Meet MLB scribe Jessica Kleinschmidt, who gives us the lowdown as pitchers and catchers report today. That’s right baseball season has alreaddy begun. You can follow Kleinschmidt on Twitter here
Follow paulmbanksSpring Training preview with baseball scribe Jessica Kleinschmidt
Mike Trout Should Win the 2012 AL MVP
This writer is voting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Mike Trout for the AL MVP…PERIOD. Why? Let the debate continue!
Follow paulmbanksHilarious Comerica Park live shot, Rangers and Tigers fan idiots (video)
This is too funny. Watch these Texas Rangers fans and Detroit Tigers fans act goofy and really really stupid behind the Fox Sports reporter while she’s doing her live stand-up.
Follow paulmbanksDon Cooper on John Danks, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy
When Don Cooper recently met with White Sox season ticket holders, he shared his insights on John Danks, Chris Sale and the White Sox closer’s role in 2012. He even spoke on the secrets of Jake Peavy and his views on how fans could best support the team. What did he have to say? Keep reading to find out.
Follow paulmbanksShould BBWAA Rescind Ryan Braun’s MVP Award?
Normally Saturday nights are placid when it comes to off-field news in the sports world, but the regularly scheduled calm was interrupted in a big way when ESPN, among several other outlets, reported that Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. The slugger is coming off a season that saw him hit 33 HR’s and drive in 111 RBI en route to an NL MVP Award, as well as leading Milwaukee to their first division title since 1982. The positive test, if upheld, would mean that Braun would be suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season.
Follow paulmbanksMultiple Outlets Report Positive PED Test for Ryan Braun
After a Winter Meetings marked by big time free agent signings, things took a turn back toward baseball’s not so distant past on Saturday evening. According to reports by multiple outlets, including ESPN.com’s Outside the Lines, Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. If the initial test is upheld, the slugger will be suspended for the first 50 games of the regular season under MLB’s steroid policy.
Follow paulmbanksFINALLY: Thoughts on Santo’s Induction into Hall of Fame
For more than 30 years, Chicago Cubs fans and baseball fans alike have been wondering when the day would finally come that Ron Santo would get his just rewards for his 14-year career and be granted entrance into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Finally, almost a year to the day after he died in December 2010, Santo was elected to the Hall by the Veteran’s Committee. He received 15 of 16 votes, and as expected, reaction from around Cubdom was swift.
Follow paulmbanksCubs Surpass 3 Mil Fans, Name Farm System Players of the Year
The Chicago Cubs today reached three million fans at Wrigley Field for the eighth season in a row and will be one of only four major league baseball franchises to surpass the mark every year starting in 2004. Remember, this for tickets sold, not fans showing up. Because we’ve seen how empty Wrigley has been this season.
The Cubs are the only Chicago professional sports team to ever reach three million in attendance and will be one of only four teams in Major League Baseball to have reached three million fans in each of the last eight seasons, joining the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (currently on pace), St. Louis Cardinals (currently on pace) and New York Yankees. They did this in typical Cubs fashion losing 5-1 to the first place Milwaukee Brewers, who are headed to the postseason while the Cubs season pretty much ended in May.
The Brew Crew is doing this with a fraction of the payroll.
Follow paulmbanksBumps, bruises, and schedule stand in Cleveland Indians’ way
The Cleveland Indians have made their own luck this season with countless improbable comebacks and walk-off wins. And that self-made luck must continue.
After the latest rainout against the Twins, the Indians toughest challenge will perhaps be the schedule. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksA tale of two teams: Cleveland Indians first half recap
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness” in Cleveland. Charles Dickens famous words are a cliché perhaps, but the Indians have made that cliché all too true throughout the first half of 2011. After starting an improbable 30-15, the best start in the majors, the Tribe went just 17-27, leaving them with a 47-42 record, good for 2nd in the AL Central.
What went wrong for the Tribe during that rough patch? And can they turn it around and stick with the Tigers in the apparent two-team battle for the Central? [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksBlueprint for winning the MLB MVP Award
Let’s look at has been consistent in the MVP winners of the past. It seems like voters emphasize batting average over defensive position, or OBP. My preconception is that more MVP winners come from East coast teams and are generally first basemen, or second basemen. Also, I think voters emphasize a teams’ overall record in their voting. Am I right in feeling this way? Well, let’s see….
[Read more…]