Around the Diamondtag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//822008-10-22T06:27:52ZMovable Type 3.32Zimmer vs. the Phanatic ......It's World Series time!!tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.54532008-10-22T06:27:15Z2008-10-22T06:27:52ZPhillies and Rays. Phillies and Rays! Phillies and Rays? It’s the World Series that Americans have been calling for since the start of the postseason, right? Did anyone really want Red Sox vs. Dodgers? Red Sox vs. Cubs? Cubs vs....Bill
Phillies and Rays.
Phillies and Rays!
Phillies and Rays?
It’s the World Series that Americans have been calling for since the start of the postseason, right?
Did anyone really want Red Sox vs. Dodgers? Red Sox vs. Cubs? Cubs vs. Angels?
OK, so maybe this is not quite what baseball fans across America were clamoring for over the past three weeks – well besides ultimate Rays fan Chip Caray - but for once we have a World Series that’s all about baseball.
Subplots, circus sideshows, combustible owners who spout off at the mouth at a moments notice are nowhere to be found in this year.
There will also be no:
- Manny vs. Red Sox Nation
- Joe bringing Dodger Blue back East to try and restore glory to the franchise.
- Tortured franchises like the Chicago Cubs trying to end 100 years of misery.
Nope.
This series is all about what will transpire over the next four-to-seven games on baseball diamonds in St. Petersburg, Fla. and Philadelphia.
In 15 games between the two teams over the years, the Rays actually have a 10-5 advantage – BUT, all of those games came before they shed the “Devil” label.
Can they enjoy the same success without it – especially playing in a city where fans once threw batteries at J.D. Drew in right field and booed Santa Claus?
The team from hell meets the fans from hell. Do I sense a sub plot?
Nah. As far as I can tell about the only thing these two teams could possible wage a war over besides being the best team in baseball for 2008 is which one is the biggest loser – and I’m not talking about which 25-man roster lost the most weight over the summer.
In 2007, the Phillies became the first professional franchise to lose 10,000th games.
In 1998, the Rays became a professional franchise and have spent almost their entire existence as AL East doormats – only once finishing out of last place with a 70-win campaign in 2004 before this season.
Wow, a century of losers vs. a decade of losers meeting in the World Series – sounds great huh?
Actually, both teams are more than worthy of playing for a world championship.
The Phillies have one of the best top-five batting orders in the game with shortstop Jimmy Rollins in the lead-off slot, Chase Utley at No. 3 and soon-to-be NL MVP Ryan Howard batting cleanup. Throw in a rising young ace in Cole Hamels and perfect closer in Brad Lidge, and you got the makings of a good ball club.
The Rays counter with a lineup that includes Bossman Junior Upton in the two-hole followed by four-time castoff Carlos Pena and rookie sensation Evan Longoria in the heart of the order.
Tampa also has a starting rotation with five 10-game winners – none of whom are over 30 - and a rookie wild card in David Price, who went from No. 1 pick last season to possibly the team’s closer for the biggest series in franchise history,
You have one team loaded with young stars meeting another team loaded with young stars – sounds like an intriguing series to me.
Hmm, maybe this series is not so bad after all.
So now the big question is who is going to win it all?
Working the Rays’ favor are:
1. Better overall starting pitching.
2. A more complete batting order 1-9.
3. The larger media guide (an enormous 576 pages compared to 400 from the Phillies).
4. Don Zimmer.
5. Rays behind the outfield wall.
The Phillies counter with:
1. More established hitters like Howard and Utley.
2. A stronger bullpen.
3. Better stadium concessions.
4. The Philly Phanatic.
5. One of the best nicknames for a minor league team: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
Paxton’s pick: Phillies in 6.
A look at the ALCStag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.53632008-10-10T15:45:08Z2008-10-10T15:46:06ZRed Sox vs. Rays, Part II – The postseason You have to wonder what would drive the Steinbrenner brothers more mad, this Sox-Rays series or the Red Sox and Dodgers meeting in the World Series? The defending champion Sox can’t...Bill
Red Sox vs. Rays, Part II – The postseason
You have to wonder what would drive the Steinbrenner brothers more mad, this Sox-Rays series or the Red Sox and Dodgers meeting in the World Series?
The defending champion Sox can’t afford the luxury to look ahead though with the pesky Rays on the slate in the ALCS. (Editor's note: I also like the Phillies to beat L.A. in six games).
All summer long people waited for Tampa Bay to realize it was Tampa Bay and revert back to the good old days of “Devil Rays” baseball.
No such luck.
These Rays have one thing going for them that previous Tampa Bay teams never did – good pitching. And if we’ve learned anything about baseball in recent years, its pitching wins championships and it will be the key to who emerges in this series.
All five starters won at least 10 games - James Shields (14-8), Andy Sonnanstine (13-9), Matt Garza (11-9), Edwin Jackson (14-11), Scott Kazmir (12-8) – during the regular season.
However, none of the scheduled starters for Tampa Bay – Jackson will be in the bullpen - for this series have been exactly Sox killers this season.
Sonnanstine has the best numbers in the group with a 0.00 ERA over 13 innings, but has no decisions for his effort.
As for the great myth that Kazmir owns the Sox, guess again. In 18 innings against Boston this year, the former Met has an 0-2 record and 9.00 ERA.
Shields earns the nod for the Rays tonight and has a 2-2 with a 5.85 ERA in four games against the Red Sox this season.
The bullpen has been solid as a rock for the Rays with Dan Wheeler (13 saves, 3.12 ERA), Grant Balfour (6-2, 1.54 ERA) and lefty J.P. Howell (6-1, 2.22 ERA) being the anchors. Closer Troy Percival (28 saves, 4.53 ERA) has been in and out of the lineup, but the Rays have been fine either way.
If I were sold on Josh Beckett being healthy, than the Sox would seem to have at least the edge in starting pitching going into the series. But, Beckett has been inconsistent all season and finished at 12-10 with a 4.03 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA against the Rays.
Jon Lester has emerged as the staff ace (16-6, 3.21 ERA) and has been the hammer in the postseason (1-0, 0.00 ERA in two games). He has also owned the Rays with a 3-0 record and 0.90 ERA in three starts
Even Game 1 starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has faired well vs. Tampa with a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA over 15 innings. Only Game 4 starter Tim Wakefield has really struggled with a 0-2 mark and 5.87 ERA.
Boston’s bullpen has been a sore spot all season. Closer Jonathan Papelbon (41 saves, 2.34 ERA) can finish the job, but getting through the seventh and eighth inning has been the hard part for the Sox.
Rookie Justin Masterson (6-5, 3.16 ERA) has helped build a bridge to Pap, but the Sox need Hideki Okajima, Manny Declarmen and Javier Lopez to step up. Okajima and Lopez did against the Rays during the regular season, combining to pitch 151/3 scoreless innings.
Hitters to watch: Red Sox – David Ortiz (.235, 0 HR, 1 RBI in four postseason games), Dustin Pedroia (.059, 0 HR, 1 RBI), Kevin Youkilis (.222, 0 HR, 1 RBI); Rays – Carl Crawford (.214, 0 HR, 2 RBIs), Evan Longoria (.267, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs), Carlos Pena (.500, 0 HR, 2 RBIs).
Pitchers to watch: Red Sox – Beckett, bullpen; Rays – Shields, Kazmir, Wheeler.
Key to the series: For Red Sox – Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay and Jed Lowrie all hit over .330 against the Angels, but Boston needs its Big Three to step up; For the Rays – Longoria and Pena drive in the runs, but Tampa needs Akinori Iwamura and Justin Upton to keep setting the table.
Prediction: Red Sox in 6.
A peak at the AL series tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52992008-10-01T21:03:00Z2008-10-01T21:03:25ZRed Sox vs. Angels The Angels have basically coasted in September with everything locked up. Now they are back to playing for real against the defending champions in what is the best first-round series. The Sox come into the series...Bill
Red Sox vs. Angels
The Angels have basically coasted in September with everything locked up. Now they are back to playing for real against the defending champions in what is the best first-round series.
The Sox come into the series beat up, but J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell are expected to be in tonight’s lineup in right field and third base, respectively. Jon Lester has pitched like a staff ace this season, but Josh Beckett has been one of the postseason greats during his career and has two World Series rings to show for it. With a shaky bullpen, both need to shine – especially Beckett who won’t pitch until Game 3 due to a strained side muscle.
Boston has learned to live without Manny Ramirez around, but you have to wonder if the Angels will work around David Ortiz in the series.
The Angels look like the team to beat with sluggers like Vlad Guerrero, Mark Teixeira and Torii Hunter in the lineup to go with a strong pitching staff. But, Vlad has been a dud in 60 postseason at-bats with a .183 average and has a bad knee.
On the mound, L.A. has three double-digit winners going in John Lackey (12-5), Ervin Santana (16-7) and Joe Saunders (17-7). The bullpen is sound and Francisco Rodriguez posted a major league-record 62 saves.
Hitters to watch: Red Sox – Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Lowell; Angels – Chone Figgins, Hunter, Garret Anderson.
Pitchers to watch: Red Sox – The bullpen needs to do its job to get to Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth. Angels – Lackey, who lost Game 1 to the Sox last year, and Saunders.
Key to the series: Boston needs to win at least one game in L.A. and be able to roll out Drew, Lowell and Beckett.
Prediction: Red Sox in 4.
White Sox vs. Rays
The Old vs. the Young series with the veteran White Sox looking to carry over the momentum from a three-game win streak into battle with the Cinderella Rays.
Chicago lives and dies by the long ball, but is without one of its top boppers in Carlos Quentin (36 homers, 100 RBIs) due to a wrist injury. No too worry, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and rookie Alexei Ramirez all hit at least 20 homers in the regular season.
The key for the White Sox will be surviving Game 1 with Javier Vazquez as the starter before being able to use their Big Three of Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks.
All season long people expected the Rays to falter in the American League East, but the kids hung in there and went on to win their first division title. Balance was a key got Tampa Bay, which relied on good young starters, a balanced offense and manager John Maddon’s steady hand to reach its first postseason.
Despite injuries to key players like Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford during the season, the Rays never faltered. One of the main reasons is all five starters won 10 or more games: James Shield (14-8), Andy Sonnanstine (13-9), Matt Garza (11-9), Edwin Jackson (14-11), Scott Kazmir (12-8).
Hitters to watch: White Sox – Thome, Dye, Ramirez. Rays – Pena, Longoria, Cliff Floyd.
Pitchers to watch: White Sox – Chicago’s bullpen, besides closer Bobby Jenks, needs to get some outs; Rays – Scott Kazmir, the Game 2 starter. Kazmir has a habit of throwing too many pitches in the early and not being able to last more than five innings
Key to the series: Sox’s Big Three in the rotation. Buehrle, Floyd and Danks can carry the team in a short series.
Prediction: White Sox in 5.
October baseball is here .....tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52942008-10-01T03:12:29Z2008-10-01T03:39:48ZHere’s a sneak at the postseason match ups that get underway today, starting with the Brewers-Phillies series: Brewers vs. Phillies Throw out the pitching in this series – besides when CC Sabathia, again working on short rest, takes the hill...Bill
Here’s a sneak at the postseason match ups that get underway today, starting with the Brewers-Phillies series:
Brewers vs. Phillies
Throw out the pitching in this series – besides when CC Sabathia, again working on short rest, takes the hill in Game 2 Thursday. This series is going to come down to which came do the most mashing en route to winning three games.
The Phillies, who remind me of the Cleveland Indians of the 1990s, have the king of the long ball in Ryan Howard, who led baseball with 48 homers and 146 RBIs. Plus Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Geoff Jenkins and Pat Burrell are big boppers, which helped Philly lead the National League with 214 homers.
The Brewers have Ryan Braun (37 homers), Prince Fielder (34 homers), Mike Cameron (25 homers), J.J. Hardy (24 homers) and Corey Hart (20 homers) powering their lineup. Milwaukee was third in home runs in the National League with 198.
Hitters to watch: Brewers – Braun, Fielder, Bill Hall; Phillies - Howard, Rollins, Jason Werth.
Pitcher to watch: Brewers – Sabathia. Phillies – Brad Lidge.
Key to the series: First team to 10 runs each game wins. Actually, whichever team can get decent starting pitching should be in good shape.
Prediction: Phillies in 4.
Dodgers vs. Cubs
Chicago was clearly the best team in the NL all season, but frankly I think they got a bad break with Los Angeles in the first round. Of the four teams, the Dodgers are the most dangerous in the NL with Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe and skipper Joe Torre all having proven track records in October.
The Cubs have been a true team all season with a balanced offense and a strong starting staff with Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and second-half addition Rich Harden always helps. If the Cubbies have a weakness, it’s in the bullpen.
With the acquisition of Ramirez at the trade deadline, everything seems to have fallen into place for the Dodgers. Manny being Manny has helped easy things for young players Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin and James Loney. Ramirez has 53 RBIs in 53 games since going Hollywood.
Lowe has been the best pitcher in baseball for September – 3-0, 0.59 ERA in five starts – and was a postseason star in Boston. Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda are solid, but untested in the postseason. Ditto for closer Jonathan Broxton.
Hitters to watch: Dodgers – Ramirez, Rafael Furcal, Casey Blake, Martin; Cubs - Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Theriot, Jim Edmonds
Pitchers to watch: Dodgers – Lowe; Cubs – Kerry Wood, Harden, Lilly.
Key to the series: Dodgers need to strike early and put Cubs on the defensive.
Prediction: Cubs in 4.
AL series previews coming later today
tied uptag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52792008-09-28T20:58:53Z2008-09-28T21:01:11ZCarlos Beltran's 2-run homer in the bottom of the sixth has tied the game at 2-2. .... The Brewers still trail the Cubs 1-0 in the 7th inning. .... Shea has just erupted with Endy Chavez's magic glovework in left...Bill
Carlos Beltran's 2-run homer in the bottom of the sixth has tied the game at 2-2. .... The Brewers still trail the Cubs 1-0 in the 7th inning. .... Shea has just erupted with Endy Chavez's magic glovework in left field. Chavez robbed Jorge Cantu of an extra-base hit.
game on .... almosttag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52772008-09-28T18:15:17Z2008-09-28T18:15:46ZThe Mets are scheduled to start today's game at 2 p.m. .... the tarp is off the field...Bill
The Mets are scheduled to start today's game at 2 p.m. .... the tarp is off the field
Delay, what delay tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52762008-09-28T17:55:54Z2008-09-28T17:58:12ZA 1:10 start this afternoon might not be in the cards, but the grounds crew is monkeying around with the tarp and it seems to have stopped pouring down here. No "officially" rain delay has been declared but I'd guess...Bill
A 1:10 start this afternoon might not be in the cards, but the grounds crew is monkeying around with the tarp and it seems to have stopped pouring down here. No "officially" rain delay has been declared but I'd guess 1:30 as a start time
Game No. 162 lineuptag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52742008-09-28T16:24:39Z2008-09-28T16:27:30ZJ. Reyes SS Beltran CF Delgado 1B Wright 3B Evans LF R. Martinez 2B Chruch RF Castro C Ollie Perez P Manager Jerry Manuel said in his pregame presser that everyone but Johan and Pedro are available to pitch this...Bill
J. Reyes SS
Beltran CF
Delgado 1B
Wright 3B
Evans LF
R. Martinez 2B
Chruch RF
Castro C
Ollie Perez P
Manager Jerry Manuel said in his pregame presser that everyone but Johan and Pedro are available to pitch this afternoon.
"Don't get me in trouble, I'm trying to survive, too," Manuel said when asked if Santana could pitch today.
Say Hey from Sheatag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.52732008-09-28T14:19:05Z2008-09-28T14:21:31ZA beautiful overcast day at Shea where Elsberry and I are the first two media members to arrive. Joel Sherman from the "Other Post" is in the press box now, too. The Mets are pinning their playoff hopes on the...Bill
A beautiful overcast day at Shea where Elsberry and I are the first two media members to arrive. Joel Sherman from the "Other Post" is in the press box now, too.
The Mets are pinning their playoff hopes on the left arm of Oliver Perez and it's all hands on deck for today's regular-season finale sans Johan Santana. Unfortunately, Santana is the one guy the Mets need out on the mound today. .... back later with the line ups
Big Apple baseball bits .....tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.48862008-08-08T03:09:12Z2008-08-08T03:09:46ZThe Mets once had three young pitchers – Generation K - that were expected to carry the franchise into the 21st century. All three of them – Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson – were can’t miss prospects that...Bill
The Mets once had three young pitchers – Generation K - that were expected to carry the franchise into the 21st century. All three of them – Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson – were can’t miss prospects that ended up on the disabled list within a year of their major-league debuts.
Only one of them, Isringhausen, ever amounted too much in the major leagues and still holds a job in the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen – sometimes even serving as their closer. However, after being called up in July 1995 and going 9-2 with a 2.81 ERA down the stretch for the Mets, injuries prevented “Izzy” from ever duplicating that success as a starter. He has turned in a solid career as a closer – with 293 saves over 13 years.
Pulsipher, at age 21, threw 218 innings with a 3.98 ERA between the majors and minors in 1995, but a torn elbow ligament shut him down in 1996 and 97, and he was never the same pitcher. He kicked around the majors, minors and independent leagues for the next decade trying to regain the magic that never returned.
Wilson lasted one season with the Mets in the majors (5-12 with a 5.38 ERA in 1996) before injuries derailed his career. He resurfaced in 2000 with Tampa Bay and spent parts of the next five seasons as a journeyman starter with the Rays and Cincinnati Reds, winning in double figures only once (11-6 with the Reds in 2004).
With the recent shoulder injury to Joba Chamberlain, you have to wonder if the New York Yankees’ Big 3 are headed for a similar fate as Generation K and if they will ever live up to their billing.
Since joining the Yankees last season, Phil Hughes is already on his second DL stint (rib injury, needs glasses) with the Bronx Bombers, but could be back soon.
Ian Kennedy, who had a cup of coffee in New York last season, has also been on the DL (strained lat muscle) in his short career in pinstripes. Kennedy is expected to return to the majors Saturday and start for Chamberlain, who went on the DL Wednesday with rotator cuff tendonitis.
Outside of Joba’s injury, the one thing the other two young Yankees have going for them over Generation K is their injuries have not been to their arms. However, the jury is still out on whether they can pitch in the big leagues. We shall soon find out.
PROBLEMS WITH PUDGE – Maybe bringing in Pudge Rodriguez to catch for the Yankees was not such a good idea. Since the future Hall of Famer arrived from the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees pitching staff has not been very good.
Andy Pettitte (nine earned runs and 11 hits in 51/3 innings) got blasted by the Angels working with Rodriguez in his Yankee debut last week, and Chamberlain (five earned runs and eight hits in 42/3 innings) also had a rough go-round with I-Rod before leaving with a sore shoulder. Pudge almost took out Joba, who dove out of the way of the ball, with a throw to second base trying to turn a double play.
If the Red Sox or Rays don’t finish off the Yankees, maybe Pudge will.
CLOSING TIME – Johan Santana must be clicking his cleats and saying “there’s no place like Minnesota” these days.
The Mets’ ace has to yearn for the days of Twins’ closer Joe Nathan coming in and slamming the door on opponents in the ninth inning. So far in New York, no lead seems to be safe when Santana turns things over to his bullpen.
Scott Schoeneweis became the latest bullpen member to squander a win for Santana on Thursday and David Wright had to bail the team out with a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth in a 5-3 win.
It was the sixth time in 24 starts this year for Santana that the bullpen has failed to come through - five of those mishaps have come in the ninth inning. Santana is 9-7 on the season for the Mets, but could easily be a 12- or 13-game winner by now.
Wonder if Santana has inquired about this Brett Favre fellow coming in to finish games for the final two months for him. Favre can’t do any worse, can he?
The Good, The Bad and The Piratestag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.48072008-08-01T06:10:28Z2008-08-01T06:12:55Z Angels-Cubs in the World Series? Better start booking your flights to Anaheim for Game 1 now Cubbies fans (I know Post columnist and Cubbies fan Chris Elsberry will be soon) Based on the two teams’ moves leading up to...Bill
Angels-Cubs in the World Series?
Better start booking your flights to Anaheim for Game 1 now Cubbies fans (I know Post columnist and Cubbies fan Chris Elsberry will be soon)
Based on the two teams’ moves leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline – along with the thrashings they gave this week to the Red Sox and Brewers, respectively - it just might be a done deal. (At the very least it looks better than my spring training picks of the Tigers and the Mets)
In fact, with Mark Teixeira on board, can anyone even stop the Halos?
Boston couldn’t – even with Manny – and the Yankees had no luck Thursday night in a 12-6 thrashing at the Stadium.
While I hand the World Series title to the Angels on August 1, here’s a look at how things shakedown in baseball after Thursday’s trade deadline:
WINNERS
Angels – Huge lead in the American league West. Great starting pitching. Great bullpen. And now the Angels have another big bopper in the lineup with Mr. Teixeira. Mike Scioscia might as well start figuring out his postseason rotation right now.
Cubs – NL Central rival Milwaukee went out and grabbed an ace, so the Cubbies matched the move a few weeks back by landing one of their own in Rich Harden – one of the best in the game when he can stay healthy. Plus they already had the Big Z, Carlos Zambrano, and a reinvigorated Ryan Dempster.
Dodgers – It’s hardly to be a loser when Manny Ramirez falls into your lap while you sit a game back of first-place Arizona. Imagine being Joe Torre enjoying a Bigelow green tea upon arriving at the ballpark Thursday afternoon and then find out “Manny Goes Hollywood” without having to lose a player from your big-league roster to land him. The Dodgers also picked up veteran Casey Blake from the Indians and now have more than an enough offense to fight for a postseason spot.
White Sox – Ken Griffey Jr. might be a superstar in name only now, but he still has some juice left in that bat – especially hitting in the middle of this lineup. These Sox did not break the bank to get him either.
Yankees – Still haven’t found another starter for the rotation, but the Bronx Bombers have filled in a few holes quite nicely over the past month without pilfering the future. Never been a fan of catcher Ivan Rodriguez, but he fell into the Yankees’ lap much like Manny did in L.A. The team absolutely stole outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte from the Pirates and adding Richie Sexson to the bench for free was a no-brainer.
JURY’S OUT
Brewers – After starting July with a bang by landing another ace in CC Sabathia, the Brew Crew exited the month with a wimper by being swept by the Cubs – and in their own home no less. While Sabathia has been a great pickup, the addition of second baseman Ray Durham has been nothing special and Milwaukee finds itself the third best team in the division still going into the final two months.
Phillies – A team loaded with offense and talented minor-league prospects failed to fill a glaring weakness – starting pitching – before the deadline. Joe Blanton is a “nice” addition, but what the Phillies real needed was a Harden or Sabathia to add to the front of the rotation. Now they have to out slug teams every night.
Red Sox – The Sox could no longer handle Manny being Manny, but might have cost themselves too much in their quest to get rid of him.
In addition to dealing Ramirez, Boston had to throw erratic flame-thrower Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss into the mix in order to land outfielder Jason Bay. Moss could have brought back some bullpen help – something the Sox badly need – and Boston was near a deal with the Royals for Ron Mahay before having to change gears.
Bay has comparable numbers to Manny with a .282 average, 22 homers and 64 RBIs, but can he handle the heat of a pennant race and playing in Boston?
Rockies – Colorado had big pieces to dangle in outfielder Matt Holliday and lefty Brian Fuentes, but opted to keep both and make a run in the open NL West. Going into Thursday night, the Rockies were seven games out of first place in baseball’s weakest division – plus who can forget the run they made into the playoff last season down the stretch?
Tigers – Detroit dug itself a huge hole to start the season and has been playing catch up ever since. They shipped I-Rod to New York for some much-needed bullpen help in Kyle Farnsworth, but still need to find an in-house replace for injured closer Todd Jones.
LOSERS
Diamondbacks – Arizona might have two of the best pitchers in baseball with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, but it failed to land something just as important – a big bat. Teixeira went to Anaheim and the D’Backs seem to fade into the background in trade talks down the stretch. Plus now they have to contend with Manny in their division.
Mariners – A team going nowhere had plenty of pieces to ship out to contenders, but ended up making only a minor deal with the Marlins. Jarrod Washburn and Raul Ibanez – who both had value on the open market – remain on a team desperately in need of some new blood. Third baseman Adrian Beltre and reliever J.J. Putz surfaced in talks, but also stayed.
Marlins – Came into Thursday chasing after Manny, but ended up with only 39-year-old reliever Arthur Rhodes from Seattle. Rhodes could barely get anyone out in the AL - maybe he will have better luck in the NL.
Mets – Apparently leading the NL in middle infielders is how the Mets hope to win the East. With glaring holes at both outfield corners and Ryan Church’s return a great unknown, Omar Minaya developed stage fright before the non-waiver trade deadline. Hard to believe a GM who has mastered plucking players off the scrap heap could not find a decent corner outfielder out there for a reasonable price.
Pirates – Do people in Pittsburgh even acknowledge baseball season in their town anymore once the Steelers finish for the winter? After trading away two starting outfielders and one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball, what exactly do the Pirates have now besides two guys named LaRoche? Oh yeah, the title of worst franchise in baseball.
Rays – Were rumored to be hot on the trail of Bay – which would have added a much needed right-handed bat to the lineup – but came up empty. Maybe Rocco Baldelli can help when he returns, but TB could have used a pick-me-up from outside the organization.
*******
Reconfigured postseason predictions:
AL East – Yankees
AL Central – White Sox
AL West – Angels
Wild card – Red Sox
NL East – Phillies
NL Central – Cubs
NL West – Dodgers
Wild card - Brewers
Manny being Manny has run its course in Bostontag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.47912008-07-30T02:01:35Z2008-07-31T15:08:56ZManny being Manny. The mega-million-dollar circus sideshow has entertained Red Sox Nation for the better part of eight seasons, but has it finally reached the end? It sure looks that way – and the reason is Manny being Manny. Manny...Bill
Manny being Manny.
The mega-million-dollar circus sideshow has entertained Red Sox Nation for the better part of eight seasons, but has it finally reached the end?
It sure looks that way – and the reason is Manny being Manny.
Manny Ramirez has turned into that fun-loving relative who overstays their welcome in your home. Sure it’s great to have them come for a visit and stay a while, but linger to long and the act starts to wear thin and you just wish they would leave.
Only kicking Manny out the door is not something the Sox can afford to do until after the season. Not when they are in the thick of a pennant race and have a shot at another World Series championship.
Some of the brightest highlights during Manny’s stay in Boston have included the two World Series titles, pairing with Big Papi to form one of the most dangerous 1-2 offensive punches in the game and the multiple comic relief moments.
If you are a Sox fan, who could forget Manny’s diving cutoff catch on a Johnny Damon throw from center field – NESN only replayed it a couple thousand times - or Ramirez’s disappearance into the Green Monster during a game for a little “relief.”
How about the high five with the fan after making a catch in Baltimore this year? Or, Manny trying to help hawk a grill on Ebay last spring for a neighbor?
But there’s also a dark side to Manny being Manny, which is why it seems inevitable this time around that Red Sox Nation and Manny will be parting ways - and soon.
Maybe even as soon as today or tomorrow, though it seems futile at this point in the season for the Sox to deal him – especially with Mark Teixeira off the market.
Among the lowlights of the Manny Era are the annually trade demands, the infamous evening out with former Yankee Enrique Wilson - after Manny had skipped a few games for being “too sick to play” in 2003 - and refusing to pinch hit for Grady Little in a makeup game against the Phillies in September of that same year.
You also have Manny shoving a Sox staffer in Houston over ticket demands back in June and then his latest outburst last week when he ripped Sox owner John Henry and the front office over a lack of contract talks.
Hmmm, lets see I’m guessing if I wanted a raise here at the Post trashing MediaNews CEO Dean Singleton would not be the way to go about it.
But, that didn’t stop Manny from being Manny.
Ramirez’s eight-year deal with the Sox is up after this season and the ball club holds two one-year options - for the tune of $20 million apiece - that they can invoke at their leisure.
Basically, the Sox have “hand” when it comes to Manny’s future and he doesn’t like it.
It has turned the fun-loving Manny being Manny business into an ugly one.
Instead of being content in Boston with friends like Big Papi, Julio Lugo and Bartolo Colon around, Manny seems to be seeing only green these days -and I’m not talking about the Green Monster either.
Instead of collecting another $40 million over the next two years while having the chance to play for a World Series title on one of the best teams in baseball and in a city that has come to love him, Manny is just thinking about himself now.
He wants one more big payday before riding off into the sunset – not a surprise considering he hired agent Scott Boras to represent him – and knows staying in Boston two more years would likely prevent him from getting another mega deal.
After all, who is going to dish out a multi-year contract worth millions to a 38-year-old slugger? (OK, Omar Minaya would if he still has a job somewhere but anyone else?)
So now Manny being Manny appears to be coming to an end in Boston.
If I were the Sox I’d just let Manny finish out the year with them and then turn the tables on the slugger – pick up his option for next year. Even though Manny has worn out his welcome in Boston, the Sox could dictate his terms on the way out the door.
Manny being Manny – it’s been fun, but now it’s time for it to be done.
The localstag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.47592008-07-25T19:26:15Z2008-07-25T19:27:02ZThe Mets got to enjoy a Thursday night all alone in first place – the first time they could say that since early April – after beating the Phillies for the second straight day. New York fans can thank much-maligned...Bill
The Mets got to enjoy a Thursday night all alone in first place – the first time they could say that since early April – after beating the Phillies for the second straight day.
New York fans can thank much-maligned first baseman Carlos Delgado for the surge into first. Delgado, who everyone wanted out of town the first three months of the season, snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning.
(An assist can go to the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins, who showed up to Shea Stadium late Thursday and was bumped from the starting lineup because of it. Rollins and the Mets’ Jose Reyes might be two of the more talented shortstops in the game, but they are also big-time head cases.)
Before the All-Star break, Delgado was hitting .248 with 17 homers and 52 RBIs. In July, Delgado is hitting .397 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 20 games. He’s been even better since the All-Star break with a .458, two hrs and 9 RBIs in seven games.
Now the key for the Mets will be to stay in first place – the first test comes this weekend with three against the surprising St. Louis Cardinals.
ON TO FENWAY – The Red Sox and Yankees series might have lacked a little punch when the teams last met July 4th weekend, but this weekend’s three-game series has plenty of juice.
Boston (60-43) is tied for first place in the American League East with Tampa Bay (59-42) and New York (56-45) is just three games back.
Tonight, Joba-mania makes its starting debut at Fenway Park with Joba Chamberlain (2-3, 2.52 ERA) going up against Sox ace Josh Beckett (9-6, 3.98). Interesting side plot – Joba vs. Kevin Youkilis. There’s already bad blood lingering from the last time the two met in New York.
Saturday’s game features Andy Pettitte (11-7, 3.86) against Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69) on FOX (Ch. 5, 61) at 3:55 p.m.
The Sunday night starters might be the biggest mismatch of the series with Sidney Ponson (6-1, 4.02) squaring off against Jon Lester (8-3, 3.20), who tossed a shutout against the Yankees at the Stadium on July 3. Ponson might give up his share of hits, but he’s an innings eater and that saves wear and tear on the bullpen.
The Sox will get a huge lift tonight with the return of David Ortiz to the line up. With Big Papi back, look for the Sox to shuffle their lineup and hit J.D. Drew fifth and Mike Lowell sixth. Also, Youkilis could jump to the top of the order – either leading off or hitting behind Dustin Pedroia, while the slumping Jacob Ellsberry could move to the bottom third of the order to try and straighten his offensive game out.
TRADE TALKS:
A look at the local teams’ biggest needs going into Thursday’s deadline:
Mets
What they need: Corner outfielder
Who’s out there? OF – Indians’ Casey Blake, Royals’ Jose Guillen, Pirates’ Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, Mariners’ Raul Ibanez, Rangers’ Marlon Byrd, Reds’ Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. and maybe Rockies’ Matt Holliday and Braves’ Mark Kotsay.
Who they’ll get: Blake or Ibanez.
Who they should get: Holliday – Mets are built to win now.
Yankees
What they need: A starter, a left fielder, bench/backup catcher
Who’s out there? Starters – Mariners’ Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista, Indians’ Paul Byrd, Blue Jays’ A.J. Burnett, Twins’ Livan Hernandez, Reds’ Bronson Arroyo; OF – Blake, Guillen, Bay, Nady, Ibanez, Holliday. Kotsay; Catchers: Rangers’ Gerald Laird, Blue Jays’ Greg Zaun and Rob Barajas and Nationals’ Paul Lo Duca.
Who they’ll get: Washburn and maybe a catcher ... a healthy Carl Pavano perhaps (no joke) and maybe Ian Kennedy or Phil Hughes could join the mix in August.
Who they should get: Burnett and Kotsay or Bay – but Yankees don’t want to gamble on Burnett’s contract or deal key prospects to land big names.
Red Sox
What they need: A healthy Big Papi, bullpen, shortstop
Who’s out there? Bullpen – Orioles’ George Sherrill and Jamie Walker, Pirates’ Damaso Marte, A’s Huston Street, Rockies’ Brian Fuentes. SS – Giants’ Omar Vizquel, White Sox’s Juan Uribe, Blue Jays’ David Eckstein, Astros’ Mark Loretta.
Who they’ll get: Papi returns to the lineup tonight and Sox might have already found bullpen help with rookie Justin Masterson moving out there. Marte would be a nice addition to the pen, plus the Sox hope to add Bartolo Colon back to the mix at some point which could knock Clay Buchholz to the bullpen, too.
Who they should get: Sherrill or Fuentes to give them a consistent lefty option in the pen, but Eric Gagne deal from last year might make them trigger shy.
Wild trade that will never happen but should:
Mets get Manny Ramirez and Brian Fuentes.
Red Sox get Matt Holliday and Aaron Heilmann
Rockies get Fernando Martinez, Nick Evans, Craig Hansen and Coco Crisp
It's all over now tag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.46902008-07-16T08:37:29Z2008-07-16T08:48:10ZAt 1:38 a.m. Justin Morneau raced home and slid cross home plate - on a Michael Young fly ball to right field - scoring the game-winning run for the American League in a 4-3 victory in the 15th inning of...Bill
At 1:38 a.m. Justin Morneau raced home and slid cross home plate - on a Michael Young fly ball to right field - scoring the game-winning run for the American League in a 4-3 victory in the 15th inning of the 79th All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
Four hours and 50 minutes after the first pitch was thrown for a strike by Indians starter Cliff Lee, the longest game in All-Star history was in the books.
"It seemed like the Stadium didn't want it to end," said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who was joined on the AL squad by teammates Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez. "That's what we were talking about. It just wanted baseball to continue. I thought it was fitting. I wish, honestly, it would have ended earlier, but we won and it was a great game to watch and be a part of."
On a night designed to honor The Boss, George Steinbrenner, a Red Sox ended up as the MVP with J.D. Drew - who tied the game 2-2 in the seventh with a two-run homer - earning the honor. He almost ended up pitching too as AL manager Terrry Francona was down to his final pitcher - the Devil Rays' Scott Kazmir - in the 15th and looking for other options if the game went another inning, or two ..... or more.
"It was like a Mets game without the rain delay," joked Mets closer Billy Wagner, who blew a 3-2 National League lead in the eighth inning when he allowed a run.
Random tidbits from the day before the All-Star gametag:forum.connpost.com,2008:/diamond//82.46822008-07-15T00:51:01Z2008-07-15T01:10:19ZNO WRITERS ALLOWED - It's not easy to crash the American League's hospitality room at the Grand Hyatt down here - even by accident. After being yelled at for crossing under a velvet rope to look for a bathroom and...Bill
NO WRITERS ALLOWED - It's not easy to crash the American League's hospitality room at the Grand Hyatt down here - even by accident. After being yelled at for crossing under a velvet rope to look for a bathroom and ripping my pants in the process, I got another earful when I stepped foot into the AL's special room by mistake looking for something to drink. Despite an abundance of beverages in the room, I was told to go look somewhere else. I found a $3.50 bottle of water in the lobby and an apple for $1.50.
A STAR AMONG US - Most of the fans outside the Hyatt were looking for baseball players, but one fan from Stratford was delighted to see Post columnist Chris Elsberry. The man, wearing a Yankees' cap, said to Els "you write for Connecticut?" Els asked him if he meant the "Connecticut Post" and the guy nodded and said he was from Stratford.
(P.S. The fan did not ask Els for his autograph)
RANDOM INTERVIEW NOTES - The most popular All-Stars during the media sessions at the Hyatt were New York guys of course. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez seem to draw the most attention, while the Red Sox David Ortiz attracted a decent collection of media members, too. Manny Ramirez and Tigers' manager Jim Leyland were not at the media session for the AL. ... By the way, despite having a bad reputation the Texas Rangers' Milton Bradley is a nice guy. He was very cordial with the media and looking forward to tonight's game. (More about Milton in Wednesday's Post)
RANDOM TIDBITS – Big trade rumor buzz here Monday, compliments of the Boston Globe, was the Red Sox talking to the Braves about sending Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen to Atlanta for first baseman Mark Teixeira. … The Boss, George Steinbrenner, is expected to be at the All-Star game. … The buzz among the players about the star they were most looking forward to seeing – the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton, who went into the Home Run Derby as the favorite. Chipper Jones was backing the Marling’s Dan Uggla, though.
-Paxton