Dropped Third Strike

IMHO - 9.27.08

Here we go again - the Mets' chances of making the playoffs come down to the last day of the season. I would imagine that Mets fans have a higher level of stress than most - and may even have a shorter life expectancy because of it.

Johan Santana is worth every cent spent on him. I have said this all along. He proved it again today by tossing a three-hit shutout, on three days rest, in a game where he was needed the most. 16-7, 2.53 ERA - only a few wins away from a Cy Young. The bullpen is to blame for this. For everyone that said his stuff isn't as good as it used to be - this is his lowest ERA over a full season. He also gave up 10 less home runs this year than last year.

I would like to change my pick for NL MVP. As much as it hurts, Ryan Howard is the correct choice. His level of production has been incredible, and the timing is even better (unless your a Mets fan).

Please come back Mark McGwire.

Where in the world is Barry Bonds? Is he still working out hoping some one signs him? I haven't seen anything.

The Rays did it. The are the Anti-Mets. The won the AL East when no one thought it was possible. Thank you Rays for knocking the Yanks out of the playoffs. I am glad to see them go, just like the Braves a few years ago.

Is Larry (Chipper) Jones going to name his next child Citi?

We could see a Cubs-Rays World Series... That would be different. I am not sure the Tropicana Dome is ready for the World Series. I love the stadium - parking might be a problem!

If K-Rod wins the Cy Young because he leads the league in saves, then Ichiro should win the MVP for leading the league in At-Bats.

Jason Giambi is a dork.

IMHO - 8.9.08

So, it looks like Manny may want to be a Yankee next year, maybe for a chance to get back at the Red Sox for the awful way they treated him. They were pretty awful too him, the whole $160M for 8 years really dampened his spirits. What's worse is that they expected him to do his best work. It hardly seems worth it for only $20 Million per year. Then they have the nerve to get mad at him for faking an injury - those knees seem to be working in L.A.

Speaking of $20 Million, Johan Santana is definitely earning his... The Mets owe him something for ruining his shot at a Cy Young, and blowing 6 potential wins for him. Do you realize that if they didn't blow those games he would be 15-7? I get tired of reading all of these stories about what a waste of money he is, and how he isn't living up to the hype. The bottom line is that he is, and the Mets can seem to back him up. A couple of years ago Steve Trachsel won 15 games with an ERA right around 5. At this rate, Johan might not win 12 with an ERA under 3.

The Rays are for real. We are in the middle of August, and they are up by 3.5 games. Two teams will make the playoffs from the A.L. East - and one of them won't be the Yankees. The Yanks starting pitching is a mess - I am not a doctor, but Joba's injury may have had something to do with him being switched to a starter in the middle of the year. Mike Mussina is having a nice year though, and could sure-up his Hall of Fame hopes with a 20-win season.

If they Rays win the division, Evan Longoria should be given strong consideration for MVP. He has 22HR and 71 RBI, and he wasn't even on the opening day roster. He always seems to be in the middle of their wind. MVP voters always seem to look at the playoff teams for candidates. He is the best player on the best team in the A.L. East - and maybe the league.

Jose Reyes is quietly having an outstanding year. People wrote him off with his poor finish last year and poor start this year. He is batting over .300, leads the N.L. in hits and triples, is second in stolen bases, and fourth in runs. If the Mets win the division, maybe he is an MVP candidate?

Speaking of the Mets - I think they should pick up Delgado's option for next year. He will cost $4M if they don't, so to keep him will only cost an additional $8M on top of that to keep him ($12M total). Can they get someone else who can produce for $8M? Probably not... Keep Delgado, spend the money on a big outfield bat. The guy is still hitting.

Are the Cubs really this good? I hope they do not go to the World Series, then what would we talk about? Baseball needs a team to feel sorry for.

Mark McGwire should be in the Hall of Fame. Seriously. He may have been the single biggest reason baseball recovered from the 1994 strike. As a fan, I stopped caring after 1994, and couldn't stop watching McGwire in 1998. We don't know for sure what he did (although some people claim to know), and he was hitting against pitchers who were probably juicing. I am sure he hit against Roger Clemens. His power numbers are outstanding, and he was a hero when baseball needed one. He hit 49 homers in his rookie year, weighing in at 185 pounds - can anyone admit that he just knew how to swing a bat?

The Washington Nationals are pretty bad...

I saw the Houston Astros' fans boo Carlos Beltran the other night. I can see why they would have bad feelings towards him, being as he played there for all of a couple of months - Didn't they know they were just getting a rental? Probably not, mlbtraderumors.com wasn't running then.

Why do the Astros keep looking like buyers? Has no one told them yet that they have no chance - they must not watch Baseball Tonight, or maybe the think they still play in the N.L. West.

That's all for this week.

Leave us some comments and tell us your opinions...

IMHO - 8.2.08

Let's see what's going on in the baseball world today -

So it turns out Manny may have wanted to stay in Boston. Apparently Scott Boras told Red Sox officials that Manny would try real hard if they dropped his option for next year - can't say I am not suprised. I wouldn't be suprised either if Manny's behavior issues were all a part of some devious Boras plan to get the Sox to drop him, and let him sign a new big-money contract somewhere else. Boras was not his agent when he signed with the Sox, this is Scott's chance to make a few more bucks. Although I am sure he is all set with the money he stole from the Dodgers when they took Andruw Jones.

By the way, here is a nice picture of Andruw and Manny together. I think Manny is telling Andruw, "Don't worry, it's ok that you have underproduced and have been a let-down, once they promise you the money, it doesn't matter! Manny was totally clutch last night, grounding in to a double play with no out in the bottom of the ninth, and down by one run... Maybe he would have beat it out if he had a little more practice running hard to first base in Boston. I still think the Dodgers got a good deal...

Did you see the Rays/Tigers game last night? Scott Kazmir struggled, although he only gave up two runs. Whether or not he can go deeper into games will be a factor down the stretch - the bullpen picked him up last night, but it doesn't always work that way. Trust me, I know, I am a Mets fan. Evan Longoria should be the Rookie of the Year, and if the Rays win the division, he should be considered for MVP.

It is very exciting to be a Rays fan these days... I used to live in South Florida and went to Marlins games - absolutely pathetic. I remember going in 1998, when they were playing the Cardinals, with Mark McGwire. I also went that year during the week Mike Piazza was a Marlin - the park was mostly empty. That's hard to believe. I still go down there every so often to see them play, and it is sad. It's overpriced, quiet, and boring. I went to see the Rays last night, and the crowd is excited, the tickets were cheap ($12), parking is free if you have four people in your car, and it was dollar hot dog night. I like the dome - it is always nice and cool - I kind of hope they don't get a new stadium, I like this one!

Speaking of the Mets. Please move Aaron Heilman to the rotation or move him out. I think he has good stuff, he just isn't consistent in high-pressure situations. I know the Mets think his place is in the bullpen, but as a Mets fan, I cringe when he starts to warm up. He has value as a starter. Other teams have wanted him as a starter in the past - why not the Mets? How about this - send Pedro to the pen, he can't pitch deep into games anymore anyway. I'd like to see them keep Heilman around and try him out as a starter. He's much better than Victor Zambrano, and the Yankees are giving him a chance.

Good for the Twins for dumping Livan Hernandez and bringing up Liriano. They are have a good shot to win the Central, and perhaps their best pitcher is in AAA... What took them so long? Besides, I have been holding Liriano on my fantasy team, hoping this would happen.

Adam Dunn's nickname is the "Big Donkey." Interesting...

Barry Bonds is now like that kid at school that no one would pick for their kick-ball team.

Mark McGwire please come back.

My dad wants me to remind everyone that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, and in baseball, and not sitting in a Las Vegas hotel signing baseballs for suckers that pay $100 for another man's signature. I agree, I'll sign your baseball for $5.

When I was 11, Mike Piazza gave me his autograph for free (but my brother stole it, and then I think my mom threw it away... by accident of course. But if I had just cleaned my room like she told me too, she wouldn't have had to clean it for me.).

How about some Kansas City Royals news?

That's all.