Opinion

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Washington Nationals are going to fire their manager Manny Acta. Acta, in his second season with Washington, led the Nationals to 101 losses, and has the Nationals off to a shameful start this season.

According to Rosenthal, Acta could be fired as early as Monday.

Acta was hired by the Nationals on November 14, 2006, in his first major league managerial stint, replacing Frank Robinson. He did a passable job in 2007, leading the Nationals to a 73-89 record, and a fourth place finish, a step down from their 81-81 record of 2006.

In every sport, there’s at least one team that seems to “stack the deck,” meaning rack up all the talent so that no one else can have any and the stacked team wins championship after championship. Sometimes, the team has so much talent, that great players languish on the bench, and they could be starring someplace else. When I say “broken up,” I mean that the teams should get rid of some of their talent so other teams have a chance at having a good team. McMullen’s Musings takes a look at teams that should do just that.

I have been reading a lot of articles over the past few weeks that have been throwing Jim Hendry under the bus.

In turn, over the same time period, I have put a lot of thought in to who is really to blame for the Chicago Cubs struggles.

While many didn't like his moves this past offseason, is it really his fault?  Or, is it possible that the personnel isn't holding up their end of the bargain?

With top prospect Matt Wieters finally in Baltimore, there is finally excitement around Camden Yards. Before we analyze why this kid will be a superstar, let's go on a journey to see how he got to Baltimore.

It started on May 21, 1986, where Matthew Richard Wieters was born in Goose Creek, SC. Because he was so big, it would be difficult to determine what position he would play, but at Stratford High School, he played catcher.

Clearly, it's time for Jimmy Breslin to update his wonderful book about the 1962 Mets, Can Anybody Here Play This Game?

It’s time for a sequel about the 2009 version of New York’s National League baseball team—the team whose second baseman, Luis Castillo, gift-wrapped Game One of the Subway Series and handed it to the Yankees, 9-8.

Either you watched Castillo’s comedy act on television or in person Friday night at Yankee Stadium or you’ve seen the video:

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<![endif]--> Before 2004, the Red Sox notoriously chased the Yankees for the top spot in the American League East for almost a century.

Then, Dave Roberts stole second base in Game Four of the 2004 ALCS, and the rest was history. Literally.

Okay, let's be honest...something in the rotation in Minnesota has got a fix. Someone doesn't belong. A sub .500 record is not exactly what the Twins had for expectations midway through June.

With injuries and a shaky lineup, the Twins remain only 3.5 games back in a lagging Central division. Somehow, despite being able to reach the fifth inning for most of the starting rotation, they've managed to remain in the hunt for a division title.

But to know who belongs or not, lets take a gander at what Minnesota has to offer at this point...

Herb Pennock, Lefty Gomez, and Whitey Ford are the only left-handed Yankees' pitchers in the Hall of Fame.

Now that Andy Pettitte is near the end of his pitching days, there is some speculation with respect to whether Pettitte should be a Hall of Famer.

Comparing Andy to Herb Pennock helps creates perspective.

Some of Andy Pettitte's Statistics

Andy was with the Yankees from 1995-2003. He signed with the Astros in 2004 to be with his friend Roger Clemens, and returned to the Yankees in 2007.

Armageddon has arrived. I hope you've stockpiled your canned goods.

Roy Halladay exited Friday's game with a strained right groin, and I think the Four Horsemen have just run through my backyard. Death trampled my tulips and Famine is eating the burgers off the barbecue.

I'm scared, hold me.

No pitcher means more to a franchise right now than Halladay. No one.

You study the offseason, compile data, create lists, read the rumors and Mock Draft like there's no tomorrow just to be ready when your draft day comes. You can't sleep, your significant other thinks you're having an affair, and your dogs and/or cats haven't eaten for days and are leaving you "messages" all around the house.

All this and you still can't believe your struggling to stay afloat barely half way into the season.

It's your worst nightmare! Nearly all your players are either not quite hitting their stride and/or are suffering from a freakish accident/injury.