Fan News

Here are some random thoughts as the Mets head into the buzzsaw of Boston.

On the eve of what could be the Yankee’s first double-digit game wining streak in quite some time, I’m beginning to see that old Yankee fire burning again. The team is hot, and critics can finally see the impact of Alex Rodriguez's return to the lineup.

The Phillies make one final stop on their road trip to play the New York Yankees in the new Yankee Stadium. Both teams bring high octane-offenses to the table, and the way Yankee Stadium has been giving away free souvenir balls to fans in the outfield this season, there is no reason to expect a slow weekend in the Bronx.

From the Reds via Twitter: Volquez to DL w/ back spasms, Ramirez optioned, McDonald designated. Bailey, Fisher and Gomes promoted from Louisville.

This should definitely satisfy Reds fans in the blogosphere. 

Darnell McDonald has had a rough time this season. Hopefully, Jonny Gomes will be the right-handed bat the Reds lineup needs.

Unless you are just getting back from a two-month long vacation in the Sahara Desert, you are aware of the struggles of Boston's beloved slugger David Ortiz.

After arriving in Boston in 2003, David Ortiz quickly captured the hearts of millions of Sox fans after the comeback in the 2004 ALCS against the hated Yankees.

David Ortiz became a staple in the No. 3 hole of the Red Sox line up for four years. All of a sudden, Mr. Ortiz can't seem to catch a break in the early part of the 2009 season.

The San Francisco Giants offense was never expected to carry the way. We all knew it was pitching first and foremost and the performances at the plate would be at least an improvement over last year.

We all thought that the pitching dominance could overshadow the fact that Bengie Molina, despite all his clutch hits, is the cleanup hitter, or that a guy who had never put two good years together in the minors offensively could suddenly hold his own and produce at first base.

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The greatest day of the month as an 11-year-old was coming home to a new Beckett Baseball Card Monthly in your mailbox.  Who was on the cover?  What went up?  What went down?  Who’s the Hottest and Coldest player?  What lies will readers tell in Autograph Experiences?  The worst lie, though, was not ever being told that “going up” really means nothing, and what a card is “worth” was quite different than what was in the Beckett.  Never is that more evident than if you cruise EBay

John Smoltz is a baseball anomaly.

Everyone is well aware of the career that Smoltz had during his 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He compiled 210 victories during his tenure in Atlanta while also racking up 154 saves.