STRIKE THREE

***LET'S TALK ABOUT STRIKEOUTS***
It used to be a bad thing: Mickey Mantle's strikeouts were famous. Joe DiMaggio almost never did. He never struck out as many as 40 times in a season. Ted Williams once said if he could have 4 strikes an at-bat, he would never strike out and might hit .500. Well, maybe. Joe Torre says that Lou Brock once sat out the last game of the season just because he had 99 strikeouts and didn't want to end up with 100.

Today, it seems much different. Chris Davis had 100 strikeouts by June 20th. Adam Dunn once struck out 195 times in a season. He also had 108 walks that year in 681 plate appearances, which that he never touched the ball 45% of the time.

Why is that? Most analysts feel it's because of two things. The preponderance of effective relief pitchers, which means a batter can face three different pitchers in a game and wouldn't be able to zero in on any one guy. Secondly, the prevailing feeling is that pretty much everyone can reach the fences these days and managers will accept the strikeout to get the big dinger.

***MONEYBALL, THE MOVIE IS SHUT DOWN***
The movie version of the Billy Beane GM technique looks dead even though Brad Pitt was slated to star in it. Moneyball tells how Beane was able to build winning teams using statistical standards (such as on-base percentage) ignored by other General Managers. Why? Apparently the studio head, the producer and the director couldn't decide if it should be a documentary, a drama or a comedy. A comedy? Billy Beane may be laughing, but he's the only one.

***HE BELONGS IN THE HALL OF FAME***
Picasner has long been an advocate of limiting membership in the Hall only to the real stars, and not any 'sentimental' favorites (see Bill Mazeroski). However, one name has come up that I believe truly belongs there. The nominee: Ted Giannoulas, also known as The San Diego Chicken. He's been entertaining fans for almost 40 years, in the majors, the minors and a number of other sports. He's certainly deserving.
On a personal note, I met him once, out of 'uniform' (him, not me) and I found him to be polite and unassuming, just a nice guy. He was also quite small.