By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer
The only way I could be happier with the Armando Benitez trade is if Rod Beck’s carcass was the returning player. If there was ever an addition by subtraction situation, this was it. And what a way to go out, Mando! In his first 13 seasons as a major leaguer, Benitez faced nearly 3,000 batters, spanning nearly 700 innings. In that time, he committed just two balks. Then, last Tuesday night, in a span of three batters, he balked twice in the 12th inning before giving up a game-winning home run. I’m not sure who is hated more, Armando Benitez in the Bay Area, or Barry Bonds everywhere else.
Kevin Youkilis is having quite a season for a guy not even on the All-Star ballot, with a .341 batting average and a .958 OPS. His 26.3 VORP ranks ninth best in all of baseball.
In case you haven’t noticed, Prince Fielder is having a pretty decent season this year.
Paul Byrd has twice as many wins, six, as walks, three. He’s faced 183 consecutive batters without issuing a free pass. That covers 43 consecutive innings and dates to April 26. How about a 10.3/1 K/BB ratio?
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, whose records date back to 1900, last Thursday night was the first time a major league team has lost a game without allowing an official baserunner. In a 2-0 loss to Toronto, Mark Buehrle didn’t walk a batter, and the only two hits he surrendered were solo home runs.
Russell Martin might be the most underrated fantasy commodity through the first two months of the season. He contributes in every category (nine steals already), and exhibits terrific plate discipline. He’s probably a top-25 fantasy player right now.
Through eight weeks of the season, Magglio Ordonez is the clear MVP of the American League, and it’s not even all that close. I wasn’t ready to call him done, but it’s safe to say Mags wasn’t a guy I targeted in fantasy leagues this year. How about a .673 slugging percentage to go along with 29 walks and just 26 strikeouts? He has 28 doubles this year. He had 32 last year in 593 at-bats. Meanwhile, Lance Berkman hit just his second two-bagger of 2007 Tuesday.
All frustrated 2006 Jhonny Peralta owners have to be kicking themselves watching him play this season. In 367 fewer at-bats, he is just two homers shy of last year’s total (13), has stolen two more bases and might beat his 2006 RBI total by the end of July.
Dave Duncan, where are you? Kip Wells and Anthony Reyes are a combined 2-18 this season.
Do you realize that Joe Borowski has 17 saves despite a 7.29 ERA? If you think he’s lasting in the ninth-inning role all season long, you must be about as wasted as Jack Nicholson at the MTV Movie Awards.
Judd Apatow has done it again. “Knocked Up” is legit. There will not be a better comedy out this year.
Except maybe this one.
Normally I’m not a big radio listener (more of an Arcade Fire, The Shins type), but I’m pretty into NIN’s “Capital G” and Incubus’ “Dig” right now. However, I’m still undecided about Chris Cornell’s cover of “Billie Jean.”
I’m sure you’ve all seen this by now, but Johnnie Morton might want to rethink that whole career change thing.
Chad Johnson to race a horse.
And finally, I’ll leave you with one of the craziest videos I’ve seen in a while.
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