MLB - NEWS & NOTES

The latest on LaRoche - Hahn and Ventura were fine with Drake in the clubhouse. Williams made the call and said nope, not happening. Not sure how I feel about it now. It sounds like there were not previous conversations about this. I still don't think having the kid with 100% is a good idea to try to do your job, and LaRoche underperformed badly last year.

 

I think (and I'm not alone) that Piscotty a better offensive player right now than Heyward. Full years of him and Grichuk are an upgrade.

Holliday didn't stay healthy last year, so how's that worse if he gets hurt again?

Peralta had 4 extra base hits after the all-star break, again I don't see this as getting worse production than last year. If anything I could argue this is a blessing is disguise because he won't run out of gas.

I'm very confident in our pitching staff. Waino has only had 2 injuries in his career, one of which was last year, so basically he's an addition. Wacha and Martinez are still very young and should be improving. Garcia is back, same as last year. Basically we replaced Lynn and Lackey with Waino and Leake, again I see this as an upgrade.

 

I know some will disagree with me, but I'm all for individual rights. If you wanna dip, then dip. It ain't hurting anyone but you.

 

They do a lot of legislating against stuff... funny thing is, you can still get shitfaced drunk.

$$$CashMoney$$$

*DRINK*

 

Soler homers as Cubs beat Diamondbacks 15-4

MESA, Ariz. (AP) ? Jorge Soler hit a two-run homer off Archie Bradley, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-4 at spring training on Thursday night.

Soler capped Chicago's five-run first with a drive to right-center for his second spring homer. He also had a run-scoring double in the third.

Chicago right-hander Jason Hammel struck out six while pitching four innings of one-run ball. He allowed five hits and walked none.

"There were a lot of first-pitch hacks on heaters and they were seeing heaters," Hammel said. "I made the adjustment after the second inning and started throwing off-speed early and it worked out pretty well."

Bradley was charged with six runs in 2 1-3 innings.

 

Pelfrey goes 5 scoreless innings as Tigers beat Cards 5-4

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) ? Miguel Cabrera hit his third homer of the spring and Mike Pelfrey pitched five scoreless innings for the second straight time to lead the Detroit Tigers past the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Thursday.

JaCoby Jones and Nate Schierholtz also homered for the Tigers.

Pelfrey struck out three and allowed three hits in his fourth start of the spring. He lowered his ERA to 1.17.

"I feel good," said Pelfrey, who came to Detroit as a free agent after making 30 starts with Minnesota last season. "My goal was to come down here and build arm strength and endurance, but I am really not paying attention to the (shutout) streak. I just want to make the rotation."

The Tigers are set at the top of the rotation with Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and newcomer Jordan Zimmerman. The last two spots could go many ways, but Pelfrey and Daniel Norris are considered the leading candidates. Matt Boyd and Shane Greene, both established major league starters, are also in the mix.

Manager Brad Ausmus said he isn't making any decisions yet with two weeks left in spring training.

Pelfrey was 6-11 with a 4.26 ERA last season with the Twins.

 

I agree with that ban. How would you like to step in that crap? Or your wife and kids? I never figured out how a wife can kiss a husband or boyfriend that chews that crap? They banned it where I used to work and it was a foundry with all basically men.......

 

It's no worse than stepping in dog shit in the park behind my house but I don't want them to ban dogs from the park.

 

Hello, Havana: Historic Cuba trip begins

When it came to its relationship with the United States, the island nation of Cuba used to be shrouded in mystery. But this week, with the help of the great game of baseball and President Barack Obama, it'll be the site of long-awaited history.

Baseball and diplomacy get marquee billing in Cuba this week. An American entourage of Major League royalty, including Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Dave Winfield and Commissioner Rob Manfred, will join Cuban MLB legends, including Luis Tiant, in celebrating the repaired relations between the two countries with a long-anticipated exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team at 2 p.m. ET Tuesday in Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana.

And they'll all join Obama and the First Family from the seats as they witness a diamond display of friendship, goodwill toward humanity and maybe even a few tape-measure home runs. For the first time since Calvin Coolidge did it 88 years ago, a sitting American president is visiting Cuba. And for the first time since the Baltimore Orioles played a similar exhibition vs. Cuba in 1999, an MLB team is taking the field there once again.

"We're extremely excited as a group to be a part of this process in the sense where we're part of something that's historic for both countries," Rays ace Chris Archer said. "We're looking to mingle and experience the culture of a place where we haven't been able to travel freely for a while.

"It's really just a great baseball tradition that's there, extremely knowledgeable fans that don't get to see Major League Baseball on a regular basis."

The new tradition will get off to a vibrant start on Monday morning. After a Rays contingent that includes owner Stuart Sternberg, manager Kevin Cash and players Archer and Evan Longoria gets things started with a news conference at the luxury high-rise Melia Cohiba Hotel, Manfred, MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark, Cuban Baseball Federation president Higinio Velez and Commissioner of Baseball Cuba Heriberto Suarez will follow at the podium to discuss this historic meeting. Cuban National Team players Victor Mesa, Yosvani Torres and Yorbis Borroto will then take questions before the Rays hit the Estadio Latinoamericano field for a workout.
Garcia set to lead Cuban team against Rays.

On Monday at the ballpark, the Cuban legends will start the late-morning program and will be followed by Torre, Winfield, Jeter, Tiant and Cuban-born former MLB star Jose Cardenal. After that, Rays coaches and Cuban and MLB legends will conduct a kids clinic at Desa Baseball Field before the Cuban team works out.

The Obamas, Hall of Famers Torre and Winfield, Yankees icon Jeter and the rest of the MLB entourage won't be the only baseball luminaries on hand. Cuban baseball greats Orestes Kindelan, Omar Linares, Pedro Lazo and Antonio Munoz also will hold court during a slew of news conferences on Monday.

Tiant, a three-time All-Star during his 19-year Major League career, and Lazo, who pitched for Pinar del Rio of the Cuban National Series from 1997-2009 and won two Olympic gold medals and two silvers, are scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitches on Tuesday, and a six-man crew comprised of Cuban and Major League umpires will work the game.

(By Doug Miller / MLB.com)

 

report now is some of the white sox complained about laroche's kid being in the lockerroom to ken williams. wow. so much for that.

 

When I was 13 or so, we were walking into a restaurant and some guy (college age) spit and it landed right on my mom's pants. It was so disgusting. I've worked with guys who chew in an office setting and it is as gross as someone who smokes (my husband is a smoker). They keep bottles on the desk as spittoons and I just wanted to puke every time I was going over stuff with them at the computer. Nasty stuff.

That said, I think this impacts visitors worse than the Cubs. The Cubs will get use to playing without chew. The visiting teams will have to go without for the 3 or 4 games they are in town.

Like smoking, it is legal. Everyone is all oh we want to prevent cancer, but then they go and sell alcohol. Really? Because alcohol won't kill you too? (Full disclosure it did kill one of my BILs 18 months ago).

I don't have a point. Just rambling thoughts on it.

 

People with tabacco habits need to respect others. Im a user and go out of my way to not bother others who dont use. It's just the right thing to do.

Ive lived through hundreds of games without a smoke or chew... but out in the parking lot, watch out lol. I would never even bother anyone there either to be honest. I just have respect for others.

 

CBS has the Cards at #1........Cubs at #2........and the Bucs not far behind at #3

Locke was on the mound the other day and I could of swore I heard he gave up 5 HRs? I'm going to go back to last year and say they need to get rid of him. His new pitching style is for the birds also. He is nothing but a bullpen pitcher to clean up a game when it's out of hand!

 

people dipping at an office? never seen that before. in college a ton of my buddies did it as many were baseball players. dip cups filled their dorm rooms and it was gross.

how can you go to any restaurant and spit chew on the floor, let alone someone's pants? what audacity, disrespect and rudeness!

 

I would put money on it visiting players will still do it. It's pretty easy to conceal either in the dugout or by switching to SNUs. Plus its a state law, not an MLB rule, so what's gonna happen? The cops really going to come on the field?

 

andre either out 10-14 weeks with a broken fibula.

dodgers catcher grandel hurt now too.

guys dropping like flies.

 

Games of March 22, 2016


Twins 7 @ Phillies 5
Blue Jays 16 @ Tigers 1
A's 5 @ Angels 6
Rangers 5 @ Padres 17
Red Sox 0 @ Marlins 3
Braves 7 @ Astros 8
Dodgers 1 @ Royals 3
Giants 7 @ White Sox 8
Cubs 9 @ Reds 6
Brewers 5 @ Rockies 6
Mets 3 @ Yankees 6
O's 1 @ Twins 5

 

A-Rod says he plans to retire after 2017 season

VIERA, Fla. (AP) ? Alex Rodriguez says he plans to retire from baseball after the 2017 season, when his $275 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees expires.

The 40-year-old slugger, fourth the career home-run list with 687, revealed his intentions Wednesday during an interview with ESPN. His plan was confirmed by spokesman Ron Berkowitz.

"I won't play after next year," the three-time AL MVP was quoted as saying by ESPN. "I've really enjoyed my time. For me, it is time for me to go home and be Dad."

Rodriguez is 75 homers shy of matching Barry Bonds' career record and likely would be unable to reach it unless he plays into 2018. Also ahead of him are Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755).

"He's going to be 42 at the end of his contract. You don't see players playing really past that age. I'm not surprised," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Wednesday night's exhibition game against Washington

But Girardi said this may not be Rodriguez's final decision.

"I think he's allowed to change his mind," the manager said. "With his love of playing the game and competing, if he had two really good years, I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind."

 

Joe Garagiola, ex-player turned glib broadcaster, dies at 90

PHOENIX (AP) ? Joe Garagiola, who turned a modest major league catching career into a 57-year run as a popular broadcaster in the sports world and beyond, died Wednesday. He was 90.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced his death before their exhibition game against San Francisco, and there murmurs of shock and sadness at the ballpark. Garagiola had been in ill health in recent years.

Growing up in the Hill neighborhood of St. Louis not far from future Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Garagiola went on to hit .257 during nine years in the majors. His highlight came early, getting a four-hit game in the 1946 World Series and helping the hometown Cardinals win the championship as a 20-year-old rookie.

"Not only was I not the best catcher in the major leagues, I wasn't even the best catcher on my street," Garagiola once remarked.

But it was after he stopped playing that his fortunes took off. He thrived as a glib baseball broadcaster and fixture on the "Today" show, leading to a nearly 30-year association with NBC.

Garagiola won baseball's Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting in 1991. He kept working well into his 80s, serving as a part-time analyst for Diamondbacks telecasts until he announced his retirement in February 2013.

"He had a genuine impact on the craft. He was among the first to bring a humorous, story-telling style to the booth," NBC announcer Bob Costas said.

Garagiola's son, Joe Jr., is a former general manager of the Diamondbacks and a current executive with Major League Baseball.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this amazing man," his family said in a statement, "who was not just beloved to those of us in his family, but to generations of baseball fans who he impacted during his eight decades in the game."

"Joe loved the game and passed that love onto family, his friends, his teammates, his listeners and everyone he came across as a player and broadcaster. His impact on the game, both on and off the field, will forever be felt."

Commissioner Rob Manfred said "all of us at Major League Baseball are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Garagiola."

"Joe began illustrious career as a baseball player, but it wasn't long before everyone knew that this unique individual would combine his multi-talented media skills and wonderful personality to make a mark off the field as well," Manfred said.

Manfred also praised Garagiola for being a leader in baseball's fight against smokeless tobacco.

The Cardinals signed Garagiola after rejecting Berra at a 1943 tryout. The two remained lifelong friends, with Berra often the good-natured subject of Garagiola's wit. Berra died last Sept. 15.

When both men entered retirement communities a few years ago, Garagiola recalled a phone conversation with Berra.

"I said, 'How's it going, Yog?'" Garagiola said, "and he said, 'It's all right, but geez, they've got a lot of old people here.'"

Garagiola played for the Cardinals, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. He broke in with the Cardinals, joining a powerful team led by the great Stan Musial. Garagiola got four hits in Game 4 of the 1946 Series against Boston and batted .316 overall as St. Louis beat the Red Sox in seven games.

Garagiola broke into broadcasting in 1955 as a radio and television analyst for the Cardinals. He spent 27 years at NBC and was paired with Tony Kubek as the lead broadcast team from 1976-82 and then with Vin Scully from 1984-88. He was 62 when he left on Nov. 1, 1988, when his contract expired. He broadcast Angels home games on TV in 1990.

He didn't limit his talents to sportscasting.

Garagiola was a co-host of the "Today" show from 1969-1973, working with Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs, and again from 1990-1992, working with Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric.

"God I'll miss Joe Garagiola. Was part of the soul of our show, and told me stories that made me laugh till I cried. Hall of fame person," tweeted "Today" host Matt Lauer.

When he stepped down from hosting in 1992, he continued as a "Today" correspondent at large, doing sports and human interest stories. Garagiola also stepped in on occasion to host "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," including a 1968 show featuring guests John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Garagiola's work as a commentator for the Westminster dog show helped inspire Fred Willard's daffy character Buck Laughlin in the mockumentary "Best in Show."

"One of the world's good guys," said his longtime Westminster broadcasting partner, David Frei. "He loved the game, of course, but he loved life. That's why he was so well-loved everywhere he went, including the dog show."

Garagiola is survived by his wife of 66 years, Audrey, sons Joe Jr. and Steve, daughter Gina and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at an unspecified date in his hometown of St. Louis. A memorial service also will be held in Phoenix.

 

TENDER TULO

The Blue Jays will see how shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is feeling, a day after he was hit in the right hand by a pitch from the Mets' Bartolo Colon. Toronto said X-rays were negative and that Tulowitzki is day to day with bruised knuckles.

"It's swollen a little bit and he cut it up a little bit, too," manager John Gibbons said. "It's a sensitive area, hands and all that."

HOMER HAPPY

Andrew McCutchen has homered five times in seven games for Pittsburgh. His latest shot came against the Orioles, and the former NL MVP and the Pirates are set to play them again in their next game.