Category: MLB (Page 50 of 448)

      The difference between Jayson Werth the National and Jayson Werth the Red Sox? One year.

      February 25, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth bats against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 2, 2010 in Denver. The Phillies lead the NL Wild Card race. UPI/Gary C. Caskey

      It’s cool, Jayson Werth. You signed with the Nationals because they offered you $126 million. Nobody will fault you for that. I’d probably smash my femur with a hammer for half that.

      But don’t spit in my face and tell me it’s raining.

      When Werth signed with the Nationals back in December, he concocted this speech about how he’s always “been a fan of an underdog” and how he noticed that the Nationals had a “grittiness and a will to win.”

      Everyone knew he was blowing smoke but nobody cared, because how could anyone blame him for cashing in? Hey, it wasn’t his fault the Nationals paid him $127 million despite the fact that no other team was willing to offer him that much dough.

      But he shows up for Nationals spring training this week and the first things out of his mouth were about how the Phillies could have had both him and Cliff Lee had they not traded Lee away last year, and how he had a “great meeting” with the Red Sox and would have signed with them had they offered six years instead of five.

      For those scoring at home, he admitted that he would have signed with the Boston freaking Red Sox (a legitimate World Series contender) instead of the perennial doormats of the NL East (no offense Nationals, I think you’re beautiful on the inside) had the BoSox offered him six years instead of five. Holy mercenary, Batman.

      And talk about bitter: it’s not up to Werth to play GM of the Philadelphia Phillies. Maybe they could have had both him and Lee had they not traded Lee last year, but correct me if I’m wrong, the Phillies are the favorites to win the World Series this year because of Lee and Roy Halladay. I haven’t seen any respected analyst say, “The Phils aren’t World Series contenders this year because they don’t have Jayson Werth in right field.”

      Again, nobody cares that he took the money in Washington. Good for him. But considering they gave him a contract that nobody else was willing to give him, maybe he should spend more time being a National and less time sounding so greedy and bitter.

      External Sports, MLB

      Naturally, Gomes was singing a song from the Karate Kid, not about Wainwright’s injury

      February 24, 2011 /

      The search is over for the most bizarre sports story of the month: Jonny Gomes, you win.

      After word spread that Cardinals’ starting pitcher Adam Wainwright suffered a serious arm injury that could require Tommy John surgery (it does), reports surfaced that Gomes arrived to Reds’ spring training practice on Wednesday “joyously” singing, “Wainwright’s gone, Wainwright’s gone, Wainwright’s gone.”

      Naturally, Cardinal nation wanted Gomes beaten to within an inch of his life but the outfielder denied the report and claims he was merely singing the song “You’re the Best Around” from the “Karate Kid” movie.

      Nope, this isn’t a joke. From Mark Sheldon’s blog:

      I was present in the clubhouse when Gomes walked in. He was singing — but it was a song from the original Karate Kid movie — “You’re the best around…” As for what he said about Wainwright, Gomes’ account follows:

      “I was doing an interview with [Rob] Dibble and Dibble gave me the breaking news that Wainwright was flying back to St. Louis with arm problems. That’s all I heard. I came in and I said ‘is Wainwright gone, is Wainwright gone?’

      Gomes went on to say that he came up with Wainwright in the minors and would never wish injury on any player. If it’s any consolation, St. Louis skipper Tony La Russa told the media that, “I happen to know Gomes. I don’t think he meant anything by it. And I haven’t even heard for sure what he said. But I like the way he competes.”

      Hal McCoy, the writer who posted the original report, removed the story and said that he “didn’t sleep last night” after what he wrote caused a stir.

      Whether the story is true or not, this will certainly ratchet up the rivalry between the Cards and Reds this season. And whether Gomes sang about Wainwright’s injury or not, there’s no doubt that Randy Marsh is proud that the Reds’ outfielder was signing “You’re the Best Around.”

      External Sports, MLB

      Adam Wainwright could need Tommy John surgery

      February 23, 2011 /
      St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright delivers a pitch to the San Diego Padres in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 19, 2010. Wainwright picked up his 19th win of the season the 4-1. win. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

      The Albert Pujols contract situation just took a backseat to more depressing news for St. Louis Cardinal fans.

      Adam Wainwright suffered what is being called a significant elbow injury in spring training and the early reports are that he’ll need Tommy John surgery.

      Make no mistake, this would be a disastrous situation for the Cardinals. As in, hey Milwaukee Brewers, the door is open, why don’t you come in and make yourself at home at the top of the NL Central kind of disastrous situation. Wainwright is one of the game’s best pitchers and has finished in the top three of the NL Cy Young balloting each of the past two seasons. Without him in the rotation, the Cards will certainly struggle to stay afloat in the division.

      If he does wind up having surgery, the options are slim for replacements. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, early speculation is that the Cards will go after Kevin Millwood, which wouldn’t be a bad move. Millwood is 36-years-old and had an ERA of 5.10 last season, but he would benefit from the move to the NL and the pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium. He’s better than a sharp stick in the eye.

      But obviously Millwood is no Wainwright. Assuming he’s out for the season, this injury not only hurts the Cardinals but the game of baseball as well. Major League Baseball needs its stars on the field.

      External Sports, MLB

      Phillies or Giants: Which rotation would you rather have if you were starting a new organization?

      February 18, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Phillies all-star pitcher Roy Oswalt delivers a pitch during first inning San Francisco Giants-Philadelphia Phillies NLCS Championship game two at Citizens Bank Park October 17, 2010. . UPI/John Anderson

      So you’re the general manager of the new Las Vegas Craps team and baseball commissioner Bud Selig comes to you with the offer of all offers.

      He says, since the Craps are going to struggle this year offensively with a lineup comprised of over-the-hill veterans and unproven rookies, you get your pick of stealing either the Phillies or the Giants’ starting rotation.

      “Sweet mother of all that is holy,” you say to Selig. “Those are the best starting rotations in the game!”

      “Yes they are, Craps owner,” Selig says. “But you have to choose one right now.”

      So which rotation would you rather have? Let’s take a look at the deets first.

      Philadelphia Phillies

      Roy Halladay
      Age: 33
      Salary: $20 million in 2011; $20 million in 2012; $20 million in 2013; $20 million option in 2014.
      Career Stats: 169-86, 1,714 Ks, 3.32 ERA, 58 complete games, 19 shutouts
      Accolades: Two-time Cy Young winner, two-time wins champion, seven-time All-Star.

      Cliff Lee
      Age: 32
      Salary: $11 million 2011; $21.5 million in 2012; $25 million from 2013-2015.
      Career Stats: 102-61, 3.85 ERA, 1,085 Ks
      Accolades: Cy Young winner, two-time All-Star, 7-2 postseason record, 2.13 postseason ERA.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, MLB

      Time for the Tigers to get Miguel Cabrera some serious help

      February 17, 2011 /

      Far be it for me to tell a Major League Baseball club how they should handle one of their superstars but if I were the Detroit Tigers, Miguel Cabrera wouldn’t be heading to spring training right now, he’d be on his way to getting some serious help.

      If a picture is worth a thousand words than I wonder what Cabrera’s mug shot (above) is saying. He was arrested late Wednesday night on DUI charges and the details are ugly.

      Apparently his car engine was smoking alongside a road when a police officer spotted the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Cabrera “smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of scotch in front of a deputy.” Police say he refused to cooperate, saying, “Do you know who I am, you don’t know anything about my problems.”

      No we don’t, but let’s hope someone can help.

      This isn’t he first time Cabrera has had issues with alcohol. Everyone is aware of his issues in October of 2009 when he got himself drunk the morning before a pivotal series with the White Sox. After he spent three months in an alcohol abuse treatment center, many believed that his problems were behind him. But this is just another reminder that the media and fans will never truly understand what’s going on with an athlete’s life. This is just another reminder that they’re human beings, too.

      Obviously this is a man crying out for help and the Tigers should spring into immediate action. Baseball means nothing right now, nor should it. It’s great that he got the help he needed last time but obviously it wasn’t enough. So Cabrera and the Tigers keep trying and trying until it is.

      Good luck, Miggie. Baseball will still be here when you get back, but you need to take care of your business first before you get yourself or somebody else seriously hurt.

      External Sports, MLB

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