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The following are the rosters for the National and American League All-Star teams to be played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh: NATIONAL LEAGUE --------------- Player, Team AVG HR RBI ============ --- -- --- Starters -------- C -- Paul Lo Duca, New York .288 3 25 1B -- Albert Pujols, St. Louis .320 27 72 2B -- Chase Utley, Philadephia .300 16 49 SS -- Jose Reyes, New York .291 8 39 3B -- David Wright, New York .324 18 66 OF -- Jason Bay, Pittsburgh .281 20 57 OF -- Carlos Beltran, New York .293 24 64 OF -- Alfonso Soriano, Washington .263 24 51 Reserves -------- C -- Brian McCann, Atlanta .354 5 23 1B -- Lance Berkman, Houston .319 22 71 1B -- Ryan Howard, Philadelphia .284 28 69 2B -- Dan Uggla, Florida .307 13 44 SS -- Edgar Renteria, Atlanta .304 8 32 3B -- Miguel Cabrera, Florida .344 13 55 3B -- Scott Rolen, St. Louis .340 12 53 3B -- Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh .363 5 45 OF -- Matt Holliday, Colorado .345 15 55 OF -- Andruw Jones, Atlanta .275 18 66 OF -- Carlos Lee, Milwaukee .284 25 66 Pitchers W-L ERA SV -------- --- --- -- SP -- Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati 9-4 2.58 SP -- Chris Carpenter, St. Louis 6-4 2.85 SP -- Tom Glavine, New York 11-2 3.34 SP -- Brad Penny, Los Angeles 9-2 2.94 SP -- Pedro Martinez, New York 7-4 3.45 SP -- Jason Schmidt, San Francisco 6-3 2.73 SP -- Brandon Webb, Arizona 9-3 2.72 SP -- Carlos Zambrano, Chicago 7-3 3.33 RP -- Brian Fuentes, Colorado 2-1 2.16 15 RP -- Tom Gordon, Philadelphia 2-3 2.12 21 RP -- Trevor Hoffman, San Diego 0-1 1.16 20 RP -- Derrick Turnbow, Milwaukee 4-4 4.04 23 Manager -- Phil Garner, Houston AMERICAN LEAGUE --------------- Player, Team .AVG HR RBI ============ ---- -- --- Starters -------- C -- Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit .298 7 38 1B -- David Ortiz, Boston .276 26 75 2B -- Mark Loretta, Boston .317 3 34 SS -- Derek Jeter, New York .339 5 47 3B -- Alex Rodriguez, New York .284 19 64 OF -- Manny Ramirez, Boston .309 22 60 OF -- Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle .359 11 30 OF -- Vladimir Guerrero, Anaheim .293 17 58 Reserves -------- C -- Joe Mauer, Minnesota .392 5 40 1B -- Paul Konerko, Chicago .314 20 63 1B -- Jim Thome, Chicago .292 27 68 2B -- i-Robinson Cano, New York .325 4 27 2B -- a-Jose Lopez, Seattle .282 9 57 SS -- Miguel Tejada, Baltimore .317 16 57 SS -- Michael Young, Texas .315 5 51 3B -- Troy Glaus, Toronto .248 22 57 OF -- Jermaine Dye, Chicago .311 20 57 OF -- b-Gary Matthews Jr., Texas .334 8 43 OF -- i-Alex Rios, Toronto .330 15 53 OF -- Grady Sizemore, Cleveland .299 15 41 OF -- Vernon Wells, Toronto .315 20 62 Pitchers W-L ERA SV -------- --- --- -- SP -- Mark Buehrle, Chicago 9-5 3.86 SP -- Jose Contreras, Chicago 8-0 3.54 SP -- Roy Halladay, Toronto 10-2 3.22 SP -- Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay 9-5 3.59 SP -- Mark Redman, Kansas City 5-4 5.59 SP -- Kenny Rogers, Detroit 10-3 3.72 SP -- Johan Santana, Minnesota 7-5 3.98 SP -- Barry Zito, Oakland 8-5 3.28 RP -- Bobby Jenks, Chicago 2-1 2.41 25 RP -- Jon Papelbon, Boston 2-1 0.43 25 RP -- Mariano Rivera, New York 4-4 1.84 18 RP -- B.J. Ryan, Toronto 1-0 0.45 22 Manager -- Ozzie Guillen Umpires ------- Home Plate -- TBA 1st Base -- TBA 2nd Base -- TBA 3rd Base -- TBA Left Field -- TBA Rignt Field -- TBA x - WON MLB FINAL VOTE y - selected, declined invitation i - injured a - replaced Robinson Cano b - replaced Alex Rios |
| QUOTE (S.T. Strickler @ Jul 9 2006, 07:20 AM) |
| ..Erik Bedard (he's Canadian) won his 5th straight game, and he improves to 10-6... |
| QUOTE (Mad Dog @ Jul 8 2006, 04:21 AM) |
| They do like get to know you interviews before Reds games. Adam Dunn gained about a million cool points this week for saying that he's a huge fan of the Transformers. |
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| Morganna Roberts an entertainer who became known as Morganna or Morganna, the Kissing Bandit in baseball and other sports from the early 1970s through the mid 1980s or so. She was also billed as "Morganna the Wild One" when appearing at strip clubs in the 1960's. Most sources agree that she was born on the Fourth of July in 1954. After that, the information varies. The sources disagree on where she was born, although some point to Kentucky. At some point also used the stage name "Ruby Delmar". They say she now goes by the name Morganna Roberts. One fact of which there was no doubt was her voluminous figure. Her bustline was conventionally reported as around 60 inches (or about 1½ meters), and her vital statistics were often reported to be 60-24-39. However, some publicity photos of her from the early 1960s are to be found on the Internet which credit her with a still-impressive, but relatively more modest, 48-24-39 figure. Other reports put her assets at 44-23-37. The relative lightness and bounciness of her breasts suggested implants in the nature of balloons rather than the conventional silicone. However, her cleavage has been reported to be all-natural which seems likely since she was so well endowed at the age of 17 at a time when breast implants were relatively rare. However big she truly was, her quick wit also distinguished her from other models. She once was reported as saying that fellow busty sex symbol Dolly Parton was "flat-chested" compared to her. She appeared in Playboy magazine, in June 1983, April 1985 and September 1989. Her usual routine was to obtain a front row seat and wear a large, bulky jacket to somewhat hide her identity. When a particular star was at bat and the crowd was focused on him, she would whip off the jacket, dash onto the field and plant a harmless kiss on the player, usually evoking a sheepish grin from him and an appreciative roar from the crowd. She was arrested each time, for disorderly conduct, which merely served to fuel her career and notoriety. Texas attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes once introduced the not entirely serious "gravity defense" for her in court, in which it was argued that her topheavy condition caused her to fall over the railing and onto the field. Her last notable appearance before retirement was in the Farrelly brothers' feature film Kingpin in 1996, appearing as herself. Morganna went into retirement at the end of 1999 and now lives in Sarasota, Florida. |
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© The Associated Press Reds Get Majewski in Eight-Player Deal 2006-07-13 The Cincinnati Reds overhauled their rickety bullpen Thursday, getting Gary Majewski and Bill Bray in an eight-player trade that sent outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Washington Nationals. The playoff-hopeful Reds also acquired shortstop Royce Clayton, infielder Brendan Harris and pitcher Daryl Thompson from the last-place Nationals. Clayton most likely would replace Lopez, who made the All-Star game last year. The Reds gave up reliever Ryan Wagner, a first-round pick in 2004 who has struggled the last two seasons. Cincinnati's bullpen has dragged it down the last two months, giving up the most homers in the majors. The Reds came out of the All-Star break at 45-44, trailing St. Louis by four games in the NL Central and in the middle of the wild-card race. A week ago, the Reds sent a minor leaguer to Seattle for Eddie Guardado, a former All-Star closer who will move back into the role in Cincinnati. That move allowed the Reds to shift struggling Todd Coffey back into a setup role. New owner Bob Castellini, who took control of the Reds in January, promised that the club would be aggressive in the trade market if it was in contention at midseason. The eight-player deal with Washington _ run by former Reds GM Jim Bowden _ marked a clear break with the team's cautious approach of recent years. Cincinnati has had five consecutive losing seasons, its deepest slump in 50 years. To stay in contention _ and above .500 _ the Reds have been trying to overhaul a bullpen that has ranked last in the NL much of the season. Majewski, a 26-year-old righty, was 3-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 46 games. He led the Nationals with 79 appearances last season and had a 2.93 ERA. Bray, a 23-year-old lefty, was the 13th overall pick in the June 2004 draft and was considered one of the Nationals' top pitching prospects. He was 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA in 19 relief appearances this season, his first in the majors. In order to get them, the Reds had to give up two of their everyday players. The 26-year-old Kearns was hitting .274 with 16 homers and 50 RBIs. The right fielder was considered one of the team's building blocks under Bowden, who was fired midway through the 2003 season. They listened to offers from other teams over the winter, but decided to hold onto Kearns. Lopez, also 26, is hitting .268 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. He failed to improve upon his breakthrough season last year, when he made his first All-Star team. |
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AMERICAN LEAGUE Angels: The Halos have been a disappointment, particularly offensively, where the team's power production has been inconsistent. Manager Mike Scioscia met with owner Arte Moreno and general manager Bill Stoneman last week to discuss options, which could include a trade. "There is a sense of urgency on the offensive side and to score runs. If that means moving a player in from the outside, then so be it," Scioscia said. "But we have to get the players here to play at the peak level, and we take that to heart as a staff." Stoneman has been reluctant to trade some of the talented youngsters in the system, which is why Howie Kendrick still is with the organization despite strong overtures from a few clubs, including the Nationals. Stoneman has been having conversations with a lot of clubs, but he declined to identify which teams he has talked to recently. Among the players the Angels have scouted recently are Soriano, Tejada, Abreu, Pat Burrell and Houston's Chris Burke. One potential chip, veteran Jeff Weaver, has been dealt to the Cardinals. Athletics: A month ago, Zito's name was being bandied about on the trade market like one of those beach balls in the bleachers. Since then, the A's have caught fire to move into first place and the AL West, which means this team isn't about to deal a starter now even if Zito is facing free agency this winter. The A's could use a bat, and they have scouted Soriano and Burke, but it is unlikely Oakland would be able to land either player, especially Burke. Blue Jays: The Jays are looking for pitching, with bullpen help the priority, and they have scouted Pittsburgh's Oliver Perez and Washington's Hernandez, among others. Perez recently was demoted to the Minors by the Pirates. The Blue Jays also are eyeing shortstops, and one target may be Tampa Bay's Lugo. Ricciardi won't overspend for pitching help, and at this point, it appears the Blue Jays are leaning toward standing pat unless the price comes down on any of the players they are interested in. Devil Rays: The Rays figure to be among the more active teams this summer, and the club already has made two trades, sending pitcher Mark Hendrickson, catcher Toby Hall and cash to the Dodgers for right-hander Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named, and dealing infielder/outfielder Aubrey Huff to Houston for two Minor Leaguers. Another move could follow, as Lugo continues to draw attention from several teams. Lugo ($4.95 million) will be a free agent after the season, and with B.J. Upton waiting in the wings at Triple-A, Lugo is not expected to re-sign with the Devil Rays. Tampa Bay wants to keep its nucleus of young talent intact, and therefore have no intention of parting with pitcher Scott Kazmir or top prospect Delmon Young. The Rays would have to be blown away to consider dealing outfielder Carl Crawford or Upton. Indians: Unless things turn around rapidly for the Tribe, look for the club to start dealing veterans who don't fit in its long-term plans. GM Mark Shapiro said he will consider deals that can improve the team this season and beyond. The Indians already traded first baseman Eduardo Perez to the Mariners in exchange for Minor League infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Should the Indians become sellers, closer Wickman, reliever Guillermo Mota, second baseman Ronnie Belliard, third baseman Boone and pitcher Paul Byrd are among the most likely candidates to change addresses. In any case, the team will be looking for help at closer and for the bullpen next winter, as well as a fifth starter. The Indians seem inclined to keep Wickman, a 10-and-5 veteran who can veto any trade anyway, and Byrd. Several teams are looking for veteran help at the corners, and Boone, who has a club/mutual option for 2007, might be leaving after the season anyway. The Indians also have Andy Marte almost ready to take over at third base and have Ben Broussard at first base. And it should be noted Victor Martinez has spent some time at first base recently. Mariners: Seattle hasn't decided if it will be buyers or sellers this year, and considering the team has played better recently and has moved to within two games of first place, that is the logical course. In the meantime, other teams are checking out a few of the Mariners in case Seattle decides to sell. The Yankees have scouted Raul Ibanez. Other clubs are considering Carl Everett and Joel Pineiro. Orioles: Tejada apparently is staying put, though officials have confirmed the club has had inquiries from other teams concerning the shortstop. "We are not actively shopping him," Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan said. The Orioles have other players drawing attention, including outfielder Luis Matos. Designated hitter Javy Lopez and reliever Hawkins are available. Rangers: Texas is looking for bullpen help. The Rangers have a number of highly regarded prospects at Double-A and Triple-A who could be used as trade bait. Texas traded lefty reliever Fabio Castro to Philadelphia for left-hander Daniel Haigwood and cash considerations. Red Sox: The soaring Sox are pondering the addition of a right-handed hitter, preferably a first baseman. According to the Rocky Mountain News, Rockies Triple-A first baseman Ryan Shealy is drawing interest from Boston. Shealy is considered a can't-miss prospect, but his path to the Major Leagues is blocked by Todd Helton. The Red Sox also have scouted Lugo, and if Smoltz becomes available, Boston certainly will be one of the teams bidding for the veteran right-hander's services. Royals: New GM Dayton Moore wants to evaluate the roster before choosing a course of action, but it's a safe bet the Royals will be in a selling mode. Moore does not have a mandate to dump salary, and any deals he makes will be with the goal of getting value for value. The Royals, however, have a few veterans who already are attracting attention from teams in pennant races, especially outfielder Sanders, second baseman Grudzielanek, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, outfielder Matt Stairs and catcher Paul Bako. Designated hitter Mike Sweeney, on the disabled list since early May because of a back problem, is unlikely to be dealt. Moore surprised some observers by dealing highly regarding pitching prospect J.P. Howell for outfielder Joey Gathright, but it's a move that fills an immediate need for Kansas City. The difficulty for Moore may be in finding a trade partner fit for some of his other players. For example, the Yankees, a team in need of an outfielder like Sanders, do not have the Triple-A pitching prospects the Royals likely would want in any deal for Sanders. Tigers: Detroit would like to add a left-handed power hitter, and after initially pondering Abreu and Jeromy Burnitz, the Tigers now are considering other options, including Kansas City's Stairs. Switch-hitter Dmitri Young, currently rehabbing a strained right quad in Florida, could fit the bill, but president/GM Dave Dombrowski will continue to work the phones to see what else is available. Detroit also is monitoring the Smoltz situation. The Tigers originally drafted Smoltz, and for the right-hander, who has indicated he would consider trades to a contender, a return to his home state might be attractive. Twins: Minnesota's resurgence has put the Twins back in the Wild Card picture and lessened the chance of the team becoming sellers. Even so, center fielder Hunter, who can become a free agent if the team doesn't pick up his $12 million option for 2007, is being eyed by a number of teams. Hunter, who is making $10.75 million this season, would bring a hefty return on the trade market. The Twins need a power-hitting third baseman or a DH with power. Veteran outfielder Rondell White will be available once he returns from the disabled list, and Shannon Stewart, who is rehabbing his injured foot, also will draw interest on the trade market. Pitcher Kyle Lohse is available. White Sox: Adding David Riske and getting Cliff Politte back from the disabled list doesn't mean the White Sox are necessarily finished upgrading their bullpen. In recent weeks, the White Sox have scouted Pittsburgh's Salomon Torres and Roberto Hernandez, Baltimore's Hawkins and Houston's Chad Qualls. They also have looked at Astros utility player Burke. The White Sox also are looking at center field help and have inquired about Hunter. Yankees: The Yanks once again are buying, and they are looking for corner outfielders. The Yankees are interested in Soriano, Abreu and Guillen, but they also are waiting to see if other, more suitable targets go on the market as the deadline nears. The difficulty for the Yankees is that even if they find a match, they do not have much to offer trade partners in the way of prospects. The Yankees are reluctant to trade pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. NATIONAL LEAGUE Astros: Houston added a hitter in Huff, though where he'll play remains to be seen. Counting the obligation to Roger Clemens, Houston's payroll is at a franchise-record $104 million, though that number could be less pending dispensation of Jeff Bagwell's $17 million salary. The Astros have the largest payroll in the National League and third-largest in the Major Leagues, behind the Yankees ($194 million) and Red Sox ($120 million). GM Purpura is adamant against adding payroll. The Astros also continue to get calls regarding Burke, with the A's and the White Sox believed to be the most interested teams. But the Astros are unwilling to part with Burke. And you can forget the rumors about Clemens being dealt if the Astros fall out of the race. The Rocket isn't going anywhere. Braves: For the first time in more than a decade, the Braves figure to be sellers in July. That doesn't mean they will, as key targets like Smoltz have no-trade clauses. Also, the Braves are not shopping the veteran right-hander. Atlanta has been seeking a right-handed-hitting first baseman, but it may wait until the offseason to address that need. Brewers: Milwaukee will be an interesting team to keep an eye on in the coming weeks, as they are still very much in the postseason picture and they have a coveted slugger heading for free agency in outfielder Lee. GM Doug Melvin will get plenty of offers for Lee, but should he move the slugger with the Brewers still in the playoff hunt? Outfielder Jenkins and reliever Kolb also are getting looks from other teams. Cardinals: They began the season with the best rotation in the league and a deep staff, but now the Cardinals find themselves looking for pitching as well as another outfield bat, preferably a lefty one. St. Louis also has scouted Washington second baseman Vidro. The Cardinals had contacted Pittsburgh about Craig Wilson, but those talks fizzled. Cubs: The Cubs haven't given any indications they will be sellers despite their disappointing first half. Other teams will be watching in case attractive second-half help like Maddux becomes available. Diamondbacks: The D-Backs are looking for starting pitching. Overtures to Florida for Willis and Oakland for Zito were shot down, and the Diamondbacks now are considering other options while waiting to see what talent becomes available before July 31. The new primary target might be Hernandez of the Nationals. The D-Backs have scouted the right-hander recently and have a deep farm system with the caliber of prospects Nationals GM Bowden is seeking. Dodgers: Pitcher Odalis Perez and infielder Cesar Izturis are available as the Dodgers continue their search for another power hitter. The Dodgers are among the teams interested in Soriano, but unless Perez is moved, it is unlikely the Dodgers will add payroll. Six-time All-Star catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. is available now that the Dodgers have acquired Hall from Tampa Bay to back up Russell Martin. Giants: San Francisco needs offense, and it has scouted Soriano and Lee, but there's also the chance the Giants could go the other way and deal a guy like Schmidt -- a free agent at season's end -- for a package of prospects. But GM Brian Sabean repeatedly has said he will not deal the right-hander and expects his team to remain in the race. Marlins: Plenty of teams have called and will continue to call, but Willis isn't going anywhere and Miguel Cabrera also is staying put. In any case, the surging Marlins are more buyers than sellers at this point and have been looking for center-field help. Mets: GM Omar Minaya has been talking with numerous teams, but so far, nothing is imminent. The Mets are looking for pitching, but they also have scouted Lugo, who can fill in at second base or shortstop, and were interested in Hendrickson before the Devil Rays dealt the pitcher to the Dodgers. Nationals: It's no secret the Nationals are willing to deal veteran players such as Soriano, Guillen, Hernandez and Vidro for prospects. Soriano, who is making $10 million and headed for free agency after the season, is drawing a lot of attention from teams needing instant offense. But he will be costly, even as a rent-a-player. Nationals GM Bowden is going to make certain any deal for Soriano brings a healthy return Washington's way. "We are trying to build long-term, so we are not looking for [short-term] answers," Bowden said. "When we made the moves for Shawn Hill and Mike O'Connor, we were sending a very strong message in terms of which direction we are going." O'Connor, Brian Schneider, Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson, Chad Cordero and Gary Majewski aren't going anywhere. The Nationals will try to re-sign Soriano if they can't deal him. To get prospects, Bowden said his club matches up very well in trades with at least 11 clubs, including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Blue Jays. One player the Nationals really like is Angels second baseman Kendrick. Bowden tried to get him during the Winter Meetings last December, but the Angels wouldn't budge. Washington also likes Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers. "There are a lot of good young players in this game," Bowden said. "We have done our homework, and we'll see how it plays out." Padres: San Diego is looking for pitching and has a decent farm system plus a few veterans like outfielder Dave Roberts, once he returns from the DL, to use in a trade. Phillies: The Phillies aren't sellers -- yet -- but could be soon. And if so, look for Abreu and/or Burrell to heat up the trade market. Philadelphia dangled Abreu last winter, and he could be available again. Abreu is, however, due the balance of $13 million this season, plus $15 million next year and a $16 million club option or a $2 million buyout in 2008. He also has a no-trade clause. If the Phillies become sellers, others, including Cory Lidle, Tom Gordon, Arthur Rhodes, Rheal Cormier and David Dellucci, could be available. Pirates: The last-place Pirates are drawing a lot of attention, and with veterans like Torres, Wilson, Hernandez and Burnitz, that isn't surprising. Pittsburgh, however, does not need to move salary, and it will only deal veterans if it brings comparable value. Another player drawing attention is Perez, and the Pirates will listen to offers for the lefty, but nothing is imminent on that front. Reds: Though he's only been GM since February, Wayne Krivsky already has made significant deals that have helped the surprising Reds stay in the playoff picture. Among the plums Krivsky has picked up include Bronson Arroyo, Scott Hatteberg, Brandon Phillips and David Ross. And Krivsky started July off on an aggressive foot, acquiring closer Eddie Guardado for prospect Travis Chick. Ownership wisely has given Krivsky the green light to add payroll if the Reds remain in contention, which could make Cincinnati serious July buyers for the first time in years. The Reds have a surplus of quality catching -- Ross, Jason LaRue and Javier Valentin -- and they could use one of them in a package (most likely La Rue, who is making $3.9 million and is being eyed by several clubs) in exchange for bullpen help or perhaps another starting pitcher. The payroll is roughly $61 million after Krivsky moved Dave Williams ($1.4 million), the lefty acquired from Pittsburgh in December for Sean Casey, to the Mets for Minor League pitcher Robert Manuel. Rockies: Colorado is looking for second-base help and pitching. The Rockies reportedly had talks with Boston, which is interested in Minor League first baseman Shealy. |
| QUOTE (Real F'n Show @ Jul 13 2006, 02:22 PM) | ||
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| QUOTE (Mad Dog @ Jul 13 2006, 03:32 PM) |
| It wasn't that bad of a deal. They've been trying to deal Kearns for 3 years now and Lopez is looking like last year was a fluke and he's a liability on defense. This got them bullpen help and it gives Ryan Freel a spot in the lineup every day. |