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Noted sabermetrics guru Bill James popularized the concept a while back that a player often peaks at age 27, hits his prime when he's 27-30, and then gradually declines.

Nobody told Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies though.

Ibanez is hitting .353 through 42 games with 17 homers and 43 RBI.

These are eye-opening numbers for any major leaguer. They're phenomenal for a guy who will turn 37 on June 2. It seems to be part and parcel of the contrarian career of the former Seattle Mariner.

Here are Ibanez's numbers during his "peak" years.

ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that there have been preliminary trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and the Celevaland Indians. The trade would help both teams as their needs will be partially fulfilled.

The trade has shape up so the Indians would trade their top prospect in Matt LaPorta in exchange for one of Boston's young arms being either Michael Bowden, Clay Bucholtz, or Daniel Bard. This would mean that LaPorta would be traded for the second time in two years.

ST LOUIS—It should come as no surprise that the St. Louis Cardinals are contending for first place in the NL Central; after all, they’ve been a powerhouse for years. What may surprise most, is that the Cardinals are winning ballgames with so many different lineup combinations. 

Cap Anson was born April 17, 1852 in Marshalltown, Iowa, as Adrian Constantine Anson. He later would be called “Cap” which was a short name for Captain.

An outstanding batter and clubhouse leader, Anson is widely regarded as one of the foremost baseball figures of the 1800’s. He was the National League batting leader three times and was the first player ever to get 3,000 hits, ranking him number 7 in career hits with 3,418.

When Anson was 14 he was sent to a boarding school of the University of Notre Dame for high-school aged boys.

Well, that was fun, Luke. We'll see you again in a month or so?...

The Royals sent Luke Hochevar back down to Omaha after a fairly rocky stretch of three starts. In his three-start run, Hoch threw more than 3.1 innings exactly once. His ERA sat at 10.80.

His FIP, while better, was still 6.92. His K:BB ratio was 3:7. Clearly his success in the PCL did not translate over these three games.

Yesterday, I focused my Top 10 list on Theo Epstein's 10 worst free agent signings.

Today, I will examine why Theo Epstein is one of the top three General Managers in baseball.

Theo Epstein has gained legendary/rock star status in Boston by putting together two World Champions Boston craved for 86 years.

He has done it through the draft, trading, when to let go of an aging star and free agency.

Here is a look at Theo Epstein's finest moves

Joe DiMaggio played his last game on Oct. 10, 1951.

William Earl "Bill" Essick, the Yankees' West Coast scout who signed Joe DiMaggio, died in his sleep two days later at the age of 69 as a result of a heart ailment. One can romanticize the events, but they were merely coincidental.

Bill Essick Hated to Lose

Essick was known as "Vinegar Bill" because he hated to lose so much. It was not unusual for him not to say anything for hours after a loss.

David Wright has been the only Met regular to take the field every game these past two weeks, mainly due to injuries to the other regular position players.

Last season, Wright was not rested a full game until June 24, although he did have one game as DH in Anaheim, CA on the first day under Jerry Manuel's management.

Even though it was obvious to everyone that Wright was exhausted and more than a little banged up, he desperately needed a day off, but Willie Randolph continued putting him in the lineup.