I could throw 2 shutout innings against the Dodgers

I'm not saying I am a good pitcher.
In fact I got clobbered when I pitched in little league (as seen above.)

But seriously. How hard could it be to shut out the Dodgers now?
They've been shut out for 56 of their last 57 innings.

In that time, opposing teams have a 0.31 ERA against them. That's less than 1 run every three games if stretched out.

And they just look desperate at the plate.
I think my 55 mile per hour lob could have them spinning.

This was the best team in baseball a few weeks ago!
Now I am talking trash about them.
And Carlos Lee wants no part of them.

Dodgers... GET YOUR SELVES A BAT!

Hey injured Red Sox... take your time rehabbing

The Red Sox just keep winning. I'm still not convinced they are winning a Division or Wild Card this year, but man it is fun seeing them win.

One refrain I kept hearing from Sox fans was "wait until everyone is healthy."

Well the Red Sox are far from healthy. But when the likes of Daniel Nava, Franklin Morales, Cody Ross and Aaron Cook are kicking this much butt, maybe their injured players should spend more time in the trainers room.

What Red Sox fan would rather hear the dreaded words "Now pitching, John Lackey" instead of giving Aaron Cook another shot. Cook pitched an 81 pitch masterpiece today. I think Clay Buchholz averaged 81 pitches an inning.

THIS Red Sox team is fun and has guys who aren't cashing the big checks and breaking down.

If Carl Crawford comes back, does that send Daniel Nava and his .902 OPS to the bench?
Or maybe Cody Ross and HIS .915 OPS will get cobwebs while Crawford cashes a check.

I don't think so.
Come on Sox. Play the players who are actually winning games and appease the fans. We all know Crawford and Lackey are making a lot of money. Doesn't mean you have to play them!

Cubs Should Offer Alfonso Soriano to the Dodgers - A Bleacher Report Article

The Dodgers desperately need a bat, any bat, to help them score runs.
The Cubs desperately need to unload veteran contracts and need a deep pocketed trade partner.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I argue that Alfonso Soriano could be the Recess Peanut Butter Cup combination that both teams need.

You can read the article HERE.

GIANTS MAGIC NUMBER IS 128

A little more than a month ago, the Giants were 1 game above .500 and seven games behind the Dodgers.

12 days ago, the Giants were 5 games out of first place.

This morning, Giants fans will wake up knowing their team is in first place by themselves.
On the heels of Madison Bumgarner's 1 hit masterpiece, the Giants have climbed into the penthouse by themselves.

Any combination of Giants wins and Dodgers losses equaling 128 will clinch the NL West for the Giants.

Begin the countdown!

Yankees Should Already Regret Trading Montero - A Bleacher Report Article

The Jesus Montero trade blew up in the Yankees face once Michael Pineda went down for the year. But now it looks even larger as the Yankees desperately need to make a trade for a starting pitcher, and they've already cashed in their best trade chip.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I break down this problem in the Bronx.

You can read the entire article HERE.

Phil Hughes Moves Front and Center in Yankees' Hopes - A Bleacher Report Article

With Sabathia and Pettitte going on the DL at the same time, the Yankees great momentum might be facing a huge challenge.

If Phil Hughes ever wants to show the world that he is indeed a front line starter, that time is now.

I wrote about his challenge in my latest for Bleacher Report.

You can read the entire article HERE.

A quick question about Andy Pettitte's injury

When you heard that he broke his ankle, how many of you thought "did he do it jumping on a trampoline?"

I know I did.

The Sully Baseball All Star Ballot for 2012

It's that time of the year again... the time when we immortalize a player for being an All Star based upon a good first half or by being a mandatory pick from a lousy team.

It's the All Star ballot time!

Now last year they handed out All Star roster spots like a T-Ball League hands out trophies. Evidently everyone got one.

My rosters will be a little more reserved. I have 34 spots including the nine starters (and DH), reserves and pitchers (with a smattering of lefties thrown in.)

Each team is represented.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STARS

Starters

Catcher – A. J. PIERZYNSKI, White Sox

First Base – PAUL KONERKO, White Sox

Second Base – ROBINSON CANO, Yankees

Shortstop – DEREK JETER, Yankees

Third Base - MIGUEL CABRERA, Tigers

Left Field – JOSH HAMILTON, Rangers

Center Field – ADAM JONES, Orioles

Right Field - MARK TRUMBO, Angels

Designated Hitter – DAVID ORTIZ, Red Sox

Pitcher – JUSTIN VERLANDER, Tigers

 
Reserves

Reserve Catcher – JOE MAUER, Twins

Reserve Catcher – MATT WIETERS, Orioles

Reserve First Baseman – PRINCE FIELDER, Tigers

Reserve Second Baseman – JASON KIPNIS, Indians

Reserve Shortstop – ELVIS ANDRUS, Rangers

Reserve Shortstop – ASDRUBAL CABRERA, Indians

Reserve Third Baseman – ADRIAN BELTRE, Rangers

Reserve Outfielder –BILLY BUTLER, Royals

Reserve Outfielder –EDWIN ENCARNACION, Blue Jays

Reserve Outfielder –JOSH REDDICK, Athletics

Reserve Outfielder –ALEX RIOS, White Sox

Reserve Outfielder – MIKE TROUT, Angels

Pitchers

JASON HAMMEL, Orioles

FELIX HERNANDEZ, Mariners

JAKE PEAVY, White Sox

DAVID PRICE, Rays

CHRIS SALE, White Sox

JERED WEAVER, Angels

C. J. WILSON, Angels

JONATHAN BROXTON, Royals

JIM JOHNSON, Orioles

JOE NATHAN, Rangers

CHRIS PEREZ, Indians

FERNANDO RODNEY, Rays

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STARS

Starters

Catcher – YADIER MOLINA, Cardinals

First Base – JOEY VOTTO, Reds

Second Base – BRANDON PHILLIPS, Reds

Shortstop – STARLIN CASTRO, Cubs

Third Base – DAVID WRIGHT, Mets

Left Field – CARLOS GONZALEZ, Rockies

Center Field – ANDREW McCUTCHEN, Pirates

Right Field – CARLOS BELTRAN, Cardinals

Designated Hitter –RYAN BRAUN, Brewers

Starting Pitcher – R. A. DICKEY, Mets

 
Reserves

Reserve Catcher – CARLOS RUIZ, Phillies 

Reserve Catcher – BUSTER POSEY, Giants 

Reserve First Baseman – ADAM LaROCHE, Nationals

Reserve Second Baseman – JOSE ALTUVE, Astros 

Reserve Second Baseman– AARON HILL, Diamondbacks 

Reserve Shortstop – RAFAEL FURCAL, Cardinals 

Reserve Third Baseman – DAVID FREESE, Cardinals 

Reserve Outfielder – MICHAEL BOURN, Braves 

Reserve Outfielder – MELKY CABRERA, Giants

Reserve Outfielder – ANDRE ETHIER, Dodgers 

Reserve Outfielder – MATT HOLLIDAY, Cardinals

Reserve Outfielder – GIANCARLO STANTON, Marlins 

Pitchers

 MATT CAIN, Giants

JOHNNY CUETO, Reds

GIO GONZALEZ, Nationals

ZACK GREINKE, Brewers

COLE HAMELS, Phillies

JAMES McDONALD, Pirates

WADE MILEY, Diamondbacks

STEPHEN STRASBURG, Nationals

AROLDIS CHAPMAN, Reds 

TYLER CLIPPARD, Nationals 

CRAIG KIMBRELL, Braves 

HUSTON STREET, Padres 

A few notes...

- You can't accuse me of being a homer. I have more Royals (2) than Red Sox (1) on the All Star Squad.

- I put both Billy Butler and Jonathan Broxton on the squad to appease the home town fans. Jose Bautista was the odd man out.

- I opted for Alex Rios over Curtis Granderson. I have a feeling that pick will come back to bite me.

- Josh Reddick and his power put him on the club as the A's rep.

- Nobody on the Mariners deserves a trip. I selected Felix Hernandez because at least he had earned it in the past. Nobody should add "All Star" to their resume on the Mariners without earning it.

- I picked Huston Street over Carlos Quentin for the Padres rep. Neither has played enough to merit selection, but at least Street has a good save total. Also he has never been an All Star and deserved to be when with either Oakland or Colorado.

- Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo should be All Stars. Albert Pujols should not be. Who predicted that?

- Most A.L. All Stars? According to me, the White Sox! Who predicted that? Nobody.

- Most N. L. All Stars? According to me, the Cardinals! Things could look good for the Defending Champs!

We'll see how many get picked.
As I wrote last year, I think the season should START the season with the All Star Game. But nobody listens to me.

Padres Avoided Disaster by Letting Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell Go - A Bleacher Report Article

It always seems unfair when a small market team loses a star in the off season. But is it always a bad thing? Sure the Padres stink this year. But at least they are not being bogged down by big contracts for Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I talk about why appeasing the fan base for one winter can potentially be disastrous for many summers.

You can read the article HERE.

Showtime Should Have Followed The Red Sox for their Reality Series: A Bleacher Report Article

Showtime is following the Marlins for season two of The Franchise.

But with all the drama and strife on and off the field in Boston, they may have missed their best chance for some riveting reality TV.

I wrote about it in my latest article for Bleacher Report.

The full article can be found here.
 

Youkilis with the White Sox... it looks strange

 It's always an awkward moment... that first time you see one of your favorite players wearing another uniform.

It makes the whole "your guy was traded" concept so much more real.

Good luck in Chicago, Youk.
At least he still plays for the Sox!

Sully Baseball Salutes Kevin Youkilis

 The Red Sox championships of 2004 and 2007 just got a little more distant today.

Kevin Youkilis is gone. He was traded to the White Sox shortly after the Red Sox defeated the Braves. He was given a hero's salute by the Sox fans when he left the game via a pinch runner.

Good.
He deserved that send off.

He never looked like an athlete. But he played hard. He played well. He was the Greek God of Walks. He batted .500 in the 2007 ALCS and matched all sorts of single series marks.

He didn't complain when Francona started Lowell and Ortiz over him in Games 3 and 4 of the 2007 World Series.

Like Nomar Garciaparra, his name became almost a rallying cry.
And also like Nomar, he was dealt to Chicago in mid season because it was time for a change in scenery.

Who know what Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge will bring to the Red Sox. Not much probably.

I for one am hoping that the White Sox do well and no doubt the fans in Chicago will embrace him at least for this season.

But since that last awful day in Baltimore last September, the Red Sox have said good bye to Francona, Epstein, Papelbon, Varitek, Wakefield and now Youkilis.

Consider my hat tipped, Mr. Youkilis. You were a great Red Sox champion.

Chicago White Sox so Far Are the Winners of the 2010 Draft - My latest for Bleacher Report

It may seem to be a bit early to judge who had the best draft in 2010. But the White Sox are surprise contenders thanks to a pair of arms drafted less than two years before opening day.

I discuss the effect of Chris Sale and Addison Reed in Bleacher Report.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Jack Morris Was the Real Winner of the Roger Clemens Verdict - My latest for Bleacher Report

People wrote that there were no winners in the Roger Clemens trial.
Nonsense. The winner was Jack Morris who should take a wave of anti Clemens sentiment into Cooperstown.

Confused?
Well then read what I wrote for Bleacher Report.

The article can be found here.

Welcome to the big leagues, Derek Norris

Derek Norris, the top catching prospect who was part of the Gio Gonzalez trade, made his major league debut this afternoon.

He threw out Dee Gordon in a key 9th inning situation helping put the A's in position to win in the bottom of the ninth. But that isn't why I am writing about him.

Look at this guy. He's what a catcher is supposed to look like. Stocky. Tough. Grizzled. Possibly angry.

Just in terms of visual aesthetics, this bearded intimidating figure is what you want in a catcher.

And so far he has caught one game in the bigs and the A's let up a single run and he threw out the go ahead run in the 9th inning trying to steal. So at least in his first game, he passed the catchers test.

The A's were criticized for making so many deals this off season, sending young pitchers like Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey, reinforcing a cheapskate image without the heroic Scott Hatteberg Moneyball home run to redeem the team.

But Josh Reddick, brought over from Boston, already has 15 homers while Bailey has yet to pitch a game for the Red Sox.

Cahill has pitched well for Arizona. However Jarrod Parker, the main chip in the trade, is pitching to a lower ERA. And the A's also got from the D-Backs Ryan Cook, who has been outstanding in the bullpen and Collin Cowgill, who has played well in the outfield.

And while Gio Gonzalez is a Cy Young contender in Washington, the A's haul in that deal has been on display each of the last two games.

Pitcher Tommy Milone threw a complete game victory yesterday to raise his record to 7-5. And Derek Norris showed today that he is ready behind the plate.

In the end, the Athletics might very well have the last laugh on all of the trade. However it does not look like Norris will be laughing at anything any time soon.

So as the Athletics out together their latest playoff team for Oakland (or San Jose or Fremont or wherever they will end up), they appear to have a catcher straight out of central casting.

Maybe an actor will play Norris in Moneyball 2.

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for June 13, 2012)

I took a few days off of blogging to take care of some non Sully Baseball matters.
It serves me right not blogging.
I missed a pair of no hitters. One a perfect game by one of the game's elite pitchers, Matt Cain.
Another a six pitcher marathon.

In a way, Kevin Millwood was diplomatic when he left the 1-0 no hitter with an injury.
Millwood threw a complete game no hitter for the Phillies on April 27, 2003.
Instead of throwing going all 9, his injuries forced him out of the June 8 game against the Dodgers.

What are the chances of Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen getting listed in the All Time No Hitter tally?

Slim. But they are there now.


Let's update the list.

THE MOST RECENT NO HITTERS
FOR EACH FRANCHISE

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Matt Cain - June 13, 2012.

10-0 over Houston.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, 

Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen - June 8, 2012.

1-0 over L.A. Dodgers.

NEW YORK METS

Johan Santana - June 1, 2012

8-0 over St. Louis.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Jered Weaver - May 2, 2012.
9-0 over Minnesota.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Phillip Humber - April 21, 2012

4-0 over Seattle. (Perfect Game.)

DETROIT TIGERS
Justin Verlander - May 7, 2011.
9-0 over Toronto.

MINNESOTA TWINS
Francisco Liriano - May 3, 2011
1-0 over Chicago White Sox

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Roy Halladay - October 6, 2010
4-0 over Cincinnati. (Playoff Game)

TAMPA PAY RAYS
Matt Garza - July 26th, 2010
5-0 over Detroit.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Edwin Jackson - June 25, 2010
1-0 over Tampa Bay



OAKLAND A'S
Dallas Braden - May 9, 2010
4-0 over Tampa Bay. (Perfect Game.)


COLORADO ROCKIES
Ubaldo Jimenez - April 17, 2010
4-0 over Atlanta.

CHICAGO CUBS
Carlos Zambrano - September 14, 2008.
5-0 over Houston.


BOSTON RED SOX
Jon Lester - May 19, 2008.
7-0 over Kansas City.


FLORIDA MARLINS
Anibal Sanchez - September 6, 2006.
2-0 over Arizona.


HOUSTON ASTROS
Roy Oswalt, Peter Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner -
June 11, 2003.
8-0 over New York Yankees.


ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Bud Smith - September 3, 2001
4-0 over San Diego.


NEW YORK YANKEES
David Cone - July 18, 1999.
6-0 over Montreal. (Perfect Game.)


PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon - July 12, 1997.
3-0 over Houston. (10 innings.)


LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Hideo Nomo - September 17, 1996.
9-0 over Colorado.


TEXAS RANGERS
Kenny Rogers - July 28, 1994.
4-0 over California. (Perfect Game.)

ATLANTA BRAVES
Kent Mercker - April 8, 1994.
6-0 over Los Angeles.


KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Bret Saberhagen - August 26, 1991
7-0 over Chicago White Sox.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (AS MONTREAL EXPOS)
Dennis Martinez - July 28, 1991.
2-0 over Los Angeles. (Perfect Game.)


BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson - July 13, 1991.
2-0 over Oakland.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Dave Steib - September 2, 1990.
3-0 over Cleveland.


CINCINNATI REDS
Tom Browning - September 16, 1988.
1-0 over Los Angeles. (Perfect Game.)


MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Juan Nieves - April 15, 1987.
7-0 over Baltimore.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Len Barker - May 15, 1981.
3-0 over Toronto. (Perfect Game.)

Bonus
WASHINGTON SENATORS
Bobby Burke - August 8, 1931
5-0 over Boston.

Still waiting for the Padres.

The way this year is going with no hitters, it could happen at any minute.