EVIL~! alkeiper

Grounds crew is poised behind the tarp in Baltimore. Philly just hit a rain delay, probably the same storm system. Should not last too long, but the storms are fairly strong.

The Rockies and their fanbase. The Rockies are so decimated by injuries, it's hard to blame them much for their recent failures. Few teams can survive the loss of guys like Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe all at once.

I'm surprised it's not mentioned (or just not often) that Ted DiBiase Jr. is actually a THIRD generation wrestler. Both his grandfather and grandmother were professional wrestlers.

I know. It's just frustrating to miss something because I worked that day and wasn't at my computer at noon on a weekday.

Hmm? That 7-1 game going on? Yeah. Embarrassing to whom though? That's my question.

If you want to run down pitchers for giving up runs, you're probably getting too emotionally invested in your sports.

Hmm?

I flipped to ESPN. Derrek Lee worked a 2-2 count and then flied out to right field. Between Erin Andrews' sideline reporting and the announcing, the commentators failed to mention any of it. Do Berman and Sutcliffe realize that they have a job to do besides have a casual conversation on-screen?

I'll jump in. I'm a bit miffed the signup for the wrestlers draft lasted less than six hours.

It's not summer yet. This is why the season needs to start in mid-June, right Czech? Harry Kalas for some reason identified Willy Taveras as "Rickie Weeks." That's pretty embarrassing. The Phils are up 7-0. They need two more runs to tie a 108 year old record for runs scored over a three game stretch. The Phils scored 20 off the Rockies last night so their bullpen is already toast.

The odd man out in Cincinnati is Scott Hatteberg. For the Dusty Baker haters, at least give fair credit that Joey Votto was allowed to win the job at first base. This is going to be an interesting rookie of the year race in the NL. Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Clayton Kershaw and others. Evenings like tonight are fun. I've got a choice between Rockies/Phillies, Yankees/Orioles, Marlins/Mets, Dodgers/Cubs and Indianapolis/Lehigh Valley. That's without an extra innings package.

Rob Neyer in his latest column repeats a point made by a few people online. Over their last 162 games, the Mets have a losing record (79-83). Currently the Mets are ninth in the league in runs scored, sixth in runs allowed. Looking over their club, the biggest problems on offense seem to be lack of production in left field, first base and the bench. Calling up Val Pascucci from New Orleans seems like an obvious move, he's a big right handed power hitter who can fill in all three roles. Here is the entire NL East over their last 162 games. Phillies 92-70 Braves 83-79 Mets 79-83 Marlins 78-84 Nationals 74-88 The Florida Marlins are 30-20, still first in the division. Not to discount them, but they beat up on the Nationals and Brewers (13-2 against those two clubs). They have yet to face the Phillies at all this season. The Marlins really need to play the class of the league before I buy into it.

I really need to take advantage of having ESPNU this year. As usual, I'll root for a local upset, in this case Bucknell U.

Yeah, Reed and the Gang, with Don Muraco making the save and cementing his face turn. Graham made wrestling appearances up for about two more weeks on house shows.

The signing. I can't hold a lack of talent against Patterson, I've lustily cheered lesser players in AAA. With his talent level well established though, the Reds not only gave him a pile of money, they made him the leadoff hitter when several better options existed. If a team gave Patterson a reserve role, he would be a useful player.

I doubt the Orioles will feel pressured to rush a catcher through the minors to reinforce a sub-.500 team. I missed 10-15 minutes of the Phillies/Rockies game, and missed six runs in the process (three apiece). What a waste of time Corey Patterson was.

Taking a look at the A.L.'s top prospects. I wrote this about two weeks ago, so if some information is old I apologize. When I originally developed the list, I neglected to remember that some trades occurred after Baseball America's Prospect Handbook went to press. Therefore the Minnesota Twins and Oakland A's gained new #1 prospects in their organization. The original writeups for the other prospects remain in italics. Baltimore: Matt Wieters, C. Absolutely dominating the Carolina League to the tune of a .355 batting average, .618 slugging percentage. Will likely advance mid-season as he is obviously above the league. Only downside here is how he will hold up behind the plate given his height (he is nearly 6'6"). Boston: Clay Buchholz, RHP. Major leaguer for good, 4.50 ERA is slightly below league average but good for a 23 year old starter. Striking out a little more than a batter an inning. Chicago White Sox: Aaron Poreda, LHP. Jumped to High Class A and is performing extremely well, with low walk and home run totals. Strikeouts are down, but the other peripherals are solid. Cleveland: Adam Miller, RHP. Off the DL and pitching in Buffalo. 2.04 ERA in four starts, still too early to draw many conclusions. Even if he proves himself, he will need to wait for an opening in the big league rotation. Possibly an option for 2009. Detroit: Rick Porcello, RHP. Jumped to High Class A in his debut and while strikeouts are low, he's allowed just one home run in eight starts. Considering he is just 19, this is a very good opening season thus far. Kansas City: Mike Moustakas, SS. Coming around after a slow start in the Midwest League. Still young at 19, but ranking is based more on high school scouting than any production thus far. I think it was a rush to rate Moustakas ahead of Daniel Cortes or Luke Hochevar. LA Angels: Brandon Wood, SS. Minor league numbers this year include a .273 batting average, 8 home runs, and a 29/5 K:BB ratio. Got the call and has yet to hit. Wood has legit power but has failed at every MLB turn as of yet. Still just 23 and can play short and third, so he will have plenty of chances. Minnesota: Deolis Guerra, RHP. Repeating the Florida State League and not doing particularly well, posting a 4.56 ERA with unfavorable peripherals. Control seems to have deserted Guerra. There is more projection than performance here as of yet. I'm not sold. Minnesota: Nick Blackburn, RHP. Not a strikeout pitcher at all, will survive on his ability to keep the ball down. To me, the idea of a 26 year old pitcher with a minor league K/9 ratio of 5.6 being the organization's top prospect is ludicrious. NY Yankees: Joba Chamberlain, RHP. Still dominant in relief, but showing signs of humanity. Oakland: Carlos Gonzalez, OF. Hitting .312 in the PCL. Gonzalez is still a tough prospect to judge because he has never played in an unfavorable hitting environment. His biggest year took place in 2006 in Lancaster, one of the best hitting environments in the country. Solid prospect, but nothing in his overall line screams stardom. Oakland: Daric Barton, 1B. League average OBP, subpar slugging percentage in big leagues. As first baseman, will need to improve to show his worth. Seattle: Jeff Clement, C. As Kenji Johjima was re-upped for three years, Clement's future will lie as the team's DH. Dominant at AAA, Clement just needs to earn playing time yet. Tampa Bay: Evan Longoria, 3B. Will man third base in Tampa for the next seven seasons. Hitting just .211 but showing legit plate discipline and power. Texas: Elvis Andrus, SS. 19 year old already in AA and hitting .271 there. Andrus lacks any kind of power but runs well. Toronto: Travis Snider, OF. Earned a promotion to AA after three weeks with Dunadin. Another case of a batter hitting for a low average but showing plate discipline. .301 career hitter in the minors, Snider is considered one of the best outfield prospects after Jay Bruce.

I can't seem to access Cawthon's site, but WWF ran an injury angle with Superstar Graham not long after, effectively ending his in-ring career.

Fantastic debut so far for Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. 6 innings, 2 runs allowed, one walk and seven strikeouts.

The Seattle Mariners have been absolutely decimated the last five games. They have allowed 9+ runs in each game, including another 12 today.

Honestly, it's like this at most parks.

Kudos to umpire Tim Welke for apologizing about missing Alex Rodriguez's home run last night. That takes some guts.

It has too many artificial quirks, but it doesn't OFFEND me.

Decrease that to 79 XBH's and you can add Alfonso Soriano to the list. 77 will get you a three season stretch for Jeff Kent, and two for Charlie Gehringer. You can add Utley at 75. So really it's cherry picking stats, and of course Uggla still has to do it. Not to discredit his accomplishments of course. The Marlins have some good hitters, but their fielding really suffers for it.

Regarding that fan, it honestly only surprises me that he did not die immediately on impact.