http://www.yardbarker.com/users/mysportsrumors Recent Yardbarker Articles: mysportsrumors en-us Rumors out Pittsburgh are that the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates have struck a deal. The rumors began before tonight's Pirates game but picked up steam when Xavier Nady was pulled after the first inning. The deal calls for Nady and Damaso Marte to join the Yankees. In return, NY sends stud hitting prospect Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf , Phil Coke, George Kontos. As always, this deal is pending a physical. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:39:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295838 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295838 In no surprise to anyone, the Dallas Cowboys will be releasing wide receiver Terry Glenn. The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Jerry Jones finally decided to part ways with Glenn. The door has been left open thou for Glenn to return if he can get healthy and fails to find a new team. Currently the hot rumor is that Terry will wind up playing for the Miami Dolphins and former Coach Bill Parcells, only if he can pass a physical thou. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:00:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295814 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295814 It looks like the Minnesota Twins are finally going to call up youngster Francisco Liriano. Liriano has been virtually lights out over his past giving up just one earned run in his last five starts, a stretch of 35 innings. Even so, the team has been balking at the idea of bringing him back. Not because he isn't ready but they believe they have five very capable starting pitchers in the majors. So who is getting bumped for the return? Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:01:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295471 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295471 NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE DARK KNIGHT YET, YOU MAY WANT TO AVOID READING THIS DUE TO SPOILERS. With that being said, I've waited a few days to write this article to give as many of you as possible a chance to see the movie. After seeing this movie a weird thought popped in to my head at how this movie reminds me so much of the American League East. You've got a hero and a villain who are so evenly matched and understand each other so well. You've got a simple man who comes out of no where to become a very influential person in the city. And a slew of other characters that make the movie go. In all honesty, I could have made this article with all American League contenders there is just that many good compelling characters. But I decided to keep it simple so without further ado here is the cast for the The Dark Knight – American League East: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:39:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294642 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294642 Here comes the Tribe. Is it too little too late though? They have won 6 of their last 7 games as the 2nd half of the season begins. But are the Indians mathematically eliminated? Absolutely not. So, in Cleveland we don't give up hope. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:27:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294287 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294287 Or better yet Joe Blanton the latest Phillies DUD! Yea it's only one start but could be a sign to come for the newest Philadelphia Phillies pitcher. I've been one of many Phillies fans arguing that this was not a good trade, even for what they gave up. Let me take one more look at these arguments and tell you why again Joe Blanton is NOT the answer for the Phillies. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:02:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294084 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294084 Training camp for the Detroit Lions officially starts on Thursday and the team still doesn't have a complete roster. Well, they have bodies just not the bodies they want. First off, out of their eight draft picks, ONLY ONE has signed a deal. Like with most draft picks the Lions expect those deals to fall into place quickly when camp opens, so they've kept their focus on former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Takeo Spikes. No deal is in place yet, but the team is hoping to have one in place by Thursday morning. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:04:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294069 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294069 Every playoff contender in baseball seems to be calling the Pittsburgh Pirates, looking for an upgrade for their playoff push. The Pirates have numerous players that interest those contenders, in this article we're going to talk about five of those guys. Those that have been drawing the most interest are Xavier Nady, Jason Bay, Jack Wilson, John Grabow and Damaso Marte. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:09:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293301 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293301 Oft-injured Pedro Martinez is up to his old tricks again, forcing the New York Mets to make changes to their upcoming rotation. The 36-year old pitcher received a cortisone injection in his right hip to help with the pain in his groin. The good news is his shoulder pain wasn't anything to worry about. The soreness was from altering his pitching motion due to the groin. So what does this mean for the team and pitcher? Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:11:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292442 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292442 Any trade talks involving Seattle Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard are pretty much dead now. Bedard hasn't pitched since July 4th and actually didn't even attempt to throw a baseball over the All-Star Break, attempting to rest his left shoulder. But now, the All-Star break is over and the Mariners have decided to shut down the lefty for a few more days. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:11:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292416 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292416 It's beginning to look more and more like the Cleveland Browns will be without Joe Jurevicius when the season begins. Jurevicius underwent a simple knee scope back in January and now will most likely start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This is a big blow to a team with very high hopes as Joe is a stud in the slot position, and is coming off the best season of his career. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:52:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291962 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291962 Thats right Lito is looking for that green, and definitely not in an environmental way. Lito Sheppard of the Philadelphia Eagles is ready for his pay day and he's showing the team he means business. Sheppard has changed agents and is now being represented by Mr. Mega-deal himself Drew Rosenhaus. He's the guy players call when they've exhausted all options and want someone who can get them their due. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:18:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291382 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291382 I've been trying to think for days on an article to write about this years MLB All-Star Game. With all of the history being celebrated this week at Yankees Stadium, I thought about ranking the most memorable moments in All-Star Game history. Nice thought but nothing new there has been a ton of articles about notable moments and plays. So instead, I've decided to give you the player I consider to be MLB's All-Time All-Star MVP. Who would this be? It would be the player who has had the most success in recent history of the game. To qualify a player would of had to won an MVP Award, so this immediately eliminates anyone before 1962, as that is the year MLB began to award an MVP. A player must of also been selected to the All-Star game a minimum of 10 times. I've chosen 5 finalists to choose from, 4 of which have won the MVP Award twice. Those finalists are Cal Ripken Jr, Steve Garvey, Ken Griffey Jr, Willie Mays and Gary Carter. Let's take a look at the All-Star careers of each of these players. Cal Ripken Jr - MVP 1991 and 2001. Ripken is without a doubt a player that you have to consider one of the best in the history of this game. Ripken was selected to 19 All-Star Games, and was a starter in 17 of those, all consecutive appearances from 1983 to his final season of 2001. During this time, Ripken had 51 plate appearances, sporting a .265 average with 2 homers and 8 rbis. His number weren't overly impressive but the reason I have him here is because of the dual MVP Awards. You can't help but agree, winning the award TEN years apart is pretty amazing. Granted the 2001 Award was more sentimental then a game-winning hit or something of the sorts, he did at least a home run that game. Steve Garvey - MVP 1974 and 1978. Garvey is a player most wouldn't even consider for this award. He doesn't have the super star name, he doesn't have Hall of Fame credentials but he was a solid player who performed day in and day out, even carrying that into this game. He was selected to 10 games, starting in 9 of them. His numbers were VERY impressive, 30 plate appearances with a .393 average, 2 homers and 7 rbis, as well as 2 doubles and 2 triples. 1974 was his inaugural appearance in this game and he responded by going 2 for 4, with a run, rbi and a double to earn the MVP award as an All-Star Rookie. Ken Griffey Jr - MVP 1992. Griffey is the only nominee who hasn't won two MVP awards, and you know what how could anyone argue against the Kid. He's been selected to 13 games, starting 9 of them. The 9 he didn't start was due to injury, something that has plagued him his entire career. So with only one award why is he considered? Well the Kid is lights out in the Mid-Summer Classic. In 25 at-bats, he's batted a .440 with 1 hr and 7 rbis, including a double and a stolen base. He's also considered because he has always been such a fan favorite, and always rewards them by playing this game as it is any other. Willie Mays - MVP 1963 and 1968. Willie Mays, the Say Hey kid, he'd be a nominee no matter who you talked to. He was selected to an astounding 24 All-Star games, starting in a whopping 18. With that many appearances you would expect a players true talent to shine, and by that I mean his numbers match his career. Well WIllie did not let down, having 75 at-bats, he batted .307 with 3 homers and 9 rbis, while hitting 2 doubles, 3 triples and stealing 6 bases. He was nothing short of remarkable and deserves a place on this list. Gary Carter - MVP 1981 and 1984. Carter is much like Garvey, a player that doesn't have the super sexy stats, the big name but he was one of the best catchers in baseball for a decent stretch. With that came numerous All-Star appearances, 10, and 7 of those as a starter. Carter didn't disappoint either hitting 3 homers in 20 career at-bats, sporting a .300 average. So who wins? Who is my All-Time All-Star MVP???? It's none other then Willie Mays. There's no way you can really choose against the guy. The Say Hey kid played this game as he played any other game, and over such a long stretch of time. His 24 appearances is a record shared by Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. Even more impressive is the fact that Mays won MVP awards in his final 10 seasons, he easily would of won a couple more had baseball given the award out before 1962. I wish I was around to see Willie roam center field. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:10:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289921 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289921 It looks like father time is starting to catch up to Detroit Tigers closer Todd Jones. Manager Jim Leyland has recently said that he plans on cutting the work load of the 40-year old pitcher. To many this is no surprise, Jones has never been a great closer but he has been pretty effective usually getting the job done, but over the past four seasons we've seen his ERA go on a steady rise. So is Jones still going to be the closer? Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:03:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289657 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289657 New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has been limited to designated hitting duties the past few days, which would lead one to ask is his shoulder starting to get worse again? Molina has now started in six straight games at catcher (including tonight's game against Pittsburgh). During that time, Posada has taken up the role as the team's DH. Could this mean his shoulder getting worse? Yes, it's possible. Personally thou, I think the team is taking it easy on him and at the same time putting themselves in the best position to win. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:59:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288838 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288838