AGRI Biz

Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta certainly didn't get off to the start he and his club were hoping for. After years of rough April outings, there was hope things under Acta would change. The standings may not indicate it, but I think they have. Acta's Tribe only won nine games, but they were lucky to even do that after being outscored by 27 runs in the month of April. The team ...

The Phils were desperate for one of two things before they left San Francisco: a win or a day off. They got both—just in time to settle down for a nine inning nap. After last night’s 9-1 slaughter by the Mets, Charlie took the podium. Usually he recites the team stats, but last night he shifted his hat with a nervous smile and said, “Hey, does anyone have the phone number ...

As the calendar officially flipped over to May this morning, it became impossible not to reflect on what the past 30 days has entailed for baseball’s reigning “World” Champions.   April had its questions, its uncertainties, and its collective breath-holding, but as the smoke cleared from Major League Baseball’s most volatile month, New York still finds itself where it feels it belongs.   It is nothing short of a miracle for the Yankees to ...

Cliff Lee made his season debut.  Ryan Zimmerman returned to the lineup.  Matt Kemp is in the midst of a major slump.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:   Pitchers   • Brandon Morrow (6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 9 K, W) He’s now allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last three starts (19.0 IP).  Over that streak he has 25 ...

The New York Mets are in first place. What's that? Didn't hear me? Ok...THE METS ARE IN FIRST PLACE. How's that? And what might be even more eyebrow-raising is that the Phillies are in third place! So, as we flip the calendar to the merry month of May, we look back on the New York Mets' roller coaster ride through month of April. The Mets began the season in grand fashion. ...

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday. Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox Beltre continues to produce for the Sox. He went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .338. Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles Tejada was the difference maker going 3-for-4 with two runs, a home run, and three RBIs. He’s hitting .293. Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers (pictured) Jackson really is in ...

Baseball is unlike any other American sport. While its popularity has diminished and has been overtaken by the NFL, there is no denying its rich history. Over the history of the game, many words have been used to describe it. Again, there is no denying baseball is steeped with some of the best quotes ever. Many are well known: Yogi's, "It's déjà vu all over again.", Ernie Banks', "Let's play ...

Here’s a look at some unheralded players who played well yesterday.   Dontrelle Willis, Detroit Tigers The D-Train threw six scoreless innings to beat the Twins. He gave up four hits and two walks with six Ks to improve to 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA.   Carl Pavano, Minnesota Twins Pavano took the loss but threw a complete game (eight innings), allowing two earned runs with five Ks. He sits at 3-2 with a 3.73 ERA.   David ...

Robinson Cano finally gets it, and now he is assaulting opposing pitchers.   The immensely talented second baseman has been beset by immaturity and lackadaisical play at times in the past, but if his torrid start is any indication, those days are over.   Hitting a scalding .407 with eight homers and 17 RBI, Cano leads the AL batting race by a mile, ranks second in the league in home runs, and is tied ...

Twenty-two games into this season, the Red Sox have finally drawn even at 11-11, putting them alone in third place. The Sox have won five of their last six games and seven out of nine. With the exception of Wednesday's 2-0 victory,  every one of them was won by one run. That hasn't happened since 1943. Over those eight games, the Sox have scored 47 runs and their opponents 45.  That's just squeaking by.  The ...