Thursday, August 27, 2009

AROUND THE LEAGUE

***YANKEE BATS STILL ACTIVE***
The Rochester papers and ESPN both said the Yanks 'cruised' to a 9-2 win. Until they scored 5 runs in the 7th, I didn't see any cruising going on. With the hitters that Texas has, a 2-run lead is far from being safe. We've watched Andy Pettitte pitch all year and I'm somewhat surprised at his 11-6 record. I didn't think he was doing that well. Melky Cabrera needs a rest. We need a decision on Brett Gardner soon: either he's on the playoff roster or not. I hope he is.

***SPEAKING OF THE ROCH. PAPERS***
My old friend, Bob Matthews, has done it again. With the trade of Billy Wagner to the Red Sox, he wonders if Papelbon and Wagner make up the "most overpowering LH-RH closer duo ever." I e-mailed him and reminded him of Gossage/Lyle. Oh no, Lyle wasn't a power pitcher, he replied. All Sparky threw were fastballs and sliders. That makes him a power pitcher in my book (which is a bit thicker than Matthews').

***THE UMPS GET AWAY WITH ANOTHER ONE***
In the San Fran-Colorado 14-inning game, 2nd base umpire Bill Miller called Rockies catcher Torrealba, a derogatory name when he was on second, because Miller "did not like his body language over some calls by the home plate umpire." When some Colorado players told 1st base ump, Jim Joyce, to tell Miller to cool it, Joyce went over to the Rockies dugout and chastised those players. ANYONE get suspended? As much as I'm sure they wanted to, they couldn't suspend any players because they didn't do anything. And, of course, no way do they suspend an umpire. There will be fines according to Bob Watson, baseball's hit man. It should just be the umps, but some players will lose some cash, too.

***BRAD LIDGE IS STILL THE CLOSER***
He's 0-6 with a 7.33 ERA and 9 blown saves this year after being so perfect last year. Manager Charlie Manuel said, "We've got to stay with him, he's got to keep going. What the hell? That's all we can do." Oh yeah, that sounds like a ringing endorsement.

***BIG PAPI IS BACK***
Or is he? Two homers last night, including a walk-off. But wait, let's examine those homers. The first was a fly ball over the Green Monster, which is not exactly miles from home plate. The walk-off, according to ESPN, "curled around the 'Pesky' foul pole, which, I believe, is located 10 feet in back of 1st base. Well, maybe a little more than 10 feet. Walk-a proud, Papi, as my Dad used to say. Oh, Papi is also harping at the Boston press because they didn't back him up enough over the positive-test thing. Hey man, they let you get away with the "duh, I-don't-know-what- I-took" excuse. Count your blessings.

***HEADLINE AT SPORTS PICKLE.COM***
John Calipari promises Kentucky a vacated NCAA title within five years.

*** JIM ARMSTRONG OF THE DENVER POST***
Ex-Duke hoopster Greg Paulus ought to be a perfect fit as Syracuse University's starting quarterback. Why? Because neither has played any football in the past five years.

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