Mlb

Dear readers:

I'd like to begin my blogging on this account by thanking each and every one of you who have taken the time to read my content in the past, and those of you who will do the same in the near future. A special, personal thanks goes out to the readers who have provided me with direct feedback.

Continue reading "Welcome to JFro Sports Journalism"

I want to apologize in advance to the seven loyal Rays fans that were out there before this playoff run.  You guys/gals like myself (Royals fan) are long suffering fans of a moribund franchise until this season.  God bless you and I hope your team does well.

Continue reading "Needs More Cowbell"

My prayers have been answered.  The Boston Red Sox are not in the World Series.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that they lost to the Rays.  I am sick of the Sox fan.  You've had 5 years of winning and 86 years of losing, and you've become more annoying than the Yankee fan.  At least the Yankees have a real tradition of winning.  Show some humility and admit that the Rays were the better team.  It was great to see the Rays win game 7.  They really deserved it.  Aside from the collapse in game 5 they really played great baseball.  Hitting, pitching, and defense were all there. The worst to first season continues into the World Series. 

Continue reading "Goodbye Red Sox"

            A few minutes before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon, Jerry Jones pulled off a blockbuster deal for WR Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions.  Yes, I said “blockbuster”!  Keep in mind that trades are very rare in the NFL…especially at the trade deadline!  The Cowboys gave Detroit a 1st, a 3rd, and a 6th round draft choice.  In return the Cowboys received Roy Williams and Detroit’s 7th rounder.  Did Jerry overpay?  Did Jerry panic?  That would be NO and NO!

Continue reading "The Real Roy Williams"

Well it seems as though the "Devil" in Devil Rays has officially been exorcised.  The Rays win their first playoff game in franchise history on the shoulders of rookie Evan Longoria.

Continue reading "A Little Bit Of H-Evan"

Suddenly it seems as though the Mets won't make the postseason yet again.  After winning again the Brewers now find themselves in the driver's seat and the Mets are on the outside looking in.&nbs

Continue reading "Brewers Hot, Mets Not!"

So are the Yankees the team that floundered through the first half playing 500 ball and who didnt hit with RISP? Or are they the team that won 8 straight and 10 in a row at home, even winning 2 of 3 in Boston and came through with big hit after big hit? Or are they the team that returned the last two nights struggling against the hapless Orioles at home and failing to make big pitches?

Continue reading "Will the real Yankees Please Stand up"

Before everyone writes off this recent trade by the Yankees as a steal and says the Yankees gave up nothing for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte, they should all look at Carlos Quentin. Quentin was cast off the Diamondbacks following last season. He was supposed to be a big time star coming out of Stanford. He began the year as the starting right-fielder and had a dreadful season. He was sent back to minors and fell out of such favor with the orginization that he was sent to the White Sox for almost nothing. Well look now, the change of scenery has made Quentin into the star everyone expected. He is top 5 in homeruns and is one of the main reasons the Chi-Sox are in contention this season. Think the Diamondbacks could use a bat like Quentin this year?

Continue reading "Remember Carlos Quentin"

Taking a look around baseball one thing is clear, younger is better. Baseball is not a game dominated by older, experienced teams. It has become a game that is about youth, athleticism, energy and excitement. This is an extremely exciting time in baseball as there is a brand new fresh crop of youngsters who are taking the game by storm. Every team that is leading their division or contending for a playoff spot has a lot of youth and enthusiasm. They are ready to take the torch from older players like Ken Griffey Jr, Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, and John Smoltz. With players like Jay Bruce, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Hanley Ramirez, Jon Lester, Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Braun, and Evan Longoria the league looks like its in good hands.

Continue reading "No League For Old Men"

As we head into the final week of the unofficial first half of the 2008 season there are a lot of interesting story lines. From the Devil Rays, i mean Rays, and the big moves in the NL Cetral Major League baseball is in a great position.

Continue reading "Good For Baseball"

I have been hearina lot lately that interleague play has run its course. I couldnt disagree more. Major League Baseball is first and foremost a business. Its # 1 goal is to make money and it seems that interleague play is a huge money maker. What National League team doesnt want the Yankees or Red Sox coming to town? I know Pittsburgh sold out three mid-week games versus the Yankees this week. This adds juice to the stadium and it also gets the team pumped up. They can finally play in a sold out stadium that is their own. Watching these games you can see teams like the Pirates or the Rockies last year play in a different gear to try and impress the fans and see how they do versus the best teams.  From a business stand point I belive that Interleague play will be here for a long time.

Continue reading "Interleague Play"

As I sit here and watch Johan shutout the Yankees for first three innings I wonder what it would be like for him to be in the road grey's. Sure it would be nice to have some one of his caliber as a member of the Yankees but I think his performance is season thus far has proven Brian Cashman correct. If the Yankees had traded Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy for Johan Santanna, Yankee fans would be asking for more. I know Hughes and Kennedy have no wins this year but Hughes is only 20 years old and has great potential. He needs time to devlop. I am not sure what Kennedy turns into and I would have definetly been fine with trading him in a deal just not packaged with Hughes. It just wasnt fair for the Yankees to give up prospects and a huge contract.

Continue reading "3 Months into the Santanna Decision"

It has only taken 5 starts for Joba Chamberlain to strikeout the doubters who wanted to keep him in the bullpen. With each start the kid is showing exactly why he needs to be a starter. The team is 4-1 in his starts, 2 of those starts he was greatly handicapped with his pitch count. Many questioned his stamina but he has answered those questions by throwing 97 MPH Fastballs in the 7th inning. People questioned if he has enough pitches, he has shown a plus fastball and slider, an above average curve, and a decent change-up that he can use a few times a game to keep hitters off balance. And as each start goes by he is gaining more confidence in pitches that were shelved as he was in the bullpen. He has shown un believable presence on the mound and he really knows how to pitch. How many 23 year old pitchers get out of a bases loaded nobody out situation with 2 k's and a tag out at the plate. (Ok i realize it was bad base-running but amazing poise for an energetic kid.)

Continue reading "Where are the Calls for Joba to be in Bullpen?"

 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

Continue reading "After winning at home, Cubs continue ..."

After the Cubs had one of their best records in April in 1969, the start of May is starting to resemble the collapse towards of the season in 1969.  In one their toughest weeks this season, nothing looked pretty as the Cubs just won two out six against there NL Central rivals the Brewers and the Cardinals.  In a week that could have seperated them from everyone else in the divison, the Cubs are now looking up towards the Cardinals who now have a 1 1/2 lead over the Cubs.  Lets quickly recap this horrible week the Cubs have endured.

Continue reading "Rough Week for Cubs spells Rough Road Ahead"

  Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis is competing for the final two spots in the starting rotation.  If he does not make the rotation, he would probably end up in bullpen.  In his first start during spring training he went 2 innings, gave up 2 runs, both earned, along with 3 hits.  However, it wasn't his arm that hurt his chances of winning a spot in the rotation.  Rather it was his mouth.  Jason Marquis does not feel he should be competing for a starting job.  He said he signed as a Cub because he thought he would be guaranteed a starter every year.  "That's my ultimate goal, that's how I think I help the team the most. Obviously, we'll see what happens when it's time for them to make their decision," Marquis told reporters.  Marquis was asked how he would feel if he did not make the rotation and ended up in the bullpen. he replied, " As much as I want to be here in Chicago, and I love it, I love the fans and the stadium, I also have a family to worry about, too.  I could take my services elsewhere if that's the case, and I could help another team in that capacity as a starter. My value doesn't lie in the bullpen in my mind."

Continue reading "To Start or To Not to Start: Marquis Sounds off"

          It was as recent as 2004 where Roger Clemens was at top of his game.  It was his first year in the National League while playing for the Houston Astros.  He ended up going 18-4 and eventually went on to win the National League Cy Young Award.  How quickly can things can fall from grace.  In December 13, 2007, Clemens name was listed in the Mitchell Report, which alleged that he had used steroids and HGH during the 1998-2001 seasons.  Ever since those allegations, Clemens has been saying he was falsely accused with his lawyer Rusty Hardin backing him up.  Even under oath in front of federal investigators and the Supreme Court, he kept to his story that he never did take HGH or steroids.  What a horrible decision that would later be for him.

Continue reading "Legend of the Fall"

As we enter this new baseball season, there is nothing better to do than predict what will happen this year.  Below are my predictions of each divison of what the final standings will be.  I also posted what the playoff picture will be and who will be the World Series Champ

Continue reading "2008 Baseball Preview: Final Standings"

As spring training finally arriving, it marks the beginning of new bright season of baseball.  Fantasy baseball owners are scrambling on what player they should own and fans are wondering if their players will deliever for them.  Below I have picked the top players at each position for the American League, who will lead at what category, who will win the awards, and who are the flops.  Enjoy!1B Justin Morneau2B Robinson Cano3B Alex Rodriguez or Miguel CaberaSS Carlos GuillenC Joe MauerOF Tori HunterOF Grady SizemoreOF Magglio OrdonezUTIL David OrtizSP Josh BeckettSP John LackeySP Justin VerlanderCLOSER Jonathon Papelbon

Continue reading "2008 Major League Baseball Preview: ..."

http://thesportspoint.blogspot.com/2008/02/all-mackey-sasser-team-catcher-mike.html

For an explanation on what it takes to be a member of the All Mackey Sasser Team please go here. The first position we have selected to start filling out our squad will be the position of the legend himself, catcher.

Continue reading "All Mackey Sasser Team: Catcher - Mike LaValliere"

http://thesportspoint.blogspot.com/2008/02/mlb-needs-season-to-begin.html

Things continue to get uglier with Major League Baseball as the latest Congressional hearing is being called a waste of time. California Democrat Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said that the session probably did not need to take place.

Continue reading "MLB Needs Season to Begin"

http://thesportspoint.blogspot.com/2008/02/all-mackey-sasser-team.html

When I was growing up Mackey Sasser, a catcher for the Mets from 1987-95 and later for the Giants, was one of those baseball cards no one wanted. So of course when you rushed to open your new pack of baseball cards inevitably you would end up with at least one Mackey Sasser card for every two packs you opened. As a result Mackey was used as a throw in for some of the most legendary baseball card trades ever transacted in my neighborhood.

Continue reading "The All Mackey Sasser Team"

http://thesportspoint.blogspot.com/2008/02/john-rocker-to-bud-selig-kill-yourself.html

Former Braves pitcher John Rocker is back on our radar after making a number of strong statements and accusations on an Atlanta radio station Monday.

Continue reading "John Rocker to Bud Selig: Kill Yourself"

http://thesportspoint.blogspot.com/2008/01/advertisements-on-jerseys-on-horizon.html

The Red Sox announced recently that they would be wearing an EMC Corp. logo on the sleeve of its jersey during the team's opening series with the A's in Japan. According to the Sports Business Daily, the deal will likely cost EMC a six-figure fee.

Continue reading "Jersey Advertisements on the Horizon?"