Scratching the Baseball Fever Itch

Here's today's hodge-podge nifty MLB findings:


a) In what could be the Tweet of the baseball season even before the pre-season starts, free agent relief pitcher Tim Byrdak bypassed using high-powered agents in an attempt to find work.  Byrdak posted a picture of a hand-written classified ad selling himself as "high mileage but very serviceable".  https://twitter.com/Givemethelefty/status/435831597833547776/photo/1


b) Being from Edmonton, Hockey and Football are kings of the town.  Both sports carry the mantra, "if I can lace them up, I can play".  So when a person reads about an MLB player missing a bullpen session due to an ingrown hair SIGH http://www.prosportsdaily.com/Headlines/ExternalArticle?articleId=290460


c) He was the opening day starter for the 2010 Toronto Blue Jays after missing 2009 recovering from Tommy John Surgery.  He went 1-10 last season with the Mets while dealing with a body that just was not right.  Amidst other procedures, Shaun Marcum had a freakin rib removed last July and today finds himself trying to earn a spot with the Cleveland Indians.  Best wishes Mr. Marcum.

One week til the pre-season games commence

 4.5 weeks til that crazy 2 game series in Australia between the Dodgers & D-Backs.

MLB Views from a Cave in Edmonton Vol 1

1) Jason Giambi played his first MLB game on May 8th, 1995.  He hopes to retain his spot in the lineup with the Cleveland Indians for year 20.  Meanwhile in Kansas City, Mike Sweeney (who debuted on September 14th, 1995) just accepted a role as "Special Assistant to Baseball Operations"




2) Quote of the day comes courtesy of CBS Sports and the Phillies Jonathon Papelbon: "'If I was a gambling man I would take us to go all the way'"




3) Tweet of the weekend goes to Alex Pavolovic, San Francisco Giants beat writer for the Mercury News: "(Tim) Lincecum rented a warehouse this offseason, bought a portable mound and threw to friends. Said, "I feel strong. I'm pretty confident."




4) After Mark Mulder's attempted return to baseball ended Saturday with a ruptured Achilles, I find myself rooting for Grady Sizemore to make the Boston Red Sox.  According to ESPN Boston, it has been over 875 days since Grady Sizemore last played in a professional baseball game.  During that span, Sizemore has had 7 surgeries including microfracture surgery on both knees.




5) Dear R.A. Dickey, Kelly Hrudey called, he wants his headband back.