Twins to Retire Bert Blyleven's No. 28

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Twins, MLB Hall of Fame

The honors keep rolling in for Bert Blyleven.

The Twins announced Thursday night that they will retire the newly minted Hall of Famer's No. 28 jersey. The ceremony will take place before the Twins' July 16 game against the Rangers -- eight days before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Blyleven spent 11 of his 22 big-league seasons with the Twins, but was traded from Minnesota to Texas in June 1976 and spent the balance of that season and all of the following year with the Rangers. He eventually returned for a second stint in Minnesota toward the end of his career.

"2011 is going to be a special year for the Blyleven family, the Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory," Twins CEO Jim Pohlad said in a statement. "As excitement builds for Bert's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Twins organization is proud to bestow our highest honor with the retirement of his jersey -- number 28. Bert Blyleven Day is aimed at celebrating Bert's incredible contributions on and off the field, while also providing he and his family a proper send-off to Cooperstown."

Blyleven will be the sixth Twin to have his number retired, joining Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14), Rod Carew (29) and Kirby Puckett (34).

Puckett's number was the most recent to be retired, in 1997.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/twins-to-retire-bert-blylevens-no-28/

Logan Morrison Daniel Murphy Donnie Murphy Xavier Nady

First Basemen Paul Konerko, Carlos Pena Bringing Thump to Windy City

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Cubs, Rays, MLB Video, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency, Executive Take, MLB Winter Meetings

The Windy City teams were the focal points of Wednesday's action at the Winter Meetings. Each team solidified their first base situation with the Cubs signing Carlos Pena and the White Sox bringing back Paul Konerko. FanHouse TV's Dan Graziano and Steve Phillips discuss what each signing means, and where the gusts will be felt stronger.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/08/first-basemen-paul-konerko-carlos-pena-bringing-thump-to-windy/

Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cairo Jorge Cantú Mike Carp

Steve Phillips' Fix My Team: Reds

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Reds, 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 in November and December he will present his plan for every major league team to get there as well. It's the 24th episode of Fix My Team, and his latest project is the Cincinnati Reds.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/16/steve-phillips-fix-my-team-reds/

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Andruw Jones, Yankees Reportedly Near 1-Year Deal

by FanHouse Staff

Filed under: Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones is nearing a one-year deal with the New York Yankees, according to Yahoo! Sports.

A five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, Jones would fit into the Yankees' plans as a fourth outfielder, and as a right-handed bat with some power, he probably will not have trouble finding playing time. New York's regular outfield includes two lefties -- Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner -- and both had their share of difficulty hitting left-handed pitching last year.

Jones, who will turn 34 in April, is a 15-year veteran. He spent most of his career to date with the Braves, but has bounced around the last three years from the Dodgers to the Rangers and finally to the White Sox this past season.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/17/andruw-jones-yankees-reportedly-near-1-year-deal/

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A's Chris Carter Eyes Big '11 Impact

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Athletics, MLB Video, Prospects

Athletics prospect Chris Carter could be poised to provide a big boost to an Oakland offense that struggled to score runs last year. Carter sits down to talk with FanHouse TV's Jeff Fletcher about how he feels heading into spring training and about his goals for the 2011 season.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/as-chris-carter-eyes-big-11-impact/

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Roberto Alomar Should Be in Hall Already

by Ed Price

Filed under: Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Indians, Orioles, 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.

Six years ago, I saw Roberto Alomar at his worst.

Alomar spent the first half of his final season with the Diamondbacks, and I was a beat writer covering the team. He hit .309 in 38 games but made little impact, missing two months with a broken hand after being hit by a pitch.

After being traded to the White Sox in August, Alomar hit .180, and the next spring, he retired.

Here's the thing: Despite what I saw up close, I can't believe Alomar is anything but a slam-dunk Hall of Famer.

That Alomar DIDN'T get in a year ago, in his first time on the ballot, still stuns me.

I can't imagine under what criteria Alomar is not a Hall of Famer.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/22/roberto-alomar-should-be-in-hall-already/

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All-or-Nothing Adam Dunn Perfect Fit for Brash White Sox

by Tom Krasovic

Filed under: Nationals, Reds, White Sox, AL Central, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The White Sox and Adam Dunn go together like deep dish pizza and a cold beer, so it's pleasing to see the likable lug sign up for four years on Chicago's South Side.

Their shared trait: Neither is deterred by naked defeat. Both march onward, looking for either the big score or the grand slam.

The White Sox believe that scared money doesn't win. While that sounds bold and inspiring, the Sox actually live it. It's in their DNA. They're like Kevin Costner's golfer in "Tin Cup." Lay up? Hush up.

Sometimes the Sox take a financial bath for their boldness, but here they are again swinging hard and guaranteeing $56 million to Dunn for the next four years. That's the same amount they risked over the last two summers on Jake Peavy and Manny Ramirez, but rather than shrink from those failed acquisitions, Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Kenny Williams took another chance. The World Series winner they built last decade is a reminder of the potential payoff.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/02/all-or-nothing-adam-dunn-perfect-fit-for-brash-white-sox/

Matt LaPorta Jeff Larish Adam LaRoche Andy LaRoche