Smoakhouse Forum Major League Baseball http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:39:53 -0500 60 http://www.smoaky.com/images/utility/smoakyrss.gif http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103419


(by Chris Haft | MLB.com)

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

SAN FRANCISCO -- From now on, when Tim Lincecum steps onto the pitcher's mound, he'll stand alone in more ways than one.

Many pitchers have recorded more victories and strikeouts than Lincecum. Several have received more Cy Young Awards. None, however, thrived to the extent that he has during a career that has been as brilliant as it is brief.


On Thursday, Lincecum became the only pitcher to capture the Cy Young Award in each of his first two full Major League seasons. The San Francisco Giants right-hander was named the National League's repeat winner Thursday in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"It's a tremendous honor for me," said Lincecum, 25. "To be up there and do what I've done means the world."

Lincecum made history in one of the closest Cy Young votes ever. In balloting that assigned five points for a first-place vote, three for a second-place vote and one for a third-place nod, Lincecum totaled 100 points and 11 first-place votes. He edged St. Louis' pair of prolific right-handers, Chris Carpenter (nine first-place votes, 94 points) and Adam Wainwright (12 first-place votes, 90 points).

"I almost jumped out of my window," Lincecum said, describing his reaction upon receiving the news. "Maybe not [literally], but I had to go to the window to take the call."

Lincecum's six-point victory matched the third-closest election in the NL since the ballot expanded from one to three pitchers in 1970. The 10-point margin among the top three vote-getters was the second closest in NL voting. In 1987, Philadelphia reliever Steve Bedrosian edged Chicago's Rick Sutcliffe, 57-55, while Rick Reuschel, who pitched for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Giants that season, finished third with 54 points.

Lincecum (15-7, 2.48 ERA, 261 strikeouts) triumphed despite recording the lowest victory total for a full-season starter by a Cy Young winner. The previous low was established in 2006 by Arizona's Brandon Webb, who finished 16-8, and was matched only Tuesday when Kansas City's Zack Greinke (16-8) won the AL Cy Young Award.

Lincecum's victory total not only tied him for fourth in the league with seven other pitchers but also represented a dip from last year, when he went 18-5 and joined 1967 Cy Young recipient Mike McCormick to become only the second Giant to win the award. Much like this year, Lincecum earned 23 of 32 first-place votes despite finishing four victories behind Webb.

Though Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA, 212 strikeouts) led the league in victories and Carpenter (17-4, 2.24 ERA, 144 strikeouts) was tops in ERA, Lincecum's superiority in more esoteric statistical categories was believed to have influenced voters in his favor.

"You can see where it's taken a turn to complete numbers," Lincecum said, referring to the evolving thought process of Cy Young electors.

Wainwright became only the second pitcher to garner the most first-place votes and not win the award. In 1998, Atlanta's Tom Glavine collected 11 first-place votes to 13 for San Diego's Trevor Hoffman but amassed the most points, 98-88, and took home the trophy.

That's partly why Lincecum called himself "lucky" to win the award. "Both the guys I was going up against had tremendous seasons," he said, calling Wainwright a "workhorse" and praising Carpenter's speedy comeback from injuries.

Lincecum is the first pitcher to win consecutive Cy Young Awards since Randy Johnson, a Giant in 2009, won four in a row with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1999-2002. Other back-to-back winners include Pedro Martinez (1999-2000), Roger Clemens (1997-98 and 1986-87), Greg Maddux (1992-95), Jim Palmer (1975-76), Denny McLain (1968-69; he shared the honor in the latter year with Mike Cuellar) and Sandy Koufax (1965-66).

Lincecum clearly improved overall upon his first Cy Young season. He trimmed his ERA by 0.14. Opponents hit .206 off him this season, compared to .221 in 2008. After walking 84 in 227 innings a year ago, he improved to 68 walks in 225 1/3 innings this season.

The NL's starter in this year's All-Star Game, Lincecum led the league in strikeouts for the second year in a row, the first Giant to do so since Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson (1907-08). Lincecum also topped the NL with 26 quality starts while ranking second in ERA and opponents' batting average and third in innings. He tied teammate Matt Cain for the league lead with four complete games and joined four other pitchers atop the NL list with two shutouts.

Lincecum led the Major Leagues by making seven starts in which he worked at least eight innings and didn't allow an earned run. Greinke recorded five such outings. Carpenter and Wainwright had four and three, respectively. Lincecum's eight double-digit strikeout performances, highlighted by his 15-strikeout effort July 27 against Pittsburgh, represented another Major League best.

Lincecum topped Wainwright and Carpenter in several other statistical categories, including opponents' batting average, strikeouts per nine innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

At the conclusion of a nationwide conference call, Lincecum read a statement expressing contrition for being cited earlier this month for possessing a small amount of marijuana and a smoking pipe in his car in Clark County, Wash. County prosecutors and Lincecum reached a standard plea agreement, but he must appear in court in Vancouver, Wash., on Dec. 22.

"I made a mistake and regret my actions earlier this month in Washington," he said. "I want to apologize to the Giants organization and to the fans. I know that as a professional athlete I have a responsibility to conduct myself appropriately both on and off the field. I certainly have learned a valuable lesson through all of this and I promise to do better in the future. In the meantime, I am focused on preparing for the 2010 season."




Cy Young Award winner in consecutive seasons
Tim Lincecum NL 2008-09
Randy Johnson NL 1999-2002
Pedro Martinez AL 1999-2000
Roger Clemens AL 1986, 87, 1997-98
Greg Maddux NL 1992-95
Jim Palmer AL 1975-76
Denny McLain AL 1968-69*
Sandy Koufax MLB 1965-66

* In 1969, McLain shared the honor with Mike Cuellar.



]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:36:21 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103419 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103373
nl- jim tracy


this makes twice that the rangers were snubbed at awards. how did washington not get this? after he wins the west next year will they give it to him? how about justin smoak the roy? guess we'll see.]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:11:23 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103373 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103355


(by Dick Kaegel | MLB.com)

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

KANSAS CITY -- Zack Greinke won again on Tuesday -- this time taking the Cy Young Award as the American League's best pitcher -- and he did it in a landslide.

The Royals' right-hander received a rousing 25 of 28 first-place votes and had 134 total points in the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting. Runner-up Felix Hernandez of the Mariners had 80 points, with two first-place votes.


The remaining first-place vote went to the Tigers' Justin Verlander, who was third in the balloting with 14 points. Also receiving votes were the Yankees' CC Sabathia (13) and the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay (11).

Hernandez, Verlander and Sabathia all were 19-game winners, and there was the suggestion that Greinke's 16-8 record, a rather modest win total for a Cy Young winner, might override his Major League-best ERA of 2.16. But that did not happen.

Greinke thought Hernandez, who was 19-5 with a 2.49 ERA, would get more support.

"I was really surprised at that," Greinke said. "I thought Felix had an amazing year and that he would get a little more credit than he did with that. Everything was fantastic with him, and I thought it'd be closer than it was between the two of us."

Certainly, there was no argument that Greinke was one of the most dominating pitchers of 2009 in either league. His performance and his award brightens what was a disappointing season for the Royals.

"Zack Greinke has always been a potentially tremendous talent, and we were all fortunate to watch him perform this past year," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He was everything that he and all of us expected him someday to be."

Greinke becomes the third Cy Young winner in club history. Bret Saberhagen won in 1985 and 1989; David Cone won in 1994. Cone was the only other starter to win the AL award with as few as 16 wins, and he did it in a strike-shortened season. Brandon Webb (2006) was the last starter to win the National League award with so few.

"It's a great tribute to Zack and who is he is as a person and everything that he's had to battle through," Moore said. "It's a great story."

Sure is. Greinke emerged from the shadow of a social anxiety disorder that took him away from the game for two months in 2006. He worked his way back to the Royals with a tour in the Minors that year and spent most of 2007 laboring in the KC bullpen. Back full force in 2008, he made 32 starts with a 13-10, 3.47 season that set the stage for this thunderous year.

Among other accomplishments, Greinke struck out 15 batters and threw a one-hitter in back-to-back outings in August as he headed toward a strong finish. He was 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA in his final 11 starts.

He attracted Cy Young notice from the beginning, winning his first six starts with a 0.40 ERA. Only legendary pitchers Walter Johnson (1913) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981) had done that with lower ERAs.

"I don't really know how it happened," Greinke said. "It started off real good, and I'm sure there was a lot of luck going at the very beginning of the year when I had a good streak of not giving up any runs. ... It just really helped my confidence. I started to really believe I could do good things."

Greinke's strong getaway was helped by the development of a changeup, a pitch that successfully augmented his sizzling fastball and devastating slider. That was a Spring Training project that Greinke attacked with his usual single-minded zeal. Never mind that he got hammered in some exhibition games.

"He knew a changeup would make him better and he stuck with it," pitching coach Bob McClure said. "As the season progressed, it got better and better and better. He got more movement with it, it was much more comfortable. He was throwing it in all different counts."

Looking back on the season, Greinke said having the right mind-set on every pitch and being ready for every situation gave him an optimum mental outlook.

"I felt like if I just didn't make mistakes and beat myself, then the results were going to end up being good by the end of the year, and I feel like I did that as well as I possibly could," he said.

There's no doubt that Greinke could have won 20 or more games with a bit more help. For one thing, the bullpen blew four leads after he'd left the game. For another, the Royals didn't score many runs for him. In the 17 starts in which he took a loss or no-decision, the Royals scored a total of 37 runs for him, just 2.2 per game, including only 15 runs in the eight losses (1.9).

Even so, he stood tall.

"If a player is going to win an award, you always have to look at whether or not he was dominant," Phillies scout Gordon Lakey said, "and, in his case, he was certainly dominant. You put him on a team with the offense the Yankees had or you put Sabathia on a team that doesn't have a lot of offense, the record would probably just be the opposite. [The Royals] just didn't score a lot of runs for him, but he had the ability to win close games even when they didn't score, especially early in the season."

Earlier, Greinke was named as the AL's top pitcher by the Sporting News, the Players Association and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. At midseason, he was the Royals' only player in the All-Star Game and pitched a perfect inning in the AL's 4-3 victory.

Among other things this season, Greinke went through his first four starts and 29 innings before giving up an earned run and through his first 83 1/3 innings before giving up a home run.

Greinke credited his teammates, notably catcher Miguel Olivo, who handled almost all of his starts.

"I had a lot of help this year," he said. "Our team played real good behind me, and I could tell that every game they came 100 percent ready to play and were focused to do as good as they could to help me out, because they saw how serious I took it and they were serious behind me. And Olivo did a fantastic job with me all year, we had a good bond together."

Olivo, however, is now a free agent and likely will end up on another team, a possibility that Greinke accepts.

"I loved him and we had a great relationship, but that's baseball," he said.

Greinke's 242 strikeouts, second in the AL to Verlander's 269, included the club-record 15 on Aug. 25 against the Indians.

Then, in his next start at Seattle, came a one-hitter flawed only by a second-inning single. Greinke mowed down the last 22 Mariners he faced.

That made him just the fourth pitcher in history to follow a 15-strikeout game with a one-hitter, matching Pedro Martinez (1999), Randy Johnson (1998) and Vida Blue (1971).

His ability to command his pitches, moving the ball in and out, up and down with pinpoint accuracy, and to vary his speeds was phenomenal.

"Not many guys command the fastball and throw the ball as hard as he does and yet be as comfortable throwing a 60-mph fastball as a 95-mph fastball," said Lakey.

There was one big scare for Greinke. On Sept. 17 at Detroit, he was drilled by a fourth-inning line drive just above his precious right elbow. But he finished five shutout innings before going for X-rays (which were negative) and made his pitching coach extremely proud.

"I'll tell you what -- that's a gamer right there," McClure said.

Greinke didn't miss a start and pitched six scoreless innings against the Red Sox in his next outing.

What Greinke did so well this season was to develop the knack of reading hitters and feeling what they were all about. It goes beyond just firing away.

"Too many guys are just throwing it and not paying attention to what the hitter is doing or what he did previously on the last swing and they don't feel the hitter," McClure said. "He's starting to feel the hitter, and I think we're just seeing the top of the surface of what he's going to be able to do."

That, of course, was part of Greinke's maturing process, which was as noticeable in the clubhouse and the dugout as it was on the mound. He became more outgoing in a marked change from his earlier years.

"Zack was just super shy and didn't want to have a relationship with anybody," teammate David DeJesus said. "And then last year, he started morphing into a person who would take a chance and go out of his way and do something [with] someone. And then it came to this year when he was just a different person. He was playing cards and having fun. He was up on the [dugout] fence talking to guys in between his starts. It just seemed like he was having a fun time at the field. ... The anxiety [was gone]."

For Greinke, still just 26, there's another big event coming up on Saturday. He and longtime sweetheart Emily Kuchar will be married in Orlando, Fla.

"Emily's doing all the work, though, pretty much," Greinke said. "I just have to show up and, hopefully, it'll be fun."

On Tuesday night, he's getting both families together for a dinner. Now they have an extra reason to celebrate, a Cy Young Award.

"I didn't think about it," Greinke said. "We haven't had a chance to all get together for the wedding stuff, so I guess we could kind of take care of that, too."
]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:41:57 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103355 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103314 Kevin Appier no
Andy Ashby no
Dave Burba no
Ellis Burks no
Andres Galarraga no
Pat Hentgen no
Mike Jackson no
Eric Karros no
Ray Lankford no
Barry Larkin yes
Edgar Martinez yes
Fred McGriff yes
Mark McLemore no
Shane Reynolds no
David Segui no
Robin Ventura no ( unless they put him in a headlock on nolan ryan's plaque)
Fernando Vina no
Todd Zeile no
4 out of 19 guys. 2 for sure first ballot guys in alomar & larkin. martinez great dh. mcgriff was our generations jim rice.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:22:55 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103314 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103302

(by MIKE FITZPATRICK | AP Sports Writer)


NEW YORK (AP)—Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan won the National League Rookie of the Year award in a close vote Monday.

Coghlan edged Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, receiving 17 first-place votes and 105 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Happ, the only player picked on all 32 ballots, had 10 first-place votes and 94 points.

“It’s very exciting,” Coghlan said. “I couldn’t have written it better.”

Coghlan dug himself out of an early slump and had a superb second half. Emerging as pesky leadoff hitter for the Marlins, he batted .321 with nine homers and 31 doubles in 128 games. He scored 84 runs and drove in 47.

Called up from the minors in May, the 24-year-old Coghlan topped NL rookies in batting average, runs, hits (162), total bases (232) and on-base percentage (.390). He became the third Florida player to win the award, joining shortstop Hanley Ramirez (2006) and pitcher Dontrelle Willis (2003).

“At the end of the year I knew that I put myself in a good position to win,” Coghlan said.

A second baseman in the Minors, Coghlan was with Triple-A New Orleans this year when the Marlins told him they wanted to try him in the outfield.

He played one Minor League game in left—without getting a fly ball—and then was brought up to the Majors. He finished the season with five errors.

“A lot of people think I’m pretty bad out there. But I think it’s an adjustment,” Coghlan said. “I have confidence playing the outfield. It was a situation I embraced to get me to the big leagues the quickest and to help the team win games.”

Happ’s versatility was a huge plus for the Phillies, who won their second consecutive NL pennant before losing to the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The left-hander went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 35 games, including 23 starts. He led NL rookies in innings (166), strikeouts (119) and complete games (three).

Atlanta pitcher Tommy Hanson finished third in a competitive field with two first-place votes and 37 points. Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who came in fourth, also was chosen first on a pair of ballots. Milwaukee infielder Casey McGehee received the other first-place vote.

“When you get up there’s so many different aspects to the game. … It takes a while to get comfortable in a routine,” Coghlan said. “In the second half, things turned around and it all ended well. In the beginning it wasn’t as easy as it was at the end of the year.”

]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:57:44 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103302 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103279
Again, I suppose Andrus' prospects for gathering the R.O.Y. award are pretty slim, but what a future he has.]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:20:11 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103279 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103090 http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/john-we...tal-issue/#cont
http://cbs11tv.com/local/John.Wetteland.Ar....2.1309057.html


My prayers are with John. He helped my Yankees, and he helped the Rangers. I hope that everything turns out okay for him.]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:55:32 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=103090 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102963 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/1034778...-Ichiro-get-9th]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:26:05 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102963 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102891 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_leagu...?urn=mlb,201086]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:43:46 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102891 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102886 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:14:55 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102886 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102596
Randy Johnson was the closest pithcer at that time, to Glavine, with wins at somewhere in the mid 280's and battling a back injury was out on surgery for that problem. Plus Randy was like 44 years old....I think.

Well Randy got well and joined the 300 club this summer.

Now everyone is saying it again......"Randy is The Last One"

What do ya think? Will Randy be the last pitcher to earn 300 career wins?]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:42:14 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102596 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102576
No surgery was needed and he is expected to be ok!

Thought Ranger fans would find this interesting!]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:58:47 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102576 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102558


(by T.R. Sullivan | MLB.com)


ARLINGTON -- Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is expected to be named the Rangers' next hitting coach. The Rangers have not made a formal announcement, but club officials have indicated that it could come in the next day or two.

Hurdle would replace Rudy Jaramillo, who turned down a one-year offer to return for a 16th season as the Rangers' hitting coach last month and has since been hired by the Cubs.

Hurdle was Colorado's hitting coach from 1997 to 2001. The Rockies, playing in an extremely hitter-friendly park, led the National League in runs scored in three of those five years and were in second place (by two runs) in another. They also led the NL in on-base percentage in three of those five seasons.

Larry Walker won the 1997 Most Valuable Player Award with Hurdle as his hitting coach, and the Rockies had three players -- Walker, Todd Helton and Vinny Castilla -- win two Silver Slugger Awards. Hurdle replaced Buddy Bell as the Rockies' manager during the 2002 season and led them to the World Series in 2007. He was dismissed in May and replaced by Jim Tracy, whose son Chad is an outfielder in the Rangers farm system.

The Rangers' new hitting coach has much work ahead of him. First of all, he must gain the trust and confidence of players on a team that has operated under one hitting coach for the past 15 years. But the Rangers slipped offensively in 2009.

The Rangers scored 784 runs in '09, 117 fewer runs than in 2008, when they led the Majors, with 901. That's their biggest drop in production since they went from 928 runs in 1996 to 807 runs in 1997.

Texas' .320 team on-base percentage was the third lowest in the league. Hitters led the league with 1,253 strikeouts and had the third fewest walks, with 472. They had the lowest percentage of pitches taken of any team in the league.

The Rangers were eighth in the American League with a .268 batting average with runners in scoring position.]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:33:25 -0500 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102558 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102361 Mariners hire Mike Brumley as third base coach

SEATTLE (AP)—The Seattle Mariners have hired Mike Brumley as their new third base coach, completing the team’s 2010 staff. He replaces Bruce Hines.

General manager Jack Zduriencik announced the hiring of the former big league utility player on Friday.

The 45-year-old Brumley spent the 2009 season overseeing all aspects of instruction in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system.

Brumley joins six returning coaches: bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, first base coach Lee Tinsley, bullpen coach John Wetteland and performance coach Steve Hecht.

The Mariners were 85-77 in 2009.



Brumley was the manager of the 1997 Rio Grande Valley White Wings







]]> Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:26:11 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102361 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102203 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4599262]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:27:49 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102203 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102173



]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:26:45 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102173 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102065

(all games on FOX)
Game 1: Wednesday, October 28: Phillies 6, @Yankees 1
Game 2: Thursday, October 29: Phillies @ Yankees 6:57pm
Game 3: Saturday, October 31: Yankees @ Phillies 6:57pm
Game 4: Sunday, November 1: Yankees @ Phillies 7:20pm
Game 5: Monday, November 2: Yankees @ Phillies 6:57pm*
Game 6: Wednesday, November 4: Phillies @ Yankees 6:57pm*
Game 7: Thursday, November 5: Phillies @ Yankees 6:57pm*

*if necessary


Cheapy's fearless prediction: PHILLIES IN 6

THE REVENGE OF THE 1950 WHIZ KIDS !!!

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:25:53 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102065 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102064 The Sporting News staff reports)


The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that Tony La Russa will return for a 15th season as Cardinals manager. Perhaps more intriguing, the Redbirds reportedly have hired Mark McGwire to be La Russa's new hitting coach.

McGwire would replace Hal McRae, who the Post-Dispatch says was fired Friday. The newspaper cites "multiple" sources saying McRae had been dismissed. It also says a club source has confirmed McGwire's hiring, which apparently would be formally announced Monday along with La Russa's return.

If McGwire returns to baseball, he no doubt will be asked to comment on allegations of steroid use as a player. He has been silent on the issue, including his noncommittal testimony at a congressional hearing in 2005.

McGwire also has resisted previous invitations to rejoin the Cardinals organization he left with his retirement after the 2001 season. McGwire has, however, worked with current and former Cardinals players during the past few offseasons in Southern California. Instructees have included Matt Holliday, Skip Schumaker and Chris Duncan.

La Russa's decision to return would come two weeks after the Cardinals were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. At the time, La Russa said he needed to time to make up his mind.

The move also would seem to mean that pitching coach Dave Duncan will return. Duncan indicated last week that he would again team up with La Russa if the manager returned.
]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:57:47 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102064 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102058
Baseball analyst Steve Phillips has been fired by ESPN after admitting to an affair with an assistant at the cable network.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Sunday night the network determined Phillips' ability to be an effective analyst was "significantly and irreparably damaged."

Phillips took a leave of absence Wednesday after acknowledging the affair with 22-year-old production assistant Brooke Hundley.

According to a police report filed in Wilton, Conn., Hundley began calling Phillips' wife, Marni, on Aug. 5 and sent her a letter graphically describing their relationship and Phillips' birthmarks after he broke off the affair.

Prior to coming to ESPN, Phillips was general manager of the New York Mets from 1997 to 2003.]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:06:24 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102058 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101736 ]]> Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:25:30 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101736 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101549 Game 1



John Lackey (11-8, 3.83)
vs.
CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.37)

6:57pm FOX



I never thought I would ever say this, but..........

GO ANGELS

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:24:52 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101549 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101494 Game 1



Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32)
vs.
Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79)

7:07pm TBS]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:57 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101494 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101455 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:37:48 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101455 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101400



]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:32:02 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101356 http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives...roll-stays.html]]> Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:40:48 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101356 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101126 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/sports/b...ll/09video.html]]> Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:59:05 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101126 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101087
Release date: November 10, 2009

This magnificent DVD Collection elegantly displays the iconic moments, thrilling heroics, triumphant favorites, and breathtaking upsets across seven decades of World Series Films, plus a narrative and pictorial essay on the Fall Classic since its origin in 1903.

This beautifully-packaged, digitally-preserved celebration of the Fall Classic is a timeless treasure that will become the ultimate centerpiece of any baseball fan's DVD library. Records and seasons change with time, but the legends and lore of the World Series on DVD will last forever.

Fall Classic film highlights showcase extraordinary players including: Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Brooks Robinson, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, Willie Stargell, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, and many more. The drama and unforgettable images of baseball are the World Series moments etched in our minds and celebrated from generation to generation. These dynamic events are preserved and commemorated in this one-of-a-kind collection.

DVD FEATURES: 58-Page World Series Pictorial and Retrospective with Foreword by Bob Costas
*DISC 1: 1943 Yankees, 1944 Cardinals, 1945 Tigers, 1946 Cardinals, 1947 Yankees, 1948 Indians (approx 182 min)
*DISC 2 1949-53 Yankees (approx 167 min)
*DISC 3 1954 Giants, 1955 Dodgers, 1956 Yankees (approx 115 min)
*DISC 4 1957 Braves, 1958 Yankees, 1959 Dodgers, 1960 Pirates, 1961 Yankees (approx 182 min)
*DISC 5 1962 Yankees, 1963 Dodgers, 1964 Cardinals (approx 100 min)
*DISC 6 1965 Dodgers, 1966 Orioles, 1967 Cardinals, 1968 Tigers (approx 152 min)
*DISC 7 1969 Mets, 1970 Orioles, 1971 Pirates (approx 116 min)
*DISC 8 1972-74 A's, 1975-76 Reds (approx 170 min)
*DISC 9 1977-78 Yankees, 1979 Pirates, 1980 Phillies, 1981 Dodgers (approx 166 min)
*DISC 10 1982 Cardinals, 1983 Orioles, 1984 Tigers (approx 107 min)
*DISC 11 1985 Royals, 1986 Mets, 1987 Twins (approx 119 min)
*DISC 12 1988 Dodgers, 1989 A's, 1990 Reds (approx 177 min)
*DISC 13 1991 Twins, 1992 Blue Jays (approx 139 min)
*DISC 14 1993 Blue Jays, 1995 Braves (approx 132 min)
*DISC 15 1996 Yankees, 1997 Marlins (approx 143 min)
*DISC 16 1998-2000 Yankees (approx 186 min)
*DISC 17 2001 Diamondbacks, 2002 Angels (approx 145 min)
*DISC 18 2003 Marlins, 2004 Red Sox (approx 142 min)
*DISC 19 2005 White Sox, 2006 Cardinals (approx 152 min)
*DISC 20 2007 Red Sox, 2008 Phillies (approx 163 min)


$229.95 SRP, but pre-order-priced significantly lower at the usual online stores. . .]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:43:06 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101087 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101086 Game 1



Jon Lester (15-8, 3.41)
vs.
John Lackey (11-8, 3.83)

8:37pm TBS



ALL-TIME BOSOX-HALOS POSTSEASON GAMES
1. 1986 ALCS Game 1: Angels 8, @Red Sox 1
2. 1986 ALCS Game 2: @Red Sox 9, Angels 2
3. 1986 ALCS Game 3: @Angels 5, Red Sox 3
4. 1986 ALCS Game 4: @Angels 4, Red Sox 3 (12 innings)
5. 1986 ALCS Game 5: Red Sox 7, @Angels 6 (11 innings)
6. 1986 ALCS Game 6: @Red Sox 10, Angels 4
7. 1986 ALCS Game 7: @Red Sox 8, Angels 1
8. 2004 ALDS Game 1: Red Sox 9, @Angels 3
9. 2004 ALDS Game 2: Red Sox 8, @Angels 3
10. 2004 ALDS Game 3: @Red Sox 8, Angels 6 (10 innings)
11. 2007 ALDS Game 1: @Red Sox 4, Angels 0
12. 2007 ALDS Game 2: @Red Sox 6, Angels 3
13. 2007 ALDS Game 3: Red Sox 9, @Angels 1
14. 2008 ALDS Game 1: Red Sox 4, @Angels 1
15. 2008 ALDS Game 2: Red Sox 7, @Angels 5
16. 2008 ALDS Game 3: Angels 5, @Red Sox 4 (12 innings)
17. 2008 ALDS Game 4: @Red Sox 3, Angels 2]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:33:53 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101086 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101072 Pump Jacks To Return A Pair Of All-Stars In 2010
Second baseman Greg Fontenot and outfielder Russell LaFleur, both of whom were named to the TCL All-League team in 2009, will form the foundation of the 2010 roster

It's never too early to think about next year… especially when you have a few all-stars already in the fold.

The East Texas Pump Jacks announced today that second baseman Greg Fontenot and outfielder Russell LaFleur have agreed to return to East Texas for the 2010 season. Both players were named to the 2009 TCL All-League team and helped lead the Jacks to a second place finish this summer.

The pair will again play for head coach Ben Taylor, who recently announced his return to the Pump Jacks. Taylor noted that he specifically targeted players like Fontenot and LaFleur for their experience.

"I like having a majority of veteran guys who bring a level of maturity and understanding," said Taylor, who expects to target sophomores and juniors during recruiting. "Veterans know how to prepare themselves for the daily grind of baseball, which only comes thru experience."

LaFleur, who joined the Pump Jacks after his sophomore year at Missouri, batted .276 for the Jacks while flashing his trademark speed. The Katy native finished second in the league with 11 stolen bases despite battling a sore back throughout the summer. LaFleur was also among the team leader's in a variety of offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.375, second on the team), hits (34, third), walks (17, tied for third), and runs (22, fourth).

Next summer will mark LaFleur's third straight campaign playing for Taylor. In 2008, after batting .250 in limited action as a freshman at Missouri, He spent the summer with the San Louis Obispo (Calif.) Blues, where Taylor was an assistant coach. LaFleur proceeded to bat .323 for a Blues squad that was ranked among the best in the country by PG Crosschecker.

Fontenot was named the TCL's All-League designated hitter after batting .261 with 11 RBI and 15 runs scored. To fully appreciate Fontenot's importance to the Jacks, though, one need only examine the team's success when he was in and out of the lineup. The East Texas offense got off to a hot start with Fontenot batting second in the order, then sputtered when he went down with a mid-season hamstring injury. But Fontenot battled back and returned to the lineup, giving renewed life the Jacks offense at season's end.

The Duson, La., native had a breakthrough sophomore season at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2009. He led the Ragin' Cajuns with 70 hits and a .329 average, adding 38 runs, ten doubles, and eight stolen bases. Fontenot was also named Hitter of the Week by both the Sun Belt Conference and the Louisiana Sportswriters after batting .583 for the week in early April.

LaFleur and Fontenot are just the beginning of a Pump Jacks roster that is already taking shape. Taylor has been recruiting since shortly after the 2009 season concluded, and he has secured more than two dozen player commitments already. Players are expected to come from schools already familiar to Jacks fans, like Texas A&M, Rice, Missouri, Louisiana-Lafayette, and McNeese State. But the Pump Jacks' success has also attracted players from some new programs, like Texas State, Missouri State, Nebraska, Lamar, and Arkansas, which reached the College World Series in 2009.

Pump Jacks season tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale later today. An "early bird" discount will be offered to both renewing and new season ticket holders. The team will also announce a giveaway promotion tied to the sale of season tickets that will include game-worn and autographed memorabilia. Information on season tickets will be available on the Pump Jacks web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.

To follow all the player news and other off-season developments, log on to the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Merchandise is also available throughout the off-season at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or by phone at (903) 218-GO ET.]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:02:38 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101072 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101041 1. Cardinals
2. Phillies
3. Twins
4. Red Sox
5. Rockies
6. Dodgers
7. Angels
8. Yankees]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:06:06 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101041 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101040 Game 1



Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24)
vs.
Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.23)

8:37pm TBS


The Dodgers are the third team in MLB history to reach the postseason without a 13-game winner on their pitching staff:

1987 St. Louis Cardinals
Bob Forsch 11-7
Danny Cox 11-9
Greg Mathews 11-11

2006 San Diego Padres
Woody Williams 12-5

2009 Los Angeles Dodgers
Chad Billingsley 12-11]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:53:57 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101040 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101039 Game 1



Brian Duensing (5-2, 3.64)
vs.
CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.37)

5:07pm TBS]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:42:28 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101039 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101038 Game 1



Ubaldo Jiménez (15-12, 3.47)
vs.
Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22)

1:37pm TBS]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:39:25 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=101038 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100976
1991 - Thrilling seven game WS as the upstart young Braves fall to the Twins. Mark Lemke becomes a household name.

1992 - Favorite NLCS game of all time - Little used Francisco Cabrera's pinch hit single in the bottom of the ninth sends Sid Bream sliding safely across the plate just barely in front of Barry Bonds' throw, winning a second consecutive NL pennant for the Braves.

1995 - Dave Justice and the Braves defeat the Indians in the WS.

1997 - Edgar Renteria's bottom of the ninth single defeats the Indians in the seventh game of the WS.

1999 - Robin Ventura's "grand slam single" defeats the Braves in the bottom of the 15th in game 5 of the NLCS.

2000 - Subway Series.

2001 - Another thrilling seven game WS as the Diamondbacks defeat the Yankees in the bottom of the ninth of game 7 on Luis Gonzalez's RBI single. Randy Johnson pitches in relief on no days rest. In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, this was a truly riveting WS.

2003 - Pudge Rodriguez leads the Marlins to a six game upset WS victory over the heavily favored Yankees.

2004 - No good memories from this year, or 2007!

2008 - The incredible rain delay/suspended WS game. It was unprecedented.

2009 - Can't wait to see!]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:40:45 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100976 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100927
After a six-month regular season, the Tigers and Twins each finished level atop the American League Central Division at 86-76, setting up a one-game tie-breaker Tuesday at Minnesota to decide which will qualify for the playoffs.

Ryan Raburn hit two home runs and Magglio Ordonez added a solo homer to give Detroit a 5-3 home victory over the Chicago White Sox while the Twins defeated Kansas City 13-4 to keep pace after pulling even with Detroit on Saturday.

Either the Tigers or the Twins will face the New York Yankees in the first round of the American League playoffs while the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels meet in the other AL first-round series.

The National League playoffs will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers against St. Louis in the first round while the reigning World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies face the Colorado Rockies in the first round.

Minnesota could become the first team in baseball history to trail by three games with four to play and win a division crown while the Tigers, who have led the AL Central since May 10, risk an epic last-week collapse.

The tie-breaker was pushed back a day later than usual because the Twins, who won the right to host the Tigers by winning more games this season between the clubs, play in the same domed stadium as the Minnesota Vikings, who entertain arch-rival Green Bay on Monday night.

It could be the final Baseball game in the Metrodome, which has been the home of the Twins for 28 seasons. The Twins will move into a new open-air ballpark next season, leaving the Metrodome to the Vikings.]]> Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:51:08 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100927 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100905 As a Baseball historian, I am certain that far more exciting, dramatic, memorable and historic things happen on the last day of the Baseball season than on any other day of the schedule. Pennants are decided, batting championships are won and lost, twentieth games are won, records are set, no-hitters are pitched, controversies arise & Hall Of Famers and near-Hall Of Famers play their last games without anyone realizing it at the time. If your team is at home, I urge you to make an effort to attend the last game of the season.
~Bill James]]> Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:19:16 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100905 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100825
--Bart Giamatti--

]]> Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:25:12 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100825 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100819 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:36:49 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100819 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100811 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:51:07 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100811 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100810 Game #160



Brandon McCarthy (7-4, 4.47)
vs.
Ian Snell (7-10, 4.86)

9:10pm FSNSW



...I leave for Surprise in approximately 164 days ]]> Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:43:02 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100810 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100790 1b- albert pujols
2b- chase utley
3b- michael young
ss- derek jeter
lf- manny ramirez
cf- ichiro
rf- vlad guerrero
lhp- randy johnson
rhp- roy halladay
cp- mariano rivera
manager- JOE TORRE (joe girardi)
best right handed batter- albert pujols
best lefthanded batter- ichiro]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:59:11 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100790 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100767
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/media/vide...21&c_id=sea]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:20:21 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100767 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100713 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/1014033...hting?GT1=38001]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:48:16 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100713 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100673 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:08:21 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100673 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100644 Game #156



Tommy Hunter (9-4, 3.67)
vs.
Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.46)

9:05pm FSNSW]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:31:36 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100644 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100490 heard it was going to be shutdown to save money. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:57:43 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100490 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100464 Game #153



James Shields (10-11, 4.09)
vs.
Derek Holland (7-12, 6.17)

7:05pm FSNSW]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:18:59 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100464 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100446 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:58:50 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100446 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100375 Pump Jacks Bench Boss To Return In 2010
Head coach Ben Taylor will return to East Texas to guide the Jacks for a second season

The East Texas Pump Jacks will have a familiar face in the dugout next summer, announcing today that head coach Ben Taylor will return for the 2010 season.

"We are excited that Ben will be the Pump Jacks head coach again next season," said general manager Mike Lieberman. "Under his direction this past summer, the Pump Jacks became one of the league's most competitive teams, and next year we look forward to contending for a TCL championship."

"Being asked back to manage the Pump Jacks is a real honor," said Taylor. "I feel like I have some unfinished business to take care of at Driller Park. Anything less than bringing a championship to the Pump Jacks' outstanding fans will be disappointing."

In his first year at the helm, Taylor's Pump Jacks went 26-21 with one tie, setting a franchise record for wins in a season. The Jacks finished in second place in the regular season standings, securing home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs for the first time in team history.

Having one year under his belt should help Taylor prepare for the upcoming season.

"In my first year in the league, I knew the TCL had a reputation for being highly competitive and loaded with good players – I had no idea just how good, though," he observed. "I was very impressed to say the least.

"Now, with a year under my belt and armed with strong relationships with some excellent baseball schools, I'm already excited about next summer. What's really driving me during recruiting is a championship."

From his home in Scottsdale, where he is the associate head coach of at Scottsdale Community College, Taylor indicated Jacks fans will see a mix of both old and new in 2010.

"As everyone knows, Driller Park plays big, and I like the running game as an offensive weapon. I've made this a priority as we've begun putting the roster together for next season. We led the league with 65 stolen bases, and we'd like to add 20 to 30 more bags to that total.

"Though we'll have many new names to learn, we're very fortunate to have several key players returning to the Piney Woods of East Texas," continued Taylor. "I'm sure we'll be announcing them all as the roster comes together, but I can say now we have some fan favorites returning both on the mound and from the top of the order."

Taylor said he expects fans to be very pleased with some of the players coming back in 2010. After he was hired in October, Taylor led recruiting efforts that landed three of the league's top ten prospects and five members of the TCL's All-League team, both league highs.

The Washington State native expects to attract talent not only from Texas, but also Louisiana, Arkansas, and across the country. This summer, the Jacks roster included players from or who went to school in 12 different states, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia.

While Taylor is assembling next summer's roster, he's also busy preparing for his seventh season in Scottsdale. Last spring, his Artichokes finished as the national runner-up after reaching the Junior College Div. II World Series for the second time in three years. In 2007, Scottsdale Community College placed third in the country.

Taylor is also an associate scout for the Milwaukee Brewers, and he's developed a catcher's development program for the Chinese National Team when it trains stateside in Scottsdale.

The Pump Jacks expect season tickets for the 2010 season to go on sale later this week. An "early bird" discount will be offered to both renewing and new season ticket holders. The team also expects to announce a giveaway promotion tied to the sale of season tickets that will include game-worn and autographed memorabilia. Information on season tickets will be available on the Pump Jacks web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.

Also coming this week are the TCL's fall meetings, where league expansion is expected to be a hot topic. To follow all the off-season developments, log on to the Pump Jacks official web site at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com. Merchandise is also available throughout the off-season at the Pump Jacks office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore, or by phone at (903) 218-GO ET.]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:33:42 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100375 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100366

Pacific Coast League Champion
Memphis Redbirds
vs.
International League Champion
Durham Bulls





Jaime Garcia (2-0, 3.86)
vs.
Jeremy Hellickson (6-1, 2.52)

6:05pm ESPN2]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:17:42 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100366 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100356 Astros fire Cecil Cooper today. I say that its been a year comeing. He never knew when to to pull a pitcher. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:29:45 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100356 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100345
Anyone else feel this way?]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:43:26 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100345 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100333 Game #149



Kevin Millwood (10-10, 3.94)
vs.
Édgar González (0-2, 4.74)

9:05pm FSNSW]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:31:27 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100333 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100167 Game #146



Scott Kazmir (8-8. 5.32)
vs.
Tommy Hunter (8-3, 3.23)

7:05pm FSNSW



>> I will be there tonight digitally documenting & waiving my free rally towel




]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:58:03 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100167 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100146 http://www.theonion.com/content/news/derek...ource=a-section

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:18:03 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100146 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100140
And the chase is not over yet, but it sure looks grim now. But still, what a great, great season! I'll look back during the cold winter and remember the moments of this exciting season with a smile. The Rangers were a year ahead of schedule with the progress of this season. 2010 sure looks great!]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:10:48 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100140 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100136 ...sorry for posting a 2-month-old story, but I just learned of this sad news:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4320165

CAMILLA, Texas (AP)-- Searchers have recovered the body of former Chicago Cubs reliever Jessie Hollins, who was reported missing on a southeast Texas lake.

Hollins, 39, apparently drowned while fishing below Lake Livingston Dam on Thursday afternoon (July 9, 2009), according to the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife.

Texas Game Warden Capt. Shawn Phillips said searchers found Hollins' body about 4 p.m. Friday, close to the area where he was reported to have entered the Trinity River while fishing.

The Trinity River Authority temporarily suspended discharges from Lake Livingston to aid searchers, who used side-scan sonar and divers to search an area of the Trinity River that is several hundred yards wide and between 6 and 12 feet deep.

"We had a lot of help out here and everyone worked together really well," Phillips said. "I'm glad we were finally able to make a recovery and that Mr. Hollins' family can have some closure."

Hollins, a native of Conroe, was fishing on the Polk County bank of the river when he disappeared.

Selected by the Cubs in the 40th round of the 1988 draft out of San Jacinto Junior College, Hollins appeared in relief in four games for Chicago in 1992.

Lake Livingston is about 80 miles north of Houston.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hollins ended his professional career with the 1997 Tyler WildCatters, posting an 0-0 record and 3.18 ERA in four appearances...]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:21:29 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100136 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100114 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_leagu...?urn=mlb,189941]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:01:22 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100114 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100113 who gets the blame? Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:55:35 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100113 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100030

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=sea

Moore eager for chance with Mariners

(by Jim Street | MLB.com)

ARLINGTON -- The raindrops kept falling on Sunday (September 13, 2009), but nothing could dampen the day for Mariners catcher Adam Moore.

He was so excited that the smile on his face lasted throughout a five-minute interview with Seattle-based media inside the visiting clubhouse at Rangers Ballpark.

"This is so exciting," he said. "It's a dream come true."

The 25-year-old Moore was one of three players promoted on Sunday from Triple-A Tacoma, but the only one that traveled from Sacramento, where Tacoma was eliminated from the Pacific Coast League playoffs, to Arlington. The other two, infielder Matt Tuiasosopo and left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson, were re-routed to Seattle because of the uncertainty of the doubleheader against the Rangers being played.

"I got a little sleep on the flight," Moore said, "but I kept waking up with butterflies, knowing that I was coming back to Arlington, where I grew up watching games. Walking into this clubhouse, knowing that I am wearing a big league uniform now is really something."

The Mariners selected the University of Texas-Arlington catcher in the sixth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and he has been moving up the Minor League level ever since. He began this season at Double-A Tennessee and ended it at Triple-A Tacoma, batting .294 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs for the North Division champion Rainiers.

One of the first things he did on Sunday after arriving at the ballpark was to meet with manager Don Wakamatsu.

"He just told me that I may get a couple of games here and there and to just go in there, perform, and relax," he said. "Have fun and treat it like any other game."

And that means taking charge from the get-go.

That was the approach he took in the Minor Leagues. But can he do the same thing with the Mariners' current crop of pitchers?

"Oh yeah, I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm ready for the opportunity to get out there, show them I believe in their stuff, get that good relationship with the pitching staff and just take them to victory."

He said he's been taught that "leading the team" is the No. 1 responsibility for any catcher in the organization.

"That is first and foremost," he said. "You have to go out there with positive attitude and learn what each pitcher has, get them to pitch to the best of their ability and get a win for us. I did a lot more of that this year."

Unlike most of his teammates at Tacoma, the end of the Rainiers' season was not a total washout.

"It was a fun run that we had, winning nine straight on the road to catch Colorado Springs, and you always want to play in the postseason," Moore said. "To make that kind of run was a lot of fun, but my dream always has been to be on the big league roster. And now I'm here."]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:12:13 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100030 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100014 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:24:56 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=100014 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99990 Game #143



Brett Tomko (4-3, 4.47)
vs.
Scott Feldman (16-4, 3.46)

7:05pm FSNSW]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:32:19 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99990 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99805 Game #140



Brandon Morrow (0-4, 5.28)
vs.
Kevin Millwood (10-9, 3.77)

7:05pm FSNSW]]> Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:34:52 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99805 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99756 http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/stats/individ...playerID=462101]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:51:45 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99756 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99754 16-4 3.46 ERA]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:32:56 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99754 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99722 What are your opinions?]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:00:42 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99722 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99668 Game #137



Tommy Hunter (7-3, 3.14)
vs.
Carlos Carrasco (0-1, 18.00)

5:05pm FSNSW]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:02:55 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99668 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99554

BALTIMORE (AP)—Former Texas Rangers first-round draft pick Thomas Diamond has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

The 10th pick of the 2004 draft was claimed Friday, three days after the Rangers designated the oft-injured right-hander for assignment.

Diamond started the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA before being demoted to Double-A Frisco. He was 1-3 with 3.63 ERA in 32 relief appearances for Frisco.

The Rangers recalled right-handed reliever Willie Eyre from Oklahoma City before their game against the Orioles. He is 0-0 with a 3.48 ERA in eight appearances in four stints with Texas.
]]> Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:03:40 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99554 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99470 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/1002170...ncurable-cancer]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:27:06 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99470 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99464 Game #134



Scott Feldman (14-4, 3.72)
vs.
Chris Tillman (1-2, 4.24)

6:05pm FSNSW




15-GAME WINNERS IN TEXAS RANGERS HISTORY

1974
Fergie Jenkins 25-12
Jim Bibby 19-19

1975
Fergie Jenkins 17-18

1976
Gaylord Perry 15-14

1977
Doyle Alexander 17-11
Gaylord Perry 15-12

1978
Fergie Jenkins 18-8
Jon Matlack 15-13

1979
Steve Comer 17-12
Fergie Jenkins 16-14

1982
Charlie Hough 16-13

1983
Charlie Hough 15-13

1984
Charlie Hough 16-14
Frank Tanana 15-15

1986
Charlie Hough 17-10

1987
Charlie Hough 18-13

1988
Charlie Hough 15-16

1989
Nolan Ryan 16-10

1990
Bobby Witt 17-10

1992
Kevin Brown 21-11
Jose Guzman 16-11

1993
Kenny Rogers 16-10
Kevin Brown 15-12

1995
Kenny Rogers 17-7

1996
Ken Hill 16-10
Bobby Witt 16-12
Roger Pavlik 15-8

1998
Rick Helling 20-7
Aaron Sele 19-11

1999
Aaron Sele 18-9

2000
Rick Helling 16-13

2004
Kenny Rogers 18-9

2006
Kevin Millwood 16-12
Vicente Padilla 15-10


]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:24:18 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99464 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99419

• German Duran, INF
• Craig Gentry, OF
• Warner Madrigal, RHP
• Guillermo Moscoso, RHP
• Kevin Richardson, C

]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:43:13 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99419 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99417 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:40:12 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99417 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99382
Today, the last element of that trio officially met its Rangers end.

A few years ago Danks was traded to the White Sox
Last year Volquez was traded to the Reds

Thomas Diamond was DFA'd today.

I guess these guys that everyone thought were "can't miss" turned into two decent starters and a guy that couldn't get it done in the minors. Just more proof of how hard it is to scout and develop baseball players.]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:01:21 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99382 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99363 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/1000651...home-to-Dodgers]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:57:44 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99363 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99326


]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:47:22 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99326 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99321 Game #130



Brett Cecil (5-3, 4.96)
vs.
Derek Holland (7-8, 4.95)

7:05pm FSNSW]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:44:00 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99321 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99294 Is there a reason that Scott Feldman should not be mentioned as a Cy Young award possibility? Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:08:39 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99294 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99156 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9998032...ays'-Kazmir

that would spice things up in the west.]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:50:38 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99156 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99145 http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/new...%3fid%3d4418492]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:04:07 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99145 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99129 Game #127



Tommy Hunter (6-2, 2.85)
vs.
Brian Duensing (1-1, 4.91)

7:10pm FSNSW]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:23 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99129 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99092 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:40:49 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99092 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99090
No doubt he is the Rangers MVP year in and year out.]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:14:39 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99090 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99057 How does that Kool Aid taste now Smoaky? Nice call on your part! Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:05:59 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99057 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99052
Afterward, Davis called me from the team hotel to answer some quick questions about his return to the major leagues.

(DS) What was your initial reaction when you were called back up the majors?

(CD) "I was relieved, excited, I felt like I'd worked hard in Triple-A and I accomplished what I needed, and I kept picturing myself back in the Rangers lineup and helping to contribute to their season and winning down the stretch."

(DS) What have your learned from the experience of being sent down to Triple-A and returning to the Rangers?

(CD) "You're constantly going to have to make adjustments, make some moves with the swing, tweaks here and there and always learning more about the game."

(DS) You appeared more comfortable in your first game back, I know there are many games left, but did you feel that way?

(CD) "Yes, it felt good to have a good approach mentally and physically, and even better to have a solid stance after putting that much work into my swing, and this place (Yankee Stadium) was one of the places I'd hit well during the first part of the season."

(DS) Did you ever question yourself even after we talked about a month ago?

(CD) "I don't think I ever questioned myself, but I was a little doubtful a few times because there was so much failure at the beginning of the season for me...and it's good to come back from that and I know I can do it again if I have too, and even better---I've built a foundation to build from in the future."

(DS) How important was winning in New York to open the series?

(CD) "It was huge for us to win the way we did, and it was special being in the lineup as well and contributing. We swung the bats well tonight and (Kevin) Millwood kept us in the game after a tough start and the way we bounced back can tell us a lot about the character on this team, to grind out a game like that now---down the stretch in a pennant race against the Yankees, and especially knowing how tough they are when they get a lead at home and they've been playing so well."]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:45:47 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99052 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99049
I think so.

Not sure what it matters because it's a brand-new stadium

Congrats to Chris tonight, 2-4, 2-runs scored, 1-BB, as the Rangers literally held on to edge the Yankees, 10-9.

David Smoak]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:08:04 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99049 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99008




Game #124



Kevin Millwood (9-8, 3.48)
vs.
Joba Chamberlain (8-3, 3.98)

6:05pm FSNSW]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:15:44 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99008 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98979 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9972738

]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:27:41 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98979 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98972 who plays who in the playoffs? al east vs. wc, al central vs. al west ? Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:35:03 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98972 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98970


(by HOWIE RUMBERG, AP Sports Writer)

NEW YORK (AP)—It happened so fast, Eric Bruntlett needed a few moments before he realized he had just ended a game with an unassisted triple play.

Bruntlett became the second player in Major League history to get the final three outs on his own, accomplishing the feat Sunday (August 23, 2009) to preserve the Philadelphia Phillies’ 9-7 victory over the New York Mets.

“I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know what to do,” Bruntlett said. “The ninth inning was wild. The whole game it seemed was strange.”

Indeed, it was a stunning end to a crazy game that included an inside-the-park homer after the ball got stuck under the outfield wall.

Bruntlett turned the 15th unassisted triple play in Big League history—the second that ended a game. Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun also turned the trick on May 31, 1927, completing a 1-0 victory over Cleveland, according to STATS LLC.

The amazing final sequence made a winner of Pedro Martinez in his return to New York and quashed a Mets rally against closer Brad Lidge.

“We picked a good time,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

With runners on first and second in the ninth inning and a run already in, Jeff Francoeur hit a line drive up the middle that appeared headed toward center field for a single. But both runners were stealing on the 2-2 pitch, so Bruntlett was in perfect position as he moved over to cover second base.

He caught the liner easily, stepped on second to double up Luis Castillo and then turned to tag Daniel Murphy for the third out. Murphy tried to backpedal away from Bruntlett, but had nowhere to go.

“Frenchy hit it on the screws,” Murphy said. “It happened so fast there was nothing I could do.”

After bolting out of the box, a frustrated Francoeur stopped in his tracks and threw down his helmet with both hands.

“What a bizarre ending. I don’t know what happened there. The game’s over, so I’m happy with that,” Lidge said. “That was pretty exciting. That’s definitely not the way you draw it up.”

The Phillies raced onto the field to congratulate Bruntlett after his rare play secured Lidge’s 25th save in 33 chances.

It was the first unassisted triple play since Cleveland second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera turned one in the fifth inning on May 12, 2008, against Toronto.

Bruntlett, who made one of two Phillies errors earlier in the inning, started at second because All-Star Chase Utley was rested.

Another Phillies second baseman, Mickey Morandini, turned an unassisted triple play in 1992.

It was the first time the Mets were involved in such a play.

“Even with the runners going I did not expect him to be there. The only place he could catch the ball was where he was,” Francoeur said. “To end the way it did was a little disheartening.”

Angel Pagan hit the inside-the-park shot and added another homer for the Mets, handed yet another befuddling defeat. New York has found improbable ways to lose all year: Murphy dropped a fly ball in left field, Ryan Church missed third base while rounding the bag, Castillo flubbed Alex Rodriguez’s ninth-inning popup at Yankee Stadium.

Of the 15 unassisted triple plays in Big League history, all but one came during the regular season. Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss accomplished the feat in the 1920 World Series against Brooklyn.

Martinez batted before throwing a pitch. The Phillies scored six times in the first inning off Oliver Perez on three-run homers by Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz.

The Citi Field crowd of 39,038 stood and cheered as Martinez walked to the plate in the Phillies’ road gray-and-red uniform, a jarring sight for sure after he spent the previous four years with the Mets.

“The ovation, that’s exactly the response I expected because of the mutual bond I have here,” Martinez said. “I respect them and I love them.”

Martinez worked the count to 3-0 and Mets manager Jerry Manuel came out to remove Perez, bothered recently by a tender right knee that sidelined him earlier this season. The move got a loud ovation, and Perez (3-4) was soundly booed as he walked off the field having thrown 47 pitches—20 strikes—and getting just two outs.

Nelson Figueroa struck out Martinez to end the 26-minute inning.

The 37-year-old Martinez then gave up Pagan’s inside-the-park homer leading off the first.

Pagan’s drive to left-center briefly got stuck under the padding of the wall. Center fielder Shane Victorino threw his hands up, looking for a ground-rule double, as Pagan slowed into third, but second base umpire Rob Drake allowed play to go on and Pagan raced home for his first career inside-the-park homer.

Charlie Manuel said the issue wasn’t covered when the umpires went over ground rules before the game.

“They never talked about that,” he said.

Martinez (2-0) never lived up to the $53 million contract he signed with the Mets after 2004, winning just 32 games and missing the 2006 playoffs with one of many injuries, including major shoulder surgery that limited him to just five starts in ’07—all during the September collapse.

The wiry three-time Cy Young Award winner was not offered a contract after going 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets last year—a trying season in which his father died.

He labored through six innings—and hit an RBI single—while giving up four runs and seven hits in his third start with the Phillies after signing with them as a free agent on July 15.

NOTES
Pagan’s inside-the-park homer was the 25th in Mets history, and second leading off a game. Longview's Charlie Neal hit the other one in 1963 at the Polo Grounds against Philadelphia ... Charlie Manuel was ejected in the ninth after umpires reversed a call ... Francoeur bruised his left thumb while making a diving catch. X-rays were negative.



-------------------------------------------------------------
THE LIST:

1. Neal Ball, SS, Cleveland Indians - July 19, 1909 (vs. Boston Red Sox)
2. Bill Wambsganss, 2B, Cleveland Indians - October 10, 1920, (vs. Brooklyn Robins) [1920 World Series Game 5]
3. George Burns, 2B, Boston Red Sox - September 14, 1923 (vs. Cleveland Indians)
4. Ernie Padgett, SS, Boston Braves - October 6, 1923 (vs. Philadelphia Phillies)
5. Glenn Wright, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates - May 7, 1925 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
6. Jimmy Cooney, SS, Chicago Cubs - May 30, 1927 (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)
7. Johnny Neun, 1B, Detroit Tigers - May 31, 1927 (vs. Cleveland Indians)
8. Ron Hansen, SS, Washington Senators - July 30, 1968 (vs. Cleveland Indians)
9. Mickey Morandini, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies - September 20, 1992 (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)
10. John Valentin, SS Boston Red Sox - July 8, 1994 (vs. Seattle Mariners)
11. Randy Velarde, 2B, Oakland Athletics - May 29, 2000 (vs. New York Yankees)
12. Rafael Furcal, SS, Atlanta Braves - August 10, 2003 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
13. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies - April 29, 2007 (vs. Atlanta Braves)
14. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B, Cleveland Indians - May 12, 2008 (vs. Toronto Blue Jays)
15. Eric Bruntlett, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies - August 23, 2009 (vs. New York Mets)

For those scoring at home --
• Unassisted triple plays: 15
• Perfect games: 18

]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:46:23 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98970 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98969
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/media/video.j...tent_id=6145507]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:06:48 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98969 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98962
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article....sp&c_id=tex

Davis was hitting .327 in 44 games at Oklahoma City.

David Smoak]]> Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:07:02 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98962 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98883 ]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:18:05 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98883 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98868 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_leagu...?urn=mlb,184296]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:15:36 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98868 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98867 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9966794...med-off-waivers
]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:12:12 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98867 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98857 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9965608...39;-Texas-ranch]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:57 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98857 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98831 Game #121



Dustin Nippert (4-1, 3.52)
vs.
Scott Kazmir (7-7, 6.36)

6:38pm FSNSW]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:15:37 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98831 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98823
watch the video



http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cin]]> Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:13:26 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98823 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98781 Pretty soon, the rosters wil expand and the Rangers will have a full dugout. Who gets brought up and who gets left behind and who gets sent packing? Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:44:59 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98781 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98752 http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9957464...al-with-Padilla

smoltz signed with cardinals?]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:54:16 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98752 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98719
Kevin Millwood
Derek Holland
Scott Feldman
Tommy Hunter
Dustin Nippert
Brandon McCarthy
Matt Harrison
Neftali Feliz
Eric Hurley


Some more good ones on the way:
Kasey Kiker
Thomas Diamond
Martin Perez
Blake Beaven
Luis Mendoza

Keep an eye on:
Yoon-Hee Nam at Class A Hickory]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:56:11 -0400 http://www.smoaky.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98719