In a Three Way Deal that happened In The Botton Of The Ninth inning of the 2008 MLB Trade Deadline, Manny Ramirez was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Red Sox acquired their replacement for Ramirez in former Pirates Left Fielder Jason Bay. For their involement in the deal, the Pirates received third baseman Andy LaRoche, brother of Bucs first baseman Adam LaRoche, and Minor League pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers, and right-hander Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss from the Red Sox.
Manny can become a free agent at the end of the season, as his options for the remaining three years were dropped.
Manny had finally had it with the Red Sox, and vice versa. Now the Red Sox can finally get the Manny era behind them.
How long will it take Jason Bay to field balls of "The Monster" at Fenway?
Here it is. Today is the final day of the MLB Trade Deadline, and the Baseball World is holding it's breath waiting to see if Manny Ramirez will get traded. The most likely scenario right now has him heading to Florida to play for the Marlins.
The Question I'm asking is: Would you want your team to trade for Manny Ramirez?
Me Personally, If I was a fan of a team that needed an outfielder. I Would Not want that team to hold discusions around Manny Ramirez. Manny has never been a team player, and he isn't worth the $20 Million dollars he is due over the next three years. His bat has declined, but his ego hasn't.
The New York Yankees have their catcher for the remainder of the season, as they traded relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez.
Pudge waved his No Trade Clause to head to the Bronx.
Good move by the Yankees. They needed to trade for a catcher, and they traded for one of the most experienced catchers in Pudge Rodriguez.
The Tigers may make Brandon Inge their backstop for the rest of the season.
Ron Artest was traded To Houston Rockets for Bobby Jackson and Donte Green last night. This makes Houston, the winners of 22 in a row last year, even better. Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming mean Texas may have three chances at an NBA title this season, as all three teams (Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs) are all legit title contnenders.
Click On The Video Below to see ESPN Break it down during last night's Sportscenter:
Surveillance cameras from the INCYCLE bike shop in Chino, California capture Tuesday's earthquake as it topples displays and sends people running out of the store.
The CBS reality television show "Big Brother" was taping as Tuesday's earthquake struck Los Angeles. The housemates react to the shaking.
Watch what happens on the set of the Judge Judy show when the 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California during a taping Tuesday.
As Baseball fans know, American League Baseball uses the Designated Hitter. The DH uses a tenth man, who bats in place of the pitcher, yet this tenth man does not take the field. Many great DH's today are David Ortiz (who plays first when the Red Sox are in the National League) and Jim Thome (who played first base in the National League.)
I Want to know: What do you think about the DH?
Me Personally, I hate the Designated Hitter. I Feel it cheapens baseball. When the pitcher bats, all nine players take turns at the plate and in the field. With the DH, there are ten players, and one of them gets to stay in the dugout for the whole game while the rest of his teammates take the field.
I like to see the strategy involved when the pitcher bats. With a runner on first base, the manager may tell his pitcher to bunt to move the runner into scoring position. The manager may also be lucky enough to have a good hitting pitcher(like Switch-Hitting Pitcher Carlos Zambrano for the Cubs or Micah Owings for the Diamondbacks), and he may tell the Pitcher "Go Ahead. Swing Away."
Again, the question is: What do you think about the DH?
The St. Louis Cardinals have traded away the starter from Game One of the 2006 World Series, Anthony Reyes.
Reyes was traded from the Cardinals to the Indians in exchange for minor league pitcher Luis Perdomo.
Reyes had split the season in between the minors starting rotation and the Majors Bullpen. Perdomo has yet to get to Triple A.
This was the second trade the Indians made, as they also traded Casey Blake to the Dodgers for switch-hitting catcher Carlos Santana and pitcher Jonathan Meloan.
The New York Yankees finalized a six player deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates which will give them pitcher Demaso Marte and outfielder Xavier Nady.
Amond the prospects the Yankees had to part with was top outfield prospect Jose Tabata and minor league right-handers Dan McCutchen, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf.
The Yankees will have Marte and Nady for the rest of '08 and '09, but I still can't help but feel like the Yankees gave up too much to get them. Jose Tabata was one of the best prospects the Yankees had, and to give him up for these two players seems like a big risk.
Any Baseball Fan can sing the lyrics to take me out to the ballgame, but for two days at Seattle's SafeCo Field, there will not be two staples of the song (and America's Pasttime) at the ballpark.
On August 5th and September 9th, Two sections of Safeco field will not sell Peanuts and Cracker Jack so that people with food allergies can enjoy Mariners Baseball without worry.
They are believed to be the first Major League team to have such days.
C.C Sabathia last night dominated again. Sabathia had his third complete game for Milwaukee as he held St Louis to just 3 hits as the Brewers beat the Cardinals 3-0. Rich Harden has had some great pitched games, but the Cubs have not been able to score runs when he's on the mound.
The Brewers have homered in 18 straight games, and they have won six in a row. They're on Fire!
The Cubs had better watch their back. Milwaukee's hot on their trail for the NL Central lead!
Rich Harden is one of the twenty questions for the second half of 2008.
The Second Half of Major League Baseball Season Is upon us. I have Twenty Questions I will ask and try to answer reguarding the second half of baseball season.
1. Will The Yankees Come Back?
The Yankees are currently 6 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox. The Yankees will no doubt have the veterans, but the lack of pitching with the absence of Chien-Mien Wang will lead to more pressure on Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, who have pitched well in the first half. Add in Phillip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, and the question again is: When Will The Yankees Bats Wake Up? To Attempt to jumpstart a lifeless offense, the Yankees took a big risk and signed Richie Sexon. He adds another first baseman to the Yankees, but will he readjust his plate approach now that he's in Pinstripes?
Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi will hit. When will the rest of the offense do the same? The Yankees better wake up this second half, or there will be no postseason for the Yankees and no World Series Coronation for Yankee Stadium.
2.Can The Phillies hold on to the NL East?
The Phillies are currently in First Place, but they do not have a comfortable lead, with both the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets breathing down their neck. They have the offense, with Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell, and Chase Utley will continue to chase Dan Uggla for the NL Home Run Lead.
Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, and Jimmy Rollins will keep being the catalysts for their teams, and all three are poised for a big second half as the battle for the NL East is about to heat up.
3. Can Jason Marquis finally have a good second half? Jason Marquis for the past two seasons has not had a good second half. He ran into September troubles in 2006, leading to Marquis not pitching in the postseason while his team at the time, the Cardinals, went on to win the World Series.
Marquis again struggled in the second half of 2007 and didn't pitch in the Cubs three game postseason against Arizona.
It is imperative for Marquis to get off on the right foot for him to have a better second half than the last two years.
4. Can the Cubs keep Rich Harden Healthy?
The Cubs traded for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin in exchange for Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher,Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson. Some Cubs fans were questioning if the Cubs gave up too much, but if the Cubs keep Harden healthy, he adds another piece for the Cubs in their rotation and is insurance in case a starter gets hurt.
5. Can C.C Sabathia Take Milwaukee to the top of a crowded NL Central? C.C Sabathia had an even better second game than his debut game, as C.C went all nine innings and even hit his first National League Homerun. Milwaukee now has a great 1-2 punch in the rotation, as they now have Ben Sheets and C.C Sabathia. However, St. Louis is still ahead of Milwaukee in the Wild Card Standings. It will be quite a battle for the NL Central down the stretch. The Cubs had better not get comfortable, or one of these team could leapfrog them in the standings.
6. Can Detroit Get Hot and Stay Hot?
The Tigers, with all of their Spring Training Hype, the Tigers have played Mediocre Baseball, and their record shows it, as they are sitting one game above the .500 mark. Miguel Cabrera is now a First Baseman, Brandon Inge has his Third Base Spot back, and will the Tigers ever get hot and stay hot? If so, expect them and the White Sox to batlle for the AL Central.
7. Can Josh Hamilton continue to try to win the Triple Crown? If Big Brown has taught us anything, he proved that winning the Triple Crown in Horse Racing is difficult. There hasn't been a Triple Crown Winner in Horse Racing since Affirmed in 1978.Same thing for Baseball. There hasn't been a Triple Crown Winner since Carl Yazstrzemski in 1967. Many have tried but all since then have failed. The last player at Midseason who had a shot at the Triple Crown was Derrek Lee in 2005. Derrek ended up leading Baseball with a .335 batting average. Right now, Hamilton has a huge lead in RBI, ranks third in the AL in homers, and is ninth in the league in batting average. His teammate Ian Kinser,leads the league with a .337 batting average. Josh Hamilton can continue writing the chapters in his storybooks, and he would write a big one if he was to win the baseball Triple Crown.
8.Can Francisco Rodriguez continue to save games at a record setting pace? Bobby Thigpen set the single season saves record, with 57 saves in 1990. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez is closing in at a record pace. K-Rod has 38 saves by the break, and that he is on pace for 65saves on the year. He has a shot to break the saves record, but I don't think he will break the record. He will have over 50 and be in the running, but with Texas begining a resurge in the second half and other AL teams getting hot, Francisco Rodriguez will end up just short.
9. Does Anybody Want to win the NL Worst?
That's right. The NL Worst. The 2008 NL West is starting to resemble the 2006 NL West, when San Diego ended up winning the NL West with an 82-80 record. Arizona has the lead, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are breathing down their neck, and if Tim Linsecum and Matt Cain continue to be a dynamic Pitching duo for San Francisco, the NL Worst may not be won until the final week of the season.
10. Can The Tampa Bay Rays Rebound?
The Tampa Bay Rays Stumbled entering the All Star Break, as they lost seven in a row and lost their lead in the AL East to Boston. The Rays will continue to look to Evan Longoria for offense and Scott Kazmir will dominant pitching. If the Rays rebound and make it to October, that spells trouble for either the Red Sox or Yankees, as one of them will not make it to October.
11.Can Both Chicago Teams Play In October?
The Cubs currently are tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the best record in Baseball. The White Sox currently have the best record in the American League Central. Both teams have played great baseball, and there is a possibility of both teams playing in October. The Cubs strength has been their offense. The White Sox Strength has been their revamped bullpen. If the Cubs can pull away from the Central while both the Cardinals and Brewers are battling each other for the Wild Card, both the Cubs and White Sox look like they can make the playoffs.
This brings up a completely defferent Question:
12.Can There Be A Windy City World Series?
Knowing how the league has been a league of Parity so far this year, Anything is Possible.
13.Will Somebody Make An offer to Barry Bonds in 2008? Barry's Agent said that he talked to every single Major League Team, but all thirty of them said no to Barry. There was talk of Arizona becomin interested in Bonds, but I don't think Barry Bonds would want to play for a Rival of the San Francisco Giants.
I think Barry still wants to play. I just don't see anyone giving him a chance to comeback.
14.Who will Lead Baseball In Wins at the end of 2008? Barndon Webb of the Arizona Diamonbacks.
15. At The end of 2008,Who Will Lead the league in Strikeouts? Tim Linsecum of the San Francisco Giants.
16. Who Will Lead Baseball in ERA at the end of 2008? Justin Duchsherer of the Oakland Athletics. He's the only man in baseball with an ERA under two at the All Star Break.
17. Who will lead the league in Homeruns?
Ryan Howard and Adam Dunn will slug it out for the league in homeruns. I Still think Prince Fielder can get hot in this second half.
18. Who will lead the league in RBI's?
Josh Hamilton already has 95 RBI's at the All Star Break. He could break the record for RBI's in a season, set in 1930 by Hack Wilson of the Chicago Cubs.
19.Can Chipper Jones hit .400 at the end of the season? He cooled it down at the break, as he's now hitting .376. I think Chipper Jones will be close, but I don't think he will hit .400.
20. Who Are My Division Champions and Wild Card Winners? AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. AL East: Boston Red Sox AL Central: Chicago White Sox NL East: Philladelphia Phillies NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks NL Central: Chicago Cubs AL Wildcard: Tampa Bay Rays NL Wildcard: Milwaukee Brewers
Wrigley Field Is About to Freeze Over. The NHL Liked the idea of an outdoor hockey game so much this year, they're doing it again next year.
On January 1,2009, the 2nd edition of the Annual Outdoor Game will go to Wrigley Field. The Chicago Blackhawks will play the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.
The game will start at noon CT and will be broadcast on NBC.
This is a great idea that the NHL is using to get more fans. I think I'll be in front of the TV to watch it simply because I love Wrigley Field and I'm intrigued to see how it would be turned into a Hockey Venue.
If Hell Dosen't Freeze over in October with the Cubs winning the World Series, Wrigley will Freeze over the following January with the hometown Blackhawks facing off against the Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings.
What An Incredible All Star Game! The American League won for the eleventh year in a row, 4-3. Michael Young hit the game winning Sacrifice Fly, Scoring Justin Morneau as he just beat the tag from Brian McCann and the American League keeps their streak going.
I watched all 15 innings last night, and here's what I want to talk about in that game.
1.This Was, No Question, the greatest All Star Game ever. There's no doubt that Yankee Stadium put on a tremendous show over the last two days. That amazing Home Run Derby was just Icing on the cake for the All Star Game. You could tell before the game started that we were going to see something special. Boy, we did! The game went back and fourth and really could have gone either way. Who knows, they may have played for five hours if the throw home to McCann was a little more on line.
What a great All Star Game! Regardless of the league you were rooting for, there's no way you can't say that both leagues gave their all.
2.Thank God The NL Didn't play for a tie. If The National League had come through with Runners In Scoring Position, they could have won that game in nine innings. What a job by Clint Hurdle, as this was the Closest the National League had come in a while to actually have a shot at winning this thing.
3.Why Did Clint Hurdle put the injured Dan Uggla in last? Something I Will not understand. If Chase Utley had been in the game instead of the injured Dan Uggla, the winning run would not have been on first in the fifteenth inning. It's not Uggla's fault the NL lost, but Clint Hurdle definitely should have saved someone to play second if the game went into extras, knowing that Dan Uggla was not 100 percent.
4.Michael Young Is A National League Killer! Michael Young again leads to the winning run scoring. He had the game winning hit in 2006 in Pittsburgh, and at Yankee Stadium in 2008, Michael Young again hits the Game Winner, as he hit the Game Winning Sacrafice fly to give the American League Home Field Advantage again.
Michael Young should have won the All Star Game MVP Award instead of J.D. Drew.
5.Next Year, The Streak Will End. You read it here first. The National League will remember that they were so close to winning this year, in hostile territory. Next year, the All Star Game will be played in a National League Park,Busch Stadium, the home of the most passionate National League fans in Baseball, St Louis Cardinals fans.
I hope you enjoyed the All Star Game as much as I did, regardless of the result.
Ronaldinho transferred to AC Milan late Tuesday, leaving FC Barcelona after the club’s new coach declared the team would plan for next season without the Brazilian playmaker.
The Italian club said late Tuesday Ronaldinho would arrive in Milan on Wednesday to get a medical exam and sign a contract through June 30, 2011.
Barcelona said that AC Milan will pay $33.4 million for Ronaldinho and another $6.3 million if it clinches a place in next season’s Champions League.
A two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho has been seeking to leave Barcelona since new coach Pep Guardiola said that the star was not needed.
At Milan, he will join fellow Brazilians Kaka and Alexandre Pato.
The 28-year-old, who was under contract at the Camp Nou through 2010, was coming off one of his poorest seasons with nine goals in 26 appearances. Assorted injuries—ranging from a foot problem to thigh injury to knee tendinitis—accompanied by concerns over his social habits meant Ronaldinho played the fewest games since first moving to Europe to play for French side Paris St-Germain in 2001.
If Ronaldinho is healthy and can play at the same level when he was with Barcelona, AC Millan, no question about it, will be loaded. Ronaldinho joining Kaka and Pato, two great players, and they have a guy who is still one of the best players in the world.
Here Is Josh Hamilton's Record Breaking First Round of the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby In It's Entirety! I Figured since most of you had heard the English call with Chris Berman, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips, I've put up these videos which have the Spanish Call Of Ernesto Jerez of ESPN Deportes.
Part One!
Part Two!
Part Three!
"Sólido, conectando. A lo profundo... y ¡no... nono, nono, no...! ¡DÃgale que no a esa pelota!"
Click On The Video Below To See The Commercial for the 2008 All Star Game!
Here are the lineups and reserves for the 2008 MLB All Star Game!
American League (Managed By Boston Red Sox Manager Terry Francona) Starting Lineup
American League: 1. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, rf 2. Derek Jeter, New York, ss 3. Josh Hamilton, Texas, cf 4. Alex Rodriguez, New York, 3b 5. Manny Ramirez, Boston, lf 6. Milton Bradley, Texas, dh 7. Kevin Youkilis, Boston, 1b 8. Joe Mauer, Minnesota, c 9. Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 2b P: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, lhp
Pitchers Pos Player B/T P Justin Duchscherer, OAK R/R P Roy Halladay, TOR R/R P Scott Kazmir, TB L/L P Cliff Lee, CLE L/L P Joe Nathan, MIN R/R P Jonathan Papelbon, BOS R/R P Mariano Rivera, NYY R/R P Francisco Rodriguez, LAA R/R P Ervin Santana, LAA R/R P Joe Saunders, LAA L/L P George Sherrill, BAL L/L P Joakim Soria, KC R/R Reserves Pos Player B/T C Dioner Navarro, TB S/R C Jason Varitek, BOS S/R 1B Justin Morneau, MIN L/R 2B Ian Kinsler, TEX R/R SS Michael Young, TEX S/R 3B Joe Crede, CWS R/R 3B Carlos Guillen, DET S/R OF J.D. Drew, BOS L/R OF Carlos Quentin, CWS R/R OF Grady Sizemore, CLE L/L 3B Evan Longoria, TB R/R
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National League (Managed By Colorado Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle)
Starting Lineup
1. Hanley Ramirez, Florida, ss 2. Chase Utley, Philadelphia, 2b 3. Lance Berkman, Houston, 1b 4. Albert Pujols, St. Louis, dh 5. Chipper Jones, Atlanta, 3b 6. Matt Holliday, Colorado, rf 7. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee, lf 8. Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago, cf 9. Geovany Soto, Chicago, c P: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee, rhp
Pitchers Pos Player B/T P Aaron Cook, COL R/R P Ryan Dempster, CHC R/R P Dan Haren, ARI R/R P Brad Lidge, PHI R/R P Tim Lincecum, SF L/R P Ben Sheets, MIL R/R P Edinson Volquez, CIN R/R P Billy Wagner, NYM L/L P Brandon Webb, ARI R/R P Brian Wilson, SF R/R P Kerry Wood, CHCº L/L P Carlos Zambrano, CHC S/R P Carlos Marmol, CHCª R/R
Reserves Pos Player B/T
C Russell Martin, LA R/R 1B Brian McCann, ATL L/R 1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD L/L 1B Albert Pujols, STL R/R 2B Dan Uggla, FLA R/R 3B Aramis Ramirez, CHC R/R SS Cristian Guzman, WAS S/R SS Miguel Tejada, HOU R/R OF Corey Hart, MIL R/R OF Ryan Ludwick, STL R/L OF Nate McLouth, PIT L/R
Notes: # Final Vote Selection º Injured, will not participate ª Named as replacement
Carlos Marmol was named a replacement for Kerry Wood, who will not play in the All Star Game due to an injury.
I Will Cheer for the National League All The Way in this one, even though the American League has won ten All Star Games in a row.
We're in for a Great All Star Game! It's being held for the first and Last Time at "The House That Ruth Built" Yankee Stadium. It would be great for the National League To Pull The Upset This Year.
Come On National League! You've let the American League Kick Your Butt For The Last Ten Years! It's Time To Win The All Star Game And Give The National League Home Field Advantage In The World Series!
Here Is A Video Recap Of Last Year's Home Run Derby. including the winning Homerun by Vladamir Guererro!
Tonight Is The 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby on ESPN at 8PM EST!
The eight participants are Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros, Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins, Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies, Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians, Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins.
Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was originally going to participate to defend his 2007 title, but he ultimately declined.
There's Gonna be a bunch of homeruns in this game! I Can't wait to see where they will land! The Upper Deck, The Monuments, Man, I Can't Wait!
My Pick for the Final Round will be: Josh Hamilton Chase Utley
Josh Hamilton is my pick to win the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby. We'll See How It Plays Out.
When the Home Run Derby Ends, I always like to Watch The Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game! All The Celebrities that try to swing for the fences in their moment where they pretend to be like a big leaguer!
Why? You have The Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, and they are all supported by Chicago and they all have won their respective League Championship.
Anyway, Here's ESPN going to Chicago to resume their "Titletown USA" Series. They;re right behind Wrigley Field.
Check Out the MLB.TV Mosaic by clicking on the video below!
I got one week free of MLB.TV due to voting in the MLB Final Vote. This is my first time ever watching MLB.TV on My Computer and, I have to say, it is really cool! Yesterday was the first day of the Free Trial of MLB.TV and I watched the final two innings of the Dodgers-Marlins game where the Marlins Pitcher (Volstad?) had not allowed A Dodger past second for eight innings. Volstad got to two outs in the ninth before he gave up a base hit, advancing the Dodger (Eithier?)runner to second for the first time in the game. Marlins Manager Fredi Gonzalez decided that was enough and he removed Volstad with two outs in the ninth inning. Volstad had thrown exactly 100 pitches. Kevin Gregg comes in to get the final out facing Jeff Kent, and Kent hits a long fly ball to the warning track in right field, and the Marlins win the game 3-1.
After that game was over, I wanted to see the Cubs game, but I didn't want to spend three hours at my computer (it was late at night when the Dodger game ended), so I watched the Cubs-Giants "Condensed Game" meaning they take A Baseball Game (running an average of three hours, which is the same ammount of time given for Football Games) and cut it down to ten minutes, but you still see all 27 outs of the ballgame and any base hits or homeruns or anything like that. The Cubs and Giants were scoreless Through eight innings before Aramis Ramirez smacked a three run homerun down the Left Field Line, giving the Cubs a 3-0 lead. The Giants would get runners on in the ninth against closer Kerry Wood, but Wood would get out of the Jam, and the Cubs won 3-1.
Brett Favre is eyeing a return to the NFL, but it apparently won't be with Green Bay. The longtime Packers quarterback is asking the team to release him so he can come back with a different team.
Good move by the Packers to finally put their foot down and say "no" to Brett Favre's yearly "Should I Stay or Should I Go" game.
On A Second note, does anyone want Brett Favre as a starter? Anybody? (Pin Drops) Didn't think so either.
Someone really desperate may make an offer, but would Brett want to play for a noncontending team?
Brett Shouldn't ruin his legacy by leaving Green Bay. If the Packers don't want him, he should just kill "the itch" to come back.
Fans can step into the cleats of their big league heroes and see what it's like to be a major league baseball player at the MLB Fan Fest being held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, host of this year's All-Star Game.
Wichita Wingnuts manager Kash Beauchamp apparently thought an umpire's call stunk Wednesday night and to prove it to him, the manager waved his shoe in the ump's face! Check It Out Below!
Haha! Gotta Love That Stone Cold Music in the background!
The AP's Ben Walker reports that Major League Baseball will begin using instant replay this season, likely by mid-August. Replay will only be used for disputed home run calls, not plays at home plate or balls and strikes.
Good to see that Baseball is catching up with the times. For those who say "this will make baseball even longer now" I think It doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as they get the calls right, especially as we head into October with the Postseason and the World Series!
Click On The Video Below to See an "Imacculate Inning" (striking out three batters on nine pitches) By Rich Harden! Harden did this June 8,2008 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Click On The Video Below to See C.C Sabathia's first Press Conference After getting traded!
It's official: The Cubs and Brewers quest for Baseball World Supremacy is now an arms race! The Milwaukee Brewers landed Ace Pitcher C.C Sabathia in exchange for outfielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and a player to be named later. The Cubs countered the next day, acquiring right-handed pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from the Oakland Athletics for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, infielder Eric Patterson and catcher Josh Donaldson.
If you look at this long term: which side has the "Star Wars" advantage? BREWERS: The Brewers traded away Matt La Porta and some young pitchers for the chance at winning now. From Milwaukee's standpoint, they may as well trade away the future of the Brewers because there may not be a next year for them to contend, especially if both Ben Sheets and C.C Sabathia become Free Agents this offseason.
CUBS: The Cubs offer didn't hurt them as much. They were able to get Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden in exchange for Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, two young players who the Cubs couldn't really find playing time for. Sean Gallagher was aleady optioned to the bullpen when the Cubs brought up Sean Marshall, so that also didn't hurt them that much. Also, Harden won't become a Free Agent until next season. He is more than just a "second half rental", if you will.
When These two forces collide, there will be Assured Destruction upon the rest of the NL Central!
One Week ago it was announced that Baron Davis was leaving the Golden State Warriors for the Los Angeles Clippers, seemingly giving the Clippers Some hope of relevance in the Western Conference.
What A Difference A Week Makes!
Now we know Corey Maggette and Elton Brand will not return to the Clippers, meaning the Clippers are right back where they started.
Elton Brand has signed a five year deal with the Philladelphia 76ers, and Corey Maggette has agreed to a five year contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Baron Davis better enjoy the money he's getting. The Clippers won't be contenders this season, but it's not Baron's Fault.
Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden are both heading to the North Side of the Windy City. The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.
The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.
“We’ve been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to $4.75 million this season.
The oft-injured righty missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.
The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team Wednesday and that he’ll pitch either Friday or Saturday night at Wrigley against the San Francisco Giants.
Just Like the Milwaukee Brewer trade for C.C Sabathia, the Cubs have sacraficed some of their good future talent (Murton, Patterson, Gallagher) for the shot at ending their Century Long Chamionship Drought.
Good move by the Cubbies. It's not as Earth Shattering as the Brewers trade for C.C Sabathia, but it a good move nonetheless. The Cubs get help in their starting rotation in Harden and Bullpen help in Gaudin.
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia was officially traded Monday from the Cleveland Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects.
Sabathia, eligible for free agency after the season, went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
Sabathia is the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998.
Sabathia was scheduled to arrive in Milwaukee before Monday night’s game against Colorado and to pitch against the Rockies on Tuesday night. He also is expected to pitch against Cincinnati on Sunday, giving him a pair of starts for his new team at home leading into the All-Star break.
Milwaukee sent Cleveland left fielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named.
Melvin said the Brewers’ strong farm system gave him flexibility to deal away a good prospect.
This Below Is From My Post From Yesterday:
"The Brewers wanted Sabathia, who rejected a $72 million, four-year extension from the Indians during spring training, on their pitching staff in time to get him two starts before the All-Star break, according to multiple media reports. Sabathia, who is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA this season, could debut in Milwaukee against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
The Addition of Sabathia makes Milwaukee even more dangerous. The Brewers instantly have enough to catch up with the Cardinals and the division leading Chicago Cubs.
My first thought, as a National League Baseball Fan of hearing this was "All Right! Now we get to see C.C. Sabathia actually swing the bat in something more than interleague play!
Sabathia is even a great hitter and a great pitcher, one of the best in all of baseball!
If I'm a Milwaukee Brewers Division Rival reading this, My First thought would be something along the lines of "Oh Snap!"
The Brewers have not won the division since 1982, when they were in the American League. They have taken a huge step to attaining their goal of making the postseason and ultimately winning the World Series."
Multiple Media Sources are Reporting the Milwaukee Brewers have won the C.C. Sabathia Sweepstakes.
The Brewers and the Cleveland Indians agreed to a deal for the reigning AL Cy Young on Sunday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The newspaper reports the deal is contingent on paperwork being finished and the exchange of medical records.
Cleveland would get Double-A outfielder Matt LaPorta, who is hitting .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 84 games for Huntsville, and two other minor leaguers in return, according to the Journal Sentinel. The two other players do not include top prospects Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel.
The Brewers wanted Sabathia, who rejected a $72 million, four-year extension from the Indians during spring training, on their pitching staff in time to get him two starts before the All-Star break, according to multiple media reports. Sabathia, who is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA this season, could debut in Milwaukee against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
The Addition of Sabathia makes Milwaukee even more dangerous. The Brewers instantly have enough to catch up with the Cardinals and the division leading Chicago Cubs.
My first thought, as a National League Baseball Fan of hearing this was "All Right! Now we get to see C.C. Sabathia actually swing the bat in something more than interleague play!
Sabathia is even a great hitter and a great pitcher, one of the best in all of baseball!
If I'm a Milwaukee Brewers Division Rival reading this, My First thought would be something along the lines of "Oh Snap!"
The Brewers have not won the division since 1982, when they were in the American League. They have taken a huge step to attaining their goal of making the postseason and ultimately winning the World Series.
Here are the lineups and reserves for the 2008 MLB All Star Game!
American League Starting Lineup Pos Player B/T
C Joe Mauer, MIN L/R 1B Kevin Youkilis, BOS R/R 2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS L/L SS Derek Jeter, NYY R/R 3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY R/R OF Josh Hamilton, TEX L/L OF Manny Ramirez, BOS R/R OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA L/R DH David Ortiz, BOSº L/L Pitchers Pos Player B/T P Justin Duchscherer, OAK R/R P Roy Halladay, TOR R/R P Scott Kazmir, TB L/L P Cliff Lee, CLE L/L P Joe Nathan, MIN R/R P Jonathan Papelbon, BOS R/R P Mariano Rivera, NYY R/R P Francisco Rodriguez, LAA R/R P Ervin Santana, LAA R/R P Joe Saunders, LAA L/L P George Sherrill, BAL L/L P Joakim Soria, KC R/R Reserves Pos Player B/T C Dioner Navarro, TB S/R C Jason Varitek, BOS S/R 1B Justin Morneau, MIN L/R 2B Ian Kinsler, TEX R/R SS Michael Young, TEX S/R 3B Joe Crede, CWS R/R 3B Carlos Guillen, DET S/R OF J.D. Drew, BOS L/R OF Carlos Quentin, CWS R/R OF Grady Sizemore, CLE L/L DH Milton Bradley, TEX S/R
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National League Starting Lineup
Pos Player B/T
C Geovany Soto, CHC S/R 1B Lance Berkman, HOU S/L 2B Chase Utley, PHI L/R SS Hanley Ramirez, FLA R/R 3B Chipper Jones, ATL S/R OF Ryan Braun, MIL R/R OF Kosuke Fukudome, CHC L/R OF Alfonso Soriano, CHC R/R Pitchers Pos Player B/T P Aaron Cook, COL R/R P Ryan Dempster, CHC R/R P Dan Haren, ARI R/R P Brad Lidge, PHI R/R P Tim Lincecum, SF L/R P Ben Sheets, MIL R/R P Edinson Volquez, CIN R/R P Billy Wagner, NYM L/L P Brandon Webb, ARI R/R P Brian Wilson, SF R/R P Kerry Wood, CHC L/L P Carlos Zambrano, CHC S/R Reserves
Pos Player B/T
C Russell Martin, LA R/R 1B Brian McCann, ATL L/R 1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD L/L 1B Albert Pujols, STL R/R 2B Dan Uggla, FLA R/R 3B Aramis Ramirez, CHC R/R SS Cristian Guzman, WAS S/R SS Miguel Tejada, HOU R/R OF Matt Holliday, COL R/R OF Ryan Ludwick, STL R/L OF Nate McLouth, PIT L/R
Notes: # Final Vote Selection º Injured, will not participate ª Named as replacement
Watch The 2008 All Star Game July 15th at 8PM EST on Fox!
"Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez will highlight an American League All-Star team loaded with Yankees and Red Sox, according to a report on the New York Post’s Web site.
Balloting for the All-Star game ended Wednesday and the official results will be announced Sunday. All starters mentioned in the report led in fan voting as of June 30.
The Yankees’ Rodriguez will start at third base and Derek Jeter at shortstop for the American League, according to the Post. Defending champion Boston’s starters will include Kevin Youkilis at first, Dustin Pedroia at second and Manny Ramirez in left field.
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz also got the most votes at his position, but won’t play because of a wrist injury.
Cliff Lee, who had to fight for a job in Cleveland’s rotation this spring, will be the starting pitcher for the AL, the Post reported. Lee is 11-1 with a 2.26 ERA.
He’ll go against Arizona’s Brandon Webb, who will be playing in his third consecutive All-Star game and getting his first starting assignment.
Also starting for the American League: Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki in center, Texas’ Josh Hamilton in right and Minnesota’s Joe Mauer behind the plate.
Suzuki was barely leading the Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero and Yankees’ Bobby Abreu for the final outfield spot in the voting as of June 30.
Houston’s Lance Berkman will start at first for the National League. Philadelphia’s Chase Utley got the nod at second, Atlanta’s Chipper Jones will play third and Florida’s Hanley Ramirez narrowly beat out Miguel Tejada of the Astros at shortstop.
The outfield will consist of Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs in left, teammate Kosuke Fukudome in center and Cincinnati’s Ken Griffey Jr. in right. The Cubs’ Geovany Soto will be the starting catcher.
Boston’s Terry Francona will manage the AL and Colorado’s Clint Hurdle the NL. Each manager chooses his pitching staffs and reserves."
My Take: Overall good choices by the fans. Josh Hamilton gets to start in the All Star Game, and he deserves it. There will be a lot of Cubbie Blue at Yankee Stadium, as Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, and Geovanny Soto will all start for the National League. Soto will become the first National League rookie cather to start an All Star Game.
Check out the MLB All Star Game Selection Show on TBS at 2PM EST tommorow to see if the report by The New York Post is correct.
I hope that everyone had a fantastic independence day. I hope everyone got all the fireworks, hot dogs, and baseball action you can handle. I certainly did.
Speaking of baseball, I was glad to watch the Cubs beat the Cardinals in a 2-1 nailbiter Friday Night. They will play each other again today and Sunday.
Speaking of hot dogs, once again, the best sporting event of Independence Day was the 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Once Again, the two best competitors was Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.
Check Out this video featuring a hillarious conversation between Allen Iverson and Jim Mora. What are we talking about? Check It Out Below!
Happy Independence Day Everyone! I'm going to Enjoy the hot dog eating contest and baseball games on tonight! I'm looking forward to Red Sox-Yankees and Cubs and Cardinals tonight!
I Can't believe that the voice of Fox, the guy who is supposed to cover the All Star Game, this year's NLCS and the World Series is bashing baseball like this. I can't believe he would blaspheme the game like this by saying "The Bachelorette" is more interesting than baseball! I know a lot of people may not have time to watch a game every day, but they can get game recaps now due to the internet, something Joe Buck didn't have back when he used to watch Vin Scully, Joe Garagiola, and Tony Kubek do NBC's Saturday Game Of The Week.
It's already a known fact that Joe doesn't understand the strategy involved in baseball, and he should be out of a baseball booth for making comments like this.
Baseball is my favorite Sport. Why? Because I have been to a few baseball games in my time (I hope to go back to a game this year) and I love the planning and the careful strategy that is involved. I like the National League more because you have to strategize more because there is no Designated Hitter, so you have to tell your pitcher to bunt to move the runner over. I love the strategy of Baseball!
I truly believe the only reason Joe Buck has a job as a Sportscaster is because he's been hanging on the coattails of his father, the legendary Jack Buck.
If Joe Buck doesn't enjoy Baseball Anymore, get him out and put someone in his place who actually Enjoys watching 2+ hours of baseball. Let's kick him out of the baseball booth, so he can call another NFL Game just as boring as he called last year's Super Bowl and World Series.
Marc Ecko has donated Barry Bonds record breaking homerun ball, number 756, to the Hall Of Fame, with the asterisk.
Bonds donated the batting helmets he wore when he hit his 755th and 756th home runs.
Bonds finished the season with 762 home runs. The San Francisco Giants did not offer him a contract for this year, and he hasn't gotten an offer to play for another team.
Now fans will get to see number 756 in Cooperstown and get to make up their minds on Barry Bonds. Barry's most famous homerun ball will make it to Cooperstown, even if Barry himself won't.
Click On The Video Below to see Baron Davis's Top Ten Plays From 2007!
Baron Davis is leaving the Golden Side of the Golden State and heading to Los Angeles, to that team that Is Not the Lakers. The LA Clippers have just signed one of the top free agents in the NBA. Davis agreed to a 5 year, $65 million contract, and he makes the Clippers relevant once again.
The Warriors are instantly trying to make up for his absence, as they are persuing Gilbert Arenas with a $101 Million offer. I think it is a losing offer though. I think Gilbert will resign with the Wizzards, but you never know what will happen in Free Agency.
