Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 526 of 1503)

      Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine officially retire

      February 12, 2010 /

      According to MLB.com, two predominant figures in the 1990s have decide to hang up their cleats, as Frank Thomas and Tom Glavine have officially announced their retirement.

      Glavine’s legacy in Atlanta will always be highlighted by the dazzling performance he produced in the clinching Game 6 of the 1995 World Series. His eight scoreless innings against the potent Indians lineup is celebrated just as much as the decisive solo homer delivered that evening by David Justice.

      Regarded as one of the most determined pitchers to stand on a mound, Glavine made 672 starts and compiled 4,361 1/3 innings before making his first career trip to the disabled list during the 2008 season. A torn flexor tendon in his left elbow would necessitate two more trips and lead to the August surgical procedure, during which Dr. James Andrews also cleaned out some tissue around the veteran hurler’s left labrum.

      For 19 seasons, Thomas tore apart opposing hurlers with his immense power and keen batting eye to the tune of a .301 average, an amazing .419 on-base percentage, .555 slugging percentage, 521 home runs and 1,704 RBIs. Sixteen of those years came on the South Side of Chicago, so it’s only fitting Thomas announced the end to what looks like a Hall of Fame-bound career Thursday night in the same city.

      “The Big Hurt” definitely has a case for Hall of Fame enshrinement after winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1993 and 1994. The only thing that hurts (no pun intended) his chances of reaching Cooperstown is that he was primarily a DH, so he’ll be on the bubble when it comes time for voting.

      Glavine on the other hand, should be a shoe-in for the Hall. He’s a two-time Cy Young winner, a 305-game winner and holds a career ERA of 3.54. Although this won’t have a barring on whether or not he gets into the HOF, he was also on the most dominant pitching staffs in baseball in the 90s.


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      MLB

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 Team Needs

      February 11, 2010 /

      As part of our 2010 NFL Draft coverage, I will be breaking down positional needs for all 32 teams, starting in reverse alphabetical order. Next up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Check out other team needs by clicking here.

      1. Defensive Line
      The Bucs have needs at every position outside of quarterback, but they’re in good shape with 10 selections in this year’s draft. Their top priority will likely be their defensive line, which has become a weakness under the new regime of Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik. If either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy fall to them at No. 3, it’s hard envisioning a scenario where Tampa would pass on upgrading the interior of their defensive line. If both tackles are gone at that spot, then they may address their need at safety with Tennessee’s Eric Berry or hope to trade down and snag one of the defensive ends (Jason Pierre-Paul, Brandon Graham, Corey Wootten or George Selvie) that would be available later in the first round. But no matter how things shake out for them at No. 3, the Bus will attempt to upgrade their defensive line on draft day.

      Outside Linebacker
      Upgrading the strongside linebacker position is one of the Bucs’ top priorities this offseason and now that Geno Hayes (who had a breakout season last year) will be sidelined for 3-4 months after undergoing surgery in late January to repair a torn labrum, weakside may need to be addressed as well. Tampa signed Angelo Crowell to a one-year contract last offseason, but the deal blew up in Dominik’s (who overpaid) face after the oft-injured linebacker missed the entire 2009 season when he tore one of his biceps in August. It’s doubtful the Bucs bring him back seeing as how he can’t stay on the field and was plummeting past Quincy Black and Adam Hayward on the depth chart before being placed on IR. Black is adequate, but the Bucs need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and could use one of their early round selections to beef up the strongside position.

      3. Safety
      Tanard Jackson is entrenched as the starter at free safety, but the strong safety position definitely needs to be addressed this offseason. Sabby Piscitelli proved that he’s a liability in coverage and quite frankly, he wasn’t that great against the run either (which was supposed to be his forte). Bringing back 31-year-old, injury-prone Jermaine Phillips isn’t the answer, so taking a player like Berry at No. 3 makes sense. The question is, will Tampa take Suh or McCoy if either of them fell at that spot? Good safeties are hard to find in the draft, but Suh and McCoy are two prospects that have the potential to anchor a line for years to come. Either way, the safety position opposite Jackson must be addressed.

      Cornerback, receiver, running back, guard and offensive tackle are needs for the Bucs this offseason as well.


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      NFL

      Are the Mets out of money?

      February 11, 2010 /

      According to FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Mets are out of money, which is why they haven’t been able to land a starting catcher or a fifth starter this offseason.

      Two of the teams that could benefit from signing free-agent catcher Rod Barajas — the Mets and Rangers — appear hamstrung by complications at the ownership level.

      The Mets, outbid by the Padres for catcher Yorvit Torrealba, are out of money, major-league sources say — a curious position for a team that spent $66 million on outfielder Jason Bay knowing it had other needs.

      None of the Mets’ catchers — Henry Blanco, Omir Santos, Chris Coste and Josh Thole — is an established major-league starter. Thole, 23, had a September callup last season, but has yet to play at Class AAA.

      I find it hard to believe that the Mets don’t have any more money to sign free agents but if they do, I question why GM Omar Minaya handed Jason Bay a $66 million contract knowing that he couldn’t fill other needs. The club has a lot of money wrapped up in bad contracts and continues to feel the affects of it.


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      MLB

      Will Rams benefit from having a new owner in an un-capped year?

      February 11, 2010 /

      The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez have agreed to sell the Rams’ franchise to Shahid Khan, an auto-parts manufacturer based in Urbana, Illinois. The sale still has to be approved by three-fourths of the NFL owners for it to become finalized, however.

      Assuming the sale does go through, this could be yet another crucial step in the rebuilding process for the Rams. The first step was taken last year when the team hired former Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spaguolo to become their next head coach.

      According to the Dispatch article, Khan is an enthusiastic Rams fan who has attended home games at the Edward Jones Dome and who is committed to keeping the team in St. Louis. That’s obviously good news for the stability of the franchise, but what about the on-field product?

      Seeing as how the NFL is heading into an un-capped year, it could wind up benefiting the Rams that they now have a new, energized owner that is willing to spend in order to improve the roster. The team already owns the No. 1 pick in the draft and if Khan is willing to make a splash in the free agent market, the Rams could turn their misfortune around rather quickly.

      Of course, spending money doesn’t always result in on-field production. Washington owner Daniel Snyder has spent years shelling out big bucks for free agents and the Redskins only have two playoff appearances (2000, 2006) in the past 10 years to show for it. General manager Billy Devaney still has to acquire the right pieces this offseason, regardless of whether or not he has financial backing from Khan.

      Either way, this is shaping up to be an interesting offseason in St. Louis.


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      NFL

      JaMarcus Russell could learn from Michael Vick

      February 11, 2010 /

      Here’s a shock: Michael Vick didn’t work hard when he was a member of the Falcons, or so he admitted in a radio interview with 790AM The Zone in Atlanta.

      From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

      “There was a lot more I could have done off the field and in the film room that could have elevated my game to a different level,” Vick said. “I was complacent at the time, somewhat lazy, and I settled for mediocrity. I thought what I was doing was enough.”

      “Just imagine what I could have been doing if I really would have been applying myself. That’s a regret I have.”

      Considering that he’s complacent, somewhat lazy and is settling for mediocrity, I can envision JaMarcus Russell saying the same things about himself in the next couple years when he’s looking for a job outside of the NFL.

      Russell’s on-field problems have been well documented. He doesn’t have good mechanics, his decision-making is horrendous and he has never been an accurate passer. But that doesn’t mean he lacks the athletic tools to become a decent starter. If he only applied himself more, then maybe he could make something out of the talent he does have.

      The problem is that he’s just like Vick was in Atlanta. He has had everything handed to him in life and he’s never had to work for something he truly wants. He’s lazy, unmotivated and he settles for being a lush because he knows Al Davis will support him no matter how bad he is on the field. But if he would heed what Vick said in the interview, maybe he would take this offseason to try and turn his career around.

      Personally, I wouldn’t bet on Russell succeeding. I don’t think he has the work ethic to become a good player and worse yet, I don’t think he cares. I agree that he’s not in the best environment in Oakland, but at some point you have to stop blaming other people and look in the mirror.

      But maybe he’ll prove everyone wrong and take this offseason seriously. It took Vick going to jail to realize the opportunity he pissed away in Atlanta, but maybe Russell (who is only 24 mind you) won’t need a life-changing experience to turn his career around in Oakland.


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      NFL

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