Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals might be closing in on a Triple Crown.

Albert Pujols of the St Louis Cardinals has replaced his traditional batting gloves with oven mitts made of asbestos due to his red hot bat.

From American Chronicle

An unusual season has brought Albert Pujols to an unusual place. After enduring a harsh May, he enters September on a path that may secure the league lead in batting average, RBIs and home runs: the Triple Crown.

“I’m reluctant to even address it,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “It’s certainly significant, but you don’t want to put emphasis on anything that detracts from our team goal. There’s a lot that potentially goes with it.”

“It’s not what I play for,” Pujols said Saturday. “It’s what I’ve told you all along. Numbers aren’t what I play for.”

Original Photos Yahoo, flickr, letsbuyit

Bernie Madoff may have doomed the New York Mets.

In an effort to cut costs, the NY Mets now have Jerry Manuel perform double duties as manager/stadium organ player.

From ESPN

Even discounting any losses by the team’s owners related to swindler Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, attendance has steeply dropped this season. That may be more attributable to a predictable drop in attendance in the second season in a new ballpark than any disappointment about the decline of the team, but it is the same revenue hit regardless of the cause.

The Mets drew 3,168,571 fans last season, in Year 1 at Citi Field. This season, the total is 1,921,259, with 23 home dates remaining. That’s on pace for a 14.9 percent attendance decline.

Original Photos Yahoo, retrothing

Looks like Manny Ramirez is taking his dreadlocks to Chicago.

Manny Ramirez seems to be on his way to the Chicago White Sox.

From Yahoo Sports/Roto Arcade

According to multiple reports, the Dodgers have agreed to send Manny Ramirez(notes) to the White Sox in exchange for … well, for the right to not pay him $4.3 million. Not a bad exchange for a fourth-place team that’s 10 games back in the standings.

The fantasy spin here is easy: Everyone wins, except for the stiffs who’ve served as designated hitters for Chicago. The White Sox have upgraded a lineup spot that’s been an absolute sinkhole for them all season.

Manny will presumably be the full-time DH in one of baseball’s most homer-friendly environments. (Though not when his calf aches, or when he’s feeling claustrophobic, or when he’s sleepy, or when it’s a day game following a night game).

Original Photos reuters, men-access

Roger Clemens is not too popular with some folks.

Roger Clemens swore to tell the truth when he testified before Congress in 2008.

From The Big Lead

Clemens was not called to testify. He called himself. He did not misrepresent the truth facing circumstantial evidence. He blatantly lied in a lame attempt to contradict overwhelming evidence. His own personal trainer testified he injected him. His wife took HGH. He had notable performance spikes and incidents of rage. His career was over at the time. His money was made. Barry Bonds became embroiled in a controversy. Roger Clemens created a farce that will cost taxpayers millions.

Original Photos Daylife, flippinghomes

Former MLB player Roger Clemens is facing charges that he lied to Congress.

The new Yankees logo may incorporate syringes to be more representative of their core players.

From Yahoo Sports

Clemens’ all-hat, no-conscience Texas attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Thursday he would fight to the end (Clemens’, not his) against the perjury charges for his client, which is what he’s paid to do. There’s no telling what a jury might find, as the government’s chief corroborator – former trainer Brian McNamee – is no shining model of fair play himself.

Clemens took to Twitter to defend himself: ”I never took HGH or Steroids. And I did not lie to Congress. I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court.”

Original Photos standupforamerica, photobucket

Francisco Rodriguez returns to the New York Mets in time for Saturday’s game against the Phillies.

Francisco Rodriguez of the NY Mets shows off his favorite pair of brass knuckles.

From ESPN

Closer Francisco Rodriguez will return to the New York Mets on Saturday, after being suspended for two games by the organization for allegedly striking his girlfriend’s father in the face near the family room at Citi Field.

Rodriguez, who was arraigned Thursday at Queens Criminal Court on a third-degree assault and second-degree harassment charges, spoke with general manager Omar Minaya after his release from police custody that afternoon.

“It’s not acceptable,” Minaya said Friday, before the Mets opened a series against the Philadelphia Phillies. “He understands that. He admits that. He feels really bad, of course. He put not only himself, he put his teammates and the organization in a bad light.”

Original Photos zimbio, gizmodo

Buck Showalter has seemingly fixed the Baltimore Orioles overnight.

Buck Showalter is a manager who knows how to pick a winner, and he's in the process of turning around the Baltimore Orioles.

From The Baltimore Sun

That might be the whole story, but the office decor is so consistent with Showalter’s reputation as a detail guy that — intentionally or not — it has to send a message to every player who walks past: If you’re not with the program, there’s probably someone on that board who would love the opportunity to take your place.

Though Showalter has worked hard to play down the whole new-sheriff-in-town concept, it’s fairly obvious that the Orioles already are a different team than the one that interim manager Juan Samuel handed over to him Monday.

The on-field results speak for themselves, even if it’s far too early to draw any real conclusions from the small number of games he has managed so far.

Original Photo  Yahoo

Alex Rodriguez of the NY Yankees finally hit the 600th home run of his career.

After New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th HR, he took the time to thank all of those responsible for aiding his career.

From The NY Times

But on Wednesday afternoon, in his 47th at-bat since No. 599, Rodriguez crushed a ball toward deep center and jogged toward first base with his hands outstretched, his palms up. It is the universal body language for “What did I do?” but Rodriguez knew exactly what he had just done. His chase was finally over.

On the third anniversary of his 500th homer, Rodriguez reached his latest milestone in the first inning of the Yankees’ 5-1 victory over Toronto, connecting for a two-run blast off Shaun Marcum that landed in Monument Park, where the ball was retrieved by a security guard.

Original Photos Yahoo, natureschoicealoe