Fastball Fans

Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday by the New York Yankees with rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. This could serve as a major blow to their playoff hopes unless he can come back before the season is out.

If he’s injured far worse than expected — leave him out for the season.

Infielder Felipe Lopez, released by the Nationals last week, signed a contract with St. Louis on Tuesday night. Lopez, a 28-year-old switch-hitter, hit .234 with two home runs, 20 doubles and 25 RBIs for the Nationals.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals: Aug 3rd, 2008

It looks like MLB has laid down the law for the near-beanball activity at Yankee Stadium and it’s not good for the Orioles. Fair, or not fair, Daniel’s lack control and emotion may seem to have caught with him.

It doesn’t matter who you are — if you’re a repeat offender, whether throwing at someone was intentional or not — you’re going to most likely suffer. As with anything in life, once you have a reputation, it’s very hard to shake it.

Cabrera was suspended six games and fined an undisclosed amount for what vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson referred to in a press release as “intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area” of Rodriguez.

Yankees reliever Edwar Ramirez was suspended three games and also fined an undisclosed amount for committing the same offense one day later, throwing at Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium — a pitch deemed to be in retaliation for Rodriguez’s plunking one night earlier. The Yankees reliever appealed the suspension, putting the punishment on hold until his case can be heard.

Obviously he will appeal, but this punishment was unfair and it’s clear to anyone that Cabrera’s lack of control is got what Alex Rodriguez plunked, not malice.

I guess Ramirez got lucky for the same crime — oh, I guess he’s never been in trouble before.

For some of you who have read this blog for a while, you know how I feel about the unwritten rules of baseball.

If you’re just getting an introduction to this blog, or don’t know my stance — I think the rules are stupid — no matter how anyone tries to justify it to me.

In the New York papers this morning — Joe Girardi, whom I have found to be a tad overrated as manager despite the wonderful job he did in Florida — felt that Daniel Cabrera in yesterday’s game nailed Alex Rodriguez on purpose. Why Girardi felt this way, despite 99.5% people thinking otherwise — I don’t know — however, he felt that the Yankees needed some retribution against the Orioles for seeing their precious superstar plunked.

In an otherwise forgetful game in which Dennis Sarfate, in his first major start got rocked and Brian Burres — who came in the game as a reliever — looked even worse, what I will remember from this game is Joe Girardi’s lack of judgment. I completely missed this game at work, but got to see it on mlb.tv tonight, and I have decided that Girardi is now an idiot former jock.

He sent Edwar Ramirez out on the mount in the sixth inning — or the hurler took it upon himself — to engage in some chin music. In the top of the seventh inning, Ramirez threw a pitch towards Kevin Millar’s head, and the Oriole first baseman was lucky to get out of the way by ducking.

Ramirez got ejected from the game. Why anyone would throw at Millar, I have no clue — however, he owns the Yankees at the plate — so that might have a been a factor. Lest we not forget, the recently deposed Yankee Latroy Hawkins nearly beaned Luke Scott in a game earlier this season.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals; July 29th, 2008

Wow.

From the AP: Manny Ramirez is headed to Hollywood.

The Red Sox finally parted ways with their disgruntled slugger, sending him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team trade yesterday that brought Jason Bay to Boston.

The Pittsburgh Pirates gave up Bay and got four young players. The deal was completed just before the 4 p.m. deadline for making trades without waivers.

As of early yesterday, it appeared Ramirez might be on his way to the Florida Marlins. But when those talks fizzled, the Red Sox and Pirates found a willing third partner in the Dodgers.