Results tagged ‘ Brandon Phillips ’
Fastest & Slowest Starts to the 2013 MLB Season
We’re just over a week into the 2013 MLB regular season, and I wanted to post a blog, just like last year, on the fastest and slowest starts to the season for both entire teams and individual players. While it’s a small sample size, the list gives you an idea of what’s been taking place so far this season. Some of the players and teams are performing nearly as well as expected, but others are putting on performances that I never would’ve predicted them to begin the season with.
FASTEST STARTS TO THE SEASON
Teams:
1) Braves (6-1)
2) Diamondbacks (5-2)
3) Rockies (5-2)
4) Red Sox (5-2)
5) Athletics (5-2)
6) Rangers (5-2)
7) Reds (5-2)
8) Mets (5-2)
The Braves currently lead all of baseball with a win percentage of .857. Justin Upton has been making a major impact, hitting six home runs in the first seven games, and I fully expected the Braves to have a season long performance like the one they’re currently starting out with. The Diamondbacks, Rockies, Red Sox and Mets are all surprising me, so far, as I expected them to all have poor seasons, and while it’s still very early, at the moment, they’re making things interesting. As far as the Athletics, Rangers and Reds go, it’s not a shock that they’re doing so well. Though I thought the Rangers would have a bit of a struggle this season, without Josh Hamilton, they seem to be doing just fine. It should be interesting to see if they can keep it up.
Players:
1) Adam Jones (.500)
2) Jed Lowrie (.500)
3) Carlos Santana (.500)
4) Michael Cuddyer (.478)
5) Carl Crawford (.450)
6) Jean Segura (.450)
*Minimum of 20 AB’s
Adam Jones is the only player on the list of fastest start players that I’m not surprised with. Having recorded a 32 homer, 82 RBI season, in 2012, Jones is in the prime of his career, and is set to have another fantastic season. For Jed Lowrie, Carlos Santana, Michael Cuddyer, Carl Crawford and Jean Segura, they better enjoy the hot start while it lasts, because I don’t see any of them having an all that spectacular year. But as with anything in baseball, there’s always the chance for me to be proven wrong.
SLOWEST STARTS TO THE SEASON
Teams:
1) Astros (1-6)
2) Marlins (1-6)
3) Padres (1-5)
4) Pirates (2-5)
5) Brewers (2-5)
6) Phillies (2-5)
7) Cubs (2-5)
After beating the Rangers, 8-2, on Opening Night, the Astros have done nothing but go down hill, ever since. With 155 games left to play, and just 94 losses away from 100, it’s likely the Astros’ season will end with yet another year of 100+ losses. The Marlins, Padres and Pirates are all teams that have the potential to win now, but it’s likely to be a year or two before they start to become big time contenders in their divisions. The Brewers and Phillies are the only teams that surprise me, somewhat, on this list, but they just haven’t performed well so far this year. And as for the Cubs, they’re just being themselves; destined to make it 105 seasons without a World Series title.
Players:
1) Jeff Keppinger (.048)
2) Ryan Hanigan (.050)
3) Aaron Hicks (.067)
4) Pedro Alvarez (.080)
5) Neil Walker (.083)
*Minimum of 20 AB’s
No one on this list surprises me, other than Neil Walker. Walker is arguably the best player on the list, but he hasn’t been able to find his groove so far this season. I look for him to get things going, however, and record another season like he has the past few years–10-15 homers and 65-80 RBI’s, with a high 200′s batting average. For Jeff Keppinger, Ryan Hanigan, Aaron Hicks and Pedro Alvarez, it will be interesting to see if they get their acts together, or if this is a sign of things to come for them this season, as things can certainly only go up.
Keep in mind, while those are the players and teams with the fastest and slowest starts to the season, there’s still a lot of baseball left to be played, and anything can happen. Only time will tell if the current trends will last; that’s why they play 162 games.
MLB’s Most Likeable Players-Fans Point of View
Question: What do Curtis Granderson, Ichiro Suzuki, Heath Bell, Brandon Phillips, David Ortiz, and Johnny Damon, all have in common?
Answer: They are all great guys who enjoy interacting with their fans, and giving back.
So, in honor of their general awesomeness, I decided to ask six fans (one for each player) the same three questions, to see their opinions on the coolest guys in baseball. Here’s what they had to say:
CURTIS GRANDERSON
Big thanks to Curtis Granderson fan Alexandra, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about Curtis that makes him such a likeable guy?
His personality and the way he plays the game. He plays with his heart and has fun with it. He’s a great guy on and off the field.
2. Since becoming a fan is there anything that Curtis has
done on, or off, the field, that has stood out to you?
His Grand Kids Foundation and how he donates thousands of dollars worth of baseball gear to schools around New York every year.
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank Curtis in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being highest.)
Definitely a 10. He’s a very humble guy. Every one likes him even more after meeting him. He loves his fans.
ICHIRO SUZUKI
Big thanks to Ichiro Suzuki fan Luke, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about Ichiro that makes him such a likeable guy?
I think many people like him because he is a good guy who is always smiling. He also has a lot of talent, plays hard and plays the right way.
2. Since becoming a fan is there anything that Ichiro has done on, or off, the field, that has stood out to you?
I believe he helped get donation stuff going when the Earthquake tore apart Japan. I believe he’s just a really good guy.
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank Ichiro in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being the highest.)
I would say he is about an 8. Really friendly guy.
HEATH BELL
Big thanks to Heath Bell fan Zack, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about Heath that makes him such a likeable guy?
He’s basically a four-year-old in a grown man’s body. He’s happy and friendly, and he doesn’t behave like everyone seems to think that a professional athlete should.
2. Since becoming a fan, is there anything that Heath has 
done on, or off, the field, that has stood out to you?
He donated more than $200 to my charity fundraiser two years ago for Pitch In For Baseball. That was way above and beyond anything I ever expected from him.
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank Heath in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being the highest.)
I’d say somewhere around 14.
BRANDON PHILLIPS
Big thanks to Brandon Phillips fan Neiko, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about Brandon that makes him such a likeable guy?
Brandon is a very caring and supportive person. He shows he cares about his family, friends, and fans, which makes him likeable.
2. Since becoming a fan is there anything that Brandon has done on, or off, the field, that has stood out to you?
The fact that Brandon has become a worldwide known baseball player, and has interacted more with his fans. That shows the person he is.
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank Brandon in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being highest.)
I would say 10 because once you really get to know him he’s the most fan friendly and likable player in the MLB.
DAVID ORTIZ
Big thanks to David Ortiz fan Jordan, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about David that makes him such a likeable guy?
He’s shown to be a generally nice guy from what I’ve seen from games. A gentle giant of sorts. Reference being an MLB fancave video where he is wearing his jersey walking around New York, looking for hugs.
2. Since becoming a fan is there anything that David has done on, or off, the field that has stood out to you?
I was watching a Sox v. Yanks game on ESPN back in May. Next to the dugout was a father wearing a yanks hat, and a son wearing a sox hat. He put his bat up, noticed the boy wearing a sox hat in yankee stadium, and pulled his bat back out and handed it to the kid. Awesome in my book.
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank David in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being the highest.)
Giving that kid his bat gives him a 10 in my book.
JOHNNY DAMON
Big thanks to Johnny Damon fan Teresa, for answering my questions.
1. What is it about Johnny that makes him such a likeable guy?
J D loves baseball. Would have stayed in Boston for less $$ but was forced to the Yanks. Success did not change him. He’s remained someone his mom could be proud of. Never whined, when not given the media attention he deserved. Just played ball.
2. Since becoming a fan is there anything that Johnny has done on, or off, the field, that has stood out to you?
I became a J D fan when he donated his hair to Locks of Love to help a child (while in Boston).
3. On a scale of 1-10, rank Johnny in terms of fan friendliness/likeability. (With 10 being highest.)
While in Boston a 10. Yanks a 5. Back up to an 8 these days.
So there you have it. Six different opinions, on six different players. I hope this entry has helped to turn you into a fan of all six players. When it comes down to it, they’re all GREAT guys.
Please leave a comment, and rate this entry………
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Big thanks to ALL who helped me out in answering my questions. I appreciate it. So, to thank you, I’ll give you shout outs to your twitter accounts:
Alexandra– Twitter….. @TeamGrandy14
Luke– Twitter….. @LGNation34
Zack– Twitter….. @zack_hample
Neiko– Twitter….. @ThisIsNJJ
Jordan– Twitter….. @RoundDozerMan
Teresa– Twitter….. @golfergirl88
Matt Huddleston
