Sep 25
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as it marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not a contender. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
In the first year of this feature (2006), David Price was the clear favorite to be the top pick. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the top pick of the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- Seattle didn’t help the Rays out at all, blowing an 8th inning lead. The Nats and the Pads both kept pace with their losses.
- The odds of finishing with the worst record are 53.2% for Seattle, 46.8% for the Nats and 0.03% for the Pads.
- Only 3 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 2-team race between Seattle and Washington. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for Washington. Seattle is doing their best tank-job, losers of 11 straight.
- The Nationals win a tie-breaker with either of the other teams and Seattle has the tie-breaker over San Diego.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer. While a lot of people are clamoring for Stephen Strasburg.
Sep 24
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as it marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not a contender. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
In the first year of this feature (2006), David Price was the clear favorite to be the top pick. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the top pick of the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- Seattle won for the first time in 13 games, but the Nationals were unable to capitalize and remain 1 game back. San Diego’s loss keeps them on life-support.
- Only 3 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 2-team race between Seattle and Washington. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for Washington. Seattle is doing their best tank-job, losers of 11 straight.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 23
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as this marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not in contention to win. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
The first year this feature ran (2006), the top pick was not a sure thing, but David Price was the clear favorite. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- Seattle lost their 12th straight to pull a full game in front of the idle Nationals and 4 games in front of the Padres, who also had the day off.
- Only 3 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 2-team race between Seattle and Washington. San Diego is playing better for some reason, winners of 3 in a row, and are falling off the pace. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for Washington. Seattle is doing their best tank-job, losers of 11 straight.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 22
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as this marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not in contention to win. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
The first year this feature ran (2006), the top pick was not a sure thing, but David Price was the clear favorite. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Baltimore were all eliminated this weekend.
- Only 3 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 2-team race between Seattle and Washington. San Diego is playing better for some reason, winners of 3 in a row, and are falling off the pace. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for Washington. Seattle is doing their best tank-job, losers of 11 straight.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 19
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as this marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not in contention to win. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
The first year this feature ran (2006), the top pick was not a sure thing, but David Price was the clear favorite. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- San Francisco and Kansas City were eliminated last night.
- Atlanta and Baltimore could be eliminated as early as tonight.
- 6 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 3-team race between Seattle, San Diego and Washington. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for either San Diego and Washington.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 18
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as this marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not in contention to win. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
The first year this feature ran (2006), the top pick was not a sure thing, but David Price was the clear favorite. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- Colorado and Cincinnati were eliminated last night.
- 8 teams are still alive, but right now it appears to be a 3-team race between Seattle, San Diego and Washington. We just assume the top pick go to the NL, so we are rooting for either San Diego and Washington.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 17
It is time for one of our favorite annual features, the Anti-Pennant Race, the race for the worst record in baseball. The reward for the “winner” is the first pick in next year’s amateur draft. This year is extra special as this marks the first time the Tampa Bay Rays are not in contention to win. In fact, last season the Rays became the first team to ever be awarded with the top pick in consecutive seasons (until recently, the top pick alternated between leagues), winning the Anti-Pennant in 2006 and 2007.
The first year this feature ran (2006), the top pick was not a sure thing, but David Price was the clear favorite. Last year, without an obvious favorite for the 2008 draft, we decided to name this feature after the inaugural namesake.
Without further ado, we present the 3rd Annual David Price Sweepstakes and the race for the top pick in the 2008 draft!
Notes on the Anti-Pennant Race…
- 10 teams are still alive, but this looks like a 3-team race with Seattle 1-game up in the all-important win column with 12 to play. Not so great for a team that many predicted would be in the playoffs this season.
- 3 teams could be eliminated tonight, including the Giants, Colorado and Cincinnati.
- Obviously a lot can happen between now and next season (a player could sign with Scott Boras or lose a limb or Michael Phelps could declare for the baseball draft) but here is a list of potential top picks. Back in February, Baseball America projected Kyle Gibson from Missouri to be the top pick next summer.
Sep 27
And then there were two. Last night the Cubbies beat the Brewers 14-6. Can the Cubs do anything right? It was a bad day all-around for the north-siders. For the last few weeks, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Joe Girardi would be managing the Baby Bears in 2007. Now comes word that Girardi wants to remain with the Marlins. Who is running the Cubs front office? Steve Bartman? Then last night, the Cubs win, coupled with the Royals loss eliminated the Cubs from the Anti-Pennant race…Kansas City maintained their 2 game lead by falling to the Twins 3-2. The Twins appear to be still gunning for the Division title as Johan Santana surprisingly worked 8 innings. The Royals have now lost 8 in a row…The Rays kept pace with K. C. by *drum roll please* losing on the road! Surprise! The Rays are now 2-29 on the road since the All-Star break.
David Price is a front-runner to be the top pick of Major League Baseball’s 2007 amateur entry draft. Price is a 6’6″ pitcher at Vanderbilt that some scouts have called the left-handed version of Mark Prior. This past season Price went 9-5 with a 4.16 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 110 innings. For Team USA this summer, Price went 5-1 and a 0.20 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 7 walks in 44 innings. He won Baseball America’s Summer Player of the Year award for 2006. Obviously a lot can change in the next 9 months. He could suck next year…He could sign Scott Boras as his agent…his arm could fall off…he could get abducted by aliens…he could get Matt Leinart pregnant…the possibilities are endless. In the meantime, the race is on! May the worst team win.
Sep 26
And then there were three. The Royals are bringing their ‘A’ game (or is that ‘F’ game?) and have now righted their ship. During one stretch, K. C. went 20-18, but things are back to normal in the other city in Missouri. Last night they rolled over for the Twinkies 8-1, for their 7th loss in a row. Come on! Did any of you guys really think that Kansas City was a .500 team? They are still the Royales with Cheese. The loss keeps their lead at 2 games in the race for the worst record in baseball…The Rays kept pace with a 16-1 loss to the Yankees and made sure the game was out of question early, falling behind 9-0 after three innings…The Cubs bullpen blew a 4-0 lead in the seventh and eighth inning last night and kept their faint hopes alive. They Cubbies remain 4.5 games back but their elimination number is now two and they can be eliminated as early as tonight. Things are so bad on the northside right now that they are writing about the Twins world series hopes. It must be bad when, as a fan, you are living vicariously through another team…Pittsburgh did not play last night, but the loss by the Royals eliminated the Pirates from the race.
So the chase is on. While the Cubs are not a real factor at this point, it is down to two teams. The Rays and the Royals. Both teams have six games remaining, three more in Minnesota and three more in Detroit. Luckily for the Rays, the Tigers clinched a playoff spot this past weekend and the Twins clinched last night. Both of those teams are now only playing for the division title, which may not be incentive enough to play all out the last week of the season. Johan Santana pitches for the Twins tonight, but we would be surprised if he was still in the game in the sixth inning. He has been roughed up his past two starts and may need some rest before the playoffs begin. The Rays have six games remaining, all on the road (two in Boston and two in Cleveland), where they are 2-28 since the All-Star break. Can the Rays make up 2 games in the last 6? Wouldn’t it be great if the league had a Monday 1-game playoff to decide the worst team in baseball? We can only dream.
David Price is a front-runner to be the top pick of Major League Baseball’s 2007 amateur entry draft. Price is a 6’6″ pitcher at Vanderbilt that some scouts have called the left-handed version of Mark Prior. This past season Price went 9-5 with a 4.16 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 110 innings. For Team USA this summer, Price went 5-1 and a 0.20 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 7 walks in 44 innings. He won Baseball America’s Summer Player of the Year award for 2006. Obviously a lot can change in the next 9 months. He could suck next year…He could sign Scott Boras as his agent…his arm could fall off…he could get abducted by aliens…he could get Matt Leinart pregnant…the possibilities are endless. In the meantime, the race is on! May the worst team win.
Sep 25
We have a new leader and two more teams have been eliminated…Fortunately the Rays have one more game left at The Trop (today versus the Yankees), as they are a decidedly different team at home than on the road. This past weekend, the Rays took two of three from the Yankees and now have fallen two games behind the Royals for the worst record in baseball. After pretending to be a major league baseball team the first part of this month, the Royals have come back down to earth with six straight losses. With seven games remaining, all on the road, all against Minnesota and Detroit, Kansas City is threatening to run away with this race. Still, the thoughts of the team and their fans may be elsewhere…On the northside of Chi-Town, fans are more worried about who will be managing the team in 2007. Speaking of which, when did Joe Girardi suddenly become Sparky Anderson? Yes he has done a superb job with a AAA team, but it is only one season. The Cubs have bigger problems, and we would argue less talent (especially the pitching staff) than the Marlins. As for the 2006 Baby Bears, they have lost 4 of 5 and are hanging on by a thread at 4.5 games out. Still, Chicago is quickly running out of time…The Pirates finally ended their 5-game winning streak, and have now lost four in a row. But like the Cubbies, it is too little too late and the Pirates can be eliminated as early as today…Both Baltimore and Washington were eliminated from the race this weekend.
