MLB

The econd base position is one of the most important defensive positions on the field. In fact, other than the pitcher, catcher and shortstop positions, it is probably the most important defensive position on the field.

Let's talk about who the best ever were at that position, defensively speaking.

note-next to each player I will also list an offensive letter grade, so you know where they stand in that category, the way I see it (we can assume they are all an "A +" defensively, since they are among the top 10 all time, defensively).

Pirate fans, you were cheated by your management again. You saw another good young player with potential slip through your fingers to a better team. Nate McLouth is now like Jason Bay and Xavier Nady last year. Good, young outfielders traded to better teams.

Did you hear the excuse that Pirates management gave their fans? "We thought his defensive skill was going to break down, so we wanted to trade him while his trade stock was high."

That's a lie.

The Atlanta Braves punctuated a week to remember by sending heralded super-prospect Tommy Hanson to the mound on Sunday, carrying with him the promise that a return to the top of the National League East could be just around the corner.

The dominoes began to fall with the release of 300-game winner Tom Glavine on Wednesday. A move that took both the Cooperstown-bound left-hander and most Braves faithful by surprise and cleared the way for Hanson's long-awaited promotion to the Majors.

There may not be a bigger sense of anticipation when a young phenom is set to make his mark on the Major Leagues. From the time a fresh 19-year old is drafted out of High School, to the time he enters Triple-A, and finally to the time he is called up to the big team. When a guy like Evan Longoria or Mike Piazza start making waves in the Minor Leagues, it's only a matter of time until they storm the Bastille that is Major League Baseball.

More often than not, these young kids will automatically be mentioned in the Rookie of the Year balloting.

ST. LOUIS—Struggles. That’s been the single word of choice from St. Louis Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa the past week or so. After a three-game slide to one of the worst teams in the National League, there isn’t much else you can say.

That doesn’t mean that there were some positives to come out of Sunday’s affair, albeit few and far between. Skip Schumaker and Colby Rasmus led the game off with back-to-back hits, and Albert Pujols drove them both in on a rare two-RBI sacrifice fly. 

The Mets offense exploded in the first inning this afternoon, scoring five runs before Livan Hernandez even threw a pitch. Hernandez took the ball and ran with it, shutting out the Nationals over seven innings in a 6—0 win at Nationals Park.

When I first saw that I could be able to watch my favorite team on my computer while on the Internet, I jumped at the opportunity too be able to see my favorite team the Oakland A's play.

At this moment in time I'm wishing that I hadn't bought into the service because for $19.99 it isn't worth it. The premise was great the idea of being able too watch your favorite team if you weren't in their viewing location for TV, you could watch online by signing up for the service.

Jeff Fulchino picked up his first career win and Humberto Quintero went 3-for-4 as the Houston Astros defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 in a battle of NL Central cellar dwellers.

The Astros (25-30) won their third series in a row and seventh of their last 10. Houston is a half game behind Pittsburgh for fifth in the division. The Astros went 5-2 on their home stand this week.

When I began this blog about a month ago, I had no idea where things might go, or if anyone would even read it. What I have found so far, is that I truly enjoy sharing my thoughts about Detroit Tigers baseball with other fans and bloggers, and that at least of few of you are reading.

Recently, J. Ellet Lambie of Hazaa, asked me to participate in a segment he runs regularly called "Five for Fighting", where he and another blogger trade five questions and post each other's answers.

The Red Sox rumors just keep coming.

Now, Oakland Athletics shortstop Orlando Cabrera is now rumored for the Red Sox.

Cabrera was traded from the Montreal Expos to the Boston Red Sox in the blockbuster trade that sent beloved Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs and propelled the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series Championship.

The Red Sox didn't pickup Cabrera's contract for the 2005 season, and was signed by the Los Angeles Angels, and after the 2007 season was traded Chicago White Sox for 2008.