Fastball Fans

It was quite a moment today in the Nation’s capital as more than 46,000 people attended Pope Benedict’s papal Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on April 17 on his first stop in the United States this week.

* Left fielder Alfonso Soriano was placed on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right calf in the first inning of Tuesday’s win over the Reds…

* Nomar Garciaparra, who broke a bone in his right hand in spring training, was activated from the 15-day DL and the team optioned right-handed reliever Ramon Troncoso to Triple-A Las Vegas.

* Rays // Reliever Al Reyes was put on the 15-DL with an injured right shoulder and former Oriole Kurt Birkins, out since March 21 with an injured left elbow, was activated to replace him.

* Boston placed infielder Alex Cora on the 15-day DL with a sprained right elbow and called up Joe Thurston from Triple-A Pawtucket

* ESPN said Tuesday that a settlement has been reached in the lawsuit filed by former baseball analyst Harold Reynolds over his firing.

Well, this week, LaTroy Hawkins succumbed to pressure from New York Yankees fans who felt No. 21 still belonged to Paul O’Neill and switched to No. 22 when the team began a two-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

“What can I say? The fans have always been unbelievable to me there,” O’Neill said in a telephone interview from his home in Ohio. “I don’t really know how to explain it. It makes you feel good that the fans still think of you as wearing that number.”

Hawkins signed with the Yankees during the offseason and wore No. 22 — which Roger Clemens had last year — during spring training. Morgan Ensberg wore No. 21 during spring training and switched to No. 11 when the season began. Hawkins then took over No. 21, wanting to honor Roberto Clemente — Hawkins has a yellow “Retire 21″ sticker from retire21.org on the side of his locker.

A fan favorite because of his emotional play, O’Neill was with the Yankees from 1993-2001 and helped the team win four World Series titles.

“I obviously understand the feelings for Paul O’Neill because I was here, and I know what he meant to me as a teammate and what he means to me as a friend, and what he means to the people of New York, Yankees fans,” manager Joe Girardi said. “But LaTroy was trying to honor Roberto Clemente, someone he looked up to. It was nothing against Paul O’Neill. I think LaTroy has the ultimate respect for Paul O’Neill. It’s a tough spot.”

Hawkins didn’t want to discuss the change Thursday, saying the focus on the number was “unbelievable.” On Tuesday, he told CBSSports.com he made the decision after speaking with Yankees captain Derek Jeter and reliever Mariano Rivera, who played alongside O’Neill.

“I figure if it’s important enough for Jeter and Mariano and some other veterans to ask me about it, it’s not worth it to keep wearing the number,” Hawkins was quoted as saying.

O’Neill, a broadcaster for the YES Network, isn’t scheduled to work another game until next week in Chicago. The five-time All-Star said he was largely unaware of the ruckus.

“Obviously, I have nothing against LaTroy for wearing that number,” he said.

Ugh.

I know Paul O’Neill was one of the keys to the several championships that the Yankees won in the late 90’s; however, why is he worshipped like he’s founded, built, and bought the team?

I guess until the old guard goes away (Jeter, Rivera, Posada) and of course the fans, this case over the number 21 will never go away.

I guess the whole Caribbean-South American age lying thing has reared it’s ugly head again — this time with former Oriole Miguel Tejada.

One would not think two years in age difference is a lot of difference; however, in the game of baseball, it very much is. Two years in terms of development is crucial when a kid is coming up, advancement, attention given, skill set, and more importantly — money invested.

However, one can only understand why Tejada did it — he did what he had to do get a contract and live out a dream.

Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada has told the team he’s actually 33, two years older than he’s listed in the club’s media guide and other baseball records.

Tejada, saying he wanted rid himself of a burden, approached general manager Ed Wade and asked to correct misinformation he gave the Oakland A’s when he signed in 1993, the Houston Chronicle reported on its Web site Thursday.

Team officials were not immediately available to comment to the Associated Press. The Astros were wrapping up a three-game series Thursday with the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Tejada was actually 19 when he signed out of poverty-stricken Bani, Dominican Republic. At the time, he says, a local coach encouraged him to say he was 17.

“I’m a poor kid that wanted to sign,” Tejada said on the Chronicle site. “I’m feeling free now. It’s something that I had in my mind.”

The former American League MVP was signed out of the Dominican Republic by Hall of Famer Juan Marichal, but he was clear Marichal had no part in the deception. Moreover, Wade and Tejada both said the shortstop’s green card, driver’s license and other legal papers in the United States reflect his actual birthday, May 25, 1974.

The Astros’ media guide lists his birthday as May 25, 1976.

I’m not surprised; however, when you hear something like this — you always are. You’d think especially after 9-11 and just the amount of money involved in the sport, there would be more sure-fire ways to confirm the person who you are hiring to do a job is indeed being truthful.

Today is Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major league Baseball, as many major league players and teams will don Jackie’s “42″ and he will be honored in each of the 15 Major League ballparks.

In addition, Major League Baseball donated $1.2 million over four years to pay for college scholarships. No matter how you feel about Bud Selig, he’s done a lot to remember the Civil Rights struggle and initiate diversity programs into the sport.

However, here’s something sobering about the state of African-Americans on the field…

From ESPN: ORLANDO, Fla. — Major League Baseball received its best grade for racial diversity in hiring, even as the percentage of black players dropped again last year.

MLB received its first A-minus for race Tuesday from Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. Its grade was B-plus in last year’s study.

Among players, though, just 8.2 percent were black, down from 8.4 percent in 2006 and the lowest level in at least two decades. The percentage of black pitchers remained at 3 percent.

“It is ironic that as the role of people of color dramatically increases regarding who runs the game, African-American players continue to decrease,” Lapchick said.

MLB received a C-plus for gender hiring, up from a C last year. Its overall grade remained at B.

Lapchick said 28 percent of employees at baseball’s central offices were nonwhite, including 20 percent among senior executives. Women were 42 percent of employees, but 26 percent of the senior executives.

He gave baseball a B-plus for race and a C for gender for its senior administration hiring, the same as last year. For team vice presidents, the grade was B for race — the same as last year — and D-minus for gender, up from an F.

General managers were given a C for 2007, and Lapchick noted that the Los Angeles Angels promoted Tony Reagins to GM, where he joins Kenny Williams of the Chicago White Sox and Omar Minaya of the New York Mets as the only minorities.

Managers received an A, with six minority managers last year. The total increased to eight at the start of this season.

Let’s hope the numbers can turn around…

According to the AP, one of the great and nice guys in the game got suspended for his actions a few days ago…

From the AP: Jim Thome of the Chicago White Sox was suspended for one game Tuesday and fined an undisclosed sum by Major League Baseball for “inappropriate actions” during a game against Detroit last week. He was ejected for arguing a call after he struck out.

I think this is hilarious…

Throughout his career, he was known as “The Human Vacuum Cleaner,” as he is known until this day as one of the greatest third baseman, much less infielders of all time. Robinson played 23 seasons, all for the Orioles, setting major league career records for games, putouts, assists, chances, double plays and fielding percentage for a third baseman.

Though known for this steady glove, he hit 268 career home runs, at one time an American League record for third basemen. Robinson earned the league’s MVP Award in 1964 and the World Series MVP in 1970, when he hit .429 and made a collection of defensive gems.

Below are a few questions that I asked him. I hope you enjoy the interview, and feel free to send me feedback at mdguy2415@aol.com

Hope you all enjoy.

>>> Read More Here…

From the AP — Tommy Holmes, who hit in 37 consecutive games for the Boston Braves in 1945 to set a modern National League record that stood until it was broken by Pete Rose in 1978, died. He was 91. Holmes died of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Boca Raton, Fla

There’s some sad news out of Yankeeland — New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain left the team after his father collapsed at home in Nebraska, and the pitcher was placed on the bereavement list. Upon hearing the news from about his father from his sister, he broke out in tears.

Harlan Chamberlain was hospitalized yesterday in Lincoln.

“He is currently in critical but stable condition,” Joba Chamberlain said in a statement released by the team.

Let’s hope for the best with the Chamberlain family.

Considering that Barry Bonds is unemployable and a pariah, did anyone expect anything more?

From CNNSI: The last baseball Barry Bonds hit out of the park sold for $376,612 on Saturday, the winning bid coming from a buyer who wanted to remain anonymous.

There were a total of 13 bids on the baseball that was caught by Jameson Sutton last Sept. 5 during a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field.

Home run ball No. 762 is a bargain considering that SCP Auctions handled the sale of Bonds’ record-breaking No. 756, which fetched $752,467.

“I was hoping that it would be higher than that,” said David Kohler, president of the auction house. “If Barry Bonds never plays again, whoever bought this ball has a valuable piece that’s worth seven figures.”

Kohler said the uncertainty of whether Bonds will return to the field played a factor in the lower price. The San Francisco Giants did not bring back Bonds this season and he’s found no takers on the free agent market.

Too bad…

On Sunday, left-hander Tom Glavine left his start against the Nationals with a strained right hamstring after failing to record an out in the first inning, matching the shortest outing of his 22-season career. He is listed as day to day…