https://www.thesportsjudge.com/ MLB stories from The Sports Judge. en-us Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:58:10 GMT https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/valentines-day-comes-early-for-the-red-sox/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/valentines-day-comes-early-for-the-red-sox/ Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:58:10 GMT Daryl Velez MLB T he hiring of Bobby Valentine to the position of Manager of the Boston Red Sox has generated a firestorm of press coverage in the New England area. Pete Abraham, Tim Kurkjian, Buster Olney, Peter Gammons and Tony Massarotti have all weighed in on Terry Francona’s replacement. Its been a whirlwin… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/five-mlb-players-who-made-the-leap-in-2011/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/five-mlb-players-who-made-the-leap-in-2011/ Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:09:38 GMT Robert Jamieson MLB O ne of the things that it is uncomfortable about being an avid sports fan is watching your favorite players deteriorate. After watching this past Yankees season I can state that Posada was dead out of the gate. One of the cornerstones of the last twelve or so seasons is done. He can’t play anymo… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles-season-ends-with-something-to-build-on/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles-season-ends-with-something-to-build-on/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:17:14 GMT Michael P Wherley MLB W ith a flurry of late action, the Orioles have found some good things they should build on for 2012 and some other good things they shouldn’t build on. The Orioles season ended Wednesday night with a big win, knocking the Boston Red Sox out of playoff contention. The Birds went 11-5 to end the r… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-rangers-make-surge/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-rangers-make-surge/ Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:57:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB E ven as we approach the 100-game mark in the MLB regular season, there remain a few teams fighting for playoff spots that frankly no one could have seen coming. The most notable of the bunch are the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates, both of whom had a glimpse of first place during the pa… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/ortiz-gregg-suspended-after-heated-series/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/ortiz-gregg-suspended-after-heated-series/ Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:35:00 GMT Bashir Masani MLB M ajor League Baseball announced Thursday that Boston’s David Ortiz and Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg have each received a four-game suspension and undisclosed fines for the July 8 brawl. Of the fine, Gregg did not reveal its amount but only said that it was “steep.” During Ortiz’s at-bat in the ei… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/changes-to-the-all-star-game/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/changes-to-the-all-star-game/ Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:18:00 GMT Robert Jamieson MLB W ith increased access to a multitude of forms of entertainment, brands need to create new and exciting products, or find ways in which to make their older products viable in this new market. Therefore, it makes sense that Major League Baseball has tried to reinvent their All-Star Game (ASG) the… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/pirate-fever/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/pirate-fever/ Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:37:00 GMT Brian Lutz MLB P NC Park may be major league baseball’s crown jewel, but its first decade was spent with the peasants rather than the royal family. This was a place of bad baseball and bad teams. Fans rarely came for the baseball; many times they rarely came at all. Other than the All-star Game in 2006, the par… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-mid-season-report/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-mid-season-report/ Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:42:00 GMT Mitch Gatzke MLB W ith 5 players on the All-Star team it would seem that the Tigers are running away with the less than stellar American League Central but there are still many questions that remain unanswered. The most important question being, “why are the Cleveland Indians playing so well and when will they fi… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/talkin-mets-at-the-all-star-break/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/talkin-mets-at-the-all-star-break/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:20:00 GMT Conor Reilly MLB T he term 'roller coaster' season has become a bit cliche for the Mets in recent history. A new general manager and manager has not changed the culture of crazy injuries, outta-nowhere heroes, and the hot/cold stretches the Mets have made routine. 2011 has covered the whole spectrum of fan emotio… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies-midseason-report-best-pitching-staff-best-record-in-the-bigs/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies-midseason-report-best-pitching-staff-best-record-in-the-bigs/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:03:00 GMT Cory Fogg MLB 2011 Record (As of July 11): 57-34, 1st NL East M VP (tie): SP Roy Halladay (11-3, 2.45 ERA, 138 K, 6 Complete Games) SP Cole Hamels (11-4, 2.32 ERA, 121 K, 1 Complete Game) SP Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.82 ERA, 137 K, 4 Complete Games) LVP: 2B Chase Utley (41 GP, .280 BA, 4 HR, 18 RBI, $15.3M salary) A d… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-phun-times/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-phun-times/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:28:00 GMT Tom Johnson MLB T he All-Star break has arrived and the season will start to fly by. The best teams in each division are starting to play like they should. In the AL East, the Red Sox and Yankees rule. In the AL Central, the Tigers are now where they belong, in first place. Over in the West, the Rangers are bare… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mid-season-review-milwaukee-brewers/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mid-season-review-milwaukee-brewers/ Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:47:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB T o say that the Milwaukee Brewers have had their ups and downs throughout the first half of the season would be an understatement. The Brewers began the year 0-4 with some key players on the disabled list and it looked like a season that was filled with promise would instead be a disappointment.… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/brewers-trying-to-figure-out-road-struggles/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/brewers-trying-to-figure-out-road-struggles/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:50:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB D espite the first place standing of the Milwaukee Brewers, it’s been a rollercoaster ride all season long. The glaring factor is the Brewers’ inability to win on the road, most notably against the top teams across the league. The disparity between the success of the Crew at their home stomping g… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/red-sox-release-mike-cameron/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/red-sox-release-mike-cameron/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:24:00 GMT Jill Boucher MLB T he 38-year-old Mike Cameron was designated for assignment by the Red Sox prior to their afternoon game against the Phillies on Thursday. Cameron was with the Red Sox for 1 1/2 years, leaving the fans with little to remember him by. His time spent with the team was unproductive and unsuccessful.… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/konerko-leads-mlb-over-35-all-stars/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/konerko-leads-mlb-over-35-all-stars/ Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:50:00 GMT Dan Deconinck MLB T wo days ago I was standing in the shower thinking about my fantasy baseball team. If you’re still reading, congratulations, you just survived the least interesting hook in the history of sports writing. My team (called Cuckoo for CocoCrisp, in case you were wondering) currently enjoys a 2.5 gam… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/boston-strangled/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/boston-strangled/ Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:51:00 GMT Daryl Velez MLB T hey are a streaky team, the 2011 Boston Red Sox. A famed 2-10 in their first stretch, the Sox rebounded on a horrific start to (at one point) lead the American League East. That time is no more. Heading into the All Star Break the BoSox have been floundering again, this time to the tune of 1-5,… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/even-the-bambino-couldnt-curse-the-sox-that-bad/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/even-the-bambino-couldnt-curse-the-sox-that-bad/ Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:51:00 GMT Jill Boucher MLB B ack in January 2002, John Henry, the then Florida Marlins’ owner, purchased the Boston Red Sox for $700 million. In collaboration with Larry Lucchino and Tom Warner, the first big three of Boston took to renovating the cursed Red Sox. Not only did the team get a face lift, but Fenway Park did,… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-phillies-claim-top-spot/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-phillies-claim-top-spot/ Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:36:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB A s Major League Baseball continues interleague play, it seems that the American League continues to hold an advantage over National League clubs. A few theories mentioned over the years include how it’s difficult for NL teams to adjust to using the designated hitter, the higher total payroll in… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/division-3-baseball-at-its-finest/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/division-3-baseball-at-its-finest/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:04:00 GMT Bashir Masani MLB E very baseball player dreams of getting drafted and playing in the Major Leagues. Those that play college baseball at a Division 1 level are much closer than others to achieving this dream. Division 3 ballplayers know that although they have a shot at getting drafted, the opportunity is very sli… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/does-john-lackey-have-what-it-takes-to-play-in-boston/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/does-john-lackey-have-what-it-takes-to-play-in-boston/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:09:00 GMT Jill Boucher MLB W alking into yesterday’s game against the Padres, John Lackey had a 7.02 ERA. He also had the pressure of the media and an entire fan-base begging for a decent performance. His colorful and dramatic outings this year have left Red Sox fans questioning Theo Epstein’s decision to sign Lackey back… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/brewers-have-multiple-all-star-candidates/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/brewers-have-multiple-all-star-candidates/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:39:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB D espite the recent struggles of the Milwaukee Brewers, several players have been having career years in Brew City and appear poised to send at least four players to Phoenix for the 2011 All-Star Game. These performances are a huge reason why the Brewers sit at 41-35 and atop the National League… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-red-sox-keep-winning/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-red-sox-keep-winning/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:57:00 GMT Tom Johnson MLB I nterleague play is fun for the fans, as we get to see American League teams take on National League teams. A couple of interesting matchups this week were Boston hosting Milwaukee and the New York Yankees against the Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox have continued to stay hot as they maintain the best… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/swallow-your-pride/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/swallow-your-pride/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:55:00 GMT Bashir Masani MLB A fter watching the New York Yankees play day after day, it is sickening to see the amount of times Mark Teixeira hits into the shift when he bats from the left side. As a career .284 hitter, Teixeira’s batting average has dipped way below that mark since the 2009 season. In 2009, the last time t… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/twins-place-morneau-on-dl/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/twins-place-morneau-on-dl/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:02:00 GMT Kyle Flippin MLB T he Associated Press is reporting that the Twins have placed first baseman Justin Morneau on the disabled list with a strained left wrist. Morneau last played on Friday and when a cortisone shot he received on Sunday had yet to have its desired effect, a DL stint was inevitable. Morneau said the… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/a-letter-to-awakened-pirate-fans/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/a-letter-to-awakened-pirate-fans/ Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:29:00 GMT Michael Bennett MLB A ttending a recent Pirates game against the Phillies last weekend, I noticed a lot of new faces in the crowd. Ok, I’m lying, Pittsburgh isn’t that small; but I don’t ever remember there being 30-plus people in line for anything but Beer or Primanti Bros, and I can say for sure I’ve never sat in… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-june-13-2011/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-power-rankings-june-13-2011/ Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:28:00 GMT Tom Johnson MLB A s you fans are aware, the MLB season is a long one. The good news is that there are fewer than 100 games remaining in the regular season. The Boston Red Sox are still on fire and have captured the AL East lead after sweeping the New York Yankees for the second consecutive series. The Cleveland… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/pirates-hope-to-find-treasure-in-cole/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/pirates-hope-to-find-treasure-in-cole/ Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:23:00 GMT Michael Bennett MLB W ith the first overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, the Pirates have selected RHP Gerrit Cole out of UCLA. Safe choice? Surely. The best player in the draft? We all know that only time will tell with that question. Out of every draft in professional sports, the MLB’s selection process is by far t… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/making-a-pitch-for-the-pirates/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/making-a-pitch-for-the-pirates/ Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:40:00 GMT Michael Bennett MLB W alking around the city of Pittsburgh, it doesn’t take long to realize that baseball fans are slowly waking up from a rumpelstiltskin-esque slumber. We’ve reached the month of June, and the Pirates are only two games back from .500, coming off a promising series against the Philadelphia Phillies… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/fourteen-games-into-the-season-it-is-already-time-that-the-mets-give-up-on-2011/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/fourteen-games-into-the-season-it-is-already-time-that-the-mets-give-up-on-2011/ Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:04:00 GMT Benjamin Rouder MLB H ow would a fantasy team of Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Bay, Santana, K-Rod stack up? At least from a name value point of view, that is a pretty formidable core of players. But fourteen games into the season, the Mets are 4-10, which is good for the third-worst record in the league, and their season… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/cleveland-indians-off-to-a-red-hot-start/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/cleveland-indians-off-to-a-red-hot-start/ Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:28:00 GMT Judd Cohen MLB T he Cleveland Indians are in first place in the American League Central. They have been scorching-hot through the first nine games of the season, winning seven straight games, and sweeping the World Series favorite, Boston Red Sox in the process. That’s right, the CLEVELAND INDIANS. The same tea… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/reds-rally-and-my-miller-lite-offers-no-consolation/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/reds-rally-and-my-miller-lite-offers-no-consolation/ Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:43:00 GMT Ryan Venson MLB M y lead for this story was supposed to be about the opening of establishments early for the start of the season: bars, eateries, retail. It was supposed to be about the early milling of fans outside Great American Ballpark in anticipation of batting practice. The excitement of the first pitch. T… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/red-sox-add-unusual-clause-to-miller-contract/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/red-sox-add-unusual-clause-to-miller-contract/ Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:08:00 GMT Matthew Mullen MLB T he Red Sox acquired Andrew Miller by trade in November then signed him to a Minor League deal in December. More recently, the details of a controversial clause has come to light. Should Miller get promoted to the Majors he would need to clear waivers to get sent back to the minors. The clause g… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/lackey-luster-expectations/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/lackey-luster-expectations/ Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:11:00 GMT Matthew Mullen MLB J ohn Lackey took a little flack the other day from Red Sox fans and Boston media for saying he's only won more than 14 games once. This is in response to the lackluster performance in 2010 compared to the expectations. After 2009 the Sox signed Lackey to a five year, $82.5 million deal. The rece… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/preview-2011-chicago-white-sox/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/preview-2011-chicago-white-sox/ Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:31:00 GMT Matthew Powers MLB T he 2010 Chicago White Sox were full of excitement and disappointment. Beginning the season with a 6-0 shutout of the Cleveland Indians, Mark Buehrle stole the show with his incredible barehanded between the legs web gem. But the Sox struggled throughout the rest of April and May. They looked li… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/weeks-brewers-avoid-arbitration-with-deal/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/weeks-brewers-avoid-arbitration-with-deal/ Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:42:00 GMT Dave Radcliffe MLB A t the 11th hour, the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a four-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $38.5 million with second baseman Rickie Weeks. With an arbitration hearing looming, Weeks faced a hefty pay raise thanks to his strong play during the 2010 season. The Brewers were able to cover… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/miracle-mets-of-2011/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/miracle-mets-of-2011/ Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:33:00 GMT Michael P Wherley MLB T he New York Mets are poised to become the darling team of the National League and they don't even know it. It is hard to believe that a team with an approximate payroll of $138 Million can be called a "miracle" team, however, based on the trend the team has followed the last couple years it wou… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/yankees-2011-preview-how-andy-pettittes-retirement-affects-the-team/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/yankees-2011-preview-how-andy-pettittes-retirement-affects-the-team/ Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:43:00 GMT Judd Cohen MLB A ndy Pettitte announced his retirement yesterday after 16 seasons in the majors. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, but it does leave a gaping hole in the New York Yankees' starting rotation. Currently constructed, the Yankees rotation includes CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, an erratic A.J. Burnet… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/is-andy-pettitte-a-hall-of-famer/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/is-andy-pettitte-a-hall-of-famer/ Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:13:00 GMT Jarod Mitchell MLB A ndy Pettitte had a great run in the big leagues for 16 seasons, including 13 with the Bronx Bombers. Pettitte was on some great Yankee teams and was able to get an unprecedented five World Series rings. In two of his 16 seasons he won an incredible 21 games. Andy Pettitte will be missed on the… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/your-boston-red-sox/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/your-boston-red-sox/ Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:59:00 GMT Daryl Velez MLB W ith a little bit of a lull in things to get immediately excited about in Boston sports and the official announcement that Andy Pettite will retire, now is a perfect time to begin the guessing game of which Red Sox batters will bat where. Here’s what I think should happen: 1. Jacoby Ellsbury His… https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-preview-5-breakout-players-to-watch-in-2011/ https://www.thesportsjudge.com/mlb/mlb-preview-5-breakout-players-to-watch-in-2011/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:26:00 GMT Nick Dipilla MLB 1) Desmond Jennings (OF-TB) — R ated as the 6 prospect in all of baseball in 2010; big things are expected of the speedy 24 year old outfielder. With Carl Crawford out of the picture after being dealt to Boston, Desmond Jennings will finally get the opportunity to strut his stuff as an everyday p…