Baseball is back! Everything from inside-the-park homers to a triple play happened in the first week of Longball League action. You can all see on the standings ladder how the two divisions are aligned for 2012. It should be a great year!
Who's Hot:
Hitters: Matt Kemp (LAD), Andre Ethier (LAD)
Pitchers: Jered Weaver (LAA), Justin Verlander (DET)
Who's Not:
Hitters: Mark Teixeira (NYY), Jose Bautista (TOR)
Pitchers: Yu Darvish (TEX)
This week's Three Trivial Things :
1. San Francisco's Matt Cain threw a one-hit shutout in the Giants home opener last week. Pittsburgh pitcher, James McDonald accounted for the Bucs only hit. The hit by McDonald made Cain just the 7th pitcher ever to have a perfect game foiled by allowing the pitcher to reach base.
2. Kansas City pitching coach Dave Eiland holds a unique place in baseball history. I say unique, because Eiland's statistical feat is truly unique. Eiland is the only pitcher in MLB history to give up a home run to the first batter he ever faced and also hit a home run in his very first MLB plate appearance. On August 3, 1988 Eiland gave up a home run to Brewers leadoff man, Paul Molitor in an eventual 6-5 loss to the Brew Crew. Four years later, Eiland landed on the Padres roster. On April 10, 1992, Eiland took Dodger pitcher Bob Ojeda deep in the second inning of San Diego's 8-3 win over Los Angeles.
3. With Tampa Bay's 1-0 win over Boston Monday, Rays Manager Joe Maddon got his 500th win. The makes Joe Maddon a member of an exclusive club. Only five managers have 500 or more wins with their current teams. The other four mangers are Mike Scioscia (LAA), Ron Gardenhire (MIN), Charlie Manuel (PHI), and Jim Leyland (DET).
Baseball Card of the Week: For his unique place in baseball history, here's a look at Dave Eiland's 1991 Topps card.
Until next week folks, remember that a backwards K in the scorebook is the symbol used for when a batter strikes out looking.
-The Commissioner
