Fan News

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the final two months of the season begin to take their course. Now that the All-Star break has passed, it's interesting to see if any frontrunners have fallen or any new faces have made shocking gains.

Except for Ubaldo Jimenez, this is not really the case. The NL frontrunners remain the same top four as it has been all season, though the rankings of the AL may be a surprise.

After being hit by a pitch, Ryan Howard made his way to second base after a single into right field by Ben Francisco. Howard thought, if just for a second, that he might be able to make it to third, and began rounding second.

He realized his mistake in time as the ball was just about to reach second base, and made an attempt to jump back to second with his left leg extended.

The Yankees are about to enter a very crucial stretch in their season, playing the Rays, Jays and the hated rival Red Sox. The current series finale vs. Tampa Bay is about to get underway, and as the hero from last night Robinson Cano put it, "It feels like a playoff." It was a big win, because now the Yankees are assured to leave Tampa Bay in first place.

Today, it's CC Sabathia vs James Sheilds as the Yanks go for the series win. Personally, I think this is a huge game for the Yankees.  

Philadelphia Phillies rookie Pat Burrell strode to the plate on June 20, 2000, to lead off the top of the ninth inning at Shea Stadium.

Hard-throwing closer Armando Benitez was on the mound for New York's most beloved team, the Mets, who were leading the hapless Phillies, 2-1.

Burrell hit a home run off Benitez to tie the game that the Phillies would win, 3-2, in 10 innings.

The next night, the teams were tied, 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning.

It’s time to look at the potential two-start options for the upcoming fantasy week.  If I have some rated as a three, four or five-star option, and they are all players I would definitely use.  A two-star option is someone who is borderline, but I’d strongly lean against it unless I have no other options.  The one-star options are an absolute no.

Tyler Kepner of the New York Times reminded us of something very important this morning. Here is what he said via Twitter:

"Felix Hernandez has 10 starts this yr in which he’s thrown 7 inn and allowed no more than 3 ER without getting a W. His 7-8 is so deceptive."

The St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Cleveland Indians all made a trade at the deadline Saturday.  San Diego and St. Louis, two teams making playoff pushes, made moves that filled a hole that they had on each of their respective rosters.

St. Louis acquired right-handed starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, Single A left-handed pitcher Nick Greenwood, and cash, while trading outfielder Ryan Ludwick to San Diego.

It's been a whirlwind week for Indians fans.

After finally trading longtime fan frustration Jhonny Peralta on Wednesday, the Indians traded Austin Kearns to the Yankees Friday night, flipped ten-year Tribe veteran Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals Saturday afternoon, then pawned off Kerry Wood's contract.

The boorish fans were in attendance to witness an uplifting tale in a sports town, where lifeless citizens reside near the nation’s capital, waiting for an extraordinary moment with the promising future of phenom Stephen Strasburg, the gifted right-hander declaring fame in a community after a marvelous start in his debut elicited much potential.