Jeter To Return

Derek Jeter is expecte to return to the Yankees lineup on Monday at Cleveland, the start of a 3-game series. He's still 6 hits short of 3,000. The Yankees obviously want Jeter to reach the milestone in the Bronx.
Following Cleveland, the Yankees play a four game series at home against the Rays, July 7-10. He should get his 3,000th hit in that series.
But suppose he gets 5-knocks in the first two game in Cleveland. Does Joe Girardi sit Jeter in game 3 of that series so he can get the hit at home? These games are important. Would that mean putting personal glory ahead of the team? Would Jeter let Girardi sit him.
Since Jeter's calf injury on June 13th, the Yankees have gone 12-3, which would make it easier for Girardi if he decides to sit Jeter.

Cameron Cut

One guy I've always admired is Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron. Make that former Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron.
From his days with the White Sox and Mariners and beyond, I've always marvelled at Cameron's defensive prowess. Although not the greatest hitter, he had some pop in his bat as evidenced by 272 career homers.
The Bostons designated Cameron for assignment today, meaning they have 10 days to trade him or release him. Can't blame the Sox for dumping him. He was mired in a 3-39 slump and was hitting just .149 with 3 homers and 9 RBI's.
At 38, he probably isn't an everyday player anymore but I have to believe there is some team that could use him.
No matter what happens, Cameron had a very solid big league career and provided a bunch of highlights in the outfield.

Bounced

Some low-level employees of the Dodgers had their latest paychecks bounce. A Dodgers team official, likely one who got paid, said that the reason the checks bounced wasn't because the team didn't have enough money to cover them but because of frozen assets or something like that. Well, if they had the money to cover the checks they wouldn't have had to freeze any assets, right?
The Dodgers need to be sold to the highest bidder. Frank McCourt, who is desperately trying to hang on to the team, needs to simply say, "It hasn't worked out. The fans and baseball deserve better. I no longer will fight the inevitable and will help land a good owner for the team."
Of course, if he wanted to be honest he would add, "I completely mismanaged this team. I squandered a great opportunity and ruined a once-proud franchise. I am a loser."
If I'm a Dodgers fan I hope and pray that Mark Cuban buys the team. But of course, that would make too much sense. Baseball would rather have someone "in the club" buy the team.
Do you think baseball is ready for Mark Cuban? I do, but Bud Selig likely doesn't.
By the way, how funny would it be to watch Cuban sit behind home plate and argue every ball/strike call that doesn't go his way. That would be quite a show.

Real Life

The Mets, although losing today to Justin Verlander and the Tigers, have been playing solid baseball of late and tearing the cover off the ball. They just had a stretch where they scored 52 runs over four games, a team record.
But all that doesn't mean much when you think of the personal tragedy that struck Mets utility man Willie Harris.
Harris' wife went into premature labor yesterday and the baby died. Very sad situation.
While I hate the Mets, that's just from a baseball standpoint. No matter how much I can't stand the Mets, when it comes to off the fields stuff, they are still humans like you or me and when things like this happen, it is sadder than sad.
Hopefully the Harris family will stay strong in this terrible situation.

Great Video

My friend Tiffy sent me a link to a YouTube video featuring a kid named Keenan Cahill. He has a rare syndrome that gives a person dwarf-like qualities.
I watched the video and it was absolutely incredible. Awesome and funny also apply. The kid has a great sense of humor and one of the most expressive faces I've ever seen.
In the video, he's lip-synching to a song called "Dynomite" and featured with the 15-year old Cahill are Giants Brian Wilson and Cody Ross. If Wilson is in it you know it must be funny. It's hysterical.
Anyway, I think you should check it out yourself.
Just go to YouTube copy and paste this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYZ3LHHERI
Great stuff and great job by Wilson, Ross and of course Keenan Cahill, my new favorite internet star.

They Is What They Is

Went to the Rockies game today, game number 81 on the season.
The Rocks coughed up an early 3-0 lead and lost to the White Sox, in 10-innings, 6-4.
So, after a brilliant 11-2 start and finishing 17-9 in April, Colorado has flopped around like a fish on a hook and stumbled to a 39-42 record.
The Rockies, especially in 2007, have a reputation of getting red hot in the second half of the season. But year in and year out this team digs a hole for itself that makes it nearly impossible to overcome.
As presently constructed, this team is going nowhere except to play out the schedule.
When you look at what the team was coming out of spring training and where they are now it is hard to fathom.
Who knew that the starting centerfielder (Dexter Fowler) and the starting third baseman (Ian Stewart) would be at AAA Colorado Springs and struggling. Who knew Ubaldo Jimenez would be 3-7 with an ERA of 4.35? That starter Jorge de la Rosa would be on the shelf for the season with a blown out elbow? That they would get very little production out of the second base position or that Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki would struggle for much of the first half.
The Rockies today sent a minor leaguer to the Athletics for second baseman Mark Ellis. I like Ellis and he's had a solid career. But he's 34 and hitting .217 this season. He's not the answer.
There will be no Rocktober this year in Colorado. I hope they prove me wrong but I just don't see it out of this maddeningly inconsistent group.
Like Bill Parcells always says, "You are what your record says you are." Well, the Rockies record says they are a sub .500 club.

Sox GM A Dumb Guy

White Sox General Manager Ken Williams says he would "make the same move tomorrow" regarding the 4-year, 56-million dollar deal he signed slugger Adam Dunn to in the off-season.
Let me get this straight. Williams would make the same move knowing that Dunn is hitting .173 with 7 homers, 29 RBI's with 100 strikeouts in 231 at-bats? Really?
If that's the case then Ken Williams is an idiot.

Cash Short, Runs Rich

The Dodgers declared bankruptcy yesterday morning. Frank McCourt, the owner of the Dodgers for 15-more minutes, is broke and scrambling to save his ownership. He has completely and thoroughly run that tradition-laden franchise into ground with an assist from his ex-wife. When you use team money on lavish personal spending it will come back to bite you.
Meanwhile, on the field last night in Minnesota, the Dodgers shellacked the Twins 15-0, pounding out 25 hits.
Methinks the Dodgers should file for bankruptcy more often.

College World Series

One of the best games I've seen in a long time took place last night in Game 1 of the College World Series finals. South Carolina scored a run in the 8th to tie it and then a run in the 11th to defeat Florida 2-1. The game had just about everything a low scoring game should have.
The pitching was great, the defense incredible and the pressure was palpable.
Florida had a bases loaded nobody out situation in the bottom of the 9th but the Gamecocks wiggled out of the jam. In the 10th, the South Carolina left fielder threw out a man at home plate trying to score.
I'm looking forward to Game 2 tonight. If South Cackalacky wins tonight it will be their second consecutive College World Series title. Since last night's game was so good, I'm hoping for another great game tonight. While I was pulling for the Gamecocks last evening I think I'll root for the Gators tonight just so there will be a third and decisive game.
As for the new college World Series stadium in Omaha, I like it. It looks great on TV. While Rosenblatt Stadium served it's purpose very well for many years, it was time to upgrade. TD Ameritrade Park is absolutely beautiful and added to the atmosphere of last night's dramatic game.

Drew Goodman is Wrong!

I'm watching the Rockies-Yankees game. You know, I enjoy taking in a game on TV every once in a while.
Let me preface my upcoming comments with this...I love Rockies announcer Drew Goodman. I think he's outstanding. He's also a class guy who has, on occasion let me up in the broadcast booth at Coors Field to watch him do his thing for a few innings. He's a very nice and gracious man.
But, there's always a but, tonight on the telecast he said something that I disagree with. He was mentioning that after the Yankees series, the Rockies would play a makeup game Monday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. He said, "The Rockies are on a tour of historic ballparks."
WRONG!
The historic Yankee Stadium across the street was torn down. Only the memories of the real Yankee Stadium survive. The current Yankee Stadium is in it's third year. Coors Field has more history than the current place the Yankees play in. The old place was where the history took place from 1923 to 2008.
The old stadium was, "The House That Ruth Built." The new pleasure palace is "The House That Greed Built."
Update...NOOOOO!!!!! Now Alanna Rizzo the roving sideline reporter is talking about all the history in Yankee Stadium, meaning the new one.
This is a new ballpark with just one World Series to it's credit in 2 1/2 years. It is not historic. Just because they brought the monuments from across the street, there is very little history here. I don't know why this is bugging me but it is.
Meanwhile, I'll give you a little history. I played ball on the site of this new mallpark. When it was McCombs Dam park, there was a baseball diamond there which I played on several times when I spent the summers in the Bronx with my grandpa. Mostly I would play at Van Cortland park in the Bronx but sometimes we would get on the elevated train and play at the field next to Yankee Stadium. They should put a plaque up for me.

McKeon?

Really, the fading Marlins hired Jack McKeon as their interim manager? How old is that guy, 80?
Well, actually, he is 80. He is the second oldest manager in baseball history after Connie Mack who was piloting the Philadelphia Athletics, suit and all, when he was 87.
The Marlins have to be one of the most disappointing teams in baseball. Edwin Rodriguez "resigned" in the wake of a 10-game losing streak that has the Fish in last place in the NL East.
I have no beef with McKeon being hired on. Although it seems to be a strange choice, he's only going to manage out the season. What can it hurt. Plus it will be fun to see him napping in the dugout during games.
Colin Cowherd said on his show today, "The people in Florida are wondering who the new kid is managing the Marlins." Good line.

A Tie...Ugh.

For all the baseball games I've played in, I can never recall a game ending in a tie.
Yesterday, in my old guy's baseball game, my team, the Orioles played to a 9-9 tie against the Bombers.
There is a three hour time limit on games. An inning can't start after three hours. It was a very anti-climatic way to end what was a pretty exciting game...for old guy's standards.
In spring training you'll see tie games when teams run out of pitchers. The 2002 All Star game in Milwaukee ended in a 7-7 tie. For some reason, that game generated more publicity and outcry than our tie game did yesterday at Arvada High School.
I guess a tie is better than a loss. But walking away from the field yesterday I had the same crappy feeling I get when we lose. It was strange.

Take A Seat Albert

Frightening play at first base yesterday when Albert Pujols reached for a ball and his left arm was run into by Wilson Betemit of the Royals. Clean play, nothing dirty about it. But it left Pujols with an a broken left wrist and sore shoulder. He was placed on the disabled list and will miss 4-6 weeks. He's likely due back in early August.
It could have been even worse. Think of the Cliff Floyd injury when he was with the Expos in 1995. He suffered a devastating wrist injury reaching a ball and it probably hampered what turned out to be a pretty good career anyway. But what would it have been without the injury?
Pujols, in a contract year, is hitting just .279, well below his lifetime average of .329. After a slow start, he has 17 homers and 45 RBI's. Most guys would take those numbers but for Albert it is not up to his standards.
How much will this effect his bargaining power when he becomes a free agent? If he comes back and proves he's healthy I would say not much. If he comes back and struggles, then it could prove very costly. When I say very costly it is relative. He either gets 27-million or so or has to settle for 22-million per year over how ever many seasons. He's still in a good spot financially.
Tony LaRussa said it best for all Cardinals players and fans. The skipper simply said, "I'm going to go find a place to cry."
The Cardinals were playing crappy with Pujols, having broken a 7-game losing streak when they won Saturday and Sunday. Now we'll see if they can keep the ship afloat with Albert on the DL.
Final footnote. 23-year old rookie second baseman Pete Kozma, playing in just his 11th Major League game, made the off-line throw to Pujols. He has to be feeling like the least popular guy in St. Louis right now. I fell sick for the guy, I really do.

Doubles

Johnny Damon collected his 500th double last night in the Rays 7-4 win over the floundering Marlins.
That's a lot of two-baggers.
Damon is the 53rd guy to reach 500 doubles and when you look at the overall numbers on Damon, the guy is likely to become a Hall of Famer. He's 37, in relatively good physical condition and he's just 354 hits short of 3,000. Also, throw in a couple of World Series rings. Those 500 doubles puts him in a tie for 51st place on the all-time list. Goose Goslin and John Olerud have exactly 500 doubles.
When looking at the all-time doubles list on www.baseball-reference.com, Damom should track down at least 6 guys by the end of the season. Mark Grace, with 511 doubles is 45th on the all-time list, should be caught by Damon this season.
Looking at this list, there are a couple of interesting items. Rusty Staub, who was slow as glacier, hit 499 doubles. While people don't make a big deal out of doubles, too bad Rusty couldn't have gotten at least one more. How many would he have had any semblence of speed. By the way, gotta like Rusty. Same birthday as me, April 1st, but many years before I was invented.
There is a great, yet unknown, doubles chase going on higher up on the list. Todd Helton and Bobby Abreu each have 541 doubles, tied for 27th on the tote board. They'll soon track down Harry Heilmann (542) and Tony Gwynn (543).
One interesting player on this list of course is Rickey Henderson. Rickey is 46th on the all-time doubles list with 510. For a guy with over 3,000 hits and his speed you think he would have had more than 510 doubles and 66 triples. However, Rickey was all about stolen bases and he settled for way too many singles than he should have. You can't steal second when you've hit a double. And you can't steal third when you've hit a triple. There is a reason Rickey had 1,406 lifetime stolen bases.
The all-time leader in doubles? Tris Speaker with 792 followed by Pete Rose with 746. Don't think Damon will get that high but in baseball, who the hell knows.

"Babe" Nelson

On Friday night, my new favorite Rockie, Chris Nelson, high socks and all, belted his first career home run, a liner down the left field line.
Last night, he cranked one to left center for his second career jack. It went 408 feet.
After the game, in which he went 1-4 with 3 hard outs, I asked him in the Rockies clubhouse if he ever hit a ball that far. Legit question since he's not known for his power and he's just 5'11, 175 pounds.
He said, "I don't know. But that could be the furthest ball I've ever hit. At least in a game."
And then he was gone, out the door of the clubhouse. That is also something I noticed. From the end of the game to his exit from the clubhouse was pretty quick. He might be the fastest showerer on the team.
Also, I spoke to Ubaldo Jimenez who picked up just his second win. He had a 2-run single off Phil Coke. Prior to that at-bat, I said to Ed Henderson in the press box, "Ubaldo should take a strike here." The reason being, Coke walked the previous two batters, Charlie Blackmon and Chris Ianetta on 8 pitches. He was wild and I figured U-man should wait until he threw a strike. Plus, Jimenez was 0-20 on the season at the plate.
So, what does Jimenez do? He swings at the first pitch and rips a screaming liner to center to plate the first two runs of the game.
"As a pitcher, I know that when you walk two guys like that you just want to get ahead," Ubaldo said. "So I knew he was going to lay a fastball in there and I was going to swing at it."
The Rocks are back at .500 with four wins in a row and hopefully the crappy play they exhibited in May and early June is done.

Manager of the Year Already?

It's too early to give out individual awards this season. But there is one award we can hand out right now and that's the National League Manager of the Year award.
The Pirates, who haven't had a winning season in 18 years, are 35-33 right now. Clint Hurdle is doing a great job with the Bucs as he tries to change the losing culture and fight the issue of a stingy front office.
The fact that Pittsburgh isn't already eliminated, like usual, at this point is cause to give him the award. That they are within sniffing distance in the NL Central, just 3 games out of first place, is a minor miracle.
Can the Pirates hold on and have a winning season? Can they actually win the division?
I'm saying no on both points but I hope I'm wrong. No matter what happens, you have to give the team, and especially Clint Hurdle, a ton of credit to this point. Go Bucs!

Jeet-O-Meter #20

The Jeet-O-Meter has been out of commission this week. With 2,994 career hits, Derek Jeter's march towards 3,000 has been delayed due to a rare trip to the DL with a strained calf.
I watched the Yankees-Cubs game today from Wrigley Field. A couple of things. It was weird to see the Yanks play at Wrigley. If the game would have been broadcast in black and white, then I might have a 1932 World Series flashback.
Secondly, I miss watching Jeter play and I'm not looking forward to the day when he announces his retirement.
Yankees lost to Doug Davis today. No offense to Dougie D but I think I could hit the slop he was throwing up there today. Seriously.

An Angels Do Over?

It seemed like a good idea at the time. The Angels traded for Vernon Wells in the off season, sending the Blue Jays serviceable catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.
The veteran Wells was coming off a 31 homer, 88 RBI season while hitting .273.
So, how do the Angels feel about the deal now? Probably not good.
Wells, who will make 23-million dollars this season is hitting just .193 with 6 homers and 16 RBI's coming into tonight's action.
Want to make matters even worse? The 32-year old Wells has three more seasons on his deal after this year at 21-million beans per season. Yes, I think the Halos would like that deal back.

New Favorite Player

I have a new favorite player on the Rockies. Chris Nelson.
Who? Why?
Nelson is a Rockies rookie infielder, who played a little last season. He's best known for his daring steal of home plate in a big game last September against the Reds. Nelson has been in the Rockies system since 2004 when he was their first round draft pick, 9th overall.
So why is this relative unknown who has played in just 29 Major League games to this point and 612 minor league games my new favorite Rockies?
It has to do with his socks.
I simply like the way he wears his uniform. His pants stop at the knees and you can see his socks. An old school look.
Well before the Dodgers-Rockies game Saturday night, the Dodgers were taking batting practice. The Rockies were in their nice, air-conditioned clubhouse. All except one guy, Chris Nelson, who was sitting in the Rockies dugout on the first base side just relaxing. I went over, introduced myself and complimented him on his socks. We ended up having a 15-minute conversation and I must say, he's one of the nicest Major Leaguer I've ever met. I had my digital camera with me and showed him a picture of me playing in my old guy's league with my socks and pants worn the same way he wears them. He was pumped up and said, "That's the way to do it."
He said he's always worn his uniform that way with a couple of exceptions being when it was brutally cold and he pulled the pants legs down.
Anyway, I told Ed Henderson in the press box that Nelson was my new favorite Rockie.
But wait, there's more!
During Nelson's first at-bat of the night, he fouled a pitch off. Into the press box. The ricochet came to me and now I'm the proud owner of a Chris Nelson foul ball.
How about that!

Bob Busser: Ballpark Guy

Bob Busser has a great ballpark website at www.ballparks.phanfare.com. Not only are there incredible pictures of ballparks but of arenas too. I'll focus on ballparks for now. Bob has been a guest on our radio show, "Artificial Turf," a couple of times now and we'll have him often in the future, hopefully in studio whenever he visits Denver.
He's been to 42 different Major League ballparks, 44 if you count the two remodelings of Anaheim Stadium.
I sent Bob a "stadium questionaire" and here are his responses.
Thanks Bob!

Favorite current ballpark that you've seen a game in? Fenway Park. First game there, 7-11-76, Twins-Red Sox.

Number one current ballpark that you want to see a game in that you haven't already? Target Field in Minneapolis. I would love to see outdoor baseball in Minnesota.

Which deceased park did you see a game in that you miss the most? This is a tie between Tiger Stadium in Detroit and old Comiskey Park in Chicago. If I had to pick, slight edge to Tiger Stadium.

Which torn down park would you have liked to have seen a game in? Connie Mack / Shibe Park in Philadelphia. There is something magical about that place at 21st and Lehigh.

The all-time best baseball park, past or present, in your opinion? Fenway Park. It has stood the test of time. It has been reborn with new ownership and is better than ever. And you still have all the tradition.

Which was/is the best domed stadium? Probably the Metrodome in Minneapolis. No place was louder especially when the Twins were in the playoffs.

Which was/is the worst domed stadium? Hands down the WORST was the big OWE in Montreal. Just a God awful place to watch baseball. Dark, dank, lifeless and miserable.

Which was the most unique ballpark of all time? Polo Grounds in New York. From the bathtub shape, to the cheap left and rightfield home runs, to the Grand Canyon centerfield.

Which was the worst ballpark of all time? The worst at one time was the best. Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. It was literally crumbling while the Phillies played there.

Which is the nicest of the ballparks built post Camden Yards? Nicest would have to be telephone park here in San Francisco, ATT. You can't beat the views. Close second would be Citizens Bank in Philadelphia.

Which stadium will be torn down first...Wrigley Field or Fenway Park?
In my opinion, Wrigley will go down first. Fenway has been improved structurally as well. New concourse concrete and seating bowl concrete. Wrigley has infrastructure problems. Sooner or later, the Cubs are going to have to move. From what I have read, Fenway can last another 50 years or more.

Goodbyes

Jim Northrup died yesterday. The Tigers 1968 World Series hero was 71. Of course I don't know what he looked like as an older man. I do know what he looked like on his 1973 baseball card. I'm going on memory here, but I remember he was in his road Tigers uniform, posing in his left-handed stance at the original Yankee Stadium. He looked relaxed.
Northrup will always be remembered for his 2-run triple off Bob Gibson to break a scoreless tie in Game 7 of the World Series at St. Louis. That is the play that people say Curt Flood misjudged in centerfield. But if you watch the replay closely, Flood slipped. The ball sailed over his head but I don't think he would have caught it even if he didn't slip.
The former Tigers outfielder, who belted 153 homers in his career and batted .267 over his 12-seasons. He died after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Another World Series hero passed recently. Jose Pagan, who drove in the winning run for the Pirates in Game 7 of the 1971 series over the Orioles, died on Tuesday at the age of 76 at his home in Florida. His 8th inning double off Mike Cuellar drove in a run and gave the Bucs a 2-0 lead. They won 2-1. Oh, the other RBI for Pittsburgh? Some guy named Clemente. Pagan was a .250 hitter over his 15-seasons and they had a moment of silence for him before the Pirates game at PNC Park last night.
If you want to be fondly remembered, a game winning hit in Game 7 of the World Series will generally do the trick.
While I remember Northrup playing when I was a kid, I don't have much recollection of Pagan. I mostly followed the American League so I saw Northrup more than Pagan.
May a couple of former Major Leaguers and World Series stars rest in peace.

Box Seat Schmucks

While watching the Red Sox-Yankees game last night I was struck by something very noticeable.
With the Yankees rallying in the middle innings, the crowd was quiet. Not the entire crowd but much of it, especially those rich jerkoffs sitting in the massively overpriced box seats from dugout to dugout.
The people in the bleachers were on their feet, clapping and cheering, imploring the Yankees with all their hearts to pull off the comeback.
The people sitting behind home plate? Nothing. They were just sitting there looking bored. Some were on their cell phones or sipping drinks. Others were just sitting in their plush seats. No one was clapping or yelling. It was a dramatic difference from what was going on in the bleachers.
I was disgusted watching it.
The old (real) Yankee Stadium was LOUD. The fans were on top of the field and it was an intimidating place to play. It was so loud and exciting and was a great home field advantage. I know, I saw an untold number of games there, first in the original stadium then in the renovated park.
I've never seen a game in the new stadium but I can tell, just watching on TV, that the place is much more quiet than the old place. The new ballpark is too nice and comfy. The rich folk show up and just watch the game. Just another reason why I miss the old park. The new place is simply a giant mall/theme restaurant looking to suck dollars out of people's wallets. Baseball is just a backdrop for many of the people who go to the new place. It makes me sick.

A.J. Awful

A.J. Burnett killed the Yankees again last night. Boston jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the 82-million dollar man and coasted to an 11-6 win at the new Yankee Stadium.
These are the days I wish George Steinbrenner was still around and it was 15 years ago. The headlines the boss would have made today would have been classic. I'm frustrated with Burnett but I'm not paying him 16 and a half million beans per year. Steinbrenner would have lit him up after last night's debacle.
The scary thing for the Yankees is that this wasn't a one-time melt down. Burnett has not beaten the Red Sox once since he's been a Yankee. He's 0-4 with an ERA of 8.71 in nine starts. That's bad. Real bad.
The guy has all the talent in the world but he makes bad pitches at bad times. He's unreliable. I would love to see the Yankees trade him but nobody would touch him with that contract. He's stuck in New York.
If the Yankees think that their number two starter will be ready to go in October, they better think again. Brian Cashman needs to go out and get some starting pitching or it will be a quiet post-season for the Yanks. If they get there.

Classy Move

The Texas Rangers drafted Johnathan Taylor, an outfielder from the University of Georgia with the 33rd pick in the MLB draft.
At first glance, you don't think much of it.
But when you realize the back story, you have to give much credit to the Rangers for a really nice move.
Taylor, an outfielder, was paralyzed from the waist down in an outfield collision with a teammate on March 6th in a game against Florida State. Currently, Taylor is showing signs of improvement and is a day patient at a rehab facility in Atlanta.
His dream was to play professional baseball and his coach at Georgia, Dave Perno, said that he would have played at the pro level if not for the injury. He was that good.
Taylor's dream was to get drafted and the Rangers made that dream come true. If he wishes to pursue a career in the front office of a ball club, I hope he gets the opportunity.
Great move by the Rangers. Oh, who is their owner again? That's right, Nolan Ryan. Now I'm not so surprised.

Audition

If Albert Pujols was auditioning for the Cubs this weekend, I think he passed with flying colors.
The Cardinals won the last two days over the Cubs on walk-off home runs by Pujols.
When he becomes a free agent after the season, the Cubs might be on his wish list. The damage he would do at Wrigley Field for 81 games is frightening.
He could also use the Cubs as leverage and drive his price up.
It will be interesting to see if Pujols plays his entire career in St. Louis. I'd bet that he will but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. If he ended up in Chicago that would ratchet up the intensity of a most enjoyable rivalry.

Tossed

Usually my arm is somewhat sore come Monday morning. This is because I play in the old guys baseball league and it takes a toll on my throwing arm. Why? Because I play in the old guys league, that's why. I'm not in college anymore.
The reason my arm isn't sore, nor any other body parts, is because I had an abbreviated day yesterday and I'm not happy about it.
I was thrown out of our game yesterday, which ended up being a 6-3 win by the Angels over my Orioles.
It's pretty embarrassing to be thrown out of a game but the umpire who threw me out should be more embarrassed.
Here's how it went down as I was taking it in from shortstop.
Top of the 4th inning, scoreless game, the Angels have runners on 1st and 2nd. The batter hits a slow grounder to second base. Our second baseman Garrick Sasa, a good glove man, charges the ball and is in position to field it. With the ball about a foot away from his glove, the runner from first bumps Garrick enough that he was unable to make the play. The ball trickles into shallow right field, the runner goes to third, the man who was on second scores.
When time was out I said to the base umpire, "That was interference." He said it wasn't and that the runner is entitled to the baseline too. I asked him to talk to the home plate umpire and after initially refusing to do so, to his credit did confer with the home plate ump. Then the base umpire said, "The play stands. Incidental contact." I was mad and told him there was no such thing as "incidental contact." I also told him he should read the rule book. Then he said, "Here's your warning, another word and you're out."
I went back to shortstop, fuming on the inside but calm on the outside. There were no obscenities and I didn't raise my voice much during our discussion. There was no yelling, no histrionics, none of that. The umpire blew the call, it cost us a run in a scoreless game and what can I do? It stinks to have an incompetent ump.
Two or three pitches later, after I was saying "bear down" to myself and to our pitcher, the umpire turned from the infield grass and made a grand gesture throwing me out of the game. My pitcher didn't even hear me say anything nor did anybody else. I was mostly mumbling to myself. The umpire had rabbit ears and obviously was eager to toss me out of the game. Maybe he's been watching Joe West umpiring videos or thought he would get on ESPN. News flash, it's old guys baseball, we don't play on ESPN.
Once I was tossed I did get my money's worth and yelled at him, telling him how terrible he was and that he shouldn't umpire if he didn't know the rules. Never did I use obscenities by the way. After 20-seconds or so I walked off the field, done for the day.
I'm still mad. I've never had a problem with umpires in the three years I've played in this league. I understand they have a tough job and I respect them. But what bothers me about yesterday is that the umpire didn't know the rules and simply wanted to throw someone out with his quick trigger finger. I was the one who was targeted.
I don't like guys missing calls. It happens. But I can't accept an umpire who doesn't know that damn rules.
Here by the way is the interference rule in the major league rule book.
I'll only point out the item poignant to this discussion.
7.09
It is interference by a batter or a runner when --
(i) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball.There, can it be any more clearer than that? The words "incidental contact" don't even appear in the section of the rule book on interference.
The ump totally blew the call because he didn't know the rule which is inexcusable and he compounded his mistake by running me because he thought I was chirping at him when I wasn't.
I spent the rest of the day just sitting and stewing and not saying a word. After the game, the home plate umpire came up to me and apologized for the base ump throwing me out. Too late. He should have overruled the base umpire on the interference but he said he didn't get a good look at it.
So, my message to all umpires on all levels...stop being so sensitive and KNOW THE RULES!

Jeet-O-Meter #19

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in a few days. My bad. No excuses.
Derek Jeter had one hit yesterday in the Yankees 5-3 win over the Angels. New York a nice 6-3 road trip.
Anyway, the Jeet-0-Meter stands at 2,986 hits, just 14 short of 3,000.

Sleep Deprivation

When the Yankees play on the West Coast one thing is certain. I will lose sleep. I can't get to bed until the Yankees game is over.
Even last night, with the Yankees up 10-3 in the 6th inning and well on their way to a win over the Athletics, I couldn't go to bed until the game was official.
It used to be worse. In Colorado, West Coast night games usually start at 8 o'clock. On the East Coast they start at 10 p.m. I gained two hours on the West Coast games by moving to Colorado 12-years ago or so. That was a nice benefit.
Well, today the Yanks and A's play again in Oakland...a day game! As Marv Albert would say, "YESSS!"

It's June!

I know of one baseball team that is very happy that May is over and that would be the Colorado Rockies.
After a 17-8 April, the Rockies stumbled through May, recording a dismal 8-21 mark.
While it's rare to win a pennant in the first two months you can certainly lose it. And when we look back at the end of the season to where the wheels fell off for the Rockies we can look to May..."It's May, the lusty month of May, the time of year when everyone's thoughts go blissfully astray."
Ooops, broke into a show tune there. My bad. Bad, just like the Rockies.