Around The Majors - 6th Edition

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"A whole week has passed and there is so much to talk about."

Sorta sounds like the first thing Grandma utters right when you walk into the house?

"Well, enough of the chit-chat; let's get down to business:"

That last sentence was Grandpa.


Les'go!

New York Mets: In 2006, the Mets had a 10 game road trip out west and they were victorious in 9 of them. In their first game back, the scoreboard in Shea stated, "Welcome Back Road Warriors." We might see the same writing in 7 games time. The Metsies have won 3 in a row to start their road trip and look for their 4th tomorrow when Big Pelf takes the mound against Matt Cain at 8:05 EST. This is the 2nd game this season and 3rd in under a year in which Pelfrey will be pitching in front of the entire country. The game will be televised on ESPN. As big as the audience watching - Pelfrey's performance's are just as tremendous under the spotlight.

New York Yankees: Winning their first 3 back at the stadium after a long road trip quiets all those asking for Joe Girardi's job. CC got the win yesterday, A-Rod hit a walk off home run today and things begin to look up in Whiffle Ball Park - besides the ball. Let's hope it doesn't last too long; we don't want to get their fans' hopes up, now do we?

Boston Red Sox: Struggling slugger David Ortiz was benched before a game against the Mariners this week. Manager Terry Francona said it's gonna last for a few games. Why bench the once feared slugger? The five-times All Star, dubbed "Big Papi," has been in an extended slump and has gone without a home run in 144 at-bats this season while batting just .208. Ortiz last homered on September 22 and is one at-bat away from tying the longest stretch of his career without a homer. Ortiz went 0-for-7 while tying a team-record with 12 stranded base runners on Thursday. Way to be, Little Papi.

Philadelphia Phillies: The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies finally got their visit to the White House on Friday afternoon. (They were originally scheduled to visit on April 14 but that postponed after the death of longtime broadcaster Harry Kalas). President Barack Obama welcomed the players, coaches and other team officials, saying he and the Phillies have a lot in common. "And what an unbelievable run it was, full of come-from-behind wins by an underdog team that loved to prove the prognosticators wrong. We share something in common there because no one thought I was going to win either," Obama said. If the case, Obama should prepare to be whooped up on by the Mets this upcoming September.



San Diego Padres: The team waived right-hander Duaner Sanchez in one of seven roster moves for the slumping team. Sanchez, who was waived Friday for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release, was 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 11 games out of the bullpen. The Mets should send San Diego a note with the words, "WE TOLD YOU SO". In a blog post earlier this year, Eli From Brooklyn wrote about Duaner's taxi ride that ended it all. A great piece on the final chapters of a once promising pitcher.

Los Angeles Angels: Two pitches into his season debut, Angels right-hander John Lackey was ejected by the home-plate umpire on Saturday afternoon. Lackey's first pitch to Ian Kinsler was behind the Texas leadoff man, who homered twice in Friday night's series opener taken by the Rangers, 10-8. The second delivery by the 6-foot-6 right-hander caught Kinsler in the left side. The umpire immediately gave Lackey the heave-ho, bringing Angels manager Mike Scioscia racing out of the dugout. Talk about a quick entrance - quick exit. Wow.

Check back next week for another edition of Around The Majors where we'll be going through the Mets current 10 game winning streak at that time. Until then, see ya!