The New York Yankees probably won’t be counting on Bartolo Colon this season.

Bartolo Colon of New York Yankees forgot that pinstripes can make you look fat.

From The Sporting News

What could be clear soon: Bartolo Colon is not the answer at No. 5. His numbers were not that bad in his first outing—one run, two hits, two innings against the Phillies on Saturday. What doesn’t look so hot is Colon’s physique. Never svelte, he admitted to being 25 pounds overweight when he reported. Apparently he did more than rehab when sitting out the 2010 season.

Another candidate, Freddy Garcia, is scheduled for his first start on Thursday.

What has impressed early are the Yankees’ youngsters—22-year-old Dellin Betances and 19-year-old Manny Banuelos. Betances’ fastball was timed at 97 mph on Sunday, according to mlb.com, and Banuelos, a lefty, was throwing 93 on Monday.

Original Photo Yahoo

The St. Louis Cardinals are in a tough spot after losing Adam Wainwright.

The St. Louis Cardinals look like they are going to have some holes this year.

From columbiatribune.com

A month before the season opener, the St. Louis Cardinals have reached a fork in a well-traveled road.Adam Wainwright will require ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow, with the procedure scheduled for Monday. Standard recovery from such surgery lasts 12 to 15 months.

“Not to be melodramatic, but you’re losing an ace,” Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said during a briefing at Roger Dean Stadium. “It’s not something you can just replace overnight. Some different people are going to have to step up.”

Original Photo baseball-wallpapers.net

Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers was arrested for DUI.

The Detroit Tigers are not happy with Miguel Cabrera.

From The Detroit Free Press

He was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail at 12:20 a.m. today and released at 7:45 a.m., after posting $1,350 bond, according to information provided by Mark Weinberg from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was arrested in Florida on Wednesday night, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and two counts of resisting an officer without violence.

Original Photos zimbio, webshots.com

The New York Mets are looking for a minority partner.

The New York Mets logo may be changed to reflect the fallout from the Madoff scandal.

From The NY Post

But with the possibility the Mets may be on the hook for as much as $1 billion to settle the lawsuit — which claims the Mets profited from the Madoff scam — a major league executive told The Post yesterday the Wilpon family ultimately might surrender close to 50 percent of the team. The executive said he could not envision the Wilpons selling the club outright.

Original Photo prorumors.com

The Texas Rangers are making an all out effort to stop Cliff Lee from heading to the  NY Yankees.

Some people are acting like Cliff Lee is already a member of the New York Yankees.

From The Sporting News

The Yankees reportedly have a seven-year offer worth approximately $160 million on the table for Lee. That offer is believed to be more lucrative in terms of dollars and years than the Rangers’ offer, which was made in person to Lee in his hometown of Little Rock, Ark., on Thursday.

SI.com reports one of the Rangers’ offers includes an option for a seventh year. However, there is no guaranteed seventh year from Texas.

Yankees general partner/co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner spoke to The Associated Press on Friday and expressed confidence in his team’s offer.

“For somebody of that stature, it would certainly behoove him to be a Yankee,” Steinbrenner said. “Everything is progressing. We made the offer. It’s a very good offer, and we certainly hope he takes it.”

The details of the Rangers’ offer aren’t clear, as team CEO Chuck Greenberg said only that his group included a “menu of offers.”

Original Photo Daylife

Felix Hernandez won the AL Cy Young award last week.

Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners won the 2010 Cy Young award. Sadly, when he read the news of his win, his eyes popped out of his head in disbelief and he may never pitch again.

From The Day.com

A pitcher with a 13-12 record just won the American League Cy Young Award. Pretty easily, too. Which is another example why my tombstone will read, “here likes poor Mikey D. He just didn’t understand.”

Like how some of these people who vote find their way to their bathrooms in the morning without a GPS.

True enough: Felix Hernandez was the league leader with a 2.27 earned run average and 232 strikeouts. He played for a team that scored fewer runs per game than any team since the American League went to the designated hitter. OK. So no one’s denying that Hernandez should have been a contender.

But strict adherence to numbers, as well as a casual dismissal of context, results in a giant swing and a miss here.

Original Photo Yahoo

Derek Jeter will probably remain with the New York Yankees, but Twinkietown had some fun speculating about what it would take for him to join the Minnesota Twins.

Would Derek Jeter enjoy life on the Minnesota Twins?

From twinkietown.com

February 11, 2011

In a move that shocks the baseball world, the Minnesota Twins sign Derek Jeter to a one-year contract worth $18 million plus performance incentives.

As Twins bloggers and number crunchers tear their clothes off in bewilderment, the mainstream media is a cross section between praising the organization and questioning how they can commit that kind of money to a single player when those funds could have been used earlier in the season to shore up so many other holes.  Local beat writers defend the decision, saying the unique circumstances and other trades allowed them to jump at this one-time, one-year opportunity.

Original Photos Yahoo, Foxmonster

The San Francisco Giants have won the 2010 World Series.

San Francisco looks different now that the Giants have won the 2010 World Series.

From The NY Times

Their fans have shivered through frigid June evenings and wept over October heartbreak, those soul-crushing years of 1962 and 1989 and 2002, watching as seemingly everyone else has sipped celebratory Champagne. Now it is their turn.

What the Say Hey Kid and Will the Thrill and the Bondses could not do, Edgar Renteria and Tim Lincecum could. They made San Francisco cry with joy, and the city by the Bay may as well turn to rubble now that their beloved Giants are champions of baseball.

Original Photos merlionandthebay, bleacherreport

The San Francisco Giants kicked the crap out of the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the 2010 World Series.

Brian Wilson and the rest of the San Francisco Giants pitching staff have been punching out a lot of Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series.

From SFGate

The Giants are dominating a Series that moves to Texas for Games 3, 4 and (if necessary) 5. Now, the players’ challenge is striking the proper balance between the swagger that they’ll carry onto the plane and the overconfidence that could destroy them.

Each of the last seven teams to start a World Series with two wins, and 13 of the last 14, later celebrated a championship. But as they say in those investment ads, past returns do not guarantee future success.

Original Photos Yahoo, Yahoo, photobucket

The Texas Rangers are milking their Claw and Antlers gimmick on the eve of Game 1 of the 2010 World Series.

Tommy Hunter of the Texas Rangers has his antlers on.

From star-telegram.com

It’s amazing,” Rangers center fielder Julio Borbon said. “It’s so big for us as far as our team chemistry just being able to enjoy being around each other and supporting each other.”

What started out as an in-house gesture among players has quickly morphed into the latest and quirkiest calling card in the league, a spot some would say has been held down by Anaheim’s jumping monkey since its appearance in the 2002 World Series.

Should a Texas player do something positive offensively he’ll acknowledge his feat with a “claw,” fingers slightly curled with his arm extended in a rising swoop. The “antlers” — hold both hands open above the ears to imitate a deer — come about after something speed-related.

“Because when a deer gets going that’s what you look like when you run all the way from first to third and then beat out a throw at the plate,” Borbon said.

Original Photos Yahoo, buckmanager

The San Francisco Giants say that the Philadelphia Phillies have not seen the last of Tim Lincecum.

Tim Lincecum might look like Marylin Manson to most people, but to San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, he looks like a reliever for Game 6.

From MSNBC

Lincecum said the same about his availability, noting that Saturday will be his normal “bullpen day” and he could skip that with an eye toward throwing an inning or two in Game 6. Roy Halladay presumably wouldn’t be available to do the same because of his groin injury.

In four seasons Lincecum has made just one career appearance as a reliever and that came on April 2, 2008 when the Giants avoided starting him because of a likely rain delay.

Original Photos Yahoo, purepeople

Millions of Cabelvision subscribers were deprived of viewing Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday.

Cablevision got Cablevicious with News Corp and shut out millions of viewers in the process.

From Politico

The loss of Fox channels for roughly 3 million Cablevision subscribers in the New York area this weekend isn’t just raising alarms among sports fans, who could miss baseball playoff and football games. It’s piquing interest on Capitol Hill too.

A slew of lawmakers have castigated both sides for failing to settle amicably how much Fox can charge Cablevision to carry its signal. Even as the two companies continue work on a new agreement, which could still arrive this weekend, some members of Congress are frustrated their voters are caught in the stalemate and now without access to Fox programming.

Original Photo advanceyouradvertising

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox retired after the Braves were eliminated.

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has retired as manager, and is playing hard to get with the makers of the Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2 remake.

From Fanhouse

Cox promised that this season would be his last, and enjoyed a farewell tour around the big leagues, with teams honoring him at every stop.

“It doesn’t feel like the last time I’m putting it on, but it certainly is,” Cox said of his uniform, his voice cracking. “I won’t put it on again.”

“I’m proud of this team,” he continued. “They played their hearts out and I’ll miss them.”

Original Photos Yahoo, hauntedventures.com

The New York Yankees eliminated the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees toasted the Minnesota Twins to advance to AL Championship Series.

From The NY Daily News

Phil Hughes was brilliant in his first career postseason start, shutting Minnesota out over seven innings of four-hit ball. Hughes walked one and struck out six, helping finish off the Bombers’ second consecutive three-game division series sweep of the Twins.

The Yankees will take the next five days off, as the ALCS will start Friday night in either Texas or St. Petersburg. The Rays staved off elimination Saturday night with a win over the Rangers, forcing a Game 4 Sunday in Arlington.

Original Photos Yahoo, lovetoknow.com

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum dominated the Braves in game 1.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants scalped the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.

From The NY Times

On Wednesday evening, Roy Halladay became an answer to two trivia questions (“Name the only pitchers to throw postseason no-hitters” and “Name the only pitchers to throw two no-hitters in the same season”), and pictures of his triumph were splashed across front pages nationwide. On Thursday night, Tim Lincecum had a strong outing that got him a nice applause from the fans in San Francisco. Yet Lincecum’s performance was actually both more impressive and more valuable than Halladay’s.

Original Photo Yahoo

The San Francisco Giants have won the NL West, and Buster Posey helped.

After being stuck in an 0-12 slump, Buster Posey came back from dead to help the San Francisco Giants win the National League West.

From MLB.com

Since his arrival on May 29, the business-like 23-year-old Posey has rarely even cracked a smile on the field, let alone unleash the excitement he displayed Sunday.

In the top of the ninth when closer Brian Wilson struck out San Diego’s Will Venable, Posey leaped out of his crouch behind home plate, sprinted to the mound and jumped in Wilson’s arms.

Usually, it’s the pitcher who jumps in the catcher’s arms in a postgame celebration. But when you’re Posey, a leading National League Rookie of the Year candidate after hitting .305 with 18 homers and 67 RBIs, you’re allowed to do things a little differently.

In the eighth inning, with the Giants up, 2-0, Posey hit his 18th home run to give the Giants added cushion, breaking an 0-for-12 skid.

“He’s been hitting a lot of balls hard and he finally got a hold of one where they couldn’t catch it,” first baseman Aubrey Huff said.

Original Photos Yahoo, dsphotographic

The Cincinnati Reds are heading to the postseason for the 1st time in 15 years.

Jonny Gomes channels his inner Kenny Powers as he celebrates the Cincinnati Reds 1st trip to the postseason since 1995

From CBS News

Cincinnati captured the NL Central crown in dramatic fashion, with a Jay Bruce homer in the bottom of the ninth lifting them to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros. It’s the Reds first division title since 1995.

It was a fitting finish to the unexpected championship drive. Cincinnati has won 22 games in its last at-bat. That’s second-most in the majors.

With the title, Dusty Baker joins Bill McKechnie as the only managers to lead three different NL teams to the playoffs. Baker also has made it with the Giants and Cubs.

Original Photos Yahoo, thesocietypages, kaboodle

The Texas Rangers seem to be doing everything in their power to shoot themselves in the foot.

The Texas Rangers have been playing like dog crap lately.

From The Star – Telegram

With the loss, the Rangers’ magic number to clinch the West remained at four and their lead was trimmed to seven games with 10 to play.

While Lee (12-9) wasn’t as sharp as he has been in his last two starts, he would have had to match Braden’s gem to give the Rangers a chance as the offense was almost nonexistent.

That’s been a recurring theme lately.

The Rangers have scored just 14 games on their current 2-5 road trip, with just two of those coming in the last three games. Before Thursday, the fewest hits the Rangers had had in a game this season was three.

“It’s just very bad timing,” said Texas outfielder David Murphy, who went 0 for 3. “We’ve gone through some offensive struggles this season. It’s just happening now at a very inopportune time.”

Original Photos Yahoo, entertainmentwallpaper

Outgoing LA Dodgers manager Joe Torre is flirting with the NY Mets.

Joe Torre is wondering how life might be as manager of the NY Mets.

From NBC Sports

Dodgers manager Joe Torre told ESPNNewYork.com that he would listen if the Mets came calling this winter.

“Oh there’s no question,” Torre said Monday at Yankee Stadium. “That’s why I didn’t shut the door.” It’s an intriguing possibility, but Torre’s asking price is likely to be too high and the Mets aren’t in position to be a contender as currently constructed. Frankly, it’s surprising Torre even commented on the scenario, considering that Jerry Manuel is still in the manager’s chair.

Source: Ian O’Connor on Twitter

Original Photos DayLife, capstoreonline

Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees is being called a cheater and an actor.

Derek Jeter shows off his Oscar after winning the Academy Award For Best Actor during the New York Yankees game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

From Fox News

Jeter, who stood doubled over while receiving attention from a trainer, confessed that the ball hit the end of his bat and he sold the call to Barksdale with a good acting job.

”He told me to go to first base. I’m not going to tell him I’m not going to first, you know,” Jeter said.

”It’s part of the game. My job is to get on base. Fortunately for us it paid off at the time, but I’m sure it would have been a bigger story if we would have won that game”

Original Photos Yahoo, silverscreensurroundings

The San Francisco Giants might not actually hate kids, but they did injure two of them.

Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants taunts the children in the crowd by destroying a teddy bear moments before he threw his bat into the stands. Posey later commandeered the stadium PA system to announce that Santa Claus has AIDS.

From SFWeekly

In the fourth frame of last night’s 2-0, extra-inning Giants win, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey’s bat sailed out of his hands and hit a 13-year-old fan in the forehead. The boy as removed from the stadium on a stretcher and outfitted with a neck brace — though he did flash the crowd a thumbs-up. The boy’s hospitalization was described as a precautionary measure. Needless to say, not all bat-in-the-stands events end so well.

One inning later, third baseman Pablo Sandoval sent a foul ball off another kid’s forehead — this time a 2-year-old in the upper deck.

Original Photos DayLife, thewoodenwagon

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

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is still stuck at 599 home runs.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has had a monkey on his back since getting stuck at 599 career home runs.

From The NY Times

Rodriguez banged his bat against the dirt, as if he had missed a pitch he felt he should have clobbered.

“I think the thing to remember is that when I hit this, nothing’s going to change,” Rodriguez said. “We’re in the middle of a pennant race, and we’re just trying to play good baseball.”

Since hitting No. 599 last Thursday at Yankee Stadium, a span of 30 at-bats and 34 plate appearances, Rodriguez has rarely shown any frustration.

Original Photos Yahoo, talismancoins