by Scott Weighart on September 4, 2010
As Ben Millikan wrote earlier today about Manny Ramirez’s apology for his behavior while a Red Sox, I won’t rehash that story here. Like Ben, I found myself mulling whether Manny had grown up at long last and can be counted on to be a good citizen going forward. Why not? I remember that Reggie Jackson was an arrogant jerk during his banner years, but he mellowed and became a great teammate late in his career.
photo credit: OctopusHat
Manny Ramirez has created a minor hair-raising dilemma for the White Sox. Read more... (414 words, 3 images, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)
by Deborah on September 4, 2010
Nyjer Morgan feels absolutely no remorse for any of his actions that led up to his 8 game suspension, or so his statements would make it seem. Morgan received an 8 game suspension for a series of events that included the brawl with the Marlins. But he has no remorse apparently. Read more... (410 words, 2 images, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)
by Ben Millikan on September 4, 2010
A few days after going Sammy Sosa during his first press conference as a member of the Chicago White Sox, it turns out that Manny Ramirez does remember how to speak English––at least when he returns to Fenway Park. But reporters must have been stunned––not over the fact that he didn’t need a translator to field the questions, but over Man-Ram’s response on the topic of his departure from Boston back in 2008.
“I think everything was my fault,” Ramirez said. “But, hey, you’ve got to be a real man to realize when you do wrong. Hey, it was my fault. I’m already past that stage and I’m happy with my new team.” Read more... (326 words, 3 images, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on September 4, 2010
Looking at the box score of the Mets 7-6 loss to the Cubs yesterday I saw some people’s sad numbers. The averages reading from top to bottom were: .297, .083, .258, .211, .295, .248, .143, .288, .181, .139. Ah, looking at those it’s a wonder the Mets are only three games under .500. So I guess in a way I should be glad the Mets are kind of over achieving for how well they are hitting. The really sad thing is I don’t see how they will be much better in the coming year. For that matter I don’t see how they will be much better in the coming years. I feel sorry for David Wright, the .295 in that group. Hopefully I am just down on the Mets and they can improve next year. After all, Ike Davis (the .248) should be better with a year’s experience. Beltran (the .211) should be healthier. Thole (the .288) should also be better more games under his belt. I guess hope does run eternal, especially for Mets fans. Read more... (314 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)
by Ben Millikan on September 3, 2010
Just about a month ago, I published a post on Mark Prior after I read a short blurb in my local paper about how the former first round phenom of the Chicago Cubs was trying to make a comeback as a bullpen pitcher for the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League. Well, today I flipped open the same paper and lo and behold, Mark Prior has signed a contract with the Texas Rangers’ minor league club. Prior, Prior who signed a contract with the Flyers on Aug. 3, will be assigned to AAA Oklahoma City. Although Prior only spent a month pitching for the Flyers, he allowed just one earned run over nine relief appearances (11 innings) with 22 strikeouts and five walks. Read more... (297 words, 3 images, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
by Scott Weighart on September 3, 2010
You know you’ve got a pretty good team when a bunch of your players are underachieving and yet you still have the best record in baseball.
That was true of the Yankees as recently as a couple of weeks ago, when the Bronx Bombers seemed to be struck in neutral and unable to push the Red Sox out of the AL East race. That certainly has changed, as the Yankees have a majors-best seven-game winning streak going and now are a whopping 35 games above .500 with 27 games left on the schedule.
photo credit: kidsire
Robinson Cano and the Yankees are peaking at the right time of year. Read more... (338 words, 3 images, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on September 3, 2010
Suddenly the National League has turned into the Cincinnati Reds’ to lose. They now sit at the top of Central by 8 games. Their 78-55 record makes them the best in the NL. Now how did this become the Red’s year?
Well part of the reason is the St. Louis Cardinals kind of folded up. The Cards went on a 5-13 anti-tear changing the standing by 9 games. It was a bad streak that challenges the Mets for worst collapse in a long time. The Cardinals still have three games left with the Reds. If they sweep they may have a shot at the division but not much of a shot. The sweep would just keep the Cardinals in the Wild Card hunt. For all intents and purposes it looks like the Reds will get into the playoffs and the Cards won’t. I’d love to see the Cardinals make the wild card instead of the Phillies but that probably won’t happen. Instead of looking at what made the Cards choke I’d rather look at what makes the Reds so strong. Read more... (349 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
by Deborah on September 3, 2010
This weekend there are several series that could impact races for pennants. Some have a more outside impact, while others could directly enhance or derail a team’s chances of getting to the post season.
Yankees/Blue Jays – Not that the Jays have any shot at the post season, but some losses by the Yankees could put them back in a tie with the Rays or worse a couple of games down after this weekend. The Rays have the Orioles this weekend and as we all know games against Baltimore are not a gimme anymore. I think the Yankees/Jays series could prove to be the more telling of the two. Read more... (548 words, 2 images, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)
by Scott Weighart on September 2, 2010
I always enjoy looking at the transactions column in early September. Given that teams are allowed to go beyond the usual 25-man roster, it’s always interesting to see how it plays out. Which contenders will add a few spare parts for the stretch run? Which hot prospects will get a look?
Among the latter, Tampa outfielder Desmond Jennings got the call and just made his major league debut. With the Rays still battling the Yankees for first, he may not see regular action, but he is definitely a player you’ll want to see.
With Carl Crawford rumored to be moving on after this season, Crawford is his heir apparent. That may sound like a tall order, but Jennings certainly has the tools to make the comparison a fairly reasonable one. Read more... (347 words, 3 images, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)
by Deborah on September 2, 2010
The Braves and Phillies seasons could both come down to the last 3 games the last weekend of the regular season. The way things have been going this year, it could come down to the last game of the last series of the last weekend of the regular season.
As a Braves fan, I sincerely hope this is NOT the case. But one has to be realistic. The Phillies and Braves have been separated in the NL East by just a few games for most of the season. The gap is now 3 games. Three. There’s that number again. Three could become one team’s favorite number and the other’s all time hated number. That last weekend of 3 games could decide who gets all the marbles and who just goes home. Read more... (276 words, 2 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
