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Leading Off
What's happening in the world of Major League Baseball.
March 2008
Monday March 31, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:49PM EST on March 31, 2008
For baseball fans, today is easily the most glorious day of the year. A few games have been played, but the new season kicks off today with gusto. Many of the best pitchers in the game are taking the mound with their team's high hopes riding on their arms. For example, Carlos Zambrano in Chicago, Ben Sheets in Milwaukee lead the way with day games, as do justin Verlander in Detroit Chien-Ming Wang in New York and C.C. Sabathia in Cleveland. Umpires from coast to coast will be barking the phrase so dear to fans' hearts: "Play Ball!" ... (more)
Thursday March 27, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:43AM EST on March 27, 2008
Oakland defeated Boston 5-1 in Tokyo to split the two-game trans-Pacific road trip Wednesday night. The Red Sox' Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima were big hits with Japanese fans, but the Athletics' Rich Harden gave the best pitching performance, striking out nine over six innings to lead his team to victory. The night before, a crowd of 44,000+ in the Tokyo Dome watched Manny Ramirez deliver a two-run double in the 10th to seal a 10th inning win for the BoSox. As Boston's starter, native hero  Dice-K excited the fans with a five-inning, two-hit outing, though he walked five.... (more)
Monday March 24, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:20AM EST on March 24, 2008
The Braves' optimism regarding Mike Hampton's comeback took a leap ahead Sunday as the veteran lefty hurled six full innings in a 4-2 victory over the Astros. Hampton shut out Houston for five innings before giving up homers to Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee in the sixth. The productive outing equals a 1.98 spring ERA, good enought to sew up the 4th spot in Atlanta's rotation. Also looking good was Houston's Woody Williams who scattered six hits over six innings, allowing three earned runs. ... (more)
Friday March 21, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:58AM EST on March 21, 2008
Tim Hudson hooked up in an interleague pitching duel Thursday with Detroit ace Justin Verlander, edging the Tigers 3-2. Hudson went six innings deep allowing a single earned run on just three hits. Chipper Jones helped Hudson's cause with a solo homer though Verlander looked strong too. If Atlanta's staff stays healthy, the rotation has the potential to compete with the best in the league. One obvious key is Mike Hampton's health in the four spot. ... (more)
Monday March 17, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:34AM EST on March 17, 2008
Pedro Martinez looked sharp, pitching four scoreless innings against Detroit in a split-squad home game for the Mets. The veteran three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out four and scattered four hits in the 7-4 victory. “I’m happy about getting out there and facing some real hitters,” Martinez said. “I’m right where I want to be.” Meanwhile, Mets slugger Carlos Delgado suffered a gashed forearm from a flying broken bat in a freakish base running accident. The bloody Delgado will be out a day or two. ... (more)
Friday March 14, 2008
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 2:39PM EST on March 14, 2008
You don't have to love grapefruit to appreciate the beauty of spring training in Florida. A good example is Boston's City of Palms park in Ft. Myers. It holds just 7,000 fans and it's ringed by dozens of stately palms. In the modern era, Red Sox tickets are no longer a bargain, but what price can you put on a warm March day in the sun-kissed bleachers?... (more)