Game Thread: March 11, 2007

Lee's injury coupled with Miller's early performance might set up a little Fausto/Miller competition.  More fun than discussing the utility infielder battle.

delucci just took wang out on the second pitch.

Nice play be Peralta going to his right with a nice scoop by Aubrey.

fausto's teeth look strong out there.  well-fed.

matsui and posada making pretty good contact off fausto

first time i've seen hernandez this year.  he just plunked a-rod.  good omen.  

2B for Barfield off Mo Rivera

Peralta with his second opposite field hit of the day.

How are they doing off Hughes?

jeff harris?

An official who was involved in the discussions that led to the 2001 deal that sent Roberto Alomar to the Mets said one of the players New York made available to Cleveland was a Low-A shortstop named Jose Reyes. The official said the Indians liked Reyes, but simply did not have enough information from their South Atlantic League scouts.
-- New York Post

... so close...

Hello crazymoloh,

I always wondered what we might have had in that trade if Shapiro had gone for a complete rebuild, rather than a "rebuild and compete at the same time" philosophy.  Guys like Lawton and maybe even Riggan and Snyder wouldn't have been included - maybe Reyes would have been instead?!

In Shapiro's defense, Escobar and Traber were two of the Mets' top prospects at the time (if not the Top 2,) and more proven than Reyes at that point; in addition, Shapiro was probably trying to convince Indians' fans that the 2002 Indians would still be able to compete for an AL Central title with this trade, and for a while, it looked like it might work (the Indians did start 11-1 in 2002.)

Oh, what might have been.  :-)

(By the way, Ohio State leads Wisconsin 62-45 with about 3.5 minutes remaining - they may be the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament - go Buckeyes!)

Hello 5tribetipies,

Wang may just have had a great day - who specifically did he strike out - I haven't seen a boxscore yet.  Westbrook had 4 Ks in 3 IP yesterday, and I don't think anyone expects Westbrook to become a K pitcher (though that would be nice.)

(For the record, Ohio State is the #3 overall #1 seed, behind #1 overall #1 Florida, #2 overall #1 North Carolina, and ahead of #4 overall #1 Kansas.  What's a bit surprising is that Ohio State is in the South bracket, NOT the Midwest bracket.)