Virtually every season since it expanded to six teams in the late 90s, the National League Central has appeared to most outside observers (and many inside observers as well) to be a far from formidable division. Even in seasons this decade that found the St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series and both the same Cardinals franchise and the Houston Astros losing in the Fall Classic's finale, there have always been a glut of bottom dwellers rubbing elbows with the hundred loss mark to remind the baseball world of the night and day transition that is routinely showcased in this division’s standings.

 

More than a third of the way in the books, this season seems to be different.

 

Even with the recent injuries of Alfonso Soriano and Albert Pujols, the state of the NL Central seems to be one of good standing. Coming into Thursday’s action, four of the six National League squads with a record at or above .500 hail from the Central. Though Houston’s loss to Milwaukee Thursday has since dropped them below the .500 mark, they join a Pittsburgh team - fresh off their feast on the East’s Washington Nationals – at the 33-34 (.493) mark heading into interleague play this weekend.

 

The Central is also the only division with more than two winning teams, and the sole division in the NL (and one of two divisions in the majors) that lacks a team whose winning percentage is less than .400. The AL East has been great, but the league’s best record also belongs in the Central. And in a season that finds only three MLB teams with a winning record on the road, the division has the best average road record in the NL.

 

There are a lot of games left and with costly injuries of the division’s superstars, the Central might revert to the bell curve it’s been almost perpetually likened to this past decade. But for once, I look at the divisional standing in mid June and see competition up and down, a tight race from top to bottom. It seem that, for once, the division with the most teams has the most to be proud of. It’s a strange feeling.

This just in from the Indians media relations department...

 

Indians CA Victor Martinez will undergo arthroscopic surgery tomorrow to remove loose bodies from his right elbow joint. He is expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks.  The procedure will be performed by Indians Team Dr. Mark Schickendantz at the Cleveland Clinic.

 

These guys can't catch a break...

The Mets' Billy Wagner just blew his third consecutive save opportunity, ruining a brilliant outing by Johan Santana, who pitched seven scoreless innings of 3-hit ball, striking out 10. Unless the Mets' offense can bail him out, you have wonder whether acquiring Santana was worth the price.  The Mets might have been better off keeping outfield depth with all of their OF injuries!

The mainstream media has been held tightly under the microscope by the blogosphere for a while now, be it the sports blogs or political blogs. It's a great thing to restore a sense of the checks and balances system, and, of course, the mainstream media hasn't taken a liking to it. Lots of bloggers, including myself, have opined on the matter and we might be teetering towards beating a dead horse, but maybe you haven't heard the news: Bill Conlin is in trouble again, this time for what he said, not what he wrote.

Conlin was a guest on Tuesday's edition of Daily News Live, a round-table (semi-circle?) sports talk show that lasts an hour and a half. They've recently started reading viewer E-mails on air, and host Michael Barkann read one from "Raul," from Vineland, New Jersey who criticized the media for blowing up the injury to Donovan McNabb, since it's only shoulder tendinitis.

Conlin – the same guy who wrote to me in an E-mail, "The only positive thing I can think of about Hitler's time on earth – I'm sure he would have eliminated all bloggers" – said of Raul's comment, "Amazing that guy would leave the blueberry harvest to send that off."

Comcast SportsNet apologized at the start of Wednesday's show and distanced themselves from Conlin. You can watch video clips of Conlin's comment and Comcast's apology here.

These aren't just isolated incidents; it's a trend with Conlin. Deadspin reports that, in an E-mail to someone who had questioned his "fastball," Conlin bragged about his flexible work schedule, signing bonus, performance bonus, the Daily News' subsidy of his condo in Florida, pension, and Social Security. To put the cherry on top, Conlin included pictures of his condo.

So, are Conlin's recent comments really racist? The article was from Raul, a common Hispanic name, from Vineland, New Jersey. Hispanics/Latinos of any race make up 30% of the population there. Fruit-picking is a common (and incorrect) stereotypical chore of Hispanics. I think based on the context, we can reach the conclusion that Conlin's comment was racially motivated.

Conlin wasn't the only one in the media making stupid comments this week, either. U.S.S. Mariner, the great Seattle Mariners blog, has a scathing rebuke of former pitcher and current ESPN color analyst Rick Sutcliffe for some comments he made about Erin Andrews during the Braves-Cubs game last night. To quote the blog:

If you recall, sexism is an issue I think gets ignored in the sports and media world. I was enlightened in an interview I had with Sooze of Babes Love Baseball and Lisa Horne of Straight Talk from the West Coast.

There's no two ways around it: Sutcliffe's comments are sexist and immature, and I think U.S.S. Mariner is correct in saying what it said, however strong it was. Do they not require ESPN employees to watch those "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace" informational videos or at least give them the pamphlets?

Sutcliffe's an ex-ballplayer so his behavior isn't as likely to be filtered as it is for professional broadcasters and journalists who have had to watch what they say and do for many years. It doesn't excuse the behavior, however.

In a perfect world, no one would ever be offended by anything, but this obviously is not the case. Similarly, in a perfect world, there would be no censorship and citizens of this country wouldn't be so uptight about sex (a result of this country being founded mostly by Puritans). But we don't live in a perfect world, so we have to try and coexist with everyone as peaceably as we can. Sutcliffe's comments were simply uncalled for in any circumstance, but especially for live broadcasting.

Andrews did an interview for One More Dying Quail last year. She talked about the first time someone criticized her as a member of the media, and it has some relevancy here (even though Sutcliffe wasn't criticizing her... at all):


She probably brushed off Sutcliffe's comments and it's bloggers who will end up making a bigger deal about it than she will, but it's all with good intentions. In 2008, female journalists are still being judged overwhelmingly by their looks and not by their skills. Andrews is one of the most prepared, dedicated, and professional journalists ESPN has had in a while, and it'd be a shame for that to be overlooked because simply because she's attractive.

I wonder what Buzz Bissinger thinks about Conlin and Sutcliffe's comments...

...Milton Bradley is at it again. This time he took exception to somethings that were said by (Royals TV announcer) Ryan Lefebrve. According to USA Today, Bradley who was the designated hitter, heard what he considered not so kind remarks made by Lefebvre. Both Rangers Manager and Rangers GM had to intercept him before he reached the Royals TV booth. Here's what Jon Daniels (Rangers General Manager) had to say:

"I don't want to get necessarily into the details," Daniels said. "He was upset. Someone who doesn't know him was passing judgment on TV. It was obvious he was hurt by the comments.

When he came back to the clubhouse, Bradley started yelling at his teammates and then broke down in tears.

...Henry Schulman of the San Fransisco Chronicle is reporting that this just maybe the last year for Giants Second Baseman Ray Durham.

"I don't know. I really have to sit down and think of things. I know it's the last year of my contract. More than that, I've missed a lot of my kids' growing up. That's what's going to be weighing on my mind in the offseason.

"My girl is 14 years old and it's like I barely know her. My son turns 10 tomorrow. They're heavily involved in sports. I haven't seen one of my son's baseball games, not one. He's been playing since tee ball. Thinking of that, that hurts me. I'll weigh all the options this offseason, sit down and decide what direction I could go in."

Durham turns 37 in November and is a veteran of 14 Major League Seasons.

...Well that didn't last long, Jacque Jones has been designated for assignment by the Florida Marlins. It's expected that he'll clear waivers, but it's unclear if he will accept the assignment to Triple A. The move was made so the Marlins could call up Robert Andino.

...There seems to be a dispute as to who actually caught Ken Griffey Junior's 600th home run ball. So much so that the guy who says he actually caught the ball first has lawyered up and filed an injunction against "Joe" who caught the ball and any party that is in possession of said ball.

...According to the USA Today, the New York Yankees are seeking out more public financing for the new Yankee Stadium. Officials are saying that if the Yankees can't get another 400 Million from public financing they might not be able to finish the stadium.

Atlanta
Jair Jurrjens - Right ankle injury, day-to-day.
Brandon Jones - Recalled from Richmond (AAA).
Josh Anderson - Optioned to Richmond (AAA).
Jeff Ridgway - Recalled from Richmond (AAA).
Tom Glavine - Left elbow injury, 15-day DL.

Baltimore    
Randy Keisler - Signed by the Baltimore Orioles to a minor league contract.
    
Chicago Cubs    
Alfonso Soriano - Fractured left hand. day-to-day.
    
Detroit    
Jordan Tata - Outrighted to Toledo (AAA).
Brian Rogers - Signed by the Detroit Tigers to a minor league contract.
Aquilino Lopez - Missed 5 games (bereavement list).
    
Florida    
Jacque Jones - Designated for assignment by the Florida Marlins.
Robert Andino - Recalled from Albuquerque (AAA).
    
Los Angeles Anaheim    
Garret Anderson - Right knee injury, day-to-day.
    
NY Mets    
Abraham O. Nunez - Designated for assignment by the New York Mets.
Chris Aguila - Contract purchased from New Orleans (AAA).
Moises Alou - Calf injury, day-to-day.
    
NY Yankees    
Ben Broussard - Released by the New York Yankees.
    
Philadelphia    
Steve Kline - Released by the Philadelphia Phillies.
    
San Francisco    
Erick Threets - Outrighted to Fresno (AAA).
    
St. Louis    
Chris Duncan - Recalled from Memphis (AAA).
Albert Pujols - Calf injury, 15-day DL.
    
Texas    
Elizardo Ramirez - Outrighted to Oklahoma (AAA).

The Atlanta Braves received more bad news late Tuesday night that affected Wednesday's game.  As manager Bobby Cox learned of Tom Glavine's likely trip to the 15-day disabled list, he was also told that their scheduled starter for Wednesday, Jair Jurrjens, was at the bottom of the stairs of the visitor's clubhouse at Wrigley Field.  Jurrjens twisted his ankle on the steps and the injury was serious enough that he needed to be scratched from his start on Wednesday and was replaced by emergency starter Jeff Bennett. 

Not all the news about Jurrjens was bad.  On Wednesday, the condition of his ankle had improved and the Braves are optimistic that he will not need to miss his next scheduled start in five days.  If he progresses as expected, Jurrjens will pitch on Monday against the Rockies.

Atlanta also announced that pitcher Charlie Morton from Triple-A Richmond would replace Tom Glavine in the rotation on Saturday.  Morton will become the ninth different starter used by the Braves this season.  Only Tim Hudson of the original starting rotation of Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens, John Smoltz and Mike Hampton has not missed a start due to injury.

As for the others, Glavine was placed on the 15-day disabled list, Hampton is at least one week away from his first Minor League rehab start and Smoltz's season ending surgery could be career threatening.

In other Braves news, outfielder Josh Anderson was sent down to Triple-A Richmond and replaced by prospect Brandon Jones.  The move was surprising with Anderson hitting .318 at the time of the move.  Anderson was 7-for-22 with two RBI and two steals in 11 games.  Jones hit .263 with two home runs and 25 RBI in 54 games.

---

Just one day after returning from the DL, Mets outfielder Moises Alou was out of the lineup again.  Alou re-injured his left calf and had an MRI done to evaluate how serious the injury was on Wednesday night.  Alou's inability to stay healthy is becoming a point of frustration for both the Mets and Alou.

Alou played just 87 games in 2007 and has missed most of 2008.  Alou missed time due to a hernia operation in March and followed that with the calf injury that has limited him to playing in just 15 games this season.  When Alou has been in the lineup, he has performed well -- he hit .341 in 2007 and is hitting .347 in 2008.

The injury is especially concerning to the Mets who are already hurting in the outfield with Ryan Church recently placed on the 15-day disabled list and Angel Pagan on the DL since May 13 with a shoulder contusion.

---

Outfielder Jacque Jones was designated for assignment by the Florida Marlins after their win over the Phillies on Wednesday night.  Jones failed to make a month with the Marlins after signing with Florida a few days following his release from the Detroit Tigers.  To replace Jones, the Marlins recalled Robert Andino to take his roster spot.

Jones performance production dropped from Detroit to Florida.  In 18 games with the Marlins, Jones went 4-for-37 with 2 RBI.  His .108 average was lower than his .165 average in 24 games with the Tigers.

Andino's return gives the team infield depth but is not expected to provide a spike in offensive production.  Andino is a career .194 hitter in 56 Major League games over the past four seasons.  The 24-year-old Andino appeared in 21 games during his first stint with the Marlins this season.  He hit .182 with two home runs and three RBI in 22 at-bats.

---

Things are looking up in San Diego.  Winners of six of their last seven, the Padres are on the good side of the news today.  Later today, 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy will return from the 15-day disabled list and make his first start for the Padres in nearly a month.  Peavy, who last started on May 14, is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA this season, will try to give the Padres the series win in their rubber match with the Dodgers.

Peavy will be on a pitch count according to manager Bud Black and will be allowed to throw 80-90 pitches.  Peavy has had more success against the Dodgers than any other team in the Major League.  He is 11-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 starts including 9-0 in his last 14 starts against the division rivals. 

---

The Baltimore Sun reports that former Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons will return to professional baseball soon when he joins a team in the independent Atlantic League in the next week.

The 31-year-old Gibbons was released by the Orioles in March following his admission to using hGH and Gibbons has been desperate to have another Major League opportunity.  In May, Gibbons sent a letter to every team in Major League baseball in which Gibbons offered to donate his entire Minor League salary and most of his Major League salary to the charity of the team's choice should they be willing to give him a chance to prove himself.

The letter, posted on ESPN.com on Wednesday, did receive some attention from Major League teams but Gibbons received no offers.  Gibbons decided to sign with an Atlantic League team because he "just miss[es] playing baseball" according to the report in the Sun.  He will join one of the teams in the New York and New Jersey area rather than a team located with the Baltimore fan base.  One possible landing spot is with the Long Island Ducks who are familiar with controversial former Major League players -- they have signed John Rocker and Juan Gonzalez and currently have Carl Everett on their active roster.

• Justin Verlander pitched a 4-hitter, and Marcus Thames launched a 3-run home run as the Tigers breezed to a 5-1 win over the White Sox.
• Ryan Doumit went 3-for-4 with a home run, and Ian Snell threw 6 solid innings as the Pirates downed the Nationals, 3-1.
• Jorge Cantu went 3-for-4 with 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored, and Dan Uggla blasted a 9th inning grand slam as the Marlins walked-off with a 6-2 win over the Phillies.
• Felix Hernandez didn't allow an earned run through 8 innings of 4-hit ball, and Raul Ibanez drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th inning to lead the Mariners to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. Jose Vidro and Ichiro Suzuki each reached base 3 times as well for Seattle. Shaun Marcum struck out 9 while allowing just one run over 7 innings for Toronto.
• Bartolo Colon struck out 7 over 6 strong innings, and Jason Varitek led the Boston offense with a 3-run home run as the Red Sox doubled up the Orioles, 6-3.
• Jason Kubel went 3-for-4 with a 2-run home run, Justin Morneau smacked 2 doubles and drove in 3, and Nick Blackburn held Cleveland to 2 runs in 6 innings as the Twins defeated the Indians, 8-5. Grady Sizemore doubled and hit a 3-run homer, and Casey Blake and Jamey Carroll added 3 hits apiece for Cleveland.
• Mike Pelfrey gave up just one run through 8 innings, and Carlos Beltran hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning to rescue New York and give the Mets a 5-3 walk-off win over the Diamondbacks. Orlando Hudson had 3 hits, and Mark Reynolds hit a 2-out, 3-run homer off of Billy Wagner in the 9th inning for Arizona to send the game into extra innings.
• Braden Looper tossed a complete game 3-hit shutout, and Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick and Jason LaRue each hit home runs as the Cardinals blew out the Reds, 10-0.
• Corey Hart doubled, hit 2 home runs and drove in 4, and Jason Kendall doubled, homered, and knocked in 2 more as the Brewers out-slugged the Astros, 10-6. Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee had 3 hits and a home run apiece for Houston.
• Ubaldo Jimenez pitched 7 scoreless innings, and Garrett Atkins scored the game's only run in the bottom of the 9th inning when Benjie Molina dropped the ball while trying to apply the tag to the Rockies' third baseman. The Rockies came out victorious over the Giants, 1-0. Tim Lincecum struck out 9 and did not allow a run in 7 innings for San Francisco.
• John Lackey gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 1/3 innings, and Maicer Izturis had 2 hits and 2 RBI to help the Angels rally past the Rays, 4-2. Scott Kazmir struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay.
• Ryan Theriot had 2 hits and 2 RBI, Kosuke Fukudome hit a 3-run home run, and Ryan Dempster struck out 11 while allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in a complete game effort as the Cubs pounded the Braves, 7-2.
• David Murphy hit a solo homer and a grand slam, Marlon Byrd reached base 5 times, hit 2 doubles, and scored 3 runs, and Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton contributed 3 hits apiece as the Rangers rallied for 7 runs in the 7th inning and 3 runs in the 9th inning to overtake the Royals, 11-5. Mark Grudzielanek doubled, homered, and drove in 4 for Kansas City.
• Khalil Greene doubled and homered, and Randy Wolf pitched 7 brilliant innings to lead the Padres to a 4-1 victory over the Dodgers.
• Jack Cust collected 2 hits, 2 walks, and 3 RBI, and Justin Duchscherer gave up just one run in 7 innings as the A's defeated the Yankees, 8-4.

Wednesday's Scoreboard

American League	National League
Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Seattle « 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 8 1 Toronto 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 W:F.Hernandez(5-5) L:B.Ryan(1-3) S:B.Morrow (1) HR: SEA- None TOR- None   Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa Bay 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 5 0 LA Angels « 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 X 4 8 1 W:J.Lackey(3-1) L:S.Kazmir(6-2) S:F.Rodriguez (27) HR: TAM- None ANA- V.Guerrero (10), G.Matthews (7)   Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R