Bruiser Chong

He wasn't getting the benefit of close pitches in the first, either. I must say I enjoyed seeing the battle Pierre just put Ponson through. There were games last year when Corey Patterson wouldn't see that many pitches in a game. Jacques Jones still doesn't have a batting average.

Braves fans and the organization itself seem to look at things rationally, though. Yanks get out the gate poorly and the boss is releasing threatening statements on a bi-daily basis.

A's almost show why the defensive indifference can bite you in the ass. Two of those, some walks, and a stupid error by Huston Street made what should've been an easy 9th in a 6-1 game, a nailbiter 6-4 contest with the Mariners having the tying run at second.

No, it wasn't that way last season. And in a brilliant move, the Marlins opt not to walk Wright in the bottom of the ninth of a tied game with runners at the corners and no outs. Needless to say, the Mets won.

You mean it doesn't feel like five months since the company started milking his death for all it was worth? When Rey Mysterio's wrestling and in trouble, an Eddie chant breaking out isn't probably a great thing.

Don't you mean SMARTBALL~!? This is going on everywhere, it's the new sexy because of the White Sox and because steroids are no longer being used by anyone (hehe) that homeruns are suddenly going to stop being hit so everyone has to resort to manufacturing runs. Actually I flipped on the Padres/Rockies game very briefly and the Rockies announcer essentially said the above about homeruns, this coming after an 11 run first inning. I felt my brain leak out of my ear a little after this. No "smallball" is a term that's been around for years. It means a general game strategy of not relying on home runs and slugging. "Smallball" would include things like the bunt & run, sacrifice flies and grounders, base stealing, etc. Instead of hammering base runners in with power, you're using speed and contact hitting to move the base runners, if that makes sense. ... Uh, yeah, that's what he's talking about. He said "smartball," because that's what that genius Ozzie Guillen calls it. We know there's more than one way to win a baseball game. I don't see why so many suddenly think every team in the bigs should be laying down bunts, stealing bases, and all that. Some teams just aren't built like that. It's foolish to try and force your team to be something they aren't. I complain that the Cubs are too impatient and don't score enough with RISP and less than two outs. But that doesn't mean I want to see Aramis Ramirez laying down a bunt to get Derrek Lee over to third. Square peg, round hole and all that.

Which is absurd, what with it being April 9th and all.

I love how the Yankees fans are already in panic mode.

I didn't see the game, but listening to the postgame show, you would've thought they lost. I got back in town shortly after the game and listening to the way they were talking about their poor play, I thought for sure they'd lost. Describing the happenings (i.e. missed cutoffs, not scoring with RISP with less than two outs), it didn't sound like they deserved to win, but hey, against the Cards, I'll take it. I'll also give them the benefit of going against Chris Carpenter today and thus, not scoring when situations arose. The longball isn't a problem, really. It's just the Cubs have mainly hit solo shots in recent vintage. I've got no issue if guys like Lee and Ramirez are going yard with a guy or two on base.

So when do people start dubbing the Tigers the team to take the Central? I'm amazed by their start (although maybe I shouldn't be, considering their opponents), but I don't think it'll hold. Chris Shelton is indeed amazing, though.

More Dodgers funs: Eric Gagne needs surgery again.

Maybe I'm alone, but I love Frank. He's not the greatest manager or a particularly good one, but his intensity at times is a spelndid visual treat.

Of course I leave the room for two minutes and come back to see a ruckus brewin'!

I wouldn't. Pujols is just a machine. Even his outs make your heart drop most times. Rolen's return is like a big trade that didn't really happen. Edmonds will probably continue his regression, but with Pujols and Rolen in there, everyone around them instantly becomes better.

Joe Morgan rants about how he thinks you should always walk the eighth hitter to get to the pitcher with two outs and RISP. The Mets do that and Ramon Ortiz winds up hitting a dribbler to Pedro, who throws it away and we're tied at two.

Streak's over and the Cards sweep to boot. I'm sure the sky is falling in Philly, despite the Cards being the most complete team in baseball.

But he's made more than an out or two with RISP during postseason play, so he must suck, right?

Yanks fans, allow me to introduce to you, Mr. Kyle Farnsworth.

Tell that to the NY papers. It was the on the front page yesterday. Hence it being manufactured "controversy."

Well, uh, that was some very Wendell Kimesque basecoaching on Texas' part.

Well, it's only the third day of the season. There's still another week of the grace period for bitching and whispers of beheadings start circulating about something baseball-related.

It is absolutley ridiculous that Wagner has kept using Enter Sandman. That is RIVERA'S song. Even though Wagner's been using it for a decade? If Mariano was traded to Philly I'd say the same thing to him. You do realize how absurd this entire manufactured "controversy" is, right? NY's so damn petty. Anyway, it's the new Mets (Wagner, Julio, and LoDuca) that are causing all the problems the last two innings.

For some reason, I can't see Leena using the phrase "Georgia peach" on her own.

It is absolutley ridiculous that Wagner has kept using Enter Sandman. That is RIVERA'S song. Even though Wagner's been using it for a decade?

Mets fans must think more booing will be what turns Beltran around.