MLB

On Monday, the Washington Nationals will draft Bryce Harper, a “once in a generation” hitting prospect with their first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. On Tuesday, Stephen Strasburg, last year’s top pick and a “once in a generation” pitching prospect, will take the mound in his first ever major league game.

To borrow a phrase from former Redskins’ head coach George Allen: "The future is now."

Adrian Gonzalez homered and drove in three runs and Chase Headley put together a four-hit afternoon as San Diego beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on pinch-hitter Oscar Salazar's two-out infield single in the 10th inning, part of a 16-hit outburst by the Padres.

Through the years, there have been many great hitters that have came through the ranks of Major League Baseball.

However, very few of them have been able to do what the men on this list have accomplished in their respective careers. I decided to take a look at what I believe are the five greatest hitters to ever stop foot on a baseball diamond to this day.

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The NBA draft is always a much anticipated extravaganza, while the NFL’s selections are so heavily scrutinized that they’ve been thrust into prime time.

On the eve of the 2010 MLB draft, baseball has yet to experience similar success with its entry draft and there are plenty of reasons that explain why.

First, there’s a sense of immediacy to the NBA and NFL drafts, respectively. The high picks, in most cases (sans a few quarterbacks), will play right away.

As a franchise, firing your manager signals two things to your fan base:

1)       This season marks the beginning of our quest to rebuild frantically in order to use it as an excuse for our inevitable suckdom.

As the Chicago Cubs—though still premature—close in on their first losing season season since 2006, one thing may be able to relinquish an utterly disappointing season.

Currently, numerous mock-draft web sites have the Cubs taking yet another pitching prospect, ranging from Alex Wimmers and Asher Wojciechowski, to Stetson Allie and Drew Pomeranz.

As seen with Chicago pitcher-prospects Jeff Samardizija and Jay Jackson, developement of young pitchers can be time consuming, and possibly result in career minor league pitchers. 

A part of my childhood died Wednesday.

No, my dog didn’t pass away. My mother didn’t give away the stuffed bear my parents bought for me the day I was brought into this world. And my trophy collection is still intact on the shelves of my West Chester bedroom. Nonetheless, I felt as if any one of those things had actually happened.

Full Name: Zack Cox
College: University of Arkansas
D.O.B.: 5/9/89 (21 years old)
Height: 6’0 ft.
Weight: 215 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Position: 3B

Stats:

After only scoring three runs over the first two games of the series, New York’s four-run outburst in the eighth inning lifted the Yankees to a 4-3 win over Toronto Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

It’s a strange feeling losing Grady Sizemore for the year because for all intense and purposes he never really showed up.  His name alone had him owned in upwards of 90 percent of leagues entering Week Nine.  Yet in 128 at bats Grady was hitting .211 with only 15 Runs, zero Homers, 13 RBIs, and four stolen bases.  To put things into perspective Kyle Blanks in 103 at bats had 14 Runs, three Homers, 15 RBIs, and one Stolen base (he also hasn’t played in two weeks, and is currently in the minors).  Being the optimist that I am I ask myself what it the upside to