Your New Favorite Commercial

Going into this weekend's series against the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox found themselves in the midst of their worst start since Franklin D. Roosevelt was starting his fourth term as president.

However, then...stars Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky were overseas at war.

Now...the BoSox have to answer critics wondering how they could be 0-6 when they just added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to an already potent lineup.

Thankfully, for Red Sox Nation, two things happened on Friday.

One...Boston upended the Bombers 9-6.

And two...New Era put out this fantastic commercial. Yup, I just gave you a history lesson so you could watch an advertisement for baseball caps.

Enjoy!

So...um, Manny's Done

It was just a matter of time before Manny Ramirez went all (to steal a phrase from EVERY other story written today) "Manny Being Manny" on the Tampa Bay Rays, right?

Well, today is/was that day.  Circle it on your calendars, folks...the once future Hall of Famer is done.

This from MLB.com:

Manny Ramirez is retiring as a player, Major League Baseball announced in a statement issued Friday afternoon.

The statement said Ramirez had "an issue" under MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and informed the league he is hanging it up rather than "continue with the process under the program."

The statement, in full, reads as follows: "Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program. Rather than continue with the process under the program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the drug program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter."

And if what Michael Schmidt of the New York Times says is true...the 38-year-old tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in Spring Training.

Oops.

Ramirez inked a deal this past off season with the Rays and was (along with the rest of the team) struggling to get it going starting the season 1-for-17.  He finishes his 19-year career with 555 home runs, 1,831 RBI and a .312 average.

In 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games by MLB for violating the league's drug policy.  If this most recent issue was indeed a drug violation, he would be facing a suspension of 100 games.

BUT...something tells me we might never know.

Talkin' the Barry Bonds Trial With Norman Quebedeau

When the Barry Bonds trial goes to jury on Thursday, the defense will not have called a single witness or put the all-time home run leader on the stand.  Regardless, a star has emerged from the USA vs. Barry Lamar Bonds.

His name...Norman Quebedeau.

Granted, you probably don't know who that is by name, but if you've been on the internets in the last week...you've seen his work.  Now, typically, this is where I'd drop the "I had a chance to talk baseball with so and so"...but this time, I talked courtroom sketch artistry with Quebedeau.

Sketch artistry...is that a thing?!?  And what does the California-based artist think of the recent interest the blogosphere has had in his work?

HOVG: You’ve been covering the Barry Bonds perjury trial since it began. How did you go about getting into that courtroom to sketch the ordeal? What’s the process?

QUEBEDEAU: I simply did what everyone else who covers this or any other trial does...I went to the courthouse, asked where to apply for a media credential, filled out the form, submitted urine and blood samples and agreed to have a small computer chip surgically implanted in an undisclosed location. That damn barcode tattoo still hurts. It's up to the judge to determine how much space will be made available to media in the courtroom and whether cameras are to be allowed.

HOVG: Are you the official sketch artist of the Bonds trial? If so...how does that work?

QUEBEDEAU: "Official" sketch artist? You must mean what's called a "pool" artist or photographer who all the news organizations buy from. I was the pool artist on a couple of occasions at other events in other courtrooms. At this trial there are three sketch artists. One of us has all of her work shot by almost all of the tv and news services every day. You should ask her this question.

HOVG:  Ouch.  You’ve watched every second of the trial…what has surprised you the most so far?

QUEBEDEAU: The amount of money involved in professional sports. The balls of it all.

HOVG: You’ve covered plenty of high profile trials throughout your career…what has been your most memorable courtroom experience?

QUEBEDEAU: It becomes a blur after a while. What was your question?

HOVG: Lastly, you’ve been taking some shots lately throughout the blogosphere…anything you’d like to tell your detractors?

QUEBEDEAU: No.

HOVG: What’s next…how can people keep up with you and follow your work?

QUEBEDEAU: (Wednesday was) the first day of the trial that I will have missed.  (I had an) urgent need to do my taxes and catch up on other stuff. Maybe I'll be back in the courtroom Thursday, assuming that the whole case isn't tossed out for some reason. I hope whatever comes next will pay a living wage and have more comfortable seating.

You can follow Norman Quebedeau's work over  at his website or through his Facebook page.

Jim Leyland Predicts 500 Homers for Miguel Cabrera

After a troubling off season, Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera entered 2011 just a couple of swings away from 250 career home runs.

And after a fifth inning shot againt Baltimore Wednesday night, he hit the milestone.  If you ask Tigers skipper Jim Leyland...there's plenty more to come.

"Well, he'll have 250 more, for sure," Leyland told reporters. "I hope I'm around to see them."

At just 27 (he'll be 28 later this month), Cabrera definitely has time on his side.  The bigger question is this...can dude push his demons aside and continue up the all-time ladder?

It's a Family Affair at Target Field

Opening Day at Target Field Friday is shaping up to be a true family affair for the Minnesota Twins

Among the events planned…the unveiling of a bronze statue celebrating Twins legend Tony Oliva. But as it turns out, the former outfielder isn’t the only Oliva getting into the act.

The National Anthem will be performed by Rick Oliva, Tony’s son. He’ll be joined by Maria Versalles…the daughter of former Twins shortstop and 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles.

Also on the slate, an outfield sign counting up to 600 home runs for designated hitter Jim Thome…who enters the homestand against Oakland with with 589 career homers.

There will also be a sign counting down to the number of games remaining until former Twin (and current announcer) Bert Blyleven is inducted into the Hall of Fame this July.

The family of Blyleven’s fellow Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett (Kirby Jr. and Catherine Puckett) will be on hand to ceremonially open Gate 34.

The capper on the whole day was to be Harmon Killebrew, who is battling esophageal cancer, showing up in Minnesota to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. But, unfortunately, it was announced late Wednesday night that that won’t happen.

"Nita and I were truly looking forward to coming home to Minnesota to be part of the home opening festivities at Target Field," Killebrew said in a statement released by the team. "But it turns out the trip to Minnesota would unduly disrupt my treatment schedule, so we have reluctantly decided to remain in Arizona with a resolve to defeat this disease."

Filling in for the Hall of Famer is, drum roll please, Tony Oliva…who will toss the ceremonial first pitch to Killebrew's grandson Casey.

See…family affair!

An Open Letter to ESPN

This past Sunday, ESPN hit the air with its new "Sunday Night Baseball" team...Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Bobby Valentine.

And for some of you...that didn't sit well.

Enter Andrew Stark.

Stark is a fan of The Hall and sent me the following email.

Dear ESPN, you have made a colossal mistake, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Jon Miller and Joe Morgan were Sunday night. ESPN, you stole that from us, and you should never be forgiven. The last bastion of true baseball television broadcasting has been dismantled, and you are continuing to undermine America's already wavering faith in our true national pastime.

You can check out the entire thing (and I suggest you do) HERE.

Now, I missed the game when it was played (I was watching Jose Canseco's swansong on "The Celebrity Apprentice"), but through the magic of streaming video (I love you MLB.TV)...I decided to check it out.

And after an inning...I've gotta agree with Stark.

In the pre-game, Orel Hershiser referred to Pedro Martinez as "Pedro Guerrero" and in the bottom of the first, Bobby Valentine called Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly "Dan".

I can't believe I'm saying it...but I've never missed Joe Morgan more (or ever).

Moyer Monday: April 4

Last Thursday was the first Opening Day since Opening Day 1985 that Jamie Moyer wasn't on a professional roster somewhere.  And the number one song back in April 1985..."We Are The World". 

So while you quietly hum that to yourself...here comes this month's "Moyer Monday.

Question: When you can get away from your busy schedules, what do you and Karen like to do for fun?

Moyer: Hanging out at the beach in Florida is very relaxing. We always enjoy hanging out with our kids too.

Question: I used to be a Mariners Ballgirl/Fielder and loved listening to Dave Niehaus broadcast the games while hanging out with the kids.  Do you have a favorite Niehaus call?

Moyer: My favorite Niehuas call would have to be “get out the rye bread and the mustard, Grandma because it’s grand salami time!”

Question: What Spring Training facility is your favorite?

Moyer: Each location has its perks, but overall I prefer Phoenix facilities over Florida.

Question: We loved seeing you on Baseball Tonight this week! What’s your favorite part about being an MLB analyst so far?

Moyer: It’s still very early in this experience for me, but I certainly respect and appreciate all the effort that goes into producing the show.  People are very passionate about baseball and passionate about their jobs.

Question: Will we be seeing you at any Phils home games?

Moyer: Yes, I really enjoy Citizens Bank Park and love seeing the passion of the Phillies fans.

Question: Which Phillies starter do you think will post the best numbers by the All-Star break?

Moyer: There are a lot of factors that play into winning baseball games, but it would be really cool to see five guys have ten wins at the All-Star break.  (That) would probably make baseball history!

Remember, you can follow The Moyer Foundation on Twitter at @moyerfoundation. To learn more about the foundation or make a donation to support one of their programs, please visit them online at The Moyer Foundation.

Barry Zito: Mustached American

Somehow, with all the sideshow activities surrounding the San Francisco Giants this past off season one VERY important nugget of information was hidden from the world.

Barry Zito grew a mustache.

I know, I know...it doesn't seem like much, but for a guy who had seemingly lost his mojo the last couple of years, going "Full Pavano" might be the key to his success.

The boys over at Larry Brown Sports are even suggesting it might have aided in the speedy recovery from that car accident last week.

Zito says (he made) his scheduled start because he can pitch through the tightness and would rather not screw up the Giants rotation this early in the year. In reality, he doesn’t want to reveal his secret. Believe me — the stache is the key.

I'm inclined to agree and I'm hoping he's 100% soon.

I've always liked the Zito. Seriously. That wicked curve, the hot celebrity girlfriends and his "who gives a shit...I'm just going to sit here, play my guitar and make millions" attitude.

And don't tell me you don't either.