I thought it was time to highlight some of the hype BDD has been getting lately...
Big League Futures and Baseball Digest Daily Join Forces
Jim Pratt has joined the team at Baseball Digest Daily and his wonderful site has come along with him. If you haven't been to Big League Futures, you're really missing out. If there is something going on in minor league, college, or high school baseball, Jim has the scoop (and link). Big League Futures is your one stop shop for all things amateur and minor league baseball...and now it's part of Baseball Digest Daily!
Here's an example of some of the praise for Big League Futures...
I'd just like to thank you for linking to my stories on your website. I appreciate you reading my work, and giving my thoughts another forum to share with readers. I can't tell you how many times I day I head to your site, just to get all the info out there in the prospect world.
You do a fabulous job, and I have linked to your site on Rays Anatomy. Keep up the good work and let me know if there is anything I can do to help you in the future.
Eric SanInocencio
Pete Toms Makes Waves with New Beyond the Diamond Column!
Pete Toms made his debut at BDD this week and got some high praise from respected members of the media around the web. Pete's column is focused on the business and industry of baseball. Among other things, this week's column has more info on the Mitchell Report and the effect a recession might have on baseball attendance. You can check out Pete's first article by clicking here: Beyond the Diamond: January 13, 2008. Here are what others are saying about Pete Toms...
Over at vorosmccracken.com (yes, that Voros McCracken!) Pete receives praise from one of the most respected sabermetricians in the business...
Pete Toms, has a new column over at Baseball Digest Daily. It always amazes me how many smart people are out there directing their considerable intellect towards baseball. In my weaker moments I sometimes wonder if some of this energy wouldn’t be better directed toward our government. Then I regain my senses and realize Baseball is far more important to this country than the government.
Congrats to Pete and I order all of you to read everything he writes over there. I have commanded it and it shall be done. Also check out Pete’s blog. I’ll be watching to make sure you do.
Craig Calcaterra at Shysterball has some nice things to say about Pete as well...
Anyone who has hung around ShysterBall for a spell knows frequent-commenter Pete Toms and, if they have a lick of sense, have bookmarked his blog, A Baseball Geek, which has been on my blogroll since almost day one. Pete's expertise lies in the business of baseball, but he's well-versed in just about everything. Unlike most web-writers (present company included), Pete brings a healthy sense of perspective to the table and realizes that not every player quote and pundit belch is worthy of hand-wringing and obsession. Of course he's Canadian, so he has a leg up on most of us when it comes to basic horse sense.
Good news for Pete: he's now a member of the Baseball Digest Daily team, and will be contributing a weekly column. This first one is here.
Congratulations, Pete!
And spinning off the Shysterball link, Rob Neyer at ESPN.com gives kudos to Pete's first article...
ShysterBall notes that the Tigers are selling so many tickets, they might have to stop.
There are a couple of lessons to take from this: First, the notion that attendance is a function of winning and investment in the product on the field has once again been proven to be true. Second, given how rough Michigan's economy at the moment, the Tigers' good fortune is further evidence that, compared to most other things, baseball is extremely recession-resistant (other smart people have already noted this).
Jonathan Hale Brings You Pitch f/x!
Wow! That's all I have to say! If you are into Pitch f/x data, check out Jonathan Hale's analysis today of Scott Rolen and Troy Glaus. The graphs tell a story all their own, but Jonathan even helps the plotting impaired! And to follow up on his analysis, we sent Jon to the Blue Jays press conference today to introduce Mr. Rolen to