What's the Buzz? 3/9/06
So the Americans can still do it apparently; they can still advance to the next round as long as they beat South Africa tomorrow and hold them to atleast 42 runs. The tie breaker is based on average runs given up per inning. Um....ok. I guess it's as good enough as anything else. So because of that, Mexico is already advancing with a 9-1 thrashing of Canada. Esteban Loaiza looked good giving up 3 hits, 3 walks and 1 run in 5 innings and....unbelievable....can't believe I have to say it.....wish I didn't have to....Jorge Cantu lit it up with another home run , going 2-5 with 3 RBI. [minor interjection: so here it is...I don't like Jorge Cantu...his .311 OBP last year, to me, was a sign that maybe he just had a good year a la Angel Berroa but will falter overall. Not that these home runs make me nervous, but I also have to hear from his owner in my fantasy league who I take great pleasure in beating. It's a personal thing. For your fantasy purposes, take it with a grain of salt. I'll still give you a dozen other infielders I'd rather have, but hey...that's just me.] The Canadians really didn't do anything to help their cause as they managed only 4 hits all game. It didn't help with morale either as Jeff Francis looked like he was actually pitching in Colorado giving up 6 earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. Tough break Canada...you put up some good runs except when you really needed it.
In other action, here's a surprise.....the Dominican Republic smacked the crap out of Italy today. Albert Pujols, Moises Alou and Adrian Beltre all went yard and Jorge Sosa took control of the game after a rocky start by Odalis Perez. I don't know about you guys, but I think Beltre is going to raise a few eyebrows this spring and cost some poor fantasy owners some serious bid dollars in the draft only to play just as he does every year his contract isn't expiring. Note to Mike Piazza: 1-11 is not the way to get Padres fans excited about you let alone fantasy owners.
In the other two games, Cuba beat up the Netherlands 11-2 and Venezuela shut out Australia 2-0. The only real major fantasy notes here are: 0 defections so far from the Cuban team, Andruw Jones continues to have a lousy spring and the Venezuelan pitching staff continues to look good. Speaking of Venzuelan pitchers, apparently the Twins are very upset that Johann Santana was allowed to throw 61 pitches in his first start. Here we go....finally another team, along with the Yankees, is expressing contempt for this ridiculous tournament.
In the real Spring Training...
In what can only be considered a disruptive Spring, Barry Bonds played today going 1-2 with a strikeout and a single. But that could be all for naught. There is some speculation that Barry is very upset and may just leave baseball entirely. Then there's the question of what Selig is going to do. The chump in charge is very embarrassed and could launch a major attack against Bonds with a severe suspension. The Players Association will fight that one. They can't really suspend him though without a positive test, so I think he will play on.
The Roger Clemens soap opera continues as there were reports the other day that the Rocket was going to retire after the WBC. However, he spent over an hour at the Texas Rangers' camp today. He says he won't make any decisions until April 1st. I guess it'll all hinge on how he fares against the mighty South African team and then in the rest of the Classic. Great....just what fantasy owners want to do; wait on Clemens. Unless you hear of signed contracts, best to look elsewhere for a pitcher.
And in the first sign of an injury to a "major player", Ben Sheets was removed in the 1st inning after irritating the injured muscle in his throwing shoulder. This after giving up 5 runs as well. He'll have it examined on Saturday, but this can't be a good thing. Maybe it's something and maybe it's nothing, but if this doesn't throw up a red flag to you, then we need to talk. Don't get too eager on draft day, regardless of what they tell you about his status.
This weekend, check for some articles on spring position battles, more WBC news, and some rants on starting pitchers.
Catch you next time....
In other action, here's a surprise.....the Dominican Republic smacked the crap out of Italy today. Albert Pujols, Moises Alou and Adrian Beltre all went yard and Jorge Sosa took control of the game after a rocky start by Odalis Perez. I don't know about you guys, but I think Beltre is going to raise a few eyebrows this spring and cost some poor fantasy owners some serious bid dollars in the draft only to play just as he does every year his contract isn't expiring. Note to Mike Piazza: 1-11 is not the way to get Padres fans excited about you let alone fantasy owners.
In the other two games, Cuba beat up the Netherlands 11-2 and Venezuela shut out Australia 2-0. The only real major fantasy notes here are: 0 defections so far from the Cuban team, Andruw Jones continues to have a lousy spring and the Venezuelan pitching staff continues to look good. Speaking of Venzuelan pitchers, apparently the Twins are very upset that Johann Santana was allowed to throw 61 pitches in his first start. Here we go....finally another team, along with the Yankees, is expressing contempt for this ridiculous tournament.
In the real Spring Training...
In what can only be considered a disruptive Spring, Barry Bonds played today going 1-2 with a strikeout and a single. But that could be all for naught. There is some speculation that Barry is very upset and may just leave baseball entirely. Then there's the question of what Selig is going to do. The chump in charge is very embarrassed and could launch a major attack against Bonds with a severe suspension. The Players Association will fight that one. They can't really suspend him though without a positive test, so I think he will play on.
The Roger Clemens soap opera continues as there were reports the other day that the Rocket was going to retire after the WBC. However, he spent over an hour at the Texas Rangers' camp today. He says he won't make any decisions until April 1st. I guess it'll all hinge on how he fares against the mighty South African team and then in the rest of the Classic. Great....just what fantasy owners want to do; wait on Clemens. Unless you hear of signed contracts, best to look elsewhere for a pitcher.
And in the first sign of an injury to a "major player", Ben Sheets was removed in the 1st inning after irritating the injured muscle in his throwing shoulder. This after giving up 5 runs as well. He'll have it examined on Saturday, but this can't be a good thing. Maybe it's something and maybe it's nothing, but if this doesn't throw up a red flag to you, then we need to talk. Don't get too eager on draft day, regardless of what they tell you about his status.
This weekend, check for some articles on spring position battles, more WBC news, and some rants on starting pitchers.
Catch you next time....
posted by Howard Bender at
11:38 PM
