R.A. Dickey Ruined Christmas Apparently

National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey is taking some heat and it's not for anything he did on the baseball field.

You see, Dickey was recently at a New York Mets holiday party that was designed to benefit some of the victims of superstorm Sandy when, what he calls, an "informal press conference" broke out and the knuckleballer was asked about potentially leaving the city he was out there trying to help.

He was not pleased.

And with trade rumors swirling, you can't really blame the guy for getting upset.  I mean, you've gotta think that the guy was there to do what he does...be charitable.

"I feel badly about using a time such as that to become emotional," the 38-year-old pitcher told the New York Post.  "I want to apologize for that because that was not the venue, necessarily, to do that. That was the wrong place. It was an unfortunate situation. I wasn’t ready for what was about to happen. That’s my response."

Oh, but it turns out that the guy DID have something to sulk about.  Just days later, the Mets sent the guy packing...sending him north of the border to the Toronto Blue Jays.

But don't feel too sorry for Dickey.  Dude is under contract with the Jays for $5 million in 2013, but recently inked a two-year extension worth five times that amount.

Merry Christmas.  I'll let you do the math. 

Jays and Rockies Talking to Matt Williams

With former manager John Farrell shipping up, er, down to Boston, it appears the Toronto Blue Jays already have their sights set on a new skipper.

According to Fox Sports Arizona's Jack Magruder, the Jays are one of two teams (the Colorado Rockies are the other) that has expressed interest in the Arizona Diamondbacks' third base coach Matt Williams.  It's believed that Williams, who is currently managing in the Arizona Fall League, talked with the Rockies last week.

"You jump at the opportunity," Williams told Magruder. "(Managing) is what I want to do. There may be an opportunity one day. There are not many of them. You want to be prepared if it does happen."

The five-time All-Star put up solid numbers during his 17-year career, collecting 378 home runs and a career .268 batting average. "The Carson Crusher" won a World Series ring in 2001 while with the Diamondbacks.

Yunel Escobar Wants You to Hate Him Too!

After the Atlanta Braves traded Yunel Escobar to the Toronto Blue Jays, speculation was that the deal was made because no one on the team liked him...not because of what he brought to the field.

Well, more than two years later, the shortstop apparently wants everyone to despise him.

As Craig Calcaterra over at HardballTalk writes:

Caught by Jays fan @james_in_to and featured over at the Drunk Jays Fan blog, pictures taken of Yunel Escobar on Saturday clearly show that he’s wearing eye black stickers on which he — or someone else — wrote the words “TU ERE MARICON,” which translates to “you are a fa**ot.” As @james_in_to explains, in some cases it can mean “you are a p***y,” but the former is more widely accepted as the meaning.

Homophobic slurs, in any language...not cool.

Omar Vizquel Wants to Manage

Is it possible that the grizzled, older managers of our youth have fallen by the wayside and been replaced by scrappy, younger skippers?

Well, if the recent successes of Kirk Gibson, Robin Ventura and Don Mattingly are any indication...the answer might be "yes". 

That in mind, is it surprising to anyone that eleven-time Gold Glover Omar Vizquel has his sights set on managing one day?  And is it surprising that the Toronto Blue Jays infielder made his desire to be a big league skipper known via Twitter?

Probably not.

The 24-year veteran was doing what he does often, answering fans via the opular social media website when someone asked, well...you can read the exchange below.

 

The 45-year-old Vizquel has been pretty much been hanging on as a mentor so none of this is all that shocking.  More shocking will be the number of teams that end up passing on the opportunity to have this future Hall of Famer (yes, I said it) take the helm of their clubhouse.

Omar Vizquel Blasts Airline on Twitter

People complain about airlines all the time.  Matter of fact, it's hard to go to a comedy club and not hear some hackneyed bit about flying.

But for a Major Leaguer to complain about the service...and for that Major Leaguer to be Omar Vizquel?  Something must've really happened to the mild mannered infielder for him to Hulk out on Twitter Sunday night.

That, or he learned a little something something after spending two seasons in Chicago with Ozzie Guillen.

The "whole world" Omar?  Really?!?

Now, I'm not going to doubt the Toronto Blue Jays infielder as dude will fly more in the next two months than I have in my entire life...but, man, that's harsh.

My guess is that this all stems from the future Hall of Famer's love affair with marsupials.  Thoughts?

Brett Lawrie in a Yankees Cap?

I think Dustin Parkes over at The Score summed it up best..."a new national nightmare has been realized in Canada."

That's right...Toronto Blue Jays sensation (and Canadian product) Brett Lawrie has been photographed wearing a New York Yankees cap.

Sure, sure, the thirdbaseman was a kid at the time, but, still...if I'm a Jays fan, I'm hoping my team holds on to the guy as long as they can.

Oh well, at least Lawrie in a Yankees cap is better than the alternative.

Or is it?

Former Jays Slugger: "Bautista is Clean"

After hitting 59 home runs in his first 2038 big league plate appearances, Jose Bautista exploded for 97 in his last 1338.

Now, I'm not going to say the Toronto Blue Jays outfielder is doing anything sketchy, and even if I was...former Jays slugger Jesse Barfield would be there to shoot me down.

"Bautista is clean. He's been one of the most tested players in the majors," Barfield told reporters at the Rogers London Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction Monday. "But you just know. You shake his hand and he's got a muscular grip and arm but you can tell he isn't built like those guys on something. And he can throw."

And how can the career .256 hitter tell?  It's all in their arms apparently.

"When you look at guys, you have a pretty good idea of whether they are on something or not. It's not natural to have muscles growing out of your neck like this," Barfield said, holding his hands on his neck in a big circle.  "They can't get the arm up over the top because of how the muscles are built up...it's not natural. Guys who could throw, suddenly can't throw."

Aaaaah...so there you go. 

According to Jesse Barfield, Jose Bautista is not on steroids because dude can throw a ball.

Gotcha.

***Big ups to Michael Clair for staying grounded.***

Blue Jays Draft Pick Responds to Critics

It was Shaquille O'Neal who, in a 1999 Sports Illustrated article, said "when you watch MTV, you can tell all the musicians want to be athletes, and when you watch ESPN, you can tell all the athletes want to rap."

Well, MTV rarely shows anyone actually performing music anymore and, outside of wanting to fight Jose Canseco, Shaq has precious little to do with a baseball site...but The Big Philosopher does make some sense.

Enter Tyler Beede.

This past June, the pitcher was selected 21st overall by the Toronto Blue Jays.  Pretty cool, right?

Well, dude turned down $2.4 million from the Jays so he could head to Vanderbilt and play college ball and, hopefully, make a bigger name for himself in the future.  And in the process, the 18-year-old was the lone first round pick not to ink a big league deal.

This move, as you would suspect, drew a lot of criticism.

So what did Beede do?  He decided to explain himself...via a rap.

Forever 21- Young Beedah by Tyler Beede

2011 Milestone Preview: American League East

With the heated contract negotiations between Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees now a distant memory...it is safe to turn our attention to what is probably the biggest milestone on the horizon this baseball season, right?

Let's face it, Jeter cementing himself as one of the (if not the) greatest Yankee of all-time is going to turn a few heads.

And with 2926 hits...I know I'll be watching the boxscores, counting down to 3000 right alongside everyone else.

But enough about Jeter...let's focus on the AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST.


BALTIMORE ORIOLES

When Buck Showalter took over the O's last season, he proved to many that he could still win.  Of course, with 916 career victories...we're probably going to be waiting until the last week of the season to see whether or not the skipper will get to 1000.

Newly acquired Vladimir Guerrero brought his bat to the crowded AL East set on adding to his already Hall of Famer worthy statline.  Right now, dude is on the cusp of 2500 hits, 450 home runs and 1500 RBI...sitting at 2427, 436 and 1433 respectively.

Last season, because of injuries, second baseman Brian Roberts played in just 59 games.  While still plagued by said injuries, the All-Star is looking to get back to form...amassing extra base hits 50 or more doubles at a time. Should “B-Rob” hit that mark again, he’ll be one of only two players (Hall of Famer Tris Speaker is the other) with four seasons with 50 or more doubles.

BOSTON RED SOX

There's been a lot of talk about the Red Sox and their expectations this upcoming season.  That said, the oldest player in the Majors, pitcher Tim Wakefield, is on the verge of a few milestones...both good and, well, dubious.

With 193 career victories, the knuckleballer is staring down 200.  His Wakefield’s 175 wins in Boston is just behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens’ 192 on the all-time Red Sox list. But getting 17 Ws out of Wakefield this season (or the next two for that matter), might be a pipedream. 

On the flipside of the coin...Wakefield is just seven longballs away from becoming just the 12th pitcher to have surrended 400 home runs.

Speaking of the dubious, with 1842 career strikeouts, centerfielder Mike Cameron sits tenth all-time…100 away from cracking the top five.

Hooray?

And since I brought it up with Showalter earlier...it warrants mentioning that Sox skipper Terry Francona is 61 wins away from career victory number 1000.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Every year, the Yankees seem to have something to celebrate and 2011 is no exception.  You've already heard about Derek Jeter chasing down 3000 hits.

How about all the ghosts Alex Rodriguez is chasing?

With 613 career home runs, "A-Rod" is only 18 homers from being fifth all-time.  His 1831 RBI puts him 17th all-time, but should he get to 100 this season (something that's not happened only once), he'll jump into eighth place.  Lastly, Rodriguez is, by far, the active leader in runs scored with 1757.  With 90 runs scored...he'll end the season 13th all-time.

On the other side of the diamond, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is closing in on 1500 hits, 300 home runs and 1000 RBI.  Currently, he's at 1321, 275 and 906.  A duplication of either one of his two seasons in the Bronx should push him past the milestones. 

Almost as important (arguably, it might be MORE impressive) as the Jeter milestone is what Mariano Rivera is closing (see what I did there?) in on.  At 559 career saves, he's 43 saves away from becoming the all-time leader in the category.

Can he do it?

He's topped 43 or more six times in his career...so it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Thank God the Rays decided to capture 2004 lightning in a bottle when the signed Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon or they would be merely a footnote when discussing milestones.

There's no reason to think that Ramirez won't continue his assault on the record books.  He might not reach 3000 career hits (he's currently at 2573) anytime soon...but with 555 career home runs and 1830 RBI, he's poised to be well entrenched atop many career lists for a long time.

With 2571 hits, Ramirez's partner in crime Damon might get to 3000 for his career.  It won't happen for a few years...but it could happen if a resurgence in Tampa Bay is in the cards.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

At 6'11"...pitcher Jon Rauch is the tallest player in the Majors.  He now calls Toronto home!  Not good enough for you?  Well...the Jays aren't exactly the most exciting team in the world now are they?

Vernon Wells Already Loves LA!

Let's not kid ourselves, the American League East has dominated the headlines this offseason.

Sure, sure...the Cliff Lee-to-the-Philadelphia Phillies story is a big one, but the AL East saw the Boston Red Sox make some serious upgrades, the Tampa Bay Rays enlisted some former Sox and the New York Yankees piece together last decade's best fantasy league team.

Hell...even the Baltimore Orioles look to be getting into the mix by potentially taking a chance on Vlad Guerrero.

Not to be left out, the Toronto Blue Jays have decided to, for the second straight winter, trade away their marquee name.

Last season, it was Roy Halladay.

On Friday...Vernon Wells was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels.

You've gotta give Wells credit.  Immediately he took to the Twitters and posted this:

My 1st public comments go to the people that deserve it..the Toronto fans! Thx 4 the memories. I am forever grateful!!

But within minutes...

To my new home...LA! Winning is all that matters!! Let's do this!!

So suck it, Toronto...Vernon Wells says so. 

Well...basically.

With Wells, the Angels get themselves a three-time Gold Glove winner who, last season, hit .273 with 31 home runs and 88 RBI.

Manny the Blue Jay? Not So Fast

Will anyone sign Manny Ramirez?

The other day, the question was asked and right now...close to 60% of you think someone will.  Now, we're a long way from the start of the 2011 season, but if you pay any attention to the Hot Stove chatter, there appears to be really only one option for the 38-year old slugger.

The Toronto Blue Jays.

And why the Blue Jays...because HE said he'd play there.  It wasn't the other way around.

“You have to weigh each case by itself," Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told the Toronto Sun the other day when asked about the prospect of the team inking Ramirez.  "If it’s the right player, the right fit, the right talent at the right price, you’ve got to be open to it.”

So, yeah, basically Anthopoulos said he wouldn't be scared off by the idea of inking Ramirez, but, by no means, does that suggest that they are going to go out and try to sign the guy.

And before I see any more stories about how much Ramirez likes new Toronto skipper John Farrell...it isn't like they spent THAT much time together.  Farrell landed his gig in Boston following the 2006 season and Ramirez was shown the door a season and a half later.

Oh, and I'm not certain, but do you really think the superstar outfielder spent a second hanging out with the team's pitching coach?  Plus, didn't he say the same thing about Joe Torre in 2008 when he was shipped to Los Angeles (yes) and last season when he agreed to join Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox (another yes)?

Ramirez is doing what he does best...giving reporters the proper lip service to makes headlines.  It's classic "Manny Being Manny" and, subsequently, Anthopoulos is being Anthopoulos.

But, as long as agent Scott Boras (and, yes, he does represent Ramirez) is involved...it doesn't matter who is being who.

I'm inclined to think that Ramirez is going to attempt to pull off what Pedro Martinez did in the 2009 campaign (which was essentially what Roger Clemens had done in the past)...wait it out to see how the smoke settles, then show up in time to take the prettiest girl to the dance.

That said, we all saw how effective Martinez was with that strategy last season considering the last time he toed a rubber was two Octobers ago.

So, where is Manny Ramirez going to take his traveling circus to next?  Who knows.  But the bigger question might be this...does anyone care?

Roy Halladay...(Im)mortal?!?

Alright…so Roy Halladay is human I guess.

We assumed that to some extent though, right?

Yes, we all saw flashes of super human activity back in May when the Philadelphia Phillies ace threw that perfect game against the Marlins. And yes, earlier this month, the righty threw, arguably, a much better game when he became just the second pitcher ever to throw a no-no in the postseason.

But let’s be fair, the dude has just those two wickedly insane outings in 322 career starts…not 322 of them.

And when he gave up those two solo shots to San Francisco outfielder Cody Ross Saturday night, it wasn’t like it was the first time someone victimized the All-World pitcher twice in one game.

Matter of fact…it was the seventh time that it has happened.

Again, the guy is human.

Roy Halladay is Perfect!

I was sitting at the ballpark tonight (Road Ranger Stadium in sleepy Rockford, IL...mere minutes from the The Hall's home office), when news of Roy Halladay's perfect game came over the PA.

"So what's your angle going to be?" I was immediately asked.

I knew I needed one, but initially, I wasn't sure as there are quite a few to choose from.

Do you choose the "this is the first time since 1880 that there have been two perfect games in a season" angle?

Nah...probably going to be covered to death.

Maybe it's the old "this is the third perfect game in ten months" whopper. I mean, that's never happened and when you add in no-hitters...five in a span of a year is pretty amazing.

Perhaps I could go all introspective and recall how I was at a ballgame in 1995 when I got the news Mickey Mantle died or how, 14 years later...I was at the ballpark when I heard Michael Jackson had passed.

That combined with tonight's news and you've got the makings of a pretty good "where were you when" piece don't you think?

Then it hit me...why have an angle at all? You know, the old "the angle is 'no angle'" angle...not too shabby when you consider that Halladay's gem is bound to be the most publicized perfect game in the history of baseball and any medium.

I mean, here you have a guy who, last year at this time, was the lead story every night on SportsCenter because the Toronto Blue Jays might, I repeat, MIGHT consider trading him. Now, with the Philadelphia Phillies, "Doc" is pitching in the fifth largest media market, with a team that has reached the World Series in consecutive seasons.

So, I ask, why write about Halladay's accomplishments at all...won't it be covered to death in a multitude of facets and from different angles?

Yes, it will.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorites from the blogs I frequent often and the bloggers I respect the most.

The Tao of Stieb: On Roy Halladay and Starting Pitching

Joe Posnanski: Halladay! Celebrate!

The 700 Level: Roy Halladay is Perfect

Fishstripes: Fish Wrap

Hum and Chuck: To Me, You've Always Been Perfect

The Fightins: PERFECTION!

Of course...here's what Sports Illustrated, MLB.com and ESPN had to say.

And in case you were wondering (you weren't), my favorite tweet of the night came from my frenemy DashTreyhorn:

Roy Halladay, you named my firstborn son tonight.

Given the interwebs are full of Halladay posts tonight, I could go on and on and on, but I won't. Frankly, who really wants to read another "this was baseball's 20th perfect game in its history" or "this was baseball's sixth 1-0 perfect game" or, my personal favorite, the "there have been only been two perfect games pitched on a Saturday...Halladay's and the first one ever thrown back in 1880".

I know I don't.

I only wish that Navin Vanwani (shown above deep within the belly of the beast) was at his desk in Toronto banging away his love/hate for Halladay the Phillie, but I understand...a brother has to travel the country, hitting all 30 Major League ballparks when he can.

And in case anyone was curious what I will remember most about my trip to the ballpark tonight...it WON'T be Halladay's no-no. No, it'll be the fact that minutes after I dropped six bucks on a souvenir ball for my son at the gift shop in the seventh...he got a foul ball.

Baseball Road Trip of a Lifetime: Toronto

I had stopped for gas on my lunch break Friday when I read the following email from fellow Baseball Bloggers Alliance member Navin Vaswani.

Earlier this week, I began what I am calling "The Baseball Road Trip Of A Lifetime." I'm visiting all 30 MLB stadiums over the next two months...

Navin went on to detail the endeavor, include links and invite us, his fellow BBBA members to follow along. Jealous of what he's about to embark, I had to email him...asking if I could re-post his journey here.

Night one saw Navin in his hometown Toronto.

Enjoy.

The home opener in Toronto, for me, is no longer about victory or defeat. Not any more. Instead, the game, and the night, is a relic of days gone by; a reminder of what once was, and of what will hopefully once again be.

It's about the more than 45,000 fans that converge on the Rogers Centre, and the palpable baseball buzz that envelopes Canada's largest city for one day, and one day only it seems, a year. It's a reminder that years ago the Toronto Blue Jays indeed ruled the baseball world, and that the city was, at one point in time, what most people would surely call a "baseball town."

Read the rest of Navin’s adventure in Toronto HERE.

You can follow his exploits on Twitter at @eyebleaf or visit his piece of the interwebs over at Sports and the City.

2010 Milestone Preview: American League East

It would be really, really easy to sit here and write on and on about Alex Rodriguez.

The fact that, at 33, he’s just 17 home runs away from becoming the youngest player to hit 600 home runs.

Too easy.

The fact that he’s about to leapfrog plenty of Hall of Famers as he climbs up the all-time RBI list.

Like taking candy from a baby.

The fact that, last year, by finishing with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the 13th time in his career, he broke a tie with Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx for the most in MLB history.

Fish in a barrel.

Like I said, coming up with praise for A-Rod would be easy and that’s why I’m choosing to, again, ignore his efforts and focus on the rest of the AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST.


BALTIMORE ORIOLES

In just their 110th year of existence, the Orioles don’t have a ton to talk about this season.

Among the only milestones worth mentioning…newly re-acquired Miguel Tejada enters 2010 with 285 home runs. And with back-to-back seasons with 13 and 14 home runs…it remains to be seen if the 2002 American League MVP can get his old stroke back.

Also of note for the O’s is Brian Roberts and his ability to amass extra base hits 50 doubles or more at a time. Should “B-Rob” hit that mark again, he’ll be one of only two players (Hall of Famer Tris Speaker is the other) with four seasons with 50 or more doubles.


BOSTON RED SOX

When the Red Sox travel to Baltimore May 2, newly acquired Mike Cameron will celebrate the eighth anniversary of becoming just the thirteenth player to hit four home runs in a game.

With 1798 career strikeouts, the 37 year-old centerfielder sits eleventh all-time…18 behind Dave Kingman. With any luck(?), Cameron, could finish the season fifth overall.

Hooray?

And speaking of Ks (weren’t we?), Fenway’s favorite octogenarian Tim Wakefield is a mere 21 punchouts away from becoming the third knuckleballer with 2000 or more strikeouts.

Also within reach for Wakefield is 200 wins. Nestled behind Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez and the awesomely named Brickyard Kennedy and Urban Shocker, Wakefield is sitting at 189…good for third (fifth if John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez find work) on the active list.

Wakefield’s 175 wins in Boston is just behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens’ 192 on the all-time Red Sox list. But getting 17 Ws out of Wakefield this season (or the next two for that matter), might be a pipedream.


NEW YORK YANKEES

The big news last season (for some reason) was Derek Jeter surpassing Lou Gehrig as the Yankees hit king. Now that that is has come and gone…all we can focus on is the All-World shortstop’s countdown to 3000 hits.

Which, unfortunately, won’t come until 2011.

With 2747 hits to his credit…let’s all agree to re-visit this topic a year from June shall we.

And given only one American League pitcher has notched 21 wins or more in the last four seasons, it isn’t likely that Andy Pettitte is going to get the 21 necessary to raise his career total to 250.

What is likely, however, is that CC Sabathia WILL get the 14 wins he needs to get to 150 for his young career. At only 28 (he turns 29 in June), the big lefty has the best shot among all young hurlers to end up in that 250-300 range.


TAMPA BAY RAYS

Carl Crawford is the Rays career leader is just about every offensive category. With 92 triples to his credit, he is third among active players (Johnny Damon and Jimmy Rollins each have 95), but probably the most likely to reach 100 first.

One category that doesn’t see Crawford atop the leaderboard is home runs. Going into the season, for Ray Aubrey Huff is 12 home runs ahead of current first baseman Carlos Pena.

With an average of 39 home runs in each of his years in Tampa Bay, odds are Pena will be the Rays all-time leader before Memorial Day.


TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Now that the constant Roy Halladay trade rumors that plagued the Blue Jays last season are a thing of the past…Toronto fans can focus on Vernon Wells inching toward 200 home runs for his career.

Sure, Halladay and his amazing track record north of the border was something of Canadian folklore, but this is Vernon Wells, people.

Vernon. Wells.

Nevermind.

The National League Central is next on the docket…feel free to check out the National League East HERE.

Ummm...nevermind

Tuesday, The Hall hopped on the "Carlos Delgado is a Blue Jay" bandwagon by posting this gem.

Long story short, who wouldn't want to see Delgado back in the 416 trying to eclipse the 500 home run mark? Not this guy (me)...and, apparently, not MLB.com's Noah Coslov who sent out the erroneous tweet.

Well, Toronto general manager Alex Anthopolous responded...with a text message to the National Post.

"We don't have anything to report or announce regarding Carlos Delgado."

Simple, sweet and to the point. My guess is that current Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay can sleep better.

Carlos the Jay? Again?!?

They say you can never go home again, but if you pay any attention to Twitter (and I do!), you've read that Carlos Delgado is going back to the team that initially signed him more than 21 years ago.

This according to MLB.com's Noah Coslov. "Word out of Puerto Rico is that the Jays signed Delgado"

Is this confirmation of something?

Yes...no. Maybe?!?

Now while it isn't likely that the 37 year-old slugger will overtake Lyle Overby as the Blue Jays firstbaseman...it is possible that they could plug him in at DH and watch him creep toward 500 home runs.

Seriously.

Raise your hand if you ever thought Carlos Delgado was going to be a member of the 500 home run club.

No one?

After Gary Sheffield hit his 500th bomb last season...Delgado is up next on the all-time active list with 473 homers. But can he get the 27 necessary?

Consider this...only one time since 1997 (and I throw out last season's injury plagued season) has Delgado NOT hit at least that many and that was in 2007 when he knocked 24 out of the yard for the Mets.

Gotham's "Dynamic Duo"

Earlier in the week, in an effort to give my "followers" a cool fun fact, I re-tweeted the following: "Jeter and Cano are the only SS/2B teammate duo in history to each collect 200 hits in same season".

I was wrong.

Until now!

You see, when I sent out that errant tweet Monday night, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was at 207 hits (199 at shortstop...seven at DH). Second basemen Robinson Cano was at 200 (199 at second and, you guessed it...one as a pinch hitter).

So, yeah...wrong.

Well, since the Yankees apparently saw the need to NOT rest most of their players against the hapless Royals this week...Jeter and Cano have cemented their place as the best hitting middle infield tandem in the game.

I know, I know, I'm not going THAT far out on that limb, but, seriously...can you point out a better one?

After tonight's contest (and no, I'm not going to sort out their stats as DH, PH, etc.)...the Yankees combo has COMBINED for 412 hits (the most by any two players on ANY team), 75 doubles and a startling .328 batting average.

But just how good are their 200 hits?

Considering there is only one other player in the Majors this season that has eclipsed the mark (Ichiro Suzuki)...I'd say damn good.

Anyway...back at the task at hand.

Prior to this season (and Michael Young's move to third), you could say that the Rangers combo of Ian Kinsler and Young would be a formidable match to the Bronx duo. But, given newly minted shortstop Elvis Andrus is no Young...sorry Texas.

What about Philadelphia?

Chase Utley held up his end of the bargain (31 home runs, .286 batting average), but the 2007 National League MVP Jimmy Rollins was very un-MVP like. With a .249 batting average (second worst in his nine year career) and a Major League leading 517 outs MADE...you're going to have to look elsewhere.

Philadelphia's closest rivals (the Mets and Marlins) have two great shortstops (Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez), but with Reyes missing most of the season with an injury and Ramirez having to rely on Dan Uggla...you won't find any more competition in the National League.

So back to the American League.

What about the Yankees neighbors in the American League East, the Red Sox and Orioles? Surely, last year's American League MVP, Boston's Dustin Pedroia and Baltimore's Brian Roberts could carry some numbers into their favor, right?

Wrong.

Pedroia played alongside six different shortstops and the best Roberts can bring to the equation is 50-plus doubles. Again.

Staying in the American League East, let's look at Toronto.

Yeah...seriously. The Blue Jays probably have the best middle infield duo outside of the Yanks and they are probably the two LEAST known guys out of any of the players mentioned above.

Meet Aaron Hill and Marco Scutaro. They're not household names south of the Canadian border, neither has a flashy story and you won't find them in the tabloids. Heck, one is married to his long-time girlfriend (boring!) and the other is Marco Scutaro.

On the other side of the Great Lakes, Robinson Cano was named after Jackie Robinson and reminded former manager Joe Torre of Hall of Famer Rod Carew. And Derek Jeter, well...he's Derek Jeter.

The headlines write themselves!

Back at the plate, the two duos ARE comparable. All four players have more than 100 runs scored apiece, combine for more than 70 doubles (75 for Cano and Jeter...71 for Hill and Scutaro), 40 home runs and an average of close to 80 RBI apiece.

As an aside, Hill leads the pack with 36 long balls while Jeter and Cano bring batting averages of .335 and .322 to the party...but here's the rub. Jeter and Cano have been playing off one another for the last five seasons.

This is the first year for the Toronto tandem.

Perhaps the better question is "how good are Hill and Scutaro going to be" rather than "how good are Cano and Jeter".

Milestone Preview: American League East

Now that we’ve all got the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy in our rearview mirrors…it’s time to focus on the upcoming baseball season.

It would be cliché to say that this year, just like every other season, begins with a clean slate…but I’d be lying to you. Rather I’ll tell you this...just like every other season, we’ve got a number of milestones that look to be eclipsed. From now until the start of the season, The Hall of Very Good will be breaking now each division, team by team, and lay out what milestones you SHOULD be watching for this upcoming season.

For example, did you realize that Randy Johnson is within shouting distance of becoming only the second player ever to notch 5000 strikeouts? Clearly not as monumental, but did you know that both the Houston Astros have three players that are inching closer and closer to 300 home runs?

Let's start with the AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

It pains me to say it, but since Cal Ripken, Jr. saved baseball in 1995, packed up his 3184 hits and retired following the 2001 season, Baltimore hasn’t had much to cheer about. Sure, Rafael Palmeiro notched his 3000th hit as an Oriole, but given the way he ended his career, I’m not sure “Monument City” is about to put up a plaque to honor his accomplishments.

BOSTON RED SOX

Last season at this time, we’d be counting down the games until Manny Ramirez joined the 500 home run club. This year, there is no Manny and, more than likely, no Curt Schilling (3116 Ks) gearing up to surpass Pedro Martinez (3117), Bob Gibson (3117) and Fergie Jenkins (3192) on the all-time strikeout list.

In their place is slugger David Ortiz and his 289 home runs. It’s safe to say that he’ll get his 300th sometime in early to mid-May. Should Ortiz slump early on…I’m wagering number 300 comes the weekend of June 12-14 when the Sox travel to Philadelphia. The last two seasons, “Big Papi” has hit his 11th home run of the season off former Oakland (and current Phillies) hurler Joe Blanton.

Newly acquired John Smoltz looks to draw some attention as he and his surgically repaired shoulder take the bump to add to his 3011 strikeouts. Currently fourth on the active list, he is not very far from overtaking Schilling (3116) and Martinez (3117).

NEW YORK YANKEES

Considering we don’t actually know the severity of Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury, it’s hard to speculate how far up the home run ladder, “A-Rod” will climb. If he wasn’t starting the season injured…I’d say that moving up five spots on the all-time list and surpassing Frank Robinson was a probability.

So here's a pop quiz, hotshot…who is going to be the next member of the 3000 hit club? If you answered "Derek Jeter" you’d be right. Sure, he’s currently at 2535 and listed as seventh on the active list, but let’s be honest…Barry Bonds isn’t getting those last 65 hits anytime before Jeter gets his next 465. And the other five (Ken Griffey, Jr., Omar Vizquel, Gary Sheffield, Ivan Rodriguez and Luis Gonzalez) are either (A) not every day players or (B) not currently under contract.

Mariano Rivera is 18 saves away from joining Trevor Hoffman as the only two closers with 500 saves. Next on the active list…Bill Wagner with 385. Savor save number 500 baseball fans…it’ll be a while until we see it again. Saves are tricky to predict because it’s all dependant on how the Yankees fair this season. If you’re curious, Rivera has been awarded with his 18th save as early as May 29 (in 2004) and as late as August 6 (in 2007).

TAMPA BAY RAYS

The 2008 American League champion Rays will have two reasons to follow their bullpen beginning in a couple of weeks. Closer Troy Percival (352 saves) is 15 saves away from surpassing former all-time saves leader Jeff Reardon (367) for seventh on the all-time saves list. I’d make a prediction as to when he’ll top the bearded one, but given he has Jason Isringhausen (himself only 7 saves away from becoming the 22nd player to get 300 saves) battling him for the closer job…I think I'll I’ll pass.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Ummm…third baseman Scott Rolen is 28 home runs from 300. Does that suffice?

No?!? Damn.

Sure, manager Cito Gaston has led his Jays to four AL East crowns and back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, but jumping up and down when he gets win number 50 this season and passes up Buck Rodgers to become 70th on the all-time list for wins would be a little much.

Later this week, I’ll cross another division off the list…stick around. In the meantime, surf on over to Comedy Central and enjoy the roasting of the very unfunny Dan Whitney.