Baseball Analysis

Well, the trade deadline came and went without much incident, though the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins may beg to differ. In all, though, the biggest impact was made by those deals that did not make it through the works. Meanwhile across both leagues some teams are getting very serious about the playoffs. The A's and Astros, for example, continue to savagely feast on their weaker prey, while so many of the other playoff hopefuls just appear to be --well, out to lunch. Read more »

The Cardinals took two out of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. This West Coast swing was successful as St. Louis returns to Busch Stadium winning four out of six games. Read more »

Several weeks ago, I wrote that Rafael Palmeiro was a Hall of Famer. This was based on his 3,000 hits and nearly 600 homers over his long career. Fast-forward to August and I have to issue an apology. Read more »

Sunday afternoon found baseball?s finest huddled in Cooperstown to welcome Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg into their fraternity. Wait did I just say Ryne Sandberg got elected to the Hall of Fame and there is debate going on that Rafael Palmeiro might not be deserving? Read more »

A.J. Pierzynski connected for a three-run homer in the eighth inning today at Oriole Park at Camden Yards; Jermaine Dye followed with his 21st home run in the four-run frame. Pierzynski's home run proved later to be the game-winner as the Chicago White Sox came from behind to stun the bewildered Baltimore Orioles 9 - 6, handing the home team its 12th loss in 14 games. Read more »

Manny went from trade bait to hero in just 24 hours in the eyes of the Red Sox Nation. He is now a member of the Boston Red Sox for the rest of the season. And there will be one phrase used the rest of the season to sum up anything that Manny does. Read more »

Everyone enjoys occasional good laughs, but this gag has exceeded its allotment. Only so much giggling is allowed, and it?s high time for teams in the NL West to adopt some sober faces. This is serious. How?s it gonna look if the division champs win less than eighty? Read more »

Mo (Mariano Rivera) has converted all 26 save opportunities and has allowed only 2 ERs (0 in the month of June). His ERA for the season is a microscopic .83, the lowest of his 10-year career. Read more »

The Braves already have a solid team that should provide trouble for anyone come October. However, a little patience with their current roster might mean a longer stay in October compared to years past. Read more »

It?s one thing to trade Manny even up for Alex Rodriguez, as the Sox tried to do two years ago. But for Cameron and Huff? Did someone say, ?Curse of the Man-Ramino?? These kinds of wish-fulfillment trades just don?t happen for the Mets. Read more »

30th July, 2005 Miller Park, Milwaukee In a battle of aces, Jason Schmidt takes on Ben Sheets and the Brewers in the third of a four-game series. Read more »

The Cubs won again in their final at-bat, this time when Aramis Ramirez hit a game-winning pinch hit single to defeat the Diamondbacks 4-3. Read more »

With the potential of the a playoff berth and the need for a good left handed bat, the best and most practical for solution for Mr. Dombrowski would be to make a play for outfielder Adam Dunn. Read more »

For the Orioles, talk was of Ponson, of course, later diagnosed with a contusion on the thumb of his right hand. He was visibly pained by the impact of the ground ball, which he tried to bare hand as it approached him at the mound. His hand dripped blood as he took himself off the field. The irony of course was that Sir Sidney himself looked to be putting out one of his rare strong outings. Read more »

I laughed just as hard as you when I watched Manny walk off the field and through a door in the Green Monster last week. ?There goes Manny, razzing his loyal fans, again.? This is the same guy who after winning MVP of the World Series was quick to say, ?I am done once my contract is up, I have accomplished all I set out to do.? And yet, when he requests a trade citing privacy issues in Boston, everyone jumps. Read more »

29th July, 2005 Dolphins Stadium, Miami The Nationals hope to stop the bleeding when Tony Armas, Jr. takes the mound against Josh Beckett and the Marlins. Read more »

Brad Hennessey pitched seven scoreless innings, yielding just three hits, while hitting a three-run homer, providing the Giants all three of their runs. Read more »

With so many trade options available, Bill Mueller to Minnesota for LHP J.C. Romero and prospect(s) marks the first of six possible improvement scenerios. Read more »

Florida's Juan Encarnacion went 2 for 3, with a two-run homer in the Marlins' 3-1 win over the Pirates. Read more »

28th July, 2005 Camden Yards, Baltimore Sidney Ponson may be battling against his future teammates, as he takes the mound against the Texas Rangers. Read more »