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BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot Counter

UPDATED AS THEY COME IN!

% on 74 Full Ballots

  98.6 - Rickey Henderson
  82.4 - Jim Rice
  78.4 - Bert Blyleven
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  67.6 - Andre Dawson
  48.6 - Jack Morris
  33.8 - Lee Smith
  27.0 - Tim Raines
  25.8 - Alan Trammell
  25.8 - Tommy John
  21.6 - Mark McGwire     

After 89 Partial/Full HOF Ballots  (74 Full & 15 Partials)

86 - Rickey Henderson                              
68 - Jim Rice
58 - Bert Blyleven  
53 - Andre Dawson
40 - Jack Morris
25 - Lee Smith
19 - Mark McGwire
19 - Tim Raines
19 - Tommy John
19 - Alan Trammell
 8 - Dale Murphy
 6 - Don Mattingly
 5 - Harold Baines
 4 - Dave Parker
 1 - David Cone
 1 - Matt Williams
 1 - Mark Grace
 1 - Pete Rose (Write-In) 

Primer Dugout 1-7-09

Happy Birthday to Johnny Mize.

Jonah Keri: Moneyball Comes Full Circle

From Bill Deane to Buddy Deane and back again…

What’s more interesting to me isn’t so much what Giambi will bring to the team as what he represents. When Moneyball came out, those who failed to understand the point of the book ranted and raved about Billy Beane’s lust for guys who walk a lot. They questioned what would happen to the A’s when high-OBP guys stopped being undervalued.

Of course, OBP was never the point. Moneyball provided a snapshot in time of the baseball world and its inefficiencies. At the time that the book came out, OBP was plentiful and cheap (the Red Sox’ signing of David Ortiz, Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar for dryer lint and a couple of buttons being prime examples of this inefficiency back then). Since then, we’ve seen the trend shift numerous times. In the current climate, with analysis of defensive contributions becoming more common and more robust, teams are increasingly targeting well-rounded players who contribute both offensively and with the glove. They have, in turn, heavily discounted big, lumbering dudes who walk a lot, hit home runs, and can’t catch a ball if it dropped on their head during Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.

RosenBlog: Milton Bradley: Hendry feels like a nut, fans won’t

The Cubs are giving a three-year contract to a guy who has yet to complete three years with any team in his career, who will be with his fifth team in five seasons, who played just 20 games in the outfield for Texas last year.

Does Jim Hendry know that the Cubs don’t use the designated hitter in this thing we call the National League in my country?

Bradley made his first All-Star team last year. Great. Bradley led the American League in on-base percentage (.436) last year. Great. Bradley led the AL in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.999) last year. Great.

So, how come such a great, great, great hitter is available? Because he’s fragile physically and mentally. I mean, we’re talking about a guy who tore a knee ligament while trying to get at an umpire.

Bradley once accused then-teammate Jeff Kent of being racist. I don’t know what’s true there or why Bradley felt that way, but I do know that Jacque Jones and Dusty Baker said they got an earful and eyeful of racist comments while calling Wrigley Field home.

Thanks to Barnald of Planters.

Rosenthal: Dunn would be smart alternative for Dodgers

Robothalsapien V2 even comes preprogrammed with a selection of dance moves!

The Dodgers, on the other hand, are the likely favorite in the NL West. The Braves could intrigue Dunn; they have interest in him, but not on a long-term deal at his desired average salary of $12 million to $14 million, sources say.

Dunn obviously would prefer a contract longer than two years, but at the right salary such a deal would make sense.

He would be only 31 when he re-entered the market, presumably in a better economy. At that point, he might be sitting on 350 homers, giving his next team the chance to market his 500th and perhaps even his 600th.

Ramirez, of course, is chasing his own milestones, but his history suggests that he might become a distraction if he is unhappy with his contract. Who knows how he would conduct himself if the Dodgers failed to meet his goal of a four-year, $100 million contract?

Dunn strikes out more than Ramirez. His .899 career on-base/slugging percentage isn’t as gaudy as Ramirez’s 1.004 figure. And, unlike Ramirez, he has never played in the postseason.

Defense? Neither is a good left fielder, but Dunn ranked slightly higher at the position last season according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online.

Bonus WBC News: Terry Collins to manage China

Terry Collins will manage Team China in the second World Baseball Classic, which will be played from March 5-23 in four countries and territories and seven venues, Major League Baseball announced Monday.
He replaces Jim Lefebvre, who managed the Chinese national team throughout its formative years and recently left to become the Padres’ hitting coach.

Collins last managed in the Major Leagues with the Angels in 1999. He had three-year tours with the Angels (’97-’99) and Astros (’94-’96), and he compiled a 444-434 record over those stints.

Most recently, Collins managed the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan league, resigning from that position early in the 2008 season. He went to Japan in ‘07 after working as the director of player development for the Dodgers.

“Your Mission: Prepare a short-season A-Ball team to take on defending champions Samurai Japan in Tokyo and not get your asses kicked. You have two months. Good luck!”

Dodgers offer one-year deal to all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman

The ninth inning at Dodger Stadium could be Trevor Time this year.

As the San Francisco Giants consider trumping the Dodgers’ offer to Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers have offered all-time save leader Trevor Hoffman a one-year contract to be their closer.

The Milwaukee Brewers also are in pursuit of Hoffman, who is expected to make his decision this week. It is uncertain whether the Brewers have offered a two-year guarantee to combat their geographical disadvantage, since Hoffman lives in northern San Diego county.

“He’s got three young boys, so he could go home a lot more if he signs with Los Angeles,” Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “That’s what free agency allows a player to do—pick where it’s best suited for him to play.”

Hoffman made $7.5 million last season with the San Diego Padres, who withdrew a $4-million offer to him in November. The Dodgers’ offer exceeds $4 million.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti declined to comment. Rick Thurman, the agent for Hoffman, did not return two messages from The Times.

Cowlishaw: Rookie voter wants Raines in Baseball Hall of Fame’s forecast

I voted for five players, although the only one I know is going to make it for sure is first-year eligible Rickey Henderson. The greatest leadoff hitter of all time is an automatic choice to get more than the necessary 75 percent of the votes. The results will be announced Monday.

The funny thing is that I voted for three others who will either make it or come very close – outfielders Andre Dawson and Jim Rice and pitcher Bert Blyleven – and one other who won’t come close but deserves it more than anyone other than Henderson.

In fact, if Henderson had spent his career batting second or third, then we might recognize Tim Raines as the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

...But let’s get to Tim Raines. The man had 2,605 career hits, and 3,000 hits always has been Hall worthy. Why didn’t Raines get there? Oh, perhaps because he led the National League in walks seven straight years from 1982 through 1988. He also led the NL in singles, doubles and triples those seven seasons.

Jeez...Raines must be dripping more Black Ink than Koko the Clown!

Thanks to Rich L.

STL Post-Dispatch: Hummel - St. Louis Cardinals’ cash flow not as fluid as many thought

Not that the Cardinals have spent that much this offseason, but they might have less to spend than many have surmised… “Everybody talks about how much money we had come off (the books), but there’s the realities of the arbitration cases,” said Mozeliak, “and then there’s players entering their second years of multiyear contracts, like your Wainwrights and your Molinas, that are going to see bumps as well.”
...
Early in the offseason, Mozeliak spoke of being “aggressive” and also said the Cardinals would try to garner some “low-hanging fruit.”

“If I read the papers and if I go online to read the blogs, I’d probably be more aware of (the discontent),” said Mozeliak, who agreed that St. Louis fans hold the Cardinals to a high standard. “I can’t ignore that, but that can’t be the basis of the direction we go in.

“I have to do what’s best long-range and not make mistakes just to appease the headines tomorrow.”

That having been said, Mozeliak said he might use different terminology for public consumption from here on out.

“When I said we were going to plan on being aggressive, I thought we were,” Mozeliak said. “I’m not a wordsmith. Maybe I shouldn’t use words like that.”

And low-hanging fruit?

“I’ve been getting killed on that,” said Mozeliak, smiling. “To me, that’s defined as getting things done quickly — like getting (Jason) LaRue done and obviously (Kyle) Lohse.

“I guess I just need to choose my words a little better — or talk less.”

MLB.com: Mets to meet with Boras this week

According to multiple media reports, Boras has meetings set on Wednesday with executives of the Mets, who have already tendered an offer to Derek Lowe and also have an interest in re-signing Oliver Perez.

The Mets’ oft-discussed offer of three years for $36 million reportedly left Lowe cold.

Wednesday’s meeting will take place as the Mets begin to turn elsewhere for their need to bolster their starting rotation. A “person familiar with the talks” told The Associated Press that the club has already made an offer to right-hander Tim Redding and is approaching doing the same to lefty Randy Wolf.

AP: Mets to meet with Boras about Lowe, Perez

FOX: Rosenthal - Sources: SS Hairston to remain with Reds

The Reds, securing protection at shortstop, have reached a preliminary agreement with free agent Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year, $2 million contract, according to major-league sources. The deal, expected to be announced on Wednesday, includes $2 million in incentive bonuses.

Hairston, 32, chose to remain with the Reds rather than sign with the Cardinals in part because he expects to play regularly at short, sources said.
...
He played in only 80 games last season, but established career highs with a .326 batting average, .384 on-base percentage and .487 slugging percentage. His .427 OBP in the leadoff spot was second only to the Dodgers’ Rafael Furcal among players who made a minimum of 150 plate appearances batting at the top of the order. Hairston also stole 15 bases in 18 attempts.

Tim Brown: Romero deserved his punishment

Here’s what happened: Romero’s positive test was for a drug not listed among the ingredients of the product – 6-OXO Extreme – he purchased. Baseball officials bought a random bottle of the same supplement and, sure enough, its laboratory found traces of the same banned drug. Romero, then, was correct; the manufacturer screwed him, and maybe the manufacturer will be kind enough to reimburse Romero the million-plus dollars he’s going to lose during his suspension. Maybe the manufacturer will need a little legal prodding. Whatever.

But, that’s not baseball’s problem. And it is not the union’s battle.

The message from baseball – both the commissioner’s office and the union – to its players regarding over-the-counter supplements has been consistent: It’s risky. Contamination is possible, a player ought to surmise, with products that promise, say, “maximum testosterone production.” The supplement industry is inadequately regulated. If a player chooses to use a supplement, he’d best adhere to baseball’s program that certifies certain supplements. The league also maintains a hotline that, in part, helps players distinguish the safe products from the potentially hazardous ones. Romero, apparently, chose not to make that call.

In fact, according to sources familiar with Romero’s story, the pitcher was told by a wise soul last summer to quit using 6-OXO Extreme, a product he picked up at a nutrition store. And he did. Then started up again. Then he tested positive. His fault.

So, Romero will miss the Phillies’ first 50 games of 2009. Sergio Mitre, another pitcher who has a similar story with a different over-the-counter product, will serve his suspension recovering from surgery.

This is what zero tolerance looks like, what would have saved us from the freaks that turned baseball into a league for over-inflated clowns.

L.A. Times:  Giants’ interest in Manny Ramirez is real

It appears that at least one NL West team is preparing to ramp up—and it isn’t the Dodgers.

Bill Shaikin is reporting that the San Francisco Giants have a very real interest in signing Manny Ramirez—and might even consider offering a three-year contract.

The Giants’ hopes stem from two big factors: 1) A pitching staff led by Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum that includes Matt Cain and now Randy Johnson; 2) The fact that the Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres have done little if anything to improve.

MLB: Sweeney hopes to play one more year

Sweeney, released by the Oakland A’s late last season, wants to sign with another club in time for 2009 Spring Training.

“My dad always taught me growing up that you should never look back and have regrets. I want baseball to shut the door on me while I’m kicking and screaming,” he said. “My plan is to play this year. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now and look back and say, ‘Gosh, I wish I would’ve have given it another shot rather than just hang ‘em up.’ “

After 13 years with Kansas City, Sweeney signed a Minor League contract last winter with the A’s and made the roster. Because of knee problems, he played in just 42 games as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch-hitter with a .286 average, two homers and 12 RBIs.

He won’t be returning to the Royals. “No, we haven’t spoken with the Royals,” Sweeney said. “They’re not one of the teams that have shown interest to my agent.”

..."Even though I’m one or two hits away from being a career .300 hitter and one home run shy of 200, the numbers should never identify a person,” he said. “If I wind up that way, that’s great, because that’s everything I had. If my career ends tomorrow, I’ll never have a regret.”

.299 and 199? I’d be Monk-###### the rest of my life!

Jim Caple: Pohlad was good, bad for Twins

Carl Pohlad, who ran the Minnesota Twins for a quarter-century on IOUs, postdated checks and loose change, died Monday at age 93. I assume the official cause of death was old age, but rising player salaries probably also played a role.

Pohlad owned his team longer than any current owner other than George Steinbrenner, purchasing the Twins in 1984. Was he a good baseball owner? The answer depended on when you asked the question. He deserves full credit for buying the Twins from owner/dinosaur Calvin Griffith in 1984 to prevent a possible move to Florida, as well as for putting the right people in place to take them to World Series championships in 1987—still the top sporting accomplishment for any Minnesota fan younger than 60 years old—and again in 1991. He deserves bitter curses, and he heard them, for repeatedly threatening to move the team if he didn’t get a new stadium, letting the franchise wither for much of the ‘90s and coldheartedly trying to kill it off during baseball’s infamous contraction episode.

He was ever the banker and ran the team as one.

A top Twins executive once told me that Pohlad didn’t mind not making money off the Twins, but he was dead set against losing a dime on a baseball team. This approach was occasionally effective, considering the two world titles and several playoff appearances despite one of the league’s lower payrolls—but often frustrating. The Twins developed players only to trade them off when their salary rose too high for Pohlad.

Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies

1.  Dominic Brown, of
2. Carlos Carrasco, rhp
3. Lou Marson, c
4. Jason Donald, ss
5. Kyle Drabek, rhp
6. Michael Taylor, of
7. Travis D’Arnaud, c
8. Zach Collier, of
9. J.A. Happ, lhp
10. Jason Knapp, rhp

Down on the farm, Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading finished with the worst records in their leagues, a sign that most of the franchise’s minor league talent is collected at lower levels. With the big league team coming off consecutive playoff appearances, the Phillies can afford to be patient while prospects develop.

New general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., promoted from assistant GM when Pat Gillick retired after the World Series, inherits a championship club and a farm system with a growing number of high-ceiling talents. He didn’t inherit Arbuckle, his fellow assistant GM who took a job with the Royals when he didn’t get the GM gig, but other key members of the front office stayed in place.

Thanks to Don’t Go Back To Jumonville.

Rosenthal: Yanks sign IF Angel Berroa to minor-league deal

Finally Mrs. Macys Berroa said, ‘I want you to be a Yankee,’ and it was a done deal.

The Yankees have signed free-agent infielder Angel Berroa to a minor-league contract, according to major-league sources.

Berroa, 30, is expected to compete with Cody Ransom for the utility infielder job.

Berroa began last season with the Royals, but was traded to the Dodgers in June, where he filled in for the injured Rafael Furcal.

Sherman: Yankees set to lower offer to Pettitte

And if that doesn’t bring him back, they’ll lower it even more.

Andy Pettitte’s chances to return to the Yankees New York Yankees have dropped precipitously because in the aftermath of the Mark Teixeira signing the organization is now strongly inclined to lower the $10 million offer that the lefty already has been resistant to all offseason, the Post has learned.

Pettitte recently rejected the Yankees’ latest $10 million overture, and now - barring a wave of sentimentality by the Yanks or significant change of strategy by either side - that dollar figure very likely will not be offered again.

Multiple sources refused to divulge if the offer had been lowered already. But one executive briefed on the matter described both the chances of making a deal and the $10 million bid as on life support. Another executive said he did not believe that the $10 million offer was there to be taken any longer. A lowered offer almost certainly would assure the end of the prideful Pettitte’s second tour with the Yankees.

Sources: Giants can’t afford Manny

As hard as Scott Boras may be trying to portray the San Francisco Giants as serious bidders for Manny Ramirez, it’s even harder to find executives in baseball who believe that.

According to one source familiar with the Giants’ thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is “unfounded” or “baloney.”

“If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe,” the source told ESPN.com. “But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn’t make sense economically and it doesn’t make sense for how the team fits together.”

Sources tell ESPN.com that in a conversation with the Dodgers last Friday, Boras continued to talk about five-year and four-year deals worth upward of $25 million a year. That caused the Dodgers to turn their attention away from Ramirez and back to the bullpen market, where they’re pursuing a group that includes Trevor Hoffman, Juan Cruz, Dennys Reyes and Guillermo Mota.

Teixeira: ‘In the back of my mind, the Yankees were always the top’

The Yankees officially introduced first baseman Mark Teixeira at a press conference at the old Yankee Stadium this afternoon. Here are few notable comments from the 28-year-old slugger, who agreed to an eight-year, $180 million free agent contract with New York Dec. 23, jilting the Red Sox, who were thought by many to be his first choice:

On whether he planned on signing with the Yankees all along:

“The whole process was confusing. Sometimes I’d tell Scott to stop calling me, then I’d call him five times a day saying, ‘Tell me what you know!’ Two weeks before Christmas, I talked to [my wife] Leigh about it again, and we kind of decided that, hey, the Yankees are where we want to be. Cash [Brian Cashman] might want to give Leigh a hug, because when I asked her during the process, ‘Where should I go, where should I go?,’ she’d always say, ‘I just want you to be happy.’ Finally she said, ‘I want you to be a Yankee,’ and it was a done deal. Once we got the contract figured out, it was a no-brainer for me.”

It’s interesting to note that the Red Sox’ visit to Teixeira’s home in Texas came on Dec. 18, which is just a week before Christmas. If Teixeira’s comments can be taken at face value, he made his mind up a week before the Sox’ trip.

Or as BDD pumps...Boras, Leigh Duped Sox.

O’s, Uehara agree on two-year deal

Ue’hara, U.S. Treasury.

The Orioles appear to have filled one vacant spot in their wide-open rotation while at the same time officially opening the door to the Far East.

Two industry sources have confirmed that the Orioles have agreed in principle on a two-year deal with Japanese right-hander Koji Uehara.

The deal is pending specific contract language and a physical, which is expected to occur possibly later this week, though an appointment in Baltimore has not been scheduled.

Uehara, who turns 34 in April, will become the first Japan native to play for the Orioles in their big league history.

Milwaukee J-S blog: Brewers targeting Hoffman

The Brewers didn’t seem too thrilled with Hoffman earlier in the winter, but that was before the available closer market started to dry up.

The Brewers need a closer and general manager Doug Melvin has targeted all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as his choice to fill that role. I just spoke on the phone with Melvin, and he said he’s trying to find out as soon as possible—perhaps even by the end of today—what the chances are of signing Hoffman.
...
“Right now, he is (our top choice),” said Melvin, who spoke with Hoffman’s agent, Rick Thurman, yesterday and plans to do so again today. “We’ve talked parameters. I’d like to know sooner than later.”

Milwaukee J-S blog: Hoffman has “mutual interest”

I just got off the phone with Rick Thurman, the lead agent for free agent closer Trevor Hoffman. Thurman assured me that Hoffman has “mutual interest” in the Brewers, who have targeted the all-time saves leader as their top choice to fill their vacant closer’s role.

Thurman and Hoffman apparently have been doing their due diligence on the Brewers, talking to folks in the organization to gauge the atmosphere, plans for 2009, etc. Hoffman went as far as talking to new manager Ken Macha.

LA Times: Dodgers offer deal to Trevor Hoffman

Indians sign Carl Pavano

In case Jake Westbrook feels lonely in his rehab assignment…

The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Pavano, 32, is looking to rehabilitate his career after suffering numerous injuries in four seasons with the Yankees. He posted a 9-8 record in 26 starts after signing a four-year, $39.95 million contract with New York in December 2004.

It’s believed that Pavano is looking for a contract with a low base salary and incentives based upon his workload. The deal could be similar to Mike Hampton’s recent contract with the Houston Astros, which will pay Hampton a guaranteed $2 million and an additional $2 million in potential bonuses.

T.J. Simers: Mike Scioscia isn’t the only thing that weighs on him

She was so cute. I remember waiting eagerly for the day when the granddaughter might speak and I might understand what she has to say.

Then she does speak, giggling at the same time, “G.P. silly,” she says, while announcing in front of everyone at a restaurant that her G.P. has placed a balloon under his shirt just to tease her.

OK, I’m fat, you little whippersnapper. Why don’t you say it louder, and when we go home I’ll tell you how “Marley & Me” ends.

It just happens. I weighed 150 pounds when I went into the Army and now I’ve got a leg that weighs that much.

Tell me it isn’t a great day when you notice the vending machine stocked with packages of miniature chocolate doughnuts? Probably cost me any chance I had with Salma Hayek,but it’s no balloon. No kid, just lots of me. Wanna see?

I had no idea a little girl could shriek like that, although she wasn’t any louder than her grandmother the first time I asked her whether she wanted to see it.

Now I know there’s nothing wrong with being fat, which reminds me before I forget: There were reports Monday the Angels were doing a deal to extend Mike Scioscia’s contract somewhere into the next century.

blog maverick: Cuban: The Cubs

Then the credit crisis hit and hit hard.

All of the sudden, what seemed like a sane business decision, didnt seem so sane any longer. In particular, the financial participations I had been discussing with my bankers were for shorter term loans. Just refinance at the end of the term. Its what everyone is doing. Except that it no longer seemed like a safe bet that I could refinance in a few years. I didnt want to be caught with a Sumner Redstone margin call, and for better or worse, the banks were getting worried about staying in business and the idea of matching the asset to the term wasnt something they were ready to do, unless of course they could convince 30 other banks to do the same thing.  I thought about writing to Congress to get a bailout…just kidding.

...So there was the issue of valuation.  There was also the issue of the economy. It was impossible to predict the full impact of these tough times on any sports team. That uncertainty created two issues. The first of course was valuation.  How much would I be willing to pay for the team ? I wasn’t sure. More important to me was the cash flow.  If the economy had a significant impact on future revenues, it would also impact how much I could invest in players.  The absolute last position i wanted to be in was paying so much for the team, that if revenues fell off, I couldnt play to win.

So when it came down to it, I did what I thought was the only smart thing to do. I asked for an extension. I knew that if they got the money they wanted for the team, well my bid was not going to be high enough anyway. If they didnt, or the other bidders couldnt come up with their money, they would come back to me.

I’m still waiting

Much like Ralph Drollinger waiting for his first start…

Gussie Busch was a Pimp (Video)

and David Eckstein was Dolemite!

Back in 1987, the St Louis Cardinals were going to the World Series … and the Cards’ 88-year old owner August (Gussie) Anheuser Busch, Jr. was living it up.

It the club’s sixth NL Championship (1964, 1967, 1968, 1982, 1985, 1987) and another chance to add a fourth World Series Title to the three (1964, 1967, 1982) acheived under his leadership as owner from 1953 to 1989.

It’s always awesome to see a 88 year old man partying in the locker room.

But it’s even better when he’s wearing a red pimp suit.

Will Carroll: Romero’s Chemist

J.C. Romero was suspended for fifty games under terms of MLB’s drug policy. Just before it was handed down, Romero made his case public, the same one that the arbitrator rejected. With the NFL’s drug policy currently under attack in the Starcaps case, where six players took a supplement that was tainted with a diuretic but unknown to the players, this type of defense might hold water.

Until you learn what Romero tested positive for. According to multiple sources, Romero tested positive for 6-OXO Extreme, a product that enhances testosterone production in ways very similar to anabolic steroids. While legal and still available at your local GNC, 6-OXO Extreme* has always carried a warning that it could result in positive tests. If you look at the above link, you’ll be able to find the same warning in the online information.

But it gets better, or worse, if you’re Romero. 6-OXO is a product of Ergopharm. Ergopharm is owned and operated by a guy you might remember: Patrick Arnold. Yes, that one. Arnold was the source for the THG used by BALCO. Arnold served several months in jail due to his involvement and is now back in business.

If Romero didn’t know what he was taking, he sure got unlucky in picking the product marked “for hardcore users only” and with a connection that baseball fans would rather forget.

Q&A: Scott Mortimer of the 1983 Fleer autograph project

LS: You mention a few players have seemed to “simply disappear.” Who’s your biggest white whale? Has the thought crossed your mind that you might not be able to find everyone?

SM: Well, there’s Omar. But perhaps the player I want to track down the most doesn’t even have a standard issue card in the 1983 Fleer set. Terry “Bud” Bulling appears on a 1983 Fleer Super Stars Special card with Gaylord Perry (#630). Last I read he doesn’t have a permanent address but lives in an RV on the west coast. I’ve even gone as far as sponsoring his page on baseball-reference.com looking for leads.

Since I sent the answers back to you I’ve since had an opportunity to get the Terry “Bud” Bulling autograph I’ve been looking for! I could hardly believe it. Last night an individual contacted me via Baseball Reference saying his mom is Bulling’s cousin.

Everyone loves a happy ending…

Verducci: Old guard squeezed in new market

Look a there, look a there, look a there, look a there
Joel Youngblood, 57?

The baseball actuarial tables have been rewritten. As clubs continue to place greater value on young players under control (witness the new religion about not losing compensatory draft picks), the older free agent is being severely devalued. What has been a slow market for almost every player not negotiating with the New York Yankees has become downright cruel for the aging position player.

The old-guard glut includes former stars Moises Alou, 42, Garret Anderson, 36, Ray Durham, 37, Jim Edmonds, 38, Cliff Floyd, 36, Nomar Garciaparra, 35, Jason Giambi, 37, Luis Gonzalez, 41, Ken Griffey Jr., 39, Mark Grudzielanek, 38, Jeff Kent, 40, Ivan Rodriguez, 37, Frank Thomas, 40, and Omar Vizquel, 41. Like or not, some of them may be forced into retirement rather than taking a cut-rate deal. The same scenario played out last year for Barry Bonds, 43, (excess baggage contributed mightily to his unemployment), Steve Finley, 43, Kenny Lofton, 40, Mike Piazza, 39, and Sammy Sosa, 39.

The Mets cut against the trend last winter by counting on Alou to play leftfield, and wound up getting burned by his predictable breakdown. Almost no team wants to take that kind of gamble these days.