National League

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

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Yes, it's great for the Atlanta Braves that Derek Lowe is their rotation's new ace. He's better than what they have now — with the exception possibly being Jair Jurrjens, who might be really, really good one day but is still just 22 years old — and there aren't too many other options out there. Randy Wolf isn't that great, neither is Oliver Perez, and Ben Sheets is exactly what the Braves don't need, another starter who will spend more time on the DL then he will off of it.

Continue reading "Braves overbid for Lowe - but they had no choice"

an incredible player, but there’s no way he can carry the American League All-Stars against a National League team boasting guys with names like Berkman, Chipper, and Utley.

What ever happened to the days when it was nearly impossible to choose the most deserving starters for the American League in the Midsummer Classic?  I remember going to Oriole Park in the mid-90’s and seeing a ballot with the names Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Mo Vaughn, Tino Martinez, and Frank Thomas – all of whom put up solid if not exceptional numbers – year after year.  It was never an easy decision who to vote for.  This year’s top choices are Kevin Youkilis and Justin Morneau, and if you’re a forgiving Yankee fan, Jason Giambi.  All of these guys can hit the ball, and Youkilis is a gold-glove defender, but he and Giambi are the only A.L. first basemen on the ballot who are slugging over .500, and “the Giambino,” as the Baseball Tonight cast calls him, is hitting just .259.  Of the trio, Youkilis is the best choice, but the competition simply isn’t what it used to be.

Continue reading "This year’s All-Star Game should be no contest"

At the of 10, I pitched my first baseball game.  By 16, I had pitched my last.  I was a product of a career cut short by tendonitis in the elbow of my throwing arm.  I recall coming home after high school games to the weak therapy of a heating pad which only isolated my pain.  The throbbing would be so intense that I was unable to move my arm enough to pick up a pencil to do my math homework.  I knew things were on their way down when a kid clobbered a 300 some-odd foot homerun off of the first pitch of my career.  It would be the only homerun I gave up all year, but as the season moved on, my stamina withered.  A 5 inning outing quickly turned into 4 innings then 3.  Before I knew it, I was moved to the role of closer.  By the end of the season, I was lucky if I could handle more than 1 innings worth of work.  My fastball steadily declined from the upper-mid 70s to the low 60s.  With only two games left in the season, I broke my left thumb and was done for the season. 

Continue reading "A Call To Young Arms"

 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

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After another game where stranding base-runners has become a common theme, what Lou Piniella had the right words to sum up the Cubs recent slide, "Like I told my guys after the ballgame, make the other team beat you, don't just give it to them," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "You play like that and you're going to lose quite a few of them, or most of them. Anyway, it's over with. Done."

Continue reading "Cubs lose 5-3 after having bases-loaded with 1 out"

as as recent as 2004 where Roger Clemens was at top of his game.  It was his first year in the National League while playing for the Houston Astros.  He ended up going 18-4 and eventually went on to win the

Continue reading "Legend of the Fall"