2/4/12

Baseball: Identity Fraud, Brooks Robinson, Curt Flood, Casey Kotchman


Baseball is so entrenched in the Dominican Republic, and the talent pool runs so deep, that nearly every team has an academy there. But Newman, like Alderson, said fraud had become so pervasive that teams were becoming increasingly frustrated about misplaced opportunity costs — investing money and scouting manpower to chase players with uncertain identities. Alderson said the government in the Dominican Republic had been more vigilant in response. “I think they have come to realize that baseball is an important contributor to their economy in a variety of ways; you can kill the golden goose,” Alderson said. “I think they understand that it’s important for them to create an attractive environment for baseball to continue to invest in their country — an environment where clubs can rely on what’s represented to be the case.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/sports/baseball/identity-fraud-among-dominican-players-worries-baseball-officials.html?_r=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nyt%2Frss%2FSports+%28NYT+%3E+Sports%29&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson has been a fixture in recent years at the annual Joe DiMaggio Legends game. But Robinson was unable to attend Saturday's game because of injuries sustained in a fall Friday night. Robinson, 74, fell backward from a stage during a charity dinner featuring retired players at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood. Several retired players said they were told Robinson had two fractures in his rear shoulder area, including a broken clavicle. They also said Robinson was alert and responsive as paramedics treated him. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/hall-of-famer-brooks-robinson-injured-in-fall-2133136.html

Curt Flood was a successful MLB player who earned seven Gold Glove Awards, played in three All-Star Games, and won two World Series.  In 1970, after being traded to the Phillies against his wishes, Flood challenged baseball's reserve clause, fighting it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although Flood lost the court case, his step of suing MLB ultimately paved the way for reforms like the 1975 Seitz Decision, which granted baseball with free agency, a great benefit to everyone affiliated with the game. Flood is considered by many to be the pioneer of free agency, but he paid a significant price for his contributions by sacrificing a flourishing MLB career for what he believed was right not only for him, but for all who played. http://www.prorumors.com/2012/01/rumors/curt-flood-and-the-history-of-free-agency?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

First baseman Casey Kotchman has to be wondering what he has to do to get a job. Kotchman had the best year of his career in 2011 as he hit .306/.378/.422 with 10 HR's in 563 plate appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays. But despite his career season, Kotchman hasn't had many suitors this offseason. The Cleveland Indians were in on Kotchman earlier this offseason, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. There was an outside chance that Kotchman could have ended up back with the Rays, but they went out and signed Carlos Pena. While those two windows have presumably closed on Kotchman, another one might be opening http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/1/30/2757198/is-casey-kotchman-a-fit-with-the-baltimore-orioles

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