Fan News

Philadelphia— It seems that the world of a major league mascot gets harder and harder.

We have recently seen the issues within the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding disgruntled pierogies and their opinions on executive decisions.

Now, the other team that occupies the state of PA is getting into issues of his own.

Today the Philadelphia Phanatic got some bad news of his own as he was subpoenaed. The Phanatic is facing civil charges from a Bucks County woman claiming the Galapagoa Island native mascot injured her at a minor league baseball game.

The Mets are in a rain delay. The earliest they will start is 8:00pm, but I suspect an 8:15 or 8:30 start.

Updated at 7:06pm:

Tonight’s game is currently scheduled to start at 7:15 due to a rain delay, but the tarp is back out there and it might start later.

Updated at 6:12pm:

The grades are in as we approach the halfway mark of the 2010 season.

What teams have lived up to the hype in the American League West, and which have laid an egg and why?

Here is a team-by-team breakdown recapping the first 81 games (almost), and what to watch for in the second half.

Who will be the movers and shakers in the second half?

Its almost July and the heat stove is certainly heating up, but some answers still remain un-answered. The main question that need to be addressed is where do the Yankees need to improve. The bullpen has be inconsistent to get to Mariano.  While the rumors are spreading that they will make a move to acquire another bat or a starter, the bullpen is where the work is needed.

I was looking at the box score of the Giants-Dodgers game today, and aside from the fact that the Dodgers are thumping the Giants, I noticed that Jamey Carroll was having a big day (2-for-2 with a couple of walks and three runs scored), and it got me thinking about how much Carroll has changed since he first came up in 2002.

Nobody can accuse me of being hypercritical of the San Francisco Giants' management, including the Bay Area's two most bullet-ridden targets.

For all his warts, I've always believed general manager Brian Sabean's gotten more heat than is justifiable. Meanwhile, Bruce Bochy got the 2009 team to overachieve, which is usually evidence of a good manager.

Consequently, somewhere in Bleacher Report's vast archives, I'm on record as supporting the two-year extensions both men received.

Who dey think gonna beat dem...Reds? In the past, no matter how much it pained me to say it, I would have to say most teams. Luckily, this year Cincinnati is running their way towards a winning season, playoff berth contention, and possible division title.

And when I say "running," I mean it literally.

For stretches at a time, the Pittsburgh Pirates play respectably, hugging .500, hanging out in the middle of the division in the third or fourth spot, even second, for a brief period earlier this year. Then, the inevitable happens, and the Bucs end up in last place, where they are now.

The Pirates are a decent team at full strength, usually coming out of the box in April. In past years we were often 12-12, or 12-11 in the opening month. This year's 10-13 start was uncharacteristically bad, but far better than what took place later.

No more interim label. No more sentimental stories about becoming the first Puerto Rican to manage in the Major Leagues.

From now on, Edwin Rodriguez is the man.

No doubt, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria hit the equivalent of a home run.