Catch It!

Let the Curse Begon

2004-10-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox hope to prove that the legendary curse of Babe Ruth is long gone after continually defeating the New York Yankees this season and beating them in the Championship Series.

Many claim this legendary curse started when the Red Sox rid themselves of the now legendary Babe Ruth and continued ever since that day. Before then, the Red Sox won five World Championships, and since, their number a mere zero while the Yankees have gone on to win 26 after acquiring Ruth.

Ruth, a player of heroic status, left his ex-team with a curse as they have never been able to duplicate the success they had with him on the team. Much of this is speculation, but in the hearts of baseball players and fans, the curse is real.

“This could be the end of the curse as the Red Sox have been hot and continually beaten the Yankees this season” said Matt Biermacher, an ex-college baseball player. “That may just be enough to prove that the curse is no longer present.”

The curse descended on Red Sox nation, January 3, 1920, when the Red Sox cheated themselves of having the legendary Babe Ruth, and instead sold him to the New York Yankees for $125,000 and the Yankees forking over $350,000 on a loan the Red Sox had to build Fenway Park. The Red Sox would continue to fall short and the Yankees would maintain their success and become the best despised team in baseball. Yankee success was maintained in all aspects of victory with 41 American League East Division Titles to the Red Sox measly seven.

“The numbers show that the loss of Ruth has provided for a continual downfall of the Red Sox and evidence that a curse is present and occurred once the Sox lost this legend to the game, Ruth” states Biermacher.

Removing Ruth from the Red Sox was a familiar mistake as it happens to all teams with great players. The difference now is that a team just needs to be one of the top four in the different leagues rather than be the most productive in the division as in the past.

Making the playoffs is one thing, but continually being second in the division is another. The Red Sox may just not have the numbers to match up with the Yankees. They did beat them throughout this year, but once again, found themselves as winners of the Wild Card rather than the division, finishing three games behind the Yankees.

“The Red Sox just need to understand that they are the number two team in the East Division” said Aaron Mullen, a past pitching coach in the Atlanta Braves organization. “It is nothing personal or against their organization as they make the playoffs each year.”

The Yankees’ championships and success in the division proves the point that the Red Sox maybe a good team, but just not good enough to beat the Yankees and have the opportunity to win a World Championship. The lack of playoff success and rich heritage in battling into October can provide jitters to the experienced, but inexperienced playoff team.

Baseball, being a mental sport, can quickly alter the picture of whether a curse is totally present or the Yankees are just the superior team. Individuals’ feeling that a curse prevents them from post-season success establishes a mental block hampering a story tell ending to this organization.

Kevin Makal, a baseball enthusiast feels, “baseball is a superstitious sport and that idea helps keep the thought of a curse in the back of the Red Sox minds each season. They may not be the better team, but the curse provides them with the excuse for another close, but not a successful season.”

Each year baseball fans count on two teams in the playoffs, but the idea of the Red Sox making it to the World Series recollects the Ruth curse continues to have its presence. This curse is another baseball superstition and hoax that players and fans have, but could be real for the Red Sox as a team. The Yankees have had the continuos success in the division and World Series.

“As fans we will have the opportunity to experience the playoffs and just see whether there is a curse that prevents the Sox from success,” states Makal.

For more information about the curse visit FOXSports.com.

If You Build it They Will Come

2004-09-29T21:23:00.000-05:00

Today Major League Baseball officially announced that the Montreal Expos would be moving to Washington, D.C. for the 2005 season, according to an Associated Press article on ESPN.

Citizens of D.C. have been waiting over 30 years to get another baseball team in the area. The last team was 33 years ago and was the Washington Senators, but now Texas Rangers. The team name has yet to be named and the stadium will not be built for another three years, so the team will be playing at RFK Stadium.

This move did not come without controversy as the Baltimore Orioles had objects being only 40 miles away and feeling that the move would hurt the franchise. Bud Selig, the Commisioner of Major League Baseball, has stated that this would not happen and instituted a plan to prevent the Orioles from losing money selling the franchise or in ticket revenue. From all that is present, the situation seems like it is a win win situation for all people.

Yom Kippur Home Run

2004-09-28T21:19:00.000-05:00

Friday in Los Angles, Dodger first baseman, Shawn Green and a Jewish baseball superstar, went against his religion and played on this sacred Jewish day, possibly upsetting many Jews, but making the fans in Dodger Stadium happy according to Fox Sports.

Shawn Green may have crossed many lines like Dodger great Sandy Koufax did many years ago when Yom Kippur landed on a day he was supposed to pitch in the World Series. He pitched the next day and lost, making many Dodger fans cringe and hate the Jewish religion. He then came back and gave to complete games in games five and seven giving the Dodgers a World Series Championship.

Well history repeated itself for the Dodgers as Shawn Green followed Koufax by playing on Friday, but sitting out Saturday to honor the Jewish holy day. He then returned Sunday, helping the Dodgers maintain their first place lead over the Giants by winning two of the three games. Green had amazing games both days and hit a home run Friday night on Yom Kippur to tie the game at two. He is more than a player as he showed the American people that religion can work alongside work.

Special Balls in Play

2004-09-27T21:13:00.000-05:00

As Ichiro Suzuki inches closer to the single season hits record of 257, Major League Baseball, has begun to use special balls that are numbered with holograms on them. This coming from an Associated Press article on ESPN.

The balls are being used so that the player is able to keep the balls that he hits. This method was used with Barry Bonds when he was approaching 700 career home runs. Everytime Ichiro comes to the plate, a MLB securtiy guard hands the bat boy four balls to give to the ump. The ump then uses those balls for Ichiro's at bat. Any ball hit as a home run or foul ball can be kept by the fan, but all the balls hit in play are returned to the dugout after his at bat.

This is a new method that is being tried for significant events allowing the player to keep that specific ball without question, and also give fans the opportunity to capture one of the special edition balls signifying they were at a game close to a record being toppled.

Coming from Behind

2004-09-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

The Texas Rangers swept the Oakland A's in a three game series last night with some ninth inning heroics according to an Associate Press article on ESPN.

As the Texas Rangers continue to push to be the American League West champion, they have to come from behind being 2 games back in the division from the division leading A's. This fight to the end is nothing new for this team as they have continually finished last the past few seasons and now see themselves as a playoff contender once again. Much of this is a surprise after the offseason transaction sending Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees. The Rangers just took that as a beginning to never give up as a team. Last night was just another case of how their season has been, coming from behind. Trailing the A's in the bottom of the ninth, David Dellucci hit a double that went to the wall allowing the Rangers to score the tying and game winning run.

They have continually had their obstacles throughout the year, but nothing has stopped this team from winning and finding a way to win even when many has continually counted them out from the start. This is just another team that goes to show that it is still a team game, and the game is not over until that final out is made in the game.

Seattle Plays Small Ball

2004-09-23T14:03:00.000-05:00

Ichiro Suzuki closes in on George Sisler's 84 year old season hits record, making him need just 10 hits to tie, with four hits in the game against the Anaheim Angels as stated on Sports Illustrated.

As all eyes are on Suzuki as he inches closer to this record, the story of the night was his teammate's, Raul Ibanez, production. Ibanez had six hits on the evening as the Mariners beat the Angels 16-6. As a team the Mariners had 24 hits and 10 of those came from just two individuals. Suzuki's small ball of constant singles is now transfering to the team's production as well. There maybe less home runs from the Mariners, but the constant singles are adding up and have helped them beat the Angels the last two nights.

We may start to see a shift in the way the game is played with a basis on the team concept and small ball, just good hits, and how it is at the moment as individual production and who has more power hitters in the lineup.

Montreal Moving to D.C.

2004-09-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

The Montreal Expos new home could be in Washington, D. C. for the upcoming 2005 season as relocation talks are heating up as the 2004 season comes to an end from a Fox Sports article.

Undisclosed sources have claimed that the D. C. Sports and Entertainment Division has released plans for a stadium to be built for the Expos to play in. Baltimore citizens are worried that the relocation of the Expos to D. C. will cut their attendance and fan base as the teams would be around 30 miles apart. All of this and the relocation is speculation as D. C. has yet to get funding for the stadium and Northern Virginia is still bidding for the team as well. Professional baseball hopes to make a decision on where the Expos will play the 2005 season by October 1.

Family Ordeal

2004-09-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

The San Fransico Giants agreed to contract terms with Barry Bonds today to keep him through the 2006 season according to an Associated Press article on Fox Sports.

Bonds was looking at the 2005 season as his last if the Giants did not pick up his contract. For him, after that season, it was retirement as the Giants are the team he wants to end his career with. This has much to do with the family ties to the team. His father, Bobby Bonds, was a Giant, and his God-father, Willie Mays, a Giant as well. His children want him to continue playing and break the record. With all the family pressure and presence, Bonds will play through the 2006 season with the Giants and hopefully pass Hank Aaron's mark of 756 for career home runs.

The Giants are hoping to talk with Bonds about staying through the 2007 season as well, but that has yet to be decided. Bonds plays baseball, but we must not forget his other occupation as a father, which he treasures.

"As long as my family and my kids are supporting me, I'll continue to keep playing and keep doing what I can do out there. If I'm not capable of doing it, it's time to hang them up and do something else."--Barry Bonds

Bad Boys of Summer

2004-09-20T23:31:00.000-05:00

As the season comes to an end, tensions heat up as Vladimir Guerrero of the Anaheim Angels was sent to the hospital after being hit by a pitch Monday night, and one of the managers was ejected, according to an Associate Press article on MSNBC.

In a wild season that continues to occur with records being shattered or being approached, there is still room for problems. One cannot forget the excitment from ther previous week with a player throwing a chair into the stands. Tonight after being hit with a pitch Guerrero hit the grown and laid there for a couple of moments showing movement. He was later helped off the field and taken to a local hospital for X-rays.

The excitment continued throughout the game as the umpire talked to both managers. Soon Anaheim's manager, Mike Scioscia, gestured to Seatle Mariner's manager, Bob Melvin, allowing for him to be ejected. Benches cleared but no punches were thrown.

Bonds Bonanza

2004-09-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

Dodger fan, Michael Mahan, took advantage of the system feeling that Bonds would reach 700 at Dodger Stadium at the end of the season and bought out all the tickets in right field according to an Associated Press article on ESPN.

Mahan spent $25, 000 on tickets to hopefully capture the ball putting Bonds in the 700 club with only Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron in front of him. He bought the tickets early in the year for a price of less than $3.50 a ticket as a group sale. As of recently, he has been selling the tickets for $15. Mahan will surely get his money back for this unique opportunity of taking advantage of the system.

Besides selling the tickets to individuals, Mahan is requiring each individual to sign an eight page contract stating that if the individual gets a Bonds home run ball, they will give it to Mahan, who in return will sell the ball and split the money with the individual. This will sure be the start of a new method to capture record breaking games.

The Unsung Hero

2004-09-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

September 22 will be Roberto Clemete day across all ball parks this year. The nominees for the award will be announced and Pittsburgh has a special promotion set in a recent article on MLB.

The legacy of Roberto Clemente is still present 30 plus years after his tragic death trying to help people from Nicaragua. His accomplishments on the field will make him a legend, but it was what he did off the field that are hard to forget and make him a true hero. That is why on September 22, the nominees for his award will be announced commemorating their accomplishments on the field, and more importantly what they have done off the field. Each nominee will recieve a check for 2,500 dollars to their charity of choice.

Pittsburgh will have a promotion where all fans in attendance that day will receive a scratch off card giving them a Clemente commemorative item including vintage jerseys and autographed memorabilia. Clemente's widow, Vera, and son, Roberto Jr., will be present in Pittsburgh to present the award.

"There are a lot of guys doing great things and it is great that they are being recognized," said Clemente, Jr. "A lot of players tell me this is the most important award they have ever won."

Howe Come not Earlier?

2004-09-15T21:33:00.000-05:00

Today, the New York Mets announced the firing of manager Art Howe after a disappointing two seasons; however, Howe will remain with the team throughout the remainder of the season. This coming from an Associated Press article on Fox Sports.

Before the Mets took the field today, Howe had a conference with his players announcing his firing. This was no surprise to many baseball buffs as rumors had been floating about Howe being canned at the end of the year. The players reaction was confused and apologetic, as they realized managers are always the first to go even when injuries plague the team especially the star players. All eyes were on Howe to take the Mets back to the World Series after his success with the A's and past success of ex-manager Bobby Valentine. None of this happened in the two years he was with the team. The new manager is yet to be decided, but includes individuals like Buck Showalter, Lou Piniella, ex-manager Bobby Valentine, and ex-Met-player Gary Carter.

A's/Rangers' Game Becomes WWF

2004-09-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

Texas Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco was arrested Monday night at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland after throwing a chair into the stands according to ESPN.

In the top of the ninth inning after Alfonso Soriano of the Texas Rangers ties the game, a brawl broke out in the Rangers' bullpen. Supposedly many words were exchanged throughout the game and extra security in that area had been mentioned. Oakland police are currently investigating the case to get to the exact conflict, but pitcher Frank Francisco was jailed and charged with aggravated battery. All this came after he threw a chair in the stands, which hit two spectators in the head. No serious injuries occurred, but this instance is just one in a list that has been increasing throughout the last couple of years. Rangers' owner Tom Hicks has apologized for his teams actions, but the real truth of the matter is still being investigated on who is at fault.

Bush Big Hit with MLB

2004-09-13T14:48:00.000-05:00

Major League Baseball (MLB) owners and players get political with campaign contributions and support to President George W. Bush and his re-election efforts according to a recent Associated Press article on Sports Illustrated.

Bush has been practicing politics throughout his years as a part owner of the Texas Rangers, and it is all paying off now. The people that Bush has met and come in contact with through his years as an owner of the Texas Rangers has been resourceful. Many of the owners with him through the years, like Bill Dewitt, have provided massive contributions and are now running his financial political campaign. Even previous players and managers, Rafael Palmeiro and Bobby Valentine, have pitched in. From the MLB alone, Bush has received over two million dollars in contributions. John Kerry has received a handful of support, and Bush's success and ability to talk baseball with all these individuals is providing a new voting group for him in the upcoming election.

Swinging for the 700 Club

2004-09-10T16:49:00.000-05:00

Tonight, against Randy Johnson, with two swings of the bat Barry Bonds attempts to enter the exclusive 700 Club that so few reach and many more just dream about by hitting that many home runs in a recent ESPN article.

With each swing, Bonds can inch closer to Hank Aaron's record for career home runs, but there is much speculation circulating about this record falling. All realize and understand that Bonds will hit 700 by the end of this season, and Babe Ruth's record of 714 will become toppled next year. Pitchers, coaches, teams, and even the media are unable to stop Bonds, but there is a greater force that may topple him. The only person that can stop him, himself. It has been stated that Bonds will quit swinging, it is just a question of when he will choose to do this. It could be after breaking Aaron's record, or it could be one shy of his record, but at the rate he is hitting home runs, Bonds will break the record if he so chooses.

Umpire Receives Standing Ovation

2004-09-09T21:07:00.000-05:00

Home plate umpire Jerry Crawford left the Yankees versus Devil Rays game Thursday night after being hit by a deflected pitch in the bottom of the second inning according to an Associated Press article on Fox Sports.

In a time, especially after the Olympics and numerous bad calls by sports officials in the past month, an umpire receives a rare standing ovation. This happened when Crawford left the game in the third inning, but then returned again at the end of the fifth. At this instant, all the fans at Yankee Stadium gave him a standing ovation when he jogged back out on the field. Little is known about what he hurt, but all are just thankful that he was able to return and the injury was not serious.

4 x 3 = 12

2004-09-08T20:57:00.000-05:00

The three fours gives the Houston Astros a 12 game winning streak and a ties a team record according to an Associate Press article on ESPN.

Astros leading the game off with four home runs by Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Mike Lamb help Roger Clemens (16-4) capture his fourth win in a row. The hitting also carried over to Clemens hitting his spots allowing just four hits in seven innings. The five runs they received in the first was all Houston needed, and all they got for the rest of the game. Their recent tear through the National League has put them even closer to a playoff spot and with the streak seems probable the Wild Card is simply theirs to lose. Don't count them out just yet, but don't pencil them in either as the season is not over and anything can happen in the 20 plus games remaining.

Ruining the game or overcoming Obstacles?

2004-09-07T22:18:00.000-05:00

Abe Alvarez, a 21 year old pitcher in the Red Sox organization, takes the mound with a crooked hat and quickly receives attention and flack for this new style he brings to the game, according to ESPN.

The fact is that this crooked hat is not a new style, but simply something he does to overcome another problem in the long list he has had to overcome. Alvarez was born legally blind in one eye and the hat is crooked so that he can see adequately to pitch. This style that he has brings problems to him for other players, coaches, announcers, and fans, but makes one realize that individuals cannot judge off stereotypes and looks. Alvarez is a true team player as his manager states, and with his work ethic and determination it is seen. He is humble about his success even pitching at Fenway Park earlier this year, giving his money to his parents, and just looking out for individuals and teammates when they go out. He is the epitamy of the dream player that every manager wants on their team.

When I first saw the hat, I thought he was some screwball. But when he goes out, he competes and he gives you everything he has. I don't give a s--- if he wears his hat backwards.--Ron Johnson Sea Dogs Manager

Brown Throws Blow at Yanks

2004-09-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

After a disappointing start by Kevin Brown, the clubhouse wall at Yankee Stadium took his frustration by catching an unsuspecting left hook requiring Brown to have surgery and miss starts, according to an Associated Press article on Fox Sports.

For the Yankees, the idea of being individuals rather than a team continues to mount. This episode is just one in the numerous acts by other individuals. Brown one of the better pitchers in the game has benched himself do to immature acts, more specifically punching a wall requiring him to have two pins in his glove hand. He has apologized to his teammates, staff, and fans for his act, but is still awaiting the punishment from management. He claims to be ready to pitch at the moment, and only needs clearance from the doctors to get on the mound once again. Many people in the organization are extremely disappointed by his immature behavior, but he claims that this type of behavior is what fuels his desire for success and perfection as a player and individual.

2004-09-04T00:33:00.000-05:00

My lil' brother and I.

Just 19

2004-09-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

Padres' number 19 will be viewed once again at PETCO Park, but this time it will not be on Tony Gywnn as it will be retired by the organization this Saturday.

In a time where it is rare to see an athlete spend twenty seasons in a professional sport, it is even more surprising to hear that it was with the same team showing loyalty to the team and fans in that area. HIs successes on the field are unimagined from having 3,141 hits, 5 gold gloves, 8 silver bats, and numerous other honors as the list could go on. The highest honor of a professional athlete, and especially Tony Gywnn, is still awaiting with his induction into the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame making him only the second Padre to wear that uniform into the Hall. This all can wait though as this weekend is his at PETCO Park with the retiring of the number 19.

Visit MLB to catch up on other scores and events occuring.

Hunt for Red October

2004-09-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox continue to win and shoot to prove that there is no curse preventing them from making the post season and winning the sacred World Series Trophy, according to a recent Associated Press article on Fox Sports.

As the regular season begins to come to an end, the Red Sox are hotter than ever winning their eighth straight and fourteen of their last fifteen games. They continue to increase their lead in the Wild Card race by defeating the teams that are in that same hunt as they did the past few days with the Anaheim Angels. Their eyes are not merely on the Wild Card race, but more about winning the American League East by simply trailing the New York Yankees by only 3 1/2 games.

2004-08-25T19:17:00.000-05:00

This is wired.

The First One

2004-08-25T19:09:00.000-05:00

It has begun.