Offerman a disgrace to the game posted by David

I generally prefer beginning my blog with news that is positive or at least neutral, but I cannot think of a more worthy story than that of former Major Leaguer Jose Offerman, who was banned from the Dominican Winter League for life after attacking an umpire earlier this month.  The incident, sadly, is not the first time Offerman has embarrassed the game of baseball.  While playing in the Atlantic Independent League in August 2007, he charged the mound – bat in hand – after being hit by a pitch, and proceeded to break one of the pitcher’s fingers.  The catcher, trying to protect his pitcher, was hit in the back of the head and received a severe concussion that ended his career.  Now, two and a half years later, Offerman is still making the game look bad.  His behavior, without question, is Bad for Ball.

How ‘bout that?

How about Grant Desme?  The 23-year-old outfielder announced his retirement from baseball last week in order to pursue the priesthood.  Desme was the second-round pick of the Athletics in the 2007 draft, and last year was the only minor leaguer – at any level – to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases.  (He swiped 40.)  After being promoted to High-A, he hit .304/.398/.656 with 20 homers in just 227 at-bats.  He was then named MVP of the 2009 Arizona Fall League.  Desme would have had to put in more time in the minors, but his numbers certainly suggest he could have made it to the Big Leagues eventually if he didn’t feel the need to answer another calling.

Gold Glove on the pitcher’s mound: a new era begins posted by David

For the first time since 1990, both the American and National Leagues saw first-time Gold Glove winners on the pitcher’s mound.  It is no coincidence that 2009 is the first year that Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, and Kenny Rogers aren’t eligible, each having retired following the 2008 season.  From 1990 through 2008 – his final year in the big leagues – Greg Maddux was named the National League’s Gold Glove pitcher every year but one – 2003, when teammate Mike Hampton won.  From 1996 through 2008, the American League saw two pitchers – Mike Mussina and Kenny Rogers – win all but one Gold Glove.  (Johan Santana received the award in 2007.)

If history is getting ready to repeat itself, 2009 winners Mark Buehrle and Adam Wainwright could both be on their way to collecting a dozen Gold Gloves.

How ‘bout that?

How about Zack Greinke?  Though he won only 16 games, Greinke led A.L. Cy Young Award challenger Felix Hernandez in E.R.A. (2.16 to 2.49) and WHIP (1.073 to 1.271).  He was also second in the majors (to perennial Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay) with six complete games and three shutouts.  In 33 starts, Greinke surrendered 11 home runs – the same number as allowed by Yankee pitchers in the six games of the World Series.  The Royals tied the Indians for last-place in the A.L. Central, winning 65 games, but on a first-place team, Greinke would likely have been a 20 game winner.

How about Andrew Bailey?  The A’s rookie right-hander boasted a 1.84 E.R.A. to go with his 6-3 record, 26 saves, and most impressive of all, a 0.876 WHIP.  Among American League closers, not one had a lower WHIP, and only Mariano Rivera bested Bailey’s Earned Run Average.  Bailey was without question the right choice for A.L. Rookie of the Year.

The Chicago cubs 2010 posted by Jeff Lewis

    After two consecutive years of winning the National League Central Division, the Chicago Cubs watched their hated rivals the St. Louis Cardinals win it. In order for this not happen again, the Cubs have some concerns they have to address in order to get back to their winning ways.

    First, they have to get rid of Milton Bradley. This guy was a cancer on and off the field. He was quoted saying that he does not like the Cubs fans. I am here to tell you that the feeling is mutual. The Cubs general manager, Jim Hendry, needs to get this guy off this team no matter how. If that involves eating majority of his contract in a trade, then that's the way it needs to be done. There have been a few teams mentioned in trade talks for Bradley. The Tampa Bay Rays, the San Diego Padres, and the team that keeps getting mentioned the most the Texas Rangers. It doesn't matter what team the Cubs get the deal done with, as long as this guy is off the team come next year.

    Second, the Cubs need a lead-off hitter and center-fielder. These two go together, because the Cubs can fill both of these holes with one player. Coco Crisp. Crisp is a great player. He has speed, he is a descent outfielder, and he can hit. He did have a down year last year, but he played for the Kansas City Royals. Put a good team behind Coco he will shine! Look what he did in Boston an few years ago. There have been rumors that the Cubs are in the Curtis Garnderson sweepstakes. Grandy would be a good fit with the Cubs, and probably benefit from the National League style of play. The one downside to getting Garndy is that he can't hit left-handed pitchers. So the Cubs would have to find someone to platoon with Grandy in center when they are facing a lefty. With the Cubs payroll, I don't see that happening. Crisp should be Hendry's guy, but we will see what happens.

Hopefully, Brock Lesnar is not the next Bo Jackson posted by Colin Linneweber

UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar was released from a hospital in Bismark, N.D., Tuesday and he is currently recovering at his home in Minnesota from Mononucleosis and a serious bacterial infection in his intestinal tract.

Last month, Lesnar (4-1), the 2000 NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion at the University of Minnesota, was forced to cancel his scheduled title defense at UFC 106 against Shane Carwin (11-0) due to a previously undisclosed illness.

The bout versus Carwin, 34, was almost immediately rescheduled for UFC 108 in early-2010.

However, Lesnar, 32, indefinitely postponed his slated match with Carwin last week because his illness had yet to subside.

“Brock’s very, very sick,” UFC President Dana White told TMZ. “He’s not well and he’s not going to be getting well anytime soon.”

White said that Lesnar’s condition would necessitate “major surgery.”

Last July in Las Vegas, Lesnar avenged his only defeat as a professional mixed martial artist when he pulverized past titlist Frank Mir (12-4) with strikes and won by TKO in the second round.

Lesnar, a former three-time WWE champion who was invited to try out for the Minnesota Vikings in 2004, is UFC’s glittering attraction and he seemed destined to dominate his division for the foreseeable future.

“There’s a possibility Lesnar will never fight again,” said White of the native of South Dakota.

If Lesnar is unable to return to UFC, it will be one of the most premature and unfortunate retirements in recent sports history.

Zack Greinke Beats Batters and Psychological Issues posted by Colin Linneweber

Kansas City Royals ace pitcher Zack Greinke was deservedly awarded the 2009 American League Cy Young Award Tuesday afternoon.

Greinke, 26, who received 25 first-place votes and three seconds for 134 points, went 16-8 and he posted a 2.16 ERA for the putrid Royals (65-97).

Greinke’s sterling earned run average was the lowest mark in the American League since Pedro Martinez recorded a miniscule 1.74 ERA in 2000.

The Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez finished second in the balloting with 80 overall points.

The fact that Greinke won the most coveted pitching accolade in Major League Baseball is astounding when one considers the obstacles that the native of Orlando has had to overcome as a young adult.

Greinke, the Royals sixth overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft, led the AL in losses in 2005 when he went 5-17.

Furthermore, Greinke, who was named the Royals Minor League Pitcher of the Year and The Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 2003, was forced to take a personal leave of absence from “The Boys in Blue” in February 2006 because he was suffering from social anxiety disorder and depression.

“Depression kind of runs in my family,” said Greinke, who agreed to a four year contract worth $38 million with the Royals last winter. “The medicine I take is an antidepressant. At the baseball field, I was unhappy.”

Greinke made plenty of fans at Kauffman Stadium very happy this past baseball season and he should be ecstatic at what he achieved on the hill.

Royals Greinke wins AL Cy Young posted by Joe Gunderson

Hey Everyone,

The results of the American League Cy Young Award voting has been announced and the winner is Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals over Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.  Greinke posted a 2.16 ERA in 229.1 innings, striking out 242 batters and walking just 51 and won 16 games for the last place Royals.  If you are interested in the story and how the voting actually went, you can see the story here, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4663979

My feelings on this is that the correct man won.  Yes I know he was on a last place team but that, to me, makes it more impressive.  The man was just dominant and managed to win 16 games on a team that was terrible.  Think of what he could have done had he been on the Yankees, Phillies or take your pick of any team better than Kansas City!  He most likely would have won 20 or more games!  Would love to read anyone else's thoughts and if you feel the right man or the wrong man won this award.  Take care everyone.

Joe

Attention Amazon shoppers! Below is a link to a page I made using our Amazon Associates store.  I would ask that you use it next time you wish to go shopping at Amazon.com, especially if you are a sports fan at all.  Even if you aren't and don't want to make a purchase of anything on this page, you can just click the Amazon logo on the right side and it will take you to the Amazon home page and you can buy whatever you are wanting to buy.  Take care!

http://astore.amazon.com/httpsinternam-20

Twins-Tigers game was exactly what I wanted posted by David

The 12-inning thriller that was the last regular season game ever played at the Metrodome was exactly what I wanted to see.  When the Twins and Tigers played a four-game series in Detroit last week, I found myself rooting for the Twins to close the gap in order to create an exciting finish to the regular season – ideally a one-game playoff.  When that happened, I decided it would be great for the city of Detroit to send their team to the playoffs, but what I wanted most was to see a great game.  My wish came true when the two teams played a nail-biter that could have gone either way, but eventually sent Minnesota to the postseason.  Props to both teams for giving the fans what they deserved.

How ‘bout that?

How about Jason Kubel?  The Twins slugger hit a pair of three-run home runs in his team’s must-win game against Kansas City just to force Game 163, and added a solo shot in the game against the Tigers that decided the AL Central.  For the season, Kubel hit .300 with 28 home runs, 103 RBI’s, and a .907 OPS – all career highs.  Additionally, since taking over in right field when Justin Morneau went on the disabled list and Michael Cuddyer moved to first base, Kubel has not made a single error, giving Manager Ron Gardenhire confidence in his team despite the loss of one of his best players.

How about John Lackey?  With history on their opponent’s side, the Angels were not expected to beat the Red Sox in their American League Division Series, but after Lackey’s performance last night the Halos have to be feeling good about their chances.  In the series opener, Lackey threw 7.1 innings of scoreless baseball, giving up only four hits and walking just one, leading the team to a 5-0 victory over the Sox, who had beaten the Angels in their last three postseason series (2004, 2007, 2008) while losing a single game out of 10.  If the Angels send the Sox packing early, it will be news to the remaining teams that there’s a new player on the block.

Boston Red Sox to MISS Playoffs in '09 posted by Joe Burgmeier

Sunday August 16, 2009 following their 4-3 loss at Texas, is the first time since April 21st that the Red Sox do not have a share of the wild-card or AL East lead.  Does this mean that Red Sox nation should give up hope for the playoffs or a world series birth this year?  Probably not.  However, they should.  Sorry Red Sox fans and band wagoners, your team simply is not going to make the playoffs this year with the emergence of the Rangers pitching staff and the dominance of the Yankees offense.

Now I assume most of the Boston fans are screaming and their faces are steaming with team colors and pride.  But we have to look at match ups in the remaining schedule.  The Red Sox have a tougher remaining schedule than the Wild Card leader Texas Rangers and the only other team with an outside chance in Tampa Bay, has a tougher remaining season schedule than either and it would be one of the more amazing stretch runs if they make it.  The Red Sox have 20 games left against teams that are trying to make the playoffs, this of course comes with 6 games against all of Boston's beloved Johnny Damon and the New York Yankees, 6 games against newly acquired division rival Tampa Bay, who play tough at home, and 3 games with the Angels.  Out of the 20 playoff type team games left, there are 8 interesting games between the White Sox and Red Sox.  I'm not going to predict any winners from these games {insert 2005 playoff flashback here} but will be some of the most intriguing match ups of the season as Chicago has bolstered their hitting and pitching with the addition of Alexei Rios and SP Jake Peavy.  Peavy has been rumored for a late August return or early September return and could be a factor.  The White Sox are doing everything they can to try to win the Central this season.

Small improvement for Royals. posted by john howard

The Kansas City Royals got Josh Anderson from the Tigers for some cash.  This was a good move for both teams.  But, a really good bargain for the Royals.  Anderson was designated for assignment and had to clear waivers to be put in the farm system.  That would be unlikely.  So, rather than wait their turn, the Royals gave the Tigers cash and made it a trade.  The Tigers get money out of the deal instead of losing him for nothing.  Win win.  He has hit .242 in 74 games and has 13 stolen bases.  He strengthens the outfield for the Royals and gives them a little more speed.  Since he is only 26, he has a year or two more perhaps to improve. Continue reading "Small improvement for Royals."

This Week in Baseball – Notes posted by Tony Rossi

I know, I know.  We’re all grieving over the way our boys have been playing.  I hope everyone’s been keeping the faith though.  Sure, it’s a cold streak.  But they’ll be back.  I know it.

In any case, here are some baseball tidbits from this week to take your mind off the Sox:

-Bartolo Colon will be pitching for the White Sox tonight.  Remember this guy? How could you not.  Who knows, if he pitches well enough we might see him pitch against the Red sox at the end of August.  I’m sure he’ll get a warm welcome from the Fenway Fans – and by warm, I mean not warm at all. 

-Mark Buehrle pitched a perfect game on Wednesday July 23rd.  That part you probably knew already.  But did you know he got a phone call from White Sox fan Barack Obama?? http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090723&conte

-The Kansas City Royals have lost nine straight games.  And I thought that Cleveland would finish their season in last.  Right now both teams are tied, but the real story is who’s on top.  The White Sox and Tigers are both tied for first, while Minnesota is only two and a half games behind. 

-Matt Holliday may be dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals.  According to Bobby Dittmeier from mlb.com, the A’s want Cardinal’s prospect Brett Wallace in return.  Wallace is currently hitting .289 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in the minors.  A lineup that contains both Holliday and Pujols could be pretty dangerous.