The dish on a few teams in Grapefruit and Catcus Leagues that you won't get from ESPN.
Seattle Mariners -
All signs point to a promising season for talented young hurler Felix Hernandez, who has allegedly looked quite impressive thus far in spring training.
Erik Bedard, on the other hand, has looked like quite the tool in his interactions with the spring training media. (Yet again, I don’t have reporters in my face everyday…)
Nonetheless, after a not so ace-like start in a game against the Giants last week, Bedard answered a couple of questions, then told reporters, “This is way too many questions.” Were you confused as to what it was that the reporters were going to be doing, Erik?
At least you have to hand it to the guy - he showed his consistency in interviewing, which is really what you should look for in an opening day starter, if you ask me. Before answering any questions after a good solid, yet short outing against the Angels, Bedard laid out some ground rules.
“You’ve got four questions,” Bedard said. When one reporter asked, “why four?” Bedard responded with “That’s one.”
Erik is sure to become best friends with the reporters using this method of answering questions; a relationship that is sure to grow and flourish should any of the five promising players the Mariners sent to Baltimore have any sort of an impact at Camden Yards.
I think my question for him would be why he spells his name E-R-I-K.
Boston Red Sox -
Some may know of closer Jonathan Papelbon’s displeasure with Red Sox management over a contract agreement, as the closer is only was only paid $425,000 last year and is not in line to receive much more under the collective bargaining agreement that the players association negotiated. My recommendation to the Sox’ Suits to ease this tension and come to an agreement is to allow the closer to dance to Footloose before each of his appearances. No more Michael Flatley impressions! Serving to satisfy Papelbon’s love for dancing like a fool for all to see, a Footloose routine would also serve to confuse opposing batters. Is that….Kevin Bacon?
BARTOLO! I had a rude awakening upon opening an envelope my dad sent to me the other day, as one of the articles he sent included a excessively large picture of the veteran hurler as he rolled into training camp, also seemingly too large. I’m predicting a request on Colon’s to install a phone for fast food delivery in the Fenway dugout. Cheeburger Cheeburger is rumored to be first on his speed dial wish list. All this aside, word is that Colon is throwing extremely well. Please feed the man whatever he wants.
Florida Marlins –
The award for the Confusing yet Moderately Entertaining and Potentially Hilarious Move for the 2008 Season goes to…..Marlins management. All I will say is this: 10 fat men dancing, collectively called the Manatees. I am also forced to use the word “cheerleaders” here as well.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3263289
Atlanta Braves –
People who have read my posts before know that I appreciate a good sports name (ex. Former New Jersey Devil Valeri Zelepukin). The award out of this year’s Grapefruit League is Colter Bean out of the Braves’ camp. Please tell me this kid is from an Idaho farm town. Alabama, you say? That will do.
Crystal ball prediction – Bobby Cox will look older.
San Diego Padres –
Strange and meaningless fact you didn’t need to know: Jake Peavy doesn’t wear a cup. He paid for that decision on Sunday, as a liner off his glove nicked him where the sun don’t shine. Peavy was quoted as saying, “Yeah, I know, I don't wear a cup. Guess I have to start wearing one”….But, hey, I'm done having kids.”
What role do kids play in minimizing the effect a rock sold baseball has on your manhood?
1 comment:
The Papelbon story has been all the rage in Boston media the last couple of days.
Offering the Footloose deal is worth a shot, it can't hurt to try. The thing that gets me about comments like his is this. Baseball players know coming into the league that they have to play three years before becoming eligible for arbitration, and that for those first three years the club may elect to pay them any amount of money at or above the league minimum, which for the 2008 season is $399,000 (last year it was $375,000). If a player, say like Jonathan Papelbon, doesn't like this arrangement, he can go find a real job. Maybe he'll find that making $425,000 a year to play baseball in the Spring, Summer, and Fall isn't so bad, even if you have to take questions from the media. I get two weeks of vacation a year, deal with nitwits and argue with lawyers about money, all for less than $425,000.
That sort of crap is why people hate baseball players and think they are whiny bitches.
Post a Comment