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      Mets’ Wright beaned in the head by Giants’ Cain

      August 16, 2009 /

      In one of the scarier moments of the 2009 baseball season, Mets third baseman David Wright took a mid-90s fastball from Giants starter Matt Cain off the helmet during a game on Saturday.

      Wright was diagnosed with post-concussion symptoms on Sunday and was released from the hospital. The Mets may be forced to put him on the DL, which would be yet another blow in an already frustrating season for New York.

      As expected, Mets fans were incredibly upset and booed Cain every time he stepped onto the mound, into the batters box and blinked. But there was no way that was an intentional act by Cain, who had an 0-2 count on Wright in a scoreless game and a runner on first. It’s common sense that Cain wouldn’t want to hit Wright in that situation and it’s not like Cain has a history of headhunting. (Wright was only the second batter Cain has hit all season.)

      Cain was clearly upset after the incident and concerned for Wright’s health, although people were irked by Cain’s hat-tipping motion when he was pulled in the 8th. Some, including the broadcast team who were announcing the game on TV, say that Cain was sarcastically mocking Met fans that had booed him, although he says he was just adjusting his cap.

      Considering Cain has always shown professionalism throughout his young career, I believe him when he says he was just adjusting his cap. Besides, why would he show compassion for Wright’s health only to mock the situation four innings later? It doesn’t make sense and it’s not like the Giants and Mets have had a history of bad blood. If Brian Wilson hit Casey Blake in the head in L.A. and then tipped his cap, then someone would have an argument. But not here – not with a stand up guy like Cain, who wouldn’t put his team in a bad situation considering the Giants still have two more games in New York.

      Here’s hoping Wright is okay and he returns to action this season. He’s a tremendous player who makes the game of baseball better when he’s on the field. Hopefully he’ll be back soon.

      MLB

      Is John Smoltz worth the risk?

      August 15, 2009 /

      smoltz

      It’s funny, because nobody was asking this question at the beginning of the season. Every baseball fan thought the Red Sox made a wise move in signing Smoltz. Unfortunately, after a disastrous return from the DL, the Red Sox decided to place the future Hall of Famer on waivers. Down but not out, the 42 year-old Smoltz is essentially saying, “F-that” and is looking for a new team.

      The Dodgers, Rangers, Cardinals and Marlins are among the teams that will be interested in Smoltz if he becomes a free agent, sources said.

      A trade is possible because Smoltz has cleared waivers, but the bonuses in his contract would complicate negotiations with the Red Sox.

      A release is more likely, according to major-league executives.

      Smoltz receives about $35,000 for each day he is on the active roster and other appearance-based bonuses. He also receives a $500,000 bonus if he is on the active roster and not the disabled list on the last day of the season and a $500,000 bonus if he is traded.

      If Boston releases Smoltz, the Red Sox will be obligated to pay the remainder of his one-year, $5.5 million contract he signed in the offseason.

      Wow. Looks like Smoltz and his agent worked out a pretty sweet deal during the offseason. In the twilight of my career, I’d love to make $35 grand a day and not have to do anything. Joking aside, I know Smoltz still wants to play. Just because he came back and was disastrous as a starter doesn’t mean he couldn’t help a playoff contender in a relief role. People forget that before joining the Red Sox, Smoltz had spent his entire career in the National League. He has plenty of experience as both a starter and closer. In 21 seasons, Smoltz has earned eight All-Star selections, 212 wins, 154 saves, 3,044 strikeouts, a Cy Young award, and a World Series ring. Not to mention, as we head down the stretch, the guy has more post-season wins than any pitcher in the history of baseball. Hmm, I think somebody will pick him up.

      But who? It’s obvious no American League team will take a crack at him considering how hitters in that league owned him. He’s still owed a couple million dollars from his contract, so Smoltz is only desirable to a serious World Series contender from the NL. That being said, I doubt the Rockies, Giants, Brewers, Cubs, Marlins, or even the Braves, his old club, will bite. The way the Phillies have been playing, they look like the most stable team in the National League. Even though Brad Lidge is currently as good as a human tee, manager Charlie Manuel has kept his faith in the troubled closer. Besides Lidge, the rest of the Phillies relief has been solid. As for the Marlins, they could use Smoltz in the closing role, as both Matt Lindstrom and Leo Nunez have been shaky all year. Still, they are the Marlins, and I can’t see them spending the money. That leaves the Cardinals and Dodgers. Ryan Franklin has been a pleasant surprise as the Cardinals closer, but the team could use Smoltz in their middle relief. I just wonder how much much they’re willing to invest in a risk like Smoltz, especially after picking up the $6 million left on Matt Holliday’s contract.

      Before the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired Orioles closer George Sherrill for next to nothing. He’s currently being used as a setup man for Jonathan Broxton. After being so dominant at the beginning of the season, Broxton is now struggling, and the Dodgers are in need of another reliever familiar with high-pressure situations. This is where John Smoltz and the Dodgers make sense. When Manny Ramirez was suspended earlier this season for steroid use, he had to return $7.7 million of his contract to the Dodgers. This money could be used to sign the veteran pitcher.

      I’d love to see Smoltz pitch again in the playoffs so I hope a deal gets done. We’ll find out soon enough, as the Red Sox need to either trade or release him by Monday.

      MLB

      2009 world track and field championships start today

      August 15, 2009 /

      track

      In the same way Michael Phelps has rejuvenated interest in swimming, Usain Bolt’s world record-breaking 100 and 200 meter runs at the recent Olympics gave track and field a needed shot in the arm. Since American favorite Tyson Gay was unable to compete, many have waited to see if he can hold his own against Bolt, who is currently at the top of his game. For those who follow the sport, even minimally, the 2009 IAAF World Championships are what they’ve been waiting for.

      Assuming the field holds to form and body parts hold up, they should go head-to-head for the first time in more than a year at the world track and field championships, which start Saturday in Berlin and run through Aug. 23. The 100 begins with two rounds Saturday and the semifinals and final Sunday.

      The Bolt-Gay showdown never materialized in Beijing last year after Gay pulled a left hamstring muscle in the U.S. Olympic trials the month before the Games. His training and acceleration compromised, he was a non-factor, faltering in the 100 semifinals. The last time the two met was May 2008 in New York, where Bolt shocked the track world with the first of his two 100 world records, 9.72 to Gay’s 9.85.

      In Beijing, Bolt made a mockery of the sprints despite being a neophyte in the 100 after years as a 200 specialist. He set a world record of 9.69 in the 100 and won by 0.20 despite thumping his chest, looking around and coasting the final 20 meters. In the 200 he broke Michael Johnson’s supposedly untouchable mark of 19.32 from 1996 with a 19.30, winning by 0.66 seconds.

      Just when Bolt, 22, appeared to make every other sprinter in the world irrelevant, Gay, 27, has produced a comeback season.

      Gay rates himself “in the best shape of my life,” despite a nagging groin injury that could require postseason surgery.

      Word is both Gay and Bolt easily won their quarterfinal races. They will race in different heats in the semis tomorrow. Granted they both advance, they will meet in the anticipated final later in the day.

      Some of you may remember Usafa Powell, also from Jamaica, who was once a world record holder in the 100. The Jamaican team originally wanted to cut him because he did not attend a mandatory training camp earlier in the year. Thankfully, as those realize he is the only legitimate threat to Bolt and Gay, the IAAF insisted Powell compete. He has advanced into the semis as well.

      You can catch the championships, including other track and field events, today on Versus at 7 PM ET.

      General Sports

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