HumpLinks: (W + W) * 2H = R + R = FAIL

Well, Huston Street had a fun night last night. Oh, sure, striking out the first batter only to watch the umpire send him to first base for free might seem like a bad outcome to most. But Huston clearly didn't see it that way. There was still the chance to go 2-2 on the next batter. Yet watching that same ump run the count to 3-1 instead just made his outing so much more exciting than what we mortal fans wish for. Stupid Altuve, though, swinging at the first pitch to get on base was probably a downer. No chance for Mr. Umpire to fark up anything with that at-bat at all. No fun. Damn.

But Street made up for that, backing himself into a corner with a full count and bases loaded and a blown save if he failed to groove the next pitch. So that's what he got to do, and he did it magnificently. Poor Carlos Correa, forced to hit such as easy offering and dance around the base paths as his teammates showered him with glory for driving in the two runs necessary to steal the win away from Hector Santiago.

Such is life. We cannot expect to win every game.  And blown saves have been going on for decades. Ask John MgGraw.

Maybe just every game we have a lead and Huston Street takes the mound in the 9th inning since that is the one and only job he has and he insists that he is the only one who should have that job.

Have some 2000-year old butter, served in a still-wet spitoon Links:

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Everywhere In Baseball

Kubitza: Kyle gone. Sold to Rangers. Or, in baseball lingo, in exchange for cash considerations. We got Kubitza from the Braves for prospect Ricardo Sanchez. Turns out, that was far less than even cash considerations. Sanchez remains buried deep down within the bowels of the Atlanta farm system. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I suppose. Anyway, it was hoped that Kubitza might blossom into our next Troy Glaus. Kubitza hit .194 for us last year. Glaus once hit .172. When he was 32, for the Cards. Mission accomplished..........

Trout Time: Mike Trout is lonely. Because the Angels are in deep trouble, with no possible near-term course corrections in order. In other words, another "wasting Mike Trout" take. The public loves Trout anyway, driving him again towards the top of the ASG voting. But I'm not the kind of fan who thinks that budget mistakes are financial rules cast in stone. And each year brings the chance to rebuild the talent pipeline if decision-makers are wise. Hell, they finished 18 out in 2013, and 10 out in 2010 and 2011. And yet we won the division in 2014 and missed the playoffs by 1 tiny game last year. Trout will be served...........And, oh yes, that pipeline can be filled again. Matt Thaiss is kicking ass on line 1..............

Albert: Well, Pujols is getting old. Even Albert knows it. And, yes, as the link notes, Pujols' Slugging Percentage has evaporated this season...........But although that article speaks about a bum ankle, last night it was a tight hamstring............By the way, Geovany Soto still has a ways to go. Maybe two weeks before he is back..........

Fraud: This is the shits. Anyone who has watched an episode or two of American Greed knows all too well that there are serious scoundrels on the loose preying upon others in order to scam them out of their money. It's being reported that among the latest victims are some baseball players: Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt (retired). Of course, as the link points out, The Met's owners, Fred & Jeff Wilpon, are the most infamous victims among the baseball community. I would add, since I have watched more than my fair share of American Greed, that it is common that the victims assist in their own downfall by being a tad greedy themselves, chasing what is promised as privileged returns............

Clovers: Omar Infante was released by the Royals. Only 2 years there, but 2 WS appearances and a ring? No need to feel sorry. He is still doing very well in ASG voting. And, who knows? Maybe we could pick him up, Apparently he is quite the good luck charm..........

$$: Well, it appears as though baseball players coming from international sources are getting paid too much money for the likes of Ken Rosenthal, who feels baseball ought to do something about that. Fortunately, Rob Manfred is on the case: "Rest assured, we're going to be making proposals to address (the lack of competitive balance)". In other words, MLB will find some way to artificially suppress labor compensation, and do it under the guise of protecting the little guys, such as the reigning World Series champion Kansas City Royals. Arte Moreno should be pleased.........

$$$$$: The sports bubble, at least as it pertains to televised college football, still has a way to go before it bursts. ESPN, despite bleeding subscribers, is going all in on the Big Ten along with CBS and Fox. This, despite fees being tripled...........

CWS: Well, now, the upper bracket joined the fray in Omaha yesterday. Overall #1 seed Florida has found their fortunes bounced to the losers table, having been upset by #5 seed Texas Tech. Florida will be joined by Coastal Carolina, which got smacked around by Texas Christian. Today we have UCSB taking on Arizona, with Arizona at risk of getting bounced from the tournament altogether having already 1 loss..............

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The Duffle Bag

Maybe the only thing more fun than playing baseball, would be getting to play baseball on an aircraft carrier.............Say it ain't so, Joe. DiMaggio won't be honored by the Yankees for his hitting streak. Because the guy who runs his estate loves power..........Hmmm. The National Hockey League is looking to make a move into Las Vegas, and might have triggered a pro sports dash into Sin City. MLB is open to the idea...........The article title says it all: How Cleveland Fans Can Avoid Becoming Boston Fans. My solution? Stay out of Boston.............The most wicked pitch you will see ALL YEAR...........This one is for the ladies: one woman's personal life as it parallels her baseball relationship. Or was it the other way around?.........Joba Chamberlain is bugged. Again...........Vin Scully is wearing out. Hope he makes it to retirement..........Women are back in baseball..........

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(Yesterday was simple. The top home run total per season, showing the PEDs pop there in the middle....Today's mystery is exclusively LAA. No other team involved.)

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