Craig Sager has never been known for being a conservative dresser. In fact, if there is a bad color combination or a shiny suit in existence, chances are that it’s in Sager’s closet.
After the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels in Game 4 to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, closer Jonathan Papelbon interrupted a post game interview Sager was having with reliever Justin Masterson. Papelbon’s weapon of choice was a bottle of champagne, which he ended up spraying all over Craig Sager, Sager’s gaudy suit and Masterson.
Let’s hope that Sager had insurance for that one of a kind suit. Here’s the video:
With the playoffs in full swing, I figured it would be a great time to hand out some hardware. Well, not really any hardware, more like just some words and awards. So, beginning next week, I will begin unveiling some end of the season awards, which will… well… highlight some of the not so great moments from the season.
Beginning Monday, these awards will be passed out, leading up to the final awards on Friday afternoon. So, keep an eye on the site for these “not so prestigious” awards.
The Milwaukee Brewers and their fans are excited about the organization’s first playoff berth since 1982. On Tuesday, the organization hosted a pep rally for the fans and players prior to the team’s upcoming divisional series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Watch a recap of all of the action from the rally below:
As much as everyone wanted Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers to be the feel good story of the year, but my vote goes to Fernando Tatis of the New York Mets. Until Tatis got hurt near the end of the season, I thought he had a great chance at Comeback Player of the Year in the National League. However, Tatis finished fifth in the voting as Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge took the honors.
But it was a nice comeback for Tatis, no matter where he finished in the voting. To be honest, it was shocking to hear that Tatis was back in Major League Baseball. Yet, not only was he back in the big leagues, but he was a main contributor for a few months when the Mets were on a roll.
Tatis actually came back into baseball in order to raise money to buy land in order to build a church in the Dominican Republic. After a two year absence from the game, this was his motivation for returning.
In his injury-shortened season with the Mets, Tatis batted .297 with 11 home runs and 47 runs batted in. It was a surprise season for Tatis and in my opinion the feel good story of the year. I just wish he would have received more votes for the Comeback Player of the Year award.
Detroit Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski has finally admitted it was a mistake trading away young right-hander Jair Jurrjens in exchange for shortstop Edgar Renteria. I was really hoping he would actually admit it was a mistake and he finally did just that.
Jurrjens was a budding starting pitcher in the Tigers organization and when the team (and fans) smelled a hint of another winning season on the horizon, Dombrowski decided to clear out the farm system to acquire some veteran players. Jurrjens was shipped to the Atlanta Braves so that Renteria could become the everyday shortstop for the Tigers. Along with that move, Carlos Guillen was moved over to first base in order to make room for Renteria.
Renteria’s only other stint in the American League wasn’t very successful. Renteria hit just .276 with the Boston Red Sox in 2005 and saw hit strikeout total skyrocket. In 2008 with the Tigers, Renteria hit .270, score only 69 runs and post a .317 on base percentage. For these numbers, Dombrowski paid Renteria $9 million. It doesn’t take a diehard baseball fan to realize Renteria robbed the Tigers and the Braves got rid of the aging shortstop at the right time.
“We thought at the time that Renteria would be a difference maker for us at shortstop — the player that could put us over the hump,” Dombrowski said [in the Detroit Free Press]. “There’s no question — that was a miscalculation. I wish I had Jurrjens back, but we knew we were giving up a good player.”
Bad trades happen in baseball. It’s part of the game that gives guys like me something to talk about. I’m just happy to see that Dombrowski was acknowledged his mistake.
It was a collapse. A collapse that was only supposed to happen once. Only, it didn’t. It happened twice - and in back-to-back seasons. The New York Mets closed out the final season at Shea Stadium by blowing the lead in the National League East and falling in the final game ever at the stadium. But it wasn’t just a loss. It was a loss that meant the team would again miss the playoffs after once being in command of their division.
The entire season for the Mets seemed a little off. General Manager Omar Minaya fired Willie Randolph after a night game on the west coast. Randolph didn’t even have a chance to sleep off the loss to the Los Angeles Angels before he learned he was being let go. He in turn was celebrated as a New York Yankee great during the final game at Yankee Stadium.
After Randolph was fired, bench coach Jerry Manuel took over. Manuel had a shaky time with the club while guiding the team for the remainder of the season. After Johan Santana pitched a shutout on the second to the last game of the season, Manuel described Santana’s performance as “gangsta.” Not exactly the thought I had, but I might have to incorporate that word into my vocabulary more to describe great pitching performances.
Everyone stand up and thank Torii Hunter for stating the obvious. After learning that home runs were down around Major League Baseball in the biggest drop in 15 years, the Los Angeles Angels center fielder said the following:
“I think the steroid testing has something to do with it,” he said. “If there were any guys who were taking it, they’re not taking it anymore. I’d say it’s a small percentage, but of course it’s going to have an impact.”
We appreciate Hunter bringing this to our attention, but everyone, even non-baseball fans, knew that home run production would drop drastically after MLB instituted this drug testing policy.
According to an ESPN.com story, 2.01 home runs were hit this season, with Detroit Tigers infielder Miguel Cabrera leading the American League (37) and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard topping the National League (48). Hunter went on to say the NL has advantage in long balls with more smaller parks.
Everyone likes the home run. It’s sexy, flashy and downright beastly, at times. But, what’s wrong with a few stolen bases, hit-and-runs, sacrifice bunts and putting the strategy back into the game. I certainly don’t mind it. But then again, chicks dig the long ball, as Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine remind us.
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez made a superb play this afternoon, robbing New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado of a hit. Delgado hit a sharp ground ball up the middle and Ramirez had to dive to his left. After gloving the ball, Ramirez flipped over and made the throw to first from the seat of his pants to get Delgado.
It was a an amazing play, which you can see here. However, I’m not sure the play is as good as the turquoise-color webbing on Ramirez’s glove. That’s something you have to check out if you aren’t interested in the play.
Ladies and gentlemen: your American League East champions - the Tampa Bay Rays. This could be the biggest underdog story in recent history. The Rays will soon be making their first ever postseason appearance. Now, Joe Maddon’s biggest worry is figuring out which pitcher to start in game one of the divisional playoffs.
The Rays had not finished better than fourth in the AL East until this season. In fact, Tampa Bay had finished dead last in the AL East in nine of their last 10 seasons.
The Rays will be an interesting story to watch in the upcoming playoffs, including how well they handle their first trip to the postseason.
This is the final regular season giveaway for our create the caption contest. This week’s picture is of Minnesota Twins outfielders Denard Span and Carlos Gomez crashing into each other during Thursday’s game. Neither player was able to come up with the ball on this play, however the Twins won in the 10th inning to take over first place in the American League Central.
Can you come up with a funny caption for this image? If yours is the best entry, you will win one pack of Upper Deck 2008 First Edition Update (with Josh Beckett on the front) baseball cards. All entries will be taken until Monday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. You can leave your entry as a comment below.
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