Tigers’ Player loses battle with pillow, placed on DL

When pillows don’t want to be slept on…….I’m sorry, but this story sounds like an excuse made up by a three year old. The question is; what really did happened that night in bed, and I’m almost sure his son was nowhere to be found……

For a few months, Brandon Inge was dealing with a slight muscle strain in his right side, but the severity of the strain was never enough to keep him on the DL - until now!

You could blame a pillow, you could even blame the stuffing inside the pillow. One thing is for sure, fans will remember this “bedtime story” for a long time- to- come.

“It was the stupidest, most freakish thing,” Inge said Wednesday, explaining why he had just been placed on the 15-day DL with the pulled side muscle (oblique) he suffered 3 1/2 weeks ago.

“I have a 3-year-old son who sleeps in the bed with my wife and me,” Inge said. “I was trying to push the pillow down behind his head (two nights ago), and when I did … I repopped (the strained muscle).

Brandon Inge will be on the DL for atleast 15 days because of the strenuous events that led up to the attack. Inge has had 3058 at bats and 382 RBIs in his 8 year MLB career. Not bad for someone who can’t pick up a pillow.

 So the next time you see Inge at the plate (if that time ever comes) , I guarantee the echoes of the words “Pillow Fight” will be circulating around the ball park!

 

Introducing the Jonathan Papelbon Donut

Ok, so maybe Dunkin Donuts will not be comprised of Papelon Donuts this summer, but this Promo may be the next best thing for all of your Red Sox, Phillies, and Rays fans. For the second time this year, Dunkin’ Donuts has called Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon  from the bullpen.

This time, customers of the Canton-based coffee and doughnut chain can square off online against Papelbon and New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain to win prizes in Dunkin’s “Bases Loaded” promotion of its summer iced drinks.

As of yesterday, all cold beverages sold at Dunkin’ have peel-away stickers on the cups that include a log-in code to play the online hit-and-win game at dunkindonuts.com/basesloaded.

MLB To Consider New Bat Rules

Proposals for rule changes in Major League baseball are becoming more common than all of those angry Mets fans out there. First instant replay, now the Bats.

The future of the maple constructed bat is now uncertain in Major League Baseball play. Statistical analysis has relayed information showing league officials that the bats are shattering way to often-putting players (especially the pitcher) at a higher risk of being struck by shrapnel. Studies have proven that Ash bats splinter more quickly, breaking up into smaller pieces as they expire; this is not the case with Maple.

On Tuesday, Representatives from the commissioner’s office, the players union and teams spoke on a conference call about the potential danger with bats that have seemingly been shattering more frequently. The committee is responsible for monitoring fan and player safety, an issue that has become more pronounced with every flying bat shard.

In a news release, the committee said it planned to consult with bat experts and bat manufacturers, conduct field and laboratory tests, and gather information about protective procedures in ballparks.

Johnny Damon  of the Yankees recently switched to Ash bats after hearing about a possible “Maple Debate”. In 2001, Maple became a huge ”fad” when Barry Bonds used Maple bats throughout his record-setting 73-home run season. It is currently estimated that 60 percent of all players use the “pitcher killing” clubs.

Based on percentages, players have always prefered Maple vs. Ash constructed bats because they like the sound of the baseball coming off the bat leading the players to believe Maple bats have more “pop”.

However studies have proven that notion to be wrong. A study in 2005 by Dr. James Sherwood (funny that is last name is SherWOOD) of the Baseball Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell found no evidence that a baseball hit by a maple bat carried farther than an ash bat-struck baseball.

The MLB claims action will not be taken immediatley, but the bat ban will be on a list of priorities leading up to the beginning of next season. Players are in denial that the league will do anything at all.

“Is something going to be done about it?” asked Philadelphia player representative Jimmy Rollins. “I doubt it.”

Sorry Jimmy, I think this link proves that it is time. This umpire got beaned hardcore by a broken maple.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2521705&brand=null&videoId=3460125&n8pe6c=2

Is Throwing A Curveball Potentially Harmful?

If you ever tried to throw a curveball during a game, you know that it is physically easier to throw a fastball rather than a curveball. Concerns about possible injuries from excessively throwing a curveball  always lurk in a pitcher’s mind as the wrist and elbow snap downwards each and every time the pitch is thrown. Has this study proven that a curveball is as harmless to a players elbow and shoulder as a fastball?

A biomechanical comparison  of forces generated in the curveball, fastball, and change-up pitches has been undertaken by S. Dun et al (Am J Sports Medicine. 2008;36[4]:686-692) to determine the risks of curveball pitches to youthful elbows. There has been a belief that the curveball pitch is harmful, especially to the immature ulnar collateral ligament, more so than, for example, the fastball.

The authors concluded that the curveball is not potentially more harmful to the young elbow than the fastball and that the number of pitches thrown carries a stronger risk than the nature of the pitch.

 

Can Position Players Really Pitch?

Have you ever been to a Major League Baseball game when all of a sudden the second baseman was called over to the mound to finish out an inning? Didn’t think so! This is a common practice in Youth Baseball Leagues, High School leagues, and sometimes Minor League games, but it never happens in MLB right? WRONG! The situation rarely takes place during an entire MLB season, but it does happen!!

How often does it actually happen? Usually, it only happens in blowouts when a manager wants to save the other arms in the bullpen for another day. While it hasn’t happened yet this season (2008), six position players on four different teams toed the rubber at some point in 2007. Can you guess who they are?

Jeff Cirillo - Arizona Diamondbacks
Aaron Miles - St. Louis Cardinals
Augie Ojeda - Arizona Diamondbacks
Scott Spiezio - St. Louis Cardinals
Josh Wilson - Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Jason Wood - Florida Marlins

Here is a list of position players who last pitched sorted by team: Recondite Baseball

Apparently, Willie Randolph was considering using a position player (Ryan Church) to pitch in a drag against the Phillies in late April. The Mets have used position players in tough situations, but not since 1992. And according to Church he was not thrilled at the idea.

Imagine the pressure of a younger, well-know, highly skilled player trying to hold his reputation after being unexpectedly moved to the mound in a tight situation. If players like Jeter and A-Rod were moved to the mound, fans could care less if they “got rocked” and lost the game anyway. Those trying to hold a position on the field after only being in the league for a few years would rather not make a debut on the mound in the heat of the moment.

In baseball’s early years, baseball teams were smaller, and relief pitchers were relatively uncommon, with the starter normally remaining for the entire game unless he was either thoroughly ineffective or became injured; today, with a much greater emphasis on pitch count (100 being the “magic number” in general), over the course of a single game each team will frequently use from two to five pitchers.

If a team empties the “pen” during a game or sequentially through the course of a week’s worth of games, a few position players must be designated to pitch in these tough situations. So the next time you attend a Major League Baseball game, do not be suprised if a pitcher is replaced by another player who you least expect because POSITION PLAYERS CAN REALLY PITCH!

The Best Paid Bench Warmers

Many athletes who make the list tend to be aging former starters riding out big contracts in their declining years, after they’ve been busted down to part-time duty. Baseball outfielders Jay Payton and Jacque Jones fit this bill.

Baseball has already learned about the difficulties of getting rid of dead money. During the 1980s, Commissioner Peter Ueberroth pointed out to the owners how much they were flushing down the drain on players that didn’t play. The problem is that when the owners decide collectively to clamp down, they’re guilty of collusion (a legacy of the Ueberroth era, resulting in legal rulings that forced owners to fork over millions to the players union). Read more at Forbes.com

Arizona State Staged Fight “To Loosen Up”

Brett Wallace and the ASU Sun Devils engaged in a team scuffle before the game vs. Fresno State on Sunday. The “fight” was apparently staged in front of TV cameras, fans, and MLB scouts starting with Wallace taking a swing at teammate Ike Davis. The scuffle quickly involved the whole team as the two “went at it” at on the field. It was later determined that the fight was staged to apparently loosen up the team before the game.

Not smart Mr. Wallace! Brett was the St. Louis Cardinal’s No. 1 pick in this years MLB Draft. Will the antics he pulled during the pregame put him in hot water with the Cardinal’s Franchise? I doubt it, but we will soon find out.

FYI. ASU lost (9 -12), so much for that.

Watch the video at ESPN

 

Report: Viagra May Provide Baseball Players On-Field Edge

There is nothing better than pitching your own tent at short-stop with two outs-two on in the bottom of the 9th!

The Daily News in New York reported Tuesday that Viagra has become a popular pick-me-up for athletes looking for an edge on the field and perhaps some frisky behavior off of it.

Citing a source familiar with the New York Yankees clubhouse, the paper said Roger Clemens stashed the diamond-shaped pills in a vitamin bottle in his locker, perhaps keeping the drug undercover to avoid the inevitable wisecracks.

But the veteran pitcher wasn’t alone. He’s among the numerous athletes who have turned Vitamin V and its over-the-counter substitutes into one of the hottest drugs in locker rooms. The drug is so widely used now that it has drawn the attention of anti-doping officials.

“All my athletes took it,” BALCO founder Victor Conte said of an over-the-counter supplement he claimed mimicked Viagra. “It’s bigger than creatine. It’s the biggest product in nutritional supplements.”

What City Deserves A MLB Team The Most?

If Major League Baseball decided to add a few more teams to the American and National Leagues; what cities or areas deserve them the most? Here is a list that many argue deserve a Pro team let alone an MLB team;

Las Vegas, NV - an MLB team in Vegas? Is that cool or what?
Salt Lake City , UT - their only claim to fame is  the “Real Salt Lake” MLS soccer team.
Birmingham, AL   
Juneau, Alaska - team name-”The Eskimos” - they could represent Alaska and play in Montana?..nevermind scratch Alaska…
Wichita,KS 
Portland, OR - a basketball city, why not baseball? Rivals could be the Mariners.
Oklahoma City,OK   
Tulsa,OK  - Minor League Team “Tulsa Drillers” has a great following. Closest MLB team-Texas Rangers?
Rochester, NY - Did you know? the world’s supply of “Cool Whip” is made here!
Albuquerque,NM   
Louisville,KY - birthplace of the Louisville Slugger for god sakes. Give them an MLB Team!
Tucson,AZ   - a great place for a thriving baseball team, however you do have the Diamondbacks!
Norfolk,VA   
Hartford,CT   
Providence,RI    How about a team for the New England States, fans have to get tired of the Red Sox sooner or later-an no! The team can not be named the Patriots.
Omaha,NE    
El Paso,TX 

MLB Players Gone Wild: Gloves Now On Both Hands

MLB players have now put the glove on both hands and instead of a baseball game you get WWE smackdown as one player usually sends both teams ”cannon-balling” onto the field creating utter chaos. Benches have been clearing like window washers in the recent weeks of MLB play.  Actions like these will be sure to sell more and more  MLB Tickets.

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, left, has been suspended for four games and fined an undisclosed amount for his part in a shoving match on Tuesday, June 3rd that resulted in the clearing of both teams’ benches. Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba, right, was suspended three games and also fined.

The most serious fight took place last night (June 5th) when Cocoa Crisp’s milk got a bit sour. Cocoa charged the mound, threw a punch, got punched, scratched, thrown out of the game all at the same time. Red Sox tickets have been selling like hot cakes ever since.  Alright, maybe not exactly at the same time. Notice (right) how the umpire is pointing to direct Cocoa to first base, not the mound. Cocoa was beaned by a pitch and then beaned again this time with a knuckle sandwich before both benches cleared once again.

Soon after the brawl, a fight erupted in the Boston dugout. TV cameras showed Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis being separated after a quick push and exchangement of words at the end of the fourth inning. Ramirez was then escorted down the ramp into the clubhouse and those who had event tickets to see Ramirez had to do without the outfielder for the rest of the game.

Both teams may have been on edge fighting to take back first place in the AL, but many fans feel the incident was sparked by a June 4th play (below) when Boston Red Sox’ Coco Crisp (AGAIN) slid into Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura, of Japan, while being caught stealing in the eighth inning of their game at Fenway. Trying to knock down the second baseball to break up a double play is always acceptable, in this case however, notice Cocoa’s right arm wrapped around Iwamura’s leg. This is what I mean when I say WWE. This looks like a linebacker trying to drop a running-back before he gets to the goal line. Totally un-excusable!

In most cases, Major League baseball has answered by ejecting players involved with altercations only after a flare up by both teams becomes apparent, not for the individual acts like the tackle to your left. Would Cocoa have been ejected if Akinori Iwamura didn’t retaliate? Hell no.

If you look back on the history of the game, some of baseball’s greatest memories are circled around altercations that took place in the heat of the moment. Remember when Roger Clemens and Mike Pizza went at “it” in the 2000 World Series. Piazza of the Mets shattered his bat on a Clemens pitch, and the jagged barrel of the bat dribbled out to the front of the mound. Clemens proceeded to field the bat and throw it at Piazza. The hype and drama surrounding the infamous Subway Series made that series unforgettable. Fans who had World Series tickets will never forget this one.

Fans may argue that charging the mound and trying to kill the second baseman to break up a double play-is part of the game and I know most of you would agree. However, when players get hurt and fighting becomes excessive, the game of baseball becomes tarnished and the respect of players becomes lost from fans of all ages, coaches, and other players.

 

 

 

A cool brawl that errupted during a minor league game…ps..here is your video! Enjoy!

Here are a few rules (written by Brian Watterman from MVN, a Seattle Mariners Blog) players should follow when tempers flare and Cocoa gets Crispy;

1. If you’re a key pitcher, especially the staff ace, and you are not the one actually throwing the pitch, do not get involved in the fight. Felix Hernandez–stay in the dugout.

2. If you’re having a good year, especially in a contract year, stay out of it. If you must be in it, yell and maybe push and shove on the edges.

3. If you’re recovering from an injury, especially a knee injury, Milton Bradley, do not try to pick someone up and risk re-injuring yourself.

4. If you’re the pitcher, try not to throw at the biggest guy on the team. Don’t throw at Richie Sexson, throw at Willie Bloomquist. When he charges the mound, you will not get hit as hard.

5. If you have Tampa Bay Rays tickets you will always be in for a treat!

The videos of Robin Ventura and Nolan Ryan are no longer available. Best I can do….

 

 

Jason Varitek gives Alex Rodriguez a face full of catcher’s mitt, setting off a benches-clearing incident July 24, 2004. (Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin)

 

 

 

Next Page »