There is never a dull moment when you are a player or a fan of the Chicago Cubs. The latest crazy moment features first baseman Derrek Lee, relief pitcher Angel Guzman, a batting helmet and a celebratory helmet slap.
On Thursday, Lee scored the game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning after Jeff Baker hit a homer with two outs to give the Cubs the lead over the San Francisco Giants. As Lee and Baker entered the dugout, teammates were celebrating.
During that celebration, Guzman greeted Lee with a helmet slap. The problem? The helmet slapped caused Lee to suffer …read more

With a lead of 2.5 games in the NL Wild Card race, the Colorado Rockies very much needed a win on Wednesday against the second place San Francisco Giants. Up 4-0 heading into the ninth inning, the victory appeared to be in hand.
Not so fast.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants began the inning with three straight singles. Eventually, Nick Schierholtz was at the plate with the tieing run at third base. However, Rafeal Betancourt struck out Schierholtz to end San Francisco’s rally.
The Rockies MVP of the game was undoubtedly starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa. He went …read more

Tim Lincecum, arguably the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, will miss his next start due to a lower back injury. Lincecum is suffering from inflammation and spasms on the left side of his lower back.
Obviously, this is potential very bad news for the San Francisco Giants. Although manager Bruce Bochy thinks that Lincecum will be ready after only a couple of days, any type of setback would likely doom the Giants’ chances in the NL Wild Card race.
As it stands, the Giants trail the Colorado Rockies by three games for a spot in the 2009 baseball playoffs. The Rockies …read more

Cole Hamels hasn’t been too impressive this season. After leading the Philadelphia Phillies to the 2009 World Series championship, the lefty hasn’t looked like a champion this season. However, on Tuesday Hamels snapped out of his funk and led the Phillies to a 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Pitching all nine innings, Hamels gave up only two hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. It was his best start of the season and evened his record at 8-8 in addition to lowering his ERA to 4.26. Considering that he was 0-3 in August with a 4.91 ERA, …read more

Randy Johnson has been out of action for the San Francisco Giants since July 6th. Recently, Johnson said that he thinks he can return during the 2009 baseball season — as a reliever.
In his career, which dates all the way back to the 1988 season with the Montreal Expos, he has only ten relief appearances. He last appeared out of the bullpen with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 campaign.
On the season, the Big Unit has an ERA of 4.81 and a record of 8-6. The biggest moment of the season was when the 45-year-old won his 300th game. He …read more

Entering the 14th inning in the contest between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants, there wasn’t much action. The game was 1-1 and the Denver crowd was quiet. But then one of the most exciting innings took place that featured a game-winning grand slam by Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs.
In the top half of the 14th, Eugenio Velez hit a two-run triple and later scored on a ground out. Up 4-1, the Giants had to be confident. But after a bases loaded walk made the score 4-2, Spilborghs hit his game-winning grand slam that ignited a while celebration in …read more

Barry Bonds hasn’t played professional baseball since 2007. He’s facing a federal charges. He’s closer to 50 than 40. Despite all of that, Barry Bonds still wants to play.
Jeff Borris, Bond’s agent, even pointed out the San Francisco Giants as a possible destination for Bonds.
Said Borris to the San Francisco Chronicle: “I know the Giants are dying for power, and they’re in it. They wouldn’t have to look beyond their backyard.”
The chances of the Giants signing Bonds is about the same as the chances that David Eckstein finishes the season with 74 home runs.
Even Bonds’ agent agrees that Bonds signing …read more

To begin the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Roy Halladay will be on the mound for the American League and Tim Lincecum will be on the mound for the National League.
Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays has recently been the subject of trade rumors. Considering how talented he is, that’s of little surprise. On the season, Halladay has a 2.85 ERA, a record of 10-3 and a WHIP of 1.10. He’s on his way to winning 16 or more games for the fourth straight season.
Lincecum is the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. In 2009, he’s threatening to …read more

Randy Johnson, the 45-year-old starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, is headed to the 15-day disabled list. The left-hander has a strained left shoulder.
On the season, Johnson is 8-6 with a 4.81 ERA. He has 80 strikeouts in 91.2 innings. The highlight of his season so far was when he won the 300th game of his big league career. For his career, he has a 303-166 record to go along with a 3.29 ERA, 4869 strikeouts and 4131 innings pitched.
The good news is that the Giants don’t think Johnson’s shoulder strain is a long-term injury.
Said Giants manager Bruce Bochy: …read more

The 2009 baseball season is headed towards the All-Star break. Although there are a ton of teams in the playoff race, here are the teams that are ahead of the pack.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers held on with Manny Ramirez out of the lineup. Now that he’s returned from his suspension, the Dodgers will be difficult to stop.
2. Boston Red Sox
Although they’ve cooled off as late, the Red Sox are the one team no one in the American League wants to see in the playoffs. With their pitching improving, they’ll be a tough out in the postseason.
3. New York Yankees
All …read more