OK Ross Ohlendorf... time to earn your money

Ross Ohlendorf won one game last year and then matched his win total in arbitration in the off season.

A lot of people made fun of that in the off season, including yours truly. But he is pitching against the Cubs today and can match his 2010 win total in early April.

Everything after that? Gravy.

Ross Ohlendorf's arbitration arguments

Some people are surprised that Ross Ohlendorf was able to win his arbitration hearing despite a 1-11 record for the Pirates.

But if you look at his arguments, you will see it was a no brainer that he was going to win.


- Hey, I'm a Pirate! We're SUPPOSED to lose. And who did it better than me?

- Haven't you heard? We're not supposed to pay attention to a win-loss record anymore.

- Felix Hernandez lost 12 games and was given the Cy Young Award. I only lost 11. Ergo Felix Hernandez is a bigger loser than I am!

- By having the worst record in baseball, we get the #1 pick in the draft. You are welcome.

- Did you SEE my only win? It was on July 2nd against the Phillies. I threw 7 innings of shutout ball against the 2 time defending NL Champs. Let's see YOU do that, Mr. Arbitrator!

- You know, I actually had a decent ERA in each of the last two seasons. And fans don't pay money to see a pitcher win or lose. They just want to see a decent ERA.

- It is important to show Pirate fans that you are committed to putting the same crappy product on the field year in and year out.

- You have to factor in that I had an OPS of .220 as well.

- I played with the Yankees for two seasons, so I actually know players like Jeter and A-Rod. I can get them to sign some memorabilia for you. But that access doesn't come cheap!

- I can't imagine how I only went 1-11 with such a great lineup and a lock down bullpen around me!

Jamie Moyer deserved better

What the hell happened to the Phillies? Aren't they supposed to be the NL answer to the Yankees and Red Sox juggernaut?

Aren't they supposed to be a dynasty in the making?

Don't the know they have Jamie Moyer pitching tonight, sitting on 267 wins... a mere 33 wins from a trip to Cooperstown?

He pitched well... 6 innings, 1 earned run, 8 strikeouts versus the lowly Pirates.

But the mighty Phillies managed NO runs off of Ross Ohlendorf! Going into tonight's game he was tied with ME for wins.

Come on Phils!
You've got an unlikely uniform to retire and Hall of Fame ticket to punch. Let's get on the ball. You can't blame EVERYTHING on Chase Utley's injury!

Joba's Palace

Anyone wondering what the effects of using the major league regular season as an extended spring training for Joba Chamberlain, look no further than yesterday.

Joba throws two meaningless innings over the weekend in a blow out and was not available Sunday or Monday as they stretch him out.

It worked out on Sunday as Edwar Ramirez pitched well… but with the Yankees needing a solid contributor from the bullpen yesterday to keep a 1-0 game close, the Yankees couldn’t turn to Joba even though he had a complete day off on Sunday.

They were left with Hawkins and Veras… and 1-0 became 6-0 en route to a 6-1 loss.

And tonight, with the game still in progress, the Yankees scored Ian "Batting Practice" Kennedy 8 runs... and of course they had to go to the pen early.

And Ross Ohlendorf couldn't make an 8-4 lead stick.

Anyone who said that 8th inning men are easy to find better take a good long look at the Yankee pen once Joba leaves.

Once again, it is music to my ears!