Results tagged ‘ baseball ’
Jamie Moyer Just Keeps Going And Going
After Jamie Moyer went under the knife for Tommy John surgery and wasn’t able to pitch for the Phillies in 2011, most analysts thought we saw the last of him after his 24-year career took him to the age of 47. However, that’s not the case. Moyer rehabbed from surgery and signed a minor league deal this past winter with the Colorado Rockies that included an invite into spring training. Now 49 years old, Moyer has been doing a great job this Spring, compiling a 2-0 record, 1.00 ERA, and seven strikeouts in nine innings pitched. Batters are only hitting .133 off of him; who says you can’t continue to play into your forties? This man is almost 50 and he’s still playing professional baseball. Rumors are circling that he will be making the Rockies 2012 starting rotation as well.
This Day in MLB History…
March 27th, 1989: Sports Illustrated exposes Pete Rose’s gambling activities. The article alleges ‘Charlie Hustle’ bet from the Riverfront dugout using hand gestures with an associate.
It was a sad day when former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent threw a lifetime ban on former Reds superstar and all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, from the game of baseball for his gambling issues. What was more disheartening is that it took ‘Charlie Hustle’ a full14 years before he decided to finally come clean and confess to the public that he gambled on his own team while he was the manager. We all know that he came clean to the public in 2004, but what shocked me was that he actually came clean to Commissioner Bud Selig in a private meeting in 2002. I don’t understand why he felt the need to confess to Selig, but not the millions of baseball fans that were crushed by his suspension. It’s sad that Rose would rather try and protect his pride and take the lifetime ban instead of coming clean and trying to work out a deal with MLB. Since his public confession in 2004, there have been debates going on as to whether he should be reinstated and made eligible to enter the Hall of Fame. When you look at where he ranks in baseball history, it’s hard to say he shouldn’t be enshrined in Cooperstown, but with the lack of support for players during the steroid era, such as Mark McGuire, it’s tough advocate for Rose.
MLB Diamond Notes: March 26th, 2012
Utley out for Opening Day; will be back in 2012
It just keeps getting worse for Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley. Since the rehab for his knees have come to a plateau, GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. said he was sent to be examined by a specialist to overcome the chronic pain in his knees. This is sad news for the Phillies, who will see their second baseman start the season on the disabled list for the second consecutive year. With Ryan Howard‘s status for Opening Day still up in the air, this puts Philadelphia in a tough spot for their offense, which is already being scrutinized by analysts. Could their NL East dynasty be slowly crumbling before their eyes? Possibly, but their starting rotation begs to differ. Any team that has pitchers like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels as their top three starters, has a chance to compete for the postseason. How much is Philly missing Utley? From 2005-2010, he was a five time All-Star, and his .911 OPS ranked 14th out of the players who qualified with enough at-bats. Utley met with the media yesterday at Phillies camp and was very matter-of-fact when it came to the subject of his health. He said that even though he will not be ready for Opening Day, he is not getting surgery, and he is not retiring, which were just a few of the rumors going around since he left camp earlier last week.
Introducing: The MLB Hall Of Fame Class Of 1969.
Roy Campanella: Catcher, Brooklyn Dodgers
.276 average, 627 runs scored, 1161 hits, 242 home runs, 856 RBI, 25 stolen bases
During the dominance of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s, one of the most consistent players and leaders they had was their catcher, Roy Campanella. He only played ten seasons in the Majors for a couple of reasons: he played in the Negro Leagues for seven years before his future teammates Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, and then a tragic car accident abruptly ended his career. Out of his 10 years in professional baseball, he was named to eight all-star teams and won three MVP awards. During his 1953 MVP season, he set National League records for catchers in home runs (41) and RBI (142). Campanella made his biggest mark behind the plate while he handled the Dodger pitching staff, while instilling fear in opposing base runners. The 1955 World Series champion led the league in caught stealing percentage five years in a row, with his career percentage of 57.4 being the best in baseball history at the catcher position. His last game played, which was on September 24, 1957, was also the last game ever played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.
A Look At “Unbreakable” Records: Octavio Dotel’s 13 Franchises Played For.
Once Opening Day hits and Octavio Dotel makes an appearance for the Detroit Tigers, he will be the sole owner of quite a record: most organizations played for in a single career, making stops with 13 different teams since he broke into the Major Leagues in 1999. Are you wondering who else has played for that many teams during their professional career? Here’s a list of a few:
12 teams played for:
Matt Stairs (1992-2011)
Mike Morgan (1978-2002)
Ron Villone (1995-2009)
11 teams played for:
Kenny Lofton (1991-2007)
10 teams played for:
Miguel Batista (1992-2011)
Russell Branyan (1998-2011)
Bruce Chen (1998-2011)
Brett Tomko (1997-2011)
