Fan News

Sad news for sports broadcasting today, as Harry Kalas, best known as the voice of NFL Films, has passed away today at 73 years old.

Kalas, the Phillies play-by-play man, was rushed to the hospital prior to the start of the game after collapsing in the broadcaster's booth.  While listening to the Pirates vs the Astros on MLB Radio, word came back that he passed away in the hospital.

Kalas is known for narrating the NFL Films recaps of historic games.

Alex Rodriguez is back at Steinbrenner Field in the next step of his rehab.

He was taking grounders and hitting off a tee. Peter Abraham is reporting he was hitting mostly everything the other way. Rodriguez is expected to meet with the media after his session is over and then later on tonight before the game.

I think he won't say much and be just fine but you never know with Rodriguez—the bottom line is the Yankees need him. 

There aren't many bright things to say about the Cleveland Indians season so far.

Cliff Lee is 0-2.

Carl Pavano may be a bust.

Grady Sizemore already has 10 strikeouts.

Trevor Crowe has anger issues!!!

Of course, there is one thing that the Indians players, coaches, and fans should be excited about. His name is Travis Hafner.

Despite his poor average and lack of power, Hafner has done better than some may think the past few seasons.

Up 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs, Damaso Marte gets pulled from the game for Jose Veras. He walks his batter only to be pulled for Phil Coke who gives up three runs and loses the game.

Why are managers so concerned with the lefty and righty match-ups? It makes absolutely no sense to continually do it. I know, I play baseball and I bat left-handed, and yes, it does make it harder to see the ball—but a big league hitter better be able to hit it!

With Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn’s successes in the past week, a 5-2 record going into the Mariners home-opener, and both Endy Chavez and Yuniesky Betancourt hitting over .350, there is a ton of reason to be optimistic as an M’s fan.

In 2001 the Mariners came into the season with a lot of questions.

Obviously, it's all Kosher for Pesach.

I'm in Orlando, and I've got no time for real blogging. But I would like to point out a few interesting thingamajigs I came across on the interwebs.

Fresh off a sweep of the Texas Rangers, the Detroit Tigers will turn their attention to the Chicago White Sox for a three-game set at Comerica Park.

The White Sox are coming off a home series with the Minnesota Twins in which they took two of three, including an impressive win against Francisco Liriano.

The Tigers will look to extend their best home start in 16 years against the defending AL Central champions.

Game One: Monday, April 13 @ 1:05 PM ET

For the Oakland A's, starting the season 2-4 with the team they have should leave a very bitter taste in their mouths. Especially with the latest 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Not only that, but the A's lack of offense turned Trevor Cahill's tremendous start into a loss. Cahill's only mistakes came in the sixth inning. He gave up a solid single to Adrian Beltre for the first hit of the game and the next batter Mike Sweeney, a former A, lined a double to score Beltre.

It's way too early for General Manager Bill Smith, Manager Ron Gardenhire or anyone else in the Minnesota Twins organization to be pushing the panic button or contemplating wholesale changes.

After all, the Twins are still 3-4 following two losses to the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. They are just one game back of the division-leading Detroit Tigers and one-half game behind both Chicago and Kansas City.

Yet, it was those losses in the final two games of the three-game weekend set with the White Sox that may trigger some mild concern.

Last year, the Tigers coined the slogan "Who’s Your Tiger?"

For most people, it was a simple question, and their answers came quickly: Cabrera, Inge, Zumaya, and Verlander. Nobody was mentioning Fernando Rodney, for he wasn't anyone's favorite. The guy made just 13 saves and compiled an 0-6 record in 48 appearances in '08.