Nine Innings: Justin Upton blasts deep HR

May 31, 2011 – Matt De Lima

Every week, “Nine Innings” covers nine topics ranging from Fantasy, injuries, big performances, streaks, slumps, rumors and whatever else that pops into my head.

1. That time of year
I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend, but it’s back to work! This is always an interesting time of year for sports. The NBA Finals start tonight, May 31, and Stanley Cup Finals begin on Wednesday night. The spring college sports are wrapping up. Horse racing is at its peak and the Indianapolis 500 was a few days ago. NASCAR, the French Open and there was even a UFC pay-per-view event over the weekend. Oh, and UVA just won yet another Lacrosse championship (as a Virginia Tech grad, you’re lucky that I even mention it!) But of all the sports, college baseball is very under-appreciated during the early summer. Maybe this speaks to the health of the sport’s popularity, but the College World Series is always under the radar. It’s too bad. Sports fans are constantly whining about how athletes are overpaid, the tickets cost too much, some away stadiums aren’t safe to go to or family friendly. Yet here is a sport where the athletes aren’t paid, many games are free and you can take your family to the game. Some guys are playing to advance their baseball careers, but the majority are playing because they grew up with the game and they love it. There is something to admire about college sports and it’s disappointing more sports fans don’t see that.

2. NCAA Baseball Bracket
The top eight seeds were announced on Monday. The No. 1 seed Virginia Cavaliers will play Navy in Charlottesville, VA. The remaining seven seeds, in order, are Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida St., Vanderbilt, Texas and Rice. Also keep an eye on Texas A&M who narrowly missed out on being seeded in this tournament. Here is the full bracket for those interested.

3. Diamondbacks crush the Marlins
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson has struggled for the better part of the 2011 season but that swiftly ended last night when he went 4-for-6 with 2 HR, 3B, 2B and three RBIs. Johnson now has four HRs in the last week and has raised his batting average nearly 100 points since May 1. For video highlights of his near cycle, click here. Not to be outdone, outfielder Justin Upton crushed a home run for his fifth hit in five at-bats. The Diamondbacks embarrassed the Marlins on Monday, 15-4.

4. Two great plays at the plate
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Paul Janish was thrown out at home late in the game by Atlanta Braves left fielder Martin Prado. And in some strange twist of fate, Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli slid under the tag of Kansas City Royals catcher Brayan Pena. Both plays were extremely close but who would’ve thought a guy like Napoli would be the one sliding into a walk-off run on a play at the plate, while the diminutive Janish gets tagged out? Great plays.

5. Joakim Soria demotes himself from closer role
Kansas City Royals reliever Joakim Soria asked to be demoted from the closer position. Soria has blown five saves in his last 12 save opportunities. Look for reliever Aaron Crow to take his place in the interim.

6. Jo-Jo Reyes finally wins one
After 28 consecutive starts, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes finally won a game. How long is 28 straight starts without a win? Well it tied a major league record. Thankfully he didn’t win on some technicality, in fact, he won by pitching a complete game in the Jays’ 11-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.

7. Buster Posey drama
In case you missed it, I’ve already discussed the melodrama concerning San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey‘s injury last week. This article blew up over the last few days, possibly because I don’t mince words in my opinion that nothing should be done to amend the rules regarding catcher collisions at home plate.

8. Speaking of drama…
Check out this entry over at Big League Stew, a Yahoo! sports baseball blog concerning the blown call that may have cost the Minnesota Twins the game. Personally, I agree with David Brown, the author of the entry.

9. Colon’s gem and the Danks vs. Bautista argument
I’ve been highly skeptical of Bartolo Colon‘s comeback this season. Why shouldn’t I be? The guy turned 38 last week (Happy Birthday Bartolo!) and hasn’t even won 10 games since his off-the-charts AL Cy Young award-winning 2005 season where he won 21 games. Since that year, he hasn’t even made 20 starts in a year. I won’t win over many hearts and minds saying this, but I feel he was likely on steroids or HGH during his 2005 season. He stopped taking it and his career fell off the map. Now after years of getting himself back in pitching shape, he’s finally able to be a decent No. 5 starter. But Colon pitched a great game yesterday with a four-hit shutout against the Oakland A’s. If you need a starting pitcher in your Fantasy league, you could do a lot worse than Colon. He is 3-3 with 62 Ks, 3.26 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 66.2 IP.

And in case you missed it, I think Jose Bautista was being a punk when he got all hysterical about hitting an infield pop-up out. John Danks had every right to tell him to, well, just watch it here.

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Baseball’s Sexiest Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs)

May 28, 2011 – Matt De Lima

The Dugout Doctors present a photo gallery of baseball’s sexiest wives and girlfriends! And sorry boys, this one is NSFW!

Aaron Boone's wife Laura Cover

$Aaron Boone\'s wife Laura Cover$

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Buster Posey injury aftermath

May 27, 2011 – Matt De Lima

A lot of opinions are being carelessly thrown around after San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey went down with numerous leg injuries after his collision at the plate. To an extent, it is justified. He’s one of the top young players in the game; the injury could have been avoided; but that being said, I concur with A.J. Pierzynski that no new rules need to be implemented to protect catchers.

First of all, baseball is the most stubborn sport of the four major sports when it comes to rule changes, I shouldn’t even need to qualify this statement. Thus baseball’s stance is that home plate collisions and protecting the plate are both sacred and revered. Don’t like it? Too bad.

It’s extremely unfortunate for Posey but last season, Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana had his leg mangled on a play at the plate. He has a very promising career as well, despite getting noticeably less press on the subject. There was the ensuing mini-controversy, but what came of it? Nothing.

Without a doubt, any catcher worth his salt takes great pride in protecting the plate. That’s his turf. If he can stop you from scoring, he will.

What kind of knee-jerk precedent would the MLB be making by altering rules in the wake of all this overblown melodrama? Yes, Posey was last year’s NL Rookie of the Year and he helped lead his team to a World Series victory. He’s a great player and every fan can agree to that. But let’s face it, outcry for rule changes is hysterical sensationalism.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd took a pitch to the face the other day and it was awful to watch, as were Santana’s and Posey’s collisions at the plate. But should baseball players wear football helmets now? Body armor? Get real.

Moving forward, there isn’t anybody in the San Francisco minor league system who can come in to replace Posey. But the Giants still have plenty of young talent like Brandon Belt, Eric Surkamp, Zack Wheeler, Francisco Peguero and another young catcher who is a couple years away in Tommy Joseph. They called up Chris Stewart and Brandon Crawford, two minor league guys who will mostly be used as depth. But hey, who wants to talk baseball right now? It’s more fun to talk about how awful that Posey injury was or how the MLB needs to change the rules, right? How about we roll the video clip another 500 times, maybe zoom in on his face as he writhes in pain? (sarcasm)

San Francisco released a statement saying that Posey will likely require surgery to repair torn ligaments in his ankle and he also has a broken leg. For more information about Posey’s situation, check out this MLB.com article. I’m not going to post any videos of guys getting injured so you can find them elsewhere if you’re looking for them.

George W. Bush Nearly Hit By Foul Ball (video)

May 25, 2011 – Matt De Lima

Former President George W. Bush was just minding his own business, taking in a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the team he used to own, the Texas Rangers. All of a sudden, would-be assassin Adrian Beltre hit a pop-up foul ball that came within inches of the President! GET DOWN! RED TEAM GO! RED TEAM GO! Everyone owes White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski their gratitude for ensuring his safety! Okay, it’s obviously not that serious, not at all actually. But it is a fun moment that was thankfully caught on tape.

Kung Fu Panda meets Kung Fu Panda! (pic)

May 25, 2011 – Matt De Lima

Confused? Well that’s Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants. His nickname is “Kung Fu Panda.” Yeah, get it now?

Dock Ellis & The LSD No-Hitter (video)

May 25, 2011 – Matt De Lima

LSD is bad news. Not that I speak from personal experience, of course. But former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis (whose name in a phone book would be read “Ellis, D.”) once threw a no-hitter while high on LSD. It’s true. But wouldn’t you rather hear him tell the story to a very cleverly and well-done animated YouTube video? So without further ado, No Mas Presents: Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No by James Blagden.

New Era’s 59Fifty MLB Cooperstown retro baseball caps

May 24, 2011 – Matt De Lima

We’ve all seen those new Alec Baldwin vs. John Krasinski commercials where they berate and heckle each other’s loyalty to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Well those ads are from New Era. I decided to take a look at what they’re selling besides cheap laughs and they have some great new hats. Most of them are retro, well, are the 1990s retro yet? But the designs and colors look great. Even if some of the old logos are a bit corny, they are at least unique to the eye and nostalgic in a way. I haven’t taken a close look at all of them, but here are some of my favorites.

Click here to check out all the New Era 59Fifty MLB Cooperstown baseball caps.

Brooklyn Dodgers

Houston Astros

Milwaukee Braves

Los Angeles Angels

Pittsburgh Pirates

Montreal Expos

Baltimore Orioles

Washington Senators

Philadelphia Phillies

Toronto Blue Jays

Los Angeles Dodgers

New York Yankees

Nine Innings: Remembering Harmon Killebrew

May 23, 2011 – Matt De Lima

Every week, “Nine Innings” covers nine topics ranging from Fantasy, injuries, big performances, streaks, slumps, rumors and whatever else that pops into my head.

1. Remembering Harmon Killebrew
Killebrew passed away last week and if you ask me, there wasn’t enough time given by the media to provide some context about who the man was. This guy was baseball royalty during a time when baseball was still the unparalleled favorite sport in this country. Millions of baby boomers grew up watching this guy. For those who weren’t alive during the 1960s or early 70s, Killebrew may only be known as a big-time home run hitter. Before the steroid era players made their jump into the top ten, the top five leaders in home runs were Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Frank Robinson (586) and Killebrew (573). Here are some links that share some insight about Killebrew and are definitely worth the read: NYTimes blog, Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Bert Blyleven remembers Harmon Killebrew

Home Run Derby: Mickey Mantle vs. Harmon Killebrew

2. Josh Johnson headed to the DL
Florida Marlins ace and the National League’s ERA leader Josh Johnson is headed to the disabled list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. Johnson has said that he’s been pitching through the pain all season. The pain would start early during his pre-game warm-up, but dissipate after he got loose. For Fantasy owners, this should only be considered a minor setback. But if he struggles upon his return, his trade value can only sharply decline.

3. Chase Utley close to a return
As if the team with the NL’s best record could get any better, Chase Utley is set to return very soon from the DL. On Friday night, he was the DH with High-A Clearwater and on Saturday, he played on the field as well. News should be coming soon about a timetable for his return.

4. Felix Hernandez and James Shields both strikeout 13
In a pair of dominating performances, James Shields and Felix Hernandez each had 13 strikeouts on Sunday night, leading their teams to dominating wins. Shields pitched a complete game three-hit shutout against a very tough Florida Marlins team. Shields lowered his ERA to 2.00 and improved his record to 5-2. As for King Felix, over eight innings, he only allowed six hits and one earned run against the San Diego Padres.

5. LAPD arrests suspect in Bryan Stow beating
Hopefully the Los Angeles PD has the right guy and justice is served. Stow remains in critical condition.

6. Web Gems!

7. Rookie call-ups
The Philadelphia Phillies have already called up OF Domonic Brown. Seattle’s Dustin Ackley should be called up any day now. Kansas City called up Eric Hosmer a few weeks ago and will call-up LHP Danny Duffy very soon. The Braves had to play Julio Teheran due to Brandon Beachy’s injury. Things should get very interesting after June 1. I’m really looking forward to the guys aforementioned, but also Brett Lawrie and Desmond Jennings.

8. Jason Heyward hits the DL
Braves RF Jason Heyward has been sent to the DL due to discomfort in his right shoulder. He’s been struggling with it since Spring Training. Heyward noted that the pain began to worsen in the last week. He only went 4-for-41 in May so some rest should serve him well.

9. News and notes
Sometimes there are just too many news stories to cover so let me hit you with some links and one-liners. The Chicago Cubs played at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918. Cleveland swept Cincinnati for the first time in seven years. Mariners swept the Padres and the Giants swept the A’s. Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd got beaned in the face by Boston pitcher Alfredo Aceves. He was taken to a hospital immediately and has been placed on the 15-day DL with multiple face fractures. Mets’ owner Fred Wilpon criticized some of his top players in the New Yorker. He made comments against Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran.

The Internet’s Largest Collection of Bad Celebrity First Pitches (video)

May 21, 2011 – Matt De Lima

Everybody loves to laugh at the expense of others, right? Maybe that’s just me. But we here at The Dugout Doctors would like to present for you all the bad first pitch (or ceremonial pitch) videos. From Barack Obama (not that bad) to Ba-Ba Booey (awful). And although we don’t expect many females to burn one in at 90-plus MPH, we’ve got to include the slow rollers of a few select women. Enjoy the videos! Please contact me if any of the videos are no longer working or if we missed any really bad first pitches!

I’ll rank the quality (or lack thereof) of each pitch in case you only want to see the truly terrible pitches.
Good… if you were a young child