Hey All!!!!
While I was immersed in the NFL Draft over the last week, another fun week of Major League Baseball went by. Grand slams, a couple of shutouts and a straight steal of home plate highlighted this week's games. So let's get into the TWIB notes in the Longball League.
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys have taken over first place this week with another monster week from Albert Pujols. His start to this season is just simply incredible. He's got 7 homers to start the season, but he already has 25 RBIs!!! That's just a mind boggling stat. How mind boggling is it? Well, he's on pace for 231 RBI, that's 40 over the record of 191 set by Hack Wilson in 1930!
Odds are over the long season he won't keep up this pace, but it is sure fun to watch.
Dropping a notch down to second place this week are Vacuous Vipers. While the Sea Monkeys are relying on one big bat, the Vipers have best overall squad in the league. 3 points of production separates the three players on the squad. That kind of production will keep the Vipers in the hunt deep into September.
The SoCal Capuchins are sitting in third place, a good distance back from the league leaders. However, they are in a big fight to hold on to third place. Chase Utley's awakening along with the Adam Dunn's steady play has helped the Caps stay in the upper division. If Ryan Howard's bat would wake up then the Caps could make a serious run at the league lead.
Mark Teixeira's injury plagued start along with Josh Hamilton's slow April have combined to keep the Sierra Vista Coachwhips down in fourth place. Only Evan Longoria has been solid for the defending champs so far.
Deep down in fifth place sit the Invisible Hands. Josh Hamilton has been a key cause of problems for the Hands also. The Hands, like the Caps, need Ryan Howard to wake up soon. If Hamilton's problems continue, roster moves may be in order.
Speaking of roster moves, the Keen Koalas need some help immediately. Matt Holliday and David Wright have combined for 1 total home run this year. That won't get it done in the Longball League.
Baseball Card of the Week: 40 years ago, the New York Mets turned into the Amazin' Mets and shocked the baseball world with a win over the Baltimore Orioles in 1969 World Series. Key to the team's succes was the great pitiching of former USC Trojan, Tom Seaver. He's pictured here on his 1969 Topps card #480. Tom Terrific went 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA that year and won game 4 of the World Series, 2-1 behind a big home run from Don Clendenon. The game was played on the day your Commissioner turned 9 months old.
Trivia: This season an important durability record will be broken by catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Entering this season he only needs to catch in 54 games to break the all-time mark of 2,226 games behind the plate held by Carlton Fisk. Way to go, Pudge!
Until Next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commisssioner
