I have seen the future and it is . . . tacky. ESPN’s Uni Watch remembers a dark moment in MLB history when, in 1999, 20 teams -- over the course of 14 games -- allowed their players to look like idiots. Because we should always try to learn from our mistakes, its worth a look.
The Mets's 10-game win streak ended Friday when they were defeated by the Reds, 5-2. Cincinnati scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning off of John Maine to stretch the game to the eventual winning score. Meanwhile, in Tampa Bay, the Rays inched by the Blue Jays, thanks in large part to a strong outing from James Shields. Shields lasted seven innings and picked up the win over A.J. Burnett, who's quality start in Toronto's 2-1 loss figures to only add fuel to the ongoing trade talks.
According to the Boston Globe, Manny Ramirez was fined a six figure amount last month for pushing Jack McCormick, the team's traveling secretary. The incident sprouted when McCormick was unable to acquire 16 tickets for one of the Red Sox games' with Houston. More interestingly, however, is Globe's report says that a retaliation in New York could have also added to the amount of the All-Star's fine.
The Mets extended their winning streak to 10 Thursday night in exciting fashion - scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Reds 10-8. The win, highlighted by David Wright's two-run home run of of Francisco Cordero in the final inning, tied New York for first in the NL East with the Phillies. It also marked the franchise's longest win streak since 1991.
ESPN's Buster Onley reports that the Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton. In exchange for Blanton, the A's get second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matthew Spencer, all minor leaguers. John Sickels ranks the prospects #2, #3, and #14 in the Phillies organization , repectively.
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