Baseball

The season hasn’t started yet and the Rangers have already been rocked by disaster—revelations of manager Ron Washington’s cocaine use (on ONE occasion) have placed the organization under a level of scrutiny (and criticism) that will almost certainly have an effect on the ballclub.

Pitching has routinely been a problem in Arlington, and it will continue to be an issue for at least one more season. Last year was successful, especially by Texas standards, but the team will be hard pressed to match the achievement in 2010.

I read the latest scouting report on Jesus Montero's defensive skills. It might be the first decently positive report on his defensive talent—but the secondary reports by bloggers mostly reported the negative.

I bet those guys will be all over the Tiger Woods interview next week.

After a disgraceful 1994 season, the Mets ran a campaign about how things would be different in 1995. Then-Mets manager Dallas Green promised his team would play hard and do whatever it would take to win.

Green felt compelled to do that, attempting to sell fans on the idea of a changed culture within the team. The Mets embarrassed themselves with off-the-field incidents, while adding to the mess by losing almost every day.

This year's Mets decided to do the same thing. They talked about how they believe and how this year will be different.

After years of being a seller, A’s GM Billy Beane spent the winter of 2008-09 in the uncharacteristic role of buyer, adding OF Matt Holliday (via trade) and 1B/DH Jason Giambi (via free agency).

At this time last winter I wrote the moves “(had) placed the organization in a position where it can either compete for the division title or, if the team is non-competitive in mid-summer, flip soon-to-be-free-agent Holliday for prospects at the trade deadline.”

As regular readers of my stuff know, I am not a backer of Jim Hendry. In fact, I think he is one of the worst GMs in baseball.

Sure, his teams have enjoyed more success than some other Cubs general managers of recent vintage—but I think an increased payroll may have something to do with that.

Plus, it is not exactly a challenging baseline that has been established.

Look at this $140 million team full of bloated, untradeable contracts, and draw your own conclusions.

Plus, Hendry has had an unimpressive run as the club's farm director.

Six years ago, Javier Vazquez came into Yankee spring training, being touted as the "ace" of a shaky Yankees pitching staff, but also looked at as the future of the most storied franchise in baseball.

Early on, Vazquez didn't disappoint and was even named to the 2004 American League All-Star team. 

There is a sad story in the recent Orlando Sentinel about the deteriorating health of former Baltimore Orioles ace Mike Cuellar.

The story by Sentinel columnist, George Diaz, illustrates recent health issues for Cuellar that now have him in a hospital in the Orlando area living out his final days in pain.

A number of local businessmen and organizations are trying to assist Cuellar and his family with his expenses, including paying for his funeral.

When you read that title, you're probably saying Dana Eveland? A guy with a career 5.54 ERA, and he could possibly become a key player for the Jays this year?

Then maybe that's how the Jays lack greatness this year.

With the season opener on April 5 against the Texas Rangers, the Jays enter their regular season with a lot of new faces including Jose Molina, Kevin Gregg, and Eveland.

There are a lot of things to like about Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward.

You could start with his 6'4'', 220-pound frame, something usually found in a linebacker.

You could start with his numerous accolades, including the 2009 USA Today and Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year awards.

You could even start with the fact that he is the prototypical Atlanta prospect: a local boy that only the Braves truly appreciated as a prep star. Sure, Heyward was an All-American in high school, but only the Braves saw his No. 1 prospect potential.

With only three days until the first pitch, the 135th Opening Day in Major League Baseball history is almost here. It's only fitting to examine what is so special about this annual American rite of passage.

Just say the words "Opening Day," and all American sports fans know exactly what you are talking about. No need to even mention the sport.

Baseball's Opening Day stands alone.

It seems as though something unique happens every season on that day.