Fanshots

When Bill Murray Played Minor League Baseball

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Had Bill Murray not been a comic genius and future Oscar winner (it will happen), maybe he'd have been a baseball player? Rob Neyer's excellent research shows that Murray was having good fun in the bit, but committed completely when he was on the field. Murray has well-known connections to baseball as part-owner of the St. Paul Saints and Charleston RiverDogs. But maybe one day we'll get a Bill Murray baseball movie, perhaps a Jimmy Dugan type turn. Really anything in baseball Bill Murray wants to do, America is probably OK with.

Victor Sanchez injured in boating accident

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"Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez is reportedly in critical but stable condition after being struck in the head by a boat while swimming in his native Venezuela. According Lavinotinto.com, Sanchez, 20, required surgery and remained in intensive care throughout Saturday afternoon at a local Carúpano hospital."

@Jantzenwitte and @HipHip_Pare Weigh in on MiLB Life & "The Lawsuit"

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While Jantzen Witt didn't directly refer to the lawsuit filed by several MiLB players for unfair wages, his documentary joke was timely. There's nothing new to update about the lawsuit, but a new blog by San Francisco Giants Matt Paré drives the point further: they're just barely getting by. While many are supportive of minor league players taking a stand, and agree with the lawsuit, there are many others that have mocked the claim; many view the baseball life as a decision they shouldn't whine about because, hey, look how lucky they are. But in a gigantic company, such as MLB is, there's no excuse for guys at the lower levels, who are still professional, making so little to live. Particularly when MLB is recording higher earnings than ever. And there's even less reason to attack players as villains, as Brand's Winter Meetings speech was widely perceived to do. Both players have their sense of humor and survival skills in tact. MiLB players will need to hold onto both, and their desire to play, if the suit goes the way most of us predict. You can read Matt's blog 'Homeless Minor Leaguer' on Wordpress. His 'Life Hacks For The Minor Leaguer: Money Saving Tips' is solid advice.

Tired of hearing about #DeflateGate? The @salemredsox use it for good.

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You're probably tired of hearing THAT word, but the Salem Red Sox have incorporated it into their 2015 promotions to raise cancer awareness. So in the end, that whole debacle was for a good cause.

Pioneer Press on Twitter: "For 3rd year in a row, Twins have the second-best minor league system in baseball, according to ESPN analyst. http://t.co/JnYvuw8eTv"

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Twins farm system has been interesting for a few years, but without much impact on the big club. Nick Gordon is an exciting prospect, but at 19, still in the WAY early stages of development. Agree with Law that the "International front" looks good. Strong aspect of a solid system heading into 2015 season.

2015 SEC Baseball Television Schedule

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ESPN and it's networks as well as SEC Network will show a ton of games this spring.

@SN_Baseball @MinorsTeamNames with a Great MiLB History Lesson

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With the implementation of the digital pitch clock, in Double-A and Triple-A, being announced for 2015, Tim Hagerty reflected on past MiLB changes. Did you know that the Southern Association penalized pitchers for intentional walks in 1934? Fun facts by Hagerty. The digital clock feels like it's here to stay, though.

On the Cusp: Boston Red Sox

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Bernie Pleskoff reviews some top prospects in the Red Sox organization, focusing on pitching, which is where they're heavy with talent. Also getting a mention is INF Sean Coyle. Coyle had an excellent season with Double-A Portland, and followed that with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League. Pleskoff lists him as a "possibility", and that fits for now.

Changes in Pacing Begin In Double-A, Triple-A

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Changes will begin at the Double-A and Triple-A level for 2015, with the instillation of digital timers, to make baseball go quicker for whoever it is that thinks baseball should go quicker. *crickets*

New York Post Sports on Twitter: "#Yankees hitting coach raves about Didi Gregorius, talks of plan to fix McCann, Teixeira http://t.co/nK0xyKbonz"

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The "Jeter replacement" narrative has followed DiDi Gregorius since the Yankees acquired him. That's both understandable and unfair. And add to that, beside the point. The question is what can HE do to improve? Can he overcome his offensive issues? Can he be consistently productive at the major league level? These questions aren't new. Gregorius focus can't be on who he needs to try to be or what the New York media makes of the Jeter replacement story (let's assume that'll be written about a lot), but on development. And considering last year's numbers, which wasn't helped by limited playing time, will take some time and patience.