International Business Times

Why Helmets for Pitchers are More Important than for Hitters

joe.halverson — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:58:03 GMT

By now, we’ve all seen the horrific footage of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Happ getting hit in the head with a line drive during last Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Happ suffered a fractured skull, but he has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Manchester United Transfer News: Quintero or Marchisio? United May Move For Both Players.

christopher.arnfield — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:28:49 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson has indicated that there has been a change in transfer strategy in the last 12 months at Old Trafford. In the past, he has bemoaned the lack of value in the market. In an apparent about-turn, he now says that his comments were referring to younger players where there was not proof of the quality required for Manchester United. We have all seen the dramatic effect had on the team by the addition of Robin Van Persie last year and it seems that this has not been lost on the Manchester United hierarchy.

MLB News: Top Candidates to Win National League MVP

dominic.jimenez — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:53:32 GMT

We’re almost a month into the 2013 MLB season, but it’s never too early to make award predictions. With that said, here are my top three candidates to win NL MVP.

Buster Posey C-SF

Cy Young's Most Unbreakable Record (Isn't What You Think)

joe.halverson — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:59:27 GMT

Let’s face it: there are a lot of career records in Major League Baseball are unlikely to be touched any time soon.

But the one mark that stands head-and-shoulders above all the others on the unbreakability scale often tends to get overlooked.

This record has been in place for more than a century without being challenged, and all indications are that it is getting tougher and tougher to approach with each passing year.

WBC Stakes Its Claim

gina.antoniello — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:16:35 GMT

If you walked through the stands at Chase Field in Phoenix this past week you saw what the vision was for the World Baseball Classic. Lines formed at concession stands where fans of every ethnic background purchased hats, T-shirts, and other fan apparel, not of the hometown Diamondbacks, but of Mexico, USA, Italy and Canada. Want a Ryan Braun shirt? Get Team USA on the front. While sitting in the stands you heard people conversing in French, Italian, Spanish, and other languages. Is baseball America’s pastime or the world’s? If you are MLB, maybe a little of both.

Phillies Kick Off Spring Training in Florida

Ryan Pastrana — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:29:29 GMT

The Phillies this year are another year older, and another year removed from their 2008 World Series Championship. Many of the 2008 squad's roster are still intact, but the window is closing fast on making it back with the same core group of players. Charlie Manuel is back at the helm of the club once again this year, and thinks that this group has what it takes to compete for another NL East title this year.

Nine-Figure MLB Contracts that Turned Out All Right

joe.halverson — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:28:58 GMT

When word hit that the Seattle Mariners were offering Felix Hernandez a 7-year, $175 million extension, a number of usual suspects came out of the woodworks to claim that it was too much money. Many people are under the assumption that high-dollar contracts never work out, as they tend to be paying players for what they have done in the past as opposed to the future.

Felix vs. Verlander: Who is the better long-term value?

joe.halverson — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:41:30 GMT

While discussions of a new deal have apparently hit a snag, it still appears likely that the Seattle Mariners will eventually come to terms on a contract extension that will make Felix Hernandez the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.

A-Rod Paranoia is Silly, Yet Raises an Important Issue

joe.halverson — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:52:46 GMT

The alleged reaction of Alex Rodriguez to MLB’s latest PED scandal really is a sight to behold.

Why the Triple Crown is Overrated when Determining Baseball’s MVP

joe.halverson — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:16:18 GMT

While much of the nation was focused on preparing for the Super Bowl last Friday, ESPN’s Jim Caple instead had his eyes on baseball and the latest trend of the statistical revolution.

Miami Doping Ring Latest Example that PED Issue Will Never Go Away

joe.halverson — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:49:48 GMT

Miami New Times Uncovers East Coast Balco: A-Rod, Nelson Cruz, Gio Gonzalez Among MLB Players Busted

jesse.chiang — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:30:23 GMT

Miami New Times Uncovers East Coast Balco: A-Rod, Melky, Gio Gonzalez Amongst Named

I guess Victor Conte was right after all.

Frank Thomas Should Be, But Probably Won’t Be, An Easy Hall Of Fame Selection

joe.halverson — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:33:31 GMT

One of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball finds himself back in the news, as Chicago White Sox legend Frank Thomas made it clear that he does not have much sympathy for the hitters of his era whose careers are clouded by PED usage. Thomas said unequivocally that his numbers are “clean” and that he fully expects to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the 2014 class.

Toronto Blue Jays Going All-In for 2013 After Marlins Megadeal But Will it Work?

joe.halverson — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:10:19 GMT

If their latest megadeal involving the Miami Marlins is any indication, the Toronto Blue Jays are going all-in on next season.

San Francisco Giants Recap & Offseason Rumors: Could Josh Hamilton Be In Brian Sabean's Plans?

dominic.jimenez — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:30:16 GMT

The San Francisco Giants have completed their improbable playoff run with the ultimate prize: a World Series Title. After a period of 56 years without a championship, the Giants now have two titles in three years. While the city of San Francisco and its fans are still celebrating, it is already time to start looking towards next season and where this Giants team is headed.

Free Agents:

World Series Game 3 Preview: A Must Win Game For The Detroit Tigers

marcus.collazo — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:34:56 GMT

The Detroit Tigers did not enjoy their trip to San Francisco this week.

Coming into the series as the odds on favorites, the Tigers find themselves in a 0-2 series hole to the San Francisco Giants, who it now seems can do no wrong.

Detroit Tigers News: Things Not Looking Too Good For Tigers

jack.kerwin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 22:26:37 GMT

Man, you just can’t get anything past Jim Leyland.

Brilliant strategist, scintillating motivator that Detroit manager is, indeed. Seeing how San Francisco played baseball’s rope-a-dope with Cincinnati and St. Louis in successive series to reach the World Series as the National League’s rep, Jimmy stepped back, somehow coaxed his Motown minions to roll over the first two games and give the Giants false hope.

10 MLB Players Fans Should Watch In Person Part 2: Chapman, Hernandez, Ichiro, Stanton, and Halladay

dominic.jimenez — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:43:12 GMT

World Series Preview: Detroit Tigers Will Be Too Much For Giants To Handle

jack.kerwin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:15:33 GMT

On paper, the 2012 World Series appears to be the proverbial mismatch.

Best pitcher. Best hitter. Best sidekick.

All reside on the American League champion Detroit Tigers roster. It almost seems unfair.

Except for one nagging, gnawing factor – the X factor.

Whatever X is no one can really put a finger on, but the National League champion San Francisco Giants certainly have it. Down 2-0 in the best-of-five NLDS, they won the next three games against the Cincinnati Reds. On the road.

10 MLB Players Fans Should See In Person Part 1: Jeter, Cabrera, Verlander, Pujols And Rivera

dominic.jimenez — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 22:05:49 GMT

There’s that old adage that certain athletes are “once-in-a-lifetime talents.” And while the phrase may be played out, there are definitely a handful of athletes that actually fit into this category. There are some talents that are just too amazing to not enjoy watching, regardless of what your favorite team may be. Some may be older players that have a limited window of playing time left while some may be young stars that are just too good to miss. The first installment in this series will highlight ten baseball players that fans should watch in person.

Alex Rodriguez Trade Rumors: A-Rod Isn't Worth The Investment For Yanks Or Marlins

jack.kerwin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:45:25 GMT

It needed to be a closed-casket ceremony. With Miguel Cabrera, Max Scherzer and the rest of the Detroit Tigers presiding over the viewing and then dancing around the gravesite, the 2012 Yankees season finally, mercifully was laid to rest Thursday.

If only the offseason could be so cut and dry … and over.

Alex Rodriguez Trade Rumors: Huge Salary Not the Reason Why A-Rod Won’t be Dealt By Yankees

joe.halverson — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:20:10 GMT

Yankees Hitters Were Not That Bad, Justin Verlander Just That Good

jack.kerwin — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:10:03 GMT

OK, let’s get a little clarity going here.

We already know Detroit has the best hitter in baseball – Miguel Cabrera.

Can we cut to the chase and just anoint Justin Verlander as the best pitcher, too?

Would it be so hard to admit he is unbeatable when he’s on, either?

Apparently when a tough-talkin’, talented New York writer turned online opinion-giver is so geared on making his point about how lame the Yankees’ offense, it is.

Yankees vs. Tigers: Bombers' Ideal Lineup for Game 3 of ALCS

michael.moraitis — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:49:23 GMT

The New York Yankees need some help on the offensive end, and they need it now. After another depressing performance in the batter's box during Game 2 of the ALCS, the Bombers find themselves down 0-2 with the prospect of facing Detroit Tigers ace, Justin Verlander.

Clearly there are some guys on this team who are hitting, and some who simply aren't. It's time for Manager Joe Girardi to take some steps to help fix this ailing offense.

Let's take a look at what the Yanks could do to bolster their lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS.

Yankees vs. Tigers: Bombers' Ideal Lineup for Game 3 of ALCS

michael.moraitis — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:49:15 GMT

Clearly there are some guys on this team who are hitting, and some who simply aren't. It's time for Manager Joe Girardi to take some steps to help fix this ailing offense.

Let's take a look at what the Yanks could do to bolster their lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS.