Well, forget the Fish. Manny Ramirez is headed to the Dodgers in a three-team trade that has Jason Bay heading to Boston pending commissioner’s approval.
MLB Trade Deadline: Thursday @ 1p PT
Trades since Tuesday:
LAA traded Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek to Atlanta for Mark Teixeira.
NYY traded Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit for Ivan Rodriguez.
NYY traded LaTroy Hawkins to Houston for minor league infielder Matt Cusick.
Florida traded pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez to Seattle for Arthur Rhodes.
CWS traded Nick Masset and minor league infielder Danny Richar to Cincinnati for Ken Griffey Jr. and cash.
I’m surprised ESPN has no coverage of Paul Pierce’s recent response to a Spanish reporter while Pierce is in Madrid, which went like this. Q: “Is Kobe really the best player in the world?” Pierce: “I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
Now before you Lakers fans jump on Pierce like an Asian fight, understand this. Pierce is reeling off of an NBA championship over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, where he was named Finals MVP. He watched first-hand the regular season MVP get thrown off his game while he upped his and played neck-and-neck with and I’ll be the first to admit, outplayed Kobe in the stretch. So in one series, Pierce gained the ultimate confidence that he could top the best, which is why he felt sane when he said what he said.
Okay, now you can jump on Pierce.
Michelle Wie is set to try her hands again with the men, as she attempts to qualify in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open this weekend. I think Annika Sorenstam speaks for all of us when she says that Wie shouldn’t be competing with men if she can’t even qualify in a women’s major. What I want to bring up is how much tournament director Michael Stearns is shaming the PGA by inviting the 18-year-old child star to play at a level she isn’t even close to being able to play at. Stearns said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I happen to believe she’s a great player. Who’s on the list here who won a U.S. Publinks at age 13?”
That attitude says it all. We admit, Wie was a great player. Five years ago. Now, she’s playing with the pros and has rode on her childhood fame for quite too long now. She’s just another face in the LPGA and is just embarrassing herself every time she plays with the men. But good luck to her trying to make the cut for the first time in eight tries on the PGA Tour.
Update:
ATP Masters Series
Second Round Wednesday: (2) Rafael Nadal def. Florent Serra 6-0, 6-1
Third Round Thursday: Ivo Karlovic def. (1) Roger Federer 7-6, 4-6, 7-6
The Oakland Athletics’ Brad Ziegler threw three scoreless innings Wednesday to run his record for most scoreless innings to start a career to 30.
Ron Artest will once again play for a title contender.
Numerous sources report that the Sacramento Kings have agreed to trade the troubled yet multi-talented forward to the Rockets for guard Bobby Jackson, next year’s No. 1 pick, and rookie Donte Greene, who showed a scorching hand in the summer league, dropping 40 points in his debut and 22.6 ppg overall—second only to Portland’s Jerryd Bayless.
The deal will not be final until after August 14 since Greene cannot be traded before that date.
I think this gamble makes the Rockets contenders for the title.The combination of Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming, though all three are injury prone, will be as fierce as any trio in the league.Also, already having Shane Battier, the addition of Artest gives Houston one of the best perimeter defenses around.
I wouldn’t worry about any immediate—I say again, immediate—bouts of insanity from Artest mainly because he will be reunited with Coach Rick Adelman, with whom he has a good relationship.Or, about as good a relationship Artest has had with an authority figure.
Look for the Rockets to improve upon their already impressive 55-27 record.
International basketball has never been more competitive with the U.S. than now, and this offseason, European teams have actually signed five NBA players to play basketball abroad than in the NBA. Sasha Vujacic and Andris Biedrins could have been two more familiar faces not coming back to the NBA next season, but their current teams dished out some favorable contracts to retain them.
Vujacic who averaged under 9 points last season is getting a 3-year, $15 million deal after receiving numerous offers abroad. How do I know it’s all about the money, contrary to what Vujacic claims? Because the Lakers offered $2.6 million a year earlier this month and Vujacic was ready to pack his bags.
Same deal with Biedrins. With a six-year deal worth a guaranteed $54 million, the Warriors’ big man, who averaged 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season, makes Stephen Jackson, arguably their best player,the lowest-paid starter on the team with a salary of $6.6 million last year. The Warriors are creating as much a financial mess as the Nuggets, paying all of their starters big money, which prompted the Nuggets to recently give up Marcus Camby for a draft pick. Those in the Bay Area should be concerned.
Remember star Irish wideout Jeff Samardzija turn down the NFL draft for a shot at MLB? He made his career debut last Friday for the Chicago Cubs, throwing two innings of relief. On Sunday, he notched his first career save, reaching 99 mph with his fastball. Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said that Samardzija will be around to stay and even mix into the closer role with Kerry Wood out. A feel-good start for the ND alum.
No one’s ever had as good of a major league start than the Oakland Athletics’ Brad Ziegler, who broke a 101-year-old record of most scoreless innings to begin a career. With two scoreless innings on Sunday, the right-handed submariner has pitched 27 innings without a run to break the previous record of 25 innings set by Philadelphia’s George McQuillan in 1907.
What to do about college baseball and its antics? Allow me to provide a brief timeline of the recent history. First, there’s the batter’s perfectly executed kick to the catcher. Then, there’s the manager’s hilarious antics by my one and only minor league Braves. And now this. Coaches and players both involved. And a fan. The pitcher (yes, he was a pitcher) who chucked the ball is facing a felony charge, and 17 players were ejected. However, the punishment was quickly retracted because the teams were unable to finish the game. I’m calling the use of a bat in the next minor league fracas.
Rafael Nadal breezed by Nicolas Kiefer in the Toronto Masters 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to claim his fifth title in a row. It was the first tournament for the 22-year-old Spaniard since the epic Wimbledon final, and Rafa can become the first men’s top-ranked tennis player in four years depending on how he fares in this week’s Masters Series tournament. Where was Roger Federer last week? Upset in his opening match to unseeded Gilles Simon.
Big ups to the Philadelphia Soul for capturing its first-ever AFL title Sunday over the defending champion San Jose SaberCats. The Soul almost blew a 17-point lead with 39 seconds left before hanging on for a 59-56 victory. Matt D’Orazio accounted for all eight of his team’s touchdowns, throwing for seven and running for another. And somehow, owner Bon Jovi has something to do with the team’s success in only its fifth year in existence.
Carlos Sastre won the 2008 Tour de France on Sunday by 58 seconds over pre-race favorite Cadel Evans. Soon after, a fourth biker on the Tour was arrested and detained for doping. This event has become more shamed than NASCAR and its Brickyard display.
There is a headline on ESPN.com that reads, “is mixed martial arts mainstream?” Are you kidding? MMA is as trendy now as backing Barack Obama for president.
People are talking about how Candace Parker got off too easy with a 2-game suspension because she’s the “golden girl” of the league. Please. Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn, who also received a two-game suspension, should be publicly beat by his momma after what he did to Lisa Leslie.
So is this year’s U.S. Olympic team Kobe’s or LeBron’s team? Annoying SoCal analysts say LeBron had his chance in 2004 and has a bronze to show for it. Kobe will be the difference but on a team LeBron’s already on. I think the same can be said for LeBron if Kobe played in 2004 sans the King.
In the final seconds of the Sparks’ 84-81 win over the Shock, Detroit forward Plenette Pierson gave Candace Parker an overzealous box-out that she didn’t quite appreciate.
The two were tangled and Parker subsequently threw Pierson on the floor, only to be dragged down herself.Then all hell broke loose.
Detroit’s Cheryl Ford, in her attempt to hold back a teammate, sprained her right knee and had to be escorted off the floor in a wheelchair.
Rick Mahorn, Detroit assistant coach, was right in the thick of the action, pushing Lisa Leslie sending her to the floor.Reviewing the tape, however, it doesn’t look like Mahorn had any intent other than ending the scuffle.And though he did nudge Leslie, he didn’t extend his arms, and her stumble appears to have been due more to her imbalance than anything else.
Expect multiple suspensions in the upcoming days.
I wonder if this will hurt Parker’s MVP chances.
Speaking of catfights, this past weekend, Danica Patrick approached Milka Duno like a smart-ass after an on-track incident at Mid-Ohio track.
Patrick is proving to be a fiery and confrontational person.She needs to calm the fuck down.Shit happens on the track.And what did she expect would happen getting all up in Duno’s face?
I especially like the (two-time) towel toss to the face.
Brett Myers, whose best year was in 2005 when he went 13-8 with a 3.72 ERA, is back in the bigs after a brief stint in the minors. The former Phillies ace is 3-9 this year with a 5.84 ERA and apparently felt that a 1-3 stint against Double-A and Triple-A ball with a 3.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27 innings was just what he needed to fix his mechanics.
Myers’ strikeouts in the minors is impressive while his ERA is good–not great–which scares me because the Phillies expect Myers to be an ace for them in the second half, although he can’t do much worse than he did in the first half. That being said about Myers, there is something terribly wrong with the Minnesota Twins managing.
Francisco Liriano, who had three bad starts to begin the season, has been in the minors for four months now. The Twins would probably admit that they should have kept Liriano, who missed the entire 2007 season to Tommy John surgery, in the minors a bit longer to begin the season but now, they are just wasting his talent. The 24-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA in Triple-A, has 94 strikeouts in 105 innings and a fastball touching 96 miles per hour.
Liriano’s agent claims the Twins are keeping him down there to prevent him from being qualifed for salary arbitration at the end of the year, but the team claims they don’t have room for him in the rotation with the team’s recent surprising success. Yes, the Twins are just 1.5 games behind the White Sox for the division lead after winning 22 of their last 29, but why won’t you improve a team if you can? Perhaps they can win 23 or 24 in that same stretch with Liriano in the mix. And contrary to the Twins saying they don’t know who they would replace him for in their starting five, let me give you their season stats.
Livan Hernandez: 9-6 with a 5.44 ERA Scott Baker: 6-2 with a 3.47 ERA Nick Blackburn: 7-5 with a 3.65 ERA Kevin Slowey: 6-6 with a 4.26 ERA Glen Perkins: 7-2 with a 3.84 ERA
I don’t know how you have trouble cutting Hernandez, who has the same agent as Liriano. Heck, I’d do away with Slowey for the young stud too. And what’s missing is a solid ace on the staff, someone that only Liriano of the six pitchers has the potential for. Integrate him into the major league level now or prepare to fall short like the past sixteen years.
Pool Dive Lands Barton on DL
From snowboarding accidents to car washing to moving pillows, yes, a freak accident has landed yet another professional ball player on the disabled list. The Oakland Athletics’ Daric Barton hit his head last Sunday night at the bottom of his friend’s pool when he dove in and didn’t realize how shallow it was. The first baseman needed six staples on his head to close the gash and ended up with a strained neck.
How many times do you hear people say not to jump in the water when you’re drunk?
Wie Finds Another Way to Lose
As if Michelle Wie needed any help losing throughout her pro career, here’s another one that caught Wie by surprise. She was disqualified Saturday after failing to sign her scorecard. The 18-year-old was playing arguably her best golf as a pro, just one stroke behind Yani Tseng after three rounds of the State Farm Classic when she left a designated area before signing her scorecard. Wie, who is playing part-time while attending Stanford, was at 17-under for the tournament.
Norman Set to Become the Oldest to Win a Major
Greg Norman, who has been the story of the tournament, is first after three rounds of the British Open. Norman, who last won a major in 1993, is vying to become the oldest player to win a major at 53 years old. (I mean, look how old his picture looks.) At 2-over par, he leads defending champion Padraig Harrington and K.J. Choi by two strokes.
The oldest major champion is Julius Boros, who was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship.
With training camp officially opening on Saturday, we thought we’d give you a little clip to get you excited about the upcoming season. From NFL.com, the ten luckiest plays in NFL history.
Posey Cashes in With Hornets, Camby (and Azubuike?) to the Clippers
James Posey. A great role player who has won championships in Miami and now Boston. A career average of 9.2 points per game and 31 years old. A four-year deal for $25 million to help New Orleans’ league-worst bench.
This may be a great short-term add for the Hornets but no way does Posey contribute whatever he does now for four years. I’ll let my man, John Hollinger provide the argument as to why Posey was rewarded just for being at the right place at the right time.
The Clippers, the most active team this offseason, traded a 2010 second-round draft pick for Marcus Camby, the 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year. Camby has two years and $20 million left on his contract and at 34, is coming off of a career year.
So after all of the signs and trades, this is what it came down to for the Clippers: Elton Brand and Corey Maggette for Baron Davis and Camby. I like what the Clippers have done, and as immediate a response as Camby was to replace Brand, on Thursday, they found Maggette’s replacement with Kelenna Azubuike of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have seven days to match the offer sheet of 3 years, $9 million but are expected to let him go due to their depth at the shooting guard position.
Are the Clippers playoff-bound?
Jackson on a Rampage
Quinton Jackson was arrested Tuesday in Costa Mesa, CA after a five-minute police pursuit, where Jackson ran red lights, hit three cars and drove on the sidewalk, causing pedestrians to flee. He is being charged with felony evading, reckless driving and hit and run. Jackson, who lives in Irvine, admitted in an interview the day before that he was depressed from his July 5 title fight loss to Forrest Griffin. On Wednesday, he was detained by Irvine police and hospitalized for a mental health evaluation after his friends were concerned about his behavior and remarks he was making.
Geez, talk about an emotional guy.
Pistorius Fails to Qualify in Individuals
Remember Oscar Pistorius? Yeah, he didn’t make the 400-meter qualifying time for South Africa despite running(?) his fastest time at 46.25 seconds, below the Olympic individual qualifying standard of 45.55 seconds. South Africa can still select Pistorius this weekend to join the six-man roster for the 1,600-meter relay.
Mediate Shares Lead After First Round of British Open
Remember Rocco Mediate, that guy who had the U.S. Open in his hands in June, only to succumb toTiger Woods‘ unbelievable feat yet again? Yeah, he’s got a piece of The Open Championship lead in England with two others after shooting a 1-under 69 amid unfavorable weather conditions. I actually buy the recent talks of the sport surviving sans Tiger, as a Mediate win here would provide some quasi-sweet redemption for the 45-year-old.
Sexson Signs With Yankees
Richie Sexson, who was released last week by the Seattle Mariners after signing a four-year, $50 million contract in 2004, signed with the New York Yankees for the prorated minimum of $390,000.
Finally, a great signing by the Yankees organization to get something for nothing, as Sexson hit 34 home runs with 107 runs batted just two years ago. The reason for Sexson’s release in addition to his .218 batting average as well as striking out every 3.3 at-bats this season? Sexson was on the bench with the relievers and not in the dugout during a game. Talk about indifference toward the game.
The 33-year-old first baseman took over for Jason Giambi Friday and batted fifth against Oakland.
It couldn’t have been a more fitting ending for Yankee Stadium, home of the All-Star festivities in The Final Season. It saw the longest All-Star game ever to be played (4 hours, 50 minutes in a record-tying 15 innings) in a finish that saw the winning run beat a throw at the plate by a half second off of the closer who is a perfect 20-for-20 in save opportunites on the season (Brad Lidge) and a Red Sox player be named the MVP (J.D. Drew).
It was one of the most exciting All-Star games ever, with an intensity that exuded playoff atmosphere. As the game went into extra innings, the story was on Red Sox coach Terry Francona’s reluctance to use Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir, who had a 104-pitch outing on Sunday and whose coaches advised Francona to refrain from using him. But as the game was extended, both coaches were forced down to their last pitchers, a couple who pitched on Sunday. (You could only imagine the sigh of relief from Francona when the game was over that Kazmir walked away with just 1 inning of work and 14 pitches. Heck, he ended up winning the game.) That prompted critics to suggest that the All-Star game panel should explore the selection of alternates to replace pitchers who pitch the final game before the break so that they are fresh and ready to pitch. Brandon Webb who threw 109 pitches on Sunday, worked the 14th inning in 13 pitches.
Dan Uggla couldn’t have had a worse first All-Star appearance. First in the Home Run Derby, he was eliminated in the first round, which isn’t much to care about. In the All-Star game, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and grounded into a double play, leaving a game-high six men on base. On defense, he set a record three errors and bobbled a few more at second base.
After all of the fuss over whether Jonathan Papelbon or Mariano Rivera should close the game, the two combined for four strikeouts in 2.2 innings and an unearned run. How about winning the game first?
The American League has now won the last eleven contests along with that disastrous 7-7 tie in 2002. It was the third consecutive one-run decision and Ichiro Suzuki was last year’s MVP.
Home Run Derby
Josh Hamilton provided the bombs, setting a record-setting round with 28 homers in the first round, but it was late fill-in Justin Morneau who won the competition, edging Hamilton 5-3 in the finals. The previous record was Bobby Abreu’s 24 with Philadelphia in 2005, but Abreu has the record with a total of 41 home runs to Hamilton’s 35. Last year’s winner was Vladimir Guerrero.
Former NFL running back Vai Sikahema did to Jose Canseco what many former and current MLB players wish they could do—beat Canseco to a pulp.
Sikahema acted quickly, knocking down Canseco twice en route to a first round stoppage.
Coming into this celebrity boxing match that can only be described as little more than a sideshow–and I think I speak for everyone when I say this–we just wanted to see Canseco get knocked the fuck out. The possibility of seeing Canseco sprawled on the canvas discombobulated was the lure of the entire event.Any other result would’ve been a complete disappointment.
Yet, there were questions if the outcome we all wanted would come into fruition.
Las Vegas odds makers placed the former MLB All-Star as a 3-1 favorite, chiefly because of his significant size advantage.Canseco, 6’4”, 245 pounds, towered over the 5’9”, 205-pound Sikahema.
But, even though Canseco claims to have a “martial arts” background, Sikahema had more than 80 amateur bouts under his belt.And anyone who knows anything about boxing realizes size doesn’t mean jack compared to skill and experience.
Canseco, unfortunately, learned this lesson the hard way.
As the free-agent signing period got under way Wednesday, so did a handful of teams quick to spend serious money to improve their teams. Naturally, the salaries creep up a bit from previous years, but there are always some really questionable deals made that just have people scratching their heads as to what kind of dope the GM was taking at the time. Thus far in 2008, I find virtually every signing absolutely ridiculous sans Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Chris Paul. The following is a list of the 5 worst deals in the first two days.
5) Roger Mason, PG: 2-year, $8 million deal with San Antonio
Last year’s stats: 21.3 min, 9.1 pts, 1.7 ast
Analysis: The Spurs have a number of aging free agents this season but didn’t bode well with Mason, who at best would be Manu Ginobili’s backup at the 2-guard. Yet, the Spurs will make Mason the fifth-highest paid player on the team behind their trio and Bruce Bowen. Not what you want to pay for a guy whose career averages are 5.5 points and 1.1 assists.
4) Elton Brand, PF: 5-year, $80 million deal with Philadelphia
Last year’s stats: 8 G, 17.6 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.9 blk
Analysis: “Elton Brand didn’t leave for the money.” Partly true. Brand was hurt that the Clippers took him for granted and offered $20 million less than the 76ers, but in the end, the Clippers’ face for the past seven years just saw a better chance of winning in the easier Eastern Conference – the reason why he turned down $10 million more to be at Golden State, which would have been a really ridiculous deal.
3) Corey Maggette, SF: 5-year, $50 million deal with Golden State
Last year’s stats: 22.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast
Analysis: The Clippers created $130 million of space for the next five years with the departure of Brand and Maggette. It’s reported that their sights are currently on Hawks forward Josh Smith to fill Brand’s void, but an inactive offseason is just prep time for the incredible summers of ‘09 and ‘10, the latter appropriately named the summer of LeBron.
2) Andrew Bogut, C: 5-year, $60 million extension with Milwaukee
Last year’s stats: 14.3 pts, 9.8 reb, 1.7 blk
Analysis: The Bucks just acted like they were a fantasy team that overpaid for a center. The number one overall draft pick in 2005 has improved every year in his short 3-year career but is almost making as much money as Yao Ming, who last year made $13.8 million and averaged 22 and 11.
1) DeSagana Diop, C: 5-year, $31 million deal with Dallas
Last year’s stats: 16.5 min, 2.9 pts, 5.0 reb
Analysis: Speaking of overpaid centers, can someone please explain to me what the Mavericks are attempting to do at the center position? This deal is reminiscent of Nene’s atrocious 6-year, $60 million contract with Denver two years ago. With Erick Dampier’s 7-year, $73 million contract, the two will combine for $17 million a year and 9.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for one position.
A look ahead: The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make their All-Star squad that much better with rumors of interest in Ron Artest. Artest, who recently exercised his option to stay in Sacramento, would likely be dealt in addition to someone for Lamar Odom, to match Odom’s salary. Stay tuned for the latest in the signing period.
is in Madrid, which went like this. Q: “Is Kobe really the best player in the world?” Pierce: “I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
Reno-Tahoe Open this weekend. I think Annika Sorenstam speaks for all of us when she says that Wie shouldn’t be competing with men if she can’t even qualify in a women’s major. What I want to bring up is how much tournament director Michael Stearns is shaming the PGA by inviting the 18-year-old child star to play at a level she isn’t even close to being able to play at. Stearns said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I happen to believe she’s a great player. Who’s on the list here who won a U.S. Publinks at age 13?”
numerous offers abroad. How do I know it’s all about the money, contrary to what Vujacic claims? Because the Lakers offered $2.6 million a year earlier this month and Vujacic was ready to pack his bags.
arguably their best player, the lowest-paid starter on the team with a salary of $6.6 million last year. The Warriors are creating as much a financial mess as the Nuggets, paying all of their starters big money, which prompted the Nuggets to recently give up Marcus Camby for a draft pick. Those in the Bay Area should be concerned.
made his career debut last Friday for the Chicago Cubs, throwing two innings of relief. On Sunday, he notched his first career save, reaching 99 mph with his fastball. Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said that Samardzija will be around to stay and even mix into the closer role with Kerry Wood out. A feel-good start for the ND alum.
fifth title in a row. It was the first tournament for the 22-year-old Spaniard since the epic Wimbledon final, and Rafa can become the first men’s top-ranked tennis player in four years depending on how he fares in this week’s Masters Series tournament. Where was Roger Federer last week? Upset in his opening match to unseeded Gilles Simon.
she’s the “golden girl” of the league. Please. Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn, who also received a two-game suspension, should be publicly beat by his momma after what he did to Lisa Leslie.
after a brief stint in the minors. The former Phillies ace is 3-9 this year with a 5.84 ERA and apparently felt that a 1-3 stint against Double-A and Triple-A ball with a 3.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27 innings was just what he needed to fix his mechanics.
months now. The Twins would probably admit that they should have kept Liriano, who missed the entire 2007 season to Tommy John surgery, in the minors a bit longer to begin the season but now, they are just wasting his talent. The 24-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA in Triple-A, has 94 strikeouts in 105 innings and a fastball touching 96 miles per hour.
another professional ball player on the disabled list. The Oakland Athletics’ Daric Barton hit his head last Sunday night at the bottom of his friend’s pool when he dove in and didn’t realize how shallow it was. The first baseman needed six staples on his head to close the gash and ended up with a strained neck.
Open. Norman, who last won a major in 1993, is vying to become the oldest player to win a major at 53 years old. (I mean, look how old his picture looks.) At 2-over par, he leads defending champion Padraig Harrington and K.J. Choi by two strokes.
Camby, the 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year. Camby has two years and $20 million left on his contract and at 34, is coming off of a career year.
Tiger Woods‘ unbelievable feat yet again? Yeah, he’s got a piece of The Open Championship lead in England with two others after shooting a 1-under 69 amid unfavorable weather conditions. I actually buy the recent talks of the sport surviving sans Tiger, as a Mediate win here would provide some quasi-sweet redemption for the 45-year-old.
million contract in 2004, signed with the New York Yankees for the prorated minimum of $390,000.
Final Season. It saw the longest All-Star game ever to be played (4 hours, 50 minutes in a record-tying 15 innings) in a finish that saw the winning run beat a throw at the plate by a half second off of the closer who is a perfect 20-for-20 in save opportunites on the season (Brad Lidge) and a Red Sox player be named the MVP (J.D. Drew).
As the game went into extra innings, the story was on Red Sox coach Terry Francona’s reluctance to use Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir, who had a 104-pitch outing on Sunday and whose coaches advised Francona to refrain from using him. But as the game was extended, both coaches were forced down to their last pitchers, a couple who pitched on Sunday. (You could only imagine the sigh of relief from Francona when the game was over that Kazmir walked away with just 1 inning of work and 14 pitches. Heck, he ended up winning the game.) That prompted critics to suggest that the All-Star game panel should explore the selection of alternates to replace pitchers who pitch the final game before the break so that they are fresh and ready to pitch. Brandon Webb who threw 109 pitches on Sunday, worked the 14th inning in 13 pitches.
eliminated in the first round, which isn’t much to care about. In the All-Star game, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and grounded into a double play, leaving a game-high six men on base. On defense, he set a record three errors and bobbled a few more at second base.
but it was late fill-in Justin Morneau who won the competition, edging Hamilton 5-3 in the finals. The previous record was Bobby Abreu’s 24 with Philadelphia in 2005, but Abreu has the record with a total of 41 home runs to Hamilton’s 35. Last year’s winner was Vladimir Guerrero.
