Rumors for October, 2011
Adrian Beltre becomes the sixth player to hit three home runs in a postseason game
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Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre hit three home runs yesterday and helped the Rangers secure their second straight trip to the ALCS. The Dominican infielder hit consecutive homers off of Jeremy Hellickson in the second and fourth, and then homered again off of rookie Matt Moore in the seventh.
Beltre became the sixth player in baseball history ever to achieve that feature, and according to Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports, the first player to do it in the Divisional Series. Pouiliot provides a complete list of the players that have achieved this accomplishment.
– Babe Ruth (Yankees) 1926 World Series.
– Babe Ruth (Yankees) 1928 World Series.
– Bob Robertson (Pirates) 1971 NLCS.
– Reggie Jackson (Yankees) 1977 World Series.
– George Brett (Royals) 1978 ALCS.
– Adam Kennedy (Angels) 2002 ALCS.
– Adrian Beltre (Rangers) 2011 ALDS.
Astros’ Dustin Kellogg killed in car accident
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Right hander Dustin Kellogg, who was the 34th-round pick for the Astros in the 2011 Amateur Draft, was killed in a car accident late Monday night according to the Associated Press.
The 18-year old Kellogg died after his pick-up truck crashed with a freight truck in suburban Houston. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He was a great kid with high energy and a lot of confidence, and performed well for us after signing,” said Astros’ scouting director Bobby Heck. “This is a huge loss for everyone that knew him.”
Kellogg was 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in six games for the Astros Gulf Coast League team. “We are deeply saddened by the news of Dustin’s passing,” GM Ed Wade said. “Although he had only been an Astros player for a short time, we share the pain of his family. Our prayers go out to Dustin’s loved ones.”
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Cubs ask Red Sox for permission to speak with Epstein
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As expected, the Chicago Cubs have asked the Boston Red Sox for permission to speak with Theo Epstein regarding a position within their organization, according to a team source close to the Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. Epstein is currently under contract with the Red Sox for another season, so the team is not required to grant the request. Members of the Red Sox met today to discuss their response to the Cubs.
When Cubs’ owner, Tom Ricketts, was asked by FOX Business Network about Epstein, he said, “I don’t know; there’s a lot of good candidates out there. We’re going to talk to a handful of them and I’m sure we’ll come up with the right fit for the team. Ultimately it will be the decision of myself and my family. Obviously we didn’t get it done on the field this year. It was a disappointing season for everyone, but, we’re going to get some new leadership.”
If Epstein leaves, Ben Cherington would be a likely candidate to take over as the team’s GM. Cherington was part of the meeting that led to Terry Francona’s departure and has been with the team since 1999.
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Dodgers decline 2012 options on Blake and Garland
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have declined the 2012 team options on both Casey Blake and Jon Garland according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Blake hit .252/.342/.371 with 4 HR’s and 26 RBI’s in 202 AB’s for the Dodgers in 2011. Garland was 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA in 54 innings throughout nine starts with the Dodgers in 2011.
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Jordan Schafer arrested in Tampa on Possession of Marijuana charges
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According to arrest reports (via Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times), Astros outfielder Jordan Schafer was arrested today in Tampa and charged with possession of marijuana.
Schafer was arrested at 12:38 a.m. today at 2223 Westshore Boulevard says Auman and was later Read More→
Red Sox to consider Pete Mackanin for the managerial job
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to sources close to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Boston Red Sox will consider Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their managerial job.
Last week, the Boston Red Sox decided to part ways with the two-time World Series Champion manager Terry Francona. The team held a club option for Francona for 2012 and 2013, which they ultimately decided not to exercise.
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Are the Cubs going after Theo Epstein?
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Boston Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein, has one year remaining on his current contract, but whether or not he returns to Fenway Park for 2012 is unclear. Ian Browne of MLB.com wonders if his loyalty to Boston will come into question if the Chicago Cubs request permission to speak with him. Epstein has declined to comment about the possibility of leaving the Red Sox.
“We’re going to all get together with ownership and discuss everything,” Epstein said last week. “I think the process that we’re going to take is identifying all the issues, or continue to identify all the issues that need addressing, taking a hard look at ourselves and seeing whether we’re the people to address them.”
“You don’t think we have a full enough plate right now? You want to raise another question like that? We’re not prepared to answer that question here,” Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino said on Friday. “This is a press conference about the contributions that Tito has made to this franchise. Besides, Theo is under contract with us, so it is an issue that has not been addressed or discussed.”
Epstein removed the 86 year World Series curse in Boston and he could be a ray of hope for Cubs’ fan who have been looking to snap their 100+ year drought.
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Valverde says ‘it’s over for the Yankees’
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I know that trash-talking is part of baseball, and I’m sure that’s why Jose Valverde said after yesterday’s game that “it’s over for the Yankees,” (via Buster Olney of ESPN) but I think that it’s far from over. The Yankees lost yesterday with the tying run on first and Cano (the guy who batted in five runs in the first game) at the plate.
Today, C.C. Sabathia will take on Justin Verlander in Detroit in what should be one of the most exciting games of this postseason. Whoever wins today will take the series? I don’t think so. Both teams have an outstanding lineup, and won’t give up easily.
Verlander will probably win the AL CY Award and has been as dominating as anybody could be, but Sabathia is a true ace and he’s capable of carrying the team on his shoulders. Offensively, it Looks like Miguel Cabrerawas right when he joked about Sabathia having to figure out how to pitch to him, Magglio Ordonez is also hitting great so far, and the rest of the lineup is just terrifying.
The Yankees have Derek Jeter (I’m sure he will wake up sooner rather than later), Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada (who have been hitting good too), Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson among others. If you ask me, they form one of the most intimidating offenses out there. They also need the old Alex Rodriguez to snap out of his usual postseason drought and start producing like he is capable of.
If Valverde is right, nobody will remember what he said yesterday, but if he isn’t it’ll be the Pedro Martinez’s “Who’s your daddy” thing all over again. Either way, we’ll find out in two or three days.
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Carlos Zambrano wants to join the Marlins (A formula for disaster explained)
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I would like to start this article by wondering what would happen if Ozzie Guillen and Carlos Zambrano were in the same clubhouse. I think Robert Oppenheimer could use the results of this experiment and build a more powerful Nuke.
According to Ignacio Serrano of El Nacional, Zambrano wants to leave the Cubs and join Guillen in Miami. For that to happen the Cubs would have to release Zambrano and eat the remainder of his $18 million deal.
The Cubs definitely would like to cut loose the explosive Zambrano, and they could be close to doing it according to Serrano. “Its not official, but there’s a chance that the team and Carlos could reach an agreement,” says Felix Luzon (Zambrano’s administrator).
“This is the solution to the situation,” added Luzon. “The team will release Carlos and he will accept deferred payments for the reminder $18 million left in his contract. The idea is that both sides win although there’s nothing official.”
The Miami Herald called Guillen “Hurricane Ozzie” last week. I don’t want to get ahead of myself but if Zambrano lands in Florida, joining forces with “Hurricane Ozzie,” could be a disaster of biblical proportions. Not necessarily in a bad way though, as two hotheads may equal success. I’m guessing anything short of the playoffs and Zambrano having a poor season will implode the two against each other.
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White Sox targeting Dave Martinez as next manager
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According to a Major League source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams has Tampa Bay Rays’ bench coach Dave Martinez on the top of his short list for his next manager.
There had been previous rumors that former Red Sox manager, Terry Francona, had been the number one candidate for the White Sox, but another source close to Rosenthal said that Martinez is the top choice. Martinez was a White Sox outfielder from 1995-1997.
Another candidate for the job could be Yankees’ bench coach Tony Pena. Both Pena and Martinez are unavailable until their respective teams complete their postseason.
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