Dempster Beans A-Rod, But Red Sox Still Lose

This weekend's games were frustrating to watch.  Friday night's game kept getting worse for the Red Sox the longer the game went on.  The Red Sox ended up losing 10-3.  Saturday night's game was better for the Red Sox, as they won 6-1.  Last night's game went back and forth until the 6th inning when the Yankees scored 4 runs, and the Red Sox lost 9-6.

Now that the scores are out of the way, let's talk about the real story from last night's game: Dempster beaning A-Rod.  Alex Rodriguez was the first batter for the Yankees in the top of the 2nd inning  Dempster went behind him with the first pitch.  A few pitches later, Dempster succeeded in hitting Rodriguez, and the crowd went wild.  

Warnings were issued to each teams, which sent Yankees Manager Joe Girardi went ballistic and was ejected from the game.  ESPN broadcasted the game, and the commentators seemed to side with Girardi.  They seemed to think Dempster hit Rodriguez on purpose, and there are definitely reasons to say that's true (Dempster supposedly claims he was just trying to come in on Rodriguez).  

Whatever the case, Dempster seemed to lose his mojo after the incident.

Do I think Dempster hit Rodriguez on purpose?  Honestly, I do.  I understand why he's denying it, but someone had to be the first pitcher to bean Rodriguez after the circus A-Rod has created the past couple of weeks.  Chances were that the Red Sox were going to be that team to do it.

I don't think this will be the last time Alex Rodriguez is beaned... probably this week.  In my opinion, Rodriguez has dug his own grave.  Fans are angry at him.  The Yankees are angry with him.  Other players are angry at him.  I'm starting to wonder if the only people who isn't angry at him are his lawyers.

This weekend, there were reports that someone(s) from Rodriguez's camp was/were the one(s) who leaked the information about Braun and Cervelli.  The MLBPA is looking into this allegation, as this would violate the collective bargaining agreement.  

Baseball players are supposed to have their teammates backs, but I'm starting to actually feel bad for the Yankees players, as they have to have A-Rod's back.  The guy only seems to think about himself, and it has to be hard to rally around a teammate like that.

I watched one of Alex Rodriguez's attorneys on the Today Show this morning being interviewed by Matt Lauer.  Lauer asked the attorney why Rodriguez was the only player to not take the deal MLB presented when the Biogenesis fiasco started.  The attorney answered that there wasn't any proof that Alex Rodriguez did anything wrong.  

I'm tired of the whole Alex Rodriguez drama.  Luckily, the Red Sox's deal with the Rangers for A-Rod never went through after the 2003 season.  The Red Sox still will have to deal with the A-Rod drama this season, as the Red Sox play the Yankees 7 more times in the remaining 36 games.

Pedroia’s Extension, Braun’s Suspension, and Buchholz to the Rescue in September(?)

 I warned you Monday that I would probably have a lot more to write about for today’s post.  Well, I do, starting with probably the best news the Red Sox have released all season:

Pedroia’s Extension

Yesterday, it was announced that Pedroia would be signing a 7-year/ $100 million extension, meaning he’ll be signed with the Red Sox through 2021.  He’ll be 38 years old at that point.  This is the first $100 million contract signed by a second baseman in MLB history.

I’m thrilled that Pedroia signed the extension, especially the fact that he signed before seeing what Robinson Cano will get in free agency after this season.  Pedroia plays the game well and with a driven spirit; the way every team wishes every player played, and the way fans love to see these men play.  Pedroia has heart, and he wears it on his sleeve.  You can tell he loves playing the game and that he loves playing in Boston.

Pedroia was originally signed through the 2014 seasons with a team option of $15 million for the 2015 season.  With the extension, Pedroia will be paid approximately $14.29 million a season, which is very team friendly, in my opinion.  It’s estimated that Cano could demand about $20 million a season.  Statistically, Pedroia and Cano are comparable; but honestly, I think Pedroia means more to the Red Sox than Cano means to the Yankees.

An interesting note, the Red Sox have only given out four $100 million-plus contracts, including Pedroia’s deal.  The other three players were all traded to the Dodgers (Manny Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, and Carl Crawford). 

I don’t see that happening with Pedroia.  In fact, my bet is he gets the “C” put on his jersey sooner rather than later.

I have to add this comment that The Boston Globe included in their article  A television reporter asked Pedroia if his teammates would treat him differently now that he had the hefty extension,  Pedroia delivered a classic response: “Not really.  They still have to look down at me.”

Braun’s Suspension

Ryan Braun was suspended by Major League Baseball on Monday for the remainder of the season without pay for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.  It was a total of 65 games.  Suspensions of other players are going to follow, reportedly next season, after appeals are handled.

Braun is essentially losing $3.4 million, a drop in the bucket of his 5-year/ $105 million extension he signed in 2011.  The Brewers are in last place in the NL Central Division and 20 games out of first, so there’s really no hope the Brewers will be making a comeback this season. 

Does the suspension hurt Braun financially?  Not really.  Does the suspension hurt Braun’s reputation?  Yes.  Does the suspension hurt other accused players chances of successfully appealing their own suspensions because of the Biogenesis link?  Definitely.

The fact that Ryan Braun took his suspension without appealing shows MLB had significant evidence against him.  If they didn’t, I’m sure Braun would’ve fought the suspension, especially after he successfully appealed his last suspension.  With Braun serving his suspension without appeal, it’ll also give more credential to the employees at Biogenesis who are cooperating with MLB’s investigation.

Braun’s Suspension’s Effect on Alex Rodriguez

In connection to Braun’s suspension is Alex Rodriguez.  There have been so many rumors floating around about what, if any, suspension A-Rod (A-Roid?) will be serving; I’ve heard anywhere from 150-games to a lifetime ban.

This is for sure, the fact that Rodriguez impeded MLB's investigation shows more guilt than if he just kept quiet.  It’s been widely reported that MLB has more evidence against A-Rod than they had on Braun. 

If I were a part of the Yankees organization (and thank goodness I’m not), I’d be looking for a way to void Rodriguez’s contract.  FAST.

Buchholz to the Rescue in September?

As mentioned on Monday, Clay Buchholz visited Dr. Andrews.  Buchholz was given reassurance by that he didn’t have structural damage to his shoulder, and he just had inflammation.  Dr. Andrews also said that Buchholz wouldn’t cause any damage by pitching with the inflammation.  Good news, right?

Well, Buchholz went on record yesterday saying he hoped to make 4 to 5 starts the remainder of the season.  The guy hasn’t pitched since June 8^th, so I understand that he needs to build his arm up again.  But, if he had no damage and it’s taken so long for him to get a second opinion, part of my wonders what would’ve happened if Buchholz had been checked out by Dr. Andrews earlier.  Could he be pitching now?

In my opinion, the Red Sox need to get another starting pitcher.  Garza went to the Rangers on Monday, so that really only leaves Peavy and Norris.  The Sox seem to be more inclined with Peavy, at this point. 

If the Red Sox land a starting pitcher, they can go to a six-man rotation for September.  This, I feel, would be a great thing for the team.  It’ll give the starters more rest between starts to keep them fresh for the playoffs.  Plus, it’ll also have the starters in a sort-of competition for those starting positions in the playoffs.

That’s what I have for today.  It was a longer post, but so much had happened the past couple days, I had to comment on it all.  Let’s hope for another Red Sox win tonight!

PED Crack-Down and What It Means to Baseball

 If you haven’t heard the reports that came out last night, MLB is about to get the answers they’ve been wanting since the whole Biogenesis story broke last year.  Reportedly, at least 20 players will be named and suspended due to their connection to the Biogenesis facility in Miami and their use of Performance Enhancing Drugs.  Included in those players are: Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Gio Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera, and Bartolo Colon.

The owner of Biogenesis, Anthony Bosch, has agreed to talk to MLB and give potentially incriminating (for the players accused) information to MLB.  This all stems from the fact that MLB has sued Mr. Bosch because he has been unwilling to work with them.  If you remember, it was reported that Alex Rodriguez supposedly tried to buy and may have bought documents from Biogenesis, to keep out of MLB’s hands. 

I was listening to the Red Sox game last night when the story broke (please see below where I give a brief recap to the Red Sox’s 17-5 win over the AL leading Rangers).  I don’t know if all the excitement and confusion played into what the announcers were saying, but things were coming rapidly.  They were reporting that players linked to Biogenesis could receive 100-game suspensions, that Yankees had been trying to distance themselves from Alex Rodriguez for the past few days, and Seth and Sam Levinson of ACES were also being implicated.

As far as the suspensions are concerned, if there is proof that these players were given PEDs by Biogenesis, then I do think suspensions are in order.  This is not about MLB out for a witch hunt, this is about keeping the game clean for everyone.  If these players (and their agents), are trying to find ways around MLB’s PED policy and scheming and lying in the process, they need to be punished. 

These players are seen as idols to millions of people, children and adults alike.  Do we really want to set the example that cheating and polluting our bodies is okay, as long as you’re getting awards and tons of money in the process?  I don’t think so.  I take health supplements, and I am always aware of what I am putting in my body.  Shouldn’t a Major League Baseball player know what he is putting in his body?  Wouldn’t he want to know (referencing the claim that some players use that they just take whatever their agent/trainer/etc. gives them without questioning).  These players need to be held accountable.

Another issue that is being raised is how can we compare these players who have been linked to PEDs (past and present) to the players that (supposedly) never did PEDs?  Alex Rodriguez had been seen as the best player in baseball for years before he was implicated in PED use.  Before him, Ken Griffey Jr. was seen as the best player in baseball.  Griffey has never formally been accused of PED use, and I’m not sure of many who are willing to accuse him of it with all the injuries he suffered in the second half of his career.  If A-Rod hadn’t taken PEDs (remember, he has admitted to it once already), would Griffey still be considered one of the best (if not THE best) players in the past 20 years? 

Robinson Cano is another player that could be linked to Biogenesis.  His name supposedly has come up on a few of the lists that MLB has contained.  However, Gio Gonzalez, whose has been linked from the start, will most likely not be facing suspensions, as what he supposedly obtained was legal. 

I think I need to point out that Dustin Pedroia is represented by Seth and Sam Levinson, the agents reportedly behind the scheming with Biogenesis.  At this time, the Red Sox are reporting that MLB has not contacted them about any of their players being linked to the investigation.  Do I think Pedroia did PEDs?  No.  Look at him- he looks more like an average guy that most players in the Majors.  Do I think other players on the Red Sox will be linked?  I’m not sure.

At this point, there are really more questions than answers.  All we know now is that Anthony Bosch will talk to MLB.  We don’t know what he’s going to say and who he’s going to implicate.  There’s reportedly a list of players name and “code names.”  Is he going to explain person by person who took what?  Will this be enough evidence for MLB to issue those 100-game suspensions? 

There really is too much unknown right now to speculate what will happen.  I’ve heard that this “list of names” will be released today, in two weeks, and by the All-Star Break.  No one knows.  I do know that I am disappointed in the players who did cheat.  Please, keep the game clean, at least for the fans.

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As I mentioned earlier, the Red Sox routed the Rangers 17-5 last night.  JBJ, Drew, Carp, and Salty all had home runs.  Ortiz, Drew (2), Pedroia, Iglesias, Nava (2), and Salty had doubles.  Ortiz managed to pull off a Triple, his first since 2011, by hitting the ball into the corner.  Dempster had a nice outing: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, and 6 SO.  The Red Sox scored in every inning except the 8^th inning.