April 2009

Fenway Bombs

What everyone thought was a win for the Yankees, turned into another loss as the Red Sox slammed the Yankees 16-11, after the Yankees were winning 6-0. The Yankees need bullpen help and should put Joba back in the bullpen. The Yankees should also consider signing Pedro Martinez. They need all the help they can get. If this continues, Joe Girardi will be looking for a new job real soon.

Fantasy Ball

Looking for some players for your fantasy team, take a look at Scott Baker, Alex Rios, Prince Fielder and Alexei Ramirez. 

Until then, see ya at the Park!

Dugout Notes & Quotes

The series of all series is this weekend with the Yankees taking on the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Interesting story in Long Island Newsday that Joe Girardi is fighting to keep his job, while Terry Francona doesn't have to worry about his job. On my radio show Baseball Talk I stated that Girardi has until the middle of the season and then he's out. I stand by my statement.

Looks like Xavier Nady will not need surgery, but just rehab on his arm. Good news for the Yankees. They are also set to put Chien-Ming Wang on the DL and see if they can help him with  his mechanics. 

MLB Standings

AL East

Toronto 12-5
Yankees 9-6
Red Sox 9-6
Orioles 8-9
Rays 6-10

AL Central

White Sox 8-7
Tigers 8-7
Royals 8-7
Twins 8-9
Indians 6-11

AL West

Mariners 10-6
Rangers 7-9
Angels 6-9
A's 5-9

NL East

Marlins 11-4
Braves 7-8
Phillies 6-8
Mets 6-9
Nationals 3-11

NL Central

Cardinals 11-5
Reds 9-6
Pirates 9-6
Cubs 8-6
Brewers 6-9
Astros 6-10

NL West

Dodgers 11-5
Padres 9-6
Giants 6-8
Diamondbacks 6-9
Rockies 5-9

Jose Reyes of the Mets keeps hitting the ball pretty good with 939 career hits. He's tied for 10th with former Met Keith Hernandez on the Mets' all-time hits list. Here's a list of the most hitting Mets:

1. Ed Kranepool 1,418
2. Cleon Jones 1,188
3. Edgardo Alfonzo 1,136
4. Mookie Wilson 1,112
5. Bud Harrelson 1,029
6. Mike Piazza 1,028
7. Darryl Strawberry 1,025
8. Howard Johnson 997
9. Jerry Grote 994
10. Keith Hernandez 939
10. Jose Reyes 939

Until then see ya at the park!

Home Run Heaven

So far, 21 home runs have been hit out of the new Yankee Stadium. Thanks to Long Island Newsday, they put together a list of stadiums that are the best and worse for hitting the long ball. 

Here's a breakdown of the stadiums:

Home Run Friendly Parks

  • U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox) 2.76 a game.
  • Great American Ball Park (Reds) 2.64 a game.
  • Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Orioles) 2.55 a game.
  • Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (Rangers) 2.52 a game.
  • Comerica Park (Tigers) 2.49 a game.

Home Run Unfriendly Parks

  • Dodger Stadium (Dodgers) 1.48 a game.
  • AT&T Park (Giants) 1.48 a game.
  • Kauffman Stadium (Royals) 1.52 a game.
  • Rogers Centre (Blue Jays) 1.54 a game.
  • McAfee Coliseum (A's) 1.54 a game.
Until then, see ya at the park!

No Joy in the Bronx

Maybe the Yankees should have stayed in "The House that Ruth Built" across the street? This, by all means, might be Ruth's jinx on the Yankees moving to a new stadium. Maybe the Yankees should've kept the other "Joe" at the helm? The new "Joe" I give until the middle of the season, then he's bye-bye.

The Yankees were horrible yesterday as the Cleveland Indians sent the balls flying all over in a 22-4 all-out-blitz. I would hold my head down in disgust. With their star-talent and payroll, they better turn it around fast. Right now it's not looking good.

Swisher's Debut

Maybe the Yankees need Nick Swisher to pitch more games. He's not the only position player to pitch for the Yankees. Here's a list of the other Yankees who pitched in:

  • 2009 Nick Swisher
  • 1997 Wade Boggs
  • 1996 Mike Aldrete
  • 1991 Alvaro Espinoza
  • 1987 Rick Cerone
  • 1968 Gene Michael
  • 1968 Rocky Colavito

Sheffield's 500th

Gary Sheffield, who probably thought his career was over, finally made it to the 500th home run club. Here's a look at the active players with 500 or more:

  • Ken Griffey Jr., 613
  • Alex Rodriguez 553
  • Jim Thome 543
  • Manny Ramirez 527

Happy Birthday MLBlogs

I've been here since 2005 and it has been great. From covering the first WBC to appearing on "Under the Lights" it has been the toast of the town. From the "Red Sox Chick" to my radio co-host Carl "The Cabbie" to "A" to "The Baseball Collector" it was, and still is, our little "Dead Poets Society." I read "A's" column this morning, who writes "Dispatches from Red Sox Teen Nation" soon to be just "Red Sox Nation," about the memories.

MLBlogs is the home of baseball, America's Pastime, and the home of many. I started at MLBlogs to promote my book and, in turn, Baseball Talk radio was born, appearances on MLB Radio, writing assignments, interview for stories, etc. It didn't hurt my career, but promote it. For that, I'm so grateful. I'll be here until they take me out in a wheelchair. Mark, Captain-my-Captain, thank you!!!!!

Until then, see you at the MLBlogs party!



Sad Day in Baseball

The news of longtime Phillies' broadcaster Harry Kalas and former pitcher Mark "The Bird" Fidrych is just sad and puts a damper on the game. Here's a long at Kalas and Fidrych's career highlights.

Harry Kalas 1936-2009

  • Called six no-hitters.
  • Called Mike Schmidt's 500th home run.
  • Every Steve Carlton start.
  • Pete Rose's 3,631st hit.
  • First games at the Houston Astrodome, Veteran's Stadium and Citizens Bank Park.
  • 43rd season as a MLB broadcaster and also done NFL voice-overs.
Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

  • Debut on April 20, 1976.
  • Final game October 1, 1980.
  • 1976 AL Rookie of the Year 19-9, with a 2.34 ERA.
  • Fidrych's claim to fame was that he would appear talking to the baseball and groom the pitcher's mound.
Until then, see ya at the park!

2009 Predictions

Back on track after traveling and getting back into the swing of things. Here's my '09 MLB Predictions.

AL East
1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Rays
4. Blue Jays
5. Orioles

AL Central
1. Twins
2. White Sox
3. Indians
4. Royals
5. Tigers

AL West
1. Angels
2. A's
3. Rangers
4. Mariners

NL East
1. Phillies
2. Mets
3. Braves
4. Marlins
5. Nationals

NL Central
1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Astros
6. Pirates

NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Diamondbacks
3. Giants
4. Rockies
5. Padres

World Series
Red Sox
Phillies

World Series Champion
Red Sox