Thursday, April 15, 2010

AROUND THE HORN

***IT'S TOUGH BEING A MINOR LEAGUER***
I explained about a 'simulated game' a while back. It's used mostly to allow pitchers to get their rhythm and endurance back. There is a problem: the pitchers aren't sharp. In his simulated game, Cliff Lee nailed minor-leaguer Kyle Seager in the side with a fastball. I think it'll be a while before Kyle volunteers for that duty again.

***IT AIN'T CHEATING UNLESS YOU GET CAUGHT***
There is talk that the Blue Jays' Ricky Romero lost his no-hit bid because of a little subterfuge by AJ Pierzynski of the White Sox. After a pitched ball hit the ground NEAR his foot, AJ hopped around like a monkey and then ran to first. Despite protestations from the Jays and a conference by the umpires, AJ was allowed to stay at first. Pitching from the stretch, when pitchers are generally not as effective, and upset about the HBP call, Romero promptly gave up his first hit. Asked about it later, AJ just smiled. Since the home plate umpire was Tim McClelland, is anyone surprised that he missed the call? This is the guy that hardly noticed two Yankees on third base at the same time in last year's post-season, and also missed the fact that BOTH were tagged out. Tim, it's time you looked into retirement. ...and take Joe West with you.

***HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?***
David Ortiz' struggles at the plate is big news, especially in Boston. The phrase in baseball is "hitting below the Mendoza line," which means under .200. Big Papi is currently hitting .157. Well, what do you call it when you hit below .100? Simple: it's called Mark Teixeira. He's currently hitting .097. Of course, he's driven in twice as many runs as Ortiz. Mark has 4.

***ANOTHER FAVORITE WRITER OF MINE***
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "Oakland placed leadoff hitter Coco Crisp on the disabled list. That's tough luck for the Athletics, who earlier had to place Fruity Pebbles on the disabled list"

CP-

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