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Were the Phillies Robbed of a World Series Championship?

Oct 29

Posted by admin in Baseball, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Game 5, MLB, Pitching, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, World Series, delayed, innings, online sports community, outs, rain, resume play, suspended | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

With rain pouring down on Citizen Bank Park the Phillies clung to a 2-1 lead. If the game had been played during the regular season the game would have been called and the Phillies would have been declared the winner. Yet, despite the terrible conditions the game went on and Carlos Pena’s single tied it up for the Rays.

So the question on most people’s minds is when exactly did MLB decide to change its own rules?

Rain delays Game 5 of World Series

Rain delays Game 5 of World Series

Under Major League rule 4.12(6), the game is suspended with the Phillies due to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. Selig said that he would not have permitted the game — which could clinch a championship for the Phillies — to be called without nine full innings being played. Both clubs were aware of that fact before the first pitch was thrown.

“I have to use my judgment. It’s not a way to end a World Series,” Selig said.

So, the question really is did Selig make the right call?

In my opinion ABSOLUTELY! I mean anyone who would dare to argue otherwise has to be the most diehard Philly fan of all time. Because if I was a Philly fan (and I’m not) I would no want to win in a game shortened because of inclement weather.

The fact is that had the game been called and Philly declared the winner, it would be marked in the annals of baseball history with a large asterisks. It wouldn’t exactly have been a win as much as it would have been a lucky break from Mother Nature.

With that said, I can still understand why many Philly fans would be upset. The fact is that the Phillies were relying on their ace Cole Hamels to close out the series and now that chance has gone by the wayside. Hamels was looking to become the first pitcher in major league history to win 5 straight postseason starts and has been remarkable thus far this postseason.

Now the Phillies will have to rely on someone else to shut down the Rays for the final 4 innings of Game 5 of the World Series.

Phillies players look on as rain soaks the infield.

Phillies players look on as rain soaks the infield.

Hell, the Phillies must feel like they’ve been cursed by the baseball gods. They’ve come so close to claiming their first championship since 1980 only to watch the Rays be injected with new life by raindrops from the heavens.

Now the Phillies will take the field tonight and will fight not just the Tampa Bay Rays, but whatever cosmic forces seem to be consipiring against them.

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Padres Ace Peavy on the Market

Oct 17

Posted by admin in Baseball, Braves, Cy young, MLB, New York, Peavy, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, Yankees, atlanta, jake peavy, online sports community, padres, san diego, trade, trade talks | 1 Comment

By Matt Valentine

In what I would deem a fairly surprising move, the Padres are considering moving ace pitcher Jake Peavy to the highest bidder.

Peavy, a Cy Young winner had somewhat of a down year this season with 10 wins and 11 loses, but performed quite well in every other pitching category. He had the third lowest ERA in the National League with a 2.85 and struck out 166 batters.

Peavy does have a no trade clause in his contract which could help him get his choice of team, but apparently his top five choices have not expressed enough interest to make them a viable option. Among Peavy’s top choices are Atlanta, St. Louis, the Chicago Cubs, the L.A. Dodgers and the Houston Astros.

Jake Peavy is on the trading block

Jake Peavy is on the trading block

Yet, none of these teams have made a viable offer and the Padres have begun reaching out to other teams.  Of course, when any big name comes on the market the Yankees are always in the mix, but many believe that Peavy would not enjoy playing in New York or in the American League for that fact, and are unsure if he would sign off on a deal that sent him to the Yankees.

The Braves seem to be the team in the best position to make a deal for Peavy which would have to include some young pitchers and perhaps a few outfielders. The Braves have promising young talent in pitchers such as Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson and center fielders Jason Heyward and Jordan Scaefer. However, the Braves are reluctant to talk about dealing their best prospects.

Peavy is an extremely attractive trade option because he is under contract until 2013 and is just 27 years old. It is very rare that a pitcher of Peavy’s talent and youth is even considered trade bait, but many in the Padres front office feel the team needs to get younger now, and Peavy is their best bargaining chip.

Where Peavy will land is anyones guess, but one thing is for sure… it won’t be in San Diego.

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Red Sox Make Historic Comeback

Oct 17

Posted by admin in ALCS, Baseball, Boston, Championship Series, MLB, Pro Sports, Red Sox, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Tampa Bay Rays, Uncategorized, World Series, american league, comeback, jd drew, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Heading into the seventh inning of game five of the ALCS it looked like the Red Sox would be headed home and the Rays would be headed to the World Series.

The Rays held a 7-0 lead heading into the inning and were just 9 outs away from making the first World Series appearance in franchise history. Yet, just when most were about to change the channel the Red Sox came storming back to life.

Keyed by big hits from JD Drew, David Ortiz and Coco Crisp the Sox were able to stave off elimination with one of the most historic and unlikely comebacks in postseason history.

Red Sox celebrate their amazing comeback over the Rays in Game 5 of the ALCS

Red Sox celebrate their amazing comeback over the Rays in Game 5 of the ALCS

The Rays jumped out to a big lead early on when BJ Upton went yard hitting a 2 run blast a Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria added back-to-back home runs for the second straight game. Scott Kazmir had one of his best outings in a long time allowing just two hits over six innings and never allowing a baserunner to advance past second base.

However, the game quickly went downhill for the Rays as soon as they called on their bullpen. Ortiz who had been slumping during the postseason broke out with a three run homer in the 7th followed by a Dustin Pedroia RBI single. In the eighth Drew hit a two-run homer to pull the Sox even closer and then it was Coco Crisp who provided the drama, tying the game with a two-out, two-strike single off of reliever Dan Wheeler.

The Rays were unable to muster any offense in the ninth and Boston came up and provided the Fenway faithful with another dramatic comeback. Kevin Youkilis grounded to Evan Longoria with two outs, but wound up at second when the throw bounced in front of first baseman Carlos Pena. Then Jason Bay was intentionally walked and Drew stepped up to the plate for the last time. Drew lined a single to right off of J.P. Howell and over the glove of Gabe Gross to bring in the game winning run.

JD Drews game winning single in the ninth

JD Drew's game winning single in the ninth

There was deinitely some questionable decision throughout the Red Sox comeback made by Rays manager Joe Maddon. First, Maddon refused to place his outfielders back stating that they were not playing no-double defense. Obviously the decision did not pay off as the game winning hit was actually a ground rule double that may have been caught had Gross been playing back a few steps.

Second, Maddon seemed to panic with his relief pitchers bringing in closer Dan Wheeler and asking him to make the finally 7 outs, which he was obviously unable to do. Also, Maddon stated that he doesn’t believe in lefty on lefty matchups which is why he did not bring in a lefty to face David Ortiz. Another call which did not pay off.

The Red Sox are beginning to make a habit of postseason comebacks. In 2004 they made postseason history when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees. Last season they overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Cleveland Indians, both times they went on to win the World Series.

The series will move back to Tampa for game 6. Scott Shields and Josh Beckett will get the start.

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NLCS: Phillies Win Game One

Oct 10

Posted by admin in Baseball, Dodgers, Fantasy Sports, Los Angeles, MLB, NLCS, Philadelphia, Phillies, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, national league, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

The Dodgers rolled into Philadelphia on a hot streak, having just swept the Cubs, the team with the best record heading into NLDS. They were going to  take the first game in the NLCS and steal away homefield advantage from the Phillies. The only problem was someone forgot to mention this to the Phillies.

Powered by a pair of sixth inning home runs off the bats of Chase Utley and Pat Burrell the Phillies squeaked out a game one victory and sqaushed the Dodgers hot streak.

Utley celebrates after his game tying 2-run Home run

Utley celebrates after his game tying 2-run Home run

The outcome looked in doubt early on when Manny Ramirez drilled a two-run double in the first inning narowly missing a home run. Those few feet would prove to be costly.

Cole Hamels looked shaky in the first inning, but settled down allowing only those 2 first inning runs on six hits, and eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. The Phillies Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Brad Lidge a dark horse candidate for this years NL Cy Young , finished with a perfect ninth to secure his third save of the postseason and his 44th save in 44 tries.

Hamels counterpart Derek Lowe pitched outstanding, surrendering just 4 singles through 5 innings, but couldn’t make it out of the sixth. After a Rafael Furcal throwing error allowed Shane Victorino to reach base Utley came up to bat. Utley hammered the first pitch over the right-center field wall tying the game at 2. Just one out after Utley’s homer Pat Burrell stepped up to the plate, Burrell was nearly sidelined with a lower back injury in the NLDS, but worked his way into the lineup anyway. He was dismal in the first three games going 0-8, but surged in the series clinching game hammering two home runs, driving in four.

Pat Burrells sixth inning homer gives the Phillies the lead and the win

Pat Burrell's sixth inning homer gives the Phillies the lead and the win

Burrell stepped to the plate Thursday night and worked the count to 3-1 on Derek Lowe. He ripped the next pitch in the left-field stands sending the sellout crowd of 45,893 into a frenzy.

This is the Phillies first trip to the NLCS in 15 years and there is no doubt that Philly fans are hungry for a championship with none of their major professional team having captured one in a long time. The Phillies having retained homefield advantage may be Phialdelphias best shot.

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Are the Mets Due for Another September Collapse?

Sep 17

Posted by admin in Basbeball, Baseball, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Historic collapse, Mets, New York, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, Wild Card, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

It’s that time of the year again for Mets fans and I’m sure many of them are cringing, and feeling almost the exact same emotions as the did the same time just one year ago.

If you recall it (and I’m sure every Mets fan does) it was this time last year that all Mets fans were watching their teams historic September collapse, giving away a 7 game lead with just 17 games to play and surrendering their NL East lead to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Well, here we are in September again, and here the Mets are, this time surrendering a 3 game lead to the Phillies who now own sole possession of first place in the NL East after Ryan Howard’s go-ahead homer in the 8th inning Tuesday night gave the Phillies an 8-7 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Once again, the Phillies and Howard in particular, seem to thrive in September while the Mets and their offense seem to fold.

The Mets who lost to the Nationals in back-to-back games while surrendering their NL East lead just can seem to get  it clicking on all cylinders when it matters most. They received an outstanding pitching performance from Mike Pelfrey but let it go to waste by providing him with no offense in a 1-0 nothing loss to who else, but the Washington Nationals, the same team that squandered the Mets playoff hopes late last season.

This loss came just one day after John Lannan held the Mets to one hit over seven innings, New York managed just two hits against Odalis Perez Tuesday night.

This time around there will be no one to blame except for the Mets players themselves, no Willie to take the heat for a team that just cannot get it done when the pressure is on. If its not the bullpen surrendering runs in late innings of what should have been wins, then its the Met offense whose bats go quiet at the most inopportune times.

And while the Mets remain just a 1/2 game behind the Phillies for the NL East lead their fans grow restless that another September swoon may be on the horizon.

There is still the wild card, even if the Mets do surrender the division to the Phillies, but even that is not a certainty as another team whose had a September to forgot, the Brewers, are just a 1/2 game back.

Perhaps worst of all for the Mets is that they’ve now lost both Fernando Tatis and Damion Easley to injuries. Two right handed bats that the Mets can ill afford to lose down the stretch. Tatis has been an especially nice surprise for the Mets returning from baseball after a prolonged absence to put together some clutch performances when the team needed them most.

Speaking of clutch performances that’s exactly what the Mets are going to need down the stretch to avoid their second consecutive season without a postseason appearance. They need their stars to step up now more then ever, players like David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Pedro Martinez need to demonstrate to their team, and most importantly their fans that this September will not end like last years did.

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Zambrano Pitches A No Hitter

Sep 15

Posted by admin in Baseball, Cubs, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, MLB, Miller Park, Pitching, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Zambrano, major league, no-hitter, online sports community, pitcher | No Comments

The last time Carlos Zambrano faced the Houston Astros he had to leave the game with a sore rotator cuff.  This time around the Astros would not be nearly as lucky.

Zambrano tossed the first no-hitter for the Cubs in 36 years, in his first start since September 2, and shut down the Astros 5-0 Sunday night in a game that was played in Milwakuee because of Hurricane Ike.

The Astros who haven’t played since Thursday because of Hurricane Ike looked weary after arriving at Miller Park just hours before the first pitch. They looked even worse after Zambrano’s masterful pitching performance.

The move to Miller Park had little adverse affect on the Cubs whose fan base followed them for the short trip up I-94 and made Miller Park seem just like Wrigley Field.

Even Astros manager Cecil Cooper credited the disruption from Hurricane Ike as a possible deciding factor in the no-hitter, “It was a long travel day and Hurricane Ike, That’s what I put it on. That and having two days off. I’m not saying he wasn’t good.”

Zambrano embraces manager Lou Pinella after his no-hitter

Zambrano embraces manager Lou Pinella after his no-hitter

The no-hitter moved Zambranos record to 14-5 on the season and the normally emotional pitcher kept himself in check until striking out Darren Erstad to seal the no-hitter. It was at that point that Zambrano dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky, he was immediately mobbed by his teammates who obviously enjoyed watching a piece of history.

Though only 23,441 fans were on hand to witness the moment they filled the stadium with chants of “Let’s go Z!” throughout the final inning and erupted when Zambrano put the icing on his gem.

The last Cub pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Milt Pappas in 1972. Zambranos no hitter was the 13th in team history. It was just the second no-hitter in the majors this seasons with Boston’s Jon Lester pitching the other in a game against Kansas City at Fenway Park on May 19.

Unfortunately for Brewers fans and ball players it was the first no-hitter ever at Miller Park and they were nowhere to be found.

The Astros only came close to a hit on two occasions. David Newhan lined a drive to that first baseman Derrek lee stabbed out of the air on a leaping catch to end the fifth inning. Geoff Blum also put a scare into Zambrano when he sent a fly ball toward the right-field corner to lead off the eighth, but Mark Derosa made a nice grab to perserve the no-hitter.

Zambrano let his emotions get the best of him in the seventh inning when he was sat down on a strikeout and nearly broke the bat over his knee before taking a glance at manager Lou Pinella who was apparently able to translate the message that now was probably not the best time for Zambrano to do that.

Pinella didn’t want Zambrano to exceed 100 pitches on the night, having just recently had an anti-inflammatory shot, but as the game wore on with the no-hitter still intact it became clear the Zambrano was staying in the game no matter how many pitches it took. In the end Zambrano finished with 110 pitches, 73 for strikes.

The no-hitter was also Zambranos first shutout since 2004. The Cubbies continue to cement themselves as a potential favorite to win their first World Series in 100 years and if Zambrano can continue to perform at this level they will have an excellent chance.

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Teixeira Traded to Angels

Jul 31

Posted by admin in Baseball, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, online sports community | No Comments

The Agels have to be praising new general manager Tony Reagins for the move that he just pulled off 1 day before MLB’s trade deadline. In a swift maneuver to add more protection to their lineup the Angels acquired slugging first baseman Mark Texira from the Atlanta Braves and sent rising star Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher to Atlanta.

Teixeira now an Angel.

Teixeira now an Angel.

It’s becoming a mid-summer tradition to “rent” Teixeira for an October run and this year is no different as Texiera is on the final year of his contract and will be a free agent at seasons end. Teixeira could demand as much as $20 million a year because he is by far the best first baseman available in the upcoming free agent market and should have a number of suitors if the Angels are unable to workout some type
of contract extension with Texiera by the end of the season.

Yet, the Angels have to be happy with the move, mortgaging a little bit of their futurte for the prospect of winning right now. The Angels already have one of the best rotations in the major leagues, they own the leagues best record , have an 11 1/2 game lead in the AL West and are now poised to correct one of their most glaring post-season problems…their offense.

Since winnning the World Series in 2002 the Angels have claimed three division titles, but won just one playoff series. During that stretch they were swept out of the playoffs twice, including last October by
the Boston Red Sox. The main problem has been finding a hitter dangerous enough to give Vladimir Guerrero some protection in the lineup, and now they have that in Teixeira.

Guerrero, the man who the Angels have relied on to provide their post-season pop, has produced poorly since claiming the World Series title in 2002. He’s batted just .183 with one home run in the 16 playoff games since 2002, most likely a result of the immense amount of pressure placed on him to perform in the post-season.

A number of other teams were interested in Teixeira but could not provide the Braves with the same type of package that the Angels were offering. The Arizona Diamonbacks who seemed an early frontrunner in acquiring Teixeira offered up Chad Tracy as possible trade bait, but Tracy is only under contract until 2009 while Kotchman is under contract for three more seasons. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were also in the hunt for Teixeira, but could not put together a promising enough package either, leaving them some major offensive issues heading into the stretch.

The acquisition of Teixeira automatically makes the Angels one of baseball’s top contenders to capture the World Series. Their rotation has been dominant throughout much of the season, their key players are producing and have remianed healthy and with the addition of the switch hitting Teixeira they now have one of basbeall’s best lineup’s. Angel’s fans could find themselves in basbeall heaven at the end of the year.

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Manny Headed To Hollywood

Jul 31

Posted by admin in Baseball, Fantasy Sports, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, online sports community | No Comments

Ramirez bids goodbye to Boston.

Ramirez bids goodbye to Boston.

The Red Sox have finally parted ways with their oft disgruntled slugger Manny Ramirez in a stunning 3-team trade that sent Ramirez to the L.A. Dodgers.

Just days earlier it appeared that Ramirez would be sent to the Florida marlins, but that deal failed to materialize and the Red Sox instead found willing partners in the Pittsburgh Pirates, and L.A. Dodgers. The Pirates have been one of the heaviest sellers in this years trade market dealing away some of their best players in return for younger talent. In this trade they saw slugger Jason Bay head to the Red Sox and in return they received reliever Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss from Boston and third baseman Andy LaRoche and Pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers. All the players with the exclusion of Morris will report to Pittsburgh, Morris will report to Pittsburgh’s Class A team in Hickory.

The move instantly makes the Dodgers a real threat in the National League and should propel them past the Diamondbacks in the chase for the NL West lead. At the beginning of the day the Dodgers were just one game behind Arizona in the NL West. The Dodgers already have a crowded outfield with manager Joe Torre constantly juggling Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre, but should be more then pleased with the new “problem” of finding a place for Ramirez in their lineup.

Ramirez was hitting .299 for the Sox, with a team leading 20 home runs and 68 RBIs. He is one of only eight players to hit at least 20 homers in 14 consecutive seasons.

While this may seem like a raw deal for Boston the acquisition of Jason Bay should ease any Sox fans worries. The two time All-Star is batting .282 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs, nearly the exact amount of production provided by Manny thus far this season. Add to that the fact that Bay is 7 years younger then Ramirez and that Ramirez was headed for the free agent market at the end of the season anyway and Boston’s front office is looking as savvy as their football counterpart.

Jason Bay headed to the Sox

Jason Bay headed to the Sox

The last place Pirates on the other hand better hope that these deals pay off in the future or their fans may start a riot…that is if they care enough to do so. The Pirates have already dealt away Xavier Nady and Demaso Marte to the Yanks and now send another of their star players to the AL East. If none of the players they’ve acquired turn into true everyday players they could find themselves in the basement for a long, long time.

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MLB Trade Deadline Approaches

Jul 30

Posted by admin in Baseball, Coaching Staff, College Sports, ESPN, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports, MLB, Moves, Sports, Sports Event, Sports Events, Sports Injury, Sports Star, Sports Stars, Sports Update, Uncategorized, american league, batter, coach, contract, houston Astros, manager, national league, playoffs, stats, trade | No Comments

With MLB’s trade deadline rapidly approaching, the line between buyers and sellers have become clearly defined and the need to add a piece to the puzzle for a playoff push or the decision to pack it in for the season and look towards the future becomes the ultimate goal. With most of the real marquee players having been dealt already teams are simply looking to fill glaring needs with solid veteran players or replenish their farm systems with potential stars of tomorrow.

Some names that have been floating around as possible trade bait are Jared Washburn of the Seattle Mariners, Randy Winn of the S.F. Giants,Raul Ibanez of the Seattle Mariners, and possibly though highly unlikely Manny Ramerez from the Boston Red Sox.

Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez

Obviously the biggest and most enticing name on that list is Rameriez who has been a dominate power hitter in the game for many years and who is unhappy with his current situation in Boston and apparently has been for quite some time. There are plenty of teams out there that would express a sincere interest in acquiring Ramirez from the Sox, but the price tag on Manny is sure to be steep, and the Sox have no real incentive to move Ramirez while they are still in the midst of a pennant chase. Seriously, going after Rameriez would probably cost a team a bevy of first rate prospects something that most organizations would not be willing to give up for a 36 year old slugger who has suffered numerous injuries in the past few years.

The Mets may be one team who is willing to deal for Manny as long as the price tag is not to steep, but given the amount prospects that they have already given up in deals for Johan Santana and others they are unlikely to have enough top prospects to succeed in nabbing Ramirez.

More likely Manny will stay in Boston until his contract is up and test the free agent market.
The more likely candidates to be dealt to a team like the Mets would be Raul Ibanez or Randy Winn, two players who are aging and not exactly marquee names but who would be a steady veteran presence and could provide some steady run production.  A team like the Mets may not make a deal at all and hope the cinderella comeback of Fernando Tatis or the return of OF Ryan Church could help sustain their lineup for a run at the World Series.

Another name being thrown around frequently as possible trade bait is SP Jared Washburn. Washburn has pitched for a dismal Seattle team and has been in contact with former Mariner and current Yankee Richie Sexson to try and workout a deal with the Yankees who could use another veteran starter in their rotation. Reports from the Yankees front office however, have stated that talks between the Mariners and Yanks have cooled in recent days because the Mariners have requested either OF Melky Cabrera or OF Brett Gardner to be included in the deal and the Yanks are unwilling to move either of them for a pitcher who is due to earn roughly $14 million between now and the end of 2009. The Yankees general manager Brain Cashman has this to say about the current trade market, “It’s all cold right now;anyone who thinks they’re on something hot, I would check your source, because they’re lying to you. But things can change and you’re only a phone call away.”I’m sure that within the next two days the trade market will get much, much hotter as teams make the push towards the playoffs or set their eyes towards the future.

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Chacon on Waiver Wire After Altercation with GM

Jun 27

Posted by admin in Altercation, Baseball, Ed Wade, Fight, General Manager, MLB, Pro Sports, Shawn Chacon, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Sports Tragedy, Uncategorized, bud selig, houston Astros, online sports community, waiver wire | No Comments

(Former Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon looking disgruntled on the mound)

We’ve all heard of players fighting players in the clubhouse or sometimes even in the dugout, but a player taking on a general manager? Now that is something I bet most of us have never in our wildest dreams thought would happen. Well, leave it up to former Astros Pitcher Shawn Chacon to turn our dreams into reality.

Chacon was released by the Astros Thursday, a day after him and the teams General Manager Ed Wade engaged in a physical altercation in the teams dining room.

Chacon has been disgruntled for quite some time, but seriously I don’t think this is the best way to go about expressing your frustration with the team. Getting into a shoving match with a GM is pretty much ensuring a one way ticket to the waiver wire, and though some team who is desperate for pitching support will most likely pluck Chacon off the wire, you have to wonder about a player who would take things this far.

Chacon is another example of a pampered player who refuses to buy into a team philosophy and puts himself above all else. His frustrations began when he was removed from the starting rotation after going 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 starts and 85 2-3 innings for Houston this year. The right-hander set a major league record for a starting pitcher with nine straight no-decisions to open the season. On one hand I guess I can understand Chacon’s frustration, I mean no one wants to set that type of major league record, but it’s not like this guys was pitching lights out and just getting bad breaks.

Chacon was repeadetly asked by the clubs Manager Cecil Cooper to sit down for a meeting to discuss media reports that he wanted to be traded after being bumped from the rotation. Chacon refused to meet with Cooper and was said to have ignored requests from pitching coach Dewey Robinson in the past as well.

The situation came to a head when GM Ed Wade approaced Chacon in the teams dining hall. Wade told reporters that, “I did not raise my voice to the player, curse the player, I did not make any defamatory remarks toward the player. Chacon responded with profane and threatening remarks and got up from his seat. He moved in front of me until we were chest to chest and then he shoved me to the ground. When I attempted to get to my feet, he shoved me a second time. At this point players and coaches intervened.”

The scene seems like something you would see on a playground, not in a major league clubhouse.

The teams decision to release Chacon was supported by commisioner Bud Selig, but they could run into problems with the players union if Chacon is not picked up by another team and Houston terminates his contract for cause.

Chacon on the other hand is receiving support from former teammates in Houston and around the league. Houston Pitcher Roy Oswalt told reporters that he hopes the incident does not ruin Chacon’s career, “Hopefully he’ll get a chance with somebody else. I don’t know. You can’t really judge one person on one thing.” Derek Jeter also threw his support behind Chacon stating that he would vouch for the pitchers character if the Yankees wanted to bring him back to the team. “Chac’s a friend of mine,” Jeter said. “I see Chac in the off-season. I wouldn’t have a problem with him. I think people need to find out all the details. Yeah, it doesn’t look good, doesn’t sound good, but I don’t know what happened. I can’t picture it happening, knowing him like I know him.”

We’ll have to wait and see if some team will take the risk on Chacon, he has until Monday to clear waivers. If no one does then it could be that Chacon’s career in the major leagues is over and maybe for good cause. In my opinion Chacon doesn’t have the talent to warrant such high risk character issues. What team in their right mind wants to see their GM end up on the DL?

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