Good morning!
Here are several go-to links that will make your Monday a bit more bearable:
- Ryan Braun, who had tested positive for elevated levels of synthetic testosterone, won his appeal when an independent arbitrator held that “there were legitimate chain of custody issues with the urine sample.” In response to Braun’s subsequent comment that he was a victim, Anthony Witrado of the Sporting News comments, “That couldn’t be more wrong. It is the process, and the lack of compliance toward it, that set him free.” In contrast, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bruce Jenkins declares, “Here’s the level of angst in this corner: zero.“
- ‘Duk of Big League Stew reports that retired outfielder Eric Byrnes has predicted a Nationals World Series appearance for 2012. Speaking of the Nats, the face of the franchise, Ryan Zimmerman, agreed to a six-year, $100 million extension.
- Never mind Brad Pitt, Eddie Matz of ESPN The Magazine tells us that Brandon McCarthy was dying to meet Bill James at last September’s Moneyball premiere.
- Via SB Nation’s Rob Neyer, was this the most memorable catch of Mike Cameron’s just-concluded, 17-year career? Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated asks how Cameron stacks up against Hall of Famer Jim Rice. (Roy White was unavailable for comment.)
- Would you like to know why the 1959 Cleveland Indians did not win the pennant? The Common Man of The Platoon Advantage has an answer ready. It involves general manager Frank Lane’s lack of competence.
- “Why Should Rockies Fans Be Excited For Marco Scutaro?” asks Purple Row’s Andrew Martin.
- The Bernie Madoff court-appointed trustee is alleging that the owners of the Mets “took out bank loans just to invest the borrowed money with Madoff, confident that their returns would be better than the interest on the loan.” The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir describes the transaction as the “vig at work.”
- In the wake of his commendable choice of Michael Morse as his “biggest breakout hitter of the 2011 season,” Lewie Pollis of Beyond the Boxscore selects White Sox third baseman Brent Morel, who is entering his age-25 season, as this year’s surprise star.
Buck Showalter is discussing workout regimens with the newest members of his coaching staff.
That’s it. Have a walk-off week!
Comments