Major League Baseball has suspended umpire Mike Winters for the rest of the season.  Winters was the umpire who was in the altercation with Milton Bradley, where Bradley tore his ACL during his tantrum.

While I don’t know all the facts regarding what was said, the only person who is at fault for Bradley’s injury is Bradley.  No matter what someone says to you, as an adult you need to have self-control.  Bradley as a player is great, but his attitude and off-field antics hurt him.  He has a history of this type of behavior, and something like this was bound to happen given the way he carries himself.

I don’t want to see any player hurt, but when I first saw Bradley tore his ACL I figured this would be a wake up call and when he returns he’ll have a better attitude.  With Winters being suspended I’m not sure if this will happen.  This can only lead to law suits and finger pointing.  Without a doubt all parties have some reasonability in what happened.  Hopefully it’s not just one person who takes the fall.

Fashion Designer Mark Ecko was the lucky guy who won the auction for the Barry Bonds record-breaking home run ball. Ecko paid a hefty $752,467 for the ball, and came up with an idea, that got fans involved, and got him a ton of free press. He set up a website, 756.com, where fans can vote on what should be done with the ball. Here are the choices:

     A) Bestow It – Give the ball to Cooperstown.

     B) Brand It – Brand an asterisk on the ball, then offer it to Cooperstown

     C) Banish It – Put it in a rocket and send it into space.

I voted to bestow the ball to Cooperstown, in all reality that is where it belongs. Barry Bonds’ 756th home run ball is a piece of baseball history regardless what people think how he reached the record.

Branding it ruins the ball. Cooperstown will still accept it, but it’s a slap in the face to the game of baseball. Without a doubt there is plenty of evidence and speculation that Barry Bonds used steroids, but until the matter is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, Barry Bonds is the home run champion, like it or not.

Banishing the ball is stupid. While I initially found it funny, shooting a ball into space is a ridiculous idea. Besides, think of the logistics.

I do like Ecko’s idea. While expensive, it was a great marketing tactic to get his name in world wide media outlets that normally wouldn’t give him press, but I find it to be a mockery of he game I love. People in society tend to forget that we are all innocent until proven guilty, despite anyone’s suspicions. Right now Barry Bonds is the home run champion. OJ Simpson, who is daily tabloid drama, is innocent until he gets his day in court. In no way am I a Barry or OJ supporter (I feel sorry for them in a way), but these are just some examples of people jumping to judgment without all the facts. People tend forget just because they are in the spotlight, they are human beings just like you and me and have the same feelings that all people do. Sure it looks like a duck, and smells like a duck, but the legal system in this country doesn’t work that way.

Over 10,000,000 have voted, and the vote is in. The fans all over the world have spoken and voted to “Brand It”. So now the ball will be branded with an asterisk and offered to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dale Petroskey of the Baseball Hall of Fame has said they will accept the ball, and are looking forward to receiving it. The answer sounded pretty rehearsed. In reality you’d have to think the Hall would rather have the ball intact, not defaced.

When will the ball be brought to the Hall of Fame? Stay tuned… Mark Ecko’s 15 minutes of fame are not over just yet.

Again, I do applaud Mark Ecko for his idea for world-wide press; I just wish it wasn’t at the expense of Major League Baseball.

Some idiot at last night’s Mets/Marlins game in Miami thought it was a good idea to hurl a baseball onto the field, hitting relief pitcher Aaron Heilman on the forearm.  Initially you’d think that it was a classless Marlins fan messing with the opposition.  It wasn’t…  The guy who threw the ball was a Mets fan on crutches, wearing a “Jose Reyes” tee shirt.

Heilman wasn’t hurt by the throw, but that’s not really the point.  Fans need to have enough sobriety and self-control not to throw things on the field, or attempt to hurt a ballplayer in any way.  The guy who threw the ball was ejected not arrested, though he should have been.  Although it was on a much greater scale, this move reminds me of when a father/son duo in Chicago thought it was a good idea to run onto the field and pummel Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa.  The intent was the same, so it should be treated the same.  I don’t care how frustrated you might be.  You attempt to hurt a player or a coach, you go to jail, it is that simple.   

On the other hand, the Phillies, who’s fans are notorious idiots (they boo’d Santa Claus), have been fired up by the current success, but still rip manager Charlie Manuel.  Sure, Charlie isn’t the brightest guy in the world, and he’s the first to admit it, but he’s done a good job with this team.  Is he perfect?  No, I think he mishandles his pitching staff at times, but there’s worse out there.  Ask a Rangers fan…

The Phillies look to Adam Eaton tonight to keep the hot streak alive, as the Phillies are only a game and a half behind the slumping Mets for the lead in the NL East.

On Friday night, ten-year old Griffin Whitman was attending his first baseball game; the Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway Park. Griffin, a Red Sox fan, was armed with an autograph book and pen, aiming to get some players autographs. Yankees rookie outfielder, Shelly Duncan can happy to sign the ten-year old’s book. Griffin said he was happy until he looked at what Duncan wrote.

“Red Sox **** – Shelly Duncan”

This upset Griffin to the point where his mother contacted the media and the boy was quoted as saying:

“He’s a role model for a lot of people. Even ten-year old New York boys who like the Yankees would say he’s not a good guy, even though they like the Yankees”

I have to agree with Griffin. I know “athletes are not role models”, but ten-year olds don’t know that. They look up to baseball players. I remember when I was ten. I looked up to players like Dave Winfield, Steve Carlton, and Howard Johnson. If I met them and they gave me an autograph like that, it would hurt me.

The Yankees released a statement that it was Duncan’s way of having fun with the kid. At age ten, kids don’t understand that type of fun. Shelly Duncan should be mature enough to realize that. Next time he decides to “have fun” with a fan, maybe he should use his head because what he did lacks class. The Yankees claim to have a standard they uphold, but stunts like this isn’t what anyone would consider “The Yankee Way.”

Soon, congratulations will need to go to David Wright.  His first inning home run last night made him on step closer to being the twenty-ninth player in baseball history to reach baseball’s “30/30” club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season).  Wright will the third Mets player to reach this plateau.  Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry both did it in 1987.  Once he hits his 30^th home run, Wright has put himself closer to being the favorite to land the National League MVP.  Besides leading the Mets on the field, Wright is among the top 10 leaders in batting average, home runs, RBI’s, runs scored, stolen bases, and on base percentage.

While when you hear talk of the MVP, you hear names like Matt Holladay, Prince Fielder, Jimmy Rollins, Miguel Cabrera, and Chase Utley, but normally the MVP goes to a player on a playoff team.  There’s a good chance Holladay, Rollins, and Utley won’t be seeing the post season.  As far as Prince Fielder is concerned, I don’t know if you can say he’s the MVP of his own team.  With the impact Ryan Braun has had since his call up, he’s now considered the Brewers MVP.  If Fielder’s not the MVP of his own team, how can he be the MVP of the league?

At twenty-four, David Wright is finally coming into his own.  The expectations Mets fans had as Wright was coming up through the minors and as a rookie are now coming to light.  Having already set career highs in stolen bases, home runs, and walks, Wright is on pace for career highs in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and RBI’s.  He’s going to be a fixture at third base in Flushing for a long time.  If he doesn’t win the MVP this season, it won’t be long until he does.

Terry Ryan has stepped down as Twins GM.  Considered one of the best in the business, he’ll take an advisor role, evaluating talent.  Ryan made some great deals as Twins GM, most notably, bringing in John Santana and trading AJ Piernyzinski for Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser.  All wasn’t perfect in Ryan’s tenure…  He did let a player named David Ortiz go.

Have the Phillies completely given up?  Only getting 4 hits against Denny Bautista and Mark Redman is flat out pathetic.  Recently I read an article comparing this Phillies team to the ’93 Phillies team that went to the World Series.  I don’t see it.  The ’93 Phillies had a team first attitude.  This Phillies team doesn’t.  Jimmy Rollins would rather go for the big hit, preferably a triple, than take a walk, and Aaron Rowand cuts off both outfielders to make the play.  Could he be showcasing his defense?  I like this Phillies team, but they don’t have enough gas to go the distance.

I’m still scratching my head about the White sox giving Ozzie Guillen a five-year extension.  Normally managers don’t get contracts that long, especially a team that is fighting the Devil Rays and Orioles for the worst record in baseball.  As strange as it is, I think it shows the players that ownership is holding the team responsible for the season’s failures, not the manager. 

While I’m not a Yankee fan, and have never bought into the hype of the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, it’s nice to see that this weekend’s series at Fenway has some meaning.

Well we’ve hit crunch time in the baseball season. While a majority of the division races have already been settled (ask Yankees or Tigers fans, they might tell you different), it’s time we turn our attention to the Wild Card. The Wild Card races are down to the wire this season. There are three teams in the AL fighting for the one remaining spot and respectively five teams in the NL looking to advance into October baseball.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

New York Yankees – The Yankees are hot and controlling their own destiny. Alex Rodriguez appears to be finishing the season as he started it, on fire. With Roger Clemens injured, and Mike Mussina’s aging arm, catching up with him, pitching has become a concern, but rookies Ian Kennedy and Philip Hughes have stepped into the starting rotation nicely. Relying on two rookies for a playoff berth is tough, but the Yankees play solid this week, the Wild Card is theirs.

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have been a second half disappointment. The pitching has struggled, and injuries have really affected the ball club. Realistically the Tigers need to go 15-5 in the remaining 20 games to have a shot, but with pitcher Jeremy Bonderman shut down for the season, that’s just another obstacle for the defending AL Champs.

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners were a feel good story for much of the season. Going 2-13 over their last 15 games really hurt this club, and for them to get back in the playoff hunt they’re going to need to go on a tear, and hope the Yankees and Tigers both fall apart. Will it happen? Not likely.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

San Diego Padres – The Padres are on control of the Wild Card right now, and have been playing good baseball. While the Padres are still focused on winning the NL West, they need to turn their attention to the Wild Card, so they can secure themselves another post-season berth. With three games in Los Angeles against a Dodgers team that is only a game and a half out, the Padres need to capitalize on this opportunity and put the Dodgers away.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Out of all the teams fighting for the NL Wild Card, the Dodgers might be the strongest option to overtake the Padres for the Wild Card. Only a game and a half behind the Padres, the Dodgers have the opportunity to take the Wild Card lead from them. The one concern with the Dodgers is their remaining schedule. All of their nineteen remaining games are against the NL West opponents. Sixteen of those games are against teams with a record over .500.

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies have continued to win with smoke and mirrors. No one can be sure what they are getting out of the Phillies. Whether it’s a rare dominating pitching performance, or it’s blowing an eight-run lead at the end of the game, the Phillies will score runs and hope their pitching staff doesn’t lose the game for them. Though they are only two games out of the Wild Card, the Phillies need to take at least three of four from the Rockies to remain in the playoff hunt.

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies are similar to the Phillies, except the have a stronger bullpen. They have a strong lineup from top to bottom and play solid defense. The Rockies season depends upon their four game series in Philadelphia starting tonight. If the Rockies can take three of four or sweep, they’re in the hunt. If they lost this series, you can write them off.

Atlanta Braves – People still consider the Braves in the playoff hunt. In reality it’s a stretch. They’re four games out of the Wild Card with four teams ahead of them. Unless the Braves go on a big winning streak, they’re done. With a series starting tonight against the Mets, it’s going to be an uphill bat

Ian Kennedy makes his second career start against the Royals tonight.  Kennedy went seven innings against the Devil Rays in his debut, allowing one earned run and striking out six, to pick up the win.  This year Kennedy has pitched at all three minor league levels and the majors for a combine record of 13-2 with a 1.85 ERA.  Barring any type of injury, Yankees fans have a tremendous one/two punch for the coming years with Kennedy and Philip Hughes.

Yesterday wasn’t the best day for Chicago closers (and as a result my fantasy baseball team), as both Bobby Jenks and Ryan Dempster blew the save opportunity and took the loss for their respective clubs.  The loss was bigger for the Cubs who are now tied with the Brewers for the NL Central lead, with the Cardinals only one game back.

The series of the weekend is the Rockies at the Padres.  The Rockies are four games behind the Padres in the Wild Card standings with the Phillies and Dodgers wedged between.  Should the Padres sweep, or even take two of three, it could spell the end of any playoff hopes in Colorado.

Good news for Mets fans as Pedro Martinez made his long awaited return.  Pedro went five innings, while allowing three runs.  While Pedro isn’t going to be the ace he was he gives the Mets pitching staff a mental lift they sorely need.  Besides his return, Pedro became the fifteenth player in MLB history to record 3,000 strikeouts after he set down Aaron Harang to end the second inning.

The Phillies Jimmy Rollins in a legit MVP candidate.  He’s easy to over look with Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez in the same division, or a lineup he shares with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, but Rollins is quietly putting together a career season.  Besides great defense Rollins leads the league in runs, total bases, and triples.  He ranks in the top 10 in stolen bases and hits.  He’s also on pace to hit 30 home runs and 90 RBI’s.  These are numbers coming from a leadoff batter.  If Rollins can hit 4 more triples by seasons end, he will join Willie Mays as the only player in baseball history to have at least 20 doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in the same season.  If that’s not an MVP season, I’m not sure what is.

When will Carlos Zambrano realize he’ll be a lot more appreciated by Cubs fans if he learns to keep his mouth shut?  The walking distraction that is Zambrano attacked the Cubs fans through the media yesterday after he was booed in an 11-3 Cubs loss.

"I don’t accept the fans were booing me," Zambrano said. "I don’t understand that. I think these are great fans of baseball, but they showed me today they just care about them. That’s not fair.

"When you’re struggling, that’s when you want to feel support from the fans," Zambrano said. "I don’t accept it. I just pointed to my head because I will remember it. The great moments of my career will come."

Boo-hoo Carlos.  If there are loyal fans for a franchise, it’s Cubs fans.  99 years without a championship and they still sell out Wrigley regularly.  Zambrano needs to wake up and realize it’s not being against you, it’s about winning it all.  Grow up Carlos.