Boston reduced its magic number to one with a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.
And with those results, coupled with Cleveland’s 5-3 win over Kansas City, the AL playoff pairings were set: The Los Angeles Angels will open at Boston, and the wild-card Yankees will start at Cleveland.
The Yankees, who had won the last nine AL East crowns, took a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the ninth at Baltimore. Then former Red Sox outfielder Jay Payton tied it with a bases-loaded triple. And Melvin Mora bunted in the winning run with the bases loaded in the 10th.
When the division title was assured, Red Sox players poured from their clubhouse, through the dugout and onto the field. After a long standing Ovation and a chant from the faithful (”CHAMPIONS OF THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST.”) The Red Sox retired to the Club house for all out mayhem.
Enjoy, you earned it.
Alot was made about the song Joey Votto (OF Reds) came to bat with. One might expect Metallica or maybe Creed. Something softer you say? maybe some country or even a popular pop song, wrong Again.
Votto walked to his first ab to a stadium sound system blasting Mr Robotto. Everyone was caught off guard, even Votto. When asked about his unique song selection he was quoted as saying not only did he not request it, he wanted to know how he could request it not be played.
Last week Dunn switched Hoppers pants for a pair 2 sizes too small, in the 9th Hopper said he took a walk in his final at bat because he was afraid to swing! Afraid his pants would split.
The chemistry in the Reds dugout seems to be phenomenal, Dunn added that hopes the Reds pick up his option, he wants to be a Red — even if people don’t want him to be one
Sorry to break the news Tony, seems if it’s up to Dunn he will still be pulling pranks in Cinci.
GP
The Reds honored Craig Biggio in yesterdays game and presented him with a second base, framed and brought out by Ken Griffey Jr. A great gesture from the Reds for a man who has meant so much to baseball for so long.
Since 1957, Biggio is only the third player to have 1,000 career at-bats against the Reds, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Not a bad group to be associated with if you ask me.
From one Reds fan to you Mr Biggio, Thanks for the memories and everything you’ve done for my fantasy baseball team over the years.
GP
Key Starts of the Day, 9/26/2007
by Evan “the Censor” Dickens
Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow for our final Wire
Tap of the regular season!
DOMINANT:
Jon Garland v KC (W, CGSHO, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K)
Garland’s fantasy value has long since passed–now
it’s a matter of the White Sox trying to get some
trade value in the offseason. His August was so bad
that it may be a lost cause, but he looked every bit
like the Johnny Sinkers we once knew and loved. Those
in very deep leagues who have hung on to Garland will
want to check their ERA category–this kind of start
can still move you up a couple points, even in the
last week.
DISASTER:
Johan Santana @ DET (ND, 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K)
This was not a blow-up–it was a rain-shortened
performance, but it’s still a game ERA of 6.0 and a
game WHIP of 1.67, and you can’t deal with that from
Santana yet again. I specifically bring it up, though,
to congratulate him on an incredible streak–at least
five innings pitched in 123 straight starts, more than
three years old. And it took the rain to bring him
down. Tune in Friday to see if Evan and Tony still
consider Johan a first-rounder!
Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over/Under
1. 4 AL Rookies get at least one vote for Rookie of the Year.
2. 4 NL Rookies get at least one vote for Rookie of the Year.
3. 95 Players switch teams in the off-season.
4. 4 Managers are fired in the off-season.
5. 2 Japanese players signs with the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, or Dodgers.
6. 6 Teams publicly state interest in Barry Bonds.
7. The Censor gushes about the Mets, or a Player on the Mets ½ dozen times.
8. 4 AL Players get MVP votes
9. 5 NL Players get MVP votes
10. The Devil Rays trade two of these players, Carl Crawford, Delmon Young, BJ Upton, Scott Kazmir, or James Shields.
Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”
On monday Dunn felt tightness and had trouble stopping while rounding third. Today, the news is that Dunn will see Dr. Kremcheck. Dunn is not in the lineup for today and with the Reds out of the post season, Mr Castellini has no reason to risk further damage to one of his best players.
Todays Lineup minus the Dunnster:
Redlegs:
Hopper cf
Keppinger ss
Votto lf
Phillips 2b
Encarnacion 3b
Valentin c
Cantu 1b
Ellison rf
Bailey p
Astros:
Josh Anderson cf
Craig Biggio 2b
Lance Berkman 1b
Carlos Lee lf
Hunter Pence rf
Ty Wigginton 3b
Cody Ransom ss
J.R. Towles c
Felipe Paulino p
UPDATE: Reds OF Adam Dunn tomorrow will have arthroscopic surgery to clean out his right knee.
The surgery will be performed by Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek.
Why is Travis Hafners Nickname Pronk?
Who gave Hafner that nick name and what does it mean?
Every day some one some where everyday calls Travis Hafner “Pronk” but do they really know why? Most people know it has something to do with a donkey but what?
Today we give you the short sweet answer of why Travis Hafner is called Pronk.
according to Wikipedia
“His nickname, “Pronk“, was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of 2003. Teammates would sometimes refer to him as “The Project” and other times “Donkey” for the way he looked when running the bases.”
Hafners popularity has grown over the years and there is now a section in the baseball stadium called Pronkville where fans invite him to hit homeruns.
Full Name: Travis Lee Hafner (Pronk)
Born: 06/03/1977
Birthplace: Jamestown, ND
Height: 6′3″ Weight: 240
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
College: Cowley County CC, KS
MLB Debut: 08/06/2002
Full name Travis Lee Hafner…Resides in Sykeston, ND and Rocky River, OH…Single…Was selected by Texas in June, 1996 amateur draft but did not sign until 6/2/97, just hours before he would have been eligible for 1997 draft…Played 2 seasons at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, KS (graduated ‘97)…Earned junior college all-American honors in 1997 and was MVP of JUCO World Series, hitting 3-run homer in 4-2 win over Seminole (OK) JC in the championship game…Played basketball and ran track at Sykeston (ND) High School (graduated ‘95)… Earned all-region honors in basketball and finished 3rd in state in discus and triple jump in senior year…Participated in Little League, Babe Ruth League, and American Legion baseball programs…Nickname is “Pronk”…Big fan of the WWE…Named Upper Midwest Player of the Year by the Minnesota BBWAA Chapter in 2005.
Key Starts of the Day, 9/23/07
by Ken In Toronto
DOMINANT:
Carlos Zambrano v PIT (W, 6IP, 0ER, 3H, 3BB, 6K)
It’s been a rough year for Zambrano - but he’s produced for the Cubs
and your fantasy team in the end. Cramping cut this outing short at 93
pitches or you may have seen Carlos go 7 or 8 innings in this one.
None the less - 6 shut out innings at this time of year is gladly accepted.
Zambrano has one more start this year - Saturday in Cincy - but even
in an off year the big bull Zambrano is a must
start against all NL opponents.
DISASTER:
Dustin McGowan @ NY (L, 4.1IP, 6ER, 6H, 6BB, 5K)
Hopefully you restrained yourself from starting McGowan in Yankee stadium.
McGowan only threw 50% of his pitches for strikes and left
with a game WHIP of 2.76. Think of this outing next time you want
to sniper start or are on the fence of any young pitcher
facing the Yankees this week - as they are still very much
in the hunt for the divisional crown.
Key Starts of the Day, 9/22/07
by Ken In Toronto
Ever wonder how bad it is to have a disaster start on your fantasy team?
How much damage do they really do? If you had today’s Dominant Starter
Oliver Perez in your regular lineup and Zack Duke for a Sniper Start - their
cumulative fantasy stats would be 1-1, 3.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 12IP, 12K.
It would take even more than Perez’s GREAT start for your fantasy team
to recover from Duke’s poor outing. Let’s just hope your Dominant starts
outnumber the Disasters.
DOMINANT:
Oliver Perez @ FLA (W, 8IP, 1ER, 6H, 0BB, 8K)
I’m not spot on positive, but I think Perez won Dominant Start last time I
filled in for the Censor in August. Obviously no favoritism with the stuff Oliver
brought to the table last night - 102 pitches and 70% for strikes! Oliver’s
undoing historically has been walks - but this is the kind of outing he gives
you when he’s in control and puts his slider where it needs to be. Barring a
one game playoff game - fantasy owner’s should be licking thier lips at
Perez’s final start of the year home to St. Louis.
DISASTER:
Zack Duke @ CHI (L 4IP, 4ER, 9H, 3BB, 4K)
What is more upsetting about Duke is this is not Duke’s first disaster start
this month. I don’t know about you - but I’ve been watching how Duke finishes
out this year in hopes of him being a sleeper in 2008. The once great prospect
has regressed every year since his 2005 rookie campaign and may not even
be in the team’s plans given the new ownership. Duke gave up 3HR in this
game - If it had been against any other team than the Cubbies you’d have
to think there would have been men on base; and Duke would have been
charged with 5-6 runs instead of 4. This was only Duke’s second outing back
from injury but he’s pretty much run out of chances fantasy wise.
Homer Bailey will get two more starts before the Reds season ends.
The Reds rotation for the final streatch looks like this:
Tuesday vs Houston, RHP Homer Bailey vs RHP Juan Gutierrez
Wednesday vs Houston, RHP Tom Shearn vs LHP Wandy Rodriguez
Thursday vs Houston, RHP Matt Belisle vs RHP Matt Albers
Friday vs Chicago, RHP Bronson Arroyo
Saturday vs Chicago, RHP Aaron Harang
Sunday vs Chicago, RHP Homer Bailey