The Bill Chuck Files of February 9, 2020

Each Sunday, in remembrance of my friend and J.G Spink Award winner Nick Cafardo, I post “the Bill Chuck Files” (named by Nick in his Sunday Baseball Notes column)

In case you missed it: Umps will be announcers

This season, MLB umpires will wear microphones next season to communicate decisions on reviewed calls to fans in attendance and to those watching on TV or listening on the radio. Crew chiefs will be mic’d up like football referees and explain why the folks in New York did not see a call the way did in your view of the replay. Speaking as a fan, we encourage the mic’d up ump to end each replay decision announcement by turning to the losing team and saying, “you can’t handle the truth” in their best Jack Nicholson imitation.

In case you missed it: Orioles designated Steve Wilkerson for assignment

If any other team had designated their 2019 primary centerfielder for assignment, it would have drawn from the collected audience, but the O’s are in an ardent battle with the Tigers, Royals, Pirates, Marlins, and Mariners for better positioning for draft picks accorded to the worst team in baseball so there are no surprises. In fact, I would venture to guess that you were not even aware that Wilkerson was the Orioles primary centerfielder last season, but I have proof:

But that Steve Wilkerson sounds familiar for another reason, doesn’t it? And if you can’t put your finger on it, allow me to remind you that last season Wilkerson became the first position player ever to earn a save. Last July, at Angel Stadium, in the bottom of the 16^th inning, Wilkerson set down Brian Goodwin, Kole Calhoun, and Albert Pujols in order and save the Orioles’ 10-8 victory. And if you don’t believe me, when you are next in Cooperstown, you can see the ball he threw and cap he wore at the Hall of Fame. Wilkerson made four relief appearances for the Orioles and had a 6.75 ERA allowing four runs in 5.1 IP. He also hit .225 while playing all three outfield positions and second base. If I were his agent I would position him as leading all relievers who had a save last season with 10 home runs.

In case you missed it: Edwin Jackson has signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks

File this under “Been there, done that.” The Diamondbacks have announced a minor-league deal with righty Edwin Jackson. Jackson previously pitched for Arizona in 2010 and so why do we care about this signing? Simply because there are a number of us who are hoping that Jackson appears in uniforms for all 30 teams and with 16 to go, time is running out for the 36-year old pitcher who has 17 big league seasons.

Jackson has pitched for 14 clubs, the most of any MLB pitcher, one more than Octavio Dotel.

Both Edwin Jackson and Steve Wilkerson have one career save.

Oscar spoiler alert

The film 1917 is not about the 1917 World Champion Chicago White Sox who defeated the New York Giants in the World Series.

If the Iowa Caucus were a baseball team…

If the Iowa Caucus were a baseball team, it would be the New York Mets. They can’t even sell themselves to a current stakeholder. Steve Cohen, the billionaire hedge fund manager was negotiating to buy the team from Fred Wilpon, the managing owner of the Mets, and his son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer. The Wilpons (the Donald Jr. and Eric Trumps of baseball owners) continued to show a knack for screwing things up and the deal fell through.

Solve this baseball anagram

Tout Ass Honors

2019 Players with 60+ PA with RISP from the 7^th inning on

If you are looking for another reason why Pete Rose should not be in the Hall of Fame…

Look who is supporting his quest:

Pete Rose played Major League Baseball for 24 seasons, from 1963-1986, and had more hits, 4,256, than any other player (by a wide margin). He gambled, but only on his own team winning, and paid a decades long price. GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. It’s Time!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020

Fate of Boston Red Sox award winners

Here are great visuals from Daren Willman

I don’t know Daren Willman except on Twitter (@darenw) but I sure do enjoy some of the great work he has done while Director of Research and Development for @MLB.

For example:

Every homer from every ballpark in 2019? Yes, please!

Via @darenw pic.twitter.com/M5OxZRqS1O

— MLB (@MLB) February 5, 2020

All of Mookie Betts home runs since 2015 overlaid at @Dodgers Stadium. pic.twitter.com/SSU5XIPUm9

— Daren Willman (@darenw) February 5, 2020

R.I.P. Kirk Douglas

Actor Kirk Douglas died this past week at the age of 103 and while many of you might remember him from Spartacus or Lust For Life, he also introduced this 1985 TBS special on What Is Baseball In America? (video below)

Baseball anagram answer

Tout Ass Honors = Houston Astros

One of my heroes, Bill Veeck was born February 9, 1914