Who is a better second baseman than Rangers infielder Ian Kinsler? That question is up for debate. Who is better than Kinsler in the American League? Nobody.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will likely get the nod to start the All-Star Game because he will get more votes than Kinsler. He's not better. He's just more popular.

At the moment. Kinsler will be a star one day. Pedroia already is one. I really like and respect these two players for numerous reasons.

Both can really play.

Pedroia is a nice guy and a good teammate. Kinsler also has a reputation for being a great dude. The only knock I've heard and witnessed first-hand is the level of confidence/borderline cockiness these two have shown at times. (chirping, arguing with umps, strutting, etc.) I'm not saying their confidence is a bad thing. I'm sure it's helped them achieve their dreams, but sometimes ...

 

 

 

My new Flip has inspired me to add more video to this blog. I figured there is no better way to start off the video era than by linking to one of the craziest things I have seen Ozzie Guillen ever do.

 

He is the Mariano of Missouri. He's the K-Rod of K.C.

He'll never be as recognized as Boston's Jonathan Papelbon but that's just fine with Royals closer Joakim Soria.

 

Soria is content with the fact that he is neither larger than life like Big Papi or the louder than life like David Ortiz's Red Sox teammate, the big Pape.

 

Saving games, not grabbing the headlines, is Soria's number one priority. Besides, everybody will likely get to know the young Mexican with 20 saves in his first 21 save opportunities come the All-Star break. He is among the top candidates to represent his club at the Mid-Summer Classic in New York next month and his statistics are hard to argue with.

 

In addition to his saves, he has a 1.32 ERA in 34 innings. He has 35 strikeouts in 32 appearances.

 

"I don't think about the fame or being famous," Soria, 24, said. "I don't consider myself overlooked because I don't think that way. Right now in my career, I am just trying to do my job and help my team win. I'm not thinking about that type of stuff. Recognition comes when you win and do a good job."

 

He's right. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is revered for his postseason track record as much as he is feared for his cut-fastball. Angels closer Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez won a World Series in Anaheim and his slider will make the free-agent-to-be a rich man this offseason. Ask and most will say Rodriguez appears in line to be the next great closer in the game once Rivera retires.

 

The key word of late is "appears" because Soria is making a strong case to be the next great closer. But the right-hander plays in small market Kansas City and not New York or Los Angeles so his road to becoming a household name is tougher than most.

 

It doesn't help that the Royals are in last place in the American League Central and the save opportunities don't come often for Soria. But when they do, he takes advantage of them.

 

"He's a talented young arm and he has a good pitch repertoire that is a little bit different than most closers," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "He's deceptive. If you look at the radar gun, he's 90 to 91 mph but you don't see too many consistent good swings. I think that can be attributed to the fact that guys don't pick up the ball very well."

 

Soria is good, some say great. But the age-old riddle remains: If a Major League team is shut down in the ninth inning by closer from a small market team and nobody is around, does it make a sound?

 

The answer is yes. Ask his manager. Then take a step back to hear his respectful yet firm answer.

 

 

 

"He's put up pretty good numbers for almost a year. I wouldn't say people are over looking him," Hillman said. "Maybe we are not the most popular team to be looking for star players because it hasn't been a contending team. Teams that are contending tend to get more air-time and more star-time for their players."

 

 

Make no mistake, Soria is not taking anything for granted but excuse him while he catches his breath before complaining about not getting the amount of publicity he deserves. The road to Kansas City has been a long one.

 

He arrived at Royals camp last year as an anonymous Rule 5 Draft pick who had never pitched above Class A, and was deemed not good enough for the San Diego Padres, who had left him off their 40-man roster. Last season, Soria went 2-3 with a 2.48 ERA with a team-leading 17 saves for Kansas City after taking over the closer's job from Octavio Dotel.

 

This is his first full season as the team's closer. The Monclova, Mexico-native honed his pitching skills playing for the Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Obregon Yaquis in the Mexican League as a starting pitcher.

 

 

"I am trying to be in control about it all and just do my job when I get the chance," Soria said. "The goal is to have a good season but we all want to win for the team. We are working together for that."

 

But what about leaving the bullpen and returning to the starting rotation one day? Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain has made the switch -- with much fanfare. The theatrics of the Papelbon "bullpen-to-the-rotation-back-to-the-bullpen" drama a few seasons ago was made-for-television.

 

Soria smiles because he's not thinking about changing jobs at the moment. And if he did, he's not sure what type of attention the move would generate anyway.

 

"I know the closer role is very important in baseball so I am glad the manager has the confidence in me to do it," he said. "I'll keep doing it as long as I can or until they ask me to do something else. It's their decision."

 

 

 

The distance between Jorge Campillo's hometown of Tijuana, Mexico, and the United States is just one step across the border, but until the 2008 season it marked the difference between happiness and regret for the Braves pitcher.

When does a childhood dream become an adult nightmare? When do you give up on Major League Baseball and more importantly, when has Major League Baseball given up on you? Campillo spent sleepless nights over the offseason asking himself those very questions.

The answer is one he has grown to accept and Atlanta come to appreciate. There is no way Campillo is giving up, not this year. Mexico can wait another year for one of its favorite baseball sons to return home to play.

Campillo, 29, is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA with 28 strikeouts in six starts for the Braves this season. Overall, he sports a 2.17 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 20 games in 2008. The right-hander was called up from Triple-A in April and made his first 13 appearances out of the bullpen.

"This is a dream for all of my family, but now the stakes are higher," Campillo said. "Before it was just to get here, but now it's to stay here for a long time. You never relax in this game."

Campillo's next chance will come today. He is scheduled to start against Seattle, the team that signed him out of Mexico in 2005.

"From Day 1 since he joined us, he's been just amazing," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He started in the bullpen and was fantastic, and every start he has made has been fantastic. He's got tremendous control. He's one of our top dogs."

Campillo's repertoire is made up of a curveball, slider, cut fastball and changeup. Far from overpowering, his fastball hovers in the 86- to 88-mph range, but his sneaky delivery can be deceptive. He has appeared in only 28 Major League games in his career, but has been pitching professionally in Mexico since 1998.

"He knows how to pitch and he's faced all kind of guys in the Minor Leagues, Mexican Leagues and the big leagues," Braves catcher Corky Miller said. "He has faced different types of hitters, different styles of hitters and he has an idea of how to get those types of players out. It's not necessarily about getting the individual out as much as getting that kind of guy out and what they are looking for."

Campillo's biggest asset could be his perseverance. His courage ranks a close second. Already a household name in Mexico, the pitcher was discovered by Mariners scouts after pitching in the 2005 Caribbean Series for Mexico and quickly signed with the team.

His progress in the Seattle system slowed to a snail's pace. He made one appearance with the Mariners upon his promotion from Triple-A Tacoma in August 2005, but missed the remainder of the season with a strained elbow. The strain led to Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, forcing him to miss most of the 2006 season. Upon his return, he allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings in his only appearance of 2006.

Campillo's baseball statistics were not pretty and the numbers in his life -- two years in the United States, one surgery, one child and a Minor League salary -- weighed heavily on him. He had been a star in Mexico and life back home was good. Up to that point, his life in the United States was a disaster.

"You get to a certain level in Mexico and you can make about $10,000 a month," Campillo said. "That's a good life in a country that loves baseball. But you don't have the benefits or retirement plans you get here. Over there, once you are finished, you are finished. They don't want anything to do with you. You have to start a business or something to get by. I wanted to try again."

In 2007, Campillo pitched only 13 1/3 innings for the Mariners and struggled with a 6.75 ERA on the big league level. In the Minors, he led Triple-A's Pacific Coast League in ERA, but was still taken off the roster by the Mariners at the end of the season.

"I don't know what happened in Seattle, but I appreciate what they did by signing me," Campillo said. "They gave me the opportunity and I can't forget that. I got hurt and the guys behind me passed me. I don't know if I was not their plans or if it was because I don't throw hard. I never knew what happened, but I know I was not able to do in the Major Leagues what they thought I would."

Without a job, Campillo returned to Mexico and planned out his future. Married and now the father of two young children, he made up his mind to go back to playing in Mexico on a full-time basis. The Major League dream was not worth the heartache anymore and he knew Mexico would welcome him with open arms.

"At what point is the sacrifice too much? This is my dream, but what am I doing to my family?" Campillo said. "Hey, if I am single I can do whatever I want, but I have to think of my family. After Seattle, I told my wife we are going back. This is too hard on us. I don't like what I am doing to our family. I am losing money playing here, the kids are missing school, I'm wasting the best years of my life trying to get somewhere that I might not get to because the teams don't want me. She said to give it one more chance."

The Braves called. Campillo took his wife's advice and he signed before the start of the season. He's never been happier.

"I was happy in Mexico, but when you watch Major League Baseball on television you wonder if you can play there," he said. "Atlanta games are always on television, so you think about that -- [Greg] Maddux, [Tom] Glavine and playing on these fields. I am happy now. I just want to help the team win."

Being the son of a baseball legend in Latin America has its privileges. But the advantages of the Major League pedigree quickly fade when you hit .150 in the big leagues.

 

Just ask Tony Pena Jr.

 

 

"T.J." Pena has been replaced at shortstop by Mike Aviles and there is no guarantee he will be back in the lineup anytime soon. He is working in the batting cages and out of the lineup indefinitely because of his inability to make adjustments at the plate, poor pitch selection, his constant swinging at pitches out of the strike zone and lack of contact ratio.

 

In other words, he is struggling with virtually every part of his offensive game at the plate and it forced Royals manager Trey Hillman to consider other options. For now, that option is Mike Aviles and the New Yorker is making the best of the opportunity. Since replacing Pena at shortstop, Aviles is hitting .306 with three home runs and six RBIs.

 

He hit .338 at Triple-A Omaha to earn the promotion.

 

"I think he's a guy that you've got to give a little more time to. You might just grade his tools and say, 'Well, we're not real sure what we've got,' " Hillman said. "But then you put him in there and let him go and you might have something special before you know it."

 

Last season, Pena hit .267 in 152 games for the Royals. He hit .227 in 40 games for Atlanta in 2006. For now, he spends most of his days in the batting cages.

 

"It's a process and I'll keep working hard," Pena said. "I'm working on all parts of my game. I just want to help the team. I know I can play. I'm going to keep working and see when I can play again."

 

Pena's problem could be his lack of his experience. He only has xxx big league at-bats. Anxiety at the plate might also be an issue. Forgive Hillman if he raises his eyebrows when asked about Pena's return. The Royals are in last place in the division and steady play at the shortstop position is only one of the team's issues. Pena will return will Hillman feels he is ready and the timing is right for the entire team.

 

When is that time? Don't ask.

 

"You want me to sit here and tell you when a .150 hitter is going to get back into the lineup when I stuck with him for 150 at-bats," Hillman said. "When do you put a .150 hitter back in there? He keeps working and hopefully he eventually gets another shot. In the meantime, Mike Aviles is doing a pretty good job and I'll stick with Mike.

 

 

"Mike Aviles is doing a good job," he continued. "He is having good at bats and playing good defensively. We're going with him for a team that has struggled with wins and losses as much as we have."

 

  

 

It's that time of year again and Kansas City outfielder Jose Guillen is feeling the heat.

 

So are his opponents. His teammates are not being spared, either.

 

The Dominican has been called everything from fiery to controversial to a huge pain in the neck but ask Guillen what he calls himself and he'll simply say "a winner."

 

Make that a "(expletive) winner." And oh yeah, he loves playing in the (expletive) summer because it feels like home. No, he's not kidding.

 

"I come from a tropical island. I live in Miami. It's one of those things that happens to many of us Latinos," Guillen said. "I think some of us get used to the cold, adjust and thrive in it but I'm not one of those. The cold weather and me are not friends. I don't feel like I'm the same player when my body is not comfortable and I'm not comfortable when I'm freezing."

 

The climate matters but it's not the only reason Guillen is playing well lately. He showed up to Spring Training out of shape and Guillen spent the better part of February and March trying to lose excess fat and improve his endurance. He struggled in April, hitting .192 with three home runs and 15 RBIs. He hit .308 in May.

 

He's in shape now and posts a .433 batting average with five home runs and 17 RBIs this month. Overall, Guillen is hitting .288 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs for the season.

 

"His body is in better shape and he's able to control the bad head better," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "His lower half is stronger and it gives him more balance. His head stays behind the ball and he puts good swings on it."

Guillen's head, specifically his mental state, has been a source of contention throughout his career. His reputation for run-ins with teammates, managers, and umpires could be part of the reason he has played with eight teams during his 11-year career. His ability to hit the ball, play multiple outfield positions and contribute as a designated hitter is the reason why he doesn't have trouble finding a job every year. Before the start of the 2008 season, Guillen signed a three-year $36 million deal with the Royals.

 

All things considered, he should be happy. The numbers - statistics and dollar signs - are working in his favor and he's the leader in a clubhouse full of young players with seemingly unlimited potential. He has quickly grown into a fan favorite in Kansas City for his intensity on the field and gregarious personality off of it.

 

He's not unhappy. He's just not satisfied with being in last place in the American League Central by more than 10 games.

 

 "It's a lot different being here," Guillen said. "It's not fun losing and having a good year because I want to have a good year as a team. I want to win. I want to help the team win. I know it's a young team, I know that. We are not going through the happiest time and maybe things will get better. Listen, I know everybody wants to have a good year but everybody wants to win, too."

 

The outfielder's feelings are well-documented.

 

Late last month, Guillen criticized his teammates in a profanity-laced tirade after the club lost its 10^th consecutive game. He called the Royals "babies" and said they didn't know how to win. He lost his cool, saying he understood why the club has been a losing franchise for so long. Don't blame the manager, he said, because losing kills him, too.

 

In retrospect, Guillen said he didn't know the season was going to turn out this way but he has not given up hope. He refuses to apologize for his competitiveness, his outspokenness and believes it is his job as a team leader to motivate his teammates by any means necessary. He says he had the same approach dating back to Pittsburgh, his first big league team, in 1997 all the way up to Seattle in 2007 and he's not changing.  The Mariners, also stuck in last place in their division, could have used Guillen back in the lineup this season.

 

Guillen said the Mariners offered him a two-year, $18 million deal but he chose Kansas City instead.

 

"It's really ironic that the person we're missing the most is Jose Guillen," said Bill Bavasi, who was recently dismissed as the Mariners General Manager. "That is the piece that was here last year is not here this year. He could do some strange things, and he did, but at the top of his agenda was to win, and if anybody got in the way of playing the game right, he had no patience with that. That was his boiling point."

 

 

Guillen is not quite boiling but underneath the smile he is simmering. He doesn't want out of Kansas City yet (he has a limited no-trade clause) but he doesn't want in if losing ever becomes accepted as the norm.

 

"I'm working hard and feeling healthy," he said "I am trying to get better and I think our team is, too. I can't control everything. I control what I can control."

 

The Rangers designated Sidney Ponson for assignment because of off the field issues.

"Based on recent events, I don't think Sidney wants to be here or deserves to be here," Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. Daniels did not say much after that statement but did do a fine job of dancing around the subject without giving away any specifics.It was GM Speak 101 and it left reporters with puzzled looks and even more questions as to what happened.

 

Let the guessing game begin. I have hunch but I choose to defer to Texas Baseball Hall of Famer and TexasRangers.com beat writer TR Sullivan on this one. If you wanna find out what's going on, check out the page. He's one of the best in the country at covering a baseball beat.

Rangers catcher Gerald Laird started at third base Friday night. I thought he was kidding when he told me before the game. I knew something was up because he was smiling like a kid visiting Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. Laird, who has not fielded a ball at third base since he was 13, was so pumped up he called his family to make sure they watched the game. Rangers starter Vicente Padilla saw the lineup card, raised his eyebrows and laughed, making a joke at his good buddy's expense.

"I don't understand this team. Laird can't even play catcher and now they are going to put him at third base?"

Padilla's teammates burst into laughter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most visiting players, especially on teams that play their home games in cooler temperatures, experience the scorching heat of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington this time of year and can't lay off the ice cream or the ice water.

 

They don't take batting practice on the field and they stay inside almost all the way up to game time.

 

Then there's Cleveland Indians. The Tribe rolled into Texas fresh off of home games in 40 and 50-degree conditions and looked so comfortable in the sun; they practically made sand angels in the infield. The Indians caught fire, despite the windy conditions, scoring 39 runs in four games against the Rangers to split the four-game series.  

 

"We had a chance to win a four-game series against a team that's playing pretty good baseball right now," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We let that slip away, so that's disappointing."

 

Granted the Indians were shutout for the final eight innings in Thursday's 9-4 loss but the scoring spree, any scoring Cleveland spree at this point, had been a long time coming for the Indians. Cleveland came into Arlington with the lowest batting average in the Major Leagues at .234 but improved that mark to .243 in large part because of a .381 batting average against the Rangers in the first three games of the series. Since June 1, the Indians are hitting .340 and have produced three consecutive 15-hit games for the first time since 1999.

 

The Indians racked up 57 hits in four games against the Rangers.

 

Could the series be the spark the team needed? It sure hopes so.<p>

 

The Tribe was tagged as a "can't miss" team in 2008, especially after coming within one victory of making the World Series last season, but the team has been missing in action for the first two months of the season. The expectations were high this season. The level of play has been anything but. Their woes have been well-documented.

 

Only left fielder Ben Francisco and right fielder Shin-soo Choo sport batting averages higher than .300. Designated hitter Travis Hafner is on the disabled list but you can argue he needed the rest. Hafner was hitting .217 with four home runs and 17 RBIs. Starting pitchers Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona are also on the disabled list. Closer Joe Borowski spent time on the DL this season as well.

 

Were the expectations too high? The Indians don't think so. Pressure? What pressure?

 

"We don't feel pressure," Indians shortstop Jhonny Peralta said. "We have guys who have done a lot in this game. When you start off slow everything looks bad."

 

Well, not everything. The starting rotation has been solid, boasting the fifth lowest ERA in the Major Leagues at 3.77. Indians starters have gone at least five innings in 52 of 60 games this season.

 

The Indians are exactly overjoyed but they are not panicking, either. The club is 6 1/2 games behind the first-place White Sox in the division race but only 2 ½ games behind second-place Minnesota.

 

"I don't think I'm ever content," Wedge said. "We need to do better and I think we will do better. We have had a lot of curveballs, no pun intended, but the guys have jumped it up the last couple of years and I think they are loosing up now.  I'm starting to see things come around. Hopefully we'll start clicking in all areas of our club."

 

The Indians split the first two games of the series against the Rangers and Cliff Lee picked up his ninth win of the season in the third game, despite giving up six runs and nine hits in five innings. In the series finale Thursday, Indians ace C.C. Sabathia was charged with five runs on nine hits in six innings. Rangers starter and former Indians pitcher Kevin Millwood gave up four runs in the first inning but rebounded with five scoreless frames to shut down the Cleveland offense.

 

"How many times did we see that when (Milwood) pitched (for Cleveland) that year?" Wedge said. "What he did is he made some adjustments. He did a better job, and we weren't able to get anything going."

 

The Indians travel to Detroit for four games starting Friday. The Tigers, like the Indians, are struggling to live up to expectations.

 

"Sometimes you get hot and sometimes you don't," Indians reliever Rafael Perez said. "We started off bad but we are giving 100-percent everyday and doing the best job we can. We'll keep working hard and we will see what happens."

 

So far this month, the results are so-so. The Indians are 2-3 this month after going 12-15 in May and 13-15 in the first month of the season..

 

"We've gotten a lot better the last week or so. They are relaxing a little more and starting to have a little more fun," Wedge said. "They have to establish their own identity and sometimes it takes some time to do that. We got a good group here and I think that's starting to happen a little bit."

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 I don't necessarily agree with Rangers pitcher Joaquin Benoit when he says the prospects drafted today don't deserve it or appreciate it. They do and they will. The misconceptions work both ways. Unless you grow up in Latin America, play ball there or really get to know what life and living in the countries is all about, it's hard to say you truly understand their path or feelings. You might have an idea, but until you walk in their footsteps, it's hard to really know what they go through. The same goes for the college guys drafted today. It's unfair to say you know exactly what they feel and are going through on a day like today. Where they come from and how hard they worked to get there. But hey, what's life without unfair generalizations?

 

***Could the Josh Hamilton for Edinson Volquez trade have worked out any better for the Rangers and the Reds. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing Volquez pitch to Hamilton in the All-Star Game in July. I can see it happening in the third inning in New York because my bet is that Arizona's Brandon Webb will start the game for the National League, pitch for two innings and Volquez will follow him. Hamilton will start in the outfield and at least get two at-bats in the game. Yes, it's early, way early .. but it's just a guess. While I'm at it, the Dallas Cowboys will go 12-4. Look for somebody to write a nice feature on troubled/reformed Cowboys defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones and Hamilton sometime this summer. Also, look for a tacky one somewhere out there that throws out the race card just to stir it up.

**Baseball players and chess in the clubhouses. Who knew? I guess I should not be so surprised. Baseball players for the most part are a nice bunch and very child-like. (they do play a child's game after all) and their minds work in a unique way. They have an ability to scan a scene (chess board or game situation), strategize, and make a corresponding move in seconds. They do it naturally  and fearlessly. I think it's part of their gift. I don't know how many players you would call "book smart" or even "street smart" but it's not a stretch to call them "life" or "game" smart. It's an innate quality almost every one of these guys have. It helped them get to the big leagues.

 

 

 

 

 

The question was a simple one but the puzzled look on Jhonny Peralta's face answered it without saying a word.  Then the Cleveland shortstop posed the same query to teammate Andy Marte.

 

"Marte, you going to watch the draft?," Peralta said.

 

Marte stopped. The teammates stared at each other straight-faced. Then they laughed in unison.

 

While the eyes of Major League clubs, baseball fans, amateur players and their families will be focused this week on the annual First-Year Player Draft, for Latin players like Peralta and Marte, Thursday's event is important for a different reason altogether.

 

It means it's almost Friday.

 

"Honestly, it's normal day for me because we don't have anything to do with that," Indians catcher Victor Martinez said. "It's a totally different system for us. It's just a Thursday."

 

Players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America are not subjected to the First-Year Player Draft. For most Latin players in the big leagues, the path to the big leagues starts by working with a private trainer/scout called a "buscon" in their country which can lead to signing with a Major League academy at the age of 16. For their efforts, "buscons" are paid a portion of the signing bonus when the teenager signs with a club.

 

After signing, the players spend two years at an academy, participate in Dominican Summer League, and at the age of 18, the top players are sent to the United States to play in Rookie Leagues.

 

"I can't say we are waiting for (the draft) or pay attention to it," Indians reliever Rafael Perez said. "It's just another day for us."

 

The basic categories for players eligible for the First-Year Player Draft are these: high school players who have graduated and not attended college or junior college; college players from four-year universities that have completed their junior or senior year or at least 21 years-old; all junior college players.

 

Some classes and education opportunities exist at the academies but virtually every player in a Major League facility in Latin America has dropped out of school.

 

 

"For Americans, I'm sure (Thursday) is a big day," Martinez said. "It has to be nice to know what team you are going to play for. In that way, I think it's the same, but that's the only way."

 

 

 

 

He could be right.

 

A player selected high in the First-Year Player Draft is an instant millionaire. Latin teens are signed to academies by Major League clubs often for an amount between $20,000 and $40,000 with a few multi-million dollar exceptions.

 

The money matters. It sometimes angers.

 

Rangers pitcher Joaquin Benoit believes the system in Latin America, based on the practice of signing 16-year old players, should be revised because it discriminates against older Latin players and young teenagers are often not equipped to handle the newfound wealth or pressure that comes with signing for thousands of dollars. Older players, according to Benoit, is any player 18 or older.

 

"The 'buscons' in the Dominican prefer to sign 16-year olds because they probably sign a 16-year old kid for $100,000 and will get a better cut," Benoit said. "But you sign a guy who is 20 and you probably only get $25,000 for him. They are deciding not to sign 20-year old players because of personal reasons and that's not right."

 

"I know that ninety percent of Latin players become better players in their 20s but our players in their 20s are not getting a look," he continued. "Here it's like 'Oh, he's coming out of college.' But take all those kids coming out of college and put them on a Dominican field and then come talk to me. We learn the hard way. You don't have a coach that tells you to do it this way. You don't have somebody tell you what position you are going to play. You don't have somebody telling you a hitter hits this way or to position yourself this way. You just go out and play.

 

Benoit does not believe subjecting Latin America to the First-Year Player Draft is the answer but is adamant about his belief that there would be more Dominicans in the big leagues if older Latin teens were not disregarded so easily. The focus on signing 16-year old players is the primary reason Latin players claim to be one or two years younger when they sign with teams, he said.

 

"The truth is, it doesn't matter what I think, but this draft gives a chance to somebody that does not even deserve it," he said. "Somebody is going get rich and somebody is not going to care about what happens the way we would. The first 10 picks are about money, anyway."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rays will pick first in the First- Year Player Amateur this week for the last time in the foreseeable future. If the club ends up with the top overall pick in next year's draft or in the years to come, who it picks will be the least of the organization's concerns.

 

The best team in the game usually does not pick first and especially when they are on the right track. Yes, I said the best and yes, we are still talking about the Rays. Oh, how things have changed in the lovely state of Florida. The Rays are on top in the American League East and heading to Boston for an important series with the second-place Red Sox. The Marlins are a few games out of first place in the National League East.

 

"I think every night we go out there is a good barometer," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "You look at the schedule, everybody's looking for all these breaks, and there are no breaks. I don't see the break. I don't know what division's easy. I don't know which team is easy. I have no idea who that team is."

 

 

Remember when Florida was best known for Spring Training games and astronauts and hurricanes? Those days are gone. It's Rays and Marlins country now. The Rays have won 10 of their last12 series and the Marlins are 18-12 at home this season. These clubs are for real and show no signs of slowing down now or anytime this season.

 

You can argue teams like the Red Sox and Angels, arguably the Arizona Diamondbacks and possibly the Chicago Cubs, are built for the postseason. Take a look at the roster and you'll see these Rays are built for the future. Just think about how good they would be if they still had Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton. Hamilton was originally selected by the Rays in 1999, one of three times the club has had the first pick in the First-Year Player Amateur Draft, but lost him when the team exposed him to the Rule 5 Draft before last season. Hamilton's story is inspiring.

 

The Rays' play has been just as impressive. Who needs Hamilton when you have Carl Crawford in left field, B.J. Upton in center field and Eric Hinske and Gabe Gross in right field. Catcher Dioner Navarro is becoming the catcher the Los Angeles Dodgers always thought he would become. Remember when Navarro was ahead of Russell Martin on the depth-chart behind the plate.

 

The infield is loaded with Evan Longoria, another top pick, at third base and Carlos Pena at first base securing the corners. Locking up Pena and Longoria was a smart move on the Rays' part and adds to the team's stability. Second baseman Akinori Iwamura is not an easy out. Closer Troy Percival is not ending his career without a fight and who knew Cliff Floyd's veteran presence on a team full of youngsters? It seems the Rays did.

 

But as with any team, it all comes back to pitching. Pitching can make General Managers and managers look like geniuses. It can also make them look the exact opposite. And these Rays can pitch. The fact that these guys are all in their early to mid-20s does not bode well for the rest of the division.

 

Oh, what the Mets would not do to have Scott Kazmir in their rotation now. Victor Zambrano? Really? Kazmir is 5-1 with a 1.22 ERA. The rest of the crew, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnastine and Edwin Jackson just might be the best young rotation in the game. Then there's top pitching prospect David Price, the first overall pick in 2007, tearing up the Minor Leagues and on his way to the big leagues likely as early as the late summer. But it's not as if they need him at the moment.

 

The Rays days of futility had to end eventually. Who knew the losing would be exorcised the same year the Devil was taken out of the team's official name?

 

All the Marlins do is trade away the best players in franchise history and still find a way to win. Marlins heroes Josh Becket and Mike Lowell were traded to the Red Sox for shortstop Hanley Ramirez a couple of years ago and Ramirez has turned out to be is arguably the best all-around shortstop in the game, the best player in the game that nobody has seen play. Securing him to the multi-year deal might be the best thing the Marlins have accomplished in franchise history, just behind winning those two World Series titles. And speaking of accomplishments, the Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit in exchange for six players is looking pretty good this June - for the Marlins.

 

Cabrera has been inconsistent and was moved from third base to first base because of his defense. Willis is pitching out of the bullpen. The bullpen? Granted, pitcher Andrew Miller, who acquired in the deal with the Tigers, isn't exactly tearing up the league with a 4-4 record and a 5.47 ERA but at least he's not in the bullpen. The prospects are also showing promise in the Minor Leagues, which bodes well for the Marlins' future.

 

These Marlins are not going anywhere but up. Things have definitely changed in Florida. If you need proof, pay attention to where these clubs pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Amateur Draft.

 

Their spots at the top are long gone.

A man of many talents, Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez has been called many things during his career.

 

He's been known as a hitting genius, known sometimes as aloof and sometimes as puzzling. He's always been one of the hardest outs in the game and will forever be revered as a key figure in the Red Sox World Series championship runs.

 

Perhaps more than any recent player in the game, he is simply famous for being himself. But Manny being Manny became Manny being part of history this weekend.

 

Move over Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez, the Latin 500 home run club just gained a new member. Manuel Aristides Ramirez is officially a home run king and has taken another step closer to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

 

"Wow, you have to be proud of yourself, all the stuff you've accomplished in life," said Ramirez. "You know, I don't worry that much about the game because the game is just a fantasy. That's why I don't put too much mind to the game. I don't worry that much. When I don't have it [anymore], I'll be a simple person."

 

What he is now is the 24^th player in history to reach the 500 home run plateau. Call it a hunch, but there is no doubt Ramirez is thinking about 600, 700, or even 800 home runs before he calls it a career. I hear he was just a tad frustrated he didn't reach the historic mark in April.

 

All this from a man who does not claim to be "just" a home run hitter.

 

"I'm not a home run hitter. I'm a pure hitter," said Ramirez. "I could be whatever I wanted to be. If I wanted to hit 50 home runs or 40 home runs every year, I'd do it. But I don't want to. I want to be a pure hitter and hit it to all fields."

 

Ramirez has also been a character. Whether he is disappearing into left field at Fenway Park in between pitches or cutting off a throw from centerfield by former teammate Johnny Damon, Ramirez's behavior also puts him in a class of his own. Don't forget about the time he tried to sell his outdoor grill on E-Bay for a few thousand dollars and even posted a photo of himself with the grill on the website.

 

It seems that at times, Ramirez does not want to play the game. He always wants to hit. He is known as one of the hardest working players in the game, often arriving hours before the start of each contest to lift weights and work on hitting drills.

 

"The guy is a machine, man," Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said. "I have learned so much from Manny since I got here, I can't even imagine. The guy, he gets prepared to play, bro. I don't care what people say. To be at the top of the league as a player doesn't come just because you're sleeping at home. You've got to work to get to it. That's why Manny's numbers have always been the way they have been. He has an amazing routine, every day."

 

They call it all Manny being Manny, a label Ramirez has grown to accept - with a smile, as usual.

 

"I love it, I love it," Ramirez said. "That means I'm important. I love it. I don't know what it means, but I love it. If people are thinking about you, it means you're important."

 

 

My first real experience with Manny being Manny came in 2004 at Fenway Park when I approached him for an interview, introduced myself and told him I was with MLB.com. He responded with a look that said, "Why should I care?" and walked away. The next day at the park, he put his arm around me and guided me from the inside of Red Sox clubhouse through the inside tunnels of Fenway talking about his life in the Dominican Republic, growing up in New York and the first years of his career in Cleveland.

 

When we reached the field, I stopped at the first base line, expecting our interview to be over. He playfully grabbed me by the neck and guided me on to the field and all the way into center field. He talked about having fun, he talked about the way about how his mother gave him his good sense of humor and always reminded him to enjoy everyday like it was his last.

 

I remember him saying he was only going to be a baseball player for a short time but he's going to be a person forever so it's OK if he is a better person than player. Then I remember him vanishing into the batting cages in center field in a flash and me standing alone on the warning track in the middle of Fenway Park and wondering how I got there.

 

In retrospect, you can say Manny was being Manny that day. I choose to say he was just being a person.

 

That's nothing new. In Boston, he is the man. The Red Sox hold option years on the man for the next two seasons then Manny is free to be Manny anywhere he wants. He says it's going to be in Boston.

 

"I know what [lies] ahead," Ramirez said. "I'm going to get two more years here, and then I'm going to get four years, so it's going to be six years. I'm going to finish my career here [in Boston]."

 

Red Sox manager Terry Francona has to hope he is right. Any manager would love to have a hitter like Ramirez in his lineup every day.

 

"He's one of the best hitters I've ever seen and that will continue for probably as long as he wants it to," Francona said. "He's that type of hitter. He's in great shape."

 

He's also a home run king.