Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 479 of 1503)

      Five new playoff contenders for the 2010 MLB season

      April 2, 2010 /

      While some enthusiasts will argue otherwise, there’s usually not a lot of change from one year to the next in baseball. Most pundits expect the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Angels, Cardinals, Twins, Dodgers and Rockies (all eight teams that made the playoffs in 2009) to be good again this year. MLB isn’t like the NFL where teams make unexpected playoff runs every year.

      That said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a couple of sleepers to watch out for in 2010. Below are five clubs that didn’t make the postseason last year that have the best odds (in my estimation) of making the playoffs this season.

      1. Chicago White Sox
      If you read the 2010 MLB season preview, you’re not surprised to see the White Sox at the top of this list. As long as Jake Peavy stays healthy, Chicago arguably has the best starting rotation one through five in the American League. (Boston fans may argue otherwise, but Boston fans can also shove off…just kidding…although not really.) But the key to the Chi Sox’s success this season lies in their offense. Yes, I’m banking on veterans Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios, Mark Teahen, Paul Konerko and Mark Kotsay to have productive years and yes, that may be asking a lot. But Gordon Beckham looks like a star in the making and the addition of Juan Pierre gives the Sox a solid leadoff hitter. I’m well aware that Chicago could finish third in a three-team race in the AL Central, but their pitching is going to keep them competitive all season and I’m willing to bet that their offense won’t be as bad as many believe.

      2. Seattle Mariners
      The Mariners have all the pieces in place to not only compete for the AL Wild Card, but also unseat the Angels in the AL West. Along with Felix Hernandez, the acquisition of Cliff Lee now gives Seattle the best 1-2 punch in the American League outside of Boston’s Josh Beckett and John Lackey. The problem is that the lineup lacks major punch. Chone Figgins and Ichiro give the M’s quality bats at the top of the order, but can this team score enough runs on a nightly basis? The club has been built on pitching and defense but if they want to make the postseason, the Mariners will have to prove that they can overcome a powerless lineup.

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      MLB

      Dolphins’ interest in Dez Bryant heating up

      April 2, 2010 /

      After dealing with Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens at separate times throughout his coaching career, one would think that Bill Parcells would pass on taking another receiver with diva potential. But the Dolphins’ interest for Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant continues to grow.

      The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that Bryant is in Miami for a visit with Parcells, after he was already wined and dined by head coach Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland. Granted, the visit could wind up being a smokescreen by the Dolphins, but why would Parcells go as far as to meet with him if the team wasn’t truly interested?

      Many draft pundits believe that Bryant will still be on the board when the Dolphins select at No. 12. But there’s a possibility that the Jaguars (No. 10) and the Broncos (No. 11) could snag him before he reaches Miami, as could the Raiders at No. 8 if Al Davis is feeling frisky again for a receiver.

      That said, if Bryant is there at No. 12, there’s no doubt the Dolphins could use a receiver with No. 1 potential. Miami has all but completely given up on Ted Ginn Jr. and while the team did draft USC’s Patrick Turner and Ohio State’s Brian Hartline last year, neither is expected to develop into a true No. 1 for quarterback Chad Henne.

      We’ll continue to track the Bryant-Dolphins connection leading up to the draft.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

      Investigators re-activate case against Holmes

      April 2, 2010 /

      The woman suing Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes over an incident that occurred in a nightclub in early March has changed her mind and now wants him to face criminal charges.

      From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

      Anshonae Mills informed police Wednesday that she now wants the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver charged with throwing a liquor glass at her face March 7 and causing a minor injury during a dispute over a seat at the club’s VIP lounge.

      “Ms. Mills came to the Orlando Police Department yesterday and wants to prosecute, and the case has been re-activated,” Orlando police Sgt. Barbara Jones said Thursday in an e-mail.

      No further information was available about how investigators plan to proceed.

      Police announced Tuesday that the criminal investigation had been closed because Ms. Mills would not cooperate.

      Ms. Mills, 21, a senior at the University of Central Florida, filled out a handwritten statement to police on the morning of the incident refusing to prosecute the football player.

      Well, if Holmes was hoping this incident would be swept under the rug, he can think again. He was probably able to sweet talk her at the scene, but there’s no doubt that somebody (a family member maybe?) talked to her afterwards and encouraged her to go through with the charges.

      This seems like a he said, she said case, so Holmes may wind up avoiding any criminal action. Nevertheless, the damage has already been done, as the Steelers and the NFL can’t be thrilled that yet another player has been accused of assaulting a woman.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      With injuries to Blanton, Romero and Lidge, are the Phillies in trouble?

      April 1, 2010 /

      After the club acquired Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays over the offseason, there aren’t too many (if any) media publications that are predicting against the Phillies in the NL East this season.

      But with Joe Blanton, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge set to start the season on the disabled list, should the Phillies be concerned?

      Blanton has never been an overpowering pitcher, but he’s been a rock in the middle of the Phillies’ starting rotation since he was acquired from the A’s a couple years ago. He’ll miss anywhere from 3-6 weeks after tweaking his oblique muscle during a recent throwing session and now Kyle Kendrick (who lost out to Jamie Moyer for the club’s fifth starter spot) will take his place.

      Romero underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow last October and isn’t ready to return, although he is progressing faster in his rehab than Lidge. Both pitchers aren’t expected to return until mid April at the earliest.

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      MLB

      Shaun Rogers arrested for gun possession at airport

      April 1, 2010 /

      WOIO-TV in Cleveland is reporting that Browns’ defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was arrested on Thursday for gun possession at Hopkins airport in Cleveland. The Cleveland Plain Dealer confirms the report.

      19 Action News has learn Cleveland Browns Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers has been arrested at Hopkins airport with a gun.

      It happened as the NFL’er was about to board a flight around 12:30PM Thursday afternoon. The gun was discovered in a bag. Apparently, Rogers told officers he forgot the gun was in there.

      No further details are available at this time.

      Sometimes I forget that I have a liquid that’s too big when walking through security and authorities have to confiscate it. But I’m pretty sure that I would remember if I had a freaking weapon in my bag. I’m sure Rogers wasn’t going to use it on the plane, but if he’s careless enough to forget that he’s traveling with a gun, then he shouldn’t own one in the first place.

      There was some speculation that the Browns might try to trade Rogers this offseason, but they recently admitted that they were inclined to keep the DT unless they were made an offer that they couldn’t refuse. Whether or not they wanted to trade him, they can’t now after this incident.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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