Dominance of Era Should Put Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven in Hall of Fame

by John Hickey

Filed under: Tigers, Twins, MLB Hall of Fame

Over four days this week, MLB FanHouse's Hall of Fame voters will break down the particulars of select players up for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. The results of the balloting will be made public on Jan. 5.

Believe it or not, there are some late-December traditions that have nothing to do with Christmas.

For me, one of them is sitting down the last week of the year, mulling over the current crop of Hall of Fame wannabes and arguing with myself over who should make it and who shouldn't.

While there can be agonizing over some names, some of the arguments are pretty short, I must tell you. And two of those involve two pitchers on the current ballot, Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/dominance-of-era-should-put-jack-morris-bert-blyleven-in-hall-o/

James Loney Mike Lowell Andy Marte Víctor Martínez

Cricket World Cup 2011 Daily: 28 February

? Day ten of the 2011 World Cup: West Indies v Netherlands and Zimbabwe v Canada
? Share your thoughts and links below the line
? Buy the Guardian's Ashes book: 766 and All That.

After a big weekend of World Cup cricket, today features two games. How will the Netherlands deal with the West Indies after their close game with England; and a key clash of the minnows with Zimbabwe v Canada

And here is some other stuff:

Everything you need to know about the World Cup but...

? Team by team guides

? Interactive guide to all the venues

? The full tournament schedule

? The Guardian's cricket team on Twitter: Rob Smyth, Andy Bull, David Hopps and Steve Busfield

Buy the Guardian's Ashes book: 766 and All That.

Please share your thoughts and links below.

• Cricket World Cup 2011
• Cricket
• Zimbabwe Cricket Team
• Canada cricket team

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/feb/28/cricket-world-cup-netherlands-west-indies

Nick Green Tyler Greene Mark Grudzielanek Carlos Guillén

Milton Bradley Arrested in L.A. After Allegedly Making Threats

by John Hickey

Filed under: Mariners, MLB Police Blotter

Seattle Mariners' much-embattled outfielder Milton Bradley was arrested Tuesday morning in Encino, Calif., and booked on a felony charge of making criminal threats.

The arrest, first reported by KING-5 in Seattle, was made by members of the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Branch about 10:40 a.m.

According to officer Gregory Baek, police had received a call from an unidentified woman in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles about 8:50 a.m. saying that she had been threatened.

Reports say that Bradley was held on $50,000 bail, then released at about 5:40 p.m. after he posted it. A court date has been set for Feb. 3.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/18/milton-bradley-arrested-in-l-a-after-allegedly-making-threats/

Jason Bartlett Yuniesky Betancourt Andrés Blanco Geoff Blum

A Major League Thanks for One and All

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Astros, Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees

The offseason is supposed to be a perennial winter of discontent for baseball fans. It was, after all, Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby who quipped just so when asked what he did once the season ended.

"I'll tell you what I do," Hornsby replied. "I stare out the window and wait for spring."

And yet, it's hard not to feel optimistic even now. Baseball reminds us -- day in and day out, year after year -- that anything is possible next year, and with so many stars available in free agency and trade, a team's fortunes next year can change rapidly in the intervening months.

It's with those good vibes in mind, that we partake in a baseball-slanted Thanksgiving tradition. Below we offer a collection of things for fans of every team to be thankful for -- yes, even the Pirates. So enjoy. Gorge on turkey and all the trimmings. And remember Opening Day is only about four months away.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/25/a-major-league-thanks-for-one-and-all/

Luis Cruz Michael Cuddyer Chris Davis Ike Davis

Dallas Green's Granddaughter, Christina-Taylor Green, Killed in Arizona Shooting

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: Dodgers, Phillies

Christina-Taylor Green, 9, the granddaughter of former major league pitcher and manager Dallas Green and the daughter of John Green, a scout in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, was one of the six people killed in the Tucson, Ariz., shooting Saturday.

Fourteen others were wounded by a gunman at a Safeway supermarket, including U.S. Rep. Gabriel Giffords and federal judge John Roll. The primary suspect in the shooting, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, is now in police custody.

"We're all going to miss Christina. We were four people, and now we're three," her father John told CNN.

The Phillies, for whom Dallas Green both pitched and managed, have issued a statement in the wake of Christina's death.

---

Complete Coverage of Shooting From AOL News

---

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/09/dallas-greens-granddaughter-christina-taylor-green-killed-in/

Ryan Howard Aubrey Huff Rhyne Hughes Travis Ishikawa

Report: Vladimir Guerrero, Orioles Agree to 1-Year Deal

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Orioles, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The seemingly inevitable has finally come to pass, as Vladimir Guerrero and the Orioles reportedly have agreed to a one-year contract.

The deal will pay Guerrero $8 million plus possible incentives and is pending a physical, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes.

Considering there were no other known suitors for the designated hitter and he doesn't exactly figure to be the piece that thrusts the Orioles over the top in the AL East, that price might seem a bit steep, but Baltimore has done its best this winter to put a much more palatable product on the field in 2011.

Guerrero, who turns 36 next week, bounced back from a rough 2009 with a fantastic season for the Rangers last year. He hit an even .300 with 29 homers, 115 RBI and an .841 OPS in the regular season but had a rough postseason, most notably his 1-for-14 showing in the World Series.

He'll bring an impact bat and plenty of know-how to an evolving Orioles team. The O's already have added Derrek Lee, Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy this winter, so Buck Showalter's lineup certainly will have a different look as Baltimore tries again for its first winning season since 1997.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/04/report-vladimir-guerrero-orioles-agree-to-1-year-deal/

Carlos Guillén Cristian Guzmán Travis Hafner Jerry Hairston Jr.

Angels Reportedly Front-Runners for Adrian Beltre

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Angels, Athletics, Rangers, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

With every passing day, it seems clearer and clearer that Adrian Beltre and the Angels belong with one another.

A week ago, news broke that the Angels were pulling their offer to Beltre off the table. That move came with the caveat that they were still interested in signing Beltre, but they weren't interested in being played against other teams, real or imagined, for his services. It looked like a smart move then and it looks even smarter now.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Angels remain at the top of the list of Beltre suitors. The A's, who were an early mover for Beltre's services, have walked away after having several offers refused by the third baseman and his agent Scott Boras. The Rangers would like to sign Beltre, but the cost is prohibitive and the fact that they'd need to deal Michael Young or move him to designated hitter isn't sitting all that well with them.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/angels-reportedly-front-runners-for-adrian-beltre/

Luis Cruz Michael Cuddyer Chris Davis Ike Davis

Albert Pujols Reportedly Rejects Latest Contract Offer

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Rumors, MLB Free Agency

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has reportedly turned down the latest offer from the team and will announce Tuesday that he is ending negotiations on a new contract, according to a report in USA Today.

Citing someone close to Pujols, the newspaper reported he will not reopen discussion on the contract until after the season. His current deal ends at the end of the upcoming campaign, when the 31-year-old is eligible to become a free agent.

The veteran all-star is seeking a 10-year contract, the source told USA Today.

Pujols does not want the contract negotiations to become a distraction to him, particularly since the Cards open spring training on Wednesday in Jupiter, Fla. Pujols is expected to report on time to camp.

Unless an agreement can be reached between both sides by Tuesday, Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa supports his player's decision to then forgo negotiations until after the season.

"This is a spectacular distraction potentially," LaRussa said. "We won't allow it to be."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/13/albert-pujols-set-to-end-contract-talks-if-no-deal-is-made-by-tu/

Brandon Hicks Chin-lung Hu Omar Infante César Izturis

Dusty Baker warns future Cubs managers to watch their step

The moment when an interview subject reveals something outrageously horrible is always an awkward time for an interviewer. Do you frown and shake your head? Maintain a stone face in the name of objectivity? Nervously laugh and hope he or she was merely joking?

I ask because I can only imagine how Jon Paul Morosi reacted when Dusty Baker, uh, dropped this bomb about his final weeks as manager of the Chicago Cubs in 2006.

From FOX Sports:

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day," Baker said Monday morning. "That was the low point. The grounds crew guy cleaned it up. He said, ‘Oh, I think it's dog crap.' I said, ‘No it ain't. That's human crap.'"

Baker said Monday's interview was the first time he had discussed the incident publicly. He doesn't know who the perpetrator was.

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase tells us that GM Jim Hendry has "no recollection" of such an incident happening or Baker mentioning it. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, though it's hard to imagine that any Cubs fan would drop trou at the end of a season — no matter how awful — instead of throwing up his hands, which is the more traditional response.

Other bloggers have taken a look at the Cubs roster to see if it contained any fiber-minded individuals, though it's also difficult to think anyone on there could be that demented.

But everyone's a suspect and if what Baker claims is true, that means that someone really was that sick to do such a thing. If that person is reading this, all I can say is shame on you, sir.

Shame on you. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Dusty-Baker-warns-future-Cubs-managers-to-watch-?urn=mlb-324917

John Lindsey James Loney Mike Lowell Andy Marte

Gunslinger Kevin Towers Settling In as Diamondbacks General Manager

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Diamondbacks, Padres, NL West

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kevin Towers loathed the Diamondbacks in their heyday, calling them arrogant when he was general manager of the Padres, so it's something to see him now amid the sagebrush and cactus, talking of his paradise found as Arizona's GM.

Yet, where better than the Old West for a GM who shoots from the hip and has Gunslinger in his email address? Among his favorite spots in Phoenix is Rawhide, an Old West town where, for a PR stunt 11 years ago, he and other Padres honchos assembled in gunslinger garb.

But it's far more than locale that has Towers smiling on this February morning as he reviews his first five months on the job.

For all his headline-grabbing trades and quips as Padres GM, he wasn't always allowed to indulge his, well, his gunslinger-ishness, sometimes for his own good, he admits, citing mostly his early years as a GM under the savvy, if obsessive Larry Lucchino. Now, befitting his 14 years of GM experience, he's getting more elbow room.

"It's a perfect job," he says.

Most fun he's had in a decade-plus, he adds, calling Diamondback-dom "the best working environment" of any front office where he's worked.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/24/gunslinger-kevin-towers-settling-in-as-diamondbacks-general-mana/

Luke Scott Ryan Shealy Justin Smoak Brandon Snyder

Trevor Hoffman Finds His Perfect Ending

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Brewers, Padres, MLB Hall of Fame, MLB Milestones

That Trevor Hoffman is going from retirement to the place where he most belongs -- the San Diego Padres -- is a reminder that prunes can become lemonade, in time.

When the all-time saves leader left the Padres two winters ago, he blasted the club for how it handled his departure. (And not without good reason.) Hoffman and his agent weren't blameless, either. The messy public rift stained both the franchise icon and Padres management, from owner John Moores down to CEO Sandy Alderson and general manager Kevin Towers.

Make no mistake: the decision for Hoffman to move on, so that Heath Bell could assume the closer's job, was the right one. But the club told Hoffman by phone that it was pulling its offer. Later, Hoffman described the club as dysfunctional, and went on about it.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/11/trevor-hoffman-finds-his-perfect-ending/

Chris Woodward Danny Worth David Wright Kevin Youkilis

Lastings Milledge Inks White Sox Deal

by Andrew Johnson

Filed under: White Sox, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The White Sox and outfielder Lastings Milledge have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal, the team announced Thursday.

Milledge, 25, has spent parts of five seasons in the majors, bouncing from the Mets to the Nationals to, most recently, the Pirates.

He hit a career-best .277 for Pittsburgh in 2010, belting four home runs and driving in 34 runs.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/03/lastings-milledge-inks-white-sox-deal/

Xavier Nady Mike Napoli Oswaldo Navarro Yamaico Navarro

Video: The new MLB Network ad is all sorts of awesome

I often like to brag about my mad Photoshop skills, but this new commercial that just started airing on MLB Network is really something to write home about. Entitled "All In One Place," the spot utilizes some great trick editing to make it appear like baseball superstars from past and present are all sharing one field at the network's home studios.

From MLB PR:

Jackie Robinson walks out of the dugout; Sandy Koufax shakes hands with Walter Johnson while George Brett and Bob Gibson look on; Josh Hamilton talks with Willie Stargell and Lou Gehrig; Albert Pujols and Pedro Martinez walk with Juan Marichal.

"All in One Place" was produced by MLB Network's Creative Services team, who researched one thousand hours of archive footage to find the best clips of each player to include.

The care definitely shows and it's way cool to see everyone sharing the same place while they look like they're in their primes. It might be the most impressive collection of multi-generational talent in one spot since the Hall of Inaccurate Presidents, really.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Video-The-new-MLB-Network-ad-is-all-sorts-of-aw?urn=mlb-325388

Aaron Hill Eric Hinske Jarrett Hoffpauir Micah Hoffpauir

Donald Trump Weighing Investment in Mets

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Mets, MLB Biz, Sports Business and Media

NEW YORK (AP) -- Donald Trump is thinking about investing in the New York Mets.

The New York real estate owner with a flair for publicity said Wednesday he wants to help Mets owner Fred Wilpon. Wilpon is under pressure from a lawsuit from the trustee trying to recover money for the victims of the Bernard Madoff swindle.

Speaking Tuesday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Trump said: "I hope that it works out well for the Wilpons because they're friends of mine. If they ever needed help, I'd be there to help them. If I could help, I'd love to help them."

Trump's interest was first reported by The New York Times on its website.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/15/donald-trump-weighing-investment-in-mets/

Nick Evans Adam Everett Pedro Feliz Prince Fielder

Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies Expected to Finalize $80.5 Million Extension Tuesday

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Rockies, NL West

Assuming all goes well with his physical on Monday, the Rockies are expected to hold a press conference Tuesday to formally announce Carlos Gonzalez's $80.5 million contract extension.

Gonzalez arrived in Denver from Venezuela on Sunday to take care of the last remaining hurdles between him and the seven-year deal he agreed to last week. Gonzalez's camp released a statement on Monday sharing the outfielder's thoughts on the eve of the big day.

"I feel satisfied with the offer because it's not only the money that counts, but also the possibility of doing what I love, which is playing baseball," Gonzalez was quoted as saying in the statement. "On top of that, I will play with a team that has always made me feel at home, that from the beginning trusted in my talent and has allowed me to improve day after day on the field."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/10/carlos-gonzalez-expected-to-finalize-80-5-million-rockies-deal/

Freddie Freeman David Freese Rafael Furcal Mat Gamel

Steve Phillips' Fix My Team: Twins

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Twins, MLB Video, MLB Hot Stove, Executive Take

Every team has a few precious months in the offseason to make tweaks to their roster and ensure that they improve in 2011. Steve Phillips has taken a team to the World Series before, and over the course of November and December he will present his plan for every major league team to get there as well. It's the 25th episode of Fix My Team, and his latest project is the Minnesota Twins.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/17/steve-phillips-fix-my-team-twins/

Ryan Raburn Alexei Ramírez Aramis Ramírez Hanley Ramírez

Melky Cabrera Signs With Royals

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Royals, MLB Transactions, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera agreed to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals, pending a physical, the club announced on Friday.

Cabrera's deal is worth $1.25 million plus $250,000 in incentives, according to ESPN.com.

The switch-hitting 26-year-old was let go by the Braves this offseason after hitting .255 with just four home runs and 52 RBI in 147 games this season. He has played all three outfield positions during the course of his career.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/10/melky-cabrera-signs-with-royals/

Elvis Andrus Matt Antonelli Joaquín Árias Garrett Atkins

Full Scouting Report: Danny Duffy

by Frankie Piliere

Filed under: Royals, Prospects, Minor Leagues, Advanced Scouting

PEORIA, Ariz. -- It's no longer a secret that the Royals' farm system is, without question, one of the best in the game. In fact, it was strong enough to sustain the temporary loss of a pitching prospect of the caliber of Danny Duffy and still be absolutely loaded.

The good news is Duffy is back from his sudden departure from baseball in spring training and he's brought his outstanding talent with him.

Duffy's Arizona Fall League numbers are not impressive, as is the case with many pitchers in the AFL, but the Royals have to be thrilled with how good their prized lefty's stuff has looked of late. Here's what I saw from Duffy on Wednesday in Peoria.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/18/full-scouting-report-danny-duffy/

Hanley Ramírez Édgar Rentería José Reyes Ryan Rohlinger

Bo Porter Joins Nats Coaching Staff, Out of Running in Pittsburgh, Florida

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Diamondbacks, Marlins, Pirates

Bo Porter interviewed with the Pirates for their managerial vacancy and was considered one of the two favorites for the Marlins job. He won't be getting either, however.

The Nationals announced Tuesday that Porter will be the third base coach on Jim Riggleman's staff next season. The timing of the news is somewhat surprising. The Marlins were thought to favor Porter over interim manager Edwin Rodriguez last month and even offered him the job before sticking with Rodriguez during the season.

This news would seem to indicate that they've decided to stick with Rodriguez because it is hard to believe Porter would take himself out of the running at this point in the process. Not waiting for the Pirates is easier to understand as they are only now interviewing Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle and don't seem to be close to making a decision.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/02/bo-porter-joins-nats-coaching-staff-out-of-running-in-pittsburg/

Joe Inglett Travis Ishikawa Aki Iwamura César Izturis

Sidelined by Injury, Rangers' Adrian Beltre Focused on Rings

by John Hickey

Filed under: Rangers, Spring Training

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It's been a dozen years that Adrian Beltre has been a major leaguer, and for the most part they've been good ones.

When he went looking for a job this winter, however, the Gold Glove-winning third baseman looked to address the deficiencies he saw in his career. He's only been to the postseason once, with the Dodgers in 2004, and that, he says, has to change.

Small wonder then that he opted to connect with the Texas Rangers, the defending American League champions. The Rangers went to the World Series in 2010, and Beltre says it's his belief they are in excellent position to get there again.

"There were other ways I could have gone," said Beltre, who considered signing with Angels or A's in order to stay close to his Southern California home. "I've accomplished a lot in my career but this team gives me a chance to get to the World Series.

"I've been in the big leagues 12 years and only played in the playoffs once. That doesn't sit well with me. I don't have a ring, and I want one."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/25/sidelined-by-injury-rangers-adrian-beltre-focused-on-rings/

Casey Kotchman Mark Kotsay Mike Lamb Matt LaPorta

Bob Feller's Delivery Fierce to the Finish

by Pat McManamon

Filed under: Indians

A real natural existed before Roy Hobbs was a creation in a filmmaker's mind. A guy who learned to pitch throwing into a makeshift backstop with his father on the family farm in Iowa. A guy who would achieve greatness in baseball and willingly sacrifice some of that greatness for his country.

Bob Feller was an original, special on the mound, priceless off it. He mowed down hitters with his ferocious fastball and high leg kick, and attacked issues and topics away from the game the same way. Like all of us, Feller was made of many parts. But unlike most of us, Feller's pieces were not soft-edged or beveled. Feller was the way he pitched -- forceful, fast and firm.

---

More Coverage: Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller Dies at 92

---

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/15/bob-fellers-delivery-fierce-to-the-finish/

Justin Turner Dan Uggla Juan Uribe Chase Utley

Matt Garza Joins Cubs as Rays Trade Final

by Marc Lancaster

Filed under: Cubs, Rays, MLB Transactions, MLB Hot Stove

Matt Garza is officially the latest frontline starter in the NL Central, as the Cubs and Rays announced Saturday their previously reported eight-player deal.

Garza, the 27-year-old starter, is the centerpiece of the trade. He heads to Chicago along with outfielder Fernando Perez and minor league lefty Zachary Rosscup in exchange for right-hander Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, catcher Robinson Chirinos and outfielders Brandon Guyer and Sam Fuld.

Fuld is the only player headed to the Rays with big league experience, but the other four ranked among the Cubs' top 16 prospects heading into 2011, according to Baseball America. Archer is the key to the deal for Tampa Bay, a potential frontline starter himself at age 22 who was considered the Cubs' top prospect.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/08/matt-garza-joins-cubs-as-rays-trade-final/

Mark Kotsay Kevin Kouzmanoff Mike Lamb Matt LaPorta

Frank Robinson Released From Arizona Hospital After Breathing Difficulties

by A.J. Perez

Filed under: Reds

Hall of Fame slugger Frank Robinson was released from an Arizona hospital hours after he left the quarterly Major League Baseball owners' meetings in an ambulance on Thursday, according to an MLB spokesman.

"Frank experienced dizziness and a rapid heart rate," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said in an e-mail. "(He) went to the hospital for observation."

Courtney said Robinson was released later Thursday. He was transported to Osborn Medical Center and arrived in good condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

"I was concerned,'' Robinson told USA TODAY. "I don't know what it was. I had shortness of breath, but not to the point I couldn't breathe."

The 75-year-old Robinson, who became baseball's first full-time African-American manager after a 21-season playing career, currently serves as a senior vice president for baseball operations. He began not to feel well during one of the meetings at a resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz., and asked for assistance.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/13/frank-robinson-hospitalized-in-arizona/

Brett Wallace Rickie Weeks Ty Wigginton Jack Wilson

Violence in Mexico spells end for Joakim Soria's famous nickname

Ever since it was coined a few seasons ago, Joakim Soria's "The Mexicutioner" has ranked as one of baseball's most memorable nicknames.

It became something of a phenomenon, really. Hardly any article or blog post about the great Kansas City Royals closer passed without a mention, the team printed up T-shirts with the moniker and even Soria himself said that he liked it.

But after giving it some thought, the two-time All-Star has asked that fans stop labeling him as "The Mexicutioner." Soria's reasoning via Twitter is this: Considering that his home country of Mexico is being stained by a run of execution-style and drug-related killings, he no longer considers the violent-sounding nickname to be appropriate. 

From the Kansas City Star:

"Calling me the Mexicutioner, that's a bad thing," Soria said. "In a baseball way, it's not that bad. Really, it's a great thing. But I want to support my people.

"When people in Mexico watch TV to try to forget about all of the violence — and then they see the nickname ‘Mexicutioner' — that's a bad thing."

It's impossible, of course, to disagree with Soria's stance, no matter how catchy the nickname was. I haven't yet seen a person refusing to budge from "The Mexicutioner" habit and a lot of blogs have sprung to action in search of a new nickname for Soria that's more appropriate.

I'm open to more suggestions from commenters, but the leader in my clubhouse — "El Bombero" — comes via Sam Mellinger's solicitation. It's Spanish for "firefighter" or "fireman" and it would more than suit a pitcher who's already compiled 132 saves and a 2.01 ERA since entering the league in 2007.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Violence-in-Mexico-spells-end-for-Joakim-Soria-s?urn=mlb-325334

Chris Valaika Luis Valbuena Wilson Valdez Omar Vizquel

Angels Fiddle as AL West Turns

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Angels, Athletics, Rangers, AL West

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim still have a decent team, hefty revenues and Mike Sciosica as their manager. A full season from 2010 part-timers Kendry Morales and Dan Haren represents built-in improvement for 2011, when the Angels will try to rebound from their first losing season (80-82) since 2003. West Coast Bias isn't counting out the Halos.

Yet, it's been one stinker of an offseason for them so far.

The Rangers and Athletics, who finished one-two in the American League West last year, seemingly have improved themselves, while the Angels have yet to address an offense whose 4.2 runs per game was the franchise's lowest since 1992.

The Angels, perhaps in part through their own doing, took a fist to the jaw a month ago when left fielder Carl Crawford signed instead with the Boston Red Sox. Crawford seemed an ideal fit for Anaheim.

Tuesday brought another setback: Third baseman Adrian Beltre, probably the only high-impact ballplayer left on the market, reportedly agreed to terms with the rival Rangers.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/05/angels-fiddle-as-al-west-turns/

Chris Coste Michael Cuddyer Chris Davis Ike Davis

Leah Ayers Charged After Hacking Grady Sizemore Nude Photos

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Indians, MLB Police Blotter

Leah Ayers, a 19-year-old St. Cloud State student, has been charged with two counts of unauthorized computer access after she was found to have hacked the e-mail of Grady Sizemore's girlfriend and stolen nude pictures of the MLB star.

"These pictures were stolen illegally from my girlfriend's email," Sizemore said in the wake of the November 2009 incident. "It's now a legal matter that is under investigation. I can't say anything more."

SIzemore had taken the photos on his phone and sent them to Brittany Binger, a Playboy playmate. According to court papers, Binger's e-mail account was hacked four times in August 2009 in order to steal the photos, which were widely distributed over the internet.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/10/leah-ayers-charged-after-hacking-grady-sizemore-nude-photos/

Matt Stairs Mike Sweeney Fernando Tatís Mark Teixeira

Chone Figgins Will Move Back to Third Base for Mariners

by John Hickey

Filed under: Mariners

Chone Figgins, who had his greatest success as a third baseman and floundered some when moved to second base by Seattle last year, will go into spring training with the Mariners as their third baseman.

General manager Jack Zduriencik, who traded 2010's third baseman, Jose Lopez, to Colorado, told the Everett Herald Thursday that Figgins has been asked to move back to third base and he's agreed.

"We have talked to Chone about going back to third base and he's well aware of it," Zduriencik said. "His response was, 'Fine, I'll do what is best for the club.' "

Figgins was a third baseman with the Angels for the bulk of his career in Anaheim, and third base was open when he signed with Seattle. But rather than have him move to take over the spot long held by Adrian Beltre, then-manager Don Wakamatsu and Zduriencik asked Figgins to move to second while Lopez moved to third.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/07/chone-figgins-will-move-back-to-third-base-for-mariners/

Jeff Baker Brian Barden Clint Barmes Darwin Barney

Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies Expected to Finalize $80.5 Million Extension Tuesday

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Rockies, NL West

Assuming all goes well with his physical on Monday, the Rockies are expected to hold a press conference Tuesday to formally announce Carlos Gonzalez's $80.5 million contract extension.

Gonzalez arrived in Denver from Venezuela on Sunday to take care of the last remaining hurdles between him and the seven-year deal he agreed to last week. Gonzalez's camp released a statement on Monday sharing the outfielder's thoughts on the eve of the big day.

"I feel satisfied with the offer because it's not only the money that counts, but also the possibility of doing what I love, which is playing baseball," Gonzalez was quoted as saying in the statement. "On top of that, I will play with a team that has always made me feel at home, that from the beginning trusted in my talent and has allowed me to improve day after day on the field."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/10/carlos-gonzalez-expected-to-finalize-80-5-million-rockies-deal/

Adam LaRoche Andy LaRoche Derrek Lee Brent Lillibridge