Category: MLB (Page 228 of 448)

      Giants’ closer Wilson upset with Blake’s mocking gesture

      May 11, 2009 /

      Not all Giants players were ecstatic in the clubhouse following their 7-5 victory over the Dodgers in 13 innings on Sunday (and taking two of three from their most hated rivals in the process).

      Something ugly apparently happened after today’s 7-5, 13-inning win. Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake apparently insulted Brian Wilson with a gesture.

      One by one, the Giants visited Wilson in the clubhouse to console him after a friend sent to Wilson’s cell phone an image of Blake mocking the cross-armed gesture the closer makes after each save.

      Wilson’s gesture partly relates to his religious faith and partly to his late father. Wilson seemed very distraught about the incident. As Tim Lincecum was about to address reporters, a team employee interrupted and pulled Lincecum away, presumably to talk to Wilson.

      Wilson did not seem eager to discuss the incident. Asked if he might discuss it with Blake the next time they meet, Wilson stood silent while Jeremy Affeldt, standing in the next locker said, “Blake knew what he did.”

      Blake, who homered against Wilson in the 12th inning to deal the Giant his second blown save, had left the clubhouse when two San Francisco reporters sought his response.

      Baseball players are a little sensitive on a whole, but I could see why Wilson would be upset with Blake mocking a gesture that was created to honor his faith and his late father. It’s not like Wilson does it to show anyone up – he always turns his back while walking off the back of the mound and he never gestures to the opposing team while doing it. These situations have a tendency to blow over, but nevertheless, this could add another log in the fire to an already great Giants-Dodgers rivalry.

      Either way, Blake should worry more about his team losing three of four since losing Manny Ramirez for 50 games.

      MLB

      Strasburg throws 17-strikeout no-hitter in final home start

      May 11, 2009 /

      San Diego State junior and future Washington National Stephen Strasburg threw a 17-strikeout no-hitter against Air Force in his final home start over the weekend.

      The 20-year-old is now 11-0 for the Aztecs, with an obscene 164 Ks in 87.1 innings. He leads all amateur pitchers in hype, earning potential, and 103 mph fastballs. Strasburg has a 23-strikeout game to his credit, too.

      Washington Nationals’ acting general manager Mike Rizzo was reportedly in attendance at the no-no, scouting Strasburg in advance of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The Nats have the top overall pick, and there’s just no way they’ll pass on Strasburg at any price. If former Washington GM Jim Bowden can be believed, the decision was made long ago.

      Somewhere, agent/advisor Scott Boras is grinning one of these smug little grins.

      Bowden has said of Strasburg, “This is the best amateur pitcher since I was born.” (That would be May 18, 1961). He’s also said that the right-hander will be pitching in the big leagues in September. Position yourself for the waiver claim now, dynasty owners.

      If this kid winds up pitching for the Nationals in September, that would be freaking unbelievable. Hopefully Washington doesn’t rush him, because major league hitters have a tendency to humble hot young prospects. Still, what an amazing college career – he has a bright future ahead of him.

      MLB

      Dodgers’ owner furious with Manny

      May 10, 2009 /

      According to the Los Angeles Times, Manny Ramirez recently met with Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt and general manger Ned Colletti since being suspended for 50-games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug and as expected, McCourt ain’t happy.

      McCourt is said to be furious with Ramirez and was demanding that the All-Star outfielder call him, according to sources familiar with the situation who weren’t authorized to discuss the matter.

      Among McCourt’s other demands is that Ramirez address his teammates. One source said that is “unlikely” to happen today when the Dodgers conclude an 11-game homestand, but “might” take place during the six-game trip that starts Tuesday in Philadelphia. A possibility exists that Ramirez could face the team on the second half of the trip, in his off-season hometown of Miami.

      What was clear on Saturday was that the issue of Ramirez’s speaking to his teammates was more important to McCourt than it was to Dodgers Manager Joe Torre.

      “I don’t think addressing the team is necessary,” Torre said. “I think it is important that the players get a chance to say something. I don’t think we need anything formal.”

      I don’t blame McCourt one bit for being furious about this entire situation. He and Colletti had to do the negotiation dance with Manny and his agent for months before Ramirez finally agreed to a two-year, $45 million contract in March. And for all his trouble, McCourt now has to sit idle as his best hitter and marketing piece miss 50 games because Manny got caught masking steroids tested positive for a PED.

      Far be it for me to disagree with anything Joe Torre has to say, but I side with McCourt in that Manny needs to address the team. He needs to look his teammates in the eyes and say, “I screwed up and I need to pay for what I did. But if you’ll have me back, I’ll make it up to you in July when I come back.” I think Manny personally addressing the situation is better than everyone attempting to sweep it under the rug until after the 50-game suspension. He needs to show a little humility and I think his teammates would respect that (even if the rest of us wouldn’t).

      MLB

      Cubs’ Ramirez seperates shoulder, out 4-to-6 weeks

      May 9, 2009 /

      Cubs’ third baseman Aramis Ramirez separated his shoulder making a diving catch during Chicago’s 3-2 loss to the Brewers on Friday night and is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks.

      Ironically, the Cubs traded outfielder Joey Gathright to the Orioles in exchange for infielder Ryan Freel earlier in the day, which at least takes a little of the sting out of losing Ramirez. Freel does have experience playing third base and will likely split time there with Aaron Miles and Mike Fontenot in Ramirez’s absence.

      The loss of A-Ram is a tough blow considering the Cubs just placed ace Carlos Zambrano on the disabled list less than a week ago due to a hamstring injury. Ramirez was hitting .364 with four home runs and 16 RBI before the injury, so Chicago will not only be without their No. 1 pitcher for the next couple weeks, but also one of their prominent bats.

      The Cubs were 2.5 games back of the Cardinals entering Saturday’s action.

      MLB

      Top 10 Active Gopher Ball Leaders

      May 9, 2009 /

      Some pitching statistics are not very complimentary, most of all the gopher ball line….that is, for pitchers who have a penchant for throwing that big fat pitch that a hitter tends to crush over the fence. Here is a list of the active pitchers who lead the majors in this category, and only includes players who are currently on a major league roster:

      1. Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia Phillies (474)—Okay, so he’s been pitching since 1986 and throws mostly slow junk, but Moyer has given up double digits in gopher balls 16 times, including FORTY FOUR in 2004 while with Seattle, the fifth highest total for a single season in baseball history. And he is only 31 behind all-time leader Robin Roberts, who gave up 505 long balls. Way to go, Jamie.

      2. Randy Johnson, San Francisco Giants (399)—We can pretty much give the Big Unit a pass, because he’s struck out 4,819 batters and is closing in on 300 wins.

      3. Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox (363)—All you can say is that sometimes the knuckleball is completely baffling, and sometimes it looks like a soccer ball to the hitter.

      4. Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves (356)—As good as Glavine is and has been throughout his illustrious career, he has always had the penchant for giving up the long ball.

      5. Javier Vasquez, Atlanta Braves (304)—Since breaking into the big leagues in 1998, Vasquez has AVERAGED 29 homers given up per season…he’s been as low as 20, and as high as 35. Batter up!

      6. Livan Hernandez, New York Mets (301)—I read recently where Livan’s pitches were clocking in the 62 mph range…..are you kidding me? Yet, he’s still getting hitters out with regularity.

      6. Jeff Suppan, Milwaukee Brewers (301)—Jeff Suppan has always had decent control, averaging 68 walks per season since breaking in with the Red Sox in 1995. But he’s also given up an average of 27 homers per season. Sometimes control means you leave it out over the plate.

      8. John Smoltz, Boston Red Sox (277)—Smoltz has only averaged 16 homers given up per season, including a few years as the Braves’ closer, but still—you pitch since 1988, your numbers are going to add up.

      9. Bartolo Colon, Chicago White Sox (245)—In 2004, Bartolo won 18 games but gave up 38 homers. Somebody must have inspired or bribed him with cheeseburgers the next year when he went 21-8 and won the AL Cy Young.

      10. Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees (235)—For all those years with the short porch in right field in the old Yankee Stadium, Pettitte gave up a career high 27 homers while pitching for the Astros in 2006.

      Source: Baseball Reference

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