Washington Nationals Nyjer Morgan Fight Goes Japanese
Hilarious as this Japanese announcer goes insane during the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals brawl when Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez delivers a clothesline on Nationals Nyjer Morgan
New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez Drops Scott Boras
Swinger
Having already secured a 10 year $275 million deal New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has dropped Scott Boras as his agent, going with Pittsburgh attorney Jay Reisinger instead. Boras will continue to get a percentage of the deal but will no longer be around for the endorsements. However since Rodriguez’s revelation that he used steroids the opportunity for him to be a spokesman has gone down.
Resinger firm has been handling Rodriguez’s legal and government affairs since February 2009. Resinger also is part of the legal team that represented Sammy Sosa and Andy Pettitte in their dealings with Congress on performance-enhancing drugs. He also represented Rodriguez during his admission to using steroids.
Rodriguez will be 43 when that contract expires.
What Has Gotten Into Washington Nationals Nyjer Morgan?
The summer heat can make people do odd and strange things but what Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan has been putting on display in Major League Baseball the last couple of weeks hovers on the level of crazy. For Morgan it all started to boil over two weeks ago in Philadelphia when he got into a heated exchange with a fan in the stands. When the eight inning came to an end he threw the ball into the crowd and hit a different fan that he was having the heated dialogue with in the face.
MLB handed down a fined and suspended him seven games for his actions which he appealed the suspension and played against the Chicago Cubs later that day. Then came an incident at home plate against the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend. The game well out of reach in the eighth inning for the Cardinals saw Morgan run straight toward St. Louis catcher Bryan Anderson, who had stepped a two feet in front of the plate, and lowered his shoulder for a hockey cheap shot check.
Then came Tuesday night in Florida, in the top of tenth inning Morgan gave Marlins catcher Brett Hayes a season ending dislocated shoulder when he crashed into him at home plate. Hayes hung onto the ball and Morgan was called out. However he was back at it again with the fans in the bottom of the tenth inning once again screaming obscenities at the stands, which is the above video.
The Marlins seeking some kind of on the field justice Wednesday night, took the matters into their own hands and plunked him. Marlins right-hander pitcher Chris Volstad was still on the mound in the sixth inning and threw behind Morgan and that started a bench clearing brawl. Morgan ran out to Volstad and threw a punch to the pitcher’s face, then was clothes-lined by Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez. Volstad got a few shots in on Morgan before Nationals third base coach Pat Listach jumped on the right-hander and held him to the ground. Morgan was ejected and screamed once again at the Marlins fans, pumping his chest in pride as he exited.
I’ve been a Morgan supporter since his rookie year in Pittsburgh and never have witnessed anything remotely close to what we’ve seen from Morgan the last two weeks but these recent actions are quickly ruining his credit report. There’s some serious issues going on in Morgan’s head right now and could cast a shadow over the rest of his career.
Rob Dibble Fired As Washington Nationals Television Analyst
Nasty Boy
Back on August 24, we posted the story of then current Washington Nationals television analyst Rob Dibble basically calling Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg soft and to “suck it up.” Now Dibble has been fired by MASN and the Nationals as the team’s television analyst. Many will point to those comments he made about Strasburg as for the reason he was fired and probably correct in that assessment. However anyone that lives in the Washington DC area or is a subscriber to the MLB package like myself knows he was absolutely no Vin Scully.
The Nationals haven’t named a permanent replacement but have asked Ray Knight, who isn’t a hell of a lot better, till fill in for the time being.
Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard To Appear In HBO’s Entourage
Flip Flip Flipadelphia
This season of HBO’s Entourage has had it’s far share of athletes to appear with even a cameo from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard will be appearing on the season finale on September 12th. No word on what the scene is about but other guest include Christiana Aguilera, Eminem, Drew Brees, Jordan Farmer, and Kevin Love.
In addition to Howard’s appearance on Entourage he and Phillies second baseman Chase Utley shot an episode for perhaps the funniest show on television It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is entering it’s sixth season starting September 16 at 9 PM CST on FX. No word when that episode will air.
little Tommy Signs Autographs For Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders
Already Head & Shoulders Above The Rest Of The Game
The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders where in attendance at a Double AA Trenton Thunder game, minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees, along with Swoop for Football Kickoff Night to sign some autographs. But little Tommy was present and he had his swag on.
After the cheerleaders threw out the first pitch they made their way over to the wall to sign for fans but little Tommy came over and flipped the script instead asking if they wanted his autograph. The cheerleaders didn’t really know what to say, but since they were still holding the baseballs from their pitches little Tommy reached over, took one and started signing it. When little Tommy handed it back, he said, “so can I have your number?”
WTF: St. Louis Cardinals
They Suck
I agree it was that kinda of performance last night for the St. Louis Cardinals as they where shut down by Houston Astros pitcher J.A. Happ and it has been that kind of production of late. But when the team site editor of a major site like MLB.com puts the team on blast then its really hit the fan and I would say is a new low for them this season.
Mark Prior Calls Media Coverage Of Stephen Strasburg Comical & Ridiculous
Sam Bowie Of The MLB
Eleven injuries and eight years since the MLB debut of former big leaguer Mark Prior, who was drafted second overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2001 draft behind Joe Mauer and ahead of Mark Teixeira, has his opinions on the “can’t miss” talk of Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Currenttly with the Orange County Flyers in the independent Golden Baseball League, Prior went on Darren Smith Radio Show in San Diego to discuss what he calls comical and ridiculous media coverage on Strasburg.
On receiving so many requests to comment on Stephen Strasburg’s injury:
“I don’t know why everybody wants me to comment on it. I don’t know why A) I should be commenting on it and 2) where I have become the default, expert would be the wrong word, but the guy to comment on it. Let’s be honest, I think everybody kind of knew and was unfortunately afraid of the outcome. Anytime you are getting a second MRI, you are looking for A) it’s either hope or B) to verify what you thought originally. It’s unfortunate. I’ve seen what’s been said out there. It’s unfortunate that everybody obviously has an opinion out there. It’s comedy to see that everybody’s opinion has changed so much in three months. That’s the unfortunate thing in today’s world and today’s media. You say one thing six months ago and then say another thing and then honestly or at least claim to believe it.”
On if there are similarities between him and Strasburg:
“Not really, besides the fact that we were both college pitchers and both players of the year in college. He was the first pick and I was the second pick. I think that’s where, in my opinion, I think the parallels start veering off course. It’s been ten years since I was drafted. Things have changed so much in the media and the attention and the focus of every little step. Maybe I was just a little naive to what was going on my first couple of years being in that situation… They just needed to let him go pitch. Let him be news in Washington. But I think the national attention got to the point that it was just comical and ridiculous. That’s a lot of pressure on anybody, whether you are 22, 23 years old or whether you are 35, 36. To have that kind of scrutiny day in and day out where you are expected to go out and almost throw a no hitter is just unrealistic basically. I think we’ve said all along that it’s unfortunate that he has to deal with this. But the Tommy John success rate is pretty good and he should be back no problem.”
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista who became the first Major League Baseball player of the 2010 season to reach 40 home runs.
In addition to reaching the 40 home run plateau this week Bautista also carried a .500 batting average. Bautista went 9-21 and had 4 RBI’s. It’s been a surprising year for the right fielder as is previous career high in the home run department never saw more than 16 and now Bautista becomes the first to hit for 40.
Congratulations Jose Bautista you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
St. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa & Albert Pujols Speak At Glenn Beck’s Rally
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa introduced Albert Pujols at this Saturdays “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington DC. The event was organized by Glenn Beck and featured former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Pujols was presented with the “Hope” award for his off-field charitable work. Pujols and La Russa only agreed to be a part of the rally if it was non political event. Sure?
Minor League Manager Has Epic Meltdown
State College Spikes, affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Gary Robinson has a minor league meltdown that onlyWally Backman would not be impressed with. Robinson argues a call, then continues to cover home plate with dirt, steal first base, autographs it and then gives it to a fan. Pretty awesome.
Hair Wars: Hanley Ramirez
What Color Is That Supposed To Be?
Its been awhile since trotting out a Hair Wars post because of laziness and just haven’t been paying all that close attention to athletes domes outside of NFL rookie hazing. But what better way than to revisit an old segment than with Florida Marlins all-star stud shortstop Hanley Ramirez getting beat down by a bottle of peroxide.Time to find the clippers.
(Diss It)
Toledo Mud Hens Offer Up A Chance To Be In Movie With Jose Canseco
Teach The little Tommy How To Do Steroids
Toledo Mud Hens fans, or anyone else stopping by Fifth Third Field, have the opportunity to be in a movie featuring former MLB players Jose Canseco, Ozzie Canseco, Dmitri Young and Gary Sheffield. As well as Hollywood actors Matthew Lillard of Scream, Summer Catch, Scooby-Doo and Dean Cain of Lois & Clark, Hope & Faith, Las Vegas plus Annabeth Gish of X-Files, The West Wing, Beautiful Girls. Even Barry Bostwick of Rocky Horror Picture and Spin City is making an appearance.
The movie is entitled Home Run Showdown and is about a 12-year-old boy who’s determined to play ball in the local Colt league, joins a team of misfits coached by Joey Deluca that competes against other teams for the chance to shag balls in the upcoming Major League Home Run Derby.
Florida Marlins Sick Father Makes 29 Hour Journey To See Son Play
Nice
Logan Morrison a Florida Marlins rookie, hit his first career triple on Wednesday against the New York Mets. Morrison’s father Tom, who is suffering from incurable lung cancer, was there to see his son play in the majors for the first time in person.
Doctors gave him permission to travel to New York City, however he wasn’t allowed to fly so he took a 29-hour train ride from Slidell, Louisiana.
“I know it means a lot to him just to come see me play,” the 23-year-old said. “I know how much it means to him. He told me today it was surreal to see me play.”
Wednesday also happened to be Morrison’s 23rd birthday. He finished 3-5 and scored 2 runs.
Washington Nationals Stephen Stasburg Needs Tommy John Surgery
Real Deal?
Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg will need the dreaded Tommy John surgery. The Nationals held a conference call at 10:30AM this morning to announce that their much hyped right-handed savior will be out for the season and will require elbow reconstruction .
Strasburg was originally placed on the disabled list because of a flexor strain in his right forearm. He had an arthrogram Thursday evening to determine if something is seriously wrong and they found ligament damage in the elbow.
Strasburg hurt his arm on Saturday in an 8-1 Nationals victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Nationals leading, 5-1, and one out in the fifth, Strasburg was facing Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown when on a 1-1 pitch, he grimaced in pain and shook his hurt right arm.
Strasburg will get a second opinion from a doctor in California. If the prognosis is correct and he need Tommy John surgery, Strasburg will miss the rest of this season as well as all of 2011.
Strasburg was the ace of the Nationals’ staff, going 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. He pitched 68 innings and 1,070 pitches and leads the Nationals in strikeouts with 92.
I don’t think I’ve felt worse about a piece of sports news in awhile as I do with this. What a blow to baseball.
New York Yankees & Jay-Z Partner Up To Sell Merchandise
He Is A BUSINESS Man
The New York Yankees and rapper Jay-Z are teaming up in creating co-branded clothes that will be sold exclusively at Yankee Stadium beginning next week. All the items, from baseball caps to T-shirts and hooded sweat shirts, will feature Yankees and Jay-Z logos.
In a news release the Yankees said the attire was created to commemorate the first official concerts at the new Yankee Stadium on Sept. 13 and 14, when Jay-Z and Eminem will co-headline.The shows mark the second half of their “Home and Home” tour, following joint performances at Detroit’s Comerica Park on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4.
The new merchandise will be available at Yankee Stadium from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Atlanta Braves for allowing the Colorado Rockies to come back and win the game after being up by 9 runs and that lead to a series sweep for Jim Tracy’s team.
In Braves manager Bobby Cox last visit to Coors Field he watched his team conduct their most impressive offensive display of the season early in the game, only to witness the Braves exit with a 12-10 loss after building a nine-run, third-inning lead. The Braves biggest meltdown inning was the eighth when pitcher Jonny Venters gave up a four-run inning. Venters issued a pair of walks before Carlos Gonzalez delivered a game-tying, two-run single that was followed by the consecutive RBI singles by Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton off Kyle Farnsworth.
The collapse really started while Jair Jurrjens was still on the mound and allowed seven earned runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. It was fueled by a six-pitch, one-out walk that Jurrjens issued to left-handed reliever Matt Reynolds, who was making his first career plate appearance. Jurrjens exited after allowing an RBI double to Seth Smith in a three-run sixth that was capped by Ryan Spilborghs’ two-run double off Peter Moylan.
The Rockies scored the game’s final 11 runs and limited the Braves to just two hits after the fourth inning. The performance tied a franchise record for largest comeback to victory, matching a nine-run effort on July 4, 2008. In that game, Colorado trailed, 13-4, before coming back to win 18-17.
Jose Canseco Says Steroids Are Overrated
You Did It To Yourself
Former home run king Jose Canseco who hass been right on virtually everything he has said about steroids, and steroid users now is saying the anabolic drugs are overrated. MLB’s first 40-40 man has landed with the Laredo Broncos of the United Baseball League, an independent league. He’s earning $500 a month as a DH and bench coach, and has four homers and 13 RBI in six games, and says he’s doing it without steroids.
“I will prove once and for all that steroids are completely overrated,” the 46-year-old Canseco tweeted.
One of his homers flew a reported 565 feet. Canseco also is campaigning for Hall of Fame voters to quit making steroid use an induction issue.
“Players should be inducted into the Hall of Fame that used steroids because they would have performed great,” Canseco wrote. “Put guys like Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa and Juan Gonzalez in the Hall of Fame. They are baseball and some of the greatest players ever.”
Golden Knights Parachuter Hung Up At Rangers Ballpark
Blame The Midges In Cleveland For This
A member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team got hung up on a flagpole during a jump into the ballpark before the baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers in Arlington last night. No one was injured and the team did an on-air television interview with the Rangers telecast.
The Midges Are Back In Cleveland
The mistake by the lake that is the city of Cleveland has once again awoken the midges who made their famous television appearance back in the 2007 American League Division Series when they swarmed around New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain. That evening the midges could be seen bouncing all over Chamberlain’s neck and face and even coming out of his ears and nostrils.
Being pestered by the midges Chamberlain ended up walking Cleveland Indians Grady Sizemore in the eighth inning. They became such an issue while he was on the mound that he followed up the walk with back to back wild pitches that eventually lead Sizemore to tie up the game. Last night wasn’t October and this time it wasn’t the Yankees but the Oakland Athletics that fell victim to the midges annoying self. Home field advantage wasn’t much the case last night as Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo couldn’t escape it either.
The memo that instructions players that in the event of a midges attack do not resort to OFF! spray never reached the Athletics clubhouse. OFF! actually does the opposite effect and attracts the midges so first base coach Todd Steverson, you might want to bring some Bounce Dryer sheets to the ballpark instead of the OFF! while playing out the next two games in the city that is the mistake by the lake.
Washington Nationals Announcer Rob Dibble Tells Stephen Strasburg “Suck It Up”
Nasty Boy
Washington Nationals current color ananyst and former World Series closer Rob Dibble went on Sirius XM’s MLB Network Radio essentially calling out Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg for being a wimp in his eyes.
“I also look at this from the player’s standpoint, that this is your job. This is what you do. You’re never going to be 100 percent healthy, feel perfect. So you have to take accountability that you’re gonna throw sometimes, your arm’s gonna hurt. You’re gonna be out there on the mound sometimes, the mound is gonna be terrible and the dirt is gonna be a little loose and it might not be so great. You can’t constantly be complaining over every little thing.”
“So for me, a little bit has to be put back on Strasbug here. Ok, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can’t have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow.”
“I mean, excuse me. There’s guys I played with that had screws holding their elbows together. Chris Sabo played two weeks on a broken ankle. I put a steel plate in my wrist so I could be back in five weeks instead of three months. So, this is your choice. You can either suck it up and be a man at 22 making $2 million a year [with] a $15 million contract, or every time you get an ache and pain you can go out of the game and say I’m gonna let down the other 24 guys right here and possibly end up forfeiting the game.”
“They have to think of the long-term ramifications of what they’re doing right now with this kid’s career. As far as this kid? Stop crying, go out there and pitch. Period. This is the major leagues. This is not college any more. You’re not on scholarship. You’re being paid to do the job and guys depend on you, and I think it’s unfortunate that the Nationals and the team are in a situation here where this kid now, he feels any kind of arm pain, he’s gonna call you out? That’s scary to me.”
“You give these guys $15 million bucks, please,” he said. “Get your butt out there and play every fifth day.”
Pitch count? Please! Oh and Dibble while you on your Strasburg rant can you go ahead and kick Lou Pinella ass for me one more time.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Robinson Cano
Robinson Cano
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano for his 4 home run and 13 RBI week.
Cano moving up in the batting order for injured third baseman Alex Rodriguez took full advantage of the opportunity. In 26 at bats for the week, Cano hit safely 10 times and only struck out 6 times. In addition to Cano hitting numbers was that he also drew 6 walks. His final week numbers where 10-26, 4 HR, 13 RBI’s and 8 runs and raising his batting average to .326.
Congratulations Robinson Cano you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
Tampa Bay Rays Mascot Wakes Up Drunk Fan
A fan drank a little too much at the Tampa Bay Rays and passed out in his seat. Security tried several times to wake the fan up but after failing enlisted Raymond the Rays mascots to finally get the job done.
Vin Scully Gets An Introduction To A Mullet
Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully is one of the best and sadly one of the few great ones the game of baseball has left. The other night Scully got his first introduction to a mullet hairstyle courtesy of Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s. Scully being old school naturally thinks of a fish and not NASCAR.
It proves you can teach an old dog new tricks as Vin is 82 and just learned what a mullet is, so I’d say they are wrong.
