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      Fantasy owners: Keep an eye on Andre Ethier

      June 27, 2009 /

      In the Dodgers’ 8-2 victory Friday night over the Mariners in Seattle, L.A. right fielder Andre Ethier had his first ever three-homer game, also driving in six runs in the process. It was Ethier’s fifth multihomer game of the season.

      For fantasy owners, Ethier’s night was a gift from the FBB gods. Owners relished in Ethier’s start to the ’09 season when he raced out to a .327 batting average and .574 slugging percentage in early May, but then watched as he sunk into fantasy hell after Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games.

      A month and a half ago, owners couldn’t give Ethier away as a throw in to a trade. He would still hit the occasional home run, but his batting average was hovering around .260 and he wasn’t driving in any runs. (He couldn’t get on base to score any either.)

      While his average could still use some work (he’s hitting just .268), he’s raised his home run total to 14 and his RBI number to 49. With Ramirez set to come back soon, Ethier could be due for a fantastic second half.

      If you need more power production in your fantasy lineup, the time to make a play for Ethier is probably now. Granted, his three-homer night might make his owner overvalue his production, but Ethier’s second half potential could justify giving up a little more than you would have liked. Remember that Ethier was scorching before Manny was suspended, so he could still have 15 home runs and 50 RBIs left in him. That said, considering he’s hitting only .268, you shouldn’t have to give up an arm and a leg for a player that his owner would have gladly given up for Mike Cameron and a pat on the back just a couple months ago.

      On the flip side of all this, owners of Ethier could cash in big if they play their cards right and wait to deal him once Manny comes back. If Ethier starts raking, he could be a valuable chip in a multi-player deal that nets you three or four significant pieces depending on what else you throw in the mix.

      Keep an eye on Ethier’s stat line the next couple weeks before the All-Star break.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      A-Rod passes Jackson on all-time HR list

      June 27, 2009 /

      Mr. April has officially passed Mr. October on baseball’s all-time home run list.

      Alex Rodriguez hit home run No. 564 to help the Yankees beat the Mets 9-1 on Friday night, moving past Reggie Jackson into 11th place on the career list.

      “The negativity that surrounds the steroids is certainly not something that I carry over to him,” Jackson said. “I do appreciate the fact that he admitted his mistakes, so from here we move forward. Judgment on him will be passed with the next 7 1/2 years of his time with the Yankees.”

      Jackson was sixth when he retired in 1987, trailing only Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson and Harmon Killebrew. He’s since been passed by Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and A-Rod.

      “You get used to it really,” Jackson said.

      Remember when A-Rod was supposed to save us all from Barry Bonds and “legitimize” the home run record again?

      Moments like Rodriguez hitting his 564th mean very little now. Maybe Griffey will keep playing until he’s 80 and pass everyone.

      MLB

      Piniella sends Bradley home in middle of game

      June 27, 2009 /

      Lou Piniella has had about all he can take of outfielder Milton Bradley.

      Piniella told the mercurial slugger to go home Friday afternoon after Bradley threw his helmet and went after a water cooler following a fly out in the top of the sixth inning of the Cubs game against the crosstown rival White Sox. Piniella told him to take his uniform off, and the two exchanged words in the tunnel leading up to the Cubs clubhouse.

      “I don’t like those things to happen, but I’m just tired of watching it,” an agitated Piniella said after the Cubs’ 5-4 victory. “This has been a common occurrence, and I’ve looked the other way a lot and I’m tired. I’m not into discipline, I’m really not. I’m going to put his name in the lineup tomorrow and that’s it.”

      Piniella didn’t get specific about whether he was tired of Bradley’s antics in particular or those of his entire team. Pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster both went after the drink dispenser in the Cubs dugout at Wrigley Field earlier this season.

      But Bradley, playing for his seventh team in nine-plus seasons, does have a long history of being volatile.

      “It’s something I promise you won’t be happening again,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

      Bradley has already been suspended for one game this season after arguing with umpire Larry Vanover when he was called out on strikes with the bases loaded April 16. It was his very first at-bat at Wrigley Field after signing a $30 million contract during the offseason. The umpire crew contended Bradley’s hat made slight contact with Vanover.

      It would be one thing if Bradley were hitting and he was being a nuisance, but he’s batting just .237 this season with five dingers, 16 RBI and 24 runs. He was supposed to be one of the missing pieces to a Cubs’ lineup that should be thriving right now, but instead has been DOA.

      It’ll be interesting to see if the Cubs just don’t cut bait and move on. Bradley hardly seems worth the trouble at this point. Then again, maybe Lou just needed to make an example of somebody and Bradley offered the perfect opportunity. This could be a situation that just blows over in a couple of days.

      MLB

      Goodell to begin review on Burress

      June 26, 2009 /

      According to a report by ESPN.com, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has told Plaxico Burress that he’ll begin the reviewing incidents (i.e. shooting yourself in the leg with your own gun because you decided to secure it in the waist band of your sweat pants) involving Burress that fall under the personal conduct policy.

      Burress, who shot himself in the thigh Nov. 29 in a Manhattan nightclub, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 3½ years in prison.

      He made a brief appearance in court Monday where Judge Felicia Mennin adjourned the case until Sept. 23, enabling the former Giants receiver to continue negotiations with several NFL teams in hopes of returning to the field in 2009.

      Goodell had been waiting for the legal process to be complete, but as it is delayed with no clear indication of when it will be concluded, the commissioner decided to take the initiative, league sources said.

      ESPN’s very own Chris Mortensen believes that Burress will be suspended at least four games, which seems realistic.

      In a related topic, Burress’ agent Drew Rosenhaus now says that there are five teams interested in his client’s services. The Jets, Bucs and Bears are the only reported teams that are interested in Burress, so that leaves two unidentified squads. But I’m sure Rosenhaus will dream up more teams as the weeks go on.

      NFL

      Former Brown Jurevicius suing team over staph infection

      June 26, 2009 /

      Former NFL receiver Joe Jurevicius is suing the Browns, ex-team Dr. Anthony Miniaci and current team Dr. Richard Figler for negligence and fraud stemming from a staph infection he got while being treated for knee injuries.

      There had been speculation for months — and perhaps longer — that someone would eventually take the Cleveland Browns to court over their staph infection problem.

      It turns out former Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius was the first to take the plunge.

      Jurevicius, an 11-year NFL veteran, is reportedly suing his former team for negligence over a staph infection he received in his right knee last year. He has since been released by the Browns.

      Several current and former Browns have had similar health problems with staph, including Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr., LeCharles Bentley and Brian Russell. There are approximately seven known cases of staph infections linked to the Browns in recent years.

      Jurevicius is a Cleveland native and very well-respected within the Browns’ family and his community. Most likely, he wouldn’t have gone as far as suing a team he grew up rooting for unless Jurevicius legitimately feels his playing days were cut short by staph.

      If a total of seven known cases of staph infections can be linked to the Browns, there’s a problem here. Considering this doesn’t seem like a widespread issue in the NFL, it’s staggering that one team is having this many problems with this type of infection.

      Maybe Jurevicius’ case will shine some light on this issue so no other Browns will have the same problem.

      NFL

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