MLB

Well, the Reds are only five games into the season, but the performance of Mike Lincoln has to be concerning thus far.

Lincoln had a very good first half last season (3.89 ERA), and very poor second half last season (5.47 ERA), but the Reds decided to give Lincoln a two-year, $4 million contract, hoping that Lincoln would revert to his first-half form. However, the signs don't look too good so far.

Robinson Cano was born in San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.

His father Jose Cano was signed by the Yankees in 1980, and played in six games for the Astros in 1989.

Robinson Cano started his major league career in 2005, taking over Second Base from Tony Womack.He was phenomenal batting .297 with 14 home runs, 62 RBI, along with 34 doubles. He also never one to take walks. So that year he finished third in lowest walk percentage with 3 percent.

Robinson Cano showed that he had presence at the plate and smoothness in his swing.

The Cincinnatti Reds' bats were quiet today at Great American Ballpark, and the Pirates' pitcher Paul Maholm had an easy day at the office.

The Reds, as a unit, only mustered six hits with the only extra base hit being a double by pinch hitter Micah Owings.

Shortstop Brandon Phillips went 2-3 with a pair a singles.

Get more insight, analysis, and general genius at Getoutofmyballpark.com.

For the first time in almost four years, the Sox are two games under .500.

They have scored only 13 runs in the four games they have played and given up 20 for a nice round ERA of 5.00.

The hitters (other than Youkilis and his .625 batting average) are swinging through off-speed pitches where they were looking for fastballs.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2-2) vs. Cincinnati Reds (1-2)

Great American Ballpark

Attendance: 22,276 

The rain from last night certainly didn't slow down the Pirates today.

Paul Maholm was machine-like, retiring the first 11 Reds he faced before finishing with seven innings pitched and just one earned run allowed.

After reading a few articles recently having to do with Fenway Park and doing a small amount of research on a proposed New Fenway Park, I decided it was time for me to weigh in on the issue.

"It's Time to Raze Fenway Park"

The midsummer classic will be coming to the Valley of the Sun for the first time in 2011.  With Bud Selig in attendance, Diamondbacks play by play man Daron Sutton made the announcement aired on the MLB network Saturday.

The Diamondbacks have been attempting to host the All Star game since being granted a Major League franchise in 1995.  The D-Backs began Major League competition in 1998 and Chase Field has been their home ever since.  It was the first retractable dome stadium with natural grass.

I have seen players come and go.  I’ve watched them during their first game and was still alive when they retired.

Some players are fortunate in that they receive accolades for what they do.

Others are not quite as lucky, laboring in the vineyard year after year, without much appreciation or love.

Vada Pinson was such a man.

I am not a romanticist, so I don’t want to make Pinson out to be bigger in death than he was in life.

Some teams that are bad have a visible lack of talent.

They flounder around the bases and field, and lack the communication skills necessary to mesh together as an effective unit.

The Washington Nationals, however, do not display these characteristics.

The Nats have an extremely talented outfield, with Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, and Adam Dunn patrolling right through left respectively.