LestersLegends.com

My 8-year old nephew Justin has really taken an interest in sports the past couple months.  For his birthday party he had a sports theme.  First we split up into teams and played basketball. One team was the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.  We also went to a baseball field and played a game of kickball.  It was a lot of fun. 

As Justin has become increasingly interested in sports he asked if he could post comments on my site.  In an effort to foster his interest in sports as well as his writing ability, I said not only could he leave comments, but he could write an occasional article.  This is his first effort. 

All-Star Game Observations
By Justin Lester

The American League won the 2009 All-Star Game 4-3 thanks to Carl Crawford, who was named MVP of the game.  Crawford plays for the Tanpa Bay Rays as an Outfielder.  He made a great catch to take a Home Run away from Brad Hawpe.

There were three Minnesota Twins on the American League team.  Joe Nathan pitched in the the 8th inning, Joe Mauer got one trip around the bases, and  Justin Morneau played First base in the 8th and 9th Innings.

Here’s a look at Outfielders who should bounce back from subpar 2008 seasons.

Carl Crawford – Despite Tampa Bay’s success last year, Crawford didn’t perform at his typical level.  Crawford was limited to 109 games, which can explain the 69 Runs, 121 Hits, 12 Doubles, 8 HRs, 57 RBI, and 25 SBs.  His .273 average was off his .293 career mark, but that can be expected from someone dealing with injuries.  I fully expect him to return to form and hit in the low .300s with 90+ Runs, 180+ Hits, 28+ Doubles, 15+ HRs, 75+ RBI, and 40+ SBs.  One interesting note is despite his struggles, he did still hit 10 Triples last year.  I expect that number to jump to 15+ in ’09.

Vernon Wells – Wells had a solid season batting .300 with 20 HRs and 78 RBI.  He was actually better in 108 games in 2008 than he was in 149 games in 2007.  He worked with a trainer to get in better shape.  Unfortunately he hurt his hamstring.  As long as it doesn’t bother him all year, he should be solid.  I’m putting him on a .280, 85 R, 160 H, 32 2Bs, 25HRs, 90 RBI, and 12 SBs season.

Hideki Matsui - Matsui will mostly fill the DH role for the Yankees because of his knees.  He was limited to 93 games last year and had just 43 Runs, 9 HRs, and 45 RBI.  He’s alternating between injury-riddled years and solid years, and fortunately it’s an odd year if the trend continues.  I see him getting around 450-500 at bats and hitting .295 with 75 R, 140 H, 20 HRs, and 80 RBI.

Gary Sheffield – While he doesn’t play much OF anymore, he’s still eligible in most formats.  Sheff, like most Tigers, had a down year.  He hit .225 with 52 Runs, 94 Hits, 16 Doubles, 19 HRs, and 57 RBI.  Those aren’t Gary Sheffield numbers.  He could struggle out of the gate as he pursues HR #500.  Once that’s out of the way look for him to settle in around .260, 70-75 Runs, 130 Hits, 25 Doubles, 22 HRs, and 70 RBI.

Jeff Francoeur - Francoeur hit .239 with 70 Runs, 143 Hits, 11 HRs, and 71 RBI.  In his previous two years he averaged .276 with 83.5 Runs, 178.5 Hits, 24 HRs, and 104 RBI.  After his struggles last year, I’m going to be conservative in my expectations of him in ’09.  I’m guessing he’ll hit .260 with 75 Runs, 160 Hits, 20 HRs, and 85 RBI. 

Eric Byrnes - I don’t expect a major bounceback for him as he’s likely going to be fighting for at bats as the fourth Outfielder, but he’s going to improve on his .209 average and 28 Runs, 43 Hits, 23 RBI, and 4 SBs.  If nothing else, he should be a decent source of SBs.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Wednesday, June 25th
Carl Crawford hit a pair of HRs with 5 RBI.  Bobby Abreu had 3 Hits and 4 RBI.  Carlos Guillen had 4 Hits and 3 RBI.  Jay Payton hit a pair of HRs with 4 RBI.  David Wright smacked a pair of HRs with 3 RBI.  Rick Ankiel had 2 HRs, 3 Runs, and 3 RBI.  Gary Sheffield and Chase Utley each had 4 Hits.  Kelly Johnson, Geovany Soto,  Jose Reyes, Kevin Cash each had 3 RBI.  Dustin Pedroia, Coco Crisp, Derek Jeter (3 Runs), Jose Castillo, Robinson Cano, Jack WIlson, Alex Rios, Evan Longoria (3 RBI), Ross Gload, and Carlos Gomez each had 3 Hits.  Mike Lowell and Brian Buscher each scored 3 Runs.

Eric Stults pitched a Complete Game four-hit Shutout to improve to 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA.  Kyle Kendrick gave up 4 Hits in 8 scoreless Innings to improve to 7-3.  Joba Chamberlain continued to prove The Boss II right by firing 6-2/3 scoreless Innings improving to 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA.  Tim Wakefield knuckled 7 scoreless Innings allowing 2 Hits with 6 Ks to improve to 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA.  Jorge Campillo gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits with 6 Ks in 7 Innings to improve to 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA.  Randy Johnson gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings, but took the Loss.  Barry Zito shocked Giants fans by going 6-2/3 Innings allowing just 1 Run on 4 Hits to improve to 3-11.  Tim Redding gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings, but got a no-decision.  John Maine gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings to improve to 8-5 with a 3.73 ERA.  James Shields gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA.  Luke Hochevar gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings to even his record at 5-5.

Thursday, June 19th
Jermaine Dye went 3 for 3 with 3 Runs, a Double, 2 HRs (one a Grand Slam), and 6 RBI.  Nate McLouth scored 3 Runs and had 3 RBI.  Joe Inglett hit a pinch-hit Grand Slam in the 9th Inning.  Carl Crawford had 3 Hits, including a Grand Slam.  Orlando Cabrera also had 4 RBI.  Matt Kemp, Freddy Sanchez, Brandon Boggs, and Russell Branyan each had 3 RBI.  James Loney, Mark Teahan (3 RBI),  Pablo Ozuna, Lance Berkman, Alex Cintron, Casey Blake, Willy Taveras, and Derrick Lee each had 3 Hits.  Prince Fielder scored 3 Runs

Dave Bush gave up 1 Run on 2 Hits in 8 Innings to improve to 3-7.  Joba Chamberlain gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 5-2/3 Innings with 9 Ks, but got a no-decision.  Eric Stults gave up 1 Earned Run in 6 Innings with 5 Ks for his first Win of the year.  Zack Greinke gave up 1 Run on 2 Hits in 7 Innnigs with 7 Ks to improve to 6-4 with a 3.33 ERA.  Scott Feldman gave up 2 Runs on 5 Hits in a 7 Inning no-decision.  Doug Davis gave up 1 Run on 3 Hits with 8 Ks in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Sean Gallagher (6 Innings, 1 unearned run, 4 Hits) and James Shield (6-1/3 Innings, 3 Runs, 9 Ks) each earned no-decisions.   Jorge de la Rosa gave up 3 Runs in 6 Innings with 10 Ks to improve to 2-3.