Albert Pujols likes to remind people that, despite his spectacular talents, he is human. The last two days proved it. The All-Star game carried great expectations for the St. Louis Cardinals' star, who entered the break with numbers that make him a Triple Crown threat. He received a prolonged standing ovation during player introductions, topped off by chants of "MVP!
Archive for July 14th, 2009
Obama’s first pitch to Pujols low (AP)
President Barack Obama was true to his word: He didn't bounce it. Obama's ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star game barely reached the plate Tuesday night. St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols helped the president, moving up on the plate and reaching out to scoop the low toss. Obama had warmed up on the White House grounds Monday night, and was determined his pitch would get there on a…
Yankees’ Marte to start rehab assignment (AP)
Yankees reliever Damaso Marte, sidelined for 2 1/2 months with weakness and tendinitis in his pitching shoulder, is to start an injury rehabilitation assignment Thursday with the Gulf Coast Yankees. Marte threw two innings and 35 pitches of batting practice on Tuesday. The left-hander is 0-1 with a 15.19 ERA in 5 1-3 innings and seven appearances this year after signing a $12 million, three-year…
Longoria scratched from All-Star lineup (AP)
A frustrating injury left Evan Longoria with an unusual role in the All-Star game: cheerleader. The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman withdrew from Tuesday night's game because of an infected right ring finger. He was replaced in the American League starting lineup by Texas third baseman Michael Young, who batted seventh.
Writers reject steroids committee idea (AP)
Baseball writers have turned down a proposal to form a committee for developing guidelines on evaluating players from the steroids era in Hall of Fame voting. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander, who brought the matter up at a Chicago chapter meeting last month, made the proposal Tuesday at a national meeting of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Strasburg wins Golden Spikes Award (AP)
On the day pitcher Stephen Strasburg was voted the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the United States, baseball commissioner Bud Selig predicted the Washington Nationals will make "a very meaningful offer" to the No. 1 draft pick. Selig also hinted that management will propose major changes to the amateur draft during collective bargaining in 2011.
Selig still reviewing Rose application (AP)
Twelve years later, baseball commissioner Bud Selig still is examining Pete Rose's application for reinstatement. The career hits leader agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 after an investigation concluded he bet on the Cincinnati Reds to win while he was manager of the team. Rose applied for reinstatement in September 1997 and met with Selig in November 2002.
