CHICAGO — If you haven’t already realized this, brace for a cold truth: Baseball makes changes based on its biggest market.
Multiple media outlets reported this weekend that the game is pushing to use instant replay by August to clarify home-run disputes.
If implemented correctly, this wedding with technology makes sense. At the end of the day, as Rockies slugger Matt Holliday said, “You just want to see them get the call right.”
What rankles me is the driving force behind the change. In Nevada, they have a saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” In baseball, the unofficial motto is: “If it happens in New York, it goes everywhere. To every team.”
The only reason this issue accelerated to the front burner was because two New York players were robbed of home runs last month. The Mets’ Carlos Delgado was deprived during a national ESPN Sunday night broadcast, with umpire Bob Davidson admitting later that he blew the call. Soon after, the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez lost a home run.
Suddenly baseball was all ears on replay, even though general managers voted 25-5 to go forward with the idea last November at their annual meetings in Orlando, Fla.
“What happened is they missed a couple of home run calls in New York. Let’s be honest,” Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said. “Then they were like, ‘Wow. This happens everywhere else in the country.’ ”
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has been pushing for replay ever since his team was jobbed on the first of four blown home-run calls last season. And he offered a solution for those who think it will only make a sport dipped in molasses even slower — the manager can’t argue any call that is reviewed.
As such, the time the boss would have normally spent screaming is reserved for a man behind the curtain watching video.
“We live in a technological society right now that we can get it right,” Hurdle said.
Rockies reliever Matt Herges suggested they show the play on the stadium Jumbo- Tron — perhaps with “Final Jeopardy” music? — to create drama and fan interaction.
Again, the idea works on many levels. But the fact it took specific teams in a specific city to create change is becoming tired and annoying.
Life of Ryan.
In the church of Wrigley- ville, the marquee reads: Believing for 100 years. The Cubs aren’t a normal franchise. Their past is littered with curses, goats, black cats and Bartmen. So it’s easy to understand their angst even as the Cubs sit handsomely perched in first place.
A critical key to their survival and ability to thrive in the second half is Ryan Dempster. He’s made a strong bid to be part of the National League all-star staff in his first year as a starter since 2002. Glendon Rusch, in Triple-A Colorado Springs, had it right about his good friend. He said that Dempster took his conversion from closer seriously this winter, “easily getting in the best shape of his life.”
Manager Lou Piniella went a step further the other day, claiming Dempster showed up to training camp “ready to fight (Oscar) De La Hoya for 15 rounds.”
Dempster is 8-0 at Wrigley Field, and his emergence has given the Cubs an ideal complement to ace Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs are going to take steps to keep Dempster effective as the season wears on. He threw 119 pitches in his last win, and the idea is to pare him back to around 85 in his next few starts to keep his arm fresh.
Footnotes.
The Yankees showed Derek Jeter in spring how much his range has declined in recent seasons, a gutsy move. It has paid off. Jeter is paying more attention to scouting reports and pitch counts to position himself, according to those close to the team. . . . Alfonso Soriano’s injury could prompt the Cubs to pull the trigger for another left-handed bat. Scott Podsednik is a possibility. . . . Cheers to the Texas Rangers for severing ties with embattled pitcher Sidney Ponson. He won four games for Texas, but in repeating his career pattern, his conduct became an issue. He was warned when signed that there would be no tolerance for bad behavior. So when he pouted about a pitching on three days’ rest and got into a bar incident at the team hotel, the Rangers served a pink slip. I am all for second chances. Thirds and fourths, not so much. . . . While C.C. Sabathia is sure to be a trading chip, he could have company from Erik Bedard. Bedard restored hope in Seattle when acquired from Baltimore. Like his team, he’s been a flop, so they could flip him for other pieces. . . . Ken Griffey Jr.’s 600th home run came accompanied with satisfaction and what ifs. Junior was supposed to pass Hank Aaron’s 755 threshold, not Barry Bonds, but injuries cost him nearly three full seasons. History will reflect kindly on Griffey, who will likely be remembered as the greatest player of his generation given his absence from steroid whispers, allegations and federal investigations.
Eye on
C.C. Sabathia, LHP, Indians
Background: Sabathia has always been a big deal, in physique and performance. Already approaching 270 pounds, he was the 20th pick of the 1998 draft. He signed with the Indians for $1.3 million rather than play tight end at USC or the University of Hawaii.
What’s up: Sabathia, who weighs over three bills now, is quickly becoming the Hope Diamond of this summer’s trade class. The Indians were predicted by many to represent the American League in the World Series but have fallen from grace with a thud. With starter Jake Westbrook lost for the season and critical players such as Victor Martinez injured, the Indians could become sellers in July, choosing to stockpile prospects rather than salvage this season.
What’s next: Sabathia is an obvious piece to move. He can become a free agent at the end of the season, and with the Yankees already panting after him, it makes sense to deal rather than receive compensatory draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Sabathia is eyeing a contract in the neighborhood of seven years, $150 million, building off Johan Santana’s record deal with the Mets. He deserves that for his body of work, but not necessarily this season. He’s won just four games, and Cleveland finds itself in trouble in large part because their big man struggled in April.
Renck’s take: Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro has become pessimistic about his chances of signing Sabathia long term. Does Sabathia want happiness or money? If it’s just Benjamins, he’s a goner. Early prediction: Sabathia, Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn and Colorado’s Brian Fuentes are the biggest pieces moved at the trading deadline.
At issue
What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?
What: The Tigers shipped pitcher Dontrelle Willis to Class A Lakeland to fix his control problems. Detroit acquired Willis and infielder Miguel Cabrera at the winter meetings in exchange for several top prospects, including left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller and center fielder Cameron Maybin.
When: There’s no timetable on Willis’ return, a chilling thought for Tigers ownership since it awarded the left-hander with a three-year, $29 million contract before seeing him throw a regular-season pitch. Willis is a mechanical mess. He left the Tigers no choice but to demote him after walking 21 batters in 11 1/3 innings. The Tigers wanted to believe his command issues in spring training were related to a hyperextended knee. But even before he got hurt, he was firing pitches off backstops in Florida. Some former teammates have begun mentioning the unthinkable, that Willis has the yips.
Renck’s take: There’s nothing worse than seeing a pitcher get ruined by the throes of throws. Willis’ delivery, as one of his former catchers pointed out, is like that of a windup toy. He needs every part in sync to work. I covered Willis’ debut against the Rockies in 2003 — his stuff was filthy. He complemented a 93-mph fastball with a devastating slider. He’s a lot bigger now, and that body type might be sabotaging his big leg kick and leaving his arm trailing. Anybody who has covered Willis is rooting for a comeback. Baseball is better with him. But he faces a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. Can’t help but think this wouldn’t have happened had he spent this season reunited with Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley, whom he won 22 games under in 2005.
