ERA means what?

One of the reasons Jeremy Hellickson won Rookie of the Year was his ERA. 

So what does ERA mean you ask? 

Well ladies (and gents) ERA refers to earned run average.  In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine. Runs resulting from defensive errors (including pitchers' defensive errors) are recorded as unearned runs and are not used to determine ERA. (thank you Wikipedia).

So basically the lower this number is the better a pitcher is and thus resulting in more wins!!! So the fact that Hellickson's was 2.95 is pretty sweet!!!!

Do you know Joe?

"He's so laid back, is definitely a player's coach, and gets along with us all so well. He's always going out of his way to say something to us. When we were 0-6, he was right there telling us we were the best team in baseball. It really helps to have a manager like Joe". This quote from Jeremy Hellickson should come as no surprise and is a pretty consistent statement reflecting the coolness of Baseball Writer's Association of America's 2011 AL Manager of the year winner Joe Maddon. The Rays were not expected to have much of a season based on the departure of Crawford, Soriano, Bartlett and others. But under the guidance of cool cat coach Joe Maddon, they not only made it to the playoffs as the Wild Card they also managed to make a stellar comeback from 9 games down in September to grab the Wild Card from the Boston Red Sox. Much of their achievement has to do with the guidance and motivation of Maddon.

Now that Maddon has become the hot commodity that he has, questions are swirling about his longevity with the Rays. To listen to Maddon speak he has nothing but a great love and respect for the management team and the relationship that has formed among the players and himself and if he had it his way he would stay. It certainly would be a dark day for Tampa Bay Rays fans. But let's not think about that right now. Maddon's contract isn't up yet, so we need to enjoy and appreciate him in the here and now.

Congratulations to Joe Maddon,  AL Manager of the Year!