Baseball Happenings by David Bloom

The list season continues with the most influential people in online sports from a business perspective. I can’t say I have really heard of most of the folks. I tend to favor this list of the 20 most influential sports bloggers.

We know about Carl Pavano and that fact that he was concealed his injury last season from the organization. But, I doubt you can conceal his better half.

Jason Marquis, the former Braves farmhand who went from a decent young pitcher to a big time flop last season under Tony LaRussa. Despite the bad year, the Cubs penciled him into their rotation with a big time contract. Here is one reason to be optimistic about Marquis.

Pecota and their dead on projections by BP. Rays Index takes a look at the Rays pitching projections.

Wow, a new chapter in the Book Game of Shadows.

Earlier this year, I mentioned about the lack of baseball content at Aol’s Fan House. Well, that has changed since my mention.

Spring Stats. Do they mean anything? I mentioned this last spring that these numbers would be interesting to look back on.

Gary Mathews Jr. goes from a player who can’t break as a regular player for years, to a player who lands a multi-year big time contract. You do the math. Apparently, the Angels did not not do their homework.

The Murray Chass Shallowness on VORP and OPS drill down

Rays Previews : 3 things , Sox Fan on Rays

Fantasy Auction software

Ty the Utility of everything

Baseball Digest Daily has a preview on NL East

Gator Volleyball is stunning sport.

Picture credit

Last year Brett Tomko started the year off in the rotation as the #3 starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was having one of his best years to date. However, his good start in a Dodgers uniform abrubtly went in the opposite direction (possibly related to a strained oblique muscle) and he eventually was headed to the disabled list. After an injury, he sort of lost his spot in the Dodgers rotation, and in a surprise turn of events welcomed a move into the bullpen, and even relished being in that role:

his willingness to change from a starter to a reliever exemplified the Dodgers’ attitude of doing whatever was better for the team rather than doing what the player desired. I believe the Dodgers would have found it more difficult to go to the playoffs without his contributions.

I guess he is used to taking a back seat as he is married to Julia Shultz who is sure to get all the attention.

Some guys have a good enough head on their shoulders to be comftorable in the background role rather than the star attraction. In this case, Tomko is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the majors where he throws in the mid 9o’s and seems well suited for this role in the bullpen.