Kemp Out; First in a While

The LA Dodgers have placed Outfielder Matt Kemp on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring. In doing so, they also recalled OF Jerry Sands from AAA Albuquerque.

Interesting Note:

Kemp had played in a Major League-high 399 consecutive games prior to missing tonight’s contest against ARI, last missing a game on 8/18/09.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 15, 2012

Jeter Inches Up

With his single off of Jason Hammel in the 3rd inning of Monday night's game against the Orioles Jeter has moved into 16th on the MLB All-Time Hit List with 3143.  

The Top of the list looks like this:

1. Pete Rose, 4256
2. Ty Cobb, 4191
3. Hank Aaron, 3771
4. Stan Musial, 3630
5. Tris Speaker, 3514
6.Carl Yastrzemski, 3419
7.Honus Wagner, 3415
8.Paul Molitor, 3319
9.Eddie Collins, 3315
10.Willie Mays, 3283
11.Eddie Murray,3255
12.Nap Lajoie,3242
13.Cal Ripken, Jr, 3182
14.George Brett, 3154
15.Paul Waner, 3152
16.Derek Jeter, 3143

Jessica Alba

I'm not sure which is more impressive; being on the above list at all or having a smoking hot his list of past girlfriends.

Minka Kelly

Jessica Biel

Adriana Lima

Scarlett Johansson

Vida Guerra

Rangers Hamilton Hits 4 2-Run HR's

Check that man's pulse because he was stone cold tonight.  On Tuesday evening, Josh Hamilton performed a feat and became one of sixteen other people to do it.  He didn't just hit one Home Run.  He didn't hit two or three either.  Hamilton ripped four 2-Run Home Runs and went 5 for 5 on the night.  The last player to hit a home run quartet was Carlos Delgado in 2003.

Nats GM Calls Hamels Gutless

After Sunday's game against the Nationalss, Cole Hamels admitted that he purposely threw at Bryce Harpers back.  Harper proceeded to take first base. After a single from Jayson Werth that took him to third, Harper stole home in almost a "back atcha" to Hamels.

Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo didn't like Hamels throwing at his young outfielder, and responded when asked by the Washington Post.

“Cole Hamels says he’s old school? He’s the polar opposite of old school. He’s fake tough. He thinks he’s going to intimidate us after hitting our 19-year-old rookie who’s eight games into the big leagues? He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”

Who is he dealin with exactly? Does e think he's a mob boss? Will hamels be sleeping with the fishes sometime in the near future?

Throwing at or near a batter is something that is prevalent in the major league and has been for decades. A strategy that instinctively backs the batter away from the plate. Hamels wasn't head hunting. In fact, later in the game, Nats starter Jordan Zimmerman responded throwing at and hitting Hamels in the knee while he was attempting to bunt.

“He was bunting, and I’m going to take an out when I can get an out,” Zimmermann said. “I was trying to go away, and I cut a fastball really, really bad and hit him in the knee.” At least Cole admitted throwing at the 19 year old.

At this point, after several successful post seasons in a row by the Phillies, there seems to be bad blood  between the division rivals. The Nationals haven't appeared in a single postseason since the 1981 year when they were still called the Expos.  Nationals owners began a campaign earlier this year to "take back" their stadium(from Phillies fans who follow their team down to Washington). They wouldn't allow credit cards from outside the state to be used when purchasing their tickets.Unfortunately, even with the top pitching prospect in the league, and the best record in the division, the Nats are still having issues filling their seats. On the other hand, the Phillies have been struggling thus far this year on the field, yet still pack Citizens Bank Park every game. The bottom line is Philadelphia has passionate fans that show up rain or shine.

Werth Breaks Wrist; Out 12 Weeks

BAD NEWS FOR WASHINGTON! Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth will miss 12 weeks after surgery today on his broken left wrist.
Werth was injured while trying to catch a blooper off the bat of Placido Polanco in the sixth inning of the Philadelphia Phillies' 9-3 win on Sunday.

Werth's glove got caught underneath him and he bent his wrist backward trying to grab Polanco's sinking liner. Werth stayed on the ground briefly before throwing the ball back to the infield. He walked off holding his left wrist.

Phillies Blanton Pitches Complete Game Shutout

On Wednesday, a Phillies pitcher let up three hits all game, but not one player reached home. No, his name doesn't start with a Roy, Cliff, or Cole. It's chubby Joe. Blanton went 9 strong innings throwing only 86 pitches, and 67 were for strikes.

Who could have figured that after 26 games the Phillies would be without slugger Ryan Howard, all star 2nd baseman Chase Utley, and their ace would be Joe Blanton? Things look more odd by the day in Philadelphia. At this point It wouldn't surprise me if I woke up tomorrow and we discover that pigs really do fly.

Mariano Rivera Career Over?

(From FoxSports)

The Yankees closer slipped on the warning track Thursday while fielding fly balls for Jason Nix before their game with the Royals subsequently having to be carted off the field.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced after the game that Rivera has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.



At the age of 42, it begs the question, "is this the end of a career for the All-Time saves leader?"  Injuries, especially as significant as a torn ACL, are not easy to come back from, especially at his age.
Rivera has been in the majors since 1995, with 1219.2 innings pitched, and earning 608 saves in 663 opportunities.