Massive Deal 4 Rodriguez...

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have reportedly agreed to a framework that could lead to the largest sports contract in history. The New York Daily News reported that Rodriguez will likely sign a deal worth $275 million over 10 years. It appeared the superstar third baseman would no longer be with the Yankees after he opted out of the remaining three years of his previous contract with the team.
That made him a free agent and allowed him to negotiate with any team in the majors, but he indicated he would like to stay with New York if a deal could be arranged. Rodriguez met with the sons of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner during the past week. The Daily News report said that while language in the contract must be made final, it is expected to include incentives concerning the career home run record currently owned by Barry Bonds. Rodriguez hit 54 homers last season with 156 RBI and batted .314. But he struggled in the playoffs and the Yankees were eliminated in the first round for the third straight year.

I was kind of disappointed because I has hoping that he would try out our MudHens here in Toledo but I know that money talks so his decision to stay with the Yankees was coming soon enough. Well I wish him the best and a good luck on reaching Bond's record.

Bonds Indicted...

SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader Barry Bonds has been indicted in San Francisco on five counts of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Documents were filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco in connection with Bonds' Dec. 4, 2003, grand jury appearance, during which he testified he did not knowingly take performance enhancing drugs supplied by Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). Bonds' former mistress, Kimberly Bell, and a former childhood friend, Stevie Hoskins, also have said BALCO supplied him steroids. The indictment of the seven-time National League MVP follows one of the longest federal grand jury investigations in Northern California history.
The 43-year-old slugger, who has consistently denied using steroids, has hit 762 home runs with a career average of .298 in 22 seasons with Pittsburgh and San Francisco. His historic 756th homer came Aug. 7 this year against Washington.
He is a free agent after the Giants decided not to re-sign him.

Free agent Roger Clemens

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Roger Clemens, who has told the Houston Astros he is ready to fulfill a personal services contract, officially filed for free agency Friday. That move leaves open the possibility Clemens might pitch in the majors for a 25th season. Clemens was one of three players to file for free agency Friday, bringing the total to 146 who have done so since the filing period began last week. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf and Tampa Bay designated hitter Greg Norton also filed.
Clemens does not have to officially retire to start his personal services contract, a 10-year deal he signed with the Astros in 2004. He agreed to the deal then because he expected to retire at the end of that season. But he pitched again for the Astros in 2005 and 2006. He then signed a one-year deal for the New York Yankees and went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 games last season.

Get the Devil out...

Tampa Bay drops 'Devil' from nickname.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays dropped the "Devil" from their name Thursday while introducing a new image.
"We are now the 'Rays' -- a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida," said Stuart Sternberg, the team's principal owner. "Tampa Bay and the Sunshine State are beautiful places. We want the Rays to reflect the best our region has to offer." The team also changed its colors, replacing green and black with a combination of navy and light blue. New uniforms were introduced as well, featuring the new colors along with a yellow sunburst that emerges from behind the letter, "R."

This is the beginning of a good thing, now if we can only take of the others that have bad names like The Florida Marlins,The Arizona Diamonbacks heck even The Minnesots Twins, has anyone done a research as to what their twins of? Let's not even mention the Washington Nationals.
:)

A-Rod in the Glass City?

Alex Rodriguez isn’t going to be a Tiger in 2008, but maybe he’ll consider an offer from the Toledo Mud Hens. On Sunday, after SI.com reported that Rodriguez would opt out of his contract and become a free agent, New York Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Times, “Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?” The Mud Hens figured they should give him that opportunity. Dan Royer, a graphic designer for the team, created a mock Hall of Fame bust, with Rodriguez wearing a Toledo hat. The Mud Hens also prepared a letter that they plan to mail to Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras. Included is a contract offer with incentives if he hits 75 home runs per season and leads Toledo to 10 straight Governors’ Cup titles.
There is a catch, of course.
The letter includes a reminder that Mike Hessman – the International League’s reigning Most Valuable Player – is the Mud Hens’ everyday third baseman.
“We think that it would be a healthy competition at spring training between the two of them,” it reads. “Would your client be willing to play a different position?”
By Jon Paul Morosi -
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

I believe we should welcome him with open arms and hearts. We have a great crew in The Mud Hens and we can always use an addition to the club. Let's see what happens with this one and I would have to agree that he might bring in a bigger fan crowd and a bit more money to the area which Toledo canuse right now and in the future.

Dirty or Clean?

LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Barry Bonds said Thursday he would turn down entry into the Hall of Fame if an asterisk is placed on the baseball he hit to break Hank Aaron's career record. Bonds, who made the vow during an interview with MSNBC, broke Aaron's mark of 755 homers this year and finished the season with 762. He was released by the San Francisco Giants at season's end. The ball Bonds hit to establish the record was purchased by fashion designer Marc Ecko for $752,000 and Ecko gave fans a chance to vote on the Internet on what they thought should happen to the ball.
Fans voted to send the ball to the Hall of Fame with an asterisk marked on it as a symbol of Bonds' alleged use of performance enhancing drugs. "I don't think you can put an asterisk in the game of baseball," Bonds said in the interview. When asked what he would do if the ball was displayed with an asterisk, Bonds said:

"I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never. I won't go. I won't be part of it, I won't be there. You can call me, but I won't be there."

It bothers me that although there have been many accusations towards Bonds about the juicing of the performance drug and no one has yet to show some kind of proof. You would think that if in fact he did use the additives some one would of busted him on it by now. Allow the ball to be placed in The Hall of Fame without the asterisk next to it because until proven dirty, he's clean. How many players in the league have large numbers of RBIs and stolen bases? Quite a bit right, well let's say we add an asterisk to there number total and add a text saying "Well so and so got that last boost of numbers because the last team the played completely sucked so his total counts but it's under restraint due to lack of a challenge from the opposing team." Now that would completely enrage the player accomplishing that task of greatness. Now if it turns out that he was walking around with an IV pumping the stuff in then I guess I'll take back my words and agree that the ball should not only have an asterisk but it should be placed in the cleaning supply closet for all to see where dirty accomplishments go.

Game 4 goes to the Red Sox as well as the World Series Trophy...

MLB: Boston 4, Colorado 3
DENVER (UPI) -- Mike Lowell homered and scored a run Sunday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 4-3, to complete a four-game World Series sweep. After the game, Lowell was named series MVP. Bobby Kielty also homered for Boston, and Jason Varitek and David Ortiz each drove in a run. Jacob Ellsbury had two hits and scored a run for the Red Sox, who won the World Series for the second time in four years. They previously won it all in 2004. Garrett Atkins hit a two-run home run and Brad Hawpe had a solo shot to account for the Rockies' scoring.

Red Sox starter Jon Lester pitched 5 2/3 innings, holding the Rockies scoreless on three hits, with three strikeouts and three walks. Reliever Jonathan Papelbon earned the save, pitching 1 2/3 innings of no-hit ball, with one strikeout. Colorado starter Aaron Cook took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings, with two strikeouts and no walks

Game 3 goes to the Red Sox...

DENVER (UPI) -- Jacoby Ellsbury had four hits, drove in two runs and scored twice Saturday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 10-5, to go up 3-0 in the World Series. Dustin Pedroia had three hits, drove in two and scored a run, and Mike Lowell had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, as the Red Sox continued their mastery over the Rockies. Boston has won the first three games of the World Series by a combined score of 17-7, and has out-hit Colorado, 32-23. Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0) held the Rockies to two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings -- and contributed a two-run single during a six-run third inning.

The Red Sox led, 6-1, when the Rockies came up with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh, when Matt Holliday stroked a three-run home run to make it 5-5, Boston. Ellsbury drove in a run with an eighth-inning single, and then scored on Pedroia's two-run double, to put the Sox back in control. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Denver, with Jon Lester set to start for Boston and Aaron Cook getting the start for Colorado.

This just in...

This just in from UPI...

Red Sox lament losing the DH
DENVER (UPI) -- Boston will be without the designated hitter when the World Series shifts to Denver this weekend. It will not be in effect Saturday night when the Rockies are home for Game 3, and the Red Sox will be down an automatic batter with first baseman Kevin Youkilis on the bench. The DH rule, often criticized, was established by the American League in 1973.

It forces Boston to use its normal DH, David Ortiz, at first, while pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will bat for himself because the game is in an NL city. Boston, up 2-0, loses defense with Ortiz at first and Youkilis on the bench. "'Youk' is a really good hitter, but they won't let us play all three of them," said Manager Terry Francona. "So we'll go with this." When the series' first two games were played at Boston's Fenway Park, Colorado used its right-fielder, Ryan Spilborghs, at DH.
The Rockies did openly oppose the rule.

An excellent opinion...

It all seems to be coming together now, at just the right time, much as it did in 2004 after the Red Sox staged the greatest comeback in the history of sports to vanquish the Yankees in that year’s ALCS.

The comment above is that of Corey Fyke Day Staff Writer , his piece on the past and present of Boston's standings are true to the fact. I became a Red Sox fan even more this year because of my brother Chelo. He i definitely a die hard fan, my uncle from Boston has been a fan for pretty much his whole life. I am glad to have become a stronger fan to this excellent ball club, watching them play against the Indians brought me some memories of watching a game with my uncle when I was younger and I had gone to visit him for a week. I have been to Fenway before but it would be nice to go there with my uncle and my brother at the same time. Read Mr. Fyke's complete article by clicking on the link at the bottom labeled 'Article', his entry is a definite read don't miss it.

ARTICLE

Game 2 goes to the Red Sox...

MLB: Boston 2, Colorado 1

BOSTON (UPI) -- Mike Lowell doubled in the go-ahead run in the fifth Thursday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Colorado, 2-1, to take a two-game lead in the World Series. After pounding out 17 hits and winning easily in the series opener, the Red Sox captured a tense struggle in Game 2, despite stranding a dozen runners. Colorado will be at home for Game 3 Saturday night in the first World Series game ever played in Denver.
Boston starter and winning pitcher Curt Schilling allowed four hits and a run through 5 1/3 innings. With two on and two out in the sixth, Hideki Okajima came on to end the threat. Okajima struck out four and did not allow a hit over 2 1/3 before being replaced by closer Jonathan Papelbon, who got the last four outs and moved the Red Sox within two wins of their second World Series title in three years. Colorado scored in the first when Willy Taveras raced home from third on Todd Helton's ground out. Jason Veritek's sacrifice fly tied it in the fourth. The Red Sox tied it with two out in the fifth, when David Ortiz walked, went to second on a single by Manny Ramirez and came in on Lowell's two-base hit off Ubaldo Jimenez.

I was unable to watch the entire game last night because my youngest daughter had her first chorus concert and my wife had a forum to attend at Devaux Junior High. When I got home it was the bottom of the 7th and I was feeling a bit tired. The outcome although low was still predictable, they are up two games to none and that is all that counts in my opinion. All they need now is two more games and the season is over.

Thus far the Red Sox are doing pretty darn good. I was hoping for another blow out but I'll take a win even if it's smaller the the first one.

Ubaldo Jimenez did his best to make Colorado forget about Game 1, but Mike Lowell's RBI double in the fifth inning knocked out Jimenez and has given the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in Game 2 of the World Series. Curt Schilling? He went 5 1/3 strong innings.

The night is still young, the game is still 2-1 in Boston's favor. I hope to wake up with the Sox having a 2-0 lead over the Rockies.

Game 1 goes to the Red Sox...

MLB: Boston 13, Colorado 1

BOSTON (UPI) -- A lead-off homer by Dustin Pedroia was the first of 17 Boston hits Wednesday night as the Red Sox blasted Colorado in Game 1 of the 103rd World Series, 13-1. Boston's Josh Beckett improved to 4-0 in the playoffs, giving up a run on six hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings, but it was the long procession of two-out Boston hits that turned the game into a rout as Colorado, making its World Series debut, lost for the first time in 10 games and for only the second time in 23 contests.
The Red Sox had 11 hits and scored 11 times after two were away. Three of those runs came on consecutive bases-loaded walks during a seven-run fifth inning. The 12-run victory margin was the largest ever in a World Series opener. Pedroia drove in two runs, as did David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew. Colorado starter Jeff Francis surrendered six runs on 10 hits in four innings. Rain fell off and on during the contest while temperatures were stuck in the low 50s. Curt Schilling will start for Boston in Game 2 Thursday night. Ubando Jimenez will pitch for the Rockies.

Last night's game was exactly what I expected well actually it's a bit more then what I expected. When the bottom of the 5th came even though it was 2 outs on Boston they just kept hitting and walking. This morning I woke reading stories in the news that a slew of fans were cheering at Fenway until late in the night. You have got to love those kind of nights.

Game 1 is underway...

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It's game 1 and so far it looks good for Boston. Not much is going on thus far but I know that it will change as they get warmed up. My prediction is that Boston will come out on top with a 9 - 3 win over the Rockies. Yes I know that some of you are thinking that I'm celebrating a bit early but I know a sure thing when I see it.

Wakefield on the side...

BOSTON (UPI) --

The American League champion Boston Red Sox have left starting pitcher Tim Wakefield off their World Series roster.
Wakefield was left off the American League Division Series roster with soreness in his back but was added to American League Championship Series roster and pitched in a Game 4 loss in Cleveland. It was reported that Wakefield has a shoulder injury.
Game 1 of the World Series is set for Wednesday night in Boston. Josh Beckett will start for the Red Sox and Jeff Francis for the Colorado Rockies. Wakefield had a 17-12 record and a 4.76 ERA in 31 starts this past season. But the 41-year-old knuckleballer missed a scheduled start Aug. 31 with a back injury and was just 1-2 in his last five starts. He gave up 39 hits and 24 earned runs over his final 24 2/3 innings.

Tonight being game 1 of the series you know for a fact that my attention will be focused on the game especially seeing what Colorado has to offer. I'll be looking for certain signs from the Rockies pen to see if they really are the Champs in their region.

Game 7 goes to the Red Sox - and they're going the World Series...

MLB: Boston 11, Cleveland 2
BOSTON (UPI) -- Dustin Pedroia homered, drove in five runs and scored three times Sunday night, as the Boston Red Sox beat Cleveland, 11-2, in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Pedroia's two-run homer in the seventh cracked open a one-run game at Fenway Park, as the Sox went on to score six runs in the inning on the way to their third straight win over the Indians. After coming back from being down 3-1 in the ALCS, Boston earned its second trip to the World Series in four years, and will take on the National League champion Colorado Rockies in Game 1 Wednesday. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. Kevin Youkilis had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka earned the victory, giving up just two runs on six hits in five innings, with three strikeouts and no walks.
After Hideki Okajima pitched two-plus innings of relief, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon posted the first six-out save of his career. Grady Sizemore and Ryan Garko each drove in a run for the Indians. Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook took the loss, despite holding Boston to three runs on nine hits in six innings, with five strikeouts and one walk.

Game 6 goes to the Red Sox...

MLB: Boston 12, Cleveland 2
BOSTON (UPI) -- J.D. Drew hit a first-inning grand slam and Boston scored six times in the third Saturday night, as the Red Sox beat Cleveland, 12-2, to tie the ALCS, 3-3. The Red Sox forced a deciding Game 7 in the American League Championship Series Sunday night in Boston, with the winner advancing to the World Series vs. the Colorado Rockies. Drew went 3-for-5 and drove in five runs, and Julio Lugo added a two-run double for the Red Sox, who have come back from a 3-1 deficit in the series. Kevin Youkilis had three hits with an RBI and scored twice.
The Red Sox are trying to become just the fourth team in 14 post-season series to win after trailing 3-1 in a best-of-seven set. Boston has already accomplished that twice -- rallying for four straight wins to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS and coming back from a 3-1 deficit to top the Angels in the 1986 ALCS. Curt Schilling got the win after pitching seven innings and giving up two runs on six hits. His performance was indeed one to watch over and over again. Fausto Carmona took the loss. He left the game after allowing six hits and seven runs over two-plus innings.
Victor Martinez homered for Cleveland.
The next encounter will be tonight October 21, 2007 at 8:00pm ET.

Game 5 goes to the Red Sox

MLB: Boston 7, Cleveland 1
CLEVELAND (UPI) -- Josh Beckett extended Boston's season, allowing a lone run over eight innings Thursday night, as the Red Sox downed Cleveland, 7-1. Boston reduced its deficit in the American League Championship Series to 3-2, and will try to square things when the action resumes Saturday in Fenway Park. Beckett, the winning pitcher in the series opener, gave up five hits and struck out 11, while throwing 74 of 109 pitches for strikes. He again got the best of Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia, who surrendered four runs on 10 hits in six innings.
Manny Ramirez, who drew criticism from Boston fans for saying it "would not be the end of the world" if the Red Sox do not win the AL title, singled in the go-ahead run in the third. Kevin Youkilis drove in three Boston runs with a solo homer in the first, a triple during a two-run seventh and a bases-loaded walk as part of a three-run eighth.
Curt Schilling will pitch for the Red Sox in Game 6 Saturday. Fausto Carmona will get the start for the Indians.

Game 4 goes to the Indians

MLB: Cleveland 7, Boston 3
CLEVELAND (UPI) -- Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run homer in a seven-run fifth inning Tuesday as Cleveland pounded Boston 7-3 for a 3-1 lead in the AL Championship Series. Casey Blake started the fifth with a home run for the Indians, who will try to wrap up the best-of-7 series Thursday night at home in Game 5. The American League champ will play the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.
Cleveland starter Paul Byrd (1-0) went five-plus innings, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. The Indians are one win away from their first World Series appearance since 1997. Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning for the losing Red Sox. It was the second time in postseason history the feat has been accomplished Boston's Tim Wakefield cruised through the first four innings. But Cleveland chased him from the game in the fifth as he left after 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with seven strikeouts.

Game 3 goes to the Indians...

MLB: Cleveland 4, Boston 2
CLEVELAND (UPI) -- Kenny Lofton hit a two-run homer Monday, powering the Cleveland Indians to a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox and a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Winning pitcher Jake Westbrook worked 6 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits including a two-run homer by Jason Varitek in the seventh inning and three walks.
Lofton hit his home run in the second inning. Cleveland got its other two runs in the fifth. Asdrubal Cabrera singled to drive in Casey Blake for a 3-0 lead. Travis Hafner then beat out a potential double play as Grady Sizemore scored for a 4-0 lead.
Daisuke Matsuzaka suffered the loss, giving up all four runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.