ANAHEIM, Calif. -- How's this for a vote of confidence? Speaking about Angels manager Mike Scioscia, club owner Arte Moreno tells SI.com, "He was here when I got here, and he'll be here when I leave.''
This isn't like the old days, when some baseball teams were run by the lazy, the unqualified or the truly incompetent. Today there's only one team like that, two tops.
The timing was said to be the surprise in the early firing of Wayne Krivsky as Reds GM Wednesday. But really, it shouldn't have been such a shock. Cincinnati had just won two of three games to get to 9-12, and Reds owner Bob Castellini surely knew it would be harder to justify making the move if his club got to .500, even with his favored Walt Jocketty waiting for the job since he joined the team in January.
All-time home run king Barry Bonds is at home in one of the fanciest sections of Beverly Hills, Calif., waiting for word about a job and some might say that isn't such a terrible price to pay. Those folks say he shouldn't complain for even one second. But people who know him say he desperately wants to play baseball and still can't believe no one wants him.
Everyone understood there would be growing pains with all the Yankees neophytes this year.
Frank Thomas' career as a Blue Jays backup lasted a grand total of one day, albeit one very eventful day. On Saturday, Thomas publicly ripped management for demoting him, then didn't bother to appear either in the dugout or on the field during the Blue Jays' 3-2 victory over the Tigers.
The way things are going for Indians left hander C.C. Sabathia, the C.C. is going to stand for Cheaper Cost.
NEW YORK -- Red Sox star David Ortiz is dressing quietly in the corner of the visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, hoping nobody asks him about his hitting, which borders on nonexistent now. Ortiz is fresh off another dreary 1-for-5 performance in Boston's 15-9 defeat to the rival Yankees. While continuing his efforts toward a hasty exit after a four-hour game he mentions, glumly, "I've been talking about my hitting all day.''
Word is, Braves pitcher Mike Hampton is making very little progress in his efforts to come back from the "strained pec'' injury he suffered while warming up for what was to be his season debut on April 4. What a shame it is that so many words were written this spring about a comeback that was, very predictably, a mirage.
Fresh off a stint in the low-minors as a manager -- yes, a manager -- Gabe Kapler is enjoying every moment of being back in the bigs as a player. He's appreciating the tiniest of things, things he used to ignore while he obsessed over preparation for opponents like the Columbus Catfish and Asheville Tourists. "Today, I really loved the National Anthem,'' Kapler said after he helped the Brewers beat the Mets 9-7 Sunday.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • A signing that would make sense. • A release that didn't make sense. • Questionable contract extensions?
Also in the Daily Scoop... • A key reason for the Tigers terrible start. • A top prospect gets busted for HGH. • A former goat is forgiven.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • The Giants honor Barry Bonds • Thoughts on Rick Ankiel • Joe Torre calls out Jake Peavy
I have a confession to make. I like the new Rays.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • What's wrong with Barry Zito? • Why Joba Chamberlain going to the bullpen is the right move. • Why Paul Lo Duca should keep quiet.
Also in this column • A's closer Street could be available • White Sox ready to dump Uribe • Rookie enters Dodgers 3B picture
Also in this column: • Leyland, Torre scouting trade market. • Deals that haven't happened ... yet. • Notes from around the camps.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Playoff predictions for the NL and AL. • The Braves are trying to trade a former No. 1 pick. • Who's looked the best this spring?
Jose Canseco -- self-professed truth teller and whistleblower on alleged liars -- appears to be caught in a whopper here.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Final preseason predictions. • No radar love. • News and notes from around the majors.
What meaning can be gleaned from spring training statistics? Well, says one American League scout, "Ichiro started 0 for 21 [this spring]. Does that mean you'd lay off him? Heck, no." Conversely, the Phillies' Ryan Howard blasted 11 home runs in the 2006 Grapefruit League, then hit 58 more during the regular season to win the MVP award. Alex Rodriguez's verdict on exhibition-game numbers: "Just throw them out," says the Yankees third baseman, who batted .422 this spring.
MIAMI -- In adjoining lounges adjacent to the visitors clubhouse in the afterglow of Johan Santana's efficient, heartening Mets debut, Mets executives Omar Minaya and Tony Bernazard weren't talking up Santana but rather watching TV and cheering for exciting new Twin Carlos Gomez, the kid they most hated to surrender in the trade that brought them their new ace.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Other key injuries. • Forgiving Bartman. • The next Jeter?
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Scout's take on Johnny Cueto • Top 10 rookies • Mike Hampton is hurt again
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Scout's take on Johnny Cueto. • Top 10 rookies. • Mike Hampton is hurt again.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • The unhappy marriage of Brandon Inge and the Tigers. • Thoughts on the Kyle Lohse signing • What will happen to Freddy Garcia?
Also in the Daily Scoop... • What's wrong with Barry Zito? • Why Joba Chamberlain going to the bullpen is the right move. • Why Paul Lo Duca should keep quiet.
Also in this column • A's closer Street could be available • White Sox ready to dump Uribe • Rookie enters Dodgers 3B picture
Also in this column: • Leyland, Torre scouting trade market. • Deals that haven't happened ... yet. • Notes from around the camps.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Playoff predictions for the NL and AL. • The Braves are trying to trade a former No. 1 pick. • Who's looked the best this spring?
Jose Canseco -- self-professed truth teller and whistleblower on alleged liars -- appears to be caught in a whopper here.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Final preseason predictions. • No radar love. • News and notes from around the majors.
What meaning can be gleaned from spring training statistics? Well, says one American League scout, "Ichiro started 0 for 21 [this spring]. Does that mean you'd lay off him? Heck, no." Conversely, the Phillies' Ryan Howard blasted 11 home runs in the 2006 Grapefruit League, then hit 58 more during the regular season to win the MVP award. Alex Rodriguez's verdict on exhibition-game numbers: "Just throw them out," says the Yankees third baseman, who batted .422 this spring.
MIAMI -- In adjoining lounges adjacent to the visitors clubhouse in the afterglow of Johan Santana's efficient, heartening Mets debut, Mets executives Omar Minaya and Tony Bernazard weren't talking up Santana but rather watching TV and cheering for exciting new Twin Carlos Gomez, the kid they most hated to surrender in the trade that brought them their new ace.
Also in the Daily Scoop... • Other key injuries. • Forgiving Bartman. • The next Jeter?
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