Around The Horn Baseball

WE'VE MOVED!

2009-10-26T23:06:00.000-04:00

We are happy to announce that we are all grown up now and have moved to the Bloguin Network. This is a real privilege for us and we are certain that you will get much more enjoyment and use out of the site. You can read all about our move HERE.

Our new home will be http://www.athbaseball.com/. Hope to see you there!

P.S. Our football site has moved as well. The new URL is http://www.xtrapointfootball.com/

Albert Pujols gets bionic enhancement on his elbow

2009-10-21T12:46:00.001-04:00

Guys, this will be our last post on this site. We are happy to announce that we are all grown up now and have moved to the Bloguin Network. This is a real privilege for us and we are certain that you will get much more enjoyment and use out of the site. You can read all about our move HERE.

Our new home will be http://www.athbaseball.com/. Hope to see you there!

P.S. Our football site has moved as well. The new URL is http://www.xtrapointfootball.com/

So, check this out. Yesterday Ken Rosenthal over at FOXSports.com breaks a story that says Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will undergo arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right elbow today (that would be removing bone chips, I don't know why they don't just say that?.)

My first thought was, I thought I read a piece about this last year over on our Bloguin friends site over at Fantasy Hurler? So I went and looked. I did!

The say that they will be removing bone chips in his elbow. Last October they said that he had nerve transposition (that's where you transpose a nerve - follow?) on the same elbow. I think someone should look into this.

Perhaps there is some sort of Steve Austin thing going on here. "The $14,427,326 Man?" After all, in St. Louis they do call him "The Machine" right? All I know is that I'm told the guy had nerve transposition surgery so I figured the guy was damaged goods, would at least have a drop-off in stats and stayed clear of him at last year's fantasy draft.

Oh contraire!

With a transposed nerve and bone chips in his right elbow (his throwing arm too) Pujols proceeded to hit .327 / 47 / 135. What would the guy have hit with a healthy arm? We've got about 300 other Major League batters out there with healthy arms and no one can hit like he does? And here lies the issue.

Is it conceivable that he had some sort of bionic procedure and is now going back to have it tweaked? Everyone is so focused on talking about steroids and human growth hormone. Pujols has denied those things up and down the river and even got his wife Dee Dee involved in the topic. Remember the Sports Illustrated story just before last season?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing Pujols of cheating. I'm just saying........

Hey look, if some woman suggested that I had a bionic penis I would be flattered. I'm just throwing out the possibility that his got something extraordinary going on there. His performance on the field is that good.

Bionic or not, I'd take him on my team any day. You can be sure I'll bid a few extra dollars on him this year after this bionic enhancement. - Peter Costa

Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Pete (a.k.a. Roto Loser) is a serious Rotisserie participant playing the same league with the same guys for 18 years. Not only has Peter never finished in the money; he's now finished last 14 times and no higher than 10th (in a league with 14 guys). Join us in following Peter's trials, tribulations and frustrations, as he attempts to navigate his way out of the basement again in 2010.

Posada should be pissed at Rivera for making him catch a phlegm-ball and having to grab it with his hand to throw it back!

2009-10-20T22:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, so what we have here is an old fashion spiiting incident. Actually, this one is kinda similar to the Seinfield episode where Roger McDowell of the Mets was hiding "in bushed by the gravely road" and spit on Kramer and Neuman.

The Major League Baseball Commissioners Office reviewed available video and still photography from Mariano Rivera spitting toward a baseball in the ALCS Game 3 and "found no evidence that Rivera spit on the ball."

The initial reaction by the league had been that the video plus still pictures they have of the incident were inconclusive if Rivera actually spit on or near the ball. But after further review of what it had, the Commissioners Office determined that Rivera was not spitting directly on the ball. On still pictures in MLB's possession, it apparently looks as if Rivera is spitting near, but not on, the ball (that's what they say).

The incident came when Rivera came in the game in the middle of the 10th inning, between his warm up pitches and his 1st pitch to Erick Aybar. Jeff Mathis had just doubled to lead off the inning and there were no outs. But then it what happened..........

Rivera finished throwing his eight warm up pitches and then proceeded to spit on the ball. He then threw strike one to Aybar. Then Aybar bunted the second pitch, and Rivera threw wildly to third to leave first and third with no out. So from the spitting on the ball until Aybar bunts, there is probably a minimum of a minute that elapses and the ball has been caught once by Jorge Posada and thrown back.

So the question remains. Would the ball have retained enough of the liquid that Rivera allegedly was putting on it to impact its movement?

There have been a lot of players commenting on this incident the past 24 hours. Don Mattingly who is now Joe Torre's bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers had an interesting take. "Honestly, guys are using tar, resin, anything they can to get a better feel for the ball, and just moisture on your hands is nothing really."

A few thoughts on this subject.

- Aybar got the bunt down successfully and the Angels ended up with runners at 1st and third so they can really complain about it.

- That's why Mariano threw the ball away. It was wet and it slipped!

- Posada is the one who should be pissed here at Rivera for making him catch a phlegm-ball and having to grab it with his hand and then throw it back? And what about Johnny Damon in left field? He is the one who retrieved the wet goober thing after Mariano threw it down the third base line? And if you think about it, Posada gets really screwed here holding the hot potato as it were because Damon threw it back in to him for a second time thinking that there may be a play at the plate!

But in the end the Commissioners Office was circumspect of the allegations from the beginning because:

1. The spit is coming from far away. There is no attempt by Rivera to hide what he is doing. He is facing toward the outfield, but in the playoffs that leaves him in the direct line of sight of at least three umpires. He is not rubbing the ball up or massaging it in his glove as is often the case when a ball is being doctored.

2. Between the regular season and postseason, Rivera has appeared in 999 games and nothing has ever emerged before linking Rivera to doctoring the ball. He has appeared in 82 postseason games when cameras, eyeballs and opponents are fixed on him constantly, and no evidence of this has previously emerged.

3. The league office is aware that Rivera is a player who spits constantly while in action.

I'm sure he grabs his Johnson once in a while too, are they going to acknowledge that?

All in all, the way I see it the Commissioners Office is missing one thing here. HE SPIT ON THE BALL! This video is going to go down in history like the Zupruder film. Wouldn't it be great if Posada got revenge by peeing in Rivera's hot chocolate in the bull pen? - Josh Bolan
Josh Bolan is a retired AP baseball reporter and now works as a freelance writer in Fresno California. Josh has been contributing to baseball publications as a writer since 1996.
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Have a Fantasy Football or Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Pedro is a Mamma's Boy.....

2009-10-19T15:48:00.000-04:00

Reporter - "Pedro, that was a wonderful performance, are you going to pitch next year?"

Pedro - "I don't know, I have to ask my mom."

What? Wait, Pedro. Did you just get finished watching Water Boy for the 15th time? When did you become Bobby Boucher?

Pedro Martinez's outstanding performance in Game 2 of the NLCS certainly has the Dominican Dandy and everyone around baseball thinking about his baseball future beyond this season. Martinez seems increasingly eager to continue his stellar career next year, and his seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers suggest he's far from finished. Martinez dominated the Dodgers nine days shy of his 38th birthday, hitting the biggest moment yet in his truncated season with Philadelphia. There wasn't anyone who thought that Pedro would throw this well this year.

"I'm considering coming back next year if I don't win the World Series," Martinez said. "If I win the World Series, I'll think a bit longer. I'll have to ask my mom."

Pedro Martinez went unsigned during the past off-season and had to wait until the all-star break this year to sign a one-year contract for a measly (in the world of baseball) a prorated share of $2 million plus incentives. If your game 2 NLCS starter throws a 7 inning shutout giving up only 2 hits for one million dollars, you got yourself a steal!

Martinez said that his mother implored him to stay home in the Dominican Republic this year, but Martinez wanted to honor the instructions he received last year from his father, Paulino, who died of brain cancer shortly after telling Pedro to keep playing.

This is going to be the Roger Clemens thing all over again, you can tell. Pedro will stay home during spring training running cock fights with Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo until sometime in late May. Then the rumors will start (started by him)..... Before you know it, teams will be flying down to the Dominican to watch the Dominican Dandy throw and someone, some contender will offer him a contract and he'll pitch in meaningful pennant stretch baseball and maybe even the playoffs again.

You know what; I think he's earned it. We forget because of his last few health challenged seasons with the Mets what it was like to have Pedro in his prime. That was good for baseball. I think it was best put by Twins manager Ron Gardenhire this year. When talking about Zack Grienke and his Cy Young year (if he doesn't win it's a crime.)

"That kid has had the best year in the American League since Pedro Martinez in 1999 and 2000."
When you are a legend people are always compared to you. Pedro is a legend. If Pedro's mama would prefer that he make his livelihood running cock fights for a few months, that's ok by me. Just be here when it counts Pedro. You can pitch for me any time, any day. - Blake Kearny

Blake Kearny is a retired baseball scout from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles.

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Have a Fantasy Football or Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Roto-Rx

2009-10-17T16:57:00.000-04:00

If your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: What is the best way for me to learn about or get information on players that might be playing in MLB next year that are currently playing in other countries? – Harold, Coventry, England

Harold: Greetings from across the pond. Dr. Roto is always keeping his eyes out for players coming from other countries to MLB. Take a look at some sites like: Espn, rotoworld, and of course, my own site: roto-rx.com to see who looks like a good player to invest in for next year (and beyond).

Question #2: Brad Lidge seems to have settled down. Do you see (an every other year) good year for him next year? – Kim, Franklin, VA

Kim: Dr. Roto is adverse to taking on too much risk. It's one thing to draft a guy who you think can bounce back. It's another thing to take a chance on a guy who you KNOW has major problems. I would probably bring his name up at the table and bid just a bit on him so people think I am interested. If I get him for a few bucks, terrific. If the table starts bidding crazy dollars, I would back off and go get a young guy who may be the closer sooner than later.

Question #3: Great post by Peter Costa on Kershaw. That COULD BE a traumatic experience. Do you think there is a possibility that he may now turn into an Oliver Perez or Ankiel? – Harry, Pittsburg, PA

Harry: No I think Kerhsaw is too mentally tough to fall into that trap. Plus he's got a Hall of Fame manager in his corner (Joe Torre) who is going to make sure that he is in a good frame of mind. The kid is 21...cut him a break. He's got nasty stuff and could easily throw a one hitter next time out.

Question #4: What is your outlook on Dontrelle Willis going forward; fine piece of sushi or dog meat? – Dasuke, Osaka, Japan

Dasuke: Dr. Roto has no faith in Dontrell Willis. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

Question #5: What happened to Billingsley? He went from the All-Star team to holding Vicente Padillia’s jock strap? –Franklin, Seneca, SC

Franklin: It has been a shame to see the fall of Billingsley. His mechanics were off and he struggled for the better part of the second half of the season. Torre decided to go with his veterans Wolf and Kuroda in the NLCS instead of Chad. Watch to see if Chad pitches well out of the hullpen and regains Torre's trust. He is does, he may get a start in the World Series (assuming they make it) and be just fine next year.

The Doctor is out...

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Joe Torre may have just turned Clayton Kershaw into Rick Ankiel (or worse, Oliver Perez)

2009-10-16T08:02:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I am watching the Phillies vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 1 and Clayton Kershaw is locked up in an old fashion pitcher’s duel with Cole Hamels. The Dodgers are winning 1 – 0 going to the top of the 5th on a James Loney HR.

So between innings I go to the bathroom. I come back and sit down and I’m thinking, ‘wow, this kid is only 21 years old and he’s throwing a gem in Game 1 of the NCLS!’

Then….the 5th inning from hell including 3 wild pitches!

A single by Ibanaz, a wild pitch, a 5 pith walk to Feliz, a BOMB to Feliz! A walk on 4 pitches to Hamels (yes I typed that correctly). A fielder’s choice, a strikeout and another wild pitch, a walk to Utley, a double to Howard; 4 2/3 Innings pitched, 4 Hits, 5 Runs, 5 Earned Runs, 5 Walks, 3K’s, 1 HR

My god, what the hell was Kershaw doing during the bottom of the 4th that made him lose it? Did get a phone call from Oliver Perez? And Where the hell was Joe Torre? He sat and watched Kershaw meltdown on national TV in front of 50,000 people in Game 1 of the NLCS! Seriously, that is exactly what happens when Perez pitches isn’t it? He’s Cy Young until a certain part of the game and then he loses it!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that Kershaw will turn out to be a basket case, but you CAN NOT let a 21 year old pitcher endure that type of adversity on that big of a stage. I’ll say it again. Where the hell was Torre?

I guess Torre was too busy managing the Yankees in the 2000 playoffs and doesn't recall what happened to another 21 year old pitcher in game 1 of the NLDS, Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel. Remember that?
Game 1 started well for Ankiel, who did not allow a run through the first two innings. It was in the third inning that Ankiel lost control; he allowed 4 runs on 2 hits, walking 4 and throwing 5 wild pitches before being removed with two outs. Here is the play-by-play from that inning:

Greg Maddux walked; Rafael Furcal popped to Will Clark in foul territory; Ankiel threw a wild pitch (Maddux to second); Ankiel threw a wild pitch (Maddux to third); Andruw Jones walked; Ankiel threw a wild pitch (A. Jones to 2nd); Chipper Jones was called out on strikes; Andrés Galarraga walked (Maddux scores, A. Jones to 3rd on wild pitch); Brian Jordan singled to Ray Lankford (A. Jones scored, Galarraga to 2nd); Ankiel threw a wild pitch (Galarraga to 3rd, Jordan to 2nd); Reggie Sanders walked; Walt Weiss singled to Lankford (Galarraga scored, Jordan scored, Sanders to 2nd); Mike James replaced Ankiel; Javy López popped to Fernando Viña; 4 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.

Ankiel was never the same after that traumatic event. Congrats to him for having the resolve to make it back as a MLB player (as an outfielder) but that day was the beginning of the end for Ankiel as a pitcher.

I hope Kershaw’s fate isn’t the same. Joe Torre, you didn’t do right by your team last night and worse yet, you didn’t do right by your young pitcher. His career and livelihood was in your hands and you may have very well have just eff’ed it up…… - Peter Costa

Pete is a serious Rotisserie participant playing the same league with the same guys for 18 years. Not only has Peter never finished in the money; he’s now finished last 14 times and no higher than 10th (in a league with 14 guys). Join us in following Peter’s trials, tribulations and frustrations, as he attempts to navigate his way out of the basement again in 2010.

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Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Pregame Distraction!

2009-10-15T18:27:00.002-04:00

Frank and Jamie McCourt have been the face of the Dodgers for six years, but the McCourts may now turn the Dodgers into part of a divorce. Frank and Jamie McCourt filed for divorce late Wednesday, right before the Dodgers NLCS Opener.

Jamie McCourt doesn't own the Dodgers, but she is Chief Executive Officer, while her husband owns the team.

Six years after the McCourts bought the Dodgers from Rupert Murdoch, things may not have gone well at home, but they have gone well on the field as the Dodgers have Manny Ramirez and are playing in the NLCS for the second year in a row.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the McCourts were not sitting together during the NLDS series against the Cardinals and have rarely been seen together all season, so the divorce filing comes as no surprise.

Looking at other posts on the web, everyone wants to know what effect the divorce will have on the Dodgers in the post season? That has to be the stupidest thing I ever heard of. As long as the divorce doesn’t affect the player’s paycheck, why the heck would it be a distraction for the players during the game?

The Dodgers will either win or lose the series, but neither one will be because of the owners divorce. - Blake Kearny

Blake Kearny is a retired baseball scout from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles

Roto-Rx

2009-10-15T06:53:00.000-04:00

If your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: When I’m comparing Ben Zobrist to other players, what position do I compare him at to get a gauge for his relative worth? – East Hampton, NY

Hampton: Zobrist should be considered a 2B if you have to give him a position, considering he played the most there last year. Remember, his true value lies in his versatility.

Question #2: Now that the regular season is over, who are your MVP and CY award winners? Does Dr. Roto get an actual vote? – Jose, Ramapo, NJ

Jose: No, Dr. Roto does not get an actual vote...hopefully, he will soon. My MVP's are: Albert Pujols in the NL and Mark Teixeira in the AL. Cy Young will go to Zack Greinke in the AL and Chris Carpenter in the NL.

Question #3: Do you think that Hideki Matsui will have a full time gig in MLB next year of will he go back to Japan? – Roy, Bowling Green, MO

Roy: The only place you'll be seeing Matusi next year will be in Yankee Stadium (so long as they want him). If he is not a Yankee, he will go back to Japan.

Question #4: Did the post season problems of Joe Nathan this year affect your outlook for him for next year’s fantasy season? – Felix, Bethel, CT

Felix: Joe Nathan's struggles in the post-season have not deterred Dr. Roto from him at all. In fact, I would use it to my advantage. When his name comes up at your auction next year, you should clear your throat and say, "Nice job in the playoffs". This should drop his value 3-5 dollars in the room and you get a steal.

Question #5: Would you protect Michael Cuddyer for $12 next year? He qualifies at two spots in my league. – Salvatore, San Mateo, CA

Salvatore: I think I would. He had over 30 HR and looked sharp for most of the year. He is always undervalued to boot. Keep him.

The Doctor is out...

Follow Dr. Roto on Twitter......

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Enough with the love fest already….

2009-10-14T15:44:00.000-04:00

Everyone is talking about the Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series as it’s a foregone conclusion.

Will Torre get an ovation louder than Girardi…. Will Mattingly get an ovation louder than Torre…. Will Jeter come over and hug Torre….

Enough with the love fest already…. Has everyone forgotten that the Yankees can’t beat the Angels and that the Phillies are the reining Worlds Champions?

I know the Yankees have the best record in baseball and they certainly have the best players. But there are two teams out there that do not fear the Yankees and they are the Angels and the Phillies. And to be honest, the Dodgers remind me of the Marlins team that beat the Yankees. Most of them are too young and naive to be intimidated by the Yankees, and Manny certainly isn’t.

I know the popular play is to pick the Yankees but I think someone (Angels, Phillies, Dodgers) is going to pick them off. I don’t think it’s going to be so easy to be a Yankee fan at this year’s Halloween party. - Paul Leume

Paul Leume is a MLB columnist from Montreal, Canada. Paul, a one-time beat writer covering the Montreal Expos for the Montreal Gazette is a proud grandfather of 3 girls and now spends his time offering his thoughts and prospective on Major League Baseball on a variety of blogs and websites throughout Al Gore’s internet.

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Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

The true measure of Rivera's genius. His resolve.

2009-10-13T10:39:00.000-04:00

On Saturday in the Joe Nathan make Armando Benitez look clutch post we spoke about the troubles that Joe Nathan has had in his playoff career. If you look at the numbers, it’s quite unbelievable really. It’s like he’s a completely different pitcher. But that’s what pressure does.

You squeeze the ball to tight, you muscle up, you aim…… All these things reduce ball movement, velocity and misplace the ball.

There is a great article up today by Mark Newman of MLB.com today that discusses the problem with getting those last few outs that closers are having. In the first round of playoffs alone there have been 6 blown saves! And these were from closers that were from the teams that are good enough to be in the playoffs.

There was Ryan Franklin's blown save for the Cardinals against the Dodgers, Joe Nathan's blown save for the Twins against Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees, Jonathan Papelbon's blown save for the Red Sox that allowed the Angels to clinch, Phillies reliever Ryan Madson in the seventh inning of Game 3 and the eighth inning of Game 4, and Huston Street's blown save for the Rockies in Philadelphia's clincher on Monday night.

Closing out games is not an easy thing to do. It’s as much mental as it is physical. If you do it, well that’s what you are supposed to do, if you don’t, you are a goat. They should probably have psych class for football field goal kickers and baseball closers on how to deal with failing. Look what did to the promising career of Byung Young Kim, he was never the same. Remember Donny Moore? Talk about blowing a save and having it weigh on your shoulders.

These examples all this point to the unbelievable success that Mariano Rivera has had in the post season. And he’s not perfect either. He’s human. As for the few that got away, they motivate him, they make him better. Rivera still says Dave Roberts was out stealing second in the ninth inning of Game 4, Yankees against the Red Sox in 2004 (the beginning of the end even if nobody knew it at the time.) And he still thinks he should have gotten out of that inning and caught Bill Mueller's game-tying single after Roberts did steal second.

He can recite every pitch and every moment of Game 7 against the Diamondbacks in the World Series of 2001, the bottom of the ninth that was the greatest shock of all with Rivera, Arizona scoring two and finally winning the Series on a bloop single by Luis Gonzalez over Jeter's head. It eats at him; it just makes him work harder.

Maybe that is the true measure of Rivera's genius. His resolve. He remembers the ones that got away with as much clarity as that night in Game 7 of 2003 against the Red Sox when he pitched the last three innings and seemed perfectly willing to pitch all night.

Rivera comes in the game, relaxed, composed and seems to be able to block out and of the mental things that makes the body tense up, panic or take him out of his normal routine. And this on the biggest stage in the world.

We all know that Mariano Rivera is great. We know that he’s an all-time great. But he probably deserves even more accolades than that! There will come a time when Mariano will not be around to close out games anymore, and when that time comes, the legend of Mariano will grow, and grow and grow.

Derek Jeter on Rivera - "You want to know how great he really is? The only time you see people really wanting to talk to him after a game is when he occasionally blows one."

Sometimes you think: If he doesn't give up the home run to Sandy Alomar in Game 4 of the ALDS in 1997 … if he gets out of it against the Diamondbacks somehow … if he doesn't walk Kevin Millar to start the bottom of the ninth in Game 4 in '04 … then maybe he has won seven World Series already with the Yankees.

Rivera might not be the greatest baseball pitcher of all time because the most best starting pitchers all-time had to go through batting orders at least three times and sometimes four to get to where they got to in the record books. But Rivera is better at what he does, closing out games, than any pitcher who ever pitched. There has never been anyone better at getting the last out of a big game.

The moral of the story is that Yankee fans shouldn’t take this stuff for granted. You are watching a once in a life time athlete. Enjoy it while you can. - Keith A. Baker

Keith A. Baker is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports and Major League Baseball in particular. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his clients.

They Angels will beat the Yankees again. Why? Mike Socia

2009-10-12T12:54:00.000-04:00

There are not many teams that beat up on the Yankees in recent years. That’s not surprising. With the ability to have a payroll like the Yankees have had, you would think that they would have the better players the majority of the time.

But that’s not the case with the Angels. For whatever reason, they are not intimidated. During the legendary Joe Torre era of Yankee baseball that began in 1996 and included four World Series championships and 12 straight trips to the playoffs, only the Angels held a winning record against New York. Including Joe Girardi’s tenure the Angels hold a 79-66 advantage against the Yankees since 1996.

For whatever reason, this combination of management and players for the Angels has been able to do what no other team in baseball does. Routinely beat the Yankees.

One Of The Very Best

With a third consecutive AL West crown, Mike Scioscia became the first manager in history to bring six clubs into postseason play in his first 10 seasons. It’s not like he doesn’t know how to get past the Yankees either. The Socia let Angels and Yankees have some history in October, and the memories are not warm and fuzzy for the Bronx Bombers and their fans.

- In 2002 and in '05, the Angels eliminated the Yanks in ALDS showdowns.

- En route to the franchise's lone World Series championship in '02, the Halos knocked out New York in four games, splitting the first two in the Bronx and then taking two in Anaheim.

- Three years later, in a rematch, the Yankees again split their two home games before going west and losing the decisive fifth game at Angel Stadium.

This year The Angels and Yanks split 10 games this season with the Bombers taking three of four in their new home ballpark.

The Yankees haven't been to an ALCS since 2004, when the Red Sox chased away all their ghosts with their implausible dream of a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Angels' most recent visit to an ALCS also was less than satisfying. The White Sox took them out in five games in '05, winning the last four.
With each team sweeping their AL Division Series and having four days off, each team having fully rested rotations. Some would argue too much time.

With the storied history of the Yankee, there aren’t any teams that they feel they have to prove something against, except the Angels. The Yankees have the stars, the Angels have the guts.

Who remembers Mike Scioscia’s dramatic, ninth inning, game-tying home run against the New York Mets' Dwight Gooden in Game 4 of the 1988 National League Championship Series (Click to watch)? The ‘88 Mets do. Take a look at Doc Gooden in the picture. It was the start of the downfall of a “what was supposed to be a Hall of Fame career.”

Scioscia was a key player on the Dodgers' 1981 and 1988 World Series champion teams, and is the Dodgers' all-time leader in games caught (1,395.) He was a winner as a player and a winner as a manager.

The Angels will beat the Yankees again. Why? Mike Socia. - Blake Kearny

Blake Kearny is a retired baseball scout from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles

Roto-Rx – Answering Your Fantasy Baseball Questions

2009-10-11T06:37:00.002-04:00

If your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: Is Ian Stewart a keeper at $6? He qualifies all over and can really thump… but the batting average! – Evan, Barlow, KY

Evan: Stewart has some pop in his bat, plays multiple positions, and even surprises with a few SB now and then. It's true that his BA is horrendous, but there is too much upside to ignore. He is a Dr. Roto favorite.

Question #2: Troy Tulowitzki or Derek Jeter. Who do I protect for next year - both are $13 and I don’t want to protect 2 SS’s. – Michael, Freemont Hills, MO

Michael: That is a great choice to have, Michael. You are probably the envy of the rest of your league. Why not protect 2 SS though? Dr. Roto doesn't know the makeup of your league, but he does know that you have two of the best players in the game. Sometimes position doesn't matter. It also helps you trade from strength.

Question #3: Do you rank Miguel Montero as a top tier catcher for next year? – Larry, La Habra, CA

Larry: If you are asking whether Montero is a top 12 catcher, the answer is yes. As for higher than that, let's hold off to see what happens in the off-season.

Question #4: All things being equal, would I be better off with David Wright or Pablo Sandoval for next year? – Marv, Yonkers, NY

Marv: That is a tough one Marv. If I am getting David Wright from 2008 I take him for sure. If I am getting the 2009 version, I think I take Sandoval's .330 average and emerging power. That's another let's see question. Let's see where the Mets and Giants are after the off-season....

Question #5: Is David Ortiz worth $9 for next year or should I throw him back? – Ace, Duke University

Ace: Did you know that David Ortiz led the majors in HR from June onwards this year? Let's put it this way...his first two months were the worst they could be. If he improves on those numbers alone, he will be worth it. Keep Him.

The Doctor is out...

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Joe Nathan makes Armando Benitez look clutch!

2009-10-10T00:24:00.004-04:00

Ok, the better team won. No one will dispute that. How can you not call a team that has 4X the payroll of the team it’s playing not the better team. But that’s not the point.

Yes, you can say that the Carlos Gomez base running mistake cost the Twins the game. Yes, you can say that the Joe Mauer fair ball that was called foul cost the Twins the game (How does that happen? It wasn’t even close and the umpire was 6 feet away slooking right at it! Seriously, look at the picture below and see for yourself!)

You can come up with any number of reasons that the Twins lost the game but it all comes down to one thing. Joe Nathan. Joe Nathan costs the Twins the game. And the shame of it all is that Joe Nathan is a huge MLB star making lots of money (the kind that play for the Yankees).

It’s not like the Yankees beat up on a low payroll guy. The guy made $11,250,000.00 this year (yes you have the number of digits to the left of the decimal point correct), and that doesn’t count whatever he received for making the All-Star team or any other performance bonuses he may have.

Joe Nathan is the 2nd highest paid player on the Minnesota Twins and was the higest paid player in uniform last night! His salary is just about 20% of the entire teams payroll! The Twins have a payroll of 60 million. Michael Cuddyer makes 7.66 million, Joe Mauer makes 10.5 million, Justin Morneau makes 11.6 million, Joe Nathan makes 11.25 million and the rest of the team makes a combined approx. 20 million!

Let’s call it as it is, Joe Nathan makes Armando Benitez look clutch. SERIOUSLY! He puts up huge stats in the regular season. The guy is unhittable! Look at the stats, the guy matches or surpasses Mariano Rivera across the board!

Consider this, in the past 5 years Joe Nathan has an ERA well under 2.00 and a WHIP well less than 1.00!

But then there’s the post season. Did you see him hyperventilating out there on the mound? And he was eating his shirt! Don't believe me? Look at the picture! And that was before the HR to A-Rod!

Nathan has now pitched in 7 post season games. In these 7 post season games he’s pitched 7.1 innings, given up 10 Hits, 7 walks and 7 runs. He only gave up 16 runs this entire year! And that was over 70 games! And last year he only gave up 10 runs the entire year! He’s given up 7 runs in 7 games!

I know the best team won and I know it’s inevitable that they will win the series. But Nathan gets paid what he does on the Twins for one reason and one reason only; for games like that one.

What a shame for the other guys on the team playing their hearts out. He’s should give them all a portion of his salary. - Peter Costa

Pete is a serious Rotisserie participant playing the same league with the same guys for 18 years. Not only has Peter never finished in the money; he’s now finished last 14 times and no higher than 10th (in a league with 14 guys). Join us in following Peter’s trials, tribulations and frustrations, as he attempts to navigate his way out of the basement again in 2010.

What’s wrong with Manny?

2009-10-09T14:08:00.000-04:00

Since September 1st coming down the stretch, including these last two playoff games Manny Ramirez has played 27 games. In those games he’s had 82 at-bats. In crunch time here Many is 18 for 82, a .219 batting average! In this last crucial 27 games he’s has only 4 HR’s and 13 RBI and he has 21 strikeouts!

It’s been widely reported that pitchers have been challenging and even overpowering Manny over the last month. This is something I can’t remember ever hearing other than if he’s been hurt.

Joe Torre has been asked about this repeatedly over the past month or so and Torre’s explanation has been simply that he’s out of sync. Torre has stated that he has no physical ailments and that he’s age is a non factor. Torre contends that he’s still Manny and at any moment and time, the real Manny will appear.

After game #1 Torre admitted, "He was still missing some fastballs."

For his part, Ramirez mumbled his way through a postgame interview Wednesday night. When asked if he felt he was finding his rhythm, he responded, "The picture in this post is from Game #1 against the Cardinals on Wednesday night. It’s Manny missing a Chris Carpenter fastball. It’s hard enough to hit Carpenter when everything is in your favor. How can you hit the ball with hair in your eyes? I’m just saying…….

"The playoffs, everything's different."

"I feel much better at the plate. I took advantage of a couple of pitches they gave me."

Manny is one of the great clutch hitters of our generation; of all time for that matter. This is true for both in post season as well as the regular season, so it’s hard to count him out until you have seen him actually not perform an dthat can't be determined untill the playoffs are over. But to say that everyone in Dodgers camp is concerned is an understatement.

Stay tuned and we’ll all find out together if Manny is still Manny. - Keith A. Baker

Keith A. Baker is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports and Major League Baseball in particular. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his clients.

Matt Holliday give-ith and then he take-ith away.

2009-10-09T08:47:00.001-04:00

There are certainly games I can think of that was decided in the waning moments by a fluke. The last one that comes to mind was the on June 12th of this year when the Mets lost on the final play of the game as Luis Castillo dropped A-Rod’s routine pop-up. Remember that one? Catch it Louie… Catch It… CATCH IT! – Oh Louie…

There have been play-off games decided by flukes too but most of them had to do with fan interference, Jeffrey Maier in 1996 and Steve Bartman in 2003, but never have I seen a fluke alter the outcome of a playoff game the way this one did.

Holiday had opened the scoring in the game in the top of the second with a HR to left field. But with the game on the line and the final out in his grasp, the unthinkable happened…..

Holiday obviously lost the ball in the bank of lights behind first base. Lost in the madness was an absolute gem pitched by Adam Wainwright. Wainwright went 8 innings giving up only 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 run.

"It's tough to swallow. Obviously, I feel terrible. But I just missed the ball. It hit my stomach. I think I can catch a ball hit right at me."

With CY Young candidates Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright already have thrown and the Cardinals down 2-0 you would have to think that this one is all but over. But yesterday’s game was over too. It’s not over until they play all the games and get all the outs.

We make fun of Yogi for saying, "It aint over till it’s over” but he is smarter then we give him credit for.

I’ve seen a lot of baseball in my career, but this was one of the oddest occurrences I’ve ever witnessed. - Josh Bolan

Josh Bolan is a retired AP baseball reporter and now works as a freelance writer in Fresno California. Josh has been contributing to baseball publications as a writer since 1996.

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Have a Fantasy Football or Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Roto-Rx

2009-10-08T07:16:00.001-04:00

If your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: Delmon Young had a nice finish. Do you see promise for him? – Barry, Merrick, NY

Barry: After all this time, I am sure that you know Dr. Roto's rules. Rule #1 is to exercise patience. Delmon Young HAS the skills. He was the number one minor leaguer at one time. He just hasn't put it together yet. The breakout is coming...give it another year or two, but you will see it happen.

Question #2: I see the Brewers re-signed Trevor Hoffman. He had a pretty good fantasy year. I don’t know anyone who expected that. Do you see him as a quality closer again next year? – Michael, Post University

Michael: One again, Trevor Hoffman defied the age Gods and had another terrific season. Do I love him long term? No way. Do I think he can put up decent numbers for another year? Sure, he doesn't seem like he is slowing down just yet.

Question #3: I’m reading not so good things about Roy Oswalt’s health. Should I be concerned for next year? I was counting on him. – Chris, Washington, DC

Chris: Dr. Roto has some concerns about Oswalt as well. A back is tricky...you wake up one morning and feel great; you wake up the next and can't move. Oswalt is 32 years old and has thrown a ton of innings. If healthy, he could be decent yet again for the Astros. Let's wait and see until the Spring before we make a judgment.

Question #4: Should I protect Bobby Abreu for $12? – Manuel, Howell, NJ

Manuel: As of now, you bet. Abreu is a free agent, so keep a close eye on where he ends up. If he goes to a team that will give him the green light on the base paths, then for sure he looks good at $12. If he goes to a team that doesn't run, he is at value at that price.

Question #5: Are there any publications or web sites that you recommend to check on up and coming talent during the off season? – Levi, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Levi: Check out www.roto-rx.com for your baseball needs in the off-season. Dr. Roto and his expert staff will be posting articles and providing analysis of the Hot Stove moves that affect fantasy leaguers everywhere. Sign up is free. Let Dr. Roto help you win your league!

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These are the memories that grandparents pass on to their grand children

2009-10-07T08:44:00.001-04:00

If you love sports and drama, you had to love last night’s Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins "Play-In game." We see and hear every day what is wrong with sports today, but that that game shows what is good about sports.

And how can you not root for the Twins (unless you are from Detroit). The Twins came from 7 games back in the final month winning 17 of their last 21 games, extending the game to a 163rd game to win the division.

It took 12 innings to crown a champion. Game 163, the "play-in game,” was filled with back-and-forth scoring, pitching showdowns and critical at-bats. The dramatic 4 1/2-hour affair came to an end when Alexi Casilla singled to right field, allowing Carlos Gomez to score from second base and capping off a 6-5 victory for the Twins over the Tigers, giving Minnesota its fifth division title in the past eight seasons.

"That is as good a baseball game as I've ever been involved as far as courage from both teams. We came through at the end. But after 10 innings I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I've never seen anything like this.' It was just back and forth, neither team giving up." - Manager Ron Gardenhire

If you were one of the 54,088 fans (the largest regular-season crowd in Metrodome history) you have a memory that will last you a life time. These are the memories that grandparents pass on to their grand children.

Listening to the Tigers comments reminded me of listening to Peter Rose after the Carlton Fisk HR game in game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He was on the losing end of the game, but he said that it was the greatest game he had ever played in and was privileged to be a part of it.

The game had everything, clutch pitching, clutch hitting, defensive blunders, defensive stellar plays, blown calls by the umpire with the game on the line (the ball did in fact hit the shirt of Brandon Inge) and all with the season on the line. I didn’t have a dog in the fight, but that was definitely the most interest I had watching a game this year, including ones that involved the team I root for.

The Twins now move on to play the Yankees in the 1st round Division Series AL playoffs. To say that they are an underdog is an understatement. After playing a 163rd game yesterday (moved back 1 day because the “Brett Favre” Monday night football game was in the Metrodome) they now have to play a 6:07 pm game at Yankee Stadium in NY. After going 12 innings in a tension filled extravaganza their bull pen is now depleted and they are mmentally and physically exhausted. Oh, and they are without their All-Star 1st basemen Justin Morneau .

Under manager Ron Gardenhire’s tenure they are 3-21 against the Yankees. But there is hope. In the playoffs they are 2-2 against them. And they now have karma on their side.

You would have to be a fool to predict that the Twins will win the series, but unless you are a devout Yankee fan, it’s going to be hard not to root for the Cinderella team of 2009. - Josh Bolan

Josh Bolan is a retired AP baseball reporter and now works as a freelance writer in Fresno California. Josh has been contributing to baseball publications as a writer since 1996.

Memo to A.J. Burnett - "Just throw the pitch you want."

2009-10-06T12:55:00.000-04:00

One of the questions on the minds of baseball fans going into this post season is what’s Joe Girardi going to do about Jorge Posada when A.J. Burnett pitches?

There is no secret to the fact that Burnett would prefer to pitch to Jose Molina. But Jose doesn't hit like his older brother Bengie, or even his younger brother Yadier for that matter.

Should a manager let a player dictate his lineup? And if he does, what does he do if C.C. Sabathia says he wants Molina too? Or anyone else for that matter? What if Mariano Rivera wanted to pitch to Molina? Would they have to change catchers along with changing relievers when Mariano came in?

Batters hit .221 against Burnett in 11 starts caught by Molina compared with .270 in 16 starts caught by Posada. Opponents' slugging percentage was .352 with Molina compared with .421 with Posada.

But it’s not like Burnett can’t be successful with Posada. On Aug. 7 I sat in Yankee Stadium and watched what arguably was the righthander's best outing this season. He held the Red Sox to one hit in 7 2/3 innings. Posada's behind was behind the plate.

Jose Molina caught A.J. Burnett this past Sunday against the Rays, not a surprise in that Jorge Posada rarely caught day games after night games this season, but it was the sixth straight start in which Molina caught Burnett.

Going back to 2000, John Flaherty, Randy Johnson's personal catcher in 2005, is the only other Yankees catcher besides Posada to start a postseason game.

Molina hit just .217 this season with a .292 on-base percentage and .268 slugging percentage to Posada's .285-. 363-. 522. It probably also would mean that Hideki Matsui (28 homers, 90 RBIs) would sit as Posada would be the designated hitter.

Here’s the way I see it. It seems pretty simple to me. Posada should catch, he should put down his fingers for the pitch he wants thrown. If Burnett wants to throw something else, he shakes him off and throws the pitch that he wants. Problem solved. Doing anything else sounds silly.

Girardi was a catcher very much in the player mold of Molina. He understands who it works. In fact, it was Girardi who stepped aside as Yankees catcher to let Posada have the wonder career that he's had.- Mike Gross
Michael Gross, in conjunction with a prominent sports agency runs a strength, conditioning and agility program that many agents send their “to-be-drafted” athletes, prior to being drafted. Many pro athletes have also used the facilities for rehabilitation after injury. Over 90 professional athletes including current MLB ball players have attended his institution during the past 3 years.
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Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship!

A Delmon Young Sighting!

2009-10-05T12:29:00.000-04:00

On September 18th we posted it here “For the Twinkies the 2009 MLB season starts tonight.” We spoke about the fact that without Justin Morneau that Michael Cuddyer would have to pick up the slack. He certainly has. Over the last 16 games starting with that crucial series against the Detroit Tigers, Cuddyer has hit .327 with 6 HR’s, 19RBI and 15 RS.

But how about the resurgence of Delmon Young? With the season on the line, “For all the marbles” in these last 16 games Young has hit .400 with 4 HR’s, 17 RBI and 12 RS.

As Lee Corso likes to say, “not so fast my friend” for all of you who have written off Young as a bust.
When you nominate Young for $1 in next year’s draft and someone bids $2 you will then hear silence…… When that happens, remember his late season surge and make certain to yell $3 because you’ll get him for that and what a steal that will prove to be. It certainly seems like Young is a veteran, bordering on journeyman, but Delmon just turned 24 years old last month. Delmon Young is finally living up to the hype forecasted for him what seems like so long ago. - Paul Leume
Paul Leume is a MLB columnist from Montreal, Canada. Paul, a one-time beat writer covering the Montreal Expos for the Montreal Gazette is a proud grandfather of 3 girls and now spends his time offering his thoughts and prospective on Major League Baseball on a variety of blogs and websites throughout Al Gore’s internet.
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Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship!

The Yankees have turned Joba Chamberlain into the the Cowardly Lion

2009-10-04T08:36:00.000-04:00

What the hell have the Yankees done to Joba Chamberlain?
In my rotisserie draft this year a big argument ensued because one participant claimed he yelled $21 before the gavel hit and the auctioneer claimed he had not. The other teams were split on the issue and everyone started taking sides. Half the league felt the bidding was still open with $21 as the price and the other half felt that Joba had been had for $20.

The guys in my league have been together for 16 years with no change in ownership and we are a tight bunch. At least we were. We’ve had squabbles before, but never anything like this. The year is almost over and there are still hard feelings over that issue. I would swear on a bible that another owner didn’t make a trade with me this year because of the way I claimed the issue unfolded, and not because it wasn’t good for the longer term outlook of his franchise.

At the time it was thought that this issue might determine the outcome of the league this year. The team that we all thought clearly had the best staff in our league going into the season (Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, Zack Greinke, Johan Santana, Chris Carpenter) was about to add Joba to the mix and that was going to be it, he was going to place a lock on virtually all the pitching categories.

Joba was a can’t miss. He was unhittable. The feeling was that Greinke or Carpenter would be on his reserve list awaiting an opportunity if there was an injury. Boy did we all have that wrong.

If you had Grienke and Carpenter on your roster chances are that you did quite well for yourself in the pitching categories this year……. Unless you had Joba too bringing you down.

- 156 1/3 innings pitched
- 4.78 ERA (The last place team in our league has an ERA of 4.67!)
- 167 Hits and 76 Walks for a WHIP of 1.55 (The last place team in our league has WHIP of 1.44!)
- 9 Wins (woop-de-friggin`-do)
- 132 K’s (52 MLB pitchers had more strikeouts then he did!)

The Yankees have taken an absolute guaranteed force and ruined his confidence, his effectiveness, and maybe his future.

I have been of the believe all along that if they wanted to limit his innings (but wanted him to be a starter over the long haul) they should have let him start warming up in the 4th inning and brought him in the game at the start of the 5th inning letting him throw lights out for the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. By having him throw just 3 or 4 innings at the beginning of the game has not only messed him up, it messed up the bull pen. He’s out there counting him pitched in the 1st inning as he throws them knowing he’s got to come out when he gets into the 70’s (usually 3rd inning for him)! And that left the bull pen scrambling around trying to figure out how to mix and match its way for 5-6 innings.

I don’t know who is ultimately responsible for his usage, but they have done both Joba and the Yankees a disservice. He just turned 24, not 18. He should as much have the stamina and power that he will ever have as a pitcher at this point.

The Yankees are so worried about him getting hurt. Would the Yankees really rather have Joba end up with an 18 year journeyman career, or a 12 year career like Sandy Koufax………. They have turned this kid into the Cowardly Lion!

LET THE GUY THROW THE BALL TILL HIS ARM FALLS OFF! If I were his agent I would be pissed. Keith A. Baker
Keith A. Baker is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports and Major League Baseball in particular. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his clients.
Have a Fantasy Football or Baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.

Roto-Rx

2009-10-03T22:01:00.001-04:00

If your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: What the heck happened to Mike Pelfrey this year? He showed so much promise last year and did nothing but regress. Who is the real Pelfrey, this year’s or last? – Lawrence, Post University

Lawrence: Hate to say it, but I think this year's Mike Pelfrey is closer to what you will see down the road. He's a decent pitcher without a killer pitch. Maybe if the Mets were better, I could buy in, but right now the Mets are in shambles. Avoid.

Question #2: What is your take on Joba Chamberlain going into next year? – Junior, Newington, CT

Junior: Joba has all the skills to be a top notch AL starter. Dr. Roto thinks that Joba continues his ascent to stardom next year...give him time, he will be a stud.

Question #3: Is J. R. Towles still a top catching prospect or has his time past? – Fred, Perrysburg, OH

Fred: Back in 2007, the Astros thought they had something in Towles. He was high on their radar and looked like their catcher of the future. Since then, he's bounced around over the past couple of seasons, and has been nicked up with injuries. Let's give him a bit more time, but also check out to see what the Astros do in the off-season. That should be telling.

Question #4: Based on a $260 cap, what do you consider fair value for Curtis Granderson? – Kenny, St. Mary’s, PA

Kenny: Granderson has had a pretty good season in 2009. He has 30 HR and 20 SB, not too shabby. His runs scored have been low (due to Detroit's anemic offense). He also is hitting around .280 (big step up for him in that department). If you could get him for $25, be very happy.

Question #5: Guys in my league have soured on Homer Bailey, I haven’t. Am I insightful or a fool? – Aldo, Seneca, SC

Aldo: You may be on to something here, Aldo. Bailey has been excellent as of late. He has all the tools and nothing to prove in the minors. I still hate the bandbox ballpark he plays in and I don't trust Dusty Baker at all. But...he looks like a good sleeper for next year.

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Is the American Idol a cheater too?

2009-10-02T12:07:00.002-04:00

So we had Bronson Arroyo accused of using pine tar on the ball, and now we have Joe Mauer accused of tipping pitches.

While the Twins may be laughing the accusation off, I’m not sure that the kid isn’t onto something. If you’ve played baseball at any competitive level, you know how it works. Take a look here and see for yourself. What do you think? (Btw – the kid is a better analysis than he is a cinematographer. If you are not distracted by him moving the camera, his comments are pretty good. He makes a decent case for it………. You can watch the video at the link above too, it’s better but without the kids commentary)

No one in the Twins' clubhouse denied that there are attempts by teams to steal signs, but manager Ron Gardenhire seemed to find it funny that his team was being accused of actually being able to do it.

"That's the best they can come up with?" Gardenhire said. "Every team in baseball tries to steal signs. Every team in baseball tries to get the coaches' signs, the manager's signs, so ... really, that's old stuff."

Here’s my take. Maybe he was tipping pitches, maybe he wasn’t. But since it’s acknowledged that everyone tries to do it then why chastise someone if they are actually able to do it? It goes both ways too. If you know that someone is tipping pitches you can simply change the sign. And it only takes once. Just one time when you are looking for “Uncle Charlie” and you dive out over the plate to get it only to discover at the last millisecond that you got the “Express” in your ear hole. And that’s the last time you take a signs……… - Paul Leume

Paul Leume is a MLB columnist from Montreal, Canada. Paul, a one-time beat writer covering the Montreal Expos for the Montreal Gazette is a proud grandfather of 3 girls and now spends his time offering his thoughts and prospective on Major League Baseball on a variety of blogs and websites throughout Al Gore’s internet.

Roto-Rx

2009-10-02T06:35:00.004-04:00

f your question was not answered this time, you can go directly to the source @ https://www.roto-rx.com/ where Dr. Roto will answer all your Fantasy Baseball and Football questions.

The Doctor is in...

Question #1: What the heck happened to Mike Pelfrey this year? He showed so much promise last year and did nothing but regress. Who is the real Pelfrey, this year’s or last? – Lawrence, Post University

Lawrence: Hate to say it, but I think this year's Mike Pelfrey is closer to what you will see down the road. He's a decent pitcher without a killer pitch. Maybe if the Mets were better, I could buy in, but right now the Mets are in shambles. Avoid.

Question #2: What is your take on Joba Chamberlain going into next year? – Junior, Newington, CT

Junior: Joba has all the skills to be a top notch AL starter. Dr. Roto thinks that Joba continues his ascent to stardom next year...give him time, he will be a stud.

Question #3: Is J. R. Towles still a top catching prospect or has his time past? – Fred, Perrysburg, OH

Fred: Back in 2007, the Astros thought they had something in Towles. He was high on their radar and looked like their catcher of the future. Since then, he's bounced around over the past couple of seasons, and has been nicked up with injuries. Let's give him a bit more time, but also check out to see what the Astros do in the off-season. That should be telling.

Question #4: Based on a $260 cap, what do you consider fair value for Curtis Granderson? – Kenny, St. Mary’s, PA

Kenny: Granderson has had a pretty good season in 2009. He has 30 HR and 20 SB, not too shabby. His runs scored have been low (due to Detroit's anemic offense). He also is hitting around .280 (big step up for him in that department). If you could get him for $25, be very happy.

Question #5: Guys in my league have soured on Homer Bailey, I haven’t. Am I insightful or a fool? – Aldo, Seneca, SC

Aldo: You may be on to something here, Aldo. Bailey has been excellent as of late. He has all the tools and nothing to prove in the minors. I still hate the bandbox ballpark he plays in and I don't trust Dusty Baker at all. But...he looks like a good sleeper for next year.

The Doctor is out...

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It's only cheating if you get caught, right?

2009-10-01T20:06:00.001-04:00

So was Bronson Arroyo cheating or not? Let’s look at the quotes and facts and you can draw your own conclusion.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan believe Arroyo used pine star to “sticky-up” baseballs that were slick Wednesday, Sept. 30, devoid of the Delaware mud that is normally rubbed on them before games. La Russa and Duncan both said the stain on the bill of Arroyo's cap was pine tar that helped him grip balls.

A pissed off Reds manager Dusty Baker remarked, “Where I come from, man, you call somebody a cheater and you better know what you’re talking about. That’s like calling somebody a liar, a snitch, a cheat or a thief. Those are strong words when you call somebody a cheater and I’m the man in charge over here.”

St. Louis pitcher John Smoltz said the balls were too slick and La Russa said the balls did not have the mud on them.

Clubhouse attendant Mike Dillon, who rubs mud on the balls, “I had nothing to do with those balls (Wednesday) and I’m the one who rubbed them up, but I had nothing to do with them. I don’t know what happened after they were over there but you look at them (Thursday) and they’ll be the same.”

When La Russa showed Dillon two balls he saved from Wednesday he said, “Do they look rubbed up to you?” Dillon said, “No. I rubbed up the balls but they weren’t like that. That’s all I’m going to say. I’m telling you I don’t cheat. I don’t lie. I had nothing to do with it. Somehow the mud got off them.”

La Russa said, “I knew they were up to shenanigans. I appreciate you saying that.”

Of Arroyo, La Russa added, “The guy’s got pine tar all over his hat and our guy (Smoltz) is out there naked. We’ve got about six of those balls around here. That was pretty lousy. (Arroyo) found a little edge. You can’t let the starting pitcher influence how the balls are prepared for the game.”

Arroyo responded, “I pitch on the road, too, and I can’t tell you how many times I was unhappy with the way the balls are rubbed up. Every time I pitch in Milwaukee I can’t stand the way the balls are rubbed up. They can run out any kind of balls they want and I won’t walk five guys (as Smoltz did).”

Baker said he didn’t hear any complaints about Arroyo rubbing pine tar on the balls until a writer told him Thursday morning.

"If anybody should know, it would be Duncan," Baker said. "I remember they had Julian Tavarez over there. They threw his hat out, remember that? His hat was all messed up. It's not like it's something new."

That was 2004 and Tavarez was suspended eight days for using pine tar (later reduced to four days). “And remember that left-handed relief pitcher they had?” Baker said. That would be Steve Kline, who wore the same hat all season and by season’s end it was no longer red but brownish black — the color of pine tar.

“That is all just stupid,” said Baker. “Nothing went on. News to me. I don’t believe in cheating.”

Arroyo (15-13) finished with 12 consecutive starts in which he went at least seven innings while allowing no more than three earned runs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first Reds pitcher since at least 1900 to put together such a streak and only the fourth overall in the last 20 years, joining Greg Maddux (12 straight for the Cubs in 1992), Randy Johnson (14 for Arizona in 1999) and Curt Schilling (12 for Arizona in 2002). - Hmmmmmm. – Gregory Shapiro

Greg is an orthopedic surgeon that has a number of professional athletes including MLB players as patients. He’s an avid MLB fan and rotisserie player with some unique insight into the world of professional athletes.

Chuck Knoblauch charged with assault. Reports say that he threw something too, but missed badly........

2009-09-30T07:51:00.000-04:00

Former second baseman Chuck Knoblauch surrendered to authorities in Harris County, Tex., Tuesday after he was charged with assaulting his common-law wife. Knoblauch was charged with assault of a family member. Reports also say that he threw something at her, but missed badly........DOH!

Here’s an interesting fact. A change in Texas law that took effect Sept.1 makes it a felony to choke a family member. So had he choked her last month that would have been ok.... Go figure.

The former All-Star faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. An emergency protective order barring Knoblauch from contacting his wife was also issued.

Apparently Knoblauch and his wife had been arguing when she tried to take away his car keys when the altercation ensued.

According to reports, Knoblauch took the anti-anxiety medication Xanax and had been drinking heavily Friday night when he hit and choked Stacey Stelmach, according to prosecutors. Knoblauch, who is now 41, was being held in the Harris County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Knoblauch was named in the Mitchell Report as a player who used performance-enhancing drugs. Knoblauch told the investigators that he had obtained human growth hormone from former Yankee strength and conditioning coach Brian McNamee. McNamee told former Sen. George Mitchell and his investigators that he had also provided performance-enhancing drugs to Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and other players. Clemens is currently under federal investigation for perjury.

Knoblauch won the 1991 AL Rookie of the Year and was former Gold Glove infielder with the Twins (that apparently has nothing to do with throwing), with whom he played seven seasons.

Knoblauch's four year Yankee career was highlighted by his three championship rings and his well documented trowing problems that surfaced in 1999. His off-target throws to first base during the 1999 and 2000 seasons got so bad that then manager Joe Torre eventually used him in the outfield and as a designated hitter for the 2001 season.

Knoblauch finished his baseball career with the Kansas City Royals seven years ago. He retired after the 2002 season and returned to his native Houston.

Knoblauch and Stelmach have a 5-year-old son, Jake, who accompanied him when he was deposed by congressional investigators before the Feb. 13, 2008 hearing on the Mitchell Report. – Josh Bolan

Josh Bolan is a retired AP baseball reporter and now works as a freelance writer in Fresno California. Josh has been contributing to baseball publications as a writer since 1996.