A great story falls too far under the radar

We should probably be a bit ashamed.

I haven’t seen the newspapers back there on a daily basis this week but if Miguel Cabrera hasn’t been at the top of page one this week it’s a terrible call because what the Detroit Tigers slugger has accomplished this week is simply stunning and might be the best story of the summer, outside of all those Olympians, of course.

A Triple Crown?

Come on. That’s huge.

I know there are all kinds of advance analytic folks out there who might downplay the significance of winning the RBI, home run and batting titles because it doesn’t fit into WAR or OPS or whatever the new thing is but to them I have just one thing to say:

There’s no hope for them.

What Cabrera did hasn’t been done in 45 years – and Yaz’s Triple Crown came in the first year a young would-be grunt started watching baseball so it’s always in the corner of the mind – and winning a Triple Crown would be awful close to the top of the list of the most difficult milestones in all of professional sports.

We all should search out good stories in sports when we can, we shouldn’t put aside the bad ones we see all too often but we truly need to celebrate the good.

What Cabrera did – 44 homers, a .330 batting average, a stunning 139 RBIs – was nothing short of amazing. He did it in a time of relief-pitching specialists, hard travel and long seasons, he did it with no hint of help from the outside, he did it for a playoff-bound team and he did it far too quietly.

There is a debate, I’m told, about whether Cabrera should win the American League MVP or whether Mike Trout of the Angels should get an MPV-rookie of the year double.

All I can say is: “You’ve to be kidding.”

I don’t think there should even be much debate; I’m sure Trout is an excellent baseball player who did wonderful things for his team but what Cabrera did hasn’t been done in more than four decades, it may not satisfy the sabremeticians out there but there is no denying the numbers, the historical significance of his season or the fact his team playing tomorrow and Trout’s isn’t.

The story didn’t get nearly the attention it should have over the last week but when they next update the history of baseball, Cabrera’s name is going to be there next to some of the best players ever because of what he did. And I’m sure some fans will say, ‘hey, I should have paid more attention.’

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Okay, I’m told there’s a chance we’ll be at some bash Friday night where the lead singer of Great Big Sea will be performing -- -- more on that in the morning when we get some details but Haligonians have to let us know if it’ll be a good time – so …

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So we’re talking to Dwane yesterday after the morning practice and it’s the usual drill. We have stories we’re trying to the reporting for and everyone’s asking specific questions in search of good quotes.

And he, of course, is playing along because he knows what we do and what we need but he’s also got something he wants to get out there.

With almost every answer, he throws in a shot about the team’s propensity for turnovers during the scrimmages and you could tell he was an unhappy camper.

“It was a good day; love our effort, love our spirit but way too many turnovers. One thing when you play fast, and we’re trying to up-tempo the game there becomes a responsibility with the ball and everyone’s guilty of it and it’s natural but that’s the only thing I’m saying we’re behind on is taking are of the ball and making sure we make the right basketball play, the smart basketball play.

“The effort is there; it’s one of those things we’re doing to have to grow into, playing at a high tempo. Every drill we run is on a clock and that heightens the situation and with that, we were just too careless with the ball.”

He made the same point about three more times in a 10-minute interview so you know what he’ll be hammering home today when they get together.

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That’ll teach me.

I laud the Canada Games Centre as very good out here; we drag our sorry selves out there Tuesday morning only to find the coffee machine at the Subway is busted.

Grrrr.

(I know, Subway coffee probably isn’t considered coffee in any way, shape or form but, still)

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Okay, not many outside of Halifax will care but if you spend part of an afternoon at Maxwell’s Plum finding out all about Propeller Pilsner and then find your way to the Split Crow for some music, you’ve had a very good day.

And with only one practice today, am open to suggestions for late this afternoon and this evening. I can be talked into almost anything and it doesn’t appear like news will break out so what have you got?

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You know, I understand players associations and the need for “process” and all that but, really.

The NBA announced it’s new policy and penalties for flopping and seconds later, it seemed, the players association announced it was going to grieve it.

The penalties aren’t too harsh, although they are more punitive for flopping than they are for amassing technical fouls but if it even results in one guy thinking he’d rather not flop than give the league some of his money, it works.

I’m not entirely sure it will work – I don’t imagine in the heat of a game any notorious flopper will consider not doing it because of the consequences – but I’d hope that, eventually, the message will sink in that it’s not part of the game and won’t be tolerated.

As I mentioned last weekend in the mail, I think a post-game review might be the most workable solution; I don’t want to slow down any game with something like a coaches challenge that goes to replay, I think the referees in real time miss the most nuanced flops too often but I can understand why they do at full speed and, maybe, in the long run, this is the best way to handle it.

I don’t expect flopping to leave the game entirely but this is a good first step to lessening its impact on the games.

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That time again.

And since I am 1,000 per cent sure I can find a friendly spot somewhere for a couple of afternoon hours with comfy stools and new beverages, there’s nothing like killing a few hours with mail.

Ask to your heart’s content.

Click. Write. Send.

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Comments

[Wayne]

Doug,

How does it feel according to Rosie today to work in, "The toy department." You know where you get, "Four-star hotel rooms, jet travel, expense accounts, all quite plush even in the scaled-back economics of a media industry reeling from financial losses."

P.S. That was a great story by her. A very important one but it kind of irked me being a regular reader and knowing how hard you work to have it denigrated like that.

[sportschic]

"...it doesn’t appear like news will break out so what have you got? "

Wow ... I'm now expecting a really big news story to break.

[sam]

What Cabrera did this year was pretty impressive, and the idea he played a new position this year, it only adds to his accomplishment. Mike Trout is also a great story. For MVP it's a toss up. Toss a coin....both players are deserving.

You'll enjoy Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea.....I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at the George Street Festival in St Johns a couple summers back. Great Show!

[Ryan Smyth]

Angels finished with a better record than the Tigers, and play in a far more difficult division than Detroit. The Angels record with Trout in the lineup was the best in the league, as Trout didn't start the year with the Angels. Trouts numbers: Only two other guys have ever done what he did, EVER, two! That's hitting 30 HRs, 50 steals in on season!! Combine that with his defence, runs scored, RBIs (he finished with 83 for a leadoff man), WAR (Wins above replacement) which was 10.6, Miggy was 6.9, and DWAR (Defensive Wins above replacement Cabrera -0.2, and Trout 2.2, and you have a debate on your hands. As a baseball fan, I will agree winning the Triple crown is absolutely amazing. I really like both players, but as I heard yesterday, if you were to pick a guy for only one at bat, you take Cabrera. If you take a guy for one game, you take Trout.

[jc]

Remarkable feat indeed. We should all embrace it. Do you think though that some of the muted praise might be from fans who are so glad he did it but would have been even more happy if the guy who did it led an equally impressive "off the field" life? We like flawed heroes but it's hard to cheer without reserve. I guess it's a good thing I wasn't around when Ty Cobb was playing.

[AT]

doug, when do we see your predictions (wins/standings etc) for the year???

Blogger's note: If you do, it'll be around Halloween

[jc]

BTW, RIP TOD. I await TOD2!

[Alex]

Doug, Love your work, thanks for keeping us updated on Raps camp.

Please read this article, as it does a pretty good job of breaking down the debate between Trout/Cabrera for MVP

[Paul]

This might sound cliche but if you haven't lifted a glass at the Lower Deck change that. Otherwise if you can rent a car and head down to Lunenburg I'd recommend that too. I'm sure there are actual Haligonians who can give you some local gems too.

Blogger's note: Lower Deck is definitely in the plans; could be the big windup to the trip

[Bo Klymkiw]

I see Jonas, then Quincy in the rotation primarily giving us blocks;
Ed, then Amir giving us rebs;
Andrea, then DeMar giving us 1s & 2s made;
Terrance, then John giving us 3s made;
Kyle, then José giving us assists;
and finally, Terrance, then Landry giving us steals.
That's my top 11.

[MK]

I've enjoyed your basketball writing for a long time, but weighing in on baseball with such a lack of information is troubling.

This story has been getting a ton of coverage for the last few weeks, with cabrera at-bats getting the sosa/mcguire treatment where they've been leaving local broadcasts to show his at bat.

Also Caberera's team is playing tomorrow and Trout's isn't, despite the fact that Trout's team won more games. Let's hold it against him that Oakland and Texas are far superior to the Chicago White Sox...

Ignorance of new statistics like WAR and OPS is condemning alone, but looking at traditional statistics and scouting still support Trout. Led the league in Runs, a 30hr-40sb season, and elite defensive contributions that you don't need statistics to see.

I really hope this is just a case of baseball not being your primary focus, and that the basketball info I've been reading doesn't have a similar amount of misinformation.

[Nick]

Alan Doyle has been down our way playing on New Years Eve at the Niagara Parks and is one of my favorite Canadian bands. He was also cast as a Merry Man in the Russel Crowe version of Robin Hood. Even played a diddy for the merry men while resting.

[Mike M]

Doug:

I love reading your work and understand that you must be tremendous under pressure to crank things out fairly quickly, but I've noticed a lot of typos in a few of your recent columns. However, it's not just your work. A lot of the The Star's online articles seem to be full of careless errors. Does The Star not use a copy editor for its online version? I don't mean to be picky, but I do think this takes away from the overall quality of this (online) news source.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Russell Crowe has been known to sit in with various Great Big Sea members in informal jam sessions at a tiny, picturesque, historical spot called Chafe's Landing in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland (maybe the best fish 'n' chips ever!). He and Alan Doyle have been known to bicycle there from St. John's on occasion. Love those Maritimes! Great recommendation to venture down the coast if you can, Doug: Peggy's Cove, Chester, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg. Well worth the couple of hours' drive to see some iconic Canadiana. And the Bluenose!
Cheers. Go Raps!

[David in Oakville]

Good Morning Doug,

Contentious lot here this morning.

@MK, seriously, you either need to grow up some or your arrogance is only exceeded by your ignorance. What you call "misinformation" is what the rest of us read as a difference of opinion. My guess, you are not even capable of explaining baseball's new statistics or how they are calculated... perhaps you should have made the case for the importance of these statistics before accusing Doug of misinformation.

It seems that there is a fair and open debate among most people who follow baseball as to who the MVP should be. It also appears that those who blindly adhere to statistics alone don't see the need for the debate and are quick to insult others that do.

MVP in any sport is an intangible sort of thing not solely based on stats. Thank god.... as anyone who works with numbers can tell you.. they never tell the whole story.

[CW]

Try to get yourself some Garrison Tall Ships Amber next time you and your fellow beat grunts find yourself at a pub. Best beer in Halifax.

[DaveT (Ottawa)]

I doubt it will fit into the schedule, but I'm going to have to agree with D-Mac -- If you (that's all of you) can make it down the coast highway some time, you should. Some of my best "weekend outings" have been along the coast highway. Special place in my heart for anything between Prospect, Peggy's Cove, Lunenberg, Mahone Bay...

Ahh, memories...

[james]

Don't forget il Mercato. I also think you would enjoy the Victory Lounge at the Lord Nelson. No music though. Has anyone mentioned The Thirsty Duck? These three would take you on a tour of Spring Garden Road.
MVP debates are fun, so try this one: No one in the American League was more valuable to his team than Edwin Encarnacion.
Casey's awareness of everything, be it turnovers or Halifax as a terminus of the Underground Railroad, continues to impress.

[sam]

@ D Mac - totally agree with you about the east coast - Chester Basin, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are exceptional. Alan Doyle is from Petty's Cove - I saw him and Crowe together at the Hava Java on Water Street in St Johns- I was quite surprized how friendly Russell was - He chatted with most people that passed by and recognized him. For the most part - folks were very respectful and let him be.

[doug]

the lack of coverage for the Cabrera story isn't surprising as even Verlander was upset by it....but it is MLB where Braun as I knew right off got his 50 game suspension rescinded, Petite and Giambi were forgiven for their PED use etc,,etc...it's MLB been this way forever, just ask Hank Aaron...so of course it's a no-brainer that Carbrera gets MVP, but Trout is next white hope or really just white so enough said, it is what it is....I personally think the new flopping rules are a joke, fines mean squat in this day and age, what counts is games and suspensions without pay, it's a toothless change that will have little impact, also to have another thing decided post-game is just lame, if a guy flops there are 3 refs on the court, call it it's not rocket science, just like this whole tech fiasco with them being levied or rescinded after the games, again ref's are being given a excuse too not do their jobs....the more the league office and Stu Jackson in my opinion get involved post game the worse off league is...how disappointing no JV update:) I kid...ok cheers..

[JP]

RBI is a meaningless stat insofar as it is generally a reflection of teammates who hit before him and is not predictable/not a reflection of Cabrera. Batting average is a "less than" statistic, compared to OBP, and HR are useful, but if Hamilton hits two homers in the last day, does that make Cabrera's HR less valuable (insofar as Triple Crown = MVP)? Trout is exponentially a better fielder, not to mention that a centre outfielder is worth more than a third baseman, and I think their offensive years are a more or less a wash.

[Mike D.]

Does Dwane have a sense of humour? If I were a player I think I'd find it difficult not to play dumb for the entertainment value: "Pretty good practice huh, Coach? Anything you think we should be working on?"

[doug]

I love how people use stats however they want or discount them to prove their point...so I can play along what I haven't seen mentioned is that in the dog days of summer Cabrera in pursuit of the triple crown hit .357 in August,.308 in September with 19 Hr's and 54 Rbi's whereas Trout in his 2nd/3rd go around in the league hit .284, .257 for those months with 12 Hr's and 28 Rbi's he reminds me of another player from the past Fred Lynn best year was his first...Trout is a fine player but if he were a stock I'd sell now whereas Cabrera is what he is a proven player and his team is in the playoffs MVP race shouldn't even be close and if Trout had won triple crown would we even be having this discussion? come on let's get real here....cheers..

[Warren]

What Cabrera did hasn't been done in 45 years.

What Trout did hasn't been done ever.

So Doug, it's you that's got to be kidding.

Blogger's note: For having an opinion? Not kidding at all, actually.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug, don't you think that if a player gets 2 or 3 official flop calls that he will get 'labelled' or known as a flopper? Hence the next time he wants to draw a charge he is less lkely to get the call?

Blogger's note: Could very well happen