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Thursday was the first day of a brand new gig for MASN reporter Julie Alexandria. She received a Gatorade dousing that was meant for Washington Nationals (and former White Sox super-prospect) Gio Gonzalez. The Nationals’ blanked the Cincinnati Reds last night, with Jordan Zimmermann’s performance worthy of a potential Gatorade bath.
However as you can see in the video below, the pouring was geared for Julie Alexandria instead.
Wonder what happened to former Montreal Expos and L.A. Angels star Vladimir Guerrero? How about 2 time All-Star with the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins Dontrelle Willis?
The Atlantic League‘s defending champion Long Island Ducks have a lock on the early-season intrigue because they have loaded up with star power, starting with 2004 American League Most Valuable Player Vladimir Guerrero.
Ah, Major League baseball. When I write “three ways to improve Major League Baseball” what I really mean is “three ways to make baseball more like football.” Sorry, major league baseball fans. The National Pastime is past its prime and a distant second-string to the pigskin. Don’t take it too hard. It’s not like football is a sport; it’s a quasi-religion. Heck, more Americans would rather watch a guy in a suit read names from a podium than catch another sport’s playoff game.
Major League Baseball will never be able to catch up to the NFL but it can close the gap. After all, baseball, when the games really matter, is the most dramatic of all the sports. Major League Baseball certainly has more substance than the NBA, tougher players than MLS (barely), and fewer franchises in inappropriate cities than the NHL. Below are three ways the game of baseball can improve itself.
A word of warning to baseball purists, have your defibrillator ready.
(Guest post by Ryan Hogan)
Over the past two decades or so in Major League Baseball, roles in the bullpen have become much more defined in years’ past. Closers, set-up men and specialty men have become the norm in every bullpen throughout MLB.
Closers oftentimes are now groomed in the minors, but often times closers can also graduate into the position through their performance in the middle of the bullpen as well.
Here are five current relievers who could easily become top MLB closers in the near future.
On Sept. 1 of each year in Major League Baseball, rosters expand from 25 to 40 players. Each team then has an opportunity to call up minor league prospects with the thought of evaluating their development and watching how they handle life on the grand stage.
This year, several prospects will get the same call, and will do all they can to impress their bosses. Here are five names to watch out for.
In early 1964, The Beatles recorded the song “Can’t Buy Me Love,” in which they sung about the perks that money can and can’t buy.
In Major League Baseball, money doesn’t always buy championships, either.
Here are five of the lowest-payroll teams in MLB history that went on to greatness.
This is a guest post submitted by Chris Ludwig. Chris played a wide variety of sports growing up and now passionately follows everything sports, especially Detroit sports. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wood bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Chris enjoys writing on different sports topics and is very grateful to be able to contribute here.
Check out the disgusting southern Ohio gut on this Cincinnati Reds fan who got tackled by the Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana as he sought a foul ball. The Reds took the latest battle in the birthplace of aviation state showdown 12-5, but this buckeye bulge is brutal on the eyes.
This dude is in the same weight class as that 76ers fan who became semi-famous for awhile during the NBA playoffs a couple weeks ago.
Boston outfielder Daniel Nava and Cincinnati third baseman Mike Costanzo were barely on their parent team’s radar as recently as spring training, yet they are wearing major league uniforms.
The Chicago Cubs, sporting the second to worst record in the national league, today recalled left-handed pitcher Travis Wood from Triple-A Iowa. To make room for Wood on the roster, infielder Blake DeWitt has been designated for assignment.
Wood, wearing number 30, started for the Cubs in today’s storm delayed contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field.
Star slugger Joey Votto agreed to a 12-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds today that is the longest guaranteed contract in major league baseball history. The contract adds 10 years to his old contract, and includes a club option for 2024.
The Reds secured their 2010 National League MVP for more than $200 million, a much more expensive contract than Ken Griffey Jr. when he returned to his home town. The longest MLB deal in history is also the largest in Reds’ history.
Unlike Prince Fielder with the Brewers and Albert Pujols with the Cardinals, the Reds weren’t going to let their star get away.
Theo Epstein sent a message of rebuilding today. Actually he already sent that message earlier this week when he said that the Chicago Cubs were not interested in acquiring Prince Fielder. It’s clear: a youth movement, rebuilding from scratch is going on in Chicago.
Today, Theo acquired left-handed pitcher Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and minor league infielder Ronald Torreyes from the Cincinnati Reds for left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall. Marshall leaves the Cubs with a 32-40 record, seven saves and a 3.96 ERA in 292 appearances over six seasons.
Here’s a listing and synopsis of some of the top prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Many reside in the AL Central and NL Central divisions. The Chicago Cubs have two.
