Hey All,
School is out almost everywhere and families art starting to fill the stadiums on baseball trips. This is when summer truly takes hold in America and the daily pennant races take over that part of peoples' minds where homework and class projects have been. Meanwhile, the Longball League keeps chugging along with the tightest pennant race in league history. We see the Invisible Hands are on top of the ladder, where a mere 12 points separate the top five teams. What a race!
This week's three things from the Major Leagues:
1. Do you think the Texas Rangers missed Josh Hamilton? Since his return the Rangers have gone 10-3, including a four game sweep of the Cleveland Indians this past weekend.
2. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's power shortage is really beginning to show. With Kendrys Morales gone for the year, Vernon Wells looking like a free agent bust, and Torii Hunter just plain not hitting, the Halos will continue to slide farther and farther back in the AL West.
3. StubHub tells a lot about a ballclub. Do you want to know if fans are backing their team? Go to StubHub. Popular teams command good prices for their tickets, bad or marginal teams have cheap, cheap tickets for sale. Heck, you can sit behind home plate for a San Diego Padres game for the price of a good outfield seat at Anaheim.
Trivia: For this fun fact, I went deep into the minor league archives and found this gem. Back on August 19, 1958 The Bisebee-Douglas Copper Kings accomplished a feat that I do not believe has occurred before or since. Each member of the starting lineup hit a home run in their 22-8 win over the Chihuahua Dorados. Yes, even the pitcher homered in this game. None of the nine starters in the game for Bisbee-Douglas ever made it to the major leagues.
Baseball Card of the Week: In honor of his triumphant return to the Texas Rangers, Josh Hamilton gets the honor. Here's a look at Josh's 2011 Topps Heritage card.
Until next week folks, remember Vernon Wells is on a rehab stint in the California League.
-The Commissioner
