I Wonder...

Does anyone else think that Prince Fielder is deliberately tanking plays a la Gary Sheffield in an effort to get traded? It's quite obvious that he's got contract on the brain this season. He got his panties in a twist to start because he didn't get the money he thought he should get, and now he's playing like crap. He's regularly pulling O-fers at the plate, and his defense has been absolutely atrocious lately.

He made stupid 'mistakes' in Boston, and he's made two errors in the game against Pittsburgh tonight, even though they scored one as a hit. Watching him throw to third when he had no chance to get McClouth just got me wondering if maybe he was doing it on purpose.

On the up side, it's going to be pretty funny in the off season when he and Scott "show me the money" Boras try to go to arbitration talking about "we want $10 million" when Prince is batting .225 with 25 homers. At this point, I say last season was a fluke. Either that or his body is seriously missing the cheeseburgers.

Personally, I say trade his fat ass for some decent pitching. If he doesn't want to be here, he's not going to give it his all. He's built for the DH. He's already been mouthing off about how his time is coming and it's going to come big. So trade him to the Yankees; they like big fat paychecks. Joe Dillon can play first in the interim, and we've got Matt LaPorta coming up soon.

In my book so far this season, Fielder is the Prince of Pout. I say offer him to the first team with good pitching that starts a fire sale. I'm tired of his attitude, errors and lack of production. Ryan Braun has taken up that leadership position that Prince once filled, as well as the power production at the plate. He wants to go? Fine, don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

Go Brewers!

I'm Famous!

Ok, not really, but I was interviewed by Adam McCalvy before the game in Boston on Sunday.

Ryan Rocks!

I guess you have all heard that Ryan Braun has just signed an 8-year, $45 million contract with the Brewers. Holy bargain deals, Batman!! I am absolutely amazed. That is a steal. Ryan could have gotten $10-15 million a year once free agency kicked in, and he chose to take less money, and stay in Milwaukee.

This deal frees up money now to sign Prince, Corey, JJ, Rickie or Ben to long term deals. Did Ryan realize it would take a truckload of money to get Prince to stay here, and cut his own contract to make it happen? Did Ryan actually put the future of the team ahead of his own bank account?

If so, then this kid is even more amazing off the field than on. Imagine a player actually caring more about the good of the team than the state of his checkbook. For once in my life, I think I am at a loss for words. Suffice it to say that Ryan's actions have more than justified the $85 I just spent on my new "Braun" jersey. (Thought it would show up nicely on TV when I wear it in Boston on Sunday!)

Kudos to you, Ryan Braun, for bringing class and integrity back to baseball. You truly are a 'Superstar!'

When Will He Learn?

Can someone please explain to me what Ned was thinking last night, sending in Derrick Turnblow in a tie game, in the 9th inning, against the Cardinals?? Is he seriously smoking crack? He said after the game, when asked why he sent Turnblow in, "He's an All-Star pitcher."

No, Ned, he was an All-Star pitcher. Lately, all he's good for is mop up duty. Why not send in Riske? He hasn't pitched since Friday and is much more reliable than Derrick. Or Torres? Yes he pitched yesterday, but he's a sinkerball pitcher, so it's almost better for him to be over used. When his arm is 'tired,' he gets more sink on his pitches and pitches better. Why not leave in Shouse, or Mota, or use any of the other 34 pitchers we have in the bullpen?? In that situation, absolutely needing to win that game, Derrick was probably the absolute worst choice.

So now the freaking Cubs are in first and we're two games back, instead of only a half game. And I know it's only April, but the farther back we get, the more games we have to win in the long run. We need to stay close all season if we're going to seriously make a run for the division.

The only good thing about the fact that we're not playing great, is that this is how the Cubs got started last season and they won the division. (I just threw up in my mouth a little bit having to type that.)

Ok one other good thing is that the guys are battling back and winning some games coming from behind, not just laying down and giving up. It's encouraging to see timely hitting and smart baserunning.

Now if only Prince and Ryan would start hitting like they need to be maybe we can start kicking some butt and winning ball games! Oh, and if Ben Sheets could possibly man up and stop being such a pussy!

Today's your day, Manny. Get out there and show those Redbirds what you can do! Until next time, go Brewers! (and go Mets! - they're playing the Cubs!)

66 Runs?!

I just saw this on Yahoo! sports and I am sitting here flabbergasted. How on Earth does a team give up 66 runs in two innings? And how long did those two innings last? A team would have to bat around, what, 3 1/2 times to get 26 runs in one innings, and almost five times to score 40 runs in the second inning. And here's the kicker. The coach let his starter throw 250 pitches. 250!!!! Here's the link if anyone else wants to check this out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=reu-japanscore&prov=reuters&type=lgns