Jason Bay will soon be an American citizen. He aced his U.S. Citizenship exam, and as soon as he learns the secret American handshake and receives his key to the workout room, it will be a done deal.
Less than a week from now, Jason Bay will officially become a U.S. Citizen. He won't be abandoning his Canadian roots, though, as the Red Sox left fielder plans on maintaining citizenship to both countries (a.k.a. dual citizenship). July 2 is the exact date when Bay will become a member of the American family. The 30-year-old Bay was born and raised in Canada, but has been in the United States since heading off to college in 1997.
But that stuff is all boring. Let's get down the nitty gritty. The entrance exam. Bay was given 100 questions to study, a list from which he'd be given 10. He only needed to get six correct to qualify for citizenship. Here's a sample of four questions (thanks, WEEI Sports):
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
So, quick apology on my part: the Power Rankings were supposed to go live Wednesday, but things happened, I'm a jerkstore, excuses, etc., and here we are. It's not Wednesday! So please note that the records reflect Wednesday -- not Thursday, not Friday, not Saturday. Don't freak out in the comments and call me names. Please. I can't take that in my fragile emotional state right now. I might turn into Raul Ibanez, at which point I would yell at you and then strain my groin. And that wouldn't be good for anyone.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
I think we can all agree that it's far too early to start voting upon who the best 2009 players are when it's only the middle of May. That being said, there are certainly some shining stars at this point who deserve some props. Plus, Major League Baseball recently released their All-Star ballots for our voting pleasure -- we vote on who will start the All-Star Game. If that's not important, I don't know what is. Let's take a gander.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
Over the past few weeks nobody has been driving in runners like Evan Longoria. His 28 RBI over the last 14 days is tops in Major League Baseball, and head and shoulders better then anyone else. But, he's not available in any fantasy leagues and you're not prying him away from the owner who drafted him for anywhere close to fair value.
Let's look elsewhere for some help if your rotisserie team needs some more RBI.
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
What a zany week for a pair of pitchers with amazing stories: Zack Greinke is America's favorite story right now, somehow managing to be hotter than Twitter. (And if Oprah starts doing him too, I'm just quitting. And I mean everything.) Meanwhile, Rick Ankiel (you may hear word of this "podcast" we're doing about him, but that's because I'm shameless like that), a former star on the mound as well, nearly decapitates himself running into an outfield wall. And yet, life goes on. Just like our Power Rankings.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
So, your fantasy baseball team isn't doing so well, huh? We've all been there. Either your hitters are all cold at the same time or your pitchers are getting shelled. Nothing seems to be going right.
Look at the bright side. It's only the end of April. There are five good, solid months left for your team to recover. And, one of the ways to try and make that recovery is to focus on rotisserie categories that you may be deficient in.
If you know that you're getting killed in runs scored but doing well in the other categories, then it may be time to find some run scorers without hurting your other stat categories. The same can be said for each of the stat categories your league uses.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what's ahead.
You Oughta Know ... That even if Brandon Webb was healthy, he wouldn't be the Diamondbacks' ace. Dan Haren continued his blistering start to '09 with a three-hit gem Monday night. Haren went the distance and had 10 strikeouts and no walks in the outing, and his ERA now sits at 1.54.
What changed? Haren finally got some run support. Arizona had averaged 0.77 runs in his first four starts of the season -- not a huge surprise given that it ranks last in the NL in runs -- but a shame considering how well he has pitched. The Diamondbacks scored seven runs for Haren Monday night, two of which he drove in himself, as he moved to 2-3 on the year.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Red Sox are still trying to figure out what they've got in Brad Penny, this All-Star turned No. 5 starter.
Catcher Jason Varitek, who caught all 86 of Penny's pitches in his Boston debut on Saturday, and manager Terry Francona both said they are feeling out Penny. Even after his six innings, he still seems like an unknown, albeit a promising one.
"We're still trying to figure out who he is, to learn him," Varitek said. "He's done a good job to get his work in and be where is at right now."
If you'd like an indication of how the recession is affecting baseball, look no further than Jason Bay in Boston. When the 2008 season ended, Bay was coming off a scorching playoff run in Boston and everyone expected him to sign a lucrative extension with the Red Sox in the offseason.
Then the market for outfielders collapsed and Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, and Bobby Abreu all signed short-term deals for $10 million a year or less.
Jason Bay will soon be an American citizen. He aced his U.S. Citizenship exam, and as soon as he learns the secret American handshake and receives his key to the workout room, it will be a done deal.
Less than a week from now, Jason Bay will officially become a U.S. Citizen. He won't be abandoning his Canadian roots, though, as the Red Sox left fielder plans on maintaining citizenship to both countries (a.k.a. dual citizenship). July 2 is the exact date when Bay will become a member of the American family. The 30-year-old Bay was born and raised in Canada, but has been in the United States since heading off to college in 1997. 
MLB Power Rankings: Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what's ahead.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Red Sox are still trying to figure out what they've got in Brad Penny, this All-Star turned No. 5 starter.
If you'd like an indication of how the recession is affecting baseball, look no further than Jason Bay in Boston. When the 2008 season ended, Bay was coming off a scorching playoff run in Boston and everyone expected him to sign a lucrative extension with the Red Sox in the offseason. 
