Archives › Craig Calcaterra

The all-time pinch-hit leader and current Dodgers’ coach was rushed to a hospital on Friday. They found severe blockage in four arteries and performed a quadruple bypass. Harris was said to be resting comfortably as of yesterday.  Word is, however, that he could see some action today if the Dodgers fall behind late and the…

John Fay writes about Aroldis Chapman’s efforts to learn the language and get used to life in the U.S.  A couple of interesting passages: The Reds are in uncharted territory. Players from the Dominican and Venezuela get assimilated before they get near the big leagues. Johnny Cueto was in the Reds’ system for four years…

Remember how the Pirates signed those two Indian reality-show winners?  Well, they’re back in camp this year, and unlike last spring, which was basically a publicity tour masquerading as baseball, this year they’re pitching and working out just like any other ballplayers. And they’re improving: The progress between last spring and now is remarkable, Pirates…

Buster uses the Mauer signing as a jumping off point for thoughts on the A’s and Rays.  For the A’s: Bud needs to make San Jose happen.  No argument there. My view is that the commish should offer the Giants some concessions, deem the move to be OK, and make the Giants sue if they…

FanHouse’s Ed Price reports that Jim Edmonds is surprisingly lukewarm about being a backup outfielder for the Brewers this year. Edmonds says “some days, driving in, I think [WTF?]” and questions whether the backup job is enough to keep him playing. He rebuffs the suggestion that he’s playing the game because he loves it, saying…

Last night Jon Heyman tweeted “Joba is out of the Yanks rotation debry.”  The basis for this?  The news that Chamberlain will pitch an intra-squad game today while Phil Hughes will pitch against the Phillies in Clearwater.  Left out of this is the fact that the intra-squad game and the need to get both pitchers…

Howard Megdal thinks so, arguing that Greenberg experienced an uncharacteristic spike in walk rates towards the end of his 1938 season.  Megdal says “the American League didn’t seem exactly thrilled with Greenberg’s pursuit,” and concludes that “the statistical record stands as evidence that Greenberg’s religion might have been an additional barrier” to him in surpassing…

Last week the Dodgers sent Eric Gagne to the minors.  Last night they said, eh, forget it, and just released him. He allowed six runs and eight hits in 2.2 innings. Late innings in spring training games, so it’s not like he’d be facing a less-talented brand of competition in the minors. I would assume…

As the foremost Twins dude on the Internets I defer to Aaron’s take on the Mauer deal. But others have weighed in too. Let’s take a look-see: Rob Neyer (on Twitter): “I say there’s at least a 50/50 chance that Twins are regretting the Mauer contract by 2016.” [Rob's longer take is here] J.C. Bradbury:…

Maury Brown reports that the 2010 Home Run Derby will be televised in 3D: “We are always looking for ways to augment the viewing experience for fans watching MLB telecasts,” said Chris Tully, Major League Baseball Senior Vice President, Broadcasting.  “The State Farm Home Run Derby is a unique event for a 3D telecast since…

Jon Heyman and I don’t always disagree on stuff. For example, his observation about the Twins reflects the vibe I got when I was in their clubhouse last week (though I obviously can’t compare them to as many other teams as Heyman can): I nominate the Twins as nicest team in baseball, with stars like…

Jason Heyward made a big impression during the first week of Braves camp when he broke a team executive’s sunroof. He’s at it again. The AJC’s Dave O’Brien: Heyward batting-practice homer just shattered rearview mirror of Braves PR director’s rental car. My Braves’ fandom and Jason Heyward man-crush notwithstanding, I’m starting to think that these…

Vin Scully’s statement upon being released from the hospital today: Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and I apologize for any concern that I caused. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game, my first of the Spring. Thank you and see you at the Stadium! Vin Scully falls and hurts himself…

Let’s forget for a moment that Ken Rosenthal likes to rip the Yankees and Red Sox new ones for outspending everyone and making a mockery of their division and just enjoy him ripping Frank McCourt a new one for not outspending everyone and making a mockery out of the NL West: The Dodgers should have…

Jim Reeves of ESPNDallas asked this question yesterday in the wake of Ron Washington’s cocaine revelation: This begs the question: How can Washington manage others when he can’t manage himself? The Common Man answers that question with his typical thoroughness. Your must-read of the day. I’m not condoning Washington’s behavior or anything, but if you’re…

I had never heard the name Sammy Gervacio until I read this article in the Houston Chronicle this morning, but now I really want to see him pitch: The glare, the high leg kick, the delivery from an arm angle somewhere below three quarters and the high black socks apparently didn’t make Sammy Gervacio stand…

Someone hit one of the Pirates’ team buses while it was heading back from Ft. Myers to Bradenton on I-75 yesterday.  Not major, and Dejan Kovacevic makes a point of noting that the bus didn’t have any players on it. Good to hear everyone is OK, but really, it may have been worse that it…

Click this link, then hit the “satellite” button.  You won’t be sorry. Your move, Chicago.

Joe Nathan is going to try and throw this weekend and obviously everyone hopes he’ll be OK.  But let’s be honest: not many pitchers can throw with torn torn ligaments in their elbow and the chances of Nathan being the Twins’ closer this year are slim.  Minnesota needs to look at other options. And according…

So much ink has been spilled on Gary Matthews Jr., Angel Pagan and Fernando Martinez in recent weeks that it’s been easy to forget that Carlos Beltran ain’t dead, he’s just recovering.  And now we have a general idea of his return: early May, according to the Daily News. Well, early-May-ish. He hasn’t started full…

“He’s like a beautiful woman, cursed by his natural gifts. You want more and more.” – An unnamed scout talking about B.J. Upton in Ken Rosenthal’s latest article.  Scouts live a solitary existence, driving from small town to small town.  And yes, it gets lonely on the road.

Dan Hayes of the North County Times profiles the Adrian Gonzalez contract situation and lets drop that Gonzalez “would consider taking deferred money if the club offered a ‘fair market offer.’” Howard Megdal at MLBTR suggests there’s some ambiguity there, asking “would San Diego merely have to reach this number, but some could be deferred?…

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released a statement yesterday, once again taking baseball to task for its PED policies.  They do this every year, and as it always is, this year’s statement is stupid and self-serving and deceptive.  I don’t consider myself a PED apologist, but given my thoughts and writings on the subject I…

Mets fans OK with this? Francoeur says he never learned how to steal bases with the Braves, explaining that it wasn’t part of Atlanta’s offensive philosophy. But it is part of Manuel’s plans. So this spring he’s told Francoeur he wants him to run more, and now the Mets right fielder is trying to learn…