Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1037 of 1503)

      Big Unit heading to San Francisco?

      December 5, 2008 /

      Randy Johnson might soon be chasing his 300th win in San Francisco next year, as he’s considering playing for the Giants in 2009.

      The 45-year-old left-hander is keen on extending his career, and he will consider pitching in either San Francisco or Oakland next season, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.

      A local from nearby Walnut Creek and a graduate of Livermore High School, Johnson is familiar with the territory and has pitched and excelled in both American and National Leagues. Last season, Johnson went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts for the Diamondbacks while pitching in his 21st big league season.

      But the Giants and A’s would not be alone in pursuit of Johnson, as there have been a number of inquiries.

      “We’ve had about 10 teams contact us,” said Barry Meister, one of Johnson’s agents. “We’ve had discussions with a lot of teams in general, including the Giants. The Giants have expressed interest in us.

      This actually wouldn’t be such a bad move for the Giants. They have a spot open in their rotation because they chased off Kevin Corriea, and their two top picks from the 2007 draft (Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson) are still a year or two away from joining the big league club. Even at 45-years old, a team could do a lot worse than the Big Unit. And with CY Young Winner Tim Lincecum, as well as improving youngsters Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez at the front of the rotation, maybe Johnson can mask Barry Zito’s awful performances. (He would also be a hell of a lot cheaper than CC Sabathia, who the Giants have been linked to as well this offseason.)

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Feds drop four counts against Barry Bonds

      December 5, 2008 /

      Federal prosecutors dropped four counts of lying to a grand jury against MLB free agent Barry Bonds, although he still has to face trial for 10 counts of making false statements and one obstruction of justice charge.

      Bonds faces the same potential sentence range — probation to roughly two years in prison — if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin March 2.

      Thursday’s indictment, the third against the home-run king, came in response to U.S. District Judge Susan Illston’s decision last week ordering prosecutors to again rewrite the technically faulty indictment.

      Bonds was originally charged in November 2007 with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. After a motion by his lawyers to dismiss the case, Illston ordered prosecutors to rewrite the indictment because multiple alleged lies were lumped into single charges.

      He was re-indicted in May and charged with 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury in 2003 and one count of obstruction of justice. His attorney’s then asked Illston to dismiss 10 of the lying charges, claiming he was asked unclear questions in front of the grand jury in 2003, and Illston ruled Nov. 24 to dismiss three charges and asked prosecutors to consolidate or rewrite another two.

      This is what happens when prosecutors can’t fill out paperwork correctly – Barry Bonds escapes punishment. Geez…

      MLB

      Ruling on Vikings’ DTs coming Friday

      December 5, 2008 /

      Kevin and Pat Williams should know whether or not they’re playing Sunday in Detroit by Friday.

      Pat WilliamsTwo separate actions regarding the playing status of the two Pro Bowl defensive tackles, who were suspended four games by the NFL on Tuesday for using a banned diuretic, are on the docket for a 10:30 a.m. hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson.

      The NFL seeks to dissolve a temporary restraining order obtained Wednesday by the Williamses that allows them to play.

      That suit was filed on behalf of the Williamses, who are not related, and New Orleans Saints players Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith. The five players took a weight-loss supplement called StarCaps. The supplement contained the banned product bumetanide, which was not listed as an ingredient. The players claim the league has known about the presence of bumetanide in StarCaps since 2006 and failed to warn its players.

      The NFL, which maintains a list of approved products, has steadfastly claimed it is not obligated to issue warnings about specific products that are not on that list.

      The Williamses practiced with the Vikings on Thursday but were not available for comment.

      I’m not a lawyer, but these players seem to have a viable argument. If the league wants to ban certain substances, shouldn’t it go out of its way to warn players about products that could get them suspended? If they already have a list of approved products, why not have another list of unapproved substances or any products that could have banned substances in them?

      It seems to me that if you really want to ensure that players aren’t using performance-enhancing drugs (or weight loss substances, etc.), than you should go out of your way to make sure that those players know exactly what is and isn’t allowed. On the flip side, players should know what they’re putting into their bodies. And if they’re unsure, the league has to have people in place to ask questions. This whole thing is a mess and unfortunately in the Vikings’ sake, it could cost them the playoffs.

      Related Articles:

      NFLPA to file lawsuit on behalf of suspended players

      NFL suspends six, including Deuce McAllister, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Is JaMarcus Russell a bust? Vol. II.

      December 5, 2008 /

      JaMarcus RussellBack in October I questioned whether or not former first overall pick JaMarcus Russell was a bust after the Saints’ routed his Raiders 34-3 in Week 6. And after the San Diego Chargers blasted Oakland 34-7 on Thursday night, I’m proposing the question again.

      Russell completed 9 of 13 passes, but he two of his three incompletions were interceptions and he threw for just 68 yards. On top of his poor numbers, he was also carted off the field at halftime with an ankle injury. Andrew Walter replaced him in the second half and was equally atrocious, throwing for 61 yards and a pick himself.

      In 12 games (he missed one due to injury), Russell has compiled a 70.1 passing rating, 1,797 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. His completion percentage is a paltry 51.4% and he’s thrown for over 250 yards once this season (Week 4). But perhaps a more telling stat is that he’s been sacked 27 times this year, or 2.25 times a game.

      No quarterback, not Brett Favre, Joe Montana or Tom Brady, can do it by himself. I’m not excusing Russell’s play because he has looked absolutely brutal at this season, but how can the Raiders expect this kid to win if they don’t protect him? Furthermore, he doesn’t play in an environment conducive to winning and neither Tom Cable nor Greg Knapp are very good play callers/offensive coordinators. Knapp’s offenses will put you to sleep with their predictability.

      Russell needs to show dramatic improvements, but the Raiders front office also has to help him out. Instead of going out and getting a flashy, high-priced free agent wide receiver or drafting another running back, they need to start building an offensive line. Russell will never survive without the big bodies up front to protect him, I don’t care how strong his arm is how or how big he is.

      But that’s not Al Davis’s style is it? He wants flash over substance. And that’s why this team is forever doomed with him at the helm. It’s likely Russell will never get a fair shot before being labeled a bust and ushered out of Oakland.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Marion Barber to be game-time decision

      December 5, 2008 /

      The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Cowboys’ running back Marion Barber (toe injury) will now be a game-time decision on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

      It was thought Barber might do some light work as the week progressed, but he has not practiced. The training staff is working with Barber to see what type of shoes will give him the most comfort and support.

      “We were assuming that Marion would play, but it’s a little more doubtful right now, so we’ll see [today],” coach Wade Phillips said.

      This isn’t good for a team that not only is playing in a tough Pittsburgh environment, but also fighting for their playoff lives. If Barber can’t go, Tashard Choice would start and Alonzo Coleman would be signed from the practice squad. Either back would be a poor start against the Steelers, who currently have the best defense in the league.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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