Opinion

With Jose Reyes, J.J. Putz, and Carlos Delgado out until August, it seems like the Mets will need a miracle in order to get ahead of the Phillies in the standings anytime soon.

But who says we need that miracle?

In my mind, the only day being in first really matters is the last day of the season, as us Mets fans have learned quite often the past couple seasons.  The key is to keep ground, and not let the Phillies get too far ahead. 

The Kansas City Royals are struggling big time. The pitching has been inconsistent, and the hitting has been horrible.

The Royals need help, but they're running out of answers. It's time for the team to make a move. Could it be to bring up a player from Triple-A? Or possibly make a trade to get a hitter?

My guess, at least for the short term, is they will call up first baseman Kila Ka'aihue.

He burst onto the Major League Baseball scene in 2003, crushing a grand slam home run in his first home game with the New York Yankees.

So far this season, Hideki Matsui has eight homers, 22 RBI, and is batting .256. But he is certainly not the durable player he once was, and the Yankees should consider trading him.

It's no longer exactly breaking news that Randy Johnson won his 300th game yesterday.  Such are the perils of living on the Coast—I'm asleep while half the country is having its coffee and reading the morning's headlines.

The warm, sunny days in January and February make that little snag easier to take.

As does the excitement of a mild little earthquake, but that's neither here nor there.

Here's something that the Pittsburgh Pirates' management don't seem to understand about prospects; they are much like fighter pilots.

If you take each year of major league baseball as the equivalent of one combat mission, the attrition statistics are strikingly similar.

About one in five won't make it past the first year/mission; barely more than half last beyond the fifth one. The ones that make it to double digits unhurt are dubbed "aces," and become legends in their own time. 

Well done Pirates! You've once again declared this season a lost cause and traded away our only viable All-Star, Nate McLouth. All this despite only being six games out of a weak division in early June! 

Well I guess it wouldn't make much sense to try and build the team around a solid young player, who is both a phenomenal hitter, a talented fielder and has also shown strong leadership skills in the lockerroom. 

Yeah, wouldn't want to do that; It might endanger our goal of reaching 17-consecutive losing seasons. 

Major League Baseball yesterday handed out yet another controversial suspension over a pitcher throwing at a batter.

It all started in Tuesday night's 12-3 victory by the New York Yankees over the Texas Rangers.  Early on in the game, Texas starter Vincente Padilla plunked Yankees slugger Mark Teixiera.  Twice.

After a postponed game yesterday and a 36 minute rain delay today, history was made as the 45-year-old left handed Randy Johnson got his 300th career win.

After some clutch defense and stingy hitting, the day was complete after Brian Wilson struck out the side in the ninth inning to ensure the 5-1 victory for the Big Unit.

Johnson became the 24th pitcher and sixth left hander in Major League history to accomplish this great feat.