The timing could not have been better. Call it comfort food for a man that has never looked more comfortable. The right-hander is having success on the mound and enjoying every minute of it.
"Santiago's stuff has always been there, but now he's confident being in the Major Leagues and he looks forward to pitching in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings when we have the lead," Oakland pitching coach Curt Young said. "It comes with confidence. When you are comfortable in the situation, you can let your talent work for you. Success brings confidence, and he has had a lot of success."
Until he was charged with a run Saturday against the Rangers, Casilla had not been scored upon in 18 innings of work this season. He still boasts a 2-0 record with a 0.47 ERA in 19 1/3 innings in 2008. For his career, he is 5-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 81 innings starting in 2004.
"They scored on me, but that's baseball," Casilla, 27, said. "It shows that I was throwing the ball well and we are playing well. I'm just trying to do my job and have some fun. It's been great because I have more experience here. Last year, I got to know the league."
Oakland manager Bob Geren said he respects Casilla's streak, but all goals are ultimately team-oriented and Casilla has definitely helped the team reach its goal -- to win games.
"He has a great slider, he's throwing in the mid-90s and his location has been pretty close to perfect," Geren said. "If you watch him pitch all the time you can understand why he is doing so well. He has been very dominating at times."
In 2007, Casilla went 3-1 with a 4.44 ERA in 50 2/3 innings and helped fill in for Huston Street at times when the Athletics closer was injured. This season, he is a big reason Oakland relievers rank first in the American League with eight wins and a 2.79 ERA. Overall, Oakland's pitching is tops in the American League with a 3.29 ERA.
"He was kind of inconsistent toward the end of the season, but he was good and you always saw the flash of talent," Oakland reliever Alan Embree said. "From Spring Training on, he has had a different approach. He wants the ball and he wants to be on the mound."
"In order to be comfortable as a reliever you have to go through ups and downs," Embree continued. "You have to go through low points because it tests the character of a player. You have to come back to the high level you were before. Santiago understands that."
Casilla admits the road has been an eventful one. He once went by the name Jairo Garcia and claimed to be almost three years younger before the truth was discovered in 2006. It's a topic he does not like to discuss, because he said it's part of his past and he wants to focus on his present and future instead.
He's not shy about his distant past, however, growing up as one of 12 siblings near San Cristobal and about his brother Jose, a farmhand in the Giants organization.
"We were a normal family and everybody knew I wanted to be a baseball player," Casilla said. "My father played when he was younger, but I don't know if you can say we were a family of baseball players. Jose is good. He will be here one day."
"Here" is a good place for Casilla, because the big leagues are literally starting to feel like home. Casilla lives in the same Palenque neighborhood as Major Leaguers Vladimir Guerrero (Angels), Timo Perez, Juan Uribe (White Sox), Francisco Liriano (Twins) along with German and said having buddies on big league rosters is good for his confidence. It can't be bad for his hunger pangs, either.
"It's a great experience to have all of your friends here with you, to help you," Casilla said. "This is where everybody wants to be and I'm very happy to be here."
]]>The National League West, considered by some to be the best division in baseball from top to bottom, is providing some drama this season, but it's just not the story everybody expected.
There has been a big twist in the plot. There is no plot. The only thing thickening is the nacho cheese in the laps of the jaw-dropped fans who can't believe what they are watching.
It seems the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers are the only teams living up to the expectations and keeping this talented group from looking like a bad pay-per-view boxing match on a Saturday night - over-hyped and over-priced.
The three other teams in the division have losing records.
I bought it all back in March and bragged about it to anybody that would listen. This is the best division in the game I said. Well now, I want my $49.95 back or at least half of it. Call it buyer's remorse. I'm still looking for the truth in the NL West advertising.
It's only May. But we've been waiting for this division to start play since the
And maybe it will. It has to.
Any fool, even this one, will agree that one month does not a season make, and that's the good news. This soap opera will keep our attention in one way or the other. There is no way the Padres and the
What hasn't gone right for
Their team slogan last year was "Anybody, anytime." This year's should read something like "We are not fooling anybody with our wide-eyed act this year because we are a good team, professional athletes and have the ability to beat your team with anybody, anytime."
Granted, it's not exactly catchy and would probably look ugly on a t-shirt but remember these guys used to wear pinstriped uniforms and Barney the Dinosaur purple as the primary color.
A few things have been as expected. The brochure I read said the Giants can pitch and so far it's true. Tim Lincecum and company are legit. Barry Zito, on the other hand, has been as productive as the other famous Barry that once wore the orange and black this year and that guy has basically been forced into retirement. Zito to the bullpen and now he's back in the rotation? Maybe there are a few more twists to come in this novella.
The Giants are expected to finish last in the division this season and maybe that happens, but it looks like they are not going to the basement without a fight. The offense is ranked 19th in batting average in the Major Leagues with a .252 mark. By comparison, the Padres are second to last in the category with a .230 batting average. The Giants pitchers boast a 4.02 ERA, good enough for the eighth spot in the National League. The Padres are right behind them at 4.16.
Lincecum and his teammates are either deaf, determined, or just hard-headed. They refuse to listen to all the negative talk about their team and the whole weakest offense in the game label that once was the biggest knock on this team is not on their radar anymore. It still exists. It's just not on the radar.
The Giants are in third place behind
The Padres might want to learn a thing or two about resilience from their Bay Area neighbor. A big issue for the Padres has been an erratic bullpen and an overall lack of speed on the bases or on defense. Ace Jake Peavy is 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA but a Cy Young Award winner performing up to his ability is not a surprise.
Needless to say, the bottom of the standings is not where the Padres expected to find themselves after a month of play. Nobody expected it. And the "last-place
Inconsistent play can even make champions look like ... the opposite of champions.
The story is just unfolding and there is plenty of baseball to be played. Here's hoping for some fun in the NL West sun. The first month is not what we paid for. The last month better be free of charge.
The prospect of the dynamic duo in pinstripes sure does look a lot better now than when the subject came up during the winter. It's never going to happen. If there was ever a time to reinforce how important it was for the Yankees to go after, then fail to get Santana this offseason, this is it. If there was ever a time to look back on the immediate past and shake your head, now is the time.
The Yankees could have had Santana from the Twins but didn't want to part with Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy? I'm not going to say "I told you so" but that doesn't mean I'm not going to think it.
Santana is 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA in seven starts. His presence on the mound makes batting instructors nervous and his teammates feel at ease. He's a two-time Cy Young Award winner and there is little doubt the Mets believe he is going to win every time he steps on the mound.
Kennedy is 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA and now back in the Minor Leagues. For all of his promise and obvious talent, Hughes is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA and on the disabled list. I've never been a big fan of how the Yankees always acquire big names, trade the farm, and pay the most money for players because they can, but I've never hate them for it either. That's how the Yankees operate and that's how it worked for them in the past. If other clubs had the means, I'm sure they would operate the same way. But changing the philosophy and deciding against acquiring Santana because the club wanted to keep the organization's top pitching prospects was a not the best idea in this case.
Yes, the season is young and so are Kennedy and Hughes, but that's part of the issue at hand. The two Yankees pitchers are so young I don't believe anybody really knows how good they are going to be in their careers. There are people who have "hope" they will be great pitchers and people who "believe," "project," and "envision" these youngsters as superstars one day, but there are no guarantees.
Santana is a guaranteed winner. The Yankees should have acquired him and added another big name to the team no matter the cost. Wang is 6-0 with a 3.00 ERA. Two aces in the
Will Hughes and Kennedy rebound? I'm sure they will. Will either ever be Santana? Likely not. Will the young duo get their act together in time for the talented (and aging) Yankees roster to put together another championship run? That's the real question.
The good news for Yankees haters (a group which does NOT include yours truly) is that the window is closing. Jason Giambi is 37, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu are both 34, Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter will be 34 next month. Mike Mussina is 39 and Andy Pettitte is 35. Even Alex Rodriguez is on his way to 33 although he shows no signs of slowing down.
The great Mariano Rivera is 38 and Jorge Posada is 36. Speaking of Posada, his contract along with the club's failure to acquire Santana is coming back to haunt the
I can hear the Yankees rebuttal now. "But wait, we have Melky Cabrera (23), Joba Chamberlain (22) and Robinson Cano (25)."
Yes you do. Cabrera is doing his part but how's that .154 batting average and four-year deal looking for Cano these days? Chamberlain is an obvious talent and appears destined for great things. But let's just reserve judgment for a season or two until he becomes who he is going to become on the mound. Pitchers change. Sometimes they get better with more experience. Sometimes they don't.
What won't change, barring injury, is Santana. He is who is he is and what he is right now is a Met. Think about that when he faces Wang.
]]>He says he doesn't want to be traded. He just wants to play - everyday.
His manager doesn't blame him.
"How would it be for anybody? It's difficult," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "It's a difficult transition when you are used to coming in and strapping it on everyday. He wants to feel a part of it. It's a difficult proposition to get a guy at the end of the season looking back on it and see 'Hey it was a good place for me to be.''"
It's been quite a change for Olivo. While with the Marlins in 2006 and 2007, Olivo averaged 125 games played per season. This season, he has appeared in 13 games but with John Buck as the team's regular starter, the Dominican Republic native has only made six starts behind the plate. Olivo has also seen action as the team's designated hitter and the club is considering using him at first base. Left field is also an option.
"I'm not playing a lot but when I get in there I do my job and do the best I can," Olivo said. "It's a big change for me because I 'm used to playing. Now we have two first-string catchers. When I got here there was John Buck and now he is playing more than me. I understand. But when I got here nobody said that to me."<p>
The lack of playing time could be taking a toll on Olivo. He went 0-for-5 against the Rangers on Tuesday and does not have a hit in his last 11 at-bats. He is still hitting .233 with three home runs and eight RBIs. Six of his 10 hits this season have gone for extra bases.
"He's done a great job, he's has some very productive offensive games," Hillman said. "Overall, I'm pleased with what he has done. He brings great energy to the table. He's a great worker with a great attitude. He wants to play more and I'll never fault anybody for wanting to play more. He's open and honest. We talk about that. I encourage him to talk about that I want the guys to keep it perspective and he's been very good job with that."
Olivo could be too honest. When asked about his lack of playing time, Olivo said he is not ruling out playing for another club if the right opportunity presents itself. For now, he is content in his new role and wearing a happy face. He realizes if he does not take advantage of his opportunities when given he's not going to play anywhere.
He trains and prepares as if he is the everyday starting catcher.
"We'll see what happens. Maybe the team will trade me. I don't know," he said. "They have said I could play some other position but I'm a catcher. I don't want to do a bad job in another position that I don't know."
"It's a new team, new thing for me," he continued. "I've never been through this. I talked to my lawyer and they say maybe things will change but nothing has changed. This is very hard for me but things change and you have to adjust."
Hillman wants a resolution that benefits the team as a whole. Olivo, even in a part-time role, is an important part of the team.
"He makes our club better being here," the manager said. "That's why we went and got him and that's why we want to keep him. We'll see if we can keep him happy with the playing time and see how it shakes out."
Neither should come as a surprise considering the nature of this what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. It's always the manager/coach that takes the heat (or credit) whether it is deserved or not. That's just how it is in sports and that's not going to change anytime soon.
Ask me and I still think it's too early to change leadership in Texas. The pitching has been inconsistent, the defense has been horrible and the offense has struggled. Look at the Rangers lineup on a nightly basis. Look again. Then look at the lineups in the rest of the American League West. I don't think anybody expected the Rangers to compete for a title this season, but the way the team has been losing this year has just been ugly. It has people wondering about the direction of the club and its manager. It's too early to raise the white flag. Then again, nobody asked me.
Giants starter Barry Zito has been sent to the bullpen and the jokes about the highest paid reliever in history have started. That's too bad. Zito is obviously off his game. I think he has been prone to "thinking too much" on the mound in the past, but those problems should be behind him. He's too experienced for that stuff. Send him to the disabled list or a gym. His arm strength is gone and it is nowhere to be found. Maybe all of those innings pitched while with Oakland are catching up to him. Who knew not missing a start all those years because he was so durable would come back to haunt him
Is Rangers shortstop Michael Young playing out of position? Is Ian Kinsler? So far, the answer is no. So far ...
Say what you want about Rangers GM Jon Daniels and his history of trades but leave him alone when talking about the Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez deal. Hamilton is leading the Rangers and MLB in RBI. Volquez is 4-0 for the Reds.
Yankee fans should be a tad worried because Alex Rodriguez is on the disabled list. This guy always plays hurt and never misses a game. He plays every contest like it is his last so the fact that he is on the DL is a huge deal. Then again, Alex could be wising up in his old age (33). Rest now, play later. I still can't see agreeing to go on the DL as an easy decision for him.
MLB.com's Tom Singer. Look him up.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are on top of the division and playing great baseball. I wonder if fans are showing up at the park to watch. It's not a surprise anymore. These guys are good.
Making an issue about the decision of Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder to go vegetarian is just in poor taste.
Who knew watching Tampa Bay could be so much fun?
Cheers to the wonderful people at The Make-A-Wish Foundation for making my niece's dream come true and allowing to meet every princess her heart desired on a recent trip to Disney World. Jeers to the people that scowled or made comments as she and her little brother and mother used a special path for special needs children to get to the front of the line for rides and events. Keep in mind that the only thing tougher than hearing "We are a 'Wish' family" is actually having to say it.
Boooooo
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"I really don't care what Dominican people think. You know why? Because they are involved in this situation, too," he said. "These guys got my birth certificate because somebody from the Dominican gave it to them. He didn't find it by himself."
"I don't play for the Dominican. I play for
Tejada says that during that interview, ESPN reporter Tom Farrey surprised him with a copy of his birth certificate while on camera. Tejada reacted by walking out of the interview.
"They called me about two days before the interview and told me it was going to be more about baseball," Tejada said. "When I got there, I thought it was about baseball and they throw me a 98 mph fastball inside."
"E:60," an hour-long investigative show on ESPN, plans to air its report on Tejada on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.
Tejada said he was particularly disappointed with how his family was treated.
"They went to my father's house," he said. "They got the camera everywhere in my father's house. I don't know what they tried to find. They interviewed my father, and they interviewed people from my neighborhood and everything. They [ate] in my father's house. They make my sister cook for them. That's why I feel mad. ... I had an enemy inside of my father's house, and my family treats you nice. And look at what they did to me. My family is really mad right now."
ESPN spokesperson Mac Nwulu on Monday, told of Tejada's reaction, defended the network's approach to the overall package.
"We've been working on this story for several months," Nwulu said. "Throughout the process, and to all interview subjects, we've represented that we're working on a larger story about Miguel Tejada, which is exactly what the 'E:60' piece is. We are comfortable that all our questions and practices were appropriate in the pursuit of this story."
The document presented in the interview revealed the shortstop was born on May 25, 1974, not May 25, 1976, as listed in the Astros media guide. He is 33, not 31. Tejada revealed his age to club officials and the local media soon after the interview. The wrong birth date has been listed for Tejada in baseball circles since he signed with Oakland in 1993; all of his personal legal documents have his correct age.
Tejada said he changed his age as a teenager from 19 to 17 to give him a better chance at pursuing his dream as a professional baseball player.
"When they signed me back in '93, I was a young kid," Tejada said. "I really wanted to sign with professional baseball because I thought that was the only way I thought I could help my family. That's the way that everybody did it back in those days. My coach told me that's how we are going to do it, and I followed him."
Before Major League Baseball began verifying dates of birth and other information, it was not uncommon for some players from Latin America to give a younger age.
"My age has nothing to do with what I do on the field," he said. "In Houston and the Orioles and Oakland, they just worry about what I do on the field, how I play on the field. I don't want to bring it up because I don't think the team is really paying attention to that. It's not like I did it when I was a free agent. I did it a long time ago. It's not even on my mind every day. What I've got on my mind is play baseball and winning games. Enjoy baseball."
Houston general manager Ed Wade said Tejada's age revelation "has no effect on our club."
"I don't think there is any kind of short-term impact on our club, and I don't foresee any long-term impact," Wade said. "He's still a premium player. We are happy to have him. He has a couple years left on his deal. I would like to see him play a lot longer than that in our uniform."
Tejada's contract with the Astros expires at the end of the 2009 season.
]]>Cincinnati pitching sensation Johnny Cueto wears a red cap, not a red cape, and he isn't from the Planet Krypton, but his super efforts this season have gained national attention and out-of-this-world comparisons. He turned 22 in February.
"That's our little superhero right there," said fellow Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez, 24. "He has a lot of talent. I think one thing that helps him is that he doesn't know a lot about the players he is facing. When you know a lot about the team, there is lot to think about and you can get nervous. He just pitches like he pitches and doesn't worry about it. They don't know him either, so that's good, too."
That could change because Cueto's reputation is growing. In his big league debut, he gave up one hit and one run, striking out 10 hitters in seven innings against Arizona, and followed that start with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings against Milwaukee. He gave up five hits and five runs against Pittsburgh is his latest start, taking the loss and evening his record at 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA.
Cueto throws strikes and has good control for a pitcher of any age. He went 16 innings and struck out 22 batters before he issued his first big league walk. He didn't reach a ball three count until his third start.
"Cueto is aggressive and that's hard to teach young guys," Reds pitching coach Dick Pole said. "He's not afraid to throw the ball inside to either handed hitter. That's something a lot of young guys don't do or know to do."
The approach has worked. Cueto was the 2006 and 2007 Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Year and went 12-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 161 1/3 combined innings with Class A Sarasota, Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville last year.
He is scheduled to start Saturday against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park.
"I've played in a lot of leagues. There is no pressure on my part," Cueto said. "I can pitch and I just concentrate on that. I'm enjoying this. I want to play for 20 years and keep getting better. I know I'm young. I still have a lot of games to play."
He's already come a long way.
Cueto signed with the Reds for $35,000 in 2004 following an early morning, 15-pitch tryout for Reds scout Johnny Armaraz in the Dominican Republic. Armaraz, now with the Braves, was on his way out of the country that day, but made a special trip to see Cueto pitch.
"He tried out at 7:30 in the morning and Johnny liked him," said former Reds pitcher Mario Soto, now director of operations for the Reds in the Dominican Republic. "What I know is Cueto has great stuff and he's a guy that is not afraid to pitch inside. That's one of the keys to big leagues if you want to be successful. That's a big plus when you are throwing 96, 97 mph with a good change and a slider."
In three seasons in the Minor Leagues, Cueto went 14-12 with a 3.28 ERA. He earned a spot in the rotation by dazzling the club during Spring Training. He posted a 2.08 ERA in his first four appearances in Grapefruit League play.
"I told my mom I wanted to play in the big leagues and I made it," Cueto said. "She always pushed me to play the game, always wanted me to go out and work out. Before I signed, she was always telling me to go to the stadium, 'Get up and go play.' 'Go run, go practice.'"
Cueto credits his family in the Dominican Republic and his new Reds family for keeping him grounded. The joke is that Cueto and Volquez are siblings because they spend so much time together. Veteran closer Francisco Cordero is the paternal figure of this Dominican group, always keeping an eye on the two youngsters and making sure they are doing the right thing. Cordero and Volquez were teammates with the Texas Rangers.
"[Cueto] looks young, but when he gets on the mound, it is like he is a veteran. He owns the mound," Cordero said. "He is a good listener. If he stays healthy, he can be a pitcher of the franchise. I tell him to keep working hard. People are always going to say things, but just believe in yourself and dedicate yourself. Don't get a big head."
Big smiles, on the other hand, are common, especially when the jovial Volquez is involved. Volquez and Cueto share an apartment near the ballpark in Cincinnati, and they also roomed together during Spring Training. Last winter, Cueto and Volquez worked out together at the Reds' Dominican baseball academy in Boca Chica, about 25 minutes away from Cueto's home in San Pedro de Macoris.
They say the extra work helped them earn spots in the Reds' rotation.
"I have my car, so I take him places, show him how to dress for trips, talk to the fans and things like that," Volquez said. "He's been playing here for four years, but he didn't know the life of a big leaguer and what to expect. He's smart. He learned quickly. Now, we just laugh all the time. He likes to play around a lot. He's funny. He's always kidding around. He's like my little brother. Cordero is the father. That's the joke."
Having "brother" Edinson around has made life easier for Cueto because he admits he gets homesick at times. Cueto is currently trying to bring his mother to the United States, but can't because of visa issues. She spent two months with him in the Minor Leagues last season. He also longs to see his longtime girlfriend and his infant son and daughter. Cueto, his parents, girlfriend, children and his four siblings all live together in the same house in the Dominican Republic, so not having family around is challenging at times.
"I want [mom] to be here," he said. "I made it to the 40-man [roster], then 25-man and she didn't see it. I'm here, but she is not. I'm going to keep trying to get her here. She can take care of me, cook for me."
In a perfect world, every member of Cueto's family would be with him in the United States. The notion might not be too far-fetched. Cordero's brothers live with him in Cincinnati and his family members, including his young son, visit him from the Dominican Republic often.
"Volquez, we are great friends, good teammates," Cueto said. "I met Cordero here. He's a good person. He watches out for me. He answers everything I ask him about everything."
Cueto's size and fastball have drawn early comparisons to another diminutive Dominican power pitcher, Mets starter Pedro Martinez, but Cueto said it's too early in his career to be mentioned in the same breath as his baseball idol. Cueto wears jersey No. 47, but sported no. 45 in the Minor Leagues in Martinez's honor.
"I don't know Pedro personally, but I can't wait to talk to him," he said. "People see me pitch and they say I can be like him. I'm just starting. I'm not Pedro Martinez."
]]>"Everything is different," Rangers pitching coach Mark Conner said. "He's healthy, number one, and I think he is on a mission this year to prove that last year was a fluke. His pitching is more along the lines of what he did the year before."
In 2006, Padilla had a career year, winning 15 games and finishing with a 4.50 ERA. He signed the multiyear deal in the winter that followed but didn't live up to expectations the next season -- anybody's expectations.
He was at a loss at times. It showed.
"I think everybody has emotions, and I am no different," Padilla said. "You do get a little upset when you make a bad pitch or there is an error. You just have to let it go. I think before, I let it bother me more. What can you do about it? Nothing. You just have to keep going forward and get the next guy out. I let it anger me before."
The money also mattered.
"The contract affected me," he said. "It's a lot of money, and they wanted me to do the work, and I wanted to demonstrate that I earned that money and I was worth it. I wanted to be better than the year before. But you can't let that affect you or make you do things you don't normally do. I know that now."
What Padilla did was play while he was injured. He struggled with his command and velocity, posting a 3-8 record with a 6.69 ERA before being placed on the disabled list last June because of the triceps. His mental toughness was likely also being tested, as he was the first pitcher in Rangers history to lose eight games by June.
"He got the contract, and people were expecting big things. He tried to do that, but he was hurt," Conner said. "He finally admitted that after he had not pitched very well. I knew something was wrong. I think he wanted to show he could live up to the contract, but pitching while you are hurt is very difficult. You can't fault him for that, but you wish he would have said something sooner."
Padilla is letting his actions do the talking this season. He began training for the season in January, in Nicaragua, and said that he arrived at camp in better shape than usual. He also began a light throwing program one month before the start of Spring Training.
"This year he came in with a new attitude," Conner said. "I watch him in between innings, and he's right there patting guys on the back. I think he feels better about himself. He looks that way."
The change is noticeable. Padilla laughs and jokes with his teammates more than he did in 2007. He will never be confused as a media darling, but he is also making an effort to be more available to the press corps.
"All of the pitchers came into Spring Training with the attitude that they were trying to help each other as much as they can, and that's what they have been doing. Padilla has been a big part of that," manager Ron Washington said. "Last year, he wasn't outward. The change in him ... I think you have to speak to him, because I can't speak for him, but I just see the change."
Padilla doesn't know what all the fuss is about, saying that it's easier to be in a better mood when you are not in pain. He laughs at the notion that he is a changed man, because he didn't realize he was seen as such a bad guy in the past.
"No matter how old you are or how long you play this game, you are going to learn something," Padilla said. "You can never know it all in this game. You can learn something every day if you want to pay attention to it. I see that. I know that."
]]>Who knew last night's Yankees-Red Sox match up would be trumped by today's Orioles-Blue Jays contest? Nobody. It hasn't happened.
Yet.
"That's the reality and that's been the way it has been, but you get tired of it," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Ask those guys out there (in the clubhouse) and they get tired of finishing backseat to those teams. That's what everybody is striving for. The whole American League is good but obviously those two teams are going to be at the top. You play them so many times, it takes a toll on you."
Want the spotlight to shift to
The Orioles and the Blue Jays sit atop the division with identical 7-5 records.
It's early, very early, but please excuse the Blue Jays for being in a collective good mood lately. Gibbons knows all about the predictions for the AL East and how his club is supposed to finish in the middle or back of the pack, he's just not ready to believe them yet. The way he sees it, every team in the division is capable of winning on any given night.
The Texans speaks with so much confidence, you almost want to believe him. His players apparently do.
"You read about teams that are supposed to lose 100 games, but nobody knows that," Gibbons said. "These are still professional clubs and you still have players on the team that have been good big league players. Baseball is not like football where if you are bigger and stronger, you can just overpower them. Anybody can win in this game and I think we are seeing that."
It's already been quite a ride for
"We are playing about .500 but we could be doing better," Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas said. "I think it's early and a lot of the teams are close together. By the end of the month, you'll see teams pull ahead. Hopefully, it's us."
If big Frank hopes to get his wish, the Blue Jays will have to continue to pitch well.
Former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay along with fellow starters Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowin and Jesse Litsch are among the league leaders in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.
"Our pitching is good," Gibbons said. "I think we have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. That's a bold statement but I really believe it. Top to bottom, we didn't have as many holes to fill as we had in the past."
The return of injured closer B.J. Ryan on Sunday helped fill one gap. Ryan picked up the save in
"It wasn't the prettiest thing ever, but the bottom line, we got it done," Ryan said. "You make some pitches when you have to, kind of back against the wall."
The return of third baseman Scott Rolen, currently on the disabled list because of a broken finger, will bolster the Blue Jays offense although they seem to be doing just fine without him. Second baseman Aaron Hill leads the team in batting average with a .326 mark. He also has nine RBIs, second on the team to Vernon Well's team-leading 12 RBIs. Wells is hitting .320 with three home runs. Matt Stairs is hitting .296 and Shannon Stewart is at .280.
"We have a good, complete team," infielder Marco Scutaro said. "We have young guys and some veteran mix. The most important thing for us is to stay healthy. We stay healthy and we can do something good this year."
That's the belief in the clubhouse. Don't be surprised to see players donning team t-shirts with a catchy slogan about teamwork, confidence, underdogs, and opportunity in the near future. Just call it a hunch. Bet on a lightning bolt or dumbbell somewhere on the t-shirt as well.
"This is such a good league," Gibbons said. "You could almost guarantee the Wild Card was going to come out of the American League East but that's not the case anymore. We have a good bunch of guys, a bunch of gamers. We don't press. We will compete every day."
He's everywhere it seems.
He is the definition of "Soy Dominicano."
So when
.
"(
"Maybe the players have to get ready sooner," he said. "I don't know if it has to come from Major League Baseball or the players personally, but they have to be ready to compete this time around. We do that, we will do better."
The Dominican team finished the 2006 World Baseball Classic with a 5-2 record, losing to
The roster wasn't enough.
"In baseball, you really can't predict anything," he said. Every team has good players and if you look at the Dominican team, Manny Ramirez and Vladimir Guerrero didn't participate in the Classic and they are two of the best players in the game. I don't know what happens if they play."
"The Dominican team didn't have a lot of good pitching, either, "he continued. "There weren't that many good pitchers available.
That should be different this time around. Ask
Just don't ask
"Those people talked without knowing what was going on and I didn't support that," he said. "I don't know anybody that did. If you want to make a case, present it and discuss it, maybe I can listen, but you just don't say our country is not going to play if we don't have a round in
The results are surprising to anyone outside of the Baltimore clubhouse. The Orioles, after topping the Rangers 8-1 on Tuesday, are 6-1 after the first seven games of the season and in first place in American League East.
Yes, that's the same division as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Blue Jays were supposed to be the surprise of the East, right?
Wrong. The Orioles are riding a six-game winning streak, matching their longest winning streak of 2007.
"This is 2008, and I think the guys have really kept the focus and they've done a lot of little things very well," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said. "The fundamentals have been good, and we are playing team baseball. When you get two out of three -- pitching, defense and timely hitting -- you will have a chance to win. You get all three, you will win. We are getting all three right now."
He's right.
Who needs Tejada at shortstop when you have Luis Hernandez? Hernandez, from Venezuela, was claimed on waivers by Baltimore from Atlanta in 2006. Tejada and his Houston Astros are at the bottom of the National League Central.
Who thought we would be talking about replacing Tejada's legacy so early in the season?
"I'm always out there looking to make the play, turn a double play," Hernandez said. "We have a lot of young players, but we are playing good. There's a lot of enthusiasm. The veterans are helping young players."
It shows. Hernandez has four hits in his first nine at-bats and has scored three runs this season. He also has three RBIs. Not bad for a player who admits being nervous has affected his play in the past.
"You never know how long you are going to be in one place, so you just try to take advantage of the opportunity," Hernandez said. "One shortstop leaves like Miguel Tejada and another one comes. He's happy with his team. I know a superstar like that is going to help them. I'm happy with where I am."
Trembley should be happy as well. He likes what he sees from his shortstop so far.
"He seems to have relaxed now. He's making the plays. He's making some contributions offensively, which I will take as a bonus," Trembley said. "I want him to make the routine plays on a consistent basis. He seems to be a lot more focused. I think the pressure is off."
It's hard to blame Trembley for being so relaxed these days. The bullpen has been solid, posting a 1.10 ERA through the first seven games of the season, and it seems every move the Orioles have made is working out perfectly. It's easy to say who is at least the early winner in the Tejada-to-Houston trade: the Orioles.
Matt Albers (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 6 1/3 innings), Dennis Sarfate (2-0, 0.00 in 3 1/3 innings) and Luke Scott (.529), all acquired from Houston, have made immediate contributions. George Sherrill (0.00 ERA, four saves) and outfielder Adam Jones, both acquired in the trade with Seattle for Bedard are also making their marks.
Aubrey Huff? Remember him? He's only hitting .333.
Granted, they are not exactly household names. But maybe these overachieving Orioles will reach that status one day. And maybe they do it for good reasons.
"We have a young team, including me, I'm not old, so we have energy," catcher Ramon Hernandez said. "We don't really have any names that make you go 'Wow,' but we have guys who want to play the game. Everybody is doing their job and if we keep working as a team, we'll be able to do some good things."
The secret is really no secret at all, he says.
"We're having fun and we're playing good baseball," the catcher said. "We're playing the game the way it should be played. It's clean. We are making the routine plays and moving runners over. The little things you have to do to win. That's why we are winning."
]]>The Angels have everything they want from their shortstop except for one player with all those qualities. For now, they have the combination of Macier Izturis and Erick Aybar giving them a new take on the term "all-around player."
"(Izturis) had a great Spring Training and he played well for us the last couple of years at whatever position we moved him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's a natural shortstop. With he and Erik Aybar, I don't think there is any question that defensively we are going to have the stuff we need on the field."
Izturis was the Opening Day starter at shortstop and has started six games. Aybar has made two starts this season. Izturis is hitting .143 while Aybar posts a .100 batting average. The thinking behind trading shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox this winter is looking good in theory and on the field.
"When we got (Izturis),
Izturis is considered the better hitter and leader. Aybar is considered the better all-around athlete. The tricky part is the notion that Izturis is the better everyday shortstop now and Aybar could be the better player in the future. Both should get plenty of at-bats this season but Izturis will likely get more playing time this season, at least initially.
"My goal this year is to be in the lineup everyday," Izturis said. "I have never been in this situation before but you have to have a positive attitude about it. You have to come here prepared like you are going to play and hopefully the manager puts you in there. It's his decision and I respect what he does."
When asked, Aybar echoed his teammate's opinion. Maybe he simply overheard him. The two locker next to each other in the Angels home clubhouse.
"That's the manager's decision and we just play when he says it is our turn to play," Aybar said. "One day, he'll play and the next I will. Or he will go two or three and I will go. I'll just keep working hard that way and help the team how I can."
But make no mistake, Aybar wants to be the everyday player, too. He knows he has some work left to do.
"I think you can improve everyday," he said. "You always need to get better at something like stealing bases and taking walks and other things in baseball. I feel like I'm learning something everyday and I'm going to keep doing that this year."
That's where the similarities end. Ask anybody that has seen the two play to explain the differences.
"Aybar is explosive all around with his feet and his arm but I think he needs to think a little bit more about the game and use his intellect more," said Angels first base/infield coach Alfredo Griffin. "He has all the natural ability you want in a player. This is a good year to show what he has.
"Macier has more experience,"
Angels third baseman Chone Figgins sees it another way. He says Izturis is "the smooth one" and Aybar "is very athletic."
"They have two different types of players but both of them bring to the table the same thing: they can play and both are very good," Figgins said. "That's something that as an organization you have to be happy with. To have those two types of players is pretty amazing."
The two do have something in common: friendship. Izturis and Aybar are each other's biggest cheerleaders and supporters. They are also the most honest critics.
"You think they would put him next to me if we weren't good friends?," Izturis said. "We go with what the manager says. It's just business. All I can focus on is what I can control -- my game."
After two season marred with injury, Furcal is finally healthy. He looks happier than he has ever been and if push comes to shove, he'll take Vernon Wells, even an injured Vernon Wells, over his good buddy Alexis Rios if he has to.
Furcal is smiling again. He looks fit and his raspy voice is back to racing a mile-a-minute. He says his goals are simple. It's back to the basics.
"I just want to stay healthy all year and go far, at least to the playoffs," Furcal said. "I'm happy. When you are healthy, you are happy. It's different when you can't play at 100-percent. Last year, I could not do what I wanted to do. I couldn't play good defense. I couldn't hit the way I wanted to hit."
Well, he can now. A healthy Furcal might be the difference-maker in the National League West. In the first three games of the season, he is hitting .385 (5-for-13) with three RBIs. On Opening Day against the Giants, he went 3-for-4 and in the second game of the series, he scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The stage was set for another Furcal triumph in the series finale when he stepped up to the plate with his club trailing by one run and speedy Juan Pierre on first base in final inning.
But the stage collapsed. Furcal struck out looking and
Yes, he looks that electric. He looks like the Furcal that shined in
Is that the reason he looks so good? Is he playing extra hard because it is a contract year? Note to self and others: Don't ask Furcal those questions unless you want him to roll his eyes and grunt. Maybe it's just me, but I seem to recall players in the final year of a deal playing extremely well in order to land another contract so maybe I was not that far out of line.
Furcal says he's playing so well so far because he is healthy. He also loves the game. A new contract is not an issue. Yet.
"I'm not thinking of that at all. I leave all that up to the lawyers," he said. "I just do my job on the field. I do the best I can do and it works out."
But what if he lives up to his expectations this year? What if his team goes to the playoffs and what if the Dodgers win the World Series? Will he come back to
Doesn't he owe the Dodgers something for the first two years of disappointment? If Furcal plays like Furcal of the past this season, he would have still only fulfilled one-third of his part of the bargain. Will he come back to
"I like it here a lot," he said. "Who would not like to be in a city like this with the fans and good players and a good manager. I'd like to be here but you don't know what is going to happen."
The Torre-factor might make a difference. Granted, the biggest factor will be money (it always is, no matter what the players say) but Furcal has already grown fond of manager Joe. Furcal has gone on record to say he likes the new skipper because he feels like Torre knows what he is doing. If that's not an indirect shot at former Dodgers manager Grady Little, I don't know what is.
"Torre is a tremendous manager and been good so far," Furcal said. "He's been a winner before and he's respected all over this league. He makes you want to play hard because you know the manager is working hard too. He motivates the players to be best you can be because he has won in this game."
The game, not the training room, is Furcal's primary focus these days. If somebody wants to debate American League outfielders, he's ready for that conversation, too. Just don't try to compare anybody to Vernon Wells because when Wells is healthy, he is one of the best in the game.
Sound familiar?
]]>You can argue former pitcher Sandy Koufax and former manager Tommy Lasorda received more cheers but you can't argue that the barrel-chested, glasses-wearing, stoic-looking Valenzuela is the best pitcher to come out of
Fernandomania and the summer of 1981 breathed again this week.
"He's the number one pitcher from
Valenzuela's 173-153 record is the best among Mexico-born pitchers but who is the second-best pitcher to come out of the country? That's where the real argument begins - in any language.
The old school says it's
Pitchers Aurelio Lopez, Elmer Dessens, Sid Monge and Armando Reynosa among others all made
"If what I did in the big leagues helped others get here, I am happy," Valenzuela said. "It makes me feel good. I never like to going to them and telling them to do this or that because everybody is different, different styles. I prefer to stay away unless somebody asks. I will be happy to help them out."
Ask me and I'll say the real no. 2 on
"There are not very many of us left pitching with a lot of experience and I never thought I would be second to Fernando Valenzuela in wins," Loaiza said. "I never thought I would have as many wins as I have right now. It's unbelievable. Fernando made history in the
What Valenzuela does now is work in the Dodgers Spanish radio booth. He can be spotted on occasion leaning against the railing near the home dugout but says he likes to stay away from the field because he is not playing anymore. He jokes that he's like Santa Claus when it comes to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. It happens once a year and only if you've been nice.
Valenzuela has known Loaiza since the mid-1990s and says he still keeps track of the pitchers that come out of his country. He likes Perez and Gallardo, but also praises what Loaiza has been able to accomplish in his career.
"Esteban started pitching a lot early in his career because he got the opportunity and that's what everybody needs to show what he has," he said. "If teams give the kids a chance to pitch, they can win games. I saw Jorge de La Rosa in Spring Training and Joakim Soria. These kids are good. They need a chance and need a little support. You score some runs for these kids so you don't think you have to be perfect."
"Look at Rodrigo (Lopez)," Valenzuela continued. "I was in
Loaiza's chance came with the Pirates in 1995 and he has gone on to win at least 10 games a season seven times. With the White Sox in 2003, he went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA. With the Dodgers, he is the fifth man in the rotation.
"The good thing is I have been able to stay strong and healthy for a lot of my career," Loaiza said. "I think I know the hitters and how to pitch when I am out there. I have been a professional pitcher for a long time now so I have been able to figure out how to get people out. I'm not going to stop doing that."
"He doesn't look like he is throwing hard but he is hitting spots a lot better," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "His experience is basically what is going to give us a chance to win. I think things he can do and the fact that he is not afraid to do it is because he's really not afraid to take a chance."
Brito is not quite as diplomatic. He likes Loaiza as a pitcher. He's just doesn't love him. Loaiza is on Brito's list of great Mexican pitchers - somewhere.
"Valenzuela was obviously the best from
Loaiza takes the criticism in stride. He's just happy to be mentioned among his country's legendary pitchers. He knows he's not Valenzuela. Nobody is and nobody ever will be.
"I'm going to keep playing as long as my arm allows me to," Loaiza said. "I want to keep playing until I can't get anybody out anymore. Then maybe I retire for one or two years, rest and then come back to baseball like Vinicio (Castilla)."