November 8, 2009
Order Now The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2010 is now in development and will ship in mid November! This year's book will feature articles by THT's staff as well as Bill James, Tom Tango and Craig Wright. If you use this link to purchase the Annual, you will be in the first group to receive it and you'll be supporting THT. 
Rich Barbieri
John Barten Brian Borawski Craig Brown Evan Brunell David Gassko Jonathan Hale Brandon Isleib Chris Jaffe Max Marchi Bruce Markusen Harry Pavlidis Jeff Sackmann Dave Studeman Steve Treder Bryan Tsao Tuck! Dan Turkenkopf Colin Wyers Geoff Young John Brattain And here's the full roster.
Or you can search by:
Gear up for baseball season with Chicago White Sox tickets and New York Yankees tickets. LA Angels tickets, Houston Astros tickets, and Atlanta Braves tickets are hot sellers! You can get Boston Red Sox tickets, San Diego Padres tickets or Chicago Cubs tickets for your favorite baseball fan. Coast to Coast Tickets has the best MLB tickets like Minnesota Twins tickets, LA Dodgers tickets, Milwaukee Brewers tickets, New York Met tickets and St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Find premium Chicago Cubs tickets and other Chicago tickets at JustGreatTickets.com. Chicago Cubs Tickets Chicago Tickets  All content on this site (including text, graphs, and any other original works), unless otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons License. |
About Ben JacobsBen Jacobs graduated from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) with a degree in Philosophy and currently works as a copy editor at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.Choose year: 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Ben Jacobs's Articles2004Fantasy Keepers: OutfieldersDecember 22, 2004Ben takes a look at the outfielders and ranks the top 20 fantasy keepers at the position. Fantasy Keepers: ShortstopsDecember 02, 2004Alex Rodriguez no longer qualifies, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to choose from at the shortstop position. Ben ranks his top 10 shortstop keepers. Fantasy Keepers: Third BasemenNovember 24, 2004Ben takes a look at the strong pool of third basemen and ranks his top 10 keepers at the position. (Updated Dec. 22, 2004.) Fantasy Keepers: Second BasemenNovember 17, 2004Ben picks through the uninspiring group of fantasy second basemen to find the top 10 players to keep at the position. Fantasy Keepers: First BasemenNovember 12, 2004Ben looks at the power-packed list of the top 10 first basemen worth keeping in fantasy leagues for next season. Offseason Trading BlockNovember 03, 2004Ben takes a look at some of the players who could be changing uniforms via trade this offseason. The Numbers That MatterOctober 28, 2004With 1918 and 86 rendered meaningless, it's time to talk about some really important numbers. FinallyOctober 28, 2004Finally, for the first time since 1918, the Red Sox are the champions of baseball. A Fond Farewell?October 27, 2004If Tuesday night was the final start of Pedro Martinez's career with the Red Sox, at least it was a start to remember. Return From ExileOctober 25, 2004Ben escapes from his exile in New York for a day to watch Game 1 of the World Series in Massachusetts, where things just feel different. THT Live: Home FieldOctober 22, 2004BlissOctober 20, 2004It's been an emotional four days for Ben watching something unfold that he thought couldn't happen. Postseason PerformersOctober 18, 2004As both League Championship Series head toward classic status, it's time to take a look at the players who have made these 10 games so amazing with their awe-inspiring performances. A Harder Comeback?October 14, 2004Is it possible that coming back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series is harder than coming back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five? Of course it isn't. Is it? Running Diary: October 7, 2004October 08, 2004Ben keeps track of his long day in front of the TV watching baseball (commentary), baseball and more baseball. Only Mostly DeadOctober 07, 2004When you put yourself in a 3-0 hole in a seven-game playoff series, you're dead. When you put yourself in a 2-0 hole in a five-game series, you're only mostly dead. That means there's hope for a miracle. Misunderstood AngelsOctober 06, 2004The Angels didn't look like a great team in Game 1, so why does most of the media seem to think they are? Fantasy Keepers: CatchersSeptember 30, 2004Ben takes a look at the top 10 catchers to keep in fantasy baseball for next season. Three Thoughts: 9/29/04September 28, 2004Ben discusses the Cardinals, Ichiro Suzuki, and the Yankees-Twins series. Opposite DirectionsSeptember 23, 2004Ben looks at the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers, as well as five other pairs of teams that saw a big reversal in their spots in the standings from one year to the next. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 24September 16, 2004Four infielders highlight Ben's list of the hottest fantasy hitters of the week, and three others appear on the list of those who are not so hot. Timing is EverythingSeptember 15, 2004Ben takes a look at a pitcher with a chance to become the first to lose 20 games since, well, since just last season. Apparently losing 20 games isn't that bad if it's only been one year since the last person did it. Three Thoughts: 9/15/04September 15, 2004Ben talks about Oakland's Big Three, Nomar Garciaparra's season and some impressive relievers. Fantasy: Healthy and HappySeptember 08, 2004Ben takes a look at 10 players who have come back from earlier injuries and are playing very well right now. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 22September 02, 2004Ben takes a look at a dozen players who have been red hot during the last week. Fantasy Notes: 9/1/04August 31, 2004Ben talks about the increasingly impressive group of major-league catchers, this year's two sure-thing batting champs, and some players with a lot of homers despite not a lot of at-bats. Fantasy Mailbag: RankingsAugust 25, 2004Ben looks into his fantasy mailbag and finds a couple questions asking him to rank groups of players, and he obliges. Fantasy: Closer ReportAugust 24, 2004Ben takes a look at a dozen closers from around the majors. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 20August 20, 2004Five batters who hit at least .500 this week highlight Ben's list of the hottest fantasy players. Fantasy: Batting Average BustsAugust 18, 2004Ben discusses some players who have not been up to their usual standards at the plate. Fantasy Mailbag: Just Say NoAugust 13, 2004Ben looks into his fantasy e-mailbag and advises three people not to make trades they're considering Fantasy: Batting Average BonanzaAugust 09, 2004Ben takes a look at 20 players whose batting averages are greatly surpassing their career marks. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 18August 05, 2004A former MVP who seems to have changed his usual trend tops this week's hitters, while a "fifth starter" is among the top pitchers. Fantasy Mailbag: Three QuestionsAugust 04, 2004Ben digs into the fantasy e-mailbag and answers three questions this week. Fantasy Specialists: PitchersAugust 03, 2004Ben takes a look at some pitchers who could give you a one-category boost. Fantasy Mailbag: 10-player tradeJuly 28, 2004A question about a nifty 10-player trade highlights this week's foray into the e-mailbag. Fantasy Specialists: HittersJuly 27, 2004Ben takes a look at some position players who could give you a one-category boost if you need it. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 16July 23, 2004Some impressive hitting achievements dominate this week's lists, plus a Hall-of-Fame pitcher who might not be quite done yet. Fantasy Mailbag: Will Morneau Get His Shot?July 22, 2004It's getting to the point of the season where people are starting to look towards next year and think about who they might like to keep. Ben tries to help out a few such people. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: CloserJuly 20, 2004With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Starting PitcherJuly 16, 2004With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: OutfieldJuly 15, 2004With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: ShortstopJuly 13, 2004With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Third BaseJuly 12, 2004With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Second BaseJuly 08, 2004With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: First BaseJuly 07, 2004With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Midseason Rankings: CatcherJuly 06, 2004With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year. Fantasy Mailbag: Two Big Trade QuestionsJune 24, 2004Ben takes a quick look into his e-mailbag and answers a couple questions about big fantasy trades. Fantasy: Overachieving or Underutilized?June 21, 2004Ben takes a look at several players who may be suffering from preset expectations that they are exceeding. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 11June 17, 2004Some players fresh off the disabled list highlight Ben's list of who's hot and who's not this week. Fantasy: Closer ReportJune 09, 2004Ben takes a look at the closer situation for all 30 teams. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week NineJune 04, 2004While everybody talks about how impressive the old guys have been playing, Ben looks at a dozen younger guys who have had a very good week. Fantasy Mailbag: International E-MailsJune 03, 2004Ben digs into his e-mailbag again and finds questions from people on the other side of each ocean. Seeing Stars in RochesterJune 02, 2004Ben talks about getting the chance to cover the first two games of Joe Mauer's rehab assignment in Rochester. Fantasy Mailbag: Blockbuster Trade AdviceMay 26, 2004Ben digs into his fantasy mailbag and finds an interesting blockbuster trade to discuss, as well as an e-mail from a fantasy owner who needs some cheering up and some healthy players. Fantasy: Disappointing PitchersMay 26, 2004Ben looks at some of the pitchers who have turned in the most disappointing performances so far this season. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week SevenMay 20, 2004Due to the number of amazing pitching performances last week, Ben switches things up and lists the pitchers first in this week's stock watch. Fantasy Mailbag: Too Much HypeMay 19, 2004Ben looks through his mailbag and finds that all the hype surrounding Carlos Beltran is making people go a little bit overboard. THT Live: Randy in the NewsroomMay 19, 2004Five Games in Six DaysMay 18, 2004From AAA to Pedro vs. Halladay, Ben talks about the five baseball games he attended in the last week. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week SixMay 13, 2004Ben's list of hot hitters includes an infielder at every position and his list of cold hitters is headlined by an unexpected name. Fantasy Mailbag: Two for OneMay 12, 2004Ben looks into his mailbag yet again to answer questions, and finds a couple regarding some interesting 2-for-1 trades. Fantasy: Surprise PitchersMay 11, 2004Ben takes a look around the league and finds several pitchers who have been big surprises so far this season, including one pitcher who's had to work a mile above sea level. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week FiveMay 06, 2004Ben takes a look at some of the players who have helped (Carlos Silva) or hurt (Bartolo Colon) their fantasy value this week. Fantasy Mailbag: Mussina’s ValueMay 05, 2004Ben digs into his e-mailbag and finds questions about a number of top pitchers, including Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay and Curt Schilling. Fantasy: Surprise HittersMay 03, 2004Ben takes a look around the league and finds several players who have been big surprises, both of the good and bad variety. Fantasy Mailbag: Beltran or Vlad?April 28, 2004Ben sorts through his mailbag and answers some fantasy questions, including whether or not Vladimir Guerrero is good enough to fetch Carlos Beltran in a trade. Fantasy: Closer LookApril 27, 2004Ben looks around the league and discusses some of the more interesting closer situations. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week ThreeApril 22, 2004Ben takes a look at who's been hot or cold the last week and marvels at yet another unbelievable accomplishment from an unbelievable player. Fantasy: Catching FireApril 19, 2004Ben takes a look at some catchers who are hitting very well early in the season and what it could mean for your fantasy team. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week TwoApril 16, 2004Ben looks at certain changing fantasy values, including a keystone combo in Texas and some old starting pitchers going in different directions. Fantasy Stock Watch: Week OneApril 08, 2004Ben takes a look at some of the players who have helped (Jermaine Dye) or hurt (Brian Roberts) their fantasy value this week. Fantasy: Painful BeginningsApril 06, 2004No team has played more than three games yet this season, but there have already been a plethora of injuries to teams in the AL Central. Five Questions: Boston Red SoxApril 06, 2004The Red Sox were unable to complete their trade for Alex Rodriguez, but they did improve the starting rotation, sign a top-notch closer and keep a great offense largely intact. Will that be enough to break the six-year cycle of the AL East and finally get past the New York Yankees? THT Live: ESPN Expert PicksApril 04, 2004Five Questions: Baltimore OriolesApril 04, 2004After winning the AL East in 1997, the Orioles have finished fourth in each of the last six seasons. They're in the wrong division to make a surprise run at the playoffs, but do they at least have a shot at escaping fourth place? Ben examines five key questions facing the team. Fantasy: Preseason RoundupApril 03, 2004Ben takes one final look at every team to find anything that could impact your fantasy team before the season really gets underway. Fantasy: Personality ProblemsApril 02, 2004The nice thing about fantasy baseball is that you don't need to worry about a player's personality. Unless, of course, that personality prevents him from reaching his full potential. Fantasy: Leadoff SurprisesMarch 31, 2004Ben examines the surprising lineup shuffling that could make Tony Womack more valuable than Kenny Lofton. THT Live: Devil Rays in FirstMarch 30, 2004THT Live: Moose Still WaitingMarch 30, 2004THT Live: Season FirstsMarch 30, 2004THT Live: Play BallMarch 30, 2004Fantasy Rankings: On the BubbleMarch 26, 2004Ben discusses the guys who just missed the cut in his pre-season position rankings. Fantasy Rankings: Starting Pitcher (Part Two)March 24, 2004Ben provides the rest of his list of the top 75 fantasy starting pitchers for 2004. Fantasy Rankings: Starting Pitcher (Part One)March 22, 2004Ben provides the top 40 of his list of the top 75 fantasy starting pitchers for 2004. Fantasy Rankings: CloserMarch 19, 2004Ben ranks the 30 projected closers and also offers some contingency plans. Fantasy Rankings: OutfieldMarch 18, 2004Ben wades through the deep pool of fantasy outfielders and ranks his top 50 for 2004. Fantasy Rankings: ShortstopMarch 17, 2004What starts with an Alex and ends with an Alex? Ben's top 20 fantasy shortstops for 2004. Fantasy Rankings: Third BaseMarch 17, 2004Ben helps you sort out the logjam at the top of the third base fantasy rankings, and ranks the rest of the top 20 as well. Fantasy Rankings: First BaseMarch 16, 2004Ben takes a look at the top 20 fantasy first baseman for this season and puts them in order for you. Fantasy Rankings: Second BaseMarch 16, 2004Ben ranks the top 20 second basemen in fantasy baseball this season, from Alfonso Soriano to Mark Ellis. Fantasy Rankings: CatcherMarch 15, 2004Ben ranks the top 20 catchers in fantasy baseball this season, from Mike Piazza to Miguel Olivo. Rivals in Exile: Happy Holidays?December 29, 2004Did the Red Sox and Yankees give Ben and Larry a Merry Christmas, or not? Rivals in Exile: Feeding FrenzyDecember 20, 2004Ben and Larry try to make sense of what their favorite teams have done in the last week. Rivals in Exile: Strange Arrivals and Sad DeparturesDecember 15, 2004As the arbitration deadline passed, the free agent season kicked into gear, with the Yankees and Red Sox making some major signings. Ben and Larry put their spin on things. Rivals in Exile: Heating UpDecember 06, 2004Ben and Larry discuss the interesting revelations surrounding Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, the Red Sox and the Yankees that came out this past week. Rivals in Exile: The Hot StoveNovember 15, 2004Ben and Larry discuss what they think the Red Sox and Yankees will do, hope the Red Sox and Yankees will do, and fear the Red Sox and Yankees might do this off-season. Rivals in Exile: Looking BackNovember 10, 2004Ben and Larry take some time to look back on an amazing 2004 season for the Red Sox and Yankees. Rivals in Exile: The ComebackOctober 21, 2004Ben and Larry talk about what happened this week to make one of them ecstatic and the other anguished. Rivals in Exile: ALCS—Part OneOctober 18, 2004There's only one thing Larry and Ben could be talking about this week -- the first four games of the American League Championship Series. Rivals in Exile: ALDSOctober 12, 2004Ben and Larry talk about their teams' opening playoff series and the impending ALCS rematch. Rivals in Exile: Playoff TimeOctober 04, 2004The marathon's officially over, and Ben and Larry are both more than ready to see how the Red Sox and the Yankees do in the sprint. Rivals in Exile: Until We Meet AgainSeptember 27, 2004After five important series between the Red Sox and Yankees, No. 6 just wasn't all that interesting or important to Larry or Ben. With Boston winning on Monday, both teams are officially in the playoffs, which means the real fun begins in a week. Rivals in Exile: Clash of the TitansSeptember 20, 2004A great series opener between the rivals that had Ben ecstatic gave way to two weekend duds that left Larry full of confidence. Rivals in Exile: Down the StretchSeptember 14, 2004Ben and Larry talk about the strength of the Yankees and the importance of winning the AL East. Rivals in Exile: The Other ShoeSeptember 05, 2004Will the Red Sox win the AL East and is it OK to think it's funny that there's so much concern in the Bronx? Ben and Larry discuss, but don't find much common ground. Rivals in Exile: Goodbye Dog Days, Hello Stretch DriveAugust 29, 2004September's just a few days away, and the Yankees and Red Sox have won 11 of their last 14. The East is still tight, the Wild Card even tighter, and the schedule is getting shorter. While looking forward to the crucial games in September, Ben and Larry look back at the last full week of August. Rivals in Exile: Back From The BrinkAugust 23, 2004The Red Sox had a spectacular week, the Yankees had an equally dreadful one. Boston's made up five games in seven days -- but they're still 5½ back. Is this just the beginning of something historic? One thing's for sure -- the AL East just became interesting again. Rivals in Exile: Conflicts of InterestAugust 15, 2004Ben and Larry talk about whether or not it's okay to root for the other team in the rivalry if it helps your team win in the end. Rivals in Exile: Errors, Wild Cards and Building for OctoberAugust 08, 2004Ben had such high hopes for the 2004 season, but things have simply not gone as planned for the Red Sox. Still, with two months left, they have a chance to get into the postseason, and both Ben and Larry agree that's when they become dangerous. Rivals in Exile: DeadlineAugust 02, 2004Ben and Larry discuss the trade that ended Nomar Garciaparra's career in Boston. Rivals in Exile: Stayin’ AliveJuly 25, 2004Comebacks, brawls and a vital Boston victory. Are the Red Sox back? Rivals in Exile: Eying the Big UnitJuly 19, 2004Ben and Larry discuss the Randy Johnson rumors, and look forward to the trading deadline. Rivals In Exile: Seven at the BreakJuly 12, 2004Larry's satisfied with where the Yankees stand at the All-Star break, but Boston's mini-run didn't change Ben's mind on the chances of the Red Sox winning the AL East. Rivals in Exile: Sweeps WeekJuly 05, 2004The Yankees and Red Sox faced off again last week, and the result was decisive. Is the AL East race over? Ben and Larry don't agree on this issue -- and not in the way you'd think. Rivals in Exile: Series #3June 28, 2004Larry and Ben discuss the importance of this week's Red Sox/Yankees series. Rivals in Exile: East Meets WestJune 20, 2004Ben's back from vacation, and he and Larry go right back at it with their beloved teams battling the NL West on the left coast. Rivals in Exile: Cry Me a RiverJune 07, 2004Boston and New York have two of the best records in all of baseball, but both have problems galore. And the world's smallest violin plays on... Rivals in Exile: Back and ForthMay 31, 2004Ben and Larry discuss the seesawing nature of this season's race between the Red Sox and Yankees, and why it's probably not a good idea for fans of either team to get too high or too low just yet. Rivals in Exile: Injuries and SlumpsMay 23, 2004Ben and Larry discuss Derek Jeter, Boston's hurting stars, and exactly why the back-and-forth atop the division doesn't mean much in May. Rivals in Exile: May RamblingsMay 09, 2004With the Red Sox and Yankees occupying the top two spots in the American League East, like usual, Ben and Larry are both happy with where their teams are through about 20% of the season. Rivals in Exile: Reversal of FortuneMay 03, 2004A week after "The Sweep", Ben and Larry check in with the Red Sox and Yankees. Rivals in Exile: Time to Panic?April 25, 2004Larry says Yankees fans should get angry, but shouldn't panic, while Ben just revels in the glory of a Red Sox sweep in the Bronx. Rivals in Exile: First BloodApril 18, 2004Hmmm... what ever could Ben and Larry have talked about this weekend? Rivals in Exile: No WorriesApril 11, 2004Despite the fact that the Red Sox and Yankees are a combined 8-7, Ben Jacobs and Alex Belth (who fills in for Larry Mahnken one more time) are not really worried about their favorite clubs. Rivals in Exile: Early ConcernsApril 05, 2004Ben talks to Alex Beth, who is filling in for Larry, about whether or not there's any reason to be concerned about either the Yankees or the Red Sox this early in the season. Rivals in Exile: Play BallMarch 29, 2004Ben and Larry are ready for the season to start, even if it is starting unfathomably early in the morning. Rivals in Exile: Wild CardsMarch 22, 2004Ben and Larry take a look at what, if anything, could stop the Yankees and Red Sox from making the post-season, and wonder if the Wild Card is worth it. Rivals in Exile: Off-Season ReviewMarch 15, 2004Is it okay to like the Yankees? Will either the Yankees or Red Sox miss the playoffs? Ben and Larry face off on opposite ends of the most passionate rivalry in sports. Click here to return to the home page. |