I plan on getting back on track with this, among other things. Will you be able to keep up? (Probably, because I'm a slow white dude. Bengie Molina could outrun me.)
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I know I'm late to the party, but the fact that Joey Votto is not gaining votes for the All-Star game is an atrocity. I know it's only May and voting goes on for another six weeks or so, but I'm not saying this because I'm a Reds fan. I'm saying this because the numbers don't lie.
Albert Pujols, St.Louis Cardinals - 165 AB, 25 R, 50 H, 8 HR, 29 RBI, .303 AVG
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies - 177 AB, 28 R, 53 H, 8 HR, 32 RBI, .299 AVG
Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers - 166 AB, 28 R, 45 H, 7 HR, 19 RBI, .271 AVG
James Loney, L.A. Dodgers - 173 AB, 28 R, 51 H, 4 HR, 28 RBI, .295 AVG
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros - 103 AB, 10 R, 24 H, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .233 AVG
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies - 177 AB, 28 R, 53 H, 8 HR, 32 RBI, .299 AVG
Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers - 166 AB, 28 R, 45 H, 7 HR, 19 RBI, .271 AVG
James Loney, L.A. Dodgers - 173 AB, 28 R, 51 H, 4 HR, 28 RBI, .295 AVG
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros - 103 AB, 10 R, 24 H, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .233 AVG
Now, for Mr. Votto:
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds - 166 AB, 29 R, 51 H, 10 HR, 33 RBI, .307 AVG
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds - 166 AB, 29 R, 51 H, 10 HR, 33 RBI, .307 AVG
Need I say more?
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What happened in yesterday's White Sox-Indians game is an absolute disgrace to the game of baseball.
In case you missed it, veteran umpire Joe West was making the calls at first base yesterday at Progressive Field. He called White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle for a balk in the bottom of the 2nd inning on a pickoff attempt, the same pickoff move that the lefty has used throughout his career. After the runner advanced to 2nd base, Buehrle said something to West from the pitcher's mound. West, who was standing about 20 feet behind 1st, began walking towards the mound and was yelling at Buehrle. This caused the candid White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to emerge from the dugout to defend his starting pitcher, and rightfully so. West proceeded to eject Guillen from the game. Guillen took out his lineup cards and threw them on the warning track in front of the White Sox dugout before leaving for the clubhouse.
Just one inning later and with a runner on 1st base, Buehrle made the same pickoff move. West called Buehrle for a balk again. In disgust, Buehrle tossed his glove to the ground. Within three seconds, as Buehrle picked up his glove, West ejected Buehrle from the game. Buehrle tried to talk with West, but Buehrle was held back by 2nd base umpire Angel Hernandez. Meanwhile, West stood on the edge of the grass up the 1st base line with his arms crossed while bench coach Joey Cora talked with him, wanting nothing to do with the disqualified player.
After this, West needs to be not only fined but suspended. To try to instigate a player to keep talking so he could be ejected and then eventually tossing him because he rightfully disagreed with an absolutely terrible call is a shame. It's a shame to Mark Buehrle, Ozzie Guillen, the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and all teams in Major League Baseball.
Most of all, it's a shame to Joe West.
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Really, really looking forward to the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 is Saturday night at 8:00.
Mainly, I am excited because I have been rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers since the days of the Legion of Doom. But this should be one hell of a series. The Chicago Blackhawks are on a roll after sweeping the top-seeded San Jose Sharks and the Flyers were on the brink of elimination but have since won 8 or their last 9 games for the chance to play for the most coveted prize in hockey.
Niemi and Leighton. Toews and Richards. Blackhawks and Flyers.
This is gonna be fun.
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That's all I have for now.
Oh, and I'm graduating on June 12. Blame the University of Cincinnati. Or Dusty Baker. Or Mick Cronin. Whatever your preference.
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