FireFighters Save Rafael Furcal’s Home

Los Angeles shortstop Rafael Furcal wasn’t at Dodger Stadium for last night’s game against Arizona, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Furcal and his wife were forced to evacuate their home which was in direct threat of the raging wild fires.

As of last evening the Station Fire was approaching his Flintridge neighborhood, but miraculously firefighters were able to save his home as the blaze tore through the neighborhood.

A relieved Furcal and his wife were able to return to the home, after staying in a nearby hotel for a few hours.

Juan Castro started at shortstop on Monday night in his place for the Dodgers.

According to Cnn.com, cooler temperatures Tuesday could help firefighters slow down a fast-moving, deadly wildfire that has charred more than 105,000 acres in Southern California.

President Obama In The booth During All-Star Game

After throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, White Sox fan President Obama hangs out in the booth with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver during the 2009 All-Star game on Tuesday. Obama expressed that he is indeed “not a Cub hater” and that he just does not “root for them”. He also praised the Phillies during their visit to the White House a few months ago. This is a great video and a “class act”.

Prince Fielder Never Hit A Ball 500ft.

Prince Fielder was the winner of the 2009 Home Run Derby held at the Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on Monday (July 14). Fielder delivered 23 home runs in 3 rounds, averaging 439 feet to win the big Home Run Derby Trophy.

According to BumpShack.com, Fielder said, “I’ve never hit a ball 500 feet, so that’s pretty cool. I’m just happy. It was pretty cool to actually win one. You never think as a kid you’re going to win one, but I just always hoped I would win one. So to win one tonight is kind of like a dream come true, I guess.”

Check out these cool photos from the 2009 home run derby and celebrity softball game.

“Big Papi” Joins Elite Club

As the first half of the season comes to a close, we’ve seen more than our fair share of milestones. 300 wins for Randy Johnson…check. 500 home runs for Gary Sheffield…check.

A slew of batters hitting the 300 (Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Lance Berkman, Ivan Rodriguez and Adam Dunn) and 400 (Jason Giambi) home run plateau…check, check, check, check, check and check.

FINALLY…thanks to a first inning home run Thursday night against the Royals, David Ortiz can add his name to the list, The Hall of Very Good reports.

Suspended Phillie Sues Supplement Maker

Romero may be telling the truth, but what will MLB do? It still looks too late for the Phillies reliever, but he has begun to prove he will not go down without a fight.

Suspended Philadelphia Phillies reliever J.C. Romero has filed suit against a nutritional supplement manufacturer alleging an unlisted ingredient in one of its products caused him to test positive for a substance banned by Major League Baseball, according to ESPN.com.

Romero, was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2009 season, after he tested positive for androstenedione, a banned substance. The supplement called 6-OXO did not specify androstenedione on the label nor in the ingredients and Romero continues to plead his case about not knowing about the substance.

Not only that, clerks at the stores where he purchased the supplements told him that 6-OXO would not cause a positive test for a banned substance.

Lesson learned; never believe the idiots behind the counter. Androstenedione is a natural substance that is found in humans and plant pollens, but has been on MLB blacklist since 2006 because of saftley concerns.

The over-the-counter supplement, colloquially known as “andro,” gained public attention in 1998 when Mark McGwire, then with the St. Louis Cardinals, disclosed he used the substance during his pursuit of the single-season home run record that year. McGwire ultimately hit 70 homers, eclipsing the record of 61 set by the Yankees’ Roger Maris in 1961.

Romero’s suit was filed in Camden, NJ on Monday.  Romero wants compensation for the money and time he has missed because of the positive test.

Manny Gets Day Off, ‘I’m not a young kid anymore’

No matter how much you are paid in Major League baseball, you still deserve to have a few days off right? Manny Ramirez would agree for sure, if he actually needed to “chill” on Sunday while his team battled the Rockies-that’s a different story.

Joe Torre gave Manny the day off after he seemed to be a little “behind” during Saturday night’s game in which he went 0-5 with 3 strikeouts. Torre felt Manny may have been fatigued because his swings were starting too soon.

Ramirez felt he could use a day off and responded with, “It’s such a long season, it doesn’t matter,” Ramirez said. “Everybody needs a day off. What do you think I am, Cal Ripken?”

So where could you find Manny on during Sunday’s game? Who knows. Not sure if he was even in the dugout, but he sure got to stick another signature punchline on the sarcasm wall.

Torre also decided to rest infielders Casey Blake and Rafael Furcal in hopes to get a good jump on the upcoming series with the Giants which begins on Monday.

Oliver Perez Mets $36MM Disaster?

There is no doubt Oliver Perez can slump, and lose command of a baseball game, but should he already be deemed the “Mets $36MM disaster?” A few may be starting think “Yes”, including manager Jerry Manual.

The New York Post published and article today that slashes Perez at the knees, similar to when a weed-whacker hits a bumble bee.

Statements like “he has no pitching IQ”, “he generally has no clue where the ball is going once it leaves his hand”, and even calling Perez a “the Mets 36 million dollar disaster”.

Jerry Manual has said  he is “really, really concerned”, and in a “round-about” way mentioned that if Perez can not find his “stuff” he will be useless to the club.

Making a somewhat valid point right?

At the moment, Perez does have an atrocious ERA of 9.31, he has walked 15 batters, and has allowed a skyrocketing amount of hits (23). Yes these numbers could make a pitcher feel like an exploding bumble bee, but we need to remember these numbers are only after 19 total innings and the beginning of a very hectic season in New York.

If you compare him to someone like Johan Santana who currently sits at 0.70 in the ERA column, for a recent $36MM addition you should be concerned, but to be “really, really concerned” might be jumping the gate.

The whole entire season remains in front of  Perez to make improvements. If the Mets have any confidence in their pitching staff, the organzation should feel somewhat at ease with the situation.

Bad luck in previous seasons, may have the inventors of the rally cap on the edge, but I think it is far too soon to call Perez “the Mets $36MM disaster”.

The Jays Come Out Of The Gate Flying!

With a country that is now focusing at a playoff run that includes three of the six Canadian squads trying to end Canada’s 16 years playoff drought, the Blue Jays are soaring taking their first two series of the 2009 season.

Unfortunately nobody seems to be noticing. The Jays fans were their normal loud and loyal selves on opening night. Unfortunately a few bad apples decided that with the bases loaded and a seven run lead in the eighth on opening night to participate on a level of stupidity that caused the MLB to threaten forfeit. That was the Ugly. Even more predictable was the dramatic drop off in attendance over the next couple of days.

The Good:

The kids started off scorching hot and were looking to prove that the 12 spot they dropped on the Tigers on opening night was more indicative of the potential offense that they are have. With 46 runs score in the first week and twice knocking out double digits Cito and Gene Tenace seem to have the boys in blue swinging hot sticks right out of the gate.

Adam Lind – Has been on a tare to open his second full big league campaign. He’s managed 12 hits, five for extra bases in just seven games. He’s also shown a knack for the five spot driving in team high 12 runs.

Aaron Hill: Returning for post-concussion syndrome that kept him out of a large chunk of 2008 Hill looks to be back on track to be the player he was becoming, by batting .300 with three double and two long balls. Not to mention he has already knocked in eight RBI from the two spot. Not a proto-type two-spot hitter Hill is capable of creating a lot of excitement with his ability to generate runs.

Vernon Wells: Looking like the guy they gave all that money to, Wells has started the year batting .321 and has also knocked around three doubles and a home run in his first seven games.

The Bad:

Alex Rios: Although Rios seems to have learned the value of a walk with five in his first seven games, he hasn’t exactly been on fire in the three spot. The Jays have scored a league high 42 runs and Rios has driven in six. Combine that with Vernon Wells and you’ve gotten nine RBI out of the 3 and 4 spot. Luckily Hill and Lind has book ended them with 20 out of the two and five spot.

The Pitching: Everyone is enamored with the offense, but people shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the false promise that is this Blue Jays pitching staff. The Jays rank 17^thin the majors in ERA. In the American League alone the Jays rate in the top three in average, runs, slg, OBP and OPS on offense. On the reverse, of the 14 teams in the AL they are ninth in WHIP, ERA and tenth in OPS in pitching.

The Ugly:

I’ve discussed my disappointment in the opening day crowd already with their behavior. Lets talk about the fact that on the night the Blue Jays were attempting to take their third straight from the Tigers to start the season (Their best start since 1996) and drew 12,145 or 24% of capacity. Cito Gaston showed measurable improvement in this teams offense last season and opening day did nothing to dispel that. But 24% capacity by the third game of the season is nothing short of embarrassing.

So what do we know?:

After one week the Jays are mashing and their pitching is right on track with what we might have thought. The glut of runs has allowed them to get into the pen with a lead. Camp, Carlson, Downs and Fraser have held down the late innings. The Jays have gotten one quality start out of rookie Rickey Romero and Roy Halladay is 2-0, but Litsch, Purcey and Richmond have been the weak link accounting for the team’s two losses. In four starts and 21 innings the trio has surrendered 14 earned runs.

Are the Jays for real? Well as long as their two, four and five hitter keep up this pace they should be fine, even with this below average pitching. Unfortunately for them I just don’t seem Adam Lind being the first guy in 68 years to crack .400, and knocking out approx. 70 bombs.

Are the Jays better than most thought, it sure looks that way, but their team ERA and WHIP are cause to be concerned that what we have seen so far can not maintained.

2009 Milwaukee Brewers Preview

Key Additions:  Trevor Hoffman (RP) and Braden Looper (SP).

Key Subtractions:  CC Sabathia (SP), Ben Sheets (SP), Ray Durham (2B), Derrick Turnbow (RP) and Eric Gagne (RP).

A look at the lineup:  The Miller Park faithful will have something to cheer about as top to bottom, the Brewers are actually putting together a formidable lineup.  Behind power sources Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, this is a team that was 74-46 in games where they went deep…16-26 when they did not.

All in all, we’re looking at a team with some pop that, when they are lucky enough to be clicking at the same time, can score some runs.

Catcher:  Jason Kendall.  In his first year in Milwaukee, Kendall played in 151 games (including a major league leading 149 starts)…the most since he was an All-Star in Pittsburgh in 2000 (152) and 2001 (157).  He posted a career high in innings caught (1328.1) and was serviceable enough to throw out 43% of potential base runners.

First Base:  Prince Fielder.  Fielder continued his assault on pitching by hitting 34 home runs, the sixth most in the National League.  Now two seasons away from the Brewers team record of 50 he hit in 2007, it remains to be seen if Fielder can reclaim the swing that made him youngest player to reach the half century mark.

Second Base:  Rickie Weeks.  Of the four infielders, it is safe to say that Weeks is the weak spot.  His .245 career batting average is a disappointment and last season, he had the lowest fielding percentage (.975) and the most errors (15) of all NL second basemen.  The bright spot is his speed and a relatively high on base percentage (.342)…this led to Weeks scoring 46.6% of the time he reached base, second-best in the NL.

Shortstop:  JJ Hardy.  2007 All-Star Hardy showed again in 2008 why, at $4.65 million, he is one of the best bargains at shortstop.  As the only Brewers infielder with any fielding ability, his 24 home runs last season (second among Major League shortstops) make him a multi-dimensional threat.

Third Base:  Bill Hall.  Thanks to Ryan Braun being moved to left prior to the 2008 season, Hill made the move to third base.  If he can hit the ball…he’ll continue as the starter.  In the off season, Mike Lamb was brought in to challenge for the back up role, but he didn’t work out.  Thankfully, uber utility man Craig Counsell is in the fold to pick up any pieces left behind by Weeks or Hall.

Leftfield:  Ryan Braun.  Given his recent contract extension, it is safe to say that Braun will be the face of the Brew Crew through 2015.  Braun is one of only two players in big league history to hit 30 home runs in his first two seasons, and last year he ranked among NL leaders in extra-base hits, total bases, home runs, slugging percentage and RBIs.  It’s safe to say that this will continue through 2009 and beyond!

Centerfield:  Mike Cameron.  The 36 year-old Cameron enters the season with 14 seasons under his belt.  Thankfully for the Brewers, he’s stayed relatively consistent.  The pop is still in his bat (25 home runs in 120 games last season), the steals are still there (Cameron was 17 of 22)…and the average still hovers between .240 and .250.  Not great stats, but you could do plenty worse.

Rightfield:  Corey Hart.  Hart made his first All-Star appearance in 2008 and finished the season with similar numbers that he posted in 2007.  20+ homers and 20+ steals, combined with a .275 average appear to be the standard for the 6’6” rightfielder.

A look at the pitching:

Starters:  Let’s face it…there really is no positive spin to put on a rotation that lost both CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets.  To try and pretend that the signing of Braden Looper will fill the gap would be absurd.

Filling out the depleted rotation are a trio of young hurlers:  Yovani Gallardo, Dave Bush and Manny Parra.  Gallardo and Parra combined for 52 starts over the last two seasons whereas Bush has been in the rotation since 2006.  Gallardo is the star here though.  At 23, he had a promising 2007 season and in his injury shortened 2008…he showed that he indeed does have the stuff to make him a number one in the National League.

Making his fourth career Opening Day start will be journeyman Jeff Suppan.

Bullpen:  Having witnessed first hand the unraveling of both Eric Gagne and Derrick Turnbow, Brewer fans were pleased to see Milwaukee ink a deal with all-time saves Trevor Hoffman.  Unfortunately, Hoffman has yet to recover from a nagging rib muscle strain and will enter the season on the 15-day disabled list.

So now what?  With 554 saves on the shelf, the Brew Crew turns to righty Carlos Villanueva.  Villanueva compiled a 2.12 ERA in 38 relief appearances last season.

Outlook:  Hooray…the Brewers brought in the all-time saves leader to plug some bullpen holes.  Boo…he’s 41 and now injured.  Milwaukee’s offense is high power and should fair pretty well.  Unfortunately, they lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from their rotation and changed out their manager.

Ken Macha’s crew will be nowhere near what he experienced in his four seasons in Oakland (a 368-280 record), but they’re almost too young to realize that without two high end starting pitchers they’re suppose to fail.  Look for the Brewers to be in Chicago and St. Louis’s rearview mirror all season and finished third in a tough National League Central with between 80-85 wins.

2009 San Diego Padres Preview

2008 Record: 63-99
Key Additions: David Eckstein, Walter Silva

Key Subtractions: Khalil Greene, Trevor Hoffman

A Look at the Line Up:

C – Nick Hundley is only 25 years old and had trouble adjusting to major league pitching during last season’s call up. He hit .237 in 198 at bats but has shown some pop in the minor, cranking 20 jacks in AA in 2007. He will be a fun young catcher to watch this season as he could breakout. He will get all the chances in the world to prove himself on this team.

1B – Adrian Gonzalez is THE best player the Padres have and one of the premiere first basemen in the league. He’s coming off of a great World Baseball Classic where he led the Mexico team with his ability to hit for power, average, and play great defense. He will do the same for the Padres this year. Adrian will be the one bright star to gaze upon in what looks to be a rough season for this team.

2B – David Eckstein was acquired this off season and will bring the veteran presence this team needs as well as consistent at bats and fielding. Edgar Gonzalez, Adrian’s older brother will back him up and could challenge Eckstein for at bats if allowed the chance this year. Eckstein will likely bat second behind Giles and in front of Adrian Gonzalez, which means that he will see a lot of good pitches this year!

SS – Luis Rodriguez looks to anchor the SS position with Greene gone. Rodriguez will form a good double play tandem with Eckstein as the Padres look to be very sound defensively in the middle infield.  He hit .287 filling in for Greene last season but doesn’t steal much or hit for power so he will be a contact hitter and nothing else.

3B — Kevin Kouzmanoff will once again field the hot corner for the Padres. Kouz could break out this year as well. He improved last season and has huge potential. Unfortunately he is on a bad team. But I can’t think of a better situation than to bat cleanup behind Adrian Gonzalez which is why I consider him for a potential breakout season.

RF – Brian Giles is getting up there in age and I am not sure if he should still be leading off for the Padres, but he will. Giles hits for average still, around .300 and will knock 10-15 home runs. He will also play a steady RF but I would not expect him to steal many bags this year, again, he is aging.

CF – Jody Gerut was a rookie sensation with Cleveland in 2003 and then faded into obscutity after being traded twice in 2005. He did not play any baseball, not even in the minors, in 2006 and 2007. Well the Padres were in need last season and gave him a shot. He delivered superbly hitting .296 with 14 homers in 328 games. He’s only 31 and that’s not too old and will likely bat 5th behind Kouz.

LF – Chase Headley is the man to watch this season. The 24 year old, with a .301 average in the minors, played well in a call up last season, batting .269 with 9 home runs in 91 games. He is definitely the biggest sleeper and breakout candidate as this kid has a lot of talent. He projects to be a .300/20 HR buy and could achieve that this year.
A look at the pitching:

SP – Look no further than staff ace Jake Peavy. He is virtually unhittable at home boasting a 1.74 ERA but only going 5-5 because of a poor supporting cast. Peavy has been discussed as trade bait as the Padres look to cut payroll following a nasty divorce hearing involving the owner and the pending sale of the club. They figure finish last or finish last minus the $11 million Peavy will earn this year. Scouts are saying he looks as sharp as ever this spring after a terrible World Baseball Classic.

Chris Young looks to rebound from an injury plaged 2008 which saw him take a Pujols line drive off the face fracturing the nose and skull and some forearm tightness. He is topping out in the mid 80s this spring and that will not cut it for him, he needs to be  in the low 90s. He has had a poor spring with some tendinitis to boot so I do not expect Young to do well this year.

The rest of the staff is full of has beens and never will bes. Shawn Hill came over after being released by another club and may contend for the 5th starter position and 32 year old rookie Walter Silva looks like a great pickup from the Mexican league.

Outlook:
Not good. The team is predicted to finish last by everyone, and I mean everyone. The organization is in transition of ownership and they are trying to move their all world pitcher Jake Peavy because of his salary. It’s a poor situation for players like Peavy and Gonzalez but there is a lot of opportunity for many of the organization’s young prospects to breakout and get major league experience. But alas, they will finish last. Hey, at least they have a great ball park!

Prediction:
Headley will breakout, Peavy will get traded for some great prospects, Gerut will have a great season and Young will falter. 59-103 will give them the worst record in the NL this season.

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