Stephen Strasburg Will Be a Top-Ten Pitcher This Season posted by Colin Linneweber

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg made his spring training debut Tuesday in a 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Viera, Fla. 

Strasburg, who was selected by the Nationals with the number one overall pick out of San Diego State University in the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, fanned two batters in two scoreless innings before the was relieved. 

Despite his solid statistics, the former Aztecs standout struggled a tad with his command. 

In total, Strasburg managed to throw only 15 of his 27 pitches for strikes. 

“Command really wasn’t there, but I think a lot of that had to do with the adrenaline going on,” said Strasburg, 21, who signed a record four-year contract worth $15.1 million with Washington this past August. “It’s something that happens to me every time – even in college, even in high school. That first outing, there’s all this excitement and it’s really difficult to control the adrenaline and make sure you’re staying nice and relaxed.” 

Regardless of the control issues he experienced, it is evident that Strasburg is a burgeoning superstar. 

The native of San Diego had his fastball consistently clocked in the 97-98 mph range and his curveball was measured between 79 and 81 mph. 

“I just wanted to go out there and throw strikes,” said Strasburg, who tossed a no-hitter and whiffed 17 batters in his final collegiate home start against the Air Force last May. “If they hit it, they hit it. Big deal. I have enough confidence in my stuff that if I can go out there and make them put the ball in play, I’ve got a great defense behind me that’s going to back me up.” 

Goose Gossage Wasn't Half The Pitcher That Mariano Rivera Is posted by Colin Linneweber

Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Gossage claimed this past weekend that New York Yankees icon Mariano Rivera is not the best relief pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).

“I think he (Rivera) is a tremendous relief pitcher,” said Gossage, a nine-time All-Star who played his last game for the Seattle Mariners in 1994. “He’s the best, current-day, modern reliever. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I was told that I had 53 saves with seven-plus outs. I was told that Mariano had one and Trevor Hoffman had two. So, I think that says it in a nutshell.”

Gossage, who retired with a record of 124-107 and a 3.01 ERA, is an utter “nut” to even insinuate that he is a better pitcher than Mariano Rivera is.

Rivera, a 10-time All-Star selection and instrumental piece of five championship teams, has recorded 526 saves with a miniscule 2.25 ERA since he made his professional debut for the Yankees in May 1995.

Tellingly, Rivera owns a superior lifetime earned run average than Gossage does despite the fact that he pitched in the apex of the dreaded Steroid Era.

At 39 years of age in 2009, Rivera managed to have one of the finest seasons in his storybook career.

At this juncture, everything indicates that the native of Panama and his mid-90s mile-per-hour cut fastball will remain a force on the hill for years to come.

However, even if “Old Father Time” were to immediately pull alongside Rivera this spring, “The Sandman” would still hang-up his cleats as a far more accomplished hurler Goose Gossage.

Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

Third member of Yankee trio not a lock for Hall posted by David

After their playing careers are over, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera will undoubtedly be elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, but will teammate Jorge Posada join them in Cooperstown?  Yankee fans may feel differently, but the truth is that if Posada retired from baseball today, he would not belong in The Hall.  His credentials include five trips to the All-Star Game, five Silver Slugger awards, 243 home runs, and five seasons with 90+ RBI’s, as well as having caught the perfect game thrown by David Wells in 1998.  Arguments against Posada’s candidacy are that he is not a strong defensive catcher, has only once batted over .300 (.277 career average) and his 1,488 career hits do not make him stand out among his catching peers.  Despite 11 career playoff home runs, his postseason line (.239/.351/.384) is sub-par for a catcher known primarily for his hitting.

While offensive expectations for Hall of Fame catchers have tended to be lower over the years, Posada has never drawn comparisons as a hitter to Mike Piazza (2,127 career hits), Johnny Bench (2,048), or Ivan Rodriguez (2,711), who at 38 still has a chance at reaching 3,000 hits.  Posada’s supporters might point out that Roy Campanella collected only 1,161 career hits, but he also won the Most Valuable Player Award three times in a span of five years, and more importantly, missed out on years of big-league ball before African Americans were welcome.  Jorge Posada has had a solid career, for which I give him a lot of credit, but at this point in time, he’s not bound for Cooperstown.

Vitali Klitschko to retire and join International Boxing Hall of Fame posted by Colin Linneweber

WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali “Dr. Iron Fist” Klitschko announced this past weekend that he will retire from the sport of boxing before 2010 is completed. 

Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs), the owner of the highest knockout percentage (94.9%) of any heavyweight boxing titlist ever, also stated that he would like to fight both WBA world heavyweight champion David “The Hayemaker” Haye (23-1, 21 KOs) and Nikolai Valuev (50-2-0-1, 34 KOs) before he hangs-up his gloves.  

“Dr. Iron Fist,” a Ukrainian who has incredibly never been knocked down or received a standing eight-count as a professional, is not exactly a youthful pugilist at the age of 38. 

Nevertheless, Klitschko has emphatically won seven consecutive bouts and he hasn’t been defeated since he lost to Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) by a controversial sixth round TKO in June 2003. 

In his matchup versus Lewis, Klitschko dominated the opening rounds and he was actually leading 58-56 on all three of the judge’s scorecards when the battle was stopped due to a horrific cut he suffered over his left eye. 

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Klitschko gained tremendous respect from analysts and fans alike for the courage and determination that he showed against Lewis. 

“Vitali is not an all-time great,” said Ed LaVache, the owner of Boston Boxing Club in Allston. “However, he’s a rough and tumble fighter. If it wasn’t for the various injuries he’s had, he would have dominated for years. His brother (Wladimir) is more skilled. But, Vitali has more heart and sometimes heart is more important than skill.” 

Two more great careers reach the end of the line posted by David

Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas officially announced their retirements this week, ending speculation that either one would attempt a comeback in 2010 after not appearing in a big league game last season.  Glavine was a great finesse pitcher of his generation, and Thomas was a premiere slugger of the nineties.

The southpaw won 305 games, two Cy Young Awards, and four Silver Sluggers.  He was a 10-time All-Star, had five 20-win seasons, and was named the 1995 World Series MVP for leading the Braves to victory.  Glavine’s Fall Classic performance included eight innings of one-hit, shutout ball in a decisive Game 6 against the Cleveland Indians.  In addition to cleanup man Albert Belle, the Cleveland lineup featured the likes of Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and then-future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.  Meanwhile, Braves hitters were only able to put a single run on the board in the bottom of the sixth, leaving Glavine with no margin for error.  Among his lesser-known achievements, Glavine allowed just one grand slam in 682 games – all starts – over his 22-year major league career.  Finally, at the time of his retirement, he was second only to Omar Vizquel in sacrifice bunts among active players, with 216.  (The next-closest – pitcher or position player – is longtime teammate John Smoltz, with 136.)

Thomas hit 521 home runs, collected 2,468 hits, and finishes with an impressive line of .301/.419/.555.  He won back-to-back MVP awards, four Silver Sluggers, and one batting title.  Additionally, he had 11 seasons with 100+ RBI’s and was named to five consecutive All-Star teams (1993-1997) at a very competitive time for American League first basemen.  (Mark McGwire, John Olerud, Mo Vaughn, Tino Martinez, Cecil Fielder, Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro were perennial contenders.)  The Big Hurt’s best year came in 1994, when he set career highs in batting average (.353), on-base-percentage (.487), and slugging percentage (.729), and despite being limited to 113 games by the players’ strike, hit 38 home runs and drove in 101 runs.  Thomas’s monstrous slugging percentage that season puts him in a club with guys named Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Hornsby, and Foxx.

Spring Training 2010 posted by Patrick Erhard

As we head into spring training 2010 all of Giants' nation has the same thing on their mind, offense. After some last minute acquisitions, the Giants look to be headed in the right direction. First, grabbing Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff this off-season will hopefully produce that offensive spark that the Giants have been longing for since the Bonds days. I was not initially thrilled with deciding to get DeRosa or Huff initially. DeRosa is a pretty decent hitter who can keep his average at around .270, while Huff is a streaky power man. When there are such prospects as Jermaine Dye, Adam Laroche, or Dan Uggla in the market why settle for average players? I honestly thought that with these two, the Giants were doomed to another just short of the playoffs season. Then the clouds parted ways, and (through some seemingly divine intervention) the Giant's organization made a big move and resigned the two big bats we all thought they were losing, Juan Uribe and Bengie Molina. I love Buster Posey, don't get me wrong, but Bengie can produce and it wouldn't hurt to see Posey take one more year of minors work. Uribe and Sandoval carried that team last year and now they have got DeRosa and Huff to hit around Pablo. Who could argue with a Derosa, Sandoval, Huff, Uribe, Molina 2 3 4 5 6? Plus, throw a healthy Sanchez in there and that is, without a doubt a playoff calibur team.

  A good amount of fans and sportscasters alike are now looking to the fight for the outfield and 2nd base. I personally am not looking to heavily on this. What I'm looking for in this years team is production from Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria. These two have not lived up to their name so far, and with competition heating up in the Giants organization, it's do or die for both of these men. If the new acquisitions, plus the more experienced younger players, can get these two producing like they used to, the Giants should have no problem winning the World Series, let alone getting to the playoffs. 

A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Offerman a disgrace to the game posted by David

I generally prefer beginning my blog with news that is positive or at least neutral, but I cannot think of a more worthy story than that of former Major Leaguer Jose Offerman, who was banned from the Dominican Winter League for life after attacking an umpire earlier this month.  The incident, sadly, is not the first time Offerman has embarrassed the game of baseball.  While playing in the Atlantic Independent League in August 2007, he charged the mound – bat in hand – after being hit by a pitch, and proceeded to break one of the pitcher’s fingers.  The catcher, trying to protect his pitcher, was hit in the back of the head and received a severe concussion that ended his career.  Now, two and a half years later, Offerman is still making the game look bad.  His behavior, without question, is Bad for Ball.

How ‘bout that?

How about Grant Desme?  The 23-year-old outfielder announced his retirement from baseball last week in order to pursue the priesthood.  Desme was the second-round pick of the Athletics in the 2007 draft, and last year was the only minor leaguer – at any level – to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases.  (He swiped 40.)  After being promoted to High-A, he hit .304/.398/.656 with 20 homers in just 227 at-bats.  He was then named MVP of the 2009 Arizona Fall League.  Desme would have had to put in more time in the minors, but his numbers certainly suggest he could have made it to the Big Leagues eventually if he didn’t feel the need to answer another calling.

"Bengie Molina is Back in the Squat for San Francisco" posted by Michael McGauley

I thought that ship had sailed? I also thought it was certain that Bengie Molina would be a New York Met in 2010. New York was dangling a two year deal, but Molina's camp wanted a third year option. Something went terribly wrong in the negotiations, and the two sides parted ways, which is good news for the Giants! It's hard to get greedy in this current market place, especially when you're an older player (who turns 36 in July), and playing a demanding position like catcher. I thought Molina might have ended-up in the American League where he could also be a DH.   Whatever happened at the end of last season (not playing hurt?), I say forget any bad blood that may have bubbled to the surface between Molina and the Giants, and welcome him back behind the plate with open arms. The pitchers love him. He's a club house presence and leader. He will be an excellent mentor to the young Buster Posey. He comes at a relative bargain for one year and $4.5-million, and can hit! Fortunately though, he won't be relied upon to bat clean-up for San Francisco this year (assuming the off-season acquisitions come through as expected). Molina should be much more comfortable further down in the order as a number-six hitter, behind a 3-4-5 combination of Sandoval, Huff, and De Rosa. Now I'm digging this line-up a lot more than I was just a couple of weeks ago.  Yorvit Torrealba? Rod Barajas? Bengie's going to be a better hitter than both of those guys. Last year, Molina struggled through some injuries, but still managed to play in 132 games and had 491 at-bats. The rest of the pertinent numbers: 130 hits, (only) 52 runs scored, 25 doubles, 20 homers, 80 RBI's, and an incredibly low 13 walks...Yikes! That's reflected in a .285 on-base percentage, but a fairly solid .265 batting average. Molina drove in 95 runs with 16 homers and 33 doubles in 2008; with a .292 average, and .322 on-base percentage. So, assuming he plays most of the season, you know roughly what kind of numbers you're going to get. But what if Posey is ready to go mid-season and gets the call-up? That remains to be seen. I would say Eli Whiteside begins the year as Molina's back-up with Posey down in Triple-A Fresno.  By-the-way: Torrealba sported a .351 on-base percentage and a .291 average in just 64 games with the Rockies last season, sharing time with Chris Ianetta. It's hard to really compare any other stats with fewer than half the number of at-bats, but Yorvit did manage to work 21 walks in just 213 at-bats. So, he would easily have more than 50 BB's with 500 A.B's. Barajas, meanwhile, had a descent season with the Blue Jays in 2008 as far as power numbers (19 and 71), but his batting average and on-base were dreadful in roughly the same number of at-bats. So, considering Bengie's familiarity with the Giants' pitching staff, and his overall better hitting, he was clearly the best choice of the three. The fourth choice, Miguel Olivo, had already signed with Colorado -- essentially replacing Torrealba.   Merkin Valdez, who was designated for assignment earlier last week, has been traded to Toronoto for cash considerations. Valdez just never realized his potential, but maintained a dominant fastball even after returning from Continue reading ""Bengie Molina is Back in the Squat ..."

Posada has 3 hits, Aceves sharp for Yanks (AP)

Jorge Posada had three hits and two RBIs, Curtis Granderson smoothly moved over to left field and Alfredo Aceves made a case for the No. 5 starter role with four sharp innings for a New York Yankees' split squad in a 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday Javier Vazquez gave up a long two-run homer to Ty Wigginton in the first and was not satisfied with his changeup. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Damon has HR, 2 RBIs and Tigers top Yankees 6-2 (AP)

Johnny Damon had a home run and two RBIs, and Ryan Raburn went 4 for 4 with two doubles in leading the Detroit Tigers to a 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees in a matchup of split squads Saturday. Dontrelle Willis allowed one run in three innings in his first spring start for Detroit. Damon hit a solo homer off Sergio Mitre to spark a three-run fifth. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Buchholz tosses 3 scoreless against Pirates (AP)

Clay Buchholz threw three scoreless innings, as did Pirates starter Paul Maholm, and the Boston Red Sox beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Saturday. Buchholz and Maholm each allowed one hit and one walk. Delwin Young hit a solo home run in the sixth inning for the Pirates against Boof Bonser, who is competing for a job in the Boston bullpen. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Twins sign Span to 5-year extension

The Minnesota Twins have signed center fielder Denard Span to afive-year, $16.5 million contract extension. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Cardinals, Red Sox postpone game because of rain (AP)

The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox postponed their game on Friday because of rain and agreed to a rare spring training makeup date. Boston and St. Louis will split their squads on March 22, adding a game in Jupiter. Stadium officials were expecting one of the largest crowds of the spring Friday. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports