Baseball

In 2008, Cole Hamels was everyone's darling. He lit the world on fire and went on to win the World Series MVP award. He was the "cat's meow" and he was only 24.

The phenom was looking for a breakout year in 2009, and many fans thought it was coming from the left-hander going into his fourth full year with the club.

The breakout year not only didn’t happen, it was Hamels' worst year as a pro and resulted in many people questioning his dedication to pitching.

No one mentioned Hamels' offseason training in 2008, and no one really cared.

• On Saturday, the Twins Centric crew will be hosting their second viewing party of the year. The party will be tomorrow at the Majors in Blaine. The Twins Centric crew will be there to watch the Twins take on the Chicago White Sox at noon. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to attend, but hopefully you get the chance to.

The Cleveland Indians took the rubber match of their three-game series with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, winning 5-3 in 11 innings.

In the game, Sox manager Ozzie Guillen sent Andruw Jones out for his first start in a Chicago uniform, penciling him in as the center fielder and moving regular center fielder Alex Rios to left.

But while that move worked out fine (Jones reached base twice and stole second base off Jamey Wright in the sixth inning), others of Guillen's decisions should draw vigorous criticism.

Another day, another full slate of baseball. Game five of 162 in Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ summer-long journey featured Thursday’s matchup between the Dodgers and Pirates.

Game No. 5—Los Angeles Dodgers-Pittsburgh Pirates

Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp had two hits and two runs on Thursday against the Pirates. Kemp also added two RBI.

Opening Day is Christmas to a baseball fan. It marks the end of a long, cold winter and the beginning of a new baseball team and renewed hope. Opening Day is when fans come down with a sickness that can only be cured with a Rockie Dog and a sunburn.

Hopefully Neftali Feliz helped some of those who were freaking out after his first bad outing on Thursday when he pitched one inning and struck out all three.  Feliz is a stud, ladies and gentlemen, and I believe that he will be a starter at some point during the season.  Even until that time I think he has fantasy value because of the good number of strikeouts that he will get. He should have a great ERA and WHIP as well.   

The Mets made it easy for anyone to savage them this offseason. They were not proactive in improving the team talentwise.

With that said, they added quality baseball people in the organization. That’s something that should not be overlooked.

They hired Chip Hale, Bob Melvin, Wally Backman, Dave Jauss, and Terry Collins to work with the players. The organization believes good coaching helps players get better.

With three games in the books, the new and improved Atlanta Braves look like they have the chance to be as good as advertised. Impressive performances from the rookie phenom Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, and the bullpen (including closer Billy Wagner) are among popular topics in the Peach State and fans are excited.

However, in my opinion there is one dark spot within the lineup that I feel deserves some attention. That spot is the play of the first baseman, and Atlanta newcomer Troy Glaus. 

Must I say I told you so?

Thursday, Tyler Colvin, 24, made his first start of the 2010 season at Turner Field for the Cubs after slow starts from Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, and the entire Chicago offense for that matter.

Colvin faced numerous skeptics after demolishing opponents in spring training—the outfielder hit .468 while slugging .753 and driving in 18 RBI’s in 77 plate appearances—but few of those doubters still remain.

Jake Peavy's first start of the 2010 season was if anything to me, concerning.

No, I am not calling for Peavy's head, wishing the White Sox did not acquire him, or anything of that nature. I was just concerned with the way the start went.