Thursday, April 3, 2008

Three Days Into Baseball Season...


Here's What I've Observed...
KANSAS CITY SWEEPS DETROIT
There is optimism in Kansas City, especially after the upstart Royals swept their much hyped division rival Detroit Tigers. This was Kansas City's first opening sweep since 2003. Kansas City fought to come back in Game one as they beat Detroit 5 to 4 in eleven innings. In the second game, Kansas City Starter Brian Bannister held Detroit to just three hits as Kansas City beat Detroit 4 to nothing. In the final game, Zack Grienke had a great pitching performance. Grienke allowed one run in seven innings of work.

And, Speaking of Great Pitching...
ROOKIE PHENOM JOHNNIE CUETO STRIKES OUT TEN DIAMONDBACKS
History was made at Great American Ballpark as Johnnie Cueto became the first Reds pitcher since 1900 to strike out ten batters in his major league debut. The only hole in the armor was Justin Upton's solo homerun in the sixth inning.

Some Reds fans may think they have their own version of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in Homer Bailey and Johnie Cueto, but I would like to caution them: You're with a manager who likes to overwork young pitchers and likes to keep them in ballgames when they have been on the mound a very long time. I would not be suprised if Bailey and Cueto got the same type of problems Prior and Wood have gotten from being overworked in the Dusty Baker Era.

KOSUKE FUKUDOME WITH AN INCREDIBLE " KONNICHIHA" TO WRIGLEY'S FAITHFUL
Kosuke Fukudome had an unbelievable debut opening day. He doubled off Ben Sheets in his first Major League At Bat. Fukudome came through huge in the ninth inning, as he hit a game tying, three run homerun to tie the game at three. Fukudome batted .1000 at the end of Opening day as he went 3-3.

Through his first three games, Fukudome is 4-8 with three RBI'S, and three of his four hits have gone for extra bases.

Kosuke's the real deal. Teams will be trying to figure him out all season long, so he may be able to keep his hot streak going for a while.

WALKS WILL KILL YOU IN EXTRA INNINGS. JUST ASK THE NATIONALS!
The Philladelphia Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 8-7 as Jason Werth helped score the tying run on a bases loaded walk. Werth never got thrown a strike, and Philly gets an important early lesson on why it is important to be selective at the plate.

NEW YORK'S GOING OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Both New York teams are getting new ballparks next season. Shea Stadium, opened in 1964, will close down after this season. The "Cathedral Of Baseball" The "Big Ballpark In The Bronx" Yankee Stadium, opened in 1923, will also close down. The Mets are moving to Citi Field, while the Yankees are moving a few streets down to New Yankee Stadium. I'm sad to see both ballparks go because there have been many great players and great moments that have happened at these ballparks.

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