Around the Bases
• Baseball is the greatest sport ever, because every time you go home, you score.
• Albert Pujols single-handedly destroyed the San Diego Padres. He accomplished this in a most unusual way.
"How many times does that happen? ... In one inning, two guys get hurt by one player. It was a tough night," Pujols said. "I'm excited we got the win, but I'm kind of bummed. Hopefully they don't lose Josh for a long time. Chris, he's one of the best pitchers, it's kind of bumming right now. They lose two guys. You don't want any player to be getting hurt on the field."
• Sports radio can be evil sometimes. So can blogs, but not this one, we are just sarcastic and mocking. Apparently, there is some nasty speculation that the Brewers signed Ryan Braun and not Prince Fielder to a long term extension, because of skin color. If there is a scintilla of truth to this, it is deplorable.
• What is going on in TV in the big apple? Just last week an anchor was caught cursing on the air and now this. "Terry Crowley is lucky he's in fucking baseball" makes it on the air on YES.
• Some people are happy to see the retirement of Mike Piazza. A 69th round draft pick who was only selected because he was the g-dson of Tommy Lasorda, Piazza did set the record for homeruns by a catcher. Here is a column full of snark about Mike. This is my favorite:
"The runner goes, here's the throw from Piazza -- and it comes in on two hops."
• New York Yankees reliever LaTroy Hawkins has been suspended three games for throwing an inside, head-high pitch to Baltimore Orioles left fielder Luke Scott. Now if we can just figure out how to get him suspended for the rest of the season, all Yankee fans would be filled with glee.
• Jay Bruce is wasting his talent in the minors. Almost any organization would have called a player with his stats (He's hitting .369 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI at Triple-A with a .397 on-base percentage and a .661 slugging average.) up to majors by now. But Corey Patterson is blocking his way. Patterson has put up some amazing stats so far this year.(Batting .227 with a .270 on-base percentage).Patterson's OPS (on-base plus slugging) was seven points higher than Bruce's slugging.
When will the suffering end for Reds fans? Will Bengal get ulcers?
• Willie Randolph played the race card. I would have never suspected this of Willie, I can only imagine the play of the Mets is making the man lose his mind.