Babes Love Baseball

The New York Yankees Prepare for Life Without Mariano Rivera

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:51:00 +0000

Mariano Rivera was just enjoying some exercise and shagging fly balls at Kauffman Stadium Thursday night when he suddenly tore his ACL in a freak accident that will likely end his illustrious career.

Baseball's All-time saves leader will definitely miss the remainder of the first half of the 2012 season and is quite possibly done pitching for good. He was lifted off the field by Joe Girardi and another coach and could not walk to the clubhouse on his own before being taken to the hospital for an MRI which revealed the torn ACL and meniscus. Rivera, who told reporters today that he refuses to go out like this, explained his injury like this:

“I got myself between the grass and the dirt and I couldn’t pull my leg up and twisted my knee. ACL. Torn. Broken. Meniscus, also."

Without their 42-year-old Hall of Fame closer, the Yankees will likely turn to reliever David Robertson, who has been groomed for the role but probably didn't expect to fall into it just yet. The energetic 26-year-old righty, who has learned from the best over the past four seasons, is probably the favorite candidate in the current closer talks. He struck out 100 batters last year with a 1.08 ERA in 70 appearances. Not bad.

Set-up man and former Tampa Bay Rays closer Rafael Soriano is another option if things don't pan out for Robertson. He seems to have settled into his role in New York after a bit of a shaky start to the year, allowing two runs (one homer to Paul Konerko... it happens) on 11 hits with six walks over nine innings pitched thus far.

Whoever does end up in the closer's role for now, Rivera's are impossible shoes to fill. Since his career began in 1995, he has accumulated 608 saves (only 73 blown) with 1,119 strikeouts and a magnificent 2.21 ERA. The Panamanian 12-time All-Star and last man to don no. 42 in the big leagues will surely be missed this season and beyond if he doesn't return. After all, he was the best. Even if you hate the Yankees, you have to love Mo.

[ESPN]

Get Well Soon, Evan Longoria

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Evan Longoria was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a partially torn left hamstring Tuesday. Not only does this suck for the third baseman, but it sucks a whole lot more for the Tampa Bay Rays, who will be without their best player for at least 3-4 weeks and what might end up being up to 8 weeks.

Longoria, who is batting .329 with four homers and 19 RBI already, hurt himself on Monday while running to second on an attempted steal. He slid into the bag and just sort of laid there for a while before getting to his feet and walking to the dugout under his own power. He had this to say about his injury:

''I've been in similar situations before and it's just one of those things where I'll stay positive. It's going to be tough to watch, but I can't really worry about it right now. I've just got to worry about getting healthy.''

In the mean time, take Longo's advice and don't worry too much about him. He missed almost the whole first month of last season with a strained left oblique, but returned in full force to finish the year with 31 homers and 99 RBI. But who should you replace him with on your fantasy roster? Well, if you don't have another hot corner handy since it's already slim pickins' out there, you might want to consider picking up Elliot Johnson, who took his place after the third inning and eventually managed to deliver the game-winning RBI single in the 12th inning of the Rays' 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

[ESPN]

Prostate Cancer Foundation: Keep Dad in the Game

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:17:00 +0000

[Prostate Cancer Foundation]

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $150 in Cash Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Remember when we partnered with DraftStreet.com last season and gave you the opportunity to win a bunch of money? In case you missed out, we're at it again.

If you aren't a fan of season-long fantasy baseball, where you have to set your lineup at least once a week if not every single day, boy are you in for a treat. DraftStreet.com has fast and easy one night leagues where you can win cash every day that you play: you draft a team for one night and get paid out as soon as the games end that night. DraftStreet.com is at the forefront of this new trend in the fantasy world and is giving us a great promotion: a FREE one-day fantasy league with $150 in prizes exclusively for Babes Love Baseball fans for this Friday, April 27, 2012.

This free contest will be salary-cap style drafting where everyone tries to assemble the best team out of the available players. You will have a $100,000 budget to build a team of 14 players consisting of the following: Catcher, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, 2 Utility, 2 SP, 1 RP, and 1 P. Each MLB player has been assigned a price based on their expected fantasy performance.

You can adjust your roster up until the contest starts on Friday April 27th at 7:05 ET at which time your rosters will lock and the Live Scoreboard will be available. Sign up now! We'll be playing too... and you don't want to get beat by a girl.

CLICK HERE to sign up for free and register for the Babes Love Baseball $150 Freeroll on DraftStreet.com.

Let's Get Denarded In Here

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:57:00 +0000

Check out Sooze wearing that sweet Let's Get Denarded t-shirt by the fabulous t-shirt makers DiamondCentric Apparel. There's even a no. 2 on the back.

This could quite possibly be the best way to celebrate the badassery of Minnesota Twins center fielder Denard Span.

We know you want one.

All you have to do is leave a comment about what you would do while wearing this shirt, and we'll pick the most creative one tomorrow night. Go.

[Let's Get Denarded T-shirt]

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:16:00 +0000

Indians' Chris Perez Fined Under New Social Media Policy for "Inappropriate" Tweet

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:49:00 +0000

It looks like Chris Perez is the lucky recipient of this season's first fine handed out under Major League Baseball's new social media policy. Well done, sir.

The Cleveland Indians right-hander has to dish out $750 (umm... that's like you or I being fined fifty cents) for an "inappropriate" tweet last Saturday night after a heated game with the Kansas City Royals. Yes, the same game in which Jeanmar Gomez, Jack Hannahan, and Manny Acta were thrown out of.

Joe Garagiola Jr., MLB's Dean of Discipline, claimed in a letter to Perez that he "demonstrated a reckless disregard for the players on both clubs." We'll just tell you what was tweeted since it has since been unfortunately deleted:

"Huge team win tonight, time for a sweep of the Royals. It's not 'Our Time,' it's TribeTime. P.S. You hit us, we hit you. Period."

Perez cited the First Amendment and his right to freedom of speech as an American when faced with the fine. Ah, Chris, that is an excellent rebuttal... but it does not help your teammate Jeanmar's appeal case. It was supposed to be an accident, remember?

[Chris Perez on Twitter]

Share Your Fenway Memory, Win a Remembering Fenway Park Book

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:50:00 +0000

Would you like to read this amazing book, Remembering Fenway Park, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the oldest ballpark in the country? We want to give it to you as a gift.

All you have to do is share a picture with us of yourself at Fenway. You can be with your buddies, your weird family, or all by yourself... you don't even have to be a Red Sox fan. There are three ways to do this...

1) Tweet your photo to @babeslovebball
2) Share it on our Facebook wall
3) Email us at babeslovebaseball@gmail.com

Then we will pick one of you at random this evening and announce it via Facebook and Twitter. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces and ugly mugs!

Remembering Fenway Park by Harvey Frommer (foreward by Johnny Pesky) beautifully documents the stadium’s entire career through a decade-by-decade account, a priceless collection of historical photographs, and vivid, first-person reminiscences of the people to whom this great place has meant so much: journalists, players, and fans.

Happy Trails Ivan Rodriguez: Pudge Finally Retires

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:25:00 +0000

The Supreme Court sides with Larry Flynt in the defamation suit Hustler Magazine v. Falwell in February. In April, Sonny Bono is elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, and Roy Orbison dies of a heart attack in December.

The year was 1988, the same year the Texas Rangers signed Ivan Rodriguez out of Puerto Rico. Old. School.

After 21 seasons in the big leagues (yep, some of you aren't even that old) Rodriguez is hanging up his catching equipment. The 40-year-old backstop, who owns the all-time record for Gold Gloves at catcher (13), intends to announce his retirement formally at a ceremony on Monday in Arlington, where he spent his first 12 big league seasons.

After a stint with the Marlins in 2003 (just long enough to win the World Series) he became a Detroit Tiger until 2008 when he split time between the Tigers, Yankees and Houston Astros. He then returned to the Rangers midway through the 2009 season, which was about when everyone assumed he would retire. However, he decided to stick around for a few more seasons between the big leagues and minors, this time as a Washington National. He played only 44 games with the Nats last season, batting .218 with two homers and 19 RBI.

The future Hall of Famer will finish with a career .296 batting average, 2,884 hits, 311 home runs and 1,332 RBI. At one point in his career, he led the league in caught-stealing percentage for six consecutive seasons, and in 2001 busted 60 percent of opposing base thieves. He's batted .300 or better 10 times, been to 14 All-Star games, earned seven Silver Sluggers, and broke Johnny Bench's record of 10 Gold Gloves at catcher before getting three more.

All good things...

[Sweet Spot]

No One Throws Baseballs at Mike Moustakas Intentionally

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:23:00 +0000

...Except Jeanmar Gomez I guess.

The Cleveland Indians right-hander has been suspended for five games and also fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball after they concluded he intentionally threw a 92 mph sinker at Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas last Saturday.

It all started in the top of the third inning of Cleveland's 11-9, 10-inning win when Jonathan Sanchez plunked Shin-Soo Choo and the benches cleared. This [allegedly] triggered a reaction from Gomez in the bottom half of the inning. Actually, his first pitch was also a 92 mph sinker, but it was called for a ball. He immediately threw the same pitch an inch to the right and nailed him. Obvious retaliation. This caused another on-field ruckus and delayed the game for several minutes. Gomez, along with Indians manager Manny Acta and hot corner Jack Hannahan (who got real excited during the ordeal) were each ejected.

Of course, Gomez plans to appeal the suspension... Hopefully this doesn't spark the most boring intra-divisional rivalry of all time.

[MLB]

Jamie Moyer Becomes the Oldest Man to Ever Win a Ballgame

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Jamie Moyer is headed to the Hall of Fame... or at least his glove is, as the oldest pitcher to earn a big league victory.

The 49-year-old left-hander, who will turn the big 5-0 on November 18, tossed seven solid innings Tuesday to help the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 5-3. Relying heavily on his not-so-fast fastball and a cutter that's still pretty nice, Moyer surrendered two unearned runs on six hits to pick up his 268th career win, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer for 34th on the all-time list.

Opposing manager Bud Black (just five years older than Moyer) had this to say about the geezer:

''It's a great story... It's wonderful that he's continued to get the results needed to stay in the major leagues. This is a performance-driven game and the last 15 years of his career have been outstanding.''

Moyer got a call from Cooperstown after the victory, asking for his glove, the ball, or something to commemorate the record for being old as hell (in baseball years) and still able to bring it. In fact, he's so old that he's been asked to be a baseball historian.

[Deadspin]

Jackie Robinson Day: Celebrating a Legend

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:42:00 +0000

(The image to your right is a print by Peter Chen -- his excellent artwork can be found on his blog The Painted Baseball)

Happy Jackie Robinson Day, an entire day devoted to celebrating the life and legend.

Today is the 65th anniversary of the date when Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, becoming the first black man allowed to play the game outside the Negro League, playing his first big league game with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year honors and play in six All-Star games.

As with every April 15 since 200 players and coaches did so in 2007, every single man on every single field will wear no. 42 to honor Robinson's legacy.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones will be taking it one step further, sporting these badass Jackie Robinson cleats, which are powder blue and yellow for UCLA, where Robinson attended college.

Visit the incredible iam42.com site for players' perspectives, great informational videos, and a twitter feed including the hashtag #IAM42. Now try not to cry while you watch this commercial.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

Kent Hrbek: The Big Hrbowski

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:58:00 +0000

Pretty sure the Twins might need some Hrbowski-type magic this season.

Longest, Most Exciting Season Opener Ever: Blue Jays Beat Indians 7-4 in 16 Innings

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Thursday provided some much-need action for baseball fans everywhere. Even in Canada.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians kicked off their 2012 seasons at Progressive Field in exciting fashion when the Jays rallied to force extras with a three-run ninth to tie it up at four runs a piece. The game then lasted another seven innings, a record of 16 total. Too bad they stop selling beer after the seventh inning.

Our favorite Blue Jay, J.P. Arencibia, was on an unfortunate 0-for-6, three strikeout roll before connecting off Indians reliever Jairo Asencio in the 16th, resulting in the game-winning three-run shot. He caught all 16 innings, so his quads must be pretty sore. He probably needs a rub down.

Of course, it just wouldn't feel right unless Jose Bautista went yard, too. There goes no. 1 of at least 50 this season.

[ESPN]

Seasons Greetings!

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Finally.

Season Previews: Minnesota Twins

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:07:00 +0000

With Opening Day upon us, we're finally getting around to wrapping up our Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. As our final preview of the 2012 season, and polishing off our preview of the American League Central, let's check out the Minnesota Twins.

Pavano's mustache
Duensing and Liriano
Also Nick Blackburn

Capps is the closer
Hendriks is Australian
Perkins in the pen

Jason Kubel's gone
Michael Cuddyer left too
Along with Nathan

Willingham in left
He signed a three-year deal
Revere plays in right

Span in center field
He bowls for charity and
Bats left-handed too

Mauer at the plate
See if he can stay healthy
Or Doumit will catch

Chris Parmlee at first
And Valencia at third
Morneau's the DH

Carroll's the shortstop
Casilla at second base
Turning double plays

Random infielders
Include Luke Hughes and Burroughs
Plouffe's on the bench too

The Twins sucked last year
And unless no one gets hurt...
They'll suck this year too

[Twinkie Town] | [TwinsCentric] | [Puckett's Pond] | [Twins Target]

Happy Opening Night, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins Fans!

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:44:00 +0000

...and every other baseball fan who has waited for this day since last October.

A lot can happen in one offseason, and the reigning World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins are a perfect example.

The Marlins are kicking off 2012 with a complete face lift: a new name and a ~~spastic~~ jazzy new logo on their uniforms, a new skipper in Ozzie Guillen along with a few high-end acquisitions like Heath Bell, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Carlos Zambrano, all in a spankin' new, $515 million ballpark. Pretty exciting stuff.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals begin defending their title on Day One of their first season without long-time manager Tony LaRussa and one-time fan favorite Albert Pujols. The team will also have to do without staff ace Chris Carpenter as well for the time being due to nerve irritation in his pitching shoulder, but they've regained Adam Wainwright, who was dearly missed during his Tommy John surgery rehab. They'll have to replace 30-40 home runs in the middle of the order without Pujols, but guys like David Freese, Matt Holiday, and everyday first baseman Lance Berkman are being counted on to do just that.

Ozzie had a nice quote this week to sum up the outlook of the Marlins inaugural season:

"You can have a beautiful house with a beautiful view, but if the people living in the house stink, it ain’t going to be so beautiful."

Well said.

The lights over Marlins Park will shine on players and fans Wednesday evening at 7:05pm ET with Josh Johnson getting the ball for Miami, facing right-hander Kyle Lohse for the Cards. The ceremonial first pitch is being thrown out by Charlie Hough and caught by Benito Santiago in honor of the Florida Marlins' inaugural game in 1993. University of Miami Health System representatives will throw out the first pitches, as well. And if you're interested in catching the ridiculous pre-game show, it will be streaming live on MLB.com.

Play Ball!

Season Previews: Kansas City Royals

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:36:00 +0000

With Opening Day upon us, we're finally getting around to wrapping up our Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving along with our preview of the American League Central, here's a sneak peek at the Kansas City Royals.

Sorry about that
Hilarious eCard but
We couldn't resist

Jonathan Broxton
Will close now that Soria
Will have Tommy John

We LOL'ed when
Kansas City gave Bruce Chen
Nine Million dollars

Then there's Hochevar
Paulino, Danny Duffy
Luis Mendoza

Jonathan Sanchez
Was acquired via trade
So long Cabrera

Hosmer at first base
Moustakas across the field
Butler will DH

Getz up the middle
With Alcides Escobar
Betancourt backs up

Jeff Francoeur in right
Lorenzo Cain in center
Gordon starts in left

Jason Bourgeois and
Humberto Quintero on
The bench with Maier

The Royals haven't
Been to the postseason since
1985

It's gonna be tough
To beat the Detroit Tigers
And take the Central

[Royals Review] | [Kings of Kauffman] | [Royally Speaking] | [Rany on the Royals]

Season Previews: Cleveland Indians

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:08:00 +0000

With Opening Day upon us, we're finally getting around to wrapping up our Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing our preview of the American League Central, check out the 2012 Cleveland Indians.

Justin Masterson
Jiminez, Lowe, and Tomlin
Jeanmar Gómez too

Chris Perez closes
Two leftys and three rightys
Make up the bullpen

Kotchman at first base
Hannahan's the hot corner
Pronk still DHing

Carlos Santana
Will squat behind the plate and
Lou Marson backs up

Poor Grady's Ladies
Sizemore on the DL and
Won't be back til June

Shin-Soo Choo in right
Michael Brantley in center
Duncan out in left

Double play guys are
Kipnis up the middle with
Asdrubal at short

Fifteen games behind
The Detroit Tigers last year
Under .500

Can the Indians
Get their crap together and
Win the division?

[Let's Go Tribe] | [The DiaTribe] | [The Tribe Daily] | [Wahoo's on First]

Season Previews: Chicago White Sox

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

With another baseball season just around the corner, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the American League Central, get a load of the 2012 Chicago White Sox.

Goodbye Mark Buehrle
And so long Carlos Quentin
Adios Ozzie

Danks, Floyd and Peavy
Phil Humber and Chris Sale
Matt Thornton closes

Crain, Ohman and Reed
Stewart, Santiago and
Nate Jones in the pen

Konerko at first
Morel across the diamond
Adam Dunn's DH

Gordon Beckham and
Ramirez turning DPs
Escobar rides pine

Check out the outfield
Dayan Viciedo and
Fukudome too

Alex Rios and
Alejandro De Aza
Oh and Lillibridge

Last but not least is
Everyone's favorite bleach blonde
A.J. Pierzynski

Under .500
In 2011
Good luck Ventura

[South Side Sox] | [Southside Showdown] | [Inside the White Sox]

Season Previews: Detroit Tigers

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +0000

With another baseball season just around the corner, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Kicking off our preview of the American League Central, check out the 2012 Detroit Tigers.

Check out Prince Fielder
He's a Detroit Tiger now
Cabrera's at third

Raburn at second
Santiago plays backup
Got a sweet deal

Jhonny Peralta
Spells his name wrong but at least
His name isn't Clete

Alex Avila
Is the starting backstop and
Gerald Laird backs up

Justin Verlander
Hasn't thrown a perfect game
Or hit that either

But he's still the best
We love Max Scherzer, and Rick
Love Doug Fister's name

Jose Valverde
Scariest closer ever?
He's an animal

Al Alburquerque
Benoit, Dotel, and Phil Coke
Balester, Schlereth

Delmon Young in left
Austin Jackson in center
Brennan Bosch in right

And if any of
Those guys get hurt, there's always
Dirks and Don Kelly

We have a feeling
The Tigers win the central
In 2012

[Bless You Boys] | [Detroit 4 Lyfe] | [Motor City Bengals] | [Tiger Tales]

San Francisco Giants Make Matt Cain Filthy Rich

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:12:00 +0000

Matt Cain has been handed the largest deal for a right-handed pitcher in the history of baseball.

The San Francisco Giants agreed on Monday to a $127.5 million, six-year contract with Cain, who wanted to remain in the Bay Area, where his career began. He had this to say about his choice to stick around:

"This is a decision that was made pretty simple for [my wife and I]. It was a process and it was a negotiation. It was good for my family and I to go through all of that, to be able to know this is probably going to be our lifetime as a Giant, that’s pretty cool for us."

Cain's deal includes the $15 million from his previous contract that he'll make in 2012, along with an extra $112.5 million over five years, which works out to be $20 million annually beginning next season through 2017, with a $5 million signing bonus. Of course, like every whopper, the deal includes a $21 million option for 2018 with a $7.5 million buyout, bringing the grand total to a possible $141 million over seven seasons. Goodness.

So... Matt Cain is officially worth more money to the Giants than CC Sabathia was to the New York Yankees in 2009 or Johan Santana was to the New York Mets in 2008. And since they're both lefties, forget I mentioned it. What we should really talk about here is that Cain's new contract blows the previous record for a righty out of the water: $105 million over seven years given to Kevin Brown by the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 1998 season.

Way to go, buddy.

[ESPN]

We'll Miss You Chipper Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:11:00 +0000

It's been a long and wonderful road Larry Wayne, and we'll be sorry to see you go.

The news announced via the Atlanta Braves Twitter account Thursday morning made us a little sad even though we've seen it coming since at least 2010: Chipper Jones is retiring following this season. He held an emotional press conference later on in the day, which every single one of his teammates attended.

The future Hall of Fame third baseman, who has spent his entire career with the Braves, has nothing to be ashamed of. Besides maybe that fling with the Hooters waitress. We all make mistakes. Otherwise, he owns a career .304 batting average with 454 home runs, the 1999 National League MVP Award, two Silver Sluggers, seven All-Star selections, and a World Series ring from 1995. He earned the NL batting title in 2008, a year in which he also owned the highest on-base percentage in baseball at .470. Not bad.

However, injuries have piled up over the past eight years, as the soon-to-be 40-year-old hasn't missed fewer than 25 games in a season since 2004. In fact, he was contemplating retirement in 2009 when he said, "If I back up this year with the same kind of year next year, I don’t want to play the game. The game is not fun to me when I’m not playing up to my standards."

Also, he expressed interest in wanting to experience being a full-time dad before it's too late. The man has priorities.

Anyway, don't be too upset Braves fans. I'm sure as one of the best switch-hitting third baseman of all time, he will be offered a position with the team after he hangs it up so you'll see his adorable face at the ballpark likely until he kicks the bucket. He'll be like the Tommy Lasorda of Atlanta... or the Don Zimmer of Atlanta. You get the drift.

/single tear

[Atlanta Braves]

Texas Rangers Give Derek Holland and His Mustache 5 Years, $28 Million

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Derek Holland and the Texas Rangers agreed to a five year, $28 million deal on Tuesday, keeping the pubescent-looking lefty in Arlington through 2016.

The 25-year-old Holland went 16-5 last season, pitching lights out, two-hit ball over 8.1 shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series. In fact, in 12 postseason appearances over the past two years, he is 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA. Not too shabby I suppose.

With Neftali Feliz moving to the rotation to join Colby Lewis, Alexi Ogando, Matt Harrison, and the offseason addition of Yu Darvish, Rangers fans can barely remember that straight edge prankster they once loved to pieces.

Holland could have become a free agent in 2015, but had this to say on that very topic:

"I know I gave up that stuff, the three years, but to me it’s all about being in Texas and wearing that Texas uniform and going back and getting some championships. I’m very excited to be a part of this. We’ve got an unbelievable team. We’ve got upcoming stars coming up through the organization, and I want to be part of that, as well. I want to show them what it takes to be up here. That’s my main objective is to carry out what I’ve been doing, continue to work hard."

He went on to say that the most important thing on his to-do list is purchasing a home in Dallas. And some cowboy boots and a giant belt buckle, of course. I mean, just look at him.

[ESPN]

Season Previews: Baltimore Orioles

noreply@blogger.com (Sooze) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:07:00 +0000

With Spring Training well underway, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Polishing off our preview of the American League East, here are the 2012 Baltimore Orioles.

Jake Arrieta
Tommy Hunter, Wei-Yin Chen
Wada and Britton

Dana Eveland
In a trade with the Dodgers
Just signed D-Train too

Patton, Ayala
Gregg or Johnson the closer?
Lindstrom in the pen

Nolan Reimhold will
Start in left while Chavez and
Miller ride the bench

Markakis in right
Adam Jones in center field
A male model

Roberts plays second
J.J. Hardy at short stop
He is a hottie

Matt Antonelli
Only option at third base
Mark Reynolds at first

Wilson Betemit
The designated hitter
Needs to step it up

We love Matt Wieters
But then again who doesn't
Great catcher, hits bombs

Taylor Teagarden
Plays backup in exchange for
A trade with Texas

Can the Orioles
Climb out of the basement and
At least take fourth place?

[Camden Chat] | [Camden Crazies] | [Birds Watcher] | [Orioles Insider]