HDWEB: Bautistas, Trouts, puppies, and Ewoks

In today’s HOW DARE WE ENJOY BASEBALL, we gawk at the first monster bautistabomb of the year, we realize that baseball puppies are the best puppies, and we remember that nobody looks angry when dressed up as a teddy bear from another planet. YES!

by Justin Bopp

Feb 27, 2014, 8:52 PM UTC

Good afternoon HDWEB’ers, it’s February 27th and Stephen Drew still doesn’t have a job. Here’s everything you need to know.

If you have ideas or suggestions, send 'em my way at @justinbopp.

Baseball is the fucking best:

Jose Bautista hits MLB's first homer of the year -- It doesn't count, but it does look pretty:

Josh Reddick robs Mike Morse of two homers in first Spring Training game, tweets ensue -- NBD, right?

Well that was a fun day. Guys came out swinging it. Pitching staff threw well. Nothing too exciting.
— Josh Reddick (@joshreddick16) February 26, 2014

Inspiration Over Calculation - Athletics Nation -- You will read this and you will love it. Great little story:

Here is the scene. I am sitting at the dining room table with my trusty, though decidedly un-chic, Toshiba laptop. I am showing my Italian Mother-in-law the replay of Josh Reddick’s first over-the-fence catch against the Giants in Wednesday’s spring training game.
She is pounding the table and asking me to replay the clip, which I do. Ten times. There are several reasons why this is remarkable. My Mother-in-law is in her late nineties. She’s just under five feet tall. She has vision problems. Her hearing ain’t what it used to be, and she’s a football fan. Nevertheless, Reddick’s catch has her pumped. She’s ready to bench press my living room sofa.

Chone Figgins still doesn't have a clue - Lookout Landing -- Remember that time Figgins held a grudge against the Mariners because they benched him for Ken Griffey Jr?

Four years later, Chone Figgins is still upset about being pinch-hit for by one of the best outfielders of all time. He was pinch-hit for, and it worked—and it resulted in one of the Mariners’ most thrilling wins in what was a horrid season.
People still look back on the Chone Figgins signing and try to figure out what went wrong. Was it his unique skill-set—the no-power, high-strikeout combination—that led to a quick decline? Was his failure in Seattle a mark against sabermetric thinking?
No, it was just Chone Figgins.

Stephen Drew rumors: Mets GM says SS might wait to sign until June -- Mets general manager and potential suitor for free agent shortstop Stephen Drew believe the player will wait until the season begins to sign with a team as worries over draft-pick compensation loom.
Mike Trout, Angels agree on record contract for 2014 -- Trout agreed to the largest one-year deal ever for a pre-arbitration player, setting the table for a future extension.
Josh Hamilton could be out for a few weeks, not days - Angels manager recalibrates timetable for injured outfielder Josh Hamilton, refuting statements made by slugger on Tuesday
MLBPA watching Phillies after NCAA controversey -- MLBPA executive director Tony Clark says the union is "concerned" following Phillies' admission of role in Ben Wetzler NCAA investigation
MLB responds to controversial Arizona bill - MLB released a statement Wednesday afternoon responding to the controversial Arizona bill that would give citizens the legal ability to restrict services to gay people.

Three of the biggest storylines for the D-backs heading into spring training - AZ Snake Pit -- The Arizona Diamondbacks the they head into spring with a number of different storylines. So, as they get ready to take the field for the first time, let's take a look at a couple of them.
Spring training 2014: The viability of the Astros carrying three catchers - The Crawfish Boxes -- Three catchers enter spring training. How many will leave on the Opening Day roster?
Cubs, Under Armour sign naming rights deal - Bleed Cubbie Blue -- The Cubs will be pocketing more money from the sports-apparel maker.
Yankees better put a Spring in their step - Pinstripe Alley -- On one hand, maybe it's time we start to panic. On the other...
Don't Be That Guy/Girl: Spring Training Edition - Talking Chop -- Oh, right. Small sample sizes.

Lawsuit by Minor League players, claim they earn less than minimum wage - Minor League Ball -- Claiming they were exploited by Major League Baseball and earning wages below the poverty line, three former minor league players file a lawsuit for back pay.
Five Teams Relying on Prospects to Succeed in 2014 - MLB Daily Dish -- Prospects are a dangerous shell game, their rate of failure often too high. But next year, five contending teams are doubling down and will need their young rookies to come through if they hope to compete.
MLB Prospect Review: Oscar Taveras, St. Louis Cardinals - Fake Teams -- Oscar Taveras was expected to establish himself in the majors at some point last year, but injuries derailed his season. Has his outlook changed, and what can we expect from him going forward?
Tigers Top 30 Prospects: #17 Joe Jimenez - Bless You Boys -- "Joe Jimenez is relatively unknown by Tigers fans. Once he gets to full season ball, people will start paying attention. He has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter."
Baseball Prospectus Ranks Padres Prospects 11th Best - Gaslamp Ball -- The Padres' prospect rank better than most, but lower than they did a year ago.
Examining the Potential of Nick Wittgren - Fish Stripes -- As Spring Training continues on, top-notch relief prospect Nick Wittgren sits on the verge of a possible spot in the Marlins rotation. Does Wittgren have the skills to break into Miami's bullpen? Or does he have to continue to work in the MILB?
Does Byron Buxton make the grade? - Fake Teams -- What could Minnesota Twins' prospect Byron Buxton bring to fantasy leagues in the future? Hint: draft him now. NOW.
Baseball Prospectus ranks Orioles farm system as 12th-best in baseball - Camden Chat -- Back in 2009, the O's were thought to have a good farm system thanks to a number of pitching prospects. They've been ranked 12th for this year by Baseball Prospectus. Let's hope it works better this time.

Is line drive rate a useful statistic? - Beyond the Box Score -- If line drives fall for a hit around 70% of the time, far more than any other batted ball type, then why is line drive rate such a useless statistic?
The left-on-base conundrum - Beyond the Box Score -- Stranding runners is a vital piece of any pitcher's potential success. Which pitchers excelled or struggled at leaving men on base in 2013, and what are their chances at repeating their performance in the season ahead?

MLB STARTING PITCHER IP PER START

2014

Advanced Stats Indicate Lance Lynn Is Poised to Emerge As a Top-Tier MLB Starter - Viva El Birdos -- Despite what St. Louis Post-Dispatch column Joe Strauss tells you, advanced stats suggest Lance Lynn is a top-tier starting pitcher.
The Curious Case of Jason Heyward - Beyond the Box Score -- How real were Jason Heyward's 2013 struggles and what might that mean for him heading into 2014?
The Split Personality Pitcher - The Good Phight -- "Who am I?"

Jason Giambi is angry, also an ewok -- When my mom asks whether it's ok that I'm swearing in this column I'm like nah mom it's cool. Check out this teddy bear.

Giambewok_medium