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7/28/2008
Billy-Ball Daily
Bill Chuck (Billy-Ball his own self)
Billy-Ball - From the diamond to your desktop…
By Baseball Newstalgist, Bill Chuck
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The only spin here is on my screwball
Monday, July 28, 2008
Top of the 1st
MANNY BEING MANNY NEEDS TO BE MANNY BEING TRADED
July 28, 2008 – BOSTON - Manny on Manny: “If the Red Sox think they can find a trade that is going to make the team better, and both sides are going to be happy, I’m going to agree. But if they can’t find a trade . . . It’s something simple, it’s no big deal,” said Ramirez, who went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in the Sox’ 9-2 victory last night, raising his average to .302. “At the end of the season, all they have to do is call my agent (Scott Boras) and say, ‘Hey, we’re not going to pick up Manny’s option for ’09, he’s going to become a free agent.’ That’s it. I’ll go my way and you guys go your way. It’s something simple.
“I don’t want to talk to them about contract right now, so what? I know they have me, but enough is enough. I’m tired of them, they’re tired of me. After 2008, just send me a letter. You don’t even have to call my agent or whatever. ‘Thank you for everything, you’re going to become a free agent, we’re not going to pick up your option in ’09.’ ”
As the trading deadline approaches, the Yankees are hot on the heels of the Red Sox and have made a huge deal. They have filled their void in left field and the have filled their void for a lefty in the bullpen by acquiring Xavier Nady and Damoso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Meanwhile Manny Ramirez missed two Sox games complaining about a bad knee that no one knew about.
Pulling himself out of the line-up against the Mariners in Seattle is one thing, but pulling out of the opener against the Yankees, at Fenway, is another. It’s the equivalent of Santa taking December 25 and 26th off.
Everyone figured Manny better be hurting pretty badly for this to happen. That’s why, after Manny’s late scratch from the line-up, the Sox called Manny’s bluff. They sent him to Mass General for not just an MRI on the knee he claimed was hurting, but on both knees just in case he forgot which one was bothering him (Mark Twain said, “If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything you said.”). It turns out that Mr.I found nothing wrong with Manny’s knees. If they had MRI’d his head chances are they would have found nothing either.
At the time, Manny had an 11-game hitting streak, in which he was hitting .487 (more players need bad knees like that). He also has had a recent streak of misbehavior which has included pushing down the 64-year old traveling secretary of the Red Sox over not receiving the 18 tickets he wanted, a pinch-hitting appearance against Mariano Rivera in which he stood idly by as three straight pitches crossed the plate, a fielding adventure in which a ball ended up underneath him and he gets up giggling, an in-dugout altercation with Kevin Youkilis, a weird jaywalking incident in Seattle, a statement in which Ramirez demanded a meeting with ownership to discuss his $20 million team option, that resulted in team owner John Henry saying he was personally offended by Ramirez's claim that the team was not being forthright about his future, and it goes on and on and on.
How did it get to this point this season?
After paying Manny $20 million for eight years, the Sox hold an option for the each of the next two years and because the Boston Red Sox are in the unique position of being in control of the destiny of their uncontrollable Man-Child Manny Ramirez, their choices have come down to this:
• Put the blinders on, as they have been forced to do so many times over the past six years, and let Manny dictate if and when he is willing to play.
• Attempt to punish him through suspensions or fines, although we have already seen this season how that has only inflamed Manny who was reportedly fined a six-figure amount for the incident with the traveling secretary.
• Announce that they are not going to renew Manny’s contract at the season’s end in the hope that Manny will now be selfishly be playing for his next contract with another team (the NY Mets are waiting).
• Announce that they are going to renew his contract for $20 million no matter what he does, which is truly the definition of biting your nose to spite your face.
• And now, for the first time since they were unsuccessful in putting him on waivers, try to move him prior to the trade deadline (Phillies? He has a very good relationship with Charlie Manuel from his Indians days) and excise the cancer that is growing on this ballclub.
All indications are that ownership, GM Theo Epstein, manager Terry Francona, and Manny’s teammates are seething over a repeat of Manny quitting on this team. Red Sox Nation, the most vocal of fans, who have been apologists for so long with Manny, have reached the end of their rope as well.
It won’t be easy trading Manny, he would he have to approve a deal, he would have to go to a team that is willing to pick up his salary for the remainder of the season and have someone on the team who can baby sit Manny, and then, Boston would also want some sort of equitable compensation.
Can the Sox repeat as World Champions without Manny? Possibly.
Can the Sox repeat as World Champions with Manny? Probably.
Can the Sox continue with Manny being Manny? Not any more.
Now is the time that Theo has to show the magic that made him a wunderkind in 2004 when he moved the clubhouse headache known in these parts as “Nomaah.” It’s really time to pack up all his troubles and woes and to say bye, bye Manny.
Stay tuned, it’s time to see who holds the remote control.
Top of the 2nd
SWEEPS
Rockies redux? - Garrett Atkins, Chris Iannetta, and Jeff Baker homered, Scott Podsednik had three hits, and Ubaldo Jimenez turned in another terrific start and the Rockies swept the Cincinnati Reds with an 11-0 victory yesterday. It was their first sweep of a road series this season and their first in Cincinnati since June 15-17, 2001. Colorado extended its winning streak to five games, matching its season high, and are 9-1 since the All-Star break and have compiled at least 11 hits in eight consecutive games, their longest streak since an eight-game run in September 1999. Jimenez (7-9) is a strong candidate for pitcher of the month as he upped his record to 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in six July starts.
Clayton Kershaw picked his first victory in 10 major league starts, and yes it counts even if it is against the Nationals. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 yesterday and Kershaw got the lineup card from manager Joe Torre as a souvenir, and a shaving cream pie in the face from teammates while he was doing a postgame radio interview. Kershaw (1-3) gave up four hits in 6+ innings a day after Derek Lowe held the lowest-scoring team in the majors to one hit over eight innings. Chan Ho Park and Hong-Chih Kuo each pitched an inning of relief and Jonathan Broxton completed the combined five-hitter with a perfect 9th, picking up his fourth save since taking over the closer role for the injured Takashi Saito. The Dodgers (52-52) completed a three-game sweep and climbed back to the .500 mark for the first time since May 30. The Nationals, whose 38-68 record is the worst in baseball, have dropped 15 of their last 19 overall and nine straight at Dodger Stadium since May 4, 2005. The Nationals, who have scored a major league-low 388 runs, suffered their 15th shutout loss of the season and third in four games.
Randy Johnson threw seven shutout innings to win his fourth straight start and the Arizona Diamondbacks completed their first sweep in San Francisco in seven years, beating the Giants 7-2 yesterday. The Big Unit picked up win No. 292 and extended his scoreless inning streak to 15, his longest since 19 straight in September 2002. Johnson (8-7) earned his first win in San Francisco since July 16, 2002. He allowed nine hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter. Conor Jackson had three hits, including a home run, Mark Reynolds added a two-run homer and Stephen Drew extended his hitting streak to 12 games for the NL West-leading Diamondbacks, who have won five of six to move two games over .500 for the first time since June 24. The Giants have lost 12 of their last 16 games. Barry Zito (5-13) became the first 13-game loser in the majors, giving up six runs and six hits in five innings. He walked five and struck out four in his fifth straight loss to the Diamondbacks. Zito received run support of one or less for the 11th time in his 21 starts. The Diamondbacks last swept the Giants in San Francisco in a three-game set May 28-30, 2001.
Top of the 3rd
THE METS KEEP COOKING
Johan Santana pitched his seventh career complete game, Fernando Tatis and Ramon Castro hit two-run homers and New York pounded Kyle Lohse and the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 on Sunday. Santana (9-7) allowed six hits and a walk in winning for just the second time since June 1. He also scored a run and drove in another while throwing his first complete game since a shutout of the Mets on June 19, 2007, when he was with the Twins. David Wright homered and had three hits for the Mets, who took two of three from contenders Philadelphia and St. Louis. The NL East leaders have won 11 of 13 at home and 15 of 19 overall.
Top of the 4th
SHOPPERS GUIDE TO THE BULLPEN
Everybody is looking for some help in the ‘pen – Here are some pitchers who you might want to put in your shopping cart:
• Everybody is talking about the Rockies 32-year old Brian Fuentes. He is a lefty in his contract year (he currently makes just over $5 million). He’s been successful in 17 of 21 save chances this season, but mainly pitches in the set-up role these days. He has 43 Ks in 40 innings and a WHIP of 1.13.
• The Baltimore Orioles 31-year old closer George Sherrill. Sherrill is 30-for 36 in save opportunities and has struck out 46 in 43.2 innings. Sherrill is arbitration-eligible (he makes $980,000) this season. He is under control through 2010. Buyer beware, his WHIP is 1.40. Sherrill’s 30 save, matches the total of the entire Baltimore staff in 2007.
• The Kansas City Royals insist they are not shopping 37-year old Ron Mahay, but they could do more by trading him then by keeping him. He has 42 strikeouts in 54.2 innings and has a really impressive WHIP of 1.19 to go along with his 1.81 ERA. He’s given up one run in his last 10 appearances including two impressive innings against the Rays yesterday He’s in the first year of a two-year $8 million contract and his value may never be higher than right now.
• The Rangers’ Steady Eddie Guardado my not be the force that he once was but the 37-year old has been a relatively effective set-up guy. His ERA is not great at 3.55 but his WHIP is only 1.00. Batters are hitting under .200 against him. He is a pending free agent due $2 million this season.
• Oh man, Will Ohman of the Braves is having a very good season. This 30-year old lefty has 41 Ks in 44.1 innings and a WHIP of 1.13. He has surrendered runs in only one of his last ten appearances and is holding lefties to a .152 average.
• The Giants 30-year old lefty Jack Taschner has a 3.03 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Lefties are barely hitting him (.185) but righties don’t find him a mystery (.290).
Top of the 5th
THE ORIOLES WIN ON SUNDAY! THE ORIOLES WIN ON SUNDAY!
The Baltimore Orioles ended their run of 15 straight losses in Sunday games, defeating Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels, 5-2. Garrett Olson (7-5) allowed two runs and seven hits in six-plus innings, breaking a run of eight games in which an Orioles starter failed to get through the 6th. Olson provided Baltimore with its first win on Sunday since April 6 against Seattle. Since that game, the Orioles were outscored by a combined 83-43 in compiling the longest skid on one day of the week since Arizona dropped 15 successive Saturday games in 2004.
Top of the 6th
BILLY-BALL-SITE-OF-THE-DAY
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Top of the 7th
PROBABLE PITCHERS
AL
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees, 7:05 pm
(R) Jeremy Guthrie (6-8) vs. (R) Mike Mussina (13-6)
LA Angels of Anaheim at Boston Red Sox, 7:05 pm
(R) Jered Weaver (8-8) vs. (R) Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-1)
Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 pm
(L) Kenny Rogers (8-6) vs. (R) Paul Byrd (4-10)
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 pm
(R) James Shields (9-6) vs. (R) A.J. Burnett (11-9)
Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers, 8:05 pm
(R) Felix Hernandez (7-6) vs. (R) Scott Feldman (4-3)
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins, 8:10 pm
(L) Mark Buehrle (8-8) vs. (R) Kevin Slowey (6-7)
Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics, 10:05 pm
(R) Zack Greinke (7-7) vs. (L) Dallas Braden (2-0)
NL
Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 pm
(L) Glendon Rusch (4-3) vs. (R) Ian Snell (3-8)
New York Mets at Florida Marlins, 7:10 pm
(R) John Maine (9-7) vs. (R) Ricky Nolasco (10-6)
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves, 7:10 pm
(R) Braden Looper (9-8) vs. (L) Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9)
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:05 pm
(L) Ted Lilly (10-6) vs. (L) CC Sabathia (4-0)
Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros, 8:05 pm
(R) Johnny Cueto (7-9) vs. (R) Roy Oswalt (7-8)
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, 10:05 pm
(R) Micah Owings (6-8) vs. (R) Greg Maddux (3-8)
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 pm
(R) Kevin Correia (1-5) vs. (R) Hiroki Kuroda (5-7)
Top of the 8th
DID YOU KNOW?
This is indeed impressive - Oakland reliever Brad Ziegler spent the first two months of the season pitching in the minors and yesterday Ziegler set the major-league record for scoreless innings to start a career. Ziegler gave up two singles in two innings to extend his scoreless streak to 27 and break a record that had stood since 1907. Ziegler's record broke the previous mark of 25 innings set by Philadelphia Phillies right-hander George McQuillan. It's also the third-longest scoreless streak overall by an Oakland reliever.
Afterward, the 28-year-old right-hander kept two balls from his outing but planned to send the rest — along with a pair of his shoes and a hat — to the Hall of Fame.
"I don't know if that's something I'd ever thought I'd have to do as long as it wasn't a real embarrassing moment or someone else's highlight, but it's pretty incredible," Ziegler said. "It's real special. I feel like I've worked real hard to get here. Thankfully it's not over yet. Hopefully we can keep it going."
Top of the 9th
POST-SEASON WANNABES MATCH-UPS THIS WEEK
• The Cubs visit Milwaukee to face the Brewers and CC Sabathia tonight.
• The White Sox visit Minnesota to face the Twins. The Twinkies are only 2.5 games back in the AL Central.
• The Red Sox will seek revenge after being swept in Anaheim as the Angels visit Fenway starting tonight.
• The Angels head to the Stadium to face the Yankees on Thursday for a weekend series.
• The NL East leading Mets visit Florida to face the Marlins who are only 2 out starting tomorrow night.
• Thursday, the D-Backs head to LA in the battle for mediocrity supremacy in the NL Worst.
• Friday, Oakland hopes to keep their fading Wild Card chances alive as they visit Fenway, the rejuvenated Rockies head to Florida, the Tigers try to keep hope alive in Tampa, The Brewers visit the just about dead Braves, the Phils have a great match-up in St. Louis, and Mets head to Houston a team that thinks they are still in it.
Bottom of the 9th
BUY THE BOOK
Bill Chuck is the creator of Billy-Ball.com and, with Jim Kaplan, is the author of the book, “Walk-Offs, Last Licks, and Final Outs – Baseball’s Grand (and not so Grand) Finales,” with a Foreword by Jon Miller available now from ACTA Sports.
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Information provided in Billy-Ball has been gathered from A.P. reports, espn.com, sportsline.com, mlb.com and numerous other e-sources. Opinions expressed in Billy-Ball are obviously solely the opinions of the author of Billy-Ball and do not reflect those of source material no matter how off the wall they may be.
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