The Game of Baseball

Phillies Win World Series Defeat Rays 4-3 In Resumed Game Five

2008-10-29T23:58:00.003-05:00

What if they played a World Series, and nobody watched? In the most anti-climatic World Series since 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake disrupted the "Bay Area Series" the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 Wednesday night. The win came two days after the start of the contest, which was suspended in the bottom of the sixth due to rain.

These two teams deserved a better showcase than what the 2008 World Series devolved into. The Rays were the feel good story of baseball all year long, as they went from a team that had never had a winning season in its existence to going to "The Show." Philadelphia, a team that had been built patiently by General Manager Pat Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel had been close the last few seasons. This was the season they finally broke through, fittingly in Gillick's last season before retirement.

The Series started off very well as the two teams split the first two games in Tampa Bay. But a three hour rain delay took some of the lustre of an exciting Phillies win in game three by a score of 5-4. Game four was just a one sided blow out as Philadelphia beat up the Rays 10-2 to take a 3-1 series lead. The series hit its low point Monday night as the two teams played in terrible elements until the game was finally called before the bottom of the sixth. It was deemed a suspended game and would resume where it had stopped.

This was just another blunder during the reign of incompetence of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. This will be right at the top of the list along with the "Year Without A World Series" and the All-Star game that ended in a tie. As great a game as baseball is the powers that be at MLB keep trying to shoot themselves in the foot. The sooner the era of Selig as Commissioner is over, the better the game will be. (One plea; do not name the former Team Owner of the Texas Rangers who will be unemployed come January to the post!)

After a night of rain Tuesday night the two teams took the field Wednesday night all knotted up at 2-2. Rays reliever Grant Balfour took the mound and faced pinch hitter Geoff Jenkins who led off the inning with a double. Jimmy Rollins put down the sacrifice getting Jenkins to third. Jayson Werth hit a bloop RBI single, and the Phillies were ahead 3-2. Reliever Ryan Madson could not hold the Philadelphia lead in the top of the seventh as Rocco Baldelli homered to let and tied the game at 3-3.

J.P. Howell took the mound for Tampa Bay in the bottom of the seventh . Pat Burrell greeted him with a double to deep center to lead off the frame. Eric Bruntlett came into run for Burrell, Chad Bradford took over for Howell on the mound. Shane Victorino grounded to second, and Bruntlett went to third on the play. He scored as Pedro Feliz hit a RBI single to center for what would prove to be the eventual winning run.

Phillies reliever J.C. Romero got the win, Brad Lidge the save, Rays reliever J.P. Howell took the loss. It is the first World Series win for Philadelphia since 1980.

Howard And Blanton Lead The Charge As Phillies Blast Rays 10-2

2008-10-26T23:58:00.010-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies exploded for ten runs Sunday night as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 in game four of the 2008 World Series. The victory gives Philadelphia a 3-1 lead in the series, and could close it out in front of their home fans Monday night. The Phillies blasted four home runs two by first baseman Ryan Howard, and one by starting and winning pitcher Joe Blanton. He is the the first pitcher since 1974 to hit a home run in the Fall Classic and only the 15th pitcher in MLB history to accomplish it.

Philadelphia got on the board in the bottom of the first as Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine gave up a leadoff double to Jimmy Rollins. He went to third on a Jayson Werth fly out to right. Chase Utley walked, and then Ryan Howard hit the ball back to Sonnanstine. Rollins broke for home on the play and was caught in a run down. Although he appeared to be out the umpires ruled him safe at third, leaving bases loaded with one down. Sonnanstine then committed the cardinal sin of walking Pat Burrell forcing home the run. No further damage was done and it was 1-0 Phillies.

Philadelphia scored again in the third as Utley led off the frame by reaching first on an error by second baseman Akinori Iwamura. Howard singled to right as Utley sprinted to third. Utley scored as Pedro Feliz drove him home with a single to left, making it a a 2-0 contest at the end of three innings. Tampa Bay got on the board in the top of the fourth as Carl Crawford hit a solo home run, making it a 2-1 game.

Sonnanstine put himself in the hole in the bottom of the inning, as he gave up a three run blast to Howard putting the Phillies ahead at the end of four innings 5-1. Blanton gave up a dinger to Eric Hinske who pinch hit for Sonnanstine in the top of the fifth bringing Tampa Bay closer at 5-2. But Blanton got the run back in the bottom of the inning as he hit his historic shot Rays reliever Edwin Jackson (write this name down; it will win you a lot of bar bets in about five years!) putting Philadelphia ahead 6-2.

The Phillies broke the game wide open in the bottom of the eighth as both Jayson Werth and Howard hit two run home runs, putting them up 10-2. Blanton got the victory for Philadelphia as he pitched 6 innings giving up 2 runs, on 4 hits, striking out 7 and walking 2. Sonnanstine pitched just 4 innings, allowing 5 runs, on 6 hits, walking 3, and striking out 2. Game five will be Monday night with a rematch of the game one pitchers. Scott Kazmir will look to keep things alive for Tampa Bay and Cole Hamels will be on the hill for the Phillies.

Phillies Outlast Rays 5-4; Lead Series 2-1

2008-10-26T01:02:00.002-05:00

If any game was worth sitting through a three hour rain delay, this may have been the one as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the ninth by the score of 5-4 early Sunday morning. (I have sat through countless rain delays in the comfort of the Press Box in then Jacobs Field in Cleveland. It is not fun, but it must be ten times worse for the hardy fans that sit out the delay in the rain!) Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz drove in the winning run in the ninth with an infield single. The victory gives Philadelphia a 2-1 edge in the 2008 World Series.

Rays starter Matt Garza got into early trouble in the bottom of the first. He gave up a leadoff single to Jimmy Rollins and walked the next batter right fielder Jayson Werth. Garza appeared unnerved as he served up a wild pitch advancing the runners to second and third with nobody out. Chase Utley grounded out to third but Rollins scored on the play. The Tampa Bay starter was able to get out of the frame without further damage as the Phillies led 1-0.

Philadelphia starter veteran Jamie Moyer did not enjoy his prosperity for long as Carl Crawford led off the top of the second with a double. After Dioner Navarro lined out to second, Crawford stole third. Rays right fielder Gabe Gross drove in Crawford with a sacrifice fly to center tying the game at 1-1. Carlos Ruiz hit a solo homer in the bottom of the frame off Garza to put the Phillies back on top 2-1.

Things stayed quiet until the bottom of the sixth, when Utley and Ryan Howard hit back to back homers to lead off the frame. Garza got the next three hitters out in order, but the damage was done as his team now trailed 4-1. Moyer ran into problems in the top of the seventh as Crawford beat out a bunt for a single. Navarro came up next hitting a double to left, Crawford going to third on the play. Gross grounded out to first but Crawford scored on the play, making it a 4-2 game. Philadelphia brought in reliever Chad Durbin, who got Jason Bartlett to ground out to short but Navarro scored, and the lead was down to a single run as the score was 4-3.

Tampa Bay played "small ball" perfectly in the top of the eighth. B.J. Upton greeted new Phillies reliever with an infield single to open the inning. He then stole second, then stole third, and scored as Ruiz threw the ball away. Madson had blown the save, and the game was tied 4-4.

The last thing anybody wanted in this game after the initial three hour delay was extra innings, but that looked like a strong possibility as Philadelphia came to bat in the bottom of the ninth. However this time it was the Phillies turn to play "small ball" as pinch hitter Eric Bruntlett got on base when he was hit by a pitch. Bruntlett got to second on a wild pitch, and went to third on a throwing error by Rays catcher Navarro. Reliever Grant Balfour intentionally walked the next two batters trying to set up the force at the plate. But the plan backfired as Ruiz drove home the winning run with an infield single.

Phillies reliever J.C. Romero got the win, Rays reliever J.P. Howell took the loss. The Series resumes Sunday night with Joe Blanton on the bump for Philadelphia. Andy Sonnanstine will get the start for Tampa Bay.

Early Hitting, Strong Pitching Leads Rays Past Phillies 4-2; Series Tied 1-1

2008-10-23T23:49:00.003-05:00

Tampa Bay Rays starter James Shields pitched five and two thirds of scoreless baseball, and Rays hitters roughed Phillies starter Brett Myers for two runs in the bottom of the first as Tampa Bay defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 Thursday night. The victory ties the 2008 World Series at 1-1.

One of the most deflating experiences for a pitcher is to walk the first batter he faces. Unfortunately for Brett Myers, that is how he started the bottom of the first by walking leadoff batter Akinori Iwamura. Things got worse quickly for Myers as the next batter Rays center fielder B.J. Upton hit a single to right. Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth committed an error on the play, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Myers got Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria to both groundout, but a runner scored on each play, putting the Phillies in the hole 2-0.

Myers got back into trouble in the second, as Catcher Dioner Navarro hit a one out single and would score later in the inning as Upton drove him in with a single to right. At the end of two Tampa Bay led 3-0. The Rays would increase their advantage in the fourth, as Cliff Floyd opened the inning with a single up the middle. Navarro hit a bloop single into center putting runners at first and second with nobody out. Rocco Baldelli grounded into a fielders choice putting runners at the corners with one away. Floyd scored on a Jason Bartlett sacrifice to Myers, making it a 4-0 contest.

The Rays were done scoring for the evening, but it was enough as Tampa Bay starter James Shields was able to pitch himself out of jams throughout his performance. The Phillies finally got on the board in the top of the eighth as Eric Bruntlett hit a pinch hit dinger off Rays reliever David Price making it a 4-1 game. Price would give up his second run in the top of the ninth, as Carlos Ruiz opened the inning with a double. He scored as Jayson Werth got to first on an Evan Longoria error at third. But Price was able to get out of the inning without further damage, giving the Rays the win.

Shields had karma on his side as he pitched five and two thirds of an inning allowing nine base runners with seven hits and two walks. However he did not allow a run. Myers threw seven innings allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks as he took the loss. The series resumes Saturday night with polar opposites on the mounds for the opponents. The Rays will give the start to flame throwing youngster Matt Garza, while the Phillies counter with wily veteran Jamie Moyer.

Hamels And Utley Lead Phillies Past Rays 3-1

2008-10-23T00:10:00.006-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies drew first blood, as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night at Tropicana Field 3-1 in game one of the 2008 World Series. The Phillies who had an extended vacation while the Rays had to play seven games in the ALCS, did not appear to have lost their mojo. Cole Hamels who pitched the game in the NLCS to put the Phillies in the series for the first time since 1993, worked out of some tough situations to get the victory.

Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir, found himself behind early in the contest, as Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley hit a 2 run homer to right in the first inning. Kazmir fell behind 3-0 in the top of the fourth as Carlos Ruiz grounded out, but Shane Victorino scored on the play.

The Rays got on the board in the bottom of the inning as Carl Crawford hit a solo blast into right off of Hamels. Tampa Bay turned it into a 3-2 game in the bottom of the fifth, when second baseman Akinori Iwamura had a RBI double into center. But Hamels settled down after that, pitching seven innings before Ryan Madson came in from the bullpen in the eighth. Madson pulled a scoreless inning, and closer Brad Lidge got the Rays out in order in the ninth for the save.

Hamels gave up 2 runs on 5 hits in his seven innings, he walked 2 and struck out 5. Kazmir lasted six innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, with 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts, as he took the loss. Game two will be played Thursday night, Brett Myers gets the start for Philadelphia, James Shields will be on the mound for Tampa Bay.

Cinderella Rays Going To World Series Beat Bo-Sox 3-1

2008-10-19T23:26:00.002-05:00

The Tampa Bay Rays are heading to their first World Series in franchise history, after defeating the Boston Red Sox Sunday night 3-1. The Rays who had once held a 3-1 series advantage in the ALCS, found themselves hosting the Red Sox in game seven with the series tied 3-3. But in a rematch of the starting pitchers from game three Tampa Bay's starter Matt Garza came out on top once again over Boston starter Jon Lester. And unlike most of this year's ALCS, this was a game where the pitching dominated the proceedings.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, put his team on the board in the first as he hit a dinger into left, giving Boston a 1-0 lead. That would be the final run for Boston this season. The Rays tied the game in the fourth when Evan Longoria had a RBI double off of Lester. They took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a Rocco Baldelli RBI single. Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the seventh when Lester gave up a solo homer to Willy Aybar, making it a 3-1 contest.

After giving up the first inning homer to Pedroia Rays starter Matt Garza had his second masterful performance of the series. Garza allowed just the 1 run on 2 hits, walking 3 and striking out 9. Lester pitched well, but not well enough to get the win, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, and struck out 8 in the loss.

Boston put up a valiant effort to climb back out of the hole they had dug themselves into. But unlike 2007, when they were able to overcome the same situation and defeat the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, this time they fell short.

The Rays will host the first game of the World Series as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night. This should be a well matched World Series, as both teams have a lot of young talent. The Rays have shocked the baseball world this season, as they had their first winning season, their first trip to the playoffs, and now their first appearance in "The Show." They have exceeded expectations all season long, now we find out if they can do it one more time.

Red Sox Beat Rays 4-2 ALCS Tied at 3-3

2008-10-19T00:29:00.002-05:00

To say that the Boston Red Sox over the last few years have had a flair for the dramatic over the last few seasons, would just be stating the obvious. For some bizarre reason they play their best baseball in the ALCS, once their collective backs are against the wall. They of course came back in the ALCS in 2004 against the New York Yankees after falling behind 3-0 on the way to their first World Series win since 1918. Last year the Bo-Sox were down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, and came back and won the World Series again.

Boston looked dead and buried Thursday night, going into the bottom of the seventh inning trailing the Tampa Bay Rays 7-0. The Rays had come into the contest, with a 3-1 series edge, and it looked like they were heading to the World Series to take on the Philadelphia Phillies. However the Red Sox were not ready to go home for the season, and proceeded to destroy the Rays bullpen. Boston scored 4 runs in the seventh, 3 in the eighth, and J.D. Drew won the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Saturday the series came back to Tropicana Field for game six, as the Rays hoped to stop Boston's momentum and end the ALCS. But for the second game in a row, Boston was not ready to allow their season to end. The Red Sox after falling behind 1-0 in the first defeated the Rays 4-2, setting up a game seven Sunday night.

Boston starter Josh Beckett has not had a strong post season. When he faced the Rays in game two of the series he was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning after giving up eight runs. Although Beckett had a rocky first inning, the man on the mound for Boston had a far better performance than he did his last time out.

Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton who has been on fire this whole series, hit his fourth home run of the ALCS in the first, putting his team ahead 1-0. Rays starter James Shields who was the losing pitcher in game one, gave up a homer to Kevin Youkilis in the bottom of the second which tied the game at 1-1. The Red Sox would take the lead as Dustin Pedroia scored on a Youkilis ground out in the bottom of the third putting Boston ahead 2-1. But the Rays answered with their second long ball of the day as Josh Bartlett hit a solo shot to left, and the game was tied 2-2.

The Red Sox would take the lead for good in the top of the sixth. Boston catcher Jason Varitek who had been almost silent offensively in the series, put the club up 3-2 with is first round-tripper of the series with two outs in the sixth. Boston added an insurance run in the inning as Big Papi David Ortiz had a RBI single, making the final score 4-2 Boston.

Beckett gets the win for the Red Sox, Shields takes the loss for the Rays. The two teams will meet Sunday night with a rematch of the game three pitchers. Matt Garza will be on the mound for Tampa Bay, Jon Lester on the hill for Boston.

Bo-Sox Torch Rays Bull Pen Win 8-7 ALCS Now 3-2

2008-10-16T23:53:00.004-05:00

The Tampa Bay Rays were on their way to their first World Series Thursday night as they led the Boston Red Sox 7-0 after six and a half innings. The Rays had lit up Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka for 5 runs in just four innings. They added two against Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen in the top of the seventh.

The Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir had a stellar performance as he pitched six scoreless innings, giving up just two hits in the game. The usually raucous Fenway Park was almost silent, as the fans of Red Sox Nation figured their season would be over in just nine outs. The club had dug themselves too deep a hole too possibly climb out of.

The Bo-Sox never made that ninth out as they torched the Rays relievers for 4 runs in the seventh, and tied the contest with 3 more runs in the eighth. Boston completed the second biggest come back in MLB post season history in the bottom of the ninth as Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew hit a two out RBI single off Rays reliever J.P. Howell. Boston won the game 8-7, and now trail 3-2 in the ALCS, with the series shifting to Tropicana Field for game six on Saturday.

Dice-K who had pitched masterfully in the game one victory for Boston, struggled from the onset Thursday. B.J. Upton hit a 2 run homer off Matsuzaka in the first making it quickly a 2-0 Tampa Bay lead. The long ball would get the better of Dice-K again in the third as Carlos Pena hit a 2 run shot to right. Evan Longoria hit a solo blast to left and the Rays were ahead 5-0. Upton drove in two more runs off Delcarmen with a RBI double in the top of the seventh.

Boston is no stranger to adversity in the post season. They of course came back in the ALCS in 2004 against the New York Yankees after falling behind 3-0 on the way to their first World Series win since 1918. Last year the Bo-Sox were down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, and came back and won the World Series again. Whether they can accomplish a series come back against the Rays remains to be seen, but they were not ready for their season to end Thursday night.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia got his club on the scoreboard with a RBI single off of Grant Balfour in the bottom of the seventh. Big Papi David Ortiz then hit a 3 run homer to right off Balfour, and the team was back in the contest at the end of the frame down only 7-4. Dan Wheeler got the last out for Tampa Bay in the seventh, but did not fare well in the eighth. Drew hit a 2 run blast to right, and then Coco Crisp tied the game with a RBI single, setting Boston up for the win in the ninth.

Justin Masterson got the win for the Red Sox, Howell took the loss for the Rays. James Shields will try to wrap up the series for Tampa Bay Saturday, Josh Beckett will look to extend it for Boston.

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Rollins And Hamels Send Phillies To The World Series Beat Dodgers 5-1

2008-10-15T21:12:00.005-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to the World Series after knocking out National League West division winner the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the NLCS by a score of 5-1 Wednesday night. The Phillies are in their first World Series since losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins set the tone for his team with his first at bat a leadoff home run off Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley, and the Phillies never looked back.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels got his second win of the series, and he pitched masterfully. Hamels threw seven innings scattering just five hits, and giving up just one run. Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez who hit .533 for the NLCS hit a solo homer in the sixth.

The Phillies scored two runs in the third as Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell each had RBI singles to make it a 3-0 contest. Fielding gaffes cost the team from the West Coast in the fifth as two errors by Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal resulted in a 5-0 game.

Hamels get the win for the Phillies, while Billingsley takes the loss for the Dodgers. The Phillies now wait to find out where they will start the World Series, as it starts in the American League park. Tampa Bay leads Boston in the ALCS 3-1, with game four scheduled for Thursday.

Rays Bludgeon Bo-Sox 13-4 Lead ALCS 3-1

2008-10-14T23:39:00.002-05:00

The "Cinderella" Tampa Bay Rays not only look like they are on the verge of their first World Series, they are embarrassing the reigning champs of baseball in the process. The Rays are just one win away from their first time to the "Big Dance" after simply humiliating the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night at Fenway Park 13-4. They now lead the ALCS 3-1, and have the chance to clinch their first American League pennant Thursday night in front of the Boston faithful.

Boston elected to give the start to 42 year old knuckle ball specialist Tim Wakefield in game four. When the veteran's out pitch is doing it's magic, Wakefield can make batters look silly. When it's not, he is not much more effective than a batting practice pitcher. Tuesday night, the magic was not working.

The long ball has been the main weapon of the Rays since game two of this series, and it was used quite effectively Tuesday night. One of the nicest stories of the success of Tampa Bay this season has been the resurrection of the career of first baseman Carlos Pena. Pena was always one of those players that never performed up to the expectations that were foisted upon him. At the beginning of the season Pena was on the scrap heap of baseball. However he has proven to be a key component of his team's success all season, and in this series in particular.

Pena put the Rays on top in the first with a two run blast into left off of Wakefield. Evan Longoria hit a solo homer to left, and Boston found themselves in a 3-0 hole before they even came up to bat. Tampa Bay DH Willy Aybar knocked Wakefield out of the game in the top of the third as he hit a two run dinger to left putting the Rays ahead 5-0. Boston got on the board in the bottom of the frame as catcher Kevin Cash hit a solo homer to left off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine, at the end of three innings the Bo-Sox were down 5-1.

Aybar made it a 6-1 game in the fifth as he drove home Carl Crawford with a RBI single. The Rays in the sixth battered their second Boston pitcher of the night, this time reliever Manny Delcarmen. Tampa Bay showed that they could play small ball as well as they dinged up the Red Sox reliever for five runs with a series of singles and bases on balls. At the end of the frame it was 11-1 Tampa Bay, and the Bo-Sox would need to stage a miracle rally to turn this one around.

Boston put a run on the board in the seventh as David Ortiz scored on a Kevin Youkilis ground out. But the Rays got two more back in the eighth, as Crawford drove home Pena with a RBI triple. He scored on a RBI single by Aybar making it 13-2. The Red Sox added two meaningless runs in the bottom of the frame. Dustin Pedroia had a RBI single, Youkilis drove him home with a double.

Sonnanstine got the win for the Rays, Wakefield took the loss for the Red Sox. The two teams will match up Thursday night for game five, with a rematch of the game one starters. Daisuke Matsuzaka who has the only win for Boston will look to extend the series, he will face James Shields for the Rays.

Phillies Beat Dodgers 7-5 Lead NLCS 3-1

2008-10-13T23:04:00.002-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies are just one win away from playing in the 2008 World Series after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night at Chavez Ravine 7-5. The Phillies put the game away in the eighth inning as they roughed up the Dodgers bullpen for four runs. The win gives Philadelphia a 3-1 advantage in the NLCS, they have a chance to win the series Wednesday night.

The Dodgers started Derek Lowe, while the Phillies countered with Joe Blanton, neither starter would figure in the decision. Philadelphia broke out early as Chase Utley drove in Jimmy Rollins with a RBI double in the first. Jayson Werth also scored in the inning when Ryan Howard grounded out to second, making it a 2-0 game. The Dodgers got a run back in the bottom of the frame as James Loney drove home Rafael Furcal with a RBI double.

Los Angeles took the lead in the fifth Manny Ramirez drove in Furcal with a RBI single which tied the contest at 2-2. Russell Martin grounded out to shortstop Andre Ethier scoring on the play, and gave the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.

Philadelphia tied the game in the top of the sixth as L.A. pitcher Chan Ho Park uncorked a wild pitch and Ryan Howard scored. Casey Blake hit a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, and then the Dodgers scored another run on a Ryan Howard throwing error, making it a 5-3 game.

But the Phillies knocked the Dodgers out of the contest as both Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs each it two run homers in the top of the eighth. The four runs gave Philadelphia a 7-5 lead, and the Phillies bullpen held on for the win.

Ryan Madison got the win for Philadelphia, Cory Wade took the loss for Los Angeles. The series resumes Wednesday, Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies, Chad Billingsley will be on the mound for the Dodgers.

Rays Rip Bo-Sox 9-1 Lead ALCS 2-1

2008-10-13T21:12:00.003-05:00

After getting a masterful performance from Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka in game one of the ALCS, the Red Sox have not gotten the same results from their next two starting pitchers. Saturday Bo-Sox starter Josh Beckett got roughed up for 8 runs, and did not make it out of the fifth inning.

Monday the series switched to the friendly confines of Fenway Park, friendly it turns out for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays scored 5 runs off of Boston starter Jon Lester, and an additional 4 off reliever Paul Byrd. Meanwhile Rays starter Matt Garza sailed through six innings scattering six hits and giving up just one run. The Tampa Bay bullpen shut Boston down the rest of the way, and the Rays ended up with a 9-1 victory. They now lead the ALCS 2-1.

The Rays broke through in the second as catcher Dioner Navarro grounded out to second and Evan Longoria scored on the play putting Tampa Bay ahead 1-0. The Rays used the long ball to break the game open in the third as B.J. Upton hit a three run shot to left. Longoria hit a solo round tripper and at the end of the inning, it was a 5-0 game.

Boston finally got on the board when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a sacrifice fly driving in Jason Varitek making it a 5-1 game. But the Rays were not done yet, as Rocco Baldelli hit a three run homer in the eighth, and Carlos Pena hit a solo blast in the ninth for the final score.

The series resumes Tuesday night at Fenway Park, Andy Sonnanstine gets the start for the Rays, veteran Tim Wakefield will be on the mound for the Red Sox.

Dodgers Beat Up Moyer Defeat Phillies 7-2 Win First NLCS Game

2008-10-12T22:26:00.005-05:00

The Los Angeles Dodgers came back with a vengeance Sunday night as they put an old fashioned butt kicking on the Philadelphia Phillies winning game three of the NLCS in convincing fashion by a score of 7-2. The win in the first game played in this series at Chavez Ravine puts the Dodgers in the win column now trailing Philadelphia 2-1 in the series. Los Angeles seemed to have no trouble figuring out Phillies starter Jamie Moyer who they knocked out of the game in the second inning.

Moyer looked every one of his 45 years out on the mound for Philadelphia Sunday night, as he was totally ineffective. The Dodgers opened up the game scoring five runs in the first. Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake each had RBI singles, and Blake DeWitt came to the plate with the bags juiced, and drove home all three runners with a triple.

Philadelphia got a run back in the top of the second as Ryan Howard led off the frame with a double off Los Angeles starter Hiroki Kuroda. Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz drove him home with a bloop single to right. Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal drove Moyer from the game in the bottom of the frame with a solo homer to left making it a 6-1 ball game.

The game also featured a "bench clearing brawl" in the top of the third, as Kuroda threw a pitch over the head of Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino. This was a continuation of an incident that occurred in game two when Phillies starter Brett Myers threw behind Manny Ramirez. After Victorino grounded out to first the two started yelling at each other, and that's when the benches emptied. Is there anything more ludicrous than watching baseball players standing around after they have charged the field, and are trying to figure out what to do next? Of course no punches were thrown (they rarely are) and Manny had to be "restrained" (for dramatic effect.) Then both teams went back in their dugouts and the game continued, that's our National Pasttime!

Kuroda threw six innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits for the win. Moyer went an inning and a third giving up 6 runs on 6 hits. The series resumes Monday night in Los Angeles Joe Blanton will get the start for Philladelphia. Derek Lowe will be on the mound for the Dodgers.

Rays Sac Fly In Eleventh Inning Beats Bo-Sox; 9-8 Series Tied 1-1

2008-10-12T01:08:00.002-05:00

Game one of the ALCS at Tropicana Field between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox was dominated by pitching, as Boston won the contest 2-0. Game two of the ALCS had some strong performances from both teams bullpens, but this time offense ruled. The two teams combined to hit seven home runs, but ironically it was a sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton that won the game in the eleventh inning and gave the Rays the victory over Boston 9-8. With the win the series is now tied at a game apiece.

Boston starter Josh Beckett and Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir were ineffective to say the least. Both pitchers were yanked with just one out in the fifth inning, Beckett giving eight runs, all earned, while Kazmir gave up five.

The two teams scored early and often, as Boston opened up the game with Jason Bay driving in two runs with a double in the top of the first. Evan Longoria tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a two run homer off of Beckett. The Red Sox took the lead back in the top of the third as Dustin Pedroia hit a solo blast making it a 3-2 game. But the lead did not last long, as Upton tied the game with a round-tripper in the bottom of the frame. Carl Crawford had a RBI single, and at the end of three the Rays had the lead 4-3. Cliff Floyd hit a dinger for Tampa Bay in the fourth, and made it a 5-3 contest.

Boston took the lead back in the top of the fifth knocking Kazmir out of the game in the process. Pedroia hit his second homer of the game, and after Kazmir got David Ortiz out he gave up another long ball to Kevin Youkilis which tied the game, and ended night for the Rays pitcher. Reliever Grant Balfour faced just one batter Jason Bay who put the Bo-Sox on top with another dinger making it a 6-5 game. J.P. Howell came in to the game and ended the inning without further damage.

The Rays answered back with a vengeance in the bottom of the inning. Carlos Pena tied the game with a RBI single, and then scored on a Longoria double. Beckett was replaced by Javier Lopez, who also just faced one batter, Carl Crawford who made it 8-6 with a RBI single. Manny Delcarmen shut Tampa bay down but the damage had been done.

The Red Sox chipped away as Bay had a RBI single driving in Pedroia in the sixth. Boston tied the game in the eighth as Pedroia scored on a wild pitch by Rays pitcher Dan Wheeler. The game was tied 8-8, and would remain that way until the bottom of the eleventh.

Boston reliever Mike Timlin committed the cardinal sin of giving up back to back walks at the start of the inning. The base runners advanced to second and third, setting the stage for Upton. The Rays center fielder hit a fly to right field, Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew made an off balance throw, and pinch runner Fernando Perez crossed the plate with the game winning run.

The game took 5:27 to play, Timlin gets the loss for Boston rookie David Price got the win for Tampa Bay. After a day off Sunday the series resumes in Boston Monday. Matt Garza will get the start for the Rays, Jon Lester gets the nod for the Red Sox.

Dice-K Shuts Down Rays; Bo-Sox Take Game One 2-0

2008-10-11T01:13:00.004-05:00

Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a no hitter for six frames, and held American League East Division winners the Tampa Bay Rays scoreless. The Boston bullpen followed the lead of the man known as "Dice-K" and the Red Sox defeated the Rays in Tampa Bay in the first game of the ALCS by a score of 2-0. Matsuzaka struck out nine, and walked four batters three in the first inning.

Things looked very shaky for Boston in the bottom of the first. Matsuzaka walked lead off batter Akinori Iwamura and would end up walking the bases loaded with two out before getting out of the inning unscathed. He settled down in the second and did not allow a hit until Carl Crawford led off the seventh with a single. Cliff Floyd was up next and also singled, the fleet Crawford getting to third on the play. But he would remain stranded their as Dioner Navarro popped up into very shallow left field for the first out. Gabe Gross struck out for the second out of the frame, and Jason Bartlett made the third out on a grounder forcing Floyd at second.

The Red Sox had a tough time against Tampa Bay starter James Shields, but finally broke through in the fifth. Jed Lowrie drove home the game's first run as he hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Jason Bay to make it 1-0 Boston. The Red Sox scored an insurance run in the eighth as Kevin Youkilis had a RBI double, and drove home Dustin Pedroia.

The two teams will met again Saturday at Tropicana Field. Josh Beckett will be on the bump for Boston, Scott Kazmir gets the start for Tampa Bay.

ESPN: Shane Victorino And Brett Myers Talk After Phillies' Win

2008-10-11T00:39:00.001-05:00

Myers Helps His Own Cause Phillies Win 8-5; Lead Dodgers In Series 2-0

2008-10-10T22:55:00.007-05:00

Philadelphia Phillies starter Brett Myers became the first pitcher in NLCS history to get 3 hits in a game, and he pitched just well enough to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 Friday night. The victory gives the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, which will be shifting to the West Coast for game three. Myers also drove in three runs, teammate Shane Victorino had 4 RBI in the win, as Philadelphia scored four runs in the bottom of the second, and an additional four in the bottom of the third.

For the second consecutive game the Dodgers scored the first run of the contest. Los Angles right fielder Andre Ethier scored in the second as Blake DeWitt grounded out. But the Phillies knocked around Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley in the bottom of the frame. After striking out the first two batters of the inning, third baseman Gregg Dobbs hit a squibber up the middle for a single. He scored as Carlos Ruiz drove him home with a double tying the game. Myers came up next, and drove home Ruiz as Philadelphia went ahead 2-1. Jimmy Rollins kept the inning alive hitting a single into center, which L.A. center fielder Matt Kemp bobbled allowing Myers to get to third, Rollins went to second on the throw home. Victorino hit a single into left center to make it a 4-1 game.

James Loney had a RBI single in the top of the third for the Dodgers to cut the lead to 4-2. But Myers would again help himself offensively in the bottom the inning when he came to the plate with the bags juiced, and drove home two runs with a single to right. Victorino had two more RBI when he hit a triple, making it an 8-2 game. The always dangerous Manny Ramirez hit a three run homer off of Myers in the bottom of the fourth as the Dodgers pulled within striking distance at 8-5. But pitching took over on both sides, and Philadelphia held on for the win.

Los Angeles will look to get their first win in the series on Sunday in front of their home crowd. The veteran Jamie Moyer will toe the rubber for the Phillies, as the Dodgers will counter with Hiroki Kuroda.
© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Phillies Get To Lowe In Sixth Beat Dodgers In Game One 3-2

2008-10-09T23:01:00.003-05:00

The Philadelphia Phillies came back from from a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth scoring their only three runs of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night. The Phillies made those three runs stand up and took the first game of the 2008 NLCS by a final score of 3-2. The victory in front of the home crowd gives Philadelphia a 1-0 advantage in the series that will determine who will play the American League in the "Big Dance."

Los Angeles scored their first run in the top of the first off of Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels, as Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez had a RBI double. The Dodgers knicked Hamels for another run in the fourth. Center fielder Matt Kemp opened the frame with a two-bagger, and then went to third on a grounder to shortstop by third baseman Casey Blake. Second baseman Blake DeWitt drove Kemp home with a sacrifice fly to center. That would be the last run that Philadelphia pitchers would give up for the night.

Derek Lowe had pitched scoreless ball for five frames for Los Angeles but ran out of gas in the sixth. Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal allowed Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino to get to second base after throwing the ball away on what should have been a routine out. Lowe may have been shaken by the fielding gaffe as he gave up a two run dinger to second baseman Chase Utley tying the game. One out later Lowe would give up the eventual game winner as Pat Burrell hit a solo blast.

Hamels got the win for Philadelphia, Brad Lidge got the save. Lowe took the loss for the boys in blue. The series resumes Friday as the Phillies send Brett Myers to the mound. Los Angeles will counter withe starter, Chad Billingsley as they attempt to tie the series.

Lowe Faces Off Against Hamels In First Game Of NLCS

2008-10-08T20:49:00.002-05:00

The 2008 NLCS will feature two teams that have not made their way to the "Big Dance" in many years. The Philadelphia Phillies will host the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night, as Cole Hamels will be on the mound for the Phillies. The Dodgers will counter with veteran Derek Lowe, as they look to make their first World Series appearance since defeating the Oakland A's back in 1988. The Phillies last time making it to the National Stage was when they lost the series to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

The Dodgers have prospered in the first year of having former New York Yankees skipper Joe Torre as their manager. Torre was offered a one year contract by the Bronx Bombers but the contract was for less money than he made in 2007. Torre turned the offer down and switched leagues and coasts by going to the Dodgers. The Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is managing in his first League Championship Series. He had previously lost in the Division Series with the Phillies and the Cleveland Indians.

Shields VS. Dice-K In First Game Of ALCS

2008-10-08T20:12:00.002-05:00

James Shields will be on the mound in Tampa Bay Friday night as the Rays make their first appearance in the ALCS in team history. Daisuke Matsuzaka who had an 18-3 record will take the hill for the Boston Red Sox as they will try to make it back to the World Series for the second consecutive year. Boston defeated the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series.

Boston will come back with staff ace Josh Beckett in the second game of the series, as Scott Kasmir toes the rubber for the Rays Saturday. As the series returns to Fenway, for game three Matt Garza will be the pitcher for Tampa Bay, and face Boston hurler Jon Lester. Shields had a 14-8 record for the Rays in their first winning season in the franchise's existence. It was a break through campaign for the team winning the American League East, and defeating the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. Boston the American League Wild Card winner defeated the Los Angeles Angels in the division series playoffs.

ESPN: Tim McCarver Stands By Comments About Manny Ramirez

2008-10-08T17:05:00.000-05:00

ESPN: Tim McCarver Calls Out Manny Ramirez

2008-10-08T17:02:00.000-05:00

"All the Way" - A Chicago Cubs tribute by Eddie Vedder

2008-09-20T04:22:00.003-05:00

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder apparently is a big Chicago Cubs Fan.
I always thought Pearl Jam was from Seattle, why isn't he a Mariners fan?

Manny Being Manny Finally Got To Be Unacceptable

2008-08-01T01:03:00.004-05:00

I don't remember my question, I don't remember his answer, but I will never forget his grin. It was early in the 2001 MLB campaign, and Manny Ramirez now a member of the Boston Red Sox, was going to do something he never did with the Cleveland Indians. He was about to answer one of my questions on the record.

Manny Ramirez was the most exasperating athlete I ever covered in over a decade of covering MLB, the NBA, and the NFL in Cleveland. It wasn't that Manny was a bad guy, he was always very polite, smiled when he saw you. But he was the only athlete I ever covered on a daily basis during my career that I could never get a read on. I never had any idea what went on inside his head, nor did any member of the Cleveland media.

I covered Manny as a radio beat reporter while he played for the Cleveland Indians from 1995-2000. During that time period he never once spoke to a reporter. Not that we didn't try, during Manny's last two seasons in Cleveland, 1999, and 2000, I was one of a trio of radio beat reporters that would approach him once a month. Every month for two seasons we went through the same routine, Manny would be sitting in front of his locker, and one of the three of us would ask him if we could ask him a couple of questions. Very politely Manny would say "Not right now." Our next question would invariably be, in a little while? At which point he would get up look you in the eye smile, say "No" and walk out of the clubhouse.

Manny of course left the Cleveland Indians after the 2000 season as a free agent and signed a mega-deal with the Boston Red Sox. Thus began a love/hate relationship between the fans of Red Sox Nation, the Boston media, Boston management and Manny, that finally ended on July 31, as the Red Sox made a deadline deal trade involving Boston, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny Ramirez is now a Dodger, because after seven and a half seasons, the Red Sox had finally tired of Manny being Manny.

You could be frustrated with Ramirez, but you rarely stayed upset with him for long. He would make a base running blunder in the fourth inning, and get thrown out. Then he would come up in the ninth and hit a walk-off home run. You would start to scream that Ramirez should be a DH, and then he would make a play in left field that you did not think he was capable of. Just when you thought you had Manny figured out, he would totally surprise you. He was a great showman when he wanted to be. The day he was sworn in as a United States citizen, he took his position in left field in Fenway Park waving a tiny American flag.

Red Sox Nation will always be indebted to Manny Ramirez for being a major factor of winning the World Series in 2004, and 2007. He was as much of a factor of the Sox breaking the "Curse of the Bambino" as David Ortiz, and Curt Schilling were. However for almost Manny's entire tenure with the Red Sox, it seemed they were on the verge of trading him. Reports surfaced in 2001, that he was unhappy in Boston and was calling his former teammates in Cleveland, saying he wanted to return there. There was the widely reported incident a few years ago when Manny missed a game against the New York Yankees and then was seen in a hotel bar with Yankees infielder Enrique Wilson his former teammate with Cleveland. Then of course the Red Sox had a trade engineered that was sending Ramirez to the Rangers for A-Rod, but it fell apart and A-Rod was traded to the Yankees.

But this season things went past the point of no return. Earlier this season Ramirez pushed the team's traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground, when Manny did not receive the amount of game tickets he wanted in Houston. Manny later apologized to McCormick, but the gesture was totally out of character for Ramirez. Ramirez for all his faults had always been the laid back goofy guy, not prone to temper tantrums.

However the final straw that broke the proverbial camel's back occurred last Friday. Ramirez who had already been put into the lineup by manager Terry Francona said he could not play because of a bad knee. His timing for this stunt could not be worse, it was the opening game of a three game series at Fenway against the hated Yankees. According to the "Boston Globe" Manny was told that if he did not play Saturday it would be construed as an "act of defiance." Manny played but apparently the Friday night incident made the situation between player and team irrevocable, and the trade was consummated.

Manny Ramirez is one of the greatest hitters of his generation, and is probably a lock for the Hall of Fame. He along with Vladimir Guerrero have the uncanny ability of being able to hit balls way out of the strike zone. Manny is a true hitting savant. But he also is maddening, he can be incredibly indifferent, or incredibly sensitive. And there is no rhyme or reason why he does what he does, it's always been chalked up to "Manny being Manny." The Red Sox will miss his offense, but not his unpredictability. It turns out that Manny was Manny once too often.

ESPN: BBTN Minute: Lester, Red Sox Make History

2008-05-19T23:20:00.000-05:00

ESPN: Jon Lester Reacts After Tossing A No-Hitter Vs. Kansas City

2008-05-19T23:17:00.001-05:00

Yankees Win Final Home Opener At House That Ruth Built Beat Jays 3-2

2008-04-02T03:41:00.002-05:00

The New York Yankees won their final home opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday as they sent their fans home happy with a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang had a very strong outing against Toronto as he went 7 innings allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits, he struck out two, and walked two. Roy Halladay had a quality start, but Wang was just a little better. Halladay also went 7 frames and gave up three runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and giving up 2 free passes. Melky Cabrerra went deep for the Bronx Bombers. New York is now 1-0, while Toronto is 0-1.

Dice-K Dominates As Bo-Sox Top A's 2-1

2008-04-02T03:22:00.002-05:00

Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was like a machine out on the mound Tuesday for the Boston Red Sox as the defeated the Oakland Athletics 2-1. Dice-K threw 6.2 innings for the Red Sox allowing just 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 9 and not walking a batter. He made one mistake, giving up a solo home run to Oakland DH Jack Cust in the second. Oakland starter Joe Blanton was almost as good, but as the old saying goes almost does not count except in horse shoes and hand grenades. Blanton went seven innings, allowed 2 runs, on 2 hits, striking out 3, and walking 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jason Varitek each had 1 RBI for Boston. The Red Sox are now 2-1, while Oakland is 1-2.

E60: Jose Canseco Defends Allegations In 'Vindicated'

2008-04-01T03:12:00.000-05:00

D-Backs Hit 3 HR's, Power Past Reds 4-2

2008-04-01T03:01:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

The formula that enabled the Arizona Diamondbacks to win 90 games last season worked like a charm on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds; three solo home runs and some solid pitching from Brandon Webb and 3 relievers got the Diamondbacks in the right direction, beating the Reds 4-2. The aforementioned Diamondbacks' homers were hit by Chris Young, Eric Byrnes and pinch-hitter Jeff Salazar while Webb (1-0) pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks and recorded 6 strikeouts; Brandon Lyon recorded his first save.

2B Brandon Phillips led the Reds, going 1-of-4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI while Adam Dunn went 0-of-3 with an RBI; starting pitcher Aaron Harang (0-1) didn't pitch badly either, pitching 6 innings, giving up 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, struck out 6 but gave up 2 HR's. Arizona plays Cincinnati again on Wednesday as Dan Haren (0-0) faces Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo (0-0).

Penny, 3 Relievers Pitch Dodgers' Shutout; Blank Giants 5-0

2008-04-01T02:53:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre had a near-sleepless night prior to their home opener against the San Francisco Giants Monday; he had nothing to fear at all as Brad Penny (1-0) and 3 relievers pitched 9 shutout innings, blanking the Giants 5-0 in front of 56,000 at Dodger Stadium. Second baseman Jeff Kent went 2-of-4 with a home run, a run scored and 2 runs batted in while James Loney went 2-of-4 with a stolen base.

San Francisco pitcher Barry Zito (0-1) went 5 innings, allowing 8 hits while allowing 4 earned runs; Aaron Rowand had 2 hits for the Giants. Los Angeles (1-0) plays again on Tuesday night against San Francisco as Derek Lowe will start for the Dodgers while Matt Cain will take the mound for San Francisco.

Joy In TribeVille Mighty Casey Comes On Through Beat Chi-Sox 10-8

2008-03-31T19:47:00.002-05:00

Cleveland Indians third baseman Casey Blake drove in three with a dramatic bases clearing double in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Cleveland Indians open the MLB season 1-0 after defeating the Chicago White Sox Monday 10-8 at the "Prog" in Cleveland. The Tribe had earlier held a 7-2 lead over the Chi-Sox. Chicago though pulled out the lumber touching up 2007 A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia for 5 runs and 6 hits in 5.1 innings. Reliever Jensen Lewis gave up the tying runs in the seventh as Paul Konerko hit a 2 run double. That set the scene for Casey's fireworks in the bottom of the eighth. Rafael Betancourt got the win in relief, Joe Borowski got the save. Octavio Dotel took the loss for Chicago. Jim Thome went deep twice for the White Sox, Jermaine Dye also went yard. Franklin Gutierrez and Grady Sizemore hit round trippers for Cleveland.

Schilling Placed On 60-Day DL

2008-03-13T20:01:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

The Boston Red Sox will be without one of their prominent starting pitchers as according to Howard Ullman of the Associated Press, Curt Schilling was placed on the 60-day disabled list as he continues to rehabilitate his right shoulder; the Red Sox, in a related move, are expected to add pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom to the 40-man roster as a result. Schilling had said that he would have preferred surgery, but the team insisted that he try rehab first; Schilling said that he wasn't hurt when he signed a 1-year, $8 million contract in November 2007.

Former MLB Pitcher Sutcliffe Diagnosed With Cancer

2008-03-13T18:35:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

In a bit of sad news, according to SportsTicker, former major league pitcher and current ESPN baseball analyst Rick Sutcliffe has been diagnosed with colon cancer; the diagnosis took place after a routine physical, according to a statement by the network. Sutcliffe will undergo chemotherapy and surgery within the next 4 months. During a successful 15-year career in which he pitched for 5 teams, Sutcliffe compiled a record of 171-139 with an ERA of 4.08; He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1979, the NL Cy Young award 5 years later and was a 3-time All-Star. We at The Game of Baseball extend our prayers and best wishes in that he has a full and speedy recovery.

Mariners Release Horacio Ramirez

2008-03-12T18:43:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

I guess no matter what MLB team you are, if you have an underachieving player on your roster, you have to explore your available options. The Seattle Mariners did just that when, according to Gregg Bell of the Associated Press, the team released underwhelming starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez; the Mariners got Ramirez from the Atlanta Braves for reliever Rafael Soriano before last season. Ramirez would then proceed to post an 8-7 record with an astronomical 7.16 ERA in 20 starts before being shut down for nearly 2 months because of a sore shoulder.

Last month's trade for former Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard and the acqusition of free-agent starter Carlos Silva left Ramirez in the unenviable position of battling for a long reliever/spot starter position on the ball club with R.A. Dickey; apparently Ramirez's departure was due in no small part to the fact that Dickey was preferred over Ramirez. Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi caught some heat for the acquisition of Ramirez, yet last fall, team president Chuck Armstrong hinted that the trade wasn't Bavasi's fault, but that there was more to the trade.

Back on September 27, 2007, without naming specific incidents, Armstrong said that "a lot of things went on that compelled us to make that move" of Soriano for whatever the Mariners could get. The Mariners signed Ramirez originally to a 1-year, $2.75 million contract just in case the pursuit of Bedard was unsuccessful; with the release of Ramirez, the team saved themselves $229,167, which is the prorated portion of his 2008 salary.

Marlins To Use 4-Man Pitching Rotation Early Season

2008-03-11T18:34:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

Because of some quirks in the early regular season, the Florida Marlins are leaning towards utilizing a 4-man rotation for the short-term; because of of-days on April 3 and 8, the team will probably not need a fifth starter until April 13. Which could be a good thing for the Marlins as 2 of their projected 4 starters are nursing minor injuries; the 2 pitchers in question, Scott Olsen and Sergio Mitre, may not be ready for the beginning of the 2008 season as Olsen is recovering from left shoulder tendinitis and Mitre is struggling with tightness in his right forearm muscle.

When the Marlins' season opens, they plan to use 12 pitchers - 4 starters and 8 relievers; some bullpen spots appear solid but there's unresolved questions about their rotation. Mark Hendrickson has the early lead among the front five, and based on experience alone, Hendrickson could get the nod to be the Opening Day starting pitcher. On the other hand, rookie pitcher Andrew Miller is having issues with his control; at some point in time, Miller is going to be looked upon as the ace of the Marlins' staff, but needs some more refining to reach that lofty goal. Ricky Nolasco, Rick VandenHurk and Gaby are candidates for rotation spots, as well.

Garciaparra's Wrist Better, But Won't Go Overseas

2008-03-11T18:30:00.001-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra's wrist is steadily improving, yet according to the Associated Press, it is uncertain when he will return to the team's lineup. Garciaparra was hit on the right wrist by a pitch Friday during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals; The X-rays were negative, although his wrist is bruised and swollen.

Garciaparra on Tuesday hit in the batting cages with his wrist wrapped; as a result of this injury, Garciaparra has been scratched from the Dodgers' trip to China as exhibition games against the San Diego Padres were scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Beijing, China.

Beckett's Back Still Bothersome Despite Negative MRI

2008-03-11T18:27:00.001-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

The good news for the Boston Red Sox is that ace Josh Beckett's MRI indicate that a disc problem is not the culprit of his current back problem. But Beckett intends not to throw again until the issue is resolved; he told ESPN.com, "We're going to make sure it's completely pain-free. I can't even, really, if lying in one position too long, or sitting in one position too long or standing in one position too long, it kind of goes backwards. I've got to keep moving and stuff like that."

Beckett left Saturday's game against the Florida Marlins without facing a batter when he was bothered by back spasms while throwing his warmup pitches; he stated that his condition, as opposed to improving on Monday, had actually gotten worse. As previously mentioned, an MRI was taken on Beckett's back - which turned out negative - but Red Sox manager Terry Francona has said that he is undecided as to whether Beckett will accompany the team to Japan for a season-opening series against the Oakland A's March 25 and 26.

Damon Catches A Break, No Broken Foot

2008-03-11T14:19:00.003-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

On Tuesday, an MRI was taken and X-rays were performed on New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon's foot, of which the results were negative; Damon suffered the injury during Monday's 4-0 Grapefruit League victory over the Cincinnati Reds when he fouled a ball off of his foot. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the team's website that Damon would be listed as "day-to-day"; however, Damon wasn't on the team's travel roster for Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Rangers' McCarthy Likely To Begin Season On DL

2008-03-10T21:21:00.001-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

Instead of starting the regular season in the Texas Rangers' starting pitching rotation, pitcher Brandon McCarthy will more than likely start the season on the disabled list because of inflammation to his forearm, according to the Associated Press. Even though the initial MRI indicated no ligament damage, McCarthy is expected to miss between 4 to 6 weeks due to a problem that has bothered him and limited him thus far to only one appearance; fortunately, he will not require surgery.

It is possible that rookie right-hander Luis Mendoza could take McCarthy's place in the rotation; another option is Sidney Ponson, who recently agreed to a minor-league contract on Sunday. Ponson last pitched on May 12, 2007 as a member of the Minnesota Twins before being released; since winning 17 games as a member of the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants, he is 24-36 with a 5.86 ERA. McCarthy had 2 visits to the disabled list last season in his first season with the Rangers; he was 5-10 with a 4.87 ERA in 23 games and came to the team in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, that sent SP John Danks to the White Sox

Crede In Chicago - For Now

2008-03-10T14:27:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

Rumors have been abound and rampant about Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede's status; but according to team general manager Ken Williams as told to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Crede is good to go as the Opening Day's starting 3B. Williams added, ''Yes, that can happen. And the most difficult thing in all of this would be if I have to have that conversation with Josh Fields because he has done everything we've asked, and he's played well enough where he deserves to be on a big-league roster.''

Williams did admit that he was approached by 2 teams, but their offers left a lot to be desired; the teams in question here are the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. But Williams reiterated that Crede still has a year left on his current contract; the team plans to keep 2 third basemen, and unless something drastic happens between now and March 31 or so, expect Crede and Josh Fields to break camp as the 3B for the Sox, with Crede the starter on Opening Day.

Chavez Likely To Miss Opener

2008-03-10T14:10:00.002-05:00

Reported By Stephen Rhodes

The chances of Oakland A's third basemen starting in the team's season opener appear remote, at best. At least that's the feeling around the team's clubhouse as of late; the team's trainer, Steve Sayles, wouldn't say whether Chavez would make the team's trip to Japan on March 19, but he told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, "It would be more advantageous if he stayed here and got work done."

Chavez hasn't done much during spring training, as he hasn't done any running or fielding grounders; he has been limited to throwing lightly and batting practice. As anyone who has had a back procedure knows, the recovery time from back surgery can be painfully slow, and the recent epidural that Chavez received further delayed his recovery timetable. At the present rate, it appears that Jack Hannahan, who is batting .391 this spring, will be the likely replacement for Chavez.

U.S. Represenative Henry Waxman Seeks Closure Courtesy Of ESPN

2008-02-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

U.S. Represenative Elijah Cummings Questions Rocket

2008-02-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

U.S. Represenative Tom Davis Explains Why The Hearings Are Happening Courtesy Of ESPN

2008-02-13T13:41:00.001-05:00

U.S. Represenative Dan Burton Question's McNamee's Veracity Courtesy Of ESPN

2008-02-13T13:38:00.001-05:00

Brian McNamee's Opening Statements To Congress Courtesy Of ESPN

2008-02-13T13:37:00.001-05:00

Roger Clemens Opening Statements To Congress Courtesy Of ESPN

2008-02-13T13:35:00.000-05:00

ESPN's Roger Cossack Talks About Pettitte Testimony

2008-02-13T05:36:00.001-05:00

Reports Say Twins To Deal Santana To Mets For Prospects

2008-01-29T18:31:00.000-05:00

"USA Today" reported Tuesday that the Minnesota Twins, and the New York Mets have agreed in principle to a deal that will send former Cy Young Award winner starter Johan Santana to the New York Mets for a bevy of minor league players.

The report says that the trade is contingent on Santana passing a physical, and the Mets and the player's representatives working out a long term contract extension. Santana is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2008 MLB season. The extension is believed to be in the neighborhood of 6-7 years. Santana, has a no trade clause that he would be willing to waive if the deal is consummated. New York and the two time Cy Young Award winner have a window of 48 to 72 hours according to the report to work out the extension.

The report says that the Mets would give the Twins, outfielder Carlos Gomez, and three pitchers. Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber, and Kevin Mulvey would all go to Minnesota, if the proposed deal goes through. Santana, has been the subject of trade speculation since the end of the 2007 World Series. At times it looked like the New york Yankees, and Boston Red Sox were the front runners to land the highly sought after hurler. If the deal is consummated, it would alleviate a lot of criticism that Mets General Manager Omar Minaya has received from the New York Tabloids.

Congress To Delay MLB Hearings

2008-01-10T04:16:00.000-05:00

The United States House Of Represenatives have postponed their hearing in which Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and former trainer Brian McNamee from January 16, until February 13. The delay is to give the congressmen more time to study the case, McNamee who was strength and conditioning coach with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, named Clemens and Pettitte to the Mitchell Commission as being involved with performance enhancing drugs. McNamee claims that he injected Pettitte with HGH, a charge Pettitte does admit to. McNamee also says he was injecting Clemens with Winstrol and HGH. Clemens denies the claims and says he received Lidocaine, and B-12 injection from McNamee. The House Committee will however still meet with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, former Senator George Mitchell, and MLBPA Union rep Donald Fehr on January 15, as originally scheduled

Interview With Marty Stanovich

2008-01-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

The Game Of Baseball's Jeff Sack was a guest on the Marty Stanovich Show Tuesday January 8, 2008 on NEWSRADIO 1620 in Pensacola, Florida. Marty and Jeff discussed The Roger Clemens Interview on CBS 60 Minutes, Rich Gossage's induction into the MLB Hall of Fame and Jim Rice's chance to get in to the Hall in 2009.

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Goose Flies Alone Into Cooperstsown

2008-01-08T15:25:00.000-05:00

Former MLB closer Rich "Goose" Gossage was named Tuesday as the sole member named to the MLB Hall Of Fame Class of 2008. Gossage who was in his ninth year of eligibility was elected with 85.8% of the votes cast by the Baseball Writers Of America, far above the cutoff point for eligibility which is 75%. Jim Rice former Boston Red Sox slugger was just shy of getting elected as he received 71.2% of the vote, next year will be his final year of eligibility. Andre Dawson who spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs captured 65.9% of the votes, while former starter Bert Blyleven garnered 61.9% of the tally. Former Cardinal and Oakland A's slugger Mark McGwire was again, greeted with disdain by most of the writers receiving only 23.6% of the votes, despite his prodigious home run numbers.

Gossage being named was long overdue, frankly I told colleagues when Bruce Sutter was named to the Hall a few years ago, that Gossage deserved equal treatment. Gossage pitched 22 seasons in the Major Leagues and acquired 310 saves. Much of his career was spent in the glaring spotlight of the "Bronx Zoo" AKA the New York Yankees teams of the late 1970's through the middle of the next decade. Gossage not only performed under the glare he thrived on it, becoming a major factor to the success of that era for the Bronx Bombers. Gossage joins, Sutter, Rollie Fingers, Hoyt Wilhelm, and Dennis Eckersley as the only five relievers in Cooperstown.

Clemens Denies Use Of P.E.D.'s

2008-01-08T06:23:00.000-05:00

This segment of Monday's press conference with Roger Clemens had him denying that he ever took any perfomance enhancing drugs.

Clemens Tries to Defend His Name

2008-01-08T06:17:00.000-05:00

What you are about to watch is Roger Clemens Press Conference held Monday January 7, this segment Clemens tries to Defend his Name.

Clemens Phone Conversation With McNamee

2008-01-08T06:07:00.000-05:00

What you are about to watch, and hear is Brian McNamee's phone conversation with Roger Clemens.

Opening Statements By Roger Clemens Attorney

2008-01-08T05:51:00.000-05:00

What you are about to watch is the opening statements made by Roger Clemens attorney at a press conference held Monday 7, that they organized to prove that Clemens did not receive PED's (performance enhancing drugs, as alleged by his former trainer Brian McNamee.

Roberts Admits To Use Of Steroids

2007-12-20T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, issued a statement Thursday night, admitting to taking steroids, but said he only did it once in 2003. Roberts was one of many current and former MLB players named last week in the "Mitchell Report" an investigation into the use of steroids in MLB conducted by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

Roberts in his statement said that he only took the P.E.D. (performance enhancing drug) once in 2003, and immediately felt shame and remorse. Roberts went on to state that his mindset was that this was not the type of person he was, and never did it again. Roberts implied that he was "narced on" by former teammate Larry Bigbie. He said he holds no ill feelings, towards Bigbie, and basically excused Bigbie naming him as something Bigbie felt he needed to do to extricate himself from a bad situation. Bigbie who played with Roberts in Baltimore spoke with the Mitchell Commission, and allegedly recounted a conversation that the two had in 2004.

Last weekend New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite admitted to taking banned substances, also only for a very short period to help him recover from an injury. Earlier this week Roger Clemens who was prominently named in the report, denied taking any steroids, or banned substances.

Prepare yourself for a winter that will be a combination of the McCarthy hearings of the 1950's coupled with I smoked but did not inhale excuses. The witch hunt that is going on as a result of the names released last week, are eerily similar to the search for Communists back in the 1950's by the former Wisconsin Senator. And the excuses by the athletes who are admitting to it sound like trying to say they are just a "little bit pregnant." In Thursday's "USA TODAY" columnist Mike Lopresti asked for someone, anyone to come out and just admit the truth. Sorry Mike, that was tried earlier this Summer by Jason Giambi, who granted an interview to your colleague Bob Nightengale. Giambi was crucified by the "Powers That Be" in MLB, why would any other player even attempt to clear the air, after they saw how the "One Honest Man" was treated?

Interview With Marty Stanovich

2007-12-14T18:53:00.001-05:00

The Game Of Baseball’s Jeff Sack a guest on the Marty Stanovich Show on Pensacola’s Newstalk 1620 on 11/14/07, discussed the fall out after The Mitchell Report and the press conference given by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.

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So What's Next Bud?

2007-12-13T19:54:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you were as disgusted with the "dog and pony" show put on Thursday by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig as I was. This was nothing more than a vaudeville act to get you, the baseball fan in his corner. Hopefully you were able to see through the insincerity that in my opinion oozed through every pore of the former Milwaukee Brewer's owner when he addressed the media after "The Mitchell Report" was released. All of a sudden after at best benign neglect, or even possibly involved in a pro-active way, Selig has hit his "Popeye Mode." He's had all he can stands and he ain't gonna stands for it anymore. Now he's going to become MLB's answer to Roger Goodell and become a tough Commissioner? Sorry Bud, but here's one guy that just won't buy it!

For those of you who were somehow out of the loop on Thursday, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, released his report on his investigation into use of steroids in MLB. It is a 409 page PDF file that I have scanned, but honestly will take me at least a couple of days to fully digest. A list of current and former players were named as allegedly involved with steroids. The list is on this site, you can peruse it for yourself, you maybe surprised at some names listed, you also may be surprised at some names not on the list. Although, I have my own private conjecture on certain players who were left off, I will keep them to myself. I will not drag somebody's name through the mud, based on suspicions.

I was a guest on a Sports Talk Show on a radio station in Pensacola, Florida Thursday afternoon. I brought up the point that if it were not for the "tell all" book by Jose Canseco that MLB players would never have had to testify in front of Congress in March of 2005. Selig and MLBPA Union Chief Donald Fehr also testified. The reason that MLB enacted more stringent penalties for use of steroids, and eventually amphetamines, was Congress told MLB to get their act together. Congress in no uncertain terms, told Selig and Fehr, clean up your house or we will clean it up for you. The time period that is covered by the names in the "Mitchell Report" the penalty for a first time offense was counseling. That was it, no suspensions, no fines, you had to talk to somebody about your problem. Selig can not possibly impose tougher sanctions now than were in place when the infractions took place. The Union would not stand for it, and no way would it stand up in a court of law.

So basically Selig saying he was going to handle current players on a case by case basis is meaningless. Unless there is solid proof, of these players taking banned substances, after tougher sanctions were imposed, Selig was just full of hot air. This Pandora's box opened on Thursday will not be closed any time soon. Let's see what the Commissioner does next.

Mitchell List Realeased

2007-12-13T17:12:00.000-05:00

The Following names are current and former MLB players named Thursday in the George Mitchell Steroid Investigation:

Manny Alexander

Chad Allen

Rick Ankiel

David Bell

Mike Bell

Gary Bennett Jr.

Marvin Bernard

Larry Bigbie

Barry Bonds

Kevin Brown

Paul Byrd

Ken Caminiti

Jose Canseco

Mark Carreon

Jason Christiansen

Howie Clark

Roger Clemens

Paxton Crawford

Jack Cust

Chris Donnels

Brendan Donnelly

Lenny Dykstra

Bobby Estalella

Ryan Franklin

Matt Franco

Eric Gagne

Jason Giambi

Jeremy Giambi

Jay Gibbons

Troy Glaus

Juan Gonzalez

Jason Grimsley

Jose Guillen

Jerry Hairston

Matt Herges

Phil Hiatt

Glenallen Hill

Darren Holmes

Todd Hundley

Wally Joyner

Chuck Knoblauch

Tim Laker

Mike Lansing

Paul Lo Duca

Exavier "Nook" Logan

Jose Manzanillo

Gary Matthews Jr.

Mark McGwire

Cody McKay

Kent Mercker

Bart Miadich

Hal Morris

Guillermo Mota

Denny Neagle

Jim Parque

Andy Pettitte

Adam Piatt

Todd Pratt

Stephen Randolph

Adam Riggs

Brian Roberts

John Rocker

F.P. Santangelo

Benito Santiago

Scott Schoeneweis

David Segui

Gary Sheffield

Sammy Sosa

Mike Stanton

Miguel Tejada

Ismael Valdez

Maurice Vaughn

Randy Velarde

Ron Villone

Fernando Vina

Rondell White

Jeff Williams

Matt Williams

Todd Williams

Steve Woodard

Kevin Young

Greg Zaun

Twins And Red Sox Continue Talks On Santana

2007-12-11T18:55:00.000-05:00

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Tuesday that the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox are still engaged in talks concerning Twins starter Johann Santana. According to the reports, Boston has offered two different packages trying to entice the Twins. Bo-Sox have put one deal headed up by starting pitcher Jon Lester, the other package would have center fielder Jacob Ellsbury as the center. Minnesota, who lost their center fielder Torrii Hunter to free agency are said to be favoring the deal featuring Ellsbury.

Boston, who won the World Series, would have one of the top starting rotations in all of MLB if they add Santana to their staff. Boston already has 20 game winner Josh Beckett, ageless wonder Curt Schilling, and Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka in the rotation. If the Red Sox could acquire Santana, the staff would hearken back to legendary starting rotation of the Baltimore Orioles. Boston is almost a guaranteed sold-out game in most opponent's stadiums, where Major League Baseball Tickets become an even more valuable commodity, they could just about sell All-Star Game Tickets with that rotation. They would also have to be prohibitive favorites to be able sell World Series Game Tickets if they acquire one of MLB's best starters.

Confessions Of A Self Proclaimed Baseball Addict

2007-12-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

During the Summer of 2006, a few members of the Cleveland Sports Media were sitting in the Jacobs Field press box, before a midseason Indians game. A friend, and colleague, Justice B. Hill who works for MLB.com told me he was doing an article on the inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Without much thought, I started spouting off the names as if they were members of my family. "Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Babe Ruth" I said matter of factly. Justice looked taken aback, that I, had so easily listed the players. His eyes grew big with surprise, and he told me that he was very impressed. I may have been more surprised than he was! Those names were ingrained in my head, long before I learned my multiplication tables. Who didn't know of Honus Wagner, the Flying Dutchman, whose huge paws scooped up pebbles as he fielded grounders at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates? Ty Cobb, maybe one of the most vicious, yet equally talented players to ever take the field. A man who sharpened his spikes before every game in order to intimidate opponents. Christy Mathewson,"Big Six" who along with his manager, John McGraw, made the Giants the first New York powerhouse, back when the Yankees, were known as the Highlanders. Mathewson, a cultured gentleman, back when most ballplayers were known as "hooligans" suffered from the effects of mustard gas back in World War One. He returned from Europe, a shell of his former self, and passed away long before his time. Walter "The Big Train" Johnson, one of the most dominant pitchers of all time, who played for the hapless Senators, when Washington, was "First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League. And of course the man who saved baseball, The Bambino, George Herman "Babe" Ruth, the man who set the standard for the modern sports superstar. A man who did everything on a grander than life size scale, he lived his life obsessed by the three "B's" booze, broads, and baseball. If Ruth played today in the Bronx, his off field exploits would be plastered each day on the back page of the New York tabloids. But not back in the twenties, and thirties, when there was a more simpatico relationship between the press and the players. Ruth literally changed the way the game was played. To put things in perspective, lets look at the game's first power hitter, Frank "Home Run" Baker. Home Run Baker's largest home run production was 12 round trippers!! Ruth eventually hit 60 in one year, five times the amount!!

My Childhood, was filled with reading of the exploits of early baseball players. Rabbit Maranville, the slick fielding shortstop, who might have been the Omar Vizquel of his day. Tris Speaker, the consummate athlete, both at the plate and on the field. Legendary managers, like the Giants' McGraw, a former player who was one of the toughest competitors to ever walk the planet. His polar opposite Connie Mack, who managed and owned the Philadelphia A's, looked like a bank president. Each day he took the field in a formal black business suit and tie, the baseball patrician. Pitchers like Cy Young and Grover Alexander, (who was portrayed on the screen by Ronald Reagan, probably the best piece of acting that Dutch ever did.) The Dean brothers, Dizzy, and Daffy, the "Gashouse Gang" from St. Louis, which featured Tinker, to Evers, to Chance, one of the greatest infields of all time! Guys like Mel Ott, Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, and Pie Traynor.

Reading about the color line finally being broken thanks to Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey,and maybe the bravest player to ever lace them up, Jackie Robinson. Robinson, agreeing not to allow the denigrating behavior from Caucasian ballplayers to get under his skin, opened the door for the mass exodus of great African American players to enter the game over the next few decades. Players such as Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, currently the game's leader for most home runs in a career. The starcrossed Roy Campanella, who had the potential to become the most prolific catcher of all time, seeing his career end playing for the Dodgers, when he was crippled in an auto accident.

The New York Yankees could populate an entire wing of the Hall of Fame just by themselves. Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Joe Dimaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Mickey Mantle, just to skim the surface. The Cleveland Indians, with players like Lou Boudreau, Mel Harder, Larry Doby, Al Rosen, and a man I actually have the pleasure of knowing, Mr. Bob Feller. The man from Iowa, pitched his rookie season in the Bigs as a high school junior!! The great Latin players, who started to come to the majors in the fifties. Athletes like Cookie Rojas, Louie Aparaicio, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Perez, Juan Marichal, the flame thrower from the San Francisco Giants, who almost ended Dodgers catcher Johnny Roseboro's career, when he hit the backstop upside the coconut with a Louisville Slugger.

My first time in a major league ballpark was in 1961. It was a Sunday afternoon doubleheader (yes they actually SCHEDULED doubleheaders back then, believe it or not!) My beloved Boston Red Sox were hosting the Kansas City A's. Neither team was good, the Bo-Sox would end up in sixth place that year in the American League. The A's mired in tenth (yes, one division, ten teams, no playoffs, boy how times have changed!) I didn't care about the standings, I was about to see my heroes, up close and in color, as opposed to the black and white image we saw on TV. I remember like it was yesterday, going into the bowels of the stadium, which reeked of stale beer, tobacco, and peanuts. At first I was disappointed, this dump was Fenway? That feeling vanished within seconds as I left the tunnel and approached the field. At that moment, I would experience for the first time what would occur each and every time I went to the place. Author John Updike,in a quote that has become immortal,put it best, "Fenway Park, is a little lyrical bandbox of a ballpark. Everything is painted green and seems in curiously sharp focus like the inside of an old fashioned Easter Egg." His description was perfect, it literally took my breath away, and still does, when ever I approach the field. I never get that experience in any other ballpark, maybe like with love it's because it was my first.

1967 was the "Summer Of Love" in San Francisco. Bostonians, were on a different kind of high, this one was caused by inhaling horsehide fumes. It was the year of "The Impossible Dream" a song from the play "The Man From La Mancha" a play that was sweeping the country, just like the boys from Fenway were sweeping the Bay State. The Red Sox who had been non-factors in the American League since the early fifties, were battling for the pennant. The same team that had finished one game out of last place the year before, was led by a fiery young manager named Dick Williams, and two players. Jim Lonborg, won over twenty games that season and was the ace of the Boston pitching staff. But the man who carried the club on his shoulders, was the team captain, Carl Yastremski. Yaz as he was universally known around New England, had the single greatest season that I have ever witnessed. He won the league's triple crown, the last player in either league to accomplish it, and was the A.L. MVP. Yaz, along side young players like centerfielder Reggie Smith, second baseman Mike Andrews, and the "Boomer" George Scott, the first baseman who was always looking for "Taters" his euphemism for home runs. This scrappy charismatic team took the region by storm, and made Boston the baseball crazed city that it remains to this day.

The Sox won the pennant clinching on the final day of the campaign against the Minnesota Twins. But they actually had to wait and see if they would advance to "The Show", or would have to play a one game playoff against Detroit. If the Tigers, defeated the California Angels, a showdown would be forced. But the fates were kind to New England, and the Tigers went down to defeat. Boston would take on the St. Louis Cardinals, ironically their opponent the last time they went to the series in 1946. The Sox had lost that battle, leaving them without a World Series championship since 1918. I experienced the type of excitement only an eleven year old seeing his team in contention for the first time could feel. However my elation increased tenfold when my dad, told me that he had tickets for the two of us for Game Six. The next few days were a blur, I wasn't guaranteed to be going to any game. If either St. Louis, or Boston won in five games or less, all I would have was a useless ticket as a memento. But again the fates smiled upon me as the two teams took the field for game six, with my dad, and me, sitting on the first base line. The Sox sent Gary Waslewski to the mound, a journeyman, who was getting his fifteen minutes of fame. Waslewski did not get the victory, but the Sox did, by the score of 8-4 with reliever Johnny Wyatt getting the "W". I was higher than a kite, convinced that my club would win the final game and the series.

In the next 24 hours, my eleven year old heart was broken for the first time. Hall of Fame Legend, Bob Gibson, the nastiest right hander I have ever seen on the mound, was pitching for St.Louis, the Sox went with the guy that brought them to the dance, Jim Lonborg. Unfortunately, Lonborg's magic had started to run out (it vanished completely that winter when he broke his leg in a skiing accident, he was never the same pitcher.) Gibby and his team sent Boston to defeat, and I had to learn about keeping a stiff upper lip, and being a gracious loser. Concepts that were completely foreign to an eleven year old.

Boston would be in contention every year for almost the next decade, but never getting back to the big dance. Instead the American League was dominated first by the Detroit Tigers, who won it all in 1968, with 30 game winner Denny McClain setting the pace. The Orioles were the big boys the next few years, with the the Robinson Boys, Frank, and Brooks, the man who looked like a wall with a face first baseman Boog Powell, and the most dominant pitching staff in the last 40 years. Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, Dave McNally, and Jim Palmer were a virtual machine mowing down all American League foes in their path. They lost the series, in 1969, to the Miracle Mets. However they won it all the next year, defeating the Cincinnati Reds. Although, I had liked the "Birds" earlier, by the time they went to the series in 1971, I wanted to see them go down to defeat. Pittsburgh Pirates superstar, Roberto Clemente, almost single handily kept me from being disappointed. The most graceful athlete, I have ever seen on a diamond took his club to the promised land, defeating the Orioles in seven games. Unfortunately, Roberto would not grace the planet much longer, dying on a humanitarian aid trip to Nicaragua, his plane crashing on New Years Eve 1973.

Boston had let Dick Williams go as manager, and he resurfaced with the Oakland A's. For the next three years, that team not only dominated the game, but American culture also, as guys like Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, Blue Moon Odom, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Rudi became household names. But the A.L. East would come back to win the pennant in 1975, as none other than the Boston Red Sox, still led by Captain Carl, but now augmented by young stars like Freddie Lynn, Carlton Fisk, and Rick Burleson brought back "Pennant Fever" to Boston. The Sox took on Cincinnati, and again made it to the seventh game, before losing what many baseball historians call the greatest World Series of all time.

Although I have a different perspective of baseball now then as a child, or even as a young man, I still love the game. Being a member of the Sports Media, I try to remain at least outwardly unbiased. I, have learned first hand that baseball is a business first, and seeing behind the scenes has taken away some of the glamour that I had earlier believed to be there. But, to me it is still the perfect sport. Yes, the NBA is like a video game, where as Baseball is more like a chess match, but don't we have room for both? Yes we have found out recently that some of our so called heroes, have feet of clay, but that has been going on since the days of the Black Sox scandal. The game is bigger, than any one player, or for that matter any one era. In some ways baseball has come a long way between the times of Rabbit Maranville, and Omar Vizquel. In some ways it hasn't changed at all.
© Copyrightthesackattack.com 2007

Little Steinbrenner Says Santanna Deal Probably Will Not Go Down

2007-12-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

Hank Steinbrenner son of George, and the man who has seemingly become the face of the New York Yankees since last season ended, said the Yankees attempt to get Minnesota starter Johann Santanna is probably dead. Reports out of New York Tuesday, say that "Little Steinbrenner" imposed a a deadline for a deal with the Twins for the pitcher, According to the reports, the two sides could not come up with a workable deal. Steinbrenner said the deal was now probably not going to happen. Reportedly the Bronx Bombers had offered the Twins Melky Cabrerra, the New York centerfielder, and starter Phil Hughes. Allegedly, the Twins wanted more for Santanna who will become a free agent at the end of the 2008 campaign.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

This Is How Bonds Career Ends Not With A Bang But With A Whimper

2007-11-22T23:17:00.000-05:00

How sad is it for the "National Pastime" that two record holders of two of the most important categories in MLB could be banned from Cooperstown? Pete Rose of course was deemed ineligible by the late MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti for betting on games. How much do you think that current Commissioner Bud Selig is salivating over the prospects of banning his personal nemesis Barry Bonds from Baseball? And of course that would mean that the men who hold the records for most hits, and most home runs would be banned from Baseball Valhalla.

When the indictment came down on November 15, charging Bonds with perjury, and obstruction of justice, his playing days came to an end. Remember he is a free agent no team has any financial, legal, ethical, or moral obligations to him. He is adrift in a very unkind sea, that is highly unlikely to give him any solace. With these charges hanging over Bonds head no team in the Majors will have any thing to do with him. The players union can't help him, saying it's collusion, that dog won't hunt. No team is obliged to even meet with him.

As I have written often over the last ten months, Bonds is a product of the times, and his own worst enemy. To think that Bonds was some sort of exception in that he allegedly used performance enhancing substances is delusional. Not even the biggest Baseball loyalist in the world would buy that. No, as I said he is a product of the times, if not encouraged by MLB certainly not discouraged strongly enough. I have made this point before, if not for Canseco's book there would be no stronger steroid prohibitions in MLB than there was in 2002. But Canseco's book got Congress involved, who told Selig and Donald Fehr to get their house in order or they would do it for them. Just like magic tougher and more stringent rules were put in place.

But, as I also just wrote Bonds is own worst enemy. As much as athletes, and many members of the public feel the "Media" is one faceless homogeneous glob it's not true. We are depicted as soulless vampires who derive pleasure in reporting controversy. Now don't get me wrong, there are some members of my profession that fit that description. But as a whole most of us are just hard working people that just want to do our jobs in as pleasant environment as possible. Which would you rather go into a NFL locker room of a team that just won, or a team that just got their heads handed to them? Granted, I have gotten some of my best interviews after losses, but the tension in any Pro locker room after a loss is palpable. You are dealing with highly competitive athletes who are pumped with testosterone. Woe be that reporter that asks that stupid question, they will be lit up like a Christmas Tree!

Most of us who have covered the NFL, MLB, and the NBA, have formed good working relationships with athletes we cover on a daily basis. We are people with emotions and feelings just as they are. Treat me right, and I am the best friend you will ever have. But if you treat me wrong, watch your back. I believe most people are like that and respond in kind, Barry Bonds does not fit into that group.

The one word that best describes Barry Bonds in my mind is surly. He seems to have a permanent sneer on his face and always has a defensive look in his eye, as if he is ready to pounce. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword, and Bonds is feeling that blade's effects now. Ty Cobb, could be a racist piece of crud back at the turn of the last century. He would never be able to get away with that vile behavior in the days of ESPN, and the Internet. What we reap we sow, and Barry Bonds crops look like poison ivy.

Torii Signs With Halos

2007-11-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

USA Today is reporting that free agent center fielder Torii Hunter has signed a 5 year deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The paper says the information was conveyed to them through Hunter's agent, Larry Reynolds. According to the reports the deal for the former Minnesota Twins player is worth $90 million over the five year pact. The Angels have had a busy week, earlier trading shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox for starter Jon Garland. Hunter during the 2007 campaign hit .287 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI. Reportedly Hunter was courted by the White Sox, the Texas Rangers, and the Kansas City Royals, but chose to take the Angels pact. Hunter maybe most personified the turnaround of the Minnesota Twins during the early part of the decade. The Twins went from a team that was a candidate for being being dissolved to a playoff team. Minnesota has a young talented center fielder at their Triple A franchise in Rochester, Denard Span, but the team was not excited about season he had in 2007.

Rollins Named National League MVP

2007-11-21T18:32:00.000-05:00

MLB has announced that Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins has been named the National League MVP for the 2007 campaign. Rollins is the second consecutive Philadelphia player to win the award. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the award in 2006. Rollins withstood a lot of criticism from many corners by saying before the season that he expected the Phillies to be the team to beat in the N.L. East. The New York Mets had won the division in 2006, and led for most of the 2007 season. But a combination of a Philadelphia surge and a New York collapse got the Phillies the title.

Rollins won the award in the closest contest in 16 years. He beat out Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holiday by a vote of 353-336. Rollins received 16 first place votes while Holliday captured 11 first place ballots. Rollins was the first shortstop in the National League to win the MVP since Barry Larkin won the award in 1995. Rollins also was awarded the NL Gold Glove at shortstop, Larkin and Dodgers legend Maury Wills are the only two other shortstops to win both awards the same year.

A-Rod Wins Third MVP Award

2007-11-20T01:24:00.000-05:00

MLB announce Monday what the world of Baseball had known for months, Alex Rodriguez was named the American League MVP. Rodriguez who had a career year, helped propel the New York Yankees back into contention in the pennant race, as they made the American League Playoffs as the Wild Card.

Rodriguez hit .316 had 54 home runs and 156 RBI. It was the third year out of the last five A-Rod has won the award. He ended up with a total of 382 votes, far outdistancing runner up Detroit outfielder Magglio Ordonez, who had 258 votes. Angels star Vladimir Guerrero finished third, and then two Boston players David Ortiz and Mike Lowell rounded out the top five.

Rodriguez is still in negotiations with the New York Yankees on a new contract, after opting out of his old deal during the World Series. Both sides say talks are progressing in a positive manner.

© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Peavey Wins NL Cy Young

2007-11-15T19:04:00.000-05:00

When MLB announced on Tuesday, that Cleveland Indians starter CC Sabathia was the American League's Cy Young Award winner, former Indians pitcher and MLB Hall of Fame Bob Feller was asked for his thoughts. Feller said he was very impressed. Feller told the reporter that he had never in spite of all his accomplishments in the Big Leagues won a Cy Young Award. Feller then said "Cy Young never won a Cy Young award either."

Well Jake Peavey of the San Diego Padres has won a Cy Young award, MLB announced on Thursday. Not only did he win it, he was the unanimous choice by the BBWA winning all 32 first place votes. The last time that occurred was in 2002 as the Big Unit Randy Jonson got all 32 while pitching for Arizona. Peavey led the National League in wins with 19, strikeouts with with 240, and his 2.54 ERA was a league best as well. Peavey's Padres were eliminated in a one day playoff for the Wild Card spot by the Colorado Rockies. Arizona Diamonbacks starter Brandon Webb, finished second, L.A. Dodgers Brad Penny came in third, and Cincinnati's Aaron Harang finished fourth in the voting.

Wedge And Melvin Named Managers of the Year

2007-11-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

MLB has announce that Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin and Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge have been named respectively National League and American League Managers of the Year. Melvin took a team that was in last place in the National League West in 2006, to Division Champions in 2007. The Diamondbacks were eliminated in the N.L.C.S. by the Colorado Rockies. Melvin received 119 votes to win the award by a comfortable margin, his nearest competitor was Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel who finished with 76 votes. Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle whose team finished as the Wild card winner came in third place while Lou Piniella, in his first year managing the Chicago Cubs came in fourth.

Wedge won the award with 116 votes over Angels manager Mike Scioscia who had 62 votes. Former Yankees manager, now L.A. Dodgers manager Joe Torre finished third while World Series Champion Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona finished in fourth place. If John Wayne was ever a MLB manager he would have been Eric Wedge. When Cleveland Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro first started talking about then Triple A Buffalo Bisons manager Eric Wedge in the fall of 2002 when he was a candidate for the parent club's vacant field boss job, the words dynamic and intense came up a lot. Those words still apply. Wedge can say more with a glare or a raised eyebrow than most people could say in a 10 minute monologue. He treats people as individuals, yet realizes, no part is greater than the whole. The word TEAM means a lot to Eric Wedge, a philosophy he has stressed since day one. That is why the Cleveland Indians this year are playing better than the sum of their collective parts. Because of Wedge's team concept. I had the pleasure of covering "Skip" as I called him for four seasons, he is one of the most impressive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

C.C. Wins American League Cy Young Award

2007-11-13T20:45:00.000-05:00

I have known Cleveland Indians starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia since his rookie year in 2001. I have watched this young man grow up in front of me as I covered him for 81 home games from his rookie year through the 2006 season. I covered one series this season, as the Indians took on the Atlanta Braves. CC and I had an interview which is on this site

http://thegameofbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/06/one-on-one-interviews-w-indians.html

I predicted back in February of this year on our sister site www.thesackattack.com that Sabathia would win 20 games in the 2007 campaign. Because of lack of offensive support, Sabathia did not fulfill my prediction, even though he could easily have had 24 victories. But C.C. ended up with two prizes that were sweeter than 20 victories. He helped lead the Cleveland Indians all the way to the 7th game of the A.L.C.S., and Tuesday MLB named him the winner of the 2007 Ameican League Cy Young Award.

C.C. beat out Red Sox starter Josh Beckett for the award by a large margin, he had 19 first place votes and 119 votes in total. Beckett received 8 first place votes and a total of 86 votes. Sabathia went 19-7 his best year in the Majors. As I wrote at the beginning of this piece, I have known C.C. since he was a rookie. He represents everything that is good about Sports, he's a team player, he's humble, and most importantly he is a good man. Congratulations C.!

Braun & Pedroia Named Rookies Of The Year

2007-11-13T20:12:00.000-05:00

MLB have named Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun third baseman the National League Rookie of the Year. They also named Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia as the American League Rookie of the year. Pedroia, of course was a member of the team that won the 2007 World Series.

Braun won the award in the closest vote ever as he beat out Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki by just 2 votes 128-126. Braun hit .324 with 34 home runs, and a .623 slugging percentage. He lead all rookies in home runs.

Pedroia bounced back from a terrible month of April to win the award. He hit an anemic .182 in April but finished the campaign with a .317 batting average. Pedroia accumulated 132 votes, he beat out Tampa Bay Devil Rays rightfielder Delmon Young. Pedroia won by a much larger margin than his N.L. counterpart, getting 132 votes to Young's 56.

Bo-Sox Sign Schilling For 2008

2007-11-08T00:51:00.000-05:00

The World Series Champions Boston Red Sox have signed veteran pitcher Curt Schilling for a one year contract for the 2008 campaign. Schilling signed a one year pact with Boston reported to be for $8 million, but could possibly be worth as much as another $5 million in incentives and bonuses. There was much speculation that Schilling pitched his final game for Boston during the Red Sox victorious sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the Series. Boston is now in talks with free agent third baseman Mike Lowell who was the MVP in the World Series for the Red Sox.

Dodgers Make It Official Torre Manager

2007-11-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

The Los Angeles Dodgers Monday for the first time in the almost 50 years the franchise has been in L.A. held a press conference in center field in Dodgers Stadium. It was also the first time that Los Angeles had ever hired a high profile manager, as former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre was officially hired as Dodgers manager.

The press conference concluded a chaotic week for the Dodgers organization, as rumours of first Joe Girardi, and the Torre surfaced as the new Los Angeles manager. There was only one problem, the Dodgers had a manager that was give public assurance that he would be back. But Grady Little who had spent two seasons as the Dodgers manager did not need a rock to fall on him to tell him he was not wanted. He resigned from the position last week calling it a "mutual resignation."

Torre said he was feeling very emotional as he was introduced to the media and the fans of Los Angeles. He also said that he believed the "Dodgers were always special and I certainly expect the Dodgers will always be special." He said that he had not slept at all the previous night.

John Russell New Pirates Skipper

2007-11-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

Two years ago John Russell was fired as third base coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a casualty of a regime change as the Bucs fired manager Lloyd McClendon. Pittsburgh hired former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Jim Tracy to take over as bench boss, but he was let go at the end of the season that just ended. Monday must have felt like Deja-Vu for Russell as he was brought back to the Pirates, this time as manager.

Russell who managed the Ottawa Lynx in the International League the past two seasons, was excited to be back in Pittsburgh. It was the first major hire by new Pirates General Manager Neil Huntington who came over to the Bucs from the Cleveland Indians organization. Russell believes that the Pirates have a good core of players and they are not far away from winning. That would certainly be good news to fans of the Pirates, a team that has not had a winning season since 1992.

Torre Named As Dodgers Manager

2007-11-01T20:33:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press announced Thursday that the Los Angeles Dodgers have hired Joe Torre to be their new manager. The report says that the former Yankee skipper has agreed to a three year deal for $13 million. The report also says that his bench coach with New York Don Mattingly will be going to Los Angeles as well as part of his staff. Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda speaking for team owner Frank McCourt said that the team was excited by the hiring. Torre turned down a one year incentive laden contract to remain with the Yankees last month. He will be introduced as the manager of the Dodgers on Monday. Next year the team will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in Los Angeles. The team moved from Brooklyn, New York where there still remain grieving fans.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

RedBirds Name Mozeliak As New G.M.

2007-11-01T03:10:00.000-05:00

The ST. Louis Cardinals announced Wednesday that they have filled their vacant General Manager position with a very familiar face. They have named former assistant G.M. John Mozeliak to take over from his former boss Walt Jocketty. The 38 year old Mozeliak had been Jocketty's assistant for the last five years, he was given a three year pact. The Cardinals did interview outside candidates for the job, Chris Antonetti who is assistant General Manager for the Indians, Rick Hahn from Colorado, and Peter Woodfork from the D-Backs. Mozeliak has been with ST. Louis for the last 12 years holding a variety of positions within the organization.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Grady Liitle Resigns As Dodgers Manager

2007-10-31T01:23:00.000-05:00

Grady Little got a raw deal, sorry there is just no way you can spin it other wise. Little who was given public assurance by Los Angeles management that he would be back on the Dodgers bench next season as manager will not be back. In what Little termed "a mutual resignation" Little and the Dodgers parted ways Tuesday paving the way for the possibility of Joe Torre coming in as manager.

Little did not have a great year as Dodgers manager this past season, the club went 82-80, and there was talk of dissension in the clubhouse. But if Los Angeles management wanted him out, they should have fired him, not make statements that he would be back. Last week rumors started to surface that new Yankees manager Joe Girardi was having discussions with the Dodgers for the managers job. Monday the Journal News out of New York reported that Torre would be getting the job. Where I grew up they call that back stabbing, Little deserved better.

I had the pleasure covering Grady Little for two seasons when he was the Cleveland Indians bench coach. I have never met a classier or more proud man in professional sports. When word came back to Grady that the Dodgers were engaged in subterfuge, he did the right thing. He would not put up with the chicanery and told Los Angeles that he did not need this aggravation. Little said that he resigned for "personal reasons." It was unfortunately made too public by an organization that went back on it's commitment.

Yankees Introduce New Skipper Joe Girardi

2007-10-30T17:27:00.000-05:00

The New York Yankees introduced their new bench boss Joe Girardi to the fans and the media on Tuesday. Girardi who was a broadcaster this past season with the Yankees was one of three candidates who were interviewed to take over as manager from the departed Joe Torre. Girardi was a catcher and a bench coach for New York, he then became manager of the Florida Marlins. Girardi who was named National League Manager of the Year was fired after one year because of disagreements with Florida owner Jeffrey Loria. Girardi said during his press conference that there was only one Joe Torre and he will manage as he sees fit. He said the only way he can be successful is by being who he is.

© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Reports Say That Torre Will Become New Dodgers Manager

2007-10-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

The Journal News reported on Monday that according to their sources, The Los Angeles Dodgers will fire current L.A. manager Grady Little and replace him with former Yankees skipper Joe Torre. The Journal News which is based in New York and serves Westchester and adjoining counties, say that the move could be made as early as Tuesday. The report also said that Yankees bench coach Don Mattingly will become Torre's bench coach with the Dodgers. Mattingly was one of three candidates interviewed to replace Torre, but reports out of New York say that the job was offered to Joe Girardi. Kevin Long the New York hitting coach could be heading west as well.Dodgers management pledged at the end of the season that Little would be back as manager next year. Los Angeles finished with an 82-80 record, and there were reports of dissension in the clubhouse.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Braves Trade Renteria To Tigers For Prospects

2007-10-29T23:30:00.000-05:00

Can somebody please explain to me why Edgar Renteria keeps getting traded? After hitting .332 in the season that just came to an end for the Atlanta Braves the shortstop who is a 12 year veteran of the Major Leagues was traded on Monday to the Detroit Tigers. In return Atlanta gets Jair Jurrjens a right handed pitcher who after spending most of the year in the minors finished the year with the Tigers. They also get Gorkys Hernandez an outfielder who played at the Single A level last year. Renteria who is also a slick fielding shortstop has gone from ST. Louis in 2004, Boston in 2005, who then traded him to the Braves where he played for the last two seasons. Renteria says he is happy to be reunited with Tigers manager Jim Leyland who was his manager in 1997 when they both won World Series rings with Florida. I realize that Atlanta is hot on prospect Yunel Escobar who they see as a less expensive alternative to the veteran who may have a huge upside. Still to give up a proven commodity like Renteria does not make sense to this observer. Detroit will move former shortstop Carlos Guillen to first base which will be less stressful on his balky knees.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Reports Out Of New York Say Girardi Is Yankees Choice

2007-10-29T16:14:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press reported Monday that the New York Yankees have chosen Joe Girardi to become the next bench boss of the team replacing the departed Joe Torre. According to the report negotiations are taking place at this time between the organization and Girardi's agent finalize the pact. Girardi was one of three candidates interviewed for the job, bench coach Don Mattingly and first base coach Tony Pena also received interview sessions. Girardi who was a broadcaster on Yankees games this past season is a former Yankees player and coach. He managed the Florida Marlins in 2006 and was named National League Manager of the Year but was fired after the season for disagreements between Girardi and the Marlins team owner. No word on when an update will be forthcoming.

Reports Say That A-Rod Will Opt Out

2007-10-29T15:42:00.000-05:00

If you were watching Game Four of the 2007 World Series Sunday night, you may have been intrigued when Fox Sports Reporter Ken Rosenthal reported from the stands in the fourth inning. The information that Rosenthal broke concerned neither of the two teams playing the Colorado Rockies or the 2007 MLB World Series champions the Boston Red Sox. No instead the news was about the team that you either adore or despise the New York Yankees, and the player who will probably be named the 2007 American League MVP Alex Rodriguez. Rosenthal breathlessly told the planet's baseball fans during the final game of MLB's Crown Jewels that he had just finished talking with Scott Boras the agent for the New York third baseman. Rosenthal then said that Boras had revealed to him that Rodriguez had decided to opt out of the final years of his contract making him a free agent.

As of Monday afternoon the New York Yankees had received no official notification from Boras or A-Rod that he was opting out. New York General Manager Brian Cashman had previously said that if A-Rod opts out that the Yankees will not get into the bidding. New York had reportedly put together a proposal for a five year extension onto his previous contract. However if Rodriguez opts out rather than extends the current deal the Texas Rangers would no longer have any financial responsibility. Rodriguez originally signed a 10 year deal with Texas for $252 million, and Texas is still paying a large sum of his yearly contract since he was traded to the Bronx Bombers.

As a capitalist myself and someone who believes in the free market system, I wish A-rod good luck in getting what ever the market will bear. That's the American Dream, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. However the timing was beyond bad taste. Three parties should feel shame and revulsion as they look in the mirror. Scott Boras, Ken Rosenthal, and Fox Sports. The one who probably is least to blame is Boras, he did what he should for his client get maximum exposure. But in Rosenthal's and Fox haste to get the exclusive they shifted the focus off the field at a time that was totally inappropriate. MLB players go through torture to get to where these two team the Rockies and the Red Sox were Sunday night. Anything short of apocalyptic news should have been held until after the game concluded.

Lets Do It Again! Bo-Sox Sweep Rockies 4-1 Win World Series!

2007-10-28T13:21:00.000-05:00

After an 86 year drought the Boston Red Sox have won their second World Series in four years as they swept the Colorado Rockies Sunday night in Denver with a 4-1 victory. It is also the second World Series sweep by Boston in the last four years as they swept the ST. Louis Cardinals in 2004.

The Red Sox scored off Colorado starter Aaron Cook in the first as David Ortiz had a RBI single driving home leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury who started off the game with a double. Boston scored their second run off Cook as third baseman Mike Lowell led off the top of the fifth with a double, and scored as catcher Jason Varitek singled him home. The Sox drove Cook from the game in the top of the seventh, as Lowell led off the inning with a homer. Cook ended up going 6 plus innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits striking out 3 and walking no one.

Boston started Jon Lester who was just the ticket for the Red Sox. The South Paw went five and two third innings of scoreless ball backing the Rockies hitters off the plate by throwing inside. Lester only let 5 runners on base 3 hits and 2 walks and striking out 3 in the process. Manny Delcarmen who started the season with Lester in Pawtuckett, the Red Sox Triple A affiliate took over getting the final out. Delcarmen would allow a home run to Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe for Colorado's first run of the game. Mike Timlin took over from Delcarmen facing two batters and striking them both out. Boston led at the end of 7 innings 3-1.

If you think about it, it's really quite ironic. The Boston Celtics who are synonymous with green have in my lifetime had three prominent redheads. The Late Great Arnold "Red" Auerbach the team's coach, G.M. architect, President, and spiritual guru. Dave Cowens "Big Red" who led Boston as their center to two NBA Championships in 1974 and 1976. And Bill Walton who was a key figure in the Celtics banner number 16. But having followed the Red Sox since the early 1960's I can never remember the Red Sox having a redhead until this year with Bobby Kielty. Maybe they should have more since Kielty hit a home run in the top of the eighth to at the time make the game a 4-1 contest. However that long ball would prove to be far more significant.

Hideki Okajima came on for the second night in a row to start the eighth for Boston after giving a three run homer on Saturday night. Okajima got Matt Holliday out to start the inning with a groundout to second. He then gave up a single to Todd Helton, and for the second night in a row Okajima would allow it to become a one run game. Colorado Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins would make it a 4-3 game as he hit a 2 run blast off of the Japanese rookie. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon came into the game and got he final two batters to end the eighth 4-3.

Boston went scoreless in the top of the ninth, setting up Papelbon with the chance for the one run save. Rockies catcher Yoriut Torrealba started the inning grounding out to second. Second baseman Jamey Carroll took Jacoby Ellsbury to the left field wall for out number two Papelbon clinched the win by getting pinchhitter Seth Smith to strike out swinging.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell was named the World Series MVP, but it easily could have gone to many other players. The Red Sox now get to go home and celebrate with the Boston fans!

The Kids Are Alright Rookies Win It For Red Sox Rock Rockies 10-5

2007-10-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox have quite an impressive array of prestigious veteran players. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, and Curt Schilling are legendary name in MLB. But the reason Boston won game three of the 2007 World Series Saturday night and find themselves leading the Colorado Rockies 3-0 was due to the rookies. On the offensive end it was Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia, and on the pitching end it was Daisuke Matsuzaka, with second year closer Jonathan Papelbon coming in to put it away as Boston beat Colorado 10-5. Boston now finds themselves one victory away from their second World Series title in four years after an infamous 86 year drought.

Game One was a blowout, Game Two was a pitcher's duel, Game Three was a rollercoaster. Boston broke open a scoreless tie as they beat up Colorado starter Josh Fogg scoring six runs in the top of the third. Dice-K for five and a third innings had the Rockies completely confused, but left the game in the sixth after allowing two runs. Javier Lopez came in and gave up back to back singles and he was lifted for Mike Timlin. Timlin got out of the inning unscathed, but was not as lucky in the following frame. Timlin gave up back to back singles to Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulokowski, and was replaced with Hideki Okajima to face Matt Holliday. Holliday with one swing of the bat made it a one run game as he hit a three run blast off Okajima to make it a 6-5 game in the bottom of the seventh and nobody out. Okajima would then give up a single to Todd Helton but then got the next 3 batters in order, as Boston escaped with a 6-5 lead.

Boston took over again in the top of the eighth as Jacoby Ellsbury who was only the third MLB rookie in World Series to have four hits in a game, had a RBI and fellow rookie Dustin Pedroia drove home two more runs to put Boston back on top 9-5. Mike Lowell added a run in the top of the ninth. Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came in to get the last out in the eighth, and closed it out for a 10-5 win. Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Matsuzaka each had 2 RBI for Boston.

Boston Squeaks By Colorado 2-1 Take 2-0 Lead in Series

2007-10-25T23:22:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night was a laugher, Thursday night was a nail biter but the bottom line remained the same. The Boston Red Sox have held onto home field advantage and take a 2-0 lead in the World Series after defeating the Colorado Rockies 2-1. Although Boston starter Josh Beckett was electric Wednesday the real story of game one was offense, namely the Red Sox who scored 13 runs in the win. Thursday night was an old fashioned pitcher's duel between a 23 year old rookie throwing smoke, and an ancient warrior getting by on deception. And the most important play of the game was a runner caught leaning the wrong way.

Curt Schilling at 40 years old is no longer the dominant flame thrower from days of yore. But as we get older and our physical skills tend to be not as sharp we learn to compensate. And Schilling has done exactly that and though he had a shaky start, he proved to be too complex for the Rockies to get a handle on. Schilling allowed Colorado's only run in the first inning, as he hit Rockies centerfielder Willy Taveras on the left hand. Leftfielder Matt Holliday singled sending Taveras to third, and he scored on a Todd Helton groundout.

That was it for Colorado as Schilling settled in and ending up going five and a third innings allowing the one run on four hits two walks and struck out four. Hideki Okajima came in to take the ball in the sixth and was magical throwing two and a third innings allowing no base runners and striking out four.

Colorado starter Ubaldo Jiminez had the Red Sox on their heels through the first three innings. Boston tied the game in the third as third baseman Mike Lowell walked , went to third on a single by J.D. Drew and scored on a Jason Varitek sacrifice fly. Lowell who was the only Boston starter without a RBI on Wednesday night, had the only RBI hit of the game for Boston Thursday. The Sox took the lead in the fifth as Lowell drove in David Ortiz with a double.

Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon came into the eighth with two out and gave up a screaming infield single to Matt Holiday that knocked the pitcher off his feet. But Papelbon made the play of the game as Holliday was leaning too far off first and Papelbon picked him off. Ballgame.

Papelbon got the side out in order of the top of the ninth, and Boston did what they were supposed to do hold home field advantage. After an off day on Friday the Series shifts to Denver. Josh Fogg will try to lead Colorado to their first win while Daisuke Matsuzaka toes the rubber for the Red Sox.

Bo-Sox Take Game One Cool Off Rockies With 13-1 Win

2007-10-24T21:36:00.000-05:00

Alright Red Sox Nation don't start getting cocky now. I can just anticipate the talk shows Thursday in Boston, as Richie from Roslindale calls Dale Arnold, and Harvey from Braintree calls Eddie Andleman. They'll be talking about sweeping the Series, and the Colorado Rockies hadn't faced competition like Boston before in the post season. I'm sure the same guys called the shows after Game One of the A.L.C.S. after the Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-3. That of course was before an 11 inning marathon that Boston lost and fell to Cleveland 3 games to 1.That was before Boston had to scratch claw and kick their way past the Indians, and if Cleveland third base coach Joel Skinner doesn't hold Kenny Lofton...well enough said. Just a word to the wise one game does not make a series.

That being said the Boston Red Sox played as close to a complete game in all aspects, as may ever have been played in the Fall Classic as they completely took Colorado out of the game winning 13-1. Boston starter Josh Beckett was simply electric shutting down Colorado. The team that had been the hottest in the MLB Playoffs was held to just one run on six hits by the Red Sox Ace while he struck out nine. Troy Tulowitzki the Rockies shortstop seemed to be one of the few Colorado players who could figure Beckett. Tulowitzki hit two doubles one for a RBI in the second.

The Red Sox just beat on the Rockies pitching staff, Boston leadoff hitter Dustin Pedroia had his fifth at-bat of the game in only the fifth inning. Pedroia led off the game against Colorado starter with a home run setting the tone for the evening as people were still settling into their seats. Francis was taken out of the game after just four innings allowing 6 runs on 10 hits, and Boston was just warming up. Rockies reliever Franklin Morales came in and self destructed on the mound. The Sox scored 7 runs on six hits in the fifth, off Morales who only lasted two thirds of an inning. Ryan Speier then took the mound and got nobody out as he walked the bases loaded. Matt Herges then got Kevin Youkilis to fly out to right to end the carnage. Every Red Sox starting player had a RBI with the exception of third baseman Mike Lowell.

Again as I wrote at the top of this article, one game does not make a series. Colorado looked like they were effected by the eight day layoff. The Rockies will probably resemble the team that dominated the National League post season than the team that looked over matched Wednesday night in Fenway Park.

Meet The New Boss, Same As The Old Boss LaRussa Back With Cardinals

2007-10-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

Well Monday took two commodities off the table with a single move. There were said to be many MLB teams looking into a possible hiring of Free Agent manager Tony LaRussa who was said to be contemplating leaving the ST. Louis Cardinals who had been the club's manager. And Consequently there was quite a lot of interest in the Cardinals manager position if it was to be available. Well you kiss both those scenarios goodbye as Tony Larussa and the Cardinals held a press conference announcing a new two year deal. LaRussa will now be the manager of the Red Birds at least until the end of the 2009 season. LaRussa said he was very happy that things had worked the way they did. He also said he had absolutely no contact with any other club.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Boston Head To World Series After Knocking Out Tribe 11-2 In Game Seven

2007-10-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

If They call the Boston Red Sox march to the pennant back in 1967 "The Impossible Dream" the 2007 A.L.C.S. would have to be labeled the "Improbable Comeback." After taking game one of the series from the Cleveland Indians, Boston spent games 2,3, and 4, looking like characters from a George Romero movie "Dawn of the Living Dead Ballplayers." Cleveland won an extra inning game in game two and dominated in games 3 and 4. Boston had to win all the three remaining games left in the series to make it back to the World Series for the first time since breaking the curse in 2004.

Well although it was not the unprecedented comeback they made against the New York Yankees as they had to win four games to come back from the edge of the abyss it was pretty darn close. But after Josh Beckett who was named A.L.C.S. MVP won game five and the ancient warrior Curt Schilling won game six it was a one game series knotted up at three each.

Game Seven came down to Dice-K being just good enough to get a win two amazing performances at the plate from Boston's Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis and an ill advised coaching decision from Cleveland Indians third base coach Joel Skinner, that might have cost the Indians, the momentum, the game and the series. Boston dodging the bullet in the top of the seventh came back with a Pedroia two run homer in the bottom of the seventh, and scored six runs in the eighth to put Boston back in the World Series winning 11-2. Jake Westbrook takes the loss, as Cleveland once again says wait til next year.

Boston Forces Game Seven Beats Cleveland 12-2

2007-10-20T21:51:00.000-05:00

In 1999 the Cleveland Indians had a 2-0 lead in the A.L.D.S. over the Boston Red Sox in a best of five series. Cleveland fans were already making plans for the A.L.C.S. and a possible return to the World Series for the second time in three seasons. However Boston had different plans, winning the next three games knocking Cleveland out of the Post Season and advancing to the A.L.C.S. Indians manager Mike Hargrove was fired as a result, and the end of an era had begun at Jacobs Field. Cleveland missed the playoffs the next year for the first time since 1995. They were back in the playoffs in 2001 but after gaining a 2-1 lead in the A.L.D.S. they lost the next two games and went home for the year. It was the last time Cleveland would get to the playoffs in what Cleveland dubbed "The Era Of Champions."

Well after game four most Cleveland fans were again making plans for a trip to the World Series. After all they had a 3-1 series lead in the best of seven A.L.C.S. over Boston. Boston after a dynamic performance in a game one victory, looked lethargic in the next three games and as a result lost all three. Cleveland fans were positively giddy, knowing they had two 19 game winners facing Boston in the next two games C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Many fans were already starting to talk about how Cleveland matched up against the surprise representative from the National League the Colorado Rockies.

Well things don't always go according to Hoyle, and as someone said a long time ago that's why they play the games. Boston beat CC Sabathia Thursday night in game five by a final score of 7-1 to send the series back to Fenway. Game six matched up young power over veteran craftiness as Cleveland's Fausto Carmona took on the aging gunslinger Curt Schilling. Neither pitcher would be a factor in their first matchupin game two a game Cleveland would win in 11 innings 13-6.

Cleveland's two game lead has now comepletly evaporated after Boston tied the series at 3-3 as they just piled on the Indians winning by a final score of 12-2. But the game really ended in the bottom of the first, as JD Drew hit a grand slam off Carmona, giving the Red Sox a 4-0 lead and Cleveland never recovered. The Indians scored a solo run in the top of the second as catcher Victor Martinez hit a home run off Schilling, to make it a 4-1 game. But the Sox blew it open in the third knocking Carmona from the game, and eventually winning by the score of 12-2. Carmona was knocked around for 7 runs on 6 hits and four walks in two plus innings. Cleveland reliever Rafael Perez who has looked like former Boston reliever Calvin Schiraldi circa 1986 in the last two games gave up 3 runs on 3 hits in just one third of an inning. Schilling who went 7 innings allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits for the win. Carmona got the loss. It now all comes down to a one game series Sunday at Fenway. Jake Westbrook on the mound for the Indians. Boston is hoping that their starter Daisuke Matsuzaka is more successful Sunday than he was in game three which he lost.

Series Heads Back To Fenway Bo-Sox Beat Tribe 7-1

2007-10-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Well the Cleveland Indians will have to celebrate in Fenway Park, as Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett said not on my watch, as Boston defeated Cleveland Thursday night by a 7-1 margin. Although rumors circulated all day long in Cleveland that Beckett was injured and would be on a very short leash, those rumors vanished very quickly once the game started. Beckett was as dominating as he was against the Angels even though he gave up a run in the first ending his hopes for another post season shutout. But the Red Sox Ace now has Boston's only two victories as he was throwing pitches at 96 MPH in the eighth. Beckett struck out 11 allowing only the one run in the first and gave up just five hits and one walk. Jonathan Paplebon came on to work the ninth in a non save situation. He gave out a one out double to Cleveland first baseman Rayn Garko, but got Jhonny Peralta to groundout, and then Kenny Lofton walked to put runners at first and third with two out. Indians right fielder Franklin Guttierez flew ot center to end the game.

Cleveland Indians Ace C.C. Sabathia battled through six frames and kept his team in the game. But the man who had been such a pleasant surprise, for the Cleveland bullpen Rafael Perez had a tough night allowing 3 runs only one earned by Boston in the eighth, and basically ending Cleveland's hopes of celebrating in front of the home crowd. Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis had the game's solo home run in the first.

Boston goes home for the remaining two games, but they still trail Cleveland 3-2 in the A.L.C.S. After an off day on Friday, the two teams will matchup Saturday for game six as Curt Schilling toes the rubber for Boston while Fausto Carmona will take the hill for Cleveland.

End Of An Era As Torre Turns Down Yankees Offer

2007-10-18T18:15:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it was time. After all Walter Alston to Tommy LaSorda, and Chuck Knoll To Bill Cowher are aberrations, far from the norm. The average duration for a professional sports team manager or coach is about 3 years, and usually that's about the right time to make a move. The message at best after years of repetition from the same voice at best grows tired and muddled, and at worst is not even heard at all. New York Yankees manger Joe Torre had been the skipper of the team for 12 years, and perhaps it was time to make a change, and that was New York owner George Steinbrenner's prerogative. He who owns the team makes the rules, but as all things that King George does, it should have been handled better.

Reports out of New York Thursday confirmed that Torre turned down the Yankees offer of a one year deal, at a pay cut from what he made in the 2007 campaign. Torre who has as much pride as anyone who ever walked the planet, of course turned it down. New York will be looking for a new field boss for the 2008 season, and Torre will have to decide what road he wants to travel next.

If you are a regular reader of mine, you know that I grew up in the Boston area, a devoted Red Sox fan. You also know I have a very strong connection with the Cleveland Indians having covered them as a beat reporter from the mid nineties through last year. That being said I am not a fan of the New York Yankees, far from it. However I have always held a great amount of respect for Torre and the way he has conducted himself during his tenure at the Yankees helm. Am I sorry to see him go as a fan? No way, I think New York will automatically be a weaker team without that voice of experience in the dugout. But again, King George if you wanted to make a change, issue a press release stating that you appreciate what Torre accomplished but it is time to move on. As Your son put it last week nothing lasts forever. But to do it in this backhanded manner, to try to spin it that Torre turned you down is just dirty pool, it has a slimy feel all over it.

Joe Torre was the ultimate good soldier for the Yankees for 12 years, he deserved a classier exit than the one he got. One would hope after all these years of being in the New York spotlight, Steinbrenner would have learned from past mistakes. Thursday showed that in spite of all the "mellowing" talk the last few years, he's still the same old George.

© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Boston's Pitching Implodes In Fifth Tribe Wins 7-3 Lead ALCS 3-1

2007-10-16T22:31:00.000-05:00

Trying to hit a pitch when a knuckle ball pitcher is on top of his game is like trying to catch a butterfly with a pair of pliers, almost impossible. But when a knuckle ball pitcher loses it, it's like going against a batting practice pitcher. Tim Wakefield was on top of his game for the first four innings against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the A.L.C.S. However, Wakefield did a Chernobyl like meltdown in the bottom of the fifth as Cleveland scored all seven of their runs, and held on for a 7-3 victory. Cleveland, with the win takes a 3-1 series win, and just need one more victory for a trip to the World Series to take on the red hot Colorado Rockies.

If you are a regular reader of mine, you know that I hold a very high opinion of Cleveland Indians third baseman Casey Blake. To me he is the heart and soul of the Indians and one of MLB's most underrated players. Blake has played a myriad of positions over the years for Cleveland since first joining the team in 2003. Last year Blake, a career infielder was moved to right field and looked as natural their as if he has played there all his life. Blake does not have the career numbers of Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, or the Pronk Travis Hafner. He also does not get the respect that these players get in Cleveland, but make no mistake Casey is as integral to Cleveland's success as the others.

It was only fitting that Blake broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with a home run off Wakefield over the left field wall. Casey would also get another RBI in the inning driving home Kenny Lofton in his second at bat in the frame with a single. The final nail in the Red Sox coffin was supplied by Indians shortstop Jhonny Peralta who hit a three run homer off Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen. Wakefield was charged with giving up five runs, Delcarmen two more and Cleveland led 7-0 at the end of five.

Indians starter Paul Byrd who sat on the bench while all the fireworks were going on was definitely rusty when he reentered in the sixth. Byrd gave up back to back jacks to Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz and was replaced by reliever Jensen Lewis. Lewis gave up the third consecutive Boston homer of the inning to Manny Ramirez, an A.L.C.S. record and Boston trailed 7-3. But Lewis got out of the rest of the night unscathed, as he ended up pitching two innings giving up two hits and the one run. Another underrated Cleveland player reliever Rafael Bettancourt finished the game throwing 2 innings with zeroes across the board.

The two teams have Wednesday off and will meet again Thursday at Jacobs Field in a rematch of the game one starters. Josh Beckett, who has the Red Sox sole win in the series faces up against C.C. Sabathia.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Cinderella's Going To The Ball! Rockies Sweep D-Backs With 6-4 Win!

2007-10-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

Since the dawn of creation human beings have held great affection for the "Underdogs." From the Biblical tales of David versus Goliath through Rocky Balboa against Apollo Creed people just naturally support the challenger. It probably stems from some deep seeded primal urge that goes way beyond my area of knowledge but we have all done it, at one time or another. Baseball has been filled with tales of teams overcoming adversity to grab the brass ring. "Dem Bums" the Brooklyn Dodgers finally overcoming years of futility to beat the Monolithic New York Yankees, and finally win their first World Series! The "Amazin' Mets" under Gil Hodges in 1969 who shocked the planet and beat the highly favored Baltimore Orioles, seven years after setting the MLB record for most losses in a season. The 2004 Boston Red Sox down 0-3 to the Yankees in the A.L.C.S. only to come back from the brink and win eight straight games to finally bury the chants of "1918."

Well Monday night a new name was added to MLB's roll call of unlikely heroes the 2007 Colorado Rockies! All they have done so far is to win 21 of their last 22 games and sweep two straight Post Season Series. For the first time in the franchise's history Colorado is going to play in the World Series as they swept National League West Division Champions the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of their home fans with a 6-4 win in game four of the N.L.C.S.

The Rockies knocked Arizona out of the playoffs when they scored all six runs off Arizona starter Micah Owings in the fourth knocking him from the game with only two outs in the inning. The explosion was capped off by a three run home run from Colorado left fielder Matt Holiday. Holiday went 2-3 in the game and hit .333 for the series. Rockies reliever Matt Herges got the win. Colorado will now have to wait to see who they will face in the World Series. Cleveland leads Boston in the A.L.C.S. two games to one.

Dicey Night for Dice-K Tribe Beats Bo-Sox 4-2 Lead A.L.C.S.

2007-10-15T21:17:00.000-05:00

The good news? Boston Red Sox reliever Eric Gagne is no longer the most hated man in New England! The bad news? Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has probably taken his place! Huge expectations were placed on the Japanese free agent pitcher's shoulders when he was signed to what was looked at as an exorbitant amount for a player who had never pitched in the MLB. But Boston was willing to pony up the money to his former team in Japan as well as to sign the pitcher to a very tidy sum. Dice-K as he is known by his teammates, started off strong the first time around the American League but seemed to hit a wall for about six weeks from early August, to mid September when he seemingly lost his advantage. There has much speculation why the early American League Rookie of the Year candidate fell from grace so rapidly. Some set it was the amount of pitches he had thrown , and was just out of gas. Other observers said that American League hitters had adjusted to Matsuzaka, and he had not responded in kind. What ever the reason he seemed to come out of the abyss in the campaign's final weeks.

Well any goodwill Dice-K may have built up in Boston during the last month, evaporated Monday night. Matsuzaka was knocked out of game three of the A.L.C.S. with just one out in the fifth after allowing four runs on six hits in two walks by the Cleveland Indians. That was all Cleveland would need when their starter Jake Westbrook was far more effective than he had been against the Yankees in the A.L.D.S. allowing just two runs on seven hits in six and two third innings. Cleveland won the game 4-2, they now lead Boston in the best of seven series 2-1.

The last time these two teams met in the MLB Playoffs was back in 1999. Cleveland center fielder Kenny Lofton trying to slide head first in to first base damaged his shoulder, and led to off-season surgery that kept him out of the beginning of the 200 campaign. It may have only been fitting then that Lofton who came back to Cleveland for his third stint in a mid-season trade with Texas would be the hero for the Tribe in game three. Lofton, hit a 2 run home run of Matsuzaka in the second, giving Cleveland a 2-0 lead and the Sox never recovered. Cleveland would score two more off the Boston starter in the fifth driving him from the game and giving the Indians a 4-2 win. Cleveland now has a 2-0 margin after taking away home field advantage from Boston in game two. Boston scored their only runs of the game in the seventh as Jason Varitek hit a 2 run homer off Westbrook. The two teams matchup again Tuesday at Jacobs Field for game four , Paul Byrd scheduled to make the start for Cleveland Tim Wakefield scheduled to be the Red Sox starter.

Rockies Ready To Shock The World, One Game From Series Beat D-Backs 4-1

2007-10-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

While the New York tabloids are obsessing over whether Joe Torre will be back in the Bronx, and if the Mets took the greatest dive since Greg Louganis in his prime it's been happening. While the newspapers all through out New England are trying to trace genealogy lines to see if there is any family relation between Greg Gagne and Bill Buckner it's been flying under the radar. While the purveyors of gloom are trying to psychoanalyze why CC Sabathia has in their opinion suddenly lost it (He's had two sub par starts after a Cy Young worthy season CC is fine!) they are on the doorstep. The Colorado Rockies the "Stealth Bomber" of the Major Leagues is one win away from sweeping prohibitive series favorite Arizona Diamondbacks and head to their first World Series! Colorado defeated Arizona Sunday night 4-1 and have a 3-0 edge in the N.L.C.S.

West Coast teams have complained for 30 years about the "East Coast Bias" but with media capitals like L.A. and San Francisco a West Coast team gets plenty of attention. But the Rocky Mountain Time Zone is like purgatory; I think they run Network Prime Time shows from like 4:00- 7:00, and it may be A.M. There have been very few "breakout" teams from that area other than the John Elway era Denver Broncos, and that was more due to Elway than any other factor. But with very little attention or fanfare the Rockies may be MLB's best Cinderella story since the Braves versus the Twins in 1991.

The Rockies don't have a lot of marquee names starter Josh Fogg and catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who were Sunday's heroes are not players casual fans know a lot about if anything. But their results speak for themselves. Fogg pitching in his first post season game went six strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 7 hits a walk and struck out three. Torrealba broke open a 1-1 tie in the fourth with a three run jack. Colorado playing in front of their home fans for the first time in this series could feel the electricity in the air despite playing in temperatures in the thirties with a cold rain falling. The Rockies go for the sweep Monday night as they send Franklin Morales to the hill to face off against Micah Owings.

Nixon's The One! Tribe Top Bo-Sox In Eleven 13-6

2007-10-14T02:31:00.000-05:00

Trot Nixon made a lot of key hits in Fenway Park over the years, but Saturday night's heroics had a bit of a different fell to it. The long time Boston Red Sox outfielder signed as a free agent during the off-season with the Cleveland Indians, so when he hit a pinch hit single in the top of the eleventh inning, Boston fans were not pleased. The hit not only put Cleveland ahead in a game that had been deadlocked at 6-6 since the sixth inning, but it ended up opening the flood gates of the Indians offense. Cleveland would end up scoring 7 runs that inning, including a three run homer by Franlin Guttierez, as they defeated Boston 13-6, and send the A.L.C.S. back to Cleveland's Jacobs Field tied at a game apiece.

Cleveland was the long time home of the late "Polka King" Frankie Yankovic. Well the first ten innings of game two of the A.L.C.S. resembled the Polka classic "I Don't Want Her, You Can Have Her She's Too Fat For Me." A game that most observers thought would be a classic low scoring pitchers duel between a savvy veteran and a fireballing phenom, was anything but. Cleveland's young hurler Fausto Carmona was less than effective going only four innings and allowing 4 runs on 5 hits striking out and walking 5 as well. Boston's veteran warrior Curt Schilling did not fare any better going four and two thirds allowing 5 runs on 9 hits, reliever Manny Delcarmen gave up the sixth run to Cleveland in the sixth. Rafael Perez who had been lightning in a bottle all year long for Cleveland in their bullpen was ineffective as well allowing 2 runs in just a third of an inning. Boston had homers from Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell, while Cleveland countered with long balls from Jhonny Peralta and Grady Sizemore.

But both bullpens were lights out after Cleveland tied the game in the top of the sixth. The Indians unsung hero was truly reliever Rafael Bettancourt, who shut the Sox down for two and a third, but got no credit in the box score. Boston's night fell apart with the man who has been suspect ever since they traded for him reliever Eric Gagne. Closer Jonathan Paplebon threw 2 scoreless frames before Gagne came on to open the eleventh. Gagne who right now may be as despised in Boston as Bill Buckner was back in the day was charged with two runs and got the loss. Cleveland would then score 3 more off Javier Lopez and 2 more off Jon Lester to put the game away. The two teams will match up Monday in Cleveland as Daisuke Matsuzaka faces off against Jake Westbrook.

Rockies Just Keep On Winning Beat D-Backs 3-2 In11 Innings

2007-10-12T22:09:00.000-05:00

The way the Colorado Rockies are playing right now they may never lose another game. I'm not talking about this season, I'm talking about for eternity! That team from a feel good baseball novel were at it again Friday night beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in 11 innings, and taking a 2-0 lead in the N.L.C.S. Colorado won the game in the 11th as centerfielder Willy Taveras, who was on the bubble as to whether or not he would make the post-season roster, drove home the run with a bases loaded walk. The Rockies have certainly not been flashy, they have just one extra base hit in the N.L.C.S. first two games, but they have done just enough of the little things to keep on winning. Both teams are off on Saturday as they travel to Colorado for game three.

Red Sox Beat up Indians 10-3

2007-10-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

It was only one game, of a best of seven series but the Boston Red Sox made a definitive statement; We Mean Business! Boston completely dominated the Cleveland Indians in all aspects of the game as they won game one of the A.L.C.S. 10-3 Friday night. Cleveland actually scored first as the Pronk Indians DH Travis Hafner hit a solo homer off Boston starter Josh Beckett in the top of the first. But Cleveland starter C.C. Sabathia gave the run back in the bottom of the frame giving up 3 straight singles to Kevin Youkalis, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez who got the RBI.

The game basically was over after the bottom of the third as Boston scored four runs. Sabathia gave up a bases loaded walk to Many Ramirez for the first run and Mike Lowell drove in two more with a double. The Indians Ace was knocked out of the game with just one out in the fifth as the Red Sox scored 3 more runs giving them an 8-1 lead after five.

Beckett was electric allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits striking out 7 in his 6 innings of work. Cleveland scored their second run in the sixth as Casey Blake doubled and was driven in by a RBI double by Kenny Lofton. Boston scored two more runs as Manny again walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame to make it a 10-2 game. Ramirez and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer are the only two players in MLB history to walk twice with the bases loaded in the post season. Blake scored again in the top of the eighth as he hit his second double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Asdrubal Cabrera. The Indians had runners at second and third in the bottom of the ninth, courtesy of a Jhonny Peralta single, and a hustle double by the veteran Lofton off Boston's Eric Gagne. But Franklin Guttierez struck out bringing Casey to the plate and walked on four straight pitches loading the bases. Grady Sizemore came to the plate with the bags juiced, Sizemore had a 3-0 count but struck out swinging to end the game. Cleveland will try to even the series Saturday as Fausto Carmona goes up against Curt Schilling.

© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com

Cinderella Rockies Not Close To Midnight Beat D-Backs 5-1

2007-10-12T00:57:00.000-05:00

The Colorado Rockies are not supposed to be in the N.L.C.S. but someone must have forgot to inform them of that fact. Not only are the "Cinderella" Rockies in the final series before getting to "The Show" they are ahead in the series after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday 5-1. Colorado got a masterful performance out of starter Jeff Francis going 6 2/3 innings allowing just 1 run on 7 hits 1 walk and striking out 4. Diamondbacks Ace Brandon Webb had a much rougher allowing 4 runs in his 6 frames to get the loss. Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe got the game's key hit a bases loaded single in the third driving home two. Colorado added one more run that inning plus single runs in the second and the seventh. This was the Rockies 18th win in 19 games an incredible pace, and a remarkable statistic.
© Copyright 2007 thesackattack.com