Rumors for December, 2010
Orioles agree to one-year deal with Derrek Lee
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According a source close to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Derrek Lee. The deal is pending a physical.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that the deal is close to $8 million, but he cautions that the number is unconfirmed. Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports adds that the deal could reach $10 million with incentives.
Earlier this week, Phil Wood of MASN, reported that the Orioles and the Washington Nationals were in competition for Lee. Now that Lee is off the board, the Nationals may look at Adam LaRoche.
The one-year contract will allow Lee to build up his value and enter the free agent market in 2011 with the hopes of securing a longer-term deal.
Lee, 35, hit .260/.347/.428 with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs with the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves in 2010.
Washington Nationals offer Adam LaRoche two-year deal
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According to a source close to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Washington Nationals have offered free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche a two-year deal. The source added that getting a deal done “has been a slow process.”
Jen Royle of MASN reports that the negotiations are in the $8-9 million per year range.
LaRoche would like to get a three-year deal, but the Nationals are not willing to go a third year.
LaRoche is the best free agent first baseman on the market now that Derrek Lee has agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Phil Wood of MASN opines that a one-year deal is more attractive for the Nationals since they have first base options after the 2011 season.
Justin Germano accepts assignment to Triple-A
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Right-handed relief pitcher Justin Germano has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian. The 28-year-old will attend Spring Training with the big league club as a non-roster invitee.
Germano was outrighted on December 23 and had the ability to either accept the assignment or become a free agent.
In 23 games with the Indians in 2010, Germano was 0-3 with a 3.31 ERA over 35 1/3 innings.
Red Sox reach one-year agreement with Hideki Okajima
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According to a source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, the Boston Red Sox have reached a one-year agreement with Hideki Okajima, pending a physical.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe was the first to report that Okajima and the Red Sox were close to a one-year deal.
The 35-year-old relief pitcher was 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 56 appearances for the Red Sox in 2010. He was non-tendered by the Red Sox in early December.
Top 10 baseball moments involving fans from 2010 – #5-1
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Let’s continue with the Top 10 baseball moments involving fans from 2010 as caught on video. (In case you missed moments #10-6 you can see it here: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/12/rumors/top-10-baseball-moments-involving-fans-from-2010-10-6):
#5 – Fan running around field at Camden Yards during Orioles game
Most of the time, there’s no place for this in baseball, but I thought this never ending run was hilarious. http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/07/rumors/video-fan-running-around-field-at-camden-yards-during-orioles-game/
#4 – Tampa Bay Rays fan gets three chances at a foul ball in an inning
I’ve been to hundreds of baseball games in my life, and I have yet to bring home a foul ball (for the record, I had one tossed to me while I sat in the stands). This fan had three chances and took home two. http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/07/rumors/video-fan-running-around-field-at-camden-yards-during-orioles-game/
#3 – Will Ferrell aka Rojo Johnson ejected from Round Rock Express game in pro debut
Oh Will Ferrell… You’ve made a basketball movie, an ice skating movie, a NASCAR movie, so when are we going to see a baseball movie? If this video is any indication of what we could expect then I’ll be camping out on opening for it. http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/05/rumors/comedian-will-ferrell-aka-rojo-johnson-ejected-from-round-rock-express-game-in-pro-debut/
#2 – The Phillies taser incident
We all remember this one where the Phillies fan was inappropriately subdued by a policeman at Citizens Bank Park. http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/06/rumors/video-of-phillies-fan-tasered-as-he-runs-onto-field/
#1 – Boyfriend lets his girlfriend get hit by a foul ball
Gentleman, this is one way to find yourself in the doghouse. Watch, but don’t imitate. http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/08/rumors/video-foul-ball-couple-at-houston-astros-game-decide-to-break-up/
Honorable Mention:
PRO Rumors fortunately was the first to provide exclusive video of Eric Byrnes (as a common citizen) hitting a home run for the Dutch Goose slow pitch softball team. This video is what put PRO Rumors on the map. Thank you for your support in 2010 and your continuing support in 2011 and beyond.
In case you missed #10-6, here’s the link: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/12/rumors/top-10-baseball-moments-involving-fans-from-2010-10-6
Top 10 baseball moments involving fans from 2010 – #10-6
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Our names may never be in a box score, nor will we be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t be apart of baseball. The past twelve months have allowed many of the millions of baseball fans to take part in the game whether they like it or not. Luckily for us, television cameras and phones with video are everywhere to capture the moment. Here are PRO Rumors’ Top 10 moments involving fans as caught on video:
#10 – Orlando Cabrera – the $2.02 million bat boy
At the time of this video, Orlando Cabrera was not an active player (DL for an oblique straing), so technically he’s a common person like. In August he donned a “BB” jersey and was the team’s bat boy for the day.
Check out video of the $2.02 million team assistant: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/08/rumors/video-orlando-cabrera-the-2-02-million-batboy/
#9 – Fan running on field stopped by Braves Matt Diaz
Diaz took move out of the Karate Kid movie by sweeping the leg of this unfortunate fan.
Watch video of Diaz saving the day: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/2010/09/rumors/video-fan-running-on-field-stopped-by-braves-matt-diaz
#8 – Drunk Daytona Cubs fan Tasered
Check this video of drunk fan being tasered at a Single-A Daytona Cubs game from July. It happens about the 0:28 mark: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/07/rumors/video-drunk-daytona-fort-myers-cubs-fan-tasered/
#7 – Teacher at San Francisco Giants game throws horrible first pitch on FOX
I probably would do no better in the same situation. It’s a lot of pressure. Here’s the video: http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/05/rumors/video-teacher-at-san-francisco-giants-game-throws-horrible-first-pitch-on-fox/
#6 – Oakland A’s ballboy woos girl with his balls
This is the type of stuff that sets the scene in romantic comedy movies. I’m not sure of the two are still dating, but hopefully he’s still using the gimmick to line up dates. Guys take notes from this video: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/08/rumors/foul-ball-friday-oakland-as-ballboy-woos-girl-with-his-balls/
Want more? Here’s moments #5-1: http://www.prorumors.com/2010/12/rumors/top-10-baseball-moments-involving-fans-from-2010-5-1
Reds have spoken with agents of Renteria and Podsednik
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In an article by John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, he says that the Reds have spoken to agents for both Scott Podsednik and Edgar Renteria.
“What we’re looking for is veteran outfielder, preferably a left-handed hitting outfielder and an infielder who can back up at shortstop,” GM Walt Jocketty said.
The Reds have already been linked to Podsednik. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports suggested that the free agent outfielder could be a good fit since he’s a left-handed batter and could platoon with the right-handed hitting Jonny Gomes in left field.
Renteria was recently upset over the San Francisco Giants’ recent offer of $1 million. The team has not given up on bringing back their World Series MVP for 2011.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes adds that the Reds made an offer to Renteria a few weeks ago, but he has not signed it.
“We’ve talked to some other free agents as well,” Jocketty added, but he declined to name specific players.
Top 30 most memorable baseball moments: #3-1
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Moment 3: Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hits his 71st home run of the season on October 5, 2001.
Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. Bonds’ accomplishments during his baseball career place him among the greatest baseball players of all-time. He has a record-setting seven MVP’s, including a record-setting four consecutive MVP’s. He is a 14-time All-Star and 8-time Gold Glove-winner. He holds numerous Major League Baseball records, including the all-time Major League Baseball home run record with 762.
In 2001 Bonds’ offensive production reached even higher levels, breaking not only his own personal records but several major league records. In the Giants’ first 50 games in 2001, Bonds hit 28 home runs, including 17 in May (a career high). This early stretch included his 500th home run. He also hit 39 home runs by the All-star break (a major league record), drew a major league record 177 walks, and had a .515 on-base average, a feat not seen since Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams over forty years earlier. On October 4, he tied the previous record of 70 (set by Mark McGwire in the 162nd game in 1998) in the 159th game of the season. He then hit numbers 71 and 72 off of Chan Ho Park the following night. Bonds added his 73rd off of Dennis Springer on October 7.
Moment 2: An RBI single by Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez in the bottom of the ninth gives the Arizona Diamondbacks a victory in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
The 2001 World Series was the first ever played in the state of Arizona, while it was the third World Series Game 7 to end on a hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the final inning. After two game-tying home runs by the New York Yankees in Games 4 and 5 helped them take a 3-2 series lead, the Diamondbacks took game 6 and forced a decisive game 7.
Game 7 was a matchup of two twenty-game winners in the Series finale that would crown a new champion. Roger Clemens at 39 years old became the oldest Game 7 starter ever. Curt Schilling had already started two games of the Series and pitched his 300th inning of the season on just three days’ rest. The two aces matched each other inning by inning and after seven full, the game was tied at 1–1. The Diamondbacks scored first in the sixth inning with a Steve Finley single and a Danny Bautista double. The Yankees responded with an RBI single from Tino Martinez, which drove in Derek Jeter. Bob Brenly stayed with Schilling into the eighth, and the move backfired as Alfonso Soriano hit a solo home run on an 0–2 pitch. After Schilling got one out, he gave up a single to David Justice, and he left the game trailing 2–1. Brenly brought in Miguel Batista to get out Jeter and then in an unconventional move, brought in the previous night’s starter Randy Johnson in relief to keep it a one-run game. It proved to be a smart move, as Johnson retired all four Yankees he faced.
With the Yankees ahead 2–1 in the bottom of the eighth, manager Joe Torre turned the game over to his ace closer Mariano Rivera for a two-inning save. Rivera was one of the strongest closers in the game and struck out the side in the eighth.
In the ninth Mark Grace led off the inning with a single to center. The real turning point was Rivera’s errant throw to second base on a bunt attempt by Damian Miller, putting runners on first and second. Jeter tried to reach for the ball, but got tangled in the legs of pinch-runner David Dellucci, who was sliding in an attempt to break up the double play. Rivera appeared to regain control when he fielded Jay Bell’s bunt and threw out Dellucci at third base, but third baseman Scott Brosius decided to hold the ball instead of throwing to first to attempt to complete the double play. Midre Cummings was sent in to pinch-run for Miller. With Cummings at second and Bell at first, the next batter, Tony Womack, drove a double down the right-field line on a 2–2 pitch that evened the score and blew the save. Bell went to third and the Yankees pulled the infield and the outfield in as the potential winning run stood at third with less than two outs. After Rivera hit Craig Counsell with an 0–1 pitch, the bases were loaded. On an 0–1 pitch, Luis Gonzalez lofted a soft single over the drawn-in Derek Jeter that barely reached the outfield grass, plating Jay Bell with the winning run. This ended New York’s bid for a fourth consecutive title and brought Arizona its first championship in just its fourth year of existence, making the Diamondbacks the fastest expansion team to win a World Series, this was the first time since 1991 that the home team won all seven games of a World Series.
Moment 1: Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners, the first Japanese-born position player in Major League Baseball, earns 2001 American League MVP and Rookie of the YearAward.
Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport’s single-season record for base hits with 262. He has had ten consecutive 200-hit seasons, the longest streak by any player.
Ichiro is the first MLB player to enter the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (The Golden Players Club). He has been voted onto nine All-Star teams by the fans, winning the 2007 All-Star MVP Award for a three-hit performance that included the event’s first-ever inside-the-park home run. Ichiro has won a Gold Glove award in each of his first ten years in the major leagues, and has had six hitting streaks of 20 or more games, with a high of 27.
The left handed hitter had a remarkable 2001 Rookie season, accumulating a rookie-record 242 hits, the most by any MLB player since 1930. With a .350 batting average and 56 stolen bases, Ichiro was the first player to lead his league in both categories since Jackie Robinson in 1949. The season included hitting streaks of 23 and 21 games.
Aided by Major League Baseball’s decision to allow All-Star voting in Japan, Ichiro was the first rookie to lead all players in voting for the All-Star Game. That winter, he won the American League MVP and the Rookie of the Year awards, becoming only the second player in MLB history (after Fred Lynn) to receive both honors in the same season.
Royals sign Zach Miner
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According to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Royals have signed Zach Miner of a minor league contract. Miner missed all of the 2010 after undergoing surgery on his right elbow.
Morosi later adds that the Royals are looking at Miner as a potential starter but it all depends on how well he performs in spring training to show the club that he has rebounded from his Tommy John surgery. Miner has mostly been a reliever during his four year career with the Tigers but has also made 35 starts. Miner has a career 4.24 era in 357 innings pitched. Miner failed to find consistency ans as a result bounced around between the starting rotation, bullpen and the minors.
Tigers fans will mostly remember Miner for being the player that was designated for assignment to make room for their prize addition this off-season of Victor Martinez.
Tigers
Top 30 most memorable baseball moments: #6-4
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Moment 6: Joe Carter of Toronto hits a series-ending, three-run home run off Phillies reliever Mitch Williams in the bottom of the ninth in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series.
Carter first reached the majors in 1983 with the Chicago Cubs, but was then traded to the Cleveland Indians, where he blossomed into a star.
In 1993, the Blue Jays reached the World Series again, facing the Philadelphia Phillies. In Game 6, with the Blue Jays leading three games to two, Carter came to bat with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Blue Jays trailing 6–5 and Rickey Henderson and Paul Molitor on base. On a 2–2 count, Carter hit a three-run walk-off home run off Phillies pitcher Williams to win the World Series, only the second time a Series has ended with a home run, and the only time the home run has been hit by a player whose team was trailing in the bottom of the 9th inning in a potential championship clinching game. Upon hitting the home run, Carter went into a hysteria, jumping up and down many times most notably rounding first base, where his helmet came off from the dancing. Tom Cheek, radio broadcaster for the Blue Jays at the time, then went on to say “Touch ‘em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!.”
Moment 5: Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles plays in his 2,131st consecutive game on September 6, 1995, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record.
Ripken played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles (1981–2001).
On September 6, 1995, many baseball fans within and out of the United States tuned in to cable TV network ESPN to watch Ripken surpass Lou Gehrig’s 56-year-old record for consecutive games played (2,130 games). The game, between the Orioles and the California Angels, still ranks as one of the network’s most watched baseball games. Cal’s children, Rachel and Ryan, threw out the ceremonial first balls. Both President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were at the game. President Clinton was in the WBAL local radio broadcast booth when Ripken hit a HR in the fourth inning, and called the home run over the air. When the game became official after the Angels’ half of the fifth inning, the numerical banners that displayed Ripken’s streak on the wall of the B&O Warehouse outside the stadium’s right field wall changed from 2130 to 2131. Everyone attending (including the opposing Angels and all four umpires) erupted with a standing ovation lasting more than 22 minutes, one of the longest standing ovations for any athlete; ESPN did not go to a commercial break during the entire ovation. During the ovation, Ripken did a lap around the entire Camden Yards warning track to shake hands and give high-fives to the fans. The humble superstar had to be convinced by his teammates (who in fact playfully shoved him out of the dugout) to take a victory lap around the stadium, shaking hands and creating a highlight reel moment that’s been replayed repeatedly in the ensuing years.
“It was very spontaneous.” Said Ripken “I was feeling a sense of anxiety that it was unfair to stop the game in the middle of the game. You felt for the pitchers—it’s almost like a rain delay. I just kept saying to myself, ‘okay, let’s get the game started. Thank you very much. I’ll celebrate it as much as you want after it’s over, but let’s stay with the game.”
“Bobby Bonilla and Rafael Palmeiro pushed me out of the dugout and said, ‘Hey, if you don’t do a lap around this thing, we’ll never get the game started.’ I thought it was a ridiculous sort of thing, …but as I started to do it, the celebration of 50,000 started to be very one-on-one and very personal. I started seeing people I knew. …Those were the people that had been around the ballpark all those years, and it was really a wonderful human experience.”
Moment 4: The Cardinals’ Mark McGwire and the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa race to break Roger Maris‘ single season home run record. McGwire hit his 62nd home run of the season on September 8, 1998.
In 1998 as the season progressed, it became clear that McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Sosa were all on track to break Maris’ single-season home run record. The race to break the record first attracted media attention as the home run leader changed often throughout the season. On August 19, Sosa hit his 48th home run to move ahead of McGwire. However, later that day McGwire hit his 48th and 49th home runs to regain the lead. Griffey eventually had injury problems during the season and fell behind McGwire and Sosa.
On September 8, 1998 at 8:18 p.m. CDT, McGwire hit a pitch by the Cubs’ Steve Trachsel over the left field wall for his record-breaking 62nd home run, setting off huge celebrations at Busch Stadium. The fact that the game was against the Cubs meant that Sosa was able to congratulate McGwire personally on his achievement. Members of Roger Maris’ family were also present at the game. The ball was freely given to McGwire in a ceremony on the field by the stadium worker who found it.
