Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Cleveland Indians

Is the Knuckleball an Endangered Species?

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

On Saturday, I attended a screening of Knuckleball! at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. The documentary, by award-winning filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, follows knuckleballers R.A. Dickey and Tim Wakefield during the 2011 season. Stern and Sundberg also tell the story about how both pitchers came to embrace and master this unique pitch.  Charlie Hough, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton  and long-time White Sox […]

The Manischewitz All-Time 25-Man Roster

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

On the second night of Passover, a simple dinner discussion that evolved into an argument between the Matzo Ball Soup and the Brisket was the impetus for this list. Going through the Internet to find any definitive list, this wonderful piece by the ubiquitous Jonah Keri from 2007 was discovered  listing the Top 18 Jewish […]

Expanded Playoffs Necessary in Lieu of Salary Cap

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

All reports indicate that MLB will expand its playoff system this year to include a second Wild Card team. MLB continues to be the only sport that doesn’t get it. What I mean by that is they don’t have the understanding or ability to create an economic system where the disparity in local revenues between […]

Yankees DH: Who Emerges From the Fray?

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Spring camps open this Sunday and the Yankees hope to have their Designated Hitter in tow. We have been debating the topic since the Jesus Montero/Michael Pineda deal. A month later, where does it all shake out? Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez, Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero are names connected to the position. There is also a possibility that Brian Cashman could import […]

Trading Burnett For Nothing Hurts Pitching Depth

Monday, February 13th, 2012

You need pitching depth to get through a 162-game schedule. I recently spoke to a big league pitching coach who told me it was important to leave camp with about 18 pitchers  that could realistically contribute at the big league level. Of those 18, you probably need 10 that could start a ballgame. Knowing how important […]

Listen: Spring Training Warmup

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

I return to the airwaves after the Super Bowl hiatus to a content-packed show. Matt Cerrone of Metsblog joins me to discuss Sandy Alderson’s debut on Twitter, the NYBD Mets Hall of Fame results, and the Mets handling of the media. I will give you my thoughts on why trading A.J. Burnett just for salary […]

Can Brian Cashman Trade for a Hitter?

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Since the deal that sent Jesus Montero to Seattle for Michael Pineda, we have been discussing which free agent DH makes sense for the Yankees. Names like Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Vladimir Guerrero, Raul Ibanez, and before he signed with Tampa, Carlos Pena all were debated. There is an internal option such as Jorge Vazquez […]

Tom Seaver, Born to be a Dodger?

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

I had an opportunity to chat with Steven Travers last night, author of a new book called “The Last Icon: Tom Seaver and His Times,” on my radio program. Never before has someone delved into the career of the man known as “The Franchise.” You all know about his accomplishments on the field, but Travers […]

The Hall of Fame SS That was Nearly a Met

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

The terms “Cincinnati legend” and “lifetime Cincinnati Red” were used to describe Barry Larkin yesterday after his election into the Hall of Fame. He also became the 48th member of the Hall to spend his entire career with one team. Born in Cincinnati, Larkin won the 1990 World Series, MVP in 1995, and become the first shortstop […]

Pete Abe Speaks Out Against Baseball “McCarthyism”

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Back in the 40s and 50s the United States was facing a huge threat - communism. During this era, thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government. Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy led the brigade with the “Hollywood Blacklist” and investigations by the House […]

The Mets Have Become the Real Life Major League

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

The Mets financial problems have brought endless jokes and ridicule. If the Miami, don’t call me Florida, Marlins aren’t outspending them this offseason, there is the New York Times piece from earlier in the week about the perks given to a potential minority owner. Not only does $20 million dollars give you a 4% stake […]

BBWAA Will Not Induct Anyone Until 2014

Monday, December 19th, 2011

It’s been nearly 15 years since the BBWAA elected to not enshrine someone in Cooperstown. During the 1996 election, Phil Niekro received 68.3% of the vote, followed by Tony Perez (65.7%), and Don Sutton (63.8%). Ironically, all three would be enshrined by 2000.  I believe there is a good chance no one will be inducted by the […]

John Rocker on New Book, the Mets, Bud Selig, Steroids, and Politics

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Former Braves pitcher John Rocker joined me on last night’s radio program to discuss his new book “Scars and Strikes.” It’s been over a decade since his infamous Sports Illustrated interview  with Jeff Pearlman that published on December 27th, 1999. If Mets fans are expecting the same brash and cocky individual they remember from the 1999 NLCS, think again. Rocker […]

Yanks Like Cuban Defector Jorge Soler

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

In talking to someone in the Yankees organization, I was told they prefer Cuban defector Jorge Soler over Yoennis Cespedes. Soler is a 19-year-old outfielder who defected earlier this year. Mike Silva adds: In doing research about Soler, Adam Kilgore of Nationals Journal  described Soler as “an athletic, 6-foot-3 outfielder who can play center field but will likely […]

Who Should Backup Josh Thole?

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

It came as no surprise that Andy Martino of the Daily News reported the Mets unhappiness with catcher Ronny Paulino. According to Martino, “the team did not view him as a diligent worker, adequate defensive catcher, or offensive force off the bench.” He also shared a story where Paulino annoyed Terry Collins with a near act of insubordination. […]