- It has to be a tough thing to be a Sizemore in baseball this year. First, Grady Sizemore injured his back while fielding grounders with the Indians. An update is being prepared by the Indians and it might be very bad news for Sizemore and the Indians. Grady was once an up and coming young outfielder, thought to become one of baseball's best. Then the injuries began. And they didn't stop. Now, the three-time All-Star who has appeared in just 104 games over the past two seasons, might be lucky to play at all this season.
On the other hand, there is Scott Sizemore, no relation to Grady, who tore his ACL on February 27th. He will now miss the entire year. Sizemore was expected to compete for the A's starting third baseman job. Now, he is out for the year. Spring Training has been a cruel mistress to these two this year.
- The price for a good catcher just went up. First it was Joe Mauer signing an 8-year, $184 million deal with the Twins a couple of seasons ago. Now, the Cardinals have inked All-Star catcher Yadier Molina to a 5-year, $75 million deal. Molina is a very good catcher. Is he worth $15 million a year? In my opinion, no. He has never driven in more than 65 runs, never hit more than 14 homers (both RBI and homer totals were career highs set last year), and has never hit higher than .305, again a career high set last season, besting his previous best of .304 from 2008. Don't get me wrong, I think Yadier Molina is a spectacular catcher on both sides of the plate. I'm just not a fan of giving a catcher, who plays 140 games at most and is susceptible to a myriad of injuries and breakdowns $15 million a year. Especially one coming off a career year where he set career high marks for hits, doubles, homers, RBI's, AVG, and runs scored. Yes, his defense is impeccable. Yes, he can swing the lumber. No, I still don't think any catcher is worth $15 million a year. Not after seeing Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, and Russell Martin all go from All-Star up and comers to question marks because of health or overuse as was the case with Martin. Strangely, though, if there is one catcher I would give the money to it is Yadier who has shown an ability to stay healthy, call a great game, hit the ball, and be a leader. It is crazy but sometimes it works out.
- Now for the rude, inappropriate comment that I can't resist. You know it's wrong but you will laugh too...or just think I'm an ass which you probably do already. Plaxico Burress wants to join the Eagles. He has practically taken out a full page ad in the Philadelphia newspapers and is telling anyone with two ears he wants to be an Eagle. Between him and Mike Vick that outta make shower time lots of fun postgame and post-practice. Soap on a rope fellas, soap on a rope. See it wasn't so bad. Ok, maybe it was. You still smiled though didn't you?
- To this day I still don't understand why the Rangers traded Mike Knuble. For Rob DiMaio of all people. DiMaio went on to play 12 games as a Ranger. Knuble went on to score 30+ goals two times and 20+ 8 times. To this day that trade still bothers me and it seems like the Rangers have been searching for that kind of player since Knuble left. Brendan Shanahan was kind of like that player but he is now gone and the Rangers are still searching. Maybe P.A. Parenteau will rejoin the Rangers as a UFA next season. Maybe.
- The question this season seems to be not what trophy Henrik Lundqvist will win but how many. In my humble opinion he should walk away with the Vezina (for best goalie) and the Hart (League MVP). He has meant everything to the Rangers this season and he is the reason for the Rangers being atop the Eastern Conference standings right now. Oh, he has 8 shutouts this year to lead the league. Hopefully the anti-Rangers bias among the voters won't shine through this year.
- Can someone please tell me what Bill Simmons of ESPN is doing interviewing President Barack Obama? Seriously? The President of the United States doesn't belong on a sports website. We don't need to know what his brackets will be for March Madness. We don't need his input on Jermey Lin, the Bulls, or the White Sox. The only thing we need from a President is leadership and that doesn't mean in sports. Stop the nonsense and let the President be the President by trying to fix, oh, I dunno, the damned economy.
- While everyone is paying attention to Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak is quietly putting together a very nice season for the Knicks. His ability to shoot the three is something the Knicks offense has lacked since Allan Houston left. Novak is only averaging 8.0 PPG but is 53-113 from beyond the arc. That's a very nice percentage of 46%. He has the ability to score 9 points in a few minutes, even on three possessions. Add that to what the Knicks already have and yes, they are a very dangerous team, especially in the playoffs.
- the other day I told Terry Francona to shut up. now it's time for Bobby Valentine to shut up. Ever since taking over as Red Sox manager, Bobby V has seemingly only cared about what the Yankees are doing. Recently, he commented on Derek Jeter's now infamous flip play to home plate in the 2001 ALDS. Seriously, how does this come up from Bobby V? The game had nothing to do with any team Bobby V was managing. In 2001, Bobby V was busy taking the defending NL Champions to a third place finish in the NL East. In October of 2001, he was planning how to make the Mets even worse and how to guide them to a 5th place finish. Why does a play that happened over 10 years ago bother Bobby Valentine so much that he has to comment on it now that he is managing in the Major Leagues again? Boston, you may have gotten rid of the bar but you brought in the circus.
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