MLB Posts:

Melky Cabrera’s Suspension Should Make MLB Change the World Series Home Field Policy

By Eric Gray | August 17, 2012 @ 3:35 pm

Melky Cabrera holds up his all star game MVP trophy

Remember when MLB commissioner Bud Selig decided that whichever league won the All-Star Game would get home field advantage in the World Series? It was a terrible decision then in 2002, and it still is today. Prior to that, they just alternated between the leagues. In the NBA and the NHL, whichever team has the best record gets home court or ice. It makes the most sense.

This year, the National League won, and the MVP of the game was the now suspended for 50 games Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants. Oh, he was cheating at the time, but the National League still gets to keep home field advantage. That has to piss off teams in the race for the American League pennant, right? It should.

Selig needs to stop making the All-Star Game have this faux-importance, because it doesn't and shouldn't. It's an exhibition and it is completely ridiculous that the regular season records aren't taken into consideration. They should be the only thing considered, not which league wins the summer exhibition game.

Major League Baseball Might Not be Stuck in the Dark Ages

By Eric Gray | August 17, 2012 @ 2:42 pm

Fans go for a foul ball at a Washington Nationals game

Despite Bud Selig's bizarre insistance earlier this summer that there was no need for more replay in the game because attendance was good, it looks now like MLB might be slowing crawling out of the dark ages.

A new report says that two replay systems will be installed and tested; one at Yankee Stadium and one at Citi Field, so that MLB can determine which system would best suit their needs. At Citi, they'll test the system used in tennis that helps with close calls on the lines. And at Yankee stadium they're going to try out the laser technology (futuristic!) that tracks golf shots for TV.

But before you get too excited, these aren't going to be used in games just yet, just tested. Then they're going to test them some more in minor league play. Then in November, they're going to present the results at the owner's meetings. Commish Selig says the league wants to improve calls on foul balls and trap catches, but there isn't a timetable for when these systems may (if ever) get used.

Progress!

Seattle Mariner Felix Hernandez Threw a Perfect Game Today

By Eric Gray | August 15, 2012 @ 3:21 pm

Felix Hernandez throws a pitch during his perfect game on August 15, 2012

Felix Hernandez wrapped up a perfect game today, the third one thrown in the Majors this year, and the second no-hitter for the Mariners in just over two months. Hernandez struck out 12 Tampa Bay Rays during Seattle's 1-0 win at Safeco Field.

Back on June 8th, six Mariners' pitchers combined to no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's the second perfect game thrown in Seattle this season; in April, Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw a perfecto against the Mariners.

Hernandez improved to 11-5 on the season.

Melky Cabrera Suspended 50 Games After Testing Positive for Testosterone

By Eric Gray | August 15, 2012 @ 12:03 pm

50 Game Suspension For Melky

Melky Cabrera in action on August 12, 2012

San Francisco Giants star Melky Cabrera, who is second in the National League with a .346 batting average has been suspended by MLB for 50 games after testing positive for testosterone use.

The suspension, effective immediately, is a huge loss for the NL West leading Giants (tied with the L.A. Dodgers), since there are only 45 games left in the regular season. The 2012 All-Star MVP's presence will definitely be missed as San Francisco tries to secure a berth in the playoffs.

Stephen Strasburg Will See his Season End Soon and That Doesn’t Make any Sense

By Eric Gray | August 13, 2012 @ 1:32 pm

View the Gallery / 11 Photos »

Nationals Other Phenom

Bryce Harper has the quote of the year Read More »

Stephen Strasburg is the ace of the Washington Nationals, sitting on a 13-5 record with a 2.90 ERA. Strasburg has 166 strikeouts and Ks batters at an impressive 11.2 per nine innings. He's pitched 133.1 innings so far this year so Strasburg's season is just about over and there's nothing he can do about it. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2010, Strasburg's health has been the National's priority, and even if the World Series is a possibility, the team isn't going to chance it.

Coming into this season, the Nationals' front office made it clear that they would adhere to a strict innings count for Strasburg, and his time is coming. It was originally reported that the team would limit Strasburg to somewhere between 160-180 innings. The Nats may give him more time in between starts to make his season last longer, but they've already reportedly decided that he won't pitch in the postseason. That doesn't make any sense. If you're going to limit the guy, why not shut him down now and then let him finish his inning count in the playoffs? Read More » »

‘That’s Blinking Fertilizer’ – Vin Scully Translates Jim Tracy’s Tirade (VIDEO)

By Eric Gray | August 7, 2012 @ 12:18 pm

Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy argues with umps 8/6/12

Pardon me, but I find this call to be blinking fertilizer!

Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully is widely regarded as one of the top baseball announcers ever. That's a fact. And if you needed proof, here's Vin last night as the Colorado Rockies were in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers.

A Shane Victorino fly ball to center is seemingly caught and called an out, but after a brief discussion, the umps rule that the ball was actually trapped and Colorado skipper Jim Tracy loses it. We can all read his lips, and even if we couldn't, we could probably guess the kinds of things he was saying to the umps. Scully of course, being the best that he is, helpfully translates for the TV audience.

This will make you smile.

Jeff Bagwell to Houston and Four Other One-Sided MLB Trade Deadline Deals

By Eric Gray | August 1, 2012 @ 9:35 am

View the Gallery / 5 Photos »

Let's be clear, the worst trades for one team are freaking gold for their trade partners. Since yesterday was the trade deadline in Major League Baseball and everyone is talking about who got better, lets's take a look back and remember trades that were massively lopsided.

For every guy who gets sent to a new team then flourishes and becomes an All-Star, there's a general manager who can't sleep at night watching that same guy that he just traded away hitting home run after home run or striking out 10 guys a night.

No wonder the trigger men on these deals always look so frazzled. One moment they think a pitcher has nothing left, and the next thing they know, he's winning 8 games in 9 starts and helping his new team into the postseason.

Here are five trades since 1989 that made some GMs look like geniuses and the others look like goats.