"I'm in the best shape of my life" - 2011 Edition

[jmcclain19]

This is a cataloging of players and baseball personalities quoting of how great they feel, what new workout they are on, how much weight they've lost or what awesome shape they will be in by the time the season starts.

This was one of my favorite threads of the 2010 pre-season, keeping track of the hyperbole from various MLB players and how the media always seems to just lap it up.

So I'm repeating it again for 2011.

Here is the 2010 thread.

[jmcclain19]

First guest - CC Sabathia

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/12/2...-trimming-down

“I’m feeling good,” Sabathia said. “I wasn’t really worried about the surgery because I had it before. It was just swelling up on me after starts during the year, just achy pain that affected me while I was pitching.”

Sabathia has lost 15 pounds from his 6-foot-7 frame through a tough offseason training program of cardiovascular workouts and weight training. His knee recovered in just less than a month after the procedure, so he is well into his full exercise program and playing light catch.

He hopes to lose an additional 15 pounds before the season starts.

“I’m turning 30 this year, getting a little older,” he said, chuckling. “Hopefully it will take some pressure off my knee and extend my career.”

[jmcclain19]

Bartolo Colon

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index...gn_austin.html

Antonetti said the Indians are indeed interested in Bartolo Colon and have been getting good reports from his winter ball exploits with Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.
Colon, 37, has reportedly lost close to 40 pounds.

[westofyou]

Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder has reportedly lost a significant amount of weight in preparation for the 2011 season. Will a slimmed down Fielder equal bigger production .

.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5...ewers-for-2011

[jmcclain19]

Russell Martin

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...e-of-his-life/

A two-time All-Star and former Gold Glove winner, Martin slipped offensively the last two seasons. He feels a new workout regimen will greatly benefit his hitting.

“I’m probably going to be in the best shape of my life going into spring training,” said Martin, who also could spell Alex Rodriguez some at third base this season.

[Brutus]

Pedro Cerrano...

[Griffey012]

For kicks I am going to review the hits and misses of the 2010 thread in order of posting. A hit is if they maintained or showed improvement from the previous season, a miss is if they showed regressing

1. Griffey - a swing and a huge miss
2. Zambrano - another huge miss
3. Andrew McCutcheon - hit
4. Matt Stairs - hit, he lost 30 pounds in hopes of getting a job and played some for the Pads
5. Gary Mathews Jr - miss
6. Jose Reyes - hit, still had some nagging injuries but he did bounce back a produce in 133 games
7. Ricky Romero - hit
8. Ryan Zimmerman - hit
9.John Lannan - miss
10. Mike Pelfrey - hit
11. Sheffield - no enough information
12. Kyle Blanks - miss
13. Bobby Jenks - miss
14. Yadier Molina - miss
15. The whole Reds team - hit
16. Dice - K - debatable hit
17. Nick Swisher - hit
18. Cole Hamels - hit
19. Aaron Cook - miss
20. Jonathan Sanchez - hit
21. Geovany Soto - hit
22. Clay Bucholz - hit
23. Josh Johnson - hit
24. Lance Berkman - miss
25. Aubrey Huff - hit
26. Joe Nathan - not enough information
27. Matt Harrison - foul tip
28. David Wright - infield single
29. Big Papi - Hit
30. Carl Crawford - hit
31. Andruw Jones - hit
32. Magglio Ordonez - hit
33. Jose Guillen - hit
34. Jason Bay - miss
35. Carlos Silva - hit
36. Pat Burrell - hit
37. Corey Hart - miss
38. Delmon Young - hit
39. Russel Martin (already has made the 2010 list hehe) - miss
40. Anibal Sanchez - hit
41. Miggy Cabrera - hit

Overall there were more hits than I expected. From what I can tell there is very little variability then how the players careers have actually been trending. There were a few who jumped in performance out of the norm though.

[camisadelgolf]

I can't believe I forgot about this--so classic. Thank you, McClain. These are great.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Best thread on RZ.... keep em comin'

[RedEye]

Folks, I have been practicing my typing and research skills all winter. I feel more ready to post heading into the 2011 season than I ever have before. I have to say I'm in the best shape of my life for RedsZone this year--now it is time to take it up a notch, avoid all cliches, use the toolbar correctly, etc. etc.

[camisadelgolf]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=80671
The Kung Fu Panda has lost 17 lbs. and counting.

[OesterPoster]

Brad Penny...of course, being engaged to Karina Smirnoff might actually help him stay in shape. Looks like Craig Calcaterra tracks the same thing for NBC:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...e-of-his-life/

And they’re getting earlier! Today we had what I consider to be my first official sighting of a Best Shape of His Life story. Self-reported, from Brad Penny:

Heading to the gym. I’m going to be i’n the best shape I’ve ever been for the upcoming season.

I know the season just ended, my friends, but with that report, I feel like spring is right around the corner!

[OesterPoster]

Apparently Fangraphs track this trend as well.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...ers-follow-up/

[bucksfan2]

Prince Fielder

IIRC a couple of years ago Prince decided to go vegetarian in order to get in better shape. Not only did he not lose any weight but his game was awful at the start of the season.

[RichRed]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

IIRC a couple of years ago Prince decided to go vegetarian in order to get in better shape. Not only did he not lose any weight but his game was awful at the start of the season.

I have a friend who was a vegetarian for a few years. He and his wife would cook for me when I visited and there would be mountains of pasta, potatoes, etc., on the plate. My friend's weight eventually got up to 380 pounds before he made some changes. Maybe that's the kind of vegetarian Mr. Fielder is.