March 20, 2005  

Ah, Spring Training. What was intended as a time for players to get back in shape before the real thing has become a spectacle in its own right: The first taste of baseball after the long off-season, a chance for every fan to dream about championships, for every player to fantasize about career years. Fans eagerly scan the box scores, looking for omens: A bad player's good spring can be interpreted as proof he's finally turned the corner, while a good player's bad spring can be dismissed as he's merely "saving it" for the real thing. And then there are the excuses and explanations: The player who comes to camp in the best or worst shape of his career; the player who is tinkering with a new pitch or batting stance; the rookie having trouble adjusting to a new position; the where'd-he-come-from NRI wowing the scouts with his blazing speed or ungodly slider.

Yet when all is said and done, the slate is wiped clean and all the numbers, good and bad, are quickly forgotten. Perhaps its ethereal nature is part of the allure of spring training; the knowledge that, indeed, this shit don't go on the baseball card. With that in mind, let's take a look back at the 2005 preseason and learn what lessons we can for the upcoming season!

Vancouver Iron Fist

Once the terror of the DMBL -- they played in seven of the league's first 10 World Series, a run that included the league's best record four times and five Morris Division titles -- the Iron Fist have been on a downward spiral for two years. The Iron Fist missed the post-season for the first time in league history in 2003, and followed that up with an even more disappointing campaign in 2004. But this year's first-place finish in Spring Training -- coupled with an impressive fifth-place performance in the annual ButchSims report -- are indications that the Fist is clenched once more. The offense this spring training finished 2nd in team batting average (.289), 3rd in runs created and 5th in team OPS (.790), but when it came to actually getting runners across the plate, was a disappointing fourth-worst (118 rf). One of the few spring stars on offense was rookie Ross Gload, a fourth-round draft pick who led the team in plate appearances (100) and games played (24), hitting .326 (.370 OBP, .489 SLG), with 6 2B, 3 HR, 10 R and 10 RBI. The lefty was not at all troubled by his fellow port-siders, hitting .357 with a .879 OPS off them. Gload hopes to make the big club as a 1B/DH, but unfortunately for him, the other top Iron Fist batters this spring were Edgar Martinez (.407, 1.262 OPS), 1B David Ortiz (.381, 1.262 OPS), 1B Hee Seop Choi (.375, 1.046 OPS) and DH David Newhan (.330, .782 OPS)! However, the logjam was cleared up somewhat when Choi, Martinez and Newhan were subsequently released... The pitching staff and defense allowed just 112 runs, good enough for 2nd place this spring. The bullpen, anchored by closer Billy Wagner (4 SV, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 13 K in 7.2 IP), is in mid-season form: The Iron Fist had seven relievers with ERAs under 3.00. Among the starters, rookies Bobby Madritsch (1-1, 0.50 ERA) and Dewon Brazelton (2-1, 3.05 ERA) had great springs, as did Brian Lawrence (2-0, 1.85 ERA). Most of the veterans, including Greg Maddux (0-1, 10.80 ERA), had lackluster springs as they merely went through the motions. "I have nothing to prove except that I'm healthy," Maddux said. "I'm out here to throw batting practice and, if you look at my numbers, I think you'll see I did an excellent job."

Hoboken Cutters

Cutters fans were spoiled by the team's sudden impact on the DMBL -- they made the playoffs in just the second year of their existence -- and so the usual growing pains of rooting for a four-year-old franchise feel even sharper than usual. Adding to the frustration for fans is how this franchise annually flirts with a playoff berth, only to watch their dreams melt away in the August heat. This spring, with 16-10 record good enough to tie for 2nd overall (and tie for 1st in the Hanover Division), and a number of exciting young players likely to make the regular season roster, Hoboken fans are once again believing that this could be the year. Leading the spring surprises was 31-year-old journeyman outfielder Brady Clark,  who came to camp as a non-roster invitee and immediately opened eyes. Clark led the team in BA (.386), OBP (.491), runs (17), walks (14), hit by pitch (5) and steals (4). "He just makes things happen out there," said manager Wally Backman. Youngsters Aaron Rowand (.353, .941 OPS) and Adam Melhuse (.341, 1.031 OPS) also had good numbers on a team that finished a respectable 7th in runs scored (132) -- and just six runs out of 3rd place. That's despite Juan Uribe -- the prospect seen by some in the front office as the lynchpin of last year's disastrous Brian Giles/Mike Mussinadeal -- hitting just .194 with a .574 OPS. "He's pressing," Backman admitted. "I told him just relax, have fun, and remember that we also got a 2006 first-round draft pick in the deal."... Meanwhile, Richard Hidalgo led the team in slugging average (.824), with 1 2B and 3 HR in just 17 AB, but was released... The defense gave up a fifth-worst 130 runs, thanks mostly to repeated bombings of Jose Lima (6.75 ERA), Joel Pineiro (8.31 ERA) and Jeff Suppan (5.53 ERA). Suppan and Lima were released, while Pineiro will start the year in Triple-A trying to recover the form he displayed as the 2002 Rookie of the Year... Shingo Takatsu's impressive spring (4-1, 4 SV, 1.93 ERA) may have earned him at least some of the save opportunities, but don't expect Jason Isringhausento give up the job willingly. He was sparingly used this spring (3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER) as he seeks to avoid injury.

Newark Sugar Bears

The defending world champions got out to a ho-hum start (9-10), but kicked it into high gear to win seven straight to close out the spring. Even though the Sugar Bears finished 6th in offense, the team's regulars saw only a little playing time this spring. They made the most of it: Hideki Matsui hit a ridiculous .588 (1.985 OPS), with 4 2B, 3 HR and 10 RBI in just 19 plate appearances; Manny Ramirez hit 3 HR (.720 OPS) in six games; and Bobby Abreu scored 10 runs in 7 games. And that's just the outfield... Jeff DaVanon, a key player off the bench last year, had a hot spring (.282, .998 OPS, 5 HR, 5 SB, 14 R) but was released. Manager Don Mattingly said the team just had no room for him... Newcomer J.T. Snow was the only expected regular to get extended playing time -- he led the team in games played and in plate appearances -- and responded by hitting .365 BA (1.132 OPS) and leading the team in 2B (7), HR (4), R (18), RBI (17) and BB (22)... Newark's pitchers have historically been among the most generous in the league, and that tradition continued this spring as they allowed the sixth-most runs of any team in the league. But veteran Randy Johnson, who pitched in only three games last year due to various injuries and felony charges, is healthy, acquited and ready for 2005. He had just one start this spring (8.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) but says he's ready for real baseball. "When I drill a guy, I want it to count," Johnson said... John Thomson got bombed (0-2, 6.41 ERA, 16.5 R/9), but his rotation spot appears safe. Southpaw Nate Robertson isn't getting the same benefit of the doubt; he was released after getting pounded in his three starts (0-3, 9.33 ERA, 17.2 R/9).

Carolina Mudcats

The Mudcats had a shot at the meaningless honor of tying for the second-best record in spring training until the last two days of the schedule, when they went 1-3 to fall into a five-way tie for 4th place. The team didn't save much for the regular season, for the most part playing its stars throughout the spring. The biggest surprise may have been sophomore Travis Hafner, who hit .313 (1.001 OPS) with 6 HR and 21 RBI. Hafner got a cup of coffee with the Mudcats last year (1-for-13 in 8 games), but could be tabbed as the big club's starting first baseman after it was announced Richie Sexson would miss the entire season due to tennis elbow. The Mudcats' front office may attempt to void Sexson's contract as he was specifically prohibited from playing tennis during the off-season, but his agent claims the injury was actually sustained while playing Pong... Ray Durham (.314, .400 OBP, 8 R), Randy Winn (.302, 17 R) and Jim Edmonds (8 HR, 19 RBI) contributed to an offense that tied for 3rd with 138 runs... The pitching staff, the team's best asset last year, finished a surprisingly mediocre 7th (122 ra). Even more alarming was the beat-downs regularly incurred by reigning McDonald Award winner Tim Hudson (1-2, 6.03 ERA, 14.9 R/9). Hudson waved off the miserable spring, saying he'd been working on his knuckleball. "I think I'll put that one back on the shelf until next spring," Hudson said... The best starter was Carlos Zambrano (2-3, 2.90 ERA), while Francisco Cordero was the most consistent guy out of the 'pen (2-0, 3.93 ERA, 12.3 R/9, 21 K in 18.1 IP).

Hillsborough Hired Hitmen

The Hitmen also had a chance at climbing out of the logjam at 4th place, but dropped the last two games of the spring. Still, it was an upbeat spring for a team that had lost a league-worst 99 games last year, especially since they led the league in the sabermetician's favorite stat, run margin (+19). Also like the Mudcats, the Hitmen stuck to their regulars, with five players -- Jeromy Burnitz Cesar Izturis Mark Loretta Juan Pierre and Alex Rodriguez-- playing in every game this spring. Catcher Jason Varitek, who sat out only three games, hit .393 (1.172 OPS) with 7 HR, 15 R and 17 RBI, while A-Rod slammed 9 HR and knocked in 30 runs. Appropriately enough for their new nickname, the Hitmen were the league's top offense this spring, leading the league in runs (158) and home runs (46)... The pitching staff tied for 11th in runs allowed, with second-round pick Jeremy Bonderman taking his lumps (1-2, 7.67 ERA, 14.7 R/9, 7 HR in 5 G). C.C. Sabathia, acquired in the much-ballyhooed Draft Day trade with Arkansas, went 3-1 but paid for those wins dearly, with a 6.49 ERA, 14.7 R/9... Jose Mesa notched a win and four saves, but also took two loses with a 4.85 ERA and a jaw-dropping 20.1 R/9 (23 H, 5 BB, 1 HB in 13.0 IP). He not only lost his closer's job but also his roster spot, getting his release on the final day of Spring Training.

Las Vegas Rat Pack

Another team breaking in a new moniker this spring, the Rat Pack had a very Vegas spring: A winning streak at first, but the house always wins in the end. The Rats had the league's best record at 12-6 through the second weekend, but then dropped seven of their last nine to close it out in 4th. The offense finished 9th in runs scored -- which is actually remarkably efficient, considering the offense was 11th in batting average (.252) and 12th in OPS (.752). Melvin Mora (.308, .930 OPS, 6 HR, 21 RBI), Carl Crawford (.286, .882 OPS, 24 R, 7 SB) and Mark Teixeira (.268, .873 OPS, 6 HR, 21 RBI) were the top batters, while Carlos Beltran (.215, .622 OPS) and Alfonso Soriano (.216, .627 OPS) will hope to get started in the regular season... But the pitching and defense can't wait for the games to count. The Rats allowed just 110 runs -- fewest in the league -- and Mike Gonzalez more than did his part. The lefty reliever gave up just one run -- and it was unearned -- in 14.1 IP. In fact, he gave up just 3 hits and 3 walks all spring, while striking out 13... Young gun Rich Harden, acquired in the off-season from the Iron Fist, proved his blue-chip credentials by going 3-0 (1.70 ERA, 9.2 R/9), with five quality starts in five tries. Putting an exclamation point on his impressive spring, he shut out his former teammates, taking a no-hitter against the Iron Fist into the 9th inning before finally giving up a two-out single... The biggest concern of the spring is probably Kelvim Escobar, who was bombed in five starts (0-4, 6.51 ERA, 13.3 R/9, 9 HR in 27.2 IP) but will likely make the starting rotation -- the only other option, Kip Wells, didn't even get a start this spring.

Philadelphia Endzone Animals

It's hard to know what to make of this team: They finished 10th in offense, 6th in defense and tied for 9th in run margin, yet if not for the fact that they dropped five out of their last six games, they would've had one of the best records of anybody this spring. As it is, they join the heap of bodies at 4th place. For the most part, the Animals went with their stars, particularly Albert Pujols (.345, .409 OBP, .667 SLG, 6 HR, 21 R), who got into 22 of the 26 games. Jose Guillen (.329, 10 2B, 13 R) and Justin Morneau (.316, 6 HR, 17 RBI) also had outstanding springs... Is 20-year-old rookie Zack Greinke really ready for The Show? He was lit up to the tune of a 0-5 record (9.23 ERA, 15.0 R/9, 11 HR in 26.1 IP), but pitching coach Dave Righetti is confident Greinke will step it once the games are played for real. "He can only get better," Righetti said. Truer words were never spoken -- it'd be almost impossible for him to do worse... All the hype this spring has been about young southpaws Johan Santana (1-3, but 2.81 ERA, 9.6 R/9 and 33 K in 32.0 IP) and Doug Davis (3-1, 3.09 ERA, 13.5 R/9, 23 K in 32.0 IP), who will join a rotation anchored by 23-year-old "veteran" Mark Prior (3-1, 3.77 ERA, 12.8 R/9, 35 K in 31.0 IP). The bullpen is ready with Armando Benitez (3.12 ERA, 9.9 R/9) and Kiko Calero (1.64 ERA, 6.5 R/9). In fact, the Endzone Animals were a perfect 12-0 when leading after seven innings.

Phoenix Dragons

After getting bombed in the ButchSims -- in which they posted the league's second-worst record and finished last in run margin -- the Dragons enjoyed some revenge by going a respectable 13-13 in Spring Training. But it took a five-game winning streak to get them there, and they still finished with the third-worst run margin (-9). The Dragons went with their regulars this spring, with Ichiro Suzuki (.359, 16 R, 5 SB), Johnny Estrada (.326, 7 2B, 17 R), Nomar Garciaparra (.301, 3 HR, 20 RBI), Javy Lopez (.283, 8 2B, 12 RBI) and Shea Hillenbrand (.263, 8 2B, 12 RBI) all topping 100 plate appearances, yet the team still finished second-to-last in runs scored. Pedro Feliz just missed the 100-plate appearance plateau, getting 92 in 25 games, and displayed both the potential (4 2B, 4 HR) and the problems (.241 BA, 16 K) that have made him one of the most talked about first-round picks this year... The pitchers were more consistent, tying for 4th in fewest runs allowed, despite some horrible outings by Jose Contreras (1-3, 7.92 ERA) and Sun-Woo Kim (0-3, 7.56 ERA). The bullpen turned in a nice spring, though, led by Rafael Betancourt (1-1, 1.56 ERA, 24 K in 17.1 IP).

Arkansas Golden Falcons

We finally break out of the five-way tie for 4th place -- and into a four-way tie for 9th place. Leading the pack, by virtue of alphabetical order, were the defending Morris Division champions. While the Golden Falcons' batters seemed intent on getting tuned up for spring -- they scored a 5th-best 135 runs, led by who else but Barry Bonds (.320, .480 OBP, .707 SLG, 8 HR, 20 R, 17 RBI) -- the pitching staff had arrived at camp so early that they spent most of the games amusing themselves -- which explains why they gave up a second-worst 149 runs this spring. Curt Schilling (1-2, 7.09 ERA, 15.5 R/9) won the "who can give up the longest home run" contest, while Kevin Brown lost a dare that he could break a board with his forehead, and had to pitch through a concussion over the rest of the spring (1-1, 7.36 ERA, 18.8 R/9). Brad Penny tried pitching underhand (0-3, 8.20 ERA, 18.8 R/9), and Brad Lidge went back to a delivery he invented while playing wiffle ball (9.95 ERA, 3 HR in 6.1 IP), though the unorthodox approach did lead to 12 strikeouts. The only ones who didn't mess around were Roger Clemens(3-0, 1.71 ERA, 10.3 R/9), who said at age 41 that he doesn't have any pitches to waste; and an increasingly unstable Pedro Martinez, who went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA, 12.9 R/9 and 29 K in 23.2 IP, but also beaned four batters in a row after fans resumed their "Who's your daddy?" chant.

Tijuana Banditos

Hoping to prove that last year's post-season appearance was no fluke, the Banditos came out swinging this spring, just missing the break-even point with back-to-back losses to close out the schedule. The offense was firing on all cylinders, tying for 3rd in offense. The core of the offense was on the field for most of the preseason, with Vlad Guerrero (.346, 1.031 OPS, 7 HR, 19 RBI) leading the team in just about every offensive category. Also seeing action in every game this spring were Erubiel Durazo (.293, .409 OBP, 4 HR), Hank Blalock (.288, 6 HR, 19 RBI) and Edgar Renteria (.265, 6 2B, 17 R)... While the pitching staff was torched for a fourth-most 139 runs this spring, the bullpen looks to have an awesome one-two punch behind Eric Gagne (5 SV, 1.04 ERA, 8.8 R/9, 23 K in 17.1 IP) and Antonio Osuna (0.57 ERA, 7.5 R/9, 15 K in 15.2 IP)... Second-round pick Bronson Arroyo (3-0, 3.28 ERA, 10.1 R/9) was the lone bright spot among the starting pitchers, with this year's first-round pick (Chris Carpenter: 2-1, 5.67 ERA, 15.7 R/9) performing a little better than last year's (Dontrelle Willis: 0-4, 7.45 ERA, 15.2 R/9). But both did better than Tijuana's 2003 first-round pick, Hideo Nomo, who was last seen panhandling outside a Mexico City sushi restaurant.

Matthew's Mighty Men of Stanhope

It was the best of times and the worst of times for the Mighty Men this spring, who had the most extreme difference between offense (2nd) and defense (14th) of any team. The reason for the discrepancy is obvious: The Mighty Men had an astounding 23 pitchers on their preseason roster, and 17 of them had at least one appearance this spring. Some of those guys, like Chan Ho Park, really had no chance of making the team -- and pitched like it (1-3, 8.50 ERA, 19.0 R/9). Actually, it'd be easier to list the pitchers who logged at least 10 innings this spring and posted an ERA under 4.00: lefty reliever Joe Horgan (1.64 ERA, 7.4 R/9 in 11.0 IP), and veteran starter Paul Byrd (1-0, 3.55 ERA, 11.7 R/9 in 25.1 IP). Everybody else got burned to one degree or another -- a light toasting for Mariano Rivera (4.03 ERA, 10.5 R/9) all the way up to a well-done roasting for the appropriately named A.J. Burnett (27.00 ERA, 47.3 R/9)... The batters didn't fool around, though. Six players topped 100 plate appearances, including Todd Helton (.333, 1.052 OPS, 7 HR, 24 R), who led the league in runs created (29.1). Gary Sheffield (.290, .991 OPS, 8 HR, 25 RBI), Derek Jeter (.289, 6 2B, 17 RBI) and Carlos Lee (.343, .995 OPS, 8 2B, 21 RBI) also had nice numbers, but that's to be expected. A pleasant surprise was veteran Damian Easley, who has had a grand total of 53 at-bats over the last four DMBL seasons. The ninth-round pick was expected to battle D'Angelo Jimenez for a back-up role, but after an incredible spring (.313, .360 OBP, .602 SLG in 83 AB), Easley will likely be the starter while Jimenez (.194, .212, .194) will try to hang onto a bench spot.

Westwood Deductions

Some teams just can't catch a break. Despite a fifth-best +7 run margin, the Deductions were trapped in the same four-way tie for 9th place as the Golden Falcons, who had the second-worst run margin (-14) of the spring. Ah, well -- nobody said spring training was supposed to be fair! The Ducks largely went with their veterans this spring, with Andruw Jones the star on offense (.295 BA, .364 OBP, .600 SLG, 8 2B). Jones finished third among all players this spring in both runs (22) and RBIs (22), was second in extra base hits (16), and tied for second in home runs (8)., 22 R, 22 RBI). Westwood fans will cross their fingers that Derrek Lee's slow start (.198 BA, .657 OPS) won't carry into the regular season, as he's expected to be one of the team's biggest bats. Mike Cameron also had trouble getting off the interstate (.176, .675), though he made his six hits count -- 5 doubles and 1 home run! The pitching staff tied for the fourth-best performance this spring, led by veterans Woody Williams (2-2, 3.31 ERA, 11.2 R/9) and Al Leiter (1-1, 4.05 ERA, 13.0 R/9), and a solid performance from Rodrigo Lopez (1-2, 3.72 ERA, 12.3 R/9). The bullpen's top arm was Matt Wise (0.90 ERA, 10.8 R/9), but he was unceremoniously dumped at the end of spring training after making an ill-advised accounting joke. "There is nothing funny about amortization calculation," GM David Schlossberg said, just before handing Wise a pink slip.

Honolulu Sharks

The Sharks stumbled into second-to-last place by way of a four-game losing streak to end the preseason. Much like the Mighty Men, the Sharks had a lopsided spring training -- but in the Fins case, it was good-pitch, no-hit. Not one Shark hitter topped a .300 BA, while seven hitters came in under .200. The struggling sluggers included second-round draft pick Kevin Mench, who hit just .181, with a .650 OPS, despite seeing 105 plate appearances. But that wasn't the worst spring turned in this season; that honor might go to Jason Kendall, who hit .184 with a microscopic .460 OPS over 106 PA. The only Shark batters to show any life this spring were Sean Casey (.296, 10 2B, 18 RBI) and Johnny Damon (.278, .416 OBP, 18 R, 3 SB), though neither was all that impressive. No pitcher had a truly great preseason, either, but they were generally solid across the board. The best efforts were turned in by Russ Ortiz (2-2, 2.97 ERA, 11.6 R/9) and Steve Kline (1 SV, 2.75 ERA, 12.4 R/9); oddly enough, the worst performance may have been from ace Jason Schmidt, who was touched up for a 5.01 ERA, 15.3 R/9 in six starts. "I was fooling around with my breaking ball," Schmidt said. "I thought I could make it curve up instead of down, and, uh, it didn't." Pitching coach Randy Myers said he'll make sure Schmidt retires the pitch before the games count.

Columbia Rattlesnakes

The 'Snakes scored just 84 runs this preseason, a full 26 runs behind the second-worst team. By almost any way you slice the data, they were ranked at or near the bottom in offense: 13th in BA (.242), 14th in OBP (.301), 13th in SLG (.354), 14th in OPS (.665), 14th in home runs (17), 14th in walks (65), 13th in total bases (320), and on and on. Those paltry numbers are despite the fact that Ivan Rodriguez put up some of the best numbers of the spring, hitting .361 with a .918 OPS, 7 2B, 3 HR, 12 R and 15 RBI. Reggie Sanders also had some nice numbers as a part-timer, hitting .310 (1.092 OPS) with 3 HR in just 29 AB... Jimmy Rollins (.204 BA, .563 OPS in 107 PA), Ryan Freel (.202, .538 in 106) and Tike Redman (.107, .310 in 60) had miserable springs, but luckily, no one else is likely to take their jobs... It was truly feast-or-famine among the pitchers, with five hurlers posting ERAs under 3.00, and eight coming it at over 5.00. The only guy in the middle was Mark Buehrle, who posted a 3.76 ERA, 11.0 R/9 while going 2-3 in five starts. The top performers were Zach Day (2-2, 2.06 ERA, 10.8 R/9) and Joe Nathan(1-1, 3 SV, 2.70 ERA, 11.7 R/9), and the worst offenders were Livan Hernandez (0-1, 7.00 ERA, 16.0 R/9) and Ron Villone (0-3, 8.62 ERA, 18.4 R/9). There's no way Hernandez is going to lose his job, but the same can't be said for Villone -- he was released before the end of spring training.

TWIB may have Ozzie Smith, but we have the better Smith! Zane Smith, former pitcher for the San Antonio Slingers and Sacramento Seahawks, now writes this column exclusively for the Diamond Mind Baseball League. Click Here for past articles.