Little Ball

Card's Win

2006-10-28T16:40:00.000-04:00

The 2006 World Series Champions are the St Louis Cardinals. It was a long season that proved to all the the playoffs are a crapshoot. It comes down to who is hot at the time and wich pitchers rise up. I tip my hat to St Louis but I hope next year will be for the Mets. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read me thoughts this season. About mid way through the season I re did my personal web site and it exploded with now over 1000 members. This took alot of time from me here. I dont think I will continue anymore. I encourage anyone to check out 'Mikes Mets' blog and for fans of other teams try one of the links from his site. Thanks for being here and I'll see you in Florida this Feb....

World Series 2006

2006-10-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

After the Tigers quickly took care of Oakland in 4 games, the Card's took out the Mets in 7. This was a tough loss for the favored Mets and Met fans too. I tip my hat to the Cards.

Tigers vs. Cards

As I type the Card's have won game one. Winning with offense and power. Knowing that I still like the Tigers to bounce back and take it but it probably will have to be in 7. This could be St Louis' year and after beating the Mets I wouldnt be suprised if the Cards get there ring..

8 more wins....

2006-10-09T07:34:00.000-04:00

The first round is over ... The Cards beat out the Padre's in 4 and the Mets swept the Dodgers. The A's swept the Twins and the Tigers knocked down the 'best team money can buy' Yankees. Its was nice to see the high proced Yankee bats go flat. Even if they wanted to change the team up they couldnt. Theres too much money invovled. Maybee Sheffield is gone. Maybee you figure out a way to trade ARod. Thats about it...

A's vs Tigers
Mets vs Cardinals

I like the A's in a long 7 game series. Both teams have solid pitching..
I like the Mets in 5. They are just better the St Louis. I give Puljols one game..

Playoffs 2006

2006-10-02T14:29:00.000-04:00

Its been a long season but the best part has arived , the playoffs. Heres how things finished out....
AL -
Yankees and Oakland won the respective divisions. In the central Detroit fell and fell hard. After being swept by KC the last 3 games of the season , The Tigers will go as the wildcard and the Twins will represent the central.

Yankees vs. Tigers / A's vs. Twins

I like the Yankees to sweep it quick unless Johnson throws another stinker and they need 4 to win. I like the Twins in a long series. Seems like the Yankees - Twins have been on track to face up all year..

NL -
The Mets clinched a few weeks ago. The Cardinals did there best to give it away but managed to hold on and back in from the central. Out west the Dodgers and Padres finished with the same record , however with a better head-to-head record the Padres will represent the west with the Dodgers going in as the wildcard.

Mets vs. Dodgers / Padres vs. Cardinals

I like the Mets to win in 4 games. It might take 5 if they dont win the first game. I like the Padres over the Card's. The Cardinals have been so bad, the only way they could win would be a 'Puljos night'. I think the Pad's have played well lately and I dont see that changing.

Braves Officially Eliminated

2006-09-24T19:38:00.000-04:00

The Atlanta Braves run of 14 straight postseasons is over. 14 years is a nice run. Many time I thought they would be done but kept fighting back. Im just happy that are done and I dont have to see them so any more damage to the Eastern Division Champions NY Mets.... Let hope the NL wins it this year ! Go Mets !

Liriano Is Done For Year

2006-09-14T12:41:00.000-04:00

The Twins post season hopes took a bad turn yesterday when there ace rookie pitcher Fransisco Liriano left the game in the 3rd inning with elbow pain. Liriano was an up and coming star. He will not pitch again this year. The Twins still have Santana and Nathan but that probably wont be enough to overtake the Yankees. The Twins have a good pitching staff and should be contenders for the next few years. They still need to add a few power hitters but that is not as hard to find as the pitching. I love to see all the young up and coming pitchers do there thing. Seems like every team now has a 'young gun'.

Marlin's Rookie Throw a No - No

2006-09-06T22:17:00.000-04:00

Florida Marlin's rookie Anibal Sanchez threw a no hitter tonight against the Diamondbacks. It was only his 13th major league start. It only took him 103 pitches to do it too. The Marlins have some good young pitchers and you can now add Sanchez to that list. He was mobbed by his teammates after the win and later Sanchez would say "This is the best moment of my life". Anibal Sanchez is only 22 years old.

Gammons Doing Better

2006-08-23T12:45:00.000-04:00

This past weekend baseball writer Peter Gammons was seen enjoying the Sox-Yankees game (masacree is more like it) . It was his first time back to a park after his recent brain surgery. This is a great story by itself but there was one other part that caught my eye. Gammons visited the writers and both clubhouses. He spoke with Yankee GM Cashman and Mr Torre. But turns out the guy Gammons most wanted to see and talk to was Yankee hitting coach Don Mattingly. While Mr Gammons was in the hospital, Mattingly sent him a silver cross with a get well note. The cross was a gift Mattingly received from his wife and he had worn for several years. Gammons said "They day I got it and put it on in the hospital was the day I turned around. He (Mattingly) and Kim(wife) are pretty unbeliveable". Mattingly said when asked about this gift "I dont know what made me do it. I just was moved to do it".

Mets Get Green + Mota

2006-08-23T12:44:00.000-04:00

Over the past few days the Mets made 2 interesting moves... They picked up Guillermo Mota from the Indians and are just about (could be final now) to land outfielder Shawn Green from Arizona. Green would be a big help to the Mets outfield. He would play right almost every day and be a nice left handed bat in the lineup. It looks like the Mets top prospect Milledge needs more time in the minors. Mora should help the back end of the penn too. Met fans remember Mota from his time on the Dodgers. He was the guy allways fighting with Piazza.. These are two solid moves.

Down The Stretch....

2006-08-17T17:20:00.000-04:00

Were down to just about the final month or so in the regular season. Its been a good year with lots of suprises and some busts too.. Heres how I see it finishing out ...
AL -
Three team fighting for 2 spots. Oakland is moving forward out west and Detroit would have to really fall apart for them not to win the division... The Twins have gone on an incredible run but there pitching has taken a hit. LA will be there but I think they will fall short. Chicago,NY and Boston will fight it out for the last 2 spots. I think NY will win the east and Chicago will take the wildcare. Boston is a young team with alot of question marks. They will be back next year .

NL -
The Mets have the east all wraped up. After having a tough stretch , the Dodgers have battled back into the lead out west and I dont thin they will give it up. In the central the Cards are hanging on for dear life and the Reds are about ready to take over... I like the 2nd place finisher in the central to take the wildcard..

Heres how I see it finish up....
AL- NY,Detroit,Oakland + Chicago
NL- NY,LA,Cinncii + St Louis

ITs been a good year and the stretch run should be just as fun to watch....

Piazza Back In NY

2006-08-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

Future hall of famer Mike Piazza made his return to Shea stadium tonight. Even in the Padre uniform , Mike got a huge standing ovation. The fans stood for minutes while Piazza tipped hit helmet 3 times. Even the Mets catcher Lo Duca gave Piazza and extra minute in the limelight by kicking some dirt around home plate. This was nice to see. The Met fans will allways love Mike and hopefully he will wear a Mets cap into the hall of fame. Mike Piazza turned around a Met franchise that was run into0 the ground. He put the star back in Shea and after he came to NY things got better.I will never forget his homer in the first game back after 9-11. That was something special. I was actually at the first Piazza Met game against the Brewers. I saw Mike get his first hit as a Met and the fans have loved him ever since. Mike Piazza is and all star in every sense of the word...

Utley Streak Ends....

2006-08-05T10:11:00.000-04:00

Last night the Mets kept Chase Utley off the basepaths. He had hit in 35 straight games until yesterday. After it was over Utley seemed to have a new respect for Dimaggio and the 56. The 56 game hit streak will probably never be broken. Its the toughest record in the game today , especially with all the media coverage these days. Utleys try also shows how great Pete Rose was. No one will probably ever hit 44 like Rose did. Charlie Hustle was one of the best and should definatly be in the hall of fame. Im sure Utely will go out there today and start another streak. He is one of the best young players in the game today .

Varitek Goes Down....

2006-08-04T16:04:00.000-04:00

The Red Sox lost there captian , catcher Jason Varitek. He went down with a bad knee and had to have what looks like season ending surgury. This is a tough shot for the Sox who have hung in there this season despite there lack of pitching. Today they picked up former Orioles catcher Javy Lopez. Lopez had been only playing once a week as a back up catcher so he will get to now play 5 times a week for Boston. I think this is a smart move for the Sox. Lopez will hit well at Fenway nad he is a veteran behind the plate. Even with this move Im not sure the Sox can hang in the race. If Big Papi keep hitting those game winning homers I may change my opinion...

Utley Hits In 32 Straight

2006-07-31T19:58:00.000-04:00

Philly 2nd baseman Chase Utley has hit safely in 32 straight games. A few more and he will be in a class with few others. Let me know when he gets to 40 and I will pay more attention. It was fun for me as a kid to see the great Pete Rose go after Dimaggio's untouchable 56 games. I think Rose made it to 44. Along the way Rose had a few bunt hits and driblers but give him credit. Utley is a great hitter and one of the up and coming starts of the game. He is of the few guys Philly should keep and rebuild around.

Mets Loose Sanchez

2006-07-31T19:52:00.000-04:00

Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez was injured today in a freak car
accident. In Miami on an off day , the cab Sanchez was riding in got in
an accident. Sanchez seperated his shoulder and is now finsished for
the year. He had surgury today and should be back next season. This is
a tough blow for the Mets. Allthough they are well ahead of everyone
else in the NL East , they needed Sanchez's pitching in the 8th to go
far in the playoffs. A tough way to finish the year for Sanchez who was
enjoying a solid year as well as being a new fan favorite in NY.

Yanks Make A Move

2006-07-30T19:49:00.000-04:00

They did it again. The Yankees made a move today with 24hrs left to ge until the trade deadline. They got Bobby Abreu and pitcher C. Lidle from Philly for a few prospects. The prospects did include a 05 first round pick but the Yankees made out like bandits. Abreu may not hit as many homers as Giambi , but he will get on base and probably do well as a Yankee. Lidle is at least an improvement at the #5 starter. Hes better than Ponson who didnt do well in his NY tryouts. This move also likely spells the end for Sheffield in pinstripes. His contract is up this year and Abreu will fit nicely into right field for the next two years.

Lee Goes To Texas

2006-07-28T21:40:00.000-04:00

All Star slugger Carlos Lee was traded to the Texas Rangers. The Brewers got back early season slugger Mench and reliever Cordero. The Brewers also got back a years supply of mustard for the hot dogs. While Texas need pitching , Lee is a big upgrade. Mench looked good in nay but recently has come back to earth. I guess the Brewers will give Cordero another shot at closing games. You gotta think Milwaukee could have done a little better.. More trades to come......

Sweet Deal For The Brew Crew !

2006-07-27T21:48:00.000-04:00

Today Brewers GM Doug Melvin announced his newest addition to the Brewers team. He signed 'Chorizo' , aka 'El Picante' , aka 'Cinco' , to an undisclosed deal with the team. Chorizo will run in this saturdays sausage race and then go down to the minors to fine tune his game. Chorizo will be back up in the bigs on opening day 07 and be a regular part of the races.

The Card Is Up For Grabs

2006-07-27T16:15:00.000-04:00

Due to the White Sox going into a huge slump , the AL wild card has opened up and is anyones for the taking. The Yankees now have the wildcard fallback ripe for the taking. The Twins are on the move with some really good solid pitching. The big suprise here is the downward spiral of the White Sox. This is the same slump they went into last season in september. Only to pour it on in the playoffs. With the trading deadline under a week away , one big trade could shift the balance of power in the AL. This is how we like it . Lots of teams still in the race right up until the end. And of course its the fans who win.

Braves Get Wickman

2006-07-21T08:09:00.000-04:00

The Braves yesterday traded for Bob Wickman. The former closer of the Indians will now move down south for his next stop. Wickman is a veteran who has closed for many teams over the years. He was actually the closer for the Yankees - pre Riveria/Wetland .. This may signal Clevland throwing in the towel. With 3 other teams to try and climb over in the central , the Indians may be looking at reality. The Braves on the other hand are trying to make a run and deperatly need bullpen help. Wickman may not be the Braves answer for the future , but for a couple of prospects hes a good grab for Atlanta.

Jay's Dump Hillenbrand

2006-07-20T12:01:00.000-04:00

The Blue Jay's cut DH Shea Hillenbrand yesterday. This comes after he was chastised at a team meating and then refused to sit in the dugout with the team. Earlier in the day Hillenbrand criticized the organization and asked to be traded. I guess he was pissed because he had to sit out two days in a row. He also was pissed due to the 'rumor' the front office didnt congratulate him on his adoption of a baby girl. While he was having a decent first half and its great he adopted a child , its still time to grow up a little Shea. You dont need a pat on the fanny every time you do something good. This is the time of year players get an extra day off too. The dog days of summer can bring the best of them down. In the long run this is probably a good move for the up and coming Toronto. They need team players to help bring the team forward in the next year or so..

Braves On A Roll

2006-07-18T13:49:00.000-04:00

Dont look now Mets fans but the Atlanta Braves are making another run at the NL east. Seems like the Braves are not quite ready to give up the division yet. Allthough there pitching has not been great , the offense has been over the top. Last nights game was a 15 run blowout of the Card's . Without a closer , or decent bullpenn for that matter , I doubt the Braves can make it and win the division. Keep scoring 15 runs a game and they wont need a bullpenn..

Hunter On DL

2006-07-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

Twins centerfielder Tori Hunter was put on the DL today with a broken foot. This is the second year in a row he has missed time for injuries. This also comes at a bad time for the Twins who are trying to make a run going into the second half. With some good pitching the Twins actually have a chance but its not easy with the Sox and Tigers ahead of them.

Early Start On ESPN Tonight

2006-07-16T14:29:00.000-04:00

To make room for the Espy's , ESPN has moved tonights game between the Mets and Cubs to 6 pm (east time). 2 hours earlier than the normal sunday night 8 pm start. I wish they would use the earlier start time every week. It just works better than sunday night. As for the Espy's , they should give every award to J. Mac. The high school kid / coach who made all the 3 point shots in that game...

Bring On the 2nd Half

2006-07-13T19:23:00.000-04:00

The second half starts tonight. This is also the unofficial start of the trade season. Allready a few small moves have been made. The Yankees picked up Sidnee Ponson to try to help there # 5 and the Astros picked up slugger Aubrey Huff . Huff should help the Stro's lineup while Ponson may be gone after a few bad starts. Sometimes its the trade the doesnt happen that helps a team the most. Nothing worse than a bad trade to set the team back a few years. Should be a good second half with many teams still with a chance at playoff games..