Month: September 2017

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Bobby Crosby

Bobby Crosby, not to be confused with YouTuber Bobby Crosby from dodgerfilms, compiled a short career but steady career. After being born January 12, 1980 in Lakewood California, Crosby made his MLB debut in 2003 at the age of 23. He mostly played shortstop, but also spent some time in the corner infield at first and third base. In his eight year span in the bigs, Crosby hit 62 home runs with 146 doubles, 329 runs, 276 RBIs, with 605 hits in 747 career games. In his career, he spent time with the Athletics, Pirates, and Diamondbacks. He won the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year after hitting 22 home runs with 34 doubles and 130 hits over 151 games. Despite not playing up to his potential, Bobby Crosby made it into the show, a feat any person would savor.

Stats

espn.com

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Amusing or Confusing?: Wilson A500 Defender Baseball Glove

Before baseball season, I purchased a Wilson A500 baseball glove. It is the same model Mariners’ second baseman Robinson Cano uses but has a Yasiel Puig color scheme. I wanted this glove to see if the colored leather myth was true. For those of you who don’t know, many former players and analysts believed gloves with colors aren’t as durable and stiff as the traditional leather and black gloves. This was speculated on after Yasiel Puig dropped a routine fly ball. So far, I haven’t noticed any troubles. One problem with the glove is that the strings come lose more often than my previous Mizuno model. I like the finger pocket as I can partially see through it. This glove is definitely more padded and comfortable than my previous one. One problem I do have with the colors is that the powder blue coloring tends to get more dirty and worn down, which is not a pleasant thing at all. At least with black ones you don’t see this discoloration. At $60 MSRP, I would say the Wilson A500 glove is amusing.

by Jacoby Nolnaho

Scott Rolen

Scott Rolen was known as a great teammate but also put up great career numbers. From his rookie debut with the Phillies in 1996 to his farewell season with the Reds in 2012, along with stints with the Cardinals and Blue Jays, Rolen was a sought after third basemen. This is proven as from 1997 to 2004 Scott compiled 20 or more home runs each season. During this span, he also collected four straight 100 or more RBIs. By far his best season was in 2004 after putting up career highs in homers with 34, RBIs with 124, and batting average with .314. As for Sabermetrics, Rolen posted an 8.9 wins above replacement, a truly amazing number. As if the offense wasn’t enough, Rolen won his fifth consecutive Gold Glove in ’04. He would finish his career with eight Gold Gloves, one Silver Slugger, and the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1997. He piled up 316 home runs to go long along with 1,287 RBIs and 517 doubles, all of which are decent power numbers. He would also have 2,077 hits, 1,211 runs, and 118 stolen bases. Scott Rolen’s name will appear on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2017, but it is hard to tell whether or not he will get in as another legendary third baseman, Chipper Jones, is also on the ballot for the first time. But Scott was not only a numbers leader, but a clubhouse leader. Mat Latos requested to leave the Reds after their clubhouse issues. He gave credit to Scott Rolen for keeping everybody together. This is shown in Latos quote from the 2012 trade from the Reds, “You look at it after we lost Scott Rolen. Everything went to s***. When Scott was there, we had guys doing exactly what they were supposed to do. After Scott left, we had guys with two years in the big leagues, in the clubhouse, on their phones, laying down in the video room, just hanging out during games, not in the dugout, not cheering their teammates on. Our dugout looked like a ghost town.” This shows that Scott cared about his teammates and team as a whole. Overall, Scott Rolen, both a decent player and great teammate, lived a career with the right moral.

Stats:

espn.com