Baseball

Today we are going to take a look at a guy who could be an extremely key contributor to the 2009 version of the Chicago Cubs, Micah Hoffpauir.

After almost becoming the starting second baseman for Venezuela in the final match of the World Baseball Classic, Jose Lopez has now returned to Seattle, as the Venezuelans lost in the semi-finals to Korea 10-2 last Saturday.

And now that many Seattle Mariners are back from their respected teams, the Mariners can show that with their added players, they can improve on their .500 record, the mark currently sit at after a 5-1 win today against the San Francisco Giants.

It was an interesting game for the Mariners as former ace, Randy Johnson gave up two runs in three innings.

The vast improvement of the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system brings much hope for an organization trying to break a string of 11-straight losing seasons and return to contention in the cutthroat American League East.

However, two decisions made over the weekend signal a harsh reality of the present, and the need for more patience as the organization waits for its bumper crop of starting pitching to mature in the minor leagues.

Japan will face South Korea tonight to determine the WBC championship.

Japan is defending this title, which they acquired in 2006, and will place Hisashi Iwakuma on the mound to face Korea’s Jung Keun Bong.

Officially there are now just 14 days left until the 2009 MLB season opens. Who will be this year's Tampa Bay Rays?

Last year's Rays went from celler dweller to World Series runners-up. So who will be this year's Rays?

Being a 44-year Cubs fan, can't remember anything before age 5, of course we all hope this will be the year.

And why not? Lilly, Dempster, Harden and Zambrano all return. Gone is oft-injured closer Kerry Wood. Hopefully Kevin Gregg will suffice.

After 100 years, we've gotta be close. But enough about my hopes and dreams.

The Korean WBC team only has one MLB player compared to Venezuela’s 22 and Choo Shin-Soo from the Cleveland Indians made sure it didn’t go unnoticed hitting a three run homer in the first inning off Carlos Silva. Silva gave up seven runs in 1.1 innings sealing Korea’s  position in  the finals on Monday with a 10-2 victory. Venezuela set a record committing five errors, the most ever in a single WBC game.

As you were at second base, you realized you had a shot at an inside the park homerun. You were in a rush to cross home plate because you weren't sure if you were dealing with a rookie or a switch-hitter.

But before you could get to the seventh inning stretch, you were stopped by a rain delay. When it was all said and done you wound up getting a relief pitcher and bunting.

Sounds like a bunch of baseball jargon, right?

Chicago Cubs

Baseball Musings Team Offense
Baseball America Top 10 Prospects

Lineup
Alfonso Soriano LF
Ryan Theriot SS
Derrek Lee 1B
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Milton Bradley RF
Geovany Soto C

Remember the other day when I posted this about the grass as the old stadium being ripped up? Some of you speculated that the grass would be sold, and it turns out those people were right.

From the AP:

A New Jersey grass farm that has supplied turf to Yankee Stadium since the 1960s plans to sell officially licensed grass in the form of sod or seeds.

Back in 2001 the Mets had a pitcher named Steve Trachsel. Through his star-crossed career Trachsel had become what one would call an inconsistent pitcher; one who at times could look really, really good, and times where he could look really, really awful.

On one late April night against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium, Trachsel got bombed by the Padres and had to be pulled out of the game by then manager Bobby Valentine. It appeared that the Mets had had enough of Trachsel, who was getting blistered every time he touched the mound.