Update: Boston WILL Go To Japan
Mar 19, 2008 MLB
They are going to Japan, but there is no info as to what exactly resolved the dispute. That’s too bad, I was curious to see how MLB would handle if they really did refuse to travel.
Red Sox Players May Boycott Their Trip To Japan?
Apparently the agreement that went down for the Red Sox to open the season includes a payment of $40,000 to each player. However, according to ‘locker room sources’, the agreement originally covered the coaches too, but they so far have not gotten their cash. This has caused the players to have a meeting and consider telling MLB to forget the flight. At least they wouldn’t have to knock Manny out with some spiked milk.
They Said It - Ichiro
Feb 22, 2008 MLB, NHL, They Said It
Ichiro is one of my favorite MLB players, especially for his (translated) comments. Perhaps the Sabres could learn something from this one on getting Berard:
We made a big trade, something that is the biggest of my career with the Seattle Mariners. What I mean by that is, it was a trade in which we didn’t try to avoid risk. To gain power, sometimes you have to take a big risk. And I think the Mariners showed that by making that move.
From the Seattle Times by way of Enjoy the Enjoyment. Listen to the man with the goofy stance, Darcy, and make a move.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, campbell, Hockey, ichiro, mariners, MLB, NHL, sabres, seattle, trade, trade deadline
All-Star Games: Midseason or After the Season?
Dec 18, 2007 Sports
With the NHL All-Star balloting in full swing (and the NFL winding down), I begin to think about All-Star games. Baseball fans always complain about the All-Star game being at the midway point, as it usually leaves out players who have a strong second half. The NBA and NHL work in a similar manner. The Pro Bowl, of course, is after the Super Bowl. I can’t remember the last time I watched it, I mean, meaningful football is over then, right? Which is preferable to you? Here’s how I break it down, let me know if there is anything I’ve missed:
Pros for the Midseason All-Star Games:
- Health - there’s a good chance players are still healthy enough to play
- I’m engaged - I’m more likely to watch the All-Star game if my team is still relevant
- I’m not burned out - I haven’t watched 100 games already
Pros for the End of Season All-Star Game:
-
It’s the stats, yo - you truly know who had the best statistical campaign
-
Whew, made it - even though most All-Star tilts are low impact affairs, you won’t have the risk of a serious injury affecting your team’s season (think Domink Hasek at the last Olympics)
All of them would be improved with some spirited competition, but it would take is more players caring about the job of entertaining their fans. At least most hockey players are likeable. Anyway, just thought I’d start a discussion about All-Star games.
Tags: all-star, allstar, baseball, basketball, football, Hockey, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, Soccer
The Mitchell Report
Dec 13, 2007 MLB
Just thought I’d share this. We will need the levity before the bomb drops this afternoon.
Tags: baseball, fehr, george mitchell, hgh, mitchell, mitchell report, MLB, selig, steroids
Congratulations Red Sox Nation
Oct 29, 2007 MLB
The Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 4 straight games, for their second title in 4 years. Congratulations, guys!
Tags: boston, MLB, red sox, world series
Decide the Fate of 756
Sep 17, 2007 MLB
Vote for great justice. Mark Ecko is apparently the buyer of Barry Bonds 756th home run ball. He has given we, the people, three choices for the ball’s ultimate fate: give it to Cooperstown as-is, brand it with an asterisk and THEN give it to the Hall, or shoot it into space. I’m voting brand it.
Tags: 756, Barry Bonds, baseball, MLB
Never mind…Ankiel the Cheater
Sep 7, 2007 MLB
Ankiel got a full one year course of Human Growth Hormone, stopping it’s use just before it was banned by baseball. Way to take a ‘feel good’ story and turn it into yet another black eye for baseball. Ugh.
Rick Ankiel
Sep 1, 2007 MLB
With all the negative/controversial stories in pro sports, I’d like to highlight one of the coolest of the current baseball season, the triumphant return of Rick Ankiel. He originally broke into the majors in 1999 and pitched a full season for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2000, going 11-7. He was a Rookie of the Year candidate heading into the postseason. Things came crashing down in the NLDS against the Braves, including a third inning in which he walked 4 and threw 5 wild pitches. The same thing happened in the first inning of an NLCS appearance, with 5 balls out of 20 getting past the catcher. As far as the coaches could tell, there was no issue with his mechanics so they decided it was all between his ears.
Ankiel bounced between the majors and minors for a few more years, never regaining the command he displayed in his rookie year. In 2005, after a practice session in which he was on target with only 3 of 20 pitches, Rick Ankiel announced he would switch to the outfield. He showed promise with his fielding and slugging, but a knee injury kept him on the shelf for 2006.
Rick again showed improvement as an outfielder in spring training this year, and was sent to AAA to ensure he got a lot of at-bats. Amazingly, he rolled up 30+ homers and went to the AAA All-Star game. Ankiel got his chance with the big show again on August 9th, hitting a homerun in the 7th inning of his first game back. On the 11th, he added two more and added a Grand Slam to win last night. His current statline reads: .328 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, .623 Slugging Percentage. It’s an incredible accomplishment, to make the majors TWICE at two different positions. Awesome.
Milestones Met
Aug 6, 2007 MLB
Bonds, Glavine and A-Rod all took care of business since last I blogged. Well, Bonds tied but has yet to exceed Hank Aaron’s home run total.
