Rumors for April, 2010
Boy at Miller Park hit by broken bat
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There’s something going on at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. On Sunday, a Cub’s fan fell 14 feet from the left field stands. Last night, a young boy was hit when a bat shattered and flew about ten rows behind the Pirates’ on-deck circle.
According to the Associated Press, Alcides Escobar’s bat shattered in the bottom of the fourth inning on a ground out. The shattered bat careened off of several fans and hit the boy in the head.
The boy was treated by ushers and medical personnel. He checked out okay and then was cheered by other fans in his section as he walked up the stairs under his own power. It is not know if he’s still a Brewer’s fan.
For those that aren’t familiar with Miller Park’s history, in 2004, a 48-year-old man feel 17 feet from the escalators which resulted in his death. In 1999 before the park opened, three ironworkers were killed when a crane collapsed because of high winds.
Blue Jays looking to deal arms?
Posted by: | CommentsBlue Jays rookie GM Alex Anthopoulos has discussed several trade proposals for relievers Scott Downs and Jason Frasor within the last six weeks, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
The only thing that is holding Anthopoulos from pulling the trigger on a potential deal is the fact his trade chips are for less of a better term stinking it up. The Jay’s relief team currently sports a 5.69 ERA which ranks them next-to-last in the American League. Jason Frasor and Scott Downs, two normally reliable bullpen arms are also struggling in the young season. Frasor has made 10 appearances and sports an 0-1 record and a 9.35 ERA. Downs isn’t much better as he has also made 10 appearances and is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA. To Downs credit, he did sport a 2.26 ERA from 2007-2009 so he could just be off to a slow start.
The Jays who got off to a hot start but have since come back to earth, are not expected to contend this year. Morosi names the Cubs, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Reds, Marlins, Brewers, and Rays as some teams that could be in need of bullpen help this season. Each of these teams besides the Rays have more glaring needs to address before trading for bullpen help.
Cubs and White Sox introduce the BP Crosstown Cup
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Chalk one up for the marketing departments of both the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs. They were able to get BP (British Petroleum) to sponsor (read: give the teams money) a rivalry cup (named the BP Crosstown cup) to be awarded to the Chicago team with the most wins in the annual interleague series.
In the event the series is split, the winner of the series’ last game will be awarded the trophy.
“I haven’t seen it, I’ve heard it’s awesome,” White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said of the new trophy.
Hey A.J. there’s a reason why you haven’t seen it – the actual cup did not make an appearance at its own introductory press conference. It’s still in production – FAIL!
Information from the Digital Sports Daily and The Chicago Tribune were used in this article.
Brian Jordan calls out Chipper Jones telling him to train harder
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David O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution says that Braves broadcaster, Brian Jordan, has called out former teammate Chipper Jones on a nationally syndicated radio show. Jordan says that Jones should train harder and stretch more to avoid injuries.
“Until I talk to B.J. I’m going to have to reserve judgment,” said Jones. “B.J.’s not a switch-hitter, so he doesn’t go through the same things I do. B.J. doesn’t know what I do in the offseason, doesn’t see my workout regimen. He’s not in here 24/7.”
Jordan is not sure if Jones is “dedicating himself” to staying healthy.
“He leaves you scratching your head because, you know, it’s been a problem, especially his obliques the last couple years,” Jordan said on MLB Network Radio. “I think he just doesn’t think he’s aging.
“As you get older, you’ve got to work out a little harder to prevent injury and I’m not sure if he’s really dedicating himself, his body, to doing that, because I was really surprised to see that oblique injury pop up so early this season. [Jones recently missed three games with an oblique muscle strain in his side].
Co-host Jim Bowden asked, “So, Brian, you think that he’s getting hurt because he’s not working out hard enough and staying in shape at his age?”
Jordan answered: “Uh, you know what, I really believe so. I think at some point when you start getting older, you really have to do the extra things. You’ve got to get in that whirlpool, you’ve got to stretch, and really work hard to keep your flexibility before you get out there on the field. And I’m not sure if he’s dedicating himself to doing that.”
Jones left Saturday’s game and was expected to miss a few games, but surprisingly made a miraculous recovery and played on Sunday.
Alex Cora ready for a music career after baseball?
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On Sunday night after New York Mets pitcher John Maine blew off the reporters asking about his injury, infielder Alex Cora helped relieve the media pressure by pulling out his toy guitar and singing what has been referred to as “The Ballad of John Maine.”
“John Maine is ready to go, yeah. He says he has no pain and will make his next start, yeah. ….
“The ball is coming out of my hand great, clean and crisp, yeah. … Clean and crisp.”
The New York Daily News says they wouldn’t be surprised if Cora is on “American Idol.”
Did Yankees Boss have a fling with Barbara Walters?
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In Bill Maddens’ new book, “George Steinbrenner: The Last Lion of Baseball,” Madden tells us that Steinbrenner’s wife, Joan, had doubts about George and tv personality Barbara Walter’s friendship. The two insisted that they’re just good friends, but during the 2000 Yankees-Mets World Series at Shea Stadium, the Yankees security team was thrown into a panic when the learned that Barbara and Mrs. Steinbrenner were headed to The Boss’ private box.
Information for the article came from Rush & Malloy of the New York Daily News.
Alex Rodriguez is slowest to round the bases after home run
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Alex Rodriguez may be one of the few members of the exclusive 40/40 club, but he doesn’t like to show-off his speed after he jacks one into the bleachers.
According to David Biderman of the Wall Street Journal, Rodriguez has the slowest time of Yankees hitters to round the bases after a home run. He’s currently clocked at 24.9 seconds. Derek Jeter trots in with a brisk 20.2 seconds. You can see the Wall Street Journal graphic here:
It’s been awhile since I’ve done basic algebra, but I’ve calculated it to about 9.9 miles per hour. That isn’t too slow, but everything is relative.
Biderman adds that the average home-run time in the majors is 21.89 seconds according to Marquette University data coordinator Larry Granillo. For the New Yorkers, the Yankees are faster than the Mets by two-tenths of a second.
Thanks to Chris Chavez of Bleacher Report for the lead.
Buster Posey Rumors: May get the call up soon?
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According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Giants phenom Buster Posey may get the call to the Big Leagues soon. It’s been widely believed that Posey has been kept in the Minor Leagues until at least June so he’ll be under team control and be salary arbitration ineligible for an extra year.
Schulman’s source says that Posey probably won’t be with the Big League club at the earliest until their next home stand when the team faces the Padres and the Astros in mid-May.
The Giants had an opportunity to bring the youngster with them after Spring Training broke, but they felt that he would benefit from consistent at-bats at Triple-A. Another theory is that the Giants do not want to promote Posey until he is ready to stay with the Big League club, but Schulman believes that theory holds no water.
PRO Rumors theory is that the Giants have not scheduled a bobblehead day in 2010 for Posey, so the Giant’s marketing department is putting a lot of pressure on the front office from promoting the phenom.
Posey currently is hitting .353 with one home run in 68 at-bats at Triple-A Fresno.
President Obama takes a cheap shot at the Cubs while hosting Yankees
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President Barack Obama welcomed the World Champion New York Yankees today at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The Chicago native congratulated the team on their 27th title and praised them as the “best team in baseball”.
However, the President was not afraid to take a cheap shot at his cross-town rival Cubs’ expense. “It’s been nine years since your last title — which must have felt like an eternity for Yankees fans,” Obama said. “I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that. The Cubs, for example.”
It wasn’t the only joke during the event. At the time of a team picture with the President, somebody suggested that Obama hold the World Series trophy. From the front row of the assembly, assistant general manager Jean Afterman said, “Let him hold it — he might not get another chance,” ribbing Obama about his devout fandom of the White Sox.
The Yankees last made a trip to the White House in 2001 after their 26th championship. They were then hosted by President George W. Bush. President Bill Clinton was there to celebrate the other three championships with the Yankees in the 1990’s. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada all were in attendance during those trips, marking this trip their fifth to the White House.
Information from Bryan Hoch of MLB.com was used in this article.
