Fan News

I felt ashamed at the Royals this weekend. Maybe it was because I was out of town and they missed their biggest fan, that's why they sucked.

Maybe it's because Oakland just recently gained permission from the MLB to use steroids, so the Royals had no chance due to unfair advantages.

No, the playing field was level; there was one difference between the two teams.

Oakland came to play and wanted it more. 

Since his call up from AAA Sacramento in mid-May, A’s outfielder/DH Jack Cust has seemingly reinvented himself as a hitter.

For those of you who don’t follow the A’s closely, Cust was a 4-A thumper who Billy Beane obtained from the Padres back in 2007 for a box of Cracker Jacks.

Cust immediately became a minor star for the A’s, hitting 26 HRs in fewer than 400 ABs and posting a .912 OPS as a 28-year-old rookie.

However, since his huge 2007, Cust declined the next two seasons, with his OPS dropping to .851 in 2008 and .773 last season.

In the second half of the 2010 season, the Indians have begun looking at some minor league talent. Jason Donald was brought up, as was Hector Ambriz, Anderson Hernandez, and Frank Herrmann.

On June 18, the Tribe needed a spot starter for their matchup against Detroit, so they brought up 22-year-old Jeanmar Gomez, a right-handed pitcher from Venezuela. The move was a surprise as Gomez was actually pitching rather poorly in Columbus this season, going 6-8 with a 5.70 ERA.

Last Week: 0-4
This Week: TEX (7/19-21); TOR (7/22-25)

So What Happened?

Do you really want to know?

The Tigers went to Cleveland and they wished they hadn’t. That’s not unusual—Cleveland’s a great town if you want to spend a weekend but only have a few hours—but in this case it was even worse.

That's Jay Bruce trying to use his Jedi mind trick on an umpire, "No, you did not just see me swing at a ball that was three-feet over my head."

There is no doubt Bruce has potential. Unfortunately, potential and seven bucks will only buy you a hopper full of movie theater popcorn.

The Reds have around a three year window before they start going broke with big money extension or arbitration cases.

If Cincinnati does not lock Joey Votto down to a multi-year deal, the improving but already paltry attendance will drop to Florida Marlins level.

With the recent injury to Andy Pettitte, who is expected to be out of the Yankees starting rotation for up to five weeks, it has put the Yankees into a bind regarding their staff.

Pettitte will miss five to six starts, with Sergio Mitre pitching in Andy's spot in the rotation. Mitre did not fare well last year in a similar role when he started nine games, generating a 3-3 record and 7.16 ERA with a 1.750 WHIP.

The Baltimore Orioles may have the worst record in baseball, but the team we have seen over the last month or so is one that is very different.

It has been very mercurial (sweeping two teams, but getting swept in two others in the past six), but Orioles baseball has been much more entertaining recently.

Here are some reasons not to give up just yet on the team that just loves to test its fan's patience.

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The Cape Cod Baseball League is one of the most historic and prestigious summer leagues out there.

And every year, dozens upon dozens of players, looking to improve their draft stock, head to the Cape, to try to make an impression on scouts, who descend upon the area like no other event.

For a Padres team that has surprised many this year, some of the best news they've gotten all year came on Monday, in the form of a three-year extension for manager Buddy Black. This move shows the Padres that the front office believes that what they're doing this year is sustainable, and also shows the rest of baseball the Padres are unlikely to be dealing away any stars come July 31.

Many will tell you that Black's extension was well deserved. It's true, he has done an excellent job of handling a bullpen and starting rotation that have been the best in baseball.

The Yankees started the second half of the 2010 season with some bad luck.

In Saturday's game against the Rays, A.J. Burnett slammed his hands against a door, which cut them up and forced an early exit from the game. He has said he won't miss a turn, but whether or not he will be able to pitch effectively has yet to be determined.