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A Difference Between Mickey and Joe DiMaggio In one way, Mickey Mantle was the antithesis of Joe DiMaggio. The Jolter was such an aloof individual that rookies dared not to approach him, much less attempt to speak to him. Mickey Mantle used to rush over to greet new players with an outstretched hand. "I'm Mickey Mantle," he would say, as if the young ...

Matt Kemp would have never imagined a better start to a baseball season. At the 14-game mark of the 2010 campaign, the Los Angeles Dodgers' center fielder was a terror at the dish, batting .333 with seven home runs and 20 RBI. Calculated over the course of the season, that's a pace of 81 HR and 231 runs batted in. Anyone with a shred of common sense knew that Kemp wouldn't maintain those ...

After a slow and often frustrating start, the Sox have won 11 of their last 13 to climb back to the .500 mark. The previously struggling pitching staff has caught fire, allowing more than three runs only four times during that stretch. The optimist would say that the pitching is finally performing to expectations and that the Sox are on their way to contention in the AL Central. Every player in ...

A quick look at Week 11's Fantasy Baseball top performers and least owned players on the waiver wire. Justin Smoak is smoking the ball and Max Scherzer dominates twice. Can they really keep it up for another week? Check out who's a Must or a Bust. SWINGERS John Buck —40 percent of Y! Leagues 4 R / 3 HR / 8 RBI / .389 BA With all the hype surrounding ...

If you read this article posted back in March, you know why it’s important to keep an eye on your league’s waiver wire as save opportunities get shuffled around major league bullpens. • Just last week, Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls (who saved 24 games in 2009) was relieved of his duties after converting just 12 of his 16 save opportunities with an 8.46 ERA in 22 1/3 innings thus far. Teammate Aaron Heilman earned the four-out ...

As of Monday, the New York Yankees have moved ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East, while the Boston Red Sox (who a month ago were 8 1/2 games back) now currently sit in a virtual tie with Tampa, and are one game back of the Yankees.  Since it's ladies first, I will start with the Yankees. They are 17-7 in their last 24 games, and 12-6 in the ...

Asher Chancey and I are both Featured Columnists covering the Philadelphia Phillies for Bleacher Report. As we quickly learned upon meeting one another and becoming acquainted with each other's perspectives on the Phillies and sports in general, there is very little we agree on. From Ryan Howard to the Phillie Phanatic, to Mike Schmidt to Richie Ashburn, ask these two guys a question, and chances are we'll disagree. In honor of our bipolar ...

It is always fun to speculate who will make the once-again expanded All-Star Game roster. Since each team has to have at least one All-Star, here are the 30 who are deserving. This list includes many young stars of the game who should be showcased to the whole nation, as well as some veterans that you might not expect to see at an All-Star Game.Begin Slideshow

It's the start of the summer solstice, so it's getting hot. OK...not that kind of "hot", but...well, I admit it — the pic is just a gratuitous photo to get your attention. But it is June 21, and the Chicago Cubs sit seven games behind the division leading Cardinals, in third place at 31-38. It's no longer early, and it's no longer too soon to panic. Now before we get caught ...

Despite losing their last two consecutive games against the New York Yankees, the New York Mets have showed improvement. Going 8-2 in the last 10 games they’ve played, the Mets are currently 39-30 and second in the NL East, trailing the Atlanta Braves by 2.5 games. Since calling R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi from the minor leagues, the Mets have found success. Dickey is 5-0 on the season with a 2.82 ERA ...