Baseball

Yankees Minor League first baseman Juan Miranda would probably be in the Major Leagues if he were on at least 15 other teams around baseball, but he’s a Yankee and stuck behind Mark Teixeira. It did make for interesting news the other day when he was almost called up only to find out that it was outfielder Greg Golson who was called up instead.

By now, Cleveland Indians fans have grown accustomed to watching their favorite players being shipped out of town around the trade deadline.

Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, Mark DeRosa, Ben Francisco, Ryan Garko, Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, Carl Pavano, and C.C. Sabathia have all been shipped off between late June and early August the last couple years—and that doesn’t count winter exports Franklin Gutierrez and Kelly Shoppach.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post , the Yankees have signed right-handed pitcher Tim Redding to a minor league contract.

Redding was released by the Rockies earlier this week. He was pitching for their Triple-A affiliate this season. In five games he had a 1-1 record with a 4.32 ERA in 25 innings. He last pitched in the majors for the New York Mets last season. In 30 games and 17 starts for the Mets he had a 3-6 record and a 5.10 ERA in 120 innings.

Francisco Rodriguez gave up a two-run home run to Roger Bernadina, his second of the day, in the top of the ninth inning that put the Mets down 6-4. Mike Pelfrey started the game and pitched so-so, but he and the bullpen kept the team in the game as the Mets tied it.

Dallas Braden has been all over the media by pitching only the 19^th perfect game in the history of major league baseball on May 9^th, 2010.

The accomplishment rightfully overshadowed a possible code violation, but it should be pointed out.

According to Frank Russo of NY Baseball Digest , the Yankees have been getting phone calls from a few National League teams including the Atlanta Braves on the availability of struggling pitcher Javier Vazquez .

When the Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez to an obscene 10-year, $275 million contract, they did so with the  idea that he would not only help them win ball games, but also pack some seats. It’s part of the reason why he could qualify for up to $30 million in bonuses based on how many historic home runs he hits.

Gotta love Keith Hernandez.

Whether he is snorting lines, allegedly, all the way to the World Series, putting down women for having the audacity to be in a major league dugout, or simply asking you to help him move too early in your friendship, he is certainly an interesting character.

Here is a clip from the Mets 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants last Saturday that shows he was caught sleeping.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork , the Mets have designated outfielder/pinch hitter Frank Catalanotto for assignment and have promoted outfielder/first baseman Chris Carter to take his spot on the roster.

Catalanotto, 36, has served primarily as a pinch hitter off the bench, but has had a truly putrid season putting up a .160 batting average, a .192 OBP, and a .200 SLG.

When I was growing up, I learned everything I know about baseball from watching TV. My dad was more of a football guy. He still is.

He knows the basics when it comes to baseball, how to throw, catch, camp under a fly ball, etc. But baseball has a lot of little things in it that can really make the difference between winning and losing. Things that are not really obvious, but make a lot of sense once you learn them. When these situations came up, the TV announcers knew them, and would always point them out.