2 will be here later this week; for now, here are the first five. Thanks Thomas!

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We had a fun conversation yesterday about video games. I thought I'd continue it by discussing five old school baseball video games. Feel free to discuss any game, past or present, baseball or non-baseball.
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News filtered down today that promising starting pitcher Justin Miller is going on the disabled list with a right hamstring injury. And now, staff ace Roy Halladay has been scratched from tonight's start due to soreness. Let's hope he can go tomorrow, or barring that, that Doc doesn't need a trip to the DL himself.

Justin Speier and Chris Woodward have begun their rehab assignments in Dundedin, so perhaps we've seen the worst as far as injuries go.

Jesse Harper was designated for assignment, but chances are good he'll clear waivers. Could this be a prelude to putting David Bush onto the 40-man roster and bringing him up to help out the hobbled pitching staff?
Or you're gonna get hurt yourself
Someone's gonna tell you lies
Cut you down to size
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Much like its Canadian magazine equivalent, the Walrus stumbled a little last week, and the rest of the BBFL's Alomar Divison continued to take advantage. Riding All-Star performances from Mike Sweeney and Michael Barrett, the K-Town Mashers thumped the Walrus 7-4, pulling Coach's squad down and ever closer to the slavering hordes bunched below. One team in particular was the main beneficiary.
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