cubfan33
07-14-2002, 10:50 PM
Bud Selig isn't as scary as George Bush. If you don't think so, read this. Just to be sure, here's the URL: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/14/1026185141232.html
That said, Bud Selig is pretty scary. If he didn't deserve it, I'd almost feel sorry for him. He's taken an inordinate amount of abuse. He says it's the system, but as Commissioner, he should know he is supposed to be the public face of baseball. That's one scary face he's got. Fay Vincent piled on this week with some pretty cogent comments, though Vincent is far from impartial. Rumors that the Tigers have hired the same firm that handled the bankruptcy for the Tigers abound. I like this rumor, even if not true. It gives me hope that someone like Mario Lemieux could pop up for baseball. Peter Gammons' latest column outed the rumor I teased on Friday - baseball insiders and owners are looking for ways to get rid of Bud. Several owners have approached Sandy Alderson, according to sources, about becoming "CEO" of baseball and eliminating the post of Commissioner entirely. The best take I've seen this weekend is Gary Huckaby's from BP - always a great read and usually right, Gary has hit the nail on the head with his latest column.
Want a response from me on the current take some players have about drug testing the media? Fine. I get to talk about performance enhancing drugs within the scope of my knowledge because when I played, I was drug tested. While I understand and accept that players are bound by the policies of their union and that many would volunteer to be tested, I'll gladly sign a waiver allowing the NCAA to release any and all records of drug tests I took during my playing days.
Trade rumors still flying as they will be until the deadline - Kenny Rogers for Tim Redding may be on hold with an injury to Redding in today's game, but the listing of "abrasion on knee" doesn't fly for me. The Astros often use a little creative wordplay on their DL - remember when Shane Reynolds went on with "right leg weakness" just before back surgery? - and this could either be masking a larger injury or protecting Redding from injuring himself while the specifics of a trade are worked out. What have I heard this weekend? The Diamondbacks are playing Yankees, looking to buy any player possible, from a third starter to a catcher (more on this later). Several teams were scouting the Rangers this weekend in Minnesota and may have been looking at half the team. The Mike Hampton deal appears dead for the Rangers, but the Rockies may yet send him to the Cards. The Sox and Mets are denying talks about Mo Vaughn and the Mets say they've never tried to deal Robby Alomar. Ok, whatever. If Ricciardi sends Jose Cruz to the Giants and gets two players, including pitching prospect Jerome Williams, he'll have done as well as Billy Beane has ever done in a trade. Jim Bowden is always active and may get Orlando Hernandez from the Yankees for recently called up 3B Brandon Larson. Is Larson being showcased as the Yankees become disenchanted with Drew Henson? Maybe. Fred McGriff to the Braves for Marcus Giles? Maybe, if the Cubs think Giles can be a credible future third baseman and if the Cubs will take some salary on in return.
OK, enough of all that. The injury news is what you come here for, right?
The Red Sox need everything Manny Ramirez can give them to stay in the race with the Yanks and right now, it's not much. Manny is still unable to grip the bat as he would normally and his finger is not healing any further. Obviously, the only way to let it heal is rest, something the Sox can't afford to do right now ... unless they can bring in another big bat to cover the time off.
The Angels run is helped by having a solid closer. I won't go into all the reasons that closers are overrated - I'll leave that to every sabermetrician in the world - but Troy Percival is percieved to be much more valuable than he actually is. However, with both he and Al Levine, the Angels bullpen leaks like a sieve. Percival is suffering from an odd infection inside his ankle, near his achilles tendon. Until the antibiotics kick in, Percival will be unable to pitch.
Royals star first sacker Mike Sweeney is suffering from back spasms and may need a few days off. The problems are muscular and reportedly began at the ASG. While the problem isn't as serious as some have made it sound, Sweeney will need some time off and treatment.
Good news, bad news for the Cardinals. They got J.D. Drew back in the lineup, but one candidate for their rotation is done for the year. After being examined by Jim Andrews, Rick Ankiel is being shut down. The problem in his elbow is non-surgical and reports are that the ulnar collateral ligament is frayed, but not completely torn. (Grade II). In addition, there's some weakness where the ligament attaches to the humerus (bone in the upper arm) which may be the source of the pain.
The Braves should get Mark DeRosa back later this week and the roster moves they'll make are unclear. One option is putting Greg Maddux on the DL retro, skipping one start, and delaying any decision a few days, allowing time for trades.
Joe Mays looked great in rehab and our sources indicate that the program Lewis Yocum put him on after their consultation has made a world of difference. Mays should be back for the Twins late this week. Some reports have it as late as next Saturday, July 20.
Rusty Greer is headed back to the DL, back to Arlington for a meeting with a back specialist, and it's his back that's the problem again. The likely treatment now will be surgical in nature, so consider Greer done for 2002. Gabe Kapler should be activated this week from a rehab assignment.
Rockies catcher Bobby Estallela attempted to play with pain, but is unable to be effective and is headed to the DL. The Rockies won't get Jason Kendall after the Pirates asked for a top prospect in addition to taking on Denny Neagle, but they are looking at cheap backup options to go along with Gary Bennett. Josh Paul of the White Sox is one name they like, while Angel Pena of the Giants would come cheaper. The Cubs offered Todd Hundley for Neagle and Ben Petrick, but were turned down.
Next report tomorrow will be on Fox, so be sure to check it out.
That said, Bud Selig is pretty scary. If he didn't deserve it, I'd almost feel sorry for him. He's taken an inordinate amount of abuse. He says it's the system, but as Commissioner, he should know he is supposed to be the public face of baseball. That's one scary face he's got. Fay Vincent piled on this week with some pretty cogent comments, though Vincent is far from impartial. Rumors that the Tigers have hired the same firm that handled the bankruptcy for the Tigers abound. I like this rumor, even if not true. It gives me hope that someone like Mario Lemieux could pop up for baseball. Peter Gammons' latest column outed the rumor I teased on Friday - baseball insiders and owners are looking for ways to get rid of Bud. Several owners have approached Sandy Alderson, according to sources, about becoming "CEO" of baseball and eliminating the post of Commissioner entirely. The best take I've seen this weekend is Gary Huckaby's from BP - always a great read and usually right, Gary has hit the nail on the head with his latest column.
Want a response from me on the current take some players have about drug testing the media? Fine. I get to talk about performance enhancing drugs within the scope of my knowledge because when I played, I was drug tested. While I understand and accept that players are bound by the policies of their union and that many would volunteer to be tested, I'll gladly sign a waiver allowing the NCAA to release any and all records of drug tests I took during my playing days.
Trade rumors still flying as they will be until the deadline - Kenny Rogers for Tim Redding may be on hold with an injury to Redding in today's game, but the listing of "abrasion on knee" doesn't fly for me. The Astros often use a little creative wordplay on their DL - remember when Shane Reynolds went on with "right leg weakness" just before back surgery? - and this could either be masking a larger injury or protecting Redding from injuring himself while the specifics of a trade are worked out. What have I heard this weekend? The Diamondbacks are playing Yankees, looking to buy any player possible, from a third starter to a catcher (more on this later). Several teams were scouting the Rangers this weekend in Minnesota and may have been looking at half the team. The Mike Hampton deal appears dead for the Rangers, but the Rockies may yet send him to the Cards. The Sox and Mets are denying talks about Mo Vaughn and the Mets say they've never tried to deal Robby Alomar. Ok, whatever. If Ricciardi sends Jose Cruz to the Giants and gets two players, including pitching prospect Jerome Williams, he'll have done as well as Billy Beane has ever done in a trade. Jim Bowden is always active and may get Orlando Hernandez from the Yankees for recently called up 3B Brandon Larson. Is Larson being showcased as the Yankees become disenchanted with Drew Henson? Maybe. Fred McGriff to the Braves for Marcus Giles? Maybe, if the Cubs think Giles can be a credible future third baseman and if the Cubs will take some salary on in return.
OK, enough of all that. The injury news is what you come here for, right?
The Red Sox need everything Manny Ramirez can give them to stay in the race with the Yanks and right now, it's not much. Manny is still unable to grip the bat as he would normally and his finger is not healing any further. Obviously, the only way to let it heal is rest, something the Sox can't afford to do right now ... unless they can bring in another big bat to cover the time off.
The Angels run is helped by having a solid closer. I won't go into all the reasons that closers are overrated - I'll leave that to every sabermetrician in the world - but Troy Percival is percieved to be much more valuable than he actually is. However, with both he and Al Levine, the Angels bullpen leaks like a sieve. Percival is suffering from an odd infection inside his ankle, near his achilles tendon. Until the antibiotics kick in, Percival will be unable to pitch.
Royals star first sacker Mike Sweeney is suffering from back spasms and may need a few days off. The problems are muscular and reportedly began at the ASG. While the problem isn't as serious as some have made it sound, Sweeney will need some time off and treatment.
Good news, bad news for the Cardinals. They got J.D. Drew back in the lineup, but one candidate for their rotation is done for the year. After being examined by Jim Andrews, Rick Ankiel is being shut down. The problem in his elbow is non-surgical and reports are that the ulnar collateral ligament is frayed, but not completely torn. (Grade II). In addition, there's some weakness where the ligament attaches to the humerus (bone in the upper arm) which may be the source of the pain.
The Braves should get Mark DeRosa back later this week and the roster moves they'll make are unclear. One option is putting Greg Maddux on the DL retro, skipping one start, and delaying any decision a few days, allowing time for trades.
Joe Mays looked great in rehab and our sources indicate that the program Lewis Yocum put him on after their consultation has made a world of difference. Mays should be back for the Twins late this week. Some reports have it as late as next Saturday, July 20.
Rusty Greer is headed back to the DL, back to Arlington for a meeting with a back specialist, and it's his back that's the problem again. The likely treatment now will be surgical in nature, so consider Greer done for 2002. Gabe Kapler should be activated this week from a rehab assignment.
Rockies catcher Bobby Estallela attempted to play with pain, but is unable to be effective and is headed to the DL. The Rockies won't get Jason Kendall after the Pirates asked for a top prospect in addition to taking on Denny Neagle, but they are looking at cheap backup options to go along with Gary Bennett. Josh Paul of the White Sox is one name they like, while Angel Pena of the Giants would come cheaper. The Cubs offered Todd Hundley for Neagle and Ben Petrick, but were turned down.
Next report tomorrow will be on Fox, so be sure to check it out.