Fan Rushes Safeco Field to Shake Ichiro's Hand

I'm not sure when people are going to learn, but this guy obviously didn't get the memo about the amazing security at Safeco Field.

Of the four fans who ran onto the field at different times Sunday during the Seattle Mariners' 7-1 loss to the New York Yankees, the (third) dumbass made it almost all the way to Ichiro Suzuki in right before getting laid out. Plus, this guy was fully clothed, so I don't see the point.

[Sports Overdose]

Happy Memorial Day

We hope you all enjoy spending some quality time with friends and family this Memorial Day and take in at least one of the 15 ballgames scheduled for today. Also, please remember to thank a veteran for risking their life for our freedom, and keep our soldiers in your thoughts.

Glenn Donnellan of the National Symphony Orchestra plays The Star Spangled Banner on a fiddle made
from a Mother's Day pink bat on May 8, 2011 at Citi Field.

Prince Fielder Got All of That One

Major League Baseball has another "Always Epic" ad out, this time showcasing Milwaukee Brewers first baseman, Prince Fielder. Behold his awesomeness:

If you haven't seen the other Epic commercials, you can check out how amazing Ubaldo Jiminez, Felix Hernandez, and Brian Wilson are in the depths of our archives.

[Brew Crew Ball]

Kirk Gibson Falls on His Face, Makes us Giggle

After all this talk of Scott Cousins breaking Buster Posey's leg and such, we were pretty bummed out today. Then we saw this video of Kirk Gibson tripping into a face plant while attempting to show off his mean bunting skills earlier in the week at Chase Field. Enjoy.

Awesome.

[Thanks, Busted Coverage!]

Wilson Valdez: Phillies Extra-Inning Hero

When Charlie Manuel used up all of his available pitchers during Wednesday night's extra-inning marathon win over the Cincinnati Reds, he did what most managers do: he threw an infielder on the bump and crossed his fingers.

Luckily for Charlie and his Philadelphia Phillies, Wilson Valdez knows how to operate from a pitchers mound.

Shifting from second base, the 33-year-old tossed a hitless 19th inning like it was no big deal for his first professional pitching appearance. Phillies fans on their feet chanted "Let’s go, Wilson!" as he proceeded to nail Scott Rolen with a pitch and induce three fly outs, including reigning National League MVP Joey Votto, big bat Jay Bruce, and reliever Carlos Fisher.

Buster Posey Crushed in Giants Loss to Marlins

I was up way past my bedtime Wednesday night, watching the fantastic game between the Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants, in which the Fish emerged victorious in the 12th inning when Scott Cousins scored the eventual winning run.

How he scored it, however, was disgustingly painful-looking. Not for him, but for poor Buster Posey, who we love more than words can be typed.

Cousins was booking ass around the horn after tagging up on an Emilio Bonifacio sacrifice fly, when he spotted the ball from right fielder Nate Schierholtz's laser rocket arm headed directly for him. So he did what any good base runner does: lowered his shoulder like a linebacker and clobbered the catcher in an effort to score the go-ahead run.

Crappy News for Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano got some not-so-great news Wednesday: he won't be pitching again until likely after the All-Star Break.

The New York Yankees' $35 million setup man, who cozied up to the disabled list on May 17, was diagnosed with an inflamed ligament in his right elbow... the same ligament which was repaired with Tommy John surgery back in 2004. Not good.

Also not good: his 5.40 ERA over 16 appearances leading up to the injury.

With that, the Yankees immediately claimed right-handed reliever Kanekoa Texeira off waivers, while also transferring Phil Hughes and his lack of velocity to the 60-day disabled list so Texeira could squeeze onto their 40-man roster.

Get well soon, Soriano. You are totally replaceable.

[Blogging the Bombers]

Mariano Rivera Makes History with the Yankees

Mariano Rivera became the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to make 1,000 appearances with the same team on Wednesday, doing business as usual cleaning up the ninth inning of a 7-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was just another day at the office for the 41-year-old closer, as Enter Sandman blasted over the Yankee Stadium speakers when he took the mound in relief of Joba Chamberlain. He allowed an Eric Thames single to kick off the inning, but got Rajai Davis and Edwin Encarnacion to fly out before J.P. Arencibia struck out swinging to end the game.

Aaron Effin' Boone...

By now you should be familiar with the guys from Nine More Outs, who have embarked on a Stadium Shmadium Tour to ballparks such as the Rogers Centre and PNC Park, disguised as die hard fans of the home team.

Hilarity then ensues.

Behold, the Stadium Shmadium Tour of Boston, Part I. Enjoy.

Barry Bonds Has a Heart of Gold

Like many bloggers and baseball fans who enjoy the purity of the sport, we've been pretty hard on Barry Bonds in the past. Okay, really hard on him.

However, with the news of the Home Run King donating enough money to the family of Bryan Stow -- the paramedic and single father who was brutally beaten outside Dodger Stadium on March 31 at the Home Opener against their rival San Francisco Giants -- for his young children to attend college, we've had a change of heart. In fact, we're blown away.

Also, Giants ace Tim Lincecum withdrew $25,000 from his personal bank account and donated it to the Stow family fund to help with their outrageous medical bills. That also impresses us greatly.

This story brought tears to our eyes. Thank you Barry, Big Time Timmy Jim, and the rest of the Giants organization for being generous, loving human beings during one of the darkest times of this family's life.

[NBC Bay Area]

Corey Hart Switches Batting Stance, Hits Three Bombs

Corey Hart was feeling a little sucky during batting practice Monday, so he switched up his stance. The result? Three home runs and seven RBI.

The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, back in the no. 2 spot, nailed his first three homers of the season for seven runs to tie both club records, helping his team beat the Washington Nationals 11-3 Monday night.

Hart smashed a pair of two-run bombs in the first and fifth innings off Nationals starter Tom Gorzelanny to reach his 100-home run career milestone before polishing off his eveving with a three-run shot off reliever Doug Slaten with two outs in the eighth.

The 29-year-old had a huge bat last season, hitting 21 home runs in the first half before making his second All-Star team, losing the home run derby, and signing a $26.5 million, three-year extension later on in the summer. This Spring has not been as awesome however, as he hurt his oblique and had to do a stint down in AAA with the Nashville Sounds.

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz Activated for Monday

It's time to take Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz off of your fantasy baseball disabled list... like that's going to help your craptastic team.

The two Texas Rangers outfielders are expected to be activated just in time for Monday’s home game against the Chicago White Sox at 8:05pm ET. Hamilton is recovering from a broken bone in his upper right arm, while Cruz is rehabbing a strained right quadriceps muscle.

The reigning American League MVP went 0-for-4 while Cruz hit a solo shot during the final game of their minor league rehab assignments Sunday.

Update: They both went yard last night. Welcome back guys!

[ESPN]

Delicious Interleague Goodness

There's the Subway Series, the Beltway Series, the Lone Star Series, North Side vs. South Side, the Freeway Series, the Highway Series, the Bay Bridge Series, the Sunshine Series, and plenty more exciting, nameless contests during Interleague play.

On this 15th anniversary of Interleague action, let's revisit the first weekend of action.

Every year since 2004, the American League has come out of Interleague play with the best record. After the first weekend, however, things are all knotted up at 21-21. Here's a miniature breakdown of just a fraction of what went down:

Rivalries and Sweet, Sweet Redemption

Most of you may remember our Ballpark Photo Contest we held back in January, where we asked you to send in your pictures to be voted upon by readers. The winner of that glorious contest was a sassy young lady holding a pork-chop-on-a-stick at Target Field, but one of the runners up was the poor guy on the left, Atlanta Braves fan Mateo Walter and his friend David Gregory (the Los Angeles Angels fan on the right).

The two guys have an ongoing bet: during Interleague play, when one of their favorite teams inevitably loses, they have to don the winner's jersey. It's an embarrassing disaster and we absolutely love it.

Get Well Soon, Marlon Byrd

Scary moment at Fenway Park Saturday evening as Marlon Byrd was beaned in the second inning of his Chicago Cubs' 9-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

After being nailed on the left side of his head by a 92 mph Alfredo Aceves fastball, the center fielder immediately dropped to the ground before jumping up and holding his face near a cut under his left eye. He then walked to the clubhouse and was taken to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he would stay overnight.

Josh Johnson Lands on the DL

Due to some unwelcome right shoulder inflammation, Josh Johnson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. The good news is, Gaby Sanchez is there to help him hug it out.

The Florida Marlins ace lasted just five innings in his most recent start Monday against the New York Mets, surrendering one run on 85 pitches. Unfortunately for the Marlins, they'll be losing an important part of their rotation, as Johnson's ERA was a minuscule 1.64 to accompany his 56 strikeouts and 3-1 record over nine starts so far this season.

I'm sure right-hander Jay Buente was delighted to get the call-up from the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in time to start this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays during Interleague play. You have some big shoes to fill, buddy!

[USA Today]

Nationals Enjoy Record-Setting Rout of Orioles

Yay Interleague baseball! After being shut out twice in a row, the Washington Nationals enjoyed some batting practice Friday evening, right through their 17-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

In their team's biggest offensive show since the Expos moved to Washington in 2005, Danny Espinosa -- who entered the game with a terrible .194 batting average -- homered and drove in five runs. Jayson Werth smashed two longballs and four RBI, with Roger Bernadina, Wilson Ramos, and Laynce Nix also going yard during the 19-hit attack.

Jason Giambi Gets to Play, Hits Three Bombs

Jason Giambi still plays baseball? smashed three home runs for seven RBI Thursday evening - in his first three at bats no less -- during the Colorado Rockies' 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Three bombs in one game, people. At the tender age of 40. His first two longballs came off Kyle Kendrick in the first and third innings before he went deep off Danys Baez in the fifth.

He then struck out swinging during his final two at bats and now has four homers on the season to compliment his .194 batting average.

Giambi became the second-oldest player to go yard three times (thrice?) in a single game since Stan Musial did it back in 1962 when he was 41.

Andre Ethier is a Naughty Boy

Major League Baseball is "looking into" the obscene gestures made by Andre Ethier during batting practice on Monday. Lame.

Seriously, I've seen a lot more obscene things than a ballplayer flipping the bird. If he gets fined for this hot photograph, I'm going to write a long post about how fucking stupid and old Bud Selig is.

Read Ethier's scripted apology here.

Hat Tip for the pic goes straight to The Big Lead.

[Hardball Talk]

Racing Sausages and Rollie Fingers

It's kinda like heaven on earth.

[Brew Crew Ball]

RIP, Killer

After announcing last week that he was beginning hospice care and no longer going to be fighting esophageal cancer, Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew passed away today at the age of 74.

"Killer" was a legend among Minnesota fans, not only for his impressive Hall of Fame career, but also because of his work off the field long after his playing days had ended. Killebrew made his baseball debut at age 17 with the Washington Senators in 1954, and played there until the franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961. He stayed with the Twins until 1974, and moved to Kansas City for the 1975 season, after which he retired.

Vin Mazzaro Historically Sucky Against Indians

Our condolences if Vin Mazzaro is on your fantasy baseball team. I'm sure he doesn't suck this much all the time, but he sure stunk up Kauffman Stadium last night. In fact, the poor guy was historically sucky.

The Kansas City Royals reliever was absolutely shelled Monday evening, surrendering a big league-record 14 runs in just 2.1 innings of "relief" -- including 10 in the fourth -- during his team's 19-1 loss to the smoking hot Cleveland Indians. According to STATS, LLC., no relief pitcher has ever given up that many runs in that short of an outing... at least not since 1919 when their database was created.

Mazzaro, who did manage to get seven outs while watching his ERA explode to 22.74, had this to say about his incredible performance:

"It’s tough. It was a tough game. Some of the plays didn’t go my way. It’s a funny game."

He was sent down to the minors immediately following the loss... and there's nothing "funny" about that. Unless you're me.

[Hardball Talk]

Big Papi: In a New York State of Mind

Big Papi is feeling blue. Turns out many New Yorkers don't care for him much. In fact, most of them were repulsed by the idea of hugging the Boston Red Sox slugger.

Our favorite line from this entire video...

"It really hurts my feelings, mang."

[MLB Fan Cave]

Here... Get Your Face Fixed

[Nothing Like Some Good Old Fashioned Trash Talk]

Kendry Morales' Ankle Won't Heal Without Surgery

The Los Angeles Angels are once again without Kendry Morales since he has decided to undergo another season-ending surgery on his left ankle.

The first baseman has been sidelined since May 29 of last year when he busted the ankle celebrating a walkoff grand slam at home plate. He was kicking ass too, leading the club with 11 homers and 39 RBI at the time of his injury. Crappy.

OMG Albert Pujols Hugged Jim Hendry, Cards Doomed

There are a whole new set of rumors swirling around Albert Pujols this week after the so-called "inappropriate" hug between two longtime rivals: the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

Of course, we don't quite believe him, considering he should be on the hunt for a new cornerman since Carlos Pena signed only a one-year deal worth $10 million back in December.

However, Hendry said the hug was nothing but a greeting between two good friends and they discussed nothing but their families, no business:

Congratulations Justin Verlander!

The Toronto Blue Jays were no match for Justin Verlander Saturday afternoon, as the Detroit Tigers righty tossed his second career no-hitter and the second of the 2011 season for a 9-0 victory.

Minnesota Twins lefty Francisco Liriano pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox Tuesday evening for the first one of the season. His was not as pretty.

Who Are You and What Have You Done With the Indians

Um, don't look now but the Cleveland Indians are super good at baseball.

One night after their seven-game winning streak was snapped, the Tribe rallied for the win in their final at-bat for an incredible seventh time this season. Seriously, I hope Indians fans have learned to not leave the ballpark early this season.

Andre Ethier's Hit Streak Intact but at a Standstill

We talked a little bit about Andre Ethier's impressive hitting streak on Tuesday, even though we were a little reluctant to considering the luck we've had when opening our big mouths in the past.

The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs (which his team ended up losing 5-1) with a sore left elbow. Although he made it clear that he was willing to sacrifice his streak for one pinch-hit late in the game, he never even got the chance since Carlos Zambrano was being so unhittable.

We've always like Ethier. In fact, we were a little irritated back in the summer of 2009 when Manny Ramirez came back from his first steroid-related suspension and Ethier was thrown back on the bench like some sort of worthless replacement, even though he was ten times the player Manny was that season and stepped up huge during those 50 games.

Tim Lincecum Punches Out a Dozen Mets

Tim Lincecum struck out 12 New York Mets Wednesday evening in yet another dominating performance for a 2-0 win.

To make matters even more exciting, our favorite stoner hurler surpassed Christy Mathewson in Giants lore for most double-digit strikeout games in franchise history with 29, including three already this season. God, that's hot.

Big Time Timmy Jim gave up five hits over seven innings, using 127 pitches. He struck out his final five batters before four Giants relievers finished the job, including Brian Wilson, who worked a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the season.

The Mets struck out total of 16 times, which is a season-high for a nine inning game. Give them a break though, they just faced three Cy Young winners in four games between Lincecum, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

Cole Hamels: Welcome Back Jayson Werth

Jayson Werth's Beard was no match for Cole Hamels' left arm Tuesday.

In his first return to Philadelphia since leaving to play for the Washington Nationals, Werth went 0-for-3 with a walk in his team's 4-1 loss to the Phillies. Of course, he was met with boos from his former fans at Citizens Bank Park, but he turned their frowns upside-down when he took off his helmet and tipped it to the crowd: they simply could not resist his charm.

Besides, he's still making $126 million over seven years to bat .270. Nothing is going to bring that guy down.

And I Got Mad Hits Like I Was Rod Carew

Someone better call 9-1-1. Andre Ethier is on fire.

Usually, we don't get serious about hitting streaks until they reach 25 games. In fact, the last time we were this excited about a string of games with one hit after another was when we jinxed Scott Rolen during his 25-game streak back in July of 2009. That number is about where most streaks go to die.

Congratulations Francisco Liriano!

Talk about night and day.

It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was down right ugly. Either way, Francisco Liriano tossed the seventh no-hitter in Minnesota franchise history Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The 1-0 victory, thanks in part to a fourth-inning solo shot off the bat of Jason Kubel, marked the fifth no-hitter for the Twins and the first of the 2011 baseball season.

Don't beat yourself up too bad. The fact you decided against starting Liriano on your fantasy team Tuesday (if you haven't dropped him yet) may be a good thing after all...

Continue reading Sooze's article on The Star Tribune.