Nick Johnson, The Big Dipper

Christ on a cracker, John Harper, let it go. In today's Daily News, we get this nonsense:A new Job-a?Harper: At some point, the Yanks need Joba back in the 'pen to have any hope of winning a championship. Maybe Phil Hughes can help convince them.Think about that for a second: the absolutes. "The Yanks need Joba back in the 'pen to have any hope of winning a championship...

Game Summary The Mets (8-10) were unable to complete a sweep of the Washington Nationals (4-13) thanks to another dismal performance lefthander Olive Perez. Jordan Zimmermann stymied the Mets offense as they were literally handcuffed this afternoon and unable to mount any credible rally. Mets Pitching What can I say about Oliver Perez that you haven’t already heard? The voices [...]

Let me proclaim here and now, that this is a blog that must be read daily. Even when Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta is fired, HasMannyActaBeenFiredYet.com is one of the best blogs out of the Diamond City blogosphere. Not only do you find out if Acta has been fired, but you are offered scintillating analysis about [...]

Washington Nationals Statistically Speaking: StatSpeak World Famous Roundtable Posted 11 minutes ago at BBTF's Baseball Primer Newsblog With John Beamer, Eric Seidman and Pizza Cutter...

The House That Ruth built gives way to The House That Steinbrenner Built, and appropriately enough, the fan base that loves to watch home runs now gets to see plenty of them. Too many. And this time, it’s to the detriment of the team.

No, I don't mean Steven Jackson, who has been on the 25-man roster for over a week and has yet to pitch. This is bigger. According to ESPN (hat tip to SitH), the Yankees could use uber-prospect Austin Jackson in center field:A source with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking tells 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that Austin Jackson could be the Yankees' starting...

Mark Melancon's MLB debut: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K, 1 BB, 22 PT, 12 ST. Not bad; what I loved the most about his appearance was the way he shattered Ellsbury's bat. I like the way he attacks the zone and I'm hoping they keep giving him the ball and he keeps showing the form he displayed tonight. So obviously, I'm impressed with him.Girardi, however, has done some things...

Righetti stretches…. 1-2 pitch… swing and a well-hit ball to deep right…. this ball is a grand slam.  A grand slam home run Mickey Morandini and the Phillies have broken this game wide open.  -Harry Kalas Public Service Announcement:  Ok, here we go!  The mighty mighty Washington Nationals smashed five bombs last against the reigning champeen Philadelphia [...]

Cole Hamels just can't catch a break. In his first start since Prince Fielder hit a line drive off his shoulder, Hamels was cruising against the Nationals, pitching 4 and 1/3rd scoreless innings. Then, as luck would have it, Hamels was the victim of another freak injury when he rolled his ankle trying to field a bunt. The early word is that Hamels sprained his ankle but...

If you are looking for a preview to the next Mets-Marlins or Phillies-Nats series, you will not find it here. This is just my look at the NL east right now, hope you enjoy it! The Phillies have started to look good in the last week, they have swept the Florida Marlins in Florida and are now just a game-and-a-half away from the number one spot in the NL East. This article is not about...

Washington Nationals (4-14) at Philadelphia Phillies (10-8) John Lannan (0-2, 4.43 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (0-2, 9.69 ERA) Time: 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia. Weather: Mostly sunny, 83 TV: The Comcast Network Twitter: Phillies Nation A Prince Fielder line drive struck Cole Hamels Thursday, taking him out of what was becoming a very effective start. Though he had [...]

Syracuse pummeled Buffalo 7-1 last night, second straight win over Buffalo. The Chiefs held Buffalo to just 2 hits. Marco Estrada (1-0) allowed both hits over 5 innings in a super quality start for the Chiefs. Tyler Clippard, Ronald Villone, and Jesus Colome combined for 4 hit-less and scoreless innings of relief.

Now that we're through with the Mitchell Report it's time to talk 2008, and according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (ajc.com)'s sports writer David O'Brien's article, "Braves open 2008 in Washington," the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves will be assigned with officially ...

Exactly three weeks after playing in the NCAA Championship game at Ford Field, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo was across the street at Comerica Park, delivering the ceremonial first pitch prior to Monday's Detroit Tigers-New York Yankees contest. Before a crowd of nearly 30,000, Izzo delivered the pitch to first base coach Andy Van Slyke.

XM 186 - Rain delays start over 90 minutes...John Lannan v John Smoltz on the mound as the Washington Nationals look to break an eight-game losing streak in the second game of a three game series against the visiting Atlanta Braves. The Nationals were shut out last ni...