Following baseball these days–following anything in pop culture, really–can be dizzying. There is so much analysis and commentary from so many places that it is difficult to keep up with it all. I don’t Tweet which puts me behind the curve. But I read as much as I can, as quickly as I can point and click, so that opinions and facts are coming out of my ears. It is tough to tell the experts from the amateurs and vice versa.
Where do you turn? Who is reliable? This probably depends on your bent. And while the volume can be overwhelming, the sheer amount of information that is available is impressive and often rewarding. It just requires time and the ability to filter the nuggets from the rubbish, which is easier said than done.
l find that Tyler Kepner is doing a great job of covering the Yankees for the New York Times. He mixes reporting (the quality that is most often missing from the blogosphere) and analysis especially well at the Bats blog. He isn’t the only one thriving these days, but his efforts stand-out. We’re lucky to have him on the beat but his talents have become broader than just a guy who covers the Yankees.
Chalk one up for the good guys.
Kepner is great, for sure. He does have his blind spots (Tex for MVP?!), but the man can write and report. Analysis is usually above average, if not all-star.
Regarding the trade:
I really don't think this is so bad for the kid pitchers. Joba is the 5th starter with no limitations. Phil can start the season in the AAA rotation. If there's an injury (or Joba super sucks) in the first half, Phil comes up. He stays in the rotation if need be, or goes back down when the vet returns to keep his reps, whatever. If no callup in first half, he can spend the second half in the ML 'pen, and get his 150 innings. Full time starter next year, if all goes well. A lot like how Bucholz was handled last season.
I'm down with Cliff's Derosa option. Failing that, Reed Johnson or X Nady would be fine RH C/LF caddies, and probably at a more affordable price. I'm cool with Brett starting the season in CF (or LF, however the coaches decide), as long as there is someone with some sock (and mash lefties) on the bench who can pinch hit/platoon and hold down a corner.
I get most of my baseball stuff through some combination of this site, LoHud and various baseball guys I follow on Twitter.
MLB Trade rumors is big during the off season too
From a non breaking news standpoint, I've always liked Verducci.
Tyler Kemper was a departure from the stodgy old-school reporting of yesteryear. I credit the NY Times for having the vision to choose someone with good insight and analysis.
I know he was skewered for his Tex for MVP post, but I chalked it up to the enthusisasm of watching a slick-fielding first baseman who was saving his teamates on a daily basis.
Kepner!
[4]
fixed .... :-)
Now if Tyler Kepner's sister married Chuck Wepner's son ....
[4] Neifi! >;)
[5] The Bronx-Bayonne Pinstripe Bleeder Blue?
[0] witcha on Kep, man. He's dynamite. He provides great live analysis on the YES hot stove show with Bob Lorenz, too.
[5] And the byproduct of that union was to grow up to be a ballplayer and seek an agent...
[3] Well, there's a first for everything.
[9] Too much Christmas cheer.
Tyler's sister can marry Nan Kempner's son. Mrs. Kepner Kempner. Then, she can buy the Yankees.
[10]
Hogan's Heroes anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Klemperer
Is this gonna turn into The Name Game next? (I dare anyone... >;)
[12]
I'm all faklempt .... :-P
I enjoy Kepner, Feinsand, and Curry.
for longform stuff Verducci is still solid, if sometimes a little full of himself.
MLB Trade Rumors is essential in the offseason and before July 31st.
[11] Werner Klemperer...ah the good old days when I had to bang my black and white tele to get an image.
There's Judge Wapner.
I like Lohud. Chad Jennings knows a lot about the minor league system. It's downright educational.
I generally enjoy Kepner, even though his analysis is sometimes off. Whose isn't?
But I got really turned off on him around the beginning of last season when all he wanted to write about was the ARod steroids saga to the detriment of any actual news about the team in Spring Training. Once he figured out that he wasn't writing for a tabloid, or at least once he figured out that his tabloid journalism was no longer selling, and he started writing about baseball again, things improved greatly. I sincerely hope he learned something from that.
Attention jazz (and other music) fans .... free concert downloads at npr ...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121781373&sc=fb&cc=fp
Breaking news, still LoHud.
Everything else, Cliff.
Best analysis out there.
[0] Come back Murray Chass!!