The Times Talkin' Baseball

Good for Tulane

2008-04-21T22:45:00.003-06:00

As LSU and Tulane prepare to resume their rivalry at Tulane's rebuilt Turchin Stadium (sorry, Richie, I can't bring myself to call it Greer Field at Turchin Stadium), several thoughts come to mind.

The first is to be happy for Wave head coach Rick Jones and his team. They finally have a home again. A real home. A home they don't have to share with a Triple-A team.

And, to top it off, their home has been rebuilt. See Turchin was going to be renovated following the 2005 college baseball season -- a season that ended with Tulane playing in the College World Series. Well, some two months after Baylor eliminated the Wave from college baseball's marquee event, we all know what happened.

Katrina hit and New Orleans never was the same.

Ditto for Tulane. It spent that fall working out and living in Lubbock, Texas. Then it came back to New Orleans and spent two seasons playing in cavernous Zephyr Field, home of the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. It was a marriage of convenience, but, according to Jones, not of happiness on both sides.

Regardless, Tulane has a new ballpark -- a sparkling one at that. So as LSU makes its maiden voyage to the redone yard in New Orleans, it's time to be happy for Jones and a Tulane program that, hopefully, is home for good.

Weekend wrap

2008-04-20T22:40:00.002-06:00

We're another weekend closer to the end of college baseball season. What did we learn?

* We learned LSU's wacky season just gets wackier. The Tigers had a chance to salvage one game from their series with East-leading Georgia. Then the bullpen blows a late lead and extra innings are rendered meaningless by the SEC travel curfew. Wow.

* We learned there's heart in Natchitoches and on Kings Highway. Northwestern State and Centenary both needed sweeps this weekend on the road and both delivered.

* We learned Louisiana Tech looks like a team that has given up. Tech finally gets the starting pitching that it thought it would have all year and suddenly the Bulldogs can't hit or hold a lead.

* Finally, we learned Grambling is a legitimate SWAC title contender. The Tigers were one out away from a weekend sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff before a walkoff grand slam ended their hopes of a sweep. Still, the Tigers own a .667 winning percentage in conference. That's good enough for me.

I-20 blues

2008-04-19T22:48:00.002-06:00

For a pair of baseball teams wearing red, white and blue along I-20, Saturday night was particularly dreadful.

On the college level, Louisiana Tech FINALLY got a good start out of slumping junior Luke Burnett at San Jose State -- and the bullpen blows it.

On the opposite coast, the Texas Rangers FINALLY got a good start from slumping free-agent signee Jason Jennings -- and the bullpen blows it.

Tech already has had a long season and it looks like the Rangers are following the lead of the Bulldogs.

Missed my predictions

2008-04-18T22:04:00.002-06:00

Here we are three weeks into the Major League Baseball and I still haven't made any predictions.

You could say I learned my lesson with my gawd-awful attempts the last couple of years, but the truth is I forgot. I got so busy doing something else that I didn't post the predictions you all have come to love -- and, I'm sure, mock.

So, without further ado, here goes another edition of Pugh's Picks for the Major League Baseball season:

American League
East champion -- Boston. I know it's not always a chic pick to go with a team that either A) won a World Series or B) went deep into the playoffs. But I can't see the Yankees coming up with enough pitching to overtake the Red Sox.

Central champion -- Detroit. Slow start or not, this offense will hit and the pitchers will pitch. And the Tigers will overcome their early deficit.

West champion -- Los Angeles. The return of John Lackey, and prudent planning by the front office, will keep them a step ahead of Seattle.

Wild-card -- New York. Why not? The Yankees still have enough money to fill the holes that will appear during the season.

National League

East champion -- New York. The Mets appear to have shaken the hangover from last season and have gotten the Phillies out of their heads.

Central champion -- St. Louis. The Cardinals appear to be for real. Dave Duncan is a certifiable miracle worker.

West champion -- Arizona. They added Danny Haren to their rotation and they learned to hit. Look out NL.

Wild card -- Chicago. Despite having Ted Lilly as a No. 2 starter, the Cubs should beat up on the Central enough to win the wild card.

Belated congratulations

2008-04-17T22:48:00.001-06:00

When I leave the office for my two days off, I try to get as far away from work-related things as I can.

So, to Louisiana-Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux, a belated congratulations on career win No. 500 as the Ragin' Cajuns skipper.

I worked with and for "Coach Robe" for three years in college, covering him for the student newspaper then serving as his sports information director for a year.

I can't believe it's been seven years since I attended a game at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field, but it's good to see Robichaux rolling along.

It's been seven years since his name was bandied about for the LSU opening when Skip Bertman left and Robe was always a candidate for the perpetually on-the-h0t-seat Rod Delmonico at Tennessee.

Time flies, but Robichaux stays consistent. That's a rarity in today's college baseball world and another reason why Robe remains one of my favorite people in the business.

Morgan shows his ignorance

2008-04-16T22:31:00.002-06:00

Just one day after Major League Baseball celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, Joe Morgan put his foot in his mouth.

During Wednesday's Red Sox-Yankees telecast on ESPN, Morgan was talking about the decline in black players in Major League Baseball. He proceded to talk about how a Red Sox player should be described as a "black Red Sox player" or a "Caucasian Red Sox player" et al.

That point would have been well-taken had Morgan, in his recent past, not blasted the Houston Astros for employing a lack of black players.

In his attempt to do the right thing -- for the record I agree with his concept -- Morgan shed light on his past shortcomings.

Welcome back, B.J.

2008-04-13T22:42:00.002-06:00

Looks like the Toronto Blue Jays have 'em a closer again.

Former Airline High standout B.J. Ryan returned from Tommy John Surgery on Sunday, picking up his first save of the season. And he did it in style.

Ryan moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Westlake about a year-and-a-half ago. He made his return to a major league mound just miles away at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.

Ryan may not pitch on back-to-back days for some time, but it appears he's well ahead of a normal Tommy John rehab patient's schedule.

That's good news for the Blue Jays, who are counting on a healthy year to see what they truly have.

Optimistic soul

2008-04-12T22:16:00.002-06:00

Our good friend Larry Wade has posted his thoughts on the Houston Astros on the Free For All blog.

I like Larry, but he may be the most optimistic soul I know. He certainly is when it comes to anyone in this department.

That optimism was rewarded in 2004 and 2005 when the Astros put together two of the best finishing kicks this side of the Colorado Rockies to earn playoff berths.

Somehow, I'm less than convinced that will happen this season.

But, life would be better if we were all a little more optimistic -- like Mr. Wade.

Fantasy woes

2008-04-11T22:44:00.001-06:00

It's fantasy season here at The Times and we're in "grind it" mode.

If our work clothes were uniforms, we'd be covered in dirt.

Before the season, I swore to myself -- and friends who would listen -- that I wouldn't grind every day like I did last year.

That lasted about 6 hours.

Ah, the love-hate relationship of a fantasy baseball fan.

New rivalry emerges

2008-04-09T22:11:00.002-06:00

During one of the Chicago Cubs' broadcast in the season's first week, there was a poll asking who the Cubs' biggest "new" rival is.

The majority said the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now that we have that established, there is another big-stage-worthy rivalry in the making in the Senior Circuit -- the Mets and Phillies.

While this one dates back further than the Brewers-Cubs battles, it's has recently grown in stature.

Given the Mets' epic collapse a year ago and players like Jimmy Rollins, David Wright and Carlos Beltran, the spotlight was sure to be on Shea Stadium this week. Throw in the alleged quote about the Phillies wanting a brawl and it's clear to see these teams will porbably be in the mix down to the last days of September again. Throw in the Atlanta Braves and we may see the best race in baseball come out of the NL East.

Early returns strong for Astros

2008-04-08T21:39:00.002-06:00

It's early still.

That's the statement we must remind ourselves of whenever we start to talk about Major League Baseball right now.

So when you look at Houston's Miguel Tejada, one of the Astros' priciest acquistions of a busy offseason, it's tough right now to be anything but giddy.

Tejada hit the game-winning home run Monday night then added a two-run double Tuesday night in a losing effort.

It's early still, but after his first two games as a Minute Maid Park home player, it look as though Miggy never left that perfect summer night in 2004 when he won the All-Star Home Run Derby crown.

Weekend wrap

2008-04-06T22:33:00.002-06:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I did one of these as last weekend I was returning from Memphis and the Civil Rights Game. So with another weekend of college baseball in the books, what did we learn?

* We learned LSU is what we thought it was. The Tigers still haven't swept an SEC series, but winning series, like they did against Alabama, is always a good thing.

* We learned Louisiana Tech's struggles will continue in the WAC. Tech became the first WAC team to be swept at home in a conference series this year. Something is very badly wrong in Ruston.

* We learned Northwestern State has plenty of heart. After being no-hit for eight innings Friday night, the Demons put together a three-run ninth to nearly knock off McNeese. They did just that Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader from the Cowboys to move within a half-game of the Southland Conference lead.

* We learned Centenary's no fan of Omaha. The Gents' series with South Dakota State was moved to Omaha -- home of the College World Series. Apparently, it did not agree with the Gents, as they dropped all four games to start Summit League play.

* Finally, we learned Grambling remains a strong, under-the-radar team in the SWAC. If you're counting at home, GSU's sweep of Texas Southern makes it 11-4 in the conference.

Weird time for Wells

2008-04-05T22:53:00.000-06:00

Alabama coach Jim Wells nearly left the Capstone this summer before deciding to stay on as the Crimson Tide baseball coach.

He's probably wondering why right about now.

His team just split a day-night doubleheader with a scuffling LSU outfit -- then again the entire SEC West is scuffling.

This is not the Alabama team -- or program -- we're accustomed to seeing. Maybe Wells had it right the first time. Maybe he should have stayed gone.

Or, maybe, he sees promise in the current Tide and doesn't want to leave the cupboard bare for former NSU head coach Mitch Gaspard, who seems to be in line to succeed Wells whenever the Bossier City native calls it quits for good.

Good times for local guys

2008-04-04T22:47:00.000-06:00

It's been a whirlwind couple of days for some local baseball products.

First, Centenary's Dakota Robinson, who prepped at Airline, will pitch in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners. He found out Thursday he made the roster after initially being offered a two-week tryout.

Secondly, former Captain Shreve standout Scott Baker picked up a win in his first start of the season for Minnesota, settling down after a rough first inning to hand the Kansas City Royals their first loss of the season.

Also on Friday, former LSU star Aaron Hill signed a lucrative four-year extension with Toronto.

On the minor league front, former Southwood High standout Michael Aubrey rang in baseball's new year with a home run for Double-A Akron in the Cleveland Indians chain.

Tough times at Tech

2008-04-03T22:51:00.001-06:00

This was going to be THE year for Louisiana Tech's baseball team.

The year the Bulldogs broke their nearly two-decade-long regional drought.

If that's going to happen, the Pups better get on the stick.

Tech dropped a 17-2 heartbreaker (as only Bob Uecker in "Major League" could call it) to Sacramento State on Thursday night, falling to 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference.

In previous seasons, 2-6 would not be a death sentence. However, with the WAC switching to four-game conference series this year, it may be.

The Bulldogs are a struggling outfit right now and there is no salve in beating up on the Tennessee-Martins or McNeese States of the world that will make the Dawgs feel better about themselves.

With the WAC Tournament less than two months away from its first appearance in Ruston, Tech has precious little time to make things right. It's either that or a weekend full of empty seats at J.C. Love Field.

Interesting start

2008-04-02T22:49:00.002-06:00

One of our favorite GMs here at 222 Lake Street is Toronto's J.P. Ricciardi.

And if you believe that, I'm gonna go to George Strait's classic and tell you I have some ocean frotn property in Arizona for you.

Ricciardi refused to speak to me about a story I did a few years ago on the lack of minority general managers. He's also the same guy who misled reporters about former Airline High star B.J. Ryan's injury in spring training a year ago.

So how does this guy still have a job after seven years in Toronto?

Well take a listen to what Dan O'Brien of ESPN said during Wednesday night's Blue Jays-Yankees broadcast: "The Blue Jays think, with a healthy lineup and a healthy rotation, they can compete with the Red Sox and Yankees."

We all know the saying about nice guys and where they finish. If the Blue Jays have a good season, we'll see how the other half lives.

Welcome back, old friend

2008-03-31T22:38:00.002-06:00

Man it's good to have baseball back.

From Kosuke Fukudome's dramatic debut in Chicago to Jake Peavy dealing in San Diego, opening day 2008 was beautiful.

Forget the early morning wake-up calls to watch the Red Sox-A's series in Japan or the ESPN manufactured one-game homestand to open up Washington's new ballpark -- Monday was what opening day is all about.

A full day of games -- some good, some not so good. Baseball from noon till midnight. America's past time back where it belongs -- in the spotlight.

Reflections of Memphis

2008-03-30T22:24:00.002-06:00

I'm back from a short sojourn to Memphis for the Civil Rights Game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets.

Let me start by saying Auto Zone Park is a true jewel. It's the third "new" Triple-A park I've been to. The others are Zephyr Field in New Orleans and the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Auto Zone Park is at the top of that list, and not just because of the recent visit.

It's location probably makes it that way. It's situated in downtown Memphis. There are apartments overlooking center field and right field where residents can take in a game from their porch -- similar to the Wrigley Field experience.

The architecture is a mix of modern and throwback styles. I could go on, but onto the game.

It was a spring training game, but many regulars played most of the game. The Mets won 3-2, but the umpiring was in midseason form.

After new Mets right fielder Ryan Church tipped a ball off his glove and clearly off the top of the wall and a fan, it was ruled in play. That loaded the bases for Chicago, which, instead of having a three-run home run, settled for a two-run single and lost the game.

All in all, it was quite an experience. I'd love to head back to Memphis sometime this summer when it's not cold, rainy and depressing and really see the city's jewel of a stadium shine.

Hitting the road

2008-03-28T22:47:00.002-06:00

Look out, Elvis, here we come.

Me and two buddies are headed to Memphis tomorrow to take in the Civil Rights Game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets.

Road trips, as a rule, are enjoyable. Mix in a baseball game and I'm in heaven.

I know it's an exhibition game, but I don't care. I haven't seen the Mets in person and I've only seen the White Sox in two games. Of course, those were Games 3 and 4 of the 2005 World Series in Houston.

So let the 2008 season being -- a couple of days early.

Polk will leave a hole

2008-03-27T21:46:00.004-06:00

Somewhere at the NCAA corporate headquarters, someone is smiling.

That's because Mississippi State head baseball coach Ron Polk (pictured) announced his resignation, effective the end of this season.

Polk was as eager to go to verbal battle with the NCAA as he was successful on the diamond -- and that's saying something.

A couple of seasons ago, when Mississippi State came to Ruston to face Louisiana Tech, I interviewed Polk. The best parts, of course, came off the record.

One rant of his that day centered around Alabama's new women's crew team.

Given that program had a full complement of scholarships, Polk was rightly peeved.

My favorite (cleaned up) line from that conversation: "Alabama didn't even have a lake. They had to build a lake for the team."

Polk is one of a kind in college baseball. When Skip Bertman left LSU to become the AD there, it took away one of the SEC's most colorful -- and quotable -- rivalries.

So, happy trails, coach Polk. The Left Field Lounge, Dudy Noble Field and SEC teleconferences won't be the same without you.

Centenary breaks through

2008-03-26T21:14:00.002-06:00

Centenary's 5-1 vctory over Arkansas is important for several reasons.

One, even thought it is a midweek win, it's a midweek win over an SEC school. College baseball is probably the one sport where, at times, it helps to be a mid-major. For instance, the majority of players who sign with SEC-type schools stand a legitimate chance of being drafted and never seeing a college field.

Secondly, this will give the Gents confidence they hopefully can carry into the Summit League season. Coach Ed McCann said this was the year the Gents could make it happen, possibly reach an NCAA regional.

That remains to be seen, but Wednesday's win was a serious step in that direction.

BPCC doing something right

2008-03-25T21:39:00.002-06:00

Aaron Vorachek has done something right at Bossier Parish Community College.

Once T.J. Forrest signs with Arkansas on April 9, it will give the Cavaliers a pair of pitchers who have signed with Division I schools.

Chad Poe inked a letter of intent with Southern Mississippi in November.

Pitching coach Jason Stephens told me Tuesday he expects a couple more players to sign with D-I schools.

Couple that with the way the Cavaliers are playing and it looks like Vorachek, the Cavaliers head coach, is building a solid program.

Busy day for locals

2008-03-24T22:37:00.002-06:00

Good news and bad for some major league pitchers with local ties.

First the good. Minnesota gave former Shreveport Captain Joe Nathan, the Twins' All-Star closer, a four-year contract extension, setting him and his family up financially for life.

Now the bad. It looks as though former Airline High star B.J. Ryan's comeback from Tommy John surgery will be delayed a couple of weeks. Ryan is dealing with elbow soreness and will not break camp with the Blue Jays.

Instead, he will stay in Florida and continue to work out at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin.

Weekend wrap

2008-03-23T22:31:00.003-06:00

Another weekend of college baseball is in the books. What did we learn?

* We learned LSU isn't in quite as bad a shape as we thought. Granted, the Tigers aren't where they expected to be, but they're in better shape than Arkansas.

* We learned Louisiana Tech still struggles on the road in Western Athletic Conference play.

* We learned Northwestern State is a legitimate threat to climb back into the top spot in the Southland Conference after winning a series at Southeastern Louisiana, beating Lions' ace Wade Miley in the process.

* We learned Centenary has improved to the point where back-to-back doubleheaders with Chicago State mean four victories. That wasn't always a guarantee.

* We learned Barret Ray at Grambling is keen on beating his former employer. The Tigers won a SWAC series against perennial league power Southern, proving GSU is for real in Ray's second season at the helm.

Bad news for Ryan

2008-03-22T22:49:00.001-06:00

It hasn't been a good week to be a local pitcher in a big league camp.

Earlier this week, Scott Baker, a former Captain Shreve star, was battling the flu, which caused him to miss a couple of bullpen sessions.

Now, former Airline standout B.J. Ryan is experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired left elbow.

I'm not sure how bad the soreness is, but you can bet Toronto will play it safe with Ryan this time after his elbow began to give on him last spring training.

Fantasy Times

2008-03-21T21:56:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year here at 222 Lake Street.

We're about 5 hours from our automated fantasy baseball draft and I couldn't be happier.

It means baseball season -- real baseball season -- is right around the corner.

Not sure if I'll be assigned any players with connections to this area, but we'll wait and see.

If I'm not mistaken, you can check our fantasy league at ESPN.com. The league name -- Downtown Shreveport Baseball Inc

Wild, wild WAC

2008-03-19T22:48:00.002-06:00

Nothing has been decided in the Western Athletic Conference and, yet, tempers are boiling over.

Fresno State coach Mike Batesole was arguing with the Indiana coach over the weekend when both dugouts emptied.

Batesole was hit with a two-game suspension.

The weather hasn't warmed up completely and, yet, teams already are fighting.

Should make for a heck of a season in the WAC.

Bad news for Baker

2008-03-18T14:31:00.002-06:00

The best spring of Scott Baker's major league career has hit a snag

And it's one that has the Minnesota Twins worried.

Baker is fighting the flu and the bug has caused him to miss his last two bullpen sessions. According to MLB.com's Kelly Thesier, Baker has thrown only a light bullpen session since his last start.

Manager Ron Gardenhire isn't sure if Baker will be able to stretch his pitch count enough to be ready to go opening day when the Twins face the Los Angeles Angels.

That's really a shame because Baker looked to be one of the favorites to take the ball in that game.

End of an era

2008-03-17T22:38:00.002-06:00

I'm much too young to know -- or even pretend to know -- all the history behind Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla.

But I read Roger Kahn's "The Boys of Summer." That would be about the Brooklyn Dodgers, who helped make Vero Beach famous.

Anyway, I digress. Dodgertown closed its doors Monday as Los Angeles lost 12-10 to Houston in a spring training game.

Assuming all goes well with the team's new complex in Glendale, Ariz., the Dodgers ended their relationship with the small Florida town it turned into a tourist attraction each March.

For 60 years, the team and the town were synonymous with spring baseball. I regret never making the trip down to see even a practice there.

The bottom line here is baseball lost another piece of its innocence, one of the few it has remaining. The Dodgers' new complex cost $80 million to build.

Gone is a stadium with no dugouts. Gone is the proximity to fans. Gone are the boys of spring from that Florida town.

Weekend wrap

2008-03-16T22:05:00.002-06:00

The first weekend of conference play is in the books. What did we learn?

* We learned LSU is a long way off from where it wants to be. The Tigers were swept for the first time in history by Tennessee. And, mind you, this is a Tennessee team with a first-year coach.

* We learned Northwestern State is happy at home. A three-game sweep is the perfect start to Southland Conference play for the Demons.

* We learned Grambling, in its third weekend of SWAC play, is definitely a contender. The Tigers are 6-3 in conference play.

* We learned Louisiana Tech, which hasn't started conference play, can roll up Tennessee-Martin. The Bulldogs got healthy against the visiting Skyhawks. Tech starts Western Athletic Conference play Thursday at Nevada. The WAC has moved to four-game conference series this year.

Huletts making strides

2008-03-15T22:48:00.002-06:00

I ran into Evangel baseball coach Tim Hulett for the first time in a while Friday at the Loyola Diamond Classic and he had good news to report on all three of his baseball-playing sons.

Tug Hulett is hanging in there in his first spring training with Seattle. Tim said Tug played some early then sat for a few days which drove him crazy. Befitting the nickname he shares with late Phillies closer -- and father of country music star Tim McGraw -- Tug McGraw, the oldest Hulett son is a ball of energy so sitting on a bench is as close to torture as it can get.

Middle son Jeff has caught on with the Texas Rangers and is working out in their spring camp after spending last season with the Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association. He has scrapped his way out of the independent leagues and into a potential spot in organized ball. Kudos to him.

Finally, Jeff, the Huletts' youngest son, is "tearing it up" at Okaloosa-Walton (Fla.) Community College after spending his freshman season at Texas A&M. OWCC is one of the region's top junior college programs annually and should give Jeff a good shot at catching on with a Division I program next season, or opting for the MLB Draft in June.

Ryan on the way back

2008-03-14T16:07:00.005-06:00

B.J. Ryan's comeback officially is under way.

On Friday, Ryan, a former Airline High star, worked a perfect inning in Toronto's 8-4 spring training loss to Tampa Bay.

Ryan started the game, which was delayed by rain, and struck out a pair of batters.

“I kind of went out there anxious and nervous, not really knowing what to expect because it’s the first time being back out there, and I didn’t want to feel my way around the way like I did in those simulated games,” he told reporters afterward.

Ryan is less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery. He missed most of spring training a year ago and then struggled before being shut down April 14 because of his balky left elbow.

Dougie's gone

2008-03-13T22:05:00.002-06:00

Shed a tear, Shreveport.

The Boston Red Sox released Doug Mirabelli, a former Shreveport Captain, on Thursday.

Mirabelli leaves Boston with two World Series rings and the never-ending love of Red Sox fans. In fact, the worlds folk hero should be attached to Dougie's name.

Do a google search for "Dougie's Diary" to see how much larger than life the personal catcher for Tim Wakefield has become in Boston (Warning: Most of that is NOT intended for children.)

So another Shreveport tie to the big leagues is gone, which means another tear has fallen from area baseball fans' eyes.

Beauty of baseball

2008-03-12T22:28:00.002-06:00

Baseball, in its purest form, is an everyday battle.

There are few off days during a Major League Baseball or a minor league season. And, now, with a more compressed college schedule, it's becoming that way for NCAA student-athletes.

Said schedule now allows for more two-game midweek series instead of the more common single-game matchups.

In turn, that allows for the beauty of what happened in New Orleans on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Northwestern State and Tulane played a taut, 11-inning thriller with Tulane winning 4-3. On Wednesday, however, it was time for the bats to take over.

In something resembling a typical midweek game, the Green Wave finished the two-game sweep with an 18-11 game in which one Green Wave hitter went 6-for-6.

Such is the beauty of an everyday game -- one day it's all about pitching and defense, the next is an offensive onslaught.

What is MLB thinking?

2008-03-11T14:51:00.002-06:00

At this rate, I may forgo my summer vacation tradition of catching a Major League Baseball game in a park I've never been to.

The reason: MLB is trying to strong-arm the Cape Cod Baseball League into paying up.

That's right, a multi-million (at least) dollar conglomerate is trying to force a not-for-profit eight-team college league into coughing up 11 percent of its revenue because six of the eight CCBL teams use MLB nicknames. Oh, the horror.

Seriously, MLB donates a whopping $100,000 a year to help fund the league, which is the premier summer league for college players and a launching point for players such as Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell and Jason Varitek.

Now big bad MLB wants to take it all away. The games in the CCBL charge no admission. The league subsists on donations and, should MLB take its away, the league would be in dire straits.

It may be trite to say, but the Cape Cod League is a bit of an American tradition. It's been memorialized in movies (Summer Catch) and books (The Last Best League).

Let's hope MLB looks in the mirror and sees the ugly, vicious corporate giant it has been acting like in this dispute.

Taking a piece of Tech to China

2008-03-10T22:00:00.002-06:00

Brian Myrow likely won't break camp with the San Diego Padres, but he will be a part of MLB history later this week.

The former Louisiana Tech Bulldog is traveling with the 26-player San Diego contingent that will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a pair of exhibition games in Beijing.

For Myrow, a career journeyman, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see China and bring a little piece of Tech to the Far East.

Weekend Wrap

2008-03-09T21:57:00.003-06:00

Another weekend of college baseball is in the books. What did we learn about our local teams?

* We learned LSU still is in the market for a Sunday starter. Blake Martin took the loss against Stetson, the Tigers' second loss in three Sundays. Paul Mainieri will want to make sure that position is solidified before conference play begins.

* We learned Louisiana Tech is not infallible when it comes to facing Southland Conference competition, but the Bulldogs still won the series.

* We learned Centenary can still beat up on schools who haven't seen an outside workout since May.

* We learned Northwestern State's starters are in midseason form, but the bullpen certainly is not.

* We also learned LSUS is not, at this time, the class of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. That honor belongs to Mobile, which took two of three from the Pilots this weekend in Alabama.

Ryan makes progress

2008-03-08T22:52:00.003-06:00

Say what you will about B.J. Ryan, but he apparently is a quick healer.

Ryan, 10 months removed from Tommy John surgery, expects to make his spring training debut Tuesday for the Toronto Blue Jays.

And he plans to let it all hang out. After a pair of bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday, Ryan said he is ready to get on the mound and pitch in a game situation.

With the money the Blue Jays have invested in the former Airline High star, Toronto should hope Ryan indeed knows his body better than anyone else.

Tulane's Hunt makes a name

2008-03-07T22:42:00.003-06:00

When your first name is Shooter -- well make that a nickname -- it's hard to live up to the cliche about making a name for yourself.

So, in that respect, give Tulane right-hander Shooter Hunt credit.

The last two Fridays, Hunt, a pretty strong draft prospect in his own right, has drawn the assignment of facing two of the nation's top pitchers.

Hunt took a no-decision last week in a 4-2 loss to Pepperdine and Waves ace Brett Hunter.

Hunt then outdid himself Friday night.

Facing Seth Gorgen, the hero of UC Irvine's memorable CWS run a year ago, Hunt tossed seven shutout innings, beating Gorgen and the Anteaters 2-0.

It's still early, but right now, Hunt has what one publication likes to call "helium" when it comes to June's draft.

Baseball full of hidden gems

2008-03-06T23:43:00.002-06:00

I was over at my parents' house last night and my mom says, "Hey I've got something for you."

Turns out, it was a book called "The Treasures of Major League Baseball."

I opened it up and found quite an impressive collection of memorabilia -- facsimiles of course -- that included, among other things, World Baseball Classic media credentials and the original blueprints for Comiskey Park.

The book itself is incredible, breaking down baseball's history decade by decade, but the scorecards, credentials and other interesting artifacts (Ty Cobb's diary for instance) make it a gem.

Take your money and be happy

2008-03-05T14:08:00.002-06:00

What do Cole Hamels and Prince Fielder have in common?

They're both unhappy about having their contracts renewed.

Under MLB's collective bargaining agreement, players prior to their abitration-eligible years are under control of their respective teams and generally have little to no say about what they will be paid.

The players know this when they sign their contracts so why whine about it? You don't see teams shedding tears over million-dollar signing bonuses for unproven talents.

Both Hamels and Fielder are true talents who will make plenty of money down the road. Why they are whining about not making it now is beyond me.

Hawpe finds security

2008-03-04T15:04:00.003-06:00

Former LSU star Brad Hawpe knows where he belongs -- with the Colorado Rockies.

Hawpe signed a three-year, $17-plus million contract extension to stay with the only organization he's known since being drafted in 2000.

It's a move that should be mutually beneficial. By signing the deal, Hawpe gets financial and professional stability.

By locking Hawpe up, it gives the Rockies stability and payroll flexibility.

It certainly looks like the Rockies don't want to be one-year wonders. They've been aggressive with their free agents and young players, re-signing Hawpe, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielder Matt Holliday and closer Manny Corpas to multi-year deals.

Only time will tell, however, if last year's run was a mirage or the start of something special in the Rocky Mountains.

Telling it like it is

2008-03-03T23:48:00.002-06:00

Sports editor Scott Ferrell and I were riding around DeSoto Parish today shooting mug shots for the Campus Faces part of the DeSoto Preps pages and we were listening to spring training baseball.

Most people know early in spring training, the late innings of the games are subject to mass substitutions. Most of those players will not be in the big leagues to start the year, if at all during the season.

That situation gave us the line of the day. From the Florida Marlins broadcast of their game against Boston, the play-by-play announcer, whose name escapes me, said, "Here we are in a low-run, one-run game and it's basically Carolina (the Marlins Double-A affiliate) and Portland (Boston's Double-A franchise.)"

Yes, an announcer who told it like it is. It wouldn't surprise me to see said announcer get chewed out royally by the Florida marketing department.

Weekend wrap

2008-03-02T23:03:00.001-06:00

The second week of college baseball is behind us; what did we learn.

* We learned LSU is capable of beating up on weak northern schools' pitching. The Tigers hearkened back to the "Gorilla Ball" days this weekend in a three-game demolition of Duquesne. LSU ripped 13 home runs in the three-game sweep.

* We learned Tech is almost there -- but not quite. Faced with its toughest competition of the young season, the Bulldogs dropped all three games at the Texas A&M tournament. Not the best of signs for Wade Simoneaux's squad, but it remained competitive in all three losses to BCS conference teams.

* NSU followed the LSU pattern -- beat up a northern school in three games. NSU's pitching is a work in progress, but right now the offense is making up for the staff's shortcomings.

* Grambling opened SWAC play with a doubleheader sweep of Texas Southern on Saturday. That's good news for Barret Rey's team, which hopes to once again make noise in the SWAC like they did in the late 1980s and early 1990s under coach Wilbert Ellis.

MLB's initiative a worthy one

2008-03-01T23:54:00.002-06:00

For those who say Major League Baseball isn't doing enough to make inroads into the black community, check out the Urban Invitational MLB hosted Saturday night.

Historically black colleges Bethune-Cookman and Southern traveled to Los Angeles to face UCLA and USC, respectively. Additionally, the event, started by MLB executive Jimmie Lee Solomon, included a job fair for the players.

Part grass roots, part commercial act (the games were televised by ESPN2), the Urban Invitational helped spotlight MLB's Urban Youth Academy in Los Angeles. The games were played there in what approximated a minor-league setting.

For all MLB has done wrong, and there's a laundry list of that, this is something that, if kept alive, could steer at-risk inner-city kids away from drugs and gangs and onto a path to become the next Eric Davis, a survivor of Los Angeles' inner city who went on to become a household name during his MLB career.

Character builder for Tech

2008-02-29T23:17:00.003-06:00

Remember when you were a kid and didn't want to eat your vegetables or finish that daunting summer-reading list? Remember your parent's standard reply?

If you're like me, it probably was along the lines of, "It will build character."

Louisiana Tech's 2008 baseball team endured its first character-building moment of the season Friday when it lost to Arkansas 9-8.

Tech was down early before rallying to take an 8-7 lead into the ninth inning. Arkansas' Aaron Murphree ended the game with a two-run home run with one out in the ninth.

A loss like this shows how far the Tech program has come. Not so long ago Tech would have been thrilled to play the Hogs to within a run.

Now, however, Tech has grown up to the point where the Bulldogs aren't playing the big boys just to play. They're playing to win. And when they don't, they need to take lessons away from games just like Friday's.

More ink for Baker

2008-02-28T23:29:00.002-06:00

OK so I guess it's technically not ink since it's on the Internet, but Scott Baker is generating plenty of buzz at Minnesota Twins spring training this year.

The latest installment paints him as a quiet leader -- one who reminds manager Ron Gardenhire of longtime Twins ace Brad Radke.

Radke was an All-Star pitcher and, apparently, one of the quietest men in the clubhouse. Baker hasn't yet reached All-Star levels on the mound, but he appears to be in line to start Opening Day for the Twins.

As opposed to a year ago, it looks like Baker's spring training is a much happier go-around.

Big weekend ahead

2008-02-26T23:36:00.002-06:00

So I caught the ninth inning of LSU's 6-1 victory over Southern on Cox Sports Television tonight.

During the time I was watching, CST flashed a graphic stating it would air four college baseball games this weekend from the Texas A&M-hosted tournament.

Among the competing teams are Arkansas, Louisiana Tech and, of course, Texas A&M. The compressed schedule made some wonder if tournaments like this would happen anymore.

The answer is yes. Along with the A&M event, the Houston Astros College Classic is once again taking place at Minute Maid Park.

Looks like we have a great weekend of college baseball ahead.

Choo-se wisely your path

2008-02-25T23:19:00.002-06:00

For those of us like me who missed the days of the military draft, it's interesting to see what other countries are doing militarily.

Take South Korea for instance.

According to this story on MLB.com, every able-bodied South Korean male is required to serve between 24 and 28 months in the country's military prior to turning 30.

Why bring this up and what does it have to do with baseball? Easy.

Ask Shin Soo-Choo of the Cleveland Indians, who may have his professional career interrupted by military service.

There is, obviously, precedent for this in America. Heck, a good number of major leaguers in the 1940s missed time to serve in our armed forces.

In this day and age, however, it is a rarity. In Choo's case, here's hoping whatever happens to him does so for the best -- as a ballplayer and as a person.

Weekend wrap

2008-02-24T23:15:00.002-06:00

The first weekend of college baseball season has come and gone for Division I teams and here's what we have we learned:

* We learned Louisiana Tech can beat up on Southland Conference pitching -- and hold down SLC hitting. Tech dominated McNeese State in all phases of the game in a weekend sweep.

* LSU is back on the upswing, but not nearly where it used to be. In the good old days, LSU would have swept Indiana in much the same way Tech did McNeese.

* NSU has made strides. The Demons dropped a game to Grambling, but that's going to happen. Not all win streaks -- no matter how long -- last forever. Just ask Notre Dame and Navy football.

* Centenary is much improved. The Gents closed out a solid opening weekend with a one-run win over Northern Iowa, something that dogged them a year ago.

* Finally, LSUS keeps rolling along. The Pilots roughed up LSU-Alexandria over the weekend in a step outside of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play.

Jones back on track at Tech

2008-02-23T23:06:00.002-06:00

It's only one start, but Louisiana Tech's Jericho Jones seems to be over the dreaded sophomore slump that plagued him a year ago.

Jones was one of three Tech pitchers who combined on a three-hitter in Saturday's win over McNeese.

It was almost two years ago when Jones burst on the college baseball scene, earning Freshman All-America honors from Baseball America magazine. He then, like numerous other athletes, suffered through a less productive sophomore season.

Injuries and game plans designed to not let him beat the opposition took their toll on Jones.

In his first pitching appearance of 2008, however, Jones looked like he was on his way back to being the two-way standout Wade Simoneaux so desperately needs if his Bulldogs are to break their regional drought.

College baseball arrives in earnest

2008-02-22T23:30:00.001-06:00

Not to take anything away from LSUS or BPCC, but college baseball season started in earnest Friday.

And for all in involved in our area, it started with a bang.

Louisiana Tech hammered McNeese, 14-5; Centenary took down Northern Iowa, 6-2; and LSU beat up on Indiana 7-1.

Grambling State and Northwestern State join the fray Saturday when they face each other.

That being said, area Division I schools had a stellar opening day.

Howard's the big winner

2008-02-21T23:11:00.002-06:00

The baseball owners are no longer perfect. In 2008 arbitration cases that is.

Ryan Howard got what he was asking for Thursday, winning his arbitration case with Philadelphia and earning himself a nice chunk of change ($10 million) for the 2007 season.

Win or lose Howard was going to enjoy a huge raise from the $900,000 he earned a year ago, but this gives him some stature.

And I'm guessing he won't end up in the same situation Todd Walker was in a year ago when he won his arbitration case against San Diego.

Walker was released shortly thereafter and was done with the game by May of last year.

It's hard to see Philadelphia treating the 2006 NL MVP that way.

Astros ink Chacon

2008-02-20T22:38:00.003-06:00

We now know what winning two arbitration cases can land a team.

One year of Shawn Chacon.

At least if you're the Houston Astros.

Houston inked the longtime swingman to a one-year deal Wednesday using its savings from winning arbitration cases with Jose Valverde and Mark Loretta.

Houston had better hope it lands the Chacon from his first season with the Yankees and not the last couple with the Pirates.

Thoughts on Pettitte

2008-02-19T14:07:00.002-06:00

As someone who grew up watching and rooting for the Houston Astros, one would think I would have jumped through the roof when they landed Andy Pettitte as a free agent in 2004.

Wrong. About the only good thing to come from that, in my mind, was Roger Clemens tagged along and signed with the Astros.

I always viewed Pettitte as a snobby, aloof, whiny, soft pitcher. There's no denying Pettitte is one of the game's biggest Christian athletes, but I did not think highly of him between the lines.

Now, in light of his inlcusion in the Mitchell Report, and his confession to using HGH, I'm seeing a whole new side of Pettitte that, gulp, I actually like and respect.

Pettitte sat through an hourlong interrogation by the New York media and patiently answered every last question. He even took time to ask reporters if his answers were sufficient.

Pettitte may be the one player this side of Barry Bonds to come out of the Mitchell Report and it's fallout smelling like a proverbial rose.

What a change.

Strange opening day

2008-02-18T23:13:00.002-06:00

Baseball season got cranked up for local high schools Monday, but something was missing.

Make that someone.

As soon as I walked into Captain Shreve's baseball field, I saw longtime bird dog Bob Festervan standing near the screen. I exchanged pleasantries with him and we chatted for a minute or so before former Parkway, Byrd and Shreve coach Ronnie Coker walked in.

There was only one problem -- no James Farrar. Call him James, call him Coach, call him whatever, Farrar was baseball in the Shreveport area for a long time.

First as a coach and then as a scout and, for me, the person I'd always turn to if my story needed the right piece of wisdom or advice.

So, Coach, even though you're not working for the Astros anymore, come back to the ballpark. As good as it is, it will be a better place with you there.

Great news out of Minnesota

2008-02-17T23:24:00.002-06:00

So here we are a couple of days into spring training and what is the Associated Press' big story out of Minnesota Twins' camp?

The rise of Scott Baker.

Yep, the same Scott Baker who was pitching at Captain Shreve eight years ago. The same Scott Baker who began last season at Triple-A.

Anyway, Baker could open the season as the Twins opening day starter, capping a roller-coaster ride that began when the Twins broke camp 11 months ago.

Before we put the cart before the horse, however, just know the Twins have Francisco Liriano back from arm surgery. For those who forgot, Liriano was the second left-handed buzz-saw that propelled the Twins to the 2006 playoffs.

Another bad day for Clemens

2008-02-16T22:45:00.001-06:00

Paul Lo Duca's admission of his inclusion in the Mitchell Report has dire consequences for one person -- Roger Clemens.

Yep, even though Clemens hasn't done anything since leaving Capitol Hill, seeing another player ask for forgiveness for his past transgressions makes Clemens look even worse.

Clemens was in a no-win situation from the time the report came out. When he was quiet, people wanted him to talk. When he talked, those same people said he went too far.

This one, however, is hurting Clemens through no fault of his own. Lo Duca, Matt Herges and the rest who have copped to using performance-enhancing drugs and HGH have done Clemens no favors.

Of course, neither has he.

Funny who you see at the ballpark

2008-02-15T19:48:00.002-06:00

I showed up at Captain Shreve's baseball field Thursday afternoon looking to shoot a couple of mug shots of the Gators baseball team and talk to new coach Todd Sharp about the upcoming season.

I got a lot more out of that.

While Sharp was mowing the infield, he yelled at me to "interview the big leaguer." Well given that said big leaguer was at the opposite dugout I had no idea who was hanging around.

Turns out it was Michael Aubrey and Sean West. The two were getting ready to hit in the cages, putting in some last-minute work before heading to spring training.

Aubrey needs a good season and we talked about his history of bizarre injuries. His mind-set is clear -- stay on the field and build off an excellent Arizona Fall League campaign.

For West, who somehow is even more reserved than the soft-spoken Aubrey, spring will start a little later as the former Captain Shreve left-hander is still recovering from surgery.

Still, a good spring for both would mean a sunny start to 2008.

Happy Valentine's Day, baseball fans

2008-02-14T23:25:00.002-06:00

Finally, a reason to get happy about Feb. 14.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm extremely cynical when it comes to National Greeting Card Day, oops, I mean Valentine's Day.

But this year there was reason to be happy. Valentine's Day was also the day spring training began in earnest around Major League Baseball.

We're still six weeks away from games that matter, but for the first time since the Red Sox joyously bounced around Coors Field, baseball is back on the field instead of in the court room.

And that's reason to be happy -- and even feel a little loved.

Theater of the absurd

2008-02-13T12:59:00.002-06:00

I'm not watching the Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee showdown on Capitol Hill.

Instead I'm following along on Jayson Stark's ESPN.com blog. I did speak to Times sports editor Scott Ferrell as he was watching along and we both were shaking our heads.

This is the ultimate no-win situation for anyone involved not named Andy Pettitte. After hearing some of the stories, I'm very surprised the entire roster of the 1999-2001 Yankees weren't subpoenaed by Congress.

Clemens may get what he wants -- taking McNamee down, but The Rocket will go down as well. Perhaps when this never-ending day of testimony wraps up, it will mark the end of baseball's self-imposed flagellation at the hands of Congress.

Astros take stab at credibility

2008-02-12T13:57:00.000-06:00

Last week the Texas Rangers introduced Nolan Ryan as the team's new president. Now the Houston Astros have added another familiar face to the nonplaying side of the organization.

Less than six months after his retirement, Craig Biggio rejoined the Astros, signing a three-year personal services contract.

This is not the first time the Astros have signed a former player to a PSC. They did the same with Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell.

Given the slip in perception the Astros have suffered this offseason, pulling in Biggio, who was generally respected within the game, was paramount. The Astros had Clemens and Andy Pettitte mentioned in the Mitchell Report and traded for Miguel Tejada who had his own chapter in the report.

The Astros have the Roger Clemens Elite Pitchers Camp and the Jeff Bagwell Elite Hitters Camp already. I'm not sure what the logical step is for something involving Biggio as far as that goes, but maybe they'll start the Craig Biggio Elite Grinders Camp.

Nothing else could be more appropriate for the little guy who did it all in a big way for the Astros.

Rocker rears his head

2008-02-11T23:16:00.000-06:00

Just when you think you've seen the last of John Rocker, he appears out of nowhere.

Nearing the end of baseball's most sordid offseason, Rocker decides its time to make an appearance.

Face it, this guy has been less than an afterthought since he flamed out of the big leagues in a wave of incendiary, racist and sexist comments published in Sports Illustrated.

After that story appeared in SI, Rocker met with commissioner Bud Selig. According to Rocker, Selig then knew Rocker was on steroids and did nothing about it.

There could be plenty of credence to Rocker's claim. His appearance was one of the "typical" steroid user. Bulked up; given to fits of wild rage, etc, etc.

Baseball has enough trouble to deal with already without this guy sticking his nose back in it. Listen, John, go join your good friend and fellow steroid user Jose Canseco on another season of "The Surreal Life" and leave the rest of us alone.

Big names still available

2008-02-10T23:17:00.000-06:00

We're less than a week away from spring training and there remains a whopping number of free agents.

Eighty-four to be exact and some of the names are stunning in stature.

Included among those still looking for work as the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues draw ever near are Barry Bonds, Bartolo Colon, Kenny Lofton and others.

It's strange in some ways the number is that grand. In others, it's not.

Several teams stood pat in this offseason and those who did not weren't forced to deal the number of players many expected them to in order to land marquee talents.

Tech has an All-American

2008-02-09T23:32:00.000-06:00

Baseball America makes no bones about its relationship with baseball scouts.

Never is it made more prevalent than in the preseason All-American teams picked by the magazine. The magazine certainly makes it known it prefers tools over production.

Case in point -- Louisiana Tech's Luke Burnett.

Wins and losses probably are more misleading in college baseball than at any other level. That said, Burnett's 5-8 mark probably wouldn't land him second-team All-America mentions anywhere other than Baseball America.

His tools, however, are unmistakable. Burnett is an imposing physical specimen at 6-foot-8. Factor in a high-octane fastball and you can bet not many college hitters are lining up to face the Carthage, Texas, native.

However, Burnett has yet to translate those tools into production. With numerous scouts likely staring down his every move this spring, there could be no better time for him to do that than now.

Bedard deal done

2008-02-08T17:26:00.001-06:00

The second-longest running drama of Major League Baseball's offseason is over as Baltimore has traded Erik Bedard to Seattle.

Bedard's saga was slightly shorter than the one of Johan Santana, who was traded last week from Minnesota to the New York Mets.

The trade should benefit both teams -- Seattle in the short term, Baltimore in the long run. The Mariners now have a stellar 1-2 punch atop their pitching rotation while Orioles landed five young players for their (perpetual) rebuilding phase.

As a bonus, local fans will have more chances to catch Bedard, one of the game's most underrated pitchers, as the Mariners will make three trips to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers.

I'm feeling old

2008-02-07T22:24:00.000-06:00

I stopped by Calvary on Wednesday for Khiry Cooper's signing ceremony with Nebraska.

While there, I ran into former Parkway and Captain Shreve coach Ronnie Coker, who immediately made me feel way too old.

Turns out Coker told me he had someone playing for his Gametime Academy Under-17 team this summer that I knew.

No big surprise, I thought, given the volume of phone calls I've taken over the years and the fact my mother is a teacher in the Bossier Parish school system.

Then came the kicker. I know this person through his father, who I worked with in college.

Yep, Louisiana Tech head baseball coach Wade Simoneaux's son Thomas is old enough to play
on an under-17 team. To understand how old I felt, I first met Thomas when he was 5 or 6 years old, running around the then-USL baseball facility.

Now there's a chance I'll get a phone call this summer and ask for highlights from a travel team and hear "Thomas Simoneaux, 2-for-4" or something of that ilk and immediately feel much older than I am.

Rangers try to buy credibility

2008-02-06T22:49:00.000-06:00

So the Texas Rangers have a new president you may have heard of.

His name: Nolan Ryan, as in Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.

Color me confused about Ryan's hiring. During his 10-year personal services contract with Houston, he never held a significant position in the organization.

He did build Round Rock and Corpus Christi into two of the best organizations in minor league baseball, but there's a major difference in running a minor league team and having a major say in a big league organization.

If there is someone who can bridge that gap, it's Ryan. Here's hoping, however, the Rangers, who have rebuilt their once-barren farm system through shrewd drafting and trades, don't sacrifice their reputation for it.

Clemens is on the Hill

2008-02-05T22:11:00.000-06:00

Roger Clemens took to a different kind of hill Tuesday -- Capitol Hill.

The right-hander gave a five-hour deposition to members of Congress regarding his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Frankly, as I've said before on this blog, I'm sick of baseball and steroids. More to the point, I'm sick of baseball dragging itself through the proverbial mud while other sports get a free ride.

Take the NFL. In a bit of poetic justice, New England's Rodney Harrison, who was suspended this year for proven HGH use, was beaten by New York's David Tyree for perhaps the greatest Super Bowl catch in history during Sunday's game.

This is the same Harrison who dodged questions all week about how differently he was treated than some of the Major League Baseball players who have been implicated by the Mitchell Report.

Makes me sick.

Rangers looking to the (recent) past

2008-02-04T23:11:00.001-06:00

Kevin Mench remains unemployed, but maybe not for long.

The former Texas Ranger with the nickname Shrek could be making a return trip to Arlington. Texas traded Mench and closer Francisco Cordero to Milwaukee in 2006.

Mench would be in the mix as a backup outfielder and apparently is entertaining the same type of offer from the New York Yankees.

The personable Mench was a fan favorite in the Metroplex for his work on and off the field. He was a stand-up person in the locker room and a big reason the clubhouse was one of the loosest in the league.

With what's left on the free-agent market, the Rangers could do a lot worse than brining back Mench.

Astros eye Colon

2008-02-03T23:57:00.001-06:00

Ed Wade continues to amaze.

Wade has been the Astros general manager for about six months and he continues to have Astros fans scratching their heads. His latest free-agent foray -- a look at Bartolo Colon.

This isn't the Colon of 2000-2005 either. This is a worn-down, overweight Colon, who reportedly has struggled to hit 84 mph in winter ball.

I know the Astros' farm system is thin -- much thinner now since Wade dealt several players to Baltimore for Migue Tejada -- but you have to think someone, anyone, would be more worthy than a washed-up Colon.

Smith makes a rookie mistake

2008-02-02T22:19:00.000-06:00

Now that the Johan Santana trade is official, let's review.

The Minnesota Twins received a package of four players from the Mets for Santana and only one, Carlos Gomez, looks to have major staying power in the big leagues.

Two months ago, Twins GM Bill Smith was looking at trade packages from the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox that centered around players who have had success in the big leagues.

Most industry experts figured the Twins would be in a bit of a tough spot when Terry Ryan stepped down as GM. What many probably didn't count on was Smith's first big move would be this shockingly short-sighted.

Instead of landing someone like Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Phillip Hughes or Ian Kennedy, the Twins landed Gomez and three fringy prospects.

Hopefully for Twins' fans, this is a rookie mistake on Smith's part and not the start of a downward trend.

Time to make a move on Bedard

2008-02-01T23:13:00.000-06:00

Now that Johan Santana is securely in Queens, N.Y., for the next seven seasons, it's time for another long-rumored, long-talked-about deal to go through.

That trade is the Erik Bedard move from Baltimore to Seattle.

This rumor hasn't had the shelf life of Santana's myriad destinations, but the actual trade, which would send Bedard to Seattle for Mariners top prospect Adam Jones and a handful of other players, has been in an on-again, off-again cycle more suited to a high school relationship.

Whatever the holdup is, the teams need to work through it and either get the deal done or squash it once and for all. And if temperamental Orioles owner Peter Angelos is behind this deal not going through, woe be unto all Orioles' fans, including The Times' Teddy Allen and Lee Hiller.

Feliz finally a Phillie

2008-01-31T23:10:00.000-06:00

After almost a week of waiting, former Shreveport Captain Pedro Feliz is a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Feliz officially was introduced as Philadelphia's new third baseman Thursday and it should be fun to watch him play in a hitters' park for the first time in his career.

Renowned for his glove and his arm, which is the source of one of the funnier comments ever made by a Captain, Feliz should give the Phillies the right-handed power bat they need to replace Aaron Rowand.

And, with Feliz free from Barry Bonds' massive shadow, he should respond offensively, especially with the thumpers up and down Philly's loaded lineup.

So after several months of waiting and wrangling, Pedro Feliz finally has a new home -- and it's one that should suit him to a T.

Clemens pops out

2008-01-30T22:00:00.000-06:00

We're a few days from Groundhog Day, but Roger Clemens poked his head out of hiding and threw batting practice at the Houston Astros Elite Camp.

Clemens also sidestepped questions pertaining to his upcoming deposition over his use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

By issuing a quick statement, Clemens deflected any questions about his alleged usage and kept from being a distraction at the camp, which is used to tutor the Astros' younger players.

Someone asked Clemens if he would return to pitch in 2008 and the Rocket laughed it off, saying he was just ready to be a batting practice pitcher.

Santana derby over

2008-01-29T23:23:00.000-06:00

Finally, we all know where Johan Santana is headed.

In case you haven't heard yet, it's to the New York Mets for a bundle of prospects, but not the Mets top position player or pitching prospect.

If you're a Twins fan, this is a bit disconcerting as it appears Minnesota overplayed its hand and settled on less than market value for its ace.

At any rate, the Mets have a 72-hour window to finish an extension with Santana and wrap up the trade.

As for the Mets being the team to beat in the National League, that's open for debate, but every fifth day they have one heckuva chance to contend for that title.

First award of the year

2008-01-28T23:38:00.000-06:00

LSUS' Cody Lott was named Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

Lott's win marks the first award for a local team as the Pilots and BPCC are the only teams to have played this season.

Lott scattered three hits and allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings of his Pilots debut as LSUS swept a doubleheader from GCAC foe Loyola on Saturday.

Ping! We're off

2008-01-27T23:24:00.000-06:00

College baseball season officially is here.

LSUS started the area schools' seasons with a doubleheader sweep of Loyola of New Orleans.

So two games into the season, the Pilots are 2-0 in conference play. Wonder what their magic number is?

I'm half-joking because Rocke Musgraves always has his team in the GCAC championship hunt and, if opening weekends are any indication (and they're usually not), LSUS will be right back into it.

We're still about three weeks away from the NCAA boys cranking up, but so far the area is perfect when it comes to college baseball.

LSUS rained out

2008-01-26T22:53:00.001-06:00

Oh well, I guess opening day will be pushed back to Jan. 27 for the LSUS Pilots.

In a shocking development, cold and rain in New Orleans cost the Pilots a chance to open their season on Saturday.

Now the Pilots will share opening day honors with Bossier Parish Community College, assuming the weather in New Orleans and Mesquite, Texas, cooperates.

It's Opening Day. Really?

2008-01-25T23:39:00.000-06:00

The first thing I think of when I think of perfect baseball weather is mid-50s with a chance of rain.

The above sentence is an example of sarcasm. Yet, that is the forecast for Saturday in New Orleans, which happens to be opening day for the LSUS baseball team.

Yep, January 26 is opening day. That's the earliest start in the school's baseball history and it's not a good thing.

I think pushing the start of the NCAA season back to a uniform starting date was a bit much, but this is a bit much in the other direction.

There has to be a happy medium and, hopefully, one of the NAIA or NCAA finds it soon or else teams like the Pilots and Loyola of New Orleans may freeze out their opening days.

A couple of lists

2008-01-24T23:46:00.000-06:00

While we sit in this gray, listless baseball-free period of the year, here's a couple of lists for you.

Baseball-related things I'm tired of:

1. Steroids -- MLB seems to be the only sport beating itself up over this -- and we have to keep hearing about it.

2 (or 1A.) Roger Clemens -- For goodness sakes Rocket, retire and start your personal services contract with Houston.

3. Johan Santana Trade Rumors -- It's been a daily occurrence -- or non-occurrence -- since early December. Its' time Johan, and the rest of us, learn where he's heading to spring training.

Baseball-related things I'm ready for:

1. Opening Day -- Nothing's better.

2. College baseball's start -- This will get you through until April.

3. The Fukudome Effect -- I'm not a Cubs fan but I'm curious to see if it will it be the same as Ichiro (stellar), Dice-K (successful, nothing spectacular) or Tsuyoshi Shinjo (Who?).

Astros take a risk

2008-01-23T22:51:00.000-06:00

The Houston Astros are making up for lost time. At least in the "Hey, look at us category."

There was the Brad Lidge trade in November. Then the trade for Miguel Tejada.

Now, the Astros are heading to arbitration with two players -- Mark Loretta and Jose Valverde, who was acquired in a trade with Arizona.

This is a big risk for the Astros, especially given Valverde's brilliant 2007 in which a majority of his NL-leading saves total would classify as "tough saves."

If they lose these two cases, Astros fans can get ready to open up their checkbooks a little wider for tickets at Minute Maid Park.

Closing time for college closers?

2008-01-22T21:55:00.000-06:00

A couple of seasons ago, drafting college closers early was all the rage.

The thought process was success in high-pressure college environments would equal a swift move through the minors and quick assimilation into major league bullpens.

For a while, the theory was sound. Washington's Chad Cordero was in the majors the same year he was drafted by the then-Montreal Expos. Ditto for Cincinnati's Ryan Wagner that same year.

Huston Street was in Oakland within in a year of his drafting and was the 2005 AL Rookie of the Year.

Since then, the trend has been hit or miss, mostly miss. Joey Devine of North Carolina State fame never panned out for Atlanta and was traded with another minor league pitcher for Oakland's Mark Kotsay. J. Brent Cox (now J.B. Cox) hasn't moved as quickly through the Yankees farm system as many thought he would after he was stellar following Street at the University of Texas.

Then there's David Aardsma from Rice, who will be looking for work with his fourth team after the Chicago White Sox designated him for assignment after the club signed Octavio Dotel.

Remember, in June, Colorado drafted Vanderbilt closer Casey Weathers at No. 8 overall. Is he the guy to buck the trend? We should have our answer by the end of 2008.

Sweet Lou ready to kick back

2008-01-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

Apparently, when it comes to his lineup, this is what Lou Piniella will have to do all through spring training.

The second-year Chicago Cubs skipper already has put together his lineup for the season, so there's nothing left to do but kick back and enjoy some Arizona sun.

Seriously, in mid-January, Chicago's lineup is set. Piniella announced it Sunday and, yes, former LSU star Ryan Theriot is in it. Theriot will hit second, behind Alfonso Soriano, and play shortstop for the Cubbies.

Now that the lineup is out of the way, it's on to that pesky bullpen problem.

Red Sox like Wilkerson

2008-01-20T23:14:00.000-06:00

That would be Rangers free-agent outfielder/first baseman Brad Wilkerson to be exact. And for the life of me I don't know why.

Well I guess if the Red Sox lose Eric Hinske to free agency then Wilkerson fills that role.

I have to admit, having watched Wilkerson since he played collegiately at Florida, I initially thought he was a great addition to the Rangers when Texas landed him in the Alfonso Soriano trade with Washington.

I could not have been more wrong. Wilkerson is a trooper who played through injuries during his time in Texas, but his production was lacking.

Granted the shoulder injuries likely had a lot to do with it, but, as of now, Wilkerson looks a lot worse for wear than he did just two seasons ago.

Rays take big risk

2008-01-19T23:53:00.001-06:00

Tampa Bay right-hander James Shields had a breakout 2007 campaign.

It was so impressive that the organization is nearing a seven-year contract extension with the pitcher.

This is a slippery slope for the Rays, who have not signed ace Scott Kazmir to anything other than a one-year contract during his time in Tampa.

Sure Shields had a big season last year, but it's one year. Kazmir has been the Rays' ace for the past two seasons and deserves every bit the big payday Shields is in line for.

Rockies lock up Holliday

2008-01-18T23:40:00.000-06:00

There should be at least two more seasons of Mile High happiness for Matt Holliday.

The runner-up for the NL MVP -- some would argue he deserved to win -- inked a two-year, $23 million pact with Colorado on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

It's a great move for both sides. Holliday seems genuinely happy in Colorado and has overtaken Todd Helton as the face of the Rockies franchise. And now Colorado has two years to work out an even bigger, longer extension for the slugging left fielder.

October was a good time to be a Rockie and a Rockies fan. With more astute signings like this, that may be the case more often than not.

Emaus, Sadler resurface

2008-01-17T15:54:00.000-06:00

It's been almost a year or so since I've heard the name Brad Emaus and a couple of years since the name Billy Sadler popped up here in the office.

Until Thursday. I was surfing the Web, checking in on my buddies at baseballamerica.com and saw they had their annual 31st Team online. That's the team made up of prospects from each organization who don't make the publication's Top 30 prospect lists in their Prospect Handbook.

So I scrolled down and found Emaus and Sadler. For the uninformed, Emaus was a three-year starter at Tulane and a key part of the Green Wave's 2005 run to the College World Series. He signed with Toronto last summer and impressed with his power.

Sadler, meanwhile, pitched at LSU in 2003 when the Tigers reached the CWS. He was supposed to battle for a spot in San Francisco's bullpen last year, but control issues kept that from happening.

It looks as these two Louisiana college products still have bright futures and plenty to accomplish in their baseball careers.

Rangers make a good deal

2008-01-16T23:40:00.000-06:00

Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm not the biggest fan of Texas general manager Jon Daniels' moves.

But I like his Wednesday gamble to sign Jason Jennings.

If Jennings is healthy -- and that's a big if given his recent surgery -- his presence will be a boost to the Rangers' rotation. Jennings learned early in his career how to pitch in a hitter-friendly environment as he won 17 games in a season with Colorado.

More importantly, Jennings, a Dallas native and former Baylor University standout, has something to prove after an injury-marred 2007 season with Houston.

An incentive-laden contract was the way to go and Daniels may have made his best move as Texas GM by landing Jennings.

Congress, leave baseball alone

2008-01-15T23:17:00.000-06:00

Tuesday marked the second time Major League Baseball self-flaggelated itself in front of Congress.

Enough is enough. We all know baseball at the very least HAD a steroids/HGH problem. The chances are good that it still does.

We know the players who used steroids, HGH and other performance enhancers let children down. They let fans down. OK we get it.

Now enough with the Congressional hearings and investigations. Let some other sport take the heat (ahem, NFL).

Baseball has beaten itself up to the point of self-mutilation. It's time for the madness to end. Please, let Tuesday be the last time we hear baseball and Congress in the same sentence.

First schedule arrives

2008-01-14T22:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the good folks at the Big Ten, yes Jim Delaney I'm talking to you, we're closer to pitchers and catchers reporting than we are to the start of the college baseball schedule.

That being said, Louisiana Tech has released its baseball and softball pocket schedules. My colleague Jimmy Watson was nice enough to pick up a pair while in Ruston over the weekend.

At first glance, Tech's baseball schedule is good, but not what it used to be -- thanks in large part to the uniform start date that takes effect this season.

The Bulldogs have four weekends of nonconference play before starting their WAC schedule. In previous years, Tech had at least six weekends of nonconference action.

Still Wade Simoneaux has put together a nice mix of weekend opponents. The highlight is a trip to College Station Texas, for a tournament featuring Arkansas, Ohio State and Texas A&M.

That weekend alone, along with a pair of games at Baylor later that week, should help the Bulldogs see where they stand in what shapes up as a pivotal year in Ruston.

Persistence pays off for Gwaltney

2008-01-13T22:35:00.000-06:00

Louisiana Tech just sent another player to the minor leagues. This time, however, it's a promotion.

Over the weekend, former Tech right-hander Lee Gwaltney, who had pitched for the American Association's Fort Worth Cats for a couple of seasons, had his contract sold to the San Diego Padres.

Now, Gwaltney won't be toeing the rubber at Petco Park anytime soon, but it marks his return to affiliated baseball for the first time since 2006.

Just more proof that persistence pays off.

Clinic should be interesting

2008-01-12T22:58:00.000-06:00

Ronnie Coker's Gametime Academy will host a baseball coaches clinic on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Bossier City Holiday Inn.

The clinic will run from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and features some of the area's top coaches, including Louisiana Tech's Wade Simoneaux and LSUS' Rocke Musgraves.

Parents are welcomed to attend, which could give you a chance to find out exactly what your player needs to do to earn a college scholarship.

Cameron to Brewers

2008-01-11T23:22:00.000-06:00

Just when you thought Houston had the market cornered on crazy winter signings, Milwaukee comes and shakes things up.

On Friday, the Brewers signed free-agent center fielder Mike Cameron. Yes, the same Mike Cameron who will miss the first 25 games of the season because of a substance violation. For the record, it was amphetamines, not steroids.

Cameron is a dazzling defensive center fielder who strikes out way too much. Aside from the glove, that makes him the perfect Milwaukee player. Just ask Ryan "I'm a Human Error Machine but I Hit" Braun.

The bottom line is Milwaukee has rebuilt its hopes from within, banking on a strong farm system to provide major league talent. One of those pieces is Tony Gwynn Jr., who is major league ready yet has received only 160 at-bats in two seasons.

This would have been a good time to put Gwynn into the fire and see how he responds rather than overpay for Cameron.

Another rodeo for Mirabelli

2008-01-10T23:46:00.000-06:00

Looks like Doug Mirabelli will be back in Boston.

The backup catcher/cult hero is close to completing a one-year contract that will guarantee him around $550,000. Not bad for the ex-Captain who handles knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

If anything, it's good karma for the Red Sox to keep Mirabelli around. Remember what happened when they let him go to San Diego, then had to scramble to re-acquire him?

Plus, it keeps another player with Shreveport ties in the game.

Good news, bad news

2008-01-09T23:51:00.000-06:00

If you're a closer, Tuesday's Hall of Fame announcement was good and bad.

Goose Gossage got in. That's good. But names like Lee Smith continue to fall farther away from election, that's bad.

Baseball has become a game that worships the specialists. Left-handed specialists. Closers. Designated hitters. Late-inning defensive replacements. The list goes on.

The problem is, the Hall doesn't want to admit there has been a shift in the game's philosophy. So expect players like Smith to suffer from that.

Another Ranger retread?

2008-01-08T23:05:00.000-06:00

Word out of Arlington is the Rangers are close to signing Eddie Guardado.

Wow, stop the presses -- um, if this was 2004. That was when Guardado was a hot commodity. He was "Everyday Eddie," the portly left-handed closer who saved games with guts and guile.

Now? He's a nearly washed-up, surgery-overcoming veteran who, on his best days, survives on moxie and a mid-80s fastball.

This is a return to a troubling trend Rangers fans are accustomed to -- management signing once-popular players who are well past their primes.

Feel sorry for Clemens?

2008-01-07T20:45:00.001-06:00

Believe it or not, I feel a little bit sorry for Roger Clemens -- if only because he is in a no-win situation.

I was one of the many who said Clemens' best defense against steroid and HGH claims was to come out and tell his side of the story, not hide behind lawyers and PR firms.

He did that Sunday on "60 Minutes" and came away looking less-than-sympathetic.

Still, for someone who wants us to believe he came by his seven Cy Young Award and 341 career victories honestly, it seems Clemens can't win this decision.

Another Louisiana kid traded

2008-01-06T23:53:00.000-06:00

Most people around here probably do not know who Corey Coles is.

The 26-year-old Lafayette native was part of the trade earlier this week that sent Angel Pagan from Chicago to the New York Mets.

Coles was a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette the season I spent as the Ragin' Cajuns baseball sports information director.

He was a pitcher then. He's an outfielder now.

I remember him being unafraid to step into big moments even as a freshman. He took the ball in a critical juncture of ULL's season and delivered what the Cajuns needed.

The fact it came at high-altitude, higher-ERA New Mexico State made it all the more impressive. I'm surprised Coles' live left arm hasn't played out on the mound, but he's still playing ball for a paycheck and that's all that matters.

Another move for Sox?

2008-01-05T19:50:00.001-06:00

After a slow start to the offseason, the Chicago White Sox quickly are making up for lost time.

A day after dealing three prospects to Oakland for Nick Swisher, the Sox are rumored to be moving Paul Konerko to the Los Angeles Angels for a package that could include Howie Kendrick and Ervin Santana.

The move would send Konerko to a place he flirted with two seasons ago. Shortly after winning the 2005 American League Championship Series MVP award, Konerko became a free agent. The most mentioned destination for the slugging first baseman was southern California. However, he signed a four-year contract to remain on the south side of Chicago.

The move would improve both clubs as the Sox would land a potential All-Star second baseman in Kendrick and a talented, yet enigmatic, right-hander in Santana. Meanwhile, the Angels would finally land the missing impact bat that has plagued the club in recent seasons.