Opening Day Excitement

Opening day has finally come and gone.  The weather could not have been better and the games likewise.  Sunday night the Red Sox come from behind on the strength of Kevin Youkilis’ three extra base hits and a solo shot from Dustin Pedroia to beat the hated Yankees.  Yesterday, Jason Heyward hits a long homerun on his first swing ever as a major league player and the Braves spanked the Cubs who tied an opening day record by allowing 16 runs.  Sir Albert Pujols hit not one but two opening day homeruns which puts him on pace for 324.  It could be a good season.  Roy Halladay pitched a gem in Philly as the reigning NL champs look to repeat.  Tim lincecum struck out 7 and gave up only 4 hits through 7 innings in a Giants 5-2 win over Houston.  Perhaps the play of the entire season has already occurred.  Mark Buerhle kicked a ball that was hit back at him, then chased it down as it careened toward the first base line between the pitcher’s mound and first.  He crosses the base path right in front of the baserunner and in one motion, scoops the ball with his glove and flicks it between his legs underhand to first to get the runner by about a half step.  WOW!  What does day two have in store?

Zito Plunks Fielder in Retaliation

Barry Zito decided that hitting Prince Fielder with a fastball in the back yesterday would teach him a lesson.  Fielder hit a walk-off homerun against the Giants in the playoffs last season and the team celebrated by falling like bowling pins when Fielder reached home plate.  There was no taunting or jestering in the direction of the mound or the Giants dugout.  But apparently celebrating a walk-off homerun in the playoffs is just unacceptable to the Giants.  This is one of the few opportunities when a professional ball player can enjoy the game.  This isn't tee-ball where everyone gets a trophy.  Let them enjoy the moment.  It was huge for him and his team.  Zito did all but cry na-na na-na na-na after drilling Fielder in the back on the first pitch of his first plate appearance.  In my opinion, there is a time for pitchers to ‘police’ the sport, but this definitely was not one of them.  Apparently, hitting a walk-off homerun in the playoffs is not a big event for the Giants.  Fielder handled the situation very well by tossing his bat back toward the dugout and even picking up and tossing the ball back toward Zito.  Given the choice of hitting a walk-off homerun in the playoffs and getting drilled the next year in Spring Training or losing the playoff game, I think I’ll take the walk-off every time.  The Brewers and Fielder obviously got the best of this deal but at least the Giants feelings aren’t still hurt.  My question:  Did Fielder even feel it?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100304&content_id=8676528&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

2010 Predictions: NL West

I look for Arizona to shake things up a little bit this year in the NL West.  After a disappointing 2009, winning only 70 games, the Diamondbacks traded for Ian Kennedy to help out their better than average starting three of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Edwin Jackson.  Also, the addition of Adam Laroche at first base gives the snakes a regular contributor to go along with go to guys Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton and Miguel Montero.  While these changes should bolster the Diamondbacks up the standings ahead of cellar-dwelling San Diego, fourth place San Francisco and the slightly older not any better Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers still look to finish atop the standings.  While the Dodgers didn’t seem to get any better this off-season, I can’t see them dropping off too much from their 95 wins of last season.  Sure, I think it will be a struggle to get to 90 this year, but I think it will be just enough to hold off the Diamondbacks who may just win the wild card.  While the Dodgers did send Juan Pierre to the White Sox, they still may have the best outfield in the majors with Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.  Although the Dodgers and Manny have announced that this will be his finally season in LA, Joe Torre and the boys in blue should be looking at another post season.