http://www.yardbarker.com/users/mdguy2415 Recent Yardbarker Articles: mdguy2415 en-us Photo Gallery: All Star Game 2008 - Workout, Home Run Derby Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:12:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291967 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291967 Photo Gallery: All Star Game 2008 - Game & Ceremonies Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:10:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291965 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291965 Folks, I'm alive. It's just been a busy week, and I didn't do much because I was pretty worn out from my whole All-Star experience and then commuting back home (which was all right), but considering I didn't get back into my hotel until nearly 4am and had to check out by 11am, I didn't get much done. The pictures are coming - you just have to wait another day or two. This year's rendition of the midsummer was nothing short of amazing, and was worth every penny I spent on this trip. Though it was a drag watching a game go fifteen innings and having adrenaline keep you up, it was a lot of fun to partake in especially with the conversations I had with various fans around me. I will say that the event this year at Yankee Stadium was perhaps underwhelming in comparison to what I saw with the last few I saw in person, it exuded a lot of class. The tribute the fans give to Bobby Murcer before the game was extremely touching; as well, seeing the Hall of Famers on the field side by side joined by the starters at each position added a touch of nostalgia and respect. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:19:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291662 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291662 Photo Gallery of Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals; June 28, 2008 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:47:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284108 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284108 Photos of Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals; Washington D.C., June 29th, 2008 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:46:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284107 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284107 In the game of baseball, a difference between winning and losing is determined sometimes by an inch or the judgment of an umpire. That theory could be applied to Sunday's rubber match against the Baltimore Orioles on a hot, sunny day at Nationals Park. With two outs in the bottom of the twelfth inning, and Baltimore ahead 2-1, thanks to a valiant comeback in the top the frame, the Washington Nationals were seemingly on their way to a second straight loss, and dropping the Battle of the Beltway series against the Orioles. Baltimore closer George Sherrill had to only throw a strike to end the game; however, he walked Dmitri Young on a very close pitch that could have called in their favor. A pitch that might have been called a strike, if it was only a fraction of an inch closer within the zone perhaps may have set up the dramatic moment to finish off a strong weekend. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:44:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284105 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284105 Well, after weeks of much speculation and ominous headlines in both the New York and National press, the fans of the New York Mets are probably happy with the news this morning -- made most likely before most even woke up on the East Coast. At 3:15 a.m. ET -- that manager Willie Randolph had been fired along with Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go. Meanwhile, Jerry Manuel takes over -- for now. How classless. If you were going to fire him -- why do it after he traveled cross country and boarded a plane? I guess Sunday being Father's Day delayed the inevitable. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:20:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278793 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278793 Well, after weeks of much speculation and ominous headlines in both the New York and National press, the fans of the New York Mets are probably happy with the news this morning -- made most likely before most even woke up on the East Coast. At 3:15 a.m. ET -- that manager Willie Randolph had been fired along with Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go. Meanwhile, Jerry Manuel takes over -- for now. How classless. If you were going to fire him -- why do it after he traveled cross country and boarded a plane? I guess Sunday being Father's Day delayed the inevitable. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:18:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278790 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278790 Well, after weeks of much speculation and ominous headlines in both the New York and National press, the fans of the New York Mets are probably happy with the news this morning -- made most likely before most even woke up on the East Coast. At 3:15 a.m. ET -- that manager Willie Randolph had been fired along with Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go. Meanwhile, Jerry Manuel takes over -- for now. How classless. If you were going to fire him -- why do it after he traveled cross country and boarded a plane? I guess Sunday being Father's Day delayed the inevitable. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:17:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278789 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278789 Well, after weeks of much speculation and ominous headlines in both the New York and National press, the fans of the New York Mets are probably happy with the news this morning -- made most likely before most even woke up on the East Coast. At 3:15 a.m. ET -- that manager Willie Randolph had been fired along with Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go. Meanwhile, Jerry Manuel takes over -- for now. How classless. If you were going to fire him -- why do it after he traveled cross country and boarded a plane. I guess Sunday being Father's Day delayed the inevitable. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:17:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278788 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278788 If you have a chance to check out ESPN.com this evening, you should probably read "Players like Bonds, Gibbons, Logan Struggle To Find Work". It's a pretty eye-opening piece on how some unemployed players who implicated in the Mitchell Report have had a very hard time finding work and are still on the market. Obviously, we know the saga of Barry Bonds, but much of the piece is devoted to former Oriole Jay Gibbons. Thus, if you read the piece, you'll also see a letter -- an impassioned one -- that he wrote to all 30 teams within baseball. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:59:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277057 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277057 Photo Gallery: San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals; June 9th, 2008 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:51:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276631 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276631 Photo Gallery: San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals: June 8th, 2008 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:30:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276136 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276136 Being that the Orioles were out of town, I decided to head down to Nats' Park in Washington and catch the Giants this weekend where I saw Tim Lincecum on Friday night and Barry Zito on Sunday. I got to speak with Lincecum on Sunday, and he's as nice as any athlete could be. The kid looks like he's a student at a local university -- however, seeing him on the mound, you'd not think a kid with his stature could be that proficient of a pitcher. Though he's got some strange herky-jerky delivery that one a fear that he might seriously injure himself on the mound -- it's effective and it's amazing to see. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:28:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276135 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276135 Former Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was designated for assignment. Texas general manager Jon Daniels said Ponson, who was 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA, was sent away "for disrespecting teammates and club personnel." Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who seemed to have his career back on track, was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers in a surprise move prior to Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Texas general manager Jon Daniels was vague about the reasons for the decision, saying Ponson had been dumped "for disrespecting teammates and club personnel." "I'm not going to get into details other than to say that we're clearly trying to put together a team here in the true sense of the word … and based on recent comments and other such things, it was pretty clear that he didn't want to be part of that," Daniels said. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:55:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275706 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275706