From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
Last Sunday, Alfonso Soriano was hit in the head by a pitch off the hand of Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer. Later in the game, Cubs starting pitcher Rich Harden hit Albert Pujols in the middle of the back. It was a fastball, and it was on the first pitch of the at-bat. There was no one on base, and the Cubs had a big lead. Translation: Pujols was hit by Harden in retaliation for Soriano's beaning.
Monday, Ryan Braun was apparently dotted on purpose by Jeff Karstens of the Pirates, but the Brewers didn't get a chance to retaliate, because the umpiring crew offered an immediate warning to both benches.
Jeff Pearlman is best known as the reporter who was on the receiving end of John Rocker's now infamous rant abouttaking the No. 7 train to Shea Stadium in New York City, but he hasn't stopped digging up dirt on America's most famous -- and controversial -- professional athletes since that interview.
Jeff has authored four books over the last five years. The latest -- a biography of Roger Clemens titled The Rocket That Fell to Earth: Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball Immortality -- hits bookshelves nationwide Tuesday March 24.
FanHouse was lucky enough to speak with Jeff Tuesday afternoon about Clemens, the man, and many of the juicy details in the book. The full interview is after the jump.
Now that Mike Piazza is officially retired from baseball, we can celebrate the man that was easily the best fantasy catcher ever. It ain't close. We're talking about a man that put up outfielder type numbers at catcher. In case you have forgotten, check out the triple crown stats Piazza put up in his prime, starting with his rookie season:
.318-35-112 .319-24-92 (in only 107 games) .346-32-93 (in only 112 games) .336-36-105 .362-40-124 .328-32-111 .303-40-124 .324-38-113 .300-36-94 .280-33-98
This was in the most shallow fantasy position there is, and those power categories get especially valuable when you realize it's rare for a catcher to be a base-stealer (even if there are a few, you don't count on steals from a catcher). He was a bonafide first-rounder simply because of the huge leg up you got at the position with him.
In the last few years with Piazza in a decline, Joe Mauer and Victor Martinez have come to the forefront in the new crop of catchers that fantasy owners draft in the early rounds. The problem here is that the separation between the those two is not near as much as it was with Piazza and his peers.
Last summer Eamonn (then still known to the world only as PostmanE) shared with us the story of Mike Piazza getting hit in the head by a water bottle that a fan threw at him in a game against the Angels. This did not amuse Mike at all. In fact, after the game he made it clear to the media that he was going to press charges against the "gutless" fan. "That's a complete lower level of stupidity," Piazza told reporters after the incident.
Roland Flores, 23, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and has been ordered to stay away from the stadium for three years for the assault on Oakland Athletics designated hitter Mike Piazza on July 25.
Flores pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor counts of using force and violence while assaulting Piazza and for intentionally throwing a substance while in Angel Stadium, Anaheim police said.
Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that seem a bit extreme? I completely understand where Piazza is coming from here, because after being hit in the head by a flying water bottle at a concert once, I know that it hurts like hell. Still, jail time? Really? Did Piazza die from the resulting head wound?Sorry, No Photos Couldn't they just ban him from Angels Stadium, make him pay a fine, and then send him to clean up a freeway for a few hours? I guess the only way to avoid going to jail in Los Angeles is if you're a celebrity.
Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco is congratulated by Magglio Ordonez after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training baseball game in Lakeland, Fla., Thursday, March 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Chicago Cubs shortstop Ronny Cedeno, left, is greeted by Milwaukee Brewers baserunner Mike Rivera, right, during a timeout for a pitching change in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee tosses his bat after striking out to Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain slams into the wall as he attempts to make a play on a fly ball hit for a triple by Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa during the fourth nning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, second from right, is greeted at home plate by teammates, from left, Derrek Lee, Henry Blanco and Mark DeRosa after Soriano hit a three-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sam Narron in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Cleveland Indians pitcher Masa Kobayashi, of Japan, throws out Tampa Bay Rays' Andy Cannizaro in the seventh inning in a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Winter Haven, Fla. Kobayashi pitched one inning and gave up one hit and no runs. Tampa won 9-7. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Burke, top, watches his throw to first after forcing out Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Chicago Cubs' Mark Derosa, right, dives safely back to the base before Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, left, can apply the tag in the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
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Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Augie Ojeda can't make the catch on a single by Chicago White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren reacts after Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko's solo home run during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. The Diamondbacks won 8-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Perhaps it was an incomplete legacy in Florida (five games) that led Mike Piazza to show some interest in returning to the Marlins for some unfinished business. Perhaps it's the fact that to date, he hasn't yet found a job. In any event, Piazza has reportedly shown some interest in spending more than a week wearing Marlin teal. The Marlins, however, aren't so enthused to bring him back for a second tour.
We hear Dan Lozano, South Florida resident Mike Piazza's agent, told the Marlins the former All-Star catcher would welcome finishing his career here. But the Marlins (content with Mike Rabelo/Matt Treanor) have shown no interest, largely because of defense. Piazza -- who was a Marlin for one week in 1998 -- hit .275 with eight homers and 44 RBI as Oakland's designated hitter in 2007.
Forgive the amphibious connection, but Piazza's interest in Florida for a team that will have a payroll of about $500 this season might mean that his career has officially jumped the shark. To boot, sadly, the thrift shop Marlins have turned him down. I guess those rumors of Piazza joining a team in Japan look more and more realistic with each passing day.
Have you ever wanted to do something so badly you end up doing it in less than favorable conditions? For example, have you ever wanted to play a game of pick up basketball so badly that, against your better judgment, you brave the cold and hop a bus to the Y, only to end up playing two-on-two with three 12-year-old kids? But hey, at least you're playing, right?
Mike Piazza feels you. (And by "you," I mean "me.") SI's Jon Heyman reports that Piazza wants to play baseball so much he's already contacting baseball teams in Japan in case he can't find a job stateside in '08:
Word is, Mike Piazza has been looking east again for job possibilities. Sources indicate that in the event he fails to land work in the majors, he's begun sending out feelers all over Japan's Pacific League (the one with the DH).
Piazza, 39, is only a year removed from a very productive year in San Diego, but off his injury-plagued '07 season, one AL exec isn't surprised that Piazza is considering becoming the first Hall-of-Fame caliber player to make that switch. "No way he gets guaranteed money in the big leagues,'' that exec predicted.
Piazza is already well-known in Japan as Hideo Nomo's first catcher, more so than for being the greatest hitting catcher of all-time.
Really, who can fault Piazza? For the last 15 years, Piazza has been paid handsomely to play a game he (presumably) enjoys; the longer he can continue that, regardless of the environment, the more power to him. And Japanese baseball is no longer baseball's version of the YMCA. The product is genuinely good, and if you play your cards right, you might become a star. Just ask Bobby V.
I've had this fascination of imagining what it would be like for Mike Piazza to play a full season at Coors Field.
Piazza's lifetime .374/.421/.695 in 203 at bats at Coors always had me wondering what kind of season Piazza could put together if he played a full season in Denver's thin air. Unfortunately, between Piazza's advancing age, declining ability, and the addition of a humidor at Coors Field, dreams of a monster season from Piazza have pretty much all but faded away. But if Piazza wanted to return in 2008, and reports have Piazza considering retirement, he could still provide a useful bat on some teams' bench.
I thought that the emergence of Billy Butler in Kansas City surely meant the end of Mike Sweeney's injury plagued career with the Royals. Hell, even Mike Sweeney thought that was the case. Well now it could be Billy Butler's emergence that keeps Sweeney in Kansas City.
Apparently the Royals are so pleased with Butler's defensive progress, they're considering him to play first base next season instead of DH. They plan on having him play there a lot over the winter. That would leave an open spot for Sweeney, and he knows it.
"Believe me, I've thought about that," Sweeney said, smiling. "I'm just tied to Billy Butler no matter what.
"I'll be following his every move when he goes down to play winter ball. I'll be watching mlb.dominican.com for highlights. Do they have that?"
No, Mike, they don't. Not yet anyway, give baseball some time.
I don't care if Billy Butler becomes a Gold Glover this winter, I don't think the Royals should even think about bringing Sweeney back. Especially if there's a solid veteran like Mike Piazza around relatively cheap. Not only is Piazza a better hitter than Sweeney, he also has the amazing ability to make sudden movements without breaking or tearing something.
I'm not so sure Mike Sweeney can say that.
The Royals are a lot closer to being respectable than I can remember them being for a long time. If they're going to take a step to the next level in 2008, they should leave all their dead weight behind them, and that includes Mike Sweeney.
As this baseball season comes down the final stretch, Mike Piazza has found himself on the bench more often than not, even though he's healthy. Kurt Suzuki has taken over the catcher spot, and Mike has to share DH duties with Dan Johnson.
Piazza is well aware that these last couple of weeks will be his last in an Athletics uniform. It's not that Piazza hasn't performed well this season, it's the fact that the Athletics will be going younger next season. What the 39-year old catcher/designated hitter isn't so sure of is whether or not this will be his last few weeks playing baseball for anybody.
"I just think I'm not in the mood to make a decision right now," Piazza said. "You have to detach yourself, take a step back. It's impossible to make a decision when you're in the washing machine - you've got to get out and dry off. You never make a good decision when you're emotionally charged."
Man, the media are so invasive these days. Asking a guy such a tough question while he's inside a washing machine. That's just rude.
My gut tells me Piazza will be back next season. He can still play and I'm sure there's a couple of American League teams who wouldn't mind his bat in the lineup. There were a lot of rumors that Piazza was going to be traded to the Twins earlier this summer, and since Torii Hunter won't be back, I'm sure they'll be looking for somebody to replace his offensive output. Piazza may just be that guy.
As if the Tigers weren't having a tough enough time trying to catch the Cleveland Indians, now they're going to have to do it without their designated hitter. Gary Sheffield's sore shoulder has gotten him placed on the disabled list.
The move was made retroactive to Wednesday, meaning Sheffield will be eligible to return Sept. 6. President and general manager Dave Dombrowski said he hopes Sheffield will be ready to return by then.
Sheffield had said he wasn't going to accompany the team to Kansas City because of the shoulder, and if it's bad enough that he has to miss road trips, he might as well be given the two weeks to rest it up. The problem, of course, is that when you're fighting to win your division in late August, you don't want to lose one of your most dangerous hitters.
Right now if the Tigers want to beat anybody, it seems as if they have to outscore them to do it. That's a lot harder to do without Sheff in the lineup, so you have to wonder if the Tigers won't try and make a move before Friday's waiver deadline.
Dave Dombrowski says the chances of the Tigers making a deal are "probably not strong" but there are some players out there who have cleared waivers. Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, and Brad Wilkerson are three of them, and Piazza could be a nice stopgap for the Tigers.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
Jeff Pearlman is best known as the reporter who was on the receiving end of John Rocker's 
Now that 
Last summer 
Perhaps it was an incomplete legacy in Florida (five games) that led 
Have you ever wanted to do something so badly you end up doing it in less than favorable conditions? For example, have you ever wanted to play a game of pick up basketball so badly that, against your better judgment, you brave the cold and hop a bus to the Y, only to end up playing two-on-two with three 12-year-old kids? But hey, at least you're playing, right? 
"
I'm so confused.
As this baseball season comes down the final stretch, 
As if the Tigers weren't having a tough enough time trying to catch the Cleveland Indians, now they're going to have to do it without their designated hitter. 
