MLB

In these harsh economic times, I have to wonder why the Yankees think this view is worth $85 per ticket.

They call it the "Batter's Eye View" because the seats are in the Bleachers Cafe, above the batter's eye (i.e. the background against which the hitter at the plate sees the incoming pitches).

The good will generated by "Rocktober" is officially over, at least for me.

After today's 11-4 loss in Pittsburgh, Hurdle's record as the manager of the Rockies stands at a paltry 530-619. That's a .461 winning percentage in 8-plus seasons at the helm since taking over for Buddy Bell 22 games into the 2002 season.

With only one winning season in that bunch, largely the result of the aforementioned run in 2007, it's time for a change in leadership. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca should be sent packing as well.

My two main topics this week are going to be rather short, mainly because all my little notes and random bits work out to be long enough.

Can we start though with the ridiculousness (love that word) that is the fines in Major League Baseball?

Bobby Jenks was fined $750 dollars for throwing behind Ian Kinsler.

Not $7,500 or $75,000. No, he was fined $750 dollars.

To Bobby Jenks and most major league players, that is pocket change.

So I ask you, why even fine him if that's all you are going to fine him for? It seems rather pointless.

When the Mariners won a game against the Red Sox, the rubber match of the series, they did so on the starting pitching of Jason Vargas, the late-inning pitching of David Aardsma, and RBI by Russell Branyan, Ronny Cedeno, and Franklin Gutierrez.

The common thread between each is that none of them were on the team last year.

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The "Good" Outfield Problem

Five outfielders for four positions: Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel. Here is a brief run-down of each and what their playing time should look like:

After a rough 5-8 stretch, the Philadelphia Phillies ran into the right team at the right time. After playing the Mets, Cardinals, Braves, and Dodgers, the Washington Nationals were just what a slumping team needed.

Jimmy Rollins, who came into Saturday with a .199 average, improved his average to .222 by accumulating seven hits in the series.

Chase Utley, who hit .342 in the month of April, is hitting .195 thus far in May and is now hitting .291 overall. Oddly enough, the downfall in Utley's average began the day after he sat out a May 5 game against the Cardinals.

The Mets are going for a four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants tonight with Mike Pelfrey being opposed by Matt Cain.

It certainly has been an eventful week for the Mets who have seen Carlos Delgado put on the DL yesterday, which puts a strain on the remainder of the middle lineup as well as a need for a first baseman.

Jose Reyes has not played since Wednesday afternoon with a stiff calf muscle that started in New York but was made worse by the cross-country trip on Wednesday evening.