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Blog Spotlight
From our hundreds of feeds, what the best baseball bloggers are talking about today.
March 2006
Friday March 31, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:09AM EST on March 31, 2006
North of the border, The Toronto Star slakes the thirst of Canadian fans for news about the Toronto Blue Jays. Today they dig into the A.J. Burnett story, and it's not the greatest news...but it could be worse by all accounts. Pitchers' arms are always the subject of speculation, and the talk here is of Burnett's elbow. He felt pain on the mound in a spring training game March 18, and pulled himself out of the lineup. The Star reports that this is not a disaster related to his elbow surgery of three years ago, but rather the discomfort of feeling scar tissue separate near the old injury. Still, the newly acquired Florida Marlins' ace will start the season on the 15-day disabled list.
Thursday March 30, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:20AM EST on March 30, 2006
For the past couple of days, this Cincinnati Reds blog, Redleg Nation, has featured Reds fans commenting on Pete Rose’s legacy. Living in Cincinnati (for the most part), these fans are closer to the topic of Pete Rose’s potential Hall of Fame induction than most of us. In 13 comments (a good number for the average baseball blog), you read a diversity of opinions, some pro, some con. But most of all, you come away with an overriding sense of pity for “Charlie Hustle.” Does this weaken his recent comments on the steroid controversy? Probably so. Pete Rose’s credibility is far less than most aging baseball stars.
Wednesday March 29, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:14AM EST on March 29, 2006
As usual, in-depth Baseball Prospectus puts an entertaining spin in this look the San Francisco Giants current health heading into next week's season start. They give green, yellow and red lights to individual Giants players, including the spotlighted one, Barry Bonds. The Giants need Bonds to be healthy, and Bonds needs to be healthy if he intends to make baseball history in 2006. Will it be a tainted history? The debate will rage as he approaches Babe Ruth's magical 714 mark for career home runs. In order to do that, and have a shot at Hank Aaron at 755, Bonds needs avoid any mishaps in the field. With his bad knee, one bad step and it could all be over. Such are the vagaries of a sterioid-ravaged body.
Tuesday March 28, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:01AM EST on March 28, 2006
Covering the story from a closer-to-home perspective, the Atlanta Journal points out the problems the Braves have right now with nagging injuries to several relief pitchers. Lefty relievers John Foster and Macay McBride have arm troubles, and highly touted young prospect Blaine Boyer has had a shoulder problem until recently. Always competitive, this year's National League East could get more intense than ever, as the Mets and Phillies made off-season moves that should vault them into contention.
Monday March 27, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:52AM EST on March 27, 2006
Today's Houston Chronicle takes you inside the Houston Astros clubhouse to learn the reaction of Jeff Bagwell's teammates about his likely retirement. Even though all of them knew Bags might choose not to continue, his decision came as a schock. That's because Bagwell is practically the face of the Houston Astros, a team leader of the first magnitude. Bagwell played 15 big-league seasons, all with the Astros. Second baseman Craig Biggio (in his 19th season) and catcher Brad Ausmus are the hardest hit. They talk about a 'void in the clubhouse'...one that could negatively affect the beginning of the 2006 season.
Thursday March 23, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:52AM EST on March 23, 2006
A strong contender for the most intelligent, reliable baseball blog anywhere, Baseball Musings posts a good one today in its "Cheating Archives." Plenty of fan comments on baseball's steroid torment, especially opinions from San Francisco Giants fans. After all, Giants' fans are at the center of the steroid whirlwind. After reading some of their thoughts on Barry Bonds, you begin to believe Commissioner Bud Selig will have to act decisively, sooner rather than later. Especially now that Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi are dragged back into the debate. Still, it's Bonds chasing Ruth and Aaron that Selig has to worry about. It's going to be a tumultuous season.
Wednesday March 22, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:48AM EST on March 22, 2006
This very funny Washington Nationals' blog was just added to Baseball Nooz today. It's an insider's look at the Alfonso Soriano troubles as Spring Training wraps up its final two weeks. The anonymous author of Ball-Wonk has the perfect solution to the Soriano mess. Polygamy! He says, in a Washingtonian satirical way, that the Nationals can solve the issue by playing TWO second basemen. The polygamy satire is a riot...putting manager Frank Robinson in the role of a husband having to satisfy two wives. Ball-Wonk also throws in the possibility of a 4-4-3 double play!
Tuesday March 21, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:19AM EST on March 21, 2006
    Dayn Perry, expert blogger for Fox Sports, puts a nice wrap on the World Baseball Classic in his daily column this morning. Baseball truly is a worldwide game, a point Perry makes, and this showcase was universally praised. Not perfect. But very worthwhile. Perry also dredges up an unbelievable statistic. Team Cuba may have lost last night's championship game, but listen to this: in international competition, Cuba has made an appearance in every finals it has participated in since 1951. I'd say it's a good thing the U.S. State Department let them play.
Monday March 20, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:43AM EST on March 20, 2006
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com takes an in-depth look at the real relevance of the WBC. As always, baseball is not just baseball. It's a reflection of life...and Japan and Cuba reflect the personalities of their respective cultures. Two islands competing against each other from two vastly different worlds...
... (more)
Friday March 17, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:27PM EST on March 17, 2006
Columnist Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tell it like it is regarding the USA's quiet departure from the World Baseball Classic. He follows Alex Rodriguez's line of thinking, which is that Team USA must start preparing for the tournament sooner. In other words, you can't just come off your winter vacation to France, walk into the USA locker room and expect to perform at your best. Plus, the team needs more time to play together...to play like, uh, a team. What we found out in the WBC is that the teams from Latin America and Asia have a ton of quality young pitchers and they showed up in mid-season form. Batters from the red, white & blue squad weren't ready to face pitching of that caliber.
Thursday March 16, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:44PM EST on March 16, 2006
As usual, Baseball Musings puts an interesting spin on tonight's Team USA versus Mexico action. Baseball Musings is an intelligent, thought-provoking blog that also happens to be one of the most followed in America. Which means you will usually find lost of entertaining comments whatever the daily blog subject is. Today's entry paints a satirical picture of a potential (but unlikely) scenario for tonight's game. To wit, Brad Lidge is on the mound leading a merry-go-round of intentional walks. Also, it was announced today that Cubs' slugger Derrek Lee is out for tonight's game with possible shoulder tendinitis.
Wednesday March 15, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:29AM EST on March 15, 2006
Score one for the bloggers. An excellent Chicago Cubs' blog, 1060 West, reported back in January that Mark Prior had shoulder problems, but the team was hiding it. Back in February, Baseball Prospectus hinted at the same injury. Of course, the mainstream media often ignore bad news. Especially when it's bad news for ticket sales, and has to do with one of the most popular young pitchers in the game. A guy who happens to pitch for one of the most popular (and long-suffering) teams in the major leagues.
Tuesday March 14, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 1:14PM EST on March 14, 2006
One of the leading blogs in the world of baseball, Baseball Prospectus reports directly from the Angels' stadium in Los Angeles. Substitute writer Will Carroll makes a few cogent observations about Team USA and the World Baseball Classic in general. He even hints that the red, white & blue team is getting outcoached in the tournament. Ouch. And he states flatly that while the WBC is definitely a success, for whatever reason, Team USA isn't. Double-ouch.
Monday March 13, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:11PM EST on March 13, 2006
Fox senior analyst Ken Rosenthal tells it like it is regarding the blown call in yesterday's USA-Japan duel. He makes a few good points: 1) The umpiring crews are overwhelmingly U.S. citizens. 2) The umpires are not major league level, but mostly minor league. 3) None of the 32 umpires are from Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. That means umpire-controversy fireworks are assured if Team USA meets the Team D.R. in a hot finals showdown. Stay tuned.
Friday March 10, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:16AM EST on March 10, 2006
Buster Olney daily blog for ESPN is one of the best in baseball. In this entry, he takes Barry Bonds and puts him through a buzz saw on steroids. Ouch. Buster reaffirms that life is all about choices. Will a few of Barry's choices regarding steroid-use affect his chances of entering the Hall of Fame. It appears so.
Thursday March 9, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:01AM EST on March 9, 2006
ESPN columnist Jerry Crasnick pens an entertaining article today featuring what else? A witty take on Team USA's loss to Canada sprinkled with a liberal dash of Barry Bonds steroid abuse for good measure. He tops it off with a humorous (yet sympathetic) reflection on what you would have to call Commissioner Bud Selig's Week from Hell. If Team USA doesn't advance to the next round of the WBC (Selig's brainchild), it could get much worse.
Wednesday March 8, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:24PM EST on March 8, 2006
Actual excerpt from Game of Shadows lays out the statistics of Bonds' career. Startling and impressive at the same time, the chart shows how Barry transformed himself into the greatest hitter of all-time after age 35. No one even comes close. According to the stat masters, Bonds posted three of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history after embracing steroids. Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame?
Tuesday March 7, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:04AM EST on March 7, 2006
Former ESPN.com online commentator and Baseball Tonight host, Dave Pinto, writes one of the best baseball blogs anywhere in Baseball Musings. On the morning of Team USA's first tournament game against Mexico, he reminds us of another compelling matchup. Today's first game will pit both of last year's Cy Young winners when Venezuela hosts the Domincan Republic. That would be Johan Santana taking the mound first against Bartolo Colon.
Monday March 6, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:21AM EST on March 6, 2006
   Team USA gets ready for WBC opener tomorrow with exhibition win in Arizona. The Atlanta-Journal covers the game by highlighting Chipper Jones' sharp play. Though he got the start yesterday over A-Rod, the Yankees' third baseman will get the nod at third in the team's first tournament game against Mexico. Like all veterans, Chipper echoes the company line with phrases like, I just want to contribute and I'm just glad to be part of this.

It does sound like the USA team is fired up and ready to roll in this competition.
Thursday March 2, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:31AM EST on March 2, 2006
Serious Angels' Fans Not into Name Flap

The Most Valuable Network is a favorite of major league bloggers. Every team has a blog and most are active daily. Today Anaheim is taking Angels' team owners back to court, asking a judge to order the team's name changed back to Anaheim Angels.
But the bloggers of Halo Herald tell the city to "Get-Over-It." In typical baseball fan attitude, they're more worried about Vlad Guerrero's mental state.
Wednesday March 1, 2006
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:46AM EST on March 1, 2006
Boston Herald Blogger Scoops World
with Real Words from Manny

 Down in Ft. Myers (with a peeling, sunburned nose) Boston Herald's
 Tony Massarotti somehow managed to capture a few comments from the enigmatic Manny. The unpredictable slugger showed up today at 9:01 a.m. and went straight from parking lot to clubhouse, glove in hand.