Matt, Your a Class Act!
-David S.-
Matt Kemp of the dodgers is a great man! He has to be one of the classiest men in baseball. Since the tragedy in Oklahoma of the tornado, Matt has pledged to give $1,000 for every home run he gets to the victims. That is so generous. Matt has a record of being a great man. Not that I know any players, but I think we need more players like good Matt. Remember, always give back.
Studs So Far
-David S.-
Here are some of the early season phenoms this year. All stats are of May 18. I only chose hitters. I will be doing another article about pitchers soon to come. I left out the household names because they are already stars.
Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez
It’s been a pretty ugly year for my Brewers. I mean they are currently below the Cubs! Did you read that…BELOW THE CUBS!!!! There has been two bright spots that broke out this year. Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez have been on a tear. The Brewers took a risk and signed Gomez to an extension and so far it has paid off. Jean Segura has exceeded expectations at every aspect of the game. Gomez and Segura have been bouncing up and down for the lead of batting average in the NL. Hopefully this guys can keep it up.
Stat line:
Jean Segura: 54 hits 7 HR 18 RBI .351 BA
Carlos Gomez: 51 hits 6 HR 18 RBI .352 BA
Justin Upton
How could I leave out the NL leader of home runs. Justin Upton of the Atlanta Braves has returned to his old star form. He had a decent year last year, but he’s back to ferocious Justin Upton. He has really been showing his Brother B. J. who has been struggling.
Stat line:
Justin Upton: 41 hits 14 HR 28 RBI .285 BA
James Loney
James has been nothing more than subpar in his entire career. He joined the Rays for a new start and seems unstoppable! He is currently second in the race for the batting title. I don’t know if James can keep it up, but it’s been a great start.
Stat line:
James Loney: 46 hits 3 HR 21 RBI .371 BA
DH Should be Abolished
-David S.-
In baseball there is the designated hitter (DH). I personally don’t like the DH and I think it should be abolished.
The DH is a bad rule . The pitcher plays the field and he should have the right to hit. If you play the field you should bat. Nine positions on the field and nine spots in the batting order. It makes sense, right? I don’t understand why the DH was ever established. Another thing I don’t get is that why is almost every pitcher a horrid hitter? I understand they almost solely focus on pitching, but they gotta have some time to hit. Furthermore, you would think they would have an “edge” in hitting the ball, like some “secret” info….. Back in the day pitchers could slug the ball, especially Babe Ruth. Ruth could hit and pitch extremely well.
I hope the American League abolishes this, but I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon.
YOUR THOUGHTS?
MLB PED PUNISHMENT POLICY…MY TAKE
-David S.-
Do you like Major League Baseball players using performance enhancing drugs? Would you like to see the steroid era to end? I believe the MLB should have a strong rule. This rule would state if you are proven guilty with performance enhancing drugs, you would be kicked out of the league. I also believe PED tests should be performed very often and if guilty you would get a massive cut from your salary.
Performance enhancing drugs are used by athletes to improve their play. Some drugs could be steroids, which build muscle to make you stronger. Some players use drugs to give themselves more energy and let oxygen flow easier through the blood stream. These substances can become addictive and even start to destroy your body. Something must be done!
I believe that the MLB should implement more drug tests. These tests would be very often and random. A test would take place around once every two weeks. More testing would be a great thing for many reasons. Even though drug tests are already random, they would be more often now. This could easily catch more players taking PEDs. Since players don’t know when the new test is coming, they would probably not take anything because it would be easier to catch them.
Another punishment I would implement is a salary deduction of 75% of all money they have earned previously in the MLB and no future salary. What person wants to lose mass amounts of money? Most players sign for the money and this would be an incentive not to cheat. I believe players wouldn’t want to take the risk of losing a huge amount of money earned just to cheat.
A third solution to this issue is being kicked out of Major League Baseball if you are proven guilty with performance enhancing drugs. This is probably the harshest rule, but it will be effective. In the past if you were caught, you would probably get a fifty game suspension. If you would be caught again you would receive a longer suspension. I think that if you are ever guilty, you should be automatically kicked out of the league. No player will want to get kicked out because they love baseball. This new rule should really send a message to the players
Most importantly, this would simply clean up the game. Who doesn’t want to see some clean, fairly played baseball? I feel that if these rules are enforced the cloud of suspicion over superstars will drift away also. I feel that too many players have been caught and a change must be made. You won’t have the steroid chanting crowds either. I don’t see why these new rules could be bad.
I’m sure people will be asking what about offenders from the past? Shouldn’t they be kicked out? This is a plan for all future PED offenses, not the past. If there is a player that has a record of performance enhancing drugs they will still be playing. They would have to be proven guilty again in order to face these penalties.
There is no reason these rules shouldn’t be implemented. Only good things are bound to come. Baseball will once again be a clean sport. Who wouldn’t want that? I strongly believe that if these rules are implemented the steroid era will truly end.
OH THANK GOD THIS NEVER HAPPENED!!!
-David S.-
The brand Mizuno designed a super stretchy one-piece in 1983. They thought this was what the future looked like. YIKES!! Thank god that’s not the future! EGGGGGHHHH! This is the only thing worse than the Marlins uniforms.
Don’t Blink, Astros in First Place!
-David S.-
My mom always takes a picture of the scoreboard when my basketball team is in the lead – since I’ve never won a game, that way it’s documented that we were actually in the lead. Hey Astros, take a picture of the standings. Your in first!
ENJOY IT WELL YOU CAN ASTROS!
Baseball and Jesus Come Back on the Same Day!
-David S.
Baseball and Jesus come back on the same day, coincidence, I think not!
Happy Easter and Opening Day!!!!!
The Yankee’s Reign is Over!!!!!!!!! AT LEAST I THINK!!!!
-David S.-
The New York Yankees, I believe will finally collapse and not be the powerhouse of the league. Thank GOD!! We saw last year that they did indeed struggle, but this year things look worse. Everyone is getting old – and on the verge of “has been” status! Not that being old makes you less talented, it’s just that many players may be getting towards the end of their careers while completing against good young talent. The entire 2013 projected lineup is at, or over 30 years old except Brett Gardner (29). Ichiro, 39 has to hit a roadblock soon. He keeps putting up good numbers, but I believe now he’ll regress greatly. Kevin Youkilis, 33 isn’t that amazing and don’t expect him to put up huge numbes as he’s only getting older. Travis Hafner is nearing his end at 35. Hafner has never been a star, but has been very solid. Injuries are also becoming a problem. Centerfielder, Curtis Granderson fractured his forearm and will be out to early May. Mark Teixeira has a partially torn tendon sheath; he is expected to return within 8-10 weeks. Season-ending surgery could occur if it doesn’t heal well. Derek Jeter is battling with a bad ankle right now. No one is sure if he’ll be ready for opening day. Jeter looks like he’ll retire within the next few years being 38 years of age. Then you have Alex Rodriguez…….Out untill at least the All-Star break. Who cares!?!?!?! It’s not like A-rod will actuatly start to hit the ball this year.
I really think the Yankees offense is in trouble this year. I don’t think I have ever seen this in my short lifetime. I absolutely love saying it! You saw those names, and those are some star players! If they are missing key pieces to the team I don’t think they’ll even make it to the playoffs this year. Maybe as a Wild Card. The division around them is only getting tougher. The Rays, Orioles, and Blue Jays are really turning into hardcore contenders. No easy fight. If the Yankees reign ends who will take over the AL East?
OFF TO MIAMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-David S.-
World Baseball Classic Team USA beat Canada 9-4 to advance to the second round! This was a game for the ages! A must win game for USA! I know from the score it looked like a blow-out, but it was tight all game long. I’m so jealous because my friend, Kyle, is down in Arizona for Spring Training and got to go to this game while I was stuck in Wisconsin with snow on the ground as well as rain! The Canadians often lead most of the game. Canadians thought, “Second Round Eh?” USA said, “No.” USA tied the game in the fifth inning because of Taylor Green’s error to make it 2-2. Green, my man, and Brewer……What happened dude? Canada came back and took the lead again in the sixth 3-2. Trailing with runners on first and second Adam Jones (U.S.A.) ripped a double to take the lead. Oh man, I was screaming and jumping with Joy! WHAT A BEAST! After this, the bats came alive. All WBC USA bats have been flat until now. We are looking pretty beasty, since we are mainly an MLB all-star team. Runs kept coming to insure the lead to 9-4. Closer, Craig Krimbel, was so lights out. The second round will be held in the tacky Miami stadium!!!!!
Let’s hope this momentum shifts to the second round and on. GO USA!!!!!!!!!
The Rotation? Good? Bad? All question marks…….
-David S.-
The Milwaukee Brewer’s starting rotation is in a very odd situation. Only one pitcher, Yovani Gallrado is an established starting pitcher. Everyone else certainly has talent, but none are sure “go to guys” in big game situations and on a daily basis. Other pitchers that are possible starters include: Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada, Mike Fiers, Chris Narvenson, and Mark Rogers. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this group of guys is very talented. It’s just that most of them aren’t in my mind 100% sure starters that I would be comfortable with. Marco Estrada, I believe should be pretty good, like he has shown the last few years in and out the rotation. Wily Peralta is the Brewers top prospect. He looks like a beast on the mound with upper 90s speed. The only problem with him is his control. It has been very shaky, but when Wily is on , believe me, this guy is crazy good! He needs to develop his breaking pitches just a little more. Mike Fiers came out of nowhere last year and stunned us all. He actually looks like one of the best pitchers in the league at moments. Even though he doesn’t have the top speeds, he paints the corners and also has just a nasty curveball. Mike at the home stretch, last year, was just drastically slumping. I agree with many people that fatigue caught up with him. Between the minors and majors combined, it’s the most innings that he has ever pitched. Chris Narvenson was almost out the entire year last year. No one knows how he’ll pitch this year. To me, he has been a very average pitcher throughout his career. Mark Rogers is just like Wily Peralta - high speeds with control issues. Another issue with Rogers is that he is very injury prone. One thing that went wrong this offseason was the failure to sign of a veteran guy that could provide good leadership, poise, and another solid arm. This rotation looks like a hit or a miss. Your thoughts.
David
