Opinion

Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has been suspended for six games and fined by Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.

According to the Associated Press, "Beckett also was cited for aggressive actions after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner's office."

This prompts several questions from me. First, just how does Bob Watson determine a player's intentions?

Screaming from the headlines in Chicago on Monday morning, opening day for the beloved Cubs, was word of a dead goat hung from the Harry Caray statue outside Wrigley Field.

It’s a replay of what also happened in 2007.

Upon writing this, I know there are many articles of the same vain.  However, this man deserves every tribute coming to him in the coming days. 

Harry Kalas was not just a broadcaster, he was a friend to Phillies fans the world over from April to September and sometimes beyond.  Harry made the game come alive with each and every spirited call.

Kevin Frandsen, 2B, 26

Frandsen seemed all but a lock to get some playing time at second base this year. 

He has hit for a .324 batting average in his AAA career (450 AB).

Frandsen’s good spring training defense and .274 BA seemed like enough to get him on the team but he was sent down to the minors as one of the final roster cuts.

With the Red Sox off to a sluggish 2-5 start, their worst since 1996, it leaves fans wondering where this premiere-looking offense is hiding.

While Boston's pitching thus far hasn't been exactly stellar itself, the offense looks even worse.  Following a 5-3 win on Opening Day, the Red Sox have dropped five of their last six games leading up to the 2-5 record. Through those six games, the Red Sox have allowed 23 runs across the plate.

It's all downhill from here...

BY: GREG BARRA
STACHE WRITER

As a Met fan, I know how frustrating it is to watch this team lose to the San Diego Padres—a team that lost 99 games last year.

The Mets have been known to play down to the level of the team they play, but they cannot do this if they plan on bringing a championship home to Flushing.

However, even though it’s tough to see them drop the first game in their new home, there are many, many, games to yet to be played.

It's only been a week, but six games into the season the Chicago Cubs' Achilles heel thus far has unquestionably been the bullpen.

Going into 2009, there were many question marks for Chicago, including the durability of key players such as Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano, infield depth, and, of course, the bullpen.

The current problem with the bullpen situation is that it's not just one or two guys who are underachieving, it's virtually everyone.

Over the past few months, I have aspired to write an article based on the relationship between the fans and their favorite teams' broadcasters. I longed to make a connection between my family and Phillies' broadcaster Harry Kalas.