Baseball

Earlier this week, the Phillies gave first baseman Ryan Howard a contract extension through the year 2016.

This contract makes him the second highest-paid player in baseball and seems to ensure that he will be a member of the Philadelphia Phillies for the foreseeable future.

They locked up one of the franchise’s greatest players for years to come. This should be a good thing, right?

Not if you believe the statheads.

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was hit in the knee with a pitch from Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie in the second inning yesterday and had to come out of the game after he felt numbness while running the bases. There is no long-term damage done to Posada, but he will probably have to sit at least a day according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Here’s a look at some unheralded players who played well yesterday.

David Eckstein, San Diego Padres

Eckstein went 1-for-5 with a run and three RBI. He’s hitting .274 but isn’t much of a fantasy factor.

Chris Young, Arizona Diamondbacks (pictured)

Young continued his impressive 2010 campaign by going 2-for-4 with a HR (five) and five RBI. He’s hitting .298 with 21 RBI.

Dexter Fowler, Colorado Rockies

One of the easiest mistakes a fantasy baseball player can make is to overreact to a small sample size.

When an established star has a slow April or a no-name waiver pickup gets off to a fast start, it's tempting to sacrifice long-term talent to play the hot hand now.

In addition to the fact that even the best players go through cold spells, small sample sizes are extremely susceptible to the taint or boost of miserable or incredible luck.

Smart owners don't give in to the temptation; rather, they trade away their fortunate flukes and buy low on slow-starting superstars.

To help you enginee

This is my most recent endeavor. I am compiling All-Franchise Teams based on African Americans.

The idea came to me as a result of the recent hiring of Joe Morgan by the Cincinnati Reds. Morgan brought to light the decline in African-American players in MLB.

I have decided to start with the Yankees. It is part of my master plan to complete the American and National Leagues if I live long enough.

Some teams, especially at certain positions are paper thin when it comes to African-Americans.

Like George Costanza, “I’m back, baby!!!” After six days in Las Vegas I am back home in New York.

I apologize for the lack o’ posts this week, but it was almost impossible for me to write while I was away.

Now that I am back, let’s take a look at what has been going on around the great game of baseball the last couple of days.

Ryan Howard gets paid

Just some thoughts after the Mets finished up their series with the LA Dodgers.

1. Home Sweet Home.

The New York Mets finished a tremendous homestand at 9-1. That is quite the accomplishment no matter who you are playing. This is only the third time in the teams history that they have finished a ten game home stand with a 9-1 record.

2. 1st Place

Yes, thats right, the New York Mets are in first place. They used the 9-1 homestand to go from last place to first place in the National League East . You have to love baseball. Anything can happen.

Three closers continued to put their jobs in serious jeopardy.  Jon Lester finally pitched up to expectations.  Tim Lincecum did what he always does.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Pitchers:

It was a picture-perfect fall day in Minneapolis.

I was back in town to resume my collegiate studies, the sun was shining on my face, and the Twins had charged back into the playoff race, coming up on the slumping Detroit Tigers.

Life was good.

Then "The Text" came.

The Twins were playing an afternoon game that particular day, and rookie phenom Francisco Liriano was pitching against Oakland. He had been battling forearm pain and was making his first start back after a rehab stint in the minors.

Could someone please fix the humidor?

The Rockies lost 12-11 on Wednesday after slamming their way back into a game in which they were down by six runs before they recorded a single out.

Greg Smith pitched all of one inning, giving up six earned runs on four hits and three walks. It was the exactly opposite of what the Rockies needed from him in the rubber match of the three-game series.