Fan News

With one swing, the hope everywhere in Minnesota arose.

On Friday, Joe Mauer dug in the batter's box for the first time this season. He then proceeded to hit a home run in only his third pitch seen in the big leagues this year.

Mauer, who started the season on the disabled list, was activated prior to Friday's game and hit his first circuit clout of the season in a 7-5 win against the Royals.

The moment seemed so incredible, and many were in awe. The crowd gave him the biggest ovation I have heard since Torii Hunter's return to Minnesota in the 2008 opener.

I know, I know—I'm a tad late with this one. Not only have the San Francisco Giants already started their next series against the Colorado Rockies, but the first pitch for the second game is only minutes away.

And it's all the more inexcusable because the series I've been dragging on was a fantastic offering that saw our good guys slay the evil Los Angeles Dodgers twice in three chances.

The 2005 MLB Draft class is regarded as one of the best in recent memory.  With six of the first seven picks being on MLB rosters today, there are almost no players that teams could've gone wrong with. 

What were some of the notable picks in the draft?  Let's check them out.

No. 1 - Arizona Diamondbacks - Justin Upton

Upton was the first overall pick of the draft.  Originally drafted a shortstop, Upton moved to center field because of the Diamondbacks' other shortstop, Stephen Drew. 

Jerry Lewis had Dean Martin, Barney Rubble had Fred Flintstone, and Ed Norton had Ralph Kramden. Each good enough to stand by themselves but with their sidekick, they are that much more enjoyable. Now Justin Morneau has his Joe Mauer back in the lineup.

When baseball season starts, it doesn't matter where you are. Whether you are at work, in your car, at the local dive bar or relaxing at home, once the game is on, millions connect at once by tuning in to listen to their favorite team. New York is the home to two of the biggest and potentially the best baseball teams in the league, The New York Mets and the New York Yankees. Like every team, both New York teams have their TV and radio commentators for each game.

The Arizona Diamondbacks may have found a way to win without hitting. They walk...and walk...and walk. We can complain about the lack of hitting all we want and trust me, I do my fair share. However, this team has been showing a propensity to walk, a lot.

Last night against the Milwaukee Brewers was no different. After walking 10 times against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday—three of them with the bases loaded—they pulled it off again last night. They received another bases loaded walk.

Just in case you've been living under a rock, Ryan Zimmerman is on a ridiculous streak right now.

No, I'm not writing this article for a lot of reads or comments, I really want the Yankees to trade the aging Derek Jeter, face of the Yankees, No. 1 draft pick, sure-fire Hall of Famer, and the only Yankee with a number less than 10.

Actually, I have written two articles about trading Jeter:

There have been many center fielders throughout the history of baseball. There have been good ones, very good ones and great ones. Unfortunately not all of the great ones have made it inside the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This is a list of the Top 10 center-fielders who are eligible for the Hall of Fame but thus far have been snubbed by the Baseball Writers of America, and or the Veterans Committee of the Hall of Fame.

Statistics for each facet of the game have been incorporated into this ranking.

Okay, so here you are, you Red Sox fans. Another blown game by your manager Terry Francona, who some misguided fans have come to trust as the great hero of the game who can not be questioned.

But I do.

He simply makes mistake after mistake, and I have been following him for years. Not only is he NOT a great manager, but his tobacco chewing and spitting on the steps of the dugout reflects more as a guy who hangs around the corner liquor store.