Rockies Sign Jamie Moyer

January 19, 2012

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Jamie Moyer has signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.  The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.  I’m assuming that the invitation includes an opportunity to try out for the team, and not just a meet-and-greet with Tulo and a tour of downtown Scottsdale.

I tracked down some people for their thoughts.  Without further ado, here’s the chatter about the signing.

We lost Moyer to an injury in 2011, and it cost us a shot at the World Series.  I figured we’d be able to re-sign Moyer for 2012, slot him into the top of the rotation, and let Halladay and Lee fight it out for the #2 spot.  I guess he got too expensive for us.

– Philly resident Evan Kline

When I heard that Moyer was going to be available, I had to go after him.  I can still remember when he broke in with the Cubs.  I didn’t actually SEE the game, since I was in my mother’s womb, but she could feel me kick every time he threw a pitch that day.

– Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd

Two words – AARP discount.  Yeah, I plan to hang out with Jamie a lot.  I’m sure he’s a cool guy and everything, but he can flash that card and get discounted food for everyone.  Hey, a penny saved is a penny earned.

– Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki

He can get us into R-rated movies, right?

– Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz

I’ve never heard of this guy. Does he have a temper? If he’s going to be bashing the water cooler with a bat every time he has a bad game, I need to know – because I’ll have to get Smitty to order some extra water coolers. We can’t be signing these guys without doing a better job of vetting them – too much risk of property damage.

– Rockies manager Jim Tracy

What does Jamie Moyer have in common with me? We’re both prehistoric.

– Dinger

All kidding aside, I do see that as a good signing by the Rockies. On the human side of things, Moyer is by all accounts a great guy, and has several humanitarian awards to back it up. The Rockies also have a ton of young pitcher, and Moyer could serve as a role model and mentor for them.

On the baseball side of things, there’s not much risk to the deal, since it’s a minor league deal. There’s a very real chance that he could nail down the #5 starter spot. If he can manage to stay in the rotation for a few years, he might even have a shot at getting win #300 as a Rockie. I don’t think that would get him into the Hall of Fame, but it’d still be pretty cool.

10 Things About Jamie Moyer

July 17, 2009

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Last night, ageless wonder Jamie Moyer (46 years old) threw 7 innings of one-hit ball against the Marlins.  The Phillies bullpen finished the game without incident, resulting in a combined one hitter.

Today, we give you a tribute to Jamie Moyer.  Here are 10 things you might not know about Jamie:

  • Jamie Moyer once threw a fastball.  Sure, it was in Little League, but it’s on his permanent record.
  • Jamie Moyer started his career in Philadelphia. With the Athletics.
  • Jamie Moyer threw the first pitch on opening day. It should be crossing the plate at any moment.
  • The Liberty Bell cracked while ringing to announce Jamie Moyer’s birth.
  • Jamie Moyer grew up in a family of carpenters.  He served his apprenticeship helping his uncle Noah build an ark.
  • Jamie Moyer’s grandson can hit a homerun off him. Then again, Dustin Moyer-Pedroia is a pretty decent player.
  • Jamie Moyer graced the cover of the first baseball video game – Pong.
  • If Jamie Moyer is pre-approved for a scooter or power chair and Medicare denies his claim, the Scooter Store will allow him to keep his scooter or power chair at no cost.
  • Jamie Moyer bought a brand new car when he signed his first professional contract. He still has that Model T.
  • The Phillies might need to shut down Jamie Moyer late in the year. He’s trying to figure out how much money he can earn before he is forced to claim social security benefits as income on his 1040.

All kidding aside, I do wish Jamie continued good luck in his career.

Note to regular readers of The Soap Boxers: in case you missed it, here’s a link to today’s Fiction Friday short story, Heidi and the Shark.

ESPN is a 4 letter word

June 1, 2009

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I’ve heard people refer to ESPN as a 4 letter word in the sports world.  Today, I wondered if they might be right.

Today’s poll question, on the heels of Jamie Moyer’s 250th win, was whether or not Moyer should be in the Hall of Fame.  The options were “yes”, “no”, and “he needs to get to 300 wins”.  An incredibly high number of people (50%+ had chosen the “yes” and “he needs to get to 300 wins” answers when I checked in the early afternoon).

The correct answer is “no”, even if he manages to get to 300 (which would mean pitching until he was 50).  Moyer has been a successful pitcher and has enjoyed great longevity.  However, he simply falls short of the excellence needed for the Hall of Fame.  It is not the Hall of Pretty Good For a Really Long Time.  Moyer has won more than 15 games in a season just four times, and had never finished higher than 4th in Cy Young voting.  This does not scream “dominance”.

If Jamie Moyer wants to get into the Hall of Fame, he’ll need to buy a ticket.

I do, however, extend my sincerest congratulations to Jamie on the achievement.  I remember him breaking in with the Cubs back in the mid 1980s.  I never imagine that he would still be pitching in 2009.