Big League Chatter Salutes Todd Jones. May 27, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in ..Major League Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies.add a comment
There are thirty closers in the Major Leagues at the beginning of each season. Chances are at the end of the season one-third of the original closers will no longer be in that position. It is impressive to see a closer retain his job year after year. Todd Jones is one of those guys who has been on top of the mountain, leading the American League in saves with 42 in 2000, and has also been in the depths of the sea barely hanging on in the Majors in 2003. Jones doesn’t have electric stuff but he has been a reliable relief pitcher for most of his career and that’s why we salute Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers.
Todd Jones was born April 24th, 1968 in Marietta, Georgia. Jones attended Osborne High School in Marietta and went on to attend Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Todd was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 1989 Major League draft. Jones started his career for the Astros in 1993 going 1-2 with 2 saves, 28 holds, while posting a 3.13 ERA in 37.1 innings. He got his first shot as a full-time closer in 1997 for the Detroit Tigers. Jones saved 31 games for the Tigers that year while posting
a 3.09 ERA in 70 innings. Jones’ best season was in 2000. He was chosen to be a member of the American League All-Star Team and was named the "Rolaid’s Reliever of the Year" by saving 42 games. The Tigers even sold a t-shirt that said, "Only the Lord saves more than Todd Jones." Todd went on to save 142 games for Detroit from 1997-2001 before being traded to the Twins. Jones floated from team to team from 2001 till 2005 playing for the Rockies, Red Sox, Reds, and Phillies before landing in Florida in 2005. Todd replaced Antonio Alfonseca as the Marlins closer after Alfonseca succumbed to injury. Jones revived his career as a closer by saving 40 games posting a 2.10 ERA in 73 innings for the Marlins. After the 2005 season Todd was viewed as a valuable commodity again and was signed by his former team the Detroit Tigers to a two-year contract. Jones’ Tigers came out of nowhere in 2006 to win the American League pennant before losing to the Cardinals in the World Series. During the 2006 season Jones became the Tigers all-time saves leader passing former Tiger great Mike Henneman. Todd saved 37 games for Detroit in 2006 while posting a 3.94 ERA in 64 innings. On September 16th, 2007 Jones became the 21st member of the 300-save club by tying Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter.
Todd Jones will never be remembered as a dominant closer, in fact many refer to him as "the roller coaster" for his close calls in the ninth inning. But he always seems to get the job done no matter what situation presents itself. Todd has never been one to receive high accolades from the media. But looking at his total body of work it is easy to see that he has had a nice career. Jones is known for more than being a successful closer in the Major Leagues. He writes a weekly column entitled "The Closer" for the Sporting News. Todd is also a devout Christian and is outspoken about his beliefs. Jones isn’t flashy but he gets the job done and he is one of the really good guys in baseball on and off the field. That is why we salute Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers
Men of Faith May 24, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers.add a comment
In Major League Baseball there are players who suffer injuries on a fairly routine basis. Many times injuries come due to collisions, misplayed line-drives, or any number of circumstances. Rarely do we see an opposing player show genuine concern for their opponents.
On Wednesday night Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols smacked a line-drive in the face of Padres hurler Chris Young. As soon as time was called Pujols rushed to the mound to check on Young. Pujols, a professing Christian, began to pray along with Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. As much as we hate to see someone injured it is refreshing to see players gather together and lift up their concerns to the Lord.
Last season a young man by the name of Josh Hamilton came out of no where to contend for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Hamilton, a former first round draft pick, was a rule five draft pick by
the Cincinnati Reds. Josh had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse before making a comeback last
season. After many attempts to get sober Josh decided that he couldn’t do it alone. He decided the only way to turn his life around was to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Now Josh is a role model to people from all different walks of life. Not only is Josh a positive role model, he is also vying for the coveted "Triple Crown" for the Texas Rangers this season. XM’s "Baseball This Morning" did several interviews with Hamilton last season and instead of talking about baseball he wanted to talk about his relationship with Jesus. His success is secondary in importance to his faith which is a rarity in our society today. Josh has a wonderful testimony and God is using him to reach others through baseball.
There are others around baseball who have been outspoken about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Last year’s National League Champion, Colorado Rockies, had several players who spoke candidly about their faith. Rockies first baseman Todd Helton and left fielder Matt Holliday were very upfront, during their incredible post-season run, about their relationship with Christ. Former Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell was very instrumental in coordinating church services for Major League players through a ministry called Baseball Chapel. Baseball
Chapel has a website, www.baseballchapel.org that lists a number of players who participate in their ministry. This website has personal testimonies and ministry opportunities in the game of baseball. Among those mentioned on the website are Angels outfielder Garett Anderson, Tigers closer Todd Jones, Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, and Padres pitcher Jake Peavy. Two books that are a must read for the "Christian Baseball Fan" are Safe at Home and Safe at Home 2. These books can be purchased at most Christian book stores. Also Fellowship of Christian Athletes has a site www.fca.org with information about sports and players. There are a lot of good resources out there that bring sports and faith to the forefront. With so many negitive things portrayed in the media it was encouraging to see Pujols and Gonzalez showing their faith on the field of battle.
Colorado Rockies Review March 16, 2008
Posted by misterbaseball in Colorado Rockies.add a comment
What a year the Colorado Rockies had in 2007. They started winning
games in September and could do no wrong. Their dream season finally
came to an end at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.
Yet, this team now knows they are capable of playing winning baseball
and making it to the Fall Classic.
Let’s start with their explosive lineup. Behind the plate this year
will be Yorvit Torrealba. Torrealba will fill the starters role until
young Chris Lannetta is capable of handling the job on a full time
basis. Look for Torrelba to be the starter at the beginning of the
season. At
1B is veteran Todd Helton. Helton’s production has fallen
off a bit the last few years. Last season he ‘only’ hit .320 with 17
homers and 91 RBIs. Oh, he also plays gold glove caliber defense.
While he may not post up the numbers like used to, he is still a great
player and will help lead the Rockies to another fine season. At 2B
the Rockies are hoping rookie Jayson Nix plays well this spring and
wins the job. He batted .292 with 11 homers and 24 stolen bases last
season in triple A Colorado Springs. Look for him to make the team and
bat low in the lineup this season. At SS is Troy Tulowitzki. Tulo, as
he is sometimes called, had a great season in 2007. Look for him to
improve on those numbers as he is projected to bat second. At 3B is
Garrett Atkins. Atkins started slowly last season, but managed to hit
.301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs. Atkins has also been working to
improve his defense. The Rockies outfield is one of the better ones in
the National League. LF Matt Holliday is a preseason pick for MVP by
many this season. He slugged his way to a .340 average with 120 runs
scored, 36 home runs and 137 RBIs last year. In CF is the speedy Willy
Taveras. He needs to stay healthy this season and once again take
advantage of his speed. In RF is left-handed hitting Brad Hawpe. He
belted 29 home runs with 116 RBIs in 2007. Despite his limited range in
the field he does possess a strong throwing arm.
Corner outfield/corner infielder Jeff Baker will supply the power off
the bench. Ryan Spilborghs can play all three outfield positions and
will be another useful bat. Other possible bench players include Clint
Barmes, Omar Quintanilla, Ian Stewart, Seth Smith and Cory Sullivan.
The starting rotation will be key to this team’s success this season.
Jeff Francis won 17 games last season and pitched over 200 innings.
He will be the team’s number one starter. Following him in the
rotation will be Aaron Cook, Jason Hirsh, Ubaldo Jimenez and Kip Wells.
Cook only won 8 games in
2007, but posted a 4.12 ERA. Hirsh has the
tools to be a successful pitcher. Colorado needs him to stay healthy
this season. Jimenez is a young talent that is posed to have a good
year with the Rockies. If they keep him near the back end of the
rotation he should rack up some wins. The final spot in the starting
rotation should belong to Wells. He lost 17 games for St. Louis last
year and needs to rebound for stay in the rotation. If that does not
happen look for Mark Redman or Franklin Morales to take over his role.
The bullpen will be anchored by closer Manny Corpas. He converted 19
of 20 save opportunities after taking over the closer’s job for Brian
Fuentes mid season last year. Fuentes and Luis Vizcaino will be a
strong lefty/righty combination in the set-up role. Other pitchers that
may find themselves in the Rockies bullpen include Taylor Buchholz,
Jose Capellan, Matt Herges and Ryan Speier.
The Rockies have a good chance to be in the post-season again this
year. They will need to carry over the momentum they had at the end of
last year and their pitching staff needs to stay healthy. Colorado
fans should have something to be excited about in 2008.
