Three of the teams that were widely expected to be favorites for World Series contention (Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees) are at home licking their wounds.
Two teams not even expected to make any progress at all (Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians) surprised just everyone connected with baseball.
In 2010, Ryan Howard was the recipient of a five-year, $125 million contract extension that will keep the slugger in Philadelphia through the 2016 season.
At the time, the deal seemed unnecessary, as Howard wouldn't be eligible for free agency until after 2011. However, given the fact that other first basemen like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and (at the time) Adrian Gonzalez would also be free agents, it made some sense in that the Phillies didn't want to risk his value being dictated by the market. As such, they bet that they deal they gave him would be considerably less expensive than the deal he would have signed as a free agent.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Call him the Detroit Tigers’ 26th man.
Or perhaps he’s their First Son.
Regardless, Victor Jose Martinez , the 7-year-old son of designated hitter Victor Martinez , is very much a part of the Tigers. As he did so often over the past two years when his father played for the Red Sox, Victor Jose dresses in uniform and runs around the clubhouse before games. During batting practice, he plays catch with whoever will engage him. (With the Red Sox, it usually was David Ortiz’ son, D’Angelo .) In July, he campaigned for his father to be named to the All-Star Game in the final fan vote (”Hello, my name is Victor Jose Martinez,” he said in a video posted on the Tigers’ official Web site. “I really want my dad to go to the All-Star Game. Because since my friends are there — David Ortiz and everybody — and I really want everybody to vote for my dad. Please vote for my dad!”) And when the Tigers extinguished the Yankees in the Division Series on Thursday night, Victor Jose was present in the clubhouse for the celebration.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Good evening from Rangers Ballpark. Two interesting pre-game quotes to pass along to you:
Ron Washington on what Adrian Beltre has given the Rangers: "Leadership, his leadership in the clubhouse, his leadership in the dugout during the game. Michael Young made a statement about Adrian that's true about him also. He not only shows up to the ballpark to do his job but he shows up to the ballpark to beat his opponent. And that's what Adrian Beltre brings. And he brings that out with the rest of his teammates."
By his own calculations, Tom Cullity, a former math teacher, figures that out of the 81 years he’s been alive, the Boston Red Sox [team stats] have broken his heart 72 times.
Next to God, his late wife, his two sisters and their families, our boys of summer have been the undeserving recipients of this gentleman’s eternal devotion.
NEW YORK — Blaming Terry Francona is a bigger joke than the Red Sox [team stats]’s play in September.
Forcing Francona out and making it look as if it’s his idea to walk would be an even bigger joke than John Lackey’s pitching and Carl Crawford’s contract.
Posted on October 1, 2011 at 10:50 pm by Zachary Levine in Astros , Astros/MLB , General , Pitching
The Rays made the playoffs for the third time in four years. (Karen Warren/Chronicle)
ARLINGTON – To say the Tampa Bay Rays are the model for how the Astros could continue to slash payroll and rebuild from triple-digit losses is to say the Large Hadron Collider is a good model for a science fair project.
Sixty years later, baseball had another Bobby Thomson experience. The last day of the season, playoff berth hanging in the balance, Tampa's Evan Longoria lined a fastball over a low- perched left-field fence Wednesday night.
That the wall was short because of Carl Crawford — he had it changed so he could make more defensive plays — bathed the home run in irony. The Tampa Bay Rays would have never been in this position had their former left fielder not missed Robert Andino's flyball three minutes earlier in Baltimore with a flimsy dive.
clubhouse used to hate Mike Napoli .
OK. Maybe they didn’t really hate him. But they had two reasons to dislike him. One was that he played for the Los Angeles Angels . The other was that he had a tendency to hit home runs for the Los Angeles Angels.
Get complete coverage of each and every MLB playoff series .
It’s that time of the year when we start looking back to the season and start handing out awards. There was a lot of stiff competition for some of these, including the MVP and the Rookie of the Year. This list doesn’t reflect the thoughts of all the writers on Motor City Bengals, it’s just my personal list. Feel free to sign in and comment and let us all know who you got for these categories. Your award? The pride of being right.
Longoria's second dinger of the game sent the Rays to Texas, and the Sox packing.
They say baseball is a game of inches.
After centuries of play, including Wednesday night's fiasco, nobody can ever dispute that claim.
What if Dan Johnson's line drive went a few inches right? Does it go foul? What if Evan Longoria's line drive was a few inches lower? Does it still clear the fence? What if Carl Crawford's glove was just a few inches lower? Does he make the catch and keep Boston's playoff hopes alive for another inning? What if Jonathan Papelbon's pitch was a few inches off? Does Robert Andino even hit it? On that note, would anybody even know who Robert Andino is?
I keep having this weird dream in which a Dallas Cowboys of Arlington receiver shows up late to Cowboys Stadium today because he didn't know the route.I'm not saying Cowboys receivers need to show a better grasp of the offense today, but word is that if they don't, on Monday morning they'll be handed copies of "The Dallas Cowboys Playbook for Dummies."On top of the Cowboys having a shaky group of receivers, Dez Bryant is questionable with a thigh bruise. Makes me wish that Barry Switzer was still coaching so he could install the Wishbone.Ollie the Optimist must have been one of those anonymous linemen in his day because he e-mailed to say that at least we all know who starts at center for the Cowboys.Two great pieces of news for Cowboys fans: 1.) Detroit Lions players say they will not target Tony Romo's ribs; 2.) Cowboys center Phil Costa says he won't, either.The Cowboys are facing the unbeaten Lions today. Let that sink in: the unbeaten Lions. There were years when we couldn't even say that about the Lions heading into their season opener.After witnessing that first pitch involving Cooper Stone and Josh Hamilton before the Texas Rangers' game Friday night, we have a new rule: There is crying in baseball.I like Rays manager Joe Maddon. The other day during an interview, he used the words "homogenize," "innocuous" and "proliferation." Not only that, he used them correctly.The New York Yankees' loss to Tampa Bay that eliminated the Boston Red Sox from playoff contention has to be one of the most satisfying losses in Yankees history.Bobby Thomson's homer was the shot heard 'round the world. Evan Longoria's homer was the shot tweeted 'round the world.What is one thing the Red Sox and my fantasy baseball team do not have in common? My team had Carl Crawford and still won the championship.Oh, those Texas A&M Aggies and their second halves. Now they're 0-1 in two different conferences.Saturday, the Aggies met "Pig Sooie." In two weeks against Baylor, it'll be "Bears Sue-ie."The Boise State and BYU football programs have committed to a 12-year home-and-home series. The way college football is these days, those teams could be in and out of the same conference at least three times during that contract.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on the 2014 Super Bowl being played outdoors in New Jersey: "A little snow would be great for us, but whatever comes our way, we're going to be prepared for it." How come he didn't say that last year before our Super Bowl?A junior varsity football coach in New York was suspended for taking his players to a cemetery and having them lie down on graves to emphasize the importance of playing hard. What was that coach thinking? I mean, that's the kind of big motivational stuff you use on the varsity, not the JV.An Associated Press source said that during NBA labor negotiations, an angry Dwyane Wade told David Stern that he felt disrespected by the commissioner. My, my, how soon D-Wade forgets all those free throws the commissioner gave him during the 2006 Finals. Find sports humor columnist David Thomas on Facebook by search for "Fans' Insider," and follow him on Twitter @FansInsider. David Thomas, 817-390-7697
BOSTON — Until the New York Yankees arrived for this series at Fenway Park, the Red Sox had generally proven Brian Cashman’s honest assessment of the rivalry in 2011.
Boston was the favorite, the Yankees’ general manager said. His club was the hunter.
September’s cool arrival finally coincided with the Yankees’ first series victory against the Red Sox this season – on a night when A.J. Burnett was manager Joe Girardi’s starting pitcher.
ST. PETERSBURG -- While the Red Sox don't return to Fenway until July 22, fans will have a chance to watch Carl Crawford play this weekend. The left fielder, on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, will kick off a two-game Minor League rehab at Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday night.
Crawford will start in left field Friday and Saturday, then travel to Baltimore on Sunday and be activated Monday night, when Boston opens a three-game series at Camden Yards.
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays found themselves in seemingly difficult positions after losing their first six games. As the second half begins, both expect to be battling for the AL East title for the rest of the season.
The division rivals open a three-game set at Tropicana Field on Friday night having recovered from rough starts, with Boston possibly having to play the series without suspended slugger David Ortiz.
didn't show any signs of injury starting two of the Rays' last three games before this week's All-Star break, but he will miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a right oblique strain.
Switch-hitting C Jose Lobaton was summoned from Triple-A Durham and will take over some starting duties against right-handed pitchers, and veteran Kelly Shoppach will get more playing time, manager Joe Maddon said.
Jose Reyes (A+): Did everything, at least until he wound up on the disabled list. Has proven that — yes Fred Wilpon — he’s worth Carl Crawford money.
Carlos Beltran (A): Biggest surprise might be that he’s played more than anyone else on the team. Knees a surprise, but not performance.
Justin Turner (A): David who? Well, it’s silly to think that way, but Turner has filled in admirably at third and second base, driving in runs and fielding well.
This applies to everyone, from the pitching staff, to the hitters, to the manager, to the front office. If you thought you were good to enter the break one game ahead in the American League East, then you have to be that much better to finish the season at least one game ahead.
So, say the attaboys now, and hope you can say them in October when it really counts.
Quick Read Crawford set to return from hamstring injury Monday, Beckett still scheduled to pitch Sunday
(AP) -- The Boston Red Sox are coming out of the All-Star game with encouraging reports on pitcher Josh Beckett and outfielder Carl Crawford.
Crawford is set to return from a strained left hamstring on Monday, manager Terry Francona said during Boston's off-day workout Thursday. Crawford will begin a two-game minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday.
PHILADELPHIA - Should Adrian Gonzalez move to right field in order to make room in the lineup for David Ortiz? Manager Terry Francona says he has discussed the issue with general manager Theo Epstein.
"We've talked about it ad nauseum," Francona said. "We'll talk about it a little bit more."
