College Baseball’s Story of the Year: Nick Petree
College Baseball doesn’t often receive the national attention that College Football and College Basketball do, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some exciting and remarkable things happening in the sport.
Case in Point…. Missouri State’s Red Shirt Sophomore Nick Petree, who sat out the 2010 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, tossed another gem this past Friday night. Throwing eight more shutout innings against the Evansville Purple Aces, Petree ran his streak to 72.1 scoreless innings. Nick allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked three batters in the 2-0 win.
Almost 8,000 Games & No New York Mets No-Hitter In Sight
Last night I read about asteroid “2011 AG5” which scientists have given a 625-1 shot of hitting the earth in 2040. I’ll be 73 years old in 2070 and currently have plans of still walking the earth and being around for the event / non event. The asteroid is only 460ft wide and not big enough to kill us all, but it could obliterate a city with a direct hit. One would think that as time got closer, if it were to hit the earth we would be able to at least forecast with some accuracy the country it was going to hit in if not the city; certainly at least the hemisphere no? Some think a splash smack in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific would be best, but who knows what ramifications that would have for coastlines.
Bryce Harper Already an All-Star?
Bryce Harper, made his major league debut Saturday night at the age of 19 for the Washington Nationals. If you are a baseball fan you’ve likely already been following the hype and progress of the phenom since he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in June 2009.
Harper’s reputation is that of a hitter but what has impressed me about Bryce since he has turned pro is his defensive flexibility, hustle, speed, arm and ability to track the ball in the outfield. The converted catcher played left field in his first MLB game and center field in his second. He has a hit in each game with an RBI, he nailed a runner at the plate on Saturday night (although catcher dropped the ball) with a strike from left field and made a highlight reel catch slamming into the centerfield wall last night.
Ozzie Guillen Respects Fidel Castro Because He’s Hard to Kill
It seems that it has become somewhat of a tradition that I speak about Ozzie Guillen as the MLB season gets under way. It’s sort of a prelude of the insanity to come. The Latin Casey Stengel is never at a loss for words and is unquestionably my favorite character in the game to follow. This season as you may know, Ozzie has taken his standup routine on the road, no longer performing in Chicago, but in Miami.
Traditionally, throughout the season Ozzie provides plenty for us to write about, and the 2012 season will assuredly be no different. Sometimes he sticks his foot in his mouth and sometimes he sticks it in someone else’s; either there or another human orifice. The enigmatic Guillen, who in 2006 was fined and ordered by MLB to have sensitivity training after using a homophobic slur in referring to a Chicago columnist has a habit of being brutally honest. This weekend Guillen could be found on Time magazine’s website expressing admiration for the most reviled man in Miami, Fidel Castro.
“I respect Fidel Castro,” Guillén said. “You know why? Many people have tried to kill Fidel Castro in the last 60 years, yet that [SOB] is still there.”
Is Lucas Duda Citi Field Fantasy Baseball Stud?
What are Fantasy Baseball owners to make of Lucas Duda? After yesterday’s two home run performance the question begs to be asked. Is “The Dude” just an oversized doubles hitter, or an emerging power hitting star? Currently starting in just 64% of lineups in CBSSportsline leagues, clearly the jury is still out…
One of the more interesting factors that fantasy owners should consider is the fact that Duda qualifies in most leagues as an outfielder and also first baseman /corner infielder. This type of flexibility is always a plus when composing a fantasy roster. The other attention-grabbing factor is that the New York Mets have moved the home run fence at Citi Field in this season in an effort to resurrect the power numbers of David Wright, Jayson Bay (not certain that it matters anymore) and the rest of the Mets as the previously pitching favorite dimensions clearly had them beaten before they stepped up to the plate. There is a new eight-foot fence placed in front of the old 16-foot wall in left field and the dimensions have been reduced in both right and right-center field as well. In many cases the new wall is up to 12 feet closer to home plate.
Greg Williams Bounty Audio Provides Chilling Account
Should chargers be pressed against Gregg Williams?
When I first started to listen to the Greg Williams Saints bounty audio I thought, “no biggie, what could he possibly say?” After listening to it a number of times I’m stunned.
I understand that football is a violent sport. I understand that if you hit the receiver hard when he comes across the middle perhaps his head will be on a swivel the next time he comes across. The receiver may have alligator arms or hear footsteps and he may drop the ball. I understand that if you hit the running back hard perhaps the next time he plows into the line it will be with less authority. I understand that if you hit the quarterback hard that you can affect his ability to make good decisions and make accurate throws. I don’t understand contact aimed at hurting a player after the play is over.
MLB Opening Day in America, A New Look
Forget about MLB opening day last week in Japan, that was no stinkin’ opening day, it was two spring training games overseas that counted in the standings. This is opening day. St. Louis Cardinals against the new look Miami Marlins in their new crib with their new digs, new team name, new manager and new lineup.
For the Marlins, those who will be wearing the team’s new rainbow logo will include shortstop Jose Reyes, the reigning NL batting champ, starters Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano, and All-Star closer Heath Bell. Hanley Ramirez, who will shift to third base after missing the final two months of last season with a left shoulder injury and young slugger formerly known as Mike Stanton is now known as Giancarlo Stanton.
Joe Mauer: Fantasy Baseball’s Most Overrated Player
In March of 2010 Mauer signed an eight year, $184 million contract extension. Now, entering his ninth year in MLB, Joe Mauer has played in parts of eight seasons with the equivalent of seven full seasons of at bats (combining his 2004 and 2011 at bats). A career .324 hitter, Mauer has long been praised for, and gets paid for, being one of the very best offensive forces in the game. At .324, there’s no dispute at his ability to make contact, putting the ball in play and reaching base safely. Given that Mauer’s accomplishments come while playing the most demanding position on the field, catcher, his hitting prowess is indeed quite special and unique. That said, let’s take a look at Mauer’s actual performance and put some perspective between perception and reality.
Yu Darvish is Balanced?
No, you’re not looking at a mirror image of Yu Darvish throw the ball, that’s Yu warming up lefty, (note the glove on backwards.) So what gives? Is he planning on being one of those ambidextrous pitchers?
According to Rangers President to Nolan Ryan who knows a thing or two about pitching…
“He’ll throw in between starts left-handed. He does that to keep some balance. He’s the only guy that’s balanced, I guess because I’ve never seen anybody else do it. It’s kind of unique, and it’s kind of interesting so it’s worked for him.”
I don’t know anything about balance, Tim Lincecum seems to be all over the place and that seems to work. If you’re looking for a pitcher for your Fantasy Baseball roster with balance though, I guess Darvish is your guy…
Giving a Name to Minor League Guy on Third
If you’re a die-hard sports fan, you were probably tuned into the NCAA basketball games this weekend. The Final Four is now set and tickets are punched to NOLA. NFL fans may have been trying to figure out what the hell the NY Jets are going to do with Tim Tebow or studying rounds one and two of the latest NFL Mock Draft. Those of you who play Fantasy Baseball may have even held your auction draft this weekend. I’m guessing however that what you weren’t doing was watching preseason MLB.
If you were one of the few watching the Cardinals-Mets game in Port St. Lucie on Saturday though, you may have seen #91, a St. Louis Cardinals prospect, come into the game and pinch run at third base in the top of the 9th of a 6-6 tie game. DeadSpin gave this kid a code name calling him Minor League Guy On Third.
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