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Baseball, Parkinson’s and Parenting: The Ben Petrick Story

2013 NL West Preview: Dodgers Try To Dwarf Giants

2013 AL West Preview: A Halo For Hamilton

Baseball, Parkinson’s and Parenting: The Ben Petrick Story

Ben Petrick was a can't miss, sure thing, major league

Baseball

2013 NL West Preview: Dodgers Try To Dwarf Giants

Can the Dodgers can manage the Goliath feat of taking

Baseball

2013 AL West Preview: A Halo For Hamilton

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s batting order is something

Baseball

2013 NL Central Preview: Seeing Red

The Houston Astros are gone, but unlike their season this

Baseball

Baseball, Parkinson’s and Parenting: The Ben Petrick Story

May 1, 2013 Posted by Kirby Barber In Baseball, Featured Tagged Alcoholism, baseball, Ben Petrick, Clint Hurdle, Colorado Rockies, Forty Thousand to One, hall of fame, Kirby Barber, Parkinson's Diease, parkinsonism, reqiup, Scott Brown, Vern Petrick, Wayne Gomes Comments 0

Think you’ve experienced stress?

Imagine you’re in the middle of a baseball game, still just getting your feet wet in the big leagues, and nervous as hell. Not because you doubt your abilities on the diamond; when you were drafted out of high school, an MLB executive used your name and “Hall of Fame” in the same sentence. You don’t want people to discover your secret. You’ve worked your entire life to get here. Your body, once your greatest asset, is now on the verge of unraveling, along with your promising career. You’re a 23-year-old professional athlete with Parkinson’s disease. …

2013 NL West Preview: Dodgers Try To Dwarf Giants

Apr 1, 2013 Posted by Staff In Baseball Tagged Aaron Harang, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Andres Torres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Barry Zito, Brandon League, Brandon McCarthy, Brian Wilson, Carl Crawford, Chad Billingsley, Chase Headley, Chris Capuano, Clayton Kershaw, Colorado Rockies, Cy Young, Dodger Stadium, Gregor Blanco, Hanley Ramirez, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Ian Kennedy, Javier Lopez, Jeremy Guthrie, Jim Tracy, Josh Beckett, Juan Uribe, Justin Upton, Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers, Luis Cruz, Madison Bumgarner, Mark Ellis, Martin Prado, Matt Cain, Matt Kemp, National League, NL West, Opening Day, openingday, Ryan Vogelsong, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo, sports, Sports Upfront, Ted Dibiase, Ted Lilly, Tim Lincecum, Trevor Cahill, Upfront, World Series, Wu Tang, Yankees, Zach Grienke Comments 1

The National League West seems pretty simple to break down. Which California team will stand alone atop the division; the San Fransisco Giants or the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers new ownership must be fans of Wu Tang, because they basically announced to the world, “Cash rules everything around me,” by throwing around money like Ted Dibiase. The Giants on the other hand did what the Giants do. Not crab cakes and football, that’s Maryland. They stayed the corse – for the most part.

The Arizona Diamondbacks shipped off Justin Upton in his prime and hope to continue to improve without him. The San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies are going to be bad. Real bad probably.

Sports UpFront staff are discussing if the Dodgers can manage the Goliath feat of taking down the Giants. …

2013 AL West Preview: A Halo For Hamilton

Mar 31, 2013 Posted by Staff In Baseball Tagged A's, Adrian Beltre, AL, Albert Pujols, Alexi Ogando, American League, Angels, Arte Moreno, Astros, Brandon McCarthy, C.J Wilson, central, Cespedes, CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis, David Murphy, Derek Holland, divisions, divisons, Dustin Ackley, Ernesto Frieri, Felix Hernandez, Giants, Hamilton, Houston Astros, Ian Kinsler, Jesus Montero, Josh Hamilton, Jurickson Profar, Lance Berkman, Los Angeles Angels, Mariners, Mark Trumbo, Martin Perez, Matt Harrison, Michael Young, Mike Napoli, Mike Trout, Mitch Moreland, MLB, MLB Preview, National League, Neftali Feliz, Nelson Cruz, NL, Oakland, Oakland A's, Philadelphia, Phillies, Preview, Ryan Madson, San Fransisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, SF Giants, Sports Upfront, Texas Rangers, Upfront, wild card, Yoenis, Yoenis Cespedes, Yu, Yu Darvish Comments 2

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s batting order is something from the heavens.

Josh Hamilton joins an Angels lineup that already has Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. If they can get decent pitching, they should have the runs to support it.

The Texas Rangers had all season to sign Hamilton to the money he wanted. Now he’s about to show why they should have ponied up. Even without Hamilton, the Rangers still have big sticks. Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, Mitch Moreland and Lance Berkman will try and shoulder some of the load. Their rotation is simply better than the Angels’.

The strongest rotation is likely the one with the fewest “big” names. It will be the strength of the reigning divisional champions, the Oakland A’s. In 2012 they had the second best record in the AL, and the exact same record as the world series champion San Fransisco Giants. If they can get back over the 90-win mark, they could sneak into a playoff spot.

Which brings us to the interesting parts of the division. The Seattle Mariners are going to be bad. The only team worse, is the newly added Houston Astros. Having these two in the division will have the Halos, Rangers, and A’s feasting on them 19 times each. It may not be too far off to think both AL Wild Cards could come from the Central.

Sports UpFront staff discuss the power division – The American League Central.

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2013 NL Central Preview: Seeing Red

Mar 30, 2013 Posted by Staff In Baseball Tagged A.J Burnett, Adam Wainwright, Allen Craig, Andrew McCutchen, Aroldis Chapman, baseball, Brandon Phillips, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Villanueva, Chicago Cubs, Chris Carpenter, Cincinnati Reds, Edwin Jackson, Evan Dowbiggin, Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros, James McDonald, Jameson Taillon, Jason Grilli, Jay Bruce, Jeff Samardzija, Joey Votto, Jonathan Broxton, Jonathan Lucroy, Kirby Barber, Marc Tessier, Mark Farmer, Matt Garza, Matt Holliday, Matthew Weber, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, Neil Adams, Neil Walker, NL Central, Norichika Aoki, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan Braun, Scott Baker, Shin-Soo Choo, Simon Druker, St. Louis Cardinals, Starling Marte, Todd Frazier, Travis Wood, Wandy Rodriguez, Yovani Gallardo, Zach Sommers Comments 5

The Houston Astros are gone, but unlike their season this year, the National League Central seems hard to predict.

It’s difficult to argue the talent assembled in Cincinnati. They have something to prove after the “giant” let down last year in the post season against San Francisco. Kyle Lohse leaves St. Louis after an extended hold out, in favour of division rival Milwaukee. Will he take the playoff spot with him? St. Louis not only lost Lohse, they’re without Chris Carpenter. However, many wouldn’t be too surprised if the Cards built another playoff team. They’ve lost big pieces before with little affect.

Milwaukee is hoping life without Prince Fielder gets better. Ryan Braun is arguably the best overall player in the game. The Brewers can’t afford having Braun gone for 50 games, and are hoping there’s nothing to rumours of their star using PEDs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are loaded with young talent, but that youth may still need a few more years before success. The Chicago Cubs and their billy goat will rely heavily on young studs Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo to put them into the mix.

Sports UpFront staff discuss if Lohse’s move from Missouri to Wisconsin will make a difference and whether either state’s team can down the Big Red Machine. …

2013 AL Central Preview: Tigers Still Atop Food Chain

The Detroit Tigers have the best pitcher in baseball. Justin Verlander and the rest of the rotation will only benefit of the return of Victor Martinez to a lineup already with Prince Fielder and MVP Miguel Cabrera. Jim Leyland is another year older, and despite mid-season calls for his head, has another World Series appearance under his belt.

The Kansas City Royals are full of young talent. If Eric Hosmer recovers from his sophomore slump, Mike Moustakas and Alex Gordon keep maturing, and James Shields and the rotation can improve, they could make a push. Regardless, they’re going to be a great club to watch get better.

The Chicago White Sox have said the reigns are off Chris Sale, which should prove beneficial. But there are a lot of question marks surrounding Jake Peavy’s health and the output of the overall offence.

Minnesota, and their big-bat Twins, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, are shrinking in size with each year. Cleveland doesn’t “rock” when it comes to the Indians. Terry Francona should have his work cut out for him.

Sports UpFront staff discuss whether Chicago will pull up their socks, the Royals can mature enough to contend, or if they’re still just a cub, compared to the big cat in the division. …

2013 NL East Preview: Uptons Brave A New Division

Mar 28, 2013 Posted by Staff In Baseball Tagged Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Braves, baseball, BJ Upton, Brian McCann, Bryce Harper, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Dan Haren, Dan Uggla, Danny Espinosa, David Wright, Denard Span, Freddie Freeman, Gio Gonzalez, Ian Desmond, Ike Davis, Jason Heyward, Jeffrey Loria, Jimmy Rollins, Johan Santana, Julio Teheran, Justin Upton, Marlon Byrd, Matt Harvey, Miami Marlins, Michael Young, MLB, National League, New York Mets, NL East, Opening Day, Philadelphia Phillies, R.A. Dickey, Rafael Soriano, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, Sports Upfront, Stephen Strasburg, Travis d'Arnaud, Upfront, Washington Nationals, Zack Wheeler Comments 5

The National League East this year is going to be fantastic to watch.

The defending division champion Washington Nationals have come a long way since forgetting how to spell their name. Bryce Harper still has doubters, but likely won’t after this year. The champs only got better in the offseason.

Atlanta’s strength in the 90′s was their rotation. Adding BJ and Justin Upton to a line-up with Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman should give Braves’ fans plenty of reasons to tomahawk chop.

The Philadelphia Phillies still have three of the top pitchers in the NL in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, but there are lots of questions surrounding the aging and injury prone supporting cast.

The New York Mets traded away their Cy Young knuckleballer, and are building towards the future, while the Marlins are owned by Jeffrey Loria.

Sports UpFront staff are weighing in on whether Atlanta can chop the Nats off their throne and if they’ll once again be enjoying October baseball on the “Streets of Philadelphia”. …

2013 AL East Preview: Parity Reigns

Mar 27, 2013 Posted by Staff In Baseball Tagged AL East, Baltimore Orioles, baseball, Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox, Brett Lawrie, Clay Buchholz, David Price, Dylan Bundy, Emilio Bonifacio, Evan Dowbiggin, Evan Longoria, James Shields, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Maddon, John Farrell, John Lackey, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Kevin Gausman, Kirby Barber, Manny Machado, Marc Tessier, Mariano Rivera, Mark Farmer, Matthew Weber, Melky Cabrera, MLB, Neil Adams, New York Yankees, R.A. Dickey, Ricky Romero, Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, Simon Druker, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells, WIl Myers, wild card, Yunel Escobar Comments 5

The East is easily the strongest division overall in the American League. In eight of the nine years from 2003 to 2011, the wild card has come from the AL East. This year, there are a wide range of stories pouring out of the division.

The “Evil Empire”, New York Yankees are struggling like we haven’t seen in over a decade. They have over $82-million worth of all-stars sitting on the disabled list to start the season.

The Boston Red Sox are coming off a disastrous season. They finished 2012 with the third worst record in the AL. They’re looking to former pitching coach, and new manager, John Farrell to rebuild and restructure what Bobby Valentine left behind.

The Toronto Blue Jays made the biggest splash in the offseason and many of analysts are picking them to win the division.

Don’t forget to factor in the Tampa Bay Rays, who continue to have one of the brightest young lineups in the league. The Baltimore Orioles are coming off a wild card season. They lost to the Yankees in five games in the Divisional Series.

Sports UpFront staff are weighing in on what is perhaps the best division in baseball. …

Houston Astros Launching Away From History

Feb 27, 2013 Posted by Neil Adams In Baseball, Featured Tagged American League, Astros, baseball, History, Houston, Interleague play, MLB, National League, Neil Adams Comments 1

The grass still mowed, the lines still painted white and the familiar thump of leather upon leather echoes throughout the ballpark. But like the famous quote: “Houston, we have a problem”.

This year’s Houston Astros are hard at work preparing for the beginning of a new season, and the start of a new era in Major League Baseball history.

On October 3, 2012, the Astros lost to the Chicago Cubs, and wrapped up 51 years of play in the National League. Shortly after, it was announced the team would be heading west. Still located in Houston, they’ll be in a much tougher division, in a much tougher league. …

Should Kyle Lohse Sit Out Until June?

Feb 26, 2013 Posted by Matthew Weber In Baseball Tagged baseball, Cardianls, free agency, Kyle Lohse, Lohse, Matthew Weber, MLB, Scott Boras, spring training, St. Louis Cardinals Comments 1

Spring Training is underway, and MLB players have reported and are gearing up for the World Baseball Classic and Opening Day. One notable exception is Kyle Lohse, easily the top remaining unsigned free agent.

Having declined a qualifying offer worth $13.3-million for 2013 and having draft pick compensation attached to him, it appears the demand for his services did not unfold the way he and agent Scott Boras expected at the beginning of the offseason. There is always the possibility that Boras will pull another rabbit out of his proverbial hat and find a large value multiyear deal for Lohse, but at this point the requirement to forfeit their top draft seems to have had a materially adverse effect on what Lohse will end up with. But is there a potential way around the draft pick compensation? …

Scott Boras Changed Baseball, Now Baseball Is Changing Scott Boras

Feb 5, 2013 Posted by Matthew Weber In Baseball Tagged baseball, Boras, contracts, Matthew Weber, Rafael Soriano, Scott Boras Comments 0

“People call me all the time and say, ‘Man, your players aren’t signed yet.’ Well, it doesn’t really matter what time dinner is when you’re the steak.”
- Scott Boras, as quoted by ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on January 13, 2013

Baseball player agent Scott Boras is known for both his brazen comments and his 30-year track record of securing record-breaking megadeals.

He’s negotiated contracts for the likes of Greg Maddux, Kevin Brown, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Prince Fielder. A catalyst in transforming MLB’s economic landscape, he’s inspired multiple rule changes as a result of pushing the boundaries and leveraging loopholes in the CBA and Major League Rules. Despite such an impressive track record, Boras interestingly has two high profile clients without a contract. …