Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has recently been placed on the hot seat after his ball club’s slow start, but he made a gutsy decision Wednesday afternoon that seems to have paid off. The skipper decided to bench Andre Ethier to put his “most competitive” lineup on the field and the move must of sparked something, as the Dodgers went on to beat the Brewers 9-2.

Though Ethier is only hitting .264 on the season, he is tied for second on the team with four home runs and has produced in the lineup for years, making Mattingly’s decision a bit questionable, or did it? Scott Van Slyke, a 26-year-old with 27 games of experience coming into this season, replaced Ethier in the lineup on Wednesday and went two-for-four with two RBIs.

The Dodgers broke out to a 7-0 lead after three innings and Hyun-Jin Ryu took care of the rest on the mound. The star rookie from South Korea held the Brewers scoreless until the sixth inning when Ryan Braun hit a solo home run to deep left center.

The Brewers scratched across another run off a Jonathan Lucroy single in the eighth that ended Ryu’s day. The left-hander went 7.1 innings with four strikeouts after giving up two runs on six hits.

He was never truly threatened at any point, and it didn’t hurt when his teammates gave him a six run lead after a huge second inning. The Dodgers went on to add two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth when Van Slyke doubled in Matt Kemp and then scored on a double play.

Brandon League came in and finished off the Brewers in the ninth to take two-of-three games on the road at Miller Park. Mattingly’s decision to bench Ethier paid off after all, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see the slugger back in the lineup when the team goes home to face the Cardinals on Friday.

Do you believe Andre Ethier deserved to be in the Dodgers’ lineup for the rubber match against the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Andre Ethier Benched In Dodgers 9-2 Win Over Brewers is a post from: The Inquisitr

A 66-pitch perfect game was tossed by St. Francis High School senior Michael Strem last Wednesday.

Strem and the top-seeded St. Francis Lancers defeated Monta Vista in the first round of the California Interscholastic Federation Central Coast Section Division 1 playoffs. Strem’s perfect game in which he obviously retired all 21 batters that he faced in the seven-inning contest also included 48 strikes and eight strikeouts, so he averaged about three pitches per batter. It was also the first perfect game in the Mountain View, Calif., high school’s athletic history.

St. Francis won the game 2-0 on a sixth inning single by Michael Strem teammate Mark Cardinalli, so opposing pitcher Peter Stern also did a fine job in the playoff matchup. Stern allowed only three hits, walked three, and struck out eight in six innings. The Lancers went on to defeat Valley Christian-San Jose on Saturday by a score of 3-0 in the quarter finals, with Michael Strem notching a one-out save in relief of southpaw John Gavin. The St. Francis Lancers advance to play Palo Alto today in the CCS semi finals.

The senior’s perfect game is not necessarily what you might call a fluke. This season, Strem recorded a dominating 10-1 mark in 13 appearances with a 1.12 ERA and 71 strikeouts. The righty also has a .400 batting average with 40 hits and 17 RBI along with a .995 OPS and five stolen bases. He is reportedly heading to Boston College in the fall.

“It’s a pretty amazing, special day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Strem said of his 66-pitch perfect game. Added Strem: “It definitely helped that the game was close because I couldn’t lose focus at all. And this being a CCS game, we knew that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed so we had to step up as a team. The important thing was to get the win.”

66 Pitch Perfect Game Tossed By California High School Ace is a post from: The Inquisitr

The St. Louis Cardinals have found their first road block after a great start to the 2013 MLB season, as starting pitcher Jaime Garcia is set to have season ending surgery on his shoulder. The 26-year-old visited Dr. James Andrews for an examination that revealed a small tear in his labrum.

Dr. Andrews described the tear as being about “30 to 40″ percent, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The left-hander won’t be back on the mound this season, and he could miss up to the beginning of the 2014 season depending on his recovery.

His shoulder problems aren’t a new issue, as he left Game 2 of the 2012 NLDS against the Washington Nationals with shoulder soreness and never returned throughout the rest of the playoffs. Many fans and analysts criticized Garcia for not returning, though it seems his early exit was the right decision.

Even with his shoulder problems, Garcia was off to a respectable start in 2013, as he managed a 5-2 record with a 3.58 earned run average through nine starts before visiting Dr. James Andrews. He’s also averaged seven strikeouts per nine innings this year, though he’s given up more home runs (6) than any other Cardinals’ pitcher.

Jaime Garcia was placed on the disabled list on May 18th and Tyler Lyons was called up as his replacement. Lyons is scheduled to start against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, and his stay in the majors may be a little longer now that Garcia won’t be coming back this year.

Garcia’s been worried about his shoulder for some time, as he was quoted by MLB.com this past Saturday for saying, “I’m very concerned, especially, the way I felt last night and the way I feel today.”

His concern’s were spot on, and Dr. James Andrews confirmed the bad news during their examination. Can the St. Louis Cardinals replace Jamie Garcia’s production in the rotation to continue their winning ways in the NL Central?

[Image via Barbara Moore]

Cardinals Pitcher Jaime Garcia To Have Season Ending Surgery is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mike Trout has added another achievement to his ever-growing resume as he hit for the first cycle of his career in the Angels 12-0 win over the Mariners on Tuesday. The 21-year-old drove in five runs on the night while starting pitcher Jerome Williams put together eight shutout innings for his third win of the year.

The Angels jumped all over the Mariners early as birthday boy Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer in the first after Albert Pujols drove in Erick Aybar with a single. Trout struck out looking in the inning, but it would go on to be his only out of the game.

He singled in the third and hit an RBI-triple in the fourth to push the Angels’ lead to seven runs. Two innings later, he cleared the bases with a three-run double as the Angels continued to pour it on against Seattle.

Mike Trout capped of his night with a solo home run to deep center in the bottom of the eighth to complete the cycle and all but seal the Angels’ blowout win. Jerome Williams would’ve returned to the mound in the ninth to get the complete game, but his pitch count was at 107 and Angels’ Manager Mike Scioscia decided to take him out.

Mark Lowe came in to finish off the Mariners in the ninth, and he did just that with three fly balls to give the Angels’ their third straight win. It’s been a rough start for the Angels’ this season, and they lost three straight just before their current streak.

At 18-27, the highly powerful Angels’ lineup hasn’t reached expectations to start the 2013 season, or come anywhere close for that matter. The club is tied with the Blue Jays for the second worst record in the American League. The Astros can’t win on their best day, which rarely comes, and have fallen to the bottom of the league as they transition to the AL, just behind the Angels at 13-33.

The Angels will finish their short two-game series with the Mariners on Wednesday night before hitting the road for a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Though they’ve played better of late, the Angels are 10 1/2 games back in the AL West and sport the worst road record in all of baseball, outside of the struggling Astros team and the Miami Marlins.

Will Mike Trout’s big night in the Angels’ blowout be the much needed spark the team needs to climb out of the cellar and into contention in the American League?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Mike Trout Hits For Cycle As Angels Blowout Mariners is a post from: The Inquisitr

It only took Michael Strem 66 pitches to achieve a perfect game.

According to Mercury News, Strem threw a 66-pitch perfect game this weekend to lead St. Francis High School over Monta Vista during the first game of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs in California.

It was the first perfect game in St. Francis history.

Strem told Prep 2 Prep: “It’s a pretty amazing, special day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life … I had all four pitches working today. I was getting ahead early so I was able to keep my pitch count down.”

Strem threw 66-pitches, 48 of which were strikes, and struck out eight batters during his perfect game. For anyone doing the math at home, that’s about three pitchers per batter.

Despite Strem’s 66-pitch perfect game, the St. Francis Lancers were only able to take the victory by 2 runs. Monta Vista pitcher Peter Stern was able to hold the Lancers scoreless through the first six-innings, but he would end up allowing three hits and two runs before the game was over.

Strem, who has committed to Boston College next year, added: “It definitely helped that the game was close because I couldn’t lose focus at all … And this being a CCS game, we knew that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed so we had to step up as a team. The important thing was to get the win.”

St. Francis improved to 26-4 as they advance in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.

High School Pitcher Tosses 66-Pitch Perfect Game In California is a post from: The Inquisitr

Memorial Day means that the 30 MLB teams will be wearing special camo caps to honor fallen United States service members. If you haven’t seen the baseball caps in question, which include a complete camouflage pattern this year, check out the tweet I’ve posted below for a photo.

According to USA Today‘s Nick Schwartz, the new camo hats are widely regarded as ugly. But in case that isn’t bad enough, a new rumor is flying around suggesting that players will be appearing in controversial camouflage-themed uniforms as well.

Paul Lukas of Uni-Watch, a site that obsessively follows sports team fashion, said that a reader tipped him to an interesting fact about the MLB team’s online shops. The stores are listing authentic camo jerseys with this fine print tagline: “As worn on-field Memorial Day May 27th, 2013.”

He’s right. The tags do say that, even though at the time of writing, the plans for MLB players to wear the special uniforms on Memorial Day haven’t been officially announced. By the way, they’re not full camo — but instead have touches like a camo pattern within the outline of the player’s number.

Lukas himself isn’t impressed, and he makes a strong statement about the rumored uniforms:

“Memorial Day is not a day for celebrating the military. It’s a day for honoring the military dead. A more appropriate gesture would be an MLB-wide black armband. An even better gesture would be a pregame moment of silence, without anything on the uniform.”

To Lukas, the new jerseys aren’t really honoring the fallen. They’re just another marketing opportunity for MLB shops.

David Brown for Yahoo Sports agreed:

“[M]y grandfather probably would agree [with Lukas]. He was among the Allied troops to risk life and limb on D-Day. He also knew the difference between Memorial Day and, say, Veterans Day. Grampa…didn’t even like people to applaud the playing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ because it was not to be viewed as a performance, like some kind of top 40 hit…”

All @mlb teams to wear camo cap on Memorial Day; what do you think of the lids? buff.ly/YhFL0Z #sot #veterans twitter.com/PetsforPatriot…

— Pets for Patriots (@PetsforPatriots) March 29, 2013

Assuming the rumors are true, what’s your take? Are the new camouflage uniforms more crass creeping commercialism for Major League Baseball? Or are they a cool way for the MLB to acknowledge the fallen on Memorial Day?

[camouflage photo by Aaron Amat via Shutterstock]

Memorial Day: MLB Players Will All Wear Camo-Themed Uniforms [Rumor] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ryan Vogelsong broke his hand in the fifth inning of a great outing against the Washington Nationals on Monday night. The 35-year-old was pitching a shutout through five innings before injuring his throwing hand on a foul ball at the plate.

Immediately after the ball made contact, Vogelsong jumped from the plate in pain, knowing his day was over. The San Francisco Giants went on to win 8-0 in the game, and Vogelsong still managed to receive his first win in seven outings after being taken out early due to the injury.

The Giants revealed that Vogelsong broke two bones in his right pinkie along with dislocating a knuckle during the at-bat. The 2011 All-Star hadn’t won a game since April 11th against the Chicago Cubs, but things were starting to turn around when it all came to a halt during his second at-bat of the game.

Vogelsong isn’t the best hitter, but he did drive in a run in his first plate appearance with a sacrifice in the fourth inning. On the mound, he was even better as he posted five shutout innings with two strikeouts on three hits.

The Nationals never got the bats going after Vogelsong broke his hand as the Giants’ relievers started right where their injured starter left off. None of the four relief pitchers gave up a hit the rest of the way, and San Francisco added three insurance runs before it was all said and done.

Now the Giants will be without one of their star pitchers for the next six weeks at the least, and the news didn’t come from the club’s front office. Nicole Vogelsong, Ryan’s wife, posted the news on Twitter shortly after the incident occurred.

Ryan has a dislocated joint in the pinky finger of his pitching hand. It’s broken above & below finger. Surgery tomorrow, out 6 weeks.

— Nicole Vogelsong (@nicolevogelsong) May 21, 2013

The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Giants, as they lost five-of-six games on the road before beating the Nationals on Monday.

Will Ryan Voglesong’s broken hand hurt the Giants as they look to regroup at home this week?

[Image via James G]

Vogelsong Breaks Hand At The Plate During Great Outing is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Cleveland Indians powered their way past the Seattle Mariners on Monday afternoon for a 10-8 win in 10-innings. Young catcher Yan Gomes led the way with two homers on the day, including a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th for the Indians fourth straight win.

It wasn’t always pretty on Monday for the Indians, as starter Scott Kazmir gave up two runs in the first inning off back-to-back hits by Kendry Morales and Michael Morse. Cleveland quickly responded in the second inning when Ryan Raburn hit a three-run homer and Gomes followed with a solo shot to make it 4-2 Indians.

Kazmir couldn’t hold it together, and he gave up another two runs the following inning as Morales got the best of him once again. The 29-year-old designated hitter drove in his second run with a single off Kazmir, and another crossed the plate on Morse’s double-play to tie the game at four.

Kazmir was relieved after giving up four runs on seven hits through three innings. The Cleveland Indians went on to trade runs with the Mariners over the next two innings to make it 5-5 going into the fifth.

The Indians regained the lead in the seventh, but Kyle Seager led off the eighth with a solo homer to deep right to tie the game again. After Eric Chavez hit his first homer of the year in the top of the ninth to give the Mariners a 7-6 lead, pitcher Tom Wilhemsen came into the game and blew the save after giving up a run on his own throwing error.

The madness continued into the extra innings, as Justin Smoak started the 10th with a bang, literally. Smoak launched a pitch from reliever Joe Smith into the right field stands to make it 8-7 Mariners.

The Indians were facing their first loss since last Tuesday against the Phillies, but Yan Gomes came through with the biggest hit of his short career to walk-off in style. With runners on first and second, Gomes turned on a pitch from Charlie Furbush, sending it over the left field wall to give the Indians a 10-8 win in one of the most exciting games of the early season.

The Indians are now two games ahead of the Tigers for first place in the American League Central. The Tigers have lost two straight games and will face the Indians on Tuesday to start a short two-game series.

Can the Cleveland Indians hold on to first place in the AL Central with the Detroit Tigers right on their heels?

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]

Cleveland Indians Top Seattle Mariners In 10-Inning Duel is a post from: The Inquisitr

Manny Ramirez has a mean moonwalk.

The ex-MLB slugger, now a star in the Chinese Professional Baseball Leagues, was at bat in a recent game when he fouled off a tight inside fastball. In the process of swinging, Manny Ramirez lost his balance and moonwalked out of the batter’s box.

While he may not be mistaken for Michael Jackson anytime soon, Manny did have quite a spring in his step with the moonwalk. In fact, the aging baseball star has looked anything but washed up in his Asian stint. Manny has seven home runs so far this season and has shown a deft hitting touch reminiscent of his days with the Boston Red Sox.

This is not the first “Manny being Manny” story to come from his time in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Manny was also caught donning a Hulk custom as a possible nod to his spotty history with performance-enhancing drugs.

Manny’s team, the EDA Rhinos, reportedly asked players to wear Halloween costumes for a recent trip. Manny picked the Hulk, which may have been an innocent superhero adoration or a more subtle joke. In 2003 Manny was one of more than 100 major league baseball players who reportedly tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

In real time, it looks more like Manny just took a series of steps backward to avoid falling onto his backside. But the Taiwanese media liked to think that Manny Ramirez moonwalked instead.

A news report replayed the “moonwalk” over and over again, splicing the highlight in with clips of the real Michael Jackson doing the real moonwalk while “Billie Jean” played in the background.

Maybe Manny Ramirez should moonwalk more often. The slugger hit his sixth home run of the season on his next at bat.

Manny Ramirez Moonwalks Out Of Batter’s Box In Chinese League Game is a post from: The Inquisitr

Robinson Cano pulled off one of the most creative surprises you will ever see this past Friday as he surprised 13-year-old leukemia survivor Nick D’Annibale, with the help of MLB Fan Cave. The seventh-grader was given the opportunity to come play whiffle ball in the streets of New York City, but what came next he never expected.

An ice cream truck pulled up next to D’Annibale as he stepped up to the plate in the street’s of the Big Apple, and instead of getting a quick ice cream fix, out came Robinson Cano to surprise his biggest fan.

Is this not the best prop ever used by a big leaguer? It’s hard to top it, and it surely had it’s affect on D’Annibale. The youngster was shocked to see his favorite player, and after a quick introduction they went back to the game.

Cano threw pitches as D’Annibale took one big hack after another before the two switched places and Cano stepped to the plate. It’s one thing to get to meet one of your hero’s in Robinson Cano, and it’s even better when you get to play whiffle ball in the streets of one of the busiest cities in the world.

D’Annibale truly enjoyed the experience and Cano even went on to say, “whoa, you’re better than me,” after young Nick hit a ball off a building and rounded the bases.

Nick D’Annibale’s story is one of perseverance as he’s battled leukemia, and his father, John D’Annibale, said the treatments have been “really tough,” though his son has gotten better and is back in school.

The battle isn’t quite over yet as Nick may have up to two more years of treatment ahead. For one moment this past Friday, all the hard times throughout his battle disappeared as he shared a game with his favorite Yankee, Robinson Cano.

[Image via Keith Allison]

Robinson Cano Shows Up In Ice Cream Truck To Surprise 13-Year-Old Leukemia Survivor [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

A video of a wife as she douses her husband with beer at Wrigley Field has gone viral, but the couple have chilled out about the incident since the enraged woman dumped a brewski on her man during a recent MLB game.

The video in which the wife douses her husband with ballpark beer was a favorite takeaway of a recent Cubs game against the New York Mets — and it seems that the hubby was in a lose-lose situation.

The “wife douses husband” moment was caught on camera … and broadcast to viewers at home. The couple admits that they immediately began getting texts about the marital spat caught on cam after Travis Wood’s wayward home run went careening their way during the fifth inning.

The man explains he was “trying to protect” his “lovely wife,” and in the process, accidentally spilled a beer on her as he shielded her from the errant hit.

Was she grateful? So grateful she took the other beer and threw it in his face in anger — she later sheepishly admitted her reaction was one of frustration when MLB.com caught up with the pair after the game.

The wife who doused her man with a beer explains that she wasn’t thinking about a ball to the face after he accidentally poured a beer on her — she explains:

“I just got livid … And took my beer and splooshed it in his face. I figured if I’m wet, he might as well be wet too.”

As many have pointed out, the beer spat was not a cheap date — with prices per beer at about $7, it was a $15 total fallout after Wood’s hit went rogue.

But even as the “wife douses husband” clip circulates the web, the animosity was long gone. Before the pair got in the car, they were already laughing about their inadvertent viral fame.

Wife Douses Husband With Beer After He Protects Her From Ball [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ryne Sandberg’s steroid opinion is that the Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame is no place for drug users.

Ryne Sandberg played 16 seasons in the MLB and hit 282 homers while batting .285. Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 and is now manager of the Cubs’ Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

Ryne Sandberg’s steroid opinion was given in an interview with MLB.com’s Barry Bloom:

“I’m not a sportswriter. I don’t get to vote. I don’t get the ballot in the mail, so it’s out of my hands either way. I can say that in the history of the Hall of Fame, there are no suspicions about guys who are in the Hall of Fame. It’s an elite group. And once you’re in the Hall, you’re in the Hall. Up until now, I think the voting system has handled things very well. And like I said before, there are no suspicions in the Hall of Fame.”

Ryne Sandberg also shared his opinion that Andre Dawson belongs in the MLB’s Hall of Fame but he was overshadowed by the big hitters of the era, saying, “I thought he was a Hall of Famer and had had a Hall of Fame career. That’s why I voiced my opinion on that, and I was very happy to see him go in.”

Sammy Sosa also would fall victim to Ryne Sandberg’s steroid opinion even though the two were Chicago Cubs teammates during the 1990′s. Reports allege Sammy Sosa was one of the 104 players who tested positive for steroids during Major League Baseball’s test in 2003, but these results were sealed under a deal with the player’s union.

Talking on this subject, Ryne Sandberg says Sammy Sosa does not belong in the Hall of Fame:

“I think it’s very unfortunate. I think suspicions were there as they are with some other players. Those players are now put in a category of being tainted players with tainted stats. I think it’s obviously something that was going on in the game. Players participated in it and, as the names have come out, I think that they will be punished for that.

“It’s something that’s against the law and against society. It was cheating in the sport. I think it has to be spoken very loud and clear on the stance, and baseball needs to stand as they have. … For the society, for the up-and-coming players and youth out there, I don’t think those guys should be recognized at all.”

What do you think about Ryne Sandberg’s steroid opinion?

Sandberg Steroid Opinion Says Baseball Hall Of Fame No Place For Drug Users is a post from: The Inquisitr

Reid Ryan, MLB Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan’s son, has been named the president of the Houston Astros.

The younger Ryan, 41, a former minor league pitcher, has been the CEO of Ryan-Sanders Baseball Inc., a group that owns the two minor league teams: the Round Rock Express (the Rangers’ Triple A affiliate) and the Christi Hooks (the Astros’ Double-A affiliate), both of which are owned by Nolan Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders. These teams are said to be two of the most successful minor league franchises in the country. Reid Ryan takes over for George Postolos who resigned last Monday.

The Astros, who moved over from the National League to the American League this season, go into today’s action with a record of 11-31, last place in the AL West. Ryan has his worked cut out for him: “Reid Ryan takes over a job where he will be tasked with helping increase attendance and win back disillusioned fans to a team that has finished with 100 losses in each of the last two seasons and has the worst record in the majors again this year. He acknowledged that Houston’s problems are complex and that there’s no way he could know how he will work to get things back on track on his first day.” Reid Ryan pitched in the minors in 1994 and 1995.

Nolan Ryan, currently the president and CEO of the Texas Rangers, pitched for the Astros from 1980 to 1988, and Reid Ryan grew up as an Astros Fan.

Upon being named president of the team, Reid Ryan summarized his philosophy. “I kind of look at what my vision is. It’s really two things. It’s one, putting the fans first in everything we do … And we also have to take care of the players. We have to make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to be able to develop the best players, attract the best players and to retain the best players we can because it’s all about the best players.”

Do you think Reid Ryan will be able to perform a turnaround for the Houston Astros?

[Image via Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock.com]

Nolan Ryan’s Son Reid Ryan Named Houston Astros President is a post from: The Inquisitr

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper opted to take a one-game rest Tuesday following a nasty collision in which he ran headfirst into the outfield wall while chasing a fly ball.

Harper, the reigning National League rookie of the year, suffered the injury Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the fifth inning of the game, with the Nats leading 6-0, Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis hit a ball deep into right field that looked as if it had a chance to leave the park.

While tracking the hit, the 20-year-old Harper ran headfirst into the right-field wall and crumpled to the ground.

“I thought I had the ball the whole time,” said Harper, whose spot in right field was filled on Tuesday by Tyler Moore. “I turned left. I didn’t think he hit it as hard as he did. I went back to the right side and I thought I had about five more feet. … I was looking at the ball and right when I turned around, I jumped to get the ball. Right before I tried to leap up, I just hit the wall.

Harper, who was forced to leave the game due to the injury, received 11 stitches in his chin and jammed his shoulder, but, according to Nationals manager Davey Johnson, didn’t sustain a concussion.

“His shoulder, (left) knee and head took the brunt,” Johnson said. “I’d say I’m more worried about his shoulder and his knee than I am about the stitches in his chin.”

ESPN’s Mark Mulder and Alex Cora discuss Bryce Harper’s injury in the video below:

When asked if the collision would affect the way he approaches future fly-balls, Harper said no.

“I’m going to play this game for the rest of my life and try to play it as hard as I can every day,’’ he said. “That’s my life on the line. At the end of the day I’m going to look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘I played this game as hard as I could and tried to make my team win a World Series every day.’ ”

Bryce Harper Injury: Nationals Slugger Sits One Game After Collision With Outfield Wall [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Hyun-Jin Ryu is an up and coming pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers that has turned into a fan favorite at Dodger Stadium in his first year with the club. The lefthander has always been welcoming to fans who attend ballgames, and he even played catch with a Dodgers’ youngster in the stands during batting practice before a game.

Ryu was hanging out near the left field wall as his teammates took batting practice and he decided to have a catch with a young fan wearing a Dodgers’ uniform with the name “Deuce” on his back. Most fans are hoping to catch home run balls or a t-shirt in-between innings, but Deuce has topped them all with a rare toss with Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Ryu is off to a solid start in his first year in the Major Leagues as he currently sports a 4-2 record with a 3.40 earned run average.  He gave up one run in a 7-1 win over the Miami Marlins in his last start this past Saturday.

He’s now given one young fan a memory that will last forever as the two played catch for around five minutes before batting practice ended. The most impressive part of the video is how well the youngster can catch and throw, from the left field bleachers no less. Maybe it’s time Magic Johnson considered giving Deuce a tryout with the team.

Hyun-Jin Ryu was spot on as well, as expected, and the kid never looked to be overly excited or out of his element; just playing catch with a Major League ballplayer is all.

The Dodgers’ players have a knack for taking care of their fans, and Deuce’s moment comes just one week after Matt Kemp made headlines by giving one of his biggest fans his cleats, hat, jersey, and an autographed ball after a game against the San Francisco Giants.

In both instances a Dodgers’ star went out of their way to share a moment with their fans, showing one of the more precious sides of baseball and how the game can impact much more than just a pennant race.

Here’s video of Hyun-Jin Ryu playing catch with the young man during batting practice at Dodger Stadium, courtesy of Dodgerfilms:

[Image via Keith Allison]

Hyun-Jin Ryu Plays Catch With Young Dodgers’ Fan In The Stands [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Toulon, IL — An umpire gave a new definition to being “out” when he allegedly passed out in the infield during the first inning of a high school game and then resisted arrest when police arrived.

The umpire was officiating a varsity game between United High School and Stark County High School on Friday in the Peoria, Ill., area.

As USA Today noted, “Normally umpires are the ones doing the ejecting,” but not in this instance.

Sheriff’s deputies reportedly had to deploy a taser to take him into custody on the field because he was being belligerent. “According to witnesses, Jacobson passed out on the field and when he was being assisted, he attacked the first responders that tried to help.  He was then tased two times while being arrested.” Witnesses added that he was “visibly under the influence” at the time.

The ump, identified as Daryl Jacobson, 49, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and two misdemeanor counts of resisting a peace officer.

In a subsequent court hearing on Sunday, Jacobson said “I’m sorry for the inconvenience I gave everyone on Friday. That definitely was not normal of me.” The judge found probable cause on all four charges, however.

As of yesterday, the ump was in Stark County Jail on a $5,000 bond. The judge also ordered Jacobson to stay away from alcohol or any place that sells alcohol.

The Stark County School Superintendent said of this incident that “at no time was the safety of the players or coaches in jeopardy.”

The ump is due back in court on May 24 for an arraignment.

[Top image via Shutterstock]

Baseball fans sometimes accuse umpires of being blind in the way they call a game. That being said, have you ever heard of an instance from another venue or league unrelated to this incident in which blind drunk would apply?

Alleged Drunk Umpire Passes Out On Baseball Field, Then Resists Arrest is a post from: The Inquisitr

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has agreed to an extension with the Chicago Cubs that could possibly keep him with the club through 2021. The slugger has become a critical part of the Cubs’ lineup to start the 2013 season and he is now rewarded with a brand new 7-year, $41 million extension that could bring in $68 million over nine years.

The 23-year-old hit 15 home runs in 87 games with the Cubs last season and his numbers are only getting better as he looks to complete his first full season in the Major Leagues.

Through 37 games this year, Rizzo is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 28 runs batted in. He came to the Cubs in January of 2012 in a trade with the San Diego Padres.

Rizzo also spent time in the minors with the Boston Red Sox, but he was traded to the Padres in 2010 in a deal that involved sending Adrian Gonzalez to Fenway Park.

Now Rizzo can comfortably settle himself in Chicago with a brand new contract that most importantly takes away from any distractions the negotiations may have caused on the field. Through his new deal, Anthony Rizzo will make $750,000 this year along with receiving a $2 million signing bonus.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Rizzo will earn $1.25 million next season, $5 million apiece in 2015 and 2016, $7 million in each of the next two seasons and $11 million in 2019. The Chicago Cubs then have a club-option in 2020 that is worth $14.5 million with a $2 million buyout.

The Cubs also have another buyout option in 2021 for the same figures as the year before. Other incentives can increase Rizzo’s yearly earnings based on where he finishes in MVP voting.

To top it all off, the up and coming slugger will have a hotel suite while the club is on the road, according to Yahoo! Sports. Though Rizzo’s swinging a hot bat right now, the Cubs have fallen to the bottom of the NL Central with a 15-22 record. The Cubs have won two straight games, but their struggles at Wrigley Field have become a major concern going forward.

They start a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at home beginning Monday night as they look to climb back into contention in the division. Rizzo will surely be in the lineup as they face the Rockies’ undefeated pitcher Juan Nicasio.

Do you agree with the Cubs’ extension for Anthony Rizzo based on his limited Major League experience?

[Image via Ben Grey]

Anthony Rizzo Agrees To New 7-Year, $41 Million Deal With Chicago Cubs is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain have apparently made up after what was apparently a testy exchange between the two Yankee pitchers.

The issue started when Rivera was giving a pre-game talk to some reporters in the dugout. Not far away, Joba Chamberlain was talking to family members and signing autographs rather loudly.

At some point, the sure hall of fame closer turned to the middle reliever and said “Joba, suave,” while using a hand gesture meant to get the young man to bring his volume down.

Chamberlain didn’t take kindly to being asked to quiet down and apparently after the interviews were over he told one of the greatest closers in the game to “never shush me.”

Mariano Rivera apparently thought the young man was kidding, but Joba made sure he understood it was no joke.

Going toe to toe with one of the best pitchers in baseball and a team leader can become a bit of a problem in the clubhouse. It does appear as if this situation has been settled before it got out of control.

Yesterday morning, the closer said that the two have talked since the incident. The team has said that they are one big happy family and everything is hunk dory.

Shushgate appears to be something that is now much ado about nothing, but, when you are playing on one of the biggest stages in professional sports, small issues get magnified.

“It’s over with, it’s done, it’s really not an issue in the first place,” Chamberlain said.

The sure-fire hall of famer added that this is generally something teammates take care of in house. Unfortunately, this time in happened in front of the media.

Joba didn’t admit that he apologized for getting in his teammate’s face, but he did say the two joked and laughed afterwards.

Do you believe that Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain have put “Shushgate” behind them?

Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain Make Up After ‘Shushgate’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chris Sale was nearly perfect on Sunday night as the Chicago White Sox shut out the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 at U.S. Cellular Field. Sale took a perfect game into the seventh inning before Mike Trout singled to shallow center.

The Angels are off to a terrible start in 2013 and have dropped ten games back in the American League West. The Houston Astros are the only team in the American League behind the Angels at 10-28 to start the season.

Chris Sale had his best stuff working for him on Sunday and the Angels had no response for the talented lefthander. Sale pitched a complete game shutout for his fourth win of the season after striking out seven and giving up the lone hit to Trout.

Last season’s AL Rookie of the Year, Mike Trout, is considered the future of Major League Baseball though his team hasn’t played well to start the season. He’s hitting .284 through 37 games this year, a total of 42 points below his average of .326 last season that earned him one of the best rookie stat lines of all-time.

His numbers are sure to rise as the season moves on, but the Angels will have to pick up the pace if they hope to contend in the AL West. Chris Sale got the best of the struggling Angels’ lineup on Sunday though Trout broke up his no-hit bid in the seventh.

The 24-year-old didn’t need much run support and his White Sox’s teammates made it interesting before breaking it open in the bottom of the seventh. After a walk and a single, Alexei Ramirez drove in two runs with a single to left to make it 2-0 White Sox.

Alex Rios drove in Ramirez in the following at-bat with a double to extend the White Sox lead to three runs. Sale would take over from there and strike out two more Angels’ hitters over the final two innings.

Here’s Sale speaking with ESPN’s Buster Olney after his great outing against the Angels:

Chris Sale’s outstanding performance couldn’t have come at a better time, as he helped the White Sox avoid a sweep by the Angels. The White Sox have been mediocre of late and dropped to the bottom of the AL Central, though they are only five games back of the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians for first place.

Will Chris Sale’s near perfect game give the Chicago White Sox’s a boost leading into the heart of the 2013 MLB season?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Chris Sale Falls Short Of Perfect Game In White Sox’s Win Over Angels [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Roy Halladay apologized to Philadelphia fans, saying he let them down by trying to push himself to pitch injured.

The Phillies starter, who is scheduled to have surgery to remove bone spurs and repair a frayed labrum and partially torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder, said he felt terrible for his struggles on the mound this season.

Speaking to reporters for four interrupted minutes, Roy Halladay apologized for his poor pitching and said he understands if fans are upset with him.

Halladay said:

“I’ve been thinking just the last couple of days. I just felt like I should address the fans. I know there is a lot of mixed opinions on pitching, not pitching, all that kind of stuff. I know there are people who are disappointed about how I pitched the last two years. I know there are a lot of people who are very supportive.

“So, one, I just wanted to thank them for their support. And my heart goes out to all of the people who spend all of their money and go out to the games and don’t get to see what they want to see. I know I’m not the whole team. There are still a lot of guys out there and it’s a fun team to watch. But I feel bad that I’m missing the time that I am. I feel bad for the fans that I’m missing the time.

“It’s tough. You feel an obligation to the organization, to your teammates, to the fans to try to go out and pitch. Especially on a competitive team that sells out. For me, that was a big factor. If I’m playing for a last-place team and there’s things going on, you maybe speak up. But we have a chance to go win a World Series and we have sellouts and fans have expectations. You want to do everything you can to try to make it work.”

Halladay had already addressed his early season struggles, refusing to pin it on his ailments and saying instead the problems were in his head.

In his first two starts, Roy Halladay was 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA.

“It’s simplifying and getting back to basics and not trying to force things,” Halladay said in April. “It’s letting things happen and trying to force things. It’s a game of failure and I’ve had my fair share. Some days you’re a horse and some days you’re a horse’s ass and I’ve been a horse’s ass for a little while. It’s something that I’ve dealt a lot with in the past and I feel like I can overcome. The more you want it, the harder it is. You almost have to really back that off and put some perspective in the whole thing.”

As Roy Halladay apologizes, it may not take back his poor performance, but it seems to have won him respect among fans and sports writers.

Roy Halladay Apologizes For Poor Performances, Pitching Injured is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Manny Ramirez Hulk costume donned by the erstwhile MLB player recently looks like a playful jab at his own troubled history. Ramirez appeared in the garish green look on a train trip between cities in Taiwan, where he currently plays for the Chinese Professional Baseball League in the EDA Rhinos.

It would be fun to think that it was a voluntary case of “Manny being Manny,” as the popular saying goes. However, according to multiple reports, it was the Rhino’s manager’s idea to ask the team to wear Halloween costumes for their recent trip.

It still isn’t entirely clear if the manager or Manny specifically picked out the Manny Ramirez Hulk costume.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Manny Ramirez has been one of the most attention-grabbing figures in recent baseball history. The colorful outfielder got some unwanted attention in 2003 when he became one of over 100 major league baseball players who reportedly tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

In 2009 he was suspended 50 games for using human chorionic gonadotropic (hCG), which also violates baseball drug policy. The drug may be evidence of PED or steroid use because some people claim it can restart the male body’s natural ability to make testosterone.

The issue of repeated drug policy violations eventually forced Ramirez to retire from the major leagues in 2011. He ended up in Taiwin.

In real life, you can’t bulk up by getting zapped by radiation or being bitten by a spider. Sometimes there are PEDs involved.

But you can always put on a Hulk costume. Manny being Manny, Ramirez at least knows how to smile at himself.

Manny being Manny: Here’s a photo of Manny Ramirez dressed as the Hulk in Taiwan for your Friday (h/t @cut4) twitter.com/BleacherReport…

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2013

Here’s one Twitter user’s take on the project:

Did y’all see that picture of Manny Ramirez dressed as The Hulk? He’s now casted in the next Avengers film #MLBFC twitter.com/minapark/statu…

— Mina Park (@minapark) May 11, 2013

I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Manny Ramirez to appear as Hulk in a major motion picture. But then again, why not?

What do you think of Manny Ramirez’s Hulk outfit?

[Boston Red Sox 2008 photo from Manny Ramirez MLB days by Keith Allison via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons]

Manny Ramirez Hulk Costume Another Case Of Manny Being Manny [Photo] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The MLB will be using pink-stitched baseballs this Mother’s Day.

The league typically uses baseballs with 108 red stitches but this Mother’s Day they’ll be switching it up a little bit in support of breast cancer research and mom’s everywhere.

The league decided to use pink baseballs on Mother’s Day this year in order to increase their efforts in support of breast cancer research. The league has frequently shown their support for the cause over the years and Mother’s Day has become one of the pinkest days in major league sports.

Yahoo Sports reports that the league has been using pink gear on Mother’s Day since 2006. Several players use pink baseball bats when they step up to the plate while others also use pink batting gloves. This will be the first time that the league uses pink-stitched baseballs.

The MLB revealed the new balls on Twitter, writing: “New baseballs w/ pink stitching/graphics for Mother’s Day from Rawlins Sports.”

According to NESN, some of the gear used on Sunday will be auctioned off to support cancer research. The league will also be selling pink memorabilia (everything from clothes to bracelets to bats to baseballs) to raise money for charity.

New baseballs w/ pink stitching/graphics for Mother’s Day from @rawlingssports twitter.com/MLB_PR/status/…

— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) May 9, 2013

Pink-Stitched Baseballs To Make Debut On Mother’s Day is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Northern California high school baseball team saved a fellow 16-year-old student on Wednesday after lifting a car before it crushed her to death. The Valley High School baseball squad of Elk Grove, California heard a young woman crying out for help during their last practice of the season and they immediately responded.

The team banded together to lift the car off the ground and release the girl after she was pinned underneath. The group of young hero’s were a mixture of varsity and junior varsity players who sprung into action after hearing the young girl’s screams.

According to KCRA, the girl was trapped under a four-door sedan after her mother apparently ran over her while backing up. After the players lifted the car, coach Jack Millholland pulled the girl out from underneath.

The heroic move saved her life as she’s expected to fully recover from minor injuries. The high school team’s head coach credits his players for jumping into action when the young girl needed help.

“We all just ran out there as a team,” Millholland told KCRA. “No one was saying much, and then the guys got around the car and just lifted it up. There was very little talking.”

The girls name has not been released, but she’s not a student at Valley High School. She was there for an after-school program, though she regularly attends school at nearby Laguna Creek High according to Elk Grove district officials.

High school sports have always been a time where athletes rely on each other to be successful as a team, and, in this case, it worked out for the best, though it wasn’t on a baseball diamond.

No matter where life takes the young girl, she will always remember the Valley High baseball team for their unwavering courage on Wednesday. Inner strength was not a concern as the boys dug deep within themselves to lift the car when time was precious. Another few moments underneath the car would’ve been disastrous for the young girl, but she can now thank the Valley High School baseball team for their courageous efforts.

[Image via Creative Commons]

High School Baseball Team Lifts Car To Save Young Girl [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward has been cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

According to MLB.com, Heyward, who has been on the disabled list since April 22 after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery, will play in a rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett at 10:35 am on Thursday.

He will then travel with Gwinnett to Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a weekend series against the Pawtucket Red Sox.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution notes that depending on how he performs during the rehab assignment, Heyward could make his return some time during the Braves three-game series in Arizona or when they return home May 17-19 against the Dodgers.

“We’re testing everything out, so far nothing but great responses from this side and my body,” Heyward told AJC earlier this week.

For those counting, this injury rehabilitation stint marks Heyward’s second with the G-Braves. In 2011 he played two games with the team while recovering from right shoulder soreness.

Including his brief three-game stint during the club’s inaugural 2009 season, Heyward is 5-for-17 (.294) with a double, four runs scored and two RBI in five career games with Gwinnett.

Prior to his surgery, Heyward was batting .121 with two homers and five RBI in 17 games.

In 2012, Heyward’s third year in the Bigs, he hit .269 with 30 doubles, 27 home runs and 82 RBI in 158 games for Atlanta.

He also picked up his first career National League Gold Glove for his stellar play in right field.

Over the course of his four-year career with the Braves, Heyward’s hit .256 with 61 home runs and 201 RBI in 445 games.

In his absence the Braves have turned to Jordan Schafer, Reed Johnson, and now Evan Gattis in the outfield.

Jason Heyward Rehab: Braves Outfielder Starts Rehabilitation Stint In Atlanta is a post from: The Inquisitr

JA Happ says he feels lucky not to suffer a worse injury after the Blue Jays pitcher was hit in the head with a line drive in a game Tuesday night.

Speaking for the first time since the frightening injury that left fans and opposing players shaken, Happ said he is happy to be released from the hospital and back in the Toronto clubhouse.

“I feel very fortunate,” Happ told reporters before Wednesday’s game. “The whole baseball community has been unbelievable with the messages I’m receiving, things people are sending and all the prayers. It looks like I moved just a little bit. I don’t remember doing that, but just enough to where it caught me on a better spot (instead of) head-on.”

JA Happ was released from the hospital within 24 hours of the incident, and has been played on the 15-day DL.

The play took place in the second inning of Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 30-year-old left-hander was pitching to Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings when a line drive off the bat of Jennings hit Happ square in the head.

The line drive struck JA Happ with such force that it caromed all the way to the bullpen, allowing two runners to score and Jennings to advance to third. As Happ collapsed motionless to the grass, bleeding from the head, a silence fell over the crowd and Jennings buried his head in his jersey, clearly shaken from the play.

“It’s something you just don’t want to see, don’t want to happen to anybody,” Jennings said after the game. “I didn’t know what to think. I saw it happen and I knew something was wrong. I saw the direction the ball was going. I didn’t know where it hit him. I just knew it was somewhere above the shoulder. It was tough to see. You never want to see anything like that happen to anybody. I talked to him today, and he told me everything was OK, that he was doing better. He was talking to me like normal, like he could go out and go today.”

JA Happ suffered a contusion and had a minor fracture behind his ear, but it is expected to heal without surgery. He did not suffer a concussion on the play.

JA Happ Released From Hospital, Feels ‘Fortunate’ After Being Struck With Line Drive is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Boston Red Sox new closer role will be filled by Junichi Tazawa as Joel Hanrahan was placed on the disabled list for the second time this season on Tuesday. Hanrahan was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained right forearm.

The 31-year-old has struggled with the Red Sox since coming to the team from the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. In nine appearances this season, Hanrahan has blown two of his six save opportunities while his earned run average has skyrocketed to 9.82.

Right-hander Junichi Tazawa is expected to take on the Red Sox’s new closer role as manager John Farrell plans on keeping Koji Uehara in the setup spot for the eighth inning. Pitcher Allan Webster will replace Hanrahan on the roster after being called-up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Andrew Bailey originally replaced Joel Hanrahan as the Red Sox’s new closer after Hanrahan’s first stint on the disabled list in mid-April. Bailey’s time as the closer didn’t last long, as he also fell to injury and was placed on the DL before Monday’s game with strained right biceps.

Manager John Farrell spoke with MLB Network Radio on Tuesday and he believes Tazawa is the right choice to close out ballgames for the Red Sox.

“I think what we’d love to do is close Tazawa,” Farrell said. “We’d keep Koji in that eighth inning role that he’s been in.”

He also added that the Red Sox have a lot of options in their bullpen that could step-up and close out games as they move forward without Hanrahan.

“Fortunately we do have some depth to turn to internally and we know that we’ve got to get through these next couple of days to kinda regroup,” Farrell added. “So we’re kind of breathing a little thin ice down there right now and just trying to manage the best we can to get through these next couple of days to regroup.”

The Boston Red Sox will look to avoid a sweep by the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on Thursday. The Twins had the bats going on Wednesday as 15 runs crossed the plate before it was all said and done. With two straight losses, the Red Sox have allowed the Baltimore Orioles to climb the AL East standings.

The Orioles and Red Sox are tied atop the division while the New York Yankees are just one-game behind with their roster working it’s way back from the disabled list.

Will the Boston Red Sox new closer, Junichi Tazawa, get the job done, or is the AL East now up for grabs?

[Image via Keith Allison]

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Red Sox New Closer: Hanrahan Out, Tazawa In is a post from: The Inquisitr

J.A. Happ was carted off the field on a stretcher Tuesday night after the Blue Jays pitcher was nailed in the head by a line drive.

Happ was pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays when center fielder Desmond Jennings hit a shot back toward the mound. Unable to get out of the way in time, J.A. Happ was hit in the head with the line drive and went down to the grass.

The ball caromed off down the right field line, giving Jennings a triple and bringing in Jose Molina and Yunel Escobar to score. Jennings was visibly shaken after the play, burying his face into his jersey and watching on as team trainers rushed to J.A. Happ as he lay bleeding and motionless.

The play took place in the second inning of the game, leading to an 11-minute delay as medical personnel immobolized Happ, loaded him onto a stretcher, and carted him off the field.

Happ becomes the latest Major League Baseball injury to involve pitchers being hit by batter balls. Oakland’s Brandon McCarthy took a line drive to the head last September, causing a skull fracture and brain contusion that ended up requiring surgery. Detroit’s Doug Fister was also struck in the head during the World Series, though he was able to remain in the game.

In November MLB general managers discussed measures they could take to make it safer for pitchers. One idea is to create a cap lined with Kevlar, the high-impact material used by military and law enforcement officials for body armor.In March J.A. Happ signed a two-year, $8.9 million extension with the Blue Jays. He has a 2-2 record with a 3.98 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings coming into tonight’s game.No condition was available on J.A. Happ, though the pitcher was able to raise his hand and wave to the crowd as he was being carted away.Here is video of the J.A. Happ injury:

J.A. Happ: Blue Jays Pitcher Hit In Head With Line Drive, Taken Out On Stretcher [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Otis Nixon was arrested early Sunday morning after police officers found a pipe for smoking crack cocaine in the pocket of his pants and a suspected crack rock in his truck.

The former MLB outfielder was pulled over by police in suburban Atlanta after his Dodge Ram truck was spotted swerving all over the road.

In an incident report filed by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, it was revealed cops later found a second pipe and more suspected crack rocks in the floor board of the driver’s side. Further drugs paraphernalia was also recovered from the vehicle.

Otis Nixon was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine and possession of a drug-related object. As of Monday afternoon, he remains in jail on a bond of $11,880. It is unknown whether Nixon has a lawyer.

After being stopped, Nixon informed officers he was driving a friend home and denied his vehicle had been weaving. He admitted to the sheriff’s deputy that the substance found in the car was crack cocaine but claimed he was intending to get rid of the pipe and that the drugs belonged to his son.

After Otis Nixon was arrested, police carried out field sobriety tests, which determined Nixon did not have crack cocaine or alcohol in his system.

MLB journeyman Nixon, who had spells at the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins, has battled drug problems in the past. In recent years, he started up his own ministry.

An MLB veteran of 17 years, Nixon collected more than 600 stolen bases from 1983 to 1999.

Otis Nixon Arrested After Cops Find Crack Pipe In His Pocket is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mark Leiter Jr. recorded 20 strikeouts in a game for New Jersey Institute of Technology on Friday, the most in an NCAA Division I game this year.

Leiter Jr. got a win in the complete game, 5-3 victory over Chicago State. The senior right-hander had a strong end to the game, recording the last eight outs of the game as strikeouts. The last hit he allowed was a three-run home run in the seventh inning to Dylan Sterett.

Aside from throwing 20 strikeouts, Mark Leiter Jr. allowed only four hits and two walks in the contest.

For those familiar with the name Mark Leiter Jr., it’s because the pitcher comes from a famous sports lineage. His father, Mark Leiter Sr., is a former major league pitcher who had an 11-year career from 1990 to 2001 that included stops with eight different teams. He had a career 65-73 record with a 4.57 ERA.

Mark Leiter Jr. is also the nephew of pitcher Al Leiter, who had an even more successful career than his brother Mark. He was a No. 1 starter through the mid 1990s, the ace of the New York Mets rotation when the team went to the World Series in 2000. Al had a 162-132 record over his career with a 3.80 ERA.

Mark Leiter Jr. with his 20 strikeouts have now created a new name in the Leiter family. The NJIT pitcher threw the most strikeouts of any NCAA Division I pitcher this year, though he didn’t come close to the all-time mark of 26 strikeouts set by Buddy Schultz for Miami of Ohio against Wright State in April 1973.

Mark Leiter Jr. had thrown 14 strikeouts before, also coming in a home game against Chicago State in a seven-inning game in May 2011.

At 5-6 on the season, Mark Leiter Jr. was dominant in his 20 strikeout performance. He struck out the side in the second, eighth, and ninth innings and had at least two strikeouts in every inning except the first.

College Pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. Throws 20 Strikeouts, Most In NCAA Division I This Year is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Yankees rode Phil Hughes’ strong start to a 4-2 win over the Oakland Athletics Saturday afternoon. Hughes shutout the A’s over eight innings of work for his first win of the season.

The 26-year-old was off to a slow start in 2013 and lost his first two starts before receiving a no decision in his next three. He found a rhythm early Saturday at Yankee Stadium and held the A’s to just four hits during his best outing of the season.

The California native struck out nine and the A’s stranded 13 runners while failing to scratch a run across the plate against Hughes.  The Yankees ran away from the A’s with a pair of solo home runs before extended their lead to four by the seventh inning.

Catcher Chris Stewart hadn’t seen much playing time before Francisco Cervelli was placed on the disabled list with a fractured right hand on April 27th. Stewart got the Yankees on the board in the third inning Saturday as he launched a fastball from Bartolo Colon into the left field seats.

Colon pitched for the Yankees during the 2011 season but he didn’t have his best stuff in his return to the Bronx on Saturday. He failed to make it out of the six inning after giving up three runs on six hits.

Lyle Overbay found the cheap seats with a solo shot to right field to make it 2-0 Yankees in the fifth and Travis Hafner drove in another run with a single in the sixth before Colon was relieved. Jerry Blevins came into the game and didn’t give up a hit to hold the Yankees lead at three.

Righthander Chris Resop came in to pitch the seventh and the Yankees added to their lead when Eduardo Nunez scored on an infield hit by Brett Gardner. Evan Scriber took over in the eighth and held the Yankees scoreless to end their streak of three straight innings with a run.

Shawn Kelley took the mound to start the ninth for the Yankees but he gave up a single to Yoenis Cespedes and was immediately relieved. Mariano Rivera, the MLB’s all-time saves leader, then came into the game to close out the A’s.

He did just that, but not before the A’s scratched across two runs. Rivera walked the first hitter he faced and Seth Smith drove in a run with a single two batters later. Another run scored on a fielder’s choice before Rivera finished off the A’s.

The Yankees are now just two games back of the Boston Red Sox who face the Texas Rangers later on Saturday. The Rangers crushed the Red Sox 7-0 in Game 1 of their three-game set at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The Yankees will look to win the rubber match of their three-game series with the A’s on Sunday afternoon as Oakland took Game 1 with a shutout on Friday.

Will the New York Yankees beat the Oakland A’s on Sunday for their third straight series win?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Phil Hughes’ Great Outing Leads Yankees Past Athletics is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Chicago Cubs won’t be moving out of Wrigley Field anytime soon despite threats and rumors to the contrary.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts on Wednesday told a group at the City Club of Chicago that he was “taking a look at moving” if the city of Chicago and surrounding cities don’t approve his plans for renovating the rapidly aging ballpark.

Ricketts might be throwing around his weight, but his love for Wrigley Field can’t be understated. Ricketts at one point lived in an apartment on Addison, and he met his wife while sitting in the ballpark’s famous bleachers. When he bought the Cubs, Ricketts promised to keep the team’s legacy alive and pass the club through generations of his family.

The biggest opposition to Ricketts’ plans is the addition of a scoreboard and advertising that would be placed in the outfield. Critics worry the sign would take away from the field’s ivy aesthetics.

As has been the case for years, the owners of the rooftop decks that offer views of the playing field are adamantly against any changes that would hurt their businesses. The Wrigleyville Rooftops Associations is big business, which combines for $25 million per year. The owners of Wrigleyville Rooftops and Beyond the Ivy are the most likely to “possibly” be impacted by the advertising move.

In the end, money will ultimately win out. In the 1980s, the Cubs installed lights to help bring in extra revenue. When the franchise needed more money, a Toyota advertisement was placed in left field. Now with massive renovations planned, Ricketts will likely win his argument for advertising.

As a Chicago Cubs fan who has attended numerous games, I can attest to the rapidly declining state of Wrigley Field. While the ambiance is magical, the building is in growing decay.

The Cubs have one of the larget operating incomes in the MLB with $32.1 million; however, Ricketts is using a large portion of that money to service the debt on his purchase of the franchise.

Fixing Wrigley is expected to cost $500 million and includes a nearby hotel and plaza. Ricketts is hoping to finish the project without touching even a single penny of public funds.

The Cubs could earn some of the money for the renovations when the team works out a new contract with superstation WGN at the end of next season. The team is already saving money with payroll cuts. In 2010, the Chicago franchise spent $144.4 million on player contracts, a number that has fallen to $106.8 million this season.

Ultimately, what Chicago Cubs fans want is a team that can snap a 100+ year losing record, and that takes money and the comfort creatures of home, which means a better clubhouse and other vast improvements to Wrigley Field.

Do you think the Chicago Cubs will ever leave Wrigley Field?

Wrigley Field Will Remain The Home Of The Chicago Cubs As Tom Ricketts Flexes His Muscles is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 to split a four-game series at Turner Field as Dan Haren pitched eight strong innings for his third win of the season. Haren was nearly perfect on the night outside of giving up a solo home run to Dan Uggla in the seventh inning.

The Nationals’ lineup supplied all the runs Haren would need in the first two innings. Utility player Steve Lombardozzi opened up the scoring by driving in Denard Span with a single to left field in the first inning. Span was in the mix again in the second as the Nationals extended their early lead to three.

Span reached base safely after a throwing error by third baseman Chris Johnson with two outs in the inning. Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos scored on the error and Dan Haren took over from there.

Haren didn’t give up a hit until the fourth inning as he got out of a jam with runners on first and second. The 32-year-old right-hander went on to hold the Braves hitless over the next two innings before Dan Uggla’s blast to deep left.

Haren left a 3-2 pitch over the center of the plate and Uggla launched it into the left field stands to get the Braves on the board. The Nationals’ starter immediately settled back down and got B.J. Upton to pop out to end the inning.

He finished off his great pitching performance by making quick work of the Braves in the eighth. Russ Johnson singled with one out in the inning but never made it to second base as Jordan Schafer and Chris Johnson failed to make anything happen.

The Nationals gave the Braves another scare in the top of the ninth but reliever Jordan Walden managed to hold Washington’s lead at two. Haren didn’t return in the bottom half as Rafael Soriano came in for the save.

Soriano closed out the heart of the Braves order for his ninth save of the season. Justin Upton led off the inning by grounding out to short as the league’s hottest hitter went o-for-4 on the day. Freddie Freeman made it two away with another groundout but rookie Evan Gattis kept the Braves alive with a single up the middle.

Dan Uggla, who homered two innings earlier, stepped to the plate after Gattis and flied out to end the game. Here’s full highlights of the Nationals 3-1 win over the Braves Thursday night.

The Nationals now trail the Braves by 2 1/2 games in the National League East and move on to face Pittsburgh Pirates on the road Friday. The Braves welcome the New York Mets to Turner Field for a three-game series before hitting the road as well.

Have the Washington Nationals finally cooled off the Atlanta Braves after a hot start to the 2013 season?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Dan Haren Lifts Nationals Past Braves At Turner Field [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

A corked bat that was reportedly used by Mickey Mantle is heading to auction.

According to Sports Collectors Daily, the “very prominent collector of Yankees memorabilia” who owns the bat never thought that there was anything special about the piece of Yankees history. But then it was examined by PSA/DNA bat authenticator John Taube.

Taube said that he noticed a small circular area near the top of the bat that looked similar to other corked bats he has examined. The authenticator x-rayed the bat and found that it had been drilled and filled with cork.

Taube said: “During our examination of the bat, we noticed a circular area .75 inches wide in the center of the top barrel. The finish in the area has also been touched up to mask the circular area. Alterations of this nature indicate the barrel has been drilled and filled with cork….we had the barrel x-rayed and (it) confirms that the barrel has been drilled and filled with cork…this is the first corked bat of Mantle that we have seen or heard of.”

The Hillerich & Bradsby model M110 bat dates back to 1964. It’s made of ash, weighs 32.6 ounces, and is 35 inches in length. Oh, it also apparently contains a piece of cork.

Grey Flannel Auctions writes: “Mickey Charles Mantle was a hero to millions of boys and men across the country, spanning generations. The Mick would cause grown men to break down just at the chance of meeting him and shaking his hand. Nearly two decades after his death, many still hold a special place in their hearts for The Commerce Comet. For those and many others, this may be a hard one to swallow…but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Offered here is the first corked bat linked to Mickey Mantle and is accompanied by an X-ray of the bat showing the aforementioned cork at the barrel end.”

According to Grey Flannel, Minnesota Twins equipment manager Ray Crump admitted that he had corked some of Mickey Mantle’s bats in his autobiography. There has never been any proof to support Crump’s claim. Well, at least until now.

Do you think Mickey Mantle really used a corked bat? The memorabilia will hit the auction block on June 5.

Corked Mickey Mantle Bat To Hit Auction Block This Summer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Roy Oswalt has signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies for 2013.

The 35-year-old, who last pitched with the Texas Rangers, will report to extended spring training as he prepares again for a place on a major-league roster. It’s estimated Oswalt will require a few weeks to get back in baseball shape.

The veteran right-hander’s spell with the Rangers saw Oswalt go 4-3 with a 5.80 ERA as a starter and 59 strikeouts.

However, Oswalt’s finest years came while he was a member of the Houston Astros. In his nine years at Minute Maid Park, Oswalt was in the top six for Cy Young voting on six separate occasions.

His lengthy Houston career ended when he was traded to Philadelphia in 2010.

A three-time all-star, Oswalt’s career has seen the pitcher rack up a 163-96 record, a 3.28 ERA and 1,818 strikeouts.

He has spent his career at the Houston Astros (2001-10), Philadelphia Phillies (2010-11) and the Rangers (2011-12). As a member of Team USA, he won a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

The pitcher has enjoyed an impressive start at Coors Field. In his five career starts there, he is 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA.

Roy Oswalt took to his Twitter Thursday to reveal his deal with the Rockies, at first teasing:

Exciting news in 10 minutes stay tuned

— Roy Oswalt(@royoswalt44net) May 2, 2013

Before making his big reveal:

Always loved the mountains , im back!

— Roy Oswalt(@royoswalt44net) May 2, 2013

Rockies fans, what do you think of news that Roy Oswalt has signed? Sound off in the comments!

Roy Oswalt Signs Minor-League Deal With Rockies is a post from: The Inquisitr

The San Diego Padres broke out for four runs in the eighth inning Thursday afternoon to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2. The win gave the Padres a four-game split at Wrigley Field after sweeping the San Francisco Giants over the weekend.

Eric Stults got the start for the Padres and gave up two runs on seven hits after holding the Cubs scoreless through six innings. He was relieved with two outs in the seventh after giving up a two-run home run to Scott Hairston.

Brad Brach came in for Stults and walked Cody Ransom which led to another change by manager Bud Black. Joe Thatcher was next to take the mound and he struck out Anthony Rizzo with runners on first and second. The Cubs stranded 15 runners throughout the game.

Bud Black’s move to Thatcher paid off as the Padres went through their entire batting order in the top of the eighth. Jesus Guzman began the inning with a single and ended it with a strikeout while the Padres scratched across four runs in the process.

Yonder Alonso, Everth Cabrera, and Chase Headley all had RBI-singles in the eighth while Kyle Blanks scored on a passed ball to give the Padres a 4-2 lead. They failed to add an insurance run in the ninth which gave way to Huston Street for the save.

The 29-year-old Texan made quick work of Darwin Barney and pinch-hitter David DeJesus before Nate Schierholtz laced a ball into the left center gap for a double. It wouldn’t affect Street as he struck out the very next hitter, Luis Valbuena, to end the game.

Both teams are now 11-17 on the season and sit at the bottom of their divisions in the National League. The Padres now move on to a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park while the Cubs welcome the Cincinnati Reds.

San Diego optioned rookie pitcher Robbie Erlin to Triple-A Tucson before the game to make room for righthander Brad Boxberger. Erlin made his Major League debut on Tuesday and sported a 9.00 ERA in two appearances. Boxberger appeared in 24 games for the Padres last season and has an 0-1 record with a 4.15 ERA in 10 games for Tucson this season.

The Padres are off to a slow start in the NL West and will have to pitch better if they hope to contend into September. San Diego has allowed 131 runs in their first 27 games, more than any other team in the National League.

Can the San Diego Padres’ pitching staff hold it together for a full season or will they quickly fall behind in the competitive NL West?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Padres Breakout In Eighth Inning To Beat Cubs 4-2 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tampa Bay Rays‘ ace David Price and umpire Tom Hallion have been fined by Major League Baseball after a dispute last week that began on the ball field and ended on Twitter. Price didn’t agree with Hallion’s call on a pitch to Dewayne Wise in a game against the Chicago White Sox on April 28th.

Along with Price and Hallion, Rays’ pitchers Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore were also fined. All three Rays’ pitchers were fined 1,000 a piece and Hallion’s fine is believed to be the same, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

It all started when Price had Wise in a jam at the plate in the seventh inning and made a great pitch on the outside corner that he believed was strike three. Hallion thought otherwise and called it a ball before Wise grounded out back to the mound on the next pitch.

While walking off the field, Price and Hallion exchanged words before the Rays’ dugout got involved. While players form the bench continued to yell, Jeremy Hellickson was tossed from the game.

Hallion ejected Hellickson, who had pitched three days earlier and wasn’t going to see the field anyways. After the game, Price told the Times that his Rays’ teammates started yelling from the dugout after Hallion told him to “throw the ball over the f—– plate.”

Hallion responded to Price’s comments by telling the Times, “I’ll come right out bluntly and say he’s a liar.”

The umpire’s comments led to each pitcher addressing the situation on Twitter. David Price wasn’t too happy with being called a liar.

1. I am not a liar 2. I would not make that stuff up 3. My own dad doesn’t speak to me that way 4. Again I am not a liar #accountability

— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013

Matt Moore completely agreed.

Lies! lies i tell you! RT @tbtimes_rays: Umpire Hallion said to Price:”I said, “Just throw the ball.” That’s all I said to him’ — Matt Moore(@MattyMoe55) April 28, 2013

And Jeremy Hellickson used a little humor.

There’s only one person lying about all this and his name starts with a T and rhymes with pom

— Jeremy Hellickson(@JHell58) April 28, 2013

Now they each will pay a $1,000 fine, though you can compare that to a trip to Taco Bell based on the contracts these players have.

[Image via Creative Commons]

Rays’ David Price, Umpire Tom Hallion Fined By MLB For Twitter War is a post from: The Inquisitr

Atlanta, GA — An MLB TV worker died last night before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves.

The deceased MLB TV crew member, Reuben Porras, 61, was carrying some equipment outside the visitors’ locker room when he collapsed

Nationals training staff led by head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz rushed to his aid: “Kuntz immediately sprung into action, grabbing the automated external defibrillator in the training room and administering CPR to the man, who was not breathing. Kuntz and training assistant John Hsu revived the man and attended to him until paramedics arrived.”

According to reports, the MLB TV worker who was based in the Atlanta area tragically died of an apparent heart attack at the hospital in the intensive care unit.

The MLB Network has yet to post a press release on its website in relation to the passing of Reuben Porras.

The leading cause of deaths worldwide is heart disease. About one million Americans unfortunately suffer a heart attack ever year, and it is the leading killer of booth men and women in this country. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction causes permanent damage to the heart muscle. According to WebMD, “‘Myo’ means muscle, ‘cardial’ refers to the heart, and ‘infarction’ means death of tissue due to lack of blood supply.”

Symptoms can include discomfort in the chest, choking, dizziness or nausea, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat.

Coronary heart disease often results in a heart attack. This is a condition involving a plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

[Image credit: Zpb52]

MLB TV Worker Dies At Turner Field is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Chicago Cubs move could be on the cards after owner and chairman Tom Ricketts threatened to move the team out of Wrigley Field if his plans for a big, new video screen are blocked.

Ricketts says the team requires fresh advertising revenue to fund a $500 million renovation of the legendary ballpark. The new video screen would provide a new channel of income, something that Ricketts views as crucial if the Cubs are to stay at the 99-year-old stadium.

“The fact is that if we don’t have the ability to generate revenue in our own outfield, we’ll have to take a look at moving – no question,” Ricketts told reporters after he had outlined renovation plans to Chicago business leaders.

It may be unimaginable for the Cubs to play anywhere else but The Friendly Confines, but Ricketts seems deadly serious. At the same time, he says he remains fully committed to thrashing out a deal.

Negotiations over the screen have been ongoing for months now. While video screens are a common sight at major ballparks across the nation, Wrigley Field is encircled by privately owned clubs with rooftop bleachers. Owners of these venues have made every effort to object to changes that could end up obscuring their views into the stadium, changes like a 6,000-square-foot video screen, for instance.

Legal action could yet happen over the dispute. The rooftop businesses have been kept out of discussions over the proposed screen, but argue they should be involved as they have a contract in which they share 17 percent of their revenue with the Cubs.

Ricketts continues to deny that the video screen would obscure the bird’s-eye views enjoyed by the venues, even presenting an architectural rendering of the video screen during his speech to the City Club of Chicago. Any impact on the views would be minimal at worst, he argues, pointing out that the screen is “midsize” compared to those at other MLB stadiums.

Without the signage, Ricketts says the Cubs are losing out on a cool $20 million a year in ad revenue, a crucial sum that will be required if extensive renovations are to go ahead. Otherwise, taxpayer funds may have to be used to prevent a Chicago Cubs move. In his speech to the City Club of Chicago, Ricketts said:

“All we really need is to be able to run our business like a business and not a museum.”

Ricketts and his team submitted their full renovation proposal to the city of Chicago on Wednesday, and are now waiting eagerly for approval from the City Council and city planners.

The plan also requests the team plays more night games and includes a 175-room boutique hotel across the street, a new clubhouse and upgrades for fans.

Can you imagine a Chicago Cubs move taking place? Surely, if any team is inextricably linked to their ballpark, it’s the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Move? Owner Will Move Team Out Of Wrigley If Video Screen Plans Are Blocked is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chris Parmelee gave the Minnesota Twins an extra boost Wednesday afternoon as they beat the Detroit Tigers 6-2 to avoid a three-game sweep. Parmelee went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and two runs batted in as the Twins stole a game from the Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Twins jumped out to an early lead after first baseman Justin Morneau drove in Josh Willingham with a double in the first inning.  One batter later, Morneau crossed the plate on Parmelee’s first hit of the day to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

Minnesota struck again in the top of the second when Jamey Carroll hit an RBI-double to left that extended the Twins’ lead to three. Scott Diamond got the start for the Twins and had enough run support after two innings to hold off a strong Tigers’ lineup.

Diamond started off with five scoreless innings before the Tigers cut the Twins lead to one in the sixth. Austin Jackson hit a one out double to get the Tigers going before Torii Hunter drove him in with a single to shallow right.

Last season’s Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera was next to face Diamond and followed Hunter’s single with an RBI-double to make it 3-2 Twins after six innings. Minnesota quickly responded in the seventh as Pedro Florimon drove in Aaron Hicks who tripled to start the inning.

Chris Parmelee was at it again in the eighth and hit a solo home run to deep right field to put away the Tigers for good. Parmelee’s second home run of the year gave the Twins a 6-2 lead and gave way to Minnesota’s bullpen to close it out.

Jared Burton pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Twins before Glen Perkins came in for the save. Perkins didn’t have his best stuff and gave up two hits before finishing off the Tigers for his seventh save of the season.

The Twins have Thursday off before returning to the field on Friday for the start of a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians. The Tigers immediately turn to Houston for a four-game series with the Astros .

The Twins are even with a 12-12 record and are only two games back of the Kansas City Royals for first place in the American League Central. The Tigers are a fraction behind the Royals in winning percentage and won’t face Kansas City until early-June.

With the AL Central up for grabs early in the season, can the Minnesota Twins position themselves atop the division or is this the start of a two-team race between the Royals and Tigers?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Chris Parmelee Lifts Twins Past Tigers To Avoid Sweep is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Mets have ended a six-game skid after beating the Miami Marlins 7-6 Wednesday afternoon. Jordany Valdespin led a late Mets’ rally with a pinch-hit, three-run home run in the sixth inning that gave New York the lead for good.

Dillon Gee got the start on the mound for the Mets, and he struggled early before settling down to get the win. Gee gave up three runs in the first inning after Chris Vailaka followed a Justin Ruggiano RBI-single with a two-run double to make it 3-0 Marlins after one.

Lefthander Wade LeBlanc got the nod for the Marlins and pitched three shutout innings to start the game before giving back a run in the fourth. David Wright smashed his third home run of the season off LeBlanc as the first batter in the top of the inning.

The Marlins immediately responded in the bottom half and got LeBlanc’s run back when Juan Pierre drove in the pitcher with a single to shallow center. Pierre advanced into scoring position before Donovan Solano grounded out to end the inning.

The New York Mets went on to do most of their damage in the sixth. Wright started off the inning with a double to left field, but back-to-back groundouts by John Buck and Lucas Duda made it look like another scoreless inning was in the works.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd had other ideas and drove in Wright with an opposite field single to cut the Marlins lead to two. A.J. Ramos then came into the game in relief of LeBlanc after Ike Davis followed Byrd’s RBI-single with a single of his own.

The move to the bullpen gave Mets’ manager Terry Collins a chance to use Jordany Valdespin in a pinch-hit situation. Valdespin came through in the clutch with one of the biggest hits during his young career.

Valdespin launched a three-run shot over the right field wall to give the Mets their first lead of the day at 5-4. National League RBI-leader John Buck increased the lead an inning later with a two-run double that put away the Marlins for good.

The win helped the Mets avoid their second straight sweep as they have fallen to fourth place in the NL East with an 11-15 record. They will have Thursday off before beginning a three-game series at Turner Field against the division-leading Atlanta Braves.

Are the New York Mets back on track after they rallied to beat the Miami Marlins Wednesday afternoon?

[Image via Creative Commons]

New York Mets End Six Game Losing Streak, Beat Miami Marlins 7-6 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mark Grace is a “model inmate” during his four-month jail stay for a driving-under-the-influence conviction, officials at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department say.

The former MLB slugger turned coach has been helpful during his stay in the notorious Tent City jail, officials noted.

“It is my understanding Mark is a ‘model’ inmate and does a lot of volunteering with cleanup and other activities,” MCSO spokesman Joaquin Enriquez said Monday. “He is looked up to by other inmates at Tent City.”

Grace originally faced four aggravated DUI charges, which would have carried a minimum of a year in prison, but pleaded guilty in January to reduced charges.

Mark Grace was sent to jail in February and will serve a sentence lasting through the second week in June. He was sentenced to serve on a part-time basis, with time out during the day to serve as the minor-league hitting instructor for the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.

From 6 pm to 6am Mark Grace returns to the jail where his is a “model inmate.” He stays at Tent City, which was created in 1993 by controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio. It is an outdoor encampment of tented housing units, resembling a military outpost, that is watched over by four guard towers.

Grace was pulled over in August in Scottsdale, the second time he was charged with DUI in a 15-month period. He plead guilty to a reduced charge to avoid spending a year in jail, and after the incident Grace was fired as the team broadcaster for the Diamondbacks.

But Grace was rehired as a hitting instructor and now has the full support of the Diamondbacks during his sentence.

“He is now beginning his new chapter as a uniformed coach on the field, and I am thrilled for him and us,” Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks president and CEO, said Monday. “He is full time and will be with us long after June 10 (when his sentence ends). When the Arizona Summer League begins, he will be our hitting coach for that team.”

Until then Mark Grace will have to be content service as a “model inmate.”

Former MLB Star Mark Grace A ‘Model Inmate’ During DUI Sentence is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Tuesday that Brandon Brown, a current free agent third baseman that spent time in the New York Mets’ farm system, has been suspended for 50 games after results of a blood test showed evidence of Stanozolol.

Stanozolol, or more commonly known as Winstrol, is one of the most popular anabolic steroids on the black market.

Used to help athletes avoid being sidelined by injury and make them perform better, Stanozolol was one of the main drugs at the core of the steroids scandal that has greatly affected Major League Baseball in the US and caused the period from around 1990 to the mid-2000s in the sport to be known as the “steroids era.”

Former baseball stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have both long been suspected of using stanozolol.

A 22nd-round draft pick in 2010 out of South Alabama, Brown spent three seasons in the minors in the New York Mets’ system.

Last season with the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats, he hit .222 with five homers and 34 RBI in 91 games.

His suspension — the 18th drug violation ban handed out to a minor leaguer this year — will be effective immediately upon his signing with another Major League organization.

Brown’s 50-game suspension wasn’t the only ban doled out to an athlete this week.

On Tuesday, the NFL suspended Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon without pay for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the league’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.”

Blackmon, a first round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, signed a four-year, $18.5 million contract with the Jaguars in 2012.

It’s unclear if his suspension will jeopardize any guaranteed money in the contract.

via Mlb.com

Brandon Brown Suspended 50 Games For Violating Drug Policy is a post from: The Inquisitr

Clayton Kershaw was placed on the bereavement list by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.

The Dodger’s ace might be out of commission for the present time, but sources inside the team say that at they moment they expect him to return by his next start.

That start is expected to be Friday against the hated rival San Francisco Giants. The ace lefty has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball this year, despite a less than sterling win loss record.

The team would love to have him back for that game but there appears to be an understanding that the date is not set in stone.

The reason for Kershaw’s placement on the bereavement list was not made public because the Dodgers say the pitcher prefers to address the issue when he returns.

Major League Baseball rules state that you cannot get on the list unless there is a death in the immediate family.

No matter how long the pitcher is out, they will miss his presence in the club house. The young hurler has become a leader on the team, thanks in large part to his loyalty and outsanding performances.

Two years ago, the pitcher won 21 games while losing just five and posting a 2.28 earned run average. Last year his win total slipped to 14 but he still struck out more than 220 batters and posted a 2.53 ERA.

Over the course of his career, Kershaw has posted an earned run average over 4.00 exactly one time. That career worst ERA came in his rookie season when he went 5-5 in 21 games started.

Since that time he has never seen his ERA top the 3.00 mark and has kept it below 2.70 three times. This year the lefty is 3-2 with a miniscule 1.73 ERA.

In his last outing, the starter went eight innings, allowed just four hits, no runs and struck out 12.

What do you think of Clayton Kershaw being placed on the bereavement list?

Clayton Kershaw Placed On Bereavement List By Los Angeles Dodgers is a post from: The Inquisitr

Stephen Strasburg might be hurt yet again. The Washington Nationals’ ace is apparently experiencing forearm tightness, according to his manager Davey Johnson.

While some pitchers would merely shake off a tightness that hasn’t caused any real problems, teammates and fans alike are probably holding their breath considering the stud pitcher’s injury history.

The Nationals’ opening day starter this season came into 2013 getting a clean bill of health after spending most of the last two years having to carefully pour over every pitch thrown.

The young gun suffered an arm injury in 2010 that required Tommy John surgery and required him to miss most of the 2011 season. After his return last season, the team took a very cautious approach to his innings pitched and even shut him down just as the team was making its first playoff appearance in Washington.

Stephen Strasburg likely felt all that was behind him considering that the team said they were going to be treating him like any other pitcher this season.

At the moment, the team isn’t panicing, apparently just giving the pitcher some medication designed to help with the discomfort. For his part, the righty said that he thinks he will be able to make his next scheduled start like normal.

Johnson said that the pitcher looked uncomfortable on the mound at times. Apparently the hurler could be seen shaking his arm every so often.

While the Nationals star wasn’t hit all that hard, he did give up six hits and four walks over six innings. Despite posting a pretty decent ERA the pitcher fell to just 1-4.

Despite being limited on innings, the ace of a very good rotation managed to go 15-6 last year with a 3.16 earned run average. This year he has posted an identical ERA but hasn’t gotten the same kind of run support.

Do you think Stephen Strasburg is seriously injured?

Stephen Strasburg Experiencing Forearm Tightness is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Toledo Mud Hens will be wearing Chewbacca jerseys this May for “Star Wars Day” at Fifth Third Field in Ohio.

The team celebrates “Star Wars Weekend” every year but the organization is especially excited for this year’s event due to the upcoming movie.

The Toledo Hens will wear the Chewbacca jerseys on May 4 for the “May the Fourth Be With You” celebration and then against on Sunday for “Revenge of the Fifth.”

According to Toledo News Now, the Chewbacca jerseys will be auctioned off at the end of each game for charity.

The team writes on Milb.com: “Some of the Mud Hens have been playing professional baseball for years, but during the first weekend in May they’ll all be Wookiees! See the Hens in their special edition Chewbacca-inspired jerseys on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. The jerseys will be available for purchase during the games via a silent auction.”

Star Wars fans will also get to meet characters from the movie like Darth Vader, Princess Leia and a bunch of Storm Troopers, and have their pictures taken at the Star Wars costume photo booth. Oh, and who can forget the mega-kazoo giveaway.

What do you think of the Chewbacca jerseys?

This isn’t the only Chewbacca sighting recently. The warrior wookie ran into his old pal Hans Solo earlier this month on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Chewbacca Jerseys To Highlight ‘Star Wars Day’ At Minor League Ball Park is a post from: The Inquisitr

Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig was reportedly arrested for a handful of charges over the weekend.

Authorities explained that the 22-year-old outfielder was picked up by police in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Puig spent some time inside the Hamilton County jail before being released. He’s expected to appear in court on May 14.

Online records revealed that Yasiel Puig was arrested and charged with reckless driving, speeding, and driving without proof of insurance. However, no further details about the prospect’s brush with the law have been released as of this writing.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti released a short statement on the matter. Although the 22-year-old outfielder will likely face consequences from the team, Colletti stopped short of revealing what sort of punishment the professional player would face as a result of his arrest.

“We’re aware of it … we take it seriously. We’ll be handling discipline internally,” the Dodgers general manager explained.

Yasiel Puig signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles team last June. Although the outfielder performed very well during Spring Training, managers sent him to the Chattanooga Lookouts to sharpen his skills on and off the field.

Former major league pitcher Eddie Oropesa has been assigned to be a mentor and interpreter to Yasiel during his training. Team managers, concerned about Puig’s maturity, are hoping Oropesa could help the prospect with his transition to the big leagues.

The Dodgers prospect had been batting .333 with a handful of RBIs and three home runs when he was added to the disabled list. Puig reportedly sprained his thumb roughly eight days ago.

big dodgers prospect yasiel puig cited for going 97 in a 50-mph zone. drake britton (redsox 111 mph man) shrugs at that.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) April 29, 2013

A day after being arrested for reckless driving here in Chatt, Dodgers No.2 prospect Yasiel Puig is off DL and batting 3rd for CHA.

— Chris Harris (@CHarris731) April 29, 2013

What do you think about Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig getting arrested in Chattanooga?

Yasiel Puig Arrested In Tennessee is a post from: The Inquisitr

TMZ is reporting that former Major League Baseball player-turned-actor Brad Lesley died this weekend at a hospital in Marina Del Ray, California.

Lesley’s ex-wife, Chiho Svimonoff, told TMZ that the former athlete had been living in a nursing home, where he was receiving dialysis for kidney problems, for the past seven months.

According to Svimonoff, Brad was rushed to hospital on Saturday night, and later died there from kidney failure.

He was 54 years old at the time of his passing.

Nicknamed “The Animal” for his aggressive playing style and unusual appearance (he was 6 feet, 6 inches, with long hair and a big mustache), Lesley played for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers from 1982-1985 and put together a 1-3 record with 46 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA.

Brad later traveled across the globe to Japan and played two seasons for the Hankyu Braves.

His record in Japan is 7–5, 24 saves, 60 games over 2 years.

After retiring from baseball, Lesley appeared in several memorable sports movies such as Tom Selleck’s Mr. Baseball and Little Big League, where he played the crazy, mustachioed pitcher John “Blackout” Gatling.

Lesley’s other film credits include Brother (2000, as Moose), Big Monster on Campus (2000, as Arnie), Buddy (1997, as Ali Baba),  and A Boy Called Hate (1996, as the Moving Truck Driver).

He also made a brief appearance in Space Jam (1996) (as Himself), after Michael Jordan reportedly personally asked Brad to star in the film.

RIP Brad Lesley.

Brad Lesley Dies: Former MLB Pitcher Turned Actor Dead At 54 is a post from: The Inquisitr

David Price is not known as a hot head. In fact, the Tampa Rays pitcher is usually considered one of those guys who just goes out and does his job.

He did his job on Sunday, striking out nine in an 8-3 win over the Chicago Whitesox. That victory was the first of the season for the newly anointed ace of the staff.

After the game, the All-Star hurler took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with umpire Tom Hallion.

Hallion had ejected Rays’ pitcher Jeremy Hellickson in today’s game for what the ump said was arguing calls from the bench. David Price claims that the situation was a bit more … blue than the umpire’s report.

The situation began when the Tampa pitcher thought he had stuck out DeWayne Wise looking. Hallion called it a ball and the pitcher expressed his surprise.

At some point, he claims that the umpire yelled, ‘Throw the ball over the [expletive] plate.” The Rays’ star said that the entire bench heard it, and that’s when they starting going crazy.

This is apparently also when Hellickson was ejected from the game. After the game, a reporter told Hallion what was claimed and he responded that it was a lie.

The umpire’s comments about lying is apparently what started the Twitter barrage.

1. I am not a liar 2. I would not make that stuff up 3. My own dad doesn’t speak to me that way 4. Again I am not a liar #accountability

— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) April 28, 2013

The situation only seems to have escalated once a Tampa beat reporter was actually able to get some inflammatory comments from the ump onto the social media site.

Umpire Tom Hallion, to pool reporter, on #Rays @davidprice14‘s laim he cursed him: “I’ll come right out bluntly and say he’s a liar,’

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2013

At this point, other Rays jumped into the discussion, and it was no longer a he said-he said situation.

There’s only one person lying about all this and his name starts with a T and rhymes with pom

— Jeremy Hellickson(@JHell58) April 28, 2013

Lies! lies i tell you! RT @tbtimes_rays: Umpire Hallion said to Price:”I said, “Just throw the ball.” That’s all I said to him’

— Matt Moore(@MattyMoe55) April 28, 2013

In the end, the smoke isn’t likely to really clear in this situation. We likely won’t ever know the entire story.

David Price will likely get himself a nice suspension for his part of this situation.

David Price Gets Into Twitter War With Umpire Tom Hallion is a post from: The Inquisitr

Carlos Ruiz has been waiting longer than most for his first at-bat of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. The reason the Philadelphia Phillies catcher has been waiting so long is because he had to sit out the first 25 games of the seasons thanks to a positive test for banned substances.

The former All-Star fell victim to the strengthened punishment of offenders who are using any drugs that are considered even remotely useful for enhancing performance on the baseball field. The catcher returned to the field for the first time this season on Sunday.

In that return, the backstop went just 1-4 with a single but the team beat the New York Mets 5-1. There’s nothing to say that his return is the reason his team won their contest but it does mean that a catcher who posted career numbers is finally back and can put the suspension behind him.

Carlos Ruiz is more than willing to simply put the issue behind him. ”I was real happy on the way,” he said. ”It was a nice feeling that everything was over.” The Phillies were just 11-14 in the absence of the man who most teammates affectionately refer to as “Chooch.”

The suspension was announced on November 27, after a second test revealed that he had Adderall in his system. A first positive test merely means that the player must test again. A second test results in a suspension.

After testing positive, Chooch apologized to his teammates and fans and issued another apology during spring training this year. Despite appearing sincerely regretful the Philadelphia Phillie didn’t want to talk about the suspension saying only “”I don’t know, man. I don’t have anything to say about that.”

In preparation for his first big league game since Spring Training the fan favorite played in four minor league rehab games.

What kind of season do you think Carlos Ruiz will have?

Carlos Ruiz Returns To Philadelphia Phillies Following Suspension is a post from: The Inquisitr

David Ortiz had two hits and three RBIs as he helped the Boston Red Sox claim a win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. The win marks the best start to a season for Boston since 2002.

After the game Ortiz was asked once again about his impressive MLB return to which he replied:

“I ain’t talking about that anymore. You make up a new question, I’ll answer it. Otherwise, copy what I said yesterday and the day before.”

In his last seven games Ortiz has racked up a very impressive .519 (14 of 27) alongside two home runs and nine RBIs. Last season Ortiz missed 71 of 72 games last season after suffering from a heel injury.

Speaking of his All-Stars return Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell said:

“He’s doing things that look to him to be very easy, but its hard to imagine or even script out that he’d have this kind of performance considering the layoff.”

The Red Sox are now holding a 17-7 record thanks in large part to a four-game sweep over Houston.

Boston was also helped along by a two-run single from Jacoby Ellsbury, while Dustin Pedroia and Daniel Nava both added two hits and an RBI.

Also impressive was Doubront (3-0) who walked three in the first, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch before holding the Astros to three runs while striking out eight and walking four. Doubront completed 6 2/3 innings. After the game Doubront said of his performance:

“Seriously, I don’t know what happened in the first inning. I was feeling like I was using more of my arm than my body. I was frustrated because I was thinking a little too much. But overall, after the first inning, I was really focused and I wasn’t thinking about my mechanics at all. I was throwing the ball. I was so happy I did that.”

Do you think David Ortiz has helped inject some much needed energy into the Boston Red Sox franchise.

Boston Red Sox Have Best Opening Streak Since 2002, Ortiz Continues Impressive Comeback is a post from: The Inquisitr