Baseball: Moneyball. Bill Lee, Joel Horlen, Jesus Montero, Devin Mesoraco

In fact, “Moneyball” is a complex movie that doesn’t exactly wear its heart on its sleeve. With considerable script work by Aaron Sorkin, the movie, like “The Social Network” last year, tells the story of a guy whose achievements were considerable, if not always admirable, and who is struggling to find meaning in his personal and professional life. You want Mr. Bean and his players to win, but the movie makes it clear that something may be lost if they do. - http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/seeking-universal-life-lessons-in-story-of-baseball-nerdery  

Bill Lee is one of the more interesting figures in sports, but just calling him interesting (or zany, or out there or any other seemingly complimentary way to call him an oddball) is selling the former major league pitcher short. Lee continues to be immersed in baseball even into his 60s, and it's not just away from the diamond. It's on it as well. The Spaceman has continued to play, and he continues to pitch, crediting his active lifestyle for his ability to keep taking the hill. The crafty left-hander also has plenty of ways to fix baseball, a sport that he says will always live on thanks to its appeal to kids, but could definitely use some work. Lee spoke with NESN.com on Thursday. Read the transcript of his discussion below. - http://www.nesn.com/2011/09/bill-lee-says-baseball-will-never-die-but-something-must-be-done-to-improve-tempo-of-game.html  

Joel Horlen pitched Oklahoma State and coach Toby Greene to the 1959 College World Series championship, winning two games in Omaha. Then Horlen produced a 116-117 record over 12 major league seasons, including a 19-7 record with a 2.06 earned run average for the 1967 White Sox, who were part of one of baseball's greatest pennant races. Horlen also won a World Series game for the 1972 Oakland Athletics. Horlen, now 74, is believed to be the only person to play on teams that won the Pony League World Series, the College World Series and the major league World Series. - http://newsok.com/collected-wisdom-joel-horlen-former-osu-baseball-player/article/3603137#ixzz1XbcSSI2j  

(Jesus) Montero has very quick hands and keeps his hands back well, especially on off-speed pitches even after he partially collapses his front side. Several times in his young major league career Montero was “fooled” on an off-speed pitch, but was still able to hit the ball hard because his hands were still back in the launch position. Hitting is two distinct parts. First you stride, then you swing, but the interesting part is they work in unison. Montero keeps his hands back very well. Knowing his hands are quick also allows Montero to let the ball get deeper in the zone. Along with good hip rotation, this is why Montero has so much power the opposite way. To be a good hitter, you need to allow outside pitches to travel farther to the plate before making contact. It is impossible to hit the ball consistently well on outside pitches if you hit them out in front of the plate like you would on an inside pitch. - http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=39572  

The question for 2011: could he prove last year wasn't a fluke? He did just that, hitting .289/.371/.484 with 36 doubles, 15 homers, 52 walks, and 83 strikeouts in 436 at-bats for Triple-A Louisville. He is in the majors now and looking to lay claim to the long-term catching job. A 6-2, 220 pound right-handed hitter,(Devin) Mesoraco has developed a good feel for hitting and isn't just a one-dimensional slugger. His bat is ahead of his glove at this point. Mesoraco has a strong throwing arm, but his defense is still a work in progress, his stealer-kill rate dropped to 26% this year, and as his error and passed ball rates are higher than ideal. Nevertheless, there are few doubts about his ability to remain behind the plate; he just needs more experience. The Reds have another outstanding catching prospect in Yasmani Grandal, giving them some slack should Mesoraco falter.