In keeping with the weekend theme and the importance of our country, those who give their lives for it, and of course, the beginning of the summer, here’s our Memorial Day links of the week…

What better way to start than with the Team USA baseball page. It’s being redone at the moment, but bookmark it now and check back for updates. You’ll find plenty of stories on some top prospects and the top tier players representing our country.

Is there anything else more American than Little League baseball? Families gathering, BBQs and little kids running the wrong way on the base paths! There’s a lot more to Little League baseball than I bet you know too, so check out all the important work being done at the official online Little League web site.

Ah yes, Cooperstown. Truly American. Need I say more about the Baseball Hall of Fame?

I’m quoting this site because I can’t possibly describe it any better…

The U.S. Military All-Stars, (Est. in 1990)  formally known as the U.S. Navy Baseball Club currently in their 18th season is an organization of active duty and reserve personnel who comprise the only "Joint" armed forces elite-level baseball program in the world with the Mission: "To Promote the Awareness of All Americans in Support of the Honorable Sacrifices our Armed Forces Make at the Tip of the Spear." The U.S. Military All-Stars serve as the model for over 30 organized armed forces baseball programs worldwide and are responsible for the resurgence of military baseball in the modern era. Over 95 percent of the current roster has served one or more tours in the War on Terrorism while competing at the highest level possible in support of recruiting efforts to enhance a positive image.

This is one site worth visiting if you want to know who the true heroes of our country are.

For more on those who truly sacrifice their lives day in and day out, pay a visit to our armed forces.

This is not about a baseball player, but rather, it’s about an athlete who is an American icon in my mind…someone who I want my children to look up to as a true hero…someone who sacrificed all that he had to try to keep this country safe and free. Visit the Pat Tillman Foundation web site and honor the memory of one of this country’s greatest American athletic heroes.

While you’re remembering Pat, don’t forget those who inspired Tillman to make the sacrifice he did for this great country.

And as we wind down our links for this Memorial Day, I recommend you don’t forget…

Apple Pie

Barbecues

America’s Team – Baseball Version

America’s Team – Football Version

The Boys of Summer

And

The American Flag  

Photo: Bill Richardson, Baseball Digest Daily

Michael Cuddyer put up big numbers on Saturday, but the Twins still fell to the Blue Jays, 9-8, in 13 innings.

• Kelvim Escobar allowed just one run in 7 innings, and Casey Kotchman went 3-for-3 with a walk as the Angels beat the Yankees again, 3-1.
• Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa each hit home runs, and Carlos Zambrano pitched 7 2/3 strong innings as the Cubs defeated the Dodgers, 4-2.
• David Dellucci tripled, homered, and drove in 2 runs, and Victor Martinez added a home run and 2 RBI as the Indians rallied to beat the Tigers, 6-3. C.C. Sabathia picked up his 7th win allowing 3 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings. Justin Verlander pitched another solid game for Detroit despite getting a no-decision.
• Shane Victorino tripled, homered, had 3 hits, and scored 3 times, and Chase Utley reached base 3 times and drove in 3 runs to lead the Phillies to a 6-4 win over the Braves. Edgar Renteria doubled, homered, and had 4 RBI for Atlanta.
• Carlos Delgado went 3-for-5 with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI as the Mets cruised to a 7-2 win over the Marlins. Endy Chavez also had 3 hits, and John Maine pitched 6 strong innings for his 6th victory of the season.
• Jason Bay doubled twice, had 3 hits, and drove in 3 runs, and Xavier Nady homered, scored twice, and had 3 RBI as the Pirates sent the Reds to their 5th straight defeat, 9-5. Scott Hatteberg, Edwin Encarnacion, and Alex Gonzalez all hit home runs for Cincinnati.
• Cha Seung Baek allowed just one unearned run in 7 innings, and Kenji Johjima hit a grand slam as the Mariners had no trouble beating the Royals, 9-1. Tony Pena Jr. was Kansas City’s lone bright spot, going 3-for-3 on the day.
• Alex Rios had 4 hits and a home run, and Lyle Overbay had 3 hits, a home run, and 4 RBI, as the Blue Jays nipped the Twins, 9-8, in 13 innings. Michael Cuddyer went 4-for-5 with a walk, home run, and 5 RBI for Minnesota.
• Albert Pujols reached base 3 times and scored 3 runs, David Eckstein had 3 hits, and Jim Edmonds collected 2 hits and 3 RBI as the Cardinals outlasted the Nationals, 8-6. Austin Kearns had 3 hits, and Dmitri Young reached base 4 times for Washington.
• Brian Burres allowed one run on 3 hits over 6 innings, and Miguel Tejada had 3 hits, a home run, 2 runs, and 3 RBI as the Orioles tripped up the A’s, 8-3. Jay Payton also had 3 hits, and Brian Roberts contributed 3 hits and 3 RBI for Baltimore.
• Manny Ramirez went 4-for-4 with a double, triple, and a walk, and Kevin Youkilis reached base 3 times, doubled, and scored twice as the Rangers defeated the Rangers, 7-4.
• Aaron Cook pitched a complete game 5 hitter, and Matt Holliday had 2 hits and 3 RBI to help the Rockies win their 4th in a row, a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
• Brandon Webb allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings, and Eric Byrnes drove in 2 runs as the Diamondbacks held off the Astros, 5-4. Mark Loretta had 3 hits, and Carlos Lee hit a home run and drove in 3 for Houston.
• Adrian Gonzalez and Rob Bowen had 3 hits, and Mike Cameron and Jose Cruz Jr. hit home runs to give Justin Germano all the support he needed to lead the Padres to a 6-3 win over the Brewers. Rookie Ryan Braun went 3-for-4 with a home run for Milwaukee.  

BDD Players of the Day – New York’s Carlos Delgado, Minnesota’s Michael Cuddyer, and Colorado’s Aaron Cook