God damn it, you suck. It hurts my brain.
(Photo of A.J.'s stupid head courtesy of Litterblog. And yes. On Black Wednesday, the most awful day in the MLB season, this is the kind of news we resort to.)
7.15.2009
Stop It Right Now, A.J. Pierzynski
Pedro Will Look Great in Red Pinstripes
Pedro Martinez has apparently signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Philles.
The 37-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner's new deal will likely be announced in a news conference later on today, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations. He could earn up to $1.5 million in incentives, but he'll be making at least a few starts in the minor leagues before joining the big league rotation.
Martinez, the free agent righty who pitched in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic this year, was 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA with the New York Mets last season. He's a career 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA over 17 seasons in the game. Pretty good, but is there any gas left in that tank? When a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter approached him on the street yesterday afternoon, Pedro said:
"We're going to talk baseball right now? Here in the street? Man. Get a stick. . . . We'll talk later. Nothing is confirmed yet, and we're still working, so take it easy. I'll talk to you guys later, OK?"Get a stick?
Update: Umm... he's already on the DL.
[Philadelphia Inquirer] | [The Fightins] | [MLB Wire]
7.14.2009
American League Keeps On Rolling
The American League's MVP hero of Tuesday night's All-Star game was Carl Crawford. The Tampa Bay Rays outfielder robbed a home run from Brad Hawpe in the seventh inning, a shot off Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon that would've broken the 3-3 tie.
During the very next inning, Detroit Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson tripled and scored the go-ahead run to give the AL a 4-3 victory. Make that seven straight games since 2002’s 7-7, 11-inning tie at Miller Park and a 12-0-1 mark since the National League's last win in 1996.
So which AL team will have home field advantage in this year's World Series?
[AP] | [Best Seat in my House] | [No, You're a Towel]
National League: Lucky #13?
Braveheart wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.
Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls set an NBA record with 70 wins in a single season.
Sublime's Bradley Nowell dies from a drug overdose and Tupac is gunned down.
I get my driver's licence and fill the red Beretta with $1.00 gallons of gasoline.
The year was 1996. It was a leap year in Philadelphia, marking the last time the National League won the All-Star game. The Senior Circuit will be looking for it's first win in 13 years this evening when they take on the American League in the 80th annual All-Star game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
The Junior Circuit has owned home field advantage ever since the game started to count six years ago. Anyone who says that doesn't make a difference can take a look at this stat: in 18 of the last 23 World Series, the team with home-field advantage has gone on to win it all.
After President Barack Obama tosses out the ceremonial first pitch to St. Louis favorite Albert Pujols, San Francisco Giants phenom Tim Lincecum will kick things off against Seattle Mariners superstar Ichiro Suzuki. The AL will be without Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria though, who was scratched from the lineup with an infected finger. Ew. Los Angeles Angels snubbed hot corner Chone Figgins will start in his place.
Make sure to swing on by Pyle of List for the MST3K liveblog experiment! It's gonna kick ass.
[MLB] | [Josh Q. Public] | [Viva El Birdos] | [Rumors and Rants]
Derby Contest Winner!
This post is by Andrew: die-hard Brewers fan and one of my favorite commenters of all time. He won our Home Run Derby Challenge contest, and since he's a writer, we gave him a post.
Batting Practice
It can be fun when you get in a groove. It can be awesome when you get a ball in the parking lot that can clear everything. It can also start fights if you see so many Happy Youngsters going after what's rightfully yours. But only one night a year, Batting Practice takes it to the next level. ESPN takes control, and the mellifluous tones of Chris Berman and the general savvy of Joe Morgan take us to another place. State Farm gives us the Home Run Derby, and it allowed my giant Irish head to look as smart as it's been in a while!
For you see, I called it. Before the names were announced. Yeah, me. Give me a second.
Hear that sound? That's me patting myself on the back.
But for a full FIFTEEN MINUTES! I watched baseballs fly out of the park. And my guy! My guy! He had tied the game! I was excited!
But my heart...it just could not take the excitement. I had to change the channel to something less pulse pounding. And I missed the derby winner. Aren't I awesome?
So, yeah. The winner of the Babes Love Baseball contest won while watching exactly 15 minutes of it. Glorified practices announced by people who make my ears bleed and my head hurt are not high priority in the ol' parental basement.
I watched Pro Wrestling. Apparently Chris Jericho looks like the Hells Kitchen Guy now. And I won your baseball contest. What?
I am better than you. I am better than all of you. Especially Reggie. He stole my real pick. And that's why I won.
I'm going to take a victory lap!
-Andrew
Send me my hat and water bottle please.
7.13.2009
You Suck, Brandon Inge
Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge just hit zero bombs in the Home Run Derby.
Good job, buddy.
First round action: Nelson Cruz and Prince Fielder are tied with 11 longballs a piece. Ryan Howard has seven, Carlos Peña, Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer are all knotted up at five a piece, and Adrian Gonazalez managed two tater tots.
Man Muscles is out after hitting zero in the swing-off tie-breaker. Pena hit one, but Pujols nailed two. Prince Albert moves on to Round Two!
During the second round, Pooholes led off with six homers for a total of 11, native son Howard followed him with eight for 15 in all, Cruz then hit five for 16, and the fattest vegetarian ever knocked out six more for 17 total. Fielder and Cruz move on to the Finals. My money's on tofu.
After Cruz hit five homers, Fielder went on to win it with six.
This means Andrew wins the Home Run Derby Challenge! Thanks to all who played. Look for his guest post coming soon! Enjoy tonight's All-Star Celebrity Softball game re-run.
Roy and Timmy: Your All-Star Hurlers
We're officially more than half-way through the 2009 baseball season, but the All-Star break is more or less considered the halfway point. Are you happy with where your team is sitting in its division standings? Washington Nationals fans, feel free to ignore that question. The rest of you have four days rest to ponder.
Anyway, your All-Star starters have been named, and there's no surprise there. San Francisco Giants phenom Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.33 ERA) will take the hill Tuesday night for the National League while Toronto Blue Jays righty Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.85 ERA) will start for the American League.
Little Timmy, who almost threw a no-no last week, didn't get to pitch in last year's Midsummer Classic since he was under the weather. Pretty sure starting this year will make up for that. He is tied for the big league lead with 149 strikeouts and leads the majors in adorableness.
This will also mark Doc's first All-Star start, but it's his sixth appearance. And judging from the rumor mill, it could be his last while sporting a Toronto uni. The 80th annual All-Star game will air on ESPN at 8pm ET. Make sure to swing on by Pyle of List for a MST3K liveblog experiment! It's gonna kick ass.
Also? This is just one of the many reasons we read RandBall.
[AP] | [Foul Territory] | [The Scores Report]
Manny Acta: Finally Canned
Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten must've thought things could only get better for his team when he said that manager Manny Acta's job was safe. Either that, or he's a big fat liar.
Acta told ESPNdeportes on Sunday that he's been fired from the challenging Nationals skipper job after being creamed by the Houston Astros 5-0 headed into the All-Star break.
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers lost a modern-day record 119 games, and the Nats are prepared to challenge that mark. As of right now, they hold baseball's crappiest record at 26-61, well on their way to a 100-loss season. Realistically, at this rate, they might not even win 50 games.
Over a span of three seasons in charge, Acta posted a 158-252 record.
Though the team has not confirmed the firing, bench coach Jim Riggleman is the leading man to take the reigns. Good luck, pal. You're gonna need it.
[ESPN] | [Has Manny Acta Been Fired Yet?] | [The Clubhouse]
Tater Tot Hot Dish: American League
The American League has chosen its participants for tonight's Home Run Derby. Finally.
With Dustin Pedroia opting out of this year's All-Star game to hang out with his pregnant wife, he will be replaced by Carlos Peña. The Tampa Bay Rays first baseman will join Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
The National League line-up was set like a week ago, so I'm not sure why it took so long for the AL competition to be settled. Did no one want to play? Once again, head on over to our Home Run Derby Challenge to choose this year's winner. Remember to give us a good reason why you think your player will hit the most bombs!
Don't forget to head back, back, back, back to Walkoff Walk (BLB's Blogboyfriend) to catch the liveblog of the Derby. And in between tater tots, you should definitely check out the third annual Home Run Derby Drinking Game! The longball extravaganza airs tonight on ESPN at 8pm ET.
7.11.2009
Holy Breaking Ball, Jonathan Sanchez
First complete game? Check. First shut out? Check. A career-high in strikeouts? Crank it up to eleven. Really, no one can describe Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter -- baseball's first of 2009 -- better than San Francisco Giants fans themselves...
A Giant Blog: A Giants No-Hitter!
Raising Matt Cain: History!
MCovey Chronicles: Jonathan Sanchez Pitches a No-Hitter!
Giants Win: Sanchez Stunner
Have a great weekend! See ya Monday.
7.10.2009
Oops. Rolen's Streak Ends at 25 Games
After getting a day of rest on Thursday, Scott Rolen's impressive 25-game hitting streak has come to an end.
The Toronto Blue Jays hot-hitting third baseman went 0-for-4 with a line-out, two pop-outs and a fly-out in his team's 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles Friday night.
Sorry about that, Canada.
[Canada.com]
P.S. Yes, I realize that is a picture of former Jays third baseman Troy Glaus. Yes, it was a poor attempt at humor and the revival of a bad joke. No, I am not going to change it.
THE METS HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SAVIOR!!!
Hallelujah and Amen ladies and gentlemen, the New York Mets will finally stop hemorrhaging like a severed artery. As you may have heard, the Metsies made a trade of epic proportions this afternoon, sending their very own Ryan Church, who had the innate ability to make the Mets outfield as porous as a mesh condom for...dun dun duh....JEFF FRANCOEUR.
Francoeur, since his Major League Debut in 2005, has 65 outfield assists, the most in baseball during that period. Please, please, try and contain your excitement.
Sorry Mets. Unless you're willing to fire the entire front office and DFA the entire roster, there's no way to right this ship which is sinking faster than Leo and Kate and those two sad children in the North Atlantic. Omar Minaya shouldn't be running a Banana Stand never mind a baseball team, and ohhhhh Jerry Manuel, you don't fool us with your smart man glasses.
Blow it up. Start over. This is the most hopeless group of humans to exist since the 2003 Cubs.
It's nice to be back.
--Lizzy
[Newsday]
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