Yardbarker: Albert Pujols

MLB Sets New Interleague Attendance Record

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:36:12 -0500

Major League Baseball has set new records for total and average attendance during Interleague Play (8,893,312 and 35,573, respectively), eclipsing the previous marks (8,795,939 and 34,905) set last season. It marks the third straight season that MLB has set new highs for attendance during Interleague Play and the fifth straight year that the total Interleague attendance has increased. One Interleague game still remains (the July 10th make-up of the June 26th NYY-PIT rainout). The 2008 Interleague average of 35,573 per game is 15.9 percent higher than this season’s current intraleague average of 30,689 per game. Since its inception in 1997, Interleague Play has drawn 12.5 percent more fans than intraleague games; Interleague Play has averaged 33,250 fans per game, compared to the intraleague average of 29,563 fans per game during the same span. Overall this season, MLB’s cumulative average attendance is 31,687 fans per game (38,784,809 fans over 1,224 dates), representing a 0.6 percent increase over the same date during the record-breaking 2007 season and currently putting MLB on track for a fifth consecutive year of record overall attendance. Thus far, the American League has posted 149-102 record in Interleague Play, marking the fifth straight season in which the A.L. has won the season-series and extending its all-time Interleague lead to 1,536-1,419 (.520). Eleven of the A.L.’s 14 Clubs finished over .500. A.L. Clubs collected a .275 batting average with 1,247 runs scored, 276 home runs and a 3.69 ERA, compared to the N.L.’s .251 batting average, 1,010 runs scored, 251 home runs and 4.56 ERA. With a 2.44 team ERA, the Minnesota Twins earned the top Interleague record with a 14-4 (.778) mark, followed by the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals, both of whom went 13-5 (.722). Overall, A.L. Central Clubs went 58-32 (.644) in Interleague Play, with four of its five Clubs going 12-6 or better. The New York Yankees, who were 10-7 in Interleague Play this year, have baseball’s best all-time Interleague record at 123-86 (.589), followed by the Oakland Athletics (10-8) at 123-89 (.580). The Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets tied for the N.L.’s best Interleague mark with 9-6 records. The Florida Marlins, who went 5-10 in Interleague Play this year, still have the National League’s best all-time Interleague record at 110-91 (.547). Interleague Play’s all-time statistical leaders include Albert Pujols with a .350 batting average; Derek Jeter with 278 hits; Jim Thome with 55 home runs; Carlos Delgado with 153 RBI; Mike Mussina with 21 wins; Johan Santana with a 2.49 ERA; and Mariano Rivera with 55 saves. The Interleague leaders in 2008 were Aaron Miles of the St. Louis Cardinals with a .463 batting average; Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox with 36 hits; Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox with eight home runs and 23 RBI; Mark Buehrle (4-0) of the White Sox, Andy Sonnanstine (4-0) of the Tampa Bay Rays and A.J. Burnett (4-1) of the Toronto Blue Jays with four wins; Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves with 0.00 ERA (min.: 1.0 IP per team’s games played); and George Sherrill of the Baltimore Orioles and Joakim Soria of the Kansas City Royals with seven saves apiece. Select Read More to see additional statistical data on 2008 Interleague Play.

Game chat: Phillies play first of three with Cardinals

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:31:39 -0500

Right-hander Joel Pineiro (2-4, 4.52) meets left-hander Cole Hamels (9-5, 3.22) when the Cards and Phils clash at Citizens Bank Park. Best of the Cardinals press notes: Pineiro makes only his third start against the Phils; the other two came while he was a member of the Seattle Mariners. He's winless in his last nine starts. Offensive leaders include Albert Pujols, of course, and surprising outfielder Ryan Ludwick; both will be in the Bronx as members of the National League...

Now Casting--Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Movie

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:37:24 -0500

If you're looking for an entertaining blend of action, suspense, and intrigue, you don't have to wait for The Dark Knight. This summer's blockbuster rivalry is not Batman and the Joker--it's the Cubs and the Cardinals. In true Independence Day fashion, the teams sparred this weekend with fireworks on and off the field. Tony La Russa ripped longtime Cardinal and current Cub Jim Edmonds, the Cubbies took two out of three in the series and the teams remain neck-and-neck in the Central Division race. With nine sequels coming up in the final months of the summer (six at Wrigley and three at Busch Stadium), it's only a matter of time before Hollywood realizes the box office potential of this thrilling matchup. To save some time, I've already assembled the cast. Ladies and gentlemen of the Academy, for your consideration, I proudly present the stars of this summer's hottest new action movie:

Now Casting--Cubs vs. Cardinals: The Movie

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:37:13 -0500

Top7 Living Sports Americans

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:25:04 -0500

In honor of our country's birthday, we look back one year to Top 7 writer Jason Major and his list of greatest living sports Americans. We also send special greetings to our men and women fighting to protect our freedom. Thank you for all of your efforts - and thank you to those who have served in the past to secure our freedom. Also, we send a special cyber-middle finger to Philly Inquirer columnist Chris Satullo, for his uber-negative column urging Americans to abstain from celebrating the 4th of July (no link either, as you don't deserve the easy traffic, Mr. Satullo). While the dicussions about your piece rage on and you no doubt bring extra discussion and extra online traffic to your paper's site, you also see the influx of readers who are cancelling their subscriptions as stated in the comments section. From a corporate standpoint, you are a shining example of why the newspaper industry is dying. Out of touch, crusty, unoriginal... the list of adjectives to describe you could go on and on. Also, very nice use of mainstream-elitist writing with your barrage of Plaschke-esque one sentence paragraphs. And Mr. Satullo, just as you have the freedom and the right to state your opinion, so do I: seriously, you are a miserable human being.
-- patrick imig (the views expressed in this mini-rant do not necessarily reflect those of the JoeSportsFan.com staff).

It only made sense to do something American since the Fourth of July comes next week. I thought for a couple of seconds about doing "Founding Fathers as Athletes," but that was too similar to the food mascots one?though just so you know, George Washington would have walked away with that particular list's top selection because he was a hoss! So I just made it very simple?top sports Americans.

The most loved Americans in sports, ones who are also distinctively American.

U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

7. Albert Pujols
He is an American citizen now, so any St. Louis-based list is insane not to have him on it. Like America, he is a world superpower who can punish unfriendly or uncooperative nations (opposing pitchers or teams) with sanctions (two-run doubles in the gap), or, if he has to, military engagement (walk-off three-run dongs).

6. Michael Jordan
There is no way that Michael Jordan can't make the list.

5. Shaq
He's fun loving and very much enjoys eating. He also has dreams of being Hollywood (Kazaam is so good), but when it comes down to it, wouldn't mind settling down as a simple blue-collar working police officer. Of course, rapping about a former teammate to taste your ass and having said badge revoked is equally American.

4. Tom Brady
Some would consider knocking girls up out of wedlock wholesomely American, but that's not what I'm talking about here. He consistently wins and has that prototypical "boy next door" thing that you hear regarding whites thousands of times per year.

3. Dusty Rhodes
How in the world can you leave someone named "The American Dream" off of the list? The gratuitous wrestling spot was going to go to Rick Derringer, writer of Hulk Hogan's "Real American," but I had to take a stand, it don't help to hide, and Dusty being a former world champion, outstanding dancer, and desire to wear polka dots gave him the nod here. Come to think of it, you could easily have an all-wrestling list here, with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Hogan, Kurt Angle, and pre-Iraqi-sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter.

2. John Daly
Loves to golf, gets pissed off when he does badly, smokes and drinks on the course, gets girls to show their breasts, loses tons of money gambling. It's a wonder that he can't be #1.

1. Charles Barkley
He was never afraid to dunk on someone's head, sometimes just for the hell of it. He is proud of his massive weight problem and celebrates it by continuing to eat. He loves gambling, will say whatever the hell is on his mind, and parlays all of that into discussion of running for public office. He's also helped his country win a gold medal. Charles Barkley?sports' greatest American.

The Top 7 is written by Jason Major. He thinks the Iron Shiek is the world's greatest living Iranian. Email him at jason@joesportsfan.com

Redbird Ramblings --7-7-08-- Garcia, Molina, CC, Pujols, Jimenez, Phelps, Stavinoha, Pineiro, Motte

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:50:44 -0500

An off-day for the Cards, but a lot to think about with the Brewers successfully dealing for CC Sabathia.

2008 All-Star Snubs and Flubs: NL Edition

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:44:12 -0500

Yesterday, Major League Baseball announced its rosters for the 2008 All-Star Game to be played on July 15 at Yankee Stadium. Now, we take a look at the National League roster, to see who doesn't deserve to go and who got shafted. We don't have quite as many problems with the NL Roster as we did with the AL roster; that likely has something - if not everything - to do with the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox aren't in the NL. But the biggest question is, where are all the New York Mets?!?!?.......

Phillies Give Brad Lidge Contract Extension?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:16:45 -0500

UPDATE!: Lidge singing confimed by MLB.com> According to Rob Ellis of 610 WIP, the Phillies are holding a press conference at 1 this afternoon. Ellis says the press conference is reportedly to announce the signing of closer Brad Lidge to a contract extension. Lidge has earned this extension by pitching "lights out" once again this year. This [...]

Cubs series a good yardstick to measure needs

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:35:49 -0500

Should the Cardinals try to figure out what to do to compete with the Cubs, or continue as they are?

Cards send Ludwick and Pujols to All-Star team

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:43:28 -0500

Ryan Ludwick and Albert Pujols are the only Cardinals players making it onto the 2008 MLB All-Star squad. Ludwick made it in due to fan voting and Pujols was chosen by the coaching staff as the last reserve player on the squad.

Back to the Future...An All American Home Run Derby Exclusive!

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:06:37 -0500

Written by Consigliere It's time to head down to the clock tower, fire up the flux capacitor and drive the DeLorean all the way back to March 10th, 2008. I know what you're thinking. That wasn't that long ago, but in baseball terms it was about a month before the season started. That's when yours truly, The Consigliere, sat down and calculated the homerun projections for our pool players. It's almost 4 months later and about midway through the season, so it's time to look back and point out my spot on mathematics or take the blame for the minor miscalculations. For the purposes of this article, we're going to ignore anyone who missed several games and concentrate on the guys who have been able to stay on the field. Click on the link for the entire story!

Redbird Ramblings -- 7-5-08 -- Lohse, Pujols, De La Cruz, Edmonds, Miles, Mather, Parisi...

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:53:10 -0500

Today's probables, #50, #300, streaks, minor league tidbits, Latin American prospects, JImmy Baseball, and more.

Pujols Hits 300th Homer; Cards Lose to Cubs 2-1

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:41:06 -0500

Albert Pujols hit his 300th career home run Friday night, becoming the fifth-youngest player to reach the milestone. Pujols lined his 18th homer of the season on a 2-2 pitch from the Cubs' Bob Howry in the eighth inning. He beat Hall of Famer Mel Ott for the fifth-fastest by one day.

Big Z Gives Nickname a Whole New Meaning

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:31:46 -0500

Carlos Zambrano allowed zero runs in his first start back after a stint on the 15-day DL today against the rival St. Louis Cardinals. What's even better is that the Cubs were able to pull off the win 2-1, which is different than the way they outscored teams earlier this season. Zambrano allowed zero runs, four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in six innings of work. The only run for the Cardinals came on a two-out eighth inning home run by Albert Pujols, his 18th on the year. The Cubs scored on a first inning home run by Kosuke... Read the rest at TheDailyCub.com

Pujols milestone 300th not enough to beat Cubs

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:50:35 -0500

The problem with Albert Pujols' 300th homer was there were no Cards on base at the time. Geovany Soto has multi-hit night, joining Kosuke Fukudome in htting a home run. Carlos Zambrano took care of the first six innings, Kerry Wood took care of the last inning. (photo by Barbara Moore)