OK, we could all see that one coming…

Did I say that the 8 game layoff would be a buzz-kill for the Rockies?  Jeez.  Two years in a row the team with the longest (Rockies) and 2nd longest (Tigers) layoffs in history go down rather quickly.  It’s just that you have to give the team with the shortest time from their high of winning the Championship Series the edge when it comes down in such lopsided fashion.  It’s just a major factor when there is such a huge difference in time such as the 8 game layoff vs. the Sox 3 game layoff.

Enough of that — Congrats to the Red Sox.

What I cannot stand is a Mr. Alex Rodriguez.  What the hell is with this guy?  Does he think he’s bigger than the game (yes)?  Boras talks to Ken Rosenthall and tells him that A-Rod is opting out.  I know why he did it….national stage and all of that, but jeez.  How classless can you be?  Can’t wait until today to let everyone know?  Thanks for trying to hog the spotlight you selfish bastards.

Continuing with Yankee news, Donnie Baseball is no longer with the Yanks.  Mr. Yankee himself has taken his ball and gone home.  He didn’t get the job and has let the team know he won’t be back as a coach next year.  That leaves Joe Girardi as the club’s new manager.  Good luck, Joe….you’re going to need it!  Hope you get Posada and Mo back…otherwise you might have some trouble next season!

Met news….Nope, nothing yet.

 
Met Killer, Yadier Molina

Well, in the most boring World Series in recent memory, the Cards win in 5 games.
How bad could that Detroit team look?  Nice job with the errors record….lookin’ good!

OK, on to spring training….when do pitchers & catchers report?

I had a feeling this layoff would kill any momentum Detroit had by beating the Yanks & sweeping the A’s.  I thought they’d be ripe for the picking.  Good job, Mets — that could’ve been you…
I’m still holding out hope that they can come back and stop the Cards.  It’s going to be tough, especially away from home.  Because it’s like Dorothy said….
There’s no place like home…There’s no place like home.

Kenny Rogers has never really been known as a nice guy.  He has a certain dislike for camera men, that’s for sure.
His resurgence has fans and batters alike scratching their heads.
Until yesterday.

IT was noticed by the Cardinal dugout and shown on TV.  What was IT?  According to Rogers “It was a big clump of dirt, and I wiped it off.”   Not many people are buying that, though.  ESPN has gone through much of their video archive and found instances of the ‘dirt’ on Kenny’s hand in all of his post season starts as well as several regular season outings.  According to the rules, if a player is caught on the mound using an illegal substance, that player is to be suspended for 10 days, thereby eliminating Roger’s start in game 6 (if necessary).  During the inning, someone had alerted the Detroit dugout to the images being broadcast to America at which time it appears Kenny was alerted to wash off his hand.  At that time any evidence would have been removed from the palm of his left hand.  However, Rogers pitched so well, even after his hand had been cleaned in the second, as to hold the Cards scoreless.

Was it pine tar?  I guess we’ll never know as the scrutiny of Kenny and his hand will certainly prevent him from trying to throw his ‘dirt’ ball again.  I am not so concerned about the nature of the substance on his hand as I am the new found velocity!  Kenny Rogers, who generally maxed out at around 88 mph, is now throwing at around 93 mph.  How could that be?  Is it just a new found ‘let it all hang out’ type of approach or something more?

What do you think?