MLB FanHouse

Sabathia Was Nearly a Dodger

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West, MLB Rumors

Seeing as how CC (no more periods!) Sabathia grew up in California, when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season, odds are he's going to head out to the west coast to pitch somewhere. With that in mind, the Los Angeles Dodgers were interested in trading for Sabathia because they feel they'd have a good shot at re-signing him to a long term deal after the 2008 season.

They nearly had him too, but apparently team owner Frank McCourt just wasn't willing to pull the trigger on the move.

Shortly after the Milwaukee Brewers finalized a trade for reigning American League Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia on Monday, the Daily News learned that sometime in the days leading up to that deal, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt nixed a trade that would have brought Sabathia to Los Angeles, along with Indians third baseman Casey Blake and utility man Jamey Carroll.

McCourt's reason was financial, according to multiple industry sources. But that is a charge McCourt flatly denied.

"It's just totally false," he said. "The players didn't match up, and that's just the way it was.

"Trades are complicated, and (the Indians) weren't just going to give us three players. They were asking for something in return. The point being that in this deal, the give and the get just didn't match up."

What exactly the Indians were asking for in return, no one is saying. Though seeing as how the centerpiece of their deal with the Brewers was Matt LaPorta, and that they want a power-hitting corner outfielder, I'd be willing to bet Matt Kemp would have been part of the deal.

Now considering there are rumors floating around that the Dodgers are thinking of sending Kemp to the Pirates as part of a deal for Jack Wilson, I have a hard time believing that his inclusion in a possible Sabathia trade was the deal breaker. I'm guessing that the real reason that McCourt nixed the deal was financial, and that the Indians didn't want to pay any of the $9 million it would have cost the Dodgers to pay Sabathia, Blake, and Carroll this season.

That figure would have pushed the team's payroll to about $125 million this season, but when you consider adding Sabathia to their rotation would have made them the new favorite to win the NL West, I think it would have been worth it.

Sabathia Was Nearly a Dodger originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: For Those About to Rock

Mullet — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Giants, San Francisco

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Florida Marlins (44-43) at Colorado Rockies (37-51) - 3:05 PM ET

As if 18-17 wasn't enough, the Rockies and Marlins played a 12-6 game proving once and for all that ~~the humidor is dead~~ Coors Field can still play host to some Nintendo games ... and that the Marlins pitching staff needs to step it up if they're going to hope to remain in contention for the N.L. East. The Marlins turn to Mark Hendrickson, who started out the season pitching like their ace but has been positively awful his last seven starts (37 earned runs in his last 34 innings). Not the guy you would expect to bounce you back from giving up 30 runs in two games. As for the Rockies, hey ... if they have another run in them, they're only six games back in the N.L. West so that division can still be had. Speaking of which ...

Los Angeles Dodgers (42-45) at San Francisco Giants (39-49) - 4:05 PM ET

Nice of the Arizona Diamondbacks to not make their early season party an exclusive one, as they've pretty much let everybody back in the race, including these two teams. A team like the Giants, at ten games below .500, has no business being in a divisional race. Yet they're four games back of the N.L. West lead making this rivalry game between them and the Dodgers even more important, as Frisco has a great chance to move to within three games of the lead with Matt Cain headed for the hill.

New York Mets (41-46) at Philadelphia Phillies (52-34) - 1:35 PM ET

The question, as always with the New York Mets when Oliver Perez's turn comes up in the rotation is this: which Oliver Perez will rear his head? The one that went seven innings giving up only one run in his last start against the Yankees? Or the one who can't get out of the second inning (13 combined runs in two innings against the Giants and Pirates)? New pitching coach Dan Warthen made some adjustments with Perez;s delivery before his last good start ... let's see if Perez can finally put his immense tools to good use for a few starts in a row.

Everyone else:

Nationals at Reds 1:15 ET
Rangers at Orioles 1:35 ET
Astros at Braves 1:35 ET
Royals at Rays 1:40 ET
Athletics at White Sox 2:05 ET
Pirates at Brewers 2:05 ET
Indians at Twins 2:10 ET
Cubs at Cardinals 3:15 ET
Blue Jays at Angels 3:35 ET
Padres at Diamondbacks 4:10 ET
Tigers at Mariners 4:10 ET
Red Sox at Yankees 8:05 ET

On Deck: For Those About to Rock originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: They Were Once Friends

Mullet — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Angels, Cubs, Cardinals, St. Louis, Toronto

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Chicago Cubs (52-35) at St. Louis Cardinals (49-39) - 3:55 PM ET

It's sad to see a friendship go south as apparently the one between Tony La Russa and Jim Edmonds has now that Edmonds is with the Cubs and La Russa is playing ultra-sensitive. But in reality, La Russa and Edmonds are mere players in the larger war that is Cubs vs. Cardinals, with first place on the line and growing ever so further away from the Cardinals. Today, Kyle Lohse is going to have to continue his 2008 magic (remember when nobody wanted Lohse? Yeah, well now he's 10-2) against Ted Lilly.

Boston Red Sox (52-37) at New York Yankees (45-42) - 3:55 PM ET

The Yankees held a team meeting after losing 7-0 to the Sox on Thursday. Afterward, Joe Girardi held the Yankees' feet to the fire in a team meeting. So what happens the next day? Sure, they lose again. Guess that whole team meeting thing didn't really work out. And they now have to answer to Hank Steinbrenner, who came out and said that the players have to "buck up".

Wait, that's it? No irrational statements or threats of death? Just a piece of intangible advice? Hank! It's like I don't even know you anymore.

Toronto Blue Jays (41-46) at L.A. Angels of Anaheim (52-34) - 9:05 PM ET

As the Blue Jays dangle one starter to acquire their third shortstop, another starter is about to hook up in a classic pitching duel. Roy Halladay pitched a shutout his last time out, and the man who leads all of baseball in innings pitched goes against John Lackey, who has an obscene ERA of 1.44 this season after going 5-0 in June. Lackey himself almost had a shutout on Sunday against Dodgers, going 8 and 2/3's of shutout ball.

Everyone else:

Pirates at Brewers 7:05 ET
Rangers at Orioles 7:05 ET
Mets at Phillies 7:05 ET
Athletics at White Sox 7:05 ET
Nationals at Reds 7:10 ET
Indians at Twins 7:10 ET
Astros at Braves 7:10 ET
Royals at Rays 7:10 ET
Marlins at Rockies 8:05 ET
Padres at Diamondbacks 8:10 ET
Dodgers at Giants 9:05 ET
Tigers at Mariners 10:10 ET

On Deck: They Were Once Friends originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kelvim Escobar Is Likely Done for the Season

Tom Fornelli — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Injuries, MLB Rumors

As is often the case this time of year, the Los Angeles Angels have been toying with the idea of adding another bat to their anemic offense for the stretch run. General manager Tony Reagins has come out and said that he's happy with the team he currently has, but that doesn't mean he'd turn down the right offer if it was presented to him.

The general consensus being that since the Angels have a surplus in starting pitching, they could move an arm or two to bring a bat like Mark Teixeira in. The thought process was that once Kelvim Escobar returned to the rotation, the Angels would have more than enough pitching.

There's been a wrench thrown in the plans, though, because it doesn't look like Escobar is going to be coming back this season.

After suffering a serious setback in his rehabilitation from a shoulder tear, it appears doubtful the 32-year-old right-hander will pitch at all for the Angels this season.

"I woke up [Tuesday] and it was like, wow, it's painful," said Escobar, who threw three innings for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday night. "It's not the normal soreness you feel after you pitch. It's pain. It's hurt. And it's in the same spot."

Escobar chose to skip any surgery and just rehab the injury back in the spring, but he's likely to undergo an MRI on his shoulder again today. Considering the pain he's still feeling, I don't think anything on the MRI is going to come back very positive, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finally chooses the surgery option this time around. Doing so would obviously end his season.

Kelvim Escobar Is Likely Done for the Season originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homer Simpson Throws Out First Pitch, Dares to Live Out American Dream

Will Brinson — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West, MLB Fans, MLB Video, MLB Biz

Oh wait. Wrong American dream. The lesson though, kids, is that sporting events aren't about whether you win or lose, it's how drunk you can get. No, wait. There's some sort of moral lesson here, right? Or maybe not.

Just watch Homer throw out the first pitch as the Dodgers ~~shill for Universal Studios~~ try to generate a family atmosphere at a recent home game.

All jokes and ill-fitting Simpsons quotes aside, that was a pretty good freaking throw by El Homo. Certainly better than anything Carl Lewis has ever served up. And also, I find it fascinating that the Matt Groening's little world has evolved to the point that it's a nationally beloved iconic item, and no longer some d/f joke routine of which parents are terrified. Next up? South Park!

One case of Duff to Home Run Derby for the find.

Homer Simpson Throws Out First Pitch, Dares to Live Out American Dream originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Believe It When I See It: Dodger Rehabilitation

Will Brinson — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West, MLB Injuries, MLB Rumors

With a rejuvenated Juan Pierre heading to the disabled list, the crowded Dodger outfield is suddenly pretty depleted. And Los Angeles, with Arizona scuffling at the top of the standings, could probably use some offensive help. They'll get it -- in the form of Rafael Furcal, Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra -- but the best word to use might be "eventually".

Jones, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery May 27, is aiming to return for the start of the second half of the season, July 18 in Arizona.

Garciaparra said he thought he could be back by July 4 or 5. Furcal said he was looking at July 5 or 6 as possible return dates.

I'm going to spare you the routine of posting quotes from 'Druw re: "rejuvenation" and "time off" helping and whatnot, because none of that matters until he gets out on the field and actually performs up to his contract.

As for Nomar, well, I don't hold out much hope that he can stay very healthy and very productive for a very long period of time; nothing personal against Mr. Hamm, but he's got to prove otherwise first.

And as for Furcal, we've been hearing that he would be "back" for the past month and a half. So when he gets on the field and actually plays, I will believe. To sum up: color me pessimistic. (Update: Well, that didn't take long.)

But to play the other side of the coin, the Dodgers desperately need these guys now; they're only 3.5 back despite being well under .500. If Jones and Nomar can contribute at all, and Furcal can come back and dominate a little bit, the Dodgers can make a run.

Believe It When I See It: Dodger Rehabilitation originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenny Dykstra's $24 Million House for Sale

Will Brinson — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, MLB Gossip, MLB Rumors, MLB Biz

Lenny Dykstra is a savvy investor; a gentleman so refined as to have not only a Midas touch but the sensibility to use it only at the proper time. We all knew that long ago.

So, we must also presume that Nails is merely acting in a sage manner, investment-wise, when putting his ginormous house -- once owned and built by Wayne Gretzky himself -- on the market. Not that he would ever be in financial trouble.

The house -- 12,713 square feed, 8 bedrooms, 7 baths on 7 acres -- has now been listed by Sotheby's International in Brentwood.

Asking price: $24.9 million.

"It's a compound; it's not a house," said Dykstra, the former All-Star outfielder. "I can go for a couple of days and not see any other family members. I found out I had a tennis court I didn't know I had. And I had to buy it completely furnished. I couldn't afford to buy furniture to fill this place. Are you kidding me?"

Yes, that seems about right. The guy who started the Players Club magazine and spends an inordinate amount of time in front of the camera (for a retired concussion magnet anyway) just can't deal with a house that is too big.
It's not the money, of course. It's the not seeing the members of his family thing. Because the house (which is "only" eight bedrooms, mind you) just swallows people whole.

But let's be real: the house really isn't that large. Look, I've taken the virtual tour at Sotheby's, and frankly, I've seen bigger. Perhaps not more perfectly designed, but certainly bigger. So, regardless of what Nails was telling Tom Hoffarth a month ago (He's wanted to sell for the loooongest time now), I'm not buying.

It's not that Dykstra hasn't been successful in his investments, because, based on most accounts, he has. It's just that someone who is continuing to make money hand over fist (which is the vibe you get from Nails' camp) doesn't sell a $24.9 million house.

Lenny Dykstra's $24 Million House for Sale originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bleacher Bums: This Is What Catching a Torii Hunter Home Run Looks Like

Matt Watson — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, Dodgers, AL West, MLB Fans, MLB Video, Anaheim

Bleacher Bums is MLB FanHouse's look at those oh-so-fun fan adventures.

I don't know what's more amazing: a) that this fan was in the right spot at the right time to catch a Torii Hunter batting practice home run; b) that his non-glove hand was steady enough to catch the whole thing on film; c) that he maintained the presence of mind to call "head's up!" and save that impressed Angels player from getting conked on the head ... or d) that this is the same fan who made a nearly identical video catching an Andre Ethier double back in May?

Bleacher Bums: This Is What Catching a Torii Hunter Home Run Looks Like originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mickey Hatcher Would Like the Angels to Start Hitting Before He Loses His Job

Tom Fornelli — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:47:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West

The Los Angeles Angels are in first place in the AL West, and are about to start a very important (okay, as important as a series can be halfway through the season) series with the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim tonight. They're only 4.5 games ahead of Oakland at the moment, and they're coming off a series against the Dodgers in which they lost two of three and couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag.

For goodness sake, Jered Weaver threw a damn no-hitter on Saturday and the Angels still lost. In the three games against the Dodgers, the Angels hit .161 and managed to score one run. That's why hitting coach Mickey Hatcher is going to be a little more assertive in today's hitters meeting.

"When we get home, we're going to have a meeting and figure out how many of these guys are trying to get me fired," Hatcher said.

"The last few days in that locker room, I don't know how to describe it, but it's not the same team. The energy level is real low. Sometimes that happens when you travel coast to coast. I don't know why."

Of course, I don't know that things will get much better against the Athletics this week. After all, the A's pitching staff does have the second-best ERA in baseball at 3.42 (just behind the White Sox who check in at 3.39), and they're not going to make it any easier on the Angels lineup.

General manager Tony Reagins came out last week and said he doesn't plan on making any changes come the trade deadline, but I have to wonder if he'll change his mind if his lineup keeps struggling to score runs. At some point the Angels will have to seriously consider sacrificing some of their pitching depth to add another bat to the lineup.

Mickey Hatcher Would Like the Angels to Start Hitting Before He Loses His Job originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No-Hitters Are Overrated Anyway

Tom Fornelli — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, Dodgers

I remember when I was a kid I went to a White Sox game against the Yankees with my dad. It was a special game in history, because it happened to be the day that Andy Hawkins threw a no-hittter against the White Sox. Oh, and he also lost the game 4-0.

I was only nine years old at the time, so I didn't quite understand the significance of what I'd just seen, I just knew that the White Sox had one, and that it was a good thing. The idea of how Hawkins must have felt after the Yankees committed three errors in that 8th inning to lose the game never crossed my mind. Looking back on it now, though, I'll bet he was pretty pissed off.

Wouldn't you be? At the very least you have to figure Jered Weaver probably is.

Weaver held the Dodgers without a hit through six innings before being removed for a pinch-hitter and turning things over to Arredondo, who retired the Dodgers in order in the seventh and eighth innings. The game did not qualify as an official no-hitter because the Dodgers did not bat in their half of the ninth inning.

The Dodgers scored in the fifth on a pair of errors, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly. Weaver committed the first error when he couldn't cleanly field leadoff hitter Matt Kemp's dribbler up the first base line.

Kemp would go on to steal second base and move up to third after Jeff Mathis saw a cute girl in the stands and wanted to impress her* by playing catch with Torii Hunter in center field (*this is my interpretation, anyway). Kemp would then score on a sac fly by Blake DeWitt, and the Dodgers would win 1-0.

All of which means that in his next start, Jered will give up 15 hits in 7 innings of work, yet the Angels will win the game 13-7. Baseball just has a way of balancing this stuff out, so it's important that Jered not let this bother him going into his next start. Things could be worse, after all, he could be Jeff Weaver.

No-Hitters Are Overrated Anyway originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: L.A. Showdown!!!

Mullet — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, Los Angeles, White Sox, Royals, Angels, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Anaheim, Kansas City, St. Louis

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

L.A. Angels of Anaheim (48-33) at L.A. Dodgers of L.A. (38-42) - 4:10 PM ET

The final day of interleague play, or as ESPN has needlessly re-branded it: "AL/NL SHOWDOWN!" (like it's a western gunfight or something) will feature a good pitching matchup between John Lackey (5-1, 1.65) and Derek Lowe (5-7, 4.05). Of course, it can't be better than the one between Chad Billingsley and Jered Weaver last night, where Weaver combined with Jose Arredondo for eight innings of no-hit baseball, but lost. After coming back from an early season injury, Lackey really hasn't had a bad outing all season. So if anyone can continue the no-hit parade for the Dodgers, it's Lackey.

St. Louis Cardinals (46-36) at Kansas City Royals (37-44) - 2:10 PM ET

Nobody is more sad to see interleague AL/NL SHOWDOWN!!! end than the Kansas City Royals, who are 13-4 against the National League this year. Should you feel sorry for them? Absolutely not. The Royals had a shot to move to the National League in 1997 and declined. Thus, they remain in the A.L. to miss the playoffs some more and wonder what might have happened if they switched leagues.

Chicago Cubs (34-46) at Chicago White Sox (44-35) - 8:05 PM ET

At 35th and Shields, they'll be ballin' after dark for the final time in 2008, and Ozzie Guillen's White Sox will be hoping to sweep the Cubs at home after they were swept at Guillen's favorite park in all the land: Wrigley Field. Two home sweeps shouldn't be a big surprise ... the Sox are 26-11 at home, while the Cubs are 33-10 at home. And as it's the last interleague game of the year, it's also the last time you'll hear the phrase: "AL/NL SHOWDOWN!!!"

Everyone else:

Rockies at Tigers 1:05 ET
Reds at Indians 1:05 ET
Braves at Blue Jays 1:07 ET
Yankees at Mets 1:10 ET
Diamondbacks at Marlins 1:10 ET
Rays at Pirates 1:35 ET
Orioles at Nationals 1:35 ET
Red Sox at Astros 2:05 ET
Brewers at Twins 2:10 ET
Giants at Athletics 4:05 ET
Mariners at Padres 4:05 ET
Phillies at Rangers 6:05 ET

On Deck: L.A. Showdown!!! originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angels No-Hit Dodgers, Lose 1-0

Josh Alper — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:20:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, Dodgers

They say it's better to be lucky than good. At this hour, Joe Torre would agree with that statement. His Dodgers failed to record a hit against Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo at Chavez Ravine this evening but still found a way to beat the Angels 1-0. It's only the fifth time since 1900 that a team won a game without getting a hit.

Weaver made an error on a Matt Kemp grounder and then catcher Jeff Mathis compounded it by throwing away a ball on a steal attempt to get Kemp to third. He scored on Blake Dewitt's sacrifice fly. Weaver left after six innings and Arredondo pitched the seventh and eighth but couldn't get any help from their offense, which got shut out for the second straight game. Chad Billingsley was the beneficiary of the Dodgers' good fortune.

Adding insult to insult for the Angel hurlers is that if they sit their grandchildren down in 50 years to show them that they once threw a no-hitter, they'll look crazier than Abe Simpson recounting his exploits in WWII. Because the Dodgers were at home and didn't bat in the ninth, the game doesn't go into the record book as a no-hitter. The last pitcher so dishonored was Matt Young, who no-hit the Tribe for the Red Sox in 1992 but lost thanks to seven walks and a Luis Rivera error.

Angels No-Hit Dodgers, Lose 1-0 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Angels Like What They Have

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Rumors

One of the biggest criticisms by Angels fans of Bill Stoneman when he was general manager of the Angels was that he never made any big mid-season trades to help the ballclub. Whether these criticisms were fair or not, I don't know. Sure, he never made any huge deals, but it never kept the Angels from being the cream of the crop out west in the American League.

Well, Stoneman left last season and now in his first season as a replacement, new Angels GM Tony Reagins isn't planning on doing anything any differently. Don't look for the Angels to make a big move before this year's deadline either.

"I'm real confident in the guys we put together," Reagins said. "At this point in the season I still don't think we're clicking on all cylinders and yet we have the best record in our league or close to it. We haven't been clicking on all cylinders but we've been able to play at a high level and achieve the success we've had.

"My confidence level in this group is high. ... To make a move that would take away a significant piece - I don't see that happening at this point."

If the Angels were to make any improvements before the deadline, odds are they would be to the offense, because the pitching staff has been doing just fine. A name being thrown about as a potential addition in L.A. is the Braves Mark Teixeira, but I'm not sure he'd be worth it for the Angels. First of all, the Braves aren't even sure they want to move him, so the Angels would have to come up with a nice package to get him.

Secondly, it's not like Casey Kotchman sucks or anything. He doesn't have the power of Tex, but he is hitting .300 with an OPS of .795. Giving up some of their pitching depth for a player they're likely to have for only a few months, and one they don't really need in the first place, would be counterproductive.

The Angels Like What They Have originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are Maple Bats on the Way Out?

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:49:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, MLB Gossip, MLB Rumors

Over the last few years, anybody who has spent some time watching baseball games has noticed a dangerous trend in the sport: the exploding maple bats. Where as in the past baseball bats broke all the time, the only way a fan in the ballpark or watching at home could tell it had happened was after seeing the hitter walk back to the dugout to get a new one.

These days it's pretty easy to see, as you only have to follow the shrapnel being strewn about all over the infield. Maple bats don't just break, they explode. There are about three or four instances a game these days in which we see the jagged remains of what used to be a bat flying past the pitcher's mound, or at an infielder. It's really quite amazing that nobody in baseball has suffered a serious injury from the debris.

Still, that just means it's only a matter of time before somebody does get hurt, be it a player or a fan, and Major League Baseball is meeting today to decide what they want to do about it.

After a weekend in which three pitchers and a spectator nearly got hit at Dodger Stadium by flying shrapnel from broken bats, a baseball safety committee is scheduled to meet today to discuss possible remedies for this year's epidemic of shattered bats.

No decisions are expected today, although Commissioner Bud Selig has publicly expressed a sense of urgency and privately threatened to act unilaterally if the committee -- composed of representatives of owners and the players' union -- does not recommend reforms promptly.

"We're sitting on a catastrophe," said a source close to Selig, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly in advance of today's meeting.

To me, the solution to the problem is pretty simple: ban maple bats for the time being. Just don't let anybody use them until the manufacturers of the bats can figure out a way to produce a model that doesn't break so easily. Now this decision obviously won't be very popular amongst hitters, as maple bats are harder and supply more power than the old ash bats they used to use, but it's still one that needs to be made.

It's better that baseball do it now and force it's players to deal with it rather than waiting for someone to get seriously hurt first.

Are Maple Bats on the Way Out? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nomar Garciaparra Is More Than Injury Prone, He's Injury Guaranteed

Josh Alper — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West, MLB Injuries

Sometimes you hear a piece of news that stops you short. Other times you hear something that makes so much sense that you can't believe no one stumbled across it before. The fact that Nomar Garciaparra is genetically predisposed to muscle injuries falls into the latter category.

In his thus far fruitless attempts to return to action following a calf injury, Garciaparra consulted with a physical therapist in Boston and found out he was baseball's answer to Samuel L. Jackson in Unbreakable. Garciaparra's condition causes excess scar tissue to develop at the injury site which both limits his rehabilitation and increases the likelihood that he'll reinjure himself later on down the road.

"It would have been nice if I had found out a lot sooner that I had this," said Garciaparra, who likened the problem to trying to pull a rope through a hole when the rope has several knots in it. "That's why I keep straining different muscles."

The only way he can combat the scar tissue is through painful daily stretching and bending. You have to feel bad for Garciaparra. Finding out about this at this point in his career is sort of like hearing you were misdiagnosed with cancer after going through years of chemo. It's good news, sure, but all that was wasted along the way has to really burn.

(H/T Can't Stop The Bleeding)

Nomar Garciaparra Is More Than Injury Prone, He's Injury Guaranteed originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scott Proctor Is Pathetic

Tom Fornelli — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Scott Proctor hasn't had a very good season out in LALA land. In 33 appearances Proctor has a 6.82 ERA and a WHIP of 1.89, which isn't exactly dealing to say the least. Well, after giving up the go ahead run against Jhonny Peralta on Saturday in a six run 11th inning, Proctor didn't hold his feelings back in the post game chat with reporters.

He wants all the Dodger fans out there to know that contrary to the rumors, he's not injured. No, he just sucks (his words, Todd, not mine).

"I'm not talking about that. There is nothing (wrong), and I'm tired of people making excuses and saying I'm hurt. My job is to get outs, and I'm (expletive) pathetic. It's embarrassing to know this team battled like that all day and I pitched like that. It's (expletive) stupid.

"I'm embarrassed for myself in front of my teammates."

Now, now, Scott, don't be so hard on yourself. Sure, you're having a craptastic season and you've been easier to score on than Lindsay Lohan on ecstasy, but that's no reason to rip yourself in public. That's the media's job, and trust me, they'll do it for you.

Everybody goes through rough stretches in this game, and you're just going through one of them right now. Take a few days off, go to the beach, spend time with the family. Whatever you have to do. I promise*, things will get better.

*By promise I mean I'm just saying anything to help make you feel better because you really do suck right now.

Scott Proctor Is Pathetic originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Deck: Party Like It's 1976

Mullet — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Yankees, Twins, Angels, Phillies, Reds, Diamondbacks, Cincinnati

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

Cincinnati Reds (35-41) at New York Yankees (40-35) - 1:05 PM ET

A friend of mine ... a Yankee fan no less ... said to me on Friday afternoon that he fully expected the Reds to win two out of three in this series in the Bronx against his Yankees. A pretty amazing statement from a fan of a team who had just won seven in a row. That's how impressed he was of the young pitching the Reds had. Although I think he expected the two wins to be against Edinson Vólquez on Friday, and Johnny Cueto today, and not against minor league call-up Daryl Thompson on Saturday. Instead, the Reds have a chance to sweep the Yankees in the Bronx (just like the Series in '76), ensuring that the Yankees last win over the Reds at Yankee Stadium will forever be Game 1 of the 1961 World Series, before The House That Ruth Built (and The House That Griffey Hates) comes down for good.

Arizona Diamondbacks (39-36) at Minnesota Twins (39-36) - 2:10 PM ET

Sometime in the last couple of days, Brandon Webb decided to put talks for a contract extension on hold. Although his contract doesn't come up until after 2010, he admitted that the situation "wore on him a little bit". Perhaps it had something to do with his last two starts being not so good, including a stinker of an outing against Oakland on Tuesday (seven runs and five walks in three and 1/3 innings in a 15-1 loss). Certainly not the numbers you would expect a recent Cy Young winner to put up. And now that he is of clear mind, the Twins might be in a pickle today.

L.A. Angels of Anaheim (40-35) at Philadelphia Phillies (42-34) - 1:35 PM ET

Speaking of clear mind, Chase Utley hopes to have a clear mind today after being given his first day off of the season by Charlie Manuel. Utley probably needed it after hitting .158 in his past 15 games and going 0 for his last 23. As Chase has gone, the Phillies have gone ... as they're 1-6 in their last seven games, and have only scored seven runs in their last four games. This from the team who made a regular occurrence of scoring at least seven in one game. They try to get well against Jered Weaver (6-7, 4.73) and avoid an Angels sweep as they send Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.23) to the hill.

Everyone else:

Mariners at Braves 1:35 ET
Rangers at Nationals 1:35 ET
Cardinals at Red Sox 1:35 ET
Blue Jays at Pirates 1:35 ET
Astros at Rays 1:40 ET
Orioles at Brewers 2:05 ET
Giants at Royals 2:05 ET
Mets at Rockies 3:05 ET
Marlins at Athletics 4:05 ET
Tigers at Padres 4:05 ET
Indians at Dodgers 4:10 ET
White Sox at Cubs 8:05 ET

On Deck: Party Like It's 1976 originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hollywood Honors Dodgers With a Star on the Walk of Fame

Will Brinson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Dodgers, NL West, MLB Fans, MLB Media Watch

And welcome to the least juicy chunk of celebrity meets sports news you will hear all year long. The Dodgers, as in the entire Los Angeles history of the team, is having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedicated to them.

The Hollywood Historic Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce this Friday, June 20 at 11 am in celebration of the organization's 50th anniversary in Los Angeles. An Award of Excellence star and commemorative plaque will be presented to the Dodgers in recognition of their significant contributions to the community of Los Angeles and world culture and entertainment. The Dodgers will be the first sports franchise ever to receive such an honor.

There will be all sorts of crazy celebs there, including Frank McCourt, Joe Torre, Russell Martin, Charley Steiner, Eric Karros, and, well, Vin Scully actually is a celeb in my book. Although from what I understand, he already has a star on the WoF with his own name on it.

The press release makes some good points though -- the Dodgers, like most Los Angeles teams, have been celebrity infused since the beginning. Additionally, they have five World Series titles and made huge civil rights strides by bringing Jackie Robinson into baseball. No word on whether Andruw Jones was invited or not.

Hollywood Honors Dodgers With a Star on the Walk of Fame originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dugout: Arduous Tasks of the 1800s

B. Thompson Stroud — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:17:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, New York, Yankees, Dodgers, AL East, NL East, The Dugout

Earlier this week, New York Yankees senior VP Hank "George" Steinbrenner came down like a decrepit stadium on the role of pitchers in interleague play, saying that it was an antiquated rule that caused one of his best pitchers to miss time with the team. The "blogging-o-sphere" immediately got their panties in a bunch over the comments, but you know what? Hank Steinbrenner is exactly right. Are we supposed to let tradition halt evolution? Should we still be playing games in the dark? Should we just play old tapes of Red Barber over new games and hope the play-by-play matches up?

Of course we shouldn't. Hank, the boys at The Dugout are here for you. Today's Dugout (which can be read by clicking the "read the dugout" thing that follows this paragraph) blows the roof off of the hypocritical, so-called web-logging-o-sphere. Grow up, National League. You baby.

The Dugout

	HanksForNothing: My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century. They need to grow up and join the 21st century.
	HanksForNothing: Am I [mad] about it? Yes.
	HanksForNothing: I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out.
	HanksForNothing: I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.
	Online Host Welcome to the 1800s Chatroom!
	EthierOr: hey skip, you got the lineup card for tonight? I wanted to see where you have me.
	Torreumon: Sure do, Andre. Let's see, today you're at... /adjusts bifocals, surveys card ...lamplighter.
	Torreumon: What that means is, you take this big torch, climb up on top of the building, and light all the stadium lights with the fire so we can see at night.
	EthierOr: man, I hate playing in the National League
	Torreumon: Count your blessings, boy, you could be starting at Chandler tonight.
	pennywise: /dissolves lye in clubhouse wash basin
	pennywise: /weighs out eucalyptus oil, fresh rosemary leaves, lavender essential oil, colored wax, lye, coconut oil, palm oil, glycerin, rubbing alcohol, various fruits and dried flowers
	pennywise: /spends all day waiting for pot belly stove to melt mixture
	pennywise: /stirs /throws out shoulder gaaaaaah
	pennywise: why can't we just buy soap
	Torreumon: Does this look like modern times to you, with all its niceties and commodité? This is the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs! We strength-train you for things like this.
	Torreumon: Until your shoulder heals you'll be playing "bootblack."
	pennywise: don't we have a guy for that
	Torreumon: No, you're thinking of Chris Bootblack. He plays for the Angels.
	DoctorProctor: things sure were better for us in New York City, huh coach?
	Torreumon: Nonsense. Out here is a simpler life, Scott. No hustle-and-bustle from the horseless carriages. No flashbulbs from the Prominents and paparazzo. No hitters being "DH'd" for anythin'.
	Torreumon: No, out here in the National League we don't worry our heads about designated hitters and sitch.
	DoctorProctor: I sure do miss having a telephone, though.
	Torreumon: /hitches up draws Heh, what's a telly-phone?
	Online Host RockyDennis has entered the chatroom in a right huff!
	RockyDennis: Colonel! Dah, I mean "Coach!" Come quick!
	Torreumon: What say you, post-person?
	RockyDennis: The Cincinnati Redcoats have invaded the Pacific Theatre! His majesty Dusty Baker condemns our "small ball" and demands satisfaction!
	Torreumon: Then satisfaction he shall have! Come men! Hoist your leathered mits and meet me at Chavez Ravine!
	Torreumon: Hey waitaminute, where's our closer?
	Online Host Meanwhile, outside
	MasaSaito: /works on railroad

Photos link to player info. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) WordUpThome.com

The Dugout: Arduous Tasks of the 1800s originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Scioscia Has Fat Fingers

Tom Fornelli — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:43:00 EST

Filed under: Los Angeles, Angels, AL West, MLB Gossip

You know, every year before the baseball season starts I make my predictions for the season just like every other baseball fan. While I try to mix things up and try to be the "genius" who picked that annual dark horse that surprises everybody, when it comes to the AL West I'm pretty basic. I just pick the Angels.

I've picked the Angels to win the division every season for the last four years, and have even had them going to the World Series twice. The reason for this? Well, besides the fact that they have a pretty good team year in and year out, they also have the man whom I feel is the best manager in the game sitting in their dugout: Mike Scioscia.

Every year it seems the Angels suffer through more than their fair share of injuries, yet they never skip a beat. This season has been no exception as it seems like everyday somebody new is being placed on the disabled list, yet the Angels are still in first place and have won their last eight series. I wouldn't be surprised if this team ended up with it's second World Series ring under Scioscia when it's all said and done, and that would undoubtedly make Scioscia very happy because he'd finally have a ring he could still wear.

"I don't wear my World Series rings anymore," says Scioscia, who actually proposed to Anne, his wife of 23 years, over a drive-through dinner at In-N-Out Burger. "I'm too fat. They don't fit."

Considering that Mike is the type of guy who would propose to his wife at an In-N-Out Burger (and they say romance is dead), I'm guessing the only way he's going to be able to wear another ring is if the Angels win a new one. I just don't think he's going to be losing weight any time soon, well, not unless he gets divorced anyway.

Mike Scioscia Has Fat Fingers originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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