http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/home Recent menendeztony Posts en-us The 2012 season has reached its historically midway point of its schedule, making the perfect moment for this year Mid-Season Awards. Disregard the predictions written back in April. It is possible that the Texas Rangers will win American League pennant once again however, the they have to watch out for their perilous nemesis the New York Yankees and also be careful with the surprising Chicago White Sox. In the National League it looks that their will be very different post-season contenders than in 2011. Now it appears the best teams are the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Regarding the Latino players, so far the very best are Miguel Cabrera and David Ortiz in the American League and Carlos Beltran in the National League. Let's have fun. Here are my mid-season award winners: AMERICAN LEAGUE Best Team: New York Yankees Surprise Team: Baltimore Orioles Disappointing Team: Boston Red Sox Best Latino Player: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers Best Latino Pitcher: Fe Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:13:59 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2012_mlb_latino_mid_season_awards/11201380 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2012_mlb_latino_mid_season_awards/11201380 2012 MLB Latino Mid-Season Awards http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2012_mlb_latino_mid_season_awards/11201380 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png                                   Spring Training 2012 is underway and almost every news these days are such names as Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Yadier Molina, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Mariano Rivera. Most fans are looking if possible future hall of famers such as Vladimir Guerrero and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez will shine one more summer in the majors. All Latino players that can be said are among the best players that symbolized the 2000’s. Albert Pujols without any doubt it is the man of our times and probably will be the very best of the 2010’s. However, what about the past Latino players. Not any easy task but here this is my list of the top five Latino players from each decade. 1960’s: Luis Aparicio, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, Tony Oliva 1970’s: Rod Carew, Berto Campaneris, Dave Concepción, Mike Cuellar, Tany Pérez 1980’s: José Canseco, José “Cheo” Cruz, Pedro Guerrero, Teddy Higuera, Fernando Valenzuela 1990’s: Roberto Alomar Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:32:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/best_mlb_latino_players_from_every_decade/10057054 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/best_mlb_latino_players_from_every_decade/10057054 Best MLB Latino Players from Every Decade http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/best_mlb_latino_players_from_every_decade/10057054 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Spring training 2012 is finally underway and this is the time of the baseball calendar that every franchise will tell you no matter in Arizona or Florida that they have the best team and they are full of optimism for the new season. This is the time of the year that every General Manager and skippers among news and cliches will address the media of their perspective of who will be their man for the season. Ask new Marlins’ Manager Ozzie Guillen and he will tell you he believes the club's 2012 most important player is already on hand."To me, Hanley Ramirez is the biggest piece in this puzzle,' Guillen said. Reality is that every team have a so called “key player ”. The one teams calls a franchise player and everyone is looking to step up. Probably there will be some arguments, nonetheless this is my Latino key position player for each team in 2012. AMERICAN LEAGUE Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols,1B Baltimore Orioles: Wilson Betemit, DH Boston Red Sox: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B Chicago Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:04:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/mlb_2012_key_latino_player_on_every_team/10020631 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/mlb_2012_key_latino_player_on_every_team/10020631 MLB 2012: Key Latino Player on Every Team http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/mlb_2012_key_latino_player_on_every_team/10020631 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png “Never make predictions, especially about the future.” That was one of the most famous quotes ever from Casey Stengel. Spring training is underway and predictions are starting to pop up all over again.That means baseball is back. No matter if you are a casual or serious fan or into fantasy baseball, everyone is looking for every opinion of what will happen in 2012. There is a long way to go, but my pre-season crystal ball says the St. Louis Cardinals will not repeat in the Fall Classic. Watch out for an all Florida’ World Series between the under- appreciated Tampa Bay Rays and the improved Miami Marlins. As far as the Majors' Latino players, watch Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols battle it up all the way for the American League MVP and watch Marlins’ Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez go for their first National League MVP award.  I should not make predictions, but I have a vision Mariners’ Felix Hernandez will be again a strong candidate for the American League Cy Young Award and the new C Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:39:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/the_2012_mlb_pre_season_latino_rankings/9901702 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/the_2012_mlb_pre_season_latino_rankings/9901702 The 2012 MLB Pre-Season Latino Rankings http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/the_2012_mlb_pre_season_latino_rankings/9901702 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png                               Former Florida Marlins skipper Edwin Rodríguez is taking his coaching skills to cyberspace. Rodríguez, the first Puerto Rican manager in Major League Baseball history, is launching HitBoricua.net, a Spanish-language baseball training website geared toward coaches, players and parents. The site taps Rodríguez’s deep knowledge of the game to provide tips and other information aimed at developing players. It includes content for beginners through advanced players. “I love this game,” Rodríguez said. “I am thrilled to be able to bring my experiences and knowledge to those willing to use it.” Rodríguez, who spent three decades in the big leagues as a player and coach, lives in San Juan. He stepped down as the Marlins manager in June. HitBoricua.net includes sections on each position. It also covers a range of other issues including base running, mental aspects of the game, scouting and scholarships. The website also has sections with interviews, po Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:16:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/edwin_rodriguez_hits_baseball_cyberspace/9319058 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/edwin_rodriguez_hits_baseball_cyberspace/9319058 Edwin Rodriguez Hits Baseball Cyberspace http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/edwin_rodriguez_hits_baseball_cyberspace/9319058 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The 2011 season is long gone and it's time to enjoy the ride all the way to next year spring training. I will not give any over-analyzed forecasts, however, just for a fun prediction, Albert Pujols will stay with his St. Louis Cardinals; Carlos Beltran with the San Francisco Giants and who knows if Jose Reyes will stay with he New York Mets. The Miami Marlins will make any story why they are cash-strapped and the New York Yankees will over spend for any names that can bring them a world championship again. This time of almost the end of the year is also the perfect moment for the 2011 Latino Awards in the major leagues. I respect other opinions. Here are my 2011 winners: AMERICAN LEAGUE Most Outstanding Player: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers Most Outstanding Pitcher: Ivan Nova, New York Yankees Most Outstanding Rookie: Ivan Nova, New York Yankees Comeback of the Year: Melky Cabrera, Kansas City Royals The 2011 All-Star American League Latino Team: C-Carlos Santana (Cleveland); 1B-Miguel Cabrera (Det Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:42:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421598 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421598 2011 Latino MLB Awards http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421598 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The 2011 season is long gone and it's time to enjoy the ride all the way to next year spring training. I will not give any over-analyzed forecasts, however, just for a fun prediction, Albert Pujols will stay with his St. Louis Cardinals; Carlos Beltran with the San Francisco Giants and who knows if Jose Reyes will stay with he New York Mets.  The Miami Marlins will make any story why they are cash-strapped and the New York Yankees will over spend for any names that can bring them a world championship again. This time of almost the end of the year is also the perfect moment for the 2011 Latino Awards in the major leagues. I respect other opinions. Here are my 2011 winners: AMERICAN LEAGUE Most Outstanding Player: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers Most Outstanding Pitcher: Ivan Nova, New York Yankees Most Outstanding Rookie: Ivan Nova, New York Yankees Comeback of the Year: Melky Cabrera, Kansas City Royals The 2011 All-Star American League Latino Team: C-Carlos Santana (Cleveland); 1B-Miguel Cabrera (De Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:40:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421511 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421511 2011 Latino MLB Awards http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/menendeztony/article/2011_latino_mlb_awards/8421511 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png