Random News and Notes

I know this is old but I didn't mention the death of Rockies President Keli McGregor. They say it was natural causes but he was young. It seems mysterious and we may never know or at least for a long time what the real story is. There will be a memorial service for him on Sunday and the Rockies moved the start time of their game back to accomodate everyone so they will be able to be there. Edison Volquez was suspended for 50 games for failing a drug test that was positive for the use of a performance enhancing drug. I don't think we will ever get away from this talk. I think the game has been cleaned up but there are still players doing it or HGH and there is always a big name that comes out that he was on something. I think most people are sick of this stuff though and just don't care. The thing I dont get though is how Volquez who is on the DL has that count for the 50 games. I think it has to be 50 games that you are active for. Manny Ramirez went on the 15 day DL today with a calf injury. Justin Smoak the young first base prospect of the Texas Rangers was called up yesterday. Congratulations to Ubalda Jimenez who had a no hitter last week. He is 4-0 after a shutout in his next start the other day. Jason Marquis of the Nationals was placed on the DL on wednesday with bone chips in his elbow.

NLCS Preview continued

I was able to find some more facts about the season series between the Dodgers and Phillies. The Dodgers won the series 4 games to 3. The thing to remember is that Manny Ramirez did not participate in any of these games as he was suspended. The Phillies had 3 players who hit very well against the Dodgers and they were Carlos Ruiz who was 8 for 14 with a homerun and 5 rbi's. Raul Ibanez was 8 for 26 with 1 homerun and 5 rbi's. Jayson Worth was 8 for 26 with a rbi. The Dodgers had James Loney who was 11 for 28 with 2 homeruns and 6 rbi's. Matt Kemp was 9 for 27 with 3 rbi's. Casey Blake was 8 for 24 with a homerun and 4 rbi's. The guys who were cold for the Phillies against the Dodgers were Ryan Howard who was 3 for 28 with 1 homerun and 3 rbi's. Shane Victorino was 3 for 24 with 1 homerun and 3 rbi's, Chase Utley was 4 for 26 with 2 rbi's. Jimmy Rollins was 5 for 28 with a homerun and 2 rbi's. The Dodgers had some cold bats against the Phillies. Rafael Furcal was 6 for 27 with a homerun and rbi, Russel Martin was 5 for 22 with 1 rbi. Pitching wise Clayton Kershaw struggled against the Phillies going 0-2 in 10 1/3 innings giving up 6 earned runs on 8 hits with 10 strikeouts. Brad Lidge struggled for the Phillies against the Dodgers going 0-1 in 3 2/3 innings he allowed 3 runs on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts. Randy Wolf did well against the Phillies going 1-1 in 12 innings he allowed 7 runs on 11 hits with 12 strikeouts. Jonathan Broxton was 2-0 in 3 innings he allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts. Cole Hamels did well for the Phillies going 1-0 in 16 innings he gave up 1 run on 12 hits with 14 strikeouts. Ryan Madson went 4 innings allowing 0 runs on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts. I hope this gives a good look at the NLCS and what we may see but of course in baseball you just never know. I got these stats off of philly.com but you can also find at baseballreference.com and other sites like these.

NLCS Preview

The NLCS will begin tomorrow in Los Angeles. The Phillies beat the Dodgers in the NLCS last year in 5 games but this year the Dodgers have the homefield. Clayton Kershaw will start game 1, the Phillies have not announced their rotation yet but it will probably be Cole Hammels. The Phillies may choose to break up the lefties and that would open up a shot for Joe Blanton to pitch game 2 with the Cliff Lee in game 3 and maybe Pedro Martinez in game 4 otherwise they would throw J.A. Happ. I think the Dodgers have more depth in their rotation and a better bullpen, the Phillies weakness is their bullpen at least in the backend although they think they may have straightened Brad Lidge out. It remains to be seen as the stakes are even higher now. The Phillies have the clear advantage in the lineup and with their power but the Dodgers lineup isn't terrible especially if Manny Ramirez continues to hit like he did in Game 3. I think the Dodgers will win this series in 6 and set up a Yankees/Dodgers World Series which would be one for the ages. I do think the Phillies would be a better team if they had a closer so it is possible that Brad Lidge steps up and then I could see the Phillies winning this series but right now I wouldn't trust him or anyone else who may close for them. It looks like Joe Torre will be retiring after this year so this may be the best chance for him to return to NY and face his former employer and the team that made him what he is. The Dodgers will be starting Kershaw in GAme 1 who is the 2nd youngest starter for them in postseason history and they have a long history. Cole Hammels doesn't seem to be the same pitcher as he was last year but he is looking to rebound in the NLCS.

Manny and Big Papi on List

Is anyone really suprised that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were on the list from 2003? I just wonder what this means to them, Big Papi came out earlier in the year and said that anyone that is caught should be suspended for the whole year, I wonder if he thinks that now. I wonder where Curt Shilling is considering he is so against it but it was happening right under his nose, he may even be involved for all we know. I wonder though will these guys get the same treatment that A-rod got earlier in the year having to do the ESPN interview and having the press all over him, the funny thing is the injury actually helped him because since he came back you don't really hear much about the steroids, I wonder if they will still yell at him in Fenway Park about that, always seemed pretty hypocritical to me. I think this whole thing is crazy that they leaked the names that were supposed to remain confidential but they may as well just let them all out now, I really don't like this little by little stuff so the story never truly goes away. I wonder what anyone else thinks about this, chime in with your thoughts in the comments section and keep this debate going.

Manny Suspended for PEDS

Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games today for violating the drug policy. The Dodgers called up a minor league outfielder to take his place. A-rod is expected back tomorrow and this seems to be good for him as it will take the attention away from him or at least some of it. I really think Alex has a chance to redeem himself to some degree now, the Yankees are once again struggling without him, they desperately need him. If he comes back plays well, the Yankees win and he stays out of trouble which is a big if then I think he can come back from all of this and be a hero at least to Yankee fans. A-rod has made mistakes but he still isn't Bonds or Clemens or even Manny and I really think people want to love A-rod but it has been hard to do. I think this is his chance to get everyone on his side and rewrite his legacy.

Baseball Notes

It looks like Derek Jeter leading off and Damon batting second will be the lineup for now and I am not really sure what I think of it. I haven't thought about it too much as it seems to me right now it doesn't matter so much where they bat as long as they are the first two hitters. I should of mentioned this the other day when the story came out but it looks like the Yankees made the right decision getting rid of Jose Tabata, the kid has all the tools to be a great player one day but he is just trouble. The latest news had his wife being arrested for kidnapping a baby, which he seemed to be shocked by, one thing that really caught my eye was that his wife is like 20 yrs older then him and has a long criminal record, this guy is just a bad thing looking to happen at any moment. CC Sabathia got the opening day assignment and also the home opener. Joba Chamberlain will pitch the 6th game of the season. I don't know what anyone else thinks but the Mets have major pitching issues. They do have arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Johan Santana but after that Mike Pelfrey who looks promising has been bothered by a hurt leg, John Maine has looked horrible this spring coming back from shoulder surgery, Oliver Perez is getting criticized by his pitching coach, he is out of shape and looking horrible, he has always been up and down anyway. Livan Hernandez should be ok as a 5th starter although he did have a era of 6+ last year. The bullpen has been upgraded and seems to be a strength now but they have to get the ball to the pen with a lead and im not so sure they can do that right now at a good rate. Chad Billingsly has a strained groin for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny is back and seems to be ok though. The New Yankee Stadium and Citifield will open a week from tomorrow with the Mets playing the Red Sox and the Yankees playing the Chicago Cubs, should be an exciting time as we are now in the final days of spring training and getting ready for opening day which is just about here.

Baseball News

It looks like Pudge Rodriguez is going to sign with the Houston Astros. 1 yr and 1.5 million is what I hear, boy have these prices on players dropped. I wonder what Roy Oswalt is thinking after criticizing so many steroid guys. Manny Ramirez is sidelined for at least one week, i wouldn't worry to much if your a Dodgers fan but his comments are a little strange saying maybe he is just getting too old and it might not be a good investment meaning his signing. Cole Hamels is going to get his elbow examined which im sure is just making the people of Philly go nuts. Randy Johnson of the Giants is nursing a sore arm and Ryan Braun is out with tightness on his right side. I am sure most of these GM's aren't too happy about the WBC and the injuries cropping up. If Cuba loses tonight they will be out, they haven't finished worse then third in any international competition in a long time, I wonder what will happen to them when they return home?

Day Off for Yankees

The New York Yankees are off today one of only 2 days off in the spring. They have shut down all operations making the players and coaches be completely off for the day, which is a good thing. There isn't any news to report on the blog today regarding the Yankees but I will post about the Mets later and I think I am going to do a season preview for the Yankees so check back later on for some more. Everyone enjoy the day and don't jump off the cliff over CC yesterday, he will be fine and so will the Yanks it is only spring training. Johan makes his first start for the Mets today so its a big day for him the Mets and their fans. Manny Ramirez is also making his first start of the spring for the Dodgers today, that should be interesting. I think this guy could hit in his sleep though so im sure signing so late won't affect him at all.

Other News from around the sports world

I forgot to mention this earlier but if anyone cares Team USA takes on Team Canada today at 2:00pm in the World Baseball Classic, the game is on MLB network. Manny gets to be Manny for at least another year with Joe Torre, I don't know about anyone else but the Dodgers are definitely in the mix to make the World Series with him back, anyone thinking Yankees Dodgers in the Series?? How about the Jets and Giants jumping right into the free agent pool right away. The Jets getting a couple of the new coaches ex players, the big problem for them is as good as the moves are who is the quarterback?? The Giants on the other hand have a ton of depth on that defensive line, remember they are also getting Osi back who missed the whole year last year, if Plaxico doesn't go to jail he will be back also, does anyone think the Giants aren't the best team in the NFC and have a great shot at getting back to the Super Bowl?? That story about the NFL players who went missing on a fishing trip and only one survived. This is just a sad tragic story. I can't imagine being that one who survived and watching my friends float away to their deaths. The Rangers seem to have a lot more life since they fired their old coach, made a couple of trades adn brought NHL badboy Sean Avery back, could they make a run in the playoffs if they get there.

MLB News

Bobby Abreu signed a 1 yr 5 million dollar deal with the Anaheim Angels. This deal also includes incentives. Adam Dunn signed a 2 yr 20million dollar deal with the Washington Nationals. Manny Ramirez is still out there as the biggest name. I wonder if guys will sign minor league deals and head to camp to try and win a job and then see if they can latch on with someone else if they don't make it or just wait it out and see if a team gets desperate the closer we get to the start of the season. There aren't really too many big names left now.