Comedian Visits Tigers...Hilarity Does Not Ensue

When George Lopez was dismissed from TBS last year prior to the Major League playoffs, I kinda figured we'd be void of the comedian this postseason as well.

I was wrong.

The former late night funnyman (and I use that term loosely), visited the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers Saturday and brought the, well, he brought his brand of comedy.

Dude even tried out some new material on MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera.

"I told him that a Latino winning the Triple Crown is as impressive as having a black president or potentially an orange one...and he started laughing," Lopez told reporters.  "Great guy. Great sense of humor."

At least his jokes were relatively timely.  I heard that "Tonght Show" host Jay Leno stopped by the Texas Rangers clubhouse last season and showered them with Monica Lewinsky anecdotes.

Alright, that last part might not be true.

Japanese High School Phenom Opts for MLB

The World Series hasn't even started, yet the hot stove is already heating up.

In the past 24 hours, we've seen three-time All-Star Heath Bell get shipped out of Miami and the Toronto Blue Jays actually trade their manager. So what's next?

Enter Shohei Otani.

According to reports, the 18-year-old pitcher has his sites set on becoming the first Japanese-born player to make the jump from high school to American baseball.

"I think I will start in the minor leagues but I want to challenge in the majors," the phenom told reporters. "It's been my dream since entering high school."

Lofty goals, sure, but here's the kicker...dude already has potential suitors. In recent weeks, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers have met with the 6'4" fireballer.

Willie Mays Says "Play it Safe"

It's pretty safe to say that Tom Hanks is one of the cooler cats out there, right?

And given he's from the San Francisco Bay area, it's no surpise that his favorite baseball player of all-time is Giants superstar Willie Mays.  Now, if you've happened upon Hanks' recent appearance on the Nerdist podcast...you know exactly where this is heading. 

As the story goes, Hanks and his brother have an inside joke that stems from an old PSA "The Say Hey Kid" cut warning against, of all things, blasting caps and, the guys are right...the thing is sixty seconds of pure gold.

Enjoy.

Pete Rose Comments on Derek Jeter's Postseason Milestone

This past weekend, before he shattered his ankle (and the hearts of New York Yankees fans), Derek Jeter collected his 200th postseason hit.

And since you can't seem to mention a Jeter hit milestone without comparing him to Pete Rose nowadays...I decided to reach out to "The Hit King" and see what he thought.

Unfortunately, his response was not all that shocking.

"Jeter has had the opportunity to play in a lot more playoff games than players of my era due to playoff expansion," Rose told The Hall exclusively. "I'd expect a Yankee to hold that record."

If you're curious (you're not), Rose made the postseason eight times. Jeter...sixteen.

So, assuming players of Rose's era had the benefit of an extra round of playoffs, would any of them even come remotely close to Jeter's 158 postseason games and 734 plate appearances? Probably not.

Even a guy like Reggie Jackson and his eleven postseason appearances, would be looking at, at best, an extra 50 games if he had an extra round of playoffs. And if you add in those 50 extra games, 127 playoff contests for "Mr. October" would be no match for the current Yankees captain.

Andrew McCutchen Has Questionable Taste

When a guy puts up the numbers Andrew McCutchen does, you'll forgive his transgressions.

First, the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star revealed his love of colorful socks.  Then, it was bowties.  Both, if you ask me...acceptable.

But this video from Thirty Mile Zone, well, this probably needs to be explained a little better.

Jason Giambi's Next Role...Rockies Skipper?

Once dubbed by Sports Illustrated as "The New Face of Baseball", slugger Jason Giambi is looking for a career change.

Well, sort of.

According to The Denver Post, the 18-year big league veteran has his sites set on becoming the Colorado Rockies new manager.  And, yeah, it appears as though the team is kinda hip to the idea.

Also being considered are internal candidates...bench coach Tom Runnels, Triple-A manager Stu Cole and even special assistant to team general manager Dan O'Dowd, Vinny Castilla.  Earlier this week, team officials said they'll be looking outside the organization as well, but "we haven't begun narrowing that list at this point."

So why not Giambi? 

Sure, he's never managed or coached at any level.  And, sure, he's not even officially retired, but the 2000 American League MVP can't do any worse Jim Tracy did this past season, can he?  Heck, the lifetime .280 hitter might even be able to replicate what Robin Ventura pulled off on Chicago's Southside...leading the White Sox to 85 wins.

I'm for it.

Darryl Strawberry Had a Sports Bar?

The hottest new sports bar that you never knew existed has closed its doors.

That's right, Darryl Strawberry's joint Strawberry's Sports Grill, which opened in August 2010, called it quits this past weekend.

"It came out of nowhere,” Darryl’s older brother Michael told The Queens Courier. “I am very sad. Rest assured it had nothing to do with my brother and me."

According to a baseball pun heavy story, employees at the should-be popular Queens eatery suspected the restaurant was having issues when management "stopped placing orders for food and paychecks were being bounced."

Now, I've never worked in the food industry, but I'd have to think that that's never a good sign.

"They gave us checks on Friday but said we couldn’t cash them until Tuesday because they said there was no money,” the employee said. “People may not be getting paid. They owe some people $600 to $800."

For the record, this isn't the first time the three-time World Series champ showed his lack of business acumen.  Strawberry famously became the third contestant let go from "Celebrity Apprentice" back in Season Three after asking Donald Trump to be fired.

You see, what I'm doing there is building a case that the eight-time All-Star might not have the best business sense.

Oh...nevermind.

David Freese and Erin Andrews an Item?

Alright interwebs...it's time to fire up the rumor mill.  Apparently there's a power couple coupling up during the playoffs right under our noses.

And, no, I'm not talking about Justin Verlander and Kate Upton.  That's old news.  Heck, you can't even search for the Detroit Tigers ace on Google without being inundated with pictures of the two.

Remember last year, when whispers about David Freese, the then-newly minted World Series MVP and Erin Andrews were swirling because they appeared together at the Country Music Awards in Nashville?

They're back.

According to Terez Owens, the St. Louis Cardinals third baseman and FOX Sports reporter have been enjoying one another's company this postseason.

Of course, if the two are indeed an item...that might explain why she's stationed in the San Francisco Giants dugout and not across the diamond.

Sergio Romo agrees.