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It's a sight that is tough to swallow for Boston Red Sox fans.

For years, David Ortiz has been a symbol of power, a symbol that struck fear into opposing pitchers' hearts. Fenway Park would erupt every time he stepped to the plate, and Ortiz would gladly give us a chance to cheer, delivering clutch hit after clutch hit.

He was a trademark in the 2004 playoffs, helping the Red Sox beat the Yankees after being down 3-0 in what some describe as the greatest year in Red Sox history.

It's a sight that is tough to swallow by Boston Red Sox fans.

For years, David Ortiz has been a symbol of power, a symbol that struck fear into opposing pitchers hearts. Fenway Park would erupt every time he stepped to the plate, and Ortiz would gladly give us a chance to cheer delivering clutch hit after clutch hit.

NOTE: Team W-L records updated through Sunday Morning, May 24.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (30-14, Last Week: No. 5)

This team is back in the top spot once again because they play great offensively and their pitching staff (at the moment) is second to none.

They have the best pitching staff in the majors (only giving up 165 runs over 44 games), and are ranked No. 4 in runs scored (238). And they've won eight of their last ten games. They are no longer showing any signs of missing Manny.

David Price is back. The young lefty was called up when Scott Kazmir went to the 15-day DL due to a bad right quad.

It has been a long, winding road for Price. Just two years ago he was the Major League's No. 1 overall pick. The Rays decided to take a chance on the southpaw, as his maturity branded him for early success.

Price ascended quickly through the minors, drawing raving reports from many scouts. In 2008, he joined a young Rays pitching staff that included the likes of Matt Garza, James Shields, and Scott Kazmir.

As the ball sailed off David Ortiz's bat into one of the deepest parts of Fenway Park Wednesday night, it marked the end of a very emotional journey: for Ortiz, for the fans, and for the media who had made hitting that first home run such an important achievement.

If you are reading this blog, you undoubtedly are familiar with the nonstop coverage that has followed Ortiz's lackluster offense this season. Everyone has an opinion about what is "wrong" with Big Papi, and the story of the first home run took on a life of its own.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz ripped a two-out double in the 11th inning yesterday to score Chase Utley to secure the both the win and the series against the baseball royalty, the New York Yankees.

This win also capped an 8-2 road trip record that went through Cincinnati, Washington, and culminated in New York yesterday with a 4-3 11-inning victory.

"We earned it," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

The big turn around for the Royals this year has been built on pitching. Typically, that sentence finishes with "...and defense", but the Royals have demonstrated a level of defensive competency equivalent to their cross-town Independent League buddies the Kansas City T-Bones. Add in the fact that the offense has been spotty all season, and what you get is a razor thin margin for error available for pitchers.

Zack Greinke has been nothing short of amazing. He is 7-1, 0.82 through the first quarter of the season; however, the rest of the staff has had it's issues at times.

So, Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley thinks the umps are against him in retaliation for an incident last month that resulted in a one-game suspension.

Come on, Milton, shut up, grow up, and most of all, show up.

Bradley said the umps are forcing him to swing at bad pitches because of a widened strike zone. Excuses, excuses.