Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Dusty Baker & Johnny Cueto
Dusty Baker & Johnny Cueto
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker and starting pitcher Johnny Cueto for playing the blame game argument after being snubbed for this years all-star game. Every year a few deserving players are snubbed but Baker believed Tony La Russa left Cueto and second baseman Brandon Phillips off the National League squad because of a brawl between his team and the St. Louis Cardinals in August 2010. Cueto is 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA, fourth best in the NL and neither were candidates in MLB’s “Final Vote” program. However Reds players where not totally left out as first baseman Joey Votto was selected as well as La Russa selecting outfielder Jay Bruce and closer Aroldis Chapman.
Cueto did offer this explanation as to why he thought he didn’t make the team:
“I thought the way I pitched this year, I’d have a chance to go to the All-Star Game. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if the manager of All-Star Game is (ticked) at me because I went out with one of his girlfriends.”
Aroldis Chapman Arrested For Driving 93 MPH
Cuban Missile
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman was arrested after he was caught driving 93 mph in Grove City early Monday, police said.
Police said Chapman, 24, was pulled over after he was recorded speeding in a black 2010 Mercedes S63 about 12:42 a.m. Monday.
Chapman was arrested after the officer discovered he had a suspended Kentucky driver’s license, according to a police report.
Chapman was cited for speeding and driving under suspension. He was released after posting bond. He was expected to appear in court on June 6.
Cincinnati Reds Aroldis Chapman & Pepto-Bismol Make Cinco de Mayo Commercial
Pepto-Bismol has already publicized their partnership with eating champion Joey Chestnut, and the gastro-relief continues its athlete endorsement role with a new Aroldis Chapman spot. Cincinnati Reds Chapman gets into the Cinco spirit by matching his top pitch speed to obliterate a liquid filled pinata.
MLB Predictions
Est. 1869
What’s lies ahead in the 2011 Major League Baseball season, well no one knows for sure but Opening Day is upon us and it’s time to roll out a few predictions. I can only hope to match last year when I picked the San Francisco Giants to win it all and then right before the World Series started calling it over in five games, which had a few local industry folk laughing at the gesture cause it was against their beloved Texas Rangers.
If you happened to listen to our live show a week ago then you already heard a few of these but a few have been added before today’s first pitch. So here I go (wish Calvin Casey and Rudy J would have participated).
Enjoy opening day, enjoy the season. I know I will.
American League East winner:
Boston Red Sox
American League Central winner:
Chicago White Sox
American League West winner:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
American League Wild-Card winner:
New York Yankees
American League Pennant winner:
Boston Red Sox
National League East winner:
Philadelphia Phillies
National League Central winner:
Cincinnati Reds
National League West winner:
San Francisco Giants
National League Wild-Card winner:
Milwaukee Brewers
National League Pennant winner:
Cincinnati Reds
American League Surprise team:
Detroit Tigers
American League Disappointing team:
Tampa Bay Rays
National League Surprise team:
Pittsburgh Pirates
National League Disappointing team:
St. Louis Cardinals
American League Rookie of the Year:
Kyle Drabek, Toronto Blue Jays
National League Rookie of the Year:
Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
American League Manger of the Year:
John Farrell, Toronto Blue Jays
National League Manager of the Year:
Dusty Baker, Cincinnati Reds
American League MVP:
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox*
National League MVP
Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
American League Cy Young Award:
Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
National League Cy Young Award:
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
*indicates changed from on-air pick
Cuban Lefty Aroldis Chapman Signs With Cincinnati Reds
As Good As Advertised?
The Cincinnati Reds have signed Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. Now I subscribe to the religion of baseball but I’m not going to speak on Chapman’s talents since I’ve only seen him once with my own eyes and that came in this past years World Baseball Classic. What I will speak on is what this signing gives the Red, another young arm. The Reds already have All-Star pitcher Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Homer Bailey locked up on the mound for years. To add another young arm in left-hander Chapman, even if it takes two years for his understanding of big league hitters,it can bring Cincinnati baseball back hope of looking like the Big Red Machine era.
Chapman’s, who is said to be 22, contract with Cincinnati is a six-year deal with $30 million with the sixth year being an option year for Aroldis worth $5 million and a $15 million signing bonus.
Chapman, a 6-foot-4, 180-pounder, defected on July 1 of last year when Cuba was participating in the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He later established residency in Andorra and petitioned Major League Baseball to be granted free-agent status. According to scouts, Chapman’s fastball has been clocked at 102 MPH.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels, Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox were also among the most interested after 15 teams showed up in Houston on December 15 to scout Chapman at a private workout.
