The Mets have decided that they will lower their centerfield wall from 16 feet to 8 feet. They are assuming that lowering this fence will increase the number of home runs hit at CitiField. However, it is their lineup that needs improvement. More home runs were hit per game at CitiField than four other stadiums and visiting teams hit more home runs in 2009 than they did in 2008 at Shea Stadium. They had a choice to bolster their pitching staff and signed….anyone? Nope. Jason Bay will help as will players returning from injuries. Without more improvements, the Mets may not place better than 4th in the National League East……..The AP is reporting that it is being proposed to increase car rental taxes and putting a surcharge on all spring training tickets sold in Arizona, all in an attempt to keep the Chicago Cubs training in Arizona. According to the report, the state needs to raise nearly $60 million to keep the Cubs there. So, to keep the Cubs in Arizona, everyone going to any spring training game will have to pay an additional fee to see a game and to rent a car. Fair? You tell me……..Will someone please sign Johnny Damon already?……..The Yankees announced they will not negotiate with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Manager Joe Girardi, in accordance with Yankee policy. Something tells me that Jeter and Rivera will each get what they want from the Yankees……..The White Sox announced they will un-retire #11 so Omar Vizquel can wear the number. Luis Aparicio gave permission for this to happen and the number will be retired when the 43 year old shortstop leaves the team. As I understand, a Hall of Famer had to un-retire his number because the current manager would not give up his number. So much for being a team player, Ozzie……..The Rockies signed former Yankee farmhand, Bronson Sardinha. His middle name is Kiheimahanaomauiakeo. That is worth 36 points in Scrabble……..According to Bodog.com, the Washington Nationals are at 150-1 to win the World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates are at 125-1, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are 100-1 to win. I wonder why they are not higher. Anyone willing to wager $1,000 on any of those? I am surprise the Pirates are not at 1000-1. No offense Pittsburgh……..The A’s just spent another $4 million in a way I do not understand. They traded for Willy Taveras and released him. They owe his salary. Someone explain that to me……..A writer in Seattle has apologized for his treatment of Erik Bedard. Really? Someone realized he was wrong and apologized. A writer was wrong? Really?……..I just read an article about Pitcher Ryan Dempster and his 10-month old daughter, Riley. She was born with DiGeorge Syndrome. Apparently, this is a development disorder that does not permit her to swallow. Great article by Dan McGrath on the New York Times website. We need to see these articles and read them. Please find this article and read it……..I am sitting in Long Island watching The Weather Channel regarding the potential storm coming Wednesday. They actually just told people to not go on their roof and clean the snow as the weight may be too much for their roof and it will collapse. How about the dangers of falling off your roof? I would be more worried about falling off my roof and living……..With that, I will stay off my roof and live to write again next week. Until then, keep hitting it out of the park.
About Russ Blatt
