Now It's The Players Turn

The aftermath of the Mitchell Report has seen several phases. The initial was directed at the actual names named in the report. Next all eyes turned to the evidence behind the claims. Now all attention is on the actual players. Who is going to step up and admit to performance enhancing drug use? Who will fight the claims of the report?

First to act was the biggest name on the list, Roger Clemens. Before the sun fell on the day that will forever be remembered in baseball infamy, a Clemen's representative issued a statement adamantly denying any use of PEDs by the 45 year old 7-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher.

But next came Andy Pettitte, who admitted to using human growth hormone while rehabbing an elbow injury in 2002. This admission does significant damage to Clemen's defense, and gives credibility to the testimony of personal trainer Brian McNamee, who named Pettitte and Clemens in the report.

Back immediately after the initial reaction to the report, when everyone began sifting through the evidence, the name brought up most to discredit the report was that of Brian Roberts. They attested that mere testimony and no actual evidence other than that should not have landed Roberts in the report, and used him as the primary example of the flaws of the Mitchell Report.

However, in an interview in this mornings Baltimore Sun Brian Roberts came clean, admitting to using steroids in 2003.

MLB player turned ESPN analyst Fernado Vina was also named in the report and has publicly owned up to use of HGH. Vina claims to have only used the substance on one occasion, a common theme amongst the admissions of those named in the report. However, the report included 3 checks, from March of 2003 through July of 2005, from Vina to Mets clubhouse boy and steroid dealer Kirk Radomski.

Ex-Red Sox reliever Brendan Donnelly was named in the report for having a telephone conversation regarding steroids with Radomski, and then later receiving steroids in 2004. He has admitted to talking with Radomski about Anavar, a steroid, but claims he never received or used the substance after learning it was classified as a steroid.

Add ex-Arizona Diamondback Alex Cabrera to the list of those denying the Mitchell Report, as well. Cabrera was named in the report for allegedly having a package of steroids delivered to the Diamondbacks clubhouse, but Cabrera claims to have nothing to do with it. In a statement on his Winter League teams website, the Caracas Lions, he suggests he is only an easy scapegoat for the Diamondback organization.

But that's only a handful of the 86 current and former players named in the 409 page report, where are the rest? Miguel Tejada, Eric Gagné, David Justice? And will those, like Pettitte and Roberts, who were named and have admitted use, now meet with the league and be more forthcoming? I don't know, but it seems as if the aftermath of the Mitchell Report may play out to be ever bit as meaningful and informative as it's release.

Live Bloggin the Mitchell Report

The day has come, and we are only hours away from the release of the Mitchell Report. but already information and names have been leaked to the press.

[UPDATES ON TOP]

Fehr has been more timid than I expected, though he is certainly upset about not getting a preview of the report before it went public.
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MLBPA press conference has just begun with Executive Direction Donald Fehr
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There is another list of players over at ESPN that includes the pages that the players appear on.
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Roger Clemens attorney has spoken on Clemens behalf and denied any use of PEDs. Pettitte's agent says he will not comment until conferring with the players union
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Decisions regarding disciplining players and staff mentioned in the report will be made on a case by case situation.
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Selig: will immediately enact any of the Mitchell Reports recommendations that is in his control
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ESPN is streaming MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's Press Conference.
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The phrase of the moment is "circumstantial evidence". Legal minds are taking a detailed look, and in many cases it seems as if the evidence may not hold up against the union if any actions were taken.
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Considering that increased growth of the skull is a side-effect of steroids abuse, all these "Fat Head" commercials that are airing at each and every ESPN break seems oddly poignant.
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The one good thing that steroids did to the world, it kept Disney from making a movie out of the feel good story that was Rick Ankiel.

I'm gonna get a little more into this report before the press conference at 4:30. Although I don't expect there to be much said by the leauge. Overall Selig has to feel alright about how the report shaped up. It is definitely critical of the league, but more so of the players union.

Mitchell does take Selig to task on ignoring the issue of steroids prior to 1998, referencing hundreds of articles that speculated at the use of steroids in baseball when Selig claimed the leauge did not know it was a probably.
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Bud Selig will have his press conference in less than 1 hour at 4:30 EST.
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My quick count looks to be a little high. It's looks to be just a couple players short of 80.
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I'm still getting over the absolute shock of the report, and trying to read in a little more detail. I've got to admit that coming in, while I was expecting big results (otherwise I wouldn't of had a live blog from early this morning), but I was not expecting this. This is huge.
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Deadspin is also in the process of breaking down this massive report. They have a list up, just in case I missed someone.
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Over 80 Players named in Mitchell Report
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It is very important to remember that these are just the players listed in the report as being linked to performance enhancing drugs. They in no way have been found guilty, there has only been evidence that links them, in most cases, to purchasing PEDs.

PLAYERS NAMED IN REPORT

• PAUL LO DUCA
• BOBBY ESTALALLA
• ADAM RIGGS
• BART MIADICH
• FERNADO VINA
• KEVIN BROWN
• ERIC GANGE
• MIKE BELL
• MATT HERGES
• GARY BENNETT JR
• JIM PARQUE
• RENDAN NONNELLY
• CHAN ALLEN
• JEFF WILLIAMS
• HOWIE CLARK
• XAVIER LOGAN
• DAVID JUSTICE
• FP SANTANGELO
• GLEN ALLEN HILL
• MO VAUGHN
• RON VILLONE
• RYAN FRANKLIN
• CHRIS DONNELS
• TODD WILLIAMS
• PHIL HIATT
• TODD PRATT
• KEVIN YOUNG
• MIKE LANSING
• CODY MCKAY
• KENT NERCKER
• ADAM PIATT
• MIGUEL TEJADA
• JASON CHRISTIANSEN
• MIKE STANTON
• STEPHEN PANDOLPH
• MARVIN BENARD
• BARRY BONDS
• JASON GIAMBI
• JEREMY GIAMBI
• BENITIO SANTIAGO
• GARRY SHEFFIELD
• RANDY VELARDE
• LENNY DYKSTRA
• DAVID SEGUI
• LARRY BIGBIE
• BRIAN REOBERTS
• CHUCK KNOBLAUCH
• JACK CUST
• TIME LAKER
• JASIAS MANZANILLO
• TODD HUNDLEY
• HAL MORRIS
• MATT FRANCO
• RONDELL WHITE
• ROGER CLEMENS
• RICK ANKIEL
• DAVID BELL
• PAUL BYRD
• JOSE CANSECO
• JAY GIBBONS
• TROY GLAUS
• JASON GRIMSLEY
• JOSE GUILLEN
• JERRY HAIRSTON JR
• DARREN HOLMES
• GARRY MATTHEWS JR
• JOHN ROCKER
• SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS
• ISMAEL VALDEZ
• MATT WILLIAMS
• STEVE WOODARD
  

BARRY BONDS NAMED IN MITCHELL REPORT
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MITCHELL: 1/2 players named in report no longer in baseball
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VERIFIED NAMES: RICKEY BONES, MANNY ALEXANDER, ALEX CABRERA, JUAN GONZALEZ,LUIZ PEREZ, KEN CAMINITI
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MITCHELL: Asks Commissioner to forgo punishing players listed in the report
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MITCHELL: Players tipped off to unannounced drug testing
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MITCHELL: Each club has at least one player involved in taking illegal substances
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VERIFIED - FORMER RED SOX MANNY ALEXANDER NAMED IN REPORT
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Between 5-7% tested positive for steroids
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SI has the full report available online in PDF format, it's 409 pages long.
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MLB had 3 days to review the Mitchell Report and made NO CHANGES to the report.
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ESPN is streaming Mitchell's press conference, as is MLB.com
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VERIFIED - PAUL LO DUCA IS NAMED IN THE MITCHELL REPORT
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VERIFIED - ROGER CLEMENS IS NAMED IN THE MITCHELL REPORT
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Reports are being handed out right now, and they should hopefully openly be available any minute.
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SI.com's Jon Heyman is now reporting that, as EFotG speculated earlier, Miguel Tejada is infact named in the Mitchell Report.
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We are now sitting about 1/2 an hour away from the release. It is expected to be over 300 pages and available online, so get out those reading glasses.
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Through this whole ordeal with Kirk Radomski, the Mets Clubhouse boy, many have brought up the fact that just because he's cashed a check from a player does not mean it was for steroids, players tip the clubhouse boys often. ESPN analyst and former player John Kruk says he gave a clubhouse boy $14,000. Man, I'm in the wrong business.
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Things have seemed to settle down as we approach the 2pm release. ESPN will officially begin it's coverage of the Mitchell Report in 15 minutes, although really it's been the story all morning.

Also lately it seems like more at more analysts are referring to the amount of players as "several dozen", which is significantly down from the 60-80 earlier reported.
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ESPNews just stated that they will not report on the list that is out there, presumably the Deadspin list, which is turning up all around now. According to ESPNews MLB is denying the authenticity of this list.
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According to George Mitchell most of the information from this report comes from former Met's clubhouse boy Kirk Radomski who acted as a steroid supplier. From this can we assume that many of those named in this list will be from the National League. Well, so far, that does not look to be the case, but it's something to keep in mind.
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A memo from the players union to all players suggests that they should not respond to any questions regarding the Mitchell Report today. Probably a good call with a report of this magnitude. It's going to take days before this report can be adequately assimilated.
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Deadspin has received a list of players that are supposedly in the Mitchell Report. There's really nothing to substantiate this list, but it's certainly interesting.
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ESPN.com will be streaming both press-conferences at 2pm and 4:30pm EST. When those become active, EFotG will have the link.
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Alex Rodriguez has finalized his agreement with the New York Yankees. There is absolutely nothing to tie this to the investigation, but it's certainly interesting timing. And don't forget that early speculation has at least several prominent Yankee's being named.
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Clemens is obviously the big name that was leaked early, but another prominent Yankee's pitcher, Andy Pettitte was also provided to the investigation by personal trainer Brian McNamee. Unlike Clemens, I have never heard Pettitte's name brought up in steroids speculation.
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The biggest news so far broke only minutes ago, with ESPN reporting that Yankee's star pitcher Roger Clemens will be named in the report. This may very well be the biggest name in the report, because really, how much bigger can you get than Clemens?

In a weird way, this actually lends some credibility to Jose Canseco and his book Juiced. Many wrote off Juiced as an attempt to cash in on the controversy. But with Canseco conjecturing Clemens as a user and this early report tying him to report, maybe Juiced is worth a little more than we originally thought.

The Morning of the Mitchell Report

1 year, 8 months, and 2 weeks ago it was announced that Senator George Mitchell would head an investigation commissioned by Major League Baseball, detailing steroid use by players. Today, at 2 pm EST he will release the report.

As the public awaits what is sure to be a bombshell for the sport, everyone is digging into position preparing to spin the result. The theme of todays morning sports section around America is the tiny morsels of information that have apparently leaked. The commissioner, the agents, the players, the pundits, they haven't seen it yet, but they all have something to say.

The report was only finalized 2 days ago. Thus far only select eyes have viewed it, and it's believed to be so massive, that clearly no one outside the investigation could have fully digested it already. However, already MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who has not seen it, is digging in his heels. In a quote to the Chicago Tribune this morning, even while admitting that it may not cast the league in the best light, he says he will not apologize for it*.

Scott Boras, the infamous sports agent that represents some of the leagues biggest stars, has not read it, but already he's attempting to discredit it. He reminds everyone that the report does not actually mean that the players are guilty, and that the investigation did not receive support from the Major League Baseball Players Association.

This is true, the MLBPA did not cooperate, but that is not unlike the players association, who are currently petitioning the suspension of steroid user Jose Guillen.

But it's the reporters from around the country that are really having a hayday with the report this morning. Everyone is trying to stretch the few bits of information that have been passed along from different sources. The report will name somewhere from 60-80 players. Several of those being prominent Yankees. It will include several MVPs. There's no way to know exactly how true any of these accounts are until the report is released later this afternoon.

Speculation about exactly which players will be named has also been a big discussion point around the tubes of the interwebs. The Orioles dealt Miguel Tejada to the Astros yesterday for 5 low-key players, which lands on most peoples radars as much more than coincidental.

Aaron Rowan and Andruw Jones, both free agents, agreed to contracts within the past 24 hours. Perhaps they are only attempting to work out a deal before baseball becomes all about the Mitchell Report, perhaps they are trying to ink a contract for what they can before they are implicated.

In some ways today is a great day for baseball. A few years ago it became apparent that professional baseball had become infused with the steroid scene. Not investigating may have saved face for some prominent players, but it would have left a black eye on the entire generation. This report won't undo what has been done, even if it is thorough and well investigated, as I expect it to be. It will not save Bud Selig's legacy. But it will at least address the problem, which is more than we've seen in the past.

*Selig also curses. Which, when imagining that awkwardly disheveled man cursing, is actually quite entertaining.

Tuesday Morning Headlines: 12/04/07

- Yankees self imposed deadline on Johan Santana deal passes. Something tells me Hank Steinbrenner is a pain to play fantasy sports with.

- It came down to the wire, but the Patriots remain perfect, defeating the Ravens on a last minute touchdown drive.

- Baseball Hall of Fame announced this years inductees from the executives/pioneers category. Barney Dreyfuss Pittsburgh Pirates owner from 1900-1932 and creator of the World Series finally got in.

- You have to respect the good people of Brooklyn that can hold a grudge for over 50 years.

- Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1

- 76ers are firing GM Billy King and pillaging NJ Nets GM Ed Stefanski.

- Riley Cote becomes the 5th Philadelphia Flyers player suspended this season. Gary Bettman sits them down and explains that they can't act like this, Santa is watching after all.

- The Dolphins lost again. Sure it's yesterday's news, but the Sun Sentinel has the greatest headline of the day "Dolphins Start to Question Team's Effort". And in the World News section "Pakistanis Begin To Suspect Perez Musharraf Is Not Really All That Nice".

Morning Headlines: 12/3/07

- The lowly New York Jets thrashed the Miami Dolphins 40-13, putting the Dolphins perfect season (0-16) only 4 games out of reach. Somewhere out there the '76 Bucs are getting nervous.

- The BCS Bowl game match-ups were released and Ohio State will face LSU in the championship game. Let's all get really excited and pretend that the BCS Rankings mean anything more than a Teen Choice Award.

- MLB winter meetings kick-off this morning, and if like me you are a subscriber to MLB.tv then you'll be able to follow the whole thing in streaming video. I'm making some popcorn.

- Having completely won over the American markets the NHL will be expanding television coverage to China. Also the new schedule will fix everything that's wrong with hockey. I mean, everything that Sidney Crosby hasn't already fixed.

- Just when it appeared as if nothing else could possibly go wrong for the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury, Don, Stephon's father, suffers a fatal heart attack while in attendance at MSG.

Morning Headlines: 11/21/07

- The Green Bay Packers DBs are under investigation as to whether they have broken the NFL Bounty Rule. Somewhere in this is a great Boboa Fett joke.

- Ryan Getzlaf signed a 5-extension worth $26.625 million with the Anaheim Ducks, ensuring what the people really want, many more visits to the KTLA Morning Show.

- Jimmy Rollins takes home the NL MVP award in a close race with the Rockies Matt Holliday.

- The New York Mets orchestrated a trade with the Brewers to pick up veteran catcher Johnny Estrada. Don't waste your time, I googled it, they aren't related.

- It's expected that Priest Holmes will announce his retirement today following an attempted comeback from his 2005 neck injury. He reinjured his neck last Sunday agaist the Colts in the 2nd start of his comeback. Priest Holmes is a 3-time Pro Bowler and was a member of the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Ravens.

Yes, the Ravens did actually win a Super Bowl. I've been trying to block it out too.

Barry Bonds Indicted on Perjury and Obstruction of Justice

After a 4 year investigation Barry Bonds has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, only a little over 3 months since Bonds broke Hank Aaron's All-time Home Run record.

It's been coming for a while, though now that it's finally happened, it only opens the door to a thousand other questions. The investigation was 4 years long, so either they were extremely thorough, or they were digging pretty deep for hard evidence against Bond.

Let's face it, everyone is pretty sure Bonds did something wrong. Exactly what and to what extent is unknown, but it doesn't take much to see that something was going on. However, if there is not evidence proving Bond's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it'll appear as if 4 years of tax payers money was squandered in the hunt for Bonds.

In the meantime Major League Baseball is caught in between, at a major changing point in the league. An elite athlete in the league over the past fifteen years, who holds a number of records, including that of the Home Run King, could see his entire career erased. Baseball has seen scandal before, from the 1918 Black Sox to Pete Rose, but perhaps never at the level that is about to unfold in a court room in San Francisco.

[MORE POSTS ON BARRY BONDS]

Barry Bonds opting out of Hall of Fame

Congratulations my friends, we kind of fell into it backwards, but our wish has been granted.

Hold on, let's back up a step.

If somehow a genie popped out of that bobblehead that resides on the desk/dresser/dashboard of every baseball loving fan in America, and granted two wishes (1), immediately after being granted the 2008 World Series to his or her favorite team, I'd bet a good number would probably wish for the whole Barry Bonds ordeal to have just never happened. Well congratulations, your wish has been granted. Kind of. So now feel free to waste that second wish on landing A-Rod or maybe season tickets. Because Bonds may have done himself in, that is, at least as far as the Hall of Fame goes.

You probably remember the story. In fact, I guarantee you do. It was reported on every sports show, blog, morning program, and news outlet in the nation. In an incredible act of democracy, and a good deal of self advertisement, a certain designer purchased the Barry Bonds 756 ball, and left it up to you, yes the people, as to what fate it would have. And what did you decide? Well of course, brand that bad boy with an asterisk and FedEx it first-class to the hall of fame.

Well guess what? Turns out Bonds wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole process, and he says he's going to boycott the hall of fame if his record breaking ball is astriskized (2). Now I think you see where I'm going with this, and it only took a couple hundred words and a bad example involving a slightly less talented baseball genie.

The Hall of Fame, which actually has no association with professional baseball, and is thus not under the hand of badly dressed and incompetent Bud Selig, accepts the home run ball. Hey, its free, and everyone loves free stuff. And following procedure, Bonds throws a public hissy fit. I mean he's certainly done it before.

But then will he stick to his guns? Is he really going to turn down an invite to Cooperstown?

I don't see why not. Let's not forget that in the past Mr. Jon Dowd also opted out of the Major League Baseball Players Association's licensing agreement. In fact, he's all about doing stupid stubborn things and sticking to them. Like how he had his self promoting ESPN series canceled due to "creative control" issues. Or even how he has continuously denied any ties to performance enhancing drugs, despite leaked grand jury testimony in which he's stated the opposite.

So if all this works out according to my plans, you can take that second wish and go ahead and use it how ever your heart may desire. Though I'd probably avoid A-Rod, that guys a locker room cancer. Even Peter Gammons doesn't like him.

1 see, in this theoretical example bobble-head genies are slightly less powerful than lamp genies. yeah, blows, doesn't it

2 i just made it up, but, hey, it could be a word.

World Series Game Four Live Blog

Boston - 4 Colorado - 3 FINAL

Postgame

Geesh, look at Bud Selig, the guy is a mess. How much is he paid. Can he not afford an actual suit?

Well I guess that's it. That's everything. The 2007 World Series was dominated by Taco Bell, but it was eventually won by the Boston Red Sox. Mike Lowell picked up the much deserved MVP Award. Overall, yeah it wasn't really too exciting, though the storylines were there.

It was only by an amazing win streak that the Rockies even made the postseason. Then they swept the Phillies and the Diamondbacks. Coming into the series the Rockies were red hot.

Boston was dominate throughout the season, winning the AL East for the first time since 1995. They were down 3 games to 1, but rebounded, winning 3 straight to get into the World Series. But since then, kinda dull. Oh well, they can't all have Mazeroski hitting a series winning bottom of the 9th walkoff homer in the decisive game 7.

But I'm sure the "Red Sox Nation" is happy. And I'm fine with that, I have no problem with Red Sox fans from Boston (or previously from Boston), it's just everyone from everywhere else who are going to head to the mall, pick up a Red Sox hat. It's those guys that make me root against the Red Sox. Well that and a ridiculously high payroll, but what can you do?

9th Inning

Top

- Well we are here in the 9th and it's a one out game.

- Lowell flies out, Drew grounds out, and Varitek goes down swinging.

Bottom
- Well now it's all on the Rockies bats. It's 4-3, Boston, and they have 3 outs.

- Torrealba is up first in the 9th. A grounder to second, one out.

- Jamey Carroll comes up second to pinch hit. A deep hit to the wall in left field, but Ellsbury pulls it down on at the wall. Collectively Colorados heart just sank.

- Seth Smith up third. The Red Sox are only an out away.

- Strike Three. The Red Sox win it all.

8th Inning

Top
- Fox just showed a shameless montage of clips of the World Series and American Idol. Pathetic.

- And in baseball news the Red Sox have extended the lead with a pinch hit homer by Bobby Kielty. 4-1.

- BREAKING NEWS: A-Rod is opting out. Wow. What kind of timing is that? Really, it's kind of the most exciting thing to happen all night. Way to show up the World Series A-Rod.

- Ellsbury singles, but Pedroia hits into a double play. Two down. The Colorado defense really has been up to the challenge of the Sox hitters this series, it's a shame the Rockies bats didn't show up.

- Ortiz walks and Coco Crisp is gonna come in to run for him. At the same time Corpas comes in to pitch for the Rockies.

- Manny strikes out. Three down.

Bottom
- Rockies are down 4-1 and only have 6 outs left in their 2007 season.

- Hideki Okajima takes the mound for the Sox in the 8th.

- Holliday strikes out. One down. Helton hits a seeing-eye grounder and ends up on first. The tying run is on deck.

- Garrett Atkins might have just made a game out of this. He sent a two-run shot into the left field stands, putting the Rockies within 1. 4-3

Could we actually see some action in this series?

- Okay, this littering commercial raises a question I've been pondering. Throwing plastic bottles and whatnot on the ground is definitely littering, and probably not that cool. But I contend that if something is biodegradable, like a banana peel or whatever, it's not littering. I'm just saying, it's good for the soil, I think.

- ANYWAYS, Papelbon is in for the Red Sox now, looking to protect the one run lead.

- Spilborghs grounds out, and Hawpe flies out. Papelbon is as close as there is to a sure thing.

7th Inning

Top
- 3 nothing Boston. Lowell sent one deep into left field, and it looks like that's it for Aaron Cook tonight. He's had a great game, just no run support. Cooke went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits.

- It looks like Jeremy Affeldt is coming in for the Rockies. We'll see how long he lasts tonight.

- Affeldt just struck out JD Drew, and I think he thought that was it for the inning. He started walking towards the dugout before realizing it was only the first out. No, it's alright, just play it cool. I don't think any of the millions of people watching noticed.

- Varitek singled, but Lugo grounded into an unassisted doubleplay by Helton.

- Seventh inning stretch, and some country band that I've never heard of. Apparently they have sold 10 million albums. In related news, in general people have poor musical taste.

Bottom
- Brad Hawpe after seeing the treatment other leadoff hitters recieved after getting on base, decides to do it all himself and sends one into the right field bleachers. And the Rockies finally put a run on the board. 3-1.

- Torrealba flies out. One out. Pinch hitting for Affeldt is Corey Sullivan who hits a grounder up the middle for a single.

Matsui is now up to bat and represents the tying run. Are the Rockies actually going to get into this game?

- Mike Timlin is now on the mound for the Bo Sox.

- Matsui strikes out. Two outs, and the Rockies are threatening to strand another runner. And I think they mean it, they've done it before.

- Tulowitzki strikes out, again. Rockies strand, again. Red Sox a mere 6 outs away from the World Series, and all it took was a salary about 56 million dollars more than the league median.

6th Inning

Top
- Another 1, 2 , 3 for Aaron Cook. The guy is out there doing it all. He gets Pedroia, Ortiz and Ramirez all to ground out.

Bottom
- The guys at FOX are obsessing over this poll question which Red Sox team is better, this season's or 2004's. Everyone seems to agree it's this years squad, but the 04 Sox won more games in the regular season, and were up against a much tougher Yankees team in the AL East, and eventually in the playoffs.

- Holliday pops out and Helton lines out.

- Jon Lester just hit 90 pitches, this should be it for him after the 6th.

- Adkins walks and Lester is done for the evening. He went 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits.

- You know the deal. Rockies inning over, runner stranded. Boston is 9 outs away from a World Series ring.

5th Inning

Top
- Lowell opens the 5th by smacking the first pitch he sees for a double.

- Variteks grounder gets through the right side of the infield and Lowell scores from 2nd. 2-0 Red Sox.

- Lugo singles up the middle. Runners on 1st and 2nd for the pitcher Jon Lester.

- Joe and Tim are talking about how tough it must be on the Red Sox pitchers who actually have to hit. Yes, those poor little things who have designated hitters hit for them every other game of the season. Lester attempts to bunt, but strikes out.

- Cook strikes out Ellsbury. 3 hits, 1 run, and the Red Sox take their turn stranding 2 runners.

Bottom
- This games moving right along, and we're already in the 6th. But I'll tell you, if the Rockies don't wake up offensively they are going to very quickly find their season over.

- Immediately following the commentators second guessing the decision to allow Cook hit, Cook lays down a well placed bunt for a single. On the evening, Aaron Cook is 1 for 2, the rest of the Rockies hitters are 2 for 16.

- Matsui pops out and Tulowitzki grounds out. Red Sox are only 12 outs away.

4th Inning

Top
- Both pitchers are off to dominating starts. Aaron Cook has not allowed a hit since the 1st.

- Pedroia grounds out, Ortiz pops out and Ramirez lines out. Another 1, 2, 3. Cooks only thrown 42 pitches through 4 innings.

Bottom
- Helton grounds out and Atkins lines one to the shortstop.

- Spilborghs walks, and the Rockies have someone on with two outs. Lets see if they can move him around the bases some. So far tonight Colorado is stranding people like they are the SS Minnow.

- Hawpe flies out to end the inning.

- Terry Francona says the pitch count on Lester is probably somewhere around 90 pitches. He's at 68 pitches.

3rd Inning

Top
- It seems like half the commercials for sporting events are for all these wealth management companies. Funds, stocks and whatnot. Apparently all the other sports fans must have a lot of money.

- Julio Lugo, Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury ground out. Another 1, 2, 3 inning.

- Talk to your kids about steroids, because they are dangerous. Fail one of those tests and you are screwed. HGH is pretty much undetectable though.

Bottom
- Aaron Cook flied out to right. Then Matsui hits one that gets over Manny in left for a double. Ramirez is under contract through next season (with a team option for 2 more) but there's been talk of dealing Manny in the past. I would certainly be interesting to see him have to play outfield outside of the Fenway's tiny outfield.

- Lester strikes out Tulowitzki and Holliday, another runner stranded by the Rockies.

2nd Inning

Top
- Mike Lowell grounds out, JD Drew pops out, and Jason Varitek grounds out. At this pace the game will be over by a little after 10.

Bottom
-Todd Helton stretched an outfield hit into a double. Garrett Adkins grounds out and Spilborghs flies out, advancing Helton to third with 2 outs. Brad Hawpe walks. Runners on the corners. Yoruit Torrealba could really wake up Coors park with an RBI hit.

- Torrealba grounds out and the Rockies strand 2.

1st Inning

Top
- Fred Willard just read the Red Sox's lineup card. Which is actually kind of awesome. Also kind of awesome, I just sat through the half hour pregame show and I didn't hear or see Eric Byrnes once.

- Jacoby Ellsbury leads off the game with a double, and is moved over to third by Dustin Pedroia on a ground out. A David Ortiz grounder gets through the Rockies infielders who are playing in, and Ellsbury scores. Here we go again. Red Sox - 1 Colorado - 0

- Manny Ramirez grounds into a twin killing, and thats it for the Red Sox in the first. 2 Hits, 1 run.

Bottom
- Brad Garrett, also known as Raymond's cop brother, read the Rockies line-up. He is no Fred Willard.

- Kaz Matsui pops out, Troy Tulowitzki strikes out, and Matt Holliday grounds out. 1, 2, 3.

PREVIEW

Tonight could be everything for the Boston Red Sox, as they sit only one win away from clinching the 2007 World Series. For the Colorado Rockies, they face the seemingly insurmountable task of coming back from 3 games back in a 7 game series.Game four is tonight at 8:30 in Colorado.

Jon Lester (4-0, 4.57 ERA) will start tonight for the Red Sox. He has yet to start in the postseason, but he pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief against the Cleveland Indians in Game 4. Lester is starting in place of Tim Wakefield who was left off Boston's World Series roster due to injury.

Taking the mound for the Rockies is Aaron Cook (8-7, 4.12 ERA). Cooke has not pitched in the majors since August 10th due to a strained left oblique muscle.

I've been pulling for the Rockies all series, but at this point I guess I'm willing to concede that the Red Sox will in all likelihood once again be World Series Champs. Though it would be nice for Colorado to win at least one, and force the series back to Boston. That way the Rockies can save face, giving their home crowd a win, and the Sox can go on to win the Series at home. But with the dominance Boston has shown, I don't know if that's in the cards.

World Series Game Two Game Blog

Thats all she wrote, it only took a couple runs, but the Red Sox are going to head into Colorado on Saturday with a commanding 2-0 lead. We'll see if the Rockies can get things going at home. The games Saturday at 8, and we'll be there with a live game blog.

9th Inning
- Well the 9th is here, and despite limiting the Red Sox to only two runs, the Colorado Rockies are still 3 outs away from being down in this series 2-0.

- Helton strikes out swinging, and things are looking bleak with Papelbon pitching so well on the mound.

Adkins flies to center. One out away.

8th Inning
- Well Jonathon Papelbon is heading in, but that's about it. Nothing happening.

I hate how in commercials and movies and whatnot, when someone get's peanuts, the guy just throws them at them. What games are they going to where you don't have to pay like $4 for peanuts?

- I must admit, I'm tough on signs and whatnot, but that dancing Papelbon was actually entirely awesome. That took some creativity, not just to come up with it, but how do you even make that?

- Oh snap! PICK-OFF! Holliday has had a great game (4 for 4), but thats just embarrassing. What's he doing out there?

- Wow. Crazy stuff happening. Lugo just ran into his own fair bunt, and is ruled out. Holliday is feeling alot better about himself now.

- Man, that preppy white guy that plays tennis and pays with cash is ruining everything for those Saints fans.

- Papelbon wraps towels around his money-maker. Insert your own crude joke here.

7th Inning
- Well it's a one-run game, this is where the men are separated from the boys. But Jordan Tracy separates the men from the werewolves.

- Oh man, Boyz 2 Men. Seriously, I didn't know they were coming up when I pulled the whole werewolf joke.

6th Inning
- Good Morning, that ump just got jacked in the mask by that pitch. I wonder how he feels about Schillings loss of velocity.

- Okay, the first time they played the Taco Bell conversation is the dugout, I laughed. Some didn't, be I did. But again with it? And than an interview with the Taco Bell CEO in the stands?

- Looks like Schilling is done. One out and two on-base. Depending on how long this series is, that might be it for Schilling. He says he wants to pitch in '08, but it may not be for the Sox.

Hideki Okajima comes in relief.

- This has nothing to do with the game, but they just mentioned the NFL game in London a second ago. And if you haven't seen this huge Jason Taylor robot, then you are missing out. Scary stuff.

- I will never get chili on my Nacho Bellgrande. Just out of spite.

- Youkilis and Hedge really had a battle going on out there. 10 pitch walk. I thought he had been pitching well, but it looks like Colorado is bringing someone else in.

- Fuentes gets the Rocks out of another jam. Somehow they are still completely in this game. They'll only allowed 4 hits, but as a team they have allowed 7 bases on balls and 1 hit by pitch.

5th Inning
- That was quite a stretch by Helton at first. Fielders are certainly giving Jimenez a chance. The game is still close, and we are getting to the point were both teams might start thinking about the bullpen

- Sox finally took advantage of Jimenez and are now up 2-1. And it looks like the Rockies have seen enough, they are going to the bullpen. They have been barely surviving this game, and with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, if they can get out of this only down one, they'll be lucky.

-Jeremy Affeldt's coming into the game. I actually saw this guy pitch when he was in single A years ago. Which, yes I know, is incredibly interesting.

- Hello, goodbye. Affeldt is out after a walk that loads the bases.

- Herges gets the Rockies out of a jam, and I'm left wondering how the Rockies are still in this game.

Hold on. Was that pass interference on the eBay commercial?

4th Inning
- Colorado didn't take advantage of Holliday leading off the 4th with a single. Now we'll see how Jimenez does here in the fourth, he must feel like he just got off the mound. He needs to settle down and find his control , I've got a bad feeling.

- Wait ... did I hear that right? Later in the game they are going to show a preview for this season of 24 from a huge blimp above the stadium. Man, I love America.

-Sac fly by Varitek scored Lowell from 3rd. Tie game. Sox only have one hit tonight, but Jimenez has put 5 on first himself.

- TACO!!! TACO!!! Thank Jacoby Ellsbury for your free taco on Oct 30th.

- Boston tied it up, but it could have been much worse out there. Here comes the fifth, I'm still waiting for someone to really open this game up.

3rd Inning
- Geesh, they are really bumming everyone out there in the booth this inning. Talking about a young intern who was tragically killed this past weekend right after commenting on the wildfires that are ravishing southern California. It's probably a marketing ploy. Who wants to bet there's a Zoloft commercial next break.

- Both pitchers are looking great out there. Doesn't look like we'll be seeing 14 runs tonight.

- They really are a downer in the booth tonight. Now they mention this.

- NO! We almost got the taco there, save for a foul and then a walk. Jimenez control might start to become a factor.

- Ortiz almost made Jimenez pay for two walks, with a home run ball that veered just foul. Somehow he got through that, and somehow I got through the 3rd without them bringing up my childhood goldfish's death.

2nd Inning
- Jimenez is throwing hard, and it looks like that top-notch Rockies defense is back again.

- Oh that has got to hurt. JD Drew is feeling that one. It hurts just watching it.

- This just in: Jason Varitek listens to the Dave Matthews band. What a tool. He probably calls him "Dave" too. Rule to live by, if you haven't had a face-to-face conversation with someone, don't call them by their first name.

1st Inning
- Well I'm not sure if that ball actually hit Taveras, but when the lead-off runner gets on first, he scores about 30% of the time. And ... ah, scoring is important.

- OH MAN!!! I almost got my taco!

- Colorado up 1-0. See I told you 30%.

[Why not switch it up and put updates on top. That might be easier then scrolling all the way to the end of the post, especially as the game goes on]

- Boston go down in order. I think thats the first time of the series. (Check that, they did in the 8th last night)

PREVIEW
- Game Two doesn't start for a few hours, but I figured I'd get the preview up early, that way everyone can get in any pregame predictions or commentary they'd like to make.

Curt Schilling will take the mound tonight for the Red Sox. He's 2-0 postseason with a 3.38 ERA. He had a no-decision in Game Two of the ALCS against the Indians, where he allowed 9 hits and 5 earned runs through 4.2 innings. He has some World Series commentary over at his blog, 38 Pitches.

23 year old Ubaldo Jimenez will see if he's up the task of facing the Boston bats tonight. He's started 2 games this postseason, with 2 no-decisions and a 1.59 ERA.

I'm looking for the Rockies to bounce back tonight (although really, how much worse could they do?). I don't know if that's gonna spell a win for them, but I'm rooting for them to at least make a series out of it. This may be more wishful thinking than anything else, but I'm saying the Rockies win tonight, 7-4.

What do you guys think. Leave some predictions in the comments.

- The Tivo is gonna be hard at work tonight. Of course I'll be watching Game two, along with tonight's Pittsburgh Penguins game (thank God for split screen). And on top of that tonight is 30 Rock, The Office, and the Scrubs premiere. Perhaps I watch too much television.

- Am I the only person who gets upset when they show a little kid in attendance of a playoff game? Don't get me wrong, I think it's important to market the game to future generations, but when they are so young that they can't appreciate it, should they really be filling a seat?

World Series Game One Game Blog

- Coverage on Fox just started, with an incredibly bad overly sentimental opening. I think at one point they mentioned Odysseus. Really? But the first pitch won't be thrown until 8:35, so unless you're willing to sit through 35 minutes of color analysts telling you how much you don't know about the Colorado Rockies, or how devoted the "Red Sox Nation" is, then I suggest you find something else for a while. The episode of M*A*S*H where Klinger finds out his ex-wife is getting remarried so he reenlists is playing on TV Land.

- Alright, now we are about ten minutes until the opening pitch. And so it's probably time for predictions and whatnot. What do I think? It's probably going to be tough for the Rockies with the layoff and the Sox's having home field advantage. However, going along with my belief that the Rockies will never lose another game again, I'm picking them for the sweep. It might be unlikely, but it would probably go down as one of the greatest stories in baseball ever.

Oh yeah, plus I can't stand the Red Sox, who, if you haven't been paying attention, are the new Yankees.

First Inning
- Finally the first pitch. Here we go. And how about that World Series logo on the side of the hats. Are they big enough?

- Well Becket struck out the top of the first. You know what, this guys might be kinda good.

- Pedroia just got over the green for a lead off home run. Things aren't starting well for Colorado. Youkilis scored after doubling. Manny Ramirez scored on a JD Drew double. Jeff Francis is struggling out there right now. He needs to find the third out and get to the dugout.

- Francis got out alive. I don't understand that guy from the iPhone commercial. He couldn't remember the other peoples name, but he remembered their wedding website address. Wouldn't their name be somewhere in that address?

2nd Inning
- After another K, someone finally put the ball into play against Beckett. Thanks to a couple hits off the wall the Rockies are on the board.

Is it just me, or did someone pay probably hundreds of dollars for a seat right behind home plate in the World Series and the camera is completely blocking his view. I keep seeing him ducking left and right like he sat behind the tall guy at the movie theater.

- Another run, Youkiliz scoring from first. It's really coming down out there. Makes me glad to be sitting in the comfort of my own sofa.

3rd Inning
- Still no stolen base. I'm looking to score a free taco.

- Nothing much happening. The rain has picked up. I'd be surprised if we don't have a break in the action.

4th Inning
-Beckett's on quite the pace. He just picked up K #7. The World Series record is Bob Gibson with 17 in 1968.

- Allegedly the rain is supposed to died down, but weather.com's radar seems to disagree. Jeff Francis isn't looking great out there. Manny was not being Manny out there, he actually ran out a hit.

- The Red Sox nation may have just cost their team some runs interfering with the shot down the 3rd base line. What do you guys think?

- Well the Sox put another 2 on the board. 6-1, Boston. Looks like Francis might be done.

5th Inning
- This just in, taking Abilify increases your risks of death. I mean, I've heard increased chances of heart failure or stroke. But just death? You are more likely to be hit by a car or choke on a hot dog if you are taking Abilify? Commercials are so weird sometimes.

- Well the Rockies stranded some runners. And as an update, still no stolen base, thus no taco. This is important, because I am very poor and could really use a free meal on the 30th (between 2pm and 5pm).

- Morales takes the mound for the Rockies. That was a gutsy play going to second for the lead runner on the grounder. Just like I used to do it. Well except I was either in deep outfield or the bench. But sometimes they let me coach 3rd base. Either way, that's how I would have done it.

- BALK! For some reason I love Balks. According to the MLB rulebook, the stipulations for a balk are like doing taxes (Rule 8.05). Basically at any time, on any play, somewhere a balk could be called.

- "Manny is the next American Idol". Lord, I hate stupid signs. Obviously this guy is pandering so that Fox will put him on. And Fox is definitely going to put him on, because they just love whoring out their shows.

- 9-1. Um... it's getting ugly out there guys.

- I hope you aren't using a scorecard folks, because the Red Sox are just about to hit around. I'm not sure if anyone still uses scorecards, but I know I hate it when I'm doing one and a team hits around.

- Yeah, we are still in the 5th guys. And the Sox just made it double digits. Oh you New England teams, always running up the score.

- 14 Red Sox batters have come to the plate thus far this inning, which I think started about an hour or so ago (or maybe it just feels that way). As for what it will take for the Rockies to get over this, hell, first they need to get through it. Throw strikes, make them beat you. This is no time to get cute.

- Hey, some school house rock. I can dig that.

6th Inning
- Well we finally got out of the 5th, and right away we are back to the bottom of the inning. At this point I think the Rockies are using the rope-a-dope technique, just let the Sox hitters tire them-self out.

- Thats what we were missing, Dane Cooke. Which brings up the thought that perhaps if Frank TV ads were playing every commercial break, the Colorado bats would be hitting.

- Hah. Seems like the Boston dugout is as concerned about this whole Taco situation as I am. "You could just go to every Taco Bell in the world and say 'I haven't gotten my free taco yet. Where's my taco?'."

- Since nothing much is really happening, let me return to Frank TV. See, impersonations are not actually funny by themselves. You can do a good impersonation, and if you are not doing something else that is comical, then it's really just not funny. Impersonations are just a comedic tool.

However, hits to the crotch (when happening to someone else, that is) are actually completely hilarious all by themself.

7th Inning
- Another runner stranded on third by Rockies. And we've reached the 7th inning stretch. I know for me it means heating up a cup of coffee. I'm almost out of it by now, I ran 5 miles in the rain earlier this evening training for the whole Philadelphia Marathon thing.

- Speaking of the marathon deal, go vote on that poll in the left column.

8th Inning
- Mike Timlin in for the Red Sox. Still no taco. Sleepy

9th Inning
- The sooner this game is over, the better for the Rockies. They've had a rough awakening after a layoff, but tomorrow is another game. Beckett is an amazing pitcher.

I've gotta think that the Rockies would be happy leaving Boston splitting the first two games heading to Colorado for game 3, 4, and 5.

- Well that does it for me, but we'll be back tomorrow night. Until then Colorado fans, don't fret and whatever you do, don't stop believing.

Game Blogging the World Series

Yes, that is right, Every Facet of the Game will be blogging the World Series live from in front of the television. Game blogging kind of sounds dorky, but over at CBS Sportsline they call it glogging, which is about 17 and a third times worse. I wanted to call it Live Blogging, but I think that means that I've actually got to be at the stadium and not, as I said, parked in front of the tv with my laptop and a bowl of ramen noodles.

But really, what does this all mean? Well starting tonight at about 8pm when the Red Sox and Rockies kick off the 2007 World Series, I'll be here frequently updating with snarky comments about the announcers, random observations about the fans behind home plate, deep scrutiny of the commercials, and maybe even some game commentary. Surely a good time that should be missed by none.

Comprehensive List of MLB Players Linked With Performancing Enhancing Drugs

Carlos Almanzar - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Rick Ankiel - Received shipments of HGH in 2004
David Bell - Received shipments of Steroids April 2006
Rafael Betancourt - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Barry Bonds - Testified to federal grand jury of unknowingly using steroids
Paul Bryd - Received shipments of HGH between 2002 and 2005
Jose Canseco - Admitted to Steroid use in tell-all book
Ryan Franklin - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Jason Giambi - Testified to federal grand jury of using steroids and HGH
Jay Gibbons - Recieved shipments of steroids and HGH between 2003 and 2005
Troy Glaus - Received shipments of steroids between 2003 and 2004
Jason Grimsley - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Jerry Hairston, Jr. - Received shipments of HGH in 2004
Felix Heredia - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Darren Holmes - Received shipments of HGH in 2003
Matt Lawton - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Gary Matthews, Jr. - Received shipments of HGH in 2004
Agustin Montero - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Mike Morse - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Guillermo Mota - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Rafael Palmeiro - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Neifi Perez - Twice suspended for Violating MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Jorge Piedra - Violated MLB's Performance Enchancing Drugs Policy
Juan Rincon - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
John Rocker - Received shipments of HGH in 2003
Juan Salas - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Alex Sanchez - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
Scott Schoeneweis - Received shipments of steroids between 2003 and 2004
Gary Sheffield - Testified to federal grand jury of unknowingly using a steroid cream
Jamal Strong - Violated MLB's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy

if I've left any out, feel free to leave them in the comments with a source

An Era Is Over In New York, And I'm Supposed To Feel Sorry About It?

In all likelihood an era died last night in New York. Torre is probably out, Clemens is probably done, A-Rod may opt out of his contract in search of bigger bucks, Pettitte may be gone, and so may Rivera and Posada. The Yankees are imploding, and somehow, I'm supposed to feel sorry about it.

Worst of all, a little piece of me does.

It doesn't make any sense. The Yankees are evil, this I know. They throw millions and millions of dollars around, luring in talented free agents. They've won 26 World Series, with 4 of those coming from the Torre dynasty. They have an army of out-of-town "fans" that don't know a slider from a curve ball.

I'm probably just feeling nostalgic about the drama they create. Love them or hate them, the Yankees make sports interesting. Something I suppose is a lot easier to admit when they haven't preformed in the playoffs for the past 6 years.

But even if Torre's shown the door and the all-star line up is torn apart this offseason, George Steinbrenner is still George Steinbrenner. I'm sure it won't take long. They'll hire, or most likely promote, a manager. They'll sign a new class of superstars. They'll create more outrageous storylines.

And then I can go back to despising them with every fiber of my being.

Are MLB Playoff Series Too Short?

Baseball is a game of attrition. The marathon season is a 162 game grind, and still the pennant race is a toughly fought battle down to the very last game. It's a fickle game that can see the best of teams go through a dire stretch, and the worst of teams, like say my Pittsburgh Pirates, steal a regular season series from serious contenders. So when it comes time for the post season, are 5-game series, or even 7-game series, too short?

The NFL season is 16 games long, with the playoffs a one game elimination. So the ratio for a playoff series is 16:1. Therefore a playoff match-up is 6% of the season. In hockey, it's an 82 game season to a 7-game series. 82:7, or about 8%. But the MLB post season 5-game series is a mere 5:162, or 3%. Which is the equivalent of having an NFL playoff game decided by only one half. Can such a short series really guarantee the best teams advancing, and eventually winning the World Series?

The World Series hasn't always been a 7-game series. For a short while they toyed with a 9 game series, but that was over 80 years ago. However, with twice as many teams advancing to the playoffs thanks to the 6 division alignment and the wild card, is it time for Major League Baseball to adopt longer playoff series?

Another Losing Season for the Pirates

I don’t complain about the Pittsburgh Pirates. I mean, not a lot at least. Usually when asked about them, I’ll mention how blessed Pittsburgh sports has been. Just in my time, I’ve celebrated a Steelers Super Bowl on the streets of Pittsburgh. As a kid I enjoyed Mario Lemieux and back-to-back Stanley Cups. I joyously danced around my living room after we won the Sidney Crosby draft lottery. We’ve seen our share of All-Star players and post season appearances.

But on the rare occasion that I’m being honest, I’ll tell you, I absolutely hate it. I hate not winning. The Pirates are wrapping up their 15th consecutive losing season. I don’t even remember what the Major League Baseball post-season feels like. Sure, I’ll tune in and follow the interesting series. I do my best to enjoy playoff baseball, but I’m sure I’d enjoy it more if the Pirates would make an appearance.

The other stuff, about Pittsburgh sports being blessed and all that, that’s just good karma. I shut my mouth, I take the losses, the unearned runs allowed, the José Bautista errors, the poor bats, the weak starting rotation, and the nonexistent bullpen. I take them, because I’m somewhat certain that at some point in the future we are going to turn this ship around. Someday we may make the playoffs, or even, dare I say, win the World Series. Though I’m not entirely sure how.

Ultimately, the blame has to fall on the owners bottom line thinking. The ownership group bought the team ten years ago for a measly $92 million, and the public paid $216 for the best stadium in baseball, PNC Park. Forbes now estimates the franchise is worth approximately $276 million. In return the Pirates organization has put what most closely resembles a minor league roster on the field. This season they will finish 3rd in the league in revenue, while 27th in team payroll and last in the National League.

It has become undeniably clear that only one thing guides decision making, and that’s the financial report. So as a fan, I just cross my fingers and hope that they’ll cash out and sell the franchise to someone who cares about fielding a competitive roster. Because they can hire a new head of baseball operations, and they could replace Jim Tracy, and it’s not going to have any effect on the Pirates playoffs chances. You can’t make a stone bleed, and you can’t take a $50 million dollar team to the playoffs. It’s just not possible.

But I’ll watch playoff baseball. And someone will be crowned the World Series champion. And I’ll try to forget the 2007 season. The temperature will fall. The ground will freeze. Thanksgiving will come and go. Then Christmas and New Years. Perhaps, I’ll be fortunate enough to be able to build a snowman. But eventually springs bound to return, and with it, baseball. And even with no evidence to support the hope, I’ll dream about it being the season we turn it all around. Because eventually we’ve got to put together a winning season, and this season could be it. I know I’m doing my part, I’m not complaining.

Another MLB Player Reported to Have Recieved Steriods

Rick Ankiel on Thursday. Troy Glaus on Friday. And last night, Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons.

Sports Illustrated's Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim reported Gibbons as latest player to be involved in the growing saga that has become Florida's Signature Pharmacy. Gibbons allegedly received HGH and steroids from the internet distributor from September of 2003 through May of 2004.

With each report of an MLB player's use of performance enhancing steroids and human growth hormone my interest in the season deflates. One who followed the Rick Ankiel story can't help but feel as if there is nothing to get excited about in baseball anymore.

To Ankiel's credit, he has come out publicly and owned up to using HGH. He has claimed they were prescribed by a license physician during recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery. However, unless Ankiel is a female suffering from Turner syndrome or has a growth hormone deficiency, it stands to reason he shouldn't have prescriptions for human growth hormones Saizen or Genotropin.

This is What Baseball Has Become

It was the feel good story of the year. Something to hold on to in a season that will forever be remembered for the mayhem that surrounded Barry Bonds breaking the all-time Major League Baseball home-run record. It was a story of perseverance and overcoming the odds. It personified what sports was all about. But it's not anymore. Now it personifies what baseball has become.

Eight years ago Rick Ankiel was the hottest pitching prospect in the nation. In 2000, his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, Ankiel went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA, 194 strike outs, and finished second in voting for the NL Rookie of the Year. The Cardinals won the Central Division and were matched up with the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the playoffs. And that's where it all began to fall apart for Ankiel.

Rick Ankiel got the call to start Game 1 against Greg Maddux and the Braves. He allowed a single and a double in the first two innings and gave up a couple walks, but he took the mound in the third with the Braves still off the board. In the third Ankiel threw 5 wild pitches, walked 4 batters and allowed 4 runs on 2 hits, before being replaced.

Despite his performance, the Cardinals swept the Braves, and advanced to the NL Championship series. Ankiel saw the mound again in Game 2 of the series, but 20 pitches into the first inning we was pulled. 5 pitches went past catcher, Eli Marrero, 2 of them ruled wild pitches.

In Game 5 of the series Ankiel was brought as a relief pitcher in the 7th inning. He faced only 5 batters, walking 2 and throwing 2 wild pitches. The Cards dropped game 5, and were eliminated from the playoffs.

After that, Ankiel's Major League career was essentially over. He made brief appearance with the Cardinals in 2001 season, but spent most of it in the St. Louis minor league system. He sat out the 2002 season with a left elbow sprain, and returned to the minors for 10 starts in 2003 before having season ending Tommy John surgery. Again he returned to the minors for the 2004 season, and eventually made a few relief appearances in the majors towards the end of September.

And that was it. It was an amazing story of an incredibly gifted young pitcher's collapse. Or at least that's how it was supposed to end. But instead Ankiel's returned to the minors for the 2005 season and announced he was transitioning from the mound to the outfield. He progressed through the next two seasons, and despite more injury trouble, he began working his way back up the Cardinals minor league system.

On the 9th of August, 2007, after posting impressive numbers for the St. Louis AAA minor league affiliate in Memphis, Rick Ankiel made his return to the Major Leagues. In the 7th inning with 2 runners on base, Ankiel hit a 3 run home run to right field. The first time a player had hit a home run as both a pitcher and a positional player in 50 years. Cardinals manager Tom LaRussa said short of the World Series victory, it was the happiest he had seen his ball club.

But it didn't end there, over the course of August Ankiel continued to impress. On the 11th he went 3-4 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs. He drew a standing ovation from the crowd every time he stepped to the plate. On the 31st, with his team trailing by a run in the 6th inning, he hit his first career Grand Slam. Suddenly, with only a month left in the regular season, and after spending half the season in the minors, he became the favorite for the MLB Comeback Player of Year.

Last night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rick Ankiel went 3 for 4, with a double, 2 home runs, and 7 RBIs. And this morning as sports fans awoke a crossed the country to drink a cup of coffee and check out the happenings of the sports world, it should have been just another installment in the amazing uplifting story that his career has become. But it wasn't. Instead the leading baseball story was from a report published in the New York Daily News alleging Rick Ankiel had purchased a 12-month supply of the Human Growth Hormones Saizen and Genotropin in 2004 from a Florida physician under investigation by the Albany County District Attorney.

The most surprising aspect of the story is that it really shouldn't be that surprising. Sure, his head hasn't ballooned like that of alleged HGH user Barry Bonds. He doesn't look monstrous like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, or Rafael Palmeiro. He's 6'1", 210 pounds. But this is what baseball has become. This is what it's regressed to.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to white-wash baseball past. I realize that Mickey Mantle wasn't one the best of guys. And I know Babe Ruth greatly benefited from the Yankees having the left field fence in at a ridiculous 295 feet. But there is something different about everything in the steroid era. There is a great unknown that has transformed even the most naive fans into cynics. Some optimists talk of the possibility of Alex Rodriguez surpassing Bonds in Home Runs like the record will be saved. But who is to say A-Rod isn't juiced? Currently, though on the Major League Baseball Banned Substance list, HGH isn't even tested for. Granted, outside of a vague allegation by Jose Canseco (who at the time was pimping his latest book), no one has offered any serious evidence pointing to A-Rod as a steroids user, so it would be surprising.

But, really, it shouldn't be. This is what baseball has become.

Game 11: Pirates at Cardinals

The Pirates were back in action Monday night, following a weekend of postponed ball due to the storm that drenched the Northeast. The Pirates and Cardinals meet in St. Louis, already with a history, the Cardinals swept the 3-game series in Pittsburgh last week. Ian Snell was on the mound for the Pirates, Anthony Reyes for the Cardinals.

Pittsburgh kicked off the scoring in the 1st. Jack Wilson walked, and then a Freddy Sanchez moved him to second. Adam LaRoche singled to right, to load the bases for Jason Bay. Reyes walked Bay, bringing in Wilson to score. The next batter, Xavier Nady singled sharply up the middle scoring Sanchez and LaRoche, putting the Pirates up 3-0.

Reyes settled down, and got out of the first without further damage. He went 4 more innings, through the 5th, without allowing another run.

Ian Snell had another strong outing, allowing only 1 hit in 6 shutout innings, before struggling in the 7th.

Scott Rolen singled to lead off the 7th. Following a Jim Edmonds strikeout, Scott Spiezio walked to move Rolen to second. Adam Kennedy sent a line drive to right, scoring Rolen. Snell walked Yadier Molina to load the bases, and move the tying run into scoring position. With all eyes on the Pirates dugout, Mangaer Jim Tracy made no moves. Snell rewarded his confidence, getting Skip Schumaker to pop out, and then David Eckstein to ground out, ending the threat.

The Cardinals chipped away more at the lead in 8th against Pittsburgh relief pitchers. Chris Duncan singled off Matt Capps, and was moved to second on a Albert Pujols ground out. The Pirates brought in Damaso Martes to face Jim Edmonds, who singled to left scoring Duncan. Cardinals 2, Pirates 3.

In the bottom of the 9th, St. Louis looked to complete the comeback. Salomon Torres took the mound, having struggled recently, with a loss and blown save in his last two appearances. Adam Kennedy grounded to first, but LaRoche bobbled the ball allowing the tying on-base. Molina's sacrifice bunt moved Kennedy into scoring position. With one out in the 9th, Aaron Mile's ground ball down the third base took a fortuitous bounce off the bag and over Bautista, moving Kennedy to third. Torres first pitch to Eckstein caught his elbow, loading the bases.

Cardinals left fielder Chris Duncan came to the plate, knowing an outfield single would score two and win the game. He sent the second pitch he saw into left field, but Jason Bay tracked it down, making the out and keeping the runners in place. Pujols fouled off a ball to third baseman Jose Bautista, preserving the Pirates victory.

Game 8: Pirates vs. Cardnials

It was a real heart breaker in Pittsburgh Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, losing an extra-innings game they had every opportunity to win.

The Pirates looked prepped to strike early with bases loaded in the bottom of the 1st, but with one out Xavier Nady popped out to first base and Adam LaRoche, now hitting 6th in the lineup, flied out to center to end the inning.

In the 4th Pirates catcher Jose Bautista hit a solo shot off Cardinals starter Randy Keilser. Freddy Sanchez doubled in the 6th, and was brought home on a Jason Bay single to left field, increasing the Pirates lead to 2.

Pittsburgh starter Gorzellany threw a scoreless 7 innings, allowing only 4 hits.

In the 9th, Pirates closer Salomon Torres gave up an outfield single to lead off man David Eckstein, and
walked Chris Duncan. The next batter, Albert Pujols, flied out to Jason Bay in left. Eckstein tagged up and advanced to third, and taking advantage of Jason Bay throwing to third, Duncan advanced to second. With the tying run now in scroing position, cleanup hitter Scott Spiezzio singled to right field, scoring both runners and trying the game.

The Pirates again had a chance to win the game, in the bottom of the 10th with runners on first and second with no outs. But the Cardinals infield retired the lead runner on Jack Wilson's bunt, and relief pitcher Brad Thompson struck out Freddy Sanchez and Jason Bay to end the threat.

Pittsburgh relief pitcher John Wasdin gave up a single to Gary Bennet, then a double to Aaron Miles in the top of the 12th. An intentional walk loaded the bases, and on Skip Schumaker's fly to left field Bennet attempted to tag-up and score from third. The Jason Bay throw was on time, but Bucs catcher Ronny Paulino dropped the ball on the tag, and Bennet was ruled safe, giving the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.

Leading off the bottom of the 12th, Chris Duffy walked, putting the Pirates tying run on-base. However Jack Wilson hit an infield pop out, and Freddy Sanchez hit into a game ended double play.

The Pirates look to avoid the sweep, Wednesday at home, before Barry Bonds and San Fransisco Giants come into town for a weekend series.