Two years ago Francisco Liriano was it. At least, he was it if you asked a Minnesota Twins fan, and while his 37 major league starts may not be too many to judge on, I’m going to judge anyways: Liriano is a bust. That’s not to say he was always a bust — after 2006 he was “the shiz”, as the kids say. Unfortunately, having reconstructive surgery on your throwing elbow can have a hell of an effect on your throwing. Don’t believe me? Ask Mark Fidrych. Of course, Fidrych’s story is one of tragedy and human error on the part of the doctors who never found the torn rotator cuff. A cosmic case of “what the deuce?” if I ever heard of one. Regardless, coming back from any major surgery on your throwing... [Read more]

If you haven’t heard this gem, get this: Joe Girardi has banned candy, ice cream, and any other kind of sweets from any Yankees consumption. Why? Why the hell not! According to reports (and there are more than a few), Girardi has contacted every major league team on the Yankees 2008 schedule and asked them that any ice cream or candy machines be removed from the visiting team locker rooms before the Yankees arrival. You know what my issue is with this, besides my unwavering love for 3 Musketeers? There have been more than a few players who were, to be kind, disgusting who have flourished in the Major Leagues. In fact, Babe Ruth himself was nothing short of a glutton who would eat the equivelent of an entire thanksgiving dinner before... [Read more]

By the time I came of age to realize what was going on in the world around me, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner had pretty much become docile. I wasn’t lucky enough to be able to experience Steinbrenner in all of his pre-ban glory. It is for this reason that I am thankful for Hank Steinbrenner, and all his douchebaggery. Hank Steinbrenner has only been the guy for a few months, and already I’m sick of him, from his crackpot conspiracy that ESPN is run by Red Sox fans, to his lovely little reminder to the rest of Major League Baseball that the Yankees are paying money to the rest of baseball. Now, only three weeks into the season good ol’ Hank is demanding that Joba Chamberlain get into the starting rotation — a move... [Read more]

If you don’t live in or near Toronto (or listen to six hours of ESPN Radio a day, like I do) then I won’t blame you for not knowing that the Toronto Blue Jays released 19-year veteran Frank Thomas after yet another early season slump. People around baseball, as well as Toronto Blue Jay fans, are split on whether or not releasing Thomas was a good idea… well… okay, maybe not Blue Jays fans, but many analysts are split on the idea. So, being the all around decent guy I am, I’ll present both sides to the argument to you. Good: Frank Thomas is washed up! Sure he hit 26 home runs last season, but he only hit .277! “The Big Hurt”? Yeah, no kidding. 10-for-60 (.167) and 13 strikeouts sure as hell makes ME hurt,... [Read more]

Look, I love watching a baseball game go into extra innings as much as the next guy, but last night’s affair with the Padres and Rockies was just ridiculous. Last season I sat through every pitch of a Tigers/Yankees game that lasted until 3:32am EDT, after starting at 11:00pm the previous day. That game was preempted by a rain delay. So what’s your excuse? After 21 painfully boring innings (nobody scored until both teams scored in the 14th), Troy Tulowitzki finally put the Rockies over the top, and I finally went to bed. You know who I feel bad for? San Diego. After playing 22 innings against the team that knocked them out of the playoff hunt last year… they lose. At home. After the game, the Padres had to get on a plane... [Read more]