I realize everyone hates him, and could give a shit, but I he's had an MVP type season this year and he deserves to be on the team.
MVP season? your pushing it a little bit there
Maybe, but at the very least he's been fantastic offensively and defensively. Plus Weiters sucks and Napoli is having a terrible year. But it's probably just because everyone hates A.J. lol.
I realize everyone hates him, and could give a shit, but I he's had an MVP type season this year and he deserves to be on the team.
MVP season? your pushing it a little bit there
Maybe, but at the very least he's been fantastic offensively and defensively. Plus Weiters sucks and Napoli is having a terrible year. But it's probably just because everyone hates A.J. lol.
KANSAS CITY -- As Chipper Jones moves toward the final months of his storied career, he stands as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. Thus, maybe it was fitting that he played his first All-Star Game in Mike Schmidt's house and his last in a city where George Brett remains a beloved figure.
Before experiencing his final Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, Jones shared some laughs with Brett and delivered a pregame speech to his National League teammates. Then to cap off a memorable experience, he singled in the sixth inning of the Senior Circuit's 8-0 win over the American League.
"It's a really cool moment," Jones said. "I've said all along through the first half there have been games and moments that couldn't have been scripted any better. Today is one of those games that I will remember fondly when I look back on my last season."
Jones' soft sixth-inning single stood as just one of the highlights Braves players produced while helping the NL secure home-field advantage in the World Series with a third consecutive All-Star Game victory. Dan Uggla aided a five-run first-inning with his RBI infield single against the oft-dominant Justin Verlander.
"It was fun out there," said Braves outfielder Michael Bourn, who struck out in his only plate appearance. "Plus Chipper got to go out with a hit in his last at-bat in an All-Star Game."
Jones received a rousing ovation during pregame introductions and again when he came off the bench and strolled toward the plate with "Crazy Train" blaring through the stadium's sound system.
Before the crowd could get settled, Jones directed Chris Sale's first-pitch fastball toward the infield's right side. Shifted toward second base, Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler did not attempt to dive as the ball made its way toward right field.
"I was thinking, 'Beat it out,' right away," Jones said. "At 40 years old, legging out an infield hit isn't exactly the way I scripted it."
When asked if he was showing reverence by allowing Jones to record a single, Kinsler said he would never do such a thing and was simply not warmed up enough to make a more aggressive attempt to field the ball.
For Jones, the single in his final at-bat bookends his All-Star memories. He also singled off Charles Nagy in the first at-bat of his first All-Star Game in Philadelphia in 1996.
"It ain't how hard you hit it, it's where you hit it," Jones said. "After getting a standing ovation, I have to admit I was a little misty. It's kind of hard to see 97 [mph] coming out of Chris Sale's hand."
Since arriving to enjoy his final All-Star week on Monday, Jones has been treated royally by the players and Kansas City fans, who had never had a chance to see him play in their city. The veteran thoroughly enjoyed watching his sons delight while Monday night's State Farm Home Run Derby and the parade held during Tuesday's All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet.
"It's been awesome," Uggla said. "He's been kind of like the Godfather around here. Everybody is just doing an amazing job. He's enjoying it too. He was a truck or two behind me in the parade. He was standing up waving. It was like they had him on a pedestal. He was standing up and having a blast."
Sixteen years after playing in his first All-Star Game, Jones still glows when thinking about the time he spent around Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin and Cal Ripken. Two decades from now, Nationals 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper might find himself talking about his first Midsummer Classic being sweetened by Jones' presence.
"It's so great to see him get a single in his last All-Star Game," Harper said. "It was really fun to hang out with him and everybody else in this clubhouse."
As Jones addressed Harper and the rest of the NL team before the game, he reminded them that they were selected because they stand as the "elite of the elite." He also quoted Lou Brown, the fictional manager from the movie, "Major League," and declared he did not plan to lose his final All-Star Game.
When the NL broke out for five first-inning runs against Verlander, it appeared Jones' speech might have had a Knute Rockne-type effect.
"It's almost more meaningful to hear a speech from a player like that, who we all respect, than from anyone else," Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said. "It was pretty cool."
You tryin to be a hero fool? You wanna see badass mother fucker?! I'll show ya a badass!!!
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and he is expected to miss three to four weeks, the club announced Monday.
Votto will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. The club will announce a corresponding roster move Tuesday.
"Joey Votto met with the medical staff this evening and has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee," said Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. "He is going to have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow and should miss 3-4 weeks. Joey is very comfortable with the decision and is eager to return to the lineup."
Votto entered the day 9-for-32 (.281) since he returned on July 3 after missing a couple of games with a left knee injury, which he suffered on June 29. While he was 2-for-3 in Sunday's 4-2 Reds win over the Cardinals, he was a combined 0-for-8 in the first two games of the series.
"It is in my best interest and in the best interest of the team to do it now, so that I can be healthy during the last two months of the pennant race," Votto said.
Votto, who played in the All-Star Game last week in Kansas City, came in batting .342 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs and a league-best .465 on-base percentage. He has appeared in 86 of Cincinnati's previous 88 games and missed only three starts.
You tryin to be a hero fool? You wanna see badass mother fucker?! I'll show ya a badass!!!
LEOMINSTER, Mass. -- A Massachusetts police officer was put on paid leave Wednesday after an internal investigation found that he directed a racial slur at Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford.
Officer John Perrault was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next week at which he could face more severe punishment, and even could be fired, Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella and police chief Robert Healey said.
More On The Red Sox
Gordon Edes and the rest of the ESPNBoston.com team have the Red Sox covered for you. Blog
Perreault engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer, according to the chief and mayor.
The officer, who is white, was placed on desk duty after the July 5 incident. He was described as a veteran officer with no prior disciplinary problems.
He was off duty and attending a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.
Witnesses said a heckling fan called Crawford, who is black, a "monday" before a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs. Crawford said he interpreted the word as a racial slur.
The word can be used as a derogatory term for blacks, and is often associated with Mondays being one of the least-liked days of the week.
Crawford was playing for the Double-A Sea Dogs while rehabilitating a wrist injury.
Crawford alerted stadium officials to the remark, and team management apologized.
Leominster police reached out to Crawford as part of their investigation but did not talk to him, Mazzarella said.
The mayor and chief also issued an apology to Crawford.
Crawford returned to action for the Red Sox on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Comments
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
7/11/2012 1:00 AM ET
KANSAS CITY -- As Chipper Jones moves toward the final months of his storied career, he stands as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. Thus, maybe it was fitting that he played his first All-Star Game in Mike Schmidt's house and his last in a city where George Brett remains a beloved figure.
Before experiencing his final Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, Jones shared some laughs with Brett and delivered a pregame speech to his National League teammates. Then to cap off a memorable experience, he singled in the sixth inning of the Senior Circuit's 8-0 win over the American League.
"It's a really cool moment," Jones said. "I've said all along through the first half there have been games and moments that couldn't have been scripted any better. Today is one of those games that I will remember fondly when I look back on my last season."
Jones' soft sixth-inning single stood as just one of the highlights Braves players produced while helping the NL secure home-field advantage in the World Series with a third consecutive All-Star Game victory. Dan Uggla aided a five-run first-inning with his RBI infield single against the oft-dominant Justin Verlander.
"It was fun out there," said Braves outfielder Michael Bourn, who struck out in his only plate appearance. "Plus Chipper got to go out with a hit in his last at-bat in an All-Star Game."
Jones received a rousing ovation during pregame introductions and again when he came off the bench and strolled toward the plate with "Crazy Train" blaring through the stadium's sound system.
Before the crowd could get settled, Jones directed Chris Sale's first-pitch fastball toward the infield's right side. Shifted toward second base, Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler did not attempt to dive as the ball made its way toward right field.
"I was thinking, 'Beat it out,' right away," Jones said. "At 40 years old, legging out an infield hit isn't exactly the way I scripted it."
When asked if he was showing reverence by allowing Jones to record a single, Kinsler said he would never do such a thing and was simply not warmed up enough to make a more aggressive attempt to field the ball.
For Jones, the single in his final at-bat bookends his All-Star memories. He also singled off Charles Nagy in the first at-bat of his first All-Star Game in Philadelphia in 1996.
"It ain't how hard you hit it, it's where you hit it," Jones said. "After getting a standing ovation, I have to admit I was a little misty. It's kind of hard to see 97 [mph] coming out of Chris Sale's hand."
Since arriving to enjoy his final All-Star week on Monday, Jones has been treated royally by the players and Kansas City fans, who had never had a chance to see him play in their city. The veteran thoroughly enjoyed watching his sons delight while Monday night's State Farm Home Run Derby and the parade held during Tuesday's All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet.
"It's been awesome," Uggla said. "He's been kind of like the Godfather around here. Everybody is just doing an amazing job. He's enjoying it too. He was a truck or two behind me in the parade. He was standing up waving. It was like they had him on a pedestal. He was standing up and having a blast."
Sixteen years after playing in his first All-Star Game, Jones still glows when thinking about the time he spent around Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin and Cal Ripken. Two decades from now, Nationals 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper might find himself talking about his first Midsummer Classic being sweetened by Jones' presence.
"It's so great to see him get a single in his last All-Star Game," Harper said. "It was really fun to hang out with him and everybody else in this clubhouse."
As Jones addressed Harper and the rest of the NL team before the game, he reminded them that they were selected because they stand as the "elite of the elite." He also quoted Lou Brown, the fictional manager from the movie, "Major League," and declared he did not plan to lose his final All-Star Game.
When the NL broke out for five first-inning runs against Verlander, it appeared Jones' speech might have had a Knute Rockne-type effect.
"It's almost more meaningful to hear a speech from a player like that, who we all respect, than from anyone else," Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said. "It was pretty cool."
Pics!?
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and he is expected to miss three to four weeks, the club announced Monday.
Votto will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. The club will announce a corresponding roster move Tuesday.
"Joey Votto met with the medical staff this evening and has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee," said Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. "He is going to have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow and should miss 3-4 weeks. Joey is very comfortable with the decision and is eager to return to the lineup."
Votto entered the day 9-for-32 (.281) since he returned on July 3 after missing a couple of games with a left knee injury, which he suffered on June 29. While he was 2-for-3 in Sunday's 4-2 Reds win over the Cardinals, he was a combined 0-for-8 in the first two games of the series.
"It is in my best interest and in the best interest of the team to do it now, so that I can be healthy during the last two months of the pennant race," Votto said.
Votto, who played in the All-Star Game last week in Kansas City, came in batting .342 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs and a league-best .465 on-base percentage. He has appeared in 86 of Cincinnati's previous 88 games and missed only three starts.
my fantasy team =((
Officer John Perrault was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next week at which he could face more severe punishment, and even could be fired, Leominster mayor Dean Mazzarella and police chief Robert Healey said.
More On The Red Sox
Gordon Edes and the rest of the ESPNBoston.com team have the Red Sox covered for you. Blog
Perreault engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer, according to the chief and mayor.
The officer, who is white, was placed on desk duty after the July 5 incident. He was described as a veteran officer with no prior disciplinary problems.
He was off duty and attending a minor league game in Manchester, N.H.
Witnesses said a heckling fan called Crawford, who is black, a "monday" before a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Portland Sea Dogs. Crawford said he interpreted the word as a racial slur.
The word can be used as a derogatory term for blacks, and is often associated with Mondays being one of the least-liked days of the week.
Crawford was playing for the Double-A Sea Dogs while rehabilitating a wrist injury.
Crawford alerted stadium officials to the remark, and team management apologized.
Leominster police reached out to Crawford as part of their investigation but did not talk to him, Mazzarella said.
The mayor and chief also issued an apology to Crawford.
Crawford returned to action for the Red Sox on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8177081/massachusetts-police-officer-punished-directing-racial-slur-boston-red-sox-carl-crawford