Bonds Gives Back

Everybody likes to rip on Barry Bonds, but how about this gesture...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6590118

Interleague Play Starts Today

I don't know about you, but I couldn't sleep last night thinking about the Tigers/Pirates and Astros/Blue Jays matchups.

Pondering Posada

In case you have been living under a rock, Jorge Posada apparently took himself out of the lineup last night. Many reporters are speculating that he was upset about batting last.

At age 39, Posada is running on fumes. So far this year he's batting .165. At this point Posada is lucky to be in the lineup at all. Still, he's been a solid player for 17 seasons, so I guess I can see how pride got the best of him. Now he needs to man up and apologize to his manager and to his teammates.

Rumor is the Yankees were so upset by his behavior that they looked into voiding his contract. I sure hope that's not true. Posada is a Yankee great and a future Hall of Famer (at least in my opinion). I'd hate to see his impressive career tarnished by a brief flash of selfish and stupid behavior.

From Bad To Worse

A rotten Cubs offense just got worse as Geo Soto was placed on the DL. This is a serious blow to a team that was already struggling to score runs. The short-handed Cubs need big-time production from Ramirez and Pena, and they need it now.

The Red Menace!

Recently a friend asked me what I had against the Cincinnati Reds. After all, who didn’t love watching the 1970s Big Red Machine?

With all due respect to Johnny Bench and company, the 2011 Reds turn my stomach. Here are a few of the many reasons why.

• Dusty Baker: I wasn’t a Dusty fan before he came to Chicago. After several years of watching him ride Cubs starting pitchers into the ground, my dislike intensified. The icing on the cake was 2005. That was the year Dusty gave out-making specialist Neifi Perez 609 plate appearances. If that isn’t lineup sabotage, I don’t know what is.



• Bronson Arroyo: As if his hair wasn’t annoying enough, the Reds starting pitcher smacked two homers against the Cubs in 2006. Arroyo has topped the enemy list ever since.



• Aroldis Chapman: Radar gun watchers love Chapman, but so far he’s completely overrated. Yes the kid has a big-time arm, but the hype surrounding this wild, unproven lefty is truly sickening. In case you’re scoring at home, Chapman has walked 18 batters in 26 innings for his career. He may be a star some day, but he also may be the next Robbie Beckett.



• Jonny Gomes: Bad attitude, bad haircut, bad spelling of his first name. That’s more than enough to make the list.



• Brandon Phillips: Speaking of bad attitude, is there anything to like about this guy? OK, he’s a great defensive player. And yes he has decent power for a middle infielder. But his career on-base percentage is .318. Why fans and members of the media treat this guy like the second coming of Chase Utley is beyond me.

Tiger Talk

Today Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said "I don't like to ask guys to bunt who haven't done it very often." With all due respect, I call bullsh!t.

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I watch a ton of Tigers games. Leyland has to sacrifice bunt more than any manager in baseball. And I want to poke my eyes out almost every time.

Leyland gives away outs like they're going out of style. It will be a happy day when this "old school" managerial method goes out of style as well.

Type First, Think Later?

Dr. Mr. Mendenhall. Please stop sending your every thought to the entire planet. You'll be a much happier person.

In case you missed his latest effort...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6478438

The Definition Of Insanity

How can the Cubs give yet another start to punching bag James Russell? Anyone, literally anyone in their minor league system would be a better option. How many beatings do the Cubs have to watch before they see the light? And why do I keep tuning in?