Albert’s Bat Taken Away

Albert Pujols, a day after breaking the record for homeruns in April, wasn’t given much of a chance to add to his record today.  He was walked 4 times by Nats’ pitchers.  In the bottom of the first, they pitched to him.  He grounded into a double play. Near as I can tell from reports … Continue reading “Albert’s Bat Taken Away”

Albert Pujols, a day after breaking the record for homeruns in April, wasn’t given much of a chance to add to his record today.  He was walked 4 times by Nats’ pitchers.  In the bottom of the first, they pitched to him.  He grounded into a double play.

Near as I can tell from reports (I didn’t see the game), they weren’t straight-out intentional walks.  My guess is that Nats pitchers didn’t give him much to hit (someone can correct me if I’m wrong). 

Diamond Jim Edmonds on the whole issue (from a USA Today article):

”Eventually you have to come through,” he said. ”If they want to walk Albert all year long, I’ll be happy to hit behind him.”

That’s a positive spin on the whole walking-Pujols thing.  But quite honestly, folks don’t pay the ticket prices or watch the TV to see Pujols walked.  Let’s just not get caught up in the “walk the current big slugger no matter what”. 

Now that Bonds, whose walk totals reached embarrassing records, has faded out of the picture slightly, let’s not replace him with Pujols. 

 

 

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Fat Freddy Enjoyed the WBC a little too much

He seems to be saying “Yesss!  I scored a dime bag!” All kidding aside, White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia was found to have violated International Baseball Amateur Federation anti-doping policy during his stint in the World Baseball Classic.  Marijuana was found in his urine. Fantasy owners of Garcia don’t need to worry yet.  IBAF rules … Continue reading “Fat Freddy Enjoyed the WBC a little too much”

He seems to be saying “Yesss!  I scored a dime bag!”

All kidding aside, White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia was found to have violated International Baseball Amateur Federation anti-doping policy during his stint in the World Baseball Classic.  Marijuana was found in his urine.

Fantasy owners of Garcia don’t need to worry yet.  IBAF rules don’t apply in MLB.  Don’t hold your breath though.

However, violators of the rules can be suspended for two years from IBAF competition.

MetsBlog

Not much time to write tonight as I just got back in to town but I do want to mention that I’m adding MetsBlog to the BlogRoll. That’s long overdue since Matt Cerone is one of most prolific bloggers out there and does a fantastic job covering the Mets. Rumor has it that Matt is … Continue reading “MetsBlog”

Not much time to write tonight as I just got back in to town but I do want to mention that I’m adding MetsBlog to the BlogRoll.

That’s long overdue since Matt Cerone is one of most prolific bloggers out there and does a fantastic job covering the Mets.

Rumor has it that Matt is going to “quit his day job” and make a living off his blog.

Good luck, Matt!

 

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4/29/06 Linescore of the Day: Johnny Damon

5 AB, 5 R, 3 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB Johnny Damon played a big part of the Yankees’ rout of the Blue Jays on Saturday, 17-6. One of his two home runs was an upper deck blast. The five runs he scored was a career high for the former caveman. Among his … Continue reading “4/29/06 Linescore of the Day: Johnny Damon”

5 AB, 5 R, 3 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB

Johnny Damon played a big part of the Yankees’ rout of the Blue Jays on Saturday, 17-6. One of his two home runs was an upper deck blast. The five runs he scored was a career high for the former caveman. Among his postgame comments:

“It’s just the way I play this game. That’s the one thing you can always do, is to go out there and hustle. It is a good example, not just for our team, but for the Little Leaguers coming up.”

These days you don’t hear the pro ballplayers speak to their young fans. It’s nice to hear Damon recognize that the players are setting examples for the kids who also play the game. Are you listening, Delmon Young?

 

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4/28/06 Linescore of the Day: Brandon Phillips

4 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB Brandon Phillips, the new Reds acquisition, singled and doubled off Roy Oswalt then got another key hit off the Houston bullpen to lead the Reds past the Astros. Roy Oswalt was 15-0 in his career against the Reds in 20 appearances before this game. Don’t … Continue reading “4/28/06 Linescore of the Day: Brandon Phillips”

4 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB Brandon Phillips, the new Reds acquisition, singled and doubled off Roy Oswalt then got another key hit off the Houston bullpen to lead the Reds past the Astros. Roy Oswalt was 15-0 in his career against the Reds in 20 appearances before this game. Don’t look now, but the Reds are now in first place in a very competitive NL Central division.

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4/27/06 LINESCORE OF THE DAY: Ben Broussard

Josh Beckett threw them in there and Ben Broussard hit them out of there. I couldn’t believe when I watched Ben’s highlights of this game on ESPN before Broussard stepped in to face Beckett with the bases loaded Ben yawned. Talk about relaxed, or maybe lack of sleep. Whatever it is, is working. Ben Broussard … Continue reading “4/27/06 LINESCORE OF THE DAY: Ben Broussard”

broussard.jpg

Josh Beckett threw them in there and Ben Broussard hit them out of there. I couldn’t believe when I watched Ben’s highlights of this game on ESPN before Broussard stepped in to face Beckett with the bases loaded Ben yawned. Talk about relaxed, or maybe lack of sleep. Whatever it is, is working.

Ben Broussard 4 for 5, 2 HRs (1 a GS), 8 RBIs (7 with 2 out), 2 runs, .407 season average

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4/26/06 Linescore of the Day: Bronson Arroyo

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (Win) The Reds’ Bronson Arroyo has quietly become a 4-0 pitcher this season.  Yesterday’s victim was Washington. Speaking of the Nats, they may well want to start thinking of pleasing the home fans.  They’re 1-7 at home and the effects … Continue reading “4/26/06 Linescore of the Day: Bronson Arroyo”

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds

8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (Win)

The Reds’ Bronson Arroyo has quietly become a 4-0 pitcher this season.  Yesterday’s victim was Washington.

Speaking of the Nats, they may well want to start thinking of pleasing the home fans.  They’re 1-7 at home and the effects are beginning to show.  The attendance of last four games was lower than the lowest from last year.

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Tuesday’s Top Ten

Herb Pennock’s Ten Commandments for Pitchers 1.  Develop your faculty of observation. 2.  Conserve your energy. 3.  Make contact with players, especially catchers and infielders, and listen to what they have to say. 4.  Work everlastingly for control. 5.  When you are on the field always have a baseball in your hand and don’t slouch … Continue reading “Tuesday’s Top Ten”

Herb Pennock’s Ten Commandments for Pitchers

1.  Develop your faculty of observation.

2.  Conserve your energy.

3.  Make contact with players, especially catchers and infielders, and listen to what they have to say.

4.  Work everlastingly for control.

5.  When you are on the field always have a baseball in your hand and don’t slouch around. Run for a ball.

6.  Keep studying the hitters for their weak and strong points. Keep talking with your catchers.

7.  Watch your physical condition and your mode of living.

8.  Always pitch to the catcher and not the hitter. Keep your eye on that catcher and make him your target before letting the ball go.

9.  Find your easiest way to pitch, your most comfortable delivery and stick to it.

10.  Work for what is called a rag arm. A loose arm can pitch overhanded, side arm, three quarter, underhanded, any old way, to suit the situation at hand.

Plus…

11.  Don’t beef at the umpire. Keep pitching with confidence and control of yourself as well as the ball. Don’t get it into your head the umpire is your worst enemy. Fury is as hard on you physically as emotionally.

Courtesy:  The Baseball Almanac

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4/24/06 Linescore of the Day: Brad Lidge

Brad Lidge, Houston Astros 2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (Loss, Blown Save) In a very uncharacteristic Brad Lidge appearance, Lidge blew his first save in 12 opportunities against the Dodgers.  His ERA ballooned from 3.60 to 6.75. Those MLB relief pitchers who still have a 0.00 ERA (9 innings … Continue reading “4/24/06 Linescore of the Day: Brad Lidge”

Brad Lidge, Houston Astros

2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (Loss, Blown Save)

In a very uncharacteristic Brad Lidge appearance, Lidge blew his first save in 12 opportunities against the Dodgers.  His ERA ballooned from 3.60 to 6.75.

Those MLB relief pitchers who still have a 0.00 ERA (9 innings min.)

  • D. Baez, LAD  11 inn
  • D. Cortes, Col  11
  • S. Eyre, ChiC  9.2
  • J. Papelbon, Bos  11.1
  • F. Rodney, Det  9
  • B. Ryan, Tor  9
  • D. Sanchez, NYM  12

 

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