AGRI Biz

Personally witnessing Cliff Lee manhandle the New York Yankees in two different uniforms, at both Yankee Stadiums, was far from fun. All I can say is Cliff Lee is that good. Our first time in 2008 was like a blind date, as Lee wore a Cleveland Indian uniform back then. I was simply going to see a regular season game and watched the Yankees make contact with the ...

In a recent column, I set out to provide an Adjusted 400 Home Run Club , with alterations made based on era, missed time, and favorable vs. non-favorable home ballparks. Humorously, this simply raised more questions about the 500 Home Run Club than it did answer questions about the 400 Home Run Club. So, maybe we should adjust that club as well. (Eek, eek. Twitch, twitch.) Are we about to change the baseball world? Probably ...

In a season in which the Philadelphia Phillies have made Ryan Howard one of the richest first basemen in major league history, the unexpected has happened in the minor leagues: left-handed hitting first baseman Matthew Rizzotti has turned into a legitimate major league prospect. Phillies fans will recall that Rizzotti was Philadelphia's fourth round pick in the 2007 draft.  He is a lumbering giant of a player, standing 6'5" and weighing ...

The San Diego Zoo—that would be a good place to leave Ryan Raburn. He would probably fit in better there than on a major league baseball field.  Notice where the ball is in this picture. It is not in his glove. Notice Raburn is off balance. He probably fell down right after this photo was snapped.  Tiger fans have gotten used to this sight. It goes something like this: Raburn gets a ...

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday.   Mitch Talbot, Cleveland Indians Talbot gave up one run on three hits in seven innings with five Ks to improve to 8-6 with a 3.88 ERA. He has given up three runs in his last 14 innings.   Jonathan Niese, New York Mets Niese gave up four hits in six scoreless innings to improve to 5-2 with a 3.84 ERA.   Will ...

By Larry Barnes | Yankees 'n More and The Yankees Daily-Press As I'm sure you know by now, Robinson Cano hit a rather significant home run, at least within the scheme of one game, on Sunday night. But the more I think about it, the more impressive it seems. Not just because it ended up being the difference-maker after an amazing ninth-inning rally, which was helped ...

Last week, I wrote an article comparing MLB players to Pokémon. After the article was published, I started thinking: if similarities can be found between athletes and fictional quasi-animals with superpowers, surely connections could also be drawn between the people who control them. Each Pokémon trainer is in it for a different reason. Some want fame, some want power, and some have other ridiculous reasons for turning innocent creatures into effective gladiators ...

(6/27/2010) Philadelphia, PA — Jamie Moyer went a solid seven innings, allowing only two runs on six hits, as the Phillies took the rubber match of their three game set with the Toronto Blue Jays 11-2. Despite the win Moyer did clinch his spot in the "not so" record book when he passed Phillies hall-of-fame Robin Roberts for sole possession of the all-time home runs allowed list with his 506th. The 47-year old Moyer (9-6) ...

The 2010 MLB All-Star game is upon us. On July 13th, baseball's best will gather in California and battle it out for home field advantage in the World Series. The starters and the players who fill the final roster spot will be voted in by the fans, while the reserves will be selected by the managers and players. Some starters will be well deserving of the honor. Others will be voted in simply ...

Is it time to be concerned about Tim Lincecum or Tommy Hanson?  David Wright is proving that any concerns about him should no longer be an issue. Jonathan Broxton had a terrible night.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:   Hitters: David Wright (3-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB) - New York Mets -  He did a little bit of everything, as he ...