David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the two sluggers who led the Boston Red Sox to two world championships in 2004 and 2007, were among the 100 or so names on the list of Major League players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to the New York Times.
So, does this mean the Red Sox championships are tainted? Should these guys turn in their championship rings?
I can’t say I’m surprised. Ramirez has already served a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy earlier this season. Ortiz could not have been far behind. Before 2003, Ortiz was not well-known. In 2002, the Minnesota Twins cut him after failing to trade him, but he later signed with the Red Sox, where his career and batting numbers took off. See Fox Sports’ nifty chart summarizing Ortiz’s career numbers.
I do wish these names wouldn’t be slowly and gradually leaked out to the public. With each name, I get less surprised by the results. I do think it’s time for the entire list of names to be published, so we can all put this matter behind us.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ESPN Planning Bartman Documentary
ESPN must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel for programming ideas. The sports network announced that it is planning to do a documentary about Steve Bartman for its '30 for 30' project to commemorate the network’s 30th anniversary. If you recall, Bartman is the unfortunate Cub fan who was in the wrong place at the wrong time during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS at Wrigley Field. He attempted to catch a ball that was in foul territory at the same time that Cubs’ outfielder Moises Alou reached in to grab it. The ball bounced away instead, and Alou lost his temper. The Cubs subsequently lost the game and the series, and Bartman has been a scapegoat ever since.
I’m not sure why ESPN would want to document this story. It serves no purpose except to prolong the memory of another disappointing Cubs’ postseason. It’s time to put this story to rest for once and for all.
I’m not sure why ESPN would want to document this story. It serves no purpose except to prolong the memory of another disappointing Cubs’ postseason. It’s time to put this story to rest for once and for all.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
White Sox Trade Anderson to Boston
Brian Anderson got his wish Tuesday. The White Sox traded the underachieving outfielder to the Boston Red Sox for veteran OF Mark Kotsay. After being sent down to Triple-A Charlotte last week, Anderson asked Kenny Williams to trade him so he could have a fresh start somewhere and get more everyday playing time.
This deal was long overdue. Anderson is a solid defensive player and has a great arm, but never quite lived up to his highly touted abilities.
In the meantime, I think Kotsay is a great pickup for the Chisox that could pay dividends right away. He gives the Sox another left-handed bat in the lineup and can be used as a late-inning replacement in the outfield. Since 1998, he ranks third among outfielders with 113 assists behind Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero. He also plays first base so he can back up Paul Konerko. Most important, his lifetime batting average as a pinch-hitter is .373, an area that is sadly lacking this year for the Sox.
The Red Sox designated Kotsay for assignment last week. He started the season on the DL after back surgery, and has played in only 27 games this season. Despite the lack of playing time, I think he will fit in well on the South Side.
This deal was long overdue. Anderson is a solid defensive player and has a great arm, but never quite lived up to his highly touted abilities.
In the meantime, I think Kotsay is a great pickup for the Chisox that could pay dividends right away. He gives the Sox another left-handed bat in the lineup and can be used as a late-inning replacement in the outfield. Since 1998, he ranks third among outfielders with 113 assists behind Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero. He also plays first base so he can back up Paul Konerko. Most important, his lifetime batting average as a pinch-hitter is .373, an area that is sadly lacking this year for the Sox.
The Red Sox designated Kotsay for assignment last week. He started the season on the DL after back surgery, and has played in only 27 games this season. Despite the lack of playing time, I think he will fit in well on the South Side.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sox’ Buehrle May Not Wait for HOF Call
Ever since Mark Buehrle’s remarkable perfect game last week, baseball analysts have been weighing in on whether the White Sox southpaw should be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame, including reporters from the Chicago Tribune and Fox Sports. It’s still too early to say if he is worthy of consideration, but he certainly is off to a good start. At age 30, Buehrle has accomplished more in his career than most pitchers have in their entire careers.
* Pitched both a perfect game and a no-hitter, joining the elite company of Cy Young, Addie Joss, Sandy Kaufax, Jim Bunning and Randy Johnson. (Sports Illustrated has a complete list of pitchers who threw a perfect game.)
* 133 victories to date with a .591 winning percentage
* Four-time All Star
* 1 World Series title
In addition, in an era when many pitchers land on the DL with minor ailments and major injuries, Buehrle has proven to be a very durable player. Ten years into his pro career, and he’s never been on the DL (knock on wood). He throws strikes, gives you quality innings, and is a great guy to have in the clubhouse.
What is missing from his stats are a 20-win season and a Cy Young award, which some experts feel he needs to enter the Hall of Fame. Even if Buehrle did accomplish these things, would he stick around in the game long enough? Will he give the HOF a chance to call his name?
During spring training he admitted to being homesick and said would consider leaving the game when his current contract ends in 2011 to spend more time with his family. He repeated those comments last night on WBBM-TV’s local newscast. Those comments cannot be taken lightly. Buehrle does not put himself above his teammates. Nor is he the type of player who will hang around the game just to pile up victories and pad his stats.
When his contract ends in 2011, Buehrle will be only 32, still plenty of time in his major league career if he remains healthy. Hopefully, he will decide to re-sign with the Sox for a few more years. But if he doesn’t, and he has achieved his Cy Young Award and 20-win season by then, don’t be surprised if Buehrle does what few players have the courage to do – walk away from the game.
* Pitched both a perfect game and a no-hitter, joining the elite company of Cy Young, Addie Joss, Sandy Kaufax, Jim Bunning and Randy Johnson. (Sports Illustrated has a complete list of pitchers who threw a perfect game.)
* 133 victories to date with a .591 winning percentage
* Four-time All Star
* 1 World Series title
In addition, in an era when many pitchers land on the DL with minor ailments and major injuries, Buehrle has proven to be a very durable player. Ten years into his pro career, and he’s never been on the DL (knock on wood). He throws strikes, gives you quality innings, and is a great guy to have in the clubhouse.
What is missing from his stats are a 20-win season and a Cy Young award, which some experts feel he needs to enter the Hall of Fame. Even if Buehrle did accomplish these things, would he stick around in the game long enough? Will he give the HOF a chance to call his name?
During spring training he admitted to being homesick and said would consider leaving the game when his current contract ends in 2011 to spend more time with his family. He repeated those comments last night on WBBM-TV’s local newscast. Those comments cannot be taken lightly. Buehrle does not put himself above his teammates. Nor is he the type of player who will hang around the game just to pile up victories and pad his stats.
When his contract ends in 2011, Buehrle will be only 32, still plenty of time in his major league career if he remains healthy. Hopefully, he will decide to re-sign with the Sox for a few more years. But if he doesn’t, and he has achieved his Cy Young Award and 20-win season by then, don’t be surprised if Buehrle does what few players have the courage to do – walk away from the game.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Halladay Trade Not Likely
I’m beginning to think Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi is just yanking everyone’s chain. Ricciardi has set a July 28 trade deadline for a possible deal for All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay (even though the MLB deadline is July 31) and he says he has yet to receive an appropriate trade offer and expects Halladay to remain with the team.
He’s probably right. But then that was probably his plan all along. Ever since he announced that he was willing to trade Halladay, Ricciardi seemed more interested in “kicking tires” than making a deal. Ricciardi is like a homeowner who wants to test the waters of the housing market by putting his house up for sale just to see what kind of offers he’ll get. Can anyone take Ricciardi seriously? And why would he make such a huge announcement over wanting to trade Halladay? If he wants to trade his ace, wouldn’t it be easier to work a deal under the radar without all the fanfare? No need for all the smoke and mirrors.
Why trade Halladay at all? It’s not as if the Jays have been a bottom-dwelling team these past few seasons. Currently, they are in fourth place, 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees. The Jays have strong pitching, and some good young players who will help this team down the road. They just have the misfortune of playing in the highly competitive AL East with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.
Two things I know about baseball: you never trade away your best player, and you never give away the farm. Wouldn’t you rather keep your star player and rebuild around him? The Jays can be even more competitive by keeping Halladay and developing the young players they have.
As for potential buyers, I don’t see any team currently in contention that is so desperate for a starter that they are willing to give up several of their best prospects. Ricciardi wants too much in return for his ace. Come August 1, Halladay will remain a Jay.
He’s probably right. But then that was probably his plan all along. Ever since he announced that he was willing to trade Halladay, Ricciardi seemed more interested in “kicking tires” than making a deal. Ricciardi is like a homeowner who wants to test the waters of the housing market by putting his house up for sale just to see what kind of offers he’ll get. Can anyone take Ricciardi seriously? And why would he make such a huge announcement over wanting to trade Halladay? If he wants to trade his ace, wouldn’t it be easier to work a deal under the radar without all the fanfare? No need for all the smoke and mirrors.
Why trade Halladay at all? It’s not as if the Jays have been a bottom-dwelling team these past few seasons. Currently, they are in fourth place, 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees. The Jays have strong pitching, and some good young players who will help this team down the road. They just have the misfortune of playing in the highly competitive AL East with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.
Two things I know about baseball: you never trade away your best player, and you never give away the farm. Wouldn’t you rather keep your star player and rebuild around him? The Jays can be even more competitive by keeping Halladay and developing the young players they have.
As for potential buyers, I don’t see any team currently in contention that is so desperate for a starter that they are willing to give up several of their best prospects. Ricciardi wants too much in return for his ace. Come August 1, Halladay will remain a Jay.
Monday, July 20, 2009
ESPN Expands Hometown Coverage
I guess it’s not enough for ESPN to be a global presence in 200 countries and cover college sports as well as the pros. The New York Times reports that ESPN is expanding its reach into several local markets after a test run in Chicago has shown that the sports network can compete with local broadcast outlets . Since its launch in April, ESPNChicago.com has become the city’s top sports site, attracting more than 590,000 unique visitors in June, according to comScore, an Internet measurement company. The network plans to add three more sites in Dallas, New York and Los Angeles beginning later this fall and early 2010. The Chicago site covers the city’s seven professional sports teams and sports at nine area colleges. It plans to add high schools sports coverage.
ESPN entering the local sports market is like a major big box retailer opening up a store in neighborhood with independent retailers, only to see those smaller businesses go out of business. Seems kind of unfair, like a big bully picking on the smaller kids on the school playground. Granted, ESPN has the staff, the money and the branding behind them. It’ll be difficult for any smaller site to compete at their level. Sadly, as ESPN gains a stronger foothold in localized sports coverage, look for smaller sites to fall by the wayside.
ESPN entering the local sports market is like a major big box retailer opening up a store in neighborhood with independent retailers, only to see those smaller businesses go out of business. Seems kind of unfair, like a big bully picking on the smaller kids on the school playground. Granted, ESPN has the staff, the money and the branding behind them. It’ll be difficult for any smaller site to compete at their level. Sadly, as ESPN gains a stronger foothold in localized sports coverage, look for smaller sites to fall by the wayside.
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