Fastball Fans

Astros’ uber youngster Hunter Pence was hurt this week going through a sliding glass door. He’ll be out a week, but he should be thankful the situation does not seem to be that serious.

With lacerations on both hands and knees, Hunter Pence limped into the Astros’ clubhouse Tuesday morning and received plenty of grief for crashing through a sliding glass door Monday night.

Pence and his teammates could laugh a bit after the outfielder spent part of the night in the emergency room getting stitches for the injuries suffered at his apartment. On the day of their first full-squad workout, the Astros learned Pence will be out of action for at least one week.

“It’s pretty silly to have this kind of freak accident happen,” he said. “I didn’t really think I would go through a glass door. Normally, it wouldn’t shatter. But somehow it shattered, and I was in the middle of a bunch of broken glass. … I was actually very fortunate because none of the glass was stuck into my wounds.”

Pence said he was preparing to go into the hot tub outside his apartment with a friend but decided to go to the bathroom first. At that point, Pence had left the door open. When he headed back, he didn’t realize his friend had shut it, Pence said.

“I tried to go up to the bathroom to shower to get all the glass off me, but I was bleeding pretty bad,” he said. “I called my parents, so they said to call 911.”

Thank goodness he’s all right. This injury would have been no laughing matter if it had ended up tragic.

Tune in tonight as bloggers Anthony of the Oriole Post and Jason of My Baseball Bias join me for our hour long baseball show called, “The Hits Keep Coming� on Blog Talk Radio. Every week at 7PM Eastern Time (6PM Central/ 5PM Mountain/ 4PM Western/Pacific) we chat, analyze and comment about the world of Major League Baseball.

This week: NL East Preview

If you’d like to call in, the phone number is 718-664-6564 or you can send us an instant message if you use AOL IM at hitskeepcoming20.

Please join us at : http://blogtalkradio.com/oriolepost - 7PM Eastern Time tonight!

Topics to be discussed this evening:

• NL East Preview
• Andy Pettitte Press Conference
• Hot Stove Roundup

You can listen to last week’s show by going over to the sidebar on the right and looking for the Blog Talk Radio section.

Whether you’re a Yankee fan or not, (well, maybe Boston fans won’t agree with me), Johnny Damon is one of the most open, fan-friendly guys in baseball. However, only a two seasons ago, he was about to call it a career.

I would have been a little sad, based on my interactions with him just being a fan of the game.

CNNSi.com John Heyman Reports: When Johnny Damon walked out of spring training early last year, he thought he was walking away from the game, SI.com has learned. The Yankees explained Damon’s absence early last spring as “personal reasons,” and there was a lot of wrong speculation about something or other happening with Damon’s family that would necessitate the time off.

The reality is, according to Yankees clubhouse sources, Damon just wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep playing and was actually seriously considering walking away from the final three years of his $52-million, four-year contract. Nobody does that, but Damon almost did.

“I was just exhausted …. Burnt out,” Damon told SI.com Tuesday. “[Retirement] definitely crossed my mind.”

After a few days, Damon decided to return. “I knew these guys needed me,” Damon said with a smile. How true that was.

I’m glad to see him still in the game.

Based on his numbers last year, Barry Bonds can no doubt still play; however, he’s still unsigned any team and almost every team has had most of their roster show up for camp.

The slugger is itching to play — for anyone at this point.

From ESPN: Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said the ex-Giants slugger “is in game shape right now,” according to the San Jose Mercury News.

“The only thing he hasn’t done is face live pitching,” Borris said, according to the report. “He’s doing all the baseball drills he normally does as he works to get in shape for spring training. His legs are as solid as ever.”

The Giants let Bonds go after his record-breaking 2007 season, deciding to go with youth and ending the slugger’s 15-year run as the starting left fielder. While Bonds had 28 home runs and a .480 on-base percentage in 340 at-bats last season, he will turn 44 in July and has played the last few seasons with a balky right knee.

Bonds also faces a federal indictment on multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his testimony in the BALCO investigation.

While there has been speculation that an American League team would want Bonds as a designated hitter, that has not come to fruition. According to the Mercury News, one unnamed baseball executive said “I don’t hear any chatter, any rumors — anything” about interest in Bonds.

“He was an All-Star last year,” Borris said, according to the Mercury News. “His numbers were still off the charts, and for any team committed to winning, there’s no reason they wouldn’t want him on their roster.”

Well, he can still produce; however, the bottom is line does any team want to deal his baggage and the unwanted attention that he presence would create?

Um, no.

Baseball legend Hank Aaron believes that game will survive despite all the scandals, drug use and bad vibes around the sport.

From Fox Sports: “I think baseball is trying to clean up its act,” Aaron said, sitting in the Braves’ dugout during batting practice. “It’s unfortunate for baseball, but baseball has been through some tough times. It went through the White Sox scandal and survived. It went through a lot of things and survived. It’s going to survive this, too.”

Like many baseball fans, Aaron tuned in when the Mitchell Report was released, and he was in front of the television set again for Roger Clemens’ testimony before Congress last week, when the seven-time Cy Young Award winner denied using human growth hormone as alleged by his former trainer.

“I’m glad it happened, and I’m glad it happened before spring training, before the season started,” Aaron said. “We can get it over and done with. You’ll see. When the season starts, we’ll again be drawing fans. People will come out to watch these kids play.”

Truer words could not have been spoken by a legend among legends.

Today Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons had to face the music in Spring Training once again and had to explain themselves as well as ask fans for forgiveness.

To me baseball is a game and just a form of entertainment, but I’m curious to what you all think about this whole drug issue.

From the Baltimore Sun: Hours before the Baltimore Orioles conducted their first full-team practice of spring training Tuesday, Roberts and Gibbons again acknowledged their misdeeds. Speaking one after the other, each apologized for his conduct.

“Embarrassment is a good word. Disappointment. You know, it’s just one of those things where you look in the mirror, and I have no excuses,” said Gibbons, who will serve a 15-day suspension at the start of the season for receiving a shipment of human growth hormone after January 2005, when it was banned by baseball.

“I blame myself,” Gibbons added. “It’s definitely something that’s out of character. I took a shortcut and I’m paying the price with the 15 days.”

Ah, I remember fondly way back when Jay Gibbons while under scrutiny from Jason Grimsley’s admission said he would never use PED’s and tried to discredit him.

(more…)

Jose Guillen, who perhaps with the help HGH & other stuff hit his way into a lucrative 3-year deal with the Royals. He reported to cam; however, rather than talk about the Mitchell Report and apologize, he took the path of least resistance — he stayed mum and said “I’d talk about at it at a later date…”

Jose Guillen arrived right on time Tuesday, bouncing into the Kansas City clubhouse bright and early with a happy smile and a polite refusal to talk about steroids, the Mitchell Report or the 15-day suspension hanging over his head.

The power-hitting outfielder said he would discuss all that after his appeal is decided.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to be talking before the season starts, as soon as the situation gets resolved,” he said. “Right now, it’s in the process and I’m looking forward to getting this over with.”

Last December, literally hours after Kansas City signed him to a three-year, $36 million contract, Guillen was suspended for 15 days for violation of baseball’s drug policy. He had been linked in media reports to the buying of thousands of dollars worth of human growth hormone. He appealed immediately and an arbitrator’s decision is expected before the end of spring training.

Guillen said he’s been keeping up with the Mitchell Report and baseball’s embarrassing steroids scandal.

Sigh.

Well, ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz hit .332 with 35 homers and 117 RBIs in the regular season, but his power numbers were down. Now he’s ready to go and in shape.

David Ortiz took swings in the batting cage after reporting to spring training Tuesday and said he’s nearly fully recovered from knee surgery he had after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series.

“I feel good,” he said, “getting almost 100 percent”

About two hours later, World Series MVP Mike Lowell showed up. He hit .400 with a home run and four RBIs to lead Boston to a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. The first official team workout for all players is scheduled for Friday.

Boston fans should be giddy to hear the news…

As an Orioles fan, I’m digging seeing Tejada in another jersey. He was good for us while he was in Baltimore, but being traded was probably the best thing for him.

You’d think the Astros are perhaps having a little bit of buyer’s remorse with his name in the Mitchell Report, alas, that seems to be anything but the case.

Tejada, unlike peers such as Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and teammates Jay Gibbons along with Brian Roberts is keeping his mouth mum on the steroid controversy.

Well, folks, the World Baseball Classic is about to return…

Here’s some more info…

World Baseball Classic, Inc. announced the final eight teams to be invited to the 2009 World Baseball Classic Tuesday, finalizing the same field that played in the first tournament in 2006.

Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Netherlands, Panama and South Africa were added Tuesday, completing the 16-team field. In April 2007 the eight teams that advanced to the second round of the 2006 WBC - Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela - were all invited to compete in 2009.

This may be the last WBC limited to 16 teams. WBC, Inc. is considering expanding to 24 countries for the next tournament, with qualifying rounds scheduled prior to the event.

The venues for the 2009 WBC should be announced in March. All four first-round competitions will be played outside of the U.S. before the WBC comes to America for the second round, semifinals and final.

I am hoping to see the ‘09 edition — let’s play ball…

* The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez on a non-guaranteed minor-league contract on Tuesday.

* The Houston Astros won their arbitration case against infielder Mark Loretta. Loretta, 36, was looking for a one-year deal worth $4.9 million for 2008, but a panel of three arbiters decided the Astros’ offer of $2.75 million was appropriate.

* The St. Louis Cardinals signed veteran left-hander Ron Villone to a minor league contract Tuesday, extending him a non-roster invitation to spring training.

* The Texas Rangers have signed second baseman Ian Kinsler to a five-year contract through the 2012 season with a club option for 2013. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Dallas Morning News reported it to be worth about $22 million over the first five seasons.

* The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms on contracts for the 2008 season Tuesday with pitchers Yorman Bazardo, Jordan Tata, Virgil Vasquez and Joel Zumaya, as well as outfielders Brent Clevlen and Freddy Guzman.

Ah, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

In his short time in power, Hank Steinbrenner has been nothing but a carbon copy of his dear old dad; opinionated, a sometimes blithering idiot, chatty and sometimes comes off as a blowhard. Honestly, I kind of want the guy to shut up; however, the world would not be as fun, eh?

Well, Hank opened his mouth and opined on the world of steroids.

Hank Steinbrenner insists baseball is being picked on for its trouble with performance-enhancing drugs, and claims the problem is bigger in football.

“I don’t like baseball being singled out,� the New York Yankees senior vice president said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Monday night.

“Everybody that knows sports knows football is tailor-made for performance-enhancing drugs. I don’t know how they managed to skate by. It irritates me. Don’t tell me it’s not more prevalent. The number in football is at least twice as many. Look at the speed and size of those players.�

and…

“A lot of baseball people thought that baseball would be the last sport that it would be a problem in and probably just ignored it too long,� Steinbrenner said. “But the fact is it’s been in football a long time and it’s been in basketball, I’m sure. Why baseball is being singled out, I don’t know. I don’t know. I know all the excuses — ‘Well, it’s America’s game and it’s the statistics.’

“That’s not an excuse. If a sport is riddled with it, it’s riddled with it. Why aren’t they looking at the NFL?� he said.

Steinbrenner said baseball will “clean up the game.�

“We’re going to do it,� he said.

No matter what you think of Steinbrenner, he’s dead right on this issue…

Are the Red Sox and Curt Schilling heading towards a battle?

Well, today, Curt Schilling today questioned the Red Sox’ decision to have him try and come back without surgery, and backed his own doctor in a dispute he says is driven by ‘medical egos.’

Wow. I hope this does not come down to a showdown.

Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling says he’s following the team’s advice to work his shoulder back into shape, rather than have surgery.

Schilling’s doctor has said the team’s prescription of rehabilitating the shoulder won’t work. Dr. Craig Morgan said surgery is the only way Schilling can return this year.

The pitcher said he has “no choice” but to adhere to the team’s plan because the Red Sox could void his $8 million contract under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement if he follows Morgan’s advice.

The 41-year-old Schilling said Monday he knows if he doesn’t pitch this year, he may never pitch again.

Hopefully, the sides will find a way for things to be worked out.

The Marlins and two local governments have ironed out the financial details of a $515 million proposal that would give the team a new 37,000-seat ballpark on the site of the Orange Bowl.

The news will come as welcome relief for a franchise that has struggled with attendance, and has not been able to keep many players due to the economics of the game; thus, finally, the Marlins might finally get decent attendance and become a viable team in baseball.

Ah, if you like you to be or want to predict how many wins your team will have, here are the latest odds from Vegas…

BetCRIS (thanks to Capitol Punishment & Vegas Watch for the list), has posted over/unders for each MLB team’s 2008 wins.

It’s just fun to see to for now…

Arizona - 86.5
Atlanta - 86
Baltimore - 65
Boston - 94
Chicago C - 87.5
Chicago W - 76
Cincinnati - 76.5
Cleveland - 91
Colorado - 83
Detroit - 93.5
Florida - 68.5
Houston - 73.5
Kansas City - 73.5
LA Angels - 92
LA Dodgers - 87.5
Milwaukee - 84
Minnesota - 73.5
NY Mets - 92.5
NY Yankees - 94
Oakland - 74
Philadelphia - 88
Pittsburgh - 68.5
San Diego - 85
San Francisco - 72
Seattle - 85
St. Louis - 77
Tampa Bay - 72
Texas - 75
Toronto - 84
Washington - 71.5

Everything looks about accurate, but the odds makers have Boston and New York tied; I think Colorado’s win total should have a few more (considering the way the season ended, Vegas might be onto something), Tampa Bay should have a few more wins; however, the list looks pretty strong to me.