Everything Baseball

Pleasantly Surprised by Austin Jackson

2012-04-08T19:08:00.002-04:00

I know its only a three game sample but I have been happily surprised by the production out of Austin Jackson.

In my first draft of the season he was my very last pick and I'm pretty glad for that. In 16 plate appearances against the Red Sox he racked up 8 hits, 5 runs, 2 rbi's, 2 walks, 2 doubles, and a triple. This is great production and while it probably won't last for the entire season I definitely suggest he be owned in every fantasy league.

Dismal Start for Braves

2012-04-08T17:35:00.002-04:00

Originally being from at Atlanta I have to show my bias every once in a while, I'm just hoping I won't be embarrassed to do so this year.

After ending last season in a terrible collapse, the Atlanta Braves have started the 2012 season 0-3 against there division rivals the New York Mets. Today was the final game of the three game series and the Bravos got no-hit by Jonathon Niese into the 7th inning were they were promptly gifted a base runner by an error and went on to earn 4 runs in the 7th and another in the 8th. They ended up losing the game 5-7. Currently the winless braves have scored a combined 7 runs and allowed 12 runs this season. A dismal senario considering their pitching should be their strength. This is all against the Mets who were projected by most analysts to finish last in the division and yet are now first after this series versus the braves.

Things are looking up for the braves as their offensive production in this last game was more than their average over the past year and their next series is against the Houston Astros who, if last season is any indication, are one of the worst teams in baseball.

Fantasy League

2012-04-08T17:13:00.004-04:00

Starting a couple of Fantasy leagues and hopefully I'll be posting this summer about them. Also if anyone wants to join you need an ESPN account but you can find one of the leagues here. The draft is tonight but hopefully I'll make a few more leagues with a little bit longer of notice.

Players Uninterested in Home Run Derby?

2009-07-10T14:17:00.004-04:00

The people heading the Home Run Derby this year may have hit a small snag.

They can't get AL players to agree to go out and swing a baseball bat 100 times as hard as they can trying to hit as many homeruns as possible just to mess up there swing for the rest of the season.

As of right now all four possessions for the NL hitters have been filled by Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez and just recently two AL players have accepted (how reluctantly we may never know) to enter the competition: Joe Mauer and Brandon Inge.

It's not that amazing that some of these AL players may be reluctant to destroy there swing to win an event that is supposed to be for fun and for fan enjoyment. I'm not trying to denounce the MLB for having the Home Run Derby but it's not good practice for professional baseball players to try to swing for the fences for several minutes at a time. This lack of willingness from AL players to enter this competition shows that they realize that even though they have already made it to the Major League Baseball level that there is still a possibility for them to develop bad habits in there swing during the derby.

I know that the All-Star break is supposed to be fun for the fans and a break for the players but if a player is in both the Home Run Derby and the All-Star game they effectively only have a one day break. This can give those players who don't participate an unfair advantage which is why I'm glad that the Home Run Derby is optional and players don't have to take part. This is probably the reason only two American League players have agreed to take part so far. I don't believe the Home Run Derby should be fixed but at least there are some players who know their body well enough to decline the invitation to the event.

2009 All-Star Roster

2009-07-07T13:49:00.001-04:00

MLB.com has recently released the full list of All-Stars from both the American League and the National League.

American League

Starters
Pos Player B/T
C Joe Mauer, MIN L/R
1B Mark Teixeira, NYY S/R
2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS R/R
SS Derek Jeter, NYY R/R
3B Evan Longoria, TB R/R
OF Jason Bay, BOS R/R
OF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA L/R
OF Josh Hamilton, TEX L/L

Pitchers
Pos Player B/T
P Andrew Bailey, OAK R/R
P Josh Beckett, BOS R/R
P Mark Buehrle, CWS L/L
P Brian Fuentes, LAA L/L
P Zack Greinke, KC R/R
P Roy Halladay, TOR R/R
P Felix Hernandez, SEA R/R
P Edwin Jackson, DET R/R
P Joe Nathan, MIN R/R
P Jonathan Papelbon, BOS R/R
P Mariano Rivera, NYY R/R
P Justin Verlander, DET R/R
P Tim Wakefield, BOS R/R

Reserves
Pos Player B/T
C Victor Martinez, CLE S/R
1B Justin Morneau, MIN L/R
1B Kevin Youkilis, BOS R/R
2B Aaron Hill, TOR R/R
SS Jason Bartlett, TB R/R
3B Michael Young, TEX R/R
OF Carl Crawford, TB L/L
OF Curtis Granderson, DET L/R
OF Torii Hunter, LAA R/R
OF Adam Jones, BAL R/R
OF Ben Zobrist, TB S/R

National League National League

Starters
Pos Player B/T
C Yadier Molina, STL R/R
1B Albert Pujols, STL R/R
2B Chase Utley, PHI L/R
SS Hanley Ramirez, FLA R/R
3B David Wright, NYM R/R
OF Carlos Beltran, NYM S/R
OF Ryan Braun, MIL R/R
OF Raul Ibanez, PHI L/R

Pitchers
Pos Player B/T
P Heath Bell, SD R/R
P Chad Billingsley, LAD R/R
P Jonathan Broxton, LAD R/R
P Matt Cain, SF R/R
P Francisco Cordero, CIN R/R
P Ryan Franklin, STL R/R
P Dan Haren, ARI R/R
P Josh Johnson, FLA L/R
P Ted Lilly, CHC L/L
P Tim Lincecum, SF L/R
P Jason Marquis, COL L/R
P Francisco Rodriguez,NYM R/R
P Johan Santana, NYM L/L

Reserves
Pos Player B/T
C Brian McCann, ATL L/R
1B Prince Fielder, MIL L/R
1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD L/L
1B Ryan Howard, PHI L/L
2B Orlando Hudson, LAD S/R
2B Freddy Sanchez, PIT R/R
SS Miguel Tejada, HOU R/R
3B Ryan Zimmerman, WSH R/R
OF Brad Hawpe, COL L/L
OF Hunter Pence, HOU R/R
OF Justin Upton, ARI R/R

"Ball-Less" Baseball Promotion

2009-07-05T14:22:00.002-04:00

According to UPI.com a minor league in Hudson Valley New York has seen recent complaints for its promotion for a game this week. Their "Ball-Less" promotion was for the "celebration of femininity and independence," and men would not be allowed in until the fifth inning.

The Promo said that the men would be entertained outside with a parking-lot tailgating party and so they wouldn't miss the game it would be broadcast on big-screen T.V.'s. The county, who owns the stadium, says that the promotion was in "poor taste" and said it might also violate human right laws.

The team did say in their defense that "men will be allowed in if they want and boys will be let in with their mothers." The team also said that the promotion's "'ball-less' title, which critics see as a reference to women not having testicles, was a baseball reference and any sexual connotation was 'fortunately or unfortunately coincidental.'"

Manny Back to Baseball with a Bang

2009-07-05T00:21:00.004-04:00

In Manny Ramirez's second game back to Major League Baseball after his 50 game suspension he showed the LA Dodgers' fans what they had been missing. In his first at bat of the night Manny hit a monster home run. The fact that it was a high change up should not detract from the fact that his first hit back in the MLB was a home run. Although it should be noted that it is only hit since returning from suspension. Manny is one for six with a walk, since returning to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though the game was played at the San Diego Padres you would never know it; a majority of the people at the park were LA Dodgers' fans who cheered Manny Ramirez at his every at bat but were ecstatic when he launched the home run in the first inning. As a fan of baseball, I can only hope Manny can keep this up.

Rome Braves Manager Rant

2009-07-02T12:34:00.004-04:00

This is the Rome Braves (a minor league baseball team of the Atlanta Braves) Manager, Randy Ingle, arguing a call made against his team. Now it may seem a bit extravagant but he did have good reason.

It was the top of the tenth inning and the Braves catcher, Matt Kennelly, had just hit the baseball out of the park for a three-run home run which would have given the braves the lead. The Braves dugout was cleared and they were all already celebrating as Kennelly was rounding first when the home plate umpire called foul ball. This threw Randy Ingle over the edge, and he let the umpire know what he thought of the call, even going as far as to move third base to about where the shortstop would stand and mockingly motion for a foul ball.

This is not something new within the braves organization as you may remember the legendary tirade by Phillip Wellman, manager of the the Mississippi Braves, which became a viral hit. But it can be said that it all comes from the top at the major league baseball level, where Bobby Cox has the all time record for ejections with over 140. It seems to me that the Braves organization is alright with its managers being ejected because they see it has a purpose whether it's influencing the umpires, pumping up the players, or becoming a viral hit. I guess it's like they say there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Rays Looking for New Place to Play

2009-06-27T19:49:00.003-04:00

Even though they are the Tampa Bay Rays (formerly Devil Rays), they have always played in St. Petersburg which is across the bay from Tampa. There, they have played in the only domed field in in the MLB for the last decade which has had several complaints about the catwalks which sometimes change the direction of hit a baseball. But since 2007 the newly named Rays have been searching for a new place to call home. They are searching throughout the bay area and want to find an area near the major population of the city. This with the state-of-the-art retractable roof design the stadium will hopefully draw a larger crowd to the games. That is the ultimate goal of this project which is predicted to be completed as early as opening day 2012.

After their MLB world Series appearance last some think the fans deserve a new stadium to watch the local team compete at the highest level. And with the new unique sail like design of the retractable roof Major League Baseball had no problem approving the design. Currently the team has found three possible locations for the new baseball field each with it's own advantages but there has been no word yet which one will be the sight of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

Doctor Connected to Manny Ramirez Steroids Under Investigation

2009-06-25T18:09:00.007-04:00

Manny Ramirez being one of baseball's biggest stars has had almost constant coverage since being suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy. He has so much attention and so much crowd pull that he has sold out the triple-A stadium in Albuquerque and ESPN has shown his at-bats live even though he currently is 0-3 with strikeout and a walk. Since Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers the obsession with him has grown almost to the point of being one of the most recognizable names in the league. This was all well and good until early in the season he was suspended the fifty games for violating the drug policy.

Most people just accepted the penalty because Manny Ramirez himself did not fight the suspension. While there was heavy discussion about the penalty and whether or not Ramirez should even be allowed to play baseball until his suspension ends no one really gave much thought to where he got the illegal substance from. As reported by ESPN the DEA is investigating Miami Doctor Pedro Bosch and his son for their involvement with and possible supplying of steroids to Manny Ramirez. While the investigation has been announced most details have not yet been released.

LSU Wins The NCAA College World Series

2009-06-24T22:52:00.003-04:00

Well just like I said the LSU fans at Rosenblatt Stadium were just to much for Texas. This is LSU's 6th College World Series Title, which ties them with none other than Texas for the second-most Titles in college baseball. The game itself was exciting for all of college baseball with LSU starting off fast with a three-run home run, Texas coming back to tie it, and then LSU taking control in the top of the sixth. With a final score of 11-4 LSU goes home happy and victorious. Although Texas fought back valiantly and even tied it in the bottom of the fifth this night and this College World Series goes to LSU.

I have to say congratulations to all of the LSU players and good luck to those of you who will be moving on to play Major League Baseball. I must also thank you for the win because it has boosted my baseball predictions record to 18-5.

College World Series Split, Who Will Win it All

2009-06-24T13:34:00.004-04:00

Game two of the NCAA college world series goes to Texas just as I had said but LSU didn't fight back like I had thought. Texas came out firing and once they got the lead they never turned back. Even with their aluminum baseball bats the two teams only combined to score 6 runs all of which coming in the first three innings making this a very low scoring college baseball game. Texas's win does however bring my baseball predictions up to a record of 17-5.

Now both LSU and Texas have a chance at winning their sixth and seventh College World Series title, respectively, and each team definitely has the skill with several players that will likely play Major League Baseball. Both teams have outstanding power and outstanding pitching, and both teams have had seasons deserving of a College Baseball World Series title. But only one team can win and who it is will come down to three things: pitching, hitting, and motivation. LSU and Texas are pretty even when it comes to the pitching and hitting so I think the true factor determining who wins tonight is motivation, who wants to win it more. I believe that LSU will want it more for a couple of reasons. They are just coming off a loss where they were all but completely shutdown by one pitcher who pitched a complete game and they will want redemption tonight and will be looking to swing the baseball bats early and often. They also have so many fans in Rosenblatt Stadium it's almost like they are playing a home game. If the crowd can get into it early I have no doubt that LSU can win. Remember you heard it here first that LSU will win this years NCAA College World Series.

LSU gets the First Game of the NCAA World Series

2009-06-23T12:50:00.003-04:00

The first game of the final round of the College World Series went just the way I said it would. It was a close game that went all the way to the 11th inning with the game ending backwards of the trend seen so far in this years World Series. The trend being Texas trailing at the end of the game and having an incredible comeback and also LSU absolutely dominating the entire game with a multi-run lead. Not this game however, Texas found themselves leading most of the game including a two run lead as late as the top of the 9th inning and LSU was the one needing an incredible comeback at the end of the game. The comeback consisted of two runs in the ninth to knot it up at six and a run in the 11th to put them ahead to win the game.

Not only did picking that game correctly bump my record up to 16-5 for all baseball games but I also said that it would be a close game with moderate scoring. Now some may say thirteen runs in a baseball game isn't moderate scoring but at the college level with aluminum bats and the way the ball has been flying out of Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha this could almost be considered a low scoring game when you take into account that 7 homeruns were hit and the two teams only scored 13 runs combined.

As for tonight I think Texas feels like they got hit in the mouth and they decided they don't like the taste of their own blood. I look for Texas to come out swinging and get an early lead but I think it will be another close game with LSU fighting back. Although, I have to say Texas wins it in the end.

College World Series Finals

2009-06-22T14:56:00.002-04:00

Well my predictions for the final two teams were correct with LSU and Texas making it to the College World Series Final. I would also like to mention that my game predictions are now at 15-5 and that I will be picking tonight's game.

After the long road which almost stalled if it were not for a couple of walk off hits, I believe Texas will be emotionally worn out after these close games. While at the same time LSU has what at times almost seemed like an easy road blowing out several of their opponents. With these less stressful, almost easy wins LSU will be more refreshed going into the first game.

For the first game of the three game series, I have LSU winning by a small margin in a low to average scoring game.

Batting Tips: Increase Your Power

2009-06-20T16:04:00.003-04:00

Many people think that professional baseball players can hit the ball as far as they do because they have big muscles from either working out or using steroids. While that may be true for a few choice cases most power the pros have, the real power, comes from correct techniques and proper training.

While lifting weights can make you stronger, it's not always a guarantee you will be able to hit the ball harder. In fact, if you become to strong you may lose your full range of motion hindering your swing or even worse lose bat speed which is the most important element of any hitters approach.

To truly gain a good approach and increase your power I suggest Baseball Fit. It is the best organized program I have found yet that increases your power legitimately. Not only does it not just tell you to beef up and add more muscle but it instructs you on how to have a proper swing to add power and gives you techniques and reasoning behind all of it's training.

Sammy Sosa Testing Positive for Steroids

2009-06-19T18:40:00.004-04:00

As reported by the New York Times, Sammy Sosa tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003. This is according to "what was supposed to" be an anonymous study in 2003 to see how prevalent steroids were in baseball. The result of the study in which 104 of the players tested, resulted positive for performance enhancing drug(s). This study became widely known after it was reported that A-Rod's name is on the list adding him to the list of players who are known to have used steroids. Even though the study was supposed to have been anonymous, Sammy Sosa has now become the second person reported to be on the list.

Sosa's lawyer denied comment when asked about the report but no one can be sure if Sammy Sosa's name is truly on the list because the list itself has not yet been made public. It is my personal belief that it shouldn't be made public because the players who took the test were told the tests and results would not be made public. I also think that the players' union should personally apologize to both A-rod and Sammy Sosa for not destroying the list themselves.

Although now that it is out there, speculation will take place. A-Rod did admit to using steroids from 2001 to 2003 which was when he trained with Angel Presinal who has been banned from MLB clubhouses and is under investigation for his role with A-Rod. Sammy Sosa also trained with Angel Presinal during these years and often traveled to the Dominican Republic for training sessions. Although no definite conclusions can be made, you can make assumptions from the allegations, which can be just enough to destroy careers or chances of making it into the Hall of Fame.

Manny Ramirez Playing Class A Baseball

2009-06-18T21:11:00.005-04:00

According to the Associated Press Manny Ramirez is considering playing class A baseball for the Island Empire 66ers. Even though he is serving a 50 game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy he is eligible to play low level A baseball to get ready to return to the majors. Joe Torre said that he could begin playing by next Thursday to begin a three-game series at Lake Elsinore. After that the 66ers have a three game home stint against Rancho Cucamonga.

Manny is available for reinstatement for the Dodgers on July 3 when they play at San Diego. "That's still conversational right now. There's nothing been scheduled," Torre said, according to the newspaper. "We've got to get him back on the field first."

This means Torre is most likely waiting to see how Ramirez plays after been away from the team for a while. Although it his decision when Manny returns to the lineup I believe it will be as soon as he is available.

Recap on Baseball Predictions

2009-06-17T23:55:00.004-04:00

This is just a recap on all the predictions I have made before today. I said earlier that I was perfect in my NCAA predictions I had made 4 before today so I am 4-0 I'd like to just repost my MLB predictions from the other day and whether I was right.

NY Mets @ Baltimore
winner=Orioles wrong

Milwaukee @ Cleveland
winner=Milwaukee correct

Washington @ NY Yankees
winner=Yankees correct

Toronto @ Philadelphia
winner=Philadelphia wrong

Florida @ Boston
winner=Boston correct

Atlanta @ Cincinnati
winner=Atlanta wrong

Houston @ Texas
winner=Texas correct

Chi White Sox @ Chi Cubs
winner=Cubs ppd.

Arizona @ Kansas City
winner=Kansas City correct

Pittsburgh @ Minnesota
winner=Minnesota correct

Detroit @ St. Louis
winner=St. Louis correct

Tampa Bay @ Colorado
winner=Tampa Bay correct

Seattle @ San Diego
winner=Seattle correct

Oakland @ LA Dodgers
winner=Dodgers correct

LA Angels @ San Francisco
winner=Angels correct

These plus my NCAA results not counting the postponed game brings my Baseball predictions record to 15-3. That's 12 games over .500; I plan on making many more predictions in the future.

NCAA Elimination picks

2009-06-17T16:06:00.003-04:00

After my astounding picks yesterday I am now 4-0 when it comes to picking College World Series games.

So to keep up my streak I have decided that for the rest of the tournament I will be picking games two at a time.

Tonight is Arkansas and Virginia. Both are good teams or they wouldn't have gotten this far but I think there will be one dominating factor in deciding this game. It is momentum. I believe because Virginia is coming off a win they will have more confidence and more determination then Arkansas who is coming off a crushing defeat from LSU.

Tomorrow night's game will be Arizona State and North Carolina. I think there will be a similar deciding factor in this game seeing as one is coming from a loss and the other from a win but I think more importantly than that North Carolina is the more experienced team. I believe that after being in a program like North Carolina has prepared the players for a game like this. This is not to say that Arizona St. is not as good of a program or that the the players aren't as experienced but I believe the North Carolina players will have the will and the courage to win tomorrow night's game and avoid elimination.

Rapid Fire MLB Predictions for 6/16

2009-06-16T17:20:00.003-04:00

I think I'll try something a little different and do some rapid fire predictions.

NY Mets @ Baltimore
winner=Orioles

Milwaukee @ Cleveland
winner=Milwaukee

Washington @ NY Yankees
winner=Yankees

Toronto @ Philadelphia
winner=Philadelphia

Florida @ Boston
winner=Boston

Atlanta @ Cincinnati
winner=Atlanta

Houston @ Texas
winner=Texas

Chi White Sox @ Chi Cubs
winner=Cubs

Arizona @ Kansas City
winner=Kansas City

Pittsburgh @ Minnesota
winner=Minnesota

Detroit @ St. Louis
winner=St. Louis

Tampa Bay @ Colorado
winner=Tampa Bay

Seattle @ San Diego
winner=Seattle

Oakland @ LA Dodgers
winner=Dodgers

LA Angels @ San Francisco
winner=Angels

Well lets see how this works out if I get a lot right I will consider continuing this type of entry.

College World Series Predictions for 6/16

2009-06-16T11:54:00.004-04:00

Well not to toot my own horn but I thought since I got both of my predictions right yesterday I would add a couple more today.

The first game today is North Carolina and Southern Miss. Now I think this will be an interesting game for a couple of reasons. This is an elimination game so the loser goes home this means both teams are going to give it 110%. However more interestingly is probably the comparison of the two teams batting stats. North Carolina's batting average is .309 while Southern Mississippi's average is just .002 lower at .309. And the number of base runners shouldn't be a big difference as both schools have an on-base percentage of .401. The real difference comes in the pitching. North Carolina has a team ERA of 3.61 and 650 strikeouts as a whole while Southern Miss. has an ERA of 5.04 and only 435 strikeouts combined. I think North Carolina has the definite edge and will keep their tournament hopes alive.

In the second game is Arizona St. and Texas. They are both great teams and they both have great stats but in this era of homeruns and aluminum bats this game will be an oddity. Both of these teams have incredible pitching stats Texas with an ERA of 2.86 and Arizona St. with an ERA of 2.76. With these great stats I think it will be a difficult game for both teams but I think Texas will have better poise and more confidence coming into this game so I think they win it in a close game.

Batting Tips: Use a T

2009-06-15T20:07:00.003-04:00

This blog, being about everything baseball, I'm going to start giving baseball tips, tricks, and drills. I figured I'd start with something simple but is severely over looked: The use of a batting T.

I think the most popular reason for people to pass on using a T is they think its only for children. They would be mistaken because there are pro's that swear by the T. The T can be used in several drills and with proper use just simply hitting off the T can improve your swing.

Consistent use of the T can help hitters shorten their swing, make better contact with the ball, and gain comfort and confidence in their swing. These can all be gained with simple repetition but, for even more benefits, you can do different drills with the T. The most simple drill is every time you take a swing at the ball move to a different spot of the batters' box to simulate different types of pitches. What I mean by this is in a game the pitcher is not going to throw the same pitch in the same spot every time so why would you practice like that. When you move do not move to where you can't hit the ball comfortably you just want to move far enough for the T to simulate an outside or inside pitch. To get the best results when you swing always try to go with the pitch. If the ball is on the outside part of the plate hit the ball the other way, if it's an inside pitch pull the ball, and if it's down he middle try to hit the ball down the middle.

I hope this helps and remember the T doesn't have to be just for T-ballers.

Today's College World Series Preview

2009-06-15T12:17:00.002-04:00

Well there are two games on today from the college World Series both on ESPN2. The first one is CAL STATE FULLERTON (47-15) vs. VIRGINIA(48-14-1). Cal State Fullerton has jumped out to early leads in almost all of it's games this season and look to do the same today. They need to make sure they get a sizable lead early because Virginia's bullpen allowed only 2 runs in the Super Regional. Although they did struggle against LSU giving up 6 in 5 innings. In this Game I like Virginia to bounce back, have a solid outing, and pullout a close win.

In the late game it is LSU (52-16) vs. ARKANSAS (40-22). LSU's Louis Coleman is expected to make his third start against Arkansas on Monday. He almost threw a no-hitter against the Razorbacks in his shutout against them earlier this season. He looks to be dominant again today. Arkansas is looking for it's power hitters to have another strong showing after the 3-4-5 hitters drove in all of there ten runs on Saturday. This being an all SEC game and me being an SEC fan, I'm definitely going to be paying close attention to this one. Going with my earlier predictions I say LSU wins it and they do it with pitching.

Predictions for Chicago Cubs this Season

2009-06-14T22:41:00.002-04:00

Well the Chicago Cubs Had the best record in the National League last year but where unable of even getting out of the first round of the playoffs. Many people have blamed their infamous curse of the billy goat but I think it's just mindset. Now I am not saying if you think you can win you will, because that's just stupid. I could believe I'd play in the MLB but it'll never happen. I think they were in the mindset that they couldn't win which led to there downfall.

Now this season the Cubs haven't shown near the dominance they did last year when they finished 33 games over .500. This year they are currently sitting on .500 and are currently sitting 2.5 have games off the lead in a very competitive division. There have been times this year that the cubs have looked like championship contenders but others when they have struggled with the fundamentals. I believe their most glaring weakness is that there power leader with 14 homeruns, Alfonso Soriano is there lead off hitter. They have a solid pitching staff which has a collective ERA of 3.85, which is the 4th best in the MLB.

My prediction for the Cubs is a slight improvement from last year; they make the post season when the first round but lose the NLCS thus continuing the belief of the curse.

Torii Hunter is a Strong Man

2009-06-14T13:17:00.003-04:00

Torii Hunter not only showed off his immense strength but also his ability to constantly hit the ball with his three homeruns yesterday. It is an insane feat that is rarely seen even today with the Steroid era and baseballs that seem to fly out of the park. Not only were they homeruns they were solo homeruns which means he was having success off of the pitchers his teammates might have been struggling with. The last time this was accomplished in the MLB was Alfonso Soriano for the Chicago cubs against my Atlanta Braves but that was way back in 2007.

This wasn't an accident though as Torii Hunter has been putting up solid power numbers all year. The three homeruns yesterday were his 14th, 15th, and 16th this year, and he has a great slugging percentage with .627. There's no question about whether or not Hunter still has power at 33 years old but one may still wonder how long he can put up these kinds of numbers.