quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd was officially slapped with a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance enhancing substance, as Vince Grzegorek of Cleveland Scene first reported on Twitter. Byrd had previously been hit with a 50-game ban, meaning he was a second-time offender for purposes of the league’s more punitive current PED regime.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted via Twitter that Byrd chose not to appeal. The veteran has released a statement disclaiming fault, as has his attorney, both via Rosenthal (here and here). They suggest that a tainted supplement is to blame for the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin that was found in Byrd’s system. Given his age and history, it’s fair to wonder whether this is the end of the line for the veteran, who has seen action in fifteen major league seasons.

Cleveland added the 38-year-old on a minor league deal to shore up an outfield that had several question marks — due, in part, to the PED suspension of presumptive center fielder Abraham Almonte. His own 80-game ban will finish up early next month

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Former San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Barry Bonds regrets how he handled himself during his MLB career, he told Sports On Earth’s Terence Moore last week.


Bonds played 22 professional seasons en route to becoming MLB’s career home run leader.

“It’s on me,” Bonds said regarding the public’s perception of him. “I’m to blame for the way I was [portrayed], because I was a dumbass. I was straight stupid, and I’ll be the first to admit it.”

Bonds, a seven-time NL MVP and 14-time All-Star, is in his first season as the hitting coach of the Miami Marlins.

“I mean, I was just flat-out dumb,” Bonds continued. “What can I say? I’m not going to try to justify the way I acted toward people. I was stupid. It wasn't an image that I invented on purpose. It actually escalated into that, and then I maintained it. You know what I mean? It was never something that I really ever wanted. No one wants to be treated like that, because I was considered to be a terrible person. You’d have to be insane to want to be treated like that. That makes no sense.

quote:

ORIGINAL: twinsfan

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Former San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Barry Bonds regrets how he handled himself during his MLB career, he told Sports On Earth’s Terence Moore last week.


Bonds played 22 professional seasons en route to becoming MLB’s career home run leader.

“It’s on me,” Bonds said regarding the public’s perception of him. “I’m to blame for the way I was [portrayed], because I was a dumbass. I was straight stupid, and I’ll be the first to admit it.”

Bonds, a seven-time NL MVP and 14-time All-Star, is in his first season as the hitting coach of the Miami Marlins.

“I mean, I was just flat-out dumb,” Bonds continued. “What can I say? I’m not going to try to justify the way I acted toward people. I was stupid. It wasn't an image that I invented on purpose. It actually escalated into that, and then I maintained it. You know what I mean? It was never something that I really ever wanted. No one wants to be treated like that, because I was considered to be a terrible person. You’d have to be insane to want to be treated like that. That makes no sense.

I knew there was a good guy in there all this time.

Honestly, I think his attitude helped him as a ballplayer.

And it's good that he now realizes he can and should be a happier person.

Could he have been happy and one of the greatest players ever at the same time? I'm not so sure.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Pads top guys calling out the troops


The Padres rough season hit a new low when Ron Fowler, the top boss in their org chart, went on Mighty 1090 AM on Wednesday, a day after the Pads lost 16-4 to the Seattle Mariners, their fourth straight loss, and completely unloaded on the team. He even called one player out by name.

Via Fox Sports, here are some of Fowler's greatest hits:

"It's been embarrassing. I don't know how else to put it," Fowler said. "Our performance on the road trip, 1-7, was pathetic ... I'm a very competitive individual. I think I've won a lot more than lost in my life. This baseball experience has been very frustrating, very embarrassing."

There's this on Tuesday's losing pitcher James Shields, he of the $75 million contract, who gave up 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings:

"To have a starter like (James) Shields perform as poorly as he did yesterday is an embarrassment to the team, an embarrassment to him," Fowler said.
And this on how they can't just fire the players:

"It's about as frustrating as it can get. In a normal environment, if you had performed as well as we have over the last three years, you'd probably be unemployed. But it's baseball, with guaranteed contracts. We've got to get through it."
It's one thing for an exec to rip the team like this behind closed doors, but to go on sports radio and air all this publicly ... ouch! Scott Miller of Bleacher Report asked Shields what he thought of being called an "embarrassment" by the Fowler and he said:

"I feel like I've pitched well all season long. Obviously I was the guy that tipped him over the edge. It is what it is. I don't like losing either. I understand his frustration. As far as it being an embarrassment to me, I'm not embarrassed by it"
Something tells us the mood in the Padres clubhouse isn't going to be happy the next few days.

quote:

Tells a lot about todays players. Give up 10 runs in less than 3 innings and not be embarrassed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Pads top guys calling out the troops


The Padres rough season hit a new low when Ron Fowler, the top boss in their org chart, went on Mighty 1090 AM on Wednesday, a day after the Pads lost 16-4 to the Seattle Mariners, their fourth straight loss, and completely unloaded on the team. He even called one player out by name.

Via Fox Sports, here are some of Fowler's greatest hits:

"It's been embarrassing. I don't know how else to put it," Fowler said. "Our performance on the road trip, 1-7, was pathetic ... I'm a very competitive individual. I think I've won a lot more than lost in my life. This baseball experience has been very frustrating, very embarrassing."

There's this on Tuesday's losing pitcher James Shields, he of the $75 million contract, who gave up 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings:

"To have a starter like (James) Shields perform as poorly as he did yesterday is an embarrassment to the team, an embarrassment to him," Fowler said.
And this on how they can't just fire the players:

"It's about as frustrating as it can get. In a normal environment, if you had performed as well as we have over the last three years, you'd probably be unemployed. But it's baseball, with guaranteed contracts. We've got to get through it."
It's one thing for an exec to rip the team like this behind closed doors, but to go on sports radio and air all this publicly ... ouch! Scott Miller of Bleacher Report asked Shields what he thought of being called an "embarrassment" by the Fowler and he said:

"I feel like I've pitched well all season long. Obviously I was the guy that tipped him over the edge. It is what it is. I don't like losing either. I understand his frustration. As far as it being an embarrassment to me, I'm not embarrassed by it"
Something tells us the mood in the Padres clubhouse isn't going to be happy the next few days.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Black 47

Nolasco signed through 2017.....Shields through 2018. I'd still do it just to get rid of Nolasco.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

quote:

Tells a lot about todays players. Give up 10 runs in less than 3 innings and not be embarrassed.

Yep. Thought the same thing. He and Phil Hughes should hang out in the bullpen and catch some rays.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MDK

quote:

ORIGINAL: Black 47

Nolasco signed through 2017.....Shields through 2018. I'd still do it just to get rid of Nolasco.

Right now, I am hoping (and praying) that all of our vets go on a roll (and increase their trade value). Nolasco had a good April, stunk all through May, and rebounded with a good outing last time out. If someone in the NL could take him off our hands for minor coverage of his salary by the Twins, that is my preference.

Hughes won't be able to become valuable in the pen....we are probably stuck with Phil.

But Dozier and Plouffe.......let's hope they get hot. Dozier, despite what some think, has a fairly friendly contract if he can start to resemble himself when he was good. Even a balance between the very good and the very bad and he is an asset to be traded. Same with Plouffe. Twins haven't locked into a long term contract with Plouffe but if he can start hitting, move him and then move Sano to third.

Time to get rid of all the vets and play the youngsters.

But if the vets get rolling, TR will think that he has a core of veterans that are key to next season. Instead of getting value for players when they have some value in a trade.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MDK

quote:

ORIGINAL: Black 47

Nolasco signed through 2017.....Shields through 2018. I'd still do it just to get rid of Nolasco.

Right now, I am hoping (and praying) that all of our vets go on a roll (and increase their trade value). Nolasco had a good April, stunk all through May, and rebounded with a good outing last time out. If someone in the NL could take him off our hands for minor coverage of his salary by the Twins, that is my preference.

Hughes won't be able to become valuable in the pen....we are probably stuck with Phil.

But Dozier and Plouffe.......let's hope they get hot. Dozier, despite what some think, has a fairly friendly contract if he can start to resemble himself when he was good. Even a balance between the very good and the very bad and he is an asset to be traded. Same with Plouffe. Twins haven't locked into a long term contract with Plouffe but if he can start hitting, move him and then move Sano to third.

Time to get rid of all the vets and play the youngsters.

But if the vets get rolling, TR will think that he has a core of veterans that are key to next season. Instead of getting value for players when they have some value in a trade.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Another big-bucks starter demotion

The Tigers have removed Anibal Sanchez from the rotation and replaced him with left-hander Matt Boyd, as Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press writes. Sanchez took the move as well as could be expected, manager Brad Ausmus told the media, and Fenech writes that Sanchez spoke with conviction about working to correct his flaws and reclaim his job. Sanchez, who is earning $16MM in 2016, the fourth season of a five-year, $80MM contract, has surrendered a 6.67 ERA through his first 56 2/3 innings of the year.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

Pads top guys calling out the troops


The Padres rough season hit a new low when Ron Fowler, the top boss in their org chart, went on Mighty 1090 AM on Wednesday, a day after the Pads lost 16-4 to the Seattle Mariners, their fourth straight loss, and completely unloaded on the team. He even called one player out by name.

Via Fox Sports, here are some of Fowler's greatest hits:

"It's been embarrassing. I don't know how else to put it," Fowler said. "Our performance on the road trip, 1-7, was pathetic ... I'm a very competitive individual. I think I've won a lot more than lost in my life. This baseball experience has been very frustrating, very embarrassing."

There's this on Tuesday's losing pitcher James Shields, he of the $75 million contract, who gave up 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings:

"To have a starter like (James) Shields perform as poorly as he did yesterday is an embarrassment to the team, an embarrassment to him," Fowler said.
And this on how they can't just fire the players:

"It's about as frustrating as it can get. In a normal environment, if you had performed as well as we have over the last three years, you'd probably be unemployed. But it's baseball, with guaranteed contracts. We've got to get through it."
It's one thing for an exec to rip the team like this behind closed doors, but to go on sports radio and air all this publicly ... ouch! Scott Miller of Bleacher Report asked Shields what he thought of being called an "embarrassment" by the Fowler and he said:

"I feel like I've pitched well all season long. Obviously I was the guy that tipped him over the edge. It is what it is. I don't like losing either. I understand his frustration. As far as it being an embarrassment to me, I'm not embarrassed by it"
Something tells us the mood in the Padres clubhouse isn't going to be happy the next few days.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MDK

quote:

ORIGINAL: Black 47

Nolasco signed through 2017....Shields through 2018. I'd still do it just to get rid of Nolasco.

Right now, I am hoping (and praying) that all of our vets go on a roll (and increase their trade value). Nolasco had a good April, stunk all through May, and rebounded with a good outing last time out. If someone in the NL could take him off our hands for minor coverage of his salary by the Twins, that is my preference.

Hughes won't be able to become valuable in the pen....we are probably stuck with Phil.

But Dozier and Plouffe.......let's hope they get hot. Dozier, despite what some think, has a fairly friendly contract if he can start to resemble himself when he was good. Even a balance between the very good and the very bad and he is an asset to be traded. Same with Plouffe. Twins haven't locked into a long term contract with Plouffe but if he can start hitting, move him and then move Sano to third.

Time to get rid of all the vets and play the youngsters.

But if the vets get rolling, TR will think that he has a core of veterans that are key to next season. Instead of getting value for players when they have some value in a trade.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Knew once the White Sox started getting all that national love, they'd start the plunge.
Only a couple over .500 now.
Pounded by the Tigers again tonight.

quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

Knew once the White Sox started getting all that national love, they'd start the plunge.
Only a couple over .500 now.
Pounded by the Tigers again tonight.

Always nice to see the White Sux fail.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SoMnFan

I see Aaron Hicks' numbers are slowly climbing.
And somehow ... JR Murphys are falling. Can you go into the negatives?
WTF happened there? Was he that traumatized by joining this org?