From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
This coming weekend, Major League Baseball will reveal its 2009 All-Star teams. So what better opportunity than this to run through a list of this season's "Anti-All-Stars." Anti-All-Stars is far too bland a name, though, so we decided to name the team in honor of Andruw Jones. After all, he was the poster child for guys not earning the lucrative contracts bestowed on them last season. We'll sort through each position and find the player who is least helping his team in comparison to expectations -- whether monetary or from management.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
Manny Ramirez was suspended without pay for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy earlier this season. This isn't news. His 50 games will be concluded within the next two weeks. In the meantime, he's two games into a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque. Wait, what? A guy tested positive for a banned substance, is forced to miss 50 games, but he's allowed to play for a major league affiliated organization?
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
As Joey Votto heads out to a rehab assignment, the Reds are anxiously awaiting the return of their best hitter. Votto hasn't started a game since May 27 -- when the Reds stood at 26-20. Since then, they've gone 8-11. As a team, the Reds are hitting .244 and rank 11th in the National League in runs scored. Votto is hitting .357 with eight home runs and 33 RBI in only 38 games. Translation: The Reds really, really need him. They aren't the only team in baseball that will be missing a star player in the upcoming weeks. After the jump, we'll list the Top 10 most important injuries in baseball moving forward in 2009.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
Among the general population of sports fans, Scott Boras is a very unpopular individual. He's referred to as greedy, a snake, and "Bor-ass" (what a clever way to use his name in a derogatory fashion, huh?), among other things. Teams threaten to never deal with him again. Fans claim he's ruining baseball and is everything wrong with professional sports. And on and on -- just check out the reader comments on this Jeff Fletcher piece.
You know what I call him? The best agent in the history of sports.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
Maybe it's just because I have to pay more attention to things of the nature now, but it seems like there have been an inordinate amount of no-hitters taken into the sixth inning or later this season. No one has completed the feat just yet, but plenty of close calls have been broken up late in the game. Whenever the home team happens to be the one breaking up the no-hitter, the home crowd breaks into a furious ovation -- like they just won the game or something. In most cases, I don't get this.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
When the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason, there was no shortage of critics. After 45 games in 2009, the Cubs are only one game above .500 and Bradley is hitting .200. He's also been hurt and suspended. Obviously, everything wrong with the Cubs is his fault, at least if you listen to the media and general public.
I have a message for the naysayers: It's well past the time for you to get off of his back.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
With the recent news that Mark DeRosa is on the trade block and the White Sox have possibly landed Jake Peavy, junkies of major league baseball trade rumors got an early glimpse at what promises to be a very interesting July. It's far to0 early to know exactly who will be in the market for what -- or who can afford to take on temporary payroll in this economy -- but it's certainly fun to speculate. Let's do it.
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.
From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday. It appears Saturday because of the A-Rod and Manny Ramirez news.
Heading into Saturday's action, the Cincinnati Reds have played pretty good baseball. They've taken some lumps, but overall it's been a good start for a team that finished 14 games under .500 in 2008. They've gotten good pitching, but their offense leaves something to be desired. Only the Diamondbacks and Giants have scored less runs in the NL.
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.
