Rumors for April, 2010
New York Mets prospect Angel Calero suspended 50 games for drugs
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the Associated Press
, New York Mets prospect Angel Calero has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for metabolites of Nandrolone.
Calero had been pitching for Class A St. Lucie. Through 2009, Calero has a 16-20 record with a 4.03 ERA in 60 Minor League games (49 starts).
Diamondbacks prospect Socrates Brito suspended 50 games for drugs
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com
, Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Socrates Brito has been suspended 50 games for the use of performance enhancing drugs.
The Associated Press adds that Brito tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol and will serve his suspension immediately upon signing with a Major League organization.
Brito signed a contract with the Diamondbacks last month and his contract was voided.
PRO Rumors Notes: Mike Stanton, Morgan Ensberg
Posted by: | CommentsA few days ago, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez had this to say regarding the likelihood of a Mike Stanton call-up:
“We sent him down, but he’ll let us know when he’s ready…It’s just a matter of him getting some at-bats and putting up some numbers or decapitating somebody down there. Maybe the league president will say get this guy out of here before he hurts somebody.”
Since then, Stanton has 5 HR and 11 RBI – in just two days. Waiting until the end of May might keep him from Super Two status, but Florida is in a divisional scuffle and could use the outfielder’s bat. Stanton nearly made the team out of spring training but remains in Double-A Jacksonville, while outfielders Cody Ross and Chris Coghlan continue to struggle mightily. That could compel even the frugal Marlins to summon the game’s most-hyped hitting prospect this side of Jason Heyward, and sooner rather than later.
For those still held captive by the Joe West-Mariano Rivera-Games-Taking-Too-Long-Scandal, this bit by Morgan Ensberg might pique your interest.
Racist Angels Usher flips the bird to Yankees fan (warning: language)
Posted by: | CommentsWe first saw the bird this year with Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds, and apparently he’s started a trend because ushers with the Los Angeles Angels have been doing it too.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Jose Gonzalez, a Yankees fan, approached an usher at Angels Stadium to find out why his friend was being escorted out of the stadium this weekend. Gonzalez said the usher replied, “you don’t speak English, get the f**k out.” The usher then turned to Gonzalez’s wife and said, “you look like you speak English, why are you with them?”
The usher refused to give the victim his name, so he took a picture to get evidence and the usher happily showed him his favorite finger.
Maybe the ushers are still bitter from last year’s ALCS victory by New York.
Here’s the interview (warning: foul language):
Some information and photo courtesy of Deadspin.
The Kirby Puckett statue – fix the teeth, beard and butt
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Picture of Kirby Puckett statue
Minnesota’s Target Field is almost perfect, except for one thing – the Kirby Puckett statue in the stadium’s plaza.
So what’s wrong with it?
His pearly whites and the beard aren’t just right for Twin’s fans.
“I understand your concern that the likeness created doesn’t conform to your memory of what your friend Kirby Puckett looked like,” said Bill Mack, sculptor of the statues outside of Target Field. “I’ve got a memory of him like everybody else. But there is nothing specific about it. How somebody can say it doesn’t look like Puckett — I don’t believe that at all.
The Puckett statue is a representation of the 11th-inning home run in game six of the 1991 World Series.
Changes were made by Pucketts’ wife, Tonya Puckett, before the statue was bronzed. She said the butt was bigger so Mack enlarged his posterior before it was finalized.
Information from C.J. of the Star Tribune was used in this article
Scott Schoeneweis Rumors: Could Red Sox release pitcher?
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In less than a week the Boston Red Sox will need to make a few roster moves in order to accomodate pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Alan Embree.
Daisuke is expected to make his 2010 debut on April 30. It’s already been decided that he’s going to take Tim Wakefield’s spot in the rotation, but who will he replace on the active roster?
Embree has an opt-out date on his contract for April 30. He’s already extended it once from April 15 to April 30, so it’s unlikely that he’ll do it again.
If the Red Sox feel that Embree is too valuable to let go Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says that the team will need to make a roster cut in order to accommodate both Daisuke and Embree. Candidates that could be released include Hideki Okajima, Scott Schoeneweis and Scott Atchison. Silverman believes that Schoeneweis is the most likely since he has a $500,000 salary as opposed to Okajima who’ll make $2.75 million this season.
The team will probably not make a roster decision until the last minute since injuries and other factors could make the decision easier.
Royals Rumors: Jai Miller, Mike Montgomery, Josh Fields
Posted by: | CommentsKansas City’s 610 Sports Radio reports that Athletics’ outfielder Jai Miller was claimed off waivers and optioned to the Royals’ AAA-Omaha affiliate after being released by Oakland (thanks to Facebook fan Jim for pointing out our error), while infielder Josh Fields was moved to the 60-day DL. Miller’s complete minor league numbers are available here.
The Royals also moved pitcher 20-year-old pitcher Mike Montgomery to their AA-Arkansas club. Montgomery, who is listed by Baseball America as the Royals’ top overall prospect, had started the season in advanced-A ball with a 2-0 record and 1.09 ERA through 4 starts. You can see Montgomery’s minor league stats here.
Mike Bacsik (Barry Bonds #756) hates the dirty Mexicans of San Antonio?
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Ex-Major League Pitcher Mike Bacsik, who’s best known for giving up Barry Bonds‘ 756th home run had a potty mouth last night on Twitter.
Bacsik, now a producer for North Texas’ SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket, suspended him for saying the following on Twitter (with screen shot courtesy of Deadspin):
“Congrats to all the dirty mexicans in San Antonio”
This was in response to the Dallas’ Mavericks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA playoffs.
The tweet has since been removed and an apology was placed up there. It reads:
“I’m sorry for my horribly insensitive tweet last night about the Hispanic comm. in San Antonio. I apologize and I hope u can forgive me.”
A public notice has been placed on the Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket’s website saying:
“Mike Bacsik’s comments were unacceptable and offensive, and are inconsistent with the core values of KTCK and Cumulus. We have made the decision to suspend Mr. Bacsik with the hope that he will take this time to consider the insensitive and hurtful nature of his comments.”
Bacsik’s response is here:
“I’m sorry for my horribly insensitive tweet last night about the Hispanic community in San Antonio. I have embarrassed myself, my family, friends, The Ticket, and my host Norm Hitzges. I am deeply sorry and understand why so many people are upset. I am dealing with my actions by asking for forgiveness from my wife, kids, parents, The Ticket and Cumulus family, friends, and everybody who was and should have been offended by my tweets last night. Most importantly I am asking for forgiveness from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have made a terrible mistake. I apologize and I hope you can forgive me.”
You can see Bacsik’s Twitter account here.
Ryan Howard agrees to 5 year $125 million contract extension
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According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard is close to singing a five-year, $125 million contract extension. The extension will kick in starting in 2012 and will go through 2016.
Ed Price of AOL Fan House says that Howard will get $20 million from the Phillies in 2012 and 2013. He will be paid $25 million per year from 2014-2016. There is an option for 2017 with a $10 million buyout. The contract also includes a limited no-trade clause.
Howard, 30, is in his seventh season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s a lifetime .280/.376/.588 hitter with 225 career home runs. He is currently in the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $19 million in 2010 and $20 million in 2011. You can see Howard’s contract history and statistics here.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer shopping in Target… naked?
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Tonight on ESPN E:60, sportscaster Jeremy Schaap and Minnesota Twins superstar Joe Mauer will visit Mauer’s childhood neighborhood.
One interesting part will be quotes from Mauer’s grandfather, Jake Sr., who chats about his grandson’s status.
“He came into Target one day, and I happened to be in there. … It was just a nightmare. They almost tore his clothes off,” Jake said.
Probably a nightmare for Joe and his family, but a dream for his female fans.
Information from the Pioneer Press was used in this article.
