Opinion

The '90s Nightmares

Every decade has its set of ferocious hitters that make pitchers wake up in a cold sweat.  Who were the most fearsome guys from the 1990s, though? 

Why is it that 300 wins for a pitcher is a seemly impossible feat to achieve? Could it be that the style of pitching has changed? Is that pitchers just are not pitching as long as they used to?

I don't know.

Pitchers starting in little league are taught it is easier to fool the hitter than it is to blow it by them. Not only that, pitchers are taught it is okay if they only go 5-for-6.

Come to think of it, pitching style has indeed changed.

The Detroit Tigers are one of the hottest teams in baseball and are currently in first place in the American League Central Division. After being a major disappointment last year, not much was expected out of them in 2009.

This a group still has a large part of the nucleus that was in the World Series three years ago, but are they for real?

Looking at some of the players they have and the division they are in, I think they are definitely contenders.

So long, Neal. And hey, lose the phone number and address, okay?

The Chicago Cubs made some moves today as previously reported by other writers in our Cubs Community. My initial thought is that all this activity is similar to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as anxious to see if Jake Fox can hit major league pitching as you are. First of all, we've seen minor league phenoms before that couldn't hit major league pitching. They're usually called 4A players.

Maybe Fox will be able to hit in the bigs. But at 26, it is questionable.

I was going to start this game recap explaining how I hate Mike Lincoln, but Joey Votto stole the storyline and saved Mike Lincoln’s rear.

After playing sound baseball in a stretch during mid-May that put San Francisco up four games over .500 and three back of the Dodgers, the Giants have since lost nine of their last 14 games.

Due to their continued offensive struggles over that span, which saw the G-Men score just five runs over a four game stretch, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean has decided to intensify his search for a new bat in the lineup.

It's a cloudy, drizzly day in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phillies are trying to distance themselves from the streaking Mets, as the two teams are just a half-game apart.

Joe Blanton has just hurled a great game, mowing down 11 batters. Jayson Werth is attempting to break out of his slump as manager Charlie Manuel gives him chance after chance to turn it around.

And Raul Ibanez is the best hitter in baseball.

Welcome to Tribe Talk, where Bleacher Report's Tribe fans weigh in on the ups and downs of the Indians each week throughout the season.

This week we consider whether the Tribe’s fortunes are inextricably linked with those of Grady Sizemore, the dangers of incessantly tinkering with a lineup, and the chances of seeing Pedro Martinez don an Indians uniform.

I would like to thank this week's participants Nino Colla and Dave Wiley for their contributions.

The Kansas City Royals are an up-and-coming team in the American League. It all starts with Zack Greinke, and the rest of their pitching.

Zack Greinke has turned himself into one of the premier pitchers in the game with his hot start this season.

He was Rookie of the Year in 2004, and could add a Cy Young award this season. Plus, he could be MVP, or Comeback Player of the Year.

Randy Johnson is two wins away from a milestone 300 victories. 

If he does accomplish the task, he will be one of only 24 pitchers to reach the 300-win club.

A ten-time All-Star, Johnson has amassed five Cy Young Awards, is second all-time in strikeouts (4838 as of May 27, 2009), and has a career ERA of 3.29.  He has also thrown one of 17 perfect games.

In his 24th season, Johnson's age has been catching up with him.  He is 3-4 with an ERA of 6.26.