Christian Petersen - Getty Images
Ryan Braun smiles during Game Four of the National League Championship Series on October 13, 2011 in St Louis. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
We all know the biggest - and saddest - news of the day. Hall of Fame catcher, and passionate lover of the game, Gary Carter passed away yesterday at 57. Our sincerest condolences go out to those who loved him.
- Ryan Braun's appeal of a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance was expected to be resolved this week, before the time Braun would report to Brewers' Spring camp. But now, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan, that may not happen. The delay ever-so-slightly suggests a complex appeal extending beyond the normal "I didn't know what I was taking" or "the test was flawed" excuses (the former of which is not a real defense, and the latter of which is exceedingly hard to prove). Further, the Brewers might have to open their camp not knowing whether they're going to have Braun for the first 50 games of the season or not.
Tony La Russa is joining the Detroit Tigers for Spring Training in a non-uniform, non-official capacity. Crazy - I'll be joining the Cubs for Spring Training in a non-uniform, non-official capacity. I guess La Russa will probably have a better seat, and will eat fewer hot dogs.
The Baltimore Orioles created a bit of an international incident when they signed Korean teenager Seong-Min Kim to a $550k contract without following the proper protocols (namely, informing MLB if their intentions, and having MLB then inform the Korean Baseball Organization). Now it looks like the contract will be voided by MLB, and the Orioles could face additional punishment. Their scouts have already been banned from the country. Of course, if you were judging based on the Orioles' performance in the last decade, you'd think their scouts had already been banned from Korea ... and the DR ... and the United States.
The Tampa Bay Rays have picked up a new mascot: a giant cat, dressed like a DJ. Dubbed "DJ Kitty," the mascot started as a scoreboard gimmick, and has evolved into a fully-formed excitement-provider. All other teams are jealous.
Josh Hamilton will escape any discipline from MLB for his recent, public relapse with alcohol. Instead, Hamilton will continue to get support from the Texas Rangers as he battles his problems with addiction, and the Rangers, for their part, will continue to face a difficult decision as Hamilton approaches free agency.
ESPNW's Amanda Rykoff offers a handy primer on a number of sabermetric stats.
Brett Taylor is a Contributor at Bleed Cubbie Blue, and is the Lead Writer at Bleacher Nation.
All other teams are jealous???
I hope not.
eths - February 17, 2012
If you don't want a gigantic cat
Spinning records at the ballpark … well, I just don’t know what to say.
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
Really. Who wouldn't want something like this?
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
and for those saturday late night games, this one steps in...
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
To compete...
…I bet the Marlins pony up for that Deadmau5 guy.
daver - February 17, 2012
Surprised thread did not get to this
Emelie - February 17, 2012
Was looking for this
as I scrolled down.
McCutchenIsTheTruth - February 18, 2012
what does a dj cat have to do rays?
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
What does a Monkey have to do with Angels?
jameslcrockett - February 18, 2012
It's DJ KITTY!!!! Not cat!
SandalsNoPants - February 18, 2012
Oh, man...that looks like one of our cats.
I’ll have to show my daughter.
daver - February 17, 2012
It must cost you a fortune to feed it.
Where do you find a litter box for a cat that size?
katie casey - February 17, 2012
Our entire basement is a sandbox.
daver - February 17, 2012
Oh god the smell......
unretrofied93 - February 17, 2012
I know a guy that actually does have that
children’s swimming pools full of litter. He has 30 f’ing cats. Yet says he’s not a hoarder.
PacificCub - February 17, 2012
Damn.
He’s definitely a hoarder. That’s scary.
daver - February 21, 2012
That is definitely the cat's pajamas.
#1 iowan cubs fan - February 17, 2012
YES!
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
But has he been on 30 Rock
like Mr. Met was last night? Or the Phillie Phanatic a few weeks earlier?
Josh Timmers - February 17, 2012
Oh, I'm sure he will be.
Just you wait.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
I'm surprised at you.
I would have thought you’d like that sort of thing.
katie casey - February 17, 2012
That is
terrifying.
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
There is a time and place for everything.
eths - February 17, 2012
...
Clutch16 - February 19, 2012
That gets more disturbing every time I see it.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
And yet
I still can’t stop scrolling back up to look at it again.
JohnFG - February 17, 2012
I'll
bet the things name is Joker.
wild bill - February 17, 2012
I guess the Ryan Braun
appeal will be decided in the same quick fashion that the Theo compensation debacle is being done. You would think that this would be done before pitchers catchers report.
Interesting about LaRussa. Just can’t stay away I guess. Probably a buddy thing with him and Leyland.
Grockcubs - February 17, 2012
Well
… except the Braun thing is being decided by an arbitrator, who has a specific deadline.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
Who goes with the Theo thing
it’s not a major item that will have something to do with how many wins the Cubs will have this year.
Braun that is 100% of the case. I’d be really really nervous if I was the Brewers and ST opens and you don’t know.
Or is it that the Brewers already realize appeals are batting .000 and have already started to plan around that?
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
It probably doesn't matter.
Braun reports to ST either way. I think he’s allowed to participate in ST games even if he’s suspended for the regular season. So he either is or isn’t; it doesn’t affect his preparation.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
Wouldn't it affect the Brewer's preparation though?
katie casey - February 17, 2012
Well
… sure, they have to have someone available to replace Braun if he’s out for 50 games. But that’s no different than having someone available in case someone misses that much time on the DL.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
but he's an MVP not just some player who goes on the DL
So I think it would have to have something to do with the Brewers prep for the year.
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
It's the yeast he can do
sorry – a little brewer humor there…
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
Don't foam-ent a riot here.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
Too late - and it's only going to get wort.
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
I can't take this any lager.
katie casey - February 17, 2012
I wish Ale Yellon wouldn't encourage this behavior.
daver - February 17, 2012
time to get visual...
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
With all those hops he can barley make a play on the ball
El Borto - February 17, 2012
And then he just taps out to the pitcher when he bats.
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
Oh you guys
you’re just pouring it on perfectly
PacificCub - February 17, 2012
better get another pitcher
this one’s empty
VegasCubFan - February 18, 2012
He'd probably just be a former Brewer.
Al Yellon - February 18, 2012
I saw Soriano today
I had jury duty at Cook County Circuit Court. I sat on a jury and we found Soriano guilty of unacceptable laziness for turning doubles into singles because he stood at the plate and thought they were home runs.
Dale Sveum was the judge. Tony Campana was the prosecutor. Mike Quade was a witness for the defense and did not help Soriano’s case.
RiskyBusiness - February 17, 2012
Dang, what exactly did you eat before going to bed?
daver - February 21, 2012
LaRussa helping the Tigers? I'd love to have seen the look on Reinsdorf's face when he found out...
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
That photo of Braun is really creeping me out.
Can’t wait til it’s off the home page.
katie casey - February 17, 2012
"Hey
how you doin’?"
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
Reminds me of Christian Wulff in Germany - I could barely wait for him to go.
eths - February 17, 2012
Wer ist Cristian Wulff?
und warum sieht er nicht so ziemlich aus?
section229beer - February 17, 2012
German president - He resigned about 5 hours ago
eths - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
me either those bug eyes of his really bother me
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
those eyes
those staring eyes.
drewishdrewid - February 17, 2012
happy to hear it also bothers a guy
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
And why would MLB discipline for Josh Hamilton even be a possibility - did he do anything illegal?
Obviously him having a few drinks is a huge no-no given his personal circumstances, but shouldn’t that be between him and the Rangers? I haven’t read everything about the incident, but I don’t recall seeing anything about him being publicly intoxicated, driving under the influence, drunk and disorderly, etc.
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
I thought the same thing. Like you said it's only something between him and the team.
mikeschieve - February 17, 2012
Because
…it affects the MLB’s putrid marketing strategy.
If course they can’t discipline him. They only wish they could.
I am so fucking tired of hearing about this guy. The MLB, and ESPN and FOX, even more than the Rangers, have been putting out press releases about this character every single week for three years. “Hamilton tweaks groin.” “Rangers continue winning despite Hamilton’s tender groin.” “Hamilton sprains tattoo…”
Why? He’s a reformed badboy. Talks religion. But most of all he’s “rad” and he has a bunch of tattoos.
Isn’t raw talent interesting enough? I’d much rather read about what Justin Verlander or someone who genuinely deserves the attention.
KO Stradivarius - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Well You should be happy Jeremy Lin has made the news
He is the only thing on the news besides politics and Whitney’s overdose.
lshaffer_69 - February 17, 2012
Oh, yeah!
If it’s happening in New York, it’s like 90 times more important than anything else.
It makes me wonder what the latest news is about Joba Chamberlain!!! Will he get a chance to start this year?! Is he the closer of the future?!! Is he a wonderful clubhouse presence??!!!!
ESPN!!! PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT JOBA!!!!!!!
KO Stradivarius - February 17, 2012
I find the Lin story interesting
I don’t even like the NBA. But we also don’t have cable/ dish etc So I am spared ESPN, MLB etc.
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
check out your local ABC station on Sunday at noon CT
Dallas Mavericks vs NY Knicks. Pregame show starts at 11:30; Not promising anything but it’s possible they might – just might, mind you – have a something about Lin…
Or you can switch over to NBC and watch the NHL – StL Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks. Or switch over to CBS and Zeke’s Spartans go down in flames to the Boilermakers.
Still not your speed? Ok, switch over to Fox and get your fill of NASCAR. Sunday! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
Purdue kicked two of their players off their team
Guessing MSU will win.
Out of that list the only one I like is college hoops. But I bet ABC will get some good ratings for that game.
Madison Cub Fan - February 18, 2012
And the only Boiler I like is Robbie Hummel
Purdue can now go back to being Indiana’s other team. I dislike the NBA but the Lin story is interesting.
cub in louies nest - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Wasn't there some sort of deal he had to agree to when he came back to MLB?
shoemile - February 17, 2012
In other news on mascots
The Cardinals unveiled a new mascot, Rico the Rally Squirrel.
unretrofied93 - February 17, 2012
...
Al Yellon - February 17, 2012
Wow, Never thought I'd see Kyon on this forum :)
Stan Cox - February 17, 2012
I always thought
the Cards’ mascot is an overweight white guy with a red Cardinals shirt tucked into his giant shorts, a cell phone holster on his belt and high tube socks accenting his chubby calves. It must be the mascot because every time the Cards come to town I see hundreds of their fans matching this description.
The mascot must also do a hilarious public urination bit down in St. Louis because these guys never seem to get tired of doing it when they’re up here in Chicago. Must be a tie-in to Budweiser.
the nth - February 17, 2012
Wait...
why would Hamilton be disciplined by MLB? Under what grounds? I realize that he’s NOT being disciplined, but I never even considered that it was a possibility. Is it against some rule to go out and drink beers? If so, Randy Wells would’ve been banned from the game years ago.
kanderber - February 17, 2012
And what about Wade Boggs?
Of course, this was an urban legend.
Ace Venom - February 17, 2012
Good Lord!
If true, the Boston/LA flight is typically around 6 Hours, roughly 10 beers an hour…..c’mon. I’d believe it if it were Wade Boggs ate 64 chickens on a flight.
unretrofied93 - February 17, 2012
was this picture on the internet after showing up on ESPN
then it MUST be true. the interwebz would never lie
VegasCubFan - February 18, 2012
hahaha
this i great.
McCutchenIsTheTruth - February 18, 2012
There are no grounds for discipline...
The glib assumption made by the writer that official punishment may be warranted either reflects his own prejudices or those of MLB official(s) and sports media who have kept this non-story alive for more than two weeks.
ernaga - February 17, 2012
MLB's Substance-Abuse Panel
Has the authority to issue formal punishment with respect to players who have ongoing substance-abuse issues. We don’t know the conditions of Hamilton’s right to play in MLB, so I don’t think we can say punishment was ever possible (or not possible).
All we know for certain is that, in this instance, with respect to Hamilton, specifically, no punishment is forthcoming. Not sure there’s a moralistic judgment in reporting that mere fact.
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
no moralist judgment
needed to be mentioned that no action is being taken by MLB, it just sounds odd when you read it.
T.P. Grant - February 17, 2012
And Blake DeWitt
has cleared waivers and is still a Cub.
Josh Timmers - February 17, 2012
Whew. That's a relief.
Rick B - February 17, 2012
Does DeWitt have the option of declining and becoming a free agent?
davidalanu - February 17, 2012
I don't believe
He has yet been outrighted in his career (correct me if I’m wrong, anyone), so he would not have that option. Next time, he would.
Brett Taylor - February 17, 2012
Kind of puts DeWitt's "value" into stark relief.
D98 - February 17, 2012
This comes as a shock to everyone on BCB :)
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
is that worse than long relief?
ballhawk - February 17, 2012
Wow, how does Russ Canzler get claimed and not DeWitt?
SandalsNoPants - February 18, 2012
DeWitt has a million dollar contract.
Canzler is major league minimum or close to it.
rlpete - February 18, 2012
ah
that’ll do it.
SandalsNoPants - February 18, 2012
So Tony Larussa works for an AL team and is going to manage the NL team for the All star game
I didn’t like it in the first place but now this is just ridiculous. So let me guess Bud is going to let him do both.
lshaffer_69 - February 17, 2012
I hope Braun gets banned for 162 games.
dtpollitt - February 17, 2012
and is forced to get ocular reconstructive surgery
jesus christos - February 17, 2012
I'd stay with 50 or maybe even 25
is forced to get ocular reconstructive surgery
Madison Cub Fan - February 17, 2012
That La Russa bullet is weird
would love to know more…
Emelie - February 17, 2012
Happy Pitchers and Catchers Day!
Just heard two big flocks of geese honking like crazy overhead and found some snowbells growing in our garden. Spring is on it’s way!
katie casey - February 18, 2012
YES!
McCutchenIsTheTruth - February 18, 2012
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