Fastball Fans

I was in Washington for the Nationals Opening Day this afternoon and everyone in attendance heard about the untimely passing of Harry Kalas, longtime announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies and NFL Films. Well, I just got home, listened to some memories of him on WFED — the flagship radio station of the Nationals — and I was even more shocked to learn that he died in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park literally a few hours before game time.

Fans of his in Philadelphia and around the world have lost a voice that can surely never be replaced. Although I heard his voice from time when it came to baseball, his beautiful voice made NFL Films broadcasts — which I love to watch — so interesting and enthralling.

He was no doubt a legend in the broadcast industry and whether you’re a Philadelphia fan or not, his body of work is incredible. Rest in Peace, Harry and to his family along with his legion of fans, I offer my condolences.

It goes without saying I was stunned to hear about Kalas’ death, and he was on my mind throughout today. It’s been a sad week for the game, and it just shows you that life can be so fleeting.

On a even more somber note today, I just read that Mark “The Bird” Fidrych passed away today. According to various reports, he was sadly discovered by a family friend underneath a dump truck that he had been working on at his home in Northboro, Mass. From the looks of it, he seems to have been a victim of an unfortunate accident.

“The Bird’s” career was fleeting, but memorable as he drafted in 1974 by the Detroit Tigers and made his MLB debut in 1976 where he took home AL Rookie of the Year. He packed the house in Detroit when he was on the mound and became a national phenomenon due his antics and eccentric nature. His career was cut short due to a rotator cuff injury in 1980; however, it goes without saying he’s not been forgotten by anyone who saw him perform.

RIP, Mark.

Although Dolphin Stadium was 60% empty, it felt like October last night as the United States advanced to the semi-finals of the World Baseball Classic by defeating Puerto Rico, 6-5, thanks to a dramatic game-winning hit (I really dislike the term walk-off) in the ninth inning as David Wright blooped a hit to right field plating Brian Roberts and Jimmy Rollins to end the game. They came back from a 4-3 deficit in the ninth inning off relievers J.C. Romero — who will be suspended for 50 games at the start of the 2009 season — and off former Baltimore reliever Fernando Cabrera.

The United States avenged their big loss against Puerto Rico. It’s too bad that there has been a lot of controversy about the injury of players, the perception of nationalism within the United States, and big stars sitting out; however, I do believe that the World Baseball Classic is good for the sport.

The game was something last night, and although the crowd was nothing like the night before, it was still lively. The fans of United States represented and cheered from start to finish — the World Baseball Classic may not have the name recognition of the World Series, but it seemed the players were really into it, and they seemed extremely emotional at the end.

The World Baseball Classic is not on the radar of many fans as the NCAA Tournament starts up this week, and hockey and basketball season are winding down; however, if you’re in South Florida, and if you love baseball this is a must see. I was there with good friends Cheryl and Dave, huge Nationals fans who also run the Nationals News Network, and they shared my same thoughts.

Well, last night, I had no vested interest in last night’s game as the Puerto Rico played Venezuela; however, as a fan in the stands, I watched a very good and perhaps partook in one of the best experiences I have ever had as an observer.

I got tickets in the outfield, and figured that I’d move around since the stadium was practically empty; however, I stayed in my area since I enjoyed the company was with and saw the United States defeat the upstart Netherlands squad, 9-3.

They avoided a potentially embrassing situation as Jimmy Rollins hit a homer and drove in four; Brian Roberts went 3-for-3 with two walks, runs, and RBI’s. Adam Dunn homered to center field, and Roy Oswalt threw four scoreless innings to earn the easy win.

However, what I will remember from last night was the flare up in the eighth inning between reliever Matt Lindstrom and the Netherlands squad. With the game pretty much out of reach, Bryan Engelhardt for the Dutch team hit a long home run off Lindstrom and admired it. Well, the U.S. reliever took issue with Engelhardt’s so-called theatrics and then threw behind the back of the next hitter — Vince Rooi.

The crowd in the outfield wondered what was going on as to why Lindstrom would throw at someone in a blow out, even if he gave up a home run to the previous hitter. We all figured it was a mistake; however, it was anything but.

Even with a six-run lead in the eighth, the Americans remained combative. Matt Lindstrom gave up a leadoff homer to Bryan Engelhardt, who took a long look at his prodigious drive before jogging around the bases. Lindstrom’s next pitch sailed behind Vince Rooi, and the pitcher conceded he was trying to send a message after Engelhardt’s homer.

“I thought he took a little bit too long watching it,” Lindstrom said.

When Lindstrom barely missed hitting Rooi, Dutch players took several steps onto the field as they yelled angrily at the pitcher. The shouting was in English, said Netherlands catcher Sidney de Jong.

“When you yell stuff like that, you want somebody to hear you,” he said. “We had no doubt that was intentional.”"Classless,” Dutch manager Rod Delmonico said.

Concerning Lindstrom, I can understand why he did what he did, but in the end, he came off looking like a complete jackass. My thought is this — if you didn’t want a guy admiring his shot, then you should not have given up the long ball.

Plain and simple.

I was there live and in living color; the collection of players on the United States team in the World Baseball Classic was just pathetic.

Really.

I’m sure you’re read and saw what happened to the United States on Saturday versus Puerto Rico. I don’t know how to articulate what I witnessed, but this is a squad that had no business being a victim to a mercy rule. They played this like this was some run-of-the-mill Spring Training exhibition game – not a competition, and they got their arses wiped by a team ready to play.

They looked lethargic, and really didn’t seem to give as much as an effort than their Puerto Rican counterparts with an offense to dismantle their opponents and as well an incredible performance by Javier Vasquez who in his career has been seen as nothing less than *soft*.

Let’s just chalk this as a bad loss; however, it’s one I don’t think I’d forget for a good long while.

Finally, the crowd at Dolphin Stadium was something else. Although the place was probably 60% full from what I saw on television after I got back to my hotel; the fans there – I’d venture to say it was 70% Hispanic and in favor of Puerto Rico – were into it and I don’t think I have ever been to a baseball game that rivaled what I saw with exception of the 2000 World Series.

The Puerto Rican fans were full of passion, friendly, and no doubt proud of their ballplayers. They celebrated, before, during, and after the game – literally. If you were at the scene once the contest had ended, you would have thought they were in the World Series, or had won soccer’s World Cup.

From what I saw, everyone was peaceful – I didn’t see much trash talking between the American and Puerto Ricans (fyi – Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S.), and the victorious fans waved the flag of the island, celebrated to music in and out of the stadium, and seemed to think of Saturday as more than a victory.

It was overwhelming to take in; however, it was nothing short of amazing to witness at the same time.

Eugene Kingsale singled in the tying run and scored the game-winner in the 11th inning as the Netherlands rallied for a 2-1 victory over heavily favored Dominican Republic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The win marked the Netherlands’ second in the tournament over the Dominicans.

However, they could not continue the magic as they lost to Puerto Rico to decide who would win their pool, 5-0.

All-Star pitcher Ervin Santana has been diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his throwing elbow and will open the season on the disabled list.

One of the best stories in baseball, perhaps has gotten better. No matter who you root for, Boston’s Jon Lester is inspiration to many, and to come back from cancer to become a star in baseball is something to behold.

Now, he’s been rewarded for his success.

The southpaw agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract extension, which includes a $13 million team option for 2014, Yahoo.com reported.

Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma during his rookie season in 2006. After being declared cancer-free later that year, he went on to earn the World Series title-clinching victory over the Rockies in 2007. He went 16-6 with a 3.21ERA in 33 starts last season.

The Yankees did not receive good news this weekend, and they will more than likely open up the regular season without their third baseman.

Alex Rodriguez’s spring training saga took another surprising turn: He’s headed for hip surgery Monday that will sideline him for six to nine weeks — and that’s not all.

The New York Yankees slugger will need a second operation after the season, assuming he can play all the way through. Dr. Marc Philippon, who will perform the operation in Colorado, said he’s confident Rodriguez will be able to do that after he recovers from surgery.

“Well, it’s better than him missing the whole year,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

Alex Rodriguez — who has been source of a lot of drama in the off-season — is now ailing physically as well.

Hours after Alex Rodriguez played yesterday for the Dominican Republic in a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic, the New York Yankees announced that he would have his ailing hip checked by a specialist.

An exam Saturday revealed a cyst in Rodriguez’s right hip. The slugger is scheduled to visit Dr. Marc Phillipon today in Vail, Colo.

The third baseman’s status for the World Baseball Classic is uncertain.

Rodriguez, 33, felt tightness and stiffness in his right hip this spring and was examined by team physician Chris Ahmad on Saturday, the Yankees said. An MRI exam showed the cyst.

Mike Rizzo will assume day-to-day control of the team’s majorleague operations after the resignation of general manager Jim Bowden on Sunday. Team president Stan Kasten said he will have final say on personnel matters while the Nationals wait to permanently fill the GM vacancy.

Rizzo, 48, has been an assistant GM and vice president of baseball operations since 2006.

The winter of discontent with Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles is finally over.

Outfielder Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers officially agreed yesterday on a two-year, $45million contract that keeps him with the National League West champions.

The slugger can void the second season of the deal and again become a free agent.

The stalemate was broken during a 6 a.m. meeting that brought the sides face-to-face at owner Frank McCourt’s Malibu, Calif., home.

The Dodgers confirmed the deal shortly after Ramirez, 36, passed a physical.

The team has pulled its two-year, $45million offer to outfielder Manny Ramirez; however, now they might be close to a deal.

The Dodgers are “making progress” toward an agreement with free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez, but no deal has been reached, according to a major-league source.

After multiple failed attempts, Ramirez and the Dodgers agreed to general terms Tuesday on a two-year, $45 million deal, a source told Rojas. Another source told ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark that obstacles still remain to completing the contract.

Agent Scott Boras told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that while he has been in daily contact with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, no agreement has been reached.

“We are in discussions and we have no deal in place,” Boras said.

Boras would not elaborate further on the status of the talks.

The Dodgers said last week that Ramirez had declined the team’s latest offer, a one-year, $25million contract for the 2009 season with a $20million player option for 2010.